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Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions
Kaylee McGrurd feels like life has left her behind. Her best friends have all moved out, married, or are in the process of matrimony. Meanwhile, she’s lost another job, and her daily diet consists of noodles that are better suited as packing material. Then Kaylee’s ex, Gabe Sanders, enters the equation. Gabe walked out on Kaylee without warning or explanation nine years earlier, but now he’s been brought back to the area for the unforeseen future. And he’s in need of new lead vocalist for his wedding band. A dwindling account balance calls for desperate measures, and Kaylee reluctantly accepts Gabe’s offer. While the former couple works together in the midst of happy marriages and heartfelt melodies, secrets and the need for forgiveness highlight the strife between them…and the hope that maybe God’s rewriting the conclusion to their story.
- GenresChristian
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2020
2 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
V. Joy Palmer
3 books129 followersV. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girls. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!
Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!
Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 16, 2020
"But no matter what, we were still on the same side. We were still one. We still loved each other, and that if you and I remained committed to helping each other navigate those broken places, then nothing can tear us apart."
I have missed reading V Joy Palmer's witty, clever, pop culture-filled writing. I didn't realize how much I've missed it until I started Kaylee's journey and met up with all the other beautiful ladies in the previous books (Izze, Apryl, Courtney and their respective husbands/fiances). I loved Kaylee's first person present tense voice which made it seem like a diary being played out. And her "inner DJ" that plays a song for every situation and scenario, whether real or imagined, was absolutely hilarious. Gabe presents his portion of the story in third person and his backstory slowly unfolds to let Kaylee and the reader figure out why he feels unforgivable. Kaylee and Gabe have a history back in high school, and, when they find themselves working together again in a wedding band, that history resurfaces but it also brings a truckload of baggage spanning at least a decade with it. It was refreshing and real to see that Kaylee and Gabe, though they’re confessing Christians, are not perfect and still struggle with God’s gift of grace and extending forgiveness to others. And the mysterious Lou strikes again in this book to knock some sense and God’s truth into the main characters when they need it the most. The book will enthrall you with plenty of snark, good-humored banter, laugh-out-loud moments, heart-breaking raw emotions and capture your heart with deep, abiding friendships and absolute spiritual truths, particularly about unconditional love. This book is the perfect romcom to curl up with on a rainy day.
It's book 3 in the adventure that spans four best friends' lives but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I'm hoping for a new series soon by the author! I received a copy of the book from the publisher via JustRead Publicity Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I have missed reading V Joy Palmer's witty, clever, pop culture-filled writing. I didn't realize how much I've missed it until I started Kaylee's journey and met up with all the other beautiful ladies in the previous books (Izze, Apryl, Courtney and their respective husbands/fiances). I loved Kaylee's first person present tense voice which made it seem like a diary being played out. And her "inner DJ" that plays a song for every situation and scenario, whether real or imagined, was absolutely hilarious. Gabe presents his portion of the story in third person and his backstory slowly unfolds to let Kaylee and the reader figure out why he feels unforgivable. Kaylee and Gabe have a history back in high school, and, when they find themselves working together again in a wedding band, that history resurfaces but it also brings a truckload of baggage spanning at least a decade with it. It was refreshing and real to see that Kaylee and Gabe, though they’re confessing Christians, are not perfect and still struggle with God’s gift of grace and extending forgiveness to others. And the mysterious Lou strikes again in this book to knock some sense and God’s truth into the main characters when they need it the most. The book will enthrall you with plenty of snark, good-humored banter, laugh-out-loud moments, heart-breaking raw emotions and capture your heart with deep, abiding friendships and absolute spiritual truths, particularly about unconditional love. This book is the perfect romcom to curl up with on a rainy day.
It's book 3 in the adventure that spans four best friends' lives but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I'm hoping for a new series soon by the author! I received a copy of the book from the publisher via JustRead Publicity Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
December 13, 2020
Thank you in advance to the author, V. Joy Palmer, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required in any way, nor was it requested. All words are my own.
This is not the first I’ve read by the author, and it won’t be the last. I previously read Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations (WWARE). It was an interesting book and definitely one I will revisit when I get the first book – Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations (LLAMA). Wait, does that read LLAMA as in the animal? Cute!
Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions (MMARC) is the third (3rd) book in an unnamed Christian Romance series of books that have cutesy, but long titles. Being that these are Christian Fiction there are some heavier than normal references to the bible, bible quotes, references to God, and characters rooted in their faith. These are a bit fundamental to the story. It is also a clean romance with not much more than kissing.
While MMARC could function as a standalone read, after reading the end of this, the first one (LLAMA) should be read, as well as WWARE to see how everything began.
The cover is “darker” than the other two, but definitely fits in line along with the typestyle of the title. I think I even voted for this cover back in May. Has it really been THAT long?
Anyway …
Right off, the first line grabbed me:
“When real life starts to mirror the first verse of any number of country breakup songs, you should expect it to get messy” ...
With that, I definitely was wondering what to expect.
This soon became the book I wanted to yell at, scream, pull my hair, throw it across the room, pick it up, hug it, and cry. So, emotional doesn’t even begin to describe it. It was tragic, sad, inspiring, beautiful to say the very least.
Since I had previously read Palmer’s WWARE, I was used to the quirky first (1st) person “narrative” writing style for the ladies; and the third person style for the guys.
Speaking of …
Returning characters are Izze and Miles from LLAMA along with Apryl, Chance, Courtney, and Dallas from WWARE. Though the ladies are more featured than the guys in this. If you’ve read WWARE (and perhaps LLAMA), Lou also returns. These are definitely the sweet annoying friends you want around you. I know I identified with Kaylee due to the sometimes inappropriate and annoying DJ in the head.
Palmer’s descriptive, and at times hilarious, writing style draws the reader in. One incident was near the end with Kaylee’s “squeak-sob-honk” that made me laugh, almost to the point of tears.
This plot was a bit more sad, dramatic, and more serious than book #2. And, Palmer did a great job in being discrete, yet open about Gabe’s “addiction”. In a classy and informative way, the author delves into porn addiction. She slowly unravels Gabe’s history while leaving some hope between him and Kaylee.
There is also some drama with a character from the band – Natalya. I don’t know how many times I want to toss her out myself. There was one incident in which she accused Kaylee of throwing herself at Gabe and I wanted to throw Natalya.
The short, quick, and even paced chapters made this a pretty quick read, though I did stop for a moment to read another book (deadline related) during it. Usually, I don’t do that, but it was easy to climb right back into this. And, I honestly wanted to keep reading this without stopping, but … life.
There were SO many pop culture references in this book that I loved! “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (TWOK) with the “Kobayashi Maru” test; the ORIGINAL (and in my opinion, the best) “Battlestar Galactica”; “NCIS”; “The Empire Strikes Back” with the Lando Calrissian reference; in addition to the song from “Frozen” … “Let It Go”. Oh, and I forgot one – “Tradition!” from “Fiddler on the Roof”. We also get a Baby Yoda (now called Grogu) reference. This book definitely was my favorite with all those references.
And, there were also some good songs mentioned as well. Want to break my heart? Start with Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You”.
The events of LLAMA and WWARE have led Kaylee to some money issues, particularly paying her rent. And, due to another character’s family emergency, Kaylee finds herself out of a job. If you haven’t read those two books, sorry for the slight spoiler.
Enter Kaylee’s ex … Gabe Sanders, the man who left her at the altar for reasons unknown to her and it has stung since then.
He’s back in the area to help take care of his mom, and he needs a singer for his wedding band, how ironic. And, Kaylee ends up saying yes to the job. She really has no choice.
Gabe needs her help in more than one way, band-mates Natalya and Summer need a place to stay as well as the band needing rehearsal space – so, that’s right, poor Kaylee. Though, Gabe and Kaylee working together is a stretch and challenge for them.
It is clear that Gabe has had another relationship since leaving her, but it is over. Well, over on his end. I don’t think readers will be surprised to see who it was either. And, the reader can definitely feel the tension. Palmer makes sure to balance out the serious and the fun.
The songs she chooses are poignant, telling, and emotional. Lifehouse’s “You and Me” always gets to me and it is clear – things are not definitely not over between Gabe and Kaylee but they don’t know how to proceed forward, where to go, or how to be just friends.
The reader isn’t the only one to see this – someone else does as well. It doesn’t come as a surprise when Natalya steps up and wants “more”. In fact, I’m surprised she didn’t start off with the request.
Through the novel, the author takes Gabe and Kaylee on the journey of finding each other again and through the drama of trying to work together. Thus proving one point in it that “God is bigger than us”. It isn’t until about two-thirds (2/3) that the reader gets any romance action.
And, it is soon after that Kaylee discovers the truth about Gabe’s last relationship. But, it isn’t her or Gabe that is holding him back from being better – he sees his father whose behavior adds fuel to his doubts about himself. He wants to fight to be better, but can’t.
But, after a talk with “Lou”, Gabe eventually decides to fight for Kaylee and especially after he learned about a bigger betrayal and lie thanks to his least likely advocate.
I was definitely sad to see the stories end, but what an ending! Palmer did a great job wrapping up the stories from the very first book through. She gave quite the epilogue for the characters, including Courtney and Apryl’s grandmother from the previous book. This isn’t all happy endings, but they are realistic.
Despite the more serious angle, there were moments of absolute hilarity. In one scene Kaylee calls Gabe a deranged clod which had me laughing out loud. Another incident was where Kaylee refers to Gabe’s writing as a chicken writing with his foot which is on fire. I think we all know “that” person – the poor handwriting that is.
One theme I love and that Palmer took a chance on was the old “forgive and forget” – many people do not realize we’re only asked to forgive, nowhere in the bible are we asked to forget though. I really wanted to cheer Izze (as well as the author) on for this one. It really brought it all home.
As of this blog, I now have the first book (LLAMA) in my possession and am going to try to read it in the New Year.
Fans of the author, genre, and the previous two books will no doubt enjoy this read. Although, I was pretty sad to say goodbye to these characters, I honestly can’t wait to see what V. Joy Palmer does next and meet her next group of friends.
This is not the first I’ve read by the author, and it won’t be the last. I previously read Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations (WWARE). It was an interesting book and definitely one I will revisit when I get the first book – Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations (LLAMA). Wait, does that read LLAMA as in the animal? Cute!
Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions (MMARC) is the third (3rd) book in an unnamed Christian Romance series of books that have cutesy, but long titles. Being that these are Christian Fiction there are some heavier than normal references to the bible, bible quotes, references to God, and characters rooted in their faith. These are a bit fundamental to the story. It is also a clean romance with not much more than kissing.
While MMARC could function as a standalone read, after reading the end of this, the first one (LLAMA) should be read, as well as WWARE to see how everything began.
The cover is “darker” than the other two, but definitely fits in line along with the typestyle of the title. I think I even voted for this cover back in May. Has it really been THAT long?
Anyway …
Right off, the first line grabbed me:
“When real life starts to mirror the first verse of any number of country breakup songs, you should expect it to get messy” ...
With that, I definitely was wondering what to expect.
This soon became the book I wanted to yell at, scream, pull my hair, throw it across the room, pick it up, hug it, and cry. So, emotional doesn’t even begin to describe it. It was tragic, sad, inspiring, beautiful to say the very least.
Since I had previously read Palmer’s WWARE, I was used to the quirky first (1st) person “narrative” writing style for the ladies; and the third person style for the guys.
Speaking of …
Returning characters are Izze and Miles from LLAMA along with Apryl, Chance, Courtney, and Dallas from WWARE. Though the ladies are more featured than the guys in this. If you’ve read WWARE (and perhaps LLAMA), Lou also returns. These are definitely the sweet annoying friends you want around you. I know I identified with Kaylee due to the sometimes inappropriate and annoying DJ in the head.
Palmer’s descriptive, and at times hilarious, writing style draws the reader in. One incident was near the end with Kaylee’s “squeak-sob-honk” that made me laugh, almost to the point of tears.
This plot was a bit more sad, dramatic, and more serious than book #2. And, Palmer did a great job in being discrete, yet open about Gabe’s “addiction”. In a classy and informative way, the author delves into porn addiction. She slowly unravels Gabe’s history while leaving some hope between him and Kaylee.
There is also some drama with a character from the band – Natalya. I don’t know how many times I want to toss her out myself. There was one incident in which she accused Kaylee of throwing herself at Gabe and I wanted to throw Natalya.
The short, quick, and even paced chapters made this a pretty quick read, though I did stop for a moment to read another book (deadline related) during it. Usually, I don’t do that, but it was easy to climb right back into this. And, I honestly wanted to keep reading this without stopping, but … life.
There were SO many pop culture references in this book that I loved! “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (TWOK) with the “Kobayashi Maru” test; the ORIGINAL (and in my opinion, the best) “Battlestar Galactica”; “NCIS”; “The Empire Strikes Back” with the Lando Calrissian reference; in addition to the song from “Frozen” … “Let It Go”. Oh, and I forgot one – “Tradition!” from “Fiddler on the Roof”. We also get a Baby Yoda (now called Grogu) reference. This book definitely was my favorite with all those references.
And, there were also some good songs mentioned as well. Want to break my heart? Start with Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You”.
The events of LLAMA and WWARE have led Kaylee to some money issues, particularly paying her rent. And, due to another character’s family emergency, Kaylee finds herself out of a job. If you haven’t read those two books, sorry for the slight spoiler.
Enter Kaylee’s ex … Gabe Sanders, the man who left her at the altar for reasons unknown to her and it has stung since then.
He’s back in the area to help take care of his mom, and he needs a singer for his wedding band, how ironic. And, Kaylee ends up saying yes to the job. She really has no choice.
Gabe needs her help in more than one way, band-mates Natalya and Summer need a place to stay as well as the band needing rehearsal space – so, that’s right, poor Kaylee. Though, Gabe and Kaylee working together is a stretch and challenge for them.
It is clear that Gabe has had another relationship since leaving her, but it is over. Well, over on his end. I don’t think readers will be surprised to see who it was either. And, the reader can definitely feel the tension. Palmer makes sure to balance out the serious and the fun.
The songs she chooses are poignant, telling, and emotional. Lifehouse’s “You and Me” always gets to me and it is clear – things are not definitely not over between Gabe and Kaylee but they don’t know how to proceed forward, where to go, or how to be just friends.
The reader isn’t the only one to see this – someone else does as well. It doesn’t come as a surprise when Natalya steps up and wants “more”. In fact, I’m surprised she didn’t start off with the request.
Through the novel, the author takes Gabe and Kaylee on the journey of finding each other again and through the drama of trying to work together. Thus proving one point in it that “God is bigger than us”. It isn’t until about two-thirds (2/3) that the reader gets any romance action.
And, it is soon after that Kaylee discovers the truth about Gabe’s last relationship. But, it isn’t her or Gabe that is holding him back from being better – he sees his father whose behavior adds fuel to his doubts about himself. He wants to fight to be better, but can’t.
But, after a talk with “Lou”, Gabe eventually decides to fight for Kaylee and especially after he learned about a bigger betrayal and lie thanks to his least likely advocate.
I was definitely sad to see the stories end, but what an ending! Palmer did a great job wrapping up the stories from the very first book through. She gave quite the epilogue for the characters, including Courtney and Apryl’s grandmother from the previous book. This isn’t all happy endings, but they are realistic.
Despite the more serious angle, there were moments of absolute hilarity. In one scene Kaylee calls Gabe a deranged clod which had me laughing out loud. Another incident was where Kaylee refers to Gabe’s writing as a chicken writing with his foot which is on fire. I think we all know “that” person – the poor handwriting that is.
One theme I love and that Palmer took a chance on was the old “forgive and forget” – many people do not realize we’re only asked to forgive, nowhere in the bible are we asked to forget though. I really wanted to cheer Izze (as well as the author) on for this one. It really brought it all home.
As of this blog, I now have the first book (LLAMA) in my possession and am going to try to read it in the New Year.
Fans of the author, genre, and the previous two books will no doubt enjoy this read. Although, I was pretty sad to say goodbye to these characters, I honestly can’t wait to see what V. Joy Palmer does next and meet her next group of friends.
January 8, 2021
Although it’s only January, I can confidently put Marriage Melodies and Rewritten Conclusions on my 2021 Favorites list. I adore this story and its endearing and memorable characters. But what I love most about this tale is the brilliant writer’s voice. I’m not a huge fan of present tense stories because oftentimes it distracts me, but V. Joy Palmer has mastered this first-person present-tense narration. The conversational tone brings this wholesome romance to life with personality, music, faith, wit, and tenderness.
I had so much fun reading this book. I enjoyed Kaylee’s individuality and the chemistry and snark she shares with Gabe. She’s easy to connect with and her emotions, as well as Gabe’s, feel authentic. I laughed repeatedly at the author’s humor and admire the thread of faith and forgiveness expertly woven throughout the story.
Sprinkled with comedy, faith, and delicate relationship dynamics, this Christian romance story shares important messages of forgiveness, redemption, and salvation. I enjoyed every minute of it!
This was a new-to-me author, and I can’t wait to read more of her outstanding work!
Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.
I had so much fun reading this book. I enjoyed Kaylee’s individuality and the chemistry and snark she shares with Gabe. She’s easy to connect with and her emotions, as well as Gabe’s, feel authentic. I laughed repeatedly at the author’s humor and admire the thread of faith and forgiveness expertly woven throughout the story.
Sprinkled with comedy, faith, and delicate relationship dynamics, this Christian romance story shares important messages of forgiveness, redemption, and salvation. I enjoyed every minute of it!
This was a new-to-me author, and I can’t wait to read more of her outstanding work!
Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.
November 13, 2020
I have been waiting to read this book and it was so good! Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions is the third book in V. Joy Palmer’s series. Although I hadn’t read the first two books, I loved Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions! It is the first book that I have read written by Joy V. Palmer and I now want to read all of her books.
Kaylee McGrurd feels like life has left her behind. Her best friends have married or in the process of getting married, and to make matters worse she’s lost another job. However, things get worse when her ex, Gabe Sanders, walks back into her life. Gabe left Kaylee without warning of explanation, but now he is back in the area for the unforeseen future. He’s now in the need of a new vocalist for his wedding band. A dwindling account balance calls for desperate measures and Kaylee finds herself part of Gabe’s band. As Gabe and Kaylee work together in the midst of happy marriages and heartfelt melodies, they will need to work through secrets hidden in the past and hope that maybe God’s rewriting the conclusion to their story.
Kaylee was such a fun character! I loved her dialogue, I think that it made her so unique. She was introverted so it was hard for her to make friends, but she tried her best. I thought it was so cool how she loved Lord of the Rings, she mentioned it a lot. It was her little thing. She was an amazing singer and I loved her development as a character. She learned to forgive and to trust God.
I liked Gabe from the beginning. He was a nice guy and he truly cared for Kaylee. However, it was so frustrating to see him pushing Kaylee away. I thought that he was sweet, I especially liked how much he cared for his mom. He wanted to be better than his dad, but he felt like he was a failure. I felt bad for him, he was so caught up in his sin that he didn't know how to trust God. Gabe had to learn how to forgive himself and put aside his chains, learning to give it all to God.
I liked reading about Kaylee and Gabe together. They were cute because they knew each other so well. I wanted them to get back together so badly, but I also knew that they had to work through their past secrets first. Kaylee’s friends were so sweet and I loved their relationship. Gabe’s band mates were hilarious but Natalya was so frustrating.
This was a great book! I loved the characters and I was intrigued by the plot. I couldn’t put it down, I read it in one day. I would definitely recommend Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions! This is a relatively clean Christian book, Gabe had some past sins that left a mark on him but it was only mentioned.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
Kaylee McGrurd feels like life has left her behind. Her best friends have married or in the process of getting married, and to make matters worse she’s lost another job. However, things get worse when her ex, Gabe Sanders, walks back into her life. Gabe left Kaylee without warning of explanation, but now he is back in the area for the unforeseen future. He’s now in the need of a new vocalist for his wedding band. A dwindling account balance calls for desperate measures and Kaylee finds herself part of Gabe’s band. As Gabe and Kaylee work together in the midst of happy marriages and heartfelt melodies, they will need to work through secrets hidden in the past and hope that maybe God’s rewriting the conclusion to their story.
Kaylee was such a fun character! I loved her dialogue, I think that it made her so unique. She was introverted so it was hard for her to make friends, but she tried her best. I thought it was so cool how she loved Lord of the Rings, she mentioned it a lot. It was her little thing. She was an amazing singer and I loved her development as a character. She learned to forgive and to trust God.
I liked Gabe from the beginning. He was a nice guy and he truly cared for Kaylee. However, it was so frustrating to see him pushing Kaylee away. I thought that he was sweet, I especially liked how much he cared for his mom. He wanted to be better than his dad, but he felt like he was a failure. I felt bad for him, he was so caught up in his sin that he didn't know how to trust God. Gabe had to learn how to forgive himself and put aside his chains, learning to give it all to God.
I liked reading about Kaylee and Gabe together. They were cute because they knew each other so well. I wanted them to get back together so badly, but I also knew that they had to work through their past secrets first. Kaylee’s friends were so sweet and I loved their relationship. Gabe’s band mates were hilarious but Natalya was so frustrating.
This was a great book! I loved the characters and I was intrigued by the plot. I couldn’t put it down, I read it in one day. I would definitely recommend Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions! This is a relatively clean Christian book, Gabe had some past sins that left a mark on him but it was only mentioned.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
December 29, 2020
Have you ever read a book that made you both laugh and cry? Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions made me both laugh and cry. I fell in love with the story immediately. Kaylee and Gabe were such an adorable couple. I loved Gabe so, so much. All of the Lord of The Rings references made my Tolkien loving heart SO happy. This story is full of funny moments that made me laugh out loud, and moments that made me swoon, and moments that made me want to punch certain characters. I was so wrapped into the story I could barely put it down. I was so excited to get to the happily ever after, but at the same time I didn't want it to end. Ever. This book was full of fun characters, humor, wit, sweet romance, and great faith content. This book could have been at least 300 pages longer and I still would have loved it. V. Joy Palmer does an amazing job of bringing the reader into the story, and keeping them completely hooked until the swoon worthy ending. I also love her writing style. I absolutely fell in love this this story and I wish it never had ended.
December 4, 2020
I first thought that this was a contemporary romance about a couple who loved, separated, and then, found themselves back in each other's orbit. Learning the hurt and disappointments that they had endured, it seemed unlikely that Kaylee and Gabe could ever find a future together. Author V. Joy Palmer, however, proved me very wrong. Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions is a story of forgiveness and reconciliation: learning to forgive others, being able to forgive ourselves, and accepting that we all have human failings!
This is a book filled with intriguing characters, a plot that contains music and pop culture, and the daily conflicts of Kaylee, Gabe, and the other members of their wedding band. More importantly, it is a story of second chances, both human and divine. Palmer reminds us that God loves us and He is always willing to give us a second chance. God is eager to share His wonderful gift of Grace!
Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions is such an inspiring story and I recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary Christian romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but there was no obligation to share a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
This is a book filled with intriguing characters, a plot that contains music and pop culture, and the daily conflicts of Kaylee, Gabe, and the other members of their wedding band. More importantly, it is a story of second chances, both human and divine. Palmer reminds us that God loves us and He is always willing to give us a second chance. God is eager to share His wonderful gift of Grace!
Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions is such an inspiring story and I recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary Christian romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but there was no obligation to share a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
November 28, 2020
This is the second book I've read by this author, and she's such a breath of fresh air! Her books are true-to-life, very relatable, and easy to read. In this one, you'll find yourself humming along to the constant song references, and you'll love all the pop culture. If you're a Tolkien fan, this is your book! (If you're not, no biggie. I actually learned enough Tolkien to have great conversations with my son.) There are times you'll want to reach into the text and just throttle some people, and you'll cry right along side Kaylee, but you'll find yourself with smiles by the end!
November 19, 2020
This is the second book I have picked up by this author. I love how she writes that sharp banter and quick humor. The inner dialogue is sooo funny and relatable! However this book is so much more than a rom-com with clever humor, it is a book that deals with a difficult yet prevent struggle that many people battle with. I really appreciate that the author took this struggle and incorporated into the story. My heart goes out to the lives that are burdened with this shame. The redemption angle of this story is so good. We say there is no sin that The Lord can not redeem, yet are living and loving like that is true? This book both entertains and challenges us to live out the truth in our own lives!
Well done!
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the author. All opinions are honest and completely my own.
Well done!
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the author. All opinions are honest and completely my own.
March 4, 2021
Sometimes, you just need a good love story. 😍
This one did NOT start how I expected, but ended up sooo amazing! It got waaaayyy too many songs stuck in my head (side-eyes the author), nearly gave me nightmares about a thing that will not be named (more side-eye), and made my heart incredibly happy. A beautiful story of forgiveness, unconditional love, and music, I 100% recommend this book for anyone who loves Christian romance! Another lovely read from V. Joy Palmer!
I received an advance copy from the author, all opinions are my own.
This one did NOT start how I expected, but ended up sooo amazing! It got waaaayyy too many songs stuck in my head (side-eyes the author), nearly gave me nightmares about a thing that will not be named (more side-eye), and made my heart incredibly happy. A beautiful story of forgiveness, unconditional love, and music, I 100% recommend this book for anyone who loves Christian romance! Another lovely read from V. Joy Palmer!
I received an advance copy from the author, all opinions are my own.
February 26, 2021
A boy who doesn't believe in love and a hopelessly awkward girl who struggles with forgiveness. Definitely the makings of an epic story.
Kaylee and Gabe's story is one I've been looking forward to since reading the start of this series. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! It was everything I hoped for and more.
Quirky, humorous, filled with references I loved. And characters I fell head over heels in love with.
This is a story of forgiveness and rekindling a love once lost. The love between man and woman intertwined with finding God's grace and redemption again. It was an incredible book.
First of all, I'm experiencing major book hangover from this story. These were characters I'd bonded with and now I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do knowing this was the last book I'll get to about their lives in.
However, don't let that intimidate you. Yes, there are two books that come before this story, but they call all be read as standalone.
"In a way it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who wears their " Christian" mask and hides their struggles and hurts. Is that horrible of me? It just helps me to know, to see, that the people I view as perfect and/or horrible are so much more. We've all got junk." - Kaylee Mcgrurd.
This story is filled with pearls of wisdom such as this. V. Joy Palmer's books never fail to make me feel seen. Her characters and their struggles really show life as a Christian perfectly. They show real doubts, and real struggles, and real pain. But it always draws them back to the Lord. I love how the author deals with serious real life issues. Putting our own life experiences and "junk" into our stories really helps the reader connect. And that's something I love about these books. I felt so, so connected.
I 100% recommend Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions. As well as Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations; and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations. All three books are super clean, very quick and fun reads with a lot of heart.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own.
Kaylee and Gabe's story is one I've been looking forward to since reading the start of this series. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! It was everything I hoped for and more.
Quirky, humorous, filled with references I loved. And characters I fell head over heels in love with.
This is a story of forgiveness and rekindling a love once lost. The love between man and woman intertwined with finding God's grace and redemption again. It was an incredible book.
First of all, I'm experiencing major book hangover from this story. These were characters I'd bonded with and now I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do knowing this was the last book I'll get to about their lives in.
However, don't let that intimidate you. Yes, there are two books that come before this story, but they call all be read as standalone.
"In a way it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who wears their " Christian" mask and hides their struggles and hurts. Is that horrible of me? It just helps me to know, to see, that the people I view as perfect and/or horrible are so much more. We've all got junk." - Kaylee Mcgrurd.
This story is filled with pearls of wisdom such as this. V. Joy Palmer's books never fail to make me feel seen. Her characters and their struggles really show life as a Christian perfectly. They show real doubts, and real struggles, and real pain. But it always draws them back to the Lord. I love how the author deals with serious real life issues. Putting our own life experiences and "junk" into our stories really helps the reader connect. And that's something I love about these books. I felt so, so connected.
I 100% recommend Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions. As well as Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations; and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations. All three books are super clean, very quick and fun reads with a lot of heart.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own.
February 1, 2021
This was so so so cute! I’m a sucker for second chance romance and this did not disappoint. It was super sweet-Kaylee and Gabe’s spitfire relationship was real yet dreamy. It was really fun- Kaylee’s never ending internal dialogue of music playing, the fun wedding venue descriptions, and of course the witty sarcasm. And lastly it was satisfying- having old characters come and be an equal role again and giving a sense of completion with those characters makes me sad that it’s done but also extremely happy with the resolution.
January 8, 2021
After reading the other books in this series, I was thrilled to return to the characters and find out more about Kaylee! That said, this book can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, since it gives all of Kaylee and Gabe's story. I think that this one might be my favorite yet, since it felt like I had a front row seat to the story with it being told in first person from Kaylee's view. Her sense of humor is great!
This is a wonderful story of forgiveness and second chances, as well as following God's plan for your life, even when it doesn't make sense.
I received a copy of this book from JustRead. This is my honest review.
This is a wonderful story of forgiveness and second chances, as well as following God's plan for your life, even when it doesn't make sense.
I received a copy of this book from JustRead. This is my honest review.
January 3, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book a lot. I could relate to Kaylee so much. Especially with the year we have been through, one can feel stuck. Kaylee is such a fun character to read. Her unique ability to find a song for many scenarios made me pause and go listen to those songs.
Gabe, her ex, needs a new vocalist for his band and they find themselves working together again. These two characters show the struggles even Christians face. They deal with their baggage from the past, they learn forgiveness and trust in God. We see two young people who are trying to be better in spite of all they have been through.
This book contains music, laughter, pop culture references and a beautiful message of forgiving others and forgiving yourself. This is my first book by this author and I am excited to read more books by her.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Just Read Tours. All opinions and thoughts are mine.
Gabe, her ex, needs a new vocalist for his band and they find themselves working together again. These two characters show the struggles even Christians face. They deal with their baggage from the past, they learn forgiveness and trust in God. We see two young people who are trying to be better in spite of all they have been through.
This book contains music, laughter, pop culture references and a beautiful message of forgiving others and forgiving yourself. This is my first book by this author and I am excited to read more books by her.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Just Read Tours. All opinions and thoughts are mine.
January 4, 2021
I have no idea where to even begin telling you about this sweet story!
V. Joy Palmer put together a wonderful story that brought together two people and gave them a second chance at their dreams, all the while not shying away from mistakes of our pasts and keeping it real, blunt, and honest. One of the few authors I have read who can do it in a non-offensive way, rather V. Joy Palmer did it biblically and with great emphasis on second chances and healing. I enjoyed how Kaylee and Gabe reflected on the past and that they seemed real. They both really grew as the book progressed and I was very happy with the way the story rounded out at the end; Plus, it was nice to see some familiar faces from previous books.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the realistic characters that were easily relatable, the faith filled pages, and for being an honest story.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
V. Joy Palmer put together a wonderful story that brought together two people and gave them a second chance at their dreams, all the while not shying away from mistakes of our pasts and keeping it real, blunt, and honest. One of the few authors I have read who can do it in a non-offensive way, rather V. Joy Palmer did it biblically and with great emphasis on second chances and healing. I enjoyed how Kaylee and Gabe reflected on the past and that they seemed real. They both really grew as the book progressed and I was very happy with the way the story rounded out at the end; Plus, it was nice to see some familiar faces from previous books.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the realistic characters that were easily relatable, the faith filled pages, and for being an honest story.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
December 22, 2020
Music is by far my love language until I read about Kaylee having a song for every moment in her life I thought I was the only one that did that! Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions was such a breath of fresh air, the same yet creatively different than other clean Christian romances out there. The book is full of fun pop culture references that were crazy nostalgic for me, and an unexpected treat. I also enjoyed Kaylee's mental playlist and found myself playing the various songs that were mentioned throughout the book. I found several songs that I haven't heard in forever, which really bought back some interesting memories, and I also was able to better connect with the characters and their emotions at that point in time.
The characters shine brightly in this novel and what I admire most is that both Gabe and Kaylee were raw and real in their struggles, becoming relatable on so many different levels. So many people believe that being a Christian means you have to be perfect, but we all struggle, and no one is perfect, both in their pasts and even in their present. The important thing is to be real and transparent, and you can see this beautifully played out in Kaylee and Gabe's lives. I loved watching each character grow in their own ways, finding their own truths, and all the while using music as a tool.
I do have to admit there were times that I was annoyed by Kaylee's inner dialogue, and the attitude and person of fellow bandmate Natalya, but these were also some of the elements of the story that made it interesting as well. The ending made up for any qualms that I had, and couldn't have been more perfect! I closed the book still swooning and with a happy heart.
Redemption and forgiveness abound, making Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions a truly touching and thoroughly entertaining read.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.
The characters shine brightly in this novel and what I admire most is that both Gabe and Kaylee were raw and real in their struggles, becoming relatable on so many different levels. So many people believe that being a Christian means you have to be perfect, but we all struggle, and no one is perfect, both in their pasts and even in their present. The important thing is to be real and transparent, and you can see this beautifully played out in Kaylee and Gabe's lives. I loved watching each character grow in their own ways, finding their own truths, and all the while using music as a tool.
I do have to admit there were times that I was annoyed by Kaylee's inner dialogue, and the attitude and person of fellow bandmate Natalya, but these were also some of the elements of the story that made it interesting as well. The ending made up for any qualms that I had, and couldn't have been more perfect! I closed the book still swooning and with a happy heart.
Redemption and forgiveness abound, making Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions a truly touching and thoroughly entertaining read.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.
December 30, 2020
Pop culture, music, romance, and life lessons come together in Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions and create a memorable tale of God’s grace, the power of forgiveness, and the pain and joy that life brings.
V. Joy Palmer’s unique author voice is one I enjoy (which I’m reminded of every time I pick up her newest release). But she’s also brave enough to listen to God’s prompting and write about the hard stuff—the chains of guilt and shame that tie us down and the roots of bitterness that detour us from God’s best in our lives. It’s also a reminder that God is the God of second (and more) chances.
As I read this book, I ran the gamut of emotions from laughing at Kaylee’s LOTR nerdiness and her references to Friends and The Gilmore Girls as well as some of the situations she lands in to heartbreaking moments of sadness at Gabe’s conviction of unworthiness. Plus, with all the songs, there were a few earworms thrown into the mix.
Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions exceeded my expectation.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
V. Joy Palmer’s unique author voice is one I enjoy (which I’m reminded of every time I pick up her newest release). But she’s also brave enough to listen to God’s prompting and write about the hard stuff—the chains of guilt and shame that tie us down and the roots of bitterness that detour us from God’s best in our lives. It’s also a reminder that God is the God of second (and more) chances.
As I read this book, I ran the gamut of emotions from laughing at Kaylee’s LOTR nerdiness and her references to Friends and The Gilmore Girls as well as some of the situations she lands in to heartbreaking moments of sadness at Gabe’s conviction of unworthiness. Plus, with all the songs, there were a few earworms thrown into the mix.
Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions exceeded my expectation.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
January 4, 2021
A second chance at love. Everyone needs that. Kaylee's life had just sprung out of control and trying to find her footing again she runs into Gabe who she has history with. I liked Kaylee because she was witty, had an uncanny sense of humour and responsibility. I wanted to punch Gabe at the beginning but admired him when he tried to write his wrong of so many years. I loved how among other things music was a unifying factor. And I love how they both got their second chance at love.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
January 25, 2021
Themes of Second chances, forgiveness and contentment fill the pages of this book.
We see both Gabe and Kaylee struggle to be better people. From Kaylee struggling with feelings of being left behind and seeing that everyone around her seemed to be moving on to better things to having her ex-fiance suddenly show up in town, I loved her growth throughout the process, she learns to extend forgiveness to be content and heal from the hurts she has suffered.
I also loved Gabe, his heart and desire to be better, his struggle with guilt was all to real and I enjoyed every minute of it. No one is perfect.
This was a first for me by this author but I enjoyed the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are solely mine.
We see both Gabe and Kaylee struggle to be better people. From Kaylee struggling with feelings of being left behind and seeing that everyone around her seemed to be moving on to better things to having her ex-fiance suddenly show up in town, I loved her growth throughout the process, she learns to extend forgiveness to be content and heal from the hurts she has suffered.
I also loved Gabe, his heart and desire to be better, his struggle with guilt was all to real and I enjoyed every minute of it. No one is perfect.
This was a first for me by this author but I enjoyed the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are solely mine.
December 3, 2020
During my first reading of Marriage, Melodies and Rewritten Conclusions by V. Joy Palmer, the second-chance romance between Kaylee and Gabe dominated my attention. I devoured their love story and had to know how things panned out! A slower second reading of the novel yielded a deeper connection with the issues and themes addressed by the story. I appreciated the story’s depth as the characters searched for truth, forgiveness, and healing.
Marriage, Melodies and Rewritten Conclusions features plenty of interesting characters. Most of the story is told from Kaylee’s POV. Her first person, stream-of-consciousness discourse occasionally felt chaotic and angsty. However, it was fun to experience her musically inclined brain in such an intimate way. Knowing her vulnerability made her extremely relatable. Izze and Natalya, secondary characters, added much to the story.
Trigger warning: Although the word “pornography” is never mentioned, Gabe struggles with the residual guilt and shame of his past. For those struggling with this issue or those who have a loved one struggling with this issue, this story could trigger some deep emotions.
Marriage, Melodies and Rewritten Conclusions works as a stand-alone novel, but it features characters from V. Joy Palmer’s previous novels. I enjoyed this story and recommend it to readers who appreciate lots of pop culture (movies and music) references embedded in a Christian contemporary romance novel. 4.5 Stars!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
Marriage, Melodies and Rewritten Conclusions features plenty of interesting characters. Most of the story is told from Kaylee’s POV. Her first person, stream-of-consciousness discourse occasionally felt chaotic and angsty. However, it was fun to experience her musically inclined brain in such an intimate way. Knowing her vulnerability made her extremely relatable. Izze and Natalya, secondary characters, added much to the story.
Trigger warning: Although the word “pornography” is never mentioned, Gabe struggles with the residual guilt and shame of his past. For those struggling with this issue or those who have a loved one struggling with this issue, this story could trigger some deep emotions.
Marriage, Melodies and Rewritten Conclusions works as a stand-alone novel, but it features characters from V. Joy Palmer’s previous novels. I enjoyed this story and recommend it to readers who appreciate lots of pop culture (movies and music) references embedded in a Christian contemporary romance novel. 4.5 Stars!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
January 5, 2021
In her novel Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions, author V. Joy Palmer brings to life a story of romance and past hurt involved in that romance, as well as life lessons that readers can easily relate to. Palmer is a fresh voice in the RomCom world and writes an engaging and delightful story that readers will connect with and love. True love should always get another chance and this story is about just that. A fabulously engaging and sweet RomCom, this story also has a spiritual element that readers will enjoy, taking it to a deeper level. Readers will not be disappointed with this excellent book.
Genre: contemporary, romance, RomCom, Christian
Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing
Publication date: 269
Number of pages: October 16, 2020
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Genre: contemporary, romance, RomCom, Christian
Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing
Publication date: 269
Number of pages: October 16, 2020
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
December 5, 2020
Absolutely delightful story that had me binge reading to find out what happens at the end. A completely different type of book for me. The characters made the story come alive. Make sure to read this fascinating book.
June 4, 2024
Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions is a delightful rom-com that will have you laughing out loud and rooting for the former couple to rekindle their spark.
The book perfectly captures the struggles of navigating life's curveballs, whether it's dwindling bank accounts, meddling friends, or the lingering feelings and hurts for an ex. Kaylee is a relatable protagonist whose snarky inner monologue will have you cackling, while Gabe's charm will have you swooning.
The biggest message in this book is forgiveness and the author unfolds it so well as, just as it is in life, it is a difficult journey to reach forgiveness for someone who has hurt you more than once. The author does an incredible job writing it in this story.
The author’s writing is sharp and witty, effortlessly blending laugh-out-loud moments with tender romantic scenes. The pop culture references and musical elements add an extra layer of fun and relatability, making this book a must-read for anyone who loves a good romantic comedy with a side of sass. As well as for fans of Tolkien’s world. (What?! You’ll just have to read the book to know what I’m walking about!)
The book perfectly captures the struggles of navigating life's curveballs, whether it's dwindling bank accounts, meddling friends, or the lingering feelings and hurts for an ex. Kaylee is a relatable protagonist whose snarky inner monologue will have you cackling, while Gabe's charm will have you swooning.
The biggest message in this book is forgiveness and the author unfolds it so well as, just as it is in life, it is a difficult journey to reach forgiveness for someone who has hurt you more than once. The author does an incredible job writing it in this story.
The author’s writing is sharp and witty, effortlessly blending laugh-out-loud moments with tender romantic scenes. The pop culture references and musical elements add an extra layer of fun and relatability, making this book a must-read for anyone who loves a good romantic comedy with a side of sass. As well as for fans of Tolkien’s world. (What?! You’ll just have to read the book to know what I’m walking about!)
January 4, 2021
V. Joy Palmer has never failed me before and this held up to the standard. I was constantly laughing the whole time and grinning at all the references to other books and movies.
One think I really appreciate about Palmer's books is that she always has a ton of great character development. I really saw the motivations and fears of all the characters in this story and the characters were all quite memorable.
Although this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as part of a standalone and enjoyed.
Overall, I would recommend this story to anyone looking for a funny but deep read.
Rating: 5/5
Language: n/a
Romance: a character used to have an issue with looking at images, kiss
Spiritual: the characters are strong Christians
Violence: n/a
*I received a copy of this book from JustRead Tours. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
One think I really appreciate about Palmer's books is that she always has a ton of great character development. I really saw the motivations and fears of all the characters in this story and the characters were all quite memorable.
Although this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as part of a standalone and enjoyed.
Overall, I would recommend this story to anyone looking for a funny but deep read.
Rating: 5/5
Language: n/a
Romance: a character used to have an issue with looking at images, kiss
Spiritual: the characters are strong Christians
Violence: n/a
*I received a copy of this book from JustRead Tours. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
November 26, 2020
This book was so good! It's beautifully written and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. If you like Christian fiction that will leave you with a song in your heart, you will love this book. I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 18, 2020
This book surprised me! I was expecting a light rom-com and it certainly delivers in that aspect, but man. This book packs a spiritual punch with some great truths sprinkled throughout.
The opening immediately endeared me to Kaylee and her internal monologue throughout the book had me cracking up. Her interactions with her friends were hilarious and made me want to have a girl's night with my own crew. Gabe's struggle to forgive and accept forgiveness broke my heart, but it paved the way for such a beautiful message about God's redemptive power.
Fans of inspirational rom-coms with a deeper message will enjoy this one. The characters are great, the romance is sweet, and the ending is adorable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All expressed opinions belong to me.
The opening immediately endeared me to Kaylee and her internal monologue throughout the book had me cracking up. Her interactions with her friends were hilarious and made me want to have a girl's night with my own crew. Gabe's struggle to forgive and accept forgiveness broke my heart, but it paved the way for such a beautiful message about God's redemptive power.
Fans of inspirational rom-coms with a deeper message will enjoy this one. The characters are great, the romance is sweet, and the ending is adorable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All expressed opinions belong to me.
January 5, 2021
Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions continue the story of friends finding love and I've enjoyed the series. However, while the previous books are more light-hearted, this one contains some HARD feelings. Emotions can be exhausting, especially when they've been bottled up for too long.
I have mixed feelings about this story. I was on a roller coaster of soaking in the wisdom and rooting for the characters to forgive themselves and others, alternating with wanting them to just move on with the angst. But, in real life, it can sometimes take us a long time and internal battles to move forward, so, I think this provides a more realistic character while at times can make the story drag a bit. If you're a drama lover, you'll definitely enjoy it.
I admire Ms. Palmer for hitting a topic with Gabe that isn't often hit in Christian Fiction. I think she did a great job with the feelings and perspective of the guy struggling with the shame of a porn addiction. She puts it out there, but in a gentle way. I'd be straight out and open about all of it, but that's after 6 years of therapy/ministry to others. Knowing my own hubs story and those in the ministry he now helps lead (think Gabe's support group) I've seen personally the impact similar choices can have on a relationship. While I don't think Gabe handled it the right way, I do think not getting married originally was the right choice. I wish we saw more of Chip and their relationship.
I found myself loving parts of Kaylee's internal monolog and skipping over some portions. She and I share the whole random burst out in song and always have a song pop into my head from someone's random statement. Who knows how it'll happen. I had a hard time connecting with her LOTR nerdiness because it just isn't my thing, but if you're a fan I'm sure you get (and understand) the many references.
I appreciated that Ms. Palmer mentioned that Kaylee and Gabe went through "a lot of counseling before and after" their wedding, but I think she missed an opportunity to weave that into the story. In my opinion, it could've helped with some of the long spans of internal processing by having another person to bounce thoughts off of.
I received a copy of this story for review purposes. I was not required to post a positive review. This is my honest opinion.
I have mixed feelings about this story. I was on a roller coaster of soaking in the wisdom and rooting for the characters to forgive themselves and others, alternating with wanting them to just move on with the angst. But, in real life, it can sometimes take us a long time and internal battles to move forward, so, I think this provides a more realistic character while at times can make the story drag a bit. If you're a drama lover, you'll definitely enjoy it.
I admire Ms. Palmer for hitting a topic with Gabe that isn't often hit in Christian Fiction. I think she did a great job with the feelings and perspective of the guy struggling with the shame of a porn addiction. She puts it out there, but in a gentle way. I'd be straight out and open about all of it, but that's after 6 years of therapy/ministry to others. Knowing my own hubs story and those in the ministry he now helps lead (think Gabe's support group) I've seen personally the impact similar choices can have on a relationship. While I don't think Gabe handled it the right way, I do think not getting married originally was the right choice. I wish we saw more of Chip and their relationship.
I found myself loving parts of Kaylee's internal monolog and skipping over some portions. She and I share the whole random burst out in song and always have a song pop into my head from someone's random statement. Who knows how it'll happen. I had a hard time connecting with her LOTR nerdiness because it just isn't my thing, but if you're a fan I'm sure you get (and understand) the many references.
I appreciated that Ms. Palmer mentioned that Kaylee and Gabe went through "a lot of counseling before and after" their wedding, but I think she missed an opportunity to weave that into the story. In my opinion, it could've helped with some of the long spans of internal processing by having another person to bounce thoughts off of.
I received a copy of this story for review purposes. I was not required to post a positive review. This is my honest opinion.
December 28, 2020
Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions is the third book in this unique series (with their catchy titles) from V. Joy Palmer. Those who have read previous novels will recognize some familiar characters, but new readers will be able to jump right in without feeling lost. This was personally the first book by this author I had read, but it certainly won't be the last! I mean, when a book starts with references to Boy Meets World (only one of my all time favorite shows and one that I too reference often), it is pretty much guaranteed that I will be hooked from there.
In this book, we meet Kaylee a woman who has lost her roommates, and her job and finds herself struggling to make ends meet. When she unexpectedly runs into her ex, he offers up a nearly perfect solution-- becoming the lead singer in his wedding band. Can she move past the history to do what she needs to do?
Needless to say, with exes reunited, this story has two elements in abundance-- humor and drama! There's even a love triangle to keep things interesting. The style in which the story was written was quite unique-- as Kaylee tells us all about it from her perspective... with many pop culture references include. While I may not have understood ALL the references, I thoroughly enjoyed the ones I was familiar with and thought it brought a fun new element to the story as a whole. While overall the story was lighthearted and fun, it did take on the very difficult topic of pornography addiction-- not a subject we hear about often in Christian fiction, but one that sadly does affect many- Christian and non alike. It was handled well within the story making clear the issue, but without going into too much detail. This proved to be a great way to talk about the message of forgiveness and worthiness before God in a very genuine and true to life way.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and cannot wait to read more from the author.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
In this book, we meet Kaylee a woman who has lost her roommates, and her job and finds herself struggling to make ends meet. When she unexpectedly runs into her ex, he offers up a nearly perfect solution-- becoming the lead singer in his wedding band. Can she move past the history to do what she needs to do?
Needless to say, with exes reunited, this story has two elements in abundance-- humor and drama! There's even a love triangle to keep things interesting. The style in which the story was written was quite unique-- as Kaylee tells us all about it from her perspective... with many pop culture references include. While I may not have understood ALL the references, I thoroughly enjoyed the ones I was familiar with and thought it brought a fun new element to the story as a whole. While overall the story was lighthearted and fun, it did take on the very difficult topic of pornography addiction-- not a subject we hear about often in Christian fiction, but one that sadly does affect many- Christian and non alike. It was handled well within the story making clear the issue, but without going into too much detail. This proved to be a great way to talk about the message of forgiveness and worthiness before God in a very genuine and true to life way.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and cannot wait to read more from the author.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
January 22, 2021
This is my first book by V. Joy Palmer but it will not be my last! What a beautiful story of overcoming one's past. I loved all the references to pop culture stuff-that made the book super fun for me. Also there were a couple of scenes where I literally laughed until I couldn't breathe-chapter 13 was HILARIOUS! And don't even get me started on the ending...it was adorable. I will be reading the earlier books by Joy that feature some of the characters in this book super soon. This is a great book.
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
August 31, 2022
Contemporary romance with a great resolve. I think this is the best one of the series of three.
November 29, 2020
I'll have to admit that I struggled to read this book. I don't remember what appealed to me in the description that made me request a review copy, but when I started reading it, I had a hard time getting into the story. That may partly be because of the 1st person, present tense point of view that alternated with 3rd person present tense all the way through, or maybe it just wasn't my type of story. There were a lot of good thoughts, though. Both Gabe and Kaylee had to learn to forgive themselves and each other, and had a lot to learn about God's love. These topics were discussed quite clearly. One thing I found interesting was the way the author referred to a common, addictive sin that is prevalent today: Gabe had at one time been addicted to “images that objectified women.” That was the terminology used throughout the book for that habit. It's a good way to talk about porn, but it was a little jarring.
If you enjoy second-chance romances, and don't mind the points of view I mentioned, this may be the book for you!
I received a free copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
If you enjoy second-chance romances, and don't mind the points of view I mentioned, this may be the book for you!
I received a free copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
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