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Brides of Lowcountry #1
A Lowcountry Bride
8 hours, 50 minutes
A heartwarming Avon debut of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings set in the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry.
Maya Jackson has worked for Laura Whitcomb, Inc, a renowned New York City bridal gown brand, for years and dreams of becoming Head Designer. She has the talent; she just needs a chance to showcase her unique style. Due to an illness, she’s always prioritized her career over her personal life until her father fractures his hip and Maya returns to Charleston, South Carolina. While home for only a few months, she’s thrilled to find an opportunity at the local bridal gown boutique, never expecting sparks to fly with its owner...
A military veteran and widowed father, Derek Sullivan hopes to save Always a Bride from bankruptcy in order to preserve the legacy of his mother. He also wants to reconnect with his estranged, twelve-year-old daughter, who is still recovering from the loss of her mother. The last thing he needs is a relationship with a beautiful, smart, complicated woman who will be leaving soon.
When Derek begins to fall for the lovely Maya, he knows there’s no future. But destiny has its own plans, and these two lonely people with big hearts discover that coming home to love is the best gift life can give.
A heartwarming Avon debut of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings set in the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry.
Maya Jackson has worked for Laura Whitcomb, Inc, a renowned New York City bridal gown brand, for years and dreams of becoming Head Designer. She has the talent; she just needs a chance to showcase her unique style. Due to an illness, she’s always prioritized her career over her personal life until her father fractures his hip and Maya returns to Charleston, South Carolina. While home for only a few months, she’s thrilled to find an opportunity at the local bridal gown boutique, never expecting sparks to fly with its owner...
A military veteran and widowed father, Derek Sullivan hopes to save Always a Bride from bankruptcy in order to preserve the legacy of his mother. He also wants to reconnect with his estranged, twelve-year-old daughter, who is still recovering from the loss of her mother. The last thing he needs is a relationship with a beautiful, smart, complicated woman who will be leaving soon.
When Derek begins to fall for the lovely Maya, he knows there’s no future. But destiny has its own plans, and these two lonely people with big hearts discover that coming home to love is the best gift life can give.
Audiobook
First published June 1, 2021
160 people are currently reading
8330 people want to read
About the author
Preslaysa Williams
9 books312 followersPreslaysa Williams (nee, Preslaysa Edwards) is an award-winning author who writes heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with an Afro-Filipina twist.
Proud of her heritage, she loves sharing her culture with her readers. She has a MFA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University and an undergraduate degree in Spanish Language & Literature from Columbia University.
Preslaysa is also a professional actress (nee, Preslaysa Edwards), a planner nerd, an avid bookworm, and a homeschool mom who often wears mismatched socks. You can visit her online at www.preslaysa.com where you can sign up for her newsletter community.
You can also connect with her on these social media platforms:
Facebook.com/preslaysa
Twitter.com/preslaysawrites
Instagram.com/preslaysa
Proud of her heritage, she loves sharing her culture with her readers. She has a MFA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University and an undergraduate degree in Spanish Language & Literature from Columbia University.
Preslaysa is also a professional actress (nee, Preslaysa Edwards), a planner nerd, an avid bookworm, and a homeschool mom who often wears mismatched socks. You can visit her online at www.preslaysa.com where you can sign up for her newsletter community.
You can also connect with her on these social media platforms:
Facebook.com/preslaysa
Twitter.com/preslaysawrites
Instagram.com/preslaysa
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 498 reviews
July 2, 2021
As a native of Charleston, SC. I appreciated what the author did with this book. I was nervous about one particular thing, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
A Lowcountry Bride focuses on Maya Jackson a bi-racial woman who is in the business of designing wedding dresses. Her goal is to become a top designer at a particular company, but a family emergency derails her immediate goals and she heads to Charleston to help out her dad. While there she attempts to showcase a few designs to continue to make some sort of income. It is there that she encounters Derek, a recent widow, who is also in the wedding dress design industry. He's working to keep his mom's legacy business afloat. Derek and Maya are an unlikely pair, but the romance that ensues was delightful to watch.
This was my first time reading Preslaysa Williams and she did not disappoint. From the character development to the even pacing of the plot, I was consistently absorbed in the book. The various references to Black history were not only important to the story, but really highlight the important role that Charleston, SC plays in Black history. A Lowcountry Bride is the type of romance book that enjoy where I feel connected to the characters and root for their romance to develop. Derek was AMAZING. As a widow, he not only attempted to maintain his mother's legacy through her store, but he also attempted to reconnect with his daughter after the tragic loss of her mother. He was caring and compassionate and followed his daughter's lead on how he should handle his relationship with Maya. There is a delicate balance between following one's heart in terms of a romantic partner while also attempting to make your child comfortable and Williams handled it extremely well. Even when Derek realized how much he cared for and loved Maya, he still remained selfless and was more concerned about her following her dreams than relinquishing them for a relationship.
Williams also did a great job with Maya's character development. While I don't want to spoil the story, there is disability representation that plays a big role in how Maya handles her relationship with Derek. The two bring a lot of past heartbreak into their relationship, but Williams allows them to get to know each other slowly permitting their romance to be authentic. There is also great representation of a healthy father daughter relationship as well as a reference to a healthy mother daughter relationship. Williams seamlessly weaves in the importance of Maya's biracial background and the hopes and dreams Maya's mother had for her. As a reader, I couldn't help but be invested in their family dynamics.
While I enjoyed this novel, there was one specific aspect that was a slightly triggering for me. I don't think that this will impact readers because it is particular to my experience that is not shared by many. It is revealed that Derek lost his wife to a church shooting. This is clearly a reference to the Charleston shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. It was a tragedy that made national news, but is extremely personal to me. This didn't take away from the novel, but it definitely is something that brought up a lot of mixed emotions for me. It was unexpected and the grief, sorrow, and anger hit me like a brick wall. Williams didn't do anything wrong in alluding to the shooting which is now considered a part of the history of Charleston. The emotions I experienced were extremely personal.
Overall, this was a great read that really showcased the beautiful and sometimes difficult history of the city where I was raised. The respect for heritage and traditions added a beautiful touch. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what else Williams writes in the future.
A Lowcountry Bride focuses on Maya Jackson a bi-racial woman who is in the business of designing wedding dresses. Her goal is to become a top designer at a particular company, but a family emergency derails her immediate goals and she heads to Charleston to help out her dad. While there she attempts to showcase a few designs to continue to make some sort of income. It is there that she encounters Derek, a recent widow, who is also in the wedding dress design industry. He's working to keep his mom's legacy business afloat. Derek and Maya are an unlikely pair, but the romance that ensues was delightful to watch.
This was my first time reading Preslaysa Williams and she did not disappoint. From the character development to the even pacing of the plot, I was consistently absorbed in the book. The various references to Black history were not only important to the story, but really highlight the important role that Charleston, SC plays in Black history. A Lowcountry Bride is the type of romance book that enjoy where I feel connected to the characters and root for their romance to develop. Derek was AMAZING. As a widow, he not only attempted to maintain his mother's legacy through her store, but he also attempted to reconnect with his daughter after the tragic loss of her mother. He was caring and compassionate and followed his daughter's lead on how he should handle his relationship with Maya. There is a delicate balance between following one's heart in terms of a romantic partner while also attempting to make your child comfortable and Williams handled it extremely well. Even when Derek realized how much he cared for and loved Maya, he still remained selfless and was more concerned about her following her dreams than relinquishing them for a relationship.
Williams also did a great job with Maya's character development. While I don't want to spoil the story, there is disability representation that plays a big role in how Maya handles her relationship with Derek. The two bring a lot of past heartbreak into their relationship, but Williams allows them to get to know each other slowly permitting their romance to be authentic. There is also great representation of a healthy father daughter relationship as well as a reference to a healthy mother daughter relationship. Williams seamlessly weaves in the importance of Maya's biracial background and the hopes and dreams Maya's mother had for her. As a reader, I couldn't help but be invested in their family dynamics.
While I enjoyed this novel, there was one specific aspect that was a slightly triggering for me. I don't think that this will impact readers because it is particular to my experience that is not shared by many. It is revealed that Derek lost his wife to a church shooting. This is clearly a reference to the Charleston shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. It was a tragedy that made national news, but is extremely personal to me. This didn't take away from the novel, but it definitely is something that brought up a lot of mixed emotions for me. It was unexpected and the grief, sorrow, and anger hit me like a brick wall. Williams didn't do anything wrong in alluding to the shooting which is now considered a part of the history of Charleston. The emotions I experienced were extremely personal.
Overall, this was a great read that really showcased the beautiful and sometimes difficult history of the city where I was raised. The respect for heritage and traditions added a beautiful touch. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what else Williams writes in the future.
January 18, 2021
A Lowcountry Bride is a sweet story of loss, love and hope.
Maya's dream is to be the head designer for bridal designer superstar Laura Whitcomb. She's in the running for the job when her dad breaks his hip so she returns to the Lowcountry in SC to help care for him. Maya needs a way to earn money during her unpaid leave so she visits a local black-owned bridal shop, hoping to sell some of her wedding designs.
Derek is trying to keep the doors of Always a Bride, the shop his mom started, open. But as a widower with an almost teenager on his hands, there's already a lot in his life.
As someone with a chronic illness, Maya, with sickle cell anemia, was thoroughly relatable. Worrying about when or even if to tell employers, coworkers, dates is difficult. People do treat you differently and some are uncomfortable being around a chronically ill person.
Maya and Derek's grief felt very real to me. Maya wants the head designer in part because she and her mom, who's passed on, shared a bond over sewing. Her mom shared Filipino and West African techniques that Maya works into her bridal designs.
Derek's wife was killed in a church shooting. He's dealing with his grief as well as his daughter Jamila's.
The plot handles difficult subjects like racism, grief and loss, and chronic illness with a soft touch. Preslaysa Williams treats her characters gently, knowing they've already suffered a lot. But she's also made them strong. Instead of anger or resentment in the face of racism or other setbacks, Maya and Derek are full of determination and grit. They're willing to fight for what they want.
The romance is sweet, chaste and gentle. I enjoyed seeing all of the characters attending church events.
A Lowcountry Bride is a heartwarming own voices story with likable and relatable characters. It's about unexpected loss, grieving and taking steps to heal and still having the strength to pursue your dreams.
Maya's dream is to be the head designer for bridal designer superstar Laura Whitcomb. She's in the running for the job when her dad breaks his hip so she returns to the Lowcountry in SC to help care for him. Maya needs a way to earn money during her unpaid leave so she visits a local black-owned bridal shop, hoping to sell some of her wedding designs.
Derek is trying to keep the doors of Always a Bride, the shop his mom started, open. But as a widower with an almost teenager on his hands, there's already a lot in his life.
As someone with a chronic illness, Maya, with sickle cell anemia, was thoroughly relatable. Worrying about when or even if to tell employers, coworkers, dates is difficult. People do treat you differently and some are uncomfortable being around a chronically ill person.
Maya and Derek's grief felt very real to me. Maya wants the head designer in part because she and her mom, who's passed on, shared a bond over sewing. Her mom shared Filipino and West African techniques that Maya works into her bridal designs.
Derek's wife was killed in a church shooting. He's dealing with his grief as well as his daughter Jamila's.
The plot handles difficult subjects like racism, grief and loss, and chronic illness with a soft touch. Preslaysa Williams treats her characters gently, knowing they've already suffered a lot. But she's also made them strong. Instead of anger or resentment in the face of racism or other setbacks, Maya and Derek are full of determination and grit. They're willing to fight for what they want.
The romance is sweet, chaste and gentle. I enjoyed seeing all of the characters attending church events.
A Lowcountry Bride is a heartwarming own voices story with likable and relatable characters. It's about unexpected loss, grieving and taking steps to heal and still having the strength to pursue your dreams.
February 28, 2021
A love letter to Charleston. A love letter to heritage. 5/5 stars!
A Lowcountry Bride was the delicious Lowcountry slowburn that gave me fireworks at the end. This may have been my first time reading a full work from Preslaysa Williams, but it feels like I've known her characters for a lifetime. The community, the family, and the love was all real and came off the page like a much needed warm hug after the mess of a year we've had.
I fell in love with Derek from the very first line where he's introduced to the reader. "Captain Derek T. Sullivan stood prepared for battle against another Lowcountry bridezilla ready to attack." I rooted for his relationship with Maya to work so badly I couldn't put down the book as I got closer and closer to the end!
And I fell in love with Maya the moment she struggled to stand up to Laura who well deserved it. I've been there myself, afraid to be true to who I am and my heritage. Maya is relatable on a deep level, giving a voice to those who have been voiceless for too long. Preslaysa does an amazing job honoring the past, her ancestors, while giving a hopeful look to the future.
These characters are no strangers to loss, each one struggling with their own wants and needs. But Preslaysa balances their pain with faith. Faith in God and each other. Even if it took them several chapters to reach the light that they find in the communion of their love for one another, that only made it so much more rewarding by the time I reached the end.
I have been so blessed to be able to read this book before its release on June 1st! Every one of these characters are my family now too, and I can't wait to see more from Preslaysa Williams in the future.
**A COMPLIMENTARY ADVANCED READERS COPY WAS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN**
A Lowcountry Bride was the delicious Lowcountry slowburn that gave me fireworks at the end. This may have been my first time reading a full work from Preslaysa Williams, but it feels like I've known her characters for a lifetime. The community, the family, and the love was all real and came off the page like a much needed warm hug after the mess of a year we've had.
I fell in love with Derek from the very first line where he's introduced to the reader. "Captain Derek T. Sullivan stood prepared for battle against another Lowcountry bridezilla ready to attack." I rooted for his relationship with Maya to work so badly I couldn't put down the book as I got closer and closer to the end!
And I fell in love with Maya the moment she struggled to stand up to Laura who well deserved it. I've been there myself, afraid to be true to who I am and my heritage. Maya is relatable on a deep level, giving a voice to those who have been voiceless for too long. Preslaysa does an amazing job honoring the past, her ancestors, while giving a hopeful look to the future.
These characters are no strangers to loss, each one struggling with their own wants and needs. But Preslaysa balances their pain with faith. Faith in God and each other. Even if it took them several chapters to reach the light that they find in the communion of their love for one another, that only made it so much more rewarding by the time I reached the end.
I have been so blessed to be able to read this book before its release on June 1st! Every one of these characters are my family now too, and I can't wait to see more from Preslaysa Williams in the future.
**A COMPLIMENTARY ADVANCED READERS COPY WAS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN**
March 14, 2023
the setup…
Maya Jackson is bridal gown designer working for one of the top brands in New York. She’s close to achieving her dream of becoming the head designer for Laura Whitcomb, Inc. when she receives news that her father has fractured his hip and needs her help. Maya is forced to return home to Charleston, taking a short leave of absence, without much needed pay but falls into a situation where she can earn cash while showcasing her unique talents. Widower and single father Derek Sullivan desperately needs help with his failing bridal boutique, Always a Bride, a legacy from his late mother. Maya turns out to be the Godsend he wasn’t looking for.
the heart of the story…
Maya and Derek’s story is at the forefront but what resonates strongly is the Lowcountry setting. We see not only the typical aspects of Charleston but also the African cultural roots of the town. They serve as an important backdrop as Maya struggles with staying true to her “Blasian” heritage. She’s part Black and part Filipino and the sewing techniques she learned from her Filipino mother are elements in her gown designs. Her romance with Derek is complicated by his difficult 11-year old daughter who’s still struggling with the loss of her own mother. I appreciated Maya’s turmoil over returning to New York or staying in Charleston as both offered very different satisfactions. In the end, she had to consider what truly was most important to her versus all those other forces driving her dreams.
the narration…
I loved the narrator who captured the essence of Maya’s personality, even making me sympathetic to her when I wasn’t feeling that in my head. She gave distinctive voices to the other important characters.
the bottom line…
I enjoyed this story so much more than I’d anticipated because of the cultural influences. They impacted just about everything. The romance was more muted but the richness of the setting and personal conflicts made this a solidly layered story. Maya was a complicated woman who was also living with sickle cell anemia and I learned a lot about the realities of the disease. Derek’s late wife died in the church massacre that made national news so there was a touch of realism, though the church is fictional here. I appreciated the tribute to the victims in this indirect way. I’m looking forward to continuing the series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to HarperAudio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Maya Jackson is bridal gown designer working for one of the top brands in New York. She’s close to achieving her dream of becoming the head designer for Laura Whitcomb, Inc. when she receives news that her father has fractured his hip and needs her help. Maya is forced to return home to Charleston, taking a short leave of absence, without much needed pay but falls into a situation where she can earn cash while showcasing her unique talents. Widower and single father Derek Sullivan desperately needs help with his failing bridal boutique, Always a Bride, a legacy from his late mother. Maya turns out to be the Godsend he wasn’t looking for.
the heart of the story…
Maya and Derek’s story is at the forefront but what resonates strongly is the Lowcountry setting. We see not only the typical aspects of Charleston but also the African cultural roots of the town. They serve as an important backdrop as Maya struggles with staying true to her “Blasian” heritage. She’s part Black and part Filipino and the sewing techniques she learned from her Filipino mother are elements in her gown designs. Her romance with Derek is complicated by his difficult 11-year old daughter who’s still struggling with the loss of her own mother. I appreciated Maya’s turmoil over returning to New York or staying in Charleston as both offered very different satisfactions. In the end, she had to consider what truly was most important to her versus all those other forces driving her dreams.
the narration…
I loved the narrator who captured the essence of Maya’s personality, even making me sympathetic to her when I wasn’t feeling that in my head. She gave distinctive voices to the other important characters.
the bottom line…
I enjoyed this story so much more than I’d anticipated because of the cultural influences. They impacted just about everything. The romance was more muted but the richness of the setting and personal conflicts made this a solidly layered story. Maya was a complicated woman who was also living with sickle cell anemia and I learned a lot about the realities of the disease. Derek’s late wife died in the church massacre that made national news so there was a touch of realism, though the church is fictional here. I appreciated the tribute to the victims in this indirect way. I’m looking forward to continuing the series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to HarperAudio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
December 9, 2022
It didn't help that she liked Derek. She liked him. A lot.
She groaned. Liking didn't mean anything. She liked a lot of things - five-hundred-thread-count sheets, designer handbags - but she couldn't afford any of it. Falling for him wasn't prudent. 48%
The main problem with this book is that is a boring romance.
Maya is a bridal-gown designer with sickle-cell anemia. She comes back home from NYC to Charleston in order to care for her father, who broke his hip. While staying in Charleston, she is hired by a small local store run by Derek, our hero.
...
THE BAD:
The romance is boring. Williams is a mediocre writer at best. The book suffers from a style of writing in which the author just hammers out narrative sentence after narrative sentence. Here's an example:
The following Sunday morning, Derek arrived at the hardware store fifteen minutes before it opened. Maya's sedan wasn't in the parking lot yet. The thought of her arrival made him jittery. Or perhaps it was the three cups of black coffee that he'd downed getting ready for this day.
He hoped this remodel and trunk show would help him bring in enough profit to catch up on the late mortgage payments. He had a little more than a month to pay the bank, which refused to work out an alternative payment arrangement. Derek already started marketing and advertising for the trunk show in anticipation of the event. Hopefully, this plan would work.
Derek turned off his ignition and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. He decided against bringing Jamila today. No need for more drama. She went to New Life with Ginger this morning. Maybe one day, he'd make Sunday morning services a norm again. 28%
Really, you could open the book anywhere and it would going much like this.
The romance is also a failure. It's so sedate. There is no excitement. There is no tension. There is not even the faintest whiff of sexual attraction. It's very chaste. It's also conflict-free, pretty much.
Another problem is Derek and his daughter Jamila. For one thing, I'm not in favor of kowtowing to 12-year-olds, even though her mother did die tragically three years ago. The 12-year-old practically runs her dad, who used to be in the Navy. He treats her like porcelain, never tells her 'no,' and her opinion is more important than both his opinion and that of Maya. Jamila acts like a brat (not surprising since she gets her way 24/7). She forces her dad to promise he will never date Maya nor any woman when she notices a tiny blush of attraction between the two of them. AND HE DOES IT. I am against this. I also think his view of his 'little girl' is toxic. He is one of those fathers who teaches his daughter that all men and boys are evil.
"You told me that all boys are evil. Doesn't that include you?"
He'd told her that. It was his fatherly duty to tell her to stay away from crushes and romantic interests - but he didn't expect Jamila to turn his advice against him. "I'm your father." 54%
I think this is supposed to be cute. I think this type of fathering is damaging. Here are his thoughts later in the book:
Derek exhaled. One day, Jamila would grow up and perhaps - when she was forty or fifty or sixty years old - she'd get married. 91%
I'm not for this nor do I think it's funny.
Jamila also treats Maya like shit for a good portion of the book and both Derek and Maya bend over backwards to please her and mollify her. I'm not amused.
THE GOOD:
But everything about this book is not bad. There are some good aspects.
One, Preslaysa Williams is Black and Filipina. She writes Black and Filipina heroines, what she calls Blasian, and this is interesting. I don't read a lot of books with mixed Black and Filipina MCs. If you are craving some Filipina MC goodness, she does deliver that here, complete with pancit and Filipina stitching/patterns/dressmaking.
Two, an MC romance heroine who struggles with sickle-cell anemia. Williams is very upfront with what this entails and I feel like she doesn't sugarcoat it - or what entering a relationship could mean for both her and Derek. It's rare for me to read about an MC with sickle-cell, much less a romance heroine.
Three, the book's strong point is the plot that revolves around Maya's worklife. She works for a huge, famous white bridal designer who is a casual racist and who disparages Maya's designs whenever they step out of very typical, very white (in both senses), very mainstream lanes. Maya is deeply insecure and has low self-esteem, and in a lot of ways she bases her worth on being a designer for this prestigious bridalwear company. During the book, her horrible boss refuses to pay her when she is down in Charleston caring for her ailing father, so Maya takes some side work for Derek. Of course, she flowers. It's nice seeing her self-confidence get very slowly ramped up, and it's nice to see her finally stand up for herself. Williams does this is in a very slow and realistic way. Change doesn't happen overnight. I liked Maya's slow journey to stepping out from Laura's shadow. Even though her character could be seen as weak which will annoy some people (Why doesn't she just stand up for herself!?!?), I thought it was pretty accurate.
Four, even though the romance has no heat at all, Derek is a kind, gentle, and supportive boyfriend. I did like his unwavering kindness to Maya, even if they had no chemistry whatsoever.
...
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
No sex. :(
TL;DR Mediocre writing, a bland and uninteresting romance. The only reason for reading this is if you are interested in a Black Filipina main character or are looking for a romance featuring someone with sickle-cell. It's worrisome in a romance where I find the plot about the heroine's workplace journey more interesting than the actual love story.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
#OwnVoices Romance
Black Romance
Contemporary Romance
Military Romance - Derek was in the Navy.
Multicultural/Interracial Romance - Derek is Black, Maya is half-Black, half-Filipina
I have no idea whether the MC is a virgin or not, I would guess 'yes' since she is pretty religious. Hero definitely is not, he has a child and he is a widower.
Widower Hero
Takes Place in: NYC, and Charleston SC - United States of America
Hero is a Bridal Dress Shop Owner, Heroine is a Bridal Gown Designer.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
She groaned. Liking didn't mean anything. She liked a lot of things - five-hundred-thread-count sheets, designer handbags - but she couldn't afford any of it. Falling for him wasn't prudent. 48%
The main problem with this book is that is a boring romance.
Maya is a bridal-gown designer with sickle-cell anemia. She comes back home from NYC to Charleston in order to care for her father, who broke his hip. While staying in Charleston, she is hired by a small local store run by Derek, our hero.
...
THE BAD:
The romance is boring. Williams is a mediocre writer at best. The book suffers from a style of writing in which the author just hammers out narrative sentence after narrative sentence. Here's an example:
The following Sunday morning, Derek arrived at the hardware store fifteen minutes before it opened. Maya's sedan wasn't in the parking lot yet. The thought of her arrival made him jittery. Or perhaps it was the three cups of black coffee that he'd downed getting ready for this day.
He hoped this remodel and trunk show would help him bring in enough profit to catch up on the late mortgage payments. He had a little more than a month to pay the bank, which refused to work out an alternative payment arrangement. Derek already started marketing and advertising for the trunk show in anticipation of the event. Hopefully, this plan would work.
Derek turned off his ignition and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. He decided against bringing Jamila today. No need for more drama. She went to New Life with Ginger this morning. Maybe one day, he'd make Sunday morning services a norm again. 28%
Really, you could open the book anywhere and it would going much like this.
The romance is also a failure. It's so sedate. There is no excitement. There is no tension. There is not even the faintest whiff of sexual attraction. It's very chaste. It's also conflict-free, pretty much.
Another problem is Derek and his daughter Jamila. For one thing, I'm not in favor of kowtowing to 12-year-olds, even though her mother did die tragically three years ago. The 12-year-old practically runs her dad, who used to be in the Navy. He treats her like porcelain, never tells her 'no,' and her opinion is more important than both his opinion and that of Maya. Jamila acts like a brat (not surprising since she gets her way 24/7). She forces her dad to promise he will never date Maya nor any woman when she notices a tiny blush of attraction between the two of them. AND HE DOES IT. I am against this. I also think his view of his 'little girl' is toxic. He is one of those fathers who teaches his daughter that all men and boys are evil.
"You told me that all boys are evil. Doesn't that include you?"
He'd told her that. It was his fatherly duty to tell her to stay away from crushes and romantic interests - but he didn't expect Jamila to turn his advice against him. "I'm your father." 54%
I think this is supposed to be cute. I think this type of fathering is damaging. Here are his thoughts later in the book:
Derek exhaled. One day, Jamila would grow up and perhaps - when she was forty or fifty or sixty years old - she'd get married. 91%
I'm not for this nor do I think it's funny.
Jamila also treats Maya like shit for a good portion of the book and both Derek and Maya bend over backwards to please her and mollify her. I'm not amused.
THE GOOD:
But everything about this book is not bad. There are some good aspects.
One, Preslaysa Williams is Black and Filipina. She writes Black and Filipina heroines, what she calls Blasian, and this is interesting. I don't read a lot of books with mixed Black and Filipina MCs. If you are craving some Filipina MC goodness, she does deliver that here, complete with pancit and Filipina stitching/patterns/dressmaking.
Two, an MC romance heroine who struggles with sickle-cell anemia. Williams is very upfront with what this entails and I feel like she doesn't sugarcoat it - or what entering a relationship could mean for both her and Derek. It's rare for me to read about an MC with sickle-cell, much less a romance heroine.
Three, the book's strong point is the plot that revolves around Maya's worklife. She works for a huge, famous white bridal designer who is a casual racist and who disparages Maya's designs whenever they step out of very typical, very white (in both senses), very mainstream lanes. Maya is deeply insecure and has low self-esteem, and in a lot of ways she bases her worth on being a designer for this prestigious bridalwear company. During the book, her horrible boss refuses to pay her when she is down in Charleston caring for her ailing father, so Maya takes some side work for Derek. Of course, she flowers. It's nice seeing her self-confidence get very slowly ramped up, and it's nice to see her finally stand up for herself. Williams does this is in a very slow and realistic way. Change doesn't happen overnight. I liked Maya's slow journey to stepping out from Laura's shadow. Even though her character could be seen as weak which will annoy some people (Why doesn't she just stand up for herself!?!?), I thought it was pretty accurate.
Four, even though the romance has no heat at all, Derek is a kind, gentle, and supportive boyfriend. I did like his unwavering kindness to Maya, even if they had no chemistry whatsoever.
...
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
No sex. :(
TL;DR Mediocre writing, a bland and uninteresting romance. The only reason for reading this is if you are interested in a Black Filipina main character or are looking for a romance featuring someone with sickle-cell. It's worrisome in a romance where I find the plot about the heroine's workplace journey more interesting than the actual love story.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
#OwnVoices Romance
Black Romance
Contemporary Romance
Military Romance - Derek was in the Navy.
Multicultural/Interracial Romance - Derek is Black, Maya is half-Black, half-Filipina
I have no idea whether the MC is a virgin or not, I would guess 'yes' since she is pretty religious. Hero definitely is not, he has a child and he is a widower.
Widower Hero
Takes Place in: NYC, and Charleston SC - United States of America
Hero is a Bridal Dress Shop Owner, Heroine is a Bridal Gown Designer.
NAMES IN THIS BOOK
December 20, 2020
A story filled with compassion, love, faith and the journey of family togetherness. From the first page, I began caring about the characters and their lives. I enjoyed this story very much. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.
May 1, 2021
I adore this book and author! This is the first title I have read, but I will be reading more. Some Authors have the gift of writing. They can give you more detail and imagery in a paragraph than most in a page or chapter. Ms Williams has this.
Lowcountry Bride is about family, dreams, and love. I became quickly invested in Maya, I wanted her to succeed. Her life is real, could be anyone we know, and I appreciated the cultural and historical references. I am trying not to give too much away as this story deserves to be read by all.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy for my voluntary review.
Lowcountry Bride is about family, dreams, and love. I became quickly invested in Maya, I wanted her to succeed. Her life is real, could be anyone we know, and I appreciated the cultural and historical references. I am trying not to give too much away as this story deserves to be read by all.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy for my voluntary review.
April 29, 2021
If I’m going to be brutally honest, this wasn’t my cup of tea.
There isn’t anything wrong with this book, per se, but it was a bit slow for me. I found myself putting it down and reading other things multiple times. I even considered putting it in my DNF pile, but I was ultimately curious enough to finish the book and you know what? I’m glad I did.
In my opinion, there aren’t enough Black romances out there that depict facets of the Black experience without necessarily hitting you over the head with racism and trauma. Proximity to whiteness is a hell of a drug, and I’ve found that if I read a strong Black female protagonist, nine times out of ten, she’s going to be in an interracial relationship. Let me be perfectly clear: THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. But as a Black woman married to a Black man, there’s something nice about seeing a love that looks like mine on the page.
Maya and Derek are lovely individuals facing their own trials and tribulations that are reflective of the Black experience without it feeling preachy or stereotypical.
Maya lives with sickle cell anemia, which is a disease that primarily affects African Americans. Because of this, she expects to have a shortened life expectancy and wants to make every day count toward realizing her dreams of being a leading wedding dress designer under the famous Laura Whitcomb label. I can only assume this is the in-story equivalent of a Vera Wang or *shudder* Pnina Tournai (I spent the entirety of my senior year of high school watching marathons of Say Yes to the Dress with my mother while she was in chemotherapy and I can’t see a sheer corseted bodice or hear the words “sexy wedding gown” without chills going down my spine). When her father fractures his hip, she leaves New York City for her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. During her father’s convalescence, she finds herself working at the local bridal gown boutique, hoping to sell some of her designs.
The boutique owner, Derek, is desperately trying to preserve the legacy of his family by keeping the doors open despite looming gentrification and, quite frankly, deep seated trauma in the form of the sudden loss of his wife and navigating the tricky preteen years with his grieving daughter.
So the set up here is a woman who is living on borrowed time and a grieving man who is essentially dealing with abandonment issues caused by the unexpected death of his spouse.
This is about where the book lost me.
I read romance to escape from real world consequences. I had not anticipated having to process the fact that our heroine will die young (sickle cell anemia is incurable and the average life expectancy is around 48 years), nor did I anticipate having to think through the violent death (off page) of Derek’s wife as a result of the Charleston church shooting that happened a few years ago.
Admittedly, I’m probably just not the best target audience for this book. At the time that I was reading, I was waiting for test results to see if I carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes that would put me at elevated risk for breast cancer. My own mother was diagnosed at the age of 38 when I was in high school. I’ve had aunts on both sides of the family with diagnoses, as well as one of my grandmothers. To say that I was stressed would be a colossal understatement. (My tests came back negative, but I did not deal with the anxiety well at all.)
If I set aside my own neuroses, I can objectively say that this was a sweet book about living one’s life to the fullest and taking stock of the things that truly make you happy, rather than the things people expect of you. A meditation on grief, faith, and making room for love in all its facets, A Lowcountry Bride borders on the inspirational side of the romance spectrum and is a wholesome read with a couple of kisses shared between the protagonists.
There isn’t anything wrong with this book, per se, but it was a bit slow for me. I found myself putting it down and reading other things multiple times. I even considered putting it in my DNF pile, but I was ultimately curious enough to finish the book and you know what? I’m glad I did.
In my opinion, there aren’t enough Black romances out there that depict facets of the Black experience without necessarily hitting you over the head with racism and trauma. Proximity to whiteness is a hell of a drug, and I’ve found that if I read a strong Black female protagonist, nine times out of ten, she’s going to be in an interracial relationship. Let me be perfectly clear: THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. But as a Black woman married to a Black man, there’s something nice about seeing a love that looks like mine on the page.
Maya and Derek are lovely individuals facing their own trials and tribulations that are reflective of the Black experience without it feeling preachy or stereotypical.
Maya lives with sickle cell anemia, which is a disease that primarily affects African Americans. Because of this, she expects to have a shortened life expectancy and wants to make every day count toward realizing her dreams of being a leading wedding dress designer under the famous Laura Whitcomb label. I can only assume this is the in-story equivalent of a Vera Wang or *shudder* Pnina Tournai (I spent the entirety of my senior year of high school watching marathons of Say Yes to the Dress with my mother while she was in chemotherapy and I can’t see a sheer corseted bodice or hear the words “sexy wedding gown” without chills going down my spine). When her father fractures his hip, she leaves New York City for her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. During her father’s convalescence, she finds herself working at the local bridal gown boutique, hoping to sell some of her designs.
The boutique owner, Derek, is desperately trying to preserve the legacy of his family by keeping the doors open despite looming gentrification and, quite frankly, deep seated trauma in the form of the sudden loss of his wife and navigating the tricky preteen years with his grieving daughter.
So the set up here is a woman who is living on borrowed time and a grieving man who is essentially dealing with abandonment issues caused by the unexpected death of his spouse.
This is about where the book lost me.
I read romance to escape from real world consequences. I had not anticipated having to process the fact that our heroine will die young (sickle cell anemia is incurable and the average life expectancy is around 48 years), nor did I anticipate having to think through the violent death (off page) of Derek’s wife as a result of the Charleston church shooting that happened a few years ago.
Admittedly, I’m probably just not the best target audience for this book. At the time that I was reading, I was waiting for test results to see if I carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes that would put me at elevated risk for breast cancer. My own mother was diagnosed at the age of 38 when I was in high school. I’ve had aunts on both sides of the family with diagnoses, as well as one of my grandmothers. To say that I was stressed would be a colossal understatement. (My tests came back negative, but I did not deal with the anxiety well at all.)
If I set aside my own neuroses, I can objectively say that this was a sweet book about living one’s life to the fullest and taking stock of the things that truly make you happy, rather than the things people expect of you. A meditation on grief, faith, and making room for love in all its facets, A Lowcountry Bride borders on the inspirational side of the romance spectrum and is a wholesome read with a couple of kisses shared between the protagonists.
June 4, 2021
4.5 stars
I was blown away at how much I enjoyed reading this book. My initial expectation was it would be a light and breezy read. And while it kinda had that vibe going on, the author impressed me by giving both lead characters such rich backstories. Along with relevant subjects explored in the story, it turned out to be a charming read with substance. A well thought out story and therefore a worthwhile read.
Maya Jackson has worked for the famous Laura Whitcomb bridal gown brand for years. She hopes to become Head Designer. But with her illness and having to take off work for a few months while she helps her recuperating elderly father, achieving her dream is not going to be easy. To make ends meet while she's staying in her hometown of Charleston, she accepts a job working at a local bridal boutique. The owner, Derek Sullivan, is a military veteran and widowed father of a twelve year old girl. He is desperate to keep his late mother's store open instead of declaring bankruptcy. Given both of their situations, it's just not a good idea for the two of them to become romantically involved. Right?
There's some sadness to the story when you find out what each character has been dealing with in life but I wouldn't say this book is a heavy read. I found the story to be full of hope and positivity. I fell in love with the main characters early on in the book and it was so easy to feel invested in them.
While romance is an integral part of the story, there's many other things going on that make it a well-rounded fiction read. Learning about the details that went into the designing of Maya's unique bridal gowns was fascinating. Derek struggling to connect with his daughter enhanced the story as well. I don't want to give up too much of the plot but those are only two elements of the story that gave it depth.
I absolutely adored this book and if Goodreads is any indication, it might be the first in a series. I'm definitely on board to read more books by the author!
Thank you to William Morrow for providing me with a copy of this book as part of #WMTastemakers. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
I was blown away at how much I enjoyed reading this book. My initial expectation was it would be a light and breezy read. And while it kinda had that vibe going on, the author impressed me by giving both lead characters such rich backstories. Along with relevant subjects explored in the story, it turned out to be a charming read with substance. A well thought out story and therefore a worthwhile read.
Maya Jackson has worked for the famous Laura Whitcomb bridal gown brand for years. She hopes to become Head Designer. But with her illness and having to take off work for a few months while she helps her recuperating elderly father, achieving her dream is not going to be easy. To make ends meet while she's staying in her hometown of Charleston, she accepts a job working at a local bridal boutique. The owner, Derek Sullivan, is a military veteran and widowed father of a twelve year old girl. He is desperate to keep his late mother's store open instead of declaring bankruptcy. Given both of their situations, it's just not a good idea for the two of them to become romantically involved. Right?
There's some sadness to the story when you find out what each character has been dealing with in life but I wouldn't say this book is a heavy read. I found the story to be full of hope and positivity. I fell in love with the main characters early on in the book and it was so easy to feel invested in them.
While romance is an integral part of the story, there's many other things going on that make it a well-rounded fiction read. Learning about the details that went into the designing of Maya's unique bridal gowns was fascinating. Derek struggling to connect with his daughter enhanced the story as well. I don't want to give up too much of the plot but those are only two elements of the story that gave it depth.
I absolutely adored this book and if Goodreads is any indication, it might be the first in a series. I'm definitely on board to read more books by the author!
Thank you to William Morrow for providing me with a copy of this book as part of #WMTastemakers. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
May 21, 2021
Maya Jackson is a wedding dress designer trying to climb the corporate ladder at a prestigious design company in New York City, when her father down in Charleston calls with the news that he’s broken his hip. Maya drops everything to go help take care of him and makes a terrible deal with her boss to do unpaid work, while attempting to compete for a chance at a higher position. Maya, who has sickle cell anemia, has always put career before love. Meanwhile Captain Derek Sullivan, Navy veteran, is desperate to save his family’s business, Always a Bride, amongst the massive pile of debt that his late mother accrued and save his relationship with his estranged twelve year old daughter. Will Maya find the right career path for her and allow love in? Will Derek save the store and make peace with his demons? This is a really beautiful love story but honestly, it’s really secondary to the Black history of Charleston that is talked about in this book. I loved the emphasis on Maya’s West African-Filipino history and how it inspired her designs. I also loved the strong father-daughter relationships that are discussed in the book. One thing that’s important to note, is the references to the Charleston shooting in 2015, although in this novel, the details have been fictionalized. It’s an event that has been overshadowed and forgotten about with our country’s long history of other mass shootings. It shouldn’t be. White supremacy led to the deaths of nine people that day. Combining the modern day shooting (actually, let’s call it for what it is, a repeated attempt at the genocide of Black people by white supremacists) with the history of Charleston regarding slavery was powerful and frankly, showed my ignorance regarding issues that affect Black people both historical and present. This book gives a jumping off point for more ways to educate myself and it’s also a fun romance as well.
January 18, 2021
Wow. I valued so much about this book, from the sweet romance between Maya and Derek, to the way Derek loves his daughter, to Maya’s relationship with her father... but mostly, the complexity of Maya’s decision—will stay true to herself and her culture, designing beautiful gowns with Filipino and West African stitching she was taught by her mother—or literally relinquish her dreams to Laura Whitcomb, the white NYC big shot designer in order to get the big job offer she wants? Whitcomb is such a symbol of systemic racism, appropriation and theft... Ms. Williams has penned a novel that gave me a lot to chew on. I felt this book was really beautiful, with the tension of Maya’s sickle cell anemia and knowing her life will not be long contributing to both the sweet romance and need to follow one’s dreams. Fabulous.
May 18, 2021
Maya works as a junior designer for top bridal company Laura Whitcomb, Inc in New York City. Maya has big dreams of being able to showcase her own unique designs which reflect her Afro-Filipina heritage combining styles and techniques from both cultures. It was her late mother's long time dream to see her as a senior designer at Laura Whitcomb and Maya is so close to getting a promotion. She just has earn the approval of her boss who looks down at her designs as too ethnic.
Maya is also juggling balancing her own struggles with managing her sick cell anemia. When her father fractures his hip she decides to take some time off to go visit him in South Carolina and help take care of him. She soon discovers she won't have to do too much heavy lifting as her girlfriend Ginger seems to have things covered.
Derek is a single father who is still experiencing grief after loosing his wife to a tragic church shooting. He's trying and failing to raise his daughter Jamila and manage his late mother's bridal shop, Always a Bride. With the shop in debt and sales struggling he needs someone who can help turn things around. Luckily for him Maya could use a chance to sell some of her dresses while she's on leave with no pay. With her savvy about the wedding industry they're able to start turning things around for the shop. As they work together they start to catch feelings. But will Maya's illness and career aspirations keep them apart?
One of the things I enjoyed about this book was that it didn't dance around race. Early on when he boss is turning her nose up at the African-American museum is Charleston agreeing that it should be closed down, Maya challenges her holding her accountable to her off-color remarks. Many of us can relate when it comes to working in majority white environments what Maya is going through as she tries to excel at work and be true to herself.
Culture is a major part of this story and Preslaysa doesn't miss a beat there. Derek stresses the importance of carrying on traditions to his daughter by introducing her to his grandmother's tradition of making sweetgrass baskets. The bridal shop is also an important part of their legacy as one of the first Black-owned businesses in downtown Charleston. The AME Church where he's been a long time member has played a pivotal role in the history of South Carolina and is a gathering place for the Black community.
It was nice to see a traditionally published romance that did display so much African-American culture. Because often when you pick up a book with a Black or Brown woman on the cover not only is her partner white but cultural aspects are kept to a minimum. And the largest populations of Black people in the US live in communities in The South. The emphasis on Black owned businesses, the pressure to sell off or move out was touched upon here without being heavy handed.
Derek and Maya are both people working through grief from loosing their mothers and they bond over that experience. Maya also has fears about her life expectancy because of her sickle cell anemia and that was handled very well. I loved how Derek supported her and encouraged her to not settle in life.
View full review
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
I listened to the audiobook via Libro FM courtesy of HarperCollins.
Maya is also juggling balancing her own struggles with managing her sick cell anemia. When her father fractures his hip she decides to take some time off to go visit him in South Carolina and help take care of him. She soon discovers she won't have to do too much heavy lifting as her girlfriend Ginger seems to have things covered.
Derek is a single father who is still experiencing grief after loosing his wife to a tragic church shooting. He's trying and failing to raise his daughter Jamila and manage his late mother's bridal shop, Always a Bride. With the shop in debt and sales struggling he needs someone who can help turn things around. Luckily for him Maya could use a chance to sell some of her dresses while she's on leave with no pay. With her savvy about the wedding industry they're able to start turning things around for the shop. As they work together they start to catch feelings. But will Maya's illness and career aspirations keep them apart?
One of the things I enjoyed about this book was that it didn't dance around race. Early on when he boss is turning her nose up at the African-American museum is Charleston agreeing that it should be closed down, Maya challenges her holding her accountable to her off-color remarks. Many of us can relate when it comes to working in majority white environments what Maya is going through as she tries to excel at work and be true to herself.
Culture is a major part of this story and Preslaysa doesn't miss a beat there. Derek stresses the importance of carrying on traditions to his daughter by introducing her to his grandmother's tradition of making sweetgrass baskets. The bridal shop is also an important part of their legacy as one of the first Black-owned businesses in downtown Charleston. The AME Church where he's been a long time member has played a pivotal role in the history of South Carolina and is a gathering place for the Black community.
It was nice to see a traditionally published romance that did display so much African-American culture. Because often when you pick up a book with a Black or Brown woman on the cover not only is her partner white but cultural aspects are kept to a minimum. And the largest populations of Black people in the US live in communities in The South. The emphasis on Black owned businesses, the pressure to sell off or move out was touched upon here without being heavy handed.
Derek and Maya are both people working through grief from loosing their mothers and they bond over that experience. Maya also has fears about her life expectancy because of her sickle cell anemia and that was handled very well. I loved how Derek supported her and encouraged her to not settle in life.
View full review
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
I listened to the audiobook via Libro FM courtesy of HarperCollins.
June 1, 2021
Happy Release Day!
If you're looking for a sweet romance with depth, then A Lowcountry Bride is the perfect choice. The book melds together a heartwarming relationship between the two main characters with deeper issues such as dealing with a chronic illness, honoring cultural background, and staying true to yourself.
At first, I found Maya a bit abrasive and closed off. Yet once I understood her background and how she needed to protect herself due to her illness, I gained more insight into her actions and reactions. The parts about Derek's legacy with his bridal boutique brought tears to my eyes and made me think about how our heritage and the sacrifices of our ancestors help to create and influence the lives we live today.
While I understood on a surface level Maya's desire and goal to accomplish her dream of being head designer, I couldn't really identify with why she would sacrifice everything--her health, love, a chance to have her own label--for the sake of that goal. Well, not until she revealed to her father that she believed it was her late mother's dream for her. Then it made a bit more sense, but in the narrative it might have been better to reveal that earlier so the reader has more buy in rather than being frustrated with her choices.
Overall I was impressed with this novel and the unique voice Preslaysa Williams brings to the table with her own Black and Asian background forming a framework for the tale. I look forward to reading more from her in the future! If you like romance, particularly romance written from an OwnVoices writer, then definitely put this on your reading list.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
If you're looking for a sweet romance with depth, then A Lowcountry Bride is the perfect choice. The book melds together a heartwarming relationship between the two main characters with deeper issues such as dealing with a chronic illness, honoring cultural background, and staying true to yourself.
At first, I found Maya a bit abrasive and closed off. Yet once I understood her background and how she needed to protect herself due to her illness, I gained more insight into her actions and reactions. The parts about Derek's legacy with his bridal boutique brought tears to my eyes and made me think about how our heritage and the sacrifices of our ancestors help to create and influence the lives we live today.
While I understood on a surface level Maya's desire and goal to accomplish her dream of being head designer, I couldn't really identify with why she would sacrifice everything--her health, love, a chance to have her own label--for the sake of that goal. Well, not until she revealed to her father that she believed it was her late mother's dream for her. Then it made a bit more sense, but in the narrative it might have been better to reveal that earlier so the reader has more buy in rather than being frustrated with her choices.
Overall I was impressed with this novel and the unique voice Preslaysa Williams brings to the table with her own Black and Asian background forming a framework for the tale. I look forward to reading more from her in the future! If you like romance, particularly romance written from an OwnVoices writer, then definitely put this on your reading list.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
June 13, 2021
There are so many images that come to mind when I think of the Lowcountry. Of course, the food and the landscape, but also the rich history of the people who live in the region. Preslaysa Williams' A Lowcountry Bride doesn't reflect many of those aspects. The main character isn't a bride and, though Charleston is the setting, the story could have been set in any town. Does that mean it's not an entertaining read? No, but you may want to adjust your expectations.
Maya left Charleston for New York to pursue a career with famed bridal designer. In a Working Girl/Devil Wears Prada kind of mashup, her boss doesn't appreciate her work and finds flaws in most of her designs. When Maya's father gets sick, she heads to the Lowcountry to nurse him back to health and is given an opportunity to help save a family's business and, possibly, her career.
Derek inherited his mother's bridal shop, something to brag about in the 80s when it first opened, but not so much in present day. His deceased wife loved it though and so does his daughter. The business is struggling and so is Derek until Maya comes into his life with her unique designs and can do attitude.
A Lowcountry Bride is the stuff Hallmark movies are made for. It's predictable in parts, from the story line to the characters, but they all play a role in bringing readers the happy ending that they're expecting. And while I said the location in the book could be set anywhere based on the lack of descriptors that would give it a true Charleston feel, I've no doubt that on the screen, it would be absolutely lush and gorgeous. Has it been optioned for TV yet? I don't know, but fingers crossed!
Maya left Charleston for New York to pursue a career with famed bridal designer. In a Working Girl/Devil Wears Prada kind of mashup, her boss doesn't appreciate her work and finds flaws in most of her designs. When Maya's father gets sick, she heads to the Lowcountry to nurse him back to health and is given an opportunity to help save a family's business and, possibly, her career.
Derek inherited his mother's bridal shop, something to brag about in the 80s when it first opened, but not so much in present day. His deceased wife loved it though and so does his daughter. The business is struggling and so is Derek until Maya comes into his life with her unique designs and can do attitude.
A Lowcountry Bride is the stuff Hallmark movies are made for. It's predictable in parts, from the story line to the characters, but they all play a role in bringing readers the happy ending that they're expecting. And while I said the location in the book could be set anywhere based on the lack of descriptors that would give it a true Charleston feel, I've no doubt that on the screen, it would be absolutely lush and gorgeous. Has it been optioned for TV yet? I don't know, but fingers crossed!
June 11, 2021
2.7 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
But sickle cell anemia flare-ups didn’t wait for bridal gown designers.
Maya Jackson has been trying to make her mother proud by working her way up to lead designer at the prestigious Laura Whitcomb Inc., the nation's top bridal gown designer. When a promotion opportunity opens up, Maya is ready to try and impress her boss who has a tendency to reject her Afro-Asian influenced designs in favor of more conventional. Life and timing, as it is, also has Maya asking for time off as she wants to go back home to the lowcountry to help her father who has just broken his hip. There in Charleston, Maya confronts if she can trust again, who she wants to be, and what she really wants out of life.
This man was not going to mess with her focus. Not happening.
Lowcountry Bride was a heartfelt story that didn't always delve enough into some of the heavy topics it incorporated but still delivered some incredibly sweet moments. The romance was low heat, just some kisses, and I thought the romance between Maya and Derek was actually the weakest of the story. Derek is a widowed single father who lost his wife to a mass shooting at the New Life Church and is trying to keep his mother's legacy of a bridal dress shop from going into foreclosure and repair his relationship with his daughter. His wife dying in a mass shooting is one of those heavy topics I mentioned wasn't delved into enough. I live in America, so maybe this hits me more than it would others but while it never came off as a salacious additive, it still didn't have the emotional depth I would have liked to see with such an impacting topic. I did enjoy how the author had Maya going home to Charleston to take care of her father but then backing off a little when his “friend” Ginger is there also trying to help him, especially when Ginger is set to retire from her manager job at Derek's bridal shop and has more time now. A bridal shop that Derek desperately needs help at and Maya's boss refused to give her paid time off so she needs to make some extra money on the side. This was all excellent plot threading and made these two entering each other's worlds believable.
“Excellent. Operation Save Always a Bride shall begin,” he said.
And Operation Save Maya would begin too, because the way Derek winked at her just now made her entire body warm.
With Maya working at Derek's Always a Bride shop, their attraction begins but Derek's daughter, Jamila, has attitude about feeling like Maya is trying to replace her mother and makes Derek promise not to date her. Jamila was a character I wish we could have gotten more depth with, she's a teenager dealing with some heavy emotional tolls but she swung wildly from stark to warm and it was clearly to create road blocks/angst in the romance. Derek's fear of loving because of his losses of his wife and mother and wanting to repair the relationship with his daughter and Maya's fear of people not being able to handle her sickle cell anemia were enough to keep the friction between this couple.
Maya had to try. She would try. Like Derek had said, if Maya didn’t believe in herself, who would? A seed of confidence took root in Maya. Confidence— and hope.
With Maya being the stronger character and delving into her life and issues more, this did have a slight women's fiction to it and what I think was the story's greatest strength. Going on the journey with her as you want her to stick up for herself and her designs with her boss but understanding why she feels she can't, dealing with her illness, fear of trusting someone to love her, her relationship with her dad, and eventually finding and using her power to be all who she is in an environment that constantly tries to stifle her, will have you cheering her on.
Was true love a one-time thing, or did his heart have room for a second chance at falling in love?
Overall, this was sweet with some hard topics but the author had a soothing tone to her writing that gives you hope, even when you're hurting with the characters. While I do wish there had been some more depth to what felt like underdeveloped relationships, especially the romance, I did feel some of the issues (racism, gentrification) were incorporated and utilized in a way that is not always common in books from big publishing, making the contemporary feel all the better for it. The passage of time was a bit vague at times and because Maya lives with sickle cell anemia and it's a constant in her life, the reminders of her “ten to fifteen years” life expectancy gave this somewhat more of a melancholy ending feel. However, Derek's grandmother's letter and the moment between him and his daughter Jamila while he's doing her hair, will make your eyes water and were so sweet that those moments alone will have me checking out this author's future works.
“The truth is that we’re all dying, Maya. It’s not the dying that matters. It’s the living.”
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
But sickle cell anemia flare-ups didn’t wait for bridal gown designers.
Maya Jackson has been trying to make her mother proud by working her way up to lead designer at the prestigious Laura Whitcomb Inc., the nation's top bridal gown designer. When a promotion opportunity opens up, Maya is ready to try and impress her boss who has a tendency to reject her Afro-Asian influenced designs in favor of more conventional. Life and timing, as it is, also has Maya asking for time off as she wants to go back home to the lowcountry to help her father who has just broken his hip. There in Charleston, Maya confronts if she can trust again, who she wants to be, and what she really wants out of life.
This man was not going to mess with her focus. Not happening.
Lowcountry Bride was a heartfelt story that didn't always delve enough into some of the heavy topics it incorporated but still delivered some incredibly sweet moments. The romance was low heat, just some kisses, and I thought the romance between Maya and Derek was actually the weakest of the story. Derek is a widowed single father who lost his wife to a mass shooting at the New Life Church and is trying to keep his mother's legacy of a bridal dress shop from going into foreclosure and repair his relationship with his daughter. His wife dying in a mass shooting is one of those heavy topics I mentioned wasn't delved into enough. I live in America, so maybe this hits me more than it would others but while it never came off as a salacious additive, it still didn't have the emotional depth I would have liked to see with such an impacting topic. I did enjoy how the author had Maya going home to Charleston to take care of her father but then backing off a little when his “friend” Ginger is there also trying to help him, especially when Ginger is set to retire from her manager job at Derek's bridal shop and has more time now. A bridal shop that Derek desperately needs help at and Maya's boss refused to give her paid time off so she needs to make some extra money on the side. This was all excellent plot threading and made these two entering each other's worlds believable.
“Excellent. Operation Save Always a Bride shall begin,” he said.
And Operation Save Maya would begin too, because the way Derek winked at her just now made her entire body warm.
With Maya working at Derek's Always a Bride shop, their attraction begins but Derek's daughter, Jamila, has attitude about feeling like Maya is trying to replace her mother and makes Derek promise not to date her. Jamila was a character I wish we could have gotten more depth with, she's a teenager dealing with some heavy emotional tolls but she swung wildly from stark to warm and it was clearly to create road blocks/angst in the romance. Derek's fear of loving because of his losses of his wife and mother and wanting to repair the relationship with his daughter and Maya's fear of people not being able to handle her sickle cell anemia were enough to keep the friction between this couple.
Maya had to try. She would try. Like Derek had said, if Maya didn’t believe in herself, who would? A seed of confidence took root in Maya. Confidence— and hope.
With Maya being the stronger character and delving into her life and issues more, this did have a slight women's fiction to it and what I think was the story's greatest strength. Going on the journey with her as you want her to stick up for herself and her designs with her boss but understanding why she feels she can't, dealing with her illness, fear of trusting someone to love her, her relationship with her dad, and eventually finding and using her power to be all who she is in an environment that constantly tries to stifle her, will have you cheering her on.
Was true love a one-time thing, or did his heart have room for a second chance at falling in love?
Overall, this was sweet with some hard topics but the author had a soothing tone to her writing that gives you hope, even when you're hurting with the characters. While I do wish there had been some more depth to what felt like underdeveloped relationships, especially the romance, I did feel some of the issues (racism, gentrification) were incorporated and utilized in a way that is not always common in books from big publishing, making the contemporary feel all the better for it. The passage of time was a bit vague at times and because Maya lives with sickle cell anemia and it's a constant in her life, the reminders of her “ten to fifteen years” life expectancy gave this somewhat more of a melancholy ending feel. However, Derek's grandmother's letter and the moment between him and his daughter Jamila while he's doing her hair, will make your eyes water and were so sweet that those moments alone will have me checking out this author's future works.
“The truth is that we’re all dying, Maya. It’s not the dying that matters. It’s the living.”
April 10, 2023
I really tried to love this book but it was too slow a read for my taste. Although Maya and Derek were cute together, there really were no magical sparks. I however, did love the cultural & heritage aspect of the story.
December 16, 2020
First, I want to thank Preslaysa Williams, Avon, and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
Preslaysa Williams is back with another amazing read in A Lowcountry Bride. Preslaysa is a very strong writer who writes what issues and topics she’s passionate about. You can tell when you read the words on the page they are coming from her heart.
This book is dedicated to Preslaysa’s husband and real-life hero, Darren Williams.
Preslaysa would like to dedicate this book also in loving memory of the Emanuel Nine, who died in a mass shooting on June 17, 2015, and the 12 victims of the Virginia Beach, Virginia, mass shooting, who died on May 31, 2019. May your souls always be blessed.
In Lowcountry Bride Preslaysa brought the reader's attention to Sickle Cell Anemia which the main character Maya had. She discussed what the disease was, how it was affecting her daily routine, and her social life. Many books I have read (and trust me I read a lot) rarely if ever focus on this disease. I commend her for bringing awareness to this.
I loved that the main character Maya was a dress designer with her own designs. That even though she worked for her dream boss she too had visions of her own and wanted to make a mark in this world. I commended her for that.
Preslaysa was passionate about having family and culture be a big part of this story. If we have learned anything this year is that family means everything! Many of those story’s show the bond between the family. Unfortunately, some heartache as well.
One of the storylines I was extremely impressed with was Maya’s and Derek’s daughter. His wife Grace passed and it was hard for her to open up to anyone. There was this one scene where Preslaysa just melted my heart because she was letting Mya into her world. This scene was written with a lot of heart, love, empathy, and understanding. It was very touching and moving to see the two bonds like that.
I enjoyed Derek and Maya’s storyline and where it was headed.
Preslaysa’s wish for A Lowcountry Bride is that inspires readers to love, hope, and have faith in their dreams.
Preslaysa Williams is back with another amazing read in A Lowcountry Bride. Preslaysa is a very strong writer who writes what issues and topics she’s passionate about. You can tell when you read the words on the page they are coming from her heart.
This book is dedicated to Preslaysa’s husband and real-life hero, Darren Williams.
Preslaysa would like to dedicate this book also in loving memory of the Emanuel Nine, who died in a mass shooting on June 17, 2015, and the 12 victims of the Virginia Beach, Virginia, mass shooting, who died on May 31, 2019. May your souls always be blessed.
In Lowcountry Bride Preslaysa brought the reader's attention to Sickle Cell Anemia which the main character Maya had. She discussed what the disease was, how it was affecting her daily routine, and her social life. Many books I have read (and trust me I read a lot) rarely if ever focus on this disease. I commend her for bringing awareness to this.
I loved that the main character Maya was a dress designer with her own designs. That even though she worked for her dream boss she too had visions of her own and wanted to make a mark in this world. I commended her for that.
Preslaysa was passionate about having family and culture be a big part of this story. If we have learned anything this year is that family means everything! Many of those story’s show the bond between the family. Unfortunately, some heartache as well.
One of the storylines I was extremely impressed with was Maya’s and Derek’s daughter. His wife Grace passed and it was hard for her to open up to anyone. There was this one scene where Preslaysa just melted my heart because she was letting Mya into her world. This scene was written with a lot of heart, love, empathy, and understanding. It was very touching and moving to see the two bonds like that.
I enjoyed Derek and Maya’s storyline and where it was headed.
Preslaysa’s wish for A Lowcountry Bride is that inspires readers to love, hope, and have faith in their dreams.
December 30, 2020
Preslaysa Williams does an exemplary job in presenting multi-cultural characters without their race being their primary characteristic.
June 15, 2021
I love that cover and the premise seemed (to me) a sweet story with light angst. Unfortunately, this feels like a switch-a-roo.
I liked Maya. She’s talented and passionate and it really came through. I liked reading her trying to figure out what she wanted out of life, not only professionally, but personally as well. Derek didn’t feel fully fleshed out to me, but I did love Jamila.
Plot wise, it was okay. The flow of the writing didn’t really work for me. It was dense and clunky at times and even with a good amount of dialogue, I struggled to settle into the story, especially the romance part of it. The bright parts were definitely the bits of Maya’s heritage and and how she incorporated that into her designs.
The thing that really threw me is all of the heavy topics that didn’t seem to match the mention in the synopsis. Maya is terminally ill and a good amount of her inner monologue is about managing her health and how she’ll be dead in 10-15 years. Derek’s wife died in a mass shooting in a church and it’s touched on several times.
Overall, this story had me continuing to see how it ended; however, I could have easily set it down and left it unfinished.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I liked Maya. She’s talented and passionate and it really came through. I liked reading her trying to figure out what she wanted out of life, not only professionally, but personally as well. Derek didn’t feel fully fleshed out to me, but I did love Jamila.
Plot wise, it was okay. The flow of the writing didn’t really work for me. It was dense and clunky at times and even with a good amount of dialogue, I struggled to settle into the story, especially the romance part of it. The bright parts were definitely the bits of Maya’s heritage and and how she incorporated that into her designs.
The thing that really threw me is all of the heavy topics that didn’t seem to match the mention in the synopsis. Maya is terminally ill and a good amount of her inner monologue is about managing her health and how she’ll be dead in 10-15 years. Derek’s wife died in a mass shooting in a church and it’s touched on several times.
Overall, this story had me continuing to see how it ended; however, I could have easily set it down and left it unfinished.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
Read
August 5, 2021DNF around 65%
Was trying to finish but idk, something about the writing. It’s not BAD, just not for me. I found it kinda simple and not interesting enough, too telling instead of showing and I wasn’t really invested in the romance like at all.
Was trying to finish but idk, something about the writing. It’s not BAD, just not for me. I found it kinda simple and not interesting enough, too telling instead of showing and I wasn’t really invested in the romance like at all.
December 21, 2024
A Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams
Brides of Lowcountry series #1. Contemporary diverse romance.
Maya Jackson is a bridal gown designer in New York, working for a renowned company. She’s hoping for a shot at the Head Designer job but her preferred and cultural designs so far aren’t being accepted. When her father needs help after a fall, the company won’t pay for her days off but is willing to let her shop her designs are stores in Charleston , South Carolina. Since she can’t afford such a long time without a paycheck and South Carolina isn’t ready to pay New York prices for an approved design, Maya takes a job at a small wedding boutique helping to remodel and rehab the space.
Derek Sullivan hopes to preserve the legacy of Always a Bride but bankruptcy is only a month or two away. He hopes that Maya can help revitalize the store, even though he can’t commit to the designs Maya brought with her.
As Maya and Derek work to get the shop updated, his twelve-year-old daughter’s feeling change from animosity to approval of Maya. Maybe if Maya was staying in Charleston, they could consider a relationship.
Heartwarming familiar relationship building, new connections and possibilities done southern style. Lovely.
Brides of Lowcountry series #1. Contemporary diverse romance.
Maya Jackson is a bridal gown designer in New York, working for a renowned company. She’s hoping for a shot at the Head Designer job but her preferred and cultural designs so far aren’t being accepted. When her father needs help after a fall, the company won’t pay for her days off but is willing to let her shop her designs are stores in Charleston , South Carolina. Since she can’t afford such a long time without a paycheck and South Carolina isn’t ready to pay New York prices for an approved design, Maya takes a job at a small wedding boutique helping to remodel and rehab the space.
Derek Sullivan hopes to preserve the legacy of Always a Bride but bankruptcy is only a month or two away. He hopes that Maya can help revitalize the store, even though he can’t commit to the designs Maya brought with her.
As Maya and Derek work to get the shop updated, his twelve-year-old daughter’s feeling change from animosity to approval of Maya. Maybe if Maya was staying in Charleston, they could consider a relationship.
Heartwarming familiar relationship building, new connections and possibilities done southern style. Lovely.
March 17, 2021
I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to access an Advanced Reader Copy of Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. This book is expected to be released in June 2021, which is right in the midst of the summer wedding season! Perfect timing.
So let me preface my review by saying that I was super excited to read this one because I am also a southern girl and I absolutely LOVE a good romance, especially one that feels like it takes place in my community. The cover is absolutely gorgeous so I was looking forward to seeing what the story was all about.
Overall, it was just okay. I feel like there was so much more that could have been done and it seemed to miss the mark. The actual romance was lacking and the inner dialogue of the characters was a bit annoying and excessive. I REALLY wanted to love it, but I found myself wondering when I’d get to the good part. It took entirely too long for the storyline to develop. I also didn’t feel like the characters were relatable. I wanted to know so much more about Maya and Derek and how they fell in love, but this book only seemed to scratch the surface. The entire book focused on whether or not they felt like they should let go of their inhibitions and allow themselves to fall in love. I wanted to read more about how they fell in love and what happened next. They had a total of two dates the entire book and the affection between them was minimal. I was looking for passion and romance and the warm tingly feeling that usually comes from reading romance novels. I didn’t get that with this one.
So let me preface my review by saying that I was super excited to read this one because I am also a southern girl and I absolutely LOVE a good romance, especially one that feels like it takes place in my community. The cover is absolutely gorgeous so I was looking forward to seeing what the story was all about.
Overall, it was just okay. I feel like there was so much more that could have been done and it seemed to miss the mark. The actual romance was lacking and the inner dialogue of the characters was a bit annoying and excessive. I REALLY wanted to love it, but I found myself wondering when I’d get to the good part. It took entirely too long for the storyline to develop. I also didn’t feel like the characters were relatable. I wanted to know so much more about Maya and Derek and how they fell in love, but this book only seemed to scratch the surface. The entire book focused on whether or not they felt like they should let go of their inhibitions and allow themselves to fall in love. I wanted to read more about how they fell in love and what happened next. They had a total of two dates the entire book and the affection between them was minimal. I was looking for passion and romance and the warm tingly feeling that usually comes from reading romance novels. I didn’t get that with this one.
August 21, 2021
I wanted to like this. I couldn't. I skimmed it. I wish I hadn't paid for it. I thought it would be a sweet light-hearted read but it just is NOT my cup of tea and it just isn't very good.
The good:
-Main character has sickle cell anemia which is part of why I picked it up, as I hoped it would wrestle with romance and a chronic disease.
-Characters with faith! A rare and lovely thing.
-G-rated romance. I don't mind a steamy scene but I confess sometimes I like to read something without throbbing members and heaving bosoms. This is very clean.
The bad:
-Very, very boring. Watching-paint-that's-already-dry-as-it-further-dries boring.
-Simplistic to the point of childish. EVERYTHING is explained, every single motivation, every backstory, every thought or move a character makes.
-A blank canvas. The male lead is never described. At all. Just 'handsome.' The female lead, all we know is she's 'beautiful' and has curly hair. The male lead's daughter, all we get is one description of her hair and one of her outfit. The setting in Charleston is wasted; there are no descriptions of the city. Basically the characters are in the bridal shop or at Maya's father's house, with rare exceptions, and we rarely have the slightest idea what any of it looks like.
-There is no chemistry between the main characters. They meet, instant attraction of Handsome to Beautiful and vice versa, and that's it.
-The plot is so simple it hurts. Every single thing is obvious and you can see it coming from a mile away. It's the plot of every Hallmark movie: big city girl with big ambitions, mean boss, must go to quaint hometown, save struggling local store, meet handsome man with sad backstory, store is saved, they marry, and everybody is happy. There's an attempt to make it seem as though Maya will choose the big city job over Handsome Man and Quaint Town, but of course she ultimately doesn't. Everything goes perfectly and comes together perfectly with no obstacles that aren't eliminated immediately. The daughter doesn't like Maya? Oh well in a chapter for no reason she now loves Maya. The Handsome Man isn't ready to move on from his wife? Oh well Maya is so Beautiful that he is. Plus she saved his business. Everything works out. Big wealthy client immediately wants Maya's dress design. Evil Boss finally sees Maya's worth to the brand but is Still Evil. Dad is injured but doesn't seem to suffer from his injury in the slightest. Dad has new girlfriend who is basically the fairy godmother. Shop makes money. Maya sells her designs. Big Reporter gives glowing write-up. Zero problems in this cartoonish world.
-Not a single character in this has an ounce of personality. They all speak the same, even the twelve year old. No indication of accent, dialect, vocal tics, slang, nothing. There's zero, and I mean zero, conflict, beyond the daughter occasionally presenting some Snarky Attitude. Maya is so fixated on working for her Evil Boss it becomes beyond absurd. 'B-b-but it's Her!' Yeah, ok, we get it, Maya. Is your personality anything beyond I Want To Be Head Designer For Evil Boss?
-Oh, the wasted opportunities for a rich story here. What if the Handsome Man had a personality? What if any of the characters had interests or flaws or did anything outside of the bridal shop? What if there was *gasp* CONFLICT? And oh, the sickle cell disease. This one hit me hard because my son has a different terminal genetic disease and it was so exciting and surprising to me to see a romance involving a character living a full life and being the romantic lead even with a disease, without it being a big weepy Fault In Our Stars melodrama. I found it offensive that her struggle was reduced to a few fainting episodes and taking pills and off-screen blood transfusions. And the poor Handsome Man, who lost his wife to a church shooting, but this isn't delved into beyond he and his daughter are Very Sad. He dives right in to the relationship with Maya with only the mildest hemming and hawing. And the Big Reveal of her disease to him is just 'oh ok that's sad a moment and now I'm fine with it.'
I don't particularly enjoy being harsh on a book. But this one was absolutely not for me. It's just not good.
The good:
-Main character has sickle cell anemia which is part of why I picked it up, as I hoped it would wrestle with romance and a chronic disease.
-Characters with faith! A rare and lovely thing.
-G-rated romance. I don't mind a steamy scene but I confess sometimes I like to read something without throbbing members and heaving bosoms. This is very clean.
The bad:
-Very, very boring. Watching-paint-that's-already-dry-as-it-further-dries boring.
-Simplistic to the point of childish. EVERYTHING is explained, every single motivation, every backstory, every thought or move a character makes.
-A blank canvas. The male lead is never described. At all. Just 'handsome.' The female lead, all we know is she's 'beautiful' and has curly hair. The male lead's daughter, all we get is one description of her hair and one of her outfit. The setting in Charleston is wasted; there are no descriptions of the city. Basically the characters are in the bridal shop or at Maya's father's house, with rare exceptions, and we rarely have the slightest idea what any of it looks like.
-There is no chemistry between the main characters. They meet, instant attraction of Handsome to Beautiful and vice versa, and that's it.
-The plot is so simple it hurts. Every single thing is obvious and you can see it coming from a mile away. It's the plot of every Hallmark movie: big city girl with big ambitions, mean boss, must go to quaint hometown, save struggling local store, meet handsome man with sad backstory, store is saved, they marry, and everybody is happy. There's an attempt to make it seem as though Maya will choose the big city job over Handsome Man and Quaint Town, but of course she ultimately doesn't. Everything goes perfectly and comes together perfectly with no obstacles that aren't eliminated immediately. The daughter doesn't like Maya? Oh well in a chapter for no reason she now loves Maya. The Handsome Man isn't ready to move on from his wife? Oh well Maya is so Beautiful that he is. Plus she saved his business. Everything works out. Big wealthy client immediately wants Maya's dress design. Evil Boss finally sees Maya's worth to the brand but is Still Evil. Dad is injured but doesn't seem to suffer from his injury in the slightest. Dad has new girlfriend who is basically the fairy godmother. Shop makes money. Maya sells her designs. Big Reporter gives glowing write-up. Zero problems in this cartoonish world.
-Not a single character in this has an ounce of personality. They all speak the same, even the twelve year old. No indication of accent, dialect, vocal tics, slang, nothing. There's zero, and I mean zero, conflict, beyond the daughter occasionally presenting some Snarky Attitude. Maya is so fixated on working for her Evil Boss it becomes beyond absurd. 'B-b-but it's Her!' Yeah, ok, we get it, Maya. Is your personality anything beyond I Want To Be Head Designer For Evil Boss?
-Oh, the wasted opportunities for a rich story here. What if the Handsome Man had a personality? What if any of the characters had interests or flaws or did anything outside of the bridal shop? What if there was *gasp* CONFLICT? And oh, the sickle cell disease. This one hit me hard because my son has a different terminal genetic disease and it was so exciting and surprising to me to see a romance involving a character living a full life and being the romantic lead even with a disease, without it being a big weepy Fault In Our Stars melodrama. I found it offensive that her struggle was reduced to a few fainting episodes and taking pills and off-screen blood transfusions. And the poor Handsome Man, who lost his wife to a church shooting, but this isn't delved into beyond he and his daughter are Very Sad. He dives right in to the relationship with Maya with only the mildest hemming and hawing. And the Big Reveal of her disease to him is just 'oh ok that's sad a moment and now I'm fine with it.'
I don't particularly enjoy being harsh on a book. But this one was absolutely not for me. It's just not good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2022
DNF at 38% /2.5 Stars / 1 Steam Fans
I probably should have written this review sooner but what I remember about this story is that there were so many things that rubbed me wrong.
1. The over-explanation and hyper fixation on Maya's financial state was off-putting.
2. The hyper fixation on Maya's hostile work environment.
3. A teenager's feelings and opinions impact the possible relationship between Maya and Derek.
4. NO WARNING about the continued discussion of mass shootings, especially the shooting that occurred at the Black church in South Carolina.
Overall, this book is more Women's Fiction than a Romance, and even if the main characters get their HEA/HFN, I could care less because I was better over the head about mass shootings, grief, and taking care of family.
CW: Mass Shootings, Grief, Parental Care Giving, Financial Issues, Autoimmune Disease, Loss of Parent Due to Violence
Video review available in Week 13: Mar 27 – Apr 2, 2022, total weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
I probably should have written this review sooner but what I remember about this story is that there were so many things that rubbed me wrong.
1. The over-explanation and hyper fixation on Maya's financial state was off-putting.
2. The hyper fixation on Maya's hostile work environment.
3. A teenager's feelings and opinions impact the possible relationship between Maya and Derek.
4. NO WARNING about the continued discussion of mass shootings, especially the shooting that occurred at the Black church in South Carolina.
Overall, this book is more Women's Fiction than a Romance, and even if the main characters get their HEA/HFN, I could care less because I was better over the head about mass shootings, grief, and taking care of family.
CW: Mass Shootings, Grief, Parental Care Giving, Financial Issues, Autoimmune Disease, Loss of Parent Due to Violence
Video review available in Week 13: Mar 27 – Apr 2, 2022, total weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
April 8, 2021
This book was:
Sweet.
Clean.
Informative -I learned a lot about sickle cell disease, among other things.
Had a happily ever after.
Religious.
Some character growth.
These were the pros.
The cons:
Overly sweet, almost to the point of saccharine.
Repetitive -A lot of the book felt like filler.
The angst had me clenching my teeth.
*ARC supplied by the publisher and NetGalley.
Sweet.
Clean.
Informative -I learned a lot about sickle cell disease, among other things.
Had a happily ever after.
Religious.
Some character growth.
These were the pros.
The cons:
Overly sweet, almost to the point of saccharine.
Repetitive -A lot of the book felt like filler.
The angst had me clenching my teeth.
*ARC supplied by the publisher and NetGalley.
February 8, 2022
I really wanted to love love this book. The cover totally drew me in, making me want to purchase it. It’s also set in the Low Country, Charleston—which is where I live. I loved seeing all of those landmarks mentioned, food and cities. I gotta be honest though. The story just kinda fell flat for me. I’m not sure if it was the audio (which I struggled with), or just the “lack off” that I felt the story had.
I appreciated the chronic illness representation as the heroine had sickle cell anemia, and I felt that was portrayed very well. I also loved how the heroine expressed how it was being biracial Black & Filipino, and her mother that taught her West African techniques in her sewing.
This was a clean romance, and clean in general. I feel this is important to add for those that like that in books, and for those who don’t.😂
I appreciated the chronic illness representation as the heroine had sickle cell anemia, and I felt that was portrayed very well. I also loved how the heroine expressed how it was being biracial Black & Filipino, and her mother that taught her West African techniques in her sewing.
This was a clean romance, and clean in general. I feel this is important to add for those that like that in books, and for those who don’t.😂
May 5, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for an early arc of the book.
This was the cutest book!! Maya must come back home after her father falls and needs to her help in recovering. Maya is a bridal dress maker for a huge brand, but must leave it to help. Once she begins to help her dad, she also is invited to work at a nearby bridal dress shop. The own is Derek, a widowed man with a young daughter. So much happens in just one book but it so good that you can't put it down. I highly recommend this to anyone that loves and love story or a story that involves tragedy and then beaming back to the top!!
This was the cutest book!! Maya must come back home after her father falls and needs to her help in recovering. Maya is a bridal dress maker for a huge brand, but must leave it to help. Once she begins to help her dad, she also is invited to work at a nearby bridal dress shop. The own is Derek, a widowed man with a young daughter. So much happens in just one book but it so good that you can't put it down. I highly recommend this to anyone that loves and love story or a story that involves tragedy and then beaming back to the top!!
August 9, 2021
I wanted to like this one SO MUCH. A biracial dress designer with sickle-cell anemia who creates wedding gowns inspired by her Afro-Asian heritage? Falling in love with a single father who lost his wife in the Charleston church shooting? That sounds SO GOOD!
Unfortunately, the writing style absolutely killed me. There was insta love and no chemistry between the love interests. You know the writer’s adage “show, not tell?” It was alllll tell. I just couldn’t get into the book and got pretty bored. I really really really wish I liked this book and I’m so disappointed I didn’t. There was so much potential here, and I’m very crushed I didn’t enjoy it.
Anyways, I’m not trying to talk you out of reading this book. If reading this made you feel disheartened, go read all the positive reviews to make you feel better! I’m only writing this review because I hate rating books this low and felt the need to justify it. *sad sigh*
Unfortunately, the writing style absolutely killed me. There was insta love and no chemistry between the love interests. You know the writer’s adage “show, not tell?” It was alllll tell. I just couldn’t get into the book and got pretty bored. I really really really wish I liked this book and I’m so disappointed I didn’t. There was so much potential here, and I’m very crushed I didn’t enjoy it.
Anyways, I’m not trying to talk you out of reading this book. If reading this made you feel disheartened, go read all the positive reviews to make you feel better! I’m only writing this review because I hate rating books this low and felt the need to justify it. *sad sigh*
July 10, 2022
For an Avon romance, not my cup of tea as a rule, this was on the better side!
Things I loved about this are Maya and the focus on honouring both or all of your family heritage. Here is a website about the art of Phillipine Embroidery https://www.our7107islands.com/the-ar... iand there are links so you can see photos of the types of fibres and fabrics, etc. As a Canadian first, born & raised, I grew up thinking more like this, not that these have always been all respected there, either. The legal set up with her boss is normal, of course (the man who invented the mouse made no money off of it other than his pay by his employer) which is one of those things where companies want to make money but also don't want to fund private inventors/designer's private careers, but it really is annoying when ideas are rejected and then you still can't make money from them. And it is so very true that fashion brands, etc, often really do have more narrow focuses.
Another thing I liked was that Williams highlighted a woman with sickle cell anemia. While I have long known quite a bit about it even though I'm white, many whites and other people whose heritage doesn't include this have little idea about what this is really like to live with, etc, either. Plus it shows that people with chronic illness have a lot to contribute. And it's one more good reason to donate blood if you are able to (and plasma is not enough!)
However, romance writing overall isn't my cup of tea even though I enjoy reading them at times. One of the things I liked about this one was that it avoided certain overused tropes and repetitions common in these. However, some of the characters were highly stereotyped and there was no mention of the fact that fashion mavens are rarely open to radical departures from their signature looks, etc. It's also fun to read a book you know will somehow end up happy at the end.
Things I loved about this are Maya and the focus on honouring both or all of your family heritage. Here is a website about the art of Phillipine Embroidery https://www.our7107islands.com/the-ar... iand there are links so you can see photos of the types of fibres and fabrics, etc. As a Canadian first, born & raised, I grew up thinking more like this, not that these have always been all respected there, either. The legal set up with her boss is normal, of course (the man who invented the mouse made no money off of it other than his pay by his employer) which is one of those things where companies want to make money but also don't want to fund private inventors/designer's private careers, but it really is annoying when ideas are rejected and then you still can't make money from them. And it is so very true that fashion brands, etc, often really do have more narrow focuses.
Another thing I liked was that Williams highlighted a woman with sickle cell anemia. While I have long known quite a bit about it even though I'm white, many whites and other people whose heritage doesn't include this have little idea about what this is really like to live with, etc, either. Plus it shows that people with chronic illness have a lot to contribute. And it's one more good reason to donate blood if you are able to (and plasma is not enough!)
However, romance writing overall isn't my cup of tea even though I enjoy reading them at times. One of the things I liked about this one was that it avoided certain overused tropes and repetitions common in these. However, some of the characters were highly stereotyped and there was no mention of the fact that fashion mavens are rarely open to radical departures from their signature looks, etc. It's also fun to read a book you know will somehow end up happy at the end.
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