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Cowboy Mountain Christmas #5
Dreaming of Her Best Friend's Kiss
Blakley Barclay knows her parents are up to something. They’ve been matching all her siblings and even some other people in her hometown of Mistletoe.
But the man they’re wanting to pair her up with? A huge pro-ball player with more muscles than brains and she is NOT interested.
So she turns to her best friend for help.
Martin Zedler is on the receiving end of some match-making of his own. He is equally uninterested.
Blakley’s proposition that they pretend to be interested in each other to foil the romantically inclined efforts of her parents seems like a good idea. Until a well-meaning do-gooder enters them into Mistletoe’s annual Christmas Kissing Contest.
When they’re crowned the winners, the town goes on a crusade to catch them kissing every chance they get.
How will their friendship ever survive?
Books in the Cowboy Mountain Christmas series:
1. Dreaming of Her Cowboy's Kiss
2. Dreaming of His Convenient Kiss
3. Dreaming of Her Secret Santa's Kiss
4. Dreaming of His Snowed In Kiss
5. Dreaming of Her Best Friend's Kiss
6. Dreaming of His Pen Pal's Kiss
But the man they’re wanting to pair her up with? A huge pro-ball player with more muscles than brains and she is NOT interested.
So she turns to her best friend for help.
Martin Zedler is on the receiving end of some match-making of his own. He is equally uninterested.
Blakley’s proposition that they pretend to be interested in each other to foil the romantically inclined efforts of her parents seems like a good idea. Until a well-meaning do-gooder enters them into Mistletoe’s annual Christmas Kissing Contest.
When they’re crowned the winners, the town goes on a crusade to catch them kissing every chance they get.
How will their friendship ever survive?
Books in the Cowboy Mountain Christmas series:
1. Dreaming of Her Cowboy's Kiss
2. Dreaming of His Convenient Kiss
3. Dreaming of Her Secret Santa's Kiss
4. Dreaming of His Snowed In Kiss
5. Dreaming of Her Best Friend's Kiss
6. Dreaming of His Pen Pal's Kiss
Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
December 10, 2020
God is not outdone in generosity
Blakely & Martin are best friends who have always been there for each other. But their dreams are looking out of reach, & it feels like maybe it's time to move on to something else. Things feel like they're changing around them - and between them as well.
While friends-to-lovers tends to be one of my least favorite tropes because the stories tend to be the most unvarying ("I think I'm in love but I can't say anything & risk messing up our friendship"), I really enjoyed the close relationship the two of them shared. The kissing contest was funny and incredibly sweet - best part of the story! Well, that and the prologue-epilogue bookends with Race & Penny plotting their matchmaking schemes, lol
*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
*Religion: overtly Christian, believers will likely find it edifying & nonbelievers will likely consider it preachy
Blakely & Martin are best friends who have always been there for each other. But their dreams are looking out of reach, & it feels like maybe it's time to move on to something else. Things feel like they're changing around them - and between them as well.
While friends-to-lovers tends to be one of my least favorite tropes because the stories tend to be the most unvarying ("I think I'm in love but I can't say anything & risk messing up our friendship"), I really enjoyed the close relationship the two of them shared. The kissing contest was funny and incredibly sweet - best part of the story! Well, that and the prologue-epilogue bookends with Race & Penny plotting their matchmaking schemes, lol
*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
*Religion: overtly Christian, believers will likely find it edifying & nonbelievers will likely consider it preachy
November 29, 2023
Friends to more.... loved this book. Martin and Blakely are the best of friends and neither wants to risk losing that friendship. I love that both live out their faith even when it makes no sense to the world around them.
September 8, 2021
A Realistic Romance with Dashes of Humor
Book five of Jessie Gussman's Cowboy Mountain series, Dreaming of Her Best Friend's Kiss, has a huge advantage over most rom -cons: the couple starts out as best friends who've known each other for years. That's a much better formula for long-term success than, say, going on a weeklong snowmobile tour, getting trapped in a remote cabin for a couple days, and coming back engaged (to use a recent Gussman plot as an example, no disrespect intended because I also feared that one five stars!)
Blakely Barclay is a trick rider and Martin Fedler is a bareback bronco rider . Both are at the to of their respective fields and are on the verge of hitting the national rodeo circuit, which would take them to different cities over one and a half to three years. Both commit silly errors that destroy their chances and force green to return home to Mistletoe, Arkansas. Martin is disappointed, but Blakely is devastated. She's extremely competitive and stubborn, and failure doesn't sit well. Her mother Penny, a pastor's wife, tells her that losing the competition might indicate that God has another plan for her. Blakely believes it with her head, but her heart is still hurting over the death of her dream. Penny and her husband, Pastor Race, who adopted the six Barclay siblings after their patents' death, have a tendency to matchmake for their is, and Blakely and Shawn are the last two standing. With Shawn considered a lost cause, Race and Penny most focus on Blakely.
The Christmas in July festival happens, and Blakely and Martin find themselves entered into the annual kissing contest as a couple (long story involving complicated interference by Race and Penny). Awkwardly, they also find themselves drawn to each other, to nobody's surprise but theirs. After many years of bickering, teasing, and working together on Martin's ranch, they end the contest kissing...and kissing... and kissing...
Being a Gussman novel, this ends with an engagement. I confess to feeling much more hopeful about their chances than those of the couples who meet and marry with a very short time frame. That works for some people (super long engagements don't tend to last), but a solid foundation of friendship is a much better way to start a marriage. Gussman delivers a common-sense romance that covers heavy topics like discerning God's will and doing the right thing when it's hard. And it tickles the funny bone by depicting a fearless rider running away from a professional football player by climbing a ladder into a hayloft, and a daring bronc tamer figuring out how to tell his best friend he's fallen for her.
That's one quibble I have with the book. I think it should be called Dreaming of HIS Best Friend's Kiss. Martin, after all, acknowledges his feelings for Blakely long before she lets herself admit that she's developed feelings for him. Just a quibble, not enough to dock it a star. Otherwise, it's perfect!
Book five of Jessie Gussman's Cowboy Mountain series, Dreaming of Her Best Friend's Kiss, has a huge advantage over most rom -cons: the couple starts out as best friends who've known each other for years. That's a much better formula for long-term success than, say, going on a weeklong snowmobile tour, getting trapped in a remote cabin for a couple days, and coming back engaged (to use a recent Gussman plot as an example, no disrespect intended because I also feared that one five stars!)
Blakely Barclay is a trick rider and Martin Fedler is a bareback bronco rider . Both are at the to of their respective fields and are on the verge of hitting the national rodeo circuit, which would take them to different cities over one and a half to three years. Both commit silly errors that destroy their chances and force green to return home to Mistletoe, Arkansas. Martin is disappointed, but Blakely is devastated. She's extremely competitive and stubborn, and failure doesn't sit well. Her mother Penny, a pastor's wife, tells her that losing the competition might indicate that God has another plan for her. Blakely believes it with her head, but her heart is still hurting over the death of her dream. Penny and her husband, Pastor Race, who adopted the six Barclay siblings after their patents' death, have a tendency to matchmake for their is, and Blakely and Shawn are the last two standing. With Shawn considered a lost cause, Race and Penny most focus on Blakely.
The Christmas in July festival happens, and Blakely and Martin find themselves entered into the annual kissing contest as a couple (long story involving complicated interference by Race and Penny). Awkwardly, they also find themselves drawn to each other, to nobody's surprise but theirs. After many years of bickering, teasing, and working together on Martin's ranch, they end the contest kissing...and kissing... and kissing...
Being a Gussman novel, this ends with an engagement. I confess to feeling much more hopeful about their chances than those of the couples who meet and marry with a very short time frame. That works for some people (super long engagements don't tend to last), but a solid foundation of friendship is a much better way to start a marriage. Gussman delivers a common-sense romance that covers heavy topics like discerning God's will and doing the right thing when it's hard. And it tickles the funny bone by depicting a fearless rider running away from a professional football player by climbing a ladder into a hayloft, and a daring bronc tamer figuring out how to tell his best friend he's fallen for her.
That's one quibble I have with the book. I think it should be called Dreaming of HIS Best Friend's Kiss. Martin, after all, acknowledges his feelings for Blakely long before she lets herself admit that she's developed feelings for him. Just a quibble, not enough to dock it a star. Otherwise, it's perfect!
November 27, 2023
Dreaming of Her Best Friend's Kiss was so sweet!! While I'm not a fan of the matchmaking trope (read, all the interference from Penny and Race) it was still fun getting to see how things developed between Blakley and Martin. Their friendship is seriously the best, and it was easy to see how they'd be great as more than just friends. ;) Still, besides their romance, I also loved the bits of Truth woven through the story: how not only are we to treat others as we'd want to be treated but also to do the right thing whether we want to (or feel like it) or not. I also enjoyed getting to know a bit more about ranch life, and their careers (as a horse trick rider and a bareback bronco rider, respectively.) Granted, the context of the Mistletoe event and the kissing contest added to the fun of it all.
Of course, what brings the story to the next level is having Jay as the narrator. He's always great with all the characters' voices, and this was no exception. Not only because of the little kids' voices, but especially because there were lots of different and subtle nuances (the slight tremor, the not quite a question, the hitch in their breath), and he nailed them all.
Overall, a great and beautiful addition to this Cowboy Mountain Christmas series recommended to fans of the author, narrator, and/or the Sweet Christian Fiction Romance genre. I can't wait to start Journee's story! ~ 5 stars
Of course, what brings the story to the next level is having Jay as the narrator. He's always great with all the characters' voices, and this was no exception. Not only because of the little kids' voices, but especially because there were lots of different and subtle nuances (the slight tremor, the not quite a question, the hitch in their breath), and he nailed them all.
Overall, a great and beautiful addition to this Cowboy Mountain Christmas series recommended to fans of the author, narrator, and/or the Sweet Christian Fiction Romance genre. I can't wait to start Journee's story! ~ 5 stars
January 7, 2021
Dreaming Of Her Best Friend's Kiss, Cowboy Mountain Christmas book 5. Blakley's dream had always been to be a trick rider. When she was brought to live with her siblings at Race and Penny's home she told them about her love of horses and her desire of being a trick rider. They thought that would be good for helping her grief of losing her parents. She met Martin that turned out to be her best friend once in Mistletoe and his dream was to win a rodeo title. But, now they were about to turn 30 and he had fell behind on his points and had started thinking of giving up the rodeo and going back home to work on his ranch. He calls to check on Blakley who had just went to try out for the traveling western show that toured for 1 1/2 years around the country. She was upset that she had not checked one of her ropes that she had to grab onto and fell off her horse. So she was on her way home with her horses. Martin sounded down from where he had not done good the night before so she tells him she will be at the rodeo to watch him the next day. That day he messed up both his rides and packed up and they went home. Blakley and Martin worked Martin's ranch together for him letting her board her horses and give lessons at his ranch. But, Race and Penny decided it was time for them to settle down together and they needed help. Race tells Martin he has placed Martin in the kissing contest with another girl he didn't care for. Then Penny tells Blakley she was entered in the kissing contest with a famous football player that had come to enjoy the Christmas in July festival in Mistletoe. Blakely went off when Martin showed up about what Penny had done and he told her of what Race had done. They decided they would do the kissing contest together. What could possibly go wrong?
This story has so much references to what the Bible says you should do to handle problems and Blakley and Martin talk about that as they feel they are trying to live their life the way they want it to be instead of what maybe God has in mind for them. They feel like what is happening with Blakley and the trick riding and Martin and the rodeo may be their dreams and not God's. I really enjoyed reading this book and I could see things that applied to my life. I think everyone that reads it can find things that apply to their lives also.
This story has so much references to what the Bible says you should do to handle problems and Blakley and Martin talk about that as they feel they are trying to live their life the way they want it to be instead of what maybe God has in mind for them. They feel like what is happening with Blakley and the trick riding and Martin and the rodeo may be their dreams and not God's. I really enjoyed reading this book and I could see things that applied to my life. I think everyone that reads it can find things that apply to their lives also.
March 22, 2021
I didn't read this book but I did listen to it and wanted to share my thoughts.
Blakey and Martin have been best friends for years but when her parents step in and try to get them interested in someone else strange things start happening and they don't understand what is going on. Blakey is also a trick horseback rider and her whole life has been working towards winning the competition to go on the Road with the rodeo. Martin also has dreams of being a bronco busting rider and has been in many competitions. These two characters are great people and the people that surround them are very loving and supportive of the desires they have. But when something unexpected happens their lives are thrown in chaos as they wonder what God's purpose is for their lives. This book will keep you smiling as you listen in to their thoughts about how God wants them to act but the rebellion inside makes them wonder about themselves. This is a really sweet story and it was nice to see a conclusion to their problems. Ms. Gussman always fills her books with words of wisdom from the bible that applies to her characters but it also is encouraging to us. From her newsletters and books you can tell that she is a woman that lives for God but also has lots of fun and mishaps along the way. Mr. Dyess also always does a wonderful job of bringing the story to life for us.
I received a free code for this book from the publisher to listen to on Audible.com. This review is my own honest opinion.
Blakey and Martin have been best friends for years but when her parents step in and try to get them interested in someone else strange things start happening and they don't understand what is going on. Blakey is also a trick horseback rider and her whole life has been working towards winning the competition to go on the Road with the rodeo. Martin also has dreams of being a bronco busting rider and has been in many competitions. These two characters are great people and the people that surround them are very loving and supportive of the desires they have. But when something unexpected happens their lives are thrown in chaos as they wonder what God's purpose is for their lives. This book will keep you smiling as you listen in to their thoughts about how God wants them to act but the rebellion inside makes them wonder about themselves. This is a really sweet story and it was nice to see a conclusion to their problems. Ms. Gussman always fills her books with words of wisdom from the bible that applies to her characters but it also is encouraging to us. From her newsletters and books you can tell that she is a woman that lives for God but also has lots of fun and mishaps along the way. Mr. Dyess also always does a wonderful job of bringing the story to life for us.
I received a free code for this book from the publisher to listen to on Audible.com. This review is my own honest opinion.
December 7, 2020
As Blakely gets ready for her trick riding competition, she has the impression that her parents try to push her towards Dante, a professional athlete. To avoid Dante, Blakely asks Martin, her best friend, to help her out. As other people start entering their sphere, Blakely and Martin realize they actually have feelings for each other. Blakely now has a decision to make: compete and travel for the foreseeable future or stay and start a life with Martin…
Though I find that Blakely’s internal fights and talks with God are quite relatable, I found these passages stretched for too long and lost me more than once. However, I really enjoyed the scheming of Blakely’s parents who knew their daughter so well that they were able to push her the right way at the right time. I was touched by Martin opening up to Blakely and helping make her dreams come true at his own costs. Lastly, though Blakely seemed immature in some areas, she respected her parents so much that she genuinely listened to her mother and did not take the content of their discussions lightly. She showed a willingness to improve herself that is a true strength of character. This story gave insight in the growth of character and heart of Blakely. Enjoy!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Though I find that Blakely’s internal fights and talks with God are quite relatable, I found these passages stretched for too long and lost me more than once. However, I really enjoyed the scheming of Blakely’s parents who knew their daughter so well that they were able to push her the right way at the right time. I was touched by Martin opening up to Blakely and helping make her dreams come true at his own costs. Lastly, though Blakely seemed immature in some areas, she respected her parents so much that she genuinely listened to her mother and did not take the content of their discussions lightly. She showed a willingness to improve herself that is a true strength of character. This story gave insight in the growth of character and heart of Blakely. Enjoy!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2020
Grab your hot chocolate and curl up with this amazing cowboy romance!
Blakley Barclay and Martin Zedler have been best friends since forever; supporting each other in her trick riding and his bronc riding careers. Blakley helps around Martin’s ranch in return for horse boarding and a place to give riding lessons. Their friendship gets them through the tough times like now, when a missed trick during tryouts has cost Blakely her chance at the trick riding circuit and a bad ride has ended Martin’s chance for the bareback bronc riding title. Their focus is on the careers that mean everything - to the exclusion of all else, even relationships, but Blakely’s parents have a sneaky plan to change that focus and so does God.
This is another beautiful cowboy romance in the small town of Mistletoe cowboy series. It’s totally a stand-alone book but once you read one book in the series you want to start the next one. This book is not just a romance, it is a story of giving and putting others above yourself. I don’t want to spoil the book for other readers so I will just say that I give this entertaining, empowering romance a big thumbs up.
Blakley Barclay and Martin Zedler have been best friends since forever; supporting each other in her trick riding and his bronc riding careers. Blakley helps around Martin’s ranch in return for horse boarding and a place to give riding lessons. Their friendship gets them through the tough times like now, when a missed trick during tryouts has cost Blakely her chance at the trick riding circuit and a bad ride has ended Martin’s chance for the bareback bronc riding title. Their focus is on the careers that mean everything - to the exclusion of all else, even relationships, but Blakely’s parents have a sneaky plan to change that focus and so does God.
This is another beautiful cowboy romance in the small town of Mistletoe cowboy series. It’s totally a stand-alone book but once you read one book in the series you want to start the next one. This book is not just a romance, it is a story of giving and putting others above yourself. I don’t want to spoil the book for other readers so I will just say that I give this entertaining, empowering romance a big thumbs up.
December 2, 2020
Rating: 4.5 stars
My thoughts about this book:
• Blakely was a trick rider and I liked the uniqueness of this profession. I have never read a book with trick riding discussed. This novelty brought freshness to this western romance.
• Martin and Blakely were characters that you wanted to discover more about as you read their story. This story touched my heart. Two people navigating the waters from being best friends to being in love.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel.
• I enjoyed Jessie Gussman's writing style. Lots of witty banter between the characters.
• This western Christian romance had the theme of being selfless even when you don't want to do it. This theme was beautifully done.
I was given an advance copy of this book by the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I really enjoyed reading this book by Jessie Gussman and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
My thoughts about this book:
• Blakely was a trick rider and I liked the uniqueness of this profession. I have never read a book with trick riding discussed. This novelty brought freshness to this western romance.
• Martin and Blakely were characters that you wanted to discover more about as you read their story. This story touched my heart. Two people navigating the waters from being best friends to being in love.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel.
• I enjoyed Jessie Gussman's writing style. Lots of witty banter between the characters.
• This western Christian romance had the theme of being selfless even when you don't want to do it. This theme was beautifully done.
I was given an advance copy of this book by the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I really enjoyed reading this book by Jessie Gussman and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
December 19, 2020
This is a sweet, clean friends to lovers romance. It illustrates the importance of friendship, love and faith in God’s guidance and teachings. Blakely and Martin have been best friends for years. They both have spent time on the road competing with their horses, her in trick riding events, him in bare back and bronc riding events. In their off times, Blakely helps Martin on his ranch. Recently, they have both suffered disappointment when it comes to their futures in competition. Martin is ready to stop competing and dedicate more time to his ranch. Blakely is not ready to stop competing and is disappointed in not winning a spot on the trick riding team that will be touring the country as well as internationally. She is struggling with following the path that God has set before her, wondering why God hasn’t helped her reach the goal she wanted to achieve.
Meanwhile, her adoptive parents have been successful in matchmaking for Blakely’s siblings and now they have set their sights on finding a match for her. They know her perfect match is Martin, and that both Blakely and Martin have failed to notice what or who is right in front of them. Knowing Blakely to be rather contrary and resistant to suggestions, they decide to find her a decoy match, believing she will turn to Martin for help to avoid whomever they pick. Of course they are right, but more importantly, both Martin and Blakely have begun to notice things about the other that neither has seen before. They are feeling emotions that they are not used to feeling....attraction, jealousy and being in love. Then she gets a chance to audition again to be on the trick riding team. If she gets on the team, she will be leaving her hometown, her family and Martin behind for an extended period of time, possibly a few years. Will she follow God’s guidance? Will she choose the tour or Martin?
I love how relatable these characters are and how easy it is to become drawn into their story. This book and the others is this series are delightful to read. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Meanwhile, her adoptive parents have been successful in matchmaking for Blakely’s siblings and now they have set their sights on finding a match for her. They know her perfect match is Martin, and that both Blakely and Martin have failed to notice what or who is right in front of them. Knowing Blakely to be rather contrary and resistant to suggestions, they decide to find her a decoy match, believing she will turn to Martin for help to avoid whomever they pick. Of course they are right, but more importantly, both Martin and Blakely have begun to notice things about the other that neither has seen before. They are feeling emotions that they are not used to feeling....attraction, jealousy and being in love. Then she gets a chance to audition again to be on the trick riding team. If she gets on the team, she will be leaving her hometown, her family and Martin behind for an extended period of time, possibly a few years. Will she follow God’s guidance? Will she choose the tour or Martin?
I love how relatable these characters are and how easy it is to become drawn into their story. This book and the others is this series are delightful to read. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
December 14, 2020
This is book 5 in the Cowboy Mountain Christmas series and tells the story of Martin and Blakely, best friends for many years. With circumstances changing between them, will they opt to stay friends or will they risk taking that friendship to another level?
This book has multifaceted characters that question their future and God's purpose for them. The author delves into this issue in a very realistic way. Her characters, like most of us, want to be rewarded for the hard work put into reaching specific goals. When faced with different outcomes, Martin and Blakely discover that sometimes God's answer is "no". The author does a good job showing her readers some alternative scenarios where God's plans are better for us. While there are several conversations and scriptures used to support this idea, the book itself does not come across as "preaching". This novel leaves you with a better understanding of the enormous love God has for us and the hope of a better future designed for us. 5 stars!
This book has multifaceted characters that question their future and God's purpose for them. The author delves into this issue in a very realistic way. Her characters, like most of us, want to be rewarded for the hard work put into reaching specific goals. When faced with different outcomes, Martin and Blakely discover that sometimes God's answer is "no". The author does a good job showing her readers some alternative scenarios where God's plans are better for us. While there are several conversations and scriptures used to support this idea, the book itself does not come across as "preaching". This novel leaves you with a better understanding of the enormous love God has for us and the hope of a better future designed for us. 5 stars!
December 31, 2022
Blakley Barclay knows her parents are up to something. They’ve been matching all her siblings and even some other people in her hometown of Mistletoe.
But the man they’re wanting to pair her up with? A huge pro-ball player with more muscles than brains and she is NOT interested.
So she turns to her best friend for help.
Martin Zedler is on the receiving end of some match-making of his own. He is equally uninterested.
Blakley’s proposition that they pretend to be interested in each other to foil the romantically inclined efforts of her parents seems like a good idea. Until a well-meaning do-gooder enters them into Mistletoe’s annual Christmas Kissing Contest.
When they’re crowned the winners, the town goes on a crusade to catch them kissing every chance they get.
How will their friendship ever survive?
Hilarious Quote: "Four romance novels was definitely too many for a man to read."
But the man they’re wanting to pair her up with? A huge pro-ball player with more muscles than brains and she is NOT interested.
So she turns to her best friend for help.
Martin Zedler is on the receiving end of some match-making of his own. He is equally uninterested.
Blakley’s proposition that they pretend to be interested in each other to foil the romantically inclined efforts of her parents seems like a good idea. Until a well-meaning do-gooder enters them into Mistletoe’s annual Christmas Kissing Contest.
When they’re crowned the winners, the town goes on a crusade to catch them kissing every chance they get.
How will their friendship ever survive?
Hilarious Quote: "Four romance novels was definitely too many for a man to read."
March 6, 2021
Sometimes we don't want to learn the lessons life is determined to teach us.
There is a lot of fun and laughter between these two best friends. What an enjoyable story as we watch the interaction between them. There is also strong family love and support as deep disappointments are faced. Good friends and family are some of the most precious gifts God gives to us.
Since our character is more important to God than our comfort, He uses life to form character in our lives that we wouldn't have volunteered for on our own. This story brings this to life as Blakely has to make her choices. Will she choose what is right or what she wants? Sometimes those choices aren't as clear as we would like them to be.
I requested and ARC of this title and am willingly reporting my true impressions of this story.
There is a lot of fun and laughter between these two best friends. What an enjoyable story as we watch the interaction between them. There is also strong family love and support as deep disappointments are faced. Good friends and family are some of the most precious gifts God gives to us.
Since our character is more important to God than our comfort, He uses life to form character in our lives that we wouldn't have volunteered for on our own. This story brings this to life as Blakely has to make her choices. Will she choose what is right or what she wants? Sometimes those choices aren't as clear as we would like them to be.
I requested and ARC of this title and am willingly reporting my true impressions of this story.
December 6, 2020
A continuation of the stories about match ups of grown children of a pastor and his wife in the town of Mistletoe. The town celebrates Christmas all year long. In this book, best friends Blakely and Martin, who both had aspirations of being on a rodeo circuit, fail in their quests. While both are disappointed, Blakely is devastated and wonders why God didn't let her have the dream she's worked so hard for.
Her parents have concocted a scheme to make Blakely and Martin realize they are meant for each other. There are some laugh out loud moments in this book.
This is a clean, Christian romance. If you've enjoyed Jessie Gussman's books in the past, you will surely enjoy this one.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Her parents have concocted a scheme to make Blakely and Martin realize they are meant for each other. There are some laugh out loud moments in this book.
This is a clean, Christian romance. If you've enjoyed Jessie Gussman's books in the past, you will surely enjoy this one.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2020
I really enjoyed this cute story and the messages it gave. The matchmaking Pastor Race and his wife, Penny were at it again. This time with their daughter, Blakely and her long-time best friend, Martin. I laughed at some of the things they put Blakely and Martin through.
I enjoyed seeing how selfless Blakely was in the story. I was amazed at what she did for Erin, who was not even her friend. I also liked that Blakely got a chance to learn more about herself and what was really important to her.
This was a great story, a fun story, with wonderful characters. The epilogue was really interesting too. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
I enjoyed seeing how selfless Blakely was in the story. I was amazed at what she did for Erin, who was not even her friend. I also liked that Blakely got a chance to learn more about herself and what was really important to her.
This was a great story, a fun story, with wonderful characters. The epilogue was really interesting too. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
December 5, 2020
This story about Blakely and Martin is the classic tale of not seeing what is right in front of you! This newest story has all the twists and turns you come to expect in one of this author's books, but with a unique friendship situation that has stood the test of youth, time, disappointments, hard work, you name it! When Blakely's dad sets her up with a football star for the "kissing booth" things take a nosedive immediately. Another Jessie Gussman story that will leave you smiling and sighing!
I received an ARC copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest review with my own personal opinions.
I received an ARC copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest review with my own personal opinions.
December 17, 2020
Best friends are forever. What they didn't understand is that gave them the foundation most people miss. That bond would give them their hea if they can get out of their heads. There's a lot of personal dialogue for both of them and at times I had a hard time believing they were 28 and 32 (or there abouts). This is explained since they were both very caught up with their careers. As usual this author plays up her characters and the budding romance with the meddling parents and it's a fun time for the reader. It's a sweet clean romance reminding us gently of biblical principals and how they are interpreted. I love this authors work and cannot wait for the next victim on the parents list.
December 26, 2020
Well, Race and Penny are at it again. They are methodically matching up their children with a spouse. So far it has worked. Now Blakely is in their sights. She has been best friends with Martin for a long time and she loves working on his ranch with him. However, she would not take kindly to someone linking them as a couple. Her father sets her up in the Mistletoe Festival Kissing Contest with a famous football player. You need to read this one to see how all that ends!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
January 4, 2021
More Than Friends
Bailey and Martin have been best friends for years. They have always supported each other and nobody knows them as well, except their parents. When Bailey's father asks her to team up with a football player and be in the kissing contest at the festival, she runs to Martin to get him to be her partner. Little does she realize that is exactly what her parents want. They know she and Martin should be a couple, if only they actually noticed the other.
There are so many spots where you will be laughing and some serious ones where you begin to understand actions and reactions. A warm and cuddly story ~
Bailey and Martin have been best friends for years. They have always supported each other and nobody knows them as well, except their parents. When Bailey's father asks her to team up with a football player and be in the kissing contest at the festival, she runs to Martin to get him to be her partner. Little does she realize that is exactly what her parents want. They know she and Martin should be a couple, if only they actually noticed the other.
There are so many spots where you will be laughing and some serious ones where you begin to understand actions and reactions. A warm and cuddly story ~
March 4, 2021
Yes, you read that right. Blakley & Martin get entered into a kissing contest at Christmas time. But they are "just" friends! At least that is what they think at the beginning of the story. I enjoyed this story a lot because there are several Christian lessons that Blakley & Martin learn. Blakley learns God wants her to help a rival win a contest they are both in. The other lesson is that they have both moved from "friends" to being in love. I was given an audible copy of the book. Jay Dyess does an excellent job reading the story, as always. He has the perfect voice for reading books that I never get tired of listening to. This is my voluntary review.
December 2, 2020
This was a great story.
I love that the main couple had each other's backs no matter what; that they could articulate how proud they were of the other for the other's character, not only for their achievements; that they put the other's best interests ahead of their own desires.
And that they recognized when God's plan for them changed even as their own desires took time to catch up. I even enjoyed seeing their inner battle to do right.
Oh, and I love that we get to see more of Pastor Race and Miss Penny!
I love that the main couple had each other's backs no matter what; that they could articulate how proud they were of the other for the other's character, not only for their achievements; that they put the other's best interests ahead of their own desires.
And that they recognized when God's plan for them changed even as their own desires took time to catch up. I even enjoyed seeing their inner battle to do right.
Oh, and I love that we get to see more of Pastor Race and Miss Penny!
December 10, 2020
I received an ARC of this book from the author, Jessie Gussman, via Bookfunnel and this is my voluntary and honest review. I loved this book about Blakely and Martin and how their friendship becomes more with the help of Blakey's adoptive parents Pastor Race and Penny. Every book in this series is a joy and the characters are great. I love the way that the small town of Mistletoe celebrates Christmas year round with festivals and other events organized by the church where Race is the pastor. I highly recommend this book and all the books in this series.
December 17, 2020
This book was so much fun! There are two characters, Martin and Blakely, with interesting jobs and a super-harmonious friendship. They are matched up by some very skillful matchmakers, Blakely's parents, who use their knowledge of their personality quirks to get them together. My favorite part of the book was the kissing contest--who knew that a chaste kiss given in love could be so sexy? I highly recommend this book! I was entrusted with a copy of this book by the author and this is my honest and voluntarily-given review.
January 8, 2021
I received an ARC to review: Blakely and Martin's gentle shift from 'just friends' to 'more than' was so sweet and romantic to read. The readers walk the journey with them in learning the awesome lesson that sometimes God answers our prayers with what is BEST for us and not just what is GOOD for us - that He is 'for' us and not 'against' us. This series has been such a delight to read, how God, together with Race and Penny's interventions, has brought love and family to each of their adopted grown children. A faith-filled, inspirational, clean romance series that just must be read and shared!
December 21, 2021
This was one of the sweetest stories. I love that best friends Martin & Blakely finally fell in love. There isn’t a lot about their past growing up together in the book but it didn’t matter because the way that Jessie Gussman wrote this story it was like I was there with them and my mind just came up with the prequel on its own. Blakely proved many times that she put others before herself, even tho she battled with it in her heart she always did the right thing. What a wonderful book this is, this whole series is amazing.
July 8, 2022
Blakely is a trick rider. Martin is a bare back bronco rider. They have been best friends for over a decade. When Blakely's parents try to match her up with a football player, she asks Martin to help her. Blakely's parents try to match Martin up with Krissy, a local nurse. They enter the community kissing contest with each other, rather than the football player and nurse. Cute but predictable. I do like how both main characters try to follow God's plans for their lives rather than doing solely what they want to do.
December 12, 2022
I listened to the audiobook of this story. Another great book by Jessie Gussman and narrator Jay Dyess. Blakely knows her parents are matchmakers, but the guy they are trying to set her up with is a definite no. She talks to her best friend Martin about it. Between her parents interfering and not making her horse competition, Blakely is beside herself. She wants to quit now. Martin was worried that if she won she would be gone for a long time and being selfish, didn't want that. Was something changing in their relationship? It has happened before to other people. Time will tell.
December 1, 2020
Blakely and Martin have been best friends forever. Now that they are back in town with their dreams unfulfilled, her of been in horse riding competitions and his in horseback, can they settle for a new life and realised about their real feelings towards one another? They will struggle with their beliefs, their fair and they their feeling in order to achieve love and happiness. A real lesson in life.
December 2, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. It is very inspirational without being preachy. Blakely and Martin have been best friends forever. Working through disappointments and setbacks of their dreams in each of their lives allows them to start seeing each other in a different light. Great story with well written, interesting characters, as always. I highly recommend this one.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
December 8, 2020
I had an Advance Readers Copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Another interesting book in this series by Jessie Gussman. In this one the characters are best friends and the plot involves treating others as you want to be treated even when it’s hard, and possible jeopardizes your dream. Another theme is parents playing matchmaker with a daughter who always does the opposite which makes for an interesting story.
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