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A Proxy Wedding
Saying I Do was more than they bargained for.
Carly James values loyalty and friendship above all. So when her best friend calls asking her to be a proxy bride, she says, ‘yes.’ How hard can it be to say ‘I do’ so that her best friend can be with the one she loves? Only, Carly never counted on the feelings that began to swirl around with the proxy groom.
Damien Nichols likes life lined up from A to Z, but when his best friend calls in a favor, disorder begins to reign. Instead of taking a quick flight to the proxy wedding, he has to take a road trip with the proxy bride. Carly’s free-spirit attitude bumps heads with his meticulous approach to life. As Damien discovers the woman underneath the carefree façade, his emotions become involved.
*previously published in A Spring of Weddings collection
Carly James values loyalty and friendship above all. So when her best friend calls asking her to be a proxy bride, she says, ‘yes.’ How hard can it be to say ‘I do’ so that her best friend can be with the one she loves? Only, Carly never counted on the feelings that began to swirl around with the proxy groom.
Damien Nichols likes life lined up from A to Z, but when his best friend calls in a favor, disorder begins to reign. Instead of taking a quick flight to the proxy wedding, he has to take a road trip with the proxy bride. Carly’s free-spirit attitude bumps heads with his meticulous approach to life. As Damien discovers the woman underneath the carefree façade, his emotions become involved.
*previously published in A Spring of Weddings collection
74 pages, Paperback
Published June 9, 2020
49 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Toni Shiloh
56 books1,900 followersToni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. A native of Texas, she now lives in northern Virginia. Learn more at http://tonishiloh.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 27, 2022
Not gonna lie, the concept of a modern proxy wedding (??!) drew me in immediately, and I knew my favorite author could pull off something fabulous. It ended up being so cute and sweet with a surprising amount of character development, arc, and relationship testing in such a short novella. I really enjoyed it. ;) Definitely like a Hallmark movie, in all the best ways.
CW: Mentions of relational trauma from a family of origin and an ex-spouse. The main characters have strong chemistry that is often in their thoughts but it is handled well and never crosses a line.
CW: Mentions of relational trauma from a family of origin and an ex-spouse. The main characters have strong chemistry that is often in their thoughts but it is handled well and never crosses a line.
October 22, 2021
This is a cute little short story, perfect for a light read. Carly and Damien are both nicely developed and it's cute to see them interact. The ending was lovely. :) Was a nice twist with the proxy wedding idea, and it is fun that they have such different personalities. The faith aspect woven through is lovely. It's nice to see struggles with trust and faith in a romance instead of just focusing on the attraction and relationship only. There is some admiring of the appearance of the other and some hugging/touching as the relationship develops. I don't mind it but some do.
“That’s because you can’t relax.” She nodded sagely. “You kind of remind me of Chicken Little.”
He sputtered, bits of sandwich flying from his face. Carly’s laughter rang out.
“I’m not sure I can trust Him to.” “Then ask Him to teach you how.” Did he really want to trust something…someone he couldn’t see? Humanity certainly hadn’t shown him how to trust. But maybe God had simply been waiting for Damien to seek Him.
“That’s because you can’t relax.” She nodded sagely. “You kind of remind me of Chicken Little.”
He sputtered, bits of sandwich flying from his face. Carly’s laughter rang out.
“I’m not sure I can trust Him to.” “Then ask Him to teach you how.” Did he really want to trust something…someone he couldn’t see? Humanity certainly hadn’t shown him how to trust. But maybe God had simply been waiting for Damien to seek Him.
November 29, 2019
Such a fun story to read. I have always enjoyed Toni Shiloh’s books, and this short story does not disappoint. I definitely recommend it to readers of contemporary romance.
I purchased a copy of this book and was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I purchased a copy of this book and was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.
December 5, 2019
Review featured on DiversityBetweenThePages.wordpress.com
Are y'all seeing this absolutely adorable cover?! It's downright irresistible and so is the sweet story inside! I'm really glad this whole proxy wedding situation didn't launch into a mishandled paperwork meets accidental marriage of inconvenience debacle. Instead, Shiloh crafts an engaging opposites-attract romance with the wonderfully creative meet-cute of a double-proxy wedding (much more enjoyable and believable than my wild imaginings)! Carly and Damien won me over quite quickly and I couldn't put this story down until the satisfying conclusion! I love the contrast of artsy meets workaholic in a suit but the icing on the cake is the way these two characters complement one another and bring out one another's strengths! I highly recommend this feel-good story. It will brighten your day and warm your heart.
I borrowed this book through the Kindle Unlimited Program. The opinions expressed are my own.
Are y'all seeing this absolutely adorable cover?! It's downright irresistible and so is the sweet story inside! I'm really glad this whole proxy wedding situation didn't launch into a mishandled paperwork meets accidental marriage of inconvenience debacle. Instead, Shiloh crafts an engaging opposites-attract romance with the wonderfully creative meet-cute of a double-proxy wedding (much more enjoyable and believable than my wild imaginings)! Carly and Damien won me over quite quickly and I couldn't put this story down until the satisfying conclusion! I love the contrast of artsy meets workaholic in a suit but the icing on the cake is the way these two characters complement one another and bring out one another's strengths! I highly recommend this feel-good story. It will brighten your day and warm your heart.
I borrowed this book through the Kindle Unlimited Program. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 9, 2023
Sweet and fun!
I’m on a Toni Shiloh reading spree, and it’s so fun! I love her characters and the unique personalities that show up. Her writing is so easy to immerse yourself into.
I’m on a Toni Shiloh reading spree, and it’s so fun! I love her characters and the unique personalities that show up. Her writing is so easy to immerse yourself into.
March 14, 2023
“A Proxy Wedding” by Toni Shiloh is about two people asked to stand in as proxies for their best friends who are in the military (separate bases) and want to get married. It’s not really a marriage of convenience tale but it has a similar feel – so of course I loved it! Carly and Damien are polar opposites, yet deep inside they’re really a lot alike. Watching them fall in love is romantic and fun (though not without its speed-bumps) and I appreciated the epilogue at the end which kept the story from being too “instalove”.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed as part of the A Spring of Weddings collection
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed as part of the A Spring of Weddings collection
December 11, 2019
Short & Sweet!
*Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited*
Short and sweet! Perfect for the waiting room.
Brenda and Adam have s couple of very good friends in Carly and Damien. I liked that Damien was willing to drive Carly from San Francisco to Montana because she didn't fly. I liked the communication during the drive and after the "wedding." To say anything else might spoil the story so take a little time for yourself and read this short story.
*Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited*
Short and sweet! Perfect for the waiting room.
Brenda and Adam have s couple of very good friends in Carly and Damien. I liked that Damien was willing to drive Carly from San Francisco to Montana because she didn't fly. I liked the communication during the drive and after the "wedding." To say anything else might spoil the story so take a little time for yourself and read this short story.
January 8, 2020
Beautiful story
To be honest such things as an stand in bride and groom I never knew it exist aka Proxy. The story was short I wanted it to be a little bit more. The writing is impeccable, God always put the right people together at the right time.
To be honest such things as an stand in bride and groom I never knew it exist aka Proxy. The story was short I wanted it to be a little bit more. The writing is impeccable, God always put the right people together at the right time.
October 1, 2021
A Proxy Wedding by Toni Shiloh is an entertaining short story romance. What best friends won't do for their best friends! I've not heard of proxy weddings but it is an interesting concept. Two military personnel want to marry and ask their best friends to do it for them by proxy. Carly and Damien, strangers and two very different personalities, an art teacher and a stockbroker (who even wears a suit on Saturdays) agree to travel together to help their friends out. There is humor, romance, and a solid thread of faith in God in the story and I really enjoyed reading it. Lessons of friendship and of life as the characters are reminded that their parents' choices do not determine one's future and that perhaps God wasn't responsible for the happenings of the past. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Shiloh. I purchased a free copy of the story from Amazon and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
September 30, 2021
Summer - California and Montana
This is about two strangers taking a road trip and falling in love. The proxy wedding is something I hadn't read about before.
This is about two strangers taking a road trip and falling in love. The proxy wedding is something I hadn't read about before.
November 24, 2019
I read this in "A Spring of Weddings" collection. After reading a book by Toni Shiloh, I was excited to read this one, and I wasn’t disappointed. This is well-written with well-developed characters and not only easy to read, but it is hard to put down until the end. Both main characters had fears that were dictating and ruining their life. I loved the quote: “No one is unlovable in God’s eyes. Our parents’ choices do not determine our future.” This is such a fun read, and I look forward to more from this author!
May 8, 2023
This was a fun short story! I'd never heard of a proxy wedding before, so the concept was quite interesting. Even though romance novellas have the romance move a bit quickly for my liking, the circumstances surrounding this one made it believable and the epilogue had a good deal of time pass before the HEA. If you're looking for a sweet short romance with a solid faith punch to it, this is one I'd definitely recommend!
June 12, 2020
Sweet whirlwind romance!
What a great read. It has a dashing hero, beautiful heroine, romance, and an interesting twist of a plot.
Toni Shiloh captured the thrill of finding Mr. Right even when your brain tells you otherwise.
I really enjoyed it, it's the perfect rainy day read, or stealing a few moments to yourself treat.
What a great read. It has a dashing hero, beautiful heroine, romance, and an interesting twist of a plot.
Toni Shiloh captured the thrill of finding Mr. Right even when your brain tells you otherwise.
I really enjoyed it, it's the perfect rainy day read, or stealing a few moments to yourself treat.
November 25, 2019
What do you do when you want to get married but you’re not in the same place and you’re in the military? Well, you get married by proxy. Now, I never knew there was such a thing as a proxy wedding, but after reading this book I decided to look it up. What an interesting concept!
However, this book isn’t just about a proxy wedding, it’s about two people coming together to help their friends out and then finding they have a connection.
When Carly and Damien first met it wasn’t the best of times. They barely tolerated each other, but as they traveled to Montana for the “proxy wedding” they started to learn more about each other and found they actually had things in common.
This story by Toni Shiloh is a story packed full of fun humorous parts and also sweet moments of deep life lessons. The two main characters both don’t want to do this, yet they love their friends so much that they gave up their week to help them out.
Have you ever done something for someone else knowing you are sacrificing your time, only to be blessed in a way you never saw coming? I would say this is what happened to Carly and Damien, and their lives were changed forever!
I totally enjoyed reading this book, and I highly recommend you pick it up to read. I hope we will be hearing more about the wonderful characters in this book.
I was given this book by the author which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
However, this book isn’t just about a proxy wedding, it’s about two people coming together to help their friends out and then finding they have a connection.
When Carly and Damien first met it wasn’t the best of times. They barely tolerated each other, but as they traveled to Montana for the “proxy wedding” they started to learn more about each other and found they actually had things in common.
This story by Toni Shiloh is a story packed full of fun humorous parts and also sweet moments of deep life lessons. The two main characters both don’t want to do this, yet they love their friends so much that they gave up their week to help them out.
Have you ever done something for someone else knowing you are sacrificing your time, only to be blessed in a way you never saw coming? I would say this is what happened to Carly and Damien, and their lives were changed forever!
I totally enjoyed reading this book, and I highly recommend you pick it up to read. I hope we will be hearing more about the wonderful characters in this book.
I was given this book by the author which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 7, 2020
A nice escape
This story is a fun, lighthearted escape. The story moves quickly; I finished it in about 2 hours. It would be a great beach read. The plot was unique, and the characters were reasonably well-developed given the length of the book. Worth the time for sure.
I was given a copy of this book to help facilitate a review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review.
This story is a fun, lighthearted escape. The story moves quickly; I finished it in about 2 hours. It would be a great beach read. The plot was unique, and the characters were reasonably well-developed given the length of the book. Worth the time for sure.
I was given a copy of this book to help facilitate a review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review.
October 31, 2021
Carly and Damien are asked by their respective friends to be proxies for their wedding.
They don't know each other and leave San Francisco for Montana on a road trip where there are going to know each other and find out that their past don't dictate their future.
I don't read a lot of contemporary novels and this is the first book by Toni Shiloh that I read. I liked her style, her story was interesting and funny. This was a cute love story.
They don't know each other and leave San Francisco for Montana on a road trip where there are going to know each other and find out that their past don't dictate their future.
I don't read a lot of contemporary novels and this is the first book by Toni Shiloh that I read. I liked her style, her story was interesting and funny. This was a cute love story.
April 10, 2024
As always I love the Bible verses, and how they speak to me. I appreciate the message of hope. I also love seeing black characters just living life :)
Damien and Carly were really cute, and I’m glad this is the book—a Christian BIPOC one—that completes my 2024 reading challenge!
Damien and Carly were really cute, and I’m glad this is the book—a Christian BIPOC one—that completes my 2024 reading challenge!
January 12, 2020
Short, sweet, and super-cute! This was such a heart-warming short story....I really enjoy Toni Shiloh’s writing: sweet and romantic but always including God. Loved it! (And I had no idea that a “proxy wedding” was a real thing, so I learned something too!) No one is too far away for God to reach.
February 9, 2020
In my opinion, this was by no means a short story. Nevertheless, it was an excellent book. I have come to expect nothing less from Toni Shiloh.
October 29, 2021
This was such a sweet story! It’s short, so it moves fast, but I still found it to be plausible and absolutely charming. Damien and Carly were such fun characters. I enjoyed the opposites attract trope. I also enjoyed the faith elements in the book. This is the perfect read if you are looking for something short and sweet.
November 27, 2021
A quick read-Carly & Damien
A quick turnaround trip up to Montana to stand in as proxies for two best friends in the military spurned it’s own love story.
A quick turnaround trip up to Montana to stand in as proxies for two best friends in the military spurned it’s own love story.
January 12, 2020
This was a cute and delightful story. two strangers, are asked to stand in proxy of their respective best friend's (who are marrying each other) proxy wedding. It is a very cute and enjoyable read.
November 30, 2020
Cute Read
It was a really cute, quick read. Good, clean Christian romance. The characters were well developed and the dialogue was believable.
It was a really cute, quick read. Good, clean Christian romance. The characters were well developed and the dialogue was believable.
January 8, 2021
A fun novella, this was the perfect first read of the year for me.
October 28, 2021
A quick read. I'm amazed by authors who can fit a whole story in a short story. I read this in an hour and still felt I had been given a whole story.
May 8, 2020
A sweet story
A Proxy Wedding is a sweet story.! I didn't know there was such a thing as a proxy wedding and that military do this when they want to get married, it aren't able to have a ceremony because of being overseas. This being a short story, I'll just say the story was sweet and if you like romances, you'll like this one!
A Proxy Wedding is a sweet story.! I didn't know there was such a thing as a proxy wedding and that military do this when they want to get married, it aren't able to have a ceremony because of being overseas. This being a short story, I'll just say the story was sweet and if you like romances, you'll like this one!
September 9, 2020
Quick and fun
Sometimes short stories feel rushed and leave the reader wishing there was more. That is not the case for this one. This little story was well planned, well executed and fun. The proxy wedding trope was unusual and made everything work. I loved it.
Sometimes short stories feel rushed and leave the reader wishing there was more. That is not the case for this one. This little story was well planned, well executed and fun. The proxy wedding trope was unusual and made everything work. I loved it.
October 11, 2021
A great story.
I loved the story of Damien and Carly. It give hope. All you have to do is have faith in God and everything in your life will work out. I recommend this book to everyone., it's a great book.
I loved the story of Damien and Carly. It give hope. All you have to do is have faith in God and everything in your life will work out. I recommend this book to everyone., it's a great book.
August 23, 2020
Beautiful book
I really enjoyed this book. The storyline blew me away and I love the opposites attract concept. It also shows how God designs situations to transform and enhance our lives. Great book
I really enjoyed this book. The storyline blew me away and I love the opposites attract concept. It also shows how God designs situations to transform and enhance our lives. Great book
September 28, 2021
I absolutely loved this short book by Toni Shiloh. It can easily be read in one setting and it is so worth it. The characters are very believable and the conversation between them was authentic and enjoyable. Without giving any of the plot away, I will just say, Its a must read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews