Least Expected

Love in Store #2.5

by Autumn Macarthur

Love arrives when it's least expected. And, with the person least expected! Maggie Golding, the unconventional and artistic 50-something designing the Christmas window displays at Pettett & Mayfields London department store, never expected to fall in love with Edgar Pettett, staid and sensible heir to the business. They couldn't be more different. But he's kind, sweet, a delight to be with, and willing to accept her as she is. Even with her rainbow-coloured hair, and her coat to match. Ed would far rather be wearing Wellingtons and jeans while caring for the dairy cattle on his farm than straitjacketed into a suit and tie while managing the department store his grandfather founded. But breaking free of his autocratic mother's control is an achievement that's so far eluded him. When he meets Maggie, he's determined to succeed. She's unlike any woman he's ever met, yet he knows she's the wife for him. Between her shaky faith, their huge differences, and his mother’s disapproval, how will they possibly work things out? Clean and wholesome Christian inspirational romance to warm your heart from a USA Today bestselling author!

LARGER PRINT EDITION (15 point font) FOR EASIER READING Real Romance, Real Faith!

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Christmas

193 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2021

About the author

Autumn Macarthur is an Australian writer of inspirational romance living near London with her very English husband and five spoiled cats. She loves reading, cooking, gardening, and writing deeply emotional stories to make you smile and remind you how big and wide and deep God's love and forgiveness can be.

She tends to talk a little too much, laugh a little too loud, and eat a little more than maybe she should. She's thankful to be blessed with some good friends and a very patient husband. Most of all, she's eternally grateful for God's great love and mercy.

When she's not talking to her strawberry plants or cherry blossoms, she can be found blogging at www.faithhopeandheartwarming.com; on Facebook as Autumn Macarthur, and on Twitter as @autumnmacarthur.

She'd love to hear from you!

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Reviews

[Raelee Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story. I loved both of these characters very much.

[Kitty Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there a trope for an interfering mother of the MMC? If not, there should be, and this book has that trope.
The characters are great, proving opposites attract, and the plot moves along nicely.
I like how both characters have to overcome fears and trust God to work things out so that their lives can merge. I really enjoyed this book!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this beautifully done story of love 'Least Expected' - the absolutely best kind of love. The author pulled us into this story of a wacky and delightful Maggie who is in mid-life and who has settled down, after raising a lovely daughter on her own, in her own business of doing window displays. She is kind-hearted and caring and shows this in very practical ways, like taking the homeless and street waifs in for dinners on special holidays. Then appears Ed, a well-to-do bachelor working as store manager/owner, who at 50 plus is still living with his mother. Life gets very interesting for our heroine, Maggie.

I loved how well this story was written and I loved that the author took the time to give us some history of the well-known individuals mentioned in her story and also the meaning of particular words and places. Because of the British background of some of my great, great-grandparents, I was quite familiar with most of the words passed down through generations, but 'a pile of pants' was an expression that was completely unfamiliar to me.

Thanks, Autumn Macarthur, for a truly lovely story. I look forward to reading more.

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!! Not just because the couple is older, either, though that's a huge plus! Maggie and Edgar meet when she's helping Cara do window scenes at Pettett and Mayfield. Maggie's sure it could never work out between them, though the more time she spends with Ed, the more she falls for him. When her daughter helps her to open her eyes and see that she is worth more than she thought, she realizes that maybe she and Ed could be together. And, she realizes just how much she's been afraid to really let God work in her life. When Maggie decides to really trust both God and Ed, she's finally able to see her worth.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scripture warns about the need for a man to leave his parents and turn to his wife. Ed was very close to his mother and obeyed the scripture that says to honor they mother and thy father. . . Between his needing to leave his overbearing mother and Maggie needing to leave her fears to God this author gives us a great story. As these two deal with the changes in their lives and lean onto God, they deal with their issues.

This clean read from an author I haven't read before is a great read and follows biblical principals without being preached to. It's a great blend of story, bible verses and an hea.

[Cindy Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on love between adults

I really enjoyed reading this book by Ms MacArthur. So many romances are written about young lovers. To see a mature couple find each other in a busy world has a sweetness unlike the rush of first love. Even with the common problem of an overbearing mother the couple finds a way to gently admonish and deal with it.
I received this book in a large giveaway to introduce readers to new authors, and I am offering my review to other readers. Thanks, Ms MacArthur, for a good read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Least Expected. Both Ed and Maggie had some things in their lives that needed changing before they were ready for a serious relationship. I love Ed's determination and his patience. Maggie's creativity is very interesting to me and her care for others is inspiring. Autumn Macarthur is very adept at weaving faith into the story. Reading the British English glossary at the end was fun for me. I recommend this to readers of clean romance and of Christian romance and to those who enjoy stories about finding love later in life.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about love and faith between two middle aged people. Maggie, after a tough time in her teens, is single at fifty two. Edgar, fifty four years old still lives with her Mother, a very strong woman, owner of very important store in London. When they met they feel an instinct connection. But can they have a chance to be together with everything that it's between them? Faith in love and God will help them realise that they are perfect for each other.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A Christian novel. Maggie is a window dresser for a London department store and is falling for Edward, the heir to the store. Can the love work out with the differences between them? This book highlights love between an older couple which I enjoyed very much. Such a great description of his home and farm in the country. Definitely recommend.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. And was happily surprised to come upon Maggie Golding's back story (as I've read most of the Tuscan Legacy series where she has a minor role). I found Least Expected to be a delightful, tender-hearted romance between two 50-somethings, where wealth has no sway over romance, fears, and relationships. Maggie and Ed are about as different as night and day, yet Ed's gentle persistence won Maggie over. I highly recommend this series!

[Tina Groat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a nice sweet story as it was nice to read about an older couple; both in their 50’s who are attracted to each other. What makes it so interesting is that they both come from different backgrounds; however they are good for each other. Their story is well written and enjoyable.

I was given a copy and this is my honest review.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short novel takes place over the course of a week or two at Christmastime; a middle-aged store owner with an overbearing mother falls for the quirky, artistic freelance window decorator. It wraps up a little too neatly, of course, but it was a fun read that definitely had me hoping these two characters would get together.

[Tabitha Ormiston-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of love found later in life, this book ticked all the boxes for me. It's clean, wholesome and realistic, the characters are believable and engaging and all in all it's a lovely piece of work. The only thing I found fault with was use in narrative of the non-word 'tummy', which I abhor, but less pernickety readers will no doubt be moved to give it the full five stars.

[Shawneequa Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christian Book

So refreshing to read about God and His blessings. How He can transform loves with His love 💘 and forgiveness. This story is about trusting the Lord and learning about forgiving others and ourselves. Letting God plan our lives and allowing Him to execute them, even when we doubt. Can we trust God? The answer in the book is a resounding YES!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Maggie and Ed's story. Both are single and in their fifties. Ed has been controlled by his overbearing mother his whole life but has been feeling like he needed to make some changes in his life when he meets the quirky Maggie. Maggie has a colorful past but has turned her life back to the path she feels God wants her on. A delightful story with great characters.

[Denice · Rating 4 out of 5]

least expected

A sweet story of a couple in their 50s. Neither have been married, but she has a grown daughter from when she was much younger. I was glad to see that Edgar was finally able to break the apron strings from his mother. A heartwarming story of faith, 2nd chances and sweet romance.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. It is so refreshing to read a story a love story about a middle-aged couple. This was a fun, easy read. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Dorothy Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

least Expected

A great story. Nice to read story where an older couple are blessed to meet and find happiness. Maggie and Ed were probably complete opposites, but we're attracted to one another from the beginning. I would give it 5 stars

[EmbGram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love isn't just for the young

Maggie and William are in their 50s, but neither one has yet found forever love. Both have lived their lives with differing trials that have prepared them for a new life together. Deep faith in God is the firm foundation for their future.

[Debbie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Least Expected is a fun book to read!

What a delightful book! Sometimes it is nice to read romance of couples in their 50’s and 60’s. It was also fun to read a book written in GB English!

[Michelle Ferrari-Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defending His Love

A sweet and quaint novella reminding us that you can find love at any age. Love how Ed puts his foot down and defends Maggie to his mother. He is such a down to earth character even though he has money.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story line of this Book, there are unexpected turns that leave you saying what they should do or not do.
Autumn quotes scripture as she relates to things the characters are dealing with. Which makes you reflect on your own life.

[Jane Weiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgiving ourselves

This an excellent written story of blending different lives together. Of overcoming our own fears and self worth by releasing it all to God and trusting him to work iit all out.
You will enjoy this story.

[Wanda Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short and sweet Christian romance. I'm happy that a writer remembered that romance can also happen after 40 years of age. With the build up, I expected more fight from his mom. I enjoyed it and will look for more from this author.

[Suzette Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing!

Most romantic stories are about young love and budding families. I enjoyed tremendously one based on finding love later in life and the adjustments willing to be made as opposites come together.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie and Ed are such a cute couple. They are so different, yet learn to love and accept one another for who they are. It's fun to read about an older couple.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story, not that much to it.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too too delightful. Older persons love story. Well written and I was engaged from the beginning. Highly recommend.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet, very Christian, opposites attract story. Loved the characters. The seem like genuinely nice people with real fears and imperfections. Glad for the start of their HEA.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series loved it

Another great book in a great series. I'm really enjoying this series and loved Ed and Maggie's story. A captivating read.