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Here Comes the Bride
There comes a time in every woman's life when she must get herself a man or give up the idea entirely...
After three long years of patiently waiting for her reluctant, handsome, gentlemanly Amos Dewey, to pop the question, Augusta Mudd--owner of her small town's biggest factory--decides it's time to take matters in her own hands. With the help of her friend, ruggedly attractive Rome Akers, she's determined to make Amos jealous--and get him to the altar--before it's too late.
Rome Akers wasn't ready to settle down. But by pretending to make Augusta his partner for life he had a chance to become her business partner instead. Yet despite his best intentions, the closer he gets to this intelligent, sweet woman, the stronger his feelings grow. Their tantalizing conversations and tender kisses ignite a desire more passionate than Roman ever imagined. Soon he'll do anything to make Augusta a bride--but only if he gets to be the groom.
After three long years of patiently waiting for her reluctant, handsome, gentlemanly Amos Dewey, to pop the question, Augusta Mudd--owner of her small town's biggest factory--decides it's time to take matters in her own hands. With the help of her friend, ruggedly attractive Rome Akers, she's determined to make Amos jealous--and get him to the altar--before it's too late.
Rome Akers wasn't ready to settle down. But by pretending to make Augusta his partner for life he had a chance to become her business partner instead. Yet despite his best intentions, the closer he gets to this intelligent, sweet woman, the stronger his feelings grow. Their tantalizing conversations and tender kisses ignite a desire more passionate than Roman ever imagined. Soon he'll do anything to make Augusta a bride--but only if he gets to be the groom.
349 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
27 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Morsi
61 books450 followersPamela Morsi was an American writer. She was the author of 29 romance novels, beginning in 1991.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 17, 2013
I fondly remember reading Morsi's Courting Miss Hattie in the 90’s and have always considered it one of my favourite romances so I naturally thought I'd enjoy other books by the same author.... unfortunately, the small town social politics, the improbably-damned-to-spinsterhood heroine, and the tru-love-who-was-always-right-in-front-of-her hero just didn't lure me in the second time around. I suspect that if I read Courting Miss Hattie again I wouldn't enjoy it very much for the same reasons I didn't enjoy Here Comes the Bride.
I just find it so completely unlikely that, in a small town with limited options, any healthy & respectable young woman (with a business of her own to boot) is going to have absolutely nobody after her. In an era when she would be expected to step aside and hand over the business to her husband there isn’t even a single gold-digger on the horizon? In a small town with a small population in a time when girls went from their father's house to their husband's house at a young age with little freedom in between, would a not-bad looking woman who can make decent conversation really even make it to “spinsterhood”? At least in Courting Miss Hattie I could buy into the idea that her looks have been the butt of cruel jokes for so long that potential suitors would shy away for fear of being teased too, but I'm just not feeling the set-up in this book. I also cannot - CANNOT - believe that it never occurred to the hero that since he (a) wants to be a partner in the company (b) likes & respects her and (c) wants a wife and kids, he should kill two birds with one wedding ring. The relationship is also rather heavy-handedly set up; there are only so many times I need to be told outright that Gussie & Rome are pointedly not suited for each other -nudge, nudge, wink, wink- before I get the idea already that they’re really perfect for each other.
Sorry to have to give up after 5 chapters, but I’ve developed no real interest in either of the main characters and have discovered an active dislike for a setting that I only coped with in Courting Miss Hattie because it was new to me. Maybe if you’ve read one Morsi historical, you’ve read them all? This certainly feels like a 2nd rate attempt to return to a story Morsi’s already written and my previous fondness for Courting... feels a bit sullied now.
I do, however, very much appreciate the fact that the widow in the book is a real person: neither her libido nor her personality nor her dreams died with her late husband and it’s rather a pity the book isn't focussed on her. I also definitely appreciate the cold-blooded slaying of a handlebar moustache early on in the story. May all its brethren meet a similar fate.
I just find it so completely unlikely that, in a small town with limited options, any healthy & respectable young woman (with a business of her own to boot) is going to have absolutely nobody after her. In an era when she would be expected to step aside and hand over the business to her husband there isn’t even a single gold-digger on the horizon? In a small town with a small population in a time when girls went from their father's house to their husband's house at a young age with little freedom in between, would a not-bad looking woman who can make decent conversation really even make it to “spinsterhood”? At least in Courting Miss Hattie I could buy into the idea that her looks have been the butt of cruel jokes for so long that potential suitors would shy away for fear of being teased too, but I'm just not feeling the set-up in this book. I also cannot - CANNOT - believe that it never occurred to the hero that since he (a) wants to be a partner in the company (b) likes & respects her and (c) wants a wife and kids, he should kill two birds with one wedding ring. The relationship is also rather heavy-handedly set up; there are only so many times I need to be told outright that Gussie & Rome are pointedly not suited for each other -nudge, nudge, wink, wink- before I get the idea already that they’re really perfect for each other.
Sorry to have to give up after 5 chapters, but I’ve developed no real interest in either of the main characters and have discovered an active dislike for a setting that I only coped with in Courting Miss Hattie because it was new to me. Maybe if you’ve read one Morsi historical, you’ve read them all? This certainly feels like a 2nd rate attempt to return to a story Morsi’s already written and my previous fondness for Courting... feels a bit sullied now.
I do, however, very much appreciate the fact that the widow in the book is a real person: neither her libido nor her personality nor her dreams died with her late husband and it’s rather a pity the book isn't focussed on her. I also definitely appreciate the cold-blooded slaying of a handlebar moustache early on in the story. May all its brethren meet a similar fate.
August 25, 2014
Augusta Mudd (Ms Gussie), the proud owner of Mudd Manufactured Ice, decided to get married. 31 is a fine age to start a family especially with such a refine, handsome gentleman as Amos Dewey. It doesn’t matter that her heart is no biting faster when she is with him. Who needs love when mutual respect and character compatibility is so much better. As a fine business woman, Ms. Gussie, didn’t wait but followed her decision right away and encountered her first set back: Amos who was still grieving for his long ago passed wife was not at all ready for marriage again. But Ms. Gussie was not deterred: what kind of business woman would she be if she wilted after the first set back? Instead, Ms. Gussie came up with another full-proof plan: make Amos jealous and force him to see that Ms. Gussie is a right woman for him. And who would be a partner in her scheme? Why, he just walked on her porch with a daily run report- her employee Rome Akers. What followed is a delightful, poignant, funny, and unique story set in a small Texas town at the beginning of the last century. It would be a five star read for me if the second romance did not resolved so neatly. I wanted there to be more repentance and angst from the second main character.
July 7, 2014
I am shocked. I read two of Pamela Morsi's novels recently and I can say little that is good about them.
For this protagonist, an unwanted wallflower and a virgin, all she can wish for in this book is between a man who has been sleeping with another woman for a year and kept it a secret from the public, a woman whom he proposed to and forgot to mention that to the heroine while he was declaring his undying devotion to her and another man who has slept with the same woman and also kept it a secret while embarking on engagement with her. With men like this who needs love?
For this protagonist, an unwanted wallflower and a virgin, all she can wish for in this book is between a man who has been sleeping with another woman for a year and kept it a secret from the public, a woman whom he proposed to and forgot to mention that to the heroine while he was declaring his undying devotion to her and another man who has slept with the same woman and also kept it a secret while embarking on engagement with her. With men like this who needs love?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2018
Pamela Morsi is one of my all-time favorite romance authors and this is in my top 3 of favorite reads from here. There's a nice mix of small town drama along with a surprisingly steamy romance. Highly recommended.
July 27, 2014
After waiting three long years for Amos Dewey to pop the question, August Mudd knows she has to do something to convince him to marry her. Gussie's plan involves her friend and employee, Rome Akers. She asks Rome to pretend to court her in order to make Amos jealous. If Rome is willing to do this, she will then make him a partner in her business. Rome jumped at the chance to be co-owner of the most successful business in town. He didn't plan on falling in love with Gussie. Soon he'd do anything to help Gussie to the altar...but only if he's the groom.
I usually love Pamela Morsi's historical romances, but this one was very hard for me to get through. The first 150 pages were so slow, I almost gave up on this book. The pace did pick up in the middle of the story, but not enough to give this book a good rating. My rating: 2.5 Stars.
I usually love Pamela Morsi's historical romances, but this one was very hard for me to get through. The first 150 pages were so slow, I almost gave up on this book. The pace did pick up in the middle of the story, but not enough to give this book a good rating. My rating: 2.5 Stars.
January 21, 2010
Our heroine owns an ice company and wants to marry her beau of three years the town barber, he's still grieving his long-dead wife. Heroine talks her trusted employee (our hero) into posing as her new beau to make her old beau come to scratch, and predictably they fall in love. With a sweet little subplot between the barber and the town's wicked widow.
Sweet and innocent characters are what Morsi thrives at. And these characters are lovely, if occasionally a bit dull. It's a sweet love story and mostly maintains interest throughout the book, but it does get a tad wrapped up in irrelevant exposition (she loves her research, clearly, but I don't need to know everything about turn of the century ice production, thanks). Not compelling, but a very decent romance.
Sweet and innocent characters are what Morsi thrives at. And these characters are lovely, if occasionally a bit dull. It's a sweet love story and mostly maintains interest throughout the book, but it does get a tad wrapped up in irrelevant exposition (she loves her research, clearly, but I don't need to know everything about turn of the century ice production, thanks). Not compelling, but a very decent romance.
March 12, 2013
Another winner from Pamela Morsi, Here Comes the Bride tells the story of how Miss Gussie Mudd of Cottonwood, Texas manages to finally get married. A top businesswoman at 31, Gussie feels that it's now or never for her to get her long time beau, Amos Dewey to propose. Since he's reluctant, she makes a business deal with her friend and employee, Rome Akers. All Rome has to do is escort Gussie around town as if he is courting her and make Amos jealous. If it succeeds, Gussie will offer Rome a partnership in her company T.P. Mudd Manufactured Ice. But as shrewd a businesswoman as Gussie is, affairs of the heart don't always turn out the way you've planned!
May 7, 2024
Wonderful, Witty, and Warm
As with many of Pamela Morsi’s wonderful novels of the Americana of yesteryear, Here Comes the Bride features a heroine whose road to marriage is not entirely easy. Miss Augusta Mudd is thirty-one, owner of a thriving distilled ice factory, and ready to be married. She has been walking out with Amos Dewey, town barber, for three years, and has yet to bring him up to snuff. She prods Amos into revealing his intentions, but as a widower, Amos still mourns his dear departed wife.
Because she feels she’s not getting any younger, Gussie hatches a plan to drive Amos wild with jealousy, so that he might finally see the wisdom of a prompt proposal. Gussie’s employee, Rome Akers, reports to her about the ice works frequently, and they rub on well together. Gussie proposes a ruse: Rome will convince Amos that he has a rival for Gussie’s affections, thus prompting him to buy a ring and reserve the church.
The backdrop of this story is small-town Texas. Morsi peoples her town with well-drawn secondary characters, including the town preacher, the ubiquitous town busybodies, the ladies’s benevolent society and the corresponding men’s Monday Morning business group. There are the members of the hearty but not too accomplished municipal band, the young couples just beginning their lives together, the town’s Fallen Woman, who is the young widow of a member of the town’s founding family, and a host of other inhabitants. Together they paint a picture of small town America where nobody’s business is private and mistakes of judgment aren’t easily forgiven.
While the plot device of the jealousy ruse is instantly recognizable, in Morsi’s deft hands the love story blossoms as sweetly as if this were the first time readers have encountered the trope. There’s a sweet poignancy, and even some suspense, that utterly beguiles readers, proving that sometimes the old chestnuts are worth revisiting and cherishing.
As with many of Pamela Morsi’s wonderful novels of the Americana of yesteryear, Here Comes the Bride features a heroine whose road to marriage is not entirely easy. Miss Augusta Mudd is thirty-one, owner of a thriving distilled ice factory, and ready to be married. She has been walking out with Amos Dewey, town barber, for three years, and has yet to bring him up to snuff. She prods Amos into revealing his intentions, but as a widower, Amos still mourns his dear departed wife.
Because she feels she’s not getting any younger, Gussie hatches a plan to drive Amos wild with jealousy, so that he might finally see the wisdom of a prompt proposal. Gussie’s employee, Rome Akers, reports to her about the ice works frequently, and they rub on well together. Gussie proposes a ruse: Rome will convince Amos that he has a rival for Gussie’s affections, thus prompting him to buy a ring and reserve the church.
The backdrop of this story is small-town Texas. Morsi peoples her town with well-drawn secondary characters, including the town preacher, the ubiquitous town busybodies, the ladies’s benevolent society and the corresponding men’s Monday Morning business group. There are the members of the hearty but not too accomplished municipal band, the young couples just beginning their lives together, the town’s Fallen Woman, who is the young widow of a member of the town’s founding family, and a host of other inhabitants. Together they paint a picture of small town America where nobody’s business is private and mistakes of judgment aren’t easily forgiven.
While the plot device of the jealousy ruse is instantly recognizable, in Morsi’s deft hands the love story blossoms as sweetly as if this were the first time readers have encountered the trope. There’s a sweet poignancy, and even some suspense, that utterly beguiles readers, proving that sometimes the old chestnuts are worth revisiting and cherishing.
February 12, 2022
Years ago, I enjoyed Wild Oats, Miss Hattie, Simple Jess (especially this one with its unique hero), and Garters, all four books by Morsi, so I decided to try another Morsi oldie.
I don’t know if I’ve changed or if this book is unlike her others, but moving beyond the uninteresting small town pettiness, it is exceedingly annoying to have a hero who naturally and freely has a sexual relationship with another (widowed, of course) woman while the heroine is a virgin, and disparagingly spoken of as a spinster.
Spare me your patriarchy.
(Unless it’s dramallama over the top; then it’s not disheartening realism, but fun fantasy that I can really crack on with.)
I don’t know if I’ve changed or if this book is unlike her others, but moving beyond the uninteresting small town pettiness, it is exceedingly annoying to have a hero who naturally and freely has a sexual relationship with another (widowed, of course) woman while the heroine is a virgin, and disparagingly spoken of as a spinster.
Spare me your patriarchy.
(Unless it’s dramallama over the top; then it’s not disheartening realism, but fun fantasy that I can really crack on with.)
October 12, 2017
This took place when Teddy Roosevelt was President
(1901-1909) but no exact date offered.
This story had love and laughs. There were religious
overtones. Augusta was a small town ice factory owner
& burly Rome served as her ice factory manager. She
made a business deal w/ Rome, in order for him to
pose as her faux suitor. To make perfect ( & lifeless)
handsome business owner Amos jealous. Rome shaved
off his handle bar moustache at her request.
Rome had a 'friends w/ benefits' w /widowed OW
but he tried to be discrete about it. Rome was a much
warmer character than "Miss Gussie." Townspeople
were mostly too judgmental. My favorite sequence
was the kissing booth, which generated funds for the
town project.
Cute story but something felt lacking.
(1901-1909) but no exact date offered.
This story had love and laughs. There were religious
overtones. Augusta was a small town ice factory owner
& burly Rome served as her ice factory manager. She
made a business deal w/ Rome, in order for him to
pose as her faux suitor. To make perfect ( & lifeless)
handsome business owner Amos jealous. Rome shaved
off his handle bar moustache at her request.
Rome had a 'friends w/ benefits' w /widowed OW
but he tried to be discrete about it. Rome was a much
warmer character than "Miss Gussie." Townspeople
were mostly too judgmental. My favorite sequence
was the kissing booth, which generated funds for the
town project.
Cute story but something felt lacking.
September 27, 2019
I am giving my honest review of this book. I LOVED IT!! I need to find me a man exactly like Rome. I mistakenly a few times read his name as Romeo in the book. His character was well thought out for this book.
I was totally blown away by his character. Oh Gussie, how I love her. She was excellent in this story. Amos, well what can I say. Wait I know what I can say, about darn time and good job.
Pansy, she could be my friend and next door neighbor anytime. Wade, you know what to do with yourself. Go do it! I will be reading more books from Pamela Morsi. Good job.
I was totally blown away by his character. Oh Gussie, how I love her. She was excellent in this story. Amos, well what can I say. Wait I know what I can say, about darn time and good job.
Pansy, she could be my friend and next door neighbor anytime. Wade, you know what to do with yourself. Go do it! I will be reading more books from Pamela Morsi. Good job.
May 15, 2024
Not settling for less
Another slice of perfectly imperfect Americana from this very talented author. When deceptions backfire, things get twisted before true love wins the day. I loved each and every character, and the great attention to detail for the time period. Just beautiful. Highly recommended.
Another slice of perfectly imperfect Americana from this very talented author. When deceptions backfire, things get twisted before true love wins the day. I loved each and every character, and the great attention to detail for the time period. Just beautiful. Highly recommended.
June 26, 2017
Pamela Morsi always provides a great read!!
With a glimpse into early twentieth century hometown life. Morsi helps us marry off Miss Gussie. Miss Gussie knows lots about business, but can that knowledge be appied to love?
With a glimpse into early twentieth century hometown life. Morsi helps us marry off Miss Gussie. Miss Gussie knows lots about business, but can that knowledge be appied to love?
February 10, 2022
This book was a little silly, but so sweet and charming. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between the two main characters and watching their relationship develop and blossom. It was the perfect book for a happy Sunday, listening to the waves on my birthday trip.
April 29, 2020
It was very gentle. The characters were interesting. Perhaps too much detail.
July 27, 2024
Had some very cute parts. Didn’t care for the resolution of the secondary romance. Overall I like Morsi, but the secondary love stories test me sometimes.
September 25, 2012
Small-town turn-of-the-century Americana isn't really my thing. But I enjoyed Morsi's lighthearted historical romance, particularly her two main female characters, one of whom is the owner of the local ice factory, the other a notorious widow. A weirdly intriguing mix of feminism and female abnegation (the widow, despite not being as free with her charms as she is reputed to be, still wallows a lot about feeling sinful when her one long-term affair comes to public light, and makes a public apology in front of the entire town for her behavior).
August 29, 2012
This was a very sweet read. The heroine is a spinster of 30 and the owner of company she has inherited from her late Father. The hero is employed by the spinster. The premise is heroine wanted to make a man jealous and has the hero court her to force the man into wanting her. I liked how nothing turned out like I thought it would. The heroine learned some life lesson's and the hero became more than he thought he could be. The town and the people in it were funny and charming.
November 8, 2014
Here Comes the Bride was sweet and enjoyable. It’s set during one of my favorite time periods and includes an interesting industry. I also liked the tidbit about the Pure Food and Drug Act.
I liked all the characters—especially Gussie and Pansy. Both characters were strong, confident, and fit in with the time period. I could see Gussie and Pansy as part of the suffrage movement. Pamela Morsi has a deft hand in crafting admirable characters with sweet but hot romances.
I liked all the characters—especially Gussie and Pansy. Both characters were strong, confident, and fit in with the time period. I could see Gussie and Pansy as part of the suffrage movement. Pamela Morsi has a deft hand in crafting admirable characters with sweet but hot romances.
October 30, 2015
I loved this book. I actually read it some time back, but it's one of those that still pops into my head every now and again. It was a daring twist to the typical romance, but still lingers in my mind as an exceptional romance all the same. It's an endearing reminder that no one's perfect, but that doesn't mean they're not perfect for someone.
May 30, 2016
There's nothing like a small town where everyone knows each other. This is set in the early 1900's. The characters are wonderful. It is written with humor and concern and hometown goodness. The wonders of this book is that it follows two people and it is not until the last few pages of the book that you find out what happens. That holds you to the book
February 24, 2016
Like other Morsi books with a strong virgin heroine wanting another man and her hero sleeping with another woman in town, that woman having her own story. But here I couldn't warm up to hero or the other characters at all. Only the heroine did I like and that made the story alright but not great.
Read
January 13, 2014I think I would have liked this book better if I had not read more recent books by Morsi. The characters in her later books are so much more interesting that I am disappointed by the older books.
April 1, 2013
This is the author who gave me a love for small town historicals. When I read her stores, I feel like I'm there.
June 23, 2016
One word. LOVEDIT
Read it for the third time (June 2016) and I fell in love with the chemistry between Gussie and Rome and the book all over again!
Read it for the third time (June 2016) and I fell in love with the chemistry between Gussie and Rome and the book all over again!
March 6, 2017
Skvelý námet, ešte lepšie prevedenie, veľmi dobrý štýl. Miestami vážne, miestami ironické, miestami romantické - proste z každého rožka troška :-) Dokopy vysoko čitateľné.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews