What do you think?
Rate this book
The McKaslin Clan: Series 2 #3
Blessed Vows
A MARRIAGE MEANT TO BE…When waitress Rachel McKaslin reluctantly let Jake McCall move into the apartment above her family's diner, she never dreamed the handsome tech sergeant would be so charming. Soon into their joyful courtship, Jake surprised her by proposing. Now, Rachel prayed their union wasn't just a convenience and that Jake truly loved her. Jake had promised his dying brother he'd care for his little girl, so he needed a wife. But as he wed this beautiful woman and brought her home, he realized his feelings didn't stem from duty. He loved Rachel McKaslin fiercely. Would God's providence enable him to survive his dangerous assignment and return to confess his true feelings?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2005
12 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Hart
192 books601 followersJillian Hart grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 28, 2010
** spoiler alert **
I'm very ambivalent about how to rate this book.
Right off, the editing is horrible. The back cover states the hero takes in his BROTHER'S child when its his SISTER'S child. His sister isn't "dying" as also stated, but was killed in a tragic accident. The heroine is Rachel McKaslin yet at one point, she's called Rachel HAWTHORNE.
This is about Rachel McKaslin. She's a waitress/soon-to-be restaurant owner of her family's hometown diner. She's shy and somewhat reserved around men and has become the eternal bridesmaid, never a bride. She's holding out for a man who loves her, warts and all and for that I can't blame her. But at 30 yrs old, she knows she's entering what could become modern spinsterhood.
Enter Jake McCall. He is Rachel's brother Ben's good friend, co-worker in the Air Force and best man at his wedding, which takes place at the start of this book. He's just been recalled home to care for the child of his SISTER who was tragically killed in an accident. With both their parents being gone (what is it with 30 somethings having no parents lately?) and the child's father not in the picture, Jake is called upon for custody. Unfortunately he knows he can't be away from duty for long and is a real crossroads about what do with his young niece. Hire a nanny and go back to his unit in Iraq or quit the Air Force and a job he loves dearly?
For me this is when it gets dicey. Jake genuinely likes Rachel but views himself as the perennial bachelor. However, he starts to see how well Rachel and his niece get along and makes a halfhearted attempt to woo Rachel in the hopes of maybe something happening between them, which would lead to marriage and giving his niece a mother figure while he runs off and plays super soldier. All goes according to Jake's "plan" and he and Rachel end up married and they go back to Florida where Jake is stationed.
Unless you live under a rock, I'm sure you can see where this is going. If not: the niece gives Rachel a hard time. Jake himself does an incredibly cruel thing and compounds it by saying something even more cruel, just the day after the wedding. Of course, he's clueless at first and poor Rachel, who believed from day 1 he really loved her, is devastated. And dammit I don't blame her. I wanted to beat the everloving crap out of Jake and I almost quit reading but I wanted to see if the author could pull off an HEA after THAT fiasco. There is an HEA but I felt it was rushed and any sane woman wouldn't have accepted it without a whole lot more groveling than Jake did.
It wasn't a total loss, because up until the "Jake moment" fiasco, I was right there with it. If you can suspend belief and accept a lame HEA, go for it. For me it was a disappointment from an author I usually really love.
I'm very ambivalent about how to rate this book.
Right off, the editing is horrible. The back cover states the hero takes in his BROTHER'S child when its his SISTER'S child. His sister isn't "dying" as also stated, but was killed in a tragic accident. The heroine is Rachel McKaslin yet at one point, she's called Rachel HAWTHORNE.
This is about Rachel McKaslin. She's a waitress/soon-to-be restaurant owner of her family's hometown diner. She's shy and somewhat reserved around men and has become the eternal bridesmaid, never a bride. She's holding out for a man who loves her, warts and all and for that I can't blame her. But at 30 yrs old, she knows she's entering what could become modern spinsterhood.
Enter Jake McCall. He is Rachel's brother Ben's good friend, co-worker in the Air Force and best man at his wedding, which takes place at the start of this book. He's just been recalled home to care for the child of his SISTER who was tragically killed in an accident. With both their parents being gone (what is it with 30 somethings having no parents lately?) and the child's father not in the picture, Jake is called upon for custody. Unfortunately he knows he can't be away from duty for long and is a real crossroads about what do with his young niece. Hire a nanny and go back to his unit in Iraq or quit the Air Force and a job he loves dearly?
For me this is when it gets dicey. Jake genuinely likes Rachel but views himself as the perennial bachelor. However, he starts to see how well Rachel and his niece get along and makes a halfhearted attempt to woo Rachel in the hopes of maybe something happening between them, which would lead to marriage and giving his niece a mother figure while he runs off and plays super soldier. All goes according to Jake's "plan" and he and Rachel end up married and they go back to Florida where Jake is stationed.
Unless you live under a rock, I'm sure you can see where this is going. If not: the niece gives Rachel a hard time. Jake himself does an incredibly cruel thing and compounds it by saying something even more cruel, just the day after the wedding. Of course, he's clueless at first and poor Rachel, who believed from day 1 he really loved her, is devastated. And dammit I don't blame her. I wanted to beat the everloving crap out of Jake and I almost quit reading but I wanted to see if the author could pull off an HEA after THAT fiasco. There is an HEA but I felt it was rushed and any sane woman wouldn't have accepted it without a whole lot more groveling than Jake did.
It wasn't a total loss, because up until the "Jake moment" fiasco, I was right there with it. If you can suspend belief and accept a lame HEA, go for it. For me it was a disappointment from an author I usually really love.
September 1, 2009
A nice little book except there wasn't really any conflict until the last few pages and its all solved way too quickly in those last few pages. Almost like the author forgot to have any conflict until those last pages and quickly tacked some on at the end.
October 15, 2023
DNF. A friend sent me this book in a box of books. I've read Jillian Hart before but apparently, I don't enjoy her McKaslin Clan. I see this is listed as series 2--which makes me wonder if the McKaslins have outlived their literary life. I seem to recall reading another McKaslin Clan book (not sure which series it was labeled) and finishing it but not being overly excited about the storyline. I got about half way through this one and thought "I'm not enjoying this. Is it worth putting more hours into finishing it?"
The plot appears to be a rehash. A single man takes custody of his sibling's child after the sibling passes away. Single man meets single woman and romance ensues, providing the child with the mother she needs and the single woman with a ready made family.
The plot appears to be a rehash. A single man takes custody of his sibling's child after the sibling passes away. Single man meets single woman and romance ensues, providing the child with the mother she needs and the single woman with a ready made family.
February 9, 2023
It was alright. Very very easy read but bland and boring. Was too cheesy and sappy for me, no true drama and if there was got resolved too quick. Very wholesome and innocent book so liked reading it when just wanted to ease mind. I did like the characters going to faith a lot and asking the Lord questions a lot. At the very end, Jake was so confusing saying he didn’t believe in love but through the whole book he talks about Rachel in love. I strongly disliked how fast it all was, love at first sight trope, and there was just no real spark. I don’t regret reading it, but wouldn’t recommend to anyone either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2020
I did like it, although there was such a build up to the main conflict of them not being on the same page about what this marriage would be like, and then it finally got there and was resolved in two pages. I feel like that is a bigger issue that should have taken a bit more fictional time and page length to resolve.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2025
I read this book because I saw it with my 13 year old cousin and I wanted to be sure that she's reading age appropriate content.
It's an average book in my opinion,but I think the conflict at the end was resolved abruptly. The end seemed rushed. It's annoying because that was the only real conflict in the story and it would have made sense if the author had dealt with it properly
It's an average book in my opinion,but I think the conflict at the end was resolved abruptly. The end seemed rushed. It's annoying because that was the only real conflict in the story and it would have made sense if the author had dealt with it properly
October 11, 2024
Started out I was iffy o the main guy. Rachel was kinda pitiful. Turned out fine.
October 27, 2013
As with all Jillian Hart novels, this was a very sweet story. The author's writing style is very lyrical and poetic, without being saccharine. I enjoyed getting to know Rachel more and cheered when she and Jake finally got it right! :)
The only issue I had with this book has nothing to do with the book itself, but I have to wonder if the people who write the synopses on the back of these books even read the books themselves. This is the second time I've read a book where the back synopsis has some GLARING errors. Thankfully, this doesn't make me cringe like poor editing does . . . all it does is make me roll my eyes.
The only issue I had with this book has nothing to do with the book itself, but I have to wonder if the people who write the synopses on the back of these books even read the books themselves. This is the second time I've read a book where the back synopsis has some GLARING errors. Thankfully, this doesn't make me cringe like poor editing does . . . all it does is make me roll my eyes.
April 2, 2012
I really enjoyed Rachel McKaslin's story, an I definitely recommend it. Rachel and Jake are characters that I definitely grew fond of, I appreciate that they aren't presented as perfect, and their story was a delightful journey with some very humorous parts. The final twist near the end of the book almost had me irrevocably turned against Jake Hathaway, but the resolution was somewhat satisfying, although almost too quick and simple. The back cover description does have a couple of mistakes, but the book itself does not.
February 25, 2014
Rachel is sure she has fallen love with he perfect man, but Jake is a highly trained Special Forces soldier and doesn't think he needs anybody--only work. He doesn't want to appear weak or expose his heart or be vulnerable by displaying any emotions. He doesn't really believe in true love, either---until he met Rachel. But the question arises, why did he marry her?
Much better story than the preceding novel because the focus was different and not as much repetition.
Much better story than the preceding novel because the focus was different and not as much repetition.
November 15, 2011
I enjoyed the book but I agree with a comment that was made in one of the posts. The ending was just too fast. It seemed to me that the author just wrapped it up too fast. I mean first he doesn't want a real marriage and there she is crying and then the next paragraph it's like all of a sudden he does want a real marriage and she forgives him that quickly.
May 11, 2012
I don't have much to say about this novel. It is a Christian-romance, centered on the love between a waitress and a military man. I ALMOST liked the ending, but then it ended all flowers and roses like the rest of these books. Oh well. If you want something purely entertaining to pass the time with, this would do it.
January 2, 2009
Received this through my wishlist on paperbackswap.com. And of course, I found something I enjoyed reading, but also ended up reading book 3 of the series before I read any of the other books. Good quick read. Inspirational romance. A little predictable, but still a good read.
May 30, 2009
You can't hold back. Rachel McCaslin, and Jake McCall come together for her brother's wedding. Rachel lives in the family home by herself and Jake and his niece/daughter come to stay with her. The sparks fly and they both learn to love one another.
February 8, 2012
This is a very good book! I love reading Love Inspired books and every new title I see I read it!! This is a matchmaker plot from the beginning and has a happy ending! I honestly don't rememeber when I finished this book! It didn't take me long to read it since it was that good! :)
March 12, 2010
another good read
March 22, 2017
2 1/2 Stars
This was the most disappointing book so far of the series. Just fell completely flat for me!
September 11, 2014
LI--very unrealistic. Love story to marriage progression too rushed. No reliance on God's lead or concern for circumstances.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews