For years, Lydia has dreamed of overseas mission work, the way some women dream of getting married. How ironic that she needs a husband to finally make it happen. She’s always been practical, however — even if it means a marriage-of-convenience so she can finally do the work she’s called to do. Gabe needs a wife at exactly the right time. Plus, he’s kind of hot.
After a spectacularly failed … failed marriage, Gabe isn’t looking for a wife. He and his nine-year-old daughter are doing just fine on their own. But he’s happy to negotiate a practical arrangement with Lydia in order to move into a new and more rewarding job. After all, a marriage like theirs won’t end up changing his life very much.
They both have their priorities, and marriage just isn’t one of them. But their carefully planned relationship doesn’t exactly go as planned…
more
Uh huh, no. *shakes head* No.
It’s an inspirational novel. No big plot point a whole lot of talk about God and characters you want to shoot for being stupid. Again with the character that doesn’t have an occupation, seriously even heiresses and heirs find something to make money. I get that she was going to a foreign country but ask any aid worker you have to build connections before you get there. You have to have a plan, not a silly daydream. And honestly, working with sex trafficking victims here would have shed light on a underfunded domestic cause and made her someone with convictions and an occupation. Not just a dreamer who has no idea that the real world doesn’t give two hoots and a holler about your dreams.
I was bothered throughout this novella by the presentation of a “Christian “ book. It is a lightweight erotic fictional off the cuff marriage.
Most of us have imaginations and know what happens behind closed doors. I just posted because I would be furious as a Christian to have paid money for this.
I have a more detailed review on GoodReads if you really want to know more.
Reread:
I don’t remember this book being so perfect as it introduces imperfect characters. I do know this author is highly talented in presenting romance within the everyday realm. This could be anyone’s story because everything about these characters is down to earth, realistic, and believable. There is no magic here, no maneuvering by the writer to force her characters to feel a way they have no justification to do so. It leaves me unable to review this, again, as I typically do but lost for words to express how much this story moves me in every way.
Original review:
Audiobook: Narrator – Jane Cramer
I’m a huge fan of this author but this was the first audiobook I’ve ever listened to by her and I can’t express what a perfect narrator she choose. Ms. Cramer’s performance is exactly how I have often thought Ms. Adam’s heroines to sound and act. She truly brought this story to life in a believable style that I enjoyed listening to.
I’m a huge fan of marriage of convenience romances and this one was filled with all things I enjoy. I loved that the decision to marry was a mutual decision that both characters made at the same time. It was the obvious thing to do. Everything that follows was relatable and never felt contrived. These characters are real and the emotions Lydia deals with are exactly what one would expect to find in her same situation. There is nothing over the top, no insta anything, but a lot of good old fashioned falling in love while learning more about the person you’re married to.
Lydia wanted to work in India to help the women who was freed from sex trafficking. Gabe also was doing work in India. The problem was both needed a spouse in order for others to feel confident about backing their work, but neither Gabe or Lydia was looking for marriage. Gabe’s was divorced, and raising a little girl Ellie, and he had no room or trust to go through marriage again, after his wife walked out on them. Lydia, just didn’t have time or desire, as her main mission was her Christian outreach work to help women. But Gabe and Lydia thought they found the answer to all their problems, with marrying for convenience to further their goal. What neither counted on, they actually ended up loving and committing to one another and to raising Ellie. Yes, it’s a happily ever after, but it hit a few bumps along the way, but they found the same path to walk together.
Lovely and endearing read. God can work in mysterious ways and work things out a lot better then what we plan.