They’ve been best friends forever. When violent weather sparks an unexpected attraction, will they risk their friendship for a chance at a lifetime love?
Marlowe Glass happily accepts the responsibility of bringing up her orphaned niece. But the struggling stepmom reaches the end of her rope when a terrifying storm destroys her house. So she doesn’t hesitate to accept her best friend’s offer of … destroys her house. So she doesn’t hesitate to accept her best friend’s offer of temporary lodging.
Handsome farmer Clark Hudson longs to be free from his ex-wife’s manipulations. Although preparing to fight for custody of his son, he jumps at the chance to help out his best gal pal from way back in high school. But when their “forever-friends” bond turns complicated as they face their unexpected attraction, the upstanding man fears giving in to his heart might ruin a beautiful connection.
As Marlowe grapples with rebuilding or cutting her losses, she worries she’ll mess up the relationship she holds most dear.
And when Clark’s former spouse makes money-grubbing demands, the single father must risk it all to guarantee them both a loving future.
Can a history of close companionship unite two souls for a lifetime?
Best Friends in the Show Me State is the wholesome first book in the Cowboy Crossing Western Sweet Romance series. If you like Christian-themed stories, delightful discoveries, and true devotion, then you’ll adore Jessie Gussman’s clean courtship. Buy Best Friends in the Show Me State for pure romance that’s full of faith and loads of small-town fun!
Reviews for Best Friends in the Show Me State:
★★★★★ “Jessie has done it again with loveable characters, a wonderful town and warm love story!” – Midwest girl
★★★★★ “I appreciate how the role of wife and mother was extolled in this book in a day when that traditional role has been mocked.” – nanc
★★★★★ “The plot and characters pulled me in right away. I appreciated several messages the author wrapped throughout the different scenarios. Enjoy this story as Marlowe and Clark discover that their friendship provides a strong foundation for a special relationship.” – A. Violine
★★★★★ “Jessie Gussman gets more mileage out of the first real kiss in this story than I’ve seen in any other romance stories I’ve read including some that were not so clean. WOW!” – Jim
★★★★★ “One of my favorite bits though is when Marlowe has to make a decision about her future. Both things she wants are good things, but she is counseled to choose the path God wants her to be on. I love that it’s pointed out that distractions aren’t always bad things. I’m a firm believer that sometimes our choices aren’t between good and bad, but between good, better and best!” – Lisa
Books in the Cowboy Crossing series:
- Best Friends in the Show Me State
- Sold! in the Show Me State
- A Secret Baby in the Show Me State
- The Beast Gets His Cowgirl in the Show Me State
- A Marriage of Convenience in the Show Me State
- A Second Chance in the Show Me State
- A Mistletoe Mishap in the Show Me State
- His Best Friend’s Sister in the Show Me State
- The Cowboy Finds Love in the Show Me State
more
Marlowe and Clark has BFF all their lives. They are neighbours and the are raising their children together. Clark is divorced and Marlowe adopte her nice whenever her mother and sister died. But after a really bad storm their feelings are changing. Can they risk their friendship for a happily ever after? With faith, friendship and hard work they will find their way to each other.
How Does God Draw 2 Best Friends into a ?
Jessie Gussman has created a Fantastic, Missouri Small Town, Christian Romance, in “Best Friends in The Show Me State”.
Marlowe & Clark grew up as next door neighbors, & best friends. They work together as single parents, to get through their daily responsibilities. But a Severe Storm changes their lives, & perception of each other. How does God lead them into a Lifetime ? I Highly Recommend You this Wonderful Storyteller’s Inspirational , to find out!
In this delightful story from Jessie Gussman, Marlowe and Clark had been best friends for most of their lives. When trouble comes into their lives, they turn to each other for help, but something feels different. I enjoyed this tale of a friendship that grew into a love relationship. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this series to others who enjoy tales that focus on friendship, love, and Christian values. Jay Dyess’ narration was extraordinary as his voice portrays the tenderness and caring that can be found in the pages of this book. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily left this review.
Jessie Gussman has once again delivered a book that will grab your attention from the very first page. Dark clouds are gathering on the horizon but the weather isn’t the only storm brewing. From a storm destroying Marlene’s house to an ex-wife attempting to destroy Clark’s home, there’s always something going on.
I listened to this on audiobook and Jay Dyess outdid himself on this one. He doesn’t just narrate the story, he lives it! He expressed the emotions so well and when he actually sings (in two different voice no less) it’s absolutely amazing!
I loved this book. The story was so sweet and the characters were so real. I can’t wait to visit this town in the next book. I loved the HEA.
What a fantastic start for the series. I loved Clark and Marlowe’s easy banter and their slow progression from friends to more. The witty writing style was captivating and entertaining throughout. The story was unique and realistic, and the setup for the next book in the series was great.
Best Friends In The Show Me State is a story about a boy and girl that grew up next door to each other all their lives and were always best friends. Marlowe’s life changes when her Mama, sister and her husband are killed in a car wreck. Marlowe leaves college to go home and raise the sister’s baby. Clark had fell for Dana and married her. They had a son named Huck. His life changes when she decides to leave both he and Huck. Since Clark has taken over the farm house and Marlowe is still living next door, they make arrangements to work together in raising Kylie and Huck. This allows Clark to do the farming and Marlowe to work at his family’s feed mill store. But when a tornado comes through and Clark and Marlowe holding their kids spend the time in Clark’s cellar life starts changing for them. They go to thinking about being more than friends and what that could mean for them. They also leave the cellar to find a big tree laying on Marlowe’s house. This allows her and Kylie to stay at Clark’s house and continue their normal everyday life. When Marlowe gets a call that her home is totally destroyed and she would be getting a large check, she thinks this is her second chance to get her college degree even though it will mean Kylie and her will have to move away from all the people that is like family to her. She tells Clark this was her chance to finish what she started before the car accident. It is hurtful after just beginning to date Clark but he tries to sound happy for her. She talks to Lynette, the preacher’s wife, and was told to follow God’s plan he gives her. She tells her that a career is fleeting and she cannot take it to Heaven. A family is eternal. Make a choice after praying that she feels God is pushing her toward as it will effect the rest of their lives.
I enjoyed this book!
Jessie Gussman tells the story of best friends, Clark and Marlowe, both now single parents. Clark has been raising his son ever since his wife left for a career in New York. Marlowe adopted her niece after the death of her sister and her husband. They have lived next door to each other since childhood and it really helps them to care for their children. I love watching them each slowly realize they want more from their relationship but fear acting on it out of fear it would mess up the status quo. A very good story.
Love the story line, characters, faith, family, trust, small town life and death, fear, child raising, child custody issue, all real life struggles, along with hopes, reality and dreams!
Loved Clark and Marlowe’s story. They had such fun together, they kept me laughing. I read in one sitting, just couldn’t stop. I had to know the out come. If you like clean stories with laughter, you can’t go wrong with ‘Best Friends in the Show Me State’. I highly recommend. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.
I continue to be amazed at Jessie Gussman’s amazing skills as a storyteller! I read plenty of authors and while I have several I would consider top of my list, I think Jessie Gussman is taking over the #1 spot. She brings together engaging characters, a believable and enjoyable storyline and weaves in some incredible humor that actually makes me laugh out loud.
Now that I have had my first experience listening to an audiobook by Jay Dyess, I finally understand what other reviewers have said about this dynamic duo (sorry to Batman and Robin but Jessie and Jay have taken over your catchphrase lol)! Jay Dyess has taken this book to a whole other level of awesome. I cannot wait to build my collection with more from this terrific team.
This is the first book by Jessie Gussman that I have had the pleasure of reading. Not sure why I didn’t read any of her books sooner. I have been missing out.
This book is about two people (Marlow and Clark) that have been best friends forever. Marlow has been through a lot. She lost her Mother and sister and her sisters husband in an accident. She had to leave College to take care of her sisters daughter, Kylie. Which she didn’t mind at all.
Clark was married and his wife left him to take care of their son saying she didn’t want to be married or be a mother. One thing leads to another and the two friends aren’t sure if they want to be just friends anymore or take it further.
A great book I think you will enjoy
Best Friends in the Show Me State is a delightful clean and sweet romance. This is a beautiful start to the newest series. I enjoyed the thread of faith woven into the story, the playful banter, the realism of the characters and their situations, and the interesting storyline. I also listened to the audio version and I can’t recommend a Gussman/Dyess collaboration enough! As usual, Jay Dyess took an already fabulous story and added his amazing talent to make the story even more brilliant. Anyone that can make me want to scrub the bathrooms (I have 3 boys) just so I can keep listening to a book without guilt is pure gold!
What a good story! I found this book so endearing and sweet. It’s a little bit country; a touch of neighborly; and, dear little ones that make lives better. I loved the way the pastors wife was so wise and wonderful to everyone. This is a book that can be enjoyed by anyone.
This was another great book by Jessie Gussman. What a great story line – best friends who discover love! The characters are well developed and the story will keep your interest. Definitely a recommended read!
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review
I loved how this story started off with a bang and hooked me from the beginning. The kids were realistic and well-developed and added so much cuteness. I really enjoyed watching Marlowe and Clark’s opposite parenting styles add conflict in a fun way. I’m a sucker for a good best friends’ romance and this one is really good. I can’t wait to keep reading the rest of the books in the series!
I love the characters in this book. Best friends to lovers are the last to know they are in love. So very well written that it was like real life in action. Exceptional story line that changes and keeps one guessing. I really enjoyed this book, but then again, Jessie always brings a story to life. I received this book as a gift in exchange for an honest review.
I love the characters in this book and the entire series. Clark and Marlowe have been best friends most of their lives. Neither of them had had a romantic thought about the other until one night during a storm while they were in the cellar. Funny how God was making plans for them that were way better than anything either of them had dreamed about. This is a sweet romance with all the good feelings of falling in love with your best friend. It’s so great to fall in love with your best friend!
Additional information about the audio-book:
I read this book previously. The banter between Marlowe and Clark was something when I read the book, but Jay Dyess turned it into their love language. Even though I knew what was happening, it was totally different because of that. I found myself getting choked up from time to time. It made it into something special. At the beginning of the book, Marlowe and Clark are in the cellar with their children during a storm. It was so beautiful how Jay handles it. I wasn’t expecting it and it changed the whole scene and made it more intimate than how I read it as Jessie wrote it. No wonder that’s where Clark fell in love with his best friend.
I love a good friends to lovers story and in this one Jessie delivers in spades. Clark and Marlowe friendship just begs to be taken to the next level. The first kiss scene is authentic, relatable and oh so romantic. Loved this book and plan to read the series.