In Happily Inc, love means never having to say “I do”… eat it, too.
After years in the military, Jasper is convinced he’s too damaged for relationships. So a flirtation—and more—with fiery, determined Renee is way too good to pass up…until his flame becomes his muse.
Renee is an expert at averting every crisis. But, as feelings become more serious, is she finally ready to leap into the one thing that can never be controlled: love?
Don’t miss Susan Mallery’s latest book, The Stepsisters! A heartfelt tale of friendship between two women who used to be sisters.
Read more in the reader-favorite Happily Inc series:
Book 1: You Say It First
Book 2: Second Chance Girl
Book 3: Why Not Tonight
Book 4: Not Quite Over You
Book 5: Meant to Be Yours
Book 6: Happily This Christmas
more
Loved it
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Meant To Be Yours, by Susan Mallery, is available at booksellers on 10-22-19. It’s book 5 of Ms Mallery’s series on the town of Happily, Inc, a wedding destination town. I first encountered Ms Mallery’s work through a Hallmark movie I liked so much that I went in search of the book. The Fool’s Gold series led me to Happily, Inc and another delightful town of characters. I’ve given Meant To Be Yours a rare, for me, 5 stars. I enjoyed the story and our couple that much. I want the next book pronto.
Our couple Du Jour are Jasper Dembenski and Renee Grothen. Jasper is a damaged man on his long journey to recovery. A career in the military has left Jasper with a horrid case of PTSD. I liked how the reader is told a little backstory to explain how far he’s come emotionally. I became invested in Jasper, he’s so complicated and interesting. I forgot to mention he’s handsome but you knew that, right? It’s wonderful that he gets his HEA and a dog. The dog, another compelling part of the story.
Renee Grothen is damaged in ways completely different from Jasper but still PTSD. A rough childhood and a couple of horrid romances have left her determined to be alone, she’s given up. She’s a wedding coordinator at a business that does crazy weddings, I loved this part, it’s fun. She’s living vicariously through her clients & a little of the romance rubs off on her. It’s certainly a dichotomy in emotions. Her relationship with Jasper heals her as it heals him. Together they’re so sweet to see fumbling along. She’s got a most interesting mother, I won’t spoil it but, you’re going to love, love her. She brings a lot to the story.
All the people in Happily, Inc interested me. I’m liking this town as much as Fool’s Gold. If you haven’t read that series I suggest you explore the town and it’s residents. I’d love to tell you more but it would spoil your enjoyment in what happens to every one of the characters. All I’ll say is settle in and happy reading.
#SusanMallery #Happily,Inc #MeantToBeYours #Netgalley #HarlequinRomance #Women’sFiction #Romance
As an avid Susan Mallery fan, I can safely boast that this is my favorite book so far! From the animals, to the quirky mom (that I was a bit unsure of at first, but quickly grew to love her!), to the write that’s perpetually up to no good – you can’t go wrong with this story. If you’re an animal lover, than be prepared to have all the feels while reading this. I loved Jasper and his take on the wedding craziness. It was also fun to see the process of writing a book from the authors POV, especially while trying to write the opposite gender. This is a must-read, and I’ll be buying the audiobook as well. LOVED it!
Fear can make or break a person……Renee and Jasper both have their share of fears. Big fears, life altering fears that have stunted then both! Watching them both conquer their fears and take a huge leap of faith is heartwarming! A must read!!!
In Happily Inc, love means never having to say “I do”…
Wedding coordinator Renee Grothen isn’t meant for marriage. Those who can, do. Those who can’t, plan. But she never could have planned on gorgeous, talented thriller writer Jasper Dembenski proposing—a fling, that is. Fun without a future. And the attraction between them is too strong for Renee to resist. Now she can have her no-wedding cake…and eat it, too.
After years in the military, Jasper is convinced he’s too damaged for relationships. So a flirtation—and more—with fiery, determined Renee is way too good to pass up…until his flame becomes his muse.
Renee is an expert at averting every crisis. But is she finally ready to leap into the one thing that can never be controlled: love?
Mallery brings readers back to the wedding destination town of Happily Inc with her wonderfully flawed characters who are not looking for love. This book is full of emotion, humor and heart. I truly enjoyed this book as a whole
I highly recommend this book to fans of the contemporary romance genre.
Meant to Be Yours is a wonderful story that drew me back into Happily Inc. immediately. I loved reuniting with the characters but this is definitely Renee and Jasper’s story. She’s still working at Weddings Out of the Box as a wedding planner with Pallas and Jasper has finished his book tour and returned home to finish his latest book. When their chance meeting at The Boardroom for game night throws sparks there’s definite interest on both their parts, or is there? When he gets stuck on how to write a woman character into the story, Renee becomes his inspiration in more ways than one. Neither wants a relationship or anything more due to their pasts, but will what they settle on in their non-relationship really be enough?
The story flowed smoothly and I loved all the details about the various weddings taking place. Jasper’s dog, Koda was a nice addition to the story as was Renee’s mom. There was a depth to all the characters, even the animals in the story, and we get to know them a little at a time. I loved learning more about both Jasper and Renee and what helped shaped them to be the people they are.
I was immersed in the story from the first page to the last. While I tried to savor each word, the pages kept turning. Next thing I knew I was at the end and had read it in less than a day including the bonus story which was at the back of the book, A Very Merry Princess, which is Beth and Cade’s story.
Ms. Mallery is a go to author for me. I love her books whether they are stand alone or part of a series. They always have warmth, family and friends, romance and love. Her characters become a part of the family. Give some a books a try if you haven’t already. You’ll be glad you did if you are a fan of contemporary romance or women’s fiction as I am.
Renee and Jasper have experienced ups and downs in their past, and neither are very good at relationships. This story had me going through a lot of emotions, and the twists kept me glued to the book. I love Koda, Fred and Lucille. Verity, Renee’s mother is a very intriguing character with a unique gift. The characters are real, with flaws, and they have friends that tell it like it is. Another good book about the characters that live in Happily Inc.
An author who gets a bit too engrossed in his process, a wedding planner that will protect her brides and grooms at all costs…..what could possibly go wrong when two people are so very much alike! Well with the exception that both are absolutely horrible at connecting with members of the opposite sex! A great story to get lost in for a day with excellent characters and a plot with interesting twists! Happily Inc is a down that I would love to visit if only it existed in real life! I can’t wait for the author to write the next book in the series!
This is a Happy,Inc. story. You can read as a stand-alone or can read the whole series. I love how she includes the characters from previous books.
This one is almost a story in a story. Jasper is an author and Rene is a wedding planner. He comes up with an idea to use a wedding in his book. Rene isn’t very happy about the idea.
Both have commitment issues and throw in a mother with a quirky ability. Makes for a very interesting outcome.
Can both overcome their issues to find love? Can Rene come to accept her mother abilities?
Really recommend all of Susan’s books
Another wonderful addition to the Happily, Inc., series. Wedding planner Renee Grothen knows that “happy ever after” is not for her, but she makes sure that the weddings she helps plan are perfect for the bride and groom. When suspense writer Jasper Dembenski needs help including a female character in his upcoming novel, he thinks that observing Renee at work would be the perfect source for a woman’s emotions and reactions. The interaction between the two main characters often provides laugh out loud moments. Renee doesn’t hesitate to call Jasper out when he oversteps his role as an observer and Jasper slowly realizes that he has a lot to learn about women…and maybe love? After his years in the military, Jasper assumes that he is too “broken” by what he has seen to live a normal life. Can Renee and the town of Happily, Inc., prove that he is wrong? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
Renee never thought she would ever fine true love. She just didn’t believe it was for her because of her past and childhood. Work was a priority for her, and she worked hard at being the best lead wedding planner at “Weddings Out of the Box” in the town of Happily Inc. As the story progresses the reader is taken on a journey of self realization and discovery. The story is beautifully crafted around friendships, work life and other relationships. The insider glimpse to the hectic life of a wedding planner will warm your heart as the emotional struggles on a wedding day are shared with the reader. Best of all was the meeting Koda, a dog rescued by Renee’s love interest, Jasper. Koda adds a playful element which will add much enjoyment for all pet lovers. The book will leave you feeling all warm inside and totally in love with the characters!
Can broken hearts be mended, being unable to love and be loved be proven different? Come to Happy Inc and find out! Love the characters.
‘ve been waiting awhile for Jasper’s story. Such a wounded soul needed a perfect mate and he gets Renee, who isnt perfect but is perfect for him. I related totally to their story. I was alternately upset with Jaspers behavior then rooting for him. Definitely a book everyone should read. I’m looking forward to the next in this series.
I love this book, it’s a love story with a lot of struggles, but it’s still sweet and fun with plenty delightful moments that warms my heart. The struggles is so real, it happens in real life, the feelings that you just want to belong, to fit in, to be acceptable and how terrified it is to keep the relationships, you just don’t want to risk it, don;t want to lose it.
This book really brings all the feelings for me. The laughters and frustrations keep me turning page after page.
And don’t forget all the loveable characters, each has personality that so unique and captivating (some really got me frustrating but still love them anyway), they definitely put a big smile on my face.
Great story and wonderful characters, yup totally recommended.
If you’re looking for a fun and sweet story that warms your heart, this is the book for you.
I thought that this was a very enjoyable read. Jasper and Renee were both charismatic characters. I liked the fact that neither one was perfect because that created an even playing field and it made them easy to connect with. The storyline was fun and it kept me entertained and actively rooting for this couple. I felt that their chemistry was good and I found it very easy to get invested in these imperfect people and the doubts that plagued them on the road from no strings to HEA. In my opinion there was a lot of sweetness, humor and charm in this emotional romance.
This author has done it again! I was hooked from the beginning and I definitely needed this one at this time. I escaped into this one and turned those pages so fast it was a wonder the pages didn’t rip right out of the book. Renee is a wedding planner who does not believe in romance or a happily ever after. Then she meets Jasper, the ex-military policeman with PTSD who is now a bestselling writer or thrillers who has an editor who is demanding his current book have a female romantic role and he has no idea how to write a woman because he has never been in love or knows how a woman thinks. When he proposes a friends with benefits scenario they both find something special, not what they think is going to happen because, of course, neither believes in happily ever after, but this is a happy ever after book! These characters are well developed and there are lots of secondary characters who make it absolutely entertaining. Even if you have not read the rest of the series, grab this one, it can be read as a standalone.
I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
This was a great book !
It should only have been friends with some benefits only.
Renee is a wedding coordinator, but she is not looking for her own groom.
Not happening!
Jasper is a writer, but he suffers from PTSD.
The attraction is there, but is it enough ?
Both of them have ghosts in their past.
Are they really going to let their ghosts affect their chances for a relationship?
You will have to read the book to find out.
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
One of my favorite things is reading Susan Mallery’s romances. I just love them. I think it’s because it’s also about the people and not just the end result. Mallery builds a world that seems alive and real. I enjoy that in my authors.
We are back in Happily, Inc and ready to visit. From the moment you meet Jasper, you want to know more about him. There is a cloud of mystery about him that needs to be blown away. Pretty quickly you get to know him. Which makes you really want to see him happy. He’s a wonderful guy that doesn’t really see that. He’s happier and healthier than he believes.
He needs to realize that he’s dealing with his past which is making his mental health so much better. I think it takes him so long to believe this because for him having an issue is almost like its part of his body.
I’m so glad when it finally dawned on him that his new life, his friends, his dog and the woman he loves has made his stronger.
You’ll enjoy Renee too. She truly loves her job and works hard at it. You wants the best for her brides and grooms and works hard to make sure of it. The funny part is that she never wants to get married herself so you have to wonder why she’d take a job like this.
Poor Renee wants to feel part of this small town but as much as she starts to get close to people and becomes friends with them she all has this worry in the back of her head that what would happen if they met her mother.
When mom comes to town she finds out. You won’t be able to not love her mother. She’s a wonderful person who has worked very hard for her and her daughter. Notice how I don’t mention a father? Might be why Renee doesn’t want to marry. Silly Renee. Love doesn’t care about your hangups.
These two together are so much fun. They really get each other and love each other anyway. That’s what true love is.
Meant to Be Your is a sweet, fun, happy romance that made me feel so good reading it. I love this series and if you haven’t yet read it, you really should. I would read the series in order only because it reads better that way.
Meant to be Yours is a fun, light hearted addition to the Happily, Inc series. The focus of the story is two characters we have seen previously in secondary roles, Jasper and Renee.
Both Renee and Jasper believe they aren’t meant for happily ever after/committed relationships so it was entertaining to watch them get to know each other and figure out just where they were meant to go.
There is a lot of emotional growth going on in Meant to be Yours for our characters. I appreciated how Ms Mallery took what could have been very dark and made it much more light hearted with the addition of a quirky parent and a group of good friends (Both of the human and animal varieties).
It was hard to put this book down – thankfully I was able to dive in on a quiet weekend! While it is technically a stand alone book, it is very much part of a series and almost all of the key secondary character had staring roles in previous books. If you are new to Happily, Inc you could easily start here, but the experience would be much more enjoyable if the series is read in order.