The Wedding Dress ChristmasDecember comes to quaint Hearts Bend, Tennessee, with a blanket of white and the glitter of Christmas lights.For JoJo Castle there is no place like home. Her onetime love of adventure ended when her life in the big city came crashing down. Now that she’s home, she never wants to leave again.Country music sensation Buck Mathews has charmed the world with his smile and … charmed the world with his smile and his music. However, news of his mother’s illness brought him home to Hearts Bend for the holiday season.
Working with her cousin Haley in The Wedding Shop, JoJo has no aspirations of love. But when her high school crush returns to town, her buried feelings surface.
Busy with his career, Buck hasn’t had time for family and friends, much less love. Seeing JoJo in The Wedding Shop reminds him there are things more important than his career.
But JoJo and Buck have opposing life goals, and there’s no middle ground. Can love, especially the kind that touches hearts at Christmas, overcome her fears and his quest for greatness?
With the help of a very special wedding dress, there just might be a Christmas miracle.
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Good writing that captured my attention within the first few pages. This was a unique story that included an element of mysticism. The main male character was just an all around nice guy that you could not help but like. The characterizations were well fleshed out and added great appeal to the story.
I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation to this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book made available through NetGalley. All thoughts an opinions are my own.
The Wedding Dress Christmas, by Rachel Hauck, was originally published in October of 2019. Although a novella in the Wedding Dress Collection, it works very well as a stand-alone story. There’s enough background to get the reader up to speed on the history of the dress without bogging down the current tale. I fell in love with Hearts Bend, the small town near Nashville, TN. Regular folks mix with the rich & famous in a perfect, accepting way. I adore Christmas romances but the story has a little too much reality to be fluffy. It’s grounded and fantasy. A magical wedding dress mixes with Christian faith in a lovely way.
Buck & JoJo knew each other as kids but lost touch after college. Each went their own way. When Buck comes home for an extended stay it sets the stage for old and new feelings to surface. They are a cute couple who deserve a HEA, JoJo most of all. All the characters are nice, homey folk, easy to like. I finished the story and wished for a little more. I missed the series the first time around so now I’m going to play catchup.
#Netgalley #HauckHouse #RachelHauck #TheWeddingDressChristmas #TheWeddingCollection #romance #Christmasromance
My thoughts on The Wedding Dress Christmas:
I love the Royal Wedding Series by this author. It was the series that hooked me on her as a new favorite author. So, when I saw that one of her new books was an upcoming tour I knew I was going to love it! I received an e-copy of the book and immediately dived in!
It’s the Christmas season so everyone is a little more in tune with joy and love. Well, everyone except JoJo. She’ll help you have your perfect wedding with the dress of your dreams but she’s done with love. Final. Not going to happen. Or is it?
I loved meeting JoJo and Buck. Okay. So. It took me a get to get used to their names because I was wanting something a little more refined or something. Not sure. Just that it took me a bit to put their names with their characters.
While this is a part of The Wedding Collection it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I say this because I have the books from the Wedding Collection sitting in my to be read pile from my mom and I read this book without reading them. So, it can be done. It was not confusing for me.
You’re going to love this quiet romance. No huge mystery or suspense. It’s a fast read. And it’s one I’d be okay with my daughter reading who is almost 15. Enjoy!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
JoJo returned to Hearts Bend after a incident in Dallas had her running. She works with her cousin Haley at a local wedding shop. JoJo still gets spooked at night and has flashbacks of the incident and still cannot trust men. JoJo still believes the family December curse exists. Buck, JoJo’s high school crush, returns to town from his country stardom to see his mom after her health issues crop up again and it is not looking good. Little did JoJo know that Buck always had a crush on her but neither said a word. When Buck sees JoJo at the wedding shop, his singing career goals may change for the white picket fence. Loved the history behind the wedding dress. Seeing that this is book 3.5 in The Wedding Collection series, I am definitely going to be reading books 1-3. Loved the pace of the book, the characters feelings and how they were portrayed. Just makes you feel good when you finish.
There is no fear in love
What a way to end the 2019 Back Porch Reads reviews. The Wedding Dress Christmas is perfect for the this holiday season as a familiar “friend” makes an appearance and changes another woman’s life (If you have read The Wedding Dress you will understand).
Jo’s fears are real and debilitating. My heart broke as she confesses her willingness to leave love on the curb. Love surrounds her through her family and friends, but it is another kind of love that has her willing to push someone special away.
Sweet, handsome, and blinded Buck finally sees what has been missing in his life. And he wants it, and her. His willingness to sacrifice was touching though I felt he was a little intense.
Overall, I LOVED this story. I hated how hurried some elements were but it is a novella, what is the author to do. The love, the sacrifice, and the Dress make this a fantastic edition to Christmas reading.
** I received a copy of this book from the publisher through CelebrateLit. The thoughts and views are strictly my own.
I have not read any of the books in the Wedding Collection series, and I think that may be part of why I struggled with this story. Don’t get me wrong, The Wedding Dress Christmas has all the signature awesomeness fans of Hauck’s novels love and expect. The novella is well-written, the setting is pleasantly whimsical, and the characters have relatable facets. This novella also has gobs and gobs of Christmas magic perfect for our current holiday season. The mysterious, other-worldly man in purple is my favorite. He may have brought a tear or two to my eyes a couple of times. And, I absolutely adore the concept behind the wedding dress. What a fun and meaningful way to pass down history and a shared sense of female camaraderie!
But I did struggle with the pacing. Everything in this story moves at lightning speed. One second JoJo and Buck are discussing their maybe feelings for one another, and then they are making out. I actually got confused twice and had to re-read whole sections because I felt like I missed some sort of passion build-up. But, I didn’t miss anything. This novella just moves that fast. It actually makes me wonder if I missed some set-up for these two characters in previous novels.
Overall, I do recommend The Wedding Dress Christmas. It does get the reader into a romantic, Christmassy mood. Just be aware that the pacing for this story is super, duper fast. You blink and you’ve read the entire book. If you are in the mood to read a cute Christmas story in one sitting, then this is definitely the book for you!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Wedding Dress Christmas by Rachel Hauck is another sweet romance from The Wedding Collection. Although part of a series, the book is easily read as a stand-alone story and my guess is you will want to read the entire collection once you’ve read this story. Small town Tennessee where everyone knows your name, a renewed relationship–would they admit their love for each other and make things work this time, despite their different goals in life?–and a magical wedding dress at Christmas time–who could ask for more for in a romance novella! The characters are strong and realistic and it was enjoyable to meet up with old friends and meet some new ones too. Hauck brings out the importance of facing one’s fears and the power of love and faith in this enchanting story. Readers who love romance and Christmas stories won’t want to miss The Wedding Dress Christmas.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.
“From every dark moment, from every trail, every happy moment. I’ve been there all along.”
Perfect love cast out fear. This book was the best expression of that verse in the Bible to me so far.
JoJo was ridden with fear and chose to hide out in her home town of Heart Bend until the star country singer Buck drove into town with all his charm.
She wanted to hide, he had the world to explore.
I enjoyed the journey this book took the characters and how the love and freedom we have in Christ was expressed in every chapter. It brought to my mind gratitude for the immense work God does in our lives to bring us out of darkness, bondage and fear into his marvellous light and love.
Buck, Halley her cousin pursued JoJo until the love and freedom of Christ shone in her and casted out fear. This depicts how God pursues us daily and enables us live above our fears and enjoy his love.
I loved the support system JoJo had around her. Everyone needs a support system like that. People that will spur you never to give into fear.
This book was so relatable to me.
The settings was perfect, the characters stellar.
I recommend this book to anyone fighting with fear or past trauma. And to all who love a good faith based story.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Rachel Hauck’s Wedding series is one of my favorites. The Wedding Dress Christmas is a sweet story and I was not disappointed by it. Who doesn’t like a sweet love story at Christmas? Jojo is working in her cousin’ Haley’s wedding shop when Haley’s wedding dress starts showing up on the mannequin. Jojo doesn’t realize it but the dress has picked her to be the next bride. Meanwhile, she is trying to ignore the overtures of her high school crush.
What I think you should know:
The Wedding Dress Christmas is the fourth story of The Wedding Collection by Rachel Hauck, it does contain spoilers so it would be best read after the previous books. This novella is a short, but a terrific Christmas themed read.
What you might need to know:
JoJo suffers from PTSD, she does not give details until later in the book, but struggles with it throughout the book.
What I think about the book:
JoJo Castle is such a realistic and relatable character is like so many of us, she lets her fears keep her from living the life that God wanted for her. When things don’t go as planned, she runs to her hometown and hides from life. Buck Matthews has gone out and captured what he wanted in life, but realized that material things are not what life is about. Together their characters make a beautiful story of working for what you love. I really enjoyed this novella and would hope that the future books give updates like that this one did for other Wedding dress stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
From every dark moment, from every trial, every happy moment – He was there all the time.
This is a story of a wedding dress that has a history of its own, since it has already been worn by 5 brides. Somehow this ‘magical’ gorgeous dress seems to choose the bride that will wear it regardless of their shape or size. Will fear stop JoJo from trying on the dress?
This wonderful novella leaves one with a sigh and the feeling of time well spent. We allow the fears of the past with all those negative memories take over and keep us from trusting enough to ‘try on the dress’! He has been with us all the time – we just need to leave that fear behind and step forward in faith.
I received a copy of this novella through Hauck House and CelebrateLit. The impressions, comments and rating were in no way solicited.
I read The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck a long time ago and loved it. When Hauck wrote The Wedding Shop, I loved it too. So of course, when I heard from Hauck on Facebook that she was writing a Christmas novel about characters from those two novels, I was excited. Of course, the novel returns readers to a familiar setting if you have read the previous two books. If not, then it might entice readers to pick up the first two books. I loved coming back and seeing the reoccurring characters from the previous books. This novella has all the makings of a great Christmas feeling. Christmas lights with a town covered in snow. A small town doing wonderful Christmas events that evoke the spirit of the season. It also captures the glow and feeling of belonging. The romance between JoJo and Buck blossomed from the past into something hopefully long lasting. It wasn’t over the top, but it did fuel the story. While The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Shop have dueling stories from different time periods, this novella only features the modern day story. Overall, The Wedding Dress Christmas is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours with a side of Christmas spirit and a dash of romance. Fans of Hauck’s previous two books or Christmas romance novels might want to pick up and read this novella.
I received a complimentary copy of The Wedding Dress Christmas by Rachel Hauck through the Celebrate Lit tours, but the opinions stated are all my own.
The Wedding Dress Christmas
I loved the story of Jo and Buck. He came back to town after being gone for a while. Buck is a country music singer. Jo helps out at the Wedding shop. Buck proposed to Jo but she turns him down. Will she change her mind? Jo wants to make sure she can still be involved with the wedding dress shop.
This is a short book and I do enjoy reading novellas. Even though it is part of a series it can still be read without reading the other books.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
The Wedding Dress Christmas by Rachel Hauck is the most delightful Christian contemporary novel about the power of love. It follows on from The Wedding Dress and it is charming to hear the continuation of the story of the hundred year old dress.
Perfect love conquers all fear. She was “not open to love because fear still clung to every part of her.” God does not want us to live our lives in the grip of fear, He wants us to live abundantly free. We need to “replace all your fears with love.” We need to know we are loved and just Who it is who loves us.
During life’s troubles there is One who never leaves us. He walks alongside us, lifting us up in times of need. We need to open our hearts, eyes and lives to Him.
The novel is set in a wonderful small town. There is a huge welcome and a sense of community envelopes the reader. The fictional town of Hearts Bend draws the reader in. It is a place where hearts can heal with friends and family.
All the characters are delightfully drawn and easy to empathise with, with their realistic flaws and fears. There is a light-heartedness that wafts through the novel as a character thinks nothing of running through the streets in a wedding dress that is not hers!
The Wedding Dress Christmas is a perfect read to get you in the festive mood for Christmas nostalgia – of snow, of love and of a belief in miracles. Most importantly to know is there is One who loves us unconditionally and forever.
I think The Wedding Dress Christmas would make a perfect Hallmark Christmas movie.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
If you liked Rachel Hauck’s other Wedding Dress & Wedding Chapel books, you’ll enjoy this.
I struggled so much with this book! I wanted to like JoJo, but it was difficult for me. She claimed to have had a crush/been in love with Buck since high school, but she seemed so mean to him when he was around. I understand about her past, but she knew Buck and I just didn’t understand her attitude towards him if she had loved him like she said she had.
The rest of the story was good, i just felt like the romance was lacking.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
This was a novella (short story) from the author’s “Wedding Collection” series but if you haven’t read any of her books, this can be read as a stand alone book. I love that this was a short, feel good holiday story-perfect for when you need a reading break but don’t have alot of time to invest with reading a long book.
I liked JoJo and reading about all her job around town and how she helps others. I also liked that the author recaped the “magic” of the famous Wedding Dress and the history behind it.
The chapters alternated between JoJo and her childhood friend-singer Buck who comes back to town to visit for the holidays.
This was a great holiday story about friendship, love, and healing with a small town feel. I really enjoyed reading it! I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
Oh, this was such a wonderful story! It is a novella, so it does not take as long to read as a full-length novel, however it is a very nice length and the author definitely didn’t scrimp on the emotions! No way! This story has all the feels.
I loved that JoJo and Buck had a history as friends, extremely good friends. Although that friendship didn’t translate into a romantic relationship in the past, it was beautifully clear in this story that their time for love had finally arrived. I just loved the connection these two had and that their path to each other contained obstacles that needed to be overcome.
And, of course, there was the amazing wedding dress that readers will recognize from the previous stories, The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Shop. Once again, the dress plays a pivotal role in this romantic story. I absolutely loved this tale from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
During December I love reading Christmas books. They set the tone for celebrating our Savior’s birth with family and friends. Author Rachel Hauck has penned a mesmerizing novella with The Wedding Dress Christmas.
Rachel Hauck has an inspirational writing style. She includes God and what He does in her characters’ lives to subtly help readers in their walk. I love and appreciate that. Her story was well thought and written in such a way that I was drawn in immediately. High School friends, Christmastime in Tennessee, a country music star, and a vintage 1912 special wedding dress all blend together for a page turning read. Maybe a Hallmark Christmas movie, too? We can only hope.
JoJo and Buck are main characters with issues, but they are so likable. All of the “people” in this book are well-defined and relatable. The excellent writing took me away to the quaint town of Heart’s Bend and introduced me to new friends. I did not want the book to end so soon, but novellas have a tendency to be quick reads.
This is a lovely book filled with grace, hope, and trust. It will put a smile on your face and a little joy in your heart. Take a couple of hours and read this. You will be so glad you did.
I highly recommend this book. It is a perfect holiday escape. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.
This makes me want to read all the books in the wedding dress collection. I love the idea of a dress being handed down to brides that may not all be the same size or like the same style. The characters were great. This had a great amount of romance. It was too bad that we couldn’t hear any of Buck’s songs. I love country music. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.