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A Year of Weddings 1 #11
An October Bride
A year's worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.
She wants to make her father's dream come true. She doesn't realize her own dream has been in front of her the whole time.
Emma Tate isn't a risk taker, so everyone in her small Midwest town is surprised when she suddenly becomes engaged to lifelong friend Jake Sawyer. No one but Jake and Emma know the true reason they're getting married---so Emma's dying father can walk her down the aisle.
While Jake and Emma plan an autumn wedding together, it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications---the biggest being their true feelings for each other.
In this novella by award-winning author Katie Ganshert, a young woman must reconcile her dying father's dreams with her own dreams for love and for her future.
She wants to make her father's dream come true. She doesn't realize her own dream has been in front of her the whole time.
Emma Tate isn't a risk taker, so everyone in her small Midwest town is surprised when she suddenly becomes engaged to lifelong friend Jake Sawyer. No one but Jake and Emma know the true reason they're getting married---so Emma's dying father can walk her down the aisle.
While Jake and Emma plan an autumn wedding together, it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications---the biggest being their true feelings for each other.
In this novella by award-winning author Katie Ganshert, a young woman must reconcile her dying father's dreams with her own dreams for love and for her future.
120 pages, ebook
First published September 23, 2014
13 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Katie Ganshert
20 books1,225 followersKatie Ganshert is the Christy Award–winning author of inspirational novels that explore hope, redemption, and the complexity of human relationships.
While she no longer writes contemporary Christian fiction, Katie’s inspirational novels continue to connect with readers who love emotional, thought-provoking stories grounded in faith.
Under the pen name K.E. Ganshert, she now writes clean, high-stakes fiction—fantasy, dystopian, and supernatural romance with all the yummy tension but none of the explicit content.
Explore her full catalog at katieganshert.com.
While she no longer writes contemporary Christian fiction, Katie’s inspirational novels continue to connect with readers who love emotional, thought-provoking stories grounded in faith.
Under the pen name K.E. Ganshert, she now writes clean, high-stakes fiction—fantasy, dystopian, and supernatural romance with all the yummy tension but none of the explicit content.
Explore her full catalog at katieganshert.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
October 7, 2014
Super cute! I adored this story. Several times while reading I laughed out loud. An October Bride is well written with lovable characters and a cute story-line. I read this in one sitting. I didn't even start until way past my bedtime but there was no way I was going to quit until I finished this sweet story. I honestly hadn't planned to read this yet. I was just pulling it up on my Kindle so it would be the next book I started. As soon as I read the first page and was hooked.
I only wish this had been longer as this easily could have been turned into a full length novel which would have likely kept me up until the wee hours of the morning finishing it so I guess it was a good thing it was less than 100 pages.
I will definitely be looking for other books by this fabulous author!
Rating: 5 Stars - I loved it!
Content: Squeaky clean
Source: Netgalley
I only wish this had been longer as this easily could have been turned into a full length novel which would have likely kept me up until the wee hours of the morning finishing it so I guess it was a good thing it was less than 100 pages.
I will definitely be looking for other books by this fabulous author!
Rating: 5 Stars - I loved it!
Content: Squeaky clean
Source: Netgalley
October 26, 2023
Second time reading this and I loved it just as much this time around. The characters were wonderful, the story great, and the romance was sweet. I loved Jake and how he just wanted to make Emma happy -- even if that was a fake wedding so Emma's dad could walk her down the aisle.
All in all, a great story and I recommend it.
*I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
All in all, a great story and I recommend it.
*I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
October 27, 2015
I really liked this one! The characters, the storyline, the writing style... All good! It made me cry. And it made me want to read more about this family and this town! I definitely need to see about getting some more of this author's books to read. :)
November 23, 2014
Katie Ganshert has quickly risen to "favorite author" status, and An October Bride is another wonderful story by this talented author. She somehow manages to tell a very full and complete story in a limited number of pages and does it very well. Jake and Emma's story is sweet and emotional from the very start. As Emma is dealing with her father's declining health, Jake is the perfect friend and support she needs. Of course, things don't go smoothly the entire time, so there are a few dips and turns that are sure to keep you flipping pages (or swiping across your e-reader screen!). Given how much I loved the story, I was sad to see it end and would love to read more about these characters! I highly recommend this wonderful romance ... one of my favorites in the series!! [5 stars]
I received a free copy of this book from Zondervan's BookLook Bloggers program in exchange for my fair and honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from Zondervan's BookLook Bloggers program in exchange for my fair and honest review.
May 31, 2023
I found my audiobook copy of AN OCTOBER BRIDE by Katie Ganshert on Scrib'd!
I don't enjoy when a writer brings politics into a story needlessly. The plot and characters had nothing to do with politics, and yet the narrative kept bringing them in. By the time I completed this short book, I didn't know the first thing about the characters' politics (except maybe the mayor, who never shows up on the page, but gets brought up enough) but I had a pretty good handle on the author's politics -- which had nothing to do with the story at hand.
Unfortunately, it was a sweet story that I would have otherwise enjoyed, so I give it two stars for that.
Rating: 👗👗 / 5 perfect dresses
Recommend? Yes, this is a "me" thing
Finished: May 30 2023
Format: Audiobook, Scrib'd
Read if you like:
💐 Traditional romance
👩🏼❤️👨🏻 Fake dating trope
🎗 Terminal illness trope
🗣 Opinionated narrator
I don't enjoy when a writer brings politics into a story needlessly. The plot and characters had nothing to do with politics, and yet the narrative kept bringing them in. By the time I completed this short book, I didn't know the first thing about the characters' politics (except maybe the mayor, who never shows up on the page, but gets brought up enough) but I had a pretty good handle on the author's politics -- which had nothing to do with the story at hand.
Unfortunately, it was a sweet story that I would have otherwise enjoyed, so I give it two stars for that.
Rating: 👗👗 / 5 perfect dresses
Recommend? Yes, this is a "me" thing
Finished: May 30 2023
Format: Audiobook, Scrib'd
Read if you like:
💐 Traditional romance
👩🏼❤️👨🏻 Fake dating trope
🎗 Terminal illness trope
🗣 Opinionated narrator
October 13, 2020
Oh, the irony! The author's note at the beginning of this book shared that Katie Ganshert didn't think she'd do well with a novella format when she first started this book. She needn't have worried.
Even though I mostly disagreed with what Jake and Emma were doing, I understood the *why*. I appreciated that this was a story of best friends, and not an 'insta-love'. Mostly, I just loved the way Emma's dad especially reminded her that none of us knows how many tomorrows we have, but as long as we know Who has tomorrow, we will be okay.
Even though I mostly disagreed with what Jake and Emma were doing, I understood the *why*. I appreciated that this was a story of best friends, and not an 'insta-love'. Mostly, I just loved the way Emma's dad especially reminded her that none of us knows how many tomorrows we have, but as long as we know Who has tomorrow, we will be okay.
October 18, 2023
4.5 stars.
This was a new to me author and I have to say I really enjoyed this book.
I liked the childhood friends, brother’s friend and the fake dating/fake fiancé tropes.
I really liked Emma and Jake individually and together as well.
I also liked Emma’s brother Liam and I wish there was a book about him and Lily.
Even though it was a novella and it was a really fast and easy read, I don’t think it felt very rushed.
I will definitely read more books from this author in the future.
This was a new to me author and I have to say I really enjoyed this book.
I liked the childhood friends, brother’s friend and the fake dating/fake fiancé tropes.
I really liked Emma and Jake individually and together as well.
I also liked Emma’s brother Liam and I wish there was a book about him and Lily.
Even though it was a novella and it was a really fast and easy read, I don’t think it felt very rushed.
I will definitely read more books from this author in the future.
September 19, 2015
This is my favorite story of this series and I'm so excited to find a great new author!
Emma is a very unselfish woman and it shows in all she does. When she calls of her wedding because of her dad's cancer diagnosis (among other reasons), her life moves on in trying to do all she can to make her dad's last days happy. A surprise discovery causes her to realize that there IS something she can do to make his every wish come true and that involves getting married so he can walk her down the aisle. The only problem? She's not dating anyone, but Jake Sawyer solves that be proposing that they pretend to be engaged. The whole town jumps on board and this couple finds themselves in a pickle--to get married or not.
I love Jake! He's a true gentleman and very considerate and unselfish himself. Emma is hard not to love as well. She's as sweet as can be. I loved them both, as well as their interactions and chemistry. This couple is adorable! I also loved the characters in this small, nosy, town. Such a fun setting in one of my favorite months with an added bonus of a great romance.
Content: mild romance. Clean!
*I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Emma is a very unselfish woman and it shows in all she does. When she calls of her wedding because of her dad's cancer diagnosis (among other reasons), her life moves on in trying to do all she can to make her dad's last days happy. A surprise discovery causes her to realize that there IS something she can do to make his every wish come true and that involves getting married so he can walk her down the aisle. The only problem? She's not dating anyone, but Jake Sawyer solves that be proposing that they pretend to be engaged. The whole town jumps on board and this couple finds themselves in a pickle--to get married or not.
I love Jake! He's a true gentleman and very considerate and unselfish himself. Emma is hard not to love as well. She's as sweet as can be. I loved them both, as well as their interactions and chemistry. This couple is adorable! I also loved the characters in this small, nosy, town. Such a fun setting in one of my favorite months with an added bonus of a great romance.
Content: mild romance. Clean!
*I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
October 22, 2020
~ Audiobook Review ~
So cute! Wanting to make her fathers secret dream of walking her down the isle come true before he dies, Emma must find a groom... immediately! Conveniently her high school crush from years ago, Jake, is currently at her house... perfect!
I found her dads cancer battle moving. I appreciated Lilly voicing her conscience and yet not walking out of Emma’s life. First person isn’t my favourite but it was just a short novella.
Series: This is Book 11 of 12 in the A Year of Weddings 1 Series. The series is a compilation of short novellas each written by different Christian romance authors. There is a book for every month. Each book stands alone (occasionally the characters may be tied to another novel by that author.)
Content: I appreciated the Christian faith element woven in especially as she processes her dads cancer and believing for healing and all the confusing things of faith in suffering. The romance was sweet and kept to just a couple non-descriptive kisses.
Audio Performance: 6/10
Kristy gave an unvoiced narration (meaning the characters didn’t have unique voices but all sound the same)
Author: Katie Ganshert
Narrator: Kristy Ragland
Length: 2hr 26min (Unabridged)
Released: 23-sep-2014
Publisher: Zondervan Audio
Platform: Scribd
So cute! Wanting to make her fathers secret dream of walking her down the isle come true before he dies, Emma must find a groom... immediately! Conveniently her high school crush from years ago, Jake, is currently at her house... perfect!
I found her dads cancer battle moving. I appreciated Lilly voicing her conscience and yet not walking out of Emma’s life. First person isn’t my favourite but it was just a short novella.
Series: This is Book 11 of 12 in the A Year of Weddings 1 Series. The series is a compilation of short novellas each written by different Christian romance authors. There is a book for every month. Each book stands alone (occasionally the characters may be tied to another novel by that author.)
Content: I appreciated the Christian faith element woven in especially as she processes her dads cancer and believing for healing and all the confusing things of faith in suffering. The romance was sweet and kept to just a couple non-descriptive kisses.
Audio Performance: 6/10
Kristy gave an unvoiced narration (meaning the characters didn’t have unique voices but all sound the same)
Author: Katie Ganshert
Narrator: Kristy Ragland
Length: 2hr 26min (Unabridged)
Released: 23-sep-2014
Publisher: Zondervan Audio
Platform: Scribd
November 30, 2018
2.5 stars
Ok sooo .. this one wasn't for me .. at all, I couldn't enjoy it no matter how hard I tried .. I didn't see any chemistry between Emma and Jake and the whole thing was just a big mess .. thank god it's a short story and I finished it fairly fast
Ok sooo .. this one wasn't for me .. at all, I couldn't enjoy it no matter how hard I tried .. I didn't see any chemistry between Emma and Jake and the whole thing was just a big mess .. thank god it's a short story and I finished it fairly fast
May 12, 2020
A delightful book by Katie Ganshert. This well written story features a sweet romance unfolding in a small town. Ganshert writes about terminal illness with great sensitivity and although losing someone to cancer features strongly in the story, the overall feel of the book is one of gentle fun and sweet love.
March 2, 2017
4.80 stars - pg/pg13 - 120 pages
Loved it! Engaging writing style. Sweet. Funny. Heart wrenching. Charming, nosy small town. Great secondary characters. Loved Jake and Emma and their romantic chemistry, friendship and growing realization of true love. Jake was manly and rugged, yet thoughtful and caring and a true gentleman. This is a wonderful romance, but also a story of the special love between Emma and her father who is dying young with a brain tumor. It's a story of the ultimate mercy, hope and love between God and His broken, hurting children.
As Emma finally comes to peace with reality she says "I don't know how much time we have. I don't know how this story will end. But I do know that I can enjoy right now. My father has taught me this. Today he is here. So I will praise God for today, and trust in His provision for tomorrow." I also loved this poignant quote as eyes connect "...and a breath of forever passes between us. One I will carry with me for the rest of my life." ----- This is a story of true love.
I'm compiling all my scribbled notes from many little pieces of paper and typing this review many months after actually reading the story. As I typed the above quotes, tears of both sadness and joy are welling up in my eyes ..... a sign that this wonderful poignant story is still in my heart.
This story touched me because my own mother lost her battle with a brain tumor at a young age. She only got to see one of her children walk down the aisle and she only met two of her twelve grandchildren. I suppose perhaps this makes me a biased reader? Or perhaps I just required more tissues than all the other readers?! The author doesn't tell us if Emma's father ultimately lives or dies ... and I think that's a good thing. This story is not a sad, depressing "cancer" story. It's a story that's sweet, romantic, funny and full of hope and joy. I cannot wait to read more stories by Katie Ganshert.
Loved it! Engaging writing style. Sweet. Funny. Heart wrenching. Charming, nosy small town. Great secondary characters. Loved Jake and Emma and their romantic chemistry, friendship and growing realization of true love. Jake was manly and rugged, yet thoughtful and caring and a true gentleman. This is a wonderful romance, but also a story of the special love between Emma and her father who is dying young with a brain tumor. It's a story of the ultimate mercy, hope and love between God and His broken, hurting children.
As Emma finally comes to peace with reality she says "I don't know how much time we have. I don't know how this story will end. But I do know that I can enjoy right now. My father has taught me this. Today he is here. So I will praise God for today, and trust in His provision for tomorrow." I also loved this poignant quote as eyes connect "...and a breath of forever passes between us. One I will carry with me for the rest of my life." ----- This is a story of true love.
I'm compiling all my scribbled notes from many little pieces of paper and typing this review many months after actually reading the story. As I typed the above quotes, tears of both sadness and joy are welling up in my eyes ..... a sign that this wonderful poignant story is still in my heart.
This story touched me because my own mother lost her battle with a brain tumor at a young age. She only got to see one of her children walk down the aisle and she only met two of her twelve grandchildren. I suppose perhaps this makes me a biased reader? Or perhaps I just required more tissues than all the other readers?! The author doesn't tell us if Emma's father ultimately lives or dies ... and I think that's a good thing. This story is not a sad, depressing "cancer" story. It's a story that's sweet, romantic, funny and full of hope and joy. I cannot wait to read more stories by Katie Ganshert.
January 7, 2015
I really enjoyed reading An October Bride. It is told in first person, which worked very well for this story. Everything the reader experiences is from Emma Tate’s perspective.
Emma’s life is about to change in a big way. Her father is dying and she is grasping for a way to make things right. She knows that her father hopes to someday walk her down the aisle at her wedding, but she isn’t currently engaged to anyone. When her friend, Jake, suggests that he could be her groom and that they could fulfill the wish, Emma jumps on board with the idea. But, things in life are rarely this simple.
There are supportive family members, an excited town, a best friend who questions Emma’s sanity, a handsome and kind groom, and the return of feelings for Jake that Emma thought she had squelched long ago. How can Emma go through with this wedding, when it is just going to be for show? Is there a chance that Jake could ever feel more for her than simple friendship? And what about Emma’s father? Can anything make that right?
This novella is a sweet, touching tribute to the importance of family and of trusting in God, whether we like His answer to our prayers or not. An October Bride is book 11 in the A Year of Weddings novella series.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Emma’s life is about to change in a big way. Her father is dying and she is grasping for a way to make things right. She knows that her father hopes to someday walk her down the aisle at her wedding, but she isn’t currently engaged to anyone. When her friend, Jake, suggests that he could be her groom and that they could fulfill the wish, Emma jumps on board with the idea. But, things in life are rarely this simple.
There are supportive family members, an excited town, a best friend who questions Emma’s sanity, a handsome and kind groom, and the return of feelings for Jake that Emma thought she had squelched long ago. How can Emma go through with this wedding, when it is just going to be for show? Is there a chance that Jake could ever feel more for her than simple friendship? And what about Emma’s father? Can anything make that right?
This novella is a sweet, touching tribute to the importance of family and of trusting in God, whether we like His answer to our prayers or not. An October Bride is book 11 in the A Year of Weddings novella series.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
October 14, 2015
I love October. I love fake relationship stories that turn real. And I love stories about girls finally getting the boy they've had a crush on their whole life. So this book was the perfect combo for me! :)
Emma finds a bucket list that belongs to her dying dad and one of the only things waiting to be crossed out is "Walk Emma down the aisle." So she formulates a plan in her mind and tells her brother's best friend and he offers to be the groom. And it was a sweet ride from there.
I loved Jake...he had a quiet strength and was thoughtful and selfless. And Emma was just all around sweet and lovable.
It was a little bittersweet since her father was dying, but it wasn't done in an overly melodramatic way. I'm glad it was left open-ended and he wasn't miraculously (and unbelievably) healed, but he also didn't pass away in the book. I thought the ending was perfect.
And bonus--I've found a new author! I'll definitely be adding her to my to-read list. I really enjoyed this one! (Side note--I hope she writes a story for Liam and Lily!)
Emma finds a bucket list that belongs to her dying dad and one of the only things waiting to be crossed out is "Walk Emma down the aisle." So she formulates a plan in her mind and tells her brother's best friend and he offers to be the groom. And it was a sweet ride from there.
I loved Jake...he had a quiet strength and was thoughtful and selfless. And Emma was just all around sweet and lovable.
It was a little bittersweet since her father was dying, but it wasn't done in an overly melodramatic way. I'm glad it was left open-ended and he wasn't miraculously (and unbelievably) healed, but he also didn't pass away in the book. I thought the ending was perfect.
And bonus--I've found a new author! I'll definitely be adding her to my to-read list. I really enjoyed this one! (Side note--I hope she writes a story for Liam and Lily!)
February 18, 2018
Emma Tate isn't what people call a risk taker. She plays it safe.
After breaking up with her fiance after finding out her father is terminally ill, Emma finds her father's bucket list. Most of the things she can give him except one... "Walk Emma Down The Aisle." Now what is she supposed to do? She has no boyfriend, no fiance, and no wedding!
Jake feels Emma's pain. He's had to live with regret ever since his friend's death and he doesn't want Emma to live that way. And that's why he proposes that they have a fake wedding so her father can walk her down the aisle. How hard can it be? But when sparks fly....can Jake convince Emma to be his bride for real?
This is a wonderfully written novella which is appropriate for anyone to read.
After breaking up with her fiance after finding out her father is terminally ill, Emma finds her father's bucket list. Most of the things she can give him except one... "Walk Emma Down The Aisle." Now what is she supposed to do? She has no boyfriend, no fiance, and no wedding!
Jake feels Emma's pain. He's had to live with regret ever since his friend's death and he doesn't want Emma to live that way. And that's why he proposes that they have a fake wedding so her father can walk her down the aisle. How hard can it be? But when sparks fly....can Jake convince Emma to be his bride for real?
This is a wonderfully written novella which is appropriate for anyone to read.
March 10, 2016
LOVED it! This novella is well-written, the main characters have amazing chemistry and romantic tension, and the heart-breaking storyline of a dying father is one that always gets me since I can relate to it all too well. It was so enjoyable to see Emma and Jake realize their feelings for each other and the ending is just perfect... definitely my favorite from the Year of Weddings collection!
(Thank you to Zondervan Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
(Thank you to Zondervan Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
October 20, 2015
Cute. Review to come.
July 31, 2018
I'm surprising myself by giving this one a 5 star review...I usually don't find myself getting as attached to characters in novellas just because they're so short. However, I found myself very quickly drawn to Emma and Jake. I adore best friends turn into love stories. This is one of the last of the Year of Weddings novellas I've read, and this is the only one that had me crying. Granted, it's a little heavy with Emma's Dad being sick (as well as the fact that it hit close to home), but it was just so sweet.
October 28, 2024
Quick Summary: A sweet, inspired short
My Review: An October Bride by Katie Ganshert is novella #11 in the A Year of Weddings compilation.
About the Book: “Emma Tate isn't a risk taker, so everyone in her small Midwest town is surprised when she suddenly becomes engaged to lifelong friend Jake Sawyer. No one but Jake and Emma know the true reason they're getting married--so Emma's dying father can walk her down the aisle. “
My Final Say: This was the sweetest story. 🥹
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: Clean
Level: 🍬
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
#libraryfind
My Review: An October Bride by Katie Ganshert is novella #11 in the A Year of Weddings compilation.
About the Book: “Emma Tate isn't a risk taker, so everyone in her small Midwest town is surprised when she suddenly becomes engaged to lifelong friend Jake Sawyer. No one but Jake and Emma know the true reason they're getting married--so Emma's dying father can walk her down the aisle. “
My Final Say: This was the sweetest story. 🥹
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: Clean
Level: 🍬
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
#libraryfind
July 22, 2019
A sweet Christian romance novella. The reason for getting married was a little cheesy, but still a sweet story.
October 27, 2014
I'll start this review off by saying that I haven't read any of the other books in the A Year of Weddings series. I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover and the promising blurb, and was in the mood for a quick romance that would put me in the proper autumn spirit. That's exactly what I got.
This novella has absolutely beautiful writing. I haven't read anything from Katie Ganshert before, but it's definitely clear that she's a talented author in this story. The descriptions are detailed, the characters have depth, the plot drew me in from the first few pages. All of these things, I usually find, are hard to come across in the format of a novella, where space is limited. While I do wish this story would have been drawn out into a book, the pacing and story-telling are well done and not at all rushed or cut to the chase.
The romance in this novella was sweet and clean without being cheesy. I fell in love with the characters and their stories rather quickly, and rooted for the not-so-real romance to bloom from early on. This book has a few laughable parts and a few sad ones, but there's this lingering feeling of hope throughout the text that I rather enjoyed. This paired with the fall scenery made for a pleasant reading combination.
One thing I wasn't aware of in this book was the Christian themes. This didn't hinder my rating or reading experience at all, it's just something that I neglected to realize at the time of download.
This is a great read for anyone looking for a short, clean, sweet romance. Though of course it can be read at any time, I recommend reading it in the fall season like I did. Though it's part of a series, it works as a standalone as well. Thanks to Netgalley and Zondervan for my copy in exchange for an honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
This novella has absolutely beautiful writing. I haven't read anything from Katie Ganshert before, but it's definitely clear that she's a talented author in this story. The descriptions are detailed, the characters have depth, the plot drew me in from the first few pages. All of these things, I usually find, are hard to come across in the format of a novella, where space is limited. While I do wish this story would have been drawn out into a book, the pacing and story-telling are well done and not at all rushed or cut to the chase.
The romance in this novella was sweet and clean without being cheesy. I fell in love with the characters and their stories rather quickly, and rooted for the not-so-real romance to bloom from early on. This book has a few laughable parts and a few sad ones, but there's this lingering feeling of hope throughout the text that I rather enjoyed. This paired with the fall scenery made for a pleasant reading combination.
One thing I wasn't aware of in this book was the Christian themes. This didn't hinder my rating or reading experience at all, it's just something that I neglected to realize at the time of download.
This is a great read for anyone looking for a short, clean, sweet romance. Though of course it can be read at any time, I recommend reading it in the fall season like I did. Though it's part of a series, it works as a standalone as well. Thanks to Netgalley and Zondervan for my copy in exchange for an honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
March 6, 2015
Five, whopping, tear-filled stars. I HATE crying and I was tearing up like a little baby by the end of this story. I had a run of some really less than stellar books from the "Year of Weddings" series put out by Zondervan and this one has re-kindled my faith in the series.
I'm not a huge romance buff. I tend more toward the cynical and realistic rather than the romantic side of things, but I have this really deep, really secret marshmallow of mush in the very deepest center of my soul.
And this novella dove down past all of the brick walls and barbed wire and search lights and attack dogs like they weren't even there and made me cry like the big, mushy, bleeding heart that I keep locked up like Fort Knox actually exists.
The characters were real to me. The sorrow they felt, keen and sharp to me. The unrequited love, burned my heart and the final happiness, tinged with bittersweetness, blurred my eyes with tears.
Darn you Katie Ganshert, but you can weave a convincing tale to my Grinch-like, wizened old heart. My new book crush is Jake.
Also, another plus, God wasn't thrown in as an after-thought. He was there in a convincing manner, which is important to me in a Zondervan work.
I think this may be my favorite of the "Year of Weddings" series thus far. I highly recommend it, with the warning that you WILL need at least a hankie by the end of it.
My thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan Fiction for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
I'm not a huge romance buff. I tend more toward the cynical and realistic rather than the romantic side of things, but I have this really deep, really secret marshmallow of mush in the very deepest center of my soul.
And this novella dove down past all of the brick walls and barbed wire and search lights and attack dogs like they weren't even there and made me cry like the big, mushy, bleeding heart that I keep locked up like Fort Knox actually exists.
The characters were real to me. The sorrow they felt, keen and sharp to me. The unrequited love, burned my heart and the final happiness, tinged with bittersweetness, blurred my eyes with tears.
Darn you Katie Ganshert, but you can weave a convincing tale to my Grinch-like, wizened old heart. My new book crush is Jake.
Also, another plus, God wasn't thrown in as an after-thought. He was there in a convincing manner, which is important to me in a Zondervan work.
I think this may be my favorite of the "Year of Weddings" series thus far. I highly recommend it, with the warning that you WILL need at least a hankie by the end of it.
My thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan Fiction for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
October 23, 2014
**4.5 stars**
Cute, fun, hopeful, clean, love are adjectives that can be used to describe this book. I loved the story and the characters. This is unusual in a novella for me. It usually takes me a while to connect with the characters and feel invested in their story.
Emma loves her father. She would do anything for him. When she finds his bucket list and discovers his desire to walk her down the aisle, she wants nothing more than to fulfill that wish. He is battling cancer and only has a short time left to live.
Jake just happens to be at her home and volunteers to be the groom. He doesn't want her to have a life of regrets. He is a childhood friend and the object of her high school crush. She agrees to the plan with reservations, but as time progresses, the idea of marriage to Jake becomes more desirable.
The characters are friends first. There is a genuine love and respect for each other. There are many misunderstandings as well. I loved to read how they were able to come to a very happy conclusion.
This book is part of a series of novella's that are each a stand alone book. They are all clean! An October Bride is a great addition to the series and one of my favorites.
Cute, fun, hopeful, clean, love are adjectives that can be used to describe this book. I loved the story and the characters. This is unusual in a novella for me. It usually takes me a while to connect with the characters and feel invested in their story.
Emma loves her father. She would do anything for him. When she finds his bucket list and discovers his desire to walk her down the aisle, she wants nothing more than to fulfill that wish. He is battling cancer and only has a short time left to live.
Jake just happens to be at her home and volunteers to be the groom. He doesn't want her to have a life of regrets. He is a childhood friend and the object of her high school crush. She agrees to the plan with reservations, but as time progresses, the idea of marriage to Jake becomes more desirable.
The characters are friends first. There is a genuine love and respect for each other. There are many misunderstandings as well. I loved to read how they were able to come to a very happy conclusion.
This book is part of a series of novella's that are each a stand alone book. They are all clean! An October Bride is a great addition to the series and one of my favorites.
August 10, 2016
This review is also posted on Book by Book.
This is one A Year of Weddings novella I have been anticipating for months now. Since first reading A Broken Kind of Beautiful earlier this year, I have quickly fallen in love with Katie Ganshert stories – plus, the synopsis of “An October Bride” sounded really cute and sweet. I could not wait to read it, and when I finally got my hands on it, I flew through it. It’s such a delightful, heartwarming story with lovable characters and small-town charm. For any fan of A Year of Weddings or contemporary romance, this novella will surely be an enjoyable read. Now, I’m eager to finish out the year with Beth K. Vogt’s “A November Bride.”
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of “An October Bride” and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
This is one A Year of Weddings novella I have been anticipating for months now. Since first reading A Broken Kind of Beautiful earlier this year, I have quickly fallen in love with Katie Ganshert stories – plus, the synopsis of “An October Bride” sounded really cute and sweet. I could not wait to read it, and when I finally got my hands on it, I flew through it. It’s such a delightful, heartwarming story with lovable characters and small-town charm. For any fan of A Year of Weddings or contemporary romance, this novella will surely be an enjoyable read. Now, I’m eager to finish out the year with Beth K. Vogt’s “A November Bride.”
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of “An October Bride” and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
October 10, 2014
This was a really lovely short novella. When Emma discovers her father's bucket list accidentally, she discovers that the last one he wants to cross off is to walk her down the aisle. When he was diagnosed with a brain tumour she'd called off her engagement with her fiance. Now she really wants to help her dad complete his bucket list before it's too late. Whilst she is chatting to her childhood friend about it, he offers to marry her.
Things take off and a wedding is being planned and her dad is really happy. But can Emma really do this to Jake?!
Ideal reading for a spell where you want something short and sweet to read. I am looking forward to reading the next one in this series.
With thanks to Zondervan fiction and Netgalley for the chance to read this one.
Things take off and a wedding is being planned and her dad is really happy. But can Emma really do this to Jake?!
Ideal reading for a spell where you want something short and sweet to read. I am looking forward to reading the next one in this series.
With thanks to Zondervan fiction and Netgalley for the chance to read this one.
February 20, 2015
What an adorable story! I have to confess my phone battery was low, the kids needed lunch, diapers needed changed, but I had to find out if Jake and Emma were going to come to their senses. They clearly needed me to neglect my family in order see that through. Katie writes such a marvelous story that I really did contemplate plugging in my phone, putting the world on hold and continuing this delightful novella. In the end, reality won. However, I was able to savor the ending in my favorite chair with a mug of Apple Cider, a cozy blanket and a quiet house. I highly recommend doing just that!
February 24, 2015
I loved this sweet, little novella. I'm always impressed when writers can pack the intensity of a full-length novel into a condensed novella, and this is a great example of that!
My heart went out to the main character, Emma. I found her motivation to be believable. The emotions she wrestled with were authentic and real, too. Her romance with Jake was exquisitely sweet, too.
This book was a perfect blend of sweet, funny, and thought-provoking. I truly enjoyed it and its message.
(I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.)
My heart went out to the main character, Emma. I found her motivation to be believable. The emotions she wrestled with were authentic and real, too. Her romance with Jake was exquisitely sweet, too.
This book was a perfect blend of sweet, funny, and thought-provoking. I truly enjoyed it and its message.
(I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.)
January 6, 2016
This novella was cute- but I did wish there could have been more to it. I felt like some parts of the plot were given more attention than others... I really wish there would have been more time spent talking about the romance between the two main characters. Still, there was definitely some sweet moments!!
September 24, 2014
My only compliant is this was too short. The Year of Brides Novella series has been fun. It would be great if the publisher let all of these authors visit these characters in another year or two.
October 30, 2016
I loved this novella! It was a tear jerker for me. Loved Emma and Jake. I like to imagine the rest of the story and it would have a very happy ending!
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