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Loveless & Dunn #4
A Very Married Christmas
Cookbook author Marley Chambers can’t think of a more festive way to spend Christmas than at a friend’s holiday wedding in her hometown of Magnolia Bay. If only her soon-to-be ex-husband, all-star pitcher, Beckett “Beck” Chambers wasn’t bringing his new girlfriend—and if only he wasn’t still the sexiest man to ever walk out onto the mound…
Beck never wanted the chaotic life of a sport star—especially not at the cost of his marriage to the only woman he’s ever truly loved. But his career is a runaway train—and he’s afraid it’s too late to hit the brakes.
But when a mix-up leaves Beck and Marley stranded together for Christmas Eve on the barrier island where Beck proposed years before, old memories burn bright—and sparks fly hotter than a bonfire on the beach.
Could the magic of the season bring the gift of a second chance, just in time for Christmas?
Beck never wanted the chaotic life of a sport star—especially not at the cost of his marriage to the only woman he’s ever truly loved. But his career is a runaway train—and he’s afraid it’s too late to hit the brakes.
But when a mix-up leaves Beck and Marley stranded together for Christmas Eve on the barrier island where Beck proposed years before, old memories burn bright—and sparks fly hotter than a bonfire on the beach.
Could the magic of the season bring the gift of a second chance, just in time for Christmas?
120 pages, Unknown Binding
First published November 3, 2014
23 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Erika Marks
18 books219 followersHello, fellow reader! I am the NAL author of women's fiction set by the sea. My fifth novel, THE LAST TREASURE, follows the love triangle between three treasure hunters searching for a mysterious shipwreck on the Outer Banks, and comes ashore on August 2, 2016. I love meeting with book clubs via Skype--so stop by my website to learn how we can set up a chat!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
July 4, 2017
I really don't want to read a reconciliation story where the POS masquerading as the Hero spends most of the book fantasizing about his new hot young girlfriend's thong that he purchased for her. The heroine should have stuck with the bartender and half of the marital assets. This jerk was not worth a second chance and that is strictly 'cause of the way he is written. I had no empathy for the man and was hoping the heroine would have the good sense to run and never look back.
Sadly she didn't, but thankfully I only borrowed this one. Give this one a miss unless you like your hero's mooning over someone else besides the heroine.
Sadly she didn't, but thankfully I only borrowed this one. Give this one a miss unless you like your hero's mooning over someone else besides the heroine.
October 5, 2019
I considered giving this novella a second star because the prose is readable and I think it was brave of the author to try to pull off a romance between divorcing protagonists where one spouse has so willingly and eagerly embraced "moving on," but the hero is never given the right emotional focus to make the premise work.
An estranged couple in the midst of a divorce after ten years of marriage have both returned to their small town to celebrate the Christmas wedding of mutual friends from high school.
He checks into the inn with his hand planted on the a** of his girlfriend of the past six months (he has only been separated from his wife for a year). This is not a fake, wedding date type girlfriend, intended to make his soon-to-be ex jealous. We follow them into their hotel room, where on the first night, the husband drools while watching his lingerie-clad sportscaster girlfriend putting on make-up. Oh, and the sexy underwear she's wearing had been a gift from him a month earlier. The next afternoon, we're treated to his lips on her breasts before a phone call interrupts them.
This is waaaay more sexual intimacy than I want to see between the hero and the OW at the start of a reconciliation romance. And nothing that follows redeems him.
An estranged couple in the midst of a divorce after ten years of marriage have both returned to their small town to celebrate the Christmas wedding of mutual friends from high school.
He checks into the inn with his hand planted on the a** of his girlfriend of the past six months (he has only been separated from his wife for a year). This is not a fake, wedding date type girlfriend, intended to make his soon-to-be ex jealous. We follow them into their hotel room, where on the first night, the husband drools while watching his lingerie-clad sportscaster girlfriend putting on make-up. Oh, and the sexy underwear she's wearing had been a gift from him a month earlier. The next afternoon, we're treated to his lips on her breasts before a phone call interrupts them.
This is waaaay more sexual intimacy than I want to see between the hero and the OW at the start of a reconciliation romance. And nothing that follows redeems him.
February 20, 2015
I picked this one up based on the cover and title. So often marriage is not a part of romance novels so the fact that this was a married Christmas appealed to me. I didn't even read the summary so I wasn't sure what I was in for.
Honestly I almost quit after the first few pages. I was not impressed with Beck at all. He and Marley have been separated for a year are about to sign their divorce paper. Beck brings a date to a friends wedding and all he's interested in is getting her clothes off. Why would I even want Marley to get back together with him? But its a short book so I kept reading and did end up thinking this was an ok book and could relate on some level to what went wrong with Marley and Becks marriage. By the time it was over I had taken away something good from it.
Rating: 3 Stars - (would have been higher if Beck hadn't been so into the girlfriend)
Content: innuendo, little language and one short sex scene between a married couple
Source: Netgalley.com review copy
Honestly I almost quit after the first few pages. I was not impressed with Beck at all. He and Marley have been separated for a year are about to sign their divorce paper. Beck brings a date to a friends wedding and all he's interested in is getting her clothes off. Why would I even want Marley to get back together with him? But its a short book so I kept reading and did end up thinking this was an ok book and could relate on some level to what went wrong with Marley and Becks marriage. By the time it was over I had taken away something good from it.
Rating: 3 Stars - (would have been higher if Beck hadn't been so into the girlfriend)
Content: innuendo, little language and one short sex scene between a married couple
Source: Netgalley.com review copy
December 19, 2017
Professional baseball player Beck Chambers brought his new girlfriend at a wedding that his ex-wife, cookbook author Marley Chambers also attended. Both were awaiting their divorce settlements but it felt like something else was amiss, based on Marley's bestfriend, Gina's observation. Before their common friends' wedding took place, Beck and Marley's paths seemed to always run towards each other. And when they were left stranded on an island and were forced to stay overnight on a deserted cottage, memories of their past relationship came into view. They rekindled the fire that started on the very same island where Beck proposed to Marley ten years ago.
But would they ever be able to settle their differences over just one night? Would they get back together again, or would their differences to each other emerge once more? Will Beck finally acknowledge her ex-wife's blossoming career? Will Marley ever forgive his husband after seeing him canoodling with his high-profile girlfriend? Your guess is as good as mine.
A Very Married Christmas is a short but lively and romantic story about two estranged couple, finding each other again after separating. Beck & Marley, two broken hearts, two longing and hoping lovers. Magnolia Bay played a big role at the beginning of their relationship and this is where the end of their rift will unfold. I cannot help but think about my own marriage, which I am happily involved with my husband for thirteen years now. Sure we have our own differences and opinions on how to manage in our married life; sometimes we fight, sometimes we have misunderstandings. Luckily, we always make sure we solve our problems at the end of the day and still stay together in love after all this years.
Ms. Erika Marks' writing is flawless and upbeat. There was never a dull moment in the entirety of the book. Even the dimwitted third party (whom I really hated a lot!) was a good addition to the story. All the characters have distinct personalities, especially Gina's. The result, I could easily relate to all of the characters and found myself smiling at the end of the book. Because this is how Christmas should be spent, with your family, with your loved ones, with The One.
But would they ever be able to settle their differences over just one night? Would they get back together again, or would their differences to each other emerge once more? Will Beck finally acknowledge her ex-wife's blossoming career? Will Marley ever forgive his husband after seeing him canoodling with his high-profile girlfriend? Your guess is as good as mine.
A Very Married Christmas is a short but lively and romantic story about two estranged couple, finding each other again after separating. Beck & Marley, two broken hearts, two longing and hoping lovers. Magnolia Bay played a big role at the beginning of their relationship and this is where the end of their rift will unfold. I cannot help but think about my own marriage, which I am happily involved with my husband for thirteen years now. Sure we have our own differences and opinions on how to manage in our married life; sometimes we fight, sometimes we have misunderstandings. Luckily, we always make sure we solve our problems at the end of the day and still stay together in love after all this years.
Ms. Erika Marks' writing is flawless and upbeat. There was never a dull moment in the entirety of the book. Even the dimwitted third party (whom I really hated a lot!) was a good addition to the story. All the characters have distinct personalities, especially Gina's. The result, I could easily relate to all of the characters and found myself smiling at the end of the book. Because this is how Christmas should be spent, with your family, with your loved ones, with The One.
September 20, 2019
No love here! The heroine should have kept running!
December 4, 2014
This was a quick read but nothing felt rushed and nothing was left out. The gist is we have a couple who had been together for 10 years, allegedly divorcing, just to figure out that they are meant to be together. Fun, right?! Well, I thought so. And the best part was that instead of making this into a loooooooong drawn out process of he said she said kind of thing so we end up reading countless pages of 'stuff', the author gets right to the point ... love :) I was rooting for these two from the very beginning. I just really love Christmas theme stories and this was did not disappoint!
ARC provided by Tule Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review!
ARC provided by Tule Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review!
December 23, 2014
This was just okay for me. I actually wasn't feeling the direction it began in and all the way through it lacked the romance feel as the main couple didn't end up together until the very freaking end.
Meh.
April 9, 2015
I've read Erika Marks before, and I knew that I would enjoy this book (novella) because of the experience I had with the previous one.
Marks knows how to give you some feels. She knows how to make you like a story and its characters. And she's also good at recognizing how to maneuver within the intellectual space of less than 200 pages. I LOVE authors that can do that.
She takes a very complex concept of divorce and moving on from it. Only there's a bit of a twist, our leads aren't exactly divorced yet. Marley, the female lead, and Beck, our male lead, come together in a way (although very predictable) that only I feel Marks can write.
From beginning to end, I was invested in the characters. I was curious about their stories and how they would come back together.
Now, Erika touches on a topic that is a red zone "no-no" for me -- cheating. But she does it in a way that I'm not bothered, which is weird. Beck and his girlfriend (he's still married) are not the greatest part about this book, for me. I didn't love it. But it was useful motivation for the progression of the plot.
The supporting characters in this books, regardless of how prominent, are very useful. There are characters that aid in the development (though brief) of these characters -- and I appreciated it.
The relationships were complicated and great. The plot progressed nicely, as well. It was full of feels and nice moments. It IS a novella, so it needs to be kept in mind that were is only so much one can do in this amount of space given, but I think Marks did a great job.
Marks knows how to give you some feels. She knows how to make you like a story and its characters. And she's also good at recognizing how to maneuver within the intellectual space of less than 200 pages. I LOVE authors that can do that.
She takes a very complex concept of divorce and moving on from it. Only there's a bit of a twist, our leads aren't exactly divorced yet. Marley, the female lead, and Beck, our male lead, come together in a way (although very predictable) that only I feel Marks can write.
From beginning to end, I was invested in the characters. I was curious about their stories and how they would come back together.
Now, Erika touches on a topic that is a red zone "no-no" for me -- cheating. But she does it in a way that I'm not bothered, which is weird. Beck and his girlfriend (he's still married) are not the greatest part about this book, for me. I didn't love it. But it was useful motivation for the progression of the plot.
The supporting characters in this books, regardless of how prominent, are very useful. There are characters that aid in the development (though brief) of these characters -- and I appreciated it.
The relationships were complicated and great. The plot progressed nicely, as well. It was full of feels and nice moments. It IS a novella, so it needs to be kept in mind that were is only so much one can do in this amount of space given, but I think Marks did a great job.
October 20, 2014
I hate speaking ill of books, but I did not like this book. The story follows Beck and Marley Chambers, two former high school sweethearts that after ten years of marriage are about to be divorced. The have been apart for a year now and are reunited at a friends wedding back in their hometown.
Beck was a very dislikable character, he shows up to a friends wedding with a new girlfriend, sees his still wife Marley and realized he still has feelings for her. First ofould have made an effort to save his marriage.f, bringing a new girlfriend to a friends wedding, when you're not divorced yet, trashy. Then going on about how he has feelings for his wife, if he really cared, he w
Marley was nice, she leaves her husband because when she sought a career, he was unsupportive and then when her cookbook become a bestseller, he makes her feel bad for having obligations that don't center around him.
Yes, they get a Christmas miracle and are able to reconcile and save their marriage, but still Beck was an ass. Even when he gets back together with Marley and she asks what about his girlfriend, he's like what about her. Beck was basically an ass in the middle of a mid-life crisis; did not feel the love in this book.
Rating 2 out of 5
Read@Book
Beck was a very dislikable character, he shows up to a friends wedding with a new girlfriend, sees his still wife Marley and realized he still has feelings for her. First ofould have made an effort to save his marriage.f, bringing a new girlfriend to a friends wedding, when you're not divorced yet, trashy. Then going on about how he has feelings for his wife, if he really cared, he w
Marley was nice, she leaves her husband because when she sought a career, he was unsupportive and then when her cookbook become a bestseller, he makes her feel bad for having obligations that don't center around him.
Yes, they get a Christmas miracle and are able to reconcile and save their marriage, but still Beck was an ass. Even when he gets back together with Marley and she asks what about his girlfriend, he's like what about her. Beck was basically an ass in the middle of a mid-life crisis; did not feel the love in this book.
Rating 2 out of 5
Read@Book
July 4, 2021
Very short book, I was so apprehensive about reading it since there is cheating and I knew it from the other reviews. However the first chapter was attached to the last book I read and curiosity overcame me. :-)
It wasn't too bad although I skimmed through the parts where the H was having sex with this girlfriend. In other books, this is implied or at least the H is just out to make the h jealous. This is not the case here. The H really was attracted to his hot girlfriend and constant wanted to have sex with her. So distasteful! Also, they aren't quite divorced yet and he is already cheating on her. Plus the bad taste of bringing his hot new girlfriend to a hometown wedding where everyone knows him and his wife. She isn't his ex yet!
It wasn't too bad although I skimmed through the parts where the H was having sex with this girlfriend. In other books, this is implied or at least the H is just out to make the h jealous. This is not the case here. The H really was attracted to his hot girlfriend and constant wanted to have sex with her. So distasteful! Also, they aren't quite divorced yet and he is already cheating on her. Plus the bad taste of bringing his hot new girlfriend to a hometown wedding where everyone knows him and his wife. She isn't his ex yet!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2015
This was a very cute and fun story about a couple who seem ideal together, but they end up apart from each other. With that being said, it was not one of my favorites.
I didn’t like Beck from the moment where he brought his new girlfriend to a friend’s wedding and ran into this “wife” whom he realizes he still has feelings for.
Marley left Beck, her husband, because she wanted a career that Beck was unsupportive of. He always made her feel bad when she had obligations that didn’t center on him.
I just didn’t feel a lot of love in the book. I didn’t like Beck at all because to me he was an ass the majority of the book and didn’t deserve Marley at all.
I didn’t like Beck from the moment where he brought his new girlfriend to a friend’s wedding and ran into this “wife” whom he realizes he still has feelings for.
Marley left Beck, her husband, because she wanted a career that Beck was unsupportive of. He always made her feel bad when she had obligations that didn’t center on him.
I just didn’t feel a lot of love in the book. I didn’t like Beck at all because to me he was an ass the majority of the book and didn’t deserve Marley at all.
July 5, 2017
Slight spoilers
A well written book, but I didn't feel the reconciliation was genuine on his part. I mean when you have sex with your soon to be ex but just a few hours earlier were trying to get your new girlfriend into bed (thinking she was the hottest thing you've ever seen), you come off as a sex starved jerk. To me this book had a lot of potential but all his thoughts about his "hot, sexy, gorgeous new girlfriend giving him a hard on" ruined it for me, took all the romance right out of it lol.
A well written book, but I didn't feel the reconciliation was genuine on his part. I mean when you have sex with your soon to be ex but just a few hours earlier were trying to get your new girlfriend into bed (thinking she was the hottest thing you've ever seen), you come off as a sex starved jerk. To me this book had a lot of potential but all his thoughts about his "hot, sexy, gorgeous new girlfriend giving him a hard on" ruined it for me, took all the romance right out of it lol.
December 11, 2014
With an overall sweet holiday love story this was anise read. However, I was personally uncomfortable with how quickly Marley is able to forgive her husband. Even though I understand she loves him and doesn't want to follow through with their divorce, he has been dating/sleeping with another woman since their separation. Although, it is made clear Beck still thinks the world of his wife he still chose to move on to a younger woman instead of fighting to make his marriage work.
August 12, 2022
I like stories where a couple gets back together, but Beck brought his girlfriend to a wedding in his hometown knowing Marley, his wife would be there. Yes, they were separated, but he didn't wait long after they did separate. Most of the book he's thinking about getting into bed with the girlfriend and how hot she is. Then when they get stuck on the island, it's all about Marley. He woke up in bed with his girlfriend and then slept with Marley the same night. Not impressed at all.
May 19, 2017
Disappointed it was so short
November 11, 2014
Originally posted on my blog: Tangled Up In Books
I received a copy of this book from InkSlinger PR, for a blog tour, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!
I was extremely excited for this one. Who doesn't enjoy a second chance at love? Overall I enjoyed this book, though there were parts that I struggled with greatly. I feel like this one would have gone over better with me had it strictly been in Marley's point of view. I was highly sympathetic towards her and found her extremely likable. When it switched out of her point of view however, for a good portion of the book, that's when things went downhill and fast.
I found it difficult in the beginning whenever it would switch to Beck's point of view because we get to know Marley at first and like her and feel for her and then to have his new relationship in our faces with the younger, skinnier and flashier new girlfriend had me feeling less understanding and more dislike than anything else. To see him all over her even in the privacy of their own room left a really bad taste in my mouth. It paints him in more of the bad guy roll. He's not even divorced and him bringing his new girlfriend to a holiday wedding knowing his not quite ex-wife was going to be there was really distasteful in my opinion. It is grudgingly, and very much so at that, that I will now confess that by the end of the book I actually found the guy to be kind of decent.
Everything seemed so black and white in this book at first. I had my mind made up early on but the less I had to deal with hearing about the plastic bimbo the easier it was to accept that thing that people always say to be accurate. There's 3 sides to every story. Yours. Mine. And the truth. Beck wasn't the bad guy I was judging him to be. They both made mistakes at the end of their marriage. Something that was very hard to see, at least for me, when dealing with some of those early scenes I was talking about.
I know all of this probably sounds extremely negative and maybe even like I hated this book. I honestly didn't. There were obstacles and hurdles to jump, but once I did I may have even swooned a little bit. Okay, maybe a lot. There was a sweetness and romantic quality to how their story comes to an end. I really enjoyed it, but I would have enjoyed it just a little bit more had it stuck to the one point of view and Beck hadn't looked like such a monster.
I received a copy of this book from InkSlinger PR, for a blog tour, in exchange for an honest review. In no way did this sway either my review or my rating!
I was extremely excited for this one. Who doesn't enjoy a second chance at love? Overall I enjoyed this book, though there were parts that I struggled with greatly. I feel like this one would have gone over better with me had it strictly been in Marley's point of view. I was highly sympathetic towards her and found her extremely likable. When it switched out of her point of view however, for a good portion of the book, that's when things went downhill and fast.
I found it difficult in the beginning whenever it would switch to Beck's point of view because we get to know Marley at first and like her and feel for her and then to have his new relationship in our faces with the younger, skinnier and flashier new girlfriend had me feeling less understanding and more dislike than anything else. To see him all over her even in the privacy of their own room left a really bad taste in my mouth. It paints him in more of the bad guy roll. He's not even divorced and him bringing his new girlfriend to a holiday wedding knowing his not quite ex-wife was going to be there was really distasteful in my opinion. It is grudgingly, and very much so at that, that I will now confess that by the end of the book I actually found the guy to be kind of decent.
Everything seemed so black and white in this book at first. I had my mind made up early on but the less I had to deal with hearing about the plastic bimbo the easier it was to accept that thing that people always say to be accurate. There's 3 sides to every story. Yours. Mine. And the truth. Beck wasn't the bad guy I was judging him to be. They both made mistakes at the end of their marriage. Something that was very hard to see, at least for me, when dealing with some of those early scenes I was talking about.
I know all of this probably sounds extremely negative and maybe even like I hated this book. I honestly didn't. There were obstacles and hurdles to jump, but once I did I may have even swooned a little bit. Okay, maybe a lot. There was a sweetness and romantic quality to how their story comes to an end. I really enjoyed it, but I would have enjoyed it just a little bit more had it stuck to the one point of view and Beck hadn't looked like such a monster.
November 3, 2014
A Very Married Christmas by Erika Marks
(Southern Born Christmas Book 3)
Cookbook author Marley Chambers can’t think of a more festive way to spend Christmas than at a friend’s holiday wedding in her hometown of Magnolia Bay. If only her soon-to-be ex-husband, all-star pitcher, Beckett “Beck” Chambers wasn’t bringing his new girlfriend—and if only he wasn’t still the sexiest man to ever walk out onto the mound…
Beck never wanted the chaotic life of a sport star—especially not at the cost of his marriage to the only woman he’s ever truly loved. But his career is a runaway train—and he’s afraid it’s too late to hit the brakes.
But when a mix-up leaves Beck and Marley stranded together for Christmas Eve on the barrier island where Beck proposed years before, old memories burn bright—and sparks fly hotter than a bonfire on the beach.
Could the magic of the season bring the gift of a second chance, just in time for Christmas?
how did Marley Chambers and Beckett “Beck” Chambers meet?
where does Marley work?
what is Marley best friend name?
who is your favorite character in this story?
And why?
will Marley Chambers and Beckett “Beck” Chambers get divorce?
A Very Married Christmas by Erika Marks is a wonderful well written 5 stars book.
I highly recommend reading A Very Married Christmas by Erika Marks.
I am looking forward to reading more books by by Erika Marks.
Bet the House (Magnolia Bay Book 1) by Erika Marks
It Comes In Waves by Erika Marks
Pick Me (Magnolia Bay Book 3) by Erika Marks
A Southern Romance by Kim Boykin, Erika Marks, Beth Albright and Kaira Rouda
Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Southern Born Christmas series
Book 1: Holiday in Magnolia Bay by Tracy Solheim
Book 2: Just in Time for Christmas by Kim Boykin
Book 3: A Very Married Christmas by Erika Marks
Book 4: The Trouble with Christmas by Kaira Rouda
(Southern Born Christmas Book 3)
Cookbook author Marley Chambers can’t think of a more festive way to spend Christmas than at a friend’s holiday wedding in her hometown of Magnolia Bay. If only her soon-to-be ex-husband, all-star pitcher, Beckett “Beck” Chambers wasn’t bringing his new girlfriend—and if only he wasn’t still the sexiest man to ever walk out onto the mound…
Beck never wanted the chaotic life of a sport star—especially not at the cost of his marriage to the only woman he’s ever truly loved. But his career is a runaway train—and he’s afraid it’s too late to hit the brakes.
But when a mix-up leaves Beck and Marley stranded together for Christmas Eve on the barrier island where Beck proposed years before, old memories burn bright—and sparks fly hotter than a bonfire on the beach.
Could the magic of the season bring the gift of a second chance, just in time for Christmas?
how did Marley Chambers and Beckett “Beck” Chambers meet?
where does Marley work?
what is Marley best friend name?
who is your favorite character in this story?
And why?
will Marley Chambers and Beckett “Beck” Chambers get divorce?
A Very Married Christmas by Erika Marks is a wonderful well written 5 stars book.
I highly recommend reading A Very Married Christmas by Erika Marks.
I am looking forward to reading more books by by Erika Marks.
Bet the House (Magnolia Bay Book 1) by Erika Marks
It Comes In Waves by Erika Marks
Pick Me (Magnolia Bay Book 3) by Erika Marks
A Southern Romance by Kim Boykin, Erika Marks, Beth Albright and Kaira Rouda
Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Southern Born Christmas series
Book 1: Holiday in Magnolia Bay by Tracy Solheim
Book 2: Just in Time for Christmas by Kim Boykin
Book 3: A Very Married Christmas by Erika Marks
Book 4: The Trouble with Christmas by Kaira Rouda
June 25, 2016
What do you get when you combine a fairytale along with some nostalgia? A Very Married Christmas by Erika Marks. This story is about professional baseball player Beck Chambers and successful cookbook author Marley Chambers. Beck and Marley met in high school, fell in love, got married, and lived happily ever after for almost ten years. A year ago they separated and now they are in the final stages of divorcing. Their lives are intertwined once again as they are back in their hometown of Magnolia Bay, to attend a friend's wedding on Christmas Day.
Marley was the dutiful wife as Beck's career took off and he became a household name. Unfortunately, Beck did not return the support when Marley published her debut cookbook, and as a result, she decided she was done playing second fiddle to his life. However, they never stopped loving each other and luckily, Marley's best friend Gina had the sense to make them see that they truly belong together.
I found Ms. Marks' writing style to be smooth and easy to read. Considering the constraints of a novella, the characters are well-developed, interesting and real. I felt the connection between Beck and Marley immediately and truly enjoyed learning about how their relationship evolved over the past ten years. If you are in the mood for a slightly emotional, second chance romance, check out this fun holiday read.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Marley was the dutiful wife as Beck's career took off and he became a household name. Unfortunately, Beck did not return the support when Marley published her debut cookbook, and as a result, she decided she was done playing second fiddle to his life. However, they never stopped loving each other and luckily, Marley's best friend Gina had the sense to make them see that they truly belong together.
I found Ms. Marks' writing style to be smooth and easy to read. Considering the constraints of a novella, the characters are well-developed, interesting and real. I felt the connection between Beck and Marley immediately and truly enjoyed learning about how their relationship evolved over the past ten years. If you are in the mood for a slightly emotional, second chance romance, check out this fun holiday read.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
January 3, 2015
Marley Chambers married her high school sweetheart and spent years supporting him as he became a star pitcher. When her career as a cookbook author takes off, she is disappointed when Beck doesn't support her as she supported her as she supported him. In the process of divorcing, they both return home to Magnolia Bay for their friends' Christmas wedding. Beck has tried hard to move on, and brings his new girlfriend to the wedding. Though she asked for the divorce, Marley realizes that she is still in love with her husband. When events (and her best friend) conspire to throw them together, can they remember not only why they loved each other and can Beck remember who he was before he became a big star?
Erika Marks paints a wonderful picture of Magnolia Bay, making me wish I could celebrate Christmas there. I felt bad for Marley at the beginning of the story, and also felt that Beck bringing a new girlfriend to ta wedding his not-yet-ex was attending was ill-advised, I got the feeling that the whole relationship was more Beck trying to hard to move on than anything actually romantic.
Though it is a novella, the main and secondary characters are well-written. The story is well-paced, and I don't feel that I was rushed or missed anything. While this works well as a stand alone, I feel that I enjoyed it that much more having read both Marks's previous Magnolia Bay stories, but also, Kim Boykins's Magnolia Bay novellas, as well.
Erika Marks paints a wonderful picture of Magnolia Bay, making me wish I could celebrate Christmas there. I felt bad for Marley at the beginning of the story, and also felt that Beck bringing a new girlfriend to ta wedding his not-yet-ex was attending was ill-advised, I got the feeling that the whole relationship was more Beck trying to hard to move on than anything actually romantic.
Though it is a novella, the main and secondary characters are well-written. The story is well-paced, and I don't feel that I was rushed or missed anything. While this works well as a stand alone, I feel that I enjoyed it that much more having read both Marks's previous Magnolia Bay stories, but also, Kim Boykins's Magnolia Bay novellas, as well.
November 19, 2014
Back in Magnolia Bay for her friend's wedding, cookbook author Marley Chambers has mixed emotions. Coming home brings back all sorts of memories, and not all of them are good. Marley is not looking forward to seeing her soon-to-be ex-husband, baseball's golden boy, Beckett 'Beck' Chambers. In the midst of less-than-amicable divorce proceedings, seeing Beck and his sexy twenty-something newscaster girlfriend leaves Marley feeling like three is definitely a crowd, and wishing she was anywhere but Magnolia Bay.
As a fan of second-chance love stories AND a majorly huge fan of Christmas, I really enjoyed A VERY MARRIED CHRISTMAS. I'd already met and fallen in love with Magnolia Bay, so it felt a little bit like visiting an old friend. And, even though I haven't dealt with divorce in my own life, I could totally relate to Marley, who had put her own creative energies on the back burner to support her husband's dreams. Beck comes across as somewhat of a selfish guy going through some mid-life issues at first, but when fate, in the person of Marley's friend Gina, forces him and Marley to spend Christmas Eve together, the two reconnect, and the man that Marley fell in love with makes a comeback.
A VERY MARRIED CHRISTMAS is part of the Southern Born Christmas series, and I very happily recommend it as an addition to any holiday romance list. Because, really, what better way to usher in this holiday season than with a second chance at love in the Beautiful South?
As a fan of second-chance love stories AND a majorly huge fan of Christmas, I really enjoyed A VERY MARRIED CHRISTMAS. I'd already met and fallen in love with Magnolia Bay, so it felt a little bit like visiting an old friend. And, even though I haven't dealt with divorce in my own life, I could totally relate to Marley, who had put her own creative energies on the back burner to support her husband's dreams. Beck comes across as somewhat of a selfish guy going through some mid-life issues at first, but when fate, in the person of Marley's friend Gina, forces him and Marley to spend Christmas Eve together, the two reconnect, and the man that Marley fell in love with makes a comeback.
A VERY MARRIED CHRISTMAS is part of the Southern Born Christmas series, and I very happily recommend it as an addition to any holiday romance list. Because, really, what better way to usher in this holiday season than with a second chance at love in the Beautiful South?
October 29, 2014
This is a story of a baseball pitcher and his estranged wife, a cookbook author, in the midst of a divorce after 10 years of marriage. They are both invited to a wedding of mutual friends and he shows up with a new younger girl friend with whom he is sleeping. His estranged wife then asks a younger bartender to escort her to one of the dinners. Then the hero and heroine get trapped on an island for the night and are forced to deal with each other and their feelings.
Pros: Good writing. The author makes it easy for the reader to emotionally connect with the characters. Clean copy without grammatical errors and misspelled words in abundance.
Cons: Too much like real life. The hero is already sleeping with a younger woman and brings her to the wedding of mutual friends even when he's not divorced. He and the estranged wife are trapped together on an island and the fact that he's already slept with someone else isn't something that was really explored in any depth. It seems the two needed counseling about communication and trust because while they physically connected, emotionally and mentally they were still worlds apart because one conversation and a night of sex wouldn't take care of the problems.
Would I recommend this book. Yes. It's a quick read with great pacing and a good ending.
Pros: Good writing. The author makes it easy for the reader to emotionally connect with the characters. Clean copy without grammatical errors and misspelled words in abundance.
Cons: Too much like real life. The hero is already sleeping with a younger woman and brings her to the wedding of mutual friends even when he's not divorced. He and the estranged wife are trapped together on an island and the fact that he's already slept with someone else isn't something that was really explored in any depth. It seems the two needed counseling about communication and trust because while they physically connected, emotionally and mentally they were still worlds apart because one conversation and a night of sex wouldn't take care of the problems.
Would I recommend this book. Yes. It's a quick read with great pacing and a good ending.
November 10, 2015
Great Book....Loved it! It was so heartbreaking the way Marley was introduced to her soon-to-be ex husbands new girlfriend. Beck is a big league pitcher who has let his ego interfere with his marriage & Marley is a chef author who was looking for something more that just being a major league pitchers wife. Her new career put stress on their life & Beck made her choose, she chose her career. Now they are at a wedding for their best friends back in their home town just before Christmas & Marley is regretting her choice when she see Beck acting like a teenager again with his new Barbie girlfriend. Things happen that put Beck & Marley alone on the very same island that he proposed to her on & reminiscing in front of a fire in the same cottage they stayed in has events changing their current status. Beck sees that he's chosen a girl whose career is more important than him & also that she's keeping Beck in the dark about requests for his time in charities, he wonders if he's actually learned anything from his separation from Marley. He has, he's not happy with anyone but Marley & he's got to figure out a way to get them back on track. Loved the writing & the way the drama built to their meet up & stranding on the island. Very interested in reading more by this author. Definite recommend to read.
June 13, 2015
What a thoughtful & enjoyable novella for the season. Marks combines the conflicts of marriage with the extremes that come with publicity and high tension lives in a very fun and inviting manner. This novella brings love to the forefront in many little ways, reminding us that it’s not always about the big gesture. Marks’ upbeat & happy writing brings the spirit of the story right out of the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this well put together novella that held my attention throughout.
The characters in this novel weren’t overly developed. Their development centred around their relationship and their respective jobs. It was quite a unique take and worked well for the story at hand. As a reader you don’t get caught up in the history and backstory and ‘what-ifs’ of the relationship. You enjoy a simple story about love and reconnection. The author also goes in with the assumption that readers have read other books from Magnolia Bay and have a basic understanding of the individuals and the town itself, lending to the ability to move the story forward well without losing anything.
This was a short & sweet Christmas story that made me wish for the relationship that these characters have.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
The characters in this novel weren’t overly developed. Their development centred around their relationship and their respective jobs. It was quite a unique take and worked well for the story at hand. As a reader you don’t get caught up in the history and backstory and ‘what-ifs’ of the relationship. You enjoy a simple story about love and reconnection. The author also goes in with the assumption that readers have read other books from Magnolia Bay and have a basic understanding of the individuals and the town itself, lending to the ability to move the story forward well without losing anything.
This was a short & sweet Christmas story that made me wish for the relationship that these characters have.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2014
A Very Married Christmas is a “find our lost love” story. The main characters are on the verge of signing a divorce while attending the marriage ceremony of a mutual friend. Before it is all said and done, they find the love that they had first had when they first married 10 years ago..
This is a well written, with a loyal supportive secondary character, Gina, who I liked a lot. Marley is an endearing character, who even feels bad for the “girlfriend”, something only a saint would do!
Usually in Tule Publisher’s books, I really like both main characters. However, some of the time, all right most of the time, I didn’t think that professional baseball player, Beck Chambers deserved his long suffering wife, Marley. She however, deserve so much more than a soon to be ex who already has a girlfriend (the new wife-to-be maybe) with him at the wedding. I really thought this was realism, certainly tacky for him to do this. Just like what I think someone like Beck would do in reality. My problem you ask. I prefer to read books where the characters behave better than their real life counter parts. Because of that, this is not my favorite of the Southern Born Christmas stories.
NetGalley provided a copy.
This is a well written, with a loyal supportive secondary character, Gina, who I liked a lot. Marley is an endearing character, who even feels bad for the “girlfriend”, something only a saint would do!
Usually in Tule Publisher’s books, I really like both main characters. However, some of the time, all right most of the time, I didn’t think that professional baseball player, Beck Chambers deserved his long suffering wife, Marley. She however, deserve so much more than a soon to be ex who already has a girlfriend (the new wife-to-be maybe) with him at the wedding. I really thought this was realism, certainly tacky for him to do this. Just like what I think someone like Beck would do in reality. My problem you ask. I prefer to read books where the characters behave better than their real life counter parts. Because of that, this is not my favorite of the Southern Born Christmas stories.
NetGalley provided a copy.
December 17, 2016
A marriage in the limelight is difficult but add two successful people and it's disastrous. Marley became her own success but her MLB pitcher husband wasn't keen on her not waiting at home. A meet up during a friend's wedding has them reevaluate their marriage. I felt very uncomfortable for Marley as Beck had been with this gorgeous other woman for awhile, not sure I could accept that so easily.
October 17, 2014
A Very Married Christmas was a short, cute and fun novella about two people who seems to be the ideal couple to stay together forever but find themselves apart. Reunited for a close friends wedding Marley and Beck parted bitterly but now find themselves face to face in their hometown where they first fell in love. But Beck seems to have moved on and Marley is faced with the fact that she really couldn't have it all. Until they got stranded in a deserted island on Christmas Eve, could they start all over again. This was a quick read but despite the length managed to concisely get everything explained with no confusion. Beck and Marley were typically a couple who was still in love with one another but whose individual careers seems to have interfered in their relationship. The resolution and the happily for now seems realistic and fit the story since there was a lot of things that this couple had to resolve in order for their relationship to work. A quick and fun contemporary romance.
*ARC provided by the publisher thru NetGalley in return for an honest review*
*ARC provided by the publisher thru NetGalley in return for an honest review*
June 30, 2015
Cookbook author Marley Chambers can’t think of a more festive way to spend Christmas than at a friend’s holiday wedding in her hometown of Magnolia Bay. If only her soon-to-be ex-husband, all-star pitcher, Beckett “Beck” Chambers wasn’t bringing his new girlfriend—and if only he wasn’t still the sexiest man to ever walk out onto the mound…
Beck never wanted the chaotic life of a sport star—especially not at the cost of his marriage to the only woman he’s ever truly loved. But his career is a runaway train—and he’s afraid it’s too late to hit the brakes.
But when a mix-up leaves Beck and Marley stranded together for Christmas Eve on the barrier island where Beck proposed years before, old memories burn bright—and sparks fly hotter than a bonfire on the beach.
Could the magic of the season bring the gift of a second chance, just in time for Christmas?
This is a refreshing look at relationships. Loved it. 5 stars.
Beck never wanted the chaotic life of a sport star—especially not at the cost of his marriage to the only woman he’s ever truly loved. But his career is a runaway train—and he’s afraid it’s too late to hit the brakes.
But when a mix-up leaves Beck and Marley stranded together for Christmas Eve on the barrier island where Beck proposed years before, old memories burn bright—and sparks fly hotter than a bonfire on the beach.
Could the magic of the season bring the gift of a second chance, just in time for Christmas?
This is a refreshing look at relationships. Loved it. 5 stars.
October 19, 2014
Truth: I had mixed feelings about this book.
Truth: I loved Gina, as well as Mick. (Can they each have their own story, please?)
Truth: Marley and Beck's second chance story was sweet.
Truth: I did not like the fact that Beck was so touchy-feely (and then some) with another woman at a wedding that he knew his soon to be ex would be attending. That was tacky.
Truth: I loved that Marley had carved out her own career.
Truth: The whole Ty angle broke my heart. (sniff, sniff)
Truth: I did not like Denise.
Truth: I loved the stranded idea.
Truth: What a great idea for a cookbook!
Truth: I'm glad this couple tried to work things out.
Truth: Beck wasn't so bad after all.
Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes
Status: Mild
HEA: Yes
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest critique.
Truth: I loved Gina, as well as Mick. (Can they each have their own story, please?)
Truth: Marley and Beck's second chance story was sweet.
Truth: I did not like the fact that Beck was so touchy-feely (and then some) with another woman at a wedding that he knew his soon to be ex would be attending. That was tacky.
Truth: I loved that Marley had carved out her own career.
Truth: The whole Ty angle broke my heart. (sniff, sniff)
Truth: I did not like Denise.
Truth: I loved the stranded idea.
Truth: What a great idea for a cookbook!
Truth: I'm glad this couple tried to work things out.
Truth: Beck wasn't so bad after all.
Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes
Status: Mild
HEA: Yes
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest critique.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2014
Marley is dreading her friends holiday wedding because her soon to be ex-husband is bringing his new younger girlfriend. Marley thinks she is over him, but seeing him there with the other woman makes her doubt herself. Beck has moved on and is flaunting his hot new girlfriend. He is surprised when he sees Marley that there are still feeling there. Their marriage fell apart due to her career success and his expectations that she be the doting wife. When they end up stranded overnight, thanks to her friend Gina, they reconnect and realize that they still love each other and that they both made mistakes. I really enjoyed this holiday novella. I just think it would have been nice if Marley had hooked up with someone while she was separated from her husband to even the score with Beck and his young hottie. Another great read by Erika Marks.
November 5, 2014
This is a novella, or a short novel.
Setting is a Christmas Wedding where two people on the verge of having their divorce finalized. Beck is a pro baseball player who feels like he is missing something in his life, even with his hot new girlfriend and great career. Marley enjoys her new found success in her cook book, but she can't help missing what she has lost.
I enjoyed this read a lot more than I thought I would, if I am being honest. I didn't have high expectations, but I was surprised by how well the story flowed and by the depth of the characters for such a short story. not a lot of extra side stories, concentration on the main characters and the setting.
*I received this title in exchange for an honest review.
Setting is a Christmas Wedding where two people on the verge of having their divorce finalized. Beck is a pro baseball player who feels like he is missing something in his life, even with his hot new girlfriend and great career. Marley enjoys her new found success in her cook book, but she can't help missing what she has lost.
I enjoyed this read a lot more than I thought I would, if I am being honest. I didn't have high expectations, but I was surprised by how well the story flowed and by the depth of the characters for such a short story. not a lot of extra side stories, concentration on the main characters and the setting.
*I received this title in exchange for an honest review.
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