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Chapel of Love #0.5
A Fairytale Bride
A CHAPEL OF LOVE SHORT STORY
After a very public career disaster, journalist Jeff Talbert-Lyndon wants to escape from the world. Picturesque Shenadoah Falls, Virginia, seems like the perfect place to relax and regroup before heading back to real life. But when he discovers the charming bookstore Secondhand Prose - and its lovely, slightly overwhelmed owner- he finds a part-time job and a very tempting reason to stay...
Melissa Portman is fighting a losing battle when it comes to saving her grandmother's store - and selling the historic building may be her only option. Yet when a handsome stranger wanders in one day, she wonders if her very own fairytale is just beginning...
After a very public career disaster, journalist Jeff Talbert-Lyndon wants to escape from the world. Picturesque Shenadoah Falls, Virginia, seems like the perfect place to relax and regroup before heading back to real life. But when he discovers the charming bookstore Secondhand Prose - and its lovely, slightly overwhelmed owner- he finds a part-time job and a very tempting reason to stay...
Melissa Portman is fighting a losing battle when it comes to saving her grandmother's store - and selling the historic building may be her only option. Yet when a handsome stranger wanders in one day, she wonders if her very own fairytale is just beginning...
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2016
24 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Hope Ramsay
36 books559 followersHope Ramsay is a USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming contemporary romances, set below the Mason-Dixon Line. Her children are grown, but she has a beloved fur baby, Daisy the Cockapoo who keeps her entertained. Hope lives in the medium-sized town of Fredericksburg, Virginia and when she’s not writing or walking the dog, she spends her time knitting and noodling around on her collection of guitars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
June 6, 2016
3.5 - "Guess I picked the wrong day to go commando." Stars!
If you are looking for a quick, cute and sometimes funny read to while away a couple of hours, then A Fairytale Bride fits really well into that category.
This is my first read by this author and I really enjoyed getting to know Melissa, Jeff and the people of Shenandoah Falls. Jeff is incognito, hiding out in his father’s cabin after a spectacularly large fall from grace in Washington circles when one of his published articles, rubs up the noses of the wrong people. Problem is he has family living close to the town, an in an act of avoidance, stumbles into Secondhand Prose one day, and inadvertently the owner Meilssa Portman.
"What are you, some kind of cat whisperer?"
Struggling to deal with everything after her Grandmothers recent death, she can’t help but fall a little bit for the odd-guy who offers to help her out in the shop voluntarily, inadvertently makes friends with two of the most unfriendly cats, and ends up losing his trousers in an unfortunate ladder accident! But as you would expect, Jeff’s secrets, if exposed could easily break the fragile connection that is growing between them.
Money could buy a lot, but it couldn’t buy trust and it couldn’t buy love.
A great start to the author’s new Chapel of Love series, Melissa and Jeff’s story continues in the next book A Christmas Bride, due for release in September, in that the wedding planner the story is based around is organising their wedding!
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was a pleasure to provide the above honest review.
If you are looking for a quick, cute and sometimes funny read to while away a couple of hours, then A Fairytale Bride fits really well into that category.
This is my first read by this author and I really enjoyed getting to know Melissa, Jeff and the people of Shenandoah Falls. Jeff is incognito, hiding out in his father’s cabin after a spectacularly large fall from grace in Washington circles when one of his published articles, rubs up the noses of the wrong people. Problem is he has family living close to the town, an in an act of avoidance, stumbles into Secondhand Prose one day, and inadvertently the owner Meilssa Portman.
"What are you, some kind of cat whisperer?"
Struggling to deal with everything after her Grandmothers recent death, she can’t help but fall a little bit for the odd-guy who offers to help her out in the shop voluntarily, inadvertently makes friends with two of the most unfriendly cats, and ends up losing his trousers in an unfortunate ladder accident! But as you would expect, Jeff’s secrets, if exposed could easily break the fragile connection that is growing between them.
Money could buy a lot, but it couldn’t buy trust and it couldn’t buy love.
A great start to the author’s new Chapel of Love series, Melissa and Jeff’s story continues in the next book A Christmas Bride, due for release in September, in that the wedding planner the story is based around is organising their wedding!
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was a pleasure to provide the above honest review.
March 7, 2018
I would have to give this novella a 5 Star/Kitty rating. This was a super sweet story that drug me into the premise by involving a flame that kindles at a used bookstore. I loved Melissa and Jeff's characterization. The romance between them was super cute and this was the perfect novella to go along with Driftwood Cove. I absolutely LOVED both stories and would recommend them to all! Thanks so much to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.
May 23, 2016
3 Believing in HEA Stars
This was a very quick read incorporating many things I usually like in a story. Two characters who are smart, well read and brought together by happenstance.
Our fella is a maligned journalist. He did some cutting edge investigative reporting on a corrupt political situation with the players unfortunately manipulating all of his proof to look bogus. To retreat from the backlash from the publicity and hurtful quotes from his own well placed political father, he goes to the fishing cabin. There he hopes to just gather himself, lick his mental wounds and distance himself from his father's side of the family. Finances are not an issue as he has trust funds from his mother's side should he need it. He is hoping to lay low as he only had been to this town populated with his father's side when he was a boy.
Our gal is someone overcoming loss. She has a big heart and it was nurtured by her parents when she was little and then protected by her granny when the parents were killed in an accident. Being raised by granny meant loving words and the books they encased. All of her times growing up were in Granny's bookstore in this town and now with her granny passed.... the bookstore with the feisty, unfriendly cats is all she has left of her.
With the advent of Ebooks and Internet Giants, the bookstore is not doing well. She is caught in a rock and a hard place because the Lydon family which owns most of the real estate in town wants to upgrade the street to draw more business to the area. This would mean paying an assessment to the Lydon's and in order to do that...she would have to get a mortgage on the bookstore which she can't afford. She is in a pickle.
With all of this on her mind, our fella walks into the bookstore as a means to hide from his Lydon aunt. These two meet...have a conversation while he is purchasing books to read while hiding in his cabin. He is careful about what information he gives...as he is hiding from the world. She is casually curious and surprised one of the unfriendly cats is loving him up. Goodbyes are said.
The next day he is back and he is offering to volunteer to assist her with the store's organization...which is well needed. She is hesitant even though there had been a sign for "help wanted" in the window. He also does the impossible...the most mean, nasty cat...is wooed by him and is his new best friend. She takes it as a sign.
This very quick novella uses the quirky Tshirts and love of fairytales by our gal as a way to give us insight to her hopes and dreams. There is the plot of his family being involved with the town and his feelings of distrust and hurt. With some misdirection, little angst and clearly an instant attraction between the two....a Happy Ever After comes together.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
This was a very quick read incorporating many things I usually like in a story. Two characters who are smart, well read and brought together by happenstance.
Our fella is a maligned journalist. He did some cutting edge investigative reporting on a corrupt political situation with the players unfortunately manipulating all of his proof to look bogus. To retreat from the backlash from the publicity and hurtful quotes from his own well placed political father, he goes to the fishing cabin. There he hopes to just gather himself, lick his mental wounds and distance himself from his father's side of the family. Finances are not an issue as he has trust funds from his mother's side should he need it. He is hoping to lay low as he only had been to this town populated with his father's side when he was a boy.
Our gal is someone overcoming loss. She has a big heart and it was nurtured by her parents when she was little and then protected by her granny when the parents were killed in an accident. Being raised by granny meant loving words and the books they encased. All of her times growing up were in Granny's bookstore in this town and now with her granny passed.... the bookstore with the feisty, unfriendly cats is all she has left of her.
With the advent of Ebooks and Internet Giants, the bookstore is not doing well. She is caught in a rock and a hard place because the Lydon family which owns most of the real estate in town wants to upgrade the street to draw more business to the area. This would mean paying an assessment to the Lydon's and in order to do that...she would have to get a mortgage on the bookstore which she can't afford. She is in a pickle.
With all of this on her mind, our fella walks into the bookstore as a means to hide from his Lydon aunt. These two meet...have a conversation while he is purchasing books to read while hiding in his cabin. He is careful about what information he gives...as he is hiding from the world. She is casually curious and surprised one of the unfriendly cats is loving him up. Goodbyes are said.
The next day he is back and he is offering to volunteer to assist her with the store's organization...which is well needed. She is hesitant even though there had been a sign for "help wanted" in the window. He also does the impossible...the most mean, nasty cat...is wooed by him and is his new best friend. She takes it as a sign.
This very quick novella uses the quirky Tshirts and love of fairytales by our gal as a way to give us insight to her hopes and dreams. There is the plot of his family being involved with the town and his feelings of distrust and hurt. With some misdirection, little angst and clearly an instant attraction between the two....a Happy Ever After comes together.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
May 24, 2016
Jeff Talbert-Lyndon decides to head to Shenadoah Falls, Virginia to try to escape from the world after a very public career disaster. Hiding out in the remote cabin he finds himself a bit stir crazy and ends up in the local book store where he meets Melissa Portman.
Melissa has been fighting what feels like a losing battle trying to keep her grandmother's store in business. When Jeff walks into her life and asks about a part time job she has to turn him down. Jeff however doesn't quite know how to take no for an answer and decides he's going to volunteer in the store.
A Fairytale Bride is a rather cute little novella featuring a love story about a couple who are both avid readers. As a reader myself I couldn't help but love the setting to this story but there's also a bit of a hitch to the couple's fairy tale when it turns out Jeff is related to the family trying to buy out the store.
I really liked both characters in here. Melissa with her store and cats she's inherited has a rather quirky vibe to her and Jeff is the good guy who is trying to distance himself from a not so nice family. A good mix of chemistry, drama and even a bit of humor here and there in this story.
Overall, nice characters and a nice setting in this short little romance read, definitely one I enjoyed.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Melissa has been fighting what feels like a losing battle trying to keep her grandmother's store in business. When Jeff walks into her life and asks about a part time job she has to turn him down. Jeff however doesn't quite know how to take no for an answer and decides he's going to volunteer in the store.
A Fairytale Bride is a rather cute little novella featuring a love story about a couple who are both avid readers. As a reader myself I couldn't help but love the setting to this story but there's also a bit of a hitch to the couple's fairy tale when it turns out Jeff is related to the family trying to buy out the store.
I really liked both characters in here. Melissa with her store and cats she's inherited has a rather quirky vibe to her and Jeff is the good guy who is trying to distance himself from a not so nice family. A good mix of chemistry, drama and even a bit of humor here and there in this story.
Overall, nice characters and a nice setting in this short little romance read, definitely one I enjoyed.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
May 27, 2016
A Fairytale Bride
Hope Ramsay
I devour everything Hope Ramsay writes and A FAIRYTALE BRIDE is exactly why. It is the first book, or I should say novella in Hope's new series, Chapel of Love series. It is short and sweet and left me wanting more after I finished reading it and that's why I love this author. All of her books do this to me. So that is my only complaint about A FAIRYTALE BRIDE. When it was over, I wanted to keep reading and stay in the characters business.
Melissa owns the used bookstore, Secondhand Prose. Her grandmother left it to her before she died. She is struggling to keep it open. The taxes are due and she has no way to pay them. In walks Jeff Talbert-Lyndon. He is instantly taken with Melissa and offers to help her around the store. He doesn't tell her his last name as it is well known in Shenadoah Falls, Virginia. It is a name that Melissa would not be happy to hear as she thinks the family is trying to get her out of the building and buy it. Melissa is quite taken with Jeff too but knows how to protect her heart. You can only imagine what happens when she learns the truth about Jeff and his family.
I love this story of Jeff and Melissa and I was totally wrapped up in their lives and the shenanigans of the crazy town folk. Hope Ramsay never disappoints with her stories and keeps me turning the pages. I couldn't stop reading until I knew exactly what was going to happen. I truly love A FAIRYTALE BRIDE. The situations Melissa and Jeff found themselves in are hysterical. Hope Ramsay and her magnificent writing made me feel like I was right there with Melissa, all the while trying not to let her see the smirk on my face about what was happening. For me, A FAIRYTALE BRIDE is a fun story but also at times, emotional and for one afternoon, it allowed me to escape to a wonderful small town and get involved in the characters lives and business. Be prepared to laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time.
ARC received from Netgalley for an honest review.
Hope Ramsay
I devour everything Hope Ramsay writes and A FAIRYTALE BRIDE is exactly why. It is the first book, or I should say novella in Hope's new series, Chapel of Love series. It is short and sweet and left me wanting more after I finished reading it and that's why I love this author. All of her books do this to me. So that is my only complaint about A FAIRYTALE BRIDE. When it was over, I wanted to keep reading and stay in the characters business.
Melissa owns the used bookstore, Secondhand Prose. Her grandmother left it to her before she died. She is struggling to keep it open. The taxes are due and she has no way to pay them. In walks Jeff Talbert-Lyndon. He is instantly taken with Melissa and offers to help her around the store. He doesn't tell her his last name as it is well known in Shenadoah Falls, Virginia. It is a name that Melissa would not be happy to hear as she thinks the family is trying to get her out of the building and buy it. Melissa is quite taken with Jeff too but knows how to protect her heart. You can only imagine what happens when she learns the truth about Jeff and his family.
I love this story of Jeff and Melissa and I was totally wrapped up in their lives and the shenanigans of the crazy town folk. Hope Ramsay never disappoints with her stories and keeps me turning the pages. I couldn't stop reading until I knew exactly what was going to happen. I truly love A FAIRYTALE BRIDE. The situations Melissa and Jeff found themselves in are hysterical. Hope Ramsay and her magnificent writing made me feel like I was right there with Melissa, all the while trying not to let her see the smirk on my face about what was happening. For me, A FAIRYTALE BRIDE is a fun story but also at times, emotional and for one afternoon, it allowed me to escape to a wonderful small town and get involved in the characters lives and business. Be prepared to laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time.
ARC received from Netgalley for an honest review.
June 7, 2016
The reason I picked up A Fairytale Bride by Hope Ramsay to read? Because I am a huge fan of her Last Chance series. I have read every single one of them and I have loved and enjoyed they stories they told.
Short novellas can be a hit or miss. Sometimes the stories feel too rushed and a lot of the times they are just not very well written. Not with this lovely story! I do not feel like the story was rushed (though if it was longer I would have enjoyed it even more!).
I loved the background of our two main characters Jeff and Melissa. I like their personalities and what brought them together. They have a lovely story to tell and I am happy that we will get a bit more of it in the next book A Christmas Bride due out September 27, 2016.
Short novellas can be a hit or miss. Sometimes the stories feel too rushed and a lot of the times they are just not very well written. Not with this lovely story! I do not feel like the story was rushed (though if it was longer I would have enjoyed it even more!).
I loved the background of our two main characters Jeff and Melissa. I like their personalities and what brought them together. They have a lovely story to tell and I am happy that we will get a bit more of it in the next book A Christmas Bride due out September 27, 2016.
October 1, 2016
This is a quick, sweet and funny romance story. It is the prequel to Hope Ramsey's new series Chapel of Love. I fell in love with the small town of Shenadoah Falls, Virginia and it's residents. I really love the quaint little bookstore with it's two adorable cats Hugo and Dickens. I really hated to see the story come to an end. It is a great beginning to which I think will be an AWESOME series. Looking forward to reading the next book A Christmas Bride.
November 29, 2020
Maybe 3.5, but I rounded up because bookstores & cats make me happy.
I've not read this series, but I'll look for it. I enjoy Ramsay's writing!
I've not read this series, but I'll look for it. I enjoy Ramsay's writing!
July 2, 2016
The short story romance tale is nice enough and there is a pleasant focus on the little bookshop's two cats. A journalist who didn't do his research is in disgrace (so should his editor be) and sulking in a small town instead of trying to rebuild his reputation. He meets the attractive lady who inherited a secondhand bookshop and sees that she's not got to grips with cleaning it and rearranging, preferring to read. Offering to work for minimal wage (doing a student out of a job) the man pitches in to help.
I'd have seen more point if the shop ever actually had a customer or sold a book. Since there are business rates to be paid and all. Still, it's a sweet romance, suitable for all ages.
I received an ARC in return for an unbiased review.
I'd have seen more point if the shop ever actually had a customer or sold a book. Since there are business rates to be paid and all. Still, it's a sweet romance, suitable for all ages.
I received an ARC in return for an unbiased review.
January 2, 2022
I usually give novellas three stars because they don’t have time to developed their story but this book surprised me. Melissa Portman had taken over her Grandmother’s used book store but she was not making enough money to pay the taxes and the Lyndon family wanted to buy the building and she wasn’t sure what she was going to do. When Jefferson Talbert-Lyndon showed up at her door while trying to hide from his Aunt Pam, he knew he had walked into a fairly tale including two cats with their own personalities. This was a cute story that pulled two people together and helped Jeff realize he was not the only family member who did not like his father.
August 29, 2020
Jefferson Talbert-Lyndon headed to Shenandoah Falls, Virginia to escape a blunder in his writing career. Melissa Portman left her teaching job in order to take care of her Grammy before she died. Now she's trying to keep Grammy's Secondhand Prose bookstore opened. Jefferson starts hanging out at the bookstore, helping Melissa clean and organize the place. He doesn't tell her who is really is. What will happen when she finds out? This is an entertaining one sitting read. It has likable characters and a HEA romance!
September 24, 2020
Sweet short story of romance, love at first style. A story that says family money doesn't buy happiness or a sense of decency, and that you should always trust your cat's instinctual knowledge of a person's true nature.
December 27, 2020
Great read...journalist Jeff retreats to family cabin after being lambasted for a story and meets the local book store owner, only problem in their way is his father's family seem to be trying to buy her out.
May 22, 2017
Short romance. Quick read on my kindle.
September 19, 2017
Great read. Loved the book.
January 29, 2018
Good story,easy to read and the plot is interesting.
February 28, 2018
Nice story.
March 9, 2018
A Fairytale Bride is a sweet and funny short story written by author Hope Ramsay.
March 28, 2018
First book I have read by this author and I loved it.
July 17, 2018
read from the Driftwood Cove bonus novella.
August 3, 2018
Hope Ramsey's stories are full of people who I would love to meet and towns that I would love to live in.
April 27, 2019
cute quick read
July 26, 2020
I just loved it!
August 31, 2020
Loved this story. I loved the bookstore and the characters. So much chemistry. Very emotional. Just a great book!
September 7, 2020
Very cute short story
December 26, 2020
This was the perfect little short story to read after a fun Christmas day.
January 18, 2021
Short & sweet story. Not a lot of fluff or drama.
February 6, 2021
This was a cute, fun short novella around 100 pages. You will fall in love with the characters and much of the story takes place in a secondhand bookstore, ie heaven for book lovers.
May 10, 2021
Just awful
February 15, 2022
Short and sweet and set in a bookstore. Excellent!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews