Vuur en vlam

Save the Date #3.5

by Cara Connelly, Julia Vrijenhoef (Translator)

Deze brand valt niet zo makkelijk te blussen!

Tuurlijk, ze komt met liefde een week naar Florida voor de bruiloft van haar nicht, maar eeuwig bruidsmeisje Jan Marone wil nu zelf ook weleens de bruid zijn! Dus is het tijd voor een man in haar leven. Om dat te bereiken, stelt ze per direct het Nieuwe-Jan-Plan in werking. De komende week zal ze haar imago van grijze muis lozen en transformeren tot sexy babe. En haar beste vriend, Mick, moet haar daarbij helpen - hij is de grootste vrouwenverslinder die ze kent en dus een expert in verleiding. Misschien kan ze dan meteen over haar crush op hem heen komen...

Het bevalt brandweerman Mick helemaal niets, dat Nieuwe-Jan-Plan. Jan is toch prima zo? En stel dat andere mannen nu ook zien hoe sexy ze is? Straks kaapt een of andere kerel haar voor zijn neus weg, terwijl híj al jaren stiekem verliefd op haar is! Maar goed, het is natuurlijk zijn plicht als beste vriend om haar te behoeden voor de ellende die ze zich ongetwijfeld op de hals zal halen bij de uitvoering van haar onzalige plan. Hij zal dus maar beginnen met les 1 in kussen en gekust worden...

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Friends To Lovers, Roman

91 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2015

About the author

Cara Connelly writes love stories with sizzle and sass. Her books have won several awards, including Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart, Valley Forge Romance Writers’ Sheila, and Music City Romance Writers’ Melody of Love. Her bestselling, award-winning Save the Date series features sexy heroes, smart-mouthed heroines, funny situations, exotic locations, and steamy romance, not necessarily in that order.

Cara used to work as an attorney and law professor, but now she devotes all her time to romance. She lives in upstate New York with her husband Billy, their magical rescue dog Bella, and their overly affectionate cat Millie.

Keep up with Cara at CaraConnelly.com

Follow her on Facebook at caraconnellyromance

Tweet Cara on Twitter @cara_connelly

Reviews

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cara Connelly - Bis auf weiteres verliebt
eBook - 114 Seiten

Eine schöne Love-Story für Zwischendurch - ein wenig Humor, etwas Erotik, ein Prise Drama - alles drin.
Die Story überzeugt vor allem dadurch, dass keine Durststrecken entstehen, das Tempo passt von Anfang an.
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und locker, dadurch lässt sich das Buch angenehm und schnell lesen.
Zur Story ansich denke ich, dass man das ruhig noch ein wenig mehr ausschmücken hätte können.
Ein paar Seiten mehr hätte ich gut gefunden - nichts desto trotz ein wirklich schönes Buch.

* digitales Rezensionsexemplar von NetGalley & Lyx

[Lisa Filipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first page, I was already invested in the characters and couldn't wait to see how Cara was planning to unfold this friends-to-lovers romance. The banter between Jan and Mack was just the beginning...and watching these two finally succumb to the deep feelings they each have for one another was emotionally satisfying and downright sexy!

Cara also introduces us to a few of the characters (H/h) from the previous Save the date romances and let me tell you, I am so mad at myself for not reading them sooner, as this was my first read in the Save The Date series. I will certainly be back for more!

[Saly · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friends to lovers novella where H is man-ho yet professes to be in love with the h for years. He also thinks he is a sex addict and confuses that with a high sex drive. The h who is 30 finally decides to break from the shackles of an over protective mother and H doesn't like that everyone is noticing how sexy h is. Of course the other women in the book are over-vamped with the morals of an alley cat. Honestly, h fears about H's fidelity rang true yet she gave in too easily and believed he "loved her".

[Kimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow what a hot book. The two main characters Mick and
Jan Have loved each other for a long time. However neither
of them is willing to act on these feeling as they do not want
to ruin the friendship they already have. When they end up
in the same hotel room and have to share the bed, that is
when the true sparks start to fly. Mick is a firefighter and a
hero, but he has a other reputation that he is afraid to hare
with Jan. Little dose he know that Jan may very well be his
perfect match and then some. I loved the chemistry in this
book you could just feel it as you read it. If you have not read
them the other books in this series, I suggest you go get them.
I hope you enjoy this book as Much as I did.
If you do like this book, please consider leaving a review.
The Authors really like it when you do, they value your opinions too

[Ann Lorz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful taste of Cara Connelly. The Wedding Gift is well-written with a fast moving plot. You'll enjoy the characters very much.

[emily star ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dieser Kurzroman von Cara Connelly ist eine leichte Lektüre für zwischendurch. Er lässt sich auch ohne Vorkenntnisse der anderen Romane der Reihe gut lesen, allerdings wirken die vielen Personen, die Jan und Mick auf der Hochzeit von Julie bzw. drum herum treffen, etwas zusammenhanglos. Das wäre vielleicht anders, wenn man die Reihe kennt.

Die Story ist nicht innovativ oder überraschend, jede Leserin von Liebesromanen wird sich bereits am Anfang denken können, wohin es führt. Das von Jan und Mick unnötig inszenierte Drama („Ich sag ihm/ihr nicht, dass ich ihn/sie liebe“) hat mich beim Lesen etwas gerstört. Mir persönlich sagt außerdem die Begründung, warum Jan und Mick nun endlich zusammen sein können (weil Jan sich von Grund auf verändert hat) nicht so richtig zu - vor allem, da die Liebe zwischen beiden auch vorher schon da war. Wer aber darüber hinwegsieht, fühlt sich sicherlich gut unterhalten.

Empfehlen würde ich den Kurzroman vor allem Leserinnen, die das Genre noch nicht so gut kennen.

[Chu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jan Marone was ready for change. She was used to be shy, mousey and she still lives with her mother, but now she was willing to let go of all hesitations and try out something different. She was finally going to live her life under the hot Key West sun.

Something that her best friend, Mick McKenna didn’t expect was that sudden change in his best friend. When she decided she needed to reinvent herself, he thought it would be a subtle change, instead he was in for a big surprise. Not that he thought Jan was not beautiful, he always knew she was.

But them being in a claustrauphobic-sized room together could pose a problem. Will he be able to keep his hands into himself? Or would he finally realize that the woman for him is just right under his nose?

It’s a classic tale of friends to lovers, dashed with humor and sexiness, not to mention the perfect setting makes this one a great summer read!

Review originally posted on my blog

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•Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.•

More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never has a friends-to-lover trope been more hilarious! THE WEDDING GIFT is the extraordinarily talented Cara Connelly's latest instalment in the brilliant Save the Date series, and Mick and Jan are two of the most wonderful characters I have ever read. THE WEDDING GIFT is deep, insanely funny, hot and sexy and totally unforgettable! Thank you, Ms. Connelly, for yet another brilliant, fantastic, wonderful book!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved this whole series and this was a great addition to it!

[Sabrina (Soter) Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Strofinò le nocche lungo la sua guancia, un tocco morbido come una piuma. «Ti amo in ogni modo in cui un uomo possa amare una donna. Amo il tuo viso.» Le prese il volto tra le mani. «È il più bel viso che esista al mondo per me. Amo la tua testa.» Batté con un dito sulla sua tempia. «Anche quando non sembra funzionare affatto. Amo il tuo cuore…» Appoggiò il palmo della mano sul suo petto. «…grande tanto quanto la città di Boston.» Le sue braccia scivolarono lungo quelle di Jan, finché le sue dita non si intrecciarono con quelle di lei. «Ti ho sempre amata, da quando ho modo di ricordare. Sei sempre stata tu.»"

Novella breve ma dolcissima, l'ho divorata sperando non finisse mai *ç*

[CatherineAA · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wedding Gift is an entertaining, funny, sweet and sexy friends-to-lovers story and the newest addition to Cara Connelly’s Save the Date series.

Jan Marone has watched all her friends get coupled up and is beginning to feel left out. The only problem is that the one guy she has always had the hots for is very much out of her league and is also her best friend, Mick McKenna. And so the New Jan Plan is born. The New Jan Plan involves updating her wardrobe and landing herself a hot guy during her trip to Key West for their friends’ wedding. The Plan does not go so well when she finds herself forced to share Mick’s room due to issues with her hotel reservation.

Mick has been in love with Jan for a long time, but considers her too innocent for him (foolish dude) and so when she puts her plan into action, he finds himself torn between protecting her and giving her exactly what she wants. Watching Mick lose his mind was too funny and my favorite part was his internal monologues.

I really enjoyed reading The Wedding Gift and my only complaint is that it was not long enough. I also like that there was very little drama, which got resolved very quickly. One thing I love about Ms. Connelly’s writing is her ability to make a romantic story very funny, sometimes almost comical, without losing its sexiness.

I have had the pleasure of reading almost all of the books in the series and The Wedding Gift fits in very well with the other books. The entire series is one I intend to read over and over.


*I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*

[Kate Vale]

I rarely read novellas, but this one was fun. Light-hearted, yet dealing with a single issue that made sense, given the setting in Key West. Jan has decided that she needs a do-over so she can be the New Jan. To do so, she changes her hair-style, her clothes choices and she makes a plan to hook up with a man. When she arrives for her friend's destination wedding, there is her best male friend, Mick, a Boston to-die-for firefighter, also there for the wedding, but also on vacation and trying to overcome the nightmares he's experiencing from a recent rescue that's made him a hero to everyone else. Too bad he doesn't agree with that label. After all, he was only doing his job.

The trouble with Jan's plan is that she has lost her hotel room, not through any fault of her own. Mick steps up. After all, they've been best friends since kindergarten. She will take his room and he'll find another place to stay. But Jan says no no no. They'll SHARE the room. What follows eventually convinces each of them that they both want more than to be best friends. Will best lovers do for Jan? Mick's good with the idea, but first he has to keep her safe from the other men who've also noticed what he has: the New Jan is HOT! Why didn't he notice it before? Or did he, but choose not to acknowledge it? Read and enjoy their roller-coaster discovery of each other in Key West.

[Nikki Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wedding Gift is a hot and steamy friends to lovers story! Talk about sexual tension- this story oozed it! Okay, I have to admit, and I'm bad...I have NOT read one of Cara's books prior to this and I plan to rectify that now!

Jan is making a new plan for herself, and she decides a wedding in Key West is the perfect place to start. Add in a hotel mix up and her hot best friend Mick, and things go a little differently than she planned.

Mick stole my heart. He's hot, sexy, funny, and so much more. There's a side to him that really had me clutching my heart, aching for him. He doesn't want anyone to know this certain side, and when Jan was there for him in ways he couldn't even imagine, I knew these two were perfect for each other. But how do you tell your best friend you've been in lover with her for years without ruining the friendship?

This was a fun novella. I do wish we had much more of Mick and Jan, because I loved them together and would have loved longer! The characters were so real, full of emotion and their banter zinged from the pages. I'll be reading more of this author in the future!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wedding Gift is a sweet and funny friends to lovers romance. I'm quick to pick up a romance with the friends to lovers trope and was thrilled that Cara Connelly delivers a memorable one.

This latest in the Save the Date series is a wonderful read leading into summer. With a setting that takes you away to Key West, I was ready to get swept away with Jan and Mick.

I'm enjoying Connelly's Save the Date series and looking forward to reading more.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute novella about two best friends who have loved each other forever and now are finally getting together. I loved the characters and how well they were together. The plot was cute with them being in key west for a wedding. This novella makes me want to start this series from the beginning just to see how the other characters came together.

[Patty Chacin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book!
The only reason I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars is that this friends becoming more stories always left me with the same idea: "why not sooner?"
In this case "why did Mick waiting to tell Jan how he felt?"
But other than that, it was hot and steamy :)

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fun, friends-to-lovers story, one of my favorite types.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway. This was a cute, easy read. This is my first time reading a book in this series, and it made me want to read the others.

[Anja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jan Marone ist mit ihrem Leben unzufrieden. Sie ist 30 und hat noch immer keinen Partner an ihrer Seite. Als sie nun zur Hochzeit ihrer Schwester nach Key West reist, soll sich das ändern, denn Jan will sich nun neu finden.
Ihr Begleiter und bester Freund Mick ist von der Veränderung überhaupt nicht begeistert. Kennen sie sich doch schon seit frühster Kindheit, haben es aber beide bisher vermieden, dem anderen näher zu kommen. Doch vielleicht ist es nun an der Zeit, der Liebe eine neue Chance zu geben.

Wer bereits die ersten Bände zur Reihe gelesen hat, wird in dieser Novelle sicherlich ein paar Charaktere wiedererkennen, doch das ist nicht notwendig, denn das Buch beinhaltet eine in sich abgeschlossene Handlung und kann unabhängig gelesen werden.

Jan und Mick sind die beiden Charaktere, um die sich alles dreht. Sie sind beide sympathisch und liebenswert. Menschen, denen der Leser Glück wünscht und sich für sie freut.
Dabei ist Jan naiv und unschuldig, während Mick sein Leben in allen Zügen voll auskostet und dadurch erfahren und stark wirkt. Sie wohnt mit 30 noch bei ihrer Mutter, er ist der unerschrockene Feuerwehrmann, der sich täglich in Gefahr begibt.

Leider ist die Handlung sehr vorhersehbar und auch die Ideen sind nur wenig glaubwürdig umgesetzt worden. In dieser Novelle fehlt einfach das Esprit, was einen guten Roman ausmacht. Viel zu sehr verlässt sich die Autorin auf Klischees und Vertrautes, ohne mal einen Sprung ins Ungewisse zu wagen. Positiv sei dennoch angemerkt, dass die Geschichte schnell gelesen werden kann, denn durch eine verständliche Sprache und einer modernen Wortwahl ist es einfach, sich auf die Novelle einzulassen. Außerdem liegt bekanntlich in der Kürze die Würze, weshalb es ein guter Roman ist, der sich für einen ruhigen und gemütlichen Leseabend eignet.

Irgendwie gewöhnlich und durchschnittlich

Mein persönliches Fazit:
Nach dem ich die ersten drei Romane von der Schriftstellerin verschlungen habe, muss ich hier ehrlich gestehen, dass mich das Buch überhaupt nicht erreicht hat. Die Charaktere sind zwar nett, doch irgendwie auch langweilig, die Handlung ist weder gut durchdacht noch vernünftig und glaubwürdig umgesetzt worden.
Hier hätte ich einfach mehr Dynamik, Leidenschaft und Dramatik erwartet, doch leider blieb das Werk weit hinter meinen Erwartungen zurück. Schade, dennoch freu ich mich schon auf weitere Werke der Autorin. Für Freunde von kurzweiligen Liebesgeschichten bietet es dennoch ausreichend Unterhaltung.

[Josie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ended up skimming through this one. I wish it had been longer, because I felt like there was no real conflict or suspense (or at least, not any that was believable and had me wondering about the hero and heroine getting to their HEA). So, yes, it kept me reading, but I wasn't overly invested in the relationship.

[Matilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun romantic escapism.

[Fania♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️2.4/5

[Zauberhafte Bücherwelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wie auch schon im Titel steht, ist "Bis auf weiteres verliebt" ein Spin-off der "Save the date" - Reihe von Cara Connelly. Es kann aber auch unabhängig von ihr gelesen werden, so wie ich es getan habe. Es fehlt einem trotzdem nichts an Handlung und auch die Gedanken und Handlungen der Protagonisten sind nachvollziehbar.
Aufgrund der doch sehr erotischen Bettszenen, würde ich die Novelle ab 18 Jahren empfehlen.

Jan Marone ist eher ruhig und unauffällig. Sie verkuppelt ihre Freundinnen mit heißen Typen, ohne selbst einen abzubekommen. Doch das soll sich nun ändern. Zur Hochzeit ihrer Cousine kommen nur Kleidungsstücke in den Koffer, die sie vorher niemals getragen hätte - kürzer, auffälliger und vor allem sexy. Doch im Hotel erlebt sie die Überraschung: ihr Zimmer ist einem Wasserschaden zum Opfer gefallen und so muss sie sich ein kleines Zimmer mit ihrem besten Freund Mick teilen. Vom ersten Moment an liegt eine gewisse Spannung in der Luft - aber Mick kann doch gar nichts von ihr wollen, oder?

Dadurch, dass dies eine Novelle von knapp unter 200 Seiten ist, konnte ich keinen ganz so guten Einblick in die Charaktere erhalten.
Jan Marone ist knapp über dreißig und beschließt nun, sich vom grauen Mäuschen in ein begehrenswertes Mädchen zu verwandeln. Da ich sie aus den anderen Büchern nicht kenne und sie sich auch schon auf den ersten Seiten "neu" erfindet, hatte ich mit der Wandlung keine Probleme.
Mick McKenna ist sexy, heiß und hat eine Affäre nach der anderen. Doch Nachts quälen ihn Albträume, denn vor einiger Zeit hatte er ein einschneidendes Erlebnis, über das er immer noch nicht hinweg ist... Leider ist er absolut besessen von ... (darf man das Wort schreiben? Ich habe keine Ahnung und lasse es lieber weg, aber ihr wisst schon was ich meine :D) Die Geschichte ist abwechselnd aus seiner und der Sicht von Jan geschrieben. Micks Sicht dreht sich wirklich nur um das eine. Sexy Hintern hier, dies da - er ist wirklich richtig süchtig danach. Mir hat das nicht wirklich gefallen und es kam einem auch nicht so vor, als wären die beiden schon jahrelang beste Freunde. Da muss man sich wirklich nicht wie ein Tier benehmen...

Den Schreibstil von Cara Connelly fand ich ganz gut. Allerdings auch nicht so gut, das ich sagen würde: "Wow, ich muss unbedingt ein weiteres Buch von ihr lesen!". Trotzdem hatte dich die Geschichte, auch auf Grund der Kürze, an einem Tag durch. Die Gefühle und Emotionen kamen sehr gut rüber und ich habe dennoch mit den Charakteren mitgefiebert.
Die Handlung an sich und die Thematik fand ich ebenfalls gelungen. Natürlich ist sie recht vorhersehbar und es passieren keine überraschenden Wendungen oder ähnliches. Für mich eine nette Novelle für zwischendurch, die von mir ganz ganz knappe 3 Eulen erhält.

[booksbysilvie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Der locker leichte Schreibstil machte mir den Einstieg in dieses Buch sehr leicht. Jan und Mick haben toll miteinander funktioniert. Ihre gemeinsame Vorgeschichte hat das Ganze natürlich leicht gemacht – die Chemie hat gestimmt und die leidenschaftlichen Auseinandersetzungen zwischen ihnen waren toll zu lesen. Die Autorin hat mich hier mit vielen Emotionen und leidenschaftlichen Momenten überzeugen können. Ich habe mit Jan und Mick mitgefiebert, wollte sie oftmals so gern wachrütteln. Aber natürlich hat das die ganze Sache spannend gemacht. Ich fand es toll, dass ich die Geschichte aus beiden Perspektiven erleben durfte.

Dennoch konnte ich mich in Jan nur schwer hineinversetzen. Die gute Frau ist bereits über dreißig hat dafür aber quasi noch nie richtig gelebt. Vielleicht liegt es einfach daran, dass ich komplett anders bin als sie. Jedenfalls hat mir zu ihr einfach der Zugang gefehlt und irgendwann hat sie mich dann doch leicht genervt. Da diese Story nur eine begleitende Novelle zur Save the Date - Reihe ist, kommt es für mich nicht überraschend, dass ich über die Figuren nicht allzu viel erfahren habe. Das macht mich natürlich neugierig auf die anderen Bücher. Aber leider blieben dadurch die Nebencharaktere doch sehr blass und auch Mick und Jan hätten für mich ein bisschen mehr Tiefe haben können.

Aber gerade deswegen werde ich mich nun wohl auch an die restlichen Bücher der Reihe wagen, denn der tolle Schreibstil und die locker leichte Story haben mich in ihren Bann gezogen und ich will unbedingt mehr über die restlichen Charaktere erfahren.

Fazit:

„Bis auf weiteres verliebt“ ist eine sommerlich, leichte Kurzgeschichte, die perfekt an den Strand passt. Die Liebesgeschichte ist emotional, leidenschaftlich und authentisch. Die Protagonistin war mir leider hin und wieder zu anstrengend und auch die Charaktere waren etwas blass. Deshalb vergebe ich 4/ 5 Leseeulen und eine Leseempfehlung für alle, die lockere Liebesgeschichten mögen.

Sylvia von Bücher ღ weil wir sie lieben

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well it's no secret that I'm a humungous fan of this series and first in line at Amazon when a new one is published. Cara Connelly just never leaves me disappointed and her books are the ones I read again when I need a delicious, passionate, sexy and smartly written romance.
The Wedding Gift is set in Key West and Jan is there for her cousin's wedding (remember Julie and Cody from The Wedding Date??). Jan brought her bestie as a date, Mick, a sizzling hot fireman who shuffles women through his life and bed without commitment while enjoying their sexual companionship, Jan's loving friendship and support and maintaining his own bachelorhood. But he's in love with Jan. Jan always walks on the safe side, dresses conservatively, is a self described "dork".. the "good girl" who still lives with her mother and flies under the radar never drawing attention to herself. And she's in love with Mick. Now we all see where this is going, right? The fun is in how they get there. With unpredictable circumstances, double entendres and misinterpretations and pheromones flying everywhere it's sweet, salacious and funny. I loved that we get to see what Mick is thinking vs what he is saying, and how men read each other's nonverbals loud and clear.
What I didn't like so much was that this was a novella instead of a full length novel because I wanted more of these characters and their story. Ms Connelly has a way of incorporating characters from past books in this series into the next so I'm hoping we'll see more of Jan and Mick. And btw, we get to see Tyrell and Vicky from The Wedding Favor and finally get to meet Tyrell and Cody's parents in this novella which was wonderful for this fan of these characters.
For fans of Cara Connelly, this series and those who have not discovered it yet, I am giving this an enthusiastic five stars and am going to send her an email asking if I can clean her house and run her errands so she can focus on getting the next one published.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I love this series – it’s laden with fun, funny and heart and Cara Connelly didn’t fail to deliver in The Wedding Gift.

A short (200-ish pages) novella installment that checks back in with a few of the characters introduced earlier in the journey as the friends to lovers romance between Jan and Mack develops. From the start, Connelly makes you want to know them better, and it isn’t long before you are cheering on their romance.

Jan is really funny, clever and determined: the former shy and mousey girl is grabbing the monkey by the tail and stepping into a new life. A new life means a fresh start, so she intends to do all those things that always scared her before: reinventing herself in a way that will shock and awe her best friend Mick.

Mick has always thought Jan was a terrific friend, and she wasn’t had on the eyes. But, he never really contemplated sharing his feelings for her, until the new Jan appears and the force of her personality and the changes she has made knock him for a loop. Gone is the reliable, quiet, shy and retiring Jan, and in her place is Jan to the nth power.

The banter, the friendship and the true connection between these two is apparent from page one, and it just gets better as the book rolls on. Whipping through the pages to their final “aha” moment, just before Mick finally and utterly loses his mind.

Connelly builds characters and relationships with care: funny, comical and even some dramatic reveals and moments are handled well, balanced and never overshadowing the romance. A solid pick me up read that will have you rushing out to get more of this author’s work.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends-to-lovers troupe--yay!

The Wedding Gift is an adorable read--quick and fun, perfect to put you in a summer-y mood. I loved the "New Jan" plan--and especially loved how it drove poor Mick crazy...

"Gotta shower. We've got dinner in a couple of hours."

She grinned. "Seriously? You need two hours to primp?"

He tried a smile. It felt plastic. "You know how punctual Julie is."

She cocked her head. "You look a little pasty. Are you feeling okay?" She climbed the steps, water sluicing off her smooth skin.

"I'm"--losing my shit--"fine. I just want to"--jump you--"take a shower before you use up all the hot water." His smile was partly genuine this time. She was famous for long showers.

"Har har." She--finally--wrapped herself in her towel and plunked down on her lounger.

Seriously--the poor guy never stood a chance, especially since he's been secretly in love with her for approximately--well, pretty much forever...

Not having read the first three books in the series yet, Jan's introducing Mick to the wedding photographer didn't really have the impact it probably would have otherwise (she's supposed to have a "gift" for introducing couples who later end up getting married--hence the title), but other than that this one worked just fine as a standalone. If you have read the others, you'll no doubt appreciate the chance to see those characters again here.

If you haven't read them yet, well, speaking from experience, I can definitely say that after reading this novella you'll be tempted to see just how the whole gift thing works in books 1-3...

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Melody May (What I'm Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posted on What I'm Reading

Okay, The Wedding the Gift is a quick read. I'm going to be truthful I have only read one other book in the series and I don't remember Jan being in that book. She could have been, and she just kind of blended into the story. Anyway, we are going to press forward.

In this quick read, we find Jan has decided she's done being dowdy and wants to spice things up. It probably doesn't help that everyone around her is getting married. Plus, the big 3-0 is kind of hitting her pretty bad, and it's time to find a man. Of course, she would love to have her best friend, but he's out of her league. So, why not enlist his help in order to get laid? What's the harm in that? Too bad he can't tell her he has a crush on her too.

Yes, this friends to lovers story is fun to read. Yes, both of them are oblivious to one another feelings and believes that they are only in the friend zone. If only they could get their heads out of their butts and see that they would be good together. It's not easy getting out of the friend zone when you are unsure where the other stands. So, in The Wedding Gift you see Jan and Mick tumble through friend zone to lovers. It's a little rocky, after all Mick does have a reputation which doesn't help his cause to get Jan. Overall, it was a cute quick read with them romping around. Don't know what to read and would like to spend a little time at a beach wedding, you might want to give The Wedding Gift a try.

Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss

[Steffi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Danke an Netgalley und Bastei Entertainment/Lyx Digital für das digitale Rezensionsexemplar.

Dies war mein erstes Buch der Autorin und somit auch das erste in der Reihe. Man kann es jedoch problemlos als Standalone lesen, mir haben beim Lesen keine Infos oder ähnliches gefehlt.

Jan war bisher eher ein Mauerblümchen, doch das will sie ändern. Ich fand Jan sehr sympathisch und ich habe ihre Wandlung nicht als zu übertrieben empfunden, was auf jeden Fall positiv ist. Mick gegenüber sind meine Empfindungen eher durchwachsen. Einerseits ist er der sensible Kerl, der immer noch unter Erlebnissen in seinem Beruf als Feuerwehrmann leidet, andererseits kam er ziemlich notgeil rüber und sämtliche seiner Gedanken drehten sich einfach komplett nur um Sex. Das war mir stellenweise zu viel und einfach nur platt. Sein Charakter war nicht so richtig greifbar.
Die Chemie zwischen den beiden war spürbar, aber von Mick's Seite zu sexlastig, besonders weil sich die beiden schon so lange kennen.

Die Geschichte war nett und unterhaltsam für zwischendurch, speziell durch die Kürze des Buches. Der Schreibstil war bis auf eine paar platte Zweideutigkeiten ansprechend zu lesen und ich bin neugierig auf weitere Werke der Autorin geworden.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read this was! Jan and Mick are in Key West for Jan's cousin's wedding. They are and have been best friends forever, Jan, being somewhat of a shy spinster has decided to change. Mick, a real ladies man and playboy, isn't sure about the new Jan. It was so much fun to see his reactions and watch as he recognizes what they all mean. Jan and Mick make me smile, although at times I wanted to smack them both upside the head!! :o) Ms. Connelly had me smiling and chuckling quite often - her writing style is terrific. I enjoyed the inner thoughts spoken by the characters - definitely entertaining! A romance wouldn't be a true romance if it didn't have at least a little bit of angst. I felt so bad for both characters at one point. However, it's not overwhelming and doesn't drag on and on as it does in some books. I so enjoyed this novella that I plan to read the other books in the series - yes, this can be read as a stand alone. This one is perfect for a lunch break or lounging on the beach while working on your tan! (received copy from Edelweiss for honest review)