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White Christmas Wedding
This heartwarming, feel-good holiday romance brings together a loveable cast of characters who find hope where they thought it had been lost and romance where no one ever expected it.
Returning home to her family’s farm in the Midwest for her Christmas wedding was never Beth Dean’s plan. But it’s the only way her beloved grandmother will be able to attend. And even her New York City friends will find the family’s old barn elegant. But when her fiancé’s family want her to sign a pre-nup, her hopes for her future marriage may be crumbling even as the guests arrive.
Beth’s childhood friend, Jen Fitzgerald, has always dreamed of starting a wedding planning business. And when Beth decides to have her wedding back home, it’s the perfect chance for Jen to show everyone what she can do. But when the caterer cancels and a blizzard comes in through the barn door, Jen wonders if she’s bit off more than she can chew—and how she’s going to get through the wedding while seeing her old flame, Jared, for the first time in years.
Meanwhile, Beth’s friend Destiny is trying to put on a brave face while she wonders why she never left home to follow her dreams like Beth. The groom’s parents are brought face to face with the tensions in their own marriage as they argue over their son’s. And Sylvia, a native New Yorker, is wondering how long she can survive in a town that doesn’t even have a Starbucks, while unexpected sparks fly with Winston, a gruff local tree surgeon with a heart of gold. But when a surprise snowstorm blankets the area, keeping the guests together on the farm, everyone learns to put aside their differences and enjoy their unexpected Christmas blessings.
Returning home to her family’s farm in the Midwest for her Christmas wedding was never Beth Dean’s plan. But it’s the only way her beloved grandmother will be able to attend. And even her New York City friends will find the family’s old barn elegant. But when her fiancé’s family want her to sign a pre-nup, her hopes for her future marriage may be crumbling even as the guests arrive.
Beth’s childhood friend, Jen Fitzgerald, has always dreamed of starting a wedding planning business. And when Beth decides to have her wedding back home, it’s the perfect chance for Jen to show everyone what she can do. But when the caterer cancels and a blizzard comes in through the barn door, Jen wonders if she’s bit off more than she can chew—and how she’s going to get through the wedding while seeing her old flame, Jared, for the first time in years.
Meanwhile, Beth’s friend Destiny is trying to put on a brave face while she wonders why she never left home to follow her dreams like Beth. The groom’s parents are brought face to face with the tensions in their own marriage as they argue over their son’s. And Sylvia, a native New Yorker, is wondering how long she can survive in a town that doesn’t even have a Starbucks, while unexpected sparks fly with Winston, a gruff local tree surgeon with a heart of gold. But when a surprise snowstorm blankets the area, keeping the guests together on the farm, everyone learns to put aside their differences and enjoy their unexpected Christmas blessings.
245 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2019
12 people are currently reading
1466 people want to read
About the author
Celeste Winters
1 book18 followersCeleste Winters lives and works in Brooklyn.
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
October 1, 2019
3.5/5
If a holiday book publishes today that means it’s not too early to be reading them, right?! What’s great about this one is that while it’s set right before Christmas Day it’s not actually super holiday heavy so you can easily read this a bit early and still enjoy it like I did. While the weather and the small town setting gave me cozy holiday vibes, the story itself focuses more on the wedding itself and the relationships between the various characters making it a great read for any time of the year.
There’s quite a bit going on here as there is a pretty large ensemble cast of characters and I adore books like that. Weddings seem to always bring out the drama and craziness and there was some of that at play here. Jen is trying to plan her first wedding and nothing seems to be going right, Beth is the bride and she’s having some future in law issues, Destiny is totally bogged down by motherhood and Sophie is visiting from New York and isn’t really sure what to think of a midwestern farm. Like I said, lots going on to keep things interesting and when you throw in some more secondary characters that add romance to make it a pretty entertaining read.
This was a fast and effortless read for me, the pages just flew by as I got totally sucked into the drama and lives of the characters. The only problem with reading this one before the holiday season starts is that I wish I had saved it to curl up with next to a fire and a pretty Christmas tree, it was sweet and cozy and totally lighthearted, totally what I want when I pick up this type of book.
If a holiday book publishes today that means it’s not too early to be reading them, right?! What’s great about this one is that while it’s set right before Christmas Day it’s not actually super holiday heavy so you can easily read this a bit early and still enjoy it like I did. While the weather and the small town setting gave me cozy holiday vibes, the story itself focuses more on the wedding itself and the relationships between the various characters making it a great read for any time of the year.
There’s quite a bit going on here as there is a pretty large ensemble cast of characters and I adore books like that. Weddings seem to always bring out the drama and craziness and there was some of that at play here. Jen is trying to plan her first wedding and nothing seems to be going right, Beth is the bride and she’s having some future in law issues, Destiny is totally bogged down by motherhood and Sophie is visiting from New York and isn’t really sure what to think of a midwestern farm. Like I said, lots going on to keep things interesting and when you throw in some more secondary characters that add romance to make it a pretty entertaining read.
This was a fast and effortless read for me, the pages just flew by as I got totally sucked into the drama and lives of the characters. The only problem with reading this one before the holiday season starts is that I wish I had saved it to curl up with next to a fire and a pretty Christmas tree, it was sweet and cozy and totally lighthearted, totally what I want when I pick up this type of book.
September 27, 2019
White Christmas Wedding is a story of a young woman living in New York City coming home to Michigan for a wedding right before Christmas. What could be a lovely winter wedding including snow in a fun setting for a barn wedding on a farm. Next door neighbors and best friends forever, Jen Fitzgerald plans her friend, Beth Dean's wedding. This is Jen's jump into a career as a wedding planner. She always thought a wedding in her family's barn would be so great and now she has a chance. The rehearsal dinner is to be held in the Dean's barn next door.
Here we have rich New Yorkers meeting hard working Midwesterners, each a little leery of the other. And there is one problem after another-from Beth being presented a prenup to sign by her mother-in-law to be, to a bridesmaid having a few mishaps with decorations and her dress, another bridesmaid running in the snow and almost freezing to death, horses demolishing the decorations. Not to worry, all weddings have issues but all works out good in the end.
I tend to get frustrated with books where I read things that don't make sense or see a mistake. I had some problems as other reviewers did with the disconnects and the inconsistent flow. Even still, I did enjoy the story.
I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
Here we have rich New Yorkers meeting hard working Midwesterners, each a little leery of the other. And there is one problem after another-from Beth being presented a prenup to sign by her mother-in-law to be, to a bridesmaid having a few mishaps with decorations and her dress, another bridesmaid running in the snow and almost freezing to death, horses demolishing the decorations. Not to worry, all weddings have issues but all works out good in the end.
I tend to get frustrated with books where I read things that don't make sense or see a mistake. I had some problems as other reviewers did with the disconnects and the inconsistent flow. Even still, I did enjoy the story.
I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
November 23, 2019
Beth Dean is returning to her small town in Michigan for her wedding the weekend before Christmas. Her childhood friend and neighbor, Jen, has dreamed of using their family's barn for weddings and other special events. Taking charge of Beth's wedding is just what Jen needs to jumpstart her event planning business, especially with all of Beth's friends and future in-laws coming from NYC. Jen is apprehensive about seeing Beth's brother, Jared, whom she dated for several years before he moved to Texas. She's not sure about how things will go or if she still has feelings for him.
As the wedding draws closer, a snowstorm leads to multiple catastrophes, leaving both Beth and Jen feeling frazzled. With a lot of help and some Christmas magic, the wedding reminds everyone that love is the greatest gift of all.
A sweet Christmas story that could easily be a Hallmark movie.
3.5 stars
As the wedding draws closer, a snowstorm leads to multiple catastrophes, leaving both Beth and Jen feeling frazzled. With a lot of help and some Christmas magic, the wedding reminds everyone that love is the greatest gift of all.
A sweet Christmas story that could easily be a Hallmark movie.
3.5 stars
September 23, 2019
A book about two of my favorite things, Christmas and a wedding? What could go wrong?
Apparently every thing a reader can possibly imagine, a broken down vehicle in snowstorm, candle decorations and flowers destroyed, and peanut butter on bridesmaid's dress. And that's just the beginning, there's a lot more, one disaster after another got to be too much. But worst of all is the mother of the groom asking the bride to sign a prenuptial agreement the day before the wedding! Her bitter and cruel comments at the rehearsal dinner was the stuff of nightmares.
There were cliché stereotypes that left me a bit exasperated, hayseed backward Midwesterners, rich people as snobs with their noses in the air, New Yorkers who think there's nothing outside of New York City worth bothering with. Also the name dropping and expensive clothing references, $500 bamboo t-shirts, Bergdorf Goodman, Lois Vuitton, and the Plaza, to name a few.
Then there were the inconsistencies, first Sylvia is an art dealer then later she's a lawyer, Jared Dean referring to his own family barn as the Dean barn, and all the flowers being eaten by the horses, but later on the arbor was "full of flowers Beth and Jen had worked so hard to choose and order", again just naming a few.
As much as I tried, I couldn't really connect with the characters, as soon as I started to get into one couple's story, the chapter would change and another of the 5 couple's story would be on the page. That's a lot going on for a 255 page book.
There was hardly any mention of Christmas other than just a little bit about decorations and a carol at the end. I'm sorry to say White Christmas Wedding just was not my cup of tea.
1.5 stars, rounding up to 2.
Apparently every thing a reader can possibly imagine, a broken down vehicle in snowstorm, candle decorations and flowers destroyed, and peanut butter on bridesmaid's dress. And that's just the beginning, there's a lot more, one disaster after another got to be too much. But worst of all is the mother of the groom asking the bride to sign a prenuptial agreement the day before the wedding! Her bitter and cruel comments at the rehearsal dinner was the stuff of nightmares.
There were cliché stereotypes that left me a bit exasperated, hayseed backward Midwesterners, rich people as snobs with their noses in the air, New Yorkers who think there's nothing outside of New York City worth bothering with. Also the name dropping and expensive clothing references, $500 bamboo t-shirts, Bergdorf Goodman, Lois Vuitton, and the Plaza, to name a few.
Then there were the inconsistencies, first Sylvia is an art dealer then later she's a lawyer, Jared Dean referring to his own family barn as the Dean barn, and all the flowers being eaten by the horses, but later on the arbor was "full of flowers Beth and Jen had worked so hard to choose and order", again just naming a few.
As much as I tried, I couldn't really connect with the characters, as soon as I started to get into one couple's story, the chapter would change and another of the 5 couple's story would be on the page. That's a lot going on for a 255 page book.
There was hardly any mention of Christmas other than just a little bit about decorations and a carol at the end. I'm sorry to say White Christmas Wedding just was not my cup of tea.
1.5 stars, rounding up to 2.
December 2, 2019
Jen Fitzgerald is determined to make her friend Beth's wedding a success and show everyone that she can make it as a wedding planner. But when everything that can go wrong does, and a blizzard threatens to ruin it all, this group of family and friends must make the best of things in this White Christmas Wedding.
This heartwarming and humorous Christmas romance follows four women Beth, Jen, Sylvia, and Destiny as they come together for Beth's wedding. Beth is facing opposition from future in-laws, while Jen struggles to pull off the event of the year while reconnecting with a former flame, Destiny wonders if she settled for too little, while big city Sylvia finds sparks of romance in a small town.
An enjoyable read about friendship and love, much of the story relies on relationships previously built, as it all comes together in time for a Christmas wedding. Everything happens over the course of a few days, and there is a wide cast of characters.
Overall, an enjoyable read where small town meets big city, love is rekindled, revisited and fought for at a Christmas wedding. I liked how each woman found the strength to fight for love, and how they all worked together to make the wedding happen. Sweet and entertaining, this was a fun Christmas read. Perfect for holiday movie fans.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This heartwarming and humorous Christmas romance follows four women Beth, Jen, Sylvia, and Destiny as they come together for Beth's wedding. Beth is facing opposition from future in-laws, while Jen struggles to pull off the event of the year while reconnecting with a former flame, Destiny wonders if she settled for too little, while big city Sylvia finds sparks of romance in a small town.
An enjoyable read about friendship and love, much of the story relies on relationships previously built, as it all comes together in time for a Christmas wedding. Everything happens over the course of a few days, and there is a wide cast of characters.
Overall, an enjoyable read where small town meets big city, love is rekindled, revisited and fought for at a Christmas wedding. I liked how each woman found the strength to fight for love, and how they all worked together to make the wedding happen. Sweet and entertaining, this was a fun Christmas read. Perfect for holiday movie fans.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 29, 2019
Review to follow.
December 29, 2021
I'm going to keep this review short and sweet. I listened to it on audio and I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. It was a simple and short story. Short stories make it hard to really get invested one way or the other for me sometimes. I'm glad that I finally read it because I bought it last holiday season and didn't get to it. I assumed a book about the holidays and weddings that it would be the perfect read and it was just in the middle. Kind of forgettable.
May 31, 2020
Liked the Idea But Not the Execution
When I saw this at a book review site last year (yes, I am that behind on some of my reading), I loved the concept of it. It seemed like a fun idea to have a winter wedding at a dolled-up barn. But I felt like the author almost tried to do too much with this book. There are multiple storylines going on besides the wedding plot. For a nook of this length, I don't mind one solid subplot, especially if it has to do with the hero and heroine’s conflict. But there were several going on here, not just one, and they didn’t really have anything to do with the H & h. I felt like it diluted the main romance too much. I also felt like the author relied too much on well-worn romantic cliches and tropes without giving them a unique enough spin to keep it interesting. I also didn't like that I felt like much of the beginning of the book was told rather than shown. There were huge information dumps as each character (and their plotline) was introduced. That just slowed the pacing down to a crawl; truly I find it so annoying in any book I read. I know this is a skill to weave backstory into the novel proper, but that is really the way it should be done. All in all, I found that the faults in this book outweighed its pleasures.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
When I saw this at a book review site last year (yes, I am that behind on some of my reading), I loved the concept of it. It seemed like a fun idea to have a winter wedding at a dolled-up barn. But I felt like the author almost tried to do too much with this book. There are multiple storylines going on besides the wedding plot. For a nook of this length, I don't mind one solid subplot, especially if it has to do with the hero and heroine’s conflict. But there were several going on here, not just one, and they didn’t really have anything to do with the H & h. I felt like it diluted the main romance too much. I also felt like the author relied too much on well-worn romantic cliches and tropes without giving them a unique enough spin to keep it interesting. I also didn't like that I felt like much of the beginning of the book was told rather than shown. There were huge information dumps as each character (and their plotline) was introduced. That just slowed the pacing down to a crawl; truly I find it so annoying in any book I read. I know this is a skill to weave backstory into the novel proper, but that is really the way it should be done. All in all, I found that the faults in this book outweighed its pleasures.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
December 27, 2019
Thank you to Howard Books for picking me to win this ARC back in August in a giveaway on Goodreads!!
This was my first time reading a book by Celeste and I truly loved it and enjoyed it. Christmas Weddings always have a special place in my heart and this was a really good, fun and quick read.
It surrounded a couple and a wedding planner planning their wedding before Christmas!! I hope Celeste writes more books like this in the future!!
Wish I could rate this 10 stars!!!
This was my first time reading a book by Celeste and I truly loved it and enjoyed it. Christmas Weddings always have a special place in my heart and this was a really good, fun and quick read.
It surrounded a couple and a wedding planner planning their wedding before Christmas!! I hope Celeste writes more books like this in the future!!
Wish I could rate this 10 stars!!!
January 11, 2020
This heartwarming book was sweet and hit the highlights of a Christmas Wedding with all the unexpected things that happen on a wedding day. It was like several stories in one as parents, friend reunited for the wedding find each other again. Really enjoyed this book!
October 3, 2021
Absolutely beautiful cover ❤ Storyline... meh
December 12, 2022
3.5 stars ⭐
July 28, 2019
3.25 stars
I love romances, but this story (or should I say stories, as there are multiple arcs) was a little complicated to keep up with if you aren't reading all in one sitting. The main character seems to be Jen? with a plotline that involves Beth & Tom's wedding, interjected with mini subplots involving Winston & Sylvia; Jen, Jared, & Ed; Gloria & Ken; Destiny & Carl; Nadine & Uncle Charlie. Chapters randomly zigzag among the various storylines - with each new chapter, I wasn't sure who I'd be reading about. The writing occasionally gets bogged down by repetition, long-winded sentences, and a few typos, but for the most part, the situations are fairly relatable and the story is as classically heartwarming (i.e. everything seems to work out) as one can expect about a Christmas wedding.
Notes:
* Jared, despite being Beth's brother, has absolutely nothing to do with his family other than being a guest at the wedding. No scenes, no dialogue...it makes no sense.
* Chapter 25: Jared & the snowblower. He says he "found it in the Dean barn" to Jen (the neighbor girl/former flame). The barn belongs to Jared's family. It seems awkward that he'd phrase it this way instead of saying that he found it in "my" or "our" barn.
* Chapter 30: Brady & the boots. He makes a comment about "the old man I'm staying with" (referring to Jen's dad) to Tom. It's weird phrasing b/c Tom's also staying with Jen's dad.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
I love romances, but this story (or should I say stories, as there are multiple arcs) was a little complicated to keep up with if you aren't reading all in one sitting. The main character seems to be Jen? with a plotline that involves Beth & Tom's wedding, interjected with mini subplots involving Winston & Sylvia; Jen, Jared, & Ed; Gloria & Ken; Destiny & Carl; Nadine & Uncle Charlie. Chapters randomly zigzag among the various storylines - with each new chapter, I wasn't sure who I'd be reading about. The writing occasionally gets bogged down by repetition, long-winded sentences, and a few typos, but for the most part, the situations are fairly relatable and the story is as classically heartwarming (i.e. everything seems to work out) as one can expect about a Christmas wedding.
Notes:
* Jared, despite being Beth's brother, has absolutely nothing to do with his family other than being a guest at the wedding. No scenes, no dialogue...it makes no sense.
* Chapter 25: Jared & the snowblower. He says he "found it in the Dean barn" to Jen (the neighbor girl/former flame). The barn belongs to Jared's family. It seems awkward that he'd phrase it this way instead of saying that he found it in "my" or "our" barn.
* Chapter 30: Brady & the boots. He makes a comment about "the old man I'm staying with" (referring to Jen's dad) to Tom. It's weird phrasing b/c Tom's also staying with Jen's dad.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
December 24, 2019
Dreaming of a WHITE CHRISTMAS WEDDING
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader’s copy of this book. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.
This is a sweet tale with multiple love stories that setup a future wedding barn series. There are a few amusing twists involving ex-loves, a snowstorm, horses, pre-nups, and hypothermia. But the focus is on friendship and supportive love.
There were a few times church is mentioned, and God might have been mentioned as well, but, I do not know the author so, the assignment of a “Fiction > Christian > Romance” category for the book went unnoticed until I looked at description more as I began to write this. As you may know I am religion-averse and it was not ringing any bells for me so I kept listening, and enjoying, the book.
The set-up is a battle of wills and taste between wealthy, urbane, overly aesthete “New Yorkers” versus the good people, the down-to-earth, more stable and moral people with untainted and deeply-held values. The people from New York are mostly shallow until the magic of the small Michigan town changes some of them. This is a simplistic, and frankly “something-ist, un-pc” view of the people of the “big city” as well as painting all the Michiganders as unspoiled.
I found the narrator had interesting pronunciation a couple of times: once, “trough” was pronounced “Trau” instead of “trof,” which, in a barn, wherein this is focus, edare the two accepted pronunciations. “Tro” is how bakers sometimes pronounce it. Other than that and a slight over emphasis – as if recounting juicy gossip, the narration was fine.
The story focuses on love, .friendship and family, as well as the enlightening effects of a good snowstorm.
And, who doesn’t love a white Christmas (except perhaps anyone who has to travel in the snow to get to Christmas); It’s a romantic-construct cemented in Bing Crosby’s old movie, “White Christmas.” This wedding will have an abundantly white Christmas.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader’s copy of this book. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.
This is a sweet tale with multiple love stories that setup a future wedding barn series. There are a few amusing twists involving ex-loves, a snowstorm, horses, pre-nups, and hypothermia. But the focus is on friendship and supportive love.
There were a few times church is mentioned, and God might have been mentioned as well, but, I do not know the author so, the assignment of a “Fiction > Christian > Romance” category for the book went unnoticed until I looked at description more as I began to write this. As you may know I am religion-averse and it was not ringing any bells for me so I kept listening, and enjoying, the book.
The set-up is a battle of wills and taste between wealthy, urbane, overly aesthete “New Yorkers” versus the good people, the down-to-earth, more stable and moral people with untainted and deeply-held values. The people from New York are mostly shallow until the magic of the small Michigan town changes some of them. This is a simplistic, and frankly “something-ist, un-pc” view of the people of the “big city” as well as painting all the Michiganders as unspoiled.
I found the narrator had interesting pronunciation a couple of times: once, “trough” was pronounced “Trau” instead of “trof,” which, in a barn, wherein this is focus, edare the two accepted pronunciations. “Tro” is how bakers sometimes pronounce it. Other than that and a slight over emphasis – as if recounting juicy gossip, the narration was fine.
The story focuses on love, .friendship and family, as well as the enlightening effects of a good snowstorm.
And, who doesn’t love a white Christmas (except perhaps anyone who has to travel in the snow to get to Christmas); It’s a romantic-construct cemented in Bing Crosby’s old movie, “White Christmas.” This wedding will have an abundantly white Christmas.
October 21, 2019
I had never read anything by Celeste Winters, but I will in the future. White Christmas Wedding combines the story of not only the bride and groom, but also his parents' marriage story and the reuniting of high school love with the wedding planner. There were many characters in this book as friends and family travel from NYC to a Michigan farm for a wedding in an unexpected snow storm. The author did a great job of clear storylines with all the characters. I would add this to your Christmas reading list! I received a complimentary copy of White Christmas Wedding from NetGallely, but all views are my own.
September 21, 2019
This is definitely my first feel good read of the Christmas season. The author's wry sense of humor shines through and makes the characters even more relatable. You get enveloped into the families in the delightful, fun romp of a book. The only thing that keeps it from getting 5*s is for the length of the book there are too many characters to fully develop them. If this were turned into a Christmas series it would be given that opportunity.
October 9, 2019
I have written this review for the New York Journal of Books site where it was posted on the evening before the release date.
White Christmas Wedding by Celeste Williams
Howard Books
October 1, 2019
10-1982128771
Holiday Romance
256 Pages
Beth Dean lives in New York but is returning to her mother's Michigan home for her upcoming Christmas wedding knowing that being wed there is the only way her grandmother will be in attendance. She phones her best childhood friend and family neighbor, Jen Fitzgerald to tell her the news. Jen always wanted to be a wedding planner so when Beth asks her to plan her nuptials, she knows there's no better place than her family's barn.
Excited by Jen's plans, Beth cannot wait to marry, Tom Allerton, the man of her dreams. After everyone arrives and Beth show Tom's mother, Gloria her room, she digs into her bag having Beth think she has something for her:
"Dear,' she said, pulling the scarf from her ash-blond hair and shaking it out. 'I have something I want to give to you.'
'Beth could feel her heart thrum. Surprises, where Gloria was concerned, weren't always good ones. . . .
". . . 'Oh,' Beth said. 'Thank you.'
"'Don't thank me yet,' Gloria said, turning around to dig through her bag.
"But when she turned back, to Beth's surprise, she was holding a sheaf of papers.
"'What's this?' Beth asked, confused.
"'It's a prenuptial agreement,' Gloria said.
"'Tom and I aren't signing one of those,' Beth said.
"'That's what Tom said,' said Gloria 'But I'm sure you have more sense than him. After all, you're the one who really understands the value of money.'
"'Because I don't have as much as Tom?' Beth said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Beth is distressed and heartbroken that Tom's folks think she is only after Tom for his assets and now she's in a quandary. Should she appease his parents and sign the form or stand by her principles? Tom is angry at his mom, but this is still a contentious point between him and Beth, and she hates Tom being put in the middle.
Meanwhile, Jen is in her glory fixing up the barn to look like a magical wedding venue. She remembers her dream:
"It had started with a child's simple logic. Once Jen learned, as a little girl, that all weddings didn't have to happen in a church, because you could just get the minister and take them pretty much anywhere, her five-or six-year-old self hadn't been able to imagine anyplace better to get married than her family's barn."
But obstacles get in her way. Winston, a high school chum is picking up the New York guests at the airport and breaks down on the way, but he comes up with an idea at the last minute to solve the problem.
The night before the ceremony Jen goes to the barn to transfer the two horses to Beth's family stable only to find they've eaten the flowers used to decorate the aisle seats. This takes some quick thinking on her part and changes, which she manages. Then a few hours before the wedding is to take place, she discovers the doors are open and the ongoing blizzard has dumped tons of snow inside. For her first try at making this a success, Jen wonders if she can pull this through.
While Beth considers going through with everything, Jen's ex, Jared, appears, the first she's seen of him in more than three years. Betrayed by the man she loves, she tries to distance herself from him, wondering how he could have left her and not contacted her in so long. She discovers she still is in love with him but cannot endure more heartache.
Destiny, Beth's other bridesmaid finds herself questioning her life. She is happy with her husband, Carl and their children, but she wonders if she's missing out on the dreams, she's had that haven't been fulfilled.
"The problem was, Carl had proposed to her when they were still seniors in high school. And although Destiny and Carl hadn't gotten married until their junior year of college, Beth was the only one who had gone to New York, in the end. And Destiny had always wondered what would have happened if she had gone too, instead of doing what she did."
Her emotions shatter later when the lovely velvet dress she had sewn gets caked with mud and snow, making her believe it is ruined, and she looks horrible, distressing her more.
With the blizzard pummeling the town, everyone is concerned if the festivities can take place, especially with all the minor disasters occurring. Will love survive for all involved, or will this to be a flop?
A delightful, heartwarming Christmas tale, White Christmas Wedding can be enjoyed any time of year. Even though the descriptive country blizzard will have one shivering, the charms of the countryside, good friends, and loved ones will warm the heart.
White Christmas Wedding by Celeste Williams
Howard Books
October 1, 2019
10-1982128771
Holiday Romance
256 Pages
Beth Dean lives in New York but is returning to her mother's Michigan home for her upcoming Christmas wedding knowing that being wed there is the only way her grandmother will be in attendance. She phones her best childhood friend and family neighbor, Jen Fitzgerald to tell her the news. Jen always wanted to be a wedding planner so when Beth asks her to plan her nuptials, she knows there's no better place than her family's barn.
Excited by Jen's plans, Beth cannot wait to marry, Tom Allerton, the man of her dreams. After everyone arrives and Beth show Tom's mother, Gloria her room, she digs into her bag having Beth think she has something for her:
"Dear,' she said, pulling the scarf from her ash-blond hair and shaking it out. 'I have something I want to give to you.'
'Beth could feel her heart thrum. Surprises, where Gloria was concerned, weren't always good ones. . . .
". . . 'Oh,' Beth said. 'Thank you.'
"'Don't thank me yet,' Gloria said, turning around to dig through her bag.
"But when she turned back, to Beth's surprise, she was holding a sheaf of papers.
"'What's this?' Beth asked, confused.
"'It's a prenuptial agreement,' Gloria said.
"'Tom and I aren't signing one of those,' Beth said.
"'That's what Tom said,' said Gloria 'But I'm sure you have more sense than him. After all, you're the one who really understands the value of money.'
"'Because I don't have as much as Tom?' Beth said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Beth is distressed and heartbroken that Tom's folks think she is only after Tom for his assets and now she's in a quandary. Should she appease his parents and sign the form or stand by her principles? Tom is angry at his mom, but this is still a contentious point between him and Beth, and she hates Tom being put in the middle.
Meanwhile, Jen is in her glory fixing up the barn to look like a magical wedding venue. She remembers her dream:
"It had started with a child's simple logic. Once Jen learned, as a little girl, that all weddings didn't have to happen in a church, because you could just get the minister and take them pretty much anywhere, her five-or six-year-old self hadn't been able to imagine anyplace better to get married than her family's barn."
But obstacles get in her way. Winston, a high school chum is picking up the New York guests at the airport and breaks down on the way, but he comes up with an idea at the last minute to solve the problem.
The night before the ceremony Jen goes to the barn to transfer the two horses to Beth's family stable only to find they've eaten the flowers used to decorate the aisle seats. This takes some quick thinking on her part and changes, which she manages. Then a few hours before the wedding is to take place, she discovers the doors are open and the ongoing blizzard has dumped tons of snow inside. For her first try at making this a success, Jen wonders if she can pull this through.
While Beth considers going through with everything, Jen's ex, Jared, appears, the first she's seen of him in more than three years. Betrayed by the man she loves, she tries to distance herself from him, wondering how he could have left her and not contacted her in so long. She discovers she still is in love with him but cannot endure more heartache.
Destiny, Beth's other bridesmaid finds herself questioning her life. She is happy with her husband, Carl and their children, but she wonders if she's missing out on the dreams, she's had that haven't been fulfilled.
"The problem was, Carl had proposed to her when they were still seniors in high school. And although Destiny and Carl hadn't gotten married until their junior year of college, Beth was the only one who had gone to New York, in the end. And Destiny had always wondered what would have happened if she had gone too, instead of doing what she did."
Her emotions shatter later when the lovely velvet dress she had sewn gets caked with mud and snow, making her believe it is ruined, and she looks horrible, distressing her more.
With the blizzard pummeling the town, everyone is concerned if the festivities can take place, especially with all the minor disasters occurring. Will love survive for all involved, or will this to be a flop?
A delightful, heartwarming Christmas tale, White Christmas Wedding can be enjoyed any time of year. Even though the descriptive country blizzard will have one shivering, the charms of the countryside, good friends, and loved ones will warm the heart.
October 15, 2019
White Christmas Wedding by Celeste Williams
Howard Books
October 1, 2019
10-1982128771
Holiday Romance
256 Pages
Beth Dean lives in New York but is returning to her mother's Michigan home for her upcoming Christmas wedding knowing that being wed there is the only way her grandmother will be in attendance. She phones her best childhood friend and family neighbor, Jen Fitzgerald to tell her the news. Jen always wanted to be a wedding planner so when Beth asks her to plan her nuptials, she knows there's no better place than her family's barn.
Excited by Jen's plans, Beth cannot wait to marry, Tom Allerton, the man of her dreams. After everyone arrives and Beth show Tom's mother, Gloria her room, she digs into her bag having Beth think she has something for her:
"Dear,' she said, pulling the scarf from her ash-blond hair and shaking it out. 'I have something I want to give to you.'
'Beth could feel her heart thrum. Surprises, where Gloria was concerned, weren't always good ones. . . .
". . . 'Oh,' Beth said. 'Thank you.'
"'Don't thank me yet,' Gloria said, turning around to dig through her bag.
"But when she turned back, to Beth's surprise, she was holding a sheaf of papers.
"'What's this?' Beth asked, confused.
"'It's a prenuptial agreement,' Gloria said.
"'Tom and I aren't signing one of those,' Beth said.
"'That's what Tom said,' said Gloria 'But I'm sure you have more sense than him. After all, you're the one who really understands the value of money.'
"'Because I don't have as much as Tom?' Beth said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Beth is distressed and heartbroken that Tom's folks think she is only after Tom for his assets and now she's in a quandary. Should she appease his parents and sign the form or stand by her principles? Tom is angry at his mom, but this is still a contentious point between him and Beth, and she hates Tom being put in the middle.
Meanwhile, Jen is in her glory fixing up the barn to look like a magical wedding venue. She remembers her dream:
"It had started with a child's simple logic. Once Jen learned, as a little girl, that all weddings didn't have to happen in a church, because you could just get the minister and take them pretty much anywhere, her five-or six-year-old self hadn't been able to imagine anyplace better to get married than her family's barn."
But obstacles get in her way. Winston, a high school chum is picking up the New York guests at the airport and breaks down on the way, but he comes up with an idea at the last minute to solve the problem.
The night before the ceremony Jen goes to the barn to transfer the two horses to Beth's family stable only to find they've eaten the flowers used to decorate the aisle seats. This takes some quick thinking on her part and changes, which she manages. Then a few hours before the wedding is to take place, she discovers the doors are open and the ongoing blizzard has dumped tons of snow inside. For her first try at making this a success, Jen wonders if she can pull this through.
While Beth considers going through with everything, Jen's ex, Jared, appears, the first she's seen of him in more than three years. Betrayed by the man she loves, she tries to distance herself from him, wondering how he could have left her and not contacted her in so long. She discovers she still is in love with him but cannot endure more heartache.
Destiny, Beth's other bridesmaid finds herself questioning her life. She is happy with her husband, Carl and their children, but she wonders if she's missing out on the dreams, she's had that haven't been fulfilled.
"The problem was, Carl had proposed to her when they were still seniors in high school. And although Destiny and Carl hadn't gotten married until their junior year of college, Beth was the only one who had gone to New York, in the end. And Destiny had always wondered what would have happened if she had gone too, instead of doing what she did."
Her emotions shatter later when the lovely velvet dress she had sewn gets caked with mud and snow, making her believe it is ruined, and she looks horrible, distressing her more.
With the blizzard pummeling the town, everyone is concerned if the festivities can take place, especially with all the minor disasters occurring. Will love survive for all involved, or will this be a flop?
A delightful, heartwarming Christmas tale, White Christmas Wedding can be enjoyed any time of year. Even though the descriptive country blizzard will have one shivering, the charms of the countryside, good friends, and loved ones will warm the heart.
Howard Books
October 1, 2019
10-1982128771
Holiday Romance
256 Pages
Beth Dean lives in New York but is returning to her mother's Michigan home for her upcoming Christmas wedding knowing that being wed there is the only way her grandmother will be in attendance. She phones her best childhood friend and family neighbor, Jen Fitzgerald to tell her the news. Jen always wanted to be a wedding planner so when Beth asks her to plan her nuptials, she knows there's no better place than her family's barn.
Excited by Jen's plans, Beth cannot wait to marry, Tom Allerton, the man of her dreams. After everyone arrives and Beth show Tom's mother, Gloria her room, she digs into her bag having Beth think she has something for her:
"Dear,' she said, pulling the scarf from her ash-blond hair and shaking it out. 'I have something I want to give to you.'
'Beth could feel her heart thrum. Surprises, where Gloria was concerned, weren't always good ones. . . .
". . . 'Oh,' Beth said. 'Thank you.'
"'Don't thank me yet,' Gloria said, turning around to dig through her bag.
"But when she turned back, to Beth's surprise, she was holding a sheaf of papers.
"'What's this?' Beth asked, confused.
"'It's a prenuptial agreement,' Gloria said.
"'Tom and I aren't signing one of those,' Beth said.
"'That's what Tom said,' said Gloria 'But I'm sure you have more sense than him. After all, you're the one who really understands the value of money.'
"'Because I don't have as much as Tom?' Beth said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Beth is distressed and heartbroken that Tom's folks think she is only after Tom for his assets and now she's in a quandary. Should she appease his parents and sign the form or stand by her principles? Tom is angry at his mom, but this is still a contentious point between him and Beth, and she hates Tom being put in the middle.
Meanwhile, Jen is in her glory fixing up the barn to look like a magical wedding venue. She remembers her dream:
"It had started with a child's simple logic. Once Jen learned, as a little girl, that all weddings didn't have to happen in a church, because you could just get the minister and take them pretty much anywhere, her five-or six-year-old self hadn't been able to imagine anyplace better to get married than her family's barn."
But obstacles get in her way. Winston, a high school chum is picking up the New York guests at the airport and breaks down on the way, but he comes up with an idea at the last minute to solve the problem.
The night before the ceremony Jen goes to the barn to transfer the two horses to Beth's family stable only to find they've eaten the flowers used to decorate the aisle seats. This takes some quick thinking on her part and changes, which she manages. Then a few hours before the wedding is to take place, she discovers the doors are open and the ongoing blizzard has dumped tons of snow inside. For her first try at making this a success, Jen wonders if she can pull this through.
While Beth considers going through with everything, Jen's ex, Jared, appears, the first she's seen of him in more than three years. Betrayed by the man she loves, she tries to distance herself from him, wondering how he could have left her and not contacted her in so long. She discovers she still is in love with him but cannot endure more heartache.
Destiny, Beth's other bridesmaid finds herself questioning her life. She is happy with her husband, Carl and their children, but she wonders if she's missing out on the dreams, she's had that haven't been fulfilled.
"The problem was, Carl had proposed to her when they were still seniors in high school. And although Destiny and Carl hadn't gotten married until their junior year of college, Beth was the only one who had gone to New York, in the end. And Destiny had always wondered what would have happened if she had gone too, instead of doing what she did."
Her emotions shatter later when the lovely velvet dress she had sewn gets caked with mud and snow, making her believe it is ruined, and she looks horrible, distressing her more.
With the blizzard pummeling the town, everyone is concerned if the festivities can take place, especially with all the minor disasters occurring. Will love survive for all involved, or will this be a flop?
A delightful, heartwarming Christmas tale, White Christmas Wedding can be enjoyed any time of year. Even though the descriptive country blizzard will have one shivering, the charms of the countryside, good friends, and loved ones will warm the heart.
October 5, 2019
White Christmas Wedding by Celeste Winters
This heartwarming, feel-good holiday romance brings together a loveable cast of characters who find hope where they thought it had been lost and romance where no one ever expected it.
Returning home to her family’s farm in the Midwest for her Christmas wedding was never Beth Dean’s plan. But it’s the only way her beloved grandmother will be able to attend. And even her New York City friends will find the family’s old barn elegant. But when her fiancé’s family want her to sign a pre-nup, her hopes for her future marriage may be crumbling even as the guests arrive.
Beth’s childhood friend, Jen Fitzgerald, has always dreamed of starting a wedding planning business. And when Beth decides to have her wedding back home, it’s the perfect chance for Jen to show everyone what she can do. But when the caterer cancels and a blizzard comes in through the barn door, Jen wonders if she’s bit off more than she can chew—and how she’s going to get through the wedding while seeing her old flame, Jared, for the first time in years.
Meanwhile, Beth’s friend Destiny is trying to put on a brave face while she wonders why she never left home to follow her dreams like Beth. The groom’s parents are brought face to face with the tensions in their own marriage as they argue over their son’s. And Sylvia, a native New Yorker, is wondering how long she can survive in a town that doesn’t even have a Starbucks, while unexpected sparks fly with Winston, a gruff local tree surgeon with a heart of gold. But when a surprise snowstorm blankets the area, keeping the guests together on the farm, everyone learns to put aside their differences and enjoy their unexpected Christmas blessings.
This is Beth and Tom's story.
This is Jen,Mitzi and Jared's story.
Beth Dean and her fiancé, Tom, live in New York.
Beth and fiancé Tom are getting married in Beth's small Michigan hometown so that her grandma can be there.
So when Beth had flown back into town months before, trying to figure out how she was possibly going to hold a wedding fancy enough to impress her extremely fancy in-laws-to-be, Jen had mentioned the idea of doing it in the barn where the two of them had spent so many delightful hours together as girls, right there in Blue Hill—and mentioned the fact that she’d be willing to plan the whole thing herself.
Now here she was, although she could barely believe it herself: the night before the very first wedding she’d ever planned.
And the flowers, which she’d been dreaming about for all those years, changing them up from hydrangeas to daisies, from pink orchids to blue iris, from simple clusters of baby’s breath to giant swaths of snapdragons and phlox, were prettier than any of the arrangements she had imagined.
When Tom's family wants her to sign a prenup the prospects of a wedding diminish.
White Christmas Wedding by Celeste Winters is a 3 star book.
I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher through Net Galley.
This heartwarming, feel-good holiday romance brings together a loveable cast of characters who find hope where they thought it had been lost and romance where no one ever expected it.
Returning home to her family’s farm in the Midwest for her Christmas wedding was never Beth Dean’s plan. But it’s the only way her beloved grandmother will be able to attend. And even her New York City friends will find the family’s old barn elegant. But when her fiancé’s family want her to sign a pre-nup, her hopes for her future marriage may be crumbling even as the guests arrive.
Beth’s childhood friend, Jen Fitzgerald, has always dreamed of starting a wedding planning business. And when Beth decides to have her wedding back home, it’s the perfect chance for Jen to show everyone what she can do. But when the caterer cancels and a blizzard comes in through the barn door, Jen wonders if she’s bit off more than she can chew—and how she’s going to get through the wedding while seeing her old flame, Jared, for the first time in years.
Meanwhile, Beth’s friend Destiny is trying to put on a brave face while she wonders why she never left home to follow her dreams like Beth. The groom’s parents are brought face to face with the tensions in their own marriage as they argue over their son’s. And Sylvia, a native New Yorker, is wondering how long she can survive in a town that doesn’t even have a Starbucks, while unexpected sparks fly with Winston, a gruff local tree surgeon with a heart of gold. But when a surprise snowstorm blankets the area, keeping the guests together on the farm, everyone learns to put aside their differences and enjoy their unexpected Christmas blessings.
This is Beth and Tom's story.
This is Jen,Mitzi and Jared's story.
Beth Dean and her fiancé, Tom, live in New York.
Beth and fiancé Tom are getting married in Beth's small Michigan hometown so that her grandma can be there.
So when Beth had flown back into town months before, trying to figure out how she was possibly going to hold a wedding fancy enough to impress her extremely fancy in-laws-to-be, Jen had mentioned the idea of doing it in the barn where the two of them had spent so many delightful hours together as girls, right there in Blue Hill—and mentioned the fact that she’d be willing to plan the whole thing herself.
Now here she was, although she could barely believe it herself: the night before the very first wedding she’d ever planned.
And the flowers, which she’d been dreaming about for all those years, changing them up from hydrangeas to daisies, from pink orchids to blue iris, from simple clusters of baby’s breath to giant swaths of snapdragons and phlox, were prettier than any of the arrangements she had imagined.
When Tom's family wants her to sign a prenup the prospects of a wedding diminish.
White Christmas Wedding by Celeste Winters is a 3 star book.
I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher through Net Galley.
October 22, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
WHITE CHRISTMAS WEDDING is an enjoyable story, although a bit crowded, to be frank. Most of what you’d need to know before picking up this story can be found in the Cover Description. One couple to be married back in the bride’s small hometown because her beloved grandmother isn’t able to travel is the heart or purpose of all the other couples being in one spot at this time. And there are disasters, mistrust, new romances, old rekindled romances, flower eating horses and a blizzard to complicate things even further.
I’m usually pretty good at keeping characters straight within a complex set of mini-stories within the overall storyline – but this one was definitely a challenge in that regard. If I had to choose one character to focus on it’s not the bride but her best friend, Jen. She’s trying to fulfill her own dream while giving her friend the best wedding she can come up with and things just keep going wrong.
I enjoyed myself, WHITE CHRISTMAS WEDDING is a good story, it’s just a bit overcrowded for my taste. Emotions run the gambit from outrage to unexpected giggles at some of the happenings in this story. If you are a reader who loves a good romance, can easily keep multiple couples straight in your mind and enjoy a complex situation with many layers – then you’re going to enjoy WHITE CHRISTMAS WEDDING.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
WHITE CHRISTMAS WEDDING is an enjoyable story, although a bit crowded, to be frank. Most of what you’d need to know before picking up this story can be found in the Cover Description. One couple to be married back in the bride’s small hometown because her beloved grandmother isn’t able to travel is the heart or purpose of all the other couples being in one spot at this time. And there are disasters, mistrust, new romances, old rekindled romances, flower eating horses and a blizzard to complicate things even further.
I’m usually pretty good at keeping characters straight within a complex set of mini-stories within the overall storyline – but this one was definitely a challenge in that regard. If I had to choose one character to focus on it’s not the bride but her best friend, Jen. She’s trying to fulfill her own dream while giving her friend the best wedding she can come up with and things just keep going wrong.
I enjoyed myself, WHITE CHRISTMAS WEDDING is a good story, it’s just a bit overcrowded for my taste. Emotions run the gambit from outrage to unexpected giggles at some of the happenings in this story. If you are a reader who loves a good romance, can easily keep multiple couples straight in your mind and enjoy a complex situation with many layers – then you’re going to enjoy WHITE CHRISTMAS WEDDING.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
September 8, 2019
I won this book as a FirstRead.
Beth Dean and her fiancé, Tom, live in New York, where they met. However, they are getting married in Beth's small Michigan hometown so that her grandma can be there. When Beth's soon-to-be mother-in-law springs a pre-nup on her, Beth worries it will ruin the wedding. Beth's childhood friend, Jen, has always dreamed of being a wedding planner and using her family's barn as the location, and Beth's wedding gives her a chance to live out her dreams. The only part she is not looking forward to is seeing Jared, her ex-boyfriend and Beth's brother, for the first time in years. Destiny, Beth's other childhood friend, is happy to be a bridesmaid for Beth but can't help but wonder what could have been if she had followed her dreams of going to New York like Beth did. Sylvia, Beth's friend in New York, can't imagine how people survive in this town so small it doesn't even have a Starbucks, but local Winston opens her eyes up to the good things that can be found there.
This was a cute and quick read but with some problems. It felt like there were a lot of side plots going on for such a quick story. Personally, I could have done without Destiny's story, but there may be others who liked it best. My favorite story line was Jen and Jared's reunion. I felt like the New York characters were more of caricatures, rich people with more money than sense. The story wasn't a bad way to pass an afternoon, but it's not one I would reread.
Beth Dean and her fiancé, Tom, live in New York, where they met. However, they are getting married in Beth's small Michigan hometown so that her grandma can be there. When Beth's soon-to-be mother-in-law springs a pre-nup on her, Beth worries it will ruin the wedding. Beth's childhood friend, Jen, has always dreamed of being a wedding planner and using her family's barn as the location, and Beth's wedding gives her a chance to live out her dreams. The only part she is not looking forward to is seeing Jared, her ex-boyfriend and Beth's brother, for the first time in years. Destiny, Beth's other childhood friend, is happy to be a bridesmaid for Beth but can't help but wonder what could have been if she had followed her dreams of going to New York like Beth did. Sylvia, Beth's friend in New York, can't imagine how people survive in this town so small it doesn't even have a Starbucks, but local Winston opens her eyes up to the good things that can be found there.
This was a cute and quick read but with some problems. It felt like there were a lot of side plots going on for such a quick story. Personally, I could have done without Destiny's story, but there may be others who liked it best. My favorite story line was Jen and Jared's reunion. I felt like the New York characters were more of caricatures, rich people with more money than sense. The story wasn't a bad way to pass an afternoon, but it's not one I would reread.
November 21, 2019
Celeste Winters has written a fun Christmas novel that has built-in sequels which should be equally as fun. I can't wait until they begin to come out.
Beth Dean has come home to get married so that her family can attend. Her friend, Jen Fitzgerald, is trying her hand as a wedding planner, and using her family's barn as the location. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. As the barn is set up the night before the wedding, the horses got out of their stalls and ate all the floral decorations. After Jen got that catastrophe cleaned up, somehow the barn door got left open overnight and a snow storm covered the barn floor with several inches of snow so Jen and a couple of bridesmaids had to shovel out the barn to get it ready in time for the wedding.
In the midst of all this, Jen's old boyfriend, Jared shows up to be a groomsman. He sparks confusion in Jen's life and makes things extremely hard for her. She's dating another man, who seems to be absent during all the catastrophes, while Jared rolls up his sleeves and pitches in.
Other friends of Beth's have cameos in this book and serve to fill out the plot with richness and intrigue. This is a five star book, two thumbs up, and a horse to mess with your wedding.
My thanks go to Howard Books and NetGalley.com for providing the galley I read for this review.
Beth Dean has come home to get married so that her family can attend. Her friend, Jen Fitzgerald, is trying her hand as a wedding planner, and using her family's barn as the location. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. As the barn is set up the night before the wedding, the horses got out of their stalls and ate all the floral decorations. After Jen got that catastrophe cleaned up, somehow the barn door got left open overnight and a snow storm covered the barn floor with several inches of snow so Jen and a couple of bridesmaids had to shovel out the barn to get it ready in time for the wedding.
In the midst of all this, Jen's old boyfriend, Jared shows up to be a groomsman. He sparks confusion in Jen's life and makes things extremely hard for her. She's dating another man, who seems to be absent during all the catastrophes, while Jared rolls up his sleeves and pitches in.
Other friends of Beth's have cameos in this book and serve to fill out the plot with richness and intrigue. This is a five star book, two thumbs up, and a horse to mess with your wedding.
My thanks go to Howard Books and NetGalley.com for providing the galley I read for this review.
December 27, 2019
Returning to her family's farm in the Midwest for her Christmas wedding was never Beth Dean's plan. But it's the only way her beloved grandmother will be able to attend.
Beth's childhood friend, Jen Fitzgerald, has always dreamed of starting a wedding planning business. And when Beth decided to have her wedding back home, it's the perfect chance for Jen to show everyone what she can do. But when the caterer cancels and a blizzard comes in through the barn door, Jen wonders if she's bitten off more than she can chew, and how she's going to get through the wedding while seeing her old flame, Jared, for the first time in years.
Meanwhile , Beth's friend Destiny is trying too put on a brave face while she wonders why she never left home to follow her dreams like Beth. The groom's parents are brought face to face with the tensions in their own marriage as they argue over their son's. Sylvia, a native New Yorker is wondering how long she can survive in a town that doesn't even have a Starbucks, while unexpected sparks fly with Winston, a gruff local tree surgeon with a heart of gold. But when a surprise snowstorm blankets the area, keeping the guests together on the farm, everyone learns to put aside their differences and enjoy their unexpected Christmas blessings.
Beth's childhood friend, Jen Fitzgerald, has always dreamed of starting a wedding planning business. And when Beth decided to have her wedding back home, it's the perfect chance for Jen to show everyone what she can do. But when the caterer cancels and a blizzard comes in through the barn door, Jen wonders if she's bitten off more than she can chew, and how she's going to get through the wedding while seeing her old flame, Jared, for the first time in years.
Meanwhile , Beth's friend Destiny is trying too put on a brave face while she wonders why she never left home to follow her dreams like Beth. The groom's parents are brought face to face with the tensions in their own marriage as they argue over their son's. Sylvia, a native New Yorker is wondering how long she can survive in a town that doesn't even have a Starbucks, while unexpected sparks fly with Winston, a gruff local tree surgeon with a heart of gold. But when a surprise snowstorm blankets the area, keeping the guests together on the farm, everyone learns to put aside their differences and enjoy their unexpected Christmas blessings.
September 15, 2019
💍
White Christmas Wedding by Celeste Winte.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Returning home to her family’s farm in the Midwest for her Christmas wedding was never Beth Dean’s plan. But it’s the only way her beloved grandmother will be able to attend. And even her New York City friends will find the family’s old barn elegant. But when her fiancé’s family want her to sign a pre-nup, her hopes for her future marriage may be crumbling even as the guests arrive.
As the story played out I really truly thought I was watching a movie instead of reading a book. It was full of happiness and down home comfort. The characters were all love-able and relatable making you feel like you were friends.
This was a very easy read that is well written with flowing chapters. It left me feeling all warm and cozy inside. The way the story ends I have a feeling there is going to be a series of books. There are at least three unresolved stories at the end. Or I should say I hope she writes more!
If you are a fan of Hallmark Movies this is a must read! It was a heartwarming feel good Christmas romance.
Thanks to the author and publisher for this digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
White Christmas Wedding by Celeste Winte.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Returning home to her family’s farm in the Midwest for her Christmas wedding was never Beth Dean’s plan. But it’s the only way her beloved grandmother will be able to attend. And even her New York City friends will find the family’s old barn elegant. But when her fiancé’s family want her to sign a pre-nup, her hopes for her future marriage may be crumbling even as the guests arrive.
As the story played out I really truly thought I was watching a movie instead of reading a book. It was full of happiness and down home comfort. The characters were all love-able and relatable making you feel like you were friends.
This was a very easy read that is well written with flowing chapters. It left me feeling all warm and cozy inside. The way the story ends I have a feeling there is going to be a series of books. There are at least three unresolved stories at the end. Or I should say I hope she writes more!
If you are a fan of Hallmark Movies this is a must read! It was a heartwarming feel good Christmas romance.
Thanks to the author and publisher for this digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 20, 2019
I'm a sucker for a really good Christmas romance. Throw in a wedding and some rekindled romances and I'm completely hooked. I will say that there is a lot going on in White Christmas Wedding and a bunch of different characters but Celeste Winters (isn't that just The perfect name for the writer of a Christmas romance?) makes it work. She seamlessly integrates the numerous goings on into one great read. Then characters are full of personality and a realness that is very appealing. The writing has a good flow from one scene to another. The story is clean, which I don't normally like, but it was so well written that I didn't notice the lack of sex until after I had finished. I think the emotions Ms. Winters brought forth from the characters was all that was needed on that front.
The only problem I had with the book is that there was a cliffhanger type of ending for at least one of the couples. Unless they will be getting their own story in the future.. Otherwise all we get from them here is the suggestion of a HEA. Other than that I can't say anything bad about White Wedding Christmas.
The only problem I had with the book is that there was a cliffhanger type of ending for at least one of the couples. Unless they will be getting their own story in the future.. Otherwise all we get from them here is the suggestion of a HEA. Other than that I can't say anything bad about White Wedding Christmas.
December 27, 2019
As the spirit of Christmas still lingers on, decided to pick up a book that depicts the same.
White Christmas wedding is the story about Beth who plans to get married to her uppity New Yorker boyfriend Tom. The wedding venue turns out to be her family’s barn in Michigan as it’s the only way her ailing grandmother can attend. However when Tom’s mother compels her to sign a pre nuptial agreement, Beth is appalled.
Meanwhile Beth’s best friend Jen is in charge of the wedding arrangements. Its the perfect start to fulfill her dreams of becoming a wedding planner. However when the area is submerged under a snowstorm, everyone sets aside their differences and lends a helping hand.
This book showcases the rigmarole associated with wedding arrangements. The author depicts the differences that exist between the city bred and the country folks in a subtle manner.
It also displays how an unexpected calamity proves to be an icebreaker of sorts. White Christmas wedding is a lighthearted and a feel good read. Tends to remind you of one of those rom com clicks that you watch on a lazy vacation.
July 29, 2019
This book started out a bit rough for me, but ended strongly. For the first 50 pages or so, I had a hard time keeping the two main ladies, Beth and Jen, straight in my mind. One was the bride and one was the wedding planner, but they were introduced on the same page and had almost the same exact backstory.
The author also stumbled a bit with an early plan for transportation for the wedding. (Spoiler: Seriously, who plans to use an antique firetruck in winter to transport guests? They're open to the elements and have little seating, not to mention no room for luggage. The author almost lost me in the first 5 pages because of that.)
Eventually, the book settled down and the stories began. There were so many characters that I had a hard time remembering who was who. In the end, I'm very glad I read this book. It had much more depth of story than I was anticipating. If it wasn't for the early stumbles, it would have been a solid 5 star read.
(I received an ARC copy from a contest on Goodreads.)
The author also stumbled a bit with an early plan for transportation for the wedding. (Spoiler: Seriously, who plans to use an antique firetruck in winter to transport guests? They're open to the elements and have little seating, not to mention no room for luggage. The author almost lost me in the first 5 pages because of that.)
Eventually, the book settled down and the stories began. There were so many characters that I had a hard time remembering who was who. In the end, I'm very glad I read this book. It had much more depth of story than I was anticipating. If it wasn't for the early stumbles, it would have been a solid 5 star read.
(I received an ARC copy from a contest on Goodreads.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2019
Jen Fitzgerald is the wedding planner for her best friend Beth's Christmas wedding to a wealthy New Yorker. She is living the dream of transforming her family's barn into an event space. However, numerous complications ensue, not the least of which is being faced with her old boyfriend, the bride's brother Jared, who left her heartbroken three years ago.
This was an easy pleasant-enough read. Various couples participating in the wedding are dealing with issues which are all conveniently resolved at the end. Some, so abruptly, it was hard to believe. It was a bit difficult to keep track of all of the players at times. In reading the cover notes, it appears that Beth and Tom, the bride and groom, are going to be the main characters of this story but to me it seemed that Jen was the central character.
I received this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
This was an easy pleasant-enough read. Various couples participating in the wedding are dealing with issues which are all conveniently resolved at the end. Some, so abruptly, it was hard to believe. It was a bit difficult to keep track of all of the players at times. In reading the cover notes, it appears that Beth and Tom, the bride and groom, are going to be the main characters of this story but to me it seemed that Jen was the central character.
I received this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
November 20, 2019
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own. A fun little Christmas wedding read. Lots of character matchups with their own conflicts. Beth and Tom struggle to make it to the altar as Tom’s mother approaches Beth with a pre nuptial agreement. Wedding planner Jen is working hard to make her first even a success while dealing with old flame Jared 5e bride’s brother. New Yorker Sylvia struggles with life outside New York in the rural Michigan community. The groom’s parents Ken and Gloria also seem to struggle with their happiness. Add together wayward horses and u expected blizzards and pre-wedding jitters come out
January 15, 2020
I loved White Christmas Wedding.
Beth and Tom are getting married at Beth's childhood home. Her best friend, Jen, is planning the while thing at her family farm. Jen's dream is to be a wedding planner so this is the perfect chance for her to show people she can do it. Beth decides to have her wedding at Christmas time.
A lot of Beth and Tom's friend's are from New York City and are not used to things in the Midwest. With a storm approaching, Beth's mother-in-law and old ex's involved, it makes everyone wonder if this was a mistake.
I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters and seeing them all come together to make Beth and Tom have a great wedding.
Beth and Tom are getting married at Beth's childhood home. Her best friend, Jen, is planning the while thing at her family farm. Jen's dream is to be a wedding planner so this is the perfect chance for her to show people she can do it. Beth decides to have her wedding at Christmas time.
A lot of Beth and Tom's friend's are from New York City and are not used to things in the Midwest. With a storm approaching, Beth's mother-in-law and old ex's involved, it makes everyone wonder if this was a mistake.
I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters and seeing them all come together to make Beth and Tom have a great wedding.
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