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A Fine Mess
Annie Blake put her life on hold to care for her terminally ill mother. As she tries to prepare herself for the loss, she discovers that her father has been keeping a secret, a terrible secret that could rip him from her life too. In desperation, turns to God. The name that keeps coming to mind, that might mean their salvation, seems as though it's from Him. But if she's wrong, her interference could make an already bad situation worse. The only thing Ian McCann wanted to do was spend the last holiday weekend of summer on his yacht in Lake Michigan – until Annie showed up with her heartbreaking tale. He realizes that by helping her family, a problem of his own could be solved. However, the solution means entering into an agreement that goes against every Christian belief she holds dear.
170 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2011
About the author
Kristy K. James
53 books112 followersAll it took was the encouragement of a student teacher in a ninth grade writing class and Kristy K. James was off and running. She has been writing for more years than she’ll ever admit to, and loves every aspect of it. From creating characters who are so real that they sometimes take over the writing when they don’t like where she’s taking a story, to adding as many twists and mysteries to her plots as she can get away with.
She is the author of Reluctant Guardian, A Fine Mess, and The Stranger in my Head.
Kristy currently lives in Michigan with her family, too many pets and the occasional spider. She spends her time living in her make-believe worlds, cooking and baking up a storm, and doing her best to learn to say ‘no’ when stray animals wander into her large country yard.
Reading is one of her favorite pastimes, as is traveling around the state, especially to coastal beaches to enjoy the sound of the waves crashing on the shore and gulls screeching overhead.
She is the author of Reluctant Guardian, A Fine Mess, and The Stranger in my Head.
Kristy currently lives in Michigan with her family, too many pets and the occasional spider. She spends her time living in her make-believe worlds, cooking and baking up a storm, and doing her best to learn to say ‘no’ when stray animals wander into her large country yard.
Reading is one of her favorite pastimes, as is traveling around the state, especially to coastal beaches to enjoy the sound of the waves crashing on the shore and gulls screeching overhead.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 17, 2019
Okay, when I decided to listen to this I did not realize it was Christian fiction. I do not agree with a lot of the bible or Christian religion and obviously I am not the target audience for this book, but even if I were, there are a few parts that were an issue.
The idea that a woman "belongs" to a man and he is her master is so outdated and misogynistic and I was shocked to see it in the plot and that Annie just agreed with it. Annie seemed like a smart, confident woman and it made me sad that she saw herself as subservient.
There is a line about God not listening to prayers of non Christians as much as Christians because they have been "saved" that I really disliked. If someone believes in God and prays but they're not Christian, they're less worthy? I thought the point of Christianity was to love and accept others regardless of if you agree with them?
Okay, I could go on but I won't. I will say that I'm glad Annie and Ian fell in love and I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow. This book was not for me, but maybe other people will feel differently.
The idea that a woman "belongs" to a man and he is her master is so outdated and misogynistic and I was shocked to see it in the plot and that Annie just agreed with it. Annie seemed like a smart, confident woman and it made me sad that she saw herself as subservient.
There is a line about God not listening to prayers of non Christians as much as Christians because they have been "saved" that I really disliked. If someone believes in God and prays but they're not Christian, they're less worthy? I thought the point of Christianity was to love and accept others regardless of if you agree with them?
Okay, I could go on but I won't. I will say that I'm glad Annie and Ian fell in love and I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow. This book was not for me, but maybe other people will feel differently.
July 19, 2011
I really enjoyed this sweet book by Kristy K. James. The characters were warm and believable, and their situation both dramatic and thought-provoking. What would you do if you found yourself in a marriage with someone you barely knew, but who turned out to be the kind of person you've always been looking for.
Some parts of this book struck a major emotional chord for me, simply because the situations the author was describing struck awfully close to home - which was a signal to me for how believable the people in this book are. Definitely a worthwhile read.
Some parts of this book struck a major emotional chord for me, simply because the situations the author was describing struck awfully close to home - which was a signal to me for how believable the people in this book are. Definitely a worthwhile read.
March 8, 2012
While I really enjoyed the beginning of this book and the whole premise I guess I finished wishing I had a bit more. More emotion between the MC's, more of a spark? It just fell a bit flat for me. It was wholly clean though. No swearing, no sexual anything. They pretty much don't even kiss. This is a very Christian book.
October 26, 2014
Wonderful romance
I loved this book so much, the romance that blossomed between Ian and Annie. The love she hag for her parents and taking a bad situation and something truly wonderful coming out of I a definite must read
I loved this book so much, the romance that blossomed between Ian and Annie. The love she hag for her parents and taking a bad situation and something truly wonderful coming out of I a definite must read
November 30, 2014
This is one of those set up plots. Forced marriage.m but, it is modern day. And so the plot thickens. It works. The characters are interesting. Not too much angst. Clean and good!
April 24, 2018
Light and sweet read. I suppose it's a believable forced marriage as Annie loved her parents so much and she was willing to sacrifice for them. Adding to that, I think it was believable for Ian too as he
I wished however that the intimacy between characters were described a little more in detail such as
I also wished for a resolution with Maddie and also for
I wished however that the intimacy between characters were described a little more in detail such as
I also wished for a resolution with Maddie and also for
February 6, 2018
Wonderful,whimsical,funny and faith filled story!
Annie make the sacrifice to save her father from prison for embezzlement from his boss's company by marrying his boss Ian McCann. Ian sees Annie's father as an uncle/father he has never had so he sees the marriage as a way to protect Paul and gain his inheritance so he can start his own company.
She is a believer and he is not, follow their journey towards love and finding God's have and forgiveness to a possible happily ever after.
This is my first experience with Kristy James but it defiantly won't be my last!
Annie make the sacrifice to save her father from prison for embezzlement from his boss's company by marrying his boss Ian McCann. Ian sees Annie's father as an uncle/father he has never had so he sees the marriage as a way to protect Paul and gain his inheritance so he can start his own company.
She is a believer and he is not, follow their journey towards love and finding God's have and forgiveness to a possible happily ever after.
This is my first experience with Kristy James but it defiantly won't be my last!
September 12, 2021
Unrealistic but sweet
The premise for this marriage of convenience was unrealistic, and I found it strange that neither the bride nor her family discussed the groom's relationship with God before the marriage, since their Christianity was important to them. That aside, it was a sweet, easy read with homey details.
The premise for this marriage of convenience was unrealistic, and I found it strange that neither the bride nor her family discussed the groom's relationship with God before the marriage, since their Christianity was important to them. That aside, it was a sweet, easy read with homey details.
March 24, 2025
This is a story of a marriage of convenience, and it's overtly Christian. There's a lot of teasing and bantering about some Christian tenets because one of the main characters is not a believer, but they are both nice people.
I found myself chuckling through a lot of this story and crying, too, at a few serious moments and some just plain sweet ones.
I really enjoyed this story.
I found myself chuckling through a lot of this story and crying, too, at a few serious moments and some just plain sweet ones.
I really enjoyed this story.
March 22, 2024
This was THE BEST!!! I'm not even sure how it ended up in my Kindle library, but 3 hours later, I'm SO HAPPY IT DID! Quite literally the sweetest, most fun book I've ever read! It's only 200 pages and was perfect- read it!!!
January 14, 2020
Clean romance
Interesting sweet read covers a number of topics that people wonder about. I enjoyed the characters and their reliance on the Lord.
Interesting sweet read covers a number of topics that people wonder about. I enjoyed the characters and their reliance on the Lord.
May 22, 2020
Unexpected
I got this book and wasn't expecting it to be so cute and hard to put down..lol. I loved it.
I got this book and wasn't expecting it to be so cute and hard to put down..lol. I loved it.
November 11, 2024
great story
This was a well-written story with a different spin on one of my favorite marriage of convenience tropes, with engaging, likable characters :)
This was a well-written story with a different spin on one of my favorite marriage of convenience tropes, with engaging, likable characters :)
May 7, 2025
Couldn't put it down
This story flowed with each word through each page. It was tender and touching. I hated that it was so short
This story flowed with each word through each page. It was tender and touching. I hated that it was so short
March 3, 2017
Why
It was a cute book about how two people got married not for love but fell in love along the way
It was a cute book about how two people got married not for love but fell in love along the way
July 27, 2015
This book started with an entertaining, if unbelievable, premise. The author did her best, I'm sure, with the characters she had given herself. Unfortunately, the grammatical and spelling errors distracted from whatever writing skill she may have had. I enjoyed the overall resolution, but found the lack of proofreading to be a significant distraction. I suggest other English teachers steer clear of this author, if this is the level of her published work.
January 15, 2016
The plot was a little far-fetched, but not so much that I couldn't suspend disbelief. The characters were real and believable--and the Christians were flawed (as we all are) but sincere believers. The situation with Annie's mother cancer was moving and real. More thoroughly editing would have made these an even better read.
September 1, 2015
Absolutely beautiful story!
This book was sad, funny, sweet and touching all rolled into one beautiful story. I have read it twice and enjoyed it as much or more the second time.
This book was sad, funny, sweet and touching all rolled into one beautiful story. I have read it twice and enjoyed it as much or more the second time.
January 1, 2016
A Fine Mess
Love this story. While Ian saw himself as helping Annie, and her family by getting married. . Ms James, does a great job of writing a mostly Christian base book. I enjoyed it .
Love this story. While Ian saw himself as helping Annie, and her family by getting married. . Ms James, does a great job of writing a mostly Christian base book. I enjoyed it .
February 13, 2016
A great read.
I found that I couldn't put it down once I started it. I loved the fact that they all finally turned to God, the only thing I maybe didn't like, ( being a cancer survivor myself) was the fact it kind of leaves you hanging about whether or not Maddie was healed...
I found that I couldn't put it down once I started it. I loved the fact that they all finally turned to God, the only thing I maybe didn't like, ( being a cancer survivor myself) was the fact it kind of leaves you hanging about whether or not Maddie was healed...
February 16, 2016
A delightful story.
This is considered a Christian novel. I disagree because I'm not a Christian but I do believe in God and His power. This incredibly beautiful story will appeal to any one who also believes in a higher power. What a wonderful ride.
This is considered a Christian novel. I disagree because I'm not a Christian but I do believe in God and His power. This incredibly beautiful story will appeal to any one who also believes in a higher power. What a wonderful ride.
March 7, 2016
This was such a sweet fake marriage story with a happily ever after. There was a lot of Christian "stuff" in it and if that bothers you then avoid reading this. It didn't bother me; in fact I enjoyed it. Very heart-warming book.
March 16, 2016
A beautiful story
I normally don't give reviews on the many books I read simply because twenty words or more required to post is a little much. Some books only deserve three words, (do not read). However this book has captured my heart and hence my post. I give it 7 stars.
I normally don't give reviews on the many books I read simply because twenty words or more required to post is a little much. Some books only deserve three words, (do not read). However this book has captured my heart and hence my post. I give it 7 stars.
September 5, 2016
The set up that had them getting married was somewhat unbelievable but it was an amusing, quick read. I don't know that I believe recognizing that you're saved involves saying any specific set of words though.
January 28, 2015
I enjoyed this book very much. It's an easy quick read and leaves one feeling good and hopeful.
June 26, 2015
A nice romance. I liked that it wasn't just a romance there were other sub-plots as well. I do wish we would have found out what happens with Maddie though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2015
Book review
Loved this story! I read it straight through and am glad to give it a five star rating. Clean and enjoyable reading.
Loved this story! I read it straight through and am glad to give it a five star rating. Clean and enjoyable reading.
April 1, 2017
I was drawn right away.
What a fun story! The excitement and delimna had me right away. It ended too soon. Quick moving. Happy ending.
What a fun story! The excitement and delimna had me right away. It ended too soon. Quick moving. Happy ending.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews