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Something Borrowed Collection #1-5

Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection

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Old friends, new loves, and a borrowed tiara.

Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver — Hanady's planning her dream wedding, but her injured best friend Keenan isn't the groom. If she can't see she's marrying the wrong guy soon, his leg won't be the only thing broken.

All the Moore by Toni Shiloh — Leilah Anderson has been living behind the screen to hide her disability, then she meets Reggie Moore face-to-face. Can their relationship survive the truth and distance between them?

A Holly, Bolly Christmas by Mikal Dawn — A dream wedding venue at Christmas? Sign Chahna Kapoor up. Even if her fiancé doesn’t know it…

Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger — When not-so-merry mishaps threaten wedding planner Cate Forsyth's holiday wedding and reputation, will her own happily ever after with sweetheart Noah Bennett melt away?

A Promise So Sweet by Andrea Boyd — Lydia Osborn hasn't heard from her ex in ten years, so imagine her surprise when he shows up proposing marriage. Tis the season for love?

600 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2020

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About the author

Jaycee Weaver

27 books241 followers
When New Mexico resident and USA Today bestselling author Jaycee Weaver isn't reading or writing, she enjoys dates with her brainiac hubby, drinking coffee, crafting, pretending she's a nature photographer, and making her teenagers cringe.

Jaycee considers herself a recovering perfectionist and frequent hot mess. She does her best to live her faith in action authentically, trusting God to be Lord over the good, the bad, and the ugly even when it’s hard.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for Cara Putman.
Author 62 books1,624 followers
November 26, 2020
I really enjoyed Toni’s novella! The heroine was unique and the hero perfect.
Profile Image for Marylin.
982 reviews17 followers
September 26, 2020
What a wonderful collection of stories! I enjoy reading books written by all these fantastic authors and putting them all together is like a special Christmas gift!
These stories each had a sweet spin to them. Five authors, six friends, five sweet romances, and five beautifully unique weddings!
I loved the thread of close friendships and support these books share. Each story has a different twist and a distinctive flair, mixed into the characters. Oh, to have close friends like this!
While reading this collection I started to remember my own wedding and all the fun things that went all in the planning of it. I totally enjoyed the thought of a wedding at Christmas time. This collection also got me thinking about Christmas and all the wonderful aspects that surround that time of year. Now I can’t wait for the holidays to start! It was just what I needed to get into the holiday spirit and now I want to decorate my house!
I highly recommend you pick this collection up; it will bring a smile to your face and warm fuzzies to your heart!
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Paula Shreckhise.
1,108 reviews84 followers
October 25, 2020
*True friendships bend gracefully through every season of life.*
This was just the cutest collection of Christmas wedding stories. The connection was the SOMETHING BORROWED tiara that is passed to all the brides who were college roommates and great friends.
Two of my favorites were by Toni Shiloh and Mikal Dawn. All The Moore has a wheelchair bound heroine which is so interesting. A Holly Bolly Christmas had a Scottish groom in a kilt and a bride in a Sari.
Each story told of earthly love and Godly love. Each story was quirky and fun filled. From mishaps to unique relatives, this one is a winner.
*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from one of the authors. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,228 reviews140 followers
October 18, 2020
This was a really fun collection to read! I loved getting to experience the relationships and weddings of each of these five friends. Each story was connected by the “something borrowed” item, a tiara that each woman wore at their wedding.

Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver – Keenan and Hanady were so perfect for each other. Keenan treated Hanady so well and truly valued her. I loved it when they FINALLY found love together!

All the Moore by Toni Shiloh – This story was packed with emotion! I loved Leilah and Reggie. My heart really felt for both of them. Reggie was amazing and did such a good job of showing Leilah that he saw her for who she was and not for her disability.

A Holly, Bolly Christmas by Mikal Dawn – Mag and Ana were delightful! They were truly in love, but there seemed to be so many potential snags to getting married. My heart both ached and rejoiced at various times throughout this story and I wondered how everything would ever work out!

Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger – This novella was a sweet and uplifting story with a definitely swoony hero. Cate had so many problems arise concerning her wedding, it was beginning to rob her joy. I liked that this novella worked to point out that a wedding is a single day, destined to have something go wrong, and that who we are marrying is the most important part.

A Promise So Sweet by Andrea Boyd – This was a fun second chance romance with a scenario not found in most books. I think these two main characters are going to have a lot of fun making up for lost time!

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews198 followers
September 16, 2020
3.5 stars. This collection of 5 little novellas is so cute. Five friends gather and share each others' wedding stories. And one very special tiara. Perfect for a cozy fall or winter read just before the holidays, you can settle down into this and be blessed as you smile your way through these girls' weddings. Recommended.

*I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. The opinion here is my own.
Profile Image for MJSH.
1,030 reviews42 followers
October 21, 2020
It's a fun Christmas wedding novella collection that follows six tightly-knit college friends as each finds love. Only five of them actually have their stories in this collection and the tradition of passing down a tiara as "something borrowed" in each subsequent wedding starts with Ruth Ann who is already married with multiple children (thus her full story is not included). Each author has a unique voice and writing style and it's quite fun to see this group of friends support each other through the good and the tough times.

Jaycee Weaver spins a nice tale of true acceptance and unconditional love between longtime friends Hanady and Keenan in "Always Been Yours."
"All the Moore" by Toni Shiloh pairs up wheel-chair bound Leilah with a video game developer Reggie through online games; Reggie's devotion and support of Leilah is heartwarming and sweet. Mikal Dawn, in "A Holly, Bolly Christmas," creates a shift in the book as Maguire comically but sincerely attempts to woo Ana's Bollywood-famous parents into accepting him and giving him their blessing for engagement/marriage.
"Somehow, This Christmas" by Teresa Tysinger is all about the foils, calamities, and disasters that can happen the week before the wedding (especially if the bride is also the wedding coordinator) but Noah's calm and admirable spirit brings Cate around to see what is truly important.
Andrea Boyd wraps up this collection with "A Promise So Sweet" where Lydia and Bruce enter an engagement of convenience only to have their past love for each other triumph.

It's a cozy Christmas weddings collection that you'd love to enjoy in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate. I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Profile Image for Melissa Wardwell.
Author 18 books936 followers
December 17, 2020
Ingenious and delightfully entertaining

Weddings, I don’t know too many readers that do not enjoy them. Add the fact that the wedding is around the Christmas holiday and you double the joy. When I saw this collection, I knew that I must have it.

Each author is uniquely talented in crafting their individual contribution to the collection. Love and heartache, laughter and tears, and most importantly—weddings and romance. It is the craftiness that each story intermingles with the next through the connecting factor of a single borrowed item that makes it special. It ties these characters together in a beautiful web that just makes the reader smile.

The journeys of each bride is special and diverse as well. It isn’t often that you read about a bride whose family is from India or one that is in a wheelchair. It is beautiful to see the gracious and creativity as well. This former bridal consultant was in Heaven with some of these weddings. So much so, that I am going to give a list of my favorites…

Contented sigh award goes to – “Always Been Yours” – This story was tender and heartwarming and even though our hero was injured, I was cheering him on.

Swoon-worthy hero award goes to – Noah Bennett in “Somehow, This Christmas”. He just swooped in and saved the day even though their trials leading up to wedding day were enough to make anyone crazy. Honorable mention? Her wedding gown was the most unique—puffy tulle skirt with a flannel button up. 🤯

Most unique location award goes to – “A Holly, Bolly Christmas” – the ice hotel mixed with a sprinkling of India was beautiful and intriguing. You still couldn’t get me to stay the night in an ice hotel but the idea is fun.

The “How will this play out” award goes to – “All The Moore” – I wasn’t sure how this would work out, with a wheelchair bound character and the gamer (well both are gamers), I was glued to the story just to find out. At the same time, I could relate, a little, to the bride. It is easy to hide and have mediocre dreams when you can hide behind the screen.

Lastly, the “second chance” love award goes to – “A Promise So Sweet”. I really enjoy these type of stories because it reminds me to never give up on the gift of love even when things get hard.

***I was given a copy of this book from the publisher through CelebrateLit. The views expressed are entirely my own and a favorable opinion was not required.
380 reviews5 followers
October 30, 2020
Want to get into the early Christmas mood? then this collection is for you.
Beautifully written, it follows five friends and their love stories.
Besides Jaycee Weaver I had read a book or two from each of these authors and was excited to read more. It was a great introduction to her stories and would definitely be looking out for more.
With themes of acceptance and loving yourself for who you are or the challenges that come with intercultural/interracial marriages to calamities that could happen just before the wedding and finding love online, or even engagements of convenience. Each story is unique in its own right but oh so beautifully written and the heroes...
The elements of faith carried through each story and the friendship of these ladies makes this collection one that shouldn't be missed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors. All opinions expressed are solely mine.
Profile Image for Lynda.
403 reviews19 followers
December 18, 2020
These are all new authors to me, but I was intrigued that the novellas are about a group of friends and Christmas. A perfect read in December!

Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver

I enjoyed this author's writing style and loved the main character. Hanady is the kind of friend I look for: fun, sweet, spunky, and a little bit sassy, yet fiercely loyal and loving. She's also a little clueless in her romantic life, but that makes for a fun read and a romantic ending of the novella, one that was blissfully unrushed and allowed me to savor the happiness.

All the Moore by Toni Shiloh

There's a lot packed into this little novella and the author doesn’t shy away from tough topics like disabilty, healing, or insecurity just because it's a shorter work. I really enjoyed this story, and Reggie's genuine love for Leilah, with or without her wheelchair, was beautiful to read about, as was her taking a huge risk in being vulnerable and open to love.

A Holly, Bolly Christmas by Mikal Dawn

This was a sweet story and I liked how Mag and Ana made sure their two separate cultures were honored but still made their own way. He is definitely a match for her personality and I could see their temperaments clashing, but ultimately love wins out over obstacles. A fun read for this crazy year, for sure!

Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger

Oh my goodness! After the year we have ALL had, this is the perfect read and an excellent reminder that even when things don't go as planned, life is still good when we have those we love with us. I could relate to Cate in so many ways, and Noah's kindness even as she went a bit off the rails really amped his swoon-worthiness.

A Promise so Sweet by Andrea Boyd

This is a quick story of unexpected second chances. Lydia and Bruce haven't seen each other for 10 year and there's some hurt to deal with, but Christmas is a time for hope, after all, and this story reminds us of that.

I enjoyed this collection and highly recommend it for readers who like romance at Christmas time and those who favor interconnected stories. The novella length is great for limited reading time around the holidays, but the love and warmth of the stories is right there with TV Christmas movies that leave a smile on the face and in the heart.

I received a review copy of this book through Celebrate Lit but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
Profile Image for Suzie Waltner.
Author 7 books110 followers
December 10, 2020
Five friends celebrate the loves of their lives at Christmas in the Something Borrowed novella collection. While the tiara (the something borrowed) makes an appearance in each story, it’s the bonds of friendship forged over the years between these women that really tie the collection together.

I appreciated that the time frame of the whole collection was spread out over a couple years (nope, all five do not get married together) and that each story had an established relationship—whether that be friends to more, second chances, or progression of relationships already in existence.

Each author unique author voice comes through, but the entire collection is cohesive and would feel like something is missing if left out. Grab your Christmas drink of choice and settle in for some challenges leading to each of these ladies’ happily ever after.



Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Anne.
Author 27 books147 followers
October 22, 2020
We all know 2020 has been a challenging year. So, more than ever, I anticipated the season of Christmas-themed books! I knew Christmas-y novels would lift my spirits and put me in a better frame of mind. Something Borrowed accomplished those tasks! This has probably been my favorite Christmas anthology, and I recommend it to all my reader friends who adore sweet holiday romance. I loved how the stories are tied together by a group of friends. I also enjoyed the diversity of the characters, it felt more natural to me, to be honest. I'd love to see more diversity in other books. The stories are all different, uniquely written for each main character, and it's neat how they lived in various parts of the country. This group of authors has an annual tradition of putting out themed Christmas anthologies, and I look forward to seeing what they do in 2021!
Profile Image for Becky.
752 reviews37 followers
December 12, 2020
Something Borrowed has something for everyone: friends becoming more, an online relationship moving into the real world, lots of parental drama, a bridezilla, and lost love found again. I really enjoyed watching each of the friends find her happily ever after. I did enjoy some novellas more than others (as is typical for a collection like this--my favorites were by Toni Shiloh and Jaycee Weaver), and I had a difficult time telling when each story took place in relation to the others (a simple year given at the beginning of each novella would've been helpful), but overall, I'd give it a solid 3 stars.

Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.

Profile Image for Andi Tubbs.
915 reviews66 followers
October 20, 2020
This was an absolute delightful collection of Christmas wedding stories. A group of friends from college, who I could see as my friends, have Christmas weddings with a few hiccups that made me giggle.

Teresa Tysinger and Andrea Boyd are new to me authors and I thoroughly enjoyed their stories.

I adored the way each of the authors wrote their story. Quirky characters, venues that might or might not work, ridiculous family members. Everything that most if not all brides can identify with. I could. My first wedding was in November and as I was reading I was remembering all the craziness that happened.

You can tell that the authors worked together to make sure the stories flowed together.

This was just the book I needed to read with the way our year has been and it lifted my spirits. I highly recommend this book!

IT RELEASED TODAY SO GRAB A COPY!!!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Anne.
457 reviews14 followers
October 20, 2020
I’m a huge fan of collections. They’re a great way to be introduced to authors. These five novellas follow six friends as they pass along a beautiful wedding tiara one-to-the-other, and of course they each get married at Christmastime.

I enjoyed the friendship dynamic between the girls. You could tell they had genuine relationships by their affection for each other, clothed in honesty and encouragement. A couple of the novellas stood out a little more to me because of a deeper faith element and each author brings skill to the table which caused my heart to sigh. I recommend this collection to contemporary romance fans who like mild to moderate faith themes sprinkled throughout.

I received an electronic copy of the book from one of the authors and also purchased a Kindle copy. No review was required. No compensation has been received.
Profile Image for Faith.
1,723 reviews
December 8, 2020
A fun filled collection of Christmas wedding themed short stories that follow a group of college friends as they each find their happily ever after, and continue the tradition of getting married at Christmastime.

An utterly charming collection of stories, I loved how they tie into, and build upon one another, as we get to know each of the brides and their beautifully, unique love stories. I couldn't keep a smile from my face as I read through each of the stories.

I loved Hanady and Keenan's chemistry together, and how she found someone who valued her like she deserved all along. I also really admired her father. I loved how Reggie faithfully showed up for Leilah again and again, it was also the first romance I've read where the couple meets gaming. The culture clash, and expedited timeline was so much fun in Ana's story, and her parents are quite something. I loved Jason and Maya! I love how Noah is always doing things to cheer up Cate, and how she makes the best of every situation. And I loved Lydia's best friend Tawny, and their shared love of Jane Austen, as well how Bruce stands up for her.

A faith filled, romantic, Christmas wedding collection. I loved getting to know each of the five brides and their grooms over the course of the novellas. Stellar heroines, heroes, fantastic chemistry, humor, and amazing friendships, I would definitely recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys a sweet Christmas romance!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Profile Image for Deana Dick.
2,498 reviews63 followers
December 11, 2020
This collection of stories follow a group of friends as they find love and happiness. I loved the tiara that was passed to each woman and the meaning behind it. There is laughter, tears and joy as each author blends their story together to make a wonderful collection . I liked how we get to see each of the friends share their ups and downs with each and how a treasured item is passed to each woman on a special day.



Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver

I loved this story so much and thought that Hanady was the perfect character. She is smart, funny, beautiful and ready to be married. Oh I laughed when she was the one to propose to Marco. I didn’t like Marco at all and found him to be selfish and irritating. Isn’t it funny that everyone around Hanady knew Marco was wrong for her?

Hanady starts to see little hints that Marco isn't happy. I cringed when he talked about her weight and wanted to give him a big slap in the face. Hanady has been friends with Keenan forever and the poor guy is hopelessly in love with her. Will she finally realize that the man of her dreams is not Marco? Through Hanady we see what it is like to feel uncomfortable about our weight, our looks and being accepted by others. Keenan is a great example of loving someone not for their looks but for who they are inside. It’s a great story filled with lessons on listening to your heart, trusting God and accepting that you are wonderfully made.

All The Moore by Toni Shiloh

Leilah spends all her time in her home. She teaches online classes to children which she loves. Her past time is playing games online. I have a son who loves to play online as well. It seems to be a great social outlet for people and it works well . Leilah has become great friends with a certain someone while gaming and I laughed so hard when she mentioned she was coming to Denver. Did she forget that Reggie lives there?

Meeting him in person made her uncomfortable but not for reasons we would think. She has a big secret that she has never told Reggie. How long can she hide her disability from him? What I loved about this story was how Leilah had to learn to never give up and trust God. She is angry that God never healed her and I sensed a little bitterness coming up in her. Will Reggie be able to show her that she is a wonderful person who could be loved by a man? There are many lessons in this story and I was reminded that what we are on the inside is more important than our outer appearance.

I loved how Leilah’s friends are supportive and help her with her fear of failure. Maybe there is hope that she can walk again, but is she willing to trust God? I can’t say enough great things about Reggie. His compassion is contagious and his love for Leilah is evident . The scriptures the author includes in the story are some of my favorites. “Be anxious for nothing....” is a great reminder for all of us.

A Holly, Bolly Christmas by Mikal Dawn

With excitement at finding the perfect venue for her wedding someday Ana books it not knowing an unexpected cancellation happens. Now in two months she and her fiancé are suppose to be there to get married. I think she forgot to tell a certain someone about the upcoming date. Poor thing has some explaining to do. What’s a girl to do when her dream wedding may not happen?

Mag is a fun character and has his hands full with Ana’s parents trying to marry her off to someone else. I did laugh a few times when Ana’s parents brought an unannounced guest to dinner. Mag is gracious but you can tell he is steaming inside. Will he ever be accepted by Ana’s parents? I enjoyed learning about the Indian culture and how important it was for Ana to have the blessing from her parents to marry Mag. It sounds like a storybook tale, but one thing is missing. Will Mag ever get around to asking Ana to marry him? Special note: The hotel Ana wants to get married at sounds divine. I looked it up and yes I would love to visit it sometime.

Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger

Cate is so excited that very very soon she will marry the man of her dreams. Planning her own wedding had to be a chore . After all she makes a living as a wedding planner. I guess if things go wrong at her wedding she has only herself to blame. Noah is a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. I loved how he always sees the bright side of everything.

With less than a week to go, Noah and Cate go to pick up his suit for their wedding. There is a slight problem with the jacket as thus begins a chain of events that may ruin Cate’s perfect wedding. To add to her stress a very big boost to her career is about to happen. Now how will she pull off the biggest job of her career? Her own wedding is going to be featured with a spread in a very important blog. This could mean more business but I have to wonder if it’s the right thing to do.

Oh my but Cate is in for a trying week as her wedding nears. It seems that everywhere she turns, more problems arise. Is her wedding starting to turn into a disaster? I loved how the story shows us that we need to learn to trust God . Cate learns a valuable lesson in keeping her focus on important things and that she can’t control everything. There is always a reason things happen. I loved how Cate learns that not everything has to be perfect.

A Promise So Sweet by Andrea Boyd

Lydia is a fun character. Her hopes of getting married seems to diminish each year. She finds herself alone and sad at times. Now this story is a fun one to read. Out of the blue an old boyfriend comes to see Lydia. I couldn’t believe what Bruce has asked Lydia to do. It certainly isn’t flattering knowing he is doing it to become a senior pastor. What is he thinking? Surely Lydia won’t fall for his scheme or will she?

What I really liked about this story was how Bruce listened to God and followed His direction. Sometimes we desire something, but maybe God has a better plan. I loved reading how Lydia and Bruce found their way back to each other. The best part of the whole story was when Lydia and Bruce’s mother sit down to talk. There is a reason why Bruce’s mother isn’t happy with his choice in a bride. Will Lydia be able to win Bruce’s mother over?

The story is a look at two people who once thought they were perfect for each other. After ten years they reunite and start to share their feelings with each other. When you love someone, never give up. God knows who your perfect mate is and when you wait on Him, love never fails.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Profile Image for Ebos Aifuobhokhan.
541 reviews55 followers
November 22, 2020
Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver
Awwww Keenan and Hanady! Friends to more has always been a favorite of mine and this wasn't an exception. Swoon worthy with lessons in faith that is inspiring and worthy of emulation.

All The Moore by Toni Shiloh.
Toni Shiloh has always had my heart with her books and this one was no exception. I loved the stories, I loved the characters, the humor, banter was just so heartwarming.

A Holly Bolly Christmas by Mikal Dawn
It was the settings of the wedding in this story that delighted me more. A beautiful interracial marriage with the joy and love of Christmas time.

Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger
It was a delight o be back at Laurel Clove.
I've never seen imperfection look good like it did in this novella. Nothing and Cate's love grew stronger as they overcame obstacles after obstacles leading to their wedding day.

A Promise So Sweet by Andrea Boyd
His beautiful collection ends with Lydia and Bruce story. This one sure was a good ending to this collection. Talk about speed dating and marriage. When someone is meant for you, nothing changes it. Beautiful story of love finding Bruce and Lydia again.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Aminata Coote.
Author 20 books34 followers
October 19, 2020
This collection had all the feels–great characters, intriguing storylines, and the strands of Christmas running throughout.

I loved the idea of a tiara being the “something borrowed” in the five weddings while also being a way to pay tribute to their friend Ruth-Ann. It was fun getting glimpses of the friends in each of the stories and though there were a few inconsistencies, it did not detract from the stories. Each novella in Something Borrowed chronicled the romance of one of the five unmarried friends but also told of the strong friendship that existed between the six ladies.

I loved reading about their friendship as much as I enjoyed reading their romances. Something Borrowed is a great collection to read if you love Christmas romances or if you just enjoy stories with a happily ever after. I received an advanced readers’ copy as part of the launch team; a positive review was not required.
5,445 reviews
December 14, 2020
Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection is a collection of five stories. These stories include:
Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver
All the Moore by Toni Shiloh
A Holly, Bolly Christmas by Mikal Dawn
Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger
A Promise So Sweet by Andrea Boyd
I loved every single of these stories. If I had to choose a favorite of the five, it would have to be Toni Shiloh’s All the Moore. All of them were sweet and such a delight to read.

I am giving Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading novella collections and clean stories set during the magical season of Christmas. It would be a perfect addition to add to ones Holiday reading. I am so happy I did.

I received Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Profile Image for Sydney.
967 reviews107 followers
November 19, 2020
Something Borrowed is an absolutely adorable and charming Christmas Wedding collection. The story ties together with five friends that share a tiara that they all wear at their wedding. Each author has her own voice, while connecting it in with the others in the collection. This delightful collection is an excellent read for the holiday season.

Genre: contemporary romance; holiday
Publisher: Indie
Publication date: October 20, 2020
Number of pages: 600
 
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Vicky Sluiter.
Author 1 book75 followers
October 30, 2020
This collection of novella’s will become one I read every year. It was fabulous!

The authors did such a good job of knitting together all the accounts, and it was fun to see the group of friends in each story, each from a different point of view. The relationship these six share is strong and very lively. They are in each other's lives in a healthy, often comical way. Personalities ranged from quirky, to somewhat uptight, but all were loveable and warm.

Christmas. Weddings. Romance. Seeming disasters. This collection has something for everyone and I can’t recommend it strongly enough!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Profile Image for Connie Hill.
1,465 reviews20 followers
December 9, 2020
One of the best thing about being a book blogger is finding new authors to read. "Something Borrowed" is collection of 5 Novellas by 5 amazing authors. The only author that I have read prior to this was Toni Shiloh. The other authors were new to me. I enjoyed EVERY single one of these stories. I love when I can read collections like this. All the stories are unique but tied together by a central theme. We see 5 friends that you will feel like are your friends as you read about their relationships and wedding. I cannot pick one as a strong favorite. They were all really good.

I will say that the one that tugged at my emotions was Toni Shiloh's story - "All the Moore". When you meet Leilah's and Reggie your heart will melt. Reggie was such a good match for her. Leilah has been confined to a wheelchair and never thought that anyone could look past her disability. (spoiler alert --- have Kleenex handy).

Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver was a fun one to read. I love the chemistry between Keenan and Hanady. He treats her like a queen. (Like my husband does :)) This is the first story of the collection and you get the background on the friends. I had not read this author before - but I did browse through some of titles on Goodreads and will definitely read her in the future.

A Holly, Bolly Christmas by Mikal Dawn - this is another new author for me. Maguire and Anna. Sigh. My heart was beating very fast during this tory. They had an adventurous journey to the alter. It seemed like whatever could go wrong, did. Her parents did not want her to be with him and she wanted the perfect venue.

Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger was an uplifting mood lifter of a story. Cate, the bride as many brides do gets frustrated on her journey. Cate is also a wedding planner - so she knows what to do - but when it comes to her own wedding. I can't imagine making sure client's weddings are perfect and all that they have dreamt on - only to run into roadblocks on your own.

Finally, A Promise So Sweet by Andrea Boyd. This is another new author. This story was one all about second chances. In Andrea's story - a former high school sweetheart reenters Lydia's life. She thought she missed out in the past. She had not heard from him - and he shows back up proposing.

All of the stories in this collection are heartwarming with a strong faith element. It is the perfect Christmas collection for this chaotic year.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program - all thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Chloe Flanagan.
Author 10 books109 followers
October 1, 2020
When five friends decide to take turns wearing the same tiara at their weddings, it would seem that the good fortune attached to the “something borrowed” bridal tradition should be inevitable. But as it happens, a cherished object, highly detailed wedding lists, holiday cheer, and even romance are not enough to guarantee these brides an obstacle-free trip down the aisle. Each heroine in the Something Borrowed collection must find her own way to lasting love with the help of faith, friendship, and a Christmas miracle or two.

The authors in this collection do a wonderful job bringing these brides and their stories to life. Jaycee Weaver’s protagonist, Hanady is funny, charming, and relatable. Toni Shiloh’s Leilah and Reggie embody a uniquely poignant and hopeful love story. Family is both chaotic and beautiful for Mikal Dawn’s delightful couple, Ana and Maguire. With her heroine, Cate, Teresa Tysinger skillfully portrays how God picks up life’s pieces when everything falls apart. And Andrea Boyd’s Lydia and Bruce inspire and amuse as they navigate a second chance romance.

All in all, this uplifting and heartwarming collection of romances is a perfect Christmastime read to enjoy on a cold winter’s night.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not obliged to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama.
506 reviews50 followers
October 18, 2020
Want to get in the Christmas holiday spirit?! Then this collection of stories is for you! I loved reading these. It was like reading one big story as these authors wrote the characters with such fluidity that at times I thought I was reading one novel instead of 5 different novellas. They really did an outstanding job.
The stories follow five friends in pursuit of love and marriage even when they believe that it will not be happening for them or when it actually comes in the most of unexpected ways. Each of these authors have crafted these very different characters that are very relatable and each of them go through different things that have them truly look at themselves through God's eyes.
This was my first time reading some of these authors but it definitely won't be my last. I have read from Teresa Tysinger before and can I just say, the girl knows how to write a swoon worthy male character!! If you love sweet romances and Christmas you can't go wrong with this collection! Go grab a cup of hot chocolate or coffee, a warm blanket and curl up with this book!!

I received a copy of this book from the authors. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Marguerite Gray.
Author 15 books497 followers
December 9, 2020
Oh, to have friends that stick close through the years. My sister has a college clan like this one in the novel. After years removed from the connection in college, my sister’s group plans not just girl weekends, but girl weeks where they meet, bringing all their lives from miles apart together for renewal and focus (usually at the beach or the mountains). The bond has not been broken even though the woes of life—physical, mental, and emotional woven with spiritual. They have something special that not everybody has or understands. It takes work and commitment.
In Something Borrowed, these friends, still in their twenties, are finding love, making career choices, facing financial and physical strains. Each has chosen a life in a different city far from the close community of college. Yet, they stay connected and share their individual and corporate struggles and joys with the reader.
At Christmas, this collection of novellas is really one great novel of truths about friendship, love, connection, sharing, and growth. It inspires me to reach out to any friends and connect or reconnect with others even the simple act of a card or a memory. Count it a blessing to have multiple life-long friends.
(As a side note, I LOVED Toni Shiloh’s story set in New Orleans. I’m from Louisiana and enjoy the references to lifestyle, accents, and setting.)
Profile Image for Erin.
1,542 reviews7 followers
December 16, 2020
I love collections like this. They have lots of fun short novellas and that means you feel like you’re reading a lot of books but they’re short and read quickly. Plus I love meeting all the new characters and feeling like I get to know them and follow them through all of the books.

I really enjoyed A Promise so Sweet because it was not your average love story and it’s always fun to have love stories that are unique.

Most of the authors that have contributed to this are ones I’ve read before and they write wonderfully. I love reading them and getting to know more about their writing style.

This is definitely a must-read book. There is not a single one of the stories that I didn’t like and I highly recommend that you read this book too! Also, check out the other collections that they have done.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Profile Image for Donna C.
410 reviews5 followers
December 17, 2020

What I think you should know:
Something Borrowed is a compilation of contemporary Christian Romance novellas. It contains the following novellas : Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver, All the Moore by Toni Shiloh, A Holly, Bolly Christmas by Mikal Dawn, Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger and A Promise So Sweet by Andrea Boyd.

What I think about this collection:
This was such a delightful Christmas collection. I love the idea of strong friendships that stand the test of time and distance, in a society that often portrays women as tearing each other down. I enjoy reading about women who maintain friendships and build each other up. Each story was unique and entertaining and filled me with Christmas joy. I cheered and cringed with the characters as they navigated their challenges on the way to wearing something borrowed. I love how each author gave us a strong woman, even if she did not know it at the start of the story. I could not choose a favorite bride as each story was delightful to read. While each story ends at Christmas I would enjoy reading this book any time of year!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kendra Neal.
968 reviews18 followers
December 20, 2020

Christmas Weddings are very popular every year. 2020 won't see many
traditional Christmas Weddings. I enjoy the beauty of Weddings year
round, but Christmas Weddings are beautiful. I also enjoy reading
about Christmas Weddings, so this book was a must read for me.

Something Borrowed is a collection of stories by 5 Authors. The Novella
is about a Group of College Friends who are all having Christmas Weddings.As with most weddings, each of the weddings in the Novella are not without drama or issues. The title of "Something Borrowed" was given because eachof the Brides decide to wear the same Tiara in their weddings. Friends who LOVE one another and decide to share the same Tiara is absolutely beautiful. Each story is different, but full of LOVE, friendship, family drama, and a few twists and turns. Each bride does have her "Happily Ever After" ending.

I REALLY enjoyed this book. The authors really made each story flow well
from one to another. I wasn't familiar with many of the Authors from this book, but now I intend to read more from each of them. The writing style of each of the authors is wonderful and unique. A GREAT Christmas book and really bought me to joy to the Season.
Profile Image for J.E. Grace.
Author 13 books94 followers
October 20, 2020
Every one of these authors has their own unique writing style, but each story fit together seamlessly. I follow one of six friends telling their own story about how God led them to their happily ever after mate. The first to marry passes a tiara down to be worn by the next friend to marry.

They are inspiring love stories. The characters are playful, down-to-earth, and witty. I enjoyed getting to know each one of them. They were written so well that they could have been a friend of mine next door. The friends stuck together since their college days were supportive of each other, and were there in the good times and bad.

The storyline is filled with joy, pain, second chances, lots of love and immersed in Christian inspiration. It's of lasting friendships whose faith in God carries them through.

I received an ARC from the authors and voluntarily choose to review it.
144 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2020
I enjoyed every novella in this collection. It was fun to follow the ladies through the other stories too.


Always Been Yours kicked off this collection with a fun, best-friends story. I really liked Keenan and how Hanady and Keenan interacted.

All the Moore was one of my favorites in this collection. Reggie is a fantastic character, great book boyfriend material!

A Holly, Bolly Christmas was my other favorite in this collection. The wedding venue was so cool! These characters had their work cut out out for them to solve their problems to finally get to this destination.

Somehow, This Christmas almost got a little heavy for me with how many mishaps that happened, but Cate kept plugging along and it was really neat to see how all the mishaps were fixed.

A Promise So Sweet starts with such a surprise and I enjoyed following their story.

I received a digital copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
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