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A Bride for All Seasons
Marry-Me Christmas
Samantha Barnett would describe herself as an ordinary girl. Flynn McGranger would call her beautiful—if he weren't about to destroy her career.
A rich, successful journalist, Flynn aims to write a scathing review of Samantha's little bakery. He never mixes business with pleasure. But the secrets she's clearly keeping intrigue him, and her innocence has caught him off guard….
What's happened to him? He's being ridiculous! The Christmas-coated town has gone to his head. Or has this small-town girl unlocked the city-slicker's heart?
A rich, successful journalist, Flynn aims to write a scathing review of Samantha's little bakery. He never mixes business with pleasure. But the secrets she's clearly keeping intrigue him, and her innocence has caught him off guard….
What's happened to him? He's being ridiculous! The Christmas-coated town has gone to his head. Or has this small-town girl unlocked the city-slicker's heart?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2008
4 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Jump
446 books742 followersShirley Jump is a writing instructor and an award-winning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and USA Today bestselling author who has published more than 80 books in 24 countries. She has spoken all over the world about the power of narrative and how to create compelling books. A former reporter and communications director for a marketing agency, she uses her diverse background to help clients create impactful books that readers can’t down.
She knows the path to publication isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, so to help writers write their best possible book, she offers monthly Manuscript Masterminds through her website, www.WritingCompellingFiction.com.
On her channel, https://YouTube.com/@WritingCompellin..., she unlocks the secrets behind compelling novels and delves into the psychological aspect of overcoming creativity-stoppers like doubt and perfectionism. Follow her channel for more writing exercises, classes, and behind-the-scenes writing lessons or join her Manuscript Mastermind to build your tribe of like-minded writers and receive crucial feedback on your pages.
She knows the path to publication isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, so to help writers write their best possible book, she offers monthly Manuscript Masterminds through her website, www.WritingCompellingFiction.com.
On her channel, https://YouTube.com/@WritingCompellin..., she unlocks the secrets behind compelling novels and delves into the psychological aspect of overcoming creativity-stoppers like doubt and perfectionism. Follow her channel for more writing exercises, classes, and behind-the-scenes writing lessons or join her Manuscript Mastermind to build your tribe of like-minded writers and receive crucial feedback on your pages.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 8, 2026
Bakery owner Samantha Barnett bakes a special cookie which is gaining popularity because it seems to be making couples fall in love if they eat it. Magazine journalist Flynn MacGregor’s new assignment is to write a piece on Sam's Bakery and the special cookie. Sam and Flynn get to know each other while he writes the story. But will he expose all of Sam’s secrets?
This was a nice festive read. I liked the Christmas atmosphere, the friendly townsfolk, and the sweet and touching moments between Sam and her grandmother towards the end of the book.
An enjoyable read by Shirley Jump.
This was a nice festive read. I liked the Christmas atmosphere, the friendly townsfolk, and the sweet and touching moments between Sam and her grandmother towards the end of the book.
An enjoyable read by Shirley Jump.
January 2, 2026
Cute feel good book for Christmas. Very predictable but felt like a Hallmark movie and was a nice cozy read.
October 13, 2014
Yılbaşının üzerine güzel gitti kitap :) Burada da heidi betts'in serisindeki gibi charlotte vakası yaşandı aslında orada sihirli çıkrık burada sihirli kurabiye hamuru :D
April 14, 2020
Novel in a nutshell - Samantha's family bakery is visited by Flynn, a journalist for a tabloid style magazine, which wants to run a feature on her cookies that allegedly help peole fall in love. Flynn wants to pry into every corner of Sam's life to try and get an exclusive angle, but Sam's not comfortable with this as the big story is that her grandmother is in a care home due to her dementia, and she wants to keep this private. Sam and Flynn grow closer as he works on her story, but will he keep her secret, or keep his job by revealing the full story?
My review - I love this book so much! I read it almost every Christmas as it has such a festive feel to it. Shirley Jump has done a great job, weaving Christmas into every aspect of the story. I love the growing romance between the two characters, and how Flynn is such a Scrooge at first (he has his own reasons, which become clear as the story progresses). I know people have criticised this book as the character wants to keep her grandma's dementia a secret. Whilst I totally agree that this is nothing to be ashamed of, I think Sam does this at first to protect her grandmother, as she knows she would be devastated to not appear to her friends as she always has done.
Anyway, I love this book and how festive it is, and how the sweet romance grows so well throughout the book.
My review - I love this book so much! I read it almost every Christmas as it has such a festive feel to it. Shirley Jump has done a great job, weaving Christmas into every aspect of the story. I love the growing romance between the two characters, and how Flynn is such a Scrooge at first (he has his own reasons, which become clear as the story progresses). I know people have criticised this book as the character wants to keep her grandma's dementia a secret. Whilst I totally agree that this is nothing to be ashamed of, I think Sam does this at first to protect her grandmother, as she knows she would be devastated to not appear to her friends as she always has done.
Anyway, I love this book and how festive it is, and how the sweet romance grows so well throughout the book.
January 30, 2019
What is with the title? Anywho, this story is okay. Very choppy at the end to get to the happy couple. Could have been better if it was longer. Both the couple’s backstories aren’t very fleshed out. And it takes a very long time for the hero to come around. Eh, read if you’ve read all the other Christmas books on your list.
October 16, 2011
Running Joyful Creations Bakery has become Sam Barnett's life. With the weight of carrying on the family restaurant, trying to expand it, and pay for her grandmothers nursing home in the Alzheimer's unit, her own social life has taken a step back.
Since the first article came out, proclaiming her special cookies lead to love, business has been booming. During the busy peak rush, Flynn MacGregor approaches her about writing an article for Food Lover's magazine.
Know as the Bulldog, Flynn is known for getting his story and leaving, not without making a few people mad though, but its not his fault they aren't happy with the true story behind the business.
From the beginning, Flynn is itching to get out of the small, Christmas field town. Not only does meeting Sam put him out of his element, but his car decides to break down and needs an expensive part that will have to be delivered.
With nothing else to do, he checks into the local bed and breakfast and seek out Sam for his story.
Sam can tell this man has the potential to break her heart. After a warning from her Aunt Jenny about the articles his company's know for, she's cautions about trusting him. Yet as they spend time together, its hard for Sam not to put her walls down, but its seems he's always probing around for a secret story and she's not about to tell him about her grandmother.
At the same time, she can tell he's hiding a past and tries to bring him into the Christmas spirit that the town is known for.
It takes a few days, but eventually Flynn learns of her grandmother's illness, but as he confronts Sam about his plans to publish the article, his emotions plead him to think differently.
Not until Christmas day, does he realize he loves Sam. Not only has she reminded him of how he wanted his life to go after such a horrible childhood, but she's finally given him a home. Even calling in his brother, Sam has brought him back to who he wants to be.
Searching for her at her house, he tells her all the things he's realized and shows her the true article he wrote. Not only will they live happily ever, but he's got the perfect plan to expand her business, but not her hours.
Since the first article came out, proclaiming her special cookies lead to love, business has been booming. During the busy peak rush, Flynn MacGregor approaches her about writing an article for Food Lover's magazine.
Know as the Bulldog, Flynn is known for getting his story and leaving, not without making a few people mad though, but its not his fault they aren't happy with the true story behind the business.
From the beginning, Flynn is itching to get out of the small, Christmas field town. Not only does meeting Sam put him out of his element, but his car decides to break down and needs an expensive part that will have to be delivered.
With nothing else to do, he checks into the local bed and breakfast and seek out Sam for his story.
Sam can tell this man has the potential to break her heart. After a warning from her Aunt Jenny about the articles his company's know for, she's cautions about trusting him. Yet as they spend time together, its hard for Sam not to put her walls down, but its seems he's always probing around for a secret story and she's not about to tell him about her grandmother.
At the same time, she can tell he's hiding a past and tries to bring him into the Christmas spirit that the town is known for.
It takes a few days, but eventually Flynn learns of her grandmother's illness, but as he confronts Sam about his plans to publish the article, his emotions plead him to think differently.
Not until Christmas day, does he realize he loves Sam. Not only has she reminded him of how he wanted his life to go after such a horrible childhood, but she's finally given him a home. Even calling in his brother, Sam has brought him back to who he wants to be.
Searching for her at her house, he tells her all the things he's realized and shows her the true article he wrote. Not only will they live happily ever, but he's got the perfect plan to expand her business, but not her hours.
November 20, 2015
I didn't particularly care for this book. First of all, it's not my type of romance book--no sex, only kissing. But I could recommend it to my middle school age daughter for that reason.
Secondly, the male character is a complete hypocrite, and hypocritical people are one of my pet peeves. He's a magazine writer who makes a lot of money writing "Enquirer" style stories about other restaurant owners' personal lives while he doesn't want to discuss and share his own life with anyone else. He judges and criticizes Sam, a cookie baker, for which he, himself, is guilty: not having a life outside of work and not revealing family problems. I disliked this man for much of this book.
Finally, I found their long-distance relationship loaded with problems. He's a man from Boston, and she's from a small town in Indiana. He complains about the lack of reliable internet service and car repair service in Indiana. How are this city mouse and country mouse really going to make it as a couple?
Secondly, the male character is a complete hypocrite, and hypocritical people are one of my pet peeves. He's a magazine writer who makes a lot of money writing "Enquirer" style stories about other restaurant owners' personal lives while he doesn't want to discuss and share his own life with anyone else. He judges and criticizes Sam, a cookie baker, for which he, himself, is guilty: not having a life outside of work and not revealing family problems. I disliked this man for much of this book.
Finally, I found their long-distance relationship loaded with problems. He's a man from Boston, and she's from a small town in Indiana. He complains about the lack of reliable internet service and car repair service in Indiana. How are this city mouse and country mouse really going to make it as a couple?
December 16, 2011
It was just okay. The big secrets weren't really that big a deal. For instance, I didn't see why the heroine was hiding the fact that her grandmother had Alzheimer's from everyone. It's nothing to be ashamed of! And certainly not a burden anyone should carry alone.
The hero was in foster care. That was pretty much the extent of his character development. Well boo hoo. Lots of people go into foster care and turn out just fine. Some foster care parents are wonderful. They're not all unfeeling ogres--that's a stereotype I'm very sick of.
I guess I expected better of this author, as I've enjoyed her stuff much more before.
The hero was in foster care. That was pretty much the extent of his character development. Well boo hoo. Lots of people go into foster care and turn out just fine. Some foster care parents are wonderful. They're not all unfeeling ogres--that's a stereotype I'm very sick of.
I guess I expected better of this author, as I've enjoyed her stuff much more before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2015
What are two people who are so focused on their jobs they have little else to do when they discover the sparks between them? Flynn is a reporter for a food magazine sent to the little town of Riverton to do a story on Joyful Creations Bakery. Samantha runs the family bakery and is known for her grandmother's "love cookies"- one cookie and you are sure to fall in love. When they are pushed together for the sake of the article, Christmas spirit and a little encouragement from the town people help Sam and Flynn realize through Christmas what they are missing and just how to make all their dreams a reality.
February 20, 2010
Cute story about two people closed off from their emotions, with secrets. Hero is a reporter in town to do expose on heroine's bakery and her "magic love cookies" that help people fall in love. He's a bit of a scrooge about Christmas. She's not. It's just a nice, sweet story. Good read when that's what you want.
July 31, 2011
This one took me a while to get through and not because it wasn't a good story, it was. But because it wasn't a grab-my-attention-can't-put-it-down story. I would say it was cute and quaint. Minimal conflict but good character connection.
November 8, 2015
What even... jeez, please. Unbelievable.
I totally despise the main male character, couldn't like him one bit.
I totally despise the main male character, couldn't like him one bit.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews