My Comments
When I first started reading this book, I believe my mouth fell open after what happened to Celia and Ty. Truthfully, Celia immediately won me over as the main character of the story and I was behind her all the way in her decision about not forgiving Ty. The guy pulled the MOST boneheaded move Ive ever read being the hero of the story. I KNEW he would have to win Celias heart AND mine as he attempted to make up to her how foolish he had been. However, that being said, I also realized that Wade brilliantly gets the readers attention and draws them into the story with these characters.
As the story progresses, I realized that the beginning (that originally had my mouth drop open) is actually about two immature adults who dont know what they want and what happened in Vegas was both of their faults. Celia and Ty are the perfect couple, they just need to find themselves, forgive one another, and as healing takes place with Gods grace, learn to trust once again. None of those steps are simple or easy, but they have help from the Almighty in very unconventional ways that humble both of them.
I was very satisfied how Ty understands Celia and Celia understands Ty. They really get one another in amazing ways. She easily faces off with him several times in the book when no one else notices the trouble he could get in. Their banter in the book is at first frustrating, but then it becomes sassy and entertaining. The dialogue in this book alone was utterly charming!
Even though I loved the Porter family and Addie, my favorite character was EASILY Uncle Danny!!! He was an excellent enhancement to the story, a wonderful friend to Celia, and an overall great guy who stands by Celia and Addie in precious ways. I was warming up to Ty gradually as I read the book, but my heart totally melted when Ty helped Danny in one scene where he goes out of his way to lend a hand.
I also adored Addies relationship with Ty, they just made a wonderful dad-daughter team and this wonderful girl always sensed when something was up.
Its obvious that Ty and Celia are flawed characters from the start of the book, but it was a REAL pleasure to watch their transformation unfold. I loved seeing their hearts submit to Christ once again and allowing Him to guide them as need be. As much as I disliked how the story started, watching these two grow up and accept the healing they both needed made it worthwhile.
The key chains Ty kept sneaking to Celias keys was also a hoot to read about. I didnt like seeing Celia stressed and unsure of herself, but I enjoyed reading about how protective she was of Addie. No matter what, she was determined to be a good mom even if she was misguided in being in control of everything.
I soooo enjoyed how protective Ty is of Celia and their girl, but it was also delightful watching every situation he helped Celia in. He also learned to be real with her in the story and it was very refreshing that he would make her laugh as well as melt her heart in a genuine way. I knew he would get the revelation needed to become the man Celia deserved.
My other fave part of the story is when Celia made up bedtime stories for Addie. They were so cute and fun to read about!
All in all, this book is so very special!! It brilliantly illustrates redemption, grace, starting over, forgiveness, and learning to trust once youve had your heart broken without preaching. Celias first visit to church made me smile big time, who knew church could be this fun??! I really enjoyed how Wade takes a hopeless situation and really turns things around with such great characters, fun, and realistic circumstances that show how families stick together. I loved watching Celia and Tys dreams come true! I learned from this story the whole time its pages entertained me.
I want to thank Bethany House for providing a review copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
When I first started reading this book, I believe my mouth fell open after what happened to Celia and Ty. Truthfully, Celia immediately won me over as the main character of the story and I was behind her all the way in her decision about not forgiving Ty. The guy pulled the MOST boneheaded move Ive ever read being the hero of the story. I KNEW he would have to win Celias heart AND mine as he attempted to make up to her how foolish he had been. However, that being said, I also realized that Wade brilliantly gets the readers attention and draws them into the story with these characters.
As the story progresses, I realized that the beginning (that originally had my mouth drop open) is actually about two immature adults who dont know what they want and what happened in Vegas was both of their faults. Celia and Ty are the perfect couple, they just need to find themselves, forgive one another, and as healing takes place with Gods grace, learn to trust once again. None of those steps are simple or easy, but they have help from the Almighty in very unconventional ways that humble both of them.
I was very satisfied how Ty understands Celia and Celia understands Ty. They really get one another in amazing ways. She easily faces off with him several times in the book when no one else notices the trouble he could get in. Their banter in the book is at first frustrating, but then it becomes sassy and entertaining. The dialogue in this book alone was utterly charming!
Even though I loved the Porter family and Addie, my favorite character was EASILY Uncle Danny!!! He was an excellent enhancement to the story, a wonderful friend to Celia, and an overall great guy who stands by Celia and Addie in precious ways. I was warming up to Ty gradually as I read the book, but my heart totally melted when Ty helped Danny in one scene where he goes out of his way to lend a hand.
I also adored Addies relationship with Ty, they just made a wonderful dad-daughter team and this wonderful girl always sensed when something was up.
Its obvious that Ty and Celia are flawed characters from the start of the book, but it was a REAL pleasure to watch their transformation unfold. I loved seeing their hearts submit to Christ once again and allowing Him to guide them as need be. As much as I disliked how the story started, watching these two grow up and accept the healing they both needed made it worthwhile.
The key chains Ty kept sneaking to Celias keys was also a hoot to read about. I didnt like seeing Celia stressed and unsure of herself, but I enjoyed reading about how protective she was of Addie. No matter what, she was determined to be a good mom even if she was misguided in being in control of everything.
I soooo enjoyed how protective Ty is of Celia and their girl, but it was also delightful watching every situation he helped Celia in. He also learned to be real with her in the story and it was very refreshing that he would make her laugh as well as melt her heart in a genuine way. I knew he would get the revelation needed to become the man Celia deserved.
My other fave part of the story is when Celia made up bedtime stories for Addie. They were so cute and fun to read about!
All in all, this book is so very special!! It brilliantly illustrates redemption, grace, starting over, forgiveness, and learning to trust once youve had your heart broken without preaching. Celias first visit to church made me smile big time, who knew church could be this fun??! I really enjoyed how Wade takes a hopeless situation and really turns things around with such great characters, fun, and realistic circumstances that show how families stick together. I loved watching Celia and Tys dreams come true! I learned from this story the whole time its pages entertained me.
I want to thank Bethany House for providing a review copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
I have to admit, I didn't really care for the plot of this book. The book opens with a young man and woman in Las Vegas gambling and partying. They are somewhat drunk and having fun but then on a whim he pushes her into getting married. She is positive he is just playing her but she loves him, as much as a young woman can after dating this guy for four days, and accepts. They get married at a dorky wedding chapel for 149. and all is fine. Until next morning when reality sets in. See, he is in love with the girlfriend he left at home and doesn't want to see her again. She turns out hating him. And as we see later, pregnant.
The book then fast-forwards to 5 years later. Celia is doing okay but horrible in the financial department. Her car just broke down, she owes money on bills and she doesn't know where to turn. Ty Porter is off riding bulls in rodeos but has no clue that he is a father. While in Vegas with some friends he sees the little chapel they got married in and decides to look her up and see about actually getting that divorce. Imagine his amazement when he accidentally finds out he has a daughter!
There is a lot of thought put into this book. And while I didn't really care for the plot at first, it kind of grew on me. And I was glad that they were actually married, not just some fling that happened one night. Ty Porter really got on my nerves. He is sweet in his own way, but man can he get irritating!! Ceila was great and Addie is so grown up and mature. I think Celia was wrong for not letting Ty know she was pregnant but I also have never been in her situation and I understand that she felt she couldn't trust him. After all, he broke her heart that morning 5 years ago and basically let her walk out. I think my favorite character was Uncle Danny:) Boy is he a hoot!! I have a friend like him that nothing ever fazes him and you can trust him in the hard times. He is really sweet and calm as opposed to Celia and her nerves. A great guy! This was a good book overall with a lot of lessons. Not a book I would give a teenager though, depending on their maturity level.
I received a copy of this book for my review purposes. All thoughts are 100% mine.
The book then fast-forwards to 5 years later. Celia is doing okay but horrible in the financial department. Her car just broke down, she owes money on bills and she doesn't know where to turn. Ty Porter is off riding bulls in rodeos but has no clue that he is a father. While in Vegas with some friends he sees the little chapel they got married in and decides to look her up and see about actually getting that divorce. Imagine his amazement when he accidentally finds out he has a daughter!
There is a lot of thought put into this book. And while I didn't really care for the plot at first, it kind of grew on me. And I was glad that they were actually married, not just some fling that happened one night. Ty Porter really got on my nerves. He is sweet in his own way, but man can he get irritating!! Ceila was great and Addie is so grown up and mature. I think Celia was wrong for not letting Ty know she was pregnant but I also have never been in her situation and I understand that she felt she couldn't trust him. After all, he broke her heart that morning 5 years ago and basically let her walk out. I think my favorite character was Uncle Danny:) Boy is he a hoot!! I have a friend like him that nothing ever fazes him and you can trust him in the hard times. He is really sweet and calm as opposed to Celia and her nerves. A great guy! This was a good book overall with a lot of lessons. Not a book I would give a teenager though, depending on their maturity level.
I received a copy of this book for my review purposes. All thoughts are 100% mine.
About this book:
Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty feels exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.
The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be anybody's husband. As a professional bull rider, he lives on the road and can't bring himself to settle down.
Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the face of the one woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.
How much will Ty sacrifice to make Celia's dreams come true, to win her trust, and to prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?
Series: Is book #2 in the A Porter Family Novel series. {I have not read book #1 Undeniably Yours.}
Spiritual Content- Ephesians 4:32 at the end; Many prayers and Three Church goings; Celia has an off-again-on-again relationship till near the end.
Negative Content- Minor Cussing including: a oh my gosh, a yuppies, a crud, two hecks, two forms of suck, three w*sss, three forms of screw, and six shoots; Ty drinks & has a hangover; Ty curses many times but nothing is written
Sexual Content- a wrench, two hots, and six forms of sexy; There are hints about Ty & Celias shot-gun wedding night; Jerry says the best thing about his wife, Donetta, is that shes good in bed; Kisses (ranging from not-detailed with a few semi-detailed and a couple very; almost every kiss gets analyzed)
-Ty Porter
-Celia Park
P.O.V. switches between them
372 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre & New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- On the border line of 2.5 and Three Stars
For me, theres a difference between swooning over the main guy and getting that weird-almost-like-butterflies-and-like-eating-way-too-much-sugar in your stomach. The latter is just something Im not comfortable reading at my age. I also felt like this at My Stubborn Heart by the same authorMeant to Be Mine reminded me of a bigger, thicker and more detailed Love Inspired Bookand it had a Texas-accented cowboy!
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this review.
Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty feels exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.
The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be anybody's husband. As a professional bull rider, he lives on the road and can't bring himself to settle down.
Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the face of the one woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.
How much will Ty sacrifice to make Celia's dreams come true, to win her trust, and to prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?
Series: Is book #2 in the A Porter Family Novel series. {I have not read book #1 Undeniably Yours.}
Spiritual Content- Ephesians 4:32 at the end; Many prayers and Three Church goings; Celia has an off-again-on-again relationship till near the end.
Negative Content- Minor Cussing including: a oh my gosh, a yuppies, a crud, two hecks, two forms of suck, three w*sss, three forms of screw, and six shoots; Ty drinks & has a hangover; Ty curses many times but nothing is written
Sexual Content- a wrench, two hots, and six forms of sexy; There are hints about Ty & Celias shot-gun wedding night; Jerry says the best thing about his wife, Donetta, is that shes good in bed; Kisses (ranging from not-detailed with a few semi-detailed and a couple very; almost every kiss gets analyzed)
-Ty Porter
-Celia Park
P.O.V. switches between them
372 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre & New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- On the border line of 2.5 and Three Stars
For me, theres a difference between swooning over the main guy and getting that weird-almost-like-butterflies-and-like-eating-way-too-much-sugar in your stomach. The latter is just something Im not comfortable reading at my age. I also felt like this at My Stubborn Heart by the same authorMeant to Be Mine reminded me of a bigger, thicker and more detailed Love Inspired Bookand it had a Texas-accented cowboy!
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this review.
Story about forgiveness, written by Becky Wade. Enjoyable characters, especially the sweet little girl, who wanted her family together. Highly recommended!
I love this second book in the Porter Family series. Although if you missed the first book, this one can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. It is a wonderful story with complex characters that can easily be thought of as friends. The author is so adept at making the story real to readers that I felt like I was right there in this Christian fiction romance.
This gripping story pulls the reader in from the first line, "Will you marry me?" After that, it is a roller coaster ride all the way to the end.
I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys contemporary Christian romance. Do not miss Meant to Be Mine.
This gripping story pulls the reader in from the first line, "Will you marry me?" After that, it is a roller coaster ride all the way to the end.
I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys contemporary Christian romance. Do not miss Meant to Be Mine.
Basically two people make their fair share of mistakes and have to learn to forgive and move on so that they can learn to trust again. Toss in a heated romance and a precocious little girl and you have the makings for a good read. I enjoyed watching Ty and Celia overcome those mistakes and find true love. Full review at my website.
