A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears

After three failed attempts, Everett Cline is not happy when another--uninvited--mail-order bride steps off the train. But is she the wife he's been waiting for?

I thought that this was an interesting premise for a story. It is unusual in that Everett has such bad luck with brides. I really felt for him in that he just wasn't sure he wanted to put his heart on the line again.  Also, it was intriguing that Julia had so much baggage coming in. She had to deal with the bad memories concerning her mother's death in childbirth and her own attack.

So many times I really just wanted them to find a few minutes to talk instead of building on all of the miscommunications and  personal issues.

I also liked that she was so willing to learn how to do things that she had no experience with beforehand. Even when it caused her to get hurt.

It was a good read and one that I would recommend to friends. :)

Friends to Lovers by Christi Barth

When I started this book it put me in mind of Nora Roberts' Bride Quartet series. Probably since I am currently rereading it, but there were a lot of similarities. Friends running a business surrounding weddings, the long time friends who fall in love... I have not read the rest of the series, and so there were a few aspects that I think would have made better sense if I had the full background. It can be read by itself, but I think it best that I go back and read the rest for the full effect.

Friends to lovers happens to be one of my favorite romantic tropes. Mainly because I like the idea of finding love where you least expect it, and with someone who knows you more completely than anyone else. I have to say though that the Cinderella moment, where Daphne kisses Gib in the dark was super fun, especially when he was going on and on about her and she was right there the whole time!
The emotional depth was enjoyable. I really felt for her as she dealt with what she assumed was rejection, and the ensuing crisis of friendship. I liked that Daphne was determined to make positive changes at the beginning of her year and that she actually made some headway, unlike me... :)

Gib and his conflict of leaving the country on such short notice added plenty of angst and denial on Daphne's part, but all is well that ends well.