It was a little unusual for these that the bride was apparently made of red flags (as was her entire family) while the groom was . . . well, I kept wanting to tell him to run away from this woman and her family. . .

Very late in the novella, it was like the author suddenly remembered that Gray should also have flaws, and started mentioning them as things that Ellie was so fed up with . . . even though they'd never been mentioned before, or were in direct contradiction to his actions in earlier chapters.

Of course everything wrapped up neatly by the end (it's that kind of book) but many problems were not really addressed or left to be a mess for later, in pursuit of the neat bow (on a bouquet) at the wedding, on a deadline, naturally. ( )

A short but sweet love story between two very different people. Ellie has been preparing for her wedding all her life. Now that she has found the man, Gray Whitby, life would be looking up except for her Mom, who is definitely not excited about Ellie's boyfriend, or marriage in general. Then there is her sister to think about and her upcoming marriage. Gray is a fun and thoughtful guy, but doesn't understand her family too well. I liked the way Ellie finally showed Gray how committed she was to him, when she decides to step out of her comfort zone and make this wedding happen. ( )

A sweet love story that kept me entertained. I loved the minister at the church but Ellie's mom need to let Ellie live her life. Recommended read. ( )

A May Bride (A Year of Weddings Novella)

Meg Mosely

Book Summary: Ellie has prepared for her wedding all her life . . . but she has forgotten the most important part. Ellie Martin, a country girl living in Atlanta, has dreamed of a traditional wedding all her life---a wedding just like the one her younger sister is planning back home. Even though Ellie is realizing her dreams in the big city as an up-and-coming real-estate agent, she’s missing a key ingredient to her plans for the future: a groom. Then Ellie meets Gray Whitby---at a wedding of all places. Gray is handsome and fun, and he sweeps her away in a whirlwind romance. In a matter of months, Ellie knows Gray is 'the one,' but her mother isn't so sure, judging Gray to be the freewheeling type, like Ellie's runaway father. When Ellie jeopardizes her own future for the sake of her sister, Gray feels like he'll always be second to Ellie's family. Can Ellie and Gray find their own way together amidst the demands and perceptions of others or will their romance end before it has truly begun?

Book Review: I really liked Ellie. She was great. Very realistic and fun to read. It is the only reason I continued to read. I did not like Gray. I kept waiting for him to get better but he only became more tolerable. The differences between families was realistic and Ellie’s mother was a bit of a bore but that made her more realistic. Alexis and Eric were fun secondary characters and their relationship and situation was realistic. I loved the mention of Publix and subs. The life Ellie lived was very real and comfortable. The idea of her gardening was fun and Pastor Mike made it sweet. Overall a worthy read, despite my discomfort with Gray.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Zondervan Fiction for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. ( )