Recommended by Susan for ARe Cafe.

First Comes Marriage by Valerie Mann is another novel from the 1Night Stand Stories. It is a fairly story with a funny plot and likable characters. Two people who have horrible luck in the love department finally hit the jackpot after being introduced through a matchmaking service. There is an interesting twist when Beth first meets a handsome stranger on the side of the road and it seems as though he might be her groom-to-be. As it turns out, he wasn’t. However, this little twist made the story unpredictable and created that early interest to discover the identity of the lucky guy. The heat index is scorching as Beth and Christian are not shy about expressing their attraction to each other. There is also a strong comedic element that plays out throughout as Beth is dealing with her old car that really should be junked but she can’t seem to let go of the money pit. This story reads fast and provides a couple hours of pleasant reading. The 1Night Stand stories continue to be fun and entertaining and First Comes Marriage is another fine addition.

Beth Malone and Christian Ramos have both lost their faith in finding true love. Beth was married to a man who abused her love and walked away from their marriage, leaving her broken-hearted and disillusioned. Christian has been left at the altar not once, but twice, and he just won’t put himself through that type of heartbreak again. A blind date may seem scary but marrying a total stranger is downright insane, unless you consider Beth and Christian’s previous experiences. They both trust 1Night Stand Service because they are known for arranging successful relationships. However, this is the first time they’ve gone straight to arranging a marriage. Beth and Christian bring their baggage into their current relationship and while they have great chemistry they have to learn to trust each other and let go of past hurts. They may have had an unconventional start to their marriage but with all the right ingredients for a successful match, it really is up to them to make this relationship last. ( )