💒💍💐 Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations💐 💍💒 (2019) - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Paperback: 334 pages
Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing
(February 14, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1946531146
ISBN-13: 978-1946531148
Click picture for purchase information
“Seventeen
years after being orphaned, Apryl Burns and her twin sister Courtney have their
own expectations for life. While Courtney continues to shine at everything,
Apryl holds fast to the mantra that as long as her potato chip stash remains
intact, then she'll be fine.
But when
their beloved grandmother ends up injured and unable to manage her struggling
antique store, Courtney makes it their mission to revamp the business and save
what's left of their family's legacy. Despite rampant doubts in her abilities,
Apryl finds herself trapped under the weight of family loyalty as they
transition to a wedding venue decorating service. Soon shes forced to ask
(translation: blackmail) their grandmother's renter/handyman, Chance McFarland,
for help, an arrangement that is made even worse by the fact that Chance is her
former (ahem, and current) crush.
Chance
knows a few dozen things about family loyalty, which is why he begrudgingly
agrees to Apryl's insane plan. While Apryl claims they're archenemies, the girl
Chance only glimpsed in their teens starts to emerge, stealing what remains of
his heart.
Thank you to JustRead Publicity Tours and V. Joy Palmer for “Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations”. This is the first book I’ve read by Palmer. It is a Christian Romance read. This review is not inspired or influenced in anyway by the author, publisher, or those associated.
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| [Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations by V. Joy Palmer. Author wrapped it up and included a wonderful note card in addition to autographing it] |
This is Palmer’s second
novel, the first being “Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations” featuring Izze Vez’s
story. While Izze makes an appearance in this story, this book can be a
standalone read.
Apryl and Courtney Burns
are twin sisters. Courtney tends to shine brighter at everything she does
compared to Apryl. And, 17 years after being orphaned, things haven’t changed
much.
When their grandmother
ends up injured, she’s unable to manage her struggling antique business. Apryl,
trapped in her own doubts and insecurities, as her and her twin move from an
antique business to a wedding decorating service.
But, Apryl has to “ask”
or rather blackmail Chance McFarland to help. Chance was once her high school
crush, and despite his father’s animosity towards her which he doesn’t know
about, she still cares for Chance. And, Chance’s father hasn’t changed at all.
He still doesn’t think Apryl is right for his son.
He, in an effort to carry
on his father’s “legacy”, agrees to help Apryl. And, despite her verbal barbs
and snarkiness towards him, he still cares for her. He even begins to fall in
love with her.
Apryl and Chance come to
realize that old expectations can be revised and sometimes family loyalty isn’t
always a good thing.
It did take me a few
chapters to get into the story due to Apryl’s “snarkiness”, but as the reader
comes to realize is that it is her defense mechanism since her teenage
encounter with Chance’s father. It can be a bit “off-putting” but is
understandable. But, overall, this quirky little romance is a delightful read.
None of the characters are perfect – Apryl, Courtney, or Chance.
There is also a romance
brewing between Courtney and Dallas, who incidentally is their grandma’s home
nurse. So, this gives the reader two romances for the price of one and follows
through with Izze’s wedding from the first book. Palmer gives enough background
for that so this can be read without the first book as stated previously.
Palmer showcases the ups
and downs of life that is tempered by good friends, family, good food, junk
food, and God. The reader will be reminded that we are all made perfect in
“his” eyes. We are enough, he loves us. We’re also reminded that we can’t
succeed if we don’t try, and that failure isn’t the worst thing –the worst
thing is not even trying. We’re our own worst critics.
There are a LOT of
pop-culture, TV, and movie references in this book. And, as it is a Christian
themed book, there are a lot of references to God and biblical quotes. That
didn’t bother me and I enjoyed it. There were times near the end of the book I
almost cried.
This is a “clean” romance
read and there are no explicit sex scenes in it. I definitely want to check out
the author’s first novel.
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
V. JOY PALMER is a member of the America Christian Fiction Writers, an avid
blogger, and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an
unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and
drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves
that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their
adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets. Visit her at www.vjoypalmer.com.
You can follow her on the following social
media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VJoyPalmer/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vjoypalmer_author/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VJoyPalmer
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