Jessie Stone has been a bridesmaid 11 times, but her own love life is lackluster. Her ex-boyfriend cheated on her, and her crush on Blake is going nowhere. So when God appears in the flesh one day to help, she's skeptical. What will it take to convince her that he has a better love story in mind? 320 pages, softcover from Waterbrook.

“What girl can’t identify with Never the Bride? This is a fabulously funny novel with deep truths embedded in its pages.” –Kristin Billerbeck, author of What a Girl Wants

“I admire writers who employ words to paint touchable pictures, likable characters, introducing us to instant friends who lead us to unexpected endings. That’s why I love Never The Bride.” –SQuire Rushnell, author of the When GOD Winks books


Eleven Bridesmaid Dresses Don’t Lie

Since she was just a little girl, Jessie Stone dreamed up hundreds of marriage proposals, doodled the romantic ideas in her journal with her treasured purple pen, and fantasized about wedding dresses and falling in love.  She’s been a bridesmaid nearly a dozen times, waved numerous couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember.
 
But shopping for one key component of these countless proposals hasn't been quite as productive–a future husband. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her.  The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best…well, crushing.  And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.

So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that the Almighty has a better plan than one she’s already cooked up in her journals?  Can she turn over her pen and trust someone else to craft a love story beyond her wildest dreams?


Cheryl McKay is the screenwriter for the award-winning film The Ultimate Gift. She also wrote an episode of Gigi: God’s Little Princess, based on the book by Sheila Walsh, and Taylor’s Wall, a drama about high-school violence. She’s been writing since the tender age of five when she penned her first play. Cheryl is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and currently lives in Los Angeles.

Rene Gutteridge is a critically acclaimed comedy writer and novelist. She is the author of fifteen novels including the Boo series, My Life as a Doormat, the Occupational Hazards series, and the novelization of the motion picture The Ultimate Gift. She lives in Oklahoma with her family.

Rene Gutteridge has published thirteen novels including Ghost Writer, My Life as a Doormat, the Boo Series, the Occupational Hazards Series, and the Storm Series. Together, McKay and Gutteridge are the authors of The Ultimate Gift, a novelization based on the feature film and popular book by the same title.

Cheryl McKay wrote the screenplay for the award-winning film, The Ultimate Gift, starring James Garner, Abigail Breslin and Brian Dennehy. She co-authored Frank Peretti's Wild & Wacky Totally True Bible stories series, and the DVD for Sheila Walsh 's Gigi: God's Little Princess.

A screenplay by Cheryl McKay turned novel by Rene Gutteridge, Never the Bride is a recipe for love…of God. When sensible Jessica Stone begins to see God in the form of a man who talks to and touches her, she loses control of her world—and is much happier for it. Through laughter and tears, the reader finds that Jessie isn’t the only one who is challenged and changed.

Witty and honest, this novelization shocks even the most skeptical reader with words that cut to the heart without seeming preachy or overdone. The heart-wrenching reason behind Jessie and her younger sister’s bond establishes an understanding that, despite God’s supernatural and, at times unbelievable, appearance, this story is set in the real world where real pain exists. It is clear that the authors’ purpose is not to gloat about her knowledge of Christ, but rather, to share what each knows to be true of God through the telling of the characters’ unforgettable, yet somehow familiar, love story.

The book begins with Ms. Stone in comfortable control of her life and all that is in it; she recovered from her parents’ tragedy and grew up to be a responsible and reliable older sister, friend, and employee. But then, standing right there in Starbucks, is Him, the Almighty Creator of the Universe, and He won’t stop until she agrees to let Him write her love story. Sometimes running, sometimes sauntering, sometimes singing out of tune, and always causing a scene, Jessie moves forward with blind faith, at times tripping over herself, in search of the love she’s always dreamed of, only to find that He’s been following her around all along.

While she seems at first to be too cynical to be reconciled, Jessie quickly captures the reader’s attention with a vulnerability that feels familiar and a laugh-out-loud sarcastic flair that no one would want to ignore. Her interactions with other characters in the book are believable and relatable—I found myself scribbling an enthusiastic “yes!” beside many particularly accurate depictions of conflict between characters.

In keeping with Jessie’s initial compulsion with numbers (and everything else), I marked the pages of this adorable novel 104 times with “ha” or “haha” or even, at times a “hahaha,” and the number may have been even more than that had my cat not been lying on my writing arm (apparently enjoying the book, too). And even in the midst of my laughter, I would come to a line so full of realistic life-wrestling that I couldn’t help but stop and ponder the truth behind the choice of words. This book is a beautiful fit for anyone longing for a laugh, seeking a sense of mutual understanding, or looking to fall in love with the greatest Lover of all. – Carrie Bragg, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

“What girl can’t identify with Never the Bride? This is a fabulously funny novel with deep truths embedded, but you’ll be having too much fun flipping pages to notice any medicine going down.” — Kristin Billerbeck, author of What a Girl Wants

“I admire writers who employ words to paint touchable pictures and likable characters, instant friends who lead us blithely to unexpected endings. That’s why I admire Cheryl and Rene and love Never The Bride.” — Squire Rushnell, author of the When GOD Winks books

“Hope, humor, and happiness—to me, those are the attributes of good a book. Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge is more than that—it’s terrific!” — Louise DuArt, Comedic Impressionist/TV Host and author of Couples Who Pray

“Never the Bride is a love story with a kick! Not just funny, this book is rollicking, with a heroine who can change her own tires, guide her own free-spirited sister, and keep an outlook on life that caused more than one fit of giggles. This is the kind of book I want to read again, simply because it is so rich with meaning, so intelligently written, I want to make sure I’ve caught every nuance.” — Hannah Alexander, author of A Killing Frost and the Hideaway series

“Never the Bride is a powerful and thought provoking story with just the right touch of humor. At times I laughed out loud, and at other times I wiped away my tears. Never the Bride is a treasure of a novel and a must read!” — Carrie Turansky, author of Along Came Love and Kiss the Bride

“Engrossing as they are entertaining, McKay and Gutteridge hit it out of the park with this delightful romantic romp, striking at the heart of a woman’s deepest desire: to be known and loved for herself. Side-splittingly funny and devastatingly raw in turns. I can hardly wait for the movie!” — Susan Rohrer, Producer/Writer/Director

“In my mind, no one is better at turning a story into a movie and then turning a movie into a book than the team of Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge. Cheryl took my novel The Ultimate Gift and turned it into a great 20th Century Fox movie with her marvelous screenplay. Then Rene took The Ultimate Gift movie version of the story and turned it into a great novelization. Never the Bride teaches us all powerful lessons about God’s plan, control, and the peace that comes with surrender.” — Jim Stovall, author of The Ultimate Gift

“Delightful, delightful, delightful is Rene Gutteridge’s Never the Bride. Ms. Gutteridge knows how to take a plot and give it an unexpected, soul-searching, humorous wow of a twist.” — Lyn Cote, author of The Desires of Her Heart

“Never the Bride is a delightful book. Jessie is a wise-cracking, sarcastic gal I’d love to take to lunch. This book had me in stitches as I laughed with Jessie, to tears as I felt her pain and desperation. If you’re looking for a book that is more than a romance, this is the book. This novel will speak to the heart of every woman who’s ever sought the perfect man by pointing her to the perfect romance.” — Cara C. Putman, author of Canteen Dreams and Sandhill Dreams

“Never the Bride is a pure delight! It’s fun, refreshing, and witty, yet also profoundly insightful about God and His amazing love for us. I’ll be recommending this one to my family and friends!” — Marlo Schalesky, author of If Tomorrow Never Comes and Beyond the Night

“For all those wannabe brides out there, Never the Bride is a refreshing look at how quickly we can sell ourselves short. While reminding us, in a witty and yet profound way, that there is a wannabe Groom who has always been there. Every belly laugh and every tear inspired by this book will hopefully cause each wannabe bride to realize she already is one.” — Denise Hildreth, author of the Savannah series and Flies on the Butter

“I devoured every single page. Never the Bride is the best romantic comedy written in years! A page turner from page one.” — Victorya Rogers, Love Coach, host of ManToKeep.com, and author of Finding a Man Worth Keeping

“Never the Bride is a ticklish tale of one slightly neurotic woman’s quest to find Mr. Right that leads to an unexpected encounter. Delightfully memorable, wonderfully thought-provoking!” — Tamara Leigh, award-winning author of Splitting Harriet and Leaving Carolina

“What girl can’t identify with Never the Bride? This is a fabulously funny novel with deep truths embedded in its pages.” –Kristin Billerbeck, author of What a Girl Wants

“I admire writers who employ words to paint touchable pictures, likable characters, introducing us to instant friends who lead us to unexpected endings. That’s why I love Never The Bride.” –SQuire Rushnell, author of the When GOD Winks books

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