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, 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
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
8 of 19 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by hannah (California), December 20, 2009
"Who can't relate to Jessie?" I Loved this Book!
“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.”
You are sure to find a little - to - a lot more about your relationship with our Savior!
Excellent; Excellent; Excellent Read!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Marlo (Ca, Disneyland), December 20, 2009
“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!”
"Who can't relate to Jessie?" I Loved this Book! "Bravo!"
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by debbee (Pocatello), December 20, 2009
--No Spoilers!!!-- I've found this book a refreshing change. Just as others reviewed this novel, "at first-only...Was I taken back"
But as I got into Jessie's story - I loved it.
A truthful reminder that our Father is our Husband, Best Friend, Is Alive and here for us, and always our Savior.
~Never The Bride~ is a memorable, laugh-out-loud work of contemporary Christian romantic fiction.
As I got closer to the end, I didn't want this awesome read to end!
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Denise (Indiana), September 28, 2009
I picked up this book only because I am a fan of Rene Gutteridge's novels. The title and cover do not do this book justice! Refreshingly different...would highly recommend.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Janna Ryan (North Platte, NE), September 13, 2009
This book was one of the most pleasant surprises I've had in awhile. I would call it chick lit with depth. Just Saturday I posted reviews of some of my favorite non-fiction authors, Eric and Leslie Ludy, and their book "When God Writes Your Love Story" was one of them. This book is such a compliment to the concepts the Ludys talk about. I loved watching the way it might play out if you actually gave God the pen to your life and let Him write your love story. Only in a very humorous fashion. Not only is the story wonderful and funny, but it will make you think. I have been recommending it to my single friends already because I think it will really impact their lives. But I will be recommending it to all my married friends as well just because it is one of the most entertaining and moving books I've read.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sherri (Columbus, Ohio), September 08, 2009
I really enjoyed reading this book. The things Jessie struggles with are very realistic and it was very thought-provoking to picture God as a primary character. Imagination is a must when reading this book. Not for anyone who doesn't want to be challenged in their way of thinking about how we talk and listen to God.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by MJ @ Creative Madness (Porterdale, GA), September 07, 2009
Fabulously fun read and eye opening for some introspective. When I first picked up this book I was thinking of the film "27 Dresses" then as I started to read I was thinking of "My Best Friend's Wedding". As far as entertainment this book is up there with those films if not even more enjoyable. What would you do if God started appearing to just you to tell you to let Him write 'your' love story? That is what Jessie has to decide and it is quite the emotional adventure watching what she will end up doing and how her life may turn out.
I read this book in a day, with my five week old daughter's interruptions. I just had to continuously pick the book back up and keep reading to find out what would happen next. It is just that good! And oh what a romance! And comedy *grin*. There is such a fight to make your own path in life and fight the direction that God gives us. This is a novel about learning to let Him guide us and how His plans will make us happy if we will just let Him participate in the planning.
Finishing this novel, I cannot help but grin and giggle to myself. This is my first experience with Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay, yet definitely not my last!
1.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Dawn (Pittsburgh, PA), September 02, 2009
An easy read and amusing dialog. My problem with the book was incorrect theology (like God appearing in human flesh). The main character's sister lives with her boyfriends and she is never rebuked for doing so. Again, no discussion of purity or boundaries in the relationship. If you interested in a clean read (no language or sex) then this is the book for you. If you would like something with more Biblical depth, then this is not the book.
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