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Never the Bride: A Novel [Paperback]

Rene Gutteridge , Cheryl McKay
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)

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Book Description

June 2, 2009
“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.

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Never the Bride: A Novel + Finally the Bride: Finding Hope While Waiting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“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

About the Author

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.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: WaterBrook Press (June 2, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0307444988
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307444981
  • Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.7 x 7.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #847,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story that is funny and romantic. Beth Milinski  |  23 reviewers made a similar statement
This book was so funny, I literally laughed out loud all through it. C. Yates  |  17 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, page turning read! June 5, 2009
Format:Paperback
Jessica Stone is my kinda gal. She has a razor sharp wit and oozes with confidence, consistantly snapping back with a verbal reparte` that had me laughing out loud - a difficult feat to accomplish for a long time book reader and sci-fi fan such as myself. I can only hope and pray the authors write a sequel, because I know I want to see more of Jessica!

I had a hard time putting this book down, and it's now making its way through the ladies of my family. There's a lesson being taught here - Let go, and let God.

I loved McKay and Gutteridge's "The Ultimate Gift", which is a classic in my library now, beside which "Never the Bride" will be placed. I look forward to their next brilliantly inspired work!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge is a charming novel of romance and faith. Jessie Stone has always lived by the rules; her friends can set their watches by her punctuality, and she's almost OCD in her need for order and control. She's lived all of her 34 years waiting for Mr. Right to sweep her off her feet, filling 109 journals with dreams of the perfect marriage proposal and wedding. Speed dating and online match services aren't working, but when God literally steps in and offers to help, Jessie isn't sure if she's willing to trust Him enough to do it to her standards! This book reminded me of all the reasons I love to read! It was funny and sweet and charming and had a strong message of faith. God's appearance in Jessie's life is beautiful and heart-breaking. Her friends and family think that she needs to be committed when they catch her talking to herself, and when she tries to tell them the truth, they ask her why is she so special that God would choose to step into her life. Their reactions are perfectly rendered, and oh so true of how I think people really would react to Jessie's story. God asks Jessie if she's willing to let Him write her life story, and there's a lesson in her story for readers. Her date with God brought tears to my eyes, as did their confrontation on the beach. The entire book was pitch perfect, just flawless. I laughed, I cried, I learned a lesson about my Savior. It doesn't get any better than that.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Fun, quick read June 26, 2009
By kobbs
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read most of this novel aloud to a friend as we were driving cross country. We giggled at the wittiness of the characters and the situations we could relate to as single women.
Because one of the main characters is God, this book may be criticized for weak theology and lack of scriptural reference - Jessie's maturity isn't quite a biblical example of spiritual maturity - but hey, it's a novel right?
I say take it for what it is - curl up on a couch with a blanket and some hot tea - get to know Jessie - and think about the things in your own life you are unwilling to trust God with. I know there are some. Is it really worth it?
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Best chick novel ever! July 15, 2011
By S. Hill
Format:Kindle Edition
This was the most incredible book, "Never the Bride" by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge. Seriously. I love to read and usually I find that most chick-flick novels fall terribly short of the mark.

Not this one.

Jessie Stone is your typical girl that has spent most of her life dreaming about the day she will be married and have someone at her side. She has tons of ideal marriage proposals written down (cue the infamous purple feather pen) and only wishes that one day, she will get hers.

Then God shows up...literally....to let her in on what He has in mind for her and to reveal pieces of herself to herself she wasn't even aware of.

So when I read that God showed up as a human, I expected something a little weird. Not so. I loved how the story went. In fact, it made me wonder how I would want Him to show up for me. I think we get so caught up in the stereo-typical idea of who God is and how He is, and that maybe He is only concerned with all the `big' stuff. That the tiny details in our lives that are so important to us personally surely can't be that important to Him, too.

I laughed and I cried. This story was so well-written. I can only hope they come out with a sequel. What an incredible way to show how much God truly cares about us and what His plans might look like for our lives if we would just trust Him.

Jessie's journey into what God has in store for her is funny, truthful, and eye-opening. She has some serious ups and downs but manages to find a relationship with God that is unlike anything I've ever imagined. Awesome book!

This book was provided to me for free to review by BloggingforBooks.com and WaterBrook MultNomah.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected tale of modern romance... August 10, 2009
Format:Paperback
It is often said that God has a sense of humor. McKay and Gutteridge show their readers just how true this can be, and even more so -- that with a strong dose of mortal stubbornness to control one's life, the joke can seemingly be on them. Never the Bride is a modern and unexpected tale of romance, whose central character, Jessie Stone, exemplifies the emotions that many thirty-something and forever single young women feel with raw wit and vulnerability. Stone is amusingly lovable, and in spite of her sometimes-baffling choices and missteps in the "Mr. Wrong" direction, proves just how perfect her "love story" can be if only she is willing to let go and surrender her purple-feathered pen.

For all those women out there...single or not...this is a contemporary, lighthearted, and heartwarming read. No matter what circumstances we are facing, the message rings true...let go and let God - only He can write our ultimate story.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome read
I loved this book because it is so true in so many ways of the way we want God to control our life's
Published 1 day ago by Daer1n s
5.0 out of 5 stars Love,Love,Loooove it!!!
First page got me hooked. I can totally relate to Jesse as far as her desire for love is concerned, but it was the portrayal of God that that got me hooked. Read more
Published 5 days ago by katie
4.0 out of 5 stars Much More Than I Expected
Jessie Stone has been trying to write her own love story (and failing) for a long time. So when God shows up and challenges her to let Him take a turn at it, will she hand over her... Read more
Published 27 days ago by AddLibrarian
5.0 out of 5 stars Never the Bride - Awesome!
This was a wonderful book! It is so much more than a great story. It really puts a fabulous perspective on how far God will go to try to establish a real relationship with us. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Susan P. Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars Light, Humorous, Leisurely Read
This is a rare book that actually made me laugh out loud (ok, and maybe snort a bit). Perfect balance of humor with an interesting story line...not at all what I expected!
Published 1 month ago by Tabby410
4.0 out of 5 stars Better Than I Expected
This book was funny, unpredictable and also prompted me to look at love from a different perspective - God's perspective.
Published 5 months ago by AEN
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
This is an author that makes you feel like a character along for the ride! I love my own purple pens!
Published 7 months ago by Kim Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
I just finished this book last night and thought it was GREAT! I'm married - but still this book spoke to me in various ways and I believe is good for both single & married... Read more
Published 10 months ago by A. Melton
4.0 out of 5 stars never the bride
Every since she was a little girl, Jessie Stone had fantasized hundreds of marriage proposals, doodled zillions of romantic ideas in a journal and dreamed of wedding dresses and... Read more
Published 10 months ago by amy clark
5.0 out of 5 stars Unconventional Ministry
This is one of the best books I've read in a while. It grabbed me from the first page, and from then on, I had a hard time putting it down. So, so, so good. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Gwendolyn
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