Customer Reviews

Stand-in Groom (Brides of Bonneterre, Book 1)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This Christian romance is a well-written, thoroughly enjoyable read. The pacing was excellent and kept me wanting to know what came next. I liked how the two main characters truly strove to live out their high ideals in less than ideal circumstances. While neither main character was perfect, they were very clearly perfect for each other.

The first part of the book was the typical "they'd get together if they just talked out their misunderstandings," but the reason they couldn't clear up the misunderstanding was a very good one. The second part of the book was devoted to after the misunderstanding was cleared up. The two of them get to know and start to trust each other while learning to forgive those who hurt them in past relationships. Overall, the story was very satisfying.

Both main characters are Christians and their faith plays a much more vital role in their lives than is typical in many Christian romance books. This is a book that should please Christian romance devotes, but probably wouldn't interest many non-Christians.

Genre Reviews[...]

Stand-In Groom is an excellent book for those who love all things wedding and romance. Kaye Dacus skillfully combines two very unique worlds in this sweet romance story. With compelling characters, this story immediately draws you in; Anne with her southern charm and George's proper British mannerisms. Even the supporting characters pull at your heartstrings. This book presents some powerful themes like love, trust and forgiveness. A must read.

When I joined ACFW in 2007 Kaye Dacus was one of the first writers to greet me on the forum. She gives good writing advice so I was eager to read her first published novel. I ordered it because I know her. As soon as I opened the book I knew I was in for a treat because the writing style really drew me into the story. Once started the book is very hard to put down.

Well it's a given that this is a romance. Will she or will she not get the man of her dreams. But what makes a story special to me is the other events surrounding the main romance thread. In this case, Anne's close family ties. Her need to forgive some of the people who make up that close family. This is truly a story of repentance and redemption and I highly recommend it. Kaye has joined my database of authors on my TO READ list. Please let me know what you think of this story

One of the things I liked best about this book was that the two main characters were not "perfect." They were written older than normal, he was thinner than your average dashing hero, and she was not your teeny 19 - 22 year old ravishing beauty. They each had to overcome obstacles, and had strengths as well. That's not to say that he wasn't truly romantic and she wasn't a very pretty and sassy, confident heroine ~ but it was so good to see something dare to be a little different with her main characters. I loved it.

This first book by Kaye Dacus will certainly NOT be my last. It was a good romance with just the right amount of affection without going overboard. The main characters actually spent time with God in a growing relationship with Him and didn't just depend upon a prayer they prayed years ago. That being said we know they read their Bibles, attend church, and pray without every sermon being written out in the book. I appreciated that. The sub-characters were just as interesting and well written as the main characters. I went away wanting to be friends with these people. I'm definitely reading the final two books in this series.

Stand-In Groom is an engaging read full of potential disaster because of miscommunication. Anne is a hardworking wedding planner who loves her job but harbors a lot of emotional pain and distrust from her past. I love that she's a "normal" woman, not a toothpick-thin beauty queen who turns every one's head. But she did turn George's head. He is also not a glamorous hot-body but an average looking man full of respect and integrity.

As Anne and George enter each other's lives and get each other's attention they both struggle with not being able to give in to their feelings because of their jobs. It is impossible for them to get together, yet they continue to be tortured by the attraction.

Just as one hurdle is crossed we find them right in the middle of another jam. Will they ever be allowed to embrace their feelings for each other? Will Anne be able to trust any man ever again?

Great read! It was fun and serious all at the same time. Kaye Dacus is great at giving balance in the book, so that you laugh and fret right along with them. These are great characters, and the book is full of surprises and twists. Just when you think the road is smooth for Anne and George... Oops! It's not! And the conclusion? Anne's sacrifice for George will leave you cheering!

I've been reading Kaye Dacus's blog for several months. Kaye is a fiction writer who is also an excellent writing teacher. Her blog is full of amazing writing tutorials that are so useful, I would pay to read them. (Shhh, don't tell her I said so...hopefully she'll keep her great content free!)

I ordered her first book from Amazon last week. I thoroughly enjoyed Stand-In Groom. Romance is not usually my genre, but I had enjoyed Kaye's non-fiction writing so much that I wanted to give her fiction a shot. The story is about a wedding coordinator who starts falling for the groom - The Wedding Planner, right? That's what I first thought when I read the summary, but once I opened the book, Jennifer Lopez never crossed my mind again. The groom isn't really the groom - he's undercover - and you wonder if the wedding planner will forgive him when she finds out.

It's clean - no bodice-ripping here - and unlike "inspirational romances" that throw in a couple token prayers throughout, this love story has genuinely Christian characters. Kaye's own deep faith is evident in the lives of her characters.

The setting is fictional Bonneterre, Louisiana, which Kaye decorates with so much detail that I'd swear she actually lives there. The supporting cast is so enjoyable that I look forward to reading more about them in the following books in the "Brides of Bonneterre" series.

This was a delicious and entertaining read. The set-up was perfect, and I really appreciated how Christian values like honesty were major elements in the story. (So many Romantic comedies fudge stuff like that I was really impressed.)

I've not been a frequent reader of the romance genre, but I'm curious now to read more of Kay Dacus's books. Incorporating situational humor without compromising Christian values is nothing less than a gift (not to mention the large role family gets to play, which I also adore). I could quickly get used to this.

If you enjoy "chick flicks" or romantic comedies but have resisted books, this is a story worth changing that for. You'll be glad you took the leap.

In Stand-In Groom debut author Kaye Dacus has crafted a truly delightful and involving romance--from the Louisiana setting to the heroine's business as a wedding planner to the concealed identity of the real groom. The characters are believably drawn, and the emotional and spiritual development is an integral part of the story. I loved the romantic tension between Anne and George and was rooting for them to get together from the very first chapter. Can't wait for the next book in this series and for the author's upcoming historical Ransome's Honor. Dacus is already one of my favorites!