Review: Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams

After years of dreaming, Jessica is finally getting married, but the marriage isn't exactly what she thought.

Daniel is her best friend, and she's known him all her life, but he's never gotten over losing his wife two years ago. His dream is to become the pastor of the church in their hometown, but the small-town congregation keeps balking over calling an unmarried minister. Since Daniel needs a wife and Jessica wants a husband and family, she proposes an arrangement that benefits both of them.

They can get married. They can build a life together. They can celebrate Christmas as a couple. It's fine that he doesn't love her. And it's fine that she's not exactly suited to be a small-town pastor's wife. And it's fine that she's more attracted to her sexy, brooding husband every day.

Jessica can be practical about this marriage. She knows what she's getting into, after all...

Paperback

Expected publication: December 1st 2013

Terri's Review

I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was anticipating this read for two reason.  The first being that it is getting close to the holiday season and the book takes place over Christmas and the second being that I had previously read the Listed series by Adam's and had enjoyed them.

For those who have read the Listed series there are a lot of similarities in this read.  As the synopsis suggests it is about two friends who get married for reasons other than love and try to navigate their emotions within an unconventional arrangement.  The chemistry between Jessica and Daniel is evident throughout the story particularly the physical chemistry "between the sheets".  There is just the right amount of drama as each of them fight their emotions and feelings for each other.

As Adam's explains at the beginning of the book in a comment this is a book about a pastor.  This should not dissuade anyone who has a dislike of Christian fiction as this book is not that.  This is a contemporary romance read that just happens to be about a person whose job is a pastor.  There are some references to God however they are few and not written in any type of "preachy" way.  It is more referenced by Daniel in a spiritual sense when he is questioning the bad things that happen in the world.  There are plenty of steamy scenes to satisfy and even some curse words in this read.

Overall this was a nice quick read just in time for the holidays.  I will continue to see what else Adam's has to offer.

About the Author

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.


Website:  http://noelle-adams.com     Twitter:  NoelleAdams3