Bride by Necessity: Review

What happens when you find yourself in a position where you've promised to protect someone's child, thinking that child is much younger than he/she is? What would you do when you learn that child is much closer to your own age and a "long lost relative" shows up with a look that says your charge would fare much better with you?

Marry them, of course.

And this is exactly what our hero does in Linda Glaz's newest release, Bride by Necessity.

Payton is orphaned. Jonathan believes she’s about 12, and decides to protect her as he’d promised her father he would. What he doesn’t realize is that Payton is closer to 21 and is very much a woman, albeit little and a bit of a rebel when it comes to female etiquette. When her “long lost uncle” arrives on Jonathan’s doorstep demanding she be released to his guardianship, both Payton and Jonathan are disturbed and they agree to the only plausible solution: marriage.

What Jonathan doesn’t expect to loose his heart to this petite woman, nor does she plan to offer her heart to him. Neither do they hope for the detours that pop up along the way. But God has plans of His own.

When I was given the opportunity to read this book with the promise of an honest review, I was thrilled. I love Linda Glaz and value her as a witty, talented writer, speaker, and most of all, friend. While reading this book, I was confronted with mixed emotions.

Linda S. Glaz

First, I love the premise and plot line. Payton and Jonathan make a dynamic pair. They’re both met with tragedy, which cause them to wonder about God’s plan, faithfulness, or closeness to one or both of them. Plot twists bring about closure for Jonathan concerning his past and ultimately bringing freedom to him emotionally.

However, my expectation for the book was not met as I’d hoped. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was a bad book, because it is well written to the degree that there is a clear open, I can follow the characters from beginning to end, and there is definite resolution. As great as the plot line is, it didn’t offer enough time for the hero and heroine to fully develop and connect with me.

Maybe it’s just me, but I felt rushed through various scenes; as though being given a house tour, and before I could get a good look at the artwork I was ushered into another room. I would’ve liked to spend more time with Jonathan and Payton, immersed in their gut wrenching battles for answers to the questions and callings of their hearts. But don't let this deter you from falling in love with Linda's work. 

I certainly am looking forward to all of the stories hidden under her hat. 

You can find Bride by Necessity, and other books by Linda at Heart song presents/Harlequin.com, and Amazon