Book Blurb:
Dakota Jamison spends her days making brides’ dreams come true. But when will the time finally come for her own storybook ending?
Dakota thought she had left her dreams of happily-ever-after behind, along with the pain of a broken engagement to her high school sweetheart, Hudson. Now, as the proud owner of Fairytale Bridal Shop in the picturesque town of Flowering Grove, she’s built a life and a business on helping brides find their perfect dress for their own fairytale weddings. But running a small business is not for the faint of heart, and when her ex-fiancé unexpectedly returns to town with a mission—to put a stop to his sister’s wedding—Dakota’s problems go from bad to worse.
Hudson Garrity should be living his dream. After selling his software company, he’s single, handsome, and rich, but an unexpected call from his baby sister has him flying down to his hometown, determined to protect Layla from yet another big mistake. Though he’s single-minded in his effort to derail the nuptials, he instead finds himself thrown into family chaos and roped into helping his sister with her plans . . . bringing him once more into contact with Dakota Jamison, the one who got away.
For Hudson, coming home means revisiting his painful childhood, repairing a strained relationship with his sister, and coming face-to-face with the woman he never stopped loving. For Dakota, it means confronting the tender memories she buried deep within her heart. As Layla’s wedding date draws close, the two reunited lovers begin to question if what went wrong between them really happened the way they remembered it at all. Will they continue believing the lies they’ve told themselves, or will they remain forever entangled in the threads of what could have been?
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I was drawn to With This Ring by Amy Clipston because of its gorgeous cover. The story unfolds around a sweet, second-chance romance filled with angst. Dakota Jamison is the determined owner of a struggling bridal shop. She prides herself on her independence, but a burst pipe, loss of her inventory due to water damage, and a steep mortgage are pushing her business to the brink. Hudson Garrity, her ex—a self-made man who left seven years ago for a big-city life is back in town for his little sister's wedding. He is intent on preventing his sister's wedding. When he stops by Dakota's shop to rent a tux, she finds herself face-to-face with the man she never truly stopped loving.
Hudson has the best intentions to care for those he loves most, but he doesn’t realize that they need him more than his money. Dakota, meanwhile, is fiercely self-reliant, but she’s forgotten how many people love her and are willing to help. Despite continuing to clash over his sister’s wedding, their chemistry remains undeniable. Both have tried to move on, but something has been missing. Could it be each other?
This story is heartwarming, but I struggled to fully connect with it. While it was an enjoyable read, I found myself wishing Dakota and Hudson’s relationship would blossom a bit sooner, adding more depth to their connection.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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