by Angela Ruth Strong
Publisher: Kregel
ISBN: 978-0825447105
Because I thought the premise of this book was a fun one and original, I signed up immediately to participate in the I Read With Audra book tour. She sent me this book for review. Being that this was my first read of Angela's I was looking forward to trying her out!
Summary:
How far would you go to find the perfect husband? All the way back to the 1950s?
In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she's handed a strange present at the latest wedding--a 1950s magazine article of "ways to get a husband"--she decides there's nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can't get any more single, can she?
Her brother's roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love--Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.
When Meri Me debuts, it's an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she's looking for . . .
With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Angela Ruth Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.
In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she's handed a strange present at the latest wedding--a 1950s magazine article of "ways to get a husband"--she decides there's nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can't get any more single, can she?
Her brother's roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love--Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.
When Meri Me debuts, it's an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she's looking for . . .
With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Angela Ruth Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.
My Review:
Oh my gosh! Husband Auditions was AH-MAZING! I've never read any books by Angela before and it was incredibly fun!! I'm pretty sure I laughed on just about every page until I got to almost the end of the books when things got a tad more serious.
This book was such a fun concept! I mean, there's a lot to work with having a list of ways to nab a husband back back in the 50s. The world had such a different way of living back then. Having the main character show that this list WON'T get her a man is a recipe for laughter. The author delivered it on a silver platter!
I didn't think it would be possible to laugh and cringe as much as I did with this book. None of this story comes off as forced or contrived. If this idea could be made into a believable book in the day and age we live in, this is exactly how I'd expect it to look.
Meri (short for Meredith - ahem, my given name) is so relatable, I mean, other than the fact that I got married young. She's so kooky and just lives her life as it comes to her. I could understand her desire to be married, especially at 30. I think many young women who reach that age are wondering where their future husband is and why it's taking him so long to find her.
Kai, yea, I can't relate to him. lol His butt dent in the couch might've been my goal as a teen, but definitely not as an adult. He also seems allergic to the idea of marriage. And goals. And being productive. I'm pretty sure the list could go on. When he brings the YouTube show, Meri Me, to life, this sure seems right up his alley!
Reading as they work their way through The List as they try to find Meri her future husband, you learn how cringe worthy life was for women trying to snag a husband back in the day. Sure, back then it wasn't nearly as facepalm-y, but as we follow Meri through some of them, I can't even imagine trying any of them. Well, aside from buying a convertible. That I would try. HA!
As for the romance in this story, the build up to the first kiss was exceptional! It will make your heart race and remind you of your first kiss! 💋 It'll put a smile on your face and warm your heart. It was just so well done!
The ending was a surprise, and I actually liked it. I don't know if there will be a second book, but I'd get it today if it were available! Now I want to devour all of this author's books. Yes, this book was that good for an introduction to her writing! You do NOT want to miss out.
About the Author:
Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there's nothing else she'd rather write about.
She is the author of the Resort to Love series and the CafFUNated mysteries. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. Finding Love in Big Sky was recently filmed on location in Montana and will air soon. Her latest release is Husband Auditions.
Strong also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho and teaches as an expert online at Write That Book.
Learn more at www.angelaruthstrong.com, and follow her on Facebook (Angela Ruth Strong Fan Page), Twitter (@AngelaRStrong), and Instagram (@ang_strong).
She is the author of the Resort to Love series and the CafFUNated mysteries. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. Finding Love in Big Sky was recently filmed on location in Montana and will air soon. Her latest release is Husband Auditions.
Strong also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho and teaches as an expert online at Write That Book.
Learn more at www.angelaruthstrong.com, and follow her on Facebook (Angela Ruth Strong Fan Page), Twitter (@AngelaRStrong), and Instagram (@ang_strong).
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8 comments:
I try to avoid the cringe, but this premise is just too much fun! Definitely one for my "must read" list. :)
Oh, this sounds good!
Sounds like a great story, and I love the cover.
Thx for the review and giveaway!
Can’t wait to read it!
This looks ridiculously cute…thanks for sharing
This book looks like so much fun! I tend to read "heavy" books...I think this would be fun to throw into the mix!
Having grown up in the 50s, this sounds like uch fun.
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