I felt like I recognized the author's name when I chose this book. I am so glad I did. I had read More Than Meets the Eye and enjoyed it. As I read More Than Words Can Say, it was a few chapters in that I finally recognized Zach and his siblings. I can't tell you how delighted I was that Zach was getting his own story!

Abby is now the owner of her father's bakery since his death. The town she and her sister reside in have a law that no single woman can own a business. Abby tries to fight the order, but a pushy business owner who wants her property get the town council to rule against her, so she takes matters into her own hands.

Zach Hamilton is a happy single man and intends to stay that way...he wants nothing to tie him down. He is a daily customer at Abby's bakery because he loves the cinnamon rolls and coffee plus Abby is a nice girl to look at and she treats him like everyone else.

But desperate times calls for desperate measures, Abby decides a marriage of convenience will allow her to stay in the town and run her bakery. Her perspective groom of choice..
Zach Hamilton!

I won't give away any more of the story because these thoughts are just in the first couple chapters and there is a whole lot more to read about these two. I really do love the humor sprinkled throughout the story! It is a great book!

I adore Karen Witemeyer’s writing and More Than Words Can Say exceeded all my expectations. Funny, sweet and deliciously romantic, this story of resilience, family and love was wonderful from beginning to end.

Abigail will do anything to save her bakery and the livelihood of both her sister and herself - even if it means a marriage of convenience to satisfy the backwards ruling of the town council. When Abby asks Zach Hamilton - lumberjack, brooding type and overly handsome - to marry her she isn’t surprised when he initially turns her down. Even more surprised when he later agrees to her business-partner-based marriage. But as threats to the newly formed family arise, Abby and Zach will have to decide if building their marriage is worth revealing the secrets of the past.

More Than Words Can Say has so many ticks in the pros column:
Written by Karen Witemeyer (one of my favourite historical Christian romance writers). Tick
Marriage of convenience story. Tick
Story about baking (food. I’m a fan). Tick.
Story about a headstrong, courageous and independent woman. Tick.
Story about a strong, happy-as-a-bachelor, protective man who falls for the headstrong woman. Tick.

“Choosing a husband was much like choosing a good baguette.” And that quote pretty much sealed my love for this book - and that was only the first few pages. I adored every humour-laced, secret sharing, will-they-won’t-they, steamy, swoon-worthy, delicious moment of More Than Words Can Say. I loved the historical town setting. Loved the characters, from strong yet vulnerable Abby to protective but surprisingly loving Zach. I loved the story of arrangement of convenience to love and every tense, tantalising moment in between.

If you are a fan of Witemeyer’s books or a keen newcomer, you are sure to delight in More Than Words Can Say.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I just finished reading “More Than Words Can Say” (in one sitting) thanks to Netgalley. As usual, I come away from reading Karen Witmeyer’s books thinking “That’s the best book she’s written yet!” I thoroughly enjoyed Zach’s story— particularly the precious way their romance grew throughout the book. Theirs is the kind of relationship that everyone dreams of — emotionally strong, spiritually grounded, and THEN joy in intimacy. I was thrilled to see Zach finally feel able to open up to someone. Of course, Zach’s a natural protector, so there has to include events where he is called upon to shine in this regard. But that only gives more opportunity for the reader to get to know what motivates him more clearly. What an exceptional sequel in the Patchwork Family series. With plenty of opportunities for out loud laughter, as well as a blushing swoon while reading, this book has everything from history to romance, and inspiration to comedy. I highly recommend this as a must-read for current Witemeyer readers as well as newcomers to the genre of historical inspirational romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Abigail wants to continue to run her bakery after her father dies, but the city council has told her she can't run it without taking on a male business partner. She has a better idea -- she will get married and make her husband the owner of record. One of her customers, Zach, seems like the ideal candidate. We met Zach in a previous book by this author concerning the Orphan Train and a trio of orphans who escaped a train wreck and set out together to live on their own.

Someone wishes her ill and even after she and Zach tie the knot, things continue to happen. This is the story of how they triumped over that with God's help and the assistance of some special friends and customers.

I loved this book! It was fun to read. I received an e-version of the book from Bethany House through NetGalley for the purpose of providing a review. It was my pleasure! I highly recommend this book and this author.

I loved this book!!!! I really enjoy a marriage of convenience story line and this one was probably the vest I have ever read. I loved that it was a Christian book but the husband was open, yet respectful, about wanting a real marriage. I thought the author did a perfect job of showing that you have can have love and desire and all those intimate things in a Christian book and still have it be clean and appropriate.

Wow, where to start? This book was a great mix of charming and romantic. I loved the bakery setting. The love interest doesn't disappoint. The sisters where highly believable.

I've been a Witemeyer fan for years and I highly recommend this one, as well as, all of her books!

I have truly enjoyed every Karen Witemeyer book, but this one was over the top! I think I can confidently say this is her most romantic book to date. This book held all the elements of a great book.....a bit of intrigue, humor, historical detail, a lesson to be learned, and of course the sweet romance. There were a couple of things that sent this story into a bigger and better territory for me. Number one, these characters were very real, which I feel like Karen has done before, but maybe on a bigger scale in this story. Number two, I felt I could relate to many of the situations and raw emotions dealt with in this story. And number three, the Faith content in this tale was out of this world! I felt the characters growing, but more than that, I felt myself growing in the Lord right alongside them. What an awesome, tangible thing to read a book by an author you can trust to include God's Word and Truths in a world where that may not be how it is always done even when it should be. I am abundantly grateful for that! I thank God for authors such as Karen who follow His leading.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review.

The first book in the series was called More Than Meets the Eye.

Abigail is furious the town has decided she can’t own her own bakery. She has to sell it or find a man to be on the deed. Abby has no intention of giving control of her business to any man, so she comes up with her own plan: find a husband and enter into a business arrangement.

The town doesn’t have many choices, and her preferred choice initially turns her down. Zach thinks the thing he wants most is freedom, but he won’t let Abby settle for someone who won’t be the protector her family needs. They decide to lay everything out business-like, and that means he wants to make sure relations are addressed. Abby isn’t completely on board with the idea, but she’s going to have to consider it if she wants the arrangement to work.

I loved Zach’s character in the last book, and he doesn’t disappoint. There’s a bit of suspense around a woman harassing Abby about something that happened in the past, but the main “conflict” of the book is them trying to figure out if/when they’ll have relations. It didn’t bother me much, but I did long for something more dangerous.

Even with that, I enjoyed this book. I read it in two days, because I wanted to see Zach happy. There’s also a scene with Eva and Seth, so you get a glimpse of how they’re doing. But you can read these separately without worrying about missing much.

Eva and Seth were taken care of in the first book and now Zach is happy. So, unless there’s a third book that will be about Rosalind (Abby’s sister), I’m not sure this will be a three-book series. Which ends up being a bit weird, because that’s what I’m used to these days. Anyway, I’ve enjoyed these two. Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The town council has told Abigail Kemp that she may not own and run her families bakery. She must either go in business with a man or close her business down. Abigail refuses to give up her business that easily. Abigail comes up with an idea to keep her business and have a man's name on the deed without giving up her freedom to run it the way she wants.



Zacharias Hamilton is enjoying his freedom. Having raised his adopted brother and sister from the time he was 13 Zachary is enjoying his crusty bachelorhood with nobody demanding anything from him. When Abigail comes to him with a proposal he is all set to tell her NO, until her sister comes to him and begs him to change his mind. Zach tells himself he can't resist helping a woman in distress, but Abigail's dimples don't hurt the deal much either.



It doesn't take long for Abigail's business deal with Zach to turn into affection and caring on both their parts. But does their relationship even have a chance with both of them keeping secrets?



First off I really love Zach and Abigail. I love how Zach wanted to take care of Abigail and her sister from the beginning. He was honorable and treated her well. Abigail in turn did the same for Zach. She fed him, made sure he was comfortable, supported him. She even cared for his spiritual well-being in that she wanted to help him heal from his childhood. I did have a few issues though with the story. I felt like a lot of time was spent on the two characters wanting to cement their relationship physically but things kept getting in the way. And then I really had an issue with Zach's referring to God as The Big Guy or The Big Man. It is a huge pet peeve of mine to have God referred in such a casual or cavalier way. It is so disrespectful and dishonoring and Zach's character did it a lot. I understand that he was unpolished etc. but as I said, it is a pet peeve. Moving on. I also had an issue with the author constantly referring to Abigail as too curvy or pudgy or round or any reference to her weight. I understand that that is what was part of Abigail's insecurity, but it seemed a trifle over-done. The rest of the story I totally enjoyed. I found myself getting very angry at the antagonist of the story, former friend Sophia. I could never have been as patient as Abigail was, but I loved the way she finally found her confidence to stand up to her. I loved seeing Zach's brother and sister from MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE and seeing how they were doing. I hope there will be another book in the series so that we can find out how Abigail's sister Rosalind does as she leaves the nest. A sweet romance, a bit of danger and a happy ending, made this reader very content.

What a joy of a book! Whitemeyer's characters in More than Words Can Say are quirky, but genuine and the storyline is appealing. Any reader can see where much of the story is going, as Abigail, the plump and charming baker enters into a marriage of convenience with Zach, a big man with a big mystery -- but it's such a fun trip getting there! Several times I laughed out loud at the dialogue. Major themes in this book are family, faith, and moving foward from past mistakes. Five well-deserved stars from me!

I loved this book! I loved the marriage of convenience store, but I also loved the theme of forgiveness.

One of the reasons I read Christian Fiction is because it includes spiritual truths. This book was full of reminders to trust God and also that he can forgive anything if we ask. Both are truly important reminders.

I also appreciate the clean romance. This one was full of heated kisses, some flirting, and lots of love. It was an especially good romance to watch unfold. Probably one of my favorites in historical fiction lately.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

If you want a book to read over the Holy Week then I feel that this is the perfect book for you. When you read it, you'll see why.
I like reading Karen's books because of the spiritual messages they offer.
I love how she used the Bible as the word. I love Karen's books so very much!!!
This one did not disappoint.
Some of the scenes in this book sort of reminds me of the rivalry between Laura Ingalls and Nellie Oleson. Some of which are laugh out loud funny!!
But then, some of them made me want to cry too!
Karen has made these characters that will be forever in your heart long after this book has closed.
I think Zac and Abby will remain with me becaise of their willingness to prove to the town that with God's help can overcome anything that is put before them. So perfect for each other!!
Zac certainly can be my hero anytime. Too bad he couldn't jump out of the book and be a real friend. "Swoon" worthy for sure!!
I felt a "real"connection with Abby in so many ways. She's your down home or down to earth person I'd really like to get to know better
I loves the name Honey Bee Grove. Certainly different from anything around here unless you want to call Nonesuch Ky different lol
But overall, I loved the book. I hope the author writes many more!!
I received this book from Netgalley. No compensations were received and all opinions are my own
I do recommend this book for people who love some humor in their reading

My Review:

Genre: Historical, romance, western, Christian fiction.

My Rating: 4 stars.

My Recommendation: 16-18 up, warnings below.

My Favorite Character/s: Zach, the gruff older brother from the first book in the series. I've been waiting for more about him since I read the first book. Zach is one of many of Witemeyer's heroes that I loved getting to know as he made choices that he thought was right but may have had harsh consequences. Zach is also my second favorite male lead character of the author's - my first being Gideon Westcott in Head in The Clouds which is my favorite of all Karen Witemeyer's books.

My Verse for Zach is Romans 10:9
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (King James Version.)

My Thoughts: Witemeyer is my go-to author for humorous and faith-filled stories of love. And this one no different! It was sweet, funny, and yet serious. This was so good and I loved it so much and am forcing myself not to reread it now. *sighs*

Warnings: A character had in the past made some bad choices and there are some mentions of it as the book goes on. I suggest that if you're under 16/17 you have a friend or parent read it first. It isn't that it is shown over much but that it isn't something that you will want to read.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it.

Review to post on my blog on May 31st 2019.

MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY by KAREN WITEMEYER is beautiful love story, with very real characters that you won't forget in a hurry. You can feel their joys and sorrows as well as see the Lord at work in their lives. The book follows More Than Meets The Eye, also well worth reading, but can be read as a stand alone.
The story starts in the small town of Honey Grove in 1896, with Abigail Kemp having to make a plan to save her bakery, where she and her beautiful younger sister, Rosalind, make a living.
There is so much in this book, but mostly it is about a marriage of convenience which turns into so much more. There are secrets, there is intrigue, romance and fierce loyalty towards family, which make for an interesting read. The importance of forgiveness, especially towards one's self, and the acceptance of the Lord's forgiveness, is also addressed. I love the author's humour - she has such a great way of writing!
I am not going to tell you any more in case I spoil the read for you.
I really cannot recommend this book highly enough for the heart warming story and good Christian message running through it.
i was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are copletely my own.

I always love a book written about a marriage of convenience. It's a part of history that is interesting, hard to imagine and a little bit crazy! These sweet characters jumped into a life together. Hardship, past struggles, an unknown need for love and a new friendship was the perfect starting point for this couple. Their journey of faith, passion and a desire for something more was pleasure to read.

Another wonderful book from Karen! This was the sequel to “More than meets the eye”. It was Zach story. I couldn’t wait to see what happened to Zach! He was so mysterious and angry and you couldn’t help but want what his siblings had found...love! Leave it to a business contract to secure that for both Zach and Abby.
The epilogue left possibility of another book, so if that happens I can’t wait to see what will happen.

Absolutely LOVED this story! This long awaited sequel to "More Than Meets the Eye" was worth the wait! Excellent story of Zach Hamilton, a man that is largely non emotional, but feels deeply for others meets Abby, a young lady that is energetic and lively, who runs the town bakery. She asks him to marry her, and he reluctantly (at first) agrees. A humorous tale ensues, with a great ending! Loved it! Definitely will read again and again!

I really enjoyed this book! However, I can't help but feel like I"ve missed something....either there wasn't enough character set-up or there is another book in this series (?) that comes before this one...I'm not sure. Either way, there was enough backstory for me to be able to follow along and understand the motivations behind each of the main characters here. The ending was super sweet and totally unexpected!

First comes marriage than comes love. A marriage of convenience to save her family business brings about its own complications and often plans gone awry. A sweet clean read that is a great continuation of this series.

I always love Karen Witemeyer's books and this one is no different. Looking forward to the next tale in this series.

This is an entertaining story of a young couple who marry because of Abby’s unusual business situation. Zach and Abby have been attracted to each other for some time. However, it’s not until Abby asks Zach to marry her to save her family business that they acknowledge, even to themselves, that attraction. Giving up their individual independence to marry was a big consideration, but Zach and Abby want to make their marriage work. Before they marry, Zach tells Abby that he does not want a marriage-in-name-only, but a “real” marriage in every respect. Abby agrees, and Zach’s efforts to court Abby after they are married do not always go as planned.

This storyline features the importance of taking care of family; helping your community; and taking care of those in need. Zach and Abby find that although they each have heartache in their past, God’s faithfulness and forgiveness will show them a future brighter than anything they could have imagined.

One note about the story: Because Zach and Abby’s marriage begins as a marriage of convenience, there is part of the storyline that follows Abby’s indecision as to stop sharing a room with her sister and move into Zach’s room with him after they are married and having their marriage become “real” in every respect. There’s nothing inappropriate in this, and all scenes in the book are clean and sweet. I’m only mentioning this in case you are a reader that would be uncomfortable with that part of the story. It still fits well into the guidelines of Christian fiction. The faith aspect of trusting God to provide all needs was the part of the story I enjoyed the most and is the major theme of this book.

I always enjoy reading Karen Witemeyer’s stories and I’m already looking forward to her next book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.