This book turns out to be a fun-loving story, but the beginning has a story of Cassie being taken advantage of by someone she thinks is a friend and then she has to leave because that person accuses her of stealing what is actually hers. But how many men who are in power are really going to listen to her story with an open mind? After selling the ring and hopping on a bus she ends up in a town where the sheriff remembers seeing a wanted poster about a woman matching her description. Here is when the story changes and Ted offers her a solution with his uncle, but before that, they get married and then need to drive to his place to meet with his uncle. A really good book with good characters.

This Texas senior and great fan of Carolyn Brown must say I loved reading the book. I enjoy Carolyn Brown’s books since they are usually light, funny, silly and a bit romantic. This is all.

3.5 stars rounded up. When Cassie O'Malley's mother passed away, she moved in with her friend and co-worker Deana. Things went well for a couple of years, but when Deana got sick, her husband guilted Cassie into quitting school and taking care of her. When Deana died, he turned his eyes to Cassie. She rebuffed him and he sold her to a sex-trafficking ring (this was the part where I rolled my eyes). Cassie packs a backpack, grabs her grandma's wedding ring set and runs. He reports her to police as a runaway, thief, and feeble minded. When a local sheriff spots her at a restaurant in a smalltown, she latches onto Ted Wellman who pretends to be her fiance. They are forced into a marriage to protect her and they head to his home. Will this fake romance turn into a real one.

I enjoy Carolyn Brown's books for a light, clean read and this one fit that bill, but it had some issues. I wanted Cassie to be able to follow her dreams. Everything had gone wrong in her life and she needed someone kind to show her things aren't all hardship. The Wellman family was a bit too perfect. They had suffered through the loss of a son, Ted's twin, and he was suffering from severe survivor's guilt. Cassie's sass, spunk and caring brought him out of that. Of course, Deana's husband shows up and the Wellman family dispatch him quickly. This is a bit too perfect with everything working out easily for Cassie, but it was a quick, happily ever after story.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Ehhh okay I love the cover the plot sounded cute. But the novel itself was rushed and very very unrealistic. I think is the story took place during the pioneer times it would be believable. But I just was not into this story. It felt rushed and felt and read like a story someone just wrote down real fast and no other thought. Just was not my cup of tea.

Unpopular Opinion Alert!

I had high hopes for Bride for a Day, and while this was a cute read, it wasn’t everything I was expecting.

Cassie was quiet and meek around Ted and his family, which frustrated me for her as a character. Ted’s family on the other hand was warm and comforting, and a family that anyone would love to be a part of.

I did feel like the main conflict was too easily resolved, and the relationship between Cassie and Ted felt very contrived and the marriage of convenience - well, seemed too convenient.

While this is cute, it definitely fell flat for me.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC

This is a small town Romance following and Ted. Cassie is in a bad situation and needs help. She hops on a bus and is looking for someone to get her out of that situation. The first person just so happened to be Ted. This bad situation led them to be married. Now they have to navigate throughout this marriage that is supposed to last for a day.

This book was not exactly my cup of tea. Although I got through to the end, it felt more like a drag.

this book gave me the feels. i was drawn by the title of the book and then i was sucked in completely. really liked this and want to find more of her books.

4 stars! Bride for a Day by Carolyn Brown is a charming Southern read. Grab a sweet tea and dive into this gem!
Thank you to Carolyn Brown, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well this was a cute Southern romance.

I don’t think the cover really fit with the book. I was constantly struggling to understand what year it was, then I realized this was a re-release of her 1997 book which explains that.

The story was interesting. Similar to other reviews, I’d prefer more showing and less telling.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Light and breezy - the perfect beach read. Carolyn Brown's books are always and enjoyable read for me and this was no exception. The story is lighthearted and the characters likable. I look forward to the next book(s) by this author.

This one was a lovely read. I really enjoyed reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
4 stars read for me

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. It may have to do with the fact that the book was original written 25 years ago, but it just didn't do it for me. I get that there is some suspension of reality when you read a romance novel, but this one was just too much for me in the first couple of chapters. Cassie is supposed to be "on the run", but what I didn't realize from the blurb, was that it was on the run from some horrible person that tried to rape her and sell her into a sex trafficking ring. Cassie is supposed to be 20 years old. I'm not sure why she thought she had to stay with him at all. No one can make her go where she doesn't want to, she's over 18. It just made me roll my eyes, and I didn't want to continue the rest of the story.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

I loved how funny, lighthearted and easy-going this was. Reads like a heartfelt comedy with moments that will make you smile and all about how sometimes, the imperfect accidents make for the perfect memory and so much more.
I would recommend it to everyone, one of those books that is also perfect as a gift for someone you love to enjoy curled up with coffee!

This is a great story about a fake marriage turning real. I really enjoyed this and will definitely be reading more of Brown in the future!

This was not a favorite read for me. I usually love Carolyn Browns books so I was a little baffled as to why I couldn’t get into this story.
Basically this is story about a marriage of convenience. It is a sweet, clean read for those looking for a light read.

This book was hilarious, entertaining and heartfelt! I thoroughly enjoyed it & would recommend to anyone in the mood for a lighthearted romance with funny antics!

This was a really sweet title.

This marriage of convenience has a lot of emotional things going on with it. Cassie is running from a man who was supposed to be a foster parent, but he has used and abused her in most ways imaginable outside of sexual. When she turns down his advances after his wife's death, he decides to sell her to a sex trafficker. Cassie sells her one valuable possession, (a set of rings from her grandmother) and does everything she can to get away. What she doesn't expect is for the police to show up at where her bus stops.

Ted doesn't expect Cassie to come over to his table and ask for his help. He has felt disconnected from the world since the death of his twin, but he feels like his twin would want him to help this woman. He just didn't bargain on having to marry her to keep her safe. His uncle lawyer can make things right afterwords, but he has to get the nosy sheriff off their back, so he does everything he can to protect this woman who looks far more frail than she should.

These two are both very young, so some of the things keeping the other at arms length are a little cliche and juvenile, but it works for this particular story, and I didn't find it annoying like I do in books where they are older. Brown handles the loss and grief that these two early 20's adults have to face with a lot of TLC, and I was so appreciative of it. Ted's family was wonderful on every level, and it helped fill in the gaps that the two characters weren't ready to face themselves with.

Can't wait to read more from this author, as I always end up enjoying her titles.

Lovely romance with very touching moments! Great characters with fun chemistry. Wonderful family with lots of humor.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. This is my honest and personal review.

These is another good story by Carolyn Brown. It's about finding love when you least expect it. Wonderful characters, a big loving family, and acceptance.

Bride for a Day

by Carolyn Brown

What a sweet romance! Carolyn Brown’s Bride for a Day is a simple, but pleasing story. Cassie has had a rough life. After her mother died, she lived a dirt poor existence with her mother’s friend. When she passed away too, Cassie was left in the hands of the friend’s husband, and he is not a nice man. Sexual trafficking is the dangerous threat, but nothing graphic is discussed. When Cassie runs away, Ted, a handsome stranger in a café, pretends very convincingly to local law enforcement that she is his fiancé.

Ted’s family embraces Cassie wholeheartedly because that’s just the kind of people they are and because Cassie is gradually bringing Ted back to life again. He had never come to grips with the death of his twin brother when they were in high school.

Because this is a romance, you can imagine that what started out as a rescue mission might well turn into a friendship where sparks fly. I really enjoyed the characters. Although wealthy, Ted’s family is down to earth and supportive of each other. Even though it is clear that the setting is a small town with a quick as lightning rumor mill, the author does not dwell on that aspect. Instead, she uses it as an opportunity to demonstrate that Cassie is a strong young lady. There are some fun and surprising plot twists and a very satisfying ending. It is a quick read with lots of smiles along the way.

I would like to extend my thanks to Netgalley and to Sourcebooks (Casablanca) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Romance, Women’s Fiction

Publication: March 29, 2022—Sourcebooks (Casablanca)

Memorable Lines:

Maria had told her that first day that breakfast was the time to set the mood for the whole day—yellow brightened the table, good food satisfied the appetite, and a loving family made the heart smile.

Ted had been dreaming of taking Cassie dancing after his boot came off and the cast on his arm, but right now he couldn’t two-step any faster than an armadillo could fly.

Evidently, she was in one of her Jesus moods, as her granny used to call them. Granny said that Cassie didn’t know what she wanted, wouldn’t want it if she got it, and Jesus himself couldn’t live with her.