Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. Overall an ok listen but not something I would read again.

I have read most of Debbie Macomber’s books. Unfortunately, this one falls short of her usual works. In full transparency, I listened to this book, so the narrator did influence my review. I would highly recommend NOT doing this book as an audiobook. The narrator used a very high-pitched squeaky voice for the voice of Leah and the kids, somewhat reminiscent of Mickey Mouse. It made it very difficult to take her seriously as a strong female character. I did not find the romantic chemistry between Leah and Paul believable. Usually, the author does a great job developing the relationship, and as a reader, I’m just waiting for them to get together. Not this time. Could it have been the voice of the narrator that affected my impressions? Absolutely. Overall, this was a take-it-or-leave-it book.

Stand In Wife is by seasoned author Debbie Macomber. This story revolves around the eldest Manning brother as he stumbles upon love that’s actually right before his eyes, but having suffered the loss that he did he is blind to such possibilities. The Mannings will be visited again in other of her novels

In Stand In Wife Paul Manning is destroyed when his wife Diane succumbs to complications from childbirth and toxemia leaving behind a newborn daughter and twin sons. If it weren’t for Diane’s sister, Leah, and Paul’s family stepping in to help there’s no telling how the broken family would have survived the first six months after Diane’s passing. But now Leah is ready to do even more by taking leave from her teaching position at the community college. Her proposal is to care for her sister’s family like Diane had asked her to in a dream. Initially resistant, Paul does agree and Leah leaves her job, gives up her apartment, and becomes the live in nanny for her niece and nephews.

As the day to day becomes the norm, the roles become traditional. Will the lines blur as they raise Paul’s children together?

This story is filled with well drawn characters and deals with people going through difficult circumstances. This story will entertain the readers. I did enjoy this book and would recommend it!

Stand- in Wife was one that really tugged at my heart as I listened. The thought of Leah losing a sister and seeing the grief her brother-in-law Paul was going through made them both feel that Diane would want her family she left behind to be happy.
Thank you NetGalley, Debbie Macomber and Harlequin Audio for the copy of the audiobook Springtime Sunshine. This is my personal review.

This was my first Debbie Macomber book and I was so excited to jump on the bandwagon to see what the hype was all about! Stand-In Wife is actually the second book in Those Manning Men series but can be read as a stand alone which is really nice (especially since I didn’t read the first one. I personally listened to the audiobook and like the voice narrator was lovely. Her voice was pleasant and felt right for Leah but she also did a great job of slightly changing her voice for other characters without sounding ridiculous.

Paul and Leah find each other through a mutual tragedy, the loss of his wife/ her sister. Leah steps in to help Paul with his children and feelings begin to develop. Neither of them know what to do with their desire because they feel as though they have an obligation to Diane. Once they push through their fears and emotional roadblocks, they find love and happiness as a family.

I enjoyed the realness of the feelings that Paul and Leah felt about moving on after Diane’s death. Having the story bounce between both POVs was also helpful to round out the story to get both perspectives which I feel was very important to the story. I enjoyed the moments when Leah was bonding with the children and Paul allowing himself time to himself after devoting so much to his children after his wife’s death.

This book was a quick read/listen for me and I think it would make a great one-sitting read for any romance reader!

Leah has lost her sister and Paul has lost his wife. Now there are three children who need a mother figure. Leah steps in.

This is Short Romance, and this is the fourth book in the Manning Family series. I normally love Debbie Macomber's book. I listen to the audiobook for this book. This book has characters that just do not talk to each other a lot which I really do not like. I hate when the whole book is a misunderstanding just because the two main characters are not talking about the problems. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

After having lots of frustration with the previous book in this series, I was pleasantly surprised with finding this one more enjoyable. Paul and Leah have both suffered a great loss and each have baggage from that loss as well as also other things in the past. The conflict was believable and it was a sweet read to watch them find their way to love, overcoming the issues and becoming a family.

Do keep in mind that this is a recording of an older book so there are definitely some dated concepts here.

I also enjoyed the narration. The narrator did a great job voicing both perspectives and with the male/female voices.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Content Notes: Fade to black/closed door romance

Paul Manning became a widower young with 3 children. Leah, his late wife's sister, comes to live in with them to help out. Romance blooms between them.

This was a short novel but it was really good. The narrator was great. 4 stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Stand in Wife Honest ARC Review:

4.5 ⭐️
Excellent for fans of Lucy Score, Claire Kingsley and Elsie Silver, this Small Town Romance is one for your TBR!

Shortly after the birth of their third child, Paul lost his wife Dianne to complications of the birth. In absolute grief and desperation, Paul turned to Leah, Dianne’s caring and kind sister.

Leah stepped in to help Paul with his family and fell in love with them in the process. Overtime, Paul found himself caring deeply for and falling in love with Leah as well.

Filled with reflection, reconciliation and compassion this tale will both break and warm your heart.

I really enjoyed listening to this. The characters were complex and yet completely relatable.

Thank you for sharing this ARC with me.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!

The narration by Lisa Zimmerman was good. The story it's self did not stand up to the test of time.

Although it was a quick and easy listen/read. The premise (which sounded good) gave me the ick in how it was delivered. Both main characters seemed very wishy washy and I didn't believe the insta love from either of them.

I usually enjoy Debbie Macomber's books, but this one just didn't hit.

With a brand new (awesome) cover, this Debbie Macomber classic hits the spot again! The narrator did a wonderful job bringing this story to life.

This was a really sweet read. If you haven’t read it please do. It’s well worth read.
There hasn’t been a book that she’s written that I didn’t like

Lisa Zimmerman’s narration was great—I really enjoyed her performance, and she made the story easy to listen to. As for the book itself, it was a short, easy read, but there were a few things I struggled to get behind.

The biggest issue for me was the premise: he marries his late wife’s sister, and no one seems to care! It just didn’t feel realistic. It was both weird and somehow totally accepted by everyone in the story, which made it hard for me to buy into. The romance also moved way too fast and didn’t feel developed enough to be truly believable.

That said, it was still a good story overall, and I didn’t mind it too much—I just didn’t love it.

Stand in wife. When a young mother and wife dies after childbirth. The mother in a dream asks her sister to take her place as wife and mother to her children

This book was previously published under the silhouette special edition imprint. Is also a sequel to marriage of inconvenience. I like the book. I also like the continuing story of the family from the previous book. it had a romance and a little spice. I look forward to continuing the series.

Another older Debbie Macomber that has been released on audiobook. An easy book to listen to with a good narrator. The story is a quick listen and the story is exactly what you have come to expect in an early Macomber book.