30 review for Blessed Vows

1. 

   5 out of 5

   SheLove2Read – Dec 08, 2009

   ** spoiler alert ** I'm very ambivalent about how to rate this book. Right off, the editing is horrible. The back cover states the hero takes in his BROTHER'S child when its his SISTER'S child. His sister isn't "dying" as also stated, but was killed in a tragic accident. The heroine is Rachel McKaslin yet at one point, she's called Rachel HAWTHORNE. This is about Rachel McKaslin. She's a waitress/soon-to-be restaurant owner of her family's hometown diner. She's shy and somewhat reserved around men ** spoiler alert ** I'm very ambivalent about how to rate this book. Right off, the editing is horrible. The back cover states the hero takes in his BROTHER'S child when its his SISTER'S child. His sister isn't "dying" as also stated, but was killed in a tragic accident. The heroine is Rachel McKaslin yet at one point, she's called Rachel HAWTHORNE. This is about Rachel McKaslin. She's a waitress/soon-to-be restaurant owner of her family's hometown diner. She's shy and somewhat reserved around men and has become the eternal bridesmaid, never a bride. She's holding out for a man who loves her, warts and all and for that I can't blame her. But at 30 yrs old, she knows she's entering what could become modern spinsterhood. Enter Jake McCall. He is Rachel's brother Ben's good friend, co-worker in the Air Force and best man at his wedding, which takes place at the start of this book. He's just been recalled home to care for the child of his SISTER who was tragically killed in an accident. With both their parents being gone (what is it with 30 somethings having no parents lately?) and the child's father not in the picture, Jake is called upon for custody. Unfortunately he knows he can't be away from duty for long and is a real crossroads about what do with his young niece. Hire a nanny and go back to his unit in Iraq or quit the Air Force and a job he loves dearly? For me this is when it gets dicey. Jake genuinely likes Rachel but views himself as the perennial bachelor. However, he starts to see how well Rachel and his niece get along and makes a halfhearted attempt to woo Rachel in the hopes of maybe something happening between them, which would lead to marriage and giving his niece a mother figure while he runs off and plays super soldier. All goes according to Jake's "plan" and he and Rachel end up married and they go back to Florida where Jake is stationed. Unless you live under a rock, I'm sure you can see where this is going. If not: the niece gives Rachel a hard time. Jake himself does an incredibly cruel thing and compounds it by saying something even more cruel, just the day after the wedding. Of course, he's clueless at first and poor Rachel, who believed from day 1 he really loved her, is devastated. And dammit I don't blame her. I wanted to beat the everloving crap out of Jake and I almost quit reading but I wanted to see if the author could pull off an HEA after THAT fiasco. There is an HEA but I felt it was rushed and any sane woman wouldn't have accepted it without a whole lot more groveling than Jake did. It wasn't a total loss, because up until the "Jake moment" fiasco, I was right there with it. If you can suspend belief and accept a lame HEA, go for it. For me it was a disappointment from an author I usually really love.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Jodi – Aug 17, 2009

   A nice little book except there wasn't really any conflict until the last few pages and its all solved way too quickly in those last few pages. Almost like the author forgot to have any conflict until those last pages and quickly tacked some on at the end. A nice little book except there wasn't really any conflict until the last few pages and its all solved way too quickly in those last few pages. Almost like the author forgot to have any conflict until those last pages and quickly tacked some on at the end.

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Chrissy – Nov 26, 2020

   This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I did like it, although there was such a build up to the main conflict of them not being on the same page about what this marriage would be like, and then it finally got there and was resolved in two pages. I feel like that is a bigger issue that should have taken a bit more fictional time and page length to resolve.

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Kate – Oct 21, 2013

   As with all Jillian Hart novels, this was a very sweet story. The author's writing style is very lyrical and poetic, without being saccharine. I enjoyed getting to know Rachel more and cheered when she and Jake finally got it right! :) The only issue I had with this book has nothing to do with the book itself, but I have to wonder if the people who write the synopses on the back of these books even read the books themselves. This is the second time I've read a book where the back synopsis has som As with all Jillian Hart novels, this was a very sweet story. The author's writing style is very lyrical and poetic, without being saccharine. I enjoyed getting to know Rachel more and cheered when she and Jake finally got it right! :) The only issue I had with this book has nothing to do with the book itself, but I have to wonder if the people who write the synopses on the back of these books even read the books themselves. This is the second time I've read a book where the back synopsis has some GLARING errors. Thankfully, this doesn't make me cringe like poor editing does . . . all it does is make me roll my eyes.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Barbara – Nov 17, 2010

   I really enjoyed Rachel McKaslin's story, an I definitely recommend it. Rachel and Jake are characters that I definitely grew fond of, I appreciate that they aren't presented as perfect, and their story was a delightful journey with some very humorous parts. The final twist near the end of the book almost had me irrevocably turned against Jake Hathaway, but the resolution was somewhat satisfying, although almost too quick and simple. The back cover description does have a couple of mistakes, but I really enjoyed Rachel McKaslin's story, an I definitely recommend it. Rachel and Jake are characters that I definitely grew fond of, I appreciate that they aren't presented as perfect, and their story was a delightful journey with some very humorous parts. The final twist near the end of the book almost had me irrevocably turned against Jake Hathaway, but the resolution was somewhat satisfying, although almost too quick and simple. The back cover description does have a couple of mistakes, but the book itself does not.

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Jan Mcleod – Feb 18, 2014

   Rachel is sure she has fallen love with he perfect man, but Jake is a highly trained Special Forces soldier and doesn't think he needs anybody--only work. He doesn't want to appear weak or expose his heart or be vulnerable by displaying any emotions. He doesn't really believe in true love, either---until he met Rachel. But the question arises, why did he marry her? Much better story than the preceding novel because the focus was different and not as much repetition. Rachel is sure she has fallen love with he perfect man, but Jake is a highly trained Special Forces soldier and doesn't think he needs anybody--only work. He doesn't want to appear weak or expose his heart or be vulnerable by displaying any emotions. He doesn't really believe in true love, either---until he met Rachel. But the question arises, why did he marry her? Much better story than the preceding novel because the focus was different and not as much repetition.

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Jamey – May 11, 2012

   I don't have much to say about this novel. It is a Christian-romance, centered on the love between a waitress and a military man. I ALMOST liked the ending, but then it ended all flowers and roses like the rest of these books. Oh well. If you want something purely entertaining to pass the time with, this would do it. I don't have much to say about this novel. It is a Christian-romance, centered on the love between a waitress and a military man. I ALMOST liked the ending, but then it ended all flowers and roses like the rest of these books. Oh well. If you want something purely entertaining to pass the time with, this would do it.

8. 

   5 out of 5

   Sandy – Nov 14, 2011

   I enjoyed the book but I agree with a comment that was made in one of the posts. The ending was just too fast. It seemed to me that the author just wrapped it up too fast. I mean first he doesn't want a real marriage and there she is crying and then the next paragraph it's like all of a sudden he does want a real marriage and she forgives him that quickly. I enjoyed the book but I agree with a comment that was made in one of the posts. The ending was just too fast. It seemed to me that the author just wrapped it up too fast. I mean first he doesn't want a real marriage and there she is crying and then the next paragraph it's like all of a sudden he does want a real marriage and she forgives him that quickly.

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Michele – Nov 18, 2008

   Received this through my wishlist on paperbackswap.com. And of course, I found something I enjoyed reading, but also ended up reading book 3 of the series before I read any of the other books. Good quick read. Inspirational romance. A little predictable, but still a good read.

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Sheila Miller – May 30, 2009

    You can't hold back. Rachel McCaslin, and Jake McCall come together for her brother's wedding. Rachel lives in the family home by herself and Jake and his niece/daughter come to stay with her. The sparks fly and they both learn to love one another. You can't hold back. Rachel McCaslin, and Jake McCall come together for her brother's wedding. Rachel lives in the family home by herself and Jake and his niece/daughter come to stay with her. The sparks fly and they both learn to love one another.

11. 

    5 out of 5

    Amanda – Dec 06, 2011

    This is a very good book! I love reading Love Inspired books and every new title I see I read it!! This is a matchmaker plot from the beginning and has a happy ending! I honestly don't rememeber when I finished this book! It didn't take me long to read it since it was that good! :) This is a very good book! I love reading Love Inspired books and every new title I see I read it!! This is a matchmaker plot from the beginning and has a happy ending! I honestly don't rememeber when I finished this book! It didn't take me long to read it since it was that good! :)

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Joy – Dec 22, 2010

    A sweet story. :) Rachel McKaslin has finally found love, as have her siblings Ben and Amy, and that just leaves big sister Paige. Well, at least until the next book anyway. lol

13. 

    4 out of 5

    Judy – May 15, 2009

    another good read

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Carolyn – Aug 11, 2015

    This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Couldn't really stomach this one -- all of a sudden they were getting married, then when she realizes he just married her for his niece, he changes his mind and really loves her?? Couldn't really stomach this one -- all of a sudden they were getting married, then when she realizes he just married her for his niece, he changes his mind and really loves her??

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Melissa (LifeFullyBooked) – Sep 11, 2014

    LI--very unrealistic. Love story to marriage progression too rushed. No reliance on God's lead or concern for circumstances. LI--very unrealistic. Love story to marriage progression too rushed. No reliance on God's lead or concern for circumstances.

16. 

    5 out of 5

    Dawn Michelle – Nov 25, 2011

    2 1/2 Stars This was the most disappointing book so far of the series. Just fell completely flat for me!

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Jill –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    Tamara –

19. 

    4 out of 5

    Amanda Talbert –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Kyleigh –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Dorothy Roller –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    susan bolles –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    Melinda –

24. 

    4 out of 5

    Stephanie –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    Gale –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Melissa –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    Terri –

28. 

    4 out of 5

    Kimberlyisreading –

29. 

    5 out of 5

    Jessie –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    Laurie Tetrault –