I absolutely loved this book. I've seen this movie so many times, but somehow the book was that and more. If you haven't read this book, you're completely missing out. Grab it today, and you won't regret it. ( )

A country music superstar finds that "you can go home again" in "A Country Wedding: Based On the Hallmark Channel Original Movie". Author Leigh Duncan does a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of the Hallmark fan-favorite film, and she gives the story fresh appeal with her own special touches. Bradley Suttons' life changed forever at age thirteen when his parents were killed in a car accident. His aunt and uncle took him from his small home town of Mill Town, Texas to live with them in Nashville, TN. Before he left, his best friends Sarah and Adam wanted to make sure Bradley knew they thought of him as family, so they held a mock "wedding" between Bradley and Sarah with Adam (a pastor's son) officiating. More than a decade later, after achieving the fame of country music stardom--not to mention an engagement to Hollywood mega-star Catherine Mann--Bradley returns to Texas to sell his family ranch and close that chapter of his life for good. Sarah Standor still lived on her family's own ranch, which was next to the Suttons place. After studying to be a veterinarian, and suffering a painful broken romance, Sarah had settled into her own life running a horse rescue and rehab on her ranch and raising flowers to sell locally. Her parents had moved to Florida, and her rescue dogs were her companions. Bradley had never once come back to Texas since leaving for Nashville, and Sarah had kept up with his career through his media appearances. Now he was home--right next door--and he and Sarah had some catching up to do. He had only intended to stay for a couple of days to sell his home and close his parents' estate, but memories, not to mention the friendship of the grown-up Sarah, were making him linger. He had the privileged life of success, a beautiful and famous fiancée, and a solid music career ahead of him--so why was he feeling like something was missing? Sarah has more to deal with than the rush of emotions that come with Bradley's return. She has been struggling financially for quite some time, and she is on the verge of losing her home and the horse rehab. What would happen to her, the dogs, and the horses if she can't keep the ranch? With Sarah's help, Bradley begins to make arrangements for a small private wedding with Catherine in Mill Town. However, career-minded Catherine has plans of her own for their wedding and their future together. A return to his roots has refreshed Bradley's sense of his true self, and he begins to write his own kind of music again. He is also aware that Sarah is a very special person--a lovely woman--and no longer the freckle-faced girl he left behind. When Catherine comes to mill Town, Bradley must take a hard look at his life. Is a glamorous celebrity existence with Catherine what he really wants, or is he still a small town boy at heart? Can he hope for something more--like a bright and happy future based on the best part of his past--and does that future include Sarah? "A Country Wedding", both in book and on film, is a touching and heartwarming contemporary romance.

Book Copy Gratis Hallmark Publishing ( )

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

I love Hallmark movies, so sweet and romantic, and this is on my best of list. The book is told more from Bradley's point of view that Sarah's and I found that to work extremely well. My only complaint is that the movie didn't take advantage of the terrific epilogue in the book. It was a wonderful ending to this couples story.

Bradley Suttons and Sarah Standor were neighbors and best friends as kids. When Bradley's parents are killed Sarah comes up the idea for them to marry. This way Bradley will always have a family. The third Musketeer, Adam, performs the ceremony and the two 13 year old kids are, unofficially, married.

A decade later Brad is set to marry America's sweetheart and needs Sarah to help plan his country wedding. Fate brings this couple together again and it's the best thing that ever happened to either one. They have a couple of weeks to reacquaint and fall in grown-up love. Since it's a romance story we already know the country wedding will happen for the two characters we come to love. It's a good story, good book, and good movie. Happy reading.

#LeighDuncan #ACountryWedding #Hallmark #NetGalley ( )

A Country Wedding: Based On the Hallmark Channel Original Movie by Leigh Duncan
Source: NetGalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Oh, Hallmark Channel, how you make me so delightfully happy with these super sweet romances!

Bradley Suttons has finally made it as a Nashville star. After ten long years of trying, working, and singing his heart out, he is at the top and has achieved every dream he ever thought possible. What’s more, he’s engaged to Hollywood’s hottest actress and their impending nuptials are just what they have both always wanted, a quiet, private event away from the glitz and glamour of their everyday lives. But, before the big day Bradley needs to make a trip back home to tie up some loose ends.

Back home is Mill Town, Texas where Bradley has both the best and worst memories of his life. Bradley lived next door to his best friend, Sarah on a matching ranch, and until the moment his parents died, Bradley couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in the world. Coming home isn’t the easiest thing Bradley has ever done, but within a day or two, he begins to remember just why he loved his hometown so much. The calm, the quiet, the land, the people, everything he lacks in his new ultra-famous life and world can be found in Mill Town. What’s more, Sarah still lives next door and she has grown into a beautiful woman. She is kind, intelligent, caring, and so very glad to see her old friend back in town.

Sarah is beyond pleased to have Bradley living right next door once again. With each passing day, Bradley seems to relax a bit more and before long, he is coming over to Sarah’s every day to catch up and help her around the ranch. Sarah’s life’s work involves caring for abandoned and sick animals, especially horses and Bradley enjoys being around her brood. The trouble is, most of Sarah’s charges are abandoned which means their previous owners aren’t exactly paying the bills for their care. Though she is immensely happy with Bradley and his help around the ranch, Sarah is in dire financial trouble and at risk of losing everything she holds dear. She isn’t looking to impose on her friend or ask for his financial assistance, so Sarah keeps her woes to herself and simply enjoys the limited time she has with Bradley.

And then, Bradley has an idea . . . .

Bradley is certain he and his fiancée won’t find a place any better suited to their wedding wishes than Sarah’s barn and so, the planning begins. With Sarah’s help and not a lot of time until the wedding date, Bradley begins to pull together the single most romantic wedding any girl could ever hope to have. Trouble is, Bradley’s fiancé isn’t just any girl, and as the plans begin to take shape, Bradley and Sarah both realize, Bradley just may be marrying the wrong girl.

The Bottom Line: From start to finish, this sweet romance kept me turning the pages. Sarah is an immensely likeable character and once Bradley pulls his head out, he is such a wonderful man. What I enjoyed most about this read is the journey Bradley must take to truly find himself and what he wants from his life. Bradley’s journey involves facing his past, the loss of his parents, and how he must absolutely trust the people around him and close to him to be happy. What Bradley discovers is that life isn’t about fame and fortune, but about truth, loyalty, and love. With Sarah by his side, Bradley gets back to his roots and finds the greatest success of his life. ( )