Before the Clock Strikes Thirty by Aubrey Mace
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review
Genre: Comical Romance
Book Description: With wedding festivities swirling around her, the bride's fortune-telling aunt transfixes young Shannon Fielding. The gypsy woman foresees love in the girl's future: before her thirtieth year, Shannon will meet the man of her dreams. The promise of romance is absolutely thrilling it's almost enough to compensate for the groom's annoying younger brother . . .
Shannon has remembered, and loathed, Nathan since their childhood meeting at the wedding reception that set her on a never-ending quest to find her Mr. Right. When Nathan steps back into Shannon's life, she is forced to reconcile her memory of the obnoxious boy he once was with the endearing man he's become. Nathan quickly becomes the best friend a girl could ask for but when their friendship threatens to develop into something more, can Shannon give up the idea of the mysterious soul mate she's sought for so long?
My Thoughts: The comedy begins right from the beginning of the book. Shannon is the main character and the book is written in the first person from her perspective. The voice used reminds me of what I imagine a grown up Junie B might be like.
Shannon attends her best friend's sister's wedding. She gets to help serve the refreshments. This is a moment that she has longed for and she is thrilled to be invited, until she meets a boy with a chip on his shoulder who spoils it for her. She also meets a fortune teller who foresees that she will meet her future husband at a wedding reception and he will be wearing a silk tie. This will happen before she turns thirty.
Fast forward several years and the fun part of the story is told. Shannon is attending BYU and takes a choir class to help her learn to sing. A handsome and talented young man sings a solo. She strains to get a better look and passes out. Turns out he is the "jerk face" she met as a kid at the reception mentioned above.
She learns that he has grown up and become a descent man. Too bad he was a "jerk face" because she will never be able to take him seriously. They are best friends, but that is as far as she will ever let her feelings go.
They go on a mission to receptions they are invited to, and crash a few, to help her find the man of her dreams.
The funny thing about life is that sometimes the dreams change. It's up to the person to find out what the new dream is. This is a very clean romance that romance lovers of all ages will enjoy.
Great review...this sounds like a fun read!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review. I have had this one on my TBR pile for a while :). I am glad you liked it!
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