A January Bride by Deborah Raney

About the Book
What will happen when novelist Madeleine Houser's 'pen pal' friendship with a lonely widower takes an unexpected turn?
Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts the help of her octogenarian friend, Ginny, to arrange for a temporary office in the charming bed and breakfast owned by Ginny's friend, Arthur. Maddie's never met the innkeeper---but a friendship grows between them as Maddie and Arthur leave messages for each other each day. To Maddie's alternate delight and chagrin, she seems to be falling for the inn's owner---a man who's likely many years her senior---and who she's never even met.
Arthur Tyler is a college professor who lost his young wife to cancer. Together they ran the bed and breakfast where Art lives, but without his wife, the house is missing warmth and cheer. He jumps at the chance to have author Madeleine Houser use the space that was once filled with guests. He, too, begins to enjoy the daily exchanges with Maddie, but a series of misunderstandings lead him to believe she's far from being a prospective date---even if he were ready to date again, which he's not.

When Maddie and Art finally meet and discover one another's identity, sparks fly. Even so, they each have obstacles to overcome in order for this winter romance to blossom.

My Thoughts
The premise of this story definitely intrigued me and I dove in excited to see how it would all play out! And I'm happy to say it was so very good! The whole hilarity of each of them thinking the other was extremely old caused me to laugh out loud several times and I couldn't wait until the moment they discovered the truth! Maddie and Art were both fantastic characters and I really enjoyed their story! There was a part that was a bit rushed at the end but that normally happens with novellas and it in no way ruined the book!

Meet the Author
Deborah Raney's books have won the RITA Award, ACFW Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Silver Angel, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Deborah has written more than twenty books. She and her husband enjoy small-town life in Kansas. They are new empty nesters with four children and a growing quiver of grandchildren.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.