Cheryl McKay has been writing screenplays since the 1990s. Her screenplays feature messages of Christian love and hope. Her screenplay, Never the Bride, was adapted into this new novel with collaboration from Rene Gutteridge.
Storyline
Jessie Stone has been dreaming for most of her thirty-five years about the perfect proposal. She writes pages of proposals in her journals with a purple pen. Jessie has been a bridesmaid eleven times and has the dresses to prove it. She has attended many weddings and bought lots of on sale gifts. However, romance has eluded her.
Jessie thought she had found the man of her dreams, but he cheated on her. Another potential suitor is her good friend, Blake, but he does not see her as a romantic figure. She tries speed dating, but that to is a failure.
Jessie has about given up on romance when God appears in the flesh. He asks for the purple pen so he can write Jessie's romance for her. Jessie gives him the pen but throughout the story questions most of the things God asks her to do.
God suggests Jessie open a perfect proposal business. She will help men plan the perfect proposal and carry it out. She and her sister open in the shop of friend. The business is going well until the man of her dreams returns for the perfect proposal. Jessie is torn but it is a job.
In the meantime, God is appearing to her everywhere including in Blake's good friend's home that they are helping to paint. People begin to think Jessie is crazy when she is observed "talking" to herself.
The old boyfriend's proposal is a failure. Jessie sees this as a sign and begins to date him again ignoring the things God is telling her to do. Eventually the old boyfriend's true colors come out again and Jessie is left hurt.
God appears again and tells her romance is waiting. She finally agrees to follow His plans with the hope that she will achieve her lifelong goal and get the perfect proposal.
Characterizations
Jessie Stone is a strong woman. She can stand on her own two feet and isn't afraid to tell people what she thinks. She desires to find love and will go to any lengths to find it. All women can relate to this character as all women desire to find lifelong happiness with the man that is perfect.
God appears as a regular guy to Jessie. He is there to guide her steps throughout her love search. He is a friend as well as a guide.
The other supporting characters add depth to the story. Jessie's sister is portrayed as spoiled and not wanting to work, but eventually decides she needs to help Jessie. Blake is a good friend who under other circumstances might have been a romantic tie for Jessie. The characters are all believable and seem to be real people.
Christian Storyline
This is a Christian Story but it doesn't preach in the reader's face. It gently reminds the reader to follow God's leading and all desires will be achieved in their own time. Readers are also gently reminded that God is always around and loving His followers in an intimate manner.
Similarities to Other Stories
This book and ultimately movie shares similarities with many other recent stories. The storyline is similar to 27 Dresses but told with a Christian message. The Almighty movie series feature God speaking to male characters in much the same manner God speaks to Jessie in Never the Bride as all three characters learn to give over to God.
This is the perfect book for Moms Grandmas, and Teenagers to read. All women relate to Jessie on some level. It is perfect for anytime reading and makes the reader alternately laugh and cry.
Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge
Waterbrook Press, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-307-44498-1
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