"an april bride" by lenora worth

About the book (from the publisher): War changes everything . . . even their love.

Bride-to-be Stella Carson can't wait to marry her longtime sweetheart Marshall Henderson. But Marshall has been away serving his country and has suffered a head wound. After being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, he has distanced himself from Stella, asking her not to visit him in a Washington, D.C., hospital. Marshall returns to Louisiana just four weeks before the wedding, but as the big day draws near, Stella wonders if the man she's loved for most of her life has become someone else.

Can true love conquer all for Stella and Marshall, even the tragedy of war?

My take: I am completely smitten with Zondervan's "Year of Weddings" novella series. I've absolutely devoured the ones set in December, January, February, and March. When I received April's novella to review, I completely fell in love with the cover and anticipated falling in love with the story, as well.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Instead, I really struggled to connect with Stella and Marshall. While their situation was horrible and could be heartwrenching, I felt, well, emotionless, as I read their story. I really struggled to keep going, basically from the first chapter. I guess the author's writing style isn't one I connect with. It's not a bad novella, but I was hoping for more.

I did appreciate how persistent Marshall was in trying to remember Stella and get his life back ... and how he decided to move forward even if his memory didn't return. I also enjoyed the end, though it was a bit convenient. But I was glad it ended as it did.

Even though this particular novella wasn't my favorite, I do look forward to reading the next installments in this series—overall, it's been great!

My rating: 2-1/2 stars

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of the other "Bride" novellas: "December," "January," "February," and "March."

About the author: Lenora Worth has written over 45 books for three different publishers. Her first Love Inspired “The Wedding Quilt” won Affaire de Coeur’s Best Inspirational for 1997, and “Logan’s Child” won RT’s Best Love Inspired for 1998. Her suspense “Code of Honor” finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Award and her “Body of Evidence” made the New York Times Bestseller list in Mass Market Paperbacks. With millions of books in print, Lenora continues to write for Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense and she recently sold three books to Harlequin’s SuperRomance, still writing as Lenora Worth. Lenora also wrote a weekly opinion column for the Shreveport Times and worked freelance for SB magazine. She has now turned to full-time fiction writing and enjoying adventures with her retired husband, Don. Married for 36 years, they have two grown children—Kaleb and Carly. Lenora enjoys writing, reading and shopping … especially shoe shopping.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through theBookLook blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."