Wonderful book! I laughed, but mostly cried. A great read! ( )

After reading "The Wedding Dress," I was excited to read the second book in Rachel Hauck's Wedding Series. It was very similar to the first book as it was written in multiple characters' perspectives from different generations. The way that Hauck shares the stories of the characters is easy to follow even when she's flipping from one point of view to the other.

As I was reading, I was able to piece together the details that intertwined the characters together and thought that I had the ending figured out before I got there, but that didn't stop me from reading. And boy was I wrong about the ending. There was a plot twist that had me on the edge of my seat with my jaw dropped. After that point in the story, I did not want to put this book down.

One of my favorite things about discovering Hauck and her writing style is how she weaves a spiritual element into the story. I find myself searching for how she's going to introduce that element when the story begins. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes a romantic story with a spiritual influence. ( )

One thing about The Wedding Chapel is, it shifts from viewpoint to viewpoint, and from time period to time period. This makes it rather challenging to follow. It took awhile for me to actually "get in to" the book.

If you enjoy historic novels, modern-day Christian romance, stories that shift between viewpoints, you might want to check out The Wedding Chapel.

Heart’s Bend, Tennessee is the setting for The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck. Let the town’s name give you a clue as to the message contained within this story – the love story of Jimmy and Colette. Their tale begins in 1948 when Colette and her sister Peg arrive in town to live with their aunt and uncle. The girls are war orphans who lost both parents as a result of World War II. When Jimmy sees a picture of the two girls before they arrive in town, he loses his heart to the younger of the girls, Colette. But due to his shyness around girls and her overbearing sister, the two have a hard time getting to know each other and end up merely looking at one another from afar. Jimmy overcomes his shyness enough to make the first move and the two fall in love. Fast forward to the current day and we find Jimmy and Colette in their early eighties, living lives much different from what they first imagined. Jimmy is now the retired coach of the local high school football team. Colette is living a life of luxury in a Manhattan penthouse overlooking Central Park; she is adored by her fans after having played Vivica Spenser on a soap opera for 60+ years. What has split these two young lovers apart? What secrets does each hold close to their heart? And how does a never used wedding chapel back in Heart’s Bend figure into their love story?

A second love story set in the present is also interwoven throughout, that of Taylor and Jack. They too are natives of Heart’s Bend who left the country to find fame and fortune and is so doing find each other. But each has a boatload of baggage that they’ve brought with them. In spite of that they both want desperately to make their marriage work but fear the unknown. Will the wedding chapel back in Heart’s Bend bring these two closer or finalize their split?

A tale of love and lost love, secrets and lies, and healing of wounds is the central theme of this wonderful story. Interwoven with an unshakable faith in God, you’ll find yourself rooting for the characters in this charming tale. ( )

This rich, poignant story kept me turning page after page. The characters are vivid and strong with messages of family and forgiveness. Taylor marries almost on a whim and doubts her decision. Her husband, Jack finds himself lacking certainty of his vows, too. But how do they tell each other?
Coach Jimmy Westbrook built a wedding chapel 60 years ago and decides to sell it though it was never used. What is the story behind its magical aura?Taylor is hired to photograph it and discovers answers to her longings, doubts, and questions. What develops will fill your heart and put a smile on your face!

I highly recommend The Wedding Chapel.

I received a copy from Net Galley for my honest review. ( )