A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman

What a great Christian romance.

Thirty seven year old Charlotte has a tea room in a coastal town in Texas. It had been her childhood dream and she enjoys mixing the special combinations her customers prefer. It is a popular gathering place and people really like her. Life is not what she had hoped, but she was happy.

Then her life suddenly becomes very complicated when Sam walks into her tea room. Sam whom she dated in high school. Who had asked her to marry him. Whom she had to turn down. Sam, whom she still loved and always would, even though he had moved away and established his own life. And Sam has a woman on his arm. His fiancée, Audrey. Charlotte tries to hide the pain as they ask her if she would make the food for their wedding reception.

With that opening scene, the novel is off and running. Sam and Audrey have come to Middlebury because Sam's dad is dying. The hateful old man has a few last words for Charlotte before he dies. Crushing words that make it all the more understandable why he forced her to decline his son's offer of marriage all those years ago.

Sam still has feelings for Charlotte. Will he end up marrying the wrong woman or is there hope that true love will win out?

This is a delightful Christian romance. I loved it when Charlotte would go into her closet to cry and pray – literally, into her broom closet. And the characters are wonderful. There is old Mr. LaGrange, an atheist he says. Charlotte can see the pain behind his eyes. Meredith, the owner of the antique store next door is a kick, especially when she sets her eyes on Pastor Wally. And who is the mysterious Justin, a homeless man with uncanny insight? I just loved little Obie.

Higman has crafted a well written, well plotted novel with characters who are believable. The dialog is great. There is some enjoyable humor. And there is a great deal of romance waiting to happen.

Anita Higman is an award winning author or coauthor of over thirty books. She recently received the 2013 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, is a two time finalist in the 2013 Selah Awards, and a finalist in the 2013 Cascade Awards. She holds a BA in the combined fields of speech communication, psychology, and art. You can find out more about her at http://anitahigman.com.

Abingdon Press, 304 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.