Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Call number
F TAG
Publication
Bethany House
Description
"TV host Miranda Woodruff has built a perfect life for herself onscreen. But everything could fall apart when she falls in love for real"--
Media reviews
I don't know what I was expecting when I began reading this book, but this debut author has pulled out all the stops! Melissa Tagg has created a host of diverse characters close to those we know and love, and others we love to hate. Her characters are believable and varied, from dead serious to
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crazy hilarious! The settings she has designed are beautifully vivid and artistically created, visions of reality painted with creativity. Emerging relationships and romance blossoms as unsuspected situations develop. Variety flourishes throughout this story of deception, relationships, frayed faith, romance and humor. What stems from heartbreak progresses to hilarity, distance melts into familiarity, insecurities develop into hope. After enjoying this book as much as I did I can hardly wait for a sequel. Don't miss out on this well-written, creative novel.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member bookgirl59
Made to Last is a good example of the quality of books I've come to expect from Bethany House. It's wholesome without being too preachy, lighthearted but still soul touching, and just a nice, easy read that did not disappoint. I found the characters believable even when a little over the top. I
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liked that truth won the day, and that mistakes made and lies told had consequences. Melissa Tagg looks to be a great new addition to Christian authors. Keep up the good work. Show Less
LibraryThing member dcw888
Miranda Woodruff is a successful star of a TV home show called From the Ground Up. For some unknown reason, her show is at risk for cancellation and her career is on the line. Her audience thinks she’s married since she was, at one time, engaged and had let the audience believe she actually had
I’m not sure what I thought of this book. It took me a very long time to finish, and probably why it took me a very long time to write this review. I wanted to like this book because I couldn’t find anything to not like about this book. But, I couldn’t find anything to get very excited about, either. Technically speaking, it was fine. Once I put the book down, nothing drew me back to it. Nothing tore me away from my chores and screamed “just one more page!”
I didn’t care for Matthew at first; it took some warming up. I thought Miranda pining after her ex was a bit much so I was a little tired of that after awhile. Blaze was a breath of fresh air and I would definitely read his story if the author decides to write one.
I did find the Christian undertones to be quite refreshing.
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gotten married and Robbie had taught her all she knew about homebuilding and carpentry. Now, her producer wants her to take on a “fake” husband and start showing the personal side of her life in the hopes it will boost ratings. But, when the handsome reporter starts following her around and looking for dirt, things get complicated. They get even more complicated when her ex-fiance, the handsome reporter, and the “fake” husband all come together.I’m not sure what I thought of this book. It took me a very long time to finish, and probably why it took me a very long time to write this review. I wanted to like this book because I couldn’t find anything to not like about this book. But, I couldn’t find anything to get very excited about, either. Technically speaking, it was fine. Once I put the book down, nothing drew me back to it. Nothing tore me away from my chores and screamed “just one more page!”
I didn’t care for Matthew at first; it took some warming up. I thought Miranda pining after her ex was a bit much so I was a little tired of that after awhile. Blaze was a breath of fresh air and I would definitely read his story if the author decides to write one.
I did find the Christian undertones to be quite refreshing.
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LibraryThing member grammyellen
Miranda has her own home improvement show, and mentions her husband when filming. However she is unmarried, her producer decides she needs a fake husband to lift the show's ratings. Enter Blaze, who plays the part. She is also shadowed by a reporter Matthew Knox. She learns to trust God again and
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falls for Matt, while pretending to be married to Blaze. Melissa Tagg weaves quite an entertaining tale. Her characters are well written and well rounded. The book is easy to read and to readers of Christian fiction it's one to add to their list. Very enjoyable book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sherry_Rummler
Melissa Tagg, the new voice in Christian fiction has penned a novel that is both fresh and heartwarming. I would say the target audience is for more of a younger crowd however I found this light and fun compared to my usual read. Not preachy but poignant the characters are well grounded and
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described. I found the book a bit choppy moving from chapter to chapter at times, however that is something I am working on in my own writing so it might be why it jumped off the page! Welcome to the Christian fiction author club Melissa! (I was sent this novel for my honest review) Show Less
LibraryThing member EffixiousSundown
I enjoyed this book, I like that it shows things from a women's perspective in a male dominated field. The characters are well rounded and explained well. There are a few twists and turns and your left wondering how will she will get out of the web of lies she is in .Mathew seems to be a leading
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contender for her heart untill an old love that she thought she wasn't over popps into her life nothing has a rhyme or reason anymore .Miranda must choose her fate and could loose her show in the process and her show From the ground up is as much a part of her as her soul and heart. But she is living a lie, bringing on a pretend husband to stop the fuel rumors could have been one of her biggest mistakes to date .Then falling in love with the reporter doing her blog could destroy her career as well if her blows the whistle on her load of lies, while Miranda hang 's on by a thread to her once strong faith any turn she takes could prove disastrous the morals in this story ring true. This book is a light romance Christian must read . Show Less
LibraryThing member abcarroll
This was a good, light read. There were interesting characters and I enjoyed the storyline of the novel and the relationship between the characters. A good read.
LibraryThing member MandaT
This book definitely had a lot going on with the story. The characters in the story are believable and the writing was well done. I was a little disappointed that the reporter fell for what he thought was a married woman. And I didn't like the fact that Miranda also slept with her former fiance. I
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will say however, that I liked the author's style of writing and will be looking forward to reading another book by her. Show Less
LibraryThing member mattidw
This book took me a minute to get into but once I got a few chapters in I didn't want to put it down. I feel in love with characters and felt sad when the book finally ended because I became attached to the characters and the story. In this book you get to follow along with Miranda as she is trying
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to save her show but is also lying to the public. You get to see how she makes everything right and that telling the truth is the way to go! Show Less
LibraryThing member Neverwithoutabook
A light, romantic read with appropriate relationship angst and minimal religious references although this is a christian romance. I enjoyed the story but would have liked to see more of the interactions. I'm not sure what, but it felt like something was missing.
LibraryThing member jenniandtony
This was a cute book, but hard to get into. There wasn't really anything wrong with it, it just wasn't a complete page turner. If you're looking for a light hearted and cute story, this is a great book.
LibraryThing member Godsgirl
I'm sorry, but I could not get into this book. I see so many positive reviews from others, so I think I need to read it again. Christian fiction is my favorite and I am all for promoting them. I promise to give it another look.
LibraryThing member goodsew
This was a cute romance novel about a home repair tv personality and her troubles when the producer wanted to remake her show.
As others have noted, it is a little hard to get caught up in the story. It isn't bad, just not a book that you can't put down. Maybe it is too predictable. I really did
As others have noted, it is a little hard to get caught up in the story. It isn't bad, just not a book that you can't put down. Maybe it is too predictable. I really did
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enjoy it as a "romance novel." Show Less
LibraryThing member indianajane
There was nothing really wrong with this book, it was just a little bit tough to get into and I didn't find the characters all that interesting or compelling. The premise of the book was good, and I was a nice clean romance novel. It took me along time to finish it because I just really didn't care.
LibraryThing member Lindz2012
I was not sure how this was when i started. I thought it would have more promise. I feel lost to what all was to happen. I know she was to pretend to have husband. But thing go in different directions. A romance come about in the book. I really do not want to give away the it ends. I will let you
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decide how the book is to end. Show Less
LibraryThing member Violet_Nesdoly
Miranda (Randi) Woodruff is the star of the handy-girl show From the Ground Up in Melissa Tagg's debut contemporary Christian romance Made to Last. Though Randi is a celebrity of the how-to world, she's managed to keep her private life private—sort of. But she has made one exception, referring
Trouble is, that husband isn't. Her live-in boyfriend Robbie walked out on her three years ago. From then on she's kept hoping he'd reappear with an explanation, ready to set the date. Now, with the network threatening to cancel the show's fourth season, revealing and showing off her husband will be the perfect device, her handlers figure, to arouse public interest in this tomboy sweetheart-c*m-black sheep missionary kid (MK).
Matthew Knox, whose career in journalism has had its ups and downs-—lately mostly downs—-gets the assignment to sleuth out the truth about Randi and write about his discoveries on a daily blog. Of course his editor has promised a plum Today cover story in the future, after this pulp assignment is done.
Things get complicated, though, when Matthew and Randi discover there is chemistry between them, ghosts from the past reappear, and the web of lies grows tighter and more constricting by the day.
Randi and Matthew are likeable and complex characters.
The intricate plot with its high stakes for all involved makes for a taut read throughout—no sagging middle!
Tagg's clipped and culture-savvy style suits the genre perfectly:
"Mission: Smile. Access her inner Colgate commercial and convince everybody she meant it" (Kindle Location [KL] 18).
"'You're the one who went all Jeopardy on me'" (KL 550).
Randi's MK issues along with Matthew's non-existent relationship with his dad add depth to the characters, make them more sympathetic, and provide a good arena to explore matters of faith, repentance, forgiveness, and redemption.
This was a fun and at times thought-provoking read. It may leave you pondering questions (nudged by the discussion guide at the book's end) like: "Have you ever had to let go of a dream? Have you ever had to face something hard in your past?"
I received Made to Last as a gift from Publisher Bethany House for the purpose of writing a review. Again my NetGalley Kindle version had "ff" issues: they were all missing and I was left to puzzle out sentences like: "The words burst from her, impatient pus of white air erupting from her lips" (KL 3954). Even technology glitches have their amusing moments, it seems.
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often to the husband who taught her everything she knows about building.Trouble is, that husband isn't. Her live-in boyfriend Robbie walked out on her three years ago. From then on she's kept hoping he'd reappear with an explanation, ready to set the date. Now, with the network threatening to cancel the show's fourth season, revealing and showing off her husband will be the perfect device, her handlers figure, to arouse public interest in this tomboy sweetheart-c*m-black sheep missionary kid (MK).
Matthew Knox, whose career in journalism has had its ups and downs-—lately mostly downs—-gets the assignment to sleuth out the truth about Randi and write about his discoveries on a daily blog. Of course his editor has promised a plum Today cover story in the future, after this pulp assignment is done.
Things get complicated, though, when Matthew and Randi discover there is chemistry between them, ghosts from the past reappear, and the web of lies grows tighter and more constricting by the day.
Randi and Matthew are likeable and complex characters.
The intricate plot with its high stakes for all involved makes for a taut read throughout—no sagging middle!
Tagg's clipped and culture-savvy style suits the genre perfectly:
"Mission: Smile. Access her inner Colgate commercial and convince everybody she meant it" (Kindle Location [KL] 18).
"'You're the one who went all Jeopardy on me'" (KL 550).
Randi's MK issues along with Matthew's non-existent relationship with his dad add depth to the characters, make them more sympathetic, and provide a good arena to explore matters of faith, repentance, forgiveness, and redemption.
This was a fun and at times thought-provoking read. It may leave you pondering questions (nudged by the discussion guide at the book's end) like: "Have you ever had to let go of a dream? Have you ever had to face something hard in your past?"
I received Made to Last as a gift from Publisher Bethany House for the purpose of writing a review. Again my NetGalley Kindle version had "ff" issues: they were all missing and I was left to puzzle out sentences like: "The words burst from her, impatient pus of white air erupting from her lips" (KL 3954). Even technology glitches have their amusing moments, it seems.
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LibraryThing member Lindz2012
Made to Last I was not sure how this was when i started. I thought it would have more promise. I feel lost to what all was to happen. I know she was to pretend to have husband. But thing go in different directions. A romance come about in the book. I really do not want to give away the it ends. I
Show More
will let you decide how the book is to end. Show Less
LibraryThing member BeautyintheBinding
When Miranda Woodruff's fiance left her three years ago, he left gaps both in her heart and in the backstory of her television show, From the Ground Up. Miranda's on-screen personality has a husband who taught her everything she knows about home building. So when rumors and questions arise about
I enjoyed Made to Last, Melissa Tagg's debut novel. This book had a lot of hype and it took a little longer than I would have liked for the story to “hook” me. However, once I really got into it, the story offered refreshing originality and Tagg's writing style was lovely. Though it's classified as a romantic comedy, Made to Last, has plenty of depth and development. I cheered for the characters as they faced life's challenges and lessons.
Just a heads up to anyone who, like me, is keen on plenty of resolution. The ending was sweet, but there were several unresolved situations and issues. It appears that there will be another book that continues Blake's story. However, from the synopsis I read, it doesn't appear that Miranda and Matthew are a focus of the story. This leads me to assume that those issues will mostly likely not be addressed.
Overall, Made to Last is a sweet and entertaining story. However, I recommend renting before purchasing if you have an issue with stories that lack resolution.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."
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her husband, Miranda agrees to pretend to be married. Finding a pretend husband turns out to be easier than expected. However, when attractive reporter Matthew Knox begins poking around, Miranda finds her on-screen story and her real life both wearing thin. Will Miranda sacrifice everything to save her show? Or will she find that truth really will set her free? Read more in Made to Last by Melissa Tagg.I enjoyed Made to Last, Melissa Tagg's debut novel. This book had a lot of hype and it took a little longer than I would have liked for the story to “hook” me. However, once I really got into it, the story offered refreshing originality and Tagg's writing style was lovely. Though it's classified as a romantic comedy, Made to Last, has plenty of depth and development. I cheered for the characters as they faced life's challenges and lessons.
Just a heads up to anyone who, like me, is keen on plenty of resolution. The ending was sweet, but there were several unresolved situations and issues. It appears that there will be another book that continues Blake's story. However, from the synopsis I read, it doesn't appear that Miranda and Matthew are a focus of the story. This leads me to assume that those issues will mostly likely not be addressed.
Overall, Made to Last is a sweet and entertaining story. However, I recommend renting before purchasing if you have an issue with stories that lack resolution.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."
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LibraryThing member judyg54
The following book description was so good I couldn't have said it better so here it is:
(retrieved from Amazon Thu, 12 Mar 2015 18:09:44 -0400)
"Woodruff, star of the homebuilding show From the Ground Up, will do anything to keep the job she loves. Due to a painful broken engagement and a faith
Desperate to help his family and prove he's not a total failure, reporter Matthew Knox is looking for a breakout story. When he's offered the opportunity to do an online serial feature on Miranda Woodruff, he jumps at the chance, even if celebrity reporting isn't really his thing. But as soon as he meets Miranda, he knows she's keeping secrets.
When Miranda's former fiance suddenly appears on the scene again, she doubts her life could get more complicated. Juggling three guys, an on-the-rocks television show, and the potential exposure of her deception is way more than she bargained for. Can the woman who makes things look so good onscreen admit it's time to tell the truth about who she is? And if she does, will the life Miranda's built come crashing down just as she's finally found a love to last?"
I enjoyed the way this author writes. It was fun and cute and left me wanting to read more by this author. So I am going to start book two in this series next, 'Here to Stay'.
(retrieved from Amazon Thu, 12 Mar 2015 18:09:44 -0400)
"Woodruff, star of the homebuilding show From the Ground Up, will do anything to keep the job she loves. Due to a painful broken engagement and a faith
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she's mostly forgotten, she's let her entire identity become wrapped up in the Miranda everyone sees onscreen. So when she receives news that the network might cancel her program, she must do the very thing she fears most: let the spotlight shine on her closely guarded personal life. The only problem? She's been living a lie--letting viewers believe she's married--and now she's called upon to play wife to a sweet, if a bit goofy, pretend husband to boost ratings. Desperate to help his family and prove he's not a total failure, reporter Matthew Knox is looking for a breakout story. When he's offered the opportunity to do an online serial feature on Miranda Woodruff, he jumps at the chance, even if celebrity reporting isn't really his thing. But as soon as he meets Miranda, he knows she's keeping secrets.
When Miranda's former fiance suddenly appears on the scene again, she doubts her life could get more complicated. Juggling three guys, an on-the-rocks television show, and the potential exposure of her deception is way more than she bargained for. Can the woman who makes things look so good onscreen admit it's time to tell the truth about who she is? And if she does, will the life Miranda's built come crashing down just as she's finally found a love to last?"
I enjoyed the way this author writes. It was fun and cute and left me wanting to read more by this author. So I am going to start book two in this series next, 'Here to Stay'.
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ISBN
9780764211324
Series
Where Love Begins 1