They agreed to a practical marriage

But love never goes as planned…

Raising three children alone was never part of the plan, but after losing her husband, Emma Bailey is doing the best she can. Until she discovers that she can’t afford the medication her youngest child needs. Suddenly, her late husband’s best friend comes to the rescue. Carter McCaw promised he’d always watch over the family and the farm. But when he proposes a marriage of convenience, Emma’s not so sure. It seems like the perfect solution…until love blooms between them and complicates everything.

What I really appreciate about this book is how Emma and Carter approach the marriage of convenience – not just practically but also by seeking God’s will. They even talked to their pastor, asking if they were still honoring marriage if their commitment wasn’t about love but about meeting a need. They plan to stay together forever because they respect the sanctity of marriage, but neither of them wants a romantic relationship because of past hurts.

Given how difficult insurance is, especially in the U.S., this storyline feels so germane. I could absolutely see this happening in real life just because of the circumstances so many people face. I really liked how the author showed Emma and Carter’s struggles—not just with their situation but with the possibility that maybe there was more between them than just a friend helping a friend.

I adore both main characters equally. Their strengths made sense based on their backgrounds. I couldn’t personally relate to everything Emma was going through—like being an orphan—but I could understand how this impacted her relationships and made it hard for her to accept any feelings she might have for Carter. And Carter’s own medical struggles really shaped how he lived his life, which felt very real.

This is a touching and relevant read with just the right amount of sweetness. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves small-town romance, Love Inspired books, or stories that show how God can glorify any type of marriage.