Their moms only asked for one thing for Mother’s Day . . .

“Sounds like our moms are cooking up a scheme for Mother’s Day. Did Evelyn tell you to bring a date and if you didn’t, she could set you up?”
“What? Yes, did Lois give you the same challenge?” The two old birds must’ve come up with the idea over a pot of their chamomile tea.
“Yep, of course she offered it up with a big dollop of guilt on top so I couldn’t refuse.”
“Lois resorted to guilt? That’s not usually her style. I think maybe my mother has been a bad influence on your mother. Maybe we should treat them like two kids who can’t get along and separate them?”
She put her hands together and wiggled her fingers deviously. “I say we turn the challenge back around on them.”
She spoke as if she had a plan, and for a minute, Gabriel thought she was going to propose they go together. He almost wished she would. What if they could pretend like the past never happened, that they’d just met each other and could go on a date like normal people who had feelings for each other?

If you love small town romances that point people to Jesus, then you will love The Mother’s Day Bargain, and you’ll also love The Mother’s Day Tea and The Mother’s Day Letter.

My Review and Reflections

I read the audio and print versions of the book together. I also read it in mostly one day because I could just not put it down. This is billed as a romantic comedy, and when combined with Sandlin’s narration, the words come to life, and it gives the story a real LOL factor. 

Before the book begins, there is a quote by Fred Rogers that, right there, tells me something. That something is that I’m going to like the book. Right away, you are introduced not only to childhood best friends Rae and Gabriel but also to the fact that their other best friend, Chet, mysteriously disappeared when he was 17. That immediately has me wondering. 

Gabriel is my favorite character. He has all the best lines, whether he speaks them to Rae or they are just in his thoughts. Gabriel is the first one who expresses his feelings, although not to Rae—just to you and me, dear reader—and that gets me in the heart right away. He also has me thinking about my relationship with God right away. 

Rae is a little more traditional in her approach to life. Regular nine-to-five job IT job. She has a hard time saying no to people and puts others’ needs above her own. Such a relatable quality, at least for me.  

It is easy to see what is behind the mother’s bargain, but that doesn’t spoil the book or make it any less entertaining. The vibe that the women gave off is that they were older (maybe in their 70s ) by their actions and their understanding of technology. Which did give the book a little bit of a The Grandmother’s Day Bargain feels. But everything still worked together cohesively. 

I recommend any format of this book. No matter which version you go with, you will be entertained by this wonderfully sweet, funny romance.