BOOK REVIEW- THE MANNING BRIDES Marriage of Inconvenience\Stand-In Wife by Debbie Macomber

Two brothers—and the women they marry…  

Rich Manning and Jamie Warren have always been friends—and nothing but friends. However, that changes when she asks him to father the child she so desperately wants. Rich agrees—if she'll marry him. Because he thinks their Marriage of Inconvenience could become a real marriage instead. 

His brother Paul, a grieving widower with three small children, turns to Leah Baker for help and comfort. When that comfort begins to grow into something else, Paul discovers that he wants more than a Stand-In Wife!   AMAZON 4 STARS because of Book #2

Book #1- Marriage of Inconvenience-
Jamie was afraid that the long-standing friendship that they have had will get ruined if they get married.  And it's a valid concern.  Misunderstanding after misunderstanding crops up.  For two people who communicated so well before now suddenly that all came to a screaming halt.  
I didn't really enjoy this story all that much,it was just okay.  It was emotional yes but it was also somewhat predictable too.   I gave this story 3 Stars on Amazon.

Book #2- Stand-In Wife 
This one is my favorite of the two. 4 Amazon Stars

I liked this story and found it pretty interesting when it came to the challenges that Paul and Leah faced.  They were both such loving people caught up in grief at first.  The emotional struggles were really well done.  As was some of the guilt of their new feelings for each other.  And they don't know how to trust those new feelings either.  
Paul still loves his first wife, Diane but he cares for Leah.  It causes him to struggle with how can that be?  He finds him being attracted to her and confuses him even more.  
Leah had always been made to feel less than when she was compared to her sister Diane.  Diane was her mother's favorite child and she wasn't shy about treating her better than Leah.  Leah was shy, quieter, smart and considered herself plain. One great thing is that her sister Diane NEVER put her down.  She was in fact her best friend as well as her beloved sister. So she lost a lot when Diane died. 
I liked the Manning family, both the children and the in-laws.  They added flavor to the story.  And they gave Leah something she had never had before, more people who cared for her.  A new family since she had almost no one else left alive.   One of my favorites had to be Paul's brother Jason.  He was the only non-married sibling in the group but he was smart when it came to relationships.  He helped Paul sort things out.  He did it by listening and just speaking a few observations that helped Paul zoom into some truths.