Wooing Cadie McCaffrey (2019)

About the Book

After four years with her boyfriend, Cadie McCaffrey is thinking of ending things. Convinced Will doesn’t love her in the “forever” way she loves him, Cadie believes it’s time for her to let him go before life passes her by. When a misunderstanding leads to a mistake, leaving her hurt, disappointed, and full of regret, she finally sends him packing.

But for Will, the end of their relationship is only the beginning of his quest to figure out how to be the man Cadie wanted him to be. With the dubious guidance of his former pro-athlete work friends and tactics drawn from Cadie’s favorite romantic comedies, Will attempts to win her back. It’s a foolproof plan. What could possibly go wrong?

Bethany Turner is back with more of the heart and humor readers love. Anyone who enjoys a good romance or binges romantic comedies on Netflix will devour this delightful story.

Purchase your copy HERE!

About the Author

Bethany Turner is the director of administration for Rock Springs Church in Southwest Colorado. A former VP/operations manager of a commercial bank and a three-time cancer survivor (all before she turned 35), Bethany knows that when God has plans for your life, it doesn’t matter what anyone else has to say. Because of that, she’s chosen to follow his call to write. She lives with her husband and their two sons in Colorado, where she writes for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight.

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My Thoughts

Wooing Cadie McCaffrey by Bethany Turner is a breath of fresh air. I laughed, I teared up a little, I struggled some, I got frustrated, I wrestled with a couple of my own issues, and I cheered like crazy for Will and Cadie. This fabulous story had me running through the gamut of my emotions, and I enjoyed the journey immensely.

I would like to propose a subtitle for this novel. My proposed title is as follows:

Wooing Cadie McCaffrey; or, What We Have Here is a Failure to Communicate*

(*yes, I stole the subtitle from Cool Hand Luke, but it’s totally apropos!)

Cadie and Will are communication failures. I have definitely been a communication failure a time or two. I bet we’ve all been guilty a time or two of failing to communicate. Maybe we forgot to text our spouse about an important appointment. Perhaps we’ve accidentally sent an email to the wrong person but swore we sent it to the correct inbox. Or maybe we’ve just straight up misunderstood the words being spoken to us, especially if those words were coming at us prior to our first cup of coffee of the day. Point is we’ve all messed up a time or two where communication is concerned. But I’m not talking about this kind of communication. I’m talking about the more vulnerable kind; the kind between those we choose to love, our significant others.

Cadie and Will struggle to talk. The number one culprit: assumptions. Assuming the thoughts and feelings of our spouse or significant other is a super bad habit to get into. It gets Cadie into major trouble in the book, and it has really gotten me into some sticky situations a time or two in my marriage. In my personal experience, I’ve been with my husband for so long I am 100% convinced I know him like the back of my hand. I rationalize my assumption habit by saying to myself, “My husband and I have been together for a decade so I must be a Robert expert. In any given situation I know what my husband will think and I know how he will react!” But this is bunk. I can’t possibly know what my husband thinks at all times or how he will react to every situation we find ourselves in because my husband is NOT a programmable robot. He is an independent, flesh and blood man whom God fearfully and wonderfully made. Cadie has been with Will for four years and assumes she knows his every thought and feeling where she is concerned. Cadie then makes life-altering decisions based on what she THINKS Will thinks but never takes the time to ASK Will what he thinks. I have to admit that this drove me insane while I was reading the story, and I may have yelled at Cadie a few times, but of course, it’s because I recognize myself in Miss McCaffrey and knew what path her assumptions were leading her down. I wanted so badly to steer her in a different direction, but where would the fun be if I had the power to do that?! LOL!

Will is not off the hook in the communication department. Will’s failure lies in the fact that he forgets to check in with God. Aside from being totally swoonalicious and incredibly smart and charming, Will is a very focused man. Laser-focused actually. He desperately tries to give Cadie what he assumes she needs and wants, and even makes extremely grand plans in this regard, but completely forgets to get God’s take on the matter. Will disregards that man may make plans, but it is God who directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9). But honestly who hasn’t pulled a Will once or twice in his/her lifetime? I’m certainly not blameless. I can’t count how many times I’ve made a plan and jumped headfirst only to crash and burn. In my crash-and-burn status, I realize my error and ask God for forgiveness thinking to myself, “Man, life would be so much easier if I just remembered to talk to God first!” Will does eventually get there, but there were definitely moments in the novel where I had to shake my head at him. Silly Will!

Now, do you see why I want to add a subtitle to this novel?

Cadie and Will make it clear that good communication is key to a happy, successful relationship. And God makes it clear in His Word that good communication begins by adding Him into the conversation. It’s definitely my goal to remember to put God first BEFORE I open my mouth or make assumptions.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent reading Wooing Cadie McCaffrey. This book packs a punch and isn’t afraid to tackle some tough, real-life topics in an honest, respectful manner. It is a story filled with realistic, endearing characters. And, it’s a story that’s so engaging a reader will stay up way past bedtime devouring every word. I highly recommend this novel. Will and Cadie’s story is one I won’t soon forget!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.