All of Me [Mass Market Paperback]

ALL OF ME concludes author Lori Wilde's Wedding Veil Wishes series which began with THERE GOES THE BRIDE, followed by ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY and ADDICTED TO LOVE.

In the first book, THERE GOES THE BRIDE we are introduced to four friends; Delaney, Tish, Rachael and Jillian. In each of the stories one of the four friends make a wish on a magical wedding veil.

ALL OF ME is a poignant love story between Jillian and Tuck. Each of them have had their share of ups and downs, both needing salvation.

Jillian is a cynical, hardened lawyer who suddenly finds herself in dire need for a new life after her mentor and best friend dies and she loses her job. When she inherits a cottage far from her current life she hopes this is the answer to her prays.

Tuck has lived a charmed life up until recently when his wife dies. He retreats from his former life to a small town in Colorado. He's living in a neglected lake cottage which belonged to his wife.

The two must discover which of them is the true owner of the cottage and in the meantime come to terms with the sizzling chemistry they immediately feel for each other. The two clearly are attracted to each other but both have emotional baggage to deal with.

From their first meeting the two have a quick witty banter.

We are introduced to a few secondary characters who add charm and humor to the story. Ms. Wilde supplies just enough interaction with these characters and a very clear description of the town to give the reader an apt depiction of the setting.

Each book stands totally on its own so you don't have to read them in order. Once you've read ALL OF ME, and I recommend that you do, do yourself a favor and read the others. (If you haven't already!)

There Goes the Bride
Once Smitten, Twice Shy
Addicted to Love (Wedding Veil Wishes)

All of Me

This is the fourth and final installment in the Wedding Veil Wishes series.

I enjoyed the first three books of the series and the previous one (Addicted to Love) was my favorite. I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, it falls flat for me. The characters are fine, the story is okay, but the details are terrible.

I was irritated with the way Jillian reacted to first meeting Tuck--it barely seemed to tip her radar. For someone who does not believe in magic and then the man in her dream enters her life, I would think she would be more shaken--maybe not visibly, but mentally. She just seems to blow it off.

The fertility storyline for Tuck's sister had to be the most annoying. I am very particular about these types of stories being someone who has dealt with all aspects of infertility. Although it started out with some inaccuracies, it ended terribly and made me want to smack Evie (Tuck's sister). I HATED this part of the book.
The premise of the story was obvious and when it was finally revealed, was blah. Nothing felt exciting or fresh. It was all just blah. Even the epilogue was blah. I ended the book thinking, "that's it?"

I rarely give poor ratings, but this one just failed for me. The chemistry between the characters was weak. The story was weak. I just did not believe in the story. I read it because it finished the series, but I would have been much happier had I stopped with the previous book.

Two people needing a new start in life are brought together in Salvation, Colorado by a paranormal wedding veil and a vision in an Indian sweat lodge.

She (Jillian) is a cynical Assist. DA from Houston who has never known love and has reached a place in her life that everyone and everything has disappointed her. Her mother abandoned her at age 3, her father died when she was 5, and her step-mother resented raising her husbands illigetimate child. The high point of her childhood was when she was 9 her step-mother put 2 pieces of coal in the Christmas stocking she had hung hoping Santa would love her. Her only friends have all found 'true love' and her father-figure/mentor dropped dead of an inoperable brain tumor.

He (Tucker) is a gifted architect from the Big Apple who abandoned his career to try to save his dying wife. After spending all his savings trying to find a cure for his wife's (Aimee) cancer, she dies in the hometown she loved as a child, Salvation, Colorado. Aimee's father (the mentor/father figure of Jillian) deeds the family home to Tucker. At the same time, he leaves the home to the Jillian in his will and makes her the exectitrix.

After losing her mentor and her job, Jillian packs up everything in a u-haul and heads to Salvation. Tucker has spent two years in limbo mourning the death of Aimee. Before they meet in person, they meet in a vision that packs dynamite.

Lori Wilde is a supurb author who spins a poignant tale of two lost souls stumbling into each others paths. She introduces secondary characters with just enough detail and action to fill out the story and make you think of them as friends. And,she weaves a sometimes serious, sometimes humorous, and always tender love story that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.

This is the fourth and final book in the 'Wedding Veil Wishes' series. I haven't read the others yet, so I immediately went looking for them. I have ordered the 2nd and 3rd, but the first is no longer available, and I am devastated.