Made to Last

This is the third time I've read Made to Last, and I thought I would share my thoughts on this cute tale!

  

Synopsis

Miranda Woodruff, star of the homebuilding show "From the Ground Up," will do anything to keep the job she loves. Due to a painful broken engagement and a faith she's mostly forgotten, she's let her entire identity become wrapped up in the Miranda everyone sees onscreen. So when she receives news that the network might cancel her program, she must do the very thing she fears most: let the spotlight shine on her closely guarded personal life. The only problem? She's been living a lie--letting viewers believe she's married--and now she's called upon to play wife to a sweet, if a bit goofy, pretend husband to boost ratings. 

Desperate to help his family and prove he's not a total failure, reporter Matthew Knox is looking for a breakout story. When he's offered the opportunity to do an online serial feature on Miranda Woodruff, he jumps at the chance, even if celebrity reporting isn't really his thing. But as soon as he meets Miranda, he knows she's keeping secrets. 

When Miranda's former fiance suddenly appears on the scene again, she doubts her life could get more complicated. Juggling three guys, an on-the-rocks television show, and the potential exposure of her deception is way more than she bargained for. Can the woman who makes things look so good onscreen admit it's time to tell the truth about who she is? And if she does, will the life Miranda's built come crashing down just as she's finally found a love to last?

My Favorite quote
"Intoxicating, almost giddy energy took over as they slashed and spewed paint at each other.  The paint fumes and Miranda's  nearness conspired to bully his common sense into nothing.  Another river of red paint hit his chest, and he dropped his weapons, circling an arm around Miranda to pry the spray gun from her hands.  She twisted, bumping an elbow against his stomach, her hair sticking to the paint on his face.
'Brad is going to kill me!' Miranda said through a fit of hysterics.  But she'd stopped trying to get away from him, instead standing in place inside his hold, giving in to her laughter, her arms turning to noodles as she lowered the paint gun."  {pages 120-121}  This is one of my favorite funny scenes from the book.  I mean, what else are you supposed to do when someone starts throwing paint at you?! ;)

My Review
   I absolutely love Melissa Tagg's debut novel Made to  Last.  I am fond of the way that her characters express themselves.  While they have flaws, Miranda, Blaze, and Matthew are endearing.  Miranda's the spunky, independent tomboy who's heart was majorly damaged.  Blaze is a humorous, adventurous guy who doesn't let us in on much of his past.  Matthew is trying to decide between helping pay for a surgery that could help his niece hear again or keeping the secrets he's learned about Miranda.  Even the minor characters are interesting, especially Matthew's brother's family.  
   I really like the fact that we got an inside scoop on both Miranda's and Matthew's struggles.  This book was written through both of their points of views, and it was done flawlessly.  I also liked that we got to see the revival of both of their faiths.
   Overall, this book played out like a well-written romantic comedy with a Christian flair.  If you're a fan of contemporary stories with funny, independent handywomen who fall in love with nosy reporters, then this is a book for you!