Review: Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

September 10, 2013

Title: Made to Last
Author: Melissa Tagg
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 365
ISBN: 978-0-7642-1132-4
Publication Date: September 15th, 2013

Synopsis:
Miranda Woodruff has it all. At least, that's how it looks when she's starring in her homebuilding television show, From the Ground Up. So when her network begins to talk about making cuts, she'll do anything to boost ratings and save her show--even if it means pretending to be married to a man who's definitely not the fiance who ran out on her three years ago.

When a handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda's every move, all his digging into her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth--and to her. Can the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she's built come crashing down just as she's found a love to last?

Review:
Made to Last is Melissa Tagg's debut novel and what a fun debut it was!

Miranda Woodruff, or Randi to everyone on set, has had her own homebuilding show, From the Ground Up, for the last three seasons. Ratings have been great the first two season, but started to slide a little bit downward on the third season. When this was noticed, and rumblings from the TV execs reach them about cutting the show, her manager Brad and Executive Producer Lincoln, come up with an idea to help save the show. Bring Miranda's husband around to the spotlight. Miranda for all three seasons has brought up her husband countless times, as her inspiration and reason she learned all she knew about woodworking, but she has never been seen with him publicly. To her producer and manager, it would be fantastic publicity to see the mystery man. The problem with the idea is, she doesn't have a husband.

Before her show ever aired on TV, her fiance left her, without hardly a word. So, she had to carry on her job with a smile on her face, pretending like everything is fantastic. Brad and Lincoln know she doesn't have a husband like she has portrayed, so they hire one, just in time for reporter Matthew Knox to show up and shadow Miranda for a few weeks for a blog feature for his newspaper, about her and her show.

I really enjoyed reading about Miranda, Matthew, and Blake "Blaze" Hunziker. Miranda is a strong, independent girl.She knows how to build cabinets, re-shingle a roof, and build a house. However, everyday she deals with an internal battle of  guilt over her lies and of abandonment. She does her best to put a smile on her face and tries her hardest to help others around her by helping her friend out who runs a home for disabled children, helping to keep a house out of disrepair around a young couple in her community, and trying her hardest to keep her job to help her coworkers keep their jobs. Miranda is focused on others and her compassion is wonderful to read about.

Matthew Knox is a reporter who is struggling his own up hill battle. He has been doing his best to recover from botched article a few years back, but, he can't escape the cloud hanging over him. Despite is feelings of being a screw up, he has a huge heart when it comes to his niece, willing to move to save a few dollars, to give to his brother and sister-in-law to help with her care.

Blake "Blaze" Hunziker lives up to his nickname. I have never read of a more klutzy character, nor funnier. Blaze truly lives up to his nickname and his humor and whit add so much to the story. I won't say much more, you need to enjoy Blaze yourself.

Made to Last was a fun romantic comedy. It reminded me of A Christmas in Connecticut. With the humor and romance to the story, there was also a deeper story behind it all. The want to over come past hurts. Each character has been bruised from their past and they want to move on, but they don't know how. With the fun, it is also touching and makes you think or remember, I have been there and it offers hope.

I really enjoyed Made to Last and I can't wait to read more by Melissa Tagg!

Too Read!
5 out of 5

You can purchase Made to Last at Amazon, ChristianBook, Mardel, and Barnes & Noble

About the Author:
Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft-and-coaching community for writers.  When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at




Thank you to Bethany House, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest opinion.

4 comments

  1. Hehe, I just started reading this one today! Glad to hear about the 5-star rating, you'll hear (read) my opinion on Build to Last soon!

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  2. Birdie, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! It is a lot of fun! Can't wait to read what you thought. :-)

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  3. YES! So delighted you liked this one, Kate. I am practically biting off my fingernails (figuratively speaking) to get started on this one! :)

    Sounds like I am gonna' love Randi, Matthew and Blaze. ;)

    Loved the enthusiasm and great thoughts - and in case I never told you, I love your review format. However you came up with it, it's very classy and easy to read. :)

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  4. Rissi, I think you will love reading about them! It's a fun book to read. :-)

    Thank you! The format took practice. I studied several other blogs and mashed several together to what it is now. :-) Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete

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