Ryan's expressions "cool" and "awesome describe The Bride Wore Blue perfectly.

Beth Phillips, nine-year-old Ryan's mom, made a decision ten years ago that set the pattern for her life. Now, a successful anchor for WKSS news in Orlando, she sees Brett Peter on CNN and memories "clawed their way to the surface." As she sees the "weary wisdom" in his eyes and streaks of gray in his hair, the "what ifs" come and she knows "her heart has spent its life entwined with his." However, she stands firm in her long-ago decision and plans to tell Brett the truth when he returns to Orlando.

Brett Peter, a foreign correspondent, returns to his sister's home to recuperate from a serious wound he received in Iraq while saving a little girl and her dog. He finds himself next door to Beth, his best friend since second grade and the woman he'd planned to spend his life with until he left for the Middle East and she opted to stay home. He didn't know why she decided to stay, but he did know he had destroyed their "oneness" with his pride and anger. Commitment and being tied down still scare him, but when he sees Beth and Ryan, he has lots of sorting out to do.

The Bride Wore Blue resonates with a love so deeply rooted it survives a ten year drought then springs back to life. Cillian Burns writes so realistically that readers get to vicariously experience a wealth of emotions that make the story vibrate with life and love. Her writing style, with so many memorable phrases, is a joy to read. Phrases like "her heart splinters into a thousand fragile pieces," "at one time he was the moon, she the tide and everything seemed so right," and "he wanted a roaring fire but not willing to chop the wood" are just a few.

The goodness in both Brett and Beth are revealed as they deal with obstacles, manipulative people, and pressures of being true to themselves while being true to each other. This story of love deferred but not destroyed, is terrific reading.