Perfect strangers on the first page, Jessie, Dolly and Emily’s paths will cross in the most unexpected of ways. And as their stories collide, their lives will take a turn you’ll never predict.
This was a pretty good book that I really enjoyed. I liked the interweaving stories and all of the characters. I look forward to reading more from this author.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

3.5 stars for me. I've never read a book by Jade Beer before, but did enjoy this book. It was quite an easy read, but none-the-less, I still enjoyed it.

I finished this book only about two weeks ago but have just gotten round to reviewing it now. The fact that I’m now sitting here trying to jog my memory as to the content of the book, means it didn’t really do much for me.

Concerning three different brides and therefore three very different stories leading up to their big days, ‘The Almost Wife’ looks at how all three stories cross paths in unimaginable ways. It’s nice to read three different perspectives - unfortunately one of which was from a distinctly unlikeable character! - and consider how their paths will cross. Jade had managed to deal with the different perspectives really well, and I felt as the reader that I was really able to empathise with each point of view. It was a nice, emotive read which was a little different from the usual women’s fiction I read, and Jade’s writing style was great. The only reason I scored three stars, is because this just hasn’t stood out in my memory.

When I started this book, I really wasn’t sure that it was going to be for me. I found the initial chapters grating and jarring - with privileged and moaning brides who were self-centred and vacuous.

That shifted once we were introduced to Emily and the three brides and the bridal shop owner began to intertwine.

There were many threads to these stories and I felt that Jade Beer was able to demonstrate multiple perspectives and stories without confusion. I particularly liked Helen’s story which provided a calming influence, much like the character herself.

There was a little too much product placement in Jessie’s story but apart from that it was an enjoyable summer read.

3.7-4*

I loved this book. Helen runs a wedding shop and meets 3 very different women who are planning their dream day. Loved the character of Helen, she felt warm and caring with a desire to help. Jessie one of the brides was the most selfish, horrible people I have ever read about. It shows the strength of writing when you can feel yourself getting cross with someone who doesn't exist! Dolly is dieting to such a degree she has no figure, all because she feels Josh will only love the thin her. Emily just wants a dress, she has to be strong and not let her family know whats really happening. A fab at times sad book. Will definitely look for another book by this author.

Three brides to be and Helen the bridal shop owner are the subjects for this story. Jessie, Dolly and Emily are all preparing for their big day with the help of Helen....... but Helen can't get over her own tragedy of losing her own husband....... but will all go as planned or are there disasters on the horizon?

A good emotional story, working well being told by the different characters, it was definitely more than the light read that I was expecting and found myself engrossed in the different main characters and their stories

The Almost Wife follows three brides to be and the widowed owner of the bridal boutique where they all purchase their dresses. It's also set in the Cotswolds, so it was bound to be a book I fell in love with!

After planning my own wedding, I absolutely love researching wedding venues and helping with plans for friends getting married. In fact, I'd love to start my own wedding planning business one day, so the topic of this book was perfect. But Jade Beer took it one step further and gave us a real look into the pre-wedding lives of three very different women.

Three very different women and three very different relationships, and we know going into it that only one of them gets married. That little mystery took this lovely book about female bonding and added a bit of spice to it, and I tried to determine which girls wouldn't be getting married as I progressed through the book.

We also have Helen, the boutique owner, who is heartbroken over the death of her husband years ago, yet spends her entire day with women about to marry their own loves. I have so much love Helen; so much that I want to go to the Cotswolds and find a Helen of my own to confide in.

I spent the majority of this book frustrated with one bride or another (Jessica, most of the time), but absolutely loved following their growth and watching as their lives intersected and bonding with Helen alongside them as they confided in her. It's a truly beautiful story of growth and friendship and I found it to be incredibly well-written.

This is a great, easy summer read if you're looking for something different than your typical summer rom-com! Fingers crossed that Beer writes more about brides in the future!

I really enjoyed this story! I loved how different all three brides were, even if I didn't like them all! I thought Jessie was so stuck up, but at the same time I could see where she was coming from in some ways. Dolly was a sweetheart but I thought that she was totally blind where Josh was concerned - he seemed like a total jerk, Emily was my favourite which I think the author will have done intentionally - of course the most likeable one would have such a tragedy.

The writing was fabulous and the story was well told, especially taking in to account the four different points of view. I don't think I've read anything by Jade before but I definitely will be reading her again! I also thought the cover was pretty!

I was looking for something different when I requested this ARC. I needed a break from my usual dark reads and thought this would be a prefect, fluffy read. I got the ARC weeks before my engagement and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read it.

This is the story about four women connected by weddings. Jessie is about to get married to Adam. He is from a different background, rich, affluent whereas Jessie had a more humble background. However, she is now struggling to fit into her new family. Emily is engaged to Mark. Everything in her life seems perfect. Her family is loving and supportive and I love the fact that they had weekly meetings to plan the wedding. They were all committed to making the day a success. What could possibly go wrong? Dolly on the other hand is a different kind of bride to be. She is keen on having the most memorable wedding and is even trying to ensure that a brides’ magazine is there to offer the much needed coverage. However, it sort of feels like she is in this alone. Josh proposed but is he really ready to settle down? The fourth woman is Helen. She is connected to the three women. I think I will let you read the story to understand the connection. I will mention though that she plays an integral part in the narrative and I really liked her.

This ended up being quite an emotional read. I have been planning my wedding for a minute now so I could relate with these women. Their highs and lows, trying to decide the menu, venues, guest lists. I smiled when I read about their gown fitting and got nervous when something went wrong with their plans. I didn’t expect my heart to break so much when the twist occurred. I cried, got depressed and started thinking about my own life and plans. There is so much that can happen between an engagement and walking down the aisle. What if the carefully, well laid plans fail and the wedding doesn’t happen? These women’s stories were relatable and even after the last page, I can’t stop thinking about them. I am happy for some of them while my heart is still broken over what happened to others. Sorry, I am being so vague but this story is better experienced with little prior knowledge.

This is a story about love, loss, family and friendships. It is not a fluffy read as I first assumed. Instead, it does cover really deep themes and the character development is wonderful. It’s a thought-provoking read that will have you smiling, thinking about wedding veils in one minute and crying the next when things take a different turn. I loved everything about this book. The writing was amazing and the story, unforgettable. I can’t wait to read more books by Jade Beer.

I found the beginning of this quite hard to get into, but I'm glad I persevered. This was a 3*** until about half way then it upped to nearer a 4****, definitely glad I kept going. This book had plenty of emotion, and gives you a lot to think about, especially how we treat others, how we value ourself, and making to most of the life we have. I know if I'm lucky enough to get married I won't take it to the extreme like a couple of these brides did. An interesting topic to write about and the 4 main characters were all quite different, yet underneath hoping for the same things. My favourite character was definitely Emily along with her family.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy in return for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

The Almost Wife is about three women, Jessie, Dolly and Emily, as they are approaching their wedding days. Jessie is the ultimate bridezilla. Her approach to wedding planning truly left me cringing. She is shooting for utter perfection. However, she is a woman who always felt out of place, but her fiancé Adam truly grounds her. Next, there is Dolly. She is truly struggling. First it is her desire to be as slim as possible. It is also her connection with her boyfriend Josh. They truly loved one another at one time, but things have become strained. Then, Dolly has an awful job, with an equally awful boss. Stressed enough about wedding planning, things quickly change for Dolly.

Next to mention is Emily. Happy as can be, with fantastic parents, and the absolutely perfect husband-to-be. She is taking her wedding planning in stride. However, some shocking news changes everything. How will she move forward? I was just shocked at how things turned out for her. Our last impressive character to mention is Helen, the bridal shop owner. She is working with these three women and becomes intimately involved with them. Her personal life has taken a serious hit and she herself seeks personal growth. Of the three women seeking for a glorious wedding day, only two will make it up the aisle, and only one will marry. Upon first glance, they are all strangers, however, their lives do intersect.

This story is told from several perspectives. The chapters are of perfect length because, as a reader, I was drawn into each of the four women's stories and emotions. Yes, Jessie was over-the-top, but she became someone that I found that, if need be, I could forgive. Then there was Dolly, I really felt for her with her changed circumstances. Sadly, I cried for Emily, more than once. And, who couldn't love Helen? She was going through her own angst, but she was a marvelous support for the brides-to-be.

This was a heart-wrenching book, a truly fantastic page-turner, written exceptionally well. I love the fact that the author has experience in the art of wedding planning, thus making the stories work so well. From the descriptions of the dresses, designers and locations, the women and their emotions, well, it was just perfect. Usually, I don't want to put a book as good as this down, but I just had to at times in order to absorb what was happening to the women, whether to yell at one of the characters or to shed tears more than once. If this is how Jade Beer will be writing all of her books, she has just found a new fan.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book as well as hated it. The reason for both is the same — the characters

3 brides to be and 1 owner of wedding dress store = intersection of lives.

Bride 1 Jessie, the bridezilla, is so rude and condescending that I just wanted to slap her and make her fiancé see the real HER. Coming from a poor family where money is made to stretch and marrying into a rich family made her look down on her parents and insult them. JUST HATED HER TILL THE END!!

Bride 2 Dolly, who is so eager to marry a tosser that she is willing to disregard the way he treats her. Luckily a sudden change makes her introspective and she does have the courage to take a stand. LIKED HER IN THE END!!

Bride 3 Emily, with a heart so beautiful that she broke my heart. LOVED HER FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END!!

Store owner Helen has her own heartbreak with losing her husband of more than twenty five years yet she is there for all her brides slowly discovering her inner courage. A GENTLE SOUL, HER BEGINNING IS THE END!!

My first book by Jade Beer, it was a pleasant fast read. Helen as the store owner and a counselor to the brides was well written. The Emily parts were just uplifting, beautifully written. Dolly parts had their highs and lows, still came together. JESSIE parts had so many name-dropping of brands that I just skimmed the pages. I like brands and branded clothes and items, but to make it a part of the story whenever Jessie entered the scene made it ostentatious. I dropped the Jessie parts like a hot potato!!

Well, this is my review. As you can see, I loved it and hated it!!

For me, The Almost Wife was one of those books that when I finished the last page I simply sat back and let it all sink in for a bit. Although, admittedly, it did get off to a slow start at first just give it a moment and you’ll soon be caught up in the lives of three brides and the bridal shop owner who oversees all the brides getting ready for their special day, along with some memories of her own and plans for her future. Jessie, Dolly, Emily and Helen – four women who will have their lives turn out quite differently from what they expected when all the plans started. Told in alternating chapters, from several points of view we step into lives that are full of love, happiness, fears, confusion, tragedy, anger, sadness and so much more.

Of course, I had my own favorites among the ladies, yet each one’s story is touching and emotional. These ladies will discover some life lessons, what is truly important in life and how to cope when it all changes from what we thought we knew. There were moments when I laughed or cried with them, times when I shook my head at careless words or actions, and times when my heart simply broke. So, yes, The Almost Wife is an emotional and touching story – and one that you should experience firsthand for all the lovely details. Yet it’s also one that I don’t believe you can come away from without leaving some emotions behind. It will touch you, make you think and feel… and really, isn’t that why we read Romance?

I’d recommend The Almost Wife to any reader who has ever experienced the craziness that is love or a wedding preparation. Or simply anyone who loves a good story and enjoys all the aspects of life, the good, the crazy and the future we all deserve. I got caught up in all their stories and I believe you will as well.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

You may be sitting there thinking that the title of this book gives you a hint about what's to come, and whilst that is true to an extent, it also couldn't be further from the truth if it tried. Confused? Don't be - you just need to read the book for yourself.

Three women, three weddings, and a minimum of three dresses - simple. Or is it? Even though I have never been married and never planned a wedding, I am still aware that planning a wedding isn't a stress free event, with the lives of the three women in this story cementing that fact on more than one occasion. 

Just in case you wanted even more grit to sink your teeth into, 'The Almost Wife' isn't told from the voices of the three brides to be, it is in fact told by four women. Yes, that's right! This storyline switches between four different characters and whilst I would usually think 'ohmygawd I'm confused', the author blends the different viewpoints in such a seamless manner, I sometimes forgot that I was reading about different women and not just the one.

I ADORED the parts set in the wedding shop as everything was intricately described and written absolutely beautifully. If I hadn't known better, I would have thought I was standing with Helen in her shop instead of laying in my bed reading the book. Just like the three brides to be, Helen has her own distinctive, emotional story. It was a shame that she never gave herself enough credit for how strong she was.

Whilst the blurb gives enough details about the three brides to be, I want to add that a lot of readers may relate to Jessie, Dolly, and Emily's situations, as they come across incredibly genuine and very apt to modern day society. Jade Beer clearly has done her homework, that's for sure!

Speaking of which, the author clearly knows her way around a wedding shop, and I can guarantee that her knowledge wasn't taught via re-runs of 'Say Yes To The Dress' on TLC! I have always said that I don't see myself getting married, but after meeting Helen and feeling the beauty of the wedding dresses jump out of the page thanks to Jade Beer's enchanting words, I can envision myself walking into a wedding boutique without coming out in a cold sweat. 

I said at the very start of this review that you'll need to grab a box of tissues. I stand by that 100%. As I don't wish to give spoilers, I won't tell you the why's and wherefores about the emotion, all I will tell you is that this beautiful story absolutely broke me and made me sob my heart out. It is incredibly sad, but in a weird and wonderful way, 'The Almost Wife' is one of the most captivating, beautiful, and flawlessly written book I think I have ever read.

Jade Beer doesn't only know what works when it comes to A-line wedding dresses or ball gowns, she also knows what works when it comes to telling a story to her readers as she has nailed it ten times over.

'The Almost Wife' is a heartbreaking, yet outstanding novel which highlights the beauty of love in all of its various formats, hugging you from the inside out as you make your way through the story on an emotional journey. I won't be forgetting this book in a hurry, I can promise you that.

Stunning, emotional, and everything I could have ever dreamt of, 'The Almost Wife' isn't ALMOST perfect - it is PERFECTLY perfect in every way. Step down Mary Poppins, there's a new girl in town!

I have a confession to make (this is fast becoming a habit). I haven’t actually read any books by Jade Beer but fret no longer because I have just finished reading ‘The Almost Wife’. Eventually I did enjoy reading it but more about that in a bit.
There are four main characters Jessie, Dolly, Emily and Helen. The first three ladies are the brides to be and Helen is the owner of the wedding dress shop, which all three brides are using. I have to be honest and say that I didn’t take to the first two brides. Both Jessie and Dolly each irritated me to the point that I wanted to slap them across the face with a wet fish to give them a reality check. Jessie was just downright rude to anybody who had the unfortunate task of crossing her path and she creates about the fact that her mother is going to recycle a wedding outfit and get the accessories from Next. As a wise person (okay my father) said ‘manners cost nowt’. Dolly really was a ‘Dolly Daydream’, who was more interested in wedding planning than actually working in the job that is going to pay for the wedding. If I was one of her colleagues then I would be having a serious talking to with her. As time went by and we learnt more about the characters and their backgrounds I did find myself warming to them but at best I would describe it as tolerating them. I really felt for Helen. It isn’t immediately apparent what tragedy it is that she has experienced in the last few years. She loves anything to do with weddings, which is just as well since she owns a wedding dress shop and she strives to help the bride achieve the perfect wedding day. As time goes by, bit by bit we learn a bit more about what it is that has happened to Helen and her family. I really felt for Helen and thought that she could do with somebody’s shoulder to cry on.
It took me a while to actually get into this book- mainly because of the attitudes of the first two brides but the more I read, the more I realised that they were stressed about their upcoming weddings, they were desperate to keep their secrets and problems buried and that was why they were irritating me so much. I did become addicted to reading this book after a while and before I knew it I got carried away with the different strands to the story. I also needed a box of Kleenex on standby because I felt my eyes well up on more than one occasion. This book is really well written with chapters focusing on the different brides and Helen, the bridal shop owner. These chapters interlink really well and the story flows seamlessly as a result. The going ons in this book are sure to keep you more than entertained and this is the perfect escapist summer holiday read.
In short I did enjoy reading this book and I certainly recommend it to other readers. I can’t wait to see what Jade Beer comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.

Happy publication day Jade!♥
I am not going to lie, but I sobbed in this book. Not just a little trickle of tears, I sobbed where it got plain ugly. God, I loved this book! What a debut too!! As it says in the tagline, this book stays with you. I feel like I have made new friends when reading this book, enjoying all the highs and lows and the god-awful. I cried with them, laughed with them, cheered with them and my heart broke with them.
So the four women in the book, let’s meet them.
Jessie, she is the girl brought up on the council estate, she has struggled for money all her life. (I can relate to this!) Then by the 3rd day of her job, she meets Adam and they go on a date. Adam, who quite frankly is loaded, swept off her feet and now she finds herself in a new world where she does not fit in, and her old world where she does not fit in. When we meet her, god she was a cow. But as her story unfolds you see why she has behaved the way she has!
Dolly, the girl with the hot photographer fiancé Josh who spends all day with half-naked gorgeous models and then in the evening a douche to Dolly putting her down and ignoring her (unless he is feeling a bit turned on by being around the models all day). She tries to compete, she literally does every crash diet possible to lose the weight as she doesn’t want to be ‘fat’ walking down the aisle.
Emily, the girl who has the perfect fiancé. The guy she has met at University. The guy who completes her. Some of her story reminded me of my best friend whose just literally married her best friend, so I felt more protective of her character. She is so in love with Mark, they are perfect together.
Finally, Helen, the lady that joins them all together with her wedding shop. Each visiting her to get the perfect dress, each of them sharing their fears and concerns. While Helen is grieving for her husband who passed nearly 4 years ago. I loved Helen, she made me cry, but I loved her. Learning to live again and to give hope to all these women.
Each chapter flits between the different women building up to their special days, interjecting with Helen’s life. I loved the countdown at the beginning of the chapter, and the little links to each other without them realising it.
This is definitely the perfect summer read and the stories flow so well. Jade has done a fantastic job in making you care and making you feel like you have made new friends and family along the way. I really can’t wait to see what else she writes!

4.5 Say YES to the Dress Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

Three brides and a dressmaker... what a charming summer read this was... filled with dresses, wedding plans, friendship, love, and so much more! This book was a bit of a slow burn, took a while to really get into it, but once you do... WOW!

Told from the point of view of the three brides to be and Helen the dressmaker/alterer.... Jessica is moving on up, so nervous about disappointing her wealthy in-laws to be, and not taking into consideration the feelings of her family... Jessica truly frustrated me, there was a part in this book where she was just so rude and condescending towards her mother (and truth be told there were many moments) I really wanted to reach through the pages and smack that girl...Dolly was consumed with making it into a bridal magazine, and really lost focus on what was important in her life... not to mention her husband to be was a complete tool.... Emily oh Emily my heart breaks for you, she was my absolute favorite of these girls... a truly good person dealt a bad hand, didn’t always agree with her actions, but... in the blurb we are told only one of these ladies ends up getting married, so I spent a lot of time analyzing who it should be....

We also get the point of view of Helen... really liked Helen she was suffering from a broken heart of her own, having lost her husband a few years ago.... each of the brides to be were getting their dresses from Helen’s upscale boutique.... I must admit I really did like the descriptions of all these beautiful dresses, made me want to get remarried...not😉

The beauty of the story was the growth in all these characters, I loved each and every one of their stories... also loved even though how different all of these brides seemed on the surface, there was so much they had in common.... really a well-crafted story that I would strongly encourage you to read....

Absolutely recommend if you are a fan of weddings, wedding dresses, love, or a good book💕

*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this beautiful book ***

The Almost Wife by Jade Beer

Driving in to Beirut this morning and recapping the story in this book to my friend she asked me, “How will you write a review for it?” and now I sit here trying to figure out how to write about the owner of a bridal shop meeting, helping and becoming in the lives of three women getting ready for their wedding day. The owner, Helen, is a widow but a woman that truly loved her husband for nearly forty years before he passed on. Her insights, charm and care help each bride that comes into her shop.

Now, how to give a review without ruing the story? Three women plan a wedding but only one marries…that is known…it is in the book blurb BUT why? What happens? And, how do their stories impact the reader and the other characters in the book?

I told my friend I would mention “family” and how one bride found it, eventually, to be more important than she thought. I would mention that love is more than a wedding dress or the day or anything paid for to make the day special. The communication and inability to communicate what is really important is…important. The bumps in the road one encounters on the way to matrimony and true happiness and how one deals with those bumps can seem insurmountable but…communication and trust and a bit more as one determines who they are and what is ultimately important rings true and is visible throughout this book.

This book deals with emotions, love, the process and stress of planning a wedding and also it deals with so much more. This is not an easy to read book with fluff and laughter but one that deals with emotions and family and love and caring and…so much more.

Did I enjoy it? Yes – though it did have some dark times
Would I read more by this author – Yes, definitely.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC - This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

Everyone loves a wedding.... so how does three sound?
 
I thought the wedding theme may be overkill, after all, there is Helen who owns the wedding shop then the three brides-to-be Jessie, Dolly, and Emily...but I couldn't have been more wrong!. I loved every page, and this book stirred up emotions I didn't even know I had.
 
Jessie comes over as the bride from hell, but she is actually completely out of her depth and desperately trying to hide her past from her well to do future in-laws.
 
Dolly wants nothing more than for her wedding to be featured in Brides magazine, she's so preoccupied she can't see what is staring her in the face.
 
Emily's whole family are involved in the planning of her wedding, with her dad giving out instructions with military precision.
 
So what do these three brides have in common?
 
All three women go to the same boutique wedding shop to choose their bridal gowns. It is owned by Helen, a widow, who still grieves for the husband she lost and makes it her life's work to make every bride look spectacular on their big day.
 
I loved how different each woman was but each story was equally as engaging. I found myself emotionally invested in each bride from early on and it was hard to leave the book until I knew what happened to them all.
 
There's no doubt that Jade Beer knows the wedding industry inside out but what comes over in Jades writing is how much she understands women. So many issues are covered, overwhelming grief, loneliness, physical insecurities, lack of trust ...it produces raw emotion and touches on subjects that all women can relate to.
 
A beautiful book with words that really resonate and an outstanding debut.
 
Thank you to the author and Bookouture for supplying me with a copy, which I have reviewed honestly.

As I started reading this book, the first few chapters were so cumbersome in the author's descriptions of everything, I truly did not think I would be able to continue. But I hung in there and boy, am I glad I did! This book is about 3 very different women preparing for their weddings: Jessie, a bridezilla marrying into a wealthy family; Dolly, a wannabe Brides Magazine featured bride and wedding; and Emily, a woman lucky enough to be marrying her best friend. Each woman sees her upcoming wedding in a different light.
The Almost Wife is a riveting story that will make you feel a variety of emotions from disgust, frustration, disappointment, despair and hope. In my opinion, Jessie needed a reality check with a strong gulp of humility while Dolly needed a large dose of reality. But it was Emily's story that moved me to tears at the unfairness of her life's circumstances.
This author has written a beautiful book and her characters are well-defined and multidimensional. I rated this book 4 stars out of 5 due to the superfluous descriptions in the early chapters and honestly, skipped over much of the excessive narrative. However, the story is a quality read and worth the investment of time.