After a surprise proposal, bestselling novelist Lauren James brings her new fiance home to meet her mother and try on a family heirloom wedding gown. But while there, she must confront her ex-best friend and their long standing feud. And just when it looks like they might be able to make up, a big family secret is revealed that turns Lauren's life upside down.

In a word, this book was fine. I enjoyed the content about the publishing/aspiring writing world and Nags Head life. But the characters were a little lackluster (Lauren in particular was very unsympathetic and frustrating) and the plot was annoyingly predictable. I can't decide if I like or hate the relationship between Lauren and Spencer. In the beginning, it feels like they're not well matched, but I guess I appreciate the depiction of an imperfect relationship. Overall, not bad, but not much to catch and keep my interest.

Sandy M’s review of My Ex-Best Friend’s Wedding by Wendy Wax
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 14 May 19

It’s been a number of years since I’ve read Wendy Wax. So when the blurb for this book tweaked my interest, I decided to give it a go. I liked the idea of a family wedding gown being passed down through the generations, something Ms. Wax has taken from her own family as inspiration. What I didn’t expect is a heroine who just doesn’t know when to let go.


Lauren has been in New York the past twenty years, alone because her best friend, Bree, backed out at the last minute and their friendship suffered, despite the fact they were raised like sisters by Kendra, Lauren’s mother. Lauren is now a successful author and recently engaged. She and Bree are turning forty, so she and Spencer head back to the Outer Banks to celebrate and introduce her mom to the man she loves. Seeing her mother is wonderful, but seeing Bree again after so long is difficult.

Bree is a bit jealous that Lauren used their story collaboration as the means to launch her first number one book. Marrying Lauren’s ex-boyfriend and having children in the ensuing years has given Bree the chance to continue writing her own book over all those years. Neither of them wants to be the first too make a move toward reconciliation. It’s Lauren’s flat-out refusal to see things anyone else’s way, thus holding out the longest, and that’s my main gripe with her. There comes a point in the book when she discovers her mother kept a mind-blowing secret from her all her life and she chooses to ignore the reasons for that secret, as well as letting her anger flow to the point of refusing to have anything to do with her mom. She even lashes out at Spencer during this time, and he’s actually one of my favorite parts of the book, so I’m happy about that at all.

The history of the wedding gown is nicely done, giving us a look back at those women who wore it before, including Bree when she married. Lauren even goes so far in her anger and decides not to wear the dress for her upcoming nuptials. For me, she just takes refusal to listen and forgive too far. There’s another relationship in the story that is very enjoyable, in spite of the fact it begins on a very rocky footing. Bree also has plenty of decisions to make in her marriage, after ignoring issues for too long.

Of course, when everything is explained and Lauren decides it’s time to listen, her heart opens once again and all’s well that ends well. But I wish she’d done that a bit earlier in the story. I just got tired of her always being right, being the victim, and selfishly thinking she’s the only one who was wronged. It’s Kendra and her new partner, along with Spencer who save the day as far as my review goes. Bree comes in a close second, once she uses the backbone all women have. After she gets married, Lauren chills out and lets bygones be bygones. But she put me through the wringer much too often to forgive her just yet.

Grade: B-

The first book I've read by Wendy Wax immediately has me questioning why on Earth I waited so long to pick up one of her books!

My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding introduces us to Lauren and Bree, the former best friends, both of whom were raised by Lauren's mother Kendra, making them more like sisters. Over 20 years ago, Lauren and Bree made a plan to move to New York and write a novel. Days before, Bree backs out, Lauren goes it alone and finds out Bree is now engaged to her ex while Lauren is becoming Queen of the Beach Read in New York. Now, both women are 40 and Lauren has returned home to introduce her mother to her new fiance. When her mother has some unexpected news, Lauren's world begins to fracture and she is left picking up the pieces with the person she last expected.

Told in alternating perspectives from Lauren, Bree & Kendra, My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding is a story about female friendship, family and the power of forgiveness. Wax has created characters that truly pop off the page and that you want to befriend for yourself. .

Verdict: 4.5 stars

Thank you to Berkley for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I am a big fan of Wendy Wax’s books. This book fits my unplanned theme of reading wedding related book but isn’t your usual contemporary about a wedding; and of course there isn’t…it is written by Wendy Wax.

To be honest, I thought the beginning was a bit slow paced but it does pick up and the story comes together. THE DRESS has been passed down from generation to generation and is one of the things that Lauren is looking forward to trying on after she is proposed to. However, life has a way of throwing curve balls at you when you least expect them.

Lauren has an amazing relationship with her mother and she is headed home to introduce her fiance to her. She knows that she will have to have contact with her ex-best friend but she is ok with that. Once they reach the Outer Banks, nothing goes according to plan and Lauren’s life as she knows it is turned upside down. As lies and omissions are revealed, will any of Lauren’s relationships survive?

I'm a big fan of Wendy Wax's Ten Beach Road series, and was excited to read this standalone novel! I really enjoyed this book. It took me a bit to get into it because of the multiple perspectives, but once I did I really enjoyed the story of family relationships, friendships, and mother/daughter relationships. I liked the characters and related to each one in different ways I especially loved the setting--can I visit or even work at Title Waves, please?? Wendy made the outer banks sound dreamy and perfect. This is a great summer read to throw in your beach bag or take on vacation!

Loved this story of a wedding dress passed down through generations until it unravels the tangled threads of the last three women who wore it. It’s about friendship, family, and forgiveness and I couldn’t put it down! NOTE: At times I really wanted to reach in and shake some of the protagonists to knock some sense into them! HOWEVER - I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!

It had been carefully stored away for safekeeping, a timeless ivory wedding dress, with scooped neck and cleverly fitted bodice, whispering of Happily Ever Afters. To Lauren’s mother Kendra, who wore it briefly; to her daughter Lauren who’s looking forward to wearing it; and Brianna her best friend who got to wear it first. To all three women it's a reminder of what could have been, the promise of a fairy tale, and a friendship torn apart. But as Kendra knows firsthand: it wasn't the dress's fault.

Once closer than sisters, Lauren and Bree were as close as sisters – sisters of the heart! They grew up together, shared the same dream together, but then made choices that transformed their lives as they grew apart. Each held just a bit of resentment against the other blaming each other allowing broken promises and unfulfilled dreams to destroy their friendship.

Now as a successful author, Lauren returns home to the Outer Banks, fiance in tow, to claim the dress she never thought she'd wear. While Bree, a bookstore owner, grapples with the realities of life after you marry the handsome prince. As the former best friends wrestle with their uncertain futures, they are both certain of one thing: some betrayals can never be forgiven.

Never expecting her past to catch up with her, Kendra struggles with a secret she's kept for far too long. She vows to make sure the dress will finally bring Lauren and Bree back together – knowing they'll need each other to survive the coming storm after the bomb drops from the revelation of her life.

Marilyn Rondeau

Wendy Wax, Author of "My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding" has written an entertaining, captivating, intriguing, riveting, and enthralling novel.  The Genres for this novel are Fiction, and Women's Fiction. There is also Romance and Suspense. The story takes place mostly in the Outer Banks, where there are descriptions of sand and beautiful water. The author describes her dysfunctional cast of characters as complex and complicated.

I appreciate that Wendy Wax has described the importance of family, friends, loyalty, communication, forgiveness, second chances, love and hope. Symbolizing many of these things is an exquisite wedding dress that has been in the family for years and worn by family members .It is almost like the dress has a hint of magic, besides beauty. If only a dress could talk.

Kendra has been a single Mom and has brought up her daughter Lauren, now an author. Kendra has also been responsible for acting like a mother to Bree, once a good friend to Lauren. There is a lot of animosity and friction among both women, who were once close as thieves.  Bree runs a bookstore, and has a husband and two children. Lauren is a very successful author, and just has gotten engaged.  Now there is a reason for Lauren to come home.

Unfortunately, Kendra is harboring some deep and dark secrets that if exposed could change the family dynamics forever. There are some betrayals and lies that also affect the past, present and future.

I would highly recommend this amazing novel for readers who enjoy suspense, and romance.

Told in three voices by the three main characters, this is a sweet and fluffy chick lit that's perfect for summer. Lauren and Bree were BFF's from the time they met in preschool until Lauren decides to go to NYC after college and Bree does not. Kendra is Lauren's mom, who also sort of adopted Bree when her parents abandoned her. The thread that keeps them together is THE DRESS - the wedding dress that has been worn by generations of Kendra and Lauren's family. Lauren gets engaged, returns to get THE DRESS and a secret is uncovered. Drama then happy ending. This would be a great beach read, especially for anyone who goes to the Outer Banks as most of the story takes place in that area.

A real-to-life story set in a beautiful location. Wendy Wax has given us a glimpse into how one family handled the curves life threw at them. My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding doesn't pull any punches, yet the love is felt throughout the book.

I loved this book! The characters were relatable and I enjoyed that the story switched back and forth to their viewpoints. I also liked where the story was set, I love beach towns and even the city scenes were great and fun to picture. The story moved quickly and was very engaging. Recommended!

I really enjoyed this book. Author Wendy Wax created complex, flawed characters that were honest, very relatable, albeit infuriating at times. I definitely was sucked into the story emotionally. The multiple viewpoints were handled well, and the story moved at a solid pace. This is a book that is all about forgiveness and friendship.

I've been going to the Outer Banks for years (and my husband grew up going there every summer) so I definitely felt an emotional pull for her setting, and her descriptions were spot on (including a few longtime favorites.) Her setting was definitely well researched.

I read this in one sitting, and I would love to see more from these characters!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

There were so many things I loved about this book! Wendy Wax writes about characters who could be real! Not the outrageously beautiful 20-year-old with the perfect body type character, but the real-life kind of characters. Characters I can truly relate to! The 40-year-old best friends and Lauren's mother. You don't have to be in your 20's to fall in love! She also writes about friendship and the bonding that occurs between those friends. And her characters are multi-dimensional, with flaws and anxieties! I love them!!

My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding is about forgiveness, tradition, and a mother's love. Beautifully written! I must admit that I cried numerous times during those last few chapters.

I'm hoping that Ms. Wax turns this into another series. I'd love to find out more about Lauren and Spencer's life together and the possible introduction to Lauren's new brothers. I'd also like to know if things work out with Bree and Clay and if he returns to his old habits or not. Will she kick him out on his ear? I can see so many directions this may go!

This was a nice, if typical, chick lit beach story. I didn't care much for either Bree or Lauren. Lauren was selfish and bitchy and Bree a selfish pushover . An awful lot of inside the publishing world stuff as well as author's writing processes... My favorites were Kendra and Jake, and the lovely seaside town. Readable, fairly predictable, there were some laugh out loud moments. Thanks to publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

Perdect “beach read!” Great story of family, friendship, and love with quirkiness and humor thrown in so glad to have read this.

This story flowed well. The character development was multi-dimensional and even minor characters had some back story.

Cute novel. Wendy Wax does a great job with her character development. Enjoyed reading this book. Good story and sometimes funny.

Fun read. Well developed characters, both men and women. Told from the viewpoints of three women, the book delves into emotions without being maudlin. Story flows and keeps you involved. Highly recommend for readers of chick lit and women’s fiction in general.

Great book...loved the in depth look at why we do what we do, yet sometimes not know why... Very emotional and also very funny...made you think.

In Lauren and Bree, Wendy Wax has created two characters we truly care about. Watching them grow and getting involved in their lives really keeps you turning the pages in this great book. I'd recommend this for any reader looking for an absorbing story about friends and mothers and daughters as they change throughout the years. A wonderful story.

The choices we make follow us throughout our lives. The consequences of holding on too long to our anger can can get in the way of our friendships as shone so clearly in this story. An engaging read that's hard to put down.