I tried. I really did. But I just couldn't make myself like this book even a little! The characters were either super vapid or super grumpy, there was WAY too much introspection time, and you could always tell when a "serious" conversation was coming because the other characters would conveniently find their way out of the room. Too predictable and boring.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I found this to be a typical beachy book that went on a bit too far for me.

Wonderful beach book! I have enjoyed Holly Chamberlin's novels for year's and this one of her best, Combination Bridezilla and chick lit, but also insightful into female friendships and exceptions. Perfect for poolside reading.

I hate rating books below 4 stars but I could not rate this book any higher.

Major reasons why I was not thrilled with the book:
1. It was never-ending. I felt like it went on and on and I was reading every single minute of their lives.
2. For Bess to be in her early 40's she sure was whiney and self-centered. I understand it is all about the bride but this went overboard. She acted like everyone had to run their lives by her or it was poor pitiful left out me.

I normally like Holly Chamberlin's books and plan on reading more. Give this a whirl if you love summer beach weddings, you may find it a favorite.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

How exciting to be given the opportunity to read a Holly Chamerlain book early?!?! Did not disappoint. Light, face paced and sweet. The perfect combo for any romance novel. Loved the characters and was sad when they "had to go." Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

Perfect chick lit! I loved the premise and the characters were well developed! I recommend this for anyone looking for a light and fun read!

This is a very philosophical read based on the character of Bess. She is wandering how can she have happily ever after, when Allison is going through a divorce? This book is jam packed with emotions and relationships making it a great summer read..

This was a fun beach read on a Saturday afternoon. Bess was having a wedding on the beach, and she had invited her friends from college to spend two weeks with them, trying to recapture their fun times. But what did she know!! All of them came with their own set of problems. And in the midst of all that drama, Bess tried to find the silver lining in those dark clouds.

Holly Chamberlain's book was entertaining in parts. I loved the story which was based on friendship. The book was an easy breezy read in most parts, though it was quite slow in the middle. But it soon picked up pace when the characters decided to enjoy the wedding and allow their problems to solve itself.

The last part of the book was what I wanted from this story, the emotions weaved in a wedding. Overall, a fun read, I would reiterate!!

Bess Culpepper has finally found her "Prince Charming" and is having the wedding of her dreams. She invites her best friends from college up for a two-week stay at the beach before the ceremony, to spend time together and catch up. It turns out not to be as idyllic as Bess imagined the reunion to be..... Allison and Chris are in the process of a divorce, Marta is carrying a lot of resentment over a surprise pregnancy, and Chuck & Dean are dealing with a medical diagnosis that leaves their future plans uncertain. Bess is determined to make everything go perfectly, exasperating her friends and all of the drama threatens to overwhelm the wedding.
Although there were times I wanted to throttle Bess as much as her friends did with her constant Pollyanna attitude, I loved the dynamics between all of the friends and spouses. This is the perfect beach read... drama, romance, and the ideal beach setting.

The beautiful cover made me bypass other books in my TBR to dig into this one, so I came in with high expectations. Charmberlin definitely has the voice for this genre, and has set a structure that provides familiarity. We're in a beautiful place with a pile of story-packed friends, all competing with the wedding itself for the spotlight. I would have loved this book if the list of friends with dramas was a few people shorter. It's just too many places to look, and while there's plenty to love in each story, it felt like this manuscript needed just a few edits and a few transports of friends to another story at some time. When we do get to the wedding on the beach, it's like a breath of fresh air, the distractions clear away, and we get the emotional payoff we've been needing. I enjoy this author's voice and her work in building well-rounded characters, so this book had its charms.

A perfect summer beach read! Terrific characters, a group of friends with a long history, a gorgeous house on the beach and a wedding. What more could a reader ask for?!

A good beach read about a beach wedding. Bess finally found her man and has planned the perfect wedding at the beach. Before the happy day she's planned a reunion with her college group of friends. As the friends arrive, the stories unfold. Allison is suffering from a broken marriage; Marta is expecting again and uncertain about her feelings; and Chuck has a diagnosis to share. Bess is a bit obnoxious, being the helicopter host and for blurting out comments she shouldn't. I felt the book dragged in the middle: each character going over and over about their problems. The wedding part was the best, as each realizes their friendship is important and embrace the changes.

Another cute summery read by Holly Chamberlin. Bess invites her old college crew to her wedding in Maine. Bess is a people pleaser and wants everything to be the same, but they aren’t, which makes her question her upcoming wedding.

Cute breezy summer read, with lots to make you laugh and smile. Beautiful descriptions of Maine and full of female friendships.

I wanted to read about bess's romance and how her husband and her interacted with family and friends ,not relationship woes of her friends

A truly entertaining book about college friends twenty years later, some who are not sure why they are still so close. When one couples marriage implodes and the glue that holds the group together has found her happy every after at forty-two you have to wonder what two weeks together for a beach wedding can hold. In this case many secrets are revealed, feelings are hurt, relationships are tested and the reader is completely entertained.