For the Love of Friends" by Sara Goodman Confino

⭐⭐⭐

I was really looking forward to reading "For the Love of Friends" by Sara Goodman Confino, especially with its intriguing premise and promising storyline. The book had a lot of creativity, and I appreciated the humor and unique situations the characters found themselves in. However, despite these strengths, I found it difficult to fully connect with the story and the characters. The book just didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped. Nonetheless, I give it three stars for its originality and the effort the author put into crafting an entertaining narrative. I’m sure many readers will enjoy it, even if it wasn’t quite for me.

(3.5 stars, rounded up to 4)

"For the Love of Friends" by Sara Goodman Confino is a heartwarming and relatable novel that celebrates the enduring power of friendship. Confino's characters are vibrant and authentic, each one bringing a unique perspective to the narrative. Set against the backdrop of a close-knit community in a small town, the atmosphere is cozy and inviting, drawing readers into a world where bonds forged over years of shared experiences are tested and strengthened.

Confino's writing style is engaging and accessible, with prose that flows effortlessly and captures the nuances of human relationships with warmth and humor. The plot of "For the Love of Friends" unfolds with a perfect blend of humor and heart, as the characters navigate the ups and downs of life, love, and friendship. The pacing is brisk and lively, keeping readers engaged and eager to see how the story unfolds. The dynamics between the characters are expertly portrayed, adding depth and authenticity to the relationships that drive the narrative forward.

Overall, "For the Love of Friends" is a delightful and uplifting novel that will resonate with readers of all ages. Confino's skillful storytelling, relatable characters, and cozy setting make for an immensely enjoyable reading experience. Whether you're a fan of heartwarming stories or simply love a good tale of friendship and camaraderie, "For the Love of Friends" is sure to leave you smiling.

Very compelling story. Am interested in reading more from this author. Had this one on my bookshelf for quite some time, but I'm happy I finally got to it.

I really liked this book, but I felt that there were lulls in the story that needed some help.. However I found this to be really enjoyable and entertaining and would recommend.

An enjoyable light hearted read with lovable characters. Perfect for reading after a long day in the office

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Sara Goodman Confino's "For the Love of Friends" is a touching exploration of the enduring power of friendship. Delving into the lives of three women, the novel beautifully captures the complexities, joys, and challenges of their deep connections. While the pacing occasionally lagged, the book offers a heartfelt reminder of the importance of the bonds we cherish.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this emotionally resonant novel.

I recently picked this book after being asked to be a bridesmaid and realising it wasn't going to be the lovely cheeful experience I'd always imagined. Whilst I only had to attend one wedding and not 3 like the main character in this book, I found I could relate really well to her. This book made me laugh. However towards the middle I found myself getting annoyed with the main characters inability to communicate with anyone and her bitchiness just because she thought it was anonymous. Well written and a good look at the wedding business and how it affects those who it isn't even for.

Sara Goodman Confino's writing shines in "For the Love of Friends," infusing the story with humor, wit, and relatable moments. Lily's narrative voice is authentic and engaging, drawing readers into her world and making them feel like they're part of her inner circle. The author skillfully balances light-hearted banter with heartfelt moments, creating a story that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

The cast of characters in the novel is vibrant and diverse, each bringing their own quirks and complexities to the story. Lily's friendships and familial relationships are beautifully portrayed, highlighting the importance of love, support, and shared experiences. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, adding depth and authenticity to the romantic entanglements that unfold.

Confino cleverly weaves together multiple wedding storylines, ensuring that each couple's journey to "happily ever after" is captivating and satisfying. From wedding mishaps and unexpected surprises to personal growth and self-discovery, the novel explores the many facets of love and relationships, reminding readers that everyone deserves their shot at happiness.

As Lily's blog gains popularity, the novel also delves into the consequences of online anonymity and the challenges of keeping secrets in the digital age. Confino effectively tackles these themes, demonstrating that even in the world of social media, authenticity and genuine connections still matter.

"For the Love of Friends" is an enchanting and uplifting read that will leave readers with a smile on their faces and warmth in their hearts. Sara Goodman Confino's ability to blend humor, romance, and relatable experiences makes this book a delightful escape into the world of weddings, friendships, and the search for true love. Perfect for fans of romantic comedies and feel-good fiction, this novel is a delightful reminder of the importance of friendship, self-discovery, and embracing life's unexpected twists and turns.

Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. This was a perfect fun, engaging chicklit read for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A great debut novel from this author.
Lily is 32 and single, much to her mother’s horror. She’s always dreamed of being a writer but she she has a boring job at a foundation. Lily is at that stage in life where everyone around you is getting married and Lily finds herself as a bridesmaid for five weddings in six weeks and all of the fun, stress and expenses that entails. It’s a lot for Lily to handle—her friends are turning into bridezillas, she’s constantly being shamed and criticized and judged, the expense of being a bridesmaid FIVE TIMES is killing her, her friends' friends are making ridiculous and unrealistic demands on her , and she can’t even figure out what she wants from her own love life. So she decides to create an anonymous blog to vent her frustrations there instead of to the circle of friends who are clearly stressing her out. Of course, what’s said anonymously online never stays that way. Can she mend fences, do what’s expected of her, squeeze into those bridesmaids' dresses, and chart a course for her own happiness? What unfolds is a funny, emotional, sarcastic, insightful, and thoroughly entertaining read. #fortheloveoffriends #saragoodmanconfino #netgalley #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #greatreads #thestorygraph #litsy #bookqueen #bookstagram #chicklit #debutauthor

Perfect story to read during wedding season! Thirty two and single, Lily Weiss works for a science foundation by day and writes on her blog by night. One wedding season she finds herself busy as a bridesmaid for 5 weddings in 6 short weeks. As much as she loves her friends, she needs to vent frustration and her anonymous blog is the perfect place to post all her snarky opinions concerning bridezillas, momzillas, the strain on her bank account and any other wedding related nightmares. But nothing on the internet is truly anonymous forever, oops, she might have some explaining to do! I thought this story was really sweet and fun, would make a great beach read. Thank you Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Available to read now!

This is such a fun book to read. The pages of this novel contain plenty of opportunities for laughter. The protagonist of this novel is Lily, who runs the blog Bridesmania. I believe that Lily's writings can be related to by any woman who has served as a girl. I find it impossible to choose just a few of the many hilarious instances. I was grinning and chuckling on almost every other page.

For the Love of Friends by Sara Goodman Confino is a novel that explores the complexities of friendship and the power of the bonds that hold us together. The story follows a bridesmaid who needsto attend 6 weddings in 5 weeks.

One of the weaknesses of the book is its predictable plot. The story follows a familiar pattern that lacks the complexity and ambiguity that often exist in real-life relationships. Additionally, some readers may find the book's resolution to be too neat and tidy, leaving little room for interpretation.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I love books about weddings and books where the main character has a blog where they write anonymously, so when I read the synopsis for this one I knew I had to read it. However I didn't love this book as much as I was hoping I would. There was plenty of drama in this book to keep me interested but I just could not love this book.

I tried really hard to get into this book , but I think the amount of body shaming involved put me off, sure I get that it’s wedding dresses and it happens, but I don’t want to have it shoved down my throat repeatedly, not for me sadly

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I absolutely loved this book.

Lily Wise is a 32 year old women who has found herself agreeing to be Bridesmaid 5 times in a matter of weeks! As wedding prep takes over Lily's life she is overwhelmed by all things weddings! Dress shopping, the bridesmaid dresses, the other bridesmaids (they sound awful), the suggestions she needs botox, spanks and minimising bras!! Not to forget the money she is expected to pay for dresses, parties, weekends away and gifts!! On top of all this she found herself in bed with a groomsman at one of the engagement parties (but she doesn't know what groomsman as she snuck out of the room before she could see his face)! Unable to vent to family and friends (her brother and sister are 2 of the weddings she has agreed to be bridesmaid at) she decides to start an anonymous blog, bemoaning all the brides and detailing every request she has asked.

But does anything stay anonymous for long! As the fallout from the blog comes to a head, are the brides that bad or is it Lily, and can she really save her friendships and relationships.

With everything going on there is a slow burning friends to lovers happening!

I really enjoyed this book, it was fun and had me laughing out loud in places. It's well written, and a great debut.

I'm sure this is the perfect book for someone, but not for me. Loved the premise, but unfortunately did not love the writing.

I really enjoyed this book. A fun story about the tales of a girl who is juggling multiple weddings as bridesmaid. Had plenty of dramas and laughs. Very relatable.

If you want to have a good laugh, remember some situations you've probably been through (and laugh about them) because of the pressure that is put upon bridesmaids and how awfully bad some brides behave this book is a must-read! I loved Ms. Confino's writing style, and humor, and will be looking for other books by her.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.