I LOVED this book. LOVED IT. I loved Zoey's character. I love her free spirit, her sharp wit, her desire to be at the top, and her drive. I loved watching her fall in love with the man of her dreams (I didn't enjoy watching her blow up said relationship thought). And I loved watching her try to break her self-proclaimed curse of being the Bad Luck Bridesmaid.

Alison Rose Greenberg has written a funny, witty, honest book with strong female characters and ones that truly discover what they want out of life. While it is about marriage or the lack thereof, it's almost a manifesto about women pursuing their dreams.

I highly recommend this book. It's a ton of fun and will have you laughing right up to the end. And also crying. But in a good way.

5/5 stars!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I found Bad Luck Bridesmaid a challenge to get into. At one point I was ready to give up reading it - do young people these days really believe the world and relationships of others, revolves around them? Once Hannah and Graham started dating the plot became a story I could get into. All of the crazy complications in Ireland were well-plotted and thoroughly enjoyable.

I'm glad I volunteered to read this ARC from St. Martin's Press through Net Galley.

This started out so promising. Zoey has the kind of snarky, self-deprecating humor I love, but the constant will-they-won't-they ruined it for me. There was so much unnecessary drama in the story, and I still can't figure out the point of the book. I got to the end, and I still wasn't sure what Greenberg was trying to accomplish with Bad Luck Bridesmaid. Was she trying to write a book about friendship? Rail against the Societal expectations of women? Write a novel about heartbreak? The ending especially felt like she was deciding as she was writing, waffling back and forth between pseduo-conclusions until she reached the end which was especially frustrating because it all just felt so pointless by the time I reached the final page.

I'm not mad because this isn't a "typical" rom-com. I'm not even mad (even though I could be) because Greenberg wanted to get on her little soapbox and rail against the societal expectations women have to put up with. I'm mad because Greenberg gave us a sloppy combination of both in the guise of a story that wasn't particularly satifying.

I made it all the way through this story and I still don’t know how I feel about protagonist and narrator Zoey Marks, who’s convinced she’s bad luck for love and will never find her Forever. I admire the fact that she doesn’t want to be boxed into a life society and others think she should be in as a woman her age - finding a husband and starting a family. But she can also be infuriatingly determined to not see a happy future because she thinks she’s cursed. This leads her to reject a marriage proposal from Rylan, her boyfriend of several years, and the cousin of her best friend Hannah. When Hannah announces she’s getting married a trip to Ireland ensues, Zoey runs into Rylan with a new woman in toe, and convinces herself that if she can get Hannah down the aisle then maybe she and Rylan might just have a chance. Zoey’s desire to live her life on her own terms is admirable, but the self absorption she displays makes it hard to like her. She gets upset when people don’t understand her, but she doesn’t really take the time to understand what makes other people happy either. This story, while it has relationships and romance, is more a journey of self-realization. How much you like the book will likely be dependent on how much you like and empathize with Zoey.

I wanted to love this book but I didn't the main reason being I couldn't stand the main character who was a huge part of the book. Which doesn't make for a good read.

Do you believe in luck? Zoey Marks does, and after three of her friends failed to walk down the aisle when she was their bridesmaid, she's certain her luck is bad. What if it's just a matter of perception, though, and her eyes aren't open to the other side of the coin?

I chose to read Bad Luck Bridesmaid by Alison Rose Greenberg because the cover screams cute rom-com, but the synopsis sort of doesn't, at least not completely. It's complicated, as is our main character and narrator, Zoey. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for making this available to me.

After three failed rounds as a bridesmaid, Zoey turns down a proposal from her insanely hot boyfriend Rylan. She's heartbroken, barely functioning for about three months, when her best friend for life delivers a blow. She's getting married. In Ireland. She wants Zoey to be her bridesmaid/maid of honor. Zoey's ex-boyfriend, her friend's cousin, will be there. With a plus one. Zoey loves Hannah. She will suck it up and get this woman down the aisle of it's the last thing she ever does and turn her bad luck around while she does so, so she can win her ex back and ultimately say, "Yes." Logical? Not your typical logic, but I get it.

Zoey as a narrator is everything. She has wonderful qualities and definite flaws, of which she is fully self-aware. This is what makes her so likeable to me. She's not trying to come off as perfect at any point. She knows she's not. Hannah as a more important minor character is also fairly well-rounded. The characters on a whole are adequately developed. The settings of New York and Ireland are awesome and quite perfect for the story being told. I love how Zoey can inject humor into pretty much any given situation; some of said situations in this book are a touch ridiculous, but that's what make them awesome and make for an epically good time reading a book.

I've read some reviews for the story where people say they don't enjoy the ending. I personally loved the ending. It was fairly realistic. Zoey had grown as a person, and she's accepting herself for who she really is, which isn't perfect or idealistic. She's flawed and effing amazeballs and can use the 'F' word as a noun, verb, adverb, etc., which is a true talent if you ask me.

The book is listed as contemporary romance. Yes, there's romance in the book, some of which is quite steamy (fans self). I'd describe it more along the lines of chick lit. It's more about the character growing and learning than it is about love.

Recommend to those of you who enjoy Sophie Kinsella and Sophie Ranald, to those of you who embrace an unapologetically bad b* of a woman as a main character. This one's a new favorite of mine. I laughed SO hard.

Poor Zoey is left feeling like she is the relationship jinx for not only herself but her best friends who can't seem to make it down the aisle. If Zoey can just get her best friend, Hannah, down the aisle, she knows her love life is safe and she can move on with Rylan, her boyfriend. This is an intriguing tale of hopefully getting them both down.

Zoey Marks lives life to the fullest. Her take no prisoners attitude seems to keep her life in balance. But maybe, just maybe she is not the badass she perceives herself to be. Three weddings and three times a bridesmaid, yet no wife has made it past "I do". Maybe something is wrong with her. Maybe she is broken. And so she embarks on a journey of self discovery....

This book is a wonderful life lesson. Be yourself, because no one can bring you happiness except you. I believe that Zoey's journey is an important one. It is full of emotion and struggles. Real life struggles that will become the journey for her.

Overall this book is a wonderful and amazing read. The characters are amazing and highly complex. The struggles they each face are real and they take them on in stride. The story flows flawlessly and is not rushed in any way. The author has created a unique flare to a bridesmaid and her duties, making this not only a fun read, but a serious one. In the end though I believe that Zoey can find that someone to "move mountains" for her.

I enjoyed this book. There were funny moments and poignant moments. Loved the castle wedding setting. So glad the main character finally was able to see the truth.

This book is so much more than just a fluffy romance story. I became so invested in Zoey and her happiness and just wanted her to finally have a happy ending. Anyone who has panicked when happy will see a bit of themselves in Zoey.

This story felt all too real. A woman who saw herself as unlucky and undeserving of that forever love, tries to find her way to getting past what has happened to her. Hot in all the right places!

Summary from Goodreads: It’s official: Zoey Marks is the cursed bridesmaid that no engagement can survive. Ten years, three empire waist dresses, and ZERO brides have walked down the aisle.

SPOILERS BELOW
Zoey is a self-proclaimed cursed bridesmaid at o for 3 weddings she's attended - I have to say, I LOVED this premise. This really had me interested in the book, and I even thought it would be great as a movie as well. Zoey is a highly relatable character - she's zany, imperfect, and unapologetic about it; something I think all women strive to be more like. Her sense of humor is great, and I thought that her best friend Hannah really complimented her - they really are the perfect opposites attract relationship.

I have to say, though, while I loved the premise, and enjoyed reading certain parts, I did think the author's style of writing is what gave me a bit of grief when it came to finishing the book. I usually devour books like this, and even though I enjoyed the storytelling, I thought that it came off a lot more like 'tell', and a lot less like 'show'. I know author's get that a lot, but up until Zoey's break up with Rylan and Hannah's marriage announcement, I kind of felt like I was trapped in an extended flashback, just being told the backstory without really experiencing it.. Because of this I felt disconnected to Zoey and unable to really get inside her head.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Zoey feels she’s always bad luck as three friends don’t get married when she’s a bridesmaid …. Ultimately, she discovers that she can be happy in her own life and on her own terms, while also being supported by her best friend, who believes none of that nonsense. I truly enjoyed the female friendship bond in this book and how it wasn’t all romance. It was a perfect mood read for me.

The cover and title of the book, Bad Luck Bridesmaid, don't quite fit with the story I read. I was expecting a fun rom-com, but this story has much more depth. Zoey had decided that she is bad luck after she is a bridesmaid in three weddings that fall apart. The first third of the book is a backstory about Zoey's experiences with being a bridesmaid and how she formed her opinions on marriage. It is after this reflection that the story really launches.

The story is well written. It is paced perfectly, with very real characters and situations. The premise is unique and creative. A bridesmaid, who doesn't believe in marriage determined to get her friend down the aisle in spite of some meddling from the groom's family to stop it. I really enjoyed this part of the story. While I was rooting for her friend Hannah and Graham's Happy Ending, I was hoping that Zoey would find hers as well.

Zoey loves Rylan, but not marriage. So after Rylan proposes and their relationship ends when she can't say yes, the last thing she want's to do is attend a destination wedding that he is attending as well. I applaud the author for adding this extra depth to the story. Creating a character like Zoey who insists on living her life on her own term and not changing what she believes is promising.

While I did not enjoy the ending, I respect the author's vision for her characters and the overlying message.

Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Griffin for the arc. This is my honest review.

This was one of those that I enjoyed for the fact that it gave me exactly what I needed, in between my fav genre thrills and chills, I think it was definitely well written and funny for the most part, which I enjoyed. A bit was a bit too much drama, but I like drama, so I enjoyed it. Overall, I would definitely recommend to those whom are looking for something not so serious, but that’s well written!

Will make sure to buzz around and use the Top Amazon reviewer number on release date!

This is somewhere between 2.5&3 stars. It kept me interested and reading but I was disappointed overall…

The idea behind the book is interesting. Zoey feels she’s always bad luck as three friends don’t get married when she’s a bridesmaid ….

I wanted to like the characters , each had potential. It was strange how they weren’t developed enough.
She doesn’t believe in Marriage ; okay that’s allowed, but why does she string Rylan along for two years and then is suddenly shocked by a proposal? They break up, she’s devastated; So is he. They are both completely inflexible. I tried to like them but it just seems strange at points- immature perhaps.

Also the story was choppy at times… we get snippets of a rough life for Zoey and had a hard time growing up and that she moved a lot as a kid and her home life wasn’t stable, but that storyline was never developed… why? Later Rylan says her parents have been married 40 years ….so where is the story of her unstable childhood? Confusing….
Also she suddenly brings a Star Wars and lightsaber theme into a way to ponder the world /her situation…. Where the heck did that come from?

And finally, the ending was not good at all except for the fact that Hannah DOES get married… I don’t buy that if Zoey and Rylan were so in love with each other that he could just walk off when she once again said she didn’t want to marry, and then she ends up with Ezra? Not realistic and so strange ; if she truly had feelings for Rylan two minutes later she wouldn’t have been ready to make out with Ezra and call him her happy ending…. ridiculous!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

I received a complimentary copy of Bad Luck Bridesmaid from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This was a great book. I enjoyed the ups and downs of a girl who really believed in her own "bad luck". Her own opportunities with "love" are jaded by her experiences with several unfortunate friends' non-marriages. Ultimately, she discovers that she can be happy in her own life and on her own terms, while also being supported by her best friend, who believes none of that nonsense. I found the mood shift of this novel somewhat inspirational. Good book. (I thought it would be a lighter read than it was...This book took some deep detours.)

I'm really struggling with a rating on this book. It kept me reading and held my interest, but took a nose drive at the end...

Zoey has been a bridesmaid in 3 friends weddings and for varied reasons NONE have made it down the aisle. Due to this, she considers herself bad luck and has a negative view on marriage/love.

That is until her childhood beat friend Hannah, introduces her to Hannah's cousin Rylan. Zoey falls hard and fast! Chapters go on talking about how much they love each other and the YEARS they are together. They date, move in together and after awhile Rylan wants to take the next step. Except Zoey says no. My issue is that for YEARS, she never told Rylan how she felt about marriage (aka stringing him along).

After breaking up, Zoey is devasted. I know she loves him but she is the reason they aren't together and I have a hard time feeling sorry for her.

Fast forward and Hannah is getting married in Ireland. Naturally, since Rylan is family, he will be there. Zoey is still in love with him and despite him bringing a date to the wedding, she vows to get him back. Except when confronted with the chance, she doesn't. Then after breaking up again/saying goodbye to Rylan, she is kissing another man!

I had such a hard time figuring out what Zoey wanted. If you are a woman who wants to be successful and doesn't need a man, great...but at least tell guys upfront and don't string them along for years. Personally I was put off when towards the end, Zoey tells Rylan she wants to keep her options open and wants a way out of the relationship (aka not getting married). She seems really pathetic to me in wanting love but no commitment.

The characters were will developed and as stated earlier, the story line kept my interest. However, I believe it was because I was expecting a different outcome and not this back and forth of Zoey. You can't have your cake and eat it too so to speak and she definitely came off that way. Disappointed in the end.

This novel was a great read! I really enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the all around world building. Definitely worth picking up!

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. The female protagonist had a great sense of humor. However, some of the situations, especially at the end, were very contrived and overly dramatic. Readers should be aware that this is more of a character self-journey than a romantic story. The author writes well and with enough humor to keep me reading, but not enough to recommend it highly. However, I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us in the future.