Member Reviews
The Paid Bridesmaid is another winner from Sariah Wilson. She managed to, yet again, craft another completely unique and charming story that will make your heart sigh. Sariah writes the best and swooniest heroes and Camden is no exception. He truly is a dream of a guy. I love the banter, wit, humor and flirting between Rachel and Camden. Their story, friendship and journey was so fun to read and I basically just wanted the story to keep going. I loved the epilogue and hope to see this couple again in the writing universe of Sariah. I definitely recommend this novel but read it when you have time, you're not going to want to put it down.
I’ve been waiting for this new release and it didn’t disappoint. The story line was so cute and the characters were very likeable and the story had a nice flow that had me reading late into the night. This book would be a good read on vacation or if you need a place to get away.
I have really enjoy Sariah Wilson's writing ever since I discovered her book "Roommaid". I've had The Paid Bridesmaid on my radar for a while and have looked forward to it's release date, so when I got the opportunity to get an advance copy to review I was thrilled! I find Sariah's writing reels me in every time, and it is paced properly so that I stay interested and can't wait to keep reading. This book did not disappoint.
The concept behind "The Paid Bridesmaid" was unique and thought provoking. I liked that the main character was a successful woman who wanted to bring other women up with her in success. The beach setting gives this book a great vibe and feel as you can live vicariously through the characters. I really enjoyed the way tension was built into the main relationship between Rachel and Camden. Also, their conversations felt realistic and not overly sappy, which I really appreciate.
One thing I didn't love was the way the conflict between the two main characters plays out. I expected more from Rachel based on how the character is portrayed throughout, but I do understand that everyone has their flaws, so the way she handles conflict could certainly be realistic. I just felt the burden of reconciliation was too unequally weighted based on the circumstances.
As in all of Sariah's book the romance was sweet, so if you are looking for a great, clean romance, this book will be a wonderful pick, and I think it will make you want to read more of her work!
This is a fabulous book. I loved everything about it. If you love clean romance books this is a book for you. I highly recommend this book and author to anyone looking to read a sweet romance book!!
I loved this. Sariah Wilson stuns yet again with a a beautiful love story in the most beautiful setting. I really want to go to Hawaii now.
I was fortunate enough to be given an ARC of this book. And I saved it so that I’d have something new to read this weekend. Well, guess what? I stayed up way past my bedtime and I finished it. Reading nonstop from 11pm until 3am. And after I finish writing this review, I’m going to re-read it again!
The chemistry and banter between the MC’s is the kind I live for! So many swoony moments and witty lines. Ohmigosh! My romance loving heart is so happy!! !
Thank you to Sariah and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC. And even though I was given an ARC, I have already pre-ordered this book. I love it that much!
Rachel has made a business out of being the perfect bridesmaid. Weddings are a serious business and she and her employees handle everything the bride needs while blending in and being discreet. When Rachel gets hired to be the maid of honor for internet celebrity, she never dreamed the real life best man would make her re-think her rule of never dating anyone she met while on the job. But Camden is gorgeous and smart and gets her wit. And the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore. But Camden values honesty and if she can't be honest with him about who she really is do they even have a chance?
I found Sariah’s books a few years ago on Kindle Unlimted and absolutely feel in love with her style. I’ve done countless rereads of her novels and they always hook me in right from the beginning. This one was no different. She has a way of writing that makes the scenes feel so sexy and intimate without being overly sexual.
This book was no different, and I loved it from start to finish. The characters are perfect, including the supporting characters. It also touches on some important struggles people face in a social Media dominate world we live in today, and just every day life.
I also loved the Adam Driver Easter eggs sprinkled in the book. If you enjoyed Sariah’s #struck series you’ll enjoy this novel too. While Sariah does write clean fiction her characters always have some amazing sexual tension and this book was no different.
Melli’s Book Breakdown
🤍heroines POV
🤍gateway wedding setting
🤍social media star world
🤍clean romance
This is a clean story full of perfectly swoony moments. My heart is still beating at the kisses shared. So well written, I felt I was in Hawaii as a part of the wedding party.
Sweet, romantic and full of swoony moments. I loved the premise of hiring bridesmaids to cut back on drama. It was told in a cute way and the romantic vibe and secrecy kept the story moving so quickly. A fun read and I'll look for more by this author. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
I am a huge fan of Sariah Wilson! The Paid Bridesmaid did not disappoint. We got to go to a destination wedding in Hawaii this time. And fall in love with some wonderful characters who in turn fell in love with each other. With all the best intentions something usually goes wrong at weddings and this one was no different. The banter between the characters made you keep reading because you never know what they will say or think next.
Thank you, Sariah and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Paid Bridesmaid.
Loved the book! The characters meet and form a real connection and I liked how realistic it seemed. This book offers the perfect balance of relatable characters, witty banter, wild chemistry and a different take on a classic romance trope. Fantastic story!
I just finished The Paid Bridesmaid. It’s another feel-good winner from Sariah Wilson. The premise was cute and I enjoyed the characters. And I love when there’s an epilogue! I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a sweet romance.
Oh my goodness! The Paid Bridesmaid by Sariah Wilson was a fantastic read. It was witty, light-hearted, and so much fun. Sariah Wilson creates such unique story lines where the plot just draws me in and I have to finish reading it. From beginning to end- I wanted to see how this story premise ended. The business idea of being a bridesmaid for hire is so ingenious that I would have wanted one for myself! Rachel Vinson is a character that I want for my best friend and man- that Camden Lewis is such a swoonworthy hero. I couldn't help but root for them. I would love to see this made into a movie.
I anxiously look forward to each of Sariah Wilson’s books. I’ve heard of paid bridesmaids before, and I was intrigued by the idea of translating this unique concept into a novel. Wilson wrote it brilliantly. The banter was absolutely spectacular—flirty and witty and just everything you’d hope for in a romantic comedy. I also enjoyed how much insight we got into Camden’s psyche. Books that are only in the woman’s POV can sometimes lead to doubt concerning the hero’s intentions and thoughts, but that was not the case with this book. Camden made it clear how smitten he was with Rachel, and he was incredibly thoughtful with his gifts (LOVED the salt and pepper shaker) and actions toward her.
There were plenty of shenanigans throughout the story to keep things interesting. The side characters were also funny with compelling side stories of their own, especially Rachel’s mom. However, the main drama was a bit contrived and blown out of proportion, and I didn’t feel as much connection between the main characters as I did in some of Wilson’s previous novels. Nonetheless, the epilogue was utterly satisfying and so fitting for these adorable characters.
Overall, this was a hilariously heartwarming romance with lots of sweet moments and wedding excitement. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well-executed romantic comedy.
*I received an ARC of this novel. This is my complete and honest review.*
Wedding drama, witty banter, sizzling chemistry. This book has it all!
Rachel Vinson is the owner of Something Borrowed a company that discreetly hires out as bridesmaids to help you have a smooth day. Her current job is a destination wedding in Hawaii, and the bride, Sadie, is becoming a true friend. Her job is all about keeping their real purpose a secret, but the best man, Camden, is a bloodhound when it comes to secrets. Plus, he keeps making Rachel question her "don't get involved with people at work" rule.
I loved Rachel! She's a perfectionist with a heart of gold and an iron will. How she resisted Camden so long I will never know! The chemistry was seeping off the pages so deliciously. Camden was funny and sweet. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for this perfect couple to get together. I loved that while the chemistry was off the charts, they really did seem to get to know each other, and know each other deeply, before the romance ratcheted up.
My only complaint is that I wish this book would come out a few weeks sooner so I could gift it to my friends for Christmas. I'm all alone in my book joy right now, and feel like bragging that I got a copy. Read it!
Content: clean (mild innuendo, making out, no language)
I absolutely loved this book! The premise was so unique and different from any other rom com I've read. Rachel is a professional bridesmaid, who must pretend to have a history of friendship with the brides who hire her. She doesn't date much in her own life because of trust issues caused by her past. Camden is a genius businessman who is always suspicious of others intentions and doesn't get close to many people. Though they are instantly attracted to each other, they are each wary for their own reasons. But the more they spend time together, the more their walls come down and their chemistry turns up. The hilarious banter and the intense sizzle between them makes them a "will they or won't they" couple that you'll cheer for every step of the way to their happily ever after. This book is laugh out loud funny, sweet and charming, with a warm fuzzy ending that will leave you swooning and smiling. As she always does, Sariah Wilson has written loveable characters in an adorable story you won't be able to put down. It has all of the twists and turns, romance, humor and heart that will make you want to revisit it again and again. I'm a fan for life, and I'll continue to devour everything Sariah writes just as fast as she can write it!
You know when you finish a book that you just know is New Favorite? This is one of those books.
I love the author’s voice. I love the pacing. (We meet Camden right on page 1 hallelujah thank you poppaaaaa!) I love the characters. I love the dialogue and the banter. I loooooove the concept of the plot. I love the execution of everything. This is an excellently told story that will keep you enthralled from beginning to end. It is a slow burn. Very slow burn. Verrrrrrry. And it's clean. This will be a huge turn off for some people, even previous fans of Ms. Wilson’s work, but I completely do not care. I kind of loved that it wrecked the stereotypical romance pacing guidelines with when the kiss "has" to happen and when the drama creeps in and everything. Keep the readers guessing. Love it.
It is another book in that comforting Sariah Wilson way. When you hear Camden has this life changing experience because someone once upon a time lied to him, you very much know that Rachel lying to him will be the deal breaker/80% break up. Rachel is the same as a lot of her previous FMCs, and Camden is the same as a lot of her previous MMCs. There’s always 1 thing that is a deal breaker for one character that is told to the reader and then that’s the issue between the couple. The banter is top tier. The mix between prose and dialogue is perfection. The overall writing is just delicious and makes you want more. And hey, I only clocked 2 internet memes this time. “This isn’t an airport, no need to announce your departure.” And “lists give me the illusion of being in control of my life.”
I had minor complaints about the novel: I didn’t like that Rachel built her business because “it’s not uncommon for women of this generation to not have any true friends”. And it felt like there was a lot going on in the plot to complicate it unnecessarily and it just felt like a lot was thrown in and not necessarily developed or had anything done with it. Not a huge deal overall. I was a little confused as to why Camden kept hard core pursuing Rachel after she’d rejected him. Multiple times. They didn’t know each other. They hadn’t kissed. He was already suspicious of her. It just felt very pompous and "I know you want me" gross kind of thing. I know this is romance and we know they end up together but idk. This is something that has been sticking out in romances to me lately.
My major complaint: There’s no grovel. At all. I was waiting for Rachel to have to grovel to Camden since she’s the one who lied but . . .nope. He thinks it over, comes back, and is very matter of fact, “well you were legally obligated to lie to me.” Which she was. But that just felt a little…unsatisfactory. Especially when he said sorry first. And then was all, you don’t have to apologize. WUT. He asked her for time to process and she then ignored him for like, days. Yes. She should be apologizing too.
But then Ms. Wilson wraps up the story perfectly with the epilogue. The epilogue was so cute. I’m surprised we didn’t see their wedding, but I completely understand why the author set it when she did. It was such a wonderful ending to a great book.
Bottom line: Should you read it? Yes. Again and again and again and again and. . .
THANK YOU to Netgalley and Ms. Wilson for allowing me to preview this book in exchange for an honest review!
Complaints for the Publisher (hidden as these are things that could be changed before publication):
I am legitimately confused by the sports additions in this novel. Both FMC and MMC are big fans, Michigan and Ohio St, respectively. The MMC brags about having tickets to the “National Championship” game of the March Madness tournament. Which isn’t technically wrong, but isn’t usually what fans call it. And then FMC brags later that she can’t hear over the sound of Michigan’s “decade long winning streak” of which there isn’t one in basketball. (Nor football.)
There was also a comment about her purging all the alcohol an hour before so she isn’t inebriated anymore but that’s not how it works. The alcohol would still be in her bloodstream?? Easy to understand when you know the author is Mormon.
When they go camping, Rachel worries about having to actually camp and give up her room key but then later she’s able to sneak out because she kept her second room key hidden???
I loved this book! It is a clean romance but wow the chemistry is off the charts. You can’t help loving both Rachel and Camden. They are both workaholic, control freaks with hearts of gold. I could not put the book down when I started reading. I highly recommend this book.
I've read all of Sariah Wilson's books and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read an ARC of The Paid Bridesmaid.
One thing I absolutely loved about this was the heroine's job. So unique and next-level genius. I'm curious if such a job really exists but am happy to let Ms. Wilson's version exist only. :)
Right out of the gate there's chemistry between Rachel and Camden. Both have good reasons why a relationship isn't the best idea. There were laugh-out-loud moments and a few lines that had me snickering and highlighting.
I absolutely loved the epilogue and was sad to see the tale in. One could only hope that Rachel's bff gets her own story in the future. (Hint, hint, Ms. Wilson)
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.