I read other reviews of this book, and have to say I disagree with some others. The characters of this book were so unlikeable at so many points in time, but I thought that’s what made it good! Having real and honest characters. Enjoyed the story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and authors for providing this book for my honest review. This was my first book by this author duo and I do look forward to reading more from them. This book had such a cute premise so I was expecting a very light rom-com, but it was a bit heavier than I expected. I do think I have read/watched this book before, but it has an audience for those who love wedding rom-com drama filled books. I did not love it as much as I had hoped because of the unlikeable characters and all of the drama that made it a heavier read. I did love the multiple pov’s and the writing in general, so I look forward to reading more from this author duo. Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review this novel.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
This was an interesting book, making you feel many different emotions
Olivia meets Zach and it is love at first sight, They meet at a restaurant to share their news- but all the family think it is too soon- they haven’t been going out long,
But the biggest shock at the gathering is the parents knowing each other and sharing a history that was traumatic, can they put their feelings aside and pull together for the wedding if their children?

Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Steinke and Liz Fenton and Alcove Press for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This wasn’t my favourite of this lovely duos writing (how to save a life) but I really enjoyed it. I read it in just a few sittings and I was dying to know what was going to happen next. Relationships are complicated and I never would have seen the twist coming. Definitely another worthwhile read from these lovely ladies. I highly recommend any of their novels!

I love Liz & Lisa and had been missing this books so much. I was soo excited when I saw they were coming out with another one and that it was available for us to read! I overall really enjoyed this book & I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early. It transports you to Italy and I overall enjoyed the story that was told. I will be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of stories. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by these authors. I'm excited to see what Lisa & Liz come out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

This book is a huge NO for me.

I picked it up to read it a few months back and put it down again because I couldn't get into it and so I put it aside to read at another time.
I should have listened to my gut and just left it alone.

**Spoilers ahead**

I love Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke books. Girl's Night Out was one I absolutely loved and will rave about. This one.... totally missed the mark.

Every single character in this book is unlikeable and stereotypical. Overbearing mother (June), who panics and thinks the worst has happened when her oldest daughter (Olivia) calls her from Italy in the middle of the night. Olivia, (V) the perfect oldest sibling, going to law school to please her father (William) a successful doctor (Anesthesiology) who is always too busy for anything but the hospital. (Thank goodness Olivia actually likes the law!)

Then we have Zach (Z), the guy Olivia (V) meets on her two month vacation in Italy who is so perfect for her and just happens to live only 30 minutes from her. Zach has his own issues; a workaholic mother (Amy) who also is so over-attached to her grown son that Zach is afraid to tell her about his new fiancée. Her ex-husband and father of Zach is Troy, who runs a successful real estate company where Zach works, however Zach doesn't want to sell real estate, he wants to be a photographer.

Oh, and let's throw in a bad Grandma too, while we are at it.

If all this isn't bad enough... June and Troy were in love once. Engaged to be married. Until Troy cheated on June with... Amy! Best friends until Amy slept with Troy and got pregnant with - do you see where this is going? - Zach!

Oh, and it turns out the Italian meet-cute was actually orchestrated by Troy.

Whew.

I'm sorry. I am sorry for spoiling this book for you but trust me, I have saved you hours you will never get back. Every single character is a cliché -and not the entertaining ones, either.

Read at your own risk.

This book was just okay. I did not find myself invested in any of the romantic relationships, and I found all of the characters to be very selfish. I thought this had a good premise and I was pretty excited for it for about the first 50% of the book, and then I realized that the story just was not getting any better and the characters were never going to show any development, so unfortunately I skimmed the rest of the book. I am giving this 3 stars, but it is more like 2.5 stars. Unfortunately I would not recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for access to an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Zach and Olivia meet in Italy and sparks fly, it isn't too long before they are announcing to their parents that they are engaged. However, when they finally bring their parents together, old animosities surface. Will they make it to the altar?

I picked this title for two reasons. First, the two author's collaboration on The Year We Turned Forty was one of my favorite reads of 2020. Second, comparing this book to one of my favorite films, Father of the Bride made it hard to resist. There is a great theme around the subject of forgiving old hurts in order to move on. I appreciated the different character perspectives of the parents( June, Amy, and Troy) because it helped me understand where each was coming from. Even if I didn't find any of them very likable.


I just wish this book had been a little lighter. I wish Olivia's father, William had been a little more developed. I felt that the June and Amy conflict was a little petty and I was begging Z and V to just elope. I think there is already a flood of books on this very scenario that has been done. I don't really believe this storyline added anything new.





Expected Publication Date 11/07/23
Goodreads Review Published 12/04/23

#ForeverHoldYourPeace #NetGalley

I’ve been waiting a long time for another book by this dynamic duo and what fun to read FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE. The plot is zany and fun – it turns out the mother-of-the-bride and the mother-of-the-groom go way back. They used to be best friends in college until something came between them and well, now they’re face to face with their ex-husbands, and their soon-to-be betrothed children, fresh out of college, and this surprise wedding on the horizon coupled with seeing each other for the first time in 25 years is more than they can handle. Can they let go of their old grudges enough to let this wedding go on? This is a fun, lighthearted read. Perfect if you love a rom-com and great for packing in your bag for a getaway, beach trip, or just kicking back this summer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an adorable story about Olivia and meeting and falling in love in Italy. Little do they know that their parents know each other, and that's not a good thing. I loved reading the dynamic between everyone and was excited to find out how the story would end.

I was given an early review of the novel. That said, I will give my own honest opinion.This was a different kind of romance shows love can have many layers including a mother’s love. Let’s just say there is a lot of baggage to unpack along the way. The story is told from many points of view which helps move the story along. I found myself having more empathy with each character when I understood them better. It was a clean romance which I appreciated and would recommend to those likeminded. Special thanks to the following for allowing me to review early:
#NetGalley
#AlcovePress
#LizFenton:LisaSteinke
#ForeverHoldYourPeace
PubDate:July11, 2023

I have been a huge fan of Liz and Lisa for many years, starting with my love of their blog Chick Lit Is Not Dead followed by the novels they began co-writing. I love chick lit/women's fiction, and I'm so happy to see this talented duo writing the kinds of stories I naturally gravitate toward. I love their backlist, and I loved Forever Hold Your Peace. This kind of premise is right up my alley.

The book has six characters - the two leads, Zach and Olivia who met in Positano, and their parents Amy and Troy, and June and William. Zach and Olivia started a whirlwind romance while in Italy and returned home engaged, much to the surprise of their parents. But there's an added layer to this surprising news because their parents ... have previously met, which is a massive understatement. I can't say more without spoiling the story, but trust me when I say it's messy and complicated and gives the story a whole other level of conflict to explore.

My impression of the characters switched at various times because all of them are flawed but kind, uncertain but loyal, and everyone wants what's best for Zach and Olivia. This is really two stories in one, and I love how it all came together at the end. I think readers are really going to enjoy this one.

I had been waiting a few years for a new novel by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke and they definitely delivered with Forever Hold Your Peace! This is the first book of theirs that is neither surreal or a thriller. It's a fun rom-com about all kinds of relationships and how they play into a wedding.

I only had one major falling out with my best friend, about 19 years ago, and we started finding our way back to each other less than a year later. While it took some time for things to get back to normal, I am thankful that they eventually did. And it just made our friendship stronger in the long run. So thinking about best friends being estranged for 25 years is heartbreaking.

This story has a bit of a Parent Trap feel, but instead with an engaged couple that ends up reuniting two best friends who had a huge falling out before [at least part of] the couple was even born. I liked the concept of this novel and how June and Amy become momzillas over the wedding plans. There's also more to the story than just this, but I will save that explanation as to not spoil what happens. It contains multiple perspectives, so you're not just getting June and Amy's sides of the situation. I enjoyed all the pop culture references throughout, some being rather nostalgic!

Overall, it was a sweet story and I even got misty-eyed at one point. I had a great time reading it. Forever Hold Your Peace will be available in July, so be sure to grab a copy and add it to your beach bag!

Movie casting suggestions:
June: Marley Shelton
Amy: Danica McKellar
Olivia: Angourie Rice
Zach: K.J. Apa
Troy: Josh Lucas
William: Jon Hamm
Chloe: Holly J. Barrett
Eileen: Patty McCormack

I loved this book , such a change from the thrillers that I read. I connected with the characters and I certainly love a second chance romance. This was a fun and enjoyable book.

A couple of twenty-something’s meet while vacationing in Positqno, Italy and sparks fly! Their whirlwind romance blossoms and they end up engaged. Once home, they break the news to their parents and decades old grudges surface. Quirky, lovely characters drive this rom com. Family dynamics are wonderful, messy and sometimes difficult, but where there is love, faith and forgiveness, happiness prevails. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was witty, compelling, and equal parts funny and serious. I found myself deeply in my feelings while reading. Also, it makes me want to elope and never plan a wedding lol.

The story is told via multiple points of view. We hear from all of the parents, Olivia and Zach, and even Olivia’s sister. The multiple POVs help us to understand the motivation behind each character’s actions and definitely add to the story. This story was emotional, funny, heartwarming, and so so entertaining. It is filled with pop culture references, like a section devoted to an Instagram post by Kaia Gerber that had me laughing! There is a theme of forgiveness, and it makes you think about what you would be willing to forgive and forget to move forward in your own life.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

REVIEW TO FOLLOW.

"Forever Hold Your Peace" by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke is a captivating novel about love, secrets, and the power of forgiveness. The story follows Claire and Josh, a couple who are about to get married, but are plagued by doubts and secrets that threaten to tear them apart.

The writing style is engaging and immersive, with well-crafted dialogue and vivid descriptions that bring the characters and setting to life. The plot is well-paced, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Another strength of this novel is the way it balances light-hearted moments with deeper, more emotional ones. The humor and wit of the characters provide a nice contrast to the weightier themes of the story, and help to keep the tone from becoming too heavy.

Overall, "Forever Hold Your Peace" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that explores the complexities of relationships and the power of forgiveness. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.

When their newly engaged kids ask all four divorced parents to meet each other over brunch, everyone RSVPs yes--secretly hoping someone at the table will get to the bottom of the bottomless mimosas fast enough to say what they’re all thinking: that this engagement, coming after a whirlwind romance between two people barely out of college, is too much too soon.

But at that brunch it’s not the impulsive couple's decisions that end up under the microscope, as it turns out June, mother of the bride, and Amy, mother of the groom, certainly do know each other--they're ex-best-friends who haven't spoken since their explosive falling out more than twenty-five years ago. Reeling from their unwanted reunion and eager to shift the spotlight off their past as decades-old secrets and rivalries come to light, the two moms battle it out for the prize of Most Enthusiastic About This Wedding.

But when their history—and their present-day shenanigans—threaten to crack the foundations of the happy couple’s future, June and Amy find themselves becoming unexpected allies in an all-hands-on-deck effort to get their kids (and themselves) a happily-ever-after two generations in the making.