I enjoyed this modern whodunnit with a wedding planning twist. The plot was nicely paced and the small town secrets were interesting. While there was a list of suspects, it can be improved by making them more suspicious and having heavier twists. I liked that the ends tied up nicely but confused on the ending as to why the entrance of a character caused such a reaction. Then right after that, it going straight to chapters of solely wedding tips was a little disjointed. I did like the quick wedding tips at the beginning of the chapters was a nice touch. I don’t think adding them at the end was necessary.

This was a good story that involves a wedding planner that moves back home after her marriage goes south. She find ways to get out things through her job. There’s some mystery to solve when the florist gets murdered. There was a lot of detail that kept this interesting and it was a great read

Setting the Scene: After betrayal by her husband and her now former best friend, as well as a contentious divorce that left her with virtually nothing, Kate Ludlow moves herself, her teenage daughter Ellis, and her once part-time wedding planner business to her New England hometown. Kate is struggling to build her wedding planning business, and the Marcy Simpson wedding is key to that success. Unfortunately, that particular job comes with a unique side-gig, namely a scavenger hunt for a family heirloom that went missing years before. Then disaster strikes in the form of the murder of the florist for said wedding, the florist with whom Kate had a shouting match and exchanged angry texts only days earlier. Becoming a murder suspect wreaks havoc on her fledgling business and complicates her search for the heirloom, but Kate is determined to clear her name, find the heirloom, and save her business. Further complicating things is the fact that the police detective assigned to the case is her high school sweetheart, and her ex-husband suddenly shows up on her doorstep with the former best friend in tow. Kate has her hands full.

What I Thought: I thoroughly enjoyed this first in series, tropes and all. The story is entertaining, and the core characters are likeable and intelligent. Kate is my favorite kind of protagonist, slightly flawed, intelligent, and neither an iron maiden nor a wilting violet. Her best friend has her own backstory that we are about to hear more about in Book 2, based on the ending of this book. Ellis may be the best surprise in this book. Yes, she has some typical teen struggles, but she is one awesome kid, and she has her mother's back when it counts. I also like the love interest that blossoms quickly, in spite of plenty of obstacles. I know some are not fans of the police detective and protagonist trope, and others prefer a slow build to relationships, but Kate is no 20-something ingenue, so why waste time? Thankfully, they do escape the dreaded love triangle, at least so far. Fickle will not become Kate, so here's hoping the author does not mess that up. The mystery is well plotted and has sufficient suspects and surprises. The hunt for the family heirloom was different and provided an intriguing sub-plot of its own. The "Wedding Tips by Kate" at the beginning of each chapter are a nice flair. If you are looking for an enjoyable cozy with mature characters, I recommend you give this one a try. I am looking forward to the next visit with Kate and the crew.

Very intriguing storyline. It was hard to put this book down with the mystery at hand. It was nice learning about multiple characters past as well as focusing on the main character Katie. Nice little touches of wedding advice and recipes at the end.

Wedding Bride and Doom, the first book in the A Wedding Planner Mystery series by Mary Karnes, is enjoyable, revolving around the enjoyment as well as the challenges (can anything be more challenging than a bride gaining 40 pounds after the gown has been purchased?) in the planning of weddings with a murder mystery thrown in and creating a distraction and keeping you guessing until the end…not all was as it seemed. The cast of characters was realistic and relatable…each with their own unique personality, making the story move quickly...gaining momentum as the pages turned. I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series…I now have a vested interest in how the characters evolve.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.

Wow, this is a true page-turner! Mary has a true knack for character development and realistic world-building. I genuinely feel like I know and like Kate Ludlow, our main character. Mary provides little details about each character that give glimpses into their personality, emotions, and quirks. When Mary writes about Kate snuggling up with her cuppa and her robe, I know that she is trying to relax, rather than stating "Kate was trying to relax." I love those intimate details that help the reader to feel like the characters aren't just on the page, they are cherished friends. The mystery is multi-layered and complex while avoiding messy loose ends. I love the recipes, and wedding tips, and love the "Tip for Further Down the Line." This is an easy, fun read and it is great for a relaxing beach day. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

I read the pre-release with an ARC through NetGalley.

Love the strong female character in this book! She's both relatable and likeable, and the author has an amazing writing style to portray this!
Really hard to put this book down as there's so much going on so you just don't want to stop reading.
Really enjoyed the book and how the story wasn't predictable yet easy to follow.
Five stars from me!

I thought this book was super cute with a fun and witty story line. It was definitely better than I expected. The characters were relatable and the premise was fun and cute. There were a lot of spelling/grammar mistakes which were hard to go unnoticed.

Indulge yourself in the delightful, heartwarming world of this truly cozy and delicious read! The author's captivating prose effortlessly paints a vivid picture of both the endearing characters and the charming New England town, leaving me yearning to step into the story and immerse myself as a wedding planner. Connecting with the characters felt so natural, and the story's pace was perfectly suited to my taste.

Let me start by saying, I really enjoyed this book. The novel's luscious, dreamy details offer a tantalizing glimpse into the lives of the elite, seasoned with just the right amount of unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader delightfully surprised. The writing style and tone add a refreshing and engaging touch to the narrative, making it both believable and entertaining.

For anyone seeking an easy yet gripping read, this book is an ideal choice. It effortlessly combines light-hearted entertainment with shocking revelations that will keep you utterly captivated. With each chapter commencing with a practical wedding tip, the story maintains an inviting and realistic touch. It's evident that the author possesses a profound understanding of real-life wedding planning, promising continued drama and excitement in the next installment of the series.

When two deeply entrenched, high society families merge as one, the unveiling of complicated truths and family secrets is inevitable! This book was an absolute treat and pleasure to read, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. In fact, the anticipation is almost unbearable—I can hardly wait to dive back into this enchanting world!#WeddingBrideandDoom #NetGalley

I was drawn into the plot by the compelling narrative and fantastic dialogue. The plot of the novel was intriguing, and the characters were appealing. In the future, I will read more works by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Level Best Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A truly cozy, delicious read! The author illustrates the characters and the charming New England town so beautifully that it made me want to insert myself into the story, and become a wedding planner myself. I related to the characters with such ease and the story was paced to my liking.
Luscious, dreamy details open a window into the lives of the elite, dappled with just enough unexpected twists and turns to truly surprise the reader. The writing and tone kept the story fresh, engaging, and believable.
I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy read that is equal parts light and entertaining, shocking, and fantastically addictive. You will have no trouble staying engaged as shocking secrets unfold.
The chapters are short and inviting, each with a real-life a wedding tip to kick off the chapter. It’s clear the author knows the ins-and-outs of planning a real-life wedding, and I am convinced she will continue to deliver the drama in the next book of the series.
Nothing will bring out the complicated truth and family secrets like the merging of two deeply rooted, high society families joining as one! This book was a treat and a pleasure to read; I am truly looking forward to the next book in the series. In fact, I can’t wait!

Book Review 📚
Wedding Bride And Doom by Mary Karnes - 4/5 ⭐

A amazingly easy read about a murder mystery. Not usually my cup of tea but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I felt a strong connection to Kate, thinking how fantastic of a friend she would be to anyone! She is definitely my kind of character. Karnes does a nice dig deep on her background and gives us a wonderful story based around our strong female lead. Her friendships and relationships with others throughout the book were sensational. The writer brings them all to life.

There is so much happening at any one time, it really does keep you on your toes. But it's amazing because you never have time to try and guess and it certainly doesn't open up to becoming predictable! The entire book is filled with vivid detail and great character development. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Level Best Books for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

Grab a cup of coffee or your favourite tea and a sweet treat and put your feet up. Mary Karnes has captured small town life and wedding incidentals in a fun and light mystery with short, quick chapters. A perfect beach read!
Thank You to NetGalley, Level Best Books, and Mary Karnes for the opportunity to read and enjoy this ARC.

Wedding Bride and Doom by Mary Karnes is a delightful read. Yes, it is a mystery, a murder mystery. There are more suspects, motives, rivals than one needs, but in the end, Kate Ludlow solves the crime. Having moved back to her hometown after a divorce, Kate rekindles old friendships and reawakens old enemies. When one of these enemies ends up dead, Kate is the prime suspect because of an old high school fight between her and the victim. Fortunately for Kate, the chief detective on the case is her old high school sweetheart, Brian. The novel takes many twists and turns, and one hops from one suspect to another as the possible killer until the crime is solved. This book has everything, crime, friendships, enemies and love to boot. I enjoyed this book very much.

A Must-Read For Cozy Mystery Enthusiasts!
Prepare to be enchanted by Mary Karnes' debut cozy mystery, Bride and Doom. With her deft storytelling and vivid descriptions, Karnes brings the world of wedding planning to life while also delivering a captivating murder mystery. Follow Kate Ludlow as she juggles her new business, complicated relationships, and a murder investigation that hits too close to home. The author's ability to create relatable and well-rounded characters adds depth to the story, making readers emotionally invested in their journey. Packed with suspense, romance, and a dash of humor, Bride and Doom is a delightful and engaging cozy mystery that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

WEDDING BRIDE AND DOOM is the first book in the brand-new Wedding Planner Mystery series by Mary Karnes. With a career as a professional wedding planner, the author brings her expertise to life on the pages while weaving a tantalizing tale of deceit, blackmail, and murder. Each chapter starts off with a wedding planning tip and, whether or not you’re thinking of a wedding, I found them both educational and enjoyable. The protagonist, wedding planner Kate Ludlow, is a mother to a teen girl. I liked that Kate is older than the usual protagonist, yet she still has an inner snarky voice (no doubt influenced by her daughter) that lends a bit of humor to the story. That “voice’ is especially evident when dealing with her teen daughter, bridezillas, and unreasonable vendors, and makes Kate quite relatable. Ms. Karnes does an admirable job in showing a single working mother juggling multiple weddings alongside raising her daughter. It’s a wonder that Kate can find time to fit in some sleuthing after finding the body of the florist… the same florist Kate had had a public argument with the day before.

Despite the backdrop of planning weddings, visiting gorgeous wedding venues, and discussing the many facets of the industry, the mystery itself is foremost, with the crime occurring early on. Kate finds ways—some that had me on the edge of my seat and biting my nails—in finding information. There is also a subplot of a family heirloom ring, missing since the bride’s grandmother’s youth. The bride cajoles Kate into tracking down the ring. I initially thought it might be a scene filler, but Ms. Karnes meticulously wove the two plots together in an impressive and seamless manner. Clues were planted throughout and I’ll admit, I fell for some of the misdirection. Even though Kate took some risks in sleuthing, she proves to be most resourceful. With a suspenseful reveal, the clues came together and all my questions were answered. Of course, being a wedding planner, there must be a happy ending and the author provides one, along with a tantalizing hint at what might happen in the next book. I, for one, will be waiting on pins and needles for the next release!

As the story concluded, I was pleased to find bonus material at the back of the book. Ms. Karnes provides thoughtful tips for planning a wedding along with tips for guests attending a wedding. There are also several recipes for the home cook to try out.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a great start in this delightful new series. California wedding planner Kate Ludlow moves back home to New England with her teenage daughter after a nasty divorce. Off to a good start, She is thrilled to book a high society wedding which could be a big boon to her new business. The local florist is Kate's high school nemesis. When the florist is murdered, Kate finds her body and instantly becomes the main suspect. The police detective on the case is her high school boyfriend, and the spark between them seems to still be alive for both of them. This book had a good plot, interesting likeable characters, and a secondary mystery as well. This was a fun quick read that had me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to read the next book in this highly entertaining series. My thanks to netgalley For this ARC. I enjoyed every page! 5/5 stars.

Wedding Bride and Doom is an easy read that is full of entertainment. The imagery captures a hometown nostalgia that transports you away from the hustle and bustle from everyday life, which is exactly what we ask from our books. The mystery has twists, turns, and subplots, but remains easy to follow and is cohesive with the ever-growing character development. I feel a set up for a series centered around the protagonist, Kate, and I cannot wait to read the next one!

This was a well-written whodunit with a comfortable tone making it easy to follow along with what the author intended. This multi-plot mystery was nicely done with a small pool of suspects and a sprinkling of clues to keep me immersed in all aspects from the murder to the reveal and motive of the killer. The visually descriptive narrative kept me in the game with engaging dialogue and made me feel like I was part of the action rooting for Katie as she tried to figure out who was doing what to whom. When I thought I knew where things were headed, the author changed directions all to enhance my reading pleasure. Katie is a likeable protagonist and I liked seeing how she handled both her professional and personal life. Boasting an eclectic cast of characters and a small-town atmosphere, this a very enjoyable story, and I can’t wait for the next book in this delightfully entertaining series. Bonus: wedding tips and recipes are included.