4+ stars rounded up!

This is not your run of the mill wedding novel and lands squarely in my definition of Uplit Fiction. Ever so small hints of My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Sweet Home Alabama leans into nostalgia and adds a modern twist. The voices of the Mother of the Bride and the Mother of the Groom add a fresh perspective to the age old question; a wedding…what could possibly go wrong?

Alexa and Abigail are the moms and the reliable narrators of this fresh new novel, sure to be a spring/summer hit. Their respective son and daughter are engaged and the blending of families might prove to be completely unrealistic. There is the theme of coming of age, related to the bride and groom as well as the two women who may have more in common than they think.
Perfectly placed interludes featuring Aunt B (Wedding Advice Columnist Extraordinaire) sets the well timed pacing of this narrative and had me reminiscing about the days of Erma Bombeck. The group of friends, the self labeled Merry Widows, showcases the very best of fictional female friendships and I adored every scene they were in! Set in the floral gardens of Montecito, California and patrician towns of coastal Connecticut, the geographic, cultural and generational diversity provides plenty of opportunity for Dolan’s signature hilarious dialogue, making this my favorite of hers to date.

This will especially resonate with mothers who have recently participated in the production/circus of planning and hosting a wedding and lived to tell the tale!


Thank you William Morrow and Net Galley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was well written, the characters were well developed. I appreciated how the mother of the groom and mother of the bride were products of their situation and this helped move the story along. The California coast actually became a character. The Merry Widows give support to the plot to move it along. Penelope and Chase are well written characters. I love the details of a modern Greek wedding. With both mothers not sure about this wedding at first plot to save the wedding when things become tense. It was a fun read!

This was a great read - happy, believable, relatable and entertaining! I liked the characters and was surprised to end up liking the MOG - since she was so intentionally off putting to start, lol. I thought it was such a good description of some young people these days that "disassociate from relationships for a while"

Penny and Chase, who come from very different worlds, are set to get married, and we meet the mother of the groom and mother of the bride, who are trying to help their children realize the wedding of their dreams. This book caught my eye, because much of it’s set in Montecito, and since I was born nearby, I was familiar with many of the places mentioned. Normally I love this, but for some reason these descriptions rubbed me the wrong way. There was just too much of everything – money, outrageous homes, clothing, and restaurants. I tired of reading the lengthy descriptions of it all, and it read like a YA novel. I think it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Thank-you to NetGalley, Ms. Dolan, and Harper Collins for the ARC of this title.

Penelope and Chase have gotten engaged and share the news with their families. For different reasons, neither Alexa (MOB) or Abigail (MOG) are super excited about this news. Alexa raised Penny as a single mother and doesn't understand why her daughter is giving up her freedom to be tied to a political candidate in Queens. Abigail is a WASPy mother who is trying to hide her financial woes from her friends and family by claiming she's volunteering when she's really being paid. And she had thought Chase's big news was that he was going to law school, a much more sensible move in her opinion. When circumstances force Alexa and Abigail together, they have to plan the wedding and then make sure the wedding happens.

This book is told from the POVs of both Alexa and Abigail. It also has sections from "Aunt B," a wedding etiquette blogger and college friend of Abigail's. As I'm in wedding planning mode for my 2026 event, I enjoyed reading from their perspective (although thankfully both of our mothers were really happy with the news). I especially liked the "Merry Widows," a group of Alexa's friends in CA who were very generous with their time and money. There was surprisingly little involvement with the engaged couple, but I found that to make the story more interesting as it wasn't a typical rom-com.

Novelist Lian Dolan did it again! Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding is a fresh, fun, suspenseful story about interesting characters who are easy to love. Bookclubs and readers of many genres will adore the women and their families and root for their success as they dodge obstacles to getting the job done.

Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding is a fun modern comedy of manners about two very different mothers, grand plans gone awry, and one unforgettable wedding! With strong themes of female friendship and familial bonds, Dolan's prose artfully guide the reader from alternating perspectives.

Penelope and Chase are a perfect match. She’s a smart, sweet, Southern Californian with an unstoppable work ethic, and he’s a smart, charming, East Coaster, aiming for political greatness. They're planning a wedding and it gets complicated in all the ways, including a Mother of the Bride (MOB) and Mother of the Groom (MOG) with very different perspectives.

The MOB, Alexa Diamandis, is an urbane Greek woman who raised her daughter on her own and isn't a fan of marriage. Meanwhile, MOG, Abigail Blakeman, is a traditional garden-club queen from coastal Connecticut who is trying to keep up appearances while the Blakeman's finances are not cooperating. Drama ensues when complicating factors upend wedding plans and Abigail and Alexa jump in to attempt to save the day.

The story weaves around the race to save the wedding. The Moms realize that, while they are very different women, they share the paramount priority of their children's happiness. With the help of the Merry Widows and a full cast of creative personalities, Abigail and Alexa use their unique talents to make magic happen.

From beginning to end the story is engaging and fun, and touching.

Thank you #netgalley, #WilliamMorrow and #LianDolan for the ARC. Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding was a joy to read.

Really enjoyed this book! Laughed out loud many times. A perfect read for the upcoming wedding season.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing me with the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 starts rounded to 4. I really enjoyed this witty story of two moms saving the day. While I know the main focus was on the moms, it would have been nice to have more of a peek into Penny and Chase's relationship. I absolutely LOVED the wedding advice letters from Aunt B and EVERY SINGLE BRIDE needs to read them, because they are all accurate AF. I cannot stand the weddings that are being planned around an Instagram post.

I will say it took me a bit to warm up to Abigail's character and it was nice to see her change throughout the story. It really irked me how her only thought about the wedding was how it would make her look in society. I really enjoyed watching her grow closer again with her husband.

This book will make a great beach read!

4.25 ⭐️!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!

Synopsis: Penny and Chase are the new happily engaged couple. They couldn’t be happier or more excited to begin wedding planning. Except for their mothers. Told from the dual POV of the two mothers, MOB (mother of the bride), Alexa Diamondis, and MOG (mother of the groom), Abigail Blakeman, have mixed emotions about their children getting married. But when a twist of fate calls them into action, these two very different women are forced to take over the wedding planning. Despite their differences, Alexa and Abigail charge in to save the day. How far will two moms go to make their children’s dream wedding a reality?

Thoughts: I loved this book - it was so fun, entertaining, and even a little emotional. As a 2025 bride who is currently in the midst of wedding planning, I related to so much of this story! It was really interesting to read about the moms and see things from their point of view.

A feel-good romcom about love, relationships, and the chaos of families and weddings. If you like light-hearted, fun, and entertaining stories then I highly recommend reading this novel! Perfect for all future brides and MOB/MOGs 🤍👰🏼‍♀️💍

I am a huge fan of Lian Dolan and have read, and loved, all of her novels, starting with Helen of Pasadena in 2010. After each read, I say “this is my new favorite!” After devouring Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding, I can say that this one truly is one of the best, most well-written books I’ve ever read and clearly THE favorite! I laughed, I cried, I wanted to savor every page but raced through to see how Abigail (the Mother of the Groom or MOG) and Alexa (Mother of the Bride, or MOB) would actually save the wedding of their children, Chase and Penny. For me, the real main characters were not the young couple, but the MOG and MOB, two very different women from very different backgrounds (both geographically and economically), living on opposite coasts, who not only find common ground with each other based on their deep love for their children, but grow in their own lives and relationships. It took me awhile to like Abigail, an uptight Daughter of the American Revolution living in Connecticut, who initially was not a fan of the engagement. However, as a former development director (I could relate), she knew how to navigate people and situations. As more of her story was revealed and she experienced the dynamic, independent Greek-born Alexa and her uber-wealthy loving friends, aka the “Merry Widows,” in upscale Montecito, CA, she bloomed. I grew up in Southern California, and no one writes about the “upper echelon” and wealthy communities like Ms. Dolan. It’s fun to get to peek behind the curtain and spend time with these multi-dimensional and delightful characters. The dialogue sparkles and leaps off the page. Amid planning and then saving the wedding, Ms. Dolan gives readers a respite from the chaos, thanks to “Aunt B,” a well-known and well-regarded “wedding etiquette doyenne” who’s also a long-time friend of Abigail’s. Aunt B adds common sense, a firm hand, and compassion throughout the book through her column, “Betrothed and Beloveds.” It’s a lovely touch.

I received the ARC on the day the Southern California fires broke out. After a few days of making sure all my family, friends, and yes, even Ms. Dolan were safe in Pasadena, this book was a perfect getaway. Thank you to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this delightful ARC. I am happy to provide this sincere review, and all opinions are my own.

Lian Dolan is one of my favorite Rom-Com writers. I devour her books! Once you start, you have to know how it ends! Be prepared to read in as few sittings as possible!
Penny and Chase are now engaged and are trying to plan a wedding. Problem number one, they are busy with no time to plan. Problem number two, is problem number one an even bigger problem? As the families come together, the wedding some how comes together too.
While I feel like I am not doing this book justice in my description, I don't want to give anything away. This story is light-hearted, good family, fun! It makes me want to travel to California like no other book has. I want to see Montecito! I loved the characters, the setting, and the story! Special thanks to NetGalley, Lian Dolan, and William Morrow Publishing for the advanced digital Copy in exchange for my honest opinion! 5 stars!! #AbigailandAlexaSavetheWedding #NetGalley

Abigail and Alexa are the respective mothers of Chase and Penelope, two young professionals who are trailblazers in their career fields. Chase and Penelope have decided to marry and know exactly what they want, which leaves the mothers slightly irritated and slightly left-out. As they grapple with their personal feelings on where the wedding should be, how it should look, and who should be invited, Chase and Penelope have a huge fight and declare the wedding cancelled. The mothers hold off on cancelling reservations when they realize how unhappy their children are and how they needed to reunite. Working together instead of in opposition the mothers construct a plan to save the wedding.

Very sweet and readable RomCom. Grab this one for your next snow day or beach read.

This was pretty funny. I liked the aunt b wedding tips part. Haven’t read another like this plot so nice for something a little different

Just in time for wedding season! Lian Dolan takes us coast to coast in search of the perfect wedding. Not surprisingly, both the bride's and groom's families offer their opinions on everything from catering to venue. When love starts to get lost in the floral arrangements, mothers-in-law-to-be Abigail and Alexa unite in their desire for their children's happiness over their own preferences with respect to cocktail, canapé, or cake. With her signature wit and humor, Dolan reminds us what's most important when it comes to planning the perfect celebration. Cheers!

I devoured this! When Penny and Chase announced their engagement, neither of their mothers was thrilled at first. This story of their wedding, told through the MOG and MOB perspectives, shows that despite differences, love will prevail..I loved both of these women, loved learning about their families, their reservations for the wedding, and loved hanging out with them in this book. I loved the agony aunt perspective between chapters and really would love to spend more time with all the characters!

Although Alexa and Abigail come from completely different backgrounds as Alexa comes from a boisterous Greek family out of Patmos whereas Abigail hails from a staid New England family rooted in DAR, both are unwavering in their love for their children and the willingness to put their differences aside to make sure they are happy. Abigail constantly reflects on the past and what should have been her life if George had proven to be successful in his career. Therefore, it is easy to understand why image is everything to her in order to keep up appearances of success and how even her house comes into play as serving as a perfect background. She wants so badly to be mentioned in Aunt B's column that she appeared blind to how well suited Penny and Chase were for each other. Quite frankly, she led a small and lonely life. Alexa was the polar opposite as she epitomized independence and surrounded herself with the Merry Widows as she traveled the world and was open to new experiences. She let people in. Yes, Penny and Chase put a pause on the wedding but the mothers knew that it should be temporary because they were truly right for each other. They may occupy two bodies but with one soul. The ending was so full of love and the evolution of relationships such as Lloyd and Sarah that it gives the reader hope that there is someone out there. A great and inspiring read.

"Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding" is a charming romp through the wedding-industrial complex. Lian Dolan's attention to details, as always, brings the reader into luxurious homes on the California coast, privileged circles in New York and Connecticut and she paints pictures of exotic Grecian isles to enjoy from afar. It is lovely to have two protagonists well into their sixties, with sidekicks of equal age and backup singers, if you will, in their twenties and thirties. It is fun to dip our toes into the pools of the wealthy and get an exclusive look at a lifestyle most readers won't ever get to enjoy first hand. This novel will especially appeal to readers who have recently planned a wedding, attended one, or are about to pay for the experience! The inventive columns by a fictional newspaper nuptials columnist are such a fun way to open each chapter and the advice seems spot on, even if fabricated to advance this story of love, families, obligation, and friendship. As an afterward to this review, it is important to mention the disastrous fires that have destroyed homes of both the rich and poor in the area of California where A&A is set. It may take a little while for west coast readers to find as much enjoyment as I did, so I'll recommend with care and empathy.

Another delightful excursion from author Lian Dolan, who writes smart books about and for smart women. Her latest takes us into The Wedding Industrial Complex, but it’s told from the point of view of the mother of the bride (Alexa) and the mother of the groom (Abigail). It reflects Dolan’s deep research into details of place, in this case Montecito and coastal Connecticut. I wish I hadn’t read it all in one sitting, but it’s a complete page turner. And I loved the device of the wedding advice columnist, which provides wry commentary on what not to do as a guest, MOB, MOG, or bride.

Our 2 main characters are mom's. One is the MOB and 1 is the. MOG, alexia and abigail. Their kids are getting married, from not even knowing if they like each other to trying to saving the wedding day this is a cute book. It was fun. I feel like the character of Abigail was fleshed out a little more than Alexa's character, but I would have like to know in more about Alexia she had a very fun group of friends in Montecito called the merry widows, and they were hysterical, and I would definitely love a book about them

Thank you, not galley for the arc in exchange.for an honest review

I appreciate the opportunity to read this advance copy of Lian Dolan’s book. Lian had a great time researching this wedding romp. I wonder who she knows in Montecito? I share Aunt Bs sentiments which acted like a calm, steady bridge between the chaos of wedding planning and the event. Aunt B, while tech savvy and world weary, provided reason and logic to cancelling “bridezilla “ behavior in all roles involved. Well thought out characters and believable (but still over the top) plot lines made this a nonstop pleasure to read.
I look forward to the pre summer publication and reading reviews. Thoroughly enjoyed this.