Bridesmaids

Oh, I am just a big old sucker for these kinds of books!!

Jane has recently been dumped on her hen night no less, as if your fiancé binning you isn’t bad enough, and now her very best friend is getting married and she has to relive the whole experience!

Jane’s life isn’t a bad one. But her job is, and so is her ex. Then suddenly she’s thrown back into high school drama when she’s reunited with her fellow bridesmaids from way back when. Each of them have their own story to tell, and I appreciate that Zara Stoneley allowed is as readers to explore each of them thoroughly enough to avoid dissatisfaction.

You’ve got Rachel, the best friend who’s marrying the cheating prick (not that she knows, yet). Maddie, the too nice and polite girl who is pining after her ex after she mistakenly pushed him away. Sally the bitch, there’s always one, who is now married to Maddie’s ex. And Beth, who has a baby and a secret baby daddy. The drama is intense and it all unravels before your eyes.

While the book is notably lighthearted and a nice easy read, it doesn’t shy away from the messiness that is sex, love and marriage. Especially when they’re all keeping it in the friendship group! However, the lack of swearing grated on me after a while. I mean, what self-respecting adults use the words ‘crumbs!’ and ‘sugar!’ without the presence of a small child? Also, referring to ‘frig’ as the F-word... I digress.

Jane’s personal journey through her own struggles to break out on her own as a photographer and get over being jilted by the man you thought you loved, is truly heartwarming. Watching her relationships with others and herself, I felt proud of her. I just love when the author gives me characters I can know and invest in, I have so many book friends!

So yeah, I enjoyed it. Definitely my type. Enough to give it a generous 4 stars.

Completely hilarious and if you love characters that put 2 and 2 together and come up with fifty, then you will love Jane.

The whole book is told from Jane's point of view, and after being dumped on her hen night, isn't that keen on weddings any more, so its rather tricky when best friend Rachel announces she is getting married. Even more awkward when Jane knows a secret about groom Michael and has no idea what to do with it.

Then there are the other bridesmaids / close friends who Jane hasn't seen in years but Rachel keeps up with. There is Sally who married Maddie's ex-boyfriend Jack, and well Maddie isn't as ok with it as everyone seems to think.

Finally there is Beth, who is single mum to baby Joe, responsible for an amusingly disgusting instance in the dress shop, and Beth is definitely hiding things too, like just who the father is.

Set in three parts, where we meed the bridesmaids, the hen party and then the wedding, this is one of the most amusing books I've read this year. If there are cross purposes to be had, then Jane is your woman.

And in amongst Jane trying to make sure the wedding goes without a hitch, despite her misgivings and tension in the bridesmaids ranks - she is just coming to the realisation of what she feels for a couple of key men from her life.

Bridesmaids has a wonderful feel to it, and I could easily see it as a film (although in some respects it feels a bit like elements from the film of the same name, but completely and utterly different too). Or maybe it should be a sitcom, there is definitely enough humour, romance and conflict in this for a TV series!

Another incredibly enjoyable and entertaining book from one of my favourite authors, Bridesmaids is triumph!

Thank you to Harper Impulse and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I will do my best to stop laughing and sputtering at you as I write this review. That’s how funny and adorable is this book is. Applause and lots of love to author Zara Stoneley for creating a warm and witty story.

How many romantic comedies have been written about weddings and bridesmaids? How many have you read? Lots, I’d bet. But you haven’t experienced the true joy of a funny and loveable rom com until you’ve read THIS book. Get ready to turn the pages- you won’t want to stop reading this book, as something hilarious is always happening.

Jane is our first-person narrator and a reluctant bridesmaid. You’ll find out why as you get to know her and her friends, all buddies from school. Each of them has a precarious hold on romance and each one is alternately trying to sort out their own lives, while helping the others fix their messes.

The author has done a wonderful job of creating vibrant characters- Jane and her flat mate Freddie are two of the best rom com stars created. All the “supporting cast” is excellent, too- each character is memorable and really stands out. Even the mothers in the book are delightful to read about, especially at the end!

What happens when two friends, Maddie and Sally, love the same man, and one of them married him? Does Jane really know who the father of Beth’s baby is? And what should Jane do when she discovers a secret that involves her best friend Rachel? It’s amazing that people manage to get married!

This book is much more than just an adorable cover. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Harper Impulse, Netgalley and Rachel’s Random Reviews for this review copy. This is my honest review.