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_lc_'s review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
So this book wasn’t really my cup of tea. I just found it all a bit too stressful. There was a bit of cute stuff at the beginning but then it was all just being forced into a wedding she didn’t want and a partner who was really unsupportive and dismissive of her. Like I didn’t it want them to stay together cause he was useless. I kept waiting for the real love interest to arrive so she could leave the fiancé and get her HEA.
His family were awful, her family were dealing with health issues, it was all just a bit much for me personally.
Single POV, low/no spice, 16+
His family were awful, her family were dealing with health issues, it was all just a bit much for me personally.
Single POV, low/no spice, 16+
jennareadsthings's review
1.0
I normally don’t review DNF books but I was like 70% and I hate this guy and this girl needs a spine and IDGAF. Dump the fucker, grow a spine, and stop with this toxic wedding shit.
kendrahowe's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
bananatricky's review
3.0
Two and a half stars.
Getting engaged to her boyfriend Archie should have been the happiest day of Natalie's life, but soon it turns into a nightmare. Archie's parents are seriously wealthy and offer to pay for the whole wedding, but Archie's mother's idea of the perfect wedding is nothing like the small intimate affair, followed by dinner in the local pub that Natalie has dreamed of. Then her sister-in-law to be gets involved, trying to recreate the dream wedding that she had to abandon when her fiancé was caught cheating.
Natalie is trying to bond with her in-laws to be, but Archie won't back her up and soon she's agreeing to marriage in a stately home, a puffy dress that doesn't suit her, a pushy wedding planner who has grandiose ideas, and hundreds of guests she doesn't know.
Have you ever finished a book and thought 'huh, wonder why they wrote that?', well this was it for me. I'm sorry to be be so negative but I didn't find this funny or romantic, frankly I was hoping that Natalie would dump Archie and find someone with a backbone. I'm afraid that in order to make her novel 'funny' Sophie Ranald created a bizarre group of caricatures and then had to row back so hard to create a HEA that I practically got whiplash. Maybe I'm too old to empathise with wedding planning issues.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
Getting engaged to her boyfriend Archie should have been the happiest day of Natalie's life, but soon it turns into a nightmare. Archie's parents are seriously wealthy and offer to pay for the whole wedding, but Archie's mother's idea of the perfect wedding is nothing like the small intimate affair, followed by dinner in the local pub that Natalie has dreamed of. Then her sister-in-law to be gets involved, trying to recreate the dream wedding that she had to abandon when her fiancé was caught cheating.
Natalie is trying to bond with her in-laws to be, but Archie won't back her up and soon she's agreeing to marriage in a stately home, a puffy dress that doesn't suit her, a pushy wedding planner who has grandiose ideas, and hundreds of guests she doesn't know.
Have you ever finished a book and thought 'huh, wonder why they wrote that?', well this was it for me. I'm sorry to be be so negative but I didn't find this funny or romantic, frankly I was hoping that Natalie would dump Archie and find someone with a backbone. I'm afraid that in order to make her novel 'funny' Sophie Ranald created a bizarre group of caricatures and then had to row back so hard to create a HEA that I practically got whiplash. Maybe I'm too old to empathise with wedding planning issues.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
lin00's review
2.0
I think this book was not the right one for me. I think someone who is or has been married, engaged or is in the wedding industry will enjoy this way more. So if you fall into that category, make sure to read this one!
The thing I liked the most about the book was the ending. It was quite good and round. I loved how everything fell into place and all the changes that were made. I also loved Nat's Grandpa! He was by far my favourite character. I just wanted to give him a hug!
However, the book was quite disappointing. It looked very promising, and it could have been so much better.
The plot was bland and, I'm sorry to say it, boring. The characters were constantly inconsistent. Especially Nat, Archie and the in-laws. And trust me, I understood Nat, she has the right to make her wedding the way she wants it. But I was just frustrated and annoyed with her. We hear over and over again how she disagree with everything, and yet she never speaks her mind. Ok, I understand it's not the best impression you want to give your in-laws. But she didn't even try! or at least have a real and proper conversation with Archie. And to be honest, I didn't think Yvonne was that bad. Yes, she was so annoying and had zero right to make decisions for Nat. But still, you can tell she didn't do that just to hurt Nat. As for Archie, he was pretty much non-existent in the story. I thought this would be more rom-com but it feels more like woman fiction. Because it wasn't much about their love story but how Nat felt and experienced things.
The thing I liked the most about the book was the ending. It was quite good and round. I loved how everything fell into place and all the changes that were made. I also loved Nat's Grandpa! He was by far my favourite character. I just wanted to give him a hug!
However, the book was quite disappointing. It looked very promising, and it could have been so much better.
The plot was bland and, I'm sorry to say it, boring. The characters were constantly inconsistent. Especially Nat, Archie and the in-laws. And trust me, I understood Nat, she has the right to make her wedding the way she wants it. But I was just frustrated and annoyed with her. We hear over and over again how she disagree with everything, and yet she never speaks her mind. Ok, I understand it's not the best impression you want to give your in-laws. But she didn't even try! or at least have a real and proper conversation with Archie. And to be honest, I didn't think Yvonne was that bad. Yes, she was so annoying and had zero right to make decisions for Nat. But still, you can tell she didn't do that just to hurt Nat. As for Archie, he was pretty much non-existent in the story. I thought this would be more rom-com but it feels more like woman fiction. Because it wasn't much about their love story but how Nat felt and experienced things.
penn_and_paper's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. This is a lighthearted, medium paced read.
If you have been married you understand all the stresses that come with it in itself. Often there are expectations of what you should have or what you should do on your wedding day that you don't want. I felt agitated for and at Nat just wanting her to finally speak up.
It has a diverse cast of characters you'll enjoy. Definitely add this one to your TBR!
If you have been married you understand all the stresses that come with it in itself. Often there are expectations of what you should have or what you should do on your wedding day that you don't want. I felt agitated for and at Nat just wanting her to finally speak up.
It has a diverse cast of characters you'll enjoy. Definitely add this one to your TBR!
thesmuttybookmama's review
5.0
Occasionally I feel very differently about a book than is popular. I look at the other reviews and wonder if I'm reading the same review. This is one of those books. I adored this book! I've never read a Sophie Ranald novel before but I assure you this wont be my last.
Archie and Natalie are planning their wedding. They're both easy going and would love a simple wedding. Dress from a shop in the mall. Wedding in the register office. Reception at the pub. Only Archie's mother and sister completely take over the wedding planning. Mother in law turns into the Bridezilla and so she won't dislike her, Natalie goes along with it. Only problem is its to the detriment of her relationship with Archie. Along with the wedding, Natalie is dealing with a sick grandpa, a stressful career, and a mom whos spent her whole life putting herself last.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was an easy five star read. Sophie is a master writer of women's fiction. She crafted a story that was in turn funny and heart warming. Each situation was absolutely believable and every character had depth and added warmly to the story. Instead of a textbook ending, the ending was happy, but maybe not what you'd think it will be. This is truly a happy escape read with love and humor in equal measure. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley, and Sophie Ranald for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Archie and Natalie are planning their wedding. They're both easy going and would love a simple wedding. Dress from a shop in the mall. Wedding in the register office. Reception at the pub. Only Archie's mother and sister completely take over the wedding planning. Mother in law turns into the Bridezilla and so she won't dislike her, Natalie goes along with it. Only problem is its to the detriment of her relationship with Archie. Along with the wedding, Natalie is dealing with a sick grandpa, a stressful career, and a mom whos spent her whole life putting herself last.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was an easy five star read. Sophie is a master writer of women's fiction. She crafted a story that was in turn funny and heart warming. Each situation was absolutely believable and every character had depth and added warmly to the story. Instead of a textbook ending, the ending was happy, but maybe not what you'd think it will be. This is truly a happy escape read with love and humor in equal measure. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley, and Sophie Ranald for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
read_by_eveline's review
2.0
Dont understand the title after reading the book...the title seemed as if she doesnt need a man to be happy but in the end she crawls back to him...
bethens_messy_bookshelf's review
2.0
As Rom-Coms go this looked like it’d be a good one. However, I just couldn’t get in to it. Despite knowing the basis from the story thanks to the blurb, I felt it was very slow paced and just lacked anything to really grab me. The characters were not likeable and I just wanted to give Nat a shake.
Disappointed as I have enjoyed Sophie Ranald’s other books.
Disappointed as I have enjoyed Sophie Ranald’s other books.