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sarah_thebooknerd's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was a cute romcom and take on the movie, Father of the Bride.
I loved the dad jokes/puns, the Italian food, discussion of grief, queer wedding planning, sibling relationship, friendship between Toby and Pipp just it worked! This is a great childhood friends to lovers romance.
I think this would have been a 5 star if I had Toby's perspective honestly, I wanted to understand more about him and his motivations, feelings and I would have just melted completely. But if you want a quick, fun and easy romcom this is definitely going to give you all of that!
I loved the dad jokes/puns, the Italian food, discussion of grief, queer wedding planning, sibling relationship, friendship between Toby and Pipp just it worked! This is a great childhood friends to lovers romance.
I think this would have been a 5 star if I had Toby's perspective honestly, I wanted to understand more about him and his motivations, feelings and I would have just melted completely. But if you want a quick, fun and easy romcom this is definitely going to give you all of that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
ravensreading_'s review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
transportedlfl's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At a friend's recommendation, I grabbed the eARC of this romance by a new-to-me author, and I am so glad I did. Sister of the Bride is a loose retelling of the movie, Father of the Bride. But instead of focusing on the father's character, we focus on Pippin, the soon-to-be bride's twin sister.
This book has such a great mix of depth of feeling and humor. The Marino family restaurant sounds fabulous, and the book made me so hungry for good Italian food. The characters were great. I really appreciated the approach to Polly and Mackenzie's relationship. And it's a toss up who gives Pippin better advice: her Italian Nonna or the sister's soon to be in law therapist.
But by far, Toby stole the show. I'm always a sucker for a friends-to-lovers romance, and I fell hard and fast for Toby. He's such a perfect book boyfriend with just the right mix of sensitivity, patience, vulnerability, and going for what he wants. And his dad jokes over text begin each chapter in a way that I consistently enjoyed.
I'll be looking forward to more from Lauren Morrill.
Thank you to Yellow House Media and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
This book has such a great mix of depth of feeling and humor. The Marino family restaurant sounds fabulous, and the book made me so hungry for good Italian food. The characters were great. I really appreciated the approach to Polly and Mackenzie's relationship. And it's a toss up who gives Pippin better advice: her Italian Nonna or the sister's soon to be in law therapist.
But by far, Toby stole the show. I'm always a sucker for a friends-to-lovers romance, and I fell hard and fast for Toby. He's such a perfect book boyfriend with just the right mix of sensitivity, patience, vulnerability, and going for what he wants. And his dad jokes over text begin each chapter in a way that I consistently enjoyed.
I'll be looking forward to more from Lauren Morrill.
Thank you to Yellow House Media and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
laurenslittlelibrary_'s review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a really cute book! Be prepared for the SLOW BURN thought- for real, like over 60% before anything happens between Pippin and Toby. But I love friends-to-lovers, so it still worked for me. It's relatively low spice (basically just two explicit scenes). There were times when I felt like the pacing seemed a little disjointed, but it didn't distract too much from the overall plot and I didn't find myself enjoying it less because of that.
Pippin is managing her family's restaurant as she has been for the last eight years since her fathers death. Her twin sister, Polly, comes back from a study abroad program in London with big news- she got engaged! While Pippin struggles to accept this new part of her life, her best friend, Toby, moves back to Boston after living in California for eight years doing his undergrad and medical school studies. The twins and Toby have known each other since they were five, so at 26, they've got a lot of years under their belts as best friends. So, Polly is back and now a wedding has to be planned. But of course, life needs to throw more at Pippin- her mom and Nonna tell her that they are going to sell the restaurant (which is also where they live in the apartments above). Her whole life is changing quickly and in a lot of ways, so she doesn't want to lose Toby too. But she can't help how she's noticed her feelings about him changing since he got back to Boston. I feel like once they finally kissed, things took off pretty quickly, but then Pip slammed on the brakes because she was so afraid of getting hurt or hurting Toby. When she finally picks things up again, they go full throttle and it felt like a whirlwind to me.
Pippin is managing her family's restaurant as she has been for the last eight years since her fathers death. Her twin sister, Polly, comes back from a study abroad program in London with big news- she got engaged! While Pippin struggles to accept this new part of her life, her best friend, Toby, moves back to Boston after living in California for eight years doing his undergrad and medical school studies. The twins and Toby have known each other since they were five, so at 26, they've got a lot of years under their belts as best friends. So, Polly is back and now a wedding has to be planned. But of course, life needs to throw more at Pippin- her mom and Nonna tell her that they are going to sell the restaurant (which is also where they live in the apartments above). Her whole life is changing quickly and in a lot of ways, so she doesn't want to lose Toby too. But she can't help how she's noticed her feelings about him changing since he got back to Boston. I feel like once they finally kissed, things took off pretty quickly, but then Pip slammed on the brakes because she was so afraid of getting hurt or hurting Toby. When she finally picks things up again, they go full throttle and it felt like a whirlwind to me.
allyreids's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
manonreadsforthefunofit's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My first ever advanced reading copy, and I was so happy have been reading this book!
I loved this book! Especially the last 30% I've just sped through it, I've read that in 1 day (and I am not a fast reader at all, so this definitley says something about how much I love the book)
Pippin's life is troubled. There is so much going on, it feels like her life is falling apart. With her twin sister Polly who suddenly, out of the blue has plans to get married and move out. Her mother wants to sell her home and the restaurant that has been in the family for over 100 years and has been Pippin's home and base,
But then Toby Sullivan, her long-time best friend, moves back home. How come she suddenly thinks he is so hot??
I really love the strong friendship and the banter between Pippin and Toby- Oh, the dad jokes, i actually loved them. How they were building up to that kiss, and from there on, how for Pippin it all seems to be tumbling down, or was it?
The spice building up between them was great!
Oh, I would have loved to read more about the wedding andI also wish to have a little more of a side-story about Nonna and mom, and how they continued. They story could have been longer for my liking, I would love to read more about the Marino's, and the other side-characters.
But these are minor things that are of little consequence, they could have made a good story great!
Its a solid 4.5stars.
I loved this book! Especially the last 30% I've just sped through it, I've read that in 1 day (and I am not a fast reader at all, so this definitley says something about how much I love the book)
Pippin's life is troubled. There is so much going on, it feels like her life is falling apart. With her twin sister Polly who suddenly, out of the blue has plans to get married and move out. Her mother wants to sell her home and the restaurant that has been in the family for over 100 years and has been Pippin's home and base,
But then Toby Sullivan, her long-time best friend, moves back home. How come she suddenly thinks he is so hot??
I really love the strong friendship and the banter between Pippin and Toby- Oh, the dad jokes, i actually loved them. How they were building up to that kiss, and from there on, how for Pippin it all seems to be tumbling down, or was it?
The spice building up between them was great!
Oh, I would have loved to read more about the wedding andI also wish to have a little more of a side-story about Nonna and mom, and how they continued. They story could have been longer for my liking, I would love to read more about the Marino's, and the other side-characters.
But these are minor things that are of little consequence, they could have made a good story great!
Its a solid 4.5stars.
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