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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
2.5 stars
I cannot recall all the different reviews I read about this book last fall, but it seemed to be pretty popular when it came out. This is a new-to-me author, but the premise seemed right up my alley. I love a fake boyfriend story. Throw in some forced proximity and enemies to lovers and it seems like the perfect story. It’s quite possible I set my hopes too high with all of those amazing tropes. While I enjoyed this story for the most part, there were quite a few things that either fell flat or just rubbed me the wrong way.
First, let me say that I just discovered this is actually part of a series. Which I did not pick up on at all while I was reading. I may be wrong, but I have a feeling this isn’t a series in the sense of seeing the characters show up in each other’s books very often. More of a series about people who live in a certain place, Harbor City. That was the first thing that bugged me. It’s quite obvious, at least in this story, that Harbor City is New York City. It really made me wonder why the author didn’t just use NYC? Luckily, they didn’t spend a lot of time there. But it was still mentioned enough that it always took me out of the narrative when the city was mentioned. I’m fine with fictional cities and towns, it’s that this was so obviously New York it would stand out to me each time.
Hadley actually had me on the hook from the start. I really enjoyed the first chapter immensely. The author did a fantastic job of pulling me into the story. The sparks between Hadley and Will were flying everywhere and the situation was a perfect set up for the rest of this story. That’s why this book got confusing for me. Not the storyline. But how at times I was fully immersed and engaged, and other times I was pulled out and often had to scratch my head.
There is no denying that the scenes where Will and Hadley are connecting, be it to argue or to tease or to give into their emotions, are on point. These two have a beautiful connection and just don’t want to admit their feelings. But when it comes to their families and their thoughts and discussions and actions, that’s where things tend to fall apart.
It is expressly stated in the first few chapters that Will’s grandmother died and left him and his twin as the only people left in their rich family. The heirs to a fortune. Yet there are many, many other times later in the story where Will references his grandmother who seems to be alive and well. That is just not something that is easy to ignore, especially for someone who is a stickler for details like I am. How has nobody caught this issue and fixed it?
I said earlier that I really like Hadley. And I did (do?). But the way she acted toward her sister once she got back to Nebraska for her wedding just didn’t fit her personality. So maybe it’s not that I stopped liking Hadley, but I didn’t feel the author was being true to the character. After all, Hadley went home for a full week to “help with the wedding”, yet didn’t seem to be doing anything to help. Or even having a heart to heart with her sister, who was obviously conflicted about her upcoming wedding. It didn’t make sense that Hadley, who I found to be kind and compassionate, wouldn’t be overly concerned about her sister’s obvious distress.
That all being said, I know this sounds like quite a negative review. Yet, like I’ve mentioned, this story kept reeling me back in. It was like there would be two or three chapters where I was all in, then something out of character or that didn’t fit the narrative would happen and pull me out of the story. Very annoying.
I’ll probably give this author another chance, though. There was more positive than negative and I’m generally one to give an author a few tries, especially when I can see the potential.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
I cannot recall all the different reviews I read about this book last fall, but it seemed to be pretty popular when it came out. This is a new-to-me author, but the premise seemed right up my alley. I love a fake boyfriend story. Throw in some forced proximity and enemies to lovers and it seems like the perfect story. It’s quite possible I set my hopes too high with all of those amazing tropes. While I enjoyed this story for the most part, there were quite a few things that either fell flat or just rubbed me the wrong way.
First, let me say that I just discovered this is actually part of a series. Which I did not pick up on at all while I was reading. I may be wrong, but I have a feeling this isn’t a series in the sense of seeing the characters show up in each other’s books very often. More of a series about people who live in a certain place, Harbor City. That was the first thing that bugged me. It’s quite obvious, at least in this story, that Harbor City is New York City. It really made me wonder why the author didn’t just use NYC? Luckily, they didn’t spend a lot of time there. But it was still mentioned enough that it always took me out of the narrative when the city was mentioned. I’m fine with fictional cities and towns, it’s that this was so obviously New York it would stand out to me each time.
Hadley actually had me on the hook from the start. I really enjoyed the first chapter immensely. The author did a fantastic job of pulling me into the story. The sparks between Hadley and Will were flying everywhere and the situation was a perfect set up for the rest of this story. That’s why this book got confusing for me. Not the storyline. But how at times I was fully immersed and engaged, and other times I was pulled out and often had to scratch my head.
There is no denying that the scenes where Will and Hadley are connecting, be it to argue or to tease or to give into their emotions, are on point. These two have a beautiful connection and just don’t want to admit their feelings. But when it comes to their families and their thoughts and discussions and actions, that’s where things tend to fall apart.
It is expressly stated in the first few chapters that Will’s grandmother died and left him and his twin as the only people left in their rich family. The heirs to a fortune. Yet there are many, many other times later in the story where Will references his grandmother who seems to be alive and well. That is just not something that is easy to ignore, especially for someone who is a stickler for details like I am. How has nobody caught this issue and fixed it?
I said earlier that I really like Hadley. And I did (do?). But the way she acted toward her sister once she got back to Nebraska for her wedding just didn’t fit her personality. So maybe it’s not that I stopped liking Hadley, but I didn’t feel the author was being true to the character. After all, Hadley went home for a full week to “help with the wedding”, yet didn’t seem to be doing anything to help. Or even having a heart to heart with her sister, who was obviously conflicted about her upcoming wedding. It didn’t make sense that Hadley, who I found to be kind and compassionate, wouldn’t be overly concerned about her sister’s obvious distress.
That all being said, I know this sounds like quite a negative review. Yet, like I’ve mentioned, this story kept reeling me back in. It was like there would be two or three chapters where I was all in, then something out of character or that didn’t fit the narrative would happen and pull me out of the story. Very annoying.
I’ll probably give this author another chance, though. There was more positive than negative and I’m generally one to give an author a few tries, especially when I can see the potential.
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
The Wedding Date Disaster is one of those "I liked it, but..." books. Hadley and Will were OK characters, but it was hard to really buy into their animosity for the most part. Will especially was OTT with his dislike/distrust of her--his past is supposed to make the case for this, but IMO it didn't really. Hadley also goes to extremes--referring to Will as Web's (her BFF) "evil twin" and outright lying to her family about her big city life, to the level that she doesn't even want to go home for fear that too much family interaction will reveal all of her secrets. There was a bit of eye rolling going on as I read.
Ok, maybe more than a bit.
But...the family game nights were pretty darn funny, and the epilogue was really pretty cute. Avery Flynn tends to be a hit or miss author for me anyway, so there is a pretty good chance that I might pick up Web's book if it comes out, even though his "evil twin's" wasn't my favorite.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Ok, maybe more than a bit.
But...the family game nights were pretty darn funny, and the epilogue was really pretty cute. Avery Flynn tends to be a hit or miss author for me anyway, so there is a pretty good chance that I might pick up Web's book if it comes out, even though his "evil twin's" wasn't my favorite.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
DNF, enemies to lovers trope, overly cheesy and I just can’t. I’m so over the “gold digger” heroine and keep her away from the money, secretly in love douche.
On another note, The cover is gorgeous!!
On another note, The cover is gorgeous!!
Oh my Avery Flynn does it again!! I am such a huge fan! I love her quirky not always typical heroines. This is an Enemies-to-Lovers romance, Forced proximity, and Best friend’s TWIN brother Troped Romance.
Hadley Donavan -Left behind her Midwest small town upbringing for the promise of adventure and success in the Big City. She has a passion for helping other via nonprofit fundraising. She is headed back to that Nebraska Ranch for her little sister’s wedding and has talked her best friend Web Holt in to being her fake boyfriend to distract her family from what her life in Harbor City is really like.
Will Holt- Totally Grump, Pessimist. Has it out for his twin brother’s best friend because he believes she is a gold digger. Will twin Web with the help of some fake food poisoning has tricked him to accompanying Hadley to her sister’s wedding.
Will’s life hasn’t been easy and he allows his upbringing and a past relationship to dictate how he sees people in the world. He is the extreme example of how many of us react to past hurt. He can not seem to let it go and just see the person what they truly are. Some of this is on Hadley. She isn’t honest with those she loves about how bad she is failing at life in Harbor City. All of that seems to play in to Will’s treatment of her.
I loved the craziness of Hadley’s family. They are big and loud and love fiercely. The supporting characters in this story add so much depth to it. It really makes the story.
It was nice to see a small glimpse of a Fiona Hartigan. I am hoping this means we might be getting her story soon. (Hint Hint Ms. Flynn)
This was a 5/5 Read for me. Once I started this I could not put it down. I had moments of giggles and moments of gasp. Seriously her PawPaw pulls out Handcuffs at the dinner table! I love the stories Ms Flynn writes. I wish she would write my grocery list, maybe I would like that then. This is a well-done story of learning to let go of past perceptions and seeing the shimmering jewel in front of you. The only price tag on love is what you are willing to give of yourself, not money.
Hadley Donavan -Left behind her Midwest small town upbringing for the promise of adventure and success in the Big City. She has a passion for helping other via nonprofit fundraising. She is headed back to that Nebraska Ranch for her little sister’s wedding and has talked her best friend Web Holt in to being her fake boyfriend to distract her family from what her life in Harbor City is really like.
Will Holt- Totally Grump, Pessimist. Has it out for his twin brother’s best friend because he believes she is a gold digger. Will twin Web with the help of some fake food poisoning has tricked him to accompanying Hadley to her sister’s wedding.
Will’s life hasn’t been easy and he allows his upbringing and a past relationship to dictate how he sees people in the world. He is the extreme example of how many of us react to past hurt. He can not seem to let it go and just see the person what they truly are. Some of this is on Hadley. She isn’t honest with those she loves about how bad she is failing at life in Harbor City. All of that seems to play in to Will’s treatment of her.
I loved the craziness of Hadley’s family. They are big and loud and love fiercely. The supporting characters in this story add so much depth to it. It really makes the story.
It was nice to see a small glimpse of a Fiona Hartigan. I am hoping this means we might be getting her story soon. (Hint Hint Ms. Flynn)
This was a 5/5 Read for me. Once I started this I could not put it down. I had moments of giggles and moments of gasp. Seriously her PawPaw pulls out Handcuffs at the dinner table! I love the stories Ms Flynn writes. I wish she would write my grocery list, maybe I would like that then. This is a well-done story of learning to let go of past perceptions and seeing the shimmering jewel in front of you. The only price tag on love is what you are willing to give of yourself, not money.
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
I had just finished an intense read and this book was the breath of fresh air I needed! Hadley was a great main character. She was strong and took no crap but was also very likeable. I loved Will too even with his misguided notions. The supporting characters, like Will's brother and Hadley's whole family, were also wonderful and I'm hoping to get more books from this world. I'd love to get Web and then Adalyn's story (possibly together?). This was my first Avery Flynn book but it won't be my last!