Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride

Emma Rae Creations #2

by Sandra D. Bricker

As a wedding planner, you'd thinkshe would have the perfect wedding experience...

SherilynCaine has left Chicago behind to marry Andrew Drummond IV, an Atlanta native with a family name that tops all the social registers. Landing the job as The Tanglewood’s wedding planner is a piece of cake for someone with a Type A personality; she’s the perfect fit for a wedding destination hotel known for its attention to even the tiniest details.

But when everything else is going along swimmingly, why are her own wedding plans drowning right before her eyes? One way or the other, Sherilyn is determined to make this wedding work—until the latest development threatens to call the whole thing off. Is it possible that Sherilyn is allergic to her fiance?

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Chick Lit, Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Ebooks

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Sandra D. Bricker was an entertainment publicist in Los Angeles for more than 15 years, where she attended school to learn screenwriting and eventually taught the craft for several semesters. She became a best-selling, award-winning author of Live-Out-Loud Fiction for the inspirational market, authored books such as the Jessie Stanton novels, and was best known for her Emma Rae Creation series. Over the years, as an ovarian cancer survivor, she spent time and effort toward raising awareness and funds for research, diagnostics, and a cure. Sandra lived in Toledo, Ohio before her passing in 2016.

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

About this book:

“As a wedding planner, you'd think she would have the perfect wedding experience...
Sherilyn Caine has left Chicago behind to marry Andrew Drummond IV, an Atlanta native with a family name that tops all the social registers. Landing the job as The Tanglewood’s wedding planner is a piece of cake for someone with a Type A personality; she’s the perfect fit for a wedding destination hotel known for its attention to even the tiniest details.
But when everything else is going along swimmingly, why are her own wedding plans drowning right before her eyes? One way or the other, Sherilyn is determined to make this wedding work—until the latest development threatens to call the whole thing off. Is it possible that Sherilyn is allergic to her fiancé?”


Series: Book #2 in the “Emma Rae” series. Review of Book #1 Here!


Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, & talked about; A few Prayers & Blessings over food; ‘Thank God’ is said quite a few times; Church going; Talks about God & praying; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches/cathedrals, church going, sermons, hymns, & pastors; Mentions of Christmas & Christmas Eve; Mentions of a Christian men’s group; A few mentions of being counseled by a pastor; A few mentions of believers; A couple mentions of faiths; A couple mentions of blessings; A couple mentions of miracles; A mention of a cross necklace;
*Note: A few mentions of superstitions; A mention of a curse; A mention of a goddess.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘crud’, a ‘shut up’, a ‘stupid’, two ‘idiot’s, two ‘sucker’s, and two ‘wuss’s; A bit of eye rolling & sarcasm; A but of Pain & Screams (barely-above-not-detailed); Allergic reactions (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a suicide attempt; Mentions of injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of alcohol, drinking, drunks, DUIs, & rehab; Mentions of throwing up & vomit; A few mentions of jail time & arrests; A few mentions of smoking & cigars; A few mentions of gas & farts;
A couple mentions of (dead) bodies; A couple mentions of punching someone; A couple mentions of robbing a bank & running over a man (doesn’t happen, it’s a scenario); A couple mentions of clubs & a pub; A couple mentions of tattoos; A mention of killing someone; A mention of strangling; A mention of wild parties;
*Note: Going to Starbucks; Mentions of actors/actresses, singers, celebrities, & movies (including Katy Perry & Lady Gaga); Mentions of brand names; A mention of Covergirl; A mention of GQ.


Sexual Content- five hand kisses, two cheek kisses, three head kisses, an almost kiss, three not-detailed kisses, five barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and a semi-detailed kiss; Touches & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing, Nearness, Tingles, & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘sexy’ and three ‘hot’s; Many mentions of dating, dates, boyfriends, girlfriends, cheating, exes, & breakups; Mentions of seeing a girl kissing a guy who wasn’t her boyfriend (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of kisses & kissing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of touches (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of noticing; Mentions of a magnificent looking guy; A few mentions of an engaged couple saving themselves for their marriage (it’s not side one way or the other if they are or not); A couple mentions of cranking out babies; A couple mentions of honeymoons; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of an older man fixing to marry a former stripper; A mention of lingerie; A mention of swooning; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Sherilyn criticizes her body & weight; A few mentions of AIDS; A few mentions of plastic surgery; A couple mentions of Sherilyn’s curves; A couple mentions of kicking someone’s butt; A mention of a woman’s “everything” dropping when she’s forty; A mention of a buxom woman; A mention of a woman’s great body; A mention of a nude, drunk man; A mention of butting heads; A mention of kicking someone’s rear; A mention of moving a rear end.

-Sherilyn Caine
-Andrew “Andy” Drummond
P.O.V. switches between them
313 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
While I didn’t laugh as much as when I read the first book in the series, I did still laugh and enjoy this one! I personally would have like more faith content, but I did like the ending. I could have done with less of certain comments and kissing, though, similar to the first book as well.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiction; Christian/Romance
5 stars


Every time I finish a book like this one, I ask myself why I don't read more of them. Though considered part of the christian fiction genre, this book has all the great characteristics of a PG rated chick lit novel. It is delightful and romantic with that certain fun-loving quality, humorous tone typical of chick lit type books.

Sherilyn Caine and Emma Rae Travis have been friends since their college days. With virtually no family of her own, Sherilyn quickly gets received into the fold of the Travis family by Emma's parents, Gavin and Avery. Now, after years of living in Chicago, Sherilyn is headed back to Atlanta to be near both them and her fiance's family.

Quickly landing a job at The Tanglewood, Sherilyn works alongside Emma as the resorts wedding planner. While she possesses all the right skills to successfully execute dozens of fairytale weddings for her clients, getting her own marriage plans together proves to be most difficult. Two lost wedding dresses, a terrible allergic reaction and a mischievous drunk from 'down under' makes for an interesting ride.

I LOVED this book... with big X's and O's. It was funny, entertaining and it had a great cast of characters that I would love to meet. All of the various relationships portrayed throughout the book were fascinating without being overly "fluffy" or dramatic. I found myself giggling out loud several times and going back to re-read the parts that tickled me.

The story was well written and well paced. The ending was a bit predictible but satisfying none the less. I am looking forward to the third installment in this series so we can finally know the fate of Emma and Jackson.

If I had to say one negative thing about this book, it would be that reading Emma's yummy recipes at the start of my weight loss program was near torture. They sounded so sinfully delicious that it took all my willpower not to set the book down and run to the kitchen. Consider yourself warned. =)

Without a doubt, I give this book 5 big stars and highly recommend it to you.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love me a quirky romance. You know the kind that never seems to go the way it should? Or the kind that always throws out a bit of a surprise to the characters without seeming cheesy? I think this new novel fits the bill nicely.

When I first read the title, I thought it was going to be about a wedding planner unlucky in love, when it was really about a wedding planner and her fiancée that keep getting stalled on the way to the altar. Missing wedding dresses, a motion sickness-prone dog and allergies to the groom?? It made the story the perfect mix of quirky and serious as the bride and groom work through issues before the wedding.

The cast of characters are a fun blend of enjoyable and serious sprinkled with dialogue that is witty, to the point or just plain true to life that gave me a smile.
The novel is a fun, light-hearted read, but with a message to be who God created you to be and not try to be someone else. I cheered for the hero and heroine as they jogged two steps forward, one step back through the story.

It’s not *as* LOL funny as the previous novel written in the same vein (you don’t really need one book for the other), but still a fun story sure to please the hearts that read it.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Netgalley for my copy to review.

[Aerykah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!! Really enjoyed this book as well as the first one: Always The Baker Never The Bride.

[Connie N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

#2 in the Emma Rae Creations Christian romance series

It's been years since I read the first book in this series, but I was able to slip back into it again without too many problems. Emma and Sherilyn were friends in college, and now Sherilyn has been hired by Jackson (Emma's fiance) to be the wedding planner at their destination hotel. She's also engaged herself, in a whirlwind engagement to a handsome doctor. But Sherilyn has confidence issues about herself (she's gained a lot of weight and has a secret problem in her past), so she's often looking at "omens" for why she and Andy shouldn't get married; she's putting off making plans and picking a date for her own wedding while handling everyone else's. I love Andy as the hero--he's a genuinely nice guy who truly loves Sherilyn in every way. She, however, is a bit of a problem for me, especially when I discovered her secret, which seemed very hurtful to someone from her past. But the Christian message was clear, with plenty of discussion about forgiveness and love. There were lots of nice moments, with caring being the basis for much of the story--caring from Emma to Sherilyn, caring between Andy and Sherilyn, support from Miguel (the pastor), and caring from/toward Russell (the annoying actor in hiding). I like this series for its positive message and will continue with it sooner rather than later.

[Foxy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure how you describe the book experience, think it was more like watching some romcom kinda movie. was good listening to the audio book. to me its about a girl on a journey to getting married and facing her prior fears of the ex. would recommend the book to someone who loves romantics that a straightforward and predictable.

[Tonya · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second book was a little slow for me . Good beginning and ending but I had to fight through to finish.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original post at One More Page

I read and enjoyed Sandra D. Bricker's other book, Always the Baker, Never the Bride last year, and I honestly had no idea that this was a part of a series. So when I saw the galley for this book on Netgalley, I was pleasantly surprised. The first book wasn't a favorite, but I liked it enough for me to get the sequel and read it in between pages of a ghost story I was also currently reading.

In Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride (which will be known as AWPNTB from now on -- what a long title), we meet an old friend of the heroine from the first book, Sherilyn Caine. She's a wedding planner and she fits right in the Tanglewood Hotel's wedding planning staff. Sherilyn is also moving back home to get married with her fiance, Andrew Drummond IV, who she has met only a few months ago. Their engagement was short, sure, but they love each other -- that should be enough right? But why is it that none of their wedding plans are pushing through?

AWPNTB is a fun read, especially since there are all those familiar characters that I liked last year. There was also the Southern charm that most Christian chick lit has, and it made me want to really see if Atlanta was as nice as it was written in these books. The book stays true to its wedding themes, too, and I liked the little wedding checklists written in between the chapters, as well as recipes that Emma the baker plays with.

This had more marriage and wedding stuff compared to the first book, so to be totally honest, I wasn't able to relate. Oh sure, I know a lot about weddings, given that my brother got married just last year and that he works as a wedding videographer, so I get regular doses of wedding magic. But being someone who has no plans of settling down anytime soon, I really couldn't relate to the things that Sherilyn worried about. I felt bad for her, yes, but that was just it. I can't really empathize -- not yet, anyway.

Okay, maybe I feel that way because Sherilyn and Andy seemed to be products of "insta-love", and I'm not really much of a fan of that. They knew each other for less than a year and then they're getting married -- how about that? But the good thing is, the issues about this quick engagement were tackled really well. The doubts, the quirks and the little issues that came up were addressed well, and even I was surprised with the last thing that ultimately gave Sherilyn and Andy reason to think about their relationship. I also liked how Sherilyn came into her final realization. It's sweet and I guess, true. Not that I would know now, of course, but I'd like to believe that it is. :)

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride is a nice installment to the Emma Rae Creation series, even if it I wasn't able to relate to it that much. I dare say I will still pick up the next book, Always the Designer, Never the Bride . I wonder what crazy love-related and wedding antics the main characters will get into then?

[Mercedes Cordero · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3 1/2 stars

Not as predictable as I expected: the characters' journeys had some very nice twists and turns and, although the ending is pretty much same old, same old, it was still cute and romantic. There are some pretty ridiculous things (Sherilyn possibly allergic to her fiance... seriously?), but it is well written. The author does a great job of being funny without overdoing it, which I think is a great skill.

As a Christian novel, with Christian main characters, it was strange how their faith was not mention in the first half of the book and then in the second half it was constantly brought forward. I mean, at first I doubted they were a Christian couple and thought the Christian part would come from Emma and Jackson (the friends). I am not saying that faith should have been front and center in this story; what I expect is consistency.

Other things I didn't like: the irritating movie star, which I'm guessing will reappear in the next installment of the series, otherwise why would the author give him a large (and mostly superfluous) part here? It would have been better without him, or at least with less of him. Also, aunt Sophie. I'm a little torn here because I find her endearing, but her part almost read like a filler to state the obvious —that Sherilyn is part of their family, which I think we were told every other page.

All in all, mostly enjoyable and quite funny in parts. I laughed and I shed a few emotional tears; yeah, I'm a crier. It was great, after reading the first in the series (Always the baker, never the bride), to see Emma and Jackson again, together in a stable and very nice relationship, as well as seeing less and less of Jackson's sisters, a huge plus for me. Also nice, seeing Fee and watching her get swept off her feet. And let me not forget the wonderful descriptions of food and desserts... Oh, to be invited to one of those food tastings!

This is the second book in the series, and can very well be read apart from the first. However, as with any series, true enjoyment usually comes from reading them all and in order.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think maybe you need to be obsessed with weddings to really enjoy this. There were some good parts in this book, but most of it was kind of bland. Not so bad that I wanted to quit reading, but enough that I wished it would have gone faster. I didn't feel any chemisty between the main couple. It seemed like the author kept telling me they were in love without really making me believe it. Most of the "drama" came from a lack of communication, which also detracted from them being a great couple. The side plot of wedding dresses going missing, in less than believable ways, was more annoying than anything becuase everyone wanted to see it as a bad omen rather than being concerned about the cost of wedding dresses. And I kind of wanted someone to mention that buying multiple wedding dresses before even setting a date seemed a little cart before the horse.

Each chapter begins with some sort of interuption - a recipe, a checklist, a description of some random made-up couple's wedding. I liked the recipes, but wished they were bunched together at the end. This book is obviously aimed at pople who are really big on weddings and not necessarily love stories.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherilyn just landed a job as the wedding coordinator for The Tanglewood, a destination hotel where her best friend from college is the baker (Always the Baker, Never the Bride). It's the perfect job and the perfect place to have her own wedding. Will her past come back to ruin her dream wedding?



Most romance novels begin when the girl meets the guy. This one starts with the Sherilyn and Andy already engaged. This change of set-up is refreshing and creates a story of getting to know the in-laws, finding out quirks about each other, and working through the past to create a beautiful future together.



I thought the first book in the series was good, but this one is great. The characters are better developed, the situations are more realistic, and book is balanced with a little humor.



If you liked the first book, you'll love this one.



I received this book from netGalley to review. My thoughts are my own.

[Ashley FL · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm torn on if this is two stars or three. I'm really mad because I feel cheated: I had no idea that this was Christian fiction until about 2/3 of the way through the book. I *should* have known, because there were some dead give-aways that stuck out like sore thumbs (young 20-somethings have a BBQ and serve . . . soda?, etc). But I didn't. And then the final third of the book was relentless, shove-it-down-the-reader's-throat Christian. Don't get me wrong -- I don't mind Christian fiction. But a book that changes focus so suddenly and completely just makes me mad.

It was ok as a story, but very slow in the middle. So: 2 stars it is.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sherilyn is a wedding planner who moves to Atlanta to be near her good friend. She makes the move with her fiance who is also moving to be closer to friends and family. They've only known each other a few months and both are trying to determine if they are doing the right thing by getting married. As she encounters bad luck with each detail of planning her own wedding she is becoming more and more convinced that this isn't what she is supposed to do.

The main story is a cute story but the author throws a lot of characters at you that you think are going to play a bigger role but they don't. I'm not sure if she is trying to give you twists to the plot but it didn't feel that way.

[Cookielover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, she was allergic to her fiancés shampoo. Um, this book did not work for me. But if you like those stories that strike up basically no emotion or those plain strictly romance novels, go for it. But hey, the cover was cute.

[Abby Breuklander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love and love!!

[Nada Al-Karmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. Even though I still didn't like the mixing of religion in a romance but I guess I got used to it when reading the previous book. I loved the interaction between the friends, it was natural and funny. It reminded me of how my friends and I interact. The Russell addition to the group was great. I loved him and his quirky ways. The only problem I had was how Fee's engagement got rushed, I mean that was just ridiculous and way too soon. The author could gave given her a story of her own to show a slower progress of it. Anyway, I liked this book more than the previous one.

Two books away and I finish the series.

[Laura Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. If you like books as sugary sweet as wedding cake, this book is for you. Everyone is beautiful and incredibly hot. Everyone is rich and perfect. The main character is thinking of calling off her wedding because her fiancée WANTS A DOG!!! How dare he. That’s terrible. Her fiancée actually had a valid reason to call off the wedding: he didn’t want a mortgage or kids.
Valid reason- terribly boring plot line.

I read some reviews to see if it got better like someone was living a double life, or got severely disfigured in a car accident, but nope, just sugary sweet and unrealistic all the way through. I will pass on this book and the rest of the series.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a romance book, with several couples all of a sudden, getting engaged. They are all friends and all in the same starting of a life together. (Not real believable). Some things were interesting, but it was hard to hold interest.

[Marcia Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This book was a great story about the new wedding planner at The Tanglewood Hotel in a suburb of Atlanta, GA. She gets married to her fiance on New Years Eve. It is a good story.

[Gidg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the series was certainly better than the second by a fraction but this book certainly had me misty eye towards the end of it. In the first book we find the characters just finding their way to each other and in the book we are in the middle of the relationship of the main characters as they try to make their way to the alter.

With some issues plaguing both characters due to baggage from past relationships we see them work together and leaning on each other along with their faith to help guide them. Like many couples they have past relationship history that helped shaped them and like many couples their history can sometimes cause tension or doubt. This certainly was the case for Sher and Andy.

I enjoyed seeing the couple find their way through these problems with trust and devotion. It also was lovely to see the support they had from their friends to help them during their difficult time without judgment. This was a very feel good book and I look forward to reading the 3rd and the 4th book in the series.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fluffy, inspiration read.

[Sylvia Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice Wedding Story

Enjoyed the read it has twist and turns but all in all a nice get your mind off of stuff and escape into a nice lighthearted book.

[Sonya Bankester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always...!

Awesome read! Enjoyed every minute it took to read. Well written, great story line. Well thought out plot. Believable characters

[Sarah Athey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and easy read.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was better than the first! Glad to continue the series!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was still a good book but not as good as the first in the series.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is probably considered a romantic novel. However, I enjoyed the story. There's much more to this book than just romance. This is an enjoyable read.

[Kayla Wensel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet romance

Love is in the air at The Tanglewood! This is the 2nd sweet story from this collection and I'm looking forward to reading the third.

[Tashinka Roz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read with a happy ending. I love this series and can't wait to read the other books.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars