Two Days After the Wedding

Ladies of Covington #6

by Joan Medlicott

For Hannah, marriage has never meant happily ever after. Having fled an abusive husband when her daughters were young, she's never had reason to marry again...until now. Her business partner, Max, has proposed because he doesn't want her to be taxed on his estate. Hannah is initially reluctant to enter such an arrangement but logic dictates that she accept. Then, after the wedding, she finds herself spending more time over at Max's and is shocked to discover that she loves him -- wildly and passionately! A part of her wants the marriage to become real, but she's scared of losing herself again -- and more scared, still, that Max doesn't feel the same.

Right when she desperately needs the counsel of her two closest friends, Grace is wrapped up with her partner, Bob, and Amelia is away in New York, being tempted by the glamorous life. Will Hannah find the courage to pursue a real marriage? And what will happen to her relationships with Grace and Amelia if she does?

Genres: Fiction, Romance

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

Joan Medlicott lives with her husband in Barnardsville, North Carolina, where she conducts the popular Tea on the Porch workshops.

Reviews

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two Days After the Wedding by Joan Medlicott is the sixth book of the Ladies of Covington series set in contemporary North Carolina. A heartwarming tale of the continuing adventures of three widows who changed their lives forever by leaving a dull city boardinghouse existence, and moving to a fixer-upper farmhouse in the country.

Hannah fretted about a business-arrangement marriage to Max, worrying that she was beginning to care too much. The title refers to how long it takes after she marries him before she finally understands he loves her too...first business partners and friends, at last they become lovers. Yet even while thrilled with her new relationship with her husband, Hannah misses time with her best friends, and eventually finds a satisfying balance.

Bob moves into the cottage on the farm, which brings him closer to Grace, but that very closeness infringes on the solitary activities he used to enjoy; balance required here too.

Grace faces challenges both in managing her diabetes, and trouble in her son's marriage. His second wife is increasingly uninterested in motherhood and their new lifestyle in the country, and longs to return to her previous work-focused life in Atlanta. Russell worries about custody of his beloved daughter, should his wife leave.

Amelia loves taking photographs and pleased that her work is becoming famous, but she does not want to travel to attend gallery shows. She grudgingly agrees to "one last show" in New York City, where she meets an interesting critic...a potential love interest? Nope; when he comes to visit in Covington, he bores her!

All works out for the ladies one way or another, as they look forward to the future. The stories are "comfort reading". Recipes are included for a medley of chicken salads, plus Grace's kitchen tips.

[Amber Fernie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book. I read it to satisfy part of a reading challenge requiring a book written by someone over the age of sixty-five.

First, you can't have a character driven story without making the characters well developed and complex, and every character in this book is one-dimensional. It was like reading a children's book written for adults. There was hardly any diversity represented, and every person of color was an offensive, cringe-inducing caricature.

An entire section of the book is devoted to a side story which I can only guess is a thinly veiled, gossipy personal attack on someone in the author's life. It showed an ignorance and insensitivity to postpartum depression, and heavy handed judgment of working mothers.

There were also just a lot of mechanical issues with the book. Poorly researched, and badly in need of an editor and skilled proof-reader.

At least I've learned from this process what a crappy selection my local library has. Next time I'll order something from Amazon. Yuck.

[Rosie Guidry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ladies' adventures continue as Hannah finally marries Max. Lucy faces her demons as Ringo goes to trial. While on a photograph expedition, Amelia comes across a family living the way their ancestors lived centuries ago. Completely reliant on the land until they lose everything in a flood. Can Amelia convince them to leave the only life they knew and come into the 21st century? Which mother decides that living in the country isn't for her and leaves the state and her family behind? How does her family find a way to come to terms with her decision? Life doesn't always seem idyllic in Covington, but the ladies have a special way of making everything work out for everyone.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to be a delight. Something new and unexpected is always happening. The relationships Grace and Harriet have with their men continue to evolve and I find it interesting that both couples really prefer some independence and separation. I can sure understand that--once you're set in your ways, it's hard to cater to someone else and to have to change an awful lot to accommodate that other person. And I'm glad that Amelia continues to grow and mature.

[Renata · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ladies of Covington ….. I wonder why the cover of the book shows three young women . The three ladies are in their seventies !! Maybe to show how we old folks feel young inside , despite the outside aging ?
Aside from that , it was an okay read . Found it disjointed , too many short little plots …. And I was surprised how often they had unkind thoughts about each other. I was also surprised about including a mother who abandons her family , her little daughter purely for selfish reasons .

[JLS10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Covington series. I only have three more in the series to go, and will be sad when it ends. It will be like saying goodbye to friends. Several new developments occur in this one, with Russell and Emily, Jerry McCorkle, Hannah and Max, and more.

[Carol Perreault · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of 3 women who live together even though 2 are married to men who live nearby. They all seem to need to be together sometimes and apart sometimes. But they make it work.

[LInda L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great finale to the Covington ladies -- I so admire all of them for breaking the bonds of how things have always been done. YAY for them.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

All's well that ends well. Our three ladies resolve pressing issues that have been on the back burner lately.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice enjoyable read.

[Patti Alderman · Rating 3 out of 5]

continuing this series. #7 out of 10

[Treasure Island Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chick-lit for older chicks. Very predictable.

[Sherry Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could have read this in a day but I’m running g out of books in this series so took my time.

[Kaylyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book where the reader observes the individual lives of three "over-the-hill" women and the people in their lives. It was nice to read a book where there was no mystery or suspense that wasn't solved until the last chapter. There were many small climax moments throughout the story. The end of the book was not the end of the story but an end to a day with the lives continuing on the next day as normal.
Even though this book 6 in the 'Ladies of Covington series', (I have not read the others) I did not feel left in the dark or as if I were missing an important part of the plot.
Nice, easy reading.

[Mary Wagner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I believe books that are part of a series should be clearly marked as book X in the whatever series. This book did not provide me with this visual cue on the cover, the back cover, or anywhere. It is written more like a soap opera- with short vignettes - about characters that are not developed, but I can assume might have been better developed in previous books. The dialogue was often mundane. While perhaps realistic, I don't really want to read about boring, everyday topics often within a book. I am not sure why I finished the book.

[lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is a story...there is little drama, little mystery, just a nice story.Nothing hot and heavy, no deep meanings anywhere. It is based on 3 main characters who are in their later years and what is going on in their lives. They live in a small town Covington, North Carolina. It reminded me of the books about Mitford written by Jan Karon. It is OK.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book of the new year and the ladies did not disappoint!

I've put other reading on hold to get to the next one in the series to find out how things are going in all the relationships...shake up with Russell and Emily divorcing...bitter sweet.

[Patricia Solla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series still fascinates me. I enjoy reading about these three friends and what's going on in their lives. The author covers a lot of subjects and there's always something different going on in their lives.

[Lisa]

Ladies of Covington series / book six

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting characters, although none of them have traditional, "normal" lives.

[Jenn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not even finish it... and I ALWAYS finish books. I already gave it away.

[Kitty Tomlinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah finally marries Max and Russell & Emily try to solve their marital woes.

[Martha Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY GOOD BOOK

[Laura Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its ok

[Joss · Rating 2 out of 5]

No hum!

[Sandra Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series. Makes me want to try Golden Girl living... but I want to be with my husband all the time.

[Joann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish Joan would add to this series. I love all of them.