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Parker Sisters #0
Wedding Hells
Wedding Hells is a laugh-out-loud British chick lit short story
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Mel Parker’s perfect little sister is getting married and she’d rather cut her own arm off than attend. Her relatives are guaranteed to give her hell about not going first, her dress is unbearable and her beloved best friend Will isn't even invited.
But her boyfriend is there. And there’ll be cake. So maybe it won’t be as bad as she thinks.
Maybe it’ll be worse...
~~~~
Wedding Hells can be read as a stand-alone short story, but is also a prequel to the romantic comedy novel The Dr Pepper Prophecies by the same author.
Short story (5,500 words, 18 Kindle pages)
~~~~
~~~~
Mel Parker’s perfect little sister is getting married and she’d rather cut her own arm off than attend. Her relatives are guaranteed to give her hell about not going first, her dress is unbearable and her beloved best friend Will isn't even invited.
But her boyfriend is there. And there’ll be cake. So maybe it won’t be as bad as she thinks.
Maybe it’ll be worse...
~~~~
Wedding Hells can be read as a stand-alone short story, but is also a prequel to the romantic comedy novel The Dr Pepper Prophecies by the same author.
Short story (5,500 words, 18 Kindle pages)
~~~~
21 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2013
23 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Gilby Roberts
9 books328 followersJennifer Gilby Roberts has a degree in physics and a postgraduate certificate in computing, so writing fiction was inevitable really. She was born and grew up in Surrey/Greater London, but now lives in Richmond, North Yorkshire with her husband, small daughter, two middle-aged cats and a lot of dust bunnies. She also has a grown-up step-daughter and a large extended family (by marriage).
Her job right now is taking care of her younger daughter (who was born three months premature, but is doing just fine now), but previously she worked many thrilling jobs in administration, including one in an insurance claims office (wholly unrelated to the one in 'The Dr Pepper Prophecies'...).
She's written two novels, both in the chick-lit genre, four novellas and a variety of short stories.
Her job right now is taking care of her younger daughter (who was born three months premature, but is doing just fine now), but previously she worked many thrilling jobs in administration, including one in an insurance claims office (wholly unrelated to the one in 'The Dr Pepper Prophecies'...).
She's written two novels, both in the chick-lit genre, four novellas and a variety of short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 3, 2016
Short but hilarious!
This is a great prequel to The Dr Pepper Prophecies,which I'm now so excited to read,and it introduced us to Mel and her chaotic life/family. She's such a funny character and a sugar addict!
If you want to find out what happens when she finds out that there's only a fruit salad on the menu and that her perfect boyfriend is not so perfect get this book on Kindle now. For free,of course. ;)
This is a great prequel to The Dr Pepper Prophecies,which I'm now so excited to read,and it introduced us to Mel and her chaotic life/family. She's such a funny character and a sugar addict!
If you want to find out what happens when she finds out that there's only a fruit salad on the menu and that her perfect boyfriend is not so perfect get this book on Kindle now. For free,of course. ;)
August 1, 2013
There is no way to describe how happy reading a 12 page short story made me feel.
Wedding Hells is a short story featuring the very awesome main character Mel from The Dr Pepper Prophecies . (If you don't know how much I loved that book, go read mygush fest review for it here.) Because I'm so nice and don't want to spoil it for you, all I'll say is that it's set during Brittany's (Mel's sister) wedding and that the day ends up being everything but a good day for Mel.
I loved reading these 12 pages. I know that there are quite a few people who aren't fans of novellas/short stories that play in the same universe as a book Because Of Reasons I Don't Know (or well, am too lazy to list here) but if I loved a story, I have nothing against getting the chance to spend some more time with my favourite characters.
And I loved every minute of being back inside Mel's crazy head again. And seeing some of the characters again. Especially a certain best friend who I love. (People, where can I buy a Will!? I want one. Now.) Like I said in my The Dr Pepper Prophecies review, I love me a guy who is an awesome friend like that.
I have some more to say about this little short story. But I can't because I don't want to spoil it. I'm just a nice person like that. But let me just say that if you enjoyed The Dr Pepper Prophecies, you'll love seeing some more of the crazy Mel you already came to love in that book. If you haven't read The Dr Pepper Prophecies yet, this will be a good introduction for people who are interested in reading that book (you better be after reading mygush fest review). Also, Wedding Hells plays before the events of The Dr Pepper Prophecies and can be read as a stand alone.
I have to say something else. Not spoiling anything here but the end. I loved it, OK? It's just typical Mel that something like that even happens but the end end, that comes after it. I loved it for all the reasons it was awesome. OK. Now let me go shout it from the rooftops (because that's what I wanted to do after finishing the short story but well, it was night)...
Thank you to Mrs. Roberts for letting me read this very awesome short story early!
(Now you can all go read Wedding Hells or The Dr Pepper Prophecies . If you end up loving it: I told you so.)
GO DOWNLOAD AND READ WEDDING HELLS FOR FREE HERE.
Wedding Hells is a short story featuring the very awesome main character Mel from The Dr Pepper Prophecies . (If you don't know how much I loved that book, go read my
I loved reading these 12 pages. I know that there are quite a few people who aren't fans of novellas/short stories that play in the same universe as a book Because Of Reasons I Don't Know (or well, am too lazy to list here) but if I loved a story, I have nothing against getting the chance to spend some more time with my favourite characters.
And I loved every minute of being back inside Mel's crazy head again. And seeing some of the characters again. Especially a certain best friend who I love. (People, where can I buy a Will!? I want one. Now.) Like I said in my The Dr Pepper Prophecies review, I love me a guy who is an awesome friend like that.
I have some more to say about this little short story. But I can't because I don't want to spoil it. I'm just a nice person like that. But let me just say that if you enjoyed The Dr Pepper Prophecies, you'll love seeing some more of the crazy Mel you already came to love in that book. If you haven't read The Dr Pepper Prophecies yet, this will be a good introduction for people who are interested in reading that book (you better be after reading my
I have to say something else. Not spoiling anything here but the end. I loved it, OK? It's just typical Mel that something like that even happens but the end end, that comes after it. I loved it for all the reasons it was awesome. OK. Now let me go shout it from the rooftops (because that's what I wanted to do after finishing the short story but well, it was night)...
Thank you to Mrs. Roberts for letting me read this very awesome short story early!
(Now you can all go read Wedding Hells or The Dr Pepper Prophecies . If you end up loving it: I told you so.)
GO DOWNLOAD AND READ WEDDING HELLS FOR FREE HERE.
August 20, 2013
HOLY COW!
This was such a hilarious read! It's the prequel to The Dr Pepper Prophecies, which I haven't read YET but hopefully will soon. I'm not gonna write a long review, because I was never good at writing reviews about novellas...don't ask..it could be because I'm afraid my review would be longer than the book itself. OR maybe I'm just too lazy sometimes...yeah it could be that.
Well anyway, I decided to review this one mostly because I think that despite the fact that I had a long and depressing day reading some scientific shit earlier and I don't feel very eloquent right now, this book DOES deserve all of my efforts. A chick lit lover's gotta do, what a chick lit lover's gotta do, right? And that would be - share with the world the joy of discovering a great new chick lit author and book.
So, of course I enjoyed this novella. If I should describe it by using only one word, I would probably say HILARIOUS! The MC, Mel is really something. She's everything a chick lit heroine should be, funny, smart...anddumped sarcastic. She's the black sheep in the family, so it was easy to connect with her. Not that I am the black sheep in the family, *coughs* but still I felt her so close to my heart.
This really was an easy and enjoyable read. And I'm so so thankful to the author for making me laugh so hard. I absolutely love her writing style and the humor so I'm definitely checking her other book soon.
Ok, it's been a loooong and exhausting day for me, so I'm gonna end my review here. All I can say is that you really need to check this one out. Like really REALLY check it out.
Ohhhh, and it's currently FREE to download on amazon.com. That's always good news, right?;)
This was such a hilarious read! It's the prequel to The Dr Pepper Prophecies, which I haven't read YET but hopefully will soon. I'm not gonna write a long review, because I was never good at writing reviews about novellas...don't ask..it could be because I'm afraid my review would be longer than the book itself. OR maybe I'm just too lazy sometimes...yeah it could be that.
Well anyway, I decided to review this one mostly because I think that despite the fact that I had a long and depressing day reading some scientific shit earlier and I don't feel very eloquent right now, this book DOES deserve all of my efforts. A chick lit lover's gotta do, what a chick lit lover's gotta do, right? And that would be - share with the world the joy of discovering a great new chick lit author and book.
So, of course I enjoyed this novella. If I should describe it by using only one word, I would probably say HILARIOUS! The MC, Mel is really something. She's everything a chick lit heroine should be, funny, smart...and
This really was an easy and enjoyable read. And I'm so so thankful to the author for making me laugh so hard. I absolutely love her writing style and the humor so I'm definitely checking her other book soon.
Ok, it's been a loooong and exhausting day for me, so I'm gonna end my review here. All I can say is that you really need to check this one out. Like really REALLY check it out.
Ohhhh, and it's currently FREE to download on amazon.com. That's always good news, right?;)
January 25, 2014
This was a funny (and extremely short) story about Melanie Parker's unfortunate events at her younger sister's wedding. She encounters one problem after another, and with her very traditional family, she's constantly compared to her sister - the perfect, newly wed.
I found this to be enjoyable, mainly because I loved Mel's character. She's easy to relate to, and there's never a boring moment. I liked her friend Will too, but he didn't appear until the end.
The ending was abrupt and short, but like the rest of the story, it was funny(ish?). Whatever happened to Gorgeous Guy though? And her boyfriend can screw himself.
Overall, Wedding Hells was a cute story worth reading. I hope to read The Dr Pepper Prophecies soon. You can get Wedding Hells for free on Amazon.
I found this to be enjoyable, mainly because I loved Mel's character. She's easy to relate to, and there's never a boring moment. I liked her friend Will too, but he didn't appear until the end.
The ending was abrupt and short, but like the rest of the story, it was funny(ish?). Whatever happened to Gorgeous Guy though? And her boyfriend can screw himself.
Overall, Wedding Hells was a cute story worth reading. I hope to read The Dr Pepper Prophecies soon. You can get Wedding Hells for free on Amazon.
June 3, 2014
Quite hilarious for a very short story. I hope to read more in this mini series
December 24, 2017
Imagine going to your sisters wedding who happens to be perfect. then imagine everything going wrong for you, dress too tight, embarrassing father of the bride speech to mention just a couple!
This is a very short read but is entertaining. I'll be checking more of this authors work as I'm starting to enjoy more comedy in books.
This is a very short read but is entertaining. I'll be checking more of this authors work as I'm starting to enjoy more comedy in books.
October 2, 2019
The character describes the hell and torture of being a bridesmaid. Just going to the wedding is bad enough. Gaudy dress, bad food, pointless conversations with relatives you can’t stand. Of course, the cherry on top was getting dumped after the photos. Great. Snarky and witty, this is a funny, little story that will perk up any dull coffee break.
August 2, 2020
short
Thought I'd downloaded a book....... So was v disappointed it was a short story, the length of about 1 chapter. Therefore as it was nowhere near my - incorrect - expectations, I was disappointed. For me, not worth the time of downloading it, but would have been a good opening chapter!
Thought I'd downloaded a book....... So was v disappointed it was a short story, the length of about 1 chapter. Therefore as it was nowhere near my - incorrect - expectations, I was disappointed. For me, not worth the time of downloading it, but would have been a good opening chapter!
October 11, 2022
Pretty short, and honestly a bit sad? :( Her family are so mean, as was her ex. Then she just gets humiliated by her dress being so tight that it is tearing itself off of her. Not heaps of fun to read. This was so short that there’s nothing much to really like or dislike though. Probably not enough Will.
January 24, 2021
Such a cute story!
This story engaged me from the first sentence right through the end. It’s a short story, but is still thorough! Also, excellent editing! I look forward to reading more from this author!
This story engaged me from the first sentence right through the end. It’s a short story, but is still thorough! Also, excellent editing! I look forward to reading more from this author!
August 23, 2017
Short and silly :)
January 20, 2018
Amusing and lighthearted
Enjoyable, lighthearted and amusing read just what I needed. Easy to get into and can be related too so easily.
Enjoyable, lighthearted and amusing read just what I needed. Easy to get into and can be related too so easily.
April 27, 2020
Good
It was very good . I finished it on holiday.I like it very much. I highly recommend it to people
It was very good . I finished it on holiday.I like it very much. I highly recommend it to people
November 28, 2020
Not exactly what I expected but it just got better and better
July 17, 2021
Cute little novella about a bridesmaid who is attending the wedding from hell. Everything that could go wrong does go wrong but help may come from a well known source.
December 24, 2021
Well written but a bit depressing.
December 27, 2022
Horrendous day!
Super short story about a bridesmaids sisters wedding. All the things that could go terribly wrong, does go terribly wrong!
Super short story about a bridesmaids sisters wedding. All the things that could go terribly wrong, does go terribly wrong!
January 1, 2023
1 star is a rarity for me, but this was just 20 pages of whining self-pity.
February 13, 2022
Funny and short.
December 23, 2013
Also featured on TRB's Kindle App Random Robin.
Note: This is closer to a 4.5 than a 4, but I wasn't swayed to round this to a 5.
Wedding Hells covers what happens when Melanie Parker attends and is part of her sister’s wedding ceremony. I read this as a standalone story but it also serves as a prequel to an upcoming review I’m doing on The Dr. Pepper Prophecies (which takes place four years after the wedding).
I found this to be a very delightful read. I could relate to Mel’s plight in regards to the cut and fit of the wedding dresses and not really fitting in with the other bridesmaids. I also identified with the question in regards to “getting a man” and “getting married”, since I didn’t get married until years later than what was “expected” from certain members of my family. Like Mel, I wanted to focus on education and my career, while Mel’s family-her father in particular-believe it’s more important for a woman to find a good man and just settle down, abandoning her own aspirations.
For me, one of the funniest parts of the book involves the serving of the meal. One would expect food that is a bit filling and satisfying to the palate during a wedding. However, that proved to not be the case, which would have made a trying day more bearable for Mel and the other attendants. (That’s all I will say without giving too much away)
I recommend this short burst of comedic, yet slightly predictable chick lit humor. One will have to check my upcoming review on The Dr. Pepper Prophecies to see if my perception and sympathy for Mel’s plight changes.
Note: This is closer to a 4.5 than a 4, but I wasn't swayed to round this to a 5.
Wedding Hells covers what happens when Melanie Parker attends and is part of her sister’s wedding ceremony. I read this as a standalone story but it also serves as a prequel to an upcoming review I’m doing on The Dr. Pepper Prophecies (which takes place four years after the wedding).
I found this to be a very delightful read. I could relate to Mel’s plight in regards to the cut and fit of the wedding dresses and not really fitting in with the other bridesmaids. I also identified with the question in regards to “getting a man” and “getting married”, since I didn’t get married until years later than what was “expected” from certain members of my family. Like Mel, I wanted to focus on education and my career, while Mel’s family-her father in particular-believe it’s more important for a woman to find a good man and just settle down, abandoning her own aspirations.
For me, one of the funniest parts of the book involves the serving of the meal. One would expect food that is a bit filling and satisfying to the palate during a wedding. However, that proved to not be the case, which would have made a trying day more bearable for Mel and the other attendants. (That’s all I will say without giving too much away)
I recommend this short burst of comedic, yet slightly predictable chick lit humor. One will have to check my upcoming review on The Dr. Pepper Prophecies to see if my perception and sympathy for Mel’s plight changes.
September 18, 2015
Ever had one of those days, you one where you think everything will be okay, but you couldn't be more wrong?
Yeah, well Mel Parker has just had one of those days. Not only is her little sister getting married, but her boyfriend dumps her at her sister's wedding to be with her friend. Harsh much? Mel has the worst day of her life, the dress she's wearing (that her sister picked and forced her to wear) is way too tight, her aunts keep telling her that she should be married by now even though she's only twenty-one, her dad belittles her in a speech (wow such a loving father.....NOT), that way too tight dress falls apart and she gets completely humiliated.
I have to say this may have been a really short book, but I loved every second of it. I'm praying for her and her best friend to become a thing. Their dynamic with each other is so sweet and so amazing. Yes, you only get to read about it for a few pages, but in those few pages he does so much more for her than anyone in her own family or any man she's ever been with.
Yeah, well Mel Parker has just had one of those days. Not only is her little sister getting married, but her boyfriend dumps her at her sister's wedding to be with her friend. Harsh much? Mel has the worst day of her life, the dress she's wearing (that her sister picked and forced her to wear) is way too tight, her aunts keep telling her that she should be married by now even though she's only twenty-one, her dad belittles her in a speech (wow such a loving father.....NOT), that way too tight dress falls apart and she gets completely humiliated.
I have to say this may have been a really short book, but I loved every second of it. I'm praying for her and her best friend to become a thing. Their dynamic with each other is so sweet and so amazing. Yes, you only get to read about it for a few pages, but in those few pages he does so much more for her than anyone in her own family or any man she's ever been with.
April 20, 2014
This is really more of a 2.5. I did round down because this was touted as a romantic comedy but I don't know why. There is no romance, just a young older sister having a miserable time at her younger sister's wedding. I did find the writing and the humor enjoyable and loved her friend Will even though he didn't show until the end. Even with it being a prequel it just ended so abruptly. I didn't feel that it had much of a teaser in it though I did enjoy Mel's character and the flow. It's because of this that I'm willing to give The Dr Pepper Prophecies a go.
August 10, 2014
Wedding Hells is a hilariously fun and deliciously witty short story that had me laughing all throughout the book. Melanie just got dumped on her younger sister's wedding, squealed when a spider appeared in front of her during a photoshoot, got humiliated in a speech made by her own dad and her bridesmaid dress got thoroughly ripped when she made a grab for the thrown bouquet, which was really a sight for sore eyes. Melanie just couldn't find her luck and it made me root for her more. Kudos to the author for a very funny story that surely made me want to read the next book in the series!
October 27, 2014
Laugh out loud, squirmy, uncomfortable moments leave you feeling so, so bad for Mel Parker! Imagine Bridget Jones at a wedding and you have Mel Parker.
It is her younger and perfect sister Brittany's wedding day. What could go wrong, does, and Mel tries to find a way to survive.
This is the prequel to the Dr. Pepper Prophecies, which I have not read yet, but based upon this book, I am definitely going to. (Have it on my Kindle now.)
Enjoy Ms. Roberts introduction into Mel's life, and let's hope for Mel's sake there are a few moments of respite!
It is her younger and perfect sister Brittany's wedding day. What could go wrong, does, and Mel tries to find a way to survive.
This is the prequel to the Dr. Pepper Prophecies, which I have not read yet, but based upon this book, I am definitely going to. (Have it on my Kindle now.)
Enjoy Ms. Roberts introduction into Mel's life, and let's hope for Mel's sake there are a few moments of respite!
January 6, 2016
Short and funny.
Mel can sound a bit whiny and her relatives hilariously flat and old-fashioned but her comments and situation were so ridiculous it was funny. Basically anything that can go wrong while attending your sister's wedding, happens and she's left to deal with the consequences. I was surprised I liked it, but it was a short, quick read, Mel is endearingly sassy and amusing and it leaves me wanting to know what happens next. Which is probably what Ms Roberts had in mind.
Mel can sound a bit whiny and her relatives hilariously flat and old-fashioned but her comments and situation were so ridiculous it was funny. Basically anything that can go wrong while attending your sister's wedding, happens and she's left to deal with the consequences. I was surprised I liked it, but it was a short, quick read, Mel is endearingly sassy and amusing and it leaves me wanting to know what happens next. Which is probably what Ms Roberts had in mind.
April 12, 2014
Hilarious short read. Really enjoyed this novel and just purchased The Dr Pepper Prophecies. This short story had me laughing the entire time and I can't believe people were able to give this story anything less than 4 stars. Really excited to start on the next story so this review is going to stop now :)
April 21, 2014
I knew this was a short story prequel to the chocoholic series, but it was a chapter in length. I can't believe how short this was and how silly. I love chick lit and was looking for something new, but I'm not sure I want to read more about Mel and her misadventures. This was too short and too over the top for me.
October 8, 2013
Everything seems to go wrong for poor mel especially at her younger sisters wedding.
I have read the dr pepper prophesies and this one didnt let me down. I loved it and I think the humour is brilliant. I love reading books by this author. Can't wait for more :-).
I have read the dr pepper prophesies and this one didnt let me down. I loved it and I think the humour is brilliant. I love reading books by this author. Can't wait for more :-).
November 3, 2013
I really like this short story.
The book was well written. The story was well told and the characters were very interesting.
The story was hilarious, I laughed a lot…
It was a really good short story.
The book was well written. The story was well told and the characters were very interesting.
The story was hilarious, I laughed a lot…
It was a really good short story.
August 1, 2014
I loved The Dr. Pepper Prophecies, so I had to read this prequel. It was nice to read about all my favorite characters and the writing style was great as usual. I just wish it was longer. It seemed rushed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews