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Plus One
Wedding planner extraordinaire Julia Santos has led a picture perfect life - a glamorous job, beautiful children, a gorgeous home - with her Prince Charming at her side. But with just days to go until her college roommate's wedding, Julia's Prince Charming has decided he'd be a lot happier with the other Princess down the street. Compelled by pride - not to mention financial obligation - Julia must keep up appearances all alone in a Destination Wedding Hell that she herself has planned. Surrounded by well-wishers strolling down Memory Lane, Julia finds herself struggling with the fact that she no longer is going to be Mrs. Charming. After a bad break up with his fiancée, David Diemand, best man and brother of the bride, has spent the last six months, literally and figuratively, at sea. His only job for this wedding is to show up and stand next to his buddy at the altar, but no one is truly sure he can handle that. Not even David. Stuck in the middle of all these Wedding Hells Bells is bad enough, but with all the old college crowd in town, David knows he is bound to bump into that WhatIf with her husband as David sulks at the Singles table. But Julia is there alone. Without a sickeningly perfect husband in sight. Much to Julia's dismay, David quickly uncovers the real reason why Prince Charming is absent. Against her better judgment, Julia agrees that the only way they are going to get through this wedding week is together. And the secrets that David and Julia share - both old and new - could be the very reasons why the two of them are both alone at this wedding without their Plus One.
- GenresRomance
264 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2013
2 people are currently reading
593 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Phelan
3 books8 followersA teacher, writer, and mom. I always hope that people will enjoy reading these stories as much I have enjoyed writing them.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 3, 2014
To start, Plus One is an impressive story. It has realistic characters and a plausible storyline but is still just enough outside the scope of real life to give it that "Fairytale" feel in a believable and positive way. But the real strengths in the story come from the way the characters are portrayed.
Firstly, I have to say, that as a male reader of a woman's fiction book, I was extremely impressed as to the way the main male character David was written. He is an actual guy, not a woman's perception of what a man is which we so often see in literature and movies written by women. Sarah accurately shows the way most men deal with romantic emotions: Stupidly, disjointed, inappropriately, aggressively and without actually thinking about what their actions will do. She stays away from the incorrect female writer's stereotype of the perfect male, who understands women, who can think like a women, and who gives them what they want. Sorry ladies, guys don't do that and Sarah understands that. It is refreshing.
Another part in the story that kept me intrigued was the time jumping. Throughout the story (Don't worry, no spoilers) we quickly jump back and forth from multiple points in the main characters relationship. This is a really neat way to give us the backstory we need, when we need it. It builds the characters up and lets us know them throughout most of their adult life, building the bond between the reader and the characters. By the first third of the book I really cared about the characters, by the middle I felt as though I knew them well, and by the end I was genuinely sad to see them go. I wanted more.
I can see this story being picked up as a Rom Com by a hollywood studio. Hopefully she will write more for us. If she keeps writing stories as endearing and compelling as this one. I can say one thing to Sarah: "I'll probably see you around."
Firstly, I have to say, that as a male reader of a woman's fiction book, I was extremely impressed as to the way the main male character David was written. He is an actual guy, not a woman's perception of what a man is which we so often see in literature and movies written by women. Sarah accurately shows the way most men deal with romantic emotions: Stupidly, disjointed, inappropriately, aggressively and without actually thinking about what their actions will do. She stays away from the incorrect female writer's stereotype of the perfect male, who understands women, who can think like a women, and who gives them what they want. Sorry ladies, guys don't do that and Sarah understands that. It is refreshing.
Another part in the story that kept me intrigued was the time jumping. Throughout the story (Don't worry, no spoilers) we quickly jump back and forth from multiple points in the main characters relationship. This is a really neat way to give us the backstory we need, when we need it. It builds the characters up and lets us know them throughout most of their adult life, building the bond between the reader and the characters. By the first third of the book I really cared about the characters, by the middle I felt as though I knew them well, and by the end I was genuinely sad to see them go. I wanted more.
I can see this story being picked up as a Rom Com by a hollywood studio. Hopefully she will write more for us. If she keeps writing stories as endearing and compelling as this one. I can say one thing to Sarah: "I'll probably see you around."
February 1, 2014
I got this free through goodreads, and this is my honest opinion.
I have to say this is the funniest, and best read I have had in a while. Fun, Invigorating, and entertaining is just a few words that would explain this story. Time flied while reading this, and I couldn't put it down! I would buy multiple copies and read this story until the cover fell off, and the pages got ruined, Just like a good book should be! The only thing I didn't like was it felt like it had a lot of the same sentence length and structure. I would recommended this for tweens, teens and adults!
I have to say this is the funniest, and best read I have had in a while. Fun, Invigorating, and entertaining is just a few words that would explain this story. Time flied while reading this, and I couldn't put it down! I would buy multiple copies and read this story until the cover fell off, and the pages got ruined, Just like a good book should be! The only thing I didn't like was it felt like it had a lot of the same sentence length and structure. I would recommended this for tweens, teens and adults!
October 12, 2013
I wrote it and I love the story! I cannot wait to hear what you think!
November 9, 2013
What a really fun read! I was able to relax and journey through Julia's work to keep up appearances (as she needs to be part of the Destination Wedding) and try to keep others from the reality of what her life is at this point. I love the character of David, and he is the perfect partner for Julia as they work out a way to get through the wedding together and thus find connection. I enjoyed just being able to read and absorb myself in the story. The ending is great as it leaves it open for possibilities!
October 14, 2013
Plus One is an absolute delight. I was looking for a little escape and this book fit the bill. Phelan creates lively characters. Julia and David leap off the page. Once I began their tale, I could not stop until I had reached the (most satisfying) conclusion.
November 16, 2013
I enjoyed this book , it was a fun read. David and julia's characters were a great match and they made the book very hard to put down. You won't want to miss this very charming-delightful book. A great read 5 out of 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews