The Baby & the Bride

The Debt & The Doormat #2

by Laura Barnard

Sequel to the #1 Amazon Best-Seller, The Debt & the Doormat (available for FREE)
Poppy and Jazz’s lives sound perfect on paper. Jazz has a new baby and Poppy’s getting married. But their realities are very different.

Poppy must strive to keep her cool new job with crazy hours, while trying to keep Ryan happy. Before she knows it her wedding has got out of control, thanks to her mother, the runners at work are bullying her, her parents are in financial difficulty and she’s doubting everything and everyone she ever knew.

Meanwhile Jazz is struggling with motherhood, something a credit card won’t fix. Why won’t this baby give her a break? Will Jazz be able to cope before she loses it?

And will Poppy make it down the aisle? Will Ryan even be waiting?

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Humor

Unknown Binding

First published February 20, 2014

About the author

Amazon Bestselling Author Laura Barnard lives in Hertfordshire, UK and writes British, quirky laugh out loud romantic comedy.

In her spare time she enjoys drinking her body weight in tea, cuddling dogs, matchmaking her friends, binging True Crime, dancing in Popworld, indulging in the power nap and reading past her bedtime.

www.laurabarnardbooks.co.uk

Reviews

[Danielle's · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my typical style I’ve read these out of order. Each story can be read as a standalone but it’s centred around two girls Jazz and Poppy. I would recommend you read these in order as this is a series is great. (My order was 3, 1, 2).

After book one Poppy has a new boyfriend Ryan. He’s perfect for her but is she perfect for him? It’s time to put the crazy antics to bed and grow-up. JOKE! Poppy is still a Bridget and things are going to spiral.

Jazz has a baby, now it’s time to find her dream man. Being a mum is hard work but that doesn’t mean your life’s over.

Book two is scandalous, funny and lovable. This is a fun audiobook which is about juggling life. Poppy and Jazz aren’t perfect. That’s what makes this series so great.

*I received an ARC as part of the blog tour. My opinion is my own and my review is fair.

[⊱✿⊰ Alicia ⊱✿⊰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!

I am loving this series! Poppy and Jazz's lives are a little chaotic and generally if something can go wrong it does. which of course makes it that much funnier. I nearly peed myself when Poppy woke with the penis face the day she had to meet with the priest.

This is just a straight up fun chic-lit read, there is a tiny dash of romance but it is mainly the story of two best friends trying to make it through some really important times in their lives. I love all of Poppy's family, they are nuts but you can tell how much they all love and support each other.

If you are looking for a fun read that's light on the romance, look no further!

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
The Baby and the Bride is the second book on the Debt and the Doormat series by Laura Barnard and had me laughing from start to finish. Jazz and Poppy are back with even more crazy adventures and a host of new characters and funny twists in this book. Poppy starts the book in labour, and Jazz is planning her wedding. I've felt like I've spent time with two crazy friends after listening to these books with how fun and engaging these stories are. The narrator is just perfect for these books, and I never tire of listening to her. If you love funny, rom-com books you need to pick this series up - definitely start it from book one though.

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Baby & the Bride is the second of Laura Barnard’s series following Poppy and Jazz, and it’s a story with plenty packed into it. Although I enjoyed this more than the first book, I would not label this a favourite from the author.

If you’ve read The Debt & the Doormat, you’ll be eager to see what happens next for the characters. With this one, a lot happens, pulling us deeper into the story. There was more laughter in this one, plenty of elements that ensure you’re happy to power through the pages, but I did feel like some details were a bit too predictable. Despite this, I was hooked.

Without a doubt, this one is worth grabbing if you enjoyed the first book, and it will leave you eager to see what the next book brings.

[Sandra Valente · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must mention first that I had no clue this was the second book. However, I'll say that not once did I feel like I’d missed out on the backstory for not having read the first one, as it's easily read as a standalone. So, that has to say something about how it's set out, which is everything good in my book.

The Baby and The Bride revolves around not only Poppy―the main character―but also her best friend, Jazz; her fiancé, Ryan; as well as her mother, aunt, brother and a whole other set of friends/not so much friends/family members, and a previous love interest where Ryan is concerned.

Best friends, Poppy and Jazz, both face life changes. Jazz, who's had a baby isn’t sure who the father is―could be her ex-boyfriend, or Poppy’s brother, Ollie. And Poppy, who is on the verge of getting married, isn't quite sure if she will go through with the wedding, call it off, or just make a run for it. This is how crazy these two are, and I'm not even touching base here. Amidst these two very important milestones, everything you can possibly think of, happens. And then we have Meryl, Poppy’s mother. She's hilarious and as moms do, takes over putting together the perfect wedding. Well, perfect in her mind, because much like Poppy, I wouldn’t want bloody clowns at my wedding, either! Meryl, bless her soul, made me laugh more times than I can count, but then so did almost every character in this book. Her e-mails are seriously to die for.

I appreciated the fact that this book was written in both Poppy’s and Jazz’s point of views, which makes for an interesting storyline. You’re kept on your toes and turning those pages at breakneck speed (that's how I felt) in order to see what either is up to or going through next. I liked this a lot.

The only thing that saddened me somewhat was the number of typos in this book. This was such a pity and made me pause on occasion. Surprisingly, I eventually managed to ignore them, which isn't something I'm able to do often as I tend to become frustrated, with the end result being that I don't finish a book because of it. But, it just goes to show how much I loved this story that even I set that aside.

The Baby and The Bride is fast-paced. It’s an easy read and humorous to boot. I love these kinds of books, because there are times in one’s life where a good laugh is needed. This is the type of story one can read at any time; it always go down a treat.

Thank you Laura for sending me a copy of your book. I knew I was going to like it as soon as I'd read the synopsis!

RATING : 4 STARS

[Kaprii two ordinary girls and their books · Rating 5 out of 5]

The baby and the bride
5*****
Laugh out loud funny!!!!
This book had us wetting ourselves... The funniest book we've read this year.
Poppy is us, an ordinary everyday girl getting married to her gorgeous "well fit" fiance Ryan. But nothing is ever that simple! Can she walk down the aisle?

Jazz is the loud mouth over the top adventurous new mum. She didn't wanna get pregnant but well shit happens. Can she work through being a new mum?

We have never laughed so much as we did reading this novel,
Laura you exceeded yourself! We read so much erotica, romance or dark story's for a change it was refreshing to pick up something that made us cry with laughter and not sadness. This book should be in everyones TBR list, we all need a good LOL book and this should sit front and centre.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed by this second book while I really liked the first one.

I enjoyed that we had Jazz's POV in addition to Poppy's POV that we only had in the first book but I was often lost between both when I listened to the audiobook though. I was a ibt sad that the narrator of the first book didn't come back because I really really enjoyed her tone but the second narrator, Rachel Witby, did a good job with the story telling.

I gave only 3/5 stars because I found Poppy quite boring compared to the first book, her thoughts were often redundant and I just couldn't understand some things she did. Jazz however was a wonder, I loved her story and her battle with post-partum depression (even if it could have been more present in my opinion).

Of course, Poppy's family and especially her brother Oliver were hilarious and I want more of him and her parents! I want more of her other brothers as well because we didn't see them much but I have the feeling that we will see more of Richard in the 3rd installment... hehe I don't talk about Poppy's uncle yet but he seems like a true charmer and I was honestly surprised that he was not Poppy's estranged father like she believed during a good third of the book but just her long-lost uncle.

I thought that Ryan was often overlooked in this second book while he's a principal character! There was quite stories about him and his *new* family but I always found that they were happening in the background. I want to know more in the third book for sure!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to listening to the end of this series.

[Teal Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Baby & the Bride is the second book 8n The Debt & the Doormat series by Laura Barnard.  Jazz and Poppy are back and are navigating new worlds and still making hilarious mistakes and learning about themselves and life.  Planning weddings, dealing with jealous exes, tolerating overbearing family, and figuring out the crazy world of parenthood... these two deliver a fun and hilarious time!.   Rachel Whitby is a good Narrator who delivered an entertaining performance.  

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy & Jazz aren't done with their wild ride!

Let's see.
1.) Adorable baby, but majorly frazzled and stressed mama.
2.) Great job dealing with the reality of post partum.
3.) Poppy's Mom is much more likeable in this one.
4.) Lily, OMG, she is so annoying.
5.) Poppy needs to work on her spine a bit more but she was much better in this one.
6.) This narrator is awful at male voices. And accents.
7.) Poppy thinks she stumbles upon a shocking secret of her mother's which eventually culminates in her sticking her foot in it, hilariously.
8.) Oh Jazz, sigh.
9.) Ryan needs to communicate more too. Honestly, they all do.
10.) Poppy's ability to get herself in messes is hilarious. Even when she is simply doing her job.
11.) Her brother (not Ollie) really needs to think before he tries to be light hearted.
12.) Ryan's family messy but there are some surprising revelations and results. All in all, I loved hearing the next chapter in Poppy and Jazz's adventures in adulthood.

[Diane (Books and Tequila Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Baby and The Bride is a really funny and sweet story. It is definitely a laugh out loud story. More ‘Com’ than Rom. It is told by both Poppy and Jazz almost like getting two consecutive stories in one.

“I’ll never be the same again. I was right. I’ve been left with a wizard sleeve vagina. If anyone gets close to having sex with me it will be just like throwing a hotdog down a hallway.”

I listened to this on audiobook. I enjoyed the narrator voice but felt like I was constantly getting confused as to who’s POV I was following because the main female characters both sounded the same.

The Baby and The Bride is book two in a series but can be read as a complete standalone.
-4 Stars-

[Kirsten Connelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this one better than the first one but again some parts were just a bit too cheesy. A very easy read

[Caroline Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s done it again! Another fantastic masterpiece in chick-lit/rom-com from Laura Barnard! Reading The Baby & the Bride is like meeting up with an old, close friend. Within seconds you become familiar with the characters you know and loved from Book 1, The Debt & the Doormat, and can easily relate to them, experiencing their roller-coaster of emotions. To read this book, you will need more wine, more choccies and be prepared for giggles throughout as Poppy and Jazz’s lives are turned upside down with some rather embarrassing moments along the way!

Oh dear, Poppy! Some things never change. She is still the doormat she always was, although trying not to be. It seems she’s running around after everyone like a headless chicken whilst Ryan is left waiting! Although very exciting, it can also be a disaster at times when your mother tries to plan your whole wedding for you and you haven’t a chance to express what you’d like! And Jazz, what trouble are you in this time? If it’s not debt, it’s a baby! What a fab start to the sequel, with great storylines for both characters and just as much excitement and tension as before. Laura Barnard has created a sequel that is just as good as the first.

The Baby & the Bride Poppy and Jazz, although more grown up and settled in some ways, have their own crisis’ to deal with. At the same time they try to look out for each other, sometimes keeping secrets to protect the other from being hurt and yet always there to help each other when they are in need. We all need a Poppy and Jazz in our life, needing a pick up from time to time.

As a mother, I can completely relate to Jazz as early motherhood for her is exactly how I felt when I had my first – without too much exaggeration! In fact it was so precise, I thought that Laura Barnard was writing about me! The tiredness, the depression and the downright humiliating moments that childbirth and a baby can bring. But did I say depression? Well, yes, but Laura has a fantastic way of turning it around, uplifting these moments whilst at the same time still keeping them real. She makes it so natural for the reader to relate to the characters.

One of my favourite aspects of The Baby & the Bride is that Laura Barnard has kept all of the characters from The Debt & the Doormat. The reader can follow up Poppy and Jazz’s housemates, families and colleagues. Many of which have their own storylines which can interfere with Poppy and Jazz’s life at times, making their lives all the more topsy turvy! As Poppy hates to let anyone down she almost puts everybody else first, even before her own wedding!

The reader also has more of an incite into Ryan’s family (which brings along it’s own troubles which adds to all the chaos) and Poppy’s brother, Ollie. There is no mistake that Ryan is a hottie, handsome, sexy and affectionate. But as the reader discovers more about Ollie I’m sure there won’t be any disappointments there either!

As mentioned in my previous review of Book 1, this series is Bridget Jones meets Miranda Hart. As well as being heart-warming and sweet, one cannot escape the humour, the awkward moments and the slaptick. And when one sarky accusing question ends with ‘are we?‘ it reminded me of the Miranda tv series and I was in stitches. This is brilliant writing that had me laughing out loud so many times.

Due to the nature and fun style of Laura Barnard’s writing the series/book is a quick, fun read that leaves you feeling sparkly and energetic. It is completely uplifting. I strongly recommend that Book 1, The Debt & the Doormat, is read first, and at the moment there is no excuse as it is absolutely FREE on Amazon. However, The Baby & the Bride is written so well that new readers to this series could read this as a stand alone.

I cannot get enough of Laura Barnard’s writing. May she write many more wonderful, sweet and delightfully fun work in the future. This is an author not to be missed!

The Baby & the Bride was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review first posted on my blog: http://spoonfulofhappyendings.blogspo...

Poppy and Jazz have been best friends for a long time and they are both facing important new stages in their lives. Jazz has just given birth to her first child and she is trying to deal with life as a single mum, but she is having some trouble figuring out how to take care of a baby on her own. Poppy is getting married to her boyfriend Ryan, but she had no idea planning a wedding would be this hectic, especially when her mother tries to put her own stamp on absolutely everything. Poppy and Jazz are both trying to do the best they can, but will Jazz get the hang of being a mother and will she really have to do this alone? And will Poppy finally be able to start believing Ryan loves her for who she is, so she can make it down the aisle?

‘The Baby & the Bride’ is the sequel to Laura Barnard’s first novel, ‘The Debt & the Doormat’ and I have to admit I enjoyed this book more than its prequel. The story begins a few months after the ending of the first Poppy and Jazz book, and two important developments have taken place: Jazz is a mum, and Poppy is engaged to her boyfriend Ryan. These were both fun storylines and I enjoyed reading about all the crazy things that happen to Jazz and Poppy while they are both figuring things out. The author decided to write from both Jazz’ and Poppy’s point of view, which resulted in a good mixture of both storylines. Most of the supporting characters also return in this book and they really added their own touch to the story, such as Ollie and Poppy’s mother (who made me laugh out loud several times with her antics). Mainly because of this, I do believe this book should be read as a sequel and not as a stand-alone and I advice to pick up ‘The Debt & the Doormat’ first.

It took me a bit of time to get into the story, even though I was already familiar with the characters and their background stories. I personally thought there was quite a lot of swearing in the first few chapters, and the book still included various spelling and grammar mistakes, which was a shame. As soon as I was able to look through this, I ended up enjoying the fast-paced chapters and found myself wondering what would eventually happen to Poppy, Jazz, and their friends. ‘The Baby & the Bride’ is a quick and fun read with an enjoyable cast of characters at its core, and I’d like to thank the author for giving me the chance to review it!

[My Secret Book Spot · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Baby and the Bride by Laura Barnard
5 out of 5 Stars!!!!

I am more than pleased with the sequel to The Debt and the Doormat!! My husband finally stopped asking why I was laughing after several episodes of uncontrolled laughter and resorted to shaking his head at me.

Jazz is now a Mummy and Ryan proposed to Poppy shortly after the birth of her baby. Poppy's mother Meryl insists on bringing out The Book, a lengthy compilation of wedding plans that have come together over the years since Poppy was a child. This fact alone promises that chaos is bound to ensue!!

Though the hilarity of the lives of this bunch is nearly nonstop, there is a wrench thrown into things when Jazz is diagnosed with post-natal depression and seeks help to regain her former self. With me being a nurse, the acuity of her struggles were spot on and very realistic. My heart ached for Jazz and I was very near tears at times.

However, when the wedding plans get into full swing, it becomes a circus. With the short time frame allowed by Meryl for planning and the unexpected visitor whom appears, Poppy must stop being the doormat and step up to the task of taking some control back into her own hands.

After reading The Debt and the Doormat, The Baby and the Bride had some serious shoes to fill and Barnard once again delivered without the least bit of disappointment!!! And the pictures that were painted with every page that passed left me breathless and feeling as if I was across the pond and assisting with the wedding plans and dancing the night away as opposed to sitting on my couch wrapped in a fuzzy blanket with a Diet Coke and my Kindle.

*A complimentary copy was given by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Meagan, My Secret Book Spot

[Stephenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I received a copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review. *
I just recently found author Laura Bernard and she is fantastic! I love her chick-lit/rom-com/romance writing, her humor and the way that you can just zip right through her books! The carefree style of Laura Barnard’s writing makes for a quick, fun read that leaves you feeling happy, free and excited. This is the second book in the series and it was just as amazing. I would first recommend that you read Book #1, The Debt & the Doormat, however, The Baby & the Bride, book #2, is written so well that even new readers to this series could read this as a stand alone and understand perfectly all that is going on throughout it. Reading The Baby & the Bride, book #2, is like meeting up with some old, close friends. Within seconds you become engrossed with the characters you know and loved from Book 1 (The Debt & the Doormat) and can easily relate to them, remember all that they went through and continue to experience their roller-coaster of emotions and lives. There were several parts throughout the book that had me loudly laughing out loud (especially when Poppy decides to wax) and I had to look around to see if people were looking at me like I was crazy! I loved the "realness" of the book and the situations that the characters found themselves in. The plot flowed throughout the book and it was hard to put it down! I loved the story, the characters, the details, but most of all I enjoyed the way in which I could relate to some of the disasters that occurred to Jazz, Poppy, Ryan, Ollie, and the others. If you are looking for a fun book, or a book that would cheer up anyone, then this is the book/series for you! If it doesn't make you laugh out loud then nothing will! Enjoy!

[April Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please check out my full review @ http://aprillwood.wordpress.com/2014/...

One of the FUNNIEST books I have read in a long time, The Baby and The Bride is a book guaranteed to make anyone with a PULSE laugh. Jazz and Poppy are a hilarious duo, and their antics make this book a PAGE TURNER!

I knew I was going to like this book when Poppy burst into her best-friend’s hospital birthing room, as she was CROWING, and pushed the baby daddy out of the way. From there it just got better and better. When I say I LOL’d, I mean it. I literally laughed out loud many times while reading this story.

Poppy has a lot on her plate. She has a difficult job working as a personal assistant for a movie director, where she gets little to no respect. Newly engaged, her mother and aunt are enough to drive a saint to drink, planning a wedding to top all other weddings! -Despite what Poppy, and her fiance Ryan want, and what her family can reasonably afford.

“I’m quickly realizing I’m just here for decoration. My opinion doesn’t actually matter.”

Then there is Jazz… Jazz is suffering from post-partum depression, and has serious doubts in her ability to mother her newborn daughter, Jemima.

“How can I love her so much, but then sometimes wish I hadn’t become a mother?”

Together, Poppy and Jazz support each other, day after day, through thick and thin. There is nothing that these ladies wouldn’t do for one another, and together they are a force to be reckoned with! If you enjoy humorous women’s fiction, then I would recommend The Baby and The Bride to be added to your “To Be Read” list!

I was provided with an e-copy of The Baby and The Bride in exchange for a fair, thoughtful, and honest book review.

[Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends Poppy and Jazz seem to have it all down pat. Jazz has just had a beautiful baby girl, Jemima, and Poppy’s newly engaged. Yet everything is not so simple or happy. Jazz’s baby-daddy is a jerk and Poppy’s new job is a hassle. In addition, Jazz is going through post-partum depression and Poppy’s lost control over her wedding to her mother and aunt. Will Jazz and Poppy be able to get everything under control before it explodes??

I absolutely loved THE BABY & THE BRIDE! There is just something side-stitchingly funny about British humor, even in the face of terrible events. I felt bad for both Poppy and Jazz – Poppy’s self-esteem is going down the drain and Jazz’s out of her mind trying to take care of baby Jemima all by herself. The absolute hilarity about the wedding plans and the three-ring circus Poppy’s mom is turning it into seems so over the top, but it definitely happens. I really liked learning more about Ryan’s family and getting in depth with some of the other secondary characters from the first book, THE DEBT & THE DOORMAT. The author’s writing is snappy and really clicks with readers. THE BABY & THE BRIDE is an excellent book and I hope we see more of Jazz and Poppy in the future!

[Yessi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words to describe how much I loved The Baby & the Bride! I laughed until I cried, and then I laughed some more. And it wasn’t even a pretty lady-like laugh, but a full on snort with tears coming out of my eyes.

Laura Barnard nailed it when she wrote about the torment – yes, I said torment – that comes with being a mom. I sincerely felt for Jazz and her complete bewilderment that came with being a non-breast feeding mum (I know, the horror!). I wanted to backhand the holier than thou breast feeding mums who looked down on her, because, dangit, motherhood is hard without other women making it unnecessarily harder.

And Poppy. There isn’t a single bad thing that can be said about Poppy and Ryan. Yes, they had their secrets, but what relationship doesn’t? And every time I got angry with Ryan, he made it all better by just being Ryan. If all husbands could be like Ryan, homicides and decapitations rates would be much lower. Poppy, with all her insecurities and doormat-ways worked her way into my heart until I was fully in love with her, ready to take her away from Ryan myself.

So far, I’ve been lucky and have read some pretty good books this year, but this is another top 5 for me. I can’t wait to see what else Laura has in store for us.

[Marie Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Baby & the Bride picks up a few months after The Debt & the Doormat left off and immediately pulls you in with laughter. We continue to follow Poppy and her life of people pleasing but are also given the POV of her best friend Jazz as she adjusts to being a new mother. In this story we get to experience their ups and downs as they continue to discover their road to being official grown-ups no matter how much they try to hold on to the good ol' days of their youth.

I enjoyed the comical situations they're thrust into as they plan a wedding and becoming accustomed to having a baby in their group. Poppy's ever intrusive mother keeps everyone on their toes with her take charge, over the top persona while Ryan, the gorgeous groom-to-be, deals with family drama, due to Poppy's meddling.

The characters are just wonderfully ordinary people with typical dramas occasionally overshadowed by Poppy's constant bad luck. There were several instances I nearly fell over with laughter. This was a great comedy and would be handy to have when getting over a serious book hangover from an intense read.

My suggestion is to get cozy, grab a glass of wine and enjoy. I highly recommend it.

[Linda Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Baby & The Bride by Laura Barnard

If you have read The Debt & The Doormat, then you will want to read this one, it carries on the lives of Poppy, Ryan, Jazz, Grace & Izzy. But we hear more of Ollie and poppy’s parents.

I haven’t laughed so much since I read Diary of a Dieter and Wallbanger. As soon I got into the first chapter I was giggling and that giggling just never stop it actually had me wetting myself with laughter and crying with Laughter. It is absolutely hilarious some of the scenes are so life like.

I love how these books are just every day real life; I can picture some of the scenes happening to some of my friends 
Well done Laura I’m so looking forward to reading more of your work.

The Debt & The Doormat is already available and The Baby & The Bride is released on 1st March 2014.
Ladies if you haven’t read them then I highly recommend them

5***** but deserves so much more

Linda xx

[Lucy-Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series & develops the characters further

It still revolves around Poppy & Jazz, but we get to know some of the other characters more - in some cases these were very well done, but other characters just seemed to be becoming even bigger caracatures and stereotypes and are actually putting me off!
The books follows on a few months after the first one & follows the girls as one has a baby and finds that life will never be the same again, and the other is planning a wedding to "mr fit"
Of course, nothing goes quite to plan!

There are some fundamental inaccuracies, particularly around the legalities of weddings, which show that the author is not researching properly. Partly due to this & partly to the utter ridiculousness of some scenes in the book & too much focus on bodily functions I found this book not as engaging as the first in the series, but still an easy lighthearted read if you like this sort of thing

[Lynsey Sabin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gifted copy was provided by the author / publisher for an honest review.


Another fantastic read by this author. It starts straight off from where the debt and the doormat finishes so if you are like me, you can pick it up straight away and just continue reading. This time it was a little different as the author has added Jazz's POV which I thought was a great way to mix it up a bit. You gotta love Jazz as she is still as blunt as ever, telling people exactly what she thinks of them. I guess I still have a love/hate relationship with Ryan as there's times he can act very childish. But other than that I loved it just as much as the first one. I will love reading these again as I know that I can have a bloody good laugh while reading them.

[Shedevilreads Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Baby & The Bride by Laura Barnard is a romantic comedy that I listened to on audio narrated by Rachael Whitby. This is the second book in The Debt & The Doormat Series.

I absolutely love Laura’s books! They always leave me with a smile on my face. I absolutely love all the quirky characters in this series. I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series Porn Money & Wannabe Mummy so I can get more of Poppy and Jazz’s crazy adventurous.

Rachael did a good job on the narration. I really loved her voice for the female characters. However, I just couldn’t get behind her male character voices.

I would highly recommend this series if you love Chick Lits or Romantic Comedies.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the fabulous honor of beta reading and proofreading The Baby and The Bride and let me tell you, if you thought The Debt and The Doormat was funny, you ain't seen nothin' yet!!

From the first page to the last, I was in constant fits of very unlady-like laughter!

Yet again, Laura absolutely pulled me into the craziness that is the lives of Poppy, Jazz, and their friends and loved ones!

I adored every word on every page! Pick up a copy as soon as you can, I promise you'll LOVE it!!!

[7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Laura Barnard's "The Debt & the Doormat". I loved the first book, and this book lives up to my expectations :)
As the synopsis informs you, Jazz is having a baby, and Poppy is getting married.
You'll follow them through the ups and downs; the funny moments and the aggravating moments (which are still amusing to the reader sometimes) ;)
I highly recommend this book (read "The Debt & the Doormat" first)!

[Pauline Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, LOVED the follow up book. It wasn't as belly laughing funny as book 1 but it was still brilliant. Loved the characters, style of writing and the story - a great book. Will defo read more from this author

[Heather Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love!!!

[Vics · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

It was beautiful to witness Ryan and Poppy’s go from strength to strength. Despite the various dramatic trails and tribulations and tests their relationship faces they only come back stronger. From Poppy’s challenging new work schedule, her making the tabloids due to a misunderstanding over a cheating scandal with a famous actor, Ryan discovering his drug-addicted mother is alive but Poppy proving her intentions towards him are impure, Ryan’s crazy cheating ex-girlfriend trying to win him back over — they’re love prevails and we see just how much they truly love one another.

I liked that we also got to see things from Jazz’s perspective as a new mother suffering with post-natal depression. As a mother myself it was very relatable and very realistically portrayed. We get to see a different side to Ollie when he is the main person to notice something is seriously wrong with Jazz and encourages her to get some help, and also helps her himself by looking after her daughter Jemima so she can get some much-needed sleep. When Ollie is unable to help himself he enlists the help of his mother Meryl who is instrumental in helping Jazz cope with her post-natal depression and acts as the mother figure she never really had. We start to see that what Ollie and Jazz have is more than just a bit of fun and that they truly love and care for one another. I thought it was quite obvious that Jemima was going to end up being Ollie’s daughter rather than Jake’s, but I was very glad when my suspicions were confirmed.

Also, it was lovely to see a turning point in the relationship between Poppy and her mother Meryl. Instead of Poppy resenting her for a lack of affection and feeling overshadowed by her elder brothers Richard and Henry. Particularly towards the end of the story, Poppy begins to appreciate her mother more and we see that Meryl truly does her daughter and is very proud of her too.

I loved that Poppy and Ryan were able to have the intimate wedding they’d planned with just immediate family and close friends without all of the bravado, it was just about them. However, it was even better that Jazz and Meryl came through for them on the public wedding day and managed to execute their shabby chic old film and tea theme perfectly.

I’m a sucker for a book series as I hate to have to say goodbye to characters after feeling like I’ve actually become friends with them myself, so I’m glad there’s a third book in the series. Can’t wait to see what’s in store…

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delightful Story! Great Humor & Narration🎧

The Baby & the Bride
The Debt & the Doormat, Book 2
By: Laura Barnard
Narrated by: Rachael Whitby

This book was a delight to read and listen to, it is my first book written by Laura Barnard and it will not be my last. He is a gifted author, I enjoyed her writing style and the story and characters she created, as well as the witty dialogue. The characters are likable and easy to relate to, while this is the second book of the series I was still able to enjoy it on its own, I will definitely be checking out the 1st book soon, I just adore the characters and their antics. Poppy and Jazz are best of friends, each one is quirky in their own way. Jazz is having struggles with adapting to motherhood, her friends try to help but that is not enough for her. Poppy set a day to wed Ryan, actually her mother does and then hijacks the whole wedding plan process. Poppy is loving her job, finally learns how to deal with the runners she is hoping the temporary job becomes a permanent one. A lot goes on it this book, the author plotted it out nicely taking the reader and/or listener on a rollercoaster ride. There is never a dull moment with plenty of drama, some angst, some great humor, some heartfelt moments and some sweet romance. Laura Barnard, thank you for this great, entertaining and enjoyable story.

I listened to the Audible edition, Rachael Whitby is a talented narrator and voice artist. She did a great job portraying the characters and bringing them and their story to life. She set the perfect tone and pace for the story, handled the witty dialogue and landed the humor with a natural ease. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen🎧

[Claire Thake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really cannot get enough of Laura's books! Whenever I am in a book slump, they always pull me out of it!

I loved The Debt and the Doormat and loved jumping back into the world of Poppy and Jazz! Just like putting on an old pair of warm fuzzy socks, it feels like home and these characters feel as if they are real friends.

This instalment sees the run up to Poppy and Ryan's wedding and Jazz becoming a single mummy to Jemima; as usual in the world of Poppy and Jazz things never go to plan, with hilarious, laugh out loud moments that keep you glued to the story.

Poppy is such a likeable character, who isn't perfect and has a lot of self confidence issues just like a normal person would, and is so easy to relate to! Jazz I would love to have as a best friend as I can imagine life would be full of laughs with someone like her.

Laura is such an amazing writer and I can't recommend her books enough! This is the 4th book I've read of hers and will be diving straight into the 5th! I cannot wait to see what's next in store for Poppy and Jazz, or what Laura comes up with for her next project!