Calamity: A Friends to Lovers Romance

The Four Groomsmen of the Wedpocalypse #4

by Lilian Monroe

Death by embarrassment. That’s what happens to Scarlett when she stands up to make a speech at her best friend’s wedding with the help of a slideshow of pictures she set up on her phone. Unfortunately, the phone connects to the speakers as well as the screen, and certain spicy parts of her current audiobook begin to play. At full volume. Moaning and all. Before she can fling the phone into the depths of the chocolate fountain, she’s saved by Archer, who takes credit for the “prank” and accepts the side-eyes and blame. But when it comes time to thank him for falling on that particularly embarrassing sword, Scarlett discovers that Archer wants something in return…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Mystery, Audiobook, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Rom Com

338 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2024

About the author

Lilian Monroe lives in a luxurious jungle treehouse surrounded by lush greenery, with an army of scantily-clad men with rippling abdominal muscles ready to attend to her every need.

No, wait. That's not true.

Lilian Monroe spends her days dangling her feet into her pool, while a scantily-clad pool boy with rippling abdominal muscles feeds her chocolate-covered strawberries and massages her back.

Okay, okay. You got me. That's not true, either. Let's try again.

Lilian Monroe lives at home with her two children, three dogs, and twelve chickens. Her husband likes to work shirtless in the back yard. His sweaty, gleaming abdominal muscles ripple with every movement and he—

I'm sorry. I have to stop. Fine, I'll admit it. That one isn't true either.

How about this: Lilian Monroe loves thinking about men with rippling abdominal muscles serving her hand and foot, and she wants you to think about them too! She is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things romance.

She loves everything from bad boys to billionaires. Her books are packed with sizzling-hot heat, action, suspense, and everything from second chances to single dads. She hates cheating and loves a good happily ever after (and rippling abs).

Reviews

[Sue Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a fantastic ending to The Four Groomsmen of Wedpocalypse series.
Told from the POV of both characters, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Archer and Scarlett's thrilling story.
Trying to clear their names after Ethel Brown was found murdered in her flower shop, they worked together to try and find out who did it and why!
It was great to see all the previous couples throughout the story as they are Archer's best friend's and welcomed Scarlett into the fold!
Brilliant storyline with wonderful characters and absolutely loved the HEA.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, and I'm willingly leaving an honest review.

[Crystal Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had me howling with laughter and blushing by 2%! Archer is the total swoonworthy hero with his own self-perceived flaw that leads him to believe he is unworthy of love. Scarlett is a spurned woman who has been convinced that she only has herself to count on until she begins to believe in her friendships with the men in her life and the women that they love. She's afraid to ask their shared friends group if they'll continue to accept her if she explores a relationship with Archer. Recently, Scarlett and Archer shared a kiss at their mutual friends wedding, then he saved her from herself at another friends wedding and finally they are thrown together after a murder in Scarlette's business leaves Archer and Scarlette looking guilty. That murder allows them some time together to clear their names, and warm up in a super steamy shower scene #SqueakyClean 🛀

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quickish Review

This book: scarlett and Archer’s story has very good scenes of sexy times, and it wraps up the overarching drama in their little town with a neat bow, though again, it depends on shallow characterization of secondary characters for drama. Parents of MMC? The worst, including abuse regarding his reading disability. Cardboard villains meet their ridiculous end even if the friends all have their HEAs.

Overall series: individual romances featuringw two friend groups yet the books, for the most part, are pretty insulated. Work? Mentioned in passing but they don’t do much of it. Hang out with friends? The female MCs yes, the guys not so much. It’s implied they’re good friends but I barely see it. All in all, best for those who want very couple-centric romance and don’t mind repetitive inner monologues.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.4

[Rina Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

It lacks testosterone

Took a break from my usual scouring through the dark romance section to take in this much lighter series, which was brought to my attention in a social media ad. I was drawn in by the promise of protective male protagonists. Unfortunately, while these men may experience protective urges, it’s always the women who solve the mystery and save the day while showing the men who’s boss.
The writing is cliche but done fairly well. All four books are cute and funny. I did have to start skimming through the long passages of rehashed insecurities and emotional hang ups during the third and fourth books because I ran out of patience but wanted to finish. I wouldn’t come to this author looking for dominant men or street justice, but I’ll probably look her up the next time I’m in the mood for something light and feminist.

[Lb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this whole series and this book was a great way to finish off the series, each character is loving and charming in their own way but not without flaws (making them easier to relate to). There is a bit of a mystery going on in each story that flows into the sequels so I would read them in order even though you could read each of them as a stand alone.

The stories are funny and flirty with a bit of spice mixed in, there are elements of the ridiculous that sometimes you have to look over to get through the story and a few of the characters keep going over the same emotional insecurities over again in multiple chapters but overall I really enjoyed the whole series and I got each book on audible already planning on listening to all the books again in the future.

There is an embarrassing scene in the beginning where Scarlett is at Lucy and Cormac's wedding (leading characters from book 3) and goes to pull up her speech on her phone but the phone has her spicy book still loaded up which syncs to her computer still playing the slide show of pictures for the happy couple... funny thing is I was at a drive thru listening to a spicy scene in this book when I thought of the opening scene and changed it to read mode so the same thing didn't happen to me will make me mindful of what I'm listening to and when in the future.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal!

I love this series and this book! It’s time for Archer and Scarlett’s story and it’s quite the roller coaster ride! At Lucy’s wedding, Scarlett has a mishap when she is trying to give her speech that will have her feeling that her friends will certainly never forgive her for this. Archer can’t keep his eyes off Scarlett and wants nothing more than to comfort her when things go wrong. The two are in for quite a ride when later that evening, they stumble upon a dead body in her flower shop and the calamity ensues. From being accused of murder to ex’s coming back to town and both of their insecurities, the two struggle to deal with the feelings that seem to be growing between them. Archer will finally feel like things are looking up for him when one call from his family will tear him down and it will have him turning away from Scarlett. But some wise words from an old mentor will send Archer running back to Scarlett right in the nick of time to save her from danger and it will allow the two to move forward to their wonderfully happy ever after!

I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.

[Kimberly Holmgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing ending to the Wedpocalypse series! Scarlett is trying to rebuild her life, completely. New business, new town, new friends. After her fiancé ghosts her, she wants a new place to put down roots and belong. Archer has made a name for himself as The contractor in Stirling that everyone uses, but he still can earn his family’s adoration. No matter how much he makes of himself, he’s still a disappointment, but he’s found a family with his friends Cormac, Marlon and Leo. Something has always been missing in his life until he meets Scarlett. He struggles with not feeling like he’s good enough for her, even though he still wants her for his own. Scarlett isn’t looking for forever because everyone just leaves her eventually. Then Scarlett and Archer find themselves being questioned in a murder that happens in Scarlett’s flower shop. They have to work together to clear their names and find the real murderer, and along the way, they find love. If you love Awesome friend groups, drama, Murder Mystery, a swoon worthy hero, a sassy heroine, cringy ex’s and lots of hot and spicy sexy time, not only is this book for you, but the series is for you!

[Ana Gimenes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I´ve got to say that this is the best book of this series. I am mad about the story. I dig it!!!!. Archer and Scarlett´s story is simply amazing. Scarlett started her own business in a new town and is starting to think about Stirling as home. Archer was born and raised there but struggled to show beyond doubt that he was good enough for his family and friends. In Archer´s opinion, Scarlett is brave, strong, intelligent, sexy, beautiful, and perfect. But what about Archer? In his mind, Scarlett deserved better. He was a guy with insecurity issues and the worst self-esteem. A wedding party, a mishap speech, a murder, and suddenly their lives were upside down. Out of the blue, everything is out of control. Together, they have to prove innocence and solve the murder at the same time they have to understand their feelings for each other. Life is full of surprises, but when you find true love, you should fight for it. The book is full of fun, mystery, romance, friends that are family, gossip, and an awful ex-boyfriend who makes everything more difficult for the couple. A must-read. I totally recommend it. The kind of book that you wanna read and re-read.

[Teresa Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calamity: A Friends to Lovers Romance (The Four Groomsmen of the Wedpocalypse Book 4) by Lilian Monroe is about friends who happen upon a murder. Archer and Scarlett were walking back to his truck and her Flower Shop, Pushing Daisies, from their friends Lucy and Cormac’s wedding reception when they discovered a woman murdered inside her destroyed business. Like amateur sleuths, Scarlett and Archer set out to prove their innocence by looking for the killer. They scrutinize folks, and witnesses are searched for without many clues, which slows down their progress. Meanwhile, the romance between Archer and Scarlett begins to heat up. Each is fighting insecurities, causing warring internal self-esteem battles. Scarlett and Archer worry about their “found family” within their same group of friends as each fears losing their place within the friend group if they get involved and then break up. With a disgruntled family, unhappy exes, nosy neighbors, and a killer, the suspense ratchets until the mystery is solved and all the chaos makes sense. Lilian Monroe’s newest couple experiences calamity, spice, and romance as each learns to tune out the white noise and tune into their hearts.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlett and Archers story is the fourth book in the Four Groomsmen of the Wedpocolypse. It can be enjoyed as a standalone but all the books are connected so there will be spoilers for those books. Scarlett and Archer are the last two who are single in their friend group. Their story starts off at Lucy's wedding where Scarlett's about to give her speech and things go very wrong and Archer helps save the day. They're attracted to each other but afraid of making a move, neither wants to lose their friends if their relationship goes sour but things start to change when they find themselves embroiled in a murder. Scarlett’s confidence took a big hit when her ex dumped her and Archer has no confidence in himself after the mental abuse he endured growing up. The author quickly had me falling for these two, I couldn't put the book down. It's fun and steamy read with enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. This whole series has been so much fun to read. I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[PelicanFreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light on the surface, with a bit of personal growth on the parts of the leads worked in, and hilarious—in typical Monroe fashion. The books in this series are extra fun, since there’s lots of crossover and the reader gets to know everyone.

It’s also fun because it starts out, seemingly, like your typical romance and quickly escalates into a mystery. Monroe does both expertly and I highly recommend this entire series.



Friends-to-lovers.
FWB to … more ? You’ll see.
Fun, lovable ‘circle of friends’, all of whom we know from other books in the series.
Mystery, crime, fire, murder…
Lots of delicious chemistry.
Parents I loved to loathe.
Wrongfully accused.
Small town life!

Loved the ‘broken yet strong’ female lead, and then his situation felt sooo relatable and hit me in the feels. Like I said, only light on the surface, as there’s other stuff going on, swirling around and it’s all expertly woven.

4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


🎧 Audio:
Both narrators were perfect and the overall production: flawless. 5 stars.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm finally through the series of 4 books. Overall, I did enjoy them, but something I have been trying to figure out is why the series is named "Four Groomsmen of the Wedpocalypse". That intrigued me a lot into picking up the series, and sadly, it hasn't really been much of a thing except for maybe a college nickname in book 1. I was hoping for a little more.

This was a great book, I enjoyed it very much. I really liked the mystery and action that pretty much spans all 4 books. It does well to bring them all together.
I could feel the chemistry between them, it worked out well. The one thing that did get a little old was both of them continuously holding back and stressing about losing their friends if a relationship doesn't work out. I understand the sentiment, but those fears were mentioned a little too often, beating us over the head with it.

This series was a cute and fun one. I would recommend this series to others, for sure.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calamity is the fourth and final book in The Four Groomsmen of the Wedpocalypse Series which focuses on Scarlett, the florist shop owner, and Archer, the owner of a successful construction company. They are the last of their family of friends to wed. The couple become the focus of a police investigation when the dead body of murdered Ethel Brown is found by Archer and Scarlett in her flower shop after walking home from the wedding reception of Lucy and Cormac. Archer and Scarlett realize they need to find the murderer and are supported by their friends. This well written book is a great ending to this fantastic series with its amazing characters, humor, mutual insecurities, steamy attraction, plot twists, and realization you have found the one you truly love.
I received an advanced free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Anna-Marie Buchner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay totally enjoyed this 4 book series.

I loved the way the Author tied the books together with the bad guys. Frank Smith affected each of the women's lives ending with Archer and Scarlett's book. Your heart had to go out to Archer with the way his own family treated him. I loved that he had a mentor and 2nd Dad in Ralph. I was relieved when Ralph was not the murderer. I know spoiler alert but hey it's a big part of how Archer was feeling. I loved that Ralph and his wife Ada were still in love with each other. I loved that Scarlett found her one in Archer. She was feeling a bit insecure as was Archer when it came to relationships. I did not like Scarlett's ex. I actually thought he was involved with Frank Smith. Wouldn't that have been the icing on the cake. Archer's book with the perfect way to wrap up a cute series. I say cute even if there was so unsavory happenings.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calamity is the last book in the series The Four Groomsmen of the Wedpocalypse series, and made for a fabulous ending to this series. Scarlett and Archer were both insecure about their worth due to family issues and although each had made their community family with the characters from the other books and had successful careers, it didn’t feel like enough. They both worried that if they broke up, they would lose their friends. On top of their rollercoaster relationship, there is a murder in the small town that affects them both. This was a fun, fast paced story and I thoroughly loved it. Their HEA was perfect. I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Andrea V · Rating 1 out of 5]

And at the 4th book we are down to a 1 star.
So not only have these two been hanging out in their group for years, she admits that she’s not been with anyone or thought of anyone else for the last 17months.
The book literally starts off saying “that morning I wasn’t even thinking of Scarlett” then bam lays eyes on her, as he would have done over and over and over in the last 17months yet this day he magically is in love????!
And then he tells her later on that he thinks of her every time he jacks off in the last 17months.
Talk about contradictions and writing for the sake of making a storyline fit.
This story just get too forced in making the last couple getting together in the group.

[Nicole Polson · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY!!!!

If you’ve followed this series from the beginning, then you too have been waiting not impatiently😂😅😅 this is Archer and Scarlett’s story!

I really dig the real life CLUE vibes!! At the florist shop. With the wrench 🔧

Archer and Scarlett suffer from similar insecurities due to different backgrounds. Watching these two confront their relationship fears and find their way through the difficulties of the outside sources was soooo sweet! I loved Archer and Scarlett.

✔️found family
✔️friends to lovers
✔️business owners
✔️cinnamon roll MMC
✔️boss babe FMC
✔️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✔️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Judy25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calamity was the perfect ending for this four-book series. Lilian Monroe has written another smash hit with this book. I loved all the characters and how Ms. Monroe tied everything so neatly together. Scarlett Westbrook and Archer Jones each had their own personal challenges to overcome, but eventually realized that they were better off together. The murder-romance was a great thriller, with several unexpected plot twists that kept me guessing until the very end. I have read almost all of her books and can hardly wait for the beginning of a new series.

[Terri Zumbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series continues with Archer and Scarlet as the last two singles of the group. The mood of the story is sort of melancholy as both Archer and Scarlet struggle with what their value is to a partner, and what they feel for one another. CALAMITY also ties up many loose ends of the suspense and drama connected by what the other couples had gone through.

Of the four stories in the series, I liked this one the best, but I also liked that each had a different feel to it to keep the series fresh.

I read an early copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.

[Pearl Shen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlet & Archer
Murder mystery
Friends to more
Found family
🌶️🌶️

The angstiest out of the four books. Archer’s family is the worst. Denying his dyslexia as a child and treating him like he’s stupid and inconsequential. Now as a grown man, he worries that he’s not good enough for Scarlet. Meanwhile Scarlet is emotionally insecure thanks to a boyfriend of four years ghosting her out of nowhere. I’m glad she and Archer found each other.

Thank you for making the pairings so obvious across the series. I’m not a fan of a random character coming into town and becoming the love interest.

[Tamara Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun series with a great culminating story. Loved the development of their back stories. Really loved Archer's reserved demeanor and then his penchant for dirty talk when he reveals his emotions. Swoon. And OMG, the reading scene!!!

Scarlet's empowerment and confidence is to be mirrored in women throughout society. Yay to Lilian for writing such a strong character in the face of her dismissive and abusive past, and in the face of a gossipy community. Stand strong, gurls!!!

Enjoy the read~

[Theresa Vondra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous Foursome

The four books in this collection are fabulous! The characters are fun, flirty, fierce, flighty, have fearsome foe...ok, ok sorry. I really enjoyed the series. I laughed, I teared up and read till 3 am because I couldn't put the book down, which one you ask, ALL FOUR! Thank you for The Groomsmen, I will enjoy reading them over and over. Each book is stand alone, but do yourself a favor and read them all in order. You are going to want to get to know them all.

[Wilson De Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I took my time with this one because I knew it was the last one in the series but I absolutely loved it. I kept loving each book as they were released more than the one before but this one takes the cake. It is good as a stand-alone but it wraps up the series wonderfully just answering everything we had questions about. Finally our girl Scarlett gets what she needs and Archers story was just so wonderfully written. I ached and laughed. Great conclusion to a series. Thank you!

[Sarah Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Series Wrap Up

I really enjoyed this do so book in the series and I think it might be my favorite, but I can't decide. Scarlet and Archer are the pairing that always made sense, but I'm glad theirs took the longest. I'm usually more annoyed by the insta-love, but given they knew each other for a while first made it forgivable and believable. Liked how the underlying storyline of the crime ring also wrapped up in a way that didn't feel forced or too quick. Definitely reading more of Monroe's books.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just wasn't gripped by this one. It neatly wrapped up the ongoing crime thread that's existed through all four books in the series. It gave a HEA to the final couple in the friend group. I liked them together.

I was just easily distracted from it. It wasn't a chore to read, but it was...maybe a little boring? 100% I think this is a me problem rather than a book problem. If you've enjoyed the series, I have every reason to think you'll enjoy this one - but definitely read the series because the murder at the heart of it ties into previous books.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calamity

Wow! What an exciting, never a dull moment for this group. Scarlett is a hardworking young woman, building her business, and determined not to let any man deter her. Then Archer being friends with their group, yet has his own insecurities, and a family( if you can call them that) who is so unkind, unloving, and downright evil. These two have so many hurdles to overcome, yet if anyone can, they can. This story is full of suspense, surprises, murder, and drama. Absolutely amazing story.

[Laura Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

a mystery right up until the end

Broken emotions because of past experiences shape the relationship between Archer and Scarlett. It’s a tough mystery without a predictable ending. Well done and engaging romance and at times scintillating. Archer suffers from self doubt due to parental verbal abuse and neglect. He has learned how to cope and succeed but falling in love makes him more vulnerable. Scarlett is also vulnerable but she is also tough. They have to come together and honestly share weaknesses . It’s a really good story.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have put the last book off in this series for almost a year. i didn't want it to end.

I can honestly say this was my favourite of the whole lot. From a personal point of view, Archer and Scarlets relationship is reminiscent of my own minus the murder! So I fell in love with Archer as if I was falling back in love all over again with my husband.

I'm so glad I read this book. I should have read it sooner. I'm also super sad the series is over. It was enjoyable and filled with perfect romances ❤️

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlet and Archer are my favorite couple of this series. Their chemistry is perfection. When they have to team up to beat a murder charge they discover so much more. Their best friends are the only ones they’re confident they can rely on and they are willing to jeopardize that despite the fireworks they have between them. When things become undeniable between them they give into temptation and learn some valuable lessons.