Cutting it Neat for the Wedding

The Glenbriar #9

by Margaret Amatt

Is the best man also Mr Wright? Perpetually single Hayley McBride – hairdresser and hopeless romantic – is delighted when her brother asks her to help plan his wedding. Until that is, she’s forced to work with her brother’s best friend, Oliver Wright - a cold and aloof divorce lawyer and a man who's always hated her.

Oliver has seen enough broken relationships to know love doesn’t last. Being his friend’s best man is just a formality. What is there to do other than ensure his friend’s younger sister, Hayley, doesn’t waste too much money on a one-day event?

But Hayley has a knack for making people smile, and Oliver has struggled for years to resist her. As they work together, he starts to wonder if he’s been living in denial.

Hayley keeps chipping away at his walls, and uncovering a different side to him, but can she risk her heart on such a committed cynic?

They must decide whether to take a chance on love or stick to being nothing more than Bridesmaid McBride and Mr Wright the best man.

***♥ Cutting it Neat for the Wedding is the ninth book in The Glenbriar Series, but can be read on its own as a standalone.

♥ Set in the highlands of Scotland in a small town with fun, romance, drama, and a guaranteed happy ending, Cutting it Neat for the Wedding has a bit of steam and lots of heart.

♥The Glenbriar Series is a spinoff from the Scottish Island Escapes series and there are crossovers and intertwining characters.

390 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2024

About the author

Margaret is a Scottish author and chocolate lover who has been writing stories for over twenty years (possibly more if you count her primary school efforts). Her early works will never see the light of day and are locked in dusty vaults on some old floppy disks. But after all those years of practise, Margaret released her first novel A Winter Haven in 2021. This is the first of a ten-book series set on the gorgeous Scottish Isle of Mull.
The stories are unashamedly romantic but with lots of drama and an eclectic mix of characters. Each book can be read as a standalone but followers of the series will enjoy catching up with previous characters.
A new spin-off series based in the Scottish Highlands is coming out in 2023. Look out for the Glenbriar Series throughout the year.

Reviews

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @rararesouces and @AmattAuthor for letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. Wow, I absolutely adored Cutting it Neat to the wedding. Bloody Brilliant. This is the 9th book in the series, and you can read it as a stand alone as I did. I got into it straight away and I absolutely adored the characters Hayley and Oliver. I felt like a new Hayley all my life she is such a warm and friendly character that you take to straight the way. Oliver bless him is quite but has a past and did feel for him and liked him straight the way to. The story about Hayley whose hairdresser and her brother getting married, and she has been asked to help plan the wedding with the best man which is Oliver, and they don't get on very well. Cutting it Neat to the Wedding is a heart-warming Romance. If you love romance this book defiantly for you. The story is funny and adorable characters. Margaret Amatt writing is excellent, and you get lost in her writing as soon as you open the book. I did. This is the fourth book I have read by Margaret Amatt, and I am big fan love her books. 5 stars. The front cover is beautiful and romantic and great title.

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having met Haley a few books ago, I was particularly looking forward to reading her story. She’s the kind of friend that all girls adore as she’s always on hand with a kind word and a pair of hair straighteners. Sadly, she seems perpetually single and dreams of finding her own love story. The last thing that she needs is to be paired with her brother’s best friend, Oliver Wright, and be asked to arrange a joint stag and hen party – the Sten!
Oliver is the polar opposite of Haley. He’s a jaded divorce lawyer and has witnessed too many marriages end up with acrimonious conclusions. Oliver simply doesn’t believe in love and marriage, and there’s no way that he will let his guard down. He’s happy to be viewed as a curmudgeon because he would hate for Haley to discover that he’s secretly besotted with her.
This gorgeous book has all the ‘feels’ and I was gripped. Willing them to actually talk to each other was somewhat frustrating but lent perfectly to the tension between the pair.
It didn’t take long to discover that Oliver was actually a very kind and generous man who simply wanted to protect his own heart.
I loved how beautifully imagined this story was. From the wedding love story to the opportunity to catch up with a few familiar characters, the book is filled with a warmth that was a pleasure to discover.
Relatable, romantic, and funny with a hint of spice, this is a wonderful book that is a perfect addition to this terrific series.

[Susanne Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story so so much!
Some very enjoyable genres were used, enemies to lovers, opposites attracted and enforced proximity, these fun genres really kept the story interesting and made it Unputtadownable (if there is such a word!)
Hayley is a wonderful character, full of sunshine and so positive about everything, the only cloud on her horizon is the lack of romance in her own life. However she is super keen to promote love for her family and friends and she really throws herself into helping with her brother’s wedding, even if it does mean working alongside Mr (Always) Wright!
Oliver comes across as grumpy and remote, his past has caused him to be suspicious of love and romance, preferring to shut himself away from others and to concentrate on his career. Although he does have a soft spot for Hayley that he hides incredibly well with his gruff personality and attitude to romance in general.
It was fantastic to see these characters thrown together and to see them gradually bond too.
A really sweet slow burn romance kept me utterly captivated and I really loved the transformation of Oliver from a loner to a lover. So adorable!

[Julie Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really lovely

I loved this book from enemies to lovers. I don't think they really hated each other and was fighting the attraction. I loved Hayleys bouncy personality and thoughtfulness towards other people, and Oliver's grumpy persona, talk about chalk and cheese. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visit to Glenbriar is always special and this time it’s Hayley and Oliver’s story.They are chief bridesmaid and best man for her brother’s wedding. She’s bubbly, fun and gorgeous, he’s grumpy, strait laced and hot. Can they organise a sten party together without falling out?
Favourite characters from earlier books pop up in this story which was funny, cute and romantic and had me guessing till the end.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful visit to Glenbriar. Following on from the previous book this focuses on Hayley and Oliver who are chief bridesmaid and best man for her brother’s wedding. The issue though is that they appear to not get on ~ at all! They are totally chalk and cheese but as they get together to organise the sten can hairdresser Hayley’s bright and bubbly personality rub off on grumpy divorce lawyer Oliver? I inhaled this fabulous book that just flows so well and makes you think you actually know the characters! It’s also great in Margaret Amatt’s books how there are recurring characters and it is very easy to work out how they are all linked. Can’t wait for the next one!!

[Lyndsey Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!! Such a fabulous instalment to the Glenbriar series. I’ve been waiting so long for Hayley’s story and it didn’t disappoint! She’s the heroine EVERYONE is rooting for, and Oliver was just so hot! Together they are everything!

❤️brother’s best friend
❤️grumpy x sunshine
❤️forced proximity
❤️wedding & sten shenanigans
❤️he’s secretly obsessed

What’s not to love?
Run, don’t walk to get this book!!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

After her brother becomes engaged, hairdresser Hayley McBride finds that she needs to spend her time with the one man she can’t stand, her brother’s best friend Oliver Wright, to plan the joint ‘sten’, and take up their roles as chief bridesmaid and best man. However, though both act like they hate each other, those feelings rude a lot deeper, and after a week in London together, the attraction between the two is too hard to fight any more. But they’re from different lives, and with Oliver’s new job in London, and Hayley determined she wants to marry and have children in Glenbriar, do they have any chance to be together?

Wow, this book blew me away. I expected it to be a nice summery read, perfect for my holiday, but didn’t expect to be hooked by it so much. I literally read the book in two sittings, and could barely put it down to sleep. Hayley and Oliver have known each over pretty much their whole lives, but whereas Hayley is a very outgoing and social person, Oliver keeps himself to himself, and doesn’t have many friends other than Finlay. Asked to help plan the ‘sten’ - a joint stag do and hen party - and take on all the roles of a best man is so far out of his comfort zone he is drowning. But Hayley is there to pull him up, and she never lets him forget it. I almost wish the ‘only one bed’ plot line was used when they were in London, but even though it wasn’t, the time they were there, with everyone thinking they were a couple, and Oliver seeing what his future could hold, was perfect. It was hard for him to get over some of his trauma from his mother’s death and father remarrying so quickly when he was young, but Hayley helped him see how happy he could be, and the ending was the perfect one for this couple.

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cutting it Neat for the Wedding by Margaret Amatt

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Is the best man also Mr Wright? Perpetually single Hayley McBride – hairdresser and hopeless romantic – is delighted when her brother asks her to help plan his wedding. Until that is, she’s forced to work with her brother’s best friend, Oliver Wright - a cold and aloof divorce lawyer and a man who's always hated her.

Oliver has seen enough broken relationships to know love doesn’t last. Being his friend’s best man is just a formality. What is there to do other than ensure his friend’s younger sister, Hayley, doesn’t waste too much money on a one-day event?

But Hayley has a knack for making people smile, and Oliver has struggled for years to resist her. As they work together, he starts to wonder if he’s been living in denial.

Hayley keeps chipping away at his walls, and uncovering a different side to him, but can she risk her heart on such a committed cynic?

They must decide whether to take a chance on love or stick to being nothing more than Bridesmaid McBride and Mr Wright the best man.

My Opinion

Cutting it Neat for the Wedding is the ninth book in The Glenbriar Series, but can be read on its own as a standalone.

I have to say that I am loving this series and it is always a pleasure to return. Margaret Amatt has written some lovely characters and every visit feels like I am returning to old friends. This was a great feel-good book that will have you wishing Hayley will finally get her happy-ending.

If you haven't read any of the books in the Glenbriar series then you really are missing out, but it isn't too late to start.

Rating 4/5

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another addition to the Glenbriar series, was I happy, of course I was, I am always happy to return to one of my favourite fictional places by one of my favourite authors. Cutting it Neat for the Wedding didn’t disappoint me in any way at all, familiar faces , spaces and a great story with characters I love (although a series each can be read as a stand-alone it’s only characters from previous stories that return, not an ongoing story you will be missing on)

This featured some of my favourite tropes too, including (but not limited to) grumpy/sunshine , forced proximity and brother’s best friend. I loved Oliver, he’s cynical because he’s seen so many relationships fail, that would make you have faith loss in long term relationship success, I adored how despite how he acts initially you know he’s secretly obsessed with Hayley. Hayley is my idol though, so sweet, warm and friendly, so open hearted I immediately connected with her. My absolute favourite thing about this story was how fantastic the slow burn romance is, absolutely wonderful.

This is such an uplifting read, it grabs you from the start and you don’t want to stop reading, it’s full of wonderful characters that you want to be friends with, the tension, chemistry and drama is perfect. Wanting an escape, you should head to Glenbriar.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Inspiredbypmdd Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review for Cutting It Neat For The Wedding by Margaret Amatt.
Feeling blessed to have had the opportunity to read an advanced copy. Diving into new Glenbriar books is like coming home to friends and family that you’ve met along the way in previous books. Margarets writing style is also welcoming, easy flowing and engaging. This time we follow Hayley and Oliver, Chief Bridesmaid and Best Man for Genevieve and her fiancé, who also happens to be Hayley’s brother. Oliver is so anti love and wedding being a divorce lawyer and having lost his mum at a young age, it comes as a big surprise when his heart and defences start to melt, thanks to having to organise the sten do with the gorgeous Hayley. He isn’t too bad looking either. Just in case you’re wondering. There’s a lot of Phlirting happening and even a trip … that leads to more bonding, there are so many will they won’t they moments, with some trauma thrown in for good measure. It’s an adventure guided by destiny with both having a reluctant crush where body and soul meet and need that connection. There’s something so sensual and sweet about love as life unfolds. You’ll have to read the book to find out just what happens. x

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced review copy of this book, to review as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is a feel-good romance set in Scotland. It's part of the Glenbriar series, and I've read one of these before. I enjoyed the previous book that I read from this series, and I enjoyed this one too.

This time, the story focuses mostly on Hayley and Oliver. I enjoyed both characters in different ways. Initially, I seemed to connect with Oliver on a deeper level, but I felt there were some elements of Hayley's personality that I identified with more than with Oliver's.

Their interactions and behaviour made me smile, and I also enjoyed some of their deeper moments, as the story progressed. I enjoyed some of the other characters too, and recognised some of them from the previous instalment in the series. I liked how all of the characters seemed to support and care for each other.

This was quite heartwarming to read, and I think that readers may enjoy it as a standalone, if they haven't read any of the previous books in the series.

Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Jo Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading the Glenbriar series I never thought I would become so invested in the lives of the residents that I would read one of these standalone novels in one sitting. Until now. I’ve loved all of the cameo appearances of Hayley in previous books so I was really excited to read her story. The fact that her love interest was Oliver, her brother’s best friend and extremely grumpy divorce lawyer, was absolutely perfect. Once I started reading this I found myself taking my kindle with me around the house so I did not have to stop reading for a second. Picture the bookish Von Trapp child in The Sound of Music walking and reading at the same time, that was me!

This romance was the perfect grumpy sunshine story, personable and chatty Hayley with aloof and brooding (but incredibly hot) Oliver. When as Chief Bridesmaid and Best Man for Hayley’s best friend, and Hayley’s brother and Oliver’s best friend, they find themselves having to organise the ‘sten’ or combined stag and hen parties, it forces them to have to work together. Oliver, who is an avowed bachelor, who sees enough of divorces in his job to put him off the whole idea of love and marriage, has a secret. For as long as he can remember, he has considered Hayley the most perfect woman in existence, and measures any women he meets against his feelings for Hayley. As Hayley finally gets to know this man she has always believed hated her, she sees his vulnerabilities that have been shaped by his past and understands him better than anyone else.

I loved the way in which Hayley became the perfect support for Oliver, his strength when he was feeling vulnerable, and keeping the conversation going when he had no more to say. I also found his jealousy towards sexy builder Brann amusing. Enough about Brann though, until the next book! Anyway, this book was grumpy sunshine perfection, with romance, humour, family dramas and the loss of a parent at its’ heart. I’m not going to say any more about the story, other than YOU NEED TO READ IT! Oh, and the other 8 books in the series too, preferably in order!

[Evie Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my... Oh my, oh my, oh my, what a FABULOUS book this is!

My heart almost couldn't take it...

Hayley is one of the most likeable heroines I have ever read, and Oliver was the hero I alternated between wanting to hug to within an inch of his life and, er... You know... Ahem. Let's just say he's HAWT...

This book made me snort-laugh, swoon, and tear up. It's just SO good! Margaret Amatt always writes so brilliantly, and her books just keep getting better and better.

If you want a page-turner of a romance novel, with intelligence, humour, and all the feels, not to mention hilarious and heart-warming appearances from Glenbriar characters you've come to know and love, then make sure you read this fantastic book!!!

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cutting it Neat for the Wedding is the ninth installment to Amatt's highly enjoyable Glenbriar series. Whilst I'm yet to catch up with all of them, I've thoroughly enjoyed the ones I have.

We first became acquainted with Hayley several books back, so it was great to reconnect and catch up. She's instantly likeable, so it didn't take too long to become emotionally invested into her character.

I loved being back in Glenbriar. It's a shame that it's another of those 'only in a book' places because I'd move there like a shot.

It's a gorgeous heart warming read, that comes complete with one of my favourite book tropes, friends to lovers.

Would I recommend this book? Without a shadow of a doubt, yes!