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Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding
Everyone loves—and hates—a big fancy wedding! From the author of Lost and Found in Paris and The Marriage Sabbatical comes a champagne-sparkling summer read about two very different women planning their children’s wedding in glamorous Montecito, California.
You’re invited...to a delightful modern comedy of manners about two moms, the best-laid plans, and one very memorable wedding.
Penelope and Chase make a lovely couple. She’s a bubbly Southern California girl with killer work ethic. Chase is smart and charming and has political aspirations. They’re planning a spectacular California wedding, wrapped in peonies and thousands of little white lights, soaked in custom cocktails and romantic hashtags. Everyone’s excited about Penny and Chase’s wedding—except their mothers.
The Mother of the Bride, suave Greek-born Alexa Diamandis, doesn’t understand why any woman would get married. Ever! Raised in Athens and now perfectly situated in sun-splashed Montecito, California, she raised Penny as single mother by choice, supported by Lord Simon Fox, her old college friend who just happens to be an English aristocrat, and a wealthy circle of lady friends who call themselves the Merry Widows.
The Mother of the Groom, Abigail Blakeman, is a garden club stalwart firmly planted in coastal Connecticut. She thinks the whole enterprise would be so much easier if the wedding was at their golf club. Especially because the Blakeman’s fortunes have taken a turn for the worse—not that you would ever know it by looking at Abigail. Keeping up appearances is exhausting, but it is everything.
But when a sudden twist of fate calls them into action, these two very different women are forced to take over the wedding planning. Despite their differences, Alexa and Abigail charge in to save the day. How far will two moms go to make their children’s dream wedding a reality?
You’re invited...to a delightful modern comedy of manners about two moms, the best-laid plans, and one very memorable wedding.
Penelope and Chase make a lovely couple. She’s a bubbly Southern California girl with killer work ethic. Chase is smart and charming and has political aspirations. They’re planning a spectacular California wedding, wrapped in peonies and thousands of little white lights, soaked in custom cocktails and romantic hashtags. Everyone’s excited about Penny and Chase’s wedding—except their mothers.
The Mother of the Bride, suave Greek-born Alexa Diamandis, doesn’t understand why any woman would get married. Ever! Raised in Athens and now perfectly situated in sun-splashed Montecito, California, she raised Penny as single mother by choice, supported by Lord Simon Fox, her old college friend who just happens to be an English aristocrat, and a wealthy circle of lady friends who call themselves the Merry Widows.
The Mother of the Groom, Abigail Blakeman, is a garden club stalwart firmly planted in coastal Connecticut. She thinks the whole enterprise would be so much easier if the wedding was at their golf club. Especially because the Blakeman’s fortunes have taken a turn for the worse—not that you would ever know it by looking at Abigail. Keeping up appearances is exhausting, but it is everything.
But when a sudden twist of fate calls them into action, these two very different women are forced to take over the wedding planning. Despite their differences, Alexa and Abigail charge in to save the day. How far will two moms go to make their children’s dream wedding a reality?
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2025
177 people are currently reading
6244 people want to read
About the author
Lian Dolan
9 books861 followersLian Dolan is a podcaster, producer and writer. She is the creator, producer and host of Satellite Sisters, the award-winning podcast she created with her four real sisters. Satellite Sisters began life as a syndicated radio show in 2000 and has been a top-rated podcast since 2009. Satellite Sisters has won 13 Gracie Allen Awards for Excellence in Women’s Media and been featured on The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning and The Oprah Winfrey Show. In 2017, Lian was given the Podcast Pioneer Award by Women in Podcasting.
She is the author of four best-selling novels, The Sweeney Sisters, Helen of Pasadena and Elizabeth the First Wife. Her latest book, Lost and Found in Paris, is out now and is an LA Times Bestseller. She has written regular columns for Pasadena Magazine, O Magazine and Working Mother Magazine.
Lian graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Classics. She lives in Pasadena, California with her husband, Berick Treidler. She has two adult sons and a senior German shepherd.
She is the author of four best-selling novels, The Sweeney Sisters, Helen of Pasadena and Elizabeth the First Wife. Her latest book, Lost and Found in Paris, is out now and is an LA Times Bestseller. She has written regular columns for Pasadena Magazine, O Magazine and Working Mother Magazine.
Lian graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Classics. She lives in Pasadena, California with her husband, Berick Treidler. She has two adult sons and a senior German shepherd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
May 16, 2025
I love books about weddings! This one was unique too as instead of focusing on the bride and groom it focuses on the mother of the bride and mother of the groom BEFORE the wedding. Told in dual POV’s we learn how they feel about the upcoming nuptials (seems neither were even expecting it) and how their lives shaped them as mothers today. Both are VERY different women too so seeing them come together when the big fight happens was really fun to read about. There were some moments where I felt like the book was dragging, but as a whole it’s a good one.
Overall, this is an enjoyable novel with a lot of personality. I didn’t think I’d connect with these characters are they’re a bit older than me, but I was able to which was nice.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 rounded up)
Overall, this is an enjoyable novel with a lot of personality. I didn’t think I’d connect with these characters are they’re a bit older than me, but I was able to which was nice.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 rounded up)
December 16, 2024
A delightful book about a big fancy wedding! Penny's mom, Alexa, is a successful travel guide in California, and Chase's mom Abigail is a rich housewife. Penny and Chase call to say they are engaged, and Alexa is shocked- a strong Greek woman, she doesn't see the point of the paperwork of a marriage. And Abigail isn't much better, as fortunes have been on a downturn for her husband as she holds it all together. Chase is the right hand man of the mayor of New York, both Chase and Penny's jobs are very important to them.
Planning a wedding and combining families is a common storyline, fighting between the couple and their mothers is practically a trope... but this book is such a refreshing take on it. The couple are very much supporting characters, we know them but they don't take the spotlight, this is like a romance novel where the love interests take a back seat. This is definitely Alexa and Abigail's story, of how they come together, overcome problems with their lives and the wedding planning, and really become amazing mothers to married adults. Interspersed within the narrative are bits of an advice column website to the "betrothed and beloveds" that is all about wedding planning etiquette, it is very funny, pokes fun at family dynamics and how stressful this can be.
I haven't been a bride in 20 years, and I won't be a "mother" to a bride or groom for probably 10 more years since I have teenagers. So for my own life, I am in that plateau of not attending any weddings for awhile. It was so much fun to jump back into that wedding planning world 20 years later, as so much has changed and yet so much remains the same. I absolutely requested this book because of the cover, my wedding had a lemons theme. I expected the book to be cute, fluffy beach read, and it definitely is, but I enjoyed it more than I thought. I would love to read a second book about Alexa and Abigail. They really put aside their own needs in order to make that transition into how your role changes as your adult child creates a new family of their own.
Planning a wedding and combining families is a common storyline, fighting between the couple and their mothers is practically a trope... but this book is such a refreshing take on it. The couple are very much supporting characters, we know them but they don't take the spotlight, this is like a romance novel where the love interests take a back seat. This is definitely Alexa and Abigail's story, of how they come together, overcome problems with their lives and the wedding planning, and really become amazing mothers to married adults. Interspersed within the narrative are bits of an advice column website to the "betrothed and beloveds" that is all about wedding planning etiquette, it is very funny, pokes fun at family dynamics and how stressful this can be.
I haven't been a bride in 20 years, and I won't be a "mother" to a bride or groom for probably 10 more years since I have teenagers. So for my own life, I am in that plateau of not attending any weddings for awhile. It was so much fun to jump back into that wedding planning world 20 years later, as so much has changed and yet so much remains the same. I absolutely requested this book because of the cover, my wedding had a lemons theme. I expected the book to be cute, fluffy beach read, and it definitely is, but I enjoyed it more than I thought. I would love to read a second book about Alexa and Abigail. They really put aside their own needs in order to make that transition into how your role changes as your adult child creates a new family of their own.
May 14, 2025
I love a story about a wedding, and this one is told from the POVs of the couple’s moms, which is such a fun twist! It was refreshing to have the MOB (mother of the bride) and the MOG (mother of the groom) as the main characters, with everyone else in the background. Watching Abigail and Alexa navigate wedding planning was both cute and hilarious.
Merging two families can be complicated and challenging, and I enjoyed seeing the dynamics play out between the two families here. Aunt B was such a fun character, her wedding etiquette and advice column, interspersed throughout the book, was a great nod to the craziness weddings bring out in everyone.
If you love heart, humor, and a little chaos with your romance reads, definitely add this one to your summer TBR. So much fun!
October 12, 2025
Cute enough but reinforced my deeply held belief that weddings are a total waste of money.
July 3, 2025
Mother of the Bride, Alexa Diamandis, has always been a self-sufficient woman and a single mother by choice. When her daughter, Penny, decides to marry, Alexa is confused as to why she would want to tie herself to another person, especially at such a young age. However, she tries to support her daughter's decision by helping plan a wedding in glamorous Montecito, California, despite her hesitations. Mother of the Groom, Abigail Blakeman, is also confused why her son, Chase, wouldn't just get married at their home in Connecticut and have a reception at the local golf club they frequent. A California wedding is the polar opposite of what she expected; plus, the Blakemans, who have always been well-off, are currently in a financial bind, so this wedding couldn't have come at a worse time. They must keep up appearances, though! Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan is a laugh-out-loud rom-com that is perfect for readers who love a good wedding story filled with family drama.
Read my full review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read my full review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
January 10, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read Lian Dolan’s soon to be published novel.
Lian’s take on a Greek Wedding is funny and jam-packed with everything one would expect in a humorous look at wedding extravagance. Stressed out bride and groom! Self conscious mother of the groom; beautiful Greek people, tacos at the beach and cankles! Lian manages to quietly impart manners and good judgement with Gen Z angst and TLAs. the Aunt B character was the best trick, in my opinion. Always good to have a voice of reason amongst the chaos.
Lian’s take on a Greek Wedding is funny and jam-packed with everything one would expect in a humorous look at wedding extravagance. Stressed out bride and groom! Self conscious mother of the groom; beautiful Greek people, tacos at the beach and cankles! Lian manages to quietly impart manners and good judgement with Gen Z angst and TLAs. the Aunt B character was the best trick, in my opinion. Always good to have a voice of reason amongst the chaos.
March 20, 2025
What a charming story of the joining of two families! As a recent MOG (Mother of the Groom), I could relate to the quiet rules (wear beige) and gentle reminders ("this is not your wedding"). I enjoyed the bicoastal setting and colorful cast of characters.
May 14, 2025
This was a light, no spice read and it had some unexpected layers that I loved. It's a wedding tale told from the perspectives of Abigail and Alexa as they acclimate to their new roles as MOG (Mother of the Groom) and MOB (Mother of the Bride) for the upcoming nuptials of their kids.
Abigail and Alexa are two very different women. Abigail (MOG) is a married upper middle-class woman living in Connecticut who is tired of putting up social pretenses when, in private, their finances are in shambles. Alexa (MOB) is a single-by-choice mother and a successful businesswoman who wonders if her choices have set her daughter up for success on the marriage front.
When things go off the rails, can these two mothers get over their differences and rescue the wedding? When they join forces with some behind-the-scenes mom scheming and get help from the Merry Widows (a hilarious gaggle of sassy, rich old dames), nothing is going to stop them!
As a 50-something mom of three 20-somethings, I loved that this story focuses on two middle-aged women from different walks of life. Through them we witness their insecurities, struggles and ultimately the similarities between them as they try to help their kids get hitched. I also enjoyed the advice columns at the start of chapters by 'Aunt B", a wedding etiquette blogger, that added humour and some solid advice that showed how our roles as mothers change and transition as our kids get married.
This is a delightfully predictable and heartwarming story with a cozy vibe that is just in time for the popular summer wedding season!
Disclaimer: Thanks to William Morrow Books for the complimentary advanced digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.
May 28, 2025
As a soon-to-be Mother of the Groom (MOG) I was excited to read this latest Lian Dolan novel. Oh, my goodness, what a fun and hilarious ride!
Merging families can be a challenge and weddings don’t always bring out the best in people. Told from alternating points of view from the Mother of the Bride (MOB) and MOG, Dolan takes us from the engagement to the nuptials and it’s quite the journey.
MOB, Alexa, is a proud single mom and business owner who raised her daughter, Penny, to be independent. With roots in the Greek isles and currently living in the posh community of Montecito, California, Alexa envisions a west coast wedding with homage to her Mediterranean heritage. Abigail, the MOG, is a Daughter of the American Revolution who calls Connecticut home. Her ideal wedding would be at their stately New England home with her country club friends in attendance. Of course, the bride and groom have different ideas from both moms.
Despite their differences, when the lovebirds hit a snag due to wedding planning tensions, it’s the moms who step up and figure it out, but not without some hilarity along the way. I thoroughly and completely enjoyed this book and guffawed through the entire thing. I, of course, intend to be the most cooperative, supportive, non-stress inducing MOG of all time. If I can’t pull that off, I would happily settle for being an Abigail or an Alexa.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Merging families can be a challenge and weddings don’t always bring out the best in people. Told from alternating points of view from the Mother of the Bride (MOB) and MOG, Dolan takes us from the engagement to the nuptials and it’s quite the journey.
MOB, Alexa, is a proud single mom and business owner who raised her daughter, Penny, to be independent. With roots in the Greek isles and currently living in the posh community of Montecito, California, Alexa envisions a west coast wedding with homage to her Mediterranean heritage. Abigail, the MOG, is a Daughter of the American Revolution who calls Connecticut home. Her ideal wedding would be at their stately New England home with her country club friends in attendance. Of course, the bride and groom have different ideas from both moms.
Despite their differences, when the lovebirds hit a snag due to wedding planning tensions, it’s the moms who step up and figure it out, but not without some hilarity along the way. I thoroughly and completely enjoyed this book and guffawed through the entire thing. I, of course, intend to be the most cooperative, supportive, non-stress inducing MOG of all time. If I can’t pull that off, I would happily settle for being an Abigail or an Alexa.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
May 31, 2025
I went into this with zero expectations beyond what I saw on the cover (I didn’t even read the blurb!), and I really enjoyed it. TY to William Morrow for the free book!
This isn’t your typical wedding story — it’s told mostly from the perspectives of the mother of the bride (MoB) and mother of the groom (MoG). The chapters alternate between the two, with wedding milestones from the proposal and forward shared from each of their points of view. The two women are as different as can be, which leads to plenty of tension early on, but soon they must band together to save the wedding.
I don’t want to say much more — this is one of those books that works well when you go in with no expectations — but even as someone nowhere near the MoB/MoG stage of life (I didn’t even have kids lol), I connected with both the characters and the story.
It’s hard to think of a perfect comp (which should tell you a lot!). The closest I can come is something like Lucy Gilmore or Freya Sampson, stories where the older generation takes the lead to tackle an unexpected challenge. If that sounds up your alley, give this one a shot!
This isn’t your typical wedding story — it’s told mostly from the perspectives of the mother of the bride (MoB) and mother of the groom (MoG). The chapters alternate between the two, with wedding milestones from the proposal and forward shared from each of their points of view. The two women are as different as can be, which leads to plenty of tension early on, but soon they must band together to save the wedding.
I don’t want to say much more — this is one of those books that works well when you go in with no expectations — but even as someone nowhere near the MoB/MoG stage of life (I didn’t even have kids lol), I connected with both the characters and the story.
It’s hard to think of a perfect comp (which should tell you a lot!). The closest I can come is something like Lucy Gilmore or Freya Sampson, stories where the older generation takes the lead to tackle an unexpected challenge. If that sounds up your alley, give this one a shot!
August 6, 2025
A lighthearted, quick, fun “beach read” filled with beautiful locations, food, expensive shopping, etc. all of which makes it feel like enough of a fantasy to be escapist/vacation-y, but is still realistic enough to relate to.
I initially picked it because I was intrigued that it focused not on the bride and groom, but on their mothers. Therefore, it’s not what I could consider to be a romance novel, it’s just a sweet story about a wedding from the POV of two people who don’t fully know what’s going on with their children, and who are just trying to do the best they can to support them through a stressful time.
I initially picked it because I was intrigued that it focused not on the bride and groom, but on their mothers. Therefore, it’s not what I could consider to be a romance novel, it’s just a sweet story about a wedding from the POV of two people who don’t fully know what’s going on with their children, and who are just trying to do the best they can to support them through a stressful time.
August 20, 2025
Funny but often exasperating the mothers of the engaged couple go toe to toe to not only pull off the wedding but get the kids back together.
It was a funny and take a poke at the multibillion dollar wedding industry.
I thought both mothers were equally audacious but endearing in their own ways.
The ending was a piece of cake!
Thanks William Morrow and NetGalley for the advance read.
It was a funny and take a poke at the multibillion dollar wedding industry.
I thought both mothers were equally audacious but endearing in their own ways.
The ending was a piece of cake!
Thanks William Morrow and NetGalley for the advance read.
July 8, 2025
I could’ve cried through this whole book, probably because this is a little how my life feels right now. While my life looks nothing like these characters, I also related to the emotions and scenarios of all of them. I enjoyed this thoroughly and it was the best unexpected read.
May 26, 2025
Definitely a fun one!! Love a more lighthearted read
July 21, 2025
Nice! A fun read.
September 8, 2025
Surprisingly fun Netflix rom com stock, epitome of the contemporary Nicole Kidman role, can see her v clearly as Mother-of-Groom with Jen Aniston the Mother-of-Bride counterpart
March 3, 2025
4.25 ⭐️!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!
Synopsis: Penny and Chase are the new happily engaged couple. They couldn’t be happier or more excited to begin wedding planning. Except for their mothers. Told from the dual POV of the two mothers, MOB (mother of the bride), Alexa Diamondis, and MOG (mother of the groom), Abigail Blakeman, have mixed emotions about their children getting married. But when a twist of fate calls them into action, these two very different women are forced to take over the wedding planning. Despite their differences, Alexa and Abigail charge in to save the day. How far will two moms go to make their children’s dream wedding a reality?
Thoughts: I loved this book - it was so fun, entertaining, and even a little emotional. As a 2025 bride who is currently in the midst of wedding planning, I related to so much of this story! It was really interesting to read about the moms and see things from their point of view.
A feel-good romcom about love, relationships, and the chaos of families and weddings. If you like light-hearted, fun, and entertaining stories then I highly recommend reading this novel! Perfect for all future brides and MOB/MOGs 🤍👰🏼♀️💍
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!
Synopsis: Penny and Chase are the new happily engaged couple. They couldn’t be happier or more excited to begin wedding planning. Except for their mothers. Told from the dual POV of the two mothers, MOB (mother of the bride), Alexa Diamondis, and MOG (mother of the groom), Abigail Blakeman, have mixed emotions about their children getting married. But when a twist of fate calls them into action, these two very different women are forced to take over the wedding planning. Despite their differences, Alexa and Abigail charge in to save the day. How far will two moms go to make their children’s dream wedding a reality?
Thoughts: I loved this book - it was so fun, entertaining, and even a little emotional. As a 2025 bride who is currently in the midst of wedding planning, I related to so much of this story! It was really interesting to read about the moms and see things from their point of view.
A feel-good romcom about love, relationships, and the chaos of families and weddings. If you like light-hearted, fun, and entertaining stories then I highly recommend reading this novel! Perfect for all future brides and MOB/MOGs 🤍👰🏼♀️💍
January 20, 2025
Privileged to read before its book release this spring, as I received an ARC through Netgalley.
I devoured this! When Penny and Chase announced their engagement, neither of their mothers was thrilled at first. This story of their wedding, told through the MOG and MOB perspectives, shows that despite differences, love will prevail..I loved both of these women, loved learning about their families, their reservations for the wedding, and loved hanging out with them in this book. I loved the agony aunt perspective between chapters and really would love to spend more time with all the characters!
I devoured this! When Penny and Chase announced their engagement, neither of their mothers was thrilled at first. This story of their wedding, told through the MOG and MOB perspectives, shows that despite differences, love will prevail..I loved both of these women, loved learning about their families, their reservations for the wedding, and loved hanging out with them in this book. I loved the agony aunt perspective between chapters and really would love to spend more time with all the characters!
June 9, 2025
This was honestly a lot of fun. It was a really unique way of reading a book about a wedding. The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom take the spotlight in this one. Abigail and Alexa are incredibly different but both likable in their own way. As a person who has been married for almost 14 years and will eventually (maybe) be a mother of the bride, I found this relatable in some ways. A wedding can be super stressful and I really enjoyed seeing the different perspectives of the mothers instead of the couple.
This book was a light and fun read with lots of heart.
I believe it would be a cute summer read 💙
This book was a light and fun read with lots of heart.
I believe it would be a cute summer read 💙
March 12, 2025
I was enchanted by this book, and loved visualizing the characters and the settings. I felt like I was there (Connecticut and Montecito, Ca) and was totally mesmerized by the details! The characters were so fun and the dilemmas SO relatable! Sequel??
July 10, 2025
Loved this book. Makes me want to go to Montecito, Santa Barbara and Summerland. Would love to go to a wedding like the one in the book. Lian Dolan really knows what goes on in women’s minds and is great at putting it all down on the page. I love all her books but this is now my favorite!
May 22, 2025
A light-hearted, funny family drama involving the MOG and MOB who have to get along while helping plan their children's wedding. This was an easy read and good on audio. I liked that we got the story from the older women's perspectives. Recommended for fans of books like The people we hate at the wedding, Three days in June or Social engagement. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
September 8, 2025
An enjoyable and entertaining read but I don't think I'll find myself thinking about this story or the characters in it ever again. I think anyone who's engaged/ in their bridal era would enjoy this a lot more than I did!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2025
Abigail and Alexa are the respective mothers of Chase and Penelope, two young professionals who are trailblazers in their career fields. Chase and Penelope have decided to marry and know exactly what they want, which leaves the mothers slightly irritated and slightly left-out. As they grapple with their personal feelings on where the wedding should be, how it should look, and who should be invited, Chase and Penelope have a huge fight and declare the wedding cancelled. The mothers hold off on cancelling reservations when they realize how unhappy their children are and how they needed to reunite. Working together instead of in opposition the mothers construct a plan to save the wedding.
Very sweet and readable RomCom. Grab this one for your next snow day or beach read.
Very sweet and readable RomCom. Grab this one for your next snow day or beach read.
June 3, 2025
This was a very cute book about two women who learn to love one another as in-laws. If you want something light and funny, and that takes place in gorgeous Monticeto, California, this is the summer read for you.
July 14, 2025
Enjoyable read- love the wedding premise and all the bells and whistles that come with Brides planning a wedding. The powerful women in the book were the best, and a love letter to some great locations, like Montecito, CA. Many funny parts thrown in too! Love this author and the stories she creates.
October 30, 2025
Another winning novel from Lian Dolan. I love the characters in this book. I listened to the audio version. If you love weddings (and laughing about wedding planning) read this now. I have a friend who is the MOB (mother of the bride) in an upcoming wedding and we read the book at the same time. Perfect!
June 26, 2025
A cute story!!
July 3, 2025
4.5 stars. This book delighted me from start to finish. It was uplifting and I adored the perspective of the mothers of the bride and groom. Also it made for a great audiobook.
June 18, 2025
Another engaging read by Lian Dolan - authentic and interesting characters and a "twist" on traditional wedding stories. Completely enjoyable!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews