RSVP for Murder: A Viv Vogel, Wedding Planner Cozy Mystery Book 1

by C.J. Lee

Bridget Jones meets Real Housewives meets The Godfather

Irreverent, offbeat, and wry, RSVP for Murder depicts a fiasco of a wedding turned upside down by wannabe socialites, reality show mayhem… and murder.

After recently moving back to her hometown of Harborside, Rhode Island to launch a wedding planning business, Viv Vogel’s hands are full these days. Between adjusting to living alone in her newly inherited house, and trying to avoid her ex-boyfriend (and her feelings for him), things haven’t been easy.

There’s also her difficult and demanding latest clients, the Giovanni family — who may or may not be involved in organized crime. To top it all off, the infamous and arrogant reality show producer Mark Simon is in town to film their wedding for his hit show Monster Brides, creating chaos and getting in the way.

With sabotage and anonymous threats putting the wedding in danger, plus the unfortunate demise of a guest at the rehearsal dinner, it’s all come to a head. Will Viv survive this madness with her sanity intact? Can she solve the rehearsal dinner tragedy and keep the wedding from going off the rails? It’s a recipe for disaster… it’s an RSVP for Murder!

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2025

Reviews

[Ashley Orr · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t feel like bashing but I did not like this at all LOL I skimmed the last 25% because I’m eager to find a different book already

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to give this book 5 stars, but this book's greatest strength is also its greatest weakness: It's not an Annabelle Archer Wedding Planner Mystery.

Now that I mentioned the elephant in the room, let me say this: I don't believe author C.J. Lee is trying to ape the popular series by Laura Durham, with the possible exception of having a wedding-adjacent death happen. Viv Vogel has a different backstory, no crazy go-to friends in the business, etc. She does have a boyfriend who's in law enforcement, though.

There is potential here for a series that readers will come back for with each new book. Viv needs to have a circle of friends other than sister Betsy and boyfriend Max. Friends in and out of the wedding planning business who will have her back, who will stand with her when clients get ugly and create chaos for Viv. The island being a destination wedding site could and should be built up as clients try to have their ultimate destination or theme wedding.

There was a missed opportunity as well. With the introduction of a reality show that is filming the wedding preparations, there could have been some serious cat fights between the bride-to-be and the bridesmaids. What readers got instead came across more like junior high/middle school girls squabbling.

The worst part of the book is the jumps in time ("three months later," "two weeks later," etc.). It comes across to me as Viv did nothing at all during the time, not just that nothing happened concerning this mystery.

As I reread my review it sounds like I'm being harsh, but I enjoyed this mystery and I want to read more mysteries starring Viv Vogel.

I received an advance reader copy from the author through BookSirens, for which I thank them. All opinions are mine.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 Stars

I really wanted to like this story and, with a few tweaks, I feel this could be a much more engrossing read.

Firstly Toni - I kept picturing her as Fran Drescher, which didn’t make the mafia-wife angle or drama very believable. Neither her nor Shauna were well-rounded characters and the lack of development meant they fell disappointingly flat.

Viv and Max - what was the point? If my high school sweetheart had left me and married my ex-best friend, I wouldn’t be at all interested in him. I certainly wouldn’t be conflicted for 2 seconds, then start a relationship with him (whilst still being conflicted) but then be confident in our love 5 minutes later. This whole “phomance” aspect really annoyed me - and I get that Viv needed an “in” with the police but there must be better, and more realistic, ways than this. It also proved unnecessary as Viv uncovered the solution all by herself, without any police involvement.

The murder at a wedding aspect also seemed to take a backseat, considering this is meant to be a cosy murder mystery. It’s introduced at the start and then nothing is mentioned again until you’re 70% through the book. I think that this story is a little confused about what it’s meant to be delivering and so none of the storyline’s were fully developed or fitted together.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bridget Jones meets Real Housewives meets The Godfather" and this is not wrong. This tagline is what made me want to read this book and it did not fail to deliver.

High-maintenance brides, New Jersey mobsters and annoying reality TV producers meet up for this fun and exciting cozy mystery. Enter Liv, the wedding planner, to plan the wedding of the year for a very spoilt mafia daughter.

As the first in a new series, there are some issues to work out, like Liv's supporting cast of her boyfriend and her bestie. It's also a cozy mystery, so we know that they are not often the most well-fleshed out sidekicks.

This book could have had all the action and screaming of a table flip at a christening (IYKYK) and knock-down drag out cat fights at a wedding (or on a boat, or while shopping..... I might watch too many Real Housewives shows....) but the fighting was fairly tame compared to what we see on our screens.

I know cozies are usually meant to be kind and sweet (except for the dead guy) but I like that this one had a little bit of grit to it and had some deeply unlikeable characters. I love a good bad guy.

I will continue to read this series and I am hoping for bigger hair and wilder fights! :)

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be the wackiest cozy mystery I've ever read! Thirty four year old Vivian Vogel left her life as a project manager at a tech startup in Manhattan, to return home to Harborside, Rhode Island. She is now a wedding planner on what is unofficially known as the Wedding Island. Recently, she has taken on Shauna Giovanni as a client and the job hasn't been easy. Shauna's mother is a Momzilla and the preparations are being filmed for a reality television show. Then at the rehearsal dinner, Uncle Gino is found dead after eating some minestrone soup. Luckily her ex-boyfriend, Max Bennett is the deputy sheriff. This book really kept me entertained. The author's descriptions made it easy to imagine all the chaos! I look forward to seeing what happens next!

[Loreinne Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery romance book, look no further. RSVP for Murder is a super fun read. I loved that there was some romance in this book but that it wasn’t the main point of the book. The book begins with a murder then it takes you back to the beginning where Viv, the wedding planner meets the family of the murdered uncle (Gino). I found myself chuckling a few times throughout the book which was surprising. As I read, I also I found myself imagining it as a series! I definitely recommend this book if you like mystery, a bit of romance, and interesting characters. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kaitlynn Esquibel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for sending me a copy of this book for my honest review. This book was really great, reading it felt like I was watching a TV show/Movie with the interesting and well flushed out characters. Some things could have been better one of them being the relationship between Viv and Max(The sheriff ex) didn't seem to go together like I didn't believe their growing relationship it felt forced. I also felt that Viv kissing Mark Simon felt random and there was no lead up to that happening and didn't really do anything for the story. Overall the storyline was great with the reality show aspects and the murder mystery were a great combination.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viv Vogel moves back to her hometown, Harborside, RI, and decides to open a wedding planning business. She has had a few clients, but when she gets a call from Toni Giovanni from Newark,NJ she gets excited for the wedding of Toni's daughter, Shauna. There are to be 300 guests and will be the biggest wedding Viv has planned. She soon finds out that this will be no ordinary wedding as everyone is "connected" to organized crime. With the help of her for ex boyfriend from high school, who is now a police officer she looks into what lead up to the death of one of the wedding guests.
A great mystery.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine being the wedding planner for a momzilla and a bridezilla. That's what this

never ending circus of events, complications, a murder and more. Viv is the wedding planner for a wealthy family with ties to a crime family. I would have pulled my hair out by the roots if I were in Viv's place. Constant changes and demands, being treated like a second class citizen who should be grateful for this (thankless) job. Check it out. It's a riot, chaotic, and highly entertaining. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion .

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a strong cozy mystery novel from C.J. Lee, it had that element that I was looking for from the description. It was everything that I was looking for and was engaged with what was happening. The characters had that feel that I was expecting in this type of nook and glad it was so well done. It was a strong start to the Viv Vogel, Wedding Planner Cozy Mystery series and left me wanting to read more in this world and from C.J. Lee.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Courtney Sinclair · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 - cute small island romantic crime novel. Viv a new wedding planner returns to her hometown and accepts a job planning the wedding for the infamous Giovanni family. I enjoyed the premise of the book, waiting for the big twist to happen. It’s more of a cutesy crime novel over a thriller which was fun. I could really picture the Giovanni family, especially the women, even if they were a bit dramatic.

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

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I admire wedding planners. I could never do it lol. There's definitely more to it than just bridezillas. I would have been pulling my hair out. It was a great story though. I really enjoyed the cast of characters. Except for maybe Mark. He was a bit much lol. It's going to be a good series, I think. I think people will enjoy it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

RSVP for Murder is a Viv Vogel Wedding Planner by C J Lee. I enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were terrific. Viv using her inheritance from her mother was excellent. Sheriff Max, High School boyfriend, was a nice distraction. It was a fun story with a totally unexpected ending. This is a perfect cozy. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Geraldine Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read. Trying to plan the perfect wedding for the family from Hell who appear to number mobsters in their midst. With a reality show producer trying to add chaos to the mix. It was deliciously hilarious and difficult to put down. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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

[AMBER CLARK · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery romance book, then this is a book you will enjoy. Viv is the wedding planner for a wealthy family with ties to a crime family. On top of dealing with a bridezilla she has to deal with both a momzilla and a murder. Well written with crazy characters. I'll be looking for book two.

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in series and a new author. The story flows well and it grabs you right from the start. The town is truly a perfect spot for weddings and picture perfect. The characters are realistic and relatable. Love how the mystery unfolds.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 of Viv Vogel, Wedding Planner Cozy Mystery Series. I really like reading this book. I laughed, felt the romance, and was glad I was not a wedding planner. I look forward to reading more from this series and see what will happen next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story with Viv. She has quite the mystery to solve at this wedding with so many mysterious guests. There were a lot of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. A great story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viv the wedding planner, Max the Deputy Sheriff, and Betsy the bakery owner and Viv's sister. A charming trio in a delightful story that will hold your interest throughout. Witty and funny, a book you will love. Highly Recommended.
I received this book for free and this is my honest review.

[Karen Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good!

The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is that it drove me crazy that Giovannis kept getting misspelled into Giovannies! It annoyed me so much I highlighted it every single time! Other than that, I liked the story and the characters. It was funny.

[Tiffany (areyoutellingstories) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute cozy mystery with a smart heroine! This being C.J. Lee's debut novel, I look forward to more adventures with Viv and Max! 3.5 stars rounded up.

[Jane Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what excellent book. Hope you keep writing good books.

[Karen Merring · Rating 5 out of 5]

RSVP For Murder

RSVP for Murder was a really fun read. CJ Lee's first book was such a pleasure to read. There were so many twists and turns right up to the last page. I highly recommend this book.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC free from Book Sirens and this is my voluntary honest.
Interesting.
Enjoyable.
Well written.
A fun and funny .
Entertaining.
Flowed well. It grabs you.
Don't miss.