Love and Other Trials

by Ava Miles

“Ava Miles delivered one of the Best Romance Books of the Year." -- Twins Reading Books

"This is a must-read for every Emily Henry and Lucy Score fan.” – A Compulsive Reader

" This is a six stars book that every romance reader must read!” – Delightful Literary

International Bestselling Author of the #1 National Sensation NORA ROBERTS LAND delivers another hilarious family-focused rom-com about the power of love and the moments when those dearest to you make you want to tear your hair out.

Grandma always said life was composed of love and other trials, with family and men being at the heart of both.

So when Ariel Holmes’ sister says she’ll only deed their grandma's house to her if Ariel helps make her wedding the event of the year in Charleston, Ariel knows love—with a heavy side of trials—will be on the wedding menu alongside crudités and canapés.

But she doesn't account for the best man, the charming and mouthwatering Dax Cross, showing up and trying to stop the wedding, making her job impossible at every turn. Captain Hotpants might be used to having his way in the skies as a hotshot Navy pilot, but he doesn't have a chance on the ground.

Or does he?

Genres: Romance, Amazon, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2025

About the author

Millions of readers have discovered International Bestselling Author Ava Miles and her powerful fiction and non-fiction books about love, happiness, and transformation. Her novels have received praise and accolades from USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and People Magazine in addition to being chosen as Best Books of the Year and Top Editor’s picks. Translated into multiple languages, Ava’s strongest praise comes directly from her readers, who call her books and characters unforgettable.

Ava is a former chef, worked as a long-time conflict expert rebuilding warzones to foster peaceful and prosperous communities, and has helped people live their best life as a life coach, energy healer, and self-help expert. She is never happier than when she’s formulating skin care and wellness products, gardening, or creating a new work of art. Hanging with her friends and loved ones is pretty great too.

After years of residing in the States, she decided to follow her dream of living in Europe. She recently finished a magical stint in Ireland where she was inspired to write her acclaimed Unexpected Prince Charming series. Now, she’s splitting her time between Paris and Provence, learning to speak French, immersing herself in cooking à la provençal, and planning more page-turning novels for readers to binge.

Reviews

[Jacklyn B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author’s note at the beginning is an absolute MUST READ. Yes it starts with Glenn Powell 🔥🔥🔥 but the message is so meaningful and beautiful and I think will really resonate with so many readers…I know it did for me.

Ok, now on to the story…

I loved this book - it was such a fun read!! You’ll be smiling and laughing and swooning throughout this story. I was hooked from the very first text chat (Captain Hot Pants anyone????)

This books starts out with a generation wedding curse (and I admit, there is strong evidence for it!) What follows are family wedding shenanigans, amazing side characters (except for a few - and you know who you are 🤬) and the best rescue dog anyone could ask for.

Ariel and Dax have amazing chemistry and their banter had me laughing out loud. Their connection felt so authentic and fun - they also have some really sweet and emotional moments too.

Dax is so charming and swoon worthy - could we have asked for a better wingman for Ariel??? She was an absolute delight. I felt for her and was rooting for her

I love Ava Miles writing style and stories and I highly recommend picking this one up!!!!

“How much longer are you going to let this take from you?”

✨What To Expect:
💖Romantic Comedy
💒Wedding Romance
🛡️Protective MMC
🧭Search & Rescue FMC
✈️Man In Uniform (Think Top Gun)
💋Forced Proximity
🔥”Captain Hot Pants”
💍Wedding Curse
🩵Family Drama
🛑Stop The Wedding
🐾Sherlock The Rescue Dog

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The synopsis and premise sounded really good to me but unfortunately, this book wasn't for me. My biggest problem with this book was that I went into the story without knowing it would be an insta-love story. Granted, the male main character was really sweet and thoughtful and full of respect when he treated the female main character throughout the whole book, which I did appreciate, but again, it was pretty much love at first sight for him so yeah, that was why this book wasn't my cup of tea. Besides, as much as I loved text messages (or at least the messaging format) in a book, the excessive usage of emojis here irked me so much that eventually, I skipped those parts altogether. All in all, I'm sorry to say this book didn't live up to my expectations but I'm really glad to see so many fellow readers love it!

***Thanks to the author and Hambright PR for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

[Camis.little.library · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Oh my heart! As always, Ava Miles delivered a fun, spicy, romantic, hilarious story- filled with so many emotions!

-Forced proximity
-Wedding romcom
-Protective MMC
-Family drama
-Rescue dog
-Spice

I was kicking my feet, swooning, laughing out loud- just all the feels! Miles always writes phenomenally, there’s so much good detail I always have a vision in my head of everything - I swear her books would make the perfect movies!

If you are a romance or romcom lover, make this one your next read!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
So good! Full review to follow.

[Dana 🦋 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Star Rating: 2⭐️
Spice Rating: 2🌶️
Format: E-book 📱

🌻🦋 My Review 🦋🌻

Now I like this author very much (Country Heaven was one of my favorite books last year) but I had so many problems with this book.

Let’s start with what I liked. The MMC & FMC were really likable. Dax was so strong and sweet and fell head over heels for Ariel even before meeting her and he treated her like a queen. Ariel is the fixer in her family of chaotic bitchy awful people. She’s heroic (her job is soooo cool and admirable) but she’s such a pushover.

Here’s my problem. This book focuses so much on Ariel’s shitty ass family. Which okay it’s fine but when we get to the point of these family member being absolute trash for 98% of the book (specifically Ariel’s sister Tiffany and her bitch ass husband to be Rob (the mmc’s best friend)).

Then try to sell the readers some sort of fuck ass hea for these shitty as people completely glazing over the fact that this bitch was blackmailing Ariel, Rob attacked his own friend like a bitch, this bitch hit on Rob’s friend and I’m supposed to give a shit that she’s pregnant and her mother was sooooo mean. Bitch come on at what age do we start taking accountability for our own actions? Trash

This pissed me off so much that I really didn’t give a shit about Ariel & Dax’s hea. There was no resolution for the shitty ass things that Rob & Tiffany did. Rob just said oh man oh well that’s love and bam they’re friends again. Trash

So yea this book is a hell no from me.
Apologies for the long ass heated review.

[Kelly (aka jsybookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read by Ava Miles and what a 5 star read it was, just brilliant!!

How many catastrophes can one wedding have…… well since the Deverell wedding curse is renown in the family, the answer is a lot!! Whenever a Deverell woman tries to get married, fate always intervenes so when Tiffany Deverell announces her engagement to Rob, her half-sister Ariel is blackmailed into planning her wedding in exchange for the deeds to their late grandma’s house. Ariel and her grandma were extremely close and spent a lot of time together, so the house means a lot to Ariel as it holds such comforting and happy memories of her grandma and their time together. With Ariel’s job being in Disaster Recovery, the family feel she’s the best bet and the perfect girl to break the Deverell family wedding curse and make Tiffany’s wedding disaster free. So many family weddings before this one have fallen under the curse, but everyone is determined to make sure this one breaks the mould and is problem free. When Ariel arrives at the airport, none of her family are able to pick her up, so the job lies with Dax, Rob’s best man who is also known as “Captain Hotpants”, and with Ariel being Maid of Honour, they soon team up to get all the wedding chores sorted out. It helps immensely that they both really enjoy each other’s company and with Ariel being in Disaster Recovery and Dax being an Airforce pilot, it seems nothing is beyond their reach. However, they both have their work cut out as it seems anything and everything that could go wrong with a wedding does! However, the more time Ariel and Dax spend together planning and problem solving, the more they start to develop feelings for each other. Can Ariel and Dax really break the Deverell curse, make Tiffany’s wedding go smoothly and in turn ultimately get Ariel the precious deeds to her late grandma’s house? And if she does manage to get the treasured deeds, will she really be lucky enough to also get her man as well?!

Well, this was nothing short of a spectacular read! I have to admit as soon as I saw the main male character was a Naval Aviator I couldn’t wait to read this one (I am a huge massive Top Gun fan). I absolutely adored Ariel and was rooting for her all the way through the book…. I loved her job, her lovely service dog, Sherlock, and her sassiness. Her family were just horrifically awful and actually I don’t even think that does them justice, Stormy was just a downright nasty piece of work and the half sisters; aka the Three Tornadoes, reminded me of Cinderellas three ugly sisters!! How Ariel had the patience to be around them I just don’t know and frankly I felt she should run far far away from those four narcissists. Thank goodness she had her half brother, Jeffrey and her dad who always had her back…… and then obviously Dax himself! I have to admit I initially went into the story having preconceived ideas of Dax, thinking he might be arrogant given his job, but I was so wrong, he was a darling right from the first time we met him. I loved how protective he was over Ariel and had her back from the minute he met her, and I thought the “mission briefing book” was incredible. For someone like me who has a foggy head a lot, I wish all books had this type of thing in them! I loved the level headedness of Ariel and Dax and felt it really helped balance out the crazy out of control three tornadoes and their mother! I also learned some lingo from this book, there was a fair bit of googling going on, looking up terms such as “bussed each other”. There were some bits in the book that made me giggle out loud, the ice sculpture debacle near the beginning of the book was one good example. I also can’t help wondering whether the term in chapter 1 “take your breath away smile” was in homage to the Top Gun movie theme tune or whether it was just a happy coincidence.

Ultimately this book made me giggle, made me feel good whilst I was reading it and think it absolutely deserves 5 stars. I would highly recommend this one for anyone who likes the RomCom genre. I’m shocked that I haven’t heard of Ava Miles before but glad I have found her now. Great read and one that will definitely be a re-read for me.

Thank you to BookFunnel, Ava Miles and Hambright PR for my advanced reading copy. Out now.

[April Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

"God. Families. You can’t live with them and you can’t live without them.”

Thank you kindly to Ava Miles and Hambright PR 💕

Genre:
Contemporary Romance
Rom-Com
Tropes & Themes:
✔️Rom-Com
✔️Wedding romance
✔️Wedding curse
✔️Man in uniform
✔️Stop the wedding
✔️Family drama
✔️Rescue Dog
✔️Protective MMC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Love and Other Trials is a delightfully charming wedding rom-com by Ava Miles that had me absolutely cracking up. This book is the definition of a feel-good read, complete with a happily-ever-after cherry on top! Or, wedding topper. Whichever.

Ariel is a lovable FMC with a family not dissimilar from Cinderella’s, complete with three wicked half-sisters, or in this case, the three tornadoes. She shares a monster of a mercurial mother with them, appropriately named Stormy. Ariel, is the sunshine of the family, with her abilities to warm to people and solve every problem imaginable, including the most hilarious pelican scene on earth. Her half-brother Jeffrey, unrelated to the sister-twisters, exudes sparkles with his sassy ray-of-sunshine personality. And then there’s Ariel’s dog who is adorable, smart, and might be related to Lassie…

After essentially being blackmailed into planning the wedding, Ariel agrees, reluctantly, eyes on the prize before her: the deed to her grandmother’s house. But this isn’t just any wedding, it’s Bridezilla Tornado Tiffany’s wedding to Rob, a US Naval Officer, and everything must be perfect… or no deed (of a house that was already rightfully hers).

“The Deverell women were all about creating scenes. Inventing drama. Making senseless trouble. They are masters of guilt and manipulation and verbal abuse coupled with sweetness. I liken them to chocolate dusted with cayenne pepper in a candy box. Ariel is the exception.”

Rob’s Bestman, Naval Captain Dax Cross has known Rob all his life and after meeting the bride-to-be, Dax is ready to stop the whole wedding, adding to Ariel’s neverending problems-to-fix-list. But after some cute banter over text messaging and meeting in person, her “new problem” is truly a blessing; his calm demeanor in multiple crises is just the grounding vibes she needs. Together, they soar like co-pilots, navigating wedding disasters, life, love, and other trials. 💕

“Because while he’d come here with a clear mission—to get his best friend married—his new mission was her.”
I loved the underlying theme of the Deverell wedding family curse. Everything that could have gone wrong did, including a mud-pit wedding ground due to a malfunctioning irrigation system, that had to be re-sodded by the groom and his boys, including Dax. Bridezilla Tiffany being upset with, of all things, sod lines, wasn’t appreciable, and despite all efforts, couldn’t be pleased. As tensions rise between Groom Rob and Bestman Dax, accusations are made and Dax regrets coming to Charleston. As he stares out at a lighthouse, he relates to the loneliness of the singularity. At this moment he realizes it’s all for his sweet Ariel and *that* he’d never regret.

Ava Miles writes swoonworthy romance that will sweep you off your feet, told with rich humor and heart. The comedy is surprisingly unexpected, making it even funnier. Non-stop mishaps, a runaway, flirtatious bride, animal problems, and crazy toxic family dynamics kept me entertained from the first page to the last. I highly recommend this read to fans of quirky characters, animal sidekicks, and well-written, light to medium spiced romantic wedding comedies!

Full Review ➡ https://awellreadwomanblog.wordpress....

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ariel Holmes and Dax Cross and let us not forget Ariel’s trusty dog Sherlock, who was put in an impossible situation from the minute they were asked to be the maid of honor and best man. Most of all, because they had a bridezilla on their hands. Not to mention they had The Tornado Cures. What was there to worry about when she brought two flasks and a row of garlic? Kidding about the garlic, but not the flask. The humorous bantering was beyond funny.

From the very beginning, this author hooks you. It is in Charleston, NC, a destination wedding for most guests. In a place where their grandmother used to live before she passed away six months prior. Leaving her home to Ariel. However, since she was at a disaster site searching for survivors with Sherlock her mom was given the deed to give it to her. But since her mother, Stormy, and the three tornadoes the eldest and the bride, Tiffany then there are the twins with Terry being the eldest by two minutes, and then Tricia.

She does have a natural half-brother, who is older than Ariel, that she adores, his name is Jeffery, and they are very close. Her mother came into the marriage when Ariel’s father already had Jeffery. She never really took to him, but then again she never takes to anyone but herself. Very self-centered that one. But equally self-centered would be The Tornados. Tiffany is their leader. She is literally blackmailing Ariel to do the wedding planning from the disaster site via phone, and texting in exchange if the wedding actually happens then, and only then she will get the deed to get her grandma’s house.

And this was her mother’s idea to give the deed to Tiffany to get Ariel to do her bidding. They all four treat her like their own personal punching bag. The silver lining was that before the wedding Dax and Ariel had been texting, “Hey Ariel! This is Dax Cross, best man, telling you he's locked and loaded for the wedding. Hey Captain Hotpants! Good to hear. Because we're in for the trial of our life… Captain Hotpants Trial? Aren't weddings happy occasions where people dance, drink, and get laid?

Not in my family. Think tornadoes and hurricanes. Captain Hotpants Yeah, I heard your half-sisters are called the Three Tornadoes. I wondered what that was about. You’re about to find out. Good thing they’re your specialty. I'm not sure it’s gonna help. Bring a strand of garlic.” However, none of the clan anticipated the bond the two had formed, they didn't even know they had already formed it. Not until he was the one who picked her up at the airport. When none of her family or extended family remembered to pick her up.

This was after she had come straight from working at a rescue. But the minute they saw each other they author made us know this was going to be something, and she didn't let us down. There were some heartbreaking moments, humorous moments, sexy moments, and so much more. But let me tell you when her brother gets there, oh lordy, I was just trying not to pee myself. I loved this book.

[a.compulsive_ reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that will live on in my memory and make me smile forever! The novel LOVE AND OTHER TRIALS was tremendously addictive hilarious, and unexpectedly touching in the best way. I never thought I'd be wiping away tears and gasping with laughter at the same time, yet here we are. These characters were everything to me, and I'm still not ready to say goodbye to them, even though I experienced every moment, joke, and swoon.
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Ava Miles has written a magnificent and thoughtful book—a romance story based on emotional mechanics. Love and Other Trials is a study in trouble: between sisters, between expectations and identity, between the chaos of family and the peace of connection. Ariel Holmes is a stress test for resilience. Ava Miles places her in a structure that puts her to the test via fiery moments of familial absurdity and menacing tenderness, with each story point adjusted with gripping elegance. And it works brilliantly. The design never fails. Even though Ariel herself is practically broken, the structure remains strong.
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Dax Cross, the best man, is more than just comedic relief or a romantic interest. He functions as a stabilizing constant in an unpredictable system. His protecting character acts like gravity, stabilizing Ariel as the Holmes family turns into a centrifuge of manipulation and emotional shrapnel. Ariel and Dax live in an enclosed structure, and the emotional pressure within it builds up in addictive, interesting ways. The chemistry is real. Not because the text says so, but because every moment breathes ache, written with atmospheric elegance and a razor control.
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Ava Miles comprehends that the most humorous tales frequently conceal the most heartbreaking ones. The banter is intense. The prose is wonderful, powerful, unfolding with purposeful tension. The dialogue, particularly between Ariel and Dax, has an attracting reach that grows stronger with each chapter. This is a romance written with deep feelings. No detail is random. No moment is without consequence.
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The last chapters were bittersweet and atmospheric. Ava Miles does not tie everything together in perfect symmetry—but she does not have to. The resolution is meaningful and deserved. Ava Miles wrote a novel that hits the line between romantic deception and searing emotional reality. It's the kind of novel that leaves a haunting afterglow—the mental equivalent of emerging from a storm into clean air. Love and Other Trials is intelligent. It is structured. And I loved every detail that this fascinating Author has put within the incredible line, this is a must-read for every Emily Henry and Lucy Score fan.

[Travel With A Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and Other Trials by Ava Miles is a romance that glitters with crisis comedy, and soothe love all at once. It has a powerful and consuming edge, with its delicate twist of scathing familial dysfunction, forced proximity, and a best man who fills the air with anticipation, the plot structure is wonderfully entertaining. In addition to organizing her sister's wedding, Ariel Holmes is dealing with a psychological storm brought on by a bridezilla sister and a mother who treats her like wallpaper, we also get introduced to Dax Cross, the Naval Aviator with a protective spirit that surfaces off the page and personality that comprises for days.
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They connect straight away and compulsively; chaos be damned, it's a collision of two souls at the perfect time. Charleston and Folly Beach overtake this story like a low country fog, establishing an atmospheric setting that sets the scene for each touching look and poignant conversations. Even Ariel's devoted rescue dog, Sherlock, develops as a key figure, bringing warmth and light to situations that would have otherwise gone south.
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I got shivers from Ava Miles's sensual and vibrant prose, which carefully pairs romantic steamy love and hilarious banter. Apart from being a romantic comedy hero, Dax—Captain HotPants, if you're fortunate enough to read the scenes—is a gentle, stabilizing influence in Ariel's collapsing world. The relationship between them shudders with eagerness. It's in how he protects her from her mother's hurtful remarks and how he allows her to be herself. The connection between them is fascinating and intriguing, yet it never becomes excessive; it perfectly flows between their amusing accidents and flaming snatched glances that melted me.
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This is Ava Miles at her finest, she always brings so much comedy and steamy moments that realy have me immersed my mind and heart in her faboulous and compulsive prose, with champagne flutes and fire centerpieces, she has written an epic emotional experience. Beautiful and unvarnished, funny and unusual, Love and Other Trials is packed with powerful scenes of love that surprise you in the middle of the chaos. In every aspect, it is a masterful arrangement of familial silliness, sexual tension, and the deep pain of desiring proper love. You can expect laughter, desire, and possibly even tears, but above all, you will come to think that love always prevails, even in the most difficult times.

[Mercedes Narain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. It was my first time reading anything by Ava Miles, and I can honestly say it won’t be my last. From the very first page, I was completely drawn in. Her writing is so vivid, full of charm, and effortlessly funny. It has that special kind of storytelling magic that makes you forget the world around you and just sink into the pages.

The story follows Ariel Holmes, who finds herself roped into planning her sister’s wedding (cue the drama!) in exchange for something deeply personal: the deed to her late grandmother’s house. But there’s a catch: the Deverell family is cursed when it comes to weddings and love, and the chaos that follows is nothing short of hilarious and heartwarming.

This book gave me serious Cinderella-meets-rom-com vibes, but with a modern twist that kept me laughing and turning pages. Ariel is such a beautifully written character, strong, smart, sarcastic, and full of heart. I loved watching her navigate her family’s antics while still holding her own. She’s the kind of heroine you genuinely root for, every step of the way.

Now let’s talk about Dax, from the moment he and Ariel joined forces, the chemistry was electric, and the banter? Absolutely on point. What started as a chaotic partnership quickly turned into something swoony and sincere. And yes, he’s affectionately nicknamed Captain Hotpants and he totally lives up to it! What made me fall for him, though, was how he always had Ariel’s back, especially when dealing with her over-the-top sisters. He wasn’t just charming he was thoughtful, steady, and so easy to love.

What I loved most is how this story balances humor with heart. It’s laugh-out-loud funny (I genuinely lost count of how many times I giggled), but also filled with tender moments, healing, and unexpected love. It’s the kind of story that makes your heart full and leaves you smiling long after the final page. This is a must-read! Add it to your TBR ASAP!

Thank you so much to @avamiles and @hambright_pr for the complimentary copy of this eARC!

[Mars · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when a book surprises me in all the different ways it can - this book is definitely that. Love and Other Trials is a true romcom book in my opinion. I laughed out loud, swooned, got extremely heated and upset, basically got me in all the feels. The book follows Ariel who was blackmailed to plan her half sister's wedding in exchange for the deed for her grandma's house. The MMC, Captain Hotpants Dax is the best man. The moment these two started texting and met each other, the attraction and chemistry was there. I love how silly they are to each other and how they can be themselves when together. The moment Dax vowed to be Ariel's wingman, I was in love with him. He is definitely another person to add to my long list of book boyfriends. Dax was simply the best and someone Ariel deserved. I love how selfless, funny, and lovable Ariel was. Because of some family curse, the days leading up to the wedding was filled with "trials" and drama. It was chaotic but funny chaotic. Like I-cant-believe-this-is-happening-to-them bad but of course, it's Dax and Ariel to the rescue. Love almost all the side characters especially Jeffrey and the other Navy friends. The best side character would have to be Sherlock - the ultimate wingman and best dog ever. The Three Tornadoes made me so upset I nearly fling my Kindle. Arrgh just thinking about the way they treated Ariel made me so infuriated. And dont get me started with her mom and Rob. I was rooting for the wedding to not happen.

This my first Ava Miles book and will not be the last. I like her style of writing. The book's pacing was great. The spice sprinkled in throughout the book wasnt too overwhelming and overpowers the plot. It was sweet and Dax and Ariel were total swoons with each other. Love that about them - they're just so real and attuned to their feelings.

Again, overall, one of my surprise top reads. This is something I thought would be a fluffy read but it's not. It has meat and substance and lots of fun! I highly recommend. Thank you to Hambright PR for my copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!

[Jane Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Miles' Love and Other Trials is an example of feel-good romantic comedy that made me laugh out loud, clutch my heart, and sigh into my coffee all at the same time. It's sensitive and amusing, but beneath the family drama and wedding mayhem, Ariel Holmes' story is achingly true and tremendously poignant. Every chapter seemed like a page from a gloriously off-kilter Southern wedding—and I was all in.
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Ariel is one of those heroines who you root for from the first line. She's educated, grounded, and completely compelling in her quiet fortitude, even while her sister transforms into a full-fledged bridezilla and her mother resorts to every guilt trip in the book. And then there's Dax Cross, who enters the story with a swagger that would make even a church-going granny swoon. The chemistry between our two main characters was off the roof!!! Their banter had that slow-burn heat, and their stolen moments were so heartbreaking and beautiful.
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Ava Miles' prose has a real grace about it, feeling both ambient and emotionally true. Every line is plenty with emotion, yet never too much. Just enough to make your chest ache a little and make you grin through the bittersweet moments. I loved the Charleston backdrop, the Southern charm, and the wild wedding shenanigans, which unfolded like a storm of blooms and family drama. And Sherlock, Ariel's dog, Do not even get me started. That small man almost deserves his own novel. I was grinning every time he appeared on the page.
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This was a therapeutic, intriguing, and unputdownable love tale about choosing yourself, setting boundaries, and finding joy amidst craziness. Love and Other Trials is delicate, spicy, and, yes, a touch bittersweet in the best way. I'm telling you, grab this book, and allow this amazing, laugh-out-loud, touching romance wrap you up like a favorite comfy blanket. Ava Miles, you have done it again, and this is my favourite yet.

[Daisy Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don't know how to get across how enchanted I am with this book. Love and Other Trials by Ava Miles is my new comfort read as well as my new favorite rom-com ever because it has it all—chaotic wedding energy, an insanely gorgeous Navy pilot, family drama that had me gasping, and the most beautiful rescue dog named Sherlock. I devoured it like candy, and it gave me all the swoony sensations and laugh-out-loud chuckles, so I'm now in love with Captain HotPants, er, Dax Cross.
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Ariel Holmes is the type of girl I would absolutely love to be friends with. She's stuck organizing her sister's cursed wedding (yes, there is a real Deverell Wedding Curse, and it is ICONIC), while her entire family is falling apart, and she's still holding it together. Barely. But the moment Dax showed in, looking tall and beautiful in his uniform and smirking like he knew he was chaos I knew I was in for a treat. Their chemistry is on fire, and their banter made me want to throw the book across the room in the best possible style.
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The writing had a bright, hectic shine to it that reminded me of watching my favorite rom-com. It's funny and lighthearted, but there's also a quiet little ache underneath when Ariel is trying so hard to be strong around a family that doesn't treat her well. And Dax is so protective of her that I almost cried. The way he shields her from her mother's harsh remarks and allows her space to simply be herself was so swoon-worthy that I was stomping my feet the entire time.
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This romance stirs brightness and sparkle sweet kisses in the rain, and dramatic wedding catastrophe with a twist of fate. It's funny, romantic, and feel-good in the most extravagant and fabulous way. It's about standing up for yourself and falling in love when you least expect it, and I honestly want everyone to read it so we can scream about it together. Ava Miles gave us something truly amazing with this one, and I'll never get over it.

[Delightful Literary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Miles' Love and Other Trials is one of those rare stories that takes the shifting nature of family, the fragility of love, and the dedicated anguish of being invisible and shapes it into something powerful and absolutely lovely. It's not only about weddings, romance, or laughing; it's about what we carry. About what we inherit. About who we become when those closest to us fail to see our potential.
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Ariel Holmes is a woman many of us know .she's strong and silent. Brilliant, yet buried beneath a lifetime of those who spoke louder. As she handles her sister's wedding and her family's oppressive expectations, I could feel her longing in my breast like a reflection. The prose is mind-blowing and delicate. Every meeting with Ariel seemed like watching someone gently reclaim pieces of herself, with each page unraveling the lessons she'd been taught to suffer.
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Dax Cross is not the type of man who steals the stage with extravagant declarations or drama, but one who turns up. Someone who listens. One who protects—not to own, but to empower. His presence in Ariel's life is romantic, also redemptive. Their love is gradual, blistering sunshine that dissolves embarrassment clears the fog, and creates space for healing.
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What Ava Miles has achieved here is absolutely extraordinary. Beneath the hilarity and difficulties of bridezilla breakdowns and unforgettable wedding hijinks, she's told us an evocative, heartbreaking, and incredibly human story. The family may frustrate you, and the dog (oh, Sherlock!) may steal your heart—but at the heart of it all is a lady learning to rise. To stand. To love—not only others, but herself. Love and Other Trials stands on top of my reads and I will shout long enough so all of my friends have read thismaserpice. Long after the laughing has faded, the tender truths remain, this is a six stars book that every romance reader must read!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and Other Trials by Ava Miles is exactly what the title promises love, chaos, and family drama that will have you laughing out loud one minute and swooning the next. At the center of it all is Ariel Holmes, a search-and-rescue officer just trying to get her hands on her late grandmother’s house. The catch? Her sister will only deed it to her if Ariel helps plan the wedding of the year. Cue the emotional blackmail and a long list of impossible wedding demands.

Enter Dax Cross—aka Captain Hotpants—a Navy pilot with a protective streak and a knack for being exactly where Ariel doesn’t need him. He’s the best man with a mission: stop the wedding. He makes her job ten times harder, but also ten times more interesting. Their chemistry is instant, electric, and undeniable. The forced proximity only cranks the tension up, but what makes this romance stand out is the way Dax shows up for Ariel—especially when her own family tears her down.

Ariel’s dealing with more than a bridezilla sister; she’s also facing her critical mother, a deeply rooted family dynamic that’s left her constantly trying to prove herself, and a wedding curse that seems to be working overtime. But Dax doesn’t just fall for her—he sees her. He has her back in a way no one else has. That, plus the chaos of wedding disasters (yes, even on the wedding day), makes for a story that’s both hilarious and heartfelt.

Let’s not forget Sherlock, the loyal rescue dog who tags along for every adventure and somehow manages to be both comic relief and emotional support. Honestly, he deserves his own novella.

If you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy with fast-paced banter, lovable chaos, and a hero you’ll want to steal for yourself, Love and Other Trials delivers. It’s a full package of heart, heat, and humor with just enough depth to make it stick with you after the final page.

[Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5* Worth reading just for the disasters involved. This is a genuinely funny book, it'll make the reader appreciate their relatives, however infuriating they might seem.

Ariel Holmes has made a bargain with the devil, otherwise known as Tiffany, her eldest sister. In exchange for successfully organising her wedding of the season, Tiffany will give Ariel the deeds to Ariel's late grandmother's house, somewhere Ariel has always felt at home.

Tiffany and the other two sisters, known collectively as the Three Tornadoes, have bullied, ridiculed and mocked Ariel all her life, but Ariel is a people pleaser and accepts that families have their quirks, her family is the quirkiest.

Arial and her service dog Sherlock have returned from working in a tornado disaster area and instead of relaxing and recharging themselves, she's off to Charleston for a week to finalise the arrangements for Tiffany's wedding. On arrival, Tiffany informs Ariel that instead of having peace and privacy of her own accommodation, she'll be rooming with her five nephews and babysitting them in-between organising the wedding. The best man Dax immediately offers to share his 2-room cabin and also act as Ariel's assistant - no hardship there, but it might prove a distraction because he's known as Captain Hotpants.

With only a week to verify all the highly complex arrangements for an OTT wedding, Tiffany's demands become increasingly outrageous. Ariel is informed that she has to wear a wig to match the rest of the women in the family, later she comes face to face with an alligator when ordered koi for the wedding – koi as a feature, not to eat. That's just day one. As the week progresses, Tiffany's extravagant demands increase, Ariel knows that if the wedding isn't successful, she'll lose her grandmother's house.

Don't read in public, you'll be laughing too much.

[Tommie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and Other Trials - Ava Miles

Thank you @avamiles and @hambright_pr for this gifted Ebook

My Review:
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages: 422
Genre: Romance
Tropes:

💍Rom-Com
💍Wedding romance
💍Wedding curse
💍Man in uniform
💍Stop the wedding
💍Wedding curse
💍Family drama  
💍Rescue dog
💍Protective MMC

This is Dax and Ariel’s story. This is a feel good book filled with laughter, drama and family shenanigans. The side characters are just as interesting as the MMC and FMC. Plus the added heartthrob in the form of a bloodhound named Sherlock. Sherlock of course is the above mentioned rescue dog. There is also an alligator named Bumper.

In order to finally have the deed to her grandmothers house Ariel has to be the wedding planner for her half sisters second wedding. Evidently her sisters weddings all come with lots of drama and disasters. This one turns out to be no different.

Ariel is also Tiffany’s Maid Of Honor and Dax is Rob’s Best Man. From the minute Ariel and Dax lay eyes on each other sparks fly and their chemistry is off the charts!

But can their feelings survive the Deverell wedding disasters, the missing wedding dress fiasco and the groom not happy with his best man? Not to mention the pelicans dive bombing the ceremonial koi fish?

We all need a few of these side characters in our lives to lighten our days! Especially Jeffrey!

Now go read this book and let it make your day too! I highly recommend!

#romance #irishromance #agoraphobia #avamiles #wildirishrose #bookstagram #booktok #loveandothertrials #hambright_pr #romcom

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know those books that just make you smile and you are instantly drawn in and invested in the characters happiness and you don’t want the book to end? This is one of those books! It had moments that had me giggling, moments that had me annoyed and moments that made me smile and made my heart happy. I adored it! The writing drew me in and made me feel like I was a part of the wedding party. The story felt very Cinderella-ish with the half-sisters and mother feeling like the world revolved around them and relying on Ariel to do everything and fix everything for them. The way they treated her made me so angry! The family nicknames, the Three Tornadoes and the Lost Boys, are perfect. Jeffrey is the only family member I liked and I think that every family needs a Jeffrey. Ariel and Dax were everything I want in main characters and best friends, likable, resilient, dependable, and fun. The banter, nicknames, and connections between them was everything. I am not usually a fan of insta-love but it worked in this story I think because it was built on respect, trust, and understanding along with attraction. The story at its core is about family and trust and being there through it all and a reminder that life is not a competition. I highly recommend this book to readers that like romcoms with family drama and finding your perfect wingman.

Thanks to the author and HAmbright PR for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mindy Menotti bookishly_mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book laced with the perfect amount of charming characters, a beautiful Charleston/beachy setting, some great flirting + banter, chaos that leads to tons of laughter and just an all around great romcom!

Ava Miles truly has a niche when writing these small town romance books and this one was right up there at the top with the sweet and powerful message amongst the family drama and chaos of the never ending wedding disasters. The slow burn and build up was top tier as well.

The MC’s were so much fun to watch grow and transiting into people you can truly see yourself spending time with. I mean Captain Hotpants…. Come on! He is just a delightful treat in uniform!!!! (Wink*)

The Twinados had me cackling over and over. The shenanigans they get into - sooo much laughter!

The gator and pup stole the show at times too. I love when animals are written into a storyline. And these two can come live in Arkansas with me (well maybe not the 🐊).

Overall, I adored this book so much! The author did an incredible job really writing this novel so that you could see it play out as an actual movie while reading with the eloquently written descriptiveness.. Which I absolutely loved!

So much character in this small town romcom and I can’t wait to see what Ava Miles has up her sleeve next!!!

Highly recommended!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Miles did it again! If you haven’t ever read any books from Ava Miles you need to asap!

Ava Miles literally had me in tears in her Author Note before I even started the book! You need to read the Author Note in this one!!

Ava Miles has brought us not only a fun, chaotic family, wedding curse rom com but this one will touch your heart!

Ava Miles writes her characters so brilliantly. The FMC (Ariel) I absolutely adored her through out the entire book. The way she handles her family and their crazy drama. You will seriously be rooting for her the whole time!

The MMC(Dax) aka Captain Hotpants he is the book boyfriend you never knew you needed!! The way he fell for Ariel had my heart beating! And how he went the extra mile to always help Ariel out with the Three Tornados (aka Ariels half sisters)

The Three Tornados had me laughing my gosh the things that they got their selves into and the whole wedding curse definitely kept the humor going!!

Not only do we get great characters in this book Ava Miles added an adorable Search & Rescue Dog (Ariel’s Doggy) Sherlock! And Sherlock definitely stole the showed sometimes! I absolutely loved how Dax not only fell for Ariel but he also loved her best dog friend!

This book is definitely a 5 star read! And if you’re looking for a fun,chaotic family & heartwarming rom com. Then you need to read this one!!!

[jessie_bookmind · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s not to love about this endearing comedy of errors Wedding, where the stakes are high, the drama is high, and the family curse makes everything harder.

Ariel is known as the fixer of the family. She has 3 older half sisters (dubbed the tornadoes) who are selfish and constantly take Ariel for granted. Luckily, her high-drama family is as funny as they are mean. Also, luckily for her (and us), the best man is a hot navy pilot, golden retriever who instantly is along for the ride. Highjinx ensue as Ariel tries to fight the family curse and have this wedding happen successfully.

This is such a funny rom-com that is easy to read. Both Ariel and Dax are extremely likable and honest people. They are the normals in a sea of crazy characters. Quant, quirky, and charming city of Charleston becomes a character as well.

I enjoyed this book. It is a fun read. I wonder if this will become a series, and we can follow the other characters in Ariel and Dax’s circles.

In this book:
*wedding curse
*rom-com
*Charleston, SC
*Navy pilot
*search and rescue dog
*best man/maid of honor romance
*family drama

Available now in paperback and Kindle Unlimited!

Thank you Ava Miles and HambrightPR for an advanced digital copy of this book.

[Erin Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨🔮🌞🌕🍄🌕🌞🔮✨

ARC REVIEW

Love and Other Trials - Ava Miles

4/5⭐️

📚📚📚
This one was a great read! I finished it in just a couple sittings. This book totally got me emotional while reading because ohh some of those comments from the mother and family they just hurt my heart. But other than that I was totally smiling and swooning over characters. Ariel is helping plan her sister for something special to her but the only thing is that they have a family wedding curse! Many obstacles definitely happen along the way. Dax is just everything and his little nickname has me giggling hard. Overall I absolutely loved and totally recommend!

📚📚📚
If you like to read:
- Rom com
- Wedding romance
- Wedding curse
- Man in uniform
- Stop the wedding
- Family drama
- Rescue dog
- Protective MMC
… You should definitely check this out

📚📚📚

Thank you so much for sending me a copy for an honest review in my own words. #giftedcopy

✨do you have any weird family “curses”?

#books #booklover #smut #booknerd #bookfriend #bookish #booklovers #bookishcommunity #bookloversunite #instabook #bookporn #bookphotography #reviews #igbooks #ilovereading #smutty #bookaddiction #bookhoader #hotnsexy #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecs #yummy #givemeallthebooks #readingthepainaway #booktok #arc

[Jennifer (novels_and_daydreams) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite quote: “‘Stress and weddings in my family go together like raccoons and garbage cans.’”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5)

💍 Ariel, the peacekeeper and problem solver in her family, is extorted into organizing her sister’s wedding in exchange for the deed to her grandmother‘s house on Folly Beach. With a little help from her trusty search and rescue dog, Sherlock, and a lot of help from swoon-worthy best man, Dax, Ariel will find a way to pull off the wedding of the century despite some bad family juju. And she and Dax will find their own happily ever after in the process.

I just love a book with a little conflict but no third act break-up.

The insta-love romance between Ariel and Dax, AKA Captain Hotpants, was simply irresistible. I loved their chemistry, flirtatious banter, smoking hot spice, and how they mutually supported each other throughout the chaos leading up to the wedding. Dax consistently had Ariel’s back and when push came to shove, she had his. That sort of uplifting and uncomplicated love is my favorite kind.

Check this one out if you enjoy complicated family dynamics, cinnamon roll heroes, and insta-love romance. Pairs well with a mint julep and a sunset walk on the beach.

[serysbookspace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much @avamiles and @hambright_pr for this beautiful gifted copy and eARC!! 🫶🏻🩷

✨ARC REVIEW✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

🩵Love and Other Trials
💍by Ava Miles
🩵Available NOW!

Okay y’all, this read started off with a BANG as the dedication at the beginning couldn’t have been more perfect! 😍 (iykyk)

💍Ariel Holmes is our lovable FMC who is dealing with A LOT (as in, being blackmailed by her sister, a lot!) between family drama, planning a wedding for the ages when there seems to be a wedding curse in the bloodline, all while handling her tornado🌪️ of a family🫣. Luckily, the best friend of the groom can provide her with a bit of distraction 🤭

🩵Dax Cross is our ever-so-swoony Naval Captain MMC who starts off with a mission of his own… to stop his best-friend’s wedding. 🫣 However, Ariel is not so keen on the idea as her sister (evil step sisters ring a bell?) is blackmailing her to plan the wedding without a hitch!

💍This read will have you deeply invested with a complicated family dynamic, entertaining animal sidekicks and a spicy romance that takes on new heights! ❤️

🩵Ariel and Dax were the perfect main characters and I loved getting to read their story and see them tackle everything as a team!

[Jordan R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and Other Trials by Ava Miles is everything I love in a rom-com: witty banter, chaotic family drama, heart-melting romance, and unforgettable characters. Ariel and Dax’s chemistry sparks from the first page, and watching their love story unfold amid family disasters and wedding chaos was pure magic. Ava Miles captures the humor, heart, and sweetness of small-town life so perfectly you feel like you’re right there in Charleston, living every hilarious, swoony moment.

Ariel is a heroine you’ll root for — strong, smart, and navigating a family that’s as crazy as they come — and Dax is the charming, swoon-worthy hero every reader will fall for. Add in a mischievous pup named Sherlock and the laugh-out-loud antics of Ariel’s sisters (aka the Twinados), and you have a story that’s heartfelt, funny, and impossible to put down.

If you’re looking for a book that feels like the ultimate feel-good movie in book form, Love and Other Trials is your next must-read. I laughed, I swooned, I didn’t want it to end. Ava Miles has delivered a rom-com that’s full of love, laughter, and so much heart.

[thisBandherbooks ✨☀️🌻Buffy🌻☀️✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Arc Review ✨

Thank you so much @avamiles & @hambright_pr for this advanced copy!

✨ Ariel Holmes’ sister wants her to make her wedding the event of the year! Only after she does this will she give Ariel the deed to their grandmothers house. Ariel can do this! Until the best man shows up and tries to stop the wedding at every turn. Dax Cross is a hot shot Navy pilot who’s used to getting his way in the sky! But will he get his way on the ground?

✨My thoughts: This was so funny and cute!
But before we get to that, please read the Author note to this one!!! OK now back to this chaotic , wedding curse, romcom!
I was rooting for Ariel the whole time! Her family is absolutely insane but I love the way she handled everything. Dax is a pretty perfect book boyfriend!!! If you want swoon worthy, you’ve got it! Now onto Sherlock… the real star of this book🤣🤣🤣 kidding…but he was the best edition to this book!
Actually, I really enjoyed most of the characters in this. Ariel‘s half sisters are hilarious!

This book will definitely keep you entertained and laughing the entire time!
I highly recommend this!

[Bookish Lady Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Love and Other Trials: A Forced Proximity Wedding Rom-Com
By: Ava Miles

She’s done it again! In this perfect witty rom com! It’s packed full with all the things Ava does best! Family drama, banter, swooning romance, and endearing and adorable characters!
I loved Ariel and Dax… these two had wonderful chemistry sparks were flying from the start! It was such a masterfully crafted story with a rich plot and beautiful love story! I was laughing at all the disasters and chaos in this story!

Ava Miles is absolute perfection in the way she poetically weaves her stories together wonderful humor, small town vibes, and it makes you feel as if you have been sucked into the story. And can I say I love Sherlock! Dad is so swoon worthy and prob your next book boyfriend! Ariel is so strong and brilliant you can’t help but love her! And don’t forget the sisters if you love sisters dynamics this is for you!

This book is a must read and reads like a movie in your mind!

😆 Rom-Com
💍 Wedding romance
💒 Wedding curse
🔥 Man in uniform
🛑 Stop the wedding
🎭 Family drama  
🐶 Rescue dog
👊 Protective MMC

[Thebiblioholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

An MMC inspired by Glen Powell’s Top Gun character? Squeal! This little gem did not disappoint. It’s my second Ava Miles read (after Wild Irish Rose), and once again, she delivered a charming story full of heart, drama, and characters you can’t help but root for. Ariel Holmes, our fiercely independent FMC, heads to her sister’s destination wedding with her adorable search-and-rescue pup, Sherlock (yes—Sherlock Holmes 🐾). But with a supposed wedding curse and a manipulative sister dangling their grandmother’s house over her head, things are already a mess before Captain Hotpants—aka Dax—shows up with his own plans to stop the wedding.

Dax rolls in like a hot tornado (I may have paused to daydream about Glen Powell in Twister... don’t judge) and immediately clashes with Ariel’s mission to keep the wedding on track. Between the wedding curse, the family drama (seriously, where do I file a complaint about Ariel’s family? What a bunch of 🍑s), and the romance, it all came together so smoothly. Dax and Ariel had real chemistry, and I loved watching Ariel slowly find her voice again amidst all the chaos. I just really adored them, and I’ll be looking forward to even more by Ava Miles.

Also, I just want to point out… these two thinking sleeping in means 7 a.m.? That should be illegal—just saying. 😂

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

[Lainy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me right from the start! ♥️

Reading and reflecting on this quote “How much more are you going to let it take from you?” had me in a state of mind where I began to place myself in the story. I love when I can see myself in the characters of my book. I really identified with Ariel, the FMC, and how she always works really hard to sort of put the pieces of her family together. One thing I love about stories is seeing main characters find themselves and overcome the noise that surrounds them. This is exactly what Ariel does. The story gave me modern day Cinderella vibes. Dax, the MMC, was cute and charismatic. I truly loved how he supported Ariel. Their relationship was fresh and rather cute. To be honest, I was quite smitten by him.

This is my first read by Ava Miles and it won’t be my last. She is so funny and witty. I found myself annoyed with the sisters BUT I couldn’t help but laugh throughout. This was definitely Rom-com perfection! It has a well balanced formula of laughter, banter, and romance. I highly recommend.