The Bridesmaid

by Meg Gray

Kate Michaels is a down-on-her-luck bridesmaid waiting for her life to finally take a turn in the right direction. This country girl trying to make it in the city of Portland, Oregon covers up her shambled life with a web of lies. Her raging credit card debt, unemployed status, and deadbeat ex-boyfriend/tenant become minor league problems when she is cast in her friend Mary’s wedding. In the days leading up to the nuptials, Kate ends up running interference to protect the bride-to-be from the pretentious maid-of-honor—a.k.a. the sister of the groom—and picking up the slack of the other self-absorbed bridesmaids. She almost forgets about the too-hot-to-handle groomsman fated to escort her at the wedding, except he keeps popping up when she least expects it. In walks AJ, the dashing manager of Portland’s newest dining hot spot. As the wedding craziness unfolds, Kate finds herself confiding in and slowly falling for the down to earth, hardworking manager. Life is looking good for once until the night before the wedding… What will this truck-driving, boot-stomping, hammer-swinging country girl do when she finds out she’s not the only one leading a life of deception?

Genres: Chick Lit

232 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 2013

About the author

Meg Gray uses a small world approach when crafting her contemporary romance novels, tying minor characters from one story into another—demonstrating how intertwined our human lives really are. The city streets and country roads she takes you down aren’t necessarily a structured series, but the stories are connected. Within the pages, her readers will catch glimpses of some of their favorite characters again and again. This is a concept that mirrors itself in our everyday lives. Our worlds are much smaller than we realize, often times we are unaware of the way our lives intersect with those around us.

The best part is Meg’s books keep readers inside the small world she has created so they can enjoy a completely different story with each read. Start with any one of them and be treated to repeat appearances from some of her colorful characters. To get a behind the scenes look at more of the links between her books join Meg’s Insider Club to read exclusive bonus chapters.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this romance. I had just read The Teacher by the same author, and greatly enjoyed it. This one fell short for me because I found the heroine unlikeable, due to her icky relationship with her neighbor. I felt that the author was trying to portray her as a sort of Stephanie Plum character, and that didn't work for me in this story. I also could not believe that the hero would be interested in her given her admitted failings and oversharing about them. On the positive, I did like the women's fiction sort of feel and layers to the characters.

[Mary Waibel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free from the author for signing up for her newsletter. Familiar with authors giving away short stories and novellas, I was surprised to receive a full length novel.

And my surprise didn't end there.

While a sweet read (no one page sex) this book was filled with drama, tension, humor, and wonderfully developed characters. If you're looking for a change from all the heated reads (or if this is your preference) I highly recommend this (or any other) book from Meg Gray.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Michaels lives from paycheck to paycheck. She is trying to pass the bar for the third time and redo the basement apartment of her house so she can take in two renters instead of one. On weekends, she sells her father's beef at market. Her life is busy but rather mundane. Then her best friend, Mary, asks her to be a bridesmaid. This once more puts her in touch with the Fierce Four, a group of former sorority sisters of which Mary is a member. Kate is taken in on sufferance.

Tempers flare as Olivia, Mary's sister-in-law-to-be, takes over the bridal shower, the choice of dresses (both wedding and attendants), the decorations, etc. Everything has to be her way. Can Kate keep her mouth shut?

When Mary tells her who the groomsman is who will be escorting her, Kate is definitely unimpressed. From what she has heard, he is a playboy who doesn't care about the women he escorts. He isn't worth her time, although she will be nice for Mary's sake.

A new restaurant opens up and Mary uses it for her base for starting the wedding preparations which are moved up a year! It is Alejandro's and Kate's escort is the owner. She does everything she can to avoid him as she tries to come up with the money she owes for the wedding. She and AJ, the manager, strike up a friendship which borders on romance, as she educates him on life in the Northwest and on beef.

It is a funny book and Kate manages to get herself into a mess without trying.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bridesmaid was a well written, clean novel about five friends, one, Mary, who was getting married to one of her friend's brother. The author did a great job of covering many of the modern wedding issues to the choosing of the dress, the jealousy between the friends and the array of unique and unusual characters involved in the planning and arranging of the wedding day.

Mary was a mild, gentle character and very likable, and I found it somewhat strange that she was "close college friends" to the very unlikable future sister-in-law. Kate Michaels, who was really the main character in the story was a true and trusted friend and stood by Mary in all her decisions and needs. Kate was obviously intelligent enough to study for her law degree and eventually pass the law exam, and it was a bit unbelievable that she couldn't figure out who "The Boss" really was, as it was so very obvious to the readers; however, this was just a minor thing. Overall, it was a great story and fun to read.

I did receive this book as part of a free offer and really appreciated it.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having "not passed" the bar two times, Kate is a bit broke. Remodeling the basement of her duplex so she can move into it and find paying renters, and running to the ranch every Friday to get beef from her dad's organic herd to sell at the farmers market on Saturdays, keeps her afloat. When Mary asks her to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, Kate makes every effort to be a good sport - even tho Mary's Fearsome Four seem to find this cowgirl a chore! A.J., the manager of Alejandro's Restaurant, who will be catering Mary's wedding, learns about Kate’s dad's wonderful beef and becomes a loyal client. But where is Alejandro? Slated to be Kate's matched groomsman for the wedding, and ranted & raved about by the Fearsome Four, he is a mystery. When the wedding is in process, Kate finds out that others know how to lie, just like her!

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review may be a bit biased because I know the author and she is simply a treasure. One of those people who are just nice and delightful to know. The book itself is an easy, light, feel-good read. Perfect for a summer afternoon. It's always fun to read books with a local setting (Portland, OR). My only critique would be the casual sex. Not described in detail, but YUCK! Otherwise, this book was very enjoyable and I can easily recommend it to others who are in the mood for something light and fun.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read another book by the author, signed up to an email list to get a free chapter then got a link for a free book!
I enjoyed the first book I read and thought it was because I identified with the character being a teacher, but I really enjoyed this book too.
An enjoyable read of a woman, trying to pull her life together, while racking up debt completing renovations to get property, studying and being a bridesmaid to get best friend.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a long time to get to the real story so first part was long and a little boring. AJ was a fun character. Would read another of this author to see if she usually takes that long to get to the meat of the story. There was something about Kate that did not quite work--seemed like she was too down on herself. Also wondered why she missed the obvious. Enjoyed reading it even so.

[Jackg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was great! The storyline was well thought out and the characters were a perfect mix of good and evil. I enjoyed this book immensely.

[KStar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet romance story perfect for today. A little bit of mystery, mean-girls, and meat, oh, can forget mysterious men too, wink, wink. Enjoyed reading this one very much. : )

[Lauren-Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh, I loved this story! It was so beautiful. I'm totally in love with this book and the main character.

[Cici · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the writing style. The author leads you into a contemporary story with contemporary thoughts. But, the actions area generally clean. Just some of the thoughts and past do not work.

[Lyn Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read
light chicklit