What do you think?
Rate this book
Brits in Manhattan #4
Always the Bridesmaid: Brits in Manhattan, Book 4
The completely hilarious opposites-attract rom com from author Laura Carter
A cheeky chappy comedian
Charlie is most comfortable playing the funny man in front of boisterous crowds in London’s comedy clubs. But he’s about to be swapping his routine for wedding speeches. And his new acquaintance Sarah thinks he is anything but amusing.
The woman who’s got it covered
Weddings are always a difficult time for widow Sarah, but you would never tell – she’s too focused on making the week of her best friends’ wedding as perfect as possible. She definitely has no time for the grumpy and surly Charlie, who it's clear her friends are trying to set her up with.
And only one room left at the rental...
When a drunken invitation adds more people to the pre-wedding holiday house than Sarah organized for, she finds herself spending A LOT more time with Charlie than she intended. If only they could both let their guards down, they might find they have more in common than they think.
Fall head over heels for this feel-good rom com that will have you kicking your feet. Perfect for fans of The Hating Game , Elena Armas, and Chloe Liese.
A cheeky chappy comedian
Charlie is most comfortable playing the funny man in front of boisterous crowds in London’s comedy clubs. But he’s about to be swapping his routine for wedding speeches. And his new acquaintance Sarah thinks he is anything but amusing.
The woman who’s got it covered
Weddings are always a difficult time for widow Sarah, but you would never tell – she’s too focused on making the week of her best friends’ wedding as perfect as possible. She definitely has no time for the grumpy and surly Charlie, who it's clear her friends are trying to set her up with.
And only one room left at the rental...
When a drunken invitation adds more people to the pre-wedding holiday house than Sarah organized for, she finds herself spending A LOT more time with Charlie than she intended. If only they could both let their guards down, they might find they have more in common than they think.
Fall head over heels for this feel-good rom com that will have you kicking your feet. Perfect for fans of The Hating Game , Elena Armas, and Chloe Liese.
Audible Audio
Published November 17, 2023
470 people are currently reading
694 people want to read
About the author
Laura Carter
33 books423 followersAmazon top 10 and internationally bestselling author of romcoms and sports romance, translated into multiple languages. Exploring relationships and getting under the skin of her characters is Laura’s passion. She takes inspiration from everything she loves from sports to law, from music and books to on screen romances, and from her own friends and family (shhhhhh, don't tell them!). Laura lives in Jersey, Channel Islands and loves nothing more than being active outdoors.
Rep'd by Tanera Simons of Greenstone Literary Agency.
Connect with Laura through Facebook (@lauracarterauthor), Instagram (@lauracarterauthor) and TikTok (@laura.carter.author).
Learn more about Laura and her books here: www.lauracarterauthor.com.
Rep'd by Tanera Simons of Greenstone Literary Agency.
Connect with Laura through Facebook (@lauracarterauthor), Instagram (@lauracarterauthor) and TikTok (@laura.carter.author).
Learn more about Laura and her books here: www.lauracarterauthor.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
April 12, 2025
Rated 3.5 stars. Kobo+ Contemporary Romance Series Challenge 2025. Tropes: Widow, Family/Friends, RomCom, Hallmark ( one sex scene but not described).
MC's h. Sarah, 36, widowed for 8 years, Drew Harrington's legal secretary for 9 years and good friends with Drew and his crew: Brooks(Izzy), Drew( Becky), Jake (Jess), Edmond (Amy) & Mitch (wife) H. Charlie, 31, comedian, lives in London, extravert on stage but real introvert and a sweet, nice guy, was a foster kid and adopted at 15 years of age, university drop out, very knowledgable about English history.
Comment: Last book in this series of RomComs. This was an entertaining and heartfelt story. I enjoyed the wedding party portion and how Charlie and Sarah meet. Their inner emotional conflict regarding their own feelings, guilt on Sarah's part about her competing feelings for Charlie vs. her dearly departed husband Danny, Charlie not appreciating how much his adoptive parents meant to him and his love and desire for Sarah. Their week together was sweet, lighthearted and comfortable as their friendship and regard for each other grew. When Sarah and Charlie slept together, she realized she felt guilty and Charlie felt rejected and lost. He felt like he always did that no one really loved or liked him. Like really good friends Jake and Sarah came through for both Charlie and Sarah and arranged a Tom Cruise meet (Top Gun) character. They confessed their love. So sweet.
******************************************************************************
MC's h. Sarah, 36, widowed for 8 years, Drew Harrington's legal secretary for 9 years and good friends with Drew and his crew: Brooks(Izzy), Drew( Becky), Jake (Jess), Edmond (Amy) & Mitch (wife) H. Charlie, 31, comedian, lives in London, extravert on stage but real introvert and a sweet, nice guy, was a foster kid and adopted at 15 years of age, university drop out, very knowledgable about English history.
Comment: Last book in this series of RomComs. This was an entertaining and heartfelt story. I enjoyed the wedding party portion and how Charlie and Sarah meet. Their inner emotional conflict regarding their own feelings, guilt on Sarah's part about her competing feelings for Charlie vs. her dearly departed husband Danny, Charlie not appreciating how much his adoptive parents meant to him and his love and desire for Sarah. Their week together was sweet, lighthearted and comfortable as their friendship and regard for each other grew. When Sarah and Charlie slept together, she realized she felt guilty and Charlie felt rejected and lost. He felt like he always did that no one really loved or liked him. Like really good friends Jake and Sarah came through for both Charlie and Sarah and arranged a Tom Cruise meet (Top Gun) character. They confessed their love. So sweet.
******************************************************************************
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2023
DNF
The forced proximity romance in Always The Bridesmaid by Laura Carter centers on comedian Charlie Cook and secretary Sarah.
I didn’t really like the writing from the beginning since it seemed to infantile and like the author was trying so hard to be funny through her characters, but it came off as weird rather than funny.
After realizing that the characters didn’t really get along, I decided to finish it in the hopes that things would get better. Like I knew this was meant to be dislike to lovers, but their interactions and banter was uninteresting and lacked the chemistry, and things only continued to get worse.
There’s also the fact that there were so many characters which made it difficult to follow along and understand what was happening.
Overall, this book was not for me, since it did not feel that it was well-written.
*Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and to the author, Laura Carter, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*
The forced proximity romance in Always The Bridesmaid by Laura Carter centers on comedian Charlie Cook and secretary Sarah.
I didn’t really like the writing from the beginning since it seemed to infantile and like the author was trying so hard to be funny through her characters, but it came off as weird rather than funny.
After realizing that the characters didn’t really get along, I decided to finish it in the hopes that things would get better. Like I knew this was meant to be dislike to lovers, but their interactions and banter was uninteresting and lacked the chemistry, and things only continued to get worse.
There’s also the fact that there were so many characters which made it difficult to follow along and understand what was happening.
Overall, this book was not for me, since it did not feel that it was well-written.
*Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and to the author, Laura Carter, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*
November 29, 2023
Honestly I wanted to dnf at 5% and I genuinely wish I had because it just got worse and worse. I lasted until 13% before realizing that it just wasn’t worth the pain and discomfort to keep going. To put it plainly, it was offensive and poorly written.
At a whopping 5% we are introduced to our male MC (Charlie) and I almost quit the book after one sentence. Who in their right mind uses the term “moobs” as a self-descriptor? Followed by a comparison of his comedy act to the human gestation period? Hard pass.
Then we get to his actual comedy act for Jake’s stag night and honestly the comedy wasn’t funny AT ALL. Charlie blames it on Americans not getting British humor but… if it’s not funny then it’s just not funny. The joke about the harem and the Me Too “apocalypse” was so UN-funny I thought I must be missing something and I reread it only to discover that it was, in fact, meant to be a joke… If you ask me, this book is a joke.
Once Charlie and Sarah meet, it just keeps snowballing into toxicity. Charlie is an asshole and then wonders why she’s mad at him? Because you’re a horrible person.
And who tf writes the line saying that a character “looks like a puppy has just taken a dump in her mouth.” EXCUSE ME WHAT? Immediately stopped reading. I am unable to even try to keep going after this.
Overall, the writing was bad, it was inconsistent, and the characters (Charlie) were appalling.
At a whopping 5% we are introduced to our male MC (Charlie) and I almost quit the book after one sentence. Who in their right mind uses the term “moobs” as a self-descriptor? Followed by a comparison of his comedy act to the human gestation period? Hard pass.
Then we get to his actual comedy act for Jake’s stag night and honestly the comedy wasn’t funny AT ALL. Charlie blames it on Americans not getting British humor but… if it’s not funny then it’s just not funny. The joke about the harem and the Me Too “apocalypse” was so UN-funny I thought I must be missing something and I reread it only to discover that it was, in fact, meant to be a joke… If you ask me, this book is a joke.
Once Charlie and Sarah meet, it just keeps snowballing into toxicity. Charlie is an asshole and then wonders why she’s mad at him? Because you’re a horrible person.
And who tf writes the line saying that a character “looks like a puppy has just taken a dump in her mouth.” EXCUSE ME WHAT? Immediately stopped reading. I am unable to even try to keep going after this.
Overall, the writing was bad, it was inconsistent, and the characters (Charlie) were appalling.
October 4, 2023
Always the Bridesmaid is a cute romance novel by Laura Carter.
The novel was easy to follow and such a cute read. I loved that it was set in London. I got so into the novel that I felt like I knew the characters. A brilliant novel that I highly recommend.
💖 Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and author, Laura Carter for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The novel was easy to follow and such a cute read. I loved that it was set in London. I got so into the novel that I felt like I knew the characters. A brilliant novel that I highly recommend.
💖 Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and author, Laura Carter for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2023
Always the Bridesmaid by Laura Carter
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
A cheeky chappy comedian Charlie is most comfortable playing the funny man in front of boisterous crowds in London’s comedy clubs. But he’s about to be swapping his routine for wedding speeches. And his new acquaintance Sarah, thinks he is anything but amusing. The woman who’s got it covered Weddings are always a difficult time for widower Sarah, but you would never tell – she’s too focused on making the week of her best friends’ wedding as perfect as possible. She definitely has no time for the grumpy and surly Charlie, who it's clear her friends are trying to set her up with. And only one room left at the rental... When a drunken invitation adds more people to the pre-wedding holiday house than Sarah organized for, she finds herself spending A LOT more time with Charlie than she intended. If only they could both let their guards down, they might find they have more in common than they think.
My Opinion
This was the first book I had read by Laura Carter - with this being the fourth book in the series I did feel like I was missing some of the back story but I was able to follow it easily enough. I do actually have the first book for this series on my want to read list so I will be going back and reading that at some point.
Laura Carter has written a heart-warming tale, that was enjoyable to read. This book has some mixed reviews, but for me it was a lovely book to read on a miserable weekend.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
A cheeky chappy comedian Charlie is most comfortable playing the funny man in front of boisterous crowds in London’s comedy clubs. But he’s about to be swapping his routine for wedding speeches. And his new acquaintance Sarah, thinks he is anything but amusing. The woman who’s got it covered Weddings are always a difficult time for widower Sarah, but you would never tell – she’s too focused on making the week of her best friends’ wedding as perfect as possible. She definitely has no time for the grumpy and surly Charlie, who it's clear her friends are trying to set her up with. And only one room left at the rental... When a drunken invitation adds more people to the pre-wedding holiday house than Sarah organized for, she finds herself spending A LOT more time with Charlie than she intended. If only they could both let their guards down, they might find they have more in common than they think.
My Opinion
This was the first book I had read by Laura Carter - with this being the fourth book in the series I did feel like I was missing some of the back story but I was able to follow it easily enough. I do actually have the first book for this series on my want to read list so I will be going back and reading that at some point.
Laura Carter has written a heart-warming tale, that was enjoyable to read. This book has some mixed reviews, but for me it was a lovely book to read on a miserable weekend.
Rating 4/5
November 14, 2023
Always a Bridesmaid is a dual POV romcom about two people who have had a rough go in life getting stuck together at their friends' wedding, and, after getting over initial annoyances with the other, finding friendship, then love.
Overall, I found this to be a fast, entertaining read. I liked that Sarah and Charlie didn't hit it off right away, that it was more of a slow-burn romance. It was sweet to see Sarah's feelings for Charlie evolve throughout the book. There was very clear character development as we get to see them battle with some inner demons that held them back throughout the story and overcome them by the end. Charlie and Sarah's interactions were mostly cute but also very awkward to read at times. Which I think was the point, Charlie is not a typical love interest (when Sarah first met him his shining attribute was that he had CLEAN TEETH). He's weird, and I totally and completely get behind the weirdness, but some details that were included to be part of his sense of humor didn't strike me as funny. It actually made me say "ugh gross" a few times. Reading about the MMC having "taken a dump" in the toilet an hour before the FMC is vomiting in the same said toilet just isn't something I really care to read about in romance books.
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Overall, I found this to be a fast, entertaining read. I liked that Sarah and Charlie didn't hit it off right away, that it was more of a slow-burn romance. It was sweet to see Sarah's feelings for Charlie evolve throughout the book. There was very clear character development as we get to see them battle with some inner demons that held them back throughout the story and overcome them by the end. Charlie and Sarah's interactions were mostly cute but also very awkward to read at times. Which I think was the point, Charlie is not a typical love interest (when Sarah first met him his shining attribute was that he had CLEAN TEETH). He's weird, and I totally and completely get behind the weirdness, but some details that were included to be part of his sense of humor didn't strike me as funny. It actually made me say "ugh gross" a few times. Reading about the MMC having "taken a dump" in the toilet an hour before the FMC is vomiting in the same said toilet just isn't something I really care to read about in romance books.
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
November 11, 2023
First of all, thank you boldwood books and netgalley for this pretty arc! The story of Charlie and Sarah is a story of fear, dilemma, confusion and love. Sarah is a widow wedding planner and Charlie is a comedian. Meeting for the first time due to a mutual friend's wedding. Due to some problem with room distribution, they both end up being roommates for a month or so. It was really heart fluttering to see Charlie getting angry because of how Sarah was doing work for everyone instead of enjoying the moment (aaaahhhhhhh) the forced proximity, the care and the slow burn omg it was all so amazing!!! Loved this book so much, thank you Laura Carter for sharing this with us!!
October 1, 2023
ARC provided by NetGalley ✨
Delightfully British-themed, with the slowest of burns, and a huge helping of laugh out loud moments.
All the characters from the previous books are reunited for Jess and Jake’s Surrey wedding, in the this sweet and saucy read. Sarah and comedian Charlie immediately get off on the wrong foot, when he rather abruptly collects her from the airport. The dual points of view allowed you to see further into Charlie’s constant jokes, and Sarah’s seemingly grumpy manner, to the conflicting emotions behind them.
There was just something about this book… Charlie in particular, with his humour, endearing averageness and self deprecating manner. It was just so incredibly relatable, and something I could identify with immediately. This book had the perfect balance between reality and fiction. Beware: behind the humour are tear jerking emotions that just complete the story perfectly.
Delightfully British-themed, with the slowest of burns, and a huge helping of laugh out loud moments.
All the characters from the previous books are reunited for Jess and Jake’s Surrey wedding, in the this sweet and saucy read. Sarah and comedian Charlie immediately get off on the wrong foot, when he rather abruptly collects her from the airport. The dual points of view allowed you to see further into Charlie’s constant jokes, and Sarah’s seemingly grumpy manner, to the conflicting emotions behind them.
There was just something about this book… Charlie in particular, with his humour, endearing averageness and self deprecating manner. It was just so incredibly relatable, and something I could identify with immediately. This book had the perfect balance between reality and fiction. Beware: behind the humour are tear jerking emotions that just complete the story perfectly.
November 28, 2023
I personally found the book to be a bit boring. It definitely struggled to get off the ground, and the background on every single other character and the inner monologue felt a bit like the start of a high school movie. “And that’s Brian Chad, the HOTTEST guy in school…” Overall I just wasn’t able to get very into it, and found myself skimming too much.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the arc in exchange for a honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the arc in exchange for a honest review!
January 8, 2025
It’s been a long time since a book has made me ugly cry. The beginning was a bit slow but then I got hooked…. I laughed, I cried, hell I stayed up half the night reading even though my feeds with my baby were done just cause I couldn’t get enough. This book hits you in the feels when you least expect it.
October 13, 2023
This author is not for me. I read the previous book in the series and it's the same vibe, nothing really exciting. Also I really hate when books make reference to things in the real world like tiktok, or Facebook, or real people, gives me the ick
Read
February 4, 2024dnf @ 50%
So boring
So boring
March 8, 2024
Before hopping into the actual review I want to say two things. One, thank you for the ARC. And secondly, I can't rave enough about how cute this cover is! It's what immediately drew me into the book. This book is a dual-POV that follows Charlie & Sarah. I wish I had known this was part of a series, because this follows a HUGE friend group (all of which have found their HEA already), and it was difficult to follow along since this was my first time meeting so many of them. If you're someone who's read from the beginning I know you'd love all these glimpses of all these characters making a reappearance and seeing how they all are now. Now, Sara's best friend is getting married and is having their wedding in the UK. Since the death of her husband, Sarah has always found weddings difficult, but you wouldn't know that since she's too busy making her best friend's wedding perfect. And Sarah has no time for grumpy Charlie, who her friends are obviously trying to set you up with). Of course there's only one room rental available. Which leads to her spending a lot more time with Charlie and realizing there's a lot more to him than being the "funny" one in the group.
This one took me a little while to get into, but mainly because I joined in at the 4th book of the series. I fell in love with Charlie's character, and loved seeing his relationship with Sarah change throughout the story. This was a cute, quick read. 3.5⭐s
This one took me a little while to get into, but mainly because I joined in at the 4th book of the series. I fell in love with Charlie's character, and loved seeing his relationship with Sarah change throughout the story. This was a cute, quick read. 3.5⭐s
November 20, 2023
Sarah is so excited her friend Jake and the unexpected love of his life Becky are getting married Jake is Drew’s brother and Sarah‘s boss and he was also a college mate of her deceased husband Danny due to work issues unfortunately Sarah has to delay flying to London and so everyone arrived a couple of days before she did this is why drew gets his buddy Charlie a comedian to pick her up from the airport. Charlie is double parked and nervous about driving and Sarah didn’t sleep on the plane so they are both not at their best and the longer they drive the worst Sarah‘s impression of Charlie is. It doesn’t help matters when they get to the house and despite Sarah was the one who organized the whole wedding and stay at this beautiful estate Jake invited a couple they met to be ushers at the wedding and they are left with the one room and two guest which are Sarah and Charlie. For Sarah who is an overboard people pleaser she pretends all is well she’ll share the room with this strange moody Charlie and this is why her friends think it’s no big deal to continuously throw them together with a trip to London to meet Joe Elvis this trip will be a tentative start to what eventually is the best romance ever. I could not get enough of this book and do believe that Charlie is one of the most realistic characters I have ever read in a book especially of fanciful romance. He is moody funny smart intelligent vulnerable strong… Everything someone would look for in a real partner and I love him so much! This book is not only funny it’s thoughtful and Albo there were some things I thought wouldn’t really happen in real life for the most part this is a grounded love story with a fanciful flavor I know it is a romcom but did I mention how much I love it! I want to thank boldwood books and net galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
January 6, 2024
Sorry but this is not for me. Described as a romcom, it lacks rom and com.
The story deals with with a woman who has serious problems and who probably needs therapy. 8 years after losing her husband, she is still grieving - and that’s fine because there’s no fixed timeline to handle grief.
She gets together with a guy who she.’s initially hated, gets to know and like him, and sleeps with him and it’s brilliant. (Unlike the other times since Hubble died, when she’s had sex just to satisfy the itch - so presumably that didn’t count as being unfaithful?). and she feels so guilty about betraying her ‘8. Years dead’ husband, she kicks him out and abandons him without apology, explanation, anything.
I haven’t even started on the wounds affecting the poor hero.
I’m sorry but this had the makings of an excellent piece of women’s fiction, touching on important and sensitive issues - but instead it had a cast of characters I couldn’t keep track of, no comedy (the ‘funny’ bits reminded me of a 14 year old just discovering jokes about sex, toilets and everything gross.
Not meant for me I don’t think. Absolutely not my cup of tea. It’s an absolute shame because the author can write and there were passages in the book which really moved me.
Not romantic, not comedic.
The story deals with with a woman who has serious problems and who probably needs therapy. 8 years after losing her husband, she is still grieving - and that’s fine because there’s no fixed timeline to handle grief.
She gets together with a guy who she.’s initially hated, gets to know and like him, and sleeps with him and it’s brilliant. (Unlike the other times since Hubble died, when she’s had sex just to satisfy the itch - so presumably that didn’t count as being unfaithful?). and she feels so guilty about betraying her ‘8. Years dead’ husband, she kicks him out and abandons him without apology, explanation, anything.
I haven’t even started on the wounds affecting the poor hero.
I’m sorry but this had the makings of an excellent piece of women’s fiction, touching on important and sensitive issues - but instead it had a cast of characters I couldn’t keep track of, no comedy (the ‘funny’ bits reminded me of a 14 year old just discovering jokes about sex, toilets and everything gross.
Not meant for me I don’t think. Absolutely not my cup of tea. It’s an absolute shame because the author can write and there were passages in the book which really moved me.
Not romantic, not comedic.
September 30, 2024
As a reader, I found Always the Bridesmaid by Laura Carter to be a delightful mix of humor and heartfelt moments. Charlie’s cheeky humor and Sarah’s guarded personality create an engaging dynamic, especially with the backdrop of a wedding that neither can fully escape. I loved watching their relationship evolve from awkward tension to a deeper connection, all while navigating the chaos of wedding preparations. Carter does a great job balancing humor with emotional depth, making both Charlie and Sarah relatable and real. The story had me smiling one moment and feeling for the characters the next. It’s a fun, easy read that still manages to touch on more meaningful themes of love, loss, and moving forward. Definitely a feel-good book!
November 7, 2023
Always the Bridesmaid is Laura Carter’s final book in her Brits in Manhattan series, although this story is primarily set in England. It’s an opposites-attract forced-proximity romance told in dual POV, with most chapters told from the female POV. The books should be read in order of publication since the characters are introduced previously.
Sarah was introduced in the first book, The Law of Attraction, as hotshot attorney Drew Harrington’s loyal friend and trusted legal secretary. He fell in love with beautiful baker Becky Fletcher. Then in Two to Tango, Drew’s best friend Brooks falls for his business rival, Izzy. Next, Drew’s younger brother, Jake, who is working in London becomes romantically entangled with his roommate, Jess, in Friends with Benefits. Now the friends and family are traveling to England for Jake and Jess’ wedding, with Sarah serving as both the wedding planner and the Matron of Honor. Sarah was with her first husband for four years before his untimely death. She’s been widowed for eight years now and really has no interest in dating because she doesn’t think any man will measure up to her late husband.
Charlie is an introverted comedian who is finally making a name for himself in clubs after performing routines for nine years. He still vomits from nervousness before performances and must consume alcohol in order to get onstage. When he’s offstage he prefers a solitary existence. He was raised in foster care and has a prickly personality when he’s not deliberately trying to be charming.
As soon as Sarah arrives in London, she is paired up with Charlie because he’s the only other unattached person in the wedding party. He is tasked with picking her up from the airport and driving her to the estate where the wedding party is staying. She is extra cranky because she didn’t sleep on the plane and he is a terrible driver. He tries telling jokes but his British humor falls flat. When they arrive at the estate, Jess informs them that a drunken Jake invited a pair of gay friends to serve as ushers, so they will be also staying at the estate and Charlie is being moved to Sarah’s room. This makes absolutely no sense! Brooks’ college-age daughter, Cady, has a small room with a single bed and is friendly with Sarah. The logical thing would have been to move Cady to Sarah’s room and re-assign Cady’s smaller room to Charlie.
Sarah and Charlie start off on the wrong foot with each other and it takes a few days for them to see good things in the other person. They are constantly pushed together by their friends. When they do fall for each other, Sarah has a hard time with her residual feelings for her late husband. She’s been stuck in a rut for a long time and she doesn’t know how to break out of it.
I looked forward to reading Always the Bridesmaid because Sarah is the character that I most identify with from the Brits in Manhattan series. However the phrasing was awkward which made the story difficult to read. I have read many books written by British authors over the years, so I don’t think that is the problem. As I described in the summary, some of the plot points just don’t make logical sense. The premise of the story is excellent, but the writing feels rushed. I believe this story needs additional editing prior to publication.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Boldwood Books for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sarah was introduced in the first book, The Law of Attraction, as hotshot attorney Drew Harrington’s loyal friend and trusted legal secretary. He fell in love with beautiful baker Becky Fletcher. Then in Two to Tango, Drew’s best friend Brooks falls for his business rival, Izzy. Next, Drew’s younger brother, Jake, who is working in London becomes romantically entangled with his roommate, Jess, in Friends with Benefits. Now the friends and family are traveling to England for Jake and Jess’ wedding, with Sarah serving as both the wedding planner and the Matron of Honor. Sarah was with her first husband for four years before his untimely death. She’s been widowed for eight years now and really has no interest in dating because she doesn’t think any man will measure up to her late husband.
Charlie is an introverted comedian who is finally making a name for himself in clubs after performing routines for nine years. He still vomits from nervousness before performances and must consume alcohol in order to get onstage. When he’s offstage he prefers a solitary existence. He was raised in foster care and has a prickly personality when he’s not deliberately trying to be charming.
As soon as Sarah arrives in London, she is paired up with Charlie because he’s the only other unattached person in the wedding party. He is tasked with picking her up from the airport and driving her to the estate where the wedding party is staying. She is extra cranky because she didn’t sleep on the plane and he is a terrible driver. He tries telling jokes but his British humor falls flat. When they arrive at the estate, Jess informs them that a drunken Jake invited a pair of gay friends to serve as ushers, so they will be also staying at the estate and Charlie is being moved to Sarah’s room. This makes absolutely no sense! Brooks’ college-age daughter, Cady, has a small room with a single bed and is friendly with Sarah. The logical thing would have been to move Cady to Sarah’s room and re-assign Cady’s smaller room to Charlie.
Sarah and Charlie start off on the wrong foot with each other and it takes a few days for them to see good things in the other person. They are constantly pushed together by their friends. When they do fall for each other, Sarah has a hard time with her residual feelings for her late husband. She’s been stuck in a rut for a long time and she doesn’t know how to break out of it.
I looked forward to reading Always the Bridesmaid because Sarah is the character that I most identify with from the Brits in Manhattan series. However the phrasing was awkward which made the story difficult to read. I have read many books written by British authors over the years, so I don’t think that is the problem. As I described in the summary, some of the plot points just don’t make logical sense. The premise of the story is excellent, but the writing feels rushed. I believe this story needs additional editing prior to publication.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Boldwood Books for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 20, 2023
I hate to say it but I really did not like this book. To be fair to the author, I had no clue that it was part of a series when I first started reading, so I won’t blame her for my confusion over the sudden introduction to lots of characters. I’d just say it definitely doesn’t work as a standalone!
I didn’t love the writing style or plot structure, it just felt a bit meandering and pointless. There were also frequent small writing errors which really began to irk me as the book went on (for example, on p.12 Sarah states that she’s often resented being nearly six foot tall because she has “a personal preference that women should always be taller than their partners” and states that this meant she was dealing with a smaller dating pool of men when she was single - surely the opposite would be true?).
However, my main issues with this book all revolved around the character of Charlie. I’ll try not to go on about it too much, but basically I was gobsmacked that I was supposed to like this man?! He refers to his sweaty “moobs” in the first sentence we read of his POV and this really sets the tone for the rest of his POV. He is a comedian and he is not funny in the slightest; within the first comedy set we see him do in the book he makes a misogynistic comment and then asks the audience in a tongue-in-cheek way “is that too much in this age of post-Me Too apocalypse?”. Yikes. He blames a lot of his unfunniness on being British, at one point lamenting that “British jokes so often don’t land with our neighbours from across the pond” and, as a Brit, I feel well within my right to say that no, he’s just unfunny.
I’ll cut myself off here before I go on a multi-page rant but basically, this book was not for me. I’ve had a look at some reviews of the previous books in the series and they seem to have similar issues with misogyny from the male characters and so I (unsurprisingly) will not be reading them.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t love the writing style or plot structure, it just felt a bit meandering and pointless. There were also frequent small writing errors which really began to irk me as the book went on (for example, on p.12 Sarah states that she’s often resented being nearly six foot tall because she has “a personal preference that women should always be taller than their partners” and states that this meant she was dealing with a smaller dating pool of men when she was single - surely the opposite would be true?).
However, my main issues with this book all revolved around the character of Charlie. I’ll try not to go on about it too much, but basically I was gobsmacked that I was supposed to like this man?! He refers to his sweaty “moobs” in the first sentence we read of his POV and this really sets the tone for the rest of his POV. He is a comedian and he is not funny in the slightest; within the first comedy set we see him do in the book he makes a misogynistic comment and then asks the audience in a tongue-in-cheek way “is that too much in this age of post-Me Too apocalypse?”. Yikes. He blames a lot of his unfunniness on being British, at one point lamenting that “British jokes so often don’t land with our neighbours from across the pond” and, as a Brit, I feel well within my right to say that no, he’s just unfunny.
I’ll cut myself off here before I go on a multi-page rant but basically, this book was not for me. I’ve had a look at some reviews of the previous books in the series and they seem to have similar issues with misogyny from the male characters and so I (unsurprisingly) will not be reading them.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2023
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
Laura Carter's "Always the Bridesmaid" is a charming and lighthearted romantic comedy that follows the trials and tribulations of the perennial bridesmaid, Lily Harper. The novel unfolds with a humorous and relatable exploration of Lily's love life, or lack thereof, as she navigates the weddings of her friends and family, always in the role of bridesmaid and never the bride. Carter's writing is witty and engaging, drawing readers into Lily's world of bridal showers, quirky ceremonies, and the eternal search for true love.
The novel's strength lies in its humor and the author's ability to create a protagonist with whom readers can empathize. Lily is endearing in her quest for love, and her misadventures in the world of weddings make for an entertaining and enjoyable read. Carter successfully balances the comedic elements with moments of heartfelt introspection, allowing Lily's character to grow and evolve throughout the story. The supporting cast of characters adds depth to the narrative, each contributing to Lily's journey in their own quirky way.
While "Always the Bridesmaid" delivers on its promise of a fun and entertaining romantic comedy, it occasionally leans into predictable tropes of the genre. Some readers may find certain plot points and character developments familiar from other stories in the same vein. However, Carter's humorous and engaging writing style compensates for these moments, making the novel an overall delightful experience.
In summary, "Always the Bridesmaid" is a solid choice for readers seeking a feel-good romantic comedy. Laura Carter's witty prose and relatable characters make it an enjoyable read, even if it doesn't necessarily break new ground in the genre. With its mix of humor and heart, this book earns a three-and-a-half-star rating, making it a recommended pick for those looking for a light and entertaining escape into the world of love and weddings.
Laura Carter's "Always the Bridesmaid" is a charming and lighthearted romantic comedy that follows the trials and tribulations of the perennial bridesmaid, Lily Harper. The novel unfolds with a humorous and relatable exploration of Lily's love life, or lack thereof, as she navigates the weddings of her friends and family, always in the role of bridesmaid and never the bride. Carter's writing is witty and engaging, drawing readers into Lily's world of bridal showers, quirky ceremonies, and the eternal search for true love.
The novel's strength lies in its humor and the author's ability to create a protagonist with whom readers can empathize. Lily is endearing in her quest for love, and her misadventures in the world of weddings make for an entertaining and enjoyable read. Carter successfully balances the comedic elements with moments of heartfelt introspection, allowing Lily's character to grow and evolve throughout the story. The supporting cast of characters adds depth to the narrative, each contributing to Lily's journey in their own quirky way.
While "Always the Bridesmaid" delivers on its promise of a fun and entertaining romantic comedy, it occasionally leans into predictable tropes of the genre. Some readers may find certain plot points and character developments familiar from other stories in the same vein. However, Carter's humorous and engaging writing style compensates for these moments, making the novel an overall delightful experience.
In summary, "Always the Bridesmaid" is a solid choice for readers seeking a feel-good romantic comedy. Laura Carter's witty prose and relatable characters make it an enjoyable read, even if it doesn't necessarily break new ground in the genre. With its mix of humor and heart, this book earns a three-and-a-half-star rating, making it a recommended pick for those looking for a light and entertaining escape into the world of love and weddings.
March 13, 2024
I started reading Always the Bridesmaid knowing nothing about it, only to discover it is the fourth book in the Brits in Manhattan series and I had not read any of the others. Usually this is not a problem, but here I felt at a distinct disadvantage. Part of the problem was the characters from the other books featured quite heavily, especially in the first half of the book, and not knowing their backstories just left me confused.
All the characters in this friendship group are gathered in England for Jess and Jake’s wedding, and have rented a large house in Surrey for the week of the celebrations. Due to unforeseen circumstances the main characters in this book, Sarah and Charlie, are forced to share a room despite having only just met when he picked her up from the airport. To say they do not get off to a good start would be the understatement of the year – I did not like either of them much, and was unsure whether I wanted to continue reading.
Sarah works as a legal secretary in Manhattan, and Charlie is a stand-up comedian in London. As we gradually learn more about them (perhaps this is why you need to have read the previous books), their behaviour is easier to understand. My opinion of Charlie improved a lot quicker than that of Sarah who I could not relate to. I enjoyed the second half of the story much more, as Sarah stays on in London after her friends have gone home with the intention of seeing the sights, and Charlie offers to be her guide. They start to get to know each other and the burgeoning attraction is much more believable. I especially liked the rom-com film references, but have to say that most of Charlie’s comedy routines did not make me laugh. I’m glad I persevered as I enjoyed Always the Bridesmaid, but will not be going back to read the others. Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
All the characters in this friendship group are gathered in England for Jess and Jake’s wedding, and have rented a large house in Surrey for the week of the celebrations. Due to unforeseen circumstances the main characters in this book, Sarah and Charlie, are forced to share a room despite having only just met when he picked her up from the airport. To say they do not get off to a good start would be the understatement of the year – I did not like either of them much, and was unsure whether I wanted to continue reading.
Sarah works as a legal secretary in Manhattan, and Charlie is a stand-up comedian in London. As we gradually learn more about them (perhaps this is why you need to have read the previous books), their behaviour is easier to understand. My opinion of Charlie improved a lot quicker than that of Sarah who I could not relate to. I enjoyed the second half of the story much more, as Sarah stays on in London after her friends have gone home with the intention of seeing the sights, and Charlie offers to be her guide. They start to get to know each other and the burgeoning attraction is much more believable. I especially liked the rom-com film references, but have to say that most of Charlie’s comedy routines did not make me laugh. I’m glad I persevered as I enjoyed Always the Bridesmaid, but will not be going back to read the others. Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
October 11, 2023
I was so excited for Sarah's story, the series as a whole has been great (1 and 3 were my favs) but this one fell flat. Sarah's the matron of honor in Jake and Jess's wedding and Charlie is one of the ushers. The have a meet not cute in the airport pick up line and really started off in the wrong foot. Between wedding festivities and her staying an extra week to see the London sites an animosity then friendship then lovers starts to develop.
I loved the scenery, having just returned from London a few days ago it was quite easy to immerse myself back in the food and site seeing that was going on and I for sure did not hate it 😀.
We've had glimpses of Sarah through the other books and what we saw was very suits/Donna-esque, this story showed the heavier side of her backstory and being a young widow. She's set to bunk with Charlie, a comedian and friend of Jake/Jess, for the week leading up to the wedding. Charlie said at one point that the group was a tad incestuous, and while he technically isn't wrong, because of that I would have loved to see more of his friendship with Jake/Jess. Sarah and Charlie run hot and cold the entire story. Sweet moments and loathing moments and because the extremes were so drastic, it was ultimately hard to root for them as a couple. (Though the third act grand gesture was pretty epic). Granted the reconciliation was very abrupt and then the book ended! Not sure if this was the last book in the series but I wish things would have been summed up a bit (re: A LOT) more.
While this could be a series of standalones, I highly reccomend reading all 4 together and in order to fully immerse in one heck of a found family 🥰. All in all a fun read and good series.
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my review!
I loved the scenery, having just returned from London a few days ago it was quite easy to immerse myself back in the food and site seeing that was going on and I for sure did not hate it 😀.
We've had glimpses of Sarah through the other books and what we saw was very suits/Donna-esque, this story showed the heavier side of her backstory and being a young widow. She's set to bunk with Charlie, a comedian and friend of Jake/Jess, for the week leading up to the wedding. Charlie said at one point that the group was a tad incestuous, and while he technically isn't wrong, because of that I would have loved to see more of his friendship with Jake/Jess. Sarah and Charlie run hot and cold the entire story. Sweet moments and loathing moments and because the extremes were so drastic, it was ultimately hard to root for them as a couple. (Though the third act grand gesture was pretty epic). Granted the reconciliation was very abrupt and then the book ended! Not sure if this was the last book in the series but I wish things would have been summed up a bit (re: A LOT) more.
While this could be a series of standalones, I highly reccomend reading all 4 together and in order to fully immerse in one heck of a found family 🥰. All in all a fun read and good series.
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my review!
October 10, 2023
Always the Bridesmaid is the fourth book in the Brits in Manhattan series by Laura Carter. It centers around Sarah, a legal assistant (I think) and Charlie, a comedian, who meet at their mutual friends' wedding.
To me, this book deserves a good 3.5/5, that I'll round up to 4/5, because I want to and because I can.
I liked both MCs whom I found endearing, their backstories were moving -Sarah is a widower and Charlie grew up in foster care. Writing about those topics can be a tricky business given their sensitive nature, but I find that the author addressed them the right way, making sure it wasn't over-dramatic or pathetic. The dynamics between Sarah and Charlie was really interesting, I found them quite mature and I liked all the efforts they made to understand each other better.
I have a weakness for emotionally insecure (but not toxic in any way) MMCs, and also for stories where the protagonists don't make their feelings obvious, so this book was made for me !
I found however that some parts of the book were unnecessarily long and boring, especially the London tour.
Also, the MCs of the previous books in the series (Jake, Jess, Becky blah blah blah) took too much space and made it difficult for me to follow who was who (I didn't read the other books), or to care quite frankly (... this "cameo" trend has to stop).
Also ... I HAVE TO say it : Charlie wasn’t funny at all :'D
In conclusion, I'll say that I enjoyed this book very much. It made my heart ache and I was invested in it. Would totally recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me access to this e-ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
To me, this book deserves a good 3.5/5, that I'll round up to 4/5, because I want to and because I can.
I liked both MCs whom I found endearing, their backstories were moving -Sarah is a widower and Charlie grew up in foster care. Writing about those topics can be a tricky business given their sensitive nature, but I find that the author addressed them the right way, making sure it wasn't over-dramatic or pathetic. The dynamics between Sarah and Charlie was really interesting, I found them quite mature and I liked all the efforts they made to understand each other better.
I have a weakness for emotionally insecure (but not toxic in any way) MMCs, and also for stories where the protagonists don't make their feelings obvious, so this book was made for me !
I found however that some parts of the book were unnecessarily long and boring, especially the London tour.
Also, the MCs of the previous books in the series (Jake, Jess, Becky blah blah blah) took too much space and made it difficult for me to follow who was who (I didn't read the other books), or to care quite frankly (... this "cameo" trend has to stop).
Also ... I HAVE TO say it : Charlie wasn’t funny at all :'D
In conclusion, I'll say that I enjoyed this book very much. It made my heart ache and I was invested in it. Would totally recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me access to this e-ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
November 3, 2023
Having read the other books in the Brits in Manhattan series, this follows a similar theme - a fast paced romantic comedy, following Sarah - who has made an appearance in previous books.
'And every negative thought I have experienced over the last four hours disappears with one look, one smile, one good morning from Charlie'.
Sarah is the Matron of Honour for the bride, travelling across from the US to the UK. She lost her husband eight years prior, and is not looking for anything romantic with anyone. That might have been the case, until she meets the parties' mutual friend, Charlie.
It's a mutual dislike of each other at first, Charlie thinks that Sarah is too much of a people pleaser, Sarah thinks Charlie is rude - match made in heaven. That is until they spend one on one time together, realising there may actually be feelings there.
𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
I liked how this one was an American woman meeting a British boy - the others have been the opposite way around. This is a really slow burn romance, but was adorable when Charlie and Sarah eventually realised their feelings. I loved their adventures across London together, their flirty banter along the way, and of course - the British sayings.
'Take ten steps forward, two to the right, and Bob's your uncle'.... 'Who the hell is Bob?'
I also loved seeing the characters from the previous books, seeing how they're getting on with life together. You don't need to read the others in the series, but to recognise names from the previous books - then I recommend reading them first.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this copy. This review is voluntary.
'And every negative thought I have experienced over the last four hours disappears with one look, one smile, one good morning from Charlie'.
Sarah is the Matron of Honour for the bride, travelling across from the US to the UK. She lost her husband eight years prior, and is not looking for anything romantic with anyone. That might have been the case, until she meets the parties' mutual friend, Charlie.
It's a mutual dislike of each other at first, Charlie thinks that Sarah is too much of a people pleaser, Sarah thinks Charlie is rude - match made in heaven. That is until they spend one on one time together, realising there may actually be feelings there.
𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
I liked how this one was an American woman meeting a British boy - the others have been the opposite way around. This is a really slow burn romance, but was adorable when Charlie and Sarah eventually realised their feelings. I loved their adventures across London together, their flirty banter along the way, and of course - the British sayings.
'Take ten steps forward, two to the right, and Bob's your uncle'.... 'Who the hell is Bob?'
I also loved seeing the characters from the previous books, seeing how they're getting on with life together. You don't need to read the others in the series, but to recognise names from the previous books - then I recommend reading them first.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this copy. This review is voluntary.
December 30, 2023
Always the Bridesmaid is a cute, lighthearted romance.
Fans of forced proximity romances are going to enjoy this love story. I enjoyed Laura’s previous book, The Law of Attraction, so I was excited to get my hands on her upcoming book, Always the Bridesmaid. I am happy that Laura did not disappoint me with this story. It had all the charm, wit, and romance that I have come to expect with her writing. This is the fourth book in the series; I highly recommend reading the previous books because it will give you the background stories of many of the characters in this book (including Sarah’s). I love this group of characters and this sense of found family that has developed throughout this series. I fell in love with Sarah’s character when we were first introduced to her in The Law of Attraction. She is smart, sassy, and so much fun to be around. So, I am glad she got her own story.
The overall story was great and had perfect pacing. Laura throws in humour, unexpected twists, and drama at just those right moments. Sarah and Charlie don’t get off on the right foot like most rom-coms. These two clash right from the beginning, and their banter is sharp and witty. I loved it when they befuddled or stumped each other. Of course, as the story unfolds, their heated exchanges become heated for another reason—cue those butterfly feelings.
Always the Bridesmaid is a sweet, delightful romance that will have your heart pitter pattering a little faster.
Thank you, Boldwood Books and Rachel Random Resources, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
Fans of forced proximity romances are going to enjoy this love story. I enjoyed Laura’s previous book, The Law of Attraction, so I was excited to get my hands on her upcoming book, Always the Bridesmaid. I am happy that Laura did not disappoint me with this story. It had all the charm, wit, and romance that I have come to expect with her writing. This is the fourth book in the series; I highly recommend reading the previous books because it will give you the background stories of many of the characters in this book (including Sarah’s). I love this group of characters and this sense of found family that has developed throughout this series. I fell in love with Sarah’s character when we were first introduced to her in The Law of Attraction. She is smart, sassy, and so much fun to be around. So, I am glad she got her own story.
The overall story was great and had perfect pacing. Laura throws in humour, unexpected twists, and drama at just those right moments. Sarah and Charlie don’t get off on the right foot like most rom-coms. These two clash right from the beginning, and their banter is sharp and witty. I loved it when they befuddled or stumped each other. Of course, as the story unfolds, their heated exchanges become heated for another reason—cue those butterfly feelings.
Always the Bridesmaid is a sweet, delightful romance that will have your heart pitter pattering a little faster.
Thank you, Boldwood Books and Rachel Random Resources, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
Read
February 13, 2024All right, I finally conquered this book (with a tad, okay, maybe a heap, of struggle), but hey, I did it! And even though I'm not exactly bursting with enthusiasm to craft a review, I'm determined to stick to my guns and honor the pact I made with myself to jot down at least a few thoughts about the books I plow through for the next little while.
Soooo, can't exactly call this book a stinker, but can I sing its praises? Let's just say I'm gonna lay out my stance on it.
I was bored, I’m sorry, I have no solid arguments, I just felt something was off as if the book has no soul. I felt bored stiff the whole way through and nearly nodded off a few times (in broad daylight!)
It seemed like the book wanted to dive into some deep stuff like overcoming grief and finding love again after losing someone, or the struggles of foster kids carrying around the baggage of abandonment. But it never really got there. Everything felt kinda shallow and not all that smooth. And as for the characters… I’m not quite sure what we were aiming for here, but whatever it was, it didn’t hit the mark. ALSO, what was it with the fancy words popping up out of nowhere?? It was the only moments when I actually started laughing because my brain was giving an error system. I mean, when a book's told from the first-person perspective, I wanna feel like I'm right there in someone's head, reading their thoughts as if being in their shoes not reading a bunch of phrases glued together for the aim of writing a text.
Deception, my friends, but a deception solely for yours truly, but hey, it might work for someone else so I guess you can try it and give me your opinion.
Soooo, can't exactly call this book a stinker, but can I sing its praises? Let's just say I'm gonna lay out my stance on it.
I was bored, I’m sorry, I have no solid arguments, I just felt something was off as if the book has no soul. I felt bored stiff the whole way through and nearly nodded off a few times (in broad daylight!)
It seemed like the book wanted to dive into some deep stuff like overcoming grief and finding love again after losing someone, or the struggles of foster kids carrying around the baggage of abandonment. But it never really got there. Everything felt kinda shallow and not all that smooth. And as for the characters… I’m not quite sure what we were aiming for here, but whatever it was, it didn’t hit the mark. ALSO, what was it with the fancy words popping up out of nowhere?? It was the only moments when I actually started laughing because my brain was giving an error system. I mean, when a book's told from the first-person perspective, I wanna feel like I'm right there in someone's head, reading their thoughts as if being in their shoes not reading a bunch of phrases glued together for the aim of writing a text.
Deception, my friends, but a deception solely for yours truly, but hey, it might work for someone else so I guess you can try it and give me your opinion.
November 19, 2023
First thought: This book is like being on a weekend getaway with besties. The friends group in this book are GOALS, they are loyal, supportive and push you. I loved the chemistry between the characters, the witty banter and all the awkward moments. This book is truly a love letter to accepting who you are and letting go of the past.
Sarah loves her friends, she goes above and beyond to ensure their happiness. The next 2 weeks in England are no exception, she is the matron of honor for her best friend’s wedding and has planned every detail meticulously. Having lost her husband in an accident the next two weeks are going to be hard for her, but she has her friends by her side to help her through. The one thing she’s didn’t account for was Charlie.
Charlie is from London and he had a rough upbringing, being a child of the system left him with issues. But Charlie uses humor as his shield and has built a career as a standup comedian, making light of his past. His best friend is getting married and he was tasked with collecting Sarah from the airport and driving her out to the country. But that simple drive from London drove an instant wedge between them, and to make things worse the house they are staying at requires them to share a room!
Will these two move past their initial impressions of each other and see they are actually perfect for each other or will the next two weeks be the longest of their lives.
Tropes you’ll find:
* Forced Proximity
* Grumpy/Sunshine
* Different Worlds
* He Falls First
* Shared Friends
* Dual POV
* Emotional Baggage
Sarah loves her friends, she goes above and beyond to ensure their happiness. The next 2 weeks in England are no exception, she is the matron of honor for her best friend’s wedding and has planned every detail meticulously. Having lost her husband in an accident the next two weeks are going to be hard for her, but she has her friends by her side to help her through. The one thing she’s didn’t account for was Charlie.
Charlie is from London and he had a rough upbringing, being a child of the system left him with issues. But Charlie uses humor as his shield and has built a career as a standup comedian, making light of his past. His best friend is getting married and he was tasked with collecting Sarah from the airport and driving her out to the country. But that simple drive from London drove an instant wedge between them, and to make things worse the house they are staying at requires them to share a room!
Will these two move past their initial impressions of each other and see they are actually perfect for each other or will the next two weeks be the longest of their lives.
Tropes you’ll find:
* Forced Proximity
* Grumpy/Sunshine
* Different Worlds
* He Falls First
* Shared Friends
* Dual POV
* Emotional Baggage
November 21, 2023
I want to express my gratitude to Rachel's Random Resource and Boldwood Books for providing me with a copy of "Always the Bridesmaid," the fourth book in the "Brits in Manhattan" series by Laura Carter.
This is a heartwarming and humorous tale of two individuals who were not actively seeking love but found it nonetheless. Charlie, a bold British comedian, and Sarah, a sophisticated legal secretary from New York, cross paths when Sarah travels to London for a friend's wedding. The pair shares a memorable week together filled with bittersweet moments, laughter, and poignant events. "Always the Bridesmaid" is the fourth book from Laura Carter's "Brits in Manhattan" series, where Sarah and Charlie meet during Jake and Jess's wedding. They are forced to share a car ride, a room, and a last-minute trip for the groom, which leads to a friendship and romantic connection. Sarah, a widow, avoids relationships, while Charlie has abandonment issues from his childhood. He helps Sarah cross off her list of things to do in London, and they both develop feelings for each other. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and the love stories of all the characters. I discovered the series after reading an ARC of "Friends with Benefits," and I was hooked. I fell in a series and fell in love with them. I recommend these books if you're looking for fun, engaging, and entertaining romantic comedies. I would love to see a fifth book wrapping up everybody's love stories.
#alwaysthebridesmaid #britsinmanhattan #bookreview
This is a heartwarming and humorous tale of two individuals who were not actively seeking love but found it nonetheless. Charlie, a bold British comedian, and Sarah, a sophisticated legal secretary from New York, cross paths when Sarah travels to London for a friend's wedding. The pair shares a memorable week together filled with bittersweet moments, laughter, and poignant events. "Always the Bridesmaid" is the fourth book from Laura Carter's "Brits in Manhattan" series, where Sarah and Charlie meet during Jake and Jess's wedding. They are forced to share a car ride, a room, and a last-minute trip for the groom, which leads to a friendship and romantic connection. Sarah, a widow, avoids relationships, while Charlie has abandonment issues from his childhood. He helps Sarah cross off her list of things to do in London, and they both develop feelings for each other. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and the love stories of all the characters. I discovered the series after reading an ARC of "Friends with Benefits," and I was hooked. I fell in a series and fell in love with them. I recommend these books if you're looking for fun, engaging, and entertaining romantic comedies. I would love to see a fifth book wrapping up everybody's love stories.
#alwaysthebridesmaid #britsinmanhattan #bookreview
October 18, 2023
Always the Bridesmaid is the 4th book in Laura Carter’s Brits in Manhattan series. It features Sarah, who has appeared in the 3 previous books, and Charlie, who made a brief appearance in Friends With Benefits. It’s really not necessary to read the other books in the series to enjoy this book, though I have enjoyed following the stories of this group of characters across the series.
Always the Bridesmaid mostly takes place in England, divided between Surrey and London. The characters from the previous books have gathered together for Jess and Jake’s wedding, which is how Sarah and Charlie meet. These two characters have a bit of a rough introduction though since they are both dealing with some feelings brought up by the marriage of their friends (Sarah is a widow and misses her late husband, while Charlie never feels good enough after years in the foster system). It takes a while for both characters to break down their walls, so this is definitely a very slow-burn romance, but there’s plenty of funny and sweet moments along the way.
I think some of my favorite parts were touring through London, since it’s one of my favorite cities in the world, and many of the destinations in the book were ones I visited there myself. I enjoyed both of the main characters as well as seeing the other couples again from the previous books. It was another quick read, and I think the series has only gotten better as it’s continued.
Always the Bridesmaid mostly takes place in England, divided between Surrey and London. The characters from the previous books have gathered together for Jess and Jake’s wedding, which is how Sarah and Charlie meet. These two characters have a bit of a rough introduction though since they are both dealing with some feelings brought up by the marriage of their friends (Sarah is a widow and misses her late husband, while Charlie never feels good enough after years in the foster system). It takes a while for both characters to break down their walls, so this is definitely a very slow-burn romance, but there’s plenty of funny and sweet moments along the way.
I think some of my favorite parts were touring through London, since it’s one of my favorite cities in the world, and many of the destinations in the book were ones I visited there myself. I enjoyed both of the main characters as well as seeing the other couples again from the previous books. It was another quick read, and I think the series has only gotten better as it’s continued.
November 6, 2023
Always the Bridesmaid is a cheeky and heartwarming romcom The story revolves around two unlikely characters, Charlie and Sarah, who find themselves thrown together during a pre-wedding holiday house stay. Charlie, a quick-witted comedian, thrives on making people laugh in the bustling comedy clubs of London. However, his world takes an unexpected turn when he's tasked with delivering wedding speeches instead of his usual comedic routines.
On the other hand, Sarah, a widow, is determined to make her best friend's wedding week absolutely perfect. Despite her own emotional struggles, she keeps her focus on ensuring the wedding celebrations go off without a hitch. Little does she know that her friends are attempting to set her up with Charlie, who she perceives as grumpy and surly.
As fate would have it, a mix-up leads to more people staying in the pre-wedding holiday house than Sarah had originally planned for. This results in Sarah and Charlie spending an unexpected amount of time together. If they can let their guards down, they might discover that they have more in common than they initially thought.
It is a delightful story about love, laughter, and unexpected connections that can blossom in the most surprising of circumstances. Laura Carter weaves humour and heart into a narrative that will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. It's a romantic comedy that reminds us that sometimes, love can sneak up on you when you least expect it.
On the other hand, Sarah, a widow, is determined to make her best friend's wedding week absolutely perfect. Despite her own emotional struggles, she keeps her focus on ensuring the wedding celebrations go off without a hitch. Little does she know that her friends are attempting to set her up with Charlie, who she perceives as grumpy and surly.
As fate would have it, a mix-up leads to more people staying in the pre-wedding holiday house than Sarah had originally planned for. This results in Sarah and Charlie spending an unexpected amount of time together. If they can let their guards down, they might discover that they have more in common than they initially thought.
It is a delightful story about love, laughter, and unexpected connections that can blossom in the most surprising of circumstances. Laura Carter weaves humour and heart into a narrative that will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. It's a romantic comedy that reminds us that sometimes, love can sneak up on you when you least expect it.
November 18, 2023
Always the Bridesmaid is an endearing and disarming romantic comedy, disarming because, well I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s just so relatable and I wasn’t expecting that from the synopsis, I went in thinking light and fluffy but there’s a lot of emotion behind the humour here.
Laura Carter is a wonderful storyteller, she really captures the emotions, grief and healing of this lovely pair. Charlie was my favourite, yes he is funny but with that comes his completely adorable self deprecating nature, something so very familiar to me although I did also see bits of myself in Sarah who was a people pleaser too. As I say, Laura writes characters who are so relatable it’s lovely.
I enjoyed the balance between relatability , the reality aspect and also the escapism, the joy, humour and laughter, I thought it was so well done. I have to say without spoilers at all I completely adored a very grand gesture in the latter half of the book, so lovely.this is such a great series of stories and whilst it can be read as a stand-alone I definitely recommend reading all four books to get full enjoyment of a brilliant series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Laura Carter is a wonderful storyteller, she really captures the emotions, grief and healing of this lovely pair. Charlie was my favourite, yes he is funny but with that comes his completely adorable self deprecating nature, something so very familiar to me although I did also see bits of myself in Sarah who was a people pleaser too. As I say, Laura writes characters who are so relatable it’s lovely.
I enjoyed the balance between relatability , the reality aspect and also the escapism, the joy, humour and laughter, I thought it was so well done. I have to say without spoilers at all I completely adored a very grand gesture in the latter half of the book, so lovely.this is such a great series of stories and whilst it can be read as a stand-alone I definitely recommend reading all four books to get full enjoyment of a brilliant series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews