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Bride Not Included
A billionaire's bet. A wedding without a bride. And the planner who never planned on falling for the groom.
When Manhattan's most meticulous wedding planner Anica Marcel is offered one million dollars to orchestrate charming tech billionaire Callan Burkhardt's perfect wedding, sans a bride, she knows it's a recipe for disaster. He needs to marry someone within three months to win a $30 million bet with his friends. She needs the money to expand her business. The only problem? He's cocky, knows it, and is sabotaging every match she finds for him.
Their arrangement has clear she'll plan his dream wedding and help him find a suitable match. No emotional entanglements. No crossing lines. Absolutely no falling for each other.
But as they navigate venue visits posing as an engaged couple and spend time with Callan's meddling grandmother, those professional boundaries blur. Behind his cynical view of love and playboy façade, Anica discovers a man with genuine kindness and unexpected vulnerabilities. And despite her best defenses, Callan sees through her perfectly organized exterior to the heart she's kept carefully guarded since her ex cheated on her with a client.
When things heat up between the two of them, Anica faces an impossible risk her heart on a man who doesn't believe love exists, or walk away from the only one who's made her want to trust again.
Witty, emotional, and deliciously romantic—Bride Not Included delivers wedding season's most swoon-worthy read.
A must-read for fans of The Love Hypothesis and The Wedding Crasher
When Manhattan's most meticulous wedding planner Anica Marcel is offered one million dollars to orchestrate charming tech billionaire Callan Burkhardt's perfect wedding, sans a bride, she knows it's a recipe for disaster. He needs to marry someone within three months to win a $30 million bet with his friends. She needs the money to expand her business. The only problem? He's cocky, knows it, and is sabotaging every match she finds for him.
Their arrangement has clear she'll plan his dream wedding and help him find a suitable match. No emotional entanglements. No crossing lines. Absolutely no falling for each other.
But as they navigate venue visits posing as an engaged couple and spend time with Callan's meddling grandmother, those professional boundaries blur. Behind his cynical view of love and playboy façade, Anica discovers a man with genuine kindness and unexpected vulnerabilities. And despite her best defenses, Callan sees through her perfectly organized exterior to the heart she's kept carefully guarded since her ex cheated on her with a client.
When things heat up between the two of them, Anica faces an impossible risk her heart on a man who doesn't believe love exists, or walk away from the only one who's made her want to trust again.
Witty, emotional, and deliciously romantic—Bride Not Included delivers wedding season's most swoon-worthy read.
A must-read for fans of The Love Hypothesis and The Wedding Crasher
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2025
198 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 12, 2025
Callan, a billionaire, comes to Anica, a wedding planner, in need of planning his wedding. The one catch... He has no bride. He enlists Anica's help in finding him a bride as well.
The concept was different and I did enjoy it. I think Callan had some red flags going up for me and perhaps the conflict resolution was a tad odd considering the short length of time they had known one another.
However, I did laugh throughout the story. I enjoyed seeing Cal's and Anica's relationship grow also. Most of the side characters were wonderful and for the most part, I really enjoyed this one.
The concept was different and I did enjoy it. I think Callan had some red flags going up for me and perhaps the conflict resolution was a tad odd considering the short length of time they had known one another.
However, I did laugh throughout the story. I enjoyed seeing Cal's and Anica's relationship grow also. Most of the side characters were wonderful and for the most part, I really enjoyed this one.
July 20, 2025
um WOW
the tension, the build up, the banter, the hatred i LOVED
the tension, the build up, the banter, the hatred i LOVED
August 15, 2025
I lost track of the time while reading this book...it was full of incredibly quick-witted humor. Even the chapter titles were curiously comical.
I don't usually go for cocky billionaire romances, but since this was also a comedy, I thought, "Why not?". This conceited billionaire MMC was someone I would roll my eyes at..in an amused way. It was funny how seriously Callan took himself initially. I relish in the ridiculousness.
The FMC, Anica, was a no-nonsense professional. I felt her frustration. Her coworkers were great accompaniment. Actually, all the characters were great including the assistant Erika, the "frat boys", the grandmother and minor side characters.
Now I wanna see this Merman pic! It was nice to hear about a pre-billionaire Callan. Sincere and frazzled Callan is adorable. And drunk Anica had me laughing out loud.
Callan was an idiot...but I'm glad that he finally figured out that he was in love. The wedding vows had me smiling...but considering how much effort was put into wedding planning, I was hoping there would have been a bit more wedding scenes...the couple dance, the possible cake cutting (was it chocolate cake?), what sort of flowers were chosen, speeches from the other characters, etc.
Anyway...I was still happy with how the book ended. I guess billionaire romances aren't all so bad..heh. I can't wait for Mari's story!
I don't usually go for cocky billionaire romances, but since this was also a comedy, I thought, "Why not?". This conceited billionaire MMC was someone I would roll my eyes at..in an amused way. It was funny how seriously Callan took himself initially. I relish in the ridiculousness.
The FMC, Anica, was a no-nonsense professional. I felt her frustration. Her coworkers were great accompaniment. Actually, all the characters were great including the assistant Erika, the "frat boys", the grandmother and minor side characters.
Now I wanna see this Merman pic! It was nice to hear about a pre-billionaire Callan. Sincere and frazzled Callan is adorable. And drunk Anica had me laughing out loud.
Callan was an idiot...but I'm glad that he finally figured out that he was in love. The wedding vows had me smiling...but considering how much effort was put into wedding planning, I was hoping there would have been a bit more wedding scenes...the couple dance, the possible cake cutting (was it chocolate cake?), what sort of flowers were chosen, speeches from the other characters, etc.
Anyway...I was still happy with how the book ended. I guess billionaire romances aren't all so bad..heh. I can't wait for Mari's story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2025
Loved it
The banter was EVERYTHING. I have never read something where all of the characters were genuinely enjoyable. I can not wait for Mari's book!
The banter was EVERYTHING. I have never read something where all of the characters were genuinely enjoyable. I can not wait for Mari's book!
July 23, 2025
too funny for words
Loved this book, if your new welcome and thank you! I kept posting on TikTok that I could find it on KU which I couldn’t under the title or your name but I was successful through good reads and the Amazon link. This is a new story, loved the characters all of them, wish Callan was real lol. I laughed more times then I can count, HEA can’t wait to find Mari’s book thanks you keep writing
Loved this book, if your new welcome and thank you! I kept posting on TikTok that I could find it on KU which I couldn’t under the title or your name but I was successful through good reads and the Amazon link. This is a new story, loved the characters all of them, wish Callan was real lol. I laughed more times then I can count, HEA can’t wait to find Mari’s book thanks you keep writing
November 16, 2025
It was just alright
they got married after knowing each other for 3 months, and she said yes??
The word "billionaire" is said 80+ times (I counted) just incase you SOMEHOW forgot what the MMC was supposed be they say his net worth every other word
they got married after knowing each other for 3 months, and she said yes??
The word "billionaire" is said 80+ times (I counted) just incase you SOMEHOW forgot what the MMC was supposed be they say his net worth every other word
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2025
I'm ⅓ of the way through this book and it's already ramping up to being in my top 3 books read this year!
This is my first time reading Carina Walsh and I have zero regrets and zero remarks other than to say:
Banter: 10/10
Meddling side characters: 10/10
Death threats and threats of bodily harm to blood-pressure-inducing MMCs: 8/10 (Anica is a better person than I am haha)
Anticipation for a happy ending that I know is coming and will have me kicking my feet in glee: 10000/10
Will provide another manic update sometime around 2 a.m. most likely 😅
This is my first time reading Carina Walsh and I have zero regrets and zero remarks other than to say:
Banter: 10/10
Meddling side characters: 10/10
Death threats and threats of bodily harm to blood-pressure-inducing MMCs: 8/10 (Anica is a better person than I am haha)
Anticipation for a happy ending that I know is coming and will have me kicking my feet in glee: 10000/10
Will provide another manic update sometime around 2 a.m. most likely 😅
August 16, 2025
Well I can honestly say this was such a great surprise, I picked this one up after a TikTok recommendation, so glad I did, it was so well written I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between our FMC and MMC really had me giggling.
I find sometimes with the billionaires trope that the MMC can be a bit of a A-hole but not with this one, he was arrogant but in a comedic way and just loved the whole dynamic between the couple, also all the side characters had great depth.
If you are looking for a new Rom com to get into then I would recommend this one.
xAx
I find sometimes with the billionaires trope that the MMC can be a bit of a A-hole but not with this one, he was arrogant but in a comedic way and just loved the whole dynamic between the couple, also all the side characters had great depth.
If you are looking for a new Rom com to get into then I would recommend this one.
xAx
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July 9, 2025Banter & Blush Books rec found on TikTok 07-09-25.
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July 21, 202535%
I like sassy books but this one is so snappy that it is hurting my head to read it
I like sassy books but this one is so snappy that it is hurting my head to read it
July 24, 2025
I’m about 10% in and I’m just so bored!
July 24, 2025
too much back and forth🤮🤮🤮
October 1, 2025
Genuinely a fun read, love both Anica and Cal so much. Read the book in 6 hours totally a fast and fun read🤍
October 2, 2025
This was a very enjoyable book 4.5⭐️
October 25, 2025
book leaves you more frustrated than happy.
January 12, 2026
The banter was top tier
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews