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My Stepbrother the Groom: A Romantic Comedy
He'd be perfect if he wasn't getting married … and if he wasn't about to become her stepbrother. Romantic humor has never been so deliciously tempting. It's been a rough day for Ella Roberts.
First, her social-climbing mother Valerie dragged her to yet another wedding -- something that always reminds Ella that real life offers few happily-ever-afters.
Second, Valerie's goal isn't to have fun at the event, but to schmooze clients for the family wedding business that Ella’s hated forever.
And third (after too much wine, and being mocked by her black sheep sister for "letting Mom bind you with her bitch chains"), Ella gets a text from her latest disposable boyfriend, Chase: NOT WORKING OUT. SORRY. I HAVE YOUR GYM SHOES.
But things are finally looking up. The handsome, charming, successful man Ella meets at the bar fills her with flutters and makes everything better. Gazing into Nathan Hayes's kind blue eyes, Ella can almost believe that love at first sight is true after all.
It's too bad that in just two months, Ella's mother will be marrying Nathan's father … in a double wedding with Nathan and his fiancee Natasha.
She should run from her feelings for Nathan. She should back away and find a new mediocre man to amuse her. But Ella’s been unlucky in love too many times to ignore what she feels … and so for Ella, "taboo" turns to "game on" instead.
This romantic comedy about love, temptation, and the desires that drive us is the first humorous contemporary romance from Lexi Maxxwell, author of La Fleur de Blanc, Together Apart, A Temptation in Time, and many more. This tale's romantic humor is spot on … and will keep you longing, laughing, and turning the pages in time with your quickly beating heart.
What early readers are saying about My Stepbrother the Groom: "Hilarious! I couldn't put it down."
"I don't normally go in for the whole 'stepbrother stepsister romance' idea, but Lexi did so well, it's not even funny. Wait, that's a lie. It was STUPIDLY funny."
“My Stepbrother the Groom had EVERYTHING I wanted — romance, groom with maybe-warm maybe-cold feet, lots of laughs, and the sort of happily ever after I love most. I can’t recommend it enough!”
First, her social-climbing mother Valerie dragged her to yet another wedding -- something that always reminds Ella that real life offers few happily-ever-afters.
Second, Valerie's goal isn't to have fun at the event, but to schmooze clients for the family wedding business that Ella’s hated forever.
And third (after too much wine, and being mocked by her black sheep sister for "letting Mom bind you with her bitch chains"), Ella gets a text from her latest disposable boyfriend, Chase: NOT WORKING OUT. SORRY. I HAVE YOUR GYM SHOES.
But things are finally looking up. The handsome, charming, successful man Ella meets at the bar fills her with flutters and makes everything better. Gazing into Nathan Hayes's kind blue eyes, Ella can almost believe that love at first sight is true after all.
It's too bad that in just two months, Ella's mother will be marrying Nathan's father … in a double wedding with Nathan and his fiancee Natasha.
She should run from her feelings for Nathan. She should back away and find a new mediocre man to amuse her. But Ella’s been unlucky in love too many times to ignore what she feels … and so for Ella, "taboo" turns to "game on" instead.
This romantic comedy about love, temptation, and the desires that drive us is the first humorous contemporary romance from Lexi Maxxwell, author of La Fleur de Blanc, Together Apart, A Temptation in Time, and many more. This tale's romantic humor is spot on … and will keep you longing, laughing, and turning the pages in time with your quickly beating heart.
What early readers are saying about My Stepbrother the Groom: "Hilarious! I couldn't put it down."
"I don't normally go in for the whole 'stepbrother stepsister romance' idea, but Lexi did so well, it's not even funny. Wait, that's a lie. It was STUPIDLY funny."
“My Stepbrother the Groom had EVERYTHING I wanted — romance, groom with maybe-warm maybe-cold feet, lots of laughs, and the sort of happily ever after I love most. I can’t recommend it enough!”
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2015
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35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 11, 2015
I REALLY wanted to like this book. It had a cute premise, but I haven't been having the most amazing of experiences with chic lit of late.
Ella is 27 years old and is at a wedding. Whilst waiting for the ceremony, she gets dumped by her mediocre boyfriend via text message. She makes her way over to the bar... There whilst attempting to get a drink, she meets Nathan, a drop dead gorgeous man, and has decided that she is in love and this is the man she is going to marry. However she finds out only 30 min later that he is her soon to be stepbrother, as her mother is getting married to his father... Oh and Nathan is actually engaged to Natasha, and its going to be a double wedding. And they want Ella to style it...
I had one main problem with this book... Ella. I hated everything about her. She drove me absolutely NUTS with her inner monologue, her STUPID decisions and the absolutely cringe-worthy way she put her foot in her mouth in front of the entire family. I think the scene where they were all playing Scruples was horrendously cringe-worthy. I tried to find the funny side of it but I just couldn't laugh. I almost put it down.
The characters personalities seemed inconsistent at times. I liked Carly from the start, but as time went on she began to annoy me too. And their mother Veronica... I thought not telling them for months that she was engaged was a bit rough, and didn't really make sense considering she saw Ella every day at work and they were supposed to be close.
I tried to find something sexy in Nathan. But I couldn't get past the whole "Engaged already" thing. What an absolutely horrible person Ella is. I tried to see it in different light, but she was blatantly attempting to steal another woman's fiancé. And instead of believing the chemistry between the two of them and believing her to be the better more deserving person out of her and the fiancé, I found myself absolutely despising her. And Nathan, I found him to be totally boring. I just didn't get this tension between them.
Ok enough negative, lets get to the positive stuff.
Maxxwell has some talent. This book was very well written. As much as the characters annoyed me, there was nothing wrong with her writing style. Extremely easy to read.
It did have some funny moments. I found myself on a few occasions letting out a snort or two.
The ending although predicable, was sweet and I felt redeemed the rest of the story.
Would I recommend it?
Look, I didn't HATE it, but probably not unless you were into love triangles and people trying to break up weddings.
Thanks to the publisher via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for an honest review.
For more reviews visit my blog at www.booksbabiesbeing.com
Ella is 27 years old and is at a wedding. Whilst waiting for the ceremony, she gets dumped by her mediocre boyfriend via text message. She makes her way over to the bar... There whilst attempting to get a drink, she meets Nathan, a drop dead gorgeous man, and has decided that she is in love and this is the man she is going to marry. However she finds out only 30 min later that he is her soon to be stepbrother, as her mother is getting married to his father... Oh and Nathan is actually engaged to Natasha, and its going to be a double wedding. And they want Ella to style it...
I had one main problem with this book... Ella. I hated everything about her. She drove me absolutely NUTS with her inner monologue, her STUPID decisions and the absolutely cringe-worthy way she put her foot in her mouth in front of the entire family. I think the scene where they were all playing Scruples was horrendously cringe-worthy. I tried to find the funny side of it but I just couldn't laugh. I almost put it down.
The characters personalities seemed inconsistent at times. I liked Carly from the start, but as time went on she began to annoy me too. And their mother Veronica... I thought not telling them for months that she was engaged was a bit rough, and didn't really make sense considering she saw Ella every day at work and they were supposed to be close.
I tried to find something sexy in Nathan. But I couldn't get past the whole "Engaged already" thing. What an absolutely horrible person Ella is. I tried to see it in different light, but she was blatantly attempting to steal another woman's fiancé. And instead of believing the chemistry between the two of them and believing her to be the better more deserving person out of her and the fiancé, I found myself absolutely despising her. And Nathan, I found him to be totally boring. I just didn't get this tension between them.
Ok enough negative, lets get to the positive stuff.
Maxxwell has some talent. This book was very well written. As much as the characters annoyed me, there was nothing wrong with her writing style. Extremely easy to read.
It did have some funny moments. I found myself on a few occasions letting out a snort or two.
The ending although predicable, was sweet and I felt redeemed the rest of the story.
Would I recommend it?
Look, I didn't HATE it, but probably not unless you were into love triangles and people trying to break up weddings.
Thanks to the publisher via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for an honest review.
For more reviews visit my blog at www.booksbabiesbeing.com
July 16, 2015
The premise of this book was cute enough to get my attention. My Stepbrother the Groom gets 3 cute but not incredible stars from me. There's humor because the Ella and Carly argue like there is no tomorrow and it is great. Ella was okay, nothing spectacular, but not a character I hated. Nathan was sweet and interesting but not a saving grace. Overall, this is a short read and just okay. I'm not blown away, filled with lots of emotions, or anything of the sort.
September 26, 2015
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I have no idea what I was expecting, but the amount of humor I found in this book definitely wasn't it. This book just worked for me.
Ella works for her mother, Valerie, as a stylist. Because her mother is awesome--or overbearing, whichever--she drags Ella to a wedding to meet someone. Ella doesn't want to be at this wedding. Her date is her mother and her mother is criticizing her for her choices in men. Luckily for Ella, her boyfriend of choice breaks up with her in a text message. Ella handles it like any normal, 27 year old girl would: she hits the bottle. While attempting to get the bartender to serve her before the wedding even begins--to no avail, I might add--a man walks up and convinces the bartender to serve her. Ella and this man, Nathan, sit down and talk. Or they talk as well as expected given Ella's level of intoxication. A brief convo and a brushing of hands has Ella convinced that this is the man she will marry.
Yes. There is insta-love. It doesn't usually do it for me, but for some reason it did here.
There is so much more here and I won't ruin it for you. I relate to Ella in the "I used to create relationships in my head and get heartbroken when they didn't pan out" kind of way. It's something I feel like other women can relate to. It's that, or Ella and I are in the minority and are completely weird. *shrugs*
Yes, I liked this book. Yes, I recommend this book. Want a good laugh? Here ya go! Is there a HEA? Of course there is! In fact, there are 3 HEAs!
I have no idea what I was expecting, but the amount of humor I found in this book definitely wasn't it. This book just worked for me.
Ella works for her mother, Valerie, as a stylist. Because her mother is awesome--or overbearing, whichever--she drags Ella to a wedding to meet someone. Ella doesn't want to be at this wedding. Her date is her mother and her mother is criticizing her for her choices in men. Luckily for Ella, her boyfriend of choice breaks up with her in a text message. Ella handles it like any normal, 27 year old girl would: she hits the bottle. While attempting to get the bartender to serve her before the wedding even begins--to no avail, I might add--a man walks up and convinces the bartender to serve her. Ella and this man, Nathan, sit down and talk. Or they talk as well as expected given Ella's level of intoxication. A brief convo and a brushing of hands has Ella convinced that this is the man she will marry.
Yes. There is insta-love. It doesn't usually do it for me, but for some reason it did here.
There is so much more here and I won't ruin it for you. I relate to Ella in the "I used to create relationships in my head and get heartbroken when they didn't pan out" kind of way. It's something I feel like other women can relate to. It's that, or Ella and I are in the minority and are completely weird. *shrugs*
Yes, I liked this book. Yes, I recommend this book. Want a good laugh? Here ya go! Is there a HEA? Of course there is! In fact, there are 3 HEAs!
April 4, 2015
I try to avoid love triangles or where the Hero or Heroine is already in a relationship with someone other than each other. I thought I should give this a try anyway.
The heroine was crazy. No joke she was like a psycho the way she thought. She took everything anyone said and twisted it to make herself believe it. She's totally nuts.
The hero was confusing there weren't really too many part of the book her and .Nathan were even around each other.
I didn't see any chemistry really.
I prefer dual POV's so I can get feel on how both characters are with one another.
Just wasn't for me.
December 9, 2015
I know this book is shelved as a romantic comedy, but unfortunately for me, it was neither romantic nor a comedy. Sure, I laughed a few times at the very beginning, to a few inner monologues of Ella, but that was the extent of the comedy. She quickly became too childish and too immature, and too odd to relate to her in any way.
I like this kind of lightly taboo stories. Nothing between actual family members, but stepsomethings via marriage or other. They provide a healthy relationship with just enough of delightful sexual chemistry and charge. But did I get that in this book? Not at all. I’m really sorry to say that from its cover to its plot I had high hopes for this book, but the characters turned out to be extremely disappointing, the plot the weakest I’ve ever seen, and the ending, unfortunately, was something I looked forward to while reading for those exact same reasons.
Ella started out as-and that was when I still had hopes from this story- an oddly sympathetic young woman, who was working with her mother in her company, who wanted to do her own thing but didn’t know how to start. She seemed like a good girl, always doing what’s right and what’s best, someone I wrongly assumed I could relate to. Why? Because she was meant to stand up for herself, discover her own strength and take a leap of love with the strange man she met at a wedding who turned out to be the son of the man her mother was about to marry. But alas, the illusion stopped right there, because after the second or third chapter, I slowly began to realize that Ella wasn’t about to grow up and mature. It was as if the more time I spent with her, the more I discovered about her delusional and childish character, and see that she wasn’t who I thought she was. Sure, we all make mistakes and do silly things in the name of love, but Ella was something else. She lived in her own world, and though she was portrayed as a selfless, responsible human being, she was anything but. All she did was pine after her soon to be stepbrother who also happened to be engaged, imagine scenarios in her head that he was also hopelessly in love with her, and after only speaking with him ten minutes, declare him to be her one and only, and create a fairytale love of epic proportions. Believe me when I say, she had neither the time nor the opportunity to bond with him this deeply. I could go on about how flawed her character was, but I really don’t want to sound too cruel. Let me just say that she wasn’t a woman I could respect, in either her personal or professional life, and that’s a shame. She was the biggest turn off in this book.
As for Nathan, there isn’t much to say, except that he didn’t even come close to the kind of hero I’d love to read in my romance books, be it a comedy or anything else. He was weak even though everyone claimed otherwise, he was emotionally detached from all the people around him, including Ella, and I don’t really think he knew what it is to be in a relationship. But that was okay, because the person he had a relationship was Ella, who was just as much clueless and weak.
Needless to say, this was not what I expected. Far from it. This makes me sad because it was promising. I expected a cute and funny story, instead all I got was a book I couldn’t wait to finish for all the wrong reasons.
I'm leaving Ella and Nathan to fend for themselves in an adult relationship, wishing them good luck.
I like this kind of lightly taboo stories. Nothing between actual family members, but stepsomethings via marriage or other. They provide a healthy relationship with just enough of delightful sexual chemistry and charge. But did I get that in this book? Not at all. I’m really sorry to say that from its cover to its plot I had high hopes for this book, but the characters turned out to be extremely disappointing, the plot the weakest I’ve ever seen, and the ending, unfortunately, was something I looked forward to while reading for those exact same reasons.
Ella started out as-and that was when I still had hopes from this story- an oddly sympathetic young woman, who was working with her mother in her company, who wanted to do her own thing but didn’t know how to start. She seemed like a good girl, always doing what’s right and what’s best, someone I wrongly assumed I could relate to. Why? Because she was meant to stand up for herself, discover her own strength and take a leap of love with the strange man she met at a wedding who turned out to be the son of the man her mother was about to marry. But alas, the illusion stopped right there, because after the second or third chapter, I slowly began to realize that Ella wasn’t about to grow up and mature. It was as if the more time I spent with her, the more I discovered about her delusional and childish character, and see that she wasn’t who I thought she was. Sure, we all make mistakes and do silly things in the name of love, but Ella was something else. She lived in her own world, and though she was portrayed as a selfless, responsible human being, she was anything but. All she did was pine after her soon to be stepbrother who also happened to be engaged, imagine scenarios in her head that he was also hopelessly in love with her, and after only speaking with him ten minutes, declare him to be her one and only, and create a fairytale love of epic proportions. Believe me when I say, she had neither the time nor the opportunity to bond with him this deeply. I could go on about how flawed her character was, but I really don’t want to sound too cruel. Let me just say that she wasn’t a woman I could respect, in either her personal or professional life, and that’s a shame. She was the biggest turn off in this book.
As for Nathan, there isn’t much to say, except that he didn’t even come close to the kind of hero I’d love to read in my romance books, be it a comedy or anything else. He was weak even though everyone claimed otherwise, he was emotionally detached from all the people around him, including Ella, and I don’t really think he knew what it is to be in a relationship. But that was okay, because the person he had a relationship was Ella, who was just as much clueless and weak.
Needless to say, this was not what I expected. Far from it. This makes me sad because it was promising. I expected a cute and funny story, instead all I got was a book I couldn’t wait to finish for all the wrong reasons.
I'm leaving Ella and Nathan to fend for themselves in an adult relationship, wishing them good luck.
August 16, 2015
Omg this was such an emotional rollercoaster! You know when you watch a show you get attached to the characters and hate when things don't work out for them? This book is exactly like that. Ella has the hots for her future step-brother who, to be fair, she met before she knew her mother was marrying his father. I don't see anything wrong with this. Hell Dan and Serena got together in Gossip Girl! Sadly Ella is a people pleaser so she doesn't make a move. Also, her future step-brother is engaged.....and Ella has been enlisted to help plan his and her mother's joint wedding. Awkward! You can see where the mix of emotions come from. Ella's glad to be getting a new father but she certainly doesn't want to break her new step-family up. And she has to do a good job on the wedding or her mother will be disappointed. Decisions decisions.....
This is a sweet, entertaining read that had me hooked till the very last page. I wouldn't mind reading more. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys chick-lit and romance.
This is a sweet, entertaining read that had me hooked till the very last page. I wouldn't mind reading more. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys chick-lit and romance.
September 29, 2015
**My thanks to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**
This is the first time in a long while that i have had to stop reading a book, and I really like the write up for this book as it really sounded like my kind of read.
Ella really annoyed me. Yes there are a few funny moments, but she never really acted her age and the internal dialogue really, again, annoyed me. I also do not like anyone trying to break up what is a happy relationship for their own gain.
Nathan did not appeal to me either, he was just plain boring, so I didn't see what Ella saw in him.
The book is only told from Ella's POV and may have been improved should we have had Nathan's POV and made him little more interesting.
I certainly will not be reading any more in this series.
March 24, 2016
That book felt like it tried a bit too hard to really be a comedy and not just a contemporary romance. And unfortunately as often, it showed and ended up not being funny but just too much, unrealistic, almost constrained and detrimental to the character building that had been achieved until then. And I felt that was a shame because the characters really had potential as they fleshed out at some moments, usually when the tone was a bit darker and it sounded closer to a real experience than those artificially enlivened comedy moments which only reminded me of canned laughs.
I might give the author another chance, as the writing was adequate with appropriate editing. But probably not on a comedy.
I might give the author another chance, as the writing was adequate with appropriate editing. But probably not on a comedy.
August 19, 2015
Fun Love Story!
This is a fun love story; this is the first book in the Lexi’s Sexy Romantic Comedy Series by Lexi Maxxwell. Ella Roberts mother has dragged her to another wedding so she can schmooze clients for the families wedding business. Ella meets a good looking, and successful man at the wedding, but then she finds out that he is going to be her new stepbrother Nathan. Nathan is also engaged to get married. If you are looking for a cute, fun romance then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
This is a fun love story; this is the first book in the Lexi’s Sexy Romantic Comedy Series by Lexi Maxxwell. Ella Roberts mother has dragged her to another wedding so she can schmooze clients for the families wedding business. Ella meets a good looking, and successful man at the wedding, but then she finds out that he is going to be her new stepbrother Nathan. Nathan is also engaged to get married. If you are looking for a cute, fun romance then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
October 31, 2023
Ella is dragged to a wedding by her mother and is sent a break up text from her boyfriend whilst she is there. The book has humour, temptation and Ella meeting Nathan who is about to become her stepbrother. There is attraction- but is it advisable?
August 27, 2015
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley from the publisher/author for an honest review. This is another case where giving a book a 3 sounds like a C even though it's "liked this book." I slept on my review of this as I wanted to process my loves and frustrations of this story. In the end, I rounded up to a 4 because even if I didn't like a lot of what the heroine did (or excessively thought) the book stayed with me long after I read it.
First off, this book is very funny! The author has a great talent for writing humor and from what I read at the end of the book, this might be her first book in this style. Keep at it - the humor was perfect from beginning to end.
As much as Ella frustrated, and at times I was ashamed and embarrassed for her, I realized towards the end the amount of growth she went through. I spent a great deal of the book growing tired of her insistence to break Natasha and Nathan up. At first she has some opportunities, but she checks herself. Then she does act on one opportunity, he seems to process it, but it all gets worked out off page. Once scene that would have ripped my heart out, but she took it a different way?
This book might have jumped to a 5 if I had heard Nathan's point of view. Without it he came off as a one dimensional wuss. I REALLY wanted to like him. He started off great with his first scene, but then we find out he's engaged and I was left wondering what he was thinking or doing when he approached Ella?? Throughout the book I kept wondering what he was really thinking during their conversations, but instead he came across as an empty shell. Even in the end with the HEA, I still wanted to "hear" the emotion he went through to get there (although he did tell Ella).
The biggest problem I had with the book was the internal dialogue. It went on too long between each scene/conversation to the point where I found myself skimming and then surprised how much I was jumping ahead.
What I absolutely loved about the book? The scene between Ella and her sister at the rehearsal dinner. My heart bled for Ella. The author did an incredible job with this scene that it's all I think of when I remember the book. It was powerful and full of emotion. I really liked Carly for much of the book, but towards the end she flips and demands Ella fight for Nathan (still based on not definitively knowing Nathan's real feelings for her). Ella's realization she couldn't do that to so many lives, including living with herself, was a huge point in the story and my view of the book went way up.
I needed an epilogue to have more of a resolution with all of the characters. I wanted to see Natasha and Nathan interact beyond that point in time as well as how Nathan's father reacted to everything. How much did Nathan know about what was going on with Natasha? I would LOVE for a novella from Nathan's point of view. I would buy it in a heartbeat. I want to understand what was going through his mind. After Ella settles down for that last month before the wedding and they become friends, it was off page. His father points out how centered and anchored Nathan became and I want to see that.
Sooo... that was really long and detailed. Overall, this book made me think/feel (good or bad). Again, that scene between the sisters? Incredible.
First off, this book is very funny! The author has a great talent for writing humor and from what I read at the end of the book, this might be her first book in this style. Keep at it - the humor was perfect from beginning to end.
As much as Ella frustrated, and at times I was ashamed and embarrassed for her, I realized towards the end the amount of growth she went through. I spent a great deal of the book growing tired of her insistence to break Natasha and Nathan up. At first she has some opportunities, but she checks herself. Then she does act on one opportunity, he seems to process it, but it all gets worked out off page. Once scene that would have ripped my heart out, but she took it a different way?
This book might have jumped to a 5 if I had heard Nathan's point of view. Without it he came off as a one dimensional wuss. I REALLY wanted to like him. He started off great with his first scene, but then we find out he's engaged and I was left wondering what he was thinking or doing when he approached Ella?? Throughout the book I kept wondering what he was really thinking during their conversations, but instead he came across as an empty shell. Even in the end with the HEA, I still wanted to "hear" the emotion he went through to get there (although he did tell Ella).
The biggest problem I had with the book was the internal dialogue. It went on too long between each scene/conversation to the point where I found myself skimming and then surprised how much I was jumping ahead.
What I absolutely loved about the book? The scene between Ella and her sister at the rehearsal dinner. My heart bled for Ella. The author did an incredible job with this scene that it's all I think of when I remember the book. It was powerful and full of emotion. I really liked Carly for much of the book, but towards the end she flips and demands Ella fight for Nathan (still based on not definitively knowing Nathan's real feelings for her). Ella's realization she couldn't do that to so many lives, including living with herself, was a huge point in the story and my view of the book went way up.
I needed an epilogue to have more of a resolution with all of the characters. I wanted to see Natasha and Nathan interact beyond that point in time as well as how Nathan's father reacted to everything. How much did Nathan know about what was going on with Natasha? I would LOVE for a novella from Nathan's point of view. I would buy it in a heartbeat. I want to understand what was going through his mind. After Ella settles down for that last month before the wedding and they become friends, it was off page. His father points out how centered and anchored Nathan became and I want to see that.
Sooo... that was really long and detailed. Overall, this book made me think/feel (good or bad). Again, that scene between the sisters? Incredible.
August 13, 2015
Although there are funny dialog throughout the different chapters to this point I am at 55% and I have to say it is becoming extremely painful to read. All this girl Ella Roberts, 27, is having discussions in her head than with anyone else. Most of which are very repetitious and plain crazy.
The sister Carly is a hoot! She keeps it real even if she is a professed slut. They come by their crazy honestly by having a mother like Valerie. She is totally hands on and controlling with Ella and the polar opposite with Carly, mainly because Carly just won’t listen or take it.
Ella was at a wedding that Panache, which being the business of styling the wedding, Valerie owned and Ella worked as a personal stylist, she was already put out for having to be there. As if that wasn’t enough she gets a break-up text from the guy that she had been defending most of the time she had already been there at the wedding with already. What makes it worst is he is just and on again off again relationship that she had been thinking of dumping already. So, when he did it first she was pissed sending him a text to which he was indifferent to. Which pissed her off even more so then she called him back making a scene.
After ending the call she decided to get a real drink not from a peeing ice sculpture fountain. But the bar was not fully set up and a baby looking bartender was working it. He says he can’t until after the ceremony but then she starts getting loud and looks over to this guy who is sitting over in this alcove who gives the okay. She walks over and sits at his tucked away table and tells him thanks. Now she feels drunk off the peeing ice sculpture even though she knows she can’t because it was only a small amount. She thinks it was from her anger. But then the bartender brings over their drinks and she starts downing it big time. They start talking about this and that and her business that she has started on the side. Then he has to go he’s in the wedding as a groomsman. She calls her sister Carly really quick and tells her that she just met the man she is going to marry. She ask who she says Nathan Hayes. But before Carly can tell her why sounds so familiar to her ear Ella hangs up. Carly gets a call from her mom saying the weddings starting she gets there before it starts. No sooner does she sit when her mom tells her…
The man standing next to Nathan has asked her to marry him and she has accepted. Also that the handsome young man next to him is going to be her new brother and Valerie’s new son, meaning Nathan. All she could think is OMG!!! I had just called Carly and told her I met a guy who she was going to marry. Yet now all she felt was dread.
At 57% finally this book starts to take off. The two sisters are too funny in their bantering and their shenanigans. Which makes the whole book. Nathan’s dad, Russell is a real special guy. I really feel in his own way he puts his son on his true path to find his heart. Up until that point everything had come too easy for him and well that was not the case with Ella. Her dream world had to leave the drawing board.
I give this 4 stars. Provided by netgalley.com.
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The sister Carly is a hoot! She keeps it real even if she is a professed slut. They come by their crazy honestly by having a mother like Valerie. She is totally hands on and controlling with Ella and the polar opposite with Carly, mainly because Carly just won’t listen or take it.
Ella was at a wedding that Panache, which being the business of styling the wedding, Valerie owned and Ella worked as a personal stylist, she was already put out for having to be there. As if that wasn’t enough she gets a break-up text from the guy that she had been defending most of the time she had already been there at the wedding with already. What makes it worst is he is just and on again off again relationship that she had been thinking of dumping already. So, when he did it first she was pissed sending him a text to which he was indifferent to. Which pissed her off even more so then she called him back making a scene.
After ending the call she decided to get a real drink not from a peeing ice sculpture fountain. But the bar was not fully set up and a baby looking bartender was working it. He says he can’t until after the ceremony but then she starts getting loud and looks over to this guy who is sitting over in this alcove who gives the okay. She walks over and sits at his tucked away table and tells him thanks. Now she feels drunk off the peeing ice sculpture even though she knows she can’t because it was only a small amount. She thinks it was from her anger. But then the bartender brings over their drinks and she starts downing it big time. They start talking about this and that and her business that she has started on the side. Then he has to go he’s in the wedding as a groomsman. She calls her sister Carly really quick and tells her that she just met the man she is going to marry. She ask who she says Nathan Hayes. But before Carly can tell her why sounds so familiar to her ear Ella hangs up. Carly gets a call from her mom saying the weddings starting she gets there before it starts. No sooner does she sit when her mom tells her…
The man standing next to Nathan has asked her to marry him and she has accepted. Also that the handsome young man next to him is going to be her new brother and Valerie’s new son, meaning Nathan. All she could think is OMG!!! I had just called Carly and told her I met a guy who she was going to marry. Yet now all she felt was dread.
At 57% finally this book starts to take off. The two sisters are too funny in their bantering and their shenanigans. Which makes the whole book. Nathan’s dad, Russell is a real special guy. I really feel in his own way he puts his son on his true path to find his heart. Up until that point everything had come too easy for him and well that was not the case with Ella. Her dream world had to leave the drawing board.
I give this 4 stars. Provided by netgalley.com.
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July 17, 2015
My Stepbrother the Groom, A Romantic Comedy, Lexi Maxxwell.
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance,Women’s fiction
I just read my first Lexi Maxxwell book, the lovely Le Fleur de Blanc, and so was looking forward to this one. How different though...the humour didn’t work for me, and I really really disliked Ella.
I felt for Ella at first, dumped by text, even though he’s not the love of her life and she’s thinking herself all isn’t right is still a harsh thing to do, not at least give someone the dignity of a face to face talk. Then she has a few too many drinks, and a short, inebriated convo with Nathan and she decides she’s in love....
That’s where I really disliked her. she doesn’t care that he’s about to marry Natasha, that Natasha is a lovely lady, that they may be a perfect couple. No, Ella wants him and goes all out to justify that, trying to catch Natasha cheating even though she’s no reason, interviewing for the wedding info and asking the most intrusive questions, and that after dinner game they play – can’t recall the name but its based on a “what would you do if” where she tries to catch Natasha out and then tries to get Nathan to say things too....she’s so selfish, no thought for anyone but herself, even though she doesn’t really know Nathan ( though he does seem to be a wonderful man)
Though things work out in the end I so disliked Ella’s behaviour. She didn’t deserve Nathan IMO, being a selfish, manipulating, devious person. As you can see I really couldn’t like her!! It came as such a shock after Fleur, and I’m so glad I read that first and wasn’t out off trying ore of Lexi’s novels. That’s how it is though, liking one or more of an authors stories doesn’t mean you love them all. I recently 2 starred an Alexandra Ivy first in a new series book, but I usually love her writing. this time though, like this book, it just didn’t gel. Its a personal opinion and this book will be perfect for other readers, just not for me.
Stars: Two, sorry Lexi, didn’t enjoy this one.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers
Read
July 21, 2015What a rollercoaster of an emotional book!
This story started out with Ella being broken up with her part time boyfriend via text and rather than suffer the indignity of it all, she chooses to call him back and insist that SHE is breaking up with HIM. Quite publically. At a wedding.
Feeling sorry for herself, she drowns her sorrows at the wedding bar, when she meets (unbeknownst to her at the time) her soon to be step brother and as she claims… the love of her life.
This starts the series of events that the entire story is based on
She find out her mother is getting re-married and the new love of her life is actually engaged. Both to be wed at a double marriage ceremony in two months.
Suffice it to say, this story started with a bang. Lots of angst and drama which set the tone for the rest of the story.
I started off feeling quite frustrated with Ella. She’s pining over a man she doesn’t know, save for a brief conversation over a drink, and she’s acting like a love sick teenager. Her drunken moments are cringe-worthy but I loved it! The dynamic between her and her sister Carly also adds greatly to the tale. Carly is a spitfire with a crass potty mouth. The arguments between the siblings leave you in shock and awe. They censor nothing when they are squaring off, regardless of any audience but this forges a level of hilarity that leaves you laughing out loud.
There is a deep character development for Ella during the course of the plot. Where she starts off as a weak willed, love sick woman she matures into a self-sacrificing adult who puts her selfish feelings aside to let the ones she cares about be happy. It’s so poignant, painful and raw that it left me choked up. I felt her hurt and pain as the tears betrayed her by slipping down her trembling cheeks.
Really a different story to your typical contemporary romance novel. With all the drama and angst the author adds in a bit of mystery and a total plot twist at the end.
The only fault I could find was that there was little mention of Nathan which I would have liked but this was a story that was more about Ella’s journey than anything else…
This story started out with Ella being broken up with her part time boyfriend via text and rather than suffer the indignity of it all, she chooses to call him back and insist that SHE is breaking up with HIM. Quite publically. At a wedding.
Feeling sorry for herself, she drowns her sorrows at the wedding bar, when she meets (unbeknownst to her at the time) her soon to be step brother and as she claims… the love of her life.
This starts the series of events that the entire story is based on
She find out her mother is getting re-married and the new love of her life is actually engaged. Both to be wed at a double marriage ceremony in two months.
Suffice it to say, this story started with a bang. Lots of angst and drama which set the tone for the rest of the story.
I started off feeling quite frustrated with Ella. She’s pining over a man she doesn’t know, save for a brief conversation over a drink, and she’s acting like a love sick teenager. Her drunken moments are cringe-worthy but I loved it! The dynamic between her and her sister Carly also adds greatly to the tale. Carly is a spitfire with a crass potty mouth. The arguments between the siblings leave you in shock and awe. They censor nothing when they are squaring off, regardless of any audience but this forges a level of hilarity that leaves you laughing out loud.
There is a deep character development for Ella during the course of the plot. Where she starts off as a weak willed, love sick woman she matures into a self-sacrificing adult who puts her selfish feelings aside to let the ones she cares about be happy. It’s so poignant, painful and raw that it left me choked up. I felt her hurt and pain as the tears betrayed her by slipping down her trembling cheeks.
Really a different story to your typical contemporary romance novel. With all the drama and angst the author adds in a bit of mystery and a total plot twist at the end.
The only fault I could find was that there was little mention of Nathan which I would have liked but this was a story that was more about Ella’s journey than anything else…
January 4, 2016
There were several things about My Stepbrother the Groom that drew me in and made me want to read it from the cover to the fact that it was a stepbrother romance, but mostly because it was a romantic comedy. I just love a good romantic comedy and despite a few road bumps along the way, I was looking forward to reading it. I went through a lot of different emotions with this book, but it still managed to surprise me and wasn't at all what I expected it to be in both the good and not so good ways.
Ella, oh Ella. This girl is totally crazy for most of the book and not the good kind of crazy - the delusional, are you for real kind of crazy that is just not fun at all and makes you want to shake that person or give them a jolt of something to try to set their brain on the right path again. I'll be honest for most of the book I didn't like Ella - I didn't like or agree with anything about how she was dealing with Nathan. I thought she was being weak and selfish and she was never doing the right thing when it came to the whole situation. And although it took a long time, Ella finally became the heroine she needed to be. She started doing the right thing and redeemed herself. I won't ever be able to say that she is one of my favorite heroines, but she did manage to make me like her, so she's okay in my book.
My Stepbrother the Groom was a little painful to read for awhile there and the only things that kept me going were Frozen and the stubborn determination that I needed to finish it because there hasn't been a book yet that I needed to review that I have given up on reading and I wasn't going to let this book be any different. I'm really glad that I decided to stick with it though because I got to see Ella change for the better and now whenever I happen to think about this book, I'll remember the bad craziness but I will also remember that it left with a good feeling in the end. It was wild ride full of a little pain, humor, awesomeness, drama, and insanity, but it was truly all worth it in the end!
My Stepbrother the Groom is a standalone, it's told only from Ella's POV, and everyone gets a happy ending!
~ Sonja, 4 Stars
Ella, oh Ella. This girl is totally crazy for most of the book and not the good kind of crazy - the delusional, are you for real kind of crazy that is just not fun at all and makes you want to shake that person or give them a jolt of something to try to set their brain on the right path again. I'll be honest for most of the book I didn't like Ella - I didn't like or agree with anything about how she was dealing with Nathan. I thought she was being weak and selfish and she was never doing the right thing when it came to the whole situation. And although it took a long time, Ella finally became the heroine she needed to be. She started doing the right thing and redeemed herself. I won't ever be able to say that she is one of my favorite heroines, but she did manage to make me like her, so she's okay in my book.
My Stepbrother the Groom was a little painful to read for awhile there and the only things that kept me going were Frozen and the stubborn determination that I needed to finish it because there hasn't been a book yet that I needed to review that I have given up on reading and I wasn't going to let this book be any different. I'm really glad that I decided to stick with it though because I got to see Ella change for the better and now whenever I happen to think about this book, I'll remember the bad craziness but I will also remember that it left with a good feeling in the end. It was wild ride full of a little pain, humor, awesomeness, drama, and insanity, but it was truly all worth it in the end!
My Stepbrother the Groom is a standalone, it's told only from Ella's POV, and everyone gets a happy ending!
~ Sonja, 4 Stars
September 3, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Ella Roberts' attends a wedding with her overly controlling mother Valerie she gets a text from her boyfriend telling her it's over between them. After somewhat causing a scene by calling him back and yelling at him just before the wedding Ella heads to the bar to demand a drink. A handsome stranger, Nathan Hayes, gets the bartender to oblige Ella and has a brief conversation with her. Ella then declares to her sister she's met the man she's going to marry.
After the service Valerie introduces Ella to her fiance, which happens to be Nathan's father. Not only is Ella's mother planning to marry her new dream man's father which would make them step-siblings but Nathan is also engaged to be married to Natasha and the two couples are planning a double ceremony in two months.
I honestly had a tough time in deciding how to rate this book. As a romance I think it failed horribly and some readers may be completely disappointed if they are expecting the typical two people meeting and falling in love romance. But on the other had it was funny, entertaining and kept me turning the pages throughout.
Ella was quite honestly a complete basket case throughout the story. She got it in her head that she felt something with Nathan she'd never felt before and that he just had to feel the same. Sometimes bordering on stalkerish tendencies with her complete obsession of her instant connection. That being said I kind of think of this like coming across an accident on the side of the road, you know you shouldn't look but just end up having to do it anyway.
For myself though, I do like a wide variety of genres and I ended up completely entertained reading this story. I would warn though if looking for just romance this probably wouldn't be for you. But if you would like a good laugh then this somewhat dysfunctional family, that could all use a bit of therapy, would probably give it to you.
When Ella Roberts' attends a wedding with her overly controlling mother Valerie she gets a text from her boyfriend telling her it's over between them. After somewhat causing a scene by calling him back and yelling at him just before the wedding Ella heads to the bar to demand a drink. A handsome stranger, Nathan Hayes, gets the bartender to oblige Ella and has a brief conversation with her. Ella then declares to her sister she's met the man she's going to marry.
After the service Valerie introduces Ella to her fiance, which happens to be Nathan's father. Not only is Ella's mother planning to marry her new dream man's father which would make them step-siblings but Nathan is also engaged to be married to Natasha and the two couples are planning a double ceremony in two months.
I honestly had a tough time in deciding how to rate this book. As a romance I think it failed horribly and some readers may be completely disappointed if they are expecting the typical two people meeting and falling in love romance. But on the other had it was funny, entertaining and kept me turning the pages throughout.
Ella was quite honestly a complete basket case throughout the story. She got it in her head that she felt something with Nathan she'd never felt before and that he just had to feel the same. Sometimes bordering on stalkerish tendencies with her complete obsession of her instant connection. That being said I kind of think of this like coming across an accident on the side of the road, you know you shouldn't look but just end up having to do it anyway.
For myself though, I do like a wide variety of genres and I ended up completely entertained reading this story. I would warn though if looking for just romance this probably wouldn't be for you. But if you would like a good laugh then this somewhat dysfunctional family, that could all use a bit of therapy, would probably give it to you.
December 31, 2015
First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
You have the basic storyline in the cover description for this fun book so I’m not going to rehash that.
I enjoyed My Stepbrother the Groom for many reasons. The characters were fun (and yes, maybe a bit crazy) and brought me into the chaos in a heartbreaking charming way. Come on, who hasn’t looked longingly at a guy we knew that we shouldn’t – Ella acted on what many of us wanted to but couldn’t or wouldn’t.
At the heart of it, I loved this story for the basic premise of “do I reach out and fight for my own happiness or do I step aside and let others be happy instead of me”. I believe that is what many of us do – put others ahead of ourselves until there is nothing left for us. I can applaude Ella for going for what she wanted… maybe I couldn’t do the things she did, but for her character it was believable and realistic.
This story is full of great characters, unusual situations and a lead character that not everyone is going to love, but she certainly is true to herself.
If you’re looking for a slightly different love story, with a few twists, then My Stepbrother the Groom is perfect for you.
*I received an e-ARC of My Stepbrother the Groom from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
You have the basic storyline in the cover description for this fun book so I’m not going to rehash that.
I enjoyed My Stepbrother the Groom for many reasons. The characters were fun (and yes, maybe a bit crazy) and brought me into the chaos in a heartbreaking charming way. Come on, who hasn’t looked longingly at a guy we knew that we shouldn’t – Ella acted on what many of us wanted to but couldn’t or wouldn’t.
At the heart of it, I loved this story for the basic premise of “do I reach out and fight for my own happiness or do I step aside and let others be happy instead of me”. I believe that is what many of us do – put others ahead of ourselves until there is nothing left for us. I can applaude Ella for going for what she wanted… maybe I couldn’t do the things she did, but for her character it was believable and realistic.
This story is full of great characters, unusual situations and a lead character that not everyone is going to love, but she certainly is true to herself.
If you’re looking for a slightly different love story, with a few twists, then My Stepbrother the Groom is perfect for you.
*I received an e-ARC of My Stepbrother the Groom from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
September 5, 2015
I apologize but I couldn’t finish it. I have a rule about finishing novels I start, but I just could not power through this one. The author does an amazing job at making such unique characters with personality. Unfortunately, they were all obnoxious. I could not get into this novel because I genuinely hated each and every character. I thought the lead female Ella was petty and childish, but she is nothing compared to her vulgar, cold sister Carly. I could have cared less about Carly’s lifestyle, to each their own. But as someone who is best friends with her own sister, I would loathe my sister if she treated me the way Carly treats Ella.
Not only that, but Ella tells Carly about this spark she felt after talking the male lead Nathan and that they had such chemistry. As soon as I read that, I had to backtrack because I thought I had missed something. The first and only conversation I read Ella have with Nathan was awkward at best. Ella was a train wreck and Nathan didn’t seem interested, but Ella kept pushing.
I wish I had a more positive review for this novel especially since I was really looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately, I hated every character and didn’t care if they found their happy endings. Even if Ella’s personality did a 180, I still couldn’t force myself to care because the story was already ruined for me.
Not only that, but Ella tells Carly about this spark she felt after talking the male lead Nathan and that they had such chemistry. As soon as I read that, I had to backtrack because I thought I had missed something. The first and only conversation I read Ella have with Nathan was awkward at best. Ella was a train wreck and Nathan didn’t seem interested, but Ella kept pushing.
I wish I had a more positive review for this novel especially since I was really looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately, I hated every character and didn’t care if they found their happy endings. Even if Ella’s personality did a 180, I still couldn’t force myself to care because the story was already ruined for me.
February 3, 2016
2 stars
**I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This book has a very big potential to be successful had it not for the unnecessary long dialogues between Ella and her sister, and the monologue that the protagonist is doing, and I have to say that it's too painful to read.
I couldn't see any chemistry between Ella and Nathan. And the only thing that connects them is the never ending talk that she likes him but he's engaged. I was waiting for them to kiss already when they had the chance but...
I'm not really into love triangle, but I have read a fair share of stories about 'the other girl' or 'the other boy' that made me love the story. But this one was supposed to interest the reader and at times I thought it was kind of boring me. So in all honesty, Ella doesn't deserve Nathan. She should have mind her own business and think of ways to realize that he belongs to Natasha, whom, she's stalking just to catch her being unfaithful to him. Wow huh.
**I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This book has a very big potential to be successful had it not for the unnecessary long dialogues between Ella and her sister, and the monologue that the protagonist is doing, and I have to say that it's too painful to read.
I couldn't see any chemistry between Ella and Nathan. And the only thing that connects them is the never ending talk that she likes him but he's engaged. I was waiting for them to kiss already when they had the chance but...
I'm not really into love triangle, but I have read a fair share of stories about 'the other girl' or 'the other boy' that made me love the story. But this one was supposed to interest the reader and at times I thought it was kind of boring me. So in all honesty, Ella doesn't deserve Nathan. She should have mind her own business and think of ways to realize that he belongs to Natasha, whom, she's stalking just to catch her being unfaithful to him. Wow huh.
January 13, 2016
*ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
With a title like that how could I not request it? And with a title like that, I didn't expect it to be a funny read. The funny kept me from reading throughout the parts that were cringe-worthy and there were some doozies.
Ella was well a ninny at the start of this book...determined to find her happy ever after even if it meant breaking up a couple headed to the altar in 2 months. She frustrated me and all those looooong internal dialogues....ay ya yay. Throughout the book, I mostly agreed with her sister Carly (aka the voice of reason). The interaction and dialogue between the sisters were the highlight of this book for me. Nathan kind of took a seat back (not too far back but still) in that he was a little too milquetoast for me in some of the scenes.
The push and pull between should I or shouldn't I on both their sides (Nathan's and Ella's) were a little exhausting and the ending a little too gift-wrapped for me but still an HEA.
With a title like that how could I not request it? And with a title like that, I didn't expect it to be a funny read. The funny kept me from reading throughout the parts that were cringe-worthy and there were some doozies.
Ella was well a ninny at the start of this book...determined to find her happy ever after even if it meant breaking up a couple headed to the altar in 2 months. She frustrated me and all those looooong internal dialogues....ay ya yay. Throughout the book, I mostly agreed with her sister Carly (aka the voice of reason). The interaction and dialogue between the sisters were the highlight of this book for me. Nathan kind of took a seat back (not too far back but still) in that he was a little too milquetoast for me in some of the scenes.
The push and pull between should I or shouldn't I on both their sides (Nathan's and Ella's) were a little exhausting and the ending a little too gift-wrapped for me but still an HEA.
April 20, 2015
This book was such a pleasant surprise! I have read several "stepbrother" books and this was completely unique, it was hysterically funny and it was truly romantic. Halfway through the book, I was speculating how the book would end and it took me completely by surprise, many twists and turns. The main character is Ella, she is probably the most neurotic female I have ever read about, but it really worked for her. She doesn't hide one bit of what she is thinking and it was refreshing. The characters are so well written, they will feel instantly familiar. It is likely you'll have someone in your life that is reflected in Ella, her sister, Carly, or her mother, Valerie. This might be my favorite Lexi Maxxwell novel yet! The only thing I am disappointed in is that there isn't more. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
April 26, 2015
A fun read.
Ella has always been the good girl and follows all the rules until she meets Nathan. She proclaims he is the man she going to marry unaware that he is her future stepbrother and also engaged.
What follows is a comedy of errors as Ella tries to break free of her mother's control and to forget about Nathan which is almost impossible as she is also one of the wedding planners. The spark and connection they feel with each other starts becoming much more as they grow more comfortable with each other. They share a kiss that sets them both a fire but try chalking it up to wedding jitters and rebound but they can't forget it.
There is much humor to be found in the events unfolding in the book but there also is much heartache. Ella is in such an emotional turmoil: Loving Nathan? Doing the right thing? Stopping the wedding? and guilt, guilt.
This was a fun enjoyable read.
Ella has always been the good girl and follows all the rules until she meets Nathan. She proclaims he is the man she going to marry unaware that he is her future stepbrother and also engaged.
What follows is a comedy of errors as Ella tries to break free of her mother's control and to forget about Nathan which is almost impossible as she is also one of the wedding planners. The spark and connection they feel with each other starts becoming much more as they grow more comfortable with each other. They share a kiss that sets them both a fire but try chalking it up to wedding jitters and rebound but they can't forget it.
There is much humor to be found in the events unfolding in the book but there also is much heartache. Ella is in such an emotional turmoil: Loving Nathan? Doing the right thing? Stopping the wedding? and guilt, guilt.
This was a fun enjoyable read.
March 19, 2016
Ella is 27 and at another wedding her mother has forced her to go to in hopes of drumming up clients or contacts for the family wedding business that Ella hates. She decides to get a drink and meets Nathan who is about to become her stepbrother and is engaged and involved in a double wedding with his dad and her mom. Then Ella gets a text from her current boyfriend and he dumps her. Then Ella decides she wants Nathan free or not and decides to go after him.
I didn’t love this story I didn’t hate it but I was disappointed with the plot and characters . What kind of woman goes after a man who is taken and then what kind of person is he. Nathan was engaged with a planned wedding that should have been that. So I read this but still wasn’t something I totally enjoyed but didn’t hate it hence the 3.
I didn’t love this story I didn’t hate it but I was disappointed with the plot and characters . What kind of woman goes after a man who is taken and then what kind of person is he. Nathan was engaged with a planned wedding that should have been that. So I read this but still wasn’t something I totally enjoyed but didn’t hate it hence the 3.
August 13, 2015
I had a love/hate relationship with this book until the last few chapters. During the first several chapters the heroine annoyed me and her grasp on reality took too many dips into fairytale land. The hero didn't technically cross any lines and he generally said the right things, but I couldn't connect to either of them.
Towards the end, the heroine finally starts to show that she's someone I can like and the hero makes the tough decision that was best for all involved. For me it was too little, too late.
My recommendation is to download the sample first. The book is pretty consistent throughout, so if you like the sample you'll like the book.
I received an ARC of this book, via Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.
Towards the end, the heroine finally starts to show that she's someone I can like and the hero makes the tough decision that was best for all involved. For me it was too little, too late.
My recommendation is to download the sample first. The book is pretty consistent throughout, so if you like the sample you'll like the book.
I received an ARC of this book, via Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2016
This book was an interesting concept. I think the cover is very eye catching, and the title drew me in straight away. Part of me liked Ella and then at times I didn't like her. Her constant moaning got on my nerves. I would of liked to hear more about her job as a stylist. Carly was my favourite character as she is the best friend you could hope for. She was always there for Ella and the rest of her family. My main annoyance with the book was that I found it to be repetitive, Despite this I will read the next in the series.
Thanks goes to net galley and the publishes for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks goes to net galley and the publishes for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2015
I know this is billed as a comedy, but it is so much more.
I loved this book and found it hard to put down. Not only was it entertaining, but it also went deeper. It asks the hard questions; what are you prepared to go without to conform? What are you prepared to do to keep others happy at the expense of your own happiness?
It was at times heartbreakingly raw, and at others delightfully charming, both tear jerking and laugh out loud funny.
I would definitely recommend this book and sincerely hope Lexi writes more like it.
I loved this book and found it hard to put down. Not only was it entertaining, but it also went deeper. It asks the hard questions; what are you prepared to go without to conform? What are you prepared to do to keep others happy at the expense of your own happiness?
It was at times heartbreakingly raw, and at others delightfully charming, both tear jerking and laugh out loud funny.
I would definitely recommend this book and sincerely hope Lexi writes more like it.
April 21, 2015
This book surprised me. I read it because it was recommended to me and I loved it. I wouldn't normally read Lexi's books, but this one intrigued me. Lexi's writing style is unapologetically in your face and may turn off some people, but I liked that she writes from the hip and doesn't pull punches.
Although get this is a funny and heartwarming book if you dig under the surface you will find a deeper message. I found myself asking the question, would I live without my greatest love to keep the people around me happy?
Although get this is a funny and heartwarming book if you dig under the surface you will find a deeper message. I found myself asking the question, would I live without my greatest love to keep the people around me happy?
October 24, 2015
Okay I can get past the coveting a taken man, but the characters here were just crazy.
Ella Roberts the heroine is insane. Her rationalization throughout the story has you like "seriously". She was not a very likable character.
Nathan Hayes the hero is like blah. He supposedly meets someone new and can't call of his engagement; in fact the only reason it gets called off is because we get such a random curve ball at the end.
I really didn't feel the romance in this one. Although the cover is beautiful.
Rating 2 out of 5
Read@Book
Ella Roberts the heroine is insane. Her rationalization throughout the story has you like "seriously". She was not a very likable character.
Nathan Hayes the hero is like blah. He supposedly meets someone new and can't call of his engagement; in fact the only reason it gets called off is because we get such a random curve ball at the end.
I really didn't feel the romance in this one. Although the cover is beautiful.
Rating 2 out of 5
Read@Book
July 19, 2015
I was sent a copy of the book for review through Net Galley, as always, all opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the last book I picked up from Lexi Maxxwell so when I saw she had written several others I decided I’d read them on vacation, starting with My Stepbrother the Groom. It’s a romantic comedy and at times Carly and Ella’s antics had me spitting my drink out my nose because I was laughing so hard. Lexi really knows how to make her characters come to life. I loved Carly and Ella because they fight like only sisters can. This was a great read, one that could not put down.
I enjoyed the last book I picked up from Lexi Maxxwell so when I saw she had written several others I decided I’d read them on vacation, starting with My Stepbrother the Groom. It’s a romantic comedy and at times Carly and Ella’s antics had me spitting my drink out my nose because I was laughing so hard. Lexi really knows how to make her characters come to life. I loved Carly and Ella because they fight like only sisters can. This was a great read, one that could not put down.
September 22, 2015
This didn't work for me I'm afraid. It was well written, and the synopsis sounded appealing, but the story fell flat for me. I couldn't like Ella. She was a bit too weak willed to really be appealing to me. And in order to overcome the fact that Nathan was engaged I was expecting He and Ella to feel inevitable, like kismet. Instead, I didn't feel much of anything except that she was reading far too much into their slight relationship.
* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review *
* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review *
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