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The Almost Wives Club #2
Secondhand Bride
The Cinderella Bride As the poor relation in the rich and powerful Carnarvon family, Ashley Carnarvon is used to hand-me-downs. But getting handed down a wedding dress? Bad enough that the bride who was supposed to wear it, ditched her groom and the gown, but even worse, the dress doesn’t suit her. At twenty-five, Ashley’s not sure what she wants to do with her life. She’s still living on the Carnarvon compound in Malibu, sharing a cottage on the property with her mother. She goes to school part time, works part time and parties more than she should. Mostly, she parties with Eric Van Hoffendam, who’s the slacker in his rich, powerful family. A lot of their friends are starting to get married and when Eric asks her to marry him, she likes the idea. Eric doesn’t look down on her or demand anything of her. Life with him would be easy, and Ashley likes things to be easy. Until her childhood crush shows up... Bennett Saegar has a bad habit of making his life harder than it needs to be. Trying to make it as a Hollywood screenwriter is hard enough, but when a movie star stages a very public suicide attempt over unrequited love for him, the media frenzy is so bad he needs a place to hide out. Luckily, the pool house is free on the property of his family friends, the Carnarvons. He’ll be out of sight and able to concentrate on his next screenplay. Best of all, he’ll be far away from women. When he moves into the pool house, the first person he sees is Ashley Carnarvon. Ashley who had a world class crush on him ten years earlier. Now, she’s all grown up and something about her pulls at him. Good thing she’s engaged, or she could be a serious distraction. Then, Ben meets her fiancé and realizes this guy is all wrong for Ashley. She’s got so much more potential than she realizes. He wishes he knew how to show her how special she is without anyone getting the wrong idea about his intentions. Especially him. The Almost Wives Club is a romantic comedy series about taking chances and finding love in unexpected places. Here's what readers are saying about Secondhand "Sweet, gem of a story." "If you are looking for stories that lift your spirits and cheer for the under-dog, this is the series for you." "Another hit by Nancy Warren!" "I read this book in one sitting and Nancy Warren is now one of my go-to authors to make me feel good." Five brides, one enchanted wedding gown—The Almost Wives Club, Book 2 Will any of these brides actually walk down the aisle in the fabulous dress?Follow five runaway brides in this romantic comedy series as they find love in the most unexpected places. For a romantic read full of love, laughs and friendship, scroll up and grab your copy today. To receive a free ebook and stay on top of all new releases, sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.nancywarren.net
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2015
157 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Warren
361 books1,888 followersNancy Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 novels.
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
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She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
www.facebook.com/groups/NancyWarrenKn...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 30, 2021
Ashley and her Mom are making their way through life with help from family. While many things in her life are secondhand, they started out as the best due to her uncle's wealth. But when she gets a possibly cursed hand-me-down wedding gown, things take a turn. Ex-boyfriends, wealthy privilege and discontent are themes in this story.
June 20, 2015
**** 4.5 Cranky Stars ****
Every now and then, a gem comes along and it is just what the doctored ordered. “Secondhand Bride” is Book Two in the Almost Wives Club Series and is interconnected, but can be read as a standalone. As a side note, I didn’t read the first book and could easily follow the plot. I will, however, now read Book One.
Ashley Carnarvon is used to being second best. Along with her mother, she lives on the estate of wealthier, illustrious relatives, receiving a judgmental form of charity that is enough to get them by, but not enough to let them prosper.
Her friends with benefits of the last ten years, Eric Van Hoffendam, is the man-child, ne’er do well son of a powerful and illustrious family, one that equals her relatives. One night, Eric proposes and to Ashley’s surprise, she, the outsider, is welcomed into both families with open arms.
The pending nuptials set in motion a chain of events: the speed, the disinterest of her fiancé, the domineering attitudes of her aunt, uncle, and her future mother-in-law, but most importantly, the dress. Ashley is given a hand-me-down wedding dress that may or may not be cursed.
Enter Bennett Saegar: Ashley’s teenage crush and a family friend of the Carnarvons. Now a famous scriptwriter, Ben is fleeing from problems of his own. Hiding out, he winds up at the estate Ashley lives on and finds ten years alters your perspective.
This book is a funny, witty, quirky, feel-good story about women who undervalue themselves and the people who don’t deserve them. Both of the main leads were likeable, lovable, and relatable.
There are a few minor editorial issues in this work: typographical errors and consistency where Ashley is described as the daughter of her uncle and not the niece.
If you are looking for stories that lift your spirits and cheer for the under-dog, this is the series for you. I read this book in one sitting and Nancy Warren is now one of my go-to authors to make me feel good.
Recommended.
June 3, 2015
Another hit by Nancy Warren! Can a wedding dress be really cursed? Can a curse be passed along to another person? Is it really a curse if it helps you find true love? Ashley is about to marry her friend with benefits. She gets her cousin's finance's wedding dress that being a hand me down is not bad enough but it is also cursed. Than her crush she had on Ben from her teenage years moves into the pool house and old feelings start to show up again. Will it be one sided again or will it be true love? I can't wait to see who gets the cursed wedding gown next!
February 20, 2021
Eric and Ashley have been friends with benefits for 10 years then one day out of the blue he says "we should get married" Even though her hearts not in it Ashley accepts knowing a better option may not come along. Then arrives her teenage crush Ben now a Successful screen writer hiding from a scandal. Throw in a cursed wedding dress and a groom that just wants to stay out of jail and this is fun story.
March 6, 2017
I didn't care for this. It was ok story-wise, but the characters were weak. I liked Ashley and appreciated seeing a character who's still trying to find herself in the world and as an adult, that was nice to see, she was real. She was very much of a pushover though which I didn't expect from the first book, she didn't seem that type at all and felt very different from what little we saw of her in Kate's book. The way she let everyone take over her wedding was really unexpected and I wanted to see her tell everyone to back off. She also didn't have very good friends, they didn't even try to get involved with her wedding, and when they talked to her it seemed very flat and fake to me, like they made excuses for everything and felt obligated to be her friend, as they just seemed very uninterested in her wedding and her life. I didn't like them.
Ben on the hand, was fine at first, but when he realized his feelings for Ashley, it was a disaster and he really screwed up. The way it ended was way too abrupt and this author needs to work on really making the characters talk their problems out and get them resolved so they have some establishment of trust and an actual believable relationship. Because the way they fixed things was to put a bandage over the problem and called it good. That's not the way it works. That was a fairytale let's get the heck out of here and when we get to our destination we'll figure out the rest ending. I need more than that and I have full assurance that they will have many more problems to come because they're not talking, they fight and push their issues aside to forget them and move on. I think Ashley sold herself short and would have been much better off with someone else.
I'm not really interested in reading the other books but they're not that long and I hate not reading a whole series whether I like the other books or not. With that said, I'm probably gonna read the others and I'll try to keep the next reviews unbiased from what I've already read.
Ben on the hand, was fine at first, but when he realized his feelings for Ashley, it was a disaster and he really screwed up. The way it ended was way too abrupt and this author needs to work on really making the characters talk their problems out and get them resolved so they have some establishment of trust and an actual believable relationship. Because the way they fixed things was to put a bandage over the problem and called it good. That's not the way it works. That was a fairytale let's get the heck out of here and when we get to our destination we'll figure out the rest ending. I need more than that and I have full assurance that they will have many more problems to come because they're not talking, they fight and push their issues aside to forget them and move on. I think Ashley sold herself short and would have been much better off with someone else.
I'm not really interested in reading the other books but they're not that long and I hate not reading a whole series whether I like the other books or not. With that said, I'm probably gonna read the others and I'll try to keep the next reviews unbiased from what I've already read.
January 16, 2016
Secondhand Bride by Nancy Warren
The Almost Wives Club Book Two
Ashley Carnarvon was the poor relation. She and her mother lived on her uncle's property and under his bullying thumb. When her friend and bed buddy of the past ten years proposes to her out of thin air...her life changes. Only is it for the best?
Bennett Saegar's life was in quite a tangle. The movie was his screenplay had starred an actress he thought fit the part perfectly. Too bad hindsight hadn't shown him she was a nutcase. As he hides out at a family friend's pool house, the last thing he expected was the first female that had been nuts when it came to him. Only here she was...all grown up and not so crazy.
In the first book of this series, The Almost Wives Club: Kate, Ashley's cousin Ted is the one dumped. Now Ashley gets the special wedding dress passed on to her...along with its curse. I can't wait to read the rest of this series to see who ends up with the hand-me-down dress. Great stories about women almost marrying the wrong men.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
The Almost Wives Club Book Two
Ashley Carnarvon was the poor relation. She and her mother lived on her uncle's property and under his bullying thumb. When her friend and bed buddy of the past ten years proposes to her out of thin air...her life changes. Only is it for the best?
Bennett Saegar's life was in quite a tangle. The movie was his screenplay had starred an actress he thought fit the part perfectly. Too bad hindsight hadn't shown him she was a nutcase. As he hides out at a family friend's pool house, the last thing he expected was the first female that had been nuts when it came to him. Only here she was...all grown up and not so crazy.
In the first book of this series, The Almost Wives Club: Kate, Ashley's cousin Ted is the one dumped. Now Ashley gets the special wedding dress passed on to her...along with its curse. I can't wait to read the rest of this series to see who ends up with the hand-me-down dress. Great stories about women almost marrying the wrong men.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
January 2, 2019
Solid read with minor issues
The story was entertaining, fairly well written, and generally worth the time spent to read it. I'd read another book by this author.
My two minor nits:
1) The story is set in L.A. county, but the author is clearly unfamiliar with southern California. The first clue was the reference to Malibu in one if the first few chapters as different or separate from LA. Most people from the area include Malibu (and many cities even farther from the city proper) as part of LA metro and therefore generically as "LA". Then when one character suggested doing a drop in at the DMV during a spare hour, I about died of laughing. Four hours minimum, lady! Also Dana Point doesn't make sense as the port to take to Catalina. There's three ports much closer to the characters, all of which they'd literally be driving right by on their way to Dana Point, since it's the furthest south (mostly for people from San Diego). The likelihood of everyone attending the wedding to be on the same ferry is low, especially since the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are so close to each other.
2) The ending felt very rushed. We got the big dramatic climax one chapter before the end. I wanted more denouement. I wanted to know what was going on in at least Ashley's head in the week in between.
The story was entertaining, fairly well written, and generally worth the time spent to read it. I'd read another book by this author.
My two minor nits:
1) The story is set in L.A. county, but the author is clearly unfamiliar with southern California. The first clue was the reference to Malibu in one if the first few chapters as different or separate from LA. Most people from the area include Malibu (and many cities even farther from the city proper) as part of LA metro and therefore generically as "LA". Then when one character suggested doing a drop in at the DMV during a spare hour, I about died of laughing. Four hours minimum, lady! Also Dana Point doesn't make sense as the port to take to Catalina. There's three ports much closer to the characters, all of which they'd literally be driving right by on their way to Dana Point, since it's the furthest south (mostly for people from San Diego). The likelihood of everyone attending the wedding to be on the same ferry is low, especially since the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are so close to each other.
2) The ending felt very rushed. We got the big dramatic climax one chapter before the end. I wanted more denouement. I wanted to know what was going on in at least Ashley's head in the week in between.
November 7, 2018
Ashley and Eric never been to any family events, mainly because his parents wouldn’t approve of her. After ten years with benefits, he says why not’. A lot of friends getting married, he thought it would be fun.
His folks are in hurry to get them married, one wonders why. A loan of a wedding dress, that is cursed. Meeting an old crush Ben who is hiding out and his agent says no dating for a year. Sparks are flying between Ashley and Ben. Eric doesn’t seem to notice. A cute story and hopefully they will get it straighten out before they go to the altar.
His folks are in hurry to get them married, one wonders why. A loan of a wedding dress, that is cursed. Meeting an old crush Ben who is hiding out and his agent says no dating for a year. Sparks are flying between Ashley and Ben. Eric doesn’t seem to notice. A cute story and hopefully they will get it straighten out before they go to the altar.
February 18, 2021
A lovely series, different (almost) brides connected by a custom-made (for the 1st bride) couture dress, and their individual journeys to find what they really want and need from life. The "second-hand" wedding dress is gifted to a cousin, even though she is a different body type and has a very different style.
Good character development (3rd person limited according to my HS literature teacher), an engaging read. I'm a Nancy Warren fan & enjoy her writing style very much. I am continuing with the series.
Good character development (3rd person limited according to my HS literature teacher), an engaging read. I'm a Nancy Warren fan & enjoy her writing style very much. I am continuing with the series.
December 13, 2022
This is a lovely book. It's got lots of cross-over from the first one, but can still be read as a stand-alone. It's about decisions and being true to yourself, but no-one is bad, everyone is just doing there best (even when that isn't very good!). I also like the fact that it does not feature explicit sex scenes.
I loved visiting with Kate, I love Ashley and I have an idea who will feature in the third book of the series and I can't wait!
I loved visiting with Kate, I love Ashley and I have an idea who will feature in the third book of the series and I can't wait!
November 11, 2018
I liked the first book more than this, but this one was okay. I found a lot of spelling mistakes in this which does nothing to enhance the story. Ashley started out as a strong character and I found it hard to believe she would settle for Eric. It will be interesting to see where the next one goes.
November 11, 2018
This book is a real.page turner!
Ashley is shocked, when her friends with benefits, guy proposes. As she gets swept along a whirlwind engagement,Ben her childhood crush turns up..The heat turns up and time is running out for sweet Ashley.Will she make the safe choice or the right choice?
Ashley is shocked, when her friends with benefits, guy proposes. As she gets swept along a whirlwind engagement,Ben her childhood crush turns up..The heat turns up and time is running out for sweet Ashley.Will she make the safe choice or the right choice?
February 18, 2019
Great series
People get married for all sorts of reasons. Comfort a place in a life they crave. These brides are kind of settling and they are finding out that life has much more to offer.
People get married for all sorts of reasons. Comfort a place in a life they crave. These brides are kind of settling and they are finding out that life has much more to offer.
May 21, 2020
Ashley doesn't come across as really having a lot of direction. Ben is successful but facing a media storm. I like that they form a friendship and that Ben helps Ashley become more focused. This is written in third person with dual POV and a sweet HEA. Heat level 2-3.
March 17, 2023
I read the five books in one go from kindle unlimited so it flowed like a drama mini series. I like how the social circles brought all the characters together and the couples found their HEAs one after another.
February 20, 2017
I enjoyed this book as a light, easy read, but found it far too short and that there was significant missed opportunity to explore and develop the characters. To be fair, I think my expectation/desire was for more of a well crafted drama rather than the mass-production romance that this book aims for and achieves.
November 8, 2018
I enjoyed the characters in this story. I felt their emotions and went on the ride of discovery with them. A fun read.
December 19, 2018
Light hearted Tammy like story.
June 10, 2019
Love wins
Another great entry for this series. Following the cursed dress is proving to be funny and romantic. Can't wait to see what happens next.
Another great entry for this series. Following the cursed dress is proving to be funny and romantic. Can't wait to see what happens next.
September 9, 2019
Funr ead
The theme was good . It was fast moving and believable.
No surprise at the ending hut glad it ended happily.
The theme was good . It was fast moving and believable.
No surprise at the ending hut glad it ended happily.
September 14, 2019
Lovely
A funny, beautiful book of love and doing your best for your family. A easy read that'll make you smile.
A funny, beautiful book of love and doing your best for your family. A easy read that'll make you smile.
March 29, 2020
Loved seeing different prospective to Ashley as more than a party girl.
March 12, 2021
This book was ok, very similar to the first one. I wish the storyline would have been different, but it was basically the same story, different people.
May 20, 2021
What an ending!
This would be a wonderful made for TV movie on lifetime. Someone should option this. No joke. Loved the Ashley character.
This would be a wonderful made for TV movie on lifetime. Someone should option this. No joke. Loved the Ashley character.
January 23, 2023
You know when you get to the last page and smile...it was a good book.
March 12, 2017
Cute
Nice story with a few twists and turns. I do wish there were better proof readers. It is annoying to read misplaced and miss spelled words.
Nice story with a few twists and turns. I do wish there were better proof readers. It is annoying to read misplaced and miss spelled words.
June 29, 2015
Contemporary Romance
Ashley Carnarvon has always been the poor relation of the very rich Carnarvon family. She lives with her unwed mother, Melody Carnarvon, on the largess of the Carnarvons; living on hand-me-downs and a home provided by the Carnarvons. Her life is aimless partying with her friend and lover of ten years, Eric Von Hoffendam, working enough for spending money, and living on the outside of the ultra rich, never invited inside their world to their parties or tables. Suddenly Eric proposes and somehow she's engaged to a very rich aimless young man. She felt something was a little off; his parents, Grace and Charles, welcomed Ashley and her mother with open arms and can't seem to get them married fast enough. The Carnarvons loan Ashley a used "Evanageline Wedding Dress" worth thousands of dollars. It seems to be cursed as the seamstress cursed the dress and Evanageline after she was criticized, and Cousin Ted's bride never got to wear it, as Ted chose an older woman instead. Her world is spinning out of control and she is a little over whelmed as the mothers plan the elaborate wedding, she has a cursed wedding gown, Eric seems a little " out there" and then she finds her teenage crush, Bennett Saegar, living in the pool house on the same grounds as she. Ben, a screen writer, is hiding from a scandal involving a leading lady's attempted suicide in Hollywood. Ben is still handsome and charming, now rather than a nuisance, he finds Ashley older, beautiful, and very interesting. The author timed Ben's entrance into the story perfectly.
Ben and Ashley fight the attraction they feel. Ashley confused, unsure and worried about her cursed wedding dress. Ben is trying not to give in the sexual attraction he feels, and Eric is being Eric, totally unaware of anyone or anything but himself and want he wants. Ben knows something is not right with Eric and Ashley but he can't put his finger on just what it is. What is the mystery surrounding Eric and his families rush to marry him off to Ashley. Ashley and Ben have issues to overcome before they will find their happy ever after. Ashley has always felt that 2nd best is what she deserves, Ben's determined to change that trait. But Ben has problems also, his agent has made him promised not to date for at least year so the scandal can cool off. Then we have the mysterious secret that Eric and his family is covering up. Love will in the end conquer over money and prestige. The length of this book was just right, the author paced the mystery and growth of Ashley from an insecure social butterfly to a woman in love ready to expect first not second place perfectly and she created a loving and caring character in Ben. The premiss of a cursed wedding gown was refreshing and different. I can't wait for the next installment of this series.
This was a very enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this book.
I received this book from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Ashley Carnarvon has always been the poor relation of the very rich Carnarvon family. She lives with her unwed mother, Melody Carnarvon, on the largess of the Carnarvons; living on hand-me-downs and a home provided by the Carnarvons. Her life is aimless partying with her friend and lover of ten years, Eric Von Hoffendam, working enough for spending money, and living on the outside of the ultra rich, never invited inside their world to their parties or tables. Suddenly Eric proposes and somehow she's engaged to a very rich aimless young man. She felt something was a little off; his parents, Grace and Charles, welcomed Ashley and her mother with open arms and can't seem to get them married fast enough. The Carnarvons loan Ashley a used "Evanageline Wedding Dress" worth thousands of dollars. It seems to be cursed as the seamstress cursed the dress and Evanageline after she was criticized, and Cousin Ted's bride never got to wear it, as Ted chose an older woman instead. Her world is spinning out of control and she is a little over whelmed as the mothers plan the elaborate wedding, she has a cursed wedding gown, Eric seems a little " out there" and then she finds her teenage crush, Bennett Saegar, living in the pool house on the same grounds as she. Ben, a screen writer, is hiding from a scandal involving a leading lady's attempted suicide in Hollywood. Ben is still handsome and charming, now rather than a nuisance, he finds Ashley older, beautiful, and very interesting. The author timed Ben's entrance into the story perfectly.
Ben and Ashley fight the attraction they feel. Ashley confused, unsure and worried about her cursed wedding dress. Ben is trying not to give in the sexual attraction he feels, and Eric is being Eric, totally unaware of anyone or anything but himself and want he wants. Ben knows something is not right with Eric and Ashley but he can't put his finger on just what it is. What is the mystery surrounding Eric and his families rush to marry him off to Ashley. Ashley and Ben have issues to overcome before they will find their happy ever after. Ashley has always felt that 2nd best is what she deserves, Ben's determined to change that trait. But Ben has problems also, his agent has made him promised not to date for at least year so the scandal can cool off. Then we have the mysterious secret that Eric and his family is covering up. Love will in the end conquer over money and prestige. The length of this book was just right, the author paced the mystery and growth of Ashley from an insecure social butterfly to a woman in love ready to expect first not second place perfectly and she created a loving and caring character in Ben. The premiss of a cursed wedding gown was refreshing and different. I can't wait for the next installment of this series.
This was a very enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this book.
I received this book from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an honest review.
August 15, 2015
I received this book free from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I read the first book of this series and I absolutely loved it. Therefore, I was looking forward to reading this book. Unfortunately, I was very upset when I read the first chapter. I did not like Ashley Carnarvon, one of the main characters in the story, nor did I like Eric. I especially didn't like the "friends with benefits" relationship that this couple had. I also did not like how and when Eric proposed to her nor her reaction to it.
Then the hero,Bennett Saegar, came into the picture and I wasn't crazy about him. Ashley had had a crush on him when she was 15 and he was 20 and he just seems to worry that she would bother him again in the same way.
Fortunately, I had to read on in order to review this book. As I read on, I began to understand Ashley's point of view and so did Ben. Her mother is related to a high-class family. But, since she never married, she and Ashley were treated like nobodies in this family. Because of this and because Ashley was engaged, Ben became friends with Ashley. He also began to teach her to drive since at 25 she had never learned.
Also, as I read on, I STILL did not like Erik. He is a spoiled rich boy who wastes his time drinking and "playing" with his friends by causing trouble.
It wasn't too long into the book that I began to enjoy the story so much that I couldn't put it down. I am wondering if the first part of the book was necessary to make us understand Ashley's life and to appreciate Ben's treatment of her.
This story is a fast read by an author who is very careful to fit details into the larger picture to enhance the meaning. The characters are not cardboard characters except for Erik who is the male equivalent of a bimbo. Ben and Ashley have strengths but they also have weaknesses. Her mother and uncle also are treated the same way.
Therefore, I highly recommend this book. And if you don't like the first chapter or so, remember that there may be a larger reason for it, and it will get better very shortly.
I plan to buy the third book in this series.
I read the first book of this series and I absolutely loved it. Therefore, I was looking forward to reading this book. Unfortunately, I was very upset when I read the first chapter. I did not like Ashley Carnarvon, one of the main characters in the story, nor did I like Eric. I especially didn't like the "friends with benefits" relationship that this couple had. I also did not like how and when Eric proposed to her nor her reaction to it.
Then the hero,Bennett Saegar, came into the picture and I wasn't crazy about him. Ashley had had a crush on him when she was 15 and he was 20 and he just seems to worry that she would bother him again in the same way.
Fortunately, I had to read on in order to review this book. As I read on, I began to understand Ashley's point of view and so did Ben. Her mother is related to a high-class family. But, since she never married, she and Ashley were treated like nobodies in this family. Because of this and because Ashley was engaged, Ben became friends with Ashley. He also began to teach her to drive since at 25 she had never learned.
Also, as I read on, I STILL did not like Erik. He is a spoiled rich boy who wastes his time drinking and "playing" with his friends by causing trouble.
It wasn't too long into the book that I began to enjoy the story so much that I couldn't put it down. I am wondering if the first part of the book was necessary to make us understand Ashley's life and to appreciate Ben's treatment of her.
This story is a fast read by an author who is very careful to fit details into the larger picture to enhance the meaning. The characters are not cardboard characters except for Erik who is the male equivalent of a bimbo. Ben and Ashley have strengths but they also have weaknesses. Her mother and uncle also are treated the same way.
Therefore, I highly recommend this book. And if you don't like the first chapter or so, remember that there may be a larger reason for it, and it will get better very shortly.
I plan to buy the third book in this series.
December 31, 2015
First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Oh what havoc a cursed wedding dress can cause. Ashley has been “gifted”, or in other words, handed down the cursed wedding dress. It actually is a horrid dress, not suitable for her at all. But for some reason her decision to marry long time friend with benefits, Eric, has created a whirlwind of family getting involved to get this wedding done… fast. What’s the hurry all of a sudden?
When Ben comes to the estate to stay in the pool house, hiding out from his nutcase stalker, Ashley’s safe wedding is in danger. This is the guy she had a huge crush on years ago. She had sworn she would love Ben forever but that wasn’t possible now… or could it be?
Ben’s discovery of the all grown up Ashley has him rethinking. He doesn’t exactly want to encourage Ashley, but she is worth so much more than that loser Eric. Now he just has to convince her – and maybe win the girl who was written just for him all along.
I adored Secondhand Bride. The concept of the cursed wedding dress is such a fun hook, and brings us so many interesting and fun couples to get to know. We are all so much different than our teenage selves – I admit, there are times I’d like to go back in time and smack my younger self. So to see Ashley and Ben’s reaction to each other years later was such fun. This is a fast paced, funny, charming and entertaining story. Perfect for those of us that enjoy a touch of comedy with our romances, I can definitely recommend this second novel in the series to anyone who just loves a good love story. Pick this one up and enjoy.
*I received an e-ARC of Secondhand Bride from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
Oh what havoc a cursed wedding dress can cause. Ashley has been “gifted”, or in other words, handed down the cursed wedding dress. It actually is a horrid dress, not suitable for her at all. But for some reason her decision to marry long time friend with benefits, Eric, has created a whirlwind of family getting involved to get this wedding done… fast. What’s the hurry all of a sudden?
When Ben comes to the estate to stay in the pool house, hiding out from his nutcase stalker, Ashley’s safe wedding is in danger. This is the guy she had a huge crush on years ago. She had sworn she would love Ben forever but that wasn’t possible now… or could it be?
Ben’s discovery of the all grown up Ashley has him rethinking. He doesn’t exactly want to encourage Ashley, but she is worth so much more than that loser Eric. Now he just has to convince her – and maybe win the girl who was written just for him all along.
I adored Secondhand Bride. The concept of the cursed wedding dress is such a fun hook, and brings us so many interesting and fun couples to get to know. We are all so much different than our teenage selves – I admit, there are times I’d like to go back in time and smack my younger self. So to see Ashley and Ben’s reaction to each other years later was such fun. This is a fast paced, funny, charming and entertaining story. Perfect for those of us that enjoy a touch of comedy with our romances, I can definitely recommend this second novel in the series to anyone who just loves a good love story. Pick this one up and enjoy.
*I received an e-ARC of Secondhand Bride from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
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