Wedding Belles

Red Hat Club #3

by Haywood Smith

The New York Times bestselling author of The Red Hat Club fearlessly takes on mothers and daughters, wedding madness, and midlife passion in this frank, funny, and fabulous new novel.

Georgia, Linda, Diane, Teeny, and Pru have been best friends since high school, and never have they needed one another more. Georgia’s precious twenty-eight-year-old daughter, Callie, has gone and gotten engaged. Usually this would be cause for celebration. After all, this is the South, where dreams of white dresses and wedding bells are as important as finding the perfect hat. But Callie’s intended groom just happens to be a man they went to high school and college with: Wild Man Wade! These women know more about the groom than the bride does. His drunken shenanigans. His wild oats. And all of his conquests as well as his mistakes. They can imagine him in the most inappropriate of circumstances, but not as a son-in-law!

With absolutely hilarious Southern observances and dead-on wit about mothers, daughters, marriage, and families, Wedding Belles will have you laughing and crying whether you live above or below the Mason-Dixon line.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Southern, Audiobook, Romance, Book Club, Christian Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2008

Reviews

[Book Concierge · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is book three in the Red Hat Club series, but you don’t have to have read the previous volumes before reading this one (I certainly haven’t). Georgia’s only daughter, Callie, has just announced her engagement – to a totally unsuitable man! Or so Georgia thinks.

The novel covers several months of Georgia commiserating with her pals in the Red Hat Club as she worries about the great mistake her daughter is about to make, and does her best to put a smile on her face and get through the rounds of parties, showers and dinners in the couple’s honor. There are two subplots, including one friend’s long-lost cousin (a Jewish American Princess from Manhattan with nowhere else to turn) and another friend’s grandchild (a charmingly precocious five-year-old who steals every scene she’s a part of).

The writing is repetitive. How often to I need to be told that John is a “big brain” or that Wade is an alcoholic bad boy? The subplots did little but fill pages. Smith doesn’t seem to trust her readers to figure anything out for themselves, because even the most obvious reference is explained in detail. And Georgia’s constant worrying just irritated my last nerve.

Still, it’s a fast read and there were a couple of entertaining (if totally implausible) moments.

[L Y N N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit surprised that Smith took these characters into this territory, for some reason. I felt out of my element reading this book, since I have no daughters and my relationship with my own mother was so "strained"! However, the basic premise was rather frightening to me as a mother! Better if Callie had chosen someone completely unknown to them, right?!? I mean, it would be a shock! And it would be very difficult NOT to assume a person is the same... But, as this book proves, it is possible for people to change; in fact, I always believe that most do grow, develop, and change (hopefully for the better) throughout adulthood. I firmly believe we are on this earth to "evolve" throughout each lifetime! And as always, Smith depicts that ultimate goal of dealing with each other through the lens of unconditional positive regard, which is what The Red Hat Club is based upon; such a difficult goal for many of us humans to attain, and yet so laudable and humane!

[Kasey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up on a fluke. From the jacket cover I envisioned something similar to the Ya-ya Sisterhood or Steel Magnolias. Alas....
It was an okay read, but not good enough that I would read another of her works. One of those that in the last twenty pages or so finally got interesting. Up to that point it was much to predictable and not engaging enough. Life is too short to muddle through a so-so book.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good ole Southern read. Haywood is the author of the Red Hat books, and this is a continuation in the series of those Atlanta friends. If you are looking for esteemed literary merit, this is not the book. If you are looking for a fun, no-brainer, a.k.a. beach read, this is for you.

[Laura F.]

This book was a must read... you laugh with this book and sigh with this book. As you read about one mothers take on a wedding she dreads to see happen.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not realize this book,was part of a series when I bought it, but the author was great about providing any details I needed as the story went along. I loved the friendships and long standing relationships as well as the new people met along the way. We lived in the south for a number of years and this brought back so many memories. Bless your heart.

[Jencey/ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wedding Belles by Haywood Smith is the third novel in the Red Hat series. Are you ready to take a walk down the aisle?
Synopsis:
You are invited to Wedding of Callie Baker and Wade Bowman. Callie has just announced to her parents that she plans to marry Wade Bowman who happens to be her father’s best friend. He is also known to Georgia her mother and the red hat club for his shenanigans in the past. These revelations have caused grave concerns for Georgia. Will she be happy for her daughter? Or will she cause a rift between the two? What solution will the red hats devise?
My Thoughts:
This is my first Haywood Smith novel. I was initially drawn to her because of the humor in her writing. She shares bits and pieces of her writing at her live events. Humor in writing can be a great asset. I felt she used it well in this novel. I enjoyed the characters. You will enjoy meeting Tiny, Pru, Linda, Diane, and others.
How would you feel if your daughter came to you said I want to marry a man who is thirty years my senior? Would you be happy for her? These are the questions that Georgia must answer.
I did not enjoy the local flavor that was mentioned throughout the novel. I am looking forward to reading another novel by this author.

[Sharon Stockham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book months ago and didn't pick it up until this past weekend. By then I had forgotten the preceding books that are part of a series. As I began to read I was caught back up in the southern charm of five women who have been friends since high school. It is hilarious, witty and thought provoking as Smith explores the relationships between friends, mothers and daughters. In this book, Georgia confronts serious issues she has with her daughter's choice of a husband. While not presented as a Christian book, there is a strong underlying, realistic struggle for faith and hope...with a fascinating look at some of the mores of people of Jewish heritage. Now I know why this book remained on my "wishlist" for many months before I bought i--and now finally have begun to read it. A wonderful, warm book about the strong bonds of friendship between a group of women who are now in their 50's.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook because I knew the author wrote the Red Hat Club book. And, hey, I'm a sucker for an audiobook read by someone with an accent. I got my fill of southern talk with this one! The four friends still meet for lunch regularly with their red hats and purple clothes, but things aren't going well for Georgia. Her only daughter is getting married to her husband's best friend and Georgia can't stand the embarrassment. I must admit I was a little bored with it all. She just couldn't let it go and be happy for her daughter. She was obsessed with finding out all his faults and trying to "save" her daughter from making a mistake. I guess I'm seeing things from the daughter's perspective. The other red hat friends have their own problems, too, but Georgia is the focus in this one. All in all, an easy summer listen.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although over 50, I have an aversion to "red hats" although I enjoyed the poem that began it all. So I didn't read her "red hats" book. That said, this book was hysterical and if you happen to pick it up, don't discard for any reason until after you get through Chapter 14 when they throw a "reluctant mother of the bride" shower. I've always thought bridal showers should be redone for your 25th wedding anniversary when everything you got the first time has worn out or died (or ruined beyond belief in some fashion by your children) and this shower surpasses that. The whole good-friends-support-group thing isn't only a southern thing but you have to really love the way they handle obnoxious people. It was a predictable fun read.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading some of the other reviews I was seeing that many found this book shocking. Being a teenager and not knowing anything about the whole marriage complex and the strained relationship it can creat between a mother and daughter almost escaped me. Not to say that I was naive in reading this, it makes perfect sense I just wasn't shocked by it. It is a story of southern belles, dear best friends and the expectations of parents and children and what it takes to test them and to repair any strains, unless the damage is irreparable. It was a good read and I got through it very nicely. Apparently it is a series, but this is not the first book...oops! On the plus side it is a good book regardless of having not read the others first!

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess I'm the target audience for books like this: middle aged, married, mother, Southern. But I just don't get them at all. I'm so tired of these perky ladies who lunch after having wild sex on the kitchen table with their handsome, rich, middle aged husbands. Sigh. I found this one trite and badly edited. We meet Peach briefly and get her sad tale. Then, suddenly, they are all her godmothers and receive heartfelt letters from her mother. When did she meet them? Also, the fact that Peach's mother had some kind of transplant that didn't take is mentioned after the fact, but as if we were supposed to know something about it already. I admit to skimming a bit - did I miss the entire exposition of all of that?

[IrishFan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I began this book and immediately thought, where the heck is SuSu?! She is prevalent in the first 2 books, and this one begins and nothing. No mention of her. She got married at the end of the last book, did she move away, did she die? Did she have a falling out with the other 5 girls? This bugged me the entire book. I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as the other 2. It seemed like the author had so many ideas she tried to jam into this one. Why delete SuSu as a character just to add in Rachel, and what did that bring to the storyline? Not much.

I will read more of Haywood Smith's books. Just wasn't a fan of this last one in this trilogy.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose technically this is "hen-lit" since the women are in their 50's. I'm enjoying it so far. A light read, but sometimes that's just what I need. :)

After finishing: I enjoyed this book even more than I thought I would. "Hen-lit" seems to have a bit more maturity than chick-lit. Not that I don't like chick-lit on occasion. Wedding Belles had all the girl power and great friends one could wish for and had some real life issues that were dealt with meaningingfully. Haywood Smith writes very well. I'll have to read the books that preceeded Belles now so I can get to know this group of friends even better.

[allisong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a native Atlantan I absolutely loved this book. Haywood's descriptions of the of the Atlanta version of the "laddies that lunch" brought me back to my own mothers friends and lunchons with the Atlanta Garden Club and the Lake Spivey Garden Club. Those laddies have a large sense of community, and a compassion for helping each other. I would describe this book as it makes you "feel good". Haywood describes the Atlanta venues exactly, and is spot on in her descriptions of Atlanta women born in the 30's and 40's. Beware of the Varsity Dogs. Very good, but can give a little discomfort if one consumes to many! LOL

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay - I loved this book. I know if one of my high school girlfriend's daughters decided to marry a hell-raising man that we had gone to school with that we would react the same way. We would try to be supportive, yet realistic. I think the characters reactions were realistic - and the humor made the book fun. But the moral - people change - is uplifting. It is a light read - but not silly - it just makes you happy you read it.

[Michele Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows a humorous look at one mother of the bride getting ready for her daughter's wedding. Instead of being happy for her daughter who is the last one in her group of friends to get married in a culture where it is important to marry young she is not pleased with the groom whom both she and her group of friends went to school with. The ending is a suprise though it would keep it out of the Christian bookshelves in spite of the Christian references in the book.

[Mary Z : ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good light read - or listen, since I did the audiobook version. I'm nearly at the red hat age, so I could appreciate that aspect of the storyline. No objections from me about the Christian references. The only thing that was a tad overdone was the parade of pre-wedding showers. I don't know anyone who has had that many events to attend. The storyline got a bit slow after the 2nd or 3rd party. All in all, it was a good story.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, great characters & loved that it was set in Atlanta :) These women really know what true friendship is & treat each other with the utmost respect. I would definitely rec this book if you live in the South too, or are the type that likes to read about Southern Belles.

We are fascinating creatures after all aren't we?

<3

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book I don't know if I would have picked off the shelf, but I picked up this audiobook at the library and laughed and cried everytime I turned my car on. What a wonderful story, but the best part was hearing that slow southern drawl saying phrases that, if you never lived in the south, you would never even believe they say. Great book. I really enjoyed it.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one about the Buckhead Red Hats. I love Atlanta books because I know the landmarks mentioned in them. There is a wedding in this one. The problem is the groom is a fellow the Hats grew up with and he's marrying one of the Hats' daughters....

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about women supporting each other through thick and thin!
This times it's Georgia's turn - her daughter is marrying one of her husbands oldest and best friends - Yikes!! It's full of humor and pathos and more humor. Good story and no need for bad language!!!!!!!!

[Samantha Garlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK I am finished! I really enjoy Ms. Smith's writing and I love this group of ladies, but this one made me cry more than once...I have always considered Ms. Smith's novels as summertime guilty pleasure and these gals as the sugar in my sweet tea, I pray that she continues with their tales.

[Terhi Tatjana · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Bad news is like a dead fish, the longer you keep it hidden, the worse it stinks up your whole life” or so says one of the Red Hats Russian baba (grandma). The third installment of the Red Hat adventures starts off with the mother of all dead fish and the laughs just keep coming! I’m continually delighted by Smith's ability to relay some very serious news while the antics and hilarity never cease in the telling. The reader gets a tour through the history of Georgia and John in their early days, which is at once full of propriety as all Southern courtships are on the surface, and intrigue; there’s more depth there, especially as she narrates her own growth in emotions and love towards her husband. Of course it’s one of the younger ladies contemplating marriage in this novel which provides the perfect backdrop for all the reminiscing. By the end all the storylines seemed to have been tied into neat bows so another Red Hat adventure is off the table, though I’ll miss these ladies and their intrigues!

[Gigi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book written in too "cutesy" of a style for me to finish. For instance:

"...I have this constant inner dialogue with pieces of myself that just won't shut up. Chicken Little, my drama queen, and my scolding Inner Puritan hog up the whole house, relegating my Sensible Self and Creative Inner Child to the shed out back."

This sets it up so she can refer to Chicken Little and Sensible Self throughout the book.

And the author takes 20 pages to go over and over and over the same thing, for instance, the dilemma she has in the first two chapters, whether to tell her friends what is happening-her daughter is engaged to someone she feels is unsuitable. (Should she keep it a secret as long as possible, or confide in her BEST FRIENDS THAT SHE MEETS WITH MONTHLY FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS?)

This is written in the style of a bad, online blog. Gushy, oh so self-effacing, trying to be funny. I had to stop.

[Melissa Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book at a thrift shop when I was in town caring for an ill relative. I needed something light and fun and this novel fit the bill! Georgia and her friends are close knit and their friendship is envied by many. However, even though in the south appearances are everything, it is revealed that not all is as good as it looks. Georgia works hard to not just look good but to be a good person too. She is dealing with her adult daughter's marriage to Georgia's husband best friend (namesake of the novel). While she is struggling to accept what she has no control over, her other friends are dealing with crazy relatives, divorce, and new love. Georgia and her friends share a bond that is fun to learn about as they deal with the many issues of middle age.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book about the Red Hat Club! However...there is a real mystery going on here...suddenly, between "The Red Hat Club Rides Again" and this book, the character of SuSu utterly disappears and is never mentioned, not even once! If anyone knows the reason for this, PLEASE PM ME!

However, the story itself is wonderful, funny, painful, poignant...and so worth the time to read it! If you have had, or are, a mother (and/or Mother of the Bride), this book is a must!

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took an embarrassing amount of time to read, but I'm glad I got through it! The friendships in the book are ones I think most women strive for and wish for when they're older. The couple getting married is definitely not your normal one and it adds to the story in many ways. It was a nice summer read once I got to warmer weather but it had a hard time staying engaged with it at the beginning.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The New York Times bestselling author of The Red Hat Club fearlessly takes on mothers and daughters, wedding madness, and midlife passion in this frank, funny, and fabulous new novel.
Cynthia Darlow did an excellent performance in this audio book. Very enjoyable.

[Audry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adult book. Story written well with plenty of feelings that go with a story of parents that are not happy with daughter's choice of husband. Parents have sex , but you don't see it. I love the Red Hat Club. They are such good friends. Lots of love and support for each other.