Nearlyweds

by Beth Kendrick

Everyone says the first year of marriage is the hardest . . . but what would you do if you found out that you were never really married in the first place?
In this irresistible romantic comedy from award-winning author Beth Kendrick, three wildly different women form an unlikely friendship as they try to decide whether they'd do it all again.

They've had the white dresses and the fancy receptions. But now that the honeymoon's over, Stella, Casey, and Erin have each had to face some hard truths about the men they've married and the lives they've chosen. So when the news breaks that the pastor who presided over their weddings failed to file a few critical pieces of paper, none of these newlyweds are rushing down to the courthouse to legalize their vows. Instead, the brides share their hopes, disappointments, and secrets while grappling with that pivotal question: Should they stay or should they go?

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Womens Fiction, Book Club, Adult, Contemporary

338 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2006

About the author

This is the part where I’m supposed to brag about all my illustrious accomplishments, but honestly, I’d rather talk about my dogs and brag about some of the things I haven’t done:

I’ve never been to prison*, court-ordered rehab*, or splashed across the cover of a salacious weekly gossip tabloid with my ladybits on display**.

I’m a Leo, a middle child, and a formidable Trivial Pursuit opponent. I read everything I can get my hands on, from the classics to comic books. I don’t drink coffee because, frankly, I’m high strung enough without adding caffeine into the mix. Here is the true story of how I became a novelist:

So I had just started seeing this guy, and on our second or third date, he invited me to be his guest at a family wedding. Being young and free and a bit commitment-shy, I was about to decline until he casually mentioned that the bride was a successful romance novelist. Well, the second I heard that, I had to go. Being a writer had always been my dream job, and I’d never met anyone who’d actually beaten the odds and made the leap into big-time publishing. So I RSVP-ed, sidled up to the bar at the reception, waited until the bride and all her author friends uncorked the good champagne, and then peppered them with endless questions about writing, editing, and landing an agent. They were so funny and encouraging and generous with their time and advice. (And drunk!) Next thing you know, I had joined a critique group and was knee-deep in the manuscript that would eventually become MY FAVORITE MISTAKE. The open bar at that wedding changed my life forever.

Oh, and the guy who invited me to the wedding? I ended up marrying him. All together: awww…

I live in Arizona in a very cute fixer-upper that my husband and I bought in a burst of can-do, pioneering confidence. We thought it would be fun to embark on a series of do-it-yourself renovations. Yeah. I know. Turns out, replacing baseboard that’s been painted over 15 times since 1958 is not as easy as those Home Depot commercials would lead you to believe. Also, freshly-installed lawn drip systems and “helpful” dogs are a bad mix.

Friday and RoxieSpeaking of dogs, here we have the indefatigable canine lawn maintenance crew: Roxie and Friday. Both were rescued from the pound when they were puppies. I think they’re Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes. (Probably. Maybe? Anything’s possible.) Roxie is the brains of the operation and Friday is…well, he’s very sweet. And so indolent he could be mistaken for a piece of furniture, which I consider a very desirable trait in a family dog.

I absolutely love hearing from readers, so please feel free to email me, with the caveat that I am often on deadline/on the road/on the ragged edge of sanity, so it may be awhile before you get a reply. Just know that it’s not you; it’s me!

Have fun exploring the site, and if you have any questions about my new book, my backlist, or finding an agent…I’ll be right over there at the bar.

*Yet.



**That I know of.

Reviews

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute. It didn't make me think too hard and I'm a firm beleiver in reading these types of books every so often to lighten the mood up!

Since it was such a silly book it wasn't written as well as it could have been. I tended to lose track of who was who occassionally. I don't know if that's because the author could have done a better job or if the book actually bored me?

Each chapter follows the storyline of a different character: Stella, Erin, and Casey. Toward the end I kept thinking I had it straight "OK. Stella is the one with the crazy mother-in-law, and Erin is the one with the non-commital husband. No wait, Casey is the one with the non-commital husband and Erin is the one who's husband had a vasectamy and didn't tell her. No wait..."

Silly, girly, funny, no brainer. If any of these interest you then I'd suggest a trip to the library.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed this type of book. It was cute, total fluff and needed no brain power whatsoever to understand. I think you have to be in a certain mood to read books like this and it definitely hit the spot for me.

Story is about three women who get married over Labor Day weekend. A few months into their marriages, all three women are experiencing problems in their relationships when they receive a letter from the clerk of court stating their marriages aren't valid because the pastor that married them never signed (or filed) their marriage certificates (seemed he went up and died before he could take care of that little detail). Now they have been given this magic out - what will they do??? The three women become instant friends in the book (finding out your marriages aren't valid is obviously a bonding force for these women) and they learn to rely on one another as they sift through their marriage woes.

Like I said, cute story that is a quick and easy read (read it in one day).

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was made into a Hallmark movie several years ago that I liked and I’ve wanted to read the book ever since I realized it was written by Beth Kendrick, who has written several other books I’ve really enjoyed. While I don’t remember enough about the movie to say how similar it actually was to the book, I think it’s safe to say that the book was even better than the movie.

The book is told through the POVs of Stella, Casey, and Erin. These young women have all recently been married over the same weekend, but maybe they shouldn’t have been. Stella wants nothing more than to be a mom, but finds out on her wedding night to her much older husband that that isn’t going to be possible. Casey had to all but drag her groom to the wedding. And Erin’s mother-in-law just might be trying to kill her (with peanuts). When they find out that they’re not legally married, instead of rectifying the mistake immediately, they begin to wonder if they really want to be married.

The girls were all hard to like sometimes, but I was still rooting for them. At various times I wanted them each to get re-married and to remain single. There were really cute and really frustrating moments that each had with their significant others. Some of the funniest (and most frustrating) were with Erin, David, and David’s mother. David’s mother, Renee, is one of the most overbearing Mother-in-laws I’ve ever read about and it was just ridiculous to see how easily she manipulated her son. In the end, not all the women get the happily-ever-after you expect, but I really liked how each of their stories went. I would have even liked an epilogue to see how everything was going a year down the road.

Overall, I really enjoyed Nearlyweds. It was cute and addictive and I enjoyed every moment of it. This book reminded me how much I enjoy Beth Kendrick books and I’m going to look into reading more from her.

Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun, fast read - very much classic chick lit with all the misunderstandings and cute, funny relationships. Love that she threw in a dog and the holidays to add a little something extra, too.

[Margo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun one for me. It's a little longer than I normally like, but I enjoyed the storylines, in particular the one about the MIL from hell.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel has three should-be brides; Stella, Casey and Erin whom were all "married" on Labor Day weekend. A few weeks after their nupitals, just when the "what did I do?" questions start flying a letter arrives telling each of them that they are in fact, not married. Now all three have a loophole and they don't have to be married after all if they don't want to be and get to skip the messy divorce. Stella has to decide if she wants to remain married to a man whom got her blotto to the point of passing out to slip in the fact he had a vasectomy so he didn't feel guilty when the ex-au pair finds out she will not be a mother - to his children anyways. Casey has to find out if its worth shoving Nick towards the alter again - once was hard enough. Erin has to decide if she is willing to love, honor and cherish her mother-in-law for as long as they both shall live, because evidently her faux-husband lost his spine when they said I do. Hilarity ensues when Cash, an adopted stray, is introduced into the story and follows through acting out the girls' fantasies on their foes.

I loved this book to the point that I didn't put it down after I started reading it. Being married before I really could understand where the girls were coming from - there are just some things you do not see from the unmarried side of the tracks. I plan on checking out more of this author's books!

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great quick read! I started off reading the book thinking that I knew which couples were going to stay together and which weren't I enjoyed the story of how they got there. I was glad to see that the story wasn't predictable at all and although the ending wasn't what I thought it would be. Overall it was a great story that was an entertaining read.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearlyweds by Beth Kendrick
7h 34m narrated by Erin Bennett, Shannon McManus, and Karissa Vacker, 388 pages

Genre: Romance > Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction > Chick Lit; Adult Fiction, Marriage, Humor

Featuring: Massachusetts, Multiple POVs, Humor, Weddings, The Trope That's the Opposite of Accidental Marriage, Girlfriends, Marital Issues, Dog, Sex - Closed Door, Thanksgiving, Christmas Music, "Bullet with Butterfly Wings"

Rating as a movie: R for language

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

My thoughts: 📱20% 1:32:40 Ch. 9 Casey - I hope that the part of Erin is read by Erin Bennett. I think it's Stella, but surprisingly, I can't tell. They all sound different, but whoever Erin is, she's not using her Nantucket voice, or my hope is blocking my memory. I'm going to have this sample some Elin Hildebrand so I can recognize her. Anyway, I love this story, and I already feel like I'm going to have to read Kendrick's entire catalog.

I'm convinced Erin is Erin! Anyway, I love this story and will be reading the entire catalog for this author.

Recommend to others?: Yes! This was a breath of fresh air; it was very humorous, and the characters were fun and not too fluffy.

[Lisa Eirene · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading a bunch of dark, heavy books lately, I wanted something light and "fluffy" to read and this chick lit book was perfect for that! It was actually REALLY good, too!

Erin, Casey and Stella become unlikely friends. They live in the same town but didn't really know each other. They all happened to get married the same weekend and used the same pastor. A few months after their wedding day, they get the surprising news: the pastor died before signing the marriage licenses and the three ladies are NOT actually married.

Erin is a doctor and has the mother-in-law from HELL who moves in and tries to wreck her marriage. Casey's husband almost left her at the altar. And Stella finds out on her wedding night that her new husband had a vasectomy ten years ago. Now all three ladies are wondering whether to walk away and start anew. They aren't legally married anyways...

The book was fun, lighthearted, relatable, funny and gave me the warm-fuzzies. I will definitely read more by this author.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of the book is that three women are married the same weekend by the same minister. He drops dead before signing and filing the women's marriage licenses, and when they are informed of such, they are facing some betrayals as new wives that make them unsure of whether not they want to re-tie the knot.

This was a fun and quick read. All three women face very different issues which lead them to be unsure in their marriages, and the struggles they faced made me immediately jump to the conclusion that all of them should dump the bastards. However, Kendrick's skill with the story is such that you actually do feel for them and want to know how they'll solve the problems and fall in love all over again. And by the end, you're somewhat in love with at least one husband yourself.

Fun stuff, not taxing, perfect for your next beach vacation!

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 I wrote about this book:


This was a wish list book . I read about it on amazon and thought I might like it.
This is the first book I've read from this author.
At first I liked the beginning but then I started to get annoyed how the women were treated and worried that this would go on for many more pages, but I am glad to say... no.
The women wised up and I enjoyed this read.
Very quick summer read.

ETA: Update May 25 2013. I noticed I did not rate this book so I checked Bookcrossing to see how I rated it there. 8 out of 10. I do think I have become more critical so perhaps if I read it now it would have been 3.5, but hey. 4 stars it is.

[Hanny · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was about three women who find out that their recent marriages aren't valid because the pastor who married them didn't signed their marriage licenses and then he died. I didn't enjoy this book as much as the other Beth Kendrick book I read, "Exes and Ohs". The chapters kept fluctuating in the voices of the three main characters, and for some reason I had a hard time remembering who was who. This was very light reading and I thought it was rather silly story, as "chit lit" can be. If this book had been made into a movie, it would have been a "movie of the week" instead of a "feature film".

[Rossy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book a lot more than i thought i would. The characters made me think of some of my friends and their marriages, particularly some of their complaints. As a single woman it was nice to be able to sympathize with the main characters just through what i would like and not when it comes to a partner and marriage. I even enjoyed the typically chic-lit ending, can't wait to try another book by this author.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/die-f...

Bottom line, Nearlyweds is a cute novel about every newlywed woman's worst nightmare. LOL. It was actually quite humorous and I found myself laughing quite a bit. The characters are fun and their situations are not all that unique, but the way that they handle the situation they are put in is somewhat unique. It was a fun book and well worth the read.

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, fun read whereby three couples find themselves all married on the same day with one thing in common...are they really married. After a few months it brings into question the prospect of a do-over, would you marry the same man again?

This was one of those books that I found myself reading in one sitting and definitely one that makes you think as you put yourself into each woman's shoes.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, easy read. I liked the perspective of being a newlywed since it coincides so nicely with this time in my life. Marriage isn't easy, but when both people are willing to make compromises and are committed to a sucessful marriage, it can work... and be fun. But, what do I know. I've only been married nine months. :)

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick fun read! About what happens after 3 newlywed women who are each having problems in their young marriages discover that due to a minor detail they are technically not married and each women has to decided if they will "re-marry" their spouse. Funny! Read in a day!

[Catherine Cooke]

Pretty easy, light-hearted read. Very funny, and had some laugh out loud moments. Wont change your life though, but good if you need a breather from heavier reading material.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beth Kendrick's novel, written in 2006, was one I had not read. These days, with the wonders of technology, it is available as an audiobook, and just the kind I like when I am running to and fro, dashing to appointments, etc. It is a light, silly frolic in the chick lit genre with a clever premise. If you were a newlywed, and you found out your marriage was not really legal, would you do it again? Seems simple enough, and most of us, just back from a honeymoon would say, "YES, of course!" Ah, but not so fast...what if your husband had not been truthful about his fertility or desire to have more children than he had with his ex wife, and you are only 24 and long to be a mother someday? What if, in another case, your new mother-in-law has tried to kill you, sneaking peanuts into a dish she is serving, knowing you are highly allergic? What if said mother in law will do anything and everything to make your life miserable, and who will never stop trying to control her son's life, even if that means moving in with the newlyweds? Would you go the courthouse to make things legal, or would you be grateful for the escape hatch you have just been given? Or, what if you had to drag your fiancé to the alter, make all the decisions in the relationship, even going so far as to buy your own ring? Would you really want to force that kind of guy to do it all again? Stella, Erin, and Casey are all faced with that decision when they learn the pastor or performed their wedding ceremony's over the same weekend, never signed the marriage certificates, and then died.
The 3 women become friends, far too quickly for any sense of realism, but this is fiction, so go with it. Each of their not quite legal marriages has to made legal, but in the light of day, will they want to do so? Will the men they "married?" One problem after another will pop up, making it look doubtful any of them will decide to make it legal. They are there for one another, offering a sofa on which to sleep, advice, and a shoulder upon which to cry, but in the end, each has to decide for themself if they want to do it again, legally, after all the turmoil they are already facing in their new sham marriages.
All the characters made mistakes and were often too quick to react, but there really were some serious issues they needed to settle within each couple's relationship. The premise was great, but I would have liked it to be a bit more seriously handled and less silly (at times). My favorite "character" was Cash, the humongous Great Dane/Newfoundland mutt who played a roll in more than one person's life in the novel.
The ending tied up some loose ends, but not others, which is pretty true in real life as well, so I thought it was fine. This was a pleasant way to "read" a book while also busy. At times I could not keep the characters straight, unsure of which girl was married to which guy, but I did eventually get them all straight. It is a forgettable novel, but a good companion for the time it takes to read it.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three couples get married only to find out it’s not official when the paperwork was not filed.

The couples are all dysfunctional and bordering on abusive. It’s not what a marriage is about to settle for lower standards and be told you have too high of expectations for basic decency, respect and kindness in a relationship.

This book could probably be pretty triggering for people in or a history of emotionally abusive relationships.

One couple should not even be together. The groom had to be begged to show up to the wedding and get married. The wife can never complain or feels allowed to communicate with her lazy, weaponized incompetence husband because she’s scared he will leave her if she asks him to complete basic tasks (that he said he would do).

Another couple has a massive age difference where the groom could be her father. He lied about fundamental part of a relationship (wanting kids) until after they were married. The wife is younger than her husband’s kids. He bought a dog for her without talking about it first. She also buys a dog. A massive dog that is not conducive to their lifestyle. And make inflammatory comments about dog breeds. Thankfully in real life no reputable pound/ rescue would adopt a dog out on the same day especially to someone so vapid and ill prepared to take care of a dog, let alone a large breed.

The last couple has a man child for a husband that puts his mother ahead of his wife. Doesn’t listen to his wife and does things he knows any reasonable person wouldn’t like because he cares more about his mother. His mother, that on multiple times has tried to hospitalize his wife, by hiding peanuts in food when she has a serious peanut allergy. Even letting his mom move in their house for months without talking to his wife.

The book is described as a laugh out loud page turner. I just felt sad for the women in these relationships. They could do better. For a woman author, the book was pretty offensive.

[Jules · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book is an easy, breezy read it also is very cliche. I liked the premise of the book...3 marriages that turn out not to be legal and so everyone has this weird opportunity of a re-do. However, the reigning theme was the women whining how the men in their lives weren't meeting their 'needs'. While at the same time not seeming to take too much into account the needs of the men themselves. It was all about them and the marriages that did get re-done were only those where the men basically begged for the women to take them back telling them 'I'll change for you'. Ugh!

While chick lit by its very nature is women-oriented and the men many times get short shrift, this book almost became unreadable because of this fatal flaw. Personally, I prefer my men, fictional and otherwise, to have a backbone and willing to stand up for what they believe in at the same time trying to see a different point of view, even if they don't agree with it. I think this book had a lot of possibilities, but it didn't fulfill its early promise.

[Claire Binkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book made me scan it in curiosity. Also, I asked my father what breed of dog that was on the cover. My mother is no longer here to tell me what kinds of flowers those are around the letter.
Most likely roses, but possibly primroses.

However, I am still more okay with this story since it is true that there is a character named Reneé in it, which my parents declared was supposed to be was my Confirmation name. (Even if the saint is supposed to be a male figure. That is OK. Men have to exist in the world as well for procreation purposes.)

Anyway, as the first character to introduce the novel at all is named Stella and I remember loving Stellaluna when my mother told me to read it for Library and Information Science I actually am not against it after all, even if I am not the fondest of some of the characters' vernacular. Then again, that is an individual preference.

[Soozblooz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am joining the other reviewers who wrote that character differentiation is lacking. By the middle of the book, I was so frustrated by forgetting who was who, I grabbed an index card and scribbled Erin (pediatrician) & David (MIL Renée); Stella & Mark (24/51); and Casey (trailer trash) & Nick.

I also thought it odd that the every plotline was condensed into two months. Here's an admittedly nitpicky thing: Some of the dialogue didn't ring true: time's a-wasting said during a crisis, and do twenty-somethings call their spouses darling? Maybe they do. I've never been around enough newlyweds to know.

Still, as other reviewers mentioned, Nearlyweds is mindless fluff and pleasurable enough to wile away a few hours.

BTW, why the picture of a terrier on the cover when Cash is Great Dane mix?

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three women who are "married" by the same minister find out he didn't sign their licenses. Casey ends up winning Nick back and he improves, Erin's MIL is a total bitch who tries to practically kill her with peanuts but she survives (ends up leaving and moving back to Boston where he husband, who's finally found out Mother is a bitch) and ends up back with David, while Stella (24 and an ex nanny who married a 53 year old who doesn't want kids and lies) ends up single until the last two pages of the book -- when she finds Cash the dog's original owner who turns out to be a hot guy.

A few things were funny, but made me pissed off reading some of the shit the men and David's mother did. Hit too close to home in some ways. Good book though...

[Christine - Beach Reading is the Best Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this book a 4 because it was exactly what I was looking for: something fun, cute, light, maybe a little cheesy and unrealistic, but it still managed to make you think as these 3 "brides" have to re-evaluate their choices in marriage and husbands.
The book was described as a "romantic comedy," and I'm not sure I've necessarily read something in that genre before, but I could definitely see this as a "chick flick" that you walk out of the movies with your best friend, loving it in spite of yourself!
This is a fun, well-written beach/pool/summer read, and I'll be looking into Kendrick's other books!

[Sarah T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read, always enjoy the light musings of Beth Kendrick.

I love the incorporation of "Cash" into the storyline. This big black dog worked it's way into these girls hearts - and leaves me wondering if it didn't inspire her Black Dog Bay series . . .

Without spoiling too much, I had concerns that everything would just work out exactly the way as it started - and was left satisfied in a delightful ending.

Highly recommend for a light read!

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a quick, fun read between some meatier history books I've been reading. When I caught the movie on TV, and saw that it was based on a book, I had my fun book. And, it was so fun! This was a quick read with a lot of humor and laugh out loud scenes. Greatly enjoyed reading about the surprise friendship of three women joined together in surreal circumstances and how it all worked out for each of them through the various ups and downs!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not my typical book, but I very much enjoyed it. It had a good plot, amazing characters and personally I do not love animals in romances - this one totally worked. I think it helped that I had watched the movie it was adapted into a few years ago, so I didn’t have to think to much about what was happening and I already had a picture of the characters in my head. Overall - would recommend!

💙💙💙

[Katy | KD's Bookish Ways · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a quick read, this book is what you would want. I enjoyed every one of the girls and how they overcame their problems that they both dealt with at the same time. Erin's MIL annoyed the heck out of me and almost made me stop reading this book. But, I held on and in the end, I was quite surprised and enjoyed it!

[Julie Allwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book newlyweds was a brilliant fantastic fabulous book to read I couldn’t put it down

I think book was a brilliant fabulous fantastic book to read
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading books.
As I think they would enjoy reading it very much.
Also how like books with dogs in the story books.