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Two Love Lane #2
A Wedding At Two Love Lane
Never say never when it comes to love.
Greer Jones has made a real name for herself at the elegant matchmaking agency Two Love Lane. For a lot of reasons -- including a past engagement she broke off --
practical tech expert Greer is more interested in the business of love than the experience of it, but she can't help but covet a gorgeous wedding gown that's the prize in an upcoming cocktail-party contest. In a moment of brazen inspiration, Greer asks a handsome Brit she's only just met to accompany her to the party. He agrees --
and Greer believes her date is a starving artist. Little does she know the truth...
Ford Smith, as he calls himself, is actually Stanford Elliott Wentworth Smythe, the Eighth Baron of Wickshire. Fresh off a breakup with a money-grubbing siren who deceived him all the way to the altar, Ford has no desire to fall in love -- especially with Greer who, like the desired wedding gown, is beautiful but only skin-deep. But soon Ford realizes that there's more to Greer than meets the eye. Her professionalism is matched only by her passion for life and love... and, best of all, she has no idea that he's to the manor born. Could it be that true love is priceless after all?
Greer Jones has made a real name for herself at the elegant matchmaking agency Two Love Lane. For a lot of reasons -- including a past engagement she broke off --
practical tech expert Greer is more interested in the business of love than the experience of it, but she can't help but covet a gorgeous wedding gown that's the prize in an upcoming cocktail-party contest. In a moment of brazen inspiration, Greer asks a handsome Brit she's only just met to accompany her to the party. He agrees --
and Greer believes her date is a starving artist. Little does she know the truth...
Ford Smith, as he calls himself, is actually Stanford Elliott Wentworth Smythe, the Eighth Baron of Wickshire. Fresh off a breakup with a money-grubbing siren who deceived him all the way to the altar, Ford has no desire to fall in love -- especially with Greer who, like the desired wedding gown, is beautiful but only skin-deep. But soon Ford realizes that there's more to Greer than meets the eye. Her professionalism is matched only by her passion for life and love... and, best of all, she has no idea that he's to the manor born. Could it be that true love is priceless after all?
340 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 2, 2018
23 people are currently reading
718 people want to read
About the author
Kieran Kramer
21 books559 followersUSA Today bestselling author Kieran Kramer currently writes fun contemporary romance with a Southern flair for St. Martin’s Press. She lives where she grew up–in the Lowcountry of South Carolina–with her family. The first two books in her three-book TWO LOVE LANE series are on shelves now. The third book, SECOND CHANCE AT TWO LOVE LANE, comes out 8-28-18. Find Kieran on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter and at kierankramer.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
March 1, 2018
A Wedding at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer is a 2018 St. Martin’s Press publication.
If you are looking for a love match, Greer Jones, who operates Two Love Lane, a matchmaking service, is at your service. With only one exception, she has managed to find a match for all her clients. Yet, for Greer, helping others find love leaves little time to find her own Mr. Right. However, she is sure that someday she will meet the man of her dreams, so despite having no boyfriend, or fiancé, and okay, she’s not even dating anyone, she still has her heart set on the wedding dress which is part of a local fundraising contest.
Enter, Ford Smith, an artist looking for his next model, who happens to be hiding out from a really awkward situation back in Britain, which is where he is from. Ford agrees to accompany Greer to the cocktail party and fundraiser and knows immediately she’s the person he wants to paint. He then finds himself entangled in her quest to win the wedding dress, when it appears her lack of a fiancé could hurt her chances of winning the contest.
As Greer and Ford begin to spend more time together they find their light, flirty relationship becoming more serious, but both are in denial. The timing couldn’t be worse for either of them.
But, love has its own timetable and for Greer it’s now or never- but does Ford feel the same way?
This is a really cute and sweet contemporary romance full of quirky characters and oddly humorous and awkward situations that added to the story’s charm. I wouldn’t have thought a droll British aristocrat would be a good match for the vivacious Greer, but somehow the British manners complimented the southern charms of Charleston. South Carolina.
This story has a lot going on, and touches on various themes, one of which is to avoid settling for comfort and companionship when you can have everlasting true love instead. I also enjoyed the artistic threads with added a extra dollop of depth to Ford’s understated stoicism.
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this story. It is very light, very easy to read, but I found myself completely enchanted with it!
3.5 round up
If you are looking for a love match, Greer Jones, who operates Two Love Lane, a matchmaking service, is at your service. With only one exception, she has managed to find a match for all her clients. Yet, for Greer, helping others find love leaves little time to find her own Mr. Right. However, she is sure that someday she will meet the man of her dreams, so despite having no boyfriend, or fiancé, and okay, she’s not even dating anyone, she still has her heart set on the wedding dress which is part of a local fundraising contest.
Enter, Ford Smith, an artist looking for his next model, who happens to be hiding out from a really awkward situation back in Britain, which is where he is from. Ford agrees to accompany Greer to the cocktail party and fundraiser and knows immediately she’s the person he wants to paint. He then finds himself entangled in her quest to win the wedding dress, when it appears her lack of a fiancé could hurt her chances of winning the contest.
As Greer and Ford begin to spend more time together they find their light, flirty relationship becoming more serious, but both are in denial. The timing couldn’t be worse for either of them.
But, love has its own timetable and for Greer it’s now or never- but does Ford feel the same way?
This is a really cute and sweet contemporary romance full of quirky characters and oddly humorous and awkward situations that added to the story’s charm. I wouldn’t have thought a droll British aristocrat would be a good match for the vivacious Greer, but somehow the British manners complimented the southern charms of Charleston. South Carolina.
This story has a lot going on, and touches on various themes, one of which is to avoid settling for comfort and companionship when you can have everlasting true love instead. I also enjoyed the artistic threads with added a extra dollop of depth to Ford’s understated stoicism.
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this story. It is very light, very easy to read, but I found myself completely enchanted with it!
3.5 round up
January 15, 2018
I absolutely LOVE this Book! I fell in love from the first few pages and it held my attention throughout the whole story!😍 This was a sweet contemporary romance with great characters and a well written plot! I fell in love with the story and stayed up all night reading it. #WorthIt
The thing I LOVED most about this story is that it takes place in Charleston, South Carolina! I was born and raised in the Charleston area and knew all of the places that were mentioned.
The descriptions were perfect! I lived on an apartment right next to the maon character on Colonial Lake, which is more like a giant pond, when I was younger. I was born at Medical University of South Carolina and so was my youngest and that was discussed in the book. So pretty much, I felt a connection with this book in a way.
Besides the setting, I just felt this was a very sweet romance and highly recommend it!💖💙💚💛💜
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For more of this review and others please visit touchmyspinebookreviews.com
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The thing I LOVED most about this story is that it takes place in Charleston, South Carolina! I was born and raised in the Charleston area and knew all of the places that were mentioned.
The descriptions were perfect! I lived on an apartment right next to the maon character on Colonial Lake, which is more like a giant pond, when I was younger. I was born at Medical University of South Carolina and so was my youngest and that was discussed in the book. So pretty much, I felt a connection with this book in a way.
Besides the setting, I just felt this was a very sweet romance and highly recommend it!💖💙💚💛💜
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For more of this review and others please visit touchmyspinebookreviews.com
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2017
A Wedding at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer is the second book in the Two Love Lane contemporary romance series. As with most series in the romance genre this edition of the series features an all new leading couple in the story and can be read as a standalone if choosing to do so. The series is centered around the ladies running the Two Love Lane dating agency in beautiful Charleston, SC with this story highlighting Greer and her opportunity at finding her own love. There are glimpses of previous characters though for those that do follow the whole series.
Greer Jones has been wedding obsessed her whole life keeping scrapbooks of her favorite wedding items. The job of helping others find the true love in their lives has been perfect for Greer but she hasn’t yet had that spark she seeks with anyone, including her ex who had proposed at one point. Now the ex is getting married and Greer wonders if it will ever happen for her.
When attending an auction Greer learns of “Royal Bliss”, a wedding gown that is also said to bring luck in love to the owner. Completely out of character for Greer she finds herself in a bidding war against Pierre Simons who has a vendetta against Greer and the ladies of Two Love Lane so of course he continues to outbid her. When things don’t go her way Greer is heartbroken until she learns Pierre plans to hold a contest with the gown as a prize and Greer’s ticket to winning is the sexy Ford who she had met at the very auction she found Royal Bliss.
I have to say I thought this installment of the series was quite a fun read with Greer going after her dream of a wedding dress. She and Ford come together to try to win the competition with a “fake” engagement that you just know will come to turn out to be more by the end. The contest had all sorts of fun events that were quite entertaining during the book too. And reading this one at Christmas time I couldn’t help but keep comparing Pierre to the Grinch or Scrooge. But all of it made for a lot of fun.
Now for the couple in the story, I did quite like both Greer and Ford as I got to know each of them. I wasn’t a huge fan of Ford hiding his true identity but with where he was coming from in his past it was understandable. I will also certainly give the author credit for taking a completely realistic approach to this couple by giving them a past that needed to be dealt with and applaud Greer in how she handled finding out in the story. So in the end this one was my favorite of the series so far and I definitely look forward to seeing more from these ladies of Two Love Lane if it continues.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Greer Jones has been wedding obsessed her whole life keeping scrapbooks of her favorite wedding items. The job of helping others find the true love in their lives has been perfect for Greer but she hasn’t yet had that spark she seeks with anyone, including her ex who had proposed at one point. Now the ex is getting married and Greer wonders if it will ever happen for her.
When attending an auction Greer learns of “Royal Bliss”, a wedding gown that is also said to bring luck in love to the owner. Completely out of character for Greer she finds herself in a bidding war against Pierre Simons who has a vendetta against Greer and the ladies of Two Love Lane so of course he continues to outbid her. When things don’t go her way Greer is heartbroken until she learns Pierre plans to hold a contest with the gown as a prize and Greer’s ticket to winning is the sexy Ford who she had met at the very auction she found Royal Bliss.
I have to say I thought this installment of the series was quite a fun read with Greer going after her dream of a wedding dress. She and Ford come together to try to win the competition with a “fake” engagement that you just know will come to turn out to be more by the end. The contest had all sorts of fun events that were quite entertaining during the book too. And reading this one at Christmas time I couldn’t help but keep comparing Pierre to the Grinch or Scrooge. But all of it made for a lot of fun.
Now for the couple in the story, I did quite like both Greer and Ford as I got to know each of them. I wasn’t a huge fan of Ford hiding his true identity but with where he was coming from in his past it was understandable. I will also certainly give the author credit for taking a completely realistic approach to this couple by giving them a past that needed to be dealt with and applaud Greer in how she handled finding out in the story. So in the end this one was my favorite of the series so far and I definitely look forward to seeing more from these ladies of Two Love Lane if it continues.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
December 17, 2017
What happens when a bitter feud, a magical wedding dress, an auction and a determined matchmaker collide with an English Baron who is soured on love? You get A WEDDING AT TWO LOVE LANE and a fun read that puts both the magic of love and some romantic comedy together to create the nearly perfect light-hearted reading escape!
Greer is force to be reckoned with when she wants something and she wants that wedding dress, even if she doesn’t’ have an intended groom. Too bad the vile little dress shop owner wants it, too and he outbids her at an auction. The dress becomes Greer’s obsession when a promotion offers the dress as the grand prize. All Greer needs is to enter, right? Not so fast, there. She may just need a partner in crime so to speak and that’s when she enlists Ford, the man she thinks is a starving artist. The man who also just happens to have painted her ex-fiance’s current fiance’s portrait. Small world, huh? And it keeps getting smaller as her ex moves into town with his new future bride.
Did I mention that Ford wants to pain Greer’s portrait, too? Or that these two have a growing chemistry that only a big fiasco or a lack of communication can quash?
Fun characters, a few awkward moments that probably didn’t have to be, a few awkward moments that were needed and a crazy contest for a magical wedding gown that makes the perfect foil to love! Kieran Kramer’s A WEDDING AT TWO LOVE LANE is a fluffy romance that will leave you smiling! Low angst, high entertainment, finding love and the perfect gown-priceless.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's in exchange for my voluntary review.
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (January 2, 2018)
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Greer is force to be reckoned with when she wants something and she wants that wedding dress, even if she doesn’t’ have an intended groom. Too bad the vile little dress shop owner wants it, too and he outbids her at an auction. The dress becomes Greer’s obsession when a promotion offers the dress as the grand prize. All Greer needs is to enter, right? Not so fast, there. She may just need a partner in crime so to speak and that’s when she enlists Ford, the man she thinks is a starving artist. The man who also just happens to have painted her ex-fiance’s current fiance’s portrait. Small world, huh? And it keeps getting smaller as her ex moves into town with his new future bride.
Did I mention that Ford wants to pain Greer’s portrait, too? Or that these two have a growing chemistry that only a big fiasco or a lack of communication can quash?
Fun characters, a few awkward moments that probably didn’t have to be, a few awkward moments that were needed and a crazy contest for a magical wedding gown that makes the perfect foil to love! Kieran Kramer’s A WEDDING AT TWO LOVE LANE is a fluffy romance that will leave you smiling! Low angst, high entertainment, finding love and the perfect gown-priceless.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's in exchange for my voluntary review.
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (January 2, 2018)
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 4, 2018
Rating: 4.5/5
First impressions can be so wrong - yet lead to something so right! This is a fairytale, contemporary romance in which the secret dreamer, Greer Jones, meets the artist and realist, Ford Smith, and wants to learn to dream himself! Greer is a techie who has been keeping scrapbook wedding plans for years but has never met the man with whom she’d like to put those plans into action. When she spots the wedding dress of her dreams being auctioned, she just has to bid on it, even though she’s not planning on marrying any time soon. Her arch enemy, however, is determined she won’t win it. She asks the handsome man next to her for help and to go to a party where there will be a raffle to win the dress, not realising he’s a member of the British peerage and not a penniless artist!
Get ready for laugh out loud moments, dreams, a fake engagement, nightmares and romance in this delightful story. The characters are fun, believable and easy to relate to. It is a lovely story, a great addition to the series and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I’m certainly looking forward to the next book in this series and have no hesitation in recommending this - and the previous story in the series, Christmas at Two Love Lane. I believe both stories may be read as a standalone though the ladies at Two Love Lane are key characters in both stories.
I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.
First impressions can be so wrong - yet lead to something so right! This is a fairytale, contemporary romance in which the secret dreamer, Greer Jones, meets the artist and realist, Ford Smith, and wants to learn to dream himself! Greer is a techie who has been keeping scrapbook wedding plans for years but has never met the man with whom she’d like to put those plans into action. When she spots the wedding dress of her dreams being auctioned, she just has to bid on it, even though she’s not planning on marrying any time soon. Her arch enemy, however, is determined she won’t win it. She asks the handsome man next to her for help and to go to a party where there will be a raffle to win the dress, not realising he’s a member of the British peerage and not a penniless artist!
Get ready for laugh out loud moments, dreams, a fake engagement, nightmares and romance in this delightful story. The characters are fun, believable and easy to relate to. It is a lovely story, a great addition to the series and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I’m certainly looking forward to the next book in this series and have no hesitation in recommending this - and the previous story in the series, Christmas at Two Love Lane. I believe both stories may be read as a standalone though the ladies at Two Love Lane are key characters in both stories.
I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.
December 31, 2017
This was a crazy,fun laugh a minute book! Greer is co-owner and a matchmaker at Two Love Lane. She seems to find love for everyone but herself and has a failed engagement to prove it. It makes for awkward moments when her ex-fiancee and his bride to be move to beautiful Charleston where she lives and she seems to run into them wherever she goes. A fake romance with Ford Smith,who turns out to be an English Baron turns into a real romance with Greer. Greer covets a gorgeous wedding gown that is supposed to bring good luck to the owner,even though she has no plans of wedding. She needs a partner to enter the wedding gown contest though and this is where the fake romance with Ford comes in. Try as they both may ,romance may just be in the cards in this delightful romantic tale. I really enjoyed reading this!
Pub Date 02 Jan 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date 02 Jan 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 2, 2018
A Wedding At Two Love Lane is the second book in the Two Love Lane series by Kieran Kramer. The story follows Greer a matchmaker who enters a contest to win the wedding gown of her dreams and Ford, a duke/artist who is her willing sidekick and poses as her fake fiance in order to help her win.
I didn't like the way Greer and Ford met and to be honest, I was expecting more from Ford and I was disappointed when he didn't help Greer. I understand now that he had issues, but I wanted the hero of the novel to act, well, like a hero. I couldn't warm up to him and I was slowly losing interest in Greer as I was reading further on the book.
The author should have dedicated more time on Jill and her second chance romance rather than exclusively on Greer and Ford. I felt cheated when it came to Jill. She seemed to have a very interesting story and it was a sub-sub-plot, just enough to fill two whole pages. I wanted to see more of them and forget about the perfect dress and Greer.
The couple of the next book is uncertain, but I think I have an idea about who that person might be. The man who took the dress Greer wanted at the auction was a lot on the spotlight by the end of the book and he went through some drastic changes. I am still not sure about his age and the reason he was acting like he was. If the next book is his, I hope we will find out a little bit more of the reasons why he is the man I saw in this book.
I didn't like the way Greer and Ford met and to be honest, I was expecting more from Ford and I was disappointed when he didn't help Greer. I understand now that he had issues, but I wanted the hero of the novel to act, well, like a hero. I couldn't warm up to him and I was slowly losing interest in Greer as I was reading further on the book.
The author should have dedicated more time on Jill and her second chance romance rather than exclusively on Greer and Ford. I felt cheated when it came to Jill. She seemed to have a very interesting story and it was a sub-sub-plot, just enough to fill two whole pages. I wanted to see more of them and forget about the perfect dress and Greer.
The couple of the next book is uncertain, but I think I have an idea about who that person might be. The man who took the dress Greer wanted at the auction was a lot on the spotlight by the end of the book and he went through some drastic changes. I am still not sure about his age and the reason he was acting like he was. If the next book is his, I hope we will find out a little bit more of the reasons why he is the man I saw in this book.
December 30, 2017
So, I’m still chuckling at the crazy ride I was just on in reading A Wedding at Two Love Lane. This book was so much fun to read!
Seriously!
Greer and Ford were sexy, snarky, funny, smart, crazy and just simply amazing. There was so much life happening in this book. A crazy auction, a wedding dress contest, a couple of drunk frat boys, some nude portrait posing, a trip to The Price is Right, a run in with an ex or two . . . see what I mean? Crazy shit.
And it was awesome. Laugh out loud, root for the underdog, cringe through the meet-cute awesome. And I can’t write more, because A Wedding at Two Love Lane is just something you need to experience. Buckle in, you’re going to have a wild ride! ~ Missy, 4.5 stars
Seriously!
Greer and Ford were sexy, snarky, funny, smart, crazy and just simply amazing. There was so much life happening in this book. A crazy auction, a wedding dress contest, a couple of drunk frat boys, some nude portrait posing, a trip to The Price is Right, a run in with an ex or two . . . see what I mean? Crazy shit.
And it was awesome. Laugh out loud, root for the underdog, cringe through the meet-cute awesome. And I can’t write more, because A Wedding at Two Love Lane is just something you need to experience. Buckle in, you’re going to have a wild ride! ~ Missy, 4.5 stars
January 23, 2018
A Wedding at Two Love Lane, once I got into it, was a fun, light and charming read. It's just the thing for a cold winter night!
The story revolves around Greer, a matchmaker, who covets a vintage wedding gown. She runs into all sorts of adventures trying to win it, including a few minor altercations with a shop owner and a hilarious with a hunky Britisher who is just trying to stay out of her way!
All in all, I really enjoyed this novel. It might have been helpful to read the previous book in the series first, but I don't think it's a big issue,
I received this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
The story revolves around Greer, a matchmaker, who covets a vintage wedding gown. She runs into all sorts of adventures trying to win it, including a few minor altercations with a shop owner and a hilarious with a hunky Britisher who is just trying to stay out of her way!
All in all, I really enjoyed this novel. It might have been helpful to read the previous book in the series first, but I don't think it's a big issue,
I received this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
December 12, 2017
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. I’ve read all of Kieran Kramer’s historical romances and enjoyed them very much so was delighted to have the opportunity to read one of her modern romances. This book is the second book in her Charleston Matchmaker series and I think can be read as a stand alone as I have not read the first book and still enjoyed this one. The main story is about Greer Jones a partner in a matchmaking business who is all about the technical and mathematical part of the business and not so much the love part and Ford Smith aka Stanford Elliott Wentworth Smythe, the Eighth Baron of Wickshire an artist who has come to Charlotte to recover his muse after being stood up at the alter when his bride had an affair with one of his groomsmen. There many interesting supporting characters, including a nasty pair of villains, a magical wedding dress, an ex boyfriend and his new fiancé who end up in a cut throat competition with the heroine to win said dress. I would love to say that the book has a satisfying HEA but the copy I read ended abruptly and I felt it needed at least one more chapter... I kind of felt stood up at the alter myself. I didn’t get the Elvis painting over the headboard and the Baywatch babes poster on the ceiling over the bed in the heroine’s boudoir. Pretty sure looking at those would either give me the giggles or break the mood at a crucial time. As well the subplot about the billionaire seemed lacking somehow... I think the storyline would be stronger without it, but then I am so over billionaire romances. This is a nice lighthearted romance with some quite steamy moments and I did enjoy reading it. Publishing Date January 2, 2018.
November 19, 2017
3.5 stars
I liked Greer. She was smart, fastidious, and friendly. Basically, Greer is the reliable friend you’d call because you know she’ll always answer. Her one crazy quirk was her Perfect Wedding scrapbook! Forget the groom, this chick has her entire dream wedding laid out to the tiniest detail! The groom is really more of an afterthought.
Ford, who also has an extensive name and title, is...I’d say incognito. He was left at the altar by his conniving bride and groomsman and has hightailed across the ocean to find his next artistic model. I liked him, but he didn’t leave a lasting impression on me, and this point is driving me nuts because I really, really, wanted to like him!
There’s a lot going on with a variety of characters. They were all very entertaining in their own ways and I admit their drama kept the story moving along. However, the busyness also overwhelmed the romance. It felt like I was reading a panoramic story where I would zoom in on someone for a bit the. zoom out to find another person to focus on. I just found that to be very distracting.
To round things out; the story itself is good. The supporting characters are hilarious and some characters do stand out more than others, but that’s half the fun! I just think this particular story was not my cup of tea with all the drama going on.
ARC provided courtesy of St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley.
I liked Greer. She was smart, fastidious, and friendly. Basically, Greer is the reliable friend you’d call because you know she’ll always answer. Her one crazy quirk was her Perfect Wedding scrapbook! Forget the groom, this chick has her entire dream wedding laid out to the tiniest detail! The groom is really more of an afterthought.
Ford, who also has an extensive name and title, is...I’d say incognito. He was left at the altar by his conniving bride and groomsman and has hightailed across the ocean to find his next artistic model. I liked him, but he didn’t leave a lasting impression on me, and this point is driving me nuts because I really, really, wanted to like him!
There’s a lot going on with a variety of characters. They were all very entertaining in their own ways and I admit their drama kept the story moving along. However, the busyness also overwhelmed the romance. It felt like I was reading a panoramic story where I would zoom in on someone for a bit the. zoom out to find another person to focus on. I just found that to be very distracting.
To round things out; the story itself is good. The supporting characters are hilarious and some characters do stand out more than others, but that’s half the fun! I just think this particular story was not my cup of tea with all the drama going on.
ARC provided courtesy of St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley.
December 16, 2017
A Wedding at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer.
A contemporary romance of instant attraction and following an impulse. Fake romance that turns real. 2nd in the matchmaker series and can stand alone.
A flirty romance. I liked Greer, the heroine for going after what she wants. Even better, the hero is adorable in supporting Greer on the wedding dress contest. His impulsive proposal to help her for the contest was sweet.
A lot of secondary details from the matchmaking agency other owners and clients. The author used a telephone call to describe an event which was unique the first time but seemed contrived the second time.
I read an early copy that needed polishing including an abrupt ending.
Overall, I enjoyed the connection of the two lovers.
“He had a natural presence that made women and men look twice. And she really like him. Him. His personality. His honesty. His humor. The way his eyes lit up when he smiled.”
I received a copy of the book via NetGalley.
A contemporary romance of instant attraction and following an impulse. Fake romance that turns real. 2nd in the matchmaker series and can stand alone.
A flirty romance. I liked Greer, the heroine for going after what she wants. Even better, the hero is adorable in supporting Greer on the wedding dress contest. His impulsive proposal to help her for the contest was sweet.
A lot of secondary details from the matchmaking agency other owners and clients. The author used a telephone call to describe an event which was unique the first time but seemed contrived the second time.
I read an early copy that needed polishing including an abrupt ending.
Overall, I enjoyed the connection of the two lovers.
“He had a natural presence that made women and men look twice. And she really like him. Him. His personality. His honesty. His humor. The way his eyes lit up when he smiled.”
I received a copy of the book via NetGalley.
July 4, 2018
3.5
This is the second book in this contemporary romance series. He's an duke/artist. and she's a professional matchmaker. He was jilted at the altar and isn't looking for love. She has her perfect wedding planned and no groom to enjoy it with.
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is the second book in this contemporary romance series. He's an duke/artist. and she's a professional matchmaker. He was jilted at the altar and isn't looking for love. She has her perfect wedding planned and no groom to enjoy it with.
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 16, 2018
ARC REVIEW
Book two of Kieran Kramer's Two Love Lane series focusing on Greer Jones and Stanford Elliott Wentworth Smythe, the Eighth Baron of Wickshire, or Ford for short. I find myself really liking this series the cast of characters are fun and so likeable it's easy to get absorbed into their world. This one is funny and Ford is so sweet at times. I liked that their romance and seduction took a little bit to get into, they took their time and got to know one another first before sleeping together, but not keeping them from fooling around and doing everything but that. Two Love Lane is a matchmaking agency between the computer algorithms and Macy being part cupid Elle, Macy, and Greer have made a name for themselves as the go to for finding your true love.
Greer Jones has been planning her wedding since she was a little girl. For Greer it has to be perfect, that means the groom too. When her high school sweetheart and long time boyfriend proposed she realized they really were not right for each other. Here she is four years later still getting grief from her parents about not marrying him and the fact that he's marrying someone else. Greer is truly happy for him if not depressed that she's still alone but for him she's happy they are both doctors and just perfect for each other. Until she finds out that they are having the wedding in Charleston and moving here.
Ford Smith is in the states to find his muse. As an artist he knows he paints well but there is something missing from his painting. He's in a funk and hopes that a change of scenery might help. In Charleston he finds his muse, the woman he wants to paint more than anything else. Now the tricky thing how's he going to meeting her, so he follows her. He follows her into the auction house and he does met her when she starts bidding on a wedding dress and accidentally sits in his lap. They are formally introduced when Greer runs into her ex and his fiance whose friends with Ford.
For Greer that wedding dress was the epitome of the perfect wedding dress. It didn't matter that she wasn't currently engaged but she planned to be someday. Unfortunately she was outbit by the prissy, stuck up, metrosexual Pierre Simons. Pierre will do anything if it hurts Greer after all they couldn't find him a love match at Two Love Lane, and has therefore set out to ruin them and this dress is just the icing on the cake. Pierre decides to make it a contest, for brides to get the chance to win this spectacular wedding dress. That's not going to stop Greer she enters anyways. It's clear that Greer has no chance at winning unless she has a partner Ford steps up to the task, and in return Greer agrees to model for him.
Overall, this was such a fun read. Aside from all the contest fun Greer and Ford go through and falling in love there is a side story that Greer helps along (love the Nodding Hill reference) with Elle's sister. While Greer is faced with her baggage and deals with it head on, Ford is slow on the up take, it takes a bit for his to realize why he won't admit to actually being in love with Greer. But when he does he goes all out.
Book two of Kieran Kramer's Two Love Lane series focusing on Greer Jones and Stanford Elliott Wentworth Smythe, the Eighth Baron of Wickshire, or Ford for short. I find myself really liking this series the cast of characters are fun and so likeable it's easy to get absorbed into their world. This one is funny and Ford is so sweet at times. I liked that their romance and seduction took a little bit to get into, they took their time and got to know one another first before sleeping together, but not keeping them from fooling around and doing everything but that. Two Love Lane is a matchmaking agency between the computer algorithms and Macy being part cupid Elle, Macy, and Greer have made a name for themselves as the go to for finding your true love.
Greer Jones has been planning her wedding since she was a little girl. For Greer it has to be perfect, that means the groom too. When her high school sweetheart and long time boyfriend proposed she realized they really were not right for each other. Here she is four years later still getting grief from her parents about not marrying him and the fact that he's marrying someone else. Greer is truly happy for him if not depressed that she's still alone but for him she's happy they are both doctors and just perfect for each other. Until she finds out that they are having the wedding in Charleston and moving here.
Ford Smith is in the states to find his muse. As an artist he knows he paints well but there is something missing from his painting. He's in a funk and hopes that a change of scenery might help. In Charleston he finds his muse, the woman he wants to paint more than anything else. Now the tricky thing how's he going to meeting her, so he follows her. He follows her into the auction house and he does met her when she starts bidding on a wedding dress and accidentally sits in his lap. They are formally introduced when Greer runs into her ex and his fiance whose friends with Ford.
For Greer that wedding dress was the epitome of the perfect wedding dress. It didn't matter that she wasn't currently engaged but she planned to be someday. Unfortunately she was outbit by the prissy, stuck up, metrosexual Pierre Simons. Pierre will do anything if it hurts Greer after all they couldn't find him a love match at Two Love Lane, and has therefore set out to ruin them and this dress is just the icing on the cake. Pierre decides to make it a contest, for brides to get the chance to win this spectacular wedding dress. That's not going to stop Greer she enters anyways. It's clear that Greer has no chance at winning unless she has a partner Ford steps up to the task, and in return Greer agrees to model for him.
Overall, this was such a fun read. Aside from all the contest fun Greer and Ford go through and falling in love there is a side story that Greer helps along (love the Nodding Hill reference) with Elle's sister. While Greer is faced with her baggage and deals with it head on, Ford is slow on the up take, it takes a bit for his to realize why he won't admit to actually being in love with Greer. But when he does he goes all out.
December 29, 2017
It's stories like this that remind me why I love romance. Kieran Kramer reminds us why it's okay to dream. Modern day reality meets fairytale fantasy and creates unforgettable magic. Greer is a dreamer, whose lost the will to dream. Ford is a realist who wants to learn how to dream. A beautiful dress, a chance encounter and one night that rivals any childhood fantasy could be the beginning of something wonderful. Wedding at Two Love Lane is a sentimental tale that allows readers to escape into the world of classic romance and remember when.
January 2, 2018
This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
January 29, 2018
A Match for the Matchmaker
Always enjoy Ms. Kramer's stories. Her characters are wonderful and leap off the page. The city of Charleston is a full-blown character in the book as well. All in all, it was a fun read and I loved how all the secondary characters tied in with the main characters' story.
Always enjoy Ms. Kramer's stories. Her characters are wonderful and leap off the page. The city of Charleston is a full-blown character in the book as well. All in all, it was a fun read and I loved how all the secondary characters tied in with the main characters' story.
December 26, 2017
***ARC provided by the Author/Publisher via NetGalley***
I have chosen to DNF this title at 21%
I was not able to connect with the characters and I found the writing style to be choppy. I thought the sentences jumped from topic to topic and there was not a lot of flow to the paragraphs or chapters.
I also was not a fan of the first meeting of the heroine and hero, and I thought it made the rest of the story feel really forced.
I have chosen to DNF this title at 21%
I was not able to connect with the characters and I found the writing style to be choppy. I thought the sentences jumped from topic to topic and there was not a lot of flow to the paragraphs or chapters.
I also was not a fan of the first meeting of the heroine and hero, and I thought it made the rest of the story feel really forced.
October 14, 2018
Reviewed by JoAnne
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
It was nice to be back in Charleston, South Carolina, in the second book of the Two Love Lane series, A Wedding at Two Love Lane. It returns us to Two Love Lane, the matchmaking agency owned by best friends, Greer, Macy and Ella and Miss Thing, who helps keep things lively, is their office manager. This is Greer’s story along with Ford’s but it also weaves the others in and out along with Ford’s family in England and Greer’s in Wisconsin.
We learn of Greer’s and Ford’s past which are not always happy. Unfortunately, Greer’s ex-boyfriend is front and center since he moved to Charleston for a year with his fiancee and they run into each other immediately. Due to a contest she and Serena, the fiancee, enter, they are bound to keep seeing each other but also be at the same place at the same time. The contest is all about weddings and winning the stunning Royal Bliss wedding gown that Greer lost out at an auction where her arch-nemesis, Pierre, is the winning bidder. When the contest idea is hatched, Greer jumps right on it, even if she isn’t planning a wedding for herself right now.
It was fun watching Greer and Ford’s interactions and chemistry but also how they got each other. He fit right in considering he had a few secrets of his own. His camaraderie with his college-age roommates was a hoot especially since he was always so generous to them and they thought of him as a starving artist. There are family and friends, happiness, dreams, sadness, sorrow, angst, businesses to run, small town life, the contest, all things wedding, rivalries, tears, happiness, laughter, romance, loving and love. The book has many story lines but all are woven together effortlessly. There are ups and downs along with twists and turns but ultimately several happily-ever-afters in the offing. There is some closure but not enough. An epilogue would have been the icing on the cake. There are enough loose ends to bring us to the next book in the series, Second Chance at Two Love Lane, and I for one can’t wait especially since the book won’t be released until August.
Kramer is a fairly new to me author whose books I’ve enjoyed in the Two Love Lane series. I look forward to reading more of her books both in the contemporary romance and historical fiction genres.
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
It was nice to be back in Charleston, South Carolina, in the second book of the Two Love Lane series, A Wedding at Two Love Lane. It returns us to Two Love Lane, the matchmaking agency owned by best friends, Greer, Macy and Ella and Miss Thing, who helps keep things lively, is their office manager. This is Greer’s story along with Ford’s but it also weaves the others in and out along with Ford’s family in England and Greer’s in Wisconsin.
We learn of Greer’s and Ford’s past which are not always happy. Unfortunately, Greer’s ex-boyfriend is front and center since he moved to Charleston for a year with his fiancee and they run into each other immediately. Due to a contest she and Serena, the fiancee, enter, they are bound to keep seeing each other but also be at the same place at the same time. The contest is all about weddings and winning the stunning Royal Bliss wedding gown that Greer lost out at an auction where her arch-nemesis, Pierre, is the winning bidder. When the contest idea is hatched, Greer jumps right on it, even if she isn’t planning a wedding for herself right now.
It was fun watching Greer and Ford’s interactions and chemistry but also how they got each other. He fit right in considering he had a few secrets of his own. His camaraderie with his college-age roommates was a hoot especially since he was always so generous to them and they thought of him as a starving artist. There are family and friends, happiness, dreams, sadness, sorrow, angst, businesses to run, small town life, the contest, all things wedding, rivalries, tears, happiness, laughter, romance, loving and love. The book has many story lines but all are woven together effortlessly. There are ups and downs along with twists and turns but ultimately several happily-ever-afters in the offing. There is some closure but not enough. An epilogue would have been the icing on the cake. There are enough loose ends to bring us to the next book in the series, Second Chance at Two Love Lane, and I for one can’t wait especially since the book won’t be released until August.
Kramer is a fairly new to me author whose books I’ve enjoyed in the Two Love Lane series. I look forward to reading more of her books both in the contemporary romance and historical fiction genres.
April 27, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#2 in the Two Love Lane romance series
This basically is a book about independence, for both Greer and Ford. Greer has been planning her perfect wedding for years, despite the fact that she doesn't have a particular groom in mind. But she's in love with the trappings of true love and keeps herself busy with them. The perfect wedding dress pushes her to join the contest to win it, and her chance meeting with Ford helps her along. She's not afraid to admit that she is alone (so far) and enters the contest as a partnerless candidate. Ford is actually the last person that you'd think would become involved in this sort of competition since he was recently left at the altar. Not to mention the complications of his ex's revelation. He's trying to remake himself after his recent debacle, slowly rebuilding his independence. Plus, he's attracted to Greer, and he wants to paint her. It's fun to watch as their relationship grows gradually, with a little extra push from the contest. The whole plot is a bit unusual, and I enjoyed watching it unfold. The solidity of the characters and their strong personalities added an extra enjoyment to their inevitable relationship. There was some contact with characters in the previous book, although the focus wasn't really on the Two Love Lane business. That's good, actually, because I think the whole original premise is kind of dumb. Actually, the secondary business of Erospace (erotic bedroom design) also seemed a little weird to me, but it made for some interesting situations. I enjoyed this book and will continue with the series to read Ella's story next.
#2 in the Two Love Lane romance series
This basically is a book about independence, for both Greer and Ford. Greer has been planning her perfect wedding for years, despite the fact that she doesn't have a particular groom in mind. But she's in love with the trappings of true love and keeps herself busy with them. The perfect wedding dress pushes her to join the contest to win it, and her chance meeting with Ford helps her along. She's not afraid to admit that she is alone (so far) and enters the contest as a partnerless candidate. Ford is actually the last person that you'd think would become involved in this sort of competition since he was recently left at the altar. Not to mention the complications of his ex's revelation. He's trying to remake himself after his recent debacle, slowly rebuilding his independence. Plus, he's attracted to Greer, and he wants to paint her. It's fun to watch as their relationship grows gradually, with a little extra push from the contest. The whole plot is a bit unusual, and I enjoyed watching it unfold. The solidity of the characters and their strong personalities added an extra enjoyment to their inevitable relationship. There was some contact with characters in the previous book, although the focus wasn't really on the Two Love Lane business. That's good, actually, because I think the whole original premise is kind of dumb. Actually, the secondary business of Erospace (erotic bedroom design) also seemed a little weird to me, but it made for some interesting situations. I enjoyed this book and will continue with the series to read Ella's story next.
January 15, 2018
Greer Jones struck me as a beautiful, hopeless romantic. Even after she had broken up with an ex, she still wanted to get married and wear that marvelous wedding gown she'd been dreaming of since she was younger. Running a dating service with her friends, Greer rationalized everything about interested lovers so they could end up together. But when she found her ex-lover making wedding arrangements with his new fiance, she had to show everyone that she was okay with it. Easy, right? Or so she thought.
That's where Ford Smith came into the picture and swoop the damsel in distress. Pretending to be engaged with Greer was nothing sort of magical, in his opinion. But sensing that Greer knew nothing about him or his nobility, him being the real Stanford Elliott Wentworth Smythe, the Eighth Baron of Wickshire.. All too soon, things had come to exciting twists and turns. And that was how the ball got rolling and prancing at Two Love Lane.
This has been utterly sweet and romantic. Sure I'd been reading a lot of fake engagement stories lately, but I don't mind, because each story has its own unique plot, and this book by Kieran Kramer sure got me giggling and gushing like a lovestruck fiance. I loved Greer, a techie and a sweetie at the same time. She was one helluva girl when she's on an auction or just when she's fighting for what she really wants. I loved that she and Ford didn't fall instantly with each other, their relationship grew and they let each other consider everything before delving to a more mature bond.
I've always liked the fake romance storyline, so this book, A Wedding at Two Love Lane is a win!
That's where Ford Smith came into the picture and swoop the damsel in distress. Pretending to be engaged with Greer was nothing sort of magical, in his opinion. But sensing that Greer knew nothing about him or his nobility, him being the real Stanford Elliott Wentworth Smythe, the Eighth Baron of Wickshire.. All too soon, things had come to exciting twists and turns. And that was how the ball got rolling and prancing at Two Love Lane.
This has been utterly sweet and romantic. Sure I'd been reading a lot of fake engagement stories lately, but I don't mind, because each story has its own unique plot, and this book by Kieran Kramer sure got me giggling and gushing like a lovestruck fiance. I loved Greer, a techie and a sweetie at the same time. She was one helluva girl when she's on an auction or just when she's fighting for what she really wants. I loved that she and Ford didn't fall instantly with each other, their relationship grew and they let each other consider everything before delving to a more mature bond.
I've always liked the fake romance storyline, so this book, A Wedding at Two Love Lane is a win!
December 30, 2017
A Wedding at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer
Two Love Lane #2
Greer Jones is a matchmaker but she is also a dreamer. She has been planning the “perfect” wedding with pins and scrapbooks for a long time. When she sees the “perfect” wedding gown she tries to pick it up at auction and fails only to be given another opportunity to win it through a bit of game playing promotion put on by the auction winner of the dress. Wanting to win she shows up with Ford Smith, an artist, and begins to compete. Ford is more than she thinks he is while also being leery of love. The two do finally end up with a HEA BUT there are some twists and turns and hoops to get through before it happens.
I had trouble relating to these characters and the idea of “perfect” dress, wedding, man, whatever…matches can be made but relationships take work. I didn’t see what Greer and Ford saw in one another and had trouble understanding their motivations. There were side characters and baddies and goodies and…maybe this book had the feel of a New Adult romance and that is what put me off…not sure. Anyway, I am sure some will love this story and find it a fun filled way to spend some time. It did not appeal to me, though.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
2-3 Stars
Two Love Lane #2
Greer Jones is a matchmaker but she is also a dreamer. She has been planning the “perfect” wedding with pins and scrapbooks for a long time. When she sees the “perfect” wedding gown she tries to pick it up at auction and fails only to be given another opportunity to win it through a bit of game playing promotion put on by the auction winner of the dress. Wanting to win she shows up with Ford Smith, an artist, and begins to compete. Ford is more than she thinks he is while also being leery of love. The two do finally end up with a HEA BUT there are some twists and turns and hoops to get through before it happens.
I had trouble relating to these characters and the idea of “perfect” dress, wedding, man, whatever…matches can be made but relationships take work. I didn’t see what Greer and Ford saw in one another and had trouble understanding their motivations. There were side characters and baddies and goodies and…maybe this book had the feel of a New Adult romance and that is what put me off…not sure. Anyway, I am sure some will love this story and find it a fun filled way to spend some time. It did not appeal to me, though.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
2-3 Stars
April 1, 2019
A cute light read about two people - Greer and Stanford - that probably wouldn't connect except in an unusual circumstance. ... My favorite character was Stanford, running from being the Eighth Baron of Wickshire and a bad relationship in the States, weary with his titled life. ... Greer seemed a little silly, totally enamored out-of-proportion with a wedding dress when she isn't even engaged ... Somehow over a dress these two connect. But the two don't really know each other and each have secrets ... Of course that's where the problems and story kick in. A good read generally.
January 1, 2018
This was a fantastic book!!!
It drew me in from the beginning, and held me there with Greer’s awesome attitude and the sparks that flew between her and Ford. These two were so sweet and sexy together. To see there relationship go from strangers to falling in love was awesome. Add in an awesome story line, and it was the perfect read (even with a certain butthead trying to wreak havoc). I would definitely recommend reading this.
It drew me in from the beginning, and held me there with Greer’s awesome attitude and the sparks that flew between her and Ford. These two were so sweet and sexy together. To see there relationship go from strangers to falling in love was awesome. Add in an awesome story line, and it was the perfect read (even with a certain butthead trying to wreak havoc). I would definitely recommend reading this.
February 20, 2018
She was forever a matchmaker without a match to call her own. Greer desperately wanted a wedding gown. It wasn’t just any wedding dress. It was the one she coveted and dreamed of. There was only one problem...she wasn’t even engaged or had a boyfriend. She was definitely planning ahead. Then she meets Ford, who is truly not what he seems. Will he capture the matchmaker’s heart or will it all far apart when she finds out he is not who he says he is.
April 26, 2020
Fun! Fun! Fun! Since we all have the time to curl up with a book you should choose this. That is if you like books filled with love, laughter, quirky southern characters. I started smiling on the first page and never stopped. Thanks to Susan Boyer and the Lowcountrybookclub . A great suggestion.
December 31, 2017
As a successful matchmaker, Greer believes in love and that it can be successfully predicted by an algorithm. She isn't in a relationship, but she is drawn into a local competition to win a wedding gown with a fairytale back story.
For me, this was a charming and humorous look at the young career woman's dilemma when it comes to finding true love. As a second book in a series, it works best to have read Christmas at Two Love Lane first, in order to understand the dynamics between Greer and her business associates. I like that the plot moved quickly and didn't create loose ends to be picked up in later installations of the series.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.
For me, this was a charming and humorous look at the young career woman's dilemma when it comes to finding true love. As a second book in a series, it works best to have read Christmas at Two Love Lane first, in order to understand the dynamics between Greer and her business associates. I like that the plot moved quickly and didn't create loose ends to be picked up in later installations of the series.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.
December 28, 2017
Pub date: Jan 2018
A cute contemporary romance! I've read some of Ms Kramer's historical romances and they were funny, so I thought I should try this one. Though this ends way too fast and I have unresolved questions, Greer and Ford have an original and honest build to a hot romance. That it features a whole host of quirky side characters just makes it even sweeter.
A cute contemporary romance! I've read some of Ms Kramer's historical romances and they were funny, so I thought I should try this one. Though this ends way too fast and I have unresolved questions, Greer and Ford have an original and honest build to a hot romance. That it features a whole host of quirky side characters just makes it even sweeter.
May 29, 2020
An American matchmaker. An English painter. A contest to win a wedding dress. A charming romance.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
January 9, 2018
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for offering me an ARC copy of this novel that I freely chose to review.
Although this is book two in The Two Love Lane series (a series about the owners of a matchmaking agency), I have not read the first one and can confirm it can be enjoyed as a standalone read, although I’m sure that knowing the set-up and the characters would add to the reading experience.
I don’t want to discuss in too much detail the plot, as the description introduces the main characters and some of the main themes. There is a contest for a wedding dress, that ends up becoming a reality show, an English baron (quite a few of the reviewers have commented that considering his father and his older brother are alive and well, that does not make sense), a nasty store owner and his side-kick who become the villains of the piece (well, perhaps), several side-plots (a designer with an interesting idea and a hidden love story, the background stories of both protagonists and their families, the stories of the other couples involved in the contest, and a big win at the TV quiz show The Price Is Right), and Charleston. The Charleston of the book is a genteel and lovely place, full of great restaurants, fascinating shops, and lively characters. It is also a welcoming place where people from all over are made to feel at home, and where everybody feels inspired.
Many of the usual tropes and themes of romantic novels are at play here, and also quite a few typical of chick-lit. Greer is alone and very good at finding love for others but not so good at getting finding her own. She is obsessed with creating the perfect wedding, not only for her clients but for herself, and has been collecting wedding scrapbooks since she was a child. Although she is supposed to be the logical one in charge of the technical side of things at the agency and the ever important algorithms, she plunges head first into crazy situations and keeps denying what is plain to see. We have an English nobleman, who is, of course, very attractive and also a talented painter, but needs a muse to find his true art. He’s been jilted at the altar but still offers to play Greer’s fake partner. We have pretend relationships, secrets, will they won’t they, not quite love-at-first-sight, but close enough, and a good cast of secondary characters that all sound interesting enough in their own right (Personally, I’d love to hear more about Miss Thing). Ah, and donuts, cakes, wonderful wedding dresses, intrigue, and misunderstandings galore. There are plenty of fun moments, some sad ones, and some inspiring ones (I was particularly interested in Ford’s struggle to connect with his art), and the book is an easy and light read, although I agree with some reviewers that it tries to pack so many things in that at times it feels too busy, and some of the side-stories deserve more time and development than what they get.
The characters are likable enough (I’ve never been obsessed about weddings, but quite liked Greer’s idea of entering the contest as a single participant), and although the novel stretches our suspension of disbelief on occasions, I don’t think it goes beyond genre expectations. The writing is fluid, with nice local touches and British expressions, and includes descriptions that put readers right in the middle of the action, without overdoing it.
After spending a fair amount of time with the characters, the ending felt a bit rushed, and I agree with reviewers that felt there should have been another chapter to clarify matters (I think we all felt as if they had banged the door on our faces), although perhaps the author has something up her sleeve and it has something to do with the next book. (Let me clarify. It does not end up on a cliff-hanger, but we miss the big event, perhaps because after talking about it so much, it could never have lived up to everyone’s expectations).
A light and fun read, recommended if you need an injection of sun and romance, in a great setting, with many secondary stories to keep you occupied if you easily get bored.
Although this is book two in The Two Love Lane series (a series about the owners of a matchmaking agency), I have not read the first one and can confirm it can be enjoyed as a standalone read, although I’m sure that knowing the set-up and the characters would add to the reading experience.
I don’t want to discuss in too much detail the plot, as the description introduces the main characters and some of the main themes. There is a contest for a wedding dress, that ends up becoming a reality show, an English baron (quite a few of the reviewers have commented that considering his father and his older brother are alive and well, that does not make sense), a nasty store owner and his side-kick who become the villains of the piece (well, perhaps), several side-plots (a designer with an interesting idea and a hidden love story, the background stories of both protagonists and their families, the stories of the other couples involved in the contest, and a big win at the TV quiz show The Price Is Right), and Charleston. The Charleston of the book is a genteel and lovely place, full of great restaurants, fascinating shops, and lively characters. It is also a welcoming place where people from all over are made to feel at home, and where everybody feels inspired.
Many of the usual tropes and themes of romantic novels are at play here, and also quite a few typical of chick-lit. Greer is alone and very good at finding love for others but not so good at getting finding her own. She is obsessed with creating the perfect wedding, not only for her clients but for herself, and has been collecting wedding scrapbooks since she was a child. Although she is supposed to be the logical one in charge of the technical side of things at the agency and the ever important algorithms, she plunges head first into crazy situations and keeps denying what is plain to see. We have an English nobleman, who is, of course, very attractive and also a talented painter, but needs a muse to find his true art. He’s been jilted at the altar but still offers to play Greer’s fake partner. We have pretend relationships, secrets, will they won’t they, not quite love-at-first-sight, but close enough, and a good cast of secondary characters that all sound interesting enough in their own right (Personally, I’d love to hear more about Miss Thing). Ah, and donuts, cakes, wonderful wedding dresses, intrigue, and misunderstandings galore. There are plenty of fun moments, some sad ones, and some inspiring ones (I was particularly interested in Ford’s struggle to connect with his art), and the book is an easy and light read, although I agree with some reviewers that it tries to pack so many things in that at times it feels too busy, and some of the side-stories deserve more time and development than what they get.
The characters are likable enough (I’ve never been obsessed about weddings, but quite liked Greer’s idea of entering the contest as a single participant), and although the novel stretches our suspension of disbelief on occasions, I don’t think it goes beyond genre expectations. The writing is fluid, with nice local touches and British expressions, and includes descriptions that put readers right in the middle of the action, without overdoing it.
After spending a fair amount of time with the characters, the ending felt a bit rushed, and I agree with reviewers that felt there should have been another chapter to clarify matters (I think we all felt as if they had banged the door on our faces), although perhaps the author has something up her sleeve and it has something to do with the next book. (Let me clarify. It does not end up on a cliff-hanger, but we miss the big event, perhaps because after talking about it so much, it could never have lived up to everyone’s expectations).
A light and fun read, recommended if you need an injection of sun and romance, in a great setting, with many secondary stories to keep you occupied if you easily get bored.
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