A Groom With a View

by Sophie Ranald

By the double-number-one-bestselling author of romantic comedy, Sophie Ranald!

When you’re tying the knot, you can end up in a tangle…

Pippa and Nick have been an item since forever, but they’ve always said marriage isn’t for them. That’s until, in a moment of mad romance, they find themselves engaged. 

Pippa knows she’s no bridezilla – and she’s definitely not expecting Nick to get swept off his feet by plans for floral centrepieces, vintage cake-stands and colour-coordinated everything. Then Nick’s mum gets involved and secrets from Pippa’s past threaten to surface…

Will planning their perfect day tear Nick and Pippa apart?

This eagerly anticipated second novel from Sophie Ranald is a funny and poignant romantic romp. If you love Tracy Bloom, Mhairi McFarlane and Sophie Kinsella, then say “I do” to A Groom with a View. 

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 18, 2014

About the author

Sophie Ranald is the youngest of five sisters. She was born in Zimbabwe and lived in South Africa until an acute case of itchy feet brought her to London in her mid-20s.

As an editor for a customer publishing agency, Sophie developed her fiction-writing skills describing holidays to places she’d never visited. In 2011, she decided to disregard all the good advice given to aspiring novelists and attempt to write full-time. After one false start, It Would Be Wrong to Steal My Sister’s Boyfriend (Wouldn’t It?) seemed to write itself.

Sophie also writes for magazines and online about food, fashion and running. She lives in south-east London with her amazing partner Hopi and Purrs, their adorable little cat.

Reviews

[Kylie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I lost all respect for this book at the surprise party.

Authors! Have we not moved past the point of writing women as door mats who take so much shit over and over and over!?

[Lynai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a fun and light read and this book came out as a recommendation while I was searching for Sophie Kinsella in the search bar. I gave it a try, not really expecting too much because it was my first time to read something from this other "Sophie", and was conveniently satisfied when I was done. Light and fun it indeed was and I enjoyed several scenes (especially the ones involving mom-in-laws haha) although I was looking for something more heartfelt especially the 'confrontation' part towards the end.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really helps to show why communication within relationships is so important, as is being true to what you want.

Nick and Pippa have been together for years, and are happy. Until that is they go to a friends wedding, drink a bit too much and then decide to get married. Don’t worry they don’t skip off to Gretna, although things may have worked out better if they did.

Whilst Pippa is determined not to turn into a bridezilla it would appear that Nick didn’t get the memo. Before we know it he is knee deep in bridal magazines, wedding pintrest boards while Pippa is trying to keep a grip on reality.

Then enter Nick’s mum, who I have to say is the least likable character in this book! Pippa does amazingly well to bite her tongue and deal with the constant barbs she is thrown from Erica but as the story continues we find out the reason why Erica and Pippa’s relationship is so strained.

Throw in a promotion, work abroad and a sexy colleague and the road to the alter suddenly looks less of a sure thing than they both thought it would be.

I really enjoyed this book and the ending left me feeling satisfied that it had all worked out right in the end. I don’t think the ending was that predictable, as there are a number of different potential outcomes which kept the story interesting till the end.

I have read a few of Sophie Ranald’s books and this is probably one of the ones I have enjoyed the most.

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason, I had trouble getting into this book, maybe because in the first few chapters there didn't seem to be anything wrong with their relationship and I didn't really see where this story was going, but I'm really glad I stuck with it. I related to Pippa and I love how Sophie Ranald wrote about mother in laws, wedding plan stress, and women not wanting to be Bridezillas or taking their husband's last name. It was so refreshing to have Nick, who sounds in equal measures absolutely lovely and completely infuriating, so involved and obsessed with wedding planning and getting every last detail right. This is such an accurate account of what I imagine would happen to myself if I ever decided to tie the knot. All of Sophie Ranald's books have some kind of moral ending and it's never something condescending, it is just about growth, acceptance, and learning about life and how to get on with it. Once again, after all the emotions I felt reading this book, the ending has left me feeling light and hopeful. (The moral of the story is: pick your battles, stay true to yourself, and communicate.)

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book overall.
But I am not sure that I liked that Pippa and Nick ended up together. They were happy in the end, which is good. But the whole book made it seem like they weren't suited for each other. I didn't like how the Nick and Bethany thing was made out to be Nick accidently leading her on. He had to know what he was doing, what with using their old nick names. Also, I think Pippa and Nick should have discussed whether they will have children before getting back together. That's a pretty big deal break if they couldn't manage to get on the same page.
But the book itself was fun to read. I just wanted more for Pippa in the end. Though I was happy she got her perfect dress back.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick and Pippa don't want to get married, they are doing just fine being together until somehow they decide to get married. Planning a wedding is too much for Pippa and she doesn't really care about the details so Nick takes over. And then Nick's mom (who dislikes Pip) comes to stay. For three months. Then Pippa gets a promotion, making her even more unavailable to plan the wedding. Things really start to fall apart and then Pippa finds out Nick has started a wedding blog and seems to have developed a relationship with one of the people commenting on his blog.

[Sarah Anguish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled to get into this book. Pippa and Nick have been together more or less since they were sixteen years old. Despite attending weddings of their friends they've never considered tying the knot themselves. A drunked night leads to a proposal to each other and the ball starts rolling on their wedding.

A story about relationships (romantic and that with your in-laws), picking your battles and finding a happy ever after.

[Steph Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read, all about a wedding, the planning and the bride's feelings. Also lots of miscommunication. It makes me wonder if there really are people out there like that but I suppose there must be, as she says in the acknowledgements that it's based on stories of the ladies from her book club. Not the best book I've ever read but certainly eay enough to read.

[Natasha du Plessis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book over the Easter weekend whilst the whole of South Africa is in lockdown. I enjoyed this book and the miscommunication that happened between the main characters. Would have loved to read more of the South African setting. Loved the blog parts and how Pippa related to it. It was funny to read how the groom to be got into the wedding planning.

[Mrs M Bilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie Randal

I think I have read all Sophie’s books over the last month - exceptional writer. Fell in love with every character. Would definitely recommend this book & all her other books.

[Uma Desabhotla]

A very funny read with a happy ending

[Kelly G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, light fun read. 3.5 rounded up. This was book 2 of a 4 book collection from this author

[colourinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a tough slog until I got to the last 40mins 🥵 if only we’d had that punchy pace from the get home

[Nikki Deeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read, the characters and storyline were very realistic and down-to-earth. I enjoyed a different style of rom-com!

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute Story

It felt so realistic I liked that they weren’t pressured and the wedding was cute and what made them happy

[Adél · Rating 3 out of 5]

Musím říct a vlastně ani nevím moc proč, že se mi druhá polovina knihy líbila daleko více než začátek. Kniha se čte celkem dobře.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Arati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was ok but really appreciated the realistic ending.

[Bianca Pugliesi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this isn’t a valid judgement but the cover is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Kinda killed my vibe and overall impression of the book

[Kristen Hearn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5.

I did like this, but I wanted the characters to just TALK to each other.

[Joanne Grimshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book.

[Jacqueline Holman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book-nice to have a touch of South Africa in it as well

[Clare Pedersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read!

Sophie’s books are so reliably entertaining. Quick reads that keep the page turning. Always a small twist to keep the storyline interesting and amusing.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review first posted on my blog: http://spoonfulofhappyendings.blogspo...

Pippa is happy with the life she leads; she has a great job as a chef and she has the perfect relationship with her boyfriend Nick. Everyone always mentions how great the two of them are together, and Pippa knows she doesn’t need a ring on her finger as proof of their love for each other. Yet, after a few too many drinks, Pippa suddenly finds herself engaged to Nick and before she knows it she’s answering questions about invitations, cakes and wedding locations. In order to make things as easy as possible for Pippa, Nick decides to do most of the planning and organising himself, but when Nick’s mother appears on the scene and the wedding slowly seems to take over their entire lives, things between Nick and Pippa only seem to be getting worse instead of better.

Every now and again I come across a great chick lit novel which is thoroughly enjoyable from the first until the very last page, which has an entertaining storyline at its core, combined with a fabulous cast of characters; basically, a book I didn’t want to put down but at the same time didn’t want to end, and one I’ll be recommending to others in the months to come. ‘A Groom With a View’ is definitely one of those novels and I’m so glad Sophie Ranald contacted me for a possible review of her second book. I loved the storyline, not just because it’s about weddings (a topic I have a soft spot for) but because it gives its own original twist to a chick lit wedding story. Pippa is a great heroine; she doesn’t want a big and glamorous wedding, she just wants to be with Nick and no wedding is needed to put a stamp on their love for one another. I really enjoyed reading about a man who takes on all the wedding planning, and the female character who tries to deal with this.

Pippa and Nick are a fantastic couple, I couldn’t get enough of them. But that also goes for the supporting characters and the various different aspects added to the storyline to make it even more interesting and enjoyable, for example the visit of Nick’s mother, Pippa’s job, and the troubles Callie, Pippa’s best friend, is dealing with. There honestly wasn’t a dull moment in this novel and I loved returning to it at the end of a busy day, keeping my fingers crossed for Pippa and Nick and their wedding. ‘A Groom With a View’ is a simply wonderful, funny, and thoroughly enjoyable read; I can’t recommend it to other chick lit fans enough!

[Lorna Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, fluffy read, with plenty of romance and plenty of emotions. Pippa works with a big TV chef, and when she and her long-term boyfriend spontaneously get engaged, she finds that her new work commitments mean she is far too busy to plan the wedding. Nick steps up and takes over the majority of the planning, which starts well, until his mum turns up and gets far too involved, and when Pippa discovers the wedding-planning blog that Nick has been writing (and the messages he’s sent to one of his followers), she begins to wonder if this wedding is the right step for them, and indeed whether they still have a relationship worth fighting for. No spoilers for me, but I will say it was a light and fun read, with realistic characters and relationships (and it made me want to plan a wedding right now, even though I’m not even slightly engaged). Sophie Ranald just never disappoints me, which is why I keep going back to her after I read a book which lets me down.

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[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one fell short of my expectations. And that makes me horribly sad. It was easy to skim some parts, especially when Pip wasn’t with Nick. This is one of those stories that only exists because of terrible communication. And for a couple that have been attached at the hip for a decade, this makes no sense. Communication between them was terrible. Their lives away from each other was strange, especially when it came to involving others. Like Nick’s mother! She felt like a new character! I loved the idea of the groom being 150% involved in the wedding planning. (Let’s be honest, he was the only one who truly cared.) I think it should have had a dual POV. I would have enjoyed seeing everything unfold from Nick’s perspective, especially towards the end when Pip lost her mind. Even now, I’m not sure the answer was for them to get married. But true to their characters, they did everything on their terms. All the heartbreak and drama was absolutely avoidable. But then, we wouldn’t have a book I guess.

7/10 Second Chances

[Leonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s getting harder and harder to find worthy “chick lit” books lately, and there are so many books I start but never get to finish because I get bored or I find the plot line too predictable. I usually try to give books one hundred pages and that’s it. I usually steer clear of wedding-type books but Sophie Ranald’s “A Groom WIth A View” had a very interesting premise – what if the groom was more excited about the wedding than the bride? Nick and Pippa have been together for a while, and they “accidentally” get engaged – and here we have Nick taking control of the wedding preparations, and even creates a blog to document all he is doing. But, there’s more to the story than that – I found the plot had a lto of depth, with both leads three-dimensional. (The villain, Nicki’s mom, Erica, was, though) I liked it a lot – it kept me very much interested and felt the ending did not feel forced.
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[NicoleHasRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review at nicolehasread.blogspot.com.au

Pippa and Nick get incredibly drunk at a friend's wedding and one of them, neither is really sure which, proposes to the other. And there the fun starts. Nick takes on most of the wedding plans and wants to give Pippa her dream day, but Pippa's dreams don't quite match Nick's, and when his mother descends on their tiny two bed flat, the stress is almost enough to end their relationship.

Ranald's writing is incredibly clever and witty and also incredibly insightful. On the surface there may be several characters who seem to be stereotypical of the genre, but as the story develops, Ranald digs deeper and we are presented with a well developed cast of characters who we want to laugh and cry with.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie Ranald has nailed this genre. She has given us another heroine who could be one of us, not a pathetic mouse needing a makeover which has been the cliche of commercial women's fiction. Pippa is funny, sweet, confident, ambitious and multidimensional. Her back story - and indeed those of the other players - is utterly convincing. There are no casual tropes here - even the evil mother-in-law (and be warned, she's a doozie!) is subtly drawn avoiding caricature.

The strong characterisation and well paced plot makes this a read-in-one-sitting novel which you'll be recommending to anyone who's even been or known a bride/groom-zilla.

[Rebecca Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Discovered on Amazon Prime*
Mixed emotions when reading this novel. Was a love/hate relationship with the characters as I wanted to bash their heads together to see sense so was pleased when it all worked out well in the end. Enjoyed the story and would recommend.