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The Almost Wife
Three women, three white dresses, three big days all set… but only two will make it up the aisle, and only one will marry. An unforgettable page-turner about love, family and life’s unexpected second chances.
Jessie has always known she doesn’t belong. Only her fiancé Adam makes her feel good enough, exactly as she is. Jessie wants everything to be perfect for their lavish wedding day, but she’s already cracking under the pressure of pretending to be someone she’s not with her demanding future in-laws.
Dolly works hard to keep up appearances – but what’s the point of only eating salad when her boyfriend Josh is never home to appreciate the result? Dolly is sure he’ll change once they’re married with a family; Josh did say he wanted those things… right?
Emily couldn’t be happier: she’s got funny, loving parents, a loyal fiancé and a job she looks forward to. Everything’s ready for their intimate country wedding… until some shocking news sends her life spiralling out of control.
Perfect strangers on the first page, Jessie, Dolly and Emily’s paths will cross in the most unexpected of ways. And as their stories collide, their lives will take a turn you’ll never predict.
If you love Nancy Thayer, Karen Swan and Mary Alice Monroe, you will adore this gorgeously emotional summer read!
Jessie has always known she doesn’t belong. Only her fiancé Adam makes her feel good enough, exactly as she is. Jessie wants everything to be perfect for their lavish wedding day, but she’s already cracking under the pressure of pretending to be someone she’s not with her demanding future in-laws.
Dolly works hard to keep up appearances – but what’s the point of only eating salad when her boyfriend Josh is never home to appreciate the result? Dolly is sure he’ll change once they’re married with a family; Josh did say he wanted those things… right?
Emily couldn’t be happier: she’s got funny, loving parents, a loyal fiancé and a job she looks forward to. Everything’s ready for their intimate country wedding… until some shocking news sends her life spiralling out of control.
Perfect strangers on the first page, Jessie, Dolly and Emily’s paths will cross in the most unexpected of ways. And as their stories collide, their lives will take a turn you’ll never predict.
If you love Nancy Thayer, Karen Swan and Mary Alice Monroe, you will adore this gorgeously emotional summer read!
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2018
1704 people are currently reading
937 people want to read
About the author
Jade Beer
4 books179 followersHello, The Palace Dressmaker (or The Memory Dress as it is known in the USA) may be my most glamorous novel yet. Its opening scene takes place at Christie’s auction house in New York in 1997 during the sale of Princess Diana’s dresses. Eighty dresses were listed to sell that evening but only 79 did. One of them is missing and it is what happened to this missing dress that is the central mystery of my novel and the love story that unfolds over thirty years across its pages. I hope you will enjoy the tour through some of the most famous dresses in Diana’s wardrobe. I certainly enjoyed retracing where some of these incredible gowns were worn in order to write this story.
As for me, after decades working in glossy magazines in London, I now live in the beautiful English town of Cheltenham with my two daughters and my husband. It’s where we used to spend romantic weekends plotting our future together, long before the girls came along, and is now where I write my books.
Women have always fascinated me. I think it comes from seeing first-hand how truly brilliant we can be and how wonderfully flawed. I've been lucky enough to work with some incredibly talented women throughout my career as a journalist and editor - ones who juggle the most all-encompassing careers with family and friendships and everything else that life throws at them. It’s why women of all ages and the friendships they form always feature largely in my books.
The need to present one version of yourself to the world, while keeping the grittier, less polished reality under wraps, is a thread that runs strongly through my novels too. In my former job as the editor of Conde Nast Brides, I shared my working life with editors of some of the glossiest magazines in the world - Vogue, Tatler, Glamour - and I had the enormous privilege of travelling the world and sitting front row at beautiful fashion shows and working with the world's leading florists, cake makers and stylists. But I also took a daily peek into the lives of young women who were experiencing one of the most intense times of their lives - planning their wedding days. This, above everything else, was the fascinating bit. Hearing their thoughts, fears, worries and ambitions for the future. This really powerful cocktail of glamour and reality is there, I hope, on the pages of all my books.
Take a peek inside my life on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jadebeerbri... or at https://jadebeer.com/
As for me, after decades working in glossy magazines in London, I now live in the beautiful English town of Cheltenham with my two daughters and my husband. It’s where we used to spend romantic weekends plotting our future together, long before the girls came along, and is now where I write my books.
Women have always fascinated me. I think it comes from seeing first-hand how truly brilliant we can be and how wonderfully flawed. I've been lucky enough to work with some incredibly talented women throughout my career as a journalist and editor - ones who juggle the most all-encompassing careers with family and friendships and everything else that life throws at them. It’s why women of all ages and the friendships they form always feature largely in my books.
The need to present one version of yourself to the world, while keeping the grittier, less polished reality under wraps, is a thread that runs strongly through my novels too. In my former job as the editor of Conde Nast Brides, I shared my working life with editors of some of the glossiest magazines in the world - Vogue, Tatler, Glamour - and I had the enormous privilege of travelling the world and sitting front row at beautiful fashion shows and working with the world's leading florists, cake makers and stylists. But I also took a daily peek into the lives of young women who were experiencing one of the most intense times of their lives - planning their wedding days. This, above everything else, was the fascinating bit. Hearing their thoughts, fears, worries and ambitions for the future. This really powerful cocktail of glamour and reality is there, I hope, on the pages of all my books.
Take a peek inside my life on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jadebeerbri... or at https://jadebeer.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 22, 2018
4.5 Say YES to the Dress Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Three brides and a dressmaker... what a charming summer read this was... filled with dresses, wedding plans, friendship, love, and so much more! This book was a bit of a slow burn, took a while to really get into it, but once you do... WOW!
Told from the point of view of the three brides to be and Helen the dressmaker/alterer.... Jessica is moving on up, so nervous about disappointing her wealthy in-laws to be, and not taking into consideration the feelings of her family... Jessica truly frustrated me, there was a part in this book where she was just so rude and condescending towards her mother (and truth be told there were many moments) I really wanted to reach through the pages and smack that girl...Dolly was consumed with making it into a bridal magazine, and really lost focus on what was important in her life... not to mention her husband to be was a complete tool.... Emily oh Emily my heart breaks for you, she was my absolute favorite of these girls... a truly good person dealt a bad hand, didn’t always agree with her actions, but... in the blurb we are told only one of these ladies ends up getting married, so I spent a lot of time analyzing who it should be....
We also get the point of view of Helen... really liked Helen she was suffering from a broken heart of her own, having lost her husband a few years ago.... each of the brides to be were getting their dresses from Helen’s upscale boutique.... I must admit I really did like the descriptions of all these beautiful dresses, made me want to get remarried...not😉
The beauty of the story was the growth in all these characters, I loved each and every one of their stories... also loved even though how different all of these brides seemed on the surface, there was so much they had in common.... really a well-crafted story that I would strongly encourage you to read....
Absolutely recommend if you are a fan of weddings, wedding dresses, love, or a good book💕
*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this beautiful book ***
Three brides and a dressmaker... what a charming summer read this was... filled with dresses, wedding plans, friendship, love, and so much more! This book was a bit of a slow burn, took a while to really get into it, but once you do... WOW!
Told from the point of view of the three brides to be and Helen the dressmaker/alterer.... Jessica is moving on up, so nervous about disappointing her wealthy in-laws to be, and not taking into consideration the feelings of her family... Jessica truly frustrated me, there was a part in this book where she was just so rude and condescending towards her mother (and truth be told there were many moments) I really wanted to reach through the pages and smack that girl...Dolly was consumed with making it into a bridal magazine, and really lost focus on what was important in her life... not to mention her husband to be was a complete tool.... Emily oh Emily my heart breaks for you, she was my absolute favorite of these girls... a truly good person dealt a bad hand, didn’t always agree with her actions, but... in the blurb we are told only one of these ladies ends up getting married, so I spent a lot of time analyzing who it should be....
We also get the point of view of Helen... really liked Helen she was suffering from a broken heart of her own, having lost her husband a few years ago.... each of the brides to be were getting their dresses from Helen’s upscale boutique.... I must admit I really did like the descriptions of all these beautiful dresses, made me want to get remarried...not😉
The beauty of the story was the growth in all these characters, I loved each and every one of their stories... also loved even though how different all of these brides seemed on the surface, there was so much they had in common.... really a well-crafted story that I would strongly encourage you to read....
Absolutely recommend if you are a fan of weddings, wedding dresses, love, or a good book💕
*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this beautiful book ***
September 3, 2019
Le protagoniste di questo romanzo sono tutte donne:Jessie in procinto di sposarsi con Adam. Emily promessa sposa di Mark .Dolly fidanzata con Josh. Infine c'è Helen,colei che fornisce gli abiti da sposa.
Jessie vuole a tutti i costi realizzare un matrimonio da favola per poter essere accettata nel mondo di Adam,di famiglia benestante. Lei è di umili origini e si vergogna della sua famiglia che vive in maniera dozzinale(ma che figlia ingrata😕).
Dolly è ossesionata dalla sua forma fisica (da ragazzina era cicciotella)per poter reggere il confronto con le modelle filiformi che il suo fidanzato fotografa ogni giorno e che elogia ininterrottamente davanti a lei(ma un calcio nei gioielli no!🙅)...
Emily è una maestra ,figlia unica e con dei genitori meravigliosi che l'aiutano a organizzare le sue nozze(la sua storia mi ha lasciato un infinita tristezza). Infine c'è Helen ,la titolare del negozio di abiti da sposa. Lei ha perso il marito da quattro anni e vive costantemente nel suo ricordo.
Un romanzo lentissimo,si movimenta un po' nel mezzo per crollare alla fine.
Tanto per cominciare il titolo non ci prende proprio . Non posso essere più specifica altrimenti spoilero ma vi assicuro che non ci vuole l'ombrello....
⭐⭐🌠
Jessie vuole a tutti i costi realizzare un matrimonio da favola per poter essere accettata nel mondo di Adam,di famiglia benestante. Lei è di umili origini e si vergogna della sua famiglia che vive in maniera dozzinale(ma che figlia ingrata😕).
Dolly è ossesionata dalla sua forma fisica (da ragazzina era cicciotella)per poter reggere il confronto con le modelle filiformi che il suo fidanzato fotografa ogni giorno e che elogia ininterrottamente davanti a lei(ma un calcio nei gioielli no!🙅)...
Emily è una maestra ,figlia unica e con dei genitori meravigliosi che l'aiutano a organizzare le sue nozze(la sua storia mi ha lasciato un infinita tristezza). Infine c'è Helen ,la titolare del negozio di abiti da sposa. Lei ha perso il marito da quattro anni e vive costantemente nel suo ricordo.
Un romanzo lentissimo,si movimenta un po' nel mezzo per crollare alla fine.
Tanto per cominciare il titolo non ci prende proprio . Non posso essere più specifica altrimenti spoilero ma vi assicuro che non ci vuole l'ombrello....
⭐⭐🌠
June 3, 2018
The Almost wife by Jade Beer is about three women Jessie, Dolly and Emily. All about to become brides and the stories of all of them preparing for their wedding. Each chapter alternates between the three of them.
There is Jessie, whose fiancé and family are wealthy and because she has come from a council estate she doesn’t know if her family are going to fit in to her new lifestyle. She is quite embarrassed of them.
There is Dolly, whose fiancé is photographer, who spends more time at his job then her.
The last is Emily, who fiancé Mark is the love of her life and she can’t believe her luck.
The story also tells about Helen the Boutique Wedding shop owner that all the three girls are getting their dresses from. Her Husband died a few years previously and she only now starts dating again. The shop is her life.
Firstly, I loved the characters in this story but at the beginning I struggled with it and I though parts of Jessie’s journey were a bit over the top. It didn’t draw me in like other books do. But I persevered and I am glad it did because it turned out to be a beautifully written story.
Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy of this book.
There is Jessie, whose fiancé and family are wealthy and because she has come from a council estate she doesn’t know if her family are going to fit in to her new lifestyle. She is quite embarrassed of them.
There is Dolly, whose fiancé is photographer, who spends more time at his job then her.
The last is Emily, who fiancé Mark is the love of her life and she can’t believe her luck.
The story also tells about Helen the Boutique Wedding shop owner that all the three girls are getting their dresses from. Her Husband died a few years previously and she only now starts dating again. The shop is her life.
Firstly, I loved the characters in this story but at the beginning I struggled with it and I though parts of Jessie’s journey were a bit over the top. It didn’t draw me in like other books do. But I persevered and I am glad it did because it turned out to be a beautifully written story.
Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy of this book.
June 25, 2018
I loved this book as well as hated it. The reason for both is the same — the characters
3 brides to be and 1 owner of wedding dress store = intersection of lives.
Bride 1 Jessie, the bridezilla, is so rude and condescending that I just wanted to slap her and make her fiancé see the real HER. Coming from a poor family where money is made to stretch and marrying into a rich family made her look down on her parents and insult them. JUST HATED HER TILL THE END!!
Bride 2 Dolly, who is so eager to marry a tosser that she is willing to disregard the way he treats her. Luckily a sudden change makes her introspective and she does have the courage to take a stand. LIKED HER IN THE END!!
Bride 3 Emily, with a heart so beautiful that she broke my heart. LOVED HER FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END!!
Store owner Helen has her own heartbreak with losing her husband of more than twenty five years yet she is there for all her brides slowly discovering her inner courage. A GENTLE SOUL, HER BEGINNING IS THE END!!
My first book by Jade Beer, it was a pleasant fast read. Helen as the store owner and a counselor to the brides was well written. The Emily parts were just uplifting, beautifully written. Dolly parts had their highs and lows, still came together. JESSIE parts had so many name-dropping of brands that I just skimmed the pages. I like brands and branded clothes and items, but to make it a part of the story whenever Jessie entered the scene made it ostentatious. I dropped the Jessie parts like a hot potato!!
Well, this is my review. As you can see, I loved it and hated it!!
3 brides to be and 1 owner of wedding dress store = intersection of lives.
Bride 1 Jessie, the bridezilla, is so rude and condescending that I just wanted to slap her and make her fiancé see the real HER. Coming from a poor family where money is made to stretch and marrying into a rich family made her look down on her parents and insult them. JUST HATED HER TILL THE END!!
Bride 2 Dolly, who is so eager to marry a tosser that she is willing to disregard the way he treats her. Luckily a sudden change makes her introspective and she does have the courage to take a stand. LIKED HER IN THE END!!
Bride 3 Emily, with a heart so beautiful that she broke my heart. LOVED HER FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END!!
Store owner Helen has her own heartbreak with losing her husband of more than twenty five years yet she is there for all her brides slowly discovering her inner courage. A GENTLE SOUL, HER BEGINNING IS THE END!!
My first book by Jade Beer, it was a pleasant fast read. Helen as the store owner and a counselor to the brides was well written. The Emily parts were just uplifting, beautifully written. Dolly parts had their highs and lows, still came together. JESSIE parts had so many name-dropping of brands that I just skimmed the pages. I like brands and branded clothes and items, but to make it a part of the story whenever Jessie entered the scene made it ostentatious. I dropped the Jessie parts like a hot potato!!
Well, this is my review. As you can see, I loved it and hated it!!
July 20, 2025
Iritirala su me imena brojnih brendova. Totalno nepotrebno. Klišeiziran kraj, ali ipak zvjezdica više zbog poruke romana.
July 21, 2019
Salve lettrici,
Oggi vi parlo di un’anteprima Newton Compton editori che ha catturato la mia attenzione durante il weekend appena trascorso.
“Tre matrimoni e un temporale” di Jade Beer è stata la lettura che mi ha tenuto compagnia in questi giorni e che mi ha fatto emozionare con le sue quattro storie.
Quattro sono le storie che s’intrecciano nel romanzo e ognuna di loro coinvolge ed emoziona in modo distinto.
Abbiamo tre spose, tutte e tre molto diverse tra loro, tre abiti e tre matrimoni... e un unico atelier.
Tutte e tre le spose si rivolgono a Hellen Whittaker per le loro nozze.
Hellen è la proprietaria dell’atelier White Gallery ed è una vedova.
Amava così intensamente suo marito che da quando è morto Hellen pensa che la sua vita sia finita, ma non è così.
Nel corso del romanzo Hellen farà delle splendide amicizie e conoscerà delle splendide spose, ma, più di tutto, ritroverà se stessa e la voglia di vivere.
Jessie Jonathan è la prima sposa che si rivolge ad Hellen. È una ragazza semplice che viene da una famiglia comune, ma sta per sposare un uomo molto ricco. Jessie ama follemente Adam, e Adam la ricambia totalmente, ma Jessie ha paura di non essere accettata e di non essere abbastanza per la famiglia di Adam.
Cerca così il matrimonio perfetto per essere all’altezza della famiglia aristocratica dello sposo, ma anche indossando vestiti lussuosi Jessie non può cambiare da dove viene e chi è.
La sua storia, intrecciata con quella delle altre spose, raccontata un capitolo alla volta, racconta di una ragazza bellissima che nel corso dei sei mesi che mancano alle sue nozze imparerà ad accettare le persone che ama e se stessa.
Dolly Jackson è la seconda sposa.
Lei, come Jessie, cerca il matrimonio perfetto, ma con meno budget della prima.
Non importa quanti soldi si hanno, tutte le spose vogliono il meglio e anche Dolly non è da meno.
Non tanto perfetta, però, è la sua storia d’amore con il futuro sposo.
Josh e tutto fuorché perfetto, ma Dolly lo ama e ama il matrimonio che andranno a celebrare.
Ma Dolly non si sente più a suo agio con Josh, con le sue critiche e le sue frecciatine, e quando un imprevisto si presenta, dovrà rivedere le sue priorità e decidere cosa vuole davvero per lei.
Emily Hamilton è la terza sposa di questo romanzo.
Mancano 5 mesi al suo matrimonio con Mark, l’uomo che lei ama e con cui non vede l’ora di passare la sua vita, ma un’imprevisto cambierà le carte in tavola.
Non dovremmo mai dare la vita scontata e nemmeno questo romanzo.
La storia di Emily, pagina dopo pagina, si fa sempre più difficile, rendendo questa lettura non più solo spensierata, ma anche intensa.
Una sola di queste tre spose alla fine arriverà all’altare. Avete capito chi è?
“Tre matrimoni e un temporale” si è rivelata una lettura davvero sorprendente: coinvolge il lettore fino all’ultima pagina, non annoia mai e regala, storia dopo storia, tante emozioni diverse.
È inoltre un libro davvero particolare, un romanzo rosa per eccellenza.
Mi ha piacevolmente sorpresa con il suo stile diretto, frizzante e dettagliato.
Ogni storia, e ogni sposa, sono molto diverse tra loro e ognuna di loro regala emozioni differenti.
Non voglio svelarvi molto, ma rimarrete sicuramente colpite da questo romanzo così originale.
L’atelier di Hellen accomuna tutte queste storie ed Hellen sarà una carissima amica per le tre spose, una spalla e una consigliera.
Consiglio questo romanzo a chi cerca una storia spensierata, divertente e appassionante.
È un romanzo rosa davvero coinvolgente e io l’ho apprezzato molto perché c’è tanto amore in queste pagine, in tutte le sue diverse sfumature.
C’è l’amore per la famiglia, per noi stessi, per l’uomo che amiamo, per la vita, gli splendidi imprevisti e i nuovi inizi.
Sono sicura che chi ama il genere apprezzerà tantissimo questo libro che ha come protagonista il miglior lieto fine di sempre: il matrimonio!
Buona lettura.
Voto
Oggi vi parlo di un’anteprima Newton Compton editori che ha catturato la mia attenzione durante il weekend appena trascorso.
“Tre matrimoni e un temporale” di Jade Beer è stata la lettura che mi ha tenuto compagnia in questi giorni e che mi ha fatto emozionare con le sue quattro storie.
Quattro sono le storie che s’intrecciano nel romanzo e ognuna di loro coinvolge ed emoziona in modo distinto.
Abbiamo tre spose, tutte e tre molto diverse tra loro, tre abiti e tre matrimoni... e un unico atelier.
Tutte e tre le spose si rivolgono a Hellen Whittaker per le loro nozze.
Hellen è la proprietaria dell’atelier White Gallery ed è una vedova.
Amava così intensamente suo marito che da quando è morto Hellen pensa che la sua vita sia finita, ma non è così.
Nel corso del romanzo Hellen farà delle splendide amicizie e conoscerà delle splendide spose, ma, più di tutto, ritroverà se stessa e la voglia di vivere.
Jessie Jonathan è la prima sposa che si rivolge ad Hellen. È una ragazza semplice che viene da una famiglia comune, ma sta per sposare un uomo molto ricco. Jessie ama follemente Adam, e Adam la ricambia totalmente, ma Jessie ha paura di non essere accettata e di non essere abbastanza per la famiglia di Adam.
Cerca così il matrimonio perfetto per essere all’altezza della famiglia aristocratica dello sposo, ma anche indossando vestiti lussuosi Jessie non può cambiare da dove viene e chi è.
La sua storia, intrecciata con quella delle altre spose, raccontata un capitolo alla volta, racconta di una ragazza bellissima che nel corso dei sei mesi che mancano alle sue nozze imparerà ad accettare le persone che ama e se stessa.
Dolly Jackson è la seconda sposa.
Lei, come Jessie, cerca il matrimonio perfetto, ma con meno budget della prima.
Non importa quanti soldi si hanno, tutte le spose vogliono il meglio e anche Dolly non è da meno.
Non tanto perfetta, però, è la sua storia d’amore con il futuro sposo.
Josh e tutto fuorché perfetto, ma Dolly lo ama e ama il matrimonio che andranno a celebrare.
Ma Dolly non si sente più a suo agio con Josh, con le sue critiche e le sue frecciatine, e quando un imprevisto si presenta, dovrà rivedere le sue priorità e decidere cosa vuole davvero per lei.
Emily Hamilton è la terza sposa di questo romanzo.
Mancano 5 mesi al suo matrimonio con Mark, l’uomo che lei ama e con cui non vede l’ora di passare la sua vita, ma un’imprevisto cambierà le carte in tavola.
Non dovremmo mai dare la vita scontata e nemmeno questo romanzo.
La storia di Emily, pagina dopo pagina, si fa sempre più difficile, rendendo questa lettura non più solo spensierata, ma anche intensa.
Una sola di queste tre spose alla fine arriverà all’altare. Avete capito chi è?
“Tre matrimoni e un temporale” si è rivelata una lettura davvero sorprendente: coinvolge il lettore fino all’ultima pagina, non annoia mai e regala, storia dopo storia, tante emozioni diverse.
È inoltre un libro davvero particolare, un romanzo rosa per eccellenza.
Mi ha piacevolmente sorpresa con il suo stile diretto, frizzante e dettagliato.
Ogni storia, e ogni sposa, sono molto diverse tra loro e ognuna di loro regala emozioni differenti.
Non voglio svelarvi molto, ma rimarrete sicuramente colpite da questo romanzo così originale.
L’atelier di Hellen accomuna tutte queste storie ed Hellen sarà una carissima amica per le tre spose, una spalla e una consigliera.
Consiglio questo romanzo a chi cerca una storia spensierata, divertente e appassionante.
È un romanzo rosa davvero coinvolgente e io l’ho apprezzato molto perché c’è tanto amore in queste pagine, in tutte le sue diverse sfumature.
C’è l’amore per la famiglia, per noi stessi, per l’uomo che amiamo, per la vita, gli splendidi imprevisti e i nuovi inizi.
Sono sicura che chi ama il genere apprezzerà tantissimo questo libro che ha come protagonista il miglior lieto fine di sempre: il matrimonio!
Buona lettura.
Voto
September 22, 2024
One of my favourite series on tv is 'Say yes to the dress' because I love looking at wedding dresses. Needless to say I was very pleased when I read it was about as much as three brides. I secretly hoped that I would get a glimpse of their attire and I was really spoiled.
But this book is about so much more. Three brides, but three totally different women.
One really selfish girl who comes to her senses, one who refuses to be a doormat anymore and takes her life in her own hands and one whose world comes crashing down.
All three stories are beautiful and filled with emotions. You want to shake the first girl for being the way she is now, you are encouraging the second one for being so brave and you feel your heart break in a million pieces for the third one.
The book is an emotional journey filled with tears of happiness and sadness.
Thank you Jade Beer, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com/
But this book is about so much more. Three brides, but three totally different women.
One really selfish girl who comes to her senses, one who refuses to be a doormat anymore and takes her life in her own hands and one whose world comes crashing down.
All three stories are beautiful and filled with emotions. You want to shake the first girl for being the way she is now, you are encouraging the second one for being so brave and you feel your heart break in a million pieces for the third one.
The book is an emotional journey filled with tears of happiness and sadness.
Thank you Jade Beer, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com/
April 25, 2018
First I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in return for my honest review.
This was the biggest bit of rubbish, I have ever had the misfortune of setting my eyes on. It was so over the top crap and can’t and won’t spend any more of my time on this than necessary, do yourselves a favour pass this one by, do not read.
This was the biggest bit of rubbish, I have ever had the misfortune of setting my eyes on. It was so over the top crap and can’t and won’t spend any more of my time on this than necessary, do yourselves a favour pass this one by, do not read.
June 18, 2018
I absolutely loved this book!!
This was a bit of a slow burner of a book, so for those of you who have started it but aren't sure yet, please persevere, it really is amazing.
Three brides-to-be and a bridal boutique owner. How these three young women and Helen, the boutique owner, come to cross paths shouldn't be a great surprise. However, how many threads of commonality they share is often surprising and it makes this book go from good to great. I think the story was very cleverly written by this author and it made me feel every emotion there is, which is why I am giving it 5 stars.
I would be very interested in reading more books by this author, for sure.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
This was a bit of a slow burner of a book, so for those of you who have started it but aren't sure yet, please persevere, it really is amazing.
Three brides-to-be and a bridal boutique owner. How these three young women and Helen, the boutique owner, come to cross paths shouldn't be a great surprise. However, how many threads of commonality they share is often surprising and it makes this book go from good to great. I think the story was very cleverly written by this author and it made me feel every emotion there is, which is why I am giving it 5 stars.
I would be very interested in reading more books by this author, for sure.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
February 7, 2021
I’ll be honest, this book was just ok. It was interesting to see all the characters stories play out. The dress shop owner was the sweetest, and overcame quite a bit. This wasn’t I book that I was dying to get to the ending.
June 22, 2018
I have a confession to make (this is fast becoming a habit). I haven’t actually read any books by Jade Beer but fret no longer because I have just finished reading ‘The Almost Wife’. Eventually I did enjoy reading it but more about that in a bit.
There are four main characters Jessie, Dolly, Emily and Helen. The first three ladies are the brides to be and Helen is the owner of the wedding dress shop, which all three brides are using. I have to be honest and say that I didn’t take to the first two brides. Both Jessie and Dolly each irritated me to the point that I wanted to slap them across the face with a wet fish to give them a reality check. Jessie was just downright rude to anybody who had the unfortunate task of crossing her path and she creates about the fact that her mother is going to recycle a wedding outfit and get the accessories from Next. As a wise person (okay my father) said ‘manners cost nowt’. Dolly really was a ‘Dolly Daydream’, who was more interested in wedding planning than actually working in the job that is going to pay for the wedding. If I was one of her colleagues then I would be having a serious talking to with her. As time went by and we learnt more about the characters and their backgrounds I did find myself warming to them but at best I would describe it as tolerating them. I really felt for Helen. It isn’t immediately apparent what tragedy it is that she has experienced in the last few years. She loves anything to do with weddings, which is just as well since she owns a wedding dress shop and she strives to help the bride achieve the perfect wedding day. As time goes by, bit by bit we learn a bit more about what it is that has happened to Helen and her family. I really felt for Helen and thought that she could do with somebody’s shoulder to cry on.
It took me a while to actually get into this book- mainly because of the attitudes of the first two brides but the more I read, the more I realised that they were stressed about their upcoming weddings, they were desperate to keep their secrets and problems buried and that was why they were irritating me so much. I did become addicted to reading this book after a while and before I knew it I got carried away with the different strands to the story. I also needed a box of Kleenex on standby because I felt my eyes well up on more than one occasion. This book is really well written with chapters focusing on the different brides and Helen, the bridal shop owner. These chapters interlink really well and the story flows seamlessly as a result. The going ons in this book are sure to keep you more than entertained and this is the perfect escapist summer holiday read.
In short I did enjoy reading this book and I certainly recommend it to other readers. I can’t wait to see what Jade Beer comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.
There are four main characters Jessie, Dolly, Emily and Helen. The first three ladies are the brides to be and Helen is the owner of the wedding dress shop, which all three brides are using. I have to be honest and say that I didn’t take to the first two brides. Both Jessie and Dolly each irritated me to the point that I wanted to slap them across the face with a wet fish to give them a reality check. Jessie was just downright rude to anybody who had the unfortunate task of crossing her path and she creates about the fact that her mother is going to recycle a wedding outfit and get the accessories from Next. As a wise person (okay my father) said ‘manners cost nowt’. Dolly really was a ‘Dolly Daydream’, who was more interested in wedding planning than actually working in the job that is going to pay for the wedding. If I was one of her colleagues then I would be having a serious talking to with her. As time went by and we learnt more about the characters and their backgrounds I did find myself warming to them but at best I would describe it as tolerating them. I really felt for Helen. It isn’t immediately apparent what tragedy it is that she has experienced in the last few years. She loves anything to do with weddings, which is just as well since she owns a wedding dress shop and she strives to help the bride achieve the perfect wedding day. As time goes by, bit by bit we learn a bit more about what it is that has happened to Helen and her family. I really felt for Helen and thought that she could do with somebody’s shoulder to cry on.
It took me a while to actually get into this book- mainly because of the attitudes of the first two brides but the more I read, the more I realised that they were stressed about their upcoming weddings, they were desperate to keep their secrets and problems buried and that was why they were irritating me so much. I did become addicted to reading this book after a while and before I knew it I got carried away with the different strands to the story. I also needed a box of Kleenex on standby because I felt my eyes well up on more than one occasion. This book is really well written with chapters focusing on the different brides and Helen, the bridal shop owner. These chapters interlink really well and the story flows seamlessly as a result. The going ons in this book are sure to keep you more than entertained and this is the perfect escapist summer holiday read.
In short I did enjoy reading this book and I certainly recommend it to other readers. I can’t wait to see what Jade Beer comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.
June 20, 2018
The Almost Wife by Jade Beer
Driving in to Beirut this morning and recapping the story in this book to my friend she asked me, “How will you write a review for it?” and now I sit here trying to figure out how to write about the owner of a bridal shop meeting, helping and becoming in the lives of three women getting ready for their wedding day. The owner, Helen, is a widow but a woman that truly loved her husband for nearly forty years before he passed on. Her insights, charm and care help each bride that comes into her shop.
Now, how to give a review without ruing the story? Three women plan a wedding but only one marries…that is known…it is in the book blurb BUT why? What happens? And, how do their stories impact the reader and the other characters in the book?
I told my friend I would mention “family” and how one bride found it, eventually, to be more important than she thought. I would mention that love is more than a wedding dress or the day or anything paid for to make the day special. The communication and inability to communicate what is really important is…important. The bumps in the road one encounters on the way to matrimony and true happiness and how one deals with those bumps can seem insurmountable but…communication and trust and a bit more as one determines who they are and what is ultimately important rings true and is visible throughout this book.
This book deals with emotions, love, the process and stress of planning a wedding and also it deals with so much more. This is not an easy to read book with fluff and laughter but one that deals with emotions and family and love and caring and…so much more.
Did I enjoy it? Yes – though it did have some dark times
Would I read more by this author – Yes, definitely.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC - This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Driving in to Beirut this morning and recapping the story in this book to my friend she asked me, “How will you write a review for it?” and now I sit here trying to figure out how to write about the owner of a bridal shop meeting, helping and becoming in the lives of three women getting ready for their wedding day. The owner, Helen, is a widow but a woman that truly loved her husband for nearly forty years before he passed on. Her insights, charm and care help each bride that comes into her shop.
Now, how to give a review without ruing the story? Three women plan a wedding but only one marries…that is known…it is in the book blurb BUT why? What happens? And, how do their stories impact the reader and the other characters in the book?
I told my friend I would mention “family” and how one bride found it, eventually, to be more important than she thought. I would mention that love is more than a wedding dress or the day or anything paid for to make the day special. The communication and inability to communicate what is really important is…important. The bumps in the road one encounters on the way to matrimony and true happiness and how one deals with those bumps can seem insurmountable but…communication and trust and a bit more as one determines who they are and what is ultimately important rings true and is visible throughout this book.
This book deals with emotions, love, the process and stress of planning a wedding and also it deals with so much more. This is not an easy to read book with fluff and laughter but one that deals with emotions and family and love and caring and…so much more.
Did I enjoy it? Yes – though it did have some dark times
Would I read more by this author – Yes, definitely.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC - This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
July 15, 2018
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC of The Almost Wife!
The Almost Wife follows three brides to be and the widowed owner of the bridal boutique where they all purchase their dresses. It's also set in the Cotswolds, so it was bound to be a book I fell in love with!
After planning my own wedding, I absolutely love researching wedding venues and helping with plans for friends getting married. In fact, I'd love to start my own wedding planning business one day, so the topic of this book was perfect. But Jade Beer took it one step further and gave us a real look into the pre-wedding lives of three very different women.
Three very different women and three very different relationships, and we know going into it that only one of them gets married. That little mystery took this lovely book about female bonding and added a bit of spice to it, and I tried to determine which girls wouldn't be getting married as I progressed through the book.
We also have Helen, the boutique owner, who is heartbroken over the death of her husband years ago, yet spends her entire day with women about to marry their own loves. I have so much love Helen; so much that I want to go to the Cotswolds and find a Helen of my own to confide in.
I spent the majority of this book frustrated with one bride or another (Jessica, most of the time), but absolutely loved following their growth and watching as their lives intersected and bonding with Helen alongside them as they confided in her. It's a truly beautiful story of growth and friendship and I found it to be incredibly well-written.
This is a great, easy summer read if you're looking for something different than your typical summer rom-com! Fingers crossed that Beer writes more about brides in the future!
The Almost Wife follows three brides to be and the widowed owner of the bridal boutique where they all purchase their dresses. It's also set in the Cotswolds, so it was bound to be a book I fell in love with!
After planning my own wedding, I absolutely love researching wedding venues and helping with plans for friends getting married. In fact, I'd love to start my own wedding planning business one day, so the topic of this book was perfect. But Jade Beer took it one step further and gave us a real look into the pre-wedding lives of three very different women.
Three very different women and three very different relationships, and we know going into it that only one of them gets married. That little mystery took this lovely book about female bonding and added a bit of spice to it, and I tried to determine which girls wouldn't be getting married as I progressed through the book.
We also have Helen, the boutique owner, who is heartbroken over the death of her husband years ago, yet spends her entire day with women about to marry their own loves. I have so much love Helen; so much that I want to go to the Cotswolds and find a Helen of my own to confide in.
I spent the majority of this book frustrated with one bride or another (Jessica, most of the time), but absolutely loved following their growth and watching as their lives intersected and bonding with Helen alongside them as they confided in her. It's a truly beautiful story of growth and friendship and I found it to be incredibly well-written.
This is a great, easy summer read if you're looking for something different than your typical summer rom-com! Fingers crossed that Beer writes more about brides in the future!
June 20, 2018
As I started reading this book, the first few chapters were so cumbersome in the author's descriptions of everything, I truly did not think I would be able to continue. But I hung in there and boy, am I glad I did! This book is about 3 very different women preparing for their weddings: Jessie, a bridezilla marrying into a wealthy family; Dolly, a wannabe Brides Magazine featured bride and wedding; and Emily, a woman lucky enough to be marrying her best friend. Each woman sees her upcoming wedding in a different light.
The Almost Wife is a riveting story that will make you feel a variety of emotions from disgust, frustration, disappointment, despair and hope. In my opinion, Jessie needed a reality check with a strong gulp of humility while Dolly needed a large dose of reality. But it was Emily's story that moved me to tears at the unfairness of her life's circumstances.
This author has written a beautiful book and her characters are well-defined and multidimensional. I rated this book 4 stars out of 5 due to the superfluous descriptions in the early chapters and honestly, skipped over much of the excessive narrative. However, the story is a quality read and worth the investment of time.
The Almost Wife is a riveting story that will make you feel a variety of emotions from disgust, frustration, disappointment, despair and hope. In my opinion, Jessie needed a reality check with a strong gulp of humility while Dolly needed a large dose of reality. But it was Emily's story that moved me to tears at the unfairness of her life's circumstances.
This author has written a beautiful book and her characters are well-defined and multidimensional. I rated this book 4 stars out of 5 due to the superfluous descriptions in the early chapters and honestly, skipped over much of the excessive narrative. However, the story is a quality read and worth the investment of time.
May 30, 2018
I really enjoyed The Almost Wife. It follows the three brides to be: Jessie, Dolly and Emily. Three women and three white dresses but only two will make it up the aisle and only one will marry.
Jessie is marrying Adam, her wealthy fiancé but she struggles as she feels she doesn’t fit in with his lavish family. As she tries to meet the grade she begins to neglect her own flesh and blood.
Dolly works in PR (not as glamorous as people think). She hates her job and finds herself feeling second best to her fiancé, a successful photographer who’s used to spending his days with stunning models.
Emily still lives at home with her parents. She can’t wait to marry Mark and looks forward to the fortnightly Sunday lunches where her family and his can discuss the wedding plans in more detail.
This book is well written with plenty of great characters. The chapters flow well and you are entertained to the end. This is a story of love and emotion. It’s the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.
Jessie is marrying Adam, her wealthy fiancé but she struggles as she feels she doesn’t fit in with his lavish family. As she tries to meet the grade she begins to neglect her own flesh and blood.
Dolly works in PR (not as glamorous as people think). She hates her job and finds herself feeling second best to her fiancé, a successful photographer who’s used to spending his days with stunning models.
Emily still lives at home with her parents. She can’t wait to marry Mark and looks forward to the fortnightly Sunday lunches where her family and his can discuss the wedding plans in more detail.
This book is well written with plenty of great characters. The chapters flow well and you are entertained to the end. This is a story of love and emotion. It’s the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.
June 22, 2018
To describe The Almost Wife as a story about three women and their journeys on the wedding rollercoaster is factually true - but it seriously undersells the whole novel. Jess, Dolly and Emma are getting married and Helen is the common demoninator: she's providing the dresses. But a wedding is never 'just' a wedding, and the clue is in the title - we're clearly not going to end up with four traditional happy ever afters. In fact, I defy anyone to guess the ultimate outcome(s).
The Almost Wife is fun and funny. It's sad and thought-provoking. It's engaging, well-written - and if you want the added bonus of an author who really knows her wedding etiquette (and can open your eyes to sheer bridal extravagence), then Jade Beer is your woman.
It's a perfect balance of reading for relaxation and sheer pleasure, with an undelying intelligence and sensitivity that will make you remember it long beyond so many other so-called 'summer reads'.
The Almost Wife is fun and funny. It's sad and thought-provoking. It's engaging, well-written - and if you want the added bonus of an author who really knows her wedding etiquette (and can open your eyes to sheer bridal extravagence), then Jade Beer is your woman.
It's a perfect balance of reading for relaxation and sheer pleasure, with an undelying intelligence and sensitivity that will make you remember it long beyond so many other so-called 'summer reads'.
June 27, 2019
Prvih sto pedeset stranica je toliko loše i isprazno napisano da neću komentarisati, toliko navođenja fensi brendova da te glava krene boliti. Da nisam čitala preporuku ostavila bih knjigu i ne bih je nikad pročitala!
Na preporuku jedne književne prijateljice nastavila sam i oduševila se. Drugi dio knjige je divan,prepun zapleta,nosi divne i duboke poruke. Kao da ga je pisala različita osoba. Od mene 3☆ zbog drugog dijela. I velika preporuka ako možete preživiti onaj snobizam na prvih stotinjak strana.
Na preporuku jedne književne prijateljice nastavila sam i oduševila se. Drugi dio knjige je divan,prepun zapleta,nosi divne i duboke poruke. Kao da ga je pisala različita osoba. Od mene 3☆ zbog drugog dijela. I velika preporuka ako možete preživiti onaj snobizam na prvih stotinjak strana.
January 7, 2023
Pensavo fosse un libro divertente, con scene spassose da ridere. E invece mi sono ritrovata addirittura a pensare di non volerlo più leggere per via di una situazione davvero triste.
Un romanzo che parla di tre storie d'Amore totalmente diverse.
(Letto nell'Ottobre 2019)
Piaciuto: Sì
Un romanzo che parla di tre storie d'Amore totalmente diverse.
(Letto nell'Ottobre 2019)
Piaciuto: Sì
June 7, 2020
Recensione di Barbara:
Tre donne diversissime tra loro ma con due cose in comune: la preparazione del loro matrimonio e una boutique di abiti da sposa, tutte con una storia da raccontare e incertezze da superare. La storia parte sei mesi prima del grande evento.
Jessie viene da una famiglia povera, conosce sul lavoro Adam bellissimo e ricchissimo che diventa ben presto l'amore della sua vita e tutto cambia drasticamente. Non bada a spese per il matrimonio convinta che il denaro possa aiutarla ad entrare nel mondo sofisticato a cui appartiene Adam dalla nascita ma, accecata dalla sua insicurezza e dalla continua tensione a cui è sottoposta, commette una serie di errori a scapito della sua famiglia di cui si vergogna profondamente. Per questo suo modo ossessivo di voler rendere perfetto ogni dettaglio e di conformare tutti agli alti standard a cui pensa di doversi uniformare, Jessie rischia di essere la protagonista più antipatica dell'intero libro solo che, pagina dopo pagina, verranno fuori tutte le sue fragilità e con il poco elegante aiuto di sua sorella riuscirà a ritrovare il giusto equilibrio tra famiglia di appartenenza e nuovo stile di vita.
Dolly è ossessionata dal raggiungimento della forma fisica perfetta per l'abito dei suoi sogni e per essere all'altezza delle modelle di cui il suo fidanzato Josh, fotografo di moda, è sempre circondato. Con un lavoro che odia ma che non può perdere per motivi economici e con la speranza che il matrimonio perfetto le spalanchi le porte del suo lavoro ideale presso la rivista Brides, si ritroverà a far fronte ad un imprevisto che condizionerà tutte le sue scelte e la porterà a mettere in discussione tutto il suo rapporto con Josh e quello che effettivamente vuole per il futuro. All'inizio Dolly è stata per me un po' insipida nella continua ricerca del compiacimento di Josh e della sua fissazione per la magrezza, si riscatta poi alla grande una volta che prende consapevolezza delle cose davvero importanti nella vita.
Emily giovanissima insegnante ha un fidanzato innamoratissimo e una famiglia perfetta alle spalle. Il cammino verso il grande giorno sarà però stroncato da una tragica notizia che terrà nascosta a tutta la famiglia. Cercando di tenere a bada lo sconforto, l'indecisione e la paura, proverà nel frattempo ad accelerare i preparativi e a sposarsi nel giro di due settimane per regalare comunque a se e alla sua famiglia il coronamento del grande sogno. Coraggiosissima e dolcissima Emily è la protagonista che ho amato di più e per la quale ho sofferto tantissimo e ho pianto calde lacrime, e anche se non ho condiviso tante sue scelte avrei voluto essere lì con lei per consolarla del dolore che si ritrova ad affrontare.
Comune denominatore è Helen, elegante proprietaria della boutique di abiti da sposa scelta da tutte e tre le ragazze. Helen offre alle giovani donne che si avvicinano al grande passo ogni tipo di consiglio e supporto per cercare anche di colmare il vuoto della sua vita creato dalla morte del marito e dal quale non riesce a riprendersi e ad andare avanti. Si ritroverà particolarmente coinvolta nelle vicende di queste tre donne e si affezionerà alle loro storie rivedendo in ognuna di loro parte della sua vita e del suo grande amore per il marito durato tutta una vita.
Dolce, romantico, struggente, ognuna delle quattro storie mi ha fatto sognare, soffrire e piangere. In ogni vicenda molto ben raccontata troviamo le gioie, le fissazioni, i dolori e le ansie di ogni donna che programma il proprio matrimonio, e anche se le loro vite prenderanno una svolta non prevista vi ritroverete sempre a fare il tifo per loro e per l'amore, non soltanto per il proprio compagno o per la propria famiglia ma anche e soprattutto per loro stesse perchè non è sempre facile prendere la strada che ti suggerisce il cuore. Quattro storie alimentate da sentimenti uguali e diversi nello stesso momento ma con una cosa in comune l'intensità. Un libro molto bello che ti prende sempre più e ti coinvolge fino all'ultima pagina e che ti farà guardare alla vita in maniera più riconoscente. Consigliatissimo!
Tre donne diversissime tra loro ma con due cose in comune: la preparazione del loro matrimonio e una boutique di abiti da sposa, tutte con una storia da raccontare e incertezze da superare. La storia parte sei mesi prima del grande evento.
Jessie viene da una famiglia povera, conosce sul lavoro Adam bellissimo e ricchissimo che diventa ben presto l'amore della sua vita e tutto cambia drasticamente. Non bada a spese per il matrimonio convinta che il denaro possa aiutarla ad entrare nel mondo sofisticato a cui appartiene Adam dalla nascita ma, accecata dalla sua insicurezza e dalla continua tensione a cui è sottoposta, commette una serie di errori a scapito della sua famiglia di cui si vergogna profondamente. Per questo suo modo ossessivo di voler rendere perfetto ogni dettaglio e di conformare tutti agli alti standard a cui pensa di doversi uniformare, Jessie rischia di essere la protagonista più antipatica dell'intero libro solo che, pagina dopo pagina, verranno fuori tutte le sue fragilità e con il poco elegante aiuto di sua sorella riuscirà a ritrovare il giusto equilibrio tra famiglia di appartenenza e nuovo stile di vita.
Dolly è ossessionata dal raggiungimento della forma fisica perfetta per l'abito dei suoi sogni e per essere all'altezza delle modelle di cui il suo fidanzato Josh, fotografo di moda, è sempre circondato. Con un lavoro che odia ma che non può perdere per motivi economici e con la speranza che il matrimonio perfetto le spalanchi le porte del suo lavoro ideale presso la rivista Brides, si ritroverà a far fronte ad un imprevisto che condizionerà tutte le sue scelte e la porterà a mettere in discussione tutto il suo rapporto con Josh e quello che effettivamente vuole per il futuro. All'inizio Dolly è stata per me un po' insipida nella continua ricerca del compiacimento di Josh e della sua fissazione per la magrezza, si riscatta poi alla grande una volta che prende consapevolezza delle cose davvero importanti nella vita.
Emily giovanissima insegnante ha un fidanzato innamoratissimo e una famiglia perfetta alle spalle. Il cammino verso il grande giorno sarà però stroncato da una tragica notizia che terrà nascosta a tutta la famiglia. Cercando di tenere a bada lo sconforto, l'indecisione e la paura, proverà nel frattempo ad accelerare i preparativi e a sposarsi nel giro di due settimane per regalare comunque a se e alla sua famiglia il coronamento del grande sogno. Coraggiosissima e dolcissima Emily è la protagonista che ho amato di più e per la quale ho sofferto tantissimo e ho pianto calde lacrime, e anche se non ho condiviso tante sue scelte avrei voluto essere lì con lei per consolarla del dolore che si ritrova ad affrontare.
Comune denominatore è Helen, elegante proprietaria della boutique di abiti da sposa scelta da tutte e tre le ragazze. Helen offre alle giovani donne che si avvicinano al grande passo ogni tipo di consiglio e supporto per cercare anche di colmare il vuoto della sua vita creato dalla morte del marito e dal quale non riesce a riprendersi e ad andare avanti. Si ritroverà particolarmente coinvolta nelle vicende di queste tre donne e si affezionerà alle loro storie rivedendo in ognuna di loro parte della sua vita e del suo grande amore per il marito durato tutta una vita.
Dolce, romantico, struggente, ognuna delle quattro storie mi ha fatto sognare, soffrire e piangere. In ogni vicenda molto ben raccontata troviamo le gioie, le fissazioni, i dolori e le ansie di ogni donna che programma il proprio matrimonio, e anche se le loro vite prenderanno una svolta non prevista vi ritroverete sempre a fare il tifo per loro e per l'amore, non soltanto per il proprio compagno o per la propria famiglia ma anche e soprattutto per loro stesse perchè non è sempre facile prendere la strada che ti suggerisce il cuore. Quattro storie alimentate da sentimenti uguali e diversi nello stesso momento ma con una cosa in comune l'intensità. Un libro molto bello che ti prende sempre più e ti coinvolge fino all'ultima pagina e che ti farà guardare alla vita in maniera più riconoscente. Consigliatissimo!
June 22, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publisher, Bookouture for this review copy given in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Kim from Bookouture for organising the Blog Tour!
A story about three women who are all planning their big day. Jessie and Adam are complete chalk and cheese. Adam is filthy rich, but very down to earth. Jessie appeared to be from an underprivileged background and has become quite the bitch now she’s marrying into money. Dolly and Josh are again an unlikely couple. Josh is a photographer and hangs around beautiful models all day. Dolly finds herself playing second fiddle to Josh’s job and throws everything into her wedding and looking good for it instead. Emily and Mark appear to be the only couple who are well suited, and Emily can’t wait to finally marry the love of her life. A story of love, life and family, these three ladies stories cross in the most unexpected way.
My first book by this author. The story interested me as it sounded like one emotional rollercoaster! I love books about weddings, and to have three of them in one book is just sheer decadence! The blurb also mentioned that there would be three big days planned, only two will make it up the aisle and only one will marry, so you just know that there is going to be some huge revelations and a lot of tears!
The characters were certainly a mixed bunch. Jessie appeared to be the worst with the attitude that she was so much better than everyone else now she was marrying into money, obviously forgetting her background. Dolly and Emily are more likeable but they still all have their own secrets and insecurities which makes them all different characters. The story is told from the viewpoint of all three women and also from Helen, the owner of the Wedding Dress shop where they’re all planning to get their wedding dresses from. Helen is also a lovely character. Having been widowed, her life now is the shop. I loved the first meeting of Helen where she describes her opening up routine and before any customers come in and also her description of the shop! Such wonderful dedication to her business certainly shows why these three ladies go to her!
The story was, as I expected, a rollercoaster of emotions. There is, obviously, plenty of love and also lots of family involvement, but not all necessarily in good ways. I loved the way the book switched from one character to the other, but yet involving them all together and having their stories coming unexpectedly together by the end. It was very cleverly written and the story flowed really well. I would definitely recommend this book! It would make a perfect summer read, in fact a perfect anytime read!
A story about three women who are all planning their big day. Jessie and Adam are complete chalk and cheese. Adam is filthy rich, but very down to earth. Jessie appeared to be from an underprivileged background and has become quite the bitch now she’s marrying into money. Dolly and Josh are again an unlikely couple. Josh is a photographer and hangs around beautiful models all day. Dolly finds herself playing second fiddle to Josh’s job and throws everything into her wedding and looking good for it instead. Emily and Mark appear to be the only couple who are well suited, and Emily can’t wait to finally marry the love of her life. A story of love, life and family, these three ladies stories cross in the most unexpected way.
My first book by this author. The story interested me as it sounded like one emotional rollercoaster! I love books about weddings, and to have three of them in one book is just sheer decadence! The blurb also mentioned that there would be three big days planned, only two will make it up the aisle and only one will marry, so you just know that there is going to be some huge revelations and a lot of tears!
The characters were certainly a mixed bunch. Jessie appeared to be the worst with the attitude that she was so much better than everyone else now she was marrying into money, obviously forgetting her background. Dolly and Emily are more likeable but they still all have their own secrets and insecurities which makes them all different characters. The story is told from the viewpoint of all three women and also from Helen, the owner of the Wedding Dress shop where they’re all planning to get their wedding dresses from. Helen is also a lovely character. Having been widowed, her life now is the shop. I loved the first meeting of Helen where she describes her opening up routine and before any customers come in and also her description of the shop! Such wonderful dedication to her business certainly shows why these three ladies go to her!
The story was, as I expected, a rollercoaster of emotions. There is, obviously, plenty of love and also lots of family involvement, but not all necessarily in good ways. I loved the way the book switched from one character to the other, but yet involving them all together and having their stories coming unexpectedly together by the end. It was very cleverly written and the story flowed really well. I would definitely recommend this book! It would make a perfect summer read, in fact a perfect anytime read!
March 17, 2021
La storia in realtà non ha molto a che fare con il titolo perché alla fine assistiamo solamente ad un matrimonio, però è il concetto che conta e quello c'è. Ho adorato leggere questo libro dalla prima all'ultima riga, ho pianto con Helen, ho pianto per Emily, ho pianto con Jessy anche se l'avrei strozzata volentieri un paio di volte. Con quale coraggio tratti la tua famiglia, quella che ti ha cambiato e messo un tetto sopra la testa, come pezze da piedi e per cosa? Per un po' di soldi! La povera Emily poi non meritava di morire prima del matrimonio, ma è stata proprio questa la cosa che mi è piaciuta di più. È diverso, non te lo aspetti perché ti aspetti che tutto vada bene, e invece no. Helen invece ha avuto un gran coraggio, mi sono rivista in lei senza il mio ragazzo... Non avrei lo stesso coraggio probabilmente. E Dolly, Dolly che finalmente manda a quel paese quell'egocentrico di Josh, che avrei lanciato dal balcone un paio di volte più del necessario, per tenere la bambina. Non so io come avrei reagito, ma sono contenta che lei lo abbia fatto. In conclusione, davvero un bel libro. Vale la pena.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2019
This is a very easy book to read. The structure means that the characters are very easy to recognise and follow. The idea of a bunch of girls with little in common than their choice of wedding dress shop is great. I loved this concept. Each girl had an individual story and a moral at the end of it. I hated the chapters on Jessie though. I am happy disliking a character in a book, but I also hated all the references to over indulgence and designer clothes, accessories and completely unnecessary wedding related purchases. The assumption that people think they are better than others due to the amount of money they have makes my blood boil. I don’t think that she had her comeuppance and since the book is not a comedy all the other nasty things she does or says are too serious to have it left hanging as it is. I feel she needed to suffer more. I enjoyed the other characters though and she’s tears for them and their families.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2023
Ne znam da sam ikad pročitala knjigu sa više iritantnih likova, sa karakternim osobinama sve gorom od gore. Priča prati vjenčanja tri djevojke, Jessie, Emily & Dolly kojima je dodirna tačka butik u kojem kupuju svoje vjenčanice. Vlasnica Helen je nedavno ostala bez supruga, i svu svoju ljubav i energiju uložila u pokretanje vlastitog biznisa i to čini više nego uspješno. Osim što svakoj od mladenki, unatoč njihovim lošim osobinama, pronađe savršenu vjenčanicu postane im i savjetnik, drugarica, majčinska figura i sve ostalo po potrebi.
July 9, 2018
Good Read!
This is a book that will bring out emotions ranging from pique to tears. The three main characters are well developed. but a few times I directed them to be realistic, kind and "knowing." Beer has written a page turner. If it seems slow at first, continue to read. I'm glad I did.
This is a book that will bring out emotions ranging from pique to tears. The three main characters are well developed. but a few times I directed them to be realistic, kind and "knowing." Beer has written a page turner. If it seems slow at first, continue to read. I'm glad I did.
July 9, 2018
Didn’t love it
I really try to love all books. I found myself reading the first sentence of each paragraph. Some of the characters were unlikeable for too long. I always like to see glimpses of redeeming character in the characters of the book. I didn’t see that until the end, and for me it was a little too late.
I really try to love all books. I found myself reading the first sentence of each paragraph. Some of the characters were unlikeable for too long. I always like to see glimpses of redeeming character in the characters of the book. I didn’t see that until the end, and for me it was a little too late.
July 11, 2018
Funny and heartbreaking
A beautiful story and a beautiful but sad ending. As others noted, it was hard to get into the first quarter of the book and I almost didn't continue. Then it takes off and you won't put it down until finished. I don't cry easily but had big crocodile years at the end. The missing fifth star is only due to the slow beginning.
A beautiful story and a beautiful but sad ending. As others noted, it was hard to get into the first quarter of the book and I almost didn't continue. Then it takes off and you won't put it down until finished. I don't cry easily but had big crocodile years at the end. The missing fifth star is only due to the slow beginning.
August 4, 2018
Extraordinary
This was so different to what I would normally read, this was so full of different emotions. Four very strong characters each telling a story which by the end rolls into place together. I absolutely recommend that you read this it was simply amazing and well deserved 5* from me. I will definitely look out for this author again.
This was so different to what I would normally read, this was so full of different emotions. Four very strong characters each telling a story which by the end rolls into place together. I absolutely recommend that you read this it was simply amazing and well deserved 5* from me. I will definitely look out for this author again.
July 8, 2019
I liked it. Turned out much better than I thought. Took almost the first third of the book to keep my interest then I couldn't put it down. The title "a gorgeous feel good romance" is misleading. There is very little romance in it. Follows 4 women and their paths to "ever after" and without spoiling, the "ever after" doesn't turn out like they planned.
May 30, 2025
While I did enjoy this book and got caught up in the characters' lives, the section about Emily is hard to believe. I don't want to give anything away, but it seemed to me like the author didn't know what to do with Emily or how to tell that part of the story. Otherwise, I liked how each woman grew and learned what love truly is.
June 30, 2018
Very slow to get going, started with the most obnoxious character, then went to an irritating character, then to two angelically unreal ones. Skipped all the way through - did finish it, did cry - so does get two stars.....
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