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A Wedding on the Beach
A summer wedding, a college reunion, a gorgeous Maine beach house—it’s the ideal setting for bestselling author Holly Chamberlin’s captivating novel about the connections that shape us, sometimes break our hearts, and forever change our lives . . .
Bess Culpepper has long been sure of two things—that her group of college friends would stay close, and that love is worth the wait. At forty-two, she’s found the right man, and she’s celebrating her upcoming wedding by inviting her best friends to beautiful Kennebunkport.
Bess has always been at the helm of these reunions, herding everyone together despite distance and outside commitments. As usual, Marta and Mike journey from their home near New York City, while Chuck and his husband, Dean, travel from Los Angeles. But Allison, half of a devoted couple since college, is making the trip from Chicago without her husband, Chris. None of the others knows the reason for their impending divorce. There are other tensions too. The usually level-headed Marta is conspicuously on edge, and Chuck reveals devastating personal news.
As reality encroaches on her dreams of the perfect gathering, Bess begins to second guess her assumptions about friendship and fidelity. If relationships like these, nurtured over decades, can flounder, how can any couple stay committed? Is it possible to truly know the ones we love—or even to predict where one’s own path will lead?
Bess Culpepper has long been sure of two things—that her group of college friends would stay close, and that love is worth the wait. At forty-two, she’s found the right man, and she’s celebrating her upcoming wedding by inviting her best friends to beautiful Kennebunkport.
Bess has always been at the helm of these reunions, herding everyone together despite distance and outside commitments. As usual, Marta and Mike journey from their home near New York City, while Chuck and his husband, Dean, travel from Los Angeles. But Allison, half of a devoted couple since college, is making the trip from Chicago without her husband, Chris. None of the others knows the reason for their impending divorce. There are other tensions too. The usually level-headed Marta is conspicuously on edge, and Chuck reveals devastating personal news.
As reality encroaches on her dreams of the perfect gathering, Bess begins to second guess her assumptions about friendship and fidelity. If relationships like these, nurtured over decades, can flounder, how can any couple stay committed? Is it possible to truly know the ones we love—or even to predict where one’s own path will lead?
433 pages, Paperback
Published June 25, 2019
40 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Holly Chamberlin
38 books565 followersHolly Chamberlin is a native New Yorker, but she now lives in Portland, Maine - the aftermath of stumbling across Mr. Right at the one moment she wasn't watching the terrain. She's been writing and editing - poetry, children's fantasies, a romance novel or two, among many other genres and projects - her entire life. She has two cats, Betty and Cyrus, and when she's not writing her hobbies include reading, shopping, and cocktails at six.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 4, 2020
Bes Culpepper always believed her group of college friends would remain good friends for life. So now, when at 42, Bess is preparing to finally marry she invites these friends for two weeks to Kennebunkport in Maine. There they will meet her intended Nathan. The friends include Mike and Marta, who are married with three children and a fourth, though no-one but Mike and Marta know it yet, on the way. Then there is Alison who despite being still in love is looking at the impending divorce initiated by Chris. None of her friends know what exactly happened between the two of them to implode their marriage. The third lot of friends and Chuck and Dean who have recently become adopted parents to a baby boy. This relationship too has its tensions. How much will these friends find out about each other during this two week long time together?
I picked this up because it was set in Maine and for some reason I love books set in Maine. Also because of current circumstances I wanted a nice light chick lit read. Sad to say, this was not the book I was expecting it to be. No worries. Sometimes it doesn’t matter. In this case it did. For a woman of 42, Bess behaves like someone much younger. She is naive in the extreme, cushioned by wealth with she throws around liberally, her attitude to her own family is bizarre and she has all the tact of a bull in a china shop. Can you tell she annoyed me no end? The trouble is I couldn’t relate like or rate to any of the other characters either. It is a book where the characters who never came to life, spend too much time in introspection and bemoaning the choices they have made and their lot in life.
One line I did like was in regard to Mike and his spoiling of his daughter. Marta muses, ’And spoiling was not protecting: if only the spoilers could understand that!’ I absolutely agreed with this. It was a rare gem in the rest of what was an overlong, less than satisfying, novel about annoying characters. I have tried two books by this author in the past. One I quite liked which is what prompted me to pick up this one. The other I gave up on. Seems to me now, this author and I might not be a good fit. I cannot relate to the type of characters she is writing about. They never engaged me but came across as self-centred and with no depth. That’s not to say others, may not appreciate this book, perhaps those in the younger stages of life?
I picked this up because it was set in Maine and for some reason I love books set in Maine. Also because of current circumstances I wanted a nice light chick lit read. Sad to say, this was not the book I was expecting it to be. No worries. Sometimes it doesn’t matter. In this case it did. For a woman of 42, Bess behaves like someone much younger. She is naive in the extreme, cushioned by wealth with she throws around liberally, her attitude to her own family is bizarre and she has all the tact of a bull in a china shop. Can you tell she annoyed me no end? The trouble is I couldn’t relate like or rate to any of the other characters either. It is a book where the characters who never came to life, spend too much time in introspection and bemoaning the choices they have made and their lot in life.
One line I did like was in regard to Mike and his spoiling of his daughter. Marta muses, ’And spoiling was not protecting: if only the spoilers could understand that!’ I absolutely agreed with this. It was a rare gem in the rest of what was an overlong, less than satisfying, novel about annoying characters. I have tried two books by this author in the past. One I quite liked which is what prompted me to pick up this one. The other I gave up on. Seems to me now, this author and I might not be a good fit. I cannot relate to the type of characters she is writing about. They never engaged me but came across as self-centred and with no depth. That’s not to say others, may not appreciate this book, perhaps those in the younger stages of life?
June 29, 2019
This was a fun beach read on a Saturday afternoon. Bess was having a wedding on the beach, and she had invited her friends from college to spend two weeks with them, trying to recapture their fun times. But what did she know!! All of them came with their own set of problems. And in the midst of all that drama, Bess tried to find the silver lining in those dark clouds.
Holly Chamberlain's book was entertaining in parts. I loved the story which was based on friendship. The book was an easy breezy read in most parts, though it was quite slow in the middle. But it soon picked up pace when the characters decided to enjoy the wedding and allow their problems to solve itself.
The last part of the book was what I wanted from this story, the emotions weaved in a wedding. Overall, a fun read, I would reiterate!!
Holly Chamberlain's book was entertaining in parts. I loved the story which was based on friendship. The book was an easy breezy read in most parts, though it was quite slow in the middle. But it soon picked up pace when the characters decided to enjoy the wedding and allow their problems to solve itself.
The last part of the book was what I wanted from this story, the emotions weaved in a wedding. Overall, a fun read, I would reiterate!!
October 15, 2019
I hate rating books below 4 stars but I could not rate this book any higher.
Major reasons why I was not thrilled with the book:
1. It was never-ending. I felt like it went on and on and I was reading every single minute of their lives.
2.For Bess to be in her early 40's she sure was whiney and self-centered. I understand it is all about the bride but this went overboard. She acted like everyone had to run their lives by her or it was poor pitiful left out me.
I normally like Holly Chamberlin's books and plan on reading more. Give this a whirl if you love summer beach weddings, you may find it a favorite.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Major reasons why I was not thrilled with the book:
1. It was never-ending. I felt like it went on and on and I was reading every single minute of their lives.
2.For Bess to be in her early 40's she sure was whiney and self-centered. I understand it is all about the bride but this went overboard. She acted like everyone had to run their lives by her or it was poor pitiful left out me.
I normally like Holly Chamberlin's books and plan on reading more. Give this a whirl if you love summer beach weddings, you may find it a favorite.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
August 18, 2024
I would have liked to have give this book more than a three star rating, but the story dragged and did not need to be told in 423 pages.
February 8, 2020
I almost stopped reading this because I found the character of Bess so incredibly annoying. I did finish it because I wanted to see what happened to all the characters. I felt the book could’ve been a tad shorter - I don’t think we needed to know every time someone took a walk or sketched something. I found the ending a little over the top, with each couple making their own announcement, one after another. Also, a small thing but a pet peeve of mine - when we’re privy to a character’s inner monologue and they make a declarative statement, followed by, “Wasn’t I?” or “Didn’t I?” This was done A LOT and I found myself saying out loud, “I don’t know - did you?” Overall, a nice, quick read.
July 24, 2019
I love Holly Chamberlin's books, but I really struggled with this. I finished it, but only because I hate to not finish a book. I disliked the ending as I didn't feel it was consistent with real life. The character of Bess is probably the most annoying character ever. I felt that Marta, Chuck and Allison were much more relatable. My dislike for Bess made it tough to read as the book is focused on the 2 weeks before her wedding.
April 1, 2020
I really struggled to finish this book. It seemed as if all the characters were constantly soul searching everything, whether it was themselves or the others, always questioning motives, feelings, etc. I found it exhausting!
March 26, 2020
So needlessly long! It took me forever to get into this book. I finished it just because I’d invested a lot of time, but would recommend not picking it up in the first place.
June 19, 2019
Bess Culpepper has finally found her "Prince Charming" and is having the wedding of her dreams. She invites her best friends from college up for a two-week stay at the beach before the ceremony, to spend time together and catch up. It turns out not to be as idyllic as Bess imagined the reunion to be..... Allison and Chris are in the process of a divorce, Marta is carrying a lot of resentment over a surprise pregnancy, and Chuck & Dean are dealing with a medical diagnosis that leaves their future plans uncertain. Bess is determined to make everything go perfectly, exasperating her friends and all of the drama threatens to overwhelm the wedding.
Although there were times I wanted to throttle Bess as much as her friends did with her constant Pollyanna attitude, I loved the dynamics between all of the friends and spouses. This is the perfect beach read... drama, romance, and the ideal beach setting.
Although there were times I wanted to throttle Bess as much as her friends did with her constant Pollyanna attitude, I loved the dynamics between all of the friends and spouses. This is the perfect beach read... drama, romance, and the ideal beach setting.
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June 14, 2019The beautiful cover made me bypass other books in my TBR to dig into this one, so I came in with high expectations. Charmberlin definitely has the voice for this genre, and has set a structure that provides familiarity. We're in a beautiful place with a pile of story-packed friends, all competing with the wedding itself for the spotlight. I would have loved this book if the list of friends with dramas was a few people shorter. It's just too many places to look, and while there's plenty to love in each story, it felt like this manuscript needed just a few edits and a few transports of friends to another story at some time. When we do get to the wedding on the beach, it's like a breath of fresh air, the distractions clear away, and we get the emotional payoff we've been needing. I enjoy this author's voice and her work in building well-rounded characters, so this book had its charms.
March 21, 2020
It took me a long time to get through this book and normally I breeze right through a book of this subject matter.
Bess is finally getting married, at the age of 42, and she is excited to have her old college friends there. However, these friends have their own problems and some of them are hesitant to share. Marta and Mike are unexpectedly having a fourth child and Marta isn't too pleased. Allison is going through a divorce and Bess kept pleading for Chris, the soon to be ex, to come. And Chuck has a medical problem.
Bess is written as if she were a dreamy 15 yr old, instead of a smart, capable woman who owns her own company. It just really made me annoyed.
Bess is finally getting married, at the age of 42, and she is excited to have her old college friends there. However, these friends have their own problems and some of them are hesitant to share. Marta and Mike are unexpectedly having a fourth child and Marta isn't too pleased. Allison is going through a divorce and Bess kept pleading for Chris, the soon to be ex, to come. And Chuck has a medical problem.
Bess is written as if she were a dreamy 15 yr old, instead of a smart, capable woman who owns her own company. It just really made me annoyed.
November 29, 2019
I was looking forward to a nice long romantic book. From the beginning, I found the characters unrealistic. Had the book been half the length, itcwould have been better. I did not need to know the minutia of every characters thoughts. All of the characters seemed unrealistic and underdeveloped, especially Bess. The entire casts of characters handled their problems with all the grace and finesse of budding teenagers, not 40 year olds. The book was extremely predictable, too wrapped up neatly but unrealistically, and there were no real fully developed problems. Not even the "secrets" they all kept. The idea was fine, but the way the story line played out left so mycg to be desired.
July 13, 2019
This book was okay just your general run of the mill summer easy read. Unfortunately I found most of the characters to be annoying.
August 8, 2019
Don't read this book, so boring, no plot just 3 women moaning through the whole book. Not a summer read at all.
May 26, 2020
Maybe she should get a cup of strong black coffee, unless that would result in trembling hands and an acidic stomach. That was one of the annoying things about adulthood. You realized that every action caused a reaction, every decision had a consequence, often both good and bad. Pg 19
This book sure raised a LOT of questions!! Questions about life, love, marriage, divorce, raising children, having children, and the loss of a child. (This book talks about miscarriage and the challenges a couple can face afterwards.) At this specific point in my life, I have to admit that the questions presented in the book really hit home. This book couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. I don't think I could have read it any other time.
The story revolves around Bess, the bride-to-be, the ever optimist, wanting to spend a couple weeks with her best friends from college before her wedding. She was so happy and excited about her upcoming wedding that she wanted her closest friends to share in her joy. But once everyone arrives, she quickly comes to realize that their lives are not all sunshine and roses. Bess questions how disillusioned she is about the lives of her friends and even questions her choice to get married.
Leading up to the wedding, many questions are raised and answered. The biggest takeaway would be communication. Communicating with your significant other can prevent many misunderstandings. As a #virgo, and a number 9 #ennagram it is very hard to speak my mind and discuss my feelings as I have a tendency to avoid conflicts.
At the end all conversations are had and conflicts are resolved. The wedding goes off without a hitch and plans are made for the next reunion. .
Do you have regular gatherings with your close friends? We try to meet our friends every couple of months or so.
This book sure raised a LOT of questions!! Questions about life, love, marriage, divorce, raising children, having children, and the loss of a child. (This book talks about miscarriage and the challenges a couple can face afterwards.) At this specific point in my life, I have to admit that the questions presented in the book really hit home. This book couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. I don't think I could have read it any other time.
The story revolves around Bess, the bride-to-be, the ever optimist, wanting to spend a couple weeks with her best friends from college before her wedding. She was so happy and excited about her upcoming wedding that she wanted her closest friends to share in her joy. But once everyone arrives, she quickly comes to realize that their lives are not all sunshine and roses. Bess questions how disillusioned she is about the lives of her friends and even questions her choice to get married.
Leading up to the wedding, many questions are raised and answered. The biggest takeaway would be communication. Communicating with your significant other can prevent many misunderstandings. As a #virgo, and a number 9 #ennagram it is very hard to speak my mind and discuss my feelings as I have a tendency to avoid conflicts.
At the end all conversations are had and conflicts are resolved. The wedding goes off without a hitch and plans are made for the next reunion. .
Do you have regular gatherings with your close friends? We try to meet our friends every couple of months or so.
November 21, 2019
I kind of cheated because I read the author's notes and reading guide before reading the book. Holly Chamberlin's comment that she included some of her own flaws in each of her female characters had me examining Bess, Allison, and Marta closely while reading. And, surprise! I found several of my own flaws in the female leads, too, which made this very appealing. Bess may be the best party planner on the face of the earth and the glue that keeps the whole group connected, but she is a bit of a control freak. Allison is a professional success, but her personal life is a shambles and she realizes that she needs to stand up for herself if she wants to be happy. Marta faces an unexpected complication just when she thought she might be able to start the career she never had after college. The men in their lives are also affected by pending changes in their relationships, as are the fourth couple, Dean and Chuck. Holly Chamberlin manages to present what happens when eight friends spend two weeks together twenty years after a slightly drunk promise at college graduation sensitively and with enough humor to keep it light. I recommend this as a vacation read or for one of those times that you are stuck indoors for several days because it's entertaining yet easy to put down for a while.
January 7, 2021
Oh. My. Word. The only reason I read this entire book, is because the library is closed, and I've run out of reading material. The back cover of this book sounded promising, but several chapters in, I knew I wouldn't care for story.
The only characters in the story that were remotely likeable, were Chuck and Dean. The so called 'friends', were not very kind to one another. And Bess, our blushing bride was a piece of work. I'm actually surprised Bess has any friends at all, because the only word that is close enough to describe her character is neurotic.
So. Many. Details, that didn't add to the story line one bit. Including an affair that happened between two of the friends. The amount of food ordered in. The pitchers of lemonade made up.
Bess wondering why people had changed over the past 20 some odd years...
No one in there right mind, would take two weeks off work or their lives, to meet up with a friend getting married. That's completely unrealistic.
I could go on and on, but I need to put this aside and forget about this story.
Not a recommend read, unless you're in lockdown and it's all you've got.
The only characters in the story that were remotely likeable, were Chuck and Dean. The so called 'friends', were not very kind to one another. And Bess, our blushing bride was a piece of work. I'm actually surprised Bess has any friends at all, because the only word that is close enough to describe her character is neurotic.
So. Many. Details, that didn't add to the story line one bit. Including an affair that happened between two of the friends. The amount of food ordered in. The pitchers of lemonade made up.
Bess wondering why people had changed over the past 20 some odd years...
No one in there right mind, would take two weeks off work or their lives, to meet up with a friend getting married. That's completely unrealistic.
I could go on and on, but I need to put this aside and forget about this story.
Not a recommend read, unless you're in lockdown and it's all you've got.
June 11, 2019
A good beach read about a beach wedding. Bess finally found her man and has planned the perfect wedding at the beach. Before the happy day she's planned a reunion with her college group of friends. As the friends arrive, the stories unfold. Allison is suffering from a broken marriage; Marta is expecting again and uncertain about her feelings; and Chuck has a diagnosis to share. Bess is a bit obnoxious, being the helicopter host and for blurting out comments she shouldn't. I felt the book dragged in the middle: each character mulling over and over about their problems. The wedding part was the best, as each realizes their friendship is important and embrace the changes. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.
April 15, 2020
A wedding on the beach
Medium - RB digital audio
Author - Holly Chamberlain
Plot- A bunch of friends meet after a long span of 10 years. This reunion of sorts is for a common friend's wedding. None of them has anything in common with the others. The dulhan is an obsessive cleaner and an optimist. She does not think before she talks. Her friend has just gone through a painful divorce and learns that her ex is coming to the wedding. The 3rd friend is a pessimist who questions everyone's motive for everything.
An unpleasant story with very pleasant landscape and setting.
Believe it or not, I finished the story because I wanted to virtually transport myself to a sunny beach with a pleasant breeze and a beach house to stay!
Rating - what a snooze, but mission accomplished!
1 star.
Medium - RB digital audio
Author - Holly Chamberlain
Plot- A bunch of friends meet after a long span of 10 years. This reunion of sorts is for a common friend's wedding. None of them has anything in common with the others. The dulhan is an obsessive cleaner and an optimist. She does not think before she talks. Her friend has just gone through a painful divorce and learns that her ex is coming to the wedding. The 3rd friend is a pessimist who questions everyone's motive for everything.
An unpleasant story with very pleasant landscape and setting.
Believe it or not, I finished the story because I wanted to virtually transport myself to a sunny beach with a pleasant breeze and a beach house to stay!
Rating - what a snooze, but mission accomplished!
1 star.
November 24, 2019
What a great beach read and inspirational story!!!!! Bess Culpepper has been sure of 2 things that her group of college friends would stay close and that love is worth the wait. At 42 she has found her man and she's inviting her friends to beautiful Kennebunkport for the wedding. But Allison half of a devoted couple is making the trip without her husband Chris. The level headed Marta is on edge and Chuck reveals devastating personal news. As reality encroaches her dreams of the perfect gathering Bess begins to second guess her assumptions about friendships and fidelity. If relationships like these can flounder how can a couple stay committed???? People are not what they appear to be!!!!!
October 21, 2023
I rarely take this long to read any book. Partly due to being on a trip in gorgeous Spain; partly too long and too slow. As many others stated, could have said it all in 100’s less pp.
Characters at times evoked relatable feelings of fear, sadness, loneliness and hope but other than Allison and Marta none were fleshed out fully. And Bess, as the protagonist, came across as shallow and lacking depth of any true emotions. I’m a lover of many styles of books and a self professed library-aholic where I spend many hours at various ones. This book was quite dull.
Characters at times evoked relatable feelings of fear, sadness, loneliness and hope but other than Allison and Marta none were fleshed out fully. And Bess, as the protagonist, came across as shallow and lacking depth of any true emotions. I’m a lover of many styles of books and a self professed library-aholic where I spend many hours at various ones. This book was quite dull.
September 19, 2022
i really liked this book in the beginning, then it seemed to be too long and detailed, and then towards the end it wrapped everything up with a bow, way too neat and predictable. i love happy endings but this was just too cliche. the lessons thru-out were very good and i really got into it, and then it sort of fizzled for me. i like this author a lot, but it was too wordy for me. and the main character was kind of annoying and unrealistic. but overall an easy summer read.
August 11, 2025
For me, the characters were not likable, except Chuck and Dean and Mike. The other characters, Bess, Alison, Marta and Chris were not relatable and
were too “ woe is me”. About college friends, that had moved on with their lives, only to receive a two week paid vacation (pre wedding party for Bess) from one of their college friends, twenty years later. Bess acting like she was back at college. Just to me not a feel good book. I did finish it but BLAH BLAH BLAH
were too “ woe is me”. About college friends, that had moved on with their lives, only to receive a two week paid vacation (pre wedding party for Bess) from one of their college friends, twenty years later. Bess acting like she was back at college. Just to me not a feel good book. I did finish it but BLAH BLAH BLAH
September 1, 2025
I really should remove this from my books because my DNF tag means Did Not Finish.
I found the protagonists to be unlikable, especially naive & snobby Bess, the bride to be. As a 60-something woman who has had to change course in life more than once (don't we all?), I couldn't identify with all of the female angst. At the literal halfway mark, I decided to quit flogging myself & stop reading this drivel.
I found the protagonists to be unlikable, especially naive & snobby Bess, the bride to be. As a 60-something woman who has had to change course in life more than once (don't we all?), I couldn't identify with all of the female angst. At the literal halfway mark, I decided to quit flogging myself & stop reading this drivel.
September 8, 2020
I tried. I really did. But I just couldn't make myself like this book even a little! The characters were either super vapid or super grumpy, there was WAY too much introspection time, and you could always tell when a "serious" conversation was coming because the other characters would conveniently find their way out of the room. Too predictable and boring. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
July 1, 2019
Mixed emotions about this book. 457 psges. Too long. Got bored about half way through. Did finish. Did some scanning. Know it will not be on my reread list. Basically it was sort of a good story eventually.
July 9, 2019
This is a very philosophical read based on the character of Bess. She is wandering how can she have happily ever after, when Allison is going through a divorce? This book is jam packed with emotions and relationships making it a great summer read.
May 6, 2023
An okay read about a group of College friends who reuinite in their 40s for one of their weddings. At times some of the characters appear naive and unlikeable but the underlying theme in the book makes it worth finishing.
May 19, 2024
This book was good, with a really good story line however I found myself often bothered by Bess. The author made her seem like someone who has never gotten out and was very sheltered from everyday life. She bothered me.
August 4, 2019
Not a typical beach read. More involved drama. Loved the details.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews