A Beginner's Guide To Saying I Do

Beginners Guide #2

by Jennifer Joyce

Ruth can’t quite believe she’s managed to snag The One but when he proposes, she can finally accept that she’s found her happily ever after. But when Ruth finds herself booking her dream church for just six weeks away, she starts to panic. You can’t plan a whole wedding at such short notice. Can you?

Trina has only just walked down the aisle, but she’s already starting to question whether they can make their marriage work. Will they survive the honeymoon period, or have they just made a very big – and very expensive – mistake?

Erin has somehow found herself agreeing to be a bridesmaid for the tackiest wedding known to man. With drunk hens, ridiculous outfits and a terrifying wedding planner, just what has Erin signed up for?

Three women. Three weddings. But who will say I do – and who will say I don’t?

293 pages, Kindle Edition

About the author

I'm a writer of romantic comedies who lives in Manchester with my husband and our two daughters. I've been scribbling down bits of stories for as long as I can remember, graduating from a pen to a typewriter and then an electronic typewriter. And I felt like the bee's knees typing on THAT. I now write my books on a laptop (which has a proper delete button and everything).

You can keep up to date with my books by subscribing to my newsletter. The newsletters are packed with book news, exclusive content and giveaways. Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/310b4ee4365f/jenni...

You can keep in touch with me on Twitter and Instagram (both @writer_jenn) or by liking my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jenniferjoycewrites

Reviews

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three weddings and a...well thankfully not a funeral but an incredibly romantic surprise!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, there are plenty of moments to giggle at, some wonderful weddings to either gain inspiration from or to generally enjoy, and three very different, but equally fabulous main characters all of which feature in these weddings.

First let me state this can easily be read as a standalone novel, although if you have read the previous book A Beginner's Guide to Salad you will know Ruth and Jared's full back story, and more of Erin's romantic history to. This one is set two years later and you don't have to have prior knowledge to be able to appreciate the fun of this book.

We have Ruth who is madly in love with Jared, and after finding their dream church they need to plan a budget wedding in just 6 weeks. Cue calling in favours from her best friends and family. Best friend Erin is in a relationship with Richard, has no interest in marriage but has to be a bridesmaid at Richard's sister, Lindsay's wedding. Then there is Trina, Ruths cousin who has a fairytale wedding at the start of the book, but then the marriage side of things turn out a bit trickier.

With three different takes on weddings and relationships and all the characters interlinking it leads to a lot great situations. Anything involving Lindsay's wedding was hilarious, her hen party sounded a bit like a nightmare, at least for Erin, and when you get to the description of her wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses its laughable.

On the other hand I loved the sound of dress that Ruth finds, and all her plans for the wedding seem great, even if there was some initial panic about planning of a short notice wedding, I really enjoyed seeing how it all came together.

Yet Trina's story adds another dimension to this book, and I couldn't help but have a lot of sympathy for her. The family she marries into sounds like a nightmare for various reasons, while her new husband - well the less said about him the better.

If you are a fan of Jennifer Joyce, romance, weddings, humour, books with groups of friends, great characters and generally a whole feel good vibe from a book then A Beginner's Guide to Saying I Do is for you. I loved the writing, the story and was interested to see how Ruth had developed and changed since the previous book. I really hope this isn't the end of this series.

Thank you so much to Jennifer Joyce for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the other two books in the ‘Beginner’s Guide’ series and as I absolutely loved them I had to read this one! I’m so glad that I did read it because, I loved it and really do hope that this is not the end, I could carry on reading about all the characters lives all day(and night!) long!!
I love how the story is told from three different viewpoints and everyone’s story intertwines with each other’s and brings in lots of other characters and I loved them all, especially Ruth - she is amazing and hilarious!!
When Ruth’s ‘big surprise’ is revealed I had major goosebumps and must admit that I shed a little tear!
It was the perfect ending to the perfect book - please let there be more!!!

[Rachel (Rae) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story follows a group of three women who are all connected by either friendship or family and who are either married, getting married or attending weddings. I thought that this theme worked really well as you got to see some very fun and interesting scenes play out. From scary hen parties to over the top weddings it certainly provided lots of entertaining moments. Even though this book continues Ruth's story from A Beginners Guide To Salad I would still class it as a standalone. I haven't had chance to read the first book and I didn't feel any confusion at all.

I really got attached to this group and it would be hard to pick a favourite but I guess it was Trina's character that my heart went out to. No spoilers but after her perfect wedding married life was very different to what she was expecting. I couldn't help but smile at Ruth's excitement to getting married even if it is at very short notice. Will it all go to plan though? Erin's dry sense of humour was a hit with me especially when she had to endure a hen party which was her worst nightmare although to be fair it would have been mine too! The best thing about Ruth, Trina and Erin is that they are all different but this works so well and made the story so amusing as I saw their different situations play out. The supporting characters deserve a mention too especially Mary she had me giggling a few times with some of her comments.

I have a confession to make I love cheesy pop music so I loved the soundtrack of songs that are mentioned in the book. I even felt like joining in with the songs it definitely made the story even more feel good for me! The pace of the story is good and it didn't take me long to read at all.

A Beginner's Guide To Saying I do is a fun filled look at weddings, friendship and romance.

Entertaining and a perfect pick me up!

With thanks to Jennifer Joyce for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second romantic comedy by Jennifer Joyce (left) which I’ve absolutely loved. This one is so different to the first (The Little Bed and Breakfast by the Sea), although both are jam-packed with fun and laughter!

I’ve just finished reading this novel and have successfully managed not to choke on my morning toast (close thing) or spill my coffee .. well, as long as several splutters don’t count. It’s tempting to just list the hilarious highlights but no, that would do you out of the whole amazingly funny experience!

This story follows three brides, intertwined in one way or another and each with very different ideas of what makes a perfect wedding. The array of characters are fantastic – easily the quirkest, funniest and yet so true-to-life that I have ever come across in a rom-com. I can practically guarantee that you will recognise at least one of these hiding among your circle of friends and acquaintances. I was surprised to find one of my favourite sayings in there too – that was a bit of a shock!

With three women to follow, each with separate chapters, this is a book which is so easy to read. Following a time span, the writing flows smoothly from one person to another and I was astonished to realise I had reach 94%. I almost wish I could just be starting it now, then I’d get to enjoy it all over again. However, the images conjured up in this one will stay with me – and keep me giggling, no doubt at inopportune moments – for a long time.

I can happily recommend this fabulous book to everyone .. however, if you are involved in wedding preparations in any capacity, then it’s a must-read! A full, flashing five gold stars with bells – or should that be pink feathers – and whistles attached from me.

I received an arc from the author but this had no bearing on my review.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories like this. My favorite characters were Ruth and Jared but there really weren't any bad characters, they were all individuals and the majority of them highly entertaining, I hope when I get super old I'll be like Mary. In some respects its a shame that one of the characters marriage ended but I really liked the other guy more than I liked the husband. It's a fun story overall and I'd definitely recommend this book for those that like wedding stories or chick lit in general.

[Wendy Ann Neels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny

I really loved this second book in this series by Jennifer Joyce. I was laughing out loud and was hooked. I visualise Ruth in my head looking and dressing very much like the girl from the film ,hairspray. Definitely recommend you read it. ...

[s a cattell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

Quite funny and a good read .

Took time to remember who was who as quite a few main characters so at least variety of personalities.

Really liked the main character which is good so ending was happy just as it should be.

[kieran james bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great feel good read

What a great writer her books never fail to disappoint. Perfect if you want a feel good read full of laughs. Highly recommend

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little read. Enjoyed catching up with everyone 😊