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Bridesmaids Behaving Badly #0.5
Once Upon a Bride
From the USA Today bestselling "master of witty banter" (Entertainment Weekly) comes the hilarious prequel to the acclaimed Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series.
Jay Smith likes to be in control. His every choice, every move, is made with his carefully planned future in mind. Sure, some people think that's boring. But Jay knows who he is, and he makes no apologies for it. So when the lobby in his accounting firm needs a makeover, Jay takes charge-and quickly determines he needs a designer. What he does not need is a woman who tempts him to break all his long-held rules.
Elise Maxwell needs this job. After cutting off her overbearing, old-money family, she's determined to establish a successful design business-all on her own. Independent for the first time in her life, Elise isn't looking for a boyfriend. She certainly doesn't want someone telling her what to do.
Until she meets Jay...
Jay Smith likes to be in control. His every choice, every move, is made with his carefully planned future in mind. Sure, some people think that's boring. But Jay knows who he is, and he makes no apologies for it. So when the lobby in his accounting firm needs a makeover, Jay takes charge-and quickly determines he needs a designer. What he does not need is a woman who tempts him to break all his long-held rules.
Elise Maxwell needs this job. After cutting off her overbearing, old-money family, she's determined to establish a successful design business-all on her own. Independent for the first time in her life, Elise isn't looking for a boyfriend. She certainly doesn't want someone telling her what to do.
Until she meets Jay...
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2018
49 people are currently reading
405 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Holiday
37 books1,851 followersJenny Holiday is a USA Today-bestselling and RITA®-nominated author whose books have been featured in The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, and Buzzfeed. She grew up in Minnesota and started writing at age nine when her fourth-grade teacher gave her a notebook to fill with stories. When she's not working on her next book, she likes to hang out with her family, watch other people sing karaoke, and throw theme parties. Jenny lives in London, Ontario, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 16, 2018
Favorite Quotes:
Most of the time when guys did not look like their picture, it went in the opposite direction. Like when a guy’s Tinder profile showed him shirtless holding up a fish and you thought, Well, maybe I can excuse the stupid fish because look at those arms! … But then you met him in person, and it turned out that those arms were from six years and two gym memberships ago.
That was another cool thing about Jay. He could shift so effortlessly between filthy and funny.
In keeping with the animal metaphor, he felt like some kind of primitive ape beating its chest, pointing at his mate and claiming her. Mine.
She suspected he could do more for her with the crook of a finger than other men could with their full arsenals.
My Review:
I am as infatuated with this cleverly amusing, smartly written, and sexy series as well as the enticing and endearing characters that inhabit it. This delightfully entertaining novella was a quick and easy read, laced with witty levity, irreverent humor, and insightful and perceptive observations. I enjoyed uncovering the beginnings of Jay and Elise, as their story provides the foundation for the rest of the series being that Elise is the bride and her friends are the badly behaving bridesmaids. Elise and Jay’s attraction was immediate, primal, and inconvenient; yet quickly developed from a working relationship into an easy friendship and although each was yearning for considerably more, Jay kept the brakes engaged until their project was complete. The holding pattern was leaning towards an extended and agonizing tease and weakening his resolve, but well worth the frustration as their sexual chemistry went nuclear once detonated.
Most of the time when guys did not look like their picture, it went in the opposite direction. Like when a guy’s Tinder profile showed him shirtless holding up a fish and you thought, Well, maybe I can excuse the stupid fish because look at those arms! … But then you met him in person, and it turned out that those arms were from six years and two gym memberships ago.
That was another cool thing about Jay. He could shift so effortlessly between filthy and funny.
In keeping with the animal metaphor, he felt like some kind of primitive ape beating its chest, pointing at his mate and claiming her. Mine.
She suspected he could do more for her with the crook of a finger than other men could with their full arsenals.
My Review:
I am as infatuated with this cleverly amusing, smartly written, and sexy series as well as the enticing and endearing characters that inhabit it. This delightfully entertaining novella was a quick and easy read, laced with witty levity, irreverent humor, and insightful and perceptive observations. I enjoyed uncovering the beginnings of Jay and Elise, as their story provides the foundation for the rest of the series being that Elise is the bride and her friends are the badly behaving bridesmaids. Elise and Jay’s attraction was immediate, primal, and inconvenient; yet quickly developed from a working relationship into an easy friendship and although each was yearning for considerably more, Jay kept the brakes engaged until their project was complete. The holding pattern was leaning towards an extended and agonizing tease and weakening his resolve, but well worth the frustration as their sexual chemistry went nuclear once detonated.
January 1, 2019
I picked this up on a recommendation and actually really enjoyed it. There is a lot packed into this short read and for the most part, the characters were well developed and the story line moved along nicely.
I would pick up other books in this series no question.
I would pick up other books in this series no question.
February 20, 2019
I am absolutely gutted. This was so perfect and I was LOVING it and then one line, ONE LINE, ruined it.
nope
December 17, 2018Nope because I don't read novellas any more...
October 15, 2018
4.5/5
I'm not a novella fan as they tend to leave me feeling very much unsatisfied. That being said, in the hands of the right author, a novella can absolutely shine. I picked upon Once Upon a Bride because I've been thoroughly enjoying Jenny Holiday's Bridesmaids Behaving Badly, and I knew that I wanted to read more about the love story of the bridezilla herself. I knew I was going to enjoy this read, but I never thought that I would love this as much as I did. Seriously, Once Upon a Bride had me grinning ear to ear. It was just so good!
Jay and Elise are somewhat in the background in the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly, but from what I could gather, they were both very intense (she is a bridezilla, after all!) people who were just dealing with the stress of a wedding. It was lovely to read this book dedicated to them. They meet when Jay hires Elise to be the interior designer to redo his company's lobby. The attraction between them is fierce, but they don't immediately act on it because technically he is employing her. I loved getting to know them here. Elise comes from a wealthy home but growing up, her father did not want her to have any career aspirations beyond becoming a trophy wife. She broke away from that lifestyle and went after her dreams of becoming a designer. In Once Upon a Bride, we got to see Elise's ambitious side. Besides being driven, she was also someone who was genuine and open. Even though she was a bridezilla, she was also a sweetheart who cared about her best friends. I also loved that Jenny Holiday touched on her endometriosis and how that affected her life in a thoughtful manner.
I didn't expect to love Jay as much as I did either, but boy did he impress him. I love that he was a simple and normal guy who knew exactly what he wanted from his future. He thought of himself as a bit of uptight and he certainly was, but not in an overwhelming way. He had a tough childhood with two abusive fathers and he was trying his best not to be the people that they were. Obviously, he had hesitations and doubts that he would become like them, but just the fact that he constantly thought about his actions made it obvious that he was a much better man than either could ever become. Anyways, I was a bit in love with Jay and his kindness and even his more possessive side in the bedroom! I thought Elise and Jay made for such a great couple. Because they waited for Elise's design job to be over before they jumped into bed, there was a lot of anticipation, and Jenny Holiday just built and built on that sexy chemistry between the two. By the time, it did happen, it was just so satisfying and had me swooning! Seriously, this romance was so so good!
I enjoyed pretty much everything about Once Upon a Bride other than its length. I loved these characters so much that I wanted to spend more time with them. Kudos to Jenny Holiday though for writing a novella that was well-developed and brilliantly written!
July 29, 2019
This was such a cute novella!!! I really loved reading about Elise This was such a cute story and if you like the rest of the series, be sure to read this one too!!
November 9, 2018
Novellas are not my goto, I usually avoid them, but I had been hearing a lot about this series, and it was free, so, why not?
I am glad I took a chance on this book, because it was utterly delightful. I loved getting to know Jay and Elise. Holiday did a great job crafting these characters, because all the details she provided gave me a good look into who they were. And, I loved their courtship! The friendship was so sweet, and the ending was a wonderful precursor to the rest of the series. Oh, and the ending was the cutest ever.
Fun, cute, sweet, sexy - this had all those elements I love in a contemporary romance, and I can't wait to read more of this series.
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I am glad I took a chance on this book, because it was utterly delightful. I loved getting to know Jay and Elise. Holiday did a great job crafting these characters, because all the details she provided gave me a good look into who they were. And, I loved their courtship! The friendship was so sweet, and the ending was a wonderful precursor to the rest of the series. Oh, and the ending was the cutest ever.
Fun, cute, sweet, sexy - this had all those elements I love in a contemporary romance, and I can't wait to read more of this series.
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May 1, 2019
4.5 stars
After reading “One and Only” and absolutely loving that initial novel in the “Bridesmaids Behaving Badly” series, I was so happy when the author commented on my Instagram photo that there was a novella prequel that was also available.
I didn’t know what to expect because as much as I did like these two characters in “One and Only”, they did come across as bland so I wasn’t sure how I would react with them being the two main characters in this novel.
I’m happy to say that I really liked their story and the chemistry between these two. They definitely didn’t turn out to be as “bland” as I had anticipated. I could have easily read a full novel featuring these two instead of a novella. I want more. Even though I felt that it was a really great read and that it ended well, I would have been just as happy with this being a full length novel with some more added content. Believe me, even I am shocked with those words because often times I prefer a shorter page length.
This was a very quick read and that was not solely due to it being a novella. Everything is addicting: the characters, the story, and the writing which flows easily making it hard not to race through.
After reading “One and Only” and absolutely loving that initial novel in the “Bridesmaids Behaving Badly” series, I was so happy when the author commented on my Instagram photo that there was a novella prequel that was also available.
I didn’t know what to expect because as much as I did like these two characters in “One and Only”, they did come across as bland so I wasn’t sure how I would react with them being the two main characters in this novel.
I’m happy to say that I really liked their story and the chemistry between these two. They definitely didn’t turn out to be as “bland” as I had anticipated. I could have easily read a full novel featuring these two instead of a novella. I want more. Even though I felt that it was a really great read and that it ended well, I would have been just as happy with this being a full length novel with some more added content. Believe me, even I am shocked with those words because often times I prefer a shorter page length.
This was a very quick read and that was not solely due to it being a novella. Everything is addicting: the characters, the story, and the writing which flows easily making it hard not to race through.
March 29, 2019
this honestly had me grinning so hard
November 10, 2020
I could have sworn I'd read this one, but I think it was just all the stories in the first two books about their history, because while the story was familiar, the book itself was not. It was a good novella, but novella's are always hard to build on. A lot was really quick in this one, though I think it worked fairly well. I did miss some of the in depth character development that is often cut due to time constraints. But considering this couple is the focus of another novella, 2.5, I'm glad I went back to this one.
February 18, 2019
This was a nice little novella that introduces the reader to Elise and Jay (the couple getting married in Book 1 One and Only) The author does a great job with characterization for such a short book. The romance develops over 2 months while Jay waits for his office design to be completed. He doesn't want to enter a relationship while they are working together. Because of the short format, there is some Insta-love, but I still found this book to be sweet, sexy, and romantic.
It's been FREE on Amazon for a while, I recommend you give it a try.
It's been FREE on Amazon for a while, I recommend you give it a try.
November 13, 2018
The Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series is set up with the bridesmaids falling like dominoes, with the bridesmaid that was the female romantic lead of one book being the bride in the next book, and one of her bridesmaids being the lead of that next book. As such, SOMEONE needed to be the original bride. That original bride was Elise, and since she came off as a total Bridezilla it was really great getting to Elise the Person (rather than Elise the Bridezilla). Her chemistry with Jay is off the charts *amazing*. And their love for board games is just too adorably cute. This is a slowwww burn that is brain melting once it finally takes place, and definitely worth every second of the wait. I love that because Jay is such an honorable (and okay, maybe just a little bit uptight) guy, their relationship is really built upon a friendship first. It makes for something truly beautiful to experience.
Once Upon a Bride is book 0.5 in the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series. It can be read as a stand alone or in any order during the series. P.S. Shout-out for the super-secret insider Jenny Holiday signature grilled cheese scene, LOL. :D
Once Upon a Bride is book 0.5 in the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series. It can be read as a stand alone or in any order during the series. P.S. Shout-out for the super-secret insider Jenny Holiday signature grilled cheese scene, LOL. :D
December 1, 2018
I loved this story on how Jay and Elise met! Novellas are usually hit or miss for me and when its over I'm not always left satisfied. I'm happy to report this was a good read and Jenny Holiday laid a good foundation for the other books with this story. Elise was trying to find her footing and I loved that she wanted to be independent and she was very assertive. Jay took me by surprise in this story because he wasn't as uptight like i thought he was in "One and Only" and there's a nice sexy side to him as well. This was a well written novella and I'm so excited to read "Merrily Ever After" and catch up with Jay and Elise.
November 4, 2018
3.75 stars
Ugh I haven't been reading much lately because of work so novellas are just perfect for me because they are short and don't take much time to finish in one sitting.
This one is a joy! I haven't read any of the books in this series or any of Jenny Holiday's works so this one is a fun starter to her books. Jay and Elise have a sizzling connection from the beginning and I love seeing their relationship developed. I love the domestic scenes, the cuddling and the boardgames playing. I'm so excited to see the continuation of their story.
Ugh I haven't been reading much lately because of work so novellas are just perfect for me because they are short and don't take much time to finish in one sitting.
This one is a joy! I haven't read any of the books in this series or any of Jenny Holiday's works so this one is a fun starter to her books. Jay and Elise have a sizzling connection from the beginning and I love seeing their relationship developed. I love the domestic scenes, the cuddling and the boardgames playing. I'm so excited to see the continuation of their story.
October 1, 2024
The friend group in this series is everything and this short story (novella?) is mostly just them and their love and their support for each other. I love how Holiday writes women's friendships.
January 6, 2019
I loved the slow burn aspect of this novella. Jay and Elise had an instant attraction but they let that attraction simmer in favor of friendship and working relationship. This resulted in the most delicious and electric coming together between them, and I loved every minute of it. There is just something really special about the quiet nerd who really brings it in the bedroom, they are my favorite kind of heroes.
I also love that they had similar ideas of what they wanted out of a relationship and their future and how that was just the icing on the cake and not the reason they worked so well together. While their relationship developed pretty quickly, I appreciate that they really took the time to get to know each other and how each step they took getting together was well thought out and carefully navigated.
I also love that they had similar ideas of what they wanted out of a relationship and their future and how that was just the icing on the cake and not the reason they worked so well together. While their relationship developed pretty quickly, I appreciate that they really took the time to get to know each other and how each step they took getting together was well thought out and carefully navigated.
October 13, 2018
Originally posted on Undeniably Book Nerdy
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
I am so happy that Jenny Holiday wrote a novella about Elise and Jay. We first met them in One and Only, which was Elise's friend Jane and Jay's half-brother Cameron's book. We only got to see them through Jane and Cameron's eyes. Since One and Only was set in the days leading up to Elise and Jay's wedding, Elise was in her preoccupied let's-do-ALL-these-awesome-crafts-I-saw-on-Pinterest bridezilla mode. I still loved Elise, though, because she just wants the perfect wedding she envisioned and she did come through for Jane in the end.
As for Jay, Jane likes him well enough, but she doesn't quite know how her vivacious and elegant interior decorator friend Elise ended up with boring accountant Jay. But, it was hinted in One and Only that Jay might be hiding a sexy beast beneath his staid persona.
In Once Upon a Bride, we go back to the time Elise and Jay first met. Elise just got out of her rich father's controlling thumb and starting her interior decorating business and he hired her to decorate his office building. It was fun reading about Elise and Jay first hand, rather than through other characters' eyes. I love having that switch in perspective and it was great learning more about their background and how they intertwined with the other characters we already met.
Even though Once Upon a Bride is a novella, it was still as satisfying and wonderfully written as One and Only. It's an excellent addition to the Bridesmaid Behaving Badly series and a must-read if you're following the series. I can't wait to read more about Elise and Jay in their upcoming Christmas novella set, if I remember correctly, 6 months after their wedding.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
I am so happy that Jenny Holiday wrote a novella about Elise and Jay. We first met them in One and Only, which was Elise's friend Jane and Jay's half-brother Cameron's book. We only got to see them through Jane and Cameron's eyes. Since One and Only was set in the days leading up to Elise and Jay's wedding, Elise was in her preoccupied let's-do-ALL-these-awesome-crafts-I-saw-on-Pinterest bridezilla mode. I still loved Elise, though, because she just wants the perfect wedding she envisioned and she did come through for Jane in the end.
As for Jay, Jane likes him well enough, but she doesn't quite know how her vivacious and elegant interior decorator friend Elise ended up with boring accountant Jay. But, it was hinted in One and Only that Jay might be hiding a sexy beast beneath his staid persona.
In Once Upon a Bride, we go back to the time Elise and Jay first met. Elise just got out of her rich father's controlling thumb and starting her interior decorating business and he hired her to decorate his office building. It was fun reading about Elise and Jay first hand, rather than through other characters' eyes. I love having that switch in perspective and it was great learning more about their background and how they intertwined with the other characters we already met.
Even though Once Upon a Bride is a novella, it was still as satisfying and wonderfully written as One and Only. It's an excellent addition to the Bridesmaid Behaving Badly series and a must-read if you're following the series. I can't wait to read more about Elise and Jay in their upcoming Christmas novella set, if I remember correctly, 6 months after their wedding.
December 9, 2018
This book was stupidly adorable! I think I liked it better than its predecessor, One and Only. It was filled with sticky, sweet moments between Jay and Elise. I loved how they had an instantaneous attraction to each other but instead of acting upon that immediately, they spent 2 months getting to know each other and form a friendship.
Through their friendship, they learn about each other on a deeper level, as well as, provide me with all the warm, fuzzy feels! They find a respect for one another and finally admit that the attraction between them is scorching. When they do come together, it is off the charts sizzling, everything that the One and Only teased to. Jay may be business by day, but he is alpha by night. And I was here for it! *fans-self*
But the real swoony part of the book was the proposal. I was a giggling, squealing mess because it is so stinkin' cute! It makes me smile just thinking about it. Maybe that is what proposals should be, not some luxury production but something intimate, personal, with those who you care about most, present. *sigh* I just adored this story, it ended too quickly!
Through their friendship, they learn about each other on a deeper level, as well as, provide me with all the warm, fuzzy feels! They find a respect for one another and finally admit that the attraction between them is scorching. When they do come together, it is off the charts sizzling, everything that the One and Only teased to. Jay may be business by day, but he is alpha by night. And I was here for it! *fans-self*
But the real swoony part of the book was the proposal. I was a giggling, squealing mess because it is so stinkin' cute! It makes me smile just thinking about it. Maybe that is what proposals should be, not some luxury production but something intimate, personal, with those who you care about most, present. *sigh* I just adored this story, it ended too quickly!
January 11, 2022
Once Upon a Bride was a cute contemporary romance setting up the premise of the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series.
Jay Smith carefully plans every detail of his life and he believes everything has its' place. When the lobby of his accounting firm needs a makeover, Jay begins interviewing designers to take on the job to his exacting specifications. But one meeting with designer Elise Maxwell is all it takes for Jay's plan to fall apart. Elise tempts him to break all of his rules and the longer he spends with her, the harder it gets to convince himself to walk away.
Jay and Elise have great chemistry right from the start and I loved the little bits of banter in their first conversation. I liked how confident Elise was and that she didn't hold back her opinions. Jay doesn't feel right getting involved with someone he's hired and decides to wait until the job is done before pursuing Elise. I thought this was a sensible course of action although I wish Jay would have said something to Elise as his behavior came off hot then cold with no explanation. The renovation of the lobby takes roughly two months to complete and in that time Jay and Elise become friends. I really enjoyed their friendship and thought it provided a great foundation for a relationship even if that wasn't what either of them was looking for. When the renovation is complete and the pair give in to their attraction, the scenes are quite steamy. There was a bit of dominance play in the scenes though that I could have done without. I liked that ultimately the pair were honest with each other about how their feelings had changed and that there was no blowup before they decided to be together.
Overall Once Upon a Bride was a fun read and I definitely plan to continue the series by picking up the first full-length novel, One and Only, sometime soon.
Jay Smith carefully plans every detail of his life and he believes everything has its' place. When the lobby of his accounting firm needs a makeover, Jay begins interviewing designers to take on the job to his exacting specifications. But one meeting with designer Elise Maxwell is all it takes for Jay's plan to fall apart. Elise tempts him to break all of his rules and the longer he spends with her, the harder it gets to convince himself to walk away.
Jay and Elise have great chemistry right from the start and I loved the little bits of banter in their first conversation. I liked how confident Elise was and that she didn't hold back her opinions. Jay doesn't feel right getting involved with someone he's hired and decides to wait until the job is done before pursuing Elise. I thought this was a sensible course of action although I wish Jay would have said something to Elise as his behavior came off hot then cold with no explanation. The renovation of the lobby takes roughly two months to complete and in that time Jay and Elise become friends. I really enjoyed their friendship and thought it provided a great foundation for a relationship even if that wasn't what either of them was looking for. When the renovation is complete and the pair give in to their attraction, the scenes are quite steamy. There was a bit of dominance play in the scenes though that I could have done without. I liked that ultimately the pair were honest with each other about how their feelings had changed and that there was no blowup before they decided to be together.
Overall Once Upon a Bride was a fun read and I definitely plan to continue the series by picking up the first full-length novel, One and Only, sometime soon.
October 28, 2018
I read this little novella in preparation of starting the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series. It was a nice intro to the group and I enjoyed the story. Jay and Elise’s relationship did move pretty fast but I really liked how they waited to truly start their relationship until after the professional portion of their relationship was finished. Jay had so many great qualities and was such a stand up guy. This was a short and sweet read and now I’m ready for Jane’s story!
November 25, 2019
I'm hoping this counts for my romanceopology choice for Sweet Street because I am seriously behind haha.
Well, this was cute. I do think their relationship seemed to develop way to quickly but it was a novella so I understand there are certain page constraints. It wasn't bad though and there are some very sweet moments between the main couple. I'm definitely interested in reading the other books in this series.
Well, this was cute. I do think their relationship seemed to develop way to quickly but it was a novella so I understand there are certain page constraints. It wasn't bad though and there are some very sweet moments between the main couple. I'm definitely interested in reading the other books in this series.
November 3, 2018
Brief review to come.
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October 24, 2022
This was a surprise addition at the end of another Jenny Holiday book I had purchased. I've already read the series this novella goes with, so it was nice to get the back story on the couple that started off the events of that series.
June 25, 2023
I enjoyed this novella. It was a good little brain break and fun read. I was curious about Elise and Jay because we got some references in the first book that they are both a bit SPICY. I also wanted to see how Elise was before being a bridezilla and I really enjoyed this.
December 7, 2024
When we met Elise and Jay in One and Only (book 1 of the Bridemaids Behaving Badly series), they were already a couple and about to get married, so it was cool to see how it all began for them. To be honest, I didn't expect to like this novella so much. While I liked Jay and Elise in the series, they were secondary characters and I didn't think we would see their beginning so I don't know, I guess I just didn't connect with them as much as the "regular" characters. But this novella made me view them differently and fall in love with both of them.
Elise and Jay meet when he hire her to redesign the lobby at his accountant's firm. It's attraction at first time and the author did an excellent job at making us feel the MC's awareness and surprise at finding love (without knowing right away what is it) when they didn't expect it. Their life story couldn't be more different. Jay come from an impoverished background and Elise from a rich family. But they were both determined to not follow into their parent's footstep. Jay decided he'll never have children and Elise started her own business, despite her parent's disapproval and doesn't want a man to run her life. But no matter how strongly he feels for his client, Jay is an honorable (some would say uptight) man who value following his own rules but real love will wait no matter the time, right ?
I really enjoyed Jenny Holiday's writing style from the first book I've read of her and I think it's something I'll often talk about when I'll review one of her book because once again, I was charmed by it. Even if Elise's friends were present, I felt like it didn't show as much as in the other books how much the girls are close, but I can't complain because this novella offered me a believable and irresistible romance and I didn't have the same feeling I usually get from novellas, that things was happening too fast. One of my favorite thing about Jay and Elise's love story was of course, the insides like the rug and their shared passion for board games but I like seeing something different about the hero that is not usually seen as sexy (his rigid attitude about certain things) and that Elise saw it as a quality too.
So happy there's a second novella with Jay and Elise coming next week. This time, it's after their wedding and from the blurb, you know it's not gonna be drama free and they'll have to deal with serious issues.
Elise and Jay meet when he hire her to redesign the lobby at his accountant's firm. It's attraction at first time and the author did an excellent job at making us feel the MC's awareness and surprise at finding love (without knowing right away what is it) when they didn't expect it. Their life story couldn't be more different. Jay come from an impoverished background and Elise from a rich family. But they were both determined to not follow into their parent's footstep. Jay decided he'll never have children and Elise started her own business, despite her parent's disapproval and doesn't want a man to run her life. But no matter how strongly he feels for his client, Jay is an honorable (some would say uptight) man who value following his own rules but real love will wait no matter the time, right ?
I really enjoyed Jenny Holiday's writing style from the first book I've read of her and I think it's something I'll often talk about when I'll review one of her book because once again, I was charmed by it. Even if Elise's friends were present, I felt like it didn't show as much as in the other books how much the girls are close, but I can't complain because this novella offered me a believable and irresistible romance and I didn't have the same feeling I usually get from novellas, that things was happening too fast. One of my favorite thing about Jay and Elise's love story was of course, the insides like the rug and their shared passion for board games but I like seeing something different about the hero that is not usually seen as sexy (his rigid attitude about certain things) and that Elise saw it as a quality too.
So happy there's a second novella with Jay and Elise coming next week. This time, it's after their wedding and from the blurb, you know it's not gonna be drama free and they'll have to deal with serious issues.
March 16, 2019
Jay Smith likes to be in control. His every choice, every move, is made with his carefully planned future in mind. Sure, some people think that’s boring. But Jay knows who he is, and he makes no apologies for it. So when the lobby in his accounting firm needs a makeover, Jay takes charge—and quickly determines he needs a designer. What he does not need is a woman who tempts him to break all his long-held rules.
Elise Maxwell needs this job. After cutting off her overbearing, old-money family, she’s determined to establish a successful design business—all on her own. Independent for the first time in her life, Elise isn’t looking for a boyfriend. She certainly doesn’t want someone telling her what to do.
Until she meets Jay…
This was so cute! I'm seriously in love with this series in general, but I've really enjoyed getting to see how Elise and Jay got started. I did do things out of order, having read Merrily Ever After along with the other books in the series, so I already know what happens. But it was great getting to see how it all happened. I loved the banter and the tension between Elise and Jay. They were just so great together, from the first insult all the way up to the personalized rug, it was great. They really do fit so well together.
I did feel like Stacey's character, in the aspect of an ex wasn't...well, wasn't needed. She was only there for a couple of scenes and it felt like she was supposed to be there to add some sort of tension, maybe? But then it got negated for whatever reason and she's just in the office to make Elise feel not worthy. I don't know...I just feel like Stacey needed to either have a slightly bigger role or have been written out completely. Yes, she did kind of serve to give Jay the kick in the pants he needed to get take a good hard look at his rules, but still.
I did feel like a few things got repeated here. Or maybe they're repeated in Merrily Ever After? Either way, there were a couple of things (Jay's reason(s) for not wanting kids specifically) that got explored here and then they get explored in almost the same way, just a couple of differences in MEA. Maybe it's just me?
Elise Maxwell needs this job. After cutting off her overbearing, old-money family, she’s determined to establish a successful design business—all on her own. Independent for the first time in her life, Elise isn’t looking for a boyfriend. She certainly doesn’t want someone telling her what to do.
Until she meets Jay…
This was so cute! I'm seriously in love with this series in general, but I've really enjoyed getting to see how Elise and Jay got started. I did do things out of order, having read Merrily Ever After along with the other books in the series, so I already know what happens. But it was great getting to see how it all happened. I loved the banter and the tension between Elise and Jay. They were just so great together, from the first insult all the way up to the personalized rug, it was great. They really do fit so well together.
I did feel like Stacey's character, in the aspect of an ex wasn't...well, wasn't needed. She was only there for a couple of scenes and it felt like she was supposed to be there to add some sort of tension, maybe? But then it got negated for whatever reason and she's just in the office to make Elise feel not worthy. I don't know...I just feel like Stacey needed to either have a slightly bigger role or have been written out completely. Yes, she did kind of serve to give Jay the kick in the pants he needed to get take a good hard look at his rules, but still.
I did feel like a few things got repeated here. Or maybe they're repeated in Merrily Ever After? Either way, there were a couple of things (Jay's reason(s) for not wanting kids specifically) that got explored here and then they get explored in almost the same way, just a couple of differences in MEA. Maybe it's just me?
October 25, 2018
So adorable and a wonderful prequel novella to the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series. What I love best about this series is the how Holiday presents a group of girlfriends who support each other, despite their quirks, and how each of them have real struggles and strengths.
So, while Elise is the "bridezilla" of One and Only, she isn't a caricature. Yes, she's a bride bent on having the perfect Pinterest day, but she is also a person who fell in love with a wonderful guy. So, getting to see Elise and Jay fall in love was just wonderful, sappy, and steamy.
Elise is 30, with a new interior design business, and she needs to start getting big clients right away. So, when a large investment firm asks for an interview, she's ready to make her case.
Jay Smith, 37, is ready to hire Elise as soon as she hotly criticizes his beige reception area. The only little tiny problem is that Jay realizes that not only is Elise talented and passionate about her job, she's absolutely beautiful and captivating.
While sparks fly, Jay vows to keep things professional. As the job nears to a close, they both can no longer ignore their chemistry.
For a novella, there is some lovely slow-burn moments leading to huge, big fireworks, and some very realistic issues the characters need to contend with. I absolutely adored the portrayal of consent in this story, as Elise and Jay figure out that Jay may be mild-mannered and predictable in the office, but is a definite boss in the bedroom. Also, it was great to see menstruation spoke about in a romance novel, something that rarely happens. Elise has endometriosis, leading to some major plot points I won't spoil here.
Read this book, read the series, and pre-order Jay & Elise's upcoming holiday novella now!
So, while Elise is the "bridezilla" of One and Only, she isn't a caricature. Yes, she's a bride bent on having the perfect Pinterest day, but she is also a person who fell in love with a wonderful guy. So, getting to see Elise and Jay fall in love was just wonderful, sappy, and steamy.
Elise is 30, with a new interior design business, and she needs to start getting big clients right away. So, when a large investment firm asks for an interview, she's ready to make her case.
Jay Smith, 37, is ready to hire Elise as soon as she hotly criticizes his beige reception area. The only little tiny problem is that Jay realizes that not only is Elise talented and passionate about her job, she's absolutely beautiful and captivating.
While sparks fly, Jay vows to keep things professional. As the job nears to a close, they both can no longer ignore their chemistry.
For a novella, there is some lovely slow-burn moments leading to huge, big fireworks, and some very realistic issues the characters need to contend with. I absolutely adored the portrayal of consent in this story, as Elise and Jay figure out that Jay may be mild-mannered and predictable in the office, but is a definite boss in the bedroom. Also, it was great to see menstruation spoke about in a romance novel, something that rarely happens. Elise has endometriosis, leading to some major plot points I won't spoil here.
Read this book, read the series, and pre-order Jay & Elise's upcoming holiday novella now!
February 7, 2025
**MINOR SPOILERS**
Elise is hired by Jay to redecorate his office lobby. They are immediately attracted to each other, but Jay decides not to pursue it until the contract is complete. Jay wants to avoid the appearance of sexual harassment, etc. As a result, they get to know each other fairly well before consummating their relationship. They both consider the other a friend and want the relationship to go further.
During the novella, the author talks about Jay’s control or discipline. This is true in his life – work, etc. When it came to sex, it turned into a minor dominant/submissive style that I did not like. Elise has spent a lot of her life trying to break free of her father’s domination and bullying. In my opinion, though Jay was nothing like her father, I thought the dom/sub thing should not have worked.
The other thing I did not like is, just before they consummated their relationship, the author gives a brief description of Jay’s sex history which was extensive. I felt it was inconsistent with his personality. I understand that the level of sexual experience that one might have varies and that is fine, but it suddenly came out of the blue. I would have thought that with all the work it would have taken for him to build up his business from scratch with his partner, he might not have had the time for the history. In addition, given the role models of his father and stepfather, you would think he would be a little cautious about relationships. Finally, given that he was disciplined, a lot of sexual experience almost seems to be a bit uncontrolled and therefore contradictory. That’s my opinion. Someone else might disagree.
I do not plan to go on to read the series. This novella turned me off from that.
Elise is hired by Jay to redecorate his office lobby. They are immediately attracted to each other, but Jay decides not to pursue it until the contract is complete. Jay wants to avoid the appearance of sexual harassment, etc. As a result, they get to know each other fairly well before consummating their relationship. They both consider the other a friend and want the relationship to go further.
During the novella, the author talks about Jay’s control or discipline. This is true in his life – work, etc. When it came to sex, it turned into a minor dominant/submissive style that I did not like. Elise has spent a lot of her life trying to break free of her father’s domination and bullying. In my opinion, though Jay was nothing like her father, I thought the dom/sub thing should not have worked.
The other thing I did not like is, just before they consummated their relationship, the author gives a brief description of Jay’s sex history which was extensive. I felt it was inconsistent with his personality. I understand that the level of sexual experience that one might have varies and that is fine, but it suddenly came out of the blue. I would have thought that with all the work it would have taken for him to build up his business from scratch with his partner, he might not have had the time for the history. In addition, given the role models of his father and stepfather, you would think he would be a little cautious about relationships. Finally, given that he was disciplined, a lot of sexual experience almost seems to be a bit uncontrolled and therefore contradictory. That’s my opinion. Someone else might disagree.
I do not plan to go on to read the series. This novella turned me off from that.
October 20, 2018
I usually really dislike novellas, they always leave me desperately wanting more and not in a good way. However, Holiday has spun some magic with Once Upon a Bride; while I desperately want more I don't need it to love this little gem.
The story is fully fleshed out and isn't half as rushed (the dreaded insta-love) as some books I've read two or three times the length. The characters are nicely rounded and have good, solid back stories that are covered well enough to make you connect and understand their motives.
While there are some sticky notes, this is no more than any other novel that finishes with the big HEA, and this is softened with the knowledge that it's Elise and Jay's wedding that kicks off the Brides Behaving Badly series and the fact that they have another novella coming in December.
My only complaint would be that the introduction to Elise and Jay in One and Only is a bit of a tonal shift, but that's kind of the point of the bridezilla riff of the series, I guess.
In short, loved it and would recommend to anyone wanting a steamy, swoony, funny quick read.
The story is fully fleshed out and isn't half as rushed (the dreaded insta-love) as some books I've read two or three times the length. The characters are nicely rounded and have good, solid back stories that are covered well enough to make you connect and understand their motives.
While there are some sticky notes, this is no more than any other novel that finishes with the big HEA, and this is softened with the knowledge that it's Elise and Jay's wedding that kicks off the Brides Behaving Badly series and the fact that they have another novella coming in December.
My only complaint would be that the introduction to Elise and Jay in One and Only is a bit of a tonal shift, but that's kind of the point of the bridezilla riff of the series, I guess.
In short, loved it and would recommend to anyone wanting a steamy, swoony, funny quick read.
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