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Getting Hitched #2
Always a Bridesmaid
Violet Abrams may have been a bridesmaid no less than seven times, but her wedding day was near—she could feel it. Until her longtime boyfriend left her for someone else. That’s just fine—she has her photography and a new project redesigning her sister’s bakery to keep her happy and fulfilled. Fast-forward to the day of his wedding, though, when Violet might have accidentally, totally not on purpose, started a fire. And... Officially the worst day ever.
Firefighter Ford Maguire thought he’d seen it all. Until he’s called out because someone tried to set the local bakery on fire…with a wedding magazine? The little arsonist might be the cutest woman he’s ever seen, but he’s too career-focused to consider something serious. Still, Violet seems like a great person to help him navigate his upcoming “man of honor” duties in his best friend’s wedding.
Pretty soon, not only is Violet giving him lessons on all things weddings, she’s helping him train his latest rescue-dog recruit puppies and weaving her way seamlessly into his lone-wolf lifestyle. But forever is the last thing on Ford’s mind, and if there’s one thing a perpetual bridesmaid knows, it’s the importance of a happily ever after.
Each book in the Getting Hitched series is
* Just One of the Groomsmen
* Always a Bridesmaid
* Catch and Release Groom
Firefighter Ford Maguire thought he’d seen it all. Until he’s called out because someone tried to set the local bakery on fire…with a wedding magazine? The little arsonist might be the cutest woman he’s ever seen, but he’s too career-focused to consider something serious. Still, Violet seems like a great person to help him navigate his upcoming “man of honor” duties in his best friend’s wedding.
Pretty soon, not only is Violet giving him lessons on all things weddings, she’s helping him train his latest rescue-dog recruit puppies and weaving her way seamlessly into his lone-wolf lifestyle. But forever is the last thing on Ford’s mind, and if there’s one thing a perpetual bridesmaid knows, it’s the importance of a happily ever after.
Each book in the Getting Hitched series is
* Just One of the Groomsmen
* Always a Bridesmaid
* Catch and Release Groom
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2020
126 people are currently reading
5021 people want to read
About the author
Cindi Madsen
66 books2,268 followersCindi Madsen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. She loves music and dancing and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She and her family also take their Marvel addiction very seriously, as their one-eyed cat, Agent Fury, and their kitty named Valkyrie can attest.
You can visit Cindi at: www.cindimadsen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to get all the up-to-date information on her books.
Follow her on Twitter @cindimadsen
Find her on FB: Cindi Madsen Books
See her inspiration pins on Pinterest.
You can visit Cindi at: www.cindimadsen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to get all the up-to-date information on her books.
Follow her on Twitter @cindimadsen
Find her on FB: Cindi Madsen Books
See her inspiration pins on Pinterest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
May 26, 2020
Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen
2nd book in The Getting Hitched in Wyoming series. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Humor and deep friendships. Sweet and charming until it turned sexy hot and romantic.
The heroine freely admits to ADD and being easily distracted and often in her own world. Her sister and the hero both adjust their own outlooks and have no problem repeating conversations or allowing the heroine to go her own way. Super supportive in a way she’s never had before. She feels maybe the town of Uncertainty could be nice place to stay for awhile.
****minor spoilers here****
The hero really disappointed about three quarters of the way in. He let others in his head convince him he needed to be single and unencumbered. He was happy until others started reminding him of their errors or issues.
In the end, it’s a romance and he rediscovered his love was greater than ending up alone.
4.5 stars. It was trending at 5 for me until, again for me, an unforgivable act by the hero. The heroine forgave him. I’m not sure I would have.
I did love the story overall. In the end, happily ever after.
Excerpt
“FYI,” Easton, the dark-haired cop, said, “our boy is competitive and acts like a jack[..] whenever he loses.”
Ford flipped him off, and the cop smirked and said, “See?”
“So he needs a lesson in losing gracefully.” Violet downed the rest of her wine and set her empty glass on the table. “I’m absolutely up to the task.”
With the trash talking done, she followed Ford to the pool table. He retrieved two sticks and asked if she wanted to break. Seriously, what had she been thinking, challenging the guy? She was far from a pool shark, but she also hadn’t specified what “make it interesting” meant. First, she needed to figure that out for herself.
“You can break,” she sweetly said, wrapping a hand over her closed fist. “And then I’ll break you.” Since she’d never been able to crack her knuckles, she went ahead and added sound effects. “Crack. Pop. Tough noise.”
The hypnotic twitching of Ford’s arm muscles halted as he went from chalking his pool stick to leveling his green eyes on her. “Did you just add knuckle cracking sound effects? I’m not sure you’re doing the intimidating thing right.”
“That’s how I sneak up on people. Plus, even if I could crack my joints, I hate the sound. Gives me goose bumps.”
Excerpt from Always the Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.
2nd book in The Getting Hitched in Wyoming series. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Humor and deep friendships. Sweet and charming until it turned sexy hot and romantic.
The heroine freely admits to ADD and being easily distracted and often in her own world. Her sister and the hero both adjust their own outlooks and have no problem repeating conversations or allowing the heroine to go her own way. Super supportive in a way she’s never had before. She feels maybe the town of Uncertainty could be nice place to stay for awhile.
****minor spoilers here****
The hero really disappointed about three quarters of the way in. He let others in his head convince him he needed to be single and unencumbered. He was happy until others started reminding him of their errors or issues.
In the end, it’s a romance and he rediscovered his love was greater than ending up alone.
4.5 stars. It was trending at 5 for me until, again for me, an unforgivable act by the hero. The heroine forgave him. I’m not sure I would have.
I did love the story overall. In the end, happily ever after.
Excerpt
“FYI,” Easton, the dark-haired cop, said, “our boy is competitive and acts like a jack[..] whenever he loses.”
Ford flipped him off, and the cop smirked and said, “See?”
“So he needs a lesson in losing gracefully.” Violet downed the rest of her wine and set her empty glass on the table. “I’m absolutely up to the task.”
With the trash talking done, she followed Ford to the pool table. He retrieved two sticks and asked if she wanted to break. Seriously, what had she been thinking, challenging the guy? She was far from a pool shark, but she also hadn’t specified what “make it interesting” meant. First, she needed to figure that out for herself.
“You can break,” she sweetly said, wrapping a hand over her closed fist. “And then I’ll break you.” Since she’d never been able to crack her knuckles, she went ahead and added sound effects. “Crack. Pop. Tough noise.”
The hypnotic twitching of Ford’s arm muscles halted as he went from chalking his pool stick to leveling his green eyes on her. “Did you just add knuckle cracking sound effects? I’m not sure you’re doing the intimidating thing right.”
“That’s how I sneak up on people. Plus, even if I could crack my joints, I hate the sound. Gives me goose bumps.”
Excerpt from Always the Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.
May 16, 2020
Violet is a mess. She’s receiving from a bad relationship, that she clung to bye the chest hairs till her man did something unforgivable. This shattered her world. She was a photographer, before the fall but has lost her mojo. She moves in with her half sister in a small town where she has been the object of speculation and judgement for many years. AS bad as it is she needs her family bond, while she recovers and figures out where to go from here. Her mother had and affair with a married man, her half sisters father. No she was not a welcome bundle of joy especially to his wife. So when she moves to this town she’s already not on steady ground, then it gets worse. She get flustered, distracted, and during her breakdown nearly destroys everything, till a sexy hunk of fireman shows up. Hubba Hubba :P Oh and he has puppies ! Oh yes he does !
This is a small town romance, sweet, cuddly puppies, nosy town folk, and baked goodies. It’s a wonderful summer poolside read.
I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review.
This is a small town romance, sweet, cuddly puppies, nosy town folk, and baked goodies. It’s a wonderful summer poolside read.
I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review.
May 26, 2020
Intimate, amusing, and sweet!
Always a Bridesmaid is an uplifting, humorous tale that takes us into the life of the energetic, wary Violet Abrams as she heads to Uncertainty, Alabama to mend her broken heart, help redesign her half-sister’s bakery, and navigate all the ups and downs of falling in love with the practically perfect, local K-9 trainer, paramedic/firefighter, Ford Maguire.
The prose is effortless and smooth. The characters are fun-loving, supportive, and endearing. And the plot is a charming blend of heart, hope, humour, family, friendship, tension, attraction, tender moments, communication, taking chances, and the craziness of wedding planning.
Overall, Always a Bridesmaid is an adorable, heartwarming, spirited tale by Madsen that’s a lovely addition to the Getting Hitched in Dixie series and the perfect choice for dog lovers, romance fans, and summer!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Always a Bridesmaid is an uplifting, humorous tale that takes us into the life of the energetic, wary Violet Abrams as she heads to Uncertainty, Alabama to mend her broken heart, help redesign her half-sister’s bakery, and navigate all the ups and downs of falling in love with the practically perfect, local K-9 trainer, paramedic/firefighter, Ford Maguire.
The prose is effortless and smooth. The characters are fun-loving, supportive, and endearing. And the plot is a charming blend of heart, hope, humour, family, friendship, tension, attraction, tender moments, communication, taking chances, and the craziness of wedding planning.
Overall, Always a Bridesmaid is an adorable, heartwarming, spirited tale by Madsen that’s a lovely addition to the Getting Hitched in Dixie series and the perfect choice for dog lovers, romance fans, and summer!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read
April 26, 2025This is a case of several things not really working for me, that might work fine for other people. Always a Bridesmaid is a contemporary romance set in a small town in the American South. Violet has always loved weddings, but after she discovered her long time boyfriend cheating on her she has sworn off men and is staying with her sister who runs a bakery. On the day of her ex's wedding to the other woman, she accidentally starts a fire in the bakery and meets Ford when he comes to rescue. Ford is scared of love and commitment because of his family background, but sparks fly between him and Violet.
A lot of things in this book are very subjective in terms of enjoyment. For one, the humor. There's a lot of banter between the main couple, and within the friend group. Some of it was funny to me, a lot of it edged too close to cruder humor that I don't enjoy. The friend group is also very comfortable with PDA among couples and talk of their sex lives in group settings. I'm not so comfortable with that. The heroine is constantly worried about her weight and what she's eating, thinking she needs to lose weight to be attractive. It gets linked to issues with her ex eventually, but it felt like too much for me. There's a scene where the couple goes four-wheeling and things get sexy after they fall off into a muddy bog. I couldn't stop thinking about kissing and getting mud in your mouth or other places, and it just...didn't work for me. The hero also says some pretty horrible things to the heroine near the end after promising the consistency she never had growing up. He does apologize and does a grand gesture, but for me it wouldn't have been enough to gain back trust.
Like I said, your response to all of these things is going to be really subjective. I wasn't a fan, but I could see others really enjoying the book. There are cute rescue puppies in training and a wonderfully quirky grandmother! I also liked that the heroine has ADHD and that is substantively addressed. I received a copy for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
A lot of things in this book are very subjective in terms of enjoyment. For one, the humor. There's a lot of banter between the main couple, and within the friend group. Some of it was funny to me, a lot of it edged too close to cruder humor that I don't enjoy. The friend group is also very comfortable with PDA among couples and talk of their sex lives in group settings. I'm not so comfortable with that. The heroine is constantly worried about her weight and what she's eating, thinking she needs to lose weight to be attractive. It gets linked to issues with her ex eventually, but it felt like too much for me. There's a scene where the couple goes four-wheeling and things get sexy after they fall off into a muddy bog. I couldn't stop thinking about kissing and getting mud in your mouth or other places, and it just...didn't work for me. The hero also says some pretty horrible things to the heroine near the end after promising the consistency she never had growing up. He does apologize and does a grand gesture, but for me it wouldn't have been enough to gain back trust.
Like I said, your response to all of these things is going to be really subjective. I wasn't a fan, but I could see others really enjoying the book. There are cute rescue puppies in training and a wonderfully quirky grandmother! I also liked that the heroine has ADHD and that is substantively addressed. I received a copy for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
June 7, 2020
4.5 stars
What a fun and entertaining read Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen turned out to be, I really enjoyed it.
The storyline is well written, well paced and entertaining from start to end.
I loved Violet and Ford, they're likable characters that made me laugh, smile and swoon while watching them fall in love.
If you're looking to forget real life for a few hours, I highly recommend you read Always a Bridesmaid, and you too will be left with a heart full of love and a huge smile on your face.
Now Live!
Amazon: amzn.to/3culOhO
B&N: bit.ly/3anq6FO
iBooks: apple.co/2TlBHiM
*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*
What a fun and entertaining read Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen turned out to be, I really enjoyed it.
The storyline is well written, well paced and entertaining from start to end.
I loved Violet and Ford, they're likable characters that made me laugh, smile and swoon while watching them fall in love.
If you're looking to forget real life for a few hours, I highly recommend you read Always a Bridesmaid, and you too will be left with a heart full of love and a huge smile on your face.
Now Live!
Amazon: amzn.to/3culOhO
B&N: bit.ly/3anq6FO
iBooks: apple.co/2TlBHiM
*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*
February 19, 2024
Always a Bridesmaid took us back to the small town we love, and there were all the familiar faces. Yet this one hit deeper. It was emotional. And heartfelt too. Both Violet and Ford thought that they were not worthy of love. Their pasts and families had created doubts in their minds. So it was heartbreaking that they thought they weren’t good enough. Watching them fight their way to their happily ever after, will have you cheering them on!
Violet and Ford’s meet cute was beyond memorable! And the cake testing, the bar, playing pool, to even the coffee house scene all slowly started to build a friendship between these two people. Mix that all in with characters we love, friendships that run deep, and the most adorable puppies ever and this book was so easy and fun to listen to! I loved how the story transported me to another world. It was so vivid and colorful! So if you adore small town romances with steam, then definitely put this one on your tbr! I’m so happy I listened to it!
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Blog * Personal Instagram * Blog Instagram * Facebook * Twitter * Bloglovin * Feedly
Violet and Ford’s meet cute was beyond memorable! And the cake testing, the bar, playing pool, to even the coffee house scene all slowly started to build a friendship between these two people. Mix that all in with characters we love, friendships that run deep, and the most adorable puppies ever and this book was so easy and fun to listen to! I loved how the story transported me to another world. It was so vivid and colorful! So if you adore small town romances with steam, then definitely put this one on your tbr! I’m so happy I listened to it!
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Blog * Personal Instagram * Blog Instagram * Facebook * Twitter * Bloglovin * Feedly
May 3, 2020
okay. so this book. GAH.
JUST ONE OF THE GROOMSMEN was one of my favorite romances of 2019. Capturing the small-town south can be a tricky business-- as a reader, I want it to feel snuggly and slightly idealized without sliding headlong into stereotype land. Cindi Madsen has managed *again* to walk the line between sweet and saccharine, while managing a fantastic guy friend group dynamic, here in ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID. Ford and Violet's issues manage to feel both entirely understandable and also like true emotional hang-ups--both of them really go on such a journey.
Also, the kissing scenes are really good, and there are GERMAN! SHEPHERD! PUPPIES! Read it once it's out. Just do it.
JUST ONE OF THE GROOMSMEN was one of my favorite romances of 2019. Capturing the small-town south can be a tricky business-- as a reader, I want it to feel snuggly and slightly idealized without sliding headlong into stereotype land. Cindi Madsen has managed *again* to walk the line between sweet and saccharine, while managing a fantastic guy friend group dynamic, here in ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID. Ford and Violet's issues manage to feel both entirely understandable and also like true emotional hang-ups--both of them really go on such a journey.
Also, the kissing scenes are really good, and there are GERMAN! SHEPHERD! PUPPIES! Read it once it's out. Just do it.
Read
May 23, 2020Cindi Madsen returns to her small southern town for this romance, focusing of wild guy Ford, who Addie (previous book) asks to be her Man of Honor. Addie being a total sports nut, and helpless with the feminine expectations of life, especially around weddings, asks her friends to help--and this comes to include Violet, new to town after catching her boyfriend in the arms of another woman. Violet has been down the aisle as a bridesmaid seven times, and knows her way around a wedding--though she has sworn off romance and men.
We know these two are going to find each other, the question is how. Madsen deftly weaves in complications--Ford's brothers and dad are pretty unsympathetic, to put it lightly. Ford has a rep as a player and a wastrel, despite the fact that he's a fireman, and trains rescue dogs on the side.
Violet also has her complications, in that she's the product of infidelity--on the part of the town mayor. She is regarded, at best, by her father's family as something to be endured, but here she is, helping out her half-sister, who is in desperate need.
The story is fun, and funny, and emotionally fraught by turns. We get a lot of glimpses of friendship as well as relationships, but Madsen makes time for fun in the mud, and dog training . . . and of course wedding prep, with Ford along with the bridesmaids.
Altogether a fun, enjoyable read, perfect for this period of social distancing. At least our fictional friends can get together!
Copy provided by NetGalley
We know these two are going to find each other, the question is how. Madsen deftly weaves in complications--Ford's brothers and dad are pretty unsympathetic, to put it lightly. Ford has a rep as a player and a wastrel, despite the fact that he's a fireman, and trains rescue dogs on the side.
Violet also has her complications, in that she's the product of infidelity--on the part of the town mayor. She is regarded, at best, by her father's family as something to be endured, but here she is, helping out her half-sister, who is in desperate need.
The story is fun, and funny, and emotionally fraught by turns. We get a lot of glimpses of friendship as well as relationships, but Madsen makes time for fun in the mud, and dog training . . . and of course wedding prep, with Ford along with the bridesmaids.
Altogether a fun, enjoyable read, perfect for this period of social distancing. At least our fictional friends can get together!
Copy provided by NetGalley
May 26, 2020
3.5 Just like Peas and Carrots Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
So you just had your soon-to-be groom call off the wedding. Then you are friends with the bakery that is doing things for His NEW Wedding...so Oops, a little fire happens...
Lucky you, there is a hunky cute fireman who takes you aside to question what you may have done Not on Purpose.
This is cute, fun, and just right.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
So you just had your soon-to-be groom call off the wedding. Then you are friends with the bakery that is doing things for His NEW Wedding...so Oops, a little fire happens...
Lucky you, there is a hunky cute fireman who takes you aside to question what you may have done Not on Purpose.
This is cute, fun, and just right.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
August 26, 2021
Review vanished in August - following a detailed accounting, it vanished never to be seen again. Here I go once more...
Violet and Ford were mismatched
The main focus is Ford and Violet's story...Violet returns to the small town of Uncertainty and Ford is the Man of Honour in the wedding of two of his best friends, Addie and Tucker.
A Firefighter/Search and Rescue, Ford Maguire enjoys his unencumbered freedom, being unattached. He thought he’d experienced it all, nothing surprises him...until he’s called because someone tried to set the local bakery on fire…with a wedding magazine as an accelerant. The arsonist might be cute, but he’s too career-focused to consider something serious. Still, Violet seems like a great person to help him navigate his upcoming “man of honour” duties at his best friends wedding.
Pretty soon, not only is Violet giving him lessons on all things nuptial, she’s helping him train his latest rescue-dog recruit puppies and weaving her way seamlessly into his lone-wolf lifestyle. But forever is the last thing on Ford’s mind, and if there’s one thing a perpetual bridesmaid knows, it’s the importance of a happily ever after. Ford is gun-shy of relationships.
An abysmal disappointment in delivery. The story left me conflicted. Violet and Ford we’re mismatched, she sought something from him that he was unwilling or incapable of providing. He was a pathetic, whingey and spineless tool with trust issues, openly derisive of commitment, adamant in his refusal to commit, a fan of casual encounters.
Violet is a wedding photographer, temporarily lending support to her half-sister with a remodelling of her bakery. She has a contentious relationship with their sperm donor and his wife, avoidance being key. Violet has been a bridesmaid no less than seven times, always a bridesmaid never a bride. Her turn was near—until her longtime boyfriend jilts her for a newer and shinier model. She lost ten years that she can never recapture and rather than abstaining... rebounds with an emotionally unavailable womaniser.
Acceptance — she has her photography and a new project redesigning her sister’s bakery to keep her warm at night, if not happy and fulfilled. On the day of her ex’s wedding, she might have inadvertently, not deliberately, ignited a fire....not her shining moment.
Ford has no foundation or basis in presuming to accuse her of being marriage obsessed. Violet was open to the possibilities only to have her hopes quelled. She allowed herself to be convinced of his intentions - he in turn sent mixed signals.
Her dreams are not Ford’s reality, considering he spent a colossal time internalising and lamenting on her instability and their unsuitability, perhaps that’s his idea of foreplay. Love could be perilously and potentially embarrassing but his words were chilling.
He promised he would be her support, then deliberately reneged instead he was one of many changing a tyre; using an emergency as his excuse. I found him dastardly at best and not hero material.
He suggests they continue their side-benefit arrangement reassuring her they can continue minus entanglements and miscommunication.
Their personalities were significantly different. I guess the writer wanted us to benefit from their life lessons, expect the unexpected.
Violet and Ford were mismatched
The main focus is Ford and Violet's story...Violet returns to the small town of Uncertainty and Ford is the Man of Honour in the wedding of two of his best friends, Addie and Tucker.
A Firefighter/Search and Rescue, Ford Maguire enjoys his unencumbered freedom, being unattached. He thought he’d experienced it all, nothing surprises him...until he’s called because someone tried to set the local bakery on fire…with a wedding magazine as an accelerant. The arsonist might be cute, but he’s too career-focused to consider something serious. Still, Violet seems like a great person to help him navigate his upcoming “man of honour” duties at his best friends wedding.
Pretty soon, not only is Violet giving him lessons on all things nuptial, she’s helping him train his latest rescue-dog recruit puppies and weaving her way seamlessly into his lone-wolf lifestyle. But forever is the last thing on Ford’s mind, and if there’s one thing a perpetual bridesmaid knows, it’s the importance of a happily ever after. Ford is gun-shy of relationships.
An abysmal disappointment in delivery. The story left me conflicted. Violet and Ford we’re mismatched, she sought something from him that he was unwilling or incapable of providing. He was a pathetic, whingey and spineless tool with trust issues, openly derisive of commitment, adamant in his refusal to commit, a fan of casual encounters.
Violet is a wedding photographer, temporarily lending support to her half-sister with a remodelling of her bakery. She has a contentious relationship with their sperm donor and his wife, avoidance being key. Violet has been a bridesmaid no less than seven times, always a bridesmaid never a bride. Her turn was near—until her longtime boyfriend jilts her for a newer and shinier model. She lost ten years that she can never recapture and rather than abstaining... rebounds with an emotionally unavailable womaniser.
Acceptance — she has her photography and a new project redesigning her sister’s bakery to keep her warm at night, if not happy and fulfilled. On the day of her ex’s wedding, she might have inadvertently, not deliberately, ignited a fire....not her shining moment.
Ford has no foundation or basis in presuming to accuse her of being marriage obsessed. Violet was open to the possibilities only to have her hopes quelled. She allowed herself to be convinced of his intentions - he in turn sent mixed signals.
Her dreams are not Ford’s reality, considering he spent a colossal time internalising and lamenting on her instability and their unsuitability, perhaps that’s his idea of foreplay. Love could be perilously and potentially embarrassing but his words were chilling.
He promised he would be her support, then deliberately reneged instead he was one of many changing a tyre; using an emergency as his excuse. I found him dastardly at best and not hero material.
He suggests they continue their side-benefit arrangement reassuring her they can continue minus entanglements and miscommunication.
Their personalities were significantly different. I guess the writer wanted us to benefit from their life lessons, expect the unexpected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2021
Cute, and while there are a lot of characters, it's easy to keep track of them. There were a few things the author didn't do that would have provided more closure in terms of side stories, and I think she was far too forgiving about one particular thing, but for once that wasn't the H, so it was fine.
May 21, 2020
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley. It does not impact my review.
I really loved Just One of the Groomsmen and have been eagerly awaiting another book in the series. I am happy to report that I enjoyed Always a Bridesmaid just as much as Just One of the Groomsmen – maybe even more.
One of the things I loved about the first book so much was the group of friends. I loved being able to revisit them and enjoyed their always fun banter. I also liked how they always look out for each other. I’m glad that we got to see Addie work on planning her wedding to Tucker. I really enjoyed getting to know Ford better this time around. He was a great leading man and I definitely shipped him with Violet. I thought their romance was so cute and I really enjoyed watching it unfold.
I thought Violet was a likable main character, as well. She had a lot of baggage in the form of a cheating ex and tenuous relationship with her father and step-mother, but I liked how she was determined to move forward. She also has pretty severe ADHD and I thought that was interesting to read about. I did think she maybe acted a little more bi-polar sometimes than someone with just ADHD, but it did make me look at ADHD in a new light and have more understanding for people who live with that.
Overall, I really loved Always a Bridesmaid. I loved Ford and Violet together and really shipped their romance. I also loved seeing Ford’s group of friends again and all of his adorable dogs. I definitely recommend this series to Romance fans and can’t wait for Easton’s book next!
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars
I really loved Just One of the Groomsmen and have been eagerly awaiting another book in the series. I am happy to report that I enjoyed Always a Bridesmaid just as much as Just One of the Groomsmen – maybe even more.
One of the things I loved about the first book so much was the group of friends. I loved being able to revisit them and enjoyed their always fun banter. I also liked how they always look out for each other. I’m glad that we got to see Addie work on planning her wedding to Tucker. I really enjoyed getting to know Ford better this time around. He was a great leading man and I definitely shipped him with Violet. I thought their romance was so cute and I really enjoyed watching it unfold.
I thought Violet was a likable main character, as well. She had a lot of baggage in the form of a cheating ex and tenuous relationship with her father and step-mother, but I liked how she was determined to move forward. She also has pretty severe ADHD and I thought that was interesting to read about. I did think she maybe acted a little more bi-polar sometimes than someone with just ADHD, but it did make me look at ADHD in a new light and have more understanding for people who live with that.
Overall, I really loved Always a Bridesmaid. I loved Ford and Violet together and really shipped their romance. I also loved seeing Ford’s group of friends again and all of his adorable dogs. I definitely recommend this series to Romance fans and can’t wait for Easton’s book next!
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars
January 26, 2022
Hermosa historia
May 26, 2020
Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen is a fun, feel-good read. Take a seven-times bridesmaid with a broken heart and match her up with the firefighter who just won’t settle down, then watch the sparks fly.
Violet Abrams is back in the small town of Uncertainty, Alabama, after her no-good longtime boyfriend cheated on her. After years of being strung along waiting for a someday wedding that never came, she has now sworn off men.
Ford Maguire comes from a long line of ne’er-do-wells, but he’s worked hard to be different. Besides being a firefighter, he also trains search and rescue puppies and serves on the search and rescue team. When it comes to women, though, Ford keeps them at arm’s length. The last thing he wants is to end up like his split-up parents, so he focuses on every other aspect of his life to find fulfillment.
Violet and Ford have a meet-cute when Violet accidentally sets a fire at her sister’s bakery. But there are clearly sparks between the two of them, which turns a flirtation into a friendship, then something more.
But Violet’s only in town temporarily, plus she’s got a lot of baggage--family drama, not to mention the whole cheating ex situation. Ford is never looking for something serious, but the two of them can’t deny their attraction. As Ford prepares to serve as man of honor at his BFF Addie’s wedding, Violet’s penchant for wedding planning gives Ford pause. Can these two overcome their hangups and take a chance on love?
I really enjoyed this easy, feel-good romance. Small-town romances can be tough because they’re often unrealistic, but I feel that the author made a conscious effort to diversify her characters (the supporting ones, mainly), which I appreciate. I also enjoy how the aspect of community is a main focus--how the town comes together for each other in tough times.
Violet and Ford are a cute couple. There’s a lot of playfulness to their friendship and flirtation, but there’s also some good steam to the romance, too. I appreciated how the more dramatic subplots are handled with seriousness, but never to the point of angst. It’s a good balance of levity and gravity. In addition, there's a great grovel on Ford’s part and I am always in favor of a hero’s grovel.
As a whole, I found the story enjoyable, but there were moments when I got a lot of the supporting characters confused. The majority of Violet’s and Ford’s friends in Uncertainty are coupled up, and I kept mistaking who was who for a while. That being said, the book still works as a standalone, despite being the second book in the Getting Hitched in Dixie series.
Overall, this is a great read and I’m interested to read the other books in the series.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my free advance copy of this book.
Violet Abrams is back in the small town of Uncertainty, Alabama, after her no-good longtime boyfriend cheated on her. After years of being strung along waiting for a someday wedding that never came, she has now sworn off men.
Ford Maguire comes from a long line of ne’er-do-wells, but he’s worked hard to be different. Besides being a firefighter, he also trains search and rescue puppies and serves on the search and rescue team. When it comes to women, though, Ford keeps them at arm’s length. The last thing he wants is to end up like his split-up parents, so he focuses on every other aspect of his life to find fulfillment.
Violet and Ford have a meet-cute when Violet accidentally sets a fire at her sister’s bakery. But there are clearly sparks between the two of them, which turns a flirtation into a friendship, then something more.
But Violet’s only in town temporarily, plus she’s got a lot of baggage--family drama, not to mention the whole cheating ex situation. Ford is never looking for something serious, but the two of them can’t deny their attraction. As Ford prepares to serve as man of honor at his BFF Addie’s wedding, Violet’s penchant for wedding planning gives Ford pause. Can these two overcome their hangups and take a chance on love?
I really enjoyed this easy, feel-good romance. Small-town romances can be tough because they’re often unrealistic, but I feel that the author made a conscious effort to diversify her characters (the supporting ones, mainly), which I appreciate. I also enjoy how the aspect of community is a main focus--how the town comes together for each other in tough times.
Violet and Ford are a cute couple. There’s a lot of playfulness to their friendship and flirtation, but there’s also some good steam to the romance, too. I appreciated how the more dramatic subplots are handled with seriousness, but never to the point of angst. It’s a good balance of levity and gravity. In addition, there's a great grovel on Ford’s part and I am always in favor of a hero’s grovel.
As a whole, I found the story enjoyable, but there were moments when I got a lot of the supporting characters confused. The majority of Violet’s and Ford’s friends in Uncertainty are coupled up, and I kept mistaking who was who for a while. That being said, the book still works as a standalone, despite being the second book in the Getting Hitched in Dixie series.
Overall, this is a great read and I’m interested to read the other books in the series.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my free advance copy of this book.
August 16, 2022
Violet desde hace tiempo tiene planeada la que será su boda perfecta, solo que después de muchos años de noviazgo su pareja aún no decide dar el siguiente paso con ella, cuando ocurre una infidelidad ella decide tirar todos sus planes por la borda. Para poder recuperarse de este desengaño decide ir a visitar a su hermana Maisy donde tiene planeado ayudarla con la remodelación de la pastelería de esta, pero una serie de complicaciones la harán conocer a un sexy bombero que volteara de cabeza su mundo, solo que ahí un pequeño detalle el huye de las relaciones serias. ¿Cómo podrá funcionar una relación entre este par tan disparejo?
Después de mi última lectura necesitaba un romance ligero, así que este libro fue una buena opción, la historia es rápida de leer, aunque algunas veces la narración fue confusa, sin embargo, fue entretenida, he sentido mucha simpatía por la protagonista ya que tiene una personalidad muy divertida y explosiva, esto en parte a su TDAH que la hace tan especial y te atrapa desde el comienzo. Por momentos esperaba un poco más de drama, aunque al final creo que el que no fuera sobrecargado fue lo mejor, tiene algunos capítulos que se volvían un poco lentos y es aquí cuando hacían aparición unos adorables cachorritos en la historia que hacían que la lectura recuperara su ritmo.
Otro detalle que me gusto es la evolución de los personajes que lograran superar sus propios miedos. Dato curioso es que este libro es parte de una serie y vendría siendo el 2, el primero es de Addie un personaje secundario y al final nos da un breve vistazo de quien podría ser el tercero y me intriga porque se ve que será muy interesante, ojalá pueda traer la editorial el libro anterior que esta publicado en inglés, el tercero creo que aún no está publicado.
Este libro es ideal para leerlo un fin de semana donde no quieres una lectura complicada y quieres pasar un buen rato.
Después de mi última lectura necesitaba un romance ligero, así que este libro fue una buena opción, la historia es rápida de leer, aunque algunas veces la narración fue confusa, sin embargo, fue entretenida, he sentido mucha simpatía por la protagonista ya que tiene una personalidad muy divertida y explosiva, esto en parte a su TDAH que la hace tan especial y te atrapa desde el comienzo. Por momentos esperaba un poco más de drama, aunque al final creo que el que no fuera sobrecargado fue lo mejor, tiene algunos capítulos que se volvían un poco lentos y es aquí cuando hacían aparición unos adorables cachorritos en la historia que hacían que la lectura recuperara su ritmo.
Otro detalle que me gusto es la evolución de los personajes que lograran superar sus propios miedos. Dato curioso es que este libro es parte de una serie y vendría siendo el 2, el primero es de Addie un personaje secundario y al final nos da un breve vistazo de quien podría ser el tercero y me intriga porque se ve que será muy interesante, ojalá pueda traer la editorial el libro anterior que esta publicado en inglés, el tercero creo que aún no está publicado.
Este libro es ideal para leerlo un fin de semana donde no quieres una lectura complicada y quieres pasar un buen rato.
April 17, 2020
Violet - Vibrant, beautiful, resilient, impulsive at times, quick with sassy/humorous comebacks, hearts been stomped on before, photographer, complicated immediate family past, eye for fashion/style/weddings, wants the whole package - love, marriage, children, won’t be used/tricked again.
Ford - Firefighter, paramedic, rescue dog trainer, all around good guy town hero, family history baggage, knucklehead actions/words at times, afraid of marriage, falls for the heroine despite trying not to, calm in a crisis but love makes him panic.
Well, this main couple was like bread and butter, my fellow romance book loving friends. Yeah, they truly went that well together. From their at first glance, sizzling, instant attraction/chemistry to their funny, sassy, flirty, at times argumentative back and forth banter, I couldn’t get enough of them. The great posse of friends that surrounded them as side characters just added to this romantic mayhem mix. Throw in the cute, adorable puppies, and, really, what more do I need to say. I was hooked from the get go.
As a lover of relationship angst, I can handle knucklehead words/actions when I know it will ultimately lead to soul searching, hard on the heart regret, groveling, and life changing, light bulb moments of realization on what’s truly important. We definitely get that in the form of a direct punch to the heart here, folks. Here’s to hoping you’ll feel the same way and enjoy this book as much as I did.
Romance Safety Gang:
Title: Always a Bridesmaid, Series: Getting Hitched in Dixie (Book 2), Author: Cindi Madsen, Pages: 400, stand-alone, sassy/quick with comebacks hearts been stomped on heroine, good guy but a knucklehead/afraid to love hero, relationship angst, very steamy late in book, get to know each other first, small town setting, HEA,
Book 1 - Just One of the Groomsmen
Book 2 - Always a Bridesmaid
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no relationship or affiliation between this reviewer and the author, publisher, or NetGalley.)
Ford - Firefighter, paramedic, rescue dog trainer, all around good guy town hero, family history baggage, knucklehead actions/words at times, afraid of marriage, falls for the heroine despite trying not to, calm in a crisis but love makes him panic.
Well, this main couple was like bread and butter, my fellow romance book loving friends. Yeah, they truly went that well together. From their at first glance, sizzling, instant attraction/chemistry to their funny, sassy, flirty, at times argumentative back and forth banter, I couldn’t get enough of them. The great posse of friends that surrounded them as side characters just added to this romantic mayhem mix. Throw in the cute, adorable puppies, and, really, what more do I need to say. I was hooked from the get go.
As a lover of relationship angst, I can handle knucklehead words/actions when I know it will ultimately lead to soul searching, hard on the heart regret, groveling, and life changing, light bulb moments of realization on what’s truly important. We definitely get that in the form of a direct punch to the heart here, folks. Here’s to hoping you’ll feel the same way and enjoy this book as much as I did.
Romance Safety Gang:
Title: Always a Bridesmaid, Series: Getting Hitched in Dixie (Book 2), Author: Cindi Madsen, Pages: 400, stand-alone, sassy/quick with comebacks hearts been stomped on heroine, good guy but a knucklehead/afraid to love hero, relationship angst, very steamy late in book, get to know each other first, small town setting, HEA,
Book 1 - Just One of the Groomsmen
Book 2 - Always a Bridesmaid
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no relationship or affiliation between this reviewer and the author, publisher, or NetGalley.)
April 27, 2020
Original review: A Novel Glimpse
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
I have been impatiently waiting for Cindi Madsen to release this book since I read Just One of the Groomsmen. I could not wait to be back with the amazing cast of characters she created and the friendships they shared. All that build up could have lent to some self over hype or a big let down, but I'm incredibly happy to report it didn't. Always a Bridesmaid was just as great of a read as Just One of the Groomsmen.
This book makes me feel all gushy and I don't want to be too long winded in this review, so I'm going to give you my 3 favorite things about it.
1. You know how some contemporaries are just fun to read? It doesn't matter what the deeper issues are the characters because the romance is that sweet? That's how I felt about Always a Bridesmaid. Violet and Ford both had reasons to avoid dating. Both had to fight through their issues to admit to themselves what they wanted and needed. I liked that they had this in common. Their love story was so cute and sweet!
2. The friendships in this story continued to be fabulous. Ford had his whole bridesdude thing going with Addie. Tucker, Shep, and Easton were still around. Even Lexi joined in on the friendship fun. I loved every minute of all the wedding planning for Addie and Tucker that involved the gang. I'm also going to throw family in here. Addie's nonna continued to be a highlight of the series, and Violet's sister was also a great addition. All these moments with friends and family added in so many laughs.
3. Puppies! Yes, you read that right. Three adorable puppies try to steal the show.
A sweet relationship between great characters, great friendship moments, laughs, and adorable puppies. What else could you ask for in a book, right? Well, maybe first person, but the writing and story was so good I didn't notice the third person at all. That's saying a lot because usually I'm complaining about third -- but right now all I'm complaining about is having to wait for the third book in this series of standalones. I can only pray Cindi Madsen doesn't make me wait too long for Easton's story.
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
I have been impatiently waiting for Cindi Madsen to release this book since I read Just One of the Groomsmen. I could not wait to be back with the amazing cast of characters she created and the friendships they shared. All that build up could have lent to some self over hype or a big let down, but I'm incredibly happy to report it didn't. Always a Bridesmaid was just as great of a read as Just One of the Groomsmen.
This book makes me feel all gushy and I don't want to be too long winded in this review, so I'm going to give you my 3 favorite things about it.
1. You know how some contemporaries are just fun to read? It doesn't matter what the deeper issues are the characters because the romance is that sweet? That's how I felt about Always a Bridesmaid. Violet and Ford both had reasons to avoid dating. Both had to fight through their issues to admit to themselves what they wanted and needed. I liked that they had this in common. Their love story was so cute and sweet!
2. The friendships in this story continued to be fabulous. Ford had his whole bridesdude thing going with Addie. Tucker, Shep, and Easton were still around. Even Lexi joined in on the friendship fun. I loved every minute of all the wedding planning for Addie and Tucker that involved the gang. I'm also going to throw family in here. Addie's nonna continued to be a highlight of the series, and Violet's sister was also a great addition. All these moments with friends and family added in so many laughs.
3. Puppies! Yes, you read that right. Three adorable puppies try to steal the show.
A sweet relationship between great characters, great friendship moments, laughs, and adorable puppies. What else could you ask for in a book, right? Well, maybe first person, but the writing and story was so good I didn't notice the third person at all. That's saying a lot because usually I'm complaining about third -- but right now all I'm complaining about is having to wait for the third book in this series of standalones. I can only pray Cindi Madsen doesn't make me wait too long for Easton's story.
May 20, 2020
5 Star Review of Always A Bridesmaid (Getting Hitched in Dixie #2) by Cindi Madsen
Cindi Madsen is a relatively new author to me and I have no idea why that is. I loved this book. From the first to the last chapter one I was fully invested in the story that Ms.Madsen wove.
Having read the first book in the series, I jumped at the chance to read this book. It was just as entertaining, if not more so, than the first book in the series.
Violet Abrams, always the bridesmaid, never the bride, especially since her boyfriend dumped her. Now he’s getting married and what does she do? She decides to burn wedding dress photos and then has to explain to the hot fire fighter Ford Maguire what happened.
I loved Ford in Just One Of The Groomsmen and couldn’t wait to read his story. Although this can most definitely be read as a stand alone, why not one click the first book in the series as well.
The writing was strong and the story flowed well. It was humorous, with characters you cannot help but fall in love with. One click this little gem, you won’t be disappointed. I received a copy of this book through the publisher via NetGalley.
Cindi Madsen is a relatively new author to me and I have no idea why that is. I loved this book. From the first to the last chapter one I was fully invested in the story that Ms.Madsen wove.
Having read the first book in the series, I jumped at the chance to read this book. It was just as entertaining, if not more so, than the first book in the series.
Violet Abrams, always the bridesmaid, never the bride, especially since her boyfriend dumped her. Now he’s getting married and what does she do? She decides to burn wedding dress photos and then has to explain to the hot fire fighter Ford Maguire what happened.
I loved Ford in Just One Of The Groomsmen and couldn’t wait to read his story. Although this can most definitely be read as a stand alone, why not one click the first book in the series as well.
The writing was strong and the story flowed well. It was humorous, with characters you cannot help but fall in love with. One click this little gem, you won’t be disappointed. I received a copy of this book through the publisher via NetGalley.
June 28, 2020
Violet Abrams sworn she'd never go back to Uncertainty, Alabama, but there she is, to renovate her half-sister's bakery, after losing so many years to a cheating fiancé. The plan is to leave after the work is done and hope that by that time, she'll have find again the inspiration and passion to get back to her wedding's photography job. But it was before she almost burned down her sister's store and she met firefighter and K-9 trainer, Ford Maguire, and that she ended up helping for his friend's wedding planning.
It's not my first Cindi Madsen but it's my first book in this series. The hero strong friendship with Addie, a tomboy who's getting married to a childhood friend certainly made sure that I'll pick up book 1 eventually. I loved Violet and Ford's natural chemistry and their personal journey and how they learn to deal with their own experience and let go of some beliefs that were stopping them from embracing life to the fullest.
From the ending, I think it's easy to guess that next book will be Easton's. Can I say yes, I do😉.
It's not my first Cindi Madsen but it's my first book in this series. The hero strong friendship with Addie, a tomboy who's getting married to a childhood friend certainly made sure that I'll pick up book 1 eventually. I loved Violet and Ford's natural chemistry and their personal journey and how they learn to deal with their own experience and let go of some beliefs that were stopping them from embracing life to the fullest.
From the ending, I think it's easy to guess that next book will be Easton's. Can I say yes, I do😉.
April 21, 2020
Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen a four-star read that will blossom as you read. I enjoyed this one, but I kept getting distracted as I read it and that’s not me, so it could be that I was having a funny day or two, as overall I enjoyed the story it just didn’t grip me. I adored Pyro as he reminded me of my own Pyro, sadly mine wouldn’t be able to save me if I was in a paper bag, but I love him none the less. Much like I loved Violet and not only as we both love purple, and Ford he was just sublime he made me want to protect and care for him as well as shake him. I also adored the secondary characters and will be going to read the other standalones in the series when I am able as they all seem like great characters. I do enjoy the authors writing so I will be recommending this one, hopefully you won’t be as easily distracted as me, maybe I should change my name.
May 27, 2020
Always a Bridesmaid was a cute read. The hero is a firefighter. Yum! The heroine is in town visiting her sister and niece. Life has gotten her down. She is taking some time to be with family and help redesign her sister’s bakery. This book gave me all the small town romance vibes. Plus it has cute puppies. The characters have roots. Friends and family are woven throughout the book. I closed this book feeling light and happy with a smile on my face.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
April 5, 2024
La historia estuvo bien pero mal ejecutada 🥲
April 2, 2022
Hola a todos!!!⠀⠀
Como andan?⠀
El sábado termine de leer “Ni una boda mas” de @cindimadsenbooks publicado por @vera.romantica muchas gracias @natalia.vazquez.prensa por el ejemplar.⠀⠀
“Todo el mundo enfrenta sus batallas, solamente que algunas personas son mejores que otras para ocultarlo”⠀⠀
Como algunos saben en febrero me fue imposible leer por los compromisos laborales que tuve y estoy tratando de ponerme al día.⠀
Este libro corresponde a la lectura del mes de febrero en el #cluveraromantica⠀⠀
Violet tiene el corazón destrozado, ya no quiere saber nada con los hombres. Luego de descubrir a su prometido con otra mujer, en la boda de su hermana, ya nada la hace feliz, decide aceptar la invitación que esta le hace para decorar la nueva pastelería que puso y pasar un tiempo con ella y su sobrina recién nacida. Volver al pueblo que visitaba una vez al año para pasar el verano con su padre y la familia que tenía junto a su esposa, que nunca la acepto ni quiso, ya que es el fruto de la traición de su padre.⠀⠀
Nada será como antes. Ella solo quería cumplir con el pedido de su hermana de poner la maza a cocinar dentro del horno que no conocía su funcionamiento. Pueden ocurrir accidentes y eso es lo que paso. Pero digamos que gracias a ese mal momento conoció al bombero que la ayudo a extinguir el fuego del horno y sentir que tal vez no estaba todo perdido en la parte sentimental.⠀
Durante todo el libro vamos conociendo a los dos protagonistas, a través de sus pensamientos sus pasiones e inseguridades.⠀
Me gustó que la historia hable del físico de ella, porque a veces en los libros se describen cuerpos perfectos y trabajados, pero acá tenemos un personaje que siente que tiene sus kilos de más, pero que no tiene ganas de bajarlos, además de que no se plantea eliminarlos, solo aparecen esas inseguridades en momentos claves de como luce su ropa en ella. Pero no por eso deja de usarla.⠀
Me gusta como Ford la mira, lo que piensa de ella, de cómo la valora y de como aprende a cuidar lo que siente por ella.⠀⠀
Ford viene de una familia destruida por el abandono de su madre y criado por un padre egoísta que no le prestaba atención, con unos hermanos que solo ven la rivalidad en todo lo que hacen.⠀⠀
Ford es un personaje descripto por sus amigos como una persona con complejo de héroe, siempre está activo tratando de ayudar a todos. Además de ser bombero es paramédico, rescatista y sobre todo entrena cachorros de búsqueda.⠀⠀
El grupo de amigos de él es insuperable, se criaron desde niños y tienen todos los códigos de la gente que se conoce desde siempre, son los que lo ayudan a encontrar el camino a decir y hacer lo que siente.⠀⠀
El final de la historia es hermoso, aunque la autora nos deja en la última línea con el principio del siguiente libro.⠀
Como andan?⠀
El sábado termine de leer “Ni una boda mas” de @cindimadsenbooks publicado por @vera.romantica muchas gracias @natalia.vazquez.prensa por el ejemplar.⠀⠀
“Todo el mundo enfrenta sus batallas, solamente que algunas personas son mejores que otras para ocultarlo”⠀⠀
Como algunos saben en febrero me fue imposible leer por los compromisos laborales que tuve y estoy tratando de ponerme al día.⠀
Este libro corresponde a la lectura del mes de febrero en el #cluveraromantica⠀⠀
Violet tiene el corazón destrozado, ya no quiere saber nada con los hombres. Luego de descubrir a su prometido con otra mujer, en la boda de su hermana, ya nada la hace feliz, decide aceptar la invitación que esta le hace para decorar la nueva pastelería que puso y pasar un tiempo con ella y su sobrina recién nacida. Volver al pueblo que visitaba una vez al año para pasar el verano con su padre y la familia que tenía junto a su esposa, que nunca la acepto ni quiso, ya que es el fruto de la traición de su padre.⠀⠀
Nada será como antes. Ella solo quería cumplir con el pedido de su hermana de poner la maza a cocinar dentro del horno que no conocía su funcionamiento. Pueden ocurrir accidentes y eso es lo que paso. Pero digamos que gracias a ese mal momento conoció al bombero que la ayudo a extinguir el fuego del horno y sentir que tal vez no estaba todo perdido en la parte sentimental.⠀
Durante todo el libro vamos conociendo a los dos protagonistas, a través de sus pensamientos sus pasiones e inseguridades.⠀
Me gustó que la historia hable del físico de ella, porque a veces en los libros se describen cuerpos perfectos y trabajados, pero acá tenemos un personaje que siente que tiene sus kilos de más, pero que no tiene ganas de bajarlos, además de que no se plantea eliminarlos, solo aparecen esas inseguridades en momentos claves de como luce su ropa en ella. Pero no por eso deja de usarla.⠀
Me gusta como Ford la mira, lo que piensa de ella, de cómo la valora y de como aprende a cuidar lo que siente por ella.⠀⠀
Ford viene de una familia destruida por el abandono de su madre y criado por un padre egoísta que no le prestaba atención, con unos hermanos que solo ven la rivalidad en todo lo que hacen.⠀⠀
Ford es un personaje descripto por sus amigos como una persona con complejo de héroe, siempre está activo tratando de ayudar a todos. Además de ser bombero es paramédico, rescatista y sobre todo entrena cachorros de búsqueda.⠀⠀
El grupo de amigos de él es insuperable, se criaron desde niños y tienen todos los códigos de la gente que se conoce desde siempre, son los que lo ayudan a encontrar el camino a decir y hacer lo que siente.⠀⠀
El final de la historia es hermoso, aunque la autora nos deja en la última línea con el principio del siguiente libro.⠀
May 27, 2020
3+ Stars
I’ve loved most of the books I’ve read by Ms. Madsen, and when I saw this new one was about a firefighter who trained puppies I just couldn’t keep away. Even though it ended up being quite the cute, sweet romance it was not exactly the gripping story I was hoping for.
Violet was obsessed with everything wedding. And although I’ve come to realize that many people could connect to this very defining aspect of her, sadly I could not. She was sweet and kind of funny but had ginormous daddy issues, as well as low self-esteem stemming from her family dynamics and the asshole loser she had been with for the last decade. I did love how she, very slowly, came to realize some stuff about her life and opened herself up to seeing things in a new light.
Ford was the epitome of hunky firefighter with a slight savior complex. Being part of an S&R troop, as well as a K-9 S&R trainer and EMT just gave him more tools to act on that. Once we get a bit of backstory into his childhood, we understand why he is the way he is and where all his trust issues come from. Unfortunately, his hot and cold (dare I say cowardly) approach to being with Violet drove me absolutely bonkers.
There were some serious family issues for both of them that needed resolving, and I’m not completely sure I liked how it was handled on Violet’s case. But hey, I’m all for forgiving and starting fresh… I just would have liked to see some slapping of the stepmother, that’s all I’m saying.
Violet and Ford shared a powerful attraction but were set on fighting it, each for their own reasons. I loved how they were together once they both pulled their walls down but was put off when they built those walls back up. It was so annoying!!! Fortunately, there was a gaggle of active puppies, great friends, sassy banter and one adorable baby niece to even things out.
While Always a Bridesmaid didn’t blow me away, I loved some parts and really enjoyed reading it.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
I’ve loved most of the books I’ve read by Ms. Madsen, and when I saw this new one was about a firefighter who trained puppies I just couldn’t keep away. Even though it ended up being quite the cute, sweet romance it was not exactly the gripping story I was hoping for.
Violet was obsessed with everything wedding. And although I’ve come to realize that many people could connect to this very defining aspect of her, sadly I could not. She was sweet and kind of funny but had ginormous daddy issues, as well as low self-esteem stemming from her family dynamics and the asshole loser she had been with for the last decade. I did love how she, very slowly, came to realize some stuff about her life and opened herself up to seeing things in a new light.
Ford was the epitome of hunky firefighter with a slight savior complex. Being part of an S&R troop, as well as a K-9 S&R trainer and EMT just gave him more tools to act on that. Once we get a bit of backstory into his childhood, we understand why he is the way he is and where all his trust issues come from. Unfortunately, his hot and cold (dare I say cowardly) approach to being with Violet drove me absolutely bonkers.
There were some serious family issues for both of them that needed resolving, and I’m not completely sure I liked how it was handled on Violet’s case. But hey, I’m all for forgiving and starting fresh… I just would have liked to see some slapping of the stepmother, that’s all I’m saying.
Violet and Ford shared a powerful attraction but were set on fighting it, each for their own reasons. I loved how they were together once they both pulled their walls down but was put off when they built those walls back up. It was so annoying!!! Fortunately, there was a gaggle of active puppies, great friends, sassy banter and one adorable baby niece to even things out.
While Always a Bridesmaid didn’t blow me away, I loved some parts and really enjoyed reading it.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
July 6, 2022
El libro me gustó, fue una bonita historia, Ford y Violet son perfectos el uno para el otro, con sus miedos. Pero el que sin duda se robo mi corazón fue Torbellino, estoy in Love con ese perro, ese pequeñín se robo mi corazón.
May 25, 2020
What an adorably sweet romance! This one is light and playful throughout, with great chemistry and a touch of steam. It's got a nice small town feel and characters you can root for, pairing a woman who has been planning her wedding for years with a guy who can't picture himself ever having one. There's little to no angst and not a whole lot of drama, making it a fun and easy read.
The story follows Violet, a woman who spent 10 years with the wrong guy. He kept leading her to believe that they'd eventually get married, but that all came to an end when she caught him cheating. When she heads to a small town to spend time with her sister, she meets firefighter Ford in the most unexpected way. He doesn't have the best history with relationships, so he's sworn off commitments. But there's instant attraction between the two, and neither one can resist the pull between them.
I loved the charming feel of this - if you're looking for something fun and sweet, this is definitely the book for you. It was perhaps a little too predictable for me with a rushed ending (and I much prefer a first-person writing style), but it's a cute, enjoyable read. Ford may be commitment-phobic, but it's easy to see that he's a great guy, and I loved the chemistry between the two. There's plenty of dialogue and playfulness to keep the pages turning. It's probably not the kind of book I would read every day, but when in the mood for something light and heartwarming, it certainly satisfies. I received an ARC via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this sweet romance.
The story follows Violet, a woman who spent 10 years with the wrong guy. He kept leading her to believe that they'd eventually get married, but that all came to an end when she caught him cheating. When she heads to a small town to spend time with her sister, she meets firefighter Ford in the most unexpected way. He doesn't have the best history with relationships, so he's sworn off commitments. But there's instant attraction between the two, and neither one can resist the pull between them.
I loved the charming feel of this - if you're looking for something fun and sweet, this is definitely the book for you. It was perhaps a little too predictable for me with a rushed ending (and I much prefer a first-person writing style), but it's a cute, enjoyable read. Ford may be commitment-phobic, but it's easy to see that he's a great guy, and I loved the chemistry between the two. There's plenty of dialogue and playfulness to keep the pages turning. It's probably not the kind of book I would read every day, but when in the mood for something light and heartwarming, it certainly satisfies. I received an ARC via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this sweet romance.
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June 13, 2022****** On Sale during June! 99¢ only! ***********
"Full of fun, heat and cuteness. So basically, all the feels." -Pauline E., Goodreads
"A wonderful, cosy read. Full of laughter, old friends and crazy situations. Loved every minute! Five out of five stars from me and hopefully Easton will get his story too." -Next Book Around the Corner
"Madsen's characters are down to Earth and very real and relatable, easy to fall in love with. I LOVED this book and can't wait for the next one." -Sarah O., NetGalley
"Oh my! Always a Bridesmaid pushed all the buttons! This journey is full of joy, fun & emotional pitfalls. I really enjoyed this story and can't wait for Easton's!" -Pam D., Goodreads
"If you're looking for a sweet and sexy, small town romance, check out this series." -Tracey W., Goodreads
"Lovely, delightful, adorable. Cannot wait for the next one!" -Kristen W., NetGalley
"Sweet, entertaining and engrossing." -Anna G., Goodreads
"If you're looking for a light-hearted, quick romantic read this summer, I highly recommend Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen." -Amy M. Productions
"A charming town, charming characters, and a charming romantic read." -Amanda H., NetGalley
"Ford was the hero that dreams are made of and his adorable litter of puppies just made him that much more lovable! This was a fun, light read and I highly recommend it!" -Pinkcowland Reads
"Full of fun, heat and cuteness. So basically, all the feels." -Pauline E., Goodreads
"A wonderful, cosy read. Full of laughter, old friends and crazy situations. Loved every minute! Five out of five stars from me and hopefully Easton will get his story too." -Next Book Around the Corner
"Madsen's characters are down to Earth and very real and relatable, easy to fall in love with. I LOVED this book and can't wait for the next one." -Sarah O., NetGalley
"Oh my! Always a Bridesmaid pushed all the buttons! This journey is full of joy, fun & emotional pitfalls. I really enjoyed this story and can't wait for Easton's!" -Pam D., Goodreads
"If you're looking for a sweet and sexy, small town romance, check out this series." -Tracey W., Goodreads
"Lovely, delightful, adorable. Cannot wait for the next one!" -Kristen W., NetGalley
"Sweet, entertaining and engrossing." -Anna G., Goodreads
"If you're looking for a light-hearted, quick romantic read this summer, I highly recommend Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen." -Amy M. Productions
"A charming town, charming characters, and a charming romantic read." -Amanda H., NetGalley
"Ford was the hero that dreams are made of and his adorable litter of puppies just made him that much more lovable! This was a fun, light read and I highly recommend it!" -Pinkcowland Reads
April 13, 2020
I loved this book! It's both funny and sweet, with some poignant moments. The funny parts made me laugh out loud and fall in love with the characters. Both Violet and Ford are somewhat damaged and have a fragile sense of self, however, when the meet, they can't seem to stay apart. What follows is delightful - the kind of book that just makes you smile. I was totally invested in their story and wanted them to get a HEA ending. Put this one on your must read list.
September 9, 2022
Este libro me ha hecho reír demasiado, es fresco, divertido y romántico. Amé a todos los personajes y espero poder seguir leyendo a esta autora. Me gustaría casarme otra vez para robar algunos detalles del libro.
May 26, 2020
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I received a free copy through the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4.5 stars — The banter and playfulness between Violet and Ford was BAR NONE my favourite part of this book. It just delighted me the witty rejoinders they would come up with. I laughed out loud at a few of them. They both had stellar senses of humour.
I felt for the number that Violet’s ex had done on her self esteem — and not just on her appearance, but on her quirks too. I loved the way her ADHD was portrayed, because lately I’ve come to believe that perhaps I suffer in a very similar way. I always thought there was just something wrong with me, and like Violet I felt HORRIBLE when my mind would wander and I couldn’t stop it. Basically I related to her a LOT. I loved that she really put herself out there with Ford — she was wary and scared, but she didn’t let that stop her from a potential for something good. That was really refreshing.
The funny thing is, often it’s the heroine’s hang ups that get in the way of the couple, and it totally could have gone that way with these two. But it was Ford who couldn’t get out of his own head and messed things up. I was a bit bummed with how long it took him to figure things out, and that he didn’t go to his friends about his problems. I sort of got it from his childhood perspective, but it just bummed me out a bit, you know? I guess I just didn’t feel his hang ups as much as I probably should have I think. Not sure if that makes sense. It felt like his problems with his dad and brothers were more told than shown. I needed something more to really connect with him on that, and not just be annoyed with him. Despite all that, Ford was ridiculously adorable. He was funny, caring, a great friend, and very motivated to help others.
Obviously I loved the two of them together, when they were really together and not worrying. They had great chemistry, from friendship to more.
I loved learning about Violet’s past, and seeing how she and Maisy were developing a relationship. I loved that side story. I always love the group of friends that Ford has, and I loved seeing Violet welcomed into that. The wedding stuff was hilarious at times, and provided a lot of opportunities for fun and hijinks. And I LOVED the puppy training, particularly Violet’s love affair with Trouble.
So yeah. It was definitely what I was needing to read — something with both lightness and depth, something to make me feel good.
I received a free copy through the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4.5 stars — The banter and playfulness between Violet and Ford was BAR NONE my favourite part of this book. It just delighted me the witty rejoinders they would come up with. I laughed out loud at a few of them. They both had stellar senses of humour.
I felt for the number that Violet’s ex had done on her self esteem — and not just on her appearance, but on her quirks too. I loved the way her ADHD was portrayed, because lately I’ve come to believe that perhaps I suffer in a very similar way. I always thought there was just something wrong with me, and like Violet I felt HORRIBLE when my mind would wander and I couldn’t stop it. Basically I related to her a LOT. I loved that she really put herself out there with Ford — she was wary and scared, but she didn’t let that stop her from a potential for something good. That was really refreshing.
The funny thing is, often it’s the heroine’s hang ups that get in the way of the couple, and it totally could have gone that way with these two. But it was Ford who couldn’t get out of his own head and messed things up. I was a bit bummed with how long it took him to figure things out, and that he didn’t go to his friends about his problems. I sort of got it from his childhood perspective, but it just bummed me out a bit, you know? I guess I just didn’t feel his hang ups as much as I probably should have I think. Not sure if that makes sense. It felt like his problems with his dad and brothers were more told than shown. I needed something more to really connect with him on that, and not just be annoyed with him. Despite all that, Ford was ridiculously adorable. He was funny, caring, a great friend, and very motivated to help others.
Obviously I loved the two of them together, when they were really together and not worrying. They had great chemistry, from friendship to more.
I loved learning about Violet’s past, and seeing how she and Maisy were developing a relationship. I loved that side story. I always love the group of friends that Ford has, and I loved seeing Violet welcomed into that. The wedding stuff was hilarious at times, and provided a lot of opportunities for fun and hijinks. And I LOVED the puppy training, particularly Violet’s love affair with Trouble.
So yeah. It was definitely what I was needing to read — something with both lightness and depth, something to make me feel good.
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