Michael Dickinson was honored to be best man at his friend Paul's wedding, even with Tris Donlin being a bridesmaid. He'd wanted Tris for as long as he'd known her. But now, finally, he planned to get her out of his system once and for all.
Her cousin Paul's wedding party had Tris's head and heart full of memories of college days with him, Michael and their friend Grady. Grady was her college crush and Michael was her buddy. Now that they'd all grown up, how would things change?
While Michael was busy trying to forget, Tris was discovering her heart had grown up, too. She might have found the best man for her . . . if only she can convince him.
The Wedding Series Book 1, Prelude to a Wedding Book 2, Wedding Party Book 3, Grady's Wedding
USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s novels—cited by reviewers for warmth, wit and vivid characterization – have won numerous regional and national awards and been on national bestseller lists.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
Friends-to-lovers can be a tricky beast to handle, but here it's accomplished with real thought and grace. Michael always loved Tris but was always careful to hide it; Tris never thought of Michael that way (or considered he might think of her that way) because she was infatuated with someone else.
But when they're reunited twelve years after college by a mutual friend's wedding, everything comes boiling back up to the surface, and sparks fly between them. Their chemistry was convincing, though I did get tired by the end of Michael's stubborn determination to keep misunderstanding everything Tris did. One of his clear flaws is resistance to change, though, so I guess he can be forgiven for that.
I enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to how the third book is going to convince charming-but-clueless Grady to fall in love.
This was a slow-starter for me. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to finish it, but I was pleasantly surprised. If you stick with it, it gets much better as you learn more about Michael and Tris and start to see their relationship evolve.
Although, the miscommunication between them got frustrating by the end, like what are you, 16? Then again, it meant a lot of drama and back and to which definitely added to the plot.
Also, one thing I particularly liked was the way the female lead was the confident, more forward character who went out to get what she wanted, as opposed to the male, which I don't think you see enough of in romance books. It was a nice dynamic.
Overall, I really started to get hooked by their story and realised I enjoyed the book a lot more than I thought I was going to.
Weddings bring the best and worst things to life, like a secret crush. Michael has always loved Tris. Growing up Tris had a crush on Grady, the other bff of her cousin Paul. Well Tris has grown up and knows Grady is not for her. Michael has all the qualities she is looking for.
Michael has crushed on Tris since the old days. He struggles with trust as his parents have had one failure after another. I liked this story better than book one as it deals more with the pains of love.
Can Tris convince Michael that they are not his parents? Can buddies actually become lovers? Find out inside as I dive into book 3 to round out this trilogy~
3 stars I purchased the three book collection The Wedding Series by Patricia McLinn and Wedding Party was book two.This review was given freely. This full length novel features one of Paul's best friends, Michael ,the chief aide-de-camp for long-shot United States Senate candidate Joan Bradon, and his unrequited love for Paul's cousin Tris. Tris had a college crush on Paul's other best friend, Grady. They all spend a week together at Paul's parent's house the week prior to Paul and Bette's wedding. Humor, dred, anticipation, surprise, and longing are just a few of the emotions you will experience. Could use a little editing.
I enjoyed this story of long time friends, Matthew and Tris whose relationship starts evolving into something deeper than just friends. Matthew is racked with insecurity as to whether Tris really has it in her for them to have a long term love relationship; this was as a result of his divorced parents's influence in his past. I actually got a bit annoyed with Matthew during some parts of this story but fortunately he managed to pull himself together and the story did end in a HEA. There are some amusing secondary characters which did add to the tale. An enjoyable read.
Book two of the Wedding series by Patricia McLinn features Michael and Tris. Characters from book #1 are included. Plot: high school girl has crush on male cousin's college friend. Another friend of the cousin really likes high school female, but becomes confident over the years. Etc. The plot isn't a new idea, but I enjoyed the characters and their confusion and recognition of love .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I haven't checked the publication date but I think this is an early book by PM. If I hadn't previously read her later works this would have a five * but boy oh boy the potential is clear to see. Write what you know and she does. It's always interesting to 'see' what lens people view life through. A thoroughly enjoyable, feel good book.
A 'revelation' or merely an 'abberation' after reading this book its themes balence with simple yet welling an enduring flame. Loved the written contrast of romantic play words so enjoyable from beginning to graceful ending. Thanks to @bookbub for the recommendation forever enjoying another romance novel this author is great.
Tris and Michael are a real treat to watch trying to sort out what they both know exists and needs to be addressed. Meeting the side characters has been fun as well. Great story to live through. I've already started reading the next part of the story from the series.
Such a sweetly intense yet frustrating romance between two old friends who both have histories to reconcile before they can reach HEA. Beautifully constructed story with compelling characters.
This book is 1 of a series. The main characters reunite for a friends/family wedding. Michael has always had feelings for Tris but she is just discovering herself and her feelings. There are trust issues that go both ways. It’s a typical story with a HEA.
This is the second of the three-book series I downloaded as a bundle. The series features the same characters in all three books with a different couple featured in each one. McLinn is a skilled writer of romance. Stories are predictable, of course, but still engaging.
This is a slow burn friends-to-lovers romance with an awesome gang of old college friends included in the mix. Tris and Michael encounter plenty of complications, but the road to a happy ending is always the fun part!
I enjoyed this about old friends, who gather for a wedding. Old crushes are remembered and new relationship emerge. I liked the characters and wanted Michael and Trish to sort themselves out. This is a light, fun read.
This book was so good! I had to stop reading to work on other things but I kept thinking about where I left off!!! I hurried to get back to this book and I'm a little sad that it's finished. I will definitely follow this author in the future.
Love the premise. Would love it more if these people were actually realistic and had a backbone (Michael). Hope book three is better. I've come this far, I may as well finish it.
Sure it was a bit slow paced and there was a whole lot of introspection but it was done well. The characters were well rounded and their issues were real and meaningful.
I enjoyed this story, but book one was a little better. The drama between these two characters was a little to obvious and a time or two I wanted to knock their heads together and tell them to use their feeling words. On to book three, I have high hopes for Grady.
A sweet story of two friends who have their friendship grow into more - but how you need to realize that growth and change can be good. It was the first of this Wedding Series I read. Now I will have to read the other books in this series. Very enjoyable cast of characters.
I enjoyed the story of Michael and Tish and how one story went from the other without hesitation. You could read this one by itself, but it's better following Paul & Bette story.