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Abby Porter tem o emprego dos sonhos e o noivo perfeito. Mas quando se vê sobrecarregada com os preparativos do casamento, seu noivo contrata Jordan Cohen, uma dama de honra profissional para ajudá-la.
E é aí que seu mundo vira de pernas para o ar.
A relação entre ela e Jordan começa a mudar... o que deveria ser amizade, se torna algo mais. Agora, Abby vai ter que decidir se está realmente pronta para dizer sim.
Com personagens cativantes e carismáticos, e uma história doce e divertida sobre amor e escolhas, a autora bestseller Clare Lydon conquistou leitores no mundo todo.
E é aí que seu mundo vira de pernas para o ar.
A relação entre ela e Jordan começa a mudar... o que deveria ser amizade, se torna algo mais. Agora, Abby vai ter que decidir se está realmente pronta para dizer sim.
Com personagens cativantes e carismáticos, e uma história doce e divertida sobre amor e escolhas, a autora bestseller Clare Lydon conquistou leitores no mundo todo.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2020
562 people are currently reading
8837 people want to read
About the author
Clare Lydon
43 books1,579 followersClare Lydon is a London-based writer of contemporary lesbian romance. She's a No.1 best-seller on lesbian fiction charts around the globe with five full-length novels to her name, as well as writing the All I Want series, set to continue throughout 2016. If you love romantic comedies, prepare to fall head over heels in love.
If you like books shot through with witty dialogue, 3D characters and sharp observations of modern lesbian life, why not give Clare's books a try?
More at: www.clarelydon.co.uk
Get a copy of my free Christmas novella 'It Had To Be You' by signing up to my mailing list here:
www.clarelydon.co.uk/it-had-to-be-you
If you like books shot through with witty dialogue, 3D characters and sharp observations of modern lesbian life, why not give Clare's books a try?
More at: www.clarelydon.co.uk
Get a copy of my free Christmas novella 'It Had To Be You' by signing up to my mailing list here:
www.clarelydon.co.uk/it-had-to-be-you
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March 28, 2020hello if my fbi agent is reading this pls buy me this book i know you have the money jonathan
April 19, 2020
I liked the premise, but I didn't really get the chemistry that supposedly got them together. I found their interaction over sexualized and not much to go on as a romance. There's just something missing, and I had a 'meh' feel trying to finish this. It reminds me of irrational infatuation. Maybe I'll give it another read and change my mind on rating, I don't usually rate 3 or less unless it's left me uneasy or bored. Perhaps I just had too high of an expectation for the plot.
March 14, 2020
Jordan Cohen is a professional bridesmaid with vast experience in helping stressed brides through their wedding preparations. Abby Porter is weeks away from marrying her fiancé and in dire need of support. But when Jordan and Abby meet and feel an undeniable attraction for each other, they will have to decide whether following the well-ironed wedding plans is what they really want…
Clare Lydon is one of my favourite lesfic authors. I like the combination of her British sense of humour, amazing characters chemistry, and happy romances. Her books guarantee you to laugh, be entertained and feel good throughout. She is one of the most consistent lesfic authors out there and she always delivers. ‘Before You Say I Do’ is no exception as it kept me turning pages until the end and then hoping it wouldn’t finish.
The trope of a bride-to-be getting cold feet and falling for someone else isn’t exactly original but I absolutely loved Ms. Lydon’s spin into it in the form of a ‘professional bridesmaid’ character. I have to admit that I’ve never heard of them before and I would have thought that there wasn’t such a profession until I googled it. Not only they exist but there seems to be a big demand for them. I know, crazy world…
The book is written from the point of view of the main characters and both are very well-written and likable. Even though I’m not particularly interested in weddings, I have to admit that the insight into the life of a ‘professional bridesmaid’ was fascinating and how it tells a lot about human psychology. Jordan seems a mix between a life coach and a wedding planner, constant support and organiser for the bride-to-be. She’s a well-rounded character and for me, she steals the show.
As Jordan and Abby get to know each other, their sizzling chemistry jumps off the page. Ms. Lydon is really good at creating tension until it finally and inevitably snaps. And what a way to go. This build-up was my favourite part of the story and got me hooked. I admit that I wasn’t too fussed about the ending as, in my opinion, there is a bit of insta-love involved though it is a matter of personal taste. Despite this, the book is undoubtedly very well written and absolutely enjoyable.
Overall, a very entertaining lesbian romance novel with great characters. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Clare Lydon is one of my favourite lesfic authors. I like the combination of her British sense of humour, amazing characters chemistry, and happy romances. Her books guarantee you to laugh, be entertained and feel good throughout. She is one of the most consistent lesfic authors out there and she always delivers. ‘Before You Say I Do’ is no exception as it kept me turning pages until the end and then hoping it wouldn’t finish.
The trope of a bride-to-be getting cold feet and falling for someone else isn’t exactly original but I absolutely loved Ms. Lydon’s spin into it in the form of a ‘professional bridesmaid’ character. I have to admit that I’ve never heard of them before and I would have thought that there wasn’t such a profession until I googled it. Not only they exist but there seems to be a big demand for them. I know, crazy world…
The book is written from the point of view of the main characters and both are very well-written and likable. Even though I’m not particularly interested in weddings, I have to admit that the insight into the life of a ‘professional bridesmaid’ was fascinating and how it tells a lot about human psychology. Jordan seems a mix between a life coach and a wedding planner, constant support and organiser for the bride-to-be. She’s a well-rounded character and for me, she steals the show.
As Jordan and Abby get to know each other, their sizzling chemistry jumps off the page. Ms. Lydon is really good at creating tension until it finally and inevitably snaps. And what a way to go. This build-up was my favourite part of the story and got me hooked. I admit that I wasn’t too fussed about the ending as, in my opinion, there is a bit of insta-love involved though it is a matter of personal taste. Despite this, the book is undoubtedly very well written and absolutely enjoyable.
Overall, a very entertaining lesbian romance novel with great characters. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2020
I really, really wanted to like this book. The premise sounded so good, but unfortunately it missed the mark. I don't know how I ended up reading a lesbian romance and the only character I liked was the man, but here we are.
This book was meant to be a romantic comedy, but honestly, it was just super sad. Abbey had so much internalised homophobia that was just never really addressed or dealt with, and it cast a really uncomfortable atmosphere over the whole book. I also found it hard to believe that Abbey, who says she is such a strong feminist, is forcing herself to marry a man for no reason other than society dictating that is the norm? I really don't like it when authors tell me one thing about a character, but then all their actions say something entirely different, and I'm never provided with an adequate reason as to why they're acting this way. Also, if I had to hear one more time how Abbey wasn't like other brides, I was going to throw the book against the wall. We get it, okay?
Jordan wasn't any better than Abbey - she was super one-dimensional, and I don't understand why everyone, particularly the Mums, were instantly randomly smitten with her when she hadn't done anything special? Also, why did everyone make such a big deal out of her name? It's mentioned a tonne of times how weird her name was, but I know a lot of Jordan's and it really doesn't seem like a super uncommon name?
The romance just didn't do it for me - I didn't believe the chemistry between the characters, it felt very insta-love and just wasn't believable. Honestly, it felt forced, and it made use of every romance trope possible (and not in a good way) - one character being scared of planes and the other holding their hand to comfort them, helping to zip up the others dress, putting sunscreen on their back, accidentally falling on top of one another, and a LITERAL Titanic moment. It was all just a bit much. I love a cheesy trope just as much (probably more) than the next gal, but it has to be written well, and unfortunately in this case, they weren't. Instead of angsty pining, I really felt like the characters just had no self control, and this is a harmful stereotype that I do not enjoy seeing in wlw books.
I also really didn't like the way Abbey and Jordan handled the situation or dealt with Marcus, at best they were selfish and at worst they were downright cruel. Abbey complains about Marcus not understanding her, but expects him to know everything without actually communicating with him. And then, I felt the way Marcus was treated was especially problematic, as there's a lot of stereotypes around cheating when it comes to wlw relationships, so I didn't like seeing it perpetuated in a wlw romance.
Both POV's felt exactly the same, there was no difference in the two character's voices, which made it really difficult to distinguish what was happening at times. The story overall felt a bit detached, I had absolutely no connection to the characters or the plot, it had a weird tone and was just quite flat. I feel like the author fell into the trap of telling me things rather than showing me them a lot, and both the characters and the plot were one dimensional.
The premise of this book had such promise, but it ended up falling flat.
This book was meant to be a romantic comedy, but honestly, it was just super sad. Abbey had so much internalised homophobia that was just never really addressed or dealt with, and it cast a really uncomfortable atmosphere over the whole book. I also found it hard to believe that Abbey, who says she is such a strong feminist, is forcing herself to marry a man for no reason other than society dictating that is the norm? I really don't like it when authors tell me one thing about a character, but then all their actions say something entirely different, and I'm never provided with an adequate reason as to why they're acting this way. Also, if I had to hear one more time how Abbey wasn't like other brides, I was going to throw the book against the wall. We get it, okay?
Jordan wasn't any better than Abbey - she was super one-dimensional, and I don't understand why everyone, particularly the Mums, were instantly randomly smitten with her when she hadn't done anything special? Also, why did everyone make such a big deal out of her name? It's mentioned a tonne of times how weird her name was, but I know a lot of Jordan's and it really doesn't seem like a super uncommon name?
The romance just didn't do it for me - I didn't believe the chemistry between the characters, it felt very insta-love and just wasn't believable. Honestly, it felt forced, and it made use of every romance trope possible (and not in a good way) - one character being scared of planes and the other holding their hand to comfort them, helping to zip up the others dress, putting sunscreen on their back, accidentally falling on top of one another, and a LITERAL Titanic moment. It was all just a bit much. I love a cheesy trope just as much (probably more) than the next gal, but it has to be written well, and unfortunately in this case, they weren't. Instead of angsty pining, I really felt like the characters just had no self control, and this is a harmful stereotype that I do not enjoy seeing in wlw books.
I also really didn't like the way Abbey and Jordan handled the situation or dealt with Marcus, at best they were selfish and at worst they were downright cruel. Abbey complains about Marcus not understanding her, but expects him to know everything without actually communicating with him. And then, I felt the way Marcus was treated was especially problematic, as there's a lot of stereotypes around cheating when it comes to wlw relationships, so I didn't like seeing it perpetuated in a wlw romance.
Both POV's felt exactly the same, there was no difference in the two character's voices, which made it really difficult to distinguish what was happening at times. The story overall felt a bit detached, I had absolutely no connection to the characters or the plot, it had a weird tone and was just quite flat. I feel like the author fell into the trap of telling me things rather than showing me them a lot, and both the characters and the plot were one dimensional.
The premise of this book had such promise, but it ended up falling flat.
dnf
May 24, 2020dnf @ 19%
the shameless fatphobia in this book is fucking disgusting. bye!
the shameless fatphobia in this book is fucking disgusting. bye!
December 6, 2020
My heart stirred at all the right moments.
Jordan did not expect to fall for the bride when Marcus hired her to be a professional bridesmaid for his wedding. After all, she has a stellar reputation having worked through 27 weddings before this. But she does, and Abby feels the same way about her. Abby now has to choose between the rich and nice husband and the bridesmaid that takes her breath away.
Falling for your bridesmaid is such a cliché. But Clare Lydon turned a story that could have potentially been a disaster into something beautiful. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself liking this book this much. The author made it easy for readers to fall in love with the main characters. Jordan, being a solid character in the book, is my favourite, because of how dependable and perfect she was and how well she understood Abby. Abby felt a little bit like an ice queen at the beginning, but she was so lovable throughout the book, especially when she started noticing Jordan a little more and caught herself doing so every time.
But don’t be misled by the book cover, this isn’t just a light-hearted romance book. Feelings do start to get serious and I must say the author delivered it beautifully causing my heart to stir at all the right moments.
Warning: Brides shouldn’t read this before your wedding day!
Jordan did not expect to fall for the bride when Marcus hired her to be a professional bridesmaid for his wedding. After all, she has a stellar reputation having worked through 27 weddings before this. But she does, and Abby feels the same way about her. Abby now has to choose between the rich and nice husband and the bridesmaid that takes her breath away.
Falling for your bridesmaid is such a cliché. But Clare Lydon turned a story that could have potentially been a disaster into something beautiful. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself liking this book this much. The author made it easy for readers to fall in love with the main characters. Jordan, being a solid character in the book, is my favourite, because of how dependable and perfect she was and how well she understood Abby. Abby felt a little bit like an ice queen at the beginning, but she was so lovable throughout the book, especially when she started noticing Jordan a little more and caught herself doing so every time.
But don’t be misled by the book cover, this isn’t just a light-hearted romance book. Feelings do start to get serious and I must say the author delivered it beautifully causing my heart to stir at all the right moments.
Warning: Brides shouldn’t read this before your wedding day!
February 3, 2021
I enjoyed most of this story. I mean, you know from the setup that there's going to be some tough choices and those are going to skirt some things that I really dislike in romances. Cheating and sex with people not the other protagonist leap to mind (while those are often linked, they aren't always). But I loved the cover and another story by the author worked for me so I went for it.
I was reassured at the start because there's obviously something wrong with Abby and Marcus. They aren't living together and Abby comments on the "long dry spell" sex-wise and that's all kinds of red flags in a modern contemporary relationship. I was half expecting Marcus to turn out gay at some point, he was just so fully uninterested in intimacy. Indeed, if there's a contrivance or machination in the story, it's Marcus. I just couldn't get a read on that guy. He says the right things and he's loving and kind and I couldn't tell why Abby gave way on so many things that mattered to her because he doesn't seem the type who'd simply override or ignore her.
So reassured, I was able to engage with Abby and Jordan. And their relationship was so sweet and had all the yearnings and awakening awareness that you could want in a romance. They were so good for each other that I couldn't wait for them to realize it and start establishing a foundation to build on.
Which is where the hard part came. Abby is supposedly a high-powered project manager and used to getting things done. But she goes into this completely irrational fugue once she realizes that she has feelings for Jordan. And it doesn't help that she never does get to why she's still planning to go through with a marriage that is a fair way to becoming miserable for her. Inertia? Comfort? Friendship? Doesn't want to disappoint Marcus? The thing is, all the possible reasons are stupid. Which is probably why Lydon didn't bother having her elucidate them and just went with the frustrating "I can't". I hate it when dark moments are combined with stupid ones. And I particularly hate that Abby dithered . It felt unnecessary and like the author was manipulating things to go for maximum drama. Which is beneath an author this talented, so that made me sad.
So I'm going to go with three stars. It was such a strong first half and I'm really sad that it tanked so badly in the second. And it doesn't help that Abby's best friend was such a viper. I hated everything to do with Delta and kind of wanted Jordan to bump her off the yacht during the hen weekend...
A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes putting this just barely into the middle of my steam tolerance. I was frankly unhappy with the first as it comes while Abby is still engaged with Marcus so it's cheating and I dislike that. Frankly, planning on going through with the wedding at that point is doing nobody favors and says some pretty bad things about Abby.
I was reassured at the start because there's obviously something wrong with Abby and Marcus. They aren't living together and Abby comments on the "long dry spell" sex-wise and that's all kinds of red flags in a modern contemporary relationship. I was half expecting Marcus to turn out gay at some point, he was just so fully uninterested in intimacy. Indeed, if there's a contrivance or machination in the story, it's Marcus. I just couldn't get a read on that guy. He says the right things and he's loving and kind and I couldn't tell why Abby gave way on so many things that mattered to her because he doesn't seem the type who'd simply override or ignore her.
So reassured, I was able to engage with Abby and Jordan. And their relationship was so sweet and had all the yearnings and awakening awareness that you could want in a romance. They were so good for each other that I couldn't wait for them to realize it and start establishing a foundation to build on.
Which is where the hard part came. Abby is supposedly a high-powered project manager and used to getting things done. But she goes into this completely irrational fugue once she realizes that she has feelings for Jordan. And it doesn't help that she never does get to why she's still planning to go through with a marriage that is a fair way to becoming miserable for her. Inertia? Comfort? Friendship? Doesn't want to disappoint Marcus? The thing is, all the possible reasons are stupid. Which is probably why Lydon didn't bother having her elucidate them and just went with the frustrating "I can't". I hate it when dark moments are combined with stupid ones. And I particularly hate that Abby dithered . It felt unnecessary and like the author was manipulating things to go for maximum drama. Which is beneath an author this talented, so that made me sad.
So I'm going to go with three stars. It was such a strong first half and I'm really sad that it tanked so badly in the second. And it doesn't help that Abby's best friend was such a viper. I hated everything to do with Delta and kind of wanted Jordan to bump her off the yacht during the hen weekend...
A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes putting this just barely into the middle of my steam tolerance. I was frankly unhappy with the first as it comes while Abby is still engaged with Marcus so it's cheating and I dislike that. Frankly, planning on going through with the wedding at that point is doing nobody favors and says some pretty bad things about Abby.
June 25, 2020
I was really, really, really wanting to like this. HOWEVER, the first 85% read like a straight romcom with a lesbian pasted over one of leads. It was...incredibly heteronormative. I was distressed with the last wlw book I read where the leads made snide comments about food. This book was TERRIBLE when it came to food. It's absolutely awful for anyone who has disordered eating. There were lines about sinful crumpets and their flat stomachs. Both leads were twigs. When can we have a book about a chubby queer woman? And I'm not being dramatic, the 50 year old mother had ABS. PLEASE.
Queer people get enough hate out in the world as it is without a book telling us that we need to hate our bodies too. Like, Jordan even mentioned she'd done modeling in the past. This is a pass from me.
Also, the plane bathroom? Gross.
In the end, I just kinda felt bad for Marcus.
Queer people get enough hate out in the world as it is without a book telling us that we need to hate our bodies too. Like, Jordan even mentioned she'd done modeling in the past. This is a pass from me.
Also, the plane bathroom? Gross.
In the end, I just kinda felt bad for Marcus.
May 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Believable story with real characters that did not overdue the drama and drag it out too long as so often happens in romance books.
Jordan is a wedding planner, Abby is getting married to Marcus, who hires Jordan to take all the stress away from his fiance. Things don't go to plan, but the journey is fun and well done.
Jordan is a wedding planner, Abby is getting married to Marcus, who hires Jordan to take all the stress away from his fiance. Things don't go to plan, but the journey is fun and well done.
April 7, 2020
Oh wow!! I totally enjoyed and loved the story!! Nothing new with the plot but story was just so well written, the flow is just right. MCs Abby and Jordon were just gorgeous, hot and sexy (at least in my mind they were 🙂) and I just loved their chemistry and interaction; that ‘will she or will she not’ moment, that stolen glances and that high mile club scene had me go hmmm with my eyebrow raised.... (don’t dwell too much on moral ground when reading it though)
Takeaway song from the book: Drops of Jupiter.... added to my playlist now 🎶
Takeaway song from the book: Drops of Jupiter.... added to my playlist now 🎶
September 12, 2021
Uma história bem divertida para distrair e que segue exatamente o roteiro que imaginamos que seguiria. Boa para distrair, mas não era exatamente o que gostaria de ler no momento. Mas recomendaria sem medos para quem procura um clichê sáfico para limpar a mente.
Gostei bastante do livro, mas acho que não estou no momento para certos clichês. Tenho pensado muito, aliás, sobre como trazemos alguns clichês heteronormativos para narrativas LGBTQIA+ e se é isso que eu quero enquanto leitora. Minha resposta no momento é "não", porque existimos de formas distintas - e não precisamos caber em narrativas que não foram pensadas pra gente. Essa não é uma crítica ao livro - que é bem divertido -, mas ao contexto geral que faz com que a gente tente se enxergar naquilo que é padronizado.
Gostei bastante do livro, mas acho que não estou no momento para certos clichês. Tenho pensado muito, aliás, sobre como trazemos alguns clichês heteronormativos para narrativas LGBTQIA+ e se é isso que eu quero enquanto leitora. Minha resposta no momento é "não", porque existimos de formas distintas - e não precisamos caber em narrativas que não foram pensadas pra gente. Essa não é uma crítica ao livro - que é bem divertido -, mas ao contexto geral que faz com que a gente tente se enxergar naquilo que é padronizado.
September 15, 2020
I've been fretting and preoccupied by the fires on the west coast, including the entire mountain I grew up on being evacuated. So I reached for a happily ever after story about a bride who might be falling for her professional bridesmaid.
June 12, 2020
Bem, primeiro eu tenho que deixar claro como os personagens são completamente superficiais, não tem profundidade nenhuma e em decorrência nenhuma naturalidade nas ações e pensamentos deles.
A autora me irritou demais em alguns pontos. Logo no começo a gente tem o alívio de Abby ao ver Jordan e a aparência física dela, a autora literalmente descreve Jordan como loira, magra de olhos claros e logo depois Abby diz que "ninguém nunca duvidaria que eram amigas, Jordan se encaixa perfeitamente"
ou quantas vezes ela quer deixar claro que as duas são magras, tantos "colocou a mão na barriga inexistente" "olhei para seu estômago plano" e porcarias como essa.
Abby toma muito foco na narrativa, ela é a noiva, ela é a que até o momento não se atraia por mulheres etc. Ela é teoricamente uma "mulher do século 21" executiva, dona de si mesma, ambiciosa, mas na escrita nada disso fica bom. É dito que ela quer casar e ter filhos, mas fica repetitivo o quanto a decisão dela foi influenciada por pressão (mas de quem? se ela não tem amigos além da bff, não mostra nenhuma outra relação dela aqui) daí ela tem um grande sonho mas também é vazio, até ela citar isso não aparece nos pensamentos dela, o trabalho até ser relevante pra criar mais drama também não faz parte da narrativa.
Marcus. A autora tentou criar duas situações com ele e falhou em ambas: Primeiro ele ser o marido perfeito: bonito, rico, atencioso bla bla, e não ser o marido perfeito: que é filhinho da mamãe, que não respeita o espaço da Abby (achando que sabe o que ela quer em determinadas decisões etc) o de não mostrar desejo por Abby e por isso a vida sexual deles estar estagnada. Mas não funciona nenhuma, Marcus sequer aparece no livro, a sinopse faz parecer que vai ser difícil para Abby decidir, mas não é. Ele só aparece pra ser completamente alheio e falar umas frases gentis e só.
É chato os personagens caricatos aqui, a melhor amiga da Abby fica o livro inteiro dando a entender que Marcus é gay, sendo ela lésbica e ficar jogando estereótipo pra lá e pra cá??? Ela mesmo fica nesse quadrado, de lésbica durona que é enganada por mulheres etc. A melhor amiga de Jordan que fica sendo superficial o tempo inteiro, tudo é sobre sexo, ser magra e só.
Me incomodou também como o dinheiro foi abordado aqui, como qualquer pessoa que tivesse trabalhando em algum local era "staff" ou como Abby mesmo teoricamente sendo de origem simples transforma até a discussão com Jordan em pagamento.
O romance é uma porcaria também, como eu já disse, os personagens são rasos demais. Então, não é surpresa que o leitor não entenda de onde veio esse amor todo. Elas têm algumas conversas, as etapas do casamento são poucas então não tem realmente elas se apaixonando. Senti como se tudo tivesse acontecido em dois dias e aí pro final a autora esticou pra ficar clichê de ser no dia do casamento.
Enfim. Não gostei. É raso, chato, vazio, caricato, e com um tempero de gordofobia para ser o auge do pradaozinho.
A autora me irritou demais em alguns pontos. Logo no começo a gente tem o alívio de Abby ao ver Jordan e a aparência física dela, a autora literalmente descreve Jordan como loira, magra de olhos claros e logo depois Abby diz que "ninguém nunca duvidaria que eram amigas, Jordan se encaixa perfeitamente"
ou quantas vezes ela quer deixar claro que as duas são magras, tantos "colocou a mão na barriga inexistente" "olhei para seu estômago plano" e porcarias como essa.
Abby toma muito foco na narrativa, ela é a noiva, ela é a que até o momento não se atraia por mulheres etc. Ela é teoricamente uma "mulher do século 21" executiva, dona de si mesma, ambiciosa, mas na escrita nada disso fica bom. É dito que ela quer casar e ter filhos, mas fica repetitivo o quanto a decisão dela foi influenciada por pressão (mas de quem? se ela não tem amigos além da bff, não mostra nenhuma outra relação dela aqui) daí ela tem um grande sonho mas também é vazio, até ela citar isso não aparece nos pensamentos dela, o trabalho até ser relevante pra criar mais drama também não faz parte da narrativa.
Marcus. A autora tentou criar duas situações com ele e falhou em ambas: Primeiro ele ser o marido perfeito: bonito, rico, atencioso bla bla, e não ser o marido perfeito: que é filhinho da mamãe, que não respeita o espaço da Abby (achando que sabe o que ela quer em determinadas decisões etc) o de não mostrar desejo por Abby e por isso a vida sexual deles estar estagnada. Mas não funciona nenhuma, Marcus sequer aparece no livro, a sinopse faz parecer que vai ser difícil para Abby decidir, mas não é. Ele só aparece pra ser completamente alheio e falar umas frases gentis e só.
É chato os personagens caricatos aqui, a melhor amiga da Abby fica o livro inteiro dando a entender que Marcus é gay, sendo ela lésbica e ficar jogando estereótipo pra lá e pra cá??? Ela mesmo fica nesse quadrado, de lésbica durona que é enganada por mulheres etc. A melhor amiga de Jordan que fica sendo superficial o tempo inteiro, tudo é sobre sexo, ser magra e só.
Me incomodou também como o dinheiro foi abordado aqui, como qualquer pessoa que tivesse trabalhando em algum local era "staff" ou como Abby mesmo teoricamente sendo de origem simples transforma até a discussão com Jordan em pagamento.
O romance é uma porcaria também, como eu já disse, os personagens são rasos demais. Então, não é surpresa que o leitor não entenda de onde veio esse amor todo. Elas têm algumas conversas, as etapas do casamento são poucas então não tem realmente elas se apaixonando. Senti como se tudo tivesse acontecido em dois dias e aí pro final a autora esticou pra ficar clichê de ser no dia do casamento.
Enfim. Não gostei. É raso, chato, vazio, caricato, e com um tempero de gordofobia para ser o auge do pradaozinho.
March 23, 2020
Well, that was a phenomenal read. And intense... so bloody intense. I was on the edge of my seat for the last 30%. Who needs sleep when Clare Lydon is writing lesbian fiction.
I absolutely adore this book in every way possible. It was magical, and I was utterly sucked in. Jordan and Abby’s love story surpassed all my expectations. I don’t want to tell you too much because honestly, it is going to ruin the ride.
I imagine like after Clare Lydon wrote ‘The End’ she stood up and actioned a mic drop! Phenomenal book and her best to date.
I absolutely adore this book in every way possible. It was magical, and I was utterly sucked in. Jordan and Abby’s love story surpassed all my expectations. I don’t want to tell you too much because honestly, it is going to ruin the ride.
I imagine like after Clare Lydon wrote ‘The End’ she stood up and actioned a mic drop! Phenomenal book and her best to date.
Read
July 13, 2025➥ No rating for this one, because I’m not sure how I feel about it.
While I ultimately agree that there was good chemistry between Jordan and Abby, and Abby did the right thing by standing up for herself and deciding not to get married to someone she didn’t love, other parts of the book were really disturbing.
The fat phobic comments at the beginning? Jordan’s best friend Karen makes a comment about how "nobody wants a fat bridesmaid", followed by the worst Kate Moss quote ever?? ("Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels"-absolutely disgusting). This genuinely made me consider DNFing the book because I was so uncomfortable. Unfortunately it kinda continued all throughout the book; another review on here said disordered eating was basically everywhere in this book and unfortunately I’d have to agree.
I also really thought they’d wait until Abby wasn’t engaged anymore to kiss each other, but they even had sex before she *finally* broke off the engagement. I’m not a fan of cheating so I obviously didn’t like that. Marcus deserved better.
These are the reasons why I won’t be rating this book; I have no idea what I’d rate it anyway.
➥ favorite quote :
“Abby had always dreamed of being kissed the way Jordan kissed her. Jordan made her feel it in her bones, in every beat of her heart, in every atom of her being.”
Review first posted on April 8, 2025
While I ultimately agree that there was good chemistry between Jordan and Abby, and Abby did the right thing by standing up for herself and deciding not to get married to someone she didn’t love, other parts of the book were really disturbing.
The fat phobic comments at the beginning? Jordan’s best friend Karen makes a comment about how "nobody wants a fat bridesmaid", followed by the worst Kate Moss quote ever?? ("Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels"-absolutely disgusting). This genuinely made me consider DNFing the book because I was so uncomfortable. Unfortunately it kinda continued all throughout the book; another review on here said disordered eating was basically everywhere in this book and unfortunately I’d have to agree.
I also really thought they’d wait until Abby wasn’t engaged anymore to kiss each other, but they even had sex before she *finally* broke off the engagement. I’m not a fan of cheating so I obviously didn’t like that. Marcus deserved better.
These are the reasons why I won’t be rating this book; I have no idea what I’d rate it anyway.
➥ favorite quote :
“Abby had always dreamed of being kissed the way Jordan kissed her. Jordan made her feel it in her bones, in every beat of her heart, in every atom of her being.”
Review first posted on April 8, 2025
April 4, 2020
Detailed score: 3.75/5
Another solid effort from Clare Lydon.
Fluff but not too fluffy. A feel good romance in these troubled times.
The leads took and annoyingly long time to get together and the premise meant that I found it a little hard to cheer them along (I hate cheating stories).
But. It’s solid. Nothing really surprising but tropes done well make for a good read. So
Make yourself a cuppa, wash your hands, curl up on the couch and forget about the world for a while.
Another solid effort from Clare Lydon.
Fluff but not too fluffy. A feel good romance in these troubled times.
The leads took and annoyingly long time to get together and the premise meant that I found it a little hard to cheer them along (I hate cheating stories).
But. It’s solid. Nothing really surprising but tropes done well make for a good read. So
Make yourself a cuppa, wash your hands, curl up on the couch and forget about the world for a while.
March 8, 2020
4 stars.
Delightful light reading. This was a nice fluffy (in the positive sense) romance with just a little angst and lovely characters. Well written as I’ve come to expect from Lydon’s books. Well recommended.
Delightful light reading. This was a nice fluffy (in the positive sense) romance with just a little angst and lovely characters. Well written as I’ve come to expect from Lydon’s books. Well recommended.
September 6, 2022
First of all: The cheating here is a no-no.
I get that she wanted to add some ✨ spice ✨ but I honestly can't be the only one who found them being all over each other without the slightest bit of guilt gross.
Or maybe I am, I don't know. But I just feel like that the author could've made this book work without it. Take for example the movie Imagine Me and You, aka the greatest sapphic movie to ever exist.
... Which I watched exactly one time. 5 years ago.
But as the story here is basically identical to the movie (2 women, 1 about to marry a guy and the other who works for the bride to organize a part of the wedding but then – baaam they fall in love) I can't help but compare the two.
In the movie they managed to create such amazing tension, and they barely even hold hands (at least if I remember it correctly, I think they only kiss in the end)
I guess I should've expected some sort of cheating and I kind of did, but I was still shocked how fast and how much happened between Abby and Jordan (and that without even sparing one thought to the groom, who Abby claimed to love). Marcus is a sweetheart, he deserved better than this.
Not to mention that Clare Lydon has a strange obsession with plane sex. Must be very romantic to be cramped in a smelly little bathroom on a crowded plane.
Very hygienic too.
I'm not the biggest fan of insta love in general, but when one main character is about to marry someone else, it's a million times worse. Again: Marcus deserved better.
Besides the cheating, the insta love and that it's suspiciously close to Imagine Me and You it's not a completely terrible book though, and I actually liked a lot of small things about it.
Like, that Abby and Jordan make a good couple and that their personalities fit so well together.
But most of all, I liked that Marcus is a sweetheart.
You know the kind of romances where the heroine has the world's worst boyfriend in the beginning? The horrible guy without a single good quality?
I hate movies or books like that. They just don't make any sense to me, because why should the girl even be with someone who completely sucks in the first place. It also always feels like they put zero effort into writing their characters.
So yeah, thankfully that wasn't the case here.
Oh, and I liked that they are both in their 30s!
I don't know why, but people marring before 30 scare the shit out of me
I get that she wanted to add some ✨ spice ✨ but I honestly can't be the only one who found them being all over each other without the slightest bit of guilt gross.
Or maybe I am, I don't know. But I just feel like that the author could've made this book work without it. Take for example the movie Imagine Me and You, aka the greatest sapphic movie to ever exist.
... Which I watched exactly one time. 5 years ago.
But as the story here is basically identical to the movie (2 women, 1 about to marry a guy and the other who works for the bride to organize a part of the wedding but then – baaam they fall in love) I can't help but compare the two.
In the movie they managed to create such amazing tension, and they barely even hold hands (at least if I remember it correctly, I think they only kiss in the end)
I guess I should've expected some sort of cheating and I kind of did, but I was still shocked how fast and how much happened between Abby and Jordan (and that without even sparing one thought to the groom, who Abby claimed to love). Marcus is a sweetheart, he deserved better than this.
Not to mention that Clare Lydon has a strange obsession with plane sex. Must be very romantic to be cramped in a smelly little bathroom on a crowded plane.
Very hygienic too.
I'm not the biggest fan of insta love in general, but when one main character is about to marry someone else, it's a million times worse. Again: Marcus deserved better.
Besides the cheating, the insta love and that it's suspiciously close to Imagine Me and You it's not a completely terrible book though, and I actually liked a lot of small things about it.
Like, that Abby and Jordan make a good couple and that their personalities fit so well together.
But most of all, I liked that Marcus is a sweetheart.
You know the kind of romances where the heroine has the world's worst boyfriend in the beginning? The horrible guy without a single good quality?
I hate movies or books like that. They just don't make any sense to me, because why should the girl even be with someone who completely sucks in the first place. It also always feels like they put zero effort into writing their characters.
So yeah, thankfully that wasn't the case here.
Oh, and I liked that they are both in their 30s!
May 1, 2020
A fun read.
I was pretty sure the one star reviews would be about cheating and that's exactly what's happened. I don't judge people who cheat harshly – it's called being human, but I think I would've liked to see a little more guilt and suffering for Abby after the act of cheating and also after she leaves her fiance. To jump into bed with your new lover straight after leaving your fiance at the altar would be the action of an insensitive and self-centered person and that doesn't make for a relatable protagonist.
I was pretty sure the one star reviews would be about cheating and that's exactly what's happened. I don't judge people who cheat harshly – it's called being human, but I think I would've liked to see a little more guilt and suffering for Abby after the act of cheating and also after she leaves her fiance. To jump into bed with your new lover straight after leaving your fiance at the altar would be the action of an insensitive and self-centered person and that doesn't make for a relatable protagonist.
October 1, 2021
não gostei, a premissa pra mim não rolou e ainda aconteceu algo que eu fiquei indignada simplesmente por ser uma falta de respeito com o outro.
alice tu me paga
alice tu me paga
January 29, 2023
This...was delicious.
I'd been starting and stopping books at an annoying pace. I honestly just wanted a funny, sexy, fluffy story with a touch of duplicity. You know that feeling? Some so-wrong-but-so-hot reading while it's cold outside. I devoured this book. Ugh, Clare Lydon, why haven't I read more of your stories? I must correct that.
Do plots like these give one a sense of dread and angst? Of course! This does not work for everyone. Yet, it added just the edge that kept me moving page to page. I was team Jordan ans Abby from the moment they met. Swoon, swoon, swoon. Their romance. Their passion. Many, many swoons.
I guess I should bring up the [Kiki Palmer voice]: Sorry to this man.
I have to shout out Jordan not being into sports. Lesbians like us exist and it's lovely to see in fiction, haha.
The setting in the UK is refreshing. I needed a break from US-based romance. I found myself intrigued with the locations and especially Lydon's style of writing and lingo. Very cool. I actually laughed, too! Always a plus.
Five stars! ☆☆☆☆☆
I'd been starting and stopping books at an annoying pace. I honestly just wanted a funny, sexy, fluffy story with a touch of duplicity. You know that feeling? Some so-wrong-but-so-hot reading while it's cold outside. I devoured this book. Ugh, Clare Lydon, why haven't I read more of your stories? I must correct that.
Do plots like these give one a sense of dread and angst? Of course! This does not work for everyone. Yet, it added just the edge that kept me moving page to page. I was team Jordan ans Abby from the moment they met. Swoon, swoon, swoon. Their romance. Their passion. Many, many swoons.
I guess I should bring up the [Kiki Palmer voice]: Sorry to this man.
I have to shout out Jordan not being into sports. Lesbians like us exist and it's lovely to see in fiction, haha.
The setting in the UK is refreshing. I needed a break from US-based romance. I found myself intrigued with the locations and especially Lydon's style of writing and lingo. Very cool. I actually laughed, too! Always a plus.
Five stars! ☆☆☆☆☆
November 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this strangers to lovers with the neat twist of the professional bridesmaid.
Well paced and well written :).
I wasn't entirely convinced by narrator Justine Eyre's Scottish accent, which sounded at times more Irish. But hey-ho, Celtic at least :). Other than that Ms. Eyer perfromed the book very well :).
Well paced and well written :).
I wasn't entirely convinced by narrator Justine Eyre's Scottish accent, which sounded at times more Irish. But hey-ho, Celtic at least :). Other than that Ms. Eyer perfromed the book very well :).
May 8, 2021
Oh, what a fix the characters are in! Those were my thoughts throughout reading. Gosh, a real fix. And isn't it something we face often? Having to choose between social expectations and fulfilling your own desires.
It's a constant struggle. Because we as a person need social acceptance and if this is at odds with our own desires then our inner world is in constant pain. That is the fear before coming out - to name just one of them.
So the hero in this story is for me Gloria, Abby's mum. I loved her the most.
It's a constant struggle. Because we as a person need social acceptance and if this is at odds with our own desires then our inner world is in constant pain. That is the fear before coming out - to name just one of them.
So the hero in this story is for me Gloria, Abby's mum. I loved her the most.
July 16, 2020
Jordan Cohen is nothing but professional. Hired as Abby Porter's bridesmaid by the groom Marcus Montgomery, Jordan knows she should ignore her attraction toward the gorgeous soon-to-be-married Abby. And it would have been easier if Abby was not also attracted to her and sending her mixed signals. So what about the Porter-Montgomery wedding?
More often than not, romance covers looked similar to each other. Before You Say I Do has the kind of cover art and colour choice that pop, and I loved the design before I even began to read it.
The story is definitely cute, and the situation complicated and dramatic because Marcus is a very nice guy. We follow Abby's journey of figuring out what her heart really wants and it was relieving to read how everything played out in the weeks leading up to her wedding to Marcus. But I cannot help feel like Jordan is being toyed with because she tries so hard to stay professional while waiting on Abby's possible epiphany.
Anyhow, Before You Say I Do is pure joy if we ignore Jordan's one-sided heartbreak and Abby's existential crisis. Abby's mum Gloria is also an absolute gem. Lydon was superb at capturing Abby's confusion and Jordan's struggle. I cannot help but feel deeply for both characters as they stumble through this important stage of their lives. For anyone who is uncertain about their own life, this story would hit home hard.
May everyone enjoy this story as much as I did, and listen to your heart when it tries to tell you something.
More often than not, romance covers looked similar to each other. Before You Say I Do has the kind of cover art and colour choice that pop, and I loved the design before I even began to read it.
The story is definitely cute, and the situation complicated and dramatic because Marcus is a very nice guy. We follow Abby's journey of figuring out what her heart really wants and it was relieving to read how everything played out in the weeks leading up to her wedding to Marcus. But I cannot help feel like Jordan is being toyed with because she tries so hard to stay professional while waiting on Abby's possible epiphany.
“I never meant to hurt you, please know that. That I did absolutely crushes me.” – Abby
Anyhow, Before You Say I Do is pure joy if we ignore Jordan's one-sided heartbreak and Abby's existential crisis. Abby's mum Gloria is also an absolute gem. Lydon was superb at capturing Abby's confusion and Jordan's struggle. I cannot help but feel deeply for both characters as they stumble through this important stage of their lives. For anyone who is uncertain about their own life, this story would hit home hard.
May everyone enjoy this story as much as I did, and listen to your heart when it tries to tell you something.
July 18, 2022
When I saw the write-up for this, I was firmly in the NOT INTERESTED category, as the whole wedding story, will-she-won't-she, straight (except for that one night in uni) to gay storyline is not really my jam. However, the reviews had be interested, and honestly this one was a good time. It was a good vacation read.
I truly liked MC Jordan, her style, her ease with people, her way of navigating so many different social situations like it was the most natural thing in the world. MC Abby took awhile for me to warm up to because she was goddamned indecisive, and played so many mind games. She had moments of sensitivity that slowly weaselled their way into my cold black heart. Friend Karen was a solid force in Jordan's court, friend Delta is on my boat to nowhere with Nickelback. And Abby's mom Gloria needs a trophy that is bedazzled with BEST MOM EVER. Take that back to Glasgow held up like a chalice, Gloria!
The story is predictable, nothing needs to be said here, final rating 4/5.
I truly liked MC Jordan, her style, her ease with people, her way of navigating so many different social situations like it was the most natural thing in the world. MC Abby took awhile for me to warm up to because she was goddamned indecisive, and played so many mind games. She had moments of sensitivity that slowly weaselled their way into my cold black heart. Friend Karen was a solid force in Jordan's court, friend Delta is on my boat to nowhere with Nickelback. And Abby's mom Gloria needs a trophy that is bedazzled with BEST MOM EVER. Take that back to Glasgow held up like a chalice, Gloria!
The story is predictable, nothing needs to be said here, final rating 4/5.
April 2, 2020
This was a solid book, probably one of my favorites by the author. Although it took place in a short period of time (five weeks), and the premise seems a little out there, the story is well done.
Both characters are likeable and their chemistry is fantastic.
This is on KU so definitely check it out if you can.
Both characters are likeable and their chemistry is fantastic.
This is on KU so definitely check it out if you can.
January 22, 2022
(2,5)
Mirou na representatividade sáfica e acertou na heteronormatividade tóxica. Eu pensei que fosse encontrar uma história fofa apesar da premissa controversa, mas infelizmente a fofura durou só os primeiros 30% e depois foi tudo ladeira abaixo. A autora usou todos os clichês bons e ruins de uma vez e não soube desenvolver nada direito. Abby é uma personagem extremamente egoísta e sem responsabilidade afetiva; Jordan é divertida de ler mas sem muita personalidade. Ah, e o romance foi super instalove e não me convenceu muito, porque pareceu muito mais uma paixão do que um amor nascendo entre as duas. E a cereja do bolo é que rola uma pitada de gordofobia também, todo mundo nesse livro é magérrimo e super obcecado pelo próprio corpo. Preguiça.
Eu estava me divertindo muito no começo (por isso arredondei a nota pra cima) mas depois a decepção veio forte.
Mirou na representatividade sáfica e acertou na heteronormatividade tóxica. Eu pensei que fosse encontrar uma história fofa apesar da premissa controversa, mas infelizmente a fofura durou só os primeiros 30% e depois foi tudo ladeira abaixo. A autora usou todos os clichês bons e ruins de uma vez e não soube desenvolver nada direito. Abby é uma personagem extremamente egoísta e sem responsabilidade afetiva; Jordan é divertida de ler mas sem muita personalidade. Ah, e o romance foi super instalove e não me convenceu muito, porque pareceu muito mais uma paixão do que um amor nascendo entre as duas. E a cereja do bolo é que rola uma pitada de gordofobia também, todo mundo nesse livro é magérrimo e super obcecado pelo próprio corpo. Preguiça.
Eu estava me divertindo muito no começo (por isso arredondei a nota pra cima) mas depois a decepção veio forte.
September 10, 2021
É ok. Pra ser sincera esse livro por ter uma narrativa meio pobre a vazia foi perfeito para o momento da leitura: quando eu estou a horas na fila do Detran esperando ser atendida, então foi a coisa mais interessante que tinha pra fazer em horas.
O romance é meio sem graça, 0 desenvolvimento tanto dele quanto das personagens que mal tem personalidade. A resenha da minha amiga Lune resumiu perfeitamente todos os problemas do livro, esse é um livro 2 estrelas só que eu dei 3 por causa do momento que eu li ele... Pelo menos na pré venda ganhei uma ecobag bonitinha e vários marcadores fofinhos.
O romance é meio sem graça, 0 desenvolvimento tanto dele quanto das personagens que mal tem personalidade. A resenha da minha amiga Lune resumiu perfeitamente todos os problemas do livro, esse é um livro 2 estrelas só que eu dei 3 por causa do momento que eu li ele... Pelo menos na pré venda ganhei uma ecobag bonitinha e vários marcadores fofinhos.
November 19, 2020
This book follows Abby through her turning point, capturing how life can drastically change when you click with the right person. Abby’s connection with Jordan is as bewilderingly exciting as her connection with Marcus is steady and boring. And this story isn’t just about Abby saying yes to a relationship with Jordan. It’s also about Abby saying yes to herself, dropping the expectations that others have of her.
Full review: https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2020/0...
Full review: https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2020/0...
July 30, 2020
I’m obviously in the minority here but this was disappointing, I had high hopes but there’s just so many flaws. Jordan is way too “perfect” and I didn’t feel the chemistry that her and Abby supposedly had. There’s no depth to the characters and sometimes it got confusing about who was who and which one was talking.
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