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Never the Bride

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ASHLEE

It’s supposed to be my dream job.

I mean, it is my dream job. Working in a bridal boutique, adjusting and fitting beautiful gowns while I freelance my own designs online.

It’s perfect.

Except I’m getting my face rubbed in it every day.

Always the bridesmaid and never the bride.

I’ve literally been in a dozen wedding parties as a ‘thank you’ for my work, but it always just leaves me feeling empty.

Until Brandon enters the store.

Enters my life, changing it forever and only for the better. In the fantasy, he generates inside me anyhow, until I remember where we are, and who I am.

Who he is.

It looks like he’s being fitted for a tux.

Just another perfect man snapped up, soon to be married.

The perfect man. Gone forever.

Not that an older guy like him would ever look twice at a younger curvy girl like me, but I can dream can’t I?

Then I get a message from a mysterious client, wanting me to design a wedding dress for them.

No instructions other than “Make it something you would wear on your special day,” the same size as me, everything. Whatever design I like.

And it pays cash in advance.

It’s a welcome distraction and I set to work until a bombshell moment leaves more than just a wedding gown a little wet around the edges.

How one day, one look, and one message can change two lives.

Never the bride?

Something tells me the tables may have just turned.

BRANDON

Best man for an employee’s wedding? I’d normally roll my eyes but the employee is also my best friend, so not really a chore.

It’s a solid for a lifelong friend, and at least two weeks without my lead foreman while he’s on honeymoon.

A pain in the ass when I have a construction company to run, but more power to him for finding love or whatever they call it nowadays.

I’ve never had time for that. My life is just work, work, and more work.

I’m getting fitted for my monkey suit when I ask the tailor measuring me to stop.

Spotting someone peeking at me from the other side of the store is ruining the measurement of the inside of my leg… by around ten inches.

She thinks I can’t see her, but I can see more than her curvy hips and fine, heart shaped ass.

I can see my future.

Her future too.

I do my best to show her I’m interested, but maybe this curvy younger girl just isn’t into older men?

Hard to believe, because the chemistry between us is instant.

It’s undeniable.

So why the cold shoulder?

I’m in a bridal store getting fitted for a suit. Okay, so I’m an older man but it’s boy meets girl, isn’t it?

Maybe she’s playing hard to get.

But no. That’s not it.

Then what could it be?

What could be the one thing that stops her from seeing just what she’s doing to me simply by existing?

When I find out I think it’s a game I can play.

But it’s a game I could lose too if I’m not careful.

And losing her isn’t an option.

I won’t lose the only thing I’ve ever really wanted, and I vow to never lose her once I claim her as my own.

Mine, forever.

* Never the Bride is an insta-everything standalone instalove romance with a HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger.

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2021

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About the author

Flora Ferrari

454 books1,069 followers
Wake up to a free, new, original story on Easter morning by joining my mailing list and staying subscribed. ---> https://www.subscribepage.com/r9y2s6

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5 stars
164 (46%)
4 stars
101 (28%)
3 stars
58 (16%)
2 stars
25 (7%)
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8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Profile Image for Amy.
716 reviews4 followers
January 7, 2022
Wow...

The hero and heroine were awful people.


To explain why I hated this, I'll have to post some spoilers...
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1. During the first sex scene, the heroine had tried on SOMEONE ELSE'S wedding dress (she works in a bridal store). The dress was there for some repairs before the wedding. Not only did the heroine put the dress on, which is bad enough, but it got more rips in it because of their sexual activity AND she got bodily fluids on it! What the fuck??

2. The hero, because he's paying for the wedding of a friend of his, DEMANDS that the heroine be a bridesmaid for the other guy's fiancee...someone the heroine has never even met.

I'm sorry....what are the redeeming qualities of these two horrible people??



Profile Image for Raelene.
1,072 reviews32 followers
November 5, 2021
I actually really like instalove stories but wow was this an extreme version of that trope. I will say that this book entertained me, but it also made me a cringe a lot.

When Brandon went to his truck after meeting Ashlee, his actions just seemed creepy to me. Kind of like Joe (from ‘You’) but even more intense. His possessiveness also crossed a line for me. His line about how he’ll be physically there if she had to go to the dentist or to buy shoes, because they need to go everywhere together now, was just too far for my liking.

I’m not going to say I disliked this, because I didn’t. I’m aware I said I cringed a lot but there were still parts I liked. I liked how encouraging he was of her. I enjoyed the design aspects of the story. And I’m always looking for more stories with plus sized characters, so I appreciated that Ashlee was a bigger girl and her body was constantly praised.

So this story wasn’t for me, but I really am happy to see that it had good reviews and worked well for others.
Profile Image for Rebecca Grove.
3,490 reviews26 followers
October 18, 2021
Ashlee's dream is to become a dress designerand she has taken her first step by working in a bridal shop. The owners may not pay her much but they allow her make custom dresses for customers who request it. They also allow her to stay in the apartment above the store rent free. She loves her job and has never been interested in a man until she sees Brandon. Brandon is in the store getting fitted for a suit for a wedding and shows definite interest when he sees Ashlee. Ashlee was told that he was an important customer because he was paying for the whole wedding. Ashlee assumes that he is the groom and is offended when he flirts with her. Later she learns that he is the best man and she regrets pushing him away. Too bad she didn't know he won't let anything push him away from her.

Brandon is a sucessful businessman who spends most of his time at work. He is only agreeing to be in this wedding because the groom is his best friend since childhood and a business partner. When he arrived for the fitting of his suit, he is shocked at the sight of Ashlee. He knows in one glance that she is the woman for him. He wants to drage her out of this shop and take her to him home. However Ashlee isn't responding to any of his advances. Later he realizes that she must think he is the groom and not the best man. Somehow he will have to convince her that he was free man until he saw her. He plans to make all Ashlee's dreams come true.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,336 reviews27 followers
October 18, 2021
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. Brandon is trying to do something grand for his best friend. He is paying for and best man in the wedding. They are not only longtime friends but they work together also. Brandon has made work his life but finds that this wedding is changing things. It brings him to Ashlee. She is an up and coming designer who is worrying for a bridal shop. The owners are close to her but still take advantage. When Brandon comes for his tux fitting, he and Ashlee have an instant connection. He becomes ott before even leaving the parking lot. She cannot resist the pull she feels towards him. He might be older but he realizes that his world did not start until her. He plans to give her everything she needs and deserves. This changes her whole future and that of his best friend. This was a fast paced, instant love story with really good characters. Ashlee wanted to stand on her own two feet and have her man.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Danee.
5,667 reviews
October 17, 2021
What a great story Mrs. Ferrari has written again. I love her stories about older man and younger woman. You are taken on a journey through their lives by the main characters Brandon and Ashlee.

Ashlee works in a bridal shop but not only does that help the owner with customers, she also sells her wedding dresses that she makes herself. She and Brandon meet in the men's section of the store when she sees him come in to try on his suit.

When Brandon insists that Ashlee measure his mates instead of the business owner, you feel the chemistry and attraction between their flames.
But at first, nothing more than that happens because she thinks Brandon is the groom. The characters and characters are wonderfully described as is the structure of the story. If you want to know how it goes between them, I advise you to read this story.!!!!


I received a Advance Review Copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Korkoi.
8,024 reviews37 followers
October 17, 2021
Their Whirlwind Love Match -
Brandon felt like someone was watching him and when he laid eyes on Ashlee, he realised that his dull monotonous life became bright and invigorating. Ashlee just could believe the way her body was reacting when she laid eyes on Brandon, but she was apprehensive to make her feeling known, as she didn’t think Brandon was free or that he would be interested in her. Determination and perseverance lead them on a journey filled with steamy and fun-filled moments, that end in a happily ever after.

This love at first sight romance story, will deliver a punch to your heart and leave you panting by the time you reach the end of the book. I can definitely say this book is a great addition to your portfolio and it left me looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Faith Pilger.
400 reviews
October 17, 2021
Ashlee works in a bridal shop. They also have a mens side where they can get their suits tailored. She not only helps the owner with clients but also makes and sells her own wedding dresses. One day while at work she stares at the backside of a huge man leaving the shop. He comes in and she finally sees him up close and sees how gorgeous he is. Brandon was at the shop getting fitted for his suit. Brandon sees Ashlee and he just knows that she is his. He wants Ashlee to finish the measurements for his suit instead of her boss. This is the beginning of where the man knows what he wants and will get it no matter the cost.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
11.2k reviews130 followers
October 17, 2021
I've read a lot of books written by Flora Ferrari; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.

This is part of the A Man Knows What He Wants Series. She has written another great story of an older man/younger woman insta-love romance; the story is well written. The story is about Ashlee & Brandon; she works in a bridal shop and is always part of the bridal party. One day while working she see Brandon getting fitted for a tux; later she gets a message from a mystery person wanting her to design a wedding dress that would be perfect for someone like her, size and all. They paid cash in advance; Brandon’s the mystery person.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
771 reviews6 followers
October 21, 2021
She was distracted by him even before she saw his face.
Standalone With No Cliffhangers.
Ashlee is living her dream, kind of. She gets to make lovely wedding gowns for her employers customers. It's not perfect but its a roof over her head and food on the table. Then she saw him and she thought he was perfect, but he was getting a suit made for his wedding, and she was not the kind of girl he would go for.
Brandon is a big guy, he can't buy off the rack. He never expected to find his future family while having a suit made for his best friends wedding. Now if he could just say the right thing without scaring Ashlee they may have a chance.
Sweet insta-love romance that keeps the pages turning.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
13.1k reviews101 followers
October 17, 2021
While Ashlee tries to create a business designing dresses, she works at a bridal shop doing alterations. Her normal duties are for wedding dresses only but when one of their clients request that she alter his suit for a wedding the sparks fly.

Brandon is the best man for his best friend’s wedding when he sees Ashlee at the bridal shop, and he is enchanted. He wants a future with her but first they must overcome a few misunderstandings between them.

Sweet and sexy Ashlee is determined to be independent despite her circumstances while Brandon is determined to do whatever is necessary to make her life easier.
12.5k reviews49 followers
October 25, 2021
Makes you swoon

Never the Bride is a wonderful addition to the A Man Who Knows What He Wants series. This sweet and entertaining story is about Ashlee and Brandon. They meet when Brandon comes into the bridal shop Ashlee is working at. He is there for a fitting for the tux he will wear to his best friends wedding. All it takes is one look a the sweet, curvy, beautiful and creative younger woman for this older, driven and rich man to fall to his knees, ready to propose a forever love right then and there.

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
2,555 reviews14 followers
October 31, 2021
What a sweet beautiful love story

This book was so much fun to read, older man younger woman falling in love. I should say lust to begin with for Ashley when she saw Brandon. She was a seamstress working in a bridal shop. Brandon was there to have a suit tailor made because he was so big (a strapping man). She's peaking at him through some curtains. He feels her presence. The minute he saw her, for him she saw his. It took no time at all for them to move in together. Read how they both were alone all their lives. How they grew up and were treated. What they accomplished too. It's such a good book, I hope you like it as much as I have. Written by Cindy :)
Profile Image for De Anna.
1,105 reviews4 followers
October 17, 2021
Five?
Amazing book. Brandon is being fitted for a suit, for his best friend’s wedding, when he feels eyes on him. He’s watching her watch him in the mirrors. She is stunning and curvy. Ashlee likes watch she sees in the older gentleman on the other side of the store. He’s the stuff fantasies are made of. Another good man off the market too soon. Now that Brandon knows why Ashlee is being cold to him he has to tell her the truth. She will be his. Forever. Custom dresses available.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
818 reviews5 followers
October 17, 2021
Ashlee works and lives in a bridal boutique and one day she sees a man she can't resist looking at. But he's getting married...just her luck! Brandon sees Ashlee watching him and he is drawn to her curves, he's an alpha older man who knows what he wants.... lucky her!!

This story is just so HAWTTTT! I loved the instalove, insta-connection, insta-committment, falling in love and lust that this couple have! Told from dual POVs reveals intimately their thoughts feelings and emotions as they explore their relationship. There's not one but two epilogues with very HEAs!
Profile Image for adina willis.
2,032 reviews12 followers
October 18, 2021
Ashlee works at a bridal boutique. She also makes custom dresses not on the rack. She sees Brandon one day. The next day he comes in and there is an instant connection with the two of them. Ashlee believes that Brandon is the groom not the best man. As Ashlee and Brandon get to know each other while Ashlee repairs a clients wedding dress. It is fun seeing their relationship unfold, especially with how stubborn they both are.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
173 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2022
Heartwarming and terrific

Ashlee and Brandon, as soon as they saw each other that was it, the love, the love, fireworks, lust, Sensuality between the both of them, Brandon didn't waste time claiming Ashlee, having so much in common with both of them not really having a family. Falling in love and now married with their own family, with baby James and twins on the way. Now Ashlee is making her own dresses and designs and brandon, making sure his family is provided for just in case something happens, that is way to do things for your family you love.
Profile Image for Mawgan Dipple.
1,778 reviews
October 16, 2021
This was a love at first sight for Brandon and Ashlee. She was the younger curvy seamstress, designing the bridal gowns in the store he went for a fitting at for his friends wedding. At first even though there is an ista connection between them, a misunderstanding almost puts a spanner in the works and derails the budding romance that was sure to follow. But Brandon wasn't going to let Ashlee out of his sight. Great read. Romance and fast.

13.4k reviews78 followers
October 17, 2021
The author has given us a wonderful older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Ashlee and Brandon and does not let go. When Brandon goes into the bridal shop for a suit fitting, he and Ashlee have an instant connection. How will he be able to convince this young woman that she belongs with him?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Terra Oenning.
3,713 reviews
October 17, 2021
Ashlee works in a bridal shop and also designs and makes wedding dresses and seamstress so when a man shows up Brandon silver for his suit fitting for his best friends wedding she is attracted to him but thinks he's the groom but it's not what she thinks but can they stop fighting their attraction to each other? Great story and loved Brandon!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Rachael Bromley.
1,665 reviews17 followers
October 18, 2021
Ashley is always the bridesmaid and never the bride. Free leaving college she goes to work at Cynthia’s wedding boutique. Selling gorgeous gowns to brides to be and designing a few for the more adventurous. Brandon is best man at his friends wedding and is all set to get his suit done until he sees Ashley. A man who knows what he wants. A great book with a man bent on getting what he wants. Loved Brandon and Ashley.
6,168 reviews58 followers
October 19, 2021
Ashley works in a bridal shop and gets a chance to design and sell her wedding gowns. Brandon is in the shop getting fitted for a tux for his friends wedding. He happens to spy Ahley and he knows she's the one for him. Loved the characters and the relationship they make together. Another hit story by my favorite author. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,203 reviews8 followers
November 3, 2021
Love at last for Ashley and Brandon

Loved this. Brandon meets Ashley when he is getting his suit made for his best friends wedding. Ashley works in the bridal shop she also makes custom wedding dresses sparks fly between them. Brandon won’t leave Ashley he wants to be her side always as he loves her already and he can tell Ashley feels the same he now can’t wait to make her his and give her a better life than she has now.
Profile Image for Cynthia Khan.
3,384 reviews13 followers
October 17, 2021
This is Man Who Knows What He Wants book 264 love story for Ashlee and Brandon. This book will have you laughing at these two and melting with them too. I loved how he takes care of her and she is an independent woman that knows her way around fashion. Great book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,674 reviews2 followers
October 17, 2021
The author has given us a wonderful older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Ashlee and Brandon and does not let go. When Brandon goes into the bridal shop for a suit fitting, he and Ashlee have an instant connection. How will he be able to convince this young woman that she belongs with him?
Profile Image for Donna Gomez-Rivera.
1,143 reviews
October 17, 2021
Enjoyable storyline with likeable characters that come to life and keep you intrigued and turning the pages rapidly and rooting for their HEA. Explosive chemistry with an intense, undeniable connection. If you enjoy reading smoking HOT, uncontrollable Insta-Love, you will love this book!! A must read. Grab your copy today and start reading. Enjoy happy reading 📚
1,648 reviews
October 17, 2021
Ashley has her dream job and life is good until she meets Brandon and realizes she is settling. Brandon has never wanted anything more like he wanted Ashley. He knows they belong together, he just has to make her see it too.

This is a great book with well written characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,301 reviews26 followers
October 17, 2021
Never the Bride was another smoking hot read by Flora Ferrari. Ashlee is used to not being the bride but when Brandon first lays eyes on the curvy seamstress he is determined to see her walking down the aisle to him! He knows she belongs to him and nothing will stand in the way of making her his forever bride. 5 stars! Excited to read the next book.
Profile Image for Michelle.
11.4k reviews28 followers
October 17, 2021
Ashlee dreams of one day being the bride as she works in a bridal shop watching others get married. Brandon is in the bridal shop getting fitted for his best friend's wedding when he sees Ashlee from a distance and falls instantly for her. This is a sweet older man/younger woman insta love story with likable characters and a great happily ever after. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Shannon.
4,126 reviews31 followers
October 18, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book and I really enjoyed it.

This is a wonderful well-written older man/younger woman romance, it's a fast-paced quick to read standalone instalove story. Both Brandon and Ashlee are wonderful characters, chemistry flowing between them from the beginning but is a misunderstanding going to stand in their way of happiness?
Profile Image for Shawn.
3,258 reviews
October 23, 2021
good

This was an entertaining read. It was a nice addition to this series but I didn’t give it 5 stars because it did feel like it was missing a little something. I can’t really put my finger on it but just a little something that is normally in there books. Overall it was entertaining though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews