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Meet Me at the Altar #5
Groomed to Perfection
Ready to head back to the Meet Me at the Altar office and see who's falling in love and heading for their own happily ever after?
Find out what happens when a shy baker's assistant comes face to face with the perfect groom! But is he there for a consultation of his own or is he searching for his perfect bride?
Find out what happens when a shy baker's assistant comes face to face with the perfect groom! But is he there for a consultation of his own or is he searching for his perfect bride?
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2022
46 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Chase
142 books2,359 followersSamantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than seventy titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017! She’s a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80’s rock. When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 30 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
May 7, 2022
This is the 5th installment in the Altar series and it was a great addition! Emilie is one of the bakers for the company and is on the shy side. She meets Cooper while at a wedding when her duties were over and she wanted to watch the guests while off to the side. They had fun talking to each other and making comments about the wedding. After leaving the wedding Emilie though she would never see Cooper again though she wanted to. Cooper came from a very wealthy family that had mapped his future out for him. He was quite surprised to see Emilie again when he went to the business for his brother's wedding cake taste testing. Both had things to work out between their families/lives and both were such lovable characters.
May 10, 2022
I’m loving everything about the Meet Me at the Altar Series and Cooper and Emilie’s story is the perfect addition. I was excited for Groomed to Perfection and it didn’t disappoint, it was every have come to expect from the very talented Ms Chase.
Cooper is the cousin of the groom and Emilie is the shy baker looking to stay in the background but there is no doubting the sparks that fly between these two strangers. The next time they come across each other is when the Vandergrift family are planning Cooper’s wedding so will he end up marrying the woman his mother has chosen or will he break the family tradition and marry for love and to the woman who feels like his soulmate ……
I loved this entertaining, beautifully written romance, I fell hard and fast for the swoon worth Cooper and I adored Emilie but what took this book to another level was the interaction with the secondary characters. This is a story of powerful family traditions mixing with true love, it’s romantic, it’s witty and it’s full of wonderful friendships and I’m sure it will appeal to a wide range if audiences.
Cooper is the cousin of the groom and Emilie is the shy baker looking to stay in the background but there is no doubting the sparks that fly between these two strangers. The next time they come across each other is when the Vandergrift family are planning Cooper’s wedding so will he end up marrying the woman his mother has chosen or will he break the family tradition and marry for love and to the woman who feels like his soulmate ……
I loved this entertaining, beautifully written romance, I fell hard and fast for the swoon worth Cooper and I adored Emilie but what took this book to another level was the interaction with the secondary characters. This is a story of powerful family traditions mixing with true love, it’s romantic, it’s witty and it’s full of wonderful friendships and I’m sure it will appeal to a wide range if audiences.
May 10, 2022
Cooper comes from an affluent family who are determined that he will lead the life that they have chosen for him rather than what he would choose for himself. All it would take is a chance meeting with the baker at his cousin’s reception to have him questioning his future and when fate brings her back in his life he must decide if the future they could have together is worth fighting for.
Emilie enjoys her career as a baker and the fulfillment it gives her. She is drawn to Cooper in a way she never expected but even though they have fun when they are together due to their very different lifestyles, she isn’t sure that they have a future together no matter how much she wants it.
Cooper and Emilie are a perfect match and their romance is heartwarming as they take us on quite the journey as they realize that when it comes to life love and happiness is all that really matters.
Emilie enjoys her career as a baker and the fulfillment it gives her. She is drawn to Cooper in a way she never expected but even though they have fun when they are together due to their very different lifestyles, she isn’t sure that they have a future together no matter how much she wants it.
Cooper and Emilie are a perfect match and their romance is heartwarming as they take us on quite the journey as they realize that when it comes to life love and happiness is all that really matters.
May 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this one and flew through it!!
I couldn’t help but fall in love with both of our main characters, Emilie and Cooper. While they’re both so different, they meshed together so well!
Emilie was such a fun FMC, she’s a baker which is always a plus for me in books! Although she didn’t quite have everything figured out, she was so well poised in her situation and made well of it.
Cooper had a lot going on but also knew what he wanted. It took him a bit to get where he wanted to be, but when he got there then there was no stopping him.
I loved the character growth in both MC! They figured everything out and had so much fun while doing it. Such a great romance that you can’t help but root for, plus a bit of family drama never hurt!
I couldn’t help but fall in love with both of our main characters, Emilie and Cooper. While they’re both so different, they meshed together so well!
Emilie was such a fun FMC, she’s a baker which is always a plus for me in books! Although she didn’t quite have everything figured out, she was so well poised in her situation and made well of it.
Cooper had a lot going on but also knew what he wanted. It took him a bit to get where he wanted to be, but when he got there then there was no stopping him.
I loved the character growth in both MC! They figured everything out and had so much fun while doing it. Such a great romance that you can’t help but root for, plus a bit of family drama never hurt!
July 23, 2022
Quick listen! Cooper and Emilie's story kind of progressed quickly. I actually wondered how the author was going to keep us interested the whole time. Then she threw in the stuff with the mom and the friends and I stayed in the story the whole time! A nice romance story!
May 11, 2022
5 PERFECTION STARS!! This book was perfection in Samantha Chase style. Emilie and Cooper's story had me turning pages and never wanted it to end. You must read this book and series.
May 11, 2022
While catering a high-end wedding , baker Emilie, lingers at the reception and meets Cooper. There is an instant chemistry, but she knows that nothing can come of this.
She is a baker and he is the cousin of the groom. She flees the reception wearing his suit jacket, never to see him again.
Cooper comes from a rich family and is expected to take over the family business and marry the perfect socialite.
A month later, Emilie sees Cooper at Meet Me at the Alter, for his brothers cake testing.
Cooper's controlling mother does not approve of Cooper and Emile and tries to sabotage their relationship.
Will Cooper stand up to his mother and live his own life with Emilie?
She is a baker and he is the cousin of the groom. She flees the reception wearing his suit jacket, never to see him again.
Cooper comes from a rich family and is expected to take over the family business and marry the perfect socialite.
A month later, Emilie sees Cooper at Meet Me at the Alter, for his brothers cake testing.
Cooper's controlling mother does not approve of Cooper and Emile and tries to sabotage their relationship.
Will Cooper stand up to his mother and live his own life with Emilie?
May 10, 2022
I absolutely loved Groomed to Perfection! Samantha Chase has once again delivered another wonderful romance in Groomed to Perfection, the fifth book in her Meet Me at the Altar series. I love that Samantha Chase continues to write the books that I LOVE to read. Samantha Chase has once again provided her readers with amazing characters. Each book in this series keeps getting better, but I think that Groomed to Perfection is my favorite, because Emilie and Cooper faced challenges with their love story. I love how all the characters in Groomed to Perfection feel like best friends! Who does not love hot sexy men, strong, passionate females, and loving friends, who always support one another? I love how Samantha Chase somehow, she manages to find the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong woman on her own, to balance out the sexy man. Samantha Chase continues to deliver all that and so much more. I really enjoyed Groomed to Perfection and am so happy that Samantha Chase decided to write more books in the Meet Me at the Altar series. I have read other books by Samantha Chase and have always enjoyed her wonderfully written love stories. Samantha Chase has once again shown that she is an amazing storyteller. Groomed to Perfection did not disappoint; I can truly say, that Groomed to Perfection is an incredible love story, which filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions I could not put it down and loved every moment on every page. One of my favorite parts is how Samantha Chase incorporated the title of the book into the love story. I enjoy how Samantha Chase writes from the perspective of the main characters. That way you get to know what is going on in each of their minds. Groomed to Perfection is a wonderful love story and is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. My favorite moments in Groomed to Perfection are the lighter moments where I found myself smiling and laughing out loud. I also love the parts that pull at my heartstrings and cause me to sigh, as I read the heartbreaking moments. Groomed to Perfection be filled with such moments, and with so much more. It is filled with all those things that we have come to love and expect in a Samantha Chase love story, especially the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Who does not love a love at first sight and opposites attracts love story? Groomed to Perfection is the story of Emilie Michels, baker, for Meet Me at the Altar Wedding Services, and Alastair Cooper Vandergrift, heir apparent of Vandergrift Industries. Emilie and Cooper meet at Cooper’s cousin, Felix’s wedding, where Emilie is hiding in a corner observing the Cinderella-like wedding. Weeks later they meet again in the Meet Me at the Altar tasting room, for a cake testing for Cooper’s brother, Beau, Beau’s fiancé, Kim, his parents Evelyn, and Arthur are also in attendance. Evelyn has hired Meet Me at the Altar to plan Beau and Kim’s wedding as well as Alastair’s and his unknown bride. Cooper orders a peanut butter cup cake for Kim’s birthday, Kim’s favorite from the tasting. When Cooper picks up the cake, he invites Emilie for coffee. Things slowly begin to change between the two of them. Emilie and Cooper spend more time with one another and agree to secretly date for a month. Emilie and Cooper both know that Emilie would not be his mother, Evelyn’s choice for a bride for him. Conversation between Emilie and Cooper flows so easily As Emilie and Cooper continue to spend time together, their feelings for each other change. A surprise plot twist happens, and this changes everything between them. I love Cooper conversations with his father, Arthur and Emilie’s grandmother seeking advice on his life and how to get Emilie back. I love that Xander was willing to help Cooper get back together with Emilie. I love how Cooper tells Emilie that one day when she is ready, he will marry her, and I love Emilie’s response. I love the chemistry between Emilie and Cooper. I love how Emilie stands up for herself with Cooper’s mother. I love that with Cooper’s help, Emilie approaches Josie, Skylar, and Lea about her dream of owning a bakery, and how they are willing to make that dream come true. I love how Emilie and Cooper show their vulnerable sides, where Cooper admits that he does not want to take over for his father and lead Vandergrift Industries. I love that during their heart-to-heart, Cooper apologizes to Emilie and confesses how he really feels about her. I love Emilie’s relationship with Josie, Lea, Skye, and Emilie, and Cooper’s new relationship with Elliott, Daniel, Xander, and Knox, it feels like a real friendship, and I love how they always love, support, and have each other’s backs. I enjoyed catching up with Josie, Lea, and Skye, it felt like a get together with best friends. I love that Cooper approaches his father about living his dream. Groomed to Perfection contains all the things that I have come to love most and expect in a Samantha Chase story, romance, great characters and setting, bittersweet moments and the plot twist that ties it all together. Amazing story. I could not put it down. Highly recommend this wonderful romance. I love how Samantha Chase identified the next couple; I cannot wait to read it!
May 6, 2022
GROOMED TO PERFECTION is the fifth instalment in Samantha Chase’s contemporary, adult MEET ME AT THE ALTAR romance series. This is baker Emilie Michels, and businessman Cooper Vandergrift’s story line. GROOMED TO PERFECTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Emilie and Cooper) GROOMED TO PERFECTION follows the building romance and relationship between baker Emilie Michels, and businessman Cooper Vandergrift. Emilie Michels met a handsome stranger at a wedding, a wedding her company Meet Me at The Altar was catering but Emilie did not reveal her association to the business, and the handsome stranger did not reveal his association with the bride or the groom. An appointment for an upcoming engagement and wedding found Emilie face to face with the Vandergrift family, and the handsome stranger had been added to the list of upcoming weddings, a wedding without a bride or a potential suitor. Enter Cooper Vandergrift, and the man with whom Emilie will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Emilie and Cooper, and the potential fall-out as Cooper’s mother is unable to accept Emilie in her son’s life.
Cooper Vandergrift knows his place in the family, and as the heir to the family fortune and business, Cooper’s life is no longer under his control. Falling for Emilie was easy, keeping Emilie in his life is much harder in the face of his inability to stand up for himself or the woman he loves. Emilie Michels never expected to fall in love with Cooper Vandergrift but when she finds herself treated like the help, and forced to do the ultimate walk of shame, Emilie knows it is time to move on without the man that she loves.
The relationship between Emilie and Cooper is one of immediate attraction but Emilie quickly discovers she is no match for Cooper’s controlling mother. Emily is forced to believe she is not worthy of Cooper’s love, and a family engagement part finds Emily on the outside looking in without any sense of support or happiness. The $ex scenes are all implied.
The secondary and supporting characters include Emilie’s co-workers at Meet Me at the Altar: Josie, Daisy, Skylar and Lea, as well as former Navy SEALs Daniel, Xander and Knox. We are introduced to Cooper’s brother Beau, his fiance Kim, as well as Cooper’s parents Archer and Evelyn Vandergrift; and Emilie’s feisty grandmother.
GROOMED TO PERFECTION is a story of family and relationships, money and power, acceptance and understanding, friendships and love. The Cinderella-esque premise is captivating and engaging; the romance is sweet; the characters are energetic, determined and charismatic.
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from dual third person perspectives (Emilie and Cooper) GROOMED TO PERFECTION follows the building romance and relationship between baker Emilie Michels, and businessman Cooper Vandergrift. Emilie Michels met a handsome stranger at a wedding, a wedding her company Meet Me at The Altar was catering but Emilie did not reveal her association to the business, and the handsome stranger did not reveal his association with the bride or the groom. An appointment for an upcoming engagement and wedding found Emilie face to face with the Vandergrift family, and the handsome stranger had been added to the list of upcoming weddings, a wedding without a bride or a potential suitor. Enter Cooper Vandergrift, and the man with whom Emilie will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Emilie and Cooper, and the potential fall-out as Cooper’s mother is unable to accept Emilie in her son’s life.
Cooper Vandergrift knows his place in the family, and as the heir to the family fortune and business, Cooper’s life is no longer under his control. Falling for Emilie was easy, keeping Emilie in his life is much harder in the face of his inability to stand up for himself or the woman he loves. Emilie Michels never expected to fall in love with Cooper Vandergrift but when she finds herself treated like the help, and forced to do the ultimate walk of shame, Emilie knows it is time to move on without the man that she loves.
The relationship between Emilie and Cooper is one of immediate attraction but Emilie quickly discovers she is no match for Cooper’s controlling mother. Emily is forced to believe she is not worthy of Cooper’s love, and a family engagement part finds Emily on the outside looking in without any sense of support or happiness. The $ex scenes are all implied.
The secondary and supporting characters include Emilie’s co-workers at Meet Me at the Altar: Josie, Daisy, Skylar and Lea, as well as former Navy SEALs Daniel, Xander and Knox. We are introduced to Cooper’s brother Beau, his fiance Kim, as well as Cooper’s parents Archer and Evelyn Vandergrift; and Emilie’s feisty grandmother.
GROOMED TO PERFECTION is a story of family and relationships, money and power, acceptance and understanding, friendships and love. The Cinderella-esque premise is captivating and engaging; the romance is sweet; the characters are energetic, determined and charismatic.
www.thereadingcafe.com
May 2, 2022
A perfect read. I cannot put this one down. All his life Cooper was told what to do being the first-born son he was groomed to take over the family business, something he did not want but knew it was expected of him Deep down in his heart he wanted to design and build. his family only treated that as tinkering and of no importance. After all he was the first born and that would not be tolerated. His mother controlled his . life now she was controlling his personal life and choosing a bride for him. how much more could he take? then he meets Emilie at his cousin's wedding and things change so does he.
Having no idea she is not a guest at the wedding but rather the baker, they start talking and really hit it off. Both do not know who the other is. Of course, Emilie knows he's from money and they are total opposites on the social society scale.
Emilie agrees to date Cooper for the month leading up to Cooper’s brother’s engagement party. Emilie and Cooper both feel the instant attraction, but it wasn't only physical. She is nothing like the women his mother is choosing for him. With Emilie he can be himself not the person he's expected to be. Emilie lets him see that it is okay to go after what you want. To live for yourself and be happy.
What I loved about this story is seeing Cooper stand up for himself. To believe in his dreams and to go after those dreams. I loved their relationship. When you get passed the different social positions they both had, the controlling mother he had, and it was just the two of them being themselves and being honest with each other. Falling in love with who you want not what is expected of you.
Having no idea she is not a guest at the wedding but rather the baker, they start talking and really hit it off. Both do not know who the other is. Of course, Emilie knows he's from money and they are total opposites on the social society scale.
Emilie agrees to date Cooper for the month leading up to Cooper’s brother’s engagement party. Emilie and Cooper both feel the instant attraction, but it wasn't only physical. She is nothing like the women his mother is choosing for him. With Emilie he can be himself not the person he's expected to be. Emilie lets him see that it is okay to go after what you want. To live for yourself and be happy.
What I loved about this story is seeing Cooper stand up for himself. To believe in his dreams and to go after those dreams. I loved their relationship. When you get passed the different social positions they both had, the controlling mother he had, and it was just the two of them being themselves and being honest with each other. Falling in love with who you want not what is expected of you.
June 28, 2022
As the scion of a monied family with the pedigree to go with it, Cooper Vandergrift has had his entire life mapped out from birth. With an overbearing and controlling mother determined to call the shots on his life, Cooper sees no way to deviate from that plan and pursue the things he desires. Until a chance encounter with baker Emilie Michels opens his eyes to what could be, if he was brave enough defy his family.
Cooper is quite a complicated character, and his mother was the most atrocious character I've read in quite some time, so you can't help but root for him to get as far away as he possibly can. With Emile he can be himself and he's also very good for Emilie too, opening her eyes to possibilities and getting her out of her comfort zone. What's not to love about them?
Their relationship is certainly not easy because of their very different backgrounds, and they falter when it really counts, but with very supportive friends also invested in their wellbeing, it's only a matter of time before everything is set to rights.
I loved Emilie and Cooper, as well as their friends and how they rallied for them. This is a really great addition to this series and I am looking forward to reading more books in it.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
Cooper is quite a complicated character, and his mother was the most atrocious character I've read in quite some time, so you can't help but root for him to get as far away as he possibly can. With Emile he can be himself and he's also very good for Emilie too, opening her eyes to possibilities and getting her out of her comfort zone. What's not to love about them?
Their relationship is certainly not easy because of their very different backgrounds, and they falter when it really counts, but with very supportive friends also invested in their wellbeing, it's only a matter of time before everything is set to rights.
I loved Emilie and Cooper, as well as their friends and how they rallied for them. This is a really great addition to this series and I am looking forward to reading more books in it.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
May 2, 2022
Emilie Michels was a shy baker at Meet Me at the Alter’s wedding planning business. Baking was her passion since she was a child. Being the last person leaving a prestigious wedding reception, Emilie stays in the background admiring the event. Her sudden meeting, Cooper, a guest at the wedding, she has a difficult time forgetting the connection they had, plus she ended up with his suit jacket and no way of finding where to get hold of the guest to return it to him. There was no “Cooper” on the guest list. Cooper (Alastair) Vandergrift was from a wealthy family and his future had been planned since the day he was born. His mother ruled the family and her sons’s future. Cooper had resigned himself to family obligations even though it wasn’t what he wanted. Reconnecting with Emilie at his brother’s and future sister-in-law’s wedding cake tasting, Cooper had to make some decisions about himself and the future. Cooper and Emilie’s lives were changed that day either for the better or worse. This is an emotional story of two lives that intertwined, different social status, plans for different futures, and deciding between your family, your love, and what you want in your life. This is a wonderful addition to this series and very hard to quit reading. Another winner!
May 7, 2022
This series is so good!!! Centered around a business to create weddings and special events owned by three friends has expanded to so much more. Emilie is one of the bakers. She is a woman with a strong heart. She has a love for 80's movies but especially the romantic ones. And her meet cute is one for the books. Cooper is a complicated character. I felt for him since his life was really not his own. As a first born son, his family's legacy falls on his shoulders but he isn't passionate about it. When he meets a woman that finally makes him feel so much more, he can't find her. That is until he attends a cake tasting for his wedding without a bride. Strange right? Well Cooper's mother is like that. She dictates so much of his life that he doesn't even know himself some days. Cooper and Emilie change each other in so many ways. Emilie opens herself up to possibilities knowing that Cooper must marry a socialite approved by his family. Cooper discovers he may not have the ideal life. What they both want is each other. What the future holds may be total heartbreak.
There is a point in this book that I became so invested that I lost all track of time. Putting the book down to go to work wasn't an option. I had to know if Cooper's revelation was going to stick. I had to know how he planned on keeping his relationship with Emilie despite his family's standing in society. I had to know how many more cats Emilie's grandmother was going to bring into her home. But the way? Emilie's grandmother was a doll! I had to know everything for this couple.
There is a point in this book that I became so invested that I lost all track of time. Putting the book down to go to work wasn't an option. I had to know if Cooper's revelation was going to stick. I had to know how he planned on keeping his relationship with Emilie despite his family's standing in society. I had to know how many more cats Emilie's grandmother was going to bring into her home. But the way? Emilie's grandmother was a doll! I had to know everything for this couple.
May 1, 2022
Emilie works for Meet Me at the Alter as their baker. They are doing a cake tasting for two brothers, one of whom is getting married and the other is not. He is not even dating anyone. What they don't tell anyone is that Emilie and Cooper met at his cousin's wedding.
Cooper is the type of guy that lives by the rules, what is expected of him. That is until living that way threatens to take Emilie away from him. What he never expected was to fall so quickly for her, and the fact that he is miserable doing what is expected collide. Cooper screws up and almost loses the woman of his dreams. He reaches out to two men, we never saw coming to help him fix his relationship.
I really enjoyed Cooper and Emilie's story. When he finds out that Emilie is going for his goals, he is so proud of her. I love how much he just wants her to be happy. These two are cute, have sizzling chemistry, and they are each others biggest cheerleader. This is another cute story in the Meet Me at the Alter series, and I loved seeing all the other characters from the previous books.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review
Cooper is the type of guy that lives by the rules, what is expected of him. That is until living that way threatens to take Emilie away from him. What he never expected was to fall so quickly for her, and the fact that he is miserable doing what is expected collide. Cooper screws up and almost loses the woman of his dreams. He reaches out to two men, we never saw coming to help him fix his relationship.
I really enjoyed Cooper and Emilie's story. When he finds out that Emilie is going for his goals, he is so proud of her. I love how much he just wants her to be happy. These two are cute, have sizzling chemistry, and they are each others biggest cheerleader. This is another cute story in the Meet Me at the Alter series, and I loved seeing all the other characters from the previous books.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review
September 16, 2022
This is a magical fairy tale of the cheesiest variety.
May 10, 2022
Loved, loved Cooper and Emilie, opposites that attract. Emilie is the assistant baker at meet Me at the Alter and meets Cooper at a wedding function that he is attending. Emilie know Cooper is out of her league but can't deny the chemistry that they share. Emilie does not tell Cooper that she is at the wedding working.
Cooper is the first born and his mother has high expectations for him. Especially marrying the perfect girl, and Emilie does not fit the order. Cooper meets Emilie again when his mother is planning his brother's wedding with Meet Me at the Alter. They still can't deny the sparks that fly between them.
Loved Cooper and Emilie's relationship, a sizzling romance with plenty of banter. Loved how Cooper finally stood up to his family and what he wants in life. Emilie is a very strong person and will not let people run her over. Do not read if you are hungry, at least it was zero calories of reading with all the wonderful desserts. The ending was perfected!!
I highly recommend this book. This is book five in the series but can be read as a stand alone. Now, I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
Cooper is the first born and his mother has high expectations for him. Especially marrying the perfect girl, and Emilie does not fit the order. Cooper meets Emilie again when his mother is planning his brother's wedding with Meet Me at the Alter. They still can't deny the sparks that fly between them.
Loved Cooper and Emilie's relationship, a sizzling romance with plenty of banter. Loved how Cooper finally stood up to his family and what he wants in life. Emilie is a very strong person and will not let people run her over. Do not read if you are hungry, at least it was zero calories of reading with all the wonderful desserts. The ending was perfected!!
I highly recommend this book. This is book five in the series but can be read as a stand alone. Now, I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
August 10, 2022
Emilie and Cooper had sparks flying from their first meeting, and it only got better from there. I love them both and I was swooning! A wonderful addition to the series!
February 24, 2023
Eh
I wish I could say each book gets better, but they don't. The editing is still rough five books in and the characters are still just meh.
The frosting bit it way over done at this point too.
I wish I could say each book gets better, but they don't. The editing is still rough five books in and the characters are still just meh.
The frosting bit it way over done at this point too.
May 16, 2022
Groomed to Perfection by Samantha Chase is the fifth book in the Meet Me at the Alter series. As with the other books in the series, this can be read as a standalone, but it helps when the reader understands the history from other characters in the story.
Emilie is a baker who stays behind after delivering a wedding cake to an over the top wedding. She wants to people watch briefly before heading home. Cooper is a guest at the wedding, but he absolutely hates these over to top weddings. He spots Emilie and assuming she’s a guest at the event, he starts up a conversation and learns a bit about the mysterious woman who isn’t really at the event.
Cooper comes from a wealthy family (his “real name” according to his mother, is Alistair), but he hates that and prefers to go by Cooper (his middle name). While his brother is set to marry an “inappropriate woman”, Alistair is expected to take over the family business and to marry ASAP to an “appropriate woman” in his tax-bracket. Emilie does not fit that description! But Cooper can’t stop thinking about the woman he met at the wedding. At a cake tasting for both his brother’s and his wedding (he wasn’t even dating anyone!), he and Emilie stumble upon each other once more. And so the relationship and journey begins.
There were things I loved about this book, and a few things I hated. I loved the meet cute and the re-meet cute. I loved the support Emilie got from the women at Meet Me at the Alter (I expected nothing less), and I loved that Emilie had ideas to expand for their future. I really disliked that Cooper (and his brother and father to a lesser degree) would not stand up to his mother who was an overbearing snob. I also hated that when his mother puller her prank on Emilie, Cooper did not go with her or get an inkling there was something weird happening and being prepared for her tricks. Cooper needed to grow up and tell his mother to back off long before the situation affected everyone. I hated how Emilie blamed a good portion of the disaster on Cooper and dropped him without giving him any chance to discuss the events or how to get out of the disaster together. I don’t have a lot of patience for people who want communication and honesty but won’t listen to their partner when they try.
All that being said, I love this author and her books and I look forward to her next book.
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
Emilie is a baker who stays behind after delivering a wedding cake to an over the top wedding. She wants to people watch briefly before heading home. Cooper is a guest at the wedding, but he absolutely hates these over to top weddings. He spots Emilie and assuming she’s a guest at the event, he starts up a conversation and learns a bit about the mysterious woman who isn’t really at the event.
Cooper comes from a wealthy family (his “real name” according to his mother, is Alistair), but he hates that and prefers to go by Cooper (his middle name). While his brother is set to marry an “inappropriate woman”, Alistair is expected to take over the family business and to marry ASAP to an “appropriate woman” in his tax-bracket. Emilie does not fit that description! But Cooper can’t stop thinking about the woman he met at the wedding. At a cake tasting for both his brother’s and his wedding (he wasn’t even dating anyone!), he and Emilie stumble upon each other once more. And so the relationship and journey begins.
There were things I loved about this book, and a few things I hated. I loved the meet cute and the re-meet cute. I loved the support Emilie got from the women at Meet Me at the Alter (I expected nothing less), and I loved that Emilie had ideas to expand for their future. I really disliked that Cooper (and his brother and father to a lesser degree) would not stand up to his mother who was an overbearing snob. I also hated that when his mother puller her prank on Emilie, Cooper did not go with her or get an inkling there was something weird happening and being prepared for her tricks. Cooper needed to grow up and tell his mother to back off long before the situation affected everyone. I hated how Emilie blamed a good portion of the disaster on Cooper and dropped him without giving him any chance to discuss the events or how to get out of the disaster together. I don’t have a lot of patience for people who want communication and honesty but won’t listen to their partner when they try.
All that being said, I love this author and her books and I look forward to her next book.
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
May 9, 2022
This is the heartwarming story between a strong, independent woman and a wealthy, generous man who has always allowed his mother to control his life.
Emilie, the baker for Meet Me at the Altar wedding planners, is working a huge, very expensive wedding. She, impulsively, decides to secretly watch some of the festivities before she leaves, since she has never before seen anything like it.
Alistair “Cooper” Vandergiff, a cousin of the groom, despises these oversize gaudy events. He decides to get some fresh air when he spies Emilie hiding in a corner. They spend the rest of the evening talking over coffee and dinner. When Emilie, realizes that she may get in trouble for hobnobbing with the guests, she quickly leaves.
However, she leaves still wearing Cooper’s suit coat. He had put it around her shoulders when they were walking. Both of them try to find each other, but it is impossible. Emilie doesn’t know Cooper’s real first name, and Cooper thinks Emilie was an invited guest from the bride’s side. Fortunately, when Cooper, his brother and his mother come to Meet Me at the Altar offices for a cake tasting session, they finally meet again.
Unfortunately, Cooper comes from a very wealthy family. The Vandergriffs plan their lives through rules that have been handed down over many years. As the eldest son, Cooper must eventually take over the reins to the family business, even though he has no interest in it. He also must marry a “suitable” woman whether he loves her or not.
Cooper’s mother is the greatest obstacle that Cooper and Emilie must overcome before they can find their happiness. She is a pushy, aggressive and selfish woman, who completely controls her family. Unfortunately, Cooper and his brother have always done whatever she wants. His father, a passive-aggressive man, is no help. He finds it easier to ignore his wife’s manipulations than to stand up for his children.
From the beginning, Samantha Chase skillfully paints a couple who are total soul mates. Emily is strong where Cooper is weak, and Cooper is strong where Emilie is week. Together they are a powerful, loving, generous and unselfish couple!
Emilie, the baker for Meet Me at the Altar wedding planners, is working a huge, very expensive wedding. She, impulsively, decides to secretly watch some of the festivities before she leaves, since she has never before seen anything like it.
Alistair “Cooper” Vandergiff, a cousin of the groom, despises these oversize gaudy events. He decides to get some fresh air when he spies Emilie hiding in a corner. They spend the rest of the evening talking over coffee and dinner. When Emilie, realizes that she may get in trouble for hobnobbing with the guests, she quickly leaves.
However, she leaves still wearing Cooper’s suit coat. He had put it around her shoulders when they were walking. Both of them try to find each other, but it is impossible. Emilie doesn’t know Cooper’s real first name, and Cooper thinks Emilie was an invited guest from the bride’s side. Fortunately, when Cooper, his brother and his mother come to Meet Me at the Altar offices for a cake tasting session, they finally meet again.
Unfortunately, Cooper comes from a very wealthy family. The Vandergriffs plan their lives through rules that have been handed down over many years. As the eldest son, Cooper must eventually take over the reins to the family business, even though he has no interest in it. He also must marry a “suitable” woman whether he loves her or not.
Cooper’s mother is the greatest obstacle that Cooper and Emilie must overcome before they can find their happiness. She is a pushy, aggressive and selfish woman, who completely controls her family. Unfortunately, Cooper and his brother have always done whatever she wants. His father, a passive-aggressive man, is no help. He finds it easier to ignore his wife’s manipulations than to stand up for his children.
From the beginning, Samantha Chase skillfully paints a couple who are total soul mates. Emily is strong where Cooper is weak, and Cooper is strong where Emilie is week. Together they are a powerful, loving, generous and unselfish couple!
May 16, 2022
I've loved Samantha Chase's Magnolia Sound series and many of her other books, but unfortunately, this series has been something of a mixed bag for me. Unfortunately, "Groomed to Perfection" was no exception to that rule, leaving me with mixed feelings by the end of the story. For the most part, I liked main characters Emilie and Cooper, who made a cute couple and were very good about encouraging each other to follow their dreams. Despite her natural shyness, Emilie stood up to Cooper from the beginning and was clear with him about what she wanted in a relationship, as well as the fact that she was uncomfortable with the way he constantly gave in to his mother and family. He was obviously unhappy with the way they dictated his life, but not enough to do anything about it until it seemed as if he had lost Emilie. It frustrated me that it took him so long to grow a backbone and stand up for himself.
That said, Emilie frustrated me at times, too. Much like her friend Daisy in the last book of the series, she had a tendency to jump to conclusions based on very limited information and fly off the handle instead of letting Cooper explain his side of things. That was especially true during their conflict near the end of the story, when it seemed as if Emilie was blaming Cooper for his mother's behavior. She didn't even give him a chance to explain before she dumped him and walked away.
Speaking of Cooper's mother, I found it very difficult to believe that someone who was always so concerned about appearances would create such a huge scene at her own party just to try and embarrass Emilie. There were other ways she could have tried to break Cooper and Emilie up, which would have been equally effective and much less public. While I enjoyed seeing Cooper's mother suffer the consequences of her scheme, it was tough for me to get past my disbelief that she would have gone to those lengths in the first place.
Overall, while I liked "Groomed to Perfection" better than the last book of the series, it sadly is not among my favorites by Samantha Chase. However, I'm intrigued by the setup for the next book (which I'm pretty sure will be the last one), so I plan to continue with the series.
*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
That said, Emilie frustrated me at times, too. Much like her friend Daisy in the last book of the series, she had a tendency to jump to conclusions based on very limited information and fly off the handle instead of letting Cooper explain his side of things. That was especially true during their conflict near the end of the story, when it seemed as if Emilie was blaming Cooper for his mother's behavior. She didn't even give him a chance to explain before she dumped him and walked away.
Speaking of Cooper's mother, I found it very difficult to believe that someone who was always so concerned about appearances would create such a huge scene at her own party just to try and embarrass Emilie. There were other ways she could have tried to break Cooper and Emilie up, which would have been equally effective and much less public. While I enjoyed seeing Cooper's mother suffer the consequences of her scheme, it was tough for me to get past my disbelief that she would have gone to those lengths in the first place.
Overall, while I liked "Groomed to Perfection" better than the last book of the series, it sadly is not among my favorites by Samantha Chase. However, I'm intrigued by the setup for the next book (which I'm pretty sure will be the last one), so I plan to continue with the series.
*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 11, 2022
BRAVO MS. CHASE!!! Groomed to Perfection is in my opinion utter perfection!!!
Groomed to Perfection is the 5th book is Ms. Chase’s Meet Me at the Altar series. I have read and loved every book is this series, but is book, Groomed to Perfection, well it is just perfect!!! Emilie and Cooper just took a hold of my heart and would not let go. I started this book as soon as it hit my Kindle and could not put it down until I finished it!! It was just that great.
I really liked all of the characters is this book… yeah, nope, I cannot tell a lie. I hated Cooper’s (cough, cough) witch of a mother!! I REALLY wanted to punch her, several times in fact!! Just thinking about her right now is raising my blood pressure.
Emilie is the perfect woman for Cooper. She is her own person, determined to make it on her own merits. She is not one of those greedy socialites that Cooper’s mother (look in the mirror “mother”!!!) is trying to chain him to. Now, on to Cooper. Cooper, Cooper, what can I say. GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR REAR QUARTER AND OPEN YOUR EYES!!! Quit being so loyal to your “mother’s” standards!! LIVE for YOU!!! I absolutely LOVED seeing Cooper finally waking up!!
Last few thoughts:
1. The slap
2. Frosting
and
3. Officer and a Gentleman (What??? You say?) Read the book you will understand!!
4. OH, and I still HATE that, errrr WITCH!!!
I SOOOOOO loved this book. I really think it is my favorite of the series so far.
Because of my love of romance books, and my love of reading them, I was gifted with a copy of this fantastic book for my opinions and thoughts of the book.
My honest to God opinions are, if you love to read romance, this book is definitely for you. Go hit that purchase button from your favorite retailer you will not be sorry.
I can’t wait for the Audible to come out, I loved this book so much I will definitely be purchasing it as soon as it does!!!
Thank you for reading my review. Have a great day, and happy reading!!!
Groomed to Perfection is the 5th book is Ms. Chase’s Meet Me at the Altar series. I have read and loved every book is this series, but is book, Groomed to Perfection, well it is just perfect!!! Emilie and Cooper just took a hold of my heart and would not let go. I started this book as soon as it hit my Kindle and could not put it down until I finished it!! It was just that great.
I really liked all of the characters is this book… yeah, nope, I cannot tell a lie. I hated Cooper’s (cough, cough) witch of a mother!! I REALLY wanted to punch her, several times in fact!! Just thinking about her right now is raising my blood pressure.
Emilie is the perfect woman for Cooper. She is her own person, determined to make it on her own merits. She is not one of those greedy socialites that Cooper’s mother (look in the mirror “mother”!!!) is trying to chain him to. Now, on to Cooper. Cooper, Cooper, what can I say. GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR REAR QUARTER AND OPEN YOUR EYES!!! Quit being so loyal to your “mother’s” standards!! LIVE for YOU!!! I absolutely LOVED seeing Cooper finally waking up!!
Last few thoughts:
1. The slap
2. Frosting
and
3. Officer and a Gentleman (What??? You say?) Read the book you will understand!!
4. OH, and I still HATE that, errrr WITCH!!!
I SOOOOOO loved this book. I really think it is my favorite of the series so far.
Because of my love of romance books, and my love of reading them, I was gifted with a copy of this fantastic book for my opinions and thoughts of the book.
My honest to God opinions are, if you love to read romance, this book is definitely for you. Go hit that purchase button from your favorite retailer you will not be sorry.
I can’t wait for the Audible to come out, I loved this book so much I will definitely be purchasing it as soon as it does!!!
Thank you for reading my review. Have a great day, and happy reading!!!
May 13, 2022
Fairy lights and a liberal dash of pixie dust create the perfect backdrop for Emilie Michels and Cooper Vandergrift romance. They meet at a society wedding – he’s a guest and she’s part of the catering crew. Cooper asks Emilie to stay and the couple talk for hours without revealing why they are at the wedding. The couple share a magical kiss before Emilie leaves with Cooper’s coat.
Samantha Chase’s Cinderella inspired novel Groomed to Perfection is filled with captivating characters, family drama and a classic Disney inspired romance. As the oldest son, Cooper Vandergrift is expected to take over the family business. Although he enjoys designing and building, he’s being pushed into a career and a life that does not appeal to him by is overbearing mother. Samantha Chase creates a wonderful hero in Cooper. I loved his easy going nature and cheered for him when he realized that he had to step up in order to claim his future.
Emilie has been one of my favorite characters in the series—she is a loyal friend to her business partners, a hard worker and always has a tub of frosting or a plate of cookies in times of stress. Emilie is hard working and family oriented-she takes care of her grandmother before heading into work. Enjoyed getting to know her parents and her grandmother—the best Samantha Chase character ever—she was a hoot!
Loved that Emile and Cooper supported each other. Both characters had dreams—Cooper wanted to work in the design department. Emilie wants to open a bakery at the Meet Me at the Altar offices. Loved the couples chemistry and Cooper’s relationship with Emilie’s grandmother was perfect—so sweet! Samantha Chase writes a heartfelt romance for this couple who realize family is more important than social standing, you can choose your future and a dream is a wish your heart makes!
I enjoyed every word of Groomed to Perfection and I know you will too!
Samantha Chase’s Cinderella inspired novel Groomed to Perfection is filled with captivating characters, family drama and a classic Disney inspired romance. As the oldest son, Cooper Vandergrift is expected to take over the family business. Although he enjoys designing and building, he’s being pushed into a career and a life that does not appeal to him by is overbearing mother. Samantha Chase creates a wonderful hero in Cooper. I loved his easy going nature and cheered for him when he realized that he had to step up in order to claim his future.
Emilie has been one of my favorite characters in the series—she is a loyal friend to her business partners, a hard worker and always has a tub of frosting or a plate of cookies in times of stress. Emilie is hard working and family oriented-she takes care of her grandmother before heading into work. Enjoyed getting to know her parents and her grandmother—the best Samantha Chase character ever—she was a hoot!
Loved that Emile and Cooper supported each other. Both characters had dreams—Cooper wanted to work in the design department. Emilie wants to open a bakery at the Meet Me at the Altar offices. Loved the couples chemistry and Cooper’s relationship with Emilie’s grandmother was perfect—so sweet! Samantha Chase writes a heartfelt romance for this couple who realize family is more important than social standing, you can choose your future and a dream is a wish your heart makes!
I enjoyed every word of Groomed to Perfection and I know you will too!
May 4, 2022
The girls at Meet Me at the Alter are back in full force and have their employee .. Emilie’s back !! When Emilie hangs back at a client’s wedding to make sure her wedding cake doesn’t have any issues, she notices a gentlemen watching her from a far and she has no idea who he is .. So when he finally comes over to talk to her she feels like she is in a fairytale .. Beautiful wedding, Wonderful music and Delectable wedding cake !! BUT we all know fairytales are meant to end at the end of the night ….
Alastair “Cooper” Vandergrift has been thinking about his cousins wedding for weeks now and the suit jacket that was a miss when his Cinderella aka Emilie had run off with it. He wishes he could have gotten her name or anything to know about her because she made him feel things that he never thought was possible being a Vandergrift and all.
So what are the odds that by chance they meet again at his and his brothers wedding consults even though he has NO fiancé ?? Em is stund speechless and so is Cooper when he sees his Cinderella again !!
These two have a chemistry, a friendship that everyone would love to have right off the bat with some one because when you know it is right .. you just KNOW !! But when Coopers mother medaling gets in the middle of these two individuals they know they might be an end date to there happiness if Mrs. Vandergrift has anything to do with it AND .. oh bit does she pull the stunt of the century !!
Can these two loving individual break years and years of family tradition or will Emilie let Cooper go because she knows she isn’t up to his mothers standards or a wife being a lonely baker ?? Can Cooper make his mother see what he sees in Em .. LOVE, True LOVE ??
WONDERFUL STORY AND WRITING !! LOVED IT ALL !! Can’t wait for more !!
Alastair “Cooper” Vandergrift has been thinking about his cousins wedding for weeks now and the suit jacket that was a miss when his Cinderella aka Emilie had run off with it. He wishes he could have gotten her name or anything to know about her because she made him feel things that he never thought was possible being a Vandergrift and all.
So what are the odds that by chance they meet again at his and his brothers wedding consults even though he has NO fiancé ?? Em is stund speechless and so is Cooper when he sees his Cinderella again !!
These two have a chemistry, a friendship that everyone would love to have right off the bat with some one because when you know it is right .. you just KNOW !! But when Coopers mother medaling gets in the middle of these two individuals they know they might be an end date to there happiness if Mrs. Vandergrift has anything to do with it AND .. oh bit does she pull the stunt of the century !!
Can these two loving individual break years and years of family tradition or will Emilie let Cooper go because she knows she isn’t up to his mothers standards or a wife being a lonely baker ?? Can Cooper make his mother see what he sees in Em .. LOVE, True LOVE ??
WONDERFUL STORY AND WRITING !! LOVED IT ALL !! Can’t wait for more !!
May 4, 2022
Groomed to Perfection was just that, pretty close to perfection! While I have read Samantha Chase before, this was my first Meet Me at the Altar book and I couldn't put it down!
Meet Me at the Alter is a weddings and special events company owned by three friends. One of their bakers, Emilie, ends up staying behind at a wedding they had planned and ends up meeting one of the wedding guests, the groom's cousin, Cooper. They have a fantastic time chatting and sharing stories, but then it is time for Emilie to say goodnight. She knows she'll never see him again, but she can't deny the spark she felt.
When a family planning two weddings shows up for a cake tasting at Meet Me at the Alter and Emilie and Cooper come face to face again, they are both stunned. Emilie is confused given that she didn't realize Cooper was betrothed and Cooper equally confused thinking she had been a guest at his cousin's wedding. When it comes out that Cooper's mother is working overtime to find him a suitable wife, and that she's just laying the groundwork for the wedding, Emilie doesn't know what to think. Will Cooper end up breaking free of decades of "tradition" in his family to go after Emilie, the woman he too can't stop thinking about? Or will his loyalty to his family win out?
I loved this book. I was hooked from the outset and I didn't want to put it down, which I think was evidenced by how quickly I read it! All of the characters are so enjoyable and the ladies that work at Meet Me at the Alter are just awesome. I definitely am looking forward to the next book and I'm also going to go back and read the first four books in the series!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
Meet Me at the Alter is a weddings and special events company owned by three friends. One of their bakers, Emilie, ends up staying behind at a wedding they had planned and ends up meeting one of the wedding guests, the groom's cousin, Cooper. They have a fantastic time chatting and sharing stories, but then it is time for Emilie to say goodnight. She knows she'll never see him again, but she can't deny the spark she felt.
When a family planning two weddings shows up for a cake tasting at Meet Me at the Alter and Emilie and Cooper come face to face again, they are both stunned. Emilie is confused given that she didn't realize Cooper was betrothed and Cooper equally confused thinking she had been a guest at his cousin's wedding. When it comes out that Cooper's mother is working overtime to find him a suitable wife, and that she's just laying the groundwork for the wedding, Emilie doesn't know what to think. Will Cooper end up breaking free of decades of "tradition" in his family to go after Emilie, the woman he too can't stop thinking about? Or will his loyalty to his family win out?
I loved this book. I was hooked from the outset and I didn't want to put it down, which I think was evidenced by how quickly I read it! All of the characters are so enjoyable and the ladies that work at Meet Me at the Alter are just awesome. I definitely am looking forward to the next book and I'm also going to go back and read the first four books in the series!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
May 8, 2022
Holy wow, if I thought Georgia Bishop from the Magnolia Sound series was the mother of all mothers, she's got nothing on Evelyn Vandergrift. I mean, what mother plans her son's wedding when he isn’t even dating anyone?! This mother of all mean girls is one you'll love to hate. Just because her son Alistair (ahem, he prefers Cooper, TYVM) is the oldest and his younger brother Blake is engaged, Evelyn thinks planning two weddings is better than one.
Poor Cooper. I’ve known some “bless his heart" heroes, but I think he takes the cake. That whole first-born son thing is an albatross for Cooper. He's supposed to become the CEO of the family business once his father retires, but Cooper would be much happier in the R&D/design area of the company. He's supposed to get married first, and his mother won’t quit tossing innumerable “suitable” women in his path..
Emily Michels loves her life working as a baker at Meet Me At The Alter wedding planners. She has her own Cinderella moment when she meets a handsome man who catches her quietly observing the festivities one night after her work is done. After a few hours of talking and connecting that end with one memorable kiss, she expects never to see Cooper again. Imagine her surprise when he shows up for a cake tasting session for the two Vandergrift weddings being planned.
If I’m being honest, I really didn’t see how these two would ever make it as a couple. But, oh my heart, if you want a romance full of personal development, determination, and making new life choices, this is that read and it absolutely doesn’t disappoint! (Just you wait, Mrs. Vandergrift! Mwahaha!) This one is sweet and tender but will have you cheering out loud and is guaranteed to make your romantic heart ecstatically happy.
Poor Cooper. I’ve known some “bless his heart" heroes, but I think he takes the cake. That whole first-born son thing is an albatross for Cooper. He's supposed to become the CEO of the family business once his father retires, but Cooper would be much happier in the R&D/design area of the company. He's supposed to get married first, and his mother won’t quit tossing innumerable “suitable” women in his path..
Emily Michels loves her life working as a baker at Meet Me At The Alter wedding planners. She has her own Cinderella moment when she meets a handsome man who catches her quietly observing the festivities one night after her work is done. After a few hours of talking and connecting that end with one memorable kiss, she expects never to see Cooper again. Imagine her surprise when he shows up for a cake tasting session for the two Vandergrift weddings being planned.
If I’m being honest, I really didn’t see how these two would ever make it as a couple. But, oh my heart, if you want a romance full of personal development, determination, and making new life choices, this is that read and it absolutely doesn’t disappoint! (Just you wait, Mrs. Vandergrift! Mwahaha!) This one is sweet and tender but will have you cheering out loud and is guaranteed to make your romantic heart ecstatically happy.
May 13, 2022
Groomed to Perfection, Samatha Chase’s book #5 in her Meet Me at the Altar series, is a 5 star read for me. If you’ve ever read any of Ms. Chase’s books, you know that she writes standalone as part of a series books that will hook you from chapter 1 with her creative writing, realistic characters that you can imagine would be part of your friend group, and interesting plots.
... and Groomed to Perfection is a perfect example of why I love Ms. Chases’ books.
Emilie is a baker in a wedding planning business. She’s dedicated to her job and very professional and serious ... she’s also reserved and quiet, never one for the party. It seems like everyone around her is getting married but she’s convinced it won’t be for her. Instead, she hangs out with her grandmother during her time off work.
Cooper Vandergrift is a study in contrasts ... he’s got everything material a guy could want, but his life is far emptier than he’d like. He’s questioning his life choices and wondering if he’s hit a “break the glass” situation, especially with his typically overbearing mother surpassing an all time high. The only time of late that he can remotely remember being interested in anything is when he met someone at a family member’s wedding in the courtyard outside ... and she left with his new suit jacket before he could get a name or number.
He’s convinced that he’s going to have to do something drastic when he attended his brother’s wedding cake tasting and runs into Emilie again ... can he convince her that their lives aren’t that different and that she should take a chance on him? Will he be able to fend off the girls his mother is throwing at him?
Groomed to Perfection is a wonderful story; a read you’ll want to download immediately and settle in to read!
I was provided an ARC by the author and am happy to share this review with the hopes that you’ll find this book to be as fab as I did!
... and Groomed to Perfection is a perfect example of why I love Ms. Chases’ books.
Emilie is a baker in a wedding planning business. She’s dedicated to her job and very professional and serious ... she’s also reserved and quiet, never one for the party. It seems like everyone around her is getting married but she’s convinced it won’t be for her. Instead, she hangs out with her grandmother during her time off work.
Cooper Vandergrift is a study in contrasts ... he’s got everything material a guy could want, but his life is far emptier than he’d like. He’s questioning his life choices and wondering if he’s hit a “break the glass” situation, especially with his typically overbearing mother surpassing an all time high. The only time of late that he can remotely remember being interested in anything is when he met someone at a family member’s wedding in the courtyard outside ... and she left with his new suit jacket before he could get a name or number.
He’s convinced that he’s going to have to do something drastic when he attended his brother’s wedding cake tasting and runs into Emilie again ... can he convince her that their lives aren’t that different and that she should take a chance on him? Will he be able to fend off the girls his mother is throwing at him?
Groomed to Perfection is a wonderful story; a read you’ll want to download immediately and settle in to read!
I was provided an ARC by the author and am happy to share this review with the hopes that you’ll find this book to be as fab as I did!
May 9, 2022
I have read other books feature the Meet Me at the Altar crew and loved each one. I love that each book is its own story. There is a HEA guarantee and the story is complete. Each book features a different character and tells their love story.
Groomed to Perfection is the story of Cooper and Emilie. Emilie is a phenomenal character. She meets Cooper, feels the attraction, and walks away thinking she will never see him again. They, of course, meet again the sparks still fly and even though she worries that it is a bad idea, she gives Cooper a chance. Each date the sparks get hotter and hotter, and her feelings grown stronger and strong. When push comes to shove and Cooper does not stand up for himself or her, she walks away. SHE WALKS AWAY from the man she loves, the future she was hoping for, and gets a broken heart. I LOVE how strong she is. She walks away from a man who loves her, and she loves because she knows that at this point, she cannot get what she needs from him. She puts herself first, but she gave him a chance before giving up.
I enjoyed seeing Cooper figure out life. He figured it out a little too late, but better late then never, right? I hated how his family treated him and the expectations that they put on him. He walked the line that his family laid out for him and was afraid to step out of line. Not standing up for himself cost him the woman, Emilie, that he loves. I loved how much he loves Emilie, but dang boy GROW UP and stand up for what you want.
Samantha Chase wrote a great addition to the Meet Me at the Altar series. I will always read these books and am excited for the next one to be released.
Groomed to Perfection is the story of Cooper and Emilie. Emilie is a phenomenal character. She meets Cooper, feels the attraction, and walks away thinking she will never see him again. They, of course, meet again the sparks still fly and even though she worries that it is a bad idea, she gives Cooper a chance. Each date the sparks get hotter and hotter, and her feelings grown stronger and strong. When push comes to shove and Cooper does not stand up for himself or her, she walks away. SHE WALKS AWAY from the man she loves, the future she was hoping for, and gets a broken heart. I LOVE how strong she is. She walks away from a man who loves her, and she loves because she knows that at this point, she cannot get what she needs from him. She puts herself first, but she gave him a chance before giving up.
I enjoyed seeing Cooper figure out life. He figured it out a little too late, but better late then never, right? I hated how his family treated him and the expectations that they put on him. He walked the line that his family laid out for him and was afraid to step out of line. Not standing up for himself cost him the woman, Emilie, that he loves. I loved how much he loves Emilie, but dang boy GROW UP and stand up for what you want.
Samantha Chase wrote a great addition to the Meet Me at the Altar series. I will always read these books and am excited for the next one to be released.
May 10, 2022
4 Stars
The latest book in the Meet Me at the Altar series brings Emilie front and center. After crossing paths with Cooper at a wedding she worked at, she runs into him in the most unexpected place, a wedding consultation. After agreeing to listen to what he has to say about his “wedding” plans both Emilie and Cooper realize their attraction is still very much real.
I enjoy this series so much as a reader, and this book really drew me in. I was a bit disappointed in Emilie a few times for comments made to Cooper, feeling as though she was being a bit judgmental and unfair. They were random comments that did not effect my love for the couple. I was put off a bit by the big climax of the story though at around 70-75%. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the event and the way things played out in terms of how Cooper’s mom behaved, I was really disappointed in Emilie’s reaction and treatment of Cooper. I really felt the turn things took for the next few chapters, in terms of scenes with or related to Emilie, was not at all what I felt it should’ve been. Though in the end, I was happy with where things ended up between the couple and even with the rest of Cooper’s family, those few chapters caused me to give this story 4 Stars instead of my usual 5 Stars for the books in this series.
Do not doubt, this is a fantastic book, and others may feel differently than I did in relation to Emilie’s behavior and comments, so I hope readers will pick up the story with an open mind. I look forward to the next book in the series and cannot wait to see what’s in store for Knox!
Cara - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
The latest book in the Meet Me at the Altar series brings Emilie front and center. After crossing paths with Cooper at a wedding she worked at, she runs into him in the most unexpected place, a wedding consultation. After agreeing to listen to what he has to say about his “wedding” plans both Emilie and Cooper realize their attraction is still very much real.
I enjoy this series so much as a reader, and this book really drew me in. I was a bit disappointed in Emilie a few times for comments made to Cooper, feeling as though she was being a bit judgmental and unfair. They were random comments that did not effect my love for the couple. I was put off a bit by the big climax of the story though at around 70-75%. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the event and the way things played out in terms of how Cooper’s mom behaved, I was really disappointed in Emilie’s reaction and treatment of Cooper. I really felt the turn things took for the next few chapters, in terms of scenes with or related to Emilie, was not at all what I felt it should’ve been. Though in the end, I was happy with where things ended up between the couple and even with the rest of Cooper’s family, those few chapters caused me to give this story 4 Stars instead of my usual 5 Stars for the books in this series.
Do not doubt, this is a fantastic book, and others may feel differently than I did in relation to Emilie’s behavior and comments, so I hope readers will pick up the story with an open mind. I look forward to the next book in the series and cannot wait to see what’s in store for Knox!
Cara - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
May 10, 2022
Samantha Chase is definitely my all time favorite author. She truly has a gift for writing. She creates these amazing worlds that are just breathtakingly magical. Her words are guaranteed to dance into your heart forever.
In Groomed to Perfection we get an amazing, heart-swooning and heart-warming story. Emilie Michels and Cooper Vandergrift are opposites. He's a Billionaire who was set on a path practically since birth. She's a baker who works at Meet Me At The Altar. She adores her friends and family. Now with that said, Evelyn Vandergrift, Cooper's mom, is another story entirely. She is the meddling, manipulative, controlling mother and thats putting it nicely. If you ever read the Magnolia Sound book's then you've met Georgia Bishop. Well Evelyn Vandergrift makes Georgia Bishop look good.
I just fell in love with Cooper and Emilie. It really was like Cinderella. My heart went out to Cooper. His struugles and his journey were heart-felt. He really grew as a character. I loved watching both Emilie and Cooper grow and come into their own. I just adored Groomed to Perfection. You can see that while love can change a person sometimes people don't behave accordingly when it comes to love. I had so many heart-felt moments. I cried, laughed and was definitely cheering for Emilie at a certain point. I really felt as if I were there watching it all play out. Samantha Chase took me out of reading a story and into the characters heads where I felt everything. I couldn't put it down. I read it in one night. Phenomenal and sweet. Thank you Samantha Chase for this heart-felt story.
In Groomed to Perfection we get an amazing, heart-swooning and heart-warming story. Emilie Michels and Cooper Vandergrift are opposites. He's a Billionaire who was set on a path practically since birth. She's a baker who works at Meet Me At The Altar. She adores her friends and family. Now with that said, Evelyn Vandergrift, Cooper's mom, is another story entirely. She is the meddling, manipulative, controlling mother and thats putting it nicely. If you ever read the Magnolia Sound book's then you've met Georgia Bishop. Well Evelyn Vandergrift makes Georgia Bishop look good.
I just fell in love with Cooper and Emilie. It really was like Cinderella. My heart went out to Cooper. His struugles and his journey were heart-felt. He really grew as a character. I loved watching both Emilie and Cooper grow and come into their own. I just adored Groomed to Perfection. You can see that while love can change a person sometimes people don't behave accordingly when it comes to love. I had so many heart-felt moments. I cried, laughed and was definitely cheering for Emilie at a certain point. I really felt as if I were there watching it all play out. Samantha Chase took me out of reading a story and into the characters heads where I felt everything. I couldn't put it down. I read it in one night. Phenomenal and sweet. Thank you Samantha Chase for this heart-felt story.
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