Once Upon a Bride: A Novel

Second Chances #1

by Jean Stone

Can love, romance, and marriage really be better the second time around? That’s what four best friends are about to find out in Jean Stone’s sexy, smart, and poignantly funny new novel about saying “I do” all over again.
It’s an idea just crazy enough to work–a wedding-planning business tailored for second weddings run by four single best friends who’ve loved, who’ve lost, and who are ready to start again. A successful Boston publicist, Jo Lyons has returned to West Hope after a devastating breakup left her career and her heart broken. Now she’ll try to pick up the pieces among the three women she knows best. Lily, the fun-loving, free-spirited eternal optimist. Sarah, the strong-willed unconventional artist. Elaine, the would-be domestic diva. It’s Elaine’s upcoming second marriage that will be the inspiration and test model for their new business, Second Chances. For Jo it just may be an unexpected second chance of a different, far more romantic kind, but only if she’s willing to give love–and life–another try.

Genres: Romance, Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a different kind of romance novel. This one featured older characters and a bit of maturity not usually seen in the romance noels I usually read. For me it was more about the relationship between the four women and I'm a little excited to see where this series is going.

[Hannah McQuade · Rating 3 out of 5]

it ended better than I thought. A little dated in how the story is told but it did make me want to read the rest of the books to find out what happens. I thought it was going to be wrapped up in one book but glad it did not. Although I am rather sick of reading about weddings...

[Ginger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it was going to be a romance.

[Averill Blatchford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait to read the sequel!

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, the start of a series, reminded me far too much of Nora Roberts' Bride Quartet, only this series came first. Four old friends, in their early 40s, come together to form Second Chances, a wedding planning service for woman getting married a second time. Lily is flighty but monied. Supposedly these women met in college but I cannot believe they would have stayed friends with Lily. Very little substance. She's been married 3 times, divorced 2x and widowed once, hence the money. Sarah is a jewelry designer. Not married but together with the father of her son. Elaine, the reason for the new venture, is getting married for the 2nd time. Jo has just been completely swindled by the man she loved. She's in this to lick her wounds. Add a fake-gay man as their receptionist (he's undercover as a columnist to find out what women are really like. They don't know he's straight.) I couldn't warm up to the characters but the last third of the book did make it hard to put down. Hence the 3 stars.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misunderstandings, betrayal, recovery, healing, and best friends. It all comes together in this book of love and romance and weddings. A nice light read but doesn't follow the formula of most romances. It's got some substance. And the women are smart and capable, but can still work out a relationship with a man.