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Cappuccino #11
Wedding Season
Seventeen weddings. Six months. Only the strong survive.
Joy Silverman and her boyfriend, Gabriel Winslow, seem perfect for each other. Living together in New York City, they have everything they want and everything in common--most important, that neither one wants to get married. Ever.
But when Joy finds herself obligated to attend seventeen weddings in six months (including those of her father, mother, younger brother, and five of her closest girlfriends), the couple is forced to take a new look at why they're so opposed to marriage when the rest of the world can't wait to walk down the aisle. As the season heats up and the pressure mounts, Joy must confront what it means -- and what it costs -- to be true to one's self.
A witty, wicked comedy of manners in the satirical tradition of Jane Austen and Evelyn Waugh, Wedding Season is an intelligent, laugh-out-loud funny examination of friendship, faith, integrity, and the ideas and institutions that bind us together, shape our lives, and define who we are.
"If Jane Austen and Candace Bushnell were to meet for a long drink in a downtown bar, the delightful result might be a contemporary comedy of manners with a decidedly old-fashioned feel. Darcy Cosper has given us just a sweet and sharply funny concoction that will have bridesmaids everywhere nodding their heads in recognition." -- Dani Shapiro, author of Family History
"Wonderful.... Wedding Season is social comedy on a grand scale. A hilarious and urbane primer on getting hitched-or not-in the twenty-first century." -- Gary Shteyngart, author of The Russian Debutante's Handbook
Joy Silverman and her boyfriend, Gabriel Winslow, seem perfect for each other. Living together in New York City, they have everything they want and everything in common--most important, that neither one wants to get married. Ever.
But when Joy finds herself obligated to attend seventeen weddings in six months (including those of her father, mother, younger brother, and five of her closest girlfriends), the couple is forced to take a new look at why they're so opposed to marriage when the rest of the world can't wait to walk down the aisle. As the season heats up and the pressure mounts, Joy must confront what it means -- and what it costs -- to be true to one's self.
A witty, wicked comedy of manners in the satirical tradition of Jane Austen and Evelyn Waugh, Wedding Season is an intelligent, laugh-out-loud funny examination of friendship, faith, integrity, and the ideas and institutions that bind us together, shape our lives, and define who we are.
"If Jane Austen and Candace Bushnell were to meet for a long drink in a downtown bar, the delightful result might be a contemporary comedy of manners with a decidedly old-fashioned feel. Darcy Cosper has given us just a sweet and sharply funny concoction that will have bridesmaids everywhere nodding their heads in recognition." -- Dani Shapiro, author of Family History
"Wonderful.... Wedding Season is social comedy on a grand scale. A hilarious and urbane primer on getting hitched-or not-in the twenty-first century." -- Gary Shteyngart, author of The Russian Debutante's Handbook
342 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 2004
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547 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
February 7, 2009
I was expecting this book to be a comedy, and in the beginning it is. The absurdity of the narrator committing to attend seventeen weddings in a six month period of time, including those of several members of her immediate family and all of her friends, something that would make even the most avidly enthusiastic wedding goer a little weary, is the perfect formula for a humorous story. However, I grew quite weary of her increasingly hysterical (in the crazy not the funny way)and bordering psychotic thoughts and behavior especially those involving her own relationship with an excrutiatingly patient and understanding man who, despite her evident craziness, always seems there to catch and support her throughout her many breakdowns and her inevitable descent into crazyville.
I am not one to always turn my nose up at the typically predictable formula most love stories tend to embrace, nor do I hate a little originality and/or plot twist thrown in for good measure, but what I am really starting to tire of is the whole "otherwise good relationship is ruined by the stubborn refusal of one or both parties to be open and honest with one another, usually over something ridiculously stupid and insignificant which, due to the avoidance of communication, is blown out of proportion and leads to the demise of the relationship" storyline. When has "ignoring it and hoping it will go away" ever worked as a solution to one's problems? Never. So these ridiculously melodramatic storylines in books, movies, and television are needlessly overdone as a means to illustrate a lesson that most people already know.
I am not one to always turn my nose up at the typically predictable formula most love stories tend to embrace, nor do I hate a little originality and/or plot twist thrown in for good measure, but what I am really starting to tire of is the whole "otherwise good relationship is ruined by the stubborn refusal of one or both parties to be open and honest with one another, usually over something ridiculously stupid and insignificant which, due to the avoidance of communication, is blown out of proportion and leads to the demise of the relationship" storyline. When has "ignoring it and hoping it will go away" ever worked as a solution to one's problems? Never. So these ridiculously melodramatic storylines in books, movies, and television are needlessly overdone as a means to illustrate a lesson that most people already know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2009
Is it possible to give a book 0 stars? If it was, I would give this book just that. I am not very hard to please, as a book reader. I ask for a plot, a goal, something to keep me interested. And I ask for a good, believable character. This book has none of that. The main character was shallow, I could not relate at all. The plot seemed to have many holes, one being that all of the main characters friends were getting married in the same season. Now I don't know about you, but this seems like a far fetched concept. Then there was the fact that she chose to not get married. OK, fine, but every chapter did not have to mention her choice to not get married. I really wish that I never finished this book, but unfortunately, I am not good at putting books down once I start them.
November 4, 2007
"Oh, it isn't chick-lit... it's a parody of chick-lit." Right. Like ring-dings aren't devil dogs; they're a parody of devil dogs -- after all, ring-dings are round.
July 22, 2016
Well I only made it 21 pages, but that was enough for me to realize this book was only going to get worse. Even in that short space, the author was able to throw in the use of kowtow, "sayonara, sayonara, sayonara", as well as a completely tokenizing portrayal of the main character Joy's Asian friend. "Maud calls herself our diversity quota girl: she's Korean--second-generation Korean-American, I think. She's round and cheerful and sanguine as a farm wife in a Victorian novel, part hip-hop tomboy and part Hello Kitty kitsch princess." All of that might feel more excusable if the main character's boyfriend Gabe wasn't described as "possessed of this fine-boned patrician good looks only minutely removed from overt prettiness by a square jaw and a jaunty, assured, I-just-finished-my-rowing-practice glow of testosterone." Or if Gabe and Joy hadn't joked they could make a documentary of their upcoming adventure of attending 17 weddings in 6 moths and call it "Lifestyles of the White and Foolish" or "Mating Rituals of the American Upper-Middle Class". But since all that was packed into the first several pages, it sorta seemed like making the best friend character a lesbian (white of course) who is marrying her "African-American" girlfriend...added in just for "diversity points" which is pretty gross and dehumanizing. The book is trying so hard that it practically screams "don't worry, yeah it's a book about super privileged people but they're not *gasp* racist! They're not homophobic! Joy's best friend is a lesbian marrying a Black woman! One of her best friends is Asian. See how tolerant--I mean accepting they are of "minorities"!?" Yeah gross...next! I wish zero stars was an option. I'm really glad I learned awhile back not to waste my time on books that suck, bc there are too many good books to read and what feels like never enough time.
November 22, 2007
From a blog post I wrote in 2005:
Here's a prescription for chick lit books:
Make your main character a woman in her late 20's, who's employed in the literary (columnist, copy writer) or advertising fields, has lots of cool friends with fabulous jobs (no chronically unemployed, too depressing), lives in a big metropolitan area like NYC, LA, London or Chicago yet manages to constantly run into people she knows, is completely nuerotic, manages to offend her friends and family with her self absorbed behavior and end the story with them somehow all living happily ever after. Write the story in first-person so it's easier to illustrate the insane thought processes of the heroine and you've got a best seller on your hands.
Some chick lit authors manage to rise above this formula. Jennifer Weiner comes to mind. The same can't be said for Darcy Cosper and her work, Wedding Season: A Comedy of Manners, Matrimony & 17 Marriages in 6 Months. This formulaic effort's main character is a 29 year old who's sworn off marriage vehemently and vociferously to everyone who knows her but is forced to attend 17 weddings in a 6 month time span. During the 6 months, she ends up engaged to her live-in boyfriend despite suspecting he's having an affair and making a lot of choices where you just go, "What the hell did she do that for?"
I do give props to Cosper for character development. While the boyfriend isn't completely fleshed out (he just seems like a nice guy with a crazy girlfriend), there are several characters more clearly defined whom I grew to actually care about.
Here's a prescription for chick lit books:
Make your main character a woman in her late 20's, who's employed in the literary (columnist, copy writer) or advertising fields, has lots of cool friends with fabulous jobs (no chronically unemployed, too depressing), lives in a big metropolitan area like NYC, LA, London or Chicago yet manages to constantly run into people she knows, is completely nuerotic, manages to offend her friends and family with her self absorbed behavior and end the story with them somehow all living happily ever after. Write the story in first-person so it's easier to illustrate the insane thought processes of the heroine and you've got a best seller on your hands.
Some chick lit authors manage to rise above this formula. Jennifer Weiner comes to mind. The same can't be said for Darcy Cosper and her work, Wedding Season: A Comedy of Manners, Matrimony & 17 Marriages in 6 Months. This formulaic effort's main character is a 29 year old who's sworn off marriage vehemently and vociferously to everyone who knows her but is forced to attend 17 weddings in a 6 month time span. During the 6 months, she ends up engaged to her live-in boyfriend despite suspecting he's having an affair and making a lot of choices where you just go, "What the hell did she do that for?"
I do give props to Cosper for character development. While the boyfriend isn't completely fleshed out (he just seems like a nice guy with a crazy girlfriend), there are several characters more clearly defined whom I grew to actually care about.
Want to read
June 16, 2014I don't think I've EVER seen a book rated this low on GR. I have to read it.
August 25, 2008
How I Came To Own This Book: I randomly bought it at McNally Robinson while going to school downtown.
The Plot: Joy is just about 30 and about to face a grueling six months where she'll attend 17 weddings, and be a bridesmaid in 5 of them. As if this weren't tough enough, Joy happens to be one of those increasingly common folks that just doesn't believe in marriage - period. Cue the incessant marriage talk between Joy, the attendees at the various weddings, and her long-term boyfriend who is suddenly hearing wedding bells.
The Good & The Bad: After a quick skim of my retro review, my feelings about this book are still similar - although I can't find it to reread now that I'm a bit more well-versed in my thoughts on marriage. The book itself is not particularly girly or enthralling despite the neat premise (sort of like a 27 Dresses in reverse) - I strongly disliked Joy for the most part. I do recall however, this book did an excellent job of challenging my preconceived notions on marriage and commitment. I would recommend it solely on the basis of its timeliness in our society, but not so much for the entertainment value.
The Bottom Line: Insightful, but less delightful.
50-Book Challenge?: No.
Retro Review: The thing that struck me about this book as I finished it wasn't the character development (for I found most of the characters too closed off), or the 'gripping' plot (it isn't particularly chaotic despite the books premise)...but what I took away from it. I found as I read the story that it really gives you some perspective on the institutions and conventions in our society, particularly (and obviously) surrounding Marriage and Weddings. I was drawn into the ideas of why some people cherish 'til death do us part' and why others, such as the main character, are so opposed (or maybe not) to weddings.
The story has the general premise of Joy Silverman, a 29-going on-30 year old woman with a perfect live-in boyfriend, who is faced with the dilemma of attending 17 weddings in 6 months, including her 5 nearest and dearest pals, both of her parents, friends of friends and friends of the family...you might assume, judging by the cover (a big no no) and the intial outline of hte story on the back and the catch phrase at the beginning, that you will be catapaulted into detailed accounts of the most important of these weddings...
Instead, Cosper uses the events that take place at the weddings to bring her anti-marriage heroine Joy to question her morals and beliefs in terms of why she is so against marraige, when all of these other people in her life are committing to one another. I think the story concept is original in itself as you are reading about someone who goes against hte conventions of both what we expect in society (marriage!) and what we expect from a 'romantic comedy-bridget jones-esque' type book that dominates the market these days for women (this book is hardly a romantic comedy...whatsoever). The only thing I found discouraging about the story was that there was a large number of characters and sub-plots introduced that never really went anywhere or contributed to the main messages of the novel, and serve mainly as confusing backdrop storylines that don't contribute to a more cohesive and concise book.
Regardless of the criticisms and congratulations I have to offer to Miss Cosper, I have to say that this book, while not the most enthralling of the ones I have read lately, was definiately one of the most unique and promising in terms of what you have to gain from reading it. Single and married women alike should not go into this story and expect a super dramatic romance and climax and all that jazz that you find in most books on the market, but should rather read this book for the experience and the values you will pick up when you are done.
The Plot: Joy is just about 30 and about to face a grueling six months where she'll attend 17 weddings, and be a bridesmaid in 5 of them. As if this weren't tough enough, Joy happens to be one of those increasingly common folks that just doesn't believe in marriage - period. Cue the incessant marriage talk between Joy, the attendees at the various weddings, and her long-term boyfriend who is suddenly hearing wedding bells.
The Good & The Bad: After a quick skim of my retro review, my feelings about this book are still similar - although I can't find it to reread now that I'm a bit more well-versed in my thoughts on marriage. The book itself is not particularly girly or enthralling despite the neat premise (sort of like a 27 Dresses in reverse) - I strongly disliked Joy for the most part. I do recall however, this book did an excellent job of challenging my preconceived notions on marriage and commitment. I would recommend it solely on the basis of its timeliness in our society, but not so much for the entertainment value.
The Bottom Line: Insightful, but less delightful.
50-Book Challenge?: No.
Retro Review: The thing that struck me about this book as I finished it wasn't the character development (for I found most of the characters too closed off), or the 'gripping' plot (it isn't particularly chaotic despite the books premise)...but what I took away from it. I found as I read the story that it really gives you some perspective on the institutions and conventions in our society, particularly (and obviously) surrounding Marriage and Weddings. I was drawn into the ideas of why some people cherish 'til death do us part' and why others, such as the main character, are so opposed (or maybe not) to weddings.
The story has the general premise of Joy Silverman, a 29-going on-30 year old woman with a perfect live-in boyfriend, who is faced with the dilemma of attending 17 weddings in 6 months, including her 5 nearest and dearest pals, both of her parents, friends of friends and friends of the family...you might assume, judging by the cover (a big no no) and the intial outline of hte story on the back and the catch phrase at the beginning, that you will be catapaulted into detailed accounts of the most important of these weddings...
Instead, Cosper uses the events that take place at the weddings to bring her anti-marriage heroine Joy to question her morals and beliefs in terms of why she is so against marraige, when all of these other people in her life are committing to one another. I think the story concept is original in itself as you are reading about someone who goes against hte conventions of both what we expect in society (marriage!) and what we expect from a 'romantic comedy-bridget jones-esque' type book that dominates the market these days for women (this book is hardly a romantic comedy...whatsoever). The only thing I found discouraging about the story was that there was a large number of characters and sub-plots introduced that never really went anywhere or contributed to the main messages of the novel, and serve mainly as confusing backdrop storylines that don't contribute to a more cohesive and concise book.
Regardless of the criticisms and congratulations I have to offer to Miss Cosper, I have to say that this book, while not the most enthralling of the ones I have read lately, was definiately one of the most unique and promising in terms of what you have to gain from reading it. Single and married women alike should not go into this story and expect a super dramatic romance and climax and all that jazz that you find in most books on the market, but should rather read this book for the experience and the values you will pick up when you are done.
October 29, 2009
I think it's actually tougher to find good chick lit than good literary fiction--which, honestly? Nothing about this book was good--not the pretentious writing style, the preachiness about marriage being an institution doomed to failure, not the cardboard-cutter characters (doting boyfriend, gay brother, bitchy and confusing editor extraordinaire main character), not the plot or the ending or the dialogue or--anything really.
Brought this to Hong Kong to read for easy/entertaining airport reading, and left it in Hong Kong because it wasn't worth the space taking back in my bag. But now I kind of regret it--it would be terrible if someone picked it up and read it.
Brought this to Hong Kong to read for easy/entertaining airport reading, and left it in Hong Kong because it wasn't worth the space taking back in my bag. But now I kind of regret it--it would be terrible if someone picked it up and read it.
October 16, 2010
No. Just...no. So much is wrong with this book all I can ask is what happened in the author's life to make her so bitter towards relationships? I am all for people having differing opinions regarding marriage, Darcy Cosper is so negative her message is overshadowed. Add on top of that conversations that felt jilted and wooden, annoying use of SAT-esque vocabulary, and the overusage of the name "Vern" that left characters mouths every time they said something, you have the makings of a book I can only summarize by saying - no. Just...no.
September 24, 2018
This was an interesting story. I appreciated the dilemma of the main character. Ideals vs reality, truths vs humanity, both her own and those around her.
The writing was intelligent, the allusions were often over my head, but it was nice to be challenged. For some reason I really identified with her struggle while not at all agreeing with her world view. I loved the variety of life portrayed by her fiends, the personalities of her friends and family.
For the record, I was disappointed in the ending, but I’m not sure it could have been any different.
The writing was intelligent, the allusions were often over my head, but it was nice to be challenged. For some reason I really identified with her struggle while not at all agreeing with her world view. I loved the variety of life portrayed by her fiends, the personalities of her friends and family.
For the record, I was disappointed in the ending, but I’m not sure it could have been any different.
March 18, 2011
One of the only books I could not finish reading. Don't waste your money on this book. The characters are not well-developed and are scattered all over the place. The dialogue is terrible. It is pretentious and just way too wordy. It is also offensive that the book synopsis avers it is written in the style of Jane Austen. I can't even give it a rating...
November 25, 2016
I was so irritated by Joy the protagonist and her stance on marriage. It serves her right for the way things resolved with the long-suffering Gabriel. ARGH!!
I also grew tired of reading the f-word and seeing the LORD's name taken in vain. It will be a while before I read one of Ms. Cosper's books.
I also grew tired of reading the f-word and seeing the LORD's name taken in vain. It will be a while before I read one of Ms. Cosper's books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2007
This is fluff, yes, but enjoyable when the reader is burned out on matrimonial celebrations. The ending isn't typical of the genre (chick lit) and that too, is appealing.
February 8, 2018
I wasn't sure about this book at times. There were some slow parts and the weddings got to be a bit tedious after awhile, but there was definitely enough humor to keep me reading. I really like Henry and I can relate to Joy. One of the things I like most about this site is being able to read others' opinions of the books I'm reading. Most seemed to hate the ending. Personally, I did like the ending. =) This isn't typical chick lit. I think I actually would have enjoyed the book more had I known this wasn't going to end like almost all other chick lit would have. Joy shouldn't get married just because everyone else is and thinks she should. If she's not at a point in her life where she really wants to marry someone, she shouldn't. Turning 30 is not a good reason!
January 29, 2023
The protagonist faces seventeen weddings in one year, distributed between family and friends and her best friend (lesbian, statuesque, very emphatic). Joy, the protagonist, is anti-marriage. Her mother has given her a distaste for it. Joy's boyfriend Gabe, a laid-back photographer who works for a living, although with the backing of a trust-fund, does to begin with share her position, but his age and his upbringing do eventually catch up with him. And it is not as if Joy is not possessive. Chick lit, as they say, but very well done.
July 18, 2022
I really like this concept it was like sex in the city and 27 dresses blended together except that one of the girls actually was a lesbian not an IRL lesbian portraying a straight woman. The book went on a little too long in the set up and some of the wedding scenes were long but then some of the wedding scenes were just spoke of I think they could have been a mix it was a cute little romcom twist which was great and the main character getting in touch with her feelings.
February 25, 2018
So wrong
So many things wrong. A cast of about twenty that is hard to keep track of. A main character who is totally screwed up and so inconsistent. I kept reading (for lack of other reading material) hoping it would have a good ending but it was terrible. And terribly stupid. What a waste of time.
So many things wrong. A cast of about twenty that is hard to keep track of. A main character who is totally screwed up and so inconsistent. I kept reading (for lack of other reading material) hoping it would have a good ending but it was terrible. And terribly stupid. What a waste of time.
Read
June 15, 2022DNF.
I literally fell asleep while reading this book. Not only is the prospect of 17 weddings in 6 months preposterous, but it is also full of too many secondary characters that made my head swim. I do not know anyone who has that many close friends. Do you?
I so much wanted to love this book. But sometimes even published books fail to engage a reader in the story.
I literally fell asleep while reading this book. Not only is the prospect of 17 weddings in 6 months preposterous, but it is also full of too many secondary characters that made my head swim. I do not know anyone who has that many close friends. Do you?
I so much wanted to love this book. But sometimes even published books fail to engage a reader in the story.
December 7, 2025
Just don't do this to yourself.
Did I judge the book (to look like a cute fluffy read) by the cover? Yes. Do I now question my judgment. Yes. Have I finally given up and placed this in a rare DNF category. Yes.
Picked up for free on a book swap table, will NOT be putting it into any other swaps to ruin someone else's reading time.
Did I judge the book (to look like a cute fluffy read) by the cover? Yes. Do I now question my judgment. Yes. Have I finally given up and placed this in a rare DNF category. Yes.
Picked up for free on a book swap table, will NOT be putting it into any other swaps to ruin someone else's reading time.
January 21, 2019
17 marriages in 6 months for this heroine. Mixed feelings about the ending! Humourously written and with a rich vocabulary, plot was a little dull. Kept reading in hopes it would magically all work out, and because of the great language.
July 13, 2021
I made a Goodreads shelf for books that I did not finish. Wedding Season is one of only four on that shelf. Do not believe the reviews comparing this book to Jane Austen or any other author except maybe one that you hate.
March 12, 2025
This book was nothing stand out special and not horrible. It took me way longer than I would’ve liked because t felt boring most of the time. If you want some chick lit kinda reading maybe this is for you lol
July 5, 2017
Unbelievable shallow & immature "heroine". There doesn't need to be a whole book about someone this uninteresting.
June 15, 2020
Well-written, but was kind of stressful and sad to read.
March 5, 2023
Very slow
March 13, 2023
This book was really really really hard to get into. Then I finally did and needed to know what happens and then the ending let me down. Blah is how I feel!
September 24, 2025
this book was overall okay and boring, I almost considered dropping midway but stuck to it, and I'm glad because the ending was to my tastes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2023
I was duped by the pretty, pastel, early aughts chick-lit cover. You would think for such a WASPy, twentysomething NYC socialite story fovused around 17 weddings that Wedding Season would be a little less dull, but alas...
ATY 2023 Reading Challenge: A title that contains a word often found in a recipe (Wedding Season)
POPSUGAR 2023 Reading Challenge: a book you bought secondhand
ATY 2023 Reading Challenge: A title that contains a word often found in a recipe (Wedding Season)
POPSUGAR 2023 Reading Challenge: a book you bought secondhand
March 4, 2018
I stopped reading about 1/4 of the way in. Couldn’t get interested in the characters or their relationships to each other. Chick lit poorly done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews