Published by: Lake Union Publishing
Pages: 363
Date Published: 01/07/2021
Date Read: 15/06/2021
Lily Weiss is her mother’s worst nightmare: thirty-two and single – the horror! She’s also a talented writer but hides behind a boring job at a science foundation. To her friends, she’s reliable and selfless, which is how she winds up being a bridesmaid in five weddings in six weeks. Anything for her three best friends and two (younger) siblings, right? Even if her own love light is…well, she’d rather not talk about it. To keep her sanity, Lily needs a safe place to vent.
And so her anonymous blog, Bridesmania, is born. The posts start pouring out of her: all the feels about mom-zillas, her vanishing bank balance, the wicked bridesmaids of the west, high-strung brides-to-be, body-shaming dress clerks, bachelorette parties, and Spanx for days, not to mention being deemed guardian of eighty-eight-year-old Granny (who enjoys morning mimosas in the nude) for her brother’s destination wedding.
So far the blog has stayed anonymous. But as everyone knows, few things online remain secret forever…
When all is said and done, can Lily help all five couples make it to happily ever after? And will her own happy ending be close behind?
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy of this book in receipt of an honest review.
CONTAINS MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS
This is such a hilarious and relatable rom-com that I found it really difficult to put aside and actually do proper adult stuff rather than sit and read all day, which is how I really want to spend my days.
In the 28 years I’ve been on this Earth, I’ve been a bridesmaid three times.
The first time was when I was about 5 and my only job was to look absolutely adorable in a pink fluff ball of a dress.
The second time was for my cousin when I was about 10, and I spent the whole day crushing on the very much older best man.
The most recent was eight years ago for my brother. Whilst assisting with important bridesmaid duties, I also spent the day getting ridiculously drunk, and finally eating proper food after six weeks of trying to fit into my somewhat snug dress (I blame the dress and not my obvious university weight).
I cannot imagine being a bridesmaid or maid of honour for five weddings, all in the space of two months. As much as I adore my friends, there’s not enough gin in the world for that.
But at least Lily has the very dashing Alex to hold her hand throughout it, even if they’re (and I’ll shout it for those in the back) JUST FRIENDS. A lot of my male friends are gay, so trying to pretend they’re my date for weddings could be a bit of a stretch.
Some of the characters Sara has written are real pieces of work, but none felt like a caricature. Everyone is believable, no matter how sickly sweet or over-the-top nasty backstabbing they may be. We’ve all met each character in this book, and dare I say it, we may even identify ourselves – especially those amongst us who have been referred to as a “bridezilla”.
I’ll be honest, the general plot was a little predictable. Hold up, let me explain.
Girl meets boy, girl falls in love with boy, girl disses all her friends, friends find out, everyone hates her, girl apologises, everyone forgives her, and she gets the guy.
Know what I mean?
But I don’t mean this as a negative. In my opinion, romantic comedies tend to follow a very strict plot pattern, but that’s what makes it relatable and enjoyable to read. No surprises, no difficulties, just pure joy. How I wish my life was like that.
Books By Your Bedside 