Happily Ever After (Happily Ever After #1)
by Jen Meyers
blurb:
For wedding planner Everly Vaughn, her best friend’s high-profile Caribbean island wedding could be her big break. The good news? She’s starting her own business. The bad news? Well…One client.
The wedding of the season.
Twelve days to pull it off.
No staff.
A bride who’s been engaged four times but never makes it down the aisle.
And the bride’s brother who she’s trying desperately to resist…to no avail.What could possibly go wrong? (Seriously? Absolutely everything.)
My Review:
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
After reading the prequel novella I was really excited for book one in this series and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Happily Ever After is a cute, sweet and light hearted romance novel that deals with a few more serious topics as well, but still manages to keep a happy and light feel overall. One of my favourite things was the writing style and the inner dialogue of Ever, it felt realistic and natural and I really liked the way the story was written. It felt like I was right alongside her as she freaked out, landed herself in another mess or was thinking what to do about the hot guy she has a crush on. I did predict the small plot twist in this book, but I didn’t mind that too much.
I mentioned in my review of the prequel that I wanted to get to know all the characters more and this book definitely delivered that. While the focus is on Ever as this is her story, there’s also a lot we learn about the other 5 friends and I loved getting to know them better. Each of them has their own personality and it became easier to remember who was who. They all have their own quirks and I am looking forward to read their stories! And the one’s who’s story I am most curious about will be the main character of the next book, so that made my day! I loved spending time with this awesome group of friends, getting a feel for everyone’s personality and seeing Ever find her happily ever after at the same time.
Ever was a character I could easily relate to, she’s a planner like me and while she plans weddings and I plan online blog tours, I did understand her passion for planning and seeing an event she planned come together. Ever was a great character and I really liked her. Although whew I wish she had the chance to take a break sometimes as she’s really busy in this book planning the wedding for one of her best friends and falling in love next to that. I did like how she was honest, cared for her friends and worked hard.
The romance was great too! I loved Austin and Ever together. There are some really sweet and even some hot scenes and it was fun to see them spend some time together and trying to figure out how to go further after what happened a few months ago. I liked that there wasn’t much if any angst and the romance felt very realistic. Their relationships had some bumps and it takes them some time to figure out what they want, but the romance moved along at a natural pace. There’s also a scene later in the book where Austin does something really thoughtful for Ever and in that moment I knew those two were great for each other. It’s a friend to lovers romance, which is one of my favourite tropes and it’s obvious Ever and Austin have known each other for a long time and they have a strong connection because of that. They know and understand each other and that formed a solid basis for their romance as well.
To summarize: This was such a fun and sweet romantic story. The writing style was great and I had a lot of fun reading this book. The series follows a great group of friends and while this is Ever her story, we also get a feel for all her friends and their personalities and I can’t wait to read their stories! I could easily relate to Ever as we’re both planners. The romance was a low angst friends to lovers romance and I really liked Austin and Ever together. I appreciated there wasn’t any angst and how the romance developed felt natural and realistic. All in all I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
Links:
– Goodreads
– Amazon
– Kobo
It sounds like you really liked this book! I know you don’t like books that are too heavy, so that’s great that it handled those things while keeping the happy feeling. And it’s always good when a romance feels realistic, though I do like some angst in mine 😛
I think having a job or hobby or something you’re passionate about in common with the MC of a book definitely helps me relate more. You kind of can’t help it, you know? You just understand that aspect of them. And it makes reading more fun and personal when there are little mentions of things from your real life like that.
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I’ve Enjoyed Recently That Weren’t My Typical Genre
I also like some angst now and then, depends for what I am in the mood for. But I feel like the standard on romance novels is heaps of angst, so when I find a romance novel with low amount of angst and a great romance I appreciate that even more. I like it when books can deal with some serious issues and keep the tone light, it makes for a great read.
Even though the main character her job was slightly different from mine, it does have a lot in common and I understood the kind of work she did. Having something in common with the main characters, whether it’s a job or a hobby or a characteristic definitely helps me relate to them more.
Yay! I’m so happy this one didn’t disappoint you, Lola! It’s great that JMeyers gave you more with the characters and that you got a deeper connection with them. I love it when an author makes each character, even secondary ones, so distinct. Also, it says a lot about Ever as a character that she was putting so much of herself into her friend’s wedding…it shows she’s a caring person. Friends-to-lovers is also one of my favorite tropes, Lola, and now you have me very eager to get started on Happily Ever Now! 😀
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Review ~ Hunting Ground ~ Patricia Briggs
I can’t wait to hear what you think of Happily Ever Now! I really liked how the author developed each character and all the side characters were so distinct and it made me eager to read their stories too. And yeah Ever is a very caring person and even though she stressed out about it and hardly got any sleep she made sure that wedding was perfectly planned. Friends-to-lovers is such a fun trope!
This does sound sweet and fun, great book to gear up for Spring/Summer
Braine recently posted…Loved It: Wickedly Powerful by @DeborahBlake @BerkleyRomance #urbanfantasy
It would do great for a spring or summer read, most of the book takes place in a sunny island, there are a few scenes at the beach and it definitely had a summery feel.
This one sounds fun. I’ve noticed wedding planners have been popping up in romances lately and it’s plot device that I’ve been finding intriguing.
I do find it easier to connect with a character that shares the same profession.
Angela @Simply Angela recently posted…Tea Review—Celestial Lattes: The Godfather, Chai Tea, Espresso, Cocoa
Same here, there is something fun about wedding planners. I’ve been seeing more of them lately. Being a planner myself it’s easy to relate to other people and jobs that involve planning, so that’s another fun thing about that. Having the same or similair profession as a character definitely makes it easier to connect and relate to a character.
This novel sounds like fun. Great review, Lola :o)
Thanks! It was a fun one and I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
Lola recently posted…Review: Happily Ever After by Jen Meyers
Sometimes a light, low-angst book hits the spot! Sounds like this one was perfect for that sort of mood. And, yes, I definitely love it when a character has a job that reminds me of my own.
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction recently posted…Bite-Sized Reviews – Their Fractured Light, The Distance Between Us, The Summer I Became a Nerd
This book was perfect for that kind of mood and I really enjoyed it. It was very well written and I am looking forward to continue the series. And it’s fun when a character has a job that reminds you of your own, it makes it easier to relate to them.