Anyone who’s ever been involved in planning a wedding, whether it’s their own, or a friend or family member’s, knows that the final product (everything and everyone looking beautiful, smiles all around, hugs and kisses etc. etc.) certainly doesn’t tell the full story! Not by a long shot!

Bridesmaids is the story of Rachel’s journey from engagement … to marriage, told from the POV of her best friend Jane. It involves the re-emergence of 3 of their old high-school friends, and a brand new set of problems, secrets, complexities, issues, and did I mention secrets … and complexities? So if Jane thought that navigating their teenage friendships was difficult, this is going to take it all to a whole new level!

To add some extra excitement into the mix (like she needs it), Rach’s announcement of her engagement didn’t exactly come at the best time. Jane was recently dumped by her own fiance … on her hen night!! She’s had to move out of their apartment and is now in a flat-share with Freddie – the school geek, who isn’t actually such a geek any more and she’s working for an absolute witch of a boss. To say that her self-esteem has taken a bit of a knock would be a slight understatement.

Stoneley’s writing is light and oh, so very funny. She’s wry and witty and clever in all the right places and describes every situation with such humour that even some of the scenes that really aren’t so amusing are softened with just the right tone, and the perfect timing. You can almost picture it all on screen in front of you. This would translate so well onto film, and I’d definitely go and see it.

I could really identify with the characters here and I think every reader will be able to do the same. Rachel’s a bit of a Bridezilla, and while Jane is determined not to let her best friend down, Rachel doesn’t really strike me as the type to offer anyone else the same courtesy. This is her wedding and she’s damn sure everyone’s going to remember that!

There are surprises, disasters, twists galore and nothing goes according to plan. Jane wishes every single (yes, she reminds herself that she’s single) day that she didn’t have to go through with all of this, but then reminds herself again that Rach is her very best friend. But how on earth will this actually all end? She just can’t see how it’s all going to work out, because, did I mention the secrets … and the complexities?!

This is a funny book with some really inspired, laugh-out-loud moments. I can’t wait to read some of Zara Stoneley’s other books, and I give this one 4 confetti-covered stars!

I have given Bridesmaids FOUR stars!



This is the second book I have read by Zara Stoneley and she does not disappoint!



Bridesmaids was so funny and entertaining and had me laughing right from the very beginning. I mean what could possibly go wrong when you get a group of friends together, that haven't seen each other since high school? Well, everything that's what and Zara captured the tone of this story, perfectly!! Her writing is flawless. It was witty and so cleverly written that I couldn't put it down, it was absolutely hilarious and well worthy of a read!

Jane and Rachel have been best friends since childhood and when Rachel gets engaged and asks her to be one of her bridesmaid, Jane can’t say no, even if she doesn’t really like or trust the groom. Getting their high school gang back together for the wedding, Jane wants to make sure that everything goes smoothly so she has to make sure that Sally and Maddie don’t fight over the man they are both in love with, while trying to figure out who is the father of Beth’s baby. At the same time, she has to deal with her real and complicated feelings for her flatmate Freddie and screen the calls from her crazy boss.

Jane is such an engaging and funny character. Between dress fittings, hen parties, secrets, jealousy, suspicious fatherhood, and past and new loves, Jane gets herself in hilarious situations that made me laugh out loud page after page.

Once again, Zara Stoneley didn’t disappoint. BRIDESMAIDS is an absolute must-read, an heart-warming, refreshing, and hilarious novel about love and friendship with a beautiful and adorable cover and entertaining characters that you can’t help but adore.

I am so excited to be able to share with you my review for the latest gem the brilliant Bridesmaids by Zara Stoneley. I loved The Wedding Date which I read this time last year and was so excited to hear she had another book coming out.
If you are looking for a light hearted read then this is the book for you, it is full of love, laughter and some rather large secrets. I devoured this book in just a couple of short days as once I had started reading I wanted to know what was going to come next and whether or not Jane would follow her head or her heart in all the decisions she kept needing to make.
A brilliant story about friendship and how sometimes what might be the right decision is the hardest decision to make where your closest friends are involved. As this story progresses you begin to realise that there are more secrets coming out of the woodwork and as each person confides in someone else in the group confusion and doubt begins to creep in. As I got further into the story, I found it harder and harder to put down as I just had to know what was going to happen next.
I love the characters that Zara Stoneley creates, she describes them in such a way that they feel like they are your best friends as you are reading about their latest dilemmas and you hang on each word to see what comes next. Another brilliant read from the extremely talented Zara Stoneley and I can't wait to see what comes next.

I really, really enjoyed this book! I loved reading through Jane's perspective and witnessing her growth throughout the novel with Freddie and Rachel's help. I did find some of the drama in the novel a tad bit over the top and "soap opera-y," but you could say that it just added to the humour of it. This is a fun book with loveable characters and makes for a great summer/beach/easy read! I will for sure be checking out the author's other titles.

I must admit, I had such a fun time reading Bridesmaids. I wasn’t sure at first what I was getting myself into because I never expected the story would be told in the first person point of view. So, needless to say I was a bit surprised. But, Jane is a fantastic and loveable character who I warmed up to easily and quickly enough. Jane is getting over a breakup with her fiance after being dumped at her hen party via a text message. While feeling sorry for herself and her life, she soon finds out her best friend, Rachel is getting married and Jane has a big secret she has been hiding about Rachel’s fiance Michael. How is jane ever going to get through being a bridesmaid at her best friend's wedding?

If you think that Jane has problems? You should meet Rachel’s other friends in the bridal party. Sally is married to maddie’s ex-boyfriend and while Maddie pretends to be okay with it, that couldn’t be any further than the truth. Then there is single Beth with her new baby. Who is the father you ask? Beth’s lips are sealed for now. Four women each with their own set of problems try to help and fix each other often times in hilarious ways. What ensues will warm your heart, make you laugh and wish that each of these women were your friends.

Marriage/Bridesmaid’s themed books have been sprouting up all over the place in the book world recently and while I have enjoyed most of them, Bridesmaids really hit a home run. I can see why Zara Stoneley is a fan favorite. Stoneley easily pulls you into the story and into the lives of four friends through the good times and the bad. While some of the women are at the lowest points in their lives, I can easily see so much character growth as the story progresses and in a way they each find themselves along the way.

Bridesmaids is an uplifting humorous take on life, love and marriage that will leave you laughing and rooting for the girls all the way through. If you love a story you can sink your teeth into and one you will enjoy immensely then you definitely will want to pick up a copy of Bridesmaids. It is definitely well worth the read. Just know it will be hard to put down and you will find yourself reading well into the evening while smiling at the adorableness of this story.

Oh wow wow wow where do I start to describe the sheer joy that is this book? By far my favourite Zara Stoneley creation......this story had me giggling into my kindle with a laugh a minute at the turn of every page.

The writing was warm and witty and welcomed you in like an old friend with a big hug and a glass of prosecco. I truly felt like one of the girls by the closing chapter and was bereft to see the story conclude.

The cast of stellar characters were an all out triumph, I loved each and every one for different reasons and felt they worked together to create a star studded story filled with madcap antics and a love rat or two thrown in for good measure.

Jane was a roaring success as far as characters go. Her life has certainly been anything but plain sailing and I was torn between wanting to give her a hug or shake her to wake her up to the life and love passing her by. But how could you not instantly take to her scatty, well meaning ways......and let's just say the shoe incident has shot her right up into my top ten favourite character list #crying

Well it's a standing ovation from me for this gem of a read. I could go on and on about how much I love this book but it's much easier to simply say download it now...... you're wasting precious moments that could be spent chuckling into the pages of this incredible story by delaying a second longer. Well done Zara, another roaring success in my eyes.

This is the first book I've read by Zara Stoneley, and I have to say... I loved it! Fun, flirty and fabulous - the perfect elements for the perfect light-hearted read.

Dumped on her own hen night, Jane is understandably a bit anti-weddings. But not as anti as everyone around her thinks she is, she has her own reasons for casting doubt when her best friend announces The Wedding of All Weddings.

Add to that some friends Jane hasn't seen since school - not all of whom were bosom buddies - and the friends' reunion isn't without it's own issues... the girl who had everything but the boy, now has the boy who was everything to the other girl, and the girl who was the life and soul of the party is keeping her lips sealed about the father of her baby - except secrets have a way of coming out.
A series of misunderstandings, assumptions and accusations lead Jane, the panicky chief bridesmaid, a merry dance as she tries to ensure everything runs smoothly for her friend.

It's a wonderful mix of characters and their secrets and lies. Jane is wonderful; despite her own heartbreak she is determined to do the best for her friend but is torn between telling her the truth and protecting her from it.

Then we have the husband-to-be - has he changed for the better? And the ex-husband-to-be is back on the scene... and the perfect but spiky Sally who is determined to hang on to her man, but is he really hers to keep?

And to complicate matters, there is Jane's other best friend, flatmate Freddie, who is actually rather hot. But Jane is scared of risking that friendship by taking anything further.

Bridesmaids is a fun, frenzied, chaotic read which sweeps the reader along on a wave of hilarious situations and misunderstandings.

Rich, fruity layers with beautiful, sweet icing on top, it's the perfect book version of a wedding cake!

Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and @rararesources for the advanced reading copy.

Whoever wrote the blurb should be fired.

What you got from the blurb: four -or five- friends in a journey to make one of them have the best wedding ever. I imagined something like changing povs, fun times, the general chicklit-ness and romance.

What you <i>actually</i> got: single POV from the protagonist with a lot (and I mean A LOT) on her plate, cameos from her friends, a confusing relationship with her roommate, and a string of douches.

It did not mean that it was bad. It was just something I did not expect. And because the blurb put several other characters before our protagonist, I had to went back and check did I get the right book lol.

But overall, the book was pretty meh for me.
<img src="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/meh2.gif"/>

I do like the friendship between Jane and Rachel, but I was not sold on how Jane and her man happened. And when I mentioned Jane had a lot on her plate, yeah, this book was like that.

In the other hand, I can see how they could make a tv movie from this. I'd watch it.

<i>(I received a digital ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)</i>

I will start this review off by saying that I am not a frequent reader of romantic comedies. My favorite genre is thriller, but I definitely do enjoy lighter books as well. I have absolutely laughed out loud at different points of books I've read, but this one just didn't do it for me. Being hyped as the best rom com of 2019 is just not accurate in my eyes.

     The book follows a group of four friends from the point of finding out one of them is getting married through to the wedding day. As you probably guessed, the main characters are the bride and the three bridesmaids along with their love interests. There's a love triangle, a friend who wants to be more, an ex-boyfriend, a mystery baby daddy, you know, all the typical makings of a chick lit novel.

     This book was so incredibly predictable that it wasn't too enjoyable. Again, I know it's not a thriller and with romantic comedies you typically know the ending just by reading the synopsis, but the book intentionally tried to mislead (while still being obvious enough about the outcome) that I felt bored with the story line because I already saw exactly where it was going. I could definitely see some parts as amusing, but not even enough for me to crack a smile while reading. I think it would translate better to a film where funny actresses would be able to just bring the characters to life, add in a couple of one-liners and have a hit.

     Another thing I struggled with is that the characters are from the U.K. and so they speak in English slang and while I understood the jist of what they were saying, the mostly unfamiliar words were so overused that I felt a disconnect. I also felt that the voice of the story, Jane (best friend of the bride) would have been better with less semi-dramatic, often repetitive musings. Sometimes I would think she was saying things out loud in a conversation but it was just her commenting analyzing and justifying the 5 words she had just said out loud. It was too much for me and made the book drag when I felt that the main sentiments and plot line could have been accomplished in half the book without all that extra.

     Overall, I did get through the book and did want to see how it concluded so I give it a 3 out of 5 stars.

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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.



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When you’re feeling blue, read this funny and sparkling feel good rom com and the sun will shine soon.

I really was having a bad day today. Sometimes life’s mixed up and everything goes wrong.. Well that’s today..

Luckily there was Bridesmaids. An incredibly entertaining book about a wedding, but especially about the bridesmaids. This modern feel good book is a pleasure to read and I did laugh with the hilarious moments and the witty dialogues.
I loved the exciting personalities and the comical and awkward scenes in it. I think it’s a perfect book to relax with and it feels as a warm blanket this evening for me.

When you meet the bridesmaids you certainly will love this book and will looking forward to what’s going to happen next. An extra treat is the amazing flatmate Freddie , who is unforgettable and maybe my favorite character. I know it’s a man, but I really loved his part in this novel. He is so gorgeous, special and good to know: “he is living as the flatmate of Jane as a friend not a lover”. Being dumped and going to be a bridesmaid, she is not so happy, but for her friend Rachel she will do everything to make her day special. Even if she has second thoughts ..

This is besides a heart-warming novel about a wedding, a quick and most enjoyable read about friendship, love and self-esteem. Zara Stoneley, I never read a book by you, but now that certainly will change.

If you love to read an exciting and uplifting book, just pick up Bridesmaids and you won’t regret it!

Bridesmaids is a sweet romantic comedy featuring four friends as they prepare for one of their upcoming weddings. Fans of Zara Stoneley's other work will love to read this easy to devour beach read!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I have wanted to read ‘Bridesmaids’ since forever ago when Zara shared a photo of the book cover on social media. For a start a book that has not one but four cupcakes on the front deserves my attention! Wow! I know the saying ‘never judge a book by its cover’ but let’s… Beautiful, even without taking a look at the synopsis I knew I wanted to read this and I knew I would simply love it. ‘Four friends, four secrets, a wedding they’ll never forget’ How can you not dive into the pages!

I love a wedding, everyone does surely…?! Who doesn’t love a wedding involving secrets and gossip though, I would have Pinocchio’s nose if I had said no! Of course we all do. Wedding’s are one of the most stressful times that can create disputes between families and friends, generate money troubles, it can turn you into a weather stalker (you’re just asking for one dry day that’s all!) but what happens when your best friend is marrying someone you know is not their soul mate, it’s not going to be easy sailing that’s for sure!

I loved this book, it’s pure easy reading, escapism with bundles of humour thrown in too. Although Rachel is the bride to be the book is actually written through Jane’s point of view. Jane, we find out isn’t such a fan of weddings which is totally understandable after her heart was broken after being dumped by her fiancé on her hen night! So you can understand her worries when best friend Rachel breaks the news of her approaching wedding especially when she has a sneaky suspicion that Rachel’s fiancé is a complete toad. But being a good bridesmaid and more importantly best friend Jane is ever supportive, making sure to oohhh and ahhh at the right times throughout every step of the wedding planning.

I really liked the character of Jane, Zara has created someone who not only is likeable for so many reasons but relatable. I could really see myself in her at times throughout the book, the friend who keeps everyone together no matter the situation, a peacemaker, barrier, reliable and a confidant to all. I felt sorry for her at times too, trying to keep everyone happy, keeping people’s secrets all while battling a dragon of a boss at work and jeopardising her own happiness at the same time.

We all know life can get in the way of keeping in touch so Rachel’s wedding is a great excuse to bring the girlfriends back together however along with them they bring secrets of their own. Sally and Maddie are both in love with the same man which surely will cause no end of awkward moments during the wedding run up, hen party and the big day itself, especially when the man in question is the best man..! Beth who may not be a bridesmaid but still very much part of the bridal party is a new mum to baby Joe but is keeping schtum over who the daddy may be. All this and the hen party antics haven’t even started!

Last but no means least is Jane’s gorgeous flatmate Freddie who came to Jane in her hour of need and has continued to be her knight in shining armour. I loved all the scenes that Freddie appeared in, you just know he is one of the good ones that every girl needs in her life whether he is fantasy Freddie who Jane secretly crushes over or reliable flat mate Freddie, you can tell that he is a keeper for sure.

Overall this book was everything I wanted it to be and more, featuring lots of laugh out loud moments, some shocking revelations that left me gob smacked.. and not forgetting a wedding day no one will forget in a hurry! Bridesmaids is a total must read for this summer..! Buy Buy Buy! Zara thank you for another smashing read!

Jane feels like she’s failing on every level. Dumped at her hen night, working for a diva, and keeping secrets from her two best friends, can her life get any more complicated? Yes, it can.

The story is divided into three acts. The first introduces the characters and conflicts that arise when Rachel’s wedding is announced and the Bridesmaids assemble. The second focuses on The Hen Party and the final act is The Big day itself.

Jane, the main protagonist who I love, is kind, quirky, lacking in self-esteem, and willing to do whatever it takes to make her best friend’s hen night and wedding a success, even if she has doubts about it. Jane is the keeper of secrets, others and her own, and this makes for many complications in her life. Some lead to humorous situations that will have you laughing out loud. Others are poignant, and make you think.

The Bridesmaids are now women in their thirties, they should have left the schoolyard behind, but old rivalries and secrets cause tensions amongst them, which make compelling reading. The dynamics of the group are believable. The writing is rich in visual imagery, so you can easily imagine, both the characters and their interactions.

Jane faces internal conflicts too, as she tries to understand her feelings for her flatmate, who is so lovely, he’s almost too good to be true, the perfect rom-com hero.

‘Bridesmaids’ is easy to read, an uplifting story, with complex, realistic characters and the perfect balance of romance and humour. There is also an insightful look at friendships and social situations, where people who would never normally choose to meet are thrown together, which gives this book a depth of interest not often found in this genre.

A gentle, humorous journey through one of life’s iconic events, and there are kittens too, what more could you ask?

I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Jane is having a nightmare. She has recently split from her fiance and the woman she works for, Coral an instagrammer, is ever demanding. She flatshares with a old school friend Freddie and is looking forward to an all expenses trip to New York with Coral. Of course things don’t go to plan as this is Jane. When her best friend Rachel announces she is getting married- to the man she split with but couldn’t live without Jane is at sixes and sevens as to if she should be pleased or not- or worried. Two of her friends are in love with the same man. One split from him and the other one is now married to him. Another has had a baby and won’t reveal who the father is. Jane is the one who holds them all together whilst at the same time trying ot sort out her own life and problems. What ensues is a hilarious look at life with all its’ ups and downs. Of friendships and relationships of the rough and the smooth and of secrets and lies. A book to make you grimace at times but mostly to make you smile. A fun read.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
amazon link done- Misfits farm

Laugh-out-loud, heartfelt, and warm are just some of the words that I would use to describe BRIDESMAIDS by Zara Stoneley and it is a must-read for humour and contemporary romance fans everywhere.

Jane got jilted by her fiancé on her hen night so it is no wonder that she isn't a big fan of love and marriage. But when her best friend Rachel announces that she is getting hitched and she wants Jane to be her bridesmaid, Jane pastes on a smile and tries to throw herself into the whole event. But Jane has her reasons for wanting to protect Rachel from getting hurt, especially since she knows the soon-to-be groom is hiding something from Rachel. Add in two other bridesmaids who love the same man and another bridesmaid who has a secret baby-daddy that nobody knows anything about, and the sparks are sure to fly. And then there is Jane's other best friend, Freddie, who has always been there for her and who is beginning to feature in her dreams in an altogether different way ...

I laughed so much while reading BRIDESMAIDS that I got jaw ache and the characters just felt so much like friends by the end that I didn't really want it to end. There are plenty of heartwarming and emotional moments as well as funny ones, and the book just felt like a big hug from start to finish. There were times when Jane was a little naive but after what has happened to her it was understandable. The friendships are all different and relatable, and there wasn't a dull moment.

BRIDESMAIDS by Zara Stoneley is a wonderful story of friendship and love and I highly recommend it!

It's wedding season...!
Jane doesn't dislike weddings but she's not a fan either. Her attitude isn't surprising when you learn her ex dumped her before their wedding on her hen night. Therefore she's trying her best to be happy for her best friend, Rachel and agreed to be the chief bridesmaid to boot after the unexpected wedding announcement. However, fate steps in to alter the course events for better and for worse.

Fast-paced, there's never a dull moment as friends come together to celebrate the wedding yet as the big day gets nearer secrets are exposed with startling consequences. Many characters are involved in the wedding shenanigans, all who have a story to tell. They are relatable in their own way and equally likeable. Like reality, expect clashes of personality as well as a deep sense of sisterhood. Additionally, a shout-out to the mums too...I love their attitude!

Throughout the novel, several plot lines running alongside each other, offering insight into the backgrounds of all the bridesmaids and their relationship to the bride. The main spotlight shines on Jane and her life post-non-wedding and how she's rebuilding her life. It's a time for her to re-evaluate her own situation with surprises along the way as unexpected changes give her a chance to fulfil her own dreams.

Ms Stoneley is a new to me author and I liked how she managed to keep the narrative flowing with so much happening at any given time. Laugh a minute, Bridesmaids is a fun packed, humorous caper which will have you turning the pages furiously until you reach the more than satisfying, happy conclusion.

***arc received courtesy of HarperImpulse via NetGalley***

Thank you to Rachel for letting me take part in this tour. and to HarperImpulse for my copy of this book. I loved Zara's last two books so I was excited to read this book.

Sadly I didn't enjoy this one as much. There were some really funny bits in this book most of them towards the end of the book. the beginning of this book was good. I found it dipped in the middle but really picked up at the end.

I found the main character rather annoying, to be honest. I wanted to shake her and tell her to ditch her boss, see how perfect Freddie was and that he was quite clearly in love with her. Jane had a habit of taking 2 and 2 and coming up with 5. I found this so frustrating. I just wanted to tell her to stop and listen before assuming things.

I loved Freddie. Freddie is everything you need in a man. He is supportive, kind, caring and just damn well amazing. Freddie was the shining star in this book IMO.

As for the bridesmaids, I loved Maddie. I wanted to give her a big hug and Sal needed putting in her place. I think deep down she might just need to be loved but she does not go about it in the right way

This was an okay read with some funny parts but sadly it wasn't my favourite book by Zara. I wanted to love this book, I really did but something just didn't click.

Meet Rachel, the beautiful bride with BIG plans for the perfect day! The venue is a castle and the dress is designer. It’s just a shame her husband is a rat. Maddie and Sally have only one thing in common – they both love the same man!

Beth is a newly single mum with a mystery baby daddy. Surely the father isn’t someone the girls all know? And then there’s Jane, the glue holding them all together, but being dumped doesn’t make her the happiest bridesmaid…especially with gorgeous flatmate Freddie complicating things.

Will the bride say, ‘I Do!’? Or will her bridesmaids save the day…and find love along the way?

Laugh out loud, heartwarming, and charming are just a few ways I would describe this book! I just loved the characters and was rooting Jane. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romantic comedy! I gave an extra star because I loved the cover as much as I loved the book.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of Bridesmaids by Zara Stoneley
Pub Date: 26 Apr 2019

This definitely lives up to its billing as the most hilarious, feel-good rom com of the year as far as I'm concerned - it is simply hilarious! 

The whole story is told from Jane's point of view. Jane isn't keen on weddings after being dumped on her hen night. That makes things difficult when her best friend, Rachel, announces she's getting married and wants Jane to be chief bridesmaid. They've been friends since their school days and usually share everything but Jane knows a secret about Rachel's husband to be and can't decide whether to share it with her friend or not.

The other potential bridesmaids are three other school friends but there are secrets and surprises there, too! Sally has married Maddie's high school sweetheart, Jack, and Maddie is secretly heartbroken by this. Beth turns down the opportunity to be a bridesmaid as she's now a single Mum who won't say who her son's father is! With secrets, surprises, angst and hilarity, this is a brilliant and fun read with love at its heart. Jane's predisposition to misinterpret comments and events makes it so easy for her to get things totally wrong, sometimes with consequences that had me laughing out loud.

Get ready for fun, drama, laughs and love in this heartwarming romantic comedy. It has great characters and explores the relationships between them in a manner that will put a smile on your face. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone looking for a highly entertaining story where so much either goes wrong or is misinterpreted with hilarious consequences but works out well in the end.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it - and thoroughly enjoying it!