DNF.
This book had too much unnecessary drama and negativity going on and the characters were childish, so I decided to not finish reading it.

The Wedding War is a great story filled with relatable and honest characters. I loved that the true colors of a scorned friendship are shown (hurt, anger, jealousy, etc.). The storyline is really fun and unique while still remaining relatable and charming. I loved that the focus was on Mel and Teeny since usually "wedding wars" focus on brides.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. An interesting novel by a new author in my personal reading-sphere! I am sure others would enjoy it too. Good character portrayls, descriptive setting and gripping plot.

This was such a refreshing story, I enjoyed reading about female friendships, we saw all the ups and downs that the two women had to face throughout their lives. I could relate to different situations that occurred in the book because I feel like female friendships definitely have their complications but having close female friends is such an amazing feeling as you’re able to share various experiences with someone who you get along with a lot. 

I would like to point out how greatly the author was able to write both female characters without mixing their voices. Both characters felt very distinct from one another and they both went through some character development and outgrew their old selves

Not at all the funny rom-com I thought this would be.  This book is HEAVY.  Tons of emotional topics.  Suicide, eating disorders, family lies, affairs, you name it, it is in this book.  Even though it was not the light book I wanted or thought it was, I was rooting for Teeny and Melly.  They had issues and hard lives, but they were each other's other half.  The book didn't need all of the hardships that the characters went through.  But life is hard.  I also wish there was more of Noah, he seemed to just have been thrown in there.

Working in weddings & events for years means I need to read ALL the titles with a hint of a wedding, and I loved the premise behind this one! 

What I enjoyed most about this one was how the focus wasn’t on the romance of the engaged couple, but the friendship of the two moms, and how it impacted the entire story. A bit ridiculous and over the top at times, but somehow still a very realistic representation of the highs and lows friendship can have. 

A new to me author, I would definitely consider picking up other Liz Talley title in the near future!

DNF

Talley's prior novel hit me in the right spot, but this one really did not. A focus on a toxic female relationship in a comedy isn't really what I wanted. But I hoped Talley could pull it off after she navigated complicated relationships in the prior book. Unfortunately, neither character really worked for me.

DNF. Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this early copy! I decided to not keep reading this one, it was not for me. Thanks!

This is an adorable, funny and flat out fun read. I’m going to leave this short and sweet. Everyone needs to experience it without too many hints. Just know the writing is superb, the characters are going to have you love and hate them, and you will get swept away in this story!!

I am one of those readers who pick up a book because the cover is enticing and if there is a well-written blurb about the book, I'll give it a go.

I should STOP doing that and this book is a prime example of why.

From the exterior, this book should be a fun and easy rom-com of 2 families overcoming a shared past that broke up a friendship to celebrate their kid's nuptials. Instead, we got some VERY unlikeable and unrelatable people, broken relationships, and other dark depressing stuff.

A lot of drama can be avoided with open communication and its a little contrived that the parties involved waited decades to do that but hey, that's women's lit territory.

Thank you so much for the copy of The Wedding War. I tried to pick this one up a few times, but it did not keep my attention. I think I was expecting something different based on the synopsis. 

Unfortunately, it did not work for me. Thank you again for the opportunity to read this one. 

I will not be sharing my thoughts/reviews outside of Netgalley in a review

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an advanced reader copy of this book but sorry this one is just not for me... A lot of unnecessary drama, negative vibe when I thought this would be a fun read that would make me laugh out loud.

I really struggled with this one unfortunately. I thought I would have a fun romcom and this was just sad and anxiety inducing. The writing style itself was fantastic, but the content of this book was just not for me.

Received an ARC of this book.
Tennyson and Melanie were the best of friends until Tennyson left their hometown and Melanie became engaged to Tennyson's  ex-boyfriend.  And then Tennyson did the unthinkable exposing a family secret at Melanie's wedding to that ex boyfriend.  Do you/ Can you forgive?  
While one of the main characters does have a romance , this is very much women's fiction.  I don't mind complicated and messy heroines, but I can honestly say that I didn't care for either heroine until the very end of the story.  Tennyson was attention seeking and Melanie was too much a victim.

Tennyson grows up fighting with her sister Bronte for the phone. I love the name Tennyson. Tennyson is hosting a graduation party with Melanie. Melanie has a daughter Emma. Emma is going to med school and wants to move in with her boyfriend . Emma fell in love with Tennysons son Andrew.

After years of being apart, Melanie and Tennyson meet again when their children become engaged and start to plan their wedding. Once childhood best friends, the ladies are now enemies and despise each other. Their drama begins to complicate wedding planning...and everything ensues from there.⁣
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Drama begins as soon as the kids get engaged...and there is no shortage of it. Melanie and Tennyson’s antics are hilarious (and occasionally made me roll my eyes), but once you learn more about the root of their problems...it quickly becomes a beautiful story of forgiveness. I was so impressed with how the theme materialized in the book, and honestly didn’t see it coming. ⁣
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I read this during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was a great escape. If you are in need of something along the lines of a beach read this summer and loved the movie Bride Wars, you’ll enjoy this book

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced reader copy of this book but unfortunately as I started reading it, I realised it wasn’t up my alley and ultimately ended up DNFing.

I enjoyed this just fine.  I normally really love a Liz Talley book but I had a harder time getting into this one than in books past.  Still a good read!

4 1/2 STARS!

An emotionally charged story of love, laughter and heart! With her latest release Liz Talley delivers an array of characters that grab onto a reader's soul quickly and refuse to let go as we accompany them on a journey of healing and enlightenment. I was hooked fairly quickly and rarely put it down as page after page brought cringe worthy laugh out loud moments and heartwarming character richness. I loved their story through every cheesy, heartfelt memory! I wanted a little more closure on Melanie at the end, but overall really enjoyed the read!

Tennyson O'Rourke was a hilariously over the top character and you couldn't help but love every minute of her. She doesn't apologize for speaking her mind in life, and she's had a lot of living along the way to show for it. She's returned home to Louisiana just as her son announces his engagement ... to her former childhood best friend's daughter!

Melanie Layton is really easy to like even thought she's a little uptight. She's underappreciated by all and really tugs at our hearts as the story progresses and we learn more about her. She can't believe the woman who betrayed her trust and had a hand in ruining her idyllic family life is going to be her daughter's mother-in-law. Talk about awkward!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romantic comedy filled with down home family realness. The characters have some crazy moments and it's filled with so much heart you'll be overflowing by the end.

The Wedding War is a great read, which uses the upcoming wedding of Andrew and Emma to tell the story of their mothers - once best friends, now strangers/enemies.  The characters are realistic and empathetic, if a little caricatured, but the themes of friendship, betrayal, parenting and romance at different stages of life were well developed.  An easy but thought provoking and enjoyable read, perfect for the beach or pool.