All the books that I review start off with the full 5 stars and this one is no different.

I've got the Kindle version of this book and I've only read a few pages, but I'm already confused with the dratted book... it goes straight from the copyright then literally on the next line, the story starts with no warning or even a chapter number or even a blank space... unless it improves rapidly I'm knocking the first star off unfortunately.

I'm even *more* confused now, 'cos there's a number 1 a page or so later, so what was the jumbled mess at the start of the book then?? According to my Kindle I'm only 1% of the way through and I've yet to find anything positive about the book, so the first star is coming off already :-(

I'm 2% in now and the text is all over the place, almost like the author has hit enter/return at the end of every line in her software as soon as she got to the end of a line instead of just letting the words flow from one line to the next naturally? There are frequent one or two words on a line which is really starting to wind me up already, unfortunately.

The emails are all mushed up together instead of being set out as properly aligned To and From and the subject... so that's the second star gone already - I was really looking forward to reading this book, but after only 2% it's already lost two of its five stars!

I hope the author has got written permission to use all these big celebrities and brands, otherwise she could get herself into really deep, hot water. The last couple of emails improved though, so that star is just about clinging on for dear life atm.

There's just been a phone call that was as jumbled as the emails, so that star has just lost its grip and fallen into the ether. Oh dear... 5% of the way through the book and it's already lost 3 stars :-( I've got 95% of the book left to read and there is only one star left to lose... it's not looking good, is it :-(

I'm in a positive mood, so the extra space within a word won't make me knock off a star at 8% and there's been 3% since the last mistake, so maybe, just maybe, I'll get beyond 10% before I knock off the final star and give up on the book?? Got 5 minutes to go before it's time for my last two pills of the day, so I'm hoping to get to the end of the chapter by that point.

Just finished chapter three, so time for my pills then I can keep reading until I hear my bed calling me.

Chapter four was good... a couple of little bits that should have been picked up in the editing before publication, but considerably better than the first couple of chapters!

Oooh! I'm liking chapter five... the best so far in terms of content, but there's still some little tweeks that should have been picked up during editing.

Chapter six has been good too... a few more minor mistakes, but they don't stop the flow of the story, thankfully, so I'm not taking a star off - yet.

Chapter 7 was good - the author is really in their stride now. Can't wait to keep reading the rest of the book now.

After a really good few chapters that had rekindled my hope for a good book, the first page of chapter 11 has let me down, so I'm knocking off the final star and giving up after only 26% of the book. Sorry. It has potential, but there are lots of things that could and should have been picked up with the first edit, waay before it was published.

Just simply fabulous. Silly, romantic, funny at times and all working towards a beautiful ending. The secret bridesmaid herself is loveable, she has odd moments, and wrestles feeling inadequate and unloved however is propped up by great friends, a great cousin and parents that you want for yourself! I read the book through all in one go and it was absolutely worth it!

I really did enjoy this book, especially in this bleak world at the moment it was a great escape! An uplifting and fun plot about a professional bridesmaid, it really was funny at times and I did really like and relate to the characters. A well written plot which is perfect for fans of Sophie kinsella and Paige toon.

This is the right book for these bleak times, highly entertaining and escapism at highest level.
I had a lot of fun, enjoyed the plot and rooted for the characters.
The plot is well developed and flows, the characters are likable and fleshed out.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I really enjoyed this book and i hope there willl be a series regarding the Secret Bridesmaid geeat read.

The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall an adorable five-star read. This will be one that will divide opinion, as lots of people wont like one of the main characters, and I don’t think we should until we get to know her, as she just isn’t a likeable person. But that’s what makes this such a great read, it is a romcom and it has some of the funniest moments, I snorted red wine and my husband thought I was dying as I was laughing so hard at one point. Each of the characters in the story played a great part, there wasn’t anyone there to just fill the page. Tom and Sophie's romance was so sweet, and charming and really added a levity to this story, but what I loved most was Cordelia, she played her part so well I honestly think she may be one of the best written characters I have ever come across, she was a brat, but I knew where she was coming from, then when we find the truth, it just confirmed what a great character she is. Sophie was adorable and simply a bridesmaid I would love to have, I did not have any and I wish I had a Sophie in my life back then. But most of all I would love Cordelia to be real, I would love to sit at a bar and discuss scandalous things like how hot her brother is. Do not miss this story as I am sure it will be one of the best reads of 2021.

This was sweet and cute fast paced rom com
Just cute book. I read it in one sitting.
This was 3.5 stars read fo me.
Thank for for this ARC.

Actual rating: 4.5/5

First, Sophie is a professional bridesmaid and therefore organising wedding secretly. But she is hired by the mother of her childhood idol, Cordelia Swan who reveals she doesn't want nor like Sophie and it turns in one of her biggest challenges.
I truly enjoyed the wedding theme of this book as well as the famous people aspects.
The plot was a bit slow at the beginning and really got here at around 25 % of the book. However, the rest of the book is so addictive and I just couldn't put it down.
Additionally, I liked the characters and their different personalities and their sassy lines!
Last but not least, I would love to read another book by this author!

A job as a bridesmaid/ wedding planner in disguise. Interesting take on how to undertake a job when disguised. Hair dyed, name changed, relationship with bride changed – and then she is doing this multiple times all at once! How does she remember which story to tell to which set of friends and relations?
Of course, there comes a time when things don’t work smoothly. The bride doesn’t want her as her bridesmaid/planning helper. And finds inventive ways to try and persuade her to leave, but as the bride wasn’t the employer it was difficult.
And of course, the bride had a dishy brother and…
Nicely written I thought, and I particularly liked the innovative use of a large blue IKEA shopping bag – and a dress – but I’ll not spoil it by telling you how.
My main concern with the story is that it again encourages the ‘Princess’ wedding. The idea that the wedding day is all about the bride and how she wants it to run and how much money – lots – will be spent on a fantasy day. My husband and I were talking about this earlier this week. A wedding is not about the bride. It is a joining of families and two best friends in a compact for life. What she or he wears is pretty irrelevant to this, as is the colour of the napkins or bows on the chairs. Or where the wedding is held or or or… If the wedding itself is that important than why do all the fripperies matter? A simple ceremony with family and friends and maybe a meal together afterwards is all that it needs. What is worn can be anything that they all feel good in and needn’t be designer, frothy or…

A Challenge Too Far....?
As a professional bridesmaid Sophie is used to a challenge but finds herself perhaps having bitten off more than she can chew with her latest assignment. Can Sophie rise to the occasion whilst still keeping her identity incognito? Amusing, lighthearted romcom with plenty of awkwardness and chuckles along the way. Some guaranteed escapism.

A fun and easy to read book. It was nice to escape while reading this book. The characters were engaging and was a great read. I'd say one for the beach when we are allowed!

This is a great fun feel good read. I loved it from start to finish.
Sophie is a fantastic bridesmaid, a best friend to the bride, adept at handing any unexpected situation at wedding and reception, she organises fantastic hen-do's she makes sure that everyone has a great time. She is what every nervous, harassed bride needs to help them make their dream day a reality. Except she is not really an old friend of the bride. She charges for the service, but only her and the bride know that. Sophie loves weddings and loves brides, she has the best job in the world.
Then she gets roped into helping with a big society wedding, this could really make her career, but the bride is a nightmare and is trying to make life as hard as possible for Sophie.
I was a bridesmaid once, I was not a particularly good one, having no idea what the role would entail. Reading this book gave me some serious guilt issues that I had to work through!
There is plenty fun to be had with this, the brides outrageous demands, crazy hen-do plans, unconventional wedding outfits. It is a very entertaining read. There is a romance element but this is quite understated and just adds to the feel good factor as the book ends. And this is absolutely a classic feel good book. A nice bit of escapism, the power of real friendship and proof that there are good people in this world, what more could I want?

This was a great light hearted Rom com to start the new year and was a Humorous and entertaining read and I learnt something new as didn’t know you could have a job as a professional bridesmaid. the characters were fun and engaging and was a fun read for a Rainey afternoon

The Secret Bridesmaid is a cute, quirky rom com that melted my heart! The relatable protagonist, Sophie, is a professional bridesmaid - there for any bride who feels they need a helpful and supportive sidekick rather that a full blown wedding planner. She is recruited to help with the wedding of the decade, but it turns out to be far more of a challenge than she could have possibly anticipated!

Although I obviously loved the romantic relationships in the book, it also features a slow burn platonic relationship that I think may be one of my all time favourites. Its a wonderful, light hearted and funny book and I would recommend picking it up anytime you need something to lift your mood!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I had no idea professional bridesmaids were even a thing so this book was a wonderful little insight into that world. I really liked the lead character Sophie. She was a relatable, charming, hard working, sensible, sometimes sassy, determined romantic who didn’t let her often crazy job phase her. I really liked the mini chapters with emails calls etc of the things she had to deal with in her bridesmaid job. A few of the scenarios made me chuckle. Tom was lovely and I think he and Sophie had cute, funny, easy chemistry (the mini tour of his hometown was fun as was the demonstration of his acting skills!!). I found myself smiling throughout each of their interactions because of the cute banter.

The highlight for me especially though was Sophie’s friendships. Loved Cara, who was supportive, fun and a little random (in a great way) and the development of Sophie’s relationship with Cordelia. I didn’t like Cordelia much initially because of her demands and bratish behaviour but the author did a good job of changing my opinion of her and developing the relationship with Sophie. Solid female friendships are always a big plus for me. A really fun, enjoyable read and I look forward to more from this author.

An enticing romantic comedy that feels so right for this time of the year! A lovely protagonist and her group of friends will definitely give you a laugh!