Cover Image: Three Weddings and a Proposal

Three Weddings and a Proposal

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Member Reviews

This was a really enjoyable read.
Sheila O’Flanagan writes as if she is talking to you as a friend and it’s very easy to get into the lives of the characters and the story flows very well. This story touches on lots of life’s dilemmas - work/life balance, love and relationships, life and death, family dynamics and dealing with the expectations of others.
Overall a very good book that I rated 4 stars and would recommend as a great summer read.

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I absolutely adore Sheila O’Flanagan, she is one of my favourite authors and in my eyes is unable to write a bad book. This might even be my new favourite.

Delphie is a fantastic main character and we see her needing a date for her brother’s wedding. After a lucky encounter with her ex, she succeeds in this. As a reader we then see her life turned upside down. She is a character that I definitely want to be friends with.

This is another beautifully written novel which will completely capture you as a reader. It is easy to become completely immersed in this book and this is perfect for a lazy day at home or holiday read.

This is a book I’ve saved for when I’ve needed to become lost in one of my favourites. It has not disappointed and definitely pulled me out of a slump. I feel the characters and events have been brought to life in the pages of this magnificent book.

This is a book that has been an easy read and one that has been filled with wonderful characters and events to keep you hooked. I have been completely absorbed in this fantastic book and have devoured this in just one sitting. I am absolutely waiting to see what Sheila has in store for us next. I have absolutely no doubt it will be a fabulous read. This is a definite five star read. Definitely one to add to the TBR.

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'Three Weddings and a Proposal' by Sheila O'Flanagan is just a joy to read! A brilliant example of why Sheila O'Flanagan is one of the leading lights in women's fiction. Her storytelling is so skilled that I am immediately at one with Delphie, the main character - seeing things through her eyes almost.
'Three Weddings and a Proposal is a story of family, friendship, love and life. We meet
Delphie Mertens who is a career girl at heart, her senior role at investment company Cosecha, working closely with the CEO Conrad is her dream come true. On a personal level her life is more or less perfect,she isn't overly worried about romance at the moment. As part of a large Irish family she leaves the marriages and children to everyone else and she takes no notice of the nagging of her family. When she has to find her plus one to take to her brother Andre’s wedding. She is thrown off balance by an ex appearing and an unexpected tragedy. Delphie thinks it maybe time to put romance back on the table. She realises slowly that maybe she is in control of her own life and destiny.
This is a story with such strong women characters who show us that we don't neccessarily need to just be raising children and putting tea on the table just to be happy. You can stand strong and forge your own path however you want it. Delphie is that strong woman who has resisted pressure and is all the better for it. I can't say a wrong word about Sheila O'Flanagan's newest story. She has a cohort of characters, all vibrant and well created, a really strong plotline that has you laughing, crying and all the things inbetween. A book for losing yourself in on a wet weekend or for reading on a summer holiday. A beautiful, well told story.
Many thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours and to Netgalley for my copy of the book

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When Delphine receives a phone call, while at her brothers wedding, her whole world is turned upside down. We follow her story as she seems set to loose everything she has worked so hard to get, but are the changes really blessings in disguise for her future.

I really enjoyed this book, the author develops the story well, and you feel like you really get to know all the characters. There are twists you aren’t expecting, which just keeps you even more engaged in the book. The storyline of this book is quite different to anything I have read recently which is always refreshing.

I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and most importantly the author, for the chance to read this book, in exchange for an honest review.

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A great read, really enjoyed it. The story had me hooked from the beginning
Delphie is a successful, independent woman who appears to have it all, a great career, her own home and a great family. When tragedy strikes we follow the trials and tribulations that come with it.

From the title I thought that the book would be focussed around the weddings but although a major part of the story they are not the basis of the story.

The story shows real friendship and support as well as some twists and turns and the ending was quite different and not expected.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book

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The main themes to this book for me are: Can we have it all? Is success subjective to a person?

Delphie has the perfect life. Executive assistant to her billionaire boss, gorgeous home, jet set lifestyle, and a caring and loving family. But then she gets a phone call in the middle of a wedding that changes everything for her? This coupled with bumping into the one that got away, Ed, makes her wonder if she’s actually happy with the path she is on?

I really admired Delphie as a main character. She was strong, ambitious and ballsy and stuck to her guns. Every one has that panic of ‘am I on the right path?’ And I really enjoyed following her journey to figuring this out. Shelia is an amazing author and always writes such poignant female characters and amazing narratives

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I am a huge fan of this author and love all her books but I was a little disappointed in this one.
I found the storyline which was largely set around Delphiie’s corporate career. This plot may appeal to other readers but I found it unappealing personally.

I did love how the book explored the idea that Delphie does not feel compelled to follow the path which is expected of her. She strikes out and decides to choose what will make her happy.

This book was a relaxing read for me. I found the pace engaged me but I did feel as if something was missing for me.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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What a lovely book this is. Delphie has a wonderful job that she loves until her world comes crashing down with the untimely death of her boss. and following that, the death of her grandmother. However, she picks herself up whilst at the same time working out what will make her happy. Sheila's best book to date.

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I am always incredibly excited when I hear about a new Sheila O’Flanagan book, so as soon as I was given the opportunity to review this latest release of hers I jumped at the chance.

Delphine is having a wonderful time at her brother’s wedding, in fact – the only thing that could make this day better would be if her family stopped reading so much in to the plus one she brought along with her. All Delphine really wants is for her family to recognise how much she has achieved on her own, despite the lack of romance in her life.

But then a phone call changes everything, and Delphine finds herself questioning everything that she thought she knew about herself. Now she finds herself having to face the possibility of not being able to continue living her dream, and the reality of not settling for anything less than perfect seems to be slipping pout of her control.

With another two weddings coming up, Delphine is given plenty to think about. Are her family right in suggesting that settling down is the way to go?. Delphine can’t help but feel that she should be able to have it all, a successful career and a happy marriage – but is it really something achievable.

This is one of those stories you become invested in right from the start. Delphine is such a delightful character that you connect with instantly. She is a very capable, strong headed woman who knows what she wants – and deserves – from life, despite her families interferences. Once again Sheila O’Flanagan has provided us with a story full of intriguing characters that are thoroughly believable and relatable in many ways, along with having several storylines interwoven throughout the book, allowing us to get to know the characters on a much deeper level.

I adored everything about this book. With a beautifully written storyline and a cast of colourful characters, this is a must read and a book I will be highly recommending to others.

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I read my first book by author Sheila O’Flanaghan 22 long years ago when I was just a young student embarking on university life. So I felt honoured to have the opportunity to read an advanced copy of her latest book ‘Three Weddings and a Proposal’ thanks to NetGalley and Headline Review.

I love a good story and as expected this book did not fail to deliver. We meet workaholic Delphie as she prepares to attend her brothers wedding alone. Whilst she is happy as she is this event makes her feel under pressure to explain her lifestyle choices to her family. A chance encounter with ‘the one who who got away’ combined with a big shock set the scene for this tale to unfold.

An uplifting story that is perfection in escapism with well developed characters, a very entertaining read.

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I must admit, when I see a Sheila O'Flanaghan book I just grab it. I'm currently reading through her other novels. There's just something so relaxing about her books that I really enjoy and obsess about the next find.

So here I am with 3 weddings and a proposal. I was sinking a bit about half way when it was getting a bit over my head with business stuff so for that I still have another book of Sheila's as my favourite. Still.. this was a good SO'F book without a doubt.

A lovely family surrounds our main character which is just adorable. There is travel involved so you're not stuck in Dublin aĺ the time. Glorious Majorca is the destination and Palma's heat is very much required at the moment so it was greatly described. An old flame makes an appearance too which also helps the storyline along. A will they won't they relationship. How exciting.

An ending I wasn't expecting which most definitely helps.

Happy publication day Sheila. Another gem for your collection. Now I'll soon be reading Stand By Me which I'm in the mood to read sooner rather than later.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Books for the opportunity to review Three Weddings and a Proposal by Sheila O'Flanagan before the publication date.

Delphine Martens is a thirty-something Executive Assistant to Conrad Morgan, a multi-millionaire businessman. Delphie has a great home by the sea, and, although single, she loves her life and her friends and everything is going well until she receives a phone call on the night of her brother's wedding, a phone call which turns her life upside down.

Once again Sheila O'Flanagan draws the reader into the story, bringing the characters to life and creating people that you would like to be friends with. Delphie has a difficult few months but she has the strength of character to deal with each episode clearly and concisely, usually ending up with the best outcome for her.

Sheila O'Flanagan's books are enjoyable and heart-warming, a comfort-read that you could easily digest in one sitting. Grab a cup of tea (or whatever takes your fancy) and curl up with Three Weddings and a Proposal and simply enjoy it.

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A Sweeping Tale...
Three weddings - all potentially controversial, all potentially surprising in one way or another. A sweeping tale of life, loves, friendships and finding your path. A likeable protagonist in Delphie and a colourful cast of supporting characters along with an engaging storyline keeps the reader turning those pages. Enjoyable, relaxed reading.

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It’s a real treat when I have a book from this author on my list – I have always really enjoyed her writing.

Delphie is loving her brother’s wedding and having the best time, even if her family are reading too much between the lines about her plus one. Why can’t they see what she has achieved with her life? Her own home, a career she has worked hard for and good friends. Then one unexpected phone call changes it all; everything Delphie thought defined her is suddenly in question, and her life seems to be out of her control. Can she keep on living her own dream of not settling for anything less than perfect, or is her family right that settling down is the way to go? Another two weddings give her plenty of food for thought – is having it all too much to ask for?

Oh, I liked Delphie! Her family, from their perspective, only want the best for her; from where she’s sitting they completely misunderstand her. Delphie is a modern capable woman who loves her life but really doesn’t appreciate her family’s constant enquiries about her love life and every single woman of a certain age knows exactly how that feels! Sheila O’Flanagan has produced another charming read with a range of completely believable characters and several interwoven story lines which all add up to a terrific read. I have giggled, cringed and nodded my head so hard I’m surprised it’s not in danger of falling off! This is a wonderfully written tale, showing the author’s deep understanding of people, with a completely satisfying ending – just as I like! I love everything about this novel and definitely recommend it; I’m very happy to give it 5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley’ this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.

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I really enjoyed reading this book. 've read a lot of Sheila O'Flanagan's books and she often has strong female characters.
The protagonist in this book is Delphie. She has worked hard to get ahead in her career andshe has her dream home. Her family want her to settle down with a nice Husband and have a happily ever after. Her family are persistent, but are also good natured.
I like Delphie, she is independent thoughtful and friendly and has good morals. She has a lot thrown at her but still stays strong and fights for what she wants.
There are a lot of shocks and twists along the way, some of which were totally unexpected. This is definitely an emotional read, but with some romance and lighthearted humour. This is a great read, and I love the way that Sheila O'Flanagan writes. This is definitely a book that I would recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

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As with all the previous Sheila O’Flanagan books this was a delight to read on a spring evening. Definitely a book to look out for. I was pulled into the story and it did not let go. The book is well written as always, with a strong lead character driven story and many a twists and turns
Recommended 4 star read.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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This is the latest book by Sheila O'Flanagan. I have read most of her books as I like her style of writing and the characters are always authentic. This book was a little different and the plot certainly caught me off guard! I like the way that Delphie didn't have an easy time and had to fight for her success. Another great story perfect for a holiday read, especially if you don't like predictable chick lit and want something a bit less cornish bakery esque.

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Sheila O’Flanagan has done it again, delivering yet another immensely readable novel about life, love, family and friendship. A story full of heart and heartbreak, choices, decisions and repercussions. And a female protagonist so likeable and relatable, you’ll find yourself batting for her from the very first page.

Delphie is a high-flying career woman, a senior executive in a Dublin financial services firm, where she organizes both the business and personal affairs of its chairman, Declan. She’s ambitious, smart and highly respected by staff and clients alike. Her future has never looked better. That is, until a tragic accident sends it spinning out of control.

Apart from the terrific storyline, the two things I loved most about this book were the character of Delphie and the author’s treatment of the unique life choices that women face because of their gender.

I loved Delphie’s strength, her ability to hold her head up, dig deep and fight back. I loved that even when her self-confidence was rock bottom, she still found the courage and determination to be true to herself and make the decisions that were right for her.

When it comes to gender themes, O’Flanagan deals with them brilliantly. From misogyny in the workplace to the often agonizing choices women have to make over the perceived conflict between marriage, family and career. Can we have it all? Is it even right to want it all? Does our very happiness depend on having it all? And are we lesser mortals for not wanting it all?

Throw in some romance, the support of a couple of fabulous gal pals, and an emotional recalibration of family dynamics, and you have a wonderfully engrossing, beautifully rounded tale that will leave you purring with satisfaction.

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This is another great Sheila O'Flanagan novel. At first it feels like your standard chick-lit (nothing wrong with that), but actually it's a whole lot more. Delphie, the main character, has a lot to deal with throughout the novel, from the death of loved ones, to career choices and romantic decisions. It's a real rollercoaster of emotions for her, and for you as the reader, and in fact I found myself shouting at the book a few times!

Whilst the globe trotting backdrop and luxury lifestyles are beyond most of us, it works well as post-pandemic escapism. This is a great read for the warmer weather, even if you can't get to a sun lounger!

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Empowerment, recognising your own strengths and acknowledging exactly what makes you happy whilst not bowing to family pressures and expectations are just some of the themes embraced by Sheila O’Flanagan in her latest novel. The eye catching cover and title suggests there will be much cause for celebration in a storyline peppered with good old Irish charm, banter, humour, friendship and romance. However beneath the lighthearted surface lies a romantic tale with a difference, one that will instead surprise you by its hidden depths and its fiercely independent female characters.

Delphie Mertens is a career girl at heart, her senior role at investment company Cosecha, working closely alongside CEO Conrad a dream come true. On a personal level her life is almost perfect too, relegating romantic relationships to the back seat, so you can consider this character relatively happy with her lot. As part of a large Irish family she leaves the business of marriage and children to her siblings despite their constant nagging, imploring her to ‘settle down’. When confronted with the task of finding a plus one to take to her brother Andre’s imminent wedding Delphie’s life is thrown into disarray by the resurfacing of an ex coupled with an unexpected tragedy. Suddenly Delphie is given no alternative but to re-evaluate and question her life choices so far, wondering whether she should pay more attention to her love life than she’s previously considered necessary. It’s this sense of facing a reality check that establishes Delphie as someone who gradually realises she is in complete control of her destiny, both professionally and personally.

Sheila O’Flanagan has written some strong female characters to drive home the message that a woman’s happiness doesn’t necessarily have to revolve around having a husband and children and I applaud her for doing so. In an era when having it all can come at a hefty price Delphie is a great role model for the belief that happiness comes from within and it takes courage and steeliness to follow your own rules. I loved this character for resisting mounting pressure from her family to conform to their own ideas of happiness, an admirable accomplishment given none of them waste any opportunity to voice their own disapproval of Delphie’s single status. Obviously this is all dealt with a lightness of touch so for all the jesting from members of the Mertens clan you know it comes from the heart of a loving family. I liked that this is a woman who’s comfortable in her own skin and despite her obvious wobbles stays true to herself. As the novel progresses Delphie’s upright moral character shines through in every situation she encounters; her diplomacy and negotiation skills are some of her best assets, qualities that are utilised to maximum effect when finding herself piggy in the middle between Conrad’s wife Martha and his much younger new partner Bianca. Best friends Erin and Sheedy back up the theory that it is strong, determined, intelligent women who rule this storyline with male characters playing secondary roles, staying firmly out of the spotlight. Every challenge, every dilemma these women face is met with bravado, a sense of humour and a desire to do the right thing by one another. Basically the sky’s the limit when it comes to achieving great things; anything is possible!

Although romance is scattered throughout the novel I welcomed the author’s decision to not make it the be all and end all of Delphie’s adventures as she negotiates the inevitable ups and downs that love, life,career and family throw her way. In this type of fiction, however strong and independent the lead female is portrayed, there’s still an expectation that bagging a rich and/or handsome partner is the absolute pinnacle of success. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that’s what I bargained for when I opened this book so to meet a character like Delphie, her fellow musketeers and Marta and Bianca is an invigorating change and an agreeable departure from the norm.

Sheila O’Flanagan’s writing offers her readers an uplifting and heartening storyline where love, friendship and kindness prevail, all qualities conducive to leaving the reader feeling happy and energised. There’s a reason why she’s such a popular author; her flair for creating wonderful characters experiencing relatable problems/circumstances is what compels you to pick up each new novel, knowing these figments of her imagination will be handled with empathy, positivity and warmth. She avoids falling into the trap of allowing her storylines to verge towards silliness and absurd comic interludes that often romantic fiction relies upon, especially when it comes to wedding storylines. Not that I’m saying I don’t enjoy those novels (because I do!!) but from Sheila O’Flanagan you can expect a more emotionally intelligent read. So why did I finish this novel feeling slightly underwhelmed when I should have felt euphoric and heartened by the ending? All the characters are well developed, it’s well written and easy to read but there’s a vital ingredient missing (that I can’t pinpoint! ) to make me go “ wow this is a 5 star read” rather than the 4 I’ve opted for. Perhaps it’s the sparsity of humour and the lack of pizazz to make the narrative truly sparkle and the fact none of the characters, not even Delphie inspired my heartfelt devotion. Nonetheless I enjoyed it all the same and would recommend to others looking for something outside of the usual romantic tale. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

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