I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes love sneaks up on you when you least expect it, sometimes even when you think you're already in love. When planning her wedding to one of the city's most eligible bachelors, Allison is surprised by the feelings her wedding planner, Megan, elicits. Megan is caught off guard by the simplicity of her new client and the attraction becomes undeniable, there's only the slight problem that she's planning Allison's wedding to someone else. Can Allison deal with a new love and the consequences it might bring to her family? Can Megan risk her business for a chance with Allison when the wounds of the past are still open?

Melissa Brayden is a romance master who creates stories that'll have you rooting for the characters' happy ending, commemorating their achievements and morning their losses. Once again, she doesn't disappoint and delivers a great story with likable characters that'll you'll feel like you wish you were their friend to give them a hug in the bad moments or share in their joy. I just don't give it 5 stars because it's once again the same scheme, you already know that Melissa Brayden's characters will eventually break just to find their way back to each other. It would be nice to see the characters facing some kind of adversity together, instead of breaking up, in the future , just to make it less predictable. Overall, a great story that I loved reading and recommend.

Allison and Megan were love at first meeting literally, the biggest hump for them was the lack of communication and Allison feeling guilty about how they got together! But love conquered all.

I love the diversity in characters in this book, it was a nice change seeing women of color it was also great seeing a character from 🇯🇲!

A beautiful sapphic romance that flips the script on the wedding trope. I really loved the main characters, Ally and Megan. They were both so lovable, believable, and easy to root for. They seemed like fully realized characters with motivations and behaviors reminiscent of their descriptions. The resolution was also incredibly fitting and wrapped everything up nicely with a bow. I'm excited to read more by Melissa Brayden.

I generally enjoy Melissa Brayden's writing, but this one didn't land for me. I think it's because the main characters fall for each other a bit to quickly. I enjoy stories with some build-up so that I'm more invested in the characters.

What I loved about this book was that the storyline wasn't predictable to me and found it went in a direction I wasn't expecting on a number of occasions. I loved that the relationships weren't the norm in these types of books where Allison's fiancé wasn't the bad guys that is normally portrayed in these types of situations.

Allison and Megan's personalities complimented each other making them a great match with chemistry that you could feel for the start. I definitely wanted to shake both of them at different times. The good old miscommunication and making assumptions played a role in the angst in this book.

Another winner from Melissa Brayden that I would highly recommend.

I feel very 'middle-of-the-road' about this book. I think the concept was great and was something I was really excited about. I don't really think the story was executed very well though. I really wanted to see more drama and emotional build-up since the two characters met while one of them was engaged. I didn't feel this and to be honest, the fact that Allison had a fiance that was waiting for her to make a decision felt mostly ignored until it became relevant for a plot point. I really felt this is something that deserved more of Allison's attention.

This is also one of the only times I didn't really the characters in a book by this author. They weren't awful people, but I didn't feel like they had a strong presence in the story. I again felt like they didn't go through enough build-up for me to actually feel something for them.

A lovely romance!

Allison is set to marry Brent and into the wealthy Carmichael family. Having secured a meeting with the most sort after wedding planner, Megan Kinkaid, Allison finds herself contemplating what she really wants. When Megan’s infectious nature gets under her skin, Allison fights with her emotions to try and resist the temptation that is Megan but Megan really is quite irresistible.

I adored this story so much! It was that perfect romance where two characters are just destined to meet and be together, falling in love most unexpectedly but life is going to present challenge after challenge to make them both question if following their hearts is the right thing. That attack of conscious that is so good at coming along and usually providing reasons for a person to be left with regrets. Megan and Ally suffer from that attack of conscious more than once in this story because as is typical with life there are other people’s feelings to consider and the consequences of actions.

The story is one of hope though! I was unable to put it down, just praying from chapter to chapter that they would both see sense and realise what was there for the taking if they would only be brave enough and for a while they were trying, but as life complicated matters and caused complications, Ally fell back into her ways of worry and doing the right thing. Conflict of feelings and head over heart played a big part in what Megan and Ally shared, which was exciting but heart-breaking all at the same time. Megan really had her work cut out for her, convincing Ally that she could be happy if she just did what was best for her rather than trying to keep the peace and make everyone else happy.

It really was a lovely story about kind people who deserved nothing but happiness together. Ally was a lovely person and you could just feel how it broke Megan’s heart to be compromising business relationships and friendships if she followed her heart too. Such a great story that I can’t recommend enough!

3.75 Stars. Melissa Brayden is a really, really good romance author, and I am glad that she does wlw romances. This one is still good, but I had a lot of problems with the last 1/3 or so of the book. Brayden's leads have great chemistry and there are some really good sex scenes in there, but the obligatory breakup and the events after it were just off for me. Once I realized what was happening with the characters, I lost a whole lot of interest, and mostly skimmed my way to the end.

Allison Hale is getting married to the heir to one of the richest families in Dallas, and goes to the most requested wedding planner in the city. What she didn't expect was Megan Kinkaide - the owner of that very same planning company. The pair develop a fast friendship over talking about vendors, venues, and flowers for what they hope is the best wedding of the year. That friendship turns into something else, and with Allison not really happy in her role as the girl next door trophy wife, and Megan having relationship imposter syndrome, it ends up being less than an ideal fairytale start.

I love the premise and the execution of the first 2/3rds of the book. Megan and Allison have lovely chemistry right off the bat, with Brayden's trademark witty dialog, some decent secondary characters, and steamy sex scenes to start. But we could see that Megan has a lot of security issues with regards to having relationships, and Allison's baggage is her now ex-fiancé, Brent. All these issues kind of just hit each other then everything falls apart - so much so that Allison almost immediately goes back and agrees to marry her fiancé - a man she is not in love with - in order to what? I didn't get it, and how Megan and Allison get back together is kind of mean to Brent, even though he is, like many of Brayden's side characters, not really that bad a person. That whole sequence of events was frustrating. I don't think Megan was cruel during the breakup, but she did have a lot of insecurities that were actually kind of proven once Allison was free of the relationship.

Before I ramble on too long, I will say that if you take most of the first part of the book, you have a classic Brayden romance, but I wish the breakup could have been handled differently. I get that her characters can be messy, complicated people, and that mess can screw up a relationship, but I just didn't like the events after the breakup, where the characters are supposed to learn something of themselves. Megan kind of did, but Allison didn't, not really. Overall, though, it still kind of works for me, enough so that I can still give this a strong like, but I don't think this is Brayden's strongest.

For anyone who has ever stood on the threshold of a huge decision, and wished for the guts to do something different, Melissa Brayden’s Marry Me is a book you’ll appreciate. I think very few women in Allison’s position would have an easy time navigating the events as they unfold in this story, and Melissa Brayden delves deep into Ally's heart every step of the way.

More than just questioning if her fiance is “the right one”, the sensations and emotions Allison is experiencing when she spends time with Megan has her questioning her sexuality. Allison’s story, as she faces the challenges involved in postponing her marriage, starting a romance with Megan, and dealing with the fallout from her family, is quite a journey!

While I might not agree with some of Allison’s actions and decisions, and indeed she faces criticism and ostracization from those she loves, she finds the courage to stay the course. This is a marvelous piece of writing by Melissa Brayden, to figure out a way for Ally to listen to her heart, struggle through the fallout, and carve out an honest and authentic life as she remains true to herself. Well done!

five stars and five hearts almost broken
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The first part of the book was smooth and so easy to get into this love story, I loved both characters and as the scenes were described full of passion without sexual action, only two people meeting and acknowledging their feelings, waking up to the idea that there can be more than harmony and comfort, then passion took place in a perfect place
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On one hand Megan without knowing love, firm in her life and her routine and on the other Ally accepting everything that is presented to her as if it were the impossible path to avoid; and when both meet they know that something changed in the world but they have a hard time finding what it is and they begin an incredible journey of personal discovery
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Of course the most revealing is that of Ally who is about to marry Brent and who always had heterosexual relationships, but Megan's path is also heartbreaking and they are so well written that have me one hundred percent in this history ... until the sixty percent of the book where I walked into a dark area and the time span gave me no hope. But Brayden wasn't going to write such a nice beginning to leave it like that, was she? ... the angst was real and my heart followed Megan until the end
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I got back into the rhythm but the end of the book did not make me so happy, because even though that dark part and the maturing of feelings were necessary for the characters to find their way back, it was hard and I no longer hit that easy with the end
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This is my first Melissa Brayden book and it won't be my last, I really enjoyed this story, angst and all. The plot remember me of "The wedding planner" movie with Jennifer López but a more truer version and in a perfect sapphic romance
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Thanks to Melissa Brayden and Bold Stroke Books for give me this beautiful book in exchange for my honest opinion I really

Melissa Brayden always gives us solid reads and this is no different. It's all pretty safe and follows a formula, beautiful woman, sassy and amusing dialogue, loads of angst, characters that you can warm to. A great read.

This was an ok read for me. Felt few parts move very slow and I couldn't read this at a shot. Read page by page each day so took me long to read this since

3.5 stars after finally finishing this book.

I loved this book through the first 70% or so. Unfortunately the last 30% didn’t quite measure up as there was a lot of frustratingly poor communication, but what else could lead to drama in the third act I suppose. That being said it was definitely my favorite of Brayden’s in the last several of her offerings, a fantastic standalone. I loved that one of the mains is biracial, I don’t see myself represented in this genre much and it was awesome to read. Overall a lovely book that I’m sure I’ll reread.

I think of Brayden as being the queen of WLW romance and I’m always very excited to read her new books. I was a little late in reading this one. I was trying my best to space out all the books I was most excited to read so that I had something really good to look forward to –meaning this book-. Because I was much later than normal, it gave me the opportunity to read a lot of early reviews that surprised me. While the reviews started quite positive, they slowly took a turn that became more and more mixed. While many people loved this book, there seemed to be a number of readers that felt that this story was really the case of two books. The first half people seemed to love, the second half not so much. And while I can say that I really enjoyed parts of this book, I also have to agree that this was the tale of two different books.

I loved the first half of this book. Actually, it was more the first 60% of the book that was an obvious 5 stars for me. The writing was very easy to read, the storyline hooked me in, and I loved the chemistry between the two mains. Yes, it was a more sexual chemistry and on the lust side, but who cares, they were hot together and they made such a fun couple to read about. Brayden brought back that palpable chemistry and steam that I felt was missing a bit in some of her Tangle Valley books. There was one scene that was not a sex scene -more like heavy foreplay- well let’s just say that it was hotter than a lot of the sex scene’s I’ve been reading lately. I think sometimes authors forget that women have boobs, either that or they just want to get down to business –pun intended- so it was nice to see that Brayden sure remembered.

I was enjoying the book immensely, and was even thinking this was going to be one of my easiest 5 stars read all year, but then the second part of the book happened. At first I wasn’t really paying attention to where I was in the book, I just noticed that there were a couple ways -being choreographed- for Brayden to go in for the big angst moment. I am not a fan of the dark moment/80% moment or whatever you want to call it. To me it is way over done and I prefer authors to mix it up, but I know Brayden mostly keeps to that rule so I expected it. However, when I looked down at my Kindle, I realized it was much more in the middle of the book, around the 60% mark instead. This was confusing until I realized instead of going with one or two of the obvious angst moments, Brayden went with like five of them. While I sometimes love a lot of angst, this didn’t have that fun, soap-opera angst feel. Instead it felt overdone and that the characters where no longer acting like who you thought them to be.

After the angst kicked in, the worst part happened in that the book just started to drag. To be stuck in this mess, for almost half of the book, is way too long and had me questioning things. Before, where I didn’t mind that they mostly had a sexual connection, I started to think maybe that wasn’t enough. That maybe they didn’t have a solid foundation needed to be together long term if they were now acting like this. I also started to notice things that I missed before like how I didn’t actually like the secondary characters. While Kelsey had some good potential -and I would read her story if Brayden wrote one- the rest of the cast suddenly seemed pretty lacking. And we all know how fantastic Brayden is in writing friends and other secondary characters so this revelation was surprising. In the end, I really limped through until the ending. Had the story not dragged like that, had the 20% that was not needed been cut-out, this book would have been one of my favorites of 2021.

TLDR- This really is the story of two books. The first 60% I loved and was an easy 5 stars. The last 40% just barely makes 3 starts for me so that’s how I came to my final rating of 4 stars. This might be one of the more problematic books I have given 4 stars too, but there were parts in this book I truly loved. The first half has that Brayden magic, chemistry that you can actually feel as a reader, good dialogue, and some wonderful steamy scenes. I would honestly consider reading the first 60% again, and then just stopping and adding my own fake HEA to it. The last 40% was a struggle for me and the book unfortunately drags. I still would recommend this to Brayden and romance fans because parts of it are wonderful. Just be aware that the second half of the book won’t be for everyone.

Whether it's a standalone novel or series about friends, you can't go wrong with choosing Melissa Brayden's romance. She's a safe choice if you're in need for great dialogues, flirting, witty banter and very lovable characters.

The back and forth, was unexpected and as Rosie stated, "...this story has that big fat black hole in the middle that has completely ruined it for me. It is as if at that point everyone has lost their mind, all the care and sense that they were having in the complicated situation has sadly collapsed." However, I can appreciate and understand the identity struggle and self questioning. So, the back and forth to some extent should be expected.

Megan Kincaid, wedding planner extra-ordinaire, not necessarily looking for love but would not turn down the right person and situation. Allison Hale, elementary teacher, engaged to Brent Carmichael, member of a prominent family. When Megan's company Soirée is selected to plan the wedding, various emotions ignite. Allison's parents were very entertaining as well as interesting.

I like Breydon a lot. I also think she has real talent as a story teller.
My problem this time, is that I'm not sure I like the contents of this story. Even if the bride was sitting on the fence.

It's really well written. But, it's a story of a straight girl realising she's gay after she has accepted the marriage proposal. The thing is Brent is from a very wealthy family and Allison (potential bride) family is thrilled. Her sister is over the moon and her families health bar is being installed in to Brent's family grocery store chain. Everyone wins. Or so you think.

In comes Megan the wedding planner and everything flies into the air.
I want Allison to be happy but honestly, it happens. There is a spark but I wouldn't go overboard.
It doesn't take long for the wedding is on hold and Megan and Allison are exploring their feelings for each other.

Allison is receiving a lot of pressure from Brent and her own sister. But her parents are very supportive.

If you love Breydon, you'll love this. For me it was more the content then the story telling.
Enjoy!

Another solid standalone from one of our genre's most popular authors. First of all, the cover is gorgeous. I found it interesting though, that the title words "marry me" were spoken by the male fiancee and not one of the female mains (although one is a wedding planner).

Melissa Brayden has publicly admitted to being a "pantser", meaning she doesn't outline her stories before writing. I really felt it in this book, as the plot kept taking me in directions I wasn't expecting. This story is a toaster oven love triangle. Allison is happily engaged to a man, and upon working with her wedding planner, she realizes she feels an attraction to a woman for the first time in her life and ultimately decides to step back from her engagement. Brayden knows her audience (and that most of us don't want to read about great sex with a man) and deftly walks that fine line. However, because of that I didn't buy the chemistry between Ally and Brent, or actually what he even saw in her (he's the son of one of the wealthiest families in Dallas and could have anyone). Why would he fight so hard for her, a middle-class elementary school teacher, when he could have any woman he wanted?

I absolutely loved the first part of the book where Allison and Megan got to know each other and Allison learned what she had been missing. Not so much that the conflict was based on not communicating. Still, this was a fun read that truly took me on an emotional rollercoaster.

Netgalley Review:

This was difficult for me to get through. I am honestly almost curious about the plot idea initially. A woman falls in love with her wedding planner while planning her wedding, a perfect idea. Then what happened? That plotline ends after 20%, then there is a long interval of insta-love, and then resume wedding planner plot again? I think this could have been amazing and it just ended up all over the place.

Ally and Megan’s chemistry was off the charts! From their first kiss to all the intimate scenes, I felt warmth in my stomach—always a good sign that the romantic connection is well-written.

Allison “Ally” Hale, a fourth grade school teacher, and Brent Carmichael, eldest son of the rich Carmichael family, are getting married. With Ally’s parents’ financial security on the line because the Carmichaels have the power to make or break their oatmeal bars, no one expected Ally to develop feelings for the locally famous wedding planner, Megan Kinkaid (Black, biracial), a friend of Brent’s. Should Ally ignore her growing attraction to Megan, or shoot for a chance of having a happier future?

I really enjoyed the little dates Ally and Megan went on. Their interactions during those scenes strengthened their chemistry, and I just love that they got to be cute together. The fact that there wasn’t much cheating was also a plus in terms of the reading experience. Ally is such a no-filter woman it’s endearing. I love that her finding herself attracted to another woman didn’t sent her into a sexuality panic and that most of the characters were pretty supportive, too. There were a total of two awful characters in the book, one from the Carmichaels and one from Ally’s family. I definitely had to take deep breaths whenever they showed up in the story.

The main issue I had was with both Ally and Megan failing to stand their ground. At the obligatory conflict point, I felt like they both gave up, and me, as a reader, gave up, too. I got tired of them choosing the short-term easy way out, and by the time I finished the book, I still had some doubts about their HEA, which isn’t a great feeling when you’re reading romance.

Nevertheless, the overall experience of reading MARRY ME was good and I’m upping my rating for the wonderful chemistry they had. I love feeling like I’m melting inside and Brayden certainly delivered a great pairing. However, if you don’t enjoy Brayden’s more dramatic books, then the conflict and surrounding events in this one might irk you a little.

[content warnings: manipulation, cheating, alcohol (recreational), vehicular accident]