Having experienced an intense friendship, I found parts of this book that extremely relatable. Robin our main character struggles with supporting her best friend’s life choices whilst standing up for her own beliefs. The introspective elements made me connect more with the characters, with Robin for example always needing to argue her point, always looking to gain acceptance.

The idea of the wedding industry going into overdrive and resulting in hugely popular “wedding charms” is rather believable in today’s media-obsessed world. And yet there are still moments that completely shocked me, and didn’t see coming. I read a vast majority of this book in one sitting.

So happy for you is really a one of a kind.

Billed as a thriller, it doesn’t quite meet the threshold but it is very clever and with a deep social commentary that I was surprised and pleased by.

Set in what seems to be a little bit of a futuristic time, Robin is asked to be her best friend Ellie’s maid of honour.
In the time it’s set, women are labelled “leftovers” if they are not married by 27 and labelled “rotten” if they are not married by 35. Marriage is now the leading interest in the entire country, with it taking over TV shows and apps like SpouseSpotter telling you your marriage rating with someone you match with. God forbid you start to get the countdown ads played by social media.

I enjoyed this book. I found the pace a little dicey, it was slow at the start and halfway through the brakes were taken off and we were careering into all kinds of odd stuff. I think this is an author I will read again and hopefully in time the pace will be right.

I would recommend to all women, you know the targeted marketing, you’ve been asked when you will marry, this is good fun.

Hehehehehe. I have not stopped laughing at this book since I finished it. So Happy For You is the tale of the modern bride and how wedding warfare can damage long lasting friendships.

This is the story of Robin who has been asked by Ellie (her best friend of forever) to be the Maid of Honour at Ellie's upcoming wedding. The only problem (well not the only problem - the first of many, many problems) is that Robin doesn't believe in marriage. She is against it on a fundamental level. Ultimately, Robin agrees to do it for the love of her best friend. However, when strange and deadly things start happening during the wedding party Robin begins to question whether she should be involved in the wedding at all.

So Happy for You was such a genuine surprise. I laughed, I cried out in shock and I tore through the pages to find out what happened next. It truly was a hilarious wedding romp that would make anyone question whether a wedding correlates with the sanctity of marriage and maybe, just maybe think again before throwing a massive nuptials ceremony…or accepting the responsibility of being the Maid of Honour.

So Happy for You by Celia Laskey is available now.

For more information regarding Celia Laskey (@celia_laskey) please visit www.celialaskey.com.

For more information regarding HQ Stories (@HQstories) please visit www.hqstories.co.uk.

This books characters are completely not based in reality. Once I understood that and realised that it was more of a satire of the wedding industry, rather then a thriller. I could enjoy this book, it has twists and turns and is bananas.

I enjoyed this one and got through it very quickly! It’s one of those books where you dislike the characters but you still want to keep reading to see what is going to happen. Robin is very bullish in her actions, she’s argumentative and doesn’t want to let other people have their own opinions. Ellie is a bridezilla if ever there was one, my lord babes CALM DOWN A BIT. I enjoy reading wedding planning books because some people just get so insane it’s weird to me, like surely the biggest thing is that the other person TURNS UP and says I DO? Why do flower arrangements and guests matter? The plot itself was insanity, in the best way, and I loved reading the absolute weirdness of it all. Definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to HQ Stories for sending me a copy this book and for having me on the blog tour.

I got to 30% way through before I gave up on this book.
I loved the concept from the synopposis but the entire book is focused on forcing LGBTQ down your throat and is set in a dystopian manner where being straight and married is all a government agenda. These are all concepts I can enjoy in a book when it's a natural part of the story but when it feels like the entire storyline is just to enforce these themes upon you and repeatedly keep hammering home on them it's far too forced and unenjoyable.

I’ll start with the good: the main character was very engaging. The author also is a good writer. However, the plot was predictable and outlandish-verging-on-absurd. I wish the story had stayed rooted in reality because there were seeds of good ideas here. But it just went too far and became… like a sappy teenage movie that one forgets in a week. Very formulaic ending too. I mean, the cliff? Really? All in all, disappointing but I am giving it 3 stars as I did finish it and it passed the time.

‘This is a brilliantly entertaining thriller, about how women are manipulated by capitalism and the patriarchy into spending a fortune, and losing their sanity, just to get ‘the perfect wedding’. It’s funny, dark and twisty. Ideal summer read.’

I have reviewed on Waterstones and posted on Twitter. It’s not eligible for review on Amazon yet and I will post on twitter when I get a hard copy.

Many thanks!

Imagine being told at 27 you're 'leftovers' or at 35 you're 'rotten' if you're not yet married. Imagine a dating app that asks your bra size to determine if you're 'marriage material'. This book does just that.
Robin and Ellie have been best friends forever. They've been through and done everything together. Ellie is obsessed with getting married and having children and Robin could not care less. When Ellie asks Robin to be her maid of honour she's reluctant, because she hates everything about weddings and she's not too keen on Ellies boyfriend. Also there's some insane and crazy rituals brides will do to have a long lasting marriage. Robin reluctantly agrees but when attending the wedding weekend she feels someone is out to get her. And Ellie is willing to do anything to have the perfect marriage.

This book takes bridezilla to a whole other level. Neither Ellie or Robin are very likeable characters but this is a very fast paced exciting story and I struggled to put it down. It keeps you gripped the whole way through and definitely feels like a black mirror episode. It's bizarre and can be very far fetched at times but if you like that I definitely recommend this book.

Will definitely read more by Celia Laskey.

I had no idea what this book was about going into it, I've just been hearing a lot about it and I adore the cover. This was nevertheless right up my street, it was all kinds of messed up and intriguing with great social commentary surrounding wedding traditions and values. I hated the main character Robin but I have a feeling she was a marmite kind of character.

Overall, I thought it was great and I flew through it!

‘𝙄’𝙢 𝙨𝙤 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮’𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙘 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙙𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚.’

Got recommend this one by a book club friend, went in completely blind and didn’t know what to expect. It completely pickled my head, it was insane 😂

I mean, we’ve all heard the term bridezilla (and probably personally known a few) - but my life, this took that to the extremes and then some. The whole premise, including all these weird and wonderful wedding charms, was so interesting and bizarre.

I have to admit I did struggle with the characters - neither of the mains being overly likeable. Certain aspects seemed a little messy and did make for a few ‘WTF’ moments. I wouldn’t really call it a thriller, but it was strange and suspenseful - with some really amusing parts in it.

It definitely took a few turns and got really crazy and dark in parts! The first part uses more flashbacks to set up the story and had a more steady feel to it, then we get into the second half and things just got weird! Although not exactly unexpected happenings, but still crazy!!

It was an amusing, but dark, read. Fast paced and kept you entertained throughout. If you fancy something a bit different, this one is definitely for you.

FROM THE COVER📖

Robin and Ellie have been best friends since childhood. They’ve been through everything together, from Robin coming out to the death of Ellie’s dad. But when Ellie asks Robin to be her maid of honour, Robin is reluctant.
It’s not that Robin isn’t happy for Ellie, she just hates everything about weddings and marriage – plus the guy Ellie’s engaged to. There’s also the matter of the crazy (not to mention dangerous) wedding rituals that couples are resorting to in the hope of securing a lifetime of happiness.
Despite her misgivings, Robin finally says yes. But as the wedding day approaches, she gets the feeling that everyone in the bridal party is out to get her. And it seems Ellie is willing to do anything for the perfect day. After all, marriage is about sacrifice…

REVIEW💒💍🌈🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was excited to read this book after really enjoying the authors previous novel, which I found usual in its writing style with a great intertwined plot and rich characters telling LGBTQ experiences from different stand points. Thank you to NetGalley and HQ publishing for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.

First off I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the previous whist a lot of the themes are similar, the characters equally as rich and interesting. I felt the plot of this book become so daft anything else was cancelled out, furthermore the clever writing style I so much admired in the first book wasn’t there. All that said I did like it.

I really loved the satire the author conveyed thought out this it so true to real life you almost forgot it was satire: from the dating app deeming women over 35 rotten to the bride shaming Facebook page. Brilliant and scarily close to reality. For me this was the best part of the novel setting aside the ridiculous plot this satire was subtle and expertly written. The full novel also has a dystopian feel, almost black mirror.
I really enjoyed the interesting dialogues and observation on culture and human behaviour, so close to bone. One of the observations I felt a real connection to was about the romantic comedies we all grow up with feeding this almost toxic idea of life, love and everything else into teenage girls heads, I have said this for years.

Another positive was how the novel really does focus on the complexities of female friendships and the pressures society puts on women. For example on the dating app the vast differences between what makes men and women marriage material, you guessed it, it was all looks based for women!!!

The relationship between Ellie and Robin was really interesting, we see their friendship from its origin through evolution and dissolution this was really interesting despite the crazy plot. I did enjoy reading about their lives and experiences and how it goes on to shape their views on marriage. The first half of the book we get to know the history of Robin and Ellie's friendship with all of the ups and downs and Robins decision to accept being maid of honour. This set up is important for the second half of the book where the craziness kicks in with the lead up the big day and the big day itself . This allows the reader to understand why both women are still friends and why the plot could develop like it did, though I have yet to hear of a bride in real life trying to kill their maid of honour to drink her bone broth!!!

Both of the main characters were well developed, they weren't people I would want to be friends with in particular Robyn who for me came across very judgemental and treated straight people with an all most phobic like contempt despite being super aware of any misgivings towards her, she was a little blinkered.


The book was fast paced and an easy read, it could have a been brilliant if the plot had not been just a crazy, whist I get this was to hammer home the satire I feel it actually distracted from the very well written and cleverly points made. That being said it’s a solid dystopian thriller, with something for everyone , a bit rom-com, a dark thriller, dystopian new worlds, friendships, love, and dark humour. Four stars for the premise but three for the execution.

This was such a witty, fun & intelligent book to read!

I really had a fantastic time, I actually laughed out loud while reading and let me tell you, it just doesn't happen in life!

The plot was interesting, the characters lovable and/or crazy, the goings on - well, futuristically realistic?

Honestly, I wanted to give this book 5 stars, but something was missing. The mystery/thrill bit just wasn't there enough. More of it and I would be in love with this book. Some characters deserved more 'airtime' and development, like the fiance/husband-to-be, which we just got a glimpse of, I really wanted more!
Moreover, the ending bit got me a little miffed, I just did not like the long letter explaining it all kinda thing, I would have wanted more, as the book was so clever, but the ending - not so much.

Overall, I cannot wait for the next book from this author, I will 100% be reading it!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

Vigorous and lively style, strong characters but just wasn’t for me. I prefer a quieter, more subtle read. Just a personal preference, I’m sure others will love it.

I love the episode 'Nosedive' from Black Mirror, so you bet I enjoyed this - a visit to similar territory, but with added queerness! Yay!!!

Robin and Ellie have been friends since high school. Heroine Robin can be a bit of a pill, inclined to get on her 'queer high horse,' - vegan, reluctant to shave her legs and armpits, and saving her sweet and loving side for her partner Aimee and little dog Bean. Ellie was sparky and had hidden depths in high school, which she sometimes let Robin see. However, as she enters her thirties, she becomes warped by her wedding-obsessed mother, 'basic' friends (who resemble the Christian tradwives of Laskey's Under the Rainbow and post annual countdowns to Pumpkin Spice Latte season) and a government-sponsored, wedding-obsessed media that is set on taking women back to the 1950s.

(I agree with some of the reviewers that this was a bit strangely done, the alternative/dystopian history element, and it would have been good if some of the cinema and TV shows mentioned were like the slightly altered programmes of Louise O'Neill's Only Ever Yours, rather than using real examples like Ten Things I Hate About You and She's All That - which some real feminists, like me, are secretly quite fond of)...

Throw in a bit of Midsommar and you're ready for a wild ride of party buses, queer identity politics and attempted murder that actually says a lot about the intense, sensual and sometimes BS-crazy world of female friendship.

I was utterly ADDICTED to this book! Honestly one of the craziest and most unique books I’ve read in a long time, like straight out of a Black Mirror episode! More books like this please

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.
A somewhat dystopian tale of what can only be described as a rather toxic friendship, that is pushed to rather unrealistic limits in the run up to a wedding! It was easy to read, somewhat bonkers and I'm still unsure how I felt about it!

Wow what a weird but wonderful read this was, I was completely saturated in this I gotta tell ya.
Quite unusual for me to be honest as this story was really very far fetched and totally ridiculous, I'd normally be throwing the book into the fire instead of loving it. But OMG I LOVED IT!

No idea what genre you would put this under, you'd think thriller from the cover and synop but it wasn't, anyway who cares what it was, you just have to read it without getting hung up over the wacky storyline and love it!

Main character Robin was funny, honest and true to herself, she was great, I really liked her. Bridezilla Ellie was absolutely bat shit 😂🙈

Totally unbelievable but totally worth it!
You'll never ever want to be called for maid of honour duties ever again after reading this!

Thanks again #HQStories and to @netgalley for the ARC

This was a funny and entertaining read. I'm not entirely sure about the very end but I enjoyed this for the most part.

The voice was spot on for an educated, woke person trying to survive in a world that seems crazy.

I think this could have gone slightly deeper and the pop culture that was referenced as driving her friend to believe that marriage was all that matters like 10 things, She's All That etc didn't work. I grew up with these things and I don't think they supported the arguement enough. I think the author needed to invent her own similar stories with more of a focus on marriage...like, do we think that Kat and Patrick are married in the future of 10 things? No, we don't. This also made me unsure of the timeline, but maybe I missed this and it was set in the present just an alternative present.

Still, this was funny and scarily plausible.

My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wild ride of thriller with dystopian elements. We follow two best friend’s who over the years have grown distant as one of them is getting married. We have Ellie the bridezilla who is determined to get married before society deems her 'rotten' and we have Robin who is against marriage and is happy just living with her longterm girlfriend. The wedding industry is spiraling out of control and more and more brides are doing wedding charms to try and secure a happy marriage. Despite not wanting to Robin agrees to be Ellie's Maid of Honour after she confirms she won'tdoany wedding charms, but as the big day approaches a series of ominous occurrences happen leading Robin wonder if she made the right decision and it stars to feel like the bridal party is out to get her.

The first half of the book we get to know the history of Robin and Ellie's friendship with all of the ups and downs and Robins decision to accept being maid of honour. This set up is important for the second half of the book where the craziness kicks in with the lead up and the big day itself.

This book was fast paced and an easy read. I loved that it gave black mirror vibes. It really does focus on the complexities of female friendships and the pressures society puts on women. This is a solid dystopian thriller.

I am giving it 3.5 ⭐️ but rounding up.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.