Carla Luna

Jess goes to Maui for her sister's destination wedding. Getting in 11 hours late, she runs into her ex, Connor, cousin of the groom. Having parted badly five years earlier, she had hoped not to run into him until later in the wedding week. Feeling comfortable with him, she forgives him and arrives at the hotel with him. When Gabi, her sister, finds out, she reminds Jess what happened years before and makes Jess promise not to get involved with Connor again. As problems with the wedding occur, Gabi is turning into a Bridezilla. Everything comes to a head at the rehearsal dinner when truths are discovered. Can they go back to before the explosion? Will Gabi and her groom get married? Will Jess and Connor figure out their path?

I liked this story. It was the perfect rom-com for a hot summer night. It was fun and flirty. It had just the right amount of angst. But I have to admit, I wanted to smack Gabi up alongside of head with her demands and tell her to back off.

I liked Jess a lot. I could identify with her as it seems everything always falls apart for her. She does not see her strengths because of the criticism she gets from her family. Connor needs a good swift kick where the sun don't shine when he agrees to Jess's proposal so why is he so upset when it looks like she lied. He did not even give her a fair hearing. I was glad that they finally told the truth to each other and themselves.

I look forward to the rest of this series.… (més)

April was a SWEETHEART, emphasis on the sweet! She could bake like nobody's business, design like nature intended, and keep her long held crush well under wraps so as not to affect the friendship she holds near and dear. Grant it, she let's her family walk all over her with their ridiculous competitive streak, takes way too much from a boyfriend that should be supporting her and cherishing her not sweet shaming her and using her for pretty much just a booty call, and has a severe lack of confidence from pretty much all of the above and more to the extent that she can't see what a catch she really is...but hey, nobody's perfect, but they can certainly be perfectly matched!

Brody wasn't perfect, nor claiming to be, but it was so obvious that he had a thing for our girl April, even if he wasn't prepared to admit it at first. I mean, with his history, and the game plan they set in motion, if he didn't hold a modicrum of affection for her, he'd have to go down in some world record as being the bestest of best friend's EVER.

In the end, it was their chemistry that set things alight, and made the story that much more memorable for me. They were friends first, and potential lovers second; a great combination for building something that lasts...if only they can get past all the secrets and assumed identities unscathed! You'll have to read it to find out what all transpires, but suffice it to say, it'll be worth every page!

**ebook received for review; opinions are my own… (més)

Thank you to the author and The Romance of Reading FB page.

Another chick lit book that was somehow corny and cute at the same time. Friends to lovers trope. April's "plus one" (friend with benefits man) wouldn't attend her brother's wedding so Brody faked it as him and went and Brody being the guy he was went along with it not thinking it could be crazy.

Shenanigans ensued with her dysfunctional (yes another one) and competitive family throughout the week before the wedding in Door County, WI. Her sisters were always putting her down throughout life and April finally decided to stand up for herself.

Some sex scenes and graphic if you don't mind it. I've read enough of them so it doesn't bother me.
The scenery sounded wonderful there especially in the Fall.… (més)