#BookReview: The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall

Synopsis: Matrimony meets mayhem in a modern British romcom about a young woman charged with pulling off the biggest aristocratic wedding of the year––and the misadventures that ensue.

Sophie Breeze is a brilliant bridesmaid. So brilliant, in fact, that she’s made it her full-time job.

As a professional bridesmaid, Sophie is hired by London brides to be their right-hand woman, posing as a friend but working behind the scenes to help plan the perfect wedding and ensure their big day goes off without a hitch. When she’s hired by Lady Victoria Swann––a former model and “It Girl" of 1970’s London; now the Marchioness of Meade––for the society wedding of the year, it should be a chance for Sophie to prove just how talented she is. 

Of course, it’s not ideal that the bride, Lady Victoria’s daughter, Cordelia, is an absolute diva and determined to make Sophie’s life a nightmare. It’s also a bit inconvenient that Sophie finds herself drawn to Cordelia’s posh older brother, who is absolutelyoff limits. But when a rival society wedding is announced for the very same day, things start to get…well, complicated.

Can Sophie pull off the biggest challenge of her career––execute a high-profile gala for four hundred and fifty guests in record time, win over a reluctant bride, and catch the eye of handsome Lord Swann––all while keeping her true identity a secret, and her dignity intact? 

Heartwarming and hilarious, The Secret Bridesmaid celebrates the joys (and foibles) of weddings, the nuances of female friendship, and the redeeming power of love in its many unexpected forms.



Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 3 Stars
My Review: The start of this one was so amazing!! I loved the banter Sophie had with all the correspondence we get in this one, in forms of emails and text.  It worked so well for the story. But as I different towards the last 180 pages it just fell super flat. Its like as soon as the actual romance started all that quirky banter that I just fell in love with just went out the window and it just got boring.  I wished this book would have been at least a 100 pages shorter.  I don't think we needed as much filler as we got and it would have helped to speed up the boring parts.  Overall, I really started skimming towards the end of this one. It just kind of fell apart. I was still invested enough to want to know what happened after everything came out.  But it just wasn't enough to redeem this one. 

Review

Praise for The Secret Bridesmaid:

One of "50 Most Anticipated Romance Novels of 2021 to Renew Your Faith in Love" ––Oprah Daily

"... a unique, hilarious spin on wedding mayhem... Birchall pays just as much attention to the complex nuances of female friendship as to the healing power of love, resulting in an entertaining romp. This is sure to please."
––Publishers Weekly

"A pure delight." 
––BookPage, starred review

"With a delightfully plucky heroine and laugh-out-loud hijinks, The Secret Bridesmaid gives the wedding rom-com a much-needed update: focusing on the friendships between women as much as the romance. Charming, escapist fun."
––Katharine McGee, New York Times bestselling author of American Royals

"This laugh-out-loud funny rom-com provides the cheery escapism we all need these days. Sophie Breeze’s entertaining escapades read like 'The Wedding Planner' updated for the 2020s. The satisfying plot twists had me rooting for a cast of characters (some endearing, some delightfully prickly) that suddenly felt like friends. Charming, hopeful, and swoon-worthy enough to sweep even the most level-headed reader off their feet."
––Hannah Orenstein, author of Head Over Heels

"Hilarious and heartwarming––the perfect wedding season read."
––Heidi Swain, Sunday Times bestselling author

"I devoured The Secret Bridesmaid––it's as heady as champagne and as romantic as any wedding vow. One of the funniest books I have ever read. An absolute treat."
––Katie Marsh, author of The Rest of Me

"The Secret Bridesmaid is a fun, fresh romantic comedy that perfectly depicts all the delights and dramas of wedding season. A vivid and heartwarming reminder of the joys of celebration, friendship and togetherness - the perfect read for this summer." 
––Holly Miller, author of The Sight of You

"Just like a glass of champagne, a bright, sparkling treat of a book. Funny, uplifting and bursting with heart, The Secret Bridesmaid is classic romcom escapism."
––Lindsey Kelk, internationally bestselling author

"This book filled my heart with joy––I never wanted it to end. I will be recommending it far and wide!" 
––Paige Toon, internationally bestselling author

Praise for Katy Birchall:

"Brilliant...a great and engaging plot, and relatable characters." ––The Guardian

"Delightfully absurd moments, dry observations, and big heart keep the story fresh and entertaining." ––Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Katy Birchall is the author of numerous books for young readers, and the former Deputy Features Editor of Country Life magazine. The Secret Bridesmaid is her first adult novel and her American debut. She studied English Literature at the University of Manchester and currently lives in London.

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Posted in: 3 Stars, Adult, Jessica P., Review, St. Martin's Griffin