Just One of the Groomsmen by Cindi Madsen

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Title: Just One of the Groomsmen
Author: Cindi Madsen
Series: Getting Hitched #1
Published by: Entangled: Amara
Release Date: May 28, 2019
Format: eARC
Pages: 304
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Source: the author
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2019 New Release Challenge
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iBooks ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:

Blurb:

Addison Murphy is the funny friend, the girl you grab a beer with—the girl voted most likely to start her own sweatshirt line. And now that one of her best guy friends is getting married, she’ll add “groomsman” to that list, too. She’ll get through this wedding if it’s the last thing she does. Just don’t ask her to dive for any bouquet.

When Tucker Crawford returns to his small hometown, he expects to see the same old people, feel comfort in the same old things. He certainly doesn’t expect to see the nice pair of bare legs sticking out from under the hood of a broken-down car. Certainly doesn’t expect to feel his heart beat faster when he realizes they belong to one of his best friends.

If he convinces Addie to give him a chance, they could be electric…or their break-up could split their tight-knit group in two.

Hiding the way he feels from the guys through bachelor parties, cake tastings, and rehearsals is one thing. But just as Tucker realizes that Addie truly could be the perfect woman for him—he was just too stupid to realize it—now she’s leaving to follow her own dreams. He’s going to need to do a lot of compromising if he’s going to convince her to take a shot at forever with him—on her terms this time.

My Review:

I received a free copy through the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4.5 stars — This was exactly the book I needed and didn’t know I was looking for.  I was honestly starting to wonder if I was in a bit of a slump, and I was starting not to trust my feelings about books.  But this book and THESE characters were just so endearing and easy to connect with, I ended up LOVING Addie and Tucker’s story.  So much so, this review is likely not going to be very helpful and just fluffy fangirling, but since I’m feeling overwhelming relief over that, you’ll just have to bear with me.

Addie was sassy and strong-willed, and yet so full of insecurities.  My heart broke for her and the conflict she felt between loving who she was, and constantly being nagged about not being a girl.  I loved that she experienced that dichotomy, because everyone always talks about loving yourself and that being enough…but you can love yourself and still feel the hurt of other’s opinions.

Tucker broke my heart in equal amounts with the way his childhood had shaped him and his beliefs about love and marriage and security.  He had his own struggle to work through who he was deep inside versus who others wanted him to be.  I loved the compromises he came to, and his new “law firm.”

While I felt all of their emotions and ached for them, at the same time I wanted to smack them both…though I will admit moreso with Tucker.  I was able to relate to some of Addie’s insecurities, so I kinda understood her stubborn refusal to see the truth more.

The chemistry between Tucker and Addie was beyond awesome, from the obvious best friendship, to the development of attraction and feelings.  The progression of their relationship was steady and believable, and I was fully invested in them as a couple.  And I will admit I loved the resolution.

So much of the strength of this story lies in the strong set of secondary characters, the outside friendships, the quirky townspeople and of course family.  I ADORED the friendship between Addie and her boys.  It felt real, and I loved how each one of them brought something different to the table.  I loved the friendship that developed with Lexie.  I LOVED Nonna Lucia, she was hilarious.  And there were so many hilarious characters in the town, it really brought the setting to life.

I can’t wait to find out who the next book is about.  I can’t wait to return to these characters.  I know I will be rereading this one in the future when I need a guaranteed feel-good story.