Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen

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Title: Always a Bridesmaid
Author: Cindi Madsen
Series: Getting Hitched #2
Published by: Entangled: Amara
Release Date: May 26, 2020
Format: eARC
Pages: 400
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Source: the author
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2020 New Release Challenge, Lenoreo's COYER Quarantine Edition
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iBooks ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:

Blurb:

Violet Abrams may have been a bridesmaid no less than seven times, but her wedding day was near—she could feel it. Until her longtime boyfriend left her for someone else. That’s just fine—she has her photography and a new project redesigning her sister’s bakery to keep her happy and fulfilled. Fast-forward to the day of his wedding, though, when Violet might have accidentally, totally not on purpose, started a fire. And... Officially the worst day ever.

Firefighter Ford Maguire thought he’d seen it all. Until he’s called out because someone tried to set the local bakery on fire…with a wedding magazine? The little arsonist might be the cutest woman he’s ever seen, but he’s too career-focused to consider something serious. Still, Violet seems like a great person to help him navigate his upcoming “man of honor” duties in his best friend’s wedding.

Pretty soon, not only is Violet giving him lessons on all things weddings, she’s helping him train his latest rescue-dog recruit puppies and weaving her way seamlessly into his lone-wolf lifestyle. But forever is the last thing on Ford’s mind, and if there’s one thing a perpetual bridesmaid knows, it’s the importance of a happily ever after.

My Review:

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

4.5 stars — The banter and playfulness between Violet and Ford was BAR NONE my favourite part of this book.  It just delighted me the witty rejoinders they would come up with.  I laughed out loud at a few of them.  They both had stellar senses of humour.

I felt for the number that Violet’s ex had done on her self esteem — and not just on her appearance, but on her quirks too.  I loved the way her ADHD was portrayed, because lately I’ve come to believe that perhaps I suffer in a very similar way.  I always thought there was just something wrong with me, and like Violet I felt HORRIBLE when my mind would wander and I couldn’t stop it.  Basically I related to her a LOT.  I loved that she really put herself out there with Ford — she was wary and scared, but she didn’t let that stop her from a potential for something good.  That was really refreshing.

The funny thing is, often it’s the heroine’s hang ups that get in the way of the couple, and it totally could have gone that way with these two.  But it was Ford who couldn’t get out of his own head and messed things up.  I was a bit bummed with how long it took him to figure things out, and that he didn’t go to his friends about his problems.  I sort of got it from his childhood perspective, but it just bummed me out a bit, you know?  I guess I just didn’t feel his hang ups as much as I probably should have I think.  Not sure if that makes sense.  It felt like his problems with his dad and brothers were more told than shown.  I needed something more to really connect with him on that, and not just be annoyed with him.  Despite all that, Ford was ridiculously adorable.  He was funny, caring, a great friend, and very motivated to help others.

Obviously I loved the two of them together, when they were really together and not worrying.  They had great chemistry, from friendship to more.

I loved learning about Violet’s past, and seeing how she and Maisy were developing a relationship.  I loved that side story.  I always love the group of friends that Ford has, and I loved seeing Violet welcomed into that.  The wedding stuff was hilarious at times, and provided a lot of opportunities for fun and hijinks.  And I LOVED the puppy training, particularly Violet’s love affair with Trouble.

So yeah.  It was definitely what I was needing to read — something with both lightness and depth, something to make me feel good.