Book review stop! Today I’m delighted to be the host for The Grooms Wore White, a rom-com book written by C. Lindyhurst.
First thing first, let me thank Rachel and the publisher, Hera Books, for providing me with an e-copy of this book. Much obliged *hat tip*
MEET THE BOOK
Even wedding planners struggle to get it right…
Jason is the best wedding planner around, known as the Fairy Godfather to the couples whose special days he plans. But coming up against workplace prejudice is taking a toll on his love for his job.
His mother-in-law, Mel, has just discovered her husband has been cheating on her with a younger woman. Nearing fifty, jobless and struggling, she needs to work out who she is aside from a mum and a wife, and get her life back on track.
Meanwhile, up-tight wedding planner Harriet is struggling to find her own true love – if such a thing exists. Between liars, married men, and disaster dates, she thinks she may never find the one. And her outdated attitude toward LGBT marriages make her even more bitter.
When Jason starts Extra Weddings – helping people marry whoever they like, in whatever way they want – he, Mel and Harriet find themselves coming together to help couples make memories to last a lifetime. But can they bridge their gaps, and be a unit when others need them most?
Fans of Casey McQuiston, Lindsey Kelk and Justin Myers are invited to the most heart-warming and extravagant wedding event of 2022
Rom-com
Hera Books
Publication date: 07/04/22
Purchase links
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3fM2CPu
Apple: https://apple.co/3fIc0nh
READ MY REVIEW
Cover: Cute but a bit misleading, maybe? As always, I’m not so keen on warm colors.
Let me start by stating that I love the idea behind this book.
It’s cute, it’s funny, and it’s well-thought-out: Lindhurst grabs some tropes and builds a story around them, using them as a starting point rather than relying on them. The latter is the easy way out, but also the mark of a lazy author; the former is trickier, but also a chance to showcase an author’s writing skills. Well done!
The Grooms Wore White features three main characters and a multiple POV structure, but since there’s no actual POV switching in the chapters, I have to say I’m satisfied with Lindhurst’s stylistic choice. The protagonists have clear voices, and they have interesting arcs. Mel’s is the one that resonates with me the most, even if I don’t agree with her actions here and there, Jason’s is the most captivating, and Harriet’s is… something XD – I’m kidding, her arc is satisfying, too.
The career or family topic is predominant, and it’s executed fairly well. It doesn’t budge me from my RL position, and I had to leave my own beliefs at the door while reading this story; still, it’s not a matter of personal biases leaning left or right. What really matters is that Lindhurst chose a topic and weaved it into the plot, laying the facts bare and letting the reader decide where they’d stand. In a world filled with [insert your word of choice here] policing people’s thoughts and actions, it’s a refreshing take. Thank you.
So, what didn’t work for me? The actual execution. There are some grammar mistakes, concept and structure repetitions, details that render the writing stilted in places.
3.5 stars on GR.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Author Bio –
Charlie Lyndhurst is an award-shortlisted gay romance novelist, writing tutor, ghostwriter, and the Diversity Officer of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
The Grooms Wore White is his first commercial crossover novel.
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Bookshelves & Teacups 