The Wedding Beat

by Devan Sipher

Sometimes the best man isn't even in the wedding party...

Gavin Greene is a hopeless romantic. He's also a professional one: he writes the wedding column for a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, covering spectacular parties from coast to coast. But there's a thin line between being a hotshot reporter on assignment...and being a single guy alone on a Saturday night at someone else's wedding.

Everything changes on New Year's when Gavin meets Melinda, a travel writer with enchanting dimples. A moonlit stroll across a Manhattan rooftop seals the deal. Until an Aussie with attitude swoops in and whisks her away before Gavin gets her number.

Gavin crisscrosses New York City to find her again. And he learns that there's something worse than losing the woman of his dreams: Having to write an article about her wedding.

“Fab­u­lous and funny, a quick, quirky read that mar­ries self-deprecating humor with the bit­ter­sweet roman­tic chal­lenges of a lonely man.“–USA Today

“A poignant appeal to all sin­gles to let go and give love a try. The clever and snappy prose will appeal to read­ers who look for­ward to each new title from Jonathan Trop­per.“–Library Jour­nal

"Sit back and break open that tub of ice cream... [Sipher] brings some unexpected edge and wit to the game."--The New York Times

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Humor

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Born in LA.

I always thought that would make a good title for my autobiography. Not that I plan on writing one.

I grew up mostly in Southfield, Michigan, which sounds misleadingly bucolic for a suburb of Detroit with more than 27 million square feet of office space.

For ten years, I was a writer of the Vows column at The New York Times, and my first novel, The Wedding Beat, was loosely based on my experience at the Times as a single guy writing about weddings.

You can read some of my articles at the Times here.

Reviews

[Lil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read. It's like a male POV of 27 dresses (with a more whiny James Marsden character)

[Bells · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being in a reading funk for a few weeks I needed a certain book to help me get out of it. When I received The Wedding Beat on my doorstep, I read what it was about and was instantly excited to read it. It was the right book that I needed at that moment and it had me tearing up while reading about Gavin Green's journey to find true love. I loved that this story was about a male character that just wanted to fall in love with the woman of his dreams. Finding "the one" is not easy for men either and this story really showcases that as the main character Gavin goes through so many emotions while reminiscing about past loves and the one that got away. He also to deal with his somewhat dysfunctional family that will have you laughing whenever they appear on the page.

What makes it all more heartbreaking is that Gavin writes the wedding column at a major NYC newspaper. He interviews couples that are about to be married for his column and attends each of their weddings. He can't help but want what surrounds him as he doing job and wonders if he himself will ever find the right woman that will take that journey with him. There are times when he feels that he may be alone for the rest of his life and just when he has hope that he may have found someone, he's back to square one again. It doesn't help that he's pressured by his parents to find someone or anyone to settle down with and it makes people question why he writes the wedding column if it's something that he's never experienced in his life. He's very good at what he does, but there's one upcoming wedding that is just too much for him to take and places him in the uncomfortable position of doing something that he never thought he would do. Will being honest and true gain him all that he's ever wanted in life or push him away from the one that he's been waiting for.

The Wedding Beat is cleverly written by Devan Sipher and entertains the reader during an important part of Gavin Greene's life. It will make you reminisce about your own journey of love with your loved one. It will make want to grab onto them and hold them tight, because the journey is not an easy one.

[Deanna Lynn Sletten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gavin Greene wants to fall in love – really – but doesn't seem to have much luck. It doesn't help that he is surrounded by love all day, every day, because he covers weddings for The Paper. Then, on New Year's Day, Gavin meets the woman of his dreams only to have her swept away from him before he can get her phone number. He searches frantically for her for weeks and just as he is ready to give up, he finally finds her – he is being asked to write an article about her upcoming wedding!

The Wedding Beat is funny, witty and heartwarming all at once. You can't help but laugh at Gavin's misfortunes but you feel for him as well. You fall in love with his parents, even though they are annoying, his spitfire grandmother, and most of all with him. You can't help but want to cheer him on even as he does the most goofy things to win his true love's heart.

This debut novel by Devan Sipher, who actually does write a wedding column for the New York Times in real life, is a must read for anyone who loves comedy/romances. You'll fall in love with Gavin – but you will also fall in love with writer Devan Sipher and wait anxiously for his next novel.

[Bethany Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - First off, I liked how this story was told from the male perspective. 9 times out of 10 it's always female perspective.
It's slightly, ok really out of left field, that there would be a guy that had dreams about marriage, honeymoons and babies his entire life.
One funny line in the book, because he was still single he was letting down his species, really? HAHA Personally I think they would praise him.
This book has all sorts of ups and downs - love at first site, hope, deceit, cheating, happiness, which will be Gavin's fate?

[Ris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wedding Beat is a unique and welcome look at love and romance from one man’s perspective. It has a fast paced dynamic rhythm that echoes the cadence and energy of New York City with a wonderful underlying pulse quickly capturing your imagination and immediately putting you in the mind’s eye of the protagonist - newspaper columnist Gavin Greene.

Gavin writes a wedding column for a Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper and his job constantly surrounds him with happy couples who are about to take the first steps towards their ‘happily ever after’. Unfortunately Gavin’s own happy ending with the woman of his dreams is nowhere in sight. A single man, who is seriously re-thinking the ‘single’ part of his resume he has a slightly eccentric family, a demanding job and colorful acquaintances and friends. So it only seems par for the course that when Gavin does finally meet a woman who personifies what he’s been looking for she’s soon off to a new adventure. He doesn’t imagine things could get any worse until he finds himself in the unenviable position of having to write an article about her wedding.


The Wedding Beat has a male protagonist whose search for a happy ending is a journey we can all relate to. Gavin Greene is the kind of man I’d like to meet. He is written with an honesty that is refreshing and genuine. With charismatic secondary characters and a heroine who is both adventurous and elusive, this cleverly written debut novel comes alive with a quick wit that is keen, perceptive, sometimes sardonic, but always hopeful. As we follow Gavin’s road to love we begin to understand the relationships he has with his family and friends, his angst, his search and his choices.

The author of The Wedding Beat is journalist Devan Sipher. Mr. Sipher is a writer of the New York Times “Vows” column. His exceptional articles about the most intimate details of how two people meet, fall in love and marry is definitely not your typical wedding column. To read his articles is to fall in love with a man who knows about relationships and romance. When I received a copy of his debut novel I was excited to read his fictional take on a subject he has been chronicling for years. I found the same personal touch, insight, humor, and care personified in the book.

Author interview on B&N.com's Heart to Heart blog http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t...

[Margarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like romance... the Nicholas Spark type of romance...
and if you liked the movie 27 Dresses... this is definitely a book for you to read today!

The Wedding Beat, which was released today, is funny, sweet and although it comes from a male point of view, it is a relate-able story for anyone who has ever felt that they have lingered around a moment too long in the dating-world.

This book is about a guy looking for true love;
But not just any guy - Gavin is a wedding columnist for a prestigious well-known newspaper! Really! Who would have thought that a famous wedding columnist was not only still single, but not even close to being married, and no where near knowing what it's like to live and breath what he writes about every week.
For most of us, finding Mr. Right, or in this case, Mrs. Right, is not an easy task, especially for Gavin. Right from the start, we get to experience exactly what Gavin goes through while on assignment - on New Year's Eve! Seriously, how sad is it to be at a wedding, alone, on New Year's Eve... get the picture.
Gavin's story is perfectly written and fast paced, I felt his emotions, I felt sorry for him, I also got mad at him too - a bit whiny at times, he would feel so sorry for himself for being dumped and alone, it was quite comical. Who would have thought that men go through the same ups and downs as women do.

The only reason I didn't give The Wedding Beat 5 bumble bees was because of the ending. I have to be honest here - every romance story always ends in a good "happily-ever-after" ending. And even though this one does end on a happy note, it wasn't very good. It fell short and I really expected more for Gavin. I'm happy he got what he wanted, but I would have liked to have just a little bit more time... maybe another wedding to attend to...

And, to make the story even better, the author himself is a famous wedding columnist for the New York Times! You can find a few of his articles on his website, or, you can just pick up a paper sometime and read his column called, The Vow.
Oh, and there's a rumor that part of the movie, 27 Dresses, was inspired by him!
You got to read this book!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Gavin is a reporter for a big newspaper in New York, where he writes the popular stories about weddings, traveling to various events each weekend to cover the wedding and write up the couple. Despite continually going to weddings and being a romantic, he's single and doesn't understand why. At a party, he meets Melinda, who he falls for almost immediately, but she disappears without giving him her number. Gavin unsuccessfully tries to find her, even goes out on dates with other women, and then he's given his new assignment: write a story about Melinda's upcoming wedding.

This was a cute, easy read. The writing was simple but entertaining, and I loved the way the author gave funny quirks to some of the peripheral characters. My favorite part was when Gavin interviewed a dating guru about his upcoming wedding, and the guru basically turned the tables and started giving Gavin dating advice and telling him why he was still single. Quite entertaining. Gavin was a likable main character, with just enough awkwardness to make him believable. Who can't relate to trying to follow someone's advice, yet managing to completely mess up due to your own inability to speak the words you know you should say? It was easy to root for Gavin.

The love story was cute and not over-the-top, especially since most of the novel centered on Gavin's hunt for Melinda and hope for love instead of their actual relationship beginning. Melinda wasn't featured in the novel a ton, but she was likable and it was understandable why Gavin felt such a connection with her.

As a whole, the story was predictable (will they end up together?!??), but the journey getting to the end was fun. It ended a little abruptly for my taste - I would have liked a little more exposition about a bigger "moment" or scene at the end - but it was nonetheless a cute story and definitely an easy read.

[Patti K · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I didn't hate it. It was more than ok in some parts, not that great in others. Personally, I don't get what anyone thought was LOL funny about this story, period. Am I missing something? I don't think I laughed more than once or twice. Sometimes he used amusing analogies, but it didn't make me pee my pants laughing. You want a funny contemporary romance story, read some Jill Shalvis or Kristan Higgins. This wasn't funny. It wasn't horrible, it wasn't exactly sad, but it was NOT funny.

That said, I liked that he kept you wondering several times what the ending would really be, who Gavin might finally end up marrying, if anyone. Personally, I thought he should have married Hope, but maybe that would have been the predictable ending.

The twist regarding Laurel was interesting, in part because, honestly, that's probably one of the biggest differences in this story compared to how it might have played if a woman wrote it. In all the bad breakups people have, so often we get so wrapped into our own feelings about it that we don't stop to think what the other perspective might be. Likewise, the twist with Alexander was sort of amusing and a little unexpected.

Some of the characters felt like stereotypes, although I suppose the most important ones didn't. The story was ok in parts - sometimes compelling, other times it dragged. Once again, I have to ask myself the question, are my opinions on the book clouded by its primary setting? Because, as I have said recently, I'm sort of growing weary of NYC set stories, especially the ones where the characters are part of the elite or semi-elite. For so much of the NYC population, that is just NOT what life is all about, and I guess maybe I'm just bored with it or something.

If he writes another book, I'll probably consider it, at least.

[Katrina Alcantara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's my first time to read a novel from a male's perspective, and oh- boy i really enjoyed it. This is not the usual chick lit you'd read where a girl go crazy over a man hoping he'd notice her. This is the other way around.

Well, there were parts where I think that Gavin's character is more appropriate for a female character (maybe because i'm fond of reading romance where the female is the romantic one), but overall the way how the story ended was really good! It's the typical ending you'd see on romantic/comedy movies. The part where the the man is too afraid to admit he loves a girl only to find out that the girl loves him too! Too cheesy, but who doesn't want those type of endings anyway.

I also enjoyed this book because it revived the memories I had experienced while My husband and I was still planning for our church wedding. The jitters, and the problems depicted on the story (Minus the cold feet because i didn't have that:) ) were all true. Those things were really inevitable on this special occasion.

i'm giving this 4 stars because I think there are too many characters on the story, and I had a hard time remembering their names; though most of them are not really main chracters.

So for all the males who plan to read this book, better be the BEE! :) before it's too late.

[Samantha March · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gavin Greene is a writer for a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, but he doesn’t write a column on stocks or sports. No, he writes the wedding column, which suits this romantic at heart. Still reeling from a bad breakup, Gavin is searching for that right woman...and finds her New Years Eve night at a party. Melinda. Gavin’s One. But when she slips out early, Gavin is left to search for the woman whose last name he isn’t even privy too. Can Gavin find her before someone else sweeps her away?

I thought The Wedding Beat by Devan Sipher was a fabulous novel! I love chick lit from a guy’s perspective, and definitely think it should be on your to-read list. Gavin reminded me a bit of Ross from Friends or Ted from How I Met Your Mother, both characters that I simply adore. His journey to find Melinda kept me invested throughout the entire novel. I was thinking five stars all the way, but the ending really tripped me up. I felt a bit cheated as a reader. We go through this incredible journey of finding Melinda, and the epilogue didn’t really wrap up their love story. I don’t want to give too much away, but I was just bummed that more details weren’t given in their relationship and how it turned out. Other than that, loved the story and think you will too.

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s no coincidence that the hero in THE WEDDING BEAT reminds the reader of the reporter in the movie 27 DRESSES but the similarity between the stories ends there. Devan Sipher writes a witty, laugh-out-loud funny story about hapless reporter, Gavin Greene. Sipher’s humor is low key and wicked. Lines like - “It was a cross between wedding kitsch and animal cruelty.” (when speaking of a wedding’s petting zoo) and “I liked being spontaneous. I just preferred to do it with a little preparation.” are just two examples of Sipher’s sarcasm. Gavin spends the entire novel letting relationship possibilities slip through his fingers until I wanted to scream at him to man up. When it all becomes too much for even him and he decides he must go after the girl of his dreams, he finds himself making the ultimate grand gesture. His action’s when going after Melinda redeem him of all his former passivity and ensure his happily ever after.
Rating: 4.0
Heat Rating: Sweet: No sex or scenes of physical intimacy except some kissing. No graphic violence or profanity.
Reviewed By: Jeanne Stone-Hunter for My Book Addiction and More

[Jeanne Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s no coincidence that the hero in THE WEDDING BEAT reminds the reader of the reporter in the movie 27 DRESSES but the similarity between the stories ends there. Devan Sipher writes a witty, laugh-out-loud funny story about hapless reporter, Gavin Greene. Sipher’s humor is low key and wicked. Lines like – “It was a cross between wedding kitsch and animal cruelty.” (when speaking of a wedding’s petting zoo) and “I liked being spontaneous. I just preferred to do it with a little preparation.” are just two examples of Sipher’s sarcasm. Gavin spends the entire novel letting relationship possibilities slip through his fingers until I wanted to scream at him to man up. When it all becomes too much for even him and he decides he must go after the girl of his dreams, he finds himself making the ultimate grand gesture. His action’s when going after Melinda redeem him of all his former passivity and ensure his happily ever after.

Reviewed By: Jeanne Stone-Hunter for My Book Addiction and More

[Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gavin is a man unlucky when it comes to love. You wishing him luck at times and then feeling for him in his pain. His annoying parents start to make a warm place in your heart.

I was hooked from the beginning. It was nice and funny at times to read a book from a males point of view. Devan brings a nice change to the romance genre. The journey Gavin takes is not easy and it makes you think of your own relationship with your loved one. The banter between the characters is light and fun to read.

The book is a page turner.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.

I really enjoyed this book! When I first started reading the book I was a little thrown by reading a romantic book from the mans point of view. But since the main character Gavin was so easy to relate to, I soon found myself unable to put the book down.

The book had everything a good book should have, it made me laugh, cry and fall in love! I would definitely recommend reading the book and would pick up any more books by this author.

[Lora Osborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sipher has crafted a wonderful romantic story that will leave you wishing the story never ends. Within the books, Gavin, Melinda and other characters are so developed that you can picture the story unfolding in your head — perhaps as a movie with Rachel McAdams starring as Melinda? If you are a hopeless romantic or anyone who enjoys an entertaining read, this is the book for you.

Read my full review at www.crazybookreviews.com!

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow start, but turned out to be a funny romantic read. Gavin is acharming if awkward protaganist navigating career, life & family in search of true love. He and his family are easy to like and still-single 30-somethings should totally relate! If you like "The Wedding Planner" or "27 Dresses," this book is for you.

[Shelly Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This character is no alpha male. He’s a Hugh Grant (pre-Bridget Jones) or Matthew Perry character. He’s sweet, hopeful and a bit bumbling. You’ll root for him until the very end.

If you enjoy chick lit, you’ll love this book. It’s laugh out loud funny at times and towards the end, I could definitely see the movie potential.

For the full review, visit SpunkyBean at http://goo.gl/CLBx1.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for the hopeless romantic. Loved the characters, and pretty much fell in love with Gavin, the main character. It is smart and held my interest till the bitter end. Kudos to author Devan Sipher for the fabulous portrayal of love through a man's eyes. All too often we hear stories of love through the women's point of view; this is a nice change of pace.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is wedding chick lit at its best! I had high hopes for this novel written by a writer for the Vows column of The New York Times, and Devan Sipher delivers. Witty, clever, and written with a lot of charm and heart, this is a must read for any romantic. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Sarah Funke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun read for anyone who has dated -- successfully, or unsuccessfully -- in New York...or anywhere else. Actually read this in proof and hadn't realized I never added it to my list. Now you should add it to yours!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star review to be published in RTBOOKREVIEWS April issue.

[Lavanya Sunkara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. It was nice to get a male's perspective on love in New York City. I hope it becomes a bestseller!

[Carol Stanley-Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for one and all. The characters come to life. Mr.Sipher has a hit on his hands!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gavin Greene

Full review to come on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews

[Luise · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a really nice story and I liked the humorous way in which the story was written :)

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. Average.

I found the storyline confusing. I couldn’t follow the timeline of events. I kept forgetting who characters were or mixing them up. Narration was awkward—male voice but didn’t do the female characters well or really the male ones either.

Thought I would really love this book as 27 Dresses is a movie I love and have watched repeatedly. This story is told from perspective of the male wedding reporter (Gavin). It lacked the quirky cuteness of the movie. The meet cute was one chapter, then he pined over her (Melinda) and tried to find her for 3/4 of the book. For being a reporter on the wedding circuit, I found him cynical and jaded instead of a secret romantic. I kept hoping it was get better. It didn’t. The ending was rushed and weird.

Luckily the romance level was PG. In fact it was there wasn’t even a slow burn thing happening. There was no chemistry between the leads. I thought since it was about weddings, it would fun, it was just annoying with all the bridezillas and stupid grooms. Even Gavin’s female best friend, who was a doctor was stupid.

I did like the setting of New York. I want to visit there again. Not so much because of this author’s descriptions but because the characters went to some iconic New York places. Central Park, the Rainbow room…and I want to go back.

Overall, average. Don’t expect this to be like 27 dresses, you will be disappointed.

[Nichelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended by one of my good read friends so I checked out from library and began this chic lit beach/ vacay book. Full disclosure: I absolutely love reading nytimes love section and because this author most likely has written some of the stories I’ve read only enhanced my desire to read this book. By the way, the main character is a wedding reporter. AWW.

Ok quick read and some funny passages. Like the fact that he didn’t overly focus on Jewish stereotypes however I laughed to myself every time his mother reminded him he needs a wife reminding him that he needs to have someone take care of him. I said these exact words to my own son.

My favorite line in the book “ I get lost in my thoughts. Your love is the light that guides me out of the forest. You’re the reason every day for me to find my way out of a forest.” Acknowledge the darkness...the effort it takes to pull yourself out of yourself... rescue you from yourself.

Words only a wedding reporter can write and understand (also a hopeless romantic).

Would recommend.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was refreshing for once to read a romantic comedy written from the male POV and to see a man worrying about being alone forever, overthinking every word or action in an exchange with his crush, getting lost in unrealistic fantasies, etc. I got a bit frustrated with the narrator's complete lack of confidence in himself, but that's a pet peeve of mine with any main character, not just in this book. I'll definitely be checking out other books by this author just to see if there are other similar light hearted romance reads out there written from a guy's perspective.

[Kathy Temean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just started reading this book. I don't know the title of the book of the book below. I know it is not for this book. I will write a review and try to figure out. This book is funny.

First third of the book and the last third of the book was five star. Unfotunately, the middle third went on too long. It was hard to believe that "Cory Fucking Potter" would get the girl and then not make love to her. I could suspend belief for a while, but not for the weeks he refused her, because he wanted to do things right. Others may not feel that way, but that is why I gave it 4 stars.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little disappointing. I’m an old school romantic, and this book shattered my perception of “strong dude, go get your girl” men. I guess men have feelings too . . . ;). If I ever wondered, this one makes it clear.

It is a clever spin on a traditional romance told from a woman’s point of view. At times, it just felt a little silly. But, then, I read and listen to different things; and this was just different . . .