Wedding Gown Girl

by Kathy Bosman

Kienna loves dressing up her clients in beautiful gowns at the bridal shop where she works but she doesn't believe in fairy-tale weddings or happily ever afters. After all, her Prince turned out to be a frog, and her divorce broke her heart. So when she realizes one of her brides doesn't love her groom, she tries to warn him. If only he would listen, she could help him avoid her same fate. Blake is sure Rachelle loves him but she leaves him at the alter. He should have listened to the wedding gown girl's warning. He should have been hurt, but instead he's only relieved--and in pursuit of the woman who tried to save him from a broken heart. If only she'd trust him not to be like her ex. Doesn't she know that when he says he loves her, it means forever?

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

156 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2012

About the author

Kathy lives in South Africa, where the summers are hot, the winters cool, and bugs thrive. She writes fiction in many forms, most of the time with women who feel deeply, men who care strongly, and characters who learn lessons along the way.

Every so often, she sprinkles a little magic in her stories. When she’s not hectically busy, she loves reading romance and fantasy novels, going dancing, watching movies, water painting, and exploring the spiritual world.

If you’re inclined to keep up with Kathy’s book news, you can follow her on her website: http://www.kathybosman.com or subscribe to her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/NokET

Reviews

[Shreya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a Goodreads First reads Giveaway!

I cannot recall how many times I have just caressed the cover of the book over the last week! It's marvelous and so pretty! and being the book nerd I am couldn't help but swoon over the smell of a new book!

I finished reading this book within 1 day and I cant help but love the characters. All those perfect imperfections, their vulnerability, and a feeling of hope... isn't that what life is all about? I liked the fact that how Kienna even after her failed marriage is still somehow unknowingly clinging on to that spark of hope of a beautiful romance and her prince charming to come... though at the same time she is dead set that she's done doing relationships.
Blake on the other hand is a total romantic at heart. Someone who just had gotten his heart broken by the woman he thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with. Worse of all he warned about this upcoming. So far that I've read, he's hurt over his breakup and at the same time confused about these new feelings he seems to be having about the wedding gown girl!
Blake and Kienna are such amazing characters and their insecurities have been portrayed so beautifully by Kathy Bosman. This book is by far the sweetest romance story I've read in quite some time!

---Thank you Kathy Bosman for such an amazing book!---

[Ena · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY REVIEW
I received an e-copy of this book from Opal Campbell at Astraea Press via my daughter.
The cover is okay, I don't think it stands out as much as it could do, but it fits in with the book.
The main character Kienna works at a bridal shop and that's how she meets the poor groom whose bride doesn't really love him. What would you do in Kienna's place? Tell the groom? Just keep quiet? You know from the blurb above that the bride ends up jilting the poor groom at the alter in the end anyway. Which I think was kind of a blessing at least they are not stuck in a loveless marriage. So now the groom is "free" he turns his amorous attentions onto Kienna. But does she want him? Can she trust him? Is it true love? Is it fate they met?
I really enjoyed this book, it's basically a romantic tale. There were places where it made you give a wry smile. After all the warnings the groom has he still turns up t his wedding only to be jilted at the altar. It makes you wonder if fate is at work, pusing Kienna and the jilted groom Blake together. Are they meant to be together and live happily ever after?
So did I enjoy it? Yes, would I read more by Kathy Bosman? Yes Would I recommend? Yes to all lovers of romance and chick lit.

[Devi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Source: Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews

Divorce is a thing which has a tendency to kill all the romantic feeling between the estranged couple. But Kienna works in a Bridal Store where she sells romance everyday. Therefore, although she wants to stop feeling, romance is deeply embedded in her. So when the handsome Blake comes by, she finds it very difficult to not have feelings for him. But he is the groom of her client. If they are meant to be together, why is Blake marrying someone else?

A typical romance story. Two skeptical people meet and love emerges. The thing here is it is not very romantic. It is curt. The story is not like a fairy tale where everything is lovey dovey. It is a complicated mature love story. Complicated because the couple goes through a lot of doubts before finally coming together.

If you are looking for a typical love story which will make your heart flutter, this book is not for you. This is more for those readers who understand the dark undertone in romance and appreciates it. It is an interesting read and a very different kind of love story.

[Tifferz · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I love the cover and title. They are stunning and caught my eye. The story was beautifully written and drew me in. Kienna has been hurt and doesn't trust easily. But deep down she just wants to be loved. I think that all girls want that. Kienna also has career opportunities arise that she has always dreamed about. Will she go for them? Or will she stay where she is comfortable?

Blake is a great guy but he is not perfect. Rachelle is a very selfish girl and very devious. Watch out she will try to pull some fast ones.I was curious to how this story would turn out. Would Blake end up with Rachelle or Kienna or someone else? I will tell you I was skeptical due how Kienna and Blake met. All the odd are against them. I enjoyed watching this relationship build and seeing some unexpected events take place. Ms. Bosman has crafted an unforgettable story.

just FYI~ this story did NOT contain any swearing or sex.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

Kathy Bosman exercises that indispensable tool of the classic, "What if?” in this fun “Wedding Planner” type story.

Read full review in the 2012 Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Charlotte Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartfelt story follows Kienna, a bridal shop employee who's lost her faith in fairy-tale weddings, and Blake, a charming man who's about to make the same mistake. With witty dialogue and relatable characters, this romance explores love, heartbreak, and second chances.

[Romancing the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Colantha
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

I picked this book because I have been in the wedding mind set as I am engaged and planning my wedding. As I picked this book, I was not able to put this book down as I got to know Rachelle, Blake and Kienna and got to know their world, falling in love with this book. It is light, romantic, perfect book to read on a rainy morning.

As you start out reading the e-book, it is easy to squirm as Kienna struggles about making an ethical decision and the mixed thoughts about the wedding. I know I definitely squirmed and could feel the nervousness Kienna feels as she confronts Blake about what Rachelle shared with her. Anyone who is in the bridal business would find the struggle to promote everlasting love and following your true heart, just like Kienna did. And anyone could identify about trying to go through with something you didn’t have your whole heart in.

One thing I loved about Kathy’s writing is the story did not feel too rushed to put in as much as the attraction between the couple as I find some novella’s are and allowed it to be savored until the happily ever after came. As well, she weaved in some of the minor subplots into the story, such as Blake and Kienna’s work opportunities, which I could feel myself cheering Kienna on.

I really hope I can find out about Rachelle’s chance at true love, as she did try to annihilate Blake and Kienna, but as the antagonist, I could see her as a women with more to reveal. And I am hoping there is a series out there or Kathy Bosman should continue on with Rachelle’s story!

Favorite Quote: “Well, honestly, Mr. Reynolds. You must have an inflated ego to think that I meant what I said. You know very little about me. I always make jokes – that’s my way of easing the tension. Anyway, why would I want you? You’re not very polite.” Definitely highlights the tension between hero and heroine!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never say never to love!

Kienna loves to help others on their wedding day, but no longer believes in marriage herself. Her divorce broke her heart and took away her belief in Happily Ever Afters. So when she realizes one of the brides doesn’t really love her groom she does her best to save him the same heartache she had, but he won’t listen. Blake the groom is positive that his fiancé loves him, but when she leaves him at the altar he wishes he would have listened to Kienna. Surprisingly he only felt relieved after his fiancé’s departure. Now he has fallen hard for the woman who tried to save him. If only she would trust him and know that when he says he loves her it means forever.

This is a sweet and heartwarming story about finding love when you no longer believe in it. I loved the emotion in this story and seeing Kienna finally learn to love again. The story really makes you believe in the power of love.

Kienna is a sweet, but disillusioned woman. I liked her and was glad to see her grow as a person throughout the story. She is one of those characters that you could see yourself becoming friends with.

Blake is a charming man who charming man who knew how to get to Kienna. I liked that even though he was left at the altar that he wasn’t devastated and REAM I liked that even though he was left at the altar that he wasn’t devastated and realized that his ex wasn’t really the one for him. He knew what he wanted and went after it. He also didn’t let past mistakes get in the way of his future.

This is a great story to fall in love with!

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

(This book was gifted in exchange for an honest review.)

Everyone loves a wedding! – Don’t they? Especially those working in a bridal gown store.
Not Kienna. For Kienna her wedding represented false promises based on lies, and she has no intention of forgetting such a harsh lesson. One marriage, brief though it had been was enough for her.

For Blake Reynolds a wedding – his wedding – represented sharing his future with the woman he loved. But anything could, and did, happen before the ‘I do’s.’

Wedding Gown Girl is a sweet contemporary romance with an emotionally flawed heroine and a hero who has his own demons to come to terms with. There were times when I wanted to scream at Kienna to ‘get a backbone’ and wish that Blake would rush in and sweep her off her feet. But it would have wrecked the story and the characters.
The author managed to keep me engaged with Kienna even at her worst, and it is the strength of Ms. Bosman’s character creation that it worked so well.

There was a small blip in the middle of the story where the timeline seemed to warp that pulled me out of the story while I tried to work it out, but other than that Ms. Bosman’s writing is gentle and fluent, and her references to the South African location adds magic to her vibrant scene setting.

If you enjoy contemporary romance, the fun of ‘running’ with flawed characters who have you shouting and screaming when they take a misstep, and sighing with relief and pleasure when they get it all together then Wedding gown Girl is worthy choice.

[Arlena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author: Kathy Bosman
Published by: Astraea Press
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4

Review:

"Wedding Gown Girl" by Kathy Bosman was a good 'heartwarming romantic read where the setting was in South Africa. This was a good read of one finding love even when you don't believe in it any more. We find Kienna who has been hurt but really all she wants is to be loved, so when the great career opportunity arises when she go for it? Blake is one good guy but not perfect. Rachelle is
somewhat very selfish and devious. What all is she up too? Who will end up with who especially with every thing being against them. This is were I say you will have to pick up "Wedding gown Girl" to find out how this author will take us. This is definitely one story that this author uses her magic in a wonderfully written story. The characters were all colorful and this story only produces a "gentle and tender romance that touches the heart with its' honesty." Be ready for a good read. Would I recommend this read? Yes!

[Dolce Amore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written For Confessions From Romaholics

When Kienna Worndell sees Blake entering the Beaux’s Bridal Boutique with his fiancée Rachelle, she wants him. But he is engaged and she is divorced and has sworn off all men.



When she realizes that Rachelle doesn’t love Blake, Kienna tries to warn him about his fiancée’s feelings; however, because Blake heard her talking to Olivia, her colleague, about how handsome he was, and how she wanted him for herself, he thinks at first Kienna is just a flirtatious blond chick. Kienna tells him about the confession Rachelle made … that she saw another man and Blake starts to have doubts. It all ends with him being left at the altar.

(full review)

[Yolande · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sweetest romance I've read in a long time. The emotions experienced by the main character Kienna feels real and honest. The story flows gently, tagging you along on Blake and Kienna's journey.

Both have a lot to learn about themselves and each other and the author stays real when portraying their struggle.

If you want a romance that will have you exclaiming "Oh sweet!" this is the one for you.

[Literary Chanteuse · Rating 2 out of 5]

The magic between Kienna and Blake was just not compeling enough to really make them a winning couple. They were a little too wishy washy and seemed to yo yo back and forth with emotions. The love for each other happened too quickly which made it a little unbelieve. It still had some fun twists and the characters did have some good merits. You may enjoy this particulairly if you love reading about brides and weddings. Over all okay but unfortunately not great. 2.5 stars

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathy Bosman's, Wedding Gown Girl, a sweet modern romance, set in South Africa, has it all. A dynamic hero, a feisty heroine and a loveable cast of cats and dogs to make you happy with pure goodness. I loved watching Blake and Kienna fall in love in spite of their rather 'unique' first meeting! Looking forward to reading more of Ms. Bosman.

[Joss Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love fellow South African writer Kathy Bosman's voice and really enjoyed this book. It really is a gentle and well told love story and a perfect romance hit.