The Wedding Game

by Elle Cook

It started as a dare…

Best friends Lexie and Scarlet are attending their ninth – or is it tenth? – wedding this summer. To keep things fresh, they've upped their game. With bingo. To win, all Lexie must do is complete her scorecard first.

A tipsy bridesmaid? Tick!
An awkward best man's speech? Tick!
A terrible DJ? Tick!
And finally: Kiss a groomsman…

But Lexie hasn't gambled on finding not one but two gorgeous groomsmen. Chris, tall, dark and handsome – and leaving for New York tonight – and charmingly rugged farmer Josh.

True love could be on the cards. If Lexie can make the right choice, right now…

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

Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2025

About the author

Elle Cook worked as a journalist and in PR before becoming a full time novelist. The Man I Never Met is her first contemporary novel and The Last Train Home is her second. She is also the author of six historical novels under her real name, Lorna Cook.

Reviews

[Vanessa E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings on this book. On the one hand, it was well written, the ending was clever, and I liked the MMC and his POV a lot. On the other hand, the plot was very similar to her other two books, the cover is deceptively lighter than the story, and I didn’t like the FMC very much.

[Vanessa (bookfairy95) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this!!

After starting off with cute romcom vibes it quickly fell into a more melancholy vibe, especially when it came to Lexie's inner monologues, which was unexpected but not negative at all.
I felt a little torn between the two male leads as I loved both, but also held my reservations towards both as well due to tiny little bits and pieces.

I must admit that I already had a feeling where the story would lead eventually and the big bang was something I was sure of and prepared myself for in advance, but it still hit me with a wave of anger and frustration and sadness on Lexie's behalf.
If I didn't know before, I definitely knew then who I wanted Lexie to end up with and though I didn't quite expect the last turn of events it was an absolutely wonderful ending to the story. 🥰

[Marcia Arguelles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very fun, teary, entertaining and romantic.
I loved the characters and the whole love triangle/ not really love triangle situation. Feelings are hard and a lot can happen that makes us feeling confused.
This was a good depiction of those confusing feelings we possibly have towards people, especially when they’re romantic feelings.

[Fae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this instantly caught my attention and I was surprised at how at the edge of my seat I was in wanting to know what happened next. It was quite exciting to see who the heroine would end up with as both men were good.

There was this instant chemistry the heroine had with both men but it was really “the right person, wrong timing” that she ended up with one of them for the whole of the book before realizing the other guy was “the one”.

A really entertaining book, though I wished we could have seen more of the heroine and the guy she ended up with, because it took the whole of this book for them to get together and the book ended just like that, with no epilogue in sight.

I’m giving this a 3.5 stars because of that abrupt ending.

[Eloise Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in change for a honest review.
Really enjoyed this from start to finish, loved the dual pov throughout which gave you an god view of how both characters felt and developed as the story went on, the additional characters really added to the story.
The ending was perfect, loved that it was one you didn’t fully work out what would happen

[LX · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Cornerstone, Random House UK, & NetGalley for the arc!

4 stars!


You know what...I enjoyed this more than I realised when I finished it.

This had parts that had me laughing, getting annoyed, getting angry, all of the things. But one thing I enjoyed in this was how realistic characters were in this and their reactions, Chris asking Lexie just as he met her at the start to go to New York - felt like an unrealistic jump, but their reactions to it when speaking about it felt real, and when certain things happen in the book I felt like Lexie really came across as a great character.

There's more I want to say and also SCREAM ABOUT BECAUSE WHAT?!!?!?!? but I better not looool

[Stela · Rating 5 out of 5]

God, this book deserves more reads. this was great, truly a gem

[Bookworm Blogger · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 (RTC)

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
I’m a HUGE Elle Cook fan and I had to go into this one with some trust that she would handle the love triangle trope with care - and she did! I actually loved how she shared all of the confusing and complicated feelings that real life relationships bring and I was supremely satisfied with the ending!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends Lexie and Scarlet are at an age where they are getting plenty of wedding invites. To make it more fun they introduce a game called wedding bingo. At their final wedding of the year, Lexie needs to kiss the best man to win the game. While she is looking for best man Josh, she meets Chris and has an instant connection with him. Only when she meets Josh she has a connection with him too. With two men and life changing decisions to make, what fate will Lexie decide?

I have read all of Elle Cooke’s books and have absolutely loved them, therefore this shot to the front of the pile. I always know I am going to get a heartfelt, romantic story, which is a welcome break to the majority of crime that I read. This story was exactly that. The author does such a great job at managing to evoke a wide range of emotions and by the end I felt completely uplifted!

The characters were all very intriguing, I kept changing my mind if I preferred Josh or Chris and I loved the friendship between Lexie and Scarlet. My only issue was that it took me a while to fully warm to Lexie, finding her initially immature and self centred at times. However, her character developed well, and as I watched her personality evolve as the book progressed, I felt myself really rooting for her by the end.

The overall story is full of fun, heart breaking and heart warming scenes and flows very well over a period of time as we navigate through Lexie’s life and dilemmas. The plot twists and turns until the very satisfying ending! This is another brilliant rom com by this talented author and I really hope there’s more to come. 4.5 stars, rounded up because of the ending. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Joana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is nice enough if you have not read Elle’s previous books and/or if you don’t mind reading the same plot over and over.

For me, considering I have read ‘The man i never met’ (which I really Loved and still think is a great read), and ‘the last train home’ (which I liked but already thought had quite a few similarities to the first book), this story was basically ‘the same plot in a different font’, and a disappointing read.

I usually don’t mind when authors re-use some concepts in different books, but Elle’s done it to the max in my opinion, which just didn’t work for me.

Here’s a gist of the plot of all three books:
We have a chance encounter between two characters, who for some reason can’t be together but can’t forget each other, and the introduction of a 3rd person who makes the FMC feel ‘conflicted’(read: she is kind of going along with the second man even though she can’t stop thinking about the MMC). Years pass, then the second guy messes up somehow, and the FMC and the original MMC finally manage to overcome all hurdles and get together.

Overall, while I think Elle Cook is a nice writer, i guess I will not be in a rush to pick up her next book as soon as it comes out.

[ssloves books - Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the plot line of this romance and thought it was a clever way to hook you into the story. The characters were all very likeable and I was invested in each of the three main characters story.

I liked Lexie, her funny bingo card with her friend Sarah as they had spent the summer months attending weddings as each others plus one. I especially enjoyed her not being able to say whose wedding she was at. Both Chris and Josh were good MMC’s. Very different from each they both were attracted to Lexie and the story goes from there.

I liked the discussions around previous relationships and how life provides chances we don’t always take. I guessed what the outcome of the book was going to be but didn’t know how we would get there. I was a bit miffed at what happened, there was little warning that this could be the case especially since before this questions were asked and Lexie was reassured so I put it out of my mind.

A good romance, easy to read, very likeable characters and a journey to happiness in the end. Would recommend to anyone who likes a good romance.

[Kate (bookishkenyannerd) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This year’s wedding season is coming to an end for flatmates Lexie and Sarah. Sarah sets Lexie one last challenge as part of their summer-long wedding bingo – to kiss the best man, Josh. But while Lexie is looking for Josh, she meets Chris. Their connection is instant, and they can’t stop talking. As she runs inside to grab them Champagne, she finally finds Josh at the bar and connects with him too. With two men, and one moment to make a life-changing decision, what will Lexie decide?

In the beginning there was no way of telling who Lexie would end up with. Both men had a lot going for them with loads of chemistry. It did become clear just which type of chemistry would stick around till the end.

This book had me hooked from the onset. The pining, the what-if moments, the bittersweet goodbyes, the drama, so good! I loved that Lexie also got to achieve her dreams even as her love life was imploding. That plot twist at the end, saved the day 😂 All the stars!

Rating: 5⭐
Steam level: 3🌶️ One mild open door scene

[Emma Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve all been to weddings where we need to play games to get us through (bets on the length of the speeches, anyone?) but Lexie’s Wedding Bingo was a new one on me – and I loved it. She is a brilliant heroine, flawed and relatable – and I was rooting for her to win from the first chapter. Her friendship with Scarlet is so much fun and made me wistful for my own flatmates back in my twenties in London.

For much of the book I was completely torn between Chris and Josh. Opposites in so many ways, they both had such attractive qualities that I really didn’t know which way Lexie was going to go. That – and the fact that Elle Cook’s writing is so smooth – made it too easy to lose myself in the plot and keep reading late into the night. There are twists and turns that excite and frustrate and ensure that you never want to put the story down and the ending – absolutely perfect!

A gorgeous read full of fun, friendship and flirtation.

[Lisa Trollip · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wedding Game by Elle Cook is a fun romantic story. It centres on best friends Lexie and Scarlet, as they play daring games of wedding bingo to pass the time at all the weddings they are invited to attend. But the game goes a bit awry when Lexie meets two handsome men at one wedding.

She has an instant connection with handsome Chris, but unfortunately he lives in New York. Then there's also the rugged Josh, a farmer who lives not too far away from London. Lexie goes from no prospects to two charming men, and she's having a hard time choosing!

As she spends more time with Josh she also chats openly with Chris, and as she grows closer to both men it's clear that she will have to make a choice. The friendship between her and Scarlet was a highlight of the book for me, and I enjoyed that the ending wasn't predictable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for the e-ARC.

[OSFC The Know Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars!

Thanks to the publishers for the ARC.

The Wedding Game by Elle Cook completely won me over—despite the fact that I wasn’t even in the mood for a romance when I picked it up. From the first few pages, it hooked me with its cracking British humour and sharp writing. It’s a feel-good rom-com that manages to steer clear of the overly cheesy territory, which was such a pleasant surprise.

The cast of characters is wonderfully well-rounded, adding depth and charm without falling into caricature. And the female main character? Absolutely brilliant. She’s flawed in the best way—real, relatable, and easy to root for. Watching her navigate the chaos of the plot was a genuine joy.

One thing I particularly appreciated is that the two love interests were both compelling in their own ways—it actually made it tough to decide who to root for. That added a nice layer of emotional tension I didn’t expect.

This one left me with a smile on my face, nearly a perfect read.

[Dikshya Pattnaik · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I straight up eat Elle Cook's books, but sadly, this one didn't hit quiet up to the mark.

In my dictionary, there are 2 kinds of love triangles that make me go wild in the best way possible -
1. Where you absolutely can't choose between the love interests cause they are so good, but eventually have to (7 summers, Expiration Dates).
2. Where one of the love interests is thrown into the story & you dont even realize what hit you in the face (Emmie Blue, Just Last Night)

Unfortunately, in this story, I was rooting for neither of the love interests. And not because they weren't good, but I felt they lacked some sort of personality. Lexie's relationship with both Chris & Josh was comfortable, but there weren't many spark except for a few scenes.

Honestly, I'll read anything Elle writes, but it's safe to say that this wasn't my favorite by her.

[Catherine Tempany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sliding doors-esque rom com (without the split storyline). Out of luck Lexie and her friend Scarlet have taken to playing wedding bingo to keep the multiple weddings they are attending fresh and fun, with more and more outlandish things on their ‘cards’.

As Lexie tries to find the best man for a snog, she meets Chris. There’s an instant spark and he invites her to join him in New York. She reluctantly says no and almost instantly falls into the arms of the best man, farmer Josh. And so begins a cat and mouse tale of lost loves, what might have been and fate.

I really enjoyed this read. Cosy, but with a few twists I didn’t see coming which kept the tension high until the very end. I raced through it.

[Amna Waqar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good - so good that I read the ending twice! This is the fourth book I've read by this author; the two previous Elle Cook ones and one Lorna Cook one and I've really enjoyed her books.

There were a few times when the story didn't go the way that I thought it would go, making it feel fresh and different and it wasn't the typical run-of-the-mill romance novel. I loved both Lexie's and Chris' narratives, bringing out their vulnerabilities. I also loved Lexie and Scarlet's sisterhood.

Overall a must-read and if you haven't read any of Elle Cook's books before, go and read them all!

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point I don't think Elle Cook can write a bad book. I've loved everything she's written so far and I can't wait for her next one to be released. This was a heartfelt romantic story with really relatable characters. This is written in dual pov which makes it so much better to really understand how both characters are feeling. I liked that this showed how complicated and messy being in love can be and how hard it can be figuring out the right choice and im so glad this ended the way it did and that Lexie was with the person she always should've been with. Lexie and Scarlets friendship was perfect too and I loved their interactions and how close they were. This had me screaming laughing and crying and I highly recommend.

[Lakinloveslit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun romance where timing is everything from Elle Cook.
Lexie and Scarlett are flatmates and best friends and are always each others plus ones to weddings. They devise a wedding bingo game and in this round Lexie is dared to kiss the best man (I promise it’s not as creepy as it sounds lol). While looking for him she meets Chris and there’s an instant connection, but he lives in NYC and Lexie lives in London. Eventually Lexie does find the best man, Josh, and wins bingo, but she can’t forget Chris. He doesn’t forget her either and they keep in touch, but Josh does live in the UK which makes things easier. But Lexie feels stuck in the middle of both and the wrong choice could change everything.
This started off as a fun romance but it actually ended up being more serious which I was surprised by but enjoyed. I absolutely loved Chris as a character from the start and seeing him work on himself back in NYC was actually really refreshing as it’s not something I see often with male characters. Josh was nice too, if a bit boring lol. Lexie and Scarlett’s friendship was amazing, and it was lovely to see both of them grow throughout the book as well (it’s set over the course of a few years). Even though I saw the ‘big bang’ coming, I still enjoyed it and just wish we’d had more chapters of Lexie and the man she ended up with in the end. I look forward to more books by this author!

[Anne Altman · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was so good! I feel like the book cover is a little misleading because it makes you think that it’s a fluffy rom com, but that’s not what this is. Luckily I have read this author before, so I knew a little better going in. It’s more what I would consider women’s fiction focused on the road not taken. While there is a romantic element to it, I think it would be a stretch to call it a formulaic rom com. I really liked the story, and I thought the ending was creative and smart. I had a great time with this one. Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC!

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Man I Never Met, but was unable to get into The Last Train Home. I was hoping The Wedding Game would pull me in and it definitely did. I read this book pretty quickly and was invested in story all the way through. I didn't feel the chemistry between Lexie and Chris OR between Lexie and Josh, though. Also, Lexie was very immature and made poor decisions throughout. I'm honestly surprised things went as far as they did with Josh. There were a few surprises toward the end that I definitely didn't see coming. All in all, it was a fun read and definitely worth the purchase.

[Emily West · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic contemporary romance. I loved the characters of Lexie and Chris, and it wouldn’t have felt complete without best friend Scarlet. This author is amazing and I have read all of her books as Elle Cook and Lorna Cook; this one definitely didn’t disappoint. I thought I had worked it all out but with just a few pages to go, I realised I had it all wrong. Please take notice of this wonderful author and her books.

[Kelly Leahy · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧📖4.5 stars- loved loved loved!! Elle Cook writes in such a way that you are fully immersed in this world she created. I loved Lexi, Scarlett, Chris, and Josh, even when they messed up. The locations were 👌 also, taking place in London, NYC, the Cotswolds, and Edinburgh. Absolutely adored! I think you’ll like this if you like slow burn romcoms with tension and books from Josie Silver, Mhairi McFarlane, and maybe even Annabel Monaghan.

[Theresa Petty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adorable book is reminiscent of the rom coms of the 2000’s. I loved every second and totally fell for the characters. Lexie and Sarah are one another’s plus ones during wedding season. After a surprising turn of events at the latest wedding, Lexie meets Josh and Chris. She immediately connects with Chris, but ends up kissing Josh by the end of the night. Who will she end up with?
This book was so sweet! Loved it!

[Aylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you‘ve liked any of Elle Cooks previous books, I do think you‘ll like this one as well!
Very similar when it comes to the direction of her plots, a FMC who finds the one but something keeps them apart, whether it is distance or circumstances, for years until they inevitably find their way back to each other.
I always think her characters are very raw flawed, they are cowards at times but I love it so much because cowardice is realistic! The hesitance and doubts of the characters too.

[V]

I wanted to love this. The premise had all the right ingredients for a fun, swoony rom-com – but the execution just didn’t work for me. The pacing dragged, the chemistry felt forced, and I found myself skimming more than reading. I’m all for a slow burn, but not when it burns out my interest entirely. Had to call it quits.

[Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars, rounded up because this book had I lot of things I loved.

-second chance romance
-dual pov
-time jumps
-likeable charcters
-a lot of wedding stuff

Only wished we got an epilogue. The ending was a bit abrupt (and too short) now. I wanted to see more of their HEA.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. loved the characters.

A rollercoaster ride of love and life. I was immersed in the lives of Lexie & Chris . Couldn’t wait to find out what happened next in the story.
Another hit for Elle Cook, loved it.