When Bridget, Cici and Lindsay left behind their safe suburban lives for a stately old mansion in the Shenandoah Valley, they redefined the concept of family. The friends, like the house, have faced many challenges and undergone major changes over the years. But the one thing they never imagined was that one day they would be expanding their house of women to make room for a husband. A second marriage in midlife is never easy, and Lindsay and Dominic know they will be facing their share of adjustments when they begin their life together. But she has the Vera Wang; she has a famous style columnist as her wedding planner; her best friend is the most popular caterer in the county, and she is marrying the love of her life. What could possibly go wrong? When the wedding takes place at Ladybug Farm, the answer is: almost anything. The three friends have weathered many storms together, but this one could shake the foundation of their life together. Only when they are faced with the loss of someone they all hold dear do they come to a renewed appreciation for the depth of their devotion to each other, the power of love, and the real meaning of family.
A WEDDING ON LADYBUG FARM(#6 Ladybug Farm Series), by Donna Ball is truly like a special gem, one to treasure and savor. If you have not read the Ladybug Farm series you are in for a treat, as it is captivating, addictive, and a Must Read series. Let’s hope this is not the last one, as these characters are just too darn good to end!
Loved catching up with all the gang at Ladybug Farm and Hummingbird House B&B guys! Each time I read a book in this heartwarming series, cannot imagine the next one is better than the previous; however, Donna Ball always surprises you each and every time with a new twist, making each unique and special.
I am not sure how I missed this latest book as if I had known, would have pre-ordered or purchased it the day it was released. (Yes, it is that good)! Each of these books can be read as a standalone; however, would highly recommend you start from the first book, and read them in order, as you will fall in love with these flawed, but magical characters.
The front cover is spectacular, as depicts the beauty and splendor of this lovely farm, the warm souls, good friends (old and new), family, the gardens, animals, the farm, smashing events, and the delightful epicurean tidbits of fine food and wine. Readers will laugh and cry, as they see each character grow and mature throughout the series while making you feel a part of this close knit group of friends.
Bridget, Cici, and Lindsay left their suburban lives behind and purchased and restored an old mansion in the Shenandoah Valley, as they embraced rural farm living from the first book, bringing their skills and knowledge, and some old friends from the city (Paul and Derrick the gay guys-- you will love who own the nearby Hummingbird House B&B Inn).
They also have developed new friends along the way; old housekeeper Ida May, and Farley who can fix anything for ten dollars, and of course their grown children, always drop in (Lori, Kevin, Noah) and now the new winery, The Tasting Table restaurant with tourists, gifts, souvenirs, gardens, events, entertaining, and bottles of wine, and of course the famous porch of the main house lined with rocking chairs, for their nightly gathering, and now, planning the upcoming marriage of Lindsay and Dominic. It has always been the three woman against the world, and now that Dominic is stepping in, will things change?
A WEDDING ON LADYBUG FARM, brings you surprises you did not see coming, with a new love interest, which will make you laugh and cry (and I am not talking about Lindsay/Dominic) no spoilers there—what a great twist! Of course, with a wine operation, event planning, upcoming wedding, renovations, and crazy farm animals out of control; always chaos and obstacles around every corner.
From holiday lights, halls filled with laughter and music, noisy mealtimes, busy days, tractors, hammers swinging, gardens, vines, fruit trees, baskets of strawberries, intoxicating scents from the kitchen, and dreams of those inside the big house, and soothing comforts of home and laughter, all to warm your heart.
Fans of the Ladybug Farm series will get to catch up with all the lovable characters, as they all come home to celebrate. The series is for every woman who ever had a dream or a friend. If you have not read The Hummingbird House(A spin off of Ladybug Farm Series), it is outstanding as well, and highly recommend!
Donna Ball, a highly talented author, with personality and passion. This woman knows her way around the kitchen, renovations, design, gardens, farm, and one phenomenal writer, as she so eloquently describes each setting, drawing you into every scene. You can almost smell the flowers and feel the breeze and wish you were a part of the nightly group on the rocking chairs, filled with laughter, sipping wine or coffee, and discussing the day’s events and planning the next. I want to be there!
I think I speak for all of Donna’s fans, you are inspiring and the Blue Ridge Mountains (which I love as well), definitely is your solace – keep up the great work and cannot wait for the next book. I have not read the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery Series, so think I will start on this series next, and then move on to her chilling suspense series, and then the romance.
As everyone likes to say on Ladybug Farm, “You never know where a dream might take you,” and Donna has definitely taken us there!
Fans of Wendy Wax, Beth Hoffman, Eileen Goudge, and Mary Kay Andrews will love this series, a journey and adventure filled with wit, tragedy, charm, and lots of love!
I definitely agree with one of the other reviewers,THE LADYBUG FARM series should be a mini-series. If Cedar Cove can make it, LADYBUG FARM needs to be front and center. Can you imagine the cast and all the viewers? Fantastic!
I think this was my favorite book, thus far (of course, I say this each time). Again, please oh please, do not let this series end. (Possibly bring in Dominic's children, or more from Lori, Kevin, Noah or new love interest for Cici or Bridget, Ida May's past to surface, new stories of the winery, the tasting room, and of course more from the B&B Inn guys, and their guests).
Two Ladybug Farm books read in the space of just two weeks while on Winter Break--life is good!
The beautiful renovated mansion in Shenandoah Valley shared by Cici, Lindsay, and Bridget has expanded over the past 4 years with many plans in the making to make it profitable to live there. A new winery is in place and now it is time to plan a wedding to take place on the property. That is not a new concept. This will actually be the third planned wedding--but the track record of success hasn't been so great.
The first wedding involved an uninvolved groom, a bridezilla, and two combative future mothers-in-law, and some goats, and, well other things as well.
The second wedding didn't even get to take place what with the runaway bride and all.
But this wedding? It has just got to be perfect. It is for one of their own. Lindsay has finally set the date and now they have less than two months to put it all together. But these are strong women who are experts at planning, designing, tearing down walls, cooking..you name it; but they, like all of us, are not experts at keeping unexpected turns of events from happening. So, will this wedding actually take place? You must read it to find out!
This series makes me smile and cheer and it also makes me tired. These over 50 and then some ladies have more energy, determination, and optimism than I could ever hope to have. I just love to "watch" them scurry and scrap, fail and rise again, and never stop supporting each other. I enjoy joining them on the front porch after a busy day and having a glass of wine with them. Oh, that I could!
This wonderful sequel has left the door open for even more new friends and opportunities in the future and I will be waiting to join them when the next book comes out.
I had forgotten how much I loved these characters. It was like going home to pick up this one again. Loved how everything turned out and I was so glad the worst thing that could have happened didn't, Ms. Ball had me worried there for a few chapters. I m saddened that this appears to be the last in the series. This needs to be made into a movie or TV show. I'd love to see these folks on the screen!
Although a lot of happy coincidences that aren't entirely likely, this was a very fun read. A lot of references to things and places I enjoy ... a side trip to Italy while reading ... just a delightful story of love and romance ... and a gentle reminder that all we have is today, and we need to use it to its fullest!
Bought at library sale to give to my mother. Decided to read it first. Enjoyable story of friendship, love, mishaps, new found love and more. May look for earlier books in the series at some point.
Once again the Ladybug Farm residents are all in an uproar, this time about Lindsay's wedding to Dominic. The winery doesn't have their full attention, there's tons to do and the bride to be has turned into a dangerous klutz. Also, again, we have Lori woe-is-me-ing again, this time she screwed up and is ashamed to admit that she's stuck in Italy. Bridget's son Kevin visits/rescues her and joins in the woe-is-me club. It takes Dominic almost dying to get them home. Finally, a grape crisis gets Lori back into the wine-making mindset and the entire family chips in once again to make things right, or at least not so devastating. Fortunately the vine burning/impromptu wedding is a success and the larger family can continue living on Ladybug Farm together. This and the Hummingbird House books are delightful to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have enjoyed this series from the very first book, and this was no exception. I love the relationships between the three MCs, Bridget, Cici and Lindsay, and the other recurring characters. They work well together, their strengths and skills complementing each other, making their various businesses successful.
At times, it seemed as if the titular wedding would never occur, but it all worked out in the end. I am disappointed that this is the end of the series, but this story wrapped it up nicely, making it seem apparent that the author intended this to be the end - a nice change of pace :)
Another nice entry int0 this series with some twists/turns that I would not have predicted. All the regular characters but with some facing challenges that no one saw coming. The epilogue tidied up some loose ends as the series winds up. I will miss reading more about these people & their story on Ladybug Farm.
If you’ve ever lived in a very old home...... you can relate. This was a wonderful series of the friendship, love, resourcefulness, and opportunity seized by three life-long friends. I laughed, smiled, cried, and identified with all the things these ladies experienced. A perfect feel-good series to take you away from a pandemic.
What a wonderful conclusion to the series! I will miss these characters. I feel like they are family. I love how Donna Ball vividly depicts funny accidents so that you can picture them happening in your mind's eye just as she describes it in the books. You laugh and you cry. You are touched when you read this series.
Well I finally finished the series. It was really good. I still have two books of the spinoff series but I'm going to try to save them for their respective holidays.
This last one was much better than the one that came before it. Less predictable, more twisty, less cloying. Descriptive parts but not to the annoying degree of book 4. A nice ending to the series.
This book continues the story of Bridget, Cici and Lindsay but centered on Lindsay and her wedding. There is another wedding involving Lori and Kevin. Misadventures continue at the farm but so does progress. The book was an easy quick read.
This was the sixth and final book in the Lady bug Series. I loved it and hated for it to end. The is a spin off that involves two more novels and a novella. Will be reading them soon.
I loved these (Recommended by Jeanne and her sisters). There was great character development, a positive storyline, and just an all around delight to read!
Such a delightful series. Definitely focused on family. As always, the author writes beautiful descriptive images in your mind. Thank you again for this series.
Cute book. However the series felt like it dragged a bit. I finished because I wanted to know how it turned out, but not sure I'll read the "special" editions.
Lindsay and Dominic decide to get married and have their wedding in conjunction with the burning of the vines in the fall, but, of course, nothing goes as planned.