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Four Bridesmaids and a White Wedding
Don’t tell the bride!
Rose, Sal and JoJo have been looking forward to their best friend Wendy’s hen party for ages. A relaxing spa break is the perfect way to escape their crazy careers, grumpy husbands and stroppy children – even if the groom’s straight-laced sister, Tamsin, is coming too.
Until they realise that there’s been a mistake in the booking and instead of sipping prosecco in fluffy white dressing gowns they’re off to bridesmaid bootcamp!
Squeezing themselves reluctantly into tiny shorts and sliding through the mud, it’s only a matter of time before secrets emerge that could change everything…
Forget about saving the date, these four bridesmaids need to save the day – otherwise will there even be a white wedding at all?
Rose, Sal and JoJo have been looking forward to their best friend Wendy’s hen party for ages. A relaxing spa break is the perfect way to escape their crazy careers, grumpy husbands and stroppy children – even if the groom’s straight-laced sister, Tamsin, is coming too.
Until they realise that there’s been a mistake in the booking and instead of sipping prosecco in fluffy white dressing gowns they’re off to bridesmaid bootcamp!
Squeezing themselves reluctantly into tiny shorts and sliding through the mud, it’s only a matter of time before secrets emerge that could change everything…
Forget about saving the date, these four bridesmaids need to save the day – otherwise will there even be a white wedding at all?
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2017
159 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Collins
9 books119 followersFiona Collins grew up in an Essex village & after stints in Hong Kong and London returned to the Essex countryside where she lives with her husband & three children. She has a degree in Film & Literature & has had many former careers including TV presenting in Hong Kong, traffic & weather presenter for BBC local radio & film/TV extra. Fiona writes contemporary women's fiction.
As a reader, I like to read on my Kindle in bed or on the sofa on a weekend afternoon, with a paperback. From Valentine’s Day 2020, I’m setting myself a challenge to read 50 women’s memoirs/autobiographies in one year. I'll be posting my thoughts about them on my website https://fionacollinsauthor.com/
You can follow Fiona on Twitter @FionaJaneBooks or find her on Instagram @fionacollinsauthor
As a reader, I like to read on my Kindle in bed or on the sofa on a weekend afternoon, with a paperback. From Valentine’s Day 2020, I’m setting myself a challenge to read 50 women’s memoirs/autobiographies in one year. I'll be posting my thoughts about them on my website https://fionacollinsauthor.com/
You can follow Fiona on Twitter @FionaJaneBooks or find her on Instagram @fionacollinsauthor
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 4, 2017
5☆++ Haven't laughed this much in ages!
Fun Romcom a real Gem
Four Bridesmaids and a white wedding, literally had me laughing nearly the whole way through.
In fact Fiona's clever writing style made me feel like I was part of the group. Which I adored!
It was fun, exciting and hugely comical.
It's a story of friendship, learning to let their hair down, learning to love themselves, closing old chapters and recreating new ones.
I just want to point out that the chapters are told via each character.
I know some readers find this off putting but it is necessary and Fiona has beautifully flowed each character story into the next.
So the reader can follow the story without confusion.
This is because the main story is centred around the four best friends.
The story starts with four best friends: Wendy, jojo, Rose and Sal.
Each of the women are very different.
-Jojo is a business women who own a wedding dress shop. She is a single Mum.
-Rose is a Mum and Wife, she is not happy in her relationship.
-Sal owns her own pub and is currently having mad lustful sex with her head chef.
-Wendy is about to be marrying Frederick.
-Then there is Tamsin... Frederick's sister.
Who Wendy is meeting for the first time. She too is a business women.
So Jojo decides to throw Wendy the best Hen weekend, full of bubbly and pampering.
Well so she thinks!!!
All four friends set off to the retreat armed with, penis bobbers, handcuffs and L plates.
All the makings of a fantastic Hen weekend.
Ok.... So here is where the fun really begins!!
The girls arrive at the retreat excited and eager to start the pampering weekend.....
Hmmm.... I'm sorry says the receptionist.... but you are not booked in for the pampering.... we have you booked in for the "Health Retreat Package".....
Oh my gosh!!! What has Jojo done. She must of clicked the wrong box!!!
No pampering.... no luxurious bathrobes and scrumptious food!!
Nope it will consist of, no alcohol, healthy food and a whole lot of exercise, body and mind workouts!!
Oh... and did I mention the scary, tight fitting shorts they had to wear to promote the retreat!! Lol
The girls are devastated, but are not going to let this stop them having the best Hen weekend ever!
From the moment the girls check in there is so many laugh out loud moments, adventures, new experiences, blasts from the past, cheeky banter & a little bit of cheeky flirtation.
I don't want to say any more about the story because I URGE you to read it!
I honestly can't recommend it enough.
In fact it knocks spots of the film Bridesmaids.
I loved every single character, i even warmed to Tamsin. I would of loved to of known more about her story as she was very much like jojo all work and no play!
Fiona's style of writing was relaxed, very easy to read.
A fantastic romcom a real Gem.
What is even better was the ending. I loved being on a personal journey with each of the girls. Then following it through to find out their ending.
I also wanted to mention how fabulous the cover is. It's bright, fun and very eye catching.
It represents everything this book is.
Will there be a happy white wedding???
Well I guess you will just have to read and find out!!
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a laugh out loud Romcom, someone who loves romance, a sense of adventure and fun.
A perfect amount of Romance and comedy the perfect Romcom Mix!
I can't recommend this book enough!
It oozes so much fun!
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
Fun Romcom a real Gem
Four Bridesmaids and a white wedding, literally had me laughing nearly the whole way through.
In fact Fiona's clever writing style made me feel like I was part of the group. Which I adored!
It was fun, exciting and hugely comical.
It's a story of friendship, learning to let their hair down, learning to love themselves, closing old chapters and recreating new ones.
I just want to point out that the chapters are told via each character.
I know some readers find this off putting but it is necessary and Fiona has beautifully flowed each character story into the next.
So the reader can follow the story without confusion.
This is because the main story is centred around the four best friends.
The story starts with four best friends: Wendy, jojo, Rose and Sal.
Each of the women are very different.
-Jojo is a business women who own a wedding dress shop. She is a single Mum.
-Rose is a Mum and Wife, she is not happy in her relationship.
-Sal owns her own pub and is currently having mad lustful sex with her head chef.
-Wendy is about to be marrying Frederick.
-Then there is Tamsin... Frederick's sister.
Who Wendy is meeting for the first time. She too is a business women.
So Jojo decides to throw Wendy the best Hen weekend, full of bubbly and pampering.
Well so she thinks!!!
All four friends set off to the retreat armed with, penis bobbers, handcuffs and L plates.
All the makings of a fantastic Hen weekend.
Ok.... So here is where the fun really begins!!
The girls arrive at the retreat excited and eager to start the pampering weekend.....
Hmmm.... I'm sorry says the receptionist.... but you are not booked in for the pampering.... we have you booked in for the "Health Retreat Package".....
Oh my gosh!!! What has Jojo done. She must of clicked the wrong box!!!
No pampering.... no luxurious bathrobes and scrumptious food!!
Nope it will consist of, no alcohol, healthy food and a whole lot of exercise, body and mind workouts!!
Oh... and did I mention the scary, tight fitting shorts they had to wear to promote the retreat!! Lol
The girls are devastated, but are not going to let this stop them having the best Hen weekend ever!
From the moment the girls check in there is so many laugh out loud moments, adventures, new experiences, blasts from the past, cheeky banter & a little bit of cheeky flirtation.
I don't want to say any more about the story because I URGE you to read it!
I honestly can't recommend it enough.
In fact it knocks spots of the film Bridesmaids.
I loved every single character, i even warmed to Tamsin. I would of loved to of known more about her story as she was very much like jojo all work and no play!
Fiona's style of writing was relaxed, very easy to read.
A fantastic romcom a real Gem.
What is even better was the ending. I loved being on a personal journey with each of the girls. Then following it through to find out their ending.
I also wanted to mention how fabulous the cover is. It's bright, fun and very eye catching.
It represents everything this book is.
Will there be a happy white wedding???
Well I guess you will just have to read and find out!!
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a laugh out loud Romcom, someone who loves romance, a sense of adventure and fun.
A perfect amount of Romance and comedy the perfect Romcom Mix!
I can't recommend this book enough!
It oozes so much fun!
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
April 17, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley the publishers and Fiona Collins for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review. You will find my reverie on Goodreads.com/karenwhittard and on Amazon under Karen whittard from publication date.
When Wendy announces that she is finally getting married her childhood friends are overjoyed that is until she says that she doesn't want a hen party. But the girls are determined to give her one anyone and send her off in style. No one can decide what they want to do. So Jojo takes it apon herself to be in charge and plans a luxurious pamper filled spa break away. Everyone is really looking forward to it. That is until they arrive. What Jojo has actually booked them onto is the assault course from hell. Where they are not allowed alcohol and they have to eat healthy food. Not only is that bad enough but the person running the fitness weekend is a adrenaline junkie/sergent magor type who also happens to be Wendy's unrequited love. Things couldn't be going any worse. Throw in Wendy's uptight sister in law to be and we have some hilarious circumstances.
This is one not to be missed by anyone who loves chicklit/comedy/romance books. This book is really funny, lighthearted and fabulous. The characters are absolutely wonderful. Each has their own story to tell and you laugh and cry with them over their hen weekend.
I really loved it and would highly recommend to all.
Let me know what you thought.
Happy reading everyone
When Wendy announces that she is finally getting married her childhood friends are overjoyed that is until she says that she doesn't want a hen party. But the girls are determined to give her one anyone and send her off in style. No one can decide what they want to do. So Jojo takes it apon herself to be in charge and plans a luxurious pamper filled spa break away. Everyone is really looking forward to it. That is until they arrive. What Jojo has actually booked them onto is the assault course from hell. Where they are not allowed alcohol and they have to eat healthy food. Not only is that bad enough but the person running the fitness weekend is a adrenaline junkie/sergent magor type who also happens to be Wendy's unrequited love. Things couldn't be going any worse. Throw in Wendy's uptight sister in law to be and we have some hilarious circumstances.
This is one not to be missed by anyone who loves chicklit/comedy/romance books. This book is really funny, lighthearted and fabulous. The characters are absolutely wonderful. Each has their own story to tell and you laugh and cry with them over their hen weekend.
I really loved it and would highly recommend to all.
Let me know what you thought.
Happy reading everyone
April 7, 2017
Light hearted and a lot of fun, a story that is guaranteed to leave you smiling. All this from an author that really is becoming a fast favourite of mine, when I'm in the mood for some good natured entertainment, with a lovely cast of characters and so many moments to make you giggle.
This is the story of a small hen party, the bride (Wendy), her three best friends (JoJo, Sal and Rose) and her soon to be sister-in-law (Tamsin) who she has never met before. Wendy hadn't wanted a hen party but when JoJo booked a sumptuous weekend away of pampering in a luxury retreat in Wiltshire, she couldn't resist.
However once the arrive at the retreat, it soon becomes apparent that workaholic and mega organized JoJo accidently checked the wrong box so instead of a weekend of pampering, they are now on a health and fitness retreat that includes no alcohol, assault causes, hot yoga, mind gymnastics, rafting and more.
Yet would you believe, the wrong package isn't what has the biggest potential to mess up their weekend? For nothing is ever simple, and there really is a big surprise for Wendy not long into the hen party.
Each chapter focuses on either Sal, Rose and JoJo, so we really get to know a lot more about the three main bridesmaids. They have been friends for years but they are all hiding things that will come out over the course of the party. They also have the new challenge too of allowing Tamsin into their group, as she is from a rather different background to the other girls.
Four Bridesmaids and a White Wedding is pure unadulterated fun, there is pretty much no other way I can describe it. It such an easy to read story, and I loved getting to know the very different circumstances of our bridesmaids, and see how over the course of a weekend, their opinions, and attitudes to love can change. I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the girls coped with the assault course and other elements of this retreat, as it is far outside most of their comfort zones. Overall is a very enjoyable book, and a joy to read.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
This is the story of a small hen party, the bride (Wendy), her three best friends (JoJo, Sal and Rose) and her soon to be sister-in-law (Tamsin) who she has never met before. Wendy hadn't wanted a hen party but when JoJo booked a sumptuous weekend away of pampering in a luxury retreat in Wiltshire, she couldn't resist.
However once the arrive at the retreat, it soon becomes apparent that workaholic and mega organized JoJo accidently checked the wrong box so instead of a weekend of pampering, they are now on a health and fitness retreat that includes no alcohol, assault causes, hot yoga, mind gymnastics, rafting and more.
Yet would you believe, the wrong package isn't what has the biggest potential to mess up their weekend? For nothing is ever simple, and there really is a big surprise for Wendy not long into the hen party.
Each chapter focuses on either Sal, Rose and JoJo, so we really get to know a lot more about the three main bridesmaids. They have been friends for years but they are all hiding things that will come out over the course of the party. They also have the new challenge too of allowing Tamsin into their group, as she is from a rather different background to the other girls.
Four Bridesmaids and a White Wedding is pure unadulterated fun, there is pretty much no other way I can describe it. It such an easy to read story, and I loved getting to know the very different circumstances of our bridesmaids, and see how over the course of a weekend, their opinions, and attitudes to love can change. I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the girls coped with the assault course and other elements of this retreat, as it is far outside most of their comfort zones. Overall is a very enjoyable book, and a joy to read.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
April 20, 2017
I thought that this book was absolutely fabulous! It's a very lighthearted story and the characters in it are a lot of fun. This is my first Fiona Collins book and I throughly enjoyed it.
This book reminds me of Sex and the City actually, the characters and their personalities - all quite different from one another but get on brilliantly. If Fiona Collins' books are all like this then I shall definitely be picking up more! I found that I simply could not put it down.
The story follows bride-to-be Wendy and her hen party (JoJo, Sal, Rose and soon to be sister-in-law Tamsin) on her hen weekend. However, things don't go to plan and soon ex's start showing up, secrets bubble to the surface and the wrong package at the spa which they're attending has been booked, which is not what the group of friends planned at all!
Each chapter focuses on a different friend, so one chapter could be Sal, another could be JoJo etc and their journeys throughout the hen weekend and what each friend is going through in their personal lives. However, this story is still lighthearted and really easy to read and I loved reading it and getting to know the friends, it made me want to have friends like them!
Overall, a brilliant and fabulous story (there is no other way of describing it) and I really enjoyed reading it - was sad when it ended!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and HQ Digital for a chance to read this book in return of an honest review.
This book reminds me of Sex and the City actually, the characters and their personalities - all quite different from one another but get on brilliantly. If Fiona Collins' books are all like this then I shall definitely be picking up more! I found that I simply could not put it down.
The story follows bride-to-be Wendy and her hen party (JoJo, Sal, Rose and soon to be sister-in-law Tamsin) on her hen weekend. However, things don't go to plan and soon ex's start showing up, secrets bubble to the surface and the wrong package at the spa which they're attending has been booked, which is not what the group of friends planned at all!
Each chapter focuses on a different friend, so one chapter could be Sal, another could be JoJo etc and their journeys throughout the hen weekend and what each friend is going through in their personal lives. However, this story is still lighthearted and really easy to read and I loved reading it and getting to know the friends, it made me want to have friends like them!
Overall, a brilliant and fabulous story (there is no other way of describing it) and I really enjoyed reading it - was sad when it ended!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and HQ Digital for a chance to read this book in return of an honest review.
April 10, 2017
One of the things that caught my eye was the fancy book cover, but I certainly wasn't prepare to be welcomed by a fabulously flowing and superbly entertaining plot when this book landed in my Kindle. So thank you so much, Fiona Collins, for writing a book that made my reading heart very happy!
The four best friends Rose, JoJo, Sal and Wendy were in it through thick and thin. Now that they all have their life some have children other flourishing business ventures/careers. They always find time for each other and when Wendy announces her engagement to her handsome fiance. The girls are set to have the best hen's weekend in the world.
But then Jojo (the one that is very organised) messes up and pick a wrong weekend package for the girls to enjoy. Not only they have to put up with a gruelling and very adventure weekend activities they also facing some tough life decision. So here comes the fun!
I love all the characters (leading as well as secondary) in this book. Rose, JoJo, Sal and Wendy were all fabulous, fun and so feisty and it was lovely to be swept away on a wave of their hen weekend adventure (that includes rafting, hot yoga, assault course and mind gymnastic and there is no alcohol for the hen party!)
The theme of this book is summery and so cheerful, and the chapter nicely alternates between the four ladies and give us a pretty good idea of their personal life, woes and dreams.
Fiona Collins is a great storyteller, creating warm and realistic characters that capture your attention for the get go.
Four Bridesmaids and The White Wedding is a sizzling, hilarious, saucy and sexy book. Simply the perfect read for this summer.
The four best friends Rose, JoJo, Sal and Wendy were in it through thick and thin. Now that they all have their life some have children other flourishing business ventures/careers. They always find time for each other and when Wendy announces her engagement to her handsome fiance. The girls are set to have the best hen's weekend in the world.
But then Jojo (the one that is very organised) messes up and pick a wrong weekend package for the girls to enjoy. Not only they have to put up with a gruelling and very adventure weekend activities they also facing some tough life decision. So here comes the fun!
I love all the characters (leading as well as secondary) in this book. Rose, JoJo, Sal and Wendy were all fabulous, fun and so feisty and it was lovely to be swept away on a wave of their hen weekend adventure (that includes rafting, hot yoga, assault course and mind gymnastic and there is no alcohol for the hen party!)
The theme of this book is summery and so cheerful, and the chapter nicely alternates between the four ladies and give us a pretty good idea of their personal life, woes and dreams.
Fiona Collins is a great storyteller, creating warm and realistic characters that capture your attention for the get go.
Four Bridesmaids and The White Wedding is a sizzling, hilarious, saucy and sexy book. Simply the perfect read for this summer.
April 2, 2017
A fun and fabulous read! I really enjoyed this.
The group of women character's were brilliant, I loved every single one of them. Each were going through something hard or major in their lives, or theyd secrets they didnt reveal to the others but on this hen weekend the whole lot of them came together closer than ever and were there for one an other and supported each other.
With the ladies in this I laughed and cried with them and was so sad when the book came to an end as id grown attached to them.
I think this book has got to be one of my favourites. Its a real pick me up.
The group of women character's were brilliant, I loved every single one of them. Each were going through something hard or major in their lives, or theyd secrets they didnt reveal to the others but on this hen weekend the whole lot of them came together closer than ever and were there for one an other and supported each other.
With the ladies in this I laughed and cried with them and was so sad when the book came to an end as id grown attached to them.
I think this book has got to be one of my favourites. Its a real pick me up.
April 25, 2017
Gossip, giggles and gorgeous guys. What more could you ask for in a lighthearted read? This story has it all. Four friends Sal, Wendy, JoJo and Rose head off for the hen weekend from hell - they just don't know it until they arrive! Yet faced with adversity, they pull together and demonstrate the true meaning of friendship. Collins keeps us waiting right until the end to find out whether they each get their Happy Ever After. I could just imagine this novel as a chick flick, my mates and I singing along to the credits after its amazing finale. Don't miss this wedding read of the summer. An absolute must-read for the beach!
October 3, 2019
A feel good romance novel starring four best friends and a future sister-in-law. JoJo, the perfectionist has planned the ultimate pamper package for her best friend's hen party. It should be full of relaxation, drinks and lots of good fun. Until, that is, she realises that she has booked the health and rejuvenation bootcamp package and the hens are going to be put through their paces!
This is a fun holiday read with plenty of giggles and lots to smile about. The hens are prevented from drinking alcohol and basically doing anything you normally would be doing at a hen party. It's a heartwarming story covering difficult subjects in a sensitive and fun manner e.g. single parenting, affairs, unexpected pregnancy etc. However, Collins ensures that the story remains lighthearted and fun.
The five girls are completely different and despite going to Uni together, they are now experiencing completely different walks of life. The girls (somewhat unlikely) friendship makes this enjoyable and humorous to read. There are bags full of personality and lots of character development too.
A lovely lighthearted read, perfect for taking on holiday.
This is a fun holiday read with plenty of giggles and lots to smile about. The hens are prevented from drinking alcohol and basically doing anything you normally would be doing at a hen party. It's a heartwarming story covering difficult subjects in a sensitive and fun manner e.g. single parenting, affairs, unexpected pregnancy etc. However, Collins ensures that the story remains lighthearted and fun.
The five girls are completely different and despite going to Uni together, they are now experiencing completely different walks of life. The girls (somewhat unlikely) friendship makes this enjoyable and humorous to read. There are bags full of personality and lots of character development too.
A lovely lighthearted read, perfect for taking on holiday.
April 22, 2023
Rose, Sal, JoJo, and Wendy have been friends for decades now. When they find out that their friend Wendy has found the one to settle down with, they decide to throw her a hen do even though Wendy said that she doesn't want one as she's in her early forties and she feels too old for this. But the three bridesmaids come up with a plan to throw a classy hen do for Wendy so they are off to an expensive and classy retreat center. When they find out that the package that they were supposed to have booked isn't the one matching the paperwork, they have no other choice but to partake in the one that's been chosen for them and then start a string of brutal but hilarious tasks that they have to perform. But when the bride's old flame shows up, the bridesmaids get all worried as it took a long for Wendy to get over this certain old flame and they feel they have to keep them apart but would they succeed?
Four Bridesmaids and a White Wedding had three different POVs and I thought that it may be cluttered but I am happy to say that it was not at all confusing and/or cluttered. They all have distinct voices. I was hooked from the beginning. I also liked their friendship and how they looked after each other. Yes, they don't talk as much as they used to once upon a time as each character leads quite a busy life but they are still always there for each other. This was definitely one of the highlights for me. Another highlight was that even though they are all the same age, their lives are at completely different stages. I also liked how this hen do only made their friendship even stronger and how everyone had some sort of awakening.
The only complaint I have is that some of the laughs felt forced. I mean the mix-up with the booking was understandable but the shenanigans weren't as funny to me. There were some chuckles but it wasn't over-the-top hilarious. Also, I found it to be more emotional than fun or funny which is not a bad thing in this case. Overall, an enjoyable read.
3 stars
Four Bridesmaids and a White Wedding had three different POVs and I thought that it may be cluttered but I am happy to say that it was not at all confusing and/or cluttered. They all have distinct voices. I was hooked from the beginning. I also liked their friendship and how they looked after each other. Yes, they don't talk as much as they used to once upon a time as each character leads quite a busy life but they are still always there for each other. This was definitely one of the highlights for me. Another highlight was that even though they are all the same age, their lives are at completely different stages. I also liked how this hen do only made their friendship even stronger and how everyone had some sort of awakening.
The only complaint I have is that some of the laughs felt forced. I mean the mix-up with the booking was understandable but the shenanigans weren't as funny to me. There were some chuckles but it wasn't over-the-top hilarious. Also, I found it to be more emotional than fun or funny which is not a bad thing in this case. Overall, an enjoyable read.
3 stars
May 4, 2017
Looking for some light relief in a fantastic funny romance, then check out this brilliant example of the genre - it had me laughing out loud and amusing my husband by reading excerpts to him!
Friends since university, the now forty year olds are planning a fabulous hen party the weekend before Wendy gets married to Frederick. It is planned to be sheer indulgence, a spa stay with lots of pampering...... Or it would have been if workaholic party Booker discovers she made a mistake and accidentally booked them into a health and rejuvenation package. Forget relaxing massages, cue assault courses! Instead of spa time and delicious meals, get ready for hot yoga and alcohol free healthy eating! As the friends and Frederick's sister cope with getting to know each other, there's an additional fly in the ointment in the form of the bride-to-be's ex turning up as the venue's owner! Life has never been straightforward for these ladies, it as they each discover more about themselves and each other, is could prove to be a life changing weekend for them all!
This is a well written saga of ladies facing challenges galore in their lives and futures. It is about reevaluating life, relationships and expectations in a humorous, highly entertaining read. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters and discovering what was going on in their lives. It is a great story that I highly recommend.
I was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and chose to read and review it. This is my honest opinion after reading it.
Friends since university, the now forty year olds are planning a fabulous hen party the weekend before Wendy gets married to Frederick. It is planned to be sheer indulgence, a spa stay with lots of pampering...... Or it would have been if workaholic party Booker discovers she made a mistake and accidentally booked them into a health and rejuvenation package. Forget relaxing massages, cue assault courses! Instead of spa time and delicious meals, get ready for hot yoga and alcohol free healthy eating! As the friends and Frederick's sister cope with getting to know each other, there's an additional fly in the ointment in the form of the bride-to-be's ex turning up as the venue's owner! Life has never been straightforward for these ladies, it as they each discover more about themselves and each other, is could prove to be a life changing weekend for them all!
This is a well written saga of ladies facing challenges galore in their lives and futures. It is about reevaluating life, relationships and expectations in a humorous, highly entertaining read. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters and discovering what was going on in their lives. It is a great story that I highly recommend.
I was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and chose to read and review it. This is my honest opinion after reading it.
May 11, 2017
Gosh I loved this book! It's so hard to find the time to get away with your mates and this novel is the next best thing. I loved the friendship between the women and how you could see through each of their eyes how they are now and how they used to be as Uni friends. I felt right there along side them laughing at their jokes the entire way through reading this book.
What I particularly enjoyed was the description and prose that added both realism and humour to this already laugh-a-long novel. The description of the teenage girl's bedroom at the start will stay with me for a long time.
There should be a new genre of books called FriendCom and this would be in it. There were romantic elements to this story but it was much more about the friendship between the girls. Saying that, I would very much like to visit the spa hotel with these hunky men in it.
The characters and their lives were extremely real and I found myself identifying with all of them at different stages in the novel. Another amazing read by this author!
What I particularly enjoyed was the description and prose that added both realism and humour to this already laugh-a-long novel. The description of the teenage girl's bedroom at the start will stay with me for a long time.
There should be a new genre of books called FriendCom and this would be in it. There were romantic elements to this story but it was much more about the friendship between the girls. Saying that, I would very much like to visit the spa hotel with these hunky men in it.
The characters and their lives were extremely real and I found myself identifying with all of them at different stages in the novel. Another amazing read by this author!
May 27, 2017
What a hoot! Wendy’s getting married, and the bridesmaids do some early celebrating on a spa weekend. Except the spa part falls through and they’d never guess what was in store for them instead.
Collins successfully writes this romcom with a true ensemble cast. Each woman reminded me of someone I know in real life, so reading this book became something of a movie in my head with my friends as the actors. I won’t name names here, but if you read it you might recognize yourself. (For the record, I’m either Tasmin or JoJo.)
Four Bridesmaids is lighthearted for sure, but does take a somewhat serious look at the sacredness of relationships and our responsibilities in maintaining them. Collins also illustrates the strong bonds of female friendship. Sometimes all it takes is knowing you’ve found a kindred spirit to shine the light of truth on your life, and give you a happy nudge forward.
https://randombookmuses.com/2017/05/2...
NetGalley provided an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Collins successfully writes this romcom with a true ensemble cast. Each woman reminded me of someone I know in real life, so reading this book became something of a movie in my head with my friends as the actors. I won’t name names here, but if you read it you might recognize yourself. (For the record, I’m either Tasmin or JoJo.)
Four Bridesmaids is lighthearted for sure, but does take a somewhat serious look at the sacredness of relationships and our responsibilities in maintaining them. Collins also illustrates the strong bonds of female friendship. Sometimes all it takes is knowing you’ve found a kindred spirit to shine the light of truth on your life, and give you a happy nudge forward.
https://randombookmuses.com/2017/05/2...
NetGalley provided an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2022
I’m sorry, I just couldn’t do it. DNF at a little over 50%. I just couldn’t do it any longer. Normally, I will stick with a book even if I’m not connecting with the characters. This was beyond not connecting with the characters. I couldn’t connect to the entire story. I found it boring. There were some interesting moments and at first, I thought there would be enough to keep me reading. Alas, there were not. The plot is slow-moving and it really isn’t all that funny. Maybe you’ll connect with this story and these characters, I just could not.
July 13, 2017
Another fabulous book from Fiona Collins.
This is Fiona's third book and I'm already looking forward to her fourth. It's chick lit that I can relate to, and being forty seven, that doesn't happen automatically. Collins writes with flair and wit and the book, like her previous two, has many laugh out loud moments.
This is Fiona's third book and I'm already looking forward to her fourth. It's chick lit that I can relate to, and being forty seven, that doesn't happen automatically. Collins writes with flair and wit and the book, like her previous two, has many laugh out loud moments.
August 3, 2017
This was a great, feel-good book with characters you can't help but love. Though it was a longer book than most in the genre, I read it really quickly - the pacing was great and there was just the right amount of depth needed for plot / characters etc. It was a witty, funny book that I found myself nodding along to and laughing aloud at in parts. An enjoyable holiday read.
September 6, 2020
Boring and cliche book
I really did not enjoy this book which surprised me as I have loved everything else by this author. The story was predictable. The author relied too much on unconvincing things to make the story work. Really disappointed as this author usually writes with such skill. This book was flat and really boring; would happily have given up on it many times
I really did not enjoy this book which surprised me as I have loved everything else by this author. The story was predictable. The author relied too much on unconvincing things to make the story work. Really disappointed as this author usually writes with such skill. This book was flat and really boring; would happily have given up on it many times
April 4, 2019
Boring
Really boring, predictable slow moving plot, not funny. I do not recommend. I was looking for authors like Lindsey Kelk. This one is nothing like her.
Really boring, predictable slow moving plot, not funny. I do not recommend. I was looking for authors like Lindsey Kelk. This one is nothing like her.
July 25, 2019
Strictly a chick lit beach read -and it worked. Would read more from FC.
April 23, 2017
Jojo is aghast. She's booked a hen's weekend (bachelorette party) for her friend Wendy, their two other friends from college, as well as Wendy's soon-to-be sister-in-law who none of the other ladies have ever met. Instead of a weekend of pampering, Jojo signed them all up for a boot camp run by none other than Wendy's serious boyfriend from college. The One That Got Away.
All of the women are struggling in their lives: Rose's marriage has become humdrum with three teen daughters and a husband who travels incessangly; Sal spent ten years in a bad relationship and has just started sleeping with the chef of the pub she owns and she isn't sure what to do about it; Jojo is so involved in her work that her personal life has fallen to the side; Wendy isn't sure six months is long enough to get to know the person you're marrying; and Tamsin... well, Tamsin is a little less developed than the four friends so we don't get to know her as well other than that she also seems to be a workaholic.
This was a fast and fun book. Because it was short and we got glimpses of four different women's lives, no one story was really well-developed. But if you go into it knowing that, this is an enjoyable book.
All of the women are struggling in their lives: Rose's marriage has become humdrum with three teen daughters and a husband who travels incessangly; Sal spent ten years in a bad relationship and has just started sleeping with the chef of the pub she owns and she isn't sure what to do about it; Jojo is so involved in her work that her personal life has fallen to the side; Wendy isn't sure six months is long enough to get to know the person you're marrying; and Tamsin... well, Tamsin is a little less developed than the four friends so we don't get to know her as well other than that she also seems to be a workaholic.
This was a fast and fun book. Because it was short and we got glimpses of four different women's lives, no one story was really well-developed. But if you go into it knowing that, this is an enjoyable book.
April 28, 2017
Rose, JoJo, Sal and Wendy have been friends for decades: meeting their freshman year at University, while the calls and visits may have slowed as they pursued their own adult lives, their connection has always been strong. Now, the colorful and boisterous bestie Wendy is due to wed in a rather whirlwind romance, and the girls are coming together for the hen weekend to end all, away at a resort for pampering, posh surroundings and a real catch up.
The only woman in the group of four we don’t hear about in her own voice is Wendy: see at university she was all in a relationship with Steven, and when he toddled off to Australia without a thought to her, she fell apart. And now, years later she’s found a posh solicitor (Frederick)who thinks her colorful and clashing clothes, loud personality and dancing on tables freedom is just what he wants. But she’s scared. And worried that she isn’t what he wants. And the girls are there to cheer her on, support her in her questions, and reassure her that she is making the right choice. Even when their own visions of happy ever after didn’t quite turn out how they expected.
From Sal who has a knack for finding a man, and ditching him as soon as she finds a fault to JoJo who spends her time creating bridal fantasies for everyone else, using the need to work and a failed relationship with her daughter’s father to keep her single, these two need some changes. Then there’s Rose with her 3 daughters, a husband who spends more time in Hong Kong then home, and even calls her “mate”, the bloom is off her rose as well. So everyone is in need of a supportive shoulder to lean on, a push in the right direction toward claiming something more, and a touch of silliness to reaffirm their own sense of selves. When you add in workaholic Tamsin, sister of Frederick is joining the party – her first EVER hen party – and while the girls are welcoming, there’s a sense that she and JoJo really need to prioritize themselves in their lives.
A PERFECT story for fans of chick-lit reads: each character has a story and issue to work through, and each moment comes to them differently: from learning to just enjoy the “health and fitness” schedule that was mistakenly booked instead of the pamper they expected, to getting giggly over a poorly led meditation session and horribly inappropriate yet required ‘uniforms’ the women grumble and giggle their way through the moments, reaffirming their own connections and banding together to keep the bride on track. Deceptively deep as the issues and concerns are real with all of them, the pure honeyed tones of humor, love and acceptance, bolstered by the desire to change and have lives more in line with their younger and idealistic selves, you can’t help but worry, smile, and laugh out loud.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
April 30, 2017
4 best friends & a future sister in law + a mistake of epic proportions = a hilarious hen weekend. A fabulous light hearted read that will make you laugh out loud & fall in love with each of the characters.
I really enjoyed reading the story from multiple points of view & could relate to the characters & their everyday struggles.
I will definitely look for more from this author
I really enjoyed reading the story from multiple points of view & could relate to the characters & their everyday struggles.
I will definitely look for more from this author
May 1, 2017
This was such a lovely read- really amusing in places and full of close friendships and relationships. Wendy is getting married to a lovely sounding upper class man and although she didn't want a hen party her best friends have organised a very classy stay at a luxury spa so that they can spend time together with her soon to be sister-in-law.
When they arrive and find out that Jo accidentally booked them onto a bridesmaid bootcamp experience instead of the sedate luxury break they are looking forward to- we are set for a really amusing set of events. They aren't allowed to drink alcohol and the menu is strictly limited to healthy options.
The assault course sounded horrendous- but Tamsin is of the 'jolly hockeysticks' brigade and really gets into the spirit of the occasion. The girls find that they are all bonding over the daily events and having fun despite the disappointment.
You could just imagine having been the one responsible for booking the wrong trip and seeing all of your friends with their noses pressed to the window of the luxury they are missing out on- instead of having to trample through mud in school pe knickers! It is a real romp of a read- great fun!
When they arrive and find out that Jo accidentally booked them onto a bridesmaid bootcamp experience instead of the sedate luxury break they are looking forward to- we are set for a really amusing set of events. They aren't allowed to drink alcohol and the menu is strictly limited to healthy options.
The assault course sounded horrendous- but Tamsin is of the 'jolly hockeysticks' brigade and really gets into the spirit of the occasion. The girls find that they are all bonding over the daily events and having fun despite the disappointment.
You could just imagine having been the one responsible for booking the wrong trip and seeing all of your friends with their noses pressed to the window of the luxury they are missing out on- instead of having to trample through mud in school pe knickers! It is a real romp of a read- great fun!
May 3, 2017
Feel good
A nice read showing the true meaning of friendship. Possibly slightly predictable at the end but I don't think I'd have wanted it any other way for these ladies.
A nice read showing the true meaning of friendship. Possibly slightly predictable at the end but I don't think I'd have wanted it any other way for these ladies.
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