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The Wedding Ringer
A woman who wants nothing to do with love or friendship finds both in the unlikeliest ways in this hilarious and heartwarming debut by Kerry Rea.
Once upon a time, Willa Callister was a successful blogger with a good credit score, actual hobbies, and legs that she shaved more than once a month. But after finding her fiancé in bed with her best friend, she now spends her days performing at children's birthday parties in a ball gown that makes her look like a walking bottle of Pepto Bismol. Willa dreams of starting fresh, where no one knows who she used to be, but first she needs to save up enough money to make it happen.
Maisie Mitchell needs something too: another bridesmaid for her wedding. After a chance encounter at a coffee shop, Maisie offers to pay Willa to be in her bridal party. Willa wants nothing to do with weddings--or Maisie--but the money will give her the freedom to start the new life she so badly desires.
Willa's bridesmaid duties thrust her into Maisie's high-energy world and into the path of hotshot doctor Liam Rafferty. But as Willa and Maisie form a real friendship, and Liam's annoyingly irresistible smile makes her reconsider her mantra that all men are trash, Willa's exit strategy becomes way more complicated. And when a secret from Maisie's past threatens to derail the wedding, Willa must consider whether friendship--and romance--are worth sticking around for.
Once upon a time, Willa Callister was a successful blogger with a good credit score, actual hobbies, and legs that she shaved more than once a month. But after finding her fiancé in bed with her best friend, she now spends her days performing at children's birthday parties in a ball gown that makes her look like a walking bottle of Pepto Bismol. Willa dreams of starting fresh, where no one knows who she used to be, but first she needs to save up enough money to make it happen.
Maisie Mitchell needs something too: another bridesmaid for her wedding. After a chance encounter at a coffee shop, Maisie offers to pay Willa to be in her bridal party. Willa wants nothing to do with weddings--or Maisie--but the money will give her the freedom to start the new life she so badly desires.
Willa's bridesmaid duties thrust her into Maisie's high-energy world and into the path of hotshot doctor Liam Rafferty. But as Willa and Maisie form a real friendship, and Liam's annoyingly irresistible smile makes her reconsider her mantra that all men are trash, Willa's exit strategy becomes way more complicated. And when a secret from Maisie's past threatens to derail the wedding, Willa must consider whether friendship--and romance--are worth sticking around for.
369 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2021
155 people are currently reading
12206 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Rea
3 books285 followersKerry Rea is a 2017 and 2019 #Pitchwars mentee. Her work has appeared in Seventeen Magazine. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and four dogs
The Wedding Ringer
is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 706 reviews
December 5, 2021
This was so stinking adorable. I love the premise of this book and I love that it's about friendship as much as it is about romance. Willa is in a coffee shop when a stranger, this woman Maisie approaches her and asks her to pretend to be her friend because she's getting married and she needs a bridesmaid. It's kind of similar to the premise for one of my favorite movies, I Love You, Man except with more romance. Then it's about how Willa meets this guy who is close friends with Maisie's fiancé, and they have this cute hate-to-love kind of banter thing going on.
I listened to this on audio and it was just so cute. I was smiling the whole time and Maisie is one of my favorite characters ever, she's the sweetest thing omg. The only thing that would've made this book better is if it ended up being gay... I would've much preferred to see a romance between Willa and Maisie but maybe that's just me haha. This would've easily been a 5/5 probably for me if the romance was between them, because as much as I liked the romance happening with Willa and that man, I think she had better chemistry with Maisie and I just cared more about Maisie in general!
But still, what a delightful read! I highly recommend the audiobook! :)
I listened to this on audio and it was just so cute. I was smiling the whole time and Maisie is one of my favorite characters ever, she's the sweetest thing omg. The only thing that would've made this book better is if it ended up being gay... I would've much preferred to see a romance between Willa and Maisie but maybe that's just me haha. This would've easily been a 5/5 probably for me if the romance was between them, because as much as I liked the romance happening with Willa and that man, I think she had better chemistry with Maisie and I just cared more about Maisie in general!
But still, what a delightful read! I highly recommend the audiobook! :)
December 20, 2023
[4.5/5]
Wanted to say that this is my first time reading Kerry Rea book but of course I am! It's her debut book and it's so amazing. Picked this up for the romance but I'd say this is more of a woman fiction than it is romance.
Although Willa suffocated me in the beginning but the character arc, the emotional authenticity portrayed, the writing style. The message put was tackled delicately. I am head over heels with this book! Would definitely check the author next book.
Further RTC.
Wanted to say that this is my first time reading Kerry Rea book but of course I am! It's her debut book and it's so amazing. Picked this up for the romance but I'd say this is more of a woman fiction than it is romance.
Although Willa suffocated me in the beginning but the character arc, the emotional authenticity portrayed, the writing style. The message put was tackled delicately. I am head over heels with this book! Would definitely check the author next book.
Further RTC.
February 15, 2022
This book was so cute and charming! It’s hard to believe it’s Kerry Rea’s debut novel! The storyline was fun and engaging. In the beginning of the book, I didn’t love Willa’s character and felt was really she was self sabotaging but by the end of the book, I loved her! I loved the personal growth she had throughout the book and the growing friendship between Willa and Maisie. They are BFF goals! And we can’t forget about Dr. Dreamboat, Liam. He is the perfect boyfriend! Such an enjoyable read! Looking forward to read more from this author in the future.
Thank you Net Galley and Berkley for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.
Thank you Net Galley and Berkley for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.
December 30, 2021
I gotta be honest, this book was pretty forgettable. For the first third or so of the book I really vibed with our main character, Willa, and I was even really enjoying the wackiness of her bridesmaid for hire scheme with Maisie. Unfortunately though as the book went on, the whole schtick kind of just.. got old??? And I ended up enjoying the story less and less and ultimately ended up finding this book to be just okay. I could definitely be open to reading more books by Kerry Rea in the future, but this one just wasn't quite the right fit for me. Womp womp
CW: anxiety, depression, cheating
CW: anxiety, depression, cheating
February 18, 2022
4.5 stars.
»»————- ★ ————-««
I have a new comfort book, and definitely one of my favorites.
As always, watch for possible spoilers if I've mentioned one.
A few months ago, Willa Callister was engaged, had a good job and her best best friend by her side. Now, Willa works as children's entertainer for her sister. She lost her job, her ex-fiancé and her best friend. Now she is not Willa the famous blogger and influencer. She's Princess Sparkleheart and carries a golden chair -her throne- to every single party of spoiled kids she attends.
One monday while Willa is at a coffee shop, a total random stranger approaches Willa and begs her to pretend to be her old friend; she's even willing to pay Willa for lying for her. A couple days later, Maisie, the stranger, asks Willa if she could be her bridesmaid at her wedding; Maisie's gonna pay Willa 5k for the job.
I liked this book a lot. No, wait, not liked, but loved it. It was funny, emotional, heartwarming and I wanted to kick the shit out of Willa sometimes.
I related a lot with Willa, but with the part of wanting to run away and start from zero, and being a writer with no inspiration and staring at the screen without actually write. Of course, not with find out my best friend and my fiancé in the bed. Instead of running, I would've exposed of them. Assholes.
I found Willa's sarcasm and dark humor like something very me. Her character is likeable to a certain point, in some chapters, I wanted to kick her so bad. She cares a lot about her nieces and her family.
Maisie was very very interesting. Her secrets kept me caught the entire book until the end -finally-. She's very enthusiastic, supportive and caring. Finn also was okay. Lorene, Rose were *chef kiss*
Sarah and Max can burn in a hole. If I was Willa, I would have told them to fuck off and never talk to her, or even try to, again. Tho Willa was brave, she needs some hate, lmao.
liAM FUCKING RAFFERTY, I LOVE YOU. That's it. That's the tweet.
The pacing was fast to me, the romance was fine? bUT I FUCKING HATE THE FADE-TO-BLACK THING. NOOOOOO, GIVE ME MY SMUT, I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS.
Anyways, I loved the fact that the author focused more on Willa's healing, the journey of finding a true friend, connecting with her family, trust again and fall in love once more.
previous review:
liam fucking rafferty is my new fictional boyfriend and we'll dance lover by taylor at our wedding.
rtc
"Whatever you have to do to find your way back to yourself, do it. And forgive yourself for it. Because you are not alone."
»»————- ★ ————-««
I have a new comfort book, and definitely one of my favorites.
As always, watch for possible spoilers if I've mentioned one.
A few months ago, Willa Callister was engaged, had a good job and her best best friend by her side. Now, Willa works as children's entertainer for her sister. She lost her job, her ex-fiancé and her best friend. Now she is not Willa the famous blogger and influencer. She's Princess Sparkleheart and carries a golden chair -her throne- to every single party of spoiled kids she attends.
One monday while Willa is at a coffee shop, a total random stranger approaches Willa and begs her to pretend to be her old friend; she's even willing to pay Willa for lying for her. A couple days later, Maisie, the stranger, asks Willa if she could be her bridesmaid at her wedding; Maisie's gonna pay Willa 5k for the job.
I liked this book a lot. No, wait, not liked, but loved it. It was funny, emotional, heartwarming and I wanted to kick the shit out of Willa sometimes.
I related a lot with Willa, but with the part of wanting to run away and start from zero, and being a writer with no inspiration and staring at the screen without actually write. Of course, not with find out my best friend and my fiancé in the bed. Instead of running, I would've exposed of them. Assholes.
I found Willa's sarcasm and dark humor like something very me. Her character is likeable to a certain point, in some chapters, I wanted to kick her so bad. She cares a lot about her nieces and her family.
Maisie was very very interesting. Her secrets kept me caught the entire book until the end -finally-. She's very enthusiastic, supportive and caring. Finn also was okay. Lorene, Rose were *chef kiss*
Sarah and Max can burn in a hole. If I was Willa, I would have told them to fuck off and never talk to her, or even try to, again. Tho Willa was brave, she needs some hate, lmao.
liAM FUCKING RAFFERTY, I LOVE YOU. That's it. That's the tweet.
The pacing was fast to me, the romance was fine? bUT I FUCKING HATE THE FADE-TO-BLACK THING. NOOOOOO, GIVE ME MY SMUT, I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS.
Anyways, I loved the fact that the author focused more on Willa's healing, the journey of finding a true friend, connecting with her family, trust again and fall in love once more.
previous review:
liam fucking rafferty is my new fictional boyfriend and we'll dance lover by taylor at our wedding.
rtc
January 26, 2022
I enjoyed this quite a bit, though the romance is a bit thin. Then again, it's not really a romance story. I'd call it chick lit if I weren't trying to find a better name for the category*. The story picks up as Willa is beginning a recovery from a pretty brutal betrayal. You know all those "fiancé caught with best friend" stories? Well, this one puts the brutality behind that trope. Willa's bestie had been part of her life since grade school and they were very close. It's obvious that the loss of her friend is way more devastating than losing her fiancé even could be because it functionally destroys Willa's own history.
So Willa is deeply wounded and has sworn off relationships of any kind. Which would be a really boring negative motivation**, only this is where Rea did a marvelous thing. Rea took that motivation and gave Willa a goal—get out of Columbus and away from all the places that hurt so badly to remember making all her memories. Which is how she falls in with Maisie's need for a bridesmaid. She needs the cash to get a fresh start somewhere with a beach. And the story just takes off from there as she tries to figure out how such a sweetheart as Maisie has to pay someone to functionally be her friend.
So you can see how friendship is the center of this story as Willa's heart cracks open and starts the road to healing. I loved this more than a little, and not least because the rest of the wedding party are so vivid. And kind! I did not expect to like all of them in their own ways. And it just occurs to me how well Rea handled showing a number of growth stories in that tight knot of people. Seamlessly well-done, really.
The story isn't all roses, though. As I said, the romance was a little thin, and not least with the dark moment extending longer than I think reasonable (and with a really lame reconciliation, really). And Maisie's core issue, once revealed, is pretty thin too if you give it any scrutiny. It rests on late-adolescent trauma being in effect more-or-less unchanged for near a decade. And to be clear, it's the "unchanged" that I find problematic. So much growth and change happens in those early adult years that a straight trajectory doesn't feel reasonable. To me, at any rate.
Anyway, this is a solid four stars. I'm primarily a romance reader, so the thin romance plays a larger role in bringing it down from five than it might for other readers, though. Seriously, the friendship power is strong in this story.
A note about Steamy: There's some explicit sex in the story, but I let it go long enough I forget how much. It wasn't more than the middle of my steam tolerance, but I forget if it was enough to get that far.
* A note about Chick Lit: I've been trying to think of a better categorization for this. "Women's fiction" doesn't capture the cheeky rejection of the formal or the literary you get with "chick lit". I mean, yeah, you can analyze it as a remap of bildungsroman into specifically female-centered stories, but that's for nerds or grad students (BIRM) to wonk over. I like it for its no-apologies entertainment coupled with people discovering themselves and the things that matter. OTOH, I'm a guy so any alternative I come up with is kind of automatically suspect, however much a fan I am of the category (um, not a rabid fan, obviously, as I prefer romance, but still).
** Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
So Willa is deeply wounded and has sworn off relationships of any kind. Which would be a really boring negative motivation**, only this is where Rea did a marvelous thing. Rea took that motivation and gave Willa a goal—get out of Columbus and away from all the places that hurt so badly to remember making all her memories. Which is how she falls in with Maisie's need for a bridesmaid. She needs the cash to get a fresh start somewhere with a beach. And the story just takes off from there as she tries to figure out how such a sweetheart as Maisie has to pay someone to functionally be her friend.
So you can see how friendship is the center of this story as Willa's heart cracks open and starts the road to healing. I loved this more than a little, and not least because the rest of the wedding party are so vivid. And kind! I did not expect to like all of them in their own ways. And it just occurs to me how well Rea handled showing a number of growth stories in that tight knot of people. Seamlessly well-done, really.
The story isn't all roses, though. As I said, the romance was a little thin, and not least with the dark moment extending longer than I think reasonable (and with a really lame reconciliation, really). And Maisie's core issue, once revealed, is pretty thin too if you give it any scrutiny. It rests on late-adolescent trauma being in effect more-or-less unchanged for near a decade. And to be clear, it's the "unchanged" that I find problematic. So much growth and change happens in those early adult years that a straight trajectory doesn't feel reasonable. To me, at any rate.
Anyway, this is a solid four stars. I'm primarily a romance reader, so the thin romance plays a larger role in bringing it down from five than it might for other readers, though. Seriously, the friendship power is strong in this story.
A note about Steamy: There's some explicit sex in the story, but I let it go long enough I forget how much. It wasn't more than the middle of my steam tolerance, but I forget if it was enough to get that far.
* A note about Chick Lit: I've been trying to think of a better categorization for this. "Women's fiction" doesn't capture the cheeky rejection of the formal or the literary you get with "chick lit". I mean, yeah, you can analyze it as a remap of bildungsroman into specifically female-centered stories, but that's for nerds or grad students (BIRM) to wonk over. I like it for its no-apologies entertainment coupled with people discovering themselves and the things that matter. OTOH, I'm a guy so any alternative I come up with is kind of automatically suspect, however much a fan I am of the category (um, not a rabid fan, obviously, as I prefer romance, but still).
** Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
April 28, 2023
✨I will grant a sexual favor to whomever convinced Kerry Rea to make Lucy on the Wild Side open door.✨
This maybe straddles the WF line bc the romance wasn’t really the focus, especially at the end (twas the friendships we made along the way) but either way I really loved this book. Willa was amazing and went through some shit in her past and didn’t let anyone tell her it wasn’t a big deal!! She didn’t let the people who hurt her back in her life! She has my eternal respect. At the end, her reason for not needing those people from her past was so touching.
I didn’t mind that the romance was on the lighter side because I just really loved Willa’s journey from start to finish. The writing style was right up my alley and it was both funny and heartwarming.
When she finally had to make the decision about staying or running from the town…I— was not expecting rational thoughts?? And their third-act breakup wasn’t anything too crazy or out of the realm of plausibility. Plus it wasn’t cruel and I wasn’t angry about it. The whole mystery behind the bride was well plotted out and I was just laying in bed staring at my ceiling listening to this audiobook until 5am because I had no other choice. I needed to know.
My only qualm is the lack of steam because Lucy on the Wild Side had open door scenes! So I was so prepared here because Liam was EVERYTHING. He owned a cabin!! They ravished his cabin!! I NEED TO KNOW WHAT WENT DOWN. I need to see my hot tattooed pediatrician getting a little freaky 😭 She recapped the night for her friend and we got shut out of that scene too!! SPEAK TO ME IN DETAIL ABOUT HIS TALENTED PENIS.
The audiobook was fantastic and I really love the narrator. She’s quickly becoming a favorite of mine! Her guy voice is superb.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 .5🌶️/5
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for a complimentary audiobook copy. All opinions are honest and my own!
This maybe straddles the WF line bc the romance wasn’t really the focus, especially at the end (twas the friendships we made along the way) but either way I really loved this book. Willa was amazing and went through some shit in her past and didn’t let anyone tell her it wasn’t a big deal!! She didn’t let the people who hurt her back in her life! She has my eternal respect. At the end, her reason for not needing those people from her past was so touching.
I didn’t mind that the romance was on the lighter side because I just really loved Willa’s journey from start to finish. The writing style was right up my alley and it was both funny and heartwarming.
When she finally had to make the decision about staying or running from the town…I— was not expecting rational thoughts?? And their third-act breakup wasn’t anything too crazy or out of the realm of plausibility. Plus it wasn’t cruel and I wasn’t angry about it. The whole mystery behind the bride was well plotted out and I was just laying in bed staring at my ceiling listening to this audiobook until 5am because I had no other choice. I needed to know.
My only qualm is the lack of steam because Lucy on the Wild Side had open door scenes! So I was so prepared here because Liam was EVERYTHING. He owned a cabin!! They ravished his cabin!! I NEED TO KNOW WHAT WENT DOWN. I need to see my hot tattooed pediatrician getting a little freaky 😭 She recapped the night for her friend and we got shut out of that scene too!! SPEAK TO ME IN DETAIL ABOUT HIS TALENTED PENIS.
The audiobook was fantastic and I really love the narrator. She’s quickly becoming a favorite of mine! Her guy voice is superb.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 .5🌶️/5
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for a complimentary audiobook copy. All opinions are honest and my own!
October 16, 2021
Loved this one... Such deep insight. Wanted more of the Liam connection.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have all mourned the loss of a boyfriend/husband but the betrayal and loss of a best friend is so hard to overcome for some reason. BFF had your back. They supported you and defended you. When that stops it is a different type of pain.
That is exactly what Rea captured so poignantly in The Wedding Ringer. The crash of everything we knew, the shut down, and the re-birth of who we are now. Getting back out there is hard and the author captured the processes so perfectly.
I loved the character development in this book. There are so many awesome characters that you learn to love and you can easily relate to them. Support and love is all around and this story is a great reminder to look at who is supporting us.
One thing I really wish is the we got to witness more from Liam and the developing story there. I feel a bit gypped after we spent so much time together. The laughs and humor, the sweetness and support. I really wanted more.
Overall, this story is a touching, raw, and funny look at our deepest emotions with a side of developing friendships, some tough love, and self help thrown in too. A delightful read!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-wedding-...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have all mourned the loss of a boyfriend/husband but the betrayal and loss of a best friend is so hard to overcome for some reason. BFF had your back. They supported you and defended you. When that stops it is a different type of pain.
That is exactly what Rea captured so poignantly in The Wedding Ringer. The crash of everything we knew, the shut down, and the re-birth of who we are now. Getting back out there is hard and the author captured the processes so perfectly.
I loved the character development in this book. There are so many awesome characters that you learn to love and you can easily relate to them. Support and love is all around and this story is a great reminder to look at who is supporting us.
One thing I really wish is the we got to witness more from Liam and the developing story there. I feel a bit gypped after we spent so much time together. The laughs and humor, the sweetness and support. I really wanted more.
Overall, this story is a touching, raw, and funny look at our deepest emotions with a side of developing friendships, some tough love, and self help thrown in too. A delightful read!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-wedding-...
December 29, 2021
6 stars!
Hands down one of my favorite romances of 2021! Rea has such a unique voice that hooks you in and makes you fall in love with her characters instantly. Willa is a down-on-her-luck blogger turned children's party entertainer after being spurned by her former fiance and best friend so when Maisie offers her $5,000 to pretend to be a childhood friend and stand as a bridesmaid, how can Willa refuse? The last thing Willa expects in the midst of all of this is Liam...
I can't wait for more from Rea and I hope everyone picks up this one and loves it as much as I did!
Thank you to Berkley Romance for an advanced copy. All opinion are my own.
Hands down one of my favorite romances of 2021! Rea has such a unique voice that hooks you in and makes you fall in love with her characters instantly. Willa is a down-on-her-luck blogger turned children's party entertainer after being spurned by her former fiance and best friend so when Maisie offers her $5,000 to pretend to be a childhood friend and stand as a bridesmaid, how can Willa refuse? The last thing Willa expects in the midst of all of this is Liam...
I can't wait for more from Rea and I hope everyone picks up this one and loves it as much as I did!
Thank you to Berkley Romance for an advanced copy. All opinion are my own.
November 15, 2021
4.5 stars!
I enjoyed this book immensely. It was very well written, had lots of humor and the characters were so fun to read about. Based on the pop culture references, I would guess that the author is around my age (or was close to someone around my age) and these little trips down memory lane made it that much more enjoyable.
This didn’t quite make it to 5 stars for me, but it’s still a highly recommend. One note: there is romance in this book, but I wouldn’t say this is straight romance as the romance is a secondary plot point. Nothing wrong with that, but a warning none the less.
I felt how the author wrote about and handled mental health was huge and very important in elevating normalization of grief, anxiety and dealing with heartbreak. I will recommend this book with joy and I'm looking forward to the author’s next book!
Review Date: 11/14/21
Publication Date: 11/09/21
I enjoyed this book immensely. It was very well written, had lots of humor and the characters were so fun to read about. Based on the pop culture references, I would guess that the author is around my age (or was close to someone around my age) and these little trips down memory lane made it that much more enjoyable.
This didn’t quite make it to 5 stars for me, but it’s still a highly recommend. One note: there is romance in this book, but I wouldn’t say this is straight romance as the romance is a secondary plot point. Nothing wrong with that, but a warning none the less.
I felt how the author wrote about and handled mental health was huge and very important in elevating normalization of grief, anxiety and dealing with heartbreak. I will recommend this book with joy and I'm looking forward to the author’s next book!
Review Date: 11/14/21
Publication Date: 11/09/21
November 8, 2021
There is something really special about reading a debut authors work and falling head over heels in love with it and that’s exactly what happened to me with this book. I’m so impressed this is a debut and am even a little disappointed that I can’t immediately devour the authors backlist, but hey now I can look forward to reading more from her. Since I loved everything about this one I’ll give you a list of exactly what I enjoyed so you can hopefully add it to your TBR too!
🌸 It’s much more than just a romance, it’s much deeper and more soulful as Willa is grieving, but it’s not the usual type of grief, so it’s unique.
🌸Willa’s personality had me thinking we would be great friends in real life, she’s super sarcastic and witty and I was rooting for her from page one.
🌸If a book has anything to do with a sister relationship I’m alllll in and Sarah and Willa had the best bond. Sometimes it’s nice to read about fairly simple family dynamics and these two were the best.
🌸A fake bridesmaid plot was a new one for me, did y’all know hiring a professional bridesmaid is a thing?! But I loved it and Maisie was so adorable and quirky, you can’t help but love her.
🌸While the main focus is on Willa herself and her personal journey there is romance too in the form of Liam who was just great. Willa and him had good chemistry and he’s the sort of dependable yet sexy guy women wanna settle down with.
I could ramble on about this one because I loved it that much, but hopefully I’ve convinced you already, I promise it’s SO good!
🌸 It’s much more than just a romance, it’s much deeper and more soulful as Willa is grieving, but it’s not the usual type of grief, so it’s unique.
🌸Willa’s personality had me thinking we would be great friends in real life, she’s super sarcastic and witty and I was rooting for her from page one.
🌸If a book has anything to do with a sister relationship I’m alllll in and Sarah and Willa had the best bond. Sometimes it’s nice to read about fairly simple family dynamics and these two were the best.
🌸A fake bridesmaid plot was a new one for me, did y’all know hiring a professional bridesmaid is a thing?! But I loved it and Maisie was so adorable and quirky, you can’t help but love her.
🌸While the main focus is on Willa herself and her personal journey there is romance too in the form of Liam who was just great. Willa and him had good chemistry and he’s the sort of dependable yet sexy guy women wanna settle down with.
I could ramble on about this one because I loved it that much, but hopefully I’ve convinced you already, I promise it’s SO good!
April 20, 2023
Well this was just delightful!
Very cute story with great characters... Even though it was predictable, it still made me super happy when it happened.
And we all skip the "Brother Can You Spare That Jacket?" episode of The Golden Girls 😅
Very cute story with great characters... Even though it was predictable, it still made me super happy when it happened.
And we all skip the "Brother Can You Spare That Jacket?" episode of The Golden Girls 😅
December 19, 2021
4.5 stars
I am so impressed that this is Kerry Rea’s debut novel. The Wedding Ringer was heartfelt, hilarious, and a celebration of friendship in all of its forms. The book fell more into women’s fiction for me than romance, but there is a deliciously wonderful enemies to lovers/forced proximity romance (closed door) that develops in the book.
Willa was such a relatable character. My heart broke for her as she struggled to move forward, after her life was turned upside down. I think all of us, at one time or another, have felt varying degrees of that despair. I appreciated the message that you are not/do not need to face these pains alone. That there is no shame in asking for help and that there is strength in surviving. I loved seeing Willa and Maisie’s friendship develop and grow. Their mutual love and respect for each other was my favorite part of the novel and it really did show that friendship is created in all kinds of ways.
I also appreciated the emphasis on family relationships in the novel. That found families can be much more important than those that you’re born into. Willa’s relationship with her sister and her family was another highlight for me. I related a lot to the dynamic between Stacey and Willa and thought of my own relationship with my older sister and how it took time (and life knocking us down a time or two over the years) to achieve the level of closeness we now share.
The ending of the novel felt a little rushed and there was a lot that was revealed in the last quarter or so of the book. The lack of communication grated on me at times and I do wish that Willa would have come clean to Liam earlier. I understand that it was tied to her loyalty to Maisie though and that learning to lean on others and find your way back to yourself was integral to the journey of many of the characters. The ending was just right and I’m really looking forward to reading more from Kerry Rea in the future.
CW: cheating ex (past), broken engagement (past), divorce (past), strained parental relationship, fear of stigma associated with therapy, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, drunk driving & accident (past), grief, parental abandonment/disowning
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
I am so impressed that this is Kerry Rea’s debut novel. The Wedding Ringer was heartfelt, hilarious, and a celebration of friendship in all of its forms. The book fell more into women’s fiction for me than romance, but there is a deliciously wonderful enemies to lovers/forced proximity romance (closed door) that develops in the book.
Willa was such a relatable character. My heart broke for her as she struggled to move forward, after her life was turned upside down. I think all of us, at one time or another, have felt varying degrees of that despair. I appreciated the message that you are not/do not need to face these pains alone. That there is no shame in asking for help and that there is strength in surviving. I loved seeing Willa and Maisie’s friendship develop and grow. Their mutual love and respect for each other was my favorite part of the novel and it really did show that friendship is created in all kinds of ways.
I also appreciated the emphasis on family relationships in the novel. That found families can be much more important than those that you’re born into. Willa’s relationship with her sister and her family was another highlight for me. I related a lot to the dynamic between Stacey and Willa and thought of my own relationship with my older sister and how it took time (and life knocking us down a time or two over the years) to achieve the level of closeness we now share.
The ending of the novel felt a little rushed and there was a lot that was revealed in the last quarter or so of the book. The lack of communication grated on me at times and I do wish that Willa would have come clean to Liam earlier. I understand that it was tied to her loyalty to Maisie though and that learning to lean on others and find your way back to yourself was integral to the journey of many of the characters. The ending was just right and I’m really looking forward to reading more from Kerry Rea in the future.
CW: cheating ex (past), broken engagement (past), divorce (past), strained parental relationship, fear of stigma associated with therapy, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, drunk driving & accident (past), grief, parental abandonment/disowning
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
November 12, 2021
Thank you, Berkley for our gifted review copy.
I had a feeling I would like this book when I heard it had a grief element. If you don't know, love stories with grief are my catnip - I can't get enough! But when I heard this book also discusses the loss and grieving of female friendships, I am all in. I love seeing this representation in books because the loss of a long and important friendship can be one of the most challenging things one can face, especially in early adulthood.
Willa is such a strong character. I love everything about her, especially how relatable she is. She's messy, she's going through loss and has a plan to move on. When Maisie enters her life, it's like a confetti tornado - in the best way.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE:
Love stories with grief
Complexity and loss of strong female friendships
Messy, vulnerable female leads
Hilarious internal dialogue
Fun & engaging side characters
THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book & I want to scream it from the rooftops. I simply devoured it & Kerry's voice is so strong and unique, I cannot wait to read more of her books! The Wedding Ringer by Kerry Rea just speaks to my heart in the best way! If you're a fan of Float Plan by Trish Doller, this book is for you. Also, can't recommend Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships by Sarah Grunder Ruiz enough - they're all in the same little cloud of women's fiction/romance and I love them all so much!
I had a feeling I would like this book when I heard it had a grief element. If you don't know, love stories with grief are my catnip - I can't get enough! But when I heard this book also discusses the loss and grieving of female friendships, I am all in. I love seeing this representation in books because the loss of a long and important friendship can be one of the most challenging things one can face, especially in early adulthood.
Willa is such a strong character. I love everything about her, especially how relatable she is. She's messy, she's going through loss and has a plan to move on. When Maisie enters her life, it's like a confetti tornado - in the best way.
READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE:
Love stories with grief
Complexity and loss of strong female friendships
Messy, vulnerable female leads
Hilarious internal dialogue
Fun & engaging side characters
THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book & I want to scream it from the rooftops. I simply devoured it & Kerry's voice is so strong and unique, I cannot wait to read more of her books! The Wedding Ringer by Kerry Rea just speaks to my heart in the best way! If you're a fan of Float Plan by Trish Doller, this book is for you. Also, can't recommend Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships by Sarah Grunder Ruiz enough - they're all in the same little cloud of women's fiction/romance and I love them all so much!
December 6, 2021
Average sweet read
August 16, 2022
At one time socialite and social media darling Willa Callister had it all. A thriving career, blog & Instagram followers, a fiancé, a best friend who she shared everything with - a seemingly perfect life. Until one day Willa walked in on her fiancé and best friend in bed together. Now her life is nothing like it was before The Incident. Willa finds herself living with her sister and her family while she decides how to move forward with her life. When a chance encounter with a woman at a coffee shop has the potential to turn Willa's life around - will she take the opportunity to let herself feel again? Or is she bound to harden her heart so that it never gets broken again?
I cannot put into words how much I adored this wonderful book. The Wedding Ringer took me by surprise, but in the best way. Right from the beginning the writing captivated me and had me laughing out loud and at the same time feeling the hurt and anguish that Willa goes through when she sees her ex best friend at a birthday party. The way Kerry Rea brings all of these emotions out and lets us feel them alongside Willa is amazing.
Friendship is such a key component in The Wedding Ringer. Friendships can be amazing; they can lift us up when we're feeling down, help us with a shoulder to lean on when we need it the most or just be there when we want to vent. But Willa has lost that with her best friend and the loss is profound. So I can see why Willa has such a hard time opening up to friendships especially with a whirlwind like Maise. Maise is the ray of sunshine that Willa didn't even know she was missing in her life. I loved their friendship so much and how they were truly there for each other when they didn't think they could rely on anyone else.
While the friendships were front and center in The Wedding Ringer, I loved the romance between Willa and dark and sexy Liam. The banter, the playfulness - gah! They were so damn cute together and I loved the way they slowly came around to one another.
I highly recommend The Wedding Ringer! This is Kerry Rea's debut and I can't wait to read more of her books!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher
I cannot put into words how much I adored this wonderful book. The Wedding Ringer took me by surprise, but in the best way. Right from the beginning the writing captivated me and had me laughing out loud and at the same time feeling the hurt and anguish that Willa goes through when she sees her ex best friend at a birthday party. The way Kerry Rea brings all of these emotions out and lets us feel them alongside Willa is amazing.
Friendship is such a key component in The Wedding Ringer. Friendships can be amazing; they can lift us up when we're feeling down, help us with a shoulder to lean on when we need it the most or just be there when we want to vent. But Willa has lost that with her best friend and the loss is profound. So I can see why Willa has such a hard time opening up to friendships especially with a whirlwind like Maise. Maise is the ray of sunshine that Willa didn't even know she was missing in her life. I loved their friendship so much and how they were truly there for each other when they didn't think they could rely on anyone else.
While the friendships were front and center in The Wedding Ringer, I loved the romance between Willa and dark and sexy Liam. The banter, the playfulness - gah! They were so damn cute together and I loved the way they slowly came around to one another.
I highly recommend The Wedding Ringer! This is Kerry Rea's debut and I can't wait to read more of her books!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher
Read
November 8, 2021I tagged this comedy-of-manners as well as romance though it's really more of the first than the second.
The substrate of this often funny, colorful, insightful and easy read is female friendship. Willa is totally down on her luck, having a lonely pity party when she is accosted (there is no other word for it) by Maisie, and hired to be her bridesmaid.
Is this a thing? It seems to be a thing. This is the third fake bridesmaid story I've read this year.
Anyway, though Maisie and her sweetie Finn are one thread, and Willa meeting Finn's bestie Liam, and coming together with him (no, how can that be a spoiler, this is a romance), the real focus of the book is on Maisie and Willa's friendship, on their families, and the romance fits in around that.
I read this book straight through on an insomnia night, enjoying it mightily, especially the epic fail of Princess Sparkleheart.
Really a fun book with a ton of heart.
Copy provided by NetGalley
The substrate of this often funny, colorful, insightful and easy read is female friendship. Willa is totally down on her luck, having a lonely pity party when she is accosted (there is no other word for it) by Maisie, and hired to be her bridesmaid.
Is this a thing? It seems to be a thing. This is the third fake bridesmaid story I've read this year.
Anyway, though Maisie and her sweetie Finn are one thread, and Willa meeting Finn's bestie Liam, and coming together with him (no, how can that be a spoiler, this is a romance), the real focus of the book is on Maisie and Willa's friendship, on their families, and the romance fits in around that.
I read this book straight through on an insomnia night, enjoying it mightily, especially the epic fail of Princess Sparkleheart.
Really a fun book with a ton of heart.
Copy provided by NetGalley
March 31, 2021
I loved this warm hug of a book! THE WEDDING RINGER explores the pitfall-filled world of adult friendships, from the shock of an unexpected friend breakup to the difficulty of making new friends. Most importantly, it shows that no matter what tough situation you’re facing, you can get through it by being vulnerable and finding support. Full of hilarious dialogue and heartstring-tugging moments, this book made me laugh and cry. I loved every second of it, and I can’t wait to read what Kerry Rea writes next.
November 21, 2021
3.5 stars
A cute and fast-paced romance with a strong focus on friendships at its core. Willa also provides great comedic moments as the lead and her journey or self discovery and healing will be relatable to many people.
A cute and fast-paced romance with a strong focus on friendships at its core. Willa also provides great comedic moments as the lead and her journey or self discovery and healing will be relatable to many people.
February 17, 2023
I didn't like this one. Each character was very flat and I didn't feel that they grew in any way, which was very disappointing.
December 13, 2021
After a devastating betrayal from her fiancé and her best friend, Willa Calister loses her job, her place to live, and her desire to interact with people. She is forced to move in with her sister and work for her sister's party business, performing at children's parties as Princess Sparkleheart. Her dream is to save enough money and leave town.
One day, Willa runs into Maisie who is in desperate need of a bridesmaid for her upcoming wedding. Maisie makes an offer to Willa to pretend to be her bridesmaid in exchange for good money. An offer Willa can't refuse because it will help her to leave town and start over. Willa doesn't plan to become friends with Maisie because she closed her heart to friendships, and she doesn't plan to develop feelings for the annoying best man, Liam, a.k.a The Worst Man or Dr. Dreamboat.
I adored this book. It's a delightful rom-com with compelling characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and a great message about the importance of friendships and family. The romance between Willa and Liam is sweet, I would've preferred it a little spicier, but that's my personal preference. Overall, I highly recommend The Wedding Ringer, and I am looking forward to reading more books from Kerry Rea.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
One day, Willa runs into Maisie who is in desperate need of a bridesmaid for her upcoming wedding. Maisie makes an offer to Willa to pretend to be her bridesmaid in exchange for good money. An offer Willa can't refuse because it will help her to leave town and start over. Willa doesn't plan to become friends with Maisie because she closed her heart to friendships, and she doesn't plan to develop feelings for the annoying best man, Liam, a.k.a The Worst Man or Dr. Dreamboat.
I adored this book. It's a delightful rom-com with compelling characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and a great message about the importance of friendships and family. The romance between Willa and Liam is sweet, I would've preferred it a little spicier, but that's my personal preference. Overall, I highly recommend The Wedding Ringer, and I am looking forward to reading more books from Kerry Rea.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
May 4, 2022
go girl, give us nothing!
November 12, 2021
What a lovely debut!
I would argue that the book is more general fiction with a side romance rather than an outright romance, but I loved it nevertheless. The exploration of a friendship breakup was done so well. Willa is rightfully angry, hurt, and resistant to any new friendship throughout the book. It's her story of growing and learning to trust people again. I loved all of the side characters and the love interest, Liam was adorable too.
Thank you, Andi, for the recommendation!
Content notes: a scene with a child needing to have surgery to remove her appendix, description of a drunk-driving accident
December 14, 2021
I was a bit nervous about this since the last book I read by a Columbus author set in Columbus so badly did not work for me, but this one was beautiful. It's sort of a dual romance really, a platonic one between the heroine and her new fake friend and a romantic one between her and the hero of the book. The side characters were so beautifully drawn and the friendship breakup was sketched with such pain and grace and healing(for the heroine, not the friendship), and it just made me ache. The best kind of sad girl romance. Very much looking forward to seeing what this author does next.
October 27, 2021
(free review copy) I really enjoyed the unique nature of this story and the incredibly strong family ties that Willa had with her sister's family. I got frustrated with the inevitable (but does it need to be?) conflict for conflict's sake, but I feel that may be more about me and my season of reading than the book itself? For anyone looking for a new twist on the "my guy screwed me over, my life is in shambles" rom com, this is a solid choice.
December 10, 2021
More of a women's fiction than a romance, but it was okay.
March 13, 2025
4.5 cute AF stars
What I really loved about this book is that, while there is romance in it, the main focus is on the unlikely friendship that forms between two women. It’s girl power all over the place in here. The FMC is in a lower than low place when in barges Maisy, the anxiety-ridden animal lover with a lot of secrets and no one in her corner.
It’s all very sweet and wholesome. It was like the two of them found their friend soulmates when they most needed each other.
Which is the only reason the zero spice, kissing-and-then-fade-to-black scene between the FMC and the dreamy Dr. Liam didn’t bother me. (Too much. I mean…I still always want the spice.)
What I really loved about this book is that, while there is romance in it, the main focus is on the unlikely friendship that forms between two women. It’s girl power all over the place in here. The FMC is in a lower than low place when in barges Maisy, the anxiety-ridden animal lover with a lot of secrets and no one in her corner.
It’s all very sweet and wholesome. It was like the two of them found their friend soulmates when they most needed each other.
Which is the only reason the zero spice, kissing-and-then-fade-to-black scene between the FMC and the dreamy Dr. Liam didn’t bother me. (Too much. I mean…I still always want the spice.)
March 14, 2022
This is so sweet that it teeters in the direction of eye-rolling inspirational cloyingness, but mostly: we need more books about female friendship.
I could say more - there are definitely debut aspects to this, like the reverse-Cinderella-shoe reference, and the expense of cancelling a lot about your wedding (like your dress!) at the last minute - though I do feel most of them are balanced out by the ending, where a lot of elements (motivational sisters, setups requiring suspension of disbelief) take a turn toward direct and honest and unexpected.
The main takeaway is still that we need more books about female friendship.
I could say more - there are definitely debut aspects to this, like the reverse-Cinderella-shoe reference, and the expense of cancelling a lot about your wedding (like your dress!) at the last minute - though I do feel most of them are balanced out by the ending, where a lot of elements (motivational sisters, setups requiring suspension of disbelief) take a turn toward direct and honest and unexpected.
The main takeaway is still that we need more books about female friendship.
March 19, 2022
I’m on the hunt for a romance as special as The Hating Game and, unfortunately, this was not it.
I was excited going into the book, seeing as that it was an enemies to lovers romance, but Willa’s hatred towards Liam seemed so forced in the beginning. For instance, the first time she met him she was throwing a tantrum and making an absolute fool out of herself. Liam laughed at her and she immediately pegged him as an asshole. Later, when she meets him again, he makes a comment about how social media is vapid (he has a point) and she, of course, adds this to the list of why he is an asshole. Oh and she calls him a butthead... how very mature. I was like, girl.... give the guy a break, please. I really didn’t understand where Liam’s attraction towards Willa stemmed from because none of their interactions were anything quite special until they went on their first date. Then, once she and Liam were finally together, there was a complete and utter lack of steaminess. I get that their romance wasn’t the focal point of the story, but Kerry Rea gave me nooothhhhing. Nothing! I was so disappointed.
Aside from all of that, I really, really liked the friendship aspect of the book. I understand how Willa feels, to have what feels like your best friend and then to lose them. I appreciate how the author touched upon that particular kind of loneliness, because many people struggle with that, myself included. Everyone wants a best friend, someone they can trust wholeheartedly and go to for anything, and that’s not always easy to come by. Overall, this wasn’t anything incredibly special. If you’re looking for a romance book with some depth, this is the book for you. If you’re looking for lots of steam where the romance itself is the focal point of the story, I’d highly recommend looking elsewhere.
I was excited going into the book, seeing as that it was an enemies to lovers romance, but Willa’s hatred towards Liam seemed so forced in the beginning. For instance, the first time she met him she was throwing a tantrum and making an absolute fool out of herself. Liam laughed at her and she immediately pegged him as an asshole. Later, when she meets him again, he makes a comment about how social media is vapid (he has a point) and she, of course, adds this to the list of why he is an asshole. Oh and she calls him a butthead... how very mature. I was like, girl.... give the guy a break, please. I really didn’t understand where Liam’s attraction towards Willa stemmed from because none of their interactions were anything quite special until they went on their first date. Then, once she and Liam were finally together, there was a complete and utter lack of steaminess. I get that their romance wasn’t the focal point of the story, but Kerry Rea gave me nooothhhhing. Nothing! I was so disappointed.
Aside from all of that, I really, really liked the friendship aspect of the book. I understand how Willa feels, to have what feels like your best friend and then to lose them. I appreciate how the author touched upon that particular kind of loneliness, because many people struggle with that, myself included. Everyone wants a best friend, someone they can trust wholeheartedly and go to for anything, and that’s not always easy to come by. Overall, this wasn’t anything incredibly special. If you’re looking for a romance book with some depth, this is the book for you. If you’re looking for lots of steam where the romance itself is the focal point of the story, I’d highly recommend looking elsewhere.
January 20, 2022
Rounding up
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(4.5/5, Romance)
I just had a really, really good time reading this book.
The Wedding Ringer is about funny and lovable Willa Callister. She used to be a totally fabulous Ohio based influencer engaged to the love of her life until she walked in on said love of her life in a very… compromising position with her best friend in the world. Now, Willa has said goodbye to her once glamorous life and lives in her sister’s spare bedroom and makes a living dressing up as a princess for children’s birthday parties. Willa is desperate for cash so she can move far away from all of her unpleasant memories in Ohio. Enter: Maisie Mitchell- incredibly sweet bride-to-be who DESPERATELY needs a bridesmaid for her upcoming wedding and is willing to pay big bucks for one. While Willa wants to be as a far as possible from anything wedding related, she needs the cash. Don’t worry- there’s also a total dreamy doctor who we all fall in love with. The question is, is Willa ready for friendship and romance again?? I think we all know the answer to that one!!
This is one of those romcoms that’s predictable and it simply doesn’t matter because the writing is so fabulous and the characters are people you want to find in your real life. I basically spent my time reading this book laughing, smiling, or rereading the kissing scenes (as one does).
Simply put, this book made me happy and hopeful, something I believe every rom-com should do.
This would be a good book for a girlfriend going through a tough breakup or just someone who wants to find a little levity in a love story.
Best paired with tacos and tequila- I swear it’s all this girl eats and drinks… but if I was the main character in a romance novel I would also abide by that diet!
PS- I love the hair in this cover?? Why does no one do their hair like this anymore for weddings??
xx
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(4.5/5, Romance)
I just had a really, really good time reading this book.
The Wedding Ringer is about funny and lovable Willa Callister. She used to be a totally fabulous Ohio based influencer engaged to the love of her life until she walked in on said love of her life in a very… compromising position with her best friend in the world. Now, Willa has said goodbye to her once glamorous life and lives in her sister’s spare bedroom and makes a living dressing up as a princess for children’s birthday parties. Willa is desperate for cash so she can move far away from all of her unpleasant memories in Ohio. Enter: Maisie Mitchell- incredibly sweet bride-to-be who DESPERATELY needs a bridesmaid for her upcoming wedding and is willing to pay big bucks for one. While Willa wants to be as a far as possible from anything wedding related, she needs the cash. Don’t worry- there’s also a total dreamy doctor who we all fall in love with. The question is, is Willa ready for friendship and romance again?? I think we all know the answer to that one!!
This is one of those romcoms that’s predictable and it simply doesn’t matter because the writing is so fabulous and the characters are people you want to find in your real life. I basically spent my time reading this book laughing, smiling, or rereading the kissing scenes (as one does).
Simply put, this book made me happy and hopeful, something I believe every rom-com should do.
This would be a good book for a girlfriend going through a tough breakup or just someone who wants to find a little levity in a love story.
Best paired with tacos and tequila- I swear it’s all this girl eats and drinks… but if I was the main character in a romance novel I would also abide by that diet!
PS- I love the hair in this cover?? Why does no one do their hair like this anymore for weddings??
xx
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