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Fathers of the Bride
After more than two decades together, Andrew Lane and Miles Kettering-Lane are going through a nasty divorce. Not only are they unraveling their relationship but also their business—Miles once had a popular home show on cable with Andrew serving as his producer/manager—the failure of which they blame on each other. Now, they’d be happy to never, ever see each other again. But the daughter they both adore, Kelly, announces she’s getting married, and that means one very important thing: a wedding.
Thrown together, at event after event—meeting the in-laws, planning the wedding, throwing an elaborate engagement party—the two clash over everything until, their future in-laws, Bradley and Pudge Lincoln and Terry and Lissa Collins, try to take over the entire wedding. The Lincoln-Collins' are very wealthy, to quote Pudge, “People think we’re in the one percent but that’s so embarrassing. We’re barely in the two percent!”
Andrew and Miles realize they have to work together in order to compete with the overbearing Lincoln-Collins' and give their daughter the wedding she deserves. Along the way, they realize things just might not be over between them.
Thrown together, at event after event—meeting the in-laws, planning the wedding, throwing an elaborate engagement party—the two clash over everything until, their future in-laws, Bradley and Pudge Lincoln and Terry and Lissa Collins, try to take over the entire wedding. The Lincoln-Collins' are very wealthy, to quote Pudge, “People think we’re in the one percent but that’s so embarrassing. We’re barely in the two percent!”
Andrew and Miles realize they have to work together in order to compete with the overbearing Lincoln-Collins' and give their daughter the wedding she deserves. Along the way, they realize things just might not be over between them.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2021
37 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Marshall Thornton
57 books629 followersThree-time Lambda Award-winning author, Marshall Thornton is best known for the Boystown and Pinx Video mystery series. Other novels include the erotic comedy The Perils of Praline, or the Amorous Adventures of a Southern Gentleman in Hollywood, Desert Run and Full Release. Marshall has an MFA in screenwriting from UCLA, where he received the Carl David Memorial Fellowship and was recognized in the Samuel Goldwyn Writing awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
August 31, 2021
this was…. cute. i think i liked it a lot, actually? it was all very silly and everything was exaggerated to the nth degree, but there was still a lot of heart to the story.
the book was far from perfect, of course. the plot was a bit all over the place and i reckon the humor won’t be to everyone’s taste but it mostly all worked for me. 4 stars.
the book was far from perfect, of course. the plot was a bit all over the place and i reckon the humor won’t be to everyone’s taste but it mostly all worked for me. 4 stars.
August 31, 2021
Darn. This wasn’t for me.
At all. Sorry.
We all know that Marshall Thornton is a skilled author, and I can easily say that there is nothing wrong with the writing here. A lot of things going on are very accurately observed and well presented.
However, I simply didn’t enjoy it.
And here is why:
.) 90% wedding preparations, 10% romance:
This is more a fly-on-the-wall account of how Miles and Andy organize their daughter’s wedding, than a second chance romance. There is so little of it, I almost forgot that this is what the blurb seems to promise?
.) I’m not sure I really liked either MC. They are both ok, but …
Miles comes across as too moany and whiney at times, and Andy is a bit controlling.
It also irked me that the reason they split up is based on one major miscommunication between them. Surely, after so many years together, they know each other better than to to assume things and give up on each other?
.) I am not sure whether this book is supposed to be funny, if it is, the humour certainly didn’t reach me. I felt irritated, annoyed and outraged for most of the book, with the exception of Miles’s slapstick moment at Kelly’s engagement party which made me laugh out loud.
.) Kelly’s future in-laws are unbearable.
The Lincoln-Collins’s are outrageously overbearing, bigoted, racist, patronizing and completely off their heads. All four of them. They get quite a lot of on-page time, and I couldn’t stand them (which, btw, surely is how we are supposed to feel about them). It’s not often I have seriously aggressive tendencies towards a book character, albeit four, but the way they constantly ignore Kelly and Avery’s wishes really riled me up.
.) The same goes for totally deluded Raj. The guy is a moron of the first class, and it totally beats me why Andy is even with him. No doubt, there are quite a few people like him, who live their lives via the ‘Gram’. But I found it difficult to put up with him and wanted to shout “Get real, Raj!” virtually every time he is on page.
.) I must honestly say that I’m not sure how I would feel if !!!MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT!!!
Obviously, I’m totally missing the point here.
At all. Sorry.
We all know that Marshall Thornton is a skilled author, and I can easily say that there is nothing wrong with the writing here. A lot of things going on are very accurately observed and well presented.
However, I simply didn’t enjoy it.
And here is why:
.) 90% wedding preparations, 10% romance:
This is more a fly-on-the-wall account of how Miles and Andy organize their daughter’s wedding, than a second chance romance. There is so little of it, I almost forgot that this is what the blurb seems to promise?
.) I’m not sure I really liked either MC. They are both ok, but …
Miles comes across as too moany and whiney at times, and Andy is a bit controlling.
It also irked me that the reason they split up is based on one major miscommunication between them. Surely, after so many years together, they know each other better than to to assume things and give up on each other?
.) I am not sure whether this book is supposed to be funny, if it is, the humour certainly didn’t reach me. I felt irritated, annoyed and outraged for most of the book, with the exception of Miles’s slapstick moment at Kelly’s engagement party which made me laugh out loud.
.) Kelly’s future in-laws are unbearable.
The Lincoln-Collins’s are outrageously overbearing, bigoted, racist, patronizing and completely off their heads. All four of them. They get quite a lot of on-page time, and I couldn’t stand them (which, btw, surely is how we are supposed to feel about them). It’s not often I have seriously aggressive tendencies towards a book character, albeit four, but the way they constantly ignore Kelly and Avery’s wishes really riled me up.
.) The same goes for totally deluded Raj. The guy is a moron of the first class, and it totally beats me why Andy is even with him. No doubt, there are quite a few people like him, who live their lives via the ‘Gram’. But I found it difficult to put up with him and wanted to shout “Get real, Raj!” virtually every time he is on page.
.) I must honestly say that I’m not sure how I would feel if !!!MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT!!!
Obviously, I’m totally missing the point here.
August 24, 2021
This needs to be a film or a Netflix TV series. It has all the elements for a successful rom com with a difference.
It's funny (come on, it's Marshall Thornton, of course it's funny!) but it's also got such a warmth to it as two mature men who think their marriage is over, realise that sometimes things are much more valuable if you look at them in a new light.
I loved the vulnerability of Miles, the sheer determination of Andy, the stubbornness of Kelly and the kindness of Avery. Raj was hilarious in all the bad ways but still not a bad person.
The twist in the tale was one I was expected, but that didn't spoil its effect and I had a big smile on my face all the time I was reading.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
It's funny (come on, it's Marshall Thornton, of course it's funny!) but it's also got such a warmth to it as two mature men who think their marriage is over, realise that sometimes things are much more valuable if you look at them in a new light.
I loved the vulnerability of Miles, the sheer determination of Andy, the stubbornness of Kelly and the kindness of Avery. Raj was hilarious in all the bad ways but still not a bad person.
The twist in the tale was one I was expected, but that didn't spoil its effect and I had a big smile on my face all the time I was reading.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Read
August 30, 2021This was not for me, let's leave it at that. I think fan of romcoms would appreciate it more.
August 31, 2021
I’m not sure why I finished this book. I hated all the characters, the couples all had zero chemistry, and the plot was chaotic. I was actually a bit stressed while reading this book. I had a weird sense of morbid curiosity to see where it would go and thought maybe there’d be a few good scenes to make it worth my time. Fade to black to the extreme. It all moves along quickly at least.
September 9, 2021
If you have a FEEL-GOOD shelf on GR, this book belongs, no doubts, to it.
First of all, this book is not a romance novel, even though the main story-line is about a WEDDING, or better to say, about a wedding planning, or a tutorial about how better NOT to plan a wedding. And because weddings are all about FAMILY, FRIENDS and, of course not the last, about FOOD, you'll have ALL of it in the pretty extensive performance, because
So, this novel is an easy entertaining summer read that you shouldn't miss in the first place if you enjoy the author's works.
My TINYbig problems:
a) I didn't like the main FEMALE character, yes, the bride. The more the people in the book tried to convince me what a great person she was, the more I disliked her. And I assure you, it has nothing to do with Marshall's ability to write a female character, but he made her SUCH a good person (on purpose or not) that she became FOR ME PERSONALLY abhorrent. Maybe because she represents this kind of a new generation that I dislike. But it is another discussion.
b) So much I normally enjoy a 1. person POV, I think, maybe it could have been better NOT to do it for both male adult characters (?).
b) I know that Raj was MEANT as a satire and it is the reason why I found his character phenomenal (sorry, if you don't like him :D, you wasn't suppose to like him). Marshall gave a sensual picture of a new generation boy-friend, and, yes, I LOVED IT (not him, but how precisely it was done! :)
Well...the part about THE MORAL was not small and....EXTREMELY complicated for me to cope with (I HOPE very much, it was MEANT as a SATIRE!!!!).
***ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for a honest review.***
First of all, this book is not a romance novel, even though the main story-line is about a WEDDING, or better to say, about a wedding planning, or a tutorial about how better NOT to plan a wedding. And because weddings are all about FAMILY, FRIENDS and, of course not the last, about FOOD, you'll have ALL of it in the pretty extensive performance, because
a) the families from the both sides are HARDLY most typical in their way;
b) the topic offers a WIDE range of hilarious situations;
c) Marshall Thornton knows perfectly well how to write dialogues- this novel consists of 90 percent COMMUNICATION (or rather miscommunication? ;))
So, this novel is an easy entertaining summer read that you shouldn't miss in the first place if you enjoy the author's works.
My TINY
a) I didn't like the main FEMALE character, yes, the bride. The more the people in the book tried to convince me what a great person she was, the more I disliked her. And I assure you, it has nothing to do with Marshall's ability to write a female character, but he made her SUCH a good person (on purpose or not) that she became FOR ME PERSONALLY abhorrent. Maybe because she represents this kind of a new generation that I dislike. But it is another discussion.
b) So much I normally enjoy a 1. person POV, I think, maybe it could have been better NOT to do it for both male adult characters (?).
b) I know that Raj was MEANT as a satire and it is the reason why I found his character phenomenal (sorry, if you don't like him :D, you wasn't suppose to like him). Marshall gave a sensual picture of a new generation boy-friend, and, yes, I LOVED IT (not him, but how precisely it was done! :)
Well...the part about THE MORAL was not small and....EXTREMELY complicated for me to cope with (I HOPE very much, it was MEANT as a SATIRE!!!!).
"I'm a sensitivity coach. The bank has requested I spend some time with Pudge and Lissa over the next few weeks. We'll be talking about race, sexuality, gender, class and what it means to be privileged."
***ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for a honest review.***
October 1, 2022
Entertaining in the beginning but I quickly got tired of the humor. Everything was OTT times 100.
August 24, 2021
Fathers of the Bride
By Marshall Thornton
Kenmore Books, 2021
Five stars
At first it’s hard to believe that the man who gave us the moody, noir-ish detective stories of Nick Nowak would create this hilarious romp through the shenanigans surrounding upscale Los Angeles weddings. Then, if you think about his Pinx Video series, which combine comic situations with dark and poignant plot threads, it begins to be less surprising.
The set-up is intentionally meant to evoke the classic 1950 Hollywood film, “Father of the Bride,” itself based on Edward Streeter’s 1949 novel of the same title. Possibly, Thornton was thinking of the 1991 remake of the film starring Steve Martin. In Thornton’s version, it is two fathers, Andrew Lane and Miles Keating-Lane, who are faced with their twenty-four-year-old daughter Kelly’s pending marriage to Avery, a lovely young man she met while in the Peace Corps in Malawi.
Immediate complications arise from the fact that, three years earlier, Miles and Andrew legally separated, and have barely spoken to each other since. Still further complications appear along with the groom’s family—his father and mother having divorced and then married the spouses of their best friends, also divorced. If that sounds confusing, wait till you meet them.
The biggest joke of all is that the wedding is not the point; but it is the catalyst, the trigger, the gunpowder in the stick of dynamite. And therein lies Marshall Thornton’s genius as a story teller.
“Fathers of the Bride” resonated with me in two ways. First, my husband of 40+ years and I adopted two kids a quarter-century ago, and this aspect of the story rings completely true. Miles Keating-Lane and Andrew Lane’s adoption story is not, however, the center of the tale. Thornton uses that story to make specific points that help us understand and grow more sympathetic to the fathers’ situation, especially in the context of affluent Los Angeles. This young woman loves her fathers, both of them.
Secondly, the relationship between Miles and Andrew is of critical importance to the book’s success, both emotionally and structurally. I took an immediate dislike to Miles Keating-Lane, which I suspect was the author’s intent. On the other hand, while I liked Andrew Lane’s character better from the start, I was put off by the presence of his boyfriend, Raj (who is a hilarious ‘historic’ figure of the here and now), only a few years older than Andrew’s daughter Kelly. The couple’s fractured marriage seems like a Hollywood stereotype; but it becomes increasingly textured and complex as the plot unfolds, told alternatively from Andrew and Miles’s perspectives.
This is a romantic book, and it is a comedy of sitcom absurdity; but there is a humanity and a sort of emotional profoundness that became more and more clear to me with each chapter. Thornton makes us see these two fifty-something men as more than gay clichés. When current high-profile Hollywood products, like Mike White’s limited HBO series “The White Lotus,” still rely on stereotypes, I am reminded why I care about Thornton’s books. The final twist took me completely by surprise, although it was all right there in front of me the whole time.
By Marshall Thornton
Kenmore Books, 2021
Five stars
At first it’s hard to believe that the man who gave us the moody, noir-ish detective stories of Nick Nowak would create this hilarious romp through the shenanigans surrounding upscale Los Angeles weddings. Then, if you think about his Pinx Video series, which combine comic situations with dark and poignant plot threads, it begins to be less surprising.
The set-up is intentionally meant to evoke the classic 1950 Hollywood film, “Father of the Bride,” itself based on Edward Streeter’s 1949 novel of the same title. Possibly, Thornton was thinking of the 1991 remake of the film starring Steve Martin. In Thornton’s version, it is two fathers, Andrew Lane and Miles Keating-Lane, who are faced with their twenty-four-year-old daughter Kelly’s pending marriage to Avery, a lovely young man she met while in the Peace Corps in Malawi.
Immediate complications arise from the fact that, three years earlier, Miles and Andrew legally separated, and have barely spoken to each other since. Still further complications appear along with the groom’s family—his father and mother having divorced and then married the spouses of their best friends, also divorced. If that sounds confusing, wait till you meet them.
The biggest joke of all is that the wedding is not the point; but it is the catalyst, the trigger, the gunpowder in the stick of dynamite. And therein lies Marshall Thornton’s genius as a story teller.
“Fathers of the Bride” resonated with me in two ways. First, my husband of 40+ years and I adopted two kids a quarter-century ago, and this aspect of the story rings completely true. Miles Keating-Lane and Andrew Lane’s adoption story is not, however, the center of the tale. Thornton uses that story to make specific points that help us understand and grow more sympathetic to the fathers’ situation, especially in the context of affluent Los Angeles. This young woman loves her fathers, both of them.
Secondly, the relationship between Miles and Andrew is of critical importance to the book’s success, both emotionally and structurally. I took an immediate dislike to Miles Keating-Lane, which I suspect was the author’s intent. On the other hand, while I liked Andrew Lane’s character better from the start, I was put off by the presence of his boyfriend, Raj (who is a hilarious ‘historic’ figure of the here and now), only a few years older than Andrew’s daughter Kelly. The couple’s fractured marriage seems like a Hollywood stereotype; but it becomes increasingly textured and complex as the plot unfolds, told alternatively from Andrew and Miles’s perspectives.
This is a romantic book, and it is a comedy of sitcom absurdity; but there is a humanity and a sort of emotional profoundness that became more and more clear to me with each chapter. Thornton makes us see these two fifty-something men as more than gay clichés. When current high-profile Hollywood products, like Mike White’s limited HBO series “The White Lotus,” still rely on stereotypes, I am reminded why I care about Thornton’s books. The final twist took me completely by surprise, although it was all right there in front of me the whole time.
October 29, 2021
A clever, witty, M-M 'refound-romance' by a auto-buy author (for me). I was reduced to hysterical laughter all throughout by bon mots such as:
Mr Thornton is at his best when writing whodunnits IMO, but he's a dab hand with romantic comedy; I can't help but compare the plotted breezy zaniness to a nice blending of I Love Lucy, Bringin Up Baby, What's Up Doc ala Streisand and The Parent Trap.
I was introduced to the wonders (and horrors) of being a modern media influencer and how the Uber rich negotiate living in an increasingly 'woke' culture. A host of great secondary characters surround and support our MC duo - and I note no character is portrayed too unsympathetically despite all their flaws and short-comings (except Avery - who's too perfect to be true). Definitely worthy of 4.5 stars.
“Excuse me. I have to use the restroom. To rest.”
“You’ve never been in therapy.” “That’s not true. I had a boyfriend in college who was a psych major. He did all his homework on me.” “That’s not therapy, it’s malpractice.”
Mr Thornton is at his best when writing whodunnits IMO, but he's a dab hand with romantic comedy; I can't help but compare the plotted breezy zaniness to a nice blending of I Love Lucy, Bringin Up Baby, What's Up Doc ala Streisand and The Parent Trap.
I was introduced to the wonders (and horrors) of being a modern media influencer and how the Uber rich negotiate living in an increasingly 'woke' culture. A host of great secondary characters surround and support our MC duo - and I note no character is portrayed too unsympathetically despite all their flaws and short-comings (except Avery - who's too perfect to be true). Definitely worthy of 4.5 stars.
Read
September 4, 2021Very funny -
- but with everyone being sent up mercilessly, the affectionate heart of say, Femme or Masc is missing. It's hard to care the way I'd like to about the titular fathers of the bride when they appear more concerned about putting on a $125k wedding than their own relationship.
“Food scraps,” Pudge burst out. “Our genius of a caterer pulled our entire dinner out of dumpsters.”...
“But are they vegan food scraps?”
---
"I hear you own part of a bank—”
“Oh posh.” Pudge waved a dismissive hand. “People always think we’re in the one percent but that’s just not true. We barely make it into the two percent.”
- but with everyone being sent up mercilessly, the affectionate heart of say, Femme or Masc is missing. It's hard to care the way I'd like to about the titular fathers of the bride when they appear more concerned about putting on a $125k wedding than their own relationship.
February 13, 2022
I wanted to like this story so much. I wanted to be charmed by this quirky story of two fathers reluctantly working together to get their daughter married.
But I just could not muster much love for either MC and all the in-laws were utterly deplorable Karens and Kens. And Raj? Raj is ... simply horrid. And it really bothered me at the end to learn that
For me, personally, this book was a VERY rare miss from Marshall Thornton.
But I just could not muster much love for either MC and all the in-laws were utterly deplorable Karens and Kens. And Raj? Raj is ... simply horrid. And it really bothered me at the end to learn that
For me, personally, this book was a VERY rare miss from Marshall Thornton.
June 21, 2022
4-Stars
Marshall Thornton’s Fathers of the Bride is a cute diversion from society’s current problems.
If chuckles, snorts, and even laugh out loud dialogue is something you crave, Fathers of the Bride is definitely the book for you.
Marshall Thornton’s Fathers of the Bride is a cute diversion from society’s current problems.
If chuckles, snorts, and even laugh out loud dialogue is something you crave, Fathers of the Bride is definitely the book for you.
August 25, 2022
One of my favorite movies growing up was Auntie Mame (the one with Rosalind Russell) and this had the same over the top yet mostly loveable personalities, zany situations, and hilarious antics.
Miles & Andrew are acrimoniously separated after 25+ years of marriage. When they learn their only daughter is engaged they try to put their differences aside to give her the exact wedding she wants. When the fiancé’s family gets involved - things turn into a circus, literally.
It’s charmingly obnoxious and full of laugh out loud moments. Andrew & Miles are reminded of how much they really do love each other. Cute ending. Fun read.
Miles & Andrew are acrimoniously separated after 25+ years of marriage. When they learn their only daughter is engaged they try to put their differences aside to give her the exact wedding she wants. When the fiancé’s family gets involved - things turn into a circus, literally.
It’s charmingly obnoxious and full of laugh out loud moments. Andrew & Miles are reminded of how much they really do love each other. Cute ending. Fun read.
December 23, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
Fathers of the Bride is a light-hearted, lovers-reunited story featuring two older heroes who are finding their way back to each other. The set up here is fun, and while we know that the wedding will ultimately bring the men back together, I still enjoyed following along as Miles and Andy rekindle their romance. The story has the light humor that is a hallmark of much of Thornton’s work and there are many amusing moments. There are also some nice touches here that give a sense of both Andy and Miles, as well as their relationship.
I think a lot of how you feel about this story will rest on how well the humor works for you. The story pits Andy and Miles against Kelly’s future in-laws and Andy’s boyfriend, Raj. So the Lincoln-Collins clan and Raj are meant as the comic relief in that they are completely over the top and absurd.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
Fathers of the Bride is a light-hearted, lovers-reunited story featuring two older heroes who are finding their way back to each other. The set up here is fun, and while we know that the wedding will ultimately bring the men back together, I still enjoyed following along as Miles and Andy rekindle their romance. The story has the light humor that is a hallmark of much of Thornton’s work and there are many amusing moments. There are also some nice touches here that give a sense of both Andy and Miles, as well as their relationship.
I think a lot of how you feel about this story will rest on how well the humor works for you. The story pits Andy and Miles against Kelly’s future in-laws and Andy’s boyfriend, Raj. So the Lincoln-Collins clan and Raj are meant as the comic relief in that they are completely over the top and absurd.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
January 4, 2022
3.8 , silly and over the top but I had fun.
September 4, 2021
Loved it. I really like Thirnton's style of writing. Great MCs and a fantastic cast of secondary characters,
May 2, 2025
I absolutely loved it! This is a romantic comedy that I will enjoy ready time and time again. It’s priceless. It’s all about family and second chances. Miles and Andrew are thrown back together in order to give their daughter the wedding she wants. Even after a 2 years of not talking and being separated, they’ve never finalized their divorce. But a truce is called as they join forces against the future in-laws to make Kelly’s wedding come true. One can predict the story line, but the true joy was reading how the roller coaster events bring Miles and Andrew back together where they belong.
August 29, 2021
Another great read from Marshall Thornton.
Lavender crème brulée sound delicious.
Lavender crème brulée sound delicious.
September 2, 2021
Absolutely a must read, lively and heartwarming
Rating: 5 🌈
I’ve so often associated Marshall Thornton with his outstanding but often gritty , and dark stories and series (Boystown series and Pinx Video Mysteries series, both must reads) that I forget this author also writes extremely funny, effervescent novels.
Such as Fathers of the Bride, just released.
Incredibly witty, often with on point dialogue so sharp you could cut a razor thin slice of wagyu to serve up to whom ever is being dissected over an immaculately prepared menu. Talk about spew worthy sentences and comments made! Oh my!
A lovely wine or cocktail at hand and sitting around the table, characters so memorable and utterly charming as to win their way swiftly into your heart.
This book was just what I needed.
It starts off with a sharp little prologue from their daughter, Kelly Kettering-Lane. She begins remarking how much her name sounds more like a street address then an actual person. I immediately love her. It only gets better as she tells us her fathers ruined her wedding. Oh the glee!
Then we jump to Chapter 1 and already the anticipation is high!
We meet one father first, Miles Kettering-Lane . Very flamboyant, very ummm the House and Garden network host you would have in your mind…. If it was an updated version of Charles Nelson Reilly.
Not familiar? YouTube or Google him. He’s magnificent. And his commentary on his returned daughter is one for the ages, for framing and one a lot of fathers would agree with.
In other words, he’s perfection.
When he says agoraphobia has gotten a bad rap? Spew moment number 1.
Anyway moving on because I could quote this man all day.
This daughter/ father relationship was intimate and so wonderfully built that I pictured them easily.
I had a great surprise coming. Been debating how much I should say.
But when father of the bride 2 shows, Andy Kettering-Lane, it’s completely marvelous because Thornton shows us a father/daughter dynamic that works just as deeply and lovingly but in a completely different way.
I was dumbfounded as I how much I adored how the shifts in dynamics felt real and moving. Each man displaying a different knowledge of their daughter and the same for the daughter.
And into this falls a complicated son in law parents uh foursome dynamics. You have to read it, trust me. Then there’s Andy’s young influencer boyfriend Raj and his ever present streaming. Yeah we know him.
The wedding zillas start growing, things get immediately and hysterically out of control, including feelings.
Those pesky things.
Miles and Andy are ground in their long personal history, the love that never seemed to have left them, and a house that holds nothing but love and memories.
Ok I really need to start rereading this again. Just writing this review reminds me of all the things I love about the story and want to relive.
Take it from me. You need love and laughter, lively snark, outstanding spew worthy dialogue, and a second chance at love story in your life. Fathers of the Bride is it. Grab it up, start reading now! I highly recommend it!
Rating: 5 🌈
I’ve so often associated Marshall Thornton with his outstanding but often gritty , and dark stories and series (Boystown series and Pinx Video Mysteries series, both must reads) that I forget this author also writes extremely funny, effervescent novels.
Such as Fathers of the Bride, just released.
Incredibly witty, often with on point dialogue so sharp you could cut a razor thin slice of wagyu to serve up to whom ever is being dissected over an immaculately prepared menu. Talk about spew worthy sentences and comments made! Oh my!
A lovely wine or cocktail at hand and sitting around the table, characters so memorable and utterly charming as to win their way swiftly into your heart.
This book was just what I needed.
It starts off with a sharp little prologue from their daughter, Kelly Kettering-Lane. She begins remarking how much her name sounds more like a street address then an actual person. I immediately love her. It only gets better as she tells us her fathers ruined her wedding. Oh the glee!
Then we jump to Chapter 1 and already the anticipation is high!
We meet one father first, Miles Kettering-Lane . Very flamboyant, very ummm the House and Garden network host you would have in your mind…. If it was an updated version of Charles Nelson Reilly.
Not familiar? YouTube or Google him. He’s magnificent. And his commentary on his returned daughter is one for the ages, for framing and one a lot of fathers would agree with.
In other words, he’s perfection.
When he says agoraphobia has gotten a bad rap? Spew moment number 1.
Anyway moving on because I could quote this man all day.
This daughter/ father relationship was intimate and so wonderfully built that I pictured them easily.
I had a great surprise coming. Been debating how much I should say.
But when father of the bride 2 shows, Andy Kettering-Lane, it’s completely marvelous because Thornton shows us a father/daughter dynamic that works just as deeply and lovingly but in a completely different way.
I was dumbfounded as I how much I adored how the shifts in dynamics felt real and moving. Each man displaying a different knowledge of their daughter and the same for the daughter.
And into this falls a complicated son in law parents uh foursome dynamics. You have to read it, trust me. Then there’s Andy’s young influencer boyfriend Raj and his ever present streaming. Yeah we know him.
The wedding zillas start growing, things get immediately and hysterically out of control, including feelings.
Those pesky things.
Miles and Andy are ground in their long personal history, the love that never seemed to have left them, and a house that holds nothing but love and memories.
Ok I really need to start rereading this again. Just writing this review reminds me of all the things I love about the story and want to relive.
Take it from me. You need love and laughter, lively snark, outstanding spew worthy dialogue, and a second chance at love story in your life. Fathers of the Bride is it. Grab it up, start reading now! I highly recommend it!
October 21, 2022
(4.5*) Finally, I can make a relevant comp! I think if you liked Boyfriend Material, you'll love Fathers of the Bride. After two decades together, Andrew and Miles are going through a bitter divorce, but when the daughter they both adore announces she's getting married, could planning her wedding be the thing that pulls them back together?
I loved all the main cast of Fathers of the Bride, especially the MCs' adopted daughter, Kelly. She was such a breath of fresh air and such a genuinely kind, funny, down to earth character, who seemed to ground anxious Miles and workaholic Andy. I loved how, no matter what they said, it was obvious all along how Miles and Andy felt about one another, yet it made sense that they kept getting in the way of their own HEA without it becoming annoying. I also loved their love for Kelly. Such father material! Sometimes I felt the story was a little bloated, which slowed the pacing, and for my personal preferences I would have liked a bit more of an emotional finale, but it all came together in a lovely way in the end. If you enjoy the humour in Boyfriend Material and Husband Material, this is definitely a book you should check out next.
I loved all the main cast of Fathers of the Bride, especially the MCs' adopted daughter, Kelly. She was such a breath of fresh air and such a genuinely kind, funny, down to earth character, who seemed to ground anxious Miles and workaholic Andy. I loved how, no matter what they said, it was obvious all along how Miles and Andy felt about one another, yet it made sense that they kept getting in the way of their own HEA without it becoming annoying. I also loved their love for Kelly. Such father material! Sometimes I felt the story was a little bloated, which slowed the pacing, and for my personal preferences I would have liked a bit more of an emotional finale, but it all came together in a lovely way in the end. If you enjoy the humour in Boyfriend Material and Husband Material, this is definitely a book you should check out next.
September 13, 2021
Marshall Thornton is so multifaceted. I'm used to his gritty mysteries but here we get a screwball comedy - something that is really challenging to pull off and yet he does! I didn't buy some of the twists and it lost me a smidge at the end but I still quite liked it.
October 4, 2021
Hilarious
What an absolute joy. This book was hilarious and had me lol a few times. Miles and Andrew were adorable and should never have separated and as for their daughter Kelly, what a girl!
This is a new to me author but I will definitely be reading more of his books.
What an absolute joy. This book was hilarious and had me lol a few times. Miles and Andrew were adorable and should never have separated and as for their daughter Kelly, what a girl!
This is a new to me author but I will definitely be reading more of his books.
October 15, 2022
I was in a near constant state of anxiety while reading this and I LOVED it lmao - the only reason it wasn't 5 stars is because the ending felt a bit rushed. The whole romance was really lovely and I would have loved to have had it linger a bit
August 30, 2021
Delightful
October 8, 2021
A real laugh-out-loud book! I loved both Miles and Andrew, and the Lincoln-Collins were hilarious.
August 29, 2021
Funny and Cute
It's been a while since I've enjoyed books with a fairly straightforward plot. But this story was funny, heartwarming, and just plain enjoyable to read.
It was more romance-y than other books (mostly detective stories e.g. Boystown, Pinx series) I've read by this author so it was a quite novel experience. That I enjoyed a lot. If he wrote a detective romance I'd eat it right up XDD
It's been a while since I've enjoyed books with a fairly straightforward plot. But this story was funny, heartwarming, and just plain enjoyable to read.
It was more romance-y than other books (mostly detective stories e.g. Boystown, Pinx series) I've read by this author so it was a quite novel experience. That I enjoyed a lot. If he wrote a detective romance I'd eat it right up XDD
August 7, 2022
This was terrible.
Pray tell me, why did you read the entire book if it was ”terrible”?
To disclose:
- I went into this book because I was looking for a book with two older (mAtUrE) MCs
- and I have never read a book by this author
- Plot sounded interesting and I thought to myself: why not?
bullet points of annoyance (in no specific order)
- I had zero interest in these guys getting back together because I had zero interest in them and in their relationship: this should NOT be the case
- what a terrible random coffee shop name: I donut want to go there
- so many horrific racist, homophobic topics: and what you’re making it okay stating and writing these things by making up a character who keeps telling women not to say things? How does this make it better? It feels like a boomer has gotten sick of continually being told “we don’t say that anymore” and has gone and written an homage to the saying.
- Fade to Black: the only thing that interested me at some point was seeing some hate fueled make up sex as anger and regret was the only thing sort of well written here and I didn’t even understand what happened
One minute they’re in a car sharing a “Goodbye kiss”, the next they’re waking up in bed next to each other?
- the ridiculous plot of the sustainable queen of a daughter (getting aggravated at thunberg vibes here very strongly - another homage character) planning a wedding to get her parents to take it and make use of it themselves: you can’t plan these things. It’s a horrific “Eingriff”
I like the plot of a wedding being “re-cycled” like in “Hitched” by Lennox but not like this
So many more things I could rant about but that’s it for now
Don’t read it if you want to keep your sanity
Pray tell me, why did you read the entire book if it was ”terrible”?
To disclose:
- I went into this book because I was looking for a book with two older (mAtUrE) MCs
- and I have never read a book by this author
- Plot sounded interesting and I thought to myself: why not?
bullet points of annoyance (in no specific order)
- I had zero interest in these guys getting back together because I had zero interest in them and in their relationship: this should NOT be the case
- what a terrible random coffee shop name: I donut want to go there
- so many horrific racist, homophobic topics: and what you’re making it okay stating and writing these things by making up a character who keeps telling women not to say things? How does this make it better? It feels like a boomer has gotten sick of continually being told “we don’t say that anymore” and has gone and written an homage to the saying.
- Fade to Black: the only thing that interested me at some point was seeing some hate fueled make up sex as anger and regret was the only thing sort of well written here and I didn’t even understand what happened
One minute they’re in a car sharing a “Goodbye kiss”, the next they’re waking up in bed next to each other?
- the ridiculous plot of the sustainable queen of a daughter (getting aggravated at thunberg vibes here very strongly - another homage character) planning a wedding to get her parents to take it and make use of it themselves: you can’t plan these things. It’s a horrific “Eingriff”
I like the plot of a wedding being “re-cycled” like in “Hitched” by Lennox but not like this
So many more things I could rant about but that’s it for now
Don’t read it if you want to keep your sanity
December 5, 2021
I love second chance romances but in this case it happened too fast and the characters were annoying. It did however make me laugh a couple of times and it had its cute moments.
January 24, 2022
The blurb indicated towards a second chance romance but the book delivered nothing of that sort. I mean yes, the two MCs did get together in the end but that was not the focus of the book at all. more than half the book we just see kelly's wedding play out. I did not see any evolution in the relationship between the two MCs. The in-laws were just horrible, and in an attempt to be humorous made slightly racist and bigoted gestures which were most annoying to read. There seemed to be little to no proper communication between the MCs which I found disappointing.
August 30, 2021
I liked Miles and Andy. Second chance romances for older men aren't exactly common so this was unique. I was happy that they got back together.
The secondary characters were very extreme caricatures. I think they were meant to be funny in a screwball comedy way but I really didn't like the rich in-law characters. They were so awful I felt stressed reading about them. Still an enjoyable read.
The secondary characters were very extreme caricatures. I think they were meant to be funny in a screwball comedy way but I really didn't like the rich in-law characters. They were so awful I felt stressed reading about them. Still an enjoyable read.
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