Miss Julia Throws a Wedding

Miss Julia #3

by Ann B. Ross

Read the 3rd installment in tyhe New York Times bestselling series about Miss Julia, the proper lady of a certain age with a backbone of iron and perfect Steel Magnolia poise, not to mention the sharpest tongue south of the Mason-Dixon Line. And don't miss Ann Ross's newest,  Miss Julia Raises the Roof , coming April 2018 from Viking.

In Miss Julia Throws a Wedding , we find her feeling a little wistful when Hazel Marie, once her late husband's paramour and now her best friend, prepares to move out and live in sin with that marriage-shy Mr. Pickens. Suddenly, to Miss Julia's delight, a wedding is in the Handsome Deputy Coleman Bates and attorney Binkie Enloe announce their plans to run down to the courthouse and tie the knot. But Miss Julia insists they have a real wedding ceremony and vows to make it happen. When a missing preacher, a crowd of uninvited guests, and a queasy bride threaten the happy event, Miss Julia is there to restore order, confirming her undying if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Mystery, Southern, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Chick Lit

308 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2002

About the author

Ann B. Ross, who taught literature at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, is the author of Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, one of the most popular Southern debut novels in years, Miss Julia Takes Over, Miss Julia Throws a Wedding, and Miss Julia Hits the Road. She lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Alcornell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Southern comedy of manners, with a widowed southern belle living at the corner of past and present, with an African American cook as sidekick and long-time friend and foil. Miss Julia has her own story to tell, and she seems to do it in the course of bossing others around. She isn't Miss Marple, or Jessica Fletcher, or even Miss Manners. She is continuously confronted by the complexities in the big questions...how to be a good Christian, how to live honestly and fully, how to be kind to people who drive her mad, how to pick her battles wisely...she prevails while witnessing the travails of others, simultaneously processing her own grief over similar issues in her past...let's see, who does she remind me of? This is light, fluffy story-telling peppered with colorful southern eccentricities, and oblique criticism of the little stuff, like the church, racism, ageism, etc. It's fun escapist fare, easy to read on a plane, or when you're just too tired for anything more challenging...bright, positive in tone, good-spirited fun.

[Fabian · Rating 2 out of 5]

My error in picking up the third in this installment of Miss Julia adventures. What began in Tales of the City territory--quirks and homestyles of the literary pastiches--became stuck in the Lands of Whocares. Cutesy, to a degree. Fun, to a degree. And yet... no.

Just because you have a Southern heroine with many funds to do many cute Southerny things...well, that may gave been the reason for me choosing it. And that it belonged to my collection of orange-spined Penguin novels. No revisits to Miss Julia required!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful comedy of manners set in the south.

The standout of these beloved characters is Miss Julia – an aged widow with deep rooted views on etiquette – and her long-time housekeeper and friend Lillian – who is the voice of reason and wisdom. Besides this amusing duo, boarding with Miss Julia are Hazel Marie and Little Llyod – Miss Julia’s late husband’s former paramour and the product of said relationship. The host of other charming caricatures that are friends, neighbors, officers, and church folks that capture the essence of this modern small southern town.

For me, I’m more enchanted by the interaction of the characters (no matter what they are doing) than in the plot of the story. Book three revolves around a wedding being held at Miss Julia’s home for her boarder, Coleman, a police officer and his fiancée, a local lawyer. Nothing is ever simple in Abbotsville, North Carolina nor is it without one thing or another conflicting with Miss Julia’s agenda. What a hoot it was to find out how the special event unfolded –a spectacle not easily forgotten.

I find listening to this series is preferable to reading. It is the excellent narration by Cynthia Darlow that captures the spirit and ambience of Southern appeal. I applaud her skill with the dialect and accent of these people.

This series is my pick when I need an audio format to entertain while I’m busy. The characters are like old friends and the story has enough drama to be interesting while remaining stress free and easy to follow. I’d recommend reading the books in sequence to get the full story arc, but they could be read as a standalone.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 3/4 was a typically funny read in the life of Miss Julia who sure wishes things were still the same as in the 50's, for the most part. A couple of chapters were laugh out loud, but the last 1/4 too messy, trying to put too much into the story. Instead of fun, it was just chaotic

[Laura Beth Vietor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always a breath of fresh air to read a Miss Julia novel. Ross keeps us rolling time and time again. The more you get to know Miss Julia the more you love her and her sass. This novel is no exception. The entire book takes place over the course of a week but don't think there isn't much going on because there is...and you will not want to put it down.

[Peggy Sinden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Julia is hilarious!!! Especially if you are Presbyterian. The comments Ann Ross make about us are all true and in the contents of her book she quotes the funniest quirks of the best of them. If you thought you couldn't possibly have one more thing go wrong, just wait and see what come next right up to the last page of the book. Getting Coleman and Binkie to the alter in one week's time came off right down to the birdseed feeding the pigeons after the wedding. You got to read it to believe it.

[C.J. Prince · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this and miss "Miss Julia" already. These books can only make me smile or laugh out loud. This plot is well woven with unexpected turns and always the reliable Miss Julia with her moral front and heart of gold.

[Renee Wallace · Rating 1 out of 5]

UPDATE: I no longer read this series, or this author. Once she inserted into her books that FOX news is reliable, and it became obvious she was MAGA, I walked way. Good Riddance.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

From the cover description I thought it would be a fun read. Miss Julia is a pompous ass, annoying and snobby. The fact that she is supposed to be representative of "southern" manners makes me never want to be in the south. I'm glad I got it at the thrift store as I would have been angry to pay for such tripe. Obviously I didn't finish reading it. I could only stand so much.

[Amber Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give this book a negative rating, I would. If you ever want to read about nosy, arrogant, judgmental, small minded bigots who think their religion, views, and concerns are above everyone else-then you may enjoy this book. I can't even believe that anyone would think this book enjoyable. The main character is everything I hate in a character. She brought upon herself a wedding, then was exasperated because of it. She then forced the two to marry when one got cold feet because she felt her views were above the couple!! The weepy, red eyed crying fool friend was exhausting as well. Add in a bunch of annoyingly named characters...Binky, Hazel Marie, Emma Sue, Little Lloyd, etc. This whole book just was awful. For someone who looks down her nose at others not living like they should, I find it absolutely absurd that she rooms with her ex husbands fling! With whom he had a son! I threw it in the trash when I completed it because I didn't want to subject anyone else to reading it. If anyone wonders where religion gets a bad name, its people with views like this. Awful, awful, awful!!!!

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Julia is feeling a little wistful when Hazel Marie, once her late husband's paramour and now her best friend, prepares to move out and live in sin with that marriage-shy Mr. Pickens. Suddenly, to Miss Julia's delight, a wedding is in the offing: Handsome Deputy Coleman Bates and attorney Binkie Enloe announce their plans to run down to the courthouse and tie the knot. But Miss Julia insists they have a real wedding ceremony and vows to make it happen. When a missing preacher, a crowd of uninvited guests, and a queasy bride threaten the happy event, Miss Julia is there to restore order, confirming her undying motto: if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself! Third in the Miss Julia series.

[Cindy Rush · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first Miss Julia book, but she's beginning to wear me out a little. Still funny in spots and plenty of Southern bits that I can totally identify with, but I think I need to have more time between readings of this series.

Cindy


Shade Tree Writings

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you'd enjoy reading a to-do list stretched into a novel, this is for you.

I found it boring and aggravating, repetitive and uninteresting. It pains me to say that about a Miss Julia book since I've liked others in the series. I enjoy her character, though I'm thankful I'm at a distance.


SPOILER:

What really irritated me is that although things are being stolen and a known thief has escaped from jail and is being hunted, Miss Julia never seems to think of him as the culprit, though Lloyd is bright enough to make the connection. (I'm pretty sure Little Lloyd is a 40-year-old man in disguise.)

[Anne Galamb]

This book is lots of fun!

[Kelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great escape book with plenty of LOL moments.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. She reminded me of my Grandma in a lot of ways. I didn't realize this was the 3rd one on a series so I will need to grab the first two when I go to the library next week.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had less of a mystery than the prior two Miss Julia books, but it still made me laugh in more than one location. This time around, the theme was more romance than mystery.

Miss Julia, a curmudgeon, had such insanely judgmental attitudes on everything, that it's not worth making a case arguing for or against the frustration of the moment. She just dismissed whatever she didn't like without thinking rationally about it, and whichever side she took on an issue, she did not particularly help the cause with her weak rationale, coupled with her off-putting, forceful attitude. She was not worth emulating, but she was funny. Just don't take any of her diatribes seriously. Or personally, either, since she doesn't seem to like much of anything.

Some of this was political - ugh! - but not so political as to acidly take the humor away. I'm discovering that I don't much like politics in fiction because they don't tend to do justice to any side, but just have straw characters for both. Perhaps that's the way some people really think of politics, which is a scary thought. I enjoyed the book, but not quite as much as the prior two. Part of that was because of the lack of a mystery, and the other part was the politics. I did find the laughter worthwhile.

I liked the quote, "Believe me, the afterglow of doing a good deed doesn't last very long when troubles loom all around you." I found that interesting because the last book I read, Jan Fields' "Law and Old Order," had a character who found peace in baking, but realized that the peace popped suddenly like a bubble. When we base our feelings of peace on some external situation like that, it doesn't last. We need something more Powerful and less temporary to base our feelings of peace around.

Now, in this book, Miss Julia found that the feel-good part of doing a good deed was not lasting as well. Doing a kindness for another can truly leave us with good feelings, but likewise, we should base our feelings of peace on something sturdier. We should help others in order to help others, not just in order to feel good about it. If we help others in order to get a mood-boost, it may very well work for a time - and certainly a lifetime of doing kindnesses is very worthwhile, good, and beautiful - but we need to seek our deeper purposes and peace in God. We need something more than just doing good. Miss Julia felt a lifetime of achy emptiness in trying to do and to be good, both in her church and elsewhere, during her marriage. It's sad to me that it only brought her such emptiness, and very astute of her to notice it.

We attended a church once where volunteering and doing good were considered the end-all, be-all solution to every problem, without any relationship with God, without any touch of the divine. That too, is a very sad thing, and it completely misses the point.

The prayer chain: the potential for gossip and/or misunderstanding is why I prefer an email version or a meeting rather than a phone tree version. That way we don't have to prove all over again, the grownup version of the children's game "telephone," that what people think they hear is often not what's been said. The email prayer list goes out to everyone at once and doesn't go through alterations at each stage. Also, whoever heads the prayer team and receives the requests can edit them to leave out names or identifying features if the requests are personal.

Plus, we do not have to know details in order to pray. In a prayer group, I never want people to feel pressured into giving details, and so I don't usually ask for any, and I try to verify the request with the individual requesting prayer before I include it to make sure I've got it right. I also specifically ask if the request is just for me to pray or whether it's for the group as a whole to pray. There are ways of doing prayer group well that circumvent most of these problems.

A second way of doing it I've known, but not participated in, involved a group that met together to read and pray over the prayer requests put in the offering plate at church. Since they're read together, rather than repeated from one person to another along a chain, the requests are less likely to get mutated versions, either. And the writers can be as anonymous as they want to be.

I have an aunt who is terrified of prayer groups for that very misinformation. She cringes to think that one group was praying for her for a brain tumor she never had (or anything else remotely similar.) As for me, I'd probably just laugh and correct them, but that sort of thing drives some people more into isolation.

I have to say, though, that I have had two different leaders, different situations, completely misinterpret my prayer requests. I think that I don't tend to ask for the things that people typically ask for. And people assume I'm afraid when I'm not. So, people just sort of half-listen and think they know what I'm talking about, but they don't.

People misunderstanding is true of me not just for prayer requests, but also ordinary trips to the grocery store or a dept store, or making a phone call to a company. I've learned to start these conversations with the phrase, "I have a strange question," or "I have a complicated question," so that the listener will actually pay attention to what I'm saying instead of answering with something mostly unrelated. I also have to list the things I've already tried (if it's tech support), because most of the time, they don't know how to go off-script and they need to get someone with deeper training.

At one point, one prayer group put out a list with the exact opposite of what I'd requested prayer for! I told my youngest child that I felt "they were praying against me," rather than the request that I'd given. My child wisely said, "That's not the way prayer works, mom. God knows the real situation." And so He does. It's good to be reminded.

It's funny to me that Miss Julia worried whether someone would think she was an "apostate" (or someone who formerly called themselves a Christian now renouncing Christianity) because she resigned from the poorly-done prayer chain. Sometimes people trying to do the right thing are misunderstood, because people in general don't tend to think clearly of the implications of various systems. I think better communication could've solved Miss Julia's dilemma, but she was in so much of a hurry with other issues that they never talked through that situation much.

I suspect she didn't really want to have a heart-to-heart, either, because she didn't want to address Emma Sue's way of trying to push her into deeper spiritual maturity she wasn't ready for or even interested in. There is a fine line between encouraging someone to do the right thing and pushing them into it, which, in the long run, only creates bitterness and resentment. I remember that was one of the issues discussed in the book, David Johnson's "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse." God Himself gave Adam and Eve a choice in Eden rather than forcing them to choose to obey. And in Revelation 22:11, it says, "Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy," despite all the warnings and blessings of the book. So a big part of our spiritual life and growth is of our own choosing, not being coerced to do something.

I realize that Miss Julia was cranky and at odds with Emma Sue in general (and practically everyone else), but I didn't think she needed to devalue Emma Sue's act of kindness in bringing them a meal. I've had people bring me a meal during a difficult time and it meant an enormous deal to me. I wouldn't want to discourage someone from that kind of ministry.

The image of Mary, Jesus' mother on the All-Purpose Building: Sigh. I don't really want to comment on that, and so I won't, except to say that both viewpoints on it were taken to absurd extremes, probably in keeping with the rest of this book: SPOILER ... those who were horrified with its heresy, and the one pastor who risked life and limb to remove it instead of performing the wedding he'd agreed to, as well as those who venerated it and make pilgrimages to it.

There is the same complaint as with the last two books, that the pastors in this book were not worth very much, as they each had their very plain faults. But, I'll make the same comment that I did last time. Miss Julia herself is a Christian trying to do the right thing, even if she isn't much of a rule-follower. I'll also add to that the comment that Miss Julia finds fault with everyone, not just the pastors. On this topic, I liked Miss Julia's quote from the first book: "The church might abandon me, but it was my church and I'd not abandon it."

In this book, we finally get to see a positive example of a pastor towards the very end.

I also understood the reviewer who said, "And she certainly goes to a different Presbyterian church than I do!" I might've been more negative about the book myself if I'd happened to attend a Presbyterian church, but hopefully nobody's church, Presbyterian or otherwise, is like Miss Julia's.

Favorite quotes:

"When you get to be a certain age, there're areas of the body that cry out to be covered..."

"Can't you just see us, sneaking up on parked cars and slapping on bumper stickers?"

[Lora Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Miss Julia Throws a Wedding, feisty widow Miss Julia sets out to do just that. Miss Julia’s sometime boarder, Deputy Coleman Bates, and her attorney, Elizabeth (Binkie) Enloe decide rather suddenly to get married. They want to have it done in a week, supposedly because of their busy schedules, and Miss Julia is the only person who can pull together a proper wedding on such short notice.

Not that there aren’t obstacles galore. For one thing, Pastor Ledbetter of the Presbyterian Church across the street from Miss Julia who has been such a thorn in her side for the past two books, is on a trip to the Holy Land with a group of members of the church. This would seem to be a good thing. But he has left a young associate pastor, Pastor Petree, in charge in his absence. Pastor Petree proves to be even more trouble than Pastor Ledbetter.

Another factor – more annoyance than actual obstacle in this case, is the Pastor Ledbetter’s wife, Emma Sue who was left behind for the trip to the holy land. Emma Sue is in charge of the church’s prayer chain, and she feels, not without reason (because Miss Julia, a longtime supporter of the prayer chain, has become dissatisfied with it since taking on her late husband’s mistress and their son) that Miss Julia has become lax in her support of the prayer chain.

While she is setting up a place for the wedding, caterers, decorations, music, a preacher (the associate pastor proves to be eminently unsuitable), invitations, and all the hundred other little details that make up a wedding – I was surprised at how dedicated to her task Miss Julia was – Miss Julia also has to contend with an escaped criminal, a miracle on the side of the barely built Family Life Center at the church across the street, and a sudden attack of cold feet on the part of the engaged coupled. That the wedding not only comes off after all but is exactly the nicest kind of wedding for Binkie and Coleman is a testament to not only Miss Julia’s determination but also the help of her cook Lillian, Binkie’s former boss and Miss Julia’s friend, Sam Murdoch, Hazel Marie Puckett (the late Wesley Lloyd’s former mistress), and dozens of other people.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third Miss Julia book. While not great literature, this series of books is filled with wonderful characters I care about. Taking place in my home state and presenting a more realistic view of the South than a lot of books I read, I find the Miss Julia books refreshing in that respect. So often novels about the South have that Paula Deen style of sickeningly sweet and totally false presentation of Southern living that no one from the South can relate to. In fact, I find these kinds of gross portrayals extremely offensive. Ms. Ross, while sometimes exaggerating in order to grab a laugh at least bases her characters and attitudes in some ground of reality.

Miss Julia Throws a Wedding starts out slow and predictable. But, as the story goes along, it's like a snowball rolling down a hill. It picks up momentum and increases in volume. We're not talking William Faulkner writing here. The story is a gentle and somewhat predictable one. What is the saving grace is Ms. Ross' assured writing. She has created a little place in the world where these characters live and I, for one, love to go there and visit for a spell.

I recommend this book to those people who like their reads gentle, funny without being mean-spirited and, yet, still having something to say about the ways in which we surround ourselves with ideas and perceptions that prevent us from getting a clear view of the world around us.

[Jade Lazaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just got to say Emma Sue is hysterically and most irritatingly outrageous in this book that I love and hate her character. There was a point in the book when she first sees the Virgin Mary appear on her presbyterian church she is horrified and wants to call the prayer chain in the midst of a wedding where there is all this chaos and mayhem"we must pray about this" were her exact words. I must say that wedding has to be a wedding like no other. Good old Dixon Hightower throwing birdseed and causing a spectacle with every policeman and deputy chasing after him just added to this circus of this union. I wish I was a part of the wedding that day because it sounds like a wild dog party. With each book the author somehow manages to surprise me with dilemmas I wouldn't expect in a small and conservative town. For example: Leonard's inability to "please his wife in the marital bed"if you understand my meaning was absolutely scandalous and shocked ms.julia out of her lights. 🤭 I am officially addicted to this series now and can't wait to continue! Small town drama and big opinions make for heaps of drama and I am all for it😎

[Cameron Toney · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I picked this up at a book rummage sale, as I'd heard of this series, and I'm willing to give most things a try. I have not read the first two in this series, but the book does a good job of setting up all the players and the things you need to know, so I didn't feel lost.
I am of several minds about this book. On one hand, it does have its funny parts. Miss Julia is an interesting character. She is so caught up in her own opinions and correctness that she sometimes runs roughshod over, well, everything really. Sometimes this reads as funny and a bit charming. Other times it is very frustrating, and she can seem small minded and contrarian. She does grow, which is a very good thing, but I still felt uncomfortable with her behavior in places.
I'm willing to give this series another shot, and see what else Miss Julia gets up to.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miss Julia is a southern lady who is extremely proper. She continues to find herself in situations where her limits are tested.

A fun, light, fast read. Good for temporarily keeping one's mind off of other things.

As with any wedding, there is a bit of stress. Including the self induced stress of the "wedding planner".

[VickiLee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title says it all. Miss Julia, an older, rather repressed and yet good hearted woman, plans a wedding for a young couple in one week. There is an understated mystery about an escaped robber who steals the oddest things. Definitely has the small town feel, the importance of the local church and the desire to avoid gossip about oneself even while one is contributing to it!

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was informed that this was the funniest book of the series, and I did enjoy the way things played out. Miss Julia is quite a character, and the people that surround her in her world add spice and interest. Little Lloyd is probably my favorite.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Miss Julia book, as I have all of them so far. But…this one seemed to go on & on a bit. I was getting a little weary of all the antics & just wanted to get on with it. Still - fun & a few laughs.

[Patricia O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always confused and or have mixed emotions and Miss Julia. Shes pompous and always trying to force others to do things, yet gets mad if others do the same to her.

Julia is always minding other people's business and gets mad if hers get minded.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a delight

All of Ann B. Ross's miss Julia books are thoroughly entertaining, and I've read all of them many times. I have some favorites, but don't we all? Editing is top shelf, as well. Ready for the next one, now!

[Lauren Steinke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!! Miss Julia is such a fun character! It feels like the adult version of Amelia Bedelia with some crazy plots lol. I love all of the characters they are so well written! I’m so excited for the series and for Miss Julia and Sam to finally get together

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. Laugh out loud hilarious.

[Lacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but it was just so boring. The climax was so gentle I barely realized it had happened.