The Wedding War

As I’ve mentioned in other reviews of Liz Talley’s novels, she has a gift for creating flawed, fascinating, and memorable characters. The two main characters here are Melanie and Tennyson, who grew up as best friends and later became enemies after Tennyson trashed Melanie’s wedding by publically revealing a family secret. It is now two decades after Melanie’s wedding to Tennyson’s ex-boyfriend, Kit, and Melanie’s daughter and Tennyson’s son Andrew are engaged. This engagement forces Melanie and Tennyson together, despite the obvious antipathy between the two women.As Melanie struggles with her floundering marriage and dissatisfaction with her life, Tennyson likewise struggles with her own identity, and facing up to the havoc she wrecked upon Melanie’s family. Given the extent and consequences of Tennyson’s betrayal, I probably could not forgive Tennyson. However, I understand Melanie’s recognition that her life is better with Tennyson in her life, and Melanie’s subsequent need for forgiveness and moving on.Some reviews complained about the unlikability of Melanie and Tennyson. Whether or not characters are likable is not important to me. What is important to me is whether or not I can engage with the characters, and Liz Talley excels in creating the clashing characters of Melanie and Tennyson. This point was driven home to me as I was reading the scene where Melanie, her daughter Emma, and Tennyson go to Dallas to pick out Emma’s wedding dress. I don‘t really care about the details of wedding dresses, nor do I know anything about designers, but I realized I enjoyed this scene because I cared about these two characters and their interaction.Finally, some reviews slammed the book for not being a romance nor a romantic comedy. This book, while humorous in places, is not a romance nor a romantic comedy. (Note there is a romantic element between Tennyson and a younger cop) Unfortunately, some sites (NetGalley, Goodreads, and BookBub) identified The Wedding War as a romance, and even a romantic comedy. Given that characterization, I understand the reviewers’ dislike of the book. However, as a women’s fiction book (which the book clearly is), this novel is excellent. For fans of women’s fiction, or fiction in general, I heartily recommend The Wedding War.I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing the book.

Wedding Wars is a showcase for Liz Talley's distinctive southern voice. Set in her hometown, the story is about two women with a loaded history. When their children fall in love and decide to marry, the sparks become full blown fireworks, no lie. While Melanie has lived in the same town among the same people and the same secrets, Tennyson has lived a lavish life from New York to Paris. Deep-seated resentment and jealousy continually tip the scales as they try to peacefully create the dream wedding for their children.As always, Liz's people are relatable and within pages you are rooting for or damning both women. No one dimensional characters here folks. An engaging read to take you away from the world right now. And who doesn't need that?

Overall, I enjoyed this book. A good account of "what could have been" during this calendar year. Oh, well, there's always 2021!The characters were believable and the text well-written.Good plot twists and references; I also remember that cat poster from Spencer's Gifts! :) And Kit's August 2020 wedding weekend revelation was great for the story; of course everyone expected a clean happy ending. Doesn't always work out that way though.I however was shocked and horrified upon reading the account of Tennyson's revelation at the wedding of Kit and Melanie. Wow! I figured the "Brevard Family Secret" had something to do with the summer prior to fifth grade "box discovery" and that a sexual twist existed but I would ever have guessed that! This begs the question of how many such "old secrets" have been outed since the advent of the internet. Albert's actions as a 1970s young and cash-strapped adult must have "seemed like a good idea at the time" and no one had any idea in those days that one day the internet would exist. And of course, since the mid 2000s social media has taken everything to a completed new level.I can understand why Anne consistently refused to forgive Tennyson. But her actions amid Hillary's fate are contemptible. She should have just ignored the presence of her younger daughter's former friend!I would have enjoyed the book more had there been improved continuity. For example, if the two main characters began the fifth grade in 1985 and Kit joined them as a class member during their high school sophomore year then 1997 rather than 1996 would have been the occurrence year for the Brevard-Layton wedding. The book clearly state that Kit and Melanie married "right after college." Unless both bride and groom managed to graduate early which is somewhat doubtful. Also, if Tennyson discovered she was carrying Andrew "when she got the wedding invitation" unless said son was extremely premature he would not have had the August birthstone peridot! I shall stop with these two examples. Strict continuity is important to fiction!Also what of the reference to Melanie's "sitting with the unpopular kids at lunch?" It would have been interesting to see what happened to some of them and if Melanie's kind action had any effect on their adults lives! Of course one is present at this very moment composing this review! Not that I was ever an unpopular school kid during 1985-1993. :) I'm sure all the readers catch my drift. I have a "terrible memory!" I never forget anything. Forty years from now I may not be able to recall that day's breakfast menu but I will remember my childhood and adolescent days : who was kind, who was blind, and who was unspeakable.I also believe the author could have spent a few pages exploring the Kit-Melanie relationship evolution. How exactly did they become a committed couple following Kit and Tennyson's preliminary breakup (high school graduation) and then final breakup (the following holiday season/January)?I enjoyed the book. Like several others my reading has increased as the result of the pandemic. I would seriously consider downloading another of Liz Talley's novels!

The look inside feature is deceptive, written to make a reader think this is a humorous book. I bought it, started reading and it went down from there. I did not like any of the characters. The mothers were both self absorbed and ridiculous. The bridal pair selfish. What kind of daughter expects her parents to pay for her college education, her further training as a doctor, and by the way telling them she has booked her wedding date and her parents will also pay for that? Her groom isn’t much better. There is no humour in this book. Cringing, contrived situations, that were supposed to be funny, characters changing personality every few pages. I could go on, but that would be giving this litter tray book more attention than it deserves. Dreadful.

What happens when two best friends lose each other, because of a man, and then, many years later, get thrown together to plan a wedding... for their children?This is exactly what happens to Tennyson and Melanie.Both from two very different backgrounds, but at the same school, they form a firm friendship, promising to be there for each other, forever.Then life happens, and love happens, and men, or rather, man, happens.This story was written cleverly, interweaving the story from the past in with the present day, when two almost sworn enemies have to face each other with smiles, when their children fall in love.Enjoyable read.

Being British, I'm sure there were a lot of in-jokes I didn't quite understand. Also, I have no idea about fashion designers etc. With this in mind, and after one of the main characters basically sexually harasses someone, I was ready to give up on this book fairly soon.However, I am so glad I didn't. Yes, the characters are vacuous and self-centred but that's kind of the point. There was actually a far amount of heart in this book and a few reveals worth hanging on for - totally recommended for a casual, escapist summer read.

Lots of fun character's in his book and a very sensitive approach to forgiveness, love and friendship.Would make a great film!

Didn't understand first few chapters then it got good so gave it good read too many words to didn't know anymore