Sister of the Bride

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Pub Date 12 Sep 2023 | Archive Date 12 Sep 2023

Description

A romcom retake on Father of the Bride about letting go, falling in love, and a whole lot of lasagna...

For someone who doesn’t do well with change, Pippin Marino sure is dealing with a lot of it. First her twin sister returns from Europe with a fiancé and a plea for Pippin to plan the wedding. Then her mom announces plans to sell the 100 year old family restaurant that Pippin has been running since her father died.

But at least there’s one good development in Pippin’s life. Her best friend has Toby Sullivan surprised her by moving back to Boston. Having him back is the one bright spot amidst her summer of panic, especially when he offers to help her plan the wedding.

But then one kiss changes everything.

And Pippin Marino does not do well with change.

Lauren Morrill's adult debut promises heart, heat, and plenty to eat.

A romcom retake on Father of the Bride about letting go, falling in love, and a whole lot of lasagna...

For someone who doesn’t do well with change, Pippin Marino sure is dealing with a lot of it...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9798988160007
PRICE $16.99 (USD)
PAGES 296

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB)
Send to Kindle (EPUB)
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Average rating from 237 members


Featured Reviews

Absolutely loved this book! I was so excited to be approved to read this advanced copy on NetGalley. This book was my first read by Lauren Morrill, but will not be my last. I love all the characters in this book. Pippin and Toby relationship was so sweet to watch blossom with the dad jokes and Pippin realizing her feelings. I do wish we got a little more of their romantic relationship, but I was very pleased with this book.

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All I have to say is that I was left wondering if ice cream will ever be as satisfying again!
Five stars

*I received an advanced reader copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Sister of the Bride was adorable. I related to Pippin so much, I had a sibling get married really quickly and out of the blue and a lot of the thoughts she has - though looking at it written on paper they seem kind of selfish - I thought them all. I absolutely love a friends to lovers romance and Toby is a dream book boyfriend. Their romance is so sweet and you can really feel the love between them, both platonic and romantic.

I would happily read another ten chapters of them just being happy together. I also would love to read more about Poppy and Mackenzies romance!

I loved the communication between Pip and Toby, though Pip had a lot going on and was constantly trying to hold of the reality of her feelings I really loved how open they were with each other - I loved that there were no big bad secrets that would come up later to cause drama - it was all trust which was so nice to read.

I would totally recommend this book to anyone who wants a good, sweet, spicy romance that doesn’t have a catastrophic break up in the third act this is the book for you!

Thanks to Netgalley, Yellow House Media and the author, Lauren Morrill for providing me with a e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I do really recommend picking this up when it hits shelves on September 12th!

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I really enjoyed “Sister of the Bride” from Lauren Morrill. This story is about Pippa learning to adult. She must learn to accept her sister getting married after a whirlwind courtship, feelings for her best friend Toby who suddenly becomes “hot” to her and her mother and grandmother selling Pippa’s family home and the restaurant that she manages in Boston. Pippa has so much going on that she has a hard time keeping it all together but I loved reading it. Pippa is very likeable and accepting of others and is a bit of a control freak. Honestly, she seems like someone I would have as a good friend. Absolutely loved the book and look forward to another story from Morrill.

A big “Thank You” to NetGalley and Lauren Morrill for providing me with an advance copy in return for an independent, honest review.

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An incredibly sweet, tension-filled romance. I love a good friends-to-lovers story and this is up there with my favorites. I adored both Pippin and Toby - they were both really well-developed and fun to get to know. I loved all the supporting characters too, especially Dr. Nora's wisdom.

There were a few points that felt repetitive, but may be helpful for anyone who reads this book more slowly. I went in prepared to hate the dad joke texts, but ended up appreciating them once the reasoning for them was given - it only added to their sweet friendship.

I hope that Lauren writes more adult romance because this was a great read and my new favorite book of hers.

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My goodness is this a adorable book filled with tension and good dad jokes( even if Pip would disagree I LAUGHED at EVERY SINGLE ONE)
It had me worried about whether they would ahem ahem but I will let you find out for yourself.
3 starts for all the cutnes and friends to lovers extravaganza of this book!

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Pippin and Toby - oldest and best friends. This is a delightful and easy read as these two move from friends to lovers to the backdrop of changes in Pippin's life. It's funny and charming. Pippin is smart and relatable and committed to her family heritage and business. There's lots of food, and laughs and shenanigans around Pippin organising her sister's wedding. I loved it! It would have been good to find out a bit more about Toby but he was so sweet on Pippin, and they had great chemistry - a perfect mix of swoon and steam - and Toby was a bit bossier than I expected ;)
I thoroughly recommend this sweet read!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

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This romcom retake on Father of the Bride brings a fresh and humorous perspective on dealing with change, falling in love, and family dynamics. Pippin Marino is a relatable protagonist who struggles with letting go of the past, but finds comfort in her best friend Toby's return to Boston. As Pippin navigates through planning her twin sister's wedding and dealing with the potential sale of the family restaurant, she finds herself in a surprising situation when her friendship with Toby takes a romantic turn.

The author's witty writing style and hilarious mishaps add a lighthearted touch to the story, making it an enjoyable and engaging read. The lasagna references throughout the book provide a delicious and humorous tie-in to the Marino family's Italian heritage and the family restaurant. Overall, this romcom is a delightful read that will leave readers rooting for Pippin to embrace change and find her happily ever after.

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Sister of the Bride is a great rom com homage to Father of the Bride, down to the whole “falling in the water at the in-laws” bit. It definitely had its own spin and style, but lovers of the movie will for sure like this. Toby was a great love interest character and Pippin was incredibly relatable. I was distracted a bit by their terrible names (Pippin and Polly) but I got over it as I dived deeper into the story. I will definitely read more by this author. Thank you to net galley and the publisher for this e-arc.

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Morrill does an excellent job of capturing the chaos and excitement of wedding planning, while also delving into the complexities of family dynamics and the fear of change. Pippin is a relatable protagonist, and her struggles to adapt to the changes in her life will resonate with readers. The romance between Pippin and Toby is sweet and satisfying, and their banter will make readers smile.

Overall, Sister of the Bride is a delightful summer read that fans of Father of the Bride will thoroughly enjoy. Morrill's writing is engaging, the characters are likable, and the story is both heartwarming and humorous.

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My first ever advanced reading copy, and I was so happy have been reading this book!
I loved this book! Especially the last 30% I've just sped through it, I've read that in 1 day (and I am not a fast reader at all, so this definitley says something about how much I love the book)

Pippin's life is troubled. There is so much going on, it feels like her life is falling apart. With her twin sister Polly who suddenly, out of the blue has plans to get married and move out. Her mother wants to sell her home and the restaurant that has been in the family for over 100 years and has been Pippin's home and base,
But then Toby Sullivan, her long-time best friend, moves back home. How come she suddenly thinks he is so hot??

I really love the strong friendship and the banter between Pippin and Toby- Oh, the dad jokes, i actually loved them. How they were building up to that kiss, and from there on, how for Pippin it all seems to be tumbling down, or was it?
The spice building up between them was great!

Oh, I would have loved to read more about the wedding andI also wish to have a little more of a side-story about Nonna and mom, and how they continued. They story could have been longer for my liking, I would love to read more about the Marino's, and the other side-characters.
But these are minor things that are of little consequence, they could have made a good story great!
Its a solid 4.5stars.

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First, it is noteworthy that I had a book hangover for days after finishing the epilogue. I absolutely loved this book!

An absolute must-read for fans of:
📱 Dad jokes
🇮🇹 Lasagna
🍦 Love scenes instigated by ice cream
😘 Sweet talking heroes
🙌 ‘It’s always been you.’

Pippin is having a quarter-life crisis. Her family has decided to sell the restaurant that she‘s been pouring herself into since her dad’s death. The building also happens to be the home she’s lived in since birth. And her sister has returned from Europe engaged to a stranger that Pippin just can’t get a read on.

Enter best friend Toby who is also back in town after an 8 year stint studying in California. The perfect balance to Pippin’s energy—he is such a swoony hero!

The honesty in this friends to lovers story made my heart so happy, and bonus points for no third act break-up.

Cannot recommend this one enough for a laugh out loud book that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Do NOT read this book without snacks… you’ll be starving. And if you happen to have been obsessed with the 1991 Steve Martin movie Father of the Bride, you will die over all the fun call-backs!

This book releases in September! Thanks to @netgalley and @laurenmorrill for the arc. All opinions are mine.

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This book surprised me. I honestly didn’t think I was going to like it as much as I did. Friends to Lovers is not my favorite trope but Lauren Morrill sold it for me.

Pippin’s life is one upheaval over another. She can’t think straight. The only thing constant in her life is her friend Toby so starting to think he’s attractive in his scrubs is not helping matters. But Pippin can’t help herself.

This book was very comforting to me. I can tell within a chapter or two if I am gonna like a book. I was instantly hooked on it and finished it in 24 hours.

It’s an easy read, but it still has a lot of heart in it.

Thank you NetGalley and Lauren Morrill for the ARC.

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Well...this was super cute!
I'm in love with this book 🥰
This is the perfect romance novel to devour in one sitting (which I did) 😄 If you love the movie Father of the Bride as much as I do, then you'll love this book!
It's funny, filled with sweet moments and the friends to lovers trope is just perfect! ❤

Pip and Toby were super cute, their friendship was sweet and fun and extremely adorable.
The best part?: He sends her bad dad jokes every day! I mean come on! How can you not fall for this man? 😅

Easy 5/5 ⭐ read if you ask me!

I'm so grateful that I got the chance to read the ARC before the book comes out in September.

I posted my review on Goodreads too.

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Absolutely adored this book! I was already a fan of Lauren Morrill's YA novels, but this one certainly did not disappoint. The setting and the characters were captivating and the story between Pippin and Toby was worth the read!

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I have the distinct pleasure of knowing Lauren in real life but if I didn't already know her, I'd want to be her best friend after reading this book. The way she writes dialogue and her characters' thoughts is seriously next level. Some choice words I highlighted were "stretchitude", "Kool-Aid man my way through it", and "unfgh". My kindle is literally FULL of highlights from this book. And the dad jokes... oh the DAD JOKES.

You want a wedding book? You want a friends to lovers romance? You want a book that will make you crave bolognese and cannoli? This is IT. But more than that, you'll be bursting at the seams for Pippin and Toby to *fiiiiiiinally* get together. It's sizzling with sexual tension throughout that left me screaming "JUST KISS ALREADY!" while my partner was sleeping next to me. But they're playing the long game and it's what's necessary to get these characters to risk a long-term friendship. (But when it fucks, it fuuuuucks).

There's no way that this book won't get snatched up by a Big 5 publisher in the next few years. I want to eat at Marino's, go to therapy with Dr Nora, and finally force Mackenzie to watch When Harry Met Sally. Be ready for this book to become your personality.

*Thank you to Lauren Morrill and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

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Friends to lovers and slow burn are two of my favorite tropes, and I really felt the slow burn here. Pippin and Toby were sweet and funny, but I missed a little angst and tension. Toby was my kind of man – attentive, golden retriever, he falls first, and his dad jokes and dirty talk hit the spot. Pippin was sweet, and I found her relatable.
But overall, this was a great read and I enjoyed it very much. It was lighthearted, and I liked the writing style, the author’s sense of humor, and the cover is just beautiful.

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I’ve been a huge fan of Lauren Morrill since I read (and re-read) her debut YA book Meant to Be, so to say that I was super excited for her adult debut is an understatement. Luckily, Sister of the Bride totally lived up to the hype I’d created in my own head.

Pippin Marino doesn’t do well with change, and the book follows her as she deals with her twin sister’s sudden engagement, planning the wedding, her suddenly insanely hot best friend Toby moving back to town, and her mom dropping a bomb about the family business. Her semi-constant state of panic is all too relatable, considering all that change, and I loved going along with her for the ride as she tried to deal with everything.

Pippin’s family is hilarious and realistic and loving. Tbh, all the characters jump off the page here and will make you love them. Morrill’s hilarious and heartwarming approach to creating characters and crafting the central romance hasn’t changed from YA to adult romance, except that the romance itself is spicier.

My main complaint about the book isn’t even a complaint at all – there were so many moments I wanted to read into the pages of this book and shake Pippin by the shoulders because Toby is RIGHT THERE. Toby Sullivan is the best kind of friends to lovers book boyfriend – he’s so supportive of Pippin, knows her so well, and when he starts to turn the flirting up to eleven, he knows exactly how to get under her skin. They’re some kind of magic together, and the reader will discover that long before Pippin comes to terms with it.

Sister of the Bride is a touching, funny, sexy first foray into adult romance, and I cannot recommend it enough!

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