Cover Image: Four Bridesmaids and a White Wedding

Four Bridesmaids and a White Wedding

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Member Reviews

Such a great book. Really had me gripped and made me laugh. Really enjoyed the characters and very uplifting.

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A feel good romance novel starring four best friends and a future sister-in-law. JoJo, the perfectionist has planned the ultimate pamper package for her best friend's hen party. It should be full of relaxation, drinks and lots of good fun. Until, that is, she realises that she has booked the health and rejuvenation bootcamp package and the hens are going to be put through their paces!

This is a fun holiday read with plenty of giggles and lots to smile about. The hens are prevented from drinking alcohol and basically doing anything you normally would be doing at a hen party. It's a heartwarming story covering difficult subjects in a sensitive and fun manner e.g. single parenting, affairs, unexpected pregnancy etc. However, Collins ensures that the story remains lighthearted and fun.

The five girls are completely different and despite going to Uni together, they are now experiencing completely different walks of life. The girls (somewhat unlikely) friendship makes this enjoyable and humorous to read. There are bags full of personality and lots of character development too.

A lovely lighthearted read, perfect for taking on holiday.

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I started this ages ago and then got distracted so it took me forever to get through this.

Look, in the vein of Bridesmaid and Girls Night out, we have women getting together for a hen party at an older age than these normally come about. HILARITY ENSUES. That's really all you need to know. Read it, laugh and love yourself.

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Fun light read! Easy to get into and had a good pace! Great getaway book!

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A feel good read. The characters are well balanced and we hear about each of them as individuals so you invest in each separately as well as a group of friends. I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did as from the description I thought it would be more about the hen weekend activities, however these were not overdone in the book and Fiona Collins kept the storyline about the characters which was good. I wouldn't class the book as a 'laugh out loud romantic comedy of the year' as I think the humour was more subtle than that. I would class it as an 'easy read summer romance' instead.

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What a hoot! Wendy’s getting married, and the bridesmaids do some early celebrating on a spa weekend. Except the spa part falls through and they’d never guess what was in store for them instead.
Collins successfully writes this romcom with a true ensemble cast. Each woman reminded me of someone I know in real life, so reading this book became something of a movie in my head with my friends as the actors. I won’t name names here, but if you read it you might recognize yourself. (For the record, I’m either Tasmin or JoJo.)

Four Bridesmaids is lighthearted for sure, but does take a somewhat serious look at the sacredness of relationships and our responsibilities in maintaining them. Collins also illustrates the strong bonds of female friendship. Sometimes all it takes is knowing you’ve found a kindred spirit to shine the light of truth on your life, and give you a happy nudge forward.

https://randombookmuses.com/2017/05/27/review-four-bridesmaids-and-a-white-wedding-by-fiona-collins/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2011659058

NetGalley provided an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Thanks Netgalley and Publisher. Loved Loved Loved this book

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Wendy is getting married to a posh bloke called Frederick and it’s time for her hens weekend with her bridesmaids. JoJo, a bridal shop owner, has chosen a swanky hotel for the occasion but trouble is she’s messed up the booking. Instead of the luxurious pamper package they are expecting, the bridal party are instead facing an assault course and an alcohol ban. Nevertheless, Rose is looking forward to a weekend catching up with her friends since her marriage to her work-away husband is at breaking point. Publican Sal can’t wait to tell the girls about her fling with her hot chef, Niall. Meanwhile Wendy is worried that the groom’s sister, Tamsin, won’t approve of her.
This is a fun, light read, with the story flowing well with each chapter told from a different friend's perspective. As the women make the most out of the changed plans, there’s a blast from the past, plenty of flirting and pink sports knickers. 6/10

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Hooked in the first chapter! Such a funny (and disturbingly accurate) picture of teenage girls. I kept nodding and thinking 'yes, mine does that!'

I do so love this lady's writing style, it's so upbeat, so English, so funny. I smiled all the way through this (though not at the more sombre bits, obviously) and some scenes had me in stitches. I finished it with a big grin on my face and a happy heart.
What more can you ask of a chick lit?

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Don't you just love having an author that you have followed from the beginning? One that you have read all of their books and so get to sit with giddy anticipation for their next one? Fiona Collins is one of those authors for me. I knew when I first read "A Year of Being Single" that I was going to have to keep up to date with her stories and I was right. Next came "Cloudy with a chance of Love" and now we have the wonderful book that is "Four Bridesmaids and a White Wedding."
In this story we meet friends, Sal, Rose, Wendy and JoJo. They all lead their own lives, all have their own unique personalities and all have their own problems, but they have been best friends since their school days. They might not get chance to catch up as often as they used to but they keep in touch on the phone and are always there for special occasions. So with Wendy's hen weekend coming up, they all cannot wait for a girly few days of wine, being pampered, catching up with each other and getting away from their busy day to day lives. They were not looking for a weekend filled with P.E knickers, obstacle courses and NO alcohol...yes, NO alcohol!! Can this group of friends make the most of a pretty dreary situation? Can they get through it together? Will they learn new things about themselves and each other in the process? There is only one way you can find out!

I may have mentioned before that I love that Fiona Collins writes about women in their thirties - forties, but I'm going to say it again because I really, really do love this element to her books. I enjoy reading about women who have life experience, who aren't naive to the world and what's going on around them. It's refreshing to read about real people, with real life issues, who know how to adult because they are strong women. In the case of "Four Bridesmaids and a White Wedding" we have four very strong women indeed. It's really difficult for me to pick a favourite because each of these lovely ladies had something special about them. I was hooked on all of their stories and was eager to see how life would work out for each of them.

Sal was cool, sarcastic and funny. She tried not to show her emotions but it was lovely when she did. Rose was sweet and innocent but also wanted to let her hair down and have fun. She had so much inner confidence, that each time she let a little out, it made me smile. Wendy was fun, colourful and a little innocent like Rose. She was still learning to be herself and not to feel insecure. Her happy ending couldn't have been more perfect. JoJo was independent, hardworking and organised. Seeing her let go a bit and not have to be so in control of everything was eyeopening and inspiring. As you can tell, each women had something to admire and also to learn from, which again makes it difficult to pick a favourite. I loved them all and very much found myself wanting to be part of their hen weekend, pink P.E knickers and all!

'Four Bridesmaids and a White Wedding is a story about love, life, living in the moment, learning, growing and above all, friendship. It will make you want to gather your best friends for a night of wine, chatter, pampering and appreciating each others company.

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A really funny read could not stop laughing just loved it.A great book will be reading more from this author.

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This is a lovely light-hearted treat of a book. The four friends of the title have known each other since their first year at university and have seen each other through the ups and downs of each of their relationships. The bride to be is Wendy who, despite the positive vibes from her friends, has genuine doubts about whether she is really good enough for her fiance. When her ex boyfriend Steve reappears Wendy is tempted to revisit that relationship.

Her friends and her fiance's sister can see what is happening, and despite their own problems, pull together to remind Wendy what she would be giving up if she doesn't marry Frederick.

This isn't a laugh out loud novel like some others but it certainly raised a smile or two and brightened up my dull morning commute.

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5☆++  Haven't laughed this much in ages!
             Fun Romcom a real Gem

Four Bridesmaids and a white wedding, literally had me laughing nearly the whole way through.
In fact Fiona's clever writing style made me feel like I was part of the group. Which I adored!
It was fun, exciting and hugely comical.

It's a story of friendship, learning to let their hair down, learning to love themselves, closing old chapters and recreating new ones.

I just want to point out that the chapters are told via each character.
I know some readers find this off putting but it is necessary and Fiona has beautifully flowed each character story into the next.
So the reader can follow the story without confusion.
 This is because the main story is centred around the four best friends.

The story starts with four best friends: Wendy, jojo, Rose and Sal.
Each of the women are very different.

-Jojo is a business women who own a wedding dress shop. She is a single Mum.
-Rose is a Mum and Wife, she is not happy in her relationship.
-Sal owns her own pub and is currently having mad lustful sex with her head chef.
-Wendy is about to be marrying Frederick.
-Then there is Tamsin... Frederick's sister.
Who Wendy is meeting for the first time. She too is a business women.

So Jojo decides to throw Wendy the best Hen weekend, full of bubbly and pampering.
Well so she thinks!!!

All four friends set off to the retreat armed with, penis bobbers, handcuffs and L plates.
All the makings of a fantastic Hen weekend.

Ok.... So here is where the fun really begins!!

The girls arrive at the retreat excited and eager to start the pampering weekend.....
Hmmm.... I'm sorry says the receptionist.... but you are not booked in for the pampering.... we have you booked in for the "Health Retreat Package".....

Oh my gosh!!! What has Jojo done. She must of clicked the wrong box!!!

No pampering.... no luxurious bathrobes and scrumptious food!!

Nope it will consist of, no alcohol, healthy food and a whole lot of exercise, body and mind workouts!!

Oh... and did I mention the scary, tight fitting shorts they had to wear to promote the retreat!! Lol

The girls are devastated, but are not going to let this stop them having the best Hen weekend ever!

From the moment the girls check in there is so many laugh out loud moments, adventures, new experiences, blasts from the past, cheeky banter & a little bit of cheeky flirtation.

I don't want to say any more about the story because I URGE you to read it!

I honestly can't recommend it enough.
In fact it knocks spots of the film Bridesmaids.

I loved every single character, i even warmed to Tamsin. I would of loved to of known more about her story as she was very much like jojo all work and no play!

Fiona's style of writing was relaxed, very easy to read.

A fantastic romcom a real Gem.
What is even better was the ending. I loved being on a personal journey with each of the girls. Then following it through to find out their ending.

I also wanted to mention how fabulous the cover is. It's bright, fun and very eye catching.
It represents everything this book is.

Will there be a happy white wedding???
Well I guess you will just have to read and find out!!

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a laugh out loud Romcom, someone who loves romance, a sense of adventure and  fun.

A perfect amount of Romance and comedy the perfect Romcom Mix!

I can't recommend this book enough!
It oozes so much fun!

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Looking for some light relief in a fantastic funny romance, then check out this brilliant example of the genre - it had me laughing out loud and amusing my husband by reading excerpts to him!

Friends since university, the now forty year olds are planning a fabulous hen party the weekend before Wendy gets married to Frederick. It is planned to be sheer indulgence, a spa stay with lots of pampering...... Or it would have been if workaholic party Booker discovers she made a mistake and accidentally booked them into a health and rejuvenation package. Forget relaxing massages, cue assault courses! Instead of spa time and delicious meals, get ready for hot yoga and alcohol free healthy eating! As the friends and Frederick's sister cope with getting to know each other, there's an additional fly in the ointment in the form of the bride-to-be's ex turning up as the venue's owner! Life has never been straightforward for these ladies, it as they each discover more about themselves and each other, is could prove to be a life changing weekend for them all!

This is a well written saga of ladies facing challenges galore in their lives and futures. It is about reevaluating life, relationships and expectations in a humorous, highly entertaining read. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters and discovering what was going on in their lives. It is a great story that I highly recommend.

I was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and chose to read and review it. This is my honest opinion after reading it.

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This was such a lovely read- really amusing in places and full of close friendships and relationships. Wendy is getting married to a lovely sounding upper class man and although she didn't want a hen party her best friends have organised a very classy stay at a luxury spa so that they can spend time together with her soon to be sister-in-law.


When they arrive and find out that Jo accidentally booked them onto a bridesmaid bootcamp experience instead of the sedate luxury break they are looking forward to- we are set for a really amusing set of events. They aren't allowed to drink alcohol and the menu is strictly limited to healthy options.

The assault course sounded horrendous- but Tamsin is of the 'jolly hockeysticks' brigade and really gets into the spirit of the occasion. The girls find that they are all bonding over the daily events and having fun despite the disappointment.

You could just imagine having been the one responsible for booking the wrong trip and seeing all of your friends with their noses pressed to the window of the luxury they are missing out on- instead of having to trample through mud in school pe knickers! It is a real romp of a read- great fun!

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4 best friends & a future sister in law + a mistake of epic proportions = a hilarious hen weekend. A fabulous light hearted read that will make you laugh out loud & fall in love with each of the characters.

I really enjoyed reading the multiple points of view & I could relate to the characters & the struggles in their daily lives.

I will definitely look for more from this author

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Gossip, giggles and gorgeous guys. What more could you ask for in a lighthearted read? This story has it all. Four friends Sal, Wendy, JoJo and Rose head off for the hen weekend from hell - they just don't know it until they arrive! Yet faced with adversity, they pull together and demonstrate the true meaning of friendship. Collins keeps us waiting right until the end to find out whether they each get their Happy Ever After. I could just imagine this novel as a chick flick, my mates and I singing along to the credits after its amazing finale. Don't miss this wedding read of the summer. An absolute must-read for the beach!

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Jojo is aghast. She's booked a hen's weekend (bachelorette party) for her friend Wendy, their two other friends from college, as well as Wendy's soon-to-be sister-in-law who none of the other ladies have ever met. Instead of a weekend of pampering, Jojo signed them all up for a boot camp run by none other than Wendy's serious boyfriend from college. The One That Got Away.
All of the women are struggling in their lives: Rose's marriage has become humdrum with three teen daughters and a husband who travels incessangly; Sal spent ten years in a bad relationship and has just started sleeping with the chef of the pub she owns and she isn't sure what to do about it; Jojo is so involved in her work that her personal life has fallen to the side; Wendy isn't sure six months is long enough to get to know the person you're marrying; and Tamsin... well, Tamsin is a little less developed than the four friends so we don't get to know her as well other than that she also seems to be a workaholic.
This was a fast and fun book. Because it was short and we got glimpses of four different women's lives, no one story was really well-developed. But if you go into it knowing that, this is an enjoyable book.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out April 28

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Rose, JoJo, Sal and Wendy have been friends for decades: meeting their freshman year at University, while the calls and visits may have slowed as they pursued their own adult lives, their connection has always been strong. Now, the colorful and boisterous bestie Wendy is due to wed in a rather whirlwind romance, and the girls are coming together for the hen weekend to end all, away at a resort for pampering, posh surroundings and a real catch up.

The only woman in the group of four we don’t hear about in her own voice is Wendy: see at university she was all in a relationship with Steven, and when he toddled off to Australia without a thought to her, she fell apart. And now, years later she’s found a posh solicitor (Frederick)who thinks her colorful and clashing clothes, loud personality and dancing on tables freedom is just what he wants. But she’s scared. And worried that she isn’t what he wants. And the girls are there to cheer her on, support her in her questions, and reassure her that she is making the right choice. Even when their own visions of happy ever after didn’t quite turn out how they expected.

From Sal who has a knack for finding a man, and ditching him as soon as she finds a fault to JoJo who spends her time creating bridal fantasies for everyone else, using the need to work and a failed relationship with her daughter’s father to keep her single, these two need some changes. Then there’s Rose with her 3 daughters, a husband who spends more time in Hong Kong then home, and even calls her “mate”, the bloom is off her rose as well. So everyone is in need of a supportive shoulder to lean on, a push in the right direction toward claiming something more, and a touch of silliness to reaffirm their own sense of selves. When you add in workaholic Tamsin, sister of Frederick is joining the party – her first EVER hen party – and while the girls are welcoming, there’s a sense that she and JoJo really need to prioritize themselves in their lives.

A PERFECT story for fans of chick-lit reads: each character has a story and issue to work through, and each moment comes to them differently: from learning to just enjoy the “health and fitness” schedule that was mistakenly booked instead of the pamper they expected, to getting giggly over a poorly led meditation session and horribly inappropriate yet required ‘uniforms’ the women grumble and giggle their way through the moments, reaffirming their own connections and banding together to keep the bride on track. Deceptively deep as the issues and concerns are real with all of them, the pure honeyed tones of humor, love and acceptance, bolstered by the desire to change and have lives more in line with their younger and idealistic selves, you can’t help but worry, smile, and laugh out loud.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

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I thought that this book was absolutely fabulous! It's a very lighthearted story and the characters in it are a lot of fun. This is my first Fiona Collins book and I throughly enjoyed it.

This book reminds me of Sex and the City actually, the characters and their personalities - all quite different from one another but get on brilliantly. If Fiona Collins' books are all like this then I shall definitely be picking up more! I found that I simply could not put it down.

The story follows bride-to-be Wendy and her hen party (JoJo, Sal, Rose and soon to be sister-in-law Tamsin) on her hen weekend. However, things don't go to plan and soon ex's start showing up, secrets bubble to the surface and the wrong package at the spa which they're attending has been booked, which is not what the group of friends planned at all!

Each chapter focuses on a different friend, so one chapter could be Sal, another could be JoJo etc and their journeys throughout the hen weekend and what each friend is going through in their personal lives. However, this story is still lighthearted and really easy to read and I loved reading it and getting to know the friends, it made me want to have friends like them!

Overall, a brilliant and fabulous story (there is no other way of describing it) and I really enjoyed reading it - was sad when it ended!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and HQ Digital for a chance to read this book in return of an honest review.

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