Member Reviews
As always, Melissa Brayden lulls me into this cozy world of hers - it's a joy to read! To be recommended!
Brayden always has a winning formula with her books and this one did not disappoint. Just when you think you have this book all figured out you will be thrown in the other direction. The chemistry between Ally and Megan is off the charts. I loved being part of Ally and Megan's journey.
Goodness, it has been a while since I've read a tear-jerker like this - or was it just sand in my eye? Either way this was a great book from Melissa Brayden, one of the most reliable lesfic writers out there.
Sweet and Adorable
Allison pales in comparison to her sister but the one things Betsy doesn’t have is a wealthy fiancée and the social standing that comes with, no matter how much her sister seems to want it. Allison and Brent get along well and so what if hes kind of a man child who would rather hang with his boys. And really, how important is passion and lusty romance? Isnt friendship and having a secure future what really matters? Besides, by marrying him, she is insuring her parent’s future will be secure too. All she needs now is a wedding planner. Megan is one of the city’s busiest and most popular event planner. To get to plan the Carmichael wedding is a big deal for her and her company. When the two women meet, they quite like each other and a bond is quickly formed. Allison is straight and Megan has no business crushing on her…Allison is getting married, so why can’t she stop thinking about the lovely Megan?
This was a cute book with lots of wonderful humor and light heartedness. I was skeptical about how good it would be because the trope had been done before but Ms Brayden put a new spin on it and it really worked. I loved the light hearted humor and teasing this book had. It made it fun and flirty. The ending was really good but I wondered what happened to make the sister ok with how things worked out. The conflict was a little weak and but I liked the book anyway. I laughed and smiled and was very happy reading it and thought about it long after it was done.
Melissa Brayden does it again with another compelling and interesting lesbian romance novel. There have been several books out recently with themes around weddings and wedding planners, but this a standout.
Another hit by Melissa Brayden. I honestly can read anything by her and know I will love it. I look forward as always to her next book.
4 Stars. Allison Hale Is always second to her sister. When she gets engaged to Brent, she wants the best wedding planner. That wedding planner is Megan Kinkaid. Megan and Allison start making plans for Allison's wedding, but Megan can't seem to realize there is chemistry between them. They also can't stop but want to get to know each other better. Megan can't help anything she does since Allison is everything she wanted in a partner. They must not get too involved with each other as Allison is getting married to one of the richest families in town.
I really enjoyed this one. I enjoy Melissa Brayden and this one was good. I liked how the characters evolved throughout the novel. I enjoyed how Allison changed throughout the novel and how she rally realized who she wanted to be with. The drama was a little too obvious for my taste, but otherwise it was a good novel. I would definitely recommend this one.
Usually I know what to expect with a Melissa Brayden book. She has a winning formula of sexy characters, sassy dialogue, believable chemistry, and a little bit of angst to work through to a happy ending. This book stepped away from that a bit. There was a fair amount of angst throughout the entire book. That was good for me because I love my romances infused with plenty of drama. Although Brayden could never fail me, I was confused with her choice of direction for last part of the book and it had me questioning if the ladies really deserved to have a happily ever after with each other.
I heartily and happily admit to being a fan of Melissa Brayden's work. I have not liked every single book though, but to be honest, I can say that about every author. Marry Me is fun, exciting and filled with believable and enjoyable characters. At first I thought it would be like the movie Imagine Me and You When a bride falls in love with her wedding planner, but there most of the similarities end. Here we have Allison (Ally) who is engaged to a wealthy family ( not just Brent but his whole rich family) who is a happy though lacking in self esteem) school teacher. She meets Megan who runs Soiree, a wildly popular wedding planning agency. Sparks happen, and Ally, who always thought she was straight, discovers passion and fireworks with a woman. It is a fun journey with Brayden adding in humor with Lacey - fellow schoolteacher and confidante to Ally, who is hysterically funny and has some of the funniest lines in the book. Kelsey - Megan's best friend is also a hoot. I loved that there's diversity presented, well thought out premise and again, a book I had a hard time putting down. I humbly and loudly request a sequel!!!
Thanks to Netgalley, Melissa Brayden and Bold Strokes Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Three and a half stars. I wanted to like this, I did. Melissa Brayden did some fantastic writing as always, so I read it in two sittings. I liked Megan and Allison individually as characters, and I mostly liked them together. If only I didn't hate the circumstances they were in. The role that Brent played, Allison's family's financial situation, and everything plot-wise after about the 70% mark. (Spoiler: but seriously, it seems very wrong to crash your ex's wedding to tell them you still love them?? I've only ever seen that as one of the obstacles between a protagonist and their HEA with the right person. I thought that decision should probably have been left to Allison without external influence.) So... eh. One of the few, if not the only, books by Brayden that just didn't resonate with me. Sorry.
I enjoyed this story. At first it felt a little slow but I liked the tension between Ally and Megan and how their relationship gradually developed. I also thought there was a little too much drama from about 65% which should have been over much quicker but dragged on for too long.
This book is a great story about finding the one with all the bumps that come with it.
I’ve never been disappointed by a Melissa Brayden novel. Of course I favor some over others, but I’ve truly enjoyed every one. She captures the spirit of romance writing in a way that’s earned her the trust and devotion of a large readership, and that’s not by happenstance. Her stories are filled with exciting and heartwarming romantic challenges between engaging and likable characters; her readers can count on this. She always provides them with solid, cover to cover entertainment, and Marry Me is just one more example of this.
One of the most attractive features of Brayden’s writing is her ability to create interesting family and friend networks within the story arc. The storytelling thrives because of it. These relationships introduce secondary characters and add texture to the story world. They beef up the storytelling via their interactions with the main characters, facilitating not only compelling backstories, but fun dialogue, too. It is no wonder her inventive use of secondary characters is often held in high regard.
Marry Me follows suit and utilizes Lacy and Kelsey as engaging and entertaining secondary characters. They add much appreciated blasts of color, giving the story the edge and humor it needs. These two are so deliciously developed that I found myself rereading scenes involving them. Kelsey is Megan’s best friend and she livens things up each time she appears on the page. The same goes for Allison’s colleague Lacy. Her sense of humor is spot on and just plain hilarious. I genuinely could not get enough of these two. I hope readers see more of these women in a future Brayden book.
The romance between the main characters is compelling, but it’s the steamy sex that really has readers flipping pages. The intimate scenes within Brayden’s latest novel prove once again that she’s not shy about writing sex. The sensual detail she gives to Allison and Megan’s sexual relationship is hot, but it isn’t gratuitous. Brayden is a master writer and knows how to use it as a literary tool to reveal things about the characters. She uses it to expose their vulnerabilities and their uncertainties. For Allison and Megan, the sex reveals truths that can not be denied. It breaks through barriers and allows the two women to imagine a future together, one filled with true love.
Final remarks…
There is a point not far from the end of Marry Me that does drag a bit. The characters make some silly choices due to misunderstandings, but it really doesen’t affect the overall appeal of the story. It still remains a fun and sweet romance. Allison and Megan have great chemistry and are completely likable characters. I found myself smiling frequently during the read and wouldn’t hesitate a minute to recommend it.
Strengths…
Well-written
Likable characters
Great dialogue
Steamy chemistry
Entertaining romance
Allison Hale always lived in the shadow of her sister Betsy who did everything right. However, Ally managed to impress her family by becoming engaged to Brent, the son of the wealthy Carmichaels who can help her family's failing business. She just has to plan the most perfect weeding with the hottest wedding planner in town, Megan Kincaid. Megan knows how to plan the most incredible events and is excited to plan Brent Carmichaels wedding. However, she is very surprised when she meets his fiance. Ally is beautiful, selfless, earnest and fun. The chemistry between the two is obvious. This provides a roadblock to planning the wedding. It is a great story that I recommend.
Allison Kinkaid is a school is used to being in the background and trying to make others happy. Megan Kinkaid is the city's premiere wedding planner. When Allison's engagement to an esteemed Carmichael brings there worlds together, sparks fly, and Allison has to ask what it is she wants.
Melissa Brayden brings her signature style to this story. There is strong chemistry between the leads, and a helping of family drama.
Unfortunately, I struggled with the novel overall as it contains cheating on a significant other, and some pretty poor treatment of people.
I would recommend it to lovers of the genre, it just wasn't for me.
Another perfect novel for Brayden fans. There's something so uniquely satisfying about wedding planners finding love and finding love with an already bride-to-be is a trope I love. Filled with humor and sweet moments this is one readers won't want to miss.
I have never met a Melissa Brayden book that I didn’t love. She just has a way of spinning a story and pulling you into it. She uses the secondary characters in this book to help the story along. Everyone needs a confidant when delving into a relationship.
Ally and Megan meet when Ally is planning her wedding to her fiancé Brent. Ally always tends to do what she’s supposed to do instead of what she wants to do. She doesn’t make waves. Ally is surprised by the connection she has with sought after wedding planner Megan Kincaid. They start to look at venues and they enjoy spending time together. Their chemistry is off the chart. Ally starts to have feelings for Megan, and she breaks off the engagement. The book wasn’t about cheating but following your heart. Mellissa Brayden writes the best dialogue and she knows how to banter. I have heard Melissa read many times and can picture what and how she says things. This book is a spicier than any book I have read of hers and it is appropriate for the story. The epilogue… was simply the best. This is my new favorite book of hers until I read her next one.
Ms. Brayden has never written a book that I have not enjoyed. She has a talent of writing a story which immediately catches the imagination of her readers. The two main characters are Megan Kincaid and Allison Hale. The sub-characters, Brent Carmichael and Betsy Hale, also play very significant roles.
Megan Kincaid owns and operates an extremely successful events planning company. Her services are in high demand by businesses as well as elite society families. One of her major clients are the Carmichaels.
Allison Hale is an elementary teacher who feels as though she has always played second fiddle to her sister, Betsy. With her upcoming marriage to Brent Carmichael, Allison thinks she has found someone with whom she can build a life. In addition, Brent’s family will be able to help Allison’s parents who operate a small health foods store since they are currently having financial difficulties.
Brent Carmichael is handsome, personable, RICH, and the most eligible bachelor in Dallas. Allison and Brent have been living together and their lives seem very settled. Brent feels it is time to take it to the next level.
Because their marriage will be a major undertaking, Brent and Allison hire Megan’s firm to help plan their wedding. What the couple didn’t expect was that Allison and Megan immediately find a chemistry with each other. To Megan, Allison is someone she has always dreamed of. Under different circumstances she would act on her feelings. Of course, Allison is surprised about her reaction to Megan, but knows that it can’t possibly evolve into a serious relationship.
I loved this story. Ms. Brayden created a novel that any romantic will truly appreciate. The plot is tight, fast-moving, and believable. An element of drama also adds to the charisma of the book. The character development is superb and realistic.
Marry Me gets 5 out of 5 stars and I highly recommend it. Put this one on your reading list!
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This story is about Ally who is about to be married who suddenly gets swept away by her hot wedding planner. A fun and cute romance novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Melissa writes romance with ease and this book is well planned out. I enjoyed being taken aback by a sudden change in the lives of our two MC's and felt eager to continu reading as I wanted to find out how their story would end.
I enjoyed the interactions with all the side characters. They were all likeable and contributed nicely to the main story. Really a great read if you want a cute romance with some sidebumps.
I wasent entirely sold on this book reading what it was going to be about , but its Melissa Brayden i thought and had to give it a shot.
But damnit i was feeling so annoyed and so very very very frustrated reading this book.
Melissa Brayden always write a solid, feel-good story. While I didn't like some of the plot twists, overall this book was a homerun. Sweet characters, realistic romance, and the happy ending we all want. This is the book you grab to read again and again for the comfort and enjoyment of a well-written story.