This is not a rom-com! So that's the first thing you should know. The illustrated cover makes it look like one, but it is actually chick-lit. There is good banter and some steamy scenes, but this book is more about Zoey's growth and journey as a 31-year-old who doesn't know if marriage is for her, and we get to really see how she grows and is true-to-herself in this book.
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I felt like this could have gone several different ways, and I was able to guess correctly how this one ends. It's not your typical HEA, so just go into this book knowing that. I did get emotional at parts and I did 😭.
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Thank you @smpromance for the ARC, and to @netgalley for the eARC and audiobook ARC! I ended up listening to this on audiobook, and thought that the narrator (Sarah Naughton) did a great job!

This was such a great read! The story was compelling from the very beginning. I love the complicated protagonist. She really made me feel her pain. The love story was great. The ending was a bit of a surprise that made me both happy and left me questioning, but not in a bad way. I really enjoyed this book!

Unfortunately I was approved for this the day before it was archived and I did not download it in time.

The cover and the synopsis makes it sound like a super cute read so hopefully I'll get my hands on a copy or the audio soon!

Okay I admit I did not love this book. Based on the tittle and the cover, I thought I was reading a Rom-com. It was not a rom-com! Yes there was romance and yes there was plenty of laugh out loud moments but this was actually a really deep story about self love and acceptance. It was also very steamy 🔥🔥🔥. I found myself really annoyed with Zoe… a lot. She was complex sure but kind of annoying too. She repeatedly referred to herself in the third person and often had a holier than thou attitude. Karen was the true star of the story and was the only part of the ending I liked. However, the story was well written and the premise had the potential to be amazing. Sadly it just fell short for me.

Zoey Marks: “Complicated women. We sure are fucking magical.”

Zoey Marks is a mess. She has been a bridesmaid multiple times and turned down a proposal. When her best friends gets engaged and asks Zoey to be a bridesmaid, she accepts and decides that she's done with her constant bad luck. Zoey plans on going to the wedding in Ireland then getting her ex back. Because it is absolutely what she wants and needs...right?

While Zoey seemed disastrous at times, many times, you couldn't help but feel her internal pain and struggles. Her development throughout the story wasn't pretty or how one would think it should be-she was messy and real- which is refreshing. Bad Luck Bridesmaid is humorous, witty and at times spicy, but it is not your typical romance. I feel readers would classify it more towards women's fiction. The narration done by Sarah Naughton was spot on in my opinion. Sarah really sounded how I heard Zoey in my head. Excellent.

I truly enjoyed this debut novel and will be listening to Taylor Swift for the rest of the morning.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

WOW!!!! this book was not what I expected.. I thought it might be another romance type of think. but the whole time it was about friendship and selflove. I truly love how everything is so detailed and you experience every decision with Zoe. I couldn't keep this book down.

When I first began to listen to this book, I wasn't sure I'd finish it. It's clearly set in the current day, and has a lot of references to songs and musical artists unfamiliar to this senior citizen. Eventually, I became more involved with the story and ignored the musical references. The main character seems to initially just believe that she's jinxed the weddings of some previous friends. And, she seems to be very career-focused, not having time or inclination for a serious relationship. But then...of course she meets someone who makes her fall madly in love. The only strange thing is that she just can't seem to commit to the long term and doesn't seem to know herself well enough to understand why. That aspect was extremely frustrating to me as a listener. She seems so committed to a decision, yet doesn't really understand it (and I don't think she ever does). That didn't make any sense to me. So, while it was an interesting listen, I really can't say that I'd recommend it. Not a fan of the main character at all.

I absolutely loved this book. It was so fun, cute, and relatable.

Zoey Marks is convinced that she has the worst luck when it comes to being a bridesmaid. After 3 failed weddings she’s been in, Zoey is also convinced that she does not want to get married, EVER, and that her best friends wedding my be at jeopardy. A man come in her life and she falls in love, but will the love last or will her superstition ruin it all.

The things I loved most about this book, is that it is fun, witty, and relatable. I was laughing out loud during this book! I love that Zoey is unapologetically herself and that she allows others to know that as well. This book holds an important lesson of being who you are, fighting for what you want, and knowing that everyone goes through their own struggles and life is not always fair or turns out the way that we have planned it to.

I highly suggest reading this book. I listened to it on audio thanks to @Netgalley and @Macmillanaudio. I enjoyed the narrator and had so much fun listening along.

For those of you planning to read Bad Luck Bridesmaid by Alison Rose Greenberg, I highly recommend going into this book without any preconceived notions. And especially don’t try to pigeonhole it into a specific genre. I say this because I’ve seen reviews where readers try to figure out what type of book it *should* be based on the blurb or cover or whatever the case may be. My advice is to sit back and enjoy the roller coaster of a narrative, which will take readers on an unexpected, unpredictable, but ultimately fulfilling journey. 
 
In short, Bad Luck Bridesmaid is about a woman named Zoey whose three turns as a bridesmaid has resulted in zero walks down the aisle. Convinced she’s cursed, Zoey shies away from commitment, to the detriment of her relationship. But when her best friend gets engaged, Zoey is determined to ensure her fourth time as bridesmaid culminates in wedded bliss. Unfortunately for Zoey, the arrival of her ex-boyfriend, and a scheming best man are just a couple obstacles she faces along the way.  
 
Bad Luck Bridesmaid could potentially be described as two books in one. It seemed as if there’s an entire narrative that unfolded, which I expected to end a certain way, yet when I glanced down, I realized I was only halfway through the book! Not only was Zoey’s story far from over when I had assumed it was going in a certain direction, but she’s such a wild card that it became impossible to predict her next word or action or how they’d impact the next sentence, the next page, or the next chapter.  

The narrative is complicated. It’s messy. It’s raw. It’s imperfect. The same could be said for the characters, especially Zoey. She’s confident, successful, and sticks with her convictions, even when it means making sacrifices. But she’s also human. She makes mistakes. She experiences jealousy, indecision, hope, happiness, heartache, and a whole range of complex emotions. Zoey has dreams and desires that may not align with what society expects, which is something she comes to terms with over the course of the narrative.  
 
The hopeless romantic in me may have had certain expectations about Zoey’s romance storyline, but my more pragmatic side cheered as Zoey navigated the twists and turns of life and love. Bad Luck Bridesmaid is ultimately a journey of self-discovery, and I enjoyed every step of the way. It’s an eventful, drama-filled, emotionally turbulent, and incredibly entertaining story, and I recommend going in with an open mind and heart.  
 
Having listened to the audiobook, I also have to mention the spot-on narration by Sarah Naughton. As the narrator, she fully embodies Zoey, voicing the book’s protagonist with cool, sardonic aplomb. I typically listen at the highest speed, but I slowed down to fully appreciate her calm, matter-of-fact delivery, even in the midst of chaos. The audiobook was such a pleasure to listen to, and I was grateful to have had that experience.  

*audiobook review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

I really did not like the narrator's voice in the audio book because she made Zoey Mark's character seem really self-entitled and crass. I recommend that this book be read over listened to. I really wanted to like this story because I think that a lot of women are supposed to choose between marriage and a career. I do appreciate that Zoey Mark's has flaws that she tries to work through, throughout the book

This audio book was given to me by #netgalley.

This book is a fresh, feminist take on "chick lit" --- from Alison Rose Greenberg. Zoey Marks is a self-proclaimed complicated woman, and while she reveals to the reader her fundamental insecurities, she is unapologetic about being her. Zoey has so many admirable qualities: she's smart, funny, bold, kicks ass in her career, and is a great friend. This book might frustrate or disappoint a traditional romance reader looking for the standard HEA ... but what it gives in its place is an exploration of modern womanhood, and a focus on what can be the most fulfilling partnerships in life: friendship.
Is she bad luck? No. But does she make life more difficult when it doesn't need to be? Yes. I enjoyed her but can imagine there would be readers who'd feel a tad exhausted by her need to push back on tradition to the point of seeming self-sabotage.
Overall, very quick and enjoyable and great narrator. If there is one thing I'd say drove me a bit nuts about the book was some of the descriptions-- of Zoey opening her big brown eyes type blah blah. Made a little more sense after reading the author is primarily a screenwriter, which I see on these pages. Just a small thing but those little descriptions of our protagonist in that syrupy way took me out of the moment a few times.

This was the interesting story of Zoey Marks who is the cursed bridesmaid for three times for weddings that did not happen. Over a ten -year period, she had been asked to be in three weddings and had purchased the bridesmaid dresses but for various reasons, the weddings had all been cancelled. This made her feel that she was cursed. It also made her feel that she could not fall in love and get married. This is a great book that I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley & MacMillian Audio for the opportunity to read & review a gifted copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The audio narrator, Sarah Naughton did an excellent job and I'd love to listen to other books read by her. I would also read another book by Alison Rose Greenberg.

The story centers around Zoey, a woman who is fixated on this notion that she is the "Bad Luck Bridesmaid." How could she not?!?! She is 0-3, she doesn't have much faith in love or marriage at all....because none of her 3 friends ever got down the aisle.

Until she falls in love with Rylan. Everything is great until he brings up the idea of marriage. Zoey does want to be with Rylan forever, right?!

Zoey's BFF Hannah (for those keeping score, this is friend #4) is getting married and the last thing Zoey wants is another failed attempt to get yet another friend to the altar. Is Zoey's Bad Luck Bridesmaid streak about to be 0-4?

While this book didn't end the way I had expected and/or hoped, I still liked it. So I won't knock the star rating down because who wants a steady stream of predictable novels?!

This book was refreshing because it wasn't what I expected. I recommend checking it out.

Zoey has over the past 10 years been a bridesmaid to 3 unsuccessful weddings. Unsuccessful because the bride has always changed her mind last minute. Zoey now feels she is a badluck bridesmaid. Maybe this is happening she thinks because she herself doesn't believe in marriage?

To complicate matters more she has been dating her boyfriend for years now and he wants to get married. She is having a hard time explaining how she does love him but doesn't want to marry him.

I did enjoy this story..loved the end..and the theme where woman takes back her power. Thanks to Netgalley and MacMillan audio for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Zoey Marks has never thought of herself as the type for a forever love, and when her third time being a bridesmaid for a friend results in a third time that the wedding doesn’t happened, Zoey worries that she is rubbing off on the brides, dubbing herself Bad Luck Bridesmaid. When her otherwise perfect boyfriend of 2 years proposes the day after the third failed wedding, Zoey turns him down, and both she and Rylan are heartbroken. When Zoey’s best friend Hannah announces that she is getting engaged and wants Zoey to be her bridesmaid at a destination wedding in Ireland (where Rylan will be in attendance, no less), Zoey decides that if she can do everything in her power to get Hannah down the aisle, Zoey herself will then embrace marriage and be able to get Rylan back.

As several other reviewers have noted, you need to go into this book knowing that it’s not a standard romcom with a HEA. Unfortunately, I have trouble getting into books when I don’t like the main character, and I was just not a fan of Zoey or Rylan either one. It did have its funny moments and its sweet moments, but overall, the book was just OK for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.

This was a very sweet and entertaining audiobook but left me just a little disappointed by the realistic nature of the relationship between Zoey and Rylan. I thought their relationship was just a bit forced and rushed and seemed a bit unrealistic. There was a lot of sex and not enough romance. I’m going back and forth between three and four stars for this reason. However, I did really enjoy Zoey's journey to understanding who she is and what she wants out of a relationship. I particularly enjoyed the ending and thought it was very fitting. This isn't the most memorable rom-com I've ever read but it was worth the read. It kept my attention throughout and the ending brought me the warm and fuzzies. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is not your typical romance. I feel strongly that if you go into it understanding that, you’ll love it as much as I did.

Zoey Marks is certain she’s cursed. Every time she’s a bridesmaid there ends up not being a wedding. She’s not big on commitment herself either, if she’s being honest. This is a story about forging your own path, found family, and realizing that your soul mate may very well not be someone you’re romantically interested in.

Oh and there’s also a run-in with a falcon, a few dead mice, an Irish castle, the Loch Ness Monster (yes, in Ireland) and so many more hilarious adventures.

This book made me snort laugh but also had me shedding a tear or two. I loved Zoey’s character. She was real, and flawed, but striving to become the best version of herself. I loved the Jewish rep too.

Sarah Naughton’s narration of the audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to, and it comes in at just under ten hours in length. Once I got started I simply couldn't stop!

If this one isn’t on your TBR you need to change that pronto.

Bad Luck Bridesmaid by Alison Rose Greenberg

Do you believe in curses or bad luck?

Zoey was a pain in my ass, y’all. I was angry with her so many times, I wanted to jump in the book and shake the shit out of her. She sabotaged herself so much and then tried to blame her SO for the result of her actions. It was super frustrating.

I 100% think everyone should do what’s best for them and marriage isn’t for everyone, however, Zoey’s reasoning for being afraid of marriage was ridiculous. Also, the end just made me angry and confused. Girl…it’s been five minutes 🥴 I’ll leave it at that.

There were parts of this book that I found really cute, but overall, it angered and frustrated me too much for it to be super enjoyable.

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the arc in exchange for my honest review ❤️

Meh! Not great. The premise sounded interesting, but it was super predictable and didn’t hold my attention. Strangely, I think I’d prefer this a lot more as a movie than a book. The bird scene was funny, and there’s some good lines in there… just not enough action to keep me invested in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for allowing me to review this book!

On the one hand this book is very well written and flowed well. The main flaw, which destroyed this book for me was the main character, Zoey. I didn't like her or understand/connect with how or why she was doing what she was doing. I understand this is just a me problem, but ultimately this book just wasn't for me.