I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. The author did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

Thank you Net Galley, Lauren Edmondson, and Harlequin books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Lauren Edmondson's "Wedding of the Season" takes readers on a delightful journey into the heart of Newport, a town abuzz with society intrigue, familial secrets, and the looming celebration of the year. While not without its imperfections, this novel presents a charming blend of engaging characters, relatable flaws, and a setting that exudes summer elegance.

At the center of the story is Cass Coventry, a complex character whose return to Newport for her sister's engagement marks the beginning of a series of revelations that will alter the dynamics of her family forever. Edmondson effectively crafts Cass's internal struggles, making her a relatable and multi-faceted protagonist despite her moments of imperfection.

Set against the backdrop of a summer wedding, the narrative unearths secrets and exposes long-standing rivalries that add depth to the storytelling. The gossip-laden atmosphere, fueled by an anonymous blogger, lends a sense of intrigue and amusement, weaving a thread of humor throughout the tale.

The novel's pacing is commendable, with well-structured chapters that keep readers engaged. The portrayal of Newport is vivid, evoking a sense of time and place that transports readers to this picturesque town.

The dynamics between the characters are a notable strength, capturing the essence of family relationships—both their strengths and vulnerabilities. The ensemble cast, while diverse in personalities, is grounded in the genuine struggles of maintaining family ties in the face of past mistakes and present ambitions.

At times, the plot might feel slightly predictable, with some developments being anticipated well in advance. Additionally, while Cass's journey of self-discovery is intriguing, there are instances where her character decisions seem slightly out of character or influenced by the plot's demands rather than her own motivations.

Edmondson's writing possesses an inviting quality that suits the summer setting, creating an atmosphere that pairs well with lazy afternoons and sunny days. The book excels in crafting relatable emotions and weaving together characters who feel genuine and multifaceted.

"Wedding of the Season" earns its 4-star rating through its engaging portrayal of Newport's high society, captivating characters, and moments of witty humor. While it may not be without its predictable moments or occasional lapses in character consistency, the novel remains an enjoyable summer read, offering a glimpse into the intertwining worlds of family, secrets, and Newport glamour.

You know what weddings are really about. Memories. Sharing old ones with friends and family and creating new ones. Weddings are truly about enlarging your family. It is supposed to be an inclusive event. Sometimes we forget that aspect but in WEDDING OF THE SEASON Lauren Edmonton does not.
In the beginning it seems as if too much time and emphasis is about a family’s history that is certainly not particularly wondrous nor perfect. But absolutely human and when looked upon with grace and love in a way kind of glorious. Lauren Edmonton did just that through her sometimes-fragile characters all created to be the foundation of a story about an impending wedding.
In one part of the story Lauren Edmonton injects the word schadenfreude. Such a word craftsman. Made me sigh. But I digress. Perfect word to define the structure of the attitude of many of the family’s neighbors. As you read WEDDING OF THE SEASON you will instantly get that vibe.
At the end of the book the author includes some really well thought out talking points for book clubs and such. As in the book itself Lauren Edmonton honed in on character relationships. The characters in WEDDING OF THE SEASON are truly some of the best I have met.
Central are Maggie, Archer, Cassie, Hope and JP. This is the bride to be family. They are what is called a Gilded Family. Generations of Coventry had settled in Newport. Built exquisite mansions. Won and lost fortunes. And in more recent years struggle to keep their property in shape. Most lost their battle, and the properties are bought by more nouveau riche. But the heart of Newport is those that stay year-round and support their community. That is the essence of the characters we meet in WEDDING OF THE SEASON.

I found this to be a great escape book and i loved it. i liked the setting and the banter of the characters. Beautiful cover.
Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely LOVED Lauren Edmondson’s debut novel Ladies of the House when I read it back in 2021 (review here). So, I had high hopes for her sophomore novel, Wedding of the Season. It didn’t quite live up to her first novel but it was still a really engaging read full of family drama and well-rounded characters.

Here’s the book’s description:
It's the wedding of the season and all of Newport is abuzz in this funny, joyous, whip-smart novel about two modern-day society families and the summer wedding that has the whole town talking...
Despite its beauty, Newport is a place Cass Coventry would prefer to forget. But after an extended absence, she’s back in her hometown to celebrate her sister’s engagement—even if she’s marrying into the family that famously stole the Gilded Age Coventry mansion out from under them a decade ago.
The moment Cass pulls up to the estate, she’s in for one surprise after another. The bride-to-be is hiding a big secret. Her mother has royal-wedding aspirations. And, when the date is set for only three months away, a local gossip blog makes the two families its new favorite subject.
It's not long before Cass's weekend in town becomes a full summer of frenzied wedding planning and society drama—but also idyllic sails, starry nights, and a former love. As the grand affair arrives, along with new truths about her family, Cass must finally face her own thorny past in Newport and decide how to honor the Coventry legacy in all its chaotic glory.
Wedding of the Season felt like a very gossip-y book - in a good way. Maybe that was because there was an anonymous gossip blogger writing about all the drama that was unfolding. But it was really quite delightful to sit by and read as Cass’ family’s secrets were revealed to the entire town. Who are also sitting by, absolutely delighted at the (further) fall from grace, and quite content to talk about the Coventry's behind their backs. And sometimes right in front of them. Scandalous!

I really liked Cass. She was flawed in a way that it would have been so easy to get frustrated with her and not care about her story but Edmondson made me care. She was a good person who had made some silly choices (ugh so silly) but it was nothing she couldn’t come back from. She was talented and cared about her family, as much as they infuriated her. She had layers which made her a really enjoyable main character to read.

I don’t know if it was because of Edmondson’s previous novel, which was a modernization of Sense and Sensibility, but I was totally getting Pride and Prejudice vibes from this one. Cass was a lot like Elizabeth, and her sister played the role of Jane, who is marrying the rich neighbour (“Netherfield Park is let at last!”). There’s a lot of pride and a hefty dose of prejudice throughout the book. Cass is convinced that her family is an embarrassment and she caused some of that embarrassment many years ago, which had her staying away from town for far too long. She was too self-absorbed to realize the pain she was causing and I found myself desperately hoping that she would figure it out and work to repair all the relationships she had been damaging by refusing to come home.

The setting of this book makes it a really enjoyable book to read in the summer. I really felt like I was in Newport, somewhere I’ve never been in my life. But I could really get a sense of the town and how it would have felt to grow up there, thanks to Edmondson’s writing.

Wedding of the Season may not have blown me away but I still very much enjoyed the time I spent reading Lauren Edmondson’s newest book. I’m really looking forward to reading whatever she comes out with next!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, HarperCollins/HTP Books, via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Newport is one of my favorite places ever and this cover had me completely sold. But it fell a little short for me. I loved the social media gossip site, Net-a-Newport. This was a decent debut, but I wish it had a little more substance. I would read more from this author.

Not sure how to review this one. I wasn't a fan of the plot or most of the characters. I felt like I was just dropped into this society of which I know nothing (since it's East Coast and I grew up in the Midwest), into a complex family history which is revealed throughout the book, and it took a few chapters to feel like I knew what was going on. The descriptions, however, are really great.

Do you have any weddings to go this year? I only have one and I’m so looking forward to it. 💐⁣
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Wedding of the Season by Lauren Edmundson will give you all of the wedding season vibes. It takes place in Newport so a picture a lot of scenes about the ocean, clambakes, and country clubs.⁣
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The story follows Cass who has returned home for her younger sister’s wedding. Her family is one of the prestigious elite families on the East Coast however, they have no money. ⁣
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I enjoyed it but I didn’t find myself compelled to pick it up. I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫.

This is what I liked about it:⁣
🦀 messy families ⁣
🦀 romance is secondary to family drama
🦀 the east coast atmosphere⁣
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The blurb evoked that it was “Elin Hilderbrand meets Edith Wharton” and I think that’s pretty accurate. Fans of Elin Hilderbrand would enjoy this. ⁣
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Thank you to @netgalley and @harlequin trade publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I hate when this happens. And it's so so rare. But I could not get into this. I tried so hard. I read it. I pushed thru. It just was not the book for me. It was almost like the author was trying too hard to write a high society book. It can be done well. I've read them. This just wasn't it for me.
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Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Lauren Edmondson for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Delightfully juicy and insightful, WEDDING OF THE SEASON touches on themes such as money and class with so much heart. The characters are written with care and so completely fleshed out, you feel like you’re experiencing the story alongside them.

Where Edmondson really shines, however, is in the setting. Newport becomes a character of its own, a living breathing entity that adds depth and nuance to this story about a woman returning to her home town for her sister’s engagement party. While back in Newport Cass Coventry must confront her own past and deal with the emotions that have risen back to the surface.

If you like family drama, you won’t want to miss WEDDING OF THE SEASON. My thanks to Graydon House for the advance reading copy.

I love a family drama story and this was a good one. The quirky characters and their past and present history was compelling. The one thing I would have wanted more of was an expanded back story of Spencer and Cass’s relationship and a little more of Cass before she left Newport. Overall this was an interesting book and I think the ending was well done.

A fun, easy read that would be perfect for the beach.

Cass returns home to beautiful Newport, RI for her sister’s engagement party. She finds herself spending the entire summer in the middle of drama, the subject of gossip, and falling for her high school boyfriend.

The story unfolds at a comfortable pace and the characters are quirky and likable. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Lauren Edmondson for this ARC.

Cute, but kind of drawn out. I found myself losing focus often while reading. A lot of background info without a lot of "action" going on. I loved the setting of Newport, though, and the author did a wonderful job painting the scene.

The Newport wedding of the season has two families who have been at odds about the land they are both living on, coming together for their kids' ceremony. Because of a weird turn of events, Cass and her family lost the Coventry house that had been in the family for generations. They were moved out to the carriage house. Hope, her mother, and Susie, the new owner, have been battling each other for years. When Susie tells Cass that she is kicking her parents out after the wedding, she starts going through their rather rundown living situation and setting things aside for an auction. That includes things that belonged to her beloved late grandmother.

As all the wedding and auction planning is going on, there is a daily online gossip report that seems to be in the midst of all the delicious drama.

I felt as if I was smack dab in the middle of society and all it's ways. I loved the characters and their relationships. I loved their discoveries about themselves and each other throughout the story. I laughed a lot, such witty dialogue.

Thanks to Netgalley and Graydon House for a copy of this book for review.

Cass left Newport and never looked back. She has zero desire to return there. Ever. Except for her sisters engagement party. She wants to get in and out and yet when her sister shares that the wedding will be in three months, Cass decides to stay for the season to help out, While home she has to face all what she left behind. Mix in an insular community, family drama, avoidance, unrealistic expectations, willful ignorance, secrets, and so much more and you get a wonderful read.

Wedding of the Season by Lauren Edmondson is a family drama and romance with a dysfunctional Newport family who have plenty of secrets, but I found it difficult to be invested in them. Cass Covington is a photojournalist from an old Newport family who no longer have money. Cass doesn’t care about the money or Newport society, but she returns home for the marriage of her older sister.

Quirky family members made for some entertaining moments and the emotional shift in Cass’s feelings for her family and Newport in general over this summer at home made this an O.K. read. I do wish the romance had been more prominent and developed because I did like Spencer and his story. I did enjoy the Newport setting and the dialogue between characters was mostly witty. The overall read just fell flat for me.

Review will be posted on 3/10/23
Cass Coventry is back home in Newport for her sister's big society wedding to a rival family. And not just any Newport family, but the family that bought the Coventry ancestral mansion and displaced her family to the measly carriage home. Once Cass returns home, she realizes her parents aren't living in the lap of Newport luxury. Instead the carriage home is falling apart and she finds out that they may be evicted. Plus, her mother has over-the-top wedding plans for Cass's sister and Cass seems to be the only one reining her in. To top it off, sister, Maggie, is hiding a big secret. Lauren Edmondson's Wedding of the Season is a light-hearted family drama that would be perfect for spring break.

Cass returns home after some time away and is grappling with her own issues, such as a conflict at her job as a photographer as well as the reasons why she left Newport in the first place. She is reunited with an ex-boyfriend, who is now divorced, but there's still a connection there. However, what takes up most of her time is her mother's antics and her sister's wedding. There's so much drama about the wedding, not to mention the issue surrounding her parents possibly being evicted from the carriage house. There's money issues going on with the Coventry family and that's obviously not the norm in wealthy Newport. Cass's mother isn't realistic surrounding Maggie's wedding, Maggie is hiding a life-altering secret, and there's an anonymous influencer on Instagram who is chronicling this entire debacle Gossip Girl style. While some of the problems were clearly first world problems that made me eye roll a bit, Wedding of the Season was still a fun romp through glamorous Newport. Who doesn't love a good society wedding filled to the brim with drama?

Newport, Rhode Island

Maggie Coventry-Gilford and Jack Utterback, son of Susie Utterback, are having an engagement party at the Coventry mansion called The Land. Maggie’s sister, Cassie, who has been gone from the area for quite awhile is back to celebrate with her sister. Cassie is a well-known photographer who has traveled all over the world. She is joining her parents, Hope and J.P., and her brother, Archer.

Maggie’s parents owned The Land until some years ago when they were forced to sell it to Susie and move into a cottage on the estate. Today, the cottage is in dire need of many repairs but Hope is a bit of a hoarder and J.P. just ignores it.

Cassie sees that her mother wants a high society wedding for Maggie but won’t admit that she doesn’t have the money to pay for it. Finally, Susie agrees to host the wedding at The Land and Cassie is hoping to sell some old family heirlooms to help pay for it as well as getting rid of some of the clutter.

Maggie is not quite herself and finally confides a secret she is keeping to her sister, Cassie. At the same time, Cassie has met up with a one-time boyfriend, Spencer, who is now divorced and the chef at a lovely restaurant.

We see the gossips of the town intent on talking about the upcoming wedding. There is a site where many go to make their acid comments.

I had a difficult time reading this book. The wording came across as “prissy” as if the author was trying to impress the reader with her words. Dysfunctional family at its best. I liked Spencer and the long-suffering J.P. I had high hopes for this book as the homes of Newport have always been of interest to me but this one just didn’t make it.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Cass Coventry is the daughter of a once powerful Newport Rhode Island family. She is a photographer who escaped from Newport and its snobs after her family was relegated to the gate house of their own mansion. She has a past in Newport including an old love. She returns for her sister's engagement party and then things start to go crazy. Secrets are everywhere in this story, slowly unfolding. A prodigal daughter returns home for her sisters wedding to a town where she really doesn’t want to be. As with any wedding, there is drama thanks, in part, to an Instagram Gossip site, mothers who can’t get along and adult children who try to make things work. The book itself had many twists and surprises and i really powered through the book. I liked the book.

I give 5 stars to this well-written, emotionally-satisfying book.The story opens with globe-trotting photojournalist Cass Coventry reluctantly returning to her Rhode Island hometown for her sister's engagement party. Despite being a member of one of Newport's oldest and most socially prominent families, Cass has been emotionally and physically distanced ever since she lashed out at "Polite Society" years ago when her family was forced to sell their landmark Gilded Age mansion. So it's a surprise when Cass decides to extend her stay, re-kindle a former romantic relationship, and involve herself in family dynamics. As long-held family secrets are revealed and Cass becomes a central focus, she begins to realize just how much she cares for and needs her family and Newport. It's in light of these discoveries that Cass re-examines her past choices and ponders her future. The author did a masterful job crafting a complex story--filled with real, multi-dimensional characters I cared about--which she brought to a very satisfying conclusion. The author really brought the geography and people of Newport to life, such that I look forward to visiting the area to see the spectacular "cottages" from a bygone era.