This book was frustrating and captivating and silly and real all at once. In many ways, it is a romcom, with the inherent high jinks that come along with that. But because the story is focused on an established relationship, the conflicts and challenges in the relationship felt very high stakes.

What was most remarkable (and impressive) to me was the viscerally realistic portrayal of the arguments between these two main characters with different conflict styles. It was almost too real and familiar. Even though I found the story compelling and didn't really want to put it down, I had to take a break from the book a couple of times because I related a little too much with the main POV character and his conflict style. While on the surface, some of the arguments might seem petty, I thought it was so very true to life, the way we often end up arguing about something when the problem is something else, or how conflict styles impact (and escalate) the argument.

I found both the main characters sympathetic as flawed humans who so clearly love each other and accidentally hurt each other while they work through their stuff. Their love story was really beautiful and had me tearing up at times.

The sense of place was well done and the side characters were distinct with some depth, even though most of them were fleeting. In particular, I liked the portrayal of Ray's relationship with his sister.

There were moments where I was disagreeing with positions asserted by the story (for example, it seemed misinformed and needlessly judgey about polyamory) but for the most part, it felt like things were mostly challenged by the end - enough for me to let it go at least.

Some content notes for homophobia, homophobic slurs, internalized homophobia, excessive alcohol consumption, cheating (not between the main characters), and a somewhat offensive description of polyamory.

Nearlywed
Genre: contemporary fiction
Rating: 4.25⭐ great/loved

Thanks to @sourcebookscasa for the advanced digital copy of this book!

I adore books from this author - it didn’t quite top his previous work of Gay Best Friend, but it was so close! They’ve all been a lovely mix of funny and sweet - fans of Steven Rowley’s and Byron Lane’s books should especially give this author a read, for a great combo of humor and heart.

Readers follow Ray, an Internet writer for millennials, and Kip, a doctor sworn against social media, as they prepare for their upcoming wedding with an early honeymoon (an “earlymoon”). The resort local to Ray’s hometown has always been on a pedestal in his eyes, as well as the fairytale of marriage.

Nearlywed is a great summer read, with a main character full of humor, sass, and personality, but still so full of substance. The issues of relationships and social media are tackled - how much of what we put online is real versus an online personality, as well as how much of what we post is a performance.

Who’s an author that needs more love on booksta? How much do you share online? I don’t post much and I don’t have the energy to have a different social media personality - what you see is what you get😅

#nearlywed

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC of Nearlywed by Nicolas DiDomizio.

This book had a cute cover that caught my eye, and the description was something that piqued my interest. However, the story line was a little flat for me. I enjoyed it enough to finish, mostly to be able to complete the review. You have Ray and Kip who are as opposite as can be, but are engaged and on their early honeymoon in Ray’s hometown. A series of events tests their limits, comfort levels and whether they will really be compatible. So will love keep them together or not. At the end of the day, it’s a cute, light read. I felt it was a little lacking in depth compared to other books I’ve read.

Having enjoyed a prior book from Nicolas DiDomizio, I was looking forward to Nearlywed, and it did not disappoint. I thought it was a fresh concept and thoroughly enjoyed the unlikely pairing of Ray Bruno and Kip Hayes. The writing of this book transcends the average rom-com and adds depth to the narrative.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

For something marketed as a romantic comedy this wasn't really funny or romantic.

Ray and Kip seemed ill-matched with major communication issues and the book never managed to sell me on their relationship.

The book had the pace going for it which made it mostly a quick read.

A wonderful read that has more depth to its characters than youd first think!

Nearlywed is a fantastic encompassment of why books with older characters really hit home for me. We have the usual miscommunication trope but it also gives the characters a chance to properly communicate and grow together from said miscommunications. Ray and Kip felt so extremely real, from their families and the details of their upbringings to who those things have turned them in to as adults. We see their highs and lows and all flaws laid out bare. They are honest with each other and work towards being more open and caring in their love for one another. Their relationship was truly wonderful to experience and I really enjoyed getting to know them!

This was a really touching story about insecurities and trust! Ray goes to an Early Moon destination with his fiance, Kip. Kip recently gave out to his family, but still struggles with being an out gay man due to masculinity issues. I think the author does a fantastic job at portraying the internal struggles that LGBT individuals often experience. Even more so, the author portrays how difficult it is to do normal things like hold hands in public, kiss, or even have a wedding, when you're gay. As an open lesbian who married 10 years ago, we have experienced the same and continue to do so every single day. Throughout the book, I never knew how the ending was going to look. I kept going back and forth about whether I thought they would split up, if Ray would get together with someone else, or if they'd have their happy ending. I was so happy with the ending and the choices the author made. Great read!

Absolutely love this book. I don't think I have ever seen as much of myself in a character before as I did with Ray. His emotions towards dating and romantic life are exactly how I feel and so I was able to connect to this character on such a deep level that this will definitely be a book that I continue to come back to and read. Thank you for this wonderful book.

In this book, you follow Ray Bruno, a millennial writer who has always wanted the perfect wedding. But as he and his fiance, Kip, spend the week of their early honeymoon at the Earlymoon Resort, Ray learns that he would rather have a beautiful marriage with his person (lobster) rather than the perfect wedding.

It was so cute, and there were lots of pop culture references sprinkled throughout, keeping me laughing through the hard discussions and growing that Ray did. Ray wasn’t alone in that; Kip did digging of his own to learn that he wasn’t being himself. Instead, he was being what he thought others wanted him to be.

It was a really beautiful story of two individuals choosing each other and being the best that they can be. Ray had to come to terms with the idea that there’s a huge difference between a relationship that’s perfect on social media and one that is perfect how it is.

This was a great book, and it makes me wish that the Earlymoon Resort really existed! It’s a unique idea and takes on a contemporary romance story. The getting together is cute, but what truly matters is the real life afterward.

This book was... OK. I loved the idea, but Ray was sort of unlikable, but not in a way that made his arc interesting. I had a difficult time staying interested in the story at all, but pushed though and it kind of wrapped up in a decent way, but ultimately wasn't worth the journey. The story was repetitive. It wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't call it a rom-com or even romantic.

As a long time fan of the author’s, I was a bit apprehensive to start Nearlywed. The weird feeling of “What if this is the first book of his that doesn’t work for me?” Well, I am happy to report that my worry was in vain. DiDomizio has done it again in writing another fabulously funny and emotional story.

It is hard to not instantly fall in love with Ray and Kip. Their home life seems sexy, fun and carefree. However, once out of their love bubble, it is quite clear that they aren’t all that compatible. And the carefree nature of their relationship comes from much sacrifice, especially from Ray. Their trip to celebrate their “Earlymoon” unfortunately highlights all of their imperfections.

Per usual, DiDomizio does a fantastic job at fleshing out who these men are at their core. While Ray is the heart of the story, the understanding of Kip and his struggles is what brings Nearlywed full circle. Saying all this, this book is sheer chaos and absolutely hysterical. The setting is idyllic and makes me want to immediately eat lobster by the ocean with a strong cocktail in hand. And if you were raised by a feminist mother who took you to Lilith Fair every summer like I was- trust me, you will appreciate the SUPERB music references.

I could go on and on about this book. This review barely touches the surface but just know that I absolutely loved this story and highly recommend it. For those who long for a bit more depth in a romantic comedy, Nearlywed is the book for you. And for those who just want a damn good book to read this summer- go ahead and grab Nearlywed to pop into your pool bag.

Fun Story

This story was fun to read from the start. I was hooked early on and read it quickly. I enjoyed it a lot.

Holy miscommunication! While this book had so much drama, it hit so many great points. The greatest point is learning to be able to talk to your spouse.

So I love the idea of an early honeymoon. Love that every couple in the book had their own little issues. So many people base their lives and relationships off what they see online( in many ways like Ray), when the things online are what people want to share. I feel a lot of people can learn a lot from this book. Kips growth throughout the book(showing other people it’s ok in the times we live in) just made the book so much better. Who knows how many people could be helped by reading this book.

I am so shocked I enjoyed Nearlywed as much as I did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read an advance copy for a honest review.

I enjoyed reading DiDomizio’s Gay Best Friend last year, so I was looking forward to this new book. Protagonist Ray is from a blue collar lobstering family in Connecticut, and his idea of “happily ever after” is based on his parents’ Big 80s Wedding. He’s a journalist for a Buzzfeed style publication and he’s been out since he was 20. He is looking forward to finally getting a Big Wedding of his own with his fiancé Kip.

Kip is an interesting foil for Ray. Not only is he 10 years older, but he’s a doctor. Kip is much more reserved than Ray, who detailed the juicy exploits of his single days in an online column. Ray has not written about the details of his relationship with Ray, but as their wedding approaches, he begins to contemplate the extent of Kip’s reservedness.

The topic becomes unavoidable as Ray and Kip spend a week together at the Earlymoon Hotel, which promotes a unique concept of an “earlymoon”, in which couples spend bonding time together before the wedding. As you might expect, Ray and Kip’s week is not full of rest and relaxation due to all that simmering tension that I mentioned.

The narrative is single perspective, which works well for several reasons. First of all, this is not a traditional romance novel. Ray and Kip are already in an established relationship; they’re not even estranged and in need of a second-chance trope. Second, Kip’s motives and inner thoughts are supposed to be as indecipherable to the reader as they are to Ray. If we knew what Kip was thinking, it would be more difficult for us to empathize with Ray’s frustrations.

On that note: I am much closer in age to Kip than to Ray. I am not a gay man, but I have several friends who didn’t come out until after college, so I do empathize with Kip’s trepidation. Even though Kip likely falls into the microgeneration between X and Millenial, life was very different back then and people weren’t as open. And having said that, I now feel a million years old.

I would absolutely recommend Nearlywed. It was a lot more serious than I was expecting, but that’s part of what made this such a compelling read. Ray is a simply delightful protagonist with the perfect balance of earnest sincerity and snark.

I received a digital ARC of this book from Sourcebooks/NetGalley.

This is a fun, quick read with some amazing insights into what it actually means to get married.

Ray Bruno writes marriage/relationship/celebrity clickbait articles and is a hopeless romantic. He's dreamed about his wedding since he was young. Kip Hayes is a responsible family practice doctor who doesn't really deal in pop culture or social media, and is a fierce protector of his privacy. Ray has always wanted to go on an "earlymoon" (a pre-honeymoon) at a famous resort in his hometown. So when Kip finally relents, Ray goes all in on the booking. What follows are some funny (and some cringe) mishaps and miscommunications.

When Ray is asked by his editor to write a story about the resort, and earlymoons in general, the novel really shines a light on what marriage looks like for each couple, why people get married, and how hard we fight for the love we want, and need. For Ray and Kip, in particular, it's an eye-opener since they really don't seem to be on the same page at all. This is where the character development really starts to show, and for me, elevates the story.

I did the audiobook of this and the narrator was excellent.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The writing is incredibly dry and monotone. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the e-ARC of this novel in exchange for my review.

Thank you Sourcebooks-Casablanca and Netgalley for the review copy. I was thrilled to receive a review copy and absolutely inhaled the story in less than a day.

Kip and Roy are polar opposites on paper but their partnership dynamic works for them. Kip is firmly in Gen-X and doesn’t think every moment of their lives should be documented, where Roy writes celebrity gossip and blogs while having a very public online footprint. Roy’s beachside hometown is known for its unique resort that boasts “earlymoons” - vacations for couples before they get married - so with the stress of their upcoming wedding, they decide to spend a few days at the resort to unwind and build on their connection…

I’m going to leave it there but this book had some super interesting twists and drama. Where Nic’s last book was wild and messy in a light and funny way, Nearlywed had more sincere and tender moments – so much that I actually cried toward the end of the book. The book addresses topics of accepting one’s sexuality and coming out to folks on one’s own terms, and I could see why both Kip felt conservative in this topic and why Roy was craving public recognition of their relationship. This book was beautifully written (to the person who compared it to Emily Henry’s writing - hard agree).

What a beach read!!

Nicolas DiDomizio has knocked it out of the park again, back with his new book Nearlywed.

Ever since Ray was little, he has wanted to get married and have an “earlymoon” (a pre wedding honeymoon) to really solidify his love and marriage. Only now that he is on his…things aren’t going as planned and not only has his past work and other dilemmas resurfaced, but it’s threatening to tear apart the future. Ray and his husband-to-be, Kip, are complete opposites, a hurricane, and the calm — while this has never posed a challenge before…it’s now becoming evident that all the compromises they have made throughout their relationship may have caused some untreated tension…will love be enough to keep this couple together, or is a storm brewing on the coast of this beautiful waterfront resort?

Thank you to Netgalley, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, and Nicolas DiDomizio for an advanced reader copy to enjoy and review.

4.5⭐️ - this book snuck up on me in the best way possible. I wasn't sure it was going to be for me at first, as the MC is obsessed with weddings and "perfect love", and that just isn't my jam. Because it's told from a single POV, I wasn't sure exactly where the book was going to take us, which I appreciated. The side characters introduced, the journey the MC takes, and what the book has to say about love and relationships ended up being so much deeper than anticipated and left me with all the feels!

Nearly Wed follows characters Ray and Kip as they embark on an earlymoon prior to their wedding. Throughout their stay at the Earlymoon Hotel, both Ray and Kip come face to face with conflicts within themselves as individuals and within their relationship. What was meant to be a relaxing week turns into a major test on their relationship.

Set at a beautiful seaside New England resort, this romcom is the perfect vacation read. Ray is hilarious and charming as the narrator. Featured tropes are age gap and relationship-on-the-rocks romance. Overall, the book is well-written, along the same vein as Emily Henry. There were parts of this book that I absolutely loved, and others that had me struggling to keep interest. I do think many readers will enjoy Nearly Wed, however. I enjoyed the story overall. It’s just not the kind of book I pick up very often.