Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

What a fun, steamy debut from Heather McBreen!

Plot
28 year old Ada is experiencing the worst of travel woes en route to Ireland for her younger sister's wedding, where Ada is the maid of honor. Cancelled flights, expired hotel vouchers, pennies in her bank account... and on top of that she's "on a break" (a la Ross and Rachel) from her boyfriend of 8 years. She's basically walking bad luck. But things are looking up when she meets a man named Jack in the hotel lobby (see above expired voucher) who, as it turns out, is also trying to get to an international wedding where he's going to be the best man.... I think you can see where this is going? Yes, yes, surprise: they're going to the SAME wedding! Jack's best friend Collin is marrying Ada's sister Allison. After an almost one night stand that Ada was hilariously oblivious to, the pair awkwardly, begrudgingly, fitfully make their way to Ireland together Planes, Trains and Automobiles style.

Review
I am feeling incredibly conflicted over this book. I really enjoyed certain aspects but it also featured one of my least favorite tropes in all of literature. I hate hate HATE when one (or both?) of the main characters are actively in relationships at the beginning of the book. Although Ada and her long-time boyfriend are technically "on a break," they are decidedly NOT broken up, and Ada is still insistent that she wants to be with him even past the halfway point in the book. I was increasingly exhausted as the book went on at Ada's inner monologue but honestly, maybe I'm the problem? It's quite possible that I'm just too hyperaware of this trope and it might not bother another reader as much as it did me. I just couldn't get past the fact that we're 58% through a romance book before she actually breaks up with her boyfriend.

Character-wise, I felt like neither Ada or Jack was specifically well developed. Ada had her moments but for the most part, I feel like we really know nothing about Jack. I'm sure that's largely in part to his I-hate-love-bad-boy-you-can't-hurt-me-if-you-don't-know-me-player persona, but even by the end I just didn't feel that tug of understanding for him. Their reunion after the third act breakup was SO adorable though, and I couldn't stop smiling. Despite all I've said before, I really DID like Jack and Ada together. They had great banter and I loved seeing them come together instead of apart despite all the travel failures and stress. I just wish I cared more about them each individually instead of only rooting for them as a couple.

McBreen's voice really shines in this book. Truthfully, this was the bright spot for me. I loved the writing style and the detail and care with which she wrote the settings in this story. It was simultaneously whimsical and vivid and hilarious and infuriating, and so well done that I felt like I was trudging through the airport or running to catch a train or eating pizza in bed right along with Ada and Jack. I flew through this in just about 24 hours and overall, I did enjoy the reading experience. I would definitely read more from this author in the future because I'm intrigued to see what she may do with some tropes I enjoy and some characters I'm more connected to.

The best romance books involve both people becoming better versions of themselves. In Wedding Dashers, Ada and Jack both have very satisfying character arcs. I was rooting for them as individuals and for them to get together. This book was an unexpected delight.

This book was hilarious from beginning to end, and there's nothing I wouldn't change about it. It's full of banter, tension, and not only is it a perfect rom-com but it's also a great coming of age story.

This was a super fun forced proximity travel romance with a great meet cute that sees Ada and Jack trying to get to the same destination wedding in Belfast despite a number of obstacles along the way. With a case of mistaken identity, only one bed, deeply emotional conversations and tons of chemistry, I really enjoyed this debut and highly recommend it for fans of books like Off the map by Trish Doller or Maya's laws of love by Alina Khawaja. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review! (It was also excellent on audio read by my very favorite narrator, Brittany Pressley)!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you #NetGalley for an arc of The Wedding Dashers in exchange for an honest review.

🧳 Forced proximity
🧳 One bed
🧳 Opposites attract
🧳 Fake relationships
🧳 Grand gestures

Started off 2025 with wrapping up such a great read! The Wedding Dashers was McBreen’s debut novel and it was super entertaining.

Our MCs Ada and Jack were written with such a complementary dynamic. There’s great banter between these two. We also get a good grasp behind what makes these two tick which is always something I look for. While these two find themselves in some wild situations I think it adds such a great charm to the story. There are heavy topics so worth checking over the trigger warnings.

TW: Loss of a parent (off page), divorce, abusive relationship, and alcohol consumption

I couldn't love this book more if I tried! McBreen's writing is gorgeous and the chemistry between Jack and Ada shines through the pages. Highly recommend!

This is what I mean when I say I love romcoms. Wedding Dashers has a perfect balance between the banter, spice and humor, making it an enjoyable read from start to finish.

Our main characters find themselves stuck in this seemingly unlucky traveling arrangement, but little did they know it’ll all lead to their soulmate.

Honestly, If I could wipe my memory and read it again, I absolutely would.

What a fantastic book, and to think it’s a debut - mind blown! I loved so much about this book and don’t even know where to start. I couldn’t put it down.

As a lover of traveling, I love a traveling romance and travel gone wrong trope. Ada is hit with a series of unfortunate events on the way to her sisters wedding, and ends up cooped up with the best-man. It had heat, slow burn, passion, a ton of depth and a romcom-perfect ending. It felt like a movie and I found myself thinking about the movie Leap Year.

Thank you to Forever pub, Heather and NetGalley for the arc. I’ll read anything Heather writes as this was so fantastic.

This was a really solid debut! It featured lots of my favorite tropes and I thought the more emotional moments were balanced well with humor. The slowish burn romance between Ada and Jack was a big part of the story, but both characters have growing to do, and so this leaned a bit more towards women's fiction for me.

Things to expect:
- a twist of fate
- an awkward almost one night stand
- forced proximity
- road trip shenanigans
- only one bed
- a dash of fake dating
- right person wrong time
- a pizza date with destiny

I really liked how the third act conflict was handled. It made sense for the characters and also gave them time to grow and heal. The overall message of learning to be enough all on your own was very powerful and well done. I also appreciated the message that there aren't perfect relationships or marriages. That perhaps it's more about finding someone to face whatever comes with and choosing them over and over again. That you can grow together without growing apart. The epilogue brought everything full circle and left me with a huge smile on my face.

I both listened to the audiobook and read the ebook of Wedding Dashers and really enjoyed the narration by Brittany Pressley. She voiced all the characters distinctly and I had no issues determining who was speaking. Her comedic timing was amazing as well and this was a great listening experience.

Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4 stars

CW (from the author): alcohol consumption, divorce, death of a parent (not on page, but referred to), and an abusive romantic relationship (not on page, but referred to).

*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*

This was much more fun than I expected! I don't usually enjoy road trip romances, but these two characters brought enough depth and authenticity to the story that I was rooting for them regardless of the road trip mishaps. I loved that they took time to figure their own stuff out. I really liked how they came together. I was horribly uncomfortable the first third of the book. But I think I was meant to be. lol

HI HELLO THIS BOOK IS NOW MY ENTIRE PERSONALITY. Our purple-haired heroine was written specifically for me—an eldest daughter with purple hair(!!!) who has to protect siblings and keep the world spinning. I was sucked into this book and just wanted to stay with these characters long after I hit The End. The quirky stops and lush scenery and travel mayhem all came together for a perfect travel romance.

A round of applause for Heather McBreen’s delightfully chaotic debut rom-com. WEDDING DASHERS has it all - mistaken identity, travel mishaps, forced proximity, and sizzling chemistry. It was a joy from start to finish.

Ada is having the worst string of luck. A failed business, and an eight-year relationship on the rocks should have prepared her for a hiccup in the trans-Atlantic travel plans for her sister’s wedding. A cancelled flight finds her stranded with nowhere to stay until a handsome stranger comes to her rescue. What follows is a madcap adventure with Jack who is no fan of romance or relationships. Except — what happens if you meet the right person at the wrong time?

This is the right mix of hilarity and depth. The writing is sharp and the characters well developed. Ms. MsBreen had me laughing and emotional at the same time which is no easy feat. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fabulous debut for those who love traveling, rom coms and wedding antics. Ada is heading to Belfast to celebrate her sister’s wedding when her layover gets canceled. Fate had her crossing paths with Jack, who happens to be the best man at the very same wedding. The two had some of the BEST banter and communication. I did not expect myself to laugh out loud so much. Ada was a messy main character, but to me, it was the fact that she wasn’t perfect that made her easy to relate to and such a joy to cheer on. Brittany Presley did a great job narrating her voice as well as all the dialogue with Jack. Seriously, I can listen to her male voice for days!

Read if you like:
-Road trip romances
-Ireland setting
-Wedding antics
-Only one bed
-You With a View/ Holiday Romance

Two stranded wedding guests make their way from London to Northern Ireland in this delightful rom-com debut.

Ada is en route from Seattle to Ireland for her younger sister's destination wedding and she's less than thrilled. Her business has recently failed, she's living with her parents after her long-time boyfriend decided they needed a 3 month break, she's flat broke and, worst of all, she's convinced her sister is rushing into an ill-considered marriage. Now the budget airline has cancelled her connecting flight to Belfast and she's stranded in London without the means to even book a hotel room.

Ada's luck seems to take a turn for the better when she meets Jack - a very attractive fellow traveller who is also stranded - and he offers to share his hotel room with her. After a few drinks, Ada decides there's no reason why she can't share her true feelings about the wedding, the groom and the womanizing best man she dreads meeting with this airport stranger only to discover that they are both heading to the same wedding and Jack is the aforementioned best man. The pair decide to put the misunderstanding aside and travel together via a mix of ferries, trains, and automobiles in a desperate attempt to make it to the wedding on time while also trying to keep their simmering attraction to each other in check.

Wedding Dashers is a fun read and a very strong romance debut - anyone who has had travel go sideways can relate! There's sizzling chemistry and witty banter as the two main characters get to know each other in this slow burn/forced proximity romance as well as some heavier issues that the two are coming to terms with. Laugh-out-loud funny yet also emotional at times - a great choice for romance readers interested in a steamy road-trip romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sending a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

For fans of Netflix's romantic comedies such as Holidate, this one's for you.

Two disillusioned individuals meet under less than ideal circumstances. Ada is on a 'break' from her boyfriend of eight years. Meanwhile, Jack is dealing with baggage of his own. A fateful, flirtatious first encounter takes a turn when they realize they're heading to the same wedding. Ada's sister Allison and Jack's bestfriend Collin's wedding to be exact.

Both Ada and Jack have reservations about the speed with which their loved ones are heading down the altar. Because surely two people can't be sure about each other after only dating less than a year, right?

Nevertheless, despite numerous setbacks, they do everything they can to make their way to the wedding. Chemistry, hijinks, and humor ensue along the way. I enjoyed seeing Allison grow and realize that she was clinging onto her failed relationship because of the familiarity and safety of it, not because she truly missed her ex or the person she was when she was with him.

I do wish we would have gotten some chapters in Jack's PoV or at least the epilogue though, because we never truly get an inside look into his thoughts and feelings. As a result, I feel far less of an attachment to him as a character.

Minor issues aside, I had a fun time with this one. It is in no way original in its conception or execution. But it still manages to be a fun, sexy romp, and sometimes that's all you need.

I really liked the book.
Sometimes we meet the right person for us at the wrong time in our lives.
Ada and Jack’s efforts to get to Ireland were straight out of the movie Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
Both were good for each other if nothing else realizing how much personal growth and work they each needed to do.
I’m a big believer in not jumping from relationship into another because you need time to heal and reassess. A person has to be happy with themselves before they can find happiness in each other.
Read this book and it might ring some bells with your win situation.

🩷 Book Review 🩷

What is this?! Another romance debut that is OH SO GOOD!!

“He’s an app I can’t stop opening. A habit I can’t break.”

Ahem this book is a habit I can’t break!! I had so much fun with this debut. I loved every single second. It’s hard to make me laugh in rom coms but this had a special pizazz and was laughing my booty off.

Ada + Jack= Perfection 😮‍💨❤️

The sassy banter and witty personalities. What more can you ask for?

The story was also very emotional and so pure and raw. My heart truly broke for this duo in different ways. Sometimes love can be gut wrenching and your heart feels like it’s going to break. Being honest with yourself and realizing maybe I’m happier without this person? Or, is love really enough?

Mcbreen you broke my heart but did you put it back together. Thank goodness 😅. That ending!!! Ugh my lil 💙.

“An affair to remember.”

“Maybe it’s finding someone who makes you feel a little less alone in the world.”

Huge thank you to @berkleypub @heathermcbreenwrites for my copy.

5/5

Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen is a delightful mix of mistaken identities, unexpected twists, and a forced-proximity romance that hits all the right notes. Ada and Jack’s banter and chemistry are irresistible, making their road trip across Ireland both hilarious and heartfelt. The close proximity creates moments of humor and tension that keep you hooked, while the underlying emotional growth adds depth to their story.

Though the characters’ baggage adds a bit of drama, it’s balanced by laugh-out-loud moments and a slow-burn romance that feels authentic. Fans of witty rom-coms with a touch of chaos will love this debut. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy clever dialogue, romantic misadventures, and a bit of self-discovery along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC—I can’t wait to see what McBreen writes next!

⛴️ WEDDING DASHERS 💍

Ada needs to get to her sister's wedding in Belfast but is stranded in London with no flight, no hotel room and her sister's designer veil. Thankfully a dashing stranger offers her a bed for the night (his 👀). Not awkward at all the next morning when Ada discovers he is the best man at the very same wedding. Off you pop on an adventure with this funny, flawed but relatable pair.

Adored. Adored. Adored. I ate this up in 48hours. You can probably tell by my own debut that I love an adventure built around a romcom and Heather delivers this in buckets.

Reading a book about an American in the UK will never not be funny to me. What do you mean they just strolled into a kebab shop without checking the hygiene rating first!? What do you mean they didn't factor in train strikes?

There is a lovely slowburn romance which pays off beautifully. Heather deals with the characters flaws and their resolution in a very grown up and believable way which I really enjoyed reading. And I always love a sisterly arc. Especially as the eldest daughter myself.

A fun, sweet debut that is perfect for fans of Leap Year and unlikely partners falling in love on the road trip from hell. The voice was sharp and the characters felt real and relatable.