Amanda's Wedding

Rating:
Summary: Good beach read
Review: Although "Amanda's Wedding" is not particularly well-written or original, and Colgan seems to have gotten impatient with the story near the end, the book is nonetheless an entertaining -- and at times hilarious -- read. Written in the vein of "Bridget Jones'" diary, "Amanda's Wedding" follows yet another single British gal, but unfortunately she is less lovable than Helen Fielding's protagonist, and the prose is less buoyantly funny. This book was enjoyable light reading nonetheless, especially if you like the genre (which I do). "Amanda's Wedding" was not quite as mean-spirited as my perusal of the synopsis led me to believe it would be, which would have redeemed it to at least a four-star rating, and it is never explained why some of the characters fall for each other. It is definitely not a perfect book. It's not even a book that I would recommend deliberately seeking out. But if you happen to have easy access to a copy, there are certainly worse ways to spend an afternoon. It was pleasantly mediocre, shot with a few streaks of hilarity that may or may not make it worth your while.

Rating:
Summary: Here comes the bride?
Review: As a Brit Lit connoisseur, I have read and purchased many novels in this genre. I've had my eye on Amanda's Wedding for quite some time, and now, having read it, I can confidently place it on my list of favorites. Not only is this novel good, but author Jenny Colgan has a distinct sense of humor that translates well onto paper.

Melanie, Fran and Amanda have been friends since elementary school. This bond of friendship should have lasted well into old age; however, since Amanda's father got rich off some invention of his, suddenly she is too posh for the likes of Melanie and Fran. And now, to top it all off, Amanda announces her engagement to Scottish Laird Fraser McConald -- the very same Fraser who Melanie had a major crush on back in college. Well, that just won't do! So Melanie and Fran form a committee with one goal in mind: to destroy the happy couple and make sure this wedding will never take place.

Yes, it's just another typical Brit Lit novel. But honestly, can one *ever* get enough?! However, with Amanda's Wedding, I was actually surprised at the end. I thought for sure I knew how it would end, but I was wrong, and that is such a refreshing change when reading these types of novels. Good job, Jenny Colgan! I am now a fan for life.

Rating:
Summary: Revenge of the Nerdesses?
Review: Have you ever had a friend that seems to have all the luck and always makes sure that you know that things are going so fantastic for them? Well this is the revenge (in the end) book for all.

Melanie and Fran have been friends of Amanda's for years. Though in college Amanda becomes one of the "in" people and they are sorta left behind. But, now Mel and Fran are invited for dinner to hear Amanda's news. She is getting married. But, to whom? It turns out to be someone that Mel had a crush on in College. But, that was before he erharated his Laird title and was not "worthy of Amanda's attention" then. But now he is fair game you know he has a castle and all.

This story is a great read. It will make you laugh in a lot of places as well as see the reality of some friendships. Colgan's characters all have interesting personalities and seem to get into situations that many of us get into (and a few we don't) but overall it is a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Colgan is now on my must read list.

Rating:
Summary: Revenge of the Nerdesses?
Review: Have you ever had a friend that seems to have all the luck and always makes sure that you know that things are going so fantastic for them? Well this is the revenge (in the end) book for all.

Melanie and Fran have been friends of Amanda's for years. Though in college Amanda becomes one of the "in" people and they are sorta left behind. But, now Mel and Fran are invited for dinner to hear Amanda's news. She is getting married. But, to whom? It turns out to be someone that Mel had a crush on in College. But, that was before he erharated his Laird title and was not "worthy of Amanda's attention" then. But now he is fair game you know he has a castle and all.

This story is a great read. It will make you laugh in a lot of places as well as see the reality of some friendships. Colgan's characters all have interesting personalities and seem to get into situations that many of us get into (and a few we don't) but overall it is a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Colgan is now on my must read list.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: I really enjoyed this book. No to ruin the ending for anyone, but I was PLEASANTLY surprised with the brother she choose. Jenny did a great job of keeping us guessing. Get this book and love it!

Rating:
Summary: British doesn't have to be Bridget, everyone!
Review: I'm a little confused as to why so many reviewers were expecting this book to be "another Bridget Jones." I loved Bridget, but certainly don't anticipate that every book about girls in London is going to be the same. Just as not all American novels are the same, neither are British ones. Yes, there are lots of Bridget clones, I for one was pleased that this wasn't really one of them.
Melanie, the main character, was someone I liked. (Honestly, having had a rotten-but-impossibly-sexy boyfriend of my own at one time, I sympathised completely with her.)
She gets involved in a plot to spoil the wedding of a girl she was childhood friends with, but who has now become an impossible snob. The friend, Amanda, is one of those people that you don't really like but agree to see occasionally anyway, almost like doing psychic penance. (At least, I do this.) To make matters worse, the man Amanda is marrying is Melanie's own secret college crush, Fraser.
So, when Frasers hunky brother Angus, Melanie,her slutty best friend Fran, and various other characters, decide that they cannot allow poor sweet Fraser to go through with this wedding, humor ensues. No, not hilarity. It wasn't hilarious. But it was amusing, and there were a couple of laugh-out-loud lines in the book.
I liked the incidental characters in this book as well. Melanie's lovestruck coworkers, "Mookie" the bridesmaid, and Melanie's Ralph Fiennes-obsessed roommate.
All in all, it was a fun afternoon's read. While I'm not sure if I agree with the ending, it still at least made some sense to me.
I did find that I enjoyed this book more on the second reading. I would definitely read another book by this author.

Rating:
Summary: Quick, fun read
Review: I'm so tired of the brit romance novels, but this one actually held my interest and had me laughing aloud. It's not Dickens, but if you are looking for something fun and quick to read (or if you are tired of all the weddings as I was), it will give you another perspective. It will definitely have you looking at your next wedding a little differently!

Rating:
Summary: A bit of a disapointment
Review: Jenny Colgan tries to make her way into the Bridget Jonesy world with this book, but she lacks the humor and talent of many of her contemporaries. The book does not feel as put together as others I've read. The main heroine is hard to relate to, what with her constant whining. Colgan has failed to really flesh out any of her charcters save for the title role of Amanda, who is someone anyone would love to hate. But no one else pulls any emotion from readers, they're simply cardboard cut-outs.

Reading books in this genre, I don't always expect an original sotryline. That's not always what I read for. But I do expect authors to put their own twist on a told tale and to do it so in such a manner that will make me live vicariously through the characters. I expect, at least, to laugh. Colgan's book acomplished none of these things, sometimes, I wasn't even entertained.

"Amanda's Wedding" isn't a complete failure, however. It's not quality but it's enough to make me want to read the next book and hope Colan's skill has improved. I'm not going to BUY it though.

If you really want to read an excellent author in this genre whose command of language is astounding and whose dry wit and zany characters will pull you into their world, try Marian Keyes, especially her book "Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married."

Rating:
Summary: What's not to love - except Amanda?
Review: OK, so this isn't great British literature. Or even really involved super British modern romance. Read Christina Jones or Katie Fforde (the best) for that. But I started this book yesterday evening and couldn't stop (darn, I have to work, but I did leave a bit early to finish it!) Really funny, cute - and despite what some might think, our heroine doesn't end up with the wrong man. Just one of the possible Mr. Rights. (Although, I do wonder how they make it all work out so everyone is comfortable. I know, I know, it's only fiction - but still, you always wonder how everything all works out.) Our Scots boys are full of charm, Mel is sloppy but sweet - and I actually liked Mookie the bridesmaid. Fran - well, I also wonder how that all works out. Anyway, the total cast of characters is so fun - annoying, but charming at the same time. Read this!!

Rating:
Summary: weak characters = likable?
Review: This book was really good. I would have wholeheartedly given this book 5 stars if it wasn't for the last two pages. Literally. The last two pages.

The major problem: She gets together with someone that no one was rooting for.

Other than that this was a really good book and an author that you should look into if you are at all into chick lit. There were some scenes that were laugh out loud funny and while I'm still a bit peeved at the ending, I would buy it again. Well, if I hadn't already read it. You know what I mean.

A word of warning: Please, try not to get too attached to anybody. All of them get their hearts broke, betray and/or are betrayed by someone they care about.