The Wedding Date

Rating:
Summary: Fluff
Review: A good book, recommendable for a lazy summer day. I couldn't put it down - if only to find out what the next plot twist would be. At times its a little much, but as it is a entertainment only type book it does its job quite well.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous
Review: I picked this book with a bit of hesitation but after the first few pages I was hooked and I absolutely loved this book. Sophy is the first character that I've read of that isn't 22 with a size six waist, a perfect family and the perfect little life and career. She's a realistic, 30 something, size 14 English girl trying to keep her parents, or mother, out of her love life so she tells her what she wants to hear. But I found myself laughing out loud with this one or just chuckling. It was highly enjoyable, I read over half the book in one night, and absolutely enjoyed every page. I couldn't put it down and once I was finished, I wanted to read it again. Yes, he ending was a bit predictable but all the same, it was still a wonderful book. I highly enjoyed it and look forward to other books by this author!

Rating:
Summary: What a tangled web she weaves ....
Review: What is one to do when one has lied to one's mother? Lie some more, of course! And that is just what Sophy does.

Sophy is a 30ish Brit chick who has lied herself into a pickle. She has promised her guilt-tripping mother that she will bring her beau to little sister's wedding. The problem is that her beau was concocted falsely to appease dear Mother. So what does she do? She calls an escort service! And the reader takes a wild ride.

There is little new about this plot. The storyline has been reworked many times. There is not a whole lot original about the characters. Sophy is a caricature of the other Bridget Jones clones currently on the market. Her love interest is so imperfectly perfect that it is is almost laughable. And yet, I enjoyed this book.

Author Elizabeth Young may not be the most inventive of writers but, aside from a very s-l-o-w start, she maintains the reader's interest and throws in enough amusing twists and turns to send the story on its merry way. Especially enjoyable are the witty banter she writes between her characters.

On the warning side, this book is very British. I hope I am not the only American who felt lost in some of Young's reference to British life and experience. Some Americans may feel a little lost at times. The editing is also spellcheck sloppy. It is too often obvious that some wrong words slipped through the editing process, thus confusing the prose. Lastly, the story starts very slowly. Those who stick with it are well-rewarded, but beware the slow start.

Aside from those warnings, this is a good formula romantic comedy novel that, while somewhat heavy on profanity, refereshingly refrains from the graphic sexual description used by too many current authors. As a bonus for romance readers, it packs a delerious romantic punch near the end of the book. A nice read.