Poppy
is packing her bags to spend two blissful weeks alone on an island.
It’s time away from the ex-husband who hasn’t quite moved out
yet, and reminders of the marriage they rushed into young, before
she’ll kick back on a girls’ holiday with her oldest friend
Lola.
But
before Poppy can set foot on the ferry, Lola waylays her. She has her
first high-profile wedding planner gig on the neighbouring island,
and there’s a problem – the photographer has bailed.
Poppy
agrees to help out for Lola’s sake. But soon the bride confides she
has cold feet and asks Poppy’s help escaping the island, and then
Poppy realises she recognises the groom. Embroiled in a high-society
disaster waiting to happen, Poppy has to save the wedding… but
should she?
The
Wedding Crasher will have you in stitches from start to finish –
don’t miss the new uplifting book from Abigail Mann! Perfect for
fans of Marian Keyes, Sophie Ranald and Beth O’Leary.
With
her marriage in ruins, Poppy arranges a photography trip to escape
the husband she still shares a house with him. It’s a solid idea
but an example of when best-laid plans go belly up and as a
consequence, Poppy’s adventure is chaotic with a serious undertone.
My thoughts on this book are mixed because I had expected a
rom-com, but it turned out to be more about the journey of breaking
up and self-discovery. Although it was a satisfying read, it did not
fit the mould of a typical romance novel. The plot centres around the
pain of facing the end of a relationship, reflections on a failed
marriage, trials and tribulations of friendship, and the complexities
of starting over.
The protagonist, Poppy, is a well-developed character who evolves
throughout the story. Initially, she is a passive wife who tolerates
a lot, but she gradually takes control of her life and realizes her
self-worth. She transforms from being a pushover with her family and
friends to standing up for herself and pursuing her dreams. Her
character progression is commendable, and her commitment to
self-improvement is inspiring. Similarly, Will, the son of a wealthy
and overbearing businessman, is also a well-developed character who
struggles to assert himself and acknowledge his emotions.
The flashbacks provide insights into Poppy's relationships with
her soon-to-be ex-husband and Will. These flashbacks are intriguing
as they show how these relationships began and evolved when they were
younger. They also reveal how some characters grew and evolved, while
others remained unchanged. Poppy's husband, Josh, is an example of a
character who displayed toxicity and narcissism from the outset,
whereas Will stands out as a contrast to Josh, especially in how they
treat Poppy.
Although the book was a satisfying read, I feel that my
expectations influenced my perception of the story. Had I not
expected a rom-com, I would have enjoyed the book more. It is, in
fact, a story of a woman coming to terms with her divorce and
discovering her identity without her husband and marriage defining
her. I believe that readers who enjoy women's fiction will appreciate
this book.
***arc
generously received courtesy of One More Chapter***
