poorashleu's review
4.0
Originally posted here
This book is so cute. Super cute even. Even though the book starts off with something that is generally considered to be morbid and depressing, this book isn’t. Even Holly’s view on her grandfather’s death is taken with a bit of humor. While Holly is at a loss of what to do when her grandfather dies, she handles it with humor because that is how she faces the world. This means, within the first 30 pages, I related to Holly. I’m the same way. No matter what happens in the world I tend to tackle it with humor. Yes, even the most awkward and painful moments, I’m the person who makes the cringe worthy moments with humor.
Then at the funeral Holly meets Dax. Dax who is the grandson of the rival wedding chapel. Although this is Las Vegas and there are tons of wedding chapels, this is the one that shares the parking lot while Holly’s wedding chapel. Oh so Romeo and Juliet of them, and Leavitt, I know. It works though. There is a spark. A spark and snark. It’s the perfect little combo, to me at least.
What also helps The Chapel Wars is the cast of characters that is included throughout the novel. Not just Holly and Dax, but also the people in Holly’s life. Her grandfather’s right hand woman, Donna was a hoot; even in moments she was meant to be serious.
“Two of my alpacas, Milton and Clarabelle, were depressed today. I shouldn’t have broken the news about Jim. He always brought them treats.”–pg 40 of paperback ARC.
Comments like that makes me want to be friends with Donna, because friends like that, people who stick by you through thick and thin, even though they are a bit kooky are worth it. And Donna is worth it, she helps Holly throughout the novel. While she finds it crazy that Holly is in charge, she doesn’t really care, and just wants to help Holly succeed. Which is almost next to impossible as the Chapel is floundering. Through growing up, dates with Dax (in which there is BANTER! SPORTS BANTER! Girls can know football! Mind blowing!) Holly tries. She tries to succeed, but also be a teenager, which is never the easiest thing.
Through use of pop culture (which will hold up years from now), relate-able characters and a solid book Leavitt reminds you of first loves in city that people often forget people even live. A perfect summer read.
This book is so cute. Super cute even. Even though the book starts off with something that is generally considered to be morbid and depressing, this book isn’t. Even Holly’s view on her grandfather’s death is taken with a bit of humor. While Holly is at a loss of what to do when her grandfather dies, she handles it with humor because that is how she faces the world. This means, within the first 30 pages, I related to Holly. I’m the same way. No matter what happens in the world I tend to tackle it with humor. Yes, even the most awkward and painful moments, I’m the person who makes the cringe worthy moments with humor.
Then at the funeral Holly meets Dax. Dax who is the grandson of the rival wedding chapel. Although this is Las Vegas and there are tons of wedding chapels, this is the one that shares the parking lot while Holly’s wedding chapel. Oh so Romeo and Juliet of them, and Leavitt, I know. It works though. There is a spark. A spark and snark. It’s the perfect little combo, to me at least.
What also helps The Chapel Wars is the cast of characters that is included throughout the novel. Not just Holly and Dax, but also the people in Holly’s life. Her grandfather’s right hand woman, Donna was a hoot; even in moments she was meant to be serious.
“Two of my alpacas, Milton and Clarabelle, were depressed today. I shouldn’t have broken the news about Jim. He always brought them treats.”–pg 40 of paperback ARC.
Comments like that makes me want to be friends with Donna, because friends like that, people who stick by you through thick and thin, even though they are a bit kooky are worth it. And Donna is worth it, she helps Holly throughout the novel. While she finds it crazy that Holly is in charge, she doesn’t really care, and just wants to help Holly succeed. Which is almost next to impossible as the Chapel is floundering. Through growing up, dates with Dax (in which there is BANTER! SPORTS BANTER! Girls can know football! Mind blowing!) Holly tries. She tries to succeed, but also be a teenager, which is never the easiest thing.
Through use of pop culture (which will hold up years from now), relate-able characters and a solid book Leavitt reminds you of first loves in city that people often forget people even live. A perfect summer read.
brendaclay's review
4.0
Holly is only 16, but her recently-late grandfather left her in charge of their family's legacy and livelihood, the Rose of Sharon wedding chapel in Vegas. He also left her a sealed letter to take to Dax, the grandson of his rival chapel owner next door. After discovering her chapel is in danger of foreclosure, Holly throws herself into saving it, and also finds herself falling in love with the enemy. It's a fun story that touches on some serious issues. I love Lindsey Leavitt's characters, but I have to admit I didn't love Dax like I was clearly supposed to. Something about him just rubbed me the wrong way.
mehsi's review
3.0
This was a really fun/interesting book.
Holly loses her grandfather, and she inherits the chapel. She meets Dax, falls in love and so on. :)
Holly was a nice character, though I felt she was a bit strange at times. How she acted/did, sometimes I was thinking she was over 20, but at other times I thought she was 12.
I also find it silly that she got ownership of the chapel. While sure she inherits it, she still isn't an adult and someone should supervise/have ownership until she turns 18 or until she is at least done with school/college and all that. So that was a bit unrealistic.
I didn't like her relationship with Dax, throughout the book I felt like they just didn't fit together, and I didn't like all the sneakiness. It felt too much like Romeo and Juliet at times and it also got a bit boring.
Dax, urgh, I really didn't like him for most of the book. At times he was nice, but at other times I just felt he was hiding something, or plotting something bad.
Then we have Dax's granddad, oh my gosh, he was a total prick and mean. Also one reason why this book only gets 3 stars, instead of 4 or 5.
But I liked the weddings and how hard Holly tried to save her chapel.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Holly loses her grandfather, and she inherits the chapel. She meets Dax, falls in love and so on. :)
Holly was a nice character, though I felt she was a bit strange at times. How she acted/did, sometimes I was thinking she was over 20, but at other times I thought she was 12.
I also find it silly that she got ownership of the chapel. While sure she inherits it, she still isn't an adult and someone should supervise/have ownership until she turns 18 or until she is at least done with school/college and all that. So that was a bit unrealistic.
I didn't like her relationship with Dax, throughout the book I felt like they just didn't fit together, and I didn't like all the sneakiness. It felt too much like Romeo and Juliet at times and it also got a bit boring.
Dax, urgh, I really didn't like him for most of the book. At times he was nice, but at other times I just felt he was hiding something, or plotting something bad.
Then we have Dax's granddad, oh my gosh, he was a total prick and mean. Also one reason why this book only gets 3 stars, instead of 4 or 5.
But I liked the weddings and how hard Holly tried to save her chapel.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
sandraagee's review
3.0
The books was fine and had a charming premise with loads of potential, but I didn't love it as much as I wanted to. As I was reading I mentally changed the ages of all of the characters so that the teens were all 23. That made me enjoy the book a bit more since the premise seemed somewhat implausible otherwise. I mean, who leaves a teenager a business in their will and doesn't include a clause that holds it in trust until she's at least out of high school? Could not wrap my head around that at all.
rosiethespy's review
3.0
Sweet and funny and only a little sad. A nice quick read if you're in the mood for something light.
sc104906's review
3.0
Holly's grandfather recently died and left her his Vegas Wedding Chapel. She has helped keep the business running throughout the years, and he knows that she is the best bet for the job.
Holly is forced into a long time battle with the chapel's arch nemesis, who is threatening to buy out her chapel. Can Holly and her crew make enough money to keep the chapel afloat, or will the cute boy from the competing chapel be too much.
This is your stereotypical fluffy novel, with all of the cheesy quirks.
Holly is forced into a long time battle with the chapel's arch nemesis, who is threatening to buy out her chapel. Can Holly and her crew make enough money to keep the chapel afloat, or will the cute boy from the competing chapel be too much.
This is your stereotypical fluffy novel, with all of the cheesy quirks.
laurenash's review
3.0
The Chapel Wars was cute, I'll give it that. My only issue with the book was the overwhelming sense of something missing, and I couldn't quite figure out what it was. There was a little bit of insta-love between Holly and Dax. So, overall it was light and fluffy, which earned it the 3 stars.
sheffner07's review
3.0
The MC was feisty and funny, the love interest a worthy book boyfriend. Loved the setting of Las Vegas and the wedding business there. The second half of the book fell short for me, however, and there seemed to be too many conflicts thrown in at the end. Still, it was a sweet and hilarious read that's perfect for people looking for a quick, sweet read.
anabook25's review
3.0
I really loved her latest book, but I couldn't really get into this one. I probably had a book hangover because I spent one month reading Mistborn or maybe it was because I'm not really a fan of Las vegas. Either way, it was a cute, quick read. And I'll still read anything Lindsey Leavitt writes.