A review by samanthameyer
Bad Luck Bridesmaid by Alison Rose Greenberg

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book was not at all what I was expecting but I absolutely adored it. First thing I will say is, THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE. If you want a sweet, classic romcom that we've come to expect when seeing a cover like this, please look elsewhere. There is some steam sprinkled throughout which is great but still, unequivocally, not a romance. That being said, this may be one of my favorite books about female friendship. The relationship Zoey has with her bff Hannah is what we all want. Someone who is in your corner, no matter what. Someone who knows you better than you know yourself and has been with you through thick and thin. Someone who will jump off a yacht with you into a rowboat while you're simultaneously having a panic attack and stripping while trying to flee your rehearsal dinner (I literally lol'd while reading this portion). Zoey and Rylan's tumultuous relationship may take center stage for some, but that was really like a side plot for me and Rylan was a character that Zoey needed to interact with and have in her life in order to grow and become confident in who she is and what type of life she wants. Zoey's growth throughout the book is something we can all aspire to and while it is painful for her to get there, she ends as a force of nature confident in herself and her choices. While the book started off a little slow, I don't feel like we needed quite as much backstory about the previous weddings she had been a bridesmaid in, it quickly picked up and had me hooked. Such a strong debut and I can't wait to see what Greenberg writes next.
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