A review by lovelymisanthrope
The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall

emotional funny lighthearted sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book was picked by Fiancé, and I did not know anything about it going into it, which I loved! This book follows Sophie, who is a professional bridesmaid. She gets hired to be a bridesmaid for a very high-profile client, Cordelia, who does not want a bridesmaid at all. This clash between a people-pleasing bridesmaid and a headstrong bride definitely led to some entertaining and funny scenarios. 
Spoiler I was really invested in the story of Sophie and Cordelia, and I LOVED seeing their friendship grow. I think they were both so great for each other. Sophie got Cordelia to let down her walls and trust people, while Cordelia got Sophie out of her shell. If the book was solely centered on this dynamic, I would have loved it even more. However, this book is pitched as a romance between Sophie and Lord Swann, Cordelia's brother. The "romance" between these two characters felt very insta-lovey to me, and all of their interactions spanned maybe 50 pages. The romance is sweet, but I do not think it enhanced the book. 
Spoiler 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings