Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, a contemporary and witty romance series about three high-powered New York City women who can plan any wedding–but their own. Alexis Morgan has spent the past eight years devoted to turning her tiny start-up into Manhattan’s premiere wedding planning company, The Wedding Belles. Now that her business is thriving, it’s time to turn … thriving, it’s time to turn towards her much neglected personal life, and Alexis approaches her relationships like she does everything else: with a plan. Not a part of that plan is Logan Harris, the silent partner in the Belles, and the one person who’s been there for her since the very beginning. But Alexis needs someone fun, and Logan’s all business, all the time–except when a late night at the office ends with an unexpected kiss that leaves the usually cool and together Alexis reeling.
Logan has lusted after Alexis since the day he walked into the tiny Harlem apartment that used to double as her office. But the ambitious wedding planner has always been untouchable…until now. Alexis has made it clear that she’s on the dating market–and equally clear that he’s not in the running. But when Alexis finds herself in need of a date for her sister’s last minute wedding in Florida, Logan knows it’s the perfect time to show Alexis that there’s more to him than numbers and spreadsheets–and beneath the pinstripes and glasses lies a hot-blooded heartthrob. As Florida’s sultry days turn into even hotter nights, Logan’s out to convince Alexis that the fling of a lifetime could just maybe turn into forever…more
Why the heck did I wait so long to read the final installment in the Wedding Belles series? To Love and to Cherish reminded me of why I liked the first two books and Lauren Layne’s writing style. It’s a friends-to-lovers story and a dare to be brave when love comes knocking.
Alexis Morgan is the most mysterious Wedding Belle. She keeps a lot of herself tucked inside and locked away. Asking for help and admitting vulnerability are things she’s long since let go of. Now she’s a successful owner of the top wedding planning company she’s always dreamed of, she’s starting to realize she left behind some of her other dreams too.
Logan Harris is her accountant and silent business partner. His role in her company isn’t the only thing that’s kept silent, so is the fact that he’s been in love with her for eight years. When his family calls asking him to come home to London, Logan must decide whether he should continue to spend his life waiting for Alexis. It might finally be time for him to give her a push in his direction.
It became clear to me that Alexis is afraid to start something she won’t be able to control. She doesn’t want to be hurt and left alone, so she doesn’t allow herself to get feelings involved and makes herself alone. I understand Alexis’ fears quite well. However, she was still frustrating and dense when it came to what was right in front of her.
I loved Logan’s adoration and patience. He knew Alexis so well and he just wanted to show her how happy they could be together.
I recommend the Wedding Belles for fans of career-driven women, sweet romance, easy and comforting writing styles, weddings, and good friends.
Favorite Quotes:
Sorry, what was that, Alexis darling? I was just counting your mother’s wrinkles and got distracted because there are just so many – … I’ve seen shar-peis with fewer creases on their face.
Holy crap, Alexis thought, slumping back in her chair in dismayed shock. There were few more startling come-to-Jesus moments than the realization that you were turning into your mother.
I love you with everything, and you won’t give me even a little bit of something.
My Review:
The Wedding Belles was a fun and entertaining series and it feels bittersweet to write this review knowing this to be the final installment. Lauren Layne has mastered the art of stand-alone volumes within a series. Although would be much more fun to read her entire series, and in the proper order. While this book could be read as a stand alone, there was considerably more info to be gleaned about Alexis and Logan in the previous books. I absolutely adored Logan – he was a sweet and sexy Clark Kent Brit. Alexis was a difficult character to rally behind, as she was a jaded, cold, prickly, aloof, selfish, driven, stubborn, uptight, OCD control freak. I had oodles of pity for Logan and wanted to give him comfort – lots and lots of comfort. Purrr. But I also developed empathy for Alexis once given the knowledge of her history, although I still wanted to give her a few smacks with my kindle.