Violet Abrams may have been a bridesmaid no less than seven times, but her wedding day was near–she could feel it. Until her longtime boyfriend left her for someone else. That’s just fine–she has her photography and a new project redesigning her sister’s bakery to keep her happy and fulfilled. Fast-forward to the day of his wedding, though, when Violet might have accidentally, totally not on … purpose, started a fire. And… Officially the worst day ever.
Firefighter Ford Maguire thought he’d seen it all. Until he’s called out because someone tried to set the local bakery on fire…with a wedding magazine? The little arsonist might be the cutest woman he’s ever seen, but he’s too career-focused to consider something serious. Still, Violet seems like a great person to help him navigate his upcoming “man of honor” duties in his best friend’s wedding.
Pretty soon, not only is Violet giving him lessons on all things weddings, she’s helping him train his latest rescue-dog recruit puppies and weaving her way seamlessly into his lone-wolf lifestyle. But forever is the last thing on Ford’s mind, and if there’s one thing a perpetual bridesmaid knows, it’s the importance of a happily ever after.
Each book in the Getting Hitched series is STANDALONE:
* Just One of the Groomsmen
* Always a Bridesmaid
more
This book is laugh out loud funny, and sweet and all the things a good romance book should be. I really enjoyed it!
Through many breakfasts, lunches and dozens of cups of cozy coffee, I felt a fondness for Violet Abrams that was very much like reading my own story. A quirky woman who struggles to pay attention but is amazingly artistic, has her heart broken by the man she devoted so many years of her life to when she catches him in the act of cheating on her.
After that horrifying experience changed the entire course of her life and has put a huge dent in her own creativity, she relocates back to her families hometown of Uncertainty, Alabama. This comes with many challenges as she’s actually the illegitimate daughter of the town’s Mayor and has a very strained relationship with her family there, but it’s the only place she can go.
Her first day back and she’s trying to lay low, but she sets a small fire in her half sister’s bakery and the responding firefighter Ford Maguire is more than she ever bargained for. Navigating their attraction to each other and all the strings that are attached will be the biggest challenge either of them have had to face.
While these characters are part of a contemporary romance, I would say they provided a unique experience of character flaws and quirks that I greatly enjoyed. Violet is presented as this incredibly distracted and quirky woman who likes to experience freedom but has lived this life of always having to fit some expected standard and Ford brings out her more adventurous side.
Ford has his own set of challenges as well and that comes in the form of being scared to death of commitments because he watched his drunken father go through several failed marriages and his brothers didn’t fall far from the family tree either.
These two love interests have a lot of hurdles in front of them and their journey of exploring desire, attraction and longing were a fantastic ride of emotions and excitement. The sex was hot and the attraction palpable through each page.
This is a 2020 romance release you won’t want to miss out on!
Trigger warnings worthy of mention include alcoholism, infidelity and broken families. These are not heavily focused on throughout the story and don’t make up too much of it, but these dynamics are present, so if any of these are an issue for you, I’d say tread lightly with this book but they shouldn’t be a problem.
Having really enjoyed book 1 in this series I was excited to read Always a Bridesmaid and let me tell you this book was everything I expected and more….
Violet Adams is always the bridesmaid, never the bride and now her ex is getting married she is struggling to come to terms with her life, this was meant to be her day so what do you do, well I guess starting a fire by burning wedding dress pictures isn’t right unless it gets firefighter Ford Maguire’s attention…..
I love the characters, the story and I loved catching up with Ford again, we meet him in Just One Of The Groomsman and his story is a great addition. This is an entertaining, fun romance that I highly recommend. It certainly ticked all my boxes and left me smiling like a Cheshire Cat.
Having read Just One of the Groomsmen recently, I was itching for this to be released so I could visit Uncertainty again with this crazy cast of characters.
Ford is wonderful. I feel like I know him, mostly because I have some friends who are a lot like him. There’s something compelling about this bruised guy with a concerned, caring streak a mile wide. There really are only two speeds with him – all in or all out – and they fit his character.
Violet has her own charms, too. I would hate her distractedness but her kindness, her sincerity, and her determination to continue to find the positive and enjoy life despite the crap hands she keeps getting dealt would all make me want to be her friend. Though I’d probably join Addie in running for the hills during all the wedding/baby talk.
While this was clearly Ford and Violet’s story, I appreciated how much their friends and family were involved. I adore Addie and Tucker so it was great to see them again and watch them continue to flourish. I wish Easton had had more of a roll to play here; I’m still eagerly awaiting his story.
I can’t wait to share more adventures with this group!
It’s books like this that make me love reading romance stories. This story gives you all the feels, especially the giddy happy feeling you get when you meet your forever person. I found this story to be realistic from the scenario to the characters behaviors and thoughts. There are so many heartwarming moments and funny scenes.
I absolutely loved Ford and am so happy he got his own story. I was definitely intrigued by him in the first book of this series, Just One of the Groomsmen. He is by far my favorite of the men in this series. Ford doesn’t do long term, but only because of his families past. The towns people only see him as another McGuire, unstable and out to cause trouble. But Ford is trying to create a new image for himself. He is the towns hero helping out with training rescue dogs, firefighting, and search and rescue missions; who wouldn’t fall for him. Violet temporarily moves to Uncertainty, Alabama to help her sister revamp her bakery, help her out with her niece, and try to find her new photography muse before she goes back out into the world. All while trying to get over the fact that he ex, who promised her some day is now having that someday with someone else.
Violet has no intentions of being in another relationship, but when it comes to Ford she just can’t help herself. Ford isn’t her usual type, but is instantly drawn to him. I found these two to be a great couple and they bring out the best in one another.
This series is a delightful, small town, romance, written in a charming and humorous voice. Cute puppies, dysfunctional families, quirky and eclectic characters that populate the town add to the delightful read and provide amusement.
Tomboy, Addison (Addie) Murphy Murphy) had grown up with her gang, Tucker Crawford, Will Shepherd (Shep), Easton and Ford McGuire in the small town of Uncertainty, Alabama. In the first book Shep gets married, and Addie and Tucker go from friends to lovers. In this book, they are preparing for the wedding. As Addie was one of the Groomsmen at Shep’s wedding, she has picked Ford as her Bestdude, a position that he is not really comfortable with. Ford has issues. His father and 2 older half brothers are alcoholics and not very nice people and his mother had left him when he was young. To make up for his family, he has made himself into a hero of sorts, a fireman, paramedic, search & rescue and even training the dogs. But after the way he was brought up, he has no interest in ever having a family.
Violet Abrams is the “love” child of a short affair that the town mayor had many years go. Growing up she did not have a much of a relationship with her father or her half siblings, but recently she has become close to her half sister Maisy. After she catches her boyfriend of 10 year making out with another bridesmaid at Maisy’s wedding, she decides that she has had it with men. When she, an award-winning photographer also losses her photography muse and Maisy’s husband is deployed, she comes to Uncertainly to help Maisy renovate her bakery. Violet has ADHD and accidentally starts a fire her first day there- meeting Ford. Their attraction is immediate and instead of being disgusted by Violet’s scatterbrained personality, he finds her charming. But will the pressures of the reopening of the bakery, the wedding preparations and other people messing with their heads, can these two people who are clearly made for each other get it together?
While this is a wonderful story, except for Violet having wasted 10 years on her boyfriend Benjamin and her summers in Uncertainty, there was nothing about her growing up except that she was raised by a single Jewish woman and her bubbie (grandmother) in Florida. Why was the character made Jewish, when there is nothing about her that is Jewish? She has a group of friends “The Bridesmaid Crew”, but not too much about them either. These should have been explored more, or totally cut out as they adding nothing but confusion to the story.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
I liked the previous book very much, unfortunately this was really boring, the characters where great though (this is why I am giving it 3 stars). The main characters are really boring and full of issues, which is the main plot of the book. I would have been better if the author would have done it funnier or deeper. I cannot recommend this book
3+ Stars
I’ve loved most of the books I’ve read by Ms. Madsen, and when I saw this new one was about a firefighter who trained puppies I just couldn’t keep away. Even though it ended up being quite the cute, sweet romance it was not exactly the gripping story I was hoping for.
Violet was obsessed with everything wedding. And although I’ve come to realize that many people could connect to this very defining aspect of her, sadly I could not. She was sweet and kind of funny but had ginormous daddy issues, as well as low self-esteem stemming from her family dynamics and the asshole loser she had been with for the last decade. I did love how she, very slowly, came to realize some stuff about her life and opened herself up to seeing things in a new light.
Ford was the epitome of hunky firefighter with a slight savior complex. Being part of an S&R troop, as well as a K-9 S&R trainer and EMT just gave him more tools to act on that. Once we get a bit of backstory into his childhood, we understand why he is the way he is and where all his trust issues come from. Unfortunately, his hot and cold (dare I say cowardly) approach to being with Violet drove me absolutely bonkers.
There were some serious family issues for both of them that needed resolving, and I’m not completely sure I liked how it was handled on Violet’s case. But hey, I’m all for forgiving and starting fresh… I just would have liked to see some slapping of the stepmother, that’s all I’m saying.
Violet and Ford shared a powerful attraction but were set on fighting it, each for their own reasons. I loved how they were together once they both pulled their walls down but was put off when they built those walls back up. It was so annoying!!! Fortunately, there was a gaggle of active puppies, great friends, sassy banter and one adorable baby niece to even things out.
While Always a Bridesmaid didn’t blow me away, I loved some parts and really enjoyed reading it.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
3.5 Stars!
Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen, is an interesting and engaging novel that takes place in Uncertainty, Alabama. This small town romance is replete with an entertaining plot, nicely-defined characters, and a meaningful story.
While growing up, Violet spent her summers with her father and his family. Unfortunately, her stepmother belittled her and the small town of Uncertainty was very unwelcoming. Years later, after a horrific break-up, Violet decides to spend some time with her sister Maisy and her new niece Isla. Maisy owns a bakery in Uncertainty and Violet will be helping Maisy redecorate the drab interior. Violet is a professional photographer and so she has a keen eye. She is also an expert on all things bridal, since she has photographed many weddings, been a bridesmaid seven times, and spent years planning her own wedding that never happened. She is not looking for love, but luckily she finds it when Ford comes to her rescue.
It has taken Ford years to live down his family’s uncouth reputation, and yet from time to time the elders of the town can’t resist a quick barb. Nevertheless, he loves being a firefighter, a paramedic, and training puppies to assist with rescue missions. He and his dog have had great success locating the lost. Ford always thought that his work and friends was all he needed to be happy. Then Violet comes into his life and he realizes that she is what makes him whole.
I enjoyed this book, however, the plot lacked depth in the beginning and dragged a bit. Violet and Ford are a sexy couple, and I liked getting to to know them. Despite being bullied throughout their respective childhoods, they are caring individuals that will do anything for the people they love. The secondary characters, especially Violet’s sister Maisy, and Trouble, the cutest puppy ever, are the heart of the story.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Violet Abrams life is in a tailspin. After spending 10 years thinking she was getting married to her boyfriend, she finds him in a compromising position at her half sister’s wedding! So what’s a girl to do but take a crowbar to his prized BMW convertible! OK….that ended up getting her arrested but it still felt good. Trying to escape her life Violet ends up going to Uncertainty, Alabama to stay with her half sister, Maisy and her adorable niece, Isla. She will just have to try her hardest to avoid her father and his wife.
When Violet is helping Maisy out at her bakery, she may have accidentally set the place on fire. When local firefighter, Ford Maguire shows up and the real sparks begin to fly. Too bad Violet has sworn off men. When Ford and Violet keep ending up together, Violet ends up getting pulled into the wedding planning for Ford’s best friend, Addie “Murph” Murphy where he is the Best Dude of Honor. The more time Ford and Violet spend together, the more the sparks are flying. Just when it looks like Ford the ultimate playboy may be changing his ways, he gets spooked in a major way and ruins everything. It will take a miracle in order for Ford to win Violet back but of course he does in a perfectly wonderful way!
I just adored Ford! He is the perfect, commitment-phobe alpha type of guy! I just loved his relationship with Addie! Those two are a blast together! I really liked Violet too. She is just looking for someone to love and commit to her and not string her along. Together they found the perfect thing that neither of them was even looking for. Add in those adorable dogs and you have a wonderful start to a happy ending.
4.5 stars – heat, sweets, and friendship.
This has been a fun series to read with the bond of friendship throughout. This stands alone though if you haven’t read Book 1.
Violet is a mess, but she is trying to start her life over after being strung along and horribly betrayed by a d**chebag. Ford is Mr. Dependable and Independent aka not looking for anything long-term. Unfortunately, Violet is although she says she’s not. Theirs is a sweet, but rocky romance.
The pups in training will steal your heart, especially a certain pup that Violet becomes quite attached to and vice versa (…and spoiler alert – so did I). Ford will drive you crazy during this one and will have to make some amends when he finally pulls his head…well you get the idea.
This has the fun gang from Book 1 around and introduces us to new characters (both 2-and-4-legged) to love. Looking forward to more from this group.
I voluntarily requested and read an uncorrected advance reader copy.
Welcome to Uncertainty, Alabama.
Where Ford, the firefighter is hot and comes equipped with an axe and a dog named Pyro,
Where Violet has had an epic bad day, has sworn off men after catching her BF cheating and set a fire.
This story focuses on Ford and Violet but includes their family and friends in supporting roles.
Violet has been a bridesmaid seven times and she’s over it. She’s wedding obsessed (Pinterest all planned out).
I enjoyed the OTH references and really liked Ford.
Recommend.
4
This is the first time I’ve read this author. Her writing style is quite enjoyable with a nice flow and easy to read. If you’re in the mood for small town romance, a hot firefighter, a heroine with ADHD, super adorable puppies in training for search and rescue missions…, this book is for you!
After being cheated by a douche canoe of an ex-boyfriend of 10 years, Violet Abrams returns to the small town where her father is a Mayor to spend more time with her half-sister and to redecorate her bakery. Neglected by her father as she is his bastard child and dumped by her ex in a spectacular fashion, needless to say, Violet has trust issues with men, and she decides to swear off them altogether… Until her absentmindedness lands her in trouble causing a little fire in the bakery, and Ford McGuire comes to her rescue…
Ford grows up in a broken family, where he’s witnessed toxic relationships from his father and his older brothers. The McGuire men are notoriously known in this small town for their commitment issues (or lack thereof). And Ford is determined to enjoy his freedom and not ready to settle down! But the instant attraction and easy conversations with Violet has him think twice about a possibility of a serious relationship with her…
While I enjoyed the first half of the book where it sets up the stage for their relationship, I expected the second half to be more about their working out their issues to move their relationship forward. Instead, I got a bit frustrated when both had in their minds this one-step-forward-two-steps-back mentality, especially with Ford. I feel that Violet has not grown and learned much from her past experience, while Ford does not do enough groveling in the end, which is quite rush in my opinion . All in all, I did enjoy their banter, their chemistry, the small town vibe, the sense of friendship and community, and the cute puppies that I want to have so badly …
4 read for me!
*Special thanks to Entangled Publishing for sending me the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Release date: May 26, 2020.
This is book #2, in the Getting Hitched In Dixie series. While each book in this series in listed as a standalone and can be read that way, I recommend reading them in order. Well worth it if you do.
Violet comes to visit and help her sister. She has crashed and burned recently with the bad breakup she has just experienced. Then she meets Ford, and its like she just has to tell herself she is here to recover temporarily.
Ford never expects one woman to knock him off his feet. Since they have met, he has felt like he always wants to be around her all the time. Is it turning in your man card if you like being around someone so fun and full of life?
This author is a 1click standard for me, I will be honest about that. Not since her Taking Shots series have I stayed up and not put a book down. (I surely would love if she wrote more hockey – whoo!) Anyway, this story was full of rich characters with full backstories. The people in this town are all quirky and interesting to read. I laughed and eagerly turned the pages. Excited to see the next installment!
***This early copy was given by Netgalley and its publisher, in exchange for honest review.
The beginning of Violet’s story broke my heart. The strength she has to get through all the disappointments and hurts were so admirable.
Ford and Violet bring so much baggage to the party but the way they grounded each other while lifting each other up was amazing. But all that baggage brings some angst with it. These two definitely made me shed a tear or two but I also got to laugh a lot.
I loved checking in with this crazy, fun group of friends and now I’m counting down for when I get to have Easton’s story!!!
Always A Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen is the second book in her Getting Hitched in Dixie series. This book was so much fun to read! The dialogue between Ford and Violet and the conversations among the guys, the guys including Addie as one of them, are so very entertaining. I laughed a lot as I read this story. I felt for both Violet and Ford when things went sideways and blew a sigh of relief and rejoiced with both of them for their Happily Ever After.
Always A Bridesmaid – Cindi Madsen
Book 2 in the Getting Hitched in Dixie series
Always A Bridesmaid is the beautiful, humorous and emotional coming together of Violet, a heartbroken photographer who has sworn off men forever and Ford, the adrenaline junky firefighter who doesn’t think forever will ever be a word he’ll want in a relationship.
Needing to get out of town after losing the passion for her job and avoid to her ex’s wedding she’s come to spend so time with her sister Maisey & to help make over her sisters bakery. Violet doesn’t necessarily want to return to Uncertainty Alabama, there she is nothing but her Fathers well known dirty little secret. Visiting over the years has always reminded her she was the result of her father’s affair with her mother and a stain on his name.
Fords life is non stop action, if he’s not working one of his 3 jobs he’s volunteering, anything to keep past hurts behind him. After rescuing an elderly woman the previous year, she made him promise that he’d find that special someone to fulfill his life, not that he’s convinced it’ll ever happen.
When Ford gets a call to a fire at Maiseys bakery, and discovers Violet in all her turmoil it sparks something in him he’s never experienced before. His desire to get to know Violet better while wanting to avoid her and the feelings she’s stirring within him at all cost sends them into an adventure like never before.
Throw in a crazy wedding planner, his duty as BridesDude for his best friend and 3 adorable puppies and let the fun begin.
I’m not going to fill this review with spoilers, what I will tell you is what I enjoyed about this book.
Firstly, you could absolutely read this book without having read book 1, however you’ll be doing yourself a disservice by not starting at the beginning as it’s the dynamics of Fords group of friends takes this book from good to great, Yes this book is about Violet & Ford, but the supporting characters bring the story together so sweetly. The humour within the story is something all of us have dealt with at some time or another, having that friend who’s a little crazy, a little special and impossible not to love.
Madsen’s writing style is easy to read and very entertaining. She brings the reader into the pages with her words and let’s them experience the characters emotions.
Her humour is light & intelligent, her storytelling complete and in my case always leaves me wanting more. I cannot wait for book 3 and hopefully the audio version of Always A Bridesmaid.
Ford as a bridesmaid?
Violet Abrams never planned to return to Uncertainty, Alabama but she has promised her half-sister that she would help renovate her bakery so she would avoid the wedding of her former almost fiancé/boyfriend getting married. Violet had made many mistakes but she wanted to get rid of everything that reminded her and burning the binder of wedding ideas was just the thing, only problem was she was supposed to keep an eye on her sister’s bakery leading to a small fire with Violet meeting firefighter Ford Maguire and just maybe falling love.
I loved Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen because having Violet helping the bride plan a wedding with Ford as a male bridesmaid because he was the bride’s best friend and it was a lesson for both.
I loved Just One of the Groomsmen (first book in the series) and now Always a Bridesmaid is the perfect addition to the series and I’m looking forward to the next book.
P.S. I loved Pyro and Trouble!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the second standalone in the Getting Hitched in Dixie series and I actually loved it more than the first one which I totally enjoyed! We met Ford in the first book and I couldn’t wait to read his story in this book. Throw in Violet and some cute puppies and you’ve got a winning combination! I loved revisiting the other characters and this darling town that the author described so picturesque and welcoming. If you’re looking for a sweet and sexy, small town romance, check out this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.
Oh my! Always a Bridesmaid pushed all the buttons! From the start, you are pulled in by Violet’s heartache from discovering her cheating fiancée & hearing about her treatment at the hands of her biological dad & his wife. Then you move into the funny & entertaining antics with Ford, Trouble & the rest. You just have to grin and laugh at some of their situations! Ford causes you to just fall in love with him, even as he acts like a jerk! Can these two find anyway to recover from their pasts and create a life together?
Both Ford & Violet have had a lifetime of being pushed aside & looked down upon by the residents of Uncertainty. Violet is the result of the town’s beloved mayor cheating on his lovely wife. They may have felt they were going the right thing by having her spend time but it just reenforced that she was a “mistake”. She’d had a lifetime of feeling that she didn’t belong. Ford’s dad crawled into a bottle further after each marriage or relationship ended. His bitterness became a rant about women being at fault & completely changing personalities once the ring hit the finger. This gave Ford a warped view of relationships & kept him from getting close to anyone. Until he meant the one he couldn’t resist.
The plot in this story was about redemption & love. The characters are wonderfully developed & are easy to identify with. The writer takes you on a journey of self awareness where the characters learn more about themselves & their motivations. This journey is full of joy, fun & emotional pitfalls . I really enjoyed this story & cant wait for Easton’s!