Save the date for this funny and poignant novel of family, friendship, letting go, and moving on by the award-winning author of Room to Breathe.Once upon a time, Melanie Layton and Tennyson O’Rourke were inseparable—but their friends-4ever promises were shattered when an explosive secret was revealed at Mel’s wedding, a secret that destroyed her family. The two haven’t spoken for the past … spoken for the past twenty-some-odd years, and they’d be happy if they never crossed paths again.
But now Mel’s daughter and Teeny’s son have fallen in love—and announced their engagement.
Which means the two women must tolerate one another and play nice long enough to plan their children’s dream wedding. From the beginning, they clash. Melanie imagines a classy, elegant event, in keeping with tradition. Teeny’s vision is a bit more extravagant, and thanks to her habit of marrying well, she’s got the cash to plan the flashiest wedding of the season.
Complicating matters are the men in their lives: Tennyson is falling for the wrong guy, and Melanie is trying to hold on to a flailing marriage. Amid the flurry of cake tastings, dress fittings, seating charts, and bridal showers, Mel and Teeny confront their past mistakes—with twenty years of pent-up drama.
When the day of the wedding finally arrives, their friendship might just be something old and something new.
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First, though the cover makes it look like a romantic comedy, this book is actually women’s fiction. Told with humor, it’s a very relatable tale of family, friendship, love, betrayal, and forgiveness. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
With this title, cover, and premise, I went in with high expectations for a fun romp, and Liz Talley delivered. Set in Louisiana (home of the author), it is full of Southern charms. As a teen from the 80s, I also appreciated Teeny’s and Melly’s childhood references and related to some of their adult struggles–moreso to Melly’s (middle-aged mother and soon-to-be empty-nester who’s spent most of her life making other people happy). The author’s signature humor shines, and while the over-the-top scenes you might expect (think about a cake-tasting gone awry) are fun, there is a lot of heartbreak lurking beneath the veneer these two women don to hide the truth from others and themselves. Each woman does horrible things to the other, as well as tender things, too. While I can admit I might not be willing to forgive Teeny for what she did (I’ve given this thought, and I just don’t know), the author does a good job of convincing us that Melly has it in her. The fate of Melly’s marriage ends as an open-question, but that seemed appropriate. I really enjoyed this story of old BFFs-turned-enemies being forced to reckon with their past as they face becoming in-laws, and think you will too.
The Wedding War by Liz Talley. Once upon a time, Melanie “Melly” Layton and Tennyson “Teeny” O’Rourke were inseparable, but their friendship was shattered when a deep secret, one they pinkie promised never to reveal, was exposed. They haven’t spoken for more than two decades and they were happy never to cross paths again. But fate would intervene. Melanie’s daughter, Emma, and Tennyson’s son, Andrew, would meet in college, fall in love and after graduation, announce their engagement. Now the two women must find a way to tolerate each other and play nice long enough to plan the wedding. But hurts still run deep and they clash from the start. From keeping it simple and traditional to extravagant and flashy, they find a way to argue about every detail. Adding to the drama of the wedding planning, life’s own complications add to the drama and forces Melanie and Tennyson to confront their past. With the wedding day fast approaching, can their friendship be renewed?
The Wedding War is a story of family, friends, letting go and moving on. After a strong start, setting up childhood friendship, the story takes a strange turn. I wasn’t sure where the story was going or if I would like it. I couldn’t relate to Tennyson or Melanie. I found Melanie’s characterization as a stereotypical uptight, frumpy housewife insulting. And I didn’t care for all the designer name dropping when describing Tennyson. Okay we get it, Tennyson has money and she’s stylish. The beginning of the end and the ultimate end of their friendship was totally the fault of one rather than both having a hand in it. And one transgression would be very hard to forgive. Overall, I ended up enjoying the story, although I couldn’t relate to the woman and I didn’t get the laugh-out-loud moments that I was expecting. There was one moment I thought was hilarious. The second half of the book helps redeem the cringey first half. I’m glad I stuck with it and recommend The Wedding War.
The Wedding War is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.
The Wedding War is NOT a romance novel. I think readers should be warned of this before going in because if your expecting romance you certainly won’t get that. Thankfully, I love a good women’s fiction novel. Haven’t read one in a long time but after reading this one I remember why I loved the genre in the first place. Anyway, this book is purely women’s fiction. It’s about best friends turned enemies and how their relationship and fallout played a role in what they became in their future. Talley subtly makes this clear throughout the novel and readers are able to see just why their lives turned out the way they did (and really what got them there). I enjoyed this one immensely. I went outside today to read a few chapters and just got lost; I actually finished most of the book in one sitting! It’s a little tough to read at some points (these women can be vicious) but it makes sense considering their past. I would have to say because of this the book felt very realistic. Sure, there were a few clichés that can get on one’s nerves but then again, a work of fiction such as this is bound to have them, so I looked past them. I’m so glad I read it!
If you’re looking for a raw and realistic read that truly touches the aspect of friendship, then this is the book for you. I loved watching Teeny and Melly slowly overcome their past issues and seeing that friendship CAN survive even the toughest things.
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With sharp wit and expert pacing, this is a story about the complexity of female friendships. When those we love the most have the power to hurt us the most, but also how time and patience does have a way of helping things work out. These characters aren’t sweet, and they make some questionable decisions – but that’s what makes the story so fun, and quite honestly, relatable.
SPOILER ALERT: This ISN’T a romance, but then again, it’s not billed as one. If you’re looking for one of Liz Talley’s sweet, fun romances, stop right now. But if you’re looking for a story about life including broken friendships, marriages in trouble, finding yourself…then this is the book for you.
First, I fell in love with Liz Talley’s writing eons ago when reading her romances. She’s talented and has a knack for bringing humor to the page, along with touching moments that just send a zing straight to your heart. So, when she released her first Women’s Fiction book, Room to Breathe, I one-clicked without a moment’s hesitation. And guess what? I loved it, just like I loved THE WEDDING WARS.
Now, these women are not sweet. They’re not even remotely nice to each other and sometimes to others, but life and circumstances have shaped them into the people they are now. And that’s life. Real life. We’ve all had moments we’re not proud of, but what I loved about this book, is the author’s ability to show these horrible sides of these women and then tell a tale of redemption and forgiveness. It’s a tale of facing your own demons and recognizing that you’re not perfect, that your life is not perfect, and growing up enough to own your own faults, as well as make the steps necessary to improve.
It’s not all dark and dreary and depressing. There are humorous moments. There are touching moments between the two once-upon-a-time best friends where you can see hope. And there are moments of enlightenment where you just have to cheer for both Mel and Tennyson to open their hearts and give each other a chance again. There are also heartbreaking moments dealing with a marriage in trouble, and some sexy moments as one of them starts to find love, real love and a chance at happiness.
I found the story funny, moving, sad, and hopeful. The writing sharp, witty, and thought-provoking. And while we don’t get our typical Happily Ever After like we do with Ms. Talley’s romances, we do get to witness the true strength of women’s hearts and souls and what they are capable of dealing with and handling.
This book totally took me by surprise!
It has so much more depth than what you first think.
Two best friends who as kids were glued at the hip- now despise each other!
However- believe it or not- their kids are going to get married and they WILL need to at least learn to be in the same room together!
Can they ever reconcile their hatred? Can they plan their children’s wedding? Will they EVER forgive the other?
Love, friendship, family, fear, anger, insecurity are all part of this novel.
I definitely recommend this book! It is a great beach read or actually anytime read!
Melanie and Tennyson use to be best friends growing up until things took a turn in they’re earl 20s. Now they’re kids are getting married to each other and the ex-best friends must deal with the past to get thru the wedding planning and nuptials.
This book me a while to get into and when I asked about people said to stick with it, it’ll be worth it. Boy they were right. this book had me laughing at times and crying at times. This book is worth the slow start, just stick with it.
This book is so good and I recommend it to anyone.
Absolute laugh out loud fun! I enjoyed this one in audio and had such a good time and loved the narration, it was perfection! Melanie and Tennyson were best friends through school until after senior year when Tenny left for New York and her boyfriend took up with Mellie. Now, there are some things that are just not done even in the South but bless her heart Mellie always wanted Kit and she ended up marrying him and when Tenny was invited to the wedding she came and had her revenge. Now 20 some years later their kids are engaged and it is going to take an act of God to bring this crazy train back into the station. This one was so good with lots of feels. Definitely a keeper.
Laughter with a touch of serious.
As usual, these characters have enough depth to make you laugh and sigh in the same chapter. Lots of surprises, both fun and not. Enough laughs to keep me happy!
Best friends turned enemies that used to be best friends adjust when their children meet in college and decide to get married? Will there be a wedding, a feud, a divorce? What does life hold for this lovable cast of characters?
Thanks Liz for a wonderful book where fiction mimics life. Bravo! You took an interestingly difficult subject and inserted humor, love, and a cast of wonderful characters. I hope we find out what happens to Melly and Teeny and their lives, along with Emma and Andrew as they start their new lives. A best friend turned enemy turned friend romantic drama was a terrific way to present this hilariously life complication many years in the making.
Amy Talley’s THE WEDDING WAR captured me at page one. Watching these women face the WORST thing that could happen (they are enemies and their children got engaged) was so engaging. I’ve enjoyed all of Amy’s books, but this one…well, she hit the ball out of the entertainment park!
I feel bad, I don’t like to do negative reviews, this book however, did not deliver personally for me. I was sadly disappointed with the story line, it could have been written so much better instead of two women being petty with each other and not being the grown women they should have been.
I expected some funny shenanigans between the two, the cake fight was about it. I didn’t see the humor in the story at all. For me personally, it just didn’t live up to what I expected when seeing the blurb.
Liz Talley gives us real life friendship with no sugar coating. The Wedding War will capture your attention on page one and won’t let you sleep until you read the last sentence.
A compelling [look] at the ups and downs of lifelong female friendships. Talley brings humor and sharp wit to the idea of ageing gracefully.
A funny and poignant tribute to the enduring strength of women’s friendship. Liz Talley’s characters are flawed and sympathetic, her writing sharp and insightful.
The Wedding War is an almost believable tale of two former best friends finding their way back to each other as their grown children plan a wedding.
Tennyson (Teeny) and Melanie (Melly) have not spoken to each other in more than 20 years due to hard feelings, secrets being revealed at a wedding, and family heartache. The ladies, who were best friends through all of their childhood and until a wedge was forged after they went off to college must put aside their hard feelings and come together to plan and organize the wedding of their children. Tennyson’s son, Andrew is marrying Melanie’s daughter, Emma unaware that their mothers used to be best friends.
There is a ton of family drama, hurt feelings, a few laugh out loud scenes as the ladies bicker/fight over meaningless details. There are marital issues, family deaths and estrangement, and finally the wedding that pulls Teeny and Melly back together as BFF4ever.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review
A great story about a friendship lost, changed and rediscovered and two friends finding they are better together than apart. Throw in some wedding planning fun and you get some chaos and tears. I need to read more of Liz’s books!
The Wedding War was just what I needed to get over an illness and lockdown blues.
Teeny and Mellie are estranged BFFs who have to get their act together for their kids’ wedding! This Momzillas-of-the-bride theme is exactly as fun as it sounds.
A story of friendship, living life and finding what fulfills you. Melanie and Tennyson were best friends until they weren’t. Life and a man came between the two friends until fate makes them face each due to their children falling in love. Like it or not, they two friends will have to reconcile and try not to kill one another while planning a wedding. Separately Melly and Teeny have their own personalities, together they are the best version of themselves, it just takes them a while to figure it out. This story had all of the feels. The antics are over the top, but the feelings are truly heartfelt and I found myself tearing up several times. Loved this!