Every Bride Needs a Groom by Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson is one of my go-to authors when it comes to chick-lit. Her stories are light and full of humor. I always finish reading her books with a smile on my face because of her humor.

This book is the first in her new series, A Brides with Style. Since I have read most of her other series, I absolutely loved seeing familiar names popping up, like Bella, Gabi, and Jordan. It also mentioned Bella's family who host The Italian Kitchen show on TV. I like Janice Thompson starts new series, but still is able to tie in favorite characters into her new series. It makes her books connect in some small way.

I know Stan was a minor character in the story, but he was oddly one of my favorites. His little one-liners he used trying to convince Brady to get back into the pro game of basketball were funny. I know the ladies at the bridal shop dreaded to see him come in, but I loved it.

Being from a small town, I appreciated the small town feel she brought to the story. It was easy to relate to the how everyone knows you and the pace is a lot slower. Katie's predicament that brought her to the big city meant that many in her family stepped out to take a chance on love and mending relationships. The way Katie's brother's were worked into the story had me laughing just imagining the scene in my head.

I am definitely looking forward to reading book 2 in this series. These are the type of books that make excellent summer/beach books.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

A Bouquet of Love by Janice Thompson

This is probably one of my top series in chick-lit or contemporary fiction. I've read every book, starting with Bella and her story. I laugh in them and find them a good book to come home to and read after a long day. Janice Thompson does a great job with her characters. I couldn't even imagine up some that she does. For example, the Splendora sisters are a handful and a lot of fun. I'm curious how she has come up with such fun, funny, and very opposite characters.

This book focuses on a Greek family who has come to Texas. Babbas is hilarious with Uncle Laz. However, it was a little sad to watch his relationship with his family turn to one of fear. It showed me how quickly our good intentions and our expectations of our family members can hold them back and make them and us miserable.

I couldn't help but laugh at the many instances where they were cavorting with the enemy. All I could picture is My Big Fat Greek Wedding mixed with an Italian family that I've gotten to know well! And Alex....dreamy Alex.....at least to Cassia he is. I liked how they had problems but the hit it off from the start. That part is dragged out in a lot of books, so it was nice to go ahead and get that out of the way.

I really hope there will be more books with the Rossi's. I've truly enjoyed each one of them!

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Dream Dress by Janice Thompson

I am hooked on the Weddings by Design series, and honestly, any of the previous series that involve Bella. I feel like I've gotten to watch Bella grow up in a sense an it's fun to watch her develop as a minor character throughout this series.

I liked Gabi, and was thrilled to catch up with Hannah and Scarlett, too.  However, the focus was on Gabi, who is a dress designer.  She doesn't believe enough in herself to think she could really break out on her own.  Her boss is a hard person to work for and there's a lot of frustrating feelings she has towards him.  I wanted her to take a chance on her own shop from early on in the book.

Who can't help but like Jordan Singer, a.k.a. not the Singer who fixes sewing machines.  That whole scene had me laughing.  I liked Jordan's maturity and his love for Gabi's grandmother.

Janice Thompson always puts humor in her books and never fail to make me laugh.  Her books have some deep issues and truths, but are presented in a light-hearted, fun way. 

I can't wait to get the next one in this series. In fact, Amazon had it on sale so I went ahead and pre-ordered it!

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Icing on the Cake by Janice Thompson

I really like Janice Thompson.  Her books are light and fun to read and I usually find that I have a hard time putting them down.  She uses humor and romance together in her books.  I can easily envision myself as one of her characters because she describes them so well and makes them so life-like.

This particular book had me laughing in certain parts, such as the whole televised cake contest.  I also liked the scene where the aunts are arguing over whose recipe to use for the contest and how they are both pulling the wool over Scarlett's head! 

In the first book, I didn't really like Armando.  He seemed prideful and arrogant to me.  However, in this book, I found myself liking him and feeling sorry for him.  I wanted him to be liked by someone!  I was really surprised that I liked him because of how much I disliked him before. 

The only thing that I started to dislike in the book was all of the mentions of Scarlett's weight.  I know it's an issue in real-life but I started to feel like it might have been mentioned too much.  By the end, I just wanted her to still struggle with it, but come to terms with it and either do something about it or love her body as it was. 

I will say that I was dreaming of cake throughout this whole book.  I couldn't stop thinking about it and how much fun decorating the cakes are! 

Overall, this book was fun and light and quite enjoyable to read.  I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Weddings by Design series.  They are the perfect weekend relaxation books.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Picture Perfect by Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson is an author that I think that I can easily spend all day reading her books.  In fact, I went out and got her other books this past weekend.  They are light, refreshing, and quite humorous.  In fact, I think of them as the perfect book to take on a vacation or to the beach.  But beware....you will laugh out loud and cause people to look your way!

 

Picture Perfect is her first book in her new series, Weddings by Design.  I'm assuming that her previous series focused on Bella and D.J., but they are back in this series, as well.  I immediately liked Hannah McDermott.  It's quite possible that the fact that she was Irish endeared her to me, since I'm part Irish.  I could easily relate to her dad and routine! 

 

My favorite part of the book was the Bing and Bob party.  I found that whole idea funny and could see the Irish attitude coming out full fledged in this party.  I also liked the feud between the McDermott's and the Kincaid's...not that it's still in place at all.  I thought Drew was such a nice, sweet guy and was very likable. 

 

At times, I felt like Hannah complained a little much of her routine life, but I find myself doing the same thing in real life.  I like routine, but sometimes I wish I was a bit more unpredictable.  I did think that their dinners were quite boring and I'm certain I would never be able to eat the same thing every day!

 

I am highly anticipating the second book in this series.  Hope I don't have to wait too long!

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.