REVIEW: Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen

Always a Bridesmaid by Cindi Madsen: Always a bridesmaid, never the bride Violet has decided to call it quits of all men after her long term fiancée breaks up with her and destroys her love for love. Now this is a problem, you see Violet is a wedding photographer but having her heart broken she just can’t seem to find any joy in her once happy place. Thinking it best to take a break and find herself again, Violet finds herself back in the town of Uncertainty.

Her plan is simple help her sister renovate her bakery, enjoy their new found sister bond and snuggle her cute niece. Things don’t start of well, when on her very first day in town Violet manages to accidentally burn a tray of cupcakes and almost burn down the entire bakery. This is where the dashing all round good guy firefighter Ford comes to her rescue. With all the commotion Violet’s plan of laying low goes up in smoke and so does her plan of swearing of men.

“As a teenager, she’d daydreamed a date that went this way— and standing next to Ford, his thumb hypnotizing her more with each swipe, she felt like that overly romantic girl she used to be once again.”

Ford has a lot going on right now, one of the major things being his role as brides-dude for his bestfriends wedding. Being so far out if his wheel house Ford does not think twice when the girls rope Violet into the wedding planning. With their new found friendship starting to blossom into something more than just friendship, Ford finds himself wondering if he is actually a relationship kind of guy. Having dealt with her fair share of not being put first or being important to the men in her life Violet is determined to not let history repeat itself.

“On top of all her other amazing qualities, she’d helped him train the puppies and become a better bridesdude. She’d even defended his honor to the scariest woman—nay, person— in town. Not to mention how well she’d fit in with his friends. Truth be told, since the moment they’d met, she’d just fit in general.”

I completely loved Always A Bridesmaid. This book was absolutely everything, any romance lover will be in book heaven with this one without a doubt. My heart broke for Violet, she really has had bad luck with the men in her life starting with her father and then with her ex. Ford is exactly the type of guy to show her all hope is not lost. I hated the way her father made her feel but I will say it was nice to see Violet start to build a new relationship with him towards the end. What I really loved was the relationship between Violet and her sister Maisy.

When it comes to Ford I found he made a brilliant male lead; he was cute, funny, heroic and a touch damaged. It was the perfect combination, in that he was not perfect himself. It also did not hurt that he trained puppies. I think Ford and Violet balanced each other very well. One of my favourite aspects in this book was all the humour involved in having a male bridesmaid, it was hilarious to see such a tomboyish bride and her brides-dude try to navigate the world of wedding planning.

“For making me feel witty, cared for, understood, and beautiful. For showing me a different side of Uncertainty and another side of yourself. Pushing me to pick up my camera. Bringing me here. Getting me to believe in love again.”

I highly recommend this novel, you can not go wrong with this gem, Always A Bridesmaid hit all the Mark’s for a cute, fun romance leaving you wishing it gets turned into a Hallmark movie.

Book Info:

Publication: May 26th 2020 | Entangled: Amara | Getting Hitched in Dixie #2

Violet Abrams has always been in love with everything love and weddings. Good thing, too, since she’s been a bridesmaid no less than seven times. Sure her turn was next, she’d been planning her own nuptials meticulously in a treasured three-ring binder…until her longtime boyfriend left her for someone else.

Fast-forward to the day of his wedding, an ill-advised match being lit to said binder, and the fire department getting called to her sister’s bakery. Violet’s always been a little impulsive and a lot awkward, but having to explain to the super-cute firefighter, Ford Maguire, why she was setting fire to a bunch of wedding dress photos? Worst day ever.

Except now her bridesmaid expertise has her helping Ford cover his “man of honor” duties in his best friend’s upcoming wedding. Ford may be a “bridesdude,” but forever is the last thing on his mind. And if there’s one thing a perpetual bridesmaid knows, it’s the importance of a happily ever after.