REVIEW: Just One of the Groomsmen by Cindi Madsen

In Just One of the Groomsmen (Getting Hitched in Dixie #1) by Cindi Madsen, Addison Murphy and Tucker Crawford have been best friends for years. But when another friend in their tight circle announces he’s getting married, Addison and Tucker find the line between friends and wanting more blurring until they find themselves sneaking around behind their friend’s backs. Will Addison and Tucker be able to make a relationship between them work or will they lose the most important person in their lives?

”Well, I’m not sure you should be telling me this. Although you seem to be dressed for it. You went from imposter in a dress to farmer in a flash.”
She stuck out her tongue at him. “Very funny. And for the record, I tried not to confess what we were up to, but Nonna’s never been the best at secrets.” Addie nudged her with her elbow, and her grandmother’s mouth dropped.
“It’s not secrets. All this is attorney-client privilege.”=
Tucker shook his head and let out a long exhale. “I’m afraid that only applies if you pay me.”

Ms. Madsen always manages to entertain me with her stories and this small town, best friends to lovers trope encompassing romance is a wonderful start for her new Getting Hitched in Dixie series. Really, the way this story started drew me in immediately, as the heroine shares such great friendships with a bunch of guys and isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time after having not seen each other for a while that I loved the most because Tucker is sweet and kind and the sort of guy that would do anything for a friend. Really, Addison is lucky to have him, especially when she’s roped into something she knows nothing about and needs help since she’s not the girly type and more of a tomboy.

As for the dialogue, it was very engrossing and I found I couldn’t put this book down because of the main characters back stories and growing relationship and the secondary characters, especially the heroine’s Nonna. She was a truly delightful secondary character that had me laughing and smiling every time she was in the story. Moreover, the heroine really grows throughout this story and I loved the obstacles she and Tucker face to be together, especially the biggest one of all. That if things don’t work out between the pair than it could tear not only their friendship apart but divide the group of friends. Will Tucker and Addison be able to make things work between them?

”Dude. Take a chill pill.”
“You got one?”
She tilted her head. “I don’t know. Do you have a plastic bubble I could play in? ‘Cause that sounds real fun.”
“I get that Shep has some master plan, and this is supposed to be your natural habitat and sh**, but these guys are a lot bigger than you. You know that, right?”
That set her off, fire flashing in her eyes as she advanced. “I know someone who’s being a bigger jackass than anyone else right now. Spoiler alert: it’s you.”

With the main characters, the heroine is resilient, courageous, feisty and I liked the decisions she made when it came to her career because it’s palpable she’s not happy with what she’s doing in her life right now. I also liked the growing friendship she shared with her friend’s future wife because she’s never really had any friends that are women and she finds it’s not so bad. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was that she took a chance on Tucker, even considering that if things don’t work out that they could lose their friendship forever. While the hero, he’s smart, kind, caring, considerate and I enjoyed the decisions he made throughout this story when it came to his career. Certainly, small town life is more suited towards him no matter what his father thinks. Besides, being happy financially doesn’t always bring true happiness. It’s the people you’re surrounded by that matter and that a little risk is worth the best reward – love.

Overall, Ms. Madsen has delivered a fun and marvellous read in this book where friendship is everything; the romance does justice to this couple’s intense chemistry; and the ending had me loving how everything works out for the best for this pair, as they’re so good together. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely and had me smiling long after I finished this book because of the friendship Addison shares with the guys and how they can all joke together. I would recommend Just One of the Groomsmen by Cindi Madsen, if you enjoy the friends to lovers trope or books by authors Robin Bielman, Gina L. Maxwell, Samanthe Beck and Rebecca Yarros.

Book Info:

Publication: May 28th, 2019 | Entangled Publishing | Getting Hitched in Dixie #1

Addison Murphy is the funny friend, the girl you grab a beer with—the girl voted most likely to start her own sweatshirt line. And now that one of her best guy friends is getting married, she’ll add “groomsman” to that list, too. She’ll get through this wedding if it’s the last thing she does. Just don’t ask her to dive for any bouquet.

When Tucker Crawford returns to his small hometown, he expects to see the same old people, feel comfort in the same old things. He certainly doesn’t expect to see the nice pair of bare legs sticking out from under the hood of a broken-down car. Certainly doesn’t expect to feel his heart beat faster when he realizes they belong to one of his best friends.

If he convinces Addie to give him a chance, they could be electric…or their break-up could split their tight-knit group in two.

Hiding the way he feels from the guys through bachelor parties, cake tastings, and rehearsals is one thing. But just as Tucker realizes that Addie truly could be the perfect woman for him—he was just too stupid to realize it—now she’s leaving to follow her own dreams. He’s going to need to do a lot of compromising if he’s going to convince her to take a shot at forever with him—on her terms this time.