REVIEW: The Wedding Shake-up by J.J. Knight

The Wedding Shake-up by J.J. Knight: Two weeks of sun, sand and some wedding fun are what Tillie had planned for when she arrived in La Jarra for her sisters destination wedding. Having a steamy holiday romance with fellow drink slinger Gabe was definitely not on the agenda, however with the instant connection bouncing between them neither are able to resist a bit more fun, after all its only supposed to be temporary. But what happens when Tillie invites Gabe to visit her back home in Atlanta could their holiday romance turn into the forever kind of happily ever after or will Gabes past come back to haunt him?

I just love a cute fast paced read with low drama and that is exactly what we get in The Wedding Shake Up. This book was a banter filled, opposites attract, holiday romance. I really enjoyed reading the first book in this series so I was eager to get my hands on Tillie’s story. I liked the whole sunshine meets grump take on a holiday romance and getting to see how these two make their relationship move to something more serious.

Tillie was a great leading lady. I loved her fiery nature and the fact that she was so ready to go toe to toe with Gabe. I will say that I had expected a bit more from her relationship with Lila but that was just a minor plot hole for me. As for Gabe well he was something else alright, I loved that he helped save Tillie and her family from some rather aggressive crabs only to turn around and shout at them for being so careless. I liked that we got to see his grumpy, loner side defrost while being with Tillie and that she helped him see that even though his parents didn’t have the best run with love that doesn’t mean he is destined to repeat their fate.

I really liked Tillie and Gabe together, there was something very relatable about this couple and the way they handled their relationship. With their combustable sparky chemistry it was hard not to root them on as they tried to figure out their feelings for each other but also how their everyday lives fitted in with their holiday romance.

All in all The Wedding Shake Up was a nice fast paced holiday romance read. For me personally it was not as catchy as the first book in this series but it still enjoyed the overall feel to it.

Book Info:

Publication: September 26, 2023 | Montlake | Wedding Meet Cute #2

A destination wedding on La Jarra Island for Tillie James’s sister has its drawbacks: hair-wrecking ocean spray and pincher crabs. And its perks: sexy, hotheaded beachfront bartender Gabe Landers, who brings out the competitive streak in fellow drinkslinger Tillie. When the rivals get together for a cocktail-making challenge, the blend is pure bliss, leaving them shaken and stirred.

The spirited blue-eyed tourist from Georgia makes Gabe’s head spin faster than his signature drink, the mermaid sunrise. But he’s determined not to obsess—out-of-towner love stories never last. Tillie agrees. They’ll just enjoy each other for now and make a clean break. No strings. No attachments. No chance. But when Tillie’s kiss goodbye comes with an invitation for Gabe to visit Atlanta, he can’t resist. As fate has it, it’s home to a heartbreaking piece of his own past.

As Tillie and Gabe face new challenges, destiny could tear them apart…or turn an intoxicating romance on the rocks into more than they ever expected.