Review of Bridesmaid by Chance (Bridesmaid for Hire, #3)
When I first stumbled upon Bridesmaid by Chance by Meghan Quinn, I felt a flutter of excitement mixed with apprehension. Quinn has a knack for weaving humor and romance into lively narratives, which had me hopeful for another delightful read. However, as I turned the pages, it quickly became clear that this book was more of a rollercoaster ride than a stroll in the park. Though sometimes infuriating, it ultimately made for a read that I won’t soon forget.
The story centers around Sloane, a young and modern bride-to-be who navigates the chaos of planning her wedding while trying to balance her relationship with Hudson, her soon-to-be husband. From the start, Sloane’s character evoked mixed feelings in me. She felt relatable yet exasperating; her youthful folly sometimes had me shaking my head. There were moments where I saw glimpses of myself in her indecision and emotional turmoil, which made her annoying traits sting just a bit more. Honestly, I couldn’t help but wonder how someone could forgive so easily after being wronged—especially when her husband’s actions were downright unforgivable in my eyes!
Hudson, our charming but deeply flawed male lead, left me equally perplexed. While I appreciated his intentions, his frequent apologies felt empty when followed by further questionable behavior. The characterization here left much to be desired; Hudson’s toxicity often overshadowed his redeeming qualities. I mean, how are you going to get mad at someone for dating your friend while pulling the same crap yourself? Watching Sloane and Hudson’s relationship unfold felt as if I were on the sideline, cringing at every misstep.
Quinn’s writing style shone in its wit and humor, but the humor sometimes crossed into cringe territory, especially in scenes like the club debacle that left me feeling more irritated for Hudson than amused. It left me pondering whether Quinn thrives on the embarrassment of her male characters—it’s a trope that, for me at least, became tiresome rather than entertaining. I couldn’t help but think, “When will you learn, Hudson?” Spoiler alert: You don’t!
Amid the chaos of their relationship, the narrative does raise interesting themes about young love and forgiveness, but I couldn’t shake the sense that these themes felt rushed and underdeveloped. At times, Sloane’s age frustrated me; despite her acknowledgment of her youth, she acted with the kind of naivety that felt unrealistic for someone in her situation.
In terms of pacing, the book had its lulls. There were sections where the story dragged, making me wish for a faster tempo to encourage my investment in the characters’ growth. In the end, I found Bridesmaid by Chance teetering between enjoyable and infuriating, keeping me engaged yet perplexed by the decisions of its characters.
So, who might enjoy this book? If you’re a fan of romantic comedies that spiral into chaos but ultimately aim for that feel-good ending, you might find value in Sloane and Hudson’s journey. However, if you crave complex character development or nuanced relationships, this may leave you wanting.
As I closed the book, my final verdict settled at a hopeful 2.5 stars out of 5. While this tale didn’t captivate me in the way I hoped, it was certainly an entertaining adventure—just one that left me wishing for a little more substance and a lot less angst. Here’s hoping that Meghan Quinn’s next endeavor steers us back to that delightful balance of humor and heart!
Discover more about Bridesmaid by Chance (Bridesmaid for Hire, #3) on GoodReads >>