Simona's Corner of Dreams: The Guest List

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

When funny, kind and gorgeous Shane proposes, Cara is over the moon, and can't wait to share the news of their engagement with all their friends and family.

Excitement, however, quickly turns to apprehension when it seems that everyone has a fixed idea of the perfect wedding and offers to 'help' with the planning. With tussles over the ceremony and the size of the guest list, sibling rivalry and insistent in-laws-to-be, Cara can see the vision she has of her big day being ripped to shreds.

So she and Shane determine to make a stand and do things their way. But when they announce their plans for a beach wedding on a beautiful Caribbean island, there is uproar. Threats are made, family secrets are revealed, and things turn decidedly stormy.

Will Cara and Shane manage to overcome all obstacles? Or will their dream wedding turn into a nightmare?

My Opinion:

Cara and Shane are the perfect couple. When Cara gets an invite to a wedding, the couple gets to talk about marriage too. Does Shane even want to get married? Then one night he has prepared everything and proposes. Apparently he had planned this for quite a while and just waited for the right moment.

Everybody is really happy about their engagement and Cara’s mum Betty immediately wants to plan everything and book the church already. Cara tries to tell her, that she and Shane just want a small wedding and that they are paying it themselves. Her mother doesn’t seem to understand. Also Shane’s parents are happy about it and would like to plan a huge wedding. It is harder than they think to tell their parents off. It was interesting to read what they tried to convince their parents from what they wanted, Melissa found a great way to put this into writing, I was taken into the story so easily.

Ben and Kim (her brother and her sister-in-law) are over the moon about it and support their decision all the way. Kim is pregnant with her third child. Cara’s sister Heidi is not at all happy about the engagement. And then when she wants to tell everybody about her pregnancy Cara and Kim share their news first. Heidi is a little dumb and overprotective about herself. It was so funny to read her comments, she brought a funny side into this novel.

Shane and Cara decide to go ahead and book their beach wedding in St. Lucia. Cara contacts her older sister Danielle, who lives in Florida, for details. Danielle doesn’t seem happy about the whole family coming over, but why? I couldn’t put the book down, because I wanted to find out about Danielle’s secret.

Cara’s parents are not happy about the decision either, but eventually they come round. And Heidi too (flying when I’m pregnant, no way!!!). But, what about Shane’s parents? They just can’t accept it and develop a cruel plan which creates new drama and misunderstandings.

Cara goes dress shopping and finds the perfect one, she is so happy. When Shane sees her like this, he cannot tell her what his parents have been up to. That’s why she hears from Shane’s mother about it. Cara is shocked!!!

At home she confronts Shane about it and he tries to explain himself. They start fighting and Cara decides to call the wedding off and leaves. She doesn’t want to ruin his relationship to his parents. I was so sad at this point of the story, I just wanted them to get back together, the perfect couple, but the drama was great as well.

Shane's parents seem to realize what they did, can the wedding still take place?

Then there is also also Danielle and her whole secret. At one point in the story it comes to a real showdown with all the family members there.

Danielle’s secret is revealed and it shockes everybody, especially Cara.

Well, I don't tell you what happens next...

The epilogue is really adorable and we hear some more great news ...

LOVE love love this story. I really was hooked to it. Amazing couple with chemistry, a lot of family drama and a great style of writing. AMAZING ♥

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