Review - The Wedding Ringer

I love surprises! OK fine. Not always, but...with this gem of a romance novel, I was happily surprised to learn this delightful story was set right here in Columbus, Ohio!

Enter The Wedding Ringer by Kerry Rea, a local, Columbus, Ohio romance author. 

From the back cover: 

Once upon a time, Willa Callister was a successful blogger with a good credit score, actual hobbies, and legs that she shaved more than once a month. But after finding her fiancé in bed with her best friend, she now spends her days performing at children's birthday parties in a ball gown that makes her look like a walking bottle of Pepto Bismol. Willa dreams of starting fresh, where no one knows who she used to be, but first she needs to save up enough money to make it happen.

Maisie Mitchell needs something too: another bridesmaid for her wedding. After a chance encounter at a coffee shop, Maisie offers to pay Willa to be in her bridal party. Willa wants nothing to do with weddings--or Maisie--but the money will give her the freedom to start the new life she so badly desires.

Willa's bridesmaid duties thrust her into Maisie's high-energy world and into the path of hotshot doctor Liam Rafferty. But as Willa and Maisie form a real friendship, and Liam's annoyingly irresistible smile makes her reconsider her mantra that all men are trash, Willa's exit strategy becomes way more complicated. And when a secret from Maisie's past threatens to derail the wedding, Willa must consider whether friendship--and romance--are worth sticking around for.

From my Goodreads review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and until I started reading it, didn't realize it was set in my town! GAHHH! 

The bulk of the story was set here in Columbus - where I live - and a lot was also in Dublin - where I work. OMG! The story starts with the main character working a pathetic job as a fairy princess for a totally spoiled brat. 

Enter abject humiliation. 

The story continues with her meeting someone who, on the spot, needs her to pretend she's the friend she's meeting for coffee. 

Enter a great start to a wonderful friendship.

Maisie asks Willa to be her bridesmaid for her upcoming wedding. As the story progresses, we learn more about Maisie and why she needs friends here in Columbus. We also start getting away from all the self-sabotaging that goes on with Willa who is understandably devastated after finding her best friend and her fiancé together. (Yes, they make an appearance later) but eventually, Maisie's upbeat and positive attitude rub off on Willa. 

The story about Willa and Maisie's developing friendship is just lovely to read. The romance between Willa and Liam...enter Dr. Dreamboat, is really nice, but didn't seem to be the main focus of the book itself. I liked it though. 

The story itself was set in and mentioned lots of (real) places in and around Columbus such as the drive up Riverside Drive - i.e. the way I go to and from work every day, and the Candle Lab and the bridal shop and Condados and other various places that are absolutely wonderful and terrific and awesome in the fantastic city of Columbus, Ohio! 

I listened to this on Audible over the course of a day and a half at the office and absolutely enjoyed it. Can't wait to read the next book by (local to me) author, Kerry Rea!

Learn more about Kerry Rea at her official website and be sure to follow her on Goodreads. The Wedding Ringer is available wherever you find your books. Goodreads - Barnes & Noble - Amazon

Happy Reading! 

        - Heather

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