The Wedding Party

I don't know how some of these reviewers could give this book such a low rating, I just don't see why at all. I guess it's all about each individual's opinion. Me, I loved everything about this story. I guess it's because I know real people, who have had the same types of things happen to them. Sometimes your head is telling you one thing, while your heart is telling you something completely different.I love how things worked out for all the characters in the book. Sometimes in these kinds of situations, a reader tends to dislike a character or two, but for me at least.... not in this story. I think that was because there really wasn't anyone who was spiteful or down right nasty, they were just people who had figured out that they had different wants and needs.Yes, Charlene and Dennis had a lot of things in common. And yes.. they had found each other at a time when they were both feeling lost and all alone, but there were never any real sparks between them at all.Jake and Charlene had plenty of sparks, but Charlene was bothered by his devotion to his work. It's funny in a way, because after their break up she became addicted to her work too. It's also funny that over the 25 years since their divorce, she found the time to fall back into his bed on a pretty regular basis.Their daughter acted so immature and childish, but then she had years of being spoiled by both her parents and her grandmother, so that wasn't too surprising to me. What did surprise me, was how she picked herself up and started to change her ways after her fiance walked out on her that night. She didn't give in to the big pity party like I thought she would either, which was a big surprise to me. I think it took her fiance walking out on her, to make her finally wake up from her fantasy world and take stock in her bad behavior, enough to want to make those changes to better herself.And let's talk about Dennis. I felt so bad for him, because of the way he was being treated by Charlene. That is until he met Agatha. They had the spark and so many other things in common, including losing the people who were once their heart and soul. Neither of them ever thinking they could ever find that kind of love with anyone else, until they found each other. Then I started to root for the two of them all the way. But... I hoped & prayed that he wouldn't decide to go back to Charlene out of guilt.And Jasper (Lois's next door neighbor) was amazing. He had been through 25 years of hell and back, while taking care of his with his bedridden wife. And yet after she died he realized he missed not having anyone to care for, then he spots his next door neighbor, who obviously needed someone to look after her. I think we all need a wonderful, caring person like him in our lives. He saw what was happening with Lois, and never hesitated to step in and take charge.Then there's Pam and Ray who are so attracted to one another, yet the major age difference between the two keep them apart until Pam has a heart to heart talk with her father. Pam's father was absolutely right with his assessment of the situation...... "We never know how much time we have left here on earth, so why not spend it with the person who makes us feel so happy & carefree." I have to give him a big pat on the back for that advice alone.Would I recommend this book? You better believe I would, in a heart beat! This book is filled with so many deep emotions, but it has it's moments that it will have you laughing out loud, too.

I loved this story. I could read Ms. Carr all day long -- and I just about do. I love her books and I think she is a master story teller. I loved it when the hero and heroine are older. It seems they have more life experiences and they play less games. They have discovered what is important in life and they seem to be smarter!!This story is about a female lawyer, she is very, very good and owns her own firm. She is seeing a Physician's Assistant at a local hospital. They are like an old married couple in that they see each other on certain days, call in between and the sizzle in their life is almost non-existent. Things are moving along until one day she, in a desperate state, asks him to get married. Things go downhill from that point.Enter her ex, Jake, a cop and he definitely has sizzle. There is a story going on about him. Then there is the daughter, educated, single, and spoiled beyond words. And last but not least, the grandmother, or Peaches. She almost steals the story. She is slipping into dementia and it turns everyone's life upside down. There is some very good information regarding dementia and aging. REALLY good information. My daughter runs a daycare for seniors and she does all the things that Ms. Carr suggest to help these loved ones. We may all be faced with these problems either with a loved one or for ourselves. It is good information. I really loved this story. I would definitely recommend it.I enjoyed it so much that I had to go and read some of the low star reviews to see what they could possibly find fault with. one said it was predictable. Well, duh. There is always that first sighting when you KNOW that s going to be the hero, you get to see how he gets the girl. It is the journey that I find so fascinating. If it doesn't have a HEA, I don't want to read the book. It seems to me that in Ms. Carr's stories the characters always have issues and they work their way through them to become a better person. I think it is call a character developing. They always do. I personally love these stories and I find I usually learn something as well.I was not paid for this review. I am not an author nor do I know one. I am not kin to this writer. I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less.

There are a lot of characters in this book...and a lot of story lines. Under a less skilled author, this could have lead to disaster. Instead, it was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Charlene, a busy lawyer impulsively asks her long-term boyfriend Dennis to marry her. By hiring a wedding planner to coordinate the wedding she has no time to plan, she thinks she is solving one of her problems. Little does she know.... The characters in this novel are well developed. Some I liked more than others. Peaches, mother of Charlene, was a charmer. With the knowledge of what was looming over her, she still had a brightness of spirit that was remarkable. The closeness of the grandmother and granddaughter was heart-warming. The epilogue at the end of the book was great, bringing all the loose threads together nicely.*******SPOILER ALERT*******I would have given this book 5 stars had it not been for one thing. There is a minor character in the book that is shot at and was actually being considered to be put in a witness protection program for her safety and the safety of her two children. While in the hospital, a man calls and finds out that she has been dismissed, thereby upsetting the police officers. This was never addressed further. We don't know who shot at her or why. It just seemed that her life got all shiny and bright and ....... she is now safe. Huh? If there was a resolution of some sort, it should have been given in the book or the whole thing should have been deleted. ******End spoiler*******

I liked everything about this book. Robyn Carr is one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to start the next one

Ok but have been disappointed with authors of late

OK, but not as great a read as other Robyn Carr books. A bit too predictable. Still a nice go to bed with book. Will not keep you up all night reading.

great story as only robyn can write them

good book enjoy it

Totally different story line....great book