Plot:

Hazel never set out to be a wedding planner. She was just helping her stressed sister Lila with cakes and décor for her big day. But when Lila and Ollie’s summer ceremony is a runaway success, with guests raving about the food and styling at the pretty venue, word about Hazel’s expertise soon spreads.

But Hazel’s clients expect the very best – she’s promised lawyers Gemma and Eliot a snow-covered castle in the Scottish Highlands, and laidback couple Josh and Sarah a bohemian beach wedding in a Caribbean paradise. But as weather, in-laws and wilful brides conspire against her, can Hazel get two very different couples to walk up two very different aisles to say ‘I do’? And will she find her own happy ending if she does?

Review: 

The prologue hooked me in … with Hazel narrating we find out the bond she has with her twin Lila and how their relationship has changed since her sister has been going out with Ollie. I love stories about families and Hazel, always being the ‘fixer’ in her family (and in other people’s lives), feels adrift.  She has been waiting for a promotion in her job with TV production company Twenty One and waiting for the right relationship.  There is underlying currents from the past with Lila and  their brother Ben.  I LOVED what Hazel and their dad did for Lila when they were children.  This highlighted to me the difference between the twins – one dreamy, a perfectionist and vulnerable and the other practical and putting herself last, also vulnerable but in a different way.

When Amber moves into the flat with Hazel there are some great baking scenes which was nice to read about. The wedding was interesting, one could only hope to have a future like theirs before 30.

I enjoyed seeing the dynamic between Hazel and her boss however I must say from the start I did not care what the boss was going through as she seemed to be constantly leading Hazel on as she did know about the new role however she was just leading Hazel on and using her divorce as an excuse to ned massages and so on during work.  I must admit that I wanted to shake some sense into Hazel at times but how she reacts is perfect for who she is.  It was my frustration as I thought she deserved much more.  Confusion comes from Sam and Josh.  We don’t ever forget our first love/first crush but should we ever go backwards?  Does it work?

In my opinion as you readers will know my life revolves around moving onward and forward only. This is quite an arty story – ballet, mock up sets, baking (and the event planning is creative too).  I’ve enjoyed this theme and found it easy to visualise.

Hazel feels quite measured and practical throughout the story, until that is, the epilogue.  I loved the symbol of the backpacks and moving forward. I really enjoyed this peaceful plot and I found it intriguing. One of the quotes I enjoyed about Josh, “That was love, I guess – you didn’t always have to agree, but you always tried to make each other happy. “

I really enjoyed the reference to the book One Day as well as it is one of my favourites and favourite movies too.

4 / 5 stars