Before You Say I Do by Clare Lydon is a romance about listening to your heart and having the courage to say, “No” to the pressure and expectations from the people around you. Abby Porter has a fabulous career and the perfect fiancé in Marcus Montgomery. He is sweet, attentive, and rich. She’s struggling to tap into the enthusiasm that most brides-to-be feel. Marcus thinks it’s just stress, so he hires her a professional bridesmaid. When Abby meets Jordan Cohen, stars collide. Jordan might be getting paid to be her long-lost childhood friend who just so happened to reappear in her life in time to be her bridesmaid, but Jordon sparks feelings in Abby that she hasn’t acknowledged since university. The run up to the wedding has them joined at the hip, and a heady mix of attraction and lust is making working together close to impossible. Marcus is oblivious. With the wedding days away, will Abby make it to the altar? The Characters Both Abby and Jordan are gorgeous, smart, and witty, yet they come off as typical women who have the type of fears and insecurities that are universal. Jordan is a people person. She can charm just about anybody, especially difficult mothers-of-the-groom who have their own agendas for the perfect wedding. Combined with her genius for planning and anticipating the needs of a bride-to-be, she is the perfect bridesmaid. However, she never anticipated working with a bride who would work her way into Jordan’s heart. From the get-go, Jordon struggles with putting her attraction to Abby aside. She’s a professional! She knows her place and her duty, yet as they become closer Jordan’s resolve begins to falter. She’s never had much success with relationships of her own, so she’s overwhelmed by her feelings. Once she realizes her heart belongs to Abby, she’s dejected because she knows Abby’s future belongs to someone else. I couldn’t help but feel compassion for Jordan’s predicament. God bless Abby. Her life looks perfect on paper. She’s got a job that pays well, and she’s about to receive a big promotion. She’s engaged to a man who by all accounts is perfect for her. But there’s a disconnect. Passion is what’s missing from her career and her relationship. When we first meet her, there’s a sliver of doubt in her mind, but it’s nothing she can put her finger on. The closer her wedding day gets, the more doubts she begins to have. Spending time with Jordan reminds her that her original career goals had nothing to do with a fat bank account. When she realizes that Jordan’s the spark that’s missing from her life, she doesn’t feel like there’s anything to be done. She knows what’s expected of her, and who calls off a wedding days before it’s supposed to take place? There comes a point in the story where Abby can either do what’s safe or be bold and throw caution to the wind. The build up to that point kept me riveted to this book. The Writing Style Lydon has a knack for witty writing, and it just seems to get better with each book. As with all of her previous books, I was laughing out loud at some of the character’s observations about the situations they found themselves in. Being American, the inclusion of British slang and euphemisms had me cackling. Even more lovely, beneath the story’s humor is a sweetness and intensity to Abby and Jordon’s relationship. Out of all Lydon’s books, Before You Say I Do is the slowest burn romance yet. At times it was unbearable. I found myself chanting, “Just kiss her!” The pacing of the book is spot on. (See, some of that British slang rubbed off.) The book starts out six weeks before the wedding, and Lydon makes each day count. Even if Abby and Jordan aren’t in a scene together, their time apart is just as important in moving the plot along. The Pros Goodness knows I love all things British, but part of this story is set in Cannes, France. It’s all very glamorous and high class, and it makes for the perfect backdrop for a hen party. (That’s “bachelorette party” for us Yanks). Villas with private chefs and luxury yachts scream romance so it’s no wonder Jordan and Abby struggle keeping their libidos in check. The Cons So, here’s the thing, Abby does cheat on her fiancé with Jordan. There’s no way this story could be told without that. Neither character feels good about it, and Lydon goes to great lengths to keep this from being too unseemly. This wasn’t an issue for me in the least. The Conclusion https://thelesbianreview.com/category/book-review/highly-recommended-books/victorias-favourites/ There is no such thing as a bad Clare Lydon book. She’s as reliable as rain on a bank holiday weekend. (I’m getting more British by the second!) It seems like every new book I read from her becomes my new favorite. Her ability to mix humor with deep, heartfelt emotions is dazzling. Jordan and Abby couldn’t be more likable, and I was 100% invested in their happily ever after. This is a must read if you’re looking for something to bring a smile to your face and put a skip in your step. Head on down to the Amazon link and one click this lovely romance. You won’t be disappointed. Excerpt from Before You Say I Do by Clare Lydon “I’m having trouble getting the zip done all the way up. Could you give me a hand?” Jordan walked up behind her, trying to ignore her racing heartbeat. Despite everything, her hands were steady as she grasped the zip on Abby’s dress and tugged it upwards. The dress fit perfectly. As Jordan finished, her hand grazed Abby’s bare back. Jordan stilled. She flicked her eyes upwards, and caught Abby’s gaze in the mirror. Had she gasped slightly when Jordan touched her? Whether she had or not, Jordan was still standing motionless, expression trained on Abby. The moment sat between them, pulsing. Abby was giving her a weird look. It was one Jordan had seen before. A mix of want, but also frustration. She’d glimpsed it before in her life. But never with a bride. Jordan didn’t look away for a few more moments, trying to work it out. Abby was getting married. To a man. She was simply getting carried away. Get This Book On Amazon (When you use this link we get a small commission that helps us run the site) (leave this blank, I fill it in on my side) I just read this review for Before You Say I Do by Clare Lydon Bits and Bobs ISBN number: 9781912019847 Publisher: Custard Books Clare Lydon Online www.clarelydon.co.uk If you enjoyed this book then you should also look at Marriage of Unconvenience by Chelsea M. Cameron https://thelesbianreview.com/marriage-unconvenience-cameron/ Note: I received a free review copy of Before You Say I Do by Clare Lydon. No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this siteBefore You Say I Do by Clare Lydon is a romance about listening to your heart and having the courage to say, “No” to the pressure and expectations from the people around you.

Abby Porter has a fabulous career and the perfect fiancé in Marcus Montgomery. He is sweet, attentive, and rich. She’s struggling to tap into the enthusiasm that most brides-to-be feel. Marcus thinks it’s just stress, so he hires her a professional bridesmaid.

When Abby meets Jordan Cohen, stars collide. Jordan might be getting paid to be her long-lost childhood friend who just so happened to reappear in her life in time to be her bridesmaid, but Jordon sparks feelings in Abby that she hasn’t acknowledged since university. The run up to the wedding has them joined at the hip, and a heady mix of attraction and lust is making working together close to impossible.

Marcus is oblivious.

With the wedding days away, will Abby make it to the altar?

The Characters

Both Abby and Jordan are gorgeous, smart, and witty, yet they come off as typical women who have the type of fears and insecurities that are universal.

Jordan is a people person. She can charm just about anybody, especially difficult mothers-of-the-groom who have their own agendas for the perfect wedding. Combined with her genius for planning and anticipating the needs of a bride-to-be, she is the perfect bridesmaid. However, she never anticipated working with a bride who would work her way into Jordan’s heart.

From the get-go, Jordon struggles with putting her attraction to Abby aside. She’s a professional! She knows her place and her duty, yet as they become closer Jordan’s resolve begins to falter. She’s never had much success with relationships of her own, so she’s overwhelmed by her feelings. Once she realizes her heart belongs to Abby, she’s dejected because she knows Abby’s future belongs to someone else. I couldn’t help but feel compassion for Jordan’s predicament.

God bless Abby. Her life looks perfect on paper. She’s got a job that pays well, and she’s about to receive a big promotion. She’s engaged to a man who by all accounts is perfect for her. But there’s a disconnect. Passion is what’s missing from her career and her relationship.

When we first meet her, there’s a sliver of doubt in her mind, but it’s nothing she can put her finger on. The closer her wedding day gets, the more doubts she begins to have. Spending time with Jordan reminds her that her original career goals had nothing to do with a fat bank account.

When she realizes that Jordan’s the spark that’s missing from her life, she doesn’t feel like there’s anything to be done. She knows what’s expected of her, and who calls off a wedding days before it’s supposed to take place?

There comes a point in the story where Abby can either do what’s safe or be bold and throw caution to the wind. The build up to that point kept me riveted to this book.

The Writing Style

Lydon has a knack for witty writing, and it just seems to get better with each book. As with all of her previous books, I was laughing out loud at some of the character’s observations about the situations they found themselves in.

Being American, the inclusion of British slang and euphemisms had me cackling. Even more lovely, beneath the story’s humor is a sweetness and intensity to Abby and Jordon’s relationship. Out of all Lydon’s books, Before You Say I Do is the slowest burn romance yet. At times it was unbearable. I found myself chanting, “Just kiss her!”

The pacing of the book is spot on. (See, some of that British slang rubbed off.) The book starts out six weeks before the wedding, and Lydon makes each day count. Even if Abby and Jordan aren’t in a scene together, their time apart is just as important in moving the plot along.

The Pros

Goodness knows I love all things British, but part of this story is set in Cannes, France. It’s all very glamorous and high class, and it makes for the perfect backdrop for a hen party. (That’s “bachelorette party” for us Yanks). Villas with private chefs and luxury yachts scream romance so it’s no wonder Jordan and Abby struggle keeping their libidos in check.

The Cons

So, here’s the thing, Abby does cheat on her fiancé with Jordan. There’s no way this story could be told without that. Neither character feels good about it, and Lydon goes to great lengths to keep this from being too unseemly. This wasn’t an issue for me in the least.

The Conclusion

victorias favourite bookstaras favourite lesbian booksThere is no such thing as a bad Clare Lydon book. She’s as reliable as rain on a bank holiday weekend. (I’m getting more British by the second!)

It seems like every new book I read from her becomes my new favorite. Her ability to mix humor with deep, heartfelt emotions is dazzling.

Jordan and Abby couldn’t be more likable, and I was 100% invested in their happily ever after. This is a must read if you’re looking for something to bring a smile to your face and put a skip in your step.

Head on down to the Amazon link and one click this lovely romance. You won’t be disappointed.

Excerpt from Before You Say I Do by Clare Lydon

“I’m having trouble getting the zip done all the way up. Could you give me a hand?”

Jordan walked up behind her, trying to ignore her racing heartbeat. Despite everything, her hands were steady as she grasped the zip on Abby’s dress and tugged it upwards. The dress fit perfectly. As Jordan finished, her hand grazed Abby’s bare back.

Jordan stilled. She flicked her eyes upwards, and caught Abby’s gaze in the mirror. Had she gasped slightly when Jordan touched her?

Whether she had or not, Jordan was still standing motionless, expression trained on Abby. The moment sat between them, pulsing.

Abby was giving her a weird look.

It was one Jordan had seen before.

A mix of want, but also frustration. She’d glimpsed it before in her life. But never with a bride.

Jordan didn’t look away for a few more moments, trying to work it out.

Abby was getting married.

To a man.

She was simply getting carried away.

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Bits and Bobs

ISBN number: 9781912019847

Publisher: Custard Books

Clare Lydon Online  

If you enjoyed this book then you should also look at

Marriage of Unconvenience by Chelsea M Cameron

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: I received a free review copy of Before You Say I Do by Clare Lydon. No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site