Have you read any good books lately? Discovered any new or new-to-you authors? I want to know which book and which author.
I have discovered another new author since last time I posted on this subject. It is another contemporary author and not only is the series she has out new to me but so is she. And she would be Erin McCarthy!
I had a Penguin 15% coupon burning a hole in my pocket. Determined to spend it by purchasing an ebook or two, I took to my hunting ground–that would be Twitter–searching for more contemporary authors. Erin McCarthy came with strong recommendations and she wrote for Berkley so my 15% coupon would be put to very good use.
I downloaded FLAT-OUT SEXY, which is the first in her NASCAR series, and devoured it in the span of 24 hours. I totally fell for the hero, Elec Monroe, who I must say is a beta HERO TO DIE FOR! And here I didn’t think I particularly even liked beta heroes. FLAT-OUT SEXY prompted me to create yet another feature on The Season site called Fabulous Find. Since FLAT-OUT SEXY came out in trade a couple years ago and in mass paper back last month, I made it my find of the month. Look out for my review for it in the July issue!
The next book in the series–which I’ve just finished reading– is HARD AND FAST( a July Top Pick!). It will make its paperback debut July 6th. The final book in the series is HOT FINISH and will be out in August so at least I don’t have to wait for that one. And it’s not coming out in trade first, like the other two, but will have a mass paperback first time in print release. YAY!!!
Okay, now I’ve told you mine, tell me yours. The commenter of the book that piques my interest the most gets a current release of their choice (max retail $7.99).
I still have Flat-Out Sexy waiting in the wings. It’s going to be my next “read only on the exercise bike” book. It’s how I trick myself into exercising. 🙂
In the past couple of weeks I’ve discovered several new-to-me authors. Sarah MacLean’s “Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake” was excellent and I cannot wait for the next one.
Maureen Smith’s “Recipe for Temptation” was so hot it nearly singed my fingers (the hero is a restaurant-owner and celebrity chef–such a fun, sexy book!).
The book I’m currently reading, Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory, has reminded me why I love medieval romances. I wish I had the time to devour it in one sitting.
I’ve been so busy trying to catch up on my auto-buy authors, I haven’t had a chance to find too many new ones. I MUST say, though, that Sarah MacLean’s Nine Rules tops the list. And if I keep reading these great reviews here, I’m NEVER going to get caught up. lol. But I guess that’s a nice problem to have. 🙂
I just finished ‘The Belly Dancer’ by Deanna Cameron. It from July 2009 and has been on my TBR shelves for a long, long time. It’s been calling to me, so I decided to pull it out. I’m very glad I did. I don’t usual gush about a book, but this one seems worth it; here’s my personal review:
“This is the first work by Deanna Cameron that I have ever read and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It didn’t have a lot of spice to the story, but the author’s skill in developing the main character more than made up for the lack of heat.
The story is set in Chicago in 1893 with the Columbian Exposition World’s Fair as a backdrop with emphasis on the Egyptian City and the exotic dancers in the Egyptian Theater. Dora was born and raised in New Orleans. She grew up not knowing her father and her mother refused to answer any of Dora’s questions. You just know there is a story there…but wait, this question and many others will be answered to those who wait and finish the book. Dora’s life in Chicago with her new husband Charles Chambers is strained and not very happy. Dora is doing everything she can possibly do to try and remedy the situation, but she just doesn’t know what to do. Her loneliness and natural curiosity eventually lead her to befriend one of the dancers in the Egyptian Theater. The story grows from there. Due to outside influences and circumstances beyond her control, she is forced, but not unwillingly, onto another path and from there she reaches her HEA.
This story is well-written and worth the reader’s time. I recommend this to readers interested in a good historical romance. I gave it 4 stars.”
As far as I can tell, this is the only book this author has written. I checked her website and didn’t see anything about future books. I hope this isn’t the last we see from her.
I am currently reading Hot Southern Nights by Diane Castell. This is my first book to read by Castell. There are a few points where I have laughed out loud. That feels so good. It is a good summer read. I am only half way, but I am enjoying Churchill and Cal’s relationship. I can’t wait to see where it goes.
I actually read the whole fast track series and I been dying to HOT FINISH!!!
I’ve been reading a lot of old categories lately. “Tempst in Eden, and “A Whole New Light” (best friends theme) both by Sandra Brown are just two. Right now, I’m reading “The Fourth Child,” thr sort of related sequel to “Her Best Friend’s Baby” by by C.J. Carmichael. I like them because they are quick and don’t require much thought, no suspense, spies, only a little angst (quickly resolved)l
I recently read: Julie James’ Something About You, and loved it. And if you like Scot’s in your romance, is this really a question?
You’ve gotta read: Some Like It Scot by Donna Kauffman. They are not new to me authors but both are great and sexy books that I would reccomend.
Whew! Those covers are smokin’. I’m continually looking for new authors.
Haha! Bev, you know I completely loved Flat-Out-Sexy. It was flat out funny and flat out fabulous. It also had one of the most memorable dinner scenes ever. Talk about laugh out loud. I guess besides Erin McCarthy, I would have to say that my new fab find would have to be Jill Shalvis. I recently bought her back list. I like her style of writing and her men are just yummy.
I recommend A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh which I recently read and enjoyed very much. It was such a fun story and a quick read.
My newest find is Charlotte Featherstone.
With SINFUL, Ms. Featherstone captured a distinct tone & atmosphere that I haven’t come across in a Victorian romance before, her writing spoke in a new voice to me. The exact element that I look for in a “new-to-me” author.
Matthew (Lord Wallingford) & Jane are a unique couple placed within an old romance theme – dissolute, jaded, Aristocratic rake vs. a plain “Jane” working-class spinster – but they fit. They really do. SINFUL does explore darker themes than most mainstream romances and the hero is not a pseudo-broken man, he truly is broken & defiant but there are moments of levity & sweetness that balance this dynamic and foster a sense of fated love. Jane & Matthew, both wear masks of sorts and in their “street persona” they bicker & spar like an old married couple while fighting an undercurrent of attraction that neither wants to want. When these two have a go at each other, it’s honestly fun.
The plot is character driven and this couple’s road to HEA is paved with difficult choices and realistic obstacles that cannot be easily resolved but they do find a way. The ending is not traditional for a romance but I did not feel unsatisfied. I will not soon forget this book and went out immediately to purchase Ms. Featherstone’s backlist.
Other new authors that are new-to-me but well loved are Pamela Clare, Rachel Gibson & Sarah Mayberry. Love these ladies! 🙂
Scorpio, I’ve just read Sinful and I have to say that it was definitely unique. The story did not have a conventional HEA there but she gives one on her site and IMO that is what made me enjoy the book.
I have two, both by authors I wish would get more buzz in the blogosphere.
First, I just finished Alissa Johnson’s regency “Destined to Last” with a heartfelt sigh. It’s the feeling that you have at the end of a good book where you just want to open it right back up and experience the whole thing all over again. It’s the final book in a series, but I really think the book can be read on its own. I stumbled across her from the “A Christmas Ball” anthology that Dorchester put out, and had the same just sweet, happy feeling at the close of the book. Ha, I just realized I didn’t describe the book’s plot, characters, or setting at all — but I think that’s the sign of good writing where you get swept up into the emotions seamlessly.
The second book is on a completely different side of the romance world. I still don’t remember how I found Vivi Andrews, but I’m so glad I did. I glommed her last Christmas and then had to patiently wait until April for her new release “The Sexorcist.” It is hilarious. I usually can keep my self to a suppressed snort in public places, but the number of times I giggled or covered my mouth and faked a cough on the subway while reading this book embarrasses me. The title is racier than the book, but it’s a paranormal about a heart transplant survivor who can solve problems really well and an exorcist who gets calls from lonely housewives. Except it’s really about two people fighting to experience life on their own terms and falling in love on the way. I love Andrews’ writing – it’s fast-paced and frequently witty. And her characters are well-drawn: Brittany, the heart transplant survivor, could have been treacly sweet or overly perfect, but she’s a character that you grow to love and I really related to her struggle for independence and recognition on her own merits.
I’m currently reading Wild Irish Rose by Lisa Ann Verge, who is a new to me author. The setting is medieval Ireland, and the heroine is the foundling of a convent who currently runs the kitchens. Growing up she was told that her origin was unknown, but later on she was given a heavy gold signet ring and told her mother might have been in a group of pilgrims. She runs away from the convent with a squirrel on her back in a basket to join a group of minstrels. The hero is one of the minstrels, charming and light-hearted on the surface, but there are hints early on that he might be much more than merely a minstrel. Burdened with a deathbed promise, he is living on borrowed time as a minstrel, while this promise for vengeance hangs over his head the entire time.
It’s quite enjoyable to see how the hero and heroine interact, as well as how she exchanges barbs with the rest of the company of minstrels. Being minstrels, they are well-equipped with bawdy rhymes and quips and never fail to poke fun at the heroine. The heroine is quite a shrew, so she is able to hold her own with the company while the hero softens her with his charm and constant good humor. The prose is somewhat purple, and I’m starting to lose count of how many times the heroine plants her hands on her very wide hips, but I really like the bawdy riddles the author throws in there (probably because I have a dirty mind because the only things I could think of when I read them were part of the human anatomy). The dialogue feels pretty authentic, and even though the heroine is only bearable sometimes her character is justified from her background.
This is an older book, and I have another of the author’s books on my TBR that came well-recommended – Heaven in His Arms. This one is set in Canada with the premise that the hero has to marry to keep his fur-trading business, and he selects the most sickly woman he could find, hoping he doesn’t have to deal with her too soon. As you can tell from the summaries this author does not write your standard historical, and her unusual settings and authentic voice trumps the purple prose for me.
Agree, agree–Sarah MacLean’s debut was fantastic.
Lori Wilde has a new series out by Avon. First one was The True Love Knitting Club. This was the first Lori Wilde I’ve read. She did a workshop for us last year that was fantastic. Well, her book was too! Next it’s on to The True Love Quilting Club.
I just discovered Sabrina Jeffries. Her release earlier this year, The Truth About Lord Stoneville was terrific! I love my heros handsome, angsty, and tortured and this man definitely fit that bill on all counts! The heroine, an American, sails across the ocean to find her lost fiance and ends up in a brothel…where she meets the hero, who helps her out of a sticky predicament. And in return, she goes home with him to grandma to pass as his fake fiance! Loved it!!
So many books, so little time…
I would recommend two books. One a romance and another YA/ with romance. I would highly recommend “Ten Things I love About You” by Julia Quinn. This book was witty, funny, and an all out perfect romance. I would also recommend “Shiver” by Maggie Stiefvater. This had to be the best YA book i’ve read in a long time. The romance in it was cute and Maggie had a very original take of werewolves
Well, given that I’ve been buried in my geology textbook since mid May and will till the end of the month, I’ve been rereading JQ’s Bridgerton series. Been ages since I last did so, and somehow it seems quite logical to me that since it has been taken me longer to read a novel because of class, I won’t feel as bad that a particular book is a reread vs one I haven’t read yet.
Anyhoo. . . logic aside, a new to me discovery somewhere between the end of the spring semester and this summer class was Jill Shalvis, great fun with that book. . . oh yeah, also read right through Elisabeth Naughton’s Stolen series, definitely got better as I went along, and sure missed everyone once I finished the third book. 🙂 As for those mentioned, have read and loved Lori Wilde, Sabrina Jeffries, and I do have Sarah Maclean’s book, just haven’t been able to read it yet. 🙂
Lois
So many wonderful novels out there, I am reading several at the moment, but one that stands out for its sheer uniqueness is ROMANZO: Love and Corruption Italian Style. It’s a love story, but one that is not typically romance in presentation. Angela Montgomery is a wonderful author with a sharp eye for detail and insight. The synopsis reads: “Scatty, struggling actress, Marsya Wells, meets rational young architect Marco Fontana when he comes from Milan to London for a conference. While attracted to each other, Marco’s orderly manner of allowing his mind to control his heart keeps dysfunctional Marsya at bay. Until she moves to Milan to teach English. In the Milan of the early 90’s awash with corruption scandals, Marco’s career is maneuvered into murky associations, and Marsya is sucked into the entourage of a corrupt entrepreneur and his manipulative political movement. Through their personal battles, Marco learns to heed his emotions, and Marsya learns to use her mind to make decisions for more life rather than destruction.” It’s one of the best books I’ve read in ages, honestly. I’m also thoroughly enjoying the latest releases from Lucy Monroe – this lady never misses, so I buy automatically with her. All in all, too many books and too little time!!
I recently read Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase which came out this month from Sourcebooks. It’s a cute contemporary paranormal (ghosts, vampires and shape shifters) that had me laughing throughout the book. It also has a very hot romance too. Hot baseball guy and cute girl out on her own in the city for the first time. I loved it!
I would have to say Margaret Mallory’s Knight of Pleasure was a wonderful read and a new to me author is Cheryl Pierson with Time Plains Drifter – another great read.
New book/new author to me is actually you Miss Kendall. Finally got to ‘Sinful Surrender’ and I absolutely loved it. Can’t wait for the Thomas and Amelia’s book in January! (seems so far away)
Some others have been (sad for me, but true) Mary Jo Putney and Jo Beverley. Also have an Adrienne Basso book in my TBR pile I am about to start soon and I hope she is as great as everyone says she is!
Love new books and new authors, like I always say, it’s like Christmas! Gotta check out some of the newbies the commenters pointed out!
I’ve read a lot of good books lately, but two that stand out for me are 10 Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn and According to Jane by Marilyn Brant.
Margay
I LOVE Erin McCarthy….my all time fav of her’s is Mouth to Mouth. I love the her racing series that you featured, but Mouth to Mouth is still my fav 🙂
My new find is Sarah MacLean. I just got done reading Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! She is my fav historical romance find so far this year (last year I finally discovered Elizabeth Hoyt). I read this book in a day and a half because I couldn’t put it down (and it’s longer than the avg book published these days). I can’t recommend it highly enough!
I may have to stop reading this blog. Every time I do, at least one book gets added to my TBR list! ^_-
I’m currently reading a paranormal by a new author: Marie-Claude Bourque. It’s called “Ancient Whispers” and is about a sorcerer looking for his soulmate, lost to him more than 250 years ago. I’m only 70 pages in, but I am already completely and irrevocably hooked! I’ve been completely drawn into this world of sorcery. Unless something drastic comes up, I’ll be finishing the rest of this book tonight. ^_^
For those who read young adult books, I highly recommend the Dreamcatcher trilogy of paranormal romance by Lisa McMann (“Wake”, “Fade”, and “Gone”). I just finished “Gone” last week. I cried. Happy tears, though, so it’s all good.
Lura, you might also like Ann Brashere’s new one (she’s the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants author). It’s called My Name is Memory and is about a high school senior who meets a young man who remembers her from past lives–and something awful that tears them apart time and time again. I read her adult novel from two summers ago (The Last Summer of You and Me). Man alive, can she write! Her prose sings! So can’t wait to get to this one…but my teen snagged it first!
A book that kept me up until 3 am was Kaki Warner’s Open Country, its the second in the Blood Rose series Pieces of Sky was the first in the series. They are both awesome reads and will keep you up all night. I loved the story!
2 books I just finished and read in a hurry because I wanted to see the outcome were EXTREME DANGER-Shannon McKenna and HOT AS SIN-Bella Andre. They both had WOW factors as well as a good suspensful storyline. The characters were remarkable too
Bev, right now I’m reading Black Silk by Judith Ivory and really loving it. It’s such a wonderful book – beautiful language and characterization. The love develops so slowly and naturally that it feels real. Loving it. I’ve never read any of Judith Ivory’s books, but I’ll definitely be looking into others.
I would recommend Toni Blake. I had read a few of her books in the past and it took me a while before I picked up the first two books in her current Destiny series which is set in small town. Her books are sweet and hot.
Some of my favorite authors are Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Sabrina Jeffries, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Johanna Lindsey and Brenda Joyce. I am currently reading That Perfect someone by Johanna Lindsey. This book is part of a series called the Mallorys. I love reading family center books like Bridgertons (Julia Quinn) to Knight (Gaelen Foley). If you like this type of books us should read this book.
I’ve never read a book by Erin McCarthy but I just recently bought one of her books called THE TAKING (in a series called “The Seven Deadly Sins trilogy”), I’ve haven’t read it yet but I’m about to.
I just recently read a book that I liked alot by Anya Bast. It was called “Witch Fire” and it’s in a series called “Elemental Witches”. It was a paranormal romance and it had the perfect blend of fantasy, sexy witches (the hero and heroine were witches), sexy scenes, good and bad guys, and some suspense. I’ve always wanted to read a story about a witch and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I just bought the second book in her series entitled “Witch Blood”.
This is a great topic, I really enjoyed reading everybody’s recommendations! 🙂
Mary Balogh’s A Secret Affair was fabulous. Really enjoyed it. Julia Quinn’s Ten Things I Love About You was also a great read. I am trying VERY hard to be good and not buy too many books before Nationals so I can go wild at the Literacy Autographing event. I always pick up one or two new authors there. Last year, one of my new authors was Kandy Shepherd. Love is a Four-Legged Word was such a hoot! And very sexy and hot! Great read. Can’t wait to read her newest – Home is Where the Bark Is
Just started a book by Loucinda McGary, so far really good. I also have books by Kathryn Kennedy and Judi Fennell in my tbr pile. Recently discovered Anna Campbell who has become one of my favorites and finished Lisa Kleypas who I love.
I love Erin McCarthy. I have only have read 2 of her books and I LOVED them. They were The Immortal and Fallen. I really think you’ll enjoy them. They are 2 books I will reread. I just finished a book by Anthea Lawson, a husband and wife writing team and the book was All His Desires. I ‘ve never read any of their books. This book was filled with every emotion you can possibly think of. I am going to chck out any other books by this Author and hope I find them just as enjoyable.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
The first four Virgin River books by Robyn Carr are currently being offered for the Kindle at a bargain price of $10 for the four. I snapped it up since I’d heard good things about this series. I don’t usually like to read a series straight through, but honestly, I could not put these books down. I whipped through all four of them in less than a week and have already bought book 5 for this weekend. The books I read (in order) are Virgin River, Shelter Mountain, Whispering Rock, and A Virgin River Christmas.
These are contemporary romances set in a small Northern California mountain village. The first book features an LA nurse midwife who lost her husband a year before and is suffering from job burnout. She takes a job as a nurse practitioner/midwife in the village, meets an ex-Marine who runs the local bar and grill and the story takes off from there. Each of the succeeding books features characters somehow tied to the village. In the first three books, the three heros all served together in the same company in the Marines. With each succeeding book, the story just gets richer because all of the characters from the former books are still there in the village and you get the sense of slowly being drawn into their lives. The writing is a bit formulaic sometimes, but I just love the characters, the plots, the continuing threads, and the atmosphere and feel of these books. Luckily for me, there are 10 books total in this series so far.
I have been trying to step out of my comfort zone and have found some fabulous new authors like Megan Hart. Her book Dirty was hot and very emotional, something I really wasn’t expecting. READ IT!
I just finished LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON by Lisa Kleypas and it was everything that I anticipated. It was such a pleasure “seeing” Bea come into her own and finding that perfect gentleman. I just started My Lady’s Pleasure by Olivia Quincy and so far it is very steamy, sexy and “un-put-downable”. This is an author I have never read, but certainly plan to follow from now on.
Thanks for all of the wonderful suggestions for future reads. I am making a list now.
I have not read this author. Two of my favorites that I have read lately are The Ocean Between by Lynda Coker and Simple Wishes by Lisa Dale. Loved both of these books. The Truth About Lord Stonevill by Sabrina Jeffries was also very good.
I’ve been finding many new authors lately. My newest is Joanna Bourne. I have her THE FORBIDDEN ROSE sitting here. I have just started reading it and think it will be one I enjoy.
A book I just finished was excellent and written by an author I’d not heard of. IMPATIENT WITH DESIRE by Gabrielle Burton is done in journal and flashback form. It is the story of the Donner Party from her view point. It was a book I didn’t want to finish. Since it is historical fiction, I knew what was going to happen. I just wanted to keep these people I had come to care about alive a little longer. Very well written with characters that you got to know and understand. This book is different from your normal reads, but well worth the effort.
I love the NASCAR theme books! I too grew up going to our local speedway and now don’t miss the NASCAR racing on TV either, so its exciting to find the reads. I have Erin’s first one to read, so I must pull up to read soon. You must read MOUTH TO MOUTH of hers. So fun and sexy of a read!
I’ve been reading a variety all this month! Right now I’m reading Elizabeth Hoyt’s THE SERPENT PRINCE which is 3rd in the first trilogy she wrote. Every one of these are great! I too read a sizzling werewolf ebook by debut author Cassidy Hunter at Loose ID. I too so recommend Bonnie Dee’s historical romance (both in ebook and print) PERFECTING AMANDA. This is a western historical romance and there were times I cried reading this one! She writes a variety of genres and sensuality but this one was one of her historical romances that I’m going to be going to find more of hers!
I have to recomend Loucinda McGary’s The Wild Irish Sea fantastic Irish hero set on The Donegal Coast in Ireland this book is released in July ( I was lucky enough to win an ARC)
Loucinda took me on an adventure filled with lots of romance and suspense loved this book
Have Fun
Helen
I loved erin’s books – I didn’t realize Elec was a ‘beta” hero? He was such a keeper! I am looking forward to Hot Finish – my only complaint is the hot cover model seems to be the same on all three of her books!
READS for you to try:
I’d recommend Shannon Mckenna’s books. Behind Closed Doors features Nick, an investigator trying to infiltrate the bad guy organization to find a lost child. Becca is in the wrong place at the wrong time, they meet and become involved in an adventure that involves organ trafficking, survival and sensual love. Nick is a character who has lingered in my mind months after reading this book.
If you’re looking for a paranormal experience, then try Cynthia Eden’s Hotter after Midnight. Emily is a “monster doctor”, a therapist to the paranormal world. She is using her skills to help profile a murder case. Because of her abilities, she is someone who can expose detective Colin for what he really is….a wolf shapeshifter. Lots of hot romance and suspense, another not to be missed read. enjoy!
no new authors recently just new to me — Christine Wells & Suzanne Enoch. After reading them can understand why they are so well liked — how to fit time and room for more of their books in a TBR pile already so full :). Earlier this year I did read some new authors. I read 9 Rules by Sarah Maclean & loved it. If her upcoming books are even close to beng as good she will definately be on my (and many others) auto buy list for a good while. Erica Ridley’s debut Too Wicked to Kiss was also a good read and has me looking forward to checking out her next one. Read Lindsey’s That Perfect Someone yesterday (started it in the morning, hated having to stop to run afternoon errands, but couldn’t put it down for more that a few moments at a time after I got home again till I reached the HEA). Thought the H/H were well written with a good story of their own and had a nice mix in with the Malory/Anderson family that gave it a good sense of history/continuity with the prior books in the series (enough to satisfy) but not overwhelm it.
The most recent must-read book was HIS AT NIGHT by Sherry Thomas. If you haven’t read a Sherry Thomas novel yet, you’re in for a treat. This book has tormented lovers, a sweet secondary romance and prose that is almost lyrical. English is Ms. Thomas’s second language, but you would never know it. The way she constructs a sentence is something special to behold.
HIS AT NIGHT is about a spy that must live his undercover persona 24 hours a day. The heroine is a virtual prisoner in her own home and must take deperate measures to escape. The day these two meet, both are playing a role. Here’s a snippet from the novel about the hero:
“Lord Vere was, in other words, an idiot. Not a raving one, for his sanity was rarely questioned. And not so moronic that he could not see to his daily needs. Rather, he was an amusing idiot, as ignorant and puffed up as a pillow, silly to the extreme, but sweet, harmless, and very well liked among the Upper Ten Thousand for the diversion he provided.”
Another great read was SOMETHING ABOUT YOU by Julie James and two must-reads by new authors were books by Beverly Kendall and Sara Lindsey.
I just finished Jennifer Estep’s Spider’s Bite and really enjoyed it. I also just discovered Lydia Dare’s Westfield Brother’s series – A Certain Wolfish Charm – Tall, Dark and Wolfish – The Wolf Next Door. These are Regencies featuring werewolves as the hero, I love it.
lovelove lvoe erin’s book whooo those are hot books u read whooo
well loving megan hart;s books
dirty was jsut so damn good read all in one day and nite whoo
reaidng switched just so good and in the first person
eroticbooks but well written and charcter driven
I was lucky enough to win an e-arc of Stephanie Lauren’s upcoming book The Brazen Bride. It didn’t disappoint!