I might delete this post if I change my mind after reading more of the book, but I am absolutely irked by the lack of respect shown to the readers. I do not mind books that are cheesy or pick-me-ups! What I do mind however is lazy writing, and so far I have no other words than that to describe what I am reading. The plot is straightforward, so why are there so many inconsistencies? And why are we not trusted as readers? Eveything has to be explained and over-explained to be absolutely 1000% certain that the readers understood the (very simple, mind you) subtext, it becomes ridiculous. We have no space to wonder, make up our own minds, or just be able to pause. The story just moves from point A to point B to point C in the most basic of ways, and that is it, why would you want more? Aren't you grateful?
Sometimes I like to think of stories as if they were animatronics : you need a mechanical system to make it function, but what will make it truly "alive" is the care put in the details and its form. How does it move, how does it look, how does it interact with you? You cannot just slap a metal skeleton on a stage and expect us to believe in it. Well, Three Holidays and a Wedding is that skeleton on stage., and no amount of good will is gonna make me believe in it.

Molly beats herself up. Says she can’t trust herself. But Karl is so right.

Her bastard of an ex husband should have his balls puréed in an industrial blender and poured down his throat like a god-damned soup.

Not just about that. ☝️ But that Molly’s instincts aren’t wrong. She just has to pay attention to them, listen to what they are telling her, and follow their advice. IMO, she shouldn’t always put what seems to be the rational, analytical response ahead of her instincts. Both have value. And she needs to stop blaming herself for everything.

I’m liking Karl more and more.

This cake-smashing thing at weddings. I’ve seen videos of them. I’m thinking this must be an American thing? When I did wedding photography for a few years when my daughter was very young, I never saw this once in the 50+ weddings I did. Unless it’s a newer thing in Canada??? It’s awful. And it mostly seems to be the groom smashing the cake into the bride’s face. Rarely both bride and groom. Never groom only. Never at queer weddings either. I think I would’ve applied for an annulment if my husband had ever done this to me. No wonder this event continues to rocket around in Molly’s brain.

[*Edit: So the day after I posted this I realized I’d posted in the wrong book. The book forum it’s supposed to be in is:

• Second Chance Romance by Olivia Dade

Not sure what can be done with so many comments already below. I am going to remove the percentage so it moves to the end of the book. Perhaps I’ll repost in the correct one. I thought I might also remove it from here, but then it’s such a good discussion , I’ve decided to leave it for now. (Sheesh, what a dolt I am.* 😒😂)]

The way she answered this question may have confirmed for me that she is neurodivergent bc I have ADHD and a very dry sense of humor and 100% would have made this joke (no clue if she is joking or not but even if not, I would say, still ND)

One of the women of the VBB asks what happens if there is a fire, since her apt is def not up to code.

Linda: I suppose I would burn to death. Please everyone, have some doughnuts!