Book Review: Wedding in the Pines
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Cassidy Carter
Genre: Romance
Series: Cabins in the Pines (Book #2)
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing
Publish Date: May 4, 2021
Format: eBook
★★★★★
This book is perfect for those that like: Second Chance Romances, Meddling Co-Workers, and Groomzillas Who Have Very Strong Opinions on Tulle.
You might not like this book if you aren’t into: SNEAKY KISS INTERRUPTING ANTISEPTIC SCENES, Teenagers Glued to Their Phones, or Potential Clients Getting a Little Too Close.
Purchase: IndieBound / Barnes & Noble / Amazon
Summary: Slater’s job has never been busier at Cabins in the Pines, the recently expanded resort. On top of everything else, he’s the best man for his boss’s upcoming wedding, and he’s trying to make sure everything goes perfectly. But there was one detail he didn’t plan on: the arrival of his ex-girlfriend, Hope.
Years ago, when Hope dated Slater, she dreamed of a musical career. Now, she’s working at her father’s financial firm, and he expects her to take over someday. Hope’s determined to make their conference at Cabins in the Pines a success…while ignoring her misgivings about her own future.
When Slater and Hope meet again, all their memories come rushing back—including the pain of their breakup. Could this unexpected interlude lead to a new beginning?
Sequels, no matter how much we campaign for them, are always a bit of a crapshoot, no? You want the original magic of the first, hence the pleas for a follow-up, but there's always that chance that it won't be like the first time. That the second book won't live up to the expectations and it might just sour you on the whole experience altogether.
Y'all.Wedding in the Pines, the second in the Cabins in the Pines series, blew right past those fears and gave me a whole new love for everyone at the Cabins. I absolutely adored this story and Slater and Hope's journey back to one another. But it was more than just their love story that had me in a book hangover for days after reading this. It was also watching the employees of the Cabins come together and support one another when one of their own was down and out. It didn't matter if it was offering advice to Slater or making sure that Wyatt and Delaney had a gorgeous wedding, they always looked out for one another and were a true chosen family.
Seeing Hope repair her relationship with her Dad, with a little bit of mystery thrown in, also elevated this story from what would have been a really good romance on its own, to a full, more complete story. Don't get me wrong, Slater was the Cinnamon Roll Star of this whole ordeal, but my heart was very full watching Hope and her Dad find their way back to one another as well.
AND, we got another (EXTENDED) Lovestruck High moment. Y'all, I legit squeed the moment I read those words. I love a good callback to something so silly and delightful from the first book. Speaking of the first book, Love on Location, you can technically read these two on their own, but I would HIGHLY recommend reading them in order. And then join me in petitioning the Hallmark Channel to MAKE THIS INTO A MOVIE ALREADY. I MEANNNN....