Review: The Bad Bridesmaid

Title: The Bad Bridesmaid

Author: Rachael Johns

Publisher: 28th January 2025 by Penguin Random House Australia 

Pages: 382 pages

Genre: Contemporary | Romance

Synopsis:

When serial dater Winifred Darling – Fred – is asked to be the maid of honour at her mother’s sixth wedding, she’s determined to do everything in her power to stop it. As the author of a forthcoming book called 21 Rules for Not Catching Feelings, she knows better than most about the perils of falling in love.

On arrival at the island wedding destination, Fred is delighted to discover that the groom’s hot muso son Leo is just as set against the wedding as she is. Together, they come up with ‘Operation Break-Up’ to prevent their parents from making what they believe will be a catastrophic mistake.

But as Fred and Leo get to know each other better, their unexpected feelings for each other create further complications, and Fred is forced to rethink her own rigid rules about romance and family. Maybe not every relationship has to play by the book, and could Fred become the star in a romcom of her own?

My Thoughts

The Bad Bridesmaid is a cute fun romcom about a girl (Winifred - Fred for short) who doesn’t believe in love - insert: serial dater with no commitment. In fact, she’s in the process of writing a book, ‘21 Rules for Not Catching Feelings’.  Her mother is getting married for the 6th time up on Norfolk Island and, of course, she’s been asked to be the bridesmaid. What could go wrong? In this funny tale ... absolutely everything! 

‘... she wants me to be her bridesmaid, or rather her maid of honour.’ ‘Excuse me?’ It’s clear by the expression on Bee’s face that she doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Xavier laughs. ‘You’d make a very bad bridesmaid.’

There is a cast of sensational characters from immediate family to step family and the residents of Norfolk Island. Fred and her soon to be step brother (insert gorgeous man) team up for ‘Operation Break Up’ in an attempt to prevent their respective parents from making a terrible mistake. This is of course where everything starts to go pear shaped but very amusingly so. I must also add here that this is a huge plug for travelling to Norfolk Island with loads of interesting information. 

‘It’s not about romance,’ I tell him. ‘It’s a reminder that I’m all I need. That loving yourself is the most important thing you can do.’

If you love great rom-coms with quirky characters, laugh out loud moments in what can only be described as the wedding drama to end them all then be sure to read Rachael’s new book. It is in some ways a sequel to her smash hit, The Other Bridget, however, it can be read as a standalone. There is a small catchup with some much loved characters and how their lives are going (I’m talking about you Bee and Sully) and an epilogue that will bring a huge smile to readers faces. 

‘... love isn’t logical. The heart wants what the heart wants.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.