Reviewer: Annie
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Immersed in the world of weddings and romance, Lily Lavender grew up believing in brides, grooms and happily-ever-afters. A direct descendent of the British royals, it seemed her destiny and royal birthright to someday assume a position as wedding coordinator in their family-owned wedding chapel business. But when her mother Mimi’s third marriage eventually fails, Lily’s dreams of her own happily-ever-after quickly fade. She’s no longer interested in a life of assisting brides walk down the aisle into a life of disillusionment and possible divorce. Lily turns her back on The Royal Wedding Chapel and leaves Las Vegas to fashion a life of her own. Years later, Lily—now a single mom—discovers her teenage daughter has run off to Las Vegas, lured by Mimi to help run the chapel. Determined to save her daughter from the broken dreams of Sin City and the nonsensical world of which family fairy tales are made, Lily returns to Las Vegas. But nothing prepares Lily for the royal drama which awaits her… or the sins and secrets she stumbles across that threaten to close the chapel and ruin her family forever.
Review:
Kathleen Irene Paterka delivers another wonderful novel. I have read and reviewed one of her other books; “The Other Wife”, so I was expecting to really enjoy this story. I was not disappointed.
We are introduced to three generations of women that are set on a course to learn more about one another than ever expected. Sometimes lies and betrayals are revealed that cannot be avoided. Sometimes they break you, and sometimes they make you stronger.
Mimi (Elizabeth) Alexander runs the Royal Wedding Chapel with her friends, Francesca and Jaabir. This chapel sits right in the middle of the Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, and has been there for decades. But, its popularity is waning, and they will all be faced with some hard decisions regarding this business. Mimi lives for this Wedding Chapel. It is like a part of her soul. While her daughter wanted to run away as fast as she could, her granddaughter caught the “Wedding Bug”!
Mimi’s daughter; Lily, grew up at the Royal Wedding Chapel, and could not wait to get away. She earned a Degree in Finance and now works for an International Casket Company. She lives in San Diego, so her dream of getting away became a reality. Only her daughter, Tori wants to be with her Grandmother, Mimi, working at the Chapel.
The story begins with Tori running off to Las Vegas just a few months before her 18th birthday, and her mother ran after her. Lily was determined to bring her daughter home to San Diego.
But, life had other plans!!
While some things in this story I could figure out, I have to say that I was shocked quite a bit…Mouth agape shocked!!! There is ONE line in this story that was so shocking, I was rather impressed with Paterka’s delivery! There are a lot of lines like that. Kathleen Irene Paterka sure knows how to deliver an engrossing novel.
This is a great book for anyone that loves a story about female relationships, as she gets to the heart of these relationships.
This was a wonderful story, and I loved how Kathleen Irene Paterka defines family. Above all, that is what this story is about.
4 Stars.
Annie, thank you so much for the lovely review of SECRETS OF THE ROYAL WEDDING CHAPEL! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed Lily and the assorted cast of characters living in the world-of-weddings: Mimi, Tori, Ed, Jack… and let’s not forget our darling Francesca! I’m all smiles as I read your comments about being ‘shocked’ by some (and a HUGE) secrets in the book. That is an author’s job: to deliver a satisfying read to readers… and I’m so glad you enjoyed the book!
Thanks again, Annie. You’ve given a wonderful beginning to my Release Day!
~ Kathleen
I enjoyed this book so much, thank you, Kathleen…and, yes, I adored Francesca..I need one of her..lol….