The Accidental Bride: A Romantic Comedy

by Janice Harayda

Book Overview

With just one month to go before her fairy tale wedding to the third richest man in the second largest city in Ohio, Lily Blair is suddenly beset by doubts. Even though she appears to have it all - a budding career and a five-carat engagement ring from the man of her dreams - she can't decide whether to plunge headfirst into the security of married suburban life, or follow her career dreams solo to New York. And while the zany and loving cast of friends,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312262817
• ISBN13: 9780312262815
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Pre-Wedding Cold Feet

Just a few weeks before her wedding to the most eligible bachelor in the area, Lily Blair decides that she can't possibly go through with it. Her mother refuses to believe that her daughter could embarrass the family by calling off the wedding at such a late date, and continues with the wedding plans as if nothing had changed. Her parents try to manipulate her into changing her mind, and even go so far as to hire a psychiatrist who reports back the results of their session to the parents.Since the groom, Mark, is out of town working on a trial, she hasn't been able to break the news to him. The ironic thing is that they seem perfect for each other. He adores her, sends her flowers all the time, and understands her better than anyone she has ever met. They are both intelligent, articulate and share a love of literature. Lily is devoted to Jane Austen, and the book is punctuated with literary allusions and quotes from Jane Austen's books. One of the reasons why Lily doesn't want to marry Mark is his family. His father is overbearing and his sisters are jealous meddlers. But the main reason is the potential loss of her self. All the women in this small town in Ohio are defined by their husbands...they are simply Mrs. So and So...if you're not married, you're nobody. And forget trying to have a career! The women should do "good works", work for the charity league and run carpools. She sees her life closing in on her, and yearns for the sophistication and freedom she enjoyed while living in New York.The book is light-hearted, witty, amusing and charming and the surprise ending will please any reader. It was a quick, fun read; not deep thought-provoking literature, but nonetheless entertaining.

A funny, delightful book

Obviously a lot of people disagree with me, but I thought this novel was a joy to read, and I laughed out loud several times. Lily was an engaging heroine and someone worth rooting for. If you're in the mood for a book that's frothy and fun, don't miss it!

This novel is as sweet and bubbly as cake and champagne!

Janice Harayda's romantic comedy pokes clever fun at modernlove, wedding fever, and Midwestern social foibles. It has the neatshape and quick pace of classic drawing-room comedies, and is delightful to read from first to last. The dialogue is invariably witty and really begs to be spoken aloud by charming, well-dressed actors. Altogether, "The Accidental Bride" is delicious. It has the lightness and sweetness of wedding cake and champagne--and a bit of the bite--but absolutely no fat or calories, only fun.

Cute, funny send-up of wedding excesses

As someone who was recently forced to move to a provincial town like Cleveland, I could really relate to Lily. Her passion for Jane Austin ill prepares her for modern wedding mores. I eagerly read this book in one afternoon while frantically guessing what the ending had in store for Lily and Mark.