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Summary
Summary
One of BuzzFeed 's "Books Coming Out This Summer That You Need to Seriously Read" * One of Bustle 's "New Romance Novels to Make Your Spring Reading Even Dreamier Than You Imagined"
A charming romantic comedy about three sisters who are struggling to keep the family wedding planning business afloat--all the while trying to write their own happily-ever-afters in the process.
All's fair in love and business.
The de la Rosa family and their wedding planning business have been creating happily ever afters in the Washington, DC area for years, making even the most difficult bride's day a fairytale. But when their parents announce their retirement, the sisters--Marisol, Janelyn, and Pearl--are determined to take over the business themselves.
But the sisters quickly discover that the wedding business isn't all rings and roses. There are brides whose moods can change at the drop of a hat; grooms who want to control every part of the process; and couples who argue until their big day. As emotions run high, the de la Rosa sisters quickly realize one thing: even when disaster strikes--whether it's a wardrobe malfunction or a snowmageddon in the middle of a spring wedding--they'll always have each other.
Perfect for fans of the witty and engaging novels of Amy E. Reichert and Susan Mallery, The Key to Happily Ever After is a fresh romantic comedy that celebrates the crucial and profound power of sisterhood.
Author Notes
Tif Marcelo is a veteran army nurse and holds a BS in ursing and a Master's in public administration. She believes and writes about the strength of families, the endurance of friendship, heartfelt romances, and is inspired daily by her own military hero husband and four children. She is also the author of Once Upon a Sunset , The Key to Happily Ever After , and the Journey to the Heart series.
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Marcelo (West Coast Love) charms in this feel-good story about three Filipino sisters, the Alexandria, Va., bridal boutique they inherit from their parents, and their bumpy roads to happily-ever-after. Mari de la Rosa is the oldest at 32, and the most type-A of the bunch, immediately minting herself as CEO of Rings and Roses; Jane, 30, is an even-keeled single mother to a young son and takes charge of the shop's books; and 26-year-old Pearl is creative but incapable of showing up on time. The story toggles between Mari's point of view and Pearl's as Pearl asks for more responsibility and Mari is reluctant to comply. After Pearl brings in a coveted local bride, a wealthy socialite, she and Mari have a bitter fight about Mari's rigidity and Pearl's fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants nature. The layered plot, which includes a dark period in Mari's past that places roadblock to finding love in the present, and the cast of colorful supporting characters, particularly sassy shop seamstress Amelia, are a treat. Fans of Jill Shalvis and Jane Green will particularly enjoy this. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
When their parents retire to the Philippines, the de la Rosa sisters take over Rings and Roses, the family wedding boutique. Mari, as the oldest, feels personally responsible for the business' success, though she struggles to balance demanding brides and the financial realities of the store. Jane, meanwhile, spends as much energy raising her son, Pio, as she does keeping the peace between Mari and Pearl, their youngest sister. When Mari refuses to let Pearl take on a big client, Pearl decides to strike out on her own. She has the support of Trenton, her best friend's brother, upon whom she has been crushing since they were kids. Marcelo keeps the tone light while exploring the lingering effects of trauma, and she movingly portrays sisters who love each other to death but also drive each other crazy. Romantic subplots several of them keep the story moving, and details about Filipino food and traditions fit smoothly into the multicultural D.C. setting. Give this to readers who like Susan Mallery's portrayal of complicated sisters, or Jasmine Guillory's sweet, food-focused city settings.--Susan Maguire Copyright 2019 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Marisol, Janelyn, and Pearl de la Rosa are sisters who just took over their parents' wedding planning business. While mom and dad are enjoying retirement, the siblings need to sort out the business, as the finances are a bit of mess. Although they're equal partners, contention arises when Pearl, the youngest sister and the social media manager, wants to be a full-fledged wedding planner like her sisters. But Mari, the eldest, is too much of a control freak to turn her baby sister loose. Jane, the middle child, is the peacemaker, but it takes almost a complete break before things normalize. Can't have a wedding planner story without some romance, and Mari is the lucky sister who finds love. Readers are told that the de la Rosas are Filipino, yet we don't get much of the culture beyond brief mentions; instead the story focuses on relationships between the sisters and their wedding clients. VERDICT This sweet family story/romance will appeal to fans of Susan Mallery and RaeAnne Thayne. Especially suitable for public libraries looking for more #ownvoices authors.-Stacy Alesi, Palm Beach Cty. Lib. Syst., FL © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
