DAUGHTERS OF THE BRIDE

Three daughters attempt to juggle their mother’s upcoming wedding and their own tumultuous love lives in this novel from Mallery (The Friends We Keep, 2016, etc.).

Rachel, Sienna, and Courtney are sisters, but they couldn’t be more different. Rachel is recently divorced and trying to raise her 11-year-old son. Sienna is a commitment-phobe who gets engaged often but finds it more difficult to stay engaged. Courtney, the youngest, has long felt like the black sheep of the family. When they come together to help with their mother’s second wedding, each runs into her own share of drama. Rachel finds herself reconnecting with her ex…but can she trust him not to hurt her? Sienna gets engaged once again, but she’s not sure if this guy is the one for her. And Courtney is juggling a lot of secrets, including her career aspirations and a burgeoning relationship. Over the course of planning the wedding, the sisters are forced to confront their pasts and decide whether they’re willing to take chances on love. Switching between so many points of view is sometimes tedious, and the story feels overlong as a result. Some of the “secrets” and misunderstandings don’t pack quite the dramatic punch they’re meant to, but the relationships among the sisters feel real. The book is at its best when focusing on their family bond.

Readers looking for sister relationships, wedding details, and steamy scenes will enjoy Mallery’s latest.