She’s only trying to save her job and her reputation.
Claire Sommers grew up as a society girl destined to have it all: tasteful Dallas mansion, high-powered career, hot and rich husband. Until a massive mistake left her reputation in tatters and trust fund frozen. Now the former debutante is scraping by as a magazine staffer in Nashville—trading in her diamonds and designer stilettos for rhinestones and cowgirl boots.
But all is not well in the world of print publications. Piece of Cake, the beloved Southern wedding magazine where Claire works, is one issue away from going under. Thankfully, Claire has a plan to save the day and the magazine—a reality show–style docuseries on the South’s most over-the-top and outlandish nuptials. And with country music royalty, Elvis impersonators, and enough drama to make your momma faint, it just so happens that Tennessee is the perfect setting for unscripted wedding day magic. Her boss loves Claire’s idea so much that she even brings in “The Brides’ Man,” New York native and social media star Dominic Gravino, to partner with Claire on the project, despite her protestations.
Dominic’s East Coast confidence and charisma clash with Claire’s Southern breeding and independent spirit as the two unlikely collaborators attempt to create a series that will save Piece of Cake. But in between million-dollar weddings, two-stepping bachelorette parties, and hot chicken fiascos, Claire and Dom discover they make a great team . . . on and off the job. But letting go of old hurts is harder than she imagines, and soon Claire realizes that she must come to terms with what happened in her past if she’s ever going to embrace the present.
“. . . a laugh-out-loud peek into an alternate universe where weddings are a competitive sport and there’s no such thing as too much bling.” —Yvette Manessis Corporon, international bestselling author
Mary Huddleston is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Please Be Seated, the premier event rental company in Nashville. She started her career as an event coordinator in Dallas, initially at Diamond Affairs Weddings & Special Events, and later helped launch the wedding division of nationally-recognized Todd Events. Mary’s career inspired Without A Hitch, her debut novel about the high-stakes world of luxury Southern weddings. She also has a lifestyle platform, Mrs. Southern Social, focused on modern, at-home entertaining and is developing two curated collections with the Southern Living Collection at Dillard’s. Her work has been featured in Southern Living, Southern Lady, StyleBlueprint and NFocus Magazine. She resides in Nashville with her husband and two young children.
Asher Fogle Paul is a human interest and entertainment journalist. Most recently she served as digital features editor at Good Housekeeping. She's also held posts at Us Weekly, People, and Reader's Digest, and her work has been published in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, House Beautiful, Elle, and W, among others. Asher has an MS in magazine journalism from Columbia University and a BA in English from Texas Christian University. She lives in New York City with her husband and four young children. Visit her online at asherfoglepaul.com; Instagram: @asherpaul; Twitter: @asherfogle.