Amanda's Wedding

Melanie, Francesca and Amanda are solidly working-class girls, raised a few hours outside London. Growing up together with all of the usual spats that occur in a group of three friends, Amanda always had her eyes on the prize, determined to make the most of her upwardly mobile ambitions. Leaving both Mel and Fran behind as she now works in PR and is ‘uber’ glamorous, she only deigns to acknowledge her old school chums when she’s in need of a serious boost to her feelings of superiority. But now, in a break from the twice yearly traditions, she’s called them in to announce her marriage to Fraser, Scottish Laird and not someone she ever noticed despite being at Uni with him and Mel. Mel has her own issues: a couple of dates with an accountant who clings tighter than ivy, an ex who scuttled of to America without leaving so much as a note, and a best friend who can’t help but see every man she encounters without pants, she’s feeling unloved, unwanted, overweight and more than a bit lonely until Alex’s phone call. He’s coming back, and against all common sense, she’s ready to forgive all of his bad behavior and jump into playing happy families. But, with the Awful Amanda’s wedding on the horizon, and a sudden reintroduction to Fraser, as well as meeting his mates and younger brother – all feeling that the wedding is a terrible mistake, the opportunity for Mel to put her foot in it, drunkenly and repeatedly, is never-ending. This re-release allowed me the opportunity to visit a title I’d not read from Colgan, who is at the top of my auto-buy list for her layered and complex characters moving through often very ordinary lives in unusual ways. There are smidgens of the writer that I know now, and some truly ‘twenty-something, finding yourself’ moments that also feel very appropriate in a twenty year old story. Authors and their skills improve and develop with use and experience – experience gleaned from life and simply writing, and it is clear to see this is a story that is fully embracing it’s twenty-something-ness in all of the self-absorption, drink, regardless of consequences acts from many of the characters. But, in that parts were frustrating, it did offer a look into lives that, while different to our own, are sure to bring memories of times best forgotten. While not my favorite novel from this author, it is one that, had I read it when she was first published, would have encouraged me to read more. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.