The New York Times bestselling author of The Red Hat Club fearlessly takes on mothers and daughters, wedding madness, and midlife passion in this frank, funny, and fabulous novel. Georgia, Linda, Diane, Teeny, and Pru have been best friends since high school, and never have they needed one another more. Georgia's precious twenty-eight-year-old daughter, Callie, has gone and gotten engaged. Usually this would be cause for celebration. After all, this is the South, where dreams of white dresses and wedding bells are as important as finding the perfect hat. But Callie's intended groom just happens to be a man they went to high school and college with: Wild Man Wade! These women know more about the groom than the bride does. His drunken shenanigans. His wild oats. And all of his conquests as well as his mistakes. They can imagine him in the most inappropriate of circumstances, but not as a son-in-law! With absolutely hilarious Southern observances and dead-on wit about mothers, daughters, marriage, and families, Wedding Belles will have you laughing and crying whether you live above or below the Mason-Dixon line.
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"I bought this book months ago and didn't pick it up until this past weekend. By then I had forgotten the preceding books that are part of a series. As I began to read I was caught back up in the southern charm of five women who have been friends since high school. It is hilarious, witty and thought provoking as Smith explores the relationships between friends, mothers and daughters. In this book, Georgia confronts serious issues she has with her daughter's choice of a husband. While not presented as a Christian book, there is a strong underlying, realistic struggle for faith and hope...with a fascinating look at some of the mores of people of Jewish heritage. Now I know why this book remained on my "wishlist" for many months before I bought i--and now finally have begun to read it. A wonderful, warm book about the strong bonds of friendship between a group of women who are now in their 50's."
— Sharon (5 out of 5 stars)
“Smith's latest, filled with humor, a few tears, and some prayers, will delight her fans. The warm, satisfying story will also find new readers.... This enjoyable book is recommended.
— Library JournalAnother heartwarming and hilarious installment in Smith's beloved Red Hat series.
— BooklistFans of the series will enjoy and look forward to the next.
— Publishers Weekly" OK I am finished! I really enjoy Ms. Smith's writing and I love this group of ladies, but this one made me cry more than once...I have always considered Ms. Smith's novels as summertime guilty pleasure and these gals as the sugar in my sweet tea, I pray that she continues with their tales. "
— Samantha, 2/11/2014" Christian fiction. Author of the Red Hat Club and sequels. Agonizing over an inappropriate marriage between a daughter and the best friend of her father. Clean always and funny sometimes. Nice characterization of women's friendships. "
— Ann, 1/29/2014" Other than some grammatical mistakes, I loved it. I cannot wait to read the 12 traditions :D "
— Crystal, 1/25/2014" What would you do if your 27 year old daughter was engaged to marry your husband's best friend? The Red Hat Club ladies ride again in this hilarious novel. Southern humor is fun. "
— Clara, 1/24/2014" I thought this book was basically boring and I just didn't connect with it. Definitely more for older women. "
— Samantha, 1/19/2014" Cute chick lit book about friendship. "
— Karen, 1/18/2014" Okay read, but did not always keep my attention!! "
— Courtney, 1/17/2014" This book was a very cute read "
— Lisa, 1/15/2014" Picked it up for some lighter reading after some heavies... It was OK and I suppose if you are in the mood for spoiled, rich southern ladies, it would be good. I couldn't relate to much at all. "
— Redheadjen, 1/4/2014" My excuse for finishing this book is I was in a mountain cabin and it was the only book I brought - BIG MISTAKE! "
— Yvonne, 1/2/2014" I enjoyed this book. Easy read. The first I'd read of hers. Looking forward to reading more! "
— Kathy, 12/31/2013" a very easy read. The South is a very different world to what we know when preparing for a wedding. "
— Hfilipcic, 12/30/2013" Cute book, nothing spectacular but it was an quick, easy read. "
— Melissa, 12/27/2013" I don't know how this book would be to read, but it is very funny performed by Cynthia Darlow. "
— Debra, 12/17/2013" I miss SuSu! "
— Tina, 12/2/2013" Decent, but I did like the first book the best still. "
— Jill, 12/1/2013" Yuk. Sappy goo. "
— Mlmusick, 11/11/2013" Thanks to Jen for reading and posting this book. I like the author but perferred 'Ladies of the Lake' more. Still enjoyable once I got into it. "
— Theresa, 10/21/2013" I checked this out of the library and am enjoying reading it so far. I like the premise. The book was pretty good. "
— Brenda, 7/13/2013" Had it's funny moments, but doesn't compare to the other Red Hat Club books in the series. "
— Chrissie, 6/26/2013" I had a hard time finishing this book, it was a slow read for me, not very interesting. "
— Aubrey, 12/27/2012" On audio. Cute story! I like this author and for something light to listen to, it's perfect. "
— Melissa, 12/26/2012" Fun read. I really have enjoyed this author and the way she captures the "Southern Belle" mentality. Cute book. "
— Lisa, 5/26/2012" After listening to Ladies of the Lake, I looked for more books by the narrator. This one doesn't hold my attention at all. Slow and predictable. Quit listening and moved on to another a little over half way through........ "
— Sandy, 4/24/2012" See my review of Haywood Smiths other books, this is the 3rd in the Red Hat series and I really liked it! "
— Tara, 4/12/2012" A fun book. Quaint and charming. A few laugh at loud moments! Sweet characters that have incredible friendships. "
— Sanae, 1/4/2012" 5 friends: Georgia (narrator), Teeny, Pru, Linda, Diane. Georgia's daughter, Callie, makes plans to marry her dad's best friend "
— Roxanne, 6/6/2011" I thought this book was basically boring and I just didn't connect with it. Definitely more for older women. "
— Samantha, 5/3/2011" cute sweet funny the ultimate red hat lit. "
— Ruth, 4/4/2011" I listened to this - was fun and funny - light "
— Beverly, 3/29/2011" Cute book, nothing spectacular but it was an quick, easy read. "
— Melissa, 1/24/2011" This author probably has a loyal following of readers but I won't be one of them. The plot is just too silly and unbelievable and the main characters are five well-off Atlanta women friends who have too much time on their hands and get themselves into ridiculous situations. "
— Bernadette, 10/1/2010" Loved it. Being in the middle of planning my daughter's wedding made it funnier. "
— Martha, 9/24/2010" After listening to Ladies of the Lake, I looked for more books by the narrator. This one doesn't hold my attention at all. Slow and predictable. Quit listening and moved on to another a little over half way through........ "
— Sandy, 8/16/2010" Thanks to Jen for reading and posting this book. I like the author but perferred 'Ladies of the Lake' more. Still enjoyable once I got into it. "
— Theresa, 8/15/2010" A fun book about a southern wedding. "
— Jennifer, 7/23/2010" Started out good, but was just ok. Between 2 and 3 stars "
— Patty, 7/14/2010" It was a quick read-funny and predictable. "
— Jaime, 7/12/2010" Fun read. I really have enjoyed this author and the way she captures the "Southern Belle" mentality. Cute book. "
— Lisa, 6/8/2010" Great story about women supporting each other through thick and thin! <br/>This times it's Georgia's turn - her daughter is marrying one of her husbands oldest and best friends - Yikes!! It's full of humor and pathos and more humor. Good story and no need for bad language!!!!!!!! "
— Carol, 5/27/2010" This was an entertaining book. If you ever lived near Atlanta you will recognize a few of the locations and some of the food! "
— Jo, 5/18/2010" A cute story with characters that I enjoy. "
— Erin, 4/21/2010" Although it's more geared towards an older reader, this book was pretty funny. I'd recommend it if you like chick-lit books. "
— Katy, 3/22/2010Haywood Smith is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Red Hat Club and Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch, among other works. She lives in Buford, Georgia.
Cynthia Darlow’s unusual voice makes her devotion to the spoken arts a natural fit. As a narrator and veteran of Broadway, off-Broadway, regional theater, film, and television, her characterizations and facility with dialects are unforgettable. Her audiobook narrations have earned her seven AudioFile Earphones Awards. She is a member of The Actors Company Theatre (TACT), whose mission it is to present concert performances of long-neglected, language-driven plays.