Can you start over when you once were on the top of the world?

Synopsis

Lottie should be on top of the world – her boutique has just opened in the quaint little village of Lily Vale and her designs are already delighting the locals. But just nine months ago, she was fired from her dream job and forced to move in with her dad, all because of one big mistake and a betrayal from someone she thought was her friend.

During a fitting appointment, Lottie meets groom-to-be Kit Brooks. Her first impression? Arrogant, rude, and a downright snob. However, as they work together to create the perfect bridesmaid’s dress for his little sister, Lottie begins to view Kit in a whole new light.

Suddenly, she’s battling to keep her heart under control – after all, Kit is getting married. But nothing could prepare her for the identity of his bride…

Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes in Lily Vale Village is the eighth story in the Lily Vale Village book series, a charming set of novellas revolving around the lives of the ordinary people who reside in the beautiful countryside community. It can be read as a standalone story, or as part of the series.

My review

Nine months ago, Lottie believed she had it made in Paris. Until one disastrous night and one big mistake left her not only fired but also blacklisted. She had no other option to return to her father. Now finally she has opened her own boutique shop in the quaint village of Lily Vale. She hopes that her designs will charm the villagers.
Slowly the customers are finding her, and Lottie is quickly charmed by teenager Tanya, who is looking for a bridesmaid’s dress. But Lottie cannot say to be charmed by Tanya’s brother and groom – to – be Kit Brooks. He is rude, arrogant and just a snob. But slowly she realizes that there is more to Kit than she initially thought. Until she learns who the bride – to – be is, the same person that ruined her career in Paris…

There is something about stories with characters moving away from where they have built a life, to return back to their roots somehow. For the main character it may feel like a failure, but I always enjoy reading how in fact it is a second chance, to rebuild something and just have a fresh start, after what they have already been through.

I am not into fashion myself, I don’t follow the hypes but I can get a bit jealous thinking how fashion designer can come up with great ideas and design the most amazing outfits. So already from the start I was a bit in awe of Lottie, as she for sure has this talent, or rather this gift. But of course I also felt sorry for her, as at the epitome of her dreams, she gets betrayed by someone she believed she could trust and believed to be a friend.
Obviously Lottie’s world fell apart, and as Paris is a hard city to be living and working in, I could understand why she escaped that city and decided to return closer to the comfort and support of her father.
So in one way I felt sorry for her, as it’s clear that Lottie is devastated by everything that happened. But I also admired her, as she is ready to start over in the little village of Lily Vale.

I have to admit, this is the first book I have read in this series, but I can say that even if I am perhaps late with the love, I fell in love with quaint little village. Because it warmed my heart to see how welcoming the inhabitants were, and how each and everyone of them wants to help Lottie out, in their own unique way.
And it’s with their help that Lottie meets teenager Tanya on the look for the perfect bridesmaid dress.

Lottie and Tanya immediately hit off, even if their lives couldn’t be more different, and Lottie is in a whole different stage of life compared to Tanya. Even if they just meet, there is this sweet connection between them. It truly felt like a big sister – little sister situation! The way Lottie just gets Tanya, understands her and is there for her, truly heart – warming!

And with Tanya obviously, Kit enters the scene. I have to say, he doesn’t make the best of entries, as his complete attitude is just off and bad. He acts all this superior, and I couldn’t see how he would be able to shake off that bad first impression.
But the more I got to know him, the more I realized that my (and Lottie’s) first impression, was a wrong one. Because slowly we learn that he has a huge responsibility towards Tanya, and he is just in fact an amazing, caring, loving big brother. He wants nothing but the best for Tanya, and for her happiness, he is even ready to make a complete fool out of himself. 

And that version of Kit was just so loveable, that it made it even herder to comprehend who his fiancée was… Because his fiancée is someone from Lottie’s Paris – past, and someone Lottie truly believed to be never be seeing again.

While Lottie is struggling on several levels, it truly was just sweet to read how she and Kit are growing closer, are understanding each other and are just there for each other. But while of course I wanted things to progress, I especially liked it how no boundaries were broken, as there is a respect for the situation they are in. And that is admirable, because it would be easy to cross that line…

With now having to create a wedding dress for her personal nemesis, I would be surprised if Lottie wouldn’t be struggling. But at the same time, this is also the perfect opportunity for Lottie to not only process what has happened but also to grow. At the start of the book, Lottie is a rather insecure person, not only because her misadventure in Paris, but she also feels as a failure whenever she talks to her own mother. Lottie lacks self-confidence, while she should be as confident as hell, because believe me when I say that Lottie just got it. She only needs to see it herself and learn to stand up for herself.

For me, that is the main message of this book. Be proud of who you are, stand up against bullies, be a kind and understanding person. Do not let anyone bring you down, no one should have that power over you. The right people in your life will appreciate you for who you are, will stand by your side and understand you even when you don’t actually speak out.

For a first encounter with a series, this was a great experience. I loved reading it, loved getting to know the characters and loved reading about the growth and journey the characters are going through. It made me eager to discover the other books in this series!