When the run – up to ‘I Do’ isn’t straightforward…

Synopsis

Calamity Rayne—fiancée of very sophisticated and powerful billionaire-hottie Hale Davenport—has a wedding to plan! 

With no clue how she managed to out-Darwin a bazillion other women and land one of the world’s most desirable bachelors, Rayne Meyers (soon to be Davenport) becomes the paparazzi’s newest target. After a crash course in charm school and wedding etiquette, she rejects tradition in favor of The Lazy Bride’s Guide to Catastrophes and Chaos in this laugh-out-loud, opposites-attract, billionaire romantic comedy from bestselling author Lydia Michaels.

Here comes the awkward bride—with a heap of poor judgment and way too much tequila on the side!

My review

Rayne Meyers cannot believe that she is actually engaged. And not to just any man, but to billionaire Hale Davenport. She knows how (in)famous the Davenports are, but Rayne never expected to become the paparazzi’s newest target, and not in a good way. While trying to plan the big wedding, Rayne becomes more insecure than ever, resulting in once again catastrophes she is known for causing. Catastrophes, alcohol – induced decisions and insecurities which make you wonder if Rayne and Hale will ever reach their “I Do’s”.

So here we are again, ready for Rayne and all her disasters in life!

Although I have to admit that from the previous books, we have already seen how much she has grown and matured, and how she has found love unexpectedly with Hale Davenport.

Even if previously things haven’t gone all that straightforward, I loved seeing Rayne in this position, where everything has fallen into perfect place, or rather almost perfect… Because Rayne wouldn’t be Rayne if somehow, things would spiral.

In this book, all I could feel for Rayne was a kind of pity. Not that Rayne isn’t happy in this book, but all the curveballs she has having thrown at her, how much more can she possibly take? And yes, sometimes she gets herself into situations that could have been avoided, but there are also events that are completely out of her hands…

However, no matter what is happening in this book, the love she has for Hale, and how much Hale loves is, is absolutely a no – brainer. The pair has grown so much throughout the series, and the same can be said of their love for each other.

They both known each other’s strengths but also their weaknesses (if we can call them that…) and they accept each other just the way they are, and when needed, assure each other, but also show them when they are wrong.

I didn’t like how she is made doubting of herself by others. Everyone, especially people who don’t know her, judge her by her appearance, thinking that Hale could do much better. But as often, those strangers don’t see the real Rayne, how looks (though she looks amazing just the way she is! 😊) aren’t everything but what matters is the heart.

Perhaps, I was a bit angry at Hale in this book. While he is absolutely and deeply in love with Rayne, and he reassures her, I also felt that there were moments that it seems that he has left Rayne at her own devices. And his jealous streaks, not a side that I really liked about Hale…

Another thing that I didn’t like, was how Elle changed. We know what happened previously to her, and the change makes sense in that aspect. However, her complete change of behaviour, her dismissiveness and even rudeness towards Rayne was something I couldn’t grasp. So however painful it is for Rayne, the choice she makes towards the end, is the only right one.

And then there is another betrayal, perhaps the biggest one and one that broke even my heart…

Now, it may seem this book is all darkness and gloom. But it truly isn’t, because I had so many laughs in this book. With Rayne, at Rayne. Not only because Rayne is still the calamity she always has been and always will be, but she is just a hilarious (but also kind, loving, generous) character.

There are so many moments where Rayne shows just how amazing she truly is, even when she doesn’t realize it. We see her loyalty, her care, her understanding, her willingness towards all the people she loves. And that makes it obvious how deeply a man, so strict as Hale, can fall for the chaos that Rayne is.

The love also sparks from all the pages. Not only the love between Rayne and Hale, but also the motherly feelings Rayne has for Elara, how the Davenports truly are now also Rayne’s family.

I had the best of times reading how Rayne is taking the next step in her life, even if she is doubting herself yet never losing the essence that makes her uniquely Rayne.

Once again this is a hilarious book, a chaotic one, a warm one, a disappointing one (because of other characters!) and also as always a steamy one! Lydia Michaels put so many different emotions in this book, letting her characters go through hell but also to heaven. A wonderful reading session, making me eager to pick up the next book and see what next disaster – sorry, I mean adventure 😊 – is waiting for Rayne!