Ready or Not?

Heidi and Ed are getting married in 4 months. There's just one fly in the ointment, and that's that Ed turns into a.... well, "complete moron" would be putting it politely... when he's with his rugby pals. And then Heidi's ex, Steven, comes back into her life, as an utterly attractive single dad. And he wants her back. But then again, Ed is her soul mate, right? And Heidi does not do kids. I'm really of two minds about this book. On the one hand, it's a lot of fun, and there's a wonderful plot thread about Heidi's best friend Kara, a single mother, who's just started dating again that provides conflict both when Heidi agrees to babysit and pawns off all the work on Ed, and again when Kara can't tell her new beau about her baby. But on the other hand, I felt like there was a bit of bait-and-switch, and it seemed to be saying that Ed and his friends' outrageous behavior (stripping each other naked and shaving off all their body hair?) was something most guys do, and nothing to get upset about. Maybe I'm just sheltered. Regardless, it was a fun read, and I was perversely pleased that it didn't end the way I expected it to.

Getting married can be a scary thing. While Heidi Savage started out her engagement as the ultimate Bridezilla, wedding ennui has now set in. She loves Ed Gordon, but the reappearance of her first love, Steven Gabriel, has her questioning everything. Heidi will have to decide if she is READY OR NOT for marriage. Everyone has had at least one of those "what if" moments where they questioned their romantic choices. Chris Manby perfectly captures that feeling of indecision and crafts a story that is both thought provoking and humorous. Heidi's questioning of what might have been will resonate with readers everywhere as it is not a feeling just found with bridal jitters. The character development of READY OR NOT? Is thoroughly fleshed out. Heidi's self doubts and quirky sense of humor are well chronicled by Chris Manby but it is Ed himself who is the real gem. Ed is steadfast and has the ability to deflect all of Heidi's angst, both of which are admirable traits. But it is his antics with the rugby team that truly make him stand out. Who can't help but love a man who calmly accepts some of the horrendous pranks played on him by his team? READY OR NOT? is simply a delightful read! Heidi's turmoil over the fantasy she envisions versus the solid love she has with Ed is easy to relate to. Chris Manby handles a difficult subject with a light touch that makes READY OR NOT? an enjoyable read. READY OR NOT? is easily recommended! COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

In London, Heidi met Ed Gordon when she had emergency dental need and her dentist was away. They went out on a first date that was perfect and continued to see one another until he proposed on Valentine's Day in Paris. He is the man of her dreams. However, over the next few months as Heidi and Ed prepare to say I do, she begins to have doubts mostly caused by his behavior when he is with his rugby mates. Heidi begins to wonder if he is her soul mate when he comes back to their flat telling her he lost his key, unaware that he lost his clothing too as he is naked. Adding to her growing doubts is that her first love Steven Gabriel is back and making it clear he desires her. Heidi considers whether she is ready to marry and to whom or not? This is an enjoyable amusing contemporary romance that sub-genre fans will appreciate as Heidi seems poised as her world goes out of control. She, her fiancé, and her former lover are fully developed characters while his mates augment the growing concerns that have Heidi reconsidering her commitment. Though the ending is too overwhelming with "confessions", Chris Manby provides a fun modern day English romance. Harriet Klausner