Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Book Review and Giveaway: Confetti Confidential

By Melissa Amster


**Giveaway is now closed**

The topic of weddings seems so far off for me these days, as I've been married almost seven years and have been focusing on raising children since then. There are times when I go back to watch my wedding DVD and reminisce about how special the day was though. Those times make me glad that I had a competent wedding planner who made sure things went smoothly, every step of the way. Even given all the insanity that Isabel Bookbinder had to deal with when planning weddings in Holly McQueen's latest novel, "Confetti Confidential," I still think I would have trusted her to plan my wedding if she existed in real life.

In the third installment of Ms. McQueen's Isabel Bookbinder series, we find Isabel working as an assistant to a well known wedding planner. However, when she takes on a family friend's wedding at the same time and some mix-ups occur, she loses her job in the process. However, she still goes on to plan weddings on her own and ends up with even more headaches between trying to do something special for her best friend (and soon-to-be sister-in-law) and trying to manage a celebrity bride engaged to a millionaire. Isabel tries to work around the obstacles in her career and personal life at the same time, which all builds up to her biting off more than she can chew.

I had a lot of fun reading "Confetti Confidential." It was an enjoyable story that kept me guessing at every twist and turn. Isabel is a sympathetic character with whom I was able to easily relate. Even though I didn't read the first two stories about her, I still was able to understand her personality and there was enough background from the previous stories that it didn't feel confusing. (I would be interested to read the other stories to see what other crazy situations Isabel landed herself into.) The supporting characters were all well-defined and added a nice balance of comedy and drama to the story. Another thing I enjoyed was all the letters and scenes that showed up at the end of certain chapters. I wasn't sure if they were part of the story or just Isabel's own imaginings, but I love how certain lines were crossed out and others put in their place.

The only criticism I had was that one part of the story didn't seem as neatly tied up as the others. I felt like I was left hanging at the end of her last conversation that related to that situation. I'm thinking that Ms. McQueen is leaving things open for another story, in that sense. It would be fun to see Isabel come back in future books and have her make another dramatic career change, at the same time.

Overall, I recommend this to anyone who wants a humorous and entertaining story. Isabel has been compared to Becky Bloomwood of the "Shopaholic" series, and I can see why.

Thanks to Mellony Torres of Simon and Schuster for the review copy, as well as for offering to give away five books to some lucky readers in the US and Canada.

How to win "Confetti Confidential":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page if you can receive messages there.)

1. Please tell us:

If you are married...what was your favorite memory from your wedding day?

If you are not married (but would like to be)...what is one must-have for your dream wedding?

2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends Tuesday, March 1st, at midnight EST.

48 comments:

Jen R said...

I'm not married, and to be honest, I feel like one of the few girls who never daydreamed about that huge ellaborate wedding. All I need at my wedding to make it special is the people I love!

jen161 at hotmail dot com


GFC follower jen161

Kat said...

I'm not married... but over the years I've decided that I'm only going to have close family and friends at my wedding... meaning only people who play an active role in my life deserve to share this day with me. I know it will ruffle feathers, but, frankly, this day is about me and my partner.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

I am a follower of the blog.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

Posted on FB.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

The Book Chick said...

My favourite memory from our wedding is when Jay and I messed up the rings- my MOH had mine and the best man, his. When we figured that out we all had a big belly laugh and it broke a little of the tension (couldn't believe that we were actually getting married!). I have a great picture of us with our heads thrown back, laughing.

jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

The Book Chick said...

I am a member of CLC on Facebook.

jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

The Book Chick said...

I follow you with GFC.

jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

The Book Chick said...

I posted this on my sidebar at http://book-chic.blogspot.com.

jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

Colleen Turner said...

There are so many good memories from my wedding! My aunt warned me ahead of time that the day goes by quickly and if you don't concentrate on the details you might miss out. I took her advice to heart and really concentrated on what was going on. My favorite moment had to be when I was walking down the aisle and saw my hubby to be tear up and wipe away a tear. He is not an overly emotional man, so it meant the world to me to see him so overcome with emotion!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I follow on Facebook (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

BRN2SHOP9 said...

I would really just like to have close friends and family there to celebrate the special day.

BRN2SHOP9 said...

I follow via facebook

PoCoKat said...

My favorite memory is the beautiful setting in Antigua.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Follow on GFC

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Belong to Chick Lit Central on FB

littleone AT shaw DOt ca

Qandthebooks said...

I'm not married, but I'd love a crazy cake at my wedding! (:

blissfulrains(at)yahoo(dot)com

Qandthebooks said...

Following via GFC!

blissfulrains(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tiffany Drew said...

My whole wedding day was an adventure. The hubby and I had planned for a JP to come to the house, but they canceled last minute. So instead we went over to City Hall and got married there. We only had a few family members and friends with us, and I was nine months pregnant. My husband met me there after his first job, we got married, then he went to his second job and I went apple picking with my mom, sister, and nephew! Oh yea, and I was wearing a really bad pair of maternity overalls LOL!

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Tiffany Drew said...

I follow on GFC :)

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Tiffany Drew said...

I am a member on Facebook :)

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Tiffany Drew said...

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/#!/enterthedrew/status/40187316140122112

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Tiffany Drew said...

Shared on Facebook (tiffany drew)

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Jennifer said...

Not married. But I think my dream wedding would be on a tropical island.

jennifer.kalman at gmail dot com

Jennifer said...

I am a GFC follower (jennifer).

jennifer.kalman at gmail dot com

Jennifer said...

I joined on facebook (jennifer kalman)

jennifer.kalman at gmail dot com

Heather said...

My favorite part of my wedding was really everything. It was the perfect day :)
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Heather said...

I am a follower!
ra6352 (at) gmail (Dot) com

Heather said...

I shared on facebook!
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Linda Kish said...

I have not been married in years. I remember my first wedding (yes, there have been a couple) I giggled through it because I was so nervous.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I am not married but would love to be. I would pick the perfect dress that is tastefully simple but elegant. My e-mail is jenceyg@msn.com. I am also a follower on both fb and blog. I plan to share as well.

Elisa said...

I'm married. My favorite moment was every second.

I follow everything CLC!

misseway@aol.com

Marla Martenson said...

I am married, and my favorite part of the wedding was the amazing church we got married in., We got married in Mexico City in a 500 year old church, it was so amazing and magical.

Samantha C. said...

I'm not married but I certainly plan to be! One must-have is obviously a devoted/totally hot/lovable/understanding/tall/did-I-mention-hot husband! <3 I don't think that's what you mean though. My dream wedding is to have me be like a size 3 in a super beautiful white dress and have both my parents attend. That's it. And don't forget about the husband! (and he better look YUMMY).

**Note: I'm not superficial. I'm really not!

hsiu_an(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

Jeryl M. said...

Every moment of my wedding day was my favorite.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Jeryl M. said...

I follow this blog.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Jeryl M. said...

I am a follower on facebook.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

ADR said...

I'm not married but I would want a small wedding.

adr52775 at aol dot com

ADR said...

I follow the blog.

adr52775 at aol dot com

ADR said...

I follow on Twitter

adr52775 at aol dot com

ADR said...

I follow on facebook

adr52775 at aol dot com

shanaelyse said...

I'm nor married, but I think a must-have for any wedding I may have would be excellent music and a really special song for my first dance.

shanaelyse@gmail.com

shanaelyse said...

I'm a blog follower.

shanaelyse@gmail.com

shanaelyse said...

I also like Chick Lit Central on FB!

shanaelyse@gmail.com

Nancye said...

My favorite memory from my wedding day almost 19 years ago is when I saw my soon-to-be husband waiting for me at the end of the aisle, and when we first locked eyes I could see his tears of happiness matched mine! Wow! Gives me chills all over again! Boy do I love that man!!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow your blog

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I joined Chick Lit on Facebook

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/42808208158502912

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net