Wedding Night

A Novel

By: Sophie Kinsella

Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle, Fiona Hardingham, Mark Bramhall

Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Lottie just knows that her boyfriend is going to propose during lunch at one of London’s fanciest restaurants. But when his big question involves a trip abroad, not a trip down the aisle, she’s completely crushed. So when Ben, an old flame, calls her out of the blue and reminds Lottie of their pact to get married if they were both still single at 30, she jumps at the chance. No formal dates - just a quick march to the altar and a honeymoon on Ikonos, the sun-drenched Greek island where they first met years ago.

Their family and friends are horrified. Fliss, Lottie’s older sister, knows that Lottie can be impulsive - but surely this is her worst decision yet. And Ben’s colleague Lorcan fears that this hasty marriage will ruin his friend’s career. To keep Lottie and Ben from making a terrible mistake, Fliss concocts an elaborate scheme to sabotage their wedding night. As she and Lorcan jet off to Ikonos in pursuit, Lottie and Ben are in for a honeymoon to remember, for better...or worse.

©2013 Sophie Kinsella (P)2013 Random House Audio

Disappointing

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

As a huge Kinsella fan, I've been looking forward to reading this book. However, I was very disappointed. While parts of it was funny, most of the book was way below Kinsella's usual standard. I couldn't relate to any of the main characters, and most of the time I just wanted to scream at them. It was a totally unrealistic story (not necessarily a bad thing, as I loved Twenties girl by the same author), but for this book it just did not work.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrators had perfect voices for each character and they made the book come more alive.

Entretaining

Entertaining... Great performance.
Laughed, felt sad, all of it. Just to many bad words. In my opinion. It was a funny book.

Interesting and funny story

What did you love best about Wedding Night?

How it was read, the voices, the story

Who was your favorite character and why?

Fliss was really something. The chance She took to help her sister. What a honeymoon she caused.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Lottie

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Honeymoon or Big Sister Meddles

Any additional comments?

Next time I need a book without indecent language. Different voices for each character.
I always prefer to read. Listening was a new experience but it was very good.

Fun, light read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it was a light read. It is definitely a book for women.

Any additional comments?

I really liked how there were multiple people narrating the book. It made it more interesting to listen to. Rather than one person trying to do all the characters. It was a light read, and it made me want to travel. There are some underlying lessons in it as well. Some scenes are not appropriate for children.

Definitely not my fave Sophie Kinsella book

Spent the majority of the book annoyed at the protagonist and her sister. Had a couple cute twists and turns, but not enough to redeem the overall story. The struggle to finish it was real.

Overly Negative, Unlikable Characters

Any additional comments?

Other reviewers criticize the foul language, but it isn't the use of profanity that is itself a problem: it is the characterization of Fliss, Richard and Ben. These are characters so negative and mean that the swearing just punctuates how foul and unlikeable they are. Not a problem in some books perhaps, but here these ugly personalities cause big problems:

1) Fliss is not only a central character, she is one of two protagonists, yet she is completely unsympathetic. This not only alienates the audience, it is agitating. She is really a self-centered, bitter woman. Hard to buy she loves her sister. She comes across as so crass and cold-hearted in her view of love and sex, that even her relationship with her young son cannot make her appear more loving. (The son does behave far too immature for his age...is this because he's special needs? If so, it's not clear; this isn't built up very well.)

2)Ben as a character is under-developed and inconsistent. Are we supposed to be glad these two are together or not? Is he a good guy or not? I don't think there's any harm in making him more likable, but he is just a pawn to move the plot forward. We never get inside his head, really, and his lack of integrity makes him annoying, also.

3) Small spoiler: Richard appears back on the scene: are we supposed to like him? Maybe some chapters from his perspective would help. But when we first meet him, he is such a bonehead, how can we want anything but for him to get lost, no matter how much he's described by Fliss in flattering ways. Fliss's opinion of him is unreliable because she's too neurotic and bitter and cold.

4) The only two likable characters are each paired with unlikeable characters. Big problem in a romance story because all I could find myself hoping for is Lottie and Lorcan to ditch the other three people, telling them where to stuff it, and run off together to never talk to the others. (If that's where the story is headed, then there is no clue of that by the half way mark.) So the majority of the story isn't light-hearted, funny romance but frustration that these nice people are stuck with such jerks. The story is in a constant state of tension with very little comic relief because these characters are such self centered downers.

The concept of chasing after two impulsive people to stop a wedding is an interesting one, and maybe it could be pulled off with different characterizations or with a different premise. But what they're trying to stop from happening, and the attitude and manner in which they try to stop it...well, it stretches way too far beyond suspension of disbelief. That element of crassness...it's too crude.

It's meant to be funny, and maybe there was some future comedy of errors/sexcapade film in mind when it was written. It doesn't ring true, though, and the chemistry is off, and it doesn't hold together or deliver happy laughs, just uncomfortable ones. It doesn't hit its mark.I want fun, cheerful, affable and charming characters when I read this genre. I pick it up to have my mood lifted, not to be annoyed. The bad language isn't the problem, it's just an example of what's wrong with the overall story.


The narrators, though, deliver such wonderful, lively performances that this audiobook still remains an enjoyable listen. And it is well-written and interesting overall. Just be sure you're in the right mood for it, ready to find amusement in the oddball circumstances and interplay between the dueling main characters. Let go of judgement and expectations, and just listen. It's too bad when critical thinking needs to be dialed back in order to enjoy a book. It's that sort of thing that gives "chick lit" a derogatory reputation. But, if you can do that, this is an entertaining production and still may rate better than much of the other romance drivel out there.

Fun Summer Listen

What did you like best about this story?

I really loved the narrators! Often, I am not a fan of books that alternate view points, but this one was very easy to follow and easy to get into because of how entertaining the narrators were throughout the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I really enjoyed this book! It was a light and fun listen, yet it had some interesting twists and turns.

Any additional comments?

I was hesitant to buy this book because of some of the negative reviews. I love Sophie Kinsella's (audio)books, so I was bummed to read that this book wasn't receiving very good reviews from some of her fans. However, I am glad I gave the book a try! It definitely kept me entertained.

A mix of wickem and kinsella.

Where does Wedding Night rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Wedding night is a fun fast read/listen. As always kinsella is quirky and fun. Twenties girl still remains my favorite among her other books. I would rank this with "un domestic goddess" (not a favorite but still worth a read)

Any additional comments?

This book reminded me a lot of her "wedding girl" book. If it wasn't for the older sisters meddling it should have been a "M Wickham" book.

Fun Story

I was a little skeptical of 3 narrators and kind of was annoyed at first but I actually ended up enjoying it. I wish it would have gone on for a couple more chapters just to wrap the ending up a little more. Overall it was a fun story to listen to.

Good, but . . .

A bit too long is my only complaint. Well, also, for me the book wasn't the equal of "I've Got Your Number" and "Can You Keep a Secret?".