Fools Rush In

Weddings by Bella, Book 1

By: Janice Thompson

Narrated by: Elan O'Connor

Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Bella Rossi may be nearing 30, but her life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding planning business, Bella is determined not to let them down. She quickly books a "Boot Scoot'n" wedding that would make any Texan proud. There's only one catch - she's a country music numbskull because her family only listens to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Where will she find a D.J. on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his Keith Urban? When a misunderstanding leads her to the D.J. (and man) of her dreams, things start falling into place. But with a family like hers, nothing is guaranteed. Can the perfect Texan wedding survive a pizza-making uncle with mob ties, an aunt who is a lawsuit waiting to happen, and a massive delivery of 80 cowboy boots? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding? Book one in the Weddings by Bella series, Fools Rush In is fun, fresh, and full of surprises. Readers will love the flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex, and the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

©2009, 2014 Revell Publishing (P)2015 Janice Thompson

Romance and humor

At first, I wasn’t sure where this book was going. After the second chapter, I had to hold on as the book took off! From a pizza restaurant that plays only Frank or Dean and has quirky phone introductions that match the pizza and the song. To behind the scenes of a wedding planner, and if that’s not enough, the family has to babysit a mobster’s parrot (however, this fowl has a very foul mouth, but none of the words are used In this book). And the uncle is determined to change the parrots ways by putting on Christian music and a recording of the Bible! There is so much more in this delightful romance!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. (It probably was near and dear to by heart because my mother’s parents immigrated from Italy to the USA!)

On the Fence

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I received a copy of this audiobook from audiobookblast in exchange for an honest review.

I am on the fence with a positive review for this audiobook for a number of reasons. To start off, the story centers on a quintessential Italian family with multiple generations living under one roof. Bella, narrating in first person, likens her family to the Clampetts from The Beverly Hillbillys even though there are way more characters in her story. She makes some major mistakes along her journey of taking over her family business of wedding planning and the gaffs ala Lucille Ball ensue. Where the ball gets dropped is in 30 minutes this story still has 10 hours left.

There were several points on the positive side of the fence for this book. Introduction to the family gives insight into the struggles at each age and offered something for everyone. In fact, the overall message of the book was an uplifting one. Descriptive images offered by the author provided a myriad of pictures in my mind for the people and places. Also, the male love interest was adorable. His character and actions were so realistic that I fell in love. This character alone could sway my positive review!

The negative side of the fence is a lengthy one, though. The positive message becomes a bit preachy after a while. I am a daughter of missionaries and we don't even scripture pound this much! I get it, this audiobook gives people who wouldn't normally hear this message a chance to be exposed but there was a point at which the Uncle was trying to "save the bird's soul" that I had to cry fowl (corny, I know but then again so were parts of this audiobook). The multiple characters involved did cause a fair amount of confusion. When each garnered their own subplot I had to cry foul, also. Although the lead male was a curry, it seemed as though each of the younger characters were described as gorgeous so it did lessen the value of the description. The presence of singers Dean Martin and Sinatra in their songs and the theme of one of the restaurants owned by a family member was way too overdone. Oh, and don't get me started on Bella's father. He let her take over the wedding business and then it seemed as though he just disappeared except to play basketball and then was a around at a wedding. What? He gave over his business and then didn't advise or at least check in? Everyone is in everyone's business, and this is kept quiet? This were just a few of my questions in the negative category.

On a different note, the narrator did a believable job. I would listen to her again because of her crossover to Italian from the Texan accents.

Overall, the the audiobook was a good one. The fence issue is yet to be decided because I waffle back and forth. You can decide.

Christian Romance

First thing you need to know about this work is that it is a Christian novel. God, prayer or Divine intervention is mentioned in every other paragraph. The narrator did an excellent job on the voices, including the Italian accents and phrases. The story is a feel good romance that includes quirky family dynamics, a bratty neighbor boy, a jealous ex and the challenges of running the family wedding business. I personally didn't care for the book, I like things a bit more exciting. If I hadn't agreed to do a review, I wouldn't have finished it.

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."

Loved This Sweet Funny Story!

I am so glad I found this book and author! This story had everything I was hoping for and rarely find: humor , Faith, romance, morals, and family . Being from a large Italian family myself I felt right at home. The characters were great as was this narrator who pulled off great Italian accents, Texan accents, and multiple fun personalities and quirks. Can't wait for the sequels!

Great read

Very enjoyable. Can’t wait to hear the second book. Just good clean fun. Very nice

Loved it!

Hilarious and full of surprises! I thoroughly enjoyed this Christian romantic comedy. Can't wait to read Book 2!

Humor runs in cowboy boots thru this story.

The trials and times of wedding planner putting together a boot scootin wedding, cowboy and Italian families work together making lots of fun as their cowboy and wedding planner fall in love making a wedding for someone else.

Fools Rush In

Laugh out loud funny! I read the story several years ago when I was recovering from surgery and had to hold a pillow against my stomach from laughter. The narrator is excellent in bringing all that humor to the forefront and letting it shine. My heart feels lighter after this story!

Great Book!

Any additional comments?

This is a great book written by Janice Thompson; this is the first book in the Weddings by Bella series. Bella Rossie’s parents handed over the family wedding planning business. Her first wedding she plans a “Boot Scoot’n” wedding, but has no idea what she is doing since she has never listened to anything country. She ends up getting help from a good looking DJ. The characters in this book are great and you will love them. If you are looking for a great romance, with humor then you need to read this book. I can’t wait until the next book comes out.

The narrator Elan O’Connor did a good job with this book, and was very easy to listen to. He did a great job with the different voices of each character in this book. It was very easy to listen to in one sitting and I didn’t want to stop listening until the end. I have enjoyed every book that Sophie has done so far.

If you are looking for a great book with great characters then you need to listen to this book. I am looking forward to listening to the next book by this author and narrator.

A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Light, Fluffy, Comedic Romance!

Narration - Elan O'Connor - OK
She has an upbeat way that she reads, suited for this type of book, sort of a comedic style. She has some pretty good male voices, but the voice she used for the main male character was just like the son on King of the Hill, so I kinda wished she'd used one of her other male voices for him. This is in Texas, and I didn't notice much of a southern accent. She also does some thick Italian accents that lilted into a little Scottish sounding at times.

I enjoyed the story, it was ok, definitely a light read with a lot of somewhat over the top antics that contribute to it being light and comical. So, no deep story here. There are a lot of spiritual elements which I didn't realize would be a part of the story, but I'm ok with that.

The heart of this story is a romance, a very chaste romance, however, I never really felt much a connection between the two characters. I thought the way they were "brought together" was unique and kinda cute, but having been an event planner in a past life, I spent a lot of my listening time stressing about how little Bella seemed to know about planning an event. I kept wanted to yell at her and tell her what to do. (ha!)

So, I guess in a nut shell, it's light & fluffy and even though it's a little over the top, I did enjoy listening to it!

I recieved a copy of this audiobook free of charge from audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review