Wedding Belles

By: Haywood Smith

Narrated by: Cynthia Darlow

The New York Times best-selling author of The Red Hat Club fearlessly takes on mothers and daughters, wedding madness, and midlife passion in this frank, funny, and fabulous new novel.

Georgia, Linda, Diane, Teeny, and Pru have been best friends since high school, and never have they needed one another more. Georgia's precious 28-year-old daughter, Callie, has gone and gotten engaged. Usually this would be cause for celebration. After all, this is the South, where dreams of white dresses and wedding bells are as important as finding the perfect hat. But Callie's intended groom just happens to be a man they went to high-school and college with: Wild Man Wade!

These women know more about the groom than the bride does. His drunken shenanigans. His wild oats. And all of his conquests as well as his mistakes. They can imagine him in the most inappropriate of circumstances, but not as a son-in-law!

With absolutely hilarious Southern observances and dead-on wit about mothers, daughters, marriage, and families, Wedding Belles will have you laughing and crying whether you live above or below the Mason-Dixon line.

©2008 Haywood Smith (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

loads of fun!

I am new to Haywood Smith's books, and I just love them! She makes me laugh from start to finish! The narrator's voice is great!

Lots of fun and laugh out loud moments

I really enjoyed this book. Being in my 50's with an adult daughter I could really relate.

Charming, witty and fun!

I laughed and I cried and thoroughly enjoyed this engaging, picturesque story of a mother's concern for her daughter and her upcoming wedding. The sequence of events chronicles the sisterhood, love, and support of life-long friends along with Southern Americana and prenuptial traditions and customs. The author skillfully intertwines past experiences with present situations and perspective. The narrator was the perfect choice to dramatize the story. I loved it!

friendships

I was pre-menopausal when I started reading this book years ago but I've definitely grown into it! I was true in my 20s But we all grow up

Enjoyable Story

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

Yes, It was an enjoyable continuation of the Red Hat Club books.

Which character – as performed by Cynthia Darlow – was your favorite?

Georgia was my favorite character in this one. She reminded me of how my mother use to cling to positive sayings and proverbs to get us through rough times.

Any additional comments?

Cynthia Darlow does a wonderful job of narrating these Red Hat books. It's hard to believe it is only one person reading each of these characters. She was also wonderful in Ladies of the Lake, which I actually liked a little better than Wedding Bells.

Buckhead Ladies on a roll again!

Would you listen to Wedding Belles again? Why?

Yes - just a comical story of crazy women in Buckhead.

What other book might you compare Wedding Belles to and why?

Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

Which scene was your favorite?

The confrontation of the ex-wife with the future mother of the bride.

If you could take any character from Wedding Belles out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Diane

Very funny book

I listen to audiobooks as I walk. Makes exercise a little more tolerable. I caught myself looking around to see if anyone was looking when I was laughing out loud. These women know that they can get into some stuff. Since the narrator is one of my favorites, it made the book that much more enjoyable.

You are in for a hysterical treat!

What did you like about this audiobook?

I love this book but it would not be nearly as entertaining without Cynthia Darlow's flawless Southern narration. If you were raised in the South you likely will think Ms. Smith was an invisible guest each time you and your fellow Belles have been together! If you want to laugh until tears roll down your cheeks, this book is for you – it’s hysterical!

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

The Miss Julia series is very similar. They are set in the South and steeped in Southern traditions and humor. And, with Cynthia Darlow, the stories play out right before your eyes.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

I became familiar with Ms. Darlow's narration through he Miss Julia books. She gives flawless narration with a perfect old school Southern accent. And I'm a Southerner...we usually are very critical of others attempts at southern accents so that's saying a lot. :)

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Laughing when you'd rather cry at the all too real life situations thrown at these Belles is the theme for this comedy. Hilarity ensues when they attempt to follow proper Southern social protocol to deal with a daughter determined to marry her father's best friend while her mother pulls out all the stops, against the advice of her best Belles, to halt it.

third book by this author

i am really liking this author...southern stories, southern women, southern traditions. nothing terribly deep, but the situations are 'real life'.
love the narrator!

You'll immediately want another Haywood!

Love, love, love it!! You'll laugh out loud several times as you listen to this!