WEDDING BELL BLUES
by Linda Windsor

This is the first book of “The Piper Cove Chronicles.” The main character is Alexandra Butler. As the book opens she’s heading to a sundae celebration with “The Bosom Buddies,” a group of special friends. There’s Ellen, the brainy tomboy who’s more at home with plants and engines than anything feminine. Jan, pretty scarred from growing up in a dysfunctional family. The Bosom Buddies took her under their wing and helped her blossom. Rounding out the group is Sue Ann, the rebel who’s never afraid to say exactly what’s on her mind. And usually does! This close knit group of friends is always there for each other whether to celebrate the good times or to help one of the members get through the bad.

Alex is having a lot of both! Her baby sister is getting married. The groom has chosen Alex’s ex-husband as the best man! Josh left Alex many years before to pursue his music career. He’d gotten involved with drugs and alcohol. She heard he’d straightened out after an accident which left him unable to play the guitar. Now it looks like Josh has moved back for good! To throw an even bigger monkey wrench into things, Alex’s father has bought their former home (which belonged to Josh’s grandmother years before and was where they’d lived after they’d gotten married) for a summer home for Lynn and John, the happy couple. Alex has been hired to redecorate it.

There are many themes in the book, but the biggest one is forgiveness. How do you forgive someone who’s hurt you so deeply in the past? Many characters have to deal with this question. And trust? How can you ever trust someone again who’s hurt you so deeply?

Then there’s friendship! What a blessing it is to have a core group of friends who will be there for you no matter what happens. No, they might not always help you do the right thing and can even complicate things more than they would have been before, but then they’ll be there to help you pick up the pieces.

I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one and find out what other adventures these characters have.

Reviewed by Lynn Worley