Melissa Borg

Thanks to Discovery and author Melissa Borg for an advance readers digital copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This was a typical, fun chick-lit novel. The title hints at the plot highlights: Victoria is the 25-year-old single girl referred to in the title, whose younger sister announces she’s getting married – in three weeks! Victoria and her sister Dessie have a love/hate relationship, and their mother seems to stir the pot and push all Victoria’s buttons. Supporting Victoria is her high school friend Sandra, a lesbian who has slimmed down from the heavy-set silhouette she and Victoria once shared. Victoria’s veterinarian boss Dr. Yaz also supports both her search for a plus-one for the wedding as well as her set-aside veterinarian career. Iggy and Ethan are two guys among many who Victoria meets during her search for a wedding date. The story is told by maid of honor Victoria as she counts down the days till the wedding and assists Dessie (who has become a typical bridezilla) with all the bridal details.

I liked that Victoria never feels compelled to lose weight for the wedding, although she does express lack of confidence about her attractiveness, thanks to her mother, sister, and her sisters’ “mean girl” friends. Several of the male characters assure her that she is pretty, and don’t seem turned off by her weight. I have read similar books where the goal is to lose weight by a specific deadline such as a wedding, so this was refreshing.

Victoria’s nightmare dates were sadly not that far from reality, though she handled each situation graciously. Somewhat implausibly, she repeatedly found herself at the same steak house for numerous dates and ended up making friends with the server and hostess. Throughout the novel, what was the most frustrating for me was Dessie’s mercurial attitude and callous treatment of her sister, and Victoria’s level of forgiveness and generosity. Their mother was probably the most unrealistic character, though the author provided a backstory that was supposed to explain her horrible attitude toward Victoria.

The novel concludes with a positive summary: “One phone call, two tyrannical family members, a relentless best friend, and a slew of crappy dates had shoved Victoria to get clear on what she wanted and desired in her life. Her high school self wasn’t too far off about what was important and how life was an unpredictable adventure, was tumultuous and intimidating, about 100 percent worth pressing forward and expanding her horizons to discover the most important thing – herself.”

I recommend this book to those who like rom-coms with strong female characters, dysfunctional families, and a happy ending which hints at a positive future for all, especially Victoria.… (más)