Wedding Belles

Amy Green is turning fourteen, but the celebration is overshadowed by her mother's wedding to Dave, scheduled for the same day. As 'Wedding Fever' takes over the house, Amy is dealing with her boyfriend Seth's sudden silence and her friend Mills' cheerleading drama. Adding to the tension, the groom-to-be seems to be getting cold feet, and Amy's cool aunt Clover is hiding a major secret. The story follows Amy as she tries to keep the peace and find her own place in her changing family. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with remarriage and blended families in a secular, realistic way. The approach is direct but lighthearted, showing that while transitions are messy, they can lead to happy outcomes. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story starts with a frantic, high energy feel and builds in anxiety as the wedding day approaches and personal relationships fray. It ends on a hopeful, celebratory note as characters choose honesty over hiding their feelings. IDEAL READER: A twelve or thirteen year old girl who feels like her parents' lives are overshadowing her own, or someone who enjoys British/Irish style 'chick lit' for younger readers with a focus on fashion and friendship. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might notice their child becoming more secretive about their own relationships or expressing frustration that family events are interrupting their social life. PARENT PREP: No major red flags, but parents might want to be prepared to discuss 'secrets' as Aunt Clover's secret creates significant tension. The book can be read cold. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (11) will focus on the wedding planning and the 'cool aunt' dynamic, while older readers (14) will identify more with the romantic misunderstandings and the struggle for independence. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many 'divorce' books that focus on the trauma of the split, this focuses on the frantic, funny, and awkward reality of moving forward into a new family unit.