Fools Rush In

Contemporary Romantic Comedy is the genre that author Janice Thompson's new series Weddings by Bella falls within and boy does she know how to write it well. "Fools Rush In", book #1 is a heart beating, goosebump raising, giggles under cover read. I was able to read this in less a day, which considering my teething, growth spurt experiencing, 3 month old daughter is quite the feat. *wink* Bella Rossi is a New Jersey Italian relocated with her whole family to the shores of Galveston, Texas and she never envisioned falling for a true to earth eastern Texan cowboy, but that might just be what God has in store. The pages of this novel are grin cracking fun. I was amused by so many segments that I would re-read them aloud to my husband. If show more you are in the mood with something contemporary with a romantic pulse and an under your breath chuckling in the corner of the bookstore comedy then I suggest you pick up this story immediately. Within the first few pages you'll have a taste and know what type of book is in store and that's not even to mention the delving into yourself spiritual elements as well to boot! show less

When I first started this I thought it was quirky and humorous, but Bella's family and their antics started to grate on me after a while. Also, I realize Bella is new to managing her business, but I have to wonder how long her business would survive in the "real world" if she's as inept a businesswoman as the author has made her. I think that "quirk" would also grate on me if it becomes something that the author decides to use as a series piece (i.e. what will Bella goof up during this wedding?)

I did like the idea of the pizza parlor using Dean Martin songs to name their pizzas and design their specials. For some reason, that part didn't really get old to me throughout the book.

Bella Rossi and her loud, boisterous Italian family run a couple of connected businesses – Bella’s Weddings (a/k/a Club Wed) is a reception hall and wedding planning service owned by Bella’s parents. Her uncle Lou owns a nearby restaurant – Parma John’s – and catering business. Now, at age 29 and still single, Bella is in a near panic at the thought of planning her first “theme” wedding. Her parents want to retire and have turned over the business to her. Problem is she has never planned a theme wedding before and she has less than two weeks left to put on a Boot-Scootin’ Texas wedding.

This is a cute premise, and I had no illusions that this would be anything but light, romantic comedy, with Christian overtones. But, show more oh, my stars! Thompson drags out every cliché of the romance / chick lit genre. She uses and overuses the same tired phrases. Did I mention that Bella has never planned a theme wedding before? Are you sure I mentioned that this is the first theme wedding she’s planned? Because it’s important that you know this is the first time she’s planned a theme wedding. Seriously, Thompson tells us this at least four times in the first 30 pages. There are other repetitions, but you get the point. In addition to the stereotypical characters (Italian aunt who lives to make great meals and feed the world, an Italian ex-boyfriend with a hair-trigger temper, a pair of handsome cowboys with hearts of gold, an uncle with mob connections back in New Jersey, etc), she also includes two “cute” pets – a ferocious Yorkie-Poo named Precious, and a bedraggled parrot with a foul mouth.

Her plot totally gets away from her, as well. This is padded to an excruciating 325 pages. The key first-time wedding is over and there are still 100 pages of fill to get through. A good editor would have trimmed this to fewer than 200 pages. A better editor would have trashed it and told her to start over.

So why do I give it even 1 star? It’s a fast read. And I liked the basic premise. It’s actually book one of a series, though I’m not going to read any more. show less

Put a crazy Italian-American family in Galivston, Texas and mingle in a good old Texas family, and an Evangelical, run-the-isles-shout-and jump the pews- church members, and you get a wonderfully funny book. Bella's father moved the entire family to Texas when Bella was young. There he opened a wedding planningbusinness. Living under one roof are Bella, her parents, one brother and occasionally another, her father's brother, Laz, and her mother's sister, Rosa. Add to that mix the fact that Laz and Rosa hate each other and seem to live to insult each other and argue. Bella has now taken over the family business and has decided to add several theme weddings to the business. Her first wedding to plan is a boot-scootin affair.

I ordered this show more book on my Kindle thinking it was a mystery. I kept waiting for someone to be killed but I was so into the book by the time I discoverd that this was a romance and not a mystery that I no longer cared. It's a funny book and I fell in love with all the characters. show less

A light-hearted book, narrated informally by a young woman called Bella. She's from a large and extraverted Italian-American family, and runs a wedding organising business. She's quite likeable, although very introspective and constantly worried that things will go wrong.

The main plot is about the preparation for a cowboy style wedding, but there's also a low-key romance, which progresses without conflict but begins with a misunderstanding that really makes no sense.

The humour wasn't really my style and I found some of the repetition a bit irritating, but as a quick and lightweight holiday read, it was pleasant enough.

I wanted to like this book, but although the story was nice enough, I never felt myself pulled in. Instead of showing the reader how crazy the Rossi family was, Ms. Thompson just kept telling. And though I believe that God does work miracles, I can't help thinking that life doesn't always get wrapped up in a nice neat romantic package - God's miracles aren't about that.

Brief Synopsis: Bella has just taken over her larger-than-life Italian family's wedding business in Galveston, Texas. To attract new customers from the mainland, she decides to advertise themed weddings. Her first themed wedding is a boot-scootin' Texas-themed shindig, and Bella feels no one could know less about cowboy/Texan culture than she does. Realizing she's going to need lots of help, she starts recruting a hilarious cast of characters, including one carpenter-turned-deejay named, coincidentally, DJ. Lots of chaotic moments follow, along with a message of love and forgiveness, leaving Bella to wonder if it's time for the wedding coordinator to become a Mrs., too.

The Good: There were lots of truly hysterical moments in this book. show more I laughed out loud on several occasions, and there were plenty of others that were smile-worthy. This is a very light read, and it isn't too preachy. Both Bella and DJ's families are devout Christians, but there aren't any lengthy sermons. Mainly, they share their faith through their actions and a few choice Scriptures. DJ is a wonderful hero. He's handsome, rugged, and is the consumamte gentleman. In short, he's every woman's dream guy. Is he a bit unrealistic? Perhaps, but you'll love reading about him.

The Bad: Bella is the main character, but she's not overly likable. Her other family members are quirky and funny, but there's just not a lot to be said about Bella. She's rather boring and flat. I still don't understand why DJ likes her, when she shows so little personality. The author spent so much time creating these beautiful, colorful secondary characters that it's surprising the main character is so lacking.

The Verdict: This is a very enjoyable and entertaining book. The opening lines hooked me right away, and I never lost interest. Although Bella could be more interesting, her life is certainly worth reading about. Underneath the sweet romance and the lively entertainment is a great message. I was surprised it was free on my Kindle. You'll want to read the rest of the series if they're as delightful as the first one. show less