The Key to Happily Ever After

The Key to Happily Ever After is on my Favorites of 2019 list! I really enjoyed the de la Rosa sisters and the myriad of emotions they put me through. The book includes witty moments, to be sure, but I don’t necessarily agree with its categorization as a romantic comedy. It feels much deeper than that—more like women’s fiction (my favorite genre) with elements of romance.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the family dynamic between the three sisters—Mari, Jane, and Pearl. Although I enjoy and sympathize with all three women, I connect most strongly with Jane (being a middle sister myself.) Each personality fits their birth order (without being cookie-cutter) and I can imagine my own sisters in similar plights. The small show more touches of their Filipino culture are stimulating, and I wish even more were included!

The visualizations the author creates are vivid, and the characters feel authentic. Washington, D.C. is a fresh book setting for me, and I feel as if I’ve walked the streets of downtown, visited the Rings and Roses wedding boutique, and the sisters’ home on Duchess Street. The love connections are sweet, organic, and dissimilar, but appealing in their own special way. I “know” the main and secondary characters and consider them friends. Sigh… I will miss them.

The song titles at the opening of each chapter set the mood nicely and add an interesting dynamic to reading. Because all the songs are well known, it is easy to place the lyrics and tone in my mind as I read along.

This is a lively and touching story examining the importance of family, friends, trust, and the formidable and beneficial bonds of sisterhood.

#TheKeyToHappilyEverAfter
#AFavoriteOf2019

Author: Tif Marcelo
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 320
Source: I received a complimentary copy as a member of the Tall Poppy Bloggers Team. show less

"The Key to Happily Ever After" captivated me from the beginning. This is the story of three sisters (Mari, Jane, and Pearl) who take over the family wedding planning business. Their personalities differ quite a bit, which makes them a great team. However, conflicts arise, past situations resurface, and tempers fray. This is non just a story about a family business, but also about relationships and friendships.

The plot moved along and kept me interested throughout. The characters were well-drawn and realistic. I also learned about Filipino family structures and food, and also about the fascinating business of professional wedding planning!

(Just one little aspect of the Pearl/Kayla (her best friend) situation struck me as a bit off show more key. (Why would Kayla be upset when Pearl dated her brother and long time friend and neighbor?) I will leave the rest to the reader to find out. Suffice it to say that loose ends are wrapped up in the finale, conflicts are settled, and the family and business emerge stronger than before.

This was an all around interesting and enjoyable read. I highly recommend this to readers who are looking for a well-written and entertaining read. This is one of my favorites for 2019.

I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. show less

I'm going to try this author once again. I liked 2 of her books and didn't finish the other 2. The ones I did not finish were definitely not my style obviously. I'm hoping for the best with this one since the plot is more me and set in Washington, DC, where I live in the 'burbs.

I'm a big fan of sisters/family books and weddings and this fits every category. The de la Rosa sisters, in order of birth, Marisol (Mari), Janelyn (Jane) and Pearl take over their parents wedding planning business in Alexandria, VA, after their parents retire. Mari, as the oldest, is the CEO, definitely Type A personality. Jane seems to have a good head on her shoulders, and Pearl, the youngest (26), who wants to be more involved with the brides and bring in a show more "top" which she has almost a contract for, and not just be a coordinator, which brings me to the "top." At first when Mari mentioned it I had to go back and re-read it and figure out what she was talking about and then go back a page to see if I missed something. Then Pearl brought it up with Mari and wanted to be the "top" on the next bride. The top bride was the most important one. The ones that had more money to spend or local "celebrities" like Senator's daughters which one was bride to be.

Managing a wedding business/store is not an easy one with bridezillas, etc. Plus it's not easy with family, even though they got along somewhat besides sometimes bickering.

I have a feeling that I know what's going to happen with these sisters in the end with their love lives. Plots are sometimes predictable. This ending was sort of open ending with the sisters love lives.

Overall, a good book. I'm glad I gave her a 5th chance. LOL show less

I love reading books about sisters. This one is very true to life -- three sisters working together and having frequent disagreements but they always have each other's back when they need support. These three sisters are struggling to keep the family wedding planning business successful. Their parents had started the business and when they retired, they turned the business over to their daughters - Mari, Jane and Pearl. This is a sweet romantic comedy about the power of sisterhood.

Mari is the oldest daughter and the in-charge person. She feels like she should make the rules and the other sisters should fall into line. As the oldest of 3 sisters, I totally understand that attitude. Jane is second. She isn't as invested in the business show more because she is raising a small son alone. She handles the accounting and inventory at the wedding shop. Pearl is the youngest. Her sisters felt that she was flighty and not able to follow directions. Pearl feels that she is being limited by her sisters and is ready to take on planning for some of the brides. As they struggle to create happy and beautiful weddings for brides and their families, they need to work through their sister problems to make the business a total success.

There is romance on the horizon for all three sisters but first they need to work through their issues with the business and learn to work together to be successful. This is a great book about sisters!

Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own. show less

Marisol, Janelyn and Pearl have taken over their family wedding business. But, it is not all it’s cracked up to be. There is a lot of family dynamics, crazy weather and just stressed out brides to deal with! Not to mention, the money issues they inherited.

Pearl is the younger of the three. She is the most laid back and easy going of her sisters. Janelyn is always the peacemaker. Marisol, the only way to put it is…THE BOSS. These three struggle with each other, as most families do. Pearl wants to expand her responsibilities. And because of her easy going nature, Marisol sees this as a big problem. Tensions ride high and emotions are everywhere. But, when the chips are down, there is nothing like family to save the day! These girls show more always have each other’s backs regardless of the fights, squabbles and tears. And believe me….there are plenty!

I enjoyed every part of this read. It is just adorable. This is a wonderful palate cleanser. It has everything…drama, romance, love and family messes. You cannot go wrong with this one! Pick this up today!

I received this novel from Gallery Books for a honest review show less

Tif Marcelo, Author Of “The Key to Happily Ever After” has written an entertaining, intriguing, captivating, witty, and emotional novel. The Genres for this Novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Romance. The timeline for this story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her characters as compassionate and having their own problems.

The three De La Rosa sisters, Marisol, Janelyn, and Pearl have a good relationship, but find difficulties, when their parents retire from the family wedding planning business. The three sisters find that working together in such a demanding business is causing problems. Each sister has their own strengths, but the show more combination of their own lives and the business is difficult.

The goals of the Wedding Business is to make the Bride and Groom’s special day in every way! That is not also easy to fulfill. There seems to be a conflict between the Family and the Business.

I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of family, friends, loyalty, honesty, emotional support, balance, love and hope. This is a story of “sisterhood” and family. I would recommend this heart-warming novel. show less

it wasn't a bad read. Easy enough to pass the time with. Kind of a sweet ending if not expected. However, I did notice about half way through the author must have lost track of what sister was doing what because she'd put in the wrong name at spots. that was kind of annoying.