BOOK REVIEW: The Key to Happily Ever After

TITLE: The Key to Happily Ever After
AUTHOR: Tif Marcelo
PUB DATE: May 2019
PUBLISHER: Gallery Books
GENRE: Women's Literature; RomCom
RATING: 4/5

SYNOPSIS: 
One of BuzzFeed’s “Books Coming Out This Summer That You Need to Seriously Read” * One of Bustle’s “New Romance Novels to Make Your Spring Reading Even Dreamier Than You Imagined”
A charming romantic comedy about three sisters who are struggling to keep the family wedding planning business afloat—all the while trying to write their own happily-ever-afters in the process.

All’s fair in love and business.

The de la Rosa family and their wedding planning business have been creating happily ever afters in the Washington, DC area for years, making even the most difficult bride’s day a fairytale. But when their parents announce their retirement, the sisters—Marisol, Janelyn, and Pearl—are determined to take over the business themselves.

But the sisters quickly discover that the wedding business isn’t all rings and roses. There are brides whose moods can change at the drop of a hat; grooms who want to control every part of the process; and couples who argue until their big day. As emotions run high, the de la Rosa sisters quickly realize one thing: even when disaster strikes—whether it’s a wardrobe malfunction or a snowmageddon in the middle of a spring wedding—they’ll always have each other.

Perfect for fans of the witty and engaging novels of Amy E. Reichert and Susan Mallery, The Key to Happily Ever After is a fresh romantic comedy that celebrates the crucial and profound power of sisterhood.

Review/Thoughts:
This is a charming story about the de la Rosas, a Filipino Family living in the Washington, DC area and their Wedding Planning business. The story revolves around the three sisters Marisol, Janelyn and Pearl. Their parents just announced their retirement, and the three sisters are left to manage the business, to handle the day to day challenges, and to ensure the business stays afloat and thrive. That means, managing the bridezillas, the over controlling families and whatever surprises that may come along. Well, there is no shortage of fun and excitement like the sudden snowmageddon in the middle of spring, and other dramas that sure kept this story fun! Does the cost of their customers’ Happily Ever After worth their sanity, their sacrifices, and their own relationships?
I loved this book because I love reading about different cultures, and this highlighted the Filipino culture and the nuances on the importance of a close knit family, with gatherings and food in the center of it all. I also loved that this is about an honest story about the complex relationships of sisters. Finally, I love how the chapters are titled with songs from my favorite artists and I kept hoping that Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark made it and it sure did!!! I don’t know any Filipino friends who didn’t enjoy listening to OMD.
Tif Marcelo wrote such an endearing and light story that I truly enjoyed! If you love Amy E. Reichert and Susan Mallery, you will surely enjoy this book!

By the way, Tif Marcelo’s new book is out for request in NetGalley now called “Once Upon A Sunset” - GET IT NOW!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tif believes in and writes about heart-eyes romance, the strength of families, and the endurance of friendship. A veteran Army Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Public Administration, she is a craft enthusiast, food-lover and the occasional half-marathon runner. As a military spouse, she has moved nine times, and this adventure shows in some of her free-spirited characters. Tif currently lives in the DC area with her own real life military hero and four children.