The Secret Bridesmaid

YA author Birchall (the Morgan Charmley series) makes her adult debut with a unique, hilarious spin on wedding mayhem. As a professional bridesmaid, Sophie Breeze is part wedding planner, part emotional support expert, and she’s dealt with everything from posh port-a-potty crises to having to dress up as Chewbacca in a Star Wars–themed wedding. When she’s hired by the Marchioness of Meade to pretend to be a friend and bridesmaid to her socialite daughter, Lady Cordelia Swann, Sophie jumps at the chance, knowing that the aristocratic wedding will put her business on the map. But Lady Cordelia doesn’t want Sophie’s help and goes to great lengths to get Sophie to quit. Their contentious relationship takes a turn when Cordelia’s former best friend chooses to have her society wedding on the same date as Cordelia’s. Now it’s a competition, and Cordelia’s all in. Suddenly, Sophie must scramble to create the perfect wedding—which includes committing designer espionage—all while fighting her growing attraction to Cordelia’s brother, Tom, who doesn’t know that she’s not really a friend of his sister’s but hired help. Birchall pays just as much attention to the complex nuances of female friendship as to the healing power of love, resulting in an entertaining romp. This is sure to please. [em]Agent: Lauren Gardner, Bell Lomax Moreton Agency. (May) [/em]