Stephanie G. (thestephanieloves) reviewed The Bride Wore Size 12 (Heather Wells, Bk 5) on + 241 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I grew up on Meg Cabot's books. The Princess Diaries, All-American Girl, Avalon High, The Mediator... these are the novels that shaped my love for the young adult genre, which was why I jumped on the chance to review the newest book in her most popular adult fiction series. The Heather Wells Mysteries have been around for quite a while, but in this most recent installment, the quirky, lovable heroine is back, and she's getting marriedbut that doesn't mean things will be calming down for her. In fact, it's just the opposite; when a student in her residence hall turns up dead even before classes start at New York College, she'll have to use her resourcesand her witsto get to the bottom of the fishy business going on in Fischer Halland save her wedding.
The Bride Wore Size 12 is true to Cabot's hilarious, pitch-perfect style. Impossible to put down and funny to the core, it's fabulously misleading and unpredictable until that one moment when the truth will click and everything rushes together. While it will have you at the edge of your seat and your heart pounding erratically throughout, I consider it a triumphant flourish of a feel-good novelbecause just reading it will definitely make you a happier person.
Heather is a delightful narratorboth likable and genuine! I love how she's hard-working, clumsy (there's a little bit of each of us in her personality!), but still super sharp. What I admire so much is how, even though she never strays far from her beliefs and herself, she still has vulnerabilities and tenderness that make her so human. Empowered by the people who love and care for her at her sideas well as the thought of finally marrying the man of her dreamsshe is able to plow through any problem that's headed her way, including the unfortunate incident among the students and an unpleasant reminder of her past.
I was also extremely impressed by how true-to-life the university backdrop of the novel was, as Cabot's fictional settings tend to be. It's SO realistic, and I can vouch for this with certainty because there are exact parallels with my own college; Meg Cabot definitely outdid herself with creating a "typical" college campus. I did feel like some of the mystery scenarios aren't as realistic, such as how easily Heather is able to get information from security and the police, but those are little logistics. For a mystery novel with less gravity than most, however, that wasn't too big an issue.
Although this book is the 5th in the series, it makes a phenomenal standalone novel. I had no problem following, even without having read the previous books. However, now my curiosity is piqued to actually try themthat's how much I loved this one!
Pros: Heather is such a likable heroine // Cooper is dreamy // College is realistically described // Breezily hysterical // Very effortless readability // Every single character is vivid and so well portrayed, even the villains and minor characters! // Cute contemporary tone // Murder mystery is actually well plotted and suspenseful
Cons: Not as much romance as I would have liked, but I'm guessing the previous novels have more of Heather and Cooper! // Slightly unrealistic depiction of a murder case
Verdict: The latest pickle Heather Wells gets herself into perfectly demonstrates the magic of Meg Cabot; the story the acclaimed author creates is addicting, suspenseful but still light-hearted, and one of those books you just hate to put down. The snarky yet compassionate, tongue-in-cheek yet sincere, and entertaining yet straightforward tone dictates a college-set murder investigation in this contemporary cozy mystery. If you're looking for a new adult novel with substance and styleas well as a good laughdon't miss out on The Bride Wore Size 12 and the entire series.
Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): An engaging read; highly recommended.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher via tour publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Harper Collins and TLC!).
The Bride Wore Size 12 is true to Cabot's hilarious, pitch-perfect style. Impossible to put down and funny to the core, it's fabulously misleading and unpredictable until that one moment when the truth will click and everything rushes together. While it will have you at the edge of your seat and your heart pounding erratically throughout, I consider it a triumphant flourish of a feel-good novelbecause just reading it will definitely make you a happier person.
Heather is a delightful narratorboth likable and genuine! I love how she's hard-working, clumsy (there's a little bit of each of us in her personality!), but still super sharp. What I admire so much is how, even though she never strays far from her beliefs and herself, she still has vulnerabilities and tenderness that make her so human. Empowered by the people who love and care for her at her sideas well as the thought of finally marrying the man of her dreamsshe is able to plow through any problem that's headed her way, including the unfortunate incident among the students and an unpleasant reminder of her past.
I was also extremely impressed by how true-to-life the university backdrop of the novel was, as Cabot's fictional settings tend to be. It's SO realistic, and I can vouch for this with certainty because there are exact parallels with my own college; Meg Cabot definitely outdid herself with creating a "typical" college campus. I did feel like some of the mystery scenarios aren't as realistic, such as how easily Heather is able to get information from security and the police, but those are little logistics. For a mystery novel with less gravity than most, however, that wasn't too big an issue.
Although this book is the 5th in the series, it makes a phenomenal standalone novel. I had no problem following, even without having read the previous books. However, now my curiosity is piqued to actually try themthat's how much I loved this one!
Pros: Heather is such a likable heroine // Cooper is dreamy // College is realistically described // Breezily hysterical // Very effortless readability // Every single character is vivid and so well portrayed, even the villains and minor characters! // Cute contemporary tone // Murder mystery is actually well plotted and suspenseful
Cons: Not as much romance as I would have liked, but I'm guessing the previous novels have more of Heather and Cooper! // Slightly unrealistic depiction of a murder case
Verdict: The latest pickle Heather Wells gets herself into perfectly demonstrates the magic of Meg Cabot; the story the acclaimed author creates is addicting, suspenseful but still light-hearted, and one of those books you just hate to put down. The snarky yet compassionate, tongue-in-cheek yet sincere, and entertaining yet straightforward tone dictates a college-set murder investigation in this contemporary cozy mystery. If you're looking for a new adult novel with substance and styleas well as a good laughdon't miss out on The Bride Wore Size 12 and the entire series.
Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): An engaging read; highly recommended.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher via tour publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Harper Collins and TLC!).
Tammy K. (tk942) -
I've been reading Meg Cabot books for years, and her Heather Wells series is one of my favorites. Full of warmth, humor and romance. If you've read the first four, you won't be disappointed in The Bride Wore Size 12. It's just as fast paced and funny as the others. And they finally get married!
Regina C. (flyinggems) reviewed The Bride Wore Size 12 (Heather Wells, Bk 5) on + 477 more book reviews
This is book #5, I highly recommend reading them in order.
Finally her wedding to Cooper is right around the corner. The Freshman are arriving and this year they have a student that needs protection. What could go wrong in death dorm? Everything! Heather must solve many mysteries on her way to the altar.
The book is a little long at almost 400 pages but it is an easy light read.
Heather Wells Mysteries
1. Size 12 Is Not Fat (2005)
2. Size 14 Is Not Fat Either (2006)
3. Big Boned (2007) or (Size Doesn't Matter)
4. Size 12 and Ready to Rock (2012)
5. Size 12 Is The New Black (2013) or (The Bride Wore Size 12)
Finally her wedding to Cooper is right around the corner. The Freshman are arriving and this year they have a student that needs protection. What could go wrong in death dorm? Everything! Heather must solve many mysteries on her way to the altar.
The book is a little long at almost 400 pages but it is an easy light read.
Heather Wells Mysteries
1. Size 12 Is Not Fat (2005)
2. Size 14 Is Not Fat Either (2006)
3. Big Boned (2007) or (Size Doesn't Matter)
4. Size 12 and Ready to Rock (2012)
5. Size 12 Is The New Black (2013) or (The Bride Wore Size 12)
Sherri F. (pbs-sherri) reviewed The Bride Wore Size 12 (Heather Wells, Bk 5) on + 2 more book reviews
4.5+ This is a sad day for me! I finished the 5th and I guess final book in this series--please, please it's not too late for more since last one just came out 2 1/2 years ago AND there's still plenty that can happen in Heather Wells (former pop star now Asst Dorm Director/college student-criminal justice major/solved murders) world, esp. if she finished that Criminal Justice degree and get paid for solving murders! I don't even know what it is about this series, but I pretty much loved all of them and this was probably the best (maybe) but my 2nd favorite since I think the 1st was the best b/c it was all new to me. Really my only complaint about this series that is just funny, easy, guilty pleasure reading, is the titles--which aren't necessarily bad titles alone, but they don't do the individual books or entire series justice b/c besides the fun, laughs, juicy crushes, crazy co-ed, family drama, etc. there is always a very good murder mystery to go with it!
