Bless Your Beautiful Hide!

"Brides & Brothers" by Anneka R. Walker

Spoiler-free review

I am in finals' week while simultaneously working & studying YET this book managed to hook me and never let me pass it by without reading through it like a maniac.

SO! I was very skeptical when I’d found out a retelling of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” (my favourite film) would be coming out this year. I felt torn between wanting to read anything in any way related to the movie, whilst feeling terrified I wouldn’t like it and end up disappointed and filled with hate for dampening my precious gem. BUT! With this book, nothing could be farther from the truth.

It was delightful!

For those of you poor souls who may not have watched the original film, here's a little synopsis of the book for you: 

Camille Kelly fears becoming an old maid (by Cherish standards), though she's literally 26 years old. But, one day her laptop dies on her and the tech she's recommended to fix it for her offers her a deal: he'll fix it, if she makes him something for dinner. The thing is: Aiden, our main nerd, is the eldest of SEVEN BROTHERS (I know that's right) AND he's tired of being the captain of the huge ship (aka his farm, tech business and baby adult brothers). Camille and Aiden, however, fall madly in love and get married barely a month after first learning of each others' existence!  

Camille does not know the marriage comes with a 1x7 deal though... So, when she learns of it, she comes up with the brilliant plan to marry every single one of her brothers-in-law and leave in loving peace. Will this be a brilliant success or an absolute failure?

MY REVIEW: 

The story was so well adapted to our times, especially the trickier mentalities/actions from the original film.  It was all done wonderfully in a way that was just so enjoyable! And along with this, I loved the diversity of themes explored in the novel: from faith, to family and right back to healing personal and childhood trauma.In fact, I'd say the way the story and, mainly, the characters brought these issues to the light was very delicate. I personally enjoyed the main protagonists' spiritual reflections and how they saw God in everything they did every day. 

In relation to the characters: the cast was huge! 14 main characters PLUS 3 endearing side characters who popped up every once in a while. I thought it'd be tricky to flesh them out and make 14 different characters feel real in less than 300 pages, but Anneka gave us what we needed and they became alive in my mind. 

In fact, I can perfectly picture every single one of them as I read their adventures. 

My personal favourite characters were Daisha and Benson, but I can honestly say none of them were dull or easily confused with others and that is APPRECIATED when there's so many of them! Each character arc was well-crafted and endearing, though I sometimes wish I could've had some more time with Flynn and Emma since they're on the quieter side but seemed so lovely. 

I also admit: though the romances were ABUNDANT (probably one for each trope you simp for) all of them were hilarious and adorable. Aiden's first dates were definitely my favourite though: our sweet, clumsy tech made me LITERALLY cry with laughter once.  

So, in conclusion: I cannot truly express how happy this book made me. It was such a beauty! In my personal opinion: this is a MASTERFUL retelling. 

So, if you're into romantic comedies (this one's totally clean by the way!) and feel-good cozy reads for the colder months: look no more! 

Get "Brides and Brothers" by Anneka R. Walker: here or here. 

And if you have yet to watch the film: please, just go ahead and do so! It is absolutely charming!