Wedding Issues

Secrets and lies abound in Evans’s debut novel, deftly narrated by Maria Marquis. Olivia is determined to help her best friend Leighton, an up-and-coming fashion influencer, land the cover of Southern Charm magazine’s coveted June bridal issue. Then, Olivia’s Aunt Lottie throws a wrench in the works, setting up her daughter Kali to take Leighton’s place. Unwilling to admit defeat, Olivia convinces Southern Charm’s editor to run a contest between the brides instead. Soon, however, she finds herself stretched to the breaking point, trying to placate Aunt Lottie and serving as the maid of honor for both Leighton and Kali. Meanwhile, she’s finishing her last year of law school and trying to figure out where things stand with her longtime crush on Leighton’s brother. Marquis expertly portrays secondary characters, especially Aunt Lottie’s Machiavellian, Southern grande-dame persona, Kali’s laid-back personality, and Leighton’s high-strung anxiety. She imbues her performance of Olivia with the trademark over-confidence of a lawyer-to-be, mixed with increasing anxiety over the dueling weddings and her career prospects. Throughout it all, Olivia’s genuine care for those around her is clear.