Blog Tour Book Review: White Wedding by Carla Luna

~ One Book More

I’m so happy to be part of the blog tour for Carla Luna’s White Wedding, a second-chance romance and the third book in the Blackwood Cellars series. Let’s check it out!

About the Book:

Title: White Wedding

Author: Carla Luna

Series: Blackwood Cellars #3

Page Length: 280

Publication Date: Nov. 16, 2021

Publisher: Moon Manor Press

Synopsis: Take one lavish holiday wedding. Add one evil ex and his bridezilla. And toss in a smoking-hot chef from the past. It’s a recipe for disaster.

Victoria Blackwood has spent years trying to redeem herself after falling victim to a blackmail scheme that cost her father thousands. So, when he insists she coordinate a big Christmas wedding at her family’s winery, she can’t say no. Even if the groom is her ex, and the caterer just quit.

For Rafael Sanchez, a last-minute call to cater a huge society wedding is a golden opportunity. If he can prove he’s up to the challenge, his brothers might entrust him with a larger role in the family catering business. But when he meets Victoria, he can’t believe his eyes. Five years ago, they had a passionate fling that rocked his world. Until she left him with only a fake name to remember her by.

To pull off the perfect wedding, Victoria and Rafael can’t afford to get caught up in the past. But keeping things professional won’t be easy, not when the attraction between them burns hotter than Christmas in July.

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My Review:

A second-chance romance, White Wedding follows Victoria Blackwell and Rafael Sanchez, a couple that knew each other years before the start of the story. Trying to make up for something that happened in her past, Victoria, who works for her father, is tasked with organizing her ex-fiancée’s wedding, much to her irritations. Coordinating this holiday wedding is nothing but trouble, and there are complications after complications, and Victoria’s at her wit’s end, especially since the bride is the epitome of a bridezilla. When the need for a new caterer arises, Victoria is stunned to see that a man she knew long ago runs one of the companies.

Rafael can’t believe it when he goes to pitch for the holiday wedding job. He hasn’t seen Victoria in years, and he is still hurt by how she disappeared without a word. Victoria and Rafael are both determined to keep things professional, but their feelings for each other grow, and both must figure out what they truly want.

I enjoyed Victoria and Rafael’s stories. They are realistic and relatable, and I like how they are both trying to better themselves. Neither is perfect, and they’ve both made mistakes. However, they definitely bring out the best in each other, and I love how supportive and encouraging they are. When together, they can let their guards down, and I think that is something they both find refreshing. And their chemistry is off the charts! Victoria and Rafael have a history, and both regret the way they left things, but circumstances out of their control led to their separations. It’s lovely to see them slowly build a relationship and work their way towards each other.

Victoria learns throughout the story how to stick up for herself more. She has this persistent desire to take charge of her life and work her way out from under her father’s thumb. First, she does this in small ways, but as the story progresses, Victoria really takes ownership of her life and her decisions. Rafael is similar in his desire to be seen as an equal in the family business. He often feels like his past mistakes and his less than stellar reputation still haunt him, and he wants to be respected for the responsible man he is today. I like how Victoria and Rafael both grow and change and strive for their goals and think that much of their growth has to do with their growing feelings for each other.

Other characters in the story are interesting, including a bridezilla, Rafael’s family, and many of Victoria’s family members. However, her father and her ex are both horrible men. I don’t know how Victoria handled most interactions with them in the cool and composed way that she did. Many people, including these two men, see her as weak and disappointing, but they fail to see her worth and the worth of others who are not in their social circle. Luckily, Rafael’s brothers and cousins and Victoria’s siblings and friends are super supportive and loyal.

Overall, I liked this addition to the Blackwood Cellars series. I would recommend that you check out the content warnings, as there are some situations that could be triggering for readers. However, I think readers who like contemporary romance will enjoy the story. Though it’s the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone, but the protagonists from the first two books do make appearances in this book. Thanks so much to Carla Luna and Rachel’s Random Resources for sending me a copy of the book!

Rating:

About the Author:

Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Victoria, B.C., she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her feisty Siberian cat.

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