I want to first thank NetGalley and Laura Ziepe for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This story is about 3 ladies Holly, Kim, and Emma. They all go to Vegas for Kim's wedding even though she has been having doubts about marrying the wrong person. On the surface these ladies seem to have it all together but without giving to much away I'll say all 3 of them are really dealing with some issues and are having harder times then what the book makes it seem in the beginning.
I really enjoyed all 3 girls stories but I think Emma's was my favorite. While I really did end up enjoying this book I didn't feel like it was a rom com but more of a chick lit book. It had me smiling, laughing and crying honestly and those are my favorite types of books. I recommend giving this book a shot you will not be disappointed by these three ladies. They are fun and witty.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3 stars but more like 3.5 I really enjoyed this quick light read I wouldn’t so much call it a rom com though as I didn’t find it all that funny more chick-lit if you ask me. The story follows 3 friends who go to Vegas for one of them to get married. On the outside all 3 friends look like they have the perfect lives but as the novel progresses you quickly discover that all 3 are hiding some major issues they’re dealing with in their lives.

It was a very true to life story touching on some very relatable issues many people are dealing with. As a mom especially I very much related to Kim and how much of herself she’s given up for her children. This is a great light summer read.

Wow, I wasn't expecting that! Have you ever heard of the term 'coercive control'? Not many people have. The definition of 'coercive control' from the Women's Aid website states that:


'Domestic abuse isn’t always physical. Coercive control is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.

This controlling behaviour is designed to make a person dependent by isolating them from support, exploiting them, depriving them of independence and regulating their everyday behaviour.'


With the above in mind, and the fact that this novel is predominantly lighthearted and fun, the topic of coercive control is rife via one of the main characters, Emma. Now I won't go into detail due to spoilers, however I felt exceptionally sorry for her because, as readers, we get to see all sides of the coin as it were. We get to witness things that characters haven't found out yet. So when this character goes through her day to day life as an Instagram influencer, it's pretty hard not to shout and scream at the book to tell her to run. Reality hadn't hit Emma at that point. She wasn't aware that what her fiancé was doing, could in fact be deemed as abuse. Actually, the reality is that not many people in that situation realise that controlling, abusive behaviour is actually abuse. People automatically assume that domestic abuse needs to be physical. It doesn't. I am talking from experience unfortunately.

Anyway, despite the in-depth topic of the storyline, 'The Morning After the Wedding Before' has a lot of scenarios which readers will be able to relate too, especially if they're a parent who is struggling with their relationship with their partner, or if they're a single mum who has done nothing except care for her children for however many years.

I was impressed by how the author managed to incorporate a lot of relatable subjects in amongst the fun and laughter of the book. At times I did feel as though the womanising of several of the characters got a bit much and didn't really add anymore depth to the overall vibe of the book. I appreciated why those particular characters were involved in the story, don't get me wrong, it just made me feel a little exasperated at times.

I really do recommend Laura Ziepe's writing as she manages to make me laugh at the most random of times! I enjoyed the overall premise of the book, and like I said before, I felt that the author wrote about certain topics brilliantly and sensitively.

'The Morning After the Wedding Before' is the ideal poolside read both for a holiday read, and for a read by the blow up pool in the garden!

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a fantastic, laugh out loud comedy book that is suitable for lovers of Lindsey Kelk and Tracy Bloom. This is such a fun and charming read, it is clear that this is a very talented author. I will definitely be looking for more books by Laura Ziepe.

This was so much more than a fluffy read, it handles so many issues that some of us come across in life and does it well lovely characters, (especially Emma) and a great storyline. Definitely perfect summer read.

THE MORNING AFTER THE WEDDING BEFORE is the story of three friends. Kim never thought that her life would revolve around children, but, after an unexpected pregnancy and a premature childbirth, she focuses every waking hour around her two young children neglecting her husband and her friends. Holly is recently divorced and while her ex-husband has moved on, she is still single and busy with their children, trying to find time to dedicate to herself. Emma is an Instagram influencer. While her life appears perfect on social media, the truth is very different, but Emma is too afraid to let everyone down to change things. Now the three friends are together in Las Vegas to celebrate Emma’s wedding and they have to face their choices because not all that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas…

I enjoyed THE MORNING AFTER THE WEDDING BEFORE. It is an entertaining and refreshing romantic comedy that I read in two days. Emma, Holly, and Kim are likable and realistic. Although the novel focuses on their individual lives, it’s also a story about a close friendship that is still strong even when marriage, children, and work make it difficult to spend time together. With many engaging characters, a few detestable bad guys, and addressing themes of parenting and controlling relationships, THE MORNING AFTER THE WEDDING BEFORE is a real page-turner!

This was an easy, read which was not afraid of tackling serious issues. I enjoyed Kim and Holly’s characters but I connected the most with Emma and her very relatable insecurities. A good premise and setting as well. Nice summer read.

I wasn't interested in the dialogue or how the characters interacted with each other. I wasn't hooked from the beginning. I loved the cover

Thanks, NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this title. First time reading this author, the cover intrigued me into thinking this was going to be a laugh out loud funny rom-com. While there were some fun bits to the story, overall it was more serious than I expected.
The story is about 3 University friends ten years after graduation. Kim is married to Andy with two children, she is a stay at home mom, while Andy is a physical education teacher. Holly is a hair stylist who does bridal parties, she is also a single mom with two children who recently split with her significant other, Rob. Emma has a job as a social influencer on Instagram, while Charlie is a personal trainer at a gym, where they met, fell in love, and it's their wedding taking place in Vegas. Each one of these ladies is experiencing a huge change in their own lives but come together to partake in the joy of their friend's upcoming nuptials. The Brits know how to drink, party and to live on the wild side but remember what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas!

It's written by a British author so some words and phrases are different than what we say here in the US, and some words are spelled differently as well.*

An enjoyable fun read, but one that also hits serious more important issues as well. A really easy read that you don’t want to put down. Wonderful characters, a great story , overall a great summer read

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

A book that is engrossing and entertaining but also full of food for thought with some darker moments.
I liked the well written cast of characters, the setting and the plot.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

The Morning After The Wedding Before by Laura Ziepe is a contemporary novel that celebrates friendship and explores relationships and family.
The novel discusses the effect that social media has on lives. “Having the perfect social media account doesn’t mean a thing in real life.” Images projected on social media never show the real picture, they merely show the edited highlights and the best bits. There is much pressure to live up to these false images.
Sometimes life goes so fast that we find ourselves swept into situations we really do not want to be in. We all need good friends who will watch our backs and rescue us from ourselves. We need good friends who see through our ‘worldly’ face and can see us slowly unraveling. The novel explores the faces we show the world in contrast to the ‘real’ us.
Life behind closed doors may be far from rosy. Within the novel there is a toxic relationship. The reader sees how a character is manipulated. It is domestic abuse in the form of mind games resulting in low self-esteem and an apologetic nature as a personality is crushed. The reader longs for the victim to break free.
Motherhood is important. It is back breaking and tiring and can be very lonely but it is the best job in the world and we are rewarded with love.
Lifelong friends bounce dialogue off each other. There is a beautiful love and camaraderie.
I enjoyed The Morning After The Wedding Before. It was a fun, light-hearted read but there were also some serious themes. Laura Ziepe is a new author to me and I look forward to reading more by her.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

I really liked this book. Not only was it a well written rom-com but it also covered important issues.

We follow Jen, Kim and Holly to Vegas for Emma's wedding. Kim is married with two children and Holly is a single mother to two as well.

I really liked all three characters. At first Emma came across as shallow and superficial with all her #sponsored Instagram ads, but deep down she is self-conscious. Her chapters give you a small insight to what it is like as an Instagram Influencer.

Kim's marriage has lost its spark and due to a premature first labor is fiercely protective of her children. Holly is finding herself again after breaking up with the father of her children.

The book covers verbal abuse, over-zealous parenting and learning how to be a person again after becoming a parent.

Does Emma learn to take time away from social media and gain some confidence in herself? Does Kim release the reins on her children and allow her husband to help out? And does Holly find happiness after learning her ex has a new girlfriend?

Well written, this book allowed me to feel like I was on this break in Vegas with the girls. I only wish I'd had a cocktail in my hand whilst reading it!