WITH THIS RING, I’M CONFUSED

Kristin Billerbeck

West Bow Press

ISBN: 1-5955-4033-4

June 2005

Inspirational Romance

Ashley Stockingdale is a 32 year old patent lawyer who is engaged to marry Kevin Novak, a pediatric surgical resident. This book is the chronicle of her preparations for this wedding. It takes place in Palo Alto, where Ashley works and lives with her good friend Kay. They two have purchased a house together.

The bane of Ashley’s existence ends up being her future in-laws, Elaine, Kevin’s mother and Emily, his twenty something sister who is trying to find herself by acting as Ashley’s “wedding planner”. Kevin has grown up in a monied Southern family, his father is a prominent surgeon, and there are, after all, appearances that must be maintained. Emily, who seems a little off center and unbearably insensitive, does things like cancel Ashley’s wedding dress order and have a replica of Scarlett O’Hara’s wedding dress made instead. The ghastly creation is hardly what this professional woman wants. Trying to figure out why Emily behaves this way and how to deal with her takes up much of the book.

Secondary characters include Ashley’s old boyfriend, Seth, her dog, Rhett, her friend Brea, and her boss, Purvi. Ashley is very involved with her church and there are frequent references to being Christian. She and Kevin share their faith and seem to use it in a somewhat offhand way to cope. 

The dialogue in this novel is witty and fun. I was a little confused about Ashley’s character and her overall dizziness in contrast with her professional role as a patent lawyer. She seemed to struggle with taking control of her life and her wedding. Kevin, throughout the book, maintains a somewhat distant, perfect ambiance, i.e. the wonderful pediatric surgeon, handsome, Christian, altruistic. 

I think the point of this book was to illuminate the reader about Ashley’s angst as she planned her wedding. The book was curious in its lack of acknowledgement of a sexual relationship between Ashley and Kevin. Both in their 30’s, one passage notes that Ashley is a 32 year old virgin. While I have no problem with this, I simply think this fact might be the fodder of some conflict or issue between this couple. Yet, it didn’t come up in any way in the book. The third in a series, this is a stand alone story of one woman’s struggle to get married. Funny at times, it will definitely appeal to anyone trying to plan their nuptials. 

 

Reviewed by Jeri Neal

Rating:  

 

For your convenience click below on one of the icons if you would like to order a book.