It’s about time I came across a romance book set in the Southern Hemisphere! Finally, Nina Kenwood’s The Wedding Forecast has met that need. There are many aspects of the novel I found myself relating to, not just in terms of places or names but the publishing landscape down in the Pacific and the struggle with balancing the dream of writing with the reality supporting yourself financially.

Anna was never going to have an easy time at her best friend’s wedding. She’s the bridesmaid; her ex, Joel, is a groomsman. But she’s determined to get through the festivities with a smile on her face. Despite the fact that Joel is bringing his new partner, Bianca. Despite the fact she’s stuck sharing a house with the newly in-love couple. And despite the fact Anna has just turned thirty and her life is not exactly where she thought it would be by now. Anna has all her feelings completely under control—right up until the moment Joel drops a bombshell that rocks her to her core. She needs a distraction, and Patrick, the wedding photographer, just might be the solution. Everyone has decided he is perfect for her. He is perfect for her. But the arrival of Mac, a not-quite-famous actor who has flown in from New York, complicates everything. Much-loved YA author Nina Kenwood hits the spot with her first novel for adults. Laugh-out-loud funny with chemistry that jumps off the page, The Wedding Forecast will be the feel-good romcom of the summer.

Now, reading that blurb, you get a certain image in your head as to how things will progress, but I was a little surprised when that trajectory didn’t happen. In fact, I think the blurb sells the story short, and I wish other things were noted that lean it in the right direction. The Wedding Forecast is so much more than that blurb, so on that principle allow I want you all to pick it up and read it.

The novel is roughly split into three parts and I was blown away by the writing style and sentiment as the chapters flew by. The characters are so well rounded, with both positive and negative elements that make dynamics work or create friction that generates some tension as the novel progresses. The interactions are great, the dialogue amazing, and the conflicts are gut-wrenching. In saying that though, The Wedding Forecast does a phenomenal job at reworking the idea of a perfect life, perfect job, and what the purpose of life is.

I don’t want to go too hard on this point, not only because it is more of a spoiler but also because I still enjoyed the novel a lot, but it needs to be said – there is an imbalance you will come across. It will read as a ‘are you seriously questioning this?’ kind of imbalance, and perhaps that is a good thing because it links back to the last point I made about reassessing what it is that makes life worth living. It just felt a little forced to me, because with the character dynamics and relationships we have here (which I love, by the way) it is a detail I think would have been brushed away much earlier in the plot. I won’t saymore, but if you have read The Wedding Forecast then you might know what I am talking about. Let me know what you think.

The Wedding Forecast is a lovely and enjoyable read, a fantastic way to spend a bright afternoon, and a respectable romance book representing us down in the South Pacific. Give me more Aussie romances! Give me Kiwi romances! With the picturesque settings in each country, there are oh so many locations for a whirlwind romance or two to delve into. I think it is about time that romance books and romance readers we more open to locations outside of the Europe and North America. If you know of any more romances set in these parts, let me know!