Amanda's Wedding

February 1, 2001
Planted firmly in Bridget Jones territory, Colgan's first novel takes off with the kind of manic energy and sharply vulgar humor that only a Brit-sitcom can, before settling down into the typical fare that comprises contemporary girl-fic. Londoners Mel and Fran, both 20-something, are horrified to learn that the third member of their childhood trio, Amanda--an uppity, shallow brat who's burned them one too many times--has landed Fraser McConald, a Scottish lord, as her fianc . Compounding their annoyance is the fact that back in their university days, Mel, who serves as narrator, had a huge crush on Fraser. Mel is also reeling because her loutish, aspiring rock-star beau, Alex, who left her 10 months ago to find himself in America, has returned to her doorstep in full force. Further complicating matters is Nicholas, a clueless, eight feet tall accountant whose advances she sometimes succumbs to when very drunk. Fraser's charming brother, Angus, rightly suspects that Amanda only wants Fraser for the Town & Country cachet of his crumbling castle, and he enlists the aid of Mel and Fran to sabotage the nuptials. In any romantic comedy, it's a given that the lead heroine will get a man; the question here is which man? With several possibilities, readers may be surprised at the outcome; some may be disappointed. The writing is clever enough, and Mel and Fran's antics are entertaining, even if their self-involvement tips over into cruelty at times. But for those who expect more substance, even in a comedy, the only momentous theme available--that it's preferable, if at all possible, to marry for love rather than convenience--is hardly weighty.

September 1, 2000
Hip, trendy, and raunchily hilarious, Colgan's tale of twentysomething Londoner Melanie and her coterie of pals takes place in the weeks leading up to the wedding of Amanda, a rich, gorgeous, and thoroughly rotten old schoolmate who pops up every six months or so to gloat. Mel's life is a mess. She has a strange reclusive flatmate whom she fears will kick her out. Her best friend, Fran, pops in as if she owns the place. She wakes up after a night of wild sex with a man she can't stand, and then Alex, the boyfriend who had abandoned her without even a note, comes back from America and into her bed. Does he really want her, or does he just need a place to crash? Add to that her dismaying discovery that the Scottish laird betrothed to the dreadful Amanda is none other than Fraser, whom she had a huge crush on years earlier. Finally, Mel, Fran, and Angus, Fraser's offbeat brother, combine forces to try and thwart Amanda's ambitions and save Fraser from a fate worse than death. This contemporary romp unfolds like a movie and will please readers who yearn for sophisticated humor and a happily-ever-after ending. \plain\f2\fs17 (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.)