QUEEN OF BABBLE GETS HITCHED - Meg Cabot
Queen of Babble, Book 3
A Perfect 10
William Morrow (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-085202-3
July 2008
Chick Lit

New York City, New York - Present Day

Wedding gown restorer Lizzie Nichols is thrilled to finally be engaged to Luke de Villiers. When they broke up a month ago (he wasn’t sure he saw her in his future), Lizzie was devastated. It seems that her prince, if the French still recognized their aristocracy, has realized just what he lost. Now if she can just get Chaz Pendergast out of her bed before Luke comes back, Lizzie can have her happy ending. While nothing happened between them the night before, except for a really nice make-out session, Lizzie definitely does not want Luke to know about it. Chaz isn’t thrilled to find out that Lizzie is getting back together with his best friend. He tells Lizzie that not only can’t Luke commit to anything, but that he is the wrong man for her. But she is sure that Luke is the man for her, after all she spent six months living with him. So why does Lizzie feel sick every time she thinks about her engagement?

A wedding gown she restored is a hit on Page Six, and the phones begin to ring off the hook at work. When Monsieur Henri, owner of the bridal shop, has a heart attack, Lizzie is left in charge. With an overwhelming amount of work to do, she reluctantly hires her former coworker and model, Tiffany, to answer phones. The jaded Tiffany is also less than thrilled with Lizzie’s engagement and offers constant advice on finding out if Luke really is Mr. Right. In fact, Lizzie is finding out that no one is happy that she is getting back together with Luke, and with the constant voice of Chaz in her mind discussing all of the reasons why Luke is Mr. Wrong, Lizzie throws herself into her work to avoid answering some difficult questions.

Adding to Lizzie’s confusion are her nonagenarian grandmother; her best friend, and Chaz’s ex-girlfriend, Shari; celebutante (a la Paris Hilton) Ava Geck; and Monique, another model and friend of Tiffany's. Lizzie doesn’t want her best friend, Shari, to know that she made out with her ex, so she doesn’t have anyone whom she can fully confide in. Her Gran, Ava, Tiffany, and Monique all think she should sleep with Chaz and then decide whom she wants to be with. But she keeps assuring herself that she loves Luke, even as she breaks out in hives at the thought of their wedding. Lizzie’s whole world is changing. Will it be for the better, or is it getting ready to collapse?

QUEEN OF BABBLE GETS HITCHED is filled with the humor, sass, and pathos that has defined Lizzie’s story. Lizzie is filled with Midwestern values and determination. If she could only control what comes out of her mouth, life would be perfect. She is trying to make her dreams a reality, but suddenly finds out she isn’t sure what her dreams are. Chaz is realistic and honest in what he wants from Lizzie. Luke’s smooth charm and romance hide a narcissistic streak that results in casual cruelty. Strong writing, witty dialogue, a wonderful story, and great characters are the highlights that mark the finale of the series and earn it an RRT Perfect 10 award. Readers will not be able to put this book down until the surprising and satisfying conclusion. Don’t miss the clever and light-hearted QUEEN OF BABBLE GETS HITCHED.

Jennell