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McMaster the Disaster #3
The Wedding Wager
Book 3 in the USA Today Bestselling McMaster the Disaster series. Josie's back and she's getting married! Except, how is she supposed to plan a wedding when her mother and her best friend Mattie both think they're the designated wedding planner, and none of their ideas are remotely similar? Mom wants super-traditional and Mattie wants... well, the complete opposite.And that's not all Josie has to deal with. The gossip hounds are as invasive as ever; setting up polls on everything from what shoes she'll wear to when the divorce will be! Can't a girl at least get married first? But the marriage is threatened when the Disaster Diary provides Josie with an opportunity of a lifetime and the real question with the stakes so high, is Josie willing to risk it all and take a chance on herself?
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2012
134 people are currently reading
785 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Astor
23books253followersRachel Astor is a twin (yes, probably the evil one), a stepmother (not as wicked as you'd think), and a USA Today Bestselling Author who spends a suspiciously large portion of her days correcting the word "the".
She's had a lot of jobs (bookseller, realtor, 834 assorted admin roles), but none as, ahem, interesting, as when she waitressed at a small-town bar named after a dog. 🐶
When she’s not crafting romantic comedies that blend heat, humor, and heart, Rachel splits her time between the city, the lake, and as many made-up worlds as possible.
She's had a lot of jobs (bookseller, realtor, 834 assorted admin roles), but none as, ahem, interesting, as when she waitressed at a small-town bar named after a dog. 🐶
When she’s not crafting romantic comedies that blend heat, humor, and heart, Rachel splits her time between the city, the lake, and as many made-up worlds as possible.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
July 7, 2019
Our heroine is finally getting her Happily Ever After. Maybe. If she can make a decision. Any decision. Her best friend and her mother both think they are planning her perfect wedding. And like all engaged couples, when the wedding grows closer, the arguments intensify. Weddings are entirely too stressful. For McMaster the Disaster the paparazzi make it even worse.
Good series that has lots of lighthearted parts with some not so lighthearted added in to keep the romance interesting.
Good series that has lots of lighthearted parts with some not so lighthearted added in to keep the romance interesting.
August 12, 2012
I just finished the last of the McMaster the Disaster trilogy. In this novel we find Josie and Jake planning their wedding. There are a few hiccups along the way involving Mattie and her mother fighting over who is planning the wedding, Josie having paparazzi troubles, and as always a little trouble with Jake.
I rated this one a 3.25 stars. I wish it could have been more but it just wasn't as enjoyable as the other. I found myself just trying to finish so I could be finished. I have so much trouble with why Josie is so wishy washy when it come to wedding details or even deciding who will plan the wedding but know 100% that she has always wanted to be a writer. It was a little inconsistent for me. Also I had trouble with Jake this time. He was downright mean to Josie once or twice. Jake never had acted like that before and then all off sudden he has a complete change in character. It just seemed so out of the blue for me. Potential spoiler here, but I did not think the little "miscommunication" Josie and Jake had was either little or a miscommunication. I won't really spoil anything but I had quite a problem with that portion of the book.
I know that sounds like I didn't like the book, yet I really did enjoy the ending and of course all of Mattie's portions. I think the story is a cute, fun idea but maybe it went one book too far. I did not need the wedding to actually come to fruition to enjoy the book. I could have been done after book 2 but I like to finish what I start. Overall the book is a fun little romance. I have read all three and would recommend them to a romance reader who enjoys light reads.
I rated this one a 3.25 stars. I wish it could have been more but it just wasn't as enjoyable as the other. I found myself just trying to finish so I could be finished. I have so much trouble with why Josie is so wishy washy when it come to wedding details or even deciding who will plan the wedding but know 100% that she has always wanted to be a writer. It was a little inconsistent for me. Also I had trouble with Jake this time. He was downright mean to Josie once or twice. Jake never had acted like that before and then all off sudden he has a complete change in character. It just seemed so out of the blue for me. Potential spoiler here, but I did not think the little "miscommunication" Josie and Jake had was either little or a miscommunication. I won't really spoil anything but I had quite a problem with that portion of the book.
I know that sounds like I didn't like the book, yet I really did enjoy the ending and of course all of Mattie's portions. I think the story is a cute, fun idea but maybe it went one book too far. I did not need the wedding to actually come to fruition to enjoy the book. I could have been done after book 2 but I like to finish what I start. Overall the book is a fun little romance. I have read all three and would recommend them to a romance reader who enjoys light reads.
July 29, 2012
Of the 3 books in this series, this one was my absolute favorite. Book 1 brings Josie and Jake together, book 2 helps their relationship grow, but book 3 has the true story of how a relationship has ups and downs, but the end result is well worth the hardships. This book, while it makes you laugh almost all the way through it, it made me cry there at the end when things started to go all wrong for Josie. I loved the end scene for the wedding! All I'll say is I wish I could get married all over again and use that concept. I really loved this whole series and can't wait to read more books from this author.
January 19, 2013
Ugh, I'm glad that this series is over - so that I can stop following this ridiculous series. Plotlines are pretty ridiculous, characters are flat - in 3 books, hardly anyone grew AT ALL - and it's really actually pretty silly.
BUT I still read it super quickly and it was a good, trashy, no-thinking read.
BUT I still read it super quickly and it was a good, trashy, no-thinking read.
April 3, 2012
I think the author made a mistake by making these into a series. It makes more sense to me to turn these into 1 book. It reads fast, but the story isn't really believable...
April 4, 2016
WOW..........Just WOW!
Read ALL the books in the Josie McMaster the Disaster series - one right after the other. Sweet, heartwrenching, and hilarious by turns,(OMG, I laughed SO hard) this is one of the most memorable novels that I have read. Buy it, download it, read it and ENJOY! In case you haven't noticed, I LOVE IT!! Thank you, Rachel Astor, for creating this jewel for us to delight us.
MW
Read ALL the books in the Josie McMaster the Disaster series - one right after the other. Sweet, heartwrenching, and hilarious by turns,(OMG, I laughed SO hard) this is one of the most memorable novels that I have read. Buy it, download it, read it and ENJOY! In case you haven't noticed, I LOVE IT!! Thank you, Rachel Astor, for creating this jewel for us to delight us.
MW
June 13, 2018
The wedding of the year or an unmitigated disaster
Awesome! She's getting married! That's if the two wedding planners ever agree on anything and if the press stops hounding her. Will the problems be too much for her or will she take a chance on love. Funny, zany, lighthearted ending to the series. Loved the series.
Awesome! She's getting married! That's if the two wedding planners ever agree on anything and if the press stops hounding her. Will the problems be too much for her or will she take a chance on love. Funny, zany, lighthearted ending to the series. Loved the series.
May 31, 2019
Downright horrible. When everything goes down the drain for the MC instead of sympathizing with her we feel she she deserves it and the reconciliation happens too quick for the disasters she caused.
Disasters mentioned as the part of the diary actually were out of control and sheer bad luck and make you sympathize with her but the actual book plot is total train wreck. Actual disaster.
Disasters mentioned as the part of the diary actually were out of control and sheer bad luck and make you sympathize with her but the actual book plot is total train wreck. Actual disaster.
December 30, 2017
Loved it, great ending!
January 3, 2019
Did not finish. Could not finish. I'll leave it at that.
April 22, 2024
Rating: PG
Read on a 4 hour plane ride! Enjoyable light and funny read!
Read on a 4 hour plane ride! Enjoyable light and funny read!
November 13, 2020
Did I find a bunch of continuity errors and grammar mistakes? Sure. Was it every bit of the shitty but escapist rom-com I needed? Absolutely!
Pro tip: the second book is by far the worst in this series. I recommend you read it once to understand the (minimal) character development in Josie but that if you ever come to re-read this series you skip right from book one to this one.
Pro tip: the second book is by far the worst in this series. I recommend you read it once to understand the (minimal) character development in Josie but that if you ever come to re-read this series you skip right from book one to this one.
September 3, 2019
This kind of seemed like the first book in a way because it was dealing with the paparazzi, and like the saying says, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." Although this is the ending of the series, there was more dept to the relationship, something that should have been established in the second one. This one was wrapped up nicely but this one focus on how the relationship should have been established in the second book. Although it was hysterical as well, there was more focus on the wedding. What is missing is the bride from the first book, where was she? What about the cousins? Meeting the parents? I thought there should be more in this book. The happily ever after was more for the supporting characters and where they are in their lives at the end of the book, she did not really indicate anything on where she is in her career.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2017
A Perfect Sexual
I sat on the edge wondering if the wedding was ever going to take place. They sounded like a devoted couple and would force the reader to root for their happiness.
I sat on the edge wondering if the wedding was ever going to take place. They sounded like a devoted couple and would force the reader to root for their happiness.
August 13, 2016
This book was a nice ending to the trilogy. While I didn't like it as much as the first book in the series, I definitely enjoyed it more than the first. I had to set aside my disbelief quite a few times in this book, as you would expect for any of these types of contemporary romance novels, but there were a few parts that were just SO ridiculous.
For example, at one point in the book Josie goes on about how she was raised to be self-sufficient and she doesn't want to be someone else's burden, which is why she decides she needs to get a job so she can pay her rent... (makes sense so far) ..until she gets married. (Now she's lost me...) Apparently once you're actually married to a hard-working rich guy, it's okay to not be self-sufficient anymore.
Then, it gets even better just a few pages later when Josie tags along with her rich and famous fiance to Bali where he's filming a movie. How can she afford this trip if she can't even pay her rent?? Apparently being self-sufficient only applies to the necessities in life, like food and shelter. If someone will pay for you to go on vacation for 3 weeks, then it's totally cool to be a mooch and expect them to pay your way..?!
However - setting all of this aside, I still read this book like a guilty pleasure. I think I had a love-hate relationship with it, but either way, I still enjoyed it.
For example, at one point in the book Josie goes on about how she was raised to be self-sufficient and she doesn't want to be someone else's burden, which is why she decides she needs to get a job so she can pay her rent... (makes sense so far) ..until she gets married. (Now she's lost me...) Apparently once you're actually married to a hard-working rich guy, it's okay to not be self-sufficient anymore.
Then, it gets even better just a few pages later when Josie tags along with her rich and famous fiance to Bali where he's filming a movie. How can she afford this trip if she can't even pay her rent?? Apparently being self-sufficient only applies to the necessities in life, like food and shelter. If someone will pay for you to go on vacation for 3 weeks, then it's totally cool to be a mooch and expect them to pay your way..?!
However - setting all of this aside, I still read this book like a guilty pleasure. I think I had a love-hate relationship with it, but either way, I still enjoyed it.
March 7, 2013
Weakest book in the series.
I enjoyed the two other books better, which is quite sad because I really expected this to be the best one out of the three. I got bored with almost the same accidents happening to Josie. It was cute at first, but come on, she's a grown woman!
I know I read this series for entertainment purposes only, and I have never or would never call it a great piece of literary work, but anyone knows that this couldn't happen in real life.
Josie and Jake don't even know each other that well. At one portion when Jake was being pissy, Josie couldn't stand it and said if that would what life would be like with him, she wouldn't like it. (Forgive me for the redundancy) That's an obvious sign that a marriage would not work; or, if not, stay in the girlfriend-boyfriend level a little bit longer before jumping into lifelong commitment. Hollywood is also far too messed up. Josie is really clumsy, and might just end up saying everything to the lucky paparazzo.
But really, don't take this book or series too seriously—good for a fun and entertaining read, that's it.
I enjoyed the two other books better, which is quite sad because I really expected this to be the best one out of the three. I got bored with almost the same accidents happening to Josie. It was cute at first, but come on, she's a grown woman!
I know I read this series for entertainment purposes only, and I have never or would never call it a great piece of literary work, but anyone knows that this couldn't happen in real life.
Josie and Jake don't even know each other that well. At one portion when Jake was being pissy, Josie couldn't stand it and said if that would what life would be like with him, she wouldn't like it. (Forgive me for the redundancy) That's an obvious sign that a marriage would not work; or, if not, stay in the girlfriend-boyfriend level a little bit longer before jumping into lifelong commitment. Hollywood is also far too messed up. Josie is really clumsy, and might just end up saying everything to the lucky paparazzo.
But really, don't take this book or series too seriously—good for a fun and entertaining read, that's it.
September 12, 2016
was not as good as the first two but it was an enjoyable read. I finished this book fairly quickly too which was nice.
I felt a connection to Josie’s character since I tend to be a disaster myself. I knew how it felt to go though the embarrassing moments like she did. Although, I don’t know what it’s like to date a movie star (LOL).
In this third book, Josie is finally getting married!! She does find herself in a bit of a bind when both her mother and her best friend Mattie believe they are the designated wedding planner. Her mom is super traditional where as Mattie is wild and unique.
The marriage faces a bump in the road when Josie’s “Disaster Diary� provides her the opportunity of a lifetime and Jake isn’t too crazy about it.
I felt a connection to Josie’s character since I tend to be a disaster myself. I knew how it felt to go though the embarrassing moments like she did. Although, I don’t know what it’s like to date a movie star (LOL).
In this third book, Josie is finally getting married!! She does find herself in a bit of a bind when both her mother and her best friend Mattie believe they are the designated wedding planner. Her mom is super traditional where as Mattie is wild and unique.
The marriage faces a bump in the road when Josie’s “Disaster Diary� provides her the opportunity of a lifetime and Jake isn’t too crazy about it.
May 26, 2014
The first two, I thought were great. But, there was just something about this book that got on my nerves. I found myself wanting to hit Josie over the head, and tell her to make up her own mind.
Jake also kinda got on my nerves too, I mean, he turned into a real jerk. Something I thought is wouldn't see. He didn't even try to explain. He just got upset with her. And then
when they break up and she just wallows... I mean, come on! And then nothing happens with Andrea the paparazzo? I mean, Josie promises her scoops on anything involving herself, and the girl leaked the story anyway? Yea, no. That would not have gone over well with me. Maybe it's because I'm a vindictive person, what can I say? But, revenge definitely would have been taken! :D
Anyways, enough with my rant. All in all, the book was cute, and I have to say I loved the wedding and reception. The best of both worlds. Easy read, not something you have to think about...
Jake also kinda got on my nerves too, I mean, he turned into a real jerk. Something I thought is wouldn't see. He didn't even try to explain. He just got upset with her. And then
when they break up and she just wallows... I mean, come on! And then nothing happens with Andrea the paparazzo? I mean, Josie promises her scoops on anything involving herself, and the girl leaked the story anyway? Yea, no. That would not have gone over well with me. Maybe it's because I'm a vindictive person, what can I say? But, revenge definitely would have been taken! :D
Anyways, enough with my rant. All in all, the book was cute, and I have to say I loved the wedding and reception. The best of both worlds. Easy read, not something you have to think about...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2014
This last book is definitely an improvement over the 2nd installment in the trilogy. I'm not sure if it's the incorporation of the other characters like Jake, Mattie, Jen and even Josie's mother or if it's because Astor returns Josie back to her adorable, relatable self but I was back to my connection with her from the moment she started "planning" her wedding by refusing to choose between her two wedding planners. Of course, the book ends with the most predictable of endings but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way and I think would have felt disappointed had the author not delivered on what I was imagining in my head. For a cute, very light and quick read, I would recommend this to anyone into the chick lit genre.
December 7, 2012
OK...just finished this trilogy. It was a cute story. Not the best writing by any means, but I was entertained. The main character gets a bit annoying throughout this series. In fact, I think one of the most annoying things is that she's a COMPLETE doormat. She lets everyone walk all over her. It's just not attractive. The entire series is filled with completely impossible situations and outcomes. And of course the ending is wrapped up with a huge bow.
All in all, it was just OK. Not the best by any means, but entertaining enough to warrant more than 2 stars.
All in all, it was just OK. Not the best by any means, but entertaining enough to warrant more than 2 stars.
March 13, 2013
Cute trilogy. This 3rd book brings in the craziness in planning a wedding with 2 different wedding planners: one set with a traditional wedding and the other with a modern one in mind. How can Josie choose between her mother and best friend to plan the wedding without hurting their feelings. Could she make more of a disaster of her life and loose everyone she really loves by betraying them? I liked that the disaster diary is still in this 3rd book and enjoyed how it all ended.
April 5, 2013
Omg this third book just made me cry. total oppisite from 1 & 2.
Josie is or has to be so naive that she just has to have some disaster happen to her.
I would have Chosen Mattie. yet it all worked out fine
Jake is just too wonderful I just love him. I just wish that there was more of a love story present, but I loved. the series anyway. the papparrazzi were so outta control.
A must read series......too funny yet seriously crazy.
MCMASTER THE DISASTER WAS WELL WORTH MY TIME. LOVED IT.
Josie is or has to be so naive that she just has to have some disaster happen to her.
I would have Chosen Mattie. yet it all worked out fine
Jake is just too wonderful I just love him. I just wish that there was more of a love story present, but I loved. the series anyway. the papparrazzi were so outta control.
A must read series......too funny yet seriously crazy.
MCMASTER THE DISASTER WAS WELL WORTH MY TIME. LOVED IT.
July 9, 2013
I really liked the series but this was my least favorite of the three. My issue stems more with the Jen character and her pregnancy. In book 2 we are told she got pregnant the night of Emma's wedding (July 21) but in this book, Jake and Josie are planning their wedding for the end of May. How will Jen still be pregnant?? It just really threw my timeline-oriented brain into a tailspin. Overall, I did like it.
August 10, 2013
could not wait to read this book from previous 2.
I enjoyed this more compare to the 2nd, touched on some issues... wedding planning... long distances relationship I totally understand. good on josie sticking her ground for her career dreams!
I just love Mattie the character, so hilarious, he's like the gay best friend every girl should have.
very entertaining light read for the afternoon with cuppa tea & cookies.
I enjoyed this more compare to the 2nd, touched on some issues... wedding planning... long distances relationship I totally understand. good on josie sticking her ground for her career dreams!
I just love Mattie the character, so hilarious, he's like the gay best friend every girl should have.
very entertaining light read for the afternoon with cuppa tea & cookies.
June 1, 2015
I am at the beginning to middle of the book and so far it is really good. This it the third book in the series and I am really enjoying it. What is happening right now is that Maddie and Josie's mom are fighting over who should plan the wedding. Josie just came back from an island with Jake for one of his films. I am really enjoying reading this book. It is appropriate for my age and or my level of reading. It is a fast read.
March 18, 2016
Delightful Conclusion
After a great book 1 and a slightly disappointing book 2, I wasn't sure what to expect for book 3. I needn't have worried, though. The Wedding Wager was a very good conclusion to the McMaster the Disaster series.
If you have read the first two books, you definitely should see it through to the predictable but delightful end. I will miss Josie, Jake, and Mattie.
After a great book 1 and a slightly disappointing book 2, I wasn't sure what to expect for book 3. I needn't have worried, though. The Wedding Wager was a very good conclusion to the McMaster the Disaster series.
If you have read the first two books, you definitely should see it through to the predictable but delightful end. I will miss Josie, Jake, and Mattie.
January 22, 2012
I stumbled on the "McMaster the Disaster" books while traveling to Paris for my 40th birthday in October. I loved the fun, frothy book with a relate-able heroine and quickly devoured Bridesmaid Lotto and Gamble on Engagement.
I found the third book in the series to be fully delightful, and I am hoping that The Disaster will strike again!
I found the third book in the series to be fully delightful, and I am hoping that The Disaster will strike again!
July 6, 2012
Third & final book. Very cute, but a little predictable. I feel like Ms. Astor wrote the third book just to please her audience-and I must admit, I was not disappointed, but I felt like I could read the first couple of pages and know how it was going to end. Didn't stop me from reading it in one sitting, though.
July 23, 2012
Okay, seriously? How does one not notice that from chapter 3 on the WHOLE book is in italics?? Wow! I would edit for free, just email me! Aside from the hundreds of typos/grammatical errors - the story was good! I would give it 4 stars, but having to read it all in italics was beyond ridiculous.
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