If you love fast-paced family drama with twisty thriller elements in the same vein as The Last Thing He Told Me and Liane Moriarty, then mark your calendars for this exciting new release coming in December 2024 and be among the first to see the big cover reveal!
The Good Bride by Jen Marie Wiggins
One year following a catastrophic hurricane, Ruth Bancroft plans a picturesque wedding in a Gulf Coast fishing village, aiming to both revive the town and reunite her estranged family. However, the wedding weekend, designed for social media allure and familial reconciliation, devolves into chaos as old grievances surface and secrets emerge among the attendees. The situation escalates dramatically during the oceanfront rehearsal dinner when gunshots disrupt the event and a notable guest disappears, sparking a tense investigation that reveals hidden agendas and motives among the guests.
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Get to know Jen and her new book a little better with this exclusive She Reads interview!
What inspired you to write The Good Bride?
The people and town of Mexico Beach, Florida. Mexico Beach is a picturesque little fishing village which was nearly leveled in 2018 by Hurricane Michael. At that same time, the media was completely obsessed with all the hoopla surrounding Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding and I thought about what would happen if someone brought that kind of attention to a struggling town. From there, my imagination took over…
What do you feel the key is to a great twist?
I think if you let the reader identify and feel comfortable in some sort of truth in the story and then force your characters to work against their instincts, the twists write themselves.
What are some of your current favorite twisty family dramas?
Right now, I am watching Palm Royale which is just too much fun. I love Yellowstone (who doesn’t) and Ozark. I tend to gravitate toward underdog characters stuck in difficult family situations and love a strong female who says what she thinks and has no filter.
Who is your ideal reader?
Anyone who needs a brain break from real life, but still wants some juicy and relatable family dynamics, a dreamy setting and all the twists and turns. As a mom of three boys myself, I know how hard it can be to find time to read, and I think it’s important to make sure you honor the reader and they walk away satisfied.
If you could have lunch with any author, who would it be?
Pat Conroy made me want to be a writer, but sadly he passed away before I got to meet him. I admire Laura Dave and Kimberly Belle and would love to squeeze around a table with them and Carol Joyce Oats. Call me ladies!
If The Good Bride became a movie/TV show, who would you cast in your lead roles?
The bride Ruth would probably be someone like Olivia Holt or Dakota Fanning. Her sister Sophia (the Instagram Influencer) would definitely be Kate Hudson or Emily Blunt and Zendaya Coleman would be perfect as the wedding planner.
About Jen
Jen Marie Wiggins holds a Bachelor of Arts in advertising and spent eight years in the public relations and marketing sectors before her love for literature guided her towards a career in education. She acquired a Master of Arts in teaching and subsequently taught English Literature and writing. Her literary contributions have appeared in publications such as Southern Coastal Weddings, Savannah Magazine, and Literary Mama, and her short story, “What He Carried,” was a semi-finalist in the 2018 William Faulkner Society Short Story Contest. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Married AF: A Funny Marriage Guide for the Newlywed or Bride. Residing with her husband and three sons, Jen is often found at home, immersed in family life.
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