Grace lost her mother 6 months ago and it's time for the will. Oh her mum was a strange one because Grace is sent on a journey to learn more about her mum. With her she has a hunky solider named Alasdair. I see what you did there mum ;).

Did I approve of the journey? Yes and no. It was a lovely thing to do and to find out about your mother's past. It was a hard thing to do to find out about your mother and the things she had not said.

The book takes Grace from place to place. Special ones to her mum, and she has letters to read at each step. Telling her a story she did not know.

Alasdair is there with her to give her guidance, he knew her mum too. But it's also obvious her mother put him there so maybe something would grow. She also wants Grace to find her way and passion again.

There is romance, but this is not a romance. It's a journey. They get to know each other, slowly to become friends, and then maybe maybe something will grow, slowly. He is broken at times, she is lost. But they are a good fit, and of course it will have a happy ending too. It might not be a contemporary romance but of course I will give you a HEA :)

Her mother's life was interesting to read about. But she had also been one stubborn woman! Too stubborn. It was a bit sad at times too, not crying sad, just sad about the stubbornness of some people.

A journey, a mystery and a romance to be had. ( )

The Wedding Cake Tree by Melanie Hudson is about a woman taking a journey. Grace Buchanan is a photographer. She takes photos of celebrities. Her mother, Rosamund Buchanan, has just passed away and left a very unusual will. Rosamund has set up her will to be read in May. Grace must then go on a specific ten day journey. She will have a companion, Alasdair Finn who has made all the travel arrangements. Grace will receive a letter to read from her mother at different stops and she wants her ashes scattered at these stops.

Grace is very reluctant to go away. It will mean canceling an assignment since the will specifies that Grace has to leave the next day. Her luggage has even been packed for her (or rather new clothes were bought and put in a new suitcase). Grace agrees to go because otherwise she will not inherit the childhood home that she loves.

Grace goes on the journey and discovers that she really did not know her mother. Grace also learns to live and enjoy life. Grace meets a relative she never knew about and falls in love. Grace also learns the significance of the wedding cake tree. It was planted in their backyard and it grows a new tier every year. Rosamund wanted more for her daughter and she hoped that this journey would shake Grace up.

The Wedding Cake Tree is a good story, but not great. I felt it was too long and wordy (whole paragraphs could have been deleted). It also follows the normal romance book formula of girl meets boy, they get to know each other, they have chemistry, fall in love, have fight, break up, and then eventually they get back together. I give The Wedding Cake Tree 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )