Sylvia Barry Reads: December 2025

D’Vaughn & Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins — 5 giant novelty wedding checks out of 5

Sylvia devoured this book and was devoured by it in turn, like a slice of carnivorous cake. A spicy carnivorous cake. Sylvia had a very good time reading this book, and may have (alongside several helpful seagulls) eaten her way through half her pantry while she did it. Sylvia’s off-screen talent also found this read utterly delectable.

D’Vaughn Miller and Kris Zavala have different reasons for joining the Reality TV show Instant I Do — D’Vaughn is looking for an external force to help her come out to her loving but quite traditional mother. Kris is a budding influencer who wants the hype, but deep down she’s looking for love that’s more than a few scrolls deep.

When D’Vaughn and Kris are paired by the show, they have to plan a wedding in six weeks, but most importantly, they have to convince their families and friends that their new-found fiancé is the real deal. No one can know they’re faking it.

And they are faking it… right?

D’Vauhgn can’t stop thinking about Kris’s tattoos, and Kris is obsessed with D’Vaughn’s curves and uh oh, is she funny? Is Kris secretly a bit insecure and romantic? Does their chemistry go for days and rival the heft and breadth of the Lone Star state?

Full of wonderfully hilarious dialogue and heart warming relationships, D’Vaughn & Kris Plan A Wedding will wrap you up in a big old Tejano hug and then lay you out in splendorous queer joy. Warmly recommended!