The Wedding Date: A 'warm, sexy gem of a novel'! (The wedding date, 1)

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Finally, this book was not Christmas-y. At all. Sure, it took place around Christmas time but there was no Christmas spirit. Here, Carlos is explaining to Drew what happened after he got Nik away from the stadium (it doesn't need to be included because it's repetitive and adds nothing, but ignore that for now). We saw this scene. Nik was embarrassed. Her friends were concerned for her. They did express anger at the boyfriend's actions but that was directed AT THE BOYFRIEND! At the time, Carlos was drinking and laughing about the situation with them. Why is he describing things to Drew as if all the women were angry with him and he barely escaped their wrath? FFS, one of the women was his own sister! This muddling of events occurs so! many! times! Characters are constantly reframing things that happen in the book and it causes you to doubt what you've read. It's a frustrating experience. The plot. THERE IS NO PLOT! This book has no structure and it's frustrating as hell to read. It's just a collection of boring pointless scenes that go nowhere!

Carlos, the hero, is a Latinx pediatrician (swoon) with a huge family and a fondness for cooking. He's gentlemanly but not chauvanistic; living in a family filled with strong women has taught him how to be respectful without overstepping his bounds, and he's smart enough to listen to what the women around him want and try to do that to show he cares. He's immediately attracted to Nikole, and is super supportive of her when her rejection of him goes viral and basically becomes a meme. This support blossoms into friendship when they realize that they actually have a lot in common, and eventually that friendship turns into something sexual when they can't deny their mutual attraction. I found the author to sometimes be needlessly repetitive, for instance a scene would happen, then she writes Malcolm's thoughts about the scene, and then Vivian's... when often their thoughts would be obvious from their behavior. Not sure if that's filler or a style but I noticed it on multiple occasions. Some friend you are. But, yes, that’s pretty much exactly what happened. Except we weren’t just with her, we were with her and her two best friends. It was me and four very angry women. I was just grateful I got out of there alive.”

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I am looking forward to reading the companion novels in this series. I believe The Proposal features Drew's friend, Carlos, and The Wedding Party focuses on Maddie and Theo. I am really excited to get to both of those! Thank you so much to Netgalley and Berkley publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Overall, I thought this was really sweet. Although it didn't have as much drama or steamy moments as the first book, it was still a very fun read! A truly loveable story that has made many must-read lists in the women’s world this fall. And I must say those are well-deserved! Thank you to the team at Berkley for my copy to review.Okay so the book started off amazing with the super funny and ngl awkward scene at the baseball game and we right away me the love interest. Bitch Media's list of 25 Fiction books you must read in 2018 includes The Wedding Date! (December 27, 2017)

But their light-hearted banter takes a turn for the serious when Ben helps Anna in a family emergency, and they reveal truths about themselves to each other, truths they’ve barely shared with those closest to them. Overall, I loved this. And you know I’m always here for the fake dating trope done right! And Alexa was a treat to read about, and she deserves the entire world. Also, this is completely irrelevant and unprofessional, but Jasmine Guillory is honestly the cutest author in the damn world. Seeing her author picture at the end? Oh my word, what a confirmed angel! Also, I can’t wait to read the The Proposal and everything else this author creates, because The Wedding Date was such a blessing. The fairy-tale setting and royal guest appearances in the book might make you think that this romance is too far away from real life and difficult to relate to, but it isn't the case. Vivian and Malcolm live thousands of kilometers away, but, ultimately, they will understand that the connection they have is special and worth the risk. You don't have to be based in different countries to experience this feeling: No, we are too different...No, there is no way it will work... He/She is too set in his /her ways. His job/ college/family is too important for him...The logistics would be a nightmare... And another potentially beautiful relationship bites the dust before you've even given it a chance. Yes, our life experiences teach us that we have to be realistic and pragmatic, and avoid risks, and this is how we may end with a job that brings more money, but less joy and happiness, or refuse to apologise to a relative or a friend who might just have a different point of view, but be as right as we are. Vivian and Malcolm knew from the very beginning the risks, but, still, they decided to give it a try, and they certainly deserve their own happy ever after.She’s known you for a month, relax. Also, you refuse to tell her what you two are, let alone admit it to your best friend, but you still want her to sit at home moping without you?… stop. She's a social worker, so she has supreme people skills that smooth over a lot of precarious situations. She knows who she is and what she is willing to do, which I liked. And she appreciates a man who knows that the best position to sleep in is close enough to touch but never trying to hold her when she is trying to sleep! Real talk. The only other kind of side-eye I have going on is because Drew didn’t realize how amazing Alexa was right away. And sometimes it seemed like his friend Carlos was the best wing man in the entire world and deserved just as much credit as Drew! Also, side-note, The Proposal is about Carlos, Drew’s colleague and friend, and my heart is so damn happy.

You may remember Vivian's daughter Maddie from the 'Wedding Party'? In 'Royal Holiday', Maddie has the opportunity to go to England over Christmas to help prepare the princess for the royal Christmas festivities. Because Maddie has never been away from her mother at Christmas, she invites her along. With Maddie working all day and into the night, Vivian is left to entertain herself. When the very handsome and intriguing Malcolm suggests he show her around, Vivian can't resist his charm, and goes all-in on her royal holiday! When you’re a practical person, do you throw caution to the wind and let your heart do what it wants, even if you know it probably won’t work? Can you teach yourself to be as impulsive as your heart instead?I loved so much about The Wedding Date! Like, oh my word, what a damn treat! Seriously friends, I know this cover screams Valentine’s Day, but this is the perfect summer read! Jasmine Guillory’s beautiful debut novel stars two people who take an elevator ride that will change their lives.