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onegalonelife27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Earlier this year, I really enjoyed one of Jasmine Guillory’s works so I decided to listen another one of hers. I found a sweet, spicy tale of two people finding strength and love in one another.
The main characters meet in an ad company’s pitch with instant chemistry and respect for one another. Ana Gardiner, after a difficult year, is ready to get back to her old groove-and the Oscars and this ad campaign is the first step back there. Ben Stephen’s wants this campaign to go well so he can leading more projects rather than smiling at meetings. Just when Ben’s star is rising with this new ad campaign, a sudden email sends him reeling.
At first they try to keep things professional, if not a bit flirty. Yet one family emergency, spontaneous road trip and a pair of thrown panties later, they find themselves in a complicated partnership: full of humor, steaminess, tenderness, understandings and misunderstandings until the last chapter.
One topic I’m glad the book talked about is mental health. Ana struggles with anxiety and it’s a large part of the plot for her. Dealing with the struggles and the shame you feel when your mind panics, coming up with so many terrible scenarios or freezing up in stressful moments, it’s something I related to since I have anxiety myself. Yet Ana learns to be kinder with herself and her journey is wonderful.
I am glad that Ben is self aware of his flaws, admitting that he runs away in one way or another. Also I can heavily relate to Ben not wanting to tell therapists the bad things in life, despite going to therapy for bad things in the first place. Ben’s own struggle with his trauma is also wonderful to see progress. It’s not always straightforward, but then again, so is dealing with mental health and that’s wonderful too.
Overall, if you’re looking for a romance that isn’t afraid to talk about deep subjects yet still gives hope, laugh, and of course love, then this is an excellent one to try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Fatphobia and Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming and Racism
bookedbymadeline's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
The fourth book I’ve read (and finished) from Guillory! I’ve loved this series, it’s so fun and lighthearted. For this book, I loved the flirty banter and switching POVs! I loved Ben, he’s my new favorite leading man 🥰 I didn’t always like Anna, there were certain actions she did but then would criticize Ben for wanting to do the same so she could be a hypocrite sometimes.
Despite not always liking Anna, I think the characters were well written and developed. I loved the discussions on mental health and therapy! It was such great rep and I enjoyed how open Anna and Ben were about their struggles.
Despite not always liking Anna, I think the characters were well written and developed. I loved the discussions on mental health and therapy! It was such great rep and I enjoyed how open Anna and Ben were about their struggles.
As with all Guillory books, there was a third act breakup with some miscommunication, but it was one sided lack of communicating their feelings, so it didn’t bother me as much as it usually does. There was also one plot point that could’ve been more developed. Anna talks about a movie role she really wants and how she was made for it but we never hear what the movie is about or what the role is, so it felt like there was a gap where we could’ve gotten to know her better.
I loved seeing the cameos from past characters again! It was so much fun, but once again I loved Maddie and Theo in everyone else’s book, just not their own book that I DNFd 😂
Overall a light, easy read and definitely a favorite for the month! I love Guillory’s books and now I’m done with the series (unless she decides to write more).
And with that here’s my ranking for the series (of the ones I read, I won’t count the 2 I DNFd):
The Proposal (Carlos forever has my heart no matter what)
Royal Holiday
Royal Holiday
While We Were Dating
The Wedding Date
Tropes: work romance, celebrity, fake dating
Rep: Black MCs, plus sized FMC, anxiety rep
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming and Racism
annahamburger's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment and Infidelity
Minor: Racism, Cursing, and Fatphobia
zabeishumanish's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this book enough (even jumping into the middle of a series) that I will read more by this author, but it wasn't a knock out book for me. There were a couple times that I set the book down for a break and had to force myself to pick it back up, which almost never happens for me with romance books.
The biggest problem I had with the book is actually how social responsible it is, the political correctness in this book feel over the top at times in a way that felt detrimental to the story. The book deal with both complex mental health issues and Blackness in media is notably responsible ways that felt beautifully integrated with the story. Where I started having problems was with the feminism and body positivity in the book. The book made it seem like one of the primary reasons that Anna was attracted to Ben, both physically and as a friend, was because of how he treated her femininity and fatness. Whether the book intended to or not I hated the way that it implies that most men will treat fat women poorly and that any male who treats a fat woman well is automatically datable. This is a pretty small complaint as this reason for Anna's attraction doesn't take up much page space (the book is much more plot based), but it really felt like Ben treating her well was the main reason for her attraction. It bothers me in a very pet-peeve type way that this book implies men treating women poorly is the norm. To be clear, I'm glad Ben treats Anna well, I just wish it wasn't so remarkable that he does.
Ultimately this is a good book with a fun plot, just not likely to make my favorites list.
The biggest problem I had with the book is actually how social responsible it is, the political correctness in this book feel over the top at times in a way that felt detrimental to the story. The book deal with both complex mental health issues and Blackness in media is notably responsible ways that felt beautifully integrated with the story. Where I started having problems was with the feminism and body positivity in the book. The book made it seem like one of the primary reasons that Anna was attracted to Ben, both physically and as a friend, was because of how he treated her femininity and fatness. Whether the book intended to or not I hated the way that it implies that most men will treat fat women poorly and that any male who treats a fat woman well is automatically datable. This is a pretty small complaint as this reason for Anna's attraction doesn't take up much page space (the book is much more plot based), but it really felt like Ben treating her well was the main reason for her attraction. It bothers me in a very pet-peeve type way that this book implies men treating women poorly is the norm. To be clear, I'm glad Ben treats Anna well, I just wish it wasn't so remarkable that he does.
Ultimately this is a good book with a fun plot, just not likely to make my favorites list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexism, and Racism
jen3699's review against another edition
The beginning was good but the middle just feels dragged out. The sex scenes happen every other page and they're not fulfilling.
The characters are great, the story has potential, it's just not what I expected.
I feel like the title and synopsis weren't accurate to the whole book. Like it's just a retelling of the beginning of the story and then the end bit for the conflict.
The characters are great, the story has potential, it's just not what I expected.
I feel like the title and synopsis weren't accurate to the whole book. Like it's just a retelling of the beginning of the story and then the end bit for the conflict.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Fatphobia and Racism
biblio_jordyn's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Life is a constant work in progress, you know that. There’s no being ‘done’ with any of this stuff.”
Like most of the books in this universe, you don’t have to read it chronologically (I’ve only read 1-3) because each book is an off shoot of some minor character in the universe. I debated on waiting until I finished books 4 and 5, but I’m so glad I didn’t.
I read this book in one night and stayed up late to do so...that is how much I adored this book!
My love is because...
This book has a lot about mental health and it is done SO WELL. From talking about anxiety and anxiety/panic attacks, to normalizing the idea of males going to therapy on their own accord, while also talking about the stigma surrounding it? It was perfection for me, as a mental health professional and as someone who suffers from anxiety.
The flirting and banter starts right away, and I love when they get right to it.
Ben, the main man, is super charming and sweet.
Anna, the leading lady, is like most of Guillory’s leading ladies in the way that she has this undeniable strength, independence, and confidence (most of the time).
There is fat representation and body positivity.
There was more steam in this book than I think any of the others that I’ve read of hers, AND YOU ALL KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT STEAM.
Guillory continues to put sprinkles of/talk about subtle racism in places like the work place, medical setting, etc from the black perspective that I nodded my head to.
There are these reasons and so many more that I loved this book!
If you like books that have steam, have the fake dating trope (reminded me a bit of Dani Brown, but with the leading lady needing the press not the guy) and just need a happy and fun read? Definitely check this out.
Thank you to the publisher for the free copy!
Like most of the books in this universe, you don’t have to read it chronologically (I’ve only read 1-3) because each book is an off shoot of some minor character in the universe. I debated on waiting until I finished books 4 and 5, but I’m so glad I didn’t.
I read this book in one night and stayed up late to do so...that is how much I adored this book!
My love is because...
This book has a lot about mental health and it is done SO WELL. From talking about anxiety and anxiety/panic attacks, to normalizing the idea of males going to therapy on their own accord, while also talking about the stigma surrounding it? It was perfection for me, as a mental health professional and as someone who suffers from anxiety.
The flirting and banter starts right away, and I love when they get right to it.
Ben, the main man, is super charming and sweet.
Anna, the leading lady, is like most of Guillory’s leading ladies in the way that she has this undeniable strength, independence, and confidence (most of the time).
There is fat representation and body positivity.
There was more steam in this book than I think any of the others that I’ve read of hers, AND YOU ALL KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT STEAM.
Guillory continues to put sprinkles of/talk about subtle racism in places like the work place, medical setting, etc from the black perspective that I nodded my head to.
There are these reasons and so many more that I loved this book!
If you like books that have steam, have the fake dating trope (reminded me a bit of Dani Brown, but with the leading lady needing the press not the guy) and just need a happy and fun read? Definitely check this out.
Thank you to the publisher for the free copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
meghanm404's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Medical content, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
zombiezami's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Medical content, and Ableism
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Racism, Alcohol, Cursing, Confinement, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
dogbuttsandbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I've really enjoyed Guillory's novels ever since reading The Wedding Date. Unfortunately, I can't say that this is one of my favorites in the series. To start off, I don't feel like I ever felt fully connected to the characters. They had some depth and good character development, but it just always felt like they were holding something back.
One thing I really enjoyed was how mental health was a big focus of the novel. Guillory handled topics like therapy, living with anxiety, access to mental health services, and other related topics very well and with grace. I think she highlighted some real issues while also normalizing people going to therapy and working through anxiety.
I did enjoy the romance between Ben and Anna. Their relationship felt like it took a really natural course and I liked reading about the times they spent together and how they interacted with one another. I also loved the Hollywood angle and thought that it was a lot of fun.
I don't know if I can really pinpoint what didn't work for me in this book. It just didn't hold the same sparkle that some of the other in the series have for me. If you enjoy her other books you should definitely read this one too because some of the past characters reappear and it's fun to see what they're up to now but you don't necessarily need to move it to the top of the TBR pile.
One thing I really enjoyed was how mental health was a big focus of the novel. Guillory handled topics like therapy, living with anxiety, access to mental health services, and other related topics very well and with grace. I think she highlighted some real issues while also normalizing people going to therapy and working through anxiety.
I did enjoy the romance between Ben and Anna. Their relationship felt like it took a really natural course and I liked reading about the times they spent together and how they interacted with one another. I also loved the Hollywood angle and thought that it was a lot of fun.
I don't know if I can really pinpoint what didn't work for me in this book. It just didn't hold the same sparkle that some of the other in the series have for me. If you enjoy her other books you should definitely read this one too because some of the past characters reappear and it's fun to see what they're up to now but you don't necessarily need to move it to the top of the TBR pile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Minor: Racism