latenight_pageturner's review against another edition
4.0
I love supporting Jasmine Guillory and I have been very invested in these stories. I do wish the dialogue was a bit better written, but I love the characters and these plots always pull me in. I also love how the female characters are just always killing it career-wise.
artbysmashley's review against another edition
2.0
Good god this was just not my cup of tea. The premise had so much potential! I had read Guillory's debut, and remember it being full of potential but mostly lukewarm in terms of execution. This, her fifth book, is the second of hers I've read and I thought perhaps the writing and execution might have improved from my first impression. Negative.
For one, I didn't buy the relationship. It didn't build or grow from one point to the next. Olivia and Max started at one level and remained there, despite saying I love you after like 4 chapters or whatever. (That's an exaggeration.) It was dull, the chemistry wasn't there, and their interactions (ie, the entire book) were repetitive. Olivia was a decent character, but Max had no personality outside of being a Senator. Honestly. Yawn.
I think my MAIN issue, though, is with the pacing. The first 17 chapters of this 21 chapter book were all so flat, with no conflict, no risk, no stakes. With the nature of the male lead being a Senator and spending his weeks in DC and weekends home in LA where our heroine resides, you would think there would be so much room for development, plot, conflict. Wrong. Guillory barely writes any of the in between. Each chapter was just a new weekend, with the characters together. The first conflict we see between the characters exists in chapter 18. CHAPTER 18. OUT OF 21 CHAPTERS. So then there are two chapters where Olivia miraculously forgives Mr. Bland Whitey McWhiterson Privileged Senator after they both mope around for a few chapters? Give me a break.
I wanted so badly to like this. Like I said, the premise had such potential. However, the book itself read like (sorry) poorly written fanfiction with no real plot, development, or character journey.
For one, I didn't buy the relationship. It didn't build or grow from one point to the next. Olivia and Max started at one level and remained there, despite saying I love you after like 4 chapters or whatever. (That's an exaggeration.) It was dull, the chemistry wasn't there, and their interactions (ie, the entire book) were repetitive. Olivia was a decent character, but Max had no personality outside of being a Senator. Honestly. Yawn.
I think my MAIN issue, though, is with the pacing. The first 17 chapters of this 21 chapter book were all so flat, with no conflict, no risk, no stakes. With the nature of the male lead being a Senator and spending his weeks in DC and weekends home in LA where our heroine resides, you would think there would be so much room for development, plot, conflict. Wrong. Guillory barely writes any of the in between. Each chapter was just a new weekend, with the characters together. The first conflict we see between the characters exists in chapter 18. CHAPTER 18. OUT OF 21 CHAPTERS. So then there are two chapters where Olivia miraculously forgives Mr. Bland Whitey McWhiterson Privileged Senator after they both mope around for a few chapters? Give me a break.
I wanted so badly to like this. Like I said, the premise had such potential. However, the book itself read like (sorry) poorly written fanfiction with no real plot, development, or character journey.
sundeviljewels's review against another edition
4.0
With more desserts and graphic sex than her other books. I just love this series!!!! Thanks for my happy ending, Jasmine!!!
danielle67's review against another edition
3.0
My 2nd Jasmine Guillory and a solid 3 stars - I really enjoy her combo of a mix of sweet romance & lots of food!
sandrareilly513's review against another edition
4.0
Jasmine Guillory returns with another sweet-as-cake love story woven with timely real-world issues and a relatable, grounded realism. Olivia, whom readers will recognize as Alexa's sister from a few of Guillory's previous titles, is one-half of this Party of Two. She's just moved back to California, making her new home and jump-starting her own law firm in sunny L.A. While launching a brand-new law firm with one of her best friends is scary and exciting at the same time, it's a bit out of character for Olivia -- she prefers to think things through, weighing pros and cons, and possible backfires, before making decisions. So Olivia is ready to pour all of herself into this new venture, but wasn't expecting a handsome stranger who calls himself Max to pull her attention away... Max has his own career to keep him pulled in a variety of directions. As junior Senator Maxwell Stewart Powell III, a lot of expectations are set for him and he's driven to meet each and every one of them. When Olivia finds out Max is a senator, she doesn't quite know what to think. But once she realizes he's got the heart of Mr. Smith going to Washington, the brains of the finest lawyers she's known, and is just oozing charm, she falls -- hard. Max is the first guy to love her for exactly who she is, with confidence and without apology. But the limelight of his political position is enough to break even the most confident of people...
Thoughts: I love that Jasmine Guillory weaves social justice throughout all of her books. Readers are not only introduced to likable characters that we wish we actually knew in real life, but some of us are educated in social justice issues we may take for granted while others may relate to the realistic struggles her characters live through on a daily basis. Guillory's books aren't incredibly dramatic because the focus isn't necessarily on some major event. Instead, readers get to focus on and experience the realistic ups and downs of characters whose story could easily be taking place in real life. The only unrealistic part? All of the burgers, fries, cakes, and pies these two eat! Yeah, Olivia talks about her trips to the gym and we're treated to several inner monologues from her point-of-view declaring how built and good-looking Max is, but honestly, I'm jealous of how much cake and fried food they get to eat! Seriously though, this is another hit for Guillory and I'm looking forward to her next title!
Thoughts: I love that Jasmine Guillory weaves social justice throughout all of her books. Readers are not only introduced to likable characters that we wish we actually knew in real life, but some of us are educated in social justice issues we may take for granted while others may relate to the realistic struggles her characters live through on a daily basis. Guillory's books aren't incredibly dramatic because the focus isn't necessarily on some major event. Instead, readers get to focus on and experience the realistic ups and downs of characters whose story could easily be taking place in real life. The only unrealistic part? All of the burgers, fries, cakes, and pies these two eat! Yeah, Olivia talks about her trips to the gym and we're treated to several inner monologues from her point-of-view declaring how built and good-looking Max is, but honestly, I'm jealous of how much cake and fried food they get to eat! Seriously though, this is another hit for Guillory and I'm looking forward to her next title!
twin1213's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
moyarb's review against another edition
4.0
Even though I love The Wedding Date this is probably a close second favorite in the overall series. I realize the slow-burn romance I always expect when reading a romance novel doesn't really exist in this series. I'm still new to the genre, so I'm learning that not every romance has to be a slow burn, and that's okay. Since I went into this blind, I found it more enjoyable.
I found the pacing better compared to the previous entries. Nothing was too rushed, but nothing dragged on either. The ending was cute! Since the plot involves a famous person with a non-famous person; I knew there'd be more drama, and I enjoyed reading how they maneuvered through all the craziness. It's always nice to hear about the characters from the first book. I suppose the Monroe sisters will always have a chokehold on me.
I found the pacing better compared to the previous entries. Nothing was too rushed, but nothing dragged on either. The ending was cute! Since the plot involves a famous person with a non-famous person; I knew there'd be more drama, and I enjoyed reading how they maneuvered through all the craziness. It's always nice to hear about the characters from the first book. I suppose the Monroe sisters will always have a chokehold on me.
alliepeduto's review
3.0
This was a fun summer read! It was lighthearted but still managed to touch in some really important issues. As always, I loved the descriptions of food! I keep coming back for more in this series, and this was another great installment.
jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
4.0
I knew that I was going to enjoy this book when its first chapter opened with a debate about dessert between the two main characters. Like in [b:Royal Holiday|44300636|Royal Holiday (The Wedding Date, #4)|Jasmine Guillory|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561643052l/44300636._SY75_.jpg|68830500], the romance here is a little too easy to develop, but this allows for some interesting conflicts to bubble up later. I liked the focus on Olivia and Max's friendships as well as their blossoming romantic relationship; surely one of these characters will be featured in a future novel by Guillory. Upon finishing, I had a serious craving for a slice of three-layer cake!
nixbix_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a charming read! I loved Olivia & Max and how they came to understand each other's differences and how to make their relationship work. It was funny, it was sweet, and it made me smile. Thanks Jasmine Guillory for writing a fantastic series!