Second chance at happily ever after...
Sarah had clear career goal and just couple months in Chicago won't derail her plan until she faced Max Brandt. He was the one she couldn't forget but never thought she would see him in Chicago. But she didn't think nothing of it until she saw him again at his boss's friends wedding.
Max never thought he would see Sarah, one that got away. He would do anything to keep her again until she showed up at the wedding as his best friend's date. He can't believe Sarah was with his best friend. He is seeing red and when he actually finds out there is nothing between Sarah and Sean. He wants to spend time with her and get to know her again just like 8 years ago.
Sarah was happy to see Max and reconnect with him. She was sure he would be the guy who would take her V card and move on. She was so excited to go with plan until Max denied her again for the second time.
Max and Sarah had enough history together to know Sarah was a virgin and he didn't want to be the person for her until he finds out Sarah will date anyone. So he decided to do the deed after 4 dates.
Max was pulling all the stops for those 4 dates and it seemed perfect until her plans gets derailed. Everything is not simple as they thought it would be. Sarah is feelings more and Max is a commitment phobe.
Sarah won't give up her dream job for a guy again and she is not sure if she could continue with Max. Will they get their second chance again?
Story moves quickly and their chemistry is off the chart. I can't wait to read about his sister and his best friend. It is great summer read if you are into second chances.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebook Casablanca for ARC in exchange for honest review.

That was unexpectedly great. I loved Sarah and Max and their whole story. They had perfect chemistry and it was one of those books I didn’t want to stop reading. I found I enjoyed this book a lot more than book one and it left me needing book 3. Definitely a book I would recommend. So happy I finally read it! In truth I have become addicted to this series.

Sarah needs help with a little something before her new job and moves to NYC. Who better to call up with that then her college crush Max. When Max is asked to help Sarah relieve herself of her virginity he initially declines even though he is attracted and has always been attracted to her. Max just felt that he was never good enough for the girl next door Sarah. When he realizes that by declining Sarah, she will have to ask someone else, he can't stand the idea of another man touch her, so he agrees. Four dates turn into more and Max's commitment issues are put to the test when Sarah gets offered the opportunity of a lifetime. Their story is hilarious and hot at the same time, get ready for the words to melt off your kindle/paper!

I loved this boom. Sarah and Max knew each other in college. They both had feeling for each other but they went separate ways after college and never really acted on this feelings.

Sarah and Max run into each other years later and wow the fun begins. Max is a lady’s man and Sarah is just as sweet as she was in college but now she knows what she wants and that’s Max.

This is a sweet story with a dual POV, great supporting characters and sexy scenes. I can’t wait for the rest of this series.

I received an advanced copy for an honest review.

It starts with one of those unique to romance novel set ups -- used to be best friends, meet again at a wedding, she's still a virgin, he decides he'll help her with her "problem." I honestly think this book would have been just fine without the "still a virgin" hook and some of the talk surrounding that problem didn't fit the character, but I still really enjoyed this book. Once that issue was not the central focus anymore, it turned into a really sweet romance novel and I just enjoyed it. The male character was better written than the heroine whose character seemed a little contradictory at times. It was a good read and I'd recommend it for those who enjoy a romance with a happy ending.
Not as great as the first book I felt. but a good addition to the series.

What’s it About? Sarah’s killing some time in Chicago while waiting for her promotion in New York and decides she wants to lose her virginity and she has someone in mind to help her, Max Brandt, playboy extraordinaire. Meanwhile Max thinks he’s no good for Sarah, he turned her down once but this time it might not be possible. He’s the fun time guy, not the forever guy that Sarah deserves but since Sarah is only proposing a little fun, Max thinks they’ll both be safe from falling in love.


Overall reaction to the story? I liked The Wedding Date Bargain for the most part. Sarah and Max had a lot of chemistry and some history that lead to a pretty sexy fling-turned-into-more romance. Mira Lyn Kelly does really great work when it comes to sex and angst in her characters and this book is no exception.



I loved the heat and history between Max and Sarah, they're both amiable characters that are easy to get along with but both are carrying around the memories of broken hearts and failed relationships.



The problem I had with it, and it’s kind of a biggie for me, was Max’s behavior in the last quarter or so of the book. He and Sarah have been sleeping together for a bit, but wouldn’t you know it those pesky things called feelings are starting to pop up for him and definitely for her since she’s been crazy about him since college. Well, instead of treating Sarah as an adult with her own mind, Max does this really annoying thing where he basically tells her how she’s feeling. How he just knows she can’t be in love with him, and the degree that he does it was a big no-no for me. Dude, you just stick to explaining or denying your own feelings and don’t go around acting like you know better how Sarah should feel okay?


Max isn’t totally to blame though because Sarah’s lack of assertiveness in their relationship was annoying and did contribute to the conflict in a way that just frustrated me. She knew how she felt and she knew what she wanted but when Max pushed her away she didn’t push back and fight for a chance at a real relationship.


And I’m not gonna lie, I’m not really crazy about virgins in contemporary romance. Whether they be male or female, I just can’t buy it. Sarah’s hang-up about her virginity got to me too.



Click It or Skip It? Click It. The Wedding Date Bargain isn’t as good as its predecessor but it’s still worth a read.

Very much enjoyed this story. Love how the author gives vast back story to her characters.

Review has been posted on Goodreads and retailers.

When Sarah runs into the one man she's lusted after for years will he agree to solve a problem of hers? With reluctance Max agrees to help her but may get more than he bargained for.

A first time like no other and a friendship that proves you can't plan whom you fall in love with.

A sweet romance that is perfect for summer beach reading.

I always enjoy a second chance romance and I enjoyed this one but found myself getting a bit frustrated at the end which slowed this one down.

I really liked Max and Sarah and thought they had a lot of chemistry together. I was all in when it came to these two getting a second chance – something they missed out on when Sarah was in college and Max needed to walk away and make a life for himself and be the man that someone like Sarah deserved. It was fun watching Max get all crazy over Sarah – even though he thought he was doing the right thing by staying away, he couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else near her. Sarah was so great – she might have been a bit too wrapped up in losing her virginity (is that really an inconvenience?), and she maybe still carrying some scars around from her broken engagement, but she’s strong and determined. I loved that she was career-driven but also was willing to consider love as well. And the series of dates was just awesome – loved the romance and sweetness…and then the heat these two ultimately brought!

Where the book went a bit off for me was the way Max would just assume the things that Sarah wanted, needed, or felt. I totally agreed with his decision when Sarah was in college and get that he had a bit of a heartbreak, but he also admitted that Sarah was the one that got away, so it felt a bit off that he couldn’t get his act together sooner with her. But I also was a bit peeved at Sarah for not laying it all out for Max about her decision and the whys behind it – I really felt that her not being more assertive with Max was a bit out of character for her so it really surprised me.

All in all this was a good read. I do enjoy the group of friends in this series and will definitely be checking out the next book (can’t wait – this next pair seems to be all sorts of trouble!). There are a lot of fun scenes and I already mentioned how wonderful the romance of the dates were, so there was definitely a lot to like in this one.

Loved this book and loved Mira Lyn Kelly! I can hardly wait to read her next book!

This was so much better than the first book. The characters are more fleshed out and I didn't feel like it was constantly repeating itself.

Max wanted to punch his best friend Sean in the face but the church was not the place to do it. Normally all the bull Sean spewed to the press and females didn’t bother Max. Max was a cop and his partner C J was getting married. Max was a follow the rules kind of guy but Sean had brought the one person that Max has problems following the rules around - Sarah Cole. One week ago Sarah had almost slept with Max now she was here with Sean who Max didn’t know was Sarah’s boss. Max loved Sean like a brother but no girl he cared about was getting in with Sean. Max has the reputation of being a player but he was getting tired of different women all the time. Sarah hadn’t really dated anyone in eleven months and that had been a flop and he was a butt of major proportions Sarah thrived on the challenges of her career. The last person Sarah had involved with was Corey who was a butt and and she had been engaged to that was four years ago. Eight years ago Sarah and Max had become unexpected friends. Sarah had thought about Max a lot and wished she had made a different choice. Sarah’s smile had hit Max like a freight train all those years ago and he worked to get that smile as often as he could. Sarah had also loved Max’s smile. Piper was Sarah’s best friend and they had known each other since first grade. Sarah had a mission to get rid of her virginity. Max used to walk Sarah home after the library closed. But eventually Max let Sarah go because there was things Sarah wanted that she would not have been able to have with Max. But here Sarah was again and he wasn’t going to let her go as quickly this time. But Sarah knew Max wouldn’t be helping her out with her mission as he had the chance eight years ago and turned her down.
This was a good read. I loved how Max was very protective of Sarah even if it was even if it was the best thing for her. I loved Sarah and Max together they were just right. I didn’t want to put this down once I started it. I loved Sarah and Piper’s friendship. I liked the closeness of Max and his fellow cops. I
liked the plot a lot. This drag at times for me. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I recommend.

Mira Lyn Kelly writes sweet and sexy romances featuring real people living their lives and looking for love. The Best Men series – now re-titled as the Wedding Date series – is a planned set of four standalone books with best friends Jase, Max, Sean and Brody as their heroes. Jase got his happy ever after with Emily in May the Best Man Win (one of my favorite reads of 2016) and this time around it’s Max’s turn in The Wedding Date Bargain. While this latest story doesn’t quite live up to the first one, it’s still a very enjoyable and sexy romance and a solid addition to the series.

Max Brandt and Sarah Cole once shared a close friendship at college in Chicago. Meeting Max one night in the library as part of the campus Safewalk program, they’d hit it off and found good reasons to spend time together. But their friendship never progressed beyond wishful thinking for something more. Sarah was clear that she was looking for love and long term commitment and Max was equally steadfast in looking for no commitment at all. One night, one rejected advance (when Max turned Sarah down) was all it took to break apart the status quo and leave their friendship in the dust.

Several years later, both have moved on and have only bittersweet memories of their past friendship. Max is a cop and has maintained close ties with his college friends who in turn have become buddies with his co-workers. At his partner CJ’s bachelor party, a bar night out turns up an unexpected surprise – Sarah is back in Chicago, on a two month work stop before heading for her final job destination in New York. Even more surprising is that she’s working for his friend Sean at Wyse hotels, and shows up at CJ’s wedding a week later as Sean’s plus one.

Max can’t believe Sarah is back in his orbit again, or that she’s working for his long-time friend. Rekindling their friendship comes naturally, but it also brings back all those unrequited feelings. Sarah confesses to Max that she never did find the right guy to be that special someone, and she’s still a virgin. This time when she asks for help to ‘get the deed done’, he can’t say no. They are older and wiser, and besides, she’s only going to be in town for two months. If they are both on the same page, they can have a sexy fling with an end date and put their friendship back to rights. But once they’ve reconnected, and added sex into the mix, will they really be able to say goodbye to each other for a second time?

Max wins the award for being the most committed ‘anti-commitment’ hero I’ve ever read! He is determined to stick to his guns, even when he can tell that his feelings for Sarah are changing, both in the past at college, and again now in the present. He has strong reasons for his opinions about marriage, stemming from the poor example he got from his parents and the damage they caused him emotionally as a child. He’s close to his younger sister, Molly, but one night stands are more his style after his last attempt at a relationship fell apart. His stubborn belief that Sarah can do better than him is frustrating for her (and somewhat for the reader as well!) and almost costs him the chance at his happy ending.

Sarah is a bright, caring young woman who has become a workaholic as a way to deal with her lack of a personal life. The job she’s heading for in New York is a dream come true for her, and the stop in Chicago is meant to be a vacation of sorts, even while she fills in at the hotel there. It’s also a chance to visit with her best friend, Piper – who can’t believe that ‘Safewalk Stud’ is back in the picture! Her virginity feels a bit like a millstone around her neck and despite being rejected by Max the first time, she can promise him that this time there are no strings attached. She’s not looking for love any more, and has no expectations other than having a good time. Max’s agreement to help her deal with her ‘problem’ comes with conditions – three dates first to ‘warm her up’, followed by a fourth to do the deed. The sexual chemistry between them is unmistakable and Sarah is definitely ready by the time they get to date four. For a modern ‘deflowering’ scene, this is probably one of the best I’ve read, and in no time at all they are happily sexing things up on a regular basis, all the while the clock is counting down to her start date in NYC. Emotions run high on both sides as they try not to show each other what they’re really feeling and ruin it all, but it comes at a cost.

The beginning of the story is a bit confusing, as there are a lot of characters introduced in a short time. Max’s circle of friends is pretty big, plus his sister Molly is an important part of his life. Since Sarah work’s for Max’s friend Sean and is spending time with Max on a regular basis, they become her friends too. There are accounts of several social functions that are fun to read with lots of laughs and teasing, the kinds of scenes that are heartwarming and show the depth of friendship between the characters. For me, those kinds of relationships are equally as important as the one between the main characters and are a big reason why I read series romances. The ones here are particularly good.

The title of this novel doesn’t really reflect the plot, but that aside, I like how the story progresses, the glimpses we see of Max and Sarah in the past and how they get to their happy ending (Max’s stubbornness notwithstanding). The Wedding Date Bargain is a fun and sexy friends-to-lovers romance and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

This review has been featured at All About Romance and feedback updated with the link.

Sarah Cole is in Chicago for a short spell. She's working at a temporary job before she moves to New York where her dream job will finally come to fruition. While in Chicago she runs into Max, our hero at a wedding.

Max and Sarah had a special relationship in college, but when it was time to take it to the next level or commitment wise they had a difference of opinion and expectations. Each went their own way with unresolved issues, hurt and baggage.

When at the wedding they find the attraction is as strong as ever and that their feelings haven't gone away but were just as intense as in college. Recently Sarah has been mulling over a problem that needs a resolution and comes to the conclusion that Max can help. Sarah is still a virgin and would like Max to help her take care of that little issue.

Max has some reservations on helping Sarah, telling her she's deserving of someone special and it shouldn't be taken so casually. Max doesn't believe he's good enough for Sarah and that was also his short coming in college and also why he walked away from their relationship (without ever sharing that with Sarah). But the two renew their friendship but realize that there is so much more under the surface. Their attraction and feelings are too strong to fight any longer so Max concedes to Sarah's request. They try and put on a facade that's it casual and no commitment or future, but things become too heated and emotions too intense. Sarah struggles with the realization that she's loves Max and always had, but fears what will happen as she is headed to New York. Max, still struggling with his issues of not being good enough and Sarah moving to New York. He's at a loss, trying to figure out what he should or shouldn't do.

I loved these two characters. Both had such depth and growth as their relationship evolved and past hurts and misunderstands began to surface. Handled in a mostly mature manner, but I did find Max's issue a little overplayed but understandable to an extent. Sarah, I loved her, she was sweet, caring but independent and wanting to not give up on her dreams. The secondary characters where just as likable as well their contribution to the story. The friendships and family, as well as future aspirations of work made this a realistic and enjoyable read.

Well written and good pacing. Both points of views as well as not an overplay in dialogue. Very enjoyable read.

This is the first book by Mira Lyn Kelly I have read.  I have to say it was a smashing success.  

In this book Max is a successful policeman, who secretly pines for a girl from the past.  He can't have a relationship because of the one who got away.  Then you have Sarah.  She is a successful career woman, whom still has her virginity.  She is on her way to the top in her career and is transferring to the New York office for the next step.  She stops off in her home town of Chicago working for the summer at another location till her position is New York is ready.  While she is out one night to let loose and try to fulfill her goal of letting loose and losing her virginity status, she bumps into Max.  Max is shocked and instantly recognizes her as "his Sarah" .  So Sarah begs him to help with her problem.  Max knows he shouldn't, because it isn't just one night.  He strikes a deal with her to have a summer fling and then split with no hard feelings.  Can Max and Sarah survive the deal?  Or will it end in heartache for them both?  

I really enjoyed this book.  The characters were well constructed.  Max is a gorgeous man, who is so stubborn when it comes to doing the right thing with Sarah, making a complete mess of things.  Sarah is a sweet girl, who has relationship issues from Cory an ex-fiance. Mira had a wonderful plot for this book.  She captivates you with her characters, drawing you into their world.  She leaves you wanting to know the next person's story.  There was definitely another book opening left at the end.  I hope I don't have to wait to long for the next one.  Until next time........

The Wedding Date Bargain
Mira Lyn Kelly
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Such a cute and flirty story. I really enjoyed reading this one. Couldn't stop thinking to myself how completely stupid men can be when it comes to relationships and love.
Sarah and Max met in college but were just friends due to Max's stupidity. Then as they run into each other years later Sarah wants Max to be the one to take her virginity. Who in the world waits till 28 to give that up? Lol!
Sarah is only in Chicago for a couple months and then is making a giant move to NYC for work.
So they decide to have a whirlwind romance while she is in town. But instead of admitting their feelings for each other, they push each other away and try to be "just friends".
This was a good sweet romance with a couple of funny scenes to make you laugh.
She leaves you hanging wanting to read the next book in this series. Can't wait to read more about Sean and Molly.
Thanks NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

In the hands of the very skilled Mira Lyn Kelly, not one but two perennial romance clichés—the “one that got away” and “losing one’s virginity”—are combined into a delightfully frothy, occasionally serious, summer confection. The second book in Kelly’s Wedding Date series reacquaints the reader with a tight group of Chicago-based friends, with a wedding and romance (egged on by interfering, all-too-knowledgeable friends) as the backdrop.

Once upon a time, the “Safewalk stud” aka Max Brandt walked Sarah Cole, a lovely dark-haired young co-ed, back to her dorm from the library. They became friends, and perhaps a little more, until the night that a kiss turned passionate and Sarah begged Max to be her first lover. Tempted though he was, Max turned her down, thinking such a momentous decision should be undertaken with at least of semblance of loving feelings on each side. And he didn’t love her.

Fast forward to Chicago eight years later. Sarah’s been engaged—that didn’t work out so well since her “I-respect-you-too-much-to-sleep-with-you” beau was all about playing around with other gals. Max too has come close to getting hitched but it didn’t work out. He’s very popular with the ladies but lately even that’s been losing its appeal.

He had a reputation for being something of a player, but the truth was, the game was getting old. He dug women. Got off on finding out how many different ways he could make them moan. But this dance he’d been doing—keeping the conversation going for the sake of a connection deep enough to enhance the sex, while making sure he stayed well shy of anything that smacked of more than one night? Lately he’d started to feel like he was going through the motions. Like maybe he’d rather skip the dance all together.

Sarah Cole may have put her romantic urges on the down low since graduating from college, but her business smarts, tenacity, and ambition have made her a young executive rocketing through the ranks. She moves in with her childhood friend Piper for a two-month stint in Chicago, marking time until she finally lands in the Big Apple to take on the position of a lifetime. Maybe now’s the time to rid herself of her increasingly pesky virginity. Piper is all in, keeping a vigil for likely candidates.

“Is this an intervention?” Sarah Cole asked her oldest friend and roommate of less than two hours, peering down at her lemon-drop martini before surveying the popular bar surrounding them. “I thought we were celebrating the start of my vacation and move back to Chicago, not forcing me to take a hard look at the blatant shortcomings of my life.”

There’s no time like the present: Piper looks on approvingly at the off-duty cops partying up a storm at a raucous stag event. But of course, “of all the gin joints,” who should be among the crowd but Max Brandt?

She knew that voice.

Even eight years later, her heart skipped a beat and her skin started to tingle at the sound. No. There was no way it was him. It couldn’t be. Sure, these were cops and this was Chicago—but still, what were the odds?

Slowly turning in her seat, she felt the air leak from her lungs as her gaze tripped over a set of powerfully broad shoulders and the tall, muscular frame supporting them; stumbled up to the solid, squared-off jaw and not quite straight nose she’d once run the tip of her finger down; and then finally landed on that mouth, currently set in the same off-kilter grin that had played peekaboo in her dreams for years after they’d said goodbye.

None of this works if Max hasn’t been haunted by memories of Sarah too. He notices all the little changes about her. Where eight years ago she would have playfully swatted his arm during the Safewalk stud banter, now not so much: “But this Sarah hadn’t touched him once. Not a hug, handshake, or physical contact of any kind. Which was weird, because women were always touching him.” For Max, Sarah is not just any girl. He can’t lie to himself. She was never, never had been, “just another girl in the crowd.” Max is slammed back to the last time he saw Sarah.

When he’d finally gotten a taste of the temptation that had been slowly driving him out of his mind since the day he met her. When he’d done the hardest thing he’d ever had to do and said goodbye.

It had been the right thing. There had been things she wanted for herself, things she deserved, that she wouldn’t have been able to have with him. But now after all these years, here she was again, and he wasn’t ready to let her go so quickly.

Two former more-than-just-friends together in the same city equal all the conditions in place for a summer fling. Max is achingly romantic as he gently, inexorably turns up the heat on his dates with Sarah. There is an air of spontaneous combustion as two old friends enjoy some sensational benefits. But at the end of the summer, will Max lose Sarah to her dream job? Has Sarah found the one man who will wrench her heart away from the balance sheet and her compensation package? Sink into The Wedding Date Bargain and savor Max and Sarah’s journey.

Kelly gives her readers a cute read with Sarah and Max. She makes a strong case for bad timing with these two. A little maturity and a strong supporting cast round out this HEA. The Wedding Date Bargain is worth your time.

I liked Max from an earlier book by Ms. Kelly and was eager to read his story. I like the basic premise - the one who slipped away in college is back - but felt the book took too long to play out their story. It dragged a bit in the middle for me.