I knew this was going to be adorable and a lot of fun but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. I went into this expecting a cute romance but got so much more. It was sweet, steamy, and heartbreaking. So many incredible important conversations and their relationship felt so real. Even though like with most romances I wanted to yell at them to just TALK TO EACH OTHER I still loved this!

This is a rom-com for readers who love rom-coms. It’s also a rom-com for readers who don’t necessarily gravitate to rom-coms. Like moi.

It begins with a meet-cute to end all meet-cutes. Drew and Alexa get stuck in an elevator together, at the fabulous Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. She’s there to catch up with a friend, and he’s there to be a groomsman at his ex’s wedding to one of his friends. Trapped in the elevator with Alexa’s purse-full of snacks and time to kill, they have a much better time together than either of them ever expected. So when Drew asks Alexa to be his “fake date” for the weekend at the wedding he’s attending as penance, she agrees.

And tries desperately not to overthink it.

Their fake date turns into an entire weekend. And it turns out to be anything but fake, even if neither of them is willing to admit it. But as they live in nearly opposite ends of the state (she’s in Berkeley, he’s in LA) they both figure that it’s a one-time fling.

Until it turns into the next weekend, and the next, and the next. And Alexa starts needing to figure out what it really is – while Drew tries to avoid thinking about what it really is.

They both went into this thing believing that it was short-term at best. But as that string of weekends turns into a couple of months, Alexa realizes that she’s in a relationship she hadn’t planned on, while Drew believes that whatever they have has to end sooner or later, because he always ends his relationships before they reach the commitment stage.

This time, it’s too late. It always has been.

Escape Rating A: I loved this one. I say that and I don’t normally like rom-coms. But The Wedding Date just worked for me, and I couldn’t put it down.

One reason that rom-coms don’t normally work for me is that there is so often a misunderstandammit somewhere in the pages. That the crisis is usually wrapped around a big secret that could have been revealed in a simple conversation that never happens.

This time, it felt like all the things that Drew and Alexa weren’t saying, and the reasons that they weren’t saying them, were organic to their relationship and their personalities, and not forced by the need for a crisis. I think we’ve all been there, where we feel that we’re deeper into a relationship than the other person, and are scared to mess up a good thing by pushing for too much too soon. And that usually that instinct means that if we push, the good thing will be over before its time.

As this was a relationship that began with a short shelf life, Alexa’s hesitation is not surprising at all. And Drew is completely blindsided. He never lets himself stick around for anything to develop into a relationship, so he’s unwilling to see that this time it’s happened before he has a chance to back out.

Part of what makes this story so much fun is how likeable both of the characters are. Drew is a pediatric surgeon, so he’s a doctor who works with children. And he’s both cute and caring about it. But Alexa is the character who really shines. She’s the Chief of Staff for the Mayor of Berkeley, and her job is fascinating, adrenaline-inducing, all-encompassing, extremely professional and headache-producing all in one. She loves it and it consumes her life until Drew steps into it. At the same time, she does not stop working or stop being professional or stop loving her job because she’s in a relationship. She does what we all do, she juggles, and she does it well. With a little help from a marvelous coterie of friends.

Another thing that makes this story a bit different is that Alexa is black and Drew is white. She does a really deft job of opening Drew’s, and the reader’s, eyes to some of the issues she faces everyday while never breaking the flow of the story or lecturing either him or the reader. The way that she gets Drew to see his privilege while explaining a program that she is working on at her job works on multiple levels. That he gets it without getting offensive or defensive is part of his character’s charm. That we get it too is part of the author’s charm.

If you’re looking for a book that will make you smile and just plain brighten your day (or even week!) The Wedding Date is a real treat! It’s every bit as delicious as the doughnuts that Alexa is addicted to – without the calories.

Reviewer’s Notes: First, I almost find it impossible to believe that this is the author’s first novel. It is completely polished and utterly marvelous from beginning to end. Second, while I don’t normally have a visual in my head for characters in books I’m reading, every once in a while, I do. For some reason, I kept seeing Drew as Justin Trudeau. It worked for me.

*I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is my first true foray into the romance genre, and I couldn’t have picked a better novel. Guillory created a story that involves an interracial couple, consent, and plenty of food! Alexa was definitely my favorite character: smart, no-nonsense, and knows how to order doughnuts. Her relationship with Drew, her sister, and her friends seemed incredibly realistic, and I love that she was passionate about her job as a lawyer for the town’s mayor. Drew was likable as well, and very kind. However, I really liked him more through Alexa’s point of view instead of his own. This is a delightful read that is both cozy and powerful.

Meet while trapped in an elevator and she says 'yes' to his wild idea for her to be his fake wedding date. Sounded all sorts of light and fun in this interracial romance so I was up for trying a new to me author in Jasmine Guillory.

The Wedding Date started out cute and funny when it opens on Drew and Alexa's meeting in a San Francisco hotel. He's there for the dreaded wedding of his ex and his best friend (no, it wasn't a cheating thing- Drew was actually the bad guy who called it off with Molly) and Alexa is there to meet her sister on a visit from New York to do a deposition.

If this had only been a light romantic comedy of sorts, it would have been okay and nothing to write home about. It had some moments that made me smile and laugh, sigh, and squirm, tap my fingers with irritation, and then go all swoony like a good romance will do. Alexa and Drew hit it off and are suitably very attracted and do something about that, but they do have their miscommunication and assumption issues that try to sabotage the long-distance relationship they decide to give a try (he’s a pediatric surgeon from LA and she’s the Oakland Mayor’s Chief of Staff).
I had the urge to lock them in a closet and not let them out until they hashed it out. I spent the middle of the book in a slow grind at times as they did lots of mental monologuing about what they thought the other one was thinking. Sometimes it made sense for the situation and sometimes I felt it was just there to add drama. Truthfully, I could have used more convincing why this pair was even together the way Drew was so adamant in the beginning that he didn't do relationships and came over a bit cocky about his appeal.
But, the end picked back up with the fun of the early part. I didn't hate them and I thought they brought out the best in each other. And hey, they got up to lots of sexy times together.

But, here's what really pulled me in. It wasn't just a fluffy romcom. I loved the inclusion of the relationship between Alexa and her older successful sister, Olivia, who seems to always make Alexa feel inadequate. It is this that had Alexa so willing to take a chance on the mild mess that is Drew. I loved seeing these two trying to work out their sisterly troubles. And, I also enjoyed Alexa's friendship with fashion designer, Maddie, and Alexa's Mayor Office co-worker, Theo (I loved that Alexa worked in a big city Mayor's office- rather fascinating). These other connections added a nice layer to this story with their banter and also support. Might I say, a more appealing layer.

For those looking for romances featuring people of color, this definitely would qualify, but if you are looking for racial identity to be a strong feature of the piece, this would be just moderately so. It was good to see a heroine successful in her career and a hero not threatened by that. Alexa is a person I could like and root for.

All in all, I liked it. I thought the pacing was off in the middle and there was more miscommunication drama than I liked, but in the end, I liked these two together, the banter and humor, and really liked the heroine. Would be fun to see some of the side characters get a story.

While "The Wedding Date" capably handles the inherent challenges of both long-distance and interracial dating, it suffered from uneven characterization. I frankly had a hard time understanding why Alexa would be interested in Drew; he was charming but insubstantial. Alexa, meanwhile, was a vivid and interesting person with a fascinating career and a genuine ability to connect with others. I adored her and wanted to be friends with her. As a romance, however, it fell flat and lacked emotional intimacy.

As far as physical intimacy goes: apparently they liked sleeping together. It just seemed like the physical fervor didn't justify the emotional issues the two experience in the second half of the novel. That being said, if you can get past an unconvincing relationship, it's refreshing to read about a heroine who is self-aware, professional, and grounded.

In an effort to include some fun, feel-good reading in my list of Best Books to Read on Spring Break 2018, I stumbled upon The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory. Not only am I always excited to support debut authors, but I'm also making an effort to include more diversity in my author selections; The Wedding Date covers both.

While I primarily read literary fiction, plus a few mysteries and thrillers thrown in from time to time, I do enjoy a departure; I experience more than my share of broken characters, family dynamics and serious topics in my professional (and often personal) life, yet these are the stories I am drawn to most often.

What I love most about The Wedding Date is that, while it is certainly a witty, smart, funny and romantic story, it includes real world problems. When Alexa and Drew meet cute, at the very beginning, one might worry, as I did, that this could easily slide into predictable territory. To Guillory's credit, her reluctance to shy away from topics like the pitfalls of interracial relationships and body image issues prevents this slip; I am hopeful this will endear her to a larger audience.

"They were all wearing those barely there dresses - the kind that you couldn’t wear a bra with, the kind that Alexa always walked right by in the store - and their bodies looked perfect in them. She looked down at herself in the forgiving red and white polka-dot A-line dress she’d felt cute in before leaving Drew’s apartment and sighed."

Another aspect I appreciate is that Alexa and Drew are each struggling with very relatable issues - busy careers to maintain; complicated pasts; difficulty with communication - and they seem to cope with them in very relatable ways, like the consumption of In-and-Out Burgers and long runs.

"Carlos squeezed out three ketchup packets onto his hamburger wrapper and grabbed a handful of fries. Ugh, he always took all of the ketchup. Drew should have just gotten his own damn hamburgers and gotten drunk at home alone in peace."

Before I make this sound like it's all business, there is plenty of comedic relief and a few hold-your-breath romantic gestures. Additionally, I absolutely adore Alexa's personality and can relate to her desire to remain tough, even when she most wants to break down on the couch with ice cream and television.

The Wedding Date was unexpectedly delightful; I will certainly recommend this one to many friends and fellow readers who are looking for an entertaining, yet thoughtful, romantic escape.

I’m a total sucker for the stuck in an elevator situation and add that to fake relationship…you had me at hello. I really enjoyed this one. I liked Alexa and Drew together. From the beginning I could tell they would have issues with the distance and just general things of how a relationship can transition from just sex to more. I liked the added layer with the interracial relationship. It wasn’t just a thing, it was discussed. I can see Alexa pointing out things that I would say in that kind of relationship which made it more real to me. I liked Alexa’s relationship with her sister and how she worked to fix it. I also liked Drew working on his issues. I thought he was crazy to be in a wedding for his ex until I realized his actions. I really loved Alexa and Drew as a a couple. The resolution to the story was very satisfying to me. Overall I liked this one and would recommend it.

Jasmine Guillory’s debut novel was an interesting and fun story. Original and refreshing, I sincerely enjoyed reading this interracial tale that had some laugh-out-loud moments as well as some hot as hell sex scenes.

From the time Alexa and Drew stepped into the elevator until the time the stepped out of it for the last time, I smiled. Drew was an interesting man with a very interesting past. He was funny and fascinating, had a sense of humor and totally against commitment. When Alexa falls into his life, things start to change. He finds himself changing his schedule, flying to Berkeley just to spend time with this witty woman. But, one party, a couple of ex-hook-ups and a few stories later, he finds himself alone and missing the one woman who may have finally stolen his heart. Granted, he was up front with her but now, he’s wondering just what he’s going to do without her.

Alexa doesn’t have time for relationships. There’s a project close to her heart that she just has to see through to the end. There’s a sister that she has to apologize to. But, being a fake girlfriend for a night sounds like it could be a lot of fun and she is definitely up for that. She can’t deny the chemistry between her and Drew but doesn’t have her hopes up that it can be anything but a little fun. A few week-ends together, lots of texts and she falls and falls hard. Until the party. Her three months are up and the end is near, she just knows it. There is no way that she could handle that so she’ll take matters into her own hands.

So, what’s a romantic comedy without a little bit of drama? Without a little bit of heart-break? Without two people who know that they belong together but circumstances and misunderstandings keep them apart?

Jasmine Guillory did a wonderful job of integrating Alexa and Drew into my heart. I enjoyed their time together and was really rooting for them to find a way back to each other. I wasn’t disappointed at all. A flowing story, fun, stimulating supporting characters and two people who really belonged together. I was really impressed that this is a debut novel. It really was well written and had a fresh storyline. I loved that it was interracial, that Alexa was a plus-sized woman and none of it mattered to Drew … it was her and all her that he fell in love with. Well done Ms. Guillory.

I was lucky enough to get an advanced reader copy of The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory and I cannot wait for y’all to read it. It’s swoony throughout and so well written. I was so in love with the protagonists and even though we all know how romance novels end, the journey with The Wedding Date was just so god damn delightful. It’s in bookstores January 2018 and no one told me to say that. I just know we all need good news to look forward to.

There is meet-cute and then there is meet-adorable. What happens when Alexa Monroe and Drew Nichols meet in the first scene of The Wedding Date is meet-adorable+++++. Theirs is the story of what happens when by-chance becomes even-more. This book simply enchanted me. I loved these characters who bonded over and appreciated good food (they had me at cheese and crackers). But that they also developed a sixth sense for each other and how they operated in the world is illustrated fabulously throughout the story.
Every moment spent in Alexa Monroe’s head and heart are pitch-perfect. I loved every single thing about her. Her POV was what made me love this book all the more. Not just because her experiences were different from my own, but because of the commonalities – Alexa is all of us – with internal dialogues, running on caffeine, sugar and fumes, biting her tongue and turning the charm on people who really should just know better.
No two ways about it, as sweet and adorable as Dr. Nichols was, he had some bro-tendencies when it came to relationships and commitment(s), which had me fighting the urge to reach through my device and give him a smack upside the head. But it was never necessary, as the author lets us see that his struggle with his history is no match for how he truly feels about Alexa. I loved watching this man not only fall, but fall hard for someone who is so truly perfect for him.
There’s kissing in this book and lots of it. There’s also snuggling and hugging, which leads to lots of sex, and while it Is not shared in explicit detail, what we see lends itself perfectly to this couple, their story and their brilliant chemistry.
The Wedding Date’s supporting cast is very strong, with each being intriguing and deserving of their own stories. The bit players are also done very well – they bring a dose of real world into this story that keeps everything well grounded.
Bottom line is that this book left its mark on me. My mind is straying to the many moments that made me smile and for some odd reason I find myself wanting donuts. Let this book find its way onto your TBR and into your heart. Happy reading.
Laurie’s Rating: 5 STARS

When I randomly picked this book up a few days ago, I seriously didn't expect to love it as much as I did!

First and foremost, Alexa and Drew are a dream! Right from the first page and their first encounter, I was HOOKED. And the beauty of this being a fast-paced read, is that we get plenty of Alexa and Drew's adventures. Their "fun get-togethers" may be a bit hindered by their long distance commute, but damn it if the temperature doesn't heat up when they're in the same room!

Drew was such a charmer and Alexa was such a headstrong woman, seeing them together made me feel all of the feels. From their flirty moments and banter to their sweet, heartfelt ones, I ate it all up and I still couldn't get enough! I'm not surprised at how I felt when this was over; I wanted this to keep going!

My eyes could not be pulled from the words on the page, the flow of the writing just didn't allow me to, honestly. While there were some parts where I just wanted our main characters to simply communicate, I could still feel that genuine feeling that Alexa kept having given the circumstances. However, this story made up for it all with its ability to make me laugh, swoon, and have me completely enamored and engrossed with it all!

Overall, this story left me feeling so content and I'm also glad it brought forth some issues such as race, body image and creepy men who just don't know such things as a filter. And maybe because of this, I loved these characters so much more. Ugh, can we just get more of Alexa and Drew soon please?

Sometimes I like reading light and fluffy chick lit.

Like most chick lit books this one was a fast and easy read. I did enjoy it but I found there was little humour and found both Drew and Alexa immature for their ages.

I am giving this 3 out of 5.

This book was well-written and entertaining. I would have never guessed that this was a debut novel. I was charmed from the first page and fell more in love Alexa and Drew with each turn of a new one.

The story flowed seamlessly and without any over the top drama or conflict in order to make it interesting. The progression of Drew and Alexa’s relationship felt authentic and natural.

I’m extremely happy that both main characters were career-driven and individually independent, successful and happy. It’s refreshing that neither of them were battling past traumas or carrying a ton of bad relationship baggage.

Alexa was spunky and confident while still showing signs of insecurity and doubt. Drew leaned on the cocky side but was still just a really great guy when you got down to it. I think they really brought out the best in each other, even though they didn’t always communicate in the most efficient ways.

This story is one of those stories that really made an impression on me, but in a subtle way that probably won’t leave me dwelling on it for a long time but that will have me picking up a physical copy for my shelf and picking up another time to read.

This was a very solid debut for Jasmine G. As a woman of color I’m LOVING the diversity in this story and the wonderful array of characters. It’s very hard to get diversity in mainstream romance and this book gives me hope. Anyway, enough with the public service announcement. This was a funny, romantic and cute story. Drew and Alexa were a cute couple. They had hot chemistry in and out the bedroom. As expected there was a little drama mainly due to miscommunication. This is the kind of book you read on a rainy day ( I did) or after a heavy, emotional read. The writing was good,the story flowed, the plot held my attention. I will be checking out more books from this author in the future.

2 STARS!

I came across The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory while searching through titles on NetGalley. The cover stood out to me immediately and once I read the blurb, I was completely intrigued. This book was buzz worthy and I wanted to read it!! Halfway through the book I loved Alexa and Drew's dynamic. How they meet and everything that was occurring within the pages of their story... Then it went downhill. At least for me. Their overall behavior, happy one moment and then fighting the next, Alexa's constant insecurities and attitude-it all caused a rift not only in their already fragile relationship, but in the initial connection I first felt for the two main characters. It was a push and pull type relationship, a constant back and forth that ultimately gave me whiplash. The Wedding Date truly has potential, but it was hard for me to fall in love with the rest of their love story.

When Alexa and Drew end up stuck in an elevator together, they quickly hit it off, and Drew ends up asking Alexa to be his fake girlfriend at his exes wedding. She agrees, and sparks fly. 

Despite living in different cities, Alexa and Drew continue to see each other. Even though Drew made it clear that he "doesn't do relationships", this feels different. He can't stop thinking about Alexa, and likewise, she can't stop thinking about him either. As feelings grow, Drew and Alexa will have to figure out if true love is worth risking everything for. 

The premise of this book sounded really cute (albeit predictable), and that's exactly what I got from reading the book! It read like a romantic comedy movie, which I really enjoyed. Alexa was smart and sassy, which I loved, and Drew was charming and funny. She was also black, and Drew was white, so there were discussions surrounding race and how Alexa grew up differently being a black woman than Drew did, being a white man, and I loved that the author addressed these conversations and topics, even though the book is a romantic comedy. 

The book is certainly predictable, as most romantic comedy/chick lit books are, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment of it. It had me laughing out loud in parts, and rolling my eyes in others. One of my pet peeves is when books write in drama/fights because of a lack of communication, and that happened in this book. I wanted to shake the characters and tell them to just talk to each other instead of assuming, but of course books need those points of tension to move the plot forward, but I felt like it could have been done in a different way to be less cliche. 

All in all, I thought the book was cute and light, and if you're looking for a quick read that isn't too heavy, this is a great choice! The Wedding Date comes out on 1/30/18, so be sure to pick up your copy! I'd like to thank Netgalley, Berkley publishing, and Jasmine Guillory for an advanced copy of the book. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review.

Two professionals fake a relationship for a wedding in this cute, if formulaic, romance. Time to review The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory.

Drew and Alexa are two attractive and successful professionals stuck in an elevator. When Drew asks Alexa to attend a wedding as his faux girlfriend, their lives change forever. These two characters are engaging and funny, particularly when they are flirting with each other. However, Alexa is by far the more engaging of the two. She deals with interesting personal and professional issues on top of the romance, creating an authentic and captivating character.

While this book is cute, it’s also formulaic and angst-filled. Alexa and Drew’s drama felt contrived at times. It would have been far more interesting to see these two characters deal with the drama of long distance dating than how to define their relationship.

tl;dr A cute romance with a captivating female protagonist and angst-filled drama.