Alexa is getting married, and her two best friends, Maddie and Theo, couldn’t be happier for her. Even though they both know they will be in the wedding, unfortunately that doesn’t change the fact that they despise each other. Maddie sees Theo as a pretentious know-it-all show-off, and Theo sees Maddie as a superficial, fashion-obsessed princess. Alexa knows her friends aren’t fond of each other, but so long as they both swallow their pride and show up for her, she believes it will all work out.

After an engagement party one night, though, Maddie and Theo accidentally take their relationship to the next level. Amazingly, their drunken escapades are super hot and satisfying to each of them, and now they’re both…confused. Telling Alexa what happened is out of the question, so they decide to figure it out themselves. No way they’ll hook up again (right?), but since it was all pretty fantastic, at the very least they will need to reevaluate what they think of each other and decide how to stay chill and handle their awkward relationship until the wedding is officially over.

MY REVIEW
I’ve only read one other book by Jasmine Guillory, The Proposal, and it was just an okay read in my opinion. I started The Wedding Party with an open mind and a “just have fun” attitude, and I had a more positive experience. The book is light and fluffy, nothing too serious, and with just the right amount of steam. It’s almost completely centered on the sexual tension between Maddie and Theo, but I really loved the moments when Guillory explores issues of gender and race—for example, when Maddie talks about her job as a stylist and how difficult it can be to style women of color in a way that is true to their personalities without being “too much!” for a whitewashed business world. It was interesting to hear Maddie’s perspective.

One thing did drive me a little crazy about the book. It made no sense to me why Maddie and Theo couldn’t just tell Alexa about their relationship. I get that the secrecy adds tension to the story and makes it more tortured (and therefore more emotional). But it wasn’t necessary or really even believable, and I had a hard time getting past it. The book is still fun and engaging, but this odd dynamic made the story seem contrived and, eek, kinda lazy.

In short, you might have to suspend belief a bit while reading The Wedding Party. It’s still entertaining, just not up to the five-star standard.

The Wedding Party has a little bit of everything you could want as a romance reader. It has some great banter, chemistry, a unique slow burn, and the added bonus of returning favourites. The Wedding Date series continues to charm with this next installment while showcasing why Jasmine is a must read romance author.

The relationship between Maddie and Theo is a fascinating one. It isn't a slow burn sexually but it is in every other way. They begin sleeping together which leads to them feeling more tolerable towards each other which eventually leads to something more. This felt so natural to who the characters are. Their sexual compatibility clicks before everything else does and that slow burns makes every other element feel more earned.

There is a touch of Pride and Prejudice in this one. Both Maddie and Theo can be stubborn, proud people. They also both have very set opinions about the other without taking the chance of getting to know each other first. Snap decisions are made and those prejudices will not be easily changed. Each made judgements based on the other person's job, style, and perceptions and reacted based on those opinions. Seeing those opinions shift and grow as the relationship progresses was the heart of the novel for me.

Cameos in companion novels are always my favourite but it is even better when some of your favourite characters have a larger supporting role in a subsequent book. As the synopsis reveals the novel is leading up to Alexa's wedding to Drew (the couple from The Wedding Date) and Alexa is a significant part of the story. Seeing all of these characters was comforting and familiar. It made easing back into this world feel effortless and provided the most satisfying payoff for readers who have loved and followed the series. Past events are shown from a new perspective which created a dynamic that can only be enjoyed by someone who has read all the books. It feels like a secret the author is sharing with the fans of this series.

The Wedding Party works as both a fun romance read and a wonderful goodbye to these characters. It is like a wonderful thank you to the readers who have devoured all three books. It was a delight to read and I cannot wait to experience whatever Jasmine Guillory writes next.

A delightful third book from Jasmine Guillory! Loved the characters and their story of falling in love.

Great summer read - Contemporary and interesting! I would recommend it for light entertainment. The whole theme of nemesis turned lover theme is a great troupe. A lot of my patrons are looking for good vacation reads and I have been recommending this book for them.

In typically Jasmine Guillory fashion she knocked it out of the park! The romance was sweet and sexy between Theo and Maddie and had great moments of comedy. Often the trope of enemies to lovers can get a little dull, but I think The Wedding Party does it right. Additionally Guillory is an author I continue to love for her representation of black women as romantic leads, but also her amazing portrayals of friendships. It is safe to I'm beyond excited for The Royal Holiday to come out this winter!

This is less of an “enemies to lovers” book and much more in the vein of “modern Darcy and Elizabeth if their relationship jumped straight to sleeping together after the ‘not handsome enough to tempt me’ gaffe.” It wasn’t my favorite in the series (that’s probably the first book), but it was fine and a fun read. While Maddie and Theo aren’t my favorite characters, they are still complex and nuanced. I think I didn’t click with either character’s “outside” persona, but I did really love their “inside” personas—just being quiet, hanging out together on the couch.
Guillory plays with a lot of tropes very successfully, including the “secret romance” trope. In particular, I was really pleased with how the secret romance resolves itself, though I won’t spoil it.

You cannot put down this book once you have started reading! The chemistry between the two main characters is palpable and I loved the fact that they both now what they want. Yes, both of them are too proud to admit their feelings, but they behave appropriately after deciding that they can only be friends and they do not make a scene whenever they see each other after that.

In addition, I liked Maddie and Theo so much. They are strong, independent, and sassy characters, and I must admit that Theo not being the typical bad boy from contemporary romances really gave this book a kick. I mean, the first night they sleep together? That scene was too hot and funny!

Even though I enjoyed reading this book (the dialogues are simply hilarious, I warned yoy), I do not think this romance is particulary original or unforgettable. This is a steamy, yet sweet book that I am sure many people will like, especially if the enemies-to-lovers trope is their weakness, as it is my case.

I started this book and felt like I missed something -- then after getting about one-third in, I looked it up and saw that it is third in a series. I decided to put it aside to read if I get a chance to read the previous books, but without them, I couldn't continue.

Jasmine Guillory does it again. This book is heart felt with wonderful characters. Maddie and Theo have one thing in common: their best friend, Alexa. They fell in hate at first sight and have avoided each other ever since. But when forces bring them together and their chemistry is irresistible, they succumb to fate. Maddie and Theo decide that if they're going to do this, no one can know about it, and it has to be over before their best friend's wedding. Will they stick to their deadline and rules?

A really fun and cute romance novel, that was so hard to put down. I never wanted the story to end and really enjoyed the characters and the adventures in their lives! I hope to see more of them in other upcoming novels in the Wedding Date series!

I really liked the love story and how it developed, but when I had first learned about this book I thought it would have more of the wedding and events leading up to it. There were scenes of wedding preparations happening but they felt a bit rushed.
Keeping that aside, I still enjoyed her book and her characters and their addiction to coffee 😍😍I also loved the fact that both the protagonists were separate individuals, with each having their own professional storylines along with the love story.

I really enjoyed this one by Jasmine Guillory. At times it felt like she was trying too hard to add in other characters from her other books but for the most part it flowed very well. Can't wait to read her next one!

Maddie and Theo's best friend Alexa is getting married. They're both asked to be in the wedding party, but the only problem is that they can't stand each other. Until one night they make a mistake and spend the night together.
I love this series. I love all of the character because they are such fun, vibrant people. I love how each story brings back the characters from previous books without being overwhelming or changing the characters personalities. Maddie and Theo's story was great. I love how their personalities are so different yet work so well together. I love a good enemies to lovers story and I think that having to hide their "not a relationship-relationship" added a lot to the story.

Dear Jasmine,



After reading and enjoying your first two novels, The Wedding Date and The Proposal, and hearing you speak at ALA last summer, I was excited to revisit those characters in your third novel, The Wedding Party, but also get to know new characters in this fictional universe. I wouldn't consider your books a series (would you?), but I do love seeing the characters pop up in the other novels. It's so much fun. This book features Maddie and Theo, the two best friends of Alexa, the heroine of The Wedding Date, but I admit, I didn't remember much about either one. Thankfully, your reminders helped me remember without feeling like you were re-telling key scenes from The Wedding Date. And I fell so in love with both of them, but especially Maddie, that I might even go back and re-read The Wedding Date knowing what I know now.



I'm a reader who doesn't read many romance novels (perhaps I just haven't found the right ones?), but I love your romance novels. Your characters feel like real people, and I loved that the narration in The Wedding Party allows the reader to go inside the minds of both Maddie and Theo. Even though I presume a happy ending involving the two main characters falling in love in your books, I always enjoy the journey. It takes a great storyteller to write a book that's entertaining and fun and suspenseful when you already know guess the ending. I also think each book has been better than the last one. I know you wanted to write Maddie's story second, but I'm glad it worked out this way because I think this novel is even better. As I read, I laughed (out loud and in public), I teared up (more than once in public), and then I read the last 10% through tears streaming down my face (thankfully on my couch where I was happy to let you make me a blubbering mess). I love the way you tell stories, but your characters are what I love most. They feel like real people, and I love that the characters recur in your books in ways that feel organic. Even though I knew it was coming, I actually squealed (out loud) when Nik appeared. And she stole the first scene she was in, not necessarily because of anything in this book, but because of how much I loved her in The Proposal. I hope we see more of her in the future, and I dream of her two best friends each getting their own turn as a main character in future novels. While I'm over here dreaming up ideas of novels I don't even know if you plan to write, I'm so glad I don't have to wait long for your next novel. Royal Holiday, featuring Maddie's mom Vivian. Vivian shines in her scenes in The Wedding Party, and it will be wonderful to see her get a turn for some romance (out October 1st.) Tempting as it may be to read it the day it comes out, I might wait until Thanksgiving to stay in the holiday spirit. But perhaps when it's not the hottest part of July, when Christmas and winter seem so very far away, October will feel close enough to the holidays. Until then, I'll keep following your journey on Instagram, where I love to see what you're writing, baking, where you're traveling, and how many hundreds of days of yoga in a row you've done.



Love,

Carrie (nomadreader)

When I received The Wedding Party in the mail I actually squealed. This series is one of my favorites and I was so excited to get this in my hands. And as soon as I started it, I didn't want to stop until I finished the book!
Theo and Maddie are best friends with Alexa but they hate each other. But after one night where they made a huge mistake, they come to an agreement... They can keep this going until the wedding and then that's it. But one thing they don't account for is falling for each other.
This was wonderful! My second favorite after The Wedding Date. And it's because the characters made it that way. Theo and Maddie were hilarious both together and apart. And then with the introduction of the other characters like Maddie's mom (which is the main character of Royal Holiday!!!) and knowing more about Alexa's sister, I loved it. As a character driven reader I really loved this. I laughed at their ridiculousness and I was upset at some of the dumb things they did. I was surprised at how emotionally invested I got to these characters.
Guillory has a gift of writing. Just like in The Wedding Date, I got lost in The Wedding Party. So lost I didn't take notes. I normally read and take down notes as I find them in the book, but for this one I was so lost in reading that I didn't even write anything down. I just wanted to get lost in the pages. I don't know the last time I did this.
As for the romance, I wanted just a little more from it. They spent most of their time in each other's beds and although it's labeled as an enemies to lovers romance, it didn't seem like that at all. We don't really see them as enemies at all. Just "saying" that they hate each other, not showing that they actually do. But even still, Guillory's writing style still made me love this book. As for their banter and flirting, I LOVED it. It was hilarious. And the way they hid everything from everyone was cute and made me think of them as teens lol They were the cutest.
This was a really quick read that I really enjoyed. Jasmine Guillory has done it again! And seeing that she has another book coming out this year makes me so excited! I can't wait to see what else is coming from her.

I thought that The Wedding Party might be Jasmine Guillory's best yet. The romance was fabulous, the characters were interesting (and passionate about their careers and friendships), they made me crave pizza (team Theo for roasted garlic on pizza). They struggled with communication and revealing their feelings, but the scenes where they had to confront their emotions and the final chapters were perfection. I love a couple in romance that you can genuinely root for, and Maddie and Theo were one of those that seemed right from the start.

Jasmine Guillory does it again! I absolutely love “the wedding” series and cannot get enough of them. In this installment, we focus on Alexa’s two best friends – Maddie and Theo.

If you recall from book one, Maddie and Theo meet and immediately dislike each other. Maddie found Theo pretentious, rude and boring, and Theo thought Maddie was a b*tch. However, The Wedding Party picks up with the duo sleeping together after a booze filled night. Spoiler alert: they have crazy chemistry.

Can it be love? Or is it just a fling? Pick this one up to find out! I love that in each book Guillory branches out to a different part of Alexa and Drew’s lives, the couple who was the original focus in The Wedding Date. I truly enjoyed being in the throws of Alexa’s wedding planning. It brought me back to the frenzy surrounding my own big day – while I loved every minute of it, I am certainly glad those days are behind me. Guillory does an amazing job making her books fun, flirty and accessible. I often find myself wanting to hang out with the characters; I know I’d hit it off with them!

If you enjoyed the The Wedding Date and The Proposal, I don’t think this one will disappoint. If you haven’t, pick up all three today and breeze through them this summer!

Verdict: Read it! Now! (4/5 stars)
Length: 320 pages
When: You loved The Wedding Date and The Proposal, and are in the mood for the next one!
Quote: “It’s always complicated. The Complications don’t matter.”
Also Read: The Wedding Date (B2C review) and The Proposal (B2C review)

Maddie and Theo are Alexa’s best friends, but hate each other. As the wedding of their best friend approaches, the BFFs must work together to help Alexa have the wedding of their dreams. Things keep getting in the way, however, it turns out they are attracted to one another and can’t keep their hands to themselves!

The Wedding Party seriously has it all - everything I like in a book! Romance is my favorite genre. Enemies to lovers is a favorite trope. Secondary characters getting their own story is the icing on the cake!

The dialogue is snappy and sassy. The characters are developed and readers can become invested in their story. While it isn’t necessary that you read the other books in the series (this is book #3), it really enhanced the experience if you do.

I am a big fan of Jasmine Guillory and can’t wait to read more by her.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of this novel.
Release date: July 16, 2019

I was pretty eager to read THE WEDDING PARTY after really enjoying THE PROPOSAL. As I discussed recently, I haven't read THE WEDDING DATE yet and I'm not 100% sure I will go back and read it. When I requested THE PROPOSAL, I didn't realize it was a companion or that these books were a series. (You know how I am about reading companion series in order!) I didn't feel lost or anything when reading it so I thought I'd be good to go for THE WEDDING PARTY.

I enjoyed this one quite a bit! Theo and Maddie had such perfect "opposites attract" chemistry and I loved seeing the different sides of their personalities. It was fun to notice, from the very beginning before they even spoke to each other, what they DID have in common and how their relationship might work. Theo is a bookish, "boring" in Maddie's eyes, guy working in politics, while Maddie is a fiery and fashionable stylist who runs her own business. Their first meeting in the book is when she gets dragged to Theo's birthday party and they - very unexpectedly - hook up afterwards... and a few other times over the next year or so.

I liked most of this story. They were VERY back-and-forth in their feelings, where they would realize they cared more about the other person than they were "allowed" to admit under their friends-with-benefits rules, and then tried to force the feelings back down. Because the two of them were having the exact same thoughts/feelings on everything, it got repetitive to read the same things in each person's chapters.

On the subject of time passing and the companion series easter eggs/crossover - I do, in hindsight, wish I read the first book in this series now that I've read this one. Alexa and Drew are prominently featured and their relationship struggles (?) are heavily referenced throughout. It confused me a little bit because were parts of this book happening simultaneous to the other ones? Some parts seemed to be, since there were a few time jumps in the early chapters. I just wished I read the first book and felt a little lost at times.

Overall, I enjoyed this installment a lot! The back-and-forth of the two of them recognizing (or ignoring) their feelings for each other really didn't bother me until about the 60% mark because I just felt like the black moment needed to happen sooner rather than later. I loved the ending and thought it was pretty great.

It was the toothpaste smeared around the sink that broke my marriage. As I rubbed it away AGAIN, I was reminded of everything else I’ve put up with these twenty-five years. My husband’s obsession with his pension, his ability to charm me into every single one of his ideas, never being taken on a romantic date, let alone ravished on the patio (like the woman who lives next door)… small things, but the realisation was huge.

Just when Lucy Jones thinks her marriage is about to screech to a halt over toothpaste, her husband, Leo, announces he wants to move to tumbledown (clapped-out) Rose Cottage, and Lucy knows she’ll be the one managing the renovations.

Then along comes gorgeous builder Will, ten years younger and the only person actually listening to Lucy. His twinkly eyes and blowtorch smile are causing Lucy to break out in a hot sweat – but is it love, lust or simply dodgy hormones that are causing her heart to flutter?

Lucy loves her husband, but everyone knows that little things build up. And then they explode. Can Lucy keep it together, or will there be one last straw she might not be able to get over?

A laugh-out-loud romp with an ending that will make you gasp! Perfect for fans of Tracy Bloom, Sophie Kinsella and Dawn French.