When I was approved for this book on NetGalley, I was absolutely thrilled! Believe it or not, this is my first Jasmine Guillory book and I LOVED IT. I didn't feel like I was missing any details from the other books that came before this, but I am not more excited to read those books too! Can't wait to see this book be published in July!

I LOVE Jasmine Guillory's books. If you are looking for a wonderful, socially engaged romance, look no further! While all of Guillory's books are a delight, While We Were Dating, kicks it up a notch and hits all of my favorite romantic elements. Anna and Ben hooked me immediately and quickly became one of my favorite couples in Guillory's series (tied with Theo and Maddie from The Wedding Party!). While We Were Dating, like all of Guillory's novels, centers around two unique and complex characters. Anna is a Hollywood starlet recovering from a mental health crisis while trying to secure her place as a leading lady amidst a chorus of nay sayers doubting her main stream appeal (ie. her skin tone and body type). Ben is a marketer at a local advertising firm hired to work with Anna on a new cell phone campaign. From the moment they meet, to the end of the novel, Anna and Ben's chemistry sizzles on the page as they go from crushing on one another, to having a secret fling, to being in a public (albeit fake) relationship. While We Were Dating is a thoughtfully engaged romance novel that provides a nuanced depiction of what it means to deal with anxiety and depression as a part of everyday relationships, while celebrating many of the tropes romance readers love!

This is the 6th book in this series and like the first 5 books, this is a fun, sweet, palate cleanser. Each book features a couple/couple to be with guest appearances by others in previous books. I like that the author loosely ties these books together but they do not need to be read in order nor do any have to be read before reading the latest book.

These books feature characters doing all kinds of different things/jobs and I've enjoyed learning more about some of those things. Also, since the characters are African American, I've learned a lot about that culture (I'm white) and I see many stereotypes that I've heard about before that I now realize are just that, stereotypes. It's refreshing to see people of a different culture portrayed with the same kinds of problems that we all have.

This book was fun, interesting (characters came from completely different worlds) and brought back two of my favorite characters from a prior book. All the books in this series are formulaic but that is what makes them so good and successful. They are all about strong women, women wanting a successful career and wanting to love and be loved and not lose themselves in the process. I don't know if there are more coming in this series but I will definitely read every one that this author writes.

Another good story from this author. I’m really enjoying the series set within this group of friends and family. The characters are well developed, passionate, and funny!

This book was fine, but not the caliber I have come to expect from this author. The character development and plot just weren’t there for me. It was not a waste of time to read, but I would recommend her earlier books instead of this one.

Jasmine Guillory’s books are all in the same universe and it felt wonderful to visit it again. Ben and Anna’s story is sweet and fun and endearing. I loved learning about these characters and their journeys. And some of your favorites from past books show up, including a surprise cameo towards the end! This book was just what I needed during the long quarantine. Highly recommended!

Jasmine Guillory delivers another charming and thoughtful romance! I'm not usually drawn to romances featuring celebrities, but I loved the way we got to know Anna as a human behind closed doors along with Ben rather than seeing her actress persona first. The way they got to know each other as friendly colleagues seemed very real to me. And Ben! Ben surprised me by becoming my favorite Jasmine Guillory hero yet. He is a model of kindness and consideration in a clearly very smooth-talking and attractive package. I loved watching them fall in love!

Jasmine Guillory does it again! I thought her last book was my favorite, but this was has taken its place. Her books just keep getting better and better; she's hands down one of my top authors.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first time reading a book by Jasmine Guillory and I was NOT disappointed! From the very real conversations about anxiety to the romance, everything about this book was perfect. This is one of those adult romances that will leaving you feeling all nice and warm (and just a little bit lonely) at the end. I will 100% be picking up Guillory's other books after reading this one!

Hands down my favorite Jasmine book, and I've loved them all. She's always been at the top of her game, but with this book I really feel like she's hitting her stride fully and just WRITING THE HELL OUT OF THIS GENRE. I genuinely adored this one. Technically, this is the 6th book in the Wedding Date series, but they absolutely can be read as standalones. Ben and Anna's story is the feel-good read that will be perfect for the beach season we all desperately need this year. It has Notting Hill vibes and I'm totally here for it because I am a sucker for celebrity+normal person romances, and I LOVE when the celebrity is the lead heroine. Ben is very good with family drama, and Anna--who has hired him for an ad campaign--recruits him to help with her OWN family issues; through this, he sees a bit more of what goes into the Hollywood exterior. To help them both (he doesn't do relationships, she doesn't have time for one) they decide to *SAY IT WITH ME Y'ALL* FAKE DATE *SCREAMS IN ROMANCE HAPPINESS* and it is delightful. Their chemistry is amazing and I love the focus Jasmine puts on her characters' careers. I'm really excited for this one to be out, it's destined to be a HIT. Good job, woman!! I am so happy for and for us romance fangirls. xo, Lo

Many romances feel like they're constructed out of paper dolls: there only to perform the emotional somersaults the plot demands. This is so very not one of those. The characters feel whole, even as we watch them grow through the story. They develop and learn, and change throughout the story. Which is also, of course, extremely sexy. Guillory writes complex characters into an enjoyable adventure of love, family, and oh, yeah, love. Highly recommend.

Another gem from Jasmine Guillory that won't disappoint. Fans of the series, or newcomers, will find this delightful and charming. I appreciated the running thread about therapy and mental health. Overall, a funny fake-dating story!

Jasmine Guillory does it again!! So thankful to have discovered her work. This book is amazing - I'm just sad for this "universe" of characters to be ending!

Disclaimer: I was given an arc of this book in exchange for media review. This will be reviewed on Pop-Culturalist.com!

Ben Stephens has never had a serious relationship and Anna Gardiner is trying to book her next movie. This book is Book #6 in The Wedding Date series and it’s a hilarious rom-com but in book form. I won’t go into any spoilers but this is perfect to curl up and read on a rainy day !

Loved this one! Jasmine Guillory never lets me down, and this book was the perfect balm to all the chaos in the world. We have two characters who struggle with sharing personal information and trust who meet at a pivotal point in both of their careers. I loved Anna and Ben and their growth as a couple. Highly recommended!

Ahhh!! This was so good!! I love a book with a plus sized lead. She was so wonderful and I wanted to be her friend. Also, the real talk about mental health. I couldn't put it down.

I love to return back Guillory’s sweet-swoon-soft- cuddling-pampering-dreamy universe! I mostly enjoyed entire books of the series!

This book is also an easy read makes you feel good, puts a big smile on your face with its lovely characters, high chemistry, smart banters, pretending relationship premise!

Ben Stephens ( if you read previous books you may also know Theo! Yes, Ben is his brother and he likes to consult with his brother about every aspect of his life) is our hero whose main focus is climbing the ladders of advertising universe, working hard, dealing with family drama ( a letter from a sister who never met! ), preferring casual one night stands! But when a client appears at their meeting unannounced and specifically demands to work with him, he may easily change his life decisions. Especially that client is hot, smart, successful, beautiful Hollywood star Anna Gardiner.

Anna uses this ad campaign as a distraction from hearing of her next movie project she is dying to work in. This time she’s so adamant to win this golden statue! But she finally realizes the biggest distraction is the charming guy she’s working with ( actually very same guy she’s shamelessly flirting with! )

When Ben helps Anna with her family emergency, he learns more about her past. He finally realizes she’s suffering from her own anxiety issues behind her shiny Hollywood star image she’s created.

They also agree to start with pretending relationship to solve both of their problems but you know the drill: a fake relationship never has a chance to survive at the romance universe! It’s doomed to fail and friendships always turn into intense love stories. So you may guess his their little game will result, won’t you?

I enjoyed both of the characters and I had great time to read their entertaining, heartwarming love stories! Ms. Guillory’s books guaranteed to warm your heart, make you smile throughout your whole week! This is one of the great feel good reads you have to save for your rainy days!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

The dialogue in this one felt a bit more authentic, less forced, than the examples in the previous books in the series. As a result, the whole thing was more endearing.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC!

If you've liked Jasmine's past books, Ben and Anna's story (fake dating crossed with Notting Hill but in California) will probably hit the spot! I liked these two, even though they were often boneheads about their feelings. Also, remember when people went to parties?!?!?!

Ben (brother of Theo) Stephens is trying to make a name for himself at his ad agency, when he gets the chance to pitch a campaign for the beautiful and talented actress Anna Gardiner. Surprisingly, she shows up to the meeting, and the two hit it off. As they grow closer working together, there are undeniable sparks. But Ben doesn’t do relationships, and Anna is concentrating on her career. Unless they could help each other out by pretending to date. With an agreed-upon expiration for their fake relationship.

Jasmine Guillory has done it again. Ben and Anna have great chemistry, whether they’re bantering or doing something hotter. She does a good job of not making her characters choose between love or career. And it’s always nice to see returning people from previous books.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.