Fake dating, but make it sapphic and Black, and also reality TV.

I am having a bit of reality TV romance fatigue (Rosaline Palmer, Charm Offensive, Love & Other Disasters, etc - interestingly enough, all of these books are queer) so I think a lot of how I felt about this one is more "wrong time for me" than "wrong book in general." That being said, I just didn't like this one that much.

The whole conceit is that Kris and D'Vaughn are on a reality TV show where they get randomly paired up and have to plan a wedding while convincing their family and loved ones that they are actually in love and getting married for real. I found the premised and rules of the show confusing from the start, and by the time I wrapped my head around the general gist of them, I just thought it was mean spirited. It seems like the point of the show is to lie to the people who love you the most about the most intimate, important details about your happiness, which really didn't sit right with me.

As far at the romance went, everything seemed a touch too contrived (even taking into account that it is a dating show). The pacing of the romance kept knocking me off guard. I had a hard time keeping track of the emotional obstacles thorough and in the end, like on real reality TV, I just didn't really believe they were in love.

I love reading sapphic Black romance (there simply is not enough of it!!) but this one just didn't work for me, but if you're a reality TV junkie, you might want to give this one a try!

Thanks NetGalley and Carina Adores for this ARC.

CW: coming out, weight loss

If you’re looking for a quick, breezy romance novel that will leave you believing in true love, then D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding is absolutely for you. You won’t shed a tear while reading it, unless you count happy tears, but you will end up content.

What I loved most about this book is the cast of characters. Both main characters are Black lesbians, which isn’t very easy to encounter in the published world, still. What’s even better, though, we’re introduced not only to them, but to their families too (and quite a few more LGBT characters while we’re at it). This allows for some beautiful portrayals of family dynamics, and even more specifically Black family dynamics.

The whole premise of the novel is a fake engagement stunt, but frankly the fake part falls away pretty quickly. Which isn’t to say that’s a bad thing: it’s very clear that’s how things were supposed to be progressing & that the quickly blooming love was the real idea behind D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding.

That’s simultaneously the main problem I personally have with this book, though. I prefer my romance with a side of angst, with some broken hearts before they can get mended. The ladies here communicate too well for any of that to happen. They’re very adult about the whole thing, and incredibly in love with each other, so it’s basically 95% fluff. To each their own, of course.

Some day a few hundred pages of two ladies being completely enamoured with each other is exactly what you want to read, and for those days D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding will be a true gift.

Harlequin|Carina Adores,
Thank You for the opportunity to read this eARC novel.

D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

You have six weeks to plan your dream wedding, but your entire relationship is fake!
D'Vaughn and Kris plan to do it!

Kris' dream is to be an influencer and she is right there.
And being on a reality TV show Instant I Do could be just the thing to give her the boost she needs to expand her brand.
Not bad either when you have a chance to win $100,000.

D'Vaughn wants to be her true self but she hasn't come out to her mom.
What could be a better way to do it? A fake wedding!

These two have to persuade everyone that they are getting married in six weeks.
But if anyone guesses they are being real, they are out!
Their chemistry on camera comes very easily and the chemistry is still there off camera.
Easy peasy right!
As the days turn into weeks this competition gets a little harder, and the money isn't the only thing on the line.
Will this fake wedding sink before if even begins?

Mini Review:
Fake Wedding! Yes Please!

Oh this was such a well-crafted delightful read.
With compelling, lovable characters that I cared about within the very first chapters.
The two main characters had relatable struggles and issues which I appreciated.
Higgins writing is rich and the story is very well-constructed.
I never lost interest.
This was just a really well written story.
That drew me in instantly and held me captivated till the amazing ending!

Thank You again Publisher, NetGalley and Higgins for the amazing chance to read this story!

Thank you Netgally and Carina Adores for an arc, here is my honest review.

5 stars

D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding is everything I need in a romance book, black lesbians falling in love. The chemistry between D’Vaughn and Kris never felt forced, and unlike most romance books, the miscommunication trope wasn't used. I recommend this to anyone who loves romance but is looking for diversity.