RJ is a powerful divorce attorney and anything but romantic. After a viral video, she somehow becomes a wedding officiant as well. Lear is a wedding planner at many of RJ’s weddings and they do not get along. At all. They both want to take charge and control everything. Neither of them is looking for a relationship, but maybe they can still have some fun?

I’ve been a big fan of Denise Williams since her first book. You can always be sure you’ll get lots of banter, plenty of steam, and fabulous friends. This may not be my favorite of hers because RJ was a little too icy for me at times and I had a hard time connecting with her. However, I still very much enjoyed this book.

Read this book for:
Friends with benefits
Dual perspective
Strong independent woman
Lots of banter

A favorite of this year for sure!
I love the FMC in this book, she is a force and to be reckoned with. I love everything she stands for. She is my ultimate girl crush.
I also love romance books set in the wedding season premise, there is so much love around the MCs and both really try to resist each other.
This book stands for something greater than courtship that leads to romance, it about finding your person that will take you for you. That is a message that I will never forget from this book.

RJ is a badass, take no prisoners attorney who happened to go viral after stumbling into officiating a celebrity’s impromptu wedding. Now she’s in high demand not only for her legal mind but her ability to wax poetic about love. The catch? RJ doesn’t believe in love all that much herself.

Enter Lear, cousin to Penny - the wedding planner RJ works closely with. After suffering a personal loss, he comes home to lick his wounds, taking a job assisting Penny while she’s on maternity leave.

The two have a terrible meet cute and an equally cringy second interaction. But forced to continue working together, the two eventually find their footing as well as a budding attraction to one another.


What I Liked:

* These characters. I loved the MCs separately, but I loved them together even more. I have a soft spot for broken heroes with a solid character arc 🙌🏻 & I felt like I got that here. This was my first book by Denise Williams and I felt like she wrote the confident yet scared (of love / committed relationships, etc.) MC’s really, really well.
* The gradual build from strangers to enemies to enemies with benefits to lovers. It felt subtle without any outrageous circumstances. Like the perfect build of realistic tension.
* The banter! These two really got off on the wrong foot and under each other’s skin. That paired with RJ’s sharp tongue lead to some top good bickering & banter.

What I Disliked:

* I know I said I liked the slow build, but.. there where times where the pacing felt excessively slow. I’d like to have seen the MC’s find their way to each other a little faster with a little more climatic HEA.

Thank you @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really hate it when publishers put cute rom com covers on non-rom com books. I was expecting light and funny, but this book was neither. Denise Williams is very good at what she does. Unfortunately, what she writes is not what I like to read. The tone is too tense and serious for me. The characters are unable to laugh at themselves. I’ve no doubt that other readers will enjoy this novel, but it’s not for me. DNF.

Loved this enemies to friends-with-benefits romp! RJ and Lear were such compelling main characters, RJ a strong, independent divorce attorney moonlighting as an officiant and RJ, a supremely down on his luck people-pleaser trying to start over without wrecking his cousin's wedding planning company. What I appreciated so much was how these two challenged each other and ended up being just what the other needed. Oh, and there was plenty of heat, too--and deliciously pun-filled dialogue!

I loved Denise Williams’ first two books, How to Fail at Flirting and The Fastest Way to Fall because Williams writes such smart, vibrant, and relatable characters. She also excels at writing snappy dialogue and at bringing the heat during those steamy scenes when her characters finally connect. I’m thrilled to report that Williams has another winner on her hands with her latest novel, Do You Take This Man.

The story follows RJ, an up and coming divorce attorney who also, oddly enough, officiates weddings in her spare time. When we meet RJ, she is running late for a wedding, and in her haste to get there, she accidentally crashes into a handsome stranger and ends up in a heap on the pavement. What could have been a meet-cute instead becomes a hostile encounter as RJ gives this guy a piece of her mind. Their conversation ends with him telling her she should smile more. Instead of murdering him like she would love to, she hurries to get to her wedding. Things take a turn for the awkward when it turns out this guy, whose name is Lear, is the cousin of the event planner RJ always works with and Lear is filling in for his cousin for the foreseeable future. So RJ finds herself stuck working with this “dude bro”, as she has dubbed him.

I love a good enemies to lovers romance and was totally on board with this story from the moment I knew RJ and Lear were going to have to work together so closely. The tension was pouring off them in those opening scenes so I knew I was in for one heck of a ride!

Burned by her ex, RJ has no interest at all in a romance for herself and instead buries herself in her work. I really loved RJ. She’s smart, independent, headstrong, and she knows what she wants and what she doesn’t. Well, at least she did before Lear came into her life. His presence shakes her up in ways she did not anticipate and really throws her off kilter to the point where she can’t decide what she wants from one moment to the next. It’s frustrating for Lear, but I just loved how realistic and messy RJ was in this situation. I was also tickled that RJ turns out to be the best friend of Britta from The Fastest Way to Fall and it was so much fun to watch RJ go to Britta for advice.

Like RJ, I’ll admit that I wanted to smack Lear upside the head the first couple of times he and RJ interact. He kept interrupting her, overstepping when it came to overseeing the wedding ceremony, and even tried to mansplain her at one point. RJ puts him in his place, and thankfully Lear is a man that learns from his mistakes so I quickly grew to like him, especially as we learn more about him and the heartbreaking circumstances that have led him to leave his life in L.A. and come all the way home to NC.

I very much enjoyed the progression of RJ and Lear’s relationship, both their working one and their personal one. There’s of course lots of cute and flirty banter and some sexy, steamy scenes, but what I especially loved about this relationship is how real it felt. RJ and Lear’s journey to that coveted happily ever after ending is a rocky one. They are both dealing with baggage from previous relationships, and RJ has such a tough outer shell, but it’s clear that underneath, she’s pretty vulnerable as well. It takes a lot of work to break down her walls and really get to know her, as Lear finds out. RJ thinks that she is hard to love, so I was thrilled that Lear seemed determined to try to prove her wrong.

Denise Williams just never disappoints. I love her dynamic characters and their relatable journeys, and Do You Take This Man is no exception. I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys enemies to lovers romances, headstrong female protagonists, witty banter, and sexy, steamy love scenes.

Denise Williams has quickly turned into an auto-buy author for me. Although I didn't fall in love with this story as much as I did some of her others, this was still very much an enjoyable read.

The chemistry between Lear and RJ was amazing and their competative natures and the banter that it created was so much fun. I didn't always enjoy the push and pull thing they had going on but I understood it and it was fitting to their personalities and their histories.

Over all this was a fun read but it would probably not be the first Denise Williams book I would recommend to new readers.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review

Thanks for the free book PRH International!

I am a huge fan of Denise Williams and I am very happy to say that her newest novel is just as good as her previous ones! I have said it before and I say it again that the way Williams writes makes you feel like you know the characters, and you cry with them, you laugh with them and you just want to go and hug them.

RJ is no-nonsense kind of woman who also happens to be a very good divorce attorney. Not only that but she also officiates weddings and that job brings her into contact with Lear. Lear has just moved back to Asheville, North Carolina, from California and works as a wedding planner with his cousin. RJ and Lear's first meeting doesn't go well at all but they continue meeting each other, both on the job and off. However, they both have things that really hurt them in their pasts - Lear's story especially is a really heartbreaking one - and it's easier to build walls around themselves than let the other person in...

I’m going to post a review on pub dates (heck, maybe even Monday) but I finished this book in basically…one day? Maybe a day and a half? It was such a fun read, one that really gets to the core of what it is like to be vulnerable and put yourself back out there again. I really enjoyed RJ as a main character, even though I wanted to be like “Girl, get a grip!” sometimes, which wasn’t always fair since we’re all working through our traumas. Lear started off a little rocky for me, but I grew to love him too and how he cared for RJ. It was a really great novel, and I’ll happily read anything that Denise Williams writes!

✨I have untook the man✨

This was just alright. I wasn’t ever really incensed, but I was perplexed and confused. I guess there were just so many choices in this book that left me simply asking…why?

✨

Why make Lear such a dude bro “you should smile more” type of frat boy? I mean really he was UNSAVORY to say the least at the beginning and I really want to understand but I just can’t. He immediately regretted the “smile” comment but what the fuck Richard? Why was that something he even thought to say? His backstory was actually very tragic and I was very touched when he revealed it…but it doesn’t translate to him reverting to blatant toxic masculinity as a defense mechanism??

I just thought it was a WILD way to introduce the hero. Especially as a contrast to R.J. who is such a strong and bad ass character. Dare I say she deserved better? Yes and no. I do think the book did a good job in changing my opinion of Lear (for the most part), but I’m not quite convinced I wanted them to end up together.

✨

Why start the book of banging and then just drop off? The book rather abruptly starts banging pretty early on, which was rather detrimental in my opinion. Obviously this is an enemies/friends with benefits situation so it needed to bang early (!) but it kinda set the tone for quickies than never held any emotional depth. Every sex scene was surface level, even if well written and hot.

There was a moment where I thought we were going to finally have an intimate bed scene, but then it faded to black so suddenly. The next full scene (with no fading) was HOT but it was a hard, rough, denying feelings scene. We never got the slow burn love scene after they realized their feelings. The sex scenes just function differently here than I would’ve liked.

In and out of bed, I never felt like the two even knew each other. There were like two deep moments between the two of them, but most of the book was them denying feelings and avoiding each other or getting a quick fuck and starting the cycle over again. I’ve realized that friends with bennies is just not for me. I’ll takes an eggs benny instead.

✨

Why reference the pandemic RANDOMLY for the FIRST TIME at 98% in the epilogue???? In what world was that necessary??? I sincerely hope that it was just an ARC flub and will taken out of the book because it was so odd. Random mentions of the pandemic are so off putting to me.

✨

The writing was great, it is Denise after all, but the plot just wasn’t there for me. I’ve been the head caterer at dozens of weddings and always enjoy reading about the wedding industry. The pressure is absolutely real!! I also really liked how they both held accountability at the end after the breakup. That doesn’t always happen and I was very happy to see it here.

The contrast of R.J. being a divorce lawyer and an officiant was quirky, but it got kind of muddled. There was a random bit at the end that was very abrupt regarding the overlap of her two jobs. The concept was fun but the execution was just a bit blah. Book one remains my favorite by the author, but I’m happy I gave this one a shot nonetheless.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶.25*/5

*I think this is technically a 3.5🌶 but none of the scenes hit me emotionally and none were particularly memorable.

Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

Williams (The Fastest Way to Fall, 2021) has crafted a fun enemies-to-lovers tale set in Asheville, North Carolina between a no-nonsense divorce attorney who moonlights as a wedding officiant and a wedding planner who used to be a pro-football events manager.

Full Review: Booklist, Sept 1 issue

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: death of family (past), cheating (past, non-MC relationship)

This book had such a smart premise. Two people burned by love, one a divorce attorney to boot, working to help people on what is one of the most romantic days of their lives, their wedding day.

For some reason I just could not connect with RJ and Lear's dynamic. I loved RJ's drive and her allergy to emotion. Lear unfortunately came off as mean and a bit of a mysogynist especially in their beginning interactions. A bit too much will they won't they and I kept waiting for more intimacy to build.

This one just didn't work for me but I think a lot had to do with personal preference.

Steam: 3.25

Very fun! I enjoyed this book a lot. I have been buying Denise Williams's books for my library and they have been circulating well. I will buy this one too!

Denise Williams returns with a sexy romance between an out-of-place wedding planner and a divorce lawyer slash officiant.

RJ was a hard-hitting divorce lawyer who gained viral popularity for officiating TV’s hottest couple during their unexpected wedding. Lear had just ended a relationship and was looking to start over. His cousin came to his rescue when she needed him to run her wedding planning business during her maternity leave. While the two got off on the wrong foot, they kept meeting at various weddings they were working, and couldn’t ignore the magnetic pull of the other. What started off as an “enemies with benefits” situation led to them becoming more open and finding happiness.

Do You Take This Man was a joy to read! RJ and Lear had both experienced betrayal from a trusted loved one, and it was easy to understand why they had their guards up. Like in all of Williams’ books, both characters complemented each other, and it was a joy to see all of the different weddings and the couples who were getting their Happily Ever Afters.

Teddy Hamilton and January LaVoy are absolute pros and I loved hearing their banter in my ear. There was a moment when I couldn’t tell if January was attempting to do an accent for a character, and if she was, it was unnecessary and surprising.

Do You Take This Man is the escape you’re looking for. Enjoy.

Included as a top pick in bimonthly September New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

Do You Take This Man by Denise Williams is another one of her sweet fun romances. We meet our heroine, RJ, who is a successful divorce attorney, and after conducting a well written marriage ceremony in the park, which had a video going viral, she has become the most wanted wedding officiant. When RJ rushes from her job to perform a ceremony, she collides with a man, with all her paperwork flying all over.

Lear, is an event planner, who is helping his cousin run the events. Even though he crashed into RJ, Lear doesn’t apologize and is abrasive; to his surprise, he notices the woman he bumped into is the wedding officiant. They both immediately do not like each other, with each being sarcastic; especially with Lear constantly interrupting RJ, telling her what he wants to do, and she is fuming, as she is in charge of the ceremony.

RJ is very good at her job, being a divorce lawyer, working with wealthy clients, even if she does not believe in love. Lear is also not interested in finding love, as he is still trying to get over a terrible breakup. They both clash a lot at first, and gradually things will change and they become frenemies with benefits. It was amazing to watch them slowly begin to feel the sexual tension between them, and their banter was also fun to watch; literally unable to keep their hands off each other. It was at times frustrating, as they continued to not allow themselves to fall hard for each other, only enjoying the sex.

Do You Take This Man was a romance novel with a enemies to lovers trope, that is a fast-paced, sexy story with lots of banter, emotions, and humor. I did enjoy and root for RJ and Lear, but early on they were both very toxic to each other, but it did change fast.

What follows is a wonderful, fun, emotional and sexy enemies to lover’s romance, with a couple that we weren’t sure they would fall in love. Do You Take This Man was a challenging, fun, engaging contemporary romance that was very well written by Denise Williams. I fully suggest if you enjoy pure romances, that you read this book.

Denise Williams can do no wrong.

Hot Takes
- One of my favorite things about Denise Williams books are that the rep is FANTASTIC and dare I say passive? These characters are diverse yet not necessarily dealing with the trauma that is usually depicted with diverse characters. Instead they are dealing with things that literally anyone could relate to and showing the world that not all BIPOC characters are a monolith.
- RJ is top tier main character energy. I love her. I love her career driven stance. I love her energy. I love her forward personality. I LOVE HER!!!!
- Lear is such a great main dude. He's the perfect mix of personality where he is tough and in charge yet the most sensitive and sweet dude. Which is my favorite kind of dude.
- If you miss Britta and Wes, fear not, they show up a ton and it's lovely!
- I'm going to bring it back to Denise Williams again, but let me tell you, she can write an adult feeling book. Yes, most romance comes with some sort of miscommunication or third act breakup situation, which this book does, BUT instead of it feeling juvenile and like these people are acting like teenagers, they still maintained a maturity that was so beautifully done.

Read If You Like
- Strong leading women that most men couldn't handle.
- Enemies turned enemies with benefits turned lovers

Honestly, Denise Williams does it again. And might just be getting better and better (although idk if anything can beat Britta and Wes for me!). RJ sure is going to try though. RJ, RJ, RJ. I love a career-focused women in romance. I love a hidden softie. I love a loyal b*tch*. And RJ is all of those things. Denise truly writes fully fleshed out, complex, SMART women and I love her for it.

"I'd learned young that people were rarely worth trusting, and baring your teeth was easier than baring your soul, only to be shown you weren't worth someone's time."

WHEW WHEW WHEW. RJ is it for me honestly.

Then you've got Lear. Who, despite trying to hard not to be a "nice guy" is SUPER SWEET. He is a dirty talking cinnamon roll and his backstory is quite frankly, devastating. And RJ and Lear truly felt enemies - they didn't like each other from the jump while LOVE IT YES. But when they went enemies to lovers???? then lovers to friends????? then to LOVEEEEE????? I was in it y'all. In it to win it.

Now Denise, I know that Cord and Pearl are next. And ma'am. I need that book in my hands TODAY.

My favorite part about Denise is that individualism of each book. None of her books feel the same - they are all different people, different problems, different tropes. But you know you will always get smart women, sweet men, and beautiful love stories.

this is actually my first denise williams romance and it was so fun! i had so much fun reading about rj and lear falling in love even if they didnt want to at the beginning. if you're looking for an enemies with benefits romance, you've found it｡･:*˚:✧｡

one thing that i know will annoy a few people is the hot/cold dynamic. it annoyed me quite a bit, but i think it works for them. still, im not going to deny that i wanted to shake them up and tell them to talk to each other!!! but i get it, i get it. their walls are way up high, they dont really trust each other even if you think they do. they have been hurt and don't want to go back to that place, so they protect themselves in the only way they can. STILL. i wanted them to talk, communicate, because there are a lot of hot and cold moments between them where they want to but then don't.

but the dynamic between them, the banter and the bickering and the competition aspect of their relationship is so cute. i laughed and had so much fun reading about them. the weddings and the cute locations they were at made this novel so enjoyable. whenever they texted or called each other, i was like swooning. YOU KNOW ME: i love a good soft, quiet moments where a text, a call, a finger graze between shoulder blades, makes for an epic love story.

Just the idea of a divorce attorney being a wedding officiant makes me giggle, talk about an unlikely match up but it works here. Even though RJ is far from a romantic she’s able to push her feelings aside and enjoy her time uniting couples. Her and Lear have the opposite of a meet cute and while RJ wants to strangle him she can’t fight their insane chemistry. So a rough start for these two but they quickly fall into a enemies with benefits situation and the steam is hot! Besides their obvious physical chemistry they have more in common than they think. Both are type A and super driven and watching them try and navigate their situationship was pretty entertaining. I actually liked RJ more than Lear in the end which is rare for me in a romance but her being so prickly made her endearing to me. Overall a really enjoyable read with a fun and sexy feel.