2.5 stars. This book had fun and entertaining moments, was well written, and I liked the Italy setting. However, I did not like that Gemma was still with her bofriend but fake dating Ben at the wedding and was kissing him... but she has a real boyfriend??? It didn't really make sense why she would need a fake boyfriend if she has a real one? (I couldn't get over it) Gemma is treated terribly by her family and she lets them bully her and walk all over her which really infuriates me. Also, Ben is kind of a jerk and isn't very nice.

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Fake Dating
Workplace Romance
Destination Romance
Slow Burn

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exhcange for my honest review!

The Wedding Date Disaster by Kate Mathieson is a fun and fast-paced romantic comedy full of awkward moments and unexpected twists. Gemma Evans’ world is turned upside down when she’s passed over for a promotion in favor of her office nemesis, Ben McDonald. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s forced to attend a family wedding in Italy without a date. Determined not to go alone, she arranges a blind date, only to find out it’s none other than Ben himself. What follows is a delightful mix of comedic tension, misunderstandings, and undeniable chemistry. Mathieson delivers a charming story about facing your fears, handling life’s curveballs, and maybe even finding love where you least expect it. Perfect for readers who enjoy humor-filled romances with a dash of rivalry.

✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Fake Dating
✨ He Falls First
✨ Family Drama
✨ Love Triangle (with permission? kinda?)

This one was cute, there were a ton of HP references, which is super weird given it's 2025 and I'm not really into the love triangle thing, but other than that it was a cute. enemies to lovers, workplace romance set at a wedding in another country. If the HP references were removed I would 100% buy a physical copy.

Can a certified people pleaser find confidence and true happiness at an over-the-top destination wedding with her sworn enemy? 💐

3.5 ⭐️ This one was a bit of a conundrum for me, because I’m not a big fan of enemies to lovers when everyone is just downright mean, but I liked it when all was said and done. You have to read well over 60% of the book for our FMC, Gemma, to give a literal single inch to our MMC, Ben, which was way too far into the book in my opinion. I didn’t find Gemma all that likable given she was a total doormat (never my fave) and treated Ben terribly when he was nothing but nice to her. I also think the wedding and nasty stepsister/family were way too front and center for most of the book. The parts between just the MCs without all of the “extra” I really enjoyed, but the overall balance between the two storylines was really off for me. Ben was nice and lovely and taught Gemma valuable lessons, and this would have rated higher for me with more of them and the Italian countryside and less of the family/wedding/stepsister dramatics.

My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a complimentary advance copy of this eBook, out 1/30/2025.

This book just wasn’t my vibe. The main character didn’t feel real to me—her actions didn’t make sense, and she came across as super two-dimensional. Her entire personality boiled down to being a people pleaser who’d do whatever anyone asked of her. And that’s it. Her whole character arc was basically just about learning to say no, which didn’t leave much room for nuance or depth.

On top of that, the plot didn’t work for me either. She already has a boyfriend, yet somehow still ropes in a fake boyfriend for this destination wedding? Make it make sense!

Overall I liked the book, the story and the writing. I though Gemma’s character was interesting, her family dynamics were a hot mess making for some funny interactions, and her relationship with Ben was actually good for her. In his own way, he’s looking out for her, even if she doesn’t see it and hates him for it at first.

But there were a few things I just couldn’t let go of. The biggest one being that she was still with her boyfriend while fake dating Ben at the wedding, kissing included. That was really icky to me and went on for too long. Another one is that at least two or three times the book makes a reference to romance books by belittling them and that’s ridiculous (and weird for a book that was under the romance section on Netgalley…). The book could have been a solid 4 stars but these only took it down to 3 stars.

This book gave me the vibes of Anyone But You Meets Hating Game but both characters were extremely insufferable and annoying. Gemma barely had any growth and Ben is an asshole throughout the entirety of the book. One thing I did like about the book is the setting in Italy but besides that there was nothing redeemable about this one.

💗A Slow-Burn Delight with Italian Charm ✈️

Kate Mathieson's "The Wedding Date Disaster" is a charming and witty slow-burn romance that will transport you to the beautiful landscapes of Italy. This delightful story follows Gemma Evans as she navigates a career setback, a family wedding, and an unexpected fake-dating scenario with her workplace nemesis.

Plot Summary:
When Gemma Evans is passed over for a promotion and forced to attend a family wedding in Italy with a stand-in date, she finds herself in a predicament she never anticipated. Her fake date turns out to be none other than her work nemesis, Ben McDonald, leading to a series of hilarious and heartwarming encounters against the backdrop of the Italian countryside.

My Thoughts:
This book is the epitome of a slow burn, and I savored every moment! The witty banter between Gemma and Ben was an absolute highlight, and their evolving relationship kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Gemma's journey of self-discovery and learning to prioritize her own needs resonated deeply. I found myself highlighting passage after passage that showcased her growth and Ben's insightful observations.

While the story focuses primarily on Gemma and Ben, I did find myself wanting to know more about the intriguing side characters. However, the author's vivid descriptions of Italy's beauty and food more than compensated for this minor detail. I felt like I was right there with Gemma, experiencing the sights, sounds, and flavors of Italy!

Tropes:
* 🤜🏽 Enemies-to-lovers
* 🎭 Fake dating
* ✈️ Destination romance
* 💼 Workplace romance
* 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family drama

Final Thoughts:
"The Wedding Date Disaster" is a delightful and heartwarming story that's perfect for fans of slow-burn romances and anyone who dreams of escaping to the Italian countryside. With its charming characters, witty banter, and a touch of self-discovery, this book is sure to leave you with a smile on your face.

Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶

I devoured 'The Wedding Date Disaster'! This enemies-to-lovers, fake dating rom-com is a fun, entertaining ride with plenty of sparks. Gemma, our heroine, needs to find her backbone, but her slow-burn romance with the initially-gruff Ben is swoon-worthy. The banter is hilarious and the Italian setting is idyllic. While Gemma's constant mistreatment felt a bit drawn out, the overall story is engaging. Highly recommend for fans of the genre!

When Gemma Evans is passed over for a promotion at Peacock Press, she has to watch her work nemesis, Ben McDonald get given the job of Chief Editor. She also has to contend with a family wedding in Italy, which her boyfriend can’t make. So Gemma’s only alternative is to accept her friend’s help with a blind date, only to find that it is Ben. Yet, as they spend time together at the weekend wedding, Gemma finds herself questioning her feelings for him.
A cute read set against the beautiful Italian backdrop. While I found Gemma at first to be a bit self-absorbed, particularly in her perception of Ben, largely as the book is told only from her perspective. Her growth throughout the book does help to show her growth in maturity. Plenty of great banter between this couple.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a cute and easy read and I found it good at times, but it just didn't hook me like I thought it would.

Gemma goes to Italy for her sister's wedding and Adam, her boyfriend, didn't go. The people pleaser that Gemma is decided she had to take a 'fake Adam' so that she wasn't going into it alone. The fake Adam turns out to be her 'arch enemy', Ben. However, through the time away, she finds that there is more to Ben than she originally thought.

Thankyou NetGallery and HarperCollins UK for allowing me to read this book for my honest review.

Let me start off by saying that if you loved "The Spanish Love Deception" and/or "The Hating Game", you are bound to love this story! That being said, the stories are far from identical, and this one packs its own serious punch.

Set in the beautiful backdrop of Italy, this story explores that irresistible dynamic of coworkers-turned-competitors-turned-enemies. As with almost all stories of this genre, it's clear from the get go, that things are not as they seem. To our FMC, Gemma, Ben is Enemy#1, a.k.a. the newbie who basically stole her promotion from under her. And I have to admit, I struggled to find anything redeeming about Ben in the early chapters (which is new for me).

So, color me surprised, when Ben arrived at Gemma's family wedding as her readymade date, and turned into an almost infuriatingly endearing MMC. He was the antithesis of Gemma's people-pleasing tendencies. And I loved how he was the only one fortunate enough to be trusted with being on the receiving end of her sass.

While Gemma's inability to stand up to her ridiculously annoying family infuriated me to no end, I have to give credit where credit is due. This was a clear indication of the writer's skill in enabling the reader to both relate to and hate the protagonist simultaneously.

TL; DR: a wonderful read to bid farewell to this brutal winter!

4 ⭐️

The Wedding Date Disaster is a rom-com you don’t want to miss! With its perfect mix of humor, heart, and heat, this book will have you hooked from page one. Imagine being stuck with your nemesis as your fake date for a family wedding—cue the hilarious awkwardness, witty banter, and moments that make you swoon.

The chemistry between the leads is absolutely electric, and their love-hate dynamic is as entertaining as it is endearing. But it’s not all just laughs—there’s a deeper layer to the story that explores family, trust, and finding love in unexpected places.

If you’re a fan of fake-dating chaos, quirky family antics, and enemies-to-lovers romance done right, The Wedding Date Disaster will steal your heart and keep you smiling long after the last page. It’s pure fun with all the feels!

Unfortunately this book was not my favorite! I haven't read anything by the author before so I was going in blind, and it just did not wow me. I will say I don't read a ton of romance novels but I feel like I have read this plot before, and I just felt as though it was a little cringey at some parts. Overall it was a quick read and kept me entertained, but I was not obsessed with it. Probably a 2.5 for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and the up and downs the characters had not to mention the tension. OMG!! The book is a very light and fun read and the overall plot is easy to understand. The enemies to lovers storyline will always be a hot for me and the fact is was set in Italy was a bonus for me. This was a very quick read for me and had the perfect flow for the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read this for a honest review.

This was a cute book, and a quick read. Gemma is an editor who has just been passed over for a deserved promotion to the new guy at the company and her arch-nemesis, Ben. When Gemma's long-term boyfriend can't make it to Gemma's step-sister's wedding in Italy, she is desperate for a date to impersonate him. Gemma's friend sets her up with a date and when she gets to the airport, she realizes that it is Ben. Can these two survive a destination wedding, despite Gemma's sister and family being impossible? Catch their opportunity to get to know one another and see beautiful Italy interspersed with crazy wedding adventures.

An okay read. There was nothing inherently bad about this one. The general plot idea was good and I really enjoyed the authors writing style. The problem is I absolutely cannot stand either of the main characters which unfortunately made it hard to enjoy the book. Gemma is a prime example of “not like other girls” from the very first chapter far too much time was spent pointing out how she wasn’t into fashion or boys etc etc which is fine, not my favorite, except when it’s the chatatcters entire personality. And Ben was … forgettable. Beige, exhausting. Between the two of them there wasn’t the slightest spark. Not to mention the fact Gemma has a boyfriend!

It made the read a slog for me and pulled it down to a 2.5 star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

I will be waiting to post reviews until after the release date

Getting a fake boyfriend for your sister's wedding while having a boyfriend is definitely a choice.

I unfortunately didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I also haven't read about such a frustrating FMC in a loong time. Gemma's lack of assertiveness made her barely likable - and I say that as a person who's also a massive people pleaser. You just have to finally stand up for yourself, but Gemma still struggles with that and she's in her thirties. You can't just let people walk all over you. That's the main reason why I couldn't really connect with her - she seemed too caught up in her lack of self esteem at times.

Ben isn't really going to stick with me either. He's just that forgettable. Yes, he is a sweetheart, but what other there is to his character? Not to mention Gemma and Ben's chemistry was not there. Their interactions fell flat for me and I just didn't care enough to be even a little bit excited for them because of the awful cheating plotline.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wedding Disaster by Kate Mathieson follows Gemma, a book editor who always puts everyone else’s needs before her own. She’s been invited to her half-sister’s dream wedding in Italy, but when her boyfriend, Adam, refuses to join her, Gemma feels stuck. She can’t bear the thought of facing her family on her own, so she enlists the help of Ben, a colleague she absolutely can’t stand. He agrees to be her “fake date” for the wedding, and as you can imagine, things don’t go smoothly at first.

This book is a light, fun romance with a lot of potential. The enemies-to-lovers plot is always a hit, and the Italian setting adds a wonderful touch. While I liked the idea of the story, I had mixed feelings about the characters. Gemma, the main female character, is a bit too passive for my liking, especially at the beginning. Her tendency to let people walk all over her—especially her family—was frustrating and made it hard to connect with her. As for Ben, he starts off as kind of a jerk, which didn’t help me warm up to him at first. But as the story went on, he showed a more caring side, and his witty banter with Gemma really made me enjoy their interactions. I do wish we got more insight into his background, though.

The chemistry between Gemma and Ben didn’t really click until the very end of the book, which was a bit of a letdown for me. However, despite my issues with Gemma’s character, Ben’s growth and the funny moments between them made this a fun read. If you’re looking for a quick, feel-good romance, this book might just be the perfect choice

A nice interesting romcom with Gemma finding herself in need of a fake boyfriend to take to her half-sister's wedding, since her real boyfriend couldn't be bothered to go.

I really like this book because it shows and emphasises Gemma's growth, thanks to Ben, her work archnemesis who's standing in as her boyfriend. She finds out there's a different side to him. He helps her realise that her beahaviour is not leading to her happiness and he pushes her into stepping up for herself.

Thank you @netgalley for the arc, all opinions are my own

#arc #arcreader #arcreview #arcreviewer #theweddingdatedisaster #katemathieson #benadngemma #fakedating #italy #enemiestolovers #romance #romcom #contemporaryromance #readingchallenge2025 #officeromance #hefallsfirst #closeproximity