Excellent banter and sizzling chemistry characterize The Launch Date, a romantic comedy set in a workplace. As coworkers creating a dating app, Grace and Eric, who were once friends but are now competitors, are compelled to go on dates together. After a series of mishaps, Grace and Eric come to the realization that they might be more than just rivals or friends.

This book was fantastic. It instantly captivated me and made me feel the same way I did when reading The Hating Game. Outstanding chemistry. Great teasing. I read nonstop.

I was shocked to learn after reading that this is a debut novel! This was so well crafted with a dual timeline, rich characters, and a good (but not hit you over the head) take on gender discrimination at work. I have read a few books that try way too hard with the work enemies with sexual tension thing, making the main character like caricatures and adolescents. This book really nails the tone. It was easy to see the chemistry between Grace and Eric, their banter was playful, sarcastic and borderline flirty. They challenged each other and made each other better. This is so great, especially compared to the books in which they have the enemies to lovers try to sabotage one another. This seemed realistic.



What I loved:

Grace’s journey! I loved how she built her self-esteem and stood up for herself at work. Also, her realization about which break-up really accounted for her grief/depression.

Iris- great character- would love to read a book that focuses on her next.

The roommates!

Women helping women

Eric was so layered. I love that he is slowly revealed to the reader, but at a faster pace than he is revealed to Grace. I was hoping Grace would put the dots together and see what his true feelings were.

The setting at a dating app company was so fun

Women in STEM

Just the right amount of spice

Ummm…. I want to stay in that penthouse suite

The dates were so fun!



This was such a surprise- I truly enjoyed it from beginning to end and read it in one day. I can’t wait to see what Slator writes next. 4.5 stars- I just really liked it. Great for fans of Sophie Cousens and Abby Jimenez. Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Harper Voyager for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Grace and Eric are arch rivals, working for the different dating apps at the same company. When their boss creates a competition between them for a promotion, they need to work together on a new app and plan out and try dates together. This is the story of their dates, as well as getting to know one another in a new way. I thought this might be cheesy, but I ended up really liking it!

The Launch Date really exceeded my expectations (especially as I am not always a romance reader). It was such a pleasure to meet these characters and follow them through fun and trying times. I especially appreciated Grace's roommates and Eric's sister being involved in the plot and really helping you get to know the main charcters better. I thought the office setting felt super realistic and really enjoyed the fake dating aspects. A small thing that really took this book to the next level for me was how intentionally written it was. Little metaphors for Grace's anxieties and how fast her brain was running ahead of her at times, made me feel very aware of what that can look like in my own life too and relating to a charcter is always so comforting. A wonderful debut! And I look forward to more from this author as I can tell I didn’t just like this book for its tropes or characters but the skill it took to write it!

Thank you, Netgalley, for acsess to this ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

The Launch Date is a workplace romance with excellent banter and sizzling chemistry. Grace and Eric are friends turned rivals who are forced to go on dates together as part of a dating app they are developing for work. Multiple hijinks ensue and Grace and Eric realize they may not be friends or rivals, but something more.

I looooved this book. I was immediately invested and it gave me the feeling I had when reading The Hating Game. Excellent chemistry. Excellent banter. I could not stop reading.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me wanting more every time I put it down! It gave The Hating Game vibes so clearly, but with it's own spin on the workplace rival romance and I adored it! Grace and Eric had great chemistry and banter, and really were enemies for a long time, which I adored (and definitely screamed at)! Grace truly found confidence and it started with channeling her inner Eric. I truly adored this book and it was an amazing read. I cannot believe I got to read this ARC and now I wish I had memory loss so I could pick this book up again and read it with all the same feels!

This book was a great enemies to lovers workplace romance! The story was so funny and I could not put it down!

This book had two of my favorite romance tropes: enemies to lovers and workplace romance with plenty of angst, yearning, miscommunication, chemistry and spice! I definitely recommend this book and I was sad when it was over because I wanted even more of their relationship and their HEA. I will be eagerly awaiting this debut author's next book(s)!

The Launch Date by Annabelle Slator is a delightful romantic comedy that seamlessly blends humor with poignant reflections on love and self-discovery. Grace Hastings, our relatable protagonist, finds herself at a crossroads, navigating both her faltering career at a dating app called Fate and her personal life, which has just been shattered by a brutal breakup. The narrative hits a sweet spot of contemporary concerns—imposter syndrome, modern dating struggles, and the quest for genuine connections—which makes Grace's journey resonate on multiple levels.

From the outset, Slator's writing is engaging and filled with wit. Grace is not your typical romantic heroine; she’s flawed, vulnerable, and all too aware of her shortcomings, both professionally and personally. Her struggle against her imposter syndrome is portrayed with authenticity, making her a very relatable character for anyone who’s ever felt out of their depth. Her boss, described as a leech, adds to the oppressive atmosphere surrounding her, emphasizing the challenges she faces while trying to reclaim her confidence.

The premise of launching a new app focused on "real-life" dating presents an interesting backdrop for the story. It brilliantly contrasts the superficiality that Grace initially grapples with, both in her job and her love life, serving as a reminder of the importance of authentic connections. The task of teaming up with her rival, Eric Bancroft—a charming but notorious socialite playboy—creates tension and banter that drives the plot forward. Their evolving relationship is at once contentious and endearing, as both characters are forced out of their comfort zones, learning about each other and themselves in surprisingly touching ways.

Grace and Eric's "first dates"—ranging from disastrous hikes to steamy yoga sessions—are not just a comedic device but also serve as pivotal moments of growth for both characters. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making you root for their budding romance despite their constant bickering.
Overall, this book is an enjoyable read that is perfect for fans of romantic comedies, those questioning their own dating choices, or anyone in need of a little lighthearted escapism. It’s a reminder that sometimes love is found in the most unexpected places, and that striving for authenticity—both in relationships and within ourselves—is a journey worth embarking on.

Great debut novel! I liked the tropes and the plot elements used. Both very classic romance novel whilst also including some novel plot elements. I found the plot and writing a bit clumsy at moments but still enjoyable.

This book really hit the spot! Two very well done tropes that I absolutely love. The banter between Grace and Eric was fantastic and their chemistry was off the charts! I’m not usually one for a slow burn, but this book did it beautifully. Great plot and good ending. I was so satisfied and I was giggling throughout so much of this book. A wonderful debut novel.

Thank you to Netgally and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this ARC.

Wow, by reading the description I thought I was going to love this book and it did not disappoint at all!! I absolutely loved this book and the premise reminded me of the hating game but I think this was executed better. The friends to enemies to lovers was executed perfectly. I never felt like they hated each other but just rivals which is realistic especially in the workplace. I also like the fake dating tease, which was a nice element. The chemistry was hot and the tension was pulled taunt. I was rooting for them the entire. The outside of work settings and mini plots added more value because the characters felt more dimensional than their roles. I read this in less than 24 hours, one of my fav reads this year!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

I am SO glad this one was a win for me. Workplace romance can be so hit or miss— but something about this just worked. Our heroine, Grace, was so relatable, and I found the love interest to be so fresh despite the well-worn tropes. It was also a SLOOOW burn, but I felt the chemistry (and the characters on their own) was worth it.

Thank you to Net Galley & Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me this ARC for my honest review.

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am a sucker for workplace rivals to lovers trope so I was really excited to read this one. I really enjoyed reading this book and the two main characters. This definitely reminded me of The Hating Game, which I loved as well.

Love how Grace's character developed throughout the book, her feelings were very realistic which made her character feel really relatable. Eric was so supportive and overall an amazing guy!

I will say even though this was sort of a predictable trope, I really enjoyed that it wasn't a 'hate each other even though we have never interacted with one another situation'. (Hopefully that makes sense). I loved how the author set it up to be that they were good friends before.

I would personally recommend this as a fun workplace read and will be checking out the author's future projects.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Launch Date had a great (misunderstood) enemies to lovers storyline. Grace and Eric, our enemies in question, used to be good friends on female and male focused dating apps. The pair has a mystery hanging over why they got to be enemies which is revealed over time with flashbacks, which I enjoyed. When they are presented with a promotion opportunity both desperately want (due to their bosses) they are forced to try out some real dates.

I enjoyed both Grace and Eric as main characters, both brought personalities that I had fun getting to know. The plot was a little expected until we got to the end, but as mentioned the characters were a lot of fun and made the whole book entertaining.

ARC provided to me by Avon in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!

The Launch Date checked most of my books when it comes to a workplace rivals to lovers romance. I appreciated how realistic the author made both Grace and Eric — Grace's imposter syndrome at work and her drive to be the best resonated with me.

The banter between these two was off the charts, I especially loved seeing how their relationship progressed with each "date" they went on for their new potential app concept.

The only caveat to this was the misconceptions Grace held towards Eric, I know miscommunication happens in the real-world and often in books within this genre but I still wish they talked it out.

I really enjoyed this book! Grace and Eric are so lovable, they’ll have you screaming “just kiss already!!” The book wouldn’t be complete without an awful ex-boyfriend, who will also have you screaming phrases as your book that I can’t type here. Everyone is so tastefully placed into this book, it really submerges you into their world. It’s a fun workplace rivalry/forced proximity read. Imagine my surprise when I realized at the end of the book that this is a debut novel!

Grace y Eric eran amigos hasta que un incidente ocurrió hace seis meses, y ahora solo son rivales en el trabajo.

Ambos competirán por un ascenso, y aunque cada uno debe presentar sus propias ideas, tendrán que pasar tiempo juntos para desarrollar conceptos para una aplicación de citas.

La historia se narra desde el punto de vista de Grace, lo que hace que Eric se sienta más como un personaje secundario que como un protagonista.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable romp about a pair of dating app employees competing for a promotion and (of course) falling in love. Tropes: workplace romance, friends to enemies to lovers.

I liked this enemies to lovers in the workplace. They are both up for the promotion for both working on dating app and they finally figure things out between them. I loved his sister and hope to see something about her and I loved her friends and that ending ...what was the last surprise ?? I figured out two but not the last one lol