The Launch Date is a work place romance. The story follows Grace Hastings as she navigates a break up, self confidence issues, and Eric Bancroft.
Grace is a people pleasing, workaholic who has been dumped by an ex-boyfriend. She works for a dating app development company under a rigid and overbearing woman. This story is written primarily from Grace's point of view.
Working for the same dating app development company is Eric Bancroft. Eric is the son of a very rich and publicized man and Eric deals with the same publicity. He has a reputation. You do not get Eric's point of view in the story, so you only know what Grace's point of view allows you too.
Grace and Eric have a roller coaster ride of a story. You truly start to yell at Grace as the story goes on. The story also keeps you guessing as to what will go on between the two characters.
I enjoyed this story and loved Grace's point of view. This is definitely a workplace, friends to enemies to lovers, slow burn type of story. I do think it would have been interesting to dig into Eric's point of view a little bit. He seems like an interesting guy.

This was so cute. I loved the slow burn, coworkers to lovers, enemies to lovers and overall joy of this book. I found that the chemistry was evident from page 1, although it took a LONG time for both characters to admit their feelings. Even then, I liked that they did not dive in head first, but instead kept to their own priorities and let the relationship happen slowly, maybe too slowly. The book was so engaging and the characters were the type that I want to meet in real life. I loved the push and pull, their personalities and the fun plot. Honestly, just a very well done and enjoyable book - there was personal growth, professional growth and relationship growth - from both parties, which is always fun to see! Grace and Eric work for a dating app, they were once good friends turned enemies, who now have to work on a project together. As they go on date after date, they start to realize that they may not be enemies after all. A really fun one!

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy

Grace Hastings and Eric Bancroft work for a gaming and dating app company called Fate. Grace is the Marketing Manager. Grace’s boss, Susie, dumps her own work on her which keeps Grace in the office late every day. Grace recently had a breakup with her fiancé leaving her depressed and stressed.

When the big boss says he will be creating a new app, he expects Grace to work with Eric on it. Eric is handsome, well-dressed, wealthy, arrogant and condescending. They will have to have dates doing various things like hiking, yoga, etc. The person who does the better job will get a new title/promotion. This added stress is the last thing Grace needs but she tries to set aside her frustration and work with Eric.

They agree to some “dates” like hiking and ceramics making. Very impersonal but it does open them up to talking about themselves. This help them to lose some of the animosity toward one another.

This book is fast-paced with lots of app-related terminology that I didn’t always understand but it showed the author was up-to-date on the subject. I liked Grace and loved Eric. Their relationship grew and became quite hot. There are funny things too so I hope that readers will enjoy this book as much as I did.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I ate this book up! It was exactly what I wanted it to be. I love a good rivals to lovers in the workplace. I absolutely loved the slow burn and tension the two main characters had. Admittedly, I sometimes have a hard time with British romance novels because they just read a little different. This one 100% worked for me though. I personally loved that it was fully in Grace’s pov. I loved her and her growth in this book.
There is some miscommunication but I don’t always mind that in romance books if it’s done well. I will say I didn’t love that Eric said what he said even if it was to throw another guy off. For me, it didn’t really seem like something his character would ever say. Despite that, I really loved Eric. The patience of this man was *chef’s kiss*. I would also like to add that this was an absolutely amazing debut from this author. I will definitely be reading any future books they put out!

If you enjoy a slow burn workplace romance or you enjoyed The Hating Game then I highly recommend this! 🩷

4 stars – A fun, flirty rivals-to-lovers rom-com!

Annabelle Slator’s The Launch Date is a sparkling debut full of workplace hijinks, laugh-out-loud banter, and sizzling chemistry. If you love rivals-to-lovers, forced proximity, and a hero who turns out to be way more than just a charming playboy, this one’s for you!

Grace Hastings thought working at the dating app Fate would be a dream, but between her toxic boss, a stalled career, and a recent brutal breakup, she’s feeling like a fraud. When she’s offered a shot at a major promotion by launching a new IRL dating app, she jumps at the chance—only to find out she has to compete for it. Her rival? Eric Bancroft, a notorious socialite with charm to spare and a reputation for never taking anything seriously. To prove the app’s concept, they have to go on a series of first dates together, from disastrous hikes to steamy yoga sessions. But as their competition heats up, so do their feelings, and Grace realizes there’s a lot more to Eric than she thought.

I loved the sharp banter, the undeniable chemistry, and the deeper emotional layers both characters bring to the story. Grace’s struggles with imposter syndrome and self-worth felt real and relatable, and Eric? He’s the perfect mix of infuriating and irresistible. While the third-act conflict felt a bit predictable, it didn’t take away from the overall charm of the book.

A fantastic rom-com debut—I can’t wait to see what Annabelle Slator writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC!

This was good enemies-to-lovers romance that also kinda had hints of friends to lovers and second chance romance.

I really liked the main characters' banter and groove but their work lives took over so much of the plot which felt boring to me.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun read- not what I expected at all- but in a good way! I felt all the feels and really enjoyed the way the story flowed. It felt like I was part of the story!

Definitely would recommend to any readers!

I also loved the trial fake/real dates the two went on in order to ensure the dating experiences met the needs of their clientele. The chemistry during those dates was palpable and easy to see that they had history and the possibility of more in their future.

I really loved this debut novel! The story follows two colleagues, Grace and Eric, who used to be friends, but after an unfortunate event and miscommunication became rivals. They have to go on “fake” dates to research locations for a dating app feature, and they are competing for the same promotion at a dating app business.
I loved everything about this book: it was funny, it was swoony, charming, frustrating and lovely! I was rooting for Grace from the start, but then both of them by the end. The characters were lovable and relatable, there’s a lot of good banter and their world seemed so cozy. I really didn’t want it to end!

Thank you Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy!!

This drew me in from the start. Grace was so relatable, who hasn’t had imposter syndrome! Her navigating rough her insecurities, feelings, work and love dramas kept me hooked. The chemistry with Eric was great and I could not wait to see how things turned out for them an enjoyable 4 🌟

What’s not to love?
Workplace romance ✅
Rivals to lovers ✅
Tension ✅
I thought this books was great and an easy read! The characters could have had more development but I loved the story and I thought the premise was very well written. The plot was different than other fake dating, workplace romance books and i enjoyed that I hadn’t read anything like this before. The main characters have to work together when developing a dating app at the same time work against each other at the end to see who’s presentation is chosen.
Thanks NetGalley and Annabelle Slator for giving me and ARC of this book!

4/5 ⭐️

This was cute! It's "The Hating Game" but they are rival coworkers working together on a dating app. Eric and Grace had great chemistry - it's a slowwwww burn. I do wish there had been more moments of build up and tension between them, I got kind of bored in parts. There was also too much info about the dating app stuff. I wasn't surprised when I read at the end that Slator had worked at Bumble. It got too in the weeds for me.

I would recommend it, it's a strong debut.

Thank you to NetGalley, Annabelle Slator, and Avon and Harper Voyager for my early access to this.

The Launch Date
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Bravo on a great debut book 👏🏼🧡 I had a lot of fun with this one! It’s flirty, funny, giving rom com vibes, timely in the world of dating apps, we get some flashback chapters which made me fall in love with Grace and Eric’s story even more, it added more depth to our usually enemies at work story! I would have killed for a dual POV here though. I loved the story, but really wanted to know Eric’s thoughts in ✨certain✨ moments! I think this will appeal to both spice and non spice lovers. We do get some spice, but there was only really one more graphic scene and it wasn’t over the top! I felt the chemistry right away, but they definitely grew on me as we went along and I found myself cheering for them at every moment. I won’t ruin anything of course, but there was a moment at the end that rubbed me the wrong way, but as I kept reading I softened and it all came together lol slide into my DMs if you read it and wanna chat! For a debut I think this is a great read and I’ll definitely be on the look out for more by Annabelle! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.75 ⭐️

I really liked this one; it was a bit angsty yet sweet! I do think everything wrapped up a little faster than I would have preferred, but it was nice to see everything come together in the epilogue. It’s a strong debut, and I can't wait to read more! 😊

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC 💓

THE LAUNCH DATE – Annabelle Slator
Avon
ISBN: 978-0-06-338362-3
February 11, 2025
Contemporary Romance

London, England – Present Day

Grace Hastings loved her job working on dating apps when she first got hired, but now the workplace is a nightmare for her. Her boss is super demanding, her career is stagnating, and her boyfriend dumped her because he wanted her to quit her job and attend to his needs 24/7. A potential job promotion might be the elixir she needs to revive herself. Unfortunately, Grace will be competing with her biggest rival, Eric Bancroft, for the position, and they are required by her boss to “test drive” a series of first dates for the dating apps they are developing. Eric is obnoxious and always smirking at her. How will she stand being around him?

Grace and Eric reluctantly work together in THE LAUNCH DATE as they go on “dates” together. First up is a hike that ends in disaster for her. Next is a cooking class that ends up with Eric injured and Grace embarrassed. And we won’t even mention what happens in the couple’s yoga class. Come on…they aren’t a couple, but the instructor doesn’t know this. But through all these experiences, Grace begins to see a new side to Eric. He is supposedly a party boy with an active sex life. For Grace, who recently was dumped by her boyfriend, he is the antithesis of someone she is attracted to. However, she can’t deny he is charming and seems to be helpful when she needs it. Will their relationship change by the end of this tale?

Readers will only hear Grace’s point of view in THE LAUNCH DATE, so we don’t know what Eric is thinking. We slowly learn more about him, while Grace starts to reassess her life, especially when her ex starts texting her about getting back together. He left her miserable and she moved on, but should she take him back? This tale is a journey for Grace and by the end, we see her more assertive, especially when it comes to her boss. For most of her life, Grace has been a doormat. Now it’s time to pick herself up. While a romance, THE LAUNCH DATE is a lot more women’s fiction. This is Grace’s story, with Eric’s in the background until it intersects with hers.

A tale of journey and discovery for Grace as she works with her rival, Eric, to earn one of them a promotion. Will she succeed or lose? Will cultivating a relationship with Eric lead to a romance between them? Find out the answer by picking up a copy of THE LAUNCH DATE.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

This novel is a delightful and heartwarming read, perfect for those who enjoy witty banter, feel-good romance, and contemporary stories that delve into themes of self-discovery and the complexities of love in the digital age. The narrative explores the power of genuine human connection in a world where technology often tries to dictate our relationships, highlighting the importance of authentic interactions and emotional intimacy. With its charming characters, relatable situations, and thought-provoking exploration of modern relationships, this book will resonate with readers who are searching for a story that celebrates the enduring power of love and human connection amidst the ever-changing landscape of technology.

This was a fun enemies to lovers co-worker slow burn romance that sees two British dating app designers going on fake dates and competing for the same job. Good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Sally Thorne's The hating game. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in This was a fun enemies to lovers co-worker slow burn romance that sees two British dating app designers going on fake dates and competing for the same job. Good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Sally Thorne's The hating game. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Launch Date by Annabelle Slater comes out on Tuesday, February 11th!

Grace and Eric work at a dating app company. Grace works for an app that sounds like Match.com, and Eric works for an app that sounds like Hitch. When the CEO of the parent company tasks Grace and Eric to work together to create a new app, they aren’t too sure how it will work, but both want to win the prize - a promotion to Marketing Director for the company! This was a fun workplace romance!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy of this title!

I thought that this book was really cute and I really enjoyed it. This was workplace enemies to lovers and I loved the plot! Grace and Eric work for a dating app and have to go on dates as part of development for the company and catch feelings in the process. I liked these characters, and the sarcastic banter made me laugh frequently. Overall an enjoyable read and I would recommend to romance readers 😊

5⭐

LOVED:

- Listen, if you liked The Hating Game or wanted more from it or whatever, this book is for you. Is it still flawed? Of course, every book is. But these characters make way more sense and the MMC is not a terrifying stalker
- The chemistry and tension is off the charts. I loved Eric and Grace’s banter and conversations and just their overall interactions. It was just a fun and charming read
- Grace’s brain. I loved hearing her inner thoughts that were riddled with self doubt while her outward actions felt much more assured. This is very real, you never know what’s going through a confident person’s brain unless you’re in it
- Eric Bancroft is so well-written and I’m so glad we don’t get his POV because I think that would have ruined a lot of his allure. There are so many bits that subtly describe how words and actions affect him, even just briefly and it adds a lot to how we as the reader sees him.
- The dates are fun, which surprised me. Normally I would find the whole premise of them testing out dates as too cheesy to get behind (I mean it is very cheesy, I’m not denying that). But I think the dates themselves were very cleverly drafted and really added to the development of their relationship and connection.
- The hotel scenes.
- The side characters are a joy (the friendly ones, that is). Grace’s roommates are so fun and supportive and grounded and Eric’s sister is a fun juxtaposition to both of the MCs.
- I do really like the cover and the title
- The last names as only names called is just something I’m all about. Then whipping out the first name to be powerful. Again, I’ve talked about nicknames being something I’m just very pro for and this is maybe even more so.
- I dunno, man, I just really vibed with this book. It just really matched everything that I look for in a rom com. It’s mostly character-centric while using the plot to propel them forward. It worked, it just really worked for me. My five stars are for gut feelings and when I think about the book a bunch after I read it and it makes me happy. This one did that.

LOATHED:
- I mean, I loathed very little, honestly, but I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the pacing, it was a tad slow start, for example.. I liked the flashbacks but they always came at a very random time and it was a bit jarring at times. And the last act felt a little sloppy at points, like when Eric shows up at her apartment (loved that scene) and they kind of fight, then the next scene they’re more or less…fine? It was a bit clunky.
- The job resolution isn’t my favorite, I think it’s a little too ezpz
- …his name is Eric. And at one point that name is supposed to be sexy. Mm. Not for me
- The reason (he thinks) that they don’t talk could have been a bit heavier. The reason (for her) is fine

LONGED FOR:
- More time exploring their past maybe
- More exploration of what Grace wants out of her job
- More discussions on the toll being in the limelight as a pretty rich boy took on Eric after Grace learns that it really affects him
- Just more, I dunno, I just had a great time

Will I read the next one? : Yes, absolutely. What a fun debut.

* Thank you to Avon & NetGalley for providing this ARC! *