Oh how I love a good series!
I greatly enjoyed the third book in the Spirit of the Shenandoah series by Tif Marcelo.
Gabby and Chip are the best of friends and constantly supporting one another, but can they be something more? We are again joined by the Espiritu family and hoping the youngest finds true love. So basically this is a friends to lovers story but it’s complicated. Once again Tif Marcelo is able to bring us along for a roller coaster ride through this romance and it’s thoroughly enjoyable!
I can’t wait for book 4?
Thanks Net Galley for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a sweet romance novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Gabby is reeling after being ghosted by her internet boyfriend right before her brother’s wedding. Life feels like a mess, and she’s bracing herself for an awkward, lonely few days. Enter Chip—her steady, dependable best friend—who swoops in with a plan to help salvage her pride and lift her spirits. But his support comes with some unexpected complications, namely: Gabby’s sudden awareness of how attractive, attentive, and undeniably charming Chip truly is.

Chip, for his part, has been harboring deeper feelings for Gabby for a while. His quiet longing and subtle gestures paint him as the kind of romantic hero who wins your heart through patience and sincerity rather than grand declarations. Watching him wrestle with the fear of losing their friendship if he confesses the truth adds an emotional depth to his character.

The chemistry between Gabby and Chip grows naturally and believably. The stakes feel real—this isn’t just a fling, it’s a relationship that could change everything for both of them. Their journey is sweet, awkward, honest, and full of moments that will make readers smile and sigh in equal measure. This is a delightful friends-to-lovers romance with emotional depth, witty dialogue, and a couple worth rooting for.

The Forever Wedding Date is the third title in the Spirit of the Shenandoah series, and brings best friends, Gabby and Chip, to a whole other level of emotions when romance enters their friendship, and so much is on the line if they act on those new feelings.

Gabby never imagined that with so much bad going on, especially having her internet boyfriend basically ghost her right before her brother’s wedding, that there was any way to salvage this mess she called her life. But she hadn’t counted on her best friend, Chip, to step in and save the day. Only. While Chip is trying to be a matchmaker, all she’s noticing is that her best friend sure looks good, and with a sexiness she never noticed before. In fact, he’s sometimes acting more like a boyfriend than a friend. Intriguing, but their lives aren’t a romance novel where going from friends to lovers guarantees a happy ending… is it?

I adored this couple. Forever friends are going to start feeling something more, something that could lead to a far different future as a happy, loving couple. But it’s not going to be a smooth road for either of them. While Chip has known for some time that he feels more for Gabby than just friendship, she’s in the dark. He hesitates because risking putting his feelings out there could cost him Gabby’s friendship… but what if they could be so much more?

I had such fun with The Forever Wedding Date by Tif Marcelo. It’s a well-written, emotional friends-to-lovers trope, with humor and wit. Acknowledging that their friendship has changed will carry a risk, but eventually, the attraction overrules logic. I loved watching them navigate the feelings that are emerging, and while there are still some rocky patches ahead, Gabby and Chip are heading for their own happily ever after ending. If you love watching friends discover that there’s so much more they could be together, then you’d enjoy this story.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This book wasn’t a good fit for me. The plot seemed slow-paced, with more focus on the character development. The heroine was sweet but struck me as a bit needy. DNF ~22%.

Gabriella & Chip
I enjoyed the character development. The main characters started out as friends and built the relationship. It had a few slow parts, but the romance and bond between the characters is strong. The road to finding their way and love for one another was long and a bit complicated. However, they never gave up due to the bond the author, Tif, had constructed.
Overall a nice read with good romance and with some steamy feelings once they figured out they belonged together.
I recommend this book if you are looking for a friends to lovers romance with some twists and turns in the complications of trying to find your true love.

This book was only ok for me. I felt like it was a slow read, and I kept waiting for something to happen. The chemistry was a little stilted. I really wanted to like it, but it was just an OK read for me.