Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory – a Review

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Description:
A chance meeting with a handsome stranger turns into a whirlwind affair that gets everyone talking.

Dating is the last thing on Olivia Monroe’s mind when she moves to LA to start her own law firm. But when she meets a gorgeous man at a hotel bar and they spend the entire night flirting, she discovers too late that he is none other than hotshot junior senator Max Powell. Olivia has zero interest in dating a politician, but when a cake arrives at her office with the cutest message, she can’t resist–it is chocolate cake, after all.

Olivia is surprised to find that Max is sweet, funny, and noble–not just some privileged white politician she assumed him to be. Because of Max’s high-profile job, they start seeing each other secretly, which leads to clandestine dates and silly disguises. But when they finally go public, the intense media scrutiny means people are now digging up her rocky past and criticizing her job, even her suitability as a trophy girlfriend. Olivia knows what she has with Max is something special, but is it strong enough to survive the heat of the spotlight?

Review:

Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory is the 5^th book in her delightful The Wedding Date series. I have enjoyed the previous books, as Guillory writes such wonderful fun romances.

We meet Olivia Monroe, our heroine and sister to the first book’s heroine, Alexa.  Olivia has just moved from New York to Los Angeles, where she and her best friend, Ellie, have started their own law firm.  While staying at a hotel until her new place is ready, Olivia meets a cute guy at the bar.  They spent the time having fun and flirting with each other, while discussing the best cakes and pies; after a few drinks, Olivia leaves.  Later that night while watching TV, she realizes that t he cute guy was in fact the junior senator from California.

Max Powell, our hero, regretted not finding out Olivia’s name and how to contact her.  A couple of days later, Max was giving a speech, and immediately noticed Olivia standing in the back of the auditorium.  They meet, with her teasing him that he is famous and him asking for her address and where she worked.  Later, she gets a surprise delivery…Chocolate Cake, and it was from her cute senator.

What follows is a lighthearted heartwarming fun story centering on a romance between two people in different stages of their lives and their struggles.   Olivia was a great heroine, smart, fun, outgoing, lively, but also dedicated and driven in making her new firm grow.  She is the kind of person who plans things ahead, always being prepared.  Max was such a fantastic character, and I loved him with Olivia.  He was smart, charming, fun, and also driven in his career in politics; but Max was the opposite of Oliva, as he was impulsive on how he reacted to various things.  Their romance was sexy and charismatic, and they made a great couple.  But Max’s impulsiveness and Olivia’s fear of being in the public eye caused major hardships.  Will they find a way to stay together?

Party of Two was a delightful, charming, fun and sexy story.  I loved some of the secondary characters, especially Max’s chief of staff, and Olivia’s partner Elle, and her new friend.  Once again, Jasmine Guillory gives us a fantastic and enjoyable story, which you need to be reading. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher