Tag Archives: The Wedding Date

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory – Review & Giveaway

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While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Ben Stephens has never bothered with serious relationships. He has plenty of casual dates to keep him busy, family drama he’s trying to ignore and his advertising job to focus on. When Ben lands a huge ad campaign featuring movie star Anna Gardiner, however, it’s hard to keep it purely professional. Anna is not just gorgeous and sexy, she’s also down to earth and considerate, and he can’t help flirting a little…

Anna Gardiner is on a mission: to make herself a household name, and this ad campaign will be a great distraction while she waits to hear if she’s booked her next movie. However, she didn’t expect Ben Stephens to be her biggest distraction. She knows mixing business with pleasure never works out, but why not indulge in a harmless flirtation?

But their lighthearted banter takes a turn for the serious when Ben helps Anna in a family emergency, and they reveal truths about themselves to each other, truths they’ve barely shared with those closest to them.

When the opportunity comes to turn their real-life fling into something more for the Hollywood spotlight, will Ben be content to play the background role in Anna’s life and leave when the cameras stop rolling? Or could he be the leading man she needs to craft their own Hollywood ending?

 

 

 

Review:

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory is the 6th book in her wonderful The Wedding Date series.  I have enjoyed reading Guillory’s fun romantic stories, and looked forward to reading this new one.  While We Were Dating was a fantastic fun read, and the best one yet, in this series.

Ben Stephens, our hero, is the brother of Theo (a previous book hero); and he is happy in his job in an advertising agency.  When his boss is caught in a traffic jam, he is assigned to handle the presentation of a very big account; Ben is thrilled, since he technically created most of it.  As he makes the presentation to the company, he is shocked when Anna Gardiner, a beautiful major movie star, enters the room to listen.  Ben will keep his cool, even though he is in awe of Gardiner.

Anna decided to attend the ad agency presentation, since she is part of the campaign, prior to the release of a new movie, as well as using this to get attention for a new movie.  Anna is determined to win the roll of a lifetime, which she feels could win her an award. She finds herself very impressed with Ben, and pushes the company to choose Ben’s company to win the advertising campaign and make him the leader. 

When they begin to work together, the chemistry between them was sizzling, with both being very comfortable spending time flirting with each other, which will lead into a fun steamy fling. They were great together, enjoying the sexual chemistry between them, with both know when the campaign ends, they will each go their own way.  I loved the banter between them, how they each helped one another with personal issues; Anna with having anxiety and panic attacks, and Ben with his abandonment (his father), as well as commitment fears.

Anna’s manager convinces her to use her relationship with Ben to put her in the limelight, giving attention to her in hope of landing the movie she is dying to win. Though when the ad campaign filming is over, Anna decides to tell Ben about her making appearances with him promoting their “fake relationship”, which will last until her current movie is released. Ben agrees, as he wants to spend more time with Anna, which he soon will realize that he is falling in love with her; but he knows Anna doesn’t want a permanent relationship, since she is totally focused on her career, even though she has enjoyed Ben’s company. Will Anna walk away when everything is over?  Will Ben tell her he loves her?

Another great thing about this was giving us a glimpse at makings of Hollywood, movie making, commercials/ads, and the paparazzi, as well as putting their faces out there to promote themselves. I also enjoyed seeing Theo and Maddie playing a part in this story.  Anna’s friend Penny was a blast.

What follows is a lighthearted heartwarming fun story centering on a romance between two people in different stages of their lives and their struggles.   Anna was a great heroine, smart, fun, outgoing, lively, not to mention a beautiful movie star; who was determined to win the movie role, at any cost.  Ben was such a fantastic character, and he was so good with Anna, being sweet, charming, fun, not to mention sexy. Their romance was hot, steamy and charismatic, and they made a great couple.  

While We Were Dating was a delightful, charming, fun and steamy story Once again, Jasmine Guillory gives us a fantastic and enjoyable story, which you need to be reading.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Jasmine Guillory’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of  WHILE WE ARE DATING to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

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7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from July 12 to 16, 2021

 

 

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Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory – Review & Giveaway

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Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie’s work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can’t refuse. She’s excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn’t expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, his charming accent, and unyielding formality.

Malcolm Hudson has worked for the Queen for years and has never given a personal, private tour—until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling.

Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy affair come New Year’s Day. . .or are they?

 

 

Review:

Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory is the 4th book in her The Wedding Date series.  I have enjoyed the first three books in this series, and I thought this was a different twist, as well as a charming story line.  So very well written by Guillory.

We meet our heroine, Vivian Forest, who is invited by her daughter Maddie (previous book heroine) to travel with her to England to help style and dress a royal family member.  This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and Maddie wants her mom with her; of course, Vivian has never been out of the country and is delighted to go.  They will be spending the Christmas holidays with the Duke and Duchess at Sandringham.

Malcom Hudson, our hero, is the private secretary for the Queen, and tends to stop over at Sandringham to eat the fabulous scones that Julia, the cook makes.   He meets Vivian, and in a short time a slow built romance will begin.  Vivian is in awe to meet Malcom, especially since she finds him so handsome and immediately becomes attracted to him.  Malcom finds himself enjoying their friendship, as he takes Vivian on various tours around Sandringham, as well as Buckingham Palace.

What follows is a lighthearted heartwarming simple story of an older couple, who have been single for many years find romance, but not a likely to be a permanent relationship as they live in two different continents.  Both Vivian and Malcolm were great, and it was so sweet and fun as we get to see them explore the many sights of England.  Very well done.  I also loved seeing Maddie again, as she played a big part in the story, and loved her wonderful relationship with her mom.  When the holiday ends, will Vivian and Malcom find a way to make things work?

Royal Holiday was a charming, fun, delightful story, with a wonderful mature couple, and great secondary characters.  I loved the scenes throughout country side and in London.   Once again, Jasmine Guillory gives us a wonderful enjoyable story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Jasmine Guillory’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of  ROYAL WEDDING to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE Jasmine Guillory on Facebook

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from October 1 – 5, 2019

 

 

 

 

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The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
A groomsman and his last-minute guest are about to discover if a fake date can go the distance in a fun and flirty debut novel.

Agreeing to go to a wedding with a guy she gets stuck with in an elevator is something Alexa Monroe wouldn’t normally do. But there’s something about Drew Nichols that’s too hard to resist.

On the eve of his ex’s wedding festivities, Drew is minus a plus one. Until a power outage strands him with the perfect candidate for a fake girlfriend…

After Alexa and Drew have more fun than they ever thought possible, Drew has to fly back to Los Angeles and his job as a pediatric surgeon, and Alexa heads home to Berkeley, where she’s the mayor’s chief of staff. Too bad they can’t stop thinking about the other…

They’re just two high-powered professionals on a collision course toward the long distance dating disaster of the century–or closing the gap between what they think they need and what they truly want…

Review:

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory is a sweet standalone romance novel.  This is a new author for me, and I really did enjoy this story. Alexa Monroe, our heroine, is on her way to help her sister celebrate her promotion. She is delayed when the elevator she is in gets stuck, and to her surprise there is someone else stuck with her.   Drew Nichols, is a doctor, who is in town to attend a wedding for his ex- fiancée and his best friend.  While waiting in the elevator, both Alexa and Drew talk to pass the time, and end up enjoying their fun playful banter.  Soon Drew is asking Alexa if she would be willing to pretend to be his girlfriend at the wedding that weekend; she surprises herself and agrees to help him out. 

This was also an interracial romance, that Guillory wrote so well.  Alexa was a very sweet, charming and afun heroine, who found herself immediately attracted to the handsome, sexy and equally charming Drew.  We could not help but like both of them.  After the wedding, where both of them enjoyed each other’s company, the attraction and lust between them heats up.  Even with both not interested in anything long term, they can’t seem to get enough of each other, meeting every weekend to have fun and sex.  There were some very good secondary characters, especially Drew’s friend Carlos, who was awesome.

There is no question that this is a sexy steamy romance, with a couple that is terrific together.  Both are also very successful, with Alexis being the chief of staff for the mayor of Berkley, and Drew, working with children in a San Francisco hospital. Alexis begins to worry, as she finds herself falling hard for Drew, and knows from friends of his that she has met, that he never stays long with anyone.  Will Drew continue his single life, and let Alexis leave?

This was a sweet, charming, lighthearted pure romance that had us loving both Alexis and Drew and rooting for a happy ever after.  Jasmine Guillory has written this wonderful romance so very well. I enjoyed it very much, and I look forward to reading more from her. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Alexa danced with Lauren, letting the movement and the laughter shake away her annoying thoughts. When she felt a hand on her waist, she turned to see Drew behind her and laughed again, at how ridiculous the evening had been and how much fun she was suddenly having. He took ahold of one of her hands and swung her around to face him and laughed back down at her. Other members of the wedding party joined their group and danced with and around them, but song after song came on, and he never moved from her side.
“Water?” he said in her ear after they’d been on the dance floor for a long time.
“Yes, please.” She walked with him over to the bar.
She glanced up at the ornate clock over the bar, surprised at how late it had gotten. And how much she didn’t want this night to end. Damn it, it had been fun to be Drew’s fake girlfriend, but she knew that once the clock struck midnight, so to speak, the fairy tale would be all over.
He leaned against the bar, his jacket off, his bow tie untied, a little sweaty and disheveled from dancing. Good Lord, this guy was hot.
He rolled up his sleeves, exposing his tan forearms. She wanted to run her fingers up and down them and feel how warm and strong they were.
She needed to stop letting her imagination run away with her.
“Um,” she said. “It’s getting late, and if I want to make the last BART train back to the East Bay, I should probably leave pretty soon.”
Why had she said that? Why, when she was standing next to a hot guy, basically panting over him? If she was Maddie, hell, if she was Amy, she would have grabbed one of those hot forearms and wrapped it around her body, letting him know what she wanted without having to say anything. Sadly, she was Alexa, so she would flee instead.
He put his water bottle down and looked at her.
“Okay.”
“Okay,” she said. Olivia and Maddie would get mad at her for not throwing herself at him, but they didn’t understand that she just didn’t know how. Plus, rejection from this guy was the last thing her self-esteem needed. Talk about the opposite of getting back on the horse; that would make her avoid horses, and stables, and all farm animals for another few years. So to speak.
He stepped closer to her and put his hand on her waist. Her hand landed on his arm, and, without even meaning to, she ran her fingers up and down. Oh God, touching him like this was as good as she’d thought it would be.
“Or”—he looked straight down into her eyes—“you could stay.”
A question was in his eyes, and a smile hovered over his lips. His thumb drew slow circles on her hip and then moved up her side to her ribs. His other hand moved up to her face and traced the outline of her lips with his fingers.
She shivered.
He waited.
“Or,” she said, “I could stay.”

 

 


Jasmine Guillory is a graduate of Wellesley College and Stanford Law School. She is a Bay Area native who has towering stacks of books in her living room, a cake recipe for every occasion, and upwards of 50 lipsticks.

As well as writing books, Jasmine sometimes writes about books, pop-culture, and food, some of her favorite things.

 

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Instagram

 

Jasmine Guillory’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of THE WEDDING DATE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE Jasmine Guillory on Facebook

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from February 8 – 13, 2018

 

 

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