Party of Two

I really enjoyed Olivia and Max’s story in Party of Two by the amazing Jasmine Guillory, book five in her The Wedding Date series. I found this to be an interesting and timely story considering recent events in our country. A chance meeting with a handsome stranger turns into a whirlwind affair that gets everyone talking. We have two intelligent, strong characters who have a wonderful meet-cute yet are totally opposite. Not only are they of opposite races but have opposite backgrounds and approaches to their lives and work. Max is a handsome, wealthy, respected, impulsive, hot-shot politician who is quite persistent in his pursuit of Olivia. Max is also sweet, funny, and caring; not some privileged white politician she assumed he would be. Olivia was a type-A person who needed to create a plan before making any sort of decision; looking at the situation from all angles, not caring for spontaneity, the unknown, or being thrown for a loop. Max’s high-profile job forced them to see each other secretly; which led to some funny situations and silly disguises. Max and Olivia fit together like pieces of a puzzle, his yin to her yang. As opposites, one’s strength might be the other’s weakness or vice versa. When they do go public, Olivia undergoes extreme media scrutiny, digging up dirt on her past and criticizing her job, or even her suitability as Max’s girlfriend. Max is all in, and Olivia recognizes how special her relationship with him is, but she will need to find the strength to live under a societal microscope, measuring her actions. I do have to admit that one of my favorite parts of this story was definitely the constant mention of cakes and pie. I can’t believe these two didn’t gain a ton of weight with all the sweets they ate. Ms. Guillory wrote a wonderful, heartwarming story, filled with sizzling chemistry, life challenges, amusing banter, and charming characters that is definitely not to be missed. I totally enjoyed and highly recommend Party of Two to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Olivia Monroe has finally left New York city to move back to her home state of California and start up her own law practice with her best friend Ellie Spencer. Her first night in LA, she's at her hotel's bar and meets a funny, gorgeous man who she enjoys flirting with. Even after going back to her hotel room she can't stop thinking about this man. Imagine her surprise when Olivia later realizes that he is actually Maxwell Stewart Powell III, the junior US Senator from California. Olivia is even more surprised when she runs into Max three weeks later at a fundraiser. Max is determined not to let Olivia get away from him this time so he makes his move by sending her a cake with a cute note attached and this begins their whirlwind romance. As Olivia and Max spend more time together, they both are falling pretty hard but they have to keep their relationship on the down low because of Max's notoriety. Just when it looks like Olivia and Max are getting their perfect ending, many factors try to stop this from happening. It will take a lot of soul searching and changes in the way they both live their lives for these two to find their happy ever after. I really enjoyed this sweet, fun romance. I loved seeing how a strong, vibrant, introverted black woman was paired with an easy going, white privileged, extrovert. They say opposites attract and these two proved that point. They complimented each other so well you just couldn't help but root for them to be together. I just adored Olivia. She was such a great, kick butt female. These two together reminded me somewhat of Olivia and Fritz from the TV show Scandal and I really enjoyed going on their journey to happiness.

Love this, it's one of the best romance stories I've read so far this year. It has feeling, it is so full of emotion that it leaps out and touches your heart as if you are connected to the characters and sucks you right into their world. I like her, she is hesitant and reserved, he is used to having his cake and eating it too as much as she is but he way more spontaneous than she is comfortable with. I like Max because he's very romantic and even though he doesn't get it, he's more than willing to put in more than some cake in order to get it, his determination and openness are admirable. I knew they would have a hurdle eventually, I'd rather it play out like it did than the "keeping secrets" or "ex drama" hurdles which are truly played out in my book. Regardless, it is a realistic eye-opener, don't throw your partner under the bus even if your partner and others have already done so. Yes, I agree it seemed like perfect timing, but she just wasn't ready. Couldn't put it down. I borrowed audiobook from my local library and Janina Edwards did a great job reading this aloud.