The Wedding Date

Review written by Marie for Ever After Book Reviews! Okay, that’s it. I’m carrying cheese, crackers and wine with me on every single elevator I’m on! Especially if I can meet a hot doctor named Drew who treats me as well as he does Alexa. Wait. I think I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me back up. So… Alexa is visiting her sister in a hotel in San Francisco. She’s on the elevator with a guy who is… gorgeous… and the elevator stops. They’re stuck. Conversation begins, and it’s discovered that he’s going to his ex’s wedding to his best friend, dateless, and Alexa divulges that she’s got cheese, crackers and wine for a celebration with her sister. (This is where they come in!) They share the libations, and flirt with one another (adorably), and Drew asks her in a rom-com sort of way if she’ll be his fake girlfriend for the wedding. She agrees, and from there, hilarity ensues. After the wedding weekend, Alexa and Drew can’t stop thinking about one another, so they continue to fly back and forth between Los Angeles and Berkley to spend weekends with one another. Their relationship is so cute, I can’t stand it, and Drew is… well… nearly perfect. But when the long distance/commitment thing starts to wear on and intimidate them, they both have to start making some tough decisions that neither one of them is prepared for. OMG. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with this book as much as I did, but I couldn’t put it down. Literally, couldn’t put it down. It was fabulously written. It’s funny, heart-felt, romantic, sweet… and it touches on so many emotions that every one of us has felt at one time or another. I know that it’s a stand-alone book with only one storyline that wraps up nicely, but I wish there were so much more in store for Drew and Alexa. I truly do! If you’re looking for something fun to read, pick this book up. You will be SO happy that you did! ***I voluntarily read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own***

Absolutely adorable and surprisingly refreshing with two characters with demanding careers that they love, friends that are supportive and a meet-cute that possibly will convince women to carry cheese, crackers and an easy-open bottle in their purse when entering an elevator! With the first scene and the power out, Guillory managed to captivate my interest – just where would these two go after their flirty and fun interaction in a small space? But then, Drew decides to take a chance and invite Alexa to be his ‘plus one’ and ‘girlfriend of the moment’ to the wedding he’s got to attend over the weekend. A wedding that has his former girlfriend marrying his best friend from med school. And Alexa, at the hotel to visit her sister and celebrate her new partnership in a New York law firm before a deposition the next day isn’t quite sure about the whole thing – but since her friends tell her she overthinks everything and never takes chances – why not. And the story is off! Drew and Alexa have this amazing chemistry, and while she learns that he’s got a ‘no girlfriend’ rule, and that most of his ‘relationships’ have lasted less than 2 months, she can’t help but find the façade fun and her attempts to ‘grab the gusto’ for the weekend is just what she needs. Add to that the fact that Drew finds her attractive, and she’s comfortable in his company: he’s fun and funny, his friends are welcoming (mostly) and she’s having a great time with her new dresses (chosen by best friend and stylist, Maddie), and what else could happen –it’s only a weekend. But, a weekend is exactly what it isn’t: Drew (unknown to Alexa)pushes his flight back to LA back about 8 hours to spend a lazy Sunday with her: enjoying her company and being able to talk about everything under the sun: realizing this intelligent woman is also driven, caring and funny has him thinking about ‘more”. Of course, his ‘more’ is a few weeks, but he wants to get to explore what is there. Back and forth from LA to Berkley, plenty of questions (unasked) and steamy desire that comes with a side-helping of acceptance and comfort: these two are adorable together and perfect for one another. But Drew’s past history (and current fears) catch up with him and Alexa’s fear of hearing an answer she doesn’t want as the clock ticks down on their ‘relationship’ inserts levels of drama and separation that isn’t good for either of their attitudes. It’s going to take some serious discussion and a spotlight moment for Alexa and her ‘pet project’ in front of all that matter and the City Council brings the story to a perfect resolution. I was pleasantly (and utterly) surprised to find this was a debut: the writing is smooth and descriptive, the characters are complete and tangible and the best part- this was a depiction of a relationship that HAPPENS to be interracial. Sure, Alexa discusses her ‘approach’ to being in a diverse crowd versus being the only person of color in the room, and she does open Drew’s eyes to the differences in approach and attitudes – but really – it’s not about that. The chemistry between them – their conversations and moments of sharing as they get to know each other are simply that – two people in a relationship. This is the true hidden joy of the novel for me – a relationship that doesn’t push, slam or otherwise beat readers over the head with the differences – they come up naturally and since they do this; the situation allows readers to say “oh I didn’t know that, or think of that’ rather than feel as if they are being lectured to or at. A solid story, full of heart, heat, ideas and laughs that is sure to please many. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Dr. An(Drew) Nichols and Alexa Monroe, meet in a malfunctioning elevator that is stuck with just the two of them. Resolved to their fate, they strike up a conversation. Eventually, Drew shares his tale of woe of being harangued into being a part of the wedding party of his ex-girlfriend and his ex-best friend. Cue the violins for the last minute drop-out of his wedding date and you can see why he'd ask a perfect attractive stranger to be his date. Alexa says yes, and it goes as well as can be expected and the wedding party and guests are intrigued with her. Afterwards, realizing they like one another, they embark on a long distance relationship, traveling back and forth between their respective cities. They both have high-powered careers, she's an attorney and works for the Mayor and eventually, misunderstanding(s) and the distance causes a wedge between the two of them and they take a break from one another. Alexa (unfairly IMO) gets angry at Drew when clear communication would have resolved the issues. To his credit, Drew doesn't kowtow to her by calling and pleading his case. I wish heroines would STOP getting angry and start being more honest about what "they" want in any type of relationship. Overall, I liked the story, but not the fade to black sex scenes. The story lacked heat. I don't need explicit details, but I definitely needed something more. I voluntarily received, read and reviewed the paperback version of this book courtesy of Penguin and BookishFirst.