The Wedding Party

Sometimes these days, I want straight up entertainment in a book. I don’t want to have to read every sentence three times to understand it. For Jasmine Guillory’s novels, I read sentences multiple times because I like them. Her novels entertain and have strong issues, but still maintain an upbeat feel.

The Wedding Party is the third in The Wedding Date series. Yes, they are more fun to read in order, but you can read them out of order and the world (probably) won’t explode. The main characters, Maddie and Theo, are linked to Alexa from The Wedding Date – they are her best friends. In this novel, it’s the lead up to Alexa and Drew’s wedding and both are in the wedding party. The major problem is that they hate each other. The show more story starts will some scenes that have been described in The Wedding Date, but this time it’s from Maddie and Theo’s points of view. What the reader didn’t know is that even though the pair hate each other, they’ve made a couple of mistakes behind the scenes. Like kissing each other, like sex. Maddie and Theo swear it will be over once the wedding is finished, but as the time gets closer they realise that they’ve become friends and more. It’s a fun story, interspersed with some serious issues of relationships and how we present ourselves to others, but these only add to the story.

Guillory’s novels each seem to have a trademark food, and The Wedding Party has pizza. Loads of pizza, particularly with roasted garlic. I love that I can enjoy the character’s foods calorie-free in this series, from tacos to cupcakes to doughnuts. I look forward to the food descriptions almost as such as the witty dialogue and the sparks between the characters. Theo has always seemed to live for work before this novel, but the story gives him a heart and a life. (Plus, there is the introduction of his total-opposite brother Ben, who likes to walk on the wild side. I look forward to catching up with him in While We Were Dating). Maddie’s vulnerabilities are also revealed underneath her tough exterior, and the reasons why she may have come across as harsh previously. Both are great characters, flawed with traits that are all too relatable. The story has many funny moments, particularly when the other characters reveal just how well Maddie and Theo were hiding their attraction. It’s a hilarious and original opening to a wedding day.

You can’t go wrong with Jasmine Guillory’s novels for happy entertainment. Fun, sweet and sexy, they are the perfect light read.

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I wanted to love this book so bad. The concept was great! The two best friends we were introduced to in book 1, getting together in a fiery storm of hate and passion? It should have been chock full of emotion. However, despite being billed as a sort of enemies-to-lovers, I didn't really feel it. For starters, despite a couple of occasions where Theo supposedly views Maddie as being superficial and only caring about clothes, it didn't feel congruent with his character. We know from their first meeting that he liked her and mainly seemed to feel bad about sticking his foot in his mouth, so the few times Guillory writes him as being dismissive (if only in thought) towards her, it comes off more as a quick way to remind you these two are show more supposed to hate each other rather than his actual feelings. Because of this, the entire hatred and conflict of the book felt motivated by Maddie's idea of the situation, that they hated each other and specifically that she believes Theo to be pretentious. Not helped by the fact it takes her a lot longer to see past any bad first impression to the Theo underneath. And finally the big conflict! The moment where we as the reader don't know if our couple can persevere through this hardship or if it will all fall apart? It didn't feel satisfactorily concluded for me. As the reader we know that Theo specifically felt like Maddie was dismissive of his anxieties about his job (despite him telling her before how worried he was about missteps there), and we see how he seems to sink into an actual depression regarding what he said. Maddie also feels bad about what she said and they both apologize about those specific insults, but it doesn't feel like any deeper problems were addressed. I know it might be asking a lot due to the setting of the make-up, and it's not like Guillory could write both the build up of the relationship and the long time settling in afterwards and still have a reasonably sized single book, but it wasn't an ending that made me believe in their lasting ability.
The thing that carried the book, and the reason I gave it three stars instead of two is that I did genuinely enjoy the characters. Theo is an anxious perfectionist who dedicates too much time to his job and used to be a bit pretentious about his qualifications. Maddie is a powerhouse who started her own business and in a career that is easy for other people to dismiss. They both have layers and feel like they aren't allowed to be vulnerable. I liked seeing both sides of them, and when they were allowed to be vulnerable with each other it was really sweet. show less

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Penguin Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Maddie and Theo are Alexa's two best friends. Alexa (The Wedding Date) isn't the only thing they have in common: they have a mutual hatred for one another since the moment they met. Theo is too uptight and arrogant for Maddie's taste, and Maddie is too boisterous for Theo's taste.

After a night of passion—that was an agreed upon mistake—Maddie and Theo can't stop thinking about each other. Unfortunately, they both share wedding party responsibilities which means that they will be seeing a lot of more of one another. The tension that's building further ignites their intense attraction. An attraction that only seems to be quelled show more by secret trysts.

Maddie and Theo won't admit that they like each other, but they also don't want to stop sleeping together. So they come up with some rules: they will keep their arrangement a secret, it will end when all of the wedding festivities are over, and they won't fall in love.

With the wedding fast approaching, and the end of their agreement near, the enemies-turned-lovers are secretly disappointed. Their connection can't be more than physical, right? And aren't rules meant to be broken?

Guillory is back with her third Wedding Date installment which is an updated version of the classic opposites attract story. Her take is cheeky, wickedly smart, and hot.

This story takes place part way through Alexa and Drew's relationship—although the timelines and characters overlap, you do not need to read Guillory's other books (The Wedding Date/The Proposal) before reading this one. Maddie and Theo take turns with this narrative and get some help from some new supporting characters, and some that may be familiar to readers. What I love about her writing is that it is so effortless and endearing. Guillory pens characters that are interesting and engaging and puts them in realistic situations that her readers can relate to.

Jasmine Guillory you are a gem! Your writing is charming, flirty, and clever. show less

Cute entry in the romance series by Jasmine Guillory. It was nice to revisit with the couples from The Wedding Date and The Proposal in this book.
Maddie and Theo, both friends of Alexa dislike each other, but when they are together at the end of a party, they end up on bed. They agree that it was a bad idea, but it happens again. They enjoy being together, but swear to keep their relationship secret from everyone, including Alexa.
This story is about friendship and love. Cute story with a happy ever after ending.
#TheWeddingParty #JasmineGuillory

As always, I love the characters in Jasmine's books, and enjoyed revisiting Alexa and Drew (and to a lesser extent Carlos and Nic.) That said, there are issues with story structure/writing that keep these books from being as wonderful as they could be. The biggest issue for me here was Maddie's outsize dislike of Theo for having made a single disrespectful comment about her work. She went nuclear, and refused to be civil even though he was super close to her BFF. Fight back by all means, but this virulent hatred of someone important to a person she loved with no attempt to build a bridge for Alexa's sake was ludicrous and made her seem like a really crummy friend. It made her very unsympathetic. Perhaps if the groundwork had been laid show more it would have worked, but as it was Maddie seemed petulant and nasty.

Other than the one comment indicating that being a stylist was not essential to building a better world (no judgement, I love stylists and have used them on occasion, but they are clearly not first responders), there was not much else to hang Maddie's anger upon. Thinking Theo is an asshole for liking good coffee, margaritas made properly instead of with a mix, and watching more intellectual fare than House Hunters felt like a slap to me (a person who likes good coffee made with a drip cone, smart scripted TV, and good cocktails.) Also, they make a big deal of Theo being a foodie, but he eats pizza EVERY NIGHT. I like cheese and gluten as much as the next girl, but it's mostly not foodie fare (with exceptions) and it is not something to be eaten every night, or even every week. The people in this book eat constantly and the only vegetables I recall being named are olives and roasted garlic on pizza and avocado in guacamole. They live in the East Bay. Despite the implication that pizza was the only thing that comes to your door, you can get pretty much anything delivered in Oakland and Berkeley. It made no sense.

All in all, Maddie seemed like a drama queen, and it was hard to see what interested Theo other than her looks. She comes through in the end, shows some real generosity, but it takes a long time to get there. Theo seemed like a good catch and I kept feeling like he deserved better. Maybe if he had been written as an arrogant jackwad it would have changed the book, but he came across a s a consistently good guy. Still I enjoyed most of the ride just fine. I have a pinched nerve in my neck and was laid flat for several days (or more accurately twisted into weird postures that took pressure off my upper back) - this audiobook was my companion for a couple of those days and it was pleasantly distracting. show less

The only thing that Maddie Foster and Theo Foster have in common is their friendship with Alexa Monroe. Maddie thinks that Theo is somewhat of a prude given to mansplaining and touting his Harvard degree. Theo seems to think that Maddie's job as a fashion stylist is a waste of time and bordering on the idiotic. To say that these two rub each other the wrong way is a major understatement, but all of that seems to change on the night of Theo's birthday party. Maddie agrees to accompany Alexa and actually has a good time. Halfway through the evening, Alexa runs into Drew (read The Wedding Date to find out more about these two) and the romance that was on-the-rocks seems to be back on steady ground and Alexa leaves with Drew, leaving Maddie show more alone at the party. Maddie's attempt to exit the party solo goes nowhere as she's walked to her car by none other than the birthday boy. This walk turns into her giving Theo a ride home, a taunt about dancing, and before you know it, Maddie and Theo are tearing up the sheets. The next morning, Maddie and Theo agree that this was an aberration and will never happen again, but it does repeatedly. Before you know, Maddie and Theo are routinely texting. Maddie is cheering Theo on behind-the-scenes with his work projects and Theo is doing the same for Maddie. When Theo is injured by a protester during a campaign speech, it is Maddie that shows up at the hospital, stays all night, and accompanies Theo home ensuring he is well cared for and safe. Just when it seems like things are going great for the two of them, something happens and their relationship is over. This wouldn't be a problem except Alexa is getting married in a few weeks and Alexa is her bridesmaid and Theo is her bridesman. Can you say awkward?! Will they be able to mend fences and admit they love one another without destroying their friend's wedding?

I initially read The Wedding Party a few weeks ago when I was traveling to Florida for my great-niece's high school graduation. Most of you know that I read about a book a day, so I felt it only proper to re-read The Wedding Party before writing this review. Okay, I didn't really have to re-read the book since I had made pretty good notes, I just wanted the excuse to re-read it. I enjoy a good romance as much as I enjoy a good mystery or suspense read, and Ms. Guillory provides witty, sexy, romances to read with highly relatable characters. These characters are super-rich, but they are smart, well-educated, well-spoken, and hard-working. Maddie is a fashion stylist trying to grow her business and is addicted to reality television shows like The Great British Bake Off, Say Yes to the Dress, and more. Although Theo does initially come across as a prudish, mansplaining elitist, he isn't any of those. He is exacting and somewhat of a perfectionist. Yes, he did go to Harvard, but he doesn't look down on anyone that didn't go to an Ivy-league college or college at all. Theo holds himself to higher standards than he'll hold anyone else to and as the public relations person for the mayor of Berkley, he always feels that he must be better than anyone else and never make mistakes. Part of that is due to his insecurity issues and part of that is due to the double-standards held for people of color in many industries (yes, it is a real thing). I enjoyed the push/pull relationship between Maddie and Theo, as well as getting to know a different side to Alexa. Yes, there's a happy ending, this is a romance! If you've read The Wedding Date or The Proposal then I strongly encourage you to grab a copy of The Wedding Party as soon as possible. If you haven't read The Wedding Date or The Proposal and you're a romance reader (I don't know why you haven't read either since I encouraged you to read both of them, but you still have time), then go grab copies of those two books along with a copy of The Wedding Party. Take a long weekend or your vacation/staycation and read all three, you can thank me later. Trust me, you'll be thanking me later. I'll probably be re-reading all three while I wait for the next book from Ms. Guillory, Royal Holiday, scheduled for release later this year. Happy Reading my fellow romance readers!

This review originally posted on 6/28/2019 at https://www.thebookdivasreads.com/2019/06/2019-book-156-wedding-party-by-jasmine... show less

Maddie and Theo have two things in common: they share a best friend called Alexa, and they hate each other. Two people this different can't possibly have a connection other than the purely physical, right? But as with any engagement with a nemesis, there are unspoken rules that must be abided by. First and foremost, don't fall in love.

Theo is my favorite character in the story. Mattie needed to give in a little. How many pizzas can you consume? This was a very cute romance novel in the series (#3). Although predictable it was a great buffer between readings, especially after reading something heavy. I look forward to reading the next novel in this series, Royal Holiday.