| Title | : | While We Were Dating (The Wedding Date, #6) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0593100840 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780593100844 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 336 |
| Publication | : | First published July 13, 2021 |
| Awards | : | Goodreads Choice Award Romance (2021) |
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?
While We Were Dating (The Wedding Date, #6) Reviews
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I love this book more than I can say. More than cookies, cake, pie, some of my family members, most cheeses (I love cheese a LOT, ok?). Writing it brought me so much joy. I can’t wait for you all to read it.
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I love that Jasmine Guillory has created her own universe with these novels. This is one of my new favorites. It has all of Guillory’s signature style—lots of sexy things happening between sexy people, competent men who are willing to go to therapy to work on their shit, interesting families, beautiful food, and in this novel a love story between a talented ad exec and a movie star. I simply couldn’t put this book down. It was all so appealing and charming and easy to fall into this world. And to have Anna dealing with anxiety and the patience and grade she learns to give herself really has you rooting for her. A lovely novel all around.
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I love to return back Guillory’s sweet-swoon-soft- cuddling-pampering-dreamy universe! I mostly enjoyed entire books of the series!
This book is also an easy read makes you feel good, puts a big smile on your face with its lovely characters, high chemistry, smart banters, pretending relationship premise!
Ben Stephens ( if you read previous books you may also know Theo from Wedding Party! Yes, Ben is his brother and he likes to consult with his brother about every aspect of his life) is our hero whose main focus is climbing the ladders of advertising universe, working hard, dealing with family drama ( a letter from a sister who never met! ), preferring casual one night stands! But when a client appears at their meeting unannounced and specifically demands to work with him, he may easily change his life decisions. Especially that client is hot, smart, successful, beautiful Hollywood star Anna Gardiner.
Anna uses this ad campaign as a distraction from hearing of her next movie project she is dying to work in. This time she’s so adamant to win this golden statue! But she finally realizes the biggest distraction is the charming guy she’s working with ( actually very same guy she’s shamelessly flirting with! )
When Ben helps Anna with her family emergency, he learns more about her past. He finally realizes she’s suffering from her own anxiety issues behind her shiny Hollywood star image she’s created.
They also agree to start with pretending relationship to solve both of their problems but you know the drill: a fake relationship never has a chance to survive at the romance universe! It’s doomed to fail and friendships always turn into intense love stories. So you may guess his their little game will result, won’t you?
I enjoyed both of the characters and I had great time to read their entertaining, heartwarming love stories! Ms. Guillory’s books guaranteed to warm your heart, make you smile throughout your whole week! This is one of the great feel good reads you have to save for your rainy days!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions. -
While We Were Dating is the sixth book in Jasmine Guillory's Adult Romance series, The Wedding Date.
If you are unfamiliar with this series, they are all companion novels with some connecting characters. You can read them in any order, or as standalones.
In this installment, we follow Ben Stephens, who is the younger brother of Theo Stephens, the leading man of
The Wedding Party.
Ben, who is known as a bit of a ladies man, works for an ad agency. When he is sent to pitch an important ad campaign featuring movie star, Anna Gardiner, he's nervous.
Turns out, he had nothing to worry about. Ben is charming and he knocks it out of the park; making a great first impression with Anna.
Anna is at a turning point in her career. She is popular and well-known, but she really wants to get to that next level.
She views this ad campaign as a great distraction while she waits for her latest movie to drop. She's anxious about what the reception to her role will be, but she remains hopeful that amazing things will come from it.
After Ben's company wins the campaign, Anna makes sure Ben is the lead on the project. He could be just the right kind of distraction she needs.
Anna generally doesn't mix business with pleasure, but there's always room for exceptions.
Due to an unusual set of circumstances, Ben and Anna spend quite a bit of one-on-one time together and their light flirty banter quickly evolves into something more.
As the two are forced into a bit of a fake-dating relationship in order to aide Anna's image, the lines blur even further. Is it real, or is it not? It's so hard to tell in Hollywood.
I had a lot of fun with this one. I enjoyed Ben and Anna so much. Both of their characters worked for me and their banter together was adorable.
As with the earlier books in the series, I appreciate how Guillory included some important real life issues. Her characters are never just laser focused on love and romance. They always have issues they are working through and for me, I feel like they always grow in a satisfying way.
In this one, Anna's celebrity was interesting to read about. I think frequently about how anxiety-inducing it must be to live that sort of fishbowl lifestyle. It must be challenging and exhausting to separate who you really are from all that constant chatter.
Ben is a breath of fresh air in Anna's life. He's a sincere person, who having worked in the past as a back-up dancer, is used to the buzz and craziness that comes with the entertainment business. He doesn't get blinded by all that. He just sees Anna.
While I felt this one was wrapped up a little abruptly, I'm still very happy with the ending. My heart is full and I've got a big ole smile on my face!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I will definitely continue to pick up anything else Guillory chooses to write. She's got her own style and I'm here for it! -
My first Jasmine Guilllory and… :(
All I can say is :(
I enjoy a pleasant surprise. When I actually like something I didn't expect to like - that rules. So the fact that I liked everything that was unexpected about this book - subplots about mental health, family, work/life balance, charity, what have you - that was good.
But the fact that I didn't like every reason I was reading it...that, my friends, is an UNpleasant surprise.
The characters were a no. The romance was a no.
And so overall...this book wasn't a no. But it was a lot closer than my ideal.
Bottom line: Bummer!
---------------
pre-review
this was like "what if men were psychic and genetically enhanced to be perfect boyfriends" fanfiction.
review to come / 2.5
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currently-reading updates
only cool people start a series six books in
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challenging myself to read as many review copies as possible this month because i'm addicted to projects!
ARC 1:
spaceman of bohemia
ARC 2:
in search of us
ARC 3:
aerialists
ARC 4:
the sound of drowning
ARC 5:
unleaving
ARC 6:
the other side of luck
ARC 7:
romanov
ARC 8:
the storm keeper's island
ARC 9:
gut check
ARC 10:
when force meets fate
ARC 11:
sisters in hate
ARC 12:
before i disappear
ARC 13:
big time
ARC 14:
stolen science
ARC 15:
have a little faith in me
ARC 16:
invitation to a bonfire
ARC 17:
the splendor
ARC 18:
how to be luminous
ARC 19:
the little women cookbook
ARC 20: while we were dating -
"While We Were Dating" is book #6 in Jasmine Guillory's Wedding Date Series - A Multicultural Romance series and so much more!
Ben Stephens is stoked! His boss told him he's the lead on a major ad campaign featuring beautiful, sexy actress Anna Gardiner. Anna is stoked, too! She loves Ben's presentation and insists he be the lead during filming. Ben can't believe his luck!
Flirting becomes the name of the game between these two. Ben didn't expect to be so attracted to Anna. Anna didn't expect to be so distracted by Ben. It's a good thing both believe it wise to keep it professional and mixing business with pleasure isn't always the best choice. Right!?
Ben has never been interested in a serious relationship and Anna's main focus is building her exposure as an actress. Ben has plenty of family drama and an advertising career to focus on. Anna has an Oscar in mind, for goodness sake!
Ben knows Anna is gorgeous but soon discovers she's kind and down to earth. Anna knows Ben is handsome but it takes her by surprise when he doesn't hesitate to help her through a family crisis. They begin telling each other secrets they've never told anyone. Ben's & Anna's relationship develops quickly and sparks begin to fly. Fireworks, baby!
What starts as an attraction suddenly morphs into something very different. A commitment neither one of them expected. Will these two be happy with how it all plays out?
This book focuses primarily on the two main characters. Yes, there are side stories but the bulk of this story concerns Ben & Anna and I love that! With lots of hot, sizzling sex! Oh yeah! It's very steamy multiple times in this book!
There is so much more to this book that appeals to me. When you read a Romance, don't you want some tooth to it? Some socially relevant topics? Well, this book has that. Discussions about mental health issues specific to anxiety. Encouragement of counseling and benefits of therapy. A curvaceous woman who learns to love her body in spite of pressures to be something different. Love of family! Both Ben and Anna have strong family connections that sustain them! All important stuff, folks!
Two benefits of this series:
- There are reoccurring characters popping up intermittently in this series.
- All books are stand-alone so you can read this series in any order you like.
How great is that?
Jasmine Guillory simply makes reading her books a fun experience. Now I know why this author has such a committed following! I'll be reading all of them. Yes, this was my first book and it won't be my last!
I highly recommend this book to readers who love Romance and especially those who appreciate important topics within the story!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review. -
This is book 6 of the Wedding Date series, though only the third I’ve read. Each stands strong on its own, so you really can jump in anywhere.
Anna is a fresh-faced, rising star in Hollywood. Now what she really needs is to create a buzz around herself to land the next “big part.” What better way than with a steamy, scandalous romance. Only she doesn’t have a boyfriend. Well…not exactly.
Ben is heading up an advertising campaign featuring Anna. She’s certainly caught his eye. And not just as an up-and-coming actress. But Ben has serious doubts whether a star-like Anna could ever be truly interested in a regular guy like him.
Well, the attraction is there in spades! So, what’s to lose? Why not use this unique opportunity to “create a relationship” and let the world know the two are in love!😉
Ben is all in! But what happens when they don’t need to pretend for the public eye anymore? Will they continue on together or go their separate ways?
I’m a bit hit and miss with this series. This one missed the mark just a bit. I wanted more from Anna and didn’t quite feel the chemistry develop between the two characters.
Jasmine Guillory touches on some serious topics to this read, including the mental health of our leading lady as she battles anxiety issues. I thought that aspect was handled very well.
A buddy read with Susanne.
Posted to:
https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group. -
I was so excited for this book. I have loved Jasmine Guillory’s novels, have preordered each one since The Wedding Date, and typically start reading them the day they’re released. So I was surprised and sad to find myself not enjoying While We Were Dating, and basically forcing myself to finish the novel.
The main issue, for me, is that everything feels so generic, which is particularly problematic here, because part of the joy of reading about famous characters is delving into their lifestyles. For example, Anna is worried she’s going to be cut from an Avengers-style movie, yet we never find out what her role was. The plot is moved ahead by her desire for a role in an Oscar-bait film, but we never find out what the movie is about, what the role is, why she wants to work with the director. This also happens with Ben. At first his job is extremely important, and he’s great at it, and then suddenly it’s never mentioned again. This lack of specificity is unlike Guillory’s best and makes it hard to root for the characters, because I honestly don’t know if they belong together. Even the banter and food choices, typically two of my favorite parts of Guillory’s novels, are really muted.
Guillory does write incredible arguments for her characters, and those moments really shone here. And this novel isn’t terrible, it’s still enjoyable, but it’s disappointing after reading and loving Guillory’s earlier novels. -
Ben is working on climbing the ranks in the advertising world while also juggling some unexpected family news. Movie star Anna is on a mission to be a household name. When Ben and Anna’s worlds come together during a major ad campaign, their light and flirtatious banter turns into something more than either of them expects. Totally cute, per usual for Jasmine.
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How old was Anna? She acted like a 14 year old.
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Jasmine Guillory's newest book, While We Were Dating, is a fun yet weighty rom-com and another installment in this great world Guillory has built.
Ben (whose brother Theo was a main character in The Wedding Party) is an ambitious ad executive. When he gets to present his firm’s idea for a major ad campaign featuring famous actress Anna Gardiner, he’s excited to get his break, especially when Anna shows up at the pitch meeting. (And it doesn’t hurt that Anna is beautiful, too.)
After one Oscar nomination, Anna is ready for the next step in her career. She’s hoping this ad campaign helps put her in the public eye at the right time. She’s impressed with Ben—he’s smart, kind, funny, and sexy as hell—and it’s great to have a Black man in charge. The two build up a flirtatious relationship but both know moving beyond that would be disastrous.
When an emergency occurs in Anna’s family, Ben comes to her rescue, and the two start to let their guard down with one another. Both reveal secrets about themselves, and that vulnerability leads to passion and intimacy, even though they know it must be fleeting.
But when it’s suggested that a relationship (even a fake one) might help keep Anna in the public eye at the time she’s being considered for her dream role, Ben agrees to play along. Making it look like he has feelings for her is easy. Keeping it casual? Not so much.
Of course, this is a rom-com, so you know where things are headed. But along the way we get some frank discussions about anxiety and mental health, family loyalty, and the pressures of fame. As always, Guillory’s writing is so charming, accessible and appealing, and she gives you characters to root for. (Plus, I love the interconnectedness of her books.)
NetGalley and Berkley provided me with a complimentary advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!
While We Were Dating publishes 7/13.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at
https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
See all of my reviews at
itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/. -
3.5 stars
When I saw that the hero in While We Were Dating was Ben, Theo’s younger brother, I was so excited. I adored Theo in his book and Ben was definitely the best part about this story. I liked Anna as well, but there are moments I wasn’t happy with the choices she made. By the end, I was happy with how it concluded. The main reason this wasn’t quite a 4 star was the pacing. I felt like certain moments of the book felt so slow to me. Still, a nice addition to Guillory’s ‘The Wedding Date’ series.
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Janina Edwards
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 10h 21m -
This was just okay. Another contemporary with fake dating that didn't feel like anything special. I really didn't believe in the romance until the end. It just felt like they were conveniently hooking up and then using each other for fake dating. I also think this book focused so much on Anna and her career and we were left with not really a whole lot about Ben or his current job. He would just constantly call into work and say he was "working from home" when he was really just doing stuff with Anna. I would have liked Ben centered more as a character instead of everything revolving around Anna. His storyline with his family just felt like a weird addition that wasn't really connected to the rest of the story. While this wasn't a bad book by any means, I wasn't completely captured by the story.
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Review posted to blog:
https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Romantic and Sweet, with Serious Undertones.
Another installment of The Wedding Date series by Jasmine Guillory, While We Were Dating takes a look inside a Hollywood starlight’s life. When Ben Stephens, an Ad Exec, is hired to work on a commercial with the gorgeous and talented starlet Anna Gardiner, sparks fly.
I’m talking flirting, witty banter and chemistry galore.
Though Anna and Ben are working side by side and shouldn’t give into their attraction, neither can help themselves. After all, what’s the harm in a little flirtation that is fun, yet sincere and wholly genuine?
When Anna realizes that she needs to up her marketability if she wants more jobs in Hollywood, her manager comes up with a solution: Fake Date Ben Stephens.
While it sounds like fun and games, not all is fair when it comes to romance.
While We Were Dating is a cute and fun read that tackles serious issues, such as anxiety and mental health. While I enjoyed it, I wish I had felt more connected to the characters.
Another fun weekend buddy read with Ms. Kaceey.
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley for the arc. -
I can’t say that I enjoyed this one. I kept going to see how it would resolve but i rolled my eyes at Ben a lot. I liked Ben…but I didn’t believe him. This character was written in such a man unrealistic manner that I laughed a lot. No man says things like that or says it that way. His dialogue felt like something a woman would like to hear from a man.
Ana was okay. She felt authentic to how I perceive actresses and entertainers, a bit self centered and not as cognizant to things outside their current career aspirations.
I will applaud this author for adding therapy because we need to normalize therapy. That was a job well done. This story was my least favorite in the series. -
2.5/5 stars. For sure a couple that breaks up a month after the book is over🧍♀️
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE SUITCASE SCENE, and I was down with how long it was buuut that’s it… and I don’t think a single (1) great scene makes up for the the rest of the book being completely lackluster. This is an author I want to support, so I’ll definitely continue to read future things (especially because I own one of her other books already AND I saw ‘By the Book’ at Target and it’s the FLOPPIEST book ever 😍)
The characters fell short and I wanted to see more development even though I do love how she addressed mental health. However… the thing is that I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. -
Not a great entry in this series
This one took me a while to finish. I actually had to book four separate times because I just couldn't get through it in one sitting like I usually could with Guillory's books. There is just nothing that drew me into this one and the two main leads were not remotely relatable and they were honestly chemistry free. And there just seem to be a lot of stuff happening in this one and not hanging together very well. I think this is the last of the wedding date books and it's sad that it's gonna end on this type of a note. -
Fake dating turns into real romance with a side of Hollywood glitz and glamour
This was my first Jasmine Guillory book and I loved it! I listed to the audiobook which was fantastic. Initially, I was worried that I might feel lost because I hadn’t read the previous books in the series but this worked perfectly as a standalone. I know there were some cameos by characters from other books. While I’m sure fans of the series enjoyed them, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything not knowing them. You don’t know what you don’t know, right.
I loved the mental health aspect of the book, focusing on anxiety. It was done well with a positive stance on therapy. There was also a refreshing body positive message. Ben was an amazing leading man! He was smart, gentle and respectful. I liked his respect for Anna and the way Guillory showed a positive example of consent through him.
If you’re looking for a satisfying romcom I definitely recommend 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. Anna and Ben have wonderful chemistry, there is flirtatious banter and this book has some good steam for my fellow steam lovers! -
4.5 Stars!
While We Were Dating is book #6 in The Wedding Date series. It follows Ben whose brother was the love interest in book #3 The Wedding Party. We only get a basic understanding of who Ben is in that book but he does come off likeable.
In this book he meets Anna Gardiner who is a Hollywood actress, while working with her on an ad campaign. They became friends who have sex and then they start to Fake Date. Im actually surprised I liked this so much because the last 2 books in this series were good but they were starting to get stale. I liked them but I figured we were starting to go downhill as far as my enjoyment.
Maybe I just needed a break from the series, in order for me to rediscover my enjoyment. This book was fun and sexy. I liked the way anxiety was talked about and any book that involves food talk is always wins me over.
If you liked any of the books in The Wedding Date series, than pick this one up too! -
What a fun romantic comedy of a book! Main character Anna Gardiner is a hard-working, down-to-earth actress trying to make it in Hollywood. While she waits to find out if she landed her dream role, she works on an advertising spot, where she meets go-getter Ben Stephens. Anna is immediately taken by how hard of a worker Ben is, not to mention attractive, but she has very strict rules on remaining professional with the people she works with. Both Ben and Anna find themselves in the middle of family drama, and they begin to share that information with each other, which draws them even closer. The line between professionalism and a romantic relationship begins to blur as they become friends and can't dismiss the chemistry they have. This book was extra fun because it involved an unexpected road trip, covertly sneaking around the paparazzi, and learning to trust the people around you. For those who like Jasmine Guillory's books, this will be another fan favorite! If you have never picked up one of her books before, this book would be a great start! – Rachel M.
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another cute addition to THE WEDDING DATE series ❤️ thanks for Berkley for the gifted ARC.
I’m conflicted with this one bc i LOVED the male main character but the female main character annoyed me and was very selfish… Ben was perfect 🥺 deff adding him to my list of book bfs!
absolutely loved how much Jasmine Guillory talked about mental health and normalizing therapy and anxiety attacks. she wrote this during the pandemic so that was very prevalent and appreciated by me—and will be by so many!
i never want this series to end 🙌🏼 -
Have you ever read a book you knew you'd love and end up not only loving it but deciding the story was made just for you? While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory was that book for me. This author gets all the stars from me all the time. Her characters are incredible, the stories are romantic and sexy and her descriptions are off the chart perfection.
I've read this entire series and all were over four stars for me. This one just takes the cake though. Ben is an ad exec trying to climb the corporate ladder at his ad agency. He gets a chance to pitch the latest campaign and hits a home run. The client loves it and they want hum to lead the crew. This would be great on its own but Anna Gardiner is the one who asked for him and he couldn't be more happy. The Anna asks for him. The celebrity actress. Okay okay calm down he tells himself, this is only business but is it? When Anna and Ben spend time together they can't help but notice the easiness of their communication. Then Anna's dad is sick and all flights to Palm Springs have left. Ben decides to drive her there himself on the spere of the moment and that's when their chemistry can not be denied.
Jasmine is my queen. I will forever pick up her novels the second they released. Do yourself a favor and go grab thus one asap😃 -
Even though I am a Jasmine Guillory fan, I was a bit apprehensive about While We Were Dating because I wasn’t such a fan of Theo’s story (Ben’s older brother). That being said, I ended up thoroughly enjoying this story and was surprised at the added layer of depth by focusing on mental health and counseling.
The beginning of the story was a bit repetitive since Ben constantly would remark on Anna being "Anna freaking Gardiner" since Anna is a well known actress. However, once Ben and Anna settled into a groove, he stopped saying this every other page, which I was grateful for.
The physical attraction between Ben and Anna was palpable from the beginning, but what won me over was the deep moments where they would confide in each other about how they both were struggling with their respective mental health issues (anxiety and panic attacks for Anna and abandonment and avoidance for Ben), and the steps that they were taking in order to make progress since these things don’t go away. At no point did either one insinuate that they could be cured or that there was a quick fix. Both leaned into therapy, which was refreshing.
I also loved that Anna is not your stereotypical skinny blonde actress. Anna is a sexy and confident Black woman who is plus sized by industry standards and is completely unapologetic about it. I enjoyed the insight into Anna struggles in Hollywood and how she was able to overcome them in order to succeed in an industry where women don’t look like her.
Okay, while The Wedding Party is still my least favorite Guillory book since I wasn’t really sold on Theo and Maddie, their chemistry and interactions flow so much better in this book. There are few times when Theo and Maddie must come to the rescue, and the shenanigans that ensue were hilarious.
Overall, this is another fantastic addition to Guillory’s Wedding Date series.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio and Berkley Books for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own. -
4.5/ 5 stars
While We Were Dating is book 6 in The Wedding Date series of interconnected standalones. It is a contemporary romance.
I have read and enjoyed all of the books in this series. I absolutely love this cover and this author. And this was one of my most anticipated reads of the summer.
The story is set in San Francisco. The narrators are Ben and Anna (3rd person POVs).
Can this book be read as a standalone? This book is Ben's story. Ben is Theo's brother (Theo's story was told in The Wedding Party and he was also featured in The Wedding Date). Theo is in this book a fair amount. Maddie is also in this book a bit. And Nik and Carlos (from The Proposal) have a small part in this book. If that doesn't bother you then I think that this book can totally be read and enjoyed without having read the previous books.
This was such a fun book. Ben works at an ad agency. I absolutely loved this job for him. He is charming and funny. And I loved watching him do his job.
Anna (32 years old) is a very famous actress. And I loved how complex her character was. And I loved her best friend Penny and their friendship.
I really enjoyed the flirty banter in this book. This book was quite sexy. Probably sexier than you might think from the cover. And I thought that the beginning of this book was fantastic.
I also really enjoyed getting to see Theo and Maddie. They were such a great part of this book.
I enjoyed the romance a lot. What a fun and flirty read!
Thanks to edelweiss and Berkley for allowing me to read this book. -
(free review copy) Guillory just gets better with every book and I LOVED this one! So much healthy talk about therapy and anxiety ~ exactly the type of conversations that need to be normalized in our fiction AND society ❤️
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I love Jasmine Guillory but her latest was just okay for me.
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While We Were Dating is the sixth book in The Wedding Date standalone series. I was excited to jump into this book because my interest in Ben was piqued in The Wedding Party, my other favorite book in this series. In this book, Ben gets to take lead on an ad campaign starring movie star Anna Gardiner. From the moment they meet, sparks fly. As they work on the campaign together, they engage in a flirtation that leads to a fling. When Anna's agent catches wind of the fling, he proposes that they use her relationship with Ben to thrust her into the celebrity limelight. Anna and Ben have the challenge of parading their fake relationship to the public while trying not to catch feelings for one another.
To be honest, I always think I don't like the fake dating trope. But then I read books like this and they prove me wrong! I think what made the fake dating scenario work for me in this book was the fact that it doesn't happen until a little later in the book. We get to see Anna and Ben's relationship develop and the heat turns up in the bedroom before they begin their fake relationship. I felt like it was more believable that they would agree to it because they already had a connection.
I liked the pacing of the development of Ben and Anna's relationship. They had fireworks and tons of chemistry that catapulted them into a fling that was really fun and exciting. And then when they slowed things down to get to know each other, those parts were enjoyable too. They were perfect for one another, having an ease and familiarity with each other from the beginning.
The focus on mental health in this book is important to highlight. Anna suffers from anxiety and Ben made her feel seen and safe. I loved that he was open to talking about it and knew what she needed. And at those points that he didn't know what he needed, he asked her instead of making assumptions.
The glitz and glamour of Hollywood, movie making, and being a celebrity is always a fun backdrop for books. This book was an awesome mix of fun, steam, and all the feels. It's my favorite book in the series!
Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥
⚠️: anxiety, panic attacks
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review. -
Ooh, Jasmine Guillory! You got the goods, baby, to write a wicked good love story. Ben and Anna are a zinger of a pair. Their story oozes all the good things and bad things about a relationship. I sat in my recliner hoping they’d make the right decisions, y’all. You had me is suspense, page after page, even as they drifted aimlessly forward. Their chemistry was off the charts, yet they both pulled in the reins time after time, both afraid to commit to what the reader could see.
Ben, tall, handsome ad executive, leads Anna, beautiful, curvaceous Oscar-winning actress, through a lengthy (2 weeks?) photo shoot for a product promotion for his agency. The first surprise occurs when Ben steps in to help Anna in a family emergency. Their physical attraction was immediate, but that ‘will they,’ or ‘won’t they’ keeps the reader turning pages. This was more of a ferris-wheel ride than a roller-coaster. Meanwhile, Anna is desperate for her immediate future to unfold. She reveals what she wants to Ben, starting the breakdown of her anxieties and doubts, but also revving up her trust. Ben admits to having a therapist and in the sharing of their vulnerabilities, their ‘hook-up’ sexual affair tends to take on a decidedly different perspective. Simon, Anna’s manager, leads her into accepting a fake situation to promote Anna’s press coverage. Then things become a bit shady and more personal, so what looked promising is left hanging like one arm on a trapeze.
You’d better read this number before I give away too much.
The writing is superb. The tension sizzles. So does the sex. There is an intentional insight into mental illness and a lot of hope for readers who can relate to similar real-life circumstances. The ending plays out nicely. Give it a whirl. -
There's just so much pleasure in anticipating a book from an author one always enjoys. Those Throne Game fans don't seem to appreciate that.
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31 July 2021
Of course, there is also much pleasure in reading a book from an author one always enjoys. Guillory is highly skilled at writing a story about two people who are marvelously competent in their fields and successful at quite a young age still. They're good at life: forging and maintaining close ties with friends and family, working, contributing service as well as money to their community, appreciating the meaning and the joy they get back from all of it. They're fully engaged with humanity and thoughtful about their interactions with everyone, and we seem them acting with consideration for others. They have setbacks and hardships and problems, but they put in the work to do better. Also, they pretty much never cook.
So unlike Instagram, my time spent in Guillory's world makes me feel better: more positive, more constructive, more balanced, more careful. Happily ever after isn't just for the leads in the story, Guillory makes everyone's life a little better. Which makes mine a lot better for a while.
Library copy
