Welcome to Litsy!

Somehow I managed to finish this book despite this dog demanding many snuggle breaks.
Even though I‘m not a big romance reader I enjoy this series for the humor and meaningful sub plots. This one tackled the school to prison pipeline.
And just when I thought I finished the series, there‘s one more now. 🤬😂 Sorry #SeriesLove2023.
💙💙💙💙💙

#ghostsofxmas #wintergames #20in4 #dogsoitsy
@Andrew65

I‘m going to join @Andrew65 for the #YearEnd #20in4 #OutWithTheOldInWithTheNew reading challenge.

My goals by Sunday:
🥳🥳 finish Party of Two - 8 chapters
🧛🏻‍♂️ read Bite Me by Christopher Moore - 25 chapters
👻🎄 score some points for #ghostsofxmas in the #wintergames

My goal by Tuesday:
🔪 read Kill Joy by Holly Jackson - 12 chapters

🟰 45 chapters

Wish me luck!

Quick trip to Jersey, and I started this one on the plane here. My friend has this stunning sun porch, so I did a little more reading there. Now my flight home is delayed, so I‘ll be reading even more 🙄😃 I have a feeling I‘ll finish this on the flight back!

Loved this quick read rom com! I enjoyed the opposites attract energy and reading about a relationship for folks in their late 30s. I read a review : it was refreshing to read about the struggles of managing their relationship vs the struggles of trying to get into one... And I couldn't agree more!

An entertaining plane read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as Royal Holiday. Olivia and Max definitely have chemistry, but his reckless and impetuous attitude grated after a while. I can't imagine a politician having too much success if they make every decision with no forethought. I loved the focus on Olivia building a life in LA and finding new friends and a place to volunteer. A fun read, but not one I'll return to.

This was my 4th Jasmine Guillory book and while the previous three were amazing, this one sort of fell flat for me. No real character progression and seemed a little too fast paced and unrealistic arguments for me.

Continuing with my romance novel audiobook rereads, this one was great. I think the final conflict of this book is the worst/most realistic of hers, and I was dreading it, so that took some of my enjoyment out. But that‘s just because I love these characters so much. Another fun listen - can‘t wait for the hold on her newest book to come through! I didn‘t begin this intending to lead up to the new book, but it has been a very happy coincidence.

Another solid romance from Guillory, this time following Alexa‘s (The Wedding Date) older sister Olivia. I wish there had been more of previous characters. Overall the story was fun and believable, though the conflict at the end felt somewhat forced. Not my favorite Guillory but I enjoyed it and plan to keep reading. Maybe Jamila gets her own story next?

Another quality romance from Guillory, touching on important issues. Less explicit than the first three (just as Royal Holiday was) and the better for it.

I enjoyed this read, but it was a little too unrealistic and fast paced to be believable. I felt like Max did not grow as a character until the last chapter and that Olivia was more entertaining, but not completely developed. Their romance felt super forced too fast, but ultimately they had good chemistry. The writing style was fun and made for a cute story.

I liked the overall story, the meet cute, the character development, &, of course, the happy ending. The writing was solid. But this is between a pick and so-so for me because Olivia drove me nuts. Her negative overthinking & her always expecting the worst are two personality traits that grate on my nerves.

This was my first Jasmine Guillory book & I‘ll definitely read another of hers.

23hrs for #20in4 🎉
#integrateyourshelf POC MC & author

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️It was fun to get back into Guillory‘s writing again & her “Wedding Date” world! This book follows Alexa‘s older sister Olivia, who we‘ve seen on and off in the other books, and who I was interested in learning more about.
It was nice following characters in their late 30s, & this book addressed issues of race and interracial dating with frequency and honesty, both of which I appreciated.
Guillory will continue to be a must read for me.

Because it's labeled as "The Wedding Date #5" I'll mention Olivia's sister is Alexa from a previous title. These have all been open door romances but I honestly think this one should have been closed door because the few discriptive scenes that were included read like after thoughts and did nothing for the storyline itself. I hope it doesn't miss the mark for target audience because of how it's grouped as a fluffy read when it has hard topics.

A great read! I‘ll pick up anything by Jasmine Guillory.

A lawyer and a senator fall for each other despite their differences in this cute romance from Jasmine Guillory. One of my favorite things about the Guillory romances I've read so far (this and A Royal Holiday) is that the drama isn't too drawn out. Not uncomplicated, but sweet, and honestly that's what I was looking for our of this.

This cute romance definitely helped me get through my 4 hour drive today

Something fun to close out this year...

If you're looking for a light and fluffy read, this fits the bill ... and the main characters weren't TOO infuriating (which seems to happen often in rom-coms, IMHO).

#TeamReadNosedReindeer @StayCurious

I have enjoyed all the books in this Jasmine Guillory romance series, but this one I thought was especially good. Olivia has just moved back to California from New York, to open a law firm with her best friend. One night at a hotel bar she meets a handsome man, not realizing he is a hotshot young senator. Fun and flirty but also with realistic issues.

My romance reads this year have the most ridiculous accidental connections to the most benign aspects of current events. This time, it‘s a Dolly Parton concert. 😂
Also, the book is great so far: it‘s a Guillory, so the odds were good.

November #bookspin list! @TheAromaofBooks

I picked up this audiobook on a whim bc my library had it available on Libby. This is heavy duty a romance, but it also talks about a lot of other things: racism, biracial relationships, politics, and the prison pipeline. Plus, the main characters have their own shit going on, and they are both kind of kick-ass. And the romance was wholly adorable

Good thing I had leftover cake from this weekend's #oktoberfestathome - lots and lots of cake in this book. 😋

I have spent a few hours listening to this while feeding the baby, eating lunch, walking the dogs, etc. I'm really enjoying it so far! A fun romance with plot outside of the romance element, which I love. I hate it when the characters only care about being together

My #Booked2020 Summer reads:

-#RedWhiteorBlueTypeonCover: Party of Two
-#EccentricMC: The Widow of Rose House
-#YANovelbyaPOC: I Wanna Be Where You Are
-#WineorWhine: A Court of Frost and Starlight
-#BannedBook: Animal Farm
-#ArmchairTravel: Lady Pirate

Predictable but good. Don‘t read while on whole 30, too many references to cake

I love Jasmine Guillory. She just keeps creating these smart, strong women - and Olivia is now one of my favs. I wasn‘t sure about the political aspect of this going in but it worked out okay. I hope this series continues!

Dear Romance Community, what is going on with y'all and the reviewer? I only am seeing drips and drabs of the story.. but I want to know the gossip!! Please tell me!

Got a row of #rippedbodicebingo done just in time.

Reading up for the romance panel for the virtual Decatur Book Festival next month. #ARC #Edelweiss

https://www.crowdcast.io/e/ajc-dbf-2020-falling-in-love-with-love/register?utm_s...

I absolutely love Jasmine Guillory. I bought Royal Holiday on a whim last year around Christmas and HAD to snap this up as soon as it came out! I can‘t wait to read all of her other books as I have time for time among my many reading challenges 😂 #booked2020 #popsugarreadingchallenge2020 #flourishandblottschallenge2020

I don‘t watch the Bachelor series but Jasmine Guillory gives me a taste for the anticipation of which supporting character will be picked to become the star of the next story. It makes me pay close attention to the supporting cast. It‘s also fun change to read a romantic comedy where the leads are well beyond their 30th birthday.

I am all caught up with on my Guillory! Another cute addition to the series. I now find myself looking at side characters and wondering who will be the protagonist of a future installment.

A fun read overall. Enjoyed this continuation of the series that featured Alexa‘s sister, Olivia. One thing I noticed, for someone who liked to think about things before making a decision, Olivia did tend to make assumptions about Max. For example she thought he just wanted a fling, but he was looking for a committed relationship. Added some depth to the characters and made them more three dimensional.

#romance #summerreading

Thanks @Hazel2019

1: mango 🥭 and corn 🌽

2: just As Long As We‘re Together by Judy Blume (I think it was set in summer?)

3: I got to pet a dolphin in the Bahamas, and also saw them while on a boat there.

Want to play @CoffeeNBooks @Blueberry

Enjoying time at the beach with popcorn, my favorite GF beer, and the latest sweet romance from Jasmine Guillory!

When Olivia Monroe moves back to California, romance is the last thing on her mind, so falling in love with a US Senator is definitely not on her “To Do” list. It‘s predictable and delightful, and also gives voice to some challenges of a Black woman dating a privileged white man.
#readingauthorsofcolor2020

This didn‘t disappoint. I loved the match. Olivia was a great side character for her sister‘s story, and she made a great lead here. She did frustrate me on occasion (damn plot), but I did see the reasoning behind her decisions.

I liked Max as well. I wouldn‘t mind more politicians who cared about the issues Max did). And, just like Olivia, the author did a really good job of helping you understand the decisions made in the story.

I adore Jasmine Guillory's books and this one was no exception. Funny, cute, touching, absolutely unrealistic -- just what I like and need from time to time. I hope Guillory keeps writing books once or twice a year so I can follow these lovely, sexy characters for all of my life.

#JubilantJuly

I always love a new romance from Jasmine Guillory. Here, Olivia Monroe (Alexa‘s sister) has just moved to L.A. to start her own law firm and runs into Senator Max Powell. They have an instant connection and spend the next few months navigating the complications of a public interracial relationship (plus eating a lot of delicious desserts). #bookspinbingo #readblackauthors #mmdsummerreading

Absolutely lovely romance! Olivia and Max are great characters and I really loved their courtship and relationship. I hope she writes more books in this series❤️

I love, love, love these books!! It so cool how they are loosely ties together by characters and you really come to know and love them! Olivia and Max‘s love story was great and I can‘t wait for the next book!!

I‘ve done very little reading since the baby came home in January. But we‘re at my in-laws lake house and I‘ve got a whole 30 minutes to myself!

I spent almost the whole book waiting for the other shoe to drop because everything was going so well for these two! And then, just when I thought she might not drop the shoe, she did! But in such a way that was unexpected and worked! I cannot wait for the next book! Will it be Wes? Kara? Ellie? I need more books!

Started my weekend helping move my friend into her house. I got coffee to keep me company with this book for the next little while.