A chance meeting with a handsome stranger turns into a whirlwind affair that gets everyone talking in this New York Times bestseller. Dating is the last thing on Olivia Monroe’s mind when she moves to LA to start her own law firm. But when she meets a gorgeous man at a hotel bar and they spend the entire night flirting, she discovers too late that he is none other than hotshot junior senator Max … than hotshot junior senator Max Powell. Olivia has zero interest in dating a politician, but when a cake arrives at her office with the cutest message, she can’t resist—it is chocolate cake, after all.
Olivia is surprised to find that Max is sweet, funny, and noble—not just some privileged white politician, as she assumed him to be. Because of Max’s high-profile job, they start seeing each other secretly, which leads to clandestine dates and silly disguises. But when they finally go public, the intense media scrutiny means people are now digging up her rocky past and criticizing her job, even her suitability as a trophy girlfriend. Olivia knows what she has with Max is something special, but is it strong enough to survive the heat of the spotlight?
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Another (and last) great installment to this series. This one finishes the series strong.
I really liked this story. Max and Olivia have more than just law degrees and a love for cake and pie in common. They have terrific chemistry! His political position as a US Senator gets in the way a bit, as does her stubbornness. It’s sweet, heartwarming, steamy, and cute with some heartbreaking moments.
I listened to this audiobook. As much as I sometimes wish Guillory would change up the narrator a bit on the books in the series, I really do like the narrator. The thought behind the narrator change has more to do with simply having a different voice in my head for the characters. Janina Edwards really gets into the role, getting properly hyped up or a bit Southern when it’s called for.
Story: 4 stars
Narrator: 4.5 stars
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.
With each book in Jasmine Guillory’s The Wedding Date series (the books are interconnected stand-alones), I think I’ve found my favorite. This latest one, though, is a sure thing. I have no doubt it is my favorite, and that’s due to Olivia Monroe, who proves to be an unforgettable heroine.
Olivia has returned to California after beginning her legal career in New York to start a firm with her friend Ellie. As Olivia explains, this task is made all the more arduous because the two women will be discounted due to their skin color. Jasmine Guillory acknowledges this in a perfect way, showing you through Olivia’s stress and worries how (needlessly) more difficult she and Ellie have it. While at a hotel bar on one of her first nights in town, she meets a hot guy who turns out to be Max Powell, the junior senator from California. Through Max, Guillory shows us the dire need for prison reform.
You’re probably here for the love story, though, so let me tell you that the romance is everything you hope it will be. Max is intense, impetuous, and passionate, whereas Olivia is cautious, thoughtful, and measured. They connect, though, and share some fundamental commonalities. They both seek change, and they both seek stability within the chaos. Olivia looks at her sister (Alexa from The Proposal) and Ellie and envies their marriages; Max yearns for someone to be by his side. Lest you think he wants a plastic political wife, I shall assure you that Max wants someone like Olivia–someone who challenges him and holds him accountable.
You know that there will be conflict, and you know that something will cause them difficulty in their relationship. Expecting something more predictable (please forgive me, Jasmine Guillory), I liked where Guillory took that. I also really liked the intimacy between Max and Olivia. As with her other books, Guillory uses these scenes to increase the emotional connection between her characters. You will not find sex just for the sake of some hot headboard rocking in her books.
And then there are the cakes and pies. At one point, I worried that I’d go into a diabetic coma just from reading this book. I also took a slight detour and began Googling “yellow cake with chocolate frosting” recipes. So thanks for that, Jasmine Guillory. My goodness, do I ever want some cake and pie right now.
Mostly, though, I want Wes’s story. Can we have that? Please?
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.
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.
You know how when you are on a roller coaster and you’re just coasting along while eyeing that hill, and know there will be a thrill at the other end of it? While reading this book, I found myself wishing for that hill. This was a slow read, with the focus on the volunteer experiences, cake and pie discussions, and quite a bit of inner monologue.
Also, I did not like Olivia in this book. All of Guillory’s female characters have been such strong women, but Olivia’s inner monologue and actions didn’t portray a strong woman. Yes, she was a lawyer with her own firm, but her thoughts and some of her decisions were that of an insecure person, someone who is not worthy of nice things or attention.
but what if he sends cakes like this to every woman he had the slightest interest in?
Why do women in romance books question if a man does XYZ with/to/for other women, besides them? Are we women as a whole really that insecure and believe we don’t deserve XYZ, and/or are we this untrusting of the men we meet?
I have loved all the previous books in this series, so I’m gutted that this one didn’t work for me.
Party of Two is the 5th book in the Wedding Date series.
I have to say that I have now read each one, and this is a very awesome addition (I still looooove Royal Holiday the best…but when they are all great, it is hard to decide….).
I was wondering when Olivia (Alexa’s from Book #1 older sister) would get her moment to shine.
I love Olivia. She is smart, sassy, real, intelligent, independent, down to earth, and just a girl that you would want as your own friend. I also liked Max and I loved that his profession of choice was junior Senator. But what I liked most was both together. Their chemistry, their connection, and the fact that they compliment each other so well makes this book and plot a great and enjoyable read.
I also liked that Alexa and Drew got to make a cameo. I miss them!!!! I also loved the ending. Perfect!
I can’t wait until the next book! Bravo!
Thank you EW and Berkley for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.