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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There is so much to relate to, and throughout the novel there is a sharp feminist edge. Loved this one, and you will too.
One of my romances of the year. Her characterisation is superb.
Oh my goodness, this might be Jasmine Guillory’s best novel to date! Olivia Monroe (older sister to Alexa, of Guillory’s first novel, The Wedding Date) moves back to California to open her own law firm with her friend (she’s an IP laywer!). She flirts with a handsome guy, Max, at a bar only to later discover he’s actually the junior Senator to California! We all see where this is going right?
Olivia and Max’s story is probably my favorite so far, just because they’re such a kick-ass, high-powered career couple (I mean, doesn’t hurt that Olivia and I have basically the same job) and you can really FEEL how the characters love each other through the page. I’m not sure I’ve believed two book characters loved each other quite this much in any other book, and certainly in none of Guillory’s. Of course, that’s never quite enough, is it? With Max being a quasi-celebrity, there is enough drama to turn this charming story into a full-fledged romance novel, and perhaps one of my favorites of all time. Guillory is unparalleled in her ability to create characters that are just SO DAMN (am I allowed to say that on here?) LIKABLE you have no choice but to continue reading. Being a series (of sorts, they can certainly be read as stand-alones) also keeps you coming back for more to pick up crumbs of what the previous books’ characters are up to.
*Immediately prepares to preorder whatever Guillory writes next*
One of her best romantic comedic fictions quite charming and funny!
I enjoyed this book!! I even got the rest of the series!! It was really good, light with humor and crying! I would definitely recommend this book!
“Party of Two” was another good read from Jasmine Guillory. Her book was quite entertaining! It made me laugh and get misty-eyed at times. Her descriptions and uses of imagery were very vivid. The main characters, Olivia and Max, had great chemistry and were believable and interesting. The plot, which was plausible, moved along at break-neck speed! I enjoyed it!
I really enjoy escaping in the world of a Jasmine Guillory romance novel. In this one, Olivia Monroe meets Max Powell at a hotel bar and they hit it off immediately. What she doesn’t know right away is that Max is the junior US Senator for California. Olivia is hesitant about dating anyone seriously, much less someone with a high profile position.
The story slowly builds their romance, has the inevitable problem which causes real issues in their relationship, and a satisfying conclusion.
If you enjoy romance, this is a good one. I also liked how Guillory weaved in the issue of criminal reform and issues that different races face. Well done!
I only read this book from the series and I really liked it. The 2 main characters were likeable, and I felt they fit together, very well.
Olivia & Max met at a bar and hit it off, right away. It was hard for them to find time to be together because he was a politician, but I felt they made it work.
I love Jasmine’s stories! They are the perfect rom com escapism that I need in between all the psychological thrillers that I read! I fall in love with each of the characters and love that there is always a happy ending! I look forward to her next story!
This book was ok. This book really wasn’t for me, it seemed to drag through most of it.
What a disappointment! There’s some decent writing here, but this book is fatally flawed by sex scenes that are essentially pornographic. Plus a flood of unneeded F-bombs.
The story is also wildly implausible. A U.S. Senator can walk around So Cal in perfect anonymity; he has nothing to do every weekend but date this pretty lawyer, completely unnoticed by the media. Movies, In-and-Out Burger, walks to Griffith Park . . . and no one notices. No staff meetings, no aides around, no deadlines. Most weekends I’ve got a busier agenda than this guy, and I’m a teacher with Saturdays and Sundays off.
The author does try to be a bit socially redeeming with our heroine working at a soup kitchen. And the senator is trying to get a liberal crime bill passed. But that’s a tiny flicker of nobility in what’s otherwise a silly and hackneyed cesspool of mundane conversations that go on and on AND ON about nothing.
Picked this one up when I desperately needed something fluffy and nice to distract me from the stress of the US presidential election. This was a fun, romantic comedy that centred on cautious lawyer Olivia and charming junior senator Max and how they handle building a relationship that can last in spite of public scrutiny and their own innate differences. The love story was nice and all, but, honestly, what struck me most about this book was the sheer amount of food they ate. Literally every scene in this book seemed to feature an obscene amount of food. I hope these two get to enjoy whatever years they have left together before they both die of heart attacks at a tragically young age.
Totally enjoying these related books. You can read this as a stand alone or a great entry point. Meet Olivia’s sister in the first book [The Wedding Date]. In fiction fact, Olivia is the reason Alexa was in the elevator in the first place
We know this is fiction because California has only had female senators for 20 years or so. [but maybe that will change if an appointment to finish someone’s term happens. Oh please let it be so].
I prefer the SF Bay Area to LA area, but that’s a very minor thing.
I enjoyed Olivia and Max, the couple who are in their 30’s and still figuring love out.
I love that Olivia is able to put together a posse of good friends in her new LA location.
I would have liked meeting a Max earlier in my life. He is imperfect but worthy.
Another winner from Jasmine Guillory, bringing back a character from early in The Wedding Date series.
Olivia is a hard working attorney, starting up her own firm in LA with her best friend and she doesn’t have time for a complication like Max. Mmmmm….Max. Almost too good to be true. Good looking, wealthy, self-deprecating, brings gifts of cake and pie, appreciates the difficulties of a woman in business, what’s not to like?
When Olivia learns of Max’s day job she discovers he’s truly a complication she doesn’t need in her life, but she can’t help falling for him. And vice versa. In fact, these two seemed so suited for one another I wondered what the Black Moment would be that would almost drive them apart.
The author delivered, and I especially appreciated how Olivia spoke home truths about the difference between a white teenager getting a slap on the wrist for teenage hijinks because no one wants to hurt his chances of getting into college…and a black or brown teenager ending up arrested and with a court record for the same offense.
The entire Wedding Date series has been a wonderful addition to my bookshelves and I look forward to more of these folks (could Max’s BFF in Washington be getting his own story?) going forward.
I thought this book was cute. I liked Olivia.
I was intrigued by Max and Olivia’s story, nice storyline.
How do you fall in love with the whole world watching? That’s what Jasmine Guillory explores in this delightfully perfect, inter-racial love story between Olivia & Max.
After a chance meeting in a hotel bar where they connect in a scintillating conversation over dessert, attorney Olivia starts dating the HOT, smart guy who turns out to be US Senator from California Max Powell. He’s impulsive to a fault (But usually lands on her feet). She’s thoughtful & cautious — circumstances have shown her the need to be always on guard. But they’re perfect for each other. Can they work things out when the press learns of their relationship?
Olivia is a strong character and I loved that, but she recognizes it’s not always about being so strong you shut people off. Max is super smart & sweet. He has high motives for getting in to politics. I loved that their conflict rose because they’re just so different and not from some manufactured third party.
I loved this story. I think you will too. 5 HUGE stars!
I really enjoyed Olivia and Max! They are so different and operate in completely different ways, it was fun to see them adjust and fall in love. But can two people who are so very different really last?
Max was impulsive, honest, and kind of adorable-and he’s a politician! Likable guy though. Even when he opened his mouth and inserted his foot with Olivia a few times. Olivia was smart, driven, and an extreme over thinker about everything actually-she’s an attorney setting up a new firm with her bestie when she and Max meet. Dating in general is difficult enough, but add in the press and public opinion?! That takes a big commitment!
This was a pretty cute read. I loved Max to pieces and liked watching him surprise Olivia and teach her how to play a little. Olivia was just as swell, inadvertently reaching Max to temper himself and think before diving in to things full force. Their relationship had a few fireworks, otherwise things were pretty tame in the drama department, giving a realistic feel to the issues they faced.
I’d really like to live in this world, where people woo one another with baked goods, senators are handsome and good-hearted, and strong-willed women are loved for being exactly who they are. An excellent escape!