Name: Jennifer Gosnell's review of Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory
Item: Party of Two
Rating: 2
Author: Jennifer Gosnell

Jasmine Guillory

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 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?

Party of Two

Jessica Franklin

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 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?

Jennifer Gosnell

** spoiler alert **
           I *SO* wanted to love this. I adore some of her other novels and this had all of the ingredients to be up my alley. Hot young politician? Yep. New girl in town? Yep. Secret romance? Yep. But… it just didn’t have any suspense. There wasn’t a whole lot of chemistry… and like, the plot was snail speed. They meet, they hit it off. Then they date. I couldn’t finish it, it was putting me into a reading slump. 

On to the next!

jinni

i appreciate how the book brings up topics of racism, the school-to-prison pipeline, and workplace misogyny (and misogyny in general), but the romance aspect of the book was bland. i felt no chemistry between the main characters and had to fight the urge to just dnf it. the plot was predictable and the climax was anti-climatic. not the worst, of course, but can be better.

rowan !

jasmine guillory has a trend of making me fall in love with couples in the beginning of their relationship, losing interest in the middle, and then falling back in love with them in the end... i wouldn't necessarily call that a fault!

Connor 

This book is a delight, although I had to stop reading for a bit at MULTIPLE points because I got overwhelmed—crowds? In THIS ECONOMY?! etc, etc. But that’s the global pandemic’s fault and not Jasmine Guillory’s. As always, love the way Guillory writes her characters—they’re so very human—and the way she deftly manages both conflict and conversation. I always feel like the conflicts are earned, and the apologies and resolutions even more so, and this one is no exception.

Jennifer Eggleston 

3.5 stars

Two opposites that attract, Olivia and Max, but the love of great dessert unites. The story was good and founded in realism. It hits the beats but for me it was not quite a chart topper.

Lauren Attaway

I've become really spoiled and I look forward to a new romance by Jasmine Guillory every summer, and this was romantic and smart and fun as usual!

Tatiana Alvarez 

This is my first every Jasmine Guillory novel, so I didn't know what to expect. I had NO idea that this is part of a series! Which is awesome because now I can go back and read the others. Luckily, these did not need to be read in any particular order.

Olivia is a strong, intelligent, and badass lawyer who ventures off with her best friend to start a firm together. She is extremely meticulous and must plan out everything. Every single plan of action must be thought out properly and all sides and outcomes must be considered. 

However the one thing Olivia doesn't get the chance to think over is Max Powell, a handsome senator. Her body has already decided that Max would be hers. What she expected to be a one time hook up turns into so much more, quicker than either of them planned. However when memories of her past, buried deeply, start to resurface and Max ends up putting her on the spot, Jasmine is now faced with an impossible decision. Her heart or her comfort.

This book was such a fun read! It had tension, spice, and a bit of heartbreak. I loved the commentary in this book and just how well it was written. I cannot wait to read more by this author.

Jennifer Dieter

This one was pretty free of unresolved tension or conflict, so it didn’t have the annoying romance tropes. My only real complaint was when Olivia referred to her vagina as “her entrance.”

Tatyana

I loved this story. Max and Olivia truly had some ups and downs. It really gives you an inside look on what it could be like for a regular person (one not in the public eye) dating a well known person. I enjoyed Olivia and how she thought about her answers and steps to take as far as the relationship goes instead of just jumping in head first.

Ellie Reed

Charlotte Nelson 

Absolutely adore Guillory’s book and this is no exception. 

The story follows Olivia who is restarting her life after starting a parternship law firm and Max, a senator she meets at a bar one night. The highs and lows of high profile dating are explored and the pressure that it entails. 

The chemistry between Olivia and Max is off the charts and you can’t help but want them to be together

Emily S

Perfectly good rom-com, though would have loved a little more depth to some of the important issues brought up.

Lisa W.

Jasmine has done it again and I can’t say I’m surprised. This was highly anticipated for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Max is just as swoon worthy as Drew. Gosh I love his spirit. Passionate, loving, generous and with a good heart. What’s not to love. I know Olivia couldn’t stand his impulsiveness but sign me up. 

Yes, for Olivia getting her own book in her own city. Find her own way. I got the briefest of glimpse of Drew and Alex which tbh is all I needed for my fix. 

Wes, Ellie and Jamila. What a wonderful addition to this series! 

Things that I enjoyed about this book outside of the characters

1. Such good witty banter 
2. The way jasmine infused timely political content. Racism, sexism, school to prison pipeline, etc. 
3. The way Max understood his privilege and used it for good.
4. This book took the steamy intimate scenes up a notch. Kudos to you jasmine!

Heather Harrington

This was ok, but I was just so, so bored. I don't think I jibe with Guillory's writing style, since I've tried a few of her books now, and just no part of the dialogue ever feels real or believable to me.

Anika | @chaptersofmay

Party of Two is a wonderfully charming love story, and another brilliant addition to The Wedding Date series. I loved Olivia’s no-nonsense attitude from The Wedding Date, so I was eager to dive into her story in Party of Two.

Olivia is very career driven. She’s a tough cookie. And after opening her own law firm, her focus is work and then more work. Max is passionate about change. He wants to improve people’s lives, so became California’s junior senator. Though, it means his job is his entire life. Still, they both have blossoming careers, and are highly intelligent in their own right. Olivia and Max are basically the definition of a power couple.

I like how the book discusses white privilege and racism within the criminal justice system without straying too far from the narrative. Max is a white male, who grew up in Beverly Hills. He lived a charmed life, but he wants to use his abilities and privilege to help those who don’t have the same advantage. He may have been raised in a bubble, but when eyes were opened, he stepped up to make a difference. Olivia is not only a woman, but a black woman. So for her, every hurdle is twice the size.

“’I can’t do things like that; I’m a Black woman. I don’t ever get the benefit of the doubt in the way someone like you does. I can’t afford to make split-second decisions and assume they’ll work out. I have to plan, and think, and plan again, and strategize.’”

There’s a strong sense of female unity and triumph in this book. Olivia and her business partner, Ellie, are starting their own law firm and despite their challenges, I found their success to be very empowering. The same goes for Jamila, Olivia’s new friend. She works at a local food bank and is a refreshing ball of ambition and insight. Rather than compete for something shallow (like the attention of men), the women lift each other up and act as a support system for one another.

My knowledge of law and the United States Senate doesn’t go much further than Legally Blonde, but I love how Guillory gives the reader a good look at the working lives of our characters. It’s not all smooth sailing, we see them face very real trials and disappointments as they try to reach success. Also, the protagonists are both in their late 30s, and have careers that actually keep them busy! It’s a subtle element but adds to the reality of the book.

A good chunk of the novel is happy fluff, and I welcome it. I absolutely adore the way Guillory builds a love story. Even from The Wedding Date, I have loved the gentle but emotional bond the builds between the two characters. It has a natural depth to it, the makes it really easy to invest in. The characters are the perfect mix of authentic and dreamy and there’s a steady balance of romance and drama to keep the plot moving.

However, this was not a 5-star read for me. The book’s synopsis suggests there’s a scandal that will turn the narrative sideways. But when the “rocky past” is eventually revealed, it doesn’t play that big of a part. I was expecting more, especially when it comes to a life in the “spotlight”. When I did reach the inevitable fallout, it didn’t feel significant enough to be entertaining. For me, it lacked the emotional grip that compels me to keep reading. Fortunately, I’m a fan of the author and the series so there’s no way I’d ever give up on this book.

Principally, Party of Two is a lovely read. The characters are likeable, relatable, and realistic. The romance is as swoon-worthy as always, and the plot is incredible easy to fly through. 

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b.andherbooks

A recently relocated lawyer meets cute with a generically handsome white guy at her hotel bar, gushing over there love of basic desserts. She regrets not having a one night stand with him, but soon discovers via the nightly news he's the famously hot new California junior Senator. After another run in at a local board meeting, Olivia and Max agree to start dating, agreeing to keep it on the down low. Olivia's reluctance to be thrust into the spotlight and Max's tendency to jump head first into anything he believes in without though lead to struggles in their romance.

I found this romance dull. Olivia and Max spend most of the book apart and in their heads, and the times they do spend on page together are repetitive and lack any spark of real chemistry. The description of the copious amounts of cake, donuts, and food the characters eat are more exciting than the couch cunnilingus scene. DO NOT tell me this is the first time you've read a couch cunnilingus scene.

Also, I am tired of political romances refusing to name political parties. The only allusion to Max's party is that "his date should be wearing blue, not red" and Olivia looking up his stance on the "Black Lives Matter" movement. Max is a Democrat, take a stance.

I'm sure this story will be wildly popular. The cover is cute and the marketing dollars will be pushing it in this 2020 election season.

*official review for LJ will be posted after publication.

*I received a free copy for review for LJ

Alyssa Jacunski

The newest installment in The Wedding Date series (more like companion novels, but you should read them in order to avoid spoilers) did not disappointment.

We're following Olivia Monroe (sister of Alexa from The Wedding Date), a lawyer who recently moved back to California to start her own law practice with her best friend who has spent the night flirting with a handsome stranger at her hotel bar. Turns out, that handsome stranger is none other than California state Senator Max Powell. After a chance meeting at an speaking engagement, Olivia is surprised to receive cake after the fact with an invitation for a date. 

Honestly, I'm leaving the synopsis there. The jacket copy will share more information, but all I wanted to know going into this was "who are my two main characters and how do they meet". While not my absolute favorite in the series, this was a fun, romance book to snuggle up with. Max, who seems like a privileged white asshole, turns out to be so much more than that. It was refreshing to see the respect he has for her and the people in his life (read as male friends) challenging him to be more of the person that Olivia needs (thoughtful vs. spontaneous). 

While the main romantic relationship in the romance is obviously the key storyline, I truly appreciated the friendships that were included in this novel. Having a person or two that are your ride or dies, knowing when you're not being yourself and, above all, call you out on your bullshit, is something that is incredibly important in this world. Guillory did a fantastic job of including these friendships in a way that aided the storyline along.

Again, not my favorite of the series, but this was exactly what I wanted when I was reading it. A satisfying novel. Hoping for additional ones in this companion series!

Tianna Kelly

I related so much to Olivia it was kinda scary at some points while reading this book. But I am throughly convinced that she is a Capricorn. This was my first interracial romance novel I have read and I freaking loved it. I loved how their race was ever a question or topic of discussion and the author didn’t go into detail on the characters appearances as I have noticed white authors will go on for a full paragraph trying to describe poc in their work. READ THIS BOOK

Ashlee

Another fun and romantic installment to this series! I’ve been really looking forward to Olivia’s story and I feel like her and Max were perfect for each other. I’m a little sad that the other characters from previous books didn’t play as large of a role in this one as they have in others, but being that this is Olivia’s story, I get why that would be the case.

I’m excited to be caught up on these books and definitely ready for Ben’s story next! 😍

Jessica 

Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Tik Tok | You can find my review here.


   As always, a copy of this book was provided by the author or publisher in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way. 



  The Wedding Date
:
The Wedding Date: ★★★★☆
The Proposal: ★★★★★
The Wedding Party: ★★★☆☆
Royal Holiday: ★★★☆☆
Party of Two: ★★★★☆

While my favourite in Jasmine Guillory's delightfully swoon-worthy and steamy The Wedding Date series is still, without a doubt, The Proposal, Party of Two was a definite improvement upon the previous two novels. It was so charming and fiery and utterly likable. The characters were just the right combination of flawed and easy to root for--Guillory's always at her best when her characters are well-developed, and this is no exception. In-fact, I daresay that this had some of the best character development of the series.

(Since The Proposal, at least.)

As always, I couldn't put this book down and found it left me in a particularly romantic mood upon finishing it. Party of Two had this inexplicable quality to it that felt dizzy and addictive. I couldn't stop nodding my head at specific points, or grinning stupidly at others, and felt myself swoon in all the right places. 

This was kind of everything I wanted and needed it to be. Party of Two is truly irresistible. And fun. AND SO WORTH THE READ. 

Party of Two was an absolutely sweet, mood-boosting, romance that hit all the right marks for me. It also gave me a serious sweet tooth. Ultimately, I found this novel to be a real standout in Guillory's backlist. Like me, readers will become completely engrossed in the love life of Olivia and Max. And, like me, they will be thoroughly smitten by the ride that is Party of Two.

Abigail | 

I enjoyed this one! If you’re looking for a lighthearted, sweet romance getaway book, this ones for you. I thought that Max was lovingly romantic and Olivia was a great driven female lead. 

I’d never read a romance that focused on such apolitically-centered couple, which was a fun change! For some reason, I had difficulty connecting to the characters and I supposed that would be the main reason why I wasn’t blown away. Regardless, the story is very cute. 

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the e-copy in exchange for a review!

Jessica Franklin &
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory

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