I. love. This. Book. I was elated to discover I got approved for this. Lina and Max are the perfect couple and I loved reading their story. I was originally worried that they storyline was gonna fall flat as the plot was very specific and couldn’t really go in different directions but this book pleasantly surprised me! I would say this is my favorite book I read all year. The dialogue is great, the relationships -both romantic and familial - were well constructed. I can’t wait to get my hands on a final copy! ....I also hope that we see Lina and Max again in a future book 😍🥰

I think of all the books being marketed as rom-coms, this one is the closest to matching the kind of plot/characters a romcom movie would have. It's got an improbable and daffy plot that is fun to read, and it's legitimately funny. I loved all the Brazilian cultural touchstones in it. I think the book does also have genuine heart and some touching moments so it really is a very satisfying read. Don't trust illustrated covers in trade paperback size to deliver actual romcom goods unless it's this one!

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Writing a five-star review can be a challenge, especially one as well thought out as this one. Now, I am not Brazilian nor have I had much contact with the vibrant culture beyond a joke proposal from a Brazilian exchange student so the exposure was thrilling for me! The food, language, and family dynamics all added so much to this fun, romantic story. Sosa managed to make even the most minor characters seem authentic and necessary to the storyline. Natalie’s extra behavior had me in stitches every time she was on the scene.

After being left a jilted bride, Lina has clambered her way to the top as a successful wedding planner and small business owner. Her character is fierce, witty, intelligent, and someone that I would love to be friends with. I loved the slow build from enemies-to-lovers between Lina and Max. Occasionally, I get frustrated with the yo-yo of relationship progress and then back to step one but I was fully invested in this somewhat forbidden romance.

Beyond the relationship, Sosa has gifted us with an insightful look into the pressure a daughter of the first generation has to build upon the foundation of her family’s efforts upon arrival to the US as well as the pressures that come with being a woman of color.

Ultimately, this book hit all the marks for this reader. The vibrant culture that Sosa wove into this fantastic story was nothing short of inspiring. It made me want to hunt down a Brazilian restaurant, and if that didn’t work then I would get the ingredients and attempt to make it myself and then fail. Then I would be stuck eating like Peter Rabbit (Read the book and you will understand this not so clever reference). I definitely recommend for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Helen Hoang!

**Shortened reviews posted to Bookbub and Goodreads
**Full review will be posted to Dream Come Review (blog) and retailers (Amazon/B&N) on release date.

Thank you AVON for granting me the opportunity of reviewing this book in advance.

I had read Acting on Impulse a few years ago and I personally loved that story, so I jumped as soon as I saw Mia Sosa was coming out with a new RomCom.

Sadly, however, I am not really happy with this story.

Don't get me wrong, the book had a promise, (and lovely cover), but once I dove into it and started reading it, I just could not connect with Lina and Max. The start was rough. I really never understood the reasoning behind the 'don't marry your fiance' thing going on between Max and his brother. And Lina has this grudge against Max, instead of the guy who dumped her? I mean... I'm still trying to understand this.

The exploration of Brazilian culture was the saving grace of this story, which I appreciate in any book I read. I just wish this would have provided a more in depth dynamic between characters and a little bit more of sense.

I'm just sad to say I could not really finish this story, even when I reached my 70% mark where i power through and finish even if I don't like it. I was so conflicted, I stopped at 71%.

Disclaimer: I am giving this story a 2.5 /5. Please rest assured that out of respect to the author and publisher, i will not post any negative reviews or comments on any social media platform.,

Appreciated.

I loved this book! The writing was one of the best parts of this story. I enjoyed the beginning and the whole set up. Definitely looking into this author’s backlist!!

This is the first book by this author that I’ve read and I’m excited to dive into the rest. I loved the alternating perspectives in each chapter and the family dynamics with each protagonists’ family.

Carolina Santos is dumped at the alter. She is told that her husband-to-be isn't coming by his best man, who is also his brother. As much as she never wants to see either one of the men again, years later she has to collaborate with the best man, Max, for a presentation that will change her wedding planner career. Then she starts getting to know Max.

The romance was fine. They were adult and mature once Carolina stopped hating Max. Carolina has built a wall around herself and Max has to learn that it won't come down because she's judged more harshly as a Latina if she shows emotions. Instead, he appreciates that he can see all sides of her. She ends up trusting him not to betray her emotions. That's beautiful. Also it was nice that the two of them being adults meant that they weren't going to ruin the presentation with the juvenile pranks that they pull on each in the beginning.

This book felt unbalanced with Carolina's support being shown more than Max's. The problem isn't that Carolina has more friends and family than Max but that Max's side gets forgotten. Max has a friend who gives the worse advice. At the end, he appears complaining that Max had forgotten about him but the truth is, so did I. Max's problems with his family gets dealt with quickly behind the scenes. I was expecting Max to have a conversation with his mother as Carolina has a conversation with her mother.

This book was so funny and Lina and Max back and forth abnter jumped off the pages. I loved getting both of their perspectives on both the job they have to do and their history full of drama. At first, Lina's off self esteem about being an emotional woman irritated me but by the end I totally understand all her feelings and fears. Sosa did an incredible job giving these two characters nuance and enough heat to keep reading. Favorite moment is going to have to go to Max asking his BFF if he can sleep in his bed with him!!

This was a sweet and thoughtful read with a solid message and the need for women of color to feel free to be vulnerable in their romantic relationships. Loved Lina's family and how Max was treated by them. Never felt like I knew enough about Max's family (especially Andrew) or about why Max's past relationship had left him so shaken. There's also a 11th hour revelation about one of the characters that seemed random/unearned. Overall, though, this was really enjoyable. I also love Sosa's commitment to setting her novels in the DMV (especially DC/Northern VA). It's an area I'm familiar with and I enjoy imagining the characters in the area.

I would like to start by saying that I really liked this book for its diverse characters and I liked reading about the Brazilian culture. The way Sosa writes about it makes you feel you are a part of it. The family dynamics felt real and authentic and I could recognize my own family in Lina's. That being said, it always disheartens me when I end up not liking a book with such diversity and even more so when the author is woman of color.

The main character--Lina--was hard to like and root for because at times she seemed childish and immature. Lina was more upset with Max than her fiancee who actually left her on her wedding day. The grudge against Max felt a little too drawn out and as it went on in the story it seemed less plausible.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love that this is a diverse romance that explores the Brazilian culture, but that’s about all this book has going for it.

I do love the enemies to lovers trope, but I felt like in this case, the main character was just being rude, and I have a hard time rooting for romance if I can’t root for the relationship.

I think this book has great, rich descriptions, but the characters just didn’t resonate with me.

After reading a few heavier books, The Worst Best Man was just what I needed. Funny, real, sexy and fun - Mia Sosa has become an author I don't want to miss!

When Lina is left at the alter by Andrew - she keeps her emotion in check. After all, she's learned that Afro-latinx women can't show their emotions without being judged harshly for it. However, when she is forced to work with Max (Andrew's brother) in order to get her dream job - she has plans to punish him and get the job she so needs and desires. However, Max isn't quite what she thought and soon the two of them are sharing more than just ambition to best Andrew. Could Max be the man to make her feel again? Can she afford to let him be? A can't miss novel!

ARC provided by NetGalley.

Wow I really enjoyed this book. This is my first Mia Sosa and it won’t be my last. I was intrigued immediately by the cover for a few reasons: 1) it’s super cute and fun and 2) it features a woman of color. Because of the latter, I knew I was going to pick this book up immediately.

The Worst Best Man follows Lina, wedding planner who was left at the altar (by garbage human, Andrew), and Max, the ex-grooms brother. Lina and Max meet up years later and this uncomfortable reunion, with Andrew as well, was so awkward it made me laugh out loud. Now Lina and Max need each other: Lina needs Max to help her land her dream job and Max needs Lina to hell prove that he is amazing at his job to get out of his brothers shadow. Hijinks ensue, Lina and Max are put in situations that’s grow their relationship from enemies to a stand-off to friends to something more, and Andrew is still a loser. This book honestly has it all and it is so close to a 5 star. I needed a pick me up and I got a WOC led romance, by an AOC, that highlights the difficulties of being a WOC and feeling like you have to hold back your emotions. I also got some great sex scenes, funny and strong relatives, great friends (I SEE YOU, DEAN!!!) and a loser brother. This is a must read folks.

There are things that I liked and disliked about the book. I enjoyed that the book highlighted Lina's Brazilian background and that we were able to learn more about the culture. Lina is smart and witty and likable as the main character. ​In terms of things I disliked, some of the dialogue and scenes were hard to get through, and I found myself wanting to skip those parts.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance review copy.

THIS.IS.SOOOO.GOOD. I didn’t understand why some readers skipped this book or wrote some negative comments. I know exactly books arise some different feelings and bring out different opinions. But come on we have a sweetest, charming, so much likable, adorable book-boyfriend in da house. Yesss, let’s make some noise for MAX! If it is not for him, I could give the book four stars but his charm, patience, honesty stole my heart!

What I really liked about this story:

Author’s amazing sense of humor (I laughed out hard when I read the “Nutcrackers” reference and the size of the room dialogues between Rebecca and Lina when Max hid himself in the bathroom)

Sweet, swoony, delightful chemistry of couple: I want to call them LIMAX! I loved their sarcastic dialogues and their openness about their feelings.

Brazilian culture introduction: As a “meat-woman” (Most of my vegan friends turned into my enemies and wanted to bury me alive) I only know their amazing kitchen but thankfully I learned more about their traditions, sports and other special kitchen suggestions instead of meat dishes with this book and I enjoyed every part of it.

Only two things I wish about this book:

The TITLE: It shares the same name with one of my favorite Lucy Score’s rom-coms. And I never call anything “the worst” about “Max”! For the first time I loved hero more than a heroine.

LACK OF EPILOGUE PART: I loved the ending but I wish I could read more what will happen to this lovable couple in near future. Well, I think, we need to wait for till reading Dean’s upcoming story which I’m already invested right now. ( I love this name because of reminding me of Dean Winchester.)

OVERALL: Sweet, enjoyable, heartwarming, smart, entertaining rom-com that I truly needed.

Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers/Avon for sharing this swoony and funny ARC COPY in exchange my honest review. And thanks to Mia Sosa to enlighten my day with her talent and remarkable sense of humor.

Oof, this one is hard. I adored the concept and I was SO looking forward to reading this. The cover is spot on. The heroine's Brazilian family is fabulous and I loved how her heritage was a big part of her life. The hero was a ton of fun and easy to connect with.
All that said...
They had zero chemistry. She wasn't likable. Their initial conflict of circumstances and work challenge was enough, but then she went and threw on a bunch of juvenile BS without providing context, logic, or reason. While the book is written in first person, the reader is never fully let into the heroine's emotions, body cues, or thoughts--which means that at times it reads like a diary rather than an experience with a character.
I wanted so badly to enjoy this book. But for me, this one fell flat.

This was my first book by Mia Sosa. I had been meaning to read something by her for awhile now and the premise of this sounded so great. Unfortunately I may have started with the wrong book because this was entirely underwhelming for me. Max and Lina are given a lot of issuesresulting from past relationships, work experiences and their families, to work through in this story. None of them are really given adequate resolution. There is a lot of telling and not showing in these pages so nothing ever really clicked for me-not their attraction, their dealings with Lina's broken engagement, or their eventual commitment to each other. I might give another book by Sosa a shot but this one wasn't for me.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun and cute read. Getting the two-narrator point of view made the story move really quickly and was engaging and enjoyable. Both characters were very likable and the chemistry between the two was well-written and believable.

An enemies to lovers romance with an interesting twist!

There are a ton of Wedding Planner vibes in this one, but the MC's really make this book worth while. Lina Santos is such an amazing heroine! Her struggle with balancing her emotions in order to combat society's tendency to label Latina females as fiery and over emotional really resonated. This balancing act leads to an unfortunate situation where Lina is forced to work with her ex-fiance and his brother who convinced him to call off their wedding.

There are so many funny moments in this book, but the emotional bond that she and Max develop was beautifully written!

This book was fantastic - a true RomCom with both romance and comedy. Lina and Max were absolutely adorable together and the heat between them was smokin' but well-earned. I liked that both characters had agency. They each learned and grew from the first page to the last. It was my first novel by Mia Sosa, but definitely not my last. I look forward to the next book in this series and I'm excited that it will feature Max's best friend Dean.