Another fantastic story by Jasmine Guillory. This has quickly become one of my favorite series because of the steamy romance and the amazing characters.

Ben and Anna are just fantastic. They are real, they are flawed, they are hilarious, and their chemistry is perfection. I love how relatable they are and how their vivid personalities jump off the page. Anna might be one of my very favorite characters in this series - she is crushing her goals, but is also being crushed by the anxiety of losing all her personal space. She is kind and thoughtful and not at all the diva you would expect from someone in her position. Both she and Ben are in therapy and I LOVE THAT! More characters who address mental health and how it's normal and okay and wonderful to seek help if you need it.

The best part of this book was the humor and the romance and how they combined. Ben was constantly trying to make Anna smile and their antics sometimes had me laughing out loud. I was rooting for them immediately and loved following their story. I am so proud of them for fighting their inner demons to spend time with each other and give in to their true feelings.

I liked being back in this world that Guillory has created. I felt more invested in the MCs relationship than I have with the last couple of books. Ben and Anna separately are great, but even better together. I loved seeing Theo and Maddie again, and even Nik and Carlos. If you’ve read any other book in this series then you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Jasmine Guillory continues to expand her literary universe with thoughtful characters, steamy chemistry, and convincing relationship dynamics. This book continues her literary universe that began in the Wedding Date, and is just as charming as the others that came before it. The protagonists have realistic flaws and the interactions that occur throughout are lovely, dimensional, and drive forward the delightful plot. Recommended for anyone who likes contemporary romance with a healthy dose of charisma balanced with realistic people and plots.

First of all, Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC of Love Scenes in exchange for an honest review.

Publishing Date: July 13, 2021.

While We Were Dating might have made it to one of my top Jasmine Guillory books this swoon fake dating romance will leave you so happy. As you all know I am a huge sucker for a celebrity romance.

The chemistry between the two characters was refreshing and the banter was hilarious. Jasmine also did a good job depicting Anna’s anxiety through her job and relationship in a positive way. It was super cute how both Ben and Anna were able to talk about their own mental health journey together.

Jasmine always does an amazing job with the diversity and representation in her books along with other current social issues. The seriousness of the issues never out weight the light-heartedness of the romance and makes for a perfect mix.

This seems to be Guillory’s spiciest book, and that’s not a complaint! I was here for it. The chemistry between Anna and Ben was exactly what the book needed, and the fake-dating trope certainly carried its weight. I know most of us have a soft spot for the one-bed dilemma, but there’s something to be said about a “couple” who has access to two beds and still decides to share. It didn’t fully tug on my heartstrings in the final chapters—I was rooting for them, because only a monster wouldn’t—but it did lack a little bit of emotion considering how dramatic both Ben and Anna were during the rest of the book. However, Anna’s struggles with anxiety did resonate with me, and I appreciated how Guillory handled her journey. All in all, if you enjoyed any of the other books in this cozy romantic universe, While We Were Dating is worth a read.

Jasmine Guillory continues to give us solid GOLD in these stories! This time we follow Ben Stephens (Theo’s brother from The Wedding Party) and super celeb star Anna Gardiner. From the get-go their chemistry is undeniable. What begins as innocent flirting soon develops into a public (fake) relationship and private sexy times.

I really enjoyed that mental health in minority communities, especially in Black communities, and the lack of resources made an appearance in the book. I love that Guillory doesn’t shrink from discussing real and prevalent issues. Having two MCs openly discuss their struggles with their mental health is so great.

The relationship between Anna & Ben was just so natural and I loved their mutual attraction. Their banter was superb and unmatched. I loved the moments of Hollywood glamour we were able to take part in.

Jasmine Guillory can do no wrong at this point. This was absolutely amazing and fun and everyone needs to read a copy this summer!

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Berkley Romance for making this e-ARC available.

I enjoy Jasmine Guillory's books and how the characters and connected in some way to each other. This features Ben Stephens (his brother Theo is the main character in the 3rd book The Wedding Party). Ben meets famous movie actress Anna Gardiner when his company is producing her commercial. Sparks fly but neither wants to get involved while they are working together. Then Anna's publicist suggests she pretend to date Ben for a few weeks to make herself more marketable for a new movie role she wants. What happens when their arranged timeline ends? Will they go back to their previous lives or stay with each other?

"While We Were Dating" is book #6 in Jasmine Guillory's Wedding Date Series - A Multicultural Romance series and so much more!

Ben Stephens is stoked! His boss told him he's the lead on a major ad campaign featuring beautiful, sexy actress Anna Gardiner. Anna is stoked, too! She loves Ben's presentation and insists he be the lead during filming. Ben can't believe his luck!

Flirting becomes the name of the game between these two. Ben didn't expect to be so attracted to Anna. Anna didn't expect to be so distracted by Ben. It's a good thing both believe it wise to keep it professional and mixing business with pleasure isn't always the best choice. Right!?

Ben has never been interested in a serious relationship and Anna's main focus is building her exposure as an actress. Ben has plenty of family drama and an advertising career to focus on. Anna has an Oscar in mind, for goodness sake!

Ben knows Anna is gorgeous but soon discovers she's kind and down to earth. Anna knows Ben is handsome but it takes her by surprise when he doesn't hesitate to help her through a family crisis. They begin telling each other secrets they've never told anyone. Ben's & Anna's relationship develops quickly and sparks begin to fly. Fireworks, baby!

What starts as an attraction suddenly morphs into something very different. A commitment neither one of them expected. Will these two be happy with how it all plays out?

This book focuses primarily on the two main characters. Yes, there are side stories but the bulk of this story concerns Ben & Anna and I love that! With lots of hot, sizzling sex! Oh yeah! It's very steamy multiple times in this book!

There is so much more to this book that appeals to me. When you read a Romance, don't you want some tooth to it? Some socially relevant topics? Well, this book has that. Discussions about mental health issues specific to anxiety. Encouragement of counseling and benefits of therapy. A curvaceous woman who learns to love her body in spite of pressures to be something different. Love of family! Both Ben and Anna have strong family connections that sustain them! All important stuff, folks!

Two benefits of this series:
- There are reoccurring characters popping up intermittently in this series.
- All books are stand-alone so you can read this series in any order you like.
How great is that?

Jasmine Guillory simply makes reading her books a fun experience. Now I know why this author has such a committed following! I'll be reading all of them. Yes, this was my first book and it won't be my last!

I highly recommend this book to readers who love Romance and especially those who appreciate important topics within the story!

Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.

I am having so much fun reading this author!! The books are funny and sweet and the characters are flawed and fun.

Let me start by saying I will read anything by Jasmine - anytime, any place. I've enjoyed all of her books thus far and this one did not disappoint. The story was great and I loved the characters. I flew through this book in a weekend!

Thank you Netgally for an ARC to review. What an awesome finish to this world. Perfectly written with just enough steam. Ms. Guillory has another his on her hands. I did knock a star because I hoped there would be a little more call back to the other books since this is the last one in this universe.

Is it me, or are the books in the Wedding Date Series becoming steamier as the series progresses? (btw no complaints from me on the steam). As always, with While We Were Dating Jasmine Guillory delivers another great romance book that is a light and enjoyable to read.
In While We Were Dating, Ben Stephens (brother of Theo from the Wedding Party) lands a major advertising deal with a tech company to create commercials starring famous actress Anna Gardiner. Ben and Anna quickly form a friendship that develops into a fake dating scheme to help boost Anna’s career. However, along the way the lines get blurred between acting and actual love.
While We Were Dating is well-paced and features plenty of witty banter between the characters. While I enjoyed this book, I have preferred other books in the series a bit more, and at times I felt like the conflict in the book was a bit forced. Also, as someone who loves a Jasmine Guillory novel because most times food serves as a supporting character I felt like this book lacked in the foodie aspect. I know it’s a silly thing to point out, but seriously, often times the characters have a particular dish or food that really unites them as lovers, and while there was some food mentions here it was lackluster. For reference here’s a breakdown from other books in the series: The Proposal-cupcakes and enchiladas, The Wedding Date – doughnuts and tacos, The Wedding Party – Pizza, Party of Two – cakes and pies, & Royal Holiday-scones).
Despite some of my criticisms of the book, While We Are Dating is a solid pick, and is especially a great companion for a day sitting at the beach or by the pool.

While We Were Dating is the sixth book in The Wedding Date interconnected series.

CW: anxiety, panic attacks

After meeting Ben in The Wedding Party, I was excited for his story. Here he takes charge on an ad campaign that stars Anna Gardiner. They have an instant attraction and as they work together (and flirt together) they end up having a fling. Anna's agent decides she should use Ben to get more press. This results in the Ben and Anna learning to navigate a fake relationship in the eyes of the public, while having a fling in private.

The reason that this fake relationship worked so well for me was that it happened after the two had already formed a bond. I could see why Ben agreed to Anna's scheme. I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom.

My favorite part about this book was the discussions around mental health. With each book Jasmine Guillory writes, we see real issues being addressed. I think to have two main characters openly discuss their struggles and that they go to therapy is so important. Especially when it comes to Ben, who is a Black man. The discussions around body image and anxiety also really hit home for me and I appreciated their inclusion.

This was a steamy, fun book full of stardom. It is hands down my new favorite in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I just loved this latest Jasmine Guillory. This is the steamiest of her books and the relationship builds so naturally through mutual attraction and understanding. Therapy is normalized and a useful tool in building their relationship. I would recommend this to any fan of Guillory. I can't wait for the next book in the Guillory universe.

I continue to love Jamsine Guilllorys work. The characters are funny and passionate. I just wanna continue with them and live in their world. I loved the romance, so sweet!

Ben works for an ad agency, and all of his hard work just paid off: he's shooting an add with THE Anna Gardiner. Anna Gardiner is making a come back after taking some time off for her mental health. She has a role she's dying to land and she wants to take her career to the next level. When Anna's agent cooks up a scheme to get her some press attention, Ben goes along with the plan to be her fake boyfriend. Unfortunately, Ben catches feelings.

I think this is my favorite Jasmine Guillory book to date.

Commitment-averse Ben Stephens is ecstatic when he lands a new ad campaign with movie star Anna Gardiner as the lead. Sparks immediately fly between the two, and when a family emergency takes Ben and Anna on a road trip, their connection deepens as they begin to open up about their career paths, mental health challenges, and family.

Anna is focused on her career, and whatever is going on between them is a fling with an expiration date, right? When an opportunity arises for Anna to boost her exposure and continue to explore her relationship with Ben, what harm could come? After all, he knows what he’s getting into...

What I loved about this book: the real characters (yes, Guillory made a movie star a real, down-to-Earth, flawed but incredible character) that struggled with anxiety, body image, and challenges of being black in white-dominated industries. I also was here for all the steam 🔥🔥🔥 and adoration for a full-figure body. Finally, the banter between Anna and Ben, as well as the supporting characters, was so witty well written, and Gulliory was able to quickly move from serious conversations to more light-hearted with ease.

This was my second Jasmine Guillory novel (and the most recent of the Wedding Date series), and while I’m reading these books out of order and there’s mention of characters like Theo, Maddie and Nik, it doesn’t take away from the charm of the storyline and delightful characters.

Easy 4.5 stars for this lovely romcom.

Jasmine Guillory is back or it may be more appropriate to say, "we are back in the world of Jasmine Guillory!" I love this series. Not only has it provided me with diverse relationships and characters, but they are also light, easy-to-read, sexy, and romantic.

Ben works for an Ad agency and lands a big spot running the ad campaign featuring the beautiful actress, Anna. The characters develop an immediate rapport that quickly develops into more. As they learn more about each other and open up more and more, both have to decide what they truly want and what matters to them most.

The novel follows in the same vein as Guillory's other stories. This time we get to see Theo's brother, Ben, in a romantic kerfuffle. We also get a few 'hellos' from past characters-- Theo, of course, and his girlfriend Maddie. The brotherly humor is one of my favorite parts. Nik and Carlos also make a guest appearance. That being said, I do think this book could be read as a standalone. In fact, this book felt so redundant to other books in this series that I almost wanted to read this book fresh.

Overall, I will continue to read this series as long as they keep coming out. This one just wasn't my favorite.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available to me.

An enjoyable read, this is reported to be the final book in the loosely-related series "The Wedding Date". Decent portrayal of mental health issues and therapy. Two easily likeable characters, both dealing with how to be more honest with themselves and the important people in their lives.

Jasmine Guillory has been one of my auto-buy authors ever since I picked up "The Wedding Date". Her characters are also so nuanced, fun, and REAL. "While We Were Dating" was no exception. .Even when taking on the Hollywood scene, Guillory has the ability to make her characters feel approachable and relatable! She always highlights a real connection between the two love interests before getting to the ~scandalous~ parts! All of her protagonists are also career-driven, educated women, who value their family, friends, and, (most importantly) good food! I love the messages of female empowerment and body positivity that are laced throughout all of her stories. In Anna's case, I love the way her struggles with mental health and life in the limelight were highlighted, and how it helped her build a sense of intimacy with her and Ben when she confided that information in him. Guillory can expertly handle important topics while not compromising the fun, flirty feel of her books!