I tried so hard, but I just don't think this author's writing is for me. I tried reading some of her other books and got the same feeling. I know a lot of people love it, but I think I'm the oddball on this one.

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory is another fun romance with strong female characters. While it's not my favorite of her books, you can't go wrong with Guillory!

I mean, hell. Jasmine Guillory has this way of writing that just sucks you into the conversations her characters are having. Anna giggling and gossiping with her best friend, Anna chatting with Ben in the car- all of these conversations feel so lifelike, as if you're sitting right next to them and you're part of the story too. I really enjoyed this book, especially as it led into a different "fake relationship" trope than I've read countless times before. This one just settled in differently. I also really loved a pivitol scene where Anna has to make an escape from an apartment building. I wont' spoil it for you, but it was fun. I also noticed within the two books of Jasmine's I've read, she mentions charity work, volunteering, being involved in the community somehow. With "Party of Two," it was more of a plot point. Here, it was mentioned a few times, casually sprinkled into the storyline. I find that to be so refreshing-- almost a subliminal message to readers to being an active participant in their communities and their wellbeing. I can't wait to read the next one from Jasmine!

Another great romance by jasmine guillory. Completely a standalone book but you should definitely read all of the others. I love how lightly interwoven they all are.

I really enjoyed this couple. The secrecy and movie star problems were very dramatic, but the couple felt real to me. Long car drives let the couple get to know each other for real which added depth to the story.

Another 4.5 quick romance

Such a fun read! I loved the way things were set up and the chemistry between the characters. It was cute, funny, sexy, AND had mental health representation, definitely recommend!

I am a total sucker for a fake dating story. Throw in a celebrity/normal person relationship, and oh man - a perfect combo! 🤌🏻🤩⁣
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While We Were Dating is the best of both of those worlds. Anna Gardiner, a famous actress desperate to increase her star power to hopefully land her dream role, and what better way to do that than through some good old-fashioned tabloid fodder?? Enter Ben Stephens, hot advertising executive and the perfect candidate for a fake boyfriend! 😍 But we all know how fake relationships go…😏⁣
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I loved this book! As always Jasmine Guillory’s characters are 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻. Ben is supportive and kind, and Anna is curvy and independent and totally fierce. There’s great anxiety rep and important discussions about mental health, a sweet romantic build, and Jasmine Guillory’s signature steam. Plus Hollywood and award shows and paparazzi and glitz. It’s fun and frothy and I really enjoyed it!

What a beautiful book. Jasmine knows how to write romance. I’d read her grocery list. 10/10 you read this.

Jasmine Guillory is a master storyteller. Main characters Ben Stephens and movie star Anna Gardiner strike up a deal to help Anna land a new job: they agree to publicly date. Genuine feelings undeniably start to unfold and their relationship quickly evolves leaving the two to decide what they're really looking for in their lives. A quick, satisfying read.

Absolutely loved this book. Jasmine Guillory writes such beautiful romance. And I love how she always connects her books in the same world.

Didn't capture my attention and engagement. Interested in trying it again though and hopefully it will take.

“But last night...I didn't worry about any of that. It was just so great, and fun, and it felt like... I don't know, such a celebration. So I was crying just from relief, that I could have that joy again, that I feel so much better now, especially since there was a time when I thought I'd never be able to relax around another person again.”

This love story was just such a beautiful celebration of true, deep, authentic, vulnerable, and safe LOVE.

My favorite two tropes are fake dating and celebrity/regular person - what can I say? I love Roman Holiday and Notting Hill. 🥰🥰 The chemistry was off the CHARTS and the love scenes were…WHEW SPICY. 🔥

This one was just a pleasure and a joy to read !!!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for a complimentary copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

While We Were Dating wasn't my favorite Jasmine Guillory... But it's still a nice romance, and bonus points for the focus on anxiety and mental health.

Escape into Contemporary Romance - Shelf Awareness for Readers, February 8, 2022
Novels increasingly have been for me both escape from and heartbalm for the difficult realities that surround us right now. With Valentine's Day around the corner, these contemporary romance novels offer an escape into stories with guaranteed happy endings, even if the path to get there might be fraught.

Rachel Lynn Solomon managed to pack a full list of romance tropes into her hit novel, The Ex Talk; in her newest, Weather Girl (both Berkley, $16), she plays with the second-chances trope, as a meteorologist and a sports reporter at a local broadcast station hatch an unlikely plan to get their divorced bosses back together. Jasmine Guillory (The Wedding Party; Party of Two) plays with the "fake dating" trope in While We Were Dating (all Berkley, $16); movie star Anna Gardiner and colleague Ben Stephens really are sleeping together, after all, even though the relationship they agree to put on for the paparazzi is just for show--at least, until their feelings become all too real.

In Love and Other Disasters (Forever, $15.99), the first openly nonbinary contestant on a competitive cooking show develops unexpected (and inconvenient) feelings for another contestant. Exploring topics of identity and sexuality with heart, Anita Kelly's debut is a must for any romance reader with an interest in Top Chef-style shows (or vice versa).

Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau (Berkley, $16) boasts a movie-star romance and a competitive cooking show, as hot-shot Ryan Kwok preps for his upcoming participation in a charity baking challenge by taking lessons in baking--and romance--from a local donut shop owner. The two hit it off as each navigates their respective grief over losing a parent, offering a heartwarming read for anyone who's ever thought about taking new chances in the wake of loss.

I will read everything in the Guillory-verse at this point, even my least favorite trope of all time: fake dating.

Jasmine Guillory will always be an auto-buy author for me. Her books transform me to a happy place where I can forget about what's going on in my personal life and this storyline was so different.

In all honestly, I tried really hard to finish this one. but I just. could. not. Guillory's major wins are her female characters. They're strong, independent and they inspire you to keep reading. HOWEVER, that's where it ends. The storyline is bland, predictable and redundant. I understand that these romances have to follow similar patterns to some degree but I just fail to see what would motivate me to keep picking this one up again.

Also, the men in Guillory's books are honestly THE BEST. They are smart, successful and most importantly, GENUINELY NICE FEMINIST MEN. Sometimes however, their thinking processes are hard to follow. Ben is a really nice guy, but he also seems very unrealistic at times. I understand the need to write these incredible characters, but maybe make them just a tad bit problematic so that they have a few lessons to learn at the end of the book?

All this book did was leave me very, VERY hungry for burgers. :(

I adore Jasmine Guillory so I have kind of high standards for her at this point. While this is definitely a solid romance in general, it’s not my favorite of her work even though the premise was extremely promising. Everything was good it just wasn’t great even though there were definitely strong moments of cuteness. As always, I can’t wait for her next book.

Delightful as always! Jasmine Guillory is so talented at making wonderful heroines who you can’t help rooting for! Will always recommend her books.

again, the fake dating trope is one of my favorites. it never lets down time and time again and for those of you who are South Asian, this was almost like if Om Shanti Om was a fun, funny romcom. I loved it and Jasmine Guillory hit another home run with this!

Jasmine Guillory does it again! A fast paced, feel good story that kept me engaged the whole time. Thank you!