Life got in the way and I could not finish the book. Thanks to the publishers for the chance to read the book.

Vivian hates Melvin, they do not get along. But when her roommate Lindsay chooses her as a bridesmaid and Mel is chosen by her husband Ryan as a groomsman, Vivian and Mel have to get along for the sake of their best friends marriage.

The Stand-Up Groomsman is an enemies to lovers and opposites attract - romcom, but it is also so much more. First of all, it is the first Chinese romcom set in the diaspora (USA/Canada) I've ever read. I thought Lindsay would be white American, but she is also Chinese. It was really interesting to learn more about the diaspora life. Expectations which are there from the parents. Both main characters have their flaws and insecurities and I could relate very well with Vivian. While reading the book, I had to cry some tears because it was so heart-breaking and emotional. I also liked side characters like Mel's grandmother Po Po and Dani, one of Mel's best friends. It was very interesting to explore why Melvin choose the career as a stand-up comedian and how he had a coming out as a bisexual asian man. Vivian struggles a lot with her destiny and responsibilities as the eldest child. She had to take care of her younger siblings and thinks she always has to give first before receiving love.

A big recommendation for this wonderful romcom!

Jackie Lau made two flawed characters who felt real - with the FMC having a career in finance and the MMC being a standup comedian. I loved the bisexual representation and the Asian representation so, so much. This story did make me laugh on multiple occasions in the early chapters, but the humor fades quickly.

I loved this book. Idk why it took me so long to read it it. But it was so good! I need the physical copy. It literally had me in from sentence one.

Loved this one. This is a kind of books I love to read. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this book.

I loved this book and I am upset that it took me this long to finally read it. Jackie Lau made two flawed characters who felt real and also had great sex. I'm a devotee of Jackie Lau at this point.

The Stand-Up Groomsman by Jackie Lau is a delightful and lighthearted romantic comedy that is a perfect fit for readers who adore opposites-attract stories, are fans of witty banter and humor, and appreciate themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the beauty of embracing one's true identity, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a feel-good, steamy romance with a touch of comedy.

3.5⭐️ I started this book before reading the first one in the series, so I put it down and went to read the first one before continuing. I'm glad I did - it's probably not entirely necessary, but it did help give context and a better starting point for this story - since the backstory between these two MCs is laid out a little more in book one.

Read this one if you enjoy:
> Stand up comedian MMC
> Long-distance relationships
> Bi MCs
> MCs in their 30s

I fell into the trap of hoping the MMC comedian would be a little more funny as primarily a stand up comedian - I wanted more of that to come through the storyline and his dialogue. I didn't find much of it funny - and that was a bit of a let down for me. I enjoyed the continuation of the MCs from the first book to continue to round out the storyline and progress certain plot points from the initial story.

These two MCs are an interesting pairing - with the FMC having a career in finance and the MMC being a stand up comedian. Honestly, their connection was hard to really find at times. The chemistry felt off often and I couldn't quite pinpoint whether or not they actually were into each other, or if they were just better off as somewhat reluctant friends. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and review.

I enjoyed the opposites-attract romantic comedy called "The Stand-Up Groomsman" (for the most part). I loved the bisexual representation and the Asian representation so, so much. This story did make me laugh on multiple occasions in the early chapters, but the humor fades quickly.

Honestly, preferred book one in this series so much more. I think it had a lot to do with the comedy, I love stand up comedy, but this just didn't fit for me. I don't know how to explain it but the parts that were supposed to be funny, just weren't to me. All in all, compared to book one, this one was a miss for me.

This was such a fun read!

If you're a fan of the grumpy X sunshine and opposites attract tropes, you'll really enjoy this one! It was fast paced, full of humor, and a very easy read. The Stand-Up Groomsman would be a perfect pallet cleanser type of story after a hefty fantasy!

I loved seeing the characters from the first book in this series pop back up. The world felt so realistic and cozy. I also adored Mel's family! Both the main characters AND the side characters felt fully fleshed out.

There is also AMAZINGGG rep for bisexuality and plus size male characters.

I really enjoyed my time with this one, but giving it 3.5 stars since I don't think I'll remember this book deeply in a few months. It was fun while it lasted, but not a story that had a huge impact on me!

I DNF-ed this book. I was literally dragging myself to finish it. The book wasn't intriguing enough for me to go on.

I loved Jackie Lau's first book so was eager to take this one for a spin but was a little disappointed. While I like the dive into mental health, I felt like parts of the book were repetitive or fluff or trying too hard to be funny when it was not funny or maybe just not humor I understand not being Asian.

One of the best books I read in 2022, without a doubt. A quiet slow burn between two characters that first appeared in Donut Fall in Love, I thoroughly enjoyed their meet disaster and the slow collision of their feelings for one another.

Longer review to come.

While I loved the first book in this series, I wasn't sold on the couple for this one. The male lead was a bit of a jerk in the last book and he really didn't improve for me in this one. Sadly this was a DNF.

This was a cute rom com with a lot of heart and some spice. Vivian definitely needed therapy though. Her family baggage really held her back in her relationship with Mel.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the bi-representation in it, which in a book like this - when the paring is man/woman - could so easily be left out entirely or questioned. I enjoyed how different Mel and Vivian are but how right for each other. And I especially liked the unconventional ending, that they found a way to be together on their terms, without either one having to give up things that are incredibly important to them.

Because their best friends are engaged, Melvin and Vivian are seeing a lot of each other - whether they want to or not. While their first meeting wasn’t exactly positive, Mel soon realizes he might have seriously misjudged this bridesmaid, and Vivian discovers the best man might just be as dazzling off-screen as he is on. Will there be more than one happily ever after?

I loved Donut Fall in Love - definitely should read it before this one - and this enemies-to-lovers was just as fun. Jackie Lau is quickly becoming a must-read for me!

The Stand-Up Groomsman was a fun and steamy opposites-attract contemporary romance. Vivian Liao works a demanding job during the day and does fan art at night. She may have been overjoyed to finally meet Melvin Lee, the subject of her fan art. The only thing Melvin's vivid shirts can match in vibrancy is his personality as a stand-up comedian. Although they don't click right away, as they are thrown together for their friends' wedding ceremony, opposites may attract.

Both Vivian and Mel struck me as having complex, interesting personalities. They each had distinct driving histories and adventures, which I enjoyed. I like Vivian's strong female character, her justification for choosing her profession over her interests, and the way she was put together and came across when we first met her. I found both of the characters to be quite well-rounded, and it was enjoyable to not witness a straightforward love story. Before they are prepared for romance, everyone has personal work to accomplish.

Vivian has deep scars, and it takes a lot of effort for her to get through the anguish. I adore how Mel fits her so well. Mel was wounded by a brief romance that never materialized, and Vivian had already been burnt by it. The dynamics of both characters' families and careers— good and bad—and their identities—both of the main characters are bisexual—are also examined. It discusses how people view and misunderstand sexual identity. My first Jackie Lau book is this one. I enjoy how queer and Asian people are represented in this book.

A bridesmaid and groomsman put their differences aside to get their friends down the aisle in this opposites-attract steamy romantic comedy.

They say to never meet your heroes, but when Vivian Liao's roommate gets engaged to her favorite actor's costar, she has no choice but to come face-to-face with Melvin Lee again. He's just as funny and handsome as he is on-screen...but thinks she is a snob and a sellout. It's none of his business how she chooses to live her life, no matter how charismatic he is.

Mel is used to charming audiences as an actor and stand-up comedian but can't connect to Vivian. She's a smart, talented artist--which is why he thinks she's wasting her life as a corporate finance drone. The only thing uniting them is their goal for the wedding to go off without a hitch.

As they collaborate on wedding cake and karaoke parties, Mel realizes he might have seriously misjudged this bridesmaid, while Vivian discovers the best man might just be as dazzling off-screen as he is on. With the wedding underway, maybe more than one happily ever after is in the future.

To be completely honest, I had a decent enough time reading this book but it ended up being a 3 star romance that never really kicked off into high gear for me.
I was attracted to it because of the incredible cover but at the end of the day, it left me disappointed and underwhelmed which is why I probably won't be reading another of this author's books again.

Thank you for the arc!