This was a quick, fun read, and definitely better-paced than The Spanish Love Deception (which I found way too long). The writing here was enjoyable, and the love story was okay, but a few things held me back from fully loving it.

First, I really wish the FMC had broken up with her boyfriend much earlier—it felt unnecessary to drag that out until nearly the end of the book. Second, the MMC being called “weasel” over and over? Not my favorite. It would have been way more satisfying if she had started calling her family a bunch of weasels —they were definitely deserving of the title!

On the bright side, I adored all the Harry Potter, Jane Austen, and other bookish references scattered throughout the story—those were such a nice touch for book lovers. And the destination wedding setting? Italy! So charming! The main conflict was resolved a bit too quickly for my liking, but hey, we got what we came for: a happy ending.

Overall, this is a lighthearted romance that’s perfect for a weekend escape. Not a favorite, but it had its moments!

I do not read a lot of chic lit, but I love Hallmark movies! I got into this cozy adventure this past Saturday afternoon and truly enjoyed myself. Kate Mathieson took her time developing the characters in her novel The Wedding Date Disaster blending humour with heartfelt moments. It is a true enemy to lovers story.


Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fun romcom, predictable tropes. You have enemies to lovers. You have fake boyfriends. It was missing Cloak's proximity Which I was kind of surprised wasn't involved. But Gemma is a people pleaser with a very safe boyfriend, so safe that when she needs to go to her sister's wedding, he Ops to staying, get ready for a new job. So her friend hooks her up with a stand in who ends up being the guy at work who just got the job she had coveted. So off they go from australia, where the book is set to italy, where the wedding is the wedding is for gemma's half sister and the family dynamics are very relatable it's a very good story. I enjoyed Gemma's self realizations and finding her power while still being light, hearted and fun. This was a good book I.Enjoyed it

Thank you, nat galley for the arc.In exchange for an honest review

I can forgive a lot in a book, but referring to a character almost solely by the nickname “Weasel” is a step too far even for me.

How am I supposed to form a positive association with the male lead in a contemporary romance novel when I’m bombarded with his derogatory nickname? Oh, let me just daydream about WEASEL. Oh, WEASEL is such boyfriend material. Oh, if only I was dating WEASEL. Yeah, no, thanks. The name “Weasel” appears more than 250 times in the book; the character’s real name appears less than 150 times. “Weasel surveys the room,” “Weasel says,” “Weasel’s room,” “winks at Weasel.” I forgot the character’s actual name and had to look at the book’s blurb when writing this review to remember it (it’s Ben).

Because I received this book as an ARC and I didn’t think I could weasel my way out of reading it, I persisted… and the book ended up being better than I thought it was going to be. The story gets off to a slow start, is occasionally overwritten, and takes too long to make the MMC likable, but this is a cute-enough romance book. The story eventually found its way — even if that was 200 pages later than it should have been.

The book kicks off with the FMC, Gemma, thinking she’s going to get a promotion… only for it to go to Ben/Weasel. She hates him and doesn’t understand why no one else can see his true colors. Then, Gemma gets a wedding invitation to her (awful) half-sister’s wedding in Italy — which is perfect because she can bring her boyfriend, Adam, along. Alas... he needs to have his ceiling cleaned and can’t come. (I wish I were joking.) Not wanting to go alone, Gemma agrees to be platonically set up with a plus one for the wedding who will pretend to be Adam. And guess who shows up?

Author Kate R. Mathieson has us spend the entire time in Gemma’s head, which isn’t a pretty place to be. She’s full of negative self-talk, doesn’t seem to want anything better for herself, accepts being treated like a doormat, and thinks Ben/Weasel has something nefarious planned for her. I didn’t particularly like Gemma or Ben/Weasel, which made this book hard to get into, although they got better as the story progressed. Ben/Weasel comes across as a class-A jerk (although that’s due, in part, to a miscommunication) who isn’t given much of a personality beyond that until late in the story. And the rest of the characters aren’t much better. Gemma’s boyfriend is a robot who doesn’t care a lick about her and is more interested in his future-planning spreadsheets (and doesn’t seem to care whether Gemma wants that same future). Gemma’s family is full of horrible people who treat her like a servant. And on and on and on.

As much as Gemma’s boyfriend sucks and as much as he encouraged her to find someone to go to the wedding who would pretend to be him, she still wasn’t single as she was falling for her plus one, which… yeah, let’s not do that. (I also could have done without all the Harry Potter references. Let’s grow up, yeah?)

Gemma and Ben/Weasel’s chemistry only showed up in the last third of the book, when their banter finally turned from sounding like snotty kindergartners to a closer approximation of actual human speech. There were a few other times the writing style came across as weird to me — such as Mathieson’s insistence on describing every single article of clothing a character is wearing (even though Gemma says she knows nothing about clothes or fashion). The rest of the book holds together OK, however. The setting — a bridezilla’s Tuscan wedding — is nice and allows for hijinks. The characters eventually grow, the romance has cute moments, and some much-needed family communication happens. The book is easy to read (I finished it in one sitting) — but I’m not sure I’ll remember much about it in a week.

I won’t ever forget Weasel, though, as much as I wish I could.

Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I did not like this book. From the first chapter, Gemma just constantly complains and says that the world is against her. But in reality she is just a really accommodating human and let's people walk all over her. I just wasn't able to get past that. It was also unrealistic how the MMC Ben who is her coworker decides to help her out and go on the trip for her. I thought the concept of the book was cute but it was too much complaining and not enough substance. Also it took too long for the characters to get together and when they did it was in a way that seemed rushed.

Fun and entertaining. Had me laughing, crying, and loving the story throughout.

Absolutely loved and enjoyed it more than I expected and fell in love with the MFC, Gemma.

Worthy of a recommendation- a fun read to get you out of a slump!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review!

Thanks NetGalley for the early ecopy!

This is a cute quick read. Fake dating with enemies to lovers vibes. Gemma is a bit of a pushover and by the end finds her backbone. Her family members were insufferable!

The Wedding Date Disaster is the perfect combo of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, & fake dating. The main female character Gemma is really going through it in the beginning. How many crappy things could happen at once? Turns out a lot. Her work arch nemesis agrees (without her knowledge ) to be Gemma's stand in boyfriend at her half sisters wedding. This book was a cute, easy romance and I look forward to more by Kate Mathieson.

Really found this one hard to rate! In fact it's quite hard to sum up too..

At the start, this book was hard going. Gemma is overlooked at work, overlooked in her family and overlooked in her relationship. It felt like too many details and back stories were being shoe horned in and I nearly abandoned to be honest.

But I persisted and I'm glad I did because actually the chemistry and banter that emerges at her sister's wedding was entertaining and witty. The story found it's natural flow, Gemma got her backbone and the read became enjoyable!

There's dreamy scenery, a little bit of spicy and a very satisfying ending - it's a slow burner to start, but burn it does!

Enemies-to-lovers (workplace, no less), destination wedding (hello, Tuscany?!), and fake dating (the tension!). What's not to like? It's one of those surefire combinations that make for a breezy read.

It took me a while to find my groove with this book and the characters but this was overall an entertaining read, though I couldn't quite get rid of the thought that the writing was not just quite there for me (which was an entirely subjective and personal issue!). I felt, at several points, that it was trying a little too hard to be one of those previously well-liked workplace enemies-to-lovers/fake dating books but having said that, this is also precisely why I can see people who enjoy this particular combination to gravitate towards and have a good time with this one.

Thank you Kate R. Mathieson, One More Chapter, and Net Galley for an ARC copy of this book.

This was a CUTE book! If you enjoyed the Spanish Love Deception, The Hating Game book and the Wedding Date movie, you will love this book!! I couldn't put it down and finished it in one day! The two main characters also go through some moment of self discovery and this was nice too see the changes they made in the book from start to finish.

This was a super quick read for me, loved the length and pace the author had set! However, I did find it hard to get into the book at the beginning, but I know i always struggle with the first couple of chapters sometimes when the author tries to set everything up. I just found myself skimming over some of the details.

But once the story got going it flowed so well and I couldnt stop! The banter between Ben and Gemma was hilarious, and i love it when the mcs have a bit of dark humour. Some think its mean, but thats my sense of humour too, so I really enjoyed it!

I also had this soft spot for Gemma, because I can understand how she just wants…. Peace…. But you’ll have to read it to find out what I mean!!! Great read!

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸…
🍷Enemies to Lovers
📚Work Place Romance
🍷Fake Dating
📚Family Drama
🍷Stand Up for yourself - FMC
📚Not really cheating? But sort of, kisses another man
🍷Super Slow Burn
📚Single POV
🍷Open door- mild

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

the wedding date disaster - Kate Mathieson
4 ⭐️
ONE ITALIAN WEDDING, TWO SWORN ENEMIES

this book was so close to a five star read for me it was just lacking in a bit more spice that i thought this book would have. yet the tension between the two main characters is high and let me just say BANTER! the banter in this book was so good and just made it way better than most books i have read so far.

some of the tropes this books has is fake dating, enemies to lovers, family drama and throughout the book there is definitely some character development from all characters.

thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author of this book for the ARC! (advanced readers copy)💗

This is an absolutely fun read!

As the book description states, this is an enemy to lover's romance. Meet Gemma, a Brit who has moved to Sydney, Australia and working as a senior editor in the publishing world. She is ambitious with a need to please everyone personality. Ben is her competition at work for a big promotion and they have clashed since the day he arrived at the company but is everything as it seems.....

Somewhat estranged from her family, Gemma is late to find out she has been invited to her half-sister's wedding at the most romantic location that she has dreamed of going, and she actually has a plus one to take, she will not be a singleton this time around being set up with other single guests.

Finally, meet Adam, the boyfriend, a very straightlaced, emotionless, practical chap who declines to attend the wedding as he has to prep for his new job after his promotion leaving Gemma without her plus-one for the wedding.

You can imagine where this is going. The writing is fun and witty and will keep you smiling. It is a classic romance story line, where first impressions and preconceived ideas of the other person are proven wrong. Where enemies, become lovers and bring out the very best in each other and you get your HEA.

Thank you NetGalley for this digital ARC

1⭐️ DNF

This was essentially a cheating trope, but not really marketed in that way. The two main characters were pretty unlikable as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This book was very much not for me. Every character was bitter and angry and not like able and they say “book people are the best people” but this was not true at all for these characters. I didn’t buy the romance at all.

I just loved this book so much I just couldn’t put it down. I just loved this story and the relationship between Gemma and Ben is just amazing they just bounce off each other and what seems like hate turns to love and it’s just amazing. There is also so many characters in this book that are just amazing too. I was sorry when I finished this book as it was just so amazing!

I would highly recommend reading this book if you love a rom-com book with an amazing story and amazing characters.

I would like to thank One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

Thank you so much NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and One Mkre Chapter for sending me an ARC!!
i really enjoyed this
i liked the slow tension between MC's
i'm gonna be honest, i kind of hated Lulu for the majority of the book, but then at the 80% she redemeed herself
i also relate to Gemma so much, so thats probably why i loved this so much
i giggled so much and kicked my feet in the air its not even funny
anyway, loved this
4,75⭐

Thank you SO much to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the ARC of The Wedding Date Disaster! 🖤

Meet Gemma, a people-pleasing book editor, who has just been invited to her half-sister’s dream Italian wedding. Gemma’s boyfriend, Adam (who really reminded me of Patrick, Louisa’s boyfriend in Me Before You), declines to attend as her plus one. Gemma can’t face her family alone, so enter Ben, her business colleague / sworn mortal enemy who ends up as her “fake date” at the wedding 💒🛵🇮🇹📚

The Wedding Date Disaster by Kate R. Mathieson is a laugh out loud romantic comedy that follows Gemma, a pathological people-pleaser who’s always felt like the outcast of her family. Born in the UK but now living in Australia, Gemma works as an editor for a major publishing company and is on the verge of securing a big promotion. Enter Ben, the charming new guy who becomes her arch-nemesis and swoops in and takes the coveted Chief Editor role. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Gemma’s sister is getting married in Italy, her dream destination, but her boyfriend couldn’t care less about going. To avoid facing her family alone and looking like a failure, Gemma enlists the help of a friend to find a fake boyfriend for the wedding. Enter Ben, who secretly volunteers for the role, and Gemma has no choice but to present him as her real boyfriend, Adam.

There’s nothing I love more than a fake dating, enemies-to-lovers story, and The Wedding Date Disaster hit every note perfectly. From the witty banter to the electric chemistry between Gemma and Ben, I was giggling and kicking my feet throughout. I absolutely adored their journey from rivalry to romance, and the pacing was spot-on. Often in these kinds of books, the enemies dynamic fizzles out too quickly, or the fake dating aspect feels rushed, but this book took its time to develop both, making the story feel authentic and satisfying.

I couldn’t put this one down! Ben and Gemma’s evolving relationship had me eagerly flying through the pages, rooting for them every step of the way. The book balances humor, heart, and the occasional swoon-worthy moment with ease. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves a feel-good rom-com with plenty of tension, sweet moments, and a dash of hilarity. This one is definitely going on my must recommend list!

TROPES:

-Enemies-to-lovers

-Fake dating

-Destination romance

-Workplace drama 

-Family relationships

I actually really enjoyed this plot. I think some more editing needs to happen- which is funny considering it’s a book about book editors. I foresee many people disliking Ben but if you can stick it out until the end, you’ll see he’s not all bad. There’s a lot of inner dialogue and too much backstory that wasn’t really relevant with Gemma that I wasn’t crazy about- it was too much. I think dual POV would have broken some of it up or even a couple chapters of Ben’s POV. All in all, I enjoyed it and I would recommend it.