The Wedding Date Disaster by Kate Mathieson is a fantastic read that follows Gemma, a people pleasing editor, as she attends her estranged sister’s wedding with her work nemesis as her blind date. This is such a fun read, I enjoyed every minute of it and was sad when it ended. Gemma is such a great character and the chemistry between her and Ben unfolds in a way that keeps you hooked! As an Aussie myself, I really appreciated all the small Australian references but they in no way impede the reading experience if you’re not from the land of Aus. Overall, a well written, really enjoyable read, I highly recommend! Thank you to the author, NetGalley, HarperCollins and One More Chapter for the ARC!

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC!

It's a cute enemies-to-lovers romcom. It was a quick and fun read. Just my personal preference, but it feels like at 34 years old, the FMC could be a bit more mature. Her traits feel more like someone in their early twenties. I get that this is very much an enemies-to-lovers story, but I still kind of wish the MMC wasn't so over-the-top unlikable. He sort of redeemed himself towards the end of the story, though he also seemed to lack maturity.

I enjoyed the narrative style and it was an easy and relaxing read!

Gemma needs a date for a wedding, and ends up with her work nemesis Ben. We follow them on their journey to Italy, and see how not only their relationship unfolds but how he helps her overcome family hurt. This perfect Italian backdrop with just enough spice to make you swoon makes for an excellent read.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of The Wedding Date Disaster by Katie Mathieson

4 stars!

Editor Gemma needs a date to her half-sister's wedding in Italy. Her boyfriend can't make it because of work. Gemma's coworker sets her up with a fake boyfriend, who unfortunately happens to be Ben, Gemma's arch-enemy who snatched a promotion right under Gemma's nose.

Gemma's family was weird, and they didn't seem to care about Gemma's feelings at all. Not that Gemma didn't express them to them, as she was kind of a pushover. But Ben, who believes in honesty, helps Gemma to find her voice.

The book was mostly a quick read, although it felt like it dragged a bit halfway through. There were lots of The Hating Game and The Spanish Love Deception vibes. After maybe 60% it got a lot better and I couldn't put it down!

WHAT I LIKED: There were some funny moments. I loved the last 40%! Towards the end it got better and better.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Gemma had a boyfriend and fell for another guy - that's a bit problematic, but I think it was handled well. I was a bit disappointed because there was no epilogue with glimpses to their future!

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Pov: heroine, 1st person
Heat: open doors (mostly kissing except for a one bedroom scene near the end)
Pacing: slowburn

Communication: there were both miscommunication and healthy communication
Third act: hiccups
Ending: HFN (we don't see them in the future)

Main characters:
* Both are book editors
* Alpha Hero
* Enemies to lovers (a bit; Ben never hated Gemma)

What?
* Fake dating
* Forbidden love
* Forced proximity
* Weddings

Where?
* Italy
* Workplace romance

Drama?
* Difficult past
* Family drama
* Misunderstandings in the past

Other vibes:
* Book about books

The am you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this in advance.
Our dear Gemma... I felt for her, I saw myself in her cause in my teens and early tweenties I used to be like that (a people pleaser who kept quiet not to upset anyone) but now I'm around her age in the book and, let me tel you, not anymore, for a good few years that I've not been doing that anymore that's for sure. She's such a caring person and friend.
As for Ben, I loved when they embarked on this adventure together and I knew he would reveal himself to be so much more than the shallow guy Gemma thought him to be. The chapters in which she was sick myed my heart 😍
As for her family... Oh. Dear. Lord. How can someone be so oblivious of what they're doing to they're daughter, sister, friend, etc? Lulu was specially annoying and specially what she and her friends did with the Gemman story was disgusting to me. If one little thing wasn't like she wanted she would make a fit, I just wanted to get into the book, grab her on the shoulders and give her a shake and say Wake Up Girl!!! At the end she had her redemption when Gemma talked to her but still, there were so many things that could be avoidable.
I'm the end the only that mattered to me in this story was really Gemma and Ben and I love them together so much!

I absolutely love an enemies to lovers and fake dating so I was excited to read! The banter is great in this book and I loved the back and forth between Gemma and Ben. The sparks were definitely there, and you could see the romance coming from a mile away.

I unfortunately had to DNGF this book. I do not even know where to start. The story line does not really wake any sense.

Some of the best tension that I’ve ever read! The enemies to lovers trope was STRONG in this book. If you like witty back and forth and heavy will they won’t they vibes, then this one is for you!

Ben is definitely on my list for best book boyfriend. I would’ve loved a rated R version of this book.

Gemma’s own personal growth journey made the ending of the book even more satisfying.

4.5/5

DNF at 23%

I'm officially giving up on this book. I just realised that Ben is supposed to be the MMC. This horrible, awful, sexist assh*le is not redeemable, I can tell you that one for free.

I tried - I really tried since this is a ARC and I hate not giving a fully informed review, but I truly cannot bring myself to keep reading. Gemma, the FMC, is an absolute doormat and I really hope she finds a backbone at some point in the story... I'm just not going to be there to read it.

The premise of The Wedding Date Disaster intrigued me—rivals to lovers, fake dating—but the book lost some points due to questionable actions from Gemma and Ben while Gemma was still in a relationship, and a rushed ending that left me with questions and fell a little flat. Despite this, I enjoyed the banter and tension, character development, and workplace rivals to lovers vibe. It also had some good emotional depth.

It’s reminiscent of The Hating Game, and if you enjoyed that you’ll likely enjoy this too!

3.5/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶
Thanks to Netgalley and One more Chapter for the ARC of "The Wedding Date Disaster" by Kate Mathieson.
This was a fun read and I highly enjoyed the Italian setting even though I would have loved more of it and more of an exploring aspect of Tuscany.
At the start of the book I didn't like either character, I felt like Gemma was a bit too much of a people pleaser and Ben was just rude, but as the story progressed the characters really grew on me. I loved Ben and the way he took care of Gemma, but I would have loved to see some more character development from Gemma earlier in the story, I felt like it took her a long time to realise that she couldn't keep saying yes to everyone and not taking care of her own needs.
I would highly recommend this if you want a fun and cute read with great banter and a great setting, just be aware that there is aspects of the cheating trope in this story.

First, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited for this one based off the premise as I love fake dating & enemies to lovers. I liked the FMC (though she could have had a bit more backbone) as well as the MMC. I thought they had good chemistry and enjoyed their banter.

As far as the negative, I do think the writing was a bit juvenile and some of the scenes were a bit silly. Also, I've never seen so many horrid people in a single book. Gemma should just go no contact with her family, but I digress. I was glad to see there was some good communication and improvement by the end.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. Execution could have been a little bit better which would bring it up to 4 stars. Recommend to fans of "The Hating Game" for sure.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a fake dating, enemies to lovers rom-com. If you liked "The Hating Game" you will really like "The Wedding Date Disaster". When I first started reading this, I thought there is no way that I am going to be won over by the male main character Ben. He just seemed so awful. Which I think is a testament to the author's writing. But true to any good enemies to lovers, I was converted in the end. I loved the banter between Gemma and Ben. I also loved the growth in Gemma's character. A small thing, but the few mentions and comparisons to Hermione were so fun.
This is a solid 4.5 stars and I can't wait to read more of Kate Mathieson's backlist.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Wedding Date Disaster by Kate Mathieson is a delightful mix of enemies-to-lovers tension, fake dating antics, and family chaos, all set against the picturesque backdrop of an Italian wedding. Gemma and Ben’s chemistry is undeniable, and their journey from workplace rivals to something much deeper kept me hooked from start to finish.

The setup is classic rom-com gold: Gemma’s need for a wedding date collides with Ben’s unexpected role as her stand-in, leading to plenty of witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and swoon-worthy romantic tension. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was perfectly executed, and the emotional layers revealed as they spent more time together added depth to their relationship.

I especially loved the family wedding drama and the charming Italian setting, which gave the story an extra dose of warmth and escapism. The spicy moments were well-placed and satisfying, complementing the story’s humor and heart.

While the plot is somewhat predictable, the witty writing and compelling character development make it a thoroughly enjoyable read. Fans of The Spanish Love Deception and Book Lovers will absolutely adore this fun, romantic escape.

If you’re looking for a romance with humor, heart, and all your favorite tropes, The Wedding Date Disaster is the perfect pick!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Fake Relationship, Workplace Rivalry
Spice Level: 🔥.5

Synopsis: Gemma Evans is devastated when she’s passed over for a promotion in favor of her work nemesis, Ben McDonald. Adding to her woes, she needs a date for a family wedding in Italy. When her arranged date falls through, Ben unexpectedly steps in as her plus one. As they navigate the romantic Tuscan setting, their professional rivalry begins to blur, revealing deeper feelings.

Thoughts: This is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance reminiscent of The Hating Game, with sharp banter and sizzling tension. The chemistry between Gemma and Ben is electric, making every interaction a treat. The Italian setting adds a layer of charm, enhancing the romantic atmosphere. While the plot follows familiar tropes, you fall in love with the characters.

My Wedding Date Disaster delivers a delicious mix of romance, humor, and sparks that will keep you turning the pages.

The FMC (Gemma) is s a dedicated professional who puts everyone else’s needs before her own, often at her own expense. Let’s just say she has a people-pleaser personality, even though she has her reasons she’s still not quite ready to let go of old habits.

The MMC (Benjamin) is the new guy at work who’s turning heads with his good looks, charm, and smooth talking. But beneath the surface, there’s definitely more to him than meets the eye.

Gemma and Benjamin don’t exactly hit it off right away, and things only get more complicated when they’re pitted against each other at work. To make matters worse, Gemma’s family obligation adds another layer of tension. And what starts as an awkward disaster to another could just end up as the love story of a lifetime.

Do I recommend? Yes!

3.5/5 This book was such a cute lighthearted read. It follows Gemma, an editor at a publishing house, and her worst enemy. Gemma gets invited to her half-sister’s wedding but her boyfriend, can’t attend. Gemma’s friend finds her a plus one and it just so happens to be her arch nemesis. The characters have amazing banter and chemistry throughout the book. The book is so cute and has a fantastic ending. It is a great story of finding your voice and falling in love This enemies-to-lovers romcom is such a fun read!

The Wedding Date Disaster is a delightful rollercoaster of emotions, drama, and romance. With its perfect blend of enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and a stunning destination romance set in Italy, this book is a recipe for a heartwarming and humorous escape.

Gemma Evans is a relatable, ambitious heroine who’s just been dealt a double blow: losing out on a dream promotion and being stuck with her nemesis, Ben McDonald, as her new boss. Things only get more chaotic when her blind date to a family wedding in Italy turns out to be none other than Ben himself! What ensues is a battle of wits, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected revelations that force both characters to confront their misconceptions about each other.

Amidst the lush Italian setting, readers will enjoy family dramas, laugh-out-loud moments, and a healthy dose of self-discovery. With witty banter, tender moments, and a sprinkling of spice, Kate Mathieson crafts a romance that’s as heartfelt as it is hilarious.

If you love romantic comedies with layered characters and a beautiful backdrop, The Wedding Date Disaster will sweep you off your feet.

ARC REVIEW

I had such a great time with this book. The tropes are silly and the book needs a TON more editing, but the FMC/MMC dynamic is really fun and I liked it a lot. Even though I often found myself rolling my eyes, I also giggled. This book is far from perfect, but if you just go into it expecting to have a good time, a good time is what you’ll have.

This book is a light, easy-to-read rom-com. It includes familiar tropes like colleagues-to-lovers, a fake boyfriend, a bridezilla’s destination wedding, a quirky family, and a slow-burn romance. While it may not stand out, it’s an enjoyable and entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the eARC of this book.