REVIEW: The Wedding Engagement by Zoe Allison

The Wedding Engagement by Zoe Allison is such a delightful romance! It dives into the ups and downs of friendship, family, and love. We follow Liv, a sweet preschool teacher, and Arran, a single dad and aspiring artist, as they figure out their feelings for each other while a wedding is happening in the background.

One of the best things about the book is the characters. Liv and Arran have fun, witty banter that makes their chemistry shine. Plus, the supporting cast—especially Liv's loyal friends and Arran's adorable son—brings a lot of humor and warmth to the story.

That said, the pacing can be a bit off at times. Some moments slow down too much, which might test your patience. And some of the conflicts wrap up too quickly for my taste. But honestly, these are just minor hiccups. Overall, The Wedding Engagement is a charming read that is perfect for anyone who loves contemporary romance!

Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

The setting of this book!!!! I loved it and made me want to get on a plane to Scotland immediately. I really enjoyed this book overall and this author always makes me smile.

Liv and Arran have been friends forever. Arran is Liv’s twin brother’s childhood best friend so they have an extensive history. Liv had had a secret crush on Arran for a while, but she knows it’s not reciprocated. When her brother gets married, the two have to work together to plan the wedding festivities, and it gets harder to hide her feelings.
I love Zoe Allison’s small-town Ireland romances. The setting makes me want to travel, and something about her writing just feels so cozy. I’ve read a couple of maid of honor/best man friends to lovers stories lately, and I’m finding I love the trope! There’s something about weddings that makes for the perfect backdrop to a new love story. This one felt extra sweet with all of the history and love between Liv and Arran - from the beginning, I couldn’t help but root for them! This sweet story definitely warmed my heart!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Allison’s second novel with this friend group is a fun, lighthearted read. Though there were times I wanted to shake both Liv and Arran and make them actually talk to each other, their story felt authentic. If you like a Scottish setting with great friend dynamics this is a must read.

The story follows the charming and intelligent Emma and the ruggedly handsome and kind-hearted Noah. As they navigate the complexities of love, family, and societal expectations, their connection grows deeper, leading to a love story that is both tender and passionate.

Allison's writing is captivating, drawing readers into the world of Emma and Noah. The characters are relatable and endearing, and their chemistry is undeniable. The author expertly balances heartfelt moments with lighthearted humor, creating a story that is both emotional and entertaining.

If you're looking for a romantic novel that will make you believe in love, The Wedding Engagement is the perfect choice.

Thanks so so so much to the publisher for my ARC!

I enjoyed parts of this romance, but it felt like it took a long time to get past the mixed signals between Liv and Arran, which was frustrating. The story seemed to drag; I feel like it would’ve benefited from some editing down. I did appreciate the struggles Liv was dealing with and was happy she confronted the issues for her long term happiness.

I am really enjoying these characters. We first met best friends Sam, Nico, and Arran and Maya, Liv, and Elise in The Ex-Mas Holidays (Sam and Maya's story - read my review here). Now, in book two, Allison takes readers back to the Scottish highlands for a celebration of Sam and Maya's happily ever after and an unexpected friends-to-lovers journey for besties Arran and Liv.

Allison has packed this book with fun, laughter, steamy times, tender moments, and more than a little angst. I love Arran and Liv together. I love the ease of their friendship, the respect and support between them, and Liv's sweet relationship with Arran's young son, Jayce. The author takes her time with them, slowly growing their feelings in an organic way that feels right for the emotional barriers holding both of them back.

Arran's emotional baggage is on full display but Liv is hiding a multitude of complex feelings that are slowly revealed over the course of the story. I appreciate how the author deals with her issues and the fact that she doesn't give her an "easy fix" but rather treats them with the gravity they deserve. Both Arran and Liv have significant growth that includes an endearing grand gesture and a proposal that both brought me to smiling tears and convinced me that these three (Arran, Liv, and Jayce) are destined for a wonderful life together.

Waiting in the wings are Nico and Elise...I hope! These frenemies throw off too many intriguing sparks to not be in line for a romance of their own. I'll be watching for more information about the possibility of a book three.

The Wedding Engagement could be enjoyed on its own but because the six friends, plus some supporting characters, are all present - and intrinsic - to the storylines in both books, I found it a lot more fun to read the books in order, beginning with The Ex-Mas Holidays. Wherever you decide to begin, both books have my enthusiastic recommendation.

4.5 stars

This was a quick, quirky read. While this was an okay read for me, I did find myself rushing my reading quite a bit. There was a lot of repetitiveness throughout the entire book. And I felt like there was too much over explanation at certain points in the story where explanation wasn't really needed because the reader can very clearly read between the lines. The MC's didnt stick out to me on their own and seemed kind of lack luster, but the quirky relationship between the MC's was adorable and had me routing for them from the get-go! I understand it was meant to be a slow burn, but their story just felt as though it was dragging only halfway through the book.

Liv has had romantic feelings for Arran, her brother’s best friend, but the situation is complicated by the fact that not only is she his son’s teacher, but she does not believe he feels the same. As if that is not enough to deal with, they now find themselves working together to help plan the wedding of her brother who is marrying her best friend.

After his last relationship Arran is cautious when it comes to his heart, and it isn’t made easier that his best friend is her brother. A blind date between them that did not go well only reinforces that opinion but the more time he spends with her the more he wonders what if however first he must overcome his past.

The relationship between Liv and Arran is more of a marathon than a race which at times has you wanting it to proceed faster and at other time realize the pacing is what they need to find their way to each other. The characters are relatable and their insecurities are understandable as humor and emotion combine.

Romantic, heartfelt, full of heart, and set in beautiful Scotland, "The Wedding Engagement" kept me reading into the early hours of the morning, and I simply did not want to put this contemporary romance down.

Firstly, this cover is so adorable!

Zoe Allison's writing is so engaging, and her love for the story she is telling is so clear to me as the reader. Her characters feel like such real people; their relationships to one another are written in such distinctive ways, their wants, fears, desires, and needs are so clear, and the way in which they interact with one another is powerful. I could envision each and every location, and, now I want to travel to Scotland even more than before (and I didn't think that was possible!)!

(Possible Spoilers!)
Liv and Arran have such a beautiful friends-to lovers romance. Though things are not always smooth sailing the entire time, these two truly bring out the best in each other, and they understand and respect one another in such a poignant way. They both understandably are hesitant regarding letting one another know their true feelings, but, once they do, they realize their feelings are reciprocated. They truly made me smile from ear to ear!

I highly recommend this book for Romance lovers! I can't wait to read what Zoe Allison writes next!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the e-ARC of this novel, and to Berkley Publishing Group for having me on the Blog Tour! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Liv Holland is a Scottish schoolteacher who has had a crush on Arran Adebayo, her brother’s best friend, for years. Liz and Arran get along well and have so much in common, so much so that they actually end up matching on a dating app and going out once on what turns out to be a terrible date. Needless to say it’s a bit awkward for Liv when her brother decides to marry Liv’s best friend and calls on Liv and Arran to help plan the festivities together. It turns out that Arran has been harboring secret feelings for Liv as well, so what starts out awkwardly for them both starts to evolve into something wonderful.

I really enjoyed this one! There’s plenty of fun and flirty banter and a nice touch of spice as Liv and Arran start to realize they have more than just friendly feelings toward one another. But at the same time, there’s also some emotional depth to the story as Arran is still reeling from having been left at the altar by the mother of his child. Liv is also working through some issues of her own, specifically revolving around her awful father. Liv and her father are estranged but he has spent her whole life making her feel like she doesn’t matter and those emotional wounds run deep. I would definitely classify this one as a slow burn, but I enjoyed watching both Liv and Arran work through their issues and get to a point where they’re ready to be in a healthy relationship. The ending of the story is just the cutest too and so worth the wait!

I always enjoy reading a cute romcom. It literally passes the times, and it makes me so much happier. 
The Wedding Engagement is the cutest romcom read if you are looking for a friends-to-lovers trope. I will warn you that there is also miscommunication trope. I know that not a lot of readers like the miscommunication trope. Just giving you a heads up.
I will say that I enjoy these characters very much. They are the definition of the friends-to-lovers trope. They may not have wanted to pursue their attraction for each other at first, but they were always meant to. They genuinely are meant for each other. And the written love notes to the main female characters were the cutest thing ever! We readers love written love letters or notes. It’s the best thing ever.

Zoe Allison’s new release, The Wedding Engagement, is a fun friends-to-lovers romance. Main characters Liv and Arran have been dancing around their mutual interest for one another for some time, but neither of them takes the chance on their relationship being more.

Arran is a single dad and the best friend of Liv’s brother, Sam. There is the typical dance around the can’t lose a good friend for a short lived romance from both sides along with the usual presumption that the attraction is not mutual.

The plot revolves around Sam’s somewhat rushed wedding. The entire friends group takes on tasks to get the wedding decisions done ASAP. Kudos to the bride and groom for the group delegation! Naturally, Liv and Arran end up on the same assignment—pick the band. Throughout the story, they are thrown together over and over again, but will Liv and Arran figure out what all their friends see in them?

I really enjoyed the main characters’ banter, chemistry and comfortable, respectful interactions. Between the “forced proximity” of wedding errands, Arran’s need for parenting/supervising help, and their friends’ nudging, there is a very satisfying HEA. Ms. Allison’s story is a fun, engaging read.

Thank you to Berkley for the eARC and to PRH Audio for the free audio book.

Did Not Finish.

The audio book of this one was fun to listen. The Scottish accent let me pretend to be Merida.

But this one didn’t vibe with me. Liv has had a crush on her twin brother’s best friend, Arran for over a decade, but they only became friends about a year ago. Only after Arran’s ex-fiancee left him—and he still thinks about it and talks about it, way more than I would expect from a MMC.

Mostly this book was lacking communication. Arran’s 88-year-old neighbor Agnes said it best, “why don’t you just ask her?” Soooo no communication, awkward humor—including the MMC joking about his own weaponized incompetence—and the slowest of slow burns…even the Scottish accent couldn’t keep my interest. Alas, another DNF.

If you're a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, this book is a must-read. Zoe has masterfully captured the essence of this beloved trope, infusing it with fun, heartfelt moments, and a dash of spice. The story is a delightful escape, with entertaining plot twists, spot-on banter, and a romance that will leave you swooning.

One of the things that stood out for me was the strong friendship among the characters in this book. This is a tight-knit group, and I adored how supportive they were of each other. I also loved the fun banter-y teasing that went on among the friends. This story has lots of light, fluffy, and laugh-out-loud moments, which makes for such an enjoyable read. But this book isn't just fluff; Zoe tackles some pretty challenging topics, like a toxic parent and toxic past relationships. Zoe handled these topics with care and thought and did a great job at weaving them into her story in a realistic and relatable manner.

The characters in this book were wonderful! Zoe really is a likeable character. She is smart and funny, and I couldn't help but root for her. She is crushing hard for Arran, her brother's best friend. Zoe and Arran have grown closer over the years and now consider each other close friends. Even though it looks like Zoe has her life together, she struggles when it comes to romantic relationships. Her toxic relationship with her father has made it difficult for her to get close to another man romantically. She believes in love and HEA, but not for herself. Arran is a real sweetheart of a hero. He is funny and charming and is also crushing on Zoe. But Arran has a lot on his plate. He is co-raising his son with his ex-fiancé, who doesn't seem as interested in parenting. Arran has some emotional baggage from his ex-fiance leaving him, and it's been difficult to move on when his ex is still in his life. As the story progresses, both MCs really need to focus on internal health and growth. It is something that they do independently and with each other's support. Their journey to getting their HEA is full of miscommunications and pinning.

I love a romance that is chalked full of witty banter. Zoe and Arran really are perfect for each other. I loved, loved, loved their banter. It is flirty and nerdy. I devoured every exchange between these two. Besides all the fun banter, there was some real depth to Zoe and Arran's relationship that comes from two characters that have known each other for a long time. These two have supported each other over the years and have stood by each other through thick and thin. They are a team that works so well together. The only real miscommunication that exists between them is connected to their romantic feelings, which is pretty understandable, given their past and friendship. You will love this book if you are a fan of friends to lovers, brother's best friend, slow burn, pinning, miscommunications, and fun, flirty banter.

The Wedding Engagement is a fun, flirty friends-to-lovers rom-com that is sure to please any romance bookworm.

This book explored really cute themes! However, I had a hard time connecting with the story and that is obviously on me and not the book. I recognize that it has great potential to appeal to other romcom readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

DNF 22%

I love the premise! A friends to lovers, single dad story sounds great. Unfortunately I wasn't feeling the friendship or any romantic chemistry either. For a friends to lovers story I needed to be more invested in their friendship to truly feel why it's such a bad idea for them to lose that. Right now it only seems like he stands to lose free childcare which isn't really selling me on their connection. For readers looking for something lower stakes this might be a hit. Unfortunately for me I had trouble connecting to the characters.

The Wedding Engagement by Zoe Allison is a contemporary romance in which friends become more. Liv and Arran are best mates and becoming more, but oh, so slowly. Arran’s young son Jayce was a cute addition, adding levity to the mix.

Arran is best friends with Liv’s twin brother, who is engaged to her best friend. The story’s main focus is the planning of Sam and Maya’s wedding. Set in Scotland, there are a lot of Scottish words describing the action, the food, and some of the locales. They each have another friend who is part of the story, and the six form a good group of friends. They all have their issues that they’re dealing with. Working through their problems alone and together took time; sometimes I felt they needed a push.

Family issues and relationship details were always present; most were unhappy memories. Multiple stories are told, and they are woven together. There are some steamy moments as well. There is closure and a happily ever after for Arran and Liv, which takes place during the wedding. While their getting together was expected and portrayed nicely, it took them to the last two chapters to finally acknowledge their feelings so they could get their happily ever after in the sweetest of ways.

Set in Scotland, The Wedding Engagement moves friends to lovers as they help plan a wedding for secondary characters.

I rated the book 3.5 stars but rounded to 4 stars here and on other sites.

Two cautious people trying to navigate the single life with relationship battle scars that seem overwhelming. Can they be brave enough to claim the happiness that's just out of reach?

The story is heartfelt, earnest, and charming. Definitely worth a read.

I really enjoyed this book! I previously liked Zoe Allison's other book, so I had a feeling this would be good as well, and I am happy to have been right! I love the single-dad trope and friends to lovers, so this was right up my alley. I do wish there had been some better communication between Liv and Arran, but I did overall like them together. As with "The Ex-Mas Holidays," I found that the pacing was a bit off at times with this one, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless! I liked how much of this book revolved around Sam and Maya's wedding planning as well, as I like getting to see the whole friend group together. Overall I would recommend this book, and I'm excited for Zoe's next book!