I value the opportunity I was given to read this in advance, but I still haven't read this. With so many books ahead of me, I cannot return to this title.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Wedding Engagement by Zoe Allison!

A rom com in which two unlikely people may just fall in love at their friends wedding. Though I'm not a huge fan of Scottish heroes I still loved Arran and the romance because it had my favorite troupes single father, older brother's best friend.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I want to say thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read an ARC of this book!

The story is super cute - Arran is an artist and Liv is a preschool teacher, together they share a tight knit friend group where Liv's twin bother (Sam) is also Arran's best friend. One night, they both go on a blind date and find out when they get there that the blind date is between them. Thing start to shift a little bit after this night. Arran really starts to notice that Liv is the one who really shows up for him and his son. He also starts to realize he might have feelings for her. This whole thing is unraveling in the middle of both Liv and Arran helping plan Sam's wedding.

There's drama (a crazy dead beat dad), there's tension, there's lust, there's friendship, and most of all - love. I thought this was a good read, nothing over the top or spectacular. I think it was average as far as romance books go, and maybe just a little too long in my opinion. The story line with the dead beat dad didn't really go anywhere crazy and could have been left alone. But I did enjoy the tension and final getting together between Arran and Liv. There was a bit of a miscommunication trop to this as well, which is not my favorite. So 3 stars feels very fitting here!

Liv Holland’s brother is about to marry her best friend, and she will soon find herself constantly around his best friend Arran Adebayo. Normally, she’d be thrilled to be involved in her brother’s wedding preparations, but Arran’s constant presence is a challenge. Liv has been in love with him for years, and she’s sure he doesn’t see her.

Liv will be involved in Arran’s life for a different reason altogether. She’s about to become his son’s preschool teacher. She also offers to babysit him impromptu. And then, there’s the blind date—with each other.

Sparks fly. Liv has her brother’s wedding to plan, and things between Liv and Aaran slowly evolve into something more than either would have expected. Aaran has reasons for not wanting a serious relationship, as does Liv. But their bond grows stronger, and this might just pull them together despite their reservations.

I loved this book. Sometimes, picturing your protagonists can be difficult, but not with The Wedding Engagement. Liv compares Aaran’s looks to Regé-Jean Page, the handsome man who played the Duke in the first Bridgerton season. It was a great distraction while I read this book.

This Scottish romance with a multicultural twist was a truly engaging read. I was entertained from beginning to end, especially with the sexual tension between Liv and Aaran and the humor that balanced the already enjoyable story.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Review 3.75⭐️
“How long do we have to be friends before I stop feeling like a giddy schoolgirl whenever I see him?”
Brother’s best friend isn’t a trope I have read a lot of, but I’m really starting to enjoy this trope more and more. Liv and Arran are part of a tight group of friends and when Liv’s brother/Arran’s best friend gets engaged to Liv’s best friend. They are paired together to help with planning the wedding and putting together a joint stag/hen do. The increased time that Liv and Arran spend together forces them to come to reality with their feelings for one another. I really enjoyed reading this book and loved the strong friend group vibes, but the constant miscommunication just made me feel so frustrated! It starts with a blind date gone wrong between Liv and Arran and then they just keep skipping out on fully communicating with one another. The second half of the book got better with their communication but then we had a setback, which led to a semi-third act break up. However, this ended up being okay because Arran used it as an opportunity to show Liv how much cared for Liv. Besides the miscommunication, I had one ick that didn’t sit well with me that took place during the actual wedding, but I won’t spoil what it was. Overall, I really enjoyed these characters and I think I’m going to have to check out Sam and Maya’s story so that I can get more of this friend group.

4 Can The Get Their HEA with Each Other Stars!

When this year started, I was determined to read a few new to me authors and with this book, I’ve been introduced to Ms. Allison’s books and what a fun and sexy read this was. I’m a sucker for a single parent story, especially single dad’s and when it’s set in Scotland, a bucket list country for me, I was all in from the minute I read the synopsis for this book.

Liv and Aaran have known each other for a very long time because he’s her brother’s best friend and she’s been crushing on him for a long time, but has never had the chutzpah to admit her feelings because why risk her heart? What she doesn’t know is that Aaran’s feelings for Liv have always been simmering but he’s been focused on raising his little boy and that takes precedence over everything. When these two are enlisted by their best friends to help with their wedding they agree and secretly hope that things might change between them.

I really loved this story. There’s banter between not only Liv and Aaran but their core group of friends constantly brought a smile to my face. A core group of friends that really are the most important people in their lives. But what I truly adored is Liv’s connection with Aaran’s little boy, Jayce which in turn brought Aaran and Liv closer together. And fair warning, while their attraction is sizzling, this one is a slow burn but definitely worth the wait!

I so appreciated that Ms. Allison dealt head on with some of Liv’s insecurities and how she begins to trust her heart even when there are some missed opportunities for both of them. This book is a definite must read for you if you love romances that keep you engaged and entertained. I for one will be reading more of this author in the New Year.

How adorable is this cover! Also, this book was adorable as well! I love a brother’s best friend troupe and this did not disappoint! Add in a great cast of characters and I’m sold!

Thank you #NetGalley and #berkley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a heartwarming, lovely story. Arran and Liv are such relatable characters, their life experiences have shaped them (both negatively and positively) and I love that their love story is about them acknowledging their pasts and working through things and choosing each other. I particularly appreciated Allison's decision to have not just the leads, but all the characters in the book have the difficult, emotional conversations that people are so often afraid to have. It made the resolution of the book that much sweeter knowing that Liv and Arran have the strong foundation of communication, love and respect for each other.

I also absolutely love the setting of the Scottish Highlands and loved the storyline where they went away for the weekend to the Isle of Skye. Watching this love story play out in a beautiful setting made it that much better! I also felt that the intimate scenes were well written and struck a great balance between tender and hot. I haven't read Maya and Sam's book but I would like to go back and read it and I look forward to a book about Nico and Elise. This book was truly great and I absolutely flew through reading it because I was having such a good time!

The Wedding Engagement is a follow-up to Zoe Allison's Ex-Mas Holidays romance revolving around the previous hero's sister and best friend. When I began The Wedding Engagement I had forgotten all about the previous book, but I was quickly reminded in the pacing. There's a good story in there somewhere, it's just lost in so much unnecessary detail.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Liv and Arran. They have known each other for all their lives. Arran is Liv’s brother best friend. Liv’s brother is getting married, Liv and Arran are helping with the arrangements. There is an attraction. Arran has a little boy, who Liv is in love with. They start dating and fall in love.

This was lovely! The story and characters were all enjoyable, and a big plus for me was that it was set in Scotland! However, I wasn't blown away by this, which is always something I look for in romance books. It was a good and decent read, but it was nothing special for me unfortunately.

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