What a cute, quick read! No notes.

I think this is how a childhood friends/brothers best friend to lovers should be done. I love a romance that is based in a really solid friendship.

I received this for free as an advanced reader copy.

Look, I really enjoy this author on tiktok. She's creative and does some funny videos. But this book ain't it.

The writing is so bland. I can't put my finger on it, but it's a boring read. I made it to 4% but will not be finishing this book.

This woman is crushing on her friend. Do you know how many times she thinks "oh, he's so attractive" or some variation on that in just this 4%? Way. Too. Many. I was rolling my eyes so hard.

I cannot waste my time with a book that sucks this badly in the beginning. I have VERY little hope that this is going to be a good time. On to the next!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of this novel. As someone who loves to read books set in Scotland, it's always nice to read a book by someone who actually lives in Scotland, knows the vernacular and has authentic characters. The Wedding Engagement definitely delivered on those elements. It also delivered on the spice and humor. My first reaction was that it was overwritten - too much oddly irrelevant description, too much play-by-play movements of the characters. I also could have used more breaks from the anxious yearning of the two main characters in about the first third of the story. It was a rough start. About midway through, however, the story started to feel less forced and the romantic tension was more enjoyable. There are interesting family dynamics at play - what makes a family, what makes a father/mother/parent, how should family support one another, etc. There were way too many 'interrupted by the text/call' moments. However, I found the last few chapters really charming and enjoyed then ending.

Olivia's twin brother is getting married to her best friend, and at the same time, she is falling for her brother's best friend - or maybe she always was enamored by him. As the wedding plans pick up, Liv and Aaron end up spending more time together, leaning on each other, and eventually realizing their feelings for one another. Past relationships, insecurities, and fear of messing up their friendship make things complicated. But when all the cards are out on the table, it's clear how much they love and support each other.

I loved re-visiting this cast of characters from The Ex-Mas Holidays! I loved all the tea, the slow burn, and the wonderful characters. Arran is definitely the perfect book boyfriend! Although I loved the single dad and brother's best friend tropes, I was not a fan of the constant miscommunication and misunderstandings between the main characters, although I understand why it's done. I felt like it went a little long, but I did really enjoy exploring these characters and the setting through this little story. Can't wait for Nico and Elise's story!

These characters can’t do anything without gazing into the sky and thinking about how they long to kiss each other. It’s almost every paragraph. This book is simplistic. I like that one of the people has a kid - it adds a dimension usually not included, but it is just so hackneyed. It has all the usual elements I love - a Scottish location, friends becoming something more, and artistic characters, but it just feels so unedited and plain, and awkward. I got halfway through and had to stop. Everything about this book feels forced, and the characters just keep getting in each other’s way, and not in a plot device sort of way - they just keep making the same excuses for not getting together. I’m out. DNF.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Cute idea, but very, very slow and surface level. It is a book that you can skim and not miss much, and then you'll forget about it the moment you're done. This is a competitive genre, so the books really must be a little snappier and quicker to compete with the overflowing options. On top of the slow moving plot, it had a lot of miscommunication and a lack of communication that made it even more tedious. This one was not for me!

It is a cute fun story but dragged on too long for me. I had a hard time feeling immersed in it. I surface read it. Quick read but failed to keep me interested.

I stumbled upon the first book ("The Ex-Mas Holidays") and enjoyed it so much that when I saw this in NetGalley, I had to read it! I love Scotland, so naturally, I love any book (romance especially) set in Scotland. It was fun to see the characters from the first book appear in this book as well and I loved the dynamic between the characters and the whole unrequited love trope. Highly recommend!

I think I might be in a book slump because this is the second book in a row where I’ve just not felt it. I got 10% of the way through and just already felt confused.

This is a cute read. There is a lot of filler in this book, and I think this story would have been better as a novella. It also felt quite slow, and I ended up skimming quite a bit of the book.

I did not know this book was the second in the series. While I don’t think you need to read the first book to understand everything, The Ex-Mas Holidays, it certainly would have been helpful, especially in understanding why there were so many friends and characters present.

This is a 2-star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for the ARC.

Chapter 1 was a smidge awkward in prose. At the POV switch for chapter 2, it smoothed out and really started to shine. Then it got a bit awkward again in chapter 3, also just very inner-monologue-heavy and somewhat slow in detailing all the specific minutia of the friends picking the wedding date. Not even our main couple, really. I did stop reading after chapter 3 (9%).

The premise is really cute, and the set up seems like it will ultimately deliver. Probably a 3-4 stars for the target audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

Such a great wedding rom com! I devoured every page and think it would make the perfect movie/book club pick. Beyond excited to share more thoughts on this. Loved the friend dynamic turned something more.

Set in Scotland, this was a cute and fun book. I feel as though I would need to read the first book, The Ex-Mas Holidays, so that I can get to know the characters better. Overall, I liked this book a lot.

this was a really cute and fun book! i loved that it was set in Scotland and there were so many laugh out loud moments. however, this book was a slooooow burn and i was really hoping for something a little more fast paced.

a huge thanks to berkley publishing group and netgalley for the arc!!

This is my review and rating based on how far I’ve read into the book so far. It is a DNF, but I plan on coming back to it in the future.


I absolutely loved that this book was set in Scotland, one of my favorite places in the world. The book gets off to a slow start and I’ve said before that I’m not big on slow burn. I’m not sure if it’s the fact that I haven’t been reading as much lately, or if it was this book. But the pages seemed to blend together a bunch. Recently, I’ve been in the mood for more fast paced books I believe, and this one is definitely slow. The two main characters are both in love with each other, and have been but they won’t act on their feelings even though it can be assumed that they’re perfect for each other and everyone around them thinks so except for them. They’re matched on a blind date with each other, have everything in common as well. I ended up not finishing the book, but is something that I will come back to in the future. It could possibly be a bit shorter; there is a lot of fluff in the book I believe.

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for an early copy of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 by Zoe Allison.⁣
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This was an easy read. I enjoyed Liv and Arran’s banter. I will say that this book was longer than it needed to be. At parts I found myself skimming because I was not a fan of the lack of communication between Liv and Arran. Their relationship could have been in a different place if they just communicated with each other. At the same time, I do understand where Liv is coming from. She went through trauma and never really allowed herself to feel it. She is always there for everyone else and puts her own needs and feelings on the back burner. Arran seems like someone you want in your life. He really shows Liv what she means to him, and it is swoon worthy.⁣
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I feel as though I need to go and read 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘹-𝘔𝘢𝘴 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 so that I have more a background for these characters. It appears that you do not need to read that first because you can piece things together in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, but I think it would really help to read that first, as 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 takes place after.⁣
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Overall, this was a good read. It comes out October 8.

3.5 stars! This book is set in Scotland and I absolutely love that and was thrilled to have recognized the places mentioned. The main characters both have the same sense of humor (puns and silly jokes) and that is something I love. Ultimately though, towards the second half of the book I wasn’t as into it because the FMC had a good bit of self doubt and it just rubbed me wrong. However, it is a book I WOULD recommend because there are funny parts and cute moments.

It was ok. 3rd person pov isn’t my favorite but that’s a me problem. Overall the plot was cute tho a little predictable at times.

Thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for the eARC of The Wedding Engagement by @zoeallisonauthor in exchange for an honest review!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Another gem of a read by Zoe Allison! Liv carries a secret crush for Arran, her brother’s best friend. While it seems that it is totally unrequited, their relationship is full of adorably witty banter that brings a big old smile to the face. The universe sure has some wild plans for these two…even going so far as to match them for a blind date that seems to further prove the point to Liv that she is friend-zoned. Will it be awkward having to plan wedding festivities for his bestie/ Liv’s brother who happens to be living her own fantasy, when he marries her best friend?!? The Wedding Engagement is the perfect heartwarming, feel-good read that will have even the biggest love cynic rooting for these two to realize their attraction runs deeper than friendship. I am not sure I could love this beautiful love story more!!!!

5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be on Instagram ahead of the publication date!

The wedding engagement is a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance. Allison's storytelling is heartfelt and poignant, capturing the essence of love and hope amidst the challenges of life. This book is perfect for anyone seeking a heartwarming escape for few hours.