This book was well written and had its cute moments, but on the whole was just a fine read for me. It felt like these characters could have been together in less than 100 pages if they just communicated and that trope doesn’t personally do it for me.

I enjoyed reading this book! The Launch Date is a cute and fun read. The book has a fair amount of similarity to The Hating Game, but it worked for me.

I can’t decide how I feel about this book. The first two chapters had me a bit bored.. there was a lot of talk about the apps the two characters worked for. Then it got better… and then I was bored again and by the time they got together I just wasn’t feeling it. It had all the tropes I love but I can’t put my finger on what just made me feel very meh about it all.

Oh boy! Two tropes that work like magnets and drew me right into this book: enemies to lovers and workplace romance! I dove in without a second thought, though at first, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the technical jargon—algorithms, marketing terms about dating apps—but thankfully, it only lasted for the first two chapters. Once the main plot kicked in, with two frenemies forced to work together, attend dates reluctantly, and compete for a management position while throwing insults and shooting each other laser-eye looks, the story became an addictive, unputdownable read!

I absolutely loved the slow-burn dance between Grace and Eric, their heated push-pull dynamic, and the palpable tension between them. They started off as friends, but after Eric did something unforgivable, their relationship turned into a six-month-long war of arch-nemeses. But when the CEO of their dating company offers a promotion that requires them to attend a series of dates together—hiking, cooking, pottery, and yoga classes—they're forced to call a truce. The more time they spend together, the more their boundaries soften. Grace begins to see that Eric, the man she thought was her biggest enemy and a supposed womanizer, might not be the villain after all. Beneath his privileged, arrogant exterior, she discovers a vulnerable and caring side, causing her to reconsider her harsh judgment. But as their bond grows, so do the stakes. Grace risks losing not just the promotion she’s worked so hard for, but also her heart. What if trusting him comes with a price she’s not prepared to pay, like it did with her ex? What if this isn't a game anymore and her feelings are getting dangerously real?

Overall, I’m rounding up my 4.5 stars to 5 for sizzling chemistry, a smart and stimulating plot, and an engaging debut with witty dialogue and a satisfying conclusion! I can’t wait to see what this author does next. This is a brilliant debut that you shouldn’t leave sitting on your TBR list—just read it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing this impressive debut's digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.