Okay, this one is real slow burn (like 74% into the book slow burn where miscommunication and workplace drama takes the lead). I’ve seen a lot of comparisons to ‘The Hating Game’ but I’ve never read that so I went into this blind. I really loved the premise at first glance. Grace and Eric are work colleagues competing but also working together on a new dating app venture where they have to test out dates (the hike and restaurant situations are hilarious). It was really interesting to dive into the tech side of modern romance. But the William reveal, oh my god. What a reveal. Mind you this is a solid debut but areas needed more work.

For example, more diving into Eric's world, maybe bring in the flashbacks sooner to understand how the characters have a history with one another (a dual timeline could've worked), take some more time in possibly having the two characters compete with another tech giant (the stakes needed to be higher than a promotion). Also the descriptive setting of London's tech/finance sector was limited, in this case I need more to set the story up. The first chapter really dumps us straight into the plot right away.

On a side note, Grace works for a toxic boss that creates such a horrible working environment. But here’s the thing, there are ‘Susie’s’ in the world. They belittle, they stifle creativity, and honestly do so much damage in the name of self importance. I have an inkling Annabelle based her on several people because she really knocks it out of the park. There’s an attempt at redemption later in the book, but it just didn’t work for me.

Overall, it’s a good steady book and I want to thank Avon for providing an ARC!

This is comped to The Hating Game and I think that's a very accurate comparison--if you loved THG I think you'll love this one too!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

wow this debut had me SWOONING. the chemistry between the two main characters was incredibly written. i finished the book last night and i want to go back into “launch date” land. full of some tropes i LOVE (one bed hello) and some that i typically am not a fan of (miscommunication, please just say what you feel!!!) but done in such a way that i could not put it down. absolutely devourable. i can’t wait for more.

I love STEM RomComs and this one didn’t disappoint! I can’t wait to read future books from this debut author.

Thank you Avon & Harper Voyager for this ARC!

This book has all the good tropes, I mean who doesn't want a book about Workplace Frenemies that are forced to attend dates together.

Grace and Eric are so lovable and the slow burn between them is even better and to top it all off, there are some spicy scenes. This book was fantastic. It instantly captivated me; outstanding chemistry and great teasing. I read nonstop!

This debut novel from Slator is a comfortably familiar workplace enemies to lovers romance that will keep you smiling throughout.

OMG. Essentially a much better (and more sophistically written)"The Hating Game," sorry Sally Thorne. This was so good. It was easy to understand even as an American reader.

🔎 ARC Review

The Launch Date

@annabelleslator
@avonbooks
@netgalley

Publication Date: February 11th, 2025

My Rating:
🌟 5/5

👀Read if you like
Enemies to Lovers
Workplace Romance
Forced Proximity

Grace Hastings’s dream job at the popular “true love” dating app, Fate, has turned into a nightmare. Her boss is a leech, her career is stagnating, and her fiancé has just brutally dumped her. Her hope for finding her own love story is waning, and she feels like a fraud for promoting a concept she no longer believes in. When the company’s CEO offers her an opportunity to earn a big promotion, she resolves to fight her imposter syndrome to show she deserves a seat at the table.

The opportunity? To launch a brand-new app focusing on IRL dating and genuine connection.

The problem? She must develop and test-drive a series of “first dates” with the other person gunning for the job: notorious socialite playboy and Grace’s biggest work rival, Eric Bancroft.

During their disastrous hikes, dangerous cooking classes, and steamy yoga sessions, they begin to realize their stark differences may just be surface level and Eric might just be the perfect person to challenge Grace’s perceptions of love, dating culture, and self-worth.

🔎 My review
This is Annabelles's debut and it is F****** amazing! It was so good that I may or may not have binged read it in one day 😉. This book has all the good tropes, I mean who doesn't want a book about Workplace Frenemies that are forced to attend dates together. Grace and Eric are so lovable and the slow burn between them i even better and to top it all off, there are some spicy scenes 🌶 👩‍🍳 💋

Thank you @annabelleslator, @avonbooks @netgalley for the ARC!

#books #bookreviews #bookstagrammer #bookworm #bookstagram #bookobsessed #romance #annabelleslator #avonbooks #NetGalley #TheLaunchDate #enemiestolovers #workplaceromance #forcedproximity

Excellent banter and sizzling chemistry characterize The Launch Date, a romantic comedy set in a workplace. As coworkers creating a dating app, Grace and Eric, who were once friends but are now competitors, are compelled to go on dates together. After a series of mishaps, Grace and Eric come to the realization that they might be more than just rivals or friends.

This book was fantastic. It instantly captivated me and made me feel the same way I did when reading The Hating Game. Outstanding chemistry. Great teasing. I read nonstop.

I was shocked to learn after reading that this is a debut novel! This was so well crafted with a dual timeline, rich characters, and a good (but not hit you over the head) take on gender discrimination at work. I have read a few books that try way too hard with the work enemies with sexual tension thing, making the main character like caricatures and adolescents. This book really nails the tone. It was easy to see the chemistry between Grace and Eric, their banter was playful, sarcastic and borderline flirty. They challenged each other and made each other better. This is so great, especially compared to the books in which they have the enemies to lovers try to sabotage one another. This seemed realistic.



What I loved:

Grace’s journey! I loved how she built her self-esteem and stood up for herself at work. Also, her realization about which break-up really accounted for her grief/depression.

Iris- great character- would love to read a book that focuses on her next.

The roommates!

Women helping women

Eric was so layered. I love that he is slowly revealed to the reader, but at a faster pace than he is revealed to Grace. I was hoping Grace would put the dots together and see what his true feelings were.

The setting at a dating app company was so fun

Women in STEM

Just the right amount of spice

Ummm…. I want to stay in that penthouse suite

The dates were so fun!



This was such a surprise- I truly enjoyed it from beginning to end and read it in one day. I can’t wait to see what Slator writes next. 4.5 stars- I just really liked it. Great for fans of Sophie Cousens and Abby Jimenez. Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Harper Voyager for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Grace and Eric are arch rivals, working for the different dating apps at the same company. When their boss creates a competition between them for a promotion, they need to work together on a new app and plan out and try dates together. This is the story of their dates, as well as getting to know one another in a new way. I thought this might be cheesy, but I ended up really liking it!

The Launch Date really exceeded my expectations (especially as I am not always a romance reader). It was such a pleasure to meet these characters and follow them through fun and trying times. I especially appreciated Grace's roommates and Eric's sister being involved in the plot and really helping you get to know the main charcters better. I thought the office setting felt super realistic and really enjoyed the fake dating aspects. A small thing that really took this book to the next level for me was how intentionally written it was. Little metaphors for Grace's anxieties and how fast her brain was running ahead of her at times, made me feel very aware of what that can look like in my own life too and relating to a charcter is always so comforting. A wonderful debut! And I look forward to more from this author as I can tell I didn’t just like this book for its tropes or characters but the skill it took to write it!

Thank you, Netgalley, for acsess to this ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

The Launch Date is a workplace romance with excellent banter and sizzling chemistry. Grace and Eric are friends turned rivals who are forced to go on dates together as part of a dating app they are developing for work. Multiple hijinks ensue and Grace and Eric realize they may not be friends or rivals, but something more.

I looooved this book. I was immediately invested and it gave me the feeling I had when reading The Hating Game. Excellent chemistry. Excellent banter. I could not stop reading.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me wanting more every time I put it down! It gave The Hating Game vibes so clearly, but with it's own spin on the workplace rival romance and I adored it! Grace and Eric had great chemistry and banter, and really were enemies for a long time, which I adored (and definitely screamed at)! Grace truly found confidence and it started with channeling her inner Eric. I truly adored this book and it was an amazing read. I cannot believe I got to read this ARC and now I wish I had memory loss so I could pick this book up again and read it with all the same feels!

This book was a great enemies to lovers workplace romance! The story was so funny and I could not put it down!

This book had two of my favorite romance tropes: enemies to lovers and workplace romance with plenty of angst, yearning, miscommunication, chemistry and spice! I definitely recommend this book and I was sad when it was over because I wanted even more of their relationship and their HEA. I will be eagerly awaiting this debut author's next book(s)!

The Launch Date by Annabelle Slator is a delightful romantic comedy that seamlessly blends humor with poignant reflections on love and self-discovery. Grace Hastings, our relatable protagonist, finds herself at a crossroads, navigating both her faltering career at a dating app called Fate and her personal life, which has just been shattered by a brutal breakup. The narrative hits a sweet spot of contemporary concerns—imposter syndrome, modern dating struggles, and the quest for genuine connections—which makes Grace's journey resonate on multiple levels.

From the outset, Slator's writing is engaging and filled with wit. Grace is not your typical romantic heroine; she’s flawed, vulnerable, and all too aware of her shortcomings, both professionally and personally. Her struggle against her imposter syndrome is portrayed with authenticity, making her a very relatable character for anyone who’s ever felt out of their depth. Her boss, described as a leech, adds to the oppressive atmosphere surrounding her, emphasizing the challenges she faces while trying to reclaim her confidence.

The premise of launching a new app focused on "real-life" dating presents an interesting backdrop for the story. It brilliantly contrasts the superficiality that Grace initially grapples with, both in her job and her love life, serving as a reminder of the importance of authentic connections. The task of teaming up with her rival, Eric Bancroft—a charming but notorious socialite playboy—creates tension and banter that drives the plot forward. Their evolving relationship is at once contentious and endearing, as both characters are forced out of their comfort zones, learning about each other and themselves in surprisingly touching ways.

Grace and Eric's "first dates"—ranging from disastrous hikes to steamy yoga sessions—are not just a comedic device but also serve as pivotal moments of growth for both characters. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making you root for their budding romance despite their constant bickering.
Overall, this book is an enjoyable read that is perfect for fans of romantic comedies, those questioning their own dating choices, or anyone in need of a little lighthearted escapism. It’s a reminder that sometimes love is found in the most unexpected places, and that striving for authenticity—both in relationships and within ourselves—is a journey worth embarking on.

Great debut novel! I liked the tropes and the plot elements used. Both very classic romance novel whilst also including some novel plot elements. I found the plot and writing a bit clumsy at moments but still enjoyable.

This book really hit the spot! Two very well done tropes that I absolutely love. The banter between Grace and Eric was fantastic and their chemistry was off the charts! I’m not usually one for a slow burn, but this book did it beautifully. Great plot and good ending. I was so satisfied and I was giggling throughout so much of this book. A wonderful debut novel.

Thank you to Netgally and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this ARC.

Wow, by reading the description I thought I was going to love this book and it did not disappoint at all!! I absolutely loved this book and the premise reminded me of the hating game but I think this was executed better. The friends to enemies to lovers was executed perfectly. I never felt like they hated each other but just rivals which is realistic especially in the workplace. I also like the fake dating tease, which was a nice element. The chemistry was hot and the tension was pulled taunt. I was rooting for them the entire. The outside of work settings and mini plots added more value because the characters felt more dimensional than their roles. I read this in less than 24 hours, one of my fav reads this year!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!