The Launch Date
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Bravo on a great debut book 👏🏼🧡 I had a lot of fun with this one! It’s flirty, funny, giving rom com vibes, timely in the world of dating apps, we get some flashback chapters which made me fall in love with Grace and Eric’s story even more, it added more depth to our usually enemies at work story! I would have killed for a dual POV here though. I loved the story, but really wanted to know Eric’s thoughts in ✨certain✨ moments! I think this will appeal to both spice and non spice lovers. We do get some spice, but there was only really one more graphic scene and it wasn’t over the top! I felt the chemistry right away, but they definitely grew on me as we went along and I found myself cheering for them at every moment. I won’t ruin anything of course, but there was a moment at the end that rubbed me the wrong way, but as I kept reading I softened and it all came together lol slide into my DMs if you read it and wanna chat! For a debut I think this is a great read and I’ll definitely be on the look out for more by Annabelle! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.75 ⭐️

I really liked this one; it was a bit angsty yet sweet! I do think everything wrapped up a little faster than I would have preferred, but it was nice to see everything come together in the epilogue. It’s a strong debut, and I can't wait to read more! 😊

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC 💓

THE LAUNCH DATE – Annabelle Slator
Avon
ISBN: 978-0-06-338362-3
February 11, 2025
Contemporary Romance

London, England – Present Day

Grace Hastings loved her job working on dating apps when she first got hired, but now the workplace is a nightmare for her. Her boss is super demanding, her career is stagnating, and her boyfriend dumped her because he wanted her to quit her job and attend to his needs 24/7. A potential job promotion might be the elixir she needs to revive herself. Unfortunately, Grace will be competing with her biggest rival, Eric Bancroft, for the position, and they are required by her boss to “test drive” a series of first dates for the dating apps they are developing. Eric is obnoxious and always smirking at her. How will she stand being around him?

Grace and Eric reluctantly work together in THE LAUNCH DATE as they go on “dates” together. First up is a hike that ends in disaster for her. Next is a cooking class that ends up with Eric injured and Grace embarrassed. And we won’t even mention what happens in the couple’s yoga class. Come on…they aren’t a couple, but the instructor doesn’t know this. But through all these experiences, Grace begins to see a new side to Eric. He is supposedly a party boy with an active sex life. For Grace, who recently was dumped by her boyfriend, he is the antithesis of someone she is attracted to. However, she can’t deny he is charming and seems to be helpful when she needs it. Will their relationship change by the end of this tale?

Readers will only hear Grace’s point of view in THE LAUNCH DATE, so we don’t know what Eric is thinking. We slowly learn more about him, while Grace starts to reassess her life, especially when her ex starts texting her about getting back together. He left her miserable and she moved on, but should she take him back? This tale is a journey for Grace and by the end, we see her more assertive, especially when it comes to her boss. For most of her life, Grace has been a doormat. Now it’s time to pick herself up. While a romance, THE LAUNCH DATE is a lot more women’s fiction. This is Grace’s story, with Eric’s in the background until it intersects with hers.

A tale of journey and discovery for Grace as she works with her rival, Eric, to earn one of them a promotion. Will she succeed or lose? Will cultivating a relationship with Eric lead to a romance between them? Find out the answer by picking up a copy of THE LAUNCH DATE.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

This novel is a delightful and heartwarming read, perfect for those who enjoy witty banter, feel-good romance, and contemporary stories that delve into themes of self-discovery and the complexities of love in the digital age. The narrative explores the power of genuine human connection in a world where technology often tries to dictate our relationships, highlighting the importance of authentic interactions and emotional intimacy. With its charming characters, relatable situations, and thought-provoking exploration of modern relationships, this book will resonate with readers who are searching for a story that celebrates the enduring power of love and human connection amidst the ever-changing landscape of technology.

This was a fun enemies to lovers co-worker slow burn romance that sees two British dating app designers going on fake dates and competing for the same job. Good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Sally Thorne's The hating game. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in This was a fun enemies to lovers co-worker slow burn romance that sees two British dating app designers going on fake dates and competing for the same job. Good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Sally Thorne's The hating game. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Launch Date by Annabelle Slater comes out on Tuesday, February 11th!

Grace and Eric work at a dating app company. Grace works for an app that sounds like Match.com, and Eric works for an app that sounds like Hitch. When the CEO of the parent company tasks Grace and Eric to work together to create a new app, they aren’t too sure how it will work, but both want to win the prize - a promotion to Marketing Director for the company! This was a fun workplace romance!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy of this title!

I thought that this book was really cute and I really enjoyed it. This was workplace enemies to lovers and I loved the plot! Grace and Eric work for a dating app and have to go on dates as part of development for the company and catch feelings in the process. I liked these characters, and the sarcastic banter made me laugh frequently. Overall an enjoyable read and I would recommend to romance readers 😊

5⭐

LOVED:

- Listen, if you liked The Hating Game or wanted more from it or whatever, this book is for you. Is it still flawed? Of course, every book is. But these characters make way more sense and the MMC is not a terrifying stalker
- The chemistry and tension is off the charts. I loved Eric and Grace’s banter and conversations and just their overall interactions. It was just a fun and charming read
- Grace’s brain. I loved hearing her inner thoughts that were riddled with self doubt while her outward actions felt much more assured. This is very real, you never know what’s going through a confident person’s brain unless you’re in it
- Eric Bancroft is so well-written and I’m so glad we don’t get his POV because I think that would have ruined a lot of his allure. There are so many bits that subtly describe how words and actions affect him, even just briefly and it adds a lot to how we as the reader sees him.
- The dates are fun, which surprised me. Normally I would find the whole premise of them testing out dates as too cheesy to get behind (I mean it is very cheesy, I’m not denying that). But I think the dates themselves were very cleverly drafted and really added to the development of their relationship and connection.
- The hotel scenes.
- The side characters are a joy (the friendly ones, that is). Grace’s roommates are so fun and supportive and grounded and Eric’s sister is a fun juxtaposition to both of the MCs.
- I do really like the cover and the title
- The last names as only names called is just something I’m all about. Then whipping out the first name to be powerful. Again, I’ve talked about nicknames being something I’m just very pro for and this is maybe even more so.
- I dunno, man, I just really vibed with this book. It just really matched everything that I look for in a rom com. It’s mostly character-centric while using the plot to propel them forward. It worked, it just really worked for me. My five stars are for gut feelings and when I think about the book a bunch after I read it and it makes me happy. This one did that.

LOATHED:
- I mean, I loathed very little, honestly, but I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the pacing, it was a tad slow start, for example.. I liked the flashbacks but they always came at a very random time and it was a bit jarring at times. And the last act felt a little sloppy at points, like when Eric shows up at her apartment (loved that scene) and they kind of fight, then the next scene they’re more or less…fine? It was a bit clunky.
- The job resolution isn’t my favorite, I think it’s a little too ezpz
- …his name is Eric. And at one point that name is supposed to be sexy. Mm. Not for me
- The reason (he thinks) that they don’t talk could have been a bit heavier. The reason (for her) is fine

LONGED FOR:
- More time exploring their past maybe
- More exploration of what Grace wants out of her job
- More discussions on the toll being in the limelight as a pretty rich boy took on Eric after Grace learns that it really affects him
- Just more, I dunno, I just had a great time

Will I read the next one? : Yes, absolutely. What a fun debut.

* Thank you to Avon & NetGalley for providing this ARC! *

4.5 ⭐
What a cute story!! Grace Hastings and Eric Bancroft are rival coworkers for a dating app company. Grace works for a dating app focused on finding a long-term relationship whereas Bancroft’s app is more for hookups. They both get the opportunity to vie for the Head of Marketing position for a brand new app. It’s the job of their dreams. They must take each other on dates for the new app to test them out before they give their final pitch presentations to see who will get the promotion. Grace and Eric were friends years ago but had become enemies. So as they compete for the coveted new position, could they also have the opportunity to find real love? This book reminded me a lot of the Hating Game and I loved every second of reading it. The date experiences they go on were terrible, funny and spicy. The banter was excellent!! What a perfect debut novel. I will be adding Annabelle Slator to my must read author list.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is Annabelle Slator’s debut novel, and it was perfect to read around Valentine’s Day! The plot is super original and extremely addictive; I was up until 2 am most nights reading it on my kindle. The enemies to lovers dynamic between Grace and Eric was beautifully written!! I do, however, wish that Grace would’ve fessed up and told her true feelings a lot sooner than she did. I also would’ve loved more dialogue between the characters, as I found myself wanting to skim over some parts that weren’t dialogue after 75%. Overall, I really would recommend this to everyone. Slator really did a great job, and I will most definitely be buying her next book (and shamelessly hoping for more spice and dialogue ❤️‍🔥).

a sparkling debut full of wit and charm. I couldn't put this one down. Can't wait to read anything Annabelle Slator writes.

Overall, I liked this one!

Slow burn, office based romance, friends to enemies to frenemies, as the two are up for the same promotion and have been charged to work together to launch a new dating app (they work at rival dating apps owned by the same company.) Fake dating is very loosely applied here only because people assume they are dating based on their assignment (try out dating ideas for the new app.)

Grace was kind of stuck in a rut. Eric helped her get out of her life rut but in a really round about way. He brings out the best in her, even if she doesn't want to admit it. The situation with her ex was kind of bonkers, like whoa, let me digest this a bit and I'm not sure who well she truly digested it. Eric is your typical swoonworthy, handsome, rich suitor, who's obviously in love with her but she can't see it. I liked him, but he was written kind of obvious. I wish the flashbacks were either more frequent or more of them or something, they were just kind of thrown in and the flow was knocked off by them at times (even though they were pertinent.)

The date ideas were super cool and probably my favorite part! There is one area that I don't think was addressed and it really needed to be (unless I just skimmed and missed it) and that was them both matching with each other on the Ignite app??? They never brought it up with each other? Seemed like a missed opportunity.

Overall, really enjoyed it, great debut for the author! Excited to see where she goes from here.

3.5 Stars

Fun workplace, friendship-to-enemies-to-lovers romance with a bit of heart. I felt Grace could be a little immature at times but I really like Eric’s character.

The Launch Date is Annabelle Slator’s debut & she’s a new auto buy author for me! This is a workplace rivals to lovers romance, and it was so well done. Grace and Eric work at a company that develops dating apps and have to team up to work on a new app while also competing for the same promotion. They used to be friends but now are rivals, and I loved trying to figure out what happened to make them hate each other. Their flirty banter was so fun. I loved the chemistry and slow burn between them.

This book is truly perfect for fans of The Hating Game and The Spanish Love Deception.

I love a good workplace, friends to enemies/rivals to lovers romance. This book definitely fits that bill. Not to mention some delightful work-related forced proximity/fake dating. I loved that Eric never doubted his feelings for Grace. Eric was honestly pretty perfect. Sexy, smart, charming, supportive, and constantly pushing FMC to be her best. I don’t know how Grace held out for so long because I probably would’ve folded like a chair.

I took off one star because the main issue was the result of massive miscommunication. If FMC wasn’t so against confrontation their issues would have been resolved a long time ago.

That being said, this was an easy, fun read and I finished it in under a day.

I adored this book. It was the hating game on steroids. Friends to enemies to lovers, workplace romance, one bed, he falls first trope. Fabulous banter, supportive best friends, and dealing with an ex. So good and I can’t wait to read more from the author.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher.

Thank you to Annabelle Slator for writing this book. A workplace enemies to lovers almost always hits right. It’s just a good trope for a reason and this book was no different.

Grace and Eric used to be workplace friends. Now? Not so much. They are forced to work together while working for the same promotion. What could go wrong? Or right?

This book was really well done. I liked Grace and Eric and I kept reading cause I wanted to know their past and future.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for providing a DRC of this title for review.

Fun and romantic-- I really enjoyed! Would definitely recommend for patrons who are interested in a book where a young woman finds herself (and romance) amidst the corporate world of online dating apps.

4.25 stars/5.

The Launch Date by Annabelle Slator

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 1/5 🌶️

Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Launch Date is a delightfully charming romantic comedy that excellently combines workplace romance and enemies-to-lovers tropes!

Grace Hastings and Eric Bancroft used to be friendly colleagues. They work for rival dating apps under the same company and are unexpectedly paired to launch a new app. Going on a series of hypothetical first dates as part of a research effort for their company's new dating app won't be easy, but Grace is determined to be the one that wins. Soon, there are sparks and adventure as they navigate their growing attraction.

Grace is such an amazing FMC! The way in which Grace’s imposter syndrome is portrayed as well as how she begins to grow in confidence throughout the course of the story was so great to see. It was also interesting to learn more about Eric’s backstory and to see his character development. The banter between the MCs was incredible and the chemistry was evident throughout. They make such a cute couple and the slow burn really helps to emphasize how great they are for each other.

With humor, impeccable chemistry, and lots of heart, this debut novel is absolutely delightful. I am so excited to see what Annabelle Slator writes next!

Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- He falls first
- Workplace romance
- Forced proximity

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to this book.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with the characters in this story, and because of that I got bored of reading this book. I am thinking of trying this one on audio later on though...