The Launch Date offers a delightful twist on the classic tale of workplace rivals caught in a web of undeniable chemistry. Meet Grace and Eric, two ambitious colleagues whose complicated history makes their forced collaboration anything but smooth sailing. Tasked with completing a high-stakes performance project that could secure a coveted promotion, they find themselves embarking on a series of staged dates for the dating app company they both represent.

As they navigate these faux romantic outings, their initial banter and tensions gradually give way to deeper connections. It turns out that Eric’s past remarks were the very reason Grace distanced herself, but as they spend more time together, they confront their unresolved feelings and misunderstandings. The story masterfully strikes a balance between lighthearted entertainment and poignant emotional moments, making it a captivating read.

If you're a fan of slow-burn workplace romances that blend humor with heartfelt depth, The Launch Date is definitely a must-read!

3.5 * Rounded Up
An overall sweet and fun office romance set in London. I enjoyed the slow build of friendship and the overall slow burn of this friends to rivals to lovers romance. I think it was a tad too long for me, it had some parts that dragged on a tad but in general it was cute. It is a great February romance read and overall a great office romance. The main characters are likeable and have good chemistry, they also both go through growth and its lovely to watch them open up to each other. This is a good debut, looking forward to this authors next book!

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon and HarperCollins for granting me access in exchange for an honest review.

The Launch Date is perfect for Ali Hazelwood fans who love a good rivals to lovers romance with a bit of miscommunication/ misunderstanding!!

This story follows Eric and Grace, two rivals working at competing dating apps, as they go head-to-head for a promotion. The only problem? They have to go on a series of test-dates with each other to get it. 😏

I loved that I got to experience the real connection between the characters as well as their individual character arc too!!

tropes/what to know:
☆ Single-POV
☆ Rivals to lovers
☆ Forced proximity
☆ Workplace romance
☆ Socialite playboy ~ Workaholic
☆ Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an Adam Ed copy of The Launch Date in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t rate book low all Willy Nilly. Knowing the sheer amount of time and effort that goes into a book makes rating it low difficult. However, this book just wasn’t enjoyable for me. I tried, I really did.

Before I get into the reasons I didn’t like it, there some enjoyable moments. The banter was pretty good and kept things interesting. This book really focused on self love and women empowerment, which was lovely. For the corporate girlys, you’ll probably like this.

Now…some reasons I did not this book. The MMC gave me gay best friend vibes. Especially since before they had a mysterious falling out they were really good work friends. Not in a work husband way, in a bestie way. So I wasn’t sold on him as the love interest until things started to come out (for lack of better word) and things started getting spicy. Another thing that bothered me was just some of the story was lackluster. Office moments were boring, long scenes where nothing really happened, and the such. Finally, where was HR?

Despite going back and forth one time too many, I loved this workplace enemies to lovers romance.

I enjoyed the British-isms and London setting too.

It was charming and fun and sexy - the big three!

I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Wonderful debut novel. Our two leads both work for a dating app company, and are forced to go on trial dates for work. Shenanigans ensue. I'm screaming and kicking my feet.
*workplace
*friends to enemies to lovers
*slow burn
*he carries her down a mountain when she's injured (swoon)

In all seriousness, I had a really shitty day yesterday that included having to put my 18 year old cat to sleep unexpectedly. I spent a few hours crying about it, then more time crying with my husband and kids about it. And then after my kids went to bed I sat down and read the last 25% of this book. A great romance book is certainly good for the soul, in my opinion. This book really gave me something to smile about last night and I appreciate that. Love is real and important, and this is one of those books that show how having love in your life (of all types) can help you blossom into the best person you can be.

Big thanks to netgalley and Avon books for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Please be advised, there might be some light spoilers here.

This was a hard one for me. I actually had to take a few days to consider my feelings on it. The first twenty percent of the book was torturous. I couldn’t get a good handle on the male lead, the female lead was far too weak (and we never really knew why, just that big things happened), and the boss reads like an overdone asian drama villian. There were several times I wanted to DNF, but I at least try to get to the fourty percent mark with any book before doing so. I am glad I continued.

As the two spend more time together, you see more of not only their personalities but their but their past. You learn more about the big break up Grace went through and why it might have been tramatic for her, making her earlier behavior make much more sense. Plus, the reason that Grace and Eric’s relationship soured, and why they were most bitter. As the story progressed I found myself liking the characters more, and the different dates were fantastic. Roughly the next seventy percent of the book was amazing to me, even if the pacing between the two parts of the was choppy.

The last ten percent of the book was good, but felt rushed. We have a big, fabulous glow-up for Grace, and she even talks to her boss. But it’s like the woman didn’t even know she was being toxic. As soon as she’s called out she becomes an entirely different person- a decent person. I get it, we learned earlier that the boss was having her own dificulties but the instant change in character seemed a bit unrealistic honestly. Eric, on the other hand, never truly seems to change so much as let his guard down again. I enjoyed seeing the different parts of him, and his interactions both with his sister and with Grace.

Once the two called a truce, the chemistry between them was interesting and realistic. I found myself really invested in every interaction. The banter between the two and the dates scenario brings a levity that’s needed here so as not to get too overwhelming. For me, this was a slow start but quickly grew to be a fun, fast read. The pacing in the second half definitely picks up. For me this is a three star book.

As far as adult content goes, there is language, light sexual contact, emotional abuse, bullying, and (very little) violence. I’t geared toward a new adult/ adult audience, I think.

I was lucky enough to recieve an eARC of this book from Netgalley, working with Avon and Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review. This has no baring on the opinions above. My thanks!

Even though I usually hate to dnf books, I just had to with this book at around the 15% mark. I felt no connection to the writing or the characters. I can’t really put my finger on it, but I couldn’t really get into the story and because of that, it was hard for me to continue. Although I didn’t enjoy and finish this book, I know that others might.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the e-ARC.

Annabelle Slator's "The Launch Date" pairs the heart clenching emotionality of EmHen with the sexual tension of "The Hating Game."

Grace Hastings and Eric Bancroft's romance is the stuff of romance readers' dreams. From friends to rivals to something potentially life-changing. If you're weak for when they call each other by their last names - until they don't - you're gonna swoon. And of course he falls first and she's been hurt before so she won't let herself be too vulnerable. But! It's all done with masterful precision.

I'd like to be work besties with Grace please. She's so relatable being a high achieving people pleaser trauma and chaos girlie. Also! Crying when the emotions just get too overwhelming or scary or the anxiety needs an outlet so it chooses tears. She. Is. Everything. To. Me.

And Then! Having the story from only Grace's point of view means we get to unwrap the mystery of Eric Bancroft one intimate moment at a time. And don't get me started on how hecasually takes up space like he belongs anywhere and everywhere, or makes a grand entrance into a meeting where he can draw all the attention to him is so brilliantly effective.

Alongside the romance is sharp social commentary on workplace politics, the dating scene, and toxic family. I appreciated the whole picture we get of both Grace and Eric's lives. I was also pleasantly not prepared for a few well timed reveals that make all the sense in the world. Every page was used to absolute perfection.

Highly recommend "The Launch Date" for the development of both characters, as well as their professional and romantic lives. Also, this will satisfy all your slow burn cravings. I'm still swooning.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins | Avon Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Annabelle Slator’s The Launch Date is a charming romantic comedy that masterfully combines workplace romance and enemies-to-lovers tropes.

Grace and her nemesis Eric, both working for rival dating apps under the same company, are unexpectedly paired to launch a new app. Forced to test the experience-based dates together, sparks and hilarity ensue as they navigate their growing connection.

With sharp humor, great chemistry, and heartfelt moments, this debut is an absolute delight. I can’t wait to see what Slator writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

4.25 stars - Friends to enemies with a side of workplace romance, what more could you want! Grace Hastings and Eric Bancroft used to be friends, or at least friendly colleagues, but six months ago that all changed and now Grace finds herself having to work together with the man she despises in hopes of securing a significant - and deserved - promotion. Surviving a series of "first dates" as part of a research effort for their company's new dating app won't exactly be a cake walk, but Grace is determined to be the one that comes out on top.

Grace and Eric's chemistry was undeniable and made for a fun and entertaining read. It's not exactly a slow burn, but there's the perfect amount of longing and tension to make the eventual moment well worth it. Romance aside, I also have to note that I adored the close relationships between Grace and her roommates and Eric and his sister. They gave a delightful, heartwarming feel to the story that I think paired nicely. Well paced and well written, the 400 page length didn't stop me from flying through this book in a just a few hours! Annabelle Slator has given us a wonderful debut novel and I'm so excited to see what the future brings.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was such a fun story! I really enjoyed both main characters, and the dynamic of workplace rivalry. They both work for dating apps. and are up for promotion through the parent company, but they have to work together. It's such a fun, and honestly, realistic set up.

I also resonated with Grace alot, and her imposter syndrome. It's something i think most people deal with, and isn't always discussed much.

This is going to be very popular and I can't wait to see the success of this story and author!

4.5✨

Friends to enemies to having to work with each other for work to lovers—sign me up!

Eric and Grace work for different dating apps within the same parent company and have both been offered a promotion to lead a new dating app. The only problem besides competing against each other? They have to work together to create unique first dates that will help their users find love, and in order for that to work, they must test the dates themselves. The tension between Eric and Grace is so thick you need an axe to cut through it, and it's so worth it in my opinion. I absolutely adored Eric, and it absolutely killed me to not have his POV in this story.

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves workplace romances or the hate-to-love tropes as well as the he-falls-first-and-hard trope. I cannot wait to read more from this author and will eagerly be waiting for her next release, which is hopefully soon 👀🤞🏼.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Publishing and NetGalley for the E-ARC of this book.

Eric and Grace were friends turned workplace rivals. Both vying for the same promotion, they are forced to work together to promote innovation for their dating app. In doing this, they are forced to go on dates...together.
While this book is predictable, it has a lot of heart. Eric and Grace are both figuring out the best versions of themselves despite the expectations others have on them. They end up lighting a fire under each other which ignites a sexual tension that gradually builds until a titular moment in a penthouse.
I'm not always a fan of the slow burn, but I loved how the author gave enough breadcrumbs along the way. It felt well worth the wait and was delicious when they finally gave in.
I love a strong female character who has been scorned in her previous relationships. Grace learns how to stop saying she's sorry! That alone for me is enough of a character arc to love this book.

This was such a cute story. I especially loved it because my husband’s name is Eric so it was like reading a book about us… well if we were in another dimension.

Grace Hastings is a marketing manager at Fate, a dating app aimed at helping its users find true love, while Eric Bancroft, her old friend turned rival, serves the same position at Ignite, a swipe-right, hook-up app owned under by the same umbrella company. When the big boss reveals his plans to start a third dating app, one aimed at setting up its users with fun first dates based on their interests, he pitches the idea to both Grace and Eric. The catch: they have to work together to come up with ideas for the app and then present those ideas to the big-boss where he will decide which one of them will head-up the new app.

This was a slow start for me but once I was about a third of the way through, I was pretty invested in Grace and Eric. I found Grace's imposter syndrome in the workplace super relatable. Her "say yes" default, even at the expense of your own mental health, is something I think most women can relate too also. The heartbreak she was feeling and the insecurities that go along with the end of a long-term relationship had me really pulling for Grace. The banter between Grace and Eric was pretty entertaining and broke up the heavier subthemes. I ended up really enjoying this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The main protagonist of The Launch Date is Grace Hastings - she works for Fate, a dating app that looks to have people find their happily-ever-after. Fate has a sibling app called Ignite (similar to a Tinder) that helps people find their hopefully-happy-tonight match. Grace was taken on by Susie who is the ultimate #girlboss that has transitioned into using Grace as a glorified assistant along with expecting her to fulfill her normal responsibilities. The parent company of both Fate and Ignite is now looking to start up another dating app and there's a position open for Head of Marketing. The only problem is that Grace's nemesis Eric Bancroft is also gunning for this promotion. They're both given the opportunity to interview, but they have to work together to build out the premise of Ditto.

I really enjoyed this book! I very much resonate with the imposter syndrome that Grace feels, though I wouldn't have let the nonsense with Susie go on as long as it did. The chemistry between Grace and Eric is palpable and I liked watching how that relationship grew and changed. The end wasn't entirely surprising but it wrapped up well. I also do love the ideas of the Ditto app - in case there are any dating app developers who happen to be reading this review! I would definitely recommend if you enjoy the friends to enemies to lovers trope, a bit of workplace competition, and when the FMC grows into her own skin and finds some confidence.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for this advanced reader's copy!

This was a fun romp into online dating!! Grace and Eric were so lovable, and I rooted for them the whole time! This is going to be a popular one.

Thanks for NetGalley far the advanced copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC read!

The start of this books plot very much reminded me of The Hating Game, which also went on to be a movie. Two similar companies merging/sharing office space, one male dominate one female dominate. Office rivals competing for a promotion. Etc.

Personally I love that book and movie so that wasn’t a huge deal and I enjoyed this story. I liked seeing them go on dates and the hotel room scene was *chefs kiss*

She made me angry that she rushed out the next morning and went on her date still 😠 but it worked out in the end, showing her what she didn’t want.

If you’re looking for a cute office romance, this is for you!

Listen, give me a romance book with friends to enemies to lovers plus through in incredible banter between love interests and I’m here for it. The Launch Date follows the story of 2 colleagues both competing for the same promotion, who happened to be good friends at one point only until only most recently. I found myself championing for Grace while also intrigued as to what Eric could’ve done wrong to possibly ruin their friendship-the author wrote the story in a way where you somehow knew Grace was justified in her anger while hoping they would work it out since it was plain she still had feelings for him. If you’re a fan of “The Hating Game”-you’ll enjoy this one! Just when you think you recognize the trope and where the story is going, there’s an enough of a plot pivot to keep you intrigued. Wonderful debut novel by Annabelle Slator & I can’t wait to read what she writes next!