My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Launch Date is a story of rival coworkers becoming reluctant daters after they're forced to work together on a brand-new dating app in hopes of winning a promotion—and it was giving The Hating Game in the best ways!

Rivals to lovers and workplace romance are two of my favorite tropes, and The Launch Date did them both so tastefully. I also tend to not love a slow burn, but with Grace and Eric, I was so here for it. From all of the witty British banter, to the product marketing / tech vibes (which is my day job), to the realization that maybe what ended their friendship was just one giant miscommunication—I really couldn't get enough and actually felt the connection between the two main characters.

Read if you like:
✅ workplace romances
✅ enemies/rivals to lovers
✅ forced proximity

This was my first romance read of 2025 and it did not disappoint!

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

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC

This book had me at fake dating and enemies to lovers. And also throw in a second chance romance and omg we have a bomb ass story. This was such a great debut novel for this author and I am looking forward to reading more!!

Is the tagline accurate if her "worst nightmare" is just her ex-friend who she had a misunderstanding with? I think her worst nightmare is probably just her boss taking advantage of her at every opportunity.

Was this a perfectly acceptable average romance? Yup! Did it feel the exact same as every other work romance ever? Yup! Why do anything different when the formula works, I guess. 🤷🏼‍♀️

My ranting & rambling:

Can we please please please stop calling everything enemies to lovers? They are not enemies, at most you could say they are rivals, but really they are two people belatedly working through an issue they had 6 months ago.

"in non-computer-genius language" come ON stop, you have been working with this person forever and also constantly talk about statistics and metrics, you knew what she was saying. Find something not annoying if you want to explain to your reader what the stuff was you just googled to make your characters seem more realistic.

I am very tired of characters creating issues between each other just by refusing to communicate.

Sure, Grace's ex is most definitely a piece of garbage, but was he really a bad person for wanting her to have time for her life outside of work? There were better ways to communicate that, sure, but Grace was letting her boss ruin her chance to have a happy life outside of work and she never stood up for herself.

A fast, fun read by a debut author.

This enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance sticks to the conventions of the genre without becoming trite or cliche.

Grace Hastings and Eric Bancroft are former friends and current nemeses, up for the same promotion. She needs a win after a bad breakup, not to mention getting out from under a toxic boss. He needs to escape the trust-fund, playboy reputation that precedes him. Obviously, in both cases, there is more than initially meets the eye. They reconnect over a series of test “dates” while developing a new app for their company.

I do love enemies-to-lovers, especially when the ‘enemy’ part is more one-sided than initially thought. There is great chemistry between Grace and Eric, something that is apparent from the start but also builds throughout this slow-burn romance, allowing the reader to truly see how well-suited they are to one another.

I also enjoyed the little side plots, especially the relationship between Eric and his sister. I liked that Grace’s boss wasn’t a one-dimensional villain. If there is a weak spot for me, it’s William—I feel like there should have been more of him or less of him, but as it stood, his reappearance was an unnecessary complication, as the competition for promotion felt like conflict enough.

Can’t wait to read more from this author! Thanks so much to NetGalley / Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced reader copy of this book, provided in exchange for by unbiased opinion.

4.5 stars (with .25 specifically going out to the Lordi Eurovision reference)(not really but also maybe??)

Similar vibes to The Hating Game, but instead it’s the marketing managers for competing in-house dating apps! Grace (aka Hastings) and Eric (aka Bancroft) each work for a different dating app, hers more focused on finding The One and his more focused on finding The One For Tonight, but the two find themselves collaborating on a pitch for a new product and competing for the promotion that comes with its launch. Through planning dates for the app, the two start to connect and fill in the blanks of what turned their supportive friendship into a heated rivalry. The two push each other, in both good and bad ways and the road from here is rocky and exciting!!

Grace’s journey with impostor syndrome, recovering from a toxic ex, and trying to not just survive but thrive is an inspiring story for the modern working gal- she has to learn how to advocate for herself at work, she has to surround herself with friends that lift her up, and she has to go for what really brings her passion!! Eric has to deal with battling a public image and making a name for himself based on his own worth, but also has to come to terms with the fact that he’s a carer for those in his life that really matter- and that it’s okay to let that show and drop the facade!

This was a great debut and I can’t wait for more from Annabelle in the future!! Thank you so much to Annabelle Slator, Avon, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

3.75 stars. With shades of ‘The Hating Game’, this was a fun workplace rivals-to-lovers debut romance novel.

Grace Hastings and Eric Bancroft, once friends and current rivals/nemeses at their competing dating app employers, have a history they have to face as they’re paired together to develop a new concept dating app. Over the course of “research” dates, they work through misunderstandings, pressures of their respective employers, and interfering exes to resolve their animosity and find that they actually work better together than individually.

There was a lot going on for both Grace and Eric separately and together. Grace’s boss was kind of the worst for most of the book and when Grace finally stood up to her, I was really proud of her. Eric has his own extracurriculars playing into his image that I’m still not sure how I felt about. It wasn’t really clear to me how much of it was fact and how much was press fabrication because he and Grace never really discussed it too much. It was a slow burn between the two of them to sort through their issues, and there was some great tension and fun banter. I wanted some deeper conversations between them though to really feel the strength of their reconnection.

Overall this was a solid and enjoyable debut. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 stars. This book was really sweet! I loved the premise. However, I felt like sometimes the conflicts felt forced. But I love a good rivals to lovers story. I thought the banter was funny and cute

This is a classic enemies-to-lovers workplace romance. Grace and Eric both work in marketing at the same tech company in London, supporting two different competing dating apps. The CEO offers them an opportunity to work on a project together for a new app being launched, but the project will also serve as their interviews as they compete against each other for a big promotion. As they spend more time together, Grace begins to realize Eric may not be the enemy she thought.

This was so fun!! After finishing this one, I am actually surprised it is a debut novel for this author - I thought it was really well done and I enjoyed it from start to finish. The romance between Grace and Eric is somewhat of a slow burn (nothing happens until nearly 3/4 way through), but there was also a lot of character development for them both. Grace builds a lot of self-confidence and learns to stand up for herself as the story progresses.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley. Its release is coming up in February. I highly recommend!

This book had me kicking my feet and giggling the whole way through. One of those romances where you know exactly how it will end but you're relishing the tension build (and let me tell you, the build was PERFECTION) until the pressure breaks. I was in quite a bit of a slump before picking this one up and it pulled me right out - couldn't put it down! And I'm not even typically a romance reader!

The description and the character building was phenomenal; I felt like I was working with the two main characters at the dating app and knew them as personally as they knew each other. I loved the way the backstory unfolded and felt like the cadence of the reveal is what kept me turning pages. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed (albeit appropriate in terms of plot) but it wrapped up a little sloppily. Not enough to ruin the book for me, of course, and I will be recommending this one for any person looking for their next light and fluffy yet indulgent read!

Read if you like:
- Fake dating
- Workplace romance
- Enemies to lovers
- Ambitious protagonists
- Second chances
- Friends to lovers

The Launch Date is a captivating romance that seamlessly blends professional ambition with heartfelt emotion. The story centers around Emma Collins, a driven marketing executive striving to make her mark in the competitive world of tech startups, and Ryan Mitchell, a brilliant yet guarded product designer with a reputation for being difficult to work with.

When their companies merge for a high-stakes project, Emma and Ryan find themselves reluctantly paired together. Their initial interactions are marked by tension and clashing personalities, embodying the classic enemies-to-lovers trope. However, as they navigate the pressures of launching a groundbreaking product, they begin to uncover layers beneath their professional facades.

The fake dating scenario arises when a miscommunication leads their colleagues to believe that Emma and Ryan are romantically involved, forcing them into awkward and often humorous situations. This forced proximity allows their chemistry to simmer, gradually transforming their animosity into mutual respect and undeniable attraction.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own ambitions and vulnerabilities. Emma's determination and Ryan's hidden softness create a dynamic interplay that keeps readers invested in their journey. Themes of second chances and personal growth are skillfully woven into the narrative, adding depth to their evolving relationship.

Set against the backdrop of a fast-paced corporate environment, the story balances high-energy scenes with tender, intimate moments. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, driving both the romantic tension and the professional challenges the protagonists face together.

The Launch Date is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys a mix of romance and workplace drama, enhanced by well-executed tropes and memorable characters. It’s a story about finding love in unexpected places and the courage to take risks both in business and in matters of the heart.

Thanks so much to the publisher for my gifted ARC!

I love a good enemies-to-lovers romcom, and this one was so fun and unique! THE LAUNCH DATE centers around rival coworkers at a dating app company, Grace and Eric, who are forced to team up in order to help develop a new dating app—and compete for a huge promotion. As they spend more time together on practice “first dates,” the two realize that they might have misjudged each other…and they might be a better match than they could have imagined.

This was such a sweet read! I enjoyed following Grace as a main character—her struggles with imposter syndrome and asserting herself both inside and outside of the workplace were so well-depicted. It was so satisfying to see her stand up for herself and go for what she deserved in terms of career, romance, and just in general. Eric was the perfect book boyfriend, and his chemistry with Grace shone throughout the story, taking us on their journey from coworkers to friends to rivals to lovers (sometimes going back and forth between all of those things!). I loved their dynamic and banter, and how they always supported each other and looked out for each other, even when they didn’t fully realize it at the time. Overall, this was a great debut, and I look forward to seeing what Annabelle Slator writes next! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy!


Insta-buy when I see an frenemies to lovers workplace trope, even better when I see it’s a slow-burn. I love over time, we get to see more layers of the characters that we aren’t able to see from the beginning. I’m not always a fan of miscommunication, but I did understand the moments in this one. I feel like since it was paired with reading parts that actually made me laugh out loud, I wasn’t as aggravated as normal.

And the spice! Wow…. Just wow.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As always, let’s start with the tropes that await you:
Workplace romance
Rivals to lovers
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Some spice
Lots of banter and next-level chemistry

The Launch Date is an excellent debut novel from author Annabelle Slator.

Grace and Eric, or Hastings and Bancroft as they refer to each other, are rival marketing managers at different dating apps owned by the same company in London, England. They were friends until a misunderstanding between them 6 months prior to the start of the book and now find themselves at odds with one another.

An opportunity opens up for a promotion at a new start up with their company and their boss wants them to work together on presenting the app to investors whilst also competing for the promotion. Oh, and the work they have to do is going in fake dates with each other around the city, testing out experiences and brand partnerships for the app. Will they be able to get through these fake dates unscathed? Will the misunderstandings of the past haunt them? Will they both finally admit their feeling for one another and just kiss already?

I was on the edge of my seat from the start. The story really hits the ground running from the first chapter. One of my favorite things in books is when the author gets the banter just right, and it was so so right. I loved watching their banter slowly go from scathing to flirty as they continued to work together.

The pacing was excellent and kept me hooked. It was hard to put the book down and go back to work. The author did an excellent job of going back in time and laying the ground work for their friendship and the misunderstandings that lead to their rivals status. And that ending! We better be getting more Grace and Eric in the future!

If I had one wish though, it would be for more of Eric’s thoughts/perspective. Some of it was implied and alluded to, but I wanted to hear him saying it. I wanted him in his knees telling Grace how he waited and longed for her the entire time they were rivals.

Overall, I really enjoyed and loved The Launch Date and am excited to read more from Slator in the future!

This is a fantastic debut book - work place romance/enemies to lovers - had me rooting for the MCs to get it together.

Grace and Eric work together and are up for the same promotion. Grace believes Eric is a big playboy and not serious about the dating app as she is. They're forced to work together and set up a variety of "dates" to show how their app works. Tension builds during the dates - and then we're let in on their past history which makes them all the more spicy. It's a fun book, kept me reading and a great storyline with wonderful characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Here's a more accurate title for this romcom: The Hating Game: London Edition.

This book deserves credit for taking a really standard trope and managing to keep things fresh. The chemistry and tension between Grace and Eric were palpable. I like a slowburn, so all the "research dates" were great and I got terribly invested in what had gone wrong in their prior friendship.

Now for my Gripe: Grace
I really wish we'd got Eric's POV as well, just to balance Grace out; far, far too much of the book is dedicated to the waste of space who is her ex, a true moustache-twirling douche. After 30%, I did not care to know any more about how "things used to be" with him, but she just couldn't stop bringing him up.

Not sure why she kicked Eric on their second "date" but I kinda hated it. Uncalled for slaps, kicks, etc. between romantic leads does not count toward sexy banter, it's actually battery. Now, if HE had kicked HER in the shin, there would've been a huge red flag raised, right? Right?! And of course, Grace just has to get cold feet in the most nonsensical way because it wouldn't be a romcom if one of them didn't JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS and go flying completely off their rocker about it.

Overall, I did enjoy this debut a lot and would read more from this author.

4 glowing stars!

Workplace rivals to lovers is so frickin' hard to get right, or to not fall into cliche territory. Annabelle Slator handles these pitfalls in her debut novel with aplomb.

Kudos to the :
- Amazing context setting. The business/ marketing context behind the fictitious Match Group and it's bazillion dating app subsidiaries
- Commentary on app based dating. Is your curated online persona the real deal? How can marketers enable magical moments of connection in the ordinary humdrum of life
- Eric and Grace had genuine stakes to be antagonistic. Love that their eventual romance isn't lust driven, but patiently builds from regaining trust and friendship.


My thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the eARC, all opinions my own!

This was super cute!!! I love a rivals to lovers when really he’s cared about her the whole time. Loved the take on two dating apps and the two mcs needing to work together.

This was a super, cute read. I loved the banter between the main characters! Even, while enemies, I was rooting for them all the way!

I loved watching the FMC come into her own and realize what she wanted. I loved watching her confidence grow!

This was a great read and I highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley & Avon & Harper Voyager for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest review.

#NetGalley #AnnabelleSlator #TheLaunchDate

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. Work enemies that need to work together for a project? I eat that stuff up.

As an aside, it really bothered me that Grace couldn't see how awful her boss was/became. Always leaving the admin work to her. Being underappreciated. She was probably much underpaid too. Anyways, glad that she got to launch what she wanted in the end.

This is a great debut enemies to lovers romance with witty banter, but a slower start for me. Once I got into the story, it really picked up and flowed really well. It's definitely a must read if the tropes are your jam because this author really hits them quite well.