Annabelle Slator, you are a QUEEN 💖

I absolutely loved this book and am SO happy I was approved for an ARC. I read this book in two days, I could not put it down.

If you love friends to rivals to lovers and workplace romance, this book is perfect for you. The banter and tension between the characters was written so incredibly well. I absolutely loved the slow burn and I should emphasize it is a “Slow, slow burn” but in the BEST way.

I cannot wait to read any other books Annabelle releases. I have already mentioned this book to my Romance book club! 🩷

SPOILER
*******************
He’s obsessed with her and she doesn’t even realize it!! 🥰

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book, this is my objective review. I was drawn in by the premise and the promise of witty banter and a romantic pairing. Ultimately, though, I don't think I was the right audience for this book. Although I am willing to try reading it again after publication as I think I partly wasn't in the right frame of mind to enjoy it. I also think that in general, I'm not the right person for workplace rom-coms as the anxiety of the potential HR issues almost always gets in my way. That said, I enjoyed the overall snark and wit, even though the mmc was difficult to buy into at first and the book was a bit of a slow start for me. Giving it 3 stars for now (closer to 3.5), although that rating may change on a re-read. I am impressed this was a debut novel for the author, and I look forward to reading other books from her.

Grace Hastings’ The Love Project is a lighthearted romance that offers a fun, flirty read. The premise of two rivals forced to work together on a dating app is a classic setup, and it’s executed with a decent amount of charm.

While the characters are likable enough, they could have been developed further. The romantic tension between Grace and Eric is enjoyable, but it lacks the depth to truly captivate the reader.

If you're looking for a quick, easy read that doesn't require too much thought, The Love Project is a solid choice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon, and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was super cute, and I absolutely loved it! I haven't finished a book that quickly, and I still wish there had been more in a while until this book. The writing was magical, and I can't believe this is Slator's debut novel. This book has me squealing and laughing continuously. It felt a lot like The Hating Game, and no complaints here! The pull between the characters is magnetic and drags you in willingly. The banter and chemistry between Grace and Eric were *chef's kiss*. This is a writer I will be reading in the future, and I highly recommend it.

Read if you like:
- Enemies to lovers
- Workplace romance
- Forced proximity
- Slow burn

Over all I liked it! There were moments that made me actually laugh out loud. The plot was pretty predictable and the resolution seemed a bit rushed at the end. I was expecting to get more out of the epilogue but it was lacking. This is probably a weird observation but I feel like the last two paragraphs should have been switched. It seemed like there was big news on top of the big news with her ring.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for a digital ACR of The Launch Date.

Did I just find a new favorite debut author? I think so! I enjoyed every moment of this story. I've read plenty of workplace enemies-to-lovers/workplace romances and this one tops the cake. The characters were fleshed out and not one-dimensional. The pacing was perfect. Not once did I skim through or wish there was more action. It kept me invested and I just adore Eric. Excellent debut and I will be looking forward to her next release!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the advanced reader copy.

The premise--of creating a dating app that requires meeting IRL first--sounded interesting, but I can't hang with a female boss being so dismissive and cruel to her female subordinate within the first five pages of a rom-com, when there are so many books in this genre to choose from.

A fabulous debut!

I really liked how the author used these classic tropes: enemies to lovers and workplace romance. This combo just simply works every time. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Grace and Eric. They had great banter and tension between them. This is a slow burn and the build up to the relationship is done so wonderfully. I couldn't wait to see these two combust!

I thought the writing was great too. I thought the dialogue was witty and the plot was well developed. I may have been lost a bit with the technical jargon but this didn't effect my enjoyment of the story.

A great read. Can't wait to see more from this author.

Absolutely ADDICTIVE friends to rivals to lovers workplace romance! Sexy, emotional, and hilarious with believable characters and excellent character development. Highly recommend starting during the weekend because you will not be able to put this down and unless you don't need to sleep before going to your office job, weeknights are not it.

Loved.

The Launch Date reminded me of a reinterpretation of the Hating Game, in the best way possible. I loved the interactions between the two characters, though I felt that the reason for their feud was a little flimsy and not fully addressed in my mind. There were several really great and well-written scenes, but some of the non-romance stuff fell a little flat for me. The FMC’s boss, for example, was sort of a two dimensional villain whose story arc was explored either not enough or too much. I kept wanting to fast forward to the parts with Eric. That being said, I think this is a good debut novel and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

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.