Party of Two: This opposites-attract rom-com from the author of The Proposal is 'an utter delight' (Red)!

This was my first Guillory book and I loved it so much! I loved Olivia and Max's relationship, they were so cute!

I loved Olivia’s no-nonsense attitude from The Wedding Date, so I was eager to dive into her story in Party of Two.Olivia is very career driven. She’s a tough cookie. And after opening her own law firm, her focus is work and then more work. Max is passionate about change. He wants to improve people’s lives, so became California’s junior senator. Though, it means his job is his entire life. Still, they both have blossoming careers, and are highly intelligent in their own right. Olivia and Max are basically the definition of a power couple.I like how the book discusses white privilege and racism within the criminal justice system without straying too far from the narrative. Max is a white male, who grew up in Beverly Hills. He lived a charmed life, but he wants to use his abilities and privilege to help those who don’t have the same advantage. He may have been raised in a bubble, but when eyes were opened, he stepped up to make a difference. Olivia is not only a woman, but a black woman. So for her, every hurdle is twice the size.There’s a strong sense of female unity and triumph in this book. Olivia and her business partner, Ellie, are starting their own law firm and despite their challenges, I found their success to be very empowering. The same goes for Jamila, Olivia’s new friend. She works at a local food bank and is a refreshing ball of ambition and insight. Rather than compete for something shallow (like the attention of men), the women lift each other up and act as a support system for one another.My knowledge of law and the United States Senate doesn’t go much further than Legally Blonde, but I love how Guillory gives the reader a good look at the working lives of our characters. It’s not all smooth sailing, we see them face very real trials and disappointments as they try to reach success. Also, the protagonists are both in their late 30s, and have careers that actually keep them busy! It’s a subtle element but adds to the reality of the book.A good chunk of the novel is happy fluff, and I welcome it. I absolutely adore the way Guillory builds a love story. Even from The Wedding Date, I have loved the gentle but emotional bond the builds between the two characters. It has a natural depth to it, the makes it really easy to invest in. The characters are the perfect mix of authentic and dreamy and there’s a steady balance of romance and drama to keep the plot moving.However, this was not a 5-star read for me. The book’s synopsis suggests there’s a scandal that will turn the narrative sideways. But when the “rocky past” is eventually revealed, it doesn’t play that big of a part. I was expecting more, especially when it comes to a life in the “spotlight”. When I did reach the inevitable fallout, it didn’t feel significant enough to be entertaining. For me, it lacked the emotional grip that compels me to keep reading. Fortunately, I’m a fan of the author and the series so there’s no way I’d ever give up on this book.Principally, Party of Two is a lovely read. The characters are likeable, relatable, and realistic. The romance is as swoon-worthy as always, and the plot is incredible easy to fly through.Anika | chaptersofmay.com

The 3 stars are really just for the writing which is good as usual. However, I disliked the heroine, Olivia so much it was really hard to push through and carry on reading the book at times. From the beginning ofthe book she was annoying and so judgmental. Without talking to him, she assumed he was “just” and actor and therefore empty headed and full of himself. From their interaction he was none of those things. It didn’t get better from there. Instead of talking to him, she assumed he just wanted a fling. When proven wrong and he wanted to go public, instead of doing her due diligence-she is supposedly a successful lawyer who was a partner in a big firm in NY- she procrastinated and then complained when things didn’t go her way. Was Max too optimistic about people being interested in his love life? Yes. However, Olivia as a black woman as she often pointed out, and a successful one at that should have known better. If anything instead of being in her head, she should have “googled” similar situations at a minimum and more aptly talk to her sister who is after all the chief of staff of a political figure. Caution is all well and good but she was so timid, even I the reader was frustrated. Max was open and earnest. Maybe too much, however she expected him to be a mind reader. First she lied about how great her firm was doing then she never openly voiced her concerns. In Hawaii she talked about the big conversations people should have but she never brought any. The whole debacle with her arrest was over the top. I completely understand how this teenage mishap would color people opinions because she’s black and because he is a politician. What I couldn’t understand is how on earth she wasn’t proactive in at least writing a statement about it. She’s a lawyer after all. Going out with Max, a politician, it was bound to come out. The community meeting was the last straw for me. Yes, Max was wrong to put her on the spot like this. However, she just confirmed that love should be an action word. Instead of throwing her toys out of the pram and breaking up with him, she should have taken the time to cool off and then have a mature conversation with him. I understand this is a romcom format, however for people almost in their 40s, this felt forced and too juvenile for me. I guess my overall issue with this book is that Max was obviously so in love with her while she was dragging her feet, it made me uncomfortable. Once again, he came back with a way to move forward. At least she showed up at his office but by that point it was too little too late for me.Apart from Wes, the book also lacked a “consistent helpful” supporting cast. Jamila and Kara were just fluff. I also find it strange that they would go public without meeting each other family and friends first. If only so they wouldn’t get blindsided by the reporters. There also was a few editing issues.

Really enjoyed the book. Loved the characters and their realistic flaws. Would love to know what happens, if he ever became president.

I loved Party of Two. I'm so glad that Olivia got her own book.Funny, romantic, real. All the feels.

This is another great book in the series which feels like hot cocoa on a cold day. Felt like a fly on the wall with their initial secret romance and seeing how it blossomed over time. I wonder who will be next in the series?

simple book to glide through.i personally like more plot twists but i actually quite liked that it was sweet and romantic.

Really liked the characters, they were so real! I was never bored and read it in one sitting! Must have for anyone who likes a good romance!

arrived on time in perfect condition

I read The Proposal first by Jasmine which I liked and thought was cute but Party of Two surpassed it. Definitely a cute feel-good rom com that any one that loves the genre like I do will appreciate. Just the right amount of everything really! Jasmine is definitely a talented writer that can keep you hooked and get the pages turning. What I love most of all though are her powerful,smart,beautiful and independent leading ladies.

It was so great! I loved it so much!It was modern, classy and fun! I love romance. I love LOVE.As a black woman who lived in Paris France, There are not many books like that here. (You could identified yourself with! without all the negative prejudice. She is a lawyer and he is a politician. You can barely see and read a book like this one in France. As Black women for many can't be Lawyer....really? anyways. That how i feel. ) I really enjoyed it. :)

It's a good, modern romance novel. I though it would be more, but it's fine if that's what you're looking for.

I loved the love story in this book. I actually loved it, how in this book and in every book from author, the men showed their emotions and that they can love as much as women can. I read it at once . It's not so easy to read slow