Guillory continues to thrill with her sixth multicultural contemporary romance, following Party of Two (2020). Ambitious ad man Ben Stephens just landed a huge account after his presentation thoroughly impressed the client's talent, Academy Award-nominee Anna Gardiner. Their chemistry sizzles, but they maintain a professional working relationship. Ben's usual MO is to love 'em and leave 'em, but therapy is helping him deal with his commitment issues. Anna has sought therapy for the anxiety brought on by sudden, unexpected fame, but she's able to keep it in check by "controlling the narrative" and carefully planning where and when she's photographed. Luckily, Ben is willing to appear as her fake boyfriend, with the understanding that they'll part ways after the premiere of her new blockbuster movie. But when romantic snapshots appear in People magazine, friends and family clearly see that their love is not an act. Readers who enjoy tales of the rich and famous will swoon over red-carpet dress fittings and paparazzi-dodging hijinks. Tender love scenes and a believable romantic awakening that builds slowly while taking mental health issues seriously further demonstrate Guillory's storytelling star power.

A famous actress begins a harmless flirtation with an advertising executive, but their casual dates are likely to have serious consequences. When Ben Stephens leads the pitch presentation for a commercial slated to feature Oscar-nominated actress Anna Gardiner, he never imagines he'll impress her enough that she'll demand he lead the project. He also doesn't expect his casual on-set banter with Anna to lead anywhere. But when she has a family emergency and he offers to drive her hundreds of miles, they wind up learning about each other's pasts: While Ben resents his father for abandoning him as a child and assiduously avoids serious relationships, Anna is recovering from severe anxiety. As Black professionals, they've both had to confront deep-seated racial prejudice in their fields, and Anna is now desperately hoping it won't keep her from landing a film role she believes will be career-defining. Guillory infuses ample charm and wit in Ben and Anna's interactions as she deftly highlights the lack of public sensitivity to mental health issues and the prevalence of sizeism and racism in popular culture. While several characters introduced in Guillory's previous works make interesting and welcome appearances, Ben and Anna remain conspicuously one-note. He is endlessly considerate, she leans on him repeatedly, and their struggles, imperfections, and vulnerabilities are dealt with perfunctorily. But the camaraderie among Ben, Anna, and their respective families is always entertaining and often heartwarming. A light, frothy, and fun concoction. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Ben Stephens is thrilled to be leading his first high-profile ad campaign. The fact that it involves working closely with the beautiful and charming Oscar-nominated actress Anna Gardiner doesn't hurt. Anna is hoping that this ad campaign, combined with her role in an upcoming superhero movie, will raise her profile enough to land a prestige role she has her heart set on; the harmless flirtation she and Ben engage in doesn't hurt either. Then a family emergency leads to an inpromptu road trip, and Anna and Ben act on their attraction, kicking off a full-fledged fling. To keep the good publicity coming, Anna suggests they pretend they're in a relationship after the shoot wraps, but as they spend more time together and share their concerns and insecurities, everything starts feeling a little too real. Guillory's latest "Wedding Date" series installment (after Party of Two) weaves serious issues, including mental health and parental abandonment, through a believable romance that features relatable, good-hearted protagonists. VERDICT Recommend to the author's many fans, and readers who enjoyed the film Notting Hill.--Stephanie Klose, Library Journal