Author: Sariah Wilson

Synopsis:

For a party planner in awe of the royals, daydreams fit for a queen might come true in a captivating romantic comedy by Sariah Wilson, the USA Today bestselling author of The Hollywood Jinx.

For as long as she can remember, Everly Aprile has been obsessed with the Monterran royals, especially Queen Kat: elegant, self-possessed, and living a fairy-tale romance. As for Everly, her career as an event planner has stalled—and so has her love life. Then a wealthy new client wants a sweet-sixteen party that’s fit for an American princess. Practicing her “What Would Kat Do” mantra, Everly offers to bring it to life by immersing herself in everything Monterra.

Call it intervento divino when she meets dizzyingly handsome and charismatic Max Colby, who’s relocated stateside from the Monterran kingdom of her dreams. If Everly promises to be his New York City guide, he’ll teach her the customs and culture of Monterra so her party gets a boost of authenticity. Deal. As their friendship grows, Everly starts falling—but for what? Another unattainable obsession? Max is such a dreamboat that surely he sees her as just a friend.

Her royal to-do list is in order. She’s revamping her life and learning to believe in herself. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance for fate to bring Everly her happily ever after after all.

Review:

Party Favors was the most adorable happily ever after story.  It will give you all of those princess finds her knight in shining armor surrounded by a cute story vibe.  If you’re looking for a book that has all the Hallmark feels, add this one to your tbr!

Max Colby was completely out of my league.

Everly Aprile was so easy to like, even if she thought the world of her d-bag boss, Adrian.  But that’s because she had a lot of growing up to do.  She definitely made a few mistakes in these pages, but watching how far she came from that first page to the last was beautiful!  Also, I loved Everly’s relationship with her roommate Vella.  Vella cracked me up with her mannerisms and words.  I loved how she was so tough on the exterior, but then a big ol marshmallow when it came to Everly.

“Shall we?” he asked, and he offered me his arm.
It was so old- fashioned and romantic that I had to swallow back the nervous but excited lump in my throat. “We shall.”

During a chance meeting, when Everly was extremely low, she met Max Colby.  And Max was suave and charming to say the least.  From there a friendship formed that was heartwarming.  Especially since Max was such a good guy that was sigh worthy.  He was protective, caring, thoughtful and I loved how kind he was to Everly.  Their interactions were adorable, fun, and I loved watching their friendship progress to more.

There was so much love in his bright blue eyes as he looked at me, gently caressing my face. “You know how our fairy tale ends. Happy Everly after.”

Party Favors was a story that will cheer you up, has the most fabulous happily ever after, a kind book boyfriend and a heroine you’ll love to watch grow.  This book was an easy read, and I loved listening to the audio in KU too.  I always enjoy a book by Wilson and can’t wait to see what she writes next!  

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Synopsis:

True love requires a little research and development in a funny, heart-racing romance by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Paid Bridesmaid.

How can Anna Ellis, a geeky, brilliant, and hopelessly smitten cosmetic chemist possibly win over Craig Kimball, the man of her dreams―who also happens to be her boss? The answer is Craig’s empathetic (and handsome) CEO half brother, Marco. The makeup mogul knows Craig for the ridiculously competitive rival he is. Whatever Marco has, Craig wants. That can be Anna, if she’s game to play.

All Anna and Marco have to do is pretend they’re falling in love and let the rumors begin. If the experiment in attraction works, a jealous Craig will swoop in and give Anna her happily ever after―if it weren’t for one hitch in the plan. There’s more to Marco than meets the eye. With every fake date, Anna’s feelings are starting to become dizzyingly real.

Blame it on chemistry. It’s unpredictable, exciting, and occasionally combustible. If Anna and Marco are really falling in love, who are they to argue with science?

Review:

None of this was going how I’d planned.

The Chemistry of Love was a hilarious fake dating romance! This was one of those stories where I Couldn’t. Stop. Smiling!  If you’re looking for an adorable story that will make you smile and fall in love, then this may be your book!

I was keenly aware of him walking just behind me, and I wanted to pinch myself. We’d been having our second- ever actual conversation! 

Anna Ellis was a cosmetic chemist who lived with her grandparents. She was madly in love with her boss, Craig. Whom she rarely was ever around, but she built him up as the most amazing man possible in her head. Think movie star worthy. And it didn’t matter that her friend Catalina wasn’t the hugest fan of him. Anna knew she was destined to be with Craig! So when Marco, Craig’s brother, stepped into her world, he was the key to reaching her dreams. Craig always wanted what Marco had. So if she were to fake date Marco, then Craig would be hers!

“Wow. That is some rom- com- level delusion right there,” she said.  “It’s never going to work.”
“Marco seems to think it will.”
“It’s a good thing that man is pretty, because he’s obviously not very in touch with  reality. I’ve seen the movies. This sort of thing never works out. If anything, it’s only guaranteed to make you fall in love with him.” 

Anna was hilarious, quirky and so much fun! It took me a little while to warm up to her because she could be clueless and lost in her head at times, but she was goodhearted and had an innocent feel to her. So when Anna would make some bad life decisions, there was quite a few lol, I couldn’t stop the laughter from pouring out of me. I was so happy she had Catalina in her life, because she had no problems being brutally honest with Anna. And I loved her grandpa, their interactions together were heartwarming. Yet my heart hurt for Anna. Her ambition and dreams didn’t always pan out the way she wanted. I wanted her to find her happily ever after!

My pulse raced, and I couldn’t explain why exactly. Or why my stomach flitted with delight when he smiled at me.
I was in love with Craig.  None of this made any sense.

Craig. Well. I lacked seeing what Anna saw in him. Yet whenever she and Marco were together, there were sparks. No matter how much Anna didn’t want to admit it! And I loved Marco right from the beginning. He was thoughtful, kind and caring. Yes he was gorgeous, but I loved learning about the sides he didn’t show others. I loved his interaction with her friends. And I loved even more the things he did to help Anna out. Except there was one tiny problem, Marco was the ultimate closed book. I desperately wanted to know his thoughts on everything. So his gestures of kindness and helping Anna out, well I built them up in my head. I didn’t even care if I was wrong. I loved Marco, and thought Anna should feel the same!

I came close to Marco, and he stiffened, standing straighter, tightening his arms so that his forearms flexed.
I didn’t understand what his reaction was about.
“Thank you,” I said. “It may be too much, but thank you.”
It took him a second, and I watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed twice before he cleared his throat and said, “You’re welcome. I should, uh, get back to work.”
“And I should get back to looking nice.” 

Anna and Marco clicked together so seamlessly. Even if they could be the polar opposites when it came to their opinions on love and marriage. Anna was a firm believer that it existed, while Marco didn’t think it did. And I got it. Marco’s back story gutted me wide open. I understood why he was jilted towards love. But his moments with Anna were sigh worthy. And the chemistry between them was intoxicating. So every time they had to “fake” being together I was a giddy mess. I loved when they had to touch, be near one another or kiss. I wanted THEM to work. Their moments could be so perfect, it was like they were destined for one another. Yet Anna was adamant that she still wanted Craig and he was her forever.

“Hey, Anna?”
“Yeah?”
“In case you didn’t know, the ugly duckling never had to change. She just needed to figure out that she’d been a swan all along.” He paused, like he was waiting for a response. When he didn’t get one, he said, “Good night.”

The Chemistry of Love was laugh out loud hilarious and so much fun! Anna’s cosmetic mistake will be stuck in my head forever haha! But the friendship that developed between Anna and Marco made my heart sing. And as little pieces came together, I was patiently waiting for Anna to connect the dots. To see what I saw. This was another adorable story by Sariah Wilson! I can’t wait to read whatever she releases next!

PS All of the birds names?! They were great!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*