PARTY OF TWO by Jasmine Guillory
PARTY OF TWO by Jasmine Guillory
My favorite thing about Jasmine Guillory’s novels is her characters, and in her fifth book in THE WEDDING DATE series, she delivers my favorite heroine and hero to-date. To those who have read her other books, this novel is Olivia’s story. Olivia is a high-powered attorney who moves back to L.A. to start her own law firm (talk about #goals). She meets a handsome stranger at a hotel bar, who turns out to be a high profile U.S. Senator. What follows is a slow(er) burn romance and a delightful courtship with lots of good food and even better secondary characters (who hopefully will get their own books!!)⠀
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I’ve also come to appreciate how excellently Jasmine Guillory discusses necessary social and political issues in her novels. Here, we see a senator push forward a criminal justice reform bill, a former no-nonsense prosecutor transform into a person who cares about the future of youth in America, and a lawyer who deals with inappropriate comments about her relationship and past. These issues are flawlessly woven into this story and while secondary to the romance, do not feel any less important to the characters’ growth.
And I need to give an appreciation shoutout to Olivia, who is the ultimate heroine — not only has she built an amazing career for herself and can hold her own in a room full of men who think they’re superior to her, she also pushes Max in ways that we may be hesitant to do in the beginning of relationships. She calls Max out on his privilege — reminds him that he is white, a man, and from a wealthy and connected upbringing. She checks him when his beliefs are a direct correlation to that privilege. She shouldn’t have to, but she does. And I love her for her strength and desire to help Max be a better person. And ladies and gentlemen: he is RECEPTIVE to it! He does not get offended or question Olivia. Overall, I really loved watching their relationship develop. It seemed to be one built off of mutual respect and admiration, not just infatuation. ⠀
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Fans of Jasmine Guillory’s books will surely fall in love with this one just as her others. And dare I say, be their favorite so far!