This was a cute romance read, I loved that it was set in Scotland. However I found the story to be a bit slow and hard to get into, I also thought it was a bit too spicy for my liking.
Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

This was a really lovely summer romance with great characters and a slow burn that just keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Liv Holland, a preschool teacher has a crush on her twin brother’s best friend Arran. When her brother decides to get married, Arran and Liv are thrown together to help plan his wedding. It’s all the more challenging because both of them are gun-shy when it comes to relationships.


I enjoyed this fun, friends-to-lovers romance, set in Scotland. What’s not to love? The Scottish setting, with the frequent teas and scones, was great, along with a Scottish wedding, The characters were great, and I loved their extended friend group and checkered relationship histories. I’m looking forward to more from this author.


Thanks to @hq, @netgalley, @rachelsrandomresources and the author for this ARC

Having enjoyed the previous book in this series by Zoe Allison, I was looking forward to reading The Wedding Engagement. Whilst I enjoyed it, however, I found it very drawn-out. Liv and Arran just seem to have too many issues between them to be believable and in the end I was just irritated by the pair of them! I did like the strength of their relationship, though, when they finally admitted that they had one.

The slow burn romance kept me going but I did find it a little repetitive and sometimes cringey. Still a lovely story and the last 20% was worth it! Would recommend as a nice easy going read.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Wedding Engagement' by Zoe Allison.
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LOVE, LOVE, LOOOOOOVVVEEE , LOVED THIS LAUGH OUT LOUD PAGE TURNER!!! A HUGE WELL DONE ZOE ON ANOTHER ABSOLUTELY SWEET, FUN AND FANTASTIC HEARTWARMER ♥!!!

This book is yet another absolutely beautiful page turner by the brilliant Zoe Allison. I fell in love with her other book 'The Ex-Mas Holidays' and could not wait to get stuck into this book when I discovered it!! I absolutely love the fact that book is a follow on from 'Th Ex-Mas Holidays' but can also be read as a standalone with no problems at all. This really is the ideal read where it really does not matter where you read this whether under a snuggly in front of the fireplace or relaxing on a beach with a cocktail as Zoe completely transports you to Scotland and next to Liv at the turn of a page. In this absolutely gorgeous page turner we meet Liv Holland who has had a crush on her twin brother Sam's best friend Arran Adebayo for fifteen years but Arran has been engaged to his fiancé Jess and has a son with her called Jayce. However, when they separate and Arran is co-parenting Jayce with Jayce who likes to take the mick Liv helps Arran to take care of him when Arran has to work. Liv is also Jayce's kindergarten teacher so she already has a good bond with Jayce. If that wasn't enough for them to spend time and get to know each other but Sam is getting married to Maya and Arran is Sam's best man and Liv is Maya's Maid Of Honour so they now have a wedding to plan together! To make it even more blindingly obvious they should be together a blind dating app also pairs them up!!! However with the guy code of never dating your friends sister and neither wanting to upset Sam will they ever be able to find their happy ever after? Grab your copy today and get stuck into this gorgeous page turner today and I can promise that you will not regret it!! With a stunning storyline filled with friendship, single parenting, humour, romance, escapism, wedding planning and so much more what on Earth are you waiting for??? This fantastic book made me laugh, smile, swoon, jump for joy and getting a few strange looks from my partner while I was doing all this!! Along the way there is laughter, disasters, happiness, fun, drama, romance, friendship and sparks flying everywhere!! I picked up this morning in the morning and just could not put it down so ended up devouring it in one sitting of a few hours. Any time I went to get on with house work something happened which meant I just had to know what was going to happen next until before I knew it I had completely devoured it in one sitting!! Zoe's evocative writing skills brings the story life and one minute your chilling at home with the book in your hand and the next you've been sucked straight into the storyline enjoying a holiday in the Highlands, smiling away and feeling your heart warm up!!!

Zoe does a fantastic job of creating a stunning story with larger than life, realistic and absolutely fantastic characters that you will either love or love to hate. I absolutely loved meeting Maya and Sam again from 'The Ex-Mas' holidays and was landed to see that they are now getting married. Obviously the storyline this storyline is based on Maya and Sam's friends Liv and Arran and I am landed they have got their own story and that we get to meet them again. I also completely fell in love with sweet and adorable Jayce in this book, what an absolute sweetie!! The majority of the characters already felt like friends from meeting them previously but I feel even closer again to them now after meeting them all again plus enjoyed making even more friends in this book. I was completely invested in all of the characters from the moment I met them until I sadly had to say Goodbye and I was rooting for them all throughout. This book had me in stitches on several occasions and at other times left me sitting there going shouting at certain things and getting some very strange looks!! There was plenty going on and I absolutely loved every moment of it. The storyline is unique and I think it is such a fantastic plot I really would love to see this series turned into a movie!! I would be the first barging their way in front to get tickets!! There were so many large and unique personalities in this book and thanks to Zoe's amazing writing skills each and every one of them came alive. I absolutely LOVED watching all the separate relationships develop and change between the characters and I would love to see where each goes and what they get up to next along with hoping to meet them in the future books by this brilliant author! I completely devoured this book in a couple of hours and it was a great escape from reality!!! This book was filled with a lovely range of characters and I would absolutely love to meet them all again!! Hint hint Zoe😉 A huge WELL done to Zoe for bringing them to life!!

An absolutely stunning read by Zoe!! If you are looking for that perfect read to lift your spirits, and keep you hooked then what are you waiting for??

Well done Zoe on another absolutely fun filled and stunning page turning book!! I'm looking forward to your next success and getting stuck into your future books!!! This is exactly why you are on my favourite authors list ♥ and here's to your next success 🥂

Overall an absolutely gorgeous, fun, feel good festive page turner filled with friendships, drama, family, fun and romance that will keep you hooked!!

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I tend to be leery of single parent romances, because when the ex is around (as opposed to dead) they’re usually painted as being awful. Especially when it’s an ex-wife. Internalised misogyny, am I right?

Thankfully, The Wedding Arrangement mostly avoids that trope. Arran’s wife is about and can be a pain at times, but Allison makes her an actual character. I liked that she remained involved in her son’s life even while Arran was moving on.

But to our couple! Liv is a preschool teacher with the biggest crush on her brother’s best friend. Arran is an up-and-coming painter who, when Liv starts to be around a little more, notices her. I half expected the old “not my sister” rubbish from the brother, but the story didn’t go there.

As well as getting more involved in Arran’s life, Liv is working with him on her brother’s upcoming wedding. This could have come across as Liv being conniving but, while she definitely knows what she wants, she genuinely wants to help Arran. And given that their mutual friends set them up, they’re obviously seen as a good match.

Their group of friends are lovely. Allison really does a great job at showing how tight-knit they are. The romance is also solid, with Liv and Arran connecting as friends first and lovers second. I finished the book with the sense they’d be together forever.

The Wedding Engagement by Zoe Allison is a delightful and swoon-worthy romance that explores the unpredictability of love and the complications of pretending to be engaged. Allison crafts a charming and engaging story filled with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and the tension of a fake relationship that starts to feel all too real. The characters are relatable and endearing, each grappling with their own desires and fears while navigating the social expectations surrounding marriage and commitment. With its blend of humor, heartfelt moments, and a dash of drama, The Wedding Engagement is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will leave you rooting for love to triumph against the odds. It's perfect for fans of romantic comedies and those who enjoy a good fake engagement trope.

Anyone who has read The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison (I have, and I loved it, find my review here) will recognise the characters in this book, but it is high time that Liv and Arran got their turn in the spotlight and the author does a great job of making them light up the page. Don’t worry if you haven’t read The Ex-Mas Holidays though, this book works perfectly as a standalone. (Although, if you like this, you should go and read the previous book, it is great.)

So, Sam and Maya are getting married and, of course, they have asked their best friends, Arran and Liv, to lend a hand. Which is going to prove problematic for Liv, as she has had the biggest crush on Arran for years. What could be more awkward than having to make romantic arrangements with a man you are secretly in love with but doesn’t appear to think of you as anything other than his best friend’s twin sister? Well, you are about to find out! This is a great premise for putting two people in situations where they can’t help but let their romantic feelings shine through without it being forced and the author carries it off with great aplomb. The romance doesn’t feel at all forced, and its completely authentic, and it had my heart aflutter.

Other things that had my heart fluttering during this book were: Liv’s relationship with Arran’s young son (too cute, I LOVE him); Liv’s relationship with her two friends which is all female friendship should be (and just for clarity, I am completely with Liv on the scone issue, this should not even be a debate); the gorgeous Highland scenery (I can smell the heather from here); Liv’s self-defence skills (got to love a strong woman); the coo (he makes the book cover, should have had a bigger part!)

This book will also get other parts of the body fluttering, if you know what I mean, because Zoe is not shy about writing ALL the spicy parts. Arran (who bears more than a passing resemblance to a member of the Bridgerton cast, apparently) is HOT and will have the sternest of ladies buckling at the knees, so imagine what he does to Liv in this book. Well, you don’t have to imagine because it is all on the page in glorious technicolour, so you don’t want to go into this book if you are at all shy. If you like your books spicy, however, you will love this book. (Although, I take practical issue with one scene – Zoe, you can message me if you want me notes for future reference!)

This book has everything going for it for lovers of romance novels. Gorgeous setting, sexy protagonists, emotional journeys, cute kids, sweet friendships, will-they-won’t-they tension, plenty of spice and a happy ending. I loved (almost) everything about it. The negatives? The puns are TERRIBLE (in a really fun way.) Reading this book was an absolute joy and I am so glad I got to be on the tour. Cannot recommend highly enough.

The Wedding Engagement by Zoe Allison

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Planning a wedding is so romantic . . . except when it’s not yours, and you’re planning it with the guy you’re secretly crushing on. Scottish schoolteacher Liv Holland has a secret. She’s been carrying a torch for Arran Adebayo, her brother’s best friend, for years. A blind date gone wrong cements in Liv’s mind that Arran has no romantic interest in her whatsoever. But then, with her brother set to marry her own best friend, she and Arran are enlisted to help plan the festivities… After being left at the altar by his ex, single father Arran is having trouble managing his growing feelings towards the woman who is both his best friend’s sister and his son’s Liv. Then his mind is blown when fate thrusts them together for an unexpected blind date, but he messes up his chance to tell her how he feels. As the big day approaches and Liv and Arran’s connection intensifies, their chemistry chafes against their checkered romantic histories. Risking everything for love could mean losing each other forever . . . or being the next ones to find their happy ever after.

My Opinion

Earlier this year I really enjoyed reading The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison so when I saw that there was a new release, I was happy to give it a read. This was a delightful book that I managed to finish in one day. I really liked the way that Arran and Liv were written and how their friendship changed over time. Zoe Allison has written a slow-burn romance with some great characters. If you like the friends-to-lovers trope then this is a book for you.

Rating 4/5

I was really drawn in, I love a good friends to lovers and single dad trope. The Scottish setting was truly charming and I was really rooting for Liv (she's crush on Arran for years, the trouble is he also happens to be her twin brothers best friend)
I enjoyed this but for me personally the slow burn was too slow.
Thank you NetGalley, Zoe Allison and HQ for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

The Wedding Engagement is a fun and charming friends-to-lovers rom-com.

If you're a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, this book is a must-read. Zoe has masterfully captured the essence of this beloved trope, infusing it with fun, heartfelt moments, and a dash of spice. The story is a delightful escape, with entertaining plot twists, spot-on banter, and a romance that will leave you swooning.

One of the things that stood out for me was the strong friendship among the characters in this book. This is a tight-knit group, and I adored how supportive they were of each other. I also loved the fun banter-y teasing that went on among the friends. This story has lots of light, fluffy, and laugh-out-loud moments, which makes for such an enjoyable read. But this book isn't just fluff; Zoe tackles some pretty challenging topics, like a toxic parent and toxic past relationships. Zoe handled these topics with care and thought and did a great job at weaving them into her story in a realistic and relatable manner.

The characters in this book were wonderful! Zoe really is a likeable character. She is smart and funny, and I couldn't help but root for her. She is crushing hard for Arran, her brother's best friend. Zoe and Arran have grown closer over the years and now consider each other close friends. Even though it looks like Zoe has her life together, she struggles when it comes to romantic relationships. Her toxic relationship with her father has made it difficult for her to get close to another man romantically. She believes in love and HEA, but not for herself. Arran is a real sweetheart of a hero. He is funny and charming and is also crushing on Zoe. But Arran has a lot on his plate. He is co-raising his son with his ex-fiancé, who doesn't seem as interested in parenting. Arran has some emotional baggage from his ex-fiance leaving him, and it's been difficult to move on when his ex is still in his life. As the story progresses, both MCs really need to focus on internal health and growth. It is something that they do independently and with each other's support. Their journey to getting their HEA is full of miscommunications and pinning.

I love a romance that is chalked full of witty banter. Zoe and Arran really are perfect for each other. I loved, loved, loved their banter. It is flirty and nerdy. I devoured every exchange between these two. Besides all the fun banter, there was some real depth to Zoe and Arran's relationship that comes from two characters that have known each other for a long time. These two have supported each other over the years and have stood by each other through thick and thin. They are a team that works so well together. The only real miscommunication that exists between them is connected to their romantic feelings, which is pretty understandable, given their past and friendship. You will love this book if you are a fan of friends to lovers, brother's best friend, slow burn, pinning, miscommunications, and fun, flirty banter.

The Wedding Engagement is a fun, flirty friends-to-lovers rom-com that is sure to please any romance bookworm.

This was a lovely romantic read about Liv and Arran who are friends who have developed feelings for each other. There is plenty of sexual tension between them but frustratingly things keep preventing them from getting together (no spoilers)

I have read Zoe’s previous novel The Ex-Mas Holidays and loved the fact that we got to hear more about Sam and Maya and follow their next chapter.

This was a great romantic read with hidden depths and a perfect ending.

Thanks to NetGalley, Zoe Allison and HQ for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Oh my, Zoe Allison, what spice!
I was thrilled to read The Wedding Engagement and to learn what happened to Liv and Arran, whom I had already met in her previous book, The Ex-Mas Holidays.
Liv and Arran have known each other since childhood. Arran is Liv's twin brother's best friend, and she's been holding somewhat of a candle for him for a while.
Arran has not long got out of a relationship, with a broken engagement, and a gorgeous little boy, Jayce, in his life.
There is chemistry between these characters, though they both have their reasons for not taking the first step towards admitting any attraction. Then they get thrown together to help arrange the Sten do for Liv's brother, Sam, and her best friend, Maya.
The sizzle starts and can be felt intensely, coming to an (ahem) climax in the second half of the book.
A typical friends-to-lovers story filled with slow-burn chemistry that a reader can really feel! I raced through this book in a couple of sittings and LOVED it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for an ARC.

3.5 stars

I initially struggled to get into this book, slow burns aren't my fave and also I got a bit frustrated at both of them for liking each other but not wanting to risk their friendship

However when things started to happen I thought it was really cute and I love how supportive they are of each other

The friendship group in this book/series is so lovely I love all the characters

- friends to lovers
- slow burn
- single dad
- brothers best friend

Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC - all opinions are my own

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved this book by Zoe Allison.

The story was sweet, the characters relatable and the setting was beautiful.

Cannot wait to see what the author brings out next.

I highly recommend this book.

The romantic gestures over a number of days that Arran arranged were so romantic and thoughtful. And one of my favourite parts in the book.
There was some spice, but it was not too spicy. ( just the perfect amount to engage a reader😅) The few scenes were tasteful and well done. I didn't find it to be a slow burn, I enjoyed the build-up and the development in their relationship.

The way Liv loves Jase, Arran's son was so special, I loved the bond. I think finding love after a breakup, especially if there are children involved, can be so difficult, and I'm so glad he found someone who adores his son as if he were her own. That alone made my heart swell.

I loved the eavesdropping old ladies at the tea room. They were hilarious with their advice for the younger generations.
Men pretending not to know how to do something I could totally relate to that🙄
Titanic art scene so hot, and sweet and all feelsy words.

I really enjoyed this 2nd book in the Glenavie series. It can be read as a standalone, but why? When you can enjoy the characters in both books!

Tropes:
Mixed race couple
Single dad/jilted before the wedding dad
Sort of interfering ex
She fell first-( in childhood )
Friends to lovers
Family drama

This was a very interesting book. I did enjoy parts of it and the friends to lovers aspect was really good. I just felt like it was a little to long and would have been better if it was shorter as the story dragged on a bit.

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Thanks for a copy of this book! I liked this book but didn't love it. It was a little bit too slow off the mark for me but was a fun Autumn read overall