The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Dates Read: 4/10/23 - 4/15/23

    Just weeks away from ditching DC for greener pastures, Solange Pereira is roped into helping her wedding planner cousin on a random couple’s big day. It’s an easy gig... until she stumbles upon a situation that convinces her the pair isn’t meant to be. What’s a true-blue romantic to do? Crash the wedding, of course. And ensure the unsuspecting groom doesn’t make the biggest mistake of his life.

    Dean Chapman had his future all mapped out. He was about to check off “start a family” and on track to “make partner” when his modern day marriage of convenience went up in smoke. Then he learns he might not land an assignment that could be his ticket to a promotion unless he has a significant other and, in a moment of panic, Dean claims to be in love with the woman who crashed his wedding.

    Now Dean has a whole new item on his to-do list: beg Solange to be his pretend girlfriend. Solange feels a tiny bit bad about ruining Dean’s wedding, so she agrees to play along. Yet as they fake-date their way around town, what started as a performance for Dean’s colleagues turns into a connection that neither he nor Solange can deny. Their entire romance is a sham... there’s no way these polar opposites could fall in love for real, right?

    This book was pretty good overall, but I have to admit, I can't stand the miscommunication trope in romance. Seriously, just talk to each other, right? Despite that, I found some aspects enjoyable. The big Brazilian family was endearing, and the way the story wrapped up was cute. There were a couple of hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud. However, I couldn't help but feel that the book lacked the sparkle and emotional depth I look for in romance novels.

    Comparing it to 'The Worst Best Man,' I didn't connect with the characters as strongly here. While there were some standout moments, the overall connection wasn't as strong as in the first book. The plot was fun, and the karaoke scene was absolutely fantastic. However, throughout the book, I found myself frustrated with the lack of intimacy and the characters' failure to communicate their feelings. Ultimately, 'The Worst Best Man' still remains my favorite, but I did find enjoyment in this one as well.