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Good on Paper
'A fun beach read! Valerie Tejeda writes relatable characters full of heart!' JO WATSON
'GOOD ON PAPER was the absolute perfect beach read! With a relatable main character struggling to find her path . . . this story was completely captivating and I enjoyed every minute of reading. A perfect tale of finding yourself and finding love!' FALON BALLARD, author of LEASE ON LOVE
'A warm-hearted look at the importance of family, love, and being true to yourself. Equal parts touching and funny, once I started reading it I couldn't put it down!' ELIZABETH DAVIS, author of I LOVE YOU, I HATE YOU
A fabulously escapist beach read with heart and soul about living the life you really want, Good on Paper is the rom-com you have to read this summer! Perfect for fans of Jo Watson, Emily Henry, Mhairi McFarlane and Angie Hockman.
'The perfect summer beach read for any fans of friends-to-lovers romance! The book is charming and warms the cockles of your heart, all the happy feelings at the end of this one'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
' FLEW through this excellent, incredible book. Tightly written, earnest, laugh-out-loud funny at several parts-one of the best page-turning books I've read in ages'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
'I really loved this book! It was a cute and easy read! I couldn't put it down and finished it in one day! . . . It was well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
'This book was absolutely adorable and delightful! This was the perfect summer read that couldn't stop me from smiling. I recommend this book for any romance fan! I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
'The perfect summer read . . . Warm, charming and totally adorable!'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
'Oh my gosh I really liked this book! It was sweet, cute, and romantic . . . it had me hooked'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
.................................
Is the universe telling her to follow her heart?
Journalist Jazmine Prado has always believed that timing is everything. So when her magazine reveals plans to lay off writers as they pivot to video content, she'll do whatever it takes to stay on the pay roll. Like agree to take part in the magazine's first web series, Our Big Day, chronicling her Cancún wedding to her gorgeous, internet-famous fiancé, Hudson Taylor. It's not the way fiercely private Jaz envisioned getting married. But at least she'll keep her job . . . right?
What Jaz could not have foretold is that she'd know the show's videographer - intimately. Leonardo Couture is her former best friend and first love who she hasn't seen, or spoken to, for seven years.
With her career hanging by a thread, and the boy who broke her heart filming her wedding to another, is now the best time to question everything? But as the show takes over, Jaz has to ask herself what and who she really wants for her life. Maybe it's time to listen to the universe . . .
'GOOD ON PAPER was the absolute perfect beach read! With a relatable main character struggling to find her path . . . this story was completely captivating and I enjoyed every minute of reading. A perfect tale of finding yourself and finding love!' FALON BALLARD, author of LEASE ON LOVE
'A warm-hearted look at the importance of family, love, and being true to yourself. Equal parts touching and funny, once I started reading it I couldn't put it down!' ELIZABETH DAVIS, author of I LOVE YOU, I HATE YOU
A fabulously escapist beach read with heart and soul about living the life you really want, Good on Paper is the rom-com you have to read this summer! Perfect for fans of Jo Watson, Emily Henry, Mhairi McFarlane and Angie Hockman.
'The perfect summer beach read for any fans of friends-to-lovers romance! The book is charming and warms the cockles of your heart, all the happy feelings at the end of this one'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
' FLEW through this excellent, incredible book. Tightly written, earnest, laugh-out-loud funny at several parts-one of the best page-turning books I've read in ages'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
'I really loved this book! It was a cute and easy read! I couldn't put it down and finished it in one day! . . . It was well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
'This book was absolutely adorable and delightful! This was the perfect summer read that couldn't stop me from smiling. I recommend this book for any romance fan! I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
'The perfect summer read . . . Warm, charming and totally adorable!'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
'Oh my gosh I really liked this book! It was sweet, cute, and romantic . . . it had me hooked'
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review
.................................
Is the universe telling her to follow her heart?
Journalist Jazmine Prado has always believed that timing is everything. So when her magazine reveals plans to lay off writers as they pivot to video content, she'll do whatever it takes to stay on the pay roll. Like agree to take part in the magazine's first web series, Our Big Day, chronicling her Cancún wedding to her gorgeous, internet-famous fiancé, Hudson Taylor. It's not the way fiercely private Jaz envisioned getting married. But at least she'll keep her job . . . right?
What Jaz could not have foretold is that she'd know the show's videographer - intimately. Leonardo Couture is her former best friend and first love who she hasn't seen, or spoken to, for seven years.
With her career hanging by a thread, and the boy who broke her heart filming her wedding to another, is now the best time to question everything? But as the show takes over, Jaz has to ask herself what and who she really wants for her life. Maybe it's time to listen to the universe . . .
304 pages, Paperback
Published November 22, 2022
15 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tejeda
8 books139 followersValerie Tejeda is a bestselling author of nonfiction and fiction books, an astrologer with a degree in psychology and certificates in astrology, tarot, and music therapy, and the creator of the digital brand Big Cosmic Energy.
She is the writer and narrator of Self Care by the Signs, a #1 Audible bestseller, a #1 Amazon bestseller, an AP bestseller, and an Editor's Pick for Best of the Month, as well as Self Care by the Moon, an Audible Top 10 Listen and Editor's Pick for a 2021 favorite in self-development. Both published by Audible Originals, these uplifting productions work together to help attune self-care practices to the natural cycles of the moon and the astrological signs and seasons.
In addition, she writes fiction novels with themes of self-discovery: the adult contemporary romance Good on Paper, a #1 Amazon bestseller published by Hachette's Imprint Headline Eternal in 2022, and the satirical young adult urban fantasy, Hollywood Witch Hunter, published by Bloomsbury in 2015.
As a journalist, she wrote stories about well-being, astrology, and pop culture. Her bylines have appeared in publications such as Self Magazine, Vanity Fair, MTV, Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and more. She's had multiple articles cited in scholarly journals, including Oxford University Press. Her story highlighting the Latino bullying epidemic in schools (published in 2013) earned her national acclaim.
She is also a well-being astrologer who founded Big Cosmic Energy, a digital brand with content on pop-astrology and cosmic-inspired self-care.
Valerie loves iced coffee and asking people, "When’s your birthday?" when she first meets them.
Website: valerietejeda.com
Instagram: @valerietejeda
TikTok: @valtejeda
Twitter: @valerietejeda
She is the writer and narrator of Self Care by the Signs, a #1 Audible bestseller, a #1 Amazon bestseller, an AP bestseller, and an Editor's Pick for Best of the Month, as well as Self Care by the Moon, an Audible Top 10 Listen and Editor's Pick for a 2021 favorite in self-development. Both published by Audible Originals, these uplifting productions work together to help attune self-care practices to the natural cycles of the moon and the astrological signs and seasons.
In addition, she writes fiction novels with themes of self-discovery: the adult contemporary romance Good on Paper, a #1 Amazon bestseller published by Hachette's Imprint Headline Eternal in 2022, and the satirical young adult urban fantasy, Hollywood Witch Hunter, published by Bloomsbury in 2015.
As a journalist, she wrote stories about well-being, astrology, and pop culture. Her bylines have appeared in publications such as Self Magazine, Vanity Fair, MTV, Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and more. She's had multiple articles cited in scholarly journals, including Oxford University Press. Her story highlighting the Latino bullying epidemic in schools (published in 2013) earned her national acclaim.
She is also a well-being astrologer who founded Big Cosmic Energy, a digital brand with content on pop-astrology and cosmic-inspired self-care.
Valerie loves iced coffee and asking people, "When’s your birthday?" when she first meets them.
Website: valerietejeda.com
Instagram: @valerietejeda
TikTok: @valtejeda
Twitter: @valerietejeda
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
July 1, 2022
DNF
This was very first wish granted, so I was really excited! Unfortunately, I didn't like the writing style, or care for the main character. I also don't like to spend time reading about a relationship, which isn't the HEA, so couldn't bring myself to want to read about Jazmine and Hudson (my fault, I didn't read the blurb properly!)
I think it's a stretch to compare this in any way to Emily Henry or Mhairi McFarlane!
It seems others enjoyed this, but sadly this didn't grab me, and I was bored.
This was very first wish granted, so I was really excited! Unfortunately, I didn't like the writing style, or care for the main character. I also don't like to spend time reading about a relationship, which isn't the HEA, so couldn't bring myself to want to read about Jazmine and Hudson (my fault, I didn't read the blurb properly!)
I think it's a stretch to compare this in any way to Emily Henry or Mhairi McFarlane!
It seems others enjoyed this, but sadly this didn't grab me, and I was bored.
August 19, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Good on Paper is about an award winning journalist called Jazmine who's not down with using social media to write and share her content. But when her career becomes on the line, she decides to give it a shot at video content. Her first project is a video Web series called Our Big Day which will be about her wedding to her famous fiancé Hudson. But Jazmine is in for a surprise when Leo, her first time love and old friend, turns out to be her videographer for the series. Jazmine ends up having a decision on her hands as to weather to carry on getting married to Hudson (who's great on paper) and if he's truly what she wants.
I loved how this book included some different factors and subjects such as changes in media and careers, cultural factors, heritage and confidence and strengthin finding out who you are and what you want.
The characters were well created and likeable and this made a great summer read.
Good on Paper is about an award winning journalist called Jazmine who's not down with using social media to write and share her content. But when her career becomes on the line, she decides to give it a shot at video content. Her first project is a video Web series called Our Big Day which will be about her wedding to her famous fiancé Hudson. But Jazmine is in for a surprise when Leo, her first time love and old friend, turns out to be her videographer for the series. Jazmine ends up having a decision on her hands as to weather to carry on getting married to Hudson (who's great on paper) and if he's truly what she wants.
I loved how this book included some different factors and subjects such as changes in media and careers, cultural factors, heritage and confidence and strengthin finding out who you are and what you want.
The characters were well created and likeable and this made a great summer read.
October 14, 2022
Review coming soon.
September 2, 2022
I really don’t like the miscommunication at all and this book was one big miscommunication but I really did end up enjoying this book!
July 23, 2022
Perfect book for the pool or beach! This book was so cute, I loved Jazmine, she is every woman fighting for what we love, never giving up on your dream and finding that guy that pushes you and loves you for who you are.
In life we settle; we stop dreaming, we stop loving ourselves even if we fail. Sometimes we need to dust ourselves off and get back out there.
Jazmine is award winning journalist working for a travel magazine that starts move to a more online presence. With her job on the line, she agrees to have the new company of the magazine film her wedding. She is not big on social media but agrees hoping they will let her write again. When she meets the team involved in the producing the video, the person that will be film her wedding is Leo her longtime friend and first love who broke her heart. What could go wrong??
This book kept me engaged and had me cheering for Jazmine the whole time! Quick read you will not be able to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Publishing for gifting me this book for my honest review.
In life we settle; we stop dreaming, we stop loving ourselves even if we fail. Sometimes we need to dust ourselves off and get back out there.
Jazmine is award winning journalist working for a travel magazine that starts move to a more online presence. With her job on the line, she agrees to have the new company of the magazine film her wedding. She is not big on social media but agrees hoping they will let her write again. When she meets the team involved in the producing the video, the person that will be film her wedding is Leo her longtime friend and first love who broke her heart. What could go wrong??
This book kept me engaged and had me cheering for Jazmine the whole time! Quick read you will not be able to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Publishing for gifting me this book for my honest review.
July 11, 2022
I hated this book from the beginning and it did not get any better. Jaz and Leo were both iimmature diots and their romance made no sense. She turned him down when they were 18 because she thought that they were too young and she wanted to focus on college and getting her career started. So they made a pact that if they were both single by 28, then they could get married.
And then she was upset with him for having an on again, off again girlfriend and having sex with said girlfriend after she turned him down. He also claimed that he would never cheat on his girlfriend but was flirting with Jaz at the beginning of the book. I also just didn't like the writing and the dialogue felt really awkward.
And then she was upset with him for having an on again, off again girlfriend and having sex with said girlfriend after she turned him down. He also claimed that he would never cheat on his girlfriend but was flirting with Jaz at the beginning of the book. I also just didn't like the writing and the dialogue felt really awkward.
June 11, 2025
2,5⭐️
This would have been so good as a movie!
First of all, I loved the vacation vibe and I loved Jazmines family in the book, I loved the message and it was entertaining, yet there were a few things that bugged me while reading:
- some things didn't quite end up in the backstories of the characters, like you've been together for a while and you haven't talked about marriage or the future in general??? Or you've been friends for 15+ years and still communicate so badly???
- miscommunication (I just hate this trope in general and there was a lot of it)
- lacks substance, I get that a summer romance doesn't always have to be deep, but in this context it would have helpef if Jazmine and Hudson had at least one conversation about their actual hopes, thoughts etc. (it would have been so much more believable)
- immature main character, like you would think a 28 year-old (even a fictional one) would handle their emotions appropriately, but no. Some of the things Jazmine said made me seriously cringe
- emotional cheating, it was pretty clear Jazmine still had romantic feelings towards Leo, yet she was in constant denial
- i felt like the story would have been even better without the male love interest, they got together in the last chapter and it just felt like he was irrelevant to the story
This would have been so good as a movie!
First of all, I loved the vacation vibe and I loved Jazmines family in the book, I loved the message and it was entertaining, yet there were a few things that bugged me while reading:
- some things didn't quite end up in the backstories of the characters, like you've been together for a while and you haven't talked about marriage or the future in general??? Or you've been friends for 15+ years and still communicate so badly???
- miscommunication (I just hate this trope in general and there was a lot of it)
- lacks substance, I get that a summer romance doesn't always have to be deep, but in this context it would have helpef if Jazmine and Hudson had at least one conversation about their actual hopes, thoughts etc. (it would have been so much more believable)
- immature main character, like you would think a 28 year-old (even a fictional one) would handle their emotions appropriately, but no. Some of the things Jazmine said made me seriously cringe
- emotional cheating, it was pretty clear Jazmine still had romantic feelings towards Leo, yet she was in constant denial
- i felt like the story would have been even better without the male love interest, they got together in the last chapter and it just felt like he was irrelevant to the story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
July 2, 2022Why market this as something fans of Emily Henry will like?! It's nothing like an Emily Henry!
I am struggling so much with this one. At 30%, I'm still reading about the guy she's not going to end up with. It feels like it's dragging on too much. Unfortunately this one is not for me.
Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I am struggling so much with this one. At 30%, I'm still reading about the guy she's not going to end up with. It feels like it's dragging on too much. Unfortunately this one is not for me.
Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 16, 2022
Good on Paper follows the journey of Jazmine Prado. The readers get to experience her battles with her career, love life, and identity. In order to keep her job as a writer at Style & Travel Magazine, she agrees to do a reality web series of her wedding to internet-famous Hudson Taylor. What she is not aware of until she arrives to Cancun for her wedding is that the videographer is none other than her childhood best friend and lover, Leo Couture. What will happen when they finally see each other after seven years of no contact?
Good on Paper was a great read that explored several important topics! I appreciated the discussion around being caught between two worlds. I thought it was written in a way that truly illustrated how difficult it can be to balance different cultures and to learn how to authentically be yourself.
The characters were dynamic in the best way possible. Sometimes after a time skip authors forget to develop their characters further, however in this book it was clear that the characters had grown. I enjoyed that the story was about Jazmine’s growth and development as her own person, and that we got to see her story. I also found her and Leo to be incredibly adorable from the very first chapter and constantly rooted for them to be able to overcome their struggles. I loved how clear it was that the characters truly loved each other, and always had been in love with each other. At some points, I found myself frustrated with their conflict and wished they would try harder to fix it, however I appreciated that when they meet seven years later there had been a clear development in both characters. Similarity, it was nice to read about characters who did not have it all figured out and in a sense it was comforting to see that not everything needs to be perfect in order for it to be okay. I loved being brought along on the journey of Jazmine learning that maybe timing isn’t everything, and perhaps not everything in life can be perfectly planned.
I believe I would have enjoyed this more if there wasn’t for the unnecessary descriptions about events/people that were not important for the plot or character development. Similarity, I found myself wishing the book would move faster at some points so we could get to fully understand the relationship between Leo and Jazmine. I wish we got to see even more of them! However, even when I was almost finished with the book, I was not sure how it would end. This made me keep reading the last 20% of the book until I was finished. Overall, this was a great summer read that I truly enjoyed!
Thank you so much to Headline for sending me an ARC of this book!
Good on Paper was a great read that explored several important topics! I appreciated the discussion around being caught between two worlds. I thought it was written in a way that truly illustrated how difficult it can be to balance different cultures and to learn how to authentically be yourself.
The characters were dynamic in the best way possible. Sometimes after a time skip authors forget to develop their characters further, however in this book it was clear that the characters had grown. I enjoyed that the story was about Jazmine’s growth and development as her own person, and that we got to see her story. I also found her and Leo to be incredibly adorable from the very first chapter and constantly rooted for them to be able to overcome their struggles. I loved how clear it was that the characters truly loved each other, and always had been in love with each other. At some points, I found myself frustrated with their conflict and wished they would try harder to fix it, however I appreciated that when they meet seven years later there had been a clear development in both characters. Similarity, it was nice to read about characters who did not have it all figured out and in a sense it was comforting to see that not everything needs to be perfect in order for it to be okay. I loved being brought along on the journey of Jazmine learning that maybe timing isn’t everything, and perhaps not everything in life can be perfectly planned.
I believe I would have enjoyed this more if there wasn’t for the unnecessary descriptions about events/people that were not important for the plot or character development. Similarity, I found myself wishing the book would move faster at some points so we could get to fully understand the relationship between Leo and Jazmine. I wish we got to see even more of them! However, even when I was almost finished with the book, I was not sure how it would end. This made me keep reading the last 20% of the book until I was finished. Overall, this was a great summer read that I truly enjoyed!
Thank you so much to Headline for sending me an ARC of this book!
July 13, 2022
This was a lovely read , I enjoyed the fact that Jazmine is a writer in a traditional print media and as everything is going digital, she needs to make decisions that will affect her whole life and I couldn’t wait to see what Jazmine would decide. I was going to love this because it contained my favourite tropes friends-enemies-lovers, love triangle (well there are 2 interests) forced proximity and second chances , what is not to love.
What is even better is this isn’t just a romance, not a romcom, it’s about self-love and self-discovery, about the consequences decisions have, I think it’s much deeper than I initially thought as I went I just expecting a light and summery read, but I’m happy to say I got so much more. I loved that Jazmine struggles with anxiety and self-esteem, it made her so much more relatable to me, I’m so used to characters who have everything sorted, so it’s nice to watch her grow and overcome. (Something I’m still learning)
I thought this was well written, great pacing , you don’t want to put it down and brilliant characters, all three dimensional and so many are so likeable, I loved Jasmine’s family, they were just so wonderful, funny, loving, you would so want them in your corner. I also loved the fact we get more diverse characters and different cultures represented. This is my first read by Valerie Tejeda, but I am so glad I decided to read this, as I’ll be reading more of her work from now on. Fantastic read.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
What is even better is this isn’t just a romance, not a romcom, it’s about self-love and self-discovery, about the consequences decisions have, I think it’s much deeper than I initially thought as I went I just expecting a light and summery read, but I’m happy to say I got so much more. I loved that Jazmine struggles with anxiety and self-esteem, it made her so much more relatable to me, I’m so used to characters who have everything sorted, so it’s nice to watch her grow and overcome. (Something I’m still learning)
I thought this was well written, great pacing , you don’t want to put it down and brilliant characters, all three dimensional and so many are so likeable, I loved Jasmine’s family, they were just so wonderful, funny, loving, you would so want them in your corner. I also loved the fact we get more diverse characters and different cultures represented. This is my first read by Valerie Tejeda, but I am so glad I decided to read this, as I’ll be reading more of her work from now on. Fantastic read.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
August 16, 2022
DNF at 61%.
Journalist Jazmine Prado faces redundancy when her print magazine pivots to digital media. So when her boss suggest she do a web series chronicling her wedding to internet media star Hudson Taylor she agrees, even if she isn't sure about marrying Hudson who she has spent barely any time with and she hates the idea of making her wedding a reality TV show.
They are whisked off to Cancun, because of course the wedding is planned to fit with the filming schedule and not what Jazmine and Hudson really want, and then Jazmine discovers that the videographer is none other than her first love, Leo Couture. I'm sorry, I hope I'm not being culturally insensitive but these names are dreadful. Now Jazmine is faced with her first love, all grown up and sexier than ever, competing against her new love, who she barely knows since he lives in Canada.
Yawn. I'm nearly two-thirds of the way through, nothing has happened other than highly improbable coincidences, and if the reader can't see that Jazmine and Hudson have nothing in common and probably don't even like each other very much then they have to be pretty dense.
Bored, bored, bored. I haven't read anything for over a month and I picked it up and within five minutes I put it down again. I gave up at 61%.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Journalist Jazmine Prado faces redundancy when her print magazine pivots to digital media. So when her boss suggest she do a web series chronicling her wedding to internet media star Hudson Taylor she agrees, even if she isn't sure about marrying Hudson who she has spent barely any time with and she hates the idea of making her wedding a reality TV show.
They are whisked off to Cancun, because of course the wedding is planned to fit with the filming schedule and not what Jazmine and Hudson really want, and then Jazmine discovers that the videographer is none other than her first love, Leo Couture. I'm sorry, I hope I'm not being culturally insensitive but these names are dreadful. Now Jazmine is faced with her first love, all grown up and sexier than ever, competing against her new love, who she barely knows since he lives in Canada.
Yawn. I'm nearly two-thirds of the way through, nothing has happened other than highly improbable coincidences, and if the reader can't see that Jazmine and Hudson have nothing in common and probably don't even like each other very much then they have to be pretty dense.
Bored, bored, bored. I haven't read anything for over a month and I picked it up and within five minutes I put it down again. I gave up at 61%.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
July 4, 2022
"you only get one life.” She squeezed my hand. “Do what makes you happy.”
Good On Paper by Valerie Tejeda
Jazmine has always been determined to follow her dreams, now 7 years later an award winning writer her job is on the line, its her 28th birthday and her boyfriend Hudson has just proposed marriage. She's willing to put her life on the line to save her career by agreeing to partake in webseries showcasing their wedding and the days leading up to it.
Plot twist!!!! Her best friend is part of the video crew and the last time they saw each other things definitely didn't end well.
This was such a lovely book, it was slow at the beginning but definitely picked up quickly. Getting to know Jaz's family their heritage and diversity was refreshing. Her realising that doing what is right for yourself can at times be better than doing what is right for others.
Rating
4/5⭐
Thank you to Valerie Tejeda, Headline Eternal and Netgalley for the ARC.
Good On Paper by Valerie Tejeda
Jazmine has always been determined to follow her dreams, now 7 years later an award winning writer her job is on the line, its her 28th birthday and her boyfriend Hudson has just proposed marriage. She's willing to put her life on the line to save her career by agreeing to partake in webseries showcasing their wedding and the days leading up to it.
Plot twist!!!! Her best friend is part of the video crew and the last time they saw each other things definitely didn't end well.
This was such a lovely book, it was slow at the beginning but definitely picked up quickly. Getting to know Jaz's family their heritage and diversity was refreshing. Her realising that doing what is right for yourself can at times be better than doing what is right for others.
Rating
4/5⭐
Thank you to Valerie Tejeda, Headline Eternal and Netgalley for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2022
When Jazmine's magazine reveals plans to lay off writers as they pivot to video content, she'll do whatever it takes to stay on the pay roll. Like agree to take part in the magazine's first web series, chronicling her wedding to her internet-famous fiancé, Hudson. What Jaz could not have foretold is that she'd know the show's videographer - intimately. Leonardo Couture is her former best friend and first love who she hasn't seen, or spoken to, for seven years.
This story heavily revolves around social media and wedding planning. Jazmine is a jolly character with anxiety issues to goes any length to save her job. Her choices could be relatable at times.
I'd like to say this is a friends-to-lovers, second chance romance but for majority(70%) part of the book, Jaz is with someone else & their is no chemistry whatsoever with Leo.
The romance felt a bit off for me, considering it was almost a love triangle.
Thank you Netgalley & Publisher for the arc in exchange of an honest review.
This story heavily revolves around social media and wedding planning. Jazmine is a jolly character with anxiety issues to goes any length to save her job. Her choices could be relatable at times.
I'd like to say this is a friends-to-lovers, second chance romance but for majority(70%) part of the book, Jaz is with someone else & their is no chemistry whatsoever with Leo.
The romance felt a bit off for me, considering it was almost a love triangle.
Thank you Netgalley & Publisher for the arc in exchange of an honest review.
July 20, 2022
Can you imagine turning up to find out that the guy hired to film your wedding (and the lead up) for a web-based reality series (which you don’t really want to do!) is none other than your first love? *sings* Cue drama!!
Whew! Did I run the full gamut of emotions on this one. Repeatedly!!
The angst was dialled up to a solid 10 and I. Was. Here. For. It! *shrugs* Who even am I?
GOP is the very definition of a page turner. I needed to know everything and couldn’t turn the pages (metaphorically speaking) fast enough.
Poor Jaz doesn’t know which end is up and I really felt for her. Her love for Hudson (hello ab-alicious!) is real, yet great seggs and chemistry does not a marriage make when your life goals are so divergent. Throw in unfinished business with said first love, Leo (swoon!) and it’s bound to upset the apple cart somewhat. Ya think?!
Jaz’s family were an absolute blast and provided the comic relief. Their antics had me snort-laughing; the best kind of laughs! Especially her mom and grandmas. Her family epitomises what it means to live and love. They are not without fault, but their love is paramount.
I literally had zero clue how the story was going to end up. I can admit to not wanting to keep reading towards the end but needing to at the same time. I’d prepared myself for Jazmine to end up on her own because, for me, the ultimate love story in this book is Jaz reconnecting with herself.
Somewhere in this thing called life she’s become lost. And how can we commit to someone else if we don’t love ourselves first?!
“Life’s too short to be unhappy.”
Did she end up on her own?! Well, you’ll just have to read it and find out.
Whew! Did I run the full gamut of emotions on this one. Repeatedly!!
The angst was dialled up to a solid 10 and I. Was. Here. For. It! *shrugs* Who even am I?
GOP is the very definition of a page turner. I needed to know everything and couldn’t turn the pages (metaphorically speaking) fast enough.
Poor Jaz doesn’t know which end is up and I really felt for her. Her love for Hudson (hello ab-alicious!) is real, yet great seggs and chemistry does not a marriage make when your life goals are so divergent. Throw in unfinished business with said first love, Leo (swoon!) and it’s bound to upset the apple cart somewhat. Ya think?!
Jaz’s family were an absolute blast and provided the comic relief. Their antics had me snort-laughing; the best kind of laughs! Especially her mom and grandmas. Her family epitomises what it means to live and love. They are not without fault, but their love is paramount.
I literally had zero clue how the story was going to end up. I can admit to not wanting to keep reading towards the end but needing to at the same time. I’d prepared myself for Jazmine to end up on her own because, for me, the ultimate love story in this book is Jaz reconnecting with herself.
Somewhere in this thing called life she’s become lost. And how can we commit to someone else if we don’t love ourselves first?!
“Life’s too short to be unhappy.”
Did she end up on her own?! Well, you’ll just have to read it and find out.
August 21, 2022
Good On Paper is a novel about decisions made for the wrong reasons, about past regrets, second-chance and realizing that love can’t overcome someone’s dream. I really liked that this book wasn’t centered around getting the two together when the situation was still difficult. However, it was quite predictable how it was going to end up. I liked it but I feel like it could have been shorter for what happened,
The best thing in this book is the main character’s development. It’s 3 stars for me.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an e-reader copy of the book. This is an honest review based on my thoughts.
The best thing in this book is the main character’s development. It’s 3 stars for me.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an e-reader copy of the book. This is an honest review based on my thoughts.
July 18, 2022
#adprproduct Book Review ✨
Good On Paper by Valerie Tejeda 📖
🌟This is the perfect friends to enemies to lovers novel!
🌟I adored Jazmine a relatable 28 year old who doesn't have it all sorted yet.
🌟Some 🌶️ not too much ...just the right amount.
🌟Such a charming, heart warming read you'll be brimming with that warm fuzzy feeling.
🌟I cannot wait to see what Tejeda brings out next.
💕 A big thanks to @headlineeternal for sending this my way.
Good On Paper by Valerie Tejeda 📖
🌟This is the perfect friends to enemies to lovers novel!
🌟I adored Jazmine a relatable 28 year old who doesn't have it all sorted yet.
🌟Some 🌶️ not too much ...just the right amount.
🌟Such a charming, heart warming read you'll be brimming with that warm fuzzy feeling.
🌟I cannot wait to see what Tejeda brings out next.
💕 A big thanks to @headlineeternal for sending this my way.
July 3, 2022
When journalist Jazmine Prado finds herself facing the loss of work, she agrees to take part in her magazine's first web series, Our Big Day, which will chronicle her Cancún wedding to her internet-famous fiancé, Hudson Taylor. Yet whilst Jaz is getting ready to marry Hudson, she finds herself wondering what she really wants for her life, and if it involves, the show's videographer, Leonardo Couture. Leo is her former best friend and first love who she hasn't seen, or spoken to, for seven years.
This was a light read with plenty of great characters. I enjoyed how Leo and Jaz, went from friends to enemies to lovers, and I loved seeing this romance blossom amid the craziness of social media. An entertaining book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a light read with plenty of great characters. I enjoyed how Leo and Jaz, went from friends to enemies to lovers, and I loved seeing this romance blossom amid the craziness of social media. An entertaining book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 19, 2022
“If we’re not living a life that makes our hearts sing, then we are doing ourselves a disservice. Life’s too short to be unhappy”
The book writes from Jazmine’s point of view - a young girl dedicated to her career as a writer, not big on the whole social media thing, and prefers to “hide behind words”. She has a boyfriend soon-to-be husband who is the complete opposite & basically vlogs their every move. Ultimately, with Jazmine’s career in jeopardy due to the decline in the writing industry, she’s faced with a big decision, one which could save her career!
I found this book a really easy and enjoyable read and I loved the astrology references (I’m a big horoscope head!)
I did though however, find it quite predictable and the main character Jazmine annoyed me at times! She was a bit of a negative Nancy and I found her a little too whiny for my liking. I’m glad she finally managed to figure it out, albeit not until the end!
I rated it 4/5 as it was good and easy to get into.
Thankyou to headlineeternal and netgalley for the ARC of this book.
The book writes from Jazmine’s point of view - a young girl dedicated to her career as a writer, not big on the whole social media thing, and prefers to “hide behind words”. She has a boyfriend soon-to-be husband who is the complete opposite & basically vlogs their every move. Ultimately, with Jazmine’s career in jeopardy due to the decline in the writing industry, she’s faced with a big decision, one which could save her career!
I found this book a really easy and enjoyable read and I loved the astrology references (I’m a big horoscope head!)
I did though however, find it quite predictable and the main character Jazmine annoyed me at times! She was a bit of a negative Nancy and I found her a little too whiny for my liking. I’m glad she finally managed to figure it out, albeit not until the end!
I rated it 4/5 as it was good and easy to get into.
Thankyou to headlineeternal and netgalley for the ARC of this book.
November 22, 2022
Thank you NetGalley, Headline Eternal, and Valerie Tejeda for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jazmine Prado is on the verge of losing her job as a writer (technically, she just lost it) until her editor threw her a lifeline after finding out her husband-to-be was social media star Hudson Taylor. It was the perfect career opportunity to open more doors for her in the world of writing, or so she thought. Unlike her social media fiancé, Jazmine has barely any social media presence. Which was totally fine for her... until she agreed to do a web series featuring their wedding being livestreamed. Oh, I forgot to mention. Their videographer? It's her ex-childhood best friend (Leo) of 15 years and also her first love. And neither of them knew they'd meet again because of a web series for Jazmine's wedding. Talk about awkward.
Personally, I particularly didn't like the amount of zodiac sign references there was. I just kept cringing whenever the zodiacs were mentioned, particularly to explain what was happening or why it was happening. Not saying there's anything wrong with believing in astrology, but reading about it in fiction feels weird, for lack of a better term.
Not going to lie, the whole wedding being paid for reminded me of Brooklyn's & Bailey's weddings, albeit not fully sponsored (if I remember correctly). Before any of B&B's fans read this and attack me, this isn't a hate comment, simply an observation/comment with no ill intent.
Anyway, moving on. I actually enjoyed the characters. But I have to say, the three main characters had their moments where I kind of didn't like them, heavy emphasis on the kind of because it's such a 50/50 situation. For instance, [SPOILER] [END OF SPOILER]
Anyway, despite that (if you read the spoiler section) I still liked Jazmine and Hudson (as individual characters and together). They were cute together, but it was also obvious despite loving each other deeply they weren't actually in love (not mutually, at least). As for Jazmine and Leo, as much as I love the childhood friends to (strangers to) lovers trope, I couldn't bring myself to root for them, and not because they were a bad pair, but because the buildup wasn't enough for me. Considering the story was mostly about Jazmine and Hudson, I liked J+H more than J+L.
Enough with the romance portion. Although, I'm a big romance lover, my favourite part of this whole book was Jazmine's story on how she struggled to remain true to herself especially in a world where photos and videos are in. It was an inspiring message to not give up on your dreams.
Overall, it's a cute story. I liked the parts where her writing entries were added too. And I'm happy they all got their own happy ending.
Jazmine Prado is on the verge of losing her job as a writer (technically, she just lost it) until her editor threw her a lifeline after finding out her husband-to-be was social media star Hudson Taylor. It was the perfect career opportunity to open more doors for her in the world of writing, or so she thought. Unlike her social media fiancé, Jazmine has barely any social media presence. Which was totally fine for her... until she agreed to do a web series featuring their wedding being livestreamed. Oh, I forgot to mention. Their videographer? It's her ex-childhood best friend (Leo) of 15 years and also her first love. And neither of them knew they'd meet again because of a web series for Jazmine's wedding. Talk about awkward.
Personally, I particularly didn't like the amount of zodiac sign references there was. I just kept cringing whenever the zodiacs were mentioned, particularly to explain what was happening or why it was happening. Not saying there's anything wrong with believing in astrology, but reading about it in fiction feels weird, for lack of a better term.
Not going to lie, the whole wedding being paid for reminded me of Brooklyn's & Bailey's weddings, albeit not fully sponsored (if I remember correctly). Before any of B&B's fans read this and attack me, this isn't a hate comment, simply an observation/comment with no ill intent.
Anyway, moving on. I actually enjoyed the characters. But I have to say, the three main characters had their moments where I kind of didn't like them, heavy emphasis on the kind of because it's such a 50/50 situation. For instance, [SPOILER] [END OF SPOILER]
Anyway, despite that (if you read the spoiler section) I still liked Jazmine and Hudson (as individual characters and together). They were cute together, but it was also obvious despite loving each other deeply they weren't actually in love (not mutually, at least). As for Jazmine and Leo, as much as I love the childhood friends to (strangers to) lovers trope, I couldn't bring myself to root for them, and not because they were a bad pair, but because the buildup wasn't enough for me. Considering the story was mostly about Jazmine and Hudson, I liked J+H more than J+L.
Enough with the romance portion. Although, I'm a big romance lover, my favourite part of this whole book was Jazmine's story on how she struggled to remain true to herself especially in a world where photos and videos are in. It was an inspiring message to not give up on your dreams.
Overall, it's a cute story. I liked the parts where her writing entries were added too. And I'm happy they all got their own happy ending.
February 14, 2024
3.5-ish. This book was ALMOST amazing for me.
Did I enjoy this book, totally. And I was livid. 10/10 would do it again. Highly recommend reading this with friends so you can talk about it together. Because I DEFINITELY wanted to discuss it. (Oh hi internet world, if you want to expand on this, let’s chat.)
Did I enjoy this book, totally. And I was livid. 10/10 would do it again. Highly recommend reading this with friends so you can talk about it together. Because I DEFINITELY wanted to discuss it. (Oh hi internet world, if you want to expand on this, let’s chat.)
July 7, 2022
I really enjoyed Good on Paper, the debut novel from Valerie Tejeda. This is not you’re standard rom com and yet I enjoyed it all the more because of that.
Good On Paper is a story about love, and yes there is romantic love, but it also goes far beyond that. There is the love of one’s family, the love formed between best friends, love for your heritage and culture, love lost and found once again, and perhaps most importantly it is a reminder to always love ourselves.
Good On Paper is the story of Jazmine, a journalist who is facing a potential lay off as her magazine reveals they’re pivoting to video content. Determined not to let her career slip through her fingers she agrees to be a part of the magazines first web series Our Big Day, which will chronicle her wedding to her internet famous new fiancé Hudson. What she didn’t account for was Leo, her former best friend, and first love, being her wedding’s videographer.
One of the things that makes this book unusual is that for the most part Jazmine is with the man who doesn’t end up being her HEA (I don’t think it’s too much of a spoiler to reveal this). Also perhaps more unusual is that he is a thoroughly great guy, handsome, adventurous, kind and loving. We’re not seeing two polar opposite men being pitted against one another here, they’re both good men. As the title suggests, Hudson is good on paper in all the right ways, and yet Jazmine is forced to examine if he, and the life he hopes for them to lead together, is everything she wants?
All of the characters, except for Jack, are inherently likeable. They’re written with depth and heart and I loved all the different relationships being showcased. Particularly special was that between Jazmine and her cousin Gal, who was her main support and confidante. I also very much appreciated all the cultures and heritages that were celebrated through the characters. I especially loved Leo’s mum’s reminder of the importance of staying true to who you are and all that means. Though her appearance in the novel was brief it leaves a lasting impact.
Overall this was a really enjoyable read and one I’d gladly recommend.
With thanks to Headline Eternal for my gifted copy in return for my honest review.
Good On Paper is a story about love, and yes there is romantic love, but it also goes far beyond that. There is the love of one’s family, the love formed between best friends, love for your heritage and culture, love lost and found once again, and perhaps most importantly it is a reminder to always love ourselves.
Good On Paper is the story of Jazmine, a journalist who is facing a potential lay off as her magazine reveals they’re pivoting to video content. Determined not to let her career slip through her fingers she agrees to be a part of the magazines first web series Our Big Day, which will chronicle her wedding to her internet famous new fiancé Hudson. What she didn’t account for was Leo, her former best friend, and first love, being her wedding’s videographer.
One of the things that makes this book unusual is that for the most part Jazmine is with the man who doesn’t end up being her HEA (I don’t think it’s too much of a spoiler to reveal this). Also perhaps more unusual is that he is a thoroughly great guy, handsome, adventurous, kind and loving. We’re not seeing two polar opposite men being pitted against one another here, they’re both good men. As the title suggests, Hudson is good on paper in all the right ways, and yet Jazmine is forced to examine if he, and the life he hopes for them to lead together, is everything she wants?
All of the characters, except for Jack, are inherently likeable. They’re written with depth and heart and I loved all the different relationships being showcased. Particularly special was that between Jazmine and her cousin Gal, who was her main support and confidante. I also very much appreciated all the cultures and heritages that were celebrated through the characters. I especially loved Leo’s mum’s reminder of the importance of staying true to who you are and all that means. Though her appearance in the novel was brief it leaves a lasting impact.
Overall this was a really enjoyable read and one I’d gladly recommend.
With thanks to Headline Eternal for my gifted copy in return for my honest review.
July 3, 2022
Thank you to Headline Eternal for sending me a digital copy to review via Netgalley.
I chose to apply for this mainly because it said that it was a light beach read. Which I personally disagree with.
I found it thrilling and entertaining to read but through most of it I felt super tense and maybe a bit stressed. The main character Jazmine Prado is stressed constantly, almost nothing in her life seems to be relaxed. The author did a really good job letting us in into Jazmine's life and really letting us feel what she feels. I loved also how a lot of the descriptions of the scenery were very vibrant and beautiful. For a beach read I would've loved a bit more of those and maybe a bit less stress. I mean the character really comes out well and it fit the narrative well, it just doesn't fit the promise made in the advertisement.
So all in all I did like it but it was not a relaxing beach novel to me.
My recipe if you'd like to pick this up and go to the beach with it:
Start the book on the flight to the beach and save the last 2-3 chapters for the beach, that's where I think it gets beach worthy.
Or if you're not going to the beach, then just read it at home, but be warned it might make you dream of going to the beach ;).
I chose to apply for this mainly because it said that it was a light beach read. Which I personally disagree with.
I found it thrilling and entertaining to read but through most of it I felt super tense and maybe a bit stressed. The main character Jazmine Prado is stressed constantly, almost nothing in her life seems to be relaxed. The author did a really good job letting us in into Jazmine's life and really letting us feel what she feels. I loved also how a lot of the descriptions of the scenery were very vibrant and beautiful. For a beach read I would've loved a bit more of those and maybe a bit less stress. I mean the character really comes out well and it fit the narrative well, it just doesn't fit the promise made in the advertisement.
So all in all I did like it but it was not a relaxing beach novel to me.
My recipe if you'd like to pick this up and go to the beach with it:
Start the book on the flight to the beach and save the last 2-3 chapters for the beach, that's where I think it gets beach worthy.
Or if you're not going to the beach, then just read it at home, but be warned it might make you dream of going to the beach ;).
July 15, 2022
Jazmine is an ambitious journalist who is in love with her best friend. Leo, for his part, is equally in love with Jazmine. But for whatever reason, these two besties simply can't make it work.
Fast forward seven years and a huge falling out, and Jazmine is engaged to social media superstar, Hudson Taylor. To save her career, Jazmine pitches the idea of filming their wedding.
The only hitch? Her videographer is Leo.
What will Jazmine's heart decide?
I give this 4/5 stars.
As always, a huge congrats for writing and publishing a book. That, in itself, is a huge deal! Now, for my two stars and a wish...
Star One: I do love when an MC is unapologetically driven. Jazmine is, to the point of desperation. She mentions that her career has become her identity, and I think that's happening more and more and I love the relatability. I also loved Jazmine's journey, as she figured out how to live on her terms. I wish more MC's did this.
Star Two: I loved the setting and food and world-building of this book. It's primarily set in Cancun, and, while reading, I desperately wanted to be at her resort. Like, desperately.
Wish: I wish she'd gone a little bit deeper into creating some sort of something between her and Hudson. It was clear from the beginning how this story would go. It was obvious her and Hudson were on two different paths. I wish, though, that they'd fought for one another more. Or communicated more. Or that Leo and him picked up on energy more. I don't know. It missed something that made me want Hudson to win. I guess it felt like Leo and Hudson were a bit flat.
Overall, a super fun read that had me thinking about it when I wasn't reading. I'll likely keep this book in mind for a comp. Fun for a beach or vacay read--or whenever you want to dream about being in Cancun!
Fast forward seven years and a huge falling out, and Jazmine is engaged to social media superstar, Hudson Taylor. To save her career, Jazmine pitches the idea of filming their wedding.
The only hitch? Her videographer is Leo.
What will Jazmine's heart decide?
I give this 4/5 stars.
As always, a huge congrats for writing and publishing a book. That, in itself, is a huge deal! Now, for my two stars and a wish...
Star One: I do love when an MC is unapologetically driven. Jazmine is, to the point of desperation. She mentions that her career has become her identity, and I think that's happening more and more and I love the relatability. I also loved Jazmine's journey, as she figured out how to live on her terms. I wish more MC's did this.
Star Two: I loved the setting and food and world-building of this book. It's primarily set in Cancun, and, while reading, I desperately wanted to be at her resort. Like, desperately.
Wish: I wish she'd gone a little bit deeper into creating some sort of something between her and Hudson. It was clear from the beginning how this story would go. It was obvious her and Hudson were on two different paths. I wish, though, that they'd fought for one another more. Or communicated more. Or that Leo and him picked up on energy more. I don't know. It missed something that made me want Hudson to win. I guess it felt like Leo and Hudson were a bit flat.
Overall, a super fun read that had me thinking about it when I wasn't reading. I'll likely keep this book in mind for a comp. Fun for a beach or vacay read--or whenever you want to dream about being in Cancun!
July 11, 2022
*minor spoilers*
Good on Paper is the perfect romance book which includes friends-enemies-lovers, tarot and astrology, forced proximity, two, yes TWO, amazing love interests, second chances, self love and discovery and just beautiful writing *squeals in excitement*.
The perfect book for summer! Trust me.
Jazmine is the sweetest, strongest and most relatable main character I’ve ever come across. A boss b*tch who knows (eventually) what she wants, we love her. She’s so passionate about her writing and about what and who she loves, that I just can’t help but fall to my knees and worship her! (Jaz, I wanna be you when I grow up) and I love that she has a big close knit family that are just so excited when they’re all together because that is exactly what my family is like. It’s so nice to see proud diverse happy families finally represented in books! Not all parents need to be killed off in order to further develop the character guys!! Take note.
I also love that Valerie wrote Jazmine as a 28 year old who still doesn’t have her life in order or know exactly what she wants! Because let’s face it none of us do and in a majority of the books I read the main characters are either in their early 20s or know exactly what they’re doing/want to do OR BOTH!! I mean it’s totally not relatable… to me anyways.
I’m loving romance books at the moment, especially when it includes astrology and tarot AND include articles about very real, very relatable topics woven in between the chapters! It was fast-paced, spicy (Leo, I love you), filled with drama drama drama and the love story between not only Jaz and Hudson but Jaz and Leo was so beautiful. AND the way Jazmine chose herself in the end?!?! UGH I LOVED IT. *chefs kiss*
READ THIS BOOK!
A massive thank you to Headline Eternal and Valerie Tejeda for sending me a copy of this book
Good on Paper is the perfect romance book which includes friends-enemies-lovers, tarot and astrology, forced proximity, two, yes TWO, amazing love interests, second chances, self love and discovery and just beautiful writing *squeals in excitement*.
The perfect book for summer! Trust me.
Jazmine is the sweetest, strongest and most relatable main character I’ve ever come across. A boss b*tch who knows (eventually) what she wants, we love her. She’s so passionate about her writing and about what and who she loves, that I just can’t help but fall to my knees and worship her! (Jaz, I wanna be you when I grow up) and I love that she has a big close knit family that are just so excited when they’re all together because that is exactly what my family is like. It’s so nice to see proud diverse happy families finally represented in books! Not all parents need to be killed off in order to further develop the character guys!! Take note.
I also love that Valerie wrote Jazmine as a 28 year old who still doesn’t have her life in order or know exactly what she wants! Because let’s face it none of us do and in a majority of the books I read the main characters are either in their early 20s or know exactly what they’re doing/want to do OR BOTH!! I mean it’s totally not relatable… to me anyways.
I’m loving romance books at the moment, especially when it includes astrology and tarot AND include articles about very real, very relatable topics woven in between the chapters! It was fast-paced, spicy (Leo, I love you), filled with drama drama drama and the love story between not only Jaz and Hudson but Jaz and Leo was so beautiful. AND the way Jazmine chose herself in the end?!?! UGH I LOVED IT. *chefs kiss*
READ THIS BOOK!
A massive thank you to Headline Eternal and Valerie Tejeda for sending me a copy of this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2022
This book is a fun, perfect for summer beach read! The story centers on Jazmine, a Spanish-Moroccan writer, and her childhood friend Leo. Jazmine has always put her career first and is facing the prospect of being let go from another publication. She manages to save her job by convincing her company to film her and her new fiancé, Hudson, who is a social media star, as they plan a wedding and get married. Problems ensue as Jazmine doesn’t enjoy being filmed and values her privacy, whereas Hudson craves the spotlight. Not only that, but Leo, a former friend turned enemy, has turned out to be their wedding videographer. It seems like a picture perfect wedding to all their viewers- what could possibly go wrong?
This was a great light-hearted read! I really enjoyed all the characters, especially Jazmine, Hudson, Leo, and Jazmine’s family. The premise was a lot of fun and I liked the friends to enemies to lovers trope. I always enjoy rom coms in tropical settings, and a Cancun televised beach wedding was an excellent place for this beach read to occur. The only thing that I didn’t like was that I didn’t get to know Leo as well as I’d have liked. If he narrated some chapters, or there was more devoted to him later on in the book, that might have helped it feel a bit less rushed at the end. Otherwise, it was an entertaining book that I’d recommend to rom com fans.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Headline Eternal, and Valerie Tejeda for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was a great light-hearted read! I really enjoyed all the characters, especially Jazmine, Hudson, Leo, and Jazmine’s family. The premise was a lot of fun and I liked the friends to enemies to lovers trope. I always enjoy rom coms in tropical settings, and a Cancun televised beach wedding was an excellent place for this beach read to occur. The only thing that I didn’t like was that I didn’t get to know Leo as well as I’d have liked. If he narrated some chapters, or there was more devoted to him later on in the book, that might have helped it feel a bit less rushed at the end. Otherwise, it was an entertaining book that I’d recommend to rom com fans.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Headline Eternal, and Valerie Tejeda for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 29, 2022
Leo and Jazmine are childhood friends, determined to make their names in tough industries. Leo is an aspiring photographer and videographer. Jaz has her eyes set on being an award winning journalist.
When Leo tells Jaz he wants to date her when they were 18, Jazmine proposes a marriage pact. Focus on their careers, and when they were 28 they would marry.
At 21, they almost commit to each other but events lead Jazmine to issue an ultimatum that tears their friendship apart.
At 28, Jazmine is an award-winning journalist, and everything is changing, Her boyfriend, Hudson, has just proposed.
In a last ditch attempt to keep her job in a world moving away from print journalism, Jazmine agrees to star in a reality series all about her wedding to the handsome social media star, Hudson. There's only one problem - Jaz hates social media. And who does the magazine hire as the videographer for the destination wedding? Leo!
Jaz is forced to confront many aspects of her life, her dreams, and the life she will soon be sharing with her future husband.
This book is well-written and has excellent pacing. Some of the secondary characters seemed a little two-dimensional but there is an astounding supporting cast for a relatively short book! I loved moving through Jaz' life with her as she found herself, and found lasting happiness.
Tejeda's new novel is heartwarming, funny, and enrapturing. You'll laugh, you'll scoff, you'll throw the book down in frustration. It really is a perfect summer read.
When Leo tells Jaz he wants to date her when they were 18, Jazmine proposes a marriage pact. Focus on their careers, and when they were 28 they would marry.
At 21, they almost commit to each other but events lead Jazmine to issue an ultimatum that tears their friendship apart.
At 28, Jazmine is an award-winning journalist, and everything is changing, Her boyfriend, Hudson, has just proposed.
In a last ditch attempt to keep her job in a world moving away from print journalism, Jazmine agrees to star in a reality series all about her wedding to the handsome social media star, Hudson. There's only one problem - Jaz hates social media. And who does the magazine hire as the videographer for the destination wedding? Leo!
Jaz is forced to confront many aspects of her life, her dreams, and the life she will soon be sharing with her future husband.
This book is well-written and has excellent pacing. Some of the secondary characters seemed a little two-dimensional but there is an astounding supporting cast for a relatively short book! I loved moving through Jaz' life with her as she found herself, and found lasting happiness.
Tejeda's new novel is heartwarming, funny, and enrapturing. You'll laugh, you'll scoff, you'll throw the book down in frustration. It really is a perfect summer read.
July 7, 2022
Blurb:
Journalist Jazmine Prado has always believed that timing is everything. So when her magazine reveals plans to lay off writers as they pivot to video content, she'll do whatever it takes to stay on the pay roll. Like agree to take part in the magazine's first web series, Our Big Day, chronicling her Cancún wedding to her gorgeous, internet-famous fiancé, Hudson Taylor. It's not the way fiercely private Jaz envisioned getting married. But at least she'll keep her job . . . right?
What Jaz could not have foretold is that she'd know the show's videographer - intimately. Leonardo Couture is her former best friend and first love who she hasn't seen, or spoken to, for seven years.
With her career hanging by a thread, and the boy who broke her heart filming her wedding to another, is now the best time to question everything? But as the show takes over, Jaz has to ask herself what and who she really wants for her life. Maybe it's time to listen to the universe . . .
Thoughts:
I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I went in thinking it was going to be one way and when it wasn't fitting into that mold I was getting really aggravated and wanted to DNF. However, because I'm not a quitter (really I need to get over this) I kept reading and now that I've finished I can objectively look at what the issues were for me and yet also still appreciate what the book as it is.
Would I recommend this book to a friend? Yes, but with some warnings.
1. This is less of a romance and more of a contemporary fiction with a subplot of a romance.
2. The beginning is a little choppy and will eventually mean more to the story but you may find it hard to get through. Once you get through it the story feels more fluid.
Journalist Jazmine Prado has always believed that timing is everything. So when her magazine reveals plans to lay off writers as they pivot to video content, she'll do whatever it takes to stay on the pay roll. Like agree to take part in the magazine's first web series, Our Big Day, chronicling her Cancún wedding to her gorgeous, internet-famous fiancé, Hudson Taylor. It's not the way fiercely private Jaz envisioned getting married. But at least she'll keep her job . . . right?
What Jaz could not have foretold is that she'd know the show's videographer - intimately. Leonardo Couture is her former best friend and first love who she hasn't seen, or spoken to, for seven years.
With her career hanging by a thread, and the boy who broke her heart filming her wedding to another, is now the best time to question everything? But as the show takes over, Jaz has to ask herself what and who she really wants for her life. Maybe it's time to listen to the universe . . .
Thoughts:
I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I went in thinking it was going to be one way and when it wasn't fitting into that mold I was getting really aggravated and wanted to DNF. However, because I'm not a quitter (really I need to get over this) I kept reading and now that I've finished I can objectively look at what the issues were for me and yet also still appreciate what the book as it is.
Would I recommend this book to a friend? Yes, but with some warnings.
1. This is less of a romance and more of a contemporary fiction with a subplot of a romance.
2. The beginning is a little choppy and will eventually mean more to the story but you may find it hard to get through. Once you get through it the story feels more fluid.
July 9, 2022
This was a quick and breezy summer read, perfect for a beach vacay!
I like this story, but would say to be aware going in that this is more of a women‘s fiction/chick lit type of novel than a romance, so a bit less like the swoony rom com that I though it would be.
I really loved Jazmine as a protagonist and her journey of self-discovery, and the setting of a luxurious wedding in Mexico was absolutely dreamy. I feel like it would be even better read while you‘re on a beach yourself.
Jazmine‘s family was one of the best things about this book and I loved how the author wove in lots of cultural references and really made Jazmine and the other Prados come vividly alive.
I wasn‘t sure what to make of both Hudson and Leo, the two love interests. In the interest of not spoiling the plot, I will not tell you who she ends up with (or even if she does end up with anyone), but I did feel both of their parts in the story a bit lacking. I guess that is also mainly due to the fact that I though this would be more of a romance going in, so maybe this will not bother you if you read this as a chick lit novel.
I did love Valerie Tejeda‘s writing style and will be on the lookout for whatever she writes next!
(Thank you to NetGalley, Valerie Tejeda and Headline Eternal for providing me with an eARC for this book in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions in this review are my own.)
I like this story, but would say to be aware going in that this is more of a women‘s fiction/chick lit type of novel than a romance, so a bit less like the swoony rom com that I though it would be.
I really loved Jazmine as a protagonist and her journey of self-discovery, and the setting of a luxurious wedding in Mexico was absolutely dreamy. I feel like it would be even better read while you‘re on a beach yourself.
Jazmine‘s family was one of the best things about this book and I loved how the author wove in lots of cultural references and really made Jazmine and the other Prados come vividly alive.
I wasn‘t sure what to make of both Hudson and Leo, the two love interests. In the interest of not spoiling the plot, I will not tell you who she ends up with (or even if she does end up with anyone), but I did feel both of their parts in the story a bit lacking. I guess that is also mainly due to the fact that I though this would be more of a romance going in, so maybe this will not bother you if you read this as a chick lit novel.
I did love Valerie Tejeda‘s writing style and will be on the lookout for whatever she writes next!
(Thank you to NetGalley, Valerie Tejeda and Headline Eternal for providing me with an eARC for this book in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions in this review are my own.)
July 26, 2022
I ended up DNFing this book which is a shame cause I was excited for my request for an ARC to be granted. I feel I was misled when the book was described as perfect for fans of Emily Henry cause it is not!
The writing style wasn't for me which made me less interested in Jazmine and Hudson. Also as soon as you go into a cheating trope it's game over for me.
Jazmine and Hudson then Jazmine and Leo had absolutely no chemistry. It was painful to read the nonsense that is their relationship.
Jazmine is confusing, like you can't turn town a guy, tell him to wait TEN years and then expect him never to date like WHAT?!?! Also he has a on and off again girlfriend who he's slept with and you're mad? Did you expect him to wait until he was 28. Also her I'm not like other girls, I don't use social media... no one cares! Also if you work in an industry reliant on social media how have you not adapted to it. She's a character in her 20s grown with social media, not an 80 year old who needs help with an IPAD. Just so unrealistic.
Also spoiler the ending was so dumb she says she broke up with Hudson to be an independent women... nah sweetheart you broke up with Hudson to be with Leo at least admit it. Then Leo going from film to article writing like what.
Overall, poor writing and was not expecting a cheating trope - yes a love "triangle" but not a cheater. DNF'd would not recommend.
The writing style wasn't for me which made me less interested in Jazmine and Hudson. Also as soon as you go into a cheating trope it's game over for me.
Jazmine and Hudson then Jazmine and Leo had absolutely no chemistry. It was painful to read the nonsense that is their relationship.
Jazmine is confusing, like you can't turn town a guy, tell him to wait TEN years and then expect him never to date like WHAT?!?! Also he has a on and off again girlfriend who he's slept with and you're mad? Did you expect him to wait until he was 28. Also her I'm not like other girls, I don't use social media... no one cares! Also if you work in an industry reliant on social media how have you not adapted to it. She's a character in her 20s grown with social media, not an 80 year old who needs help with an IPAD. Just so unrealistic.
Also spoiler the ending was so dumb she says she broke up with Hudson to be an independent women... nah sweetheart you broke up with Hudson to be with Leo at least admit it. Then Leo going from film to article writing like what.
Overall, poor writing and was not expecting a cheating trope - yes a love "triangle" but not a cheater. DNF'd would not recommend.
June 14, 2022
I was so excited to have my wish granted to snag an ARC of this book! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book was absolutely adorable! The first chapter really sucked me in immediately. The book is about Jazmine and her determination to keep her magazine journalist job. She will literally do anything to keep her job! Even filming her Cancun wedding to her fiancé for her magazine job. But of course things don't always go as planned! Her videographer is her former best friend and the guy who broke her heart aka Leo. Will Jaz follow her heart and do what makes her happy?
What I loved:
- Friends to lovers! Jazmine and Leo’s friendship to love relationship was fun to read. We go back to the past in the book to see how things unfold.
- This was full of cute fluff and I needed that!
- I smiled, I laughed, I squealed! This book had me cheesing and giggling multiple times.
- Quick read and great writing! I liked all the characters. Jazmine was very relatable!
Overall, this book was absolutely adorable and delightful! This was the perfect summer read that couldn't stop me from smiling. I recommend this book for any romance fan! I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future. 4 stars out of 5!
This book was absolutely adorable! The first chapter really sucked me in immediately. The book is about Jazmine and her determination to keep her magazine journalist job. She will literally do anything to keep her job! Even filming her Cancun wedding to her fiancé for her magazine job. But of course things don't always go as planned! Her videographer is her former best friend and the guy who broke her heart aka Leo. Will Jaz follow her heart and do what makes her happy?
What I loved:
- Friends to lovers! Jazmine and Leo’s friendship to love relationship was fun to read. We go back to the past in the book to see how things unfold.
- This was full of cute fluff and I needed that!
- I smiled, I laughed, I squealed! This book had me cheesing and giggling multiple times.
- Quick read and great writing! I liked all the characters. Jazmine was very relatable!
Overall, this book was absolutely adorable and delightful! This was the perfect summer read that couldn't stop me from smiling. I recommend this book for any romance fan! I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future. 4 stars out of 5!
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