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The Forever Wedding Date: Best Friends Turned Lovers Amid Wedding Chaos
Shoutline
He tried to play Cupid…
But was he playing with fire?
Wedding planner Gabriella Espiritu’s down on her first, she flunks the CPA exam, then her long-distance internet boyfriend vanishes just before her brother’s wedding! Fortunately, Gaby’s best friend, Chip Lowry, jumps in as matchmaker. Unbeknownst to Gaby, though, Chip’s been crushing on her for years! And the more he tries to play Cupid, the more he falls under the spell of his lovely friend. But he can't help fearing that finally baring his soul to his bestie would destroy everything…or is going from friends to lovers a leap worth taking?
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Spirit of the Shenandoah
Book 1: It Started with a Secret
Book 2: Love Letters from the Trail
Book 3: The Forever Wedding Date
He tried to play Cupid…
But was he playing with fire?
Wedding planner Gabriella Espiritu’s down on her first, she flunks the CPA exam, then her long-distance internet boyfriend vanishes just before her brother’s wedding! Fortunately, Gaby’s best friend, Chip Lowry, jumps in as matchmaker. Unbeknownst to Gaby, though, Chip’s been crushing on her for years! And the more he tries to play Cupid, the more he falls under the spell of his lovely friend. But he can't help fearing that finally baring his soul to his bestie would destroy everything…or is going from friends to lovers a leap worth taking?
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Spirit of the Shenandoah
Book 1: It Started with a Secret
Book 2: Love Letters from the Trail
Book 3: The Forever Wedding Date
- GenresContemporary Romance
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published July 29, 2025
9 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Tif Marcelo
33 books759 followersTif Marcelo is a veteran US Army nurse and holds a BS in Nursing and a Master’s in public administration. She believes and writes about the strength of families, the endurance of friendship, heartfelt romances, and is inspired daily by her own military hero husband and four children. She hosts The Stories to Love Podcast, and is the USA Today bestselling author of In a Book Club Far Away, Once Upon a Sunset, The Key to Happily Ever After, which was a Target Diverse Book Club pick, The Holiday Switch, and the Heart Resort and Journey to the Heart series. She and her books have been featured in The Today Show, Shondaland, Real Simple Magazine, The Asian Journal and more! Her website, which includes a link to her newsletter, is www.TifMarcelo.com
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 30, 2025
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
The Forever Wedding Date is the third title in the Spirit of the Shenandoah series, and brings best friends, Gabby and Chip, to a whole other level of emotions when romance enters their friendship, and so much is on the line if they act on those new feelings.
Gabby never imagined that with so much bad going on, especially having her internet boyfriend basically ghost her right before her brother’s wedding, that there was any way to salvage this mess she called her life. But she hadn’t counted on her best friend, Chip, to step in and save the day. Only. While Chip is trying to be a matchmaker, all she’s noticing is that her best friend sure looks good, and with a sexiness she never noticed before. In fact, he’s sometimes acting more like a boyfriend than a friend. Intriguing, but their lives aren’t a romance novel where going from friends to lovers guarantees a happy ending… is it?
I adored this couple. Forever friends are going to start feeling something more, something that could lead to a far different future as a happy, loving couple. But it’s not going to be a smooth road for either of them. While Chip has known for some time that he feels more for Gabby than just friendship, she’s in the dark. He hesitates because risking putting his feelings out there could cost him Gabby’s friendship… but what if they could be so much more?
I had such fun with The Forever Wedding Date by Tif Marcelo. It’s a well-written, emotional friends-to-lovers trope, with humor and wit. Acknowledging that their friendship has changed will carry a risk, but eventually, the attraction overrules logic. I loved watching them navigate the feelings that are emerging, and while there are still some rocky patches ahead, Gabby and Chip are heading for their own happily ever after ending. If you love watching friends discover that there’s so much more they could be together, then you’d enjoy this story.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
The Forever Wedding Date is the third title in the Spirit of the Shenandoah series, and brings best friends, Gabby and Chip, to a whole other level of emotions when romance enters their friendship, and so much is on the line if they act on those new feelings.
Gabby never imagined that with so much bad going on, especially having her internet boyfriend basically ghost her right before her brother’s wedding, that there was any way to salvage this mess she called her life. But she hadn’t counted on her best friend, Chip, to step in and save the day. Only. While Chip is trying to be a matchmaker, all she’s noticing is that her best friend sure looks good, and with a sexiness she never noticed before. In fact, he’s sometimes acting more like a boyfriend than a friend. Intriguing, but their lives aren’t a romance novel where going from friends to lovers guarantees a happy ending… is it?
I adored this couple. Forever friends are going to start feeling something more, something that could lead to a far different future as a happy, loving couple. But it’s not going to be a smooth road for either of them. While Chip has known for some time that he feels more for Gabby than just friendship, she’s in the dark. He hesitates because risking putting his feelings out there could cost him Gabby’s friendship… but what if they could be so much more?
I had such fun with The Forever Wedding Date by Tif Marcelo. It’s a well-written, emotional friends-to-lovers trope, with humor and wit. Acknowledging that their friendship has changed will carry a risk, but eventually, the attraction overrules logic. I loved watching them navigate the feelings that are emerging, and while there are still some rocky patches ahead, Gabby and Chip are heading for their own happily ever after ending. If you love watching friends discover that there’s so much more they could be together, then you’d enjoy this story.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
September 27, 2025
Good friends-to-lovers story. Gabby is having a rough time. She failed her CPA exam, her internet boyfriend, who is supposed to be her plus-one for her brother's wedding, is ghosting her, and she's stressing about planning her brother's wedding. Complicating matters, her ex-boyfriend wants to try again. Nathan ropes their mutual best friend, Chip, into helping him convince Gabby to give him another chance.
The problem is, Chip wants to be more than just best friends with Gabby. He's been in love with her for years, but she has firmly placed him in the friend zone. He hesitates to make a move because he doesn't want to lose her as a friend. He also feels guilty about harboring feelings for the woman his other best friend wants for his own.
Meanwhile, Gabby is torn. She parted with Nathan because he had taken her for granted during their dating period. Now he claims to have changed, but can she believe him? And if she is willing to give him a chance, why is it Chip that makes her heart beat faster? Friends-to-lovers only happens in books!
I rooted for Chip from the start. He's a nice guy who is there for everyone who needs him, sometimes to his detriment. There are some sweet scenes between him and Gabby where you can see where his heart is, but Gabby is blind to it. I ached for him as he was torn between his two friends. The double date scenes were both funny and heartbreaking.
Mostly, I wanted to shake Gabby until she woke up. Even when she began to realize her feelings for Chip were changing, she continued to try to deny it. When they shared a kiss, she wanted to write it off, but she couldn't forget it.
I liked the ending and seeing Gabby finally admit her feelings. There were some rough patches in the resolution, especially dealing with Nathan, but they eventually worked through it all.
I'd like to see Chip's friend Regan get her own story; she was such a good sport in this one. I also loved the storyline with the dog, Lucky, and her puppies. Chip's dad was a great character and added some extra heart to the story.
The problem is, Chip wants to be more than just best friends with Gabby. He's been in love with her for years, but she has firmly placed him in the friend zone. He hesitates to make a move because he doesn't want to lose her as a friend. He also feels guilty about harboring feelings for the woman his other best friend wants for his own.
Meanwhile, Gabby is torn. She parted with Nathan because he had taken her for granted during their dating period. Now he claims to have changed, but can she believe him? And if she is willing to give him a chance, why is it Chip that makes her heart beat faster? Friends-to-lovers only happens in books!
I rooted for Chip from the start. He's a nice guy who is there for everyone who needs him, sometimes to his detriment. There are some sweet scenes between him and Gabby where you can see where his heart is, but Gabby is blind to it. I ached for him as he was torn between his two friends. The double date scenes were both funny and heartbreaking.
Mostly, I wanted to shake Gabby until she woke up. Even when she began to realize her feelings for Chip were changing, she continued to try to deny it. When they shared a kiss, she wanted to write it off, but she couldn't forget it.
I liked the ending and seeing Gabby finally admit her feelings. There were some rough patches in the resolution, especially dealing with Nathan, but they eventually worked through it all.
I'd like to see Chip's friend Regan get her own story; she was such a good sport in this one. I also loved the storyline with the dog, Lucky, and her puppies. Chip's dad was a great character and added some extra heart to the story.
June 29, 2025
Gabriella & Chip
I enjoyed the character development. The main characters started out as friends and built the relationship. It had a few slow parts, but the romance and bond between the characters is strong. The road to finding their way and love for one another was long and a bit complicated. However, they never gave up due to the bond the author, Tif, had constructed.
Overall a nice read with good romance and with some steamy feelings once they figured out they belonged together.
I recommend this book if you are looking for a friends to lovers romance with some twists and turns in the complications of trying to find your true love.
ARC for NetGalley and Harlequin
I enjoyed the character development. The main characters started out as friends and built the relationship. It had a few slow parts, but the romance and bond between the characters is strong. The road to finding their way and love for one another was long and a bit complicated. However, they never gave up due to the bond the author, Tif, had constructed.
Overall a nice read with good romance and with some steamy feelings once they figured out they belonged together.
I recommend this book if you are looking for a friends to lovers romance with some twists and turns in the complications of trying to find your true love.
ARC for NetGalley and Harlequin
August 16, 2025
Why can't a wedding planner find her own forever story? Maybe because she's stuck in the "friends" role? Or is it because she can't decide, doesn't want to hurt those special friends she has, even if they aren't the with-benefits kind?
That's what Gabriella has to deal with, but so also does her best friend, Chip, even when he's pulled into being a wingman for their other best friend, Nathan, who can't seem to get his act together either. And then it all blows up, right before the biggest and most important wedding that Gabby has to manage and pull off. After all, family weddings are always the hardest.
What are these three people going to do?
That's what Gabriella has to deal with, but so also does her best friend, Chip, even when he's pulled into being a wingman for their other best friend, Nathan, who can't seem to get his act together either. And then it all blows up, right before the biggest and most important wedding that Gabby has to manage and pull off. After all, family weddings are always the hardest.
What are these three people going to do?
August 24, 2025
Oh how I love a good series!
I greatly enjoyed the third book in the Spirit of the Shenandoah series by Tif Marcelo.
Gabby and Chip are the best of friends and constantly supporting one another, but can they be something more? We are again joined by the Espiritu family and hoping the youngest finds true love. So basically this is a friends to lovers story but it’s complicated. Once again Tif Marcelo is able to bring us along for a roller coaster ride through this romance and it’s thoroughly enjoyable!
I can’t wait for book 4?
Thanks Net Galley for the ARC!
I greatly enjoyed the third book in the Spirit of the Shenandoah series by Tif Marcelo.
Gabby and Chip are the best of friends and constantly supporting one another, but can they be something more? We are again joined by the Espiritu family and hoping the youngest finds true love. So basically this is a friends to lovers story but it’s complicated. Once again Tif Marcelo is able to bring us along for a roller coaster ride through this romance and it’s thoroughly enjoyable!
I can’t wait for book 4?
Thanks Net Galley for the ARC!
September 1, 2025
This is more of a 4.5 for me. I liked the duel POV with the 2 main characters and the character development. It always causes me stress when there's a love triangle, which is the main point of this whole book. With that being said, I think Tif handled the ups and downs of this emotional situation brilliantly. I definitely went through all the emotions!
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July 1, 2025Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction
Miniseries
Spirit of the Shenandoah (Book #3)
Miniseries
Spirit of the Shenandoah (Book #3)
December 14, 2025
Gabby is reeling after being ghosted by her internet boyfriend right before her brother’s wedding. Life feels like a mess, and she’s bracing herself for an awkward, lonely few days. Enter Chip—her steady, dependable best friend—who swoops in with a plan to help salvage her pride and lift her spirits. But his support comes with some unexpected complications, namely: Gabby’s sudden awareness of how attractive, attentive, and undeniably charming Chip truly is.
Chip, for his part, has been harboring deeper feelings for Gabby for a while. His quiet longing and subtle gestures paint him as the kind of romantic hero who wins your heart through patience and sincerity rather than grand declarations. Watching him wrestle with the fear of losing their friendship if he confesses the truth adds an emotional depth to his character.
The chemistry between Gabby and Chip grows naturally and believably. The stakes feel real—this isn’t just a fling, it’s a relationship that could change everything for both of them. Their journey is sweet, awkward, honest, and full of moments that will make readers smile and sigh in equal measure. This is a delightful friends-to-lovers romance with emotional depth, witty dialogue, and a couple worth rooting for.
Chip, for his part, has been harboring deeper feelings for Gabby for a while. His quiet longing and subtle gestures paint him as the kind of romantic hero who wins your heart through patience and sincerity rather than grand declarations. Watching him wrestle with the fear of losing their friendship if he confesses the truth adds an emotional depth to his character.
The chemistry between Gabby and Chip grows naturally and believably. The stakes feel real—this isn’t just a fling, it’s a relationship that could change everything for both of them. Their journey is sweet, awkward, honest, and full of moments that will make readers smile and sigh in equal measure. This is a delightful friends-to-lovers romance with emotional depth, witty dialogue, and a couple worth rooting for.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews