D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding

Starred review from December 1, 2021

Higgins's ("The Vow" series) first trade release shows different experiences within the queer community, focusing especially on intersections with other identities. Kris Zavala and D'Vaughn Miller have six weeks to convince their families that they are in love and getting married in order to win $100,000 on the hit reality show Instant I Do. They had different reasons for joining the show; D'Vaughn wants a push to come out to her religious family, and Kris is looking to make a real connection with someone outside of her substantial social media following. This story tracks how their feelings for one another develop, despite the growing pressures of lying to their families and performing for the cameras. VERDICT In a romance featuring Black joy, plus-sized beauty, and Mexican pride, the conflicts are entirely believable, and not overly dramatic, and make for a thoroughly enjoyable read. It is fake dating at its best.--Claudia Berger, New York, NY

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December 1, 2021
Kris Zavala is appearing as a contestant on Instant I Do to find the love of her life. D'Vaughn Miller plans on using her time on the reality television show to finally come out to her family. When the two women are paired as a couple, they each agree to play the game and try and convince their family and friends they are getting married in six weeks. However, the more time D'Vaughn and Kris spend together planning their wedding, the more the two women realize that while the show might be completely fake, the spark of attraction they feel for each other is very real. Higgins makes her print debut with an emotionally powerful, boldly sexy, and ultimately joyful tale of love and acceptance that makes the most of its reality television show premise as well as its vibrant cast of characters, not to mention the author's fresh, fun spin on the always popular fauxmance trope.

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December 6, 2021
Though the premise of this heartwarming rom-com from Higgins (the Vow series) occasionally strains credulity, its refreshing, well-handled focus on queer women of color finding love and affirmation more than makes up for its shortcomings. D’Vaughn and Kris meet through the reality TV show Instant I Do, which pairs up contestants who’ve never met and gives them six weeks to convince their loved ones they’re getting married, all while actually planning a wedding. If they pull off the deception and make it to the altar, they can choose to either accept prize money or get married for real. D’Vaughn auditioned seeking motivation to come out to her religious family, while Kris hopes to find true love. Their chemistry is instant and robust, but a number of obstacles stand between them and the altar. The show’s details are slightly convoluted, but the competition does create touching opportunities for the contestants’ families to bond and show support. The story strikes the perfect balance for its subgenre, reflecting queer people’s authentic experiences while keeping the mood light and frothy. Higgins gives world-weary readers looking for an inclusive and thoroughly enjoyable escape exactly what they need.