The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the Love Arranged Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on September 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 09/01
01: Start- chapter 1
02: Chapters 2-4
03: Chapters 5-8
04: Chapters 9-13
05: Chapters 14-17
06: Chapters 18-22
07: Chapters 23-27

Week of 09/08
08: Chapters 28-31
09: Chapters 32-38
10: Chapters 39-43
11: Chapters 44-47
12: Chapters 48-51
13: Chapters 52-end

PARTICIPANTS
~Sophie
~Anushka

Start-chapter 1

I’m liking the set up so far, the dating app is so fun. It’s definitely giving the vibe of she falls first, he falls harder. I’m looking forward to seeing how the fake dating is going to arise.

chapters 2-4
I love Manny, I hope we see more of him, he the perfect mix of sweet and comedic humour. I feel really bad for Lorenzo, based on the information we’ve got, I’m guessing a member of Ludlow’s family was responsible for the death of his parents, hence the revenge plot. Whether the reason is that the flowers are for his parents grave, or just an excuse to see Lily, it’s sweet either way. Praying and hoping that Lorenzo will in some help Lily’s mum keep Rose & Thorn, it would line up with his revenge plot.

Chapters 5-8

The scene with Willow, Lily and Lorenzo bickering through the door was hilarious. I feel like we don’t get as many well written comedic scenes in romance books anymore. Ok and I must say, Richard sucksssssss.

End of Chapter 4: I agree about wanting more of Manny. He's exactly the kind of friend someone as serious and lonely as Lorenzo needs.
I'm sad about how no one really understands that Lily is not doing well with her father's passing even if it's been years. The car, the flower shop, the garden and the fountain. All of it really. Her choosing dark and somber colors instead of her earlier bright clothing... I'm already super invested in both the main characters and I love it.

End of Chapter 8: I agree about needing more light comedy plus bickery-bantery scenes in novels. That is something I've enjoyed in the previous two novels of the series as well. The random townsfolk are funny. The way they get invested in other people's lives and especially love stories...is precious. The old ladies smell budding romance like blood in water and then they just don't let go. I've especially been needing a bit light hearted reads and this is perfect.

Needless to say, I despise Richard and need his whole family to go down. I can sort of predict how Lily and Lorenzo will team up to protect her store and win him the election. And of course, hilarity will ensue lol.

End of Chapter 12:

Now that the world thinks Lorenzo and Lily are the new it couple, I'm all the more excited about the next chapters. I could relate to Dahlia being upset about Lily not telling her because a year is way too long to lie to your sister about something so big. Hopefully Lorenzo will be okay with Lily at least telling Dahlia about the truth.

P s : the townies being gushy about Lily calling Lorenzo 'baby' was so funny. More so because 'baby' is such a non-lorenzo like endearment. Haha.

End of Chapter 29:

I've read a bit ahead because some really cute things were happening and I couldn't stop myself. Lorenzo and Lily are such a cute fake couple I swear.
Lorenzo's OCD habits make me feel for the poor guy--not being able to trust other people behind the wheel (because of his parents' history), not wanting shoes inside his home, not trusting food made by others, his life is hard. However, even though he doesn't like touching anyone (another germophobe OCD thing) he can't keep his hands off Lily and I love it. He's always trying to hold her hand, or holding her waist or touching her hair. His deadpan humor is growing on me as well. All his interactions with Julian have me rooting for Lorenzo instead and I'm surprised at myself. I was happy to see how he just won over Lily's mom in one day. He's truly a gentleman and of course a mom would want that for her child.

Lorenzo wearing that funny shirt for Manny was another scene I absolutely lost it. He's a good guy and a good friend. After the double date thing with Manny and Emily, Lily has started doing these tiny things to push Lorenzo into admitting his feelings for her and I'm enjoying his reactions.
He takes everything in stride and there are no awkward moments where anyone could suspect that they are a fake couple.
Him giving her half of his dice? And buying her a car and a pink diamond ring...wow. And that single bed trope, haha. Those were such cute moments. I wonder how he would propose or how Lily would react. Would they rehearse and kill the opportunity of spontaneity? I hope not. I'm glad that Lily bought a pink dress. She's had those monochromes on long enough.

End of Chapter 38:

I have mixed feelings about the actual proposal but everything that came after was really well portrayed. I loved the tension and the angst and the pain and the romance... just all of it.
Lorenzo and Rosa's heart to heart was important as well. I'm curious as to what he is planning about Lily's gold coin wishes.
Him putting Richard (Dick) into his place was satisfying.
Also, I think Julian and Lorenzo's enmity is at an end. The family lunch could have been better I guess but we take what we get. And I suppose it was realistic to not show the first ever lunch to go perfectly.