D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding: A Refreshing Queer Romance

Introduction

Every wedding needs a great love story, but in Chencia C. Higgins’s exuberant novel D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding the love story has to happen on-camera, in six frantic weeks, and between two strangers who only just met. The 2022 release mashes up the beloved fake-dating trope with the high-stakes pressure of reality television, delivering a queer romance that sparkles with humor, cultural specificity, and genuine heart. Whether you are an avid romance reader, a fan of feel-good LGBTQ+ fiction, or simply looking for your next beach read, this novel offers a delightful escape that still tackles real-world emotions.

Plot Overview

D'Vaughn Miller signs up for the hit reality show Instant I Do hoping to prove to her skeptical family that she is ready for commitment. The premise is simple, at least on paper: two contestants are matched by producers, given a lavish budget, and tasked with planning a televised wedding in only six weeks. Cameras capture every dress fitting, cake tasting, and meltdown. D'Vaughn’s partner is Kris Zavala, a charming, outgoing personal trainer who enters the competition to boost her brand and win the hefty cash prize awarded if the couple actually says “I do” at the finale. Although sparks fly immediately, the women must pretend to be long-lost soulmates for viewers while privately negotiating their new, very real attraction. Misunderstandings, meddling relatives, and the relentless production schedule ratchet up tension until feelings can no longer be faked.

Main Characters

At the heart of the novel are two fully realized heroines whose contrasting personalities create instant chemistry. D'Vaughn is an introverted marketing professional from a tight-knit Black family in Houston. She is thoughtful, quietly funny, and still working through the fear of coming out publicly to her relatives. Her reluctance to open up makes her a relatable protagonist for any reader who has ever second-guessed a big life decision. Kris, by contrast, is a Mexican-American gym owner who lives out loud. She sports brightly colored sneakers, posts motivational workout clips for thousands of followers, and tackles challenges head-on. Yet beneath her confidence lies vulnerability: Kris worries that no one will love her for more than her public persona. Watching these two women stumble, flirt, and eventually communicate honestly is the beating heart of the story.

Central Themes

In addition to serving swoony romance, the novel explores several resonant themes. One is the intersection of authenticity and performance. Both heroines must decide how much of themselves to reveal—not just to millions of viewers, but to each other. The TV show’s relentless demand for drama underscores how modern relationships are often staged on social media. Family expectations form another important thread. D'Vaughn’s journey to come out to her mother and grandmother illustrates both generational tension and unconditional love within Black families, while Kris contends with the pressure of being the reliable eldest daughter in a Latinx household. Finally, the book celebrates the transformative power of joyful queer love, proving that happy endings are not only possible but worth fighting for.

Representation Matters

Queer and BIPOC representation is not an add-on; it is baked into every sentence of the book. Higgins writes Black Southern family gatherings, Mexican-American sibling banter, and lesbian desire with the easy confidence of someone who has lived these experiences. The cultural details—spades games in the backyard, bilingual teasing, the sacred art of choosing the right wedding playlist—feel specific yet universally inviting. Importantly, the novel refrains from trafficking in trauma for shock value. Homophobia and racism are acknowledged, but the focus stays on joy, mutual support, and the creation of a safe space where two women of color can fall in love on their own terms.

Why You Should Read It

If you devoured Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop or Alexis Daria’s You Had Me at Hola, you will likely swoon over D'Vaughn and Kris. The pacing is brisk, the banter effervescent, and the spice level lands squarely in the steamy-but-sweet zone. The novel also offers a nuanced take on the fake-dating trope by asking what happens when the entire world is invited to watch the ruse. Readers who enjoy reality TV will relish behind-the-scenes tidbits about call sheets, producer manipulation, and confessionals. Meanwhile, romance purists can rest assured that Higgins delivers the emotional payoff, complete with a public grand gesture worthy of any prime-time finale.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding is the literary equivalent of popping a bottle of champagne with friends: sparkling, a little messy, and guaranteed to leave you smiling. Chencia C. Higgins crafts a romance that centers joy without ignoring the challenges queer couples of color face. The result is a story that feels both escapist and necessary. If you are collecting uplifting reads for your bookshelf, add this one to the stack. It is a reminder that representation, laughter, and love belong at the altar—and on every page in between.