This is a cute opposites attract work place romance. The storyline is adorable and kept me engaged throughout. I am looking forward to more books from this author. I will definitely recommend this book to my friends!

This is the case of a book that got better as I read more with it taking me awhile to get into the plot. As someone who is most definitely NOT finance lingo savvy, I think I had a hard time connecting initially to Casey, although I could sympathize with the idea of being torn between what you think you should go into career wise vs. what is the best fit for you. Love Interest took off when Casey and Alex first go to the bar together. It was at this point I felt like I got to see more of who they were as people beyond the workplace. For a single POV book (Casey’s), I found that I really loved Alex and preferred reading the scenes where he was the main focus. There are moments in this book that I thought, oh—I’ve never read words combined that beautifully before, and although I couldn’t pinpoint specific moments, Clare Gilmore’s writing is very strong for a debut.
The parental dynamics run strong in Love Interest, framing quite a bit of the characters’ story and also a bit of their decision making. In this way, I felt like this book was written for someone specifically in their twenties, just getting their start in their career post-college, so perhaps because of that it didn’t resonate as strongly with me. The romantic scenes, however, are very well done and I was always glad to see how Casey and Alex navigated working together while also having a relationship of sorts.
I received this book as an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers work place romance! This follows Casey who is a finance wiz and is upset when she gets passed up for a job by someone from the outside. Turns out Alex, the new hire is very qualified and Casey begrudgingly starts to appreciate what he brings to the table. As Casey and Alex work more closely together on a new project things start to heat up between them. Both Casey and Alex had flaws but were trying to over come them and I really enjoyed that part of the story. I highly recommend picking this one up! Plus it takes place in the fall and over the holidays!! Thank you @smpromance for my #gifted copy for review!!

3.5 stars rounded down to 3

This book was very interesting and I had a fun time reading it!

I liked all the main characters, and the romance was great, but there wasn’t really anything special about this book compared to a lot of others. It was a standard office romance with enemies to lovers, and there are so many of those out there. However, I haven’t seen one where the work was actually a big focus of the plot, and it was unique to have it be a magazine publishing company where they have to ensure funding for a big project. I also liked some of the other companies in the novel, including the several YouTube channels the main characters are featured on.

The only reason this book didn’t get 4 stars from me (I gave it 3.5) is because there were SO MANY CHARACTERS!!! I had trouble remembering all of them, especially since there were a ton of coworkers. There were some points where I didn’t know if a character was one of the main character’s bosses because I couldn’t remember any of their names. There were just a lot of characters that didn’t affect the plot, and I feel like it could have been cut down to allow more of a focus on the ones that did matter.

I enjoyed reading this book, and I’d definitely still recommend reading it!

It was a little tough to get into in the beginning; but it definitely picked up for me. Stick with it- this story is great!

Super cute fun read! It was hard for me to get Into at first but I am glad I stuck with it. I look forward to reading more from the author.

Love interest is adorable and I’m so glad I picked it up. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was a bit weary of the story from the synopsis, which by the way did not do the book justice! The synopsis gave the impression of enemies to lovers and I expected it to be like The Hating Game and all the books that have tried to emulate it since. But this has a completely unique voice, creative and intriguing plot and the best dialogue. I loved the characters and their development.

My only issue was that it was a little longer than I thought it needed to be. This is a special book and I can’t wait to read more from the author!

I liked this book, but I went in with high expectations that it just didn't meet (and that is totally my fault). It was well written, good characters, nothing actually wrong with the book...the problem must be me. I felt it had so much more potential and didn't quite meet that mark. If you are looking for a quick read to escape your reality it will do. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced preview.

4/5 - A delightful, thoughtful, feeling forward story with relatable and interesting main characters who I really rooted for!

This one did take me a bit to get into but I’m certain it was because the world was falling apart and my ability to focus suffered. I do sometimes struggle with “younger than me” MCs (these MCs are in their mid-twenties) BUT all that being said I really fell into a groove around 35% of the way through and then could not put it down!

Gilmore is a beautiful writer and really sets the scene with her lovely language. This story is set in present day NYC in the magazine publishing world - a space I dabbled in for a hot minute - but the FMC is a financial girlie and the MMC is a project manager creative type. It’s a fresh take on quasi enemies-to-lovers / workplace romance with a lot of heartfelt exploration into who the MCs are, how they’ve been shaped by their pasts and what makes them tick in the present. Love Interest is realistic and heartfelt with smart banter, A+ dialogue, great chemistry, and a lovable cast of characters. Family, legacy and growth are huge themes, too!

A charming read - I can’t wait to read more from Clare Gilmore! Thank you to @netgalley, @smpromance and the talented @momentofclarety for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. OUT NOW!

I give this 4 stars because of the chemistry between Alex and Casey. Their story and journey throughout the book was very relatable and also plausible, and I feel like this could happen to many people today. Their communication with each other was also mature and like proper professional adults, unlike some romantic contemparary books where the conversation is like immature college students.

Definitely recommended. I will defnitely read more from Claire Gilmore if her books continue to be as good as this one.

Thanks to Netgalley, Claire Gilmore and St Martins Press Griffin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available

This BOOK! It is refreshing, modern, joyous, and fun. Enemies to lovers in a workplace setting is such a fun trope, but Gilmore really emphasizes less on the ‘competition’ between two coworkers but rather plays up the angle of ‘hey, we’re both competent at our jobs and we do actually really like each other.” There wasn’t immature sabotage that other workplace romances include which I appreciated. The two mains had some SERIOUS chemistry and every scene where they were together was just so fun to read. There is some great open door steam scenes, a fun NYC setting, and a great cast of secondary characters. I enjoyed this romance from page 1 until the end! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my e-arc! I loved it!

This romance was sweet, smart, and modern. You will fall in love with Casey and Alex so quickly, along with a full and well drawn cast of friends and coworkers. There are several moving parts to the story, lots of relationships to explore, and even some business intrigue. I thought it was quite well written and definitely kept me interested. Some open door steam. Definitely a recommended read!

An enemies to lovers work place romance. Alex and Casey both want the same job so will there be any room for romance? A fun read

Love Interest by @momentofclarety is a story of emotionally intelligent, attractive Gen Z’ers living life in NYC- working corporate jobs, living in tiny apartments, figuring their shit out, having amazing sex, falling in love. None of these people have therapists, but they are all very in touch with their feelings which seems outrageous since I (of the X generation) didn’t even acknowledge I had emotions until like 2-3 years ago. I mean- they actually speak their feelings. Out loud. To each other.

Casey is an introverted finance girl at a large magazine corporation. She is bested for a new job by hunky extrovert Alex. Casey immediately despises Alex. And just when you are asking yourself “is this just a carbon copy of Hating Game” the answer is a resounding NO! Unlike the HG characters, these characters are well-adjusted and mature and act like normal humans so it doesn’t become a ridiculous workplace enemies to lovers romp- bc this book is so much more of that. This book captures the essence of being in your mid 20s: when you are figuring out who you are and when your youth allows you the bravery and energy to chase your dreams. There is so much possibility at age and Gilmore nails that flawlessly. She also nails the electric chemistry of Casey and Alex and the deep, vibrating joy that comes with discovering young love. I loved every minute that they were on page together they were just so f’ing into each other.

I really loved this and it shows because this is the least snarky review I’ve written in a long time! My only note was that I didn’t always follow the corporate restructuring/takeover/scandal subplot of the book, but it definitely didn’t take away from the overall plot or my enjoyment of reading it. Def recommend this one.

Smut- 2.72 stars
Romance- 4.87 stars
Story- 4.76 stars
Being 25- 12.45 stars

This is a rom-com book that I liked from beginning to end. Alex and Casey had chemistry from the first page but rather than letting them fight their interest the whole time, it was more about them fighting their instincts and giving into their feelings. We all deserve an Alex or a Casey, as a friend and/or a romantic partner. This is a great debut novel and I would happily read another book by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins for the arc.

This debut romcom was delightful. I was pleasantly surprised. Who doesn’t love a workplace enemies to lovers?
Casey is up for a promotion , but when the hot elevator guy ends up getting the job she can’t help but hate him. Casey’s passion is numbers. She works in finance and most of her life has been about routine and what can be proven.
Then, Casey and Alex are forced to work together on a project. This project could be the bump she needs to get to move to London. It’s the ultimate challenge that she has been looking for. While Casey is trying to prove to herself that she can push herself Alex is trying to prove his worth to his father. How can these two make this work?

4.5 stars

If you are looking for a workplace-sorta enemies-to-lovers-romance, then this is the book for you. I thoroughly enjoyed this story – it felt fresh and new.

Casey works in finance but feels like she should be something artistic, that’ll leave an impact, based upon her parents and what their career paths were (singer/songwriter and photographer). But numbers are a constant and very grounding for Casey. Pushing herself to interview for a new job within her company has her meeting the guy who is getting the job, in an elevator. She didn’t know it at the time, and she subsequently finds out that he (Alex) is the former CEO’s son.

This puts them at odds, as Casey becomes their finance lead for their new and upcoming venture, Bite the Hand. But the more time they spend together, the more Casey realizes she’s had it all wrong about Alex. I loved watching these two opposites who actually have a lot in common form a relationship. They both grow individually, Casey becomes more strong and secure in herself and that she is doing what she loves. And Alex learns that not everyone he loves will leave him. So what happens? You will definitely want to one-click to find out.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book is not real! I LOVED everything! Beginning to end I was in a trance reading. Alex and Casey began in the elevator with a Lion King icebreaker from Alex. The deadpan jokes sneak up on you and they are very welcomed. The writing is very fun, light and casual. One of the best romances I've read this year.

Thank you to SMP Romance and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Casey sees Alex as a workplace rival from their first meeting. But they also need to work together to launch a new online magazine successfully for the sake of both their careers. This is such a fun workplace, rivals-to-lovers romance.

I loved the writing style. The book was told in first person from Casey's perspective and often felt like talking to a friend. Of course, I wondered what Alex was thinking and whether he made good hero material. But I really appreciated the single POV for this book. It can be tough to show character depth for the other main character in a single POV, but I loved Alex. I found him extremely well rounded and nuanced. And I just wanted to give him a hug.

I related so strongly to Casey as the girl who loves numbers and feels they make more sense than creative pursuits. The secondary characters were equally fantastic. And the antics around recording a typical day at work made me laugh out loud. This was sweet, fun, and sexy. It's a great rom-com with a lovely relationship at its center.

4.5 stars rounded up

Casey loves numbers so naturally she works as a finance expert in Manhattan. She wanted to branch out a bit so she decided to apply to the new project manager position. We learn immediately that she didn’t get the job. Instead, the job went to the chairman’s son Alex.

Now they both Alex and Casey have to work closely together to prove themselves. Casey wants to succeed so her company can transfer her to the LA office. Alex wants to succeed in this project to impress his father.

I really enjoyed the back-and-forth banter between the characters. There were some funny moments were I could not help but smile. I loved both main characters and seeing them both fall for one another. You will get instantly invested!

This is a perfect workplace, forced proximity romance with some great pop culture references that made me smile.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.