This was fun, flirty and had one of the most satisfying endings that I've read recently. Had I not read an exceptional book just prior to reading this one, it may have rated even higher. That said, this is still a solid enemies to lovers romance, which I would certainly recommend especially if you liked The Hating Game. Casey is a great character but I also found all of the characters in the book to be multi-dimensional and written so well. Definitely give this one a read!!

Love Interest comes out next week on October 10, 2023, and you can purchase HERE! I really liked this one!
If you're going to touch a woman in the Me Too era, you might as well make it worth the headline?

The funny part is that my gut reaction is to come up with something to say next that won't make him uncomfortable. What would I do otherwise? Cause a scene? Claim harassment by a man who likely helped pay for the open bar I'm drinking at because he tapped my hip and clavicle? I hate myself a little for the passivity of it, but in professional situations like this, with my literal livelihood at stake, I revert to a scared little girl who has internalized that under no circumstances should she ruffle affluent society's feathers.

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

📚✨Book Review✨📚

Love Interest
Author: Clare Gilmore

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Note: I received a copy of this book to review via NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

What I Liked:
🏙️ I absolutely adore Casey’s relationship with her parents. It was so cute, charming, and heartwarming. Especially Jerry. Being a parent is hard, but being a stepparent can be even harder. I loved how gardening was used to convection them together.

🏙️ Their meet cute was actually adorable. It was a little cliche but resulted in an adorable nickname that I didn’t think I would like, but I actually do .🦁

🏙️The entire scene of their first night out, from the bar to karaoke, to home is perfection. 🩷

What I Didn’t Like:
🏙️ ❌Slightly Spoilery❌ I didn’t love that Alex didn’t understand Casey’s reasoning when she breaks the news to him. Honestly, what did he expect? It just didn’t seem like something someone would do if they were really in love and trusted someone.

Final Thoughts:
🏙️What a fantastic debut for Clare Gilmore! I am VERY excited to see what she writes next. I’ll definitely pick it up the minute it’s released!


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Obviously I would love a book that drops a Bachelor Nation reference in the first few chapters. This was absolutely adorable. I loved the journey that Casey and Alex went on. Clare Gilmore has such an easy writing style; so great to binge in two sittings and get wrapped up in the story. This was such a stunning romance debut and I will definitely be looking forward to her next book.

this reminded me a lot of set it up and i loved every moment of this book it was amazing!!! very glad i read this

The WAY I adore this book! Clare Gilmore's LOVE INTEREST had me hooked and invested in the characters from the very first page. This is such a stunning debut with its workplace romance that’s filled with drama and corporate politics that will draw. you. in. The tension between Casey and Alex is so thick, but then Gilmore cuts it with tenderness and empathy and all of a sudden you’re rooting for these two adversaries-to-lovers. This single POV romance gives us fully fleshed out characters who feel SO unbelievably real that my mind refuses to believe that they’re…not…?! Gilmore excels at writing that will sweep you away, from the quippy dialogue to the sharp observations to the lyrical sentences describing a feeling or setting. I’m forecasting that you, too, will adore this one!

Love Interest was a delightful story by an up and coming author, Clare Gilmore.

I want to start off by saying that I loved the Casey (the FMC) and Alex (MMC), and I loved their relationship. It's actually kind of refreshing to read a relationship (that originates in the workplace) that develops organically and respectfully over the course of the story. Yes, there are the typical kind of tropes one would expect in this genre, but I felt a level of maturity in how those situations were dealt with that I don't often read in this genre. Alex, in particular, was romantic in a way that the justifies the word. I was invested in them as individuals, and their relationship as they grew.

I don't really think it as a true enemies to lovers book insomuch that it is a book where the couple overcome assumptions/judgments, while also having to deal with internal and external conflicts that impact their relationship (and selves). I loved the story because of that, not despite.

Minor critique.
My primary critique is that sometimes to story gets too bogged into the weeds when it came to the workplace setting/story, sometimes at the expense of their development as a couple. The workplace story needed to be more of a catalyst for building the tension and dynamic of, the relationship. The relationship often felt like this adjacent story instead of being framed and developed within the context.

There were also way too many co-worker characters introduced that did little to advance the story or impact the characters actions. Quality > quantity when it comes to secondary characters.

Conclusion:

I enjoyed the main characters and their relationship so much, I gladly recommend this story.

I want to thank St. Martin's Press, Clare Gilmore, and NetGalley for permitting me to read an advance e-ARC through NetGalley. In exchange, I offer my honest opinion.

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I believe that this is the first book by the author. What a debut! The character development and relationship between Alex and Casey is so pure and real, that it makes you believe that they're really out there, in the world, living their lives together.
The background plot of the workplace, and the side characters are slotted in so well, that by the end of the novel, there is nothing missing from this fabulous story.
There were many moments that I laughed out loud from the witty writing and banter.
I'll be on the lookout from more stories from this author.

Casey and Alex are perfect!

Casey Maitland wanted the new position to stretch her wings at Little Cooper’s new digital media platform as a springboard to her dream job in London. But she was devastated to find out that they had changed the job description for Bite the Hand to hire Alex Harrison, son of the chairman of the board of Little Cooper and now she has to work with him.

Casey slowly starts to like Alex after working with him as she finds out that there is more to Alex but will it affect her chance on getting the transfer to London.

I loved the interactions of Casey with her friends and co-workers in publishing because it made you feel like you were there.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed Love Interest, a debut contemporary workplace romance set in the New York offices of a magazine conglomerate. LI stars Casey Maitland, a financial analyst with lofty career goals and Alex Harrison a new-hire project manager. Alex “took” the job Casey interviewed for and thought she’d get, which puts Alex in Casey’s crosshairs, unbeknownst to him. Oh, and he just happens to be the wealthy son of the big boss.

LI is refreshing since there is a bit of a job role reversal. Casey is the financial guru and Alex is the creative. LI also features some shady characters and shady business dealings that make you wonder who is authentic and who can be trusted. All of this is great and felt authentic. However, I do think there are a few too many characters and some pacing issues.

I recommend Love Interest, it’s an engaging, fun, easy-to-read, enemies-to-lovers workplace romance. Plus Alex gives Casey a super cute nickname. I look forward to reading what Clare Gilmore comes up with for her next book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ebook, which I read via NetGalley. Love Interest is scheduled to be released on October 10th

A very cute rom com with a corporate setting. The corporate stuff does not overtake the love story. It all works pretty well. Lots of fun friends on both sides of the couple and also a few cute coworkers. Gotta love it when peripheral characters are just as entertaining as the main characters.

DNF'd this one sadly. It just wasn't my cup of tea & I was a bit bored. I think others might like it so don't take my word for it, but sadly just did not hold my attention.

Love Interest is a refreshing workplace romance with tropes including one bed, opposites attract, found family, and he falls first. The story follows Casey who has just missed out on a promotion at her work. When she meets Alex, the man who was hired for the position instead, and finds out he is related to the former CEO, she instantly takes a disliking to him. However, when the two are forced to work on a project together, Casey quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. As the two get closer while working, their apparent attraction ignites and they decide to explore their connection while they can, as Casey has plans to move to London and Alex doesn't like to be tethered to one place. However, their relationship rapidly evolves from temporary to something more as they both learn to trust in each other and open up.


This is a true workplace romance, 80% of the story takes place in the office and the main plot revolves around our MCs working together. While I could have gone for less of that, I did appreciate the attention to detail in the writing that kept me engaged in the otherwise mundane topics. I absolutely loved the evolution of Alex and Casey's relationship. I adored how they slowly realized their love for each other and didn't hold back once they did; the emotional connection they had was so beautiful. Overall, Love Interest is an endearing workplace romance full of emotion and lovable characters, that will leave you completely charmed and invested. I honestly cannot believe that this is a debut story from Claire Gilmore, she absolutely blew me away with her witty writing and the abundance of character development. I am so excited to see what she comes up with next!

Very enjoyable office romance. Casey Maitland loves the predictability of numbers and is very good at her finance job in NYC. When she is passed over for a new opening at the corporate offices she is determined to not like the nepotism hire. But Alex Harrison isn’t what she is expecting. Alex is Harvard educated and charming. A mix of easy money but can be driven and hardworking. She’s given an insider challenge that will result in her getting her dream job in the London offices. But it means she can’t share everything she knows with Alex. His reasons for the job are different. He has the skills for it but he hopes it would connect him to his father.

Told entirely from Casey’s POV this has some of the best mature conversations, banter and inner thoughts of any book I’ve read in a while. I love that not only you get the steamy bits (vaguely descriptive) but the realness of the awkward walk of shame. I love the question of are they dating and what that means. There is office politics that play into the story too. I love that it doesn’t wait till the end for the L word but that even then the future together isn’t assured. Casey’s confidence in herself grows over the course of the book. The side characters, her dad and friends are great.

I wish I had a little more of Alex’s POV. He is a swoon worthy boyfriend. But he didn’t really seem to understand or care about the gravity of his actions. It was as if in his charmed life he knew he’d be fine. This is the author's debut novel and I will absolutely be on the watch for what she writes next. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (4.5 Stars)

3.5 stars

A readable romance featuring two business types who get off to a bad start when competing for the same job. Casey is a numbers geek trying to expand her horizons. Alex is the son of the company owner although he has almost no contact with his father and did not use his connections to get the job. But soon their differences spark an interesting chemistry. They both have baggage, of course -- they lost their mothers relatively young and don't easily make lasting connections. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Super fun debut! I enjoyed reading a book with a career focused, number minded leading lady! Casey and Alex's enemies to lovers to friends with benefits trope was plagued with the common LACK OF COMMUNICATION problem. After awhile, I did find it frustrating that these two just could not hash it out. But, overall, it was an enjoyable read and an author I would like to try again in the future! 3.5 stars!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I really liked this book when I wasn't expecting to - so I count that as a win for the author having never read any of Clare Gilmore's books. This book is your classic workplace enemies-to-lovers (which aren't always well done). This one was different because it was relatable, funny and had a diverse cast of characters. I especially liked the supporting characters (may have liked them more than the leads!). Casey and Alex are relatable, and the development of their relationship felt natural with the "enemy" phase not lasting very long in the book (which made sense as they didn't really know each other. at the start of the book). They challenged and understood each other and seemed to really bring the best out in each other. I would definitely recommend this one to those that like reading workplace romances.

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Spice: 2/5

Themes: Workplace Romance

Love Interest is about a finance wiz trying to find out who she is and her rival who is trying to earn his fathers approval. I really love the characters! Casy is someone I could really relate to and Alex is always pushing her to believe in herself. The author did a good job of creating a story that drew me in and it was hard for me to put down. The romance was a little heavy on the insta love and I would have liked a stronger enemies to lovers feel. I would recommend this to anyone who loves an office romance setting.

I received an arc and am leaving an honest review.

Love Interest started off well (the meet cute was adorable) but then it got bogged down for me with just too much of nothing really. The story tried too hard which took me out of it too often. I started skimming then completely gave up. This book just wasn't for me.

The author can write so I'd probably check out another book.

This had everything that made me fall in love with romance books. A swoony, but slightly wounded MMC? A generally enjoyable FMC? A fantastic cast of side characters that you need to know more about? A FULLY FLESHED OUT PLOT? A fabulous debut with a sweet book boyfriend for fall.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I was thinking that I might go back to it after a few days, but I haven't thought about it even once so just not a book for me. At one point the book jumped ahead in time....and I couldn't tell. This is when the book lost me - I was like where are we and what is happening??

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader.