If you are looking for an enemies to lovers and workplace romance, this is it! Loved the setting, loved the characters, and loved the writing. I appreciated the diversity represented in this book as well. I can’t wait to read more from Claire Gilmore!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

I adore these characters! I absolutely fell head over heels for Alex and Casey and their story. I love a good enemies to lovers story, especially one set in a workplace. But I also love a romance story that lets you spend time with the couple as a couple for more than just the last third of the book - this book delivers that.

Love Interest builds a world that you want to dive into, I want to be friends with Casey’s friends and hang out with them in New York.

I am happy that neither of these characters force each other to be anything other than what they are. They support each other through life changes and no one gets resentful. They root for each others success.

This book is Clare Gilmore’s debut and based on this read, I’m so excited to read whatever she puts out next!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author Clare Gilmore for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was an adorable opposites-attract workplace romance between the finance rockstar (FMC) and the golden retriever New Guy (MMC) she lost the job to.

My thoughts:
• I loved the writing. It was engaging, and entertaining and read it in basically two sittings.
• The MCs were great. I loved that they were fully fleshed out–nuances, history/background and all.
• The setting: a publication company! So fun that we got to explore many aspects of it.
• Diverse characters: MMC is Korean American, and a whole bunch of other side characters that didn't just tick a diversity box. Truly appreciated!

If you read this, and I highly recommend you do, message me when you get to the meet-cute, will you? I just loved it so much and it's one I won't forget any time soon!

Thank you, @smpromance for the ARC!

This was cute but a bit forgettable - it didn’t have the real sparkle of some other romcoms I’ve read. I do think part of that is that I’m older than the intended audience (it really felt geared toward early 20s) and so I got a little frustrated with the characters at points. I’m honestly struggling a bit to remember what happened in the book now… I do remember that I liked Casey’s dads, but that her friends didn’t feel fleshed out and I kept confusing them, and that the concept of “Bite the Hand” didn’t totally make sense to me as some kind of breakthrough product that’s going to save the company. All in all, it kept me reading and I finished it quickly, but it’s not one that really made me over the top happy to read.

The characters in Love Interest are a little bit younger (mid-twenties) than many of the romance books I've read recently, and I feel like that's reflected in the storyline and characters, though maybe a little bit unrealistic that they have the jobs they do, in the city they do, at the age they do. The book is an enemies-to-lovers romance between numbers wonk Casey and big vision Alex, but it in many regards is also much about the company they both work for, and their relationships with their parents. If that sounds like a lot to cram into a romance book, you're not really wrong. It makes the romance feel kind of underwhelming - and in many regards as young as they are and as different as they are, Casey and Alex feel more like a physical attraction romance to me than a deep, true love type of one. When, at the beginning of the story, Casey is dreaming about the opportunity to spend time living and working in London, I can't help but feel that should be more important to her than a relationship with Alex. Not because I dislike him, I enjoyed the character, it just felt like an opportunity that she shouldn't pass up and may never get again. And that's probably not the best attitude a reader should have for a book that's intended to a romance! It's still enjoyable and there are funny moments in there you could expect from single people in their mid-twenties living in New York City, but I was never blown away by the romance between the protagonists. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Look. Enemies to lovers is maybe my favorite romantic trope, and Gilmore manages to keep things light but make the romance compelling. I devoured this - it's doesn't feel like the same story rehashed over and over again, it manages to feel new and exciting (even though enemies to lovers and workplace romance are boring after a while). This is so charming and fun, with just enough tenderness to make it feel worth your time.

Thank you to netgalley & St. Martins Press for the ARC!!

Okay - my first thought: I would watch the fuck out of this as a movie.

Second thought: Alex can get it

Clare’s debut novel is smart, witty, heartwarming (obv I cried), and so pleasantly realistic. So often with romance as a genre, I struggle to truly get ‘into it’ because it feels so… cheesy. HOWEVER this was zero cheese.

This book features finance girl representation, murder mystery parties, Nashville hot chicken, and the word ‘petulant’ which I just love so much it hurts.

Would absolutely recommend (4.25 ⭐️) and one of my fav romance of the year so far.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0/5.0
Love Interest by Clare Gilmore
ARC - Release Date 10-09-2023

Casey is a finance analyst at a magazine company in Manhattan. She has a knack for numbers, despite growing up with her songwriter father and her yearning to do something creative with her life. She takes a risk and applies for a project manager position in her company and is shot down in favor of the board chairman’s son. Alex is a Harvard grad with experience even Casey knows is a good fit for the role. Casey is assigned to be the finance expert for the project Alex is set to launch, and they accidentally become a YouTube sensation. As they work on the project and get to know each other, they both realize inspiration comes from the unexpected.

This was such a good read! Both the lead characters are well written with so much depth and I love their stories together and on their own. The side characters are also well developed and Gilmore does a great job setting the scenes. She makes the workplace romance work really well with an interesting plot about the company they work for. Her writing is witty and she pulls you into the story with relatable content and the glamor of a New York corporate job. She encompasses the self discovery of stepping outside your comfort zone and taking risks in order to reach your dreams. Alex and Casey fit so perfectly. I was a little let down by the epilogue because I was hoping for more but it also wrapped things up nicely. I can’t believe this is a debut novel - Gilmore’s writing is that good!

Read if you like:
📈 enemies to lovers
📈 workplace romance
📈 corporate dramatics
📈 new york
📈 self discovery

Thank you to @netgalley, @momentofclarety and @smpromance for the eARC. I received a complimentary e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This romance feels like wearing a cozy blanket sipping a pumpkin spice latte in the middle of October. Casey and Alex are both chasing things in their personal lives they don’t quite understand but they both are so caring toward one another. Their romance leaps off the page and sticks to your heart.

For most women in business, Casey is likely a very relatable character (at least she was to me). She’s a totally smart badass at finance but still has a little seed of doubt in her mind about her work. Her growth in her job (and personal life) through out the book was really refreshing, and I just felt so proud of her!

Highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the arc!

Casey Maitland works with numbers. She enjoys that there is no grey area; numbers are black and white. She works in Manhattan at a magazine firm. She applies for an open project manager position, but someone else is hired -- the board chairman's son!

Alex Harrison is well-liked, except by Casey. Casey is steaming that she was passed over for the job she wanted.

The two are placed on a project together. As they work closely together, they realize that sparks fly!

This was a cute enemies to lovers novel. Casey and Alex are lovely! Their banter is on-point. They have adorable inside jokes.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my opinion.

✨ 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖✨ 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓✨ 
 
𝘙𝘌𝘓𝘌𝘈𝘚𝘐𝘕𝘎 October 10, 2023.  
 
𝘓𝘖𝘝𝘌 𝘐𝘕𝘛𝘌𝘙𝘌𝘚𝘛 is Clare Gilmore's sparkling debut, a co-worker enemies-to-lovers rom-com that proves falling in love is the risk and the reward. 
 
RATING : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  
SPICE: 🔥🔥 
 
This was a great debut novel from Clare Gilmore and I would definitely read more from her in the future. I really like her writing style and the way she writes character development. For me, that’s what made this enemies to lovers, office romance such an enjoyable read.  
 
Casey is a 24 year old finance guru who applied for her dream job but gets passed over. When she meets Alex, the candidate her company chose instead, she immediately dislikes him. First off, YES!! A woman in finance who loves numbers just spoke to my soul so I was immediately drawn to Casey. Second, Alex’s character development throughout the story was just wonderfully written and prof that people can be more than what they seem on first impression.  
 
Also there is only one bed, which for me as an enemies to lovers stan, is just the holy grail! Alex and Casey’s relationship really drove this story forward and I just loved them together. I also really loved the side characters and their tight knit friend group.  
 
If you love workplace romances, enemies to lovers, and some very cute banter and relationship growth, then I definitely recommend this quick, cute read for you!  
 
✨ Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

Rating: 2.5=3

Love Interest had a lot of potential, but unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me. The start was a bit slow as was the chemistry between Alex and Casey, and there were just a few too many side characters. I did like the sweet ending, but this story was simply not my cup of tea.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this title for review.

Love Interest by Clare Gilmore follows adversarial coworkers Casey and Alex as they team up on a project, never expecting that they will discover evidence of corporate misconduct— and real feelings between them. I love a good office romance, so I was so excited for this one. While I definitely think Love Interests had strong elements (definite sense of place, good communication), I ultimately felt like the story was bogged down by overly-detailed character descriptions, too many side characters, and a baggy plot. I would recommend it to other readers, but it didn't totally come together for me. For a debut, though, I definitely see promise in Gilmore as a writer and would be happy to try a future book by her. 3.25/5

Cute story was a quick entertaining read. Characters were ok I didn't really connect to either of the main characters as much I would like to. Overall a good read and would recommend. I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

One of my top books of 2023! I'm normally pretty cynical and hard to please with book reviews, but thisbook swept me away! Normally I have to ease into loving a book, connecting to it at maybe 10-15%? But this book had me HOOKED after the first chapter. The writing is so gorgeous, along with artfully crafted descriptions. And the banter between Casey and all of her friends?!? Love it.

Reasons I tried not to be obsessed with this book: it's not as spicy as I normally read, it's set in a big city (your girl loves small town romance), and it's not dual POV.

Reasons I couldn't help myself: her badass bitch female (and BIPOC) mentor, her friends undying love for her and complicated love for each other, Alex's hotness, Alex's keen knowledge of Casey, and Alex's complete emotional availability.

Thus concludes my infatuated ramblings, please buy this book!

Love Interest by Clare Gilmore is a captivating enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy set in a workplace, showcasing the inherent risks and rewards of falling in love. The novel introduces a couple of endearing characters, each with a well-crafted and intriguing backstory. Their sizzling chemistry and clever repartee will undoubtedly leave readers rooting for their ultimate happily ever after.

In this delightful tale, Gilmore skillfully weaves a narrative that explores the complexities of relationships within a professional setting. The story unfolds as two co-workers, initially at odds with each other, gradually discover a deep connection that transcends their initial animosity. As the plot thickens, the characters' personal histories are unveiled, adding depth and authenticity to their journey.

The undeniable allure between the protagonists is palpable, igniting a passionate and electric atmosphere throughout the book. Their exchanges are laced with witty banter, creating moments of both amusement and anticipation. As readers delve into their blossoming romance, they will find themselves irresistibly drawn into the narrative, eagerly awaiting the couple's ultimate union.

Gilmore's writing style is both engaging and polished, effortlessly immersing readers in the story. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures that the characters come to life, making them relatable and endearing. Moreover, the author's ability to strike a balance between humor and heartfelt emotions adds depth and resonance to the overall narrative.

Love Interest is a testament to Gilmore's talent for crafting a compelling and enjoyable romantic comedy. With its well-developed characters, captivating chemistry, and skillful storytelling, this novel is a must-read for fans of the genre. Prepare to be swept away by a tale that reminds us all of the risks and rewards that come with falling in love.

While I could see what the author had intended for this novel, and the effort that was put into executing that idea, so much of this book fell flat for me. By the last half, I didn't mind it quite as much, and I think the writing style grew on me, but it still did not diminish my dislike for the first half, which I found tough to get through. There were many moments where I could see how the dialogue, or interactions were meant to come across as funny, sweet, or swoony, but for myself, it didn't come across that way and pushed the line of cheesy too far into cringe territory. This book overall felt like it needed some good editing and revamping. The idea and intentions had potential, it was just the execution and the details that really made it feel lacking for me.

For me, a romance novel is all about the characters, and these characters felt not flat, and their interactions with one another felt so stilted and slightly uncanny at times. I never felt like I really understood their mindset and motives, or what they were going to do next, and the way they interacted felt so far from usual interactions. Sometimes it's nice to read an unrealistic romcom, but this was unrealistic in a bad way. Combine this with my other gripe, the unnecessary amount of side characters, now not only do I struggle to care about these characters, but I can't remember who any of the side characters are. I appreciated that some of the characters were there to give a sense of the office work life, but naming and describing all the major staff in the multiple departments, and then the heads as well just became confusing so fast. And then on top of that family from both main characters, and their friends, and their friends partners, it just got a bit much. I do agree with what another reviewer mentioned, sometimes it felt like having all these side characters of different minorities felt like token diversity after a while, especially with many of the characters being even more one-dimensional than the leads.

I don't read romance for the plot, but I do appreciate a good story and the art that comes with making it flow seamlessly. The prose and the plot overall felt very jumbled and like it jumped around a lot. There were a lot of lore flashbacks in the middle of conversations that went on for multiple paragraphs, and I found it really confusing to then jump back into the middle of the conversation. These extra details often felt unnecessary, and it didn't really build up the characters, and really stilted the impact of the interactions. Add this to the fact that there were so many characters, and many of them getting paragraphs of explanations of their relation to the main character, it got bothersome very quickly. Backstory is important to build characters sure, but this could have been done much more subtle and smooth way, and it would have helped the story immensely (see show not tell, or in natural dialogue).

🩵💜 Love Interest ARC Review 💜🩵

Thank you so much to Clare Gilmore, St Martin’s Press and netGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!!

Love Interest is a contemporary standalone romance. Casey loves numbers and has a successful career in finance for a magazine. When she loses out on a job she really wants, she can’t help but feel resentment towards the man who got the job. But as she gets to know him, she realizes there might be more to Alex than she first realized

This was a wonderful romantic read. I loved the mental health rep (ADHD) and how it was positively depicted - it wasn’t the entire character’s personality…just a part of who they are. Casey was a fun character, but I felt like she was stuck on what her “plan” was and it took her a while to figure things out. Alex was a wonderful character that just needs all the love. I enjoyed their relationship together and how they evolved from rivals to friends to lovers in this story

Overall this was a solid 4 star read for me. An enjoyable read but I found myself wanting chapters from Alex’s PoV throughout the story. This book did have a few spicy scenes throughout but they weren’t super detailed so three flames for spice

If you’re a fan of rivals to friends to lovers, workplace romance, and all the New York City vibes, then definitely pick this one up!

Please note: review will be posted on Amazon upon publication

Love Interest by Clare Gilmore is a fun rom com that uses the enemies to lovers trope. This trope happens to be a favorite of mine. This book is quirky, fun, and unexpected at times. It literally made me laugh out loud at times, and that rarely happens. This book is an absolute delight and I highly recommend it to readers of this genre. It is so much fun! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This book ended up being pretty cute, but it did take me a while to get into it. I think the ages/maturity level of the main characters was a slight barrier for me.

Casey, a financial analyst living and working in Manhattan, has goals for her life. She is attempting to move up the ladder in her magazine publishing industry, but when the boss's son gets the job she wants, she has to rethink her plans. Alex, the aforementioned boss's son, is creative and fun, and he also has big dreams. Casey and Alex clash at work, but when a project throws them together they find that they might both be more than meets the eye.

This book went in waves for me. The beginning had tension and a fun enemy/coworker vibe, but they too quickly got past it. By 35% these two were basically together and it left the rest of the book with tons of external issues instead of the romance turmoil that I was expecting. As stated above, I did end up liking this book a lot. It was heartwarming to see these two grow up and be confident with their life choices. The friend group was great and added depth to the story. I would definitely read more from the author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the free e-book in exchange for my honest review.