Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read early in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed most of this book. If you loved The Hating Game(I certainly did), then this book will be for you.

The tropes were there (kinda enemies to lovers, workplace romance).

Some of it did drag on, and I didn’t overly enjoy that Casey and Alex just went forever without talking/reaching out to one another.

Still a solid read.

I love a good workplace rom-com so I was excited to start Love Interest. The book starts with Casey waiting to find out if she got the promotion she’s been fighting for only to find out it’s been given to the company chairman’s son. Queue the enemies-to-lovers shenanigans.

There were A LOT of things to love about this one. It felt like a real slice of life look at working in a corporate office without being dull - if I wanted dull I’d just go WORK in a corporate office lol. The two main characters had great chemistry without it feeling too over done. My favorite part was probably how well flushed out all the side characters ended up being too.

Overall there were a few things I would have liked done better, mainly speaking of pacing, but it was a great book. Especially for a debut!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I found this one right when I wanted a light, fun read and it perfectly delivers a cute romcom. This is just perfect for fans of the tropes - enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance and forced proximity. Casey finds herself rejected for a job that she was so excited about and finds out one of the director’s sons, Alex landing the exact same job. No wonder she was furious but she finds an instant chemistry between them and working together brings them much closer. It was also nice to see the crackling tension and angst between them and Alex was clearly an amazing boyfriend. In addition to their romance, both are also dealing with their own personal struggles and support each other in facing their lives.

Fun, very quick read. I blew right through this one, and so enjoyed both Alex and Casey. Their characters were multifaceted, and engaging. Loved the style of dialogue.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"Love Interest" by Clare Gilmore is a funny and sweet contemporary romance that I would definitely recommend. We follow Casey and Alex as they transform from workplace rivals (whose antagonistic interactions are snappy and charming) to friends and then romantic partners. This book has great side characters and a unique backstory for the leads; throughout the story, I found myself rooting for their individual and joint success. This book was charming and fun; it would be great to read on vacation or on a lazy afternoon!

Everyone loves a workplace enemies to lovers, and this book was no exception. It is always amazing to watch characters grow into themselves, and we definitely saw that character development in love interest. Casey was willing to admit she was wrong about Alex sometimes, but she was also not honest at some point. Watching Alex and Casey overcome their own issues together was an intriguing read, especially with Casey’s over analytical mind. Each character had a goal that they set their mind to, which also helped drive the plot of book, as we read about each character attempting to reach them, and find places for each other in their lives as well

If you are a fan of the hating game, I think you might enjoy this one!

Read if you like:
🪷enemies-to-lovers
🗞️coworkers
🪷he falls first
🗞️forced proximity

I really enjoyed the theme of this book: finding your legacy. It definitely made me think.

The first half of this book felt very slow for me, but it picks up in the second half and that’s really when I started to love this book. Alex and Casey were so good together. They really made each other the best versions of themselves.

This one is out 10/10 and I would recommend keeping an eye out for it and reading it! I can’t wait to see what else Clare Gilmore has in store for us! I did receive an early copy of this book; all opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️

Such a beautiful story about creating your own legacy and following your dreams even when they aren’t tangible. Gosh I loved the meanings behind this story. It was incredibly written the style seemed almost whimsical at times and I enjoyed the pacing so much. Casey was relatable and I liked that this was single pov and we really got a lot of character development for her. The fact that her and Alex’s stories paralleled in some ways really drove in their connection and added to their dynamic. He made it so hard for her to hate him and I loved that. They had incredible banter and chemistry so palpable other characters everyone around them picked up in it. I want to back up and just say their meet cute had me laughing so much and his nicknames for her are everything. There was a great group of side characters and representation. I would not consider this to have a true third but can’t explain why without giving to much away. However I will say that the way these two show their love is soul deep and absolutely made me ugly cry with how much emotion is behind it, the London scenes in particular.

Overall this was a stellar read and debut novel perfect for people who love workplace romances, funny elevator moments, great side characters, enemies-ish to lovers, banter, healing journeys, open door that fades to back and characters that are relatable.

Casey and Alex shine as work rivals and more in Love Interest by Clare Gilmore. When Alex gets the job Casey wants but they have to work together, Casey is forced to confront her animosity toward Alex as well as her career goals.
Two of my favorite tropes in this story - workplace romance and forced proximity - were executed to perfection. I loved the fleshed out office setting with employee archetypes everyone knows, and I was so invested in all the characters Gilmore introduced. Casey and Alex's dry humor was so fun and made them a great match. In the last 30% of the book, there were so many quotes that I am still obsessed with. I loved this debut and can't wait for more from Clare Gilmore!

I loved this book! I was invested from the very first chapter. Casey and Alex go from office enemies who have to work together on a project to something more. Their evolution from enemies to lovers was everything I could have asked for. I also enjoyed the evolution of each of the main characters and learning more of their backgrounds. I couldn't put the book down and can't wait for future books from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of 'Love Interest'.

Big shoutout to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing the ARC for Clare Gilmore’s debut, Love Interest.
I’m obsessed with this book!

Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
A Small Dose of Fake Dating

Whatever romantic trope you’re looking for, this one will check the box.
Casey Maitland has just been rejected from an exciting career pivot at LC Publications when she discovers that she was rejected in favor of the son of one of the board members, Alex Harrison. Alex is everything that Casey isn’t- wildly good with people, terrible at fiscal responsibility, and determined to make Casey like him.

The premise might seem predictable, but the story was amazing. Definitely a binge read! An amazing debut! I will read anything else she publishes!
This one is out October 10th! You have to check it out!

📚NETGALLEY REVIEW📚

Love Interest by Clare Gilmore ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casey has been working her way up at Little Cooper, so when the job she wants goes to the devastatingly handsome Alex, her instinct is to hate him. However, through work they tear each others walls down. Can they work together as friends, or will their mutual attraction become too much?

I’m here for all the enemies to lovers/coworkers romances, and this one is no exception. The characters were written in a way that you couldnt help but be invested in the outcome. I truly enjoyed this debut novel.

This comes out October 10th! Make sure you throw this on your tbr.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

I didn’t realize at first that this was a debut novel, for that- it was a great first book! I did find the writing a bit choppy at times but overall enjoyed this cute story. There was a lot of side characters, some I cared about more than others.

Casey works in finance at a media company. She gets turned down for a new position and instantly dislikes Alex who gets the job. As the two work closely together, they both see each other in a new light.

Such a great debut novel! Swoony and delightful! I enjoyed reading Casey and Alex's connection growing from enemies to more. There were light hearted moments that made me laugh while other moments that at my heart.

This had a bunch of my favorite tropes:

Enemies to lovers ✔️
He falls first ✔️
Workplace romance ✔️

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was a pretty delightful read. The tension was evident at the beginning and I enjoyed reading Casey and Alex's connection growing from enemies to more. There were light hearted moments that made me laugh while other moments that tugged at my heart.

I did have some issues with the flow of the book. With this being the author's debut book, the paragraphs felt choppy and the fluidity of the story was not the best. I enjoyed the author's context and character development and I think with time it will only get better.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I love this hilarious, swoony, heart-filled romance that Clare has written. Such rich characters and a story that gripped me, I loved it from start to finish.

3.5 stars!! This was a super cute read :). I LOVED the entire New York enemies to lovers dynamic!! Every little thing Alex said or did had me on a chokehold; it's so obvious he has always cared about her and it's so beautifully written. The tension between them UFFF. What I would say in terms of things I didn't like is the amount of extra information. For example when another character asks a question, Casey starts going on about her stepdad and her dad's love story which is kind of irrelevant to the current situation? But anyways, such a fun one-time read to just cuddle up to. Can't wait for this author's future works!

I’ve tried to read this book a few times now and it’s not holding my interest. Just within the first few chapters, so many characters have been introduced that I’m finding it hard to remember everyone’s role. I am so thankful for the opportunity to read this book, however, I won’t continue.

Clare Gilmore's debut is a sparkling delight!

I was thrilled to receive an early copy of Love Interest for review. Set in New York City, this romance feels like Sex and the City meets Gossip Girl but with a more diverse, fun, and loving set of characters. Casey and Alex have nothing in common, except they both applied for the same job. Alex gets it (of course, the Ivy League nepo baby he is) and Casey is stuck with a compromise: if she gets the magazine subsidiary off the ground, she can transfer to London. A move to London to follow her dead mother's footsteps is a bucket-list item so Casey eagerly accepts. What she can't anticipate is how addicting Alex is once she gets to know him. Between his charming personality, his wonderful smile, and the fact that he just might not be as much of a spoiled nepo baby as she once thought, Casey's a goner. But something fishy is going on at their company and her transfer to London is looming in the background. Can these two make it work, or were they always destined to fail?

I LOVED this book! Casey and Alex are still wandering around in my mind several days after finishing their story.

This is a co-worker romance, which starts out rocky as Alex gets the job Casey was gunning for. However, they get over that fairly quickly and become friends, and then more, as they continue working together and get to know each other.

The book has some great prose (Clare Gilmore can write!) as well as some nuanced and lovely character exploration and growth. Yes, the separation that inevitably comes between Casey and Alex is predictable, but it doesn't feel tropey - you understand exactly why they each make the choices they do.

I really enjoyed this book. The best co-worker romance I've read since one of my favs, The Hating Game. Looking forward to reading more from this debut author if this is her first go at it! Thanks for NetGalley for the ARC.