If you are looking for a Rom Com with the perfect amount of steam, then this is it. While the pace of this book is a bit slow, it allows the reader the opportunity to get to know and love the characters. Maggie has the friend group every girl dreams of and now her love life is about to take a turn towards something nice. Who doesn’t love a friends to lovers story!! Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately I found this hard to read and connect to. As someone who loves love-triangles neither option was speaking to me.

Delightfully steamy. This was a fun, fresh read and readers will delight in Taj McCoy's unique voice.

This was just a fun story!!!! I loved everyone in it and the story was highly enjoyable.


Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Truthfully, being honest here is hard, because I really wanted to love this book. Ultimately, I did like the characters, but it made me even more frustrated when their dialogue fell flat and their story did not do them justice. There's very little plot, and the entire story is a love triangle with a very obvious ending. The pacing was really off - some moments between the FMC and her friends felt like filler, with repetitive conversations and extreme detail about what everyone was wearing. On the other hand, the spice scenes started immediately and felt like they were written out of obligation - they went from start to finish quickly and without much actual romance. It's upsetting because I *adore* a friends-to-lovers novel, but while I rooted for the FMC and MMC, every time there should have been a moment I cheered, it fell flat. Also, character development was inconsistent. The FMC is religious, which isn't established until she says grace and has the MMC join her. I recognize that not every character trait has to be fully fleshed out, but it struck me as out of place when it happened without further reflection on her background. Other areas were repetitive - we were told about the MMC's background with his friend Kenny twice in the book, with almost identical language. Despite these shortcomings, I rooted for the characters, and if they felt more real and engaging, this could be a great book.


I recognize it's an ARC, but the extreme amount of formatting and punctuation errors often made me pause and re-read to understand properly, like who was speaking because of misplaced quotes. I know that will be fixed prior to publication, but I also hope the content will be revised as well, because this story has a lot of potential, but falls extremely flat at the moment. I strongly recommend that future books by this publisher have improved formatting prior to requesting reviews from readers, because the left justification, inconsistent line breaks, and lack of punctuation caused distractions. While this did not factor into my review, it did make the reading experience less pleasant.

Friends to lovers is trope sprinkled with a love triangle is growing on me. I enjoyed Maggie's journey to self love and discovery on what she needed from a relationship. I love Savvy and Joan and enjoyed the interconnection from the previous books. Overall, I felt like the book was sold, I didn't feel extremely connected to there one of the MMCs, and at times it felt like chemistry with Maggie was a little forced. I, enjoyed the laughs, and development of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.

And honestly, I disliked this book. From the very first page, I wasn't entertained. I didn't like the writing. There is far too much detail. And yes, I'm an adult, and this is a romance. But the way the bodies were described, it was like things I read when I was a teenager. And unfortunately, that isn't a compliment.

The dialogue felt off to me. The characters weren't interesting or loveable. I didn't even really like them. I just didn't care.

I can't recommend this book to anyone. I really wanted to like it, and the cover is stunning, but this didn't grab me. There were just so many things about it that I couldn't that I didn't like or enjoy.

Maybe her next book will be better but I don't think this author is for me.

Authors, please stop adding so much unnecessary detail. It was such a slog to get through.

1 star.

The concept was super cute. The cover is what initially drew me in and the story ended up being lovely. I rooted so hard for Maggie the entire book. I want to go back and read Savvy’s story now.!

Sometimes the perfect person for you is the one right in front of you.

Maggie wanted love, but was so against the process. Garrett wanted her all to himself but was patient and willing to wait on her. Even if waiting meant watching Maggie kiss a lot of frogs before meeting a suitor worth her time,

This was a fun, spicy friends-to-lovers story that showcases what it means to have true community, romance and self-discovery. Taj McCoy did a great job portraying the characters as if the reader is a part of the friend group. The characters and the situations they face can relate to the reader as though they too could be in Maggie or any other character’s position.

‘The Good Ones Are Taken’ is a great rom-com book from Taj McCoy that I most definitely recommend.

Actual Rating: 3.5

The Good Ones Are Taken follows 38 year old Tax Attorney Maggie as she attempts to navigate dating and finding a wedding date for a friend’s wedding later in the year. Maggie meets supposedly perfect Blake but also learns her best friend of 20 years, Garrett has always had a thing for her.

This was a cute Black romance with a fun variety of characters. Each girl in the friend group seems to have a fun personality that really helps create some memorable moments. Although each girl being their own character is great, it did end up meaning that I didn’t love Maggie herself. Maggie is stubborn and kind of brash which I didn’t vibe with compared to some of the other side characters. It also seems like Maggie probably appears/plays a large role in McCoy’s debut “Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell” which I have not read. Maybe I would have felt differently about some of the characters if I had read Savvy’s story first. I also just got a bit frustrated with how Maggie handled the Love Triangle she found herself a part of. There’s some clear moments where I genuinely questioned how a 38 year old, educated woman would make a certain decision.

Overall, even though I had some slight gripes with the character, The Good Ones Are Taken was a fun and fairly fast romance. There were a few fun and spicy scenes, plenty of “Good Girls” and some great comeback one-liners (mostly since Maggie is very sassy 😂). I definitely recommend this for a plus-size black romance featuring some hot men and great friendships!

I received an Advanced Copy of this book and it did contain a multitude of spelling errors and just plot/setting mistakes. I believe this version will go through another round of editing between the copy I read and the eventual published version though and that did not play into my rating here.

4/5 stars,

Such a cozy read. I loved the vibes and I was easily Team Garrett. I will be getting the physical copy when this book comes out so I can have it on my shelf!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC of The Good Ones Are Taken!

Summary:
After a bad breakup, Maggie wants to find her Prince Charming, but all she’s finding are frogs. When her best friends, Savvy and Joan, apply pressure and demand she find a date worthy of attending their respective weddings, she agrees to take her own advice and try online dating. Since she's the maid of honor for both weddings, her bridal party duties are massive, but both brides insist that Maggie prioritize finding a date. After an onslaught of maybes, noes, and hell noes, she’s close to giving up, when she meets a handsome doctor at the gym who just might be the one.

Meanwhile, her college bestie, Garrett, throws salt in everyone’s game. At every turn, he points out the red flags and tells Maggie to keep looking. Things come to a head when Maggie demands that Garrett be happy for her, and he finally admits that he can’t. Not when he’s not with her. When he blurts out his feelings, Maggie’s world is turned upside down. Now she must choose between the perfect guy and a friendship that is the foundation for everything she’s ever wanted.

Review:
This was a fun rom-com about a confident, successful woman. I loved her relationships with her dad and her friends. Maggie and Garrett's friendship is so strong and secure that you can really get why she is afraid to explore taking the friendship farther. At the risk of spoilers, I felt that there definitely was not as much chemistry with the doctor. He obviously did not get her as well as Garrett did. Also, the descriptions of food were fantastic! I had to snack the entire time I was reading. This was a fun story and I'm glad I read it.

A wonderful look at the complexities that often face professionals in the black community looking for love. Looking at it mainly through the eyes of Maggie who is a 38 year old tax attorney, it is a boisterous ride. Readers have to be willing to open their minds to new experiences and go on this adventure with her. She comes out better for it and so will you. You will meet a wonderful community of characters who are her friends that will make you laugh. The plot will keep you turning the pages and renew your belief in friendship and true love.

All the Single Ladies will relate to this book!
I was grateful to read an Arc of The Good Ones are Taken and I had so much fun doing so!
Maggie is such a relatable character, especially being the only single friend out of her friend group. You are rooting for her to find her one true match, and laughing alone the way at all the shenanigans that Tinder puts you through.

Garrett has you swooning and smiling from ear to ear! If this man exists in real life, please let me know.

The Good Ones are Taken is a perfect book for the romcom lovers, you won’t want to put it down and it might make you want to redownload Tinder. 😉

"The Good Ones Are Taken" by Taj McCoy promises a delightful rom-com exploring the complexities of friendship, romance, and the pursuit of true love. The storyline revolves around Maggie, who, after a challenging breakup, embarks on a quest for her Prince Charming, navigating the unpredictable world of online dating.

The friends-to-lovers trope, with Maggie's best friend Garrett revealing his feelings for her, adds an intriguing twist to the narrative. This revelation sets the stage for emotional turmoil and self-discovery as Maggie must choose between a potentially perfect romantic connection and the deep bond she shares with Garrett.

The bridal party duties and the pressure to find a suitable date for her friends' weddings create a humorous backdrop, promising moments of laughter and relatable experiences for readers. The challenges and absurdities of online dating, portrayed through Maggie's encounters with various prospects, add a contemporary and realistic touch to the story.

The internal conflict faced by Maggie, torn between the pursuit of romantic love and the preservation of her friendship with Garrett, suggests a nuanced exploration of emotions and priorities. This conflict is likely to resonate with readers who have grappled with the complexities of balancing romantic and platonic relationships.

The character dynamics, including the meddling but well-intentioned friends Savvy and Joan, contribute to the ensemble cast, offering a rich and supportive backdrop for Maggie's journey. The setting of weddings and bridal party preparations provides a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere, creating a sense of anticipation and festivity.

The book's description hints at moments of humor, emotional depth, and the exploration of themes such as friendship, love, and self-discovery. The revelation of Garrett's feelings adds a layer of tension and intrigue, propelling the narrative forward.

In summary, "The Good Ones Are Taken" appears to be a charming romantic comedy that combines elements of humor, friendship, and the complexities of love. With its relatable themes, well-drawn characters, and the promise of an engaging plot, the book seems poised to offer readers an enjoyable and heartwarming reading experience.

A fun romcom - nothing new here but entertaining. More character development is needed but a cute book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley provided an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

This book did not for hit the mark for me. The pacing was too slow, the FMC wasn’t likable, and there was too much superfluous detail that didn’t advance the main plot at all.

I really like Taj McCoy's writing style!! This story was fun and lighthearted and steamy. Friends to lovers will always be superior. I had such a great time reading this.

Taj McCoy can do no wrong. I think she writes "woman torn between two men" so well. LOL. I know that is a very crazy critique, but it is true. I really enjoyed this book so much.

I had the pleasure of reading the ARC of "The Good Ones Are Taken" by Taj McCoy, and I really enjoyed it. The book is a heartwarming romance that tells the story of Maggy, who is struggling to find love after a recent break-up. Her two girlfriends are getting married, while her best friend, Garrett (who happens to be male) is still single. They spend a lot of time together while their other friends are in pre-marital bliss.

One of the things I appreciated about the book was how the author explored the complexities of the dating scene these days. Taj does an excellent job of capturing the ups and downs of dating, especially at the age where everyone has already found love and starting their own families.

In the story, Maggie starts to use online apps to help find her new love interest, and with the help of Garrett swiping left (and right), she goes out on a few dates. It was hilarious reading about the failed dates, and Garrett being there as the "911" in case she needed to end the date quickly.

The story flowed seamlessly and was really easy to get lost in. If you are familiar with the Friends-to-Lovers trope, this book begins similarly to a lot of other books within the trope. You know how it's going to end, just based on the feelings expressed, but with this one, you didn't know how the author would get there, and I appreciated that.

Overall, "The Good Ones Are Taken" is a delightful and lighthearted romance that I definitely recommend!