Member Reviews
Not Just Gal Pals is the cutest book! I’m quite literally obsessed with it now. It was fun, light, and happy.
This story follows Jenny, a social media influencer, who travels back home for a wedding (and for not so fun reasons like being in the midst of getting cancelled). She’s forced to work with Blake, the only doctor in town, to save the bachelorette party. The development of their friendship leading up to the relationship was just done so lovely! It flowed perfectly and, given the timeline, it never felt rushed.
I really loved every single side character that popped up in this book, but George will forever be my favorite! The writing for each character was so well done, especially with the dual POVs. I never once had to think about whose POV it was.
Overall, this was a lovely read. I will definitely be picking up more books by Elizabeth Luly!!
This book was a classic sweet romance with a popular trope-oblivious to lovers.
I loved the location and the character development and their love story.
Reading ‘Not Just Gal Pals’ was like enjoying a sugary sweet, hot latte on an cosy autumn morning. The depiction of an enemies? Rivals? Frenemies? To lovers sapphic romance with a country town during fall setting would be the perfect read for helping ease you out of those post summer blues and prepare you for the change of the season.
The plot and tone being reminiscent of a Hallmark channel romance special, this is the perfect book to cosy up on the sofa and fall in love.
The book is an exciting start to a new romance series, and sets the tone perfectly.
This was a really sweet romance set in a lovely small town in upstate New York. I really loved the characters and the supportive community vibe. The pets needing to be friends as well was a very realistic touch!
I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves romance novels.
A sapphic fall rom com featuring a cancelled influencer who wants to get away and lay low for a while in her hometown Sapphire Springs and the town's only doctor who has always had a crush on her since high school. Jenny Lynton kind of landed on the job as an influencer, but after an unfortunate results in her being cancelled she decides to extend her stay in her hometown, Sapphire Springs, New York while she waits out the storm of her cancelled career. Jenny spends her time helping one of her best friend's with her wedding planning... but that means working with Blake Mitchell, the one woman who just dislikes Jenny and she can't figure out why (it doesn't help that Jenny is also attracted to Blake). Blake Mitchell is Sapphire Spring's only doctor and she has had a crush on Jenny since high school, the only issue is that whenever Jenny is around she just can't seem to think straight and just kind of comes off standoffish despite how hard she tries to not be awkward. Yet with Jenny back in town it's Blake's chance to give it another try and maybe finally show Jenny how she actually feels. Yet with Jenny's career in LA being in the view and the complicated feelings between them, can Jenny and Blake find a way to make it work? This was a fun and cute sapphic fall romance complete with Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice fun, fall dates, and cute moments. Definitely a fun read for the autumn time!
*Thanks Netgalley and West Brunswick Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
Thank you to NetGalley and West Brunswick Press for approving my request to read an arc of this book
Not Just Gal Pals had been on my radar for a little while and I was pretty certain I would love it because it contains one of my favourite tropes - oblivious to lovers- and so I was so excited when I got approved to read an arc. I really enjoyed this book, it was light hearted and fluffy without the major angst that I always dread with romance novels. I loved the characters and the idyllic setting. It’s set in November so it makes for a lovely cozy night read with blankets and hot chocolate.
Not Just Gal Pals is a lighthearted and fast read and absolutely perfect to read during Fall and/or winter. The story follows Blake and Jenny, who both have to deal with past heartbreaks on top of their different problems. I loved the small town setting as well as the diverse cast of characters a lot. It has a grumpy x sunshine trope, cute animal companions, wonderful friendships and many many cozy emotions.
This book was pretty much exactly as advertised, a cute fall rom-com that was easy to read and relatively low-angst. The characters were likable and the romance was both sweet and spicy.
At times predictable and not overly deep, it was still a pleasant and romantic read and the epilogue had me smiling by the end. A worthwhile book if you’re looking for something fun and easy that you can finish in a weekend. Preferably with a pumpkin spiced latte in your hand and a chill in the air.
I received an ARC copy via Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
This is as happy and light read as the cute cover makes it to be. Jenny Lynton is making a living being a social media influencer. When a cancel culture post hits her numbers she decides to return home to Sapphire Springs for a few months. While home she throws herself into helping with her friends bachelorette party and wedding. (I love the Austin inspired tea party and games.) It puts her working with Dr. Blake Mitchell. Blake is the towns doctor and the two went to HS together. Blake is sweet as the smart and caring doctor who still gets tongued tied around her teen crush Jenny.
The two know their time together is limited as Jenny plans to return to her influencer life but agree their attraction can’t be ignored. I like that although this looks like a friends with benefits story there is run ins and activities that seem like dates before things heat up. This is predictable and I don’t care. This is small town dating, fall hikes, corn mazes and Thanksgiving fun runs. Very enjoyable. I am looking forward to George’s story. Thank you to NetGalley and West Brunswick Press for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
I really enjoyed this book! Did I read it in one sitting because I had to know the outcome, yes. Was it worth it? Also yes. Jenny and Blame are an adorable couple and their inner monologues on their relationship as it progresses is honest, realistic but also hilarious. There were a few times I had to pause for slighter to stop so I could continue to read. I was so excited to bet this ARC and I am so happy that it did not disappoint.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my first ARC ever and making it a memorable one. While the pacing for me was a little slow near the 60% to 80% mark I still had a lot of laughs with book, the tension and the spice between Jenny and Blake is *chef kiss*. I especially loved the little inner thoughts they each have most of them being relatable and just flat out entertaining. Jenny and Blake have so many cute fluffy moments which made me feel single af and so now I wish I had someone to watch “it’s so bad they’re good” holiday movies with. This book also has references and scenes of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Taylor Swift plus he secret pining while thinking other hates them is the cherry on top for this debut book!
OKAY SO this is my new favorite romance book, hands down. I’m obsessed with Jenny and Blake. Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, sapphic romance? Honestly, what more can you want. I know it’s August 1st, but I’m ready for hot cider, pumpkins, and thanksgiving. This is the perfect novel for fall and warm fuzzies. The pining, the yearning, the tension, the slow burn. Also, grand gestures, as cliche as they are, make my heart melt, and this book executed that perfectly. Will definitely be reading again and recommending to all of my friends.