
Member Reviews

Don't get me wrong, this story is lovely and sweet and I really enjoy Katelyn Doyle's writing, but I just couldn't get over my issues with the characters. Enemies to lovers and second chance romances are usually some of my favorite romance tropes, and that portion of this story delivered in lovely ways. The only issue I really have with this story is that I almost feel like they would be better off apart?
I go into every read looking to see how strongly I am rooting for the characters to get their happy ending and to be together, but in this instance, I just was left disappointed in Seth. We see him be incredibly understanding of Molly and her insecurities. He witnessed the things she had been through firsthand so he had a great frame of reference for why she behaved a certain way. This is what made the proposal such a disappointing moment for me. This moment seemed to be what detached me from really connecting anymore with the story, because for the person who was supposed to understand her the best, he should have known this grand gesture was not what she needed and that it was more self-serving than actually a romantic gesture for her. While the author did a fantastic job of really developing their chemistry, it left me frustrated to have it almost cheapened in this way.
What I did love here was depicting a relationship that had flaws. I know this is a bit hypocritical after what I just wrote, but there was still something to be said for showing a relationship between real people, which means flawed people. There are always going to be misunderstandings or fights in couples and it was refreshing to see that portrayed and in how they would work through those things together, which is why the proposal was so frustrating.
Overall this was an interesting read that I was glad I got the chance to read, just some frustrations with how the ending played out.
Many thanks to Flatiron Books for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I had a love hate relationship with this story all the way through. Both characters had their cringe moments but both characters also had some trauma and personal issues to work through and well isn't that the way with most romance stories. I think I was expecting more com with this story and needed the laugh out loud moments to balance the cinnamon roll "he falls first" and her stalwart "I'm not a believer in love" rom com script writer. It had some great moments and others felt like they were just plot devices. All in all 3.5 stars.

Molly Marks hates romance and doesn't believe in it which is ironic because she wrote two successful romcom screenplays. She thinks it's all fine on the screen but in reality, not so much since her parents had a tumultuous divorce and she broke up with her then high school boyfriend, Seth.
Fast forward 15 years later and Molly is at her high school reunion with friends and sees Seth. She is a bit acerbic while he is all charm and fluff. While sitting together, they realize the sparks are still there and hookup later that night. Seth knows she is the one who got away and wants to prove that they are soulmates. They bet on 5 couples that they know to see if they will stay together or break up and will check back in 5 years at the next reunion. One of those couples is them.
The chapters are written in dual POV with some timeline jumping between past, present, and future. I loved the banter between Molly and Seth and I was rooting for them the whole time. There are some spicy scenes but nothing too hardcore. (3/5).
Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron books for this romcom.

This one started super cute, but really fizzled in the middle.
I absolutely loved Molly, a pessimistic rom-com writer, and her bet with Seth in the beginning of the book. This book is a typical rom-com, without any unique elements, which was exactly what I was looking for. I loved the character development of Molly even though it took far longer than I wanted. I also loved her friends as side characters. My only complaint is this book could have been 50ish pages shorter. It lagged in the middle and I got bored. Had it not been for the audio, I don’t know if I would have finished. That is to say, the audio is so fun!

2! While I can see many readers enjoying the premise of this story, it just didn’t work for me. The MMC’s personality wasn’t to my taste, and I struggled to connect with their dynamic. However, I can understand how others might find it appealing.

Cute love story. I did find the fact that the one really spicy scene was actually cyber sex a little odd…and also felt like the story could have been shorter. But I liked the main characters and felt their connection

Second chance romance… typically not my genre but I really enjoyed this one.
I allllmost DNF’d this in the beginning but glad I stuck it out. I thought it was going to be same old same old but it turned around me.
I liked the banter between the two characters and the dual POV.
Super quick read. Loved the ending.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the advanced copy!

Sharp, funny, and irresistibly romantic! Doyle’s fresh take on love stories is both hilarious and heartfelt—this one’s a must-read for rom-com fans.

Thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for my gifted copy!
What a fun way to tell a story! I really enjoyed this debut story about this second chance black cat and golden retriever couple.
Some of my favorite moments were the little things, such as respecting people’s boundaries throughout the story. There were times where one of the MCs asked the other not to contact them, and they took them at their word.
I also truly appreciate the length of time this story took. It shows that not everything happens fast, but sometimes the growth that happens over time makes it a true self discovery story at heart!
Overall a solid read, and I enjoyed the story structure a lot!

Fun read and appreciated the new twist to what would keep the two main characters coming back togehter in proximity over the five years but lacked the depth I was hoping for. Cute fluff and enjoyable but not a stand out.

Katelyn Doyle's Just Some Stupid Love Story offers a fresh take on the second-chance romance trope, blending humor and heartfelt moments. The novel follows Molly Marks, a rom-com screenwriter disillusioned with love, and Seth Rubinstein, a divorce attorney who remains a hopeless romantic. Their unexpected reunion at a high school event sets the stage for a compelling exploration of love and personal growth.
Doyle crafts a narrative that delves into the complexities of rekindled relationships. The chemistry between Molly and Seth is palpable, and their interactions are both witty and emotionally charged. The author's portrayal of their journey is both engaging and relatable, making it easy for readers to become invested in their story.
While the novel shines in character development and dialogue, there are moments where the pacing feels uneven, which can momentarily pull readers out of the narrative. However, these instances are few and do not overshadow the overall enjoyment of the story. Just Some Stupid Love Story is a delightful read that balances humor with genuine emotion, making it a worthy addition to any romance enthusiast's collection.

I think the premise of this story is something that most would enjoy, but unfortunately does not work well with me. I think the mmc's personality was just not for me, and I didn't really enjoy their dynamic with each other, but I could see other's finding it enjoyable.
I have a few friends who have also read this and loved it, so I just know that I am not the correct audience for it! Would def suggest you give it a try if you are looking for a book with a second-chance romance :)

Fan-flipping-tastic!! I listened to the audio of this one after it released and I have to say.....WOW!
I laughed, I got a little misty eyed, I had ALL of the feels which is EXACTLY what romance is supposed to do! I LOVED this one! So so SO good! Definitely interested in other works by this author!
Congrats to you Katelyn Doyle!
You crushed it!

Man this one ripped my heart out and then put it back together.
Molly is a cynic, especially when it comes to love. The kicker? She writes rom-coms for a living. The night of graduation Molly breaks it off with the one man she’s ever loved— Seth Rubinstein.
Seth is a hopeless romantic, constantly looking for the one. But surprisingly, he also just so happens to be a divorce attorney!?
On the night of their 15 year high school reunion, the two reunite… and just so happen to be stuck at the same table. After a drunken hookup, the two make a bet— 5 years, 5 couples and whether they’ll still be together. If Molly is right, love doesn’t exist. If Seth is right, soul mates are real. The 5th couple? Molly and Seth. Seth tells Molly she’ll be madly in love with him, Molly says he’s delusional.
Gosh I absolutely love a second chance, grumpy/sunshine novel! Molly struggles with trusting herself (and others), which makes it so hard for her to have a relationship. After watching her parents ugly divorce, she’s not sure she can trust someone that deeply. After all, they’ll just end up leaving. It was so painful to watch Molly continue to self sabotage. (Don’t worry there’s a happy ending 🫶🏻)
Read if you like:
• second chance romances
• grumpy/sunshine
• opposites attract
• mutual pining

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle is a charming and witty enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract romance that kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish. As a self-proclaimed rom-com addict, this book had all the right elements: smart banter, sizzling chemistry, and an engaging premise. The characters were well-developed, and I found it easy to connect with both the protagonists and the supporting cast.
The story kicks off with a high school reunion where Molly, a grumpy, pessimist rom-com screenwriter, and Seth, the ever-sunny "golden retriever boy" divorce attorney, cross paths once again. They share a heated one-night stand that sparks a bet—predicting the fates of five couples, including their own, over the next five years. As their story unfolds over the course of the timeline, the dual perspectives (Molly's and Seth's) add depth to the characters, making their evolving relationship feel more authentic.
Molly and Seth's dynamic is an absolute joy to read, particularly because of their opposites-attract chemistry. The story cleverly twists the classic grumpy-sunshine trope, with Molly playing the more cynical role and Seth embodying the upbeat, idealistic side of love. This dynamic, combined with their witty dialogue and undeniable attraction, creates an engaging and fun romance.
One of the standout aspects of this book is Seth's unwavering care for Molly. His sincerity and devotion to her, despite her reluctance to fully embrace love, added a heartwarming layer to the narrative. It’s clear that Seth's character is more than just a trope—he’s thoughtful and complex, which made him all the more lovable.
However, while I thoroughly enjoyed the character development and banter, the extended timeline felt a bit too long for my taste. The plot mirrors the structure of the movie The Five-Year Engagement—and much like that film, the pacing dragged at times. The story could have been tightened up if condensed to a two-year span, providing a more focused narrative and keeping the momentum going. The last third of the book, though a bit dramatic and angsty, still kept me hooked.
Molly’s character took a little longer to warm up to, as her pessimistic outlook on love and reluctance to commit initially felt off-putting. However, her growth over the course of the story was satisfying, and by the end, I found myself rooting for her just as much as I was for Seth.
Overall, Just Some Stupid Love Story is an enjoyable, well-crafted rom-com that hit all the right notes for a delightful read. While the pacing could have been improved, the chemistry between the characters, the humor, and the depth of the romance made it a satisfying experience. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on Katelyn Doyle’s future works, as she has earned a spot among my favorite romance authors.
**Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

There's more depth to Just Some Stupid Love Story than I expected, and that's more than fine with me. While remaining a hopeful and humorous romance, the story addresses longing, conflict of interest, and friendships along the way.
Molly is a rom-com writer who no longer believe in such things in real life. When she's seated at a dinner next to divorce attorney Seth, who maintains that she's the love of his life since they met 10 years ago. Seth is a true romantic who believes in great loves and whose law practice focuses on helping people through hardship. The two make a bet - whoever can predict the fate of five couples, one of which is the two of them - will be declared correct in their beliefs about love. The timeline - 5 years, aka until their next high school reunion. What follows is the ebb and flow of Molly and Seth's predictions, their friendships and those friends' lives, and the development of their own relationship.
This is one of the best romance stories I've read in a long time.

This was an emotional rollercoaster -- will then won't they again and again! There were just so many third act breakups types of moments that would give you whiplash. Seth is an angel and deserved so much better. Molly hmm... I just still don't like her and don't believe she'll love him well. The relationship outcome felt unbalanced and Seth needed an intervention from his friends to just walk away haha... and Molly needs years of therapy and self-interception before she can commit to anyone.
There were aspects of it when I hope that I would like the story, that the FMC will pleasantly surprise me, when I actually really enjoyed myself to then be disappointed again.
Now, maybe that rollercoaster is an attempt to be more realistic than the feel-good rom-coms out there, and if you're looking for something like that you might actually really appreciate their relationship journey.

I really enjoyed this cute romance. Molly and Seth were high school sweethearts that had a bitter break up. Molly is the cynical one yet writes romantic comedies, while Seth is the romantic that becomes a divorce lawyer reunited after a 15 year time gap. I really enjoyed their comedic banter and back and forth over the years, when it seems like it’s never the right time for this couple.. It will frustrate you but also give you butterfly flutters. I look forward to Doyle’s next novel

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle is a quirky, engaging ride through the highs and lows of modern romance. Doyle’s witty and sharp prose breathes life into her characters, making them feel like old friends who you can’t help but root for. The book is peppered with humor that keeps you chuckling and turning pages, even when you can predict the next twist. It’s a delightful, feel-good read that you’ll enjoy curling up with, deserving a solid 3.5 stars for its charm and humor.