This was my first book by Katelyn Doyle and I did like it. For me, it is a solid 4 stars. She did great with character development, and conversations between the characters. Sometimes this is had to get across in a meaningful way. There were some obvious tropes, and phrase, but, isn't that all kind of what we're hoping for in the end?

This was a cute story! It’s the first I’ve read by Katelyn Doyle, and I was pulled in from the start. Just a good comedic romance with snappy dialog and great chemistry between the MCs. Molly’s issues were frustrating at times but worth it for the HEA. 4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

FOUR STARS! ****

This was my first book by Katelyn Doyle and I really enjoyed it. The writing was good; conversations between characters flowed and felt natural. I really liked the growth that both characters seemed to have. Parts of the storyline were very obvious and done before (I got SITC flashbacks with the "don't ever get married" part) but it didn't take away my enjoyment of this story.

I don't know what it is, but lately, I have been loving romances that involve a screenwriter. Totally random, I know, but I feel like I've read several of these books lately. This fact alone may lead you to think I would grow tiresome of the same storyline, but nope! Just Some Stupid Love Story felt fresh and unique even though I've read multiple versions of the story basically back to back. I loved that it was told over the course of 5 years, yet it didn't feel like we were missing big important details. The MMC wasn't my favorite MMC I've ever read, but that was my only complaint. I loved this book. Highly recommend!

Full review to come closer to pub date.

OH MY GOD YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. But don’t start it too late in the day because you’ll end up going to bed at three am and then lying there for an hour thinking about it before you actually fall asleep and then neglecting all the things you’re supposed to do when you wake up to finish it. And definitely don’t start it without Kleenex within reach. And for sure don’t start it if you’re not ready to feel every single emotion a human is capable of feeling in such quick succession you will feel like a wrung out sponge at the end. And absolutely do not start it if you’re committed to being cynical about love because this will blow that possibility out of the water. Just read it. Immediately.

I loved the premise of this story. But a few things fell flat for me. The timeframe felt just a bit too long. While things were happening, I wanted more romance. They were only actually together for a few months the second time, before they stayed together for good? I found it hard to keep track of how much time had passed. Molly had a therapist but never seemed to make any progress? I just wish there was more obvious growth sooner in her character. Seth’s voice felt really feminine or maybe just too similar to Molly’s? I noticed it seemed like he kept saying “fun” or “yum.” I just searched “yum” and I guess it was only four times, whoops. He also felt naive at points, like he really didn’t talk to Molly about moving or engagement before?

‘She’s a rom-com screenwriter who doesn’t believe in love… He’s a divorce lawyer who is a hopeless romantic… They did not work out in the past…but will they now?’

Oh, let me tell you about this gem of a book! It's like a whirlwind of emotions wrapped in a hilarious package. Picture this: snappy dialogue that'll have you snorting with laughter, steamy scenes that'll make you reach for the nearest fan, and a dash of yearning and heartbreak that'll tug at your heartstrings until you're left a puddle of emotions. It's rom-com gold, folks! "Just Some Stupid Love Story" by Katelyn Doyle isn't just a read, it's an experience. After devouring this masterpiece, I'm itching for more of Doyle's magic.

What to Love:
- Second Chance Romance
- Dual POV
- Sizzling Chemistry
- Friendship, Growth, Forgiveness, and Love

Let me just say that I would be in therapy at least 2x a week if I were either of these people but especially Molly. Her therapist is mentioned entirely too few times for my personal taste because she is being destroyed by her own mind and it is detrimental to my health.

I wanted so desperately for both Seth and Molly to be happy but also to be kind to themselves, and it had me kicking my legs screaming into a pillow that they kept falling into the exact same patterns with each other.

Their chemistry is instant but also so hesitant as they’ve both been hurt by Molly. Seth throws himself directly into the frying pan over and over, and Molly hangs out in the fire with occasional desperate attempts to join him on the cooking surface of her own creation.

They are so good for each other, but the second they’re apart they start collapsing. And I mean long distance but also, like. Seth goes to the grocery store and Molly has an existential crisis, and then Seth fails to read the room because the existential crisis is or about him specifically so he figures it’s fine.

The side characters are what made this for me, though. They not only made Seth and Molly more dimensional but they also had so much draw themselves. Their plots being woven in amidst Seth and Molly’s added so many lawyers of depth and contrast.

Overall I think everyone’s problems would be solved or at least minimized if we *ahem* took care of Molly’s dad (why are you talking to him again!!!!) and (spoiler) Rob. Both of them can eat bees.

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle pairs rom-com writer Molly Marks with divorce lawyer Seth Rubenstein, who meet not so cute at their high school reunion.. The problem is that Molly dumped Seth hard fifteen years before and neither of them has gotten over it. Maybe the real problem is that although Molly writes romantic comedies for a living, she doesn't believe in love or romance and tends to sabotage every relationship she's ever been in. Seth, on the other hand, is a divorce lawyer who believes in happy ever after so much that he turns ever relationship into a love story from start. The two start an unlikely, and often ill-fated relationship that spans five years

While there are some moments of fun banter between the two main characters, and the side characters add depth to the story, the book was, for me, difficult to get through with much enjoyment. .It felt very much like Seth was a masochist and Molly was his favorite dominatrix. this is the couple that if you were around in real life you ask yourself repeatedly why they are together.. By the end of the book, neither of them have actively done any work on the issues that they know they have. . I really wanted them to show up at the 20th reunion with other partners; that in the years since their ill fated attempts at reconciliation they'd gotten therapy, done the work, realized they'd been using one another as a crutch, talked things out like healthy adults., and moved on, while remaining the best of friends. Instead I left the book feeling like their entire marriage is gong to be a repeat of the past five years. Despite excellent writing and a blurb that draws readers in, in the end we are left with Just Some Stupid "Love" Story.

This one was an uneven read for me. Some of it was sparkling and snappy and I liked the MCs most of the time. But there were some pacing issues that I couldn’t wrap my head around, which took away from my enjoyment of the read. And Molly could be a little selfish and Seth could be a little delusional. Plus the third act breakup - a trope I hate even at it’s best - really pushed the bounds of believability here.

Most crucially: I am certainly not a prude and have read my fair share of smut, but there is a sex scene around the halfway mark that truly gasted my flabbers. I am not sure I will ever recover.

Three stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

You will not want to put this down. Such a well written fun read that grabs you from the first page. Great character development that makes your feel like you really know them. Highly recommend.

Thank you, NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and the author, for the chance to read, rate, and review this book. Expected publication June 4, 2024.

Molly and Seth, Seth and Molly.. I loved their chemistry. This was such a fun read for me. I've been deep in thrillers for a while, and this was a nice break. Molly and Seth are complete opposites who have a history that run into each other 15 years later at their high school reunion. After a steamy evening, they place wagers on love and agree to see who wins in 5 years at their next reunion. Everything that happens in between gave me all the feels. Enemies to lovers and back again. Some great steamy scenes in this one! 🌶🌶🌶🌶

3.5 stars

This story is cute and fitting for the title. Molly and Seth dated in high school, she left and broke his heart with no explanation. They meet again at their 15 year high school reunion and are seated at the same table. They bet on the future of 5 couples, including themselves.
The story takes place over the next 5 years, leading up to their 20th reunion. In the five years we get to know Seth and Molly in their separate lives. The character development is good and they are likable characters. Molly has some things she needs to work on herself and at times was frustrating to read about. There is a lot of good raw emotion to devour in this story. I really liked the duel POV from both Molly and Seth and getting to be in both of their minds. Not a fan of the miscommunication trope, but it was written well in this story.
Overall a good read that was easy to enjoy. I would recommend it if you like rom-coms, second chance romance, grumpy/sunshine and duel POV books.

Thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Just Some Stupid Love Story" is a rollercoaster of emotions that combines humor, romance, and self-discovery. While Seth's romantic gestures might border on excessive and Molly's commitment struggles may feel overwhelming, the quirkiness of the characters and the bet-driven plot make this love story an entertaining and worthwhile read.

emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75

This was cute, and also kept me on the edge of my seat with anticipation to see how the main two characters would end up together. There was some cringy dialogue, but ultimately this was a heartwarming story of how sometimes you meet your person and you can't fight that. The divorce lawyer career path was an interesting touch and I think it added some depth; so did the sometimes childish way that our FMC would react to things. I was a little surprised there wasn't any therapy featured in the book, as I think it would've helped the FMC the first time she bolted. Third act was interesting — but I do like that the obvious solution wasn't necessarily what the author went with. Overall pretty charming book, but I don't think it will stay with me.

Can we talk about the spice, though? Because it was crazy to me that the hottest scene of the whole book was the video/sexting scene!!! I got to that point and was like, ok yes let's do this. And then every other sex scene was essentially fade to black?! That made no sense. I almost didn't believe the spark and heat between them until they sent videos to each other.

Just Some Stupid Love Story is a quick-paced, silly, second chance romance! While there are moments of great banter and light-hearted interactions between Molly and Seth, they do dive deeper into their respective insecurities and issues. I liked the attempt to make these characters well rounded and have some depth to them. However, even with these aspects, the book was quick and munchy (my favorite way to say it was just a little rom-com to breeze my way through and not think too much about). I would have enjoyed being able to be more attached to these characters and their lives. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read this ARC!

This is the first time I have read anything from this author, but it won't be my last. It says something that I started and finished the book in one sitting. As in, I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know how (not if; this is a romance, after all!) it happened. How the undeniable generational trauma resolved itself, how 2 such clearly human humans were going to push through their issues, and how love would ultimately win the day. All of those questions were answered, and I was over the moon at the humanity on display. Such a great story, full stop.

I found the book to be a bit of a slow-starter but in the end, I was glad I stuck with it. The main characters fill out their "black cat meets golden retriever" roles nicely and the third act comes together with a proper grand gesture. This will easily join titles from Emily Henry and Annabel Monaghan poolside this coming summer.

I’m not usually the biggest fan of the second chance trope, but this is a good option for those with the same feelings. It takes place over several years with all the miscommunication one could ever need. This book was great though, nothing too heavy so quick easy pleasant read!

I think the blurb, "for fans of Emily Henry" kinda ruined this a bit for me. Or, I absolutely love Emily Henry, so saying it's for fans of Emily Henry sets my expectations really high, and this was not comparable to Emily Henry's writing/ plots and characters.

I did enjoy that this was dual POV. I really think we need this in all romance books. I need to know what both characters are thinking throughout the story. I also enjoyed both characters arcs as individuals and as a couple. I was rooting for Seth the entire time, and I absolutely adore second chance romances and high school sweethearts!

I did have to skim some sections as there were parts that I felt dragged on/ got a bit boring.

As a debut, its a solid 3 stars, but please don't compare yourself to Emily Henry with a debut novel.