Thank you so much to Forever for a copy of this book!

When this book was announced, I knew that this had to be in my hands. As a plus size woman, I love being able to see a part of myself and others depicted on the cover. And also there won't be any guessing as to what the FMC looks like.

This book is hard for me to rate & review because there were a lot of aspects that I love about the book. I had no issues with Gamez's writing or with the pacing of the book it was more the inter mix of the relationships between the characters. I would have loved for Theo to be Ben's best friend or cousin who was hung up on some random girl as oppose to his fiancée and then they could have been a different conflict that came between them.

Despite the above, I love the relationship between Marcela and Theo. Their romantic relationship did not happen overnight (okay well maybe in a way it did) but they were linked together through the entanglement of having a crush on someone who was with someone else. I had to chuckle at them thinking that being with each other would help get over their crush which is equivalent to "let's get it out of our system." I was yelling at my book when it just seemed like they both (more so Marcela since we were in her head) was having a hard time severing her crush with Ben when Theo was right there. Theo had seemed to move on from Alice a lot sooner than Marcela did. And once again as the audience I was just screaming at the Marcela to open her eyes. Theo was super swoony especially in the 2nd half of the book - whewww!

Marcela did have share her insecurities which I thought was very honest in a way that I think most woman who are in a bigger body could relate to. I am glad that Theo made her feel like she was the most beautiful woman. There was a moment where she was going to have to bare all and he could sense her hesitation and he just came across so genuine telling her "I wouldn't be here if I didn't find you unbelievably sexy."

One thing that the author did that I felt was so smart and different compared to other authors who include playlists at the end is that she explained how that song correlated with the characters and at which parts. Often times I wonder when I look at playlists why the author chooses certain songs so this was perfect!

I paired my reading with the audiobook and I really liked the narration done by Ruby Corazon. It made the listening experience easy and I felt that she sounded like Marcela. If you are a romance audiobook listener, this was easy to follow along.

I need to look to see if Gamez has left any clues or announced who the next book in the series is going to focus on. I am really hoping we see a story with Angela as she was such a great side character and also her being asexual would be great representation in the romance genre.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read an early digital copy of this book. One of the things that first got my attention about this book is that the main character works at a library. When I saw that I was like, "Sign me up!" This book was even better than I thought it was going to be, and I had high hopes going in, as I had seen a lot of positive reviews for this one. It kind of reminded me of My Best Friend's Wedding with a twist, and I really enjoyed reading this one. There were plenty of moments when I found myself smiling ear to ear. If you are looking for a fun, flirty book that is entertaining and give you all the feels, look no further than The Next Best Fling!

I feel a bit conflicted about this one but there is overall, absolutely a lot to love!

Lets talk about the things I enjoyed: the plus-size rep, the librarian & general book love moments, the grand gestures, the themes of finding and trusting yourself as well as discovering what you deserve. I enjoyed the writing style and the spicy moments, as well as how naturally everything flowed together between these spicy moments and the heartfelt connection between Theo and Marcela.

I think what is really taking away from this story for me is very much a personal preference, and that is that the themes surrounding The0 & Marcela being stuck on their respective "best friends" went on for... too long. I had a hard time sinking into the romance between them because the presence of their feelings (or at the very least, confusion) about Ben & Alice felt like an elephant in the room in almost every single scene. I have no problem with this having been the premise, I just wish I had felt it falling away by the halfway mark in a big way, and even less present come the end. I don't consider myself to be someone who struggled with trust, but I found myself completely agreeing with Marcela's distrust in Theo's feelings for her sticking around even when he is in proximity to Alice, just because of how involved those feelings still were in the plot.

Ultimately, I'll still be keeping an eye on this author because I really liked so very much of the other aspects of this story. I just think the "in love with my best friend" bit took up too much space. Thank you to Forever & NetGalley for this eArc!

This one is so messy, but it was a super cute and engaging read! I absolutely related to Marcela and Angela with their vibrant personalities and deep friendship, and the chemistry between Marcela and Theo was off the charts. However, I have to say, Ben definitely needs therapy—he's a terrible person and added so much unnecessary drama. I loved that the story took place in San Antonio, Texas, and featured a Mexican American plus-size girly, which brought a refreshing and much-needed representation to the romance genre. Overall, a delightful 4-star read that kept me hooked from start to finish!

I loved it! First of all, I will always read a librarian romance(: And with an ex professional athlete? Yes, thank you. Marcela and Theo are just soooo good together and good for each other. I loved everything about their relationship except the guy who is the reason for their fling but I guess he's necessary. As I'm writing this I'm just thinking of a grand gesture moment and honestly, it was so good, all the book girlies are gonna love it! Theo is a cinnamon roll branded as a commitment phobic playboy and Marcela is a sweet, loyal friend with abandonment issues, who definitely does not do flings. What starts as a cover for Theo's feelings for the bride-to-be becomes a fling and then of course something more and the angst and tension throughout is fantastic. The book is light, fun and funny, a very easy read but also handles some serious issues really well, like insecurities, body shaming, family relationships, emotional cheating, etc. It's a cozy, comfort read but with plenty of depth and emotion. I recommend this to all romance readers, especially if you like romantic gestures, emotional growth, rebounds that turn into more, spiceeee, and tall hot athletes who will do anything to make their girl happy💗

fake dating
best friend's brother
librarian x ex-NFL player
plus size Latina fmc
he falls first
they make each other better💗
spice

The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez is out now so go check it out!!

Thank you Forever for the digital ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 STARS!

I adored every single freakin' thing about "The Next Best Fling" by Gabriella Gamez. Fake dating! Plus size characters! Rebounds! Pining! Trauma! Connection! Spice! Angst! Messiness! Banter! Libraries! Mature conversations! Football! This book has everything I love all wrapped up in one delicious, scintillating, swoon-worthy package. Marcela and Theo are terrific characters with incredible chemistry. They feel realistic and lived-in, written in such a way that they feel like friends rather than fictional characters. I liked how their relationship developed slowly over time, and how they slowly (and quickly!) caught feelings for one another. I think this book strikes the right chord between being lighthearted and deep, tackling subjects and topics that won't please everyone (because some people are way too picky about their romance novels!), but certainly satisfied me. It takes a lot to surprise me, but a few things about this book made me drop my jaw. Protagonists actually *talking* about their problems?! Who could have thought!! I could not put this book down and finished it very quickly. An addicting debut novel from Gabriella Gamez! Cannot wait to see what she writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gabriella Gamez, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

What a treat!

I'll be honest, when I first started reading The Next Best Fling, I thought this would be a three star read at best. But the further I read, the more I fell in love with Marcela and Theo. Their relationship development was so well done, and I love how understanding Theo was, even when Marcela thought she was screwing up. I haven't felt this emotionally connected to two characters in so long, I miss them already!

The Next Best Fling became an instant favorite, and if you like fake dating, friends with benefits, family drama, and the most delightful representation.... it'll be a favorite for you too!

Librarian Marcela is devastated when her friend Ben, who she’s been crushing on for years, tells her he’s getting engaged to his girlfriend Alice. She forces herself to go to their engagement party and spots Ben’s football player brother Theo. Theo’s been in love with Alice since they were in high school, and is determined to reveal his feelings at the party. But Marcela manages to talk drunk Theo down, and whisks him away to her apartment. When they show up to brunch together the next day, everyone assumes they hooked up. Then they kiss to keep up the pretense and—uh oh—it’s amazing. So Marcela and Theo decide to continue the farce and maybe help each other get over their unrequited love. But what happens when their plan works, and their feelings are a lot more than just a rebound?

I enjoyed this story a lot. I think the setup of “she has to stop him from breaking up his brother’s engagement and fake dating is the solution” is a fun one. Theo is a sweetheart who gets a bad rap from his family, especially Ben. Marcela is a realistic character, and her supportive friendship with her bestie Angela is fantastic. I also love the Latinx and curvy rep. And who doesn’t love a YA librarian?

I adore this premise, but I got frustrated with Marcela at times. Logically I know it’s all part of her character arc, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to clear up a variety of miscommunications much earlier on in the story. And, since Theo has plenty of issues of his own to work through, I would have liked to see his POV too.

The Next Best Thing is a creative premise and an ode to librarians everywhere. If you are a fan of complex family dynamics and, of course, fake dating, you’ll enjoy Gabriella Gamez’s steamy debut romance.

This rebound romance gets mighty messy when it becomes a "love square." I found the main character of this one very relatable, with her self-doubts and love of books, and her "fling" was everything you'd want in a partner. This is a fun romance that will take you away from the daily trudges of life.

This book was very cute, with both steamy moments and other moments filled with drama. Thank you Forever for an ARC of this book.

This book was really cute and an easy read! I adored the main characters and thought their dynamic was fun. I was very happy to see the inclusion of a curvy, plus sized FMC and an MMc that thought she was perfect. I especially loved that she was a librarian and all the bookish elements that involved - a date in a library? eeek!

The actual plot left a little to be desired, it felt overly dramatic and messy and not sure it needed to be. Marcela has been in love with her best friend Ben since they tried dating 9 years ago in college but he’s getting engaged and she wants to be supportive. When his brother comes to town and it comes to light that he’s in love with Ben’s fiancé Alice, the two broken hearted parties agree to be each others rebounds in order to not break up the happy couple. What starts as a rouse turns into more and soon there’s lots of conflicting feelings.

Overall, I liked the resolution and glad Alice got what she needed in the end and that Marcela and Theo got their happy ever after.

Vibes:
They’re each others rebounds
FWB
Fake dating
Best friends brother
Ex NFL player
Librarian
Family drama

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Book about books and book lovers are my fav. Make it spicy and fake dating and that's just the cherry on top of the sundae. I also love me some good plus sized rep which this has in spades. So its no surprise to say I sped through this book. I didn't want to put it down. Marcie was just so relatable. And Theo was a perfect cinnamon roll counterpart. There was just enough angst between the two and their unrequited loves to draw you in, without it being too much drama. The way our MC's worked through their insecurities while building each other up it what I want to see in a relationship. As well as how Theo was such an open book and always completely honest with Marcie. Which is why it came as no shock that he fell first.

Chock full of spice, hilarity, emotion and all the feels this one is a definite recommend from me and I will be looking for furture books by Gamez. Huge thanks to forever pub and netgalley for my ARC in return for an honest review.

TW: gaslighting, fat phobia, toxic friendship, abandonment by parents

I really love how this book manages to combine deep discussion of important subjects with whimsical attractiveness. The journey of Marcela and Theo is about more than simply romance and butterflies—it's about facing fears, accepting change, and finding the guts to follow your passions. Not to mention the emotional rollercoaster that results from the highs and lows of character development, particularly from Ben's (Theo's brother and Marcellas unrequited love) regression, which gives the narrative a relatable level of depth.

From the beginning, Marcela and Theo's connection is evident, but what really makes their relationship unique is how genuine it is. Their relationship seems authentic and unadulterated, based on sincere fondness and regard for one another. I was rooting for both Theo and Marcella the entire book.

All in all this was a delightful surprise and I cannot wait to read more from this author. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an earc in exchange for an honest review.

When Marcela’s best friend, Ben, gets engaged, Marcela knows it’s time to blow out the candle she’s been holding for him and find someone new. By some stroke of luck, Marcela finds out that Ben’s ex-NFL brother, Theo, harbors unrequited feelings for Ben’s fiancée and stops him from confessing his feelings. The next day everyone thinks that Theo and Marcela hooked up and well… that lie hides other truths that best stay hidden. But is there a chance at something more?

Rating 4/5 ⭐️s - This rom com, love square is equal parts funny and sweet. The things Theo and Marcela do to hide the truth is a touch ridiculous but the sense of longing and desperation seem to justify the comedy. I absolutely loved this pairing of a mixed race nerd x jock couple.

Spice Rating 4/5 🌶️s - Several spicy scenes but nothing super risqué. I loved the body positivity in this book.

Congratulations Gabriella Gamez on your debut novel! I thoroughly enjoyed The Next Best Fling and look forward to reading your next book.

Marcela has been in love with her college best friend Ben for years. Now he’s engaged and Marcela is trying to move on. It just so happens Ben’s brother Theo is back in town and trying to get over Ben’s fiancé. When Marcela and Theo agree to see each other to help get over their feelings of the newly engaged couple. As Marcela and Theo spend time together they realize how blindsided they’ve been about each other due to Ben’s influence. But when Marcela sends an exposing text to Ben and his fiancé sees it, the love square implodes. Will Marcela go back to Ben like always or has Theo truly won her over?

This was an exciting romance that touches on heritage, family dynamics and what happens when we take off our rose tinted glasses. What a wonderful debut!

I was a bit weary about reading this because of the theme of the main characters being in love with other people. I am not a fan of the fake dating trope but this book was great. Ben is a total douche and I could not stand that guy. Theo is so sweet and caring for Marcela. At times I was whisper shouting for to wake up and tell Theo she loved him! I hate the back and forth etc but the ending was great. I loved that Marcela was plus size and a librarian. She was such a relatable character.

This was a really solid first book for the author's debut romance. The writing was good, the characters were well developed, and I liked the representation. I wasn't completely on board with our heroine pining over her best guy friend for almost a decade, and our hero pining over said best friend's fiancee for longer (and oh, did I mention the best friend and hero are brothers?!) - I was definitely shaking my head at these two multiple times. I also would have preferred dual POV, but that's just me - I always want dual POV. I will absolutely read this author again, and think this book will hit harder for you if you like slightly messier, more angsty contemporary romances.

This debut novel has some of my favorite things in a book- best friends brother, plus size FMC, and athlete MMC. I found Marcela to be relatable and as a librarian, she’s as obsessed with books as I am! Overall, I thought it was a cute read.

The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez is a fun, sexy ride! Marcela Ortiz, a librarian secretly in love with her best friend, finds herself in a complicated situation when her friend gets engaged. Enter Theo Young, an ex-NFL player and brother of the groom, who plans to confess his feelings for the bride-to-be. Marcela convinces him to rethink his plan, and when they’re mistakenly thought to be a couple, they decide to play along.

What starts as a no-strings-attached cover-up quickly turns into something real. Marcela and Theo’s chemistry is undeniable, and their relationship is full of sizzling moments, from library aisles to late-night bars. Theo helps Marcela see herself through his eyes, her confidence blossoms and making her feel truly seen and cared for in a way she’s never had before.

Theo is unapologetic about his attraction and also respectful of their boundaries, you’ll just fall in love with him. The only downside for me in this story is the love triangle resolution, which felt a bit too convenient. Despite that, this debut is fast-paced, fun, and full of lovable characters. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author, especially as this series centers around librarians. What’s not to love?!

The Next Best Fling is the debut novel of Gabriella Gamez. I loved reading Marcela and Theo’s story and was rooting for them from the very beginning. The chemistry between the two of them leapt off the page. They might not be perfect, but could they be perfect for each other? Read The Next Best Fling to find out.
I loved that one of the main characters is someone who works at a library and absolutely loves to read any chance she gets. The characters were so relatable. I really liked Theo and Marcela’s characters a lot, which left me wondering what Marcela ever saw in Ben.