I thought I would like the premise of this but it just came off as a bad early 00's romcom. Theo and Marcela were okay character but they just fell flat for me and made me not enjoy the book as much. Did enjoy the plus size rep.

3.5/5 stars
The story itself was cute as well as the relationship.
I didn’t love the being in love with other people part, made their relationship feel very rushed to me.

3.5 stars...rounded up. I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC. I believe this is the author's debut novel. There were many things I liked about this book....the banter, and flirtation were on point. The intimate scenes could have been a bit more intimate..ha! I loved the depth and layers to this book. There are some family dynamics and toxic relationship work that comes into play. As we grow, I think we all need. to confront those routines and beliefs we have that can be damaging to ourselves. I LOVE that the women did not get catty or turn on each other. As a curvy woman myself, I understand the insecurities one can have. I felt like the mentions of it were realistic, and that it didn't take up the whole book or her personality. One thing that is huge pet peeve for me in romance novels is the self sabotage storyline. This is why I knocked it down to 3.5 for me because I just feel like there was already enough drama going on. It wasn't really necessary. Overall, a great debut!

This book brings to mind the Scott quote “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” There is not a (main) character in this book who isn’t hiding something from multiple people.

Unrequited love being solved by a no strings attached fling is how Marcela and Theo choose to address their deceptions, but things start to change along the way.

Readers may feel different ways about that book, but I think we can all agree that Ben sucks.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

I read this in like 4 hours. It was Amazing. With such a possibility to have so many embarrassing moments. They don't. They just responded like adults. It was great. I also loved how much she loved books. She was literally me. and THEO? I love him. The way he went through her Goodreads and got her all the special editions of her favorite books. OMG? like who out there is doing that Fr.

Gabriella Gamez's "The Next Best Fling" offers a delightful and heartfelt romantic journey filled with charming characters and meaningful themes.

Marcela, the spirited youth librarian dedicated to nurturing a love for literature, and Theo, the genuine and warm-hearted hero, lead a story that beautifully balances light-hearted moments with poignant explorations of insecurities, courage, and the pursuit of one's true desires. Their journey, complemented by Theo's brother Ben's relatable character growth, adds a layer of complexity that resonates throughout the narrative.

The authentic and endearing chemistry between Marcela and Theo forms the heart of the tale, grounded in mutual respect and genuine emotions. As their connection develops amidst challenges and uncertainties, readers find themselves fully invested in their love story, rooting for their happiness at every turn.

"The Next Best Fling" is a captivating and enchanting debut novel that seamlessly blends charm, romance, and emotional depth. Gamez's storytelling triumph will surely enchant romance enthusiasts and leave them eagerly awaiting her next literary offering.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! From Marcela's insecurities, to dramatic friendships/relationships, I just couldn't stop reading.
Thank you NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this ARC.

This book seriously spoke to my soul. The character of Marcela feels so familiar to me because I can see so much of my own experience in her. For this to be Gabriella Gamez's debut novel makes me excited to see more from her! I know that we all share large parts of the human experience, but as a seriously bookish girl who grew up plus size and Mexican-American, this story felt almost created for me.
The way that Gamez writes the inner thoughts and feelings of Marcela as she navigates the world feels authentic to the point that she could have been reading my diary. It's so real. The 1st person POV we get only from Marcela really drives the emotional tension as we try to figure out the motives of those around her through her eyes. Her world is colored by her experiences as a bigger girl, and they felt very familiar to me. I really appreciate the nuanced characterization Marcela is given. It's not one cliche after another, and it eventually causes her to challenge why she's been settling for less. This is one of the first times in my adult life that I've read a book where I really felt like I had so much in common with the main character. I also loved that the story is dramatic and messy, and had real stakes to it.
There's an argument to be made that Theo could be one of the great book boyfriends. He falls first, and we love that for Marcela. He sees her in a way that no one really has before. He appreciates her enough to make a real effort to woo her. Theo is the essence of "if he wanted to he would" in this novel. Is there anything sexier than a man who listens and pays attention to what you care about and value in the world?
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written spicy rom-com. This book contains some of my favorite tropes, the long term pining, the angst of unrequited love, best friend's older brother, and more make for an engaging read from start to finish.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Gabriella Gamez, and Forever(Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC opportunity.

This book had me hooked! Marcela is a relatable character that just wants the best for her people, but also struggling with her own insecurities and the way the world has viewed her. Her best friend is getting ready to get married and well she is in love with him.

In comes Theo her best friends brother, who is in love with the bride. His childhood best friend the one person who saw him through everything.

Marcela and Theo lean on each other and in comes there messy friendsish with benefits. To say this is messy and drama filled is an understatement, but it felt so real.

I loved both characters, and the development that happened through out the book. Theo is such a cinnamon roll character! He legit was the sweetest friend and partner I loved it.

All in all this book was a Wonderful, easy read! Perfect beach read for the summer. The tea is hot & the story is a perfect drama!

4.25/5 ⭐️

This book was MESSY!!! and I was immediately sucked in! I love the drama LOL
What do you mean Marcela has been pining on her best friend Ben, who is now going to get engaged to Alice, who Theo, Ben's brother, has also been pining over for years! Leading Marcela and Theo to get into a fake dating/friends with benefits kind of relationship to get over the person they want. Does that make sense? LOL

I immediately fell in love with Marcela, I loved learning how libraries we’re important to her growing up and now, as a librarian herself, she makes it her purpose to make everyone feel included through books and her passion for it really shows!!

Marcela and Theo's relationship was just top tier. Here we have two people who are really going through it and trying to get over the person they can't have. Through that they form such a wonderful friendship and the way they became comfortable with each other so easily!!! The spark was there from the start and together they both learn to be vulnerable with each other. It just makes me immensely happy that they both found the love they deserved!!

Marcela, it took time for her to get there, but Theo was just amazing, they both fell for each other but he fell harder! I loved his grand gesture it was so perfect!! Hint: the library! the books! (there was a hiccup but we recovered in the end lol yes i was big sad when it happened but I am fine now). Seeing Marcela try to deliever a grand gesture as well was both cute and hilarious. Gahhhh I love them 🫶🏼

p.s. I have So High School by Taylor Swift stuck in my head now because of them loll

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the ARC!!

Tropes:
🩷 ex-NFL player x librarian
🩷 plus size rep
🩷 Mexican American FMC (and just like that Marcela is now my friend lolll)
🩷 fake dating
🩷 best friend’s brother

3.5 Stars

Theo and Marcela both had their own battles to fight in this forced proximity romance. Watching both characters navigate their respective traumas and how those experiences impacted their current selves added to the depth of the story. This story was messy, filled with yearning, and had me blushing.

Despite the aforementioned messiness (due to relationship of other characters - not the main couple!), the mature communication from Theo was incredibly refreshing. An ex-NFL player, tortured hero, cinnamon roll, communicative king? Sign me up! Marcela was the bookish FMC we all love and adore. Her love for her job and her favorite YA books was extremely relatable - and Theo honoring that love later in the story had me swooning!

That cover is so darn adorable and I truly wanted to love this book, but it just did not work for me completely. A lot of things just bothered me, some relationships just made no sense and some characters were just not likeable. It was also a tad too dramatic for me.

Rounded up from 3.5. Stars. I love the relationship Marcella and Angela have. I found myself so happy for Marcella in the way that she shaped her life into what she had been missing in her childhood. I adored the library and book references. I did find myself annoyed by Ben and Alice keeping secrets from Marcella. I do wish that this was resolved quicker in the book and that Marcella didn’t keep saying “it felt like something was missing.” I don’t think it was needed for the reader. Theo was kind of annoying as a MMC. He seemed so surface deep even when you know that he is troubled by Alice being with Ben. I just feel like I never got a full emotional depth of him until the very end which is a shame. I loved the little list of songs in the back. Usually I keep notes on what songs to post with the book review and Right Where You Left Me was my number 1 pick so glad it was mentioned as well. I liked the pop culture references and the way Marcella’s Mexican culture bled through the storyline. The romance was good and felt balanced with the other scenes. I liked the ending more than I thought I would.

"𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦."

I was so excited when I was able to snatch this from the @readforeverpub Facebook group, and shockingly, I've actually read it before it comes out - which is not until July 9th! I started this book around 9 PM Monday night and finished it by 5 PM Tuesday (granted I was awake with a migraine until 2:30 AM, but still). Even though this contemporary romance is almost 400 pages long, I flew through it.

I love these characters. I love their relationship (most of the time). I love Marcela's character development. Hell, I love Alice's by the end of it too. And the date Theo takes Marcela on? *swoon* He listens to her. He supports her. He wants her to be exactly who she is.

And on top of everything else, this book gives us more of the diverse representations we need in romance. Marcela is not only plus size, but she is Mexican American.

My only critique of this book is I wish we had some chapters from Theo's POV. I think that would have just added to the overall story, but I'm not upset with Marcela being the main character through and through.

Hooo! This is as messy, complicated, and drama-filled as a telenovella/teleserye/K-drama/CW show/you name it. 😆 And also just as addicting?! I was *in* it. I was invested, and I needed to see it all unfold.

Marcela and Ben have been best friends for ten years. They dated briefly, but ultimately decided they were going to stay friends instead. Marcela has been pining away quietly all this time, until Ben proposes to his long-time girlfriend, Alice. She finally feels like she needs to move on.

Alice, childhood friend of Ben and his brother, Theo. Theo has been in love with Alice since high school, but never really took his shot with her. He's been pining away quietly, watching his brother be in a relationship with the woman he loves.

Scene: Ben+Alice’s engagement party, Theo at the brink of professing his feelings to Alice. Gets caught by Marcela, and the two take off before causing major damage.

After a night of divulging their hearts (some more than others), Marcela and Theo enter an agreement: they use each other to get over their unrequited loves. But we romance readers all know where that road always leads. 😏

Thoughts: like I said, there is a lot of drama! At the get go it already felt like I was watching a telenovela, so I just went in with that mindset and had a blast. There was a good amount of introspection and character growth, which was very appreciated given the circumstance.

I enjoyed this read! Thank you for the ARC, Forever!

✨ARC Review 📚✨

To say I couldn't put this book down is an understatement, I finished it in one day. This is my first book by Gabriella Gamez and I'm glad I picked it up. I love the fake dating trope and this one is added to one of my favorites for this trope. Theo Young and Marcela Ortiz are both pinning after people they can't have. Marcela has had a crush on her best friend who happens to be Theo Young's younger brother, and Theo has always been in love with his brother's fiancée. So, they decide to be each other's rebounds. The chemistry and banter between them was there from the beginning with both of them. Both start to have feeling for each other, but Marcela thinks Theo would never get over his love for his brother's fiancée, so she ends their fake relationship before it can become too real. Pick this book up to follow Marcela and Theo in their journey.

Thanks to author Gabriella Gamez and Forever(Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for the chance to read this as an ARC.

The Next Best Fling was so cute! Marcela has been secretly in love with her best friend but now he’s getting married. Enter: Theo, her best friend’s very attractive, ex-NFL, brooding older brother who happens to be in love with the bride-to-be.

Marcela and Theo’s situationship is actually quite sweet. Neither really knows how to have a real relationship (or thinks they want to), but something is slowly growing as they have each other’s back and slowly open up.

While super sweet, the author also wove in some challenging topics for the characters to navigate (think: fat phobia and gaslighting as examples). These topics were handled tastefully and made this story seem like it could have been happening to any of your friends.

If you’re looking for a sweet fake-dating read with great character chemistry, look no further!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. The review expresses my own opinion.

I've been dying to read this ever since I came across the cover and Gabriella Gamez did not disappoint!

The Next Best Fling was a fun, easy to read, giving soap opera vibes in the BEST way possible debut novel that involves a juicy love square 👀😏. Once starting The Next Best Fling I did not want to put it down. I think a lot of women will be able to relate to our girl Marcela. Throughout the book I wanted to give her the biggest hug.

Marcela is in love with Ben, her best friend who's recently got engaged to another woman. Theo, Bens' older brother, is in love with his new fiancée. Yes it’s messy but in the most entertaining way!

Tropes:
Best friends brother
Fake dating
Plus size Latina FMC
Slow burn
NFL MMC

Thank you NetGalley and Gabriella Gamez for this ARC 💞

Cozy best friend's brother romance. Marcie is in love with her best friend. Trouble is, he's getting married to her other friend.

Two broken hearts decide that the best way to get over their first loves is with a no-strings-attached relationship in this spicy and charming debut romance.

Seriously - a great debut by Gabriella Gamez. So much emotion and growth in our main characters! Marcela and Theo make each other better people, they can be themselves and see what it's like to have honesty and trust in a relationship, even if it's terrifying at times. They were embracing change and insecurities, and we are here for it!!
Our antagonist was such a narcissist and a lot of it was written so subtly that it's easy to see how he was able to keep Marcela close by, knowing her history with her dad, and not letting her move on from him in the first place. The way he treated his own brother and fiance!! Hello, RED FLAGS!
And Marcela was written so beautifully - the moments we get about her body image/confidence and her first time being intimate with Theo are so real. They aren't moments of weakness because our FMC is strong, but it's a realization so many of us women have and it was great to see this representation in a romance novel.
While I loved Marcela and Theo together, I wish we had seen a little more chemistry between the two. Theo's grand gesture was sweet but Marcela's was a little weird for me... And there were many times where being reminded about who they were trying to get over was a little repetitive.

Give this one a read if you're on board with:
- A Love Square
- Plus Size FMC
- Best Friend's Brother
- Fake dating/Rebounding together


Thank you, NetGalley and Forever Publishing, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! Can't wait to see what comes next in Librarians in Love!