Marcela, the FMC is in love with her BFF, Ben. She’s been pining after him firmly from the Friend Zone for a smooth decade. Ben has gotten engaged to Alice, a mutual friend to Marcela. Ben’s brother, Theo, has some residual feelings for Alice, his brother’s fiancee.

Marcela & Theo decide the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else and they’re each other’s next best fling.

What in the QUADRILATERAL hell, y’all? This wild ass Love Square!

While this book seemed to be built on the premise “What if EVERY character was a card carrying member of Team Bad Decisions?”, please understand I was SEATED until the last page. Lovers of MESS will do well with this one. A solid debut by Gabrielle Gamez! 3.5 stars

I read this in one sitting, it had the perfect romantic comedy aspects that I love. We follow Marcela and Theo as they help each other navigate heartbreak over their first love. They fake date to get through her best friends (MMC brother) wedding. I loved the drama that ensued as we learn more about the dynamic of the MMC and FMC and their connections to their first love. This book was MESSY! and i loved every second of it! Sometimes I just need a messy book to get me through the week. I also really enjoyed the discussions of libraries because the FMC is a librarian. (please go to your local library and get a library card). The MMC and FMC had great chemistry that grew as I continued reading!

What a fun romance full of angst and beautiful character growth! The Next Best Fling by by Gabriella Gamez is a fun rom com that will publish in July.

Thanks to @foreverpub I was #gifted a digital ARC of the book. And I devoured it in two days!

In this book, we’re introduced to Marcela, who has never gotten over being dumped in college and instead became best friends with the guy. Nearly a decade later, her best friend is getting married. Coincidentally, she discovers that his brother, Theo, is in love with his brother’s fiancee. Both nursing unrequited love, Marcela and Theo team up to fake date, but their chemistry leads to more. Can they ever find love with such a messy start to their relationship? You gotta read it and see!

This book explores themes of healing, boundaries and growth in such a beautiful way. I loved the journey these characters went on and thought the ending was perfect.

One unexpected delight? It’s set in my hometown of San Antonio, Texas! I loved seeing settings I’m familiar with like The Guenther House, the Riverwalk and the downtown library. It’s also got great Mexican American culture and plus-size rep.

You know who else this book is perfect for? Book lovers. Marcela is a librarian who loves YA fantasy novels and especially adores signed and special edition books. I absolutely ate that stuff up when it came up in the storyline!

This was such a cute story but also very refreshing. I loved how Marcela and Theo grew together and how realistic their love story seemed. I was on the edge of my seat in the second half because I couldn’t predict what Ben would do.

3.5/5

As stated in the book, this was exactly like a CW show and I was here for it. Girl getting over guy rebounds with his brother who is getting over his brother's fiance. Drama ensues!

What I enjoyed:
We love a he falls first story!
All of the character growth - was happy to see where some of the stories, like Alice's, ended up
Theo was hot and I appreciated how much he worshipped and loved Marcela and her body, unlike some other people
Please we need a story on Angela next, I loved her

What I was just okay on:
The characters seemed pretty young. I think they were supposed to be late 20s, but read like early 20s.
Holy moley, there is a LOT of drinking. Like how were the characters not hung over/throwing up all the time? I didnt love the "alcohol as a coping mechanism" scenes but I know that's very prevalent in society so it made sense, I just had a personal ick for it

Overall, would definitely recommend, especially to people who love he falls first, unrequited love/pining, fat representation, football romance, LIBRARIANS, and Texas

Swoony, a bit spicy, with characters to root for! I thoroughly enjoyed The Next Big Fling. It made me laugh and smile a lot while I was reading, which makes me love a book in almost any scenario. I enjoyed the representation as well.

This book was PHENOMENAL. I’ve read a lot of romance books and every time I thought I knew what was going to happen I was pleasantly surprised when it didn’t. I love being surprised in romance books. Fantastic debut novel. I highly recommend. I felt so connect to the FMC. I loved the support of libraries and the notes the author made about finding diverse voices to represent the teens they serve in the library. Representation is so important for everyone, but especially teens. Read this book if you’re looking for relatable characters

Tropes:
📚Fake dating
📚Banter
📚Ex’s older brother
📚Librarian x retired NHL player
📚No strings attach hook up
📚FMC and MMC in love with other people who are getting married (is this a trope?- idk but it was fire to read)

Overall rating: 5 ⭐️
Spice level: 2 🌶️

I am not a romance fan, but Gabriella Gamez made this book so relatable that I couldn't put it down! I love the San Antonio references as I live there and it made it easier to see the events happening. Marcela is trying to get over the love she has for her best friend--and ex--Ben who is about to get married. While trying to get over him, she finds herself in a sticky situation with his older brother, ex-NFL player, Theo. While they pretend to date and become friends with benefits for a time, their relationship is one of true acts of love, respect, communication, and support. I loved the growth between Theo and Marcela. How they learned how to communicate with each other with their needs and wants and the subtle support.
AND giving props to the author on her way of writing this plus size romance. She doesn't make Marcela less human for being bigger, but she doesn't make Marcela overconfident with her body. She's flawed and you can see and even relate to her when she questions her attractiveness and sexiness especially when compared to women who she deems look better than her. I feel like even if you don't like romance or "spicy" books, there is still a little something in here for you.

I don't often look for much more than lighthearted, enjoyable, and feel-good reads when I pick up a romance novel, but this one had a lot more than meets the eye! With a quick-paced writing style and lovable characters with great chemistry, I had a hard time putting this one down. I appreciated the diverse representation and found myself relating to Marcela in a lot of ways - I rooted for her from the beginning and was pleased to see how much growth she displayed from start to finish. This is a great one to pick up for anyone who loves romance and spice but wants some deeper themes and connections - thanks so much for this ARC!

Thank you to Forever & Netgalley for the advance review copy--all opinions are my own!

Good grief, this was fantastic!! Emotionally rich, swoony, spicy, just the right level of angsty for me, so much personal growth, two main characters who make each other better and give each other patience and support when they're struggling, a couple I rooted for so easily and loved finding their way to happily ever after.

Content notes: parental abandonment (past), codependent/toxic friendship, fatphobia (past and on page).

Quick Intro: Marcela has been in love with her best friend for almost a decade, but he doesn't know it. Once he gets engaged, Marcela determines that she's going to move on. Entering the picture, is Theo, her best friend's older brother, and he's in love with his brother's fiance and wanting to finally let her know at their engagement party. Marcela intervenes and takes a drunk Theo home. When they show up the next day at an engagement brunch, everyone assumes they are together. So they keep it up to hide their feelings. Except their feeling start to shift.

Review:
All I want in a man is one who communicates openly and freely like Theo. He does NOT shy away from his feelings, and wants to dive into the open and honest communication with Marcela. Especially about where they stand with each other and as they navigate their feelings for whom they were in love with. He is a true cinnamon roll of a man, and I wish I had a Theo in my life.

As a teacher and plus size woman myself, Marcela's actions were difficult for me to read at times. While her role as a librarian is essential for helping teenagers find a place to navigate who they are through books, it was hard for me to read because of my relationship with students of that age and how they view the importance of librarians where I am at. It was also difficult for the emphasis placed on food as a crutch, because this is not my go to when I look for plus-size heroines, as I want them to have move passed their struggles. However, these are all real world instances, so for me, it is a very accurate portrayal for many plus size women, myself included.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was well paced, and I could feel the growth between Marcela and Theo throughout the story.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201627008-the-next-best-fling" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Next Best Fling (Librarians in Love, #1)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1699464844l/201627008._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201627008-the-next-best-fling">The Next Best Fling</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/46658210.Gabriella_Gamez">Gabriella Gamez</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6314910084">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
She’s in love with her best friend and he’s about to get married. Suddenly his brother is there and she must stop him from ruining the engagement. What better way to get over the unrequited love they both have than by sleeping with each other? What could possibly go wrong? What starts as fake dating to help him get over his childhood crush, develops into so much more. I soooo loved this book. Mexican plus size representation and her just enjoying eating was such a relief to see! The friendship and love development was so intense and I loved every second of it. I definitely recommend everyone to read this cute novel! <br /><br />I am so thankful to Gabriella Gamez for allowing me to read this advanced copy of this book and cannot wait to buy a copy when it releases! <br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6094585-rosa-maria-lueras">View all my reviews</a>

I really enjoyed The Next Best Fling. I loved the dynamic between Marcella and Theo. And I loved how much thought was put into actually giving Marcella a personality.
Theo was a GREAT book boyfriend, and was good to put opposite of Ben (who I hated as a villain from the beginning,) I enjoyed the interesting fake-but not fake take on the fake dating trope. Overall, this book earned 4 stars from me. The only thing that kept it from a 5 was Marcella's wishy washy behavior.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book before publication.

This book is like a warm hug, where each word, each sentence, wraps around you in literary bliss until you become a part of the story. I love the fake dating trope, but it becomes so much more with the love square, former NFL star coming home after retiring, and introvert librarian who is trying to find herself again. The characters grow and learn so much throughout the story, and you can’t help cheering them on (except for You Know Who, although I wish him well. Sequel, maybe?). Seeing the evolution of Theo and Marce as individuals as well as a couple made the book for me. There are so many faking dating books that finish on an unsatisfactory note. This is not one of them.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that The Next Best Fling is a satisfying read that takes you on the ups and downs of the rise and fall of relationships, and manages to rebuild your belief in a happily ever after that doesn’t feel forced or false.

Happy birthday to me when this book is released the day after my birthday in July. Can you guess what I’m buying first thing?

I really enjoyed this! Fake dating, instant love, little bit of sports romance, family drama, plus size representation, latina representation and library workplace - for a debut novel, there was so much here and it was great.

I think my favorite thing was Marcela’s growth throughout the growth, by the end we see her becoming secure about herself and her feelings while also letting go of baggage that has held her down. It’s a huge bridge to cross and I love that we got to see her grow through it.

Theo was SO sweet and I adored him for it. The way he paid attention to Marcela and her likes/who she was, was so beautiful.

I thought the side characters were great too, even Ben. As annoying and bogus as he was, I was glad that we got to see that side of him. I honestly find myself hoping for his happiness in the future.

this book was CUTE. i love a good bookish themed book and this librarian + athlete romance was a combo i never knew i needed! both MCs were well written and honey there was enough drama & baggage to unpack for a 3-season series😭 usually i dont care for slow burn but the author def knew how to spice it up *just* enough to keep you on the line & i enjoyed the ‘fake dating to lovers’ storyline! they found love where they least expected it. i can’t wait to get a physical copy! 🤍

This for fair! I also found the portrayal of working in a public library to be very realistic. I loved the plot set up between the two main characters. I thought it was so funny.

4/5 stars
2/5 spice

I love a book with positive plus size representation and the author did that so well with Marcella.

I related to the unrequited relationship aspect and all of the aspects of Ben and Marcella’s relationship throughout the book.

Marcella and Theo’s relationship might’ve started for the wrong reasons but seeing them both grow together to change what they thought they were capable of and becoming better was so beautiful to see.

The miscommunication between the characters in this book was a lot for me at times and I just wanted to scream at them to talk it out and stop having so many secrets! So if you like the miscommunication trope this book is definitely for you.

Overall, I did enjoy this book and being from Texas seeing the Texas aspects in it made me love it that much more.

A romance about a librarian? sign me up!

or wait, maybe not..........


I was looking forward to The Next Best Fling but it failed to meet expectations.
- the female mc kept ragging on the male mc for 'withholding information' but she was keeping pretty big secrets (knowing they'd bother him) for an extremely long time. He also kept baring his soul to her but she wouldn't tell him anything and deflected questions. I just knew this would lead to some messy conflict later and honestly didn't want to deal with it. If ya'll are falling for each other you should be able to talk about basic things. And to make it worse she knew she was doing all these things and not properly letting him know her.....but she didn't take timely steps to mitigate it.
- on that note, them 'falling for each other' was really uninteresting. All their conversations centered around the other people they were infatuated with (who both kinds sucked tbd). I want to see love interests pining for each other, not merely trying to hook up but always getting distracted because they actually like someone else.
- the female mc needs a new best friend. Because taking 8 years to suggest getting over an ex is really too long. And never bringing up how controlling and damaging said ex is......you're not looking out for your friend there

Love the cover and description, but had to quit this one - the writing style didn't quite work for me. I'm sure it will work for others, but this just wasn't the book for me right now.