"The Next Best Fling" is the first book in Gabriella Gamez's new series, "Librarians in Love." (I'm a fan of a whole book series being centered around librarians!) In "The Next Best Fling", Marcela has been in love with her best friend, Ben, for years -- despite him being in a long term relationship. However, Ben is now preparing to propose to his girlfriend, and Marcela has to finally face the reality that she and Ben will never be together. At Ben's engagement party, she runs into his brother Theo, only to discover that Theo is actually in love with Ben's fiance! The two of them recognize how miserable the other one is, and a friendship develops -- that soon becomes something more.

I thought this was an original premise that was written very well, and I enjoyed the chemistry between Theo and Marcela. I was a little surprised that Ben became the "bad guy" towards the end, but I guess most everyone had a happy ending. The book was good, but there was something missing for me personally. However, I will certainly read another book by Gamez! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

As a librarian I really wanted to love this book about a romance between a librarian and an ex-football player. Unfortunately, the main characters didn’t draw me in enough to care about their story. I DNFed this before it even got spicy and that’s rare for me because sometimes well written spice will save a book. It looks like this is the beginning of a series, so I’m hopeful that they get better as the series builds.

I was HOOKED after the first few paragraphs. It’s clear that Gabriella Gamez is a talented writer. The Next Best Fling is the story of Marcela and Theo as they attempt to get over their exes- who just happen to be engaged to each other. To make matters more complicated, Marcela is in love with Theo’s brother.

This book was a solid 3 stars for me. I loved the authors writing style, but I would have liked to see some smoother transitions. I also didn’t really feel the connection between Theo and Marcela, and would have loved to see more “build” and development of their relationship. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a good romance novel, fake dating, and a love triangle. I would definitely pick up the next book that this author puts out and can’t wait to see what is next in store for her! Thanks to the author and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I’d give it 3.75 stars if I could. It was a sweet, quick read. There were certain words that seemed over used and I wasn’t a fan of, such as “pining”. Think it would be great to use some synonyms there. Overall I had a hard time putting it down and am excited to check out other books from this author!

Thanks so much for the chance to read and review!

I love a good fake dating trope, and The Next Best Fling was just the right mix of messy and fun and unique. It was easy to like both main characters, and I enjoyed the vibe of falling in like (and then love) over the fading summer. I thought Gabriella Gamez did a wonderful job creating the worlds that Marcela (library) and Theo (football field) love for some of the more signifiant scenes. I look forward to seeing Marcela and Theo in the next book in the Librarians in Love series, and I'm excited about the other things that Gabriella Gamez has planned down the line.

This book was everything I need! I related to Marcela so much! As a kid I also spent everyday at my local library which was right behind my house. People I talked to most were the librarians who were 4 decades older than me. This book touched on so many of my emotions and childhood/family life. I can’t wait until this book comes out and I hope one day I can get a signed copy from the author because it’s truly amazing and deserves all the star ratings in the world.

I can definitely see the potential in this book. It was just…. Repetitive & felt like the story was just going in circles.

I think Marcela & Theo have a cute story but it could have been cuter if it weren’t for all the fluff & run around. I’ve read stories where there’s drama, scandals, dating as rebounds & then falling for each other but in the end of those stories, the characters swoop you off your feet. The characters were flat & I know Theo technically falls first & he did super cute things for Marcela but his character could have been better.

The epilogue was also anticlimactic, one that could have been in the book vs an epilogue. I kind of wish the epilogue had updates on Ben & Alice & what they’re doing & how their friendship status between the 4 of them ended. I mean, we know how it ended but let’s say, 6 months from now, what’s it like now? Are they still not talking? Did Ben forgive them? Just a little more pizazz.

A delightful read from a new-to-me author. I devoured this book in two sittings and highly recommend it!

The Next Best Fling centers around Marcela and Theo. Marcela has secretly pinned after her best friend for years, hoping for a second chance for them. When Ben, the best friend, gets engaged to Alice, his brother Theo shows up for the engagement party. Marcela stumbles upon the fact that Theo has feelings for Alice and prevents Theo’s attempt to confess his love for Alice at the engagement party.

Through a series of events, Marcela and Theo end up in a fling, covering up their feelings for the people they shouldn’t want, and being each other's rebound as a way to move on.

Oh my goodness. This book!!! I’m flailing… it’s so good!!! The experience reading this… I adored the beginning and it just got better and better as the story progressed. By the end, I felt so spoiled… there were so many memorable scenes/moments that I’ll take with me from this book. You’re simply going to adore Marcela and Theo.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The next best fling is about two characters who are secrtely in love with people that are engaged to be married. Marcela is in love with theo's brother and Theo is in love with his brother's fiancee. Marcela start a friendship with Theo that turns into more.

I really enjoyed this book! The writing was easy, to follow and still extremely entertaining. I ended up liking it even more than I expected to! The story was good, with a compelling plot that kept me engaged and wanting to finish the book!
My only complaint would be that I wish the Spanish parts were written in Spanish with footnotes or something. I love reading about other cultures and about people who don’t look like me so it always takes me out of the experience a little when the story is adjusted to make it easier for the reader. I don’t mind the extra work to make a more authentic story.
Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc of this book!

4.25⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I was a little nervous going into a story with not one but two characters with unrequited love but I really liked the way it was handled! Def gonna read more by this author in the future!

This book healed the parts of my soul that ever felt like a second choice and doubted by worthiness of a love that stays.

I loved so much about this book:
-The representation of a bookish and curvy FMC
-The unique plot of fake dating in face of unrequited love
-The forbidden aspect of brother’s brother
-The emotional journey of the FMC
-Resolutions that felt well developed

This was a heartwarming, emotionally healing and enjoyable read. Would definitely recommend checking this book out if you like a warm hug of a book with some spice. I’ll definitely be picking up a HC of this book when it releases in the summer and look forward to the rest of this author’s librarians in love series (how great is that concept btw).

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review will be posted on my Goodreads.

ALL THE STARSS. I loved the representation here. I loved the romance. The chemistry. The growth and depth of these characters. Marcela and Theo are adorable.

I really enjoyed Gabriella Gamez's debut novel! I loved the romance between Marcela and Theo, although I wish the situation with Ben hadn't been so frustrating (although it was realistic). I am already looking forward to more by Gamez!

The Next Best Fling wasn't for me, unfortunately. I think this book had really great potential and had some cute moments but I couldn't follow the pacing and writing style. I felt like there were moments that were really slowed down and moments that sped up too fast and had big time jumps. I personally didn't enjoy the insta love between the two main characters either. I felt like there was potential to really work on their relationship and story but it was hit or miss. I don't think this was too much of the authors issue because a lot of people seem to enjoy the book. I think it's just my personal preference and interests that got missed when it comes to contemporary romance. I did enjoy some cute moments and it seems to be highly enjoyed by most people but it just wan't for me.

A "Librarians in Love" novel?! The cover art?! Fake dating/friends with benefits tropes?! Yes, yes, and yes. I was IMMEDIATELY sold on this book.

Marcela is in love with her best friend Ben who is engaged to another woman who Ben's brother Theo happens to be in love with. It's a love square? It sounds messy... and it is. When Marcela stops Theo from professing his love at his brother's engagement party, the two accidentally stumble upon a fake dating predicament and decide to roll with it.

Surprising absolutely no one, the two start to have genuine feelings for each other throughout their friends with benefits arrangement. Their chemistry is palpable and their love story felt so authentic!

Marcela, our youth librarian protagonist, has lived my dream in finding a swoonworthy man who buys her books. As a youth librarian myself, I feel as though my Theo is just around the corner. Right?

I'm so looking forward to Gabriella Gamez's next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

this was an enjoyable read and easy to get through! the premise immediately pulled me in with both of our main characters being in love with other people and deciding to "fake date" to help each other get over the other person. i immediately noted the connection between marcela and theo; they both felt comfortable with each other and easily opened up to one another. i could really see the friendship forming before they decided to move to a friends with benefits arrangement. theo really helps marcela speak her mind and voice her concerns, which for a long time, marcela has avoided. i enjoyed seeing her open up and stand up for herself!

ben was a menace from the start and it was very obvious what he was doing to marcela the entire length of their friendship (not to mention the way he treated alice at that). it takes marcela some time to come to this realization, which i was glad when she finally did, but it was pretty frustrating watching ben talk to marcela the way that he did. on top of that, marcela could have worked on her own communication, especially with theo as we get to the last 35% of the book.

a little bit too bookish for me at times. marcela is a librarian so it makes sense; i just could have lived without some parts. overall, a really solid debut! i enjoyed the plus size rep and the diverse characters. thank you forever pub for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Pub for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review :)

Make sure to check out The Next Best Fling when it’s out July 9!

Marcela is a young adult librarian and Theo Young is a former football player, except Marcela has been pining for Ben Young—the groom, and Theo’s brother—and Theo has been in love with Alice, his brother’s fiancé.

The love square in this book was insane and unexpected when I first went into it and let me tell you, I was hooked. I loved Marcela as our main character and loved reading about her love of being a librarian and how she came to be one. I also enjoyed reading about Marcela’s relationship with her body, it definitely wasn’t the focal point but when it was discussed it felt so carefully done. The romance that ensued between Marcela and Theo was also enjoyable and I found myself smiling and laughing multiple times throughout the story.

I think my main issues with this story are that Marcela and Theo seem to only revolve around the fact that they are both into other people, which I understand that it’s hard to separate from that, but I just wish we could have gotten more Marcela and Theo that wasn’t centered around Ben and Alice. For example, there’s a scene in the book where Marcela has an event at the library and Theo shows up—I wish we could have had more moments like those. I think this could have helped with their relationship not feeling so “insta-love.”

One of my other issues was how much book talk there was. I understand that Marcela is a young adult librarian but the time spent talking about what books she liked and authors she admired could have been used to develop characters and relationships a little better.

That being said this was still a fun read and I truly was hooked—I needed to know how this love square would resolve itself immediately. I look forward to reading the next book in this series as I enjoyed Gamez’ writing in her debut and can see the potential for the next one to come.

final rating: 3.5/5

This was soo cute! And the cover art?!??

Marcela is in love with her best friend Ben. The problem is, he just got engaged to his long time gf.

When Ben’s brother gets hammered at the engagement party, Marcela stops him from confessing his love to the bride. She gets him out of there, and everyone at the party assumes they hooked up. Fake dating and complicated feelings ensue.

I thought Alice (the bride) was a great side character. Her part in the chaos was very mature. Marcela's bestie was also great. I hope we get a story for either of these women!! Would love to see more about them.

This is such a sweet book. It’s:
Single POV
Diverse characters
Plus size rep
Fake dating
Best friends’ brother
FMC is a librarian
MMC is retired from the NFL

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!