The first chapter had me wary. I hate when tropes about thick people are so overt and in the same paragraph, and why does she not know why her BEST friend rejects dates?
BUT. I'm so glad I kept reading. This was so cute! I loved it was set in Texas (familiarity comforts me in a book) and the mention of Whiskey Cakes had me missing home.
The main character being a Latina without all the stereotypes was refreshing.
I'm trying to find a way to describe Theo without being disrespectful 😉 because damn.
I also liked the small break of the 4th wall where the main character acknowledges a self awareness that the situation is giving CW.
Overall, would absolutely recommend. I read it free as an ARC but I'm tempted to buy a physical copy when it drops.

4.5 stars

OMG yes please such a cute book

-revenge dating
- librarian x NFL
- he falls first
- fake dating/ no strings attached romance
-plus size

Marcela and Theo an expected pair but a whirlwind romance. Marcela is trying to get over her ex and Theo is trying to get over his. The Exes just so happen to be engaged to be married. Both broken hearted decide to have a fling. But when feelings get involved it gets messy. Loved the body positivity.


Thank you Gabriella Gamez, NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion


Pub date July 9 2024

This was such a cute book. I loved the premise and loved that Marcella’s insecurities felt real. I loved watching her overcome them and realize her feelings for Theo, and her understanding of who/what Ben really was.

Theo was so sweet and kind, and… well… he’s a former NFL football player? So while he was great, I also had trouble picturing that. Now, I don’t know any NFL players, so I could be wrong, but I have trouble believing someone who plays in such a violent sport for a living would be so shy and embarrassed and in tune with soft emotions. I could be wrong—but I found that piece difficult to reconcile.

The writing was pretty good, but when it came to the steamy scenes, I had trouble staying in the book. I stopped counting the number of times someone’s hands were doing things seemingly of their own accord. I almost stopped reading at multiple points during these scenes because the writing in them was so poor, and I only pushed on because the rest of the book hadn’t been that bad.

All in all, this was a good read that had some room to grow.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

WOW! What an incredible debut! The perfect way to get booklovers to love your books is to write about another book lover!! This book was absolutely amazing in every way. The way Marcela felt about her body in her inner dialogue was perfect. It wasn't too heavy, or overly done. You can tell it came from someone that actually struggled with this and wasn't just doing this for the purposes of the book. Marcela's abandonment issues and how it came to play out in her and Ben's relationship. It just was so eye opening to me. I haven't read a book that I didn't want to end in so long thank you for being that for me.

I received an ARC copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review, as always, all words are my own.

This book was so cute. Obviously it’s very cliche just by the title, but I love cliche. It’s such a good read and I love the build up of the characters it has. My heart pounded in a few chapters. I loved Theo so much. He was so good to her. It was a very quick read and it ended just like it should. 5 stars for sure. I would love to read more books by this author. Thank you NetGalley for the SRC!

So glad I got this as an arc read. When I first started reading I kinda thought I wasn’t going to finish it, but after the first few chapters I was hooked. I appreciate the way the author doesn’t drag on with the unspoken dialogue between the main characters, it only adds to the slow build up of there relationship that keeps you wanting more. Definitely looking forward purchasing my own physical copy once this book is available.

Loved the diversity in this book. Loved the Texas rep. The Latina rep. Loved the plus size rep.

I think this writer wrote a cute story for a debut. It was cute and mildly entertaining.

I saw what the writer was trying to do, but I felt like it didn’t always get its mark.

It was almost trying to be and do and say too much, so not everything is fleshed out.

I do not think books need to fit tropes, but this book felt like it was trying to fit its way into tropes and ended up halfway into a bunch. Sort of a sports romance because he is an ex NFL player. But we only know a little about it. His character is not really explored and ex-NFL player seems to just be an easy label so that we get a physical description or personality trait.

Sort of a fake dating because everyone thinks they hooked up so they go along with it. But there isn’t really a ton of faking it they have to do?

Sort of had queer rep because one of the characters randomly comes out as ace. I’m not sure if I was supposed to have seen this coming, but this was very random and glossed over. It came out of the blue and they quickly skip back to talking about the main character again. I KNOW that the coming out was purposeful because I could tell the author is is set up for a next book, but the scene felt really out of place. I just feel like we didn’t know the character was really struggling with anything until she suddenly comes out and says that it’s been consuming her. They quickly go back to the main character’s drama.

I understood wanting to talk about the YA and Middle grade books because the MC was really passionate about her work, but I felt preached to when she got toooooo into detail about all these different books. Name dropping book titles and stuff like that always is a good way to take me out of the story, and I wished that had been tightened up or left out. It was narration and it was jarring.

The characters had so many things about them but we don’t really get to SEE it and they felt a little flat and one-dimensional.
Girl who likes to read meets boy who likes to football. I think there were also scenes that didn’t quite belong or move the plot simply to show that the character was Latina. It just tried to do too much that nothing was quite strong about it.


It was overall a cute read and I’m interested to see what the writer does next

When Marcella overhears her best friend Ben's brother Theo planning to break up Ben's engagement to Alice, she can't help but intervene. Even if Theo's actions would benefit her as long hoped for nearly a decade Ben would return to her after their brief relationship at university. But what if her intervention turns out to heal both their hearts?

Well-paced and tightly plotted, I was really blown away but how this book had so much depth and well-rounded characters I wished were in my friendship group. Gabriella Gamez has elevated a well-trodden plot with a well layered story about having faith in yourself and opening up your heart. I loved all the plot developments that eschewed the same tired tropes. For instance, where most books would make a huge deal about Marcella not telling Theo the complete truth, he didn't storm off.

Marcela and Theo were just so good for each other who refreshingly communicated. They both made each other better, made each other dig deep to examine their hearts, minds and motivations about what they wanted and who they wanted. Theo was an absolutely sweetheart by making safe space for Marcella open up more. (OMG his library date!) I also loved that we got to see the early days of them in a relationship and trying to make it work after all the hurdles. It's thanks to Theo that Marcela is finally able to move on from Ben, who has kept her at his beck and call, just giving her enough hope before snatching it away, then interferring any time she tried to move on from him (reminiscent a bit of Mhairi McFarlane's 'Last Night').

One stand out was how Marcela addresses being plus size in a fatphobic world which was so relatable. I often find myself cringing how a lot of other books go overboard with repeated mentions of how a character is plus size. Instead Marcela has some days where she's more confident than others or just neutral, and thats okay.

If I had any critique, I'd have loved a bit more exploration about Theo being an ex-NFL player. I was surprised that he wasn't recognised given football is popular in Texas, and that he needed to get a job as he only had enough savings to last a short while. That would've been a fresh take on how there are pro athletes who are the lesser known 'bread and butter' players and just added another layer to Theo's backstory.

A dazzling debut and I can't wait for the next book.

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was such a cute book! The cover is absolutely beautiful and I could not put it down. I would highly recommend!

This book was so cute! I spent the whole time rooting for Theo and Marcela. That he ends up falling for her first is just *chef's kiss*.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for my digital ARC!

I loved this story! Marcela and Theo are adorable. Both in love with the soon to be bride and groom trying to help each other get over their love through each other. The characters are done so well, the secondary characters are some of my favorite in a romance. They really add to the story.
This book is filled with many different tropes. The story has a lot of emotion to it as well as light humor. which made for a quick, fun read.
I'd recommend this for romance readers that like fake dating, rebound relationships, love square, mild/medium spice and heartfelt conversations.

Thank you NetGalley, Forever, and the Author for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Not a bad story, but I've seen each element (plus-size heroine, fake relationship, past pining, etc.) done with a bit more polish.

I also got the vibe that the author had a lot to vent about - which hey, I get it. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mindset to reach through certain dialogue between certain characters.

First book in a standalone series called "Librarians in Love" - definitely a lot of librarian talk if that's what gets it going for you

Interested in seeing what future librarians have going on in the series!

I'm having mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I really enjoyed the humor, the representation of plus-sized characters, and Angela as a character. However, I found it difficult to get fully invested in the overall storyline. I’m definitely interested in what she releases next. However, I just think I may not be the indented audience for this book. Once I reached the halfway point of the book, my interest waned as there seemed to be too much going on outside of the romantic plot. Marcela's emotions regarding Theo and the unclear details surrounding what happened between Theo and Ben left me feeling stressed and confused.

"The Next Best Fling" by Gabriella Gamez is an absolute delight! From the moment I cracked open its pages, I was swept away into a world of charming characters, swoon-worthy romance, and unexpected depth.

Marcela, our spirited youth librarian protagonist, stole my heart with her infectious passion for her job. There's something undeniably endearing about her dedication to fostering a love for literature. And then there's Theo, the handsome and genuine hero who captures your attention with his honesty and warmth.

What I truly adore about this book is its ability to blend light-hearted cuteness with meaningful exploration of serious topics. Marcela and Theo's journey isn't just about butterflies and romance; it's about confronting insecurities, embracing change, and discovering the courage to follow your heart. And let's not forget the rollercoaster of emotions brought on by the ups and downs of character growth, especially Ben's (Theo's brother) regression, which adds a relatable layer of complexity to the story.

The chemistry between Marcela and Theo is palpable from the start, but what sets their relationship apart is its authenticity. Their connection feels real and raw, grounded in mutual respect and genuine affection. And as they navigate the murky waters of attraction and uncertainty, you can't help but root for them every step of the way.

I devoured "The Next Best Fling" in one sitting, completely swept up in its heartwarming charm and irresistible romance. Gabriella Gamez's debut novel is a triumph, and I'm already itching to dive into whatever she writes next. Trust me when I say, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good love story. So go ahead, grab a copy, and prepare to be enchanted by the magic of Marcela and Theo's journey. You won't regret it!

This was so cute. Loved that the main character wasn't a skinny minnie!!! And her love for books - so relatable to read about. And her home library- so jealous.
I found myself rooting for them the whole time - can't wait to continue this series!!!!

*ARC Review: All thoughts and opinions below are my own*
Rating: 4.5
The Next Best Fling is exactly what the title says. It’s also about faith and releasing the concept control any and every little thing in our lives. In this story that translate to Marcela’s fear of being left and how that impacts her relationships. The development of her character alone made give this 4+ stars. A lot of the time you read books and the main character has learned nothing but both MCs grew from their past. So much so, that they were able to take a chance on someone new (okay I promise I’ll stop before I spoil something). The other .5 of my rating comes from the romance (because of course). Theo’s planning and thought behind everything made it more than just any other romance book. Basically I just loved the thought and development behind every scene of this book and can’t wait for any future expansions if there are any in the works :) Also Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this early.

So this book was such a fun read that I binged this in one day, practically without any breaks.

There was so much in this stoey that I could personally identify with. I loved the fact that the FMC was plus sized. I also loved how much she LOVED books - we got a decent amount of reader culture included.

And can we just all agree that Ben is one of the biggest romance villains of 2024 - he was such a gaslighter! I really liked the side characters in this book, they didn't detract from, but enhanced the overall story.

While there were open door spice scenes, the were still palatable for those who maybe prefer their spice to be more on the mild/medium side. I definitely felt that there was chemistry between Marcela and Theo, instead of trying to get into an insta-love story line.

Overall I really enjoyed this story and the writing style. I can't wait to see what comes next from Ms. Gamez!

I was excited to get my hands on an advanced copy of The Next Best Fling.

It was refreshingly cute. With the perfect amount of smut mixed into the romantic comedy aspects, the characters were fun and relatable. The fact that the main character was a librarian and loved reading so much was a fun detail too.

This was a good read. I loved every moment of this. Kept me quite captivated. Looking forward to more from this author.

A quick, fun, sexy read. I loved the relationship between our main characters and how much they communicate. Often, the couples miscommunicate, so having a couple talk it out and figure things out was so refreshing. A sweet complicated tale.