This is Gabriella Gamez's debut novel and I think this book is planting the seeds for where and how Gamez will grow in her writing style and in finding her voice. The Next Best Fling has a premise that is sure to be messing and fantastic. This novel has a lot charm and frustrations woven together to creating this push and pull with in the reader. Gamez has lots of ideas, her characters are complicated and frustrating at times, but ultimately there is a charm to this romance that will win in the end. I really see this novel as a stepping stone that will help Gamez grow as an author and I hope she soars. The Next Best Fling is a novel that is sure to charm some and frustrate others, but I think if you are in the mood for a young and new author who is discovering her voice, than this is a charming into to Gabriella Gamez and I for one and excited to see where she goes next.

This book was a bit of a wild ride for me personally. I almost dnf'd it and while I am glad that I didn't, I probably wouldn't read it again.

My feelings for all the characters (except Theo) flipped flopped through the whole book. I started off thinking Marcela was awful as a friends and a woman (because there were some very 'not a girls girl' thoughts about Alice I did not appreciate) and a person because I really hate deception. However, she ended up growing on me and I was able to understand why she lied, although I still wasn't a fan. Alice confused me at first but she seemed unproblematic and I was very happy about her ending. Ben is terrible. Theo is perfect.

The beginning was kind of slow, there was a lot of telling rather than showing which is not my taste. The middle was fantastic! The complications and tension was perfect. I was thinking this would actually be more of a 4 or 4.5 star, however all of a sudden it just kept going and going, and I was like how am I only 60%, let's wrap this up please. It was almost 400 pages! Why? 30-50 pages could have been cut.

In the end I was upset because I loved the middle but I just felt like it dragged and it annoyed me.

The Next Big Fling by Gabriella Gamez is a spicy and charming contemporary romance that follows the lives of two broken-hearted individuals who decide to embark on a no-strings-attached relationship to get over their past loves (Goodreads). The story centers around Marcela Ortiz, a plus-size Latina librarian who has been secretly in love with her best friend, Ben Young, for years. When Ben gets engaged to Alice, Marcela realizes it’s time to move on. Enter Theo, a former NFL player and Ben's brother, who also harbours feelings for Alice.

The Next Big Fling by Gabriella Gamez is a heartfelt and engaging romance that offers a fresh perspective with its diverse characters and exploration of complex themes. While it has its flaws, the book's strengths in character development and emotional storytelling make it a worthwhile read for fans of contemporary romance.

I was definitely drawn to this one due to the librarian connection, and the ways books were used in the story was definitely charming. Overall, this one was just fine for me though, and I can't quite put a finger on why it didn't land quite as well as I wanted it to.

I will forever read a plus size main character book. The Next best thing was one of a kind. Ben sucks and I wish him all the worst in life. To everyone else in the story, I will defend you until my dying day. I can't wait to read what is next.

• Friends with benefits
• Fake Dating
• Plus size rep
• Sports/Bookish themes
•Debut
🌶🌶

What a cute story. All the warm fuzzy feelings. I look forward to more by Gabriella Gamez!

Unfortunately after multiple attempts I have been unable to finish this one. I was super excited about the concept, but I am really not gelling with the writing sample. I was hopeful that maybe I was reading it at the wrong time for myself, but after three attempts to restart, I don't think that's the case here.

3.5⭐️

I struggled with liking the Marcela in the beginning bc what do you mean you liked Ben for 10 years and you daydreamed about him breaking up with his girlfriend.

Other than that, I think it passed by fast. It was a super easy read. And I liked how Marcela and Theo got a chance to grow and learn about love.

I set this one aside during a recent romance slump, and decided to finally give it a go! It was a really fun, sizzling, slow-burn book that held my attention and plopped me right back into my 20's dating life. I enjoyed how both characters were pining for someone else at their first meeting, and their agreement to try a no-strings-attached arrangement. In some ways, that allowed them to lower the stakes and angst, while exploring their undeniable chemistry. The spice was absolutely spicing, and I really felt this was a solid romance debut! All the expected drama was fun, and the conclusion was very satisfying. I look forward to what this author pens next!

The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez is a quick, fun romance read that gets readers thinking about first impressions and how people can surprise us. The characters are engaging and the romance is swoony. What I struggled with in this book was the narrative voice, which felt much younger than the 27 years old the character was meant to be, and the amount of alcohol use, while felt equally immature and perhaps unrealistic. Due to those things, I am unlikely to reach for a book by this author again.

A very cute, sweet romance between two unlikely people! I really saw a lot of myself in Marcela, and I could really connect with her and her insecurities. It was wonderful seeing her change and grow, I think Theo is a wonderful love interest, and I was so thrilled with every aspect of their relationship!

I loved the MMC in this story. I mean, who doesn’t love a football player?! But it was a little slow moving for me. This would be great for people who love a slow burn!

What a delightful and charming read that hits all the right notes. The story revolves around Marcela Ortiz, a librarian who's been nursing a secret crush on her best friend for years. When her best friend gets engaged, Marcela decides it's time to move on. Enter Theo Young, an ex-NFL player and the older brother of the man she's been in love with. When Theo shows up at the engagement party with intentions of confessing his feelings for the bride-to-be, Marcela steps in to stop him, leading to an unexpected and tantalizing twist.

What starts as a cover-up for Theo's feelings and Marcela's heartbreak quickly evolves into a no-strings-attached relationship. Their chemistry sizzles as they explore their newfound attraction, whether it’s in the library aisles or Marcela's bed. The story perfectly blends spicy moments with sweet and heartfelt interactions, making for a fun and engaging read. If you’re in the mood for a romance full of messy dynamics and uncovered secrets, this debut is definitely worth a read.

Thanks Forever for such an amazing and run book!

3.5⭐️
Thank you so much for Forever and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

I was extremely excited going into this book - the cover, the synopsis, everything sounded like this was a going to be a perfect hit.

Unfortunately this is the epitome of a perfectly fine romance.

There were parts I really loved, parts I didn't so much enjoy. And in the end I'm left feeling very little about it in any way.

I think this was a fun twist on a love triangle, explored complex relationships, and definitely had a satisfying ending (iykyk). But the amount of unnecessary secrets, lies, and self-sabotaging behavior was also quite frustrating.

So I'm left in the middle not feeling strongly about the story in any way. But since this is a debut, I am interested in picking up this author's next book.

Librarian Marcela Ortiz has harbored feelings for Ben since their college days. However, Ben regards her solely as his best friend. When Ben proposes to his girlfriend, it sends Marcela on an unwanted journey.
Theo Young, a former NFL player and Ben's older brother, has secretly loved Ben's fiancée for years. At the engagement party, Theo resolves to confess his feelings, but Marcela accidentally hears him plotting to disrupt the wedding.
In a twist of fate, Theo and Marcela pretend to be a couple, triggering a chain of events. As they navigate their sham relationship with Ben attempting to separate them, unexpected complications arise, including their own growing affection for each other.

I loved this book. I just finished the second half of it in one sitting because I couldn’t get enough.

Marcela has feelings for Ben. Theo has feelings for Alice. Ben and Alice are engaged. What are two people with unrequited feelings supposed to do?

Engage in a no-strings-attached arrangement, of course. The catch? Theo is Ben’s older brother (who he doesn’t have a great relationship with) and Theo doesn’t know Ben is the one Marcela is hung up on. What could possibly go wrong?

This book is so messy and complicated and REAL in the best ways possible. Having to work through unrequited feelings is so hard, but even harder when you’re harboring feelings for your best friend who’s engaged to another woman. Marcela’s struggle was so relatable, as was Theo’s, and it was so heartbreaking to watch her realize that she was always a second choice to Ben — but it made Theo genuinely choosing her that much sweeter.

Theo was CHEF’S! KISS! The man was so communicative, so willing and wanting to talk things out that I found myself gasping at the “come in, let’s talk about this” line 62% through the book. Like, WHAT? I understood Marcela’s hesitation to open up, but I loved Theo’s determination to be adults and talk about the hard things. It’s usually the woman having to do that, so KUDOS.

I also loved the dynamic between Marcela and her best friend, Angela. Angela was the perfect example of a confidant secondary character and I appreciated how she held space for her friend to feel what she needed to feel, but also talked sense into her when she needed it. You don’t want to ‘yes’ your friends to death — sometimes we all need a reality check, and that’s what a good friend does.

And I can’t end this review without thanking Gabby for writing a character that I could see myself in, especially when it came to being plus size. The fears that Marcela had, ESPECIALLY during her first time with Theo, were so relatable. Wondering how we look in our most vulnerable state is a thought that can derail us and keep us from fully enjoying ourselves, and I felt for her in that moment when she didn’t want to get undressed because the man before her was, well, really fit. But the way he assured her that she was sexy as hell and he wanted her 100% made me so happy for her. You’re not any less beautiful because of the size of your body, and I really appreciated the care with which that scene was written.

I loved, loved, LOVED this book and I’ll read everything Gabby writes.

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Forever Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a quick, funny but intense and addicting book! I love the connection between Marcela and Theo and to me, it was immediately the feeling of "these two are better suited for each other" even though it was "fake dating."

Love how Marcela felt defensive of Theo since she was going through the same situation and allowed him to lean on her and vice-versa. I also liked how they were very honest throughout the story's feelings and expectations but it did bother me that Marcela wasn't as honest (although I understand the reason why) but just thought Theo was so understanding, that he would've just been like "okay, well, cool" lol

I felt very connected to the characters and the little things they would do for each other as you were able to feel the tension of the situations as well as their feelings developing.


If I could change one thing, it'd be how at the end, Marcela was still doubting their future together and her feelings, since Theo had declared his love and feelings and was so sure.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Gabriella Gamez for the chance to read this!

This was sweet, funny, and steamy! Enjoyed every second and cannot wait for more from Gabriella Gamez :)

Obsessed with this cover and all of these characters!

I loved this one. Who would have known two people who had secret crushes on other people could turn into such a heartfelt story? I enjoyed this one all the way through!

There were so many things I loved about this book. I was expecting this book to be MESSY, and while it did have its moments, I was surprised by how sweet the romance between Marcela and Theo ended up being. At first glance, it appears they couldn’t have anything in common aside from their pining over the wrong person. As they get to know eachother better it turns out they make a really great pair and bring out the best in each other. Theo was such a great MMC. Even though their relationship started out fake, you can tell he fell first and he fell hard. His library grand gesture? Perfection. Ben was the WORST and I’m glad he got the ending he deserved. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for a review copy.