This might be my surprise hit of 2025! Truthfully, I had never read anything by Claire Gilmore before, but was intrigued by the synopsis of this book. I am so happy I picked this book up. I read it in one sitting. I loved everything about Josie and Will’s love story. I loved them dealing with their own personal insecurities and friendships and girl bossing. This was an absolute five star delightful romance. I’ve already added all of Claire Gilmore’s books to my backlist, and she is officially on my automatic to read authors list!

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I loved many things about this book, but what I mostly loved is that Will and Josie are two imperfect people who are the perfect fit for each other. And I don’t mean that in a pithy trite way…because to me that is the heart of this entire story. A decade earlier, they’d shared a kiss with consequences that changed the course of their lives. When they meet again, their feelings are conflicted, but they slowly work through old hurts and new challenges. Another thing I loved about Will and Josie and their story, is that, even at their lowest, they communicated honestly, with no fear of reprisal. It’s a common theme in romance novels for couples to not be honest, to not share their deepest feelings and worries, to shut each other out when things get tough. But in this novel, when things got tough or when doubt and disappointment crept in, they didn’t let go of each other, they didn’t try to hide their messy emotions. They never questioned the other’s love or support, they never let go of each other. Sigh…they melted my heart.

I really really enjoyed this book. I found the chemistry between Josie and will to be believable. I connected with Josie questioning her value as a friend/business owner and felt her insecurities. I liked the flirty banter, but also loved the friendship elements. Would definitely recommend!

This was a fun read! It grabbed my attention immediately.

*Workplace romance. Ex best friend’s brother. Second chance-ish. Hurt / comfort. MMC described as baby Henry Cavill.*

There were so many sweet moments. Likable characters. Relatable situations. Great banter. Palpable chemistry and tension.

I struggled with a couple things personally that kept it from being a five star, but overall a very enjoyable read.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the chance to review an advance copy.

I think we are really sleeping on the sheer brilliance of Clare Gilmore. I had seen a few rave reviews floating around #bookstagram for Gilmore’s debut romance Love Interest so when I saw she had a new one coming out, I jumped at the chance to request an advanced copy on Netgalley.

Perfect Fit has everything I look for in a romance: well-established adults with careers and full lives, side characters who feel like fleshed-out people and do more than just serve to move the romance plot line along, chemistry and tension, and character growth. I found myself so excited to get home and get back into this book!

In Perfect Fit, Josie is an entrepreneur who is girlbossing too close to the sun. She’s tailored every facet of her life to ensure the success of her sustainable clothing business. When she literally runs into Will, the twin brother of her former best friend from high school, he offers to come on board as a consultant to guide the business through the B Corp Certification process (whatever that means, lol). You already know where this is going. Chemistry, banter, work trips, and angst ensue.

Do not sleep on this book! If you’re a romance reader, it’s literally a perfect fit. (See what I did there??)

I wish it was easier to gauge how spicy romance books are before I read them. 'Perfect Fit' hooked me from the beginning, and I wanted it to keep me, but there were some aspects that I just couldn't handle. Josie is the likable founder and CEO of a sustainable fashion startup in ATX. I felt like I was right there with Josie as she strived to be a great friend, ethical entrepreneur, and well-rounded girly. Where this book diverges too far from my personal taste is the cursing throughout (f-word used dozens of times), scenes with heavy drinking, and too much spice.

If you like reading contemporary romance novels, and don't mind the above-mentioned aspects, then you'll likely enjoy this book. The overall plot and main characters are well-written and interesting.

Special thanks to the Publisher, St. Martin's Press, and Net Galley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I finished this pretty quickly after receiving the arc and immediately gave it five stars. I saw myself in Josie, I loved Josie and Will’s relationship and background. Their relationship felt real, and so many books I’ve read lately haven’t. Read this if you like Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez!!!!

Clare Gilmore’s writing is amazing and she’s easily an author to look out for. Auto buying everything she writes going forward!!!!

Thank you for the arc :)

I loved this!!!

Workplace romance + blast from the past (sorta second chance romance but less involved).

I loved Austin as a backdrop and definitely this sweet and swoony slow burn that had me kicking my feet!

Can’t wait for whatever Claire has written next!

OK loved the dynamic between the love interests. Also loved that there was no third act breakup I hate those. Hated the bad press angle.

All the stars. Perfection. Josie & Will have off the charts chemistry. It’s heartwarming, beautiful, sweet and wonderful. The writing is phenomenal. I couldn’t put it down.

This was such a sweet book. The main characters were likable and I kept wanting to see them together despite their past discretion. I loved the way the story ended. It left me wanting more.

I can’t express how much I loved this book—I gave it five stars! Our main characters, Josie and Will, literally run into each other (Will runs his bike into her car) after a years-ago falling out in high school. Josie is the CEO of a clothing company she started in college, and Will ends up working as a consultant for her.

Perfect Fit was so tender, funny, and sweet. Josie’s personal growth in her relationship to her work and her friends made me so emotional—this is a book that will stick with me for a long time. I loved seeing how she worked to detach her worth from her work, and how she focused on getting back to what truly made her happy.

Will and Josie’s romance was INCREDIBLE. If you’re looking for a man who is down bad, look NO FURTHER. Will is sweet, emotionally available, and shows his love with acts of service. We have all of my favorite things: workplace romance, travel, and a second chance at romance.

This book had it all: romance, female friendships, and a main character in her 20s who is figuring it out. I can’t recommend it enough, and can’t wait to see what Clare Gilmore writes next! This is definitely the “Perfect Fit” for your next read.

Thank you to Saint Martins Press & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Claire writes such good, and laugh out loud Rom Coms! I really enjoyed this one, getting to watch Josie as a business woman navigating love and life. And I love how her and Will had a past connection, that we get to see them rekindle!

Read if you’re looking for a fun and feel good Romance, with lots of laughs!

ARC REVIEW

★★★★◆ (4.5/5)
🔺️(0.5/5)

Its so refreshing to read a well planned book.

The storyline was flawless, it kept the reader entertained, it made sense and followed with ease, it wasnt hard to comprehend and it marked a great pace.

The characters ere really memorable specially since the book is told from the fmc pov so we can dig further into her mind and how she thinks and acts, the writing was fun, it was in firt person and it had lots of mannerisms and inside jokes like if it were literally the thought process of a real person and i think that is so fun.

The relationship dynamic was so pure and just good, the characters meant good, they wanted the best for the other and always helped their partner, they had good comunication and they knew how to overcome difficulties and i think that is what makes them a great couple, the resemblance with a real life situation, they were like real people to me.

Im just so happy about the developtment of the book throughout the story because it was never too slow or too fast and everything that needed to be happening was happening, i say this book was perfectly crafted and definitely written with a lot of caution.

At the beginning it took me some chapters to get the hang of it but i ended up being unable to put the book down and always swearing to myself i would read just one more chapter.

I definitely recommend this book, it was a light, fun read and it was soft in themes so i say it makes a great palette cleanser to read in between books wince its not a heavy book.

Ps. Pisco is chilean.

Josie is the CEO of the fashion company she started in college. She's aiming to take the next step for her company by opening up a brick and mortor store and get verified as a B corp. In order to help achieve that she brings in a consultant who ends up being someone from her past. The brother to her high school ex best friend, Will. The same Will who she kissed back in high school and then resulted in the loss of her best friend. As they continue to spend time together it's obvious something is there between them, but there's other things they have to consider before diving into the romantic relationship such as Josie's commitment to her compnay and how Will's sister will react to them reconnecting. The main character and the romantic relationship between Josie and Will is heartwarming and provides a wonderful story that slowly unfolds like love should. This is a wonderulf book full of strong women and men that pay attention. Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and St Martin's Press

Simple. Classic. And everything that I could if wanted and more. If your looking for a nice read after a long day of reality, this one's for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a free advanced copy of this ebook to review. All opinions are my own.

Perfect Fit is a cute romance that truly did not disappoint. I really liked how the author highlighted Josie's #girlboss mentality, and how that is really not a sustainable way to live. Showing her burnout made the book more realistic. The cast of characters here was so enjoyable, and I loved getting to know Josie and Will.

I was really drawn to this book because of the cover. In practice though I struggled to connect with the plot and ended up not finishing it. Thank you for the arc in échange for an honest review.

Perfect Fit is a beautifully layered story. Told in the pov of the FMC, Josephine, the reader is taken through her journey of being CEO of her fashion brand, and the sudden reappearance of her ex best friend's brother, Will, with whom she shared a certain history.
This book took me by surprise, in the best way. I love characters who struggle, who feel relatable, and both Josephine and Will made me feel connected to them in some way. Josie cares very deeply: about her relationships, her work, her employees, about how she is perceived, while Will is the kind of quiet strength that anyone would want to be around, amazing, and total book boyfriend material.
The love story between Josie and Will is the kind that I love reading about. It's tender, and solid, and true, and is one where they both show up for one another. Will especially, is the guy who uplifts Josie, reassures her, and is a strong person to lean on.
Perfect Fit is more than a love story. There is female friendships, adapting with how things change and people move on, balance between work and love, and most of all, finding a true sense of self not attached with how strangers see you (a well needed reminder). It is an utterly charming story that snags your attention and doesn't let go.

I have come to the conclusion that I Clare Gilmore is an auto-read author for me (auto-buy author when I am needing a bit of retail therapy)

Perfect Fit tells the story of Josie (a bad-ass CEO) of a clothing company. Her company is a start-up and in an attempt to use a consultant to really help them become a Certified B-Corp, along comes Will (her best friend’s angsty twin brother that she may have kissed 9 years ago). While things may have started off rocky for them (she basically hits him with her car), they realize that they cannot stay away from each other.

I am utterly obsessed with the chemistry between the two. I found myself rooting for them and wanting them to be together. I loved Will - he may have been an imaginary almost too perfect human - I loved how down bad he was for Josie and didn’t fail to go out of his way to show her how he felt and how much he wanted her to succeed.

The character development, the relationship development, the emotion, the actual feelings - this book is definitely one of my top books for the year.

Huge thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to St Martin’s Press for the physical ARC for the #justtalkingtomybookstraveling group could enjoy.