I really enjoyed so much about this book. Both Josie & Will were sympathetic characters that were portrayed as flawed, but genuine. As the story progressed, their relationship built in a way that drew me in and had me rooting for their success, individually & together. I don’t know that there’s a lot of comedy, but the story is definitely timely and endearing with plenty of swoon-worthy scenes. The last doorstep convo was pretty spectacular. This book is one I’d purchase to re-visit Austin with Will & Josie. And I’ll definitely pick up anything from this author.
Thank you #NetGalley for the arc e-book.

This was a cute and light second chance romance! I think the emotional connection was really well developed here, and usually I find myself saying this the other way around, but I actually needed a little bit more in terms of the physical connection and chemistry. I would classify this as door ajar (?) in terms of spice, and these few scenes felt a little rushed/underdeveloped for me.

That aside, I really loved Will and his devotion, I mean this quote alone, hehe.

“I am happiest when I am giving you what you want.”

3.75 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and SMP for the ARC.

This is a cute romance about two high school acquaintances who reconnect a decade later. It’s told only from the female POV, which is a little unfortunate, because the MMC is definitely the more likable of the two characters.

The storyline isn’t overly predictable, but I still found my mind wandering at times and realized the story wasn’t holding my attention all that well. I think the reason why is because it’s written like a book, not like people actually think and talk. I can’t imagine people in real life ever saying a word of the dialogue in this book. So if you’re in it for the banter, like I am, this might not capture your attention.

If you’re in it for the story, though, this one’s pretty good. It’s definitely more romance than rom-com. There are some heavier topics, and the tone is fairly introspective. I didn’t really have any guesses of where the story was going, so it kept me reading to see how things would play out.

I will say that the ending…left something to be desired. I almost knocked off a whole star because of the last sentence, so that’s a bit of a downer. 🫠

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Perfect Fit was a cute story but ultimately felt a little formulaic to me. Josie is an impressive character, with her own clothing brand she built from the ground up and a diverse friend group. She struggles with imposter syndrome, which I felt was well done - especially for a character who outwardly projects such success, but who I can understand, in real life, may still struggle with her fast rise and wondering if she’s truly deserving of what she has.

Will was where things fell a little flat for me, he felt a little too perfect and pushed the plot into a standard girl has met boy, issues in past, reintroduction of the two, revisit of feelings, happily ever after. It just didn’t have enough believability to take it out of an almost script format.

This is well written, cute, and fun and I can see many enjoying this immensely. I just wished we had spent more time in what made the story really interesting, the moments with friends, Josie’s feelings, and the development of Will to be a real person on the other side of that.

I couldn’t wait to dive into this as soon as I got it and pushed other books to further back on my TBR to skip to this! It did not disappoint. Dare I say this was a pretty long slow burn and I was aching for Josie and Will to get together and man was it worth it! Will was TO DIE FOR and I highlighted so many of the things he said to Josie that made me swoon! One of the things I loved most was the side plots about friendship and work/life balance that i thought were really interesting and added another layer to the plot that I ate up. All in all I loved this and can’t wait for more from Clare!

This one is for the insecure overachievers, the ones who work hard and get far and still suffer from imposter syndrome. So relatable and so vulnerable. Josie was a character I rooted for!! I also loved the strangers-to-friends-to-lovers story. The romance between Josie and Will was patient, caring, and thoughtful.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me a digital review copy of this book via NetGalley!

I really enjoyed this book. It really surpassed the authors first book for me. I loved the use of imposter syndrome and the supporting characters. In particular I loved how much the lead female character LOVED her business. She was such a rich and believable character. I also fully believed the relationship and I’m glad the conflict wasn’t him being her former best friends brother (and in fact that was dealt with beautifully) but her own insecurities. Will read again.

This book was EVERYTHING. I can easily claim it as one of my favorite books now. I don’t even know where to start. The characters were intriguing, the plot was easy and exciting to follow, I was emotional as the climax hit and I felt like the epilogue was perfect. It is my first read from the author but I believe I would read more of her work.

“I’m the reason you were quoted such a high rate when you approached Ellis about working together.”
His words make me immediately nauseous.
“Why?” I bite out.

At this moment, I knew I was going to adore this book. It wasn’t just that he was groveling, but the way he went about it. Normally in groveling tropes, men throw money at the FMC to fix issues. Whether it’s gifts or something of the sort, that eventually wears the FMC down because of the gestures. In this case, Will takes up any and all additional time he has to research all he can about Josephine and how can be of use to her. He helped her at any given moment he was able to and I adored him each time he pulled through for her. When she was battling inner issues, he was the greenest flag I have ever witnessed. He was able to explain things rationally to her, in a way that he was sure she would understand.

The COMMUNICATION between these two was amazing! That was my favorite part between these two, and honestly, I think it sent a message to the reader throughout the book. Lack of proper communication was the leading issue through the book. Starting were her friendship in high school, when the two MC’s had a slight misunderstanding, and then the news that was happening between the FMC and her current r friends; this book was testing to show you how one TINY little issue could ruin an entire relationship. If the characters would have been able to simply talk to each other, these issues wouldn’t have been there. So, for the FMC to show her growth and push past any uncomfortable feelings to make sure she effectively communicating whenever it needed to happen was amazing. Yes, she still had moments where she clearly did NOT show her growth, but no one is perfect haha.

“Hi,” she says, her voice sending me all the way back to that study hall when I asked if I could read her short story and she said, Oh my gosh, you’re secretly weird too!
I gulp. “H-hi,” I manage.
In the next breath, we’re hugging. Instantly, I feel like an emotionally charged teenager again, clutching my first best friend close as tears prick at my eyes, dance across my cheeks, and land on her shoulders. She sob-laughs against my collarbone and I choke out a laugh of my own.
When I pull back to look at her, she beams a thousand-watt smile at me.

This part had me SOBBING. I had to put my book down. I don’t think I’ll properly be able to explain the emotions that were coursing through me at that moment. Josephine has a bunch of issues with her self esteem; some which dealt with her relationships, some where it messed with her obsession regarding others views of her. It was a small issue that popped up every now and then throughout the book, but it was enough that it made it significant enough. I felt myself blending with the character, moments where she was so anxious because of one small detail - something that the other characters didn’t understand - but I found myself pointing at my screen agreeing with her, understanding with her, because I’ve also lived it. It made me feel really connected with the character throughout the story, and I found myself attached to her.

“Josie,” Will murmurs, his hands on my neck, in my hair, lips on my collarbone. “
love you. I am head over heels in love with you.” “I love you, too,” I say back, just before he kisses me. We’re helpless.
It came out so simply. His call, my response. I love you.

These two were perfect honestly. I was rooting for them from the very beginning, and yes, we knew that they were going to get together, but the build up was immaculate. They are hands down going to be one of my favorite book couples forever. I know I talked them up above, but their romance really was a staple for me. I felt like a befriend listening to a love story, a beautiful written love story where fate takes over.

During an emotionally intense discussion between our two dear main characters, Josie and Will, there is a moment when one of them says something to the effect of "let's have a mature talk and at the end of it, we'll still want to be with each other." I swooned.

Clare Gilmore's writing is filled with that kind of earnest dialogue and tender vulnerability, and it's truly a refreshing oasis of maturity in a sea romance novels that often rely on miscommunication and other similar conflict tropes. Josie and Will's chemistry and pull towards each other is undeniable, but there are realistic hurdles between them and in their careers, and I really appreciated that nothing about it was artificial, manufactured drama. Ambition for herself, fear of succumbing to the burn-out, his desire to be near family, but to avoid sliding backwards, the anxiety of repairing old friendships - these are all relatable. (The only un-relatable aspect is how financially comfortable they both were.)

I thought it would be hard to beat the compatibility of Casey and Alex (from Love Interest), but Josie and Will are also so well matched and also achingly kind and attentive towards each other. I still think about Alex's Target laundry detergent phone call, but now it's joined by Will's determined thoughtfulness in Nashville. Casey pulling up the old articles written by Alex's mom; Josie soothing Will's insecurities as he lists his "worst" traits. I loved that their chemistry towards each other was built on communication, and because of this writing choice, there are so many morsels of romantic declarations sprinkled throughout to keep you kicking your feet in the air.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I am very excited for Gilmore, and can't wait to see what she writes next!

This book was great. It was very relatable and I loved the setting. The romance was so cute and I really enjoyed the plot.

I loved this cute romance novel. I devoured most of it in two days, and adored all of the characters.

Josie is a young CEO of Revenant, an online clothing company she started in college. She is in her late twenties and getting ready to open a brick and mortar store and finding a lot of challenges with her growing company.

Will was the twin of her best friend in high school but they all had a falling out and I looked forward to hearing what happened (which I won't share here because of spoilers). They reconnect when he runs into her car on his bike and she ends up hiring him as her business consultant. Will is wonderful and I loved how he has her back when he helps her with her business and personal life when she can’t find a venue for her best friend’s bachelorette party.

Josie has been a workaholic and is starting to feel burned out. There are glitches as her business grows and she is wary of social media after some struggles with it early on in her career. She realizes she has been putting her business first and is ready to make some changes. Luckily, she has her growing relationship with Will as she makes decisions about her future. While the pacing felt a little off at times and I struggled to follow a few conversations (who was talking), Josie and Will are a sweet couple and I had fun rooting for them. I recommend this to readers looking for a quick, light second chance romance. I am thankful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is the second novel from Clare Gilmore due out October 29, 2024. Add to your TBR, pre order for your favorite high school or college grad, anyone in their late 20s still figuring it out — or even their 30s or 40s.

Setting: Austin, TX
CEO/Consultant
Work Proximity
Ex Best Friends Twin
Strangers to business partners to lovers

Hooked. Immediately. Josie’s inner dialogue is relatable. This is a book I’d recommend to any post high school female navigating what they want out of their life spanning work, friendships, and intimate relationships. The balance (read: struggle) requires us to take steps back and evaluate our life through a different lens, preferably when we’re in a clear headspace.
‘What do I want, just for me? “I want my existence to be meaningful.”’ Same, Josie. Same.

Josie literally crashing into her ex bestfriend’s twin, Will sets up a story of fate that started nearly a decade earlier.

Will’s speech during their run in with the norovirus made my soul feel like sunshine was being squeezed out of every possible pore. It soothed me even, and I wasn’t even sick.

“Will asked me to remember what it’s like to be with him— Which means everything else is forgettable.”
It’s impossible not to fall in love with Will Grant through the eyes of Josephine Davis.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a cute romance! It centers around a fashion CEO that has put her company first for so long and runs into an old high school flame who changes everything for her. The characters are instantly likeable and the dialogue is so relatable and emotional. I loved the depth of characters and their friendships/ relationships. Easy to read in a day. Perfect summer beach read 10/10.

This was the first Clare Gilmore book that I've read, and I will definitely be reading more in the future. The story kept me very interested and the characters were well developed. I appreciated the spotlight that the author put on burnout and extreme stress. My only complaint is the very end, Ending the book with ellipses is just something that is a real turn off for me personally. However, I would definitely still recommend this book and did really enjoy it until the last page!

I loved this book so much. I adored Claire Gilmore’s last workplace romcom and this one has skyrocketed her to one of my favorites. There was something about Will and Josie, both so deeply human and flawed, and both so clearly meant for each other.

Spoiler 🚨

I loved how what you were beginning to anticipate as a third act break up became instead an opportunity for a display of love and commitment. And the speech he have her. Gah! My heart. I just can’t.

This was lovely.

Thank you SMP and NetGalley for the eARC!

Unfortunately this one wasn't my cup of tea, but I definitely think it will find its audience amongst my community on Bookstagram. I struggled to connect with the characters, especially Josie, and the writing style wasn't pulling me in as much as I had hoped. Bonus points for the cute cover though!

I loved this novel! I really found the writing to be enjoyable and I’m so excited to pick up more by this author. Definitely will be recommending to family and friends!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of ‘Perfect Fit.’ This book was very easy to get into, and ended up being a sweet, feel-good read! I really enjoyed the main characters, and genuinely connected with Josephine and her struggles. I just felt like something was missing from this book. The story felt overall pretty rushed, and like there was a good bit of information missing in the middle that would have pulled it all together a little more. But overall, I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it!

Maybe I’m bias because I’m a fellow corporate girlie but I loved this book and I loved Josie. A little corporate drama mixed in with the romance makes my little accountant heart beat! I have so many good things to say about this book:
- Will Grant is a man written by a woman in every sense. Claps to Clare for writing such a self-reflective, caring, and been to therapy man. The way he cares for Josie during pivotal parts of this book will make your heart melt. We also love a man who is not threatened by a woman’s successful career!
- Josie Josie Josie. I love her. I relate to her in a lot of ways which made this book so special to me. She’s a hard working woman who goes after what she wants but also faces many insecurities and doubts along the way. I think a lot of women in the corporate world can relate to her. I don’t relate to the part of her that comes from a privileged background but I appreciated how much she was aware of it and owned how that played into her success.
- Female friendship. I love a romance book that has just as strong of a female friendship as it does the main romantic relationship. Cami and Josie’s friendship from college to Revenant is really beautiful in the ways they show up for each other and support one another.

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Griffin & Clare Gilmore for the ARC of this book.