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.

Thank you Netgallery for this ARC! This one was so so cute and an easy read, kept me hooked right from the beginning. Loved the second chance, friends to lovers, and reconnecting that took place. Character growth was present and loved that Zoe and Josie reconnected and discussed what went wrong. Definitely recommend this one!

i don’t usually do this but i want to begin with characters:

josie | i really liked the main character, Josie. i connected to her in so many different ways; mostly to her habits and the way she thinks. she can’t see anything expect her work and even though i found her annoying i couldn’t deny similar characteristics.

will | again, he was doing some crazy annoying stuff as an adult but his love toward josie covers everything he did. he is the most patient person i’ve read about lately. he was there every time she needed him; he made her feels safe and helped her overcome workaholism and challenges on her way.
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they did wrong as teenagers, we won’t deny it. but zoe did wrong too. i really think is important to communicate! please!!! they just had to talk to figure everything out.
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why 3 stars? too many scenes i skipped. i believe the book could be shorted and it would be more investing that way. but still would recommend for fast readers!🤍

anyway, work trip scenes 🤭

Thanks to Clare Gilmore, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance reader copy of “Perfect Fit”.

This funny and poignant novel by Clare Gilmore had me laughing out loud as well as feeling for the main character, Josie. I found parts of this story very relatable, such as the main character struggling with what people thought of her (in her 20s) and deep regrets. Other things I could not relate to but that’s probably a generational gap.

It’s been 10 years since one night in Josie’s life collided with other forces and caused the loss of her best friend and her reputation at school. She takes that pain and frustration and builds a small clothing design company about to make it big. In a serendipitous moment, the boy from high school, now a handsome man, crashes back into her life-for real. His actions and words cause her to doubt not only the past but her incessant need to be perfect.

This is a great story and I am so glad I read it. I will definitely be looking for more of Clare Gilmore’s books in the future.

Not bad, but not great either. I generally liked Josie and Will as characters. I also really appreciated the commentary on social media use. It felt very topical and relevant in way that isn’t usually found in romance books. However, I struggled to connect with the relationship between Josie and Will. It felt a bit rudimentary and became mostly tensionless as the story continued.

Not a bad book by any means, but this book failed to be anything special for me. The book was well written though, and I’m excited to see what the author writes next!

I read this book through NetGalley.

3 stars ⭐✨.

I liked the main plot points of a sort-of 'workplace' romance mixed with second-chance tropes. It also had the BFB trope (cue victorious song). I did think it was a really cute read. This is also a great book for readers who love strong working-women leads.

However, I felt like I couldn't interested in this book as much as I had intended. I didn't really connect to the characters. In fact, it felt like a cookie-cutter romcom in comparison to those that I have read before. This isn't always a bad thing though because it is a really comforting read for when you want an emotional-support book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-book ARC.

Clare Gilmore's "Perfect Fit" is a charming tale that explores life, love, and finding one's place in the world. Set in a bustling city, the story centers around Emma, a young woman navigating the challenges of adulthood and confronting her past. When she stumbles upon a vintage clothing shop run by the charismatic Joe, her life takes an unexpected turn.
Gilmore created a relatable story, focusing on themes of self-discovery, friendship, and embracing individuality. The characters are well-developed, each with their own quirks and vulnerabilities, making them easy to connect with. Emma's journey towards self-acceptance is heartfelt and genuine, drawing readers in with its authenticity.
"Perfect Fit" is a captivating read that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like they didn't quite fit in. With its relatable characters and heartfelt storytelling, it's a book that leaves a lasting impression. Recommended for fans of contemporary romance and stories of personal growth.

I liked the idea of rest as a good idea and how to balance work and life out of the office. The cover is attractive and the characters are well-developed. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for letting me read this ARC.

I loved the vibe of this book. A successful queen meets successful man who is also her ex best friend's twin brother? Uh yeah sign me up.

Josie is busy running her clothing empire (what a slay) when a man quite literally runs into her car with his bike. Turns out the man is the one, the only, Will Grant, who she last saw 10 years ago when they were making out on the beach. I loved Josie and watching her try to navigate her life after girlbossing a bit too close to the sun. We advocate for ourselves and set healthy boundaries! We prioritize self care! We let a man take care of us when he offers (especially if he looks like henry cavill)!

My only issue with this book is that it felt like we were sprinting to the end from page one. The story felt like it was rushed a bit, and I wish we could have slowed down some and dug into it more. A little less instant insta love? Does that makes sense? Idk

This was my first time reading this author, and I will definitely be reading whatever else she has or will publish!

I loved this book, and I loved seeing the characters getting their second chance romance. Great chemistry and easy to love characters. I especially loved how the ending was structured, Clare did a great job of making it unique and not the same as every other romance book.

Thank you netgalley for this arc!
rating: 2 stars

This book was sweet and cute, but I could not connect with the characters the way I wished I could. Also, the italics definitely sort of ruined it for me, there were just too many. The writing felt a bit immature at times. Really wanted to love it. Just wasn't for me.

4.25* this was such a fun easy read! i didn’t want to put it down, i literally ended up dreaming about it and getting so excited to pick it up again first thing in the morning! Will and Josie are such a cute couple i love how raw and honest they are with each other. the sick scene was everything!!!!! also the friendships in this book are so nice to read about along side the relationship. and the ending?!?!? this was my first by this author but definitely won’t be my last!!! you guys definitely need to add this to your tbr!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6521462274?book_show_action=false

Will Grant!!!! I highlighted so many of his lines to read on a rainy day. What a sweet story and so relatable with struggles of burnout, trying to decide what’s next, and feeling out the balance of fair/not fair in relationships. Really loved them together! I felt a little unfulfilled not getting a full picture of what happened with her professional journey. I’m sure that was intentional to make us think but it took me out of the romance a bit. Overall really loved it and esp love Will!