PERFECT FIT by Clare Gilmore is about the CEO and founder of a clothing line. Puns! I love em.

Josephine turned her anxiety-outlet hobby of designing and sewing clothes into a side hustle in college, selling them to people on instagram in her DMs. Now she's 27, with a real business that, she pours herself into. She's self aware enough to know that she can't handle social media and that, she derives all her self worth from external sources, but not always the wisdom to stop herself. But every thing changes when she runs into Will, her former best friend's twin brother, who she kind of blew up her life with their senior year in high school. (Actually he runs into her!!)

Will has his own regrets, his own dreams. And Josephine happens to be both. They are both at a crossroads professionally and have to decide what it is they really want.

I am not usually opposed to a third act break up, but when 80% came and they were too happy, it made me nervous. The had already been through so much! There are some speedbumps, but they don't break up!

4.5 ⭐️

Josephine Davis has always loved fashion. She created her fashion company, Revenant, junior year of college and grew it into a successful business. Now her biggest investor wants her to hire a consultant. When Josie is on her way to meet with a consulting group, she runs into Will Grant - literally. Will was the last person she’d thought she would ever see again. Durning a senior spring break trip, Will and Josie kissed and it was a mistake. They had hurt her best friend and his twin sister.

Josie remembers Will as moody; She also remembers when he said that she was shallow. When Will offers to be her consultant, she’s hesitant but can’t refuse. The consulting company he works for is the best and her number one choice. Josie has a goal to have her company be a B Corp and Will is going to do everything he can to help her. The more they work together, the closer they become. There are many reasons why Josie can’t develop feelings for Will though. She lives in Texas and he’s in New York, they have to consider his sister, and the biggest reason of all - she can’t afford any distractions. But even with all these reasons, Josie can’t help but fall deeper in love with Will. Can Will show Josie that there is more to life than work?

This is the first book I’ve read from Clare Gilmore and I loved it. I was hooked from the beginning. The plot and character development were really good. Josie was caring and hard-working. I loved that she took her dream and made it a reality. Throughout the book you get a sense of where her anxiety comes from. She has a hard time believing in herself and cares what others think of her. She puts everything into her company, so she feels like she is being productive and because of that we see her burnout. I loved how caring and patient Will was with Josie. He never pushed her and supported her in what ever she wanted to do. He did help her realize that there is more important things in life than working. I also liked that she started going to therapy. I was so happy that Zoe and Josie reconnected. I feel like her female friendships were just as important as her relationship with Will. I also loved how the author left the ending open for the readers to make up their own conclusion. I will definitely be checking out other books by Clare Gilmore.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Perfect Fit was my first read by Clare Gilmore and I really enjoyed it. Josephine Davis, the heroine, was a real boss lady mostly focused on her job. Will Grant, the hero, was back into her life as a consultant at her company years after a shared incident. The man was truly charming, patient and sweet! Their relationship rebuild so beautifully. The romance level was high and swoon worthy with a low level of steam. Overall, this story was good with interesting protagonists.

as a fellow burnt out corporate girlie, this is my new roman empire. the writing and story was beautiful. love that the FMC and MMC prioritized their separate lives and dreams but also considered their love factoring in.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was sweet, fun and steamy. It was lovely how Josie and Will were honest, vulnerable, and grew their relationship. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

This book is so perfect, I absolutely loved it! I love the way Clare builds her characters and the world in which they live in. I read this book at what felt like the perfect time, where I could relate so much to the characters. There is a great display of friendships, depth, and emotions. Josie and the display of what feels like a realistic depiction of what it is like working in the corporate world was deep and lended itself to many questions that women ask themselves and the struggles that are experience.

Will Grant was also perfection and I have so many quotes from this book that I adored! I highly recommend it.

Thank you to SMP for the ARC, I can't wait to get my physical copy!

Clare Gilmore writes romance in such a fun, lighthearted way with an impeccable ability to weave in deeper, emotional themes that are super relatable and help readers just fall for her characters and their journeys.

Clothing brand CEO Josephine has spent her entire twenties building up her brand and meticulously crafting their image. When she starts looking for an outside consultant to take her company to the next level, she never expects to run into (literally) her ex-best friend’s brother (who she may have shared a steamy kiss with in high school) to be the perfect fit for her business plans. But what happens when that past chemistry sparks again, and she starts falling?

I just adored this book!! I love how Gilmore writes her love stories and makes them so layered. We see Josie and Will go from strangers to partners to friends who stare longingly at each other to something more. I also loved the story at its core of Josie finding herself again after great success and realizing her dreams may change as she does. It felt close to home and warmed my heart.

4.25/5

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Josie is a young CEO trying to juggle her clothing company, her best friend’s bachelorette party, and the launch of her first physical clothing store. Will is a consultant that offered to help her out in her professional endeavours. The thing is, they've known each other for a long time (Will being her ex-best friend's twin brother), but haven't seen or talked to each other in almost a decade (because of the same reason why Josie and Zoe are no longer friends).
I loved this sedond chance romance! I loved that the FMC was such a strong character, but depicted in a realistic way. I loved Will, with his golden retreiver energy (I find it so sexy in my MMCs when the FMC is sick and he just takes care of her without being asked!). I loved their constant and very well rounded communication. The only thing that bugged me was their falling out (and Josie's and Zoe's falling out) and the reason it happened in the first place - I'm not a fan of that trope being an issue in general, and the "problem" was made up to be much bigger, with much more consequences than it truly should have. The reason why they can't be together makes no sense to me, which in turn made if feel like there were no real issues and they were apart for no reason. But the banter was laugh out loud funny. I loved the character development, and the fact that despite this being a rom-com, it's wasn't just fluff (don't get me wrong, I like my fluff, but every once in a while, it's nice to read something that has a little more substance to it).
I received an advance reader copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

omg!!! 4.5 ⭐️ rounded up! i adored this book! i really connected with josie’s character and traits, and what she went through with owning a business. this book was incredibly healing and i’m so grateful to have that the chance to read it. and and will? DREAMY. also, girlhood. ya know? ugh, this was so good!!!

thank you netgalley and st. martin’s press for this arc! 🩵🩵🩵

I really enjoyed how Josie and Will developed over the course of this book, how they helped each other grow and their awesome chemistry together. I found Josie to be a really relatable narrator (though I could only dream of being as successful as her), just in the high expectations she put on herself and how she had to get past putting her value as a person on something outside of herself. I also appreciate the trend I've been seeing toward no third-act breakups. It's refreshing. Definitely a fun, sweet book that I'd recommend.

Claire Gilmore's Perfect Fit offers a refreshing take on contemporary romance, weaving together themes of friendship, work-life balance, and self-discovery. At its heart, it follows Josie, the driven CEO of a fashion brand, as she navigates the complexities of success, friendship, and love. Josie’s struggle to balance her career with her mental health and a budding romance with Will Grant – her ex-best friend’s brother – brings depth to the story.

Josie’s “girl boss” energy and the insecurities she grapples with make her a relatable and multi-dimensional character. Her friendships are given nearly as much weight as her romance, showing how connections evolve and teach us about ourselves over time. The second-chance romance between Josie and Will unfolds in a sweet and mature way, avoiding unnecessary miscommunication and instead focusing on real-life challenges and personal growth. Gilmore also does a fantastic job capturing the pressure of modern life, from social media’s impact to the tension of maintaining a work-life balance.

Overall, Perfect Fit is a satisfying read, balancing a thoughtful romance with the realities of young adulthood today.

This book had me kicking my feet feeling so giddy! Josie and Will…my heart couldn’t handle it! I loved this book. Definitely a top read of the year for me. This was a funny but also heart felt rom-com. The person you least expect can end up being your perfect fit! Josie was a very relatable character. A lot of people seem to work themselves so hard they end up burning out. We all need a Will Grant to help us through the tough times and also the good times! I added another one of Clare’s books to my TBR! I’m going out to pick up my copy of Love Interest soon!

I love a second chance where the MMC comes back and works hard to win the FMC and that is exactly what we got from Will. Josephine and his sister were best friends until one night things all changed. She lost her best friend and he knew he couldn't be with her. Fast foward to years later, Jo is the CEO of a fashion company that is in need of a consultant to further it's business and Will is just that consultant. When they run into each other, literally, he knows that he can't leave her alone.
Jo doesn't want her heart broken again. She lost her best friend in a matter of minutes and she doens't want to get caught up in the web of him again. Will just wants to be near her, and she hasn't wanted to be near anyone in so long... that this feels different. Their connection is still forbidden, now he works for her. Everything she has worked so hard for could go up in flames if she takes a chance on him again, or it could be just what she needs.
I really loved Josephine even if she was a people pleaser and tried to take on the world.. almost to a fault. I could connect with her. Things with Will just felt odd from the beginning to me though. Like, he dated around all this time and kept talking about it yet was ALL IN immediately with her. It felt forced and some of the spicy scenes were.. well, they were interesting. I really did enjoy their banter and love though. He really was sweet.
Thanks to St. Martins, Clare Gilmore and Netgalley for an early copy.

A kiss changed the trajectory of her life and Josie has spent her twenties building a business and fashion brand. Keeping herself and her image impeccable to a fault. So when her inventor insists she get a consultant she is flummoxed when none other than Will Grant shows up splattered on the front end of her car. He is the last person she expected, and since their kiss that night so long ago she hasn’t seen him since. So when he insists he be her consultant she is confused. He hates her, right?

Will is everything she needs and everything she didn’t know she needed. Showing up in unexpected places, his calming presence helps her through stumbles with her business.

While I loved to see their friendship bloom and then their connection grow it was also her friendship with Camilla that shined. She girl bossed hard and lead with kindness. Wanting everyone around her to be happy and fulfilled.

I could help but feel the tug of the underlining message of burnout. Of pushing to succeed too much that you forget what makes you happy, and why you’re doing it. That sometimes it is ok to walk away and figure out what your purpose is again.

Truly a wonderful read, and so many heartfelt moments.

This was such a sweet romance! I loved the workplace vibes, perhaps even more than her previous book! My only complaint is that the characters seem much older than they are (both in terms of their career advancement/life experience, and also insight and responses) and I think the book would have been stronger if the characters were in their early 30s rather than late 20s. Still a really solid feel-good well written romance and loved the use of common tropes, and less common (love a good caretaking when sick vibe). Will definitely always read her books!

👗 Book Review 👗

Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore
👗
This is a very cute, super sweet, quick easy read. It’s more women’s fiction than romance, since the majority of the book focuses on Josie’s career, the company she created and is CEO of, and how all of that is impacting her life. She is unapologetically THE BOSS (which I love), but she’s also kind, caring, and vulnerable. The female friendships in this book are absolute goals, and I loved the focus on them. When the romance did arrive, it came in the form of Will Grant, who is the new standard for book boyfriends. He wants Josie so badly, and is so in love with her, and is willing to take whatever parts of her she can give. He supports her, takes care of her when she’s sick, and gives her space when she needs it. Let me just drop a quick quote from him, in case you need more convincing. “I can take it. Use me. Please”. He is perfect. This book was absolutely delightful, and I had a great time reading it.
👗
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
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Read if you like:
▫️he falls first and harder
▫️ex-best friend’s brother
▫️forced proximity
▫️work romance
▫️slow burn
▫️found family
👗
Thank you to SMP Romance, St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Clare Gilmore for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

More so than the romance, I was really swept away by the friendships in this novel. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the relationship and Will was a new book boyfriend, but I think Gilmore really nailed it with female friendships and friendships in general. I wish I could have more of everyone as a group! Overall, it was funny and cute and I think a lot of people will enjoy it and they’re romcom collections.

👗Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore 👗

Josie Davis has been building her clothing brand, Revenant, since her senior year of college. As a female CEO in her 20s, Josie is used to having to work harder and prove herself more. When she sets her sights on getting B Corp certified, she has to hire a consulting firm to help. She never expected the consultant to be Will Grant, her former best friend’s twin brother. Will and Josie shared one kiss in high school that caused her friendship with his twin Zoe to completely implode. Being near Will again makes Josie wary for all of the reasons, but especially because it makes her wonder if there’s a way for her to actually have it all.

There is so much in this book to love, but by far the best thing is Will Grant. Will falls hard and fast for Josie but never pushes her when she expresses boundaries around personal relationships. Will was patient, understanding, and downright super hot in the way he cared for Josie first as friends and later as lovers.

I found the commentary on women in business and workplace burnout to be super interesting. I liked that the author really highlighted all of the ways that being a female CEO was harder for Josie than it would’ve been for a man, especially in the press. I really emphasized with her struggles to be the best without having to completely sacrifice everything else in her life.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for this copy to read and review. All opinions are my own. Perfect Fit is out now.

I loved this book! If you want a book that’s low drama, but that still has tension, this is it. There’s a lot of internal conflict, especially on Josie’s part as she’s trying to reconcile her new found feelings for Will and how that fits into her ability to be a CEO. She’s extremely hard on herself and finds her value and self-worth in her career. Through her relationship with Will, she starts to open up to the possibility that she can find fulfillment in life that is not connected to her career.

Will is the sweetest, swooniest MMC I’ve come across lately. His care and steadfastness towards Josie was so touching. I gave tabbing a try since they were provided. Probably 80% of my tabs are when Will said or did something that had me swooning. Their relationship grew organically and despite trying to resist their attraction to each other, it becomes clear that they’re perfect for one another. And while I felt like most of their interactions were on a deeper, emotional level, there were also fun, flirty moments too.

This is also a love story of friendship. Camila, Josie’s right hand woman, is also her best friend and together they have made it into the successful business it is today. After struggling with friendship in the past, Josie finds in Camila someone with whom she can truly be herself and rely on, which is difficult for her. I related to Josie’s reluctance to show weakness as well as her desire to appear presentable and put together.

I can’t recommend this enough if you’re looking for a tender, swoony love story with an emphasis on friendship and personal growth.

Workplace romance
Former BFFs twin brother
Great communication
My favorite nickname
No third act break-up
Spice 🌶️🌶️

This started off very cute (albeit a little slow)! I adored Will even though I would have liked his character to have been fleshed out a bit more. I was a pleasantly surprised, though, because this was a bit insta-lovey, but I was able to look past it because I did like Will.

However, I really wanted to love this one more than I did. The pacing kind of caused the story to fall off a bit for me, and I found myself picking it up solely for the sake of picking it up and wanting to enjoy it. In the end, I decided to DNF at the 80% mark. I just didn't feel invested in the story and am trying to be more selective with what books I choose to spend time on so I don't get into a slump. I'm not one to usually give up on a story due to an MC being unrelatable to me, but I couldn't connect with Josie. I think if you're looking for a lighthearted, rom com with not a lot of drama, this would be one to pick up!