Thank you @macmillan.audio for this #alc read of, Just Some Stupid Love Story by (@greatlyn) Katelyn Doyle!

First of all this book had me from the very first moment the narrator’s voices started speaking. The story is so classic romcom that I was hopeless to be able to ever put it down.

Seth Rubenstein is like Ross Gellar as a divorce attorney except he never actually got to the alter. He falls fast, hard, and so completely that he doesn’t realize he is falling in love with an idea of what he wants this time, this current relationship to be. Seth is a man who has tendencies that lean toward OCD.

Molly Marks is the cynical daughter of a divorcee who hates romance but, is a romcom screen writer. She also happens to be Seth’s lobster. 🦞 Molly also has severe anxiety and major abandonment issues that have caused major PTSD. The representation is well written, sensitive to topic, and portrayed truthfully without harm.

High school sweethearts that get their second chance maybe too many times in one book. This book would have been 5 stars if there wasn’t the ironic third act breakup. But, at least it wasn’t due to miscommunication.

This reverse grumpy/sunshine, second chance romance, frienemies to lovers, HEA reads like a screenplay and all the behind the scenes goodness without annoying actors. Instead it’s real, raw, emotional, and filled with everything any romcom devotee is going to love!

I recommend this read to fans of Emily Henry, Elin Hildebrand, and Kristin Hannah’s Firefly Lane because the friendships in this book are truly epic.

Molly Marks is a romcom writer but doesn’t believe in soulmates. Her high school boyfriend Seth is a huge believer in soulmates and true love and thus begins the fun.

We start at their high schools 15th reunion. Fun ensues and bets are made including betting on 5 couples at the reunion who they think will either be together or not at their 20th reunion. The fun part? The 5th couple is none other than Seth & Molly themselves. This book takes place over the next 5 years, following their chance encounters and it’s just never the right time for them to be together. Molly has a boyfriend or Seth has a girlfriend or Molly is finding ways they can’t be together.

Until finally they are together and everything is wonderful and beautiful and Seth proposes! 😱 But Molly says no because she still doesn’t believe in soulmates and is self sabotaging all her relationships because of her POS dad (“f*ck that guy!” IYKYK) eventually, Molly learns from her romcom movies and makes her grand gesture so they can be together!

Overall, this was a super cute book! Definitely will be talked about this summer and recommend as a pool side read for any romcom lovers!

This was a cute, quick read that I blew through skipping back and forth between print and the audiobook. Doyle did a great job of writing a plot that takes place over five years and makes it feel extremely organized and concise. What worked less was the “I know I’m going to break your heart” nonsense that is never my thing. Like, Molly, girl, get it together - you’re too old for this! While there were things in her backstory to make it somewhat believable, it took me out of the story a bit. I do recommend the audiobook as Christine Lakin and Tim Paige do a fablous job.

★★★★✩«4.5 stars»

Molly Marks is a rom-com screenwriter who doesn't believe in soulmates. She believes some lucky people can find love, but it will always end in disaster and heartbreak. Seth keeps jumping into new relationships hoping he will find the one, and who wholeheartedly believes in soulmates. After Molly broke Seth's heart, they reunite on their 15th high school reunion. They make a bet on if soulmates are real or not, and whoever can predict the most couples' futures wins. Except one of the couples is them.

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle was a spectacular romance novel, and this was probably my favorite ARC yet. I flew through this book and connected so deeply with all of the characters. This book made me audibly laugh, cry, gasp, and just filled me with joy. I could relate so easily to Seth and his yearning to be loved, and he was written so well. I also loved the right person wrong time trope, because it was the wrong time for them so many times. It made me so sad to read about, but also feel so ecstatic when they were able to reconnect.

The first things I didn't like has nothing to do with the novel itself or the writing. The way the audiobook was recorded was a little frustrating to listen to at some points. The male voice actor definitely needs to work on his woman voice, but that was pretty easy to get used to. I also didn't like that every email that was sent between Seth and Molly was completely spoken out (so for example the to Molly, date, RE, etc.). Additionally, I felt like the book got a little slow near the end, and there wasn't much plot progression for a while.

favorite quotes
"And she was so smart, and she looked so pretty, I thought my heart was going to just melt out of my chest."
"I just wanna be with you Molls, any way you'll have me."

songs that remind me of this book:
Exile - Taylor Swift:
"I think I've seen this film before, and I didn't like the ending. I'm not your homeland anymore, so who am I defending now?"
Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez and Em Beihold:
"How could we ever just be friends? I would rather die than let you go, Juliet to your Romeo."

Overall, I loved this book! I would definitely recommend this to readers, especially those who like dual-pov, second chance romances. Such a fun book to read/ listen to! Feel free to check out my Goodreads review, linked below!

I absolutely loved the narration of this audiobook. Both narrators were fantastic, and I especially loved Christine Lakin’s narration for Molly’s POV. The first several chapters really hooked me, drawing me into the second-chance, first love-to-friends-to-lovers saga. I became invested in the characters and their relationship, and was so curious to see how they’d find their way back into love with each other. However, I struggled with the pacing and felt myself wanting more from the character development and plot around 2/3 of the way through. Overall — a great audiobook with excellent narration and an engaging premise, but failed to deliver in the last third or so of the book, for me.

Another adorable entertaining rom com. There was some amazing banter. This to me, makes the best rom coms. Seth and Molly, high school sweethearts, meet up at their high school reunion. They make a bet that 5 couples will either still be together or apart by their next reunion in 5 years and Seth told Molly she would be his date for the next reunion. I loved their chemistry and how they tried and then didn’t try at a long-distance relationship. The POV alternated between Seth and Molly with each chapter. I couldn’t put this audiobook down and the narrators did a wonderful job. I highly recommend this rom com.

Such a fun and cute rom-com! I loved the growing relationship between an ex high school couple. We meet them at their high school reunion, where their banter and flirtation begin. They remain in touch over the years, after making bets about other couples at their reunion. It’s a story of missed romance, as the two can’t ever seem to be on the same page. I loved the alternating perspective, between Molly and Seth. It flowed smoothly in audio and e copy. I also loved learning what was going on through both of their minds throughout the story. They were fun individually and together. I also loved out the supporting family and friends were important and awesome characters as well. A fun escape from reality and great beach read for the summer.

Thank for NetGalley for my advanced reader and audio copies.

Writing was rough it was hard to follow along just felt like the characters didn’t click or something with narrators not sure not a fit for me I know that

Thank you Katelyn Doyle and Macmillan Audio for my #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

You know in a book when you really like one main character but are very meh on the other? That was this book for me. I liked Molly and her skepticism of love - how her career was literally writing love stories, but in actuality, she didn’t really believe in them. Seth on the other hand was a little too much for me - I liked that as a divorce lawyer he still wholeheartedly believed in love, but he was just a little too corny at times for me. 

For the most part, I liked how this book was paced. Each part was a different year of the 5 years the book took place over and it moved the story and their relationship along nicely. With that said, I think the last conflict was a little unnecessary and made the book longer than it needed to be.

I enjoyed the wager Molly and Seth had and how it drove their relationship and communication. The conflict between Molly and her dad added some interesting family dynamics and gave some more context to her views on relationships.

Also, if you’re someone like me who doesn’t like real life seeping into books, this book takes place during COVID and mentions it a lot. 

Overall, I enjoyed it while reading it, but it’s not a book I’ll remember.

Life and Love is hard and complicated. But life and love through the pandemic and another layer of complication.

A second chance romance that she never wanted to let happen, Molly Marks and Seth Rubinstein, meet at their 10 year High School Reunion and the squib to the dynamite was lit, the question is when will it explode.

You follow the two over the years as they find themselves and each other a few places along the way. Will they ever get a “real” second chance at love?

The audiobook was captivating. As the story began I struggled to connect the voice I thought Seth would have with that of Tim Paige, but by then I saw the character fully developed in my mind. Christine Lakin encapsulated Molly Marks and her flow with the narration was beautiful.

This story definitely tugged at my heart and I had to take a breath but I couldn’t wait to see how it turned out for Molly and Seth.

This was my first Katelyn Doyle novel and I can't wait for the next! This Rom Com was exactly what I needed to listen to! It's humour and whimsy was very enjoyable! This is a perfect read for those that enjoy light and funny rom coms this summer. The audiobook and novel are expected to be released on June 4, 2024 so pick it up before you hit the beach or take that road trip!

Thank you Net Galley, Katelyn Doyle and MacMillian Audio for the opportunity to preview this audiobook. All opinions shared are my own.

Ahhhh this one is so tough for me to rate. I would have said 4 or maybe 4.3. BUT. There is one scene with spice that I just got the major ick from. Like it was so out of nowhere and escalated SO quickly and I just. Could not deal. I would compare the ick factor to the knotting in bride 😅 like I’m sure some people are allll about this kind of scene but noooot for me. Other than that there was a fair amount of spice but it was no Silver Flames (iykyk) so I would recommend just skipping as soon as you see the words d**k pic to the end of the chapter and then the book is pretty great. But I lived in nervousness that there would be more scenes I was going to get the ick about so it ruined the book for me lol.

Things I DID love:
-Dual POV. I LOVE a good dual POV when you understand character motives instead of wondering about intentions. While the MMC made me cringe often with his over the top zest for life he was still likable.

-Will they won’t they. I really loved the suspense on where things were going. Of course it’s predictable it’s a rom com but I like the way the author moved the plot forward. Someone said it felt dragged out but I didn’t feel that.

-5 year timeline. I liked that the characters developed over 5 years rather than abruptly everything is just fine. They worked through issues with themselves and it didn’t seem like an over night thing. More like years in the making.

-Comical. I really liked the comedy. Though there was some heavier stuff dealing with anxiety, there were so many times I would just find myself laughing or smiling.

-opposites attract. The characters are definitely opposite. One loves love and the other thinks it’s a sham and all good things come to an end (woof her dad is the worst.)

- Second chance love. I LOVE second chances. One of the reasons I had a hard time with some other books is irredeemable characters. This book while casting doubt if the characters can ever get past certain flaws, did not accept that people can’t change.


The vibe is reminiscent of Happy Place by Emily Henry for me. The will they won’t they, trying to figure out what went wrong and can they get past certain things, etc.

ANYWAYS. If I hadn’t gotten the ick from the scene it would be 4.3 stars. Alas here we are. Let me warn you so it’s not soiled (gross) for you like it was for me.


Also! The audiobook. The FMC was SO good. I loved her. The guy was pretty corky but it went with the character haha! I kind of got Seth Cohen vibes from the written character which is funny because his name is Seth. Adam Brody is pretty corky so it works haha!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in audiobook form. All of these opinions are my own.

A narrator can make or break an audio book. There’s something about these two voices that make this already delightful book even more enjoyable.

Sometimes the passage of time in a book can feel constricting or wildly unbelievable. I have tried to pinpoint how this one bypasses that common problem, but it does. Doyle deftly handles the ebb and flow of life’s relationships and aging with such a gentle hand. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to reveal that this book also incorporates Covid & it doesn’t feel awkward or forced. It just feels like… a thing. A moment. These characters and situations are so far outside of my lived experiences, and I love that about it. I hate when people recommend a book by referencing another author, but… in this case, if you like Beth O’Leary or Emily Henry, I think this one will land nicely.

Just Some Stupid Love Story is a long timeline, second chance romance that carries a "right person, wrong time" theme. The FMC, Molly, is a cynical rom-com screenwriter (ironic, right?) who runs into her high school boyfriend, Seth, at her high school reunion. In a very When Harry Met Sally style, the two run into each other over a few years after their initial run-in and it's always the wrong time or Molly is afriad everyone will leave her. The audiobook is a very easy listen due to the fact that there are two narrators for each main character!
This well-balanced rom-com combines romance with a side of challenges like family and friend drama. I would definitely recommend this book to people who like When Harry Met Sally, second chance romance, long time frames, dual POVs, and drama!
Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook early in exchange for an unbiased review!💖

REVIEW: Just Some Stupid Love Story ⭐⭐⭐

Just Some Stupid Love Story was so fun, cute, and romantic. Our main characters, Seth and Molly, were high school sweethearts who broke up right before college. At their high school reunion, they catch up and discuss whether there is such a thing as a soulmate or not. Seth, a love-obsessed divorce lawyer, thinks there are and Molly, the cynical rom-com writer, thinks not. They decide to make a bet on five couples to see who will still be together in five years to prove their point. The fifth couple, Seth chose Molly and himself.

This story has such a fun premise and a great take on second-chance romance. Just Some Stupid Love Story is told in a dual POV, which helps you learn more about the characters. Each point of view in the audiobook is a different narrator, and they are both excellent. I also really appreciated the turn on the grumpy sunshine trope. Seth and Molly are great examples of opposite attraction, with Seth being the romantic who jumps into relationships fast, while Molly is more cynical about romance and afraid she will ruin any commitment.

Seth and Molly had great chemistry. They just gave off the relationship vibes that make you want to root for them. Just Some Stupid Love Story had some spicier parts, including some dirty talk and even videoing themselves. Additionally, I really liked how strong the supporting characters were. Molly’s best friends, Alyssa and Dez, were deeply involved throughout the story.

The only thing that was a bit difficult at times was the stretched-out timeline of the story and some slow progression. It was hard to see if they would connect because sometimes it was almost a year before they would talk to one another.

Overall, I really love Just a Stupid Love story. The characters, the story, and the dual POV really brought it to life for me. I especially liked the narrators in the audiobook, who brought the characters to life.

Thank you, Netgalley, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Audio, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

#bookreview #bookrecommendations #arcread #bookstagram #books #booklover #bookish #romancereader #booksofinstagram #audiobook

This was a fun take on the second chance/high school couple trope. I liked the idea of their bet, and I loved following all five of the couples over the next few years. I really enjoyed the banter between the main characters, and the dual POV with two narrators for the audio!

This was definitely a slow burn, with big time jumps over the course of these five years. The big time jumps did take me out of the story a little, as it felt like we missed a lot that we then had to be caught up on every time. The book followed both Seth and Molly as they had relationships with other people and other big life changes. This book had a lot of angst and pining, and a decent amount of spice!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance reading copy.

Read if you like:
🥈 Second Chance Romances
💕 First Love
🎰 Bets
🤣 Banter
🌥️ Grumpy x Sunshine

If you like opposites attract meets grumpy x sunshine meets second chances and a dash of enemies to lovers you will really enjoy this debut!

For me, the pacing was a bit off and jumped around a bit too much which pulled me away from the development of the rekindling of the romance. It was also hard for me to believe that the two had been dating for all of high school and never lost their virginity and then the FMC went off to have some meaningless hookups. For me this just didn’t feel like it worked fully, especially with them hooking up pretty quickly after reconnecting.

I did love the female grump as I felt that was well done and always have a soft spot for a grump FMC character.

Thanks so much to the publisher for my ARC & ALC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Unfortunately, this book's title was spot on. I found Just Some Stupid Love Story's main characters rather unlikeable (which is kind of a dealbreaker in a romance book), the writing style confounding, and the sex scenes embarrassingly cringey. The best part of this audiobook was the nostalgia of female narrator Christine Lakin's voice taking me back to Step by Step and the 90s. Your experience with this book may be different if you enjoy:
- high angst
- second (and third and fourth and fifth) chances

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for gifting me with an ALC to review! All opinions are my own.

Molly is a rom-com screenwriter who doesn’t believe in true love. Seth was Molly’s high school boyfriend, a relationship that ended when Molly dumped him and broke his heart. Molly, the love cynic, and Seth, the believer in true love, reunite at their 15 year high school reunion, and toy with the idea of second-chance romance.

The premise of the book had me intrigued—second chance love, opposites attract: two tropes that I regularly enjoy. I found some parts of this story entertaining and charming (namely Seth), but a couple of things didn’t work for me. Molly’s character was a little confusing because she was written as having this tough exterior, emotionally closed off cynic of love, however, this seemed to contrast with her actions and internal dialogue. I also felt the timeline was too spread out. A little something would happen between Molly and Seth, and then a year would go by without them having any contact with one another. A little something more. Then another year went by. It just didn’t feel like it flowed well, and there were a lot of gaps as a result.

I did enjoy the dual narratives—told in alternating chapters between Seth and Molly. The audiobook narrators of each character did a good job on the audiobook presentation.

I had one little gripe with the audiobook version. There are multiple e-mail and text exchanges that occur during the story. I think this format likely reads very well in print, however, it was irritating on audio to list to the narrator read “to:, from:, e-mail address, date:, subject:”, etc repeatedly.

All in all, it was a decent novel. It would make a good summer beach read— romance, a little spice, and a smattering of funny banter to keep your interest.

Just some classic, amazing, and HEA love story you can't help but love. These characters are the friends you wished you had, the funny, sweet, self depricating, and gambling friends avoiding their feelings.

Narrated expertly, you feel right in the world of these two. Their likes, dislikes, and discomforts. This reads like a best selling romance. I loved the banter, back and forth, and plot build.