This was such an entertaining debut, with alll the spice!
When Rom-com writer Molly reunites with high school sweetheart Seth, and make a bet to predict the fate of five couples.

WHAT TO EXPECT
-enemies to lovers
-opposites attract
-grumpy x sunshine (reverse)
-open door romance

*many thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

The blurb sounded so interesting to me and I was thrilled to be able to read this as an arc. I really enjoyed the plot and thought it was a great storyline, the only downfall for me was that I just could not get invested in the characters. I don’t know what it was… but they just didn’t make me root for them to get together and live happily ever after like a rom com normally would. I was honestly more invested in some of the secondary characters than the primary couple working out.

I loved the second chance romance trope in this story! I always love the "comfortability" that this trope creates with characters that have a history with one another. I also enjoyed the banter between Seth and Molly as well as the humor! And finally, I really liked the author's writing style as well! (4.5 stars, rounded up to 5)

Cute but not one that stood out to me. If you enjoy light romance, this might be a good beach or poolside read.

I genuinely enjoyed this title! I found myself understanding the main character’s actions, even when they were somewhat annoying choices and I just wanted to yell at her to open her eyes!

Two high school exes reunite at their 15th high school reunion and make a bet about which couples will be together by their 20th reunion, including themselves. A romcom writer who doesn’t believe in love and a divorce lawyer who is in love with the idea of true love.

As these two rekindle their relationship, you can’t help but route for them. There couldn’t possibly be this much banter if these two weren’t made for each other!

Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the audiobook!

The premise sounded cute, but between disliking the male narrator and the male main character, this book was not for me. Maybe this one would have been better to read with my eyes? I know I dnf’d early on (12%), but I really couldn’t handle the male narrator - 75% of the reason I dnf’d, 25% because I dislike the MMC. But maybe if there was a better narrator my thoughts would be different. So, I’m unsure if I would have enjoyed the storyline better reading it myself. I did like FMC, Molly. She was an interesting character. Christine Lankin, as always, is an outstanding narrator. I almost wish the story had just been from Molly’s PoV.

Seth and Molly dated in high school until she dumped him on prom night. Fifteen years later, they’re seated together at their high school reunion. On the surface, both seem to be doing well. In reality, Seth is desperate to find love, and Molly is scared that she’ll never be able to open her heart enough to anyone. After a drunken night together, Seth proposes a wager about five couples from their class and who will end up together. The fifth and final couple is the two of them. Molly laughs this off and goes on with her life. Except she can’t stop thinking about Seth. The next time she sees him, she’s ready to make a move but he’s engaged. It seems to always be a case of wrong timing for these two…until they finally decide to go for it. But is Seth just too eager? And can Molly ever get over her parents’ messy marriage enough to consider one for herself?

I had really high hopes for this one, but the characters annoyed me a bit 😬 Seth was way too much of a golden retriever type for me - like how many times are you going to let Molly stomp on your heart? And I didn’t think Molly experienced all that much growth by the end. She did some crappy things. Overall I did enjoy the banter between them - who doesn’t love a grumpy sunshine?! And it was a nice second chance romance story overall. I just didn’t care for all they went through to get to their ending!

Just Some Stupid Love Story is such a fun twist on the classic grumpy-sunshine trope, with Molly as the pessimistic lead and Seth as the lovable "golden retriever" type. It’s a refreshing change from the usual dynamic and makes the story feel fresh and entertaining.

Molly and Seth’s reunion after high school feels like fate, but of course, things don’t go smoothly—mostly because of Molly's hesitation. Watching them navigate the ups and downs of their connection, especially with their totally opposite personalities, was both frustrating and really satisfying. Seth’s genuine care for Molly totally won me over, and seeing his perspective added a lot of depth to the story.

I'll admit it took me a while to warm up to Molly, but by the end, I appreciated her growth, especially with everything she’s been through. The whole high school reunion setup, where they make a bet about predicting the future of five couples (including themselves), is such a fun and unique premise, and it really drives the plot.

The banter between Seth and Molly is on point—witty, sharp, and full of chemistry. Their relationship feels realistic, with all the flaws and challenges that come with it. The "right person, wrong time" trope was done really well, giving me all the feels when they kept missing each other, but making it so satisfying when they finally reconnect.

If you're a fan of Emily Henry, this book definitely gives off People We Meet on Vacation and Happy Place vibes. While some parts are a bit predictable, the charm and heart of the story make it totally worth the read.

Katelyn Doyle’s Just Some Stupid Love Story is a charming and refreshingly candid exploration of modern romance and the classic "will they or won’t they" dilemma. The novel follows the journey of Molly and Seth as they navigate the often chaotic and humorous world of love and relationships over the years. Doyle’s writing is both witty and poignant, capturing the essence of romantic entanglements with a light-hearted yet insightful touch.

Thanks you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.

💭 MY THOUGHTS: I’ve never read this author but the cover and title was super cute so I was excited to listen to the audiobook. Overall, I liked the story. There are some sad elements with Molly who does alot of self sabotage because of past traumas. The two things that fell a little flat for me was the connect between Seth and Molly. I didn’t feel chemistry there. The biggest problem was the male narration of Seth. The male voice was done very theatrical and had feminine inflections which really killed it for me and I couldn’t get past that.

Read for:
⛅️ Grump / Sunshine
♻️ Second Chance Romance
🎒 High School Reunion
💵 Relationship Bet
🗺️ Long Distance
📲 Text & Email Exchanges

⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️/ 5

Just Some Stupid Love Story offers a witty, laugh-out-loud take on love, heartbreak, and second chances. For fans of Emily Henry, this story centers on Molly Marks, a cynical rom-com screenwriter who has sworn off love, and Seth Rubinstein, her high school ex-boyfriend, who is still hopelessly romantic despite being a successful divorce attorney.

Molly, who believes that love is just a gimmick she writes for Hollywood, hasn’t spoken to Seth since she ghosted him on the eve of their high school graduation. Seth, on the other hand, is a true believer in soulmates and has spent the last fifteen years comparing every woman he meets to Molly—the one who got away.

When their paths collide at their high school reunion, fate (and maybe a few too many martinis) forces them to confront their unresolved feelings. After a night of awkward tension and a drunken hookup, they make a bet: the one who can accurately predict the future of five couples by the next reunion has to declare that the other is right about love. The twist? The fifth couple they’re betting on is themselves.

Molly is convinced they’re a tragic love story destined for heartbreak, while Seth is determined to prove that she’ll fall in love with him all over again. As they both navigate life, love, and their complicated past, the real question is: who will win the bet?

Tropes

- Second-Chance Romance
- Enemies to Lovers (with a Twist)
- Rom-Com Elements
- Emotional Growth
- Slow burn
- Covid 19
- Anxiety and Depression
- Angst

Review

It is a sharp and funny exploration of romance through the eyes of a rom-com writer who doesn’t believe in love and a divorce attorney who does. Katelyn Doyle creates relatable, multidimensional characters who navigate their insecurities and past heartbreaks in hilarious and heartfelt ways. The novel’s snappy dialogue, steamy moments, and smart observations about relationships make it a standout in the romance genre.

The chemistry between Molly and Seth is electric, fueled by witty banter and unresolved tension. The high school reunion backdrop adds layers of nostalgia and awkwardness, perfectly setting the stage for their complicated reunion. Readers will be hooked by the back-and-forth between the characters as they compete to see who’s right about love—leading to moments that are both laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly tender.

The narration by Christine Lakin and Tim Paige further enhances the story, bringing the characters’ dynamic personalities to life and adding depth to their emotional journey.

With its mix of humour, heart, and smart commentary on modern love, *Just Some Stupid Love Story* is an entertaining and addictive read for fans of romantic comedies and second-chance love stories. Doyle’s debut proves that sometimes love is worth the gamble—even when it’s the last thing you expect.

Just Some Stupid Love Story pairs almost perfectly with Taylor Swift’s The Bolter

Molly Marks, a rom-com screenwriter from L.A., is flighty. At the first sign of commitment, she will bolt. Seth Rubinstein, a divorce attorney in Chicago, believes in soulmates and pursues love with overeager earnestness. Molly broke Seth’s heart back in high school, and although neither will admit it, they aren’t over it. Sparks fly when they see each other at their 15th high school reunion, and they end up “reconnecting” for old-time’s sake. True to her pattern, Molly considers it a one-night stand, but Seth thinks is the opportunity to change their ending. Can they get on the same page?

“There’s a large, wicked part of me that wants to tell him to keep sending me soft-hearted, paragraph-lenghed texts about how lovely I am. But his sweetness is the clencher. I’m just not nice enough for him. I wish for a moment that I was. That I believed in the logic of rom-coms. That Seth could sore up my faith and sand down my rough edges, and I could brace him with realism until we evolve into each other’s missing piece. But that’s not how it works.”
Molly
“I know in my soul that we love each other in a way that I’ve never experienced and doubt I will ever experience again. Our love wasn’t a romantic comedy. I didn’t expect it to be. All I ever wanted, was her.”
Seth
The good, the bad & the dirty
I enjoyed this second-story romance. Nobody makes you feel like your first love, and it’s probably my favorite trope. I felt for Molly and her hesitation to pursue happiness. And Seth is the perfect rom-com lead–committed, relentless, and full of love without being a golden retriever. I loved the opportunity to be inside their heads and see how they fell in love. Both characters are well-written, and their love story is fun and has a good tempo. I haven’t read many steamy rom-coms, and this one delivered nicely.

However, I resented that Molly was the only one with baggage and issues, while Seth was just perfect. Also, I know COVID-19 has been a huge part of our lives for years, and we all process our collective trauma any way we can, but I don’t want to read about it anymore, not in the spaces I create to let my mind wander worry-free.

Overall, Just Some Stupid Love Story was a solid debut novel by Katelyn Doyle. I was hooked on it, and it left me feeling happy, hopeful and refreshed.

About the audiobook narrators: Christine Lakin and Tim Paige do a wonderful job narrating this dual POV story. I can feel their chemistry even though they don’t interact because they alternate chapters.
This book was provided in exchance for an honest review graphic

"Just Some Stupid Love Story" is a second-chance romance with a very damaged FMC. She's been through a lot in her life, and it's all made her a bit cynical. Add to that the fact that she's a rom-com author who's in it for the money and who is personally jaded about love, and we're not off to a great start.

As Molly Marks accidentally meets up with her high school boyfriend, Seth Rubenstein, at their 15-year reunion, we're treated to the fact that these two both still carry a torch for the other. The question soon becomes, does their one-night stand at the reunion mean something more?

Over the next five years, just as one begins to think it might, the other starts a new relationship. So these two miss the boat multiple times before they finally are both single and both willing to give their relationship another try.

But as is Molly's character, any time things start to get serious, she sabotages things in order to protect herself. After a while, it just plain got to be frustrating. So, while this was a good enough story, it wasn't a great one for me.

Thank you to Katelyn Doyle, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Solidly written as a debut. It was really fine. Cute and original premise, but I Could not get behind Molly as a FMC. I get she has history and damage, but the author didn’t do a great job of making her work out her stuff. Therapy, baby. Always therapy.

I started out pretty excited about this but after a while it felt like it was dragging on for way too long.

I didn’t love that for certain parts of this book both of the main characters were in relationships with other people, and those relationships were described in great detail.

Like no offense, but if I’m reading romance book, I have zero interest in reading about other relationships that the main characters have been in.

The narrators for this audiobook were both really great.

I received an ALC of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio in exchange for a review.

Molly is a rom-com author and is very cynical about love stories in general. She and a guy, Seth, hook up at their 15th high school reunion. At that time, they make bests about couples that will/won't last the test of time.

Filled with sexual tension and fun, you enjoy the relationship (or not) between Seth and Molly and see how the other couples play out simultaneously.

Fun, decently predictable, a little slow to get going to but fun in the end.

3.5 stars, rounded up because the narrators did a great job.

There was a lot to like about this and a lot that left me frustrated. So we'll start with the good.
-I liked the idea of the reverse grumpy/sunshine. And having the grump be a romance writer and the sunshine be a divorce attorney is clever and amusing.
-Seth was such a sweetheart. He was just so joyful 99% of the time. I cracked up at the first POV shift from Molly's crankiness to Seth's spirited exuberance at a school reunion.
-There were some challenged to gender roles that I appreciated. Seth wanting children, getting attached quickly, openly crying, etc. were all interesting personality traits for an MMC in a romance.
-I loved the friendships with the side characters.

So, now for the not-so-good:
-Molly! Molly was a beast. I'm sorry, but she was maybe the worst.
-It was really hard to root for a couple where one person was so adamantly against it. It's one thing when both people are resisting it (enemies-to-lovers is still my favorite trope), but this was like watching Molly repeatedly kick a sweet puppy who just wants belly rubs.
-If we're going to do an interesting take on gender roles, then we need to acknowledge that Molly's behavior borders on emotional abuse. Even the cover, in retrospect, rubs me the wrong way. That she's chucking something that hits him in the face is not a good look.
-Also, this wasn't really slow burn (which I love), so much as a really long period of time where they were apart and mostly fine? I think it's hard to maintain momentum over a five year period.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

I think this book is a perfect read/listen for this summer. It’s cute, full of banter, and also made me feel a lot of things I wasn’t prepared for.

I am going to say something that is going to shock some of my friends.. But the second chance trope may be growing on me. Do I think any of my actual exes deserve a second chance?! No, never, not while I am still breathing.. But in this story I think it made sense.

The snark between the two MCs was amazing. She spoke to her ex the same way I probably would .. but without the thoughts in the back of my head about entertaining them again.

Seth… Seth.. Not only was he funny af by messing with her in the beginning but he was a sweet baby angel throughout.

I loved the bet the two characters made. I honestly just enjoyed it all!!!

Y’all i cannot even lie, I love a high school reunion re-meet cute plot point! It’s just really so elite and the main reason I’m currently loving this book!

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for the ALC review copy and @flatiron_books for the eARC review copy!!!

#justsomestupidlovestory #katelyndoyle #flatironbooks #macmillanaudio #MacAudio2024 #thatbookbetchhh

This summer rom-com is HOT 🥵. There's lots of red flags with these two but the second chance story just works! Add in the banter and witty humor it had me hooked seeing just how this was going to play out! These high school sweethearts definitely have to overcome some obstacles and the twists that were added in were great. I also loved their friend group -except Rob, not a fan! Lol I totally enjoyed going on the ride with them and the dual narrators did a fantastic job. One you wanna grab and binge before summer ends!