Julie Tiu's "Girl Most Likely To" offers a heartwarming tale of friendship, second chances and rediscovering oneself. Rachel Dang, once the epitome of success, finds herself at a crossroads after being laid off. A high school reunion invitation from her former frenemy, Danny Phan, provides an unexpected opportunity for reflection and growth.

The story's nostalgic setting and relatable characters make it easy to connect with. Tiu's portrayal of Rachel and Danny's evolving relationship is both sweet and believable. The reunion serves as a catalyst for them to confront unresolved feelings and explore new possibilities.

While the plot is enjoyable, it lacks the depth and complexity I often look for in a romance novel. The characters, though likable, feel a bit one-dimensional, and the pacing could have been a bit faster. Despite these minor flaws, "Girl Most Likely To" is a charming read that will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

High school reunion books have always had a special place in my heart. After being fired from her job, the main character Rachel goes into a bit of a spiral. She becomes aware that her 20-year high school reunion is drawing near and bringing her back to Danny during this time. We also see flashbacks to their high school years and all of their activities during that time!

This was a quick read but it could have been better. There was a lot I was hoping for with this book but it just didn’t happen or wasn’t there. It was definitely a slow start and it won’t be for everyone

The book offers a delightful and swift journey through a second-chance romance that blooms from a friendship, contrary to the 'frenemies-to-lovers' tag it was marketed with. In reality, it unfolds the tale of two friends, Rachel and Danny, who discover love in each other's company, only to part ways after high school. The narrative could have benefited from more glimpses into their past, especially their interactions during the AIM era, which would have added depth to their connection. The friends-to-lovers trope is a challenging one, as it demands a solid foundation for the relationship, yet the author succeeds in convincing us of the authenticity of Rachel and Danny's rekindled romance through their interactions before, during, and after their high school reunion. The novel also features a few passionately charged scenes that showcase Julie Tieu's flair for writing. As a newcomer to Tieu's work, I found her writing style engaging enough to leave me eager to explore more of her novels.

This was a fun read; definitely interesting to see how Rachel acts as she attends her high school reunion after being laid off and still being single, as well as her reconnection with Danny.

I felt like there wasn't much of a conflict, however. In both Rachel's life and her relationship with Danny, there wasn't really a consequence to any decision they would/could make, or anything truly blocking them from being together.

The flashbacks to high school helped us gain insight into Rachel's character, but there were times when it wasn't clear the flashback had ended and we had reverted to the present time.

Overall, it was enjoyable, but there could have been more to it.

thank you Netgalley for the arc

Second chance, high school enemies to lovers situation. Loved the concept behind this book. High school reunions always get me. Kept me entertained and enjoyed the story.

Although I liked the novel, there were times when Rachel came across as childish and intolerable. Over all though, I think it was a fun time.

This was a short and easy read. I'd never read a book set at a high school reunion before, but it was a sweet second-chance romance/friends-to-lovers story. The description of the book calls it "frenemies-to-lovers", but I really didn't get the frenemies part. It was just two friends who fell for each other, then stopped talking and seeing each other at the end of high school.
I did relate to Rachel striving to be the best/overachieving. I was the same way in high school.
I would have loved more flashbacks to Rachel & Danny's AIM days. Friends-to-lovers is hard because you have to really establish that relationship.
But I do think we got enough of Rachel & Danny before/at/after the reunion to make their second-chance romance believable.
And there are a couple of steamy scenes that are well-written.
I've never read Julie Tieu's work before, but I will definitely get another one of her novels from the library because I enjoyed her writing style.

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A pretty easy read. Lighthearted and fun. There were a few spicy scenes. I related to Rachel a lot about striving for basically perfection and focusing so much on school. I was like that in high school as well. I also really liked her relationship with Danny. A good friends to lovers story here.

Sadly, I was unable to fully finish this book due to a death in the family. That said, the parts I read I enjoyed, I just wish I'd been able to finish it and fully enjoy it. I will say that as a GenX-er, I always enjoy when main characters in a romance are a bit older (they're both 38 years old here). The background between the two characters was intriguing, as was the modern-day storyline that was presented. This was a new-to=me author, but I found her writing style enjoyable and I would read her again. I will be picking up this book in the future once it publishes, as I very much want to finish it when I'm better able to.

I’ve always been a sucker for a high school reunion book. Main character Rachel is laid off from her job, sending her into a bit of a spiral. While that’s happening, she realizes her 20 year high reunion is beckoning and leading her back to Danny. We also get flashbacks to when they were in high school and everything they got up to back then.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. Rachel was a relatable character and I was rooting for her and Danny.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed the idea behind this book, but I believe it might have been much better if there had been more development or clearer consequences for the decisions made by characters. The settings of the book were great. I felt as though I had been transported back in time by 20 years since this author captured the essence of high school life in the late 90s so perfectly.

Although I liked the novel, there were times when Rachel came across as childish and intolerable. Furthermore, I thought Rachel didn't give Danny a fair chance when he tried to explain a lot of the things that had happened in the past.

Although I usually don't like books where a lot of the plot happens in one day, Tieu did a good job with it. I enjoyed how the plot alternated between the present and their high school memories. That being said, in certain instances I felt as though I was missing Danny's viewpoint. I would love if this book had dual POVs.

But all in all, this book is still interesting to read! Check this book out if you enjoy a decent romantic comedy with a high school reunion theme.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was pretty cute. A pretty easy read. Lighthearted and fun. There were a few spicy scenes. I related to Rachel a lot about striving for basically perfection and focusing so much on school. I was like that in high school as well. I also really liked her relationship with Danny. A good friends to lovers story here. Also, working for a tv show and entertainment company was my dream job. It's cool to see Rachel and Nat working in that industry.

"The Girl Most Likely To" offers a charming and relatable second-chance romance that explores the themes of personal growth, unexpected life trajectories, and rekindled connections. Author [Name]'s novel cleverly subverts high school stereotypes, presenting a story where the "most likely to succeed" finds herself adrift, while the unfocused student has found his path.
The protagonists, Rachel Dang and Danny Phan, are well-developed characters whose shared history adds depth to their current dynamic. Their journey from online confidants to real-world reconnection is both nostalgic and contemporary, touching on the ways technology has shaped relationships over the past two decades.
Set against the backdrop of a high school reunion, the plot takes an engaging turn as Rachel and Danny embark on an impromptu adventure through their hometown. This detour allows for humorous encounters with old acquaintances, adding color and context to the main characters' shared past.
While the premise may seem familiar to romance readers, the author infuses the story with cultural specificity through the Vietnamese-American leads, offering a fresh perspective on the genre. The exploration of career pressures, personal expectations, and the sometimes-rocky path to self-discovery resonates well with millennial readers.
The pacing is brisk, with witty dialogue and inner monologues that keep the reader engaged. However, some may find the resolution of conflicts a bit too neat, potentially leaving deeper issues unexplored.
Overall, "The Girl Most Likely To" is an enjoyable, light-hearted read that balances romance with personal growth, making it a solid choice for fans of contemporary romantic comedies with a dash of nostalgia.

I felt like I could relate to this book being an Asian American and always trying to do the 'right' thing throughout school hoping that it would pay off in real life. This book was entertaining and light. It kept me interested, but the ending felt a bit over done?

The Girl Most Likely To by Julie Tieu is a nostalgic 90’s romcom with an Asian-American twist that I thoroughly enjoyed. Rachel and Danny's second-chance, friends-to-lovers journey felt refreshingly real, with mature, honest communication that made their reconnection all the more satisfying. While I wish their childhood fallout had been explored more, the book’s blend of women’s fiction and romance kept me engaged, especially with the swoon-worthy banter and just the right amount of spice. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

I thought this was a super cute premise but I unfortunately DNF’d at around 40%. The dialogue, both in internal and external was redundant and I felt like the WMC was stuck in a rut that was tedious to read. I hope others enjoy it!

This book reads like a rom-com movie heavy on the com and hijinx, just one disaster after another just happening to the main characters all to bring them closer together. The flashbacks and the 2000s references speak to my close-to-middle-aged elder millennial heart.

Every high school had a Rachel Dang. I felt like I could have been friends with Rachel in High School, or maybe just acquaintances, since I too was an awkward loner. She's the girl who excels at most things, the girl who works the hardest, the girl who takes everything too seriously, and the one who single-handedly completes a group project. Type A all the way. But what did it matter in the end? Her obsession with being the best cost her a friendship that could have been more, had she given it a chance.

It's a second chance on an almost romance. Will they get it right this time? It's light and swoony. A bit slow in the beginning, but when it picks up it's an enjoyable read.

Thank you, NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the electronic advanced copy of The Girl Most Likely To for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I felt like the beginning was quite slow but I did find Rachel relatable as I was an overachiever in high school. I enjoyed the split time lines from the first chats with Danny to present. The night of the reunion was a little much to follow. Overall, a cute friends to lovers story.


Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

I could not put this book down! I really enjoyed "The Girl Most Likely To" and I will keep an eye out for other Julie Tieu books!

Rachel is an excellent leading lady in this book, for all that she isn't "hot enough to make up for her lack of talent" on the screen; instead, she's a Hollywood Girlboss who suddenly loses her way and reassesses her values and her life so far. She is interesting, a richly detailed character with believable flaws and a work ethic that does not need to be fixed, just realigned. Danny is an adorable male lead, and I like that he also has struggles and issues to overcome. As he and Rachel revisit their high school years, they both confront the personality traits that pushed them apart in the past and decide if those can be overcome in the future. I like that the book lets them be imperfect and doesn't force them to wildly change to grow up a little and find better versions of themselves.

I also really liked the "one crazy night" type plot, which took us through the night of the high school reunion-- full of antics, mistakes, and accidents-- with well-juxtaposed flashbacks to give the reader a fuller picture of these characters. The plot moved well, and I could not find a great place to put the book down, so I just kept reading.

Super fun book, recommend for anyone who didn't love high school but is willing to revisit their own mistakes as well.