Ginny is an absolute gem of a person. I felt so bad that they had to lust for so long, especially since they clearly have such a huge heart. Honestly though, I think they were way too good for Elsie. I genuinely loved everything about Ginny’s personality, especially the fact that they foster dogs, are comfortable in their own skin, and seem to be a very handy and skilled carpenter. I for one really want to know how the sex bed turned out! Their relationship with their dad and other farmer’s market partner was super sweet and I enjoyed how they both called them out on their faults and also supported them unconditionally. Elsie though, and her entire family were a tough group to get behind. Her father and mother totally ignored her ideas and didn’t seem to care much about her broken engagement. I wish it somehow made sense that Elsie never accepted her feelings for Ginny earlier, but it didn’t. Her inability to make a decision for herself or be an independent person got very frustrating. I would have liked more insight and detail into why Elsie could never gain the confidence to do what she actually wanted to do.

In terms of the spice and sex scenes, they were definitely hot and next level. But, it would have been a lot more believable if there was more chemistry leading up to Elsie’s decision and more thought or emotional depth behind her decision. It just seemed super sudden for Elsie to all of the sudden end her engagement and jump into Ginny’s arms. I wanted more romancing and deep conversation and analysis as to why Elsie felt she had to wait so long and why she could never actually talk to Ginny about her feelings rather than glossing over everything because the sex is so good. Therefore the supposed “conflict” that was so extremely forced and cringe worthy, never felt authentic. Elsie’s character was so weak at that point, her reasoning for essentially dumping Ginny only made things feel dramatized rather than real. The only thing the conflict further established was that Ginny could do no wrong and she handled everything like a pro. Their level of maturity, level headedness, and ability to know what is best for them was the true shinning star of this story. Because let's face it, Elsie was never going to grow on her own unless Ginny made her, and that's the only reason why Elsie finally was able to stand up to her family.

I would have liked to have gotten more information leading up to the honeymoon such as the details and backstory to Elsie and Ginny’s relationship and their family dynamics. Ginny was perfectly crafted, but Elsie definitely needed so much more depth and likeability factor in order to completely support the success of their relationship. The only thing I really ended up appreciating about Elsie was how she stood up for Ginny’s identity and that she never judged or loved Ginny any less because of her size. It was just refreshing not to have to listen to Ginny’s insecurities about their body or make that the reason why Elsie never liked them. I would also suggest making more adjustments to the pacing because you have all the sex and excitement happening during the honeymoon and then everything after just felt dull. Overall, besides the amazing sex and the fact that Ginny could do no wrong, the story itself just didn’t connect with me due to the lack of development in terms of conflict, resolution, depth, and backstory that needed to happen in order to see past the sex that completely overshadowed the story.

ARC review for the ebook and audiobook! I loved this book SO MUCH!
I love Meryl Wilsner books so much and this one did not disappoint! I loved the audiobook and the narrators did an amazing job with this story.
I love a queer friends to lovers story and the ONLY thing I did not love was the third act breakup but that’s typical.

If you’re in love with your best friend, go for it. It could end like this 💕

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Two best friends of over a decade finally give a romantic relationship a shot and strive to pursue their dream occupations. Can they pull it off or will it all go up in smoke?

Thank you Netgalley and Celadon books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Friends with Benefits had a great premise—two best friends, years of mutual interest and wanting, and a romantic getaway that turns spicy. But while the chemistry was off the charts, the emotional depth was lacking. I have a hard time fully getting into books that don't have that element.

Ginny confesses their love, gets rejected, then watches as Elsie calls off her engagement and jumps into bed with them. I loved the spice, but their physical relationship takes center stage, without leaving much room for real emotional growth. Elsie’s struggles with standing up for herself and the overused miscommunication trope didn’t help. Plus, the pacing was off—the conflict dragged on for way too long, making the second half frustrating.

That said… if you’re here for the spice? You will not be disappointed. It’s hot, fun, and easy to read, even if the romance felt underdeveloped. Overall, I liked it but wanted more.

Thank you net galley, St Martin’s Publishing Group, and Meryl Wilsner for gifting me an arc of My Best Friend’s Honeymoon.

What do you do when your fiancé decides to surprise you with a wedding? You’ve had no say in the details, invites, or any of the planning.

Obviously the correct answer is you dump him and take your hot plus sized nb bestie to your non refundable honeymoon destination!

This books was cute, fun, perfect for the summer and LORD THAT SPICE!!! Way, WAY spicier than I would have ever expected.

Overall the book was enjoyable, but didn’t wow me at any point.

4.25🌟
This was my first Meryl Wilsner book, and I am a fan! I saw them at a book fest in February and was blown away by their smarts and hilariousness, so knew I needed to read something they'd written. Imagine my glee when I saw this book available for review. 🤗 This was such a swoony story about how love shows up, even when it's hard. It also proves that some of the most satisfying relationships come from starting out with friendship. And the sexy-times were 🔥🔥!😏

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. i am a big fan of Meryl Wilsner and when i read the premise of this one it sounded right up my alley! i thought the book was light-hearted, sexy, funny at times, and the characters both somewhat relatable. but there were a couple things that made me be like "huh, not what i was expecting!" i think the premise was interesting but not how i would have written it. I think that Elsie should've gotten up to, let's say, the day of her wedding, and left her fiancé jilted at the altar, unable to say yes, and running out of the wedding venue with Ginny kind of rushing after her. they hop in a taxi and Elsie turns to them and is like "let's escape! let's go on my honeymoon!" the way it was written, it was just a bit too easy for elsie to up and leave her engagement. 0 anger or pushback from the fiancé felt unrealistic. also found it frustrating that we don't really learn Elsie even likes Ginny as more than a friend until about 30% thru the book... up until that point Ginny almost reads a little pathetic to be honest; she remains loyally devoted to and in love with her best friend even after they are rejected by her and watch her get engaged to a man.

other reviews have pointed out that the book is light on plot and heavy on the smut but i'm fine with that aspect. the sex scenes are well-written and hot. i found it a little odd that ginny goes by they/them pronouns but in random spots of the book, they are referred to with she/her pronouns within the narrative, not as a plot point. unsure if that was deliberate and ginny is cool with they/she pronouns. if that's the case, it could have been better established; i saw a few other reviews mention it.

I have enjoyed every book by Meryl Wilsner that I’ve read, and this is no different. The tension. The pining. The longing. It wasn’t a slow burn (it was years in the making). The conflict made sense and only added to the story. I just wish there was more of them together in the end. And I did notice some incorrect pronouns near the end that I’m sure will be caught before publication.

This book didn't come together for me. I didn't connect with any of the characters, and I didn't like the queer romance. I thought I was reading a romantic comedy and loved the title. I did enjoy a few parts of the book, like the backdrop of the honeymoon and some of the humorous mishaps and a few heartwarming moments. I felt like the book was trying to convey the strong friendship between the girls, the adventure, and self-discovery. It just missed the mark with me.

I am posting a few of my memorable moments:
Sunset Cruise: One of the most memorable moments is when they take a sunset cruise. The breathtaking views and the serene atmosphere create a perfect setting for reflection and romance.

Beach Bonfire: Another favorite moment is the beach bonfire night. Surrounded by new friends, they enjoy music, laughter, and storytelling under the stars. This night becomes a turning point in the story, where bonds are strengthened and secrets are shared.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin Press for the advanced copy.

Damn queer friends to lovers is where it's at!! Ginny is down bad for Elsie and Elsie similarly can't conceive of a life without Ginny. I totally believed that Elsie and Ginny were best friends and more than that, I understood why they were each other's go-to person for all things. This book was full of delicious pining and some extremely hot sex scenes. My favorite part of the story was how the author didn't let the characters jump into a romantic relationship without considering how that would impact their relationship. Having had close friendships, it is so easy to get caught in rhythms that might make the relationship smoother but might not be what's best for each person in the friendship. I adored the fact that Elsie and Ginny had the space to determine what they really wanted in their lives and how to go and get it. The way they were able to communicate with each other was so satisfying to read about. The yearning in this story made me feel so many things. I had a fantastic time with this book! It's definitely one to check out if you're looking for a light and steamy escape.

Are you a fan of friends-to-lovers and beautiful vacation spots? Then look no further!

This was a fast and cute read, but I didn't quite connect with the characters as much as I wanted to and wish they were a tad more fleshed out. The ending also felt abrupt, and I wish we had gotten to read more after the happy ending. (Maybe that's just me though.)

I love, love, love the LGBTQ+ representation in this book, and the spice scenes were fantastic—a little long for me considering how fast the story goes but still wonderfully written.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.

I ended up DNF'ing the book around 60%. For some reason I could not connect with the characters and I found the story boring. Which bothers me since I love books like these, but maybe I'll have to try again at a later time.

Thanks again for the publishers, NetGalley, and the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon is bliss! I FLEW through this spicy friends to lovers story. I like Wilsner has been branching out with the diversity of characters in her past few books.
I wish our MCs communicated a bit more consistently because I hate a third act break up.
4/5
Thank you to Net Galley & St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advanced copy of this book for review. This is my own opinion.

I’m not sure I’m the intended audience of this book, as the MCs are in their early twenties and I am…not. It’s still a quite fun read, though, because you can’t go wrong with half the book set in a romantic over-sea bungalow in a queer resort. Seriously, I want to go to there. I also really enjoyed the ending, and the way it came about. (I don’t want to spoil anything.)
I really enjoyed this one! Thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin and netgalley for the arc!

Okay. So. I liked it.

It a little bit felt like the sex scenes were written and then the rest was like thrown together around the sex as almost an afterthought??
Like yes the sex was hot but the romance and connection of the besties to lovers seemed??? Less developed and a bit disjointed.
I’m not mad I read it. Audio was great.
Thanks to netgalley and Macmillan audio for an alc

Always love a good friends to lovers romance, but this book just didn’t work for me.

I found the fmc to be very immature and unlikable. So it was hard to root for her relationship with her best friend, who along with her ex fiancé, deserves better than her.

The writing felt a little disconnected and I had a hard time with it. I think this story would’ve benefited being told in first person pov and having the flashbacks be a little more organized and clear. Also, I think it needed another round of edits and adding a bit more showing instead of telling.

If you’re looking for a fast paced spicy read in a tropical vacation setting then you’ll probably love this book.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Unfortunately, the FMC’s in this book had 0 chemistry. They have been friends forever.
I have an issue with someone seeding their wedding plans completely to their partner & best friend. You don’t want to she any decisions and are then shocked when all the plans are done and the wedding is next week. Should he have talked to her about that? Yes. Did she have any space to be confused?
Maybe a little but it’s what she asked for.

This book felt like a vacation rebound fling but because they’ve been friends fr so long, they move into something else.
It’s not a terrible book.
I think this author is not for me.

The title gives away most of the plot, but Elsie calls off her engagement and takes her best friend on her honeymoon instead. Ginny, the best friend, has obviously been in love with Elsie forever. They hook up while on the honeymoon and while those scenes were spicy, they were also full of signs of coming issues. They never discussed what happens next so when they return to reality, it all comes crashing down and they need to "take time from each other".
My issue was that Elsie doesn't actually seem to do any of the work to figure out her feelings and why she lashed out, it all just fell into place. I wish there was a bit more establishment of the characters and a lot more character development but I will always love how Wilsner writes her queer characters and will read anything they put out.

Meryl Wilsner’s My Best Friend’s Honeymoon is about not only learning to ask for what you want, but for the happiness you deserve.

I was very excited to pick up this book, the concept sounded so promising but I did not particularly enjoy the book.
I felt as though the book abruptly ended and not everything was tied up or it was too fast. Like what happened to Elsie's ex and how her family responded. Elsie never stood up for herself until the end.
I felt as though Ginny and Elsie’s relationship on the honeymoon was also strange. I understand that Ginny felt as though they should do everything Elsie tells them to do, one because it’s Elsie’s honeymoon and two because Ginny is in love with her. I kind of wish there was more talk about consent and not just hopping into it. I can understand why it was a very fast romance since they only had a few days there. There was also way more sex than the romance I was kind of expecting for a honeymoon getaway.

Pros:
-non-binary plus-size MC
-queer romance
-high spice level exploring kink in a safe environment
-personal emotional growth from both MCs
-friends to lovers and coming out tropes

Cons:
This book gave me whiplash. Elsie and Ginny go from 0 to 100 far too quickly for me. The pacing, particularly of the spicy scenes, felt off. Their relationship lacked chemistry, likely due to the lack of build for their relationship.

I am a big fan of Meryl Wilsner's Mistakes Were Made but the rest of their books have fallen flat for me, My Best Friend's Honeymoon included. But I appreciate their commitment to queer relationships, diversity of MCs, and safe exploration of spice.