This book is going to keep you up late finishing it because it is darling! So much fun from chapter one to the end. I loved the characters and their fun story!

2.5/5 rounded up

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

Ughhhhh i wanted to like this one so much more. It felt so rushed and forced in like every way. The friendship was believable and sweet, but it was so obvious that both of them were just in love with each other their entire friendship without any real reason why they didn’t do anything about it? The internal monologues were repetitive and lacked depth. It’s not often that i think a book should have been longer, but that’s how I feel. The intro felt rushed, the jump into sex felt rushed, the fight and makeup all felt rushed. The spicy scenes were good but intense after a short build up. Those took up too much room in the book as a whole imo. Just not what i wanted out of this one :/

This started off really strong, but this book was a miss for me. My biggest issue was that I never really felt the emotional connection between these characters. Despite their years of friendship, this felt like a largely physical relationship that was lacking in any real depth. We were TOLD they had a connection, but I never felt it. A large chunk of the book was spent in conflict, and the portion that wasn't was pretty much devoted to sex. I read almost exclusively open door romance, so I have zero issue with sex in my stories, but I expect it to serve a purpose and add to the connection between the characters. In this case, the sex scenes overshadowed the rest of the story and were a REASON for the lack of emotional depth vs. being something that added to it.

I had other issues with this one, primarily with Elsie's character, but a lot of it boils down to "me" issues and the type of heroine that I enjoy reading. I did enjoy Ginny's character - so much so that I want better for them than Elsie.

All that said, I have another book by this author on my TBR and I do still intend to read it because there I see a lot of potential in the writing style, despite not enjoying this particular book.

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon is a light and breezy friends-to-lovers romance. After Elsie calls off her engagement to Derrick, he generously lets her use their nonrefundable honeymoon trip — and naturally, she invites her best friend, Ginny. Known for being a people-pleaser, Elsie is told in no uncertain terms that this trip is all about her desires — and she intends to make the most of it. The pair hike, go horseback riding, snorkel, and most notably, hook up. Their week together is filled with steamy moments, though a few scenes veer into cringey territory for me. The dialogue flows effortlessly, and the setting is richly described, but I found the emotional connection between Elsie and Ginny lacking. Despite the heat, I never quite felt the spark that was supposed to pull them together.

Both narrators did a fantastic job with the audiobook, especially Easy, who fully captured the characters and the overall vibe of the story. Their consistent performances added depth and cohesion to the experience.

If you’re in the mood for a breezy friends-to-lovers romance set against a gorgeous backdrop, this one’s worth a try.

📖 Bookish Thoughts
This was a 5-star read through and through! I’ve read a couple books by Meryl Wilsner before, and if you liked Mistakes Were Made, this one is right up your alley.

I’m still laughing at Elsie’s fiancé thinking he could surprise her with a wedding in seven days?? I’m not over how delulu that man was!

Elsie and Ginny were perfect together. Their chemistry felt so natural, and the spice? 🔥🔥🔥
I also loved that the story didn’t just end after the honeymoon — they had to come home and actually figure things out. It was messy but real. I was a little annoyed with Elsie at one point (girl, breathe), but the ending? Perfection. I was proud of both of them, but especially Ginny. That decision wasn’t easy, but they stuck to it because they knew it was right. That moment hit hard.

Overall, I loved this book. It left me smiling — easily one of my favorite reads this year. The narration was fantastic (I’d definitely relisten), and the plot flowed so well.

🎙️ Narration Style: Dual
🎧 Audio Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received a free copy of this audiobook via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. Releases April 29, 2025 from St. Martin’s Griffin.

3.5 stars.

"My Best Friend's Honeymoon" by Meryl Wilsner is a bit of a mixed bag, though it's mostly good. The story is 100% sold on the chemistry between Ginny and Elsie, which is top-notch. Their banter is delicious, sexy, satisfying, and unapologetically queer. I loved their friendship but wanted to pull my hair out soooo many times because they were so clearly in love with each other that it made me sick to see them futz around with other people (Elsie I am looking a YOU!!!!!!!!). They are both a mess. They are both their own biggest enemies. They constantly stand in their way (both of them!) and, subsequently, in each other's way. That being said, I think the friends-to-lovers aspect works here (which usually isn't the case, in my opinion). The spice in this book is spiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicy, y'all, and even a tad k1nky, too! I like how Elsie grew as a character where her s3xuality was concerned, but that stops there. Both of their character growth didn't feel super earned at the end of the day. This is a book that leans waaaay into the physical aspect of the story as opposed to the romantic, emotional one. Ginny and Elsie's characters' relationship is exclusive to a vacation bubble until it's not, and it's obvious what's going to happen when they leave their love nest for the real world. I never felt like their relationship grew on their vacation; I only felt like the physical aspect was explored. Low emotion, high s3xuality. I'm also not sure I loved Ginny and Elsie getting together just two weeks after Elsie broke off her engagement to someone else. I get that they have been lusting after one another for years, but it still felt pretty messed up, considering her ex was a decent, nice dude. Like I said, a bit of a mixed bag! I will say, I loooooved Blair Baker and Emily Shaw's dual audiobook narration. Their voices were perfect for this material. They play off of one another well and kept me engaged throughout the audiobook with their fast-paced, snappy, fun narration.

Thank you to NetGalley, Meryl Wilsner, and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I love Meryl Wilsner and I love this story. But there are so many sex scenes and so much use of the c u next Tuesday word, this was a DNF for me at 56%. I was also a little annoyed about how cis-het relationships were described as seeming less adventurous that LGBTQ+ relationships. If a cis-het person said that about LGBTQ+ relationships, it would be clear how offensive that is.

The audiobook narration was well done. The voices for the main characters were easy to distinguish.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Narration: Amazing. I loved the dual narration and felt like the voices and performance matched their respective characters perfectly. Honestly, the quality of the audiobook was a major high point for me for this book.

Content: I love Meryl Wilsner. They will continue to be an auto-read author for me. Friends to lovers is my favorite trope. Unfortunately, this book just didn't land with me. It actually had me defending a man ?? Elsie ends her engagement at the start of the book and he kindly goes out of his way to suggest she still go on the honeymoon HE planned and he went through the effort of changing his ticket to her bff Ginny, that was his idea to take her. Yes these characters act immature and honestly it makes sense since they are 24ish so there was a lot of messiness I was fine with, but it was just a step too far for me when they are making fun of him and barely discussing this long relationship of Elsie's while they are on said honeymoon. And Elsie never spoke up during their relationship so I don't see why it was so heinous for him to plan a wedding and honeymoon when Elsie never corrected him about being in love, for all he knew it was smooth sailing having communicated with her directly checking in about it throughout the years.

The spice was fun. I didn't mind they spent a lot of the trip exploring that. I even enjoyed the side plots of Elsie's place in her family business and Ginny's work. Overall, I am happy to have read this I just feel overall lukewarm about it. If you want to give it a try and enjoy audiobooks, definitely go the audio route. Thank you to SMP for the eARC and Macmillan audio for the ALC.

I treated myself to reading ‘My Best Friend’s Honeymoon as my first ARC of 2025. Even though it has only been a few months I couldn’t visiting the book a second time as an audio book. Blair Baker and Emily Shaw bring the characters to life. I’ve previously read and given five stars to the author’s 'Mistakes Were Made’ (Oct 2022) and 'Cleat Cute' (Sept 2023). I am attaching my original review for My Best Friend’s Honeymoon below.

Elsie Hoffman calls off the wedding that her fiancé planned for her as a surprise. He offers her the non-refundable honeymoon and she takes her best friend, Ginny Holtz. Ginny wants to help Elsie speak up for herself and offers to do anything during the week as long as Elsie asks. It starts with a hike, swimming and snorkeling but soon takes a more personal tack.

Elsie and Ginny are still figuring out adulting. Elsie has always known she would work for the family hardware store and I like the storyline of her trying to get her dad to hear her ideas for improvement. Ginny likewise is still figuring out what they want to do. They took the first job offered out of college but it isn’t their passion. Elsie is pan but has only been with her college boyfriend/fiancé. Ginny is a nonbinary lesbian. Ginny has had a crush on Elsie but settled for being a best friend after Elsie turned them down when asked to a high school dance. I love that Ginny is described as being solid or sturdy sized but is never shamed for it.

They both care for each other so it is hard to see so much internal struggle about being more than friends, after the fact. The story is light and not overly angsty. And I do appreciate the heat Wilsner brings, especially in a mainstream publication. I like that the cover fits the book. And I found it very quick to read and enjoyable.

When Elsie breaks off her engagement to Derrick, and decides to go on her honeymoon trip with her best friend Ginny one thing leads to another and they both don’t know what will happen once they get back home. For Ginny, all she’s ever wanted is to be with Elsie. But, can Elsie break off her engagement and then start dating Ginny immediately? Elsie has never been on her own, she’s not happy with her job at her family’s hardware store, her life was not bad but she wanted more. Is this the time for a new relationship or should she take the time to decide what she wants out of life?
Elsie and Ginny have been friends for a long time, so it’s not like they just met and hooked up on vacation. But there are things that get in the way of their happiness. These things have the power to ruin the relationship if they are not careful.
This was a great story about friends that were destined to be together. If you are in the mood for a third act breakup, spice, and happily ever after, this is for you.

I liked the concept but the book was definitely not for me. Generally I enjoy any romance type book and I don't mind when the intimate scenes are very open door but this wasn't for me at all. I didn't really like either character, they both seemed very woe is me all the time. I didn't feel the romantic connection between the main character's, it felt forced and sorta predatory in the sense that one just ended her relationship and is just coming to terms with her sexuality. Like I feel as if the getting together would've felt better if it was more at the end and or once they got back home and not literal days after ending a relationship and breaking off an engagement. But that's just me...

It was well narrated and I would listen to them again.

DNFing at 55% after 3 straight chapters have been just sex. I don’t mind spice but I like some story too. This one really lacked the plot and story element. Once the characters got together there wasn’t anything else to the plot.

This book was soft in the way that sneaks up on you. I went in expecting steam and mutual pining, which it delivers, but I didn’t expect to feel so seen in the quiet moments between longing and letting go.

Elsie’s life has just fallen apart in a very public, very awkward way. She was surprised with a proposal and wedding all at once, and she walked away. She ends up going on what was supposed to be her honeymoon with her best friend Ginny...who just so happens to have been in love with her for years. And I mean years.

The setup is perfect, but what really worked for me was the emotional vulnerability between them. There’s this softness to their dynamic that made me ache. Ginny is thoughtful, steady, nonbinary, and unapologetically fat, represented with so much care. Their love for Elsie is deep and patient and hopeful, and wow...the yearning was real.

I resonated a lot with where Elsie was, trying to figure out who she is when the plan falls apart, learning to listen to herself instead of all the noise around her. There’s something really beautiful in the way this book honors the idea that love can be chosen, reclaimed, and shaped in a way that finally fits.

My only wish? A little more emotional unpacking. The intimacy was there (and, yes, it was hot), but I wanted more conversation—more of the mess and the healing. Some of the shifts felt a little quick, and I just wanted to linger in those moments where everything was beginning to click.

Now for the part I struggled with. I listened to the audiobook, and while the narrators were fine, the structure threw me off. The book is written in a single POV but has two narrators, which made it feel a little awkward and disconnected. It pulled me out of the story more than once, and I think I would have enjoyed it more in print or ebook format.

That said, this is a love story that feels like a warm hug and a soft nudge toward self-trust. If you’re in the mood for queer tenderness, pining with payoff, and a vacation setting that makes space for both pleasure and clarity, give this one a shot.

This book was a bit of a struggle for me, although, a week after finishing it, I am still struggling to articulate it. The spice in this book was my favorite part. The lack of communication, for so many years, was frustrating. The third act break up is one of my least favorite tropes…which I think this still falls under. Good, just not my favorite.

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon
By @merylwilsner
Narrated By Blair Baker and Emily Shaw

Releases April 29th, 2025

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for this audio arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book is HOT!
Go read it!

I’m so glad I got this and was able to listen for the @transrightsreadathon !

This book follows Elsie and Ginny, two best friends who finally give into their urges for more than friendship.

Elsie is used to being talked over and ignored in her life. When she discovers her fiance has planned their ENTIRE wedding without asking her at all…it’s the last straw.
Newly single, she takes the supposed to be honeymoon with her best friend Ginny.

Ginny has been in love with Elsie for years. During the honeymoon Ginny decides to help Elsie find her voice by telling Elsie she gets ANYTHING she wants but she has to ask.

What ensues is HOT! And funny and emotional and messy.

This book felt realistic and relatable and also really well done in the steamy scenes.

I have a long commute to/from work and I devoured this audio book!

It doesn’t hurt that Ginny reminds me of my own partner (non-binary, adorable, hot and overall amazing).

Go read or listen to this book, you won’t be disappointed!

#netgalley #netgalleyarc #audiobookreview #merylwilsner #bookarc #macmillianaudio #emilyshaw #blairbaker #sapphicbooks #queerbooks #queerbookstagrammer #steamy #🌶

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I wanted to like this one more because I've enjoyed other Meryl Wilsner books but this one was only okay. Best friends to lovers isn't supposed to have a lack of communication trope too, I thought they were such great friends! I loved the enby rep but unfortunately the characters were too flat.

a fun and fast paced book! i loved the narrators and hearing the emotion in their voice. if youre looking for a more fast paced read this is the one for you!
i gave 3 stars because the conflict was a little long in my opinion and it felt like the smut sort of overtook the plot sometimes but overall was still a great listen!!

thank you netgalley for the audiobook !

If you're looking for a very spicy best-friends-to-lovers story, Meryl Wilsner has got you covered with MY BEST FRIEND'S HONEYMOON! Bonus points for a gorgeous setting and sexy woodworking. The audiobook was well-produced!

My best friend's honeymoon was a very fun fast listen. I enjoyed the character development of the 2 main characters. Their love story was well written and the pace of the book was perfect.

Not sure what it was, but I just couldn't get into this one.
May have been more of my mood than the actual book itself. I am a huge mood reader. Going to set this one aside and see if I can get into it at a later date.
I can see this one being a good one for some. So as always give it a go.