Love Interest

I read this book in one day, and I loved it! This is an amazing example of a workplace romance. The majority of the story takes place in and around the office, and this was a huge strength of the book. Casey and Alex are enemies from the moment that the meet in the elevator at their office (well, at least on her end!). Alex gets the job that Casey was up for, and she doesn't like that he is the one that got that job. At work, they work together on a project, and they start to see that they have some things in common.

I loved the jobs that Casey and Alex had. Casey is a financial analyst, and Alex is more of a creative type. Casey's career made sense because she was looking for stability in numbers and math. Alex added a lot to the story because of his drive and his desire to excel at his job. I think that they worked well together, and their dynamic was so sweet!

There was a little bit of spice, but overall, the vibes between Casey and Alex were swoonworthy. I loved the setting- an NYC workplace romance is just what I needed! The setting added to the fast paced nature of the story, and I was swept up in all of the behind the scenes drama/conflict at work.

Read this book if you like:
-enemies to lovers
-workplace romance
- NYC Setting
-Millennial vibes
- An emotional journey
- Amazing group of friends

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of 'Love Interest'.

This book is exactly everything I want in a romance plus things I didn’t know I needed. Love Interest follows Casey & Alex as they go from elevator enemies to in it for the long haul lovers. Throughout the book, you get a dose of quirky best friends, same-sex parents, neurodivergence and several interracial couples. Casey & Alex’s love is completely believable and the spice is 👌🏼. Whether you’re looking for a beach read or a rainy day tea drinking book, Love Interest should definitely be on your list! 4.5 stars from me!

this is a sweet debut that captures really well the hopefulness, recklessness, and audacity of being at your first job in new york! the workplace is a hilarious and reasonably accurate sendup of conde nast and/or buzzfeed!! he falls first and she is the math genius!!! there is metacommentary around only one bed!!!! there is Rocky Top and handwaving about a SPAC go vawls

thank you once again to st martins and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for this completely honest review

I read this all in one day! I loved this love story. The characters were endearing and sweet. Alex was a golden retriever embodied, which just made me root for him the entire time! I loved the supporting characters as well. And, the relationship had all my favorite tropes. It was engaging and endearing. I couldn't put it down! This is the perfect summer, beach read.

4.95/5 ⭐️

"'I knew you'd be worth it. Every email. Every glare.'
'How do you know I wasn't working you up?'
'Don't think I'd have minded.'"

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Workplace Romance
Forced Proximity
I Have A Secret
Asian Hero <3


Short Story:
Love Interest is a near-perfect rom-com that made me laugh, cry, and fall in love (as a good rom-com does). Not only did it give me exactly what I wanted in a romance story, but it also gave me the empowering "women in business" vibe that I love so much.

Long Story:
(Minimal to No Spoilers)
I picked up this book because ever since The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas I've been craving a good enemies-to-lovers workplace romance and I'm so grateful that Clare Gilmore did not disappoint me. Throughout the entire novel (but most especially when they are enemies) Alex and Casey had such perfect banter that I was internally screaming.

Casey is an extremely motivated heroine who has her own ambitions, dreams, complex relationships, fears, etc. She's just generally everything I love in a protagonist. She's not a perfect person, but she does know what she values and the scathing business commentary that comes with that fuels my love for the book all the more.

And Alex! He's just as perfectly damaged as Casey is and an Asian hero to boot (as an Asian-American woman I'm always in love. Now might also be a good time to discuss the general and overall diversity of the book which I was so happy to see.) He's also just generally a kind and caring male protagonist and I easily found myself falling in love with him as a character.

The romance between these two extraordinary characters does not disappoint. Between the already-discussed banter, the cute inside jokes (absolutely essential IMO for any good rom-com), and the pet names they were already great. Add in working through their issues in an intelligent way and I was in love with their relationship.


I received an advanced review copy of this book from Net Galley for free and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

What's really great here is that - you know how there's that point at which someone hides something or misrepresents themselves in a way that's clearly planted to create tension in the plot at some later point? Okay, well, I can't believe I'm saying this, but it actually makes sense this time. Like, that's totally the way a reasonable person would behave. The main characters in this story are inherently honest, and flawed, and human, and sweet, and deeply, deeply endearing. So.

What a fun read! This was such a fun, engaging, and delightful story! I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, and I felt like their relationship was honest and full of growth. As a teacher with a LOT of students reading romance, this will be one that I recommend, because it had the fun of an enemies to lovers with the growth of two people figuring out just how to take a misunderstanding and turn it into a true relationship.

I really liked this workplace romance. Casey was a great female lead. I loved that she embraced her quirkiness and her love of numbers (I loved the question about her favorite Excel formula!) I also really liked that she never changed her goal throughout.

On the male lead side, Alex's development was well written. I wanted to shout at him at times. You could tell something was going on and just wanted to point it out to him. But overall, a great lead. I really enjoyed his and Casey's relationship. The banter was great and it all felt very well done.

All in all, really enjoyed this cute, fun, number filled read.

Thanks to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for an ARC!

The blurb from the publisher of Love Interest by Clare Gilmore describes the novel as “sparkling” and that is not hyperbole. I was engaged at the first page when we meet Casey, a financial analyst at a large publishing company. She has applied for a job within her company and finds out she did not get it. The man who does will eventually become the love interest but not before she hates him for the perceived nepotism of his hiring.

Why I loved this book: sizzling and entertaining banter, but not overly cute.
Descriptions of the workplace that are interesting. The large publishing house has a variety of magazines, so we see restaurant reviews and food discussion, but even the financial work that Casey is involved in is made to be entertaining, often because of her very realistic but entertaining colleagues. Descriptions of places such as Nashville, New York, London, and Seoul are seamlessly integrated into the story. And, finally, the main characters have their own personal growth journeys throughout the book beyond their romance. Self-acceptance and seeing others as they are without hero worship are also themes.

This is the first published novel by Gilmore, but the writing is so good and polished that I would never have guessed. I look forward to future novels by this author.

Oh man did this book give me a rollercoaster of emotions but I enjoyed every single minute of them. I would love this as a movie to watch over and over. I loved the dynamics between all the characters and really enjoyed the dialogue.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early ARC. As I am my own person, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a great book by a debut author! Unique story with interesting characters. Very well written, I would definitely read another book by this author!

Absolutely loved following this love story as the two main characters grow into their own. They both face some challenging situations that they learn to deal with together.
Ideal for anyone who enjoys office romance or enemies to lovers

Love Interest follows a lead who works in the finance department of a media company. It follows the changes in her relationship with the guy who got the job she applied for who also is the former CEO's son.

I like love stories, because they're usually light and fun and have happy endings. This book felt much more in-depth than many are. The characters have layered histories that make them interesting and fun to read about. I also related to a lot of it.

I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good romance. I think you'll be pleased with the quality of this one.

I loved this book so much that I almost don’t know what to say. A workplace enemies to lovers can be hit or miss for me, but this was a smashing success. I loved all the characters, especially Casey, Alex, and her parents. Casey and Alex are relatable, and the development of their relationship felt natural. They challenged and understood each other and seemed to really bring the best out in each other. Love Interest made me laugh out loud, and I think I might have shed a tear or two at one time… I absolutely love any book that can make me feel a wide range of emotions while reading. I definitely recommend this one!

Absolutely loved this story! I can’t wait to read more books by Clare. Alex and Casey’s tension filled moments gave me butterflies and I just knew their romantic moments were going to be filled with sparks. Can’t recommend this book enough.

Let me tell you I LOVED this! I couldn’t put it down! I’m obsessed!

Alex is going to be everyone’s book boyfriend! I love him! Casey is so real. She has my whole heart! I love them together! Everyone will be able to find a part of themselves in Casey and Alex.

This is an amazing debut! I’m not so patiently waiting for the next book she writes. I have been made a loyal Clare Gilmore fan!

Bring on Alex as my new book boyfriend! I loved this one! I love the differences that brought Casey and Alex together and I loved how once they figured each other out, it was a really wonderful relationship. I love how the “conflict” was resolved quickly and I didn’t find myself frustrated with them during it. Alex and Casey saw each other for exactly who they are and encouraged each other to be their best. If you loved the hating game, this is a similar vibe and i LOVED IT!

This was one of the cutest books I've read this year!!! I highly recommend picking up a copy! I loved both the female and male main characters and loved their chemistry together. It made me wanna move to Manhattan! Can't wait to read more books from this author!