I liked the writing style, it was so easy to read and so easy to stay engaged. I didn’t love the actual story. I want to go back and read As Seen On TV, and I’d be willing to try and read something else from this author! But this story just didn’t do it for me.

It didn’t feel like a romance book for the majority of the book. It was more of a chick lit/woken me fiction book? Which is fine! Both Molly and Jude were dating other people the whole time. Yes, Molly was constantly thinking about much she was maybe attracted to Jude, but she also was still very much in the ‘not ever going to like him’ camp for most of the book. And because of the life long nemesis’ thing, I had such a hard time connecting with them as a couple…because they were seemingly never going to make it work? But it was clear that the whole story was the lead up to them realizing they’ve been trying to date each other their whole lives. And THEN seemingly out of nowhere they were having sex??

This would have a been a great dual POV book, and not just because I always want to know what the MMC is thinking. But both Molly and Jude were dating people so similar to each other for YEARS. And I would have loved to see Jude coming to the same realizations as Molly did. Like why does it feel like I’ve known this person forever? Why am I getting all these dogs confused? Even Esther started pointing it out! I just would have LOVED to see Jude figuring it out at the same time!

I did really like the epilogue! It was sweet and had a sweet full circle moment but it wasn’t worth reading the entire book for.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Forever for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Someone Just Like You was such a cute and light romcom! My favourite thing about this book was the family dynamics between the Stark and Blum families. I also loved the New York City setting and the Jewish representation that was sprinkled throughout the story. This one was filled with pranks and jokes between Molly and Jude, dating back to their childhood days, which at times felt a little childish. I enjoyed seeing them slowly become friends again although I didn't love the conflict which I personally thought was dragged out a little too much. 

Overall, I liked this one but was wanting a little more from it! If you are looking for a light and cute childhood rivals to lovers filled with pranks, check out Someone Just Like You (out July 25, 2023). I'm looking forward to picking up As Seen on TV by this author soon as I've heard a lot of good things about that one!

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Someone Like You by Meredith Schorr is a combination of opposites-attract and enemies to lovers that is quite fun and funny if you enjoy pranks and silly, fun romance. This is not a serious novel and it is not meant to be taken in such a serious manner, which I love. While it addresses some serious and tough issues along the way it also tells the story of falling in love through a lifetime of pranks and animosity.
Molly Blum and her neighbor and family friend Jude Stark grew up more or less hating each other. Molly was the "good" girl and Jude was always getting in trouble and thus a lifetime of pranking began. Skip to adulthood and their families are planning an event for both sets of parents and Molly and Jude are paired up to find a venue. Let's just say that neither has changed much and the pranks continue. They continue until the pair realize the reason behind the pranking.
Read this light-hearted fun, romance novel that revolves around some fun pranks and a little romance. Also Molly's BFF might be the best!

Childhood neighbours & total opposites, Molly and Jude were friends once - and one day in first grade became rivals. They were constantly fighting, pranking, and competing with one another.

As adults they’re forced together by their siblings to help with planning a surprise anniversary party for both sets of parents. Their rivalry isn’t over, until they eventually decide to call a truce to actually get things done for their families. They start to form a friendship, and unwillingly start to fall for one another.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

Molly is a challenging character to like. She’s immature and kind of self centred - always blaming herself for things that have nothing to do with her. Jude has his immature moments as well, but evolves at least.

While I didn’t love this book, I did like it and laughed at their ridiculousness. The premise was great too - the fact that they were always dating copies of each other, when really they should just have been together!

What you’ll find in Someone Just Like You:
⭐️ Childhood rivals to lovers
⭐️ Forced proximity
⭐️ Pranks
⭐️ Opposites attract
⭐️ LGBQT+ rep
⭐️ Jewish rep
⭐️ Single POV/first person

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

While I love friends to lovers and enemies to lovers - and this was kind of a mix of the two?- the execution fell flat here for me. This read like it was intended for a teen audience and I found myself not caring if our leads ever made it work.

After reading and loving Meredith’s AS SEEN ON TV, I knew I’d love this one, too!

Molly and Jude have spent their entire lives battling each other. Pranks, banter, and snippy nicknames that tie the line between childish and funny. But when they have to work together on a joint anniversary party for their parents, they’re forced to consider if their war is really what they want.

It’s no surprise that Meredith Schorr creates such a fun and light, yet still so compelling enemies-to-lovers storyline! The tension between Molly and Jude that slowly shifts from animosity to desire to love is exactly what you want to see in these books. She also builds it around an amazing cast of characters, letting us get to know them without having them overwhelm the story.

Thank you NetGalley for access!

Molly and Jude's families have been friends and neighbors since they were children. The two of them on the other hand have been rivals for that time. Their relationship has been more about oneupmanship than anything else.

The siblings in both families have decided to throw their parents an anniversary party and Molly and Jude have been chosen to find the venue for the festivities. Of course this means that the two of them are going to be seeing more of one another than they could have hoped. It also means that we are treated to all sorts of banter, pranks and the hints of feelings that likely had been hiding for longer than either one of them ever would have wanted to admit.

This book had a bit of everything - it was funny, there was romance, there were dogs and obviously there were hijinks too! It was a fun read.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I enjoyed this book. There's banter with an enemies to lovers vibe. I really like that Jude and Molly know how to do a good fun prank. I just really wish Molly would have come clean about the one that ended up with Jude hurt WAY sooner.

I liked that Molly pushed Jude to pursue his dream but I wish she wasn't so naggy and that it hadn't led to yet another "break" for them. On one hand, one thing that bugged me, was Molly about her parents relationship. She needed to stay out of it as a grown woman and as they are a grown couple, they can make their choices.

I was expecting a third act break up type thing (because it always seems to happen) but we got like 3 different ones in it. A little awkward at times and it drug the ending out a bit too long.

Someone Just Like You by Meredith Schorr is a hate to love romance between childhood friends.

Molly and Jude's families grew up as neighbors and practically family. They were best friends until grade school, when they turn into nemesis'. Constantly playing pranks and one upping each other. As adults, not much has changed. Forced to work together to help plan each of their parent's a surprise anniversary party, doesn't stop the tricks . The more time they spend together, the more Molly realizes maybe all the guys she's been dating have been stand-ins for the one she really wants, and the same goes for Jude. But will their difference keep them from making a go at it.

I really enjoyed our female lead, Molly, she doesn't deny that she's flawed, but she seems to be trying her best. She genuinely cares about people and is torn between her job and her morals. I think she's a strong main character who grows as the story progresses, and I loved that she falls first and puts herself out there when it comes to her feelings for Jude.

Unfortunately, I didn't love Jude . I think perhaps he would have grown on me more if we had been given his POV, but since that wasn't the case and he just came across as immature and cowardly. I honestly think the story would have benefitted significantly from his point of view.

Overall Someone Just Like You is an entertaining hate to love romantic comedy with Jewish Rep, family, a cute pup, pranks, doppelgänger dating, grand gestures, pursuing your dreams, low steam, and a HEA.

3.5

I’ve followed Meredith Schorr on Twitter for years—and I absolutely loved her last rom com, As Seen on TV—so I was grateful to be able to recently read and review an advanced copy of her new book, Someone Just Like You. Releasing on July 25, 2023, you’re going to want to grab this one if you love a good rom com with scheming rivals.

Molly Blum has spent practically her entire life at odds with Jude Stark. Growing up as neighbors, their parents and siblings are all great friends, but Molly and Jude’s friendship went sideways in grade school and never recovered.

Molly thinks Jude is a slacker who’s gotten through life solely on charm, while he thinks she’s a goody two-shoes who’s only ever made him look bad. Their lives have been filled with a continuous stream of one-upmanship in the form of pranks, some of which went a little too far. After a high school joke went too far, they’ve managed to steer clear of one another.

Now, however, they’ve found themselves thrown together again to help plan a huge joint anniversary party for their parents, reigniting their rivalry. Amidst the snide remarks and playful mischief, an unexpected development occurs—Molly and Jude form a hesitant friendship, and an underlying spark of sexual tension begins to emerge. Perhaps it’s because both have been dating people who resemble the other, or maybe it’s due to the realization that neither is as awful as they once believed.

Without a doubt, Molly and Jude have become experts in the fine art of despising each other. However, learning how to navigate their new feelings for one another might just be the challenge of a lifetime.

If you love rom coms—especially those with lots of A+ scheming—you’re going to love this one!

This was a very cute childhood friends to rivals to lovers story. Molly and Jude’s banter was great at the beginning and I loved them pulling pranks on each other.

The dynamic between both families was so fun, though I wish we had seen more of them in the latter half of the book. I would’ve loved to see Jude’s parents reaction to him opening his restaurant.

It’s very obvious that our two main characters are very different. They both said hurtful (but true) things to each other around the three quarter mark, which they apologized for. I think that both helps and hurts the believability of them staying together long term.

Ultimately, I enjoyed the story. The family dynamics and the early banter were my favorite parts.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

So excited about this one! I loved her last book so I can't wait to fly through this one! Very very intrigued so far! Full review to come....

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read a lot of romance books, and I feel like I am able to spot a good book within the first 50 pages. I was genuinely bored and/or annoyed for the majority of this book. There were so many repetitions of the exact same phrases over and over again, I could barely pay attention to anything else. I also felt like the story and characters were not developed enough. I did not feel connected to Molly or Jude, and I really didn’t get the impression that they were a good connection for the other even with their shared history.

DNF @ 15%

There were two things I just couldn’t get past with this book. The first was the writing and the second was how childish the main characters were. I love a good prank war, but this was beyond juvenile. Coupled with the immaturity of how they were written, it unfortunately made this a DNF for me.

*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I had high hopes for "Someone Just Like You" and I'm going to just put it out there... I was disappointed.

Molly and Jude - grew up next door to one another. Their parents are best friends, they are both the youngest of three, and they have hated one another since they were six years old.

Jump 20 years later - and Molly and Jude are tasked with finding a location for the party their siblings are planning to celebrate both set of parents wedding anniversaries. And so begins the pranks, teasing and 100% obnoxious behaviour.

The entire book is told through Molly's perspective and I think that is one of the reasons I got annoyed with it. I did not find Molly a sympathetic character - she seemed stuck in the past. Without giving any of the plot away - her reaction to a family situation; even her attitude towards work - all of it felt juvenile. I KNOW that she is supposed to be a goody-goody two shoes, but I felt like there was no self development/ taking accountability for her actions.

SIgh.

I really dislike leaving a negative review, but I just didn't jive with these characters or with this story.

Sorry! This could also simply be a me thing and not a book thing.

What happens when your life plan gets turned around?
Jude and Molly have known each other for their whole lives. They were neighbors whose families were really close. Early on in life Jude started hating Molly and pulling mean pranks on her and she would try to retaliate only for it to backfire. Fast forward 20+ years, they are forced to work together to plan part of their parent's wedding anniversaries. What they discover during this process is that each has really loved the other for their whole lives. Always choosing people to date who look just like the other person. Jude and Molly are total opposites though. Jude is a whatever goes types who hates a plan and Molly is trying to follow her life plan. He wants Molly to loosen up and she wants him to have a plan. In the end, both discover that they can each gain from the other's lifestyle.
Forced proximity, enemies to lovers, family, HEA
Spice level: Open door but not graphic. I give it a 1 out of 5 on the spice level.

A cute read with several tropes: enemies to lovers, pranksters to partners.
At times I thought the jokes went a bit too far. A good joke is fine, but constant pranks wears thin.
Both characters had to mature and realize they weren’t each going to get their way,
I like the ending the best since it tidies things up and both families are still close and stronger than ever.

I am usually a HUGE fan of a enemies to lovers trope, but this one completely fell short for me unfortunately. I had such a hard time connecting with Molly and Jude as they were adults that acted like complete children for the first 35% of the book. By that point I was frustrated and found myself skimming through the rest of the story. There was so much potential based on the posted synopsis, but it just didn’t carry through.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve come the conclusion after 2 of this authors books that they are unfortunately not a fit for me. I love cutesy romance books and Hallmark-vibes, but the characters and storyline is not captivating enough to keep my attention and make me invested. And it pains me as a Jewish reviewer to say this about an OwnVoices book, especially when Jewish rom coms don’t dominate the category. I found Molly and Jude both incredibly immature and their antics too childish after a while.

The editors blurb sounded like this would be a funny light read. It sort of was, but not wholly. The Blums and Starks were neighbors who became so close they considered each other family. As the parents wedding anniversaries are nearing, it is decided that a joint party would be a great idea. The issue is that more often than not, when families are back together most people revert to who they were as children. As Molly and Jude are thrown back together to help plan things, they both not only revert to their childlike antics, but take their pranks and antics to new levels of ridiculousness and immaturity. I found them to be over the top and also that their chemistry was just eh so the ending, though absolutely expected didn’t ring true. This was not my favorite by this terrific author.