I thoroughly enjoyed Meredith Schorr’s new book, Someone Just Like You. It’s a nemesis to lovers story where childhood rivals Molly and Jude’s families are organizing a joint anniversary party for both sets of parents, who have been neighbours and best friends for all of their married lives. The older siblings have only tasked Molly and Jude with one mission: to secure a venue for the party. Surely they can get along long enough to do that, right? Wrong! In no time flat, both are back to their teenage ways of pranking each other in a hilarious battle of one uppery. My favorite element of the book though, is that Molly and Jude are unknowingly dating each other’s doppelgängers, and as their siblings not so subtly point out, they've been doing so for years. There is so much to smile about while reading this book—Beatles puns, Hart of Dixie references, and of course, a happily ever after that really feels earned, both in the romance aspect and in each of the main characters personal lives. Pick this one up if you love childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, forced collaboration, and fun side characters. Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the early copy!
Pub Date: July 25, 2023

You all know that I love a good rom com, especially one with a Jewish author and with Jewish main characters. I read Meredith Schorr’s first book, As Seen on TV, and loved it. I felt so seen by her writing, and the same was true of her second book.

I saw a lot of myself in Molly. Like Molly, I am a people pleaser. She is also someone who likes to organize and plan like I am. Of course, she is also Jewish like me. It made me smile to read about the Blum and Stark families celebrating Hanukkah and that Molly’s grandma peppers Yiddish words into her speech. While reading, I felt like I really understood Molly, which made her story come alive for me.

Molly and Jude’s relationship is so engaging. They’ve known each other for so long that they can revert to their immature childhood selves around each other. As they spend more time together as adults, their relationship shifts. They learn about each other’s career goals and give each other advice and encouragement.

I love how central the familial relationships are in Schorr’s books. The whole premise of the book is centered around Jude and Molly’s families and the relationships between their respective families. The reader not only gets to understand the Stark and Blum family dynamics separately, but Schorr also focuses on how the members of the families interact.

Childhood trauma often bubbles up to the surface in romance novels, and it is especially prevalent in Someone Like You as a story centering around people who have known each other since childhood. Molly and Jude are forced to work through several issues from their childhood like Molly’s feelings around her parents’ separation when she was eight and Jude’s injury that ended his prospective baseball career. It was therapeutic to read them address these moments from their childhoods.

Someone Like You is a delightful and cozy rom com. There is something so homey about Schorr’s stories and her writing. I look forward to seeing what she writes next.

My first book by Meredith Schorr did not disappoint!

Synopsis
Molly Blum has had one enemy since childhood, and that is Jude Stark. Growing up, their parents were best friends, but they sure were not. They argued constantly and were forever pranking one another. Now, all the Blum and Stark kids are coming together to make their parents' anniversary party the best night ever. Unfortunately, that means Jude and Molly will need to collaborate and work together to find the perfect venue.

But for some reason, Molly keeps seeing Jude in a new light. A light that has him actually looking rather attractive. When the sparks start to fly, Molly is reminded of the secret she has kept for years. A secret that may very well ruin everything.

Review
I love a good enemies to lovers, especially when it also ties into a childhood friendship. I enjoyed watching the sparks fly between Molly and Jude, and I enjoyed their witty banter. The growth throughout the novel, both individually and together, kept me engaged. What got me hung up a bit was the fourth act breakup. It just felt like it kept going and going, something kept stopping them from being together. I wish it had just ended sooner instead.

Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favourite romance tropes and this one did not disappoint. The characters are well-developed and likeable and the story is charming.

Molly Blum and Jude Stark are each the youngest of the three children in their families. At one time they were very close. Then, the two began a relationship filled with arguments and pranks despite the friendship between their parents.

The Blums and Starks are approaching anniversary milestones, and their children decide to combine these events by throwing them a party. Molly and Jude are assigned to work together to find the venue. Their childhood pranks continue and with the party fast approaching, their ability to choose a venue in time is fading.

Eventually, the two finally come together enough to start making a decision. What began as hostility towards one another becomes physical attraction. It is pointed out to them that they’ve been dating a series of doppelgangers for each other. Will the two finally let down their guards and let their relationship mature?

While the story is somewhat predictable, I enjoyed it nevertheless. There are some funny moments and some personal growth with these two characters. I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy romance.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

This book was cute. I think that was my big takeaway. It was a cute, quick, fun read, but not really one that's going to stick with me. Molly was fine as a lead, but I didn't find her story especially exciting. Her family and most of the supporting characters felt either flat or underutilized.

In particular, I loved Jude. I thought he had the potential to be so interesting if we saw deeper than surface level about him and his life and his worries. He went zero to sixty from adversary to object of lust/love, and I almost wish there had been a level of slow burn building feelings between him and Molly in between those two extremes. I would have loved a few more deep and meaningful conversations between him and Molly where they actually get to know each other as adults for real.

Someone Just Like You is Meredith Schorr’s latest enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy set in New York. It’s perfect for fans of Helena Hunting and Sally Thorne.

27-year-old Molly Blum didn’t like practicing law so she became a legal recruiter. Her older sisters, Michelle and Nicole, enlist her help in planning their parents’ 35th wedding anniversary party., Coincidentally the party will also be a celebration for the 40th wedding anniversary of their neighbors and best friends, the Starks. Unfortunately for Molly, the Stark children, including her personal nemesis, Jude, will join in the preparations.

27-year-old Jude Stark is a bartender who dreams of opening his own pub one day. His successful older siblings make him look like a slacker, and that opinion is shared by stick-up-her-butt Molly “Mole” Blum. Molly and Jude were close childhood friends until a prank got out of hand, and then they became enemies and rivals.

As Molly and Jude are forced to spend time together, they continue to bicker and play pranks on each other. Soon they realize that Molly has been dating Jude-lookalikes and he’s been dating Molly wanna-bes. Their sexual tension explodes and they have to decide if they can become friends and then transition to a more stable romantic relationship.

I liked Someone Just Like You because it was an original premise and was entertaining. Interestingly all of the characters are Jewish but it’s not a Jewish book. I recommend it to readers who enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers story with excellent banter.

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Forever for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Overall, this was a feel-good romance with a unique premise. At first, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to continue reading but it didn’t take me too long to become invested in the story. I’m glad I stuck with it because it was a quick read that had heart and made me laugh. I was intrigued by the premise but I felt like the execution fell flat for me. I liked most of the characters but they also didn’t feel fully developed; I wasn’t quite sure who Molly really was even though the story is told from her perspective. I also felt like the plot moved too quickly and wished more time was spent developing some aspects. I definitely enjoyed Meredith’s debut novel more than this one, but I still enjoyed the experience of reading it despite the aspects I didn’t like as much.

This was a cute story. It wasn't super exciting and it left me feeling like something was missing. It was an okay read.

I just finished Someone just like you by Meredith Schorr and here is my review.


Molly Blum and Jude Stark have been mortal enemies since they were 6 years old. Nothing has changed in the last couple decades even though their families are tight! They pranked each other growing up and now their siblings want them to work together to plan a family party for both the Blum’s and the Stark’s. It’s Molly’s worst nightmare.

The war is back on and now things get super heated between the pair but as their pranks build so does an unlikely friendship. The more time they spend together the more they realize that hating each other was easy but falling in love was easier but how to complete opposites find common ground…

I find the enemies to lovers trope is overdone and I wasn’t sure this book was going to be any different than the rest. I was wrong. It was really clever in its execution. I loved the fact that they didn’t hide from each other and just snark off. I loved that they went toe to toe. Jude was brilliant. I loved his presence and cockiness and how he challenged Molly to push herself outside of her comfort zone. We all need that in our lives. Loved the plot. The family dynamic was super cool and I couldn’t get enough of it.

Molly is a classic goodie two shoes so seeing her throw down with Jude was epic. Jude seemed like the, no plans, ride the fun kinda guy but there were so many layers to him, it was entertaining to see how well developed he really was.

It was funny and romantic with all the drippings of mayhem! If you are a romance reader who loves enemies to lovers and need the kind of book you can’t put down, grab this one!

4 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @readforeverpub for my gifted copy!

The cover of this book is what drew me in. I must admit I didn't read the synopsis. I just thought a cute cover = cute read. Sadly to say this book was not for me. I didn't like the main characters. They were so childish. I found myself cringing and being annoyed by the characters dialog and actions. So much so that I just couldn't continue reading this book. So sadly I DNFed this book. I'm rating it 3 stars because while this book wasn't for me it might be the perfect book for you.

Book Releases July 25, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the E-ARC

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

I liked the premise, and the book turned out to be okay. The characters were fun, there was enough going on with jobs and divorces, etc. But I wanted the childish name calling to be over. We don't let our 5 year old name call, so hopefully he'll be more mature than these two at 30. 🙄
The steam was... less steamy than most rom coms, so people might appreciate that.
Overall, cute, light summer reader, but not memorable.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy. Someone Just Like You follows two timelines with different endings. Written in the contemporary sense, a good “airplane book.”

This one was cute enough, but it felt like something I had already read. I needed more banter between the main characters. Maybe a little more steam.

First thought: It was a fun childhood rivals hate to love romance set in NYC, I enjoyed it.

Molly is the perfect child she does everything right, she always has a plan and she is reliable. Her dream was to be a lawyer and she did that but after a year in a toxic workplace she moved to a recruiting position where she wants to help other fulfill their goals.

Jude always gets what he wants and it comes easy for him, he can get in trouble but then charms his way out of it. He wanted to play professional baseball but that dream fell short when he was involved in an accident. Now he’s bartending and one day hopes to open his own place if he ever gets around to it.

Their family have been best friends with the each other for over 25years and the kids of the families have always been thrown together. This time is no different as the set of 6 kids work together to plan a surprise anniversary for both parents. Only issue for Molly is the son of the other family Jude is her arch nemesis.

Since they were 6 they have hated each other and constantly go at it through pranks. But now she has to team up with him to help plan a party. Can Jude and Holly call a truce long enough to do their part in this big party for their families. Will they discover there is a fine line between hate and love?

This is a great summer read that it well written. It kept me engaged as I navigated through past and present with Molly. I really enjoyed the relationships she held and the importance family had in her life. I would recommend if you’re looking for a feel good story with a bit rivalry, a few good pranks, fun banter and some romance.

I really loved the authors last book so I was really looking forward to read this one. I enjoyed parts, but not all. I liked the Jewish representation and how close the two families were. But I really didn't like Jude and Mollys relationship. I liked the enemies to lovers back and forth, but after awhile I wanted it to end. I didn't like the pranks they played on one another. It seemed a bit childish for characters nearly thirty years old to do to one another.

Title: Someone Just Like You (standalone)
Release date: 7/25/23, read 7/15/23
.Author: Meredith Schorr-1st time author for me
Page Count: 353
POV: h Molly
Setting: NY
Genre: Rom-Com, Contemporary Romance
Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, family saga, opposites attract
 Representation: Jewish rep
Source: Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC. I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions are my own.
Steam factor: 3

Quick summary: Molly and Jude have been enemies since they were seven years old. Unfortunately, their parents are extremely close, and their siblings have decided to have a combined wedding anniversary celebration for their parents. Molly and Jude are forced to work together which brings up old hurts they caused each other. 

Content warnings/triggers: misogynistic boss, parents' separation
Characters: Main and Minor
Molly-27, a legal recruiter. Type A personality, "a good girl," became a lawyer, but quit because of her horrible boss.
Jude-27, bartender, laid back, and played baseball w/ full scholarship to college until he tore his ACL in a bike accident.
Esther- Molly's bff and was her college roommate.
Jerry and Alex-Jude's roommates
Michael-Molly's new boss Yogi-Jude's dog

Review: Molly and Jude were really crushing on each other which made them bully each other all those years ago. I thought it was just their twisted version of foreplay, especially as they got older. I read some reviews and some folks hated all the pranks, but I didn't mind them so much. They become misunderstandings when Molly and Jude talk about them. I enjoyed their sparring as it added to their HEA.

Rating:4****

I started this book so incredibly nervous. When Jude and Molly were super prank heavy right from the start, I almost quit. Pranks almost always hurt my feelings and ruin a book. But I am SO glad that I stuck it out. Jude and Molly's families have been best friends their whole life. But something happened when the two of them were kids to make them hate each other. Deeply. Planning a family surprise party has the two of them working together and slowly but surely realizing that maybe they aren't as bad as they thought. The family, the friends, the work situations all come together to create a story that I read in a hurry.

If you're looking for a fun, light, summer read and enemies to lovers is your thing, this might be the book for you.

Someone Just Like You had all the ingredients for a fun, laugh-out=loud romcom. Childhood friends turned enemies? Check. Prank war? Check. Cute dog? Check.

That being said...unfortunately it fell flat to me. While all the pieces were there, the connections just weren't. Molly and Jude loved to prank each other, but I didn't find the pranks to be very inventive or creative. I did like their dynamic once they got together but I didn't fully buy into the lead up.

There definitely were things I liked about this book. NYC has my heart so the setting was *chefs kiss*. I also really appreciated the conversation around changing career paths and how it's okay to change your plan, even if it's been your plan forever. As a chronic planner who doesn't like to rock the boat, I could really relate to Molly's feelings around this.

Overall, this is a good book to read if you want something quick and fun, but if you're looking for something to give you allllll the feels, maybe skip it. I do own a copy of Meredith Schorr's debut, As Seen on TV, and still plan on reading because I did enjoy her writing style quite a bit.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

. A slow-burn, enemies to lovers?!?!? I was already hooked before it started. I read this as a part of an arc and it was adorable. Molly and Jude were adorable and totally meant to be.

I was a little conflicted on this one! The writing is good and it was an easy read but I found the plot to be a bit immature.

The behavior of the characters seemed younger than they actually were (late 20’s) which turned me off a bit. But I did enjoy the latter bit of the book. This is one of those books that grows as you go along so if you can push through the begging a bit, in my opinion it becomes worth it!

I also loved the Jewish representation and all the NY references (this was particularly fun!).