Love Interest by Clare Gilmore is a cute rom com set in New York city. The relationship between Casey and Alex was perfection. I loved their characters and how their relationship happened. This is definitely a fun read and keeps the reader wanting more. I look forward to more from this author.

Clare Gilmore's debut, Love Interest, presents a delightful enemies-to-lovers rom-com set against the bustling backdrop of Manhattan's corporate world. Casey Maitland, a finance expert with a penchant for numbers, is initially dismayed when she's overlooked for a project manager position in favor of Alex Harrison, the board chairman’s son. This premise sets the stage for a charming tale of rivalry and unexpected romance.

The world-building in Love Interest is particularly noteworthy. Gilmore vividly captures the high-paced, glamorous environment of LC Publications, making readers feel like they are right there in the office with Casey and Alex. The detailed portrayal of Manhattan, from its busy streets to the sophisticated corporate offices, adds an extra layer of authenticity to the story. Casey and Alex's evolving relationship is the heart of the novel, and their dynamic is both engaging and relatable.

While the plot occasionally treads familiar territory, the strong character development and immersive setting make Love Interest a compelling read. Gilmore's debut is a promising start, showcasing her ability to blend romance and corporate intrigue with ease. Fans of office romance and enemies-to-lovers tropes will find much to enjoy in this sparkling tale.

Casey and Alex couldn't be more opposite.
Casey didn't care about the opinions of others, and Alex is a people pleaser.
This is a really cute enemies to lovers story. The only issue I had with this story is that the pace was slow. It took me a bit to get through the first part of the book because it was slow. But I pushed through and then as the story unfolded the friendship between Casey and Alex grew on me.

One thing I really liked about this story is that the author didn't just brush over Alex's ADHD, but she treated with care and respect.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review

This was an adorable debut and a very well done enemies to lovers with some miscommunication thrown in! This enemies to lovers did not feel childish, as many do, but very well done. Overall, I really enjoyed this one.

will not review until st. Martin press speaks up! as I am boycotting ! thank you for letting me read this but speak up!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
This was a sweet romance.

Just absolutely not interested in the characters or their journey at all unfortunately, it’s a DNF for me

Slow to start and not a true enemies to lovers. I had a hard time getting into this and there wasn’t much chemistry btn the two mcs

3.5/5. This enemies-to-lovers workplace romance is a perfect book for fans of The Hating Game. It's a fun read about two young MCs battling it out when they are put on the same project. I enjoyed the banter and text messages between them, but at times the book felt a bit too saturated with pop culture references for my particular taste. Overall, I'd recommend this if you're in the mood for a sweet workplace romance about two enjoyable characters.

✨ PRINCEMAN REVIEW ✨

📝 Casey has worked hard in her job and is ready to climb the ladder. So when she applies for a Project Managerial position only to be beat out by the chairman's son, she can't help but feel resentful. These two butt heads on the project, because they both have something to prove. But, hate boarders with another strong emotion....love.

What I 🤍:
🖊️ Workplace Romance
🧮 STEM Rep
💕 Rivals to Lovers
😍 He Falls First
🛏️ One Bed
🥊 Opposites Attract

This book was such a joy to read. I loved the tension and how you could feel their gravitational pull. This book reminds me of The Hating Game (with office romance) but it's also so different in the best ways. Their banter made me giggle, and I read this so quickly.

I loved this debut! Clare Gilmore artfully captured work/life culture and the turbulence of budding romance. I fell so deeply for Casey and Alex’s love story and enjoyed watching their relationship develop.

I admired Casey’s ambition and loved following a female main character in the finance space. Casey’s passion for her work displayed her complexity and allowed her to shine in various lights.

Let me say, Gilmore raised the bar with Alex Harrison. Ladies, find yourself a man who buys laundry detergent that doesn’t trigger your allergies! It was no wonder Casey fell for this golden retriever man with daddy issues. I would be showering him with exotic plants to brighten up his apartment too!

Casey and Alex’s banter was an all-around highlight for me, as was their ability to communicate with each other to eventually reach conflict resolution. They both faced intense inner obstacles and they lifted each other up to make the other better.

Highlights:
-(One sided) enemies to lovers
-Workplace romance
-NYC setting
-Asian MMC
-Office secrets
-Endearing characters

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Work place romance. A casual meet in an elevator changes the lives of a 2 people that work for the same company...just not the same department. An interesting story where each storyline lakes awhile to give the whole story. She knows company secrets but should she share the information? His father is part of the upper management. Plenty of interesting bits to keep you guessing. Will they end of more than friends with benefits? An interesting story

Forced proximity......dare I say one of the best tropes. Especially with only one bed!!! It was a slow burn romance but I do feel this was targeted for a specific young audience.

Sweet romance about two coworkers who meet in an elevator. The characters are easily lovable and the locations accurate. I wish the title was more relevant, but enjoyed the book which is a fast read.

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the eARC of Love Interest! All opinions in this review are my own.

I really liked this book but it seemed kind of disjointed in the beginning. Casey is portrayed as a finance girl who wants a more creative role and loses out on the job she applies for to Alex, and executive's son. After despising him for a very short time, Casey and Alex end up becoming friends and then falling for each other. The events from the beginning are mentioned every so often but it doesn't really seem to have a bigger impact on their story. Overall, Casey and Alex's relationship is a really sweet workplace romance and it didn't need the hate to love set up in the beginning.

I was so excited to read Clare Gilmore's debut and let me tell you, it didn't disappoint!

What I loved:
- some of my favorite tropes: he falls first, workplace romance
- Both Casey and Alex were super likable characters. I may have enjoyed Alex just a bit more, but found them both entertaining!
- I felt that the store was a bit slow form me at times, but I'm glad I finished!
- Clare's attention to detail was great and really brought the book to life for me!

This is a light read that will help you get out of a reading slump and will put a smile on your face!

This was a very good book. I enjoyed reading it. The characters and plot kept me interested. I would read another book by this author.

I can't believe I never updated Netgalley for this review because I really enjoyed this book! I loved the pacing, workplace romance, and the banter. I thought the character development was done so well, I can't wait to read her next book that has been announced.

I loved this book! Casey and Alex have great chemistry and I love their character growth. This is a fun workplace romance and I was rooting for both characters. I loved the initial bar scene. It was so fun. They both needed to understand things about themselves and they helped each other grow and get there. There are also great side characters. I loved the friend group (I kind of want their stories next Clare!) and Casey's dads are amazing. This book was fun and while there is a 3rd act breakup and I don't usually like those, I felt like this one was well done.

I will not be providing an actual review until St Martin's Press takes accountability and response to the boycott that has been happening for months. As an avid reader and promoter of diversity, I wholeheartedly stand with the SMP Boycott started by Leen. There are only three simple demands but until they are met I will continue to stand in solidarity with the boycott and withhold my reviews from SMP Titles.

Address and denounce the Islamophobia/racism from their employee.

Offer tangible steps for how they're going to mitigate the harm this employee caused.

Address how, moving forward, they will support and protect their Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab readers, influencers, and authors in addition to their BIPOC readers, influencers, and authors.