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.

"Love Interest" by Clare Gilmore is a charming and heartwarming romantic comedy that will leave you with a smile on your face. Set in the bustling streets of London, the story follows protagonist Sophie as she navigates the unpredictable world of dating apps and modern romance. Gilmore's writing is witty and engaging, drawing readers into Sophie's world with relatable humor and endearing characters. The chemistry between Sophie and her love interests sizzles on the page, making for a delightful and swoon-worthy read. But beyond the romance, Gilmore explores themes of self-discovery and the importance of staying true to oneself in the pursuit of love. With its lovable characters and feel-good storyline, "Love Interest" is the perfect escape for anyone in need of a dose of romance and laughter.

This was SO adorable. I loved the writing. I know this author is going to be a star. I cannot wait to read everything she writes. This was a fantastic debut.

I wanted to like this, but I was bored with the story. The enemies to lovers troupe was weird in this story, and didn’t last long enough. They went from enemies to besties way too fast & it made the storyline boring. They lacked tension and chemistry. Overall, I didn’t really care to read this book and I’m surprised I even finished it.

am literally about to build a shrine to this book.
I read it in the beginning of November, and have thought about it MULTIPLE times a day since finishing it. I could gush about why I loved it so much for the length of an entire book, but I'll spare you. Casey has always preferred the reliability of numbers after growing up with two artistic parents. Despite this, she feels a pang for more, and decides to purse a project management job at the magazine publisher where she works. The issue?
She's in competition with Alex, the handsome son of the company board's chairman. After Alex wins the role, Casey is prepared to hate him, until they're forced to collaborate on the same project, where they find they might just be the perfect match. HOLY. SHIT. This book is everything I've ever wanted in a rom-com. It made me laugh la lot! Gilmore is very funny!), it made me cry (I was blinking back tears for the final 15% of the book), and it made me fall in love with the romance genre all over again. This book made me feel the way Emily Henry's romances do, which is honestly some of the highest praise I can bestow on a rom-com.
I saw so much of myself in Casey, and as someone who works in media, I adored the workplace setting.
Truly a hall of fame, five star romance for me. This is me begging you to read this book!

What a cute story! I was so excited to read Love Interest after seeing so many great reviews for it. Featuring Casey and Alex, which are enemies from the start, which add to the tension and later all the spice.

WHAT TO EXPECT
-enemies to lovers
-workplace romance
-tight knit friend group
-NYC setting

*many thanks to St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review.

This book has so many of the themes I love: set in nyc, workplace rivals and close proximity! Filled with tons of great banter, tension and angst and an amazing cast of characters this book easily became a favorite of mine. Looking forward to more from Clare in the future!

Love Interest by Clare Gilmore was super cute and just what I needed after reading an emotionally devastating book at the weekend. Alex and Casey had some truly hilarious banter but also had meaningful convos while getting to know each other, so the relationship and HEA felt earned. A truly delightful and diverse supporting cast of characters who I hope show up in another book in the future.

Love Interest was an impulsive add-on to my April @‌aardvarkbookclub box, but I also noticed I received an ARC eons ago while dusting off my Netgalley account last week. Whoops. Thank you to @‌stmartinspress and @‌netgalley for the advanced reader copy I am woefully delinquent in providing an honest review for.

just finished the first few chapters of this book excerpt and it was very interesting! i enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the Manhattan setting! The first few chapters felt very all over and chaotic but in a good way. Overall it was cute. 💜

"I'm not antisocial. I just hate small talk."

"It's polite."

"It's pointless."

Casey and I are one and the same. Plus, we both work in accounting.

"Love Interest" is such a binge worthy read with fantastic main characters and a great supporting cast. This is well written work place romance (gave me "The Hating Game" vibes with a bit less hate). What I love is the lack of 3rd act break-up … although it's touch and go for a bit. Bonus points for Alex liking/loving Casey from the start. These kind of stories are always my favorite rom-coms.

This was cute, but I think it struggled with balancing show vs tell writing. We were told a lot of what’s happening vs getting to experience it with the character and see how things naturally unfold. I will say I did enjoy the characters however and would recommend this to my contemporary romance loving friends

The only bad thing about this book is how long it took me to finally read it. I had received a copy from Netgalley last summer… when I was 8 months pregnant. And then babe arrived and he had no interest in letting me read. So then I had to wait for it to come to the library, which had been closed so when it reopened, I – no exaggeration – had 24 physical books, plus e-books. So two days ago I figured I’d give it a try, and then I fell in love.

Casey has been working as a financial analyst at a magazine publisher, quite happily, but feels like she’s meant to be doing something more creative. Her boss recommends her for a job as project manager at their new digital start-up, Bite the Hand, described as a mix between Buzzfeed, The Cut, and whatever is trending on Tik-Tok. Unfortunately, Casey doesn’t get the job, but a good old case of nepotism means that it has gone to the son of the chairman, Alex. Recognizing her value, Casey is instead offered a different option; work on making BTH profitable, and she is all but guaranteed her dream job in London. But Alex isn’t quite what she expected, and even though she didn’t get the job, she just might get something even better.

I love a good work romance/rivals to lovers and this one did not disappoint. i love their story and i was surprised to learn this was a new author. would definitely read her books again.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins press for early access! I truly enjoyed this book I thought it was fun and cute. I really enjoyed the enemies ti lovers trope and thought that it was well executed as Casey and Alex started out rough as they worked through their problems as Alex had to figure out why Casey was against him as he continued to pursue her, I love that we got to watch their relationship develop as we headed towards a sweet ending. I really adore this book!
I think if you enjoyed the Hating Game this would be right up your alley or if you need something fun to help you get out of a reading slump.