I really liked this one! I was rooting for Casey to get her promotion but couldn’t help loving Alex. I felt bad for her at what seemed like clear nepotism in Alex getting the promotion when his dad was on the board.

They started as enemies to coworkers/friends to more. It was absolutely impossible not to love Alex. Despite being fictional, he was so charming and magnetic. I loved their interactions. I loved that Casey stood up for herself and tried to help the company do the right thing. I liked that she didn’t immediately give up her job prospects for a man, but that they resolved their relationship difficulties anyway.

I hope we get more books from Clare Gilmore!

4.5 ⭐️. I was shocked to find out this was a debut author because it didn’t feel like it at all! Such a good workplace romance and I just wanted to continue reading it to watch the relationship unfold between Casey and Alex. I would have given it 5 stars except in one area of the book it focused too much about work aspect. Thank you Net Galley for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this book! Can not wait to read more by this author. Such a fun read and fell in love with the characters

Clare Gilmore's "Love Interest" is a compelling exploration of love in all its forms – romantic, familial, and platonic. Through richly drawn characters and intricate storytelling, Gilmore crafts a narrative that is both thought-provoking and deeply resonant.

The story follows the lives of three individuals – Alice, David, and Jake – whose paths intertwine in unexpected ways, leading to a journey of self-discovery, heartache, and ultimately, profound connection. As they navigate the complexities of relationships, each character grapples with their own insecurities, desires, and fears, making for a compelling and relatable read.

What sets "Love Interest" apart is its honest and nuanced portrayal of love. Gilmore does not shy away from depicting the messiness and imperfections that often accompany matters of the heart. Instead, she embraces them, painting a realistic picture of the highs and lows of love and the ways in which it shapes our lives.

The characters in "Love Interest" are beautifully drawn, each with their own distinct voice and personality. From Alice's vulnerability to David's charm and Jake's quiet strength, readers will find themselves deeply invested in their journeys, rooting for them every step of the way.

At its core, "Love Interest" is a story about connection – the connections we form with others, the connections we form with ourselves, and the ways in which those connections shape who we are. Gilmore handles this theme with grace and sensitivity, crafting a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and deeply satisfying.

With its compelling characters, richly textured prose, and thought-provoking themes, "Love Interest" is a must-read for anyone who has ever experienced the joy and pain of love. Clare Gilmore has crafted a gem of a novel that will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page. Highly recommended for fans of literary fiction and stories that explore the complexities of the human heart.

Wonderful romance book! I loved the characters and the way Clare Gilmore brought alive on to the pages. Excellent writing and I loved this storyline.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Love Interest was such a great read! Casey and Alex were the perfect adversaries-to-lovers and this workplace romance was giving me everything I want. It even has my favorite romance trope: only one bed! The way that Casey and Alex became friends, and then more, was so sweet. This book was emotional in the best way and became a quick favorite of mine. Both of these characters were fabulously developed and this was such a great debut from Gilmore! I can't wait to see what she comes out with next!

Cute office romance with a great ensemble cast! The two main characters were great together and compelling to care about. Their friends and coworkers really helped to round out the story and make it feel real.

thank you netgalley for the arc!!!

i love this book i love when i emotionally relate to both characters and make myself a little crazy with my own dreams and lives and futures.

Alex is a darling darling book boyfriend and he has never done anything wrong.
The friends and family are all so well written they don’t feel like they’re just there for the plot!
This felt almost disney in the two dead moms plot but overall i greatly enjoyed the plot, the miscommunications, and the corporate espionage!

I love a good enemies to lovers, and while the enemy portion of the story wasn't that long, or the all encompassing hatred I've seen in other books in the genre, this workplace rival romance is a quick and easy one to get into.

Love Interest contains some of my favorite tropes - forced proximity, he falls first, workplace rivals, and the storyline is just so endearing as we get to know the MC's and their backstories.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the digital copy for my review.

4/5 stars for this charming read

Enemies to lovers + Workplace romance + NYC setting = catnip for me!!

Unfortunately, I just did not feel super invested in this one! I wish the enemies would have stayed hating for a little longer before becoming friends!! And the workplace details got a little too intense - I want romance details!! For now, I put this aside at about 40%, but I think I’ll give it another try soon.

DNF a long time ago forgot to give feedback
lost interest 65%
felt no connection between the characters
felt there was no romance in it

Had some trouble getting through - I love enemies to loves trope but they became close quickly on without much building. Overall, glad I finished it and love the workplace setting.

This was a good read - I really enjoyed this book. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

One of my tells for a good book is getting on Goodreads to see how many other books are available by that author? However, when I check Clare Gilmore's back list I did not find anything since it was a d;ebut release. It took me a little bit to decide if I liked the protagonist, Casey Maitland, but once I realized the answer was yes, I was all in. This is a work place romance where the two main characters get off on the wrong foot on day one. Casey dislikes Alex for reasons only she understands and he is smitten, but confused. Their romance hits many bumps before the happy ending, but they are mostly believable barriers and the end is worth the wait. Good news: her next book is schedule for publication at the end of October.

I wouldn't exactly classify this as enemies to lovers, I don't think they truly hated each other, but I do love that he fell first. Casey and Alex are co-workers and Alex gets the job that Casey was hoping to be promoted to, but he has no clue about it. Him pursuing her with no idea that she's upset about the job situation is comical. It's a fun and quick ready with a slow but boring romance.

I loved this workplace romance! Casey is passed over for a promotion. Alex is the outsider who landed the job. Sparks are obvious between the two and as they get to know each other, Casey sees the real Alex and can’t be mad that he got the job. I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Casey and Alex.

I was hoping t0 enjoy this more than I I’d be used I do enjoy work place romances but I just could not get into it. Neither if the leads clicked with me so I was not invested in the romance.

With relatable characters, plus a really beautiful romance, I couldn’t find a single flaw in Love Interest. This may as well be my favorite contemporary romance I’ve ever read yet!

Fairly predictable rom com but it was still a good read that I enjoyed it. It was also a quick read.

This was a super cute little read. I felt that it was well written and didn't stall out. I lobed the chemistry between characters and found that it was completely relatable. The setting was super fun and i felt that the arch of the story line was well flushed.