3.5 Stars! Thank you, to the publisher, for this eARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was a great read. I enjoyed reading about Maggie and Garrett's story. I appreciated the character development and friendship between the two and all the supporting characters. Overall, friends to lovers, and good banter - I was sold.

Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing, for this eARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion! If you are into contemporary romance/chick lit, I'd recommend this to you.

This was just an okay read. Some parts were good but sometimes I found myself not as invested in the characters. Overall the writing is solid and there is some good development here.

Maggie's best friends are getting married, and she's the maid-of-honor for both weddings. Her friends insist she bring a plus-one, imploring her to try online dating to get over her most recent ex. When she meets a handsome doctor, she thinks she may have found the one until her best friend unexpectedly throws his hat in the ring.

I found this story a little difficult to get into but was entertained and intrigued enough to stay the course, albeit slowly. This story could have been more concise, leaving out the repetitive back-and-forth about Maggie's disinterest in online dating and her friends' insistence that she continue. I'm a huge fan of the friends-to-lovers troupe, and I can honestly say I was satisfied with how this one ended. I'd recommend this one to readers who don't mind the long walk to the HEA.

"You hungry?" "Perpetually."
"I'm not a girl who skips meals."
Maggie, a girl after my own heart!
I loved the strong female lead and her equally as strong, or stronger in Savvy's case, group of girlfriends. I am all about he falls first, and, in this case, he fell first twenty years ago! Garrett is the perfect book boyfriend! I get that Mags couldn't bear to lose her best friend but, girl, WAKE UP! he in love with you and your hearty appetite!
I am giving this 5 stars because it's a really great story but, if it were possible, I would rate 4.75 only because even after discovering Garrett's true feelings, Mags still takes some time to choose between him and Blake. Even after Blake shows his true colors a couple times, she considers giving him a chance. No girl no! #teamgarrett

I loved this friends to lovers romance! When Maggie finds herself torn between the man she has always know and the perfect man she always wished for,

Maggie and Garrett are a couple you want to root for from the beginning. If you are looking for a cute romance with some laughs, check out this one!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book captivated me from start to finish with its charming take on the "friends to lovers" trope. Taj McCoy skillfully navigates the story of Maddie and Garret, whose decades-long friendship takes an unexpected turn when Garret reveals his hidden feelings for Maddie. As Maddie navigates her friends' wedding preparations, she's unaware of Garret's deeper intentions, making for a delightful tale of romance and friendship.

McCoy's storytelling prowess shines through in this heartwarming narrative, where each page turn reveals more about the endearing characters and their evolving relationship. Maddie and Garret's journey is filled with tender moments and genuine emotion, making it a delightful read for fans of the genre. I eagerly await more of McCoy's works, drawn in by their ability to craft compelling stories that tug at the heartstrings.

This was a cute read. I liked that the characters had realistic careers and enjoyed that the FMC was in her 30s navigating single life.

I found Maggie a bit annoying and had a hard time connecting with her. She came off a bit self centered. The level of detail at times was challenging because it disrupted the flow. The dialogue also felt unnatural so it made it hard to fully engage.

Overall I thought the story was cute and lighthearted, but it missed the mark for me personally.

Taj McCoy did it again 👏🏿
She had BLESS up with another amazing black romance.

To sum it all up, the boy of her dream, is standing right in front of her. It took Maggie alil while to understand and to get here but, she did and that’s all that matter lol.

The plot, the characters and mainly the romance in this book is a 10/10.

This was a fun read, but I couldn't help but be frustrated with Maggie at different points. Her two choices of men weren't equal - there were clearly red flags with one - which made the indecision feel forced and drawn out.

What a fun and sexy friends to lovers romance!!! Taj knocks it out the park again as we go with Maggie as she tries online dating to secure a date for her two best friends weddings. She could just take her guy best friend Garrett: the one who knows her the best, always is there for her...and who just might be secretly in love with her!!! Watching Maggie go back and forth and come to terms with what was always right in front of her was soooo fun!! A must read for sure!!

I believe the title is a sentiment a lot of people share. Fresh from a breakup, Maggie is looking for love, but all she's finding are guys she doesn't want and who have nothing to offer her. But the one guy who has been a constant in her life is her best friend, Garrett.

Getting a taste of her own medicine, Maggie joins a dating app, and with Garrett's help, she has some matches... but my God, these matches are a hot mess. Two of her best girlfriends are getting married, and it's feeling like it's everyone but Maggie. She's pushing 40, and she wants her happily ever after. What girl wouldn't?! Will she get her happily ever after? Will she see what's been right in front of her for 20 years before it's too late?

I adored this book. I will say that, except for seeing Maggie's dates, the pacing was a bit slow in the first half. It picks up when we meet Blake, but that's halfway through the book. Maggie is such a relatable and realistic character. I loved that she was plus-sized and pushing 40. This showed just how difficult dating really is, especially with social media. Garrett is probably the best book boyfriend you can find. He's attentive, watches "Pride & Prejudice" with Maggie as often as she likes, and cooks.

I'm not sure if this is part of a series because you meet some of the characters in a different book, and I think if I had read that first (It's Savvy's love story), I might have felt differently about some of the characters. Sometimes, I thought they were a bit pushy, but you know it's from a place of love.

Overall, I enjoyed this as I've enjoyed the other book I read from Ms. McCoy. This is not to be missed!

This book was a pure delight to read. Contrary to most readers the “friends to lovers”trope is one of my favorites, especially when done well. Taj McCoy delivered on a well balanced rendition of this trope, telling the story of Maddie and Garret.
Being faced with the reality of being the only single friend Maddie is convinced by her best friends to hyper focus on her dating life in order to have a date for their joint destination wedding. While focusing on dating her best friend of 20 years agrees to be her wing man and screen her dates for. What Maggie doesn’t know is her bestie has other plans. Garret has been in love with her for years and now is tired of waiting in the wings. Without giving too much away just know, we stan a devoted man who remembers our food order. I eagerly look forward to enjoying Taj McCoy’s other works.

I loved Zora Books Her Happy Ever After and was excited for this new Taj McCoy book. Although All the Good Ones Are Taken started off slowly I was still able to enjoy it. I loved reading about the food and the harsh realities of dating. I didn't really like how pushy her friends were.

I loved this book. I thought the writing was great, the storyline was fun and engaging, the characters were likable and it kept my interest throughout. Very happy to have read this book.

In The Good Ones Are Taken by Taj McCoy, Maggie longs for a lasting relationship after a bad breakup, but she’s not having much luck dating. Her two best friends pressure her to find a date for their upcoming weddings because she’s the maid of honor for both. Things become more difficult for her, especially when they push her to try online dating. On the verge of giving up, she meets a handsome Doctor Who could be a promising prospect. However, her best friend and wingman Garrett’s confession that he’s harboring feelings and is in love with her muddies the waters. Now, she is torn between choosing her best friend, who represents all she’s always wanted, and the perfect guy. Maggie doesn’t know what to do. But she knows she can’t lose the most important person in her life.

McCoy’s vibrant description, storytelling style and language use, and colorful and natural-sounding dialogue bring her emotional, multilayered, funny story and multifaceted characters to life. She develops her complex, messy, fallible, likable, and relatable characters through funny, emotional, snarky, and entertaining interactions that make you care about them and their lives.

I love the relationship and friendship Maggie and Garrett share. It’s solid, foundational, and supportive. Their love and support for each other are apparent, as is their reliance on one another. However, the attraction and the unresolved deeper connection are not easily understood. It’s clear there is something powerful with the potential for romance between them, but Maggie is resistant to giving in and taking a chance on them out of fear of risking losing what they have. Her complete blindness to Garrett’s feelings aggravates, especially how she treats him once she knows the truth. Garrett might be right that her taste in men might be the issue. Blake, I’m looking at you. He shows her who he is twice. I’ll leave it at that.

I love her relationship and interactions with her girls. They are so close, supportive, and snarky with each other, but their love for each other is evident.

Though I am a friends-to-lovers girl, this was a frustrating read because of Maggie’s stubbornness and attitude. I’m not into novels where the characters are involved in sexual relationships with other people besides the other primary love interest within the book, mainly when those scenes are open-door. I will say that all of the novel’s sex scenes contribute to the development and evolution of the characters, their relationships, and the plot, including these.

Garrett is a supportive best friend who respects and cares about her, what she needs and wants, and what’s best for her. He’s patient, gives her space and room to make choices, and loves her imperfections. While initially it seems their relationship feels one-sided, Maggie supports his dreams and does care about him, much more than she is willing to admit to herself. As her friends try to get her to see throughout, she’s in some deep denial.

Although the novel has romantic moments and a sweet ending, I was so frustrated with Maggie that it was hard for me to enjoy them as much as I could have. But other readers may feel differently. However, I suppose her behavior and fear are legitimate concerns about losing the most vital, foundational person in her life, whom she relies on to be by her side and has done for 20 years. And so often in friends-to-lovers novels, people express the fear but get past it maybe too quickly. I prefer my angst not to involve having to choose b/w the best friend and a third party when the contrast seems so clear, but I think that that’s on me. It’s clear what the book is about going in. I should have paid better attention.

The novel’s overall pacing is OK, though it drags a bit in the middle. However, it picks up a bit after that towards the end. Sweet, steamy, hilarious, sexy, emotional, romantic, and fast-paced, The Good Ones Are Taken is a perfect romance for fans of friends-to-lovers, wedding dates, online dating, Black romance/love, and Black female and male friendship.

MIRA provided an advanced review copy via Netgalley.

I really enjoyed this friends to lovers story. Maggie and Garrett have been best friends since college. They have a solid two decade friendship. that includes weekly Netflix nights. Maggie has watched Garrett navigate through numerous short term relationships and Garrett assists Maggie as she tries her hand at online dating. Maggie's online dating experiences are awful, but then she meets a serious prospect. Garrett was a lovable character. Although Maggie is quirky, Garrett gets her. I loved the ending to this love story. I give this book 3.75 stars.

Such a cute read! I did think some aspects were slow moving but I absolutely adored the friend group and consistently found myself laughing out loud!

Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequinn Trade Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I adore Taj McCoy and her writing. She pens characters who know their worth and aren't afraid to speak their mind and is *all* about women getting what they deserve (in *and* out of the bedroom!) and it was great to see the main character of this novel follow in those footsteps.

What I also like about Taj McCoy, similar to Kennedy Ryan, is the inclusion of a dynamite girl group. I love seeing female friendships get page time in books, especially romance books where the focal point tends to be on the prospective couple. The way they talk to each other sounds like true friendship and their relationship just jumps off the page, inviting you to be part of the group.

While I enjoyed the female friendship and friends-to-lovers trope, I found that I didn't love the main character, which made it hard to root for her. She seemed extremely selfish to me, especially for being 38 years old, and it was wild that for a majority of the book, she always had to make a comment about being unhappy and single while helping to plan her best friends weddings, or fake gag at the sight or mention of love. It got really old, really fast, and it made me question why anyone would put up with her negative attitude.

I also wasn't the biggest fan of the time jump and how, in true Maggie fashion, the wedding of both of her best friends turned into a proposal for her because I have a feeling if it was the other way around, she would NOT have been thrilled with that. It felt like she acted some type of way the whole book and then was rewarded for her indecent behavior. There was some character development, but not enough for someone who is close to 40 and seems very set in their ways.

All in all, I liked this book but it did fall flat for me.

The author did her thing again with this book. I absolutely enjoyed this story, not to mention catching up with the characters. Maggie went through a lot, and the scenes with her going on dates are so accurate. This story had me laughing out loud in public, including when I was at the laundromat. I loved the way this story flowed. Not only was this such a great romance, it shoecased what can happen when you have a good and accountable friend group. I am team Garrett. Great job and I can't wait for the next book.

Overall: 3
Spicy: 2

I started the book as an e-book but switched to the audiobook. I believe it's the same narrator as the other books so that was good. The entire book just felt like the main FMC was whining and complaining the entire time. She was self-absorbed and made it hard to want to keep reading. You do get appearance from characters from the other books, and we get additional information on how those relationships turned out.