Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC of The Good Ones Are Taken!

Summary:
After a bad breakup, Maggie wants to find her Prince Charming, but all she’s finding are frogs. When her best friends, Savvy and Joan, apply pressure and demand she find a date worthy of attending their respective weddings, she agrees to take her own advice and try online dating. Since she's the maid of honor for both weddings, her bridal party duties are massive, but both brides insist that Maggie prioritize finding a date. After an onslaught of maybes, noes, and hell noes, she’s close to giving up, when she meets a handsome doctor at the gym who just might be the one.

Meanwhile, her college bestie, Garrett, throws salt in everyone’s game. At every turn, he points out the red flags and tells Maggie to keep looking. Things come to a head when Maggie demands that Garrett be happy for her, and he finally admits that he can’t. Not when he’s not with her. When he blurts out his feelings, Maggie’s world is turned upside down. Now she must choose between the perfect guy and a friendship that is the foundation for everything she’s ever wanted.

Review:
This was a fun rom-com about a confident, successful woman. I loved her relationships with her dad and her friends. Maggie and Garrett's friendship is so strong and secure that you can really get why she is afraid to explore taking the friendship farther. At the risk of spoilers, I felt that there definitely was not as much chemistry with the doctor. He obviously did not get her as well as Garrett did. Also, the descriptions of food were fantastic! I had to snack the entire time I was reading. This was a fun story and I'm glad I read it.

A wonderful look at the complexities that often face professionals in the black community looking for love. Looking at it mainly through the eyes of Maggie who is a 38 year old tax attorney, it is a boisterous ride. Readers have to be willing to open their minds to new experiences and go on this adventure with her. She comes out better for it and so will you. You will meet a wonderful community of characters who are her friends that will make you laugh. The plot will keep you turning the pages and renew your belief in friendship and true love.

All the Single Ladies will relate to this book!
I was grateful to read an Arc of The Good Ones are Taken and I had so much fun doing so!
Maggie is such a relatable character, especially being the only single friend out of her friend group. You are rooting for her to find her one true match, and laughing alone the way at all the shenanigans that Tinder puts you through.

Garrett has you swooning and smiling from ear to ear! If this man exists in real life, please let me know.

The Good Ones are Taken is a perfect book for the romcom lovers, you won’t want to put it down and it might make you want to redownload Tinder. 😉

"The Good Ones Are Taken" by Taj McCoy promises a delightful rom-com exploring the complexities of friendship, romance, and the pursuit of true love. The storyline revolves around Maggie, who, after a challenging breakup, embarks on a quest for her Prince Charming, navigating the unpredictable world of online dating.

The friends-to-lovers trope, with Maggie's best friend Garrett revealing his feelings for her, adds an intriguing twist to the narrative. This revelation sets the stage for emotional turmoil and self-discovery as Maggie must choose between a potentially perfect romantic connection and the deep bond she shares with Garrett.

The bridal party duties and the pressure to find a suitable date for her friends' weddings create a humorous backdrop, promising moments of laughter and relatable experiences for readers. The challenges and absurdities of online dating, portrayed through Maggie's encounters with various prospects, add a contemporary and realistic touch to the story.

The internal conflict faced by Maggie, torn between the pursuit of romantic love and the preservation of her friendship with Garrett, suggests a nuanced exploration of emotions and priorities. This conflict is likely to resonate with readers who have grappled with the complexities of balancing romantic and platonic relationships.

The character dynamics, including the meddling but well-intentioned friends Savvy and Joan, contribute to the ensemble cast, offering a rich and supportive backdrop for Maggie's journey. The setting of weddings and bridal party preparations provides a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere, creating a sense of anticipation and festivity.

The book's description hints at moments of humor, emotional depth, and the exploration of themes such as friendship, love, and self-discovery. The revelation of Garrett's feelings adds a layer of tension and intrigue, propelling the narrative forward.

In summary, "The Good Ones Are Taken" appears to be a charming romantic comedy that combines elements of humor, friendship, and the complexities of love. With its relatable themes, well-drawn characters, and the promise of an engaging plot, the book seems poised to offer readers an enjoyable and heartwarming reading experience.

A fun romcom - nothing new here but entertaining. More character development is needed but a cute book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley provided an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

This book did not for hit the mark for me. The pacing was too slow, the FMC wasn’t likable, and there was too much superfluous detail that didn’t advance the main plot at all.

I really like Taj McCoy's writing style!! This story was fun and lighthearted and steamy. Friends to lovers will always be superior. I had such a great time reading this.

Taj McCoy can do no wrong. I think she writes "woman torn between two men" so well. LOL. I know that is a very crazy critique, but it is true. I really enjoyed this book so much.

i absolutely loved this book it was so fun and i loved the writing style and characters honestly everything it was great

I had the pleasure of reading the ARC of "The Good Ones Are Taken" by Taj McCoy, and I really enjoyed it. The book is a heartwarming romance that tells the story of Maggy, who is struggling to find love after a recent break-up. Her two girlfriends are getting married, while her best friend, Garrett (who happens to be male) is still single. They spend a lot of time together while their other friends are in pre-marital bliss.

One of the things I appreciated about the book was how the author explored the complexities of the dating scene these days. Taj does an excellent job of capturing the ups and downs of dating, especially at the age where everyone has already found love and starting their own families.

In the story, Maggie starts to use online apps to help find her new love interest, and with the help of Garrett swiping left (and right), she goes out on a few dates. It was hilarious reading about the failed dates, and Garrett being there as the "911" in case she needed to end the date quickly.

The story flowed seamlessly and was really easy to get lost in. If you are familiar with the Friends-to-Lovers trope, this book begins similarly to a lot of other books within the trope. You know how it's going to end, just based on the feelings expressed, but with this one, you didn't know how the author would get there, and I appreciated that.

Overall, "The Good Ones Are Taken" is a delightful and lighthearted romance that I definitely recommend!

Th love story of Maggie and Garrett! Wow this spicy bestfriends turned lovers kept me on the edge! I kept wondering when Maggie would wake up and realize that Garrett and her wer meant to be. A steamy, romantic, rom com! A must read!

This was my first Taj McCoy novel, and I absolutely adored it! Sweet and sexy, this friends-to-lovers romance is the perfect escape. I loved Mags and her fiercely loyal friend group, the food descriptions are TO DIE FOR (guaranteed to make you salivate) and the romance is sooo satisfying. Five stars!!

Maggies desperately wants to find her Prince Charming. She finally meets a gorgeouos doctor who may just be the one. Her college bestie, Garrett, finally confess his feelings for her when he tries to point out the red flags.

I love how sweet Garrett is. He's terrific. I also love all the friendships in this book. It's just as sweet as the romance. :) It's as much of rom-com as a book about friendship.


Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

ooooh, this book wouldn't let me put it down! it's in the savvy Sheldon universe, so it was fun to get a follow-up look at her. also, I kept picturing Maggie as Jasmine Guillory (when she was still a lawyer)--and her house as JG's house as seen on Instagram, her signature red as the one from the cover of the wedding date, her cat as... JG's dog? idk it sort of fell apart but also felt right. I liked this book SO much and feel like, in some ways, this is what I have been waiting for from Taj McCoy and I am thrilled to get to read it.

Taj McCoy does it again

Stubborn, standing in your own way, blocking a blessing, that’s how I describe Maggie. Shes so desperate for love but she refuses to listen to listen to her friends or just let go of the past.

Taj does a great job of connecting the previous book to this one without making the reading feel like they have to read them in sequential order.

ooooh this book wouldn't let me put it down! it's in the savvy sheldon universe, so it was fun to get a follow-up look at her. also, i kept picturing maggie as jasmine guillory (when she was still a lawyer)--and her house as JG's house as seen on instagram, her signature red as the one from the cover of the wedding date, her cat as... JG's dog? idk it sort of fell apart but also felt right. i liked this book SO much and feel like, in some ways, this is what i have been waiting for from Taj McCoy and i am thrilled to get to read it.

This book was such a fun read! Maggie and her friends had such a cute relationship and I related so much to the yearning Maggie had in her heart to be loved but not wanting to settle. I loved the build up of Garret and Maggie realizing they were in love. It was almost like a movie playing in my head as I read along. I really enjoyed reading this and can’t wait to purchase when it is officially released!