Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle is a romcom that spans five years with former high school sweethearts Seth and Molly.  The pair, who reconnected at their fifteenth reunion, strike a wager that will keep their relationship alive until their twentieth.

The characters are very well-developed. Molly, for instance, suffers from a fear of commitment, which has led to a string of failed relationships. Seth, on the other hand, battles with imposter syndrome, constantly feeling like he's not good enough. These anxieties have defined them, creating complex and multifaceted characters who are often not likable. But together, this grumpy sunshine couple somehow makes sense.

The story went on a bit long. The constant back and forth, filled with misunderstandings and miscommunications, created a reading fatigue that made the book feel intolerably lengthy.  This repetitive pattern of conflict resolution, or lack thereof, was a major aspect of the plot and not my favorite trope.

However, what truly captivated me was the premise of the wager between reunions.  It injected the story with a delicious tension, akin to an enemies-to-lovers narrative, complete with witty banter that I couldn't get enough of. 

All in all, Just Some Stupid Love Story offers a delightful exploration into anxiety, triggers, and childhood wounds, making it a very entertaining read.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I was happy to find an honest to goodness “true love” story.
Molly and Sam dated in HS and their attraction is still strong when they see each other at their 15th HS reunion.
She’s a rom-com film writer who doesn’t believe in true love or soulmates, and he’s a divorce attorney who believes in both. They make a 5 year bet on the longevity of the relationships of their classmates, including their own.
Shakespeare said “the course of true love never did run smooth” and this couple illustrates that quote perfectly. They learn a lot about themselves and each other over the next 5 years as they navigate their own personal second chance rom-com. 4.5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Molly is a Hollywood rom-com writer that doesn’t believe in love.

Seth is a divorce attorney that believes in fated love.

They both used to date in high school until Molly broke up with Seth before graduation leaving him heartbroken. Now 15 years later they meet again for the first time at their High school reunion and after some awkward tension, an unfortunate seating arrangement and one to many drinks they hookup. In the morning after, after an awkward moment they talk about love and realize how they both view love very differently and each of them wanting to be right agree to a bet that they will pick five couples from their high school reunion and they’ll bet on if the couples break up or survive over the next five years. The loser has to admit that the other is right about love. What could possibly go wrong?
Oh, and the fifth couple? It's Molly and Seth. Where Seth believes, Molly will be so madly in love with him that she will ask him to be her date to the next high school reunion, and Molly believes she’ll break Seth’s heart all over again just like she did back in high school.

***

This book spans over several years (won’t say how many as it could be a spoiler ) and with those years we get only the moments where our FMC and MMC interact or a lead up to their interaction I can understand why this was done but it leaves a lot of information out that would have helped with connecting with the charters, as an example there’s a moment where something is revealed and upsets one of our main characters and then it jumps several months later where were then told a recap of what has been going on, I understand the reasoning but it's doing a lot of telling me what’s going on than showing me, and I feel like we lose a lot of ways to connect with the characters in doing it this way.

Molly has been burned by the divorce of her parents and it’s affected the way she approaches any romantic relationship including the one with Seth and within the book I could understand her hesitation but there’s no steps taken to actually help her heal from her past and I wish romance books would include this, instead of having us believe that the will of love alone will cure all.

Seth is a breath of fresh air and a big walking green flag. He’s a man that goes for what he wants, who’s open about how he feels and who’s not afraid to show his emotions, he reminds me so much of Wade from the movie Elemental practically the same vibe, he complements Molly’s grumpy very well.

I also wanted more from the ending, I think it was rushed and everything was wrapped up too fast and really wanted more pay out for the buildup on the last third half of the book.

If you love reverse grumpy x sunshine, second chance, friends to lovers, right person wrong time this book is for you.


Solid 4 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought the premise of this one was really interesting for a second chance romance! Seth, who is basically a golden retriever personified, and Molly, the same but a black cat, used to be together back in high school until she broke up with him, leaving him high and dry on a very important night. Flash forward fifteen years and the two meet again at their high school reunion.
Molly is a talented screenwriter for romcoms, which is ironic given her view on love, and Seth is a divorce lawyer—- which is also ironic given his view on love. The two have always held a torch for each other, and while Seth will easily admit that, Molly is keeps all of her emotions very bottled up.
A reunion hookup later, these two make a bet regarding the fates of 5 couples, the last being themselves. Molly is essentially like “dream on” while Seth believes he can get her to see how much she really does love him. And he spends the next five years, until their 20th reunion, doing so.
These two experience heartbreak and great times, and this was a good rom-drom-com listen. I thought the male narrator did a really great job at portraying the golden retriever energy that Seth is.
If you’ve ever seen the movie “Love, Rosie”, this one gave vibes similar to that.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley.

⭐️rating: 4/5

I wanna watch this in movie form! This was so enjoyable with wonderful writing, fun banter, and snarky humor that I loved reading💙

The bet at the reunion was fun, and I enjoyed their encounters through the years after. Wonderful build up in this second chance romance.

And the sexting in chapter 22 oh MY🥵

It also gets deep and emotional. They’re flawed characters dealing with those flaws and the traits that have hurt their relationships. But there’s so much love there between them, they just need to work through their issues and fight for each other and for their relationship. It made them all the more real, which I always enjoy.

The ending was also great, it all came full circle and was a great way to wrap everything up. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would for sure recommend it!

Thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In Just Some Stupid Love Story, a cynical RomCom film writer and a hopeless romantic divorce lawyer meet again at their 15 year high school reunion in Palm Beach, FL. She broke his heart by abruptly ending things on the night of the graduation, and while they think they’ve moved on, they realize there is still a spark there.

Molly says she only writes romcoms because that’s where the money is, Seth says he still believes in soul mates. They make a bet about who will still be together at their 20th reunion, including themselves.

We follow them over the next 5 years, in and out of relationships. She is trying to heal from abandonment issues, he is trying to figure out why he accelerates all relationships too fast. They have more meet cutes and keep in touch and continue to grow toward each other.

You can expect:
Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
Second Chance
High School Sweethearts
Bad Timing
Witty Banter
Soul Mates Wager
Mental Health rep
5 year Timeline
Mid30s MCs
Dual, 1stP POV

I enjoyed the banter, tension, and care the MCs had with each other. It was fun traveling with them all over the US, from Florida to Chicago to Los Angeles, visiting NYC and surrounding areas. Since there are a lot of timeline jumps it took me a bit to get invested in the characters, but by the second half I was fully in.

I don’t always love second chance romances because they dwell too much on the past, and while it does get analyzed here, most of the discussions and healing is done over emails and texts, so it didn’t feel as angsty. For a romcom there is a lot of focus on divorce throughout, both from the FMC’s childhood trauma and current friendships, and the MMC’s career causes a lot of conflict. Since the FMC is a writer, she analyzes their moments via tropes and bits, which is fun but sometimes a little too on the nose.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for providing an eARC for my honest opinion.

High school sweethearts Molly and Seth run into each other at their high school reunion. Molly is all kinds of awkward and surprised to find how Seth seems to be over how they ended. A drunken hookup and a bet on their old classmates later, they predict five couples who will make it or break it by their next reunion, including themselves.
I can't say I loved the (albeit small) focus on the pandemic - I read for entertainment and escapism most of the time - or some of the scene transitions. However, there were so many moments and the characters that more than made up for those minor complaints. I really appreciate how the rom-com screenwriter who doesn't believe in endless love keeps circling around the divorce attorney who is on the hunt for THE ONE. Katelyn's an author to watch and I'll absolutely try her again.
This duo of narrators, Christine Lakin & Tim Paige, were excellent choices for the main characters, seamlessly bringing the words to life.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook and to SMP and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

Happy Publication Day!

Oh my goodness, this one deserves all the stars! Hands down one of my favorite romcoms this year!

Molly doesn’t believe in soulmates or happily ever afters due to her parents nasty divorce that resulted in her father leaving her mother devastated and a 13-year old Molly in charge of picking up the pieces. Despite that, she did find friendship and love in her high school boyfriend Seth. He was able to help her mend her broken heart, making her feel safe for the years they dated. But as college loomed, she broke up with him. If someone was going to leave, it would be her.

Fifteen years later, Molly and Seth reunite at their high school reunion. Their playful banter immediately connects the two and they fall into their old habits - dancing, being silly, and teasing one another. Seth would love to pick back up where things left off; Molly would too but….soulmates don’t exist and neither do happily ever afters.

Can Seth change her mind or will Molly always push people away?

This was such a great read that had wonderfully spicy moments as well as very real and heavy conversations.

This is definitely a 5 star read! I highly recommend it for those who enjoy romcoms!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books for early copies of the audiobook and ebook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Just Some Stupid Love Story put such a smile on my face while listening to it! It’s a second chance romance with a grump/sunshine, but with the female as the grump. And yet she’s a romcom screenwriter and he’s a divorce attorney! The book starts at their fifteenth high school reunion and covers the five years before the next reunion. I have not attended any high school reunions, but the prep school they attended has quite lavish events, making them almost wedding-like.
I thought the book was really well done - I did a mix of listening and reading it, and it may have felt a little on the long side if I were just reading the ebook. Written in dual POV, both Christine Lakin and Tim Paige did an excellent job with the narration. There are a number of really funny scenes, and one extra steamy scene stands out. I found myself identifying with the main character Molly in probably a few too many ways 🤣The state of Florida takes some hits, as it’s where the main characters and the author grew up, but I thoroughly enjoyed laughing along.

I did not expect that SPICE!! Hahah, not for me but I promise others will love it!

Molly does not do weddings or class reunions. As someone who just skipped her 10 year high school reunion I felt this hahah. When her friends drag her to the 15 year reunion she’s sat next to her ex, Seth. Seth is a successful divorce attorney who has been trying desperately to find the one to help him get over Molly. At the reunion, their classmates are making bets on who will be together at their 20 year reunion and Molly and Seth make the list.

My problem was I didn’t love either main character. I loved the premise and was rooting for them but rolled my eyes constantly at the dialogue.

Divorce lawyer meets romance author meets second chance romance? This is MY cup of tea. From the start I LOVED Molly. I love her narrator, I love her sass, and I love how she is unapologetically herself.

I loved Seth as a character, but his audio narrator did grind my gears a little bit.

I loved the pacing, the plot of a high school reunion, the family drama and the very realistic problems that we thirty-something’s face.

I loved that our MCs were older, more experienced and so genuine.

I was definitely surprised to find out COVID made an appearance, but honestly I should start expecting that in newer books, shouldn’t I? 🤣

Overall I thought it was a great, quick summer read and I’ll be sure to be looking for more of her books in the future.

3.5 ✨

While I enjoyed the plot of this second-chance romance, I felt like the main character was very frustrating and hard to relate to.

Absolutely splendid. Amazing contemporary romance debut. I absolutely loved. The perfect summer read. Grumpy sunshine and friends to lovers. Love a good second chance romance reunion too!

I enjoyed this story about a VERY cynical rom-com writer who puts no trust in lasting love in real life. She reconnects with Seth, her high school boyfriend, @ their 15 year high school reunion. Some fun tropes in this one: second chance, a bet, grumpy/sunshine. Molly & Seth have great chemistry, & some really funny interactions through the years.
It’s an interesting twist that Seth is the more romantic, sensitive, idealistic of the two. It’s obvious early on that Molly has some serious stuff she has to work through. Definitely stemming from her jerk of a dad, & the consequences of her parents’ failed marriage. She really is a mess of feelings. She has no idea what she wants because she’s afraid to want it. Seth knows exactly what he wants, but is afraid he’ll never get it. My heart ached @ times for both of them as their lives & timing just can’t get right. I was also sometimes a bit mad @ one or both of them, & their brands of coping. Life can sure get messy (even for characters that are attractive & successful). I like that I honestly couldn’t guess how they’d ever get to happy in the end.
Another quick note: I like that COVID experiences & quarantine is mixed into some stories now. Adds another layer of relatable, for sure.
Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy via NetGalley. I’ll definitely watch for new titles from the author.

4.5 / 5

🩷 Second Chance Romance
🩷 Dual POV
🩷 Rom-Com
🩷 High School Sweethearts
🩷 Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine


Talk about experiencing so many emotions during a book! I can honestly say I laughed, screamed, cried, and fell in love with these characters while reading! This was such a beautiful story that captures the love between two people stuck in a right person wrong time scenario over the span of five years.
I loved the chemistry between Molly and Seth. The irony in their characters alone is hilarious, Molly is a romcom screenwriter who doesn’t believe in love and Seth is a divorce attorney who is longing to find the love of his life. I found myself relating to both Molly and Seth during this story. Seth so desperately wants to find the love we all seek out while Molly avoids love as she knows from experience that sometimes that love doesn’t last. The biggest downside to me was the timeline felt very lengthy. Luckily, the author was able to make this lengthy timeline enjoyable by keeping the reader on their toes. These two overcame many obstacles but eventually made it to their well deserved happy ending! 🩷

Such a great summer read that I could not put down! ☀️ I can’t wait to read more from this author!!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this e-ARC! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle is a phenomenal debut rom-com about a screenwriter who doesn't believe in love and a divorce attorney who does, they are forced together at their high school reunion fifteen years after their breakup!
In this exceptionally smart and hilarious romance… Doyle's writing is crisp and funny, the characters are fully engaging, and the story is delightful. The characters Molly and Seth are lovable but very humanly flawed.
I pretty much read this in one sitting. 


Thank You NetGalley and Flatiron Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I'm still absolutely giddy after reading this one! Ummm I am in love with Seth. His confidence and quirky personality are just so attractive. Also, the fact that he's a hopeless romantic just checks all my boxes. Molly, on the other hand, is just so hard to like with all her anxieties. I read this one very quickly and loved it! The audiobook was absolutely wonderful! Great narrators for each of the main characters!! Overall, I loved it!!

*Thank you partner @flatiron_books and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted e-galley and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle, is a wonderful, enjoyable story about two people destined to be together; or are they. Molly and Seth were high school sweethearts who broke up shortly after graduation. Molly completely shattered Seth's heart and they have both been in and out of relationships since. When they find themselves seated at the same table at their 15 year reunion, old feelings flare and emotions run high. Molly is a rom-com screenwriter; damaged from her parent’s divorce passionately believes that everyone does not have a soulmate. Seth is an incredibly successful divorce lawyer, quirky, family oriented and definitely believes that your soulmate is out there somewhere. While people watching at the reunion, they make a bet about who will be, or not be, together at their 20th reunion. What follows is the next five years of their lives as they explore different relationships as they try to fight the magnetism that pulls them together.

This dual POV story explores the growth of their relationship over the years, portraying realistic flaws in the characters. Molly's trauma from her parents' divorce and her reluctance to commit is interwoven with Seth's romanticized view of love and rushing into relationships; adding complexity and depth.
This would be a great beach read where you laugh out loud at times.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #FlatironBooks

Just Some Stupid Love Story was a fun read; the will they or won't they keeps you guessing until the end. Does being able to predict the fate of others relationships make it any easier to know how to navigate your own? I think we can all agree, no! Commiserating through the back and forth of the main characters left a "can't put down" feel that made you want to see how it all unfolded, even if you had your suspicions.

Author did a great job of navigating the time, the pandemic, and not making it radiate in a depressing way.

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-arc to read, rate, and review.

This was good for a debut, but the characters felt one dimensional and the plot was lacking.