✨ Review ✨ Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle; Narrated by Christine Lakin & Tim Paige

Thanks to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

I loved the premise of this Molly writes romcom movie scripts but doesn't believe in love, and Seth is a divorce lawyer that believes fiercely in love (and amicable mediation when possible). High school sweethearts that broke up hard at the end of HS when Molly ghosted him, they encounter each other again at their 15th HS reunion. They make a bet on whether 5 couples will be together or not in 5 years, at which time the loser has to acknowledge the other one's knowledge of love and relationships.

The book precedes to jump in increments of 6 months to a year (ish) as Molly and Seth again hit life milestones or encounter each other again. They flirt and fight and wonder if they're meant to be or not. Second chance romances are my least favorite romance trope but this one mostly worked for me, and I enjoyed it. I think it dragged on a little long at the end, and wish it would have been about 10-20% shorter, but overall enjoyed this.

🎧 I didn't always love the MMC narrator, and I'm not sure if it was in the narration or the writing that sometimes made Seth feel confusing as a character...like sunshiny nice character but sometimes not quite that? I don't know. Definitely the audio is great for getting lost in on a summer day!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
Genre: f/m romance
Setting: Florida, Chicago, NYC, Los Angeles, etc.
Length: 10 hours 31 minutes
Reminds me of: rom-commers mixed with one-star romance
Pub Date: Jun 04 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ second chance romance
⭕️ big rom com vibes
⭕️ high school reunions/friendships
⭕️ characters who like each other but can't quite find the right moment to get together
⭕️ all kinds of relationships

I wanna say it's more like 2.5 stars.

Pretty much like most of the books I read this year, this started out great. The humor was top notch, the romance was swoony, the pacing was perfect. But after a whole it went downhill.

From the very beginning I loved Seth's tone, POV, banter, personality and everything. Molly was okay too but I liked Seth way more. But as went on Molly became insufferable. Her constant ways of sabotaging this on-going thing with Seth was exhausting to witness, especially at the end.

I don't know "what" chance romance this ended up becoming because it was certainly not second chance.

Thank you Netgalley & Publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From the start, the banter between the characters is funny, with a combo of deadpan humor. This makes the story an easy read and could be read in an afternoon easily.

Our story starts with Molly and her friends attending their 15-year high school reunion. This puts our characters in their mid-30's for an age range and this book does have some spiciness to it. I wouldn't call it smutty by any means, but there are definitely sexual scenes and banter.

Molly and Seth end up seated at the same table (some crazy person decided to do assigned seats!), and then we learn that Molly and Seth dated in high school until Molly abruptly left him, disconnected any messengers she had, and disappeared at the end of high school.

The chemistry between Molly and Seth is some of the best I've had the chance to read. They flow effortlessly together, and they manage to push and pull each other only as those who know each other very well can do.

One thing I didn't enjoy about this book was Molly's attitude towards love. I didn't mind that she didn't believe in soul mates, but for me, I'm over characters who are harboring some trauma from their younger years and refuse to work on it. Maybe I have seen too much of that in my own life to be as tolerant of it. Having said that, I still liked Molly's character and was actively rooting for her to open her eyes to what was in front of her.

Seth's character is funny and charming, but there was something that felt a bit disingenuous for me. He's this very romantic, somewhat serially monogamous guy who desperately wants to be in love, but manages to be sort of cocky and arrogant in some situations. It felt like an odd juxtaposition for me, only because he seemed to be an extreme of both. That said, his character is still likable and I think that's a testament to the author developing his character fully, showing both sides of him.

This story spans five years, as Molly and Seth make a bet on what couples will last and which won't by their 20-year high school reunion. With the timeframe spanning this long, the author does a nice job breaking the story up, and we don't have a lot of bouncing back and forth on timelines, nor does any one particular take up tons of the story. Again, this is a fast-paced read.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to other readers. Some of the things I didn't like are my own reading quirks and are not a reflection of the writing or story quality. I think many readers will enjoy this one and I'm excited to see what Katelyn Doyle comes up with next.

Second chance romance? Yes please. Slow burn? I’ll take that too! This book satisfies both of my favorite tropes. I loved the rekindling of thier relationship that spans five more years. I loved the banter and I loved how they slowly fall in love again. This was a great read.

I enjoyed this one a lot!
Molly and Seth reconnect at their high school reunion and have a lively debate over the idea of soulmates and place a wager for the next reunion. This second chance story takes place over a span of five years, so a lot happens with these two and their friends. This book covers a few different tropes, one of my favorites being grumpy/sunshine. This book also has a dose of spice and some fun banter. Definitely recommend.

Former high school sweethearts Seth and Molly reconnect at their high school reunion. Their one night stand turned into making a bet about soulmates and true love, picking 5 couples and seeing whether they’d end up together in 5 years. When Molly realizes she still has feelings for Seth, she discovers he’s already with someone else. How could the timing be so awful? Will Seth and Molly find their way back to each other at a different time?

Told in dual POV, I enjoyed this second chance romance between two high school exes who prove to each other that soulmates do exist. Molly was the romance screenwriter but she didn’t believe in soulmates or true love. And Seth was a divorce lawyer who did. The ups, downs, push, pull were in a span of time, including the pandemic. There were friendships, divorce, parental influence that affected Molly. And loved the screenplay that Molly wrote based on her and Seth’s story.

I’m on vacation right now and I’m in a serious rom-com binge. Not only is this the third rom-com I’ve read in three days, it’s also the second one I’ve read in a row where the female protagonist was a rom-com screenwriter (the other was “The Rom-Commers). I was a little wary when I started this one because I was worried they’d be similar, but they were totally different and I loved them each in their own way.

This book was SUPER spicy. I loved the relationship between Seth and Molly. They had true Golden Retriever/Black Cat energy. They both grew throughout the book and acted in believable ways. The ending was a little cheesy and rushed, but it didn’t feel inauthentic. This was the first book I’ve read from this author, but I look forward to more.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Seth and Molly were high school sweethearts, until Molly, the child of divorced parents, bolts. By all appearances, they were the perfect couple, but because of her father’s actions surrounding her parents’ divorce, Molly has major trust issues.

Fast forward to their fifteenth high school reunion. She’s a script writer for Rom-Coms and a consummate cynic. He’s a divorce lawyer who believes in soulmates. Seated at the same table, Seth and Molly remember their friendship, and … no spoilers here. The book goes on to document their adorable relationship and painful break ups. They are delightful, funny, and so messed up we don’t have any idea how it’s going to end. All I’ll tell you is that I hated to see the book end!.

Just Some Stupid Love Story is a great read for summer, and for everyone who’s ever rekindled an old love. It’s available now, published on June 4, 2024. Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the review copy. I’m looking forward to more from this author!

This was a very solid four star romcom for me. I appreciated the meta take on the romcom and loved following the story over several years. Interestingly, this is also the first book I've read (or show I've watched) that handled the pandemic in a way that didn't feel gratuitous. The reverse grumpy x sunshine and 2nd chance tropes were big hits for me. I will say Seth's cinnamon roll persona maybe got to be a bit too much as the book went on, but I still was very invested in their happy ending.

✌️Dual POV
👩‍❤️‍👨2nd Chance Romance (x3, x4)
🌦️Grumpy/Sunshine
🌶️Open door
❤️High school sweethearts
💔3rd Act Breakup

Thanks to Netgalley and Flatiron Books for the eARC!

Molly Marks, a rom-com writer, does not believe in love or soulmates. Her life growing up left her with the flight response to strong feelings which led her to break up with her high school boyfriend, Seth. They meet again at their 15 year high school reunion, and sparks fly again. They make a bet and keep in contact with goals to meet again at the 20 year reunion. You follow their story across 5 years and it was cute, but it was just lacking. The goofy love interest would throw me off, and some of the modern terms felt like they were forced in there to try and be relatable to younger audiences? I don't know, they threw me off when I read them.
I did enjoy the book, and it was a fun storyline and concept. I usually like a story that takes place over a long time period, and seeing the changes of their life and the characters around them.

What a fun fast indulgent summer romance read! I was quickly drawn in by Molly and Seth’s hookup at their class reunion despite having broken up 15 years prior. Their chemistry is visible by their family and friends. Molly is her worst enemy in following her heart.

Thank you Netgalley for this enjoyable second romance ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I will define recommending this one!

The blurb gave me such hope for the potential of this book, but it missed the mark for me.

Stars: 2/5
Spice: 2/5

Seth and Molly were high school sweethearts who haven’t seen each other since the night of graduation. At their 15-year class reunion, they make a bet on whether or not 5 couples will be together at the 20-year reunion. The catch is that they are the 5th couple.

I haven’t read anything by this author before and when I read the blurb for this book, it had such great potential. But it just fell flat for me. My biggest issue was I did not connect to the characters. Molly seemed more cruel than grumpy. I felt bad for Seth because he was so in love with her (or the idea of her?) that he seemed to just brush things under the rug (even if it wasn’t right away) when she’d treat him poorly. There were multiple times when I thought to myself that the dialogue didn’t make sense, as in no one talks like this or unnecessary synonyms were used that made a sentence much more complicated than it needed to be. The book was marketed as funny with witty banter. The humor didn’t land for me, but I know it has for other readers. I love a second chance story. It is one of my favorite things. But this wasn’t just a second chance. I lost count of how many chances this couple had, which ultimately just left me frustrated and pulled me out of the story.

If you enjoy second chance, reverse grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, reluctant to love – give this book a try. It may have missed the mark with me, but a lot of other readers have loved it.

Solid rom com story that follows Molly and Seth who were high school sweethearts. Molly and Seth find themselves at their 15 year reunion sitting at the same table -- all the emotions returning. This was a very entertaining read - with a level 2-3 spice. You get second (multi) chance romance, high school sweethearts in this one. This one was a 4 star experience for me.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and FlatIron Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this one a lot. Molly and Seth were high school sweethearts until she brutally dumped him on graduation night. At their 15th reunion, she's a rom-com screenwriter and he's a divorce attorney. They reconnect.

I really liked how well done the characters were--not just Molly and Seth, but also their friends and families. The side characters all clearly have their own lives going on and they're all well-drawn. Molly and Seth each almost verge on being too stereotypical--Seth, particularly, at times comes off as too perfect for his own good, but we do see his foibles.

I particularly appreciated how Doyle shows Molly and Seth both deal with their inner demons and problems. There are references to Molly's therapist and while Seth might not have one himself, he does figure out what he needs to work on in himself. I like that Molly is jaded about a lot of things, but we also see her be a good friend and still have normal (non-romantic) relationships and her inner monologue about her reactions is spot on. The dialogue was well-done; it felt more natural than it does in many other books of this genre.

Also, there was a surprise baseball scene, which was both exciting and distracting, because the 2019 NLCS was not between the Cubs and the Dodgers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

Molly Marks is living her life but can't get beyond her past. She doesn't believe in love and soul mates. Her two friends have given her grief about sabotaging every relationship. Seth Rubenstein and Molly were first loves through high school. Everyone thought they were going to make it but Molly's past comes roaring through and demolishes that. Now 15 years later at the high school reunion, they are seeing each other for the first time. A bet is made as to who will still be together in 5 years. The fun begins because Seth is a family lawyer who deals with divorce and Molly is a Rom-com screenwriter. In the end, Seth has the calming effect Molly needs to confront her past in order to have their HEA.

This is the rom com you didn't know you needed! She's the grump who doesn't believe in soul mates and somehow manages to write rom com movies and scripts. He's the sunshine divorce lawyer that believes in soul mates and true love. She broke his and her own heart once, but will they let it happen again? Sarcastic wit, fantastic dialogue, wonderful characters and a plot that has you laughing, crying and laughing again. There are so many relatable characters and moments in this story that I can't even begin to get into them. Getting the POV of both main characters totally brought the story to life and showed the difference in thinking between them! It also shows how the experiences that we each incur as we go through life shape how we react to situations. I absolutely couldn't stop reading this book and can't wait to dig into another story by this author!

Katelyn's debut rom-com novel is a funny and entertaining story of two friends who become lovers. Dive into the lives of Molly and Seth in this page-turning romantic comedy. But be prepared because there are some spicy scenes, and boy do they get steamy. Consider this your official warning!

Molly Marks and Seth Rubinstein dated fifteen years ago in high school. Molly decided to end the relationship suddenly at the end of their senior year. All in hopes of avoiding the potential that Seth would either find someone else after high school or break her heart. Their fifteen-year high school anniversary has arrived, and normally Molly wouldn't be caught dead attending any extravagant event that included big white tents. However, her two best friends have somehow convinced (or drug her along) her to attend. 

One unplanned rekindling, including far too many cocktails, ends in a drunken hookup between Molly and Seth. Molly, being the one who doesn't believe in soul mates, and Seth, being the opposite, decide to make a bet. Whoever can more accurately predict the outcome of five relationships by their twentieth high school reunion will win. The prize, you might ask? Molly admitting that soul mates do exist, or Seth admitting that they don't. The biggest surprise in this bet is that Molly and Seth are the fifth couple.

Molly is sure nothing more than their one-night stand will happen with the relationship between the two of them over the next five years, and Seth is sure they'll end up together the night of the twentieth reunion, if not beforehand. All in the name of love and some casual flavoring of spice. Dive into the story as Molly and Seth navigate friendship, love, and heartbreak.

Thank you to Katelyn Doyle, Flatiron, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is officially out and ready for those of you who are (or want to be) rom-com readers to purchase. Happy publishing day yesterday, Katelyn!!

I totally picked this up just as we’re in the midst of planning our 20-year reunion because I couldn’t resist the premise. Two high school exes reconnect 15 years after a heartbreaking split. What follows is a drunken hookup and an epic 5-year bet as a jaded rom-com writer and divorce lawyer both try to predict the fate of five couples—including themselves!

While I’m thankful my high school ex won’t be in attendance later this year, it was fun to live the experience through these two, while also following along with the couples they bet on. Told between alternating POV chapters and in multiple parts, I thought author Katelyn Doyle did a great job giving us insight into what’s going on in Molly & Seth’s heads throughout the ups and downs of their run-ins. I enjoyed the pacing, the mix of text/emails and the friendship between the ladies as well!

Are they both a bit of a mess in their own ways? Yes. Do they seem to repeat patterns over and over again? Also yes. But did this book also offer super cute banter, a lot of Florida fun and an epic rom-com speech at the end? YES. For me, this was a fun, easy read because I wanted to see how this would all play out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was a total surprise and a total delight. I cannot wait to read more from Katelyn Doyle! It was one of my most anticipated new romance books of 2024 and did not disappoint.

Sometimes you pick up a book because the summary just speaks to you and you come to discover a new author that rocks it. Granted, I knew that though this is Katelyn Doyle’s debut novel, she has written historical romance books under her pen name Scarlett Peckham which I have devoured so I was hoping that she’d deliver when it came to contemporary romance as well and she does.

Just Some Stupid Love Story is this beautiful, quirky, second chance romance between two complete opposites who once loved each other as teenagers but whose hearts were broken on their high school graduation day.

Molly and Seth dated for four years until she shattered his heart (and her own) when she dumped him on graduation day. Flash forward 15 years and they find themselves face-to-face again for the first time at their high school reunion that Molly attends begrudgingly.
This awkward re-meet cute set the stage for how much these two “fit” one another despite their complete opposite views on love and relationships.

Seth is the adorable, cinnamon roll-type hero I don’t usually gravitate to but I could not help but fall for. This man was desperate to find his soul mate, his partner, his wife yet he pretty much knew it was the woman he fell for at age 14. I found it endearing that he would throw himself whole-heartedly into relationship after relationship believing that each could be the one but that also left him heartbroken time and time again when they didn’t work out.

Molly, however, is the heroine afraid of relationships. She is carrying around some significant daddy issues and family trauma that kept her from ever fully embracing relationships since she broke up with Seth because she’d rather be the one to leave before she was the one left.
But Doyle weaves this incredible slow burn, second chance romance between these two opposites that made me believe that they could finally find their happily ever after together.

Her characterizations were so spot on but she didn’t succumb to generalizations that could have made this book seem predicable at best. Instead, my heart ached for these two when they couldn’t get their timing quite right or when they fell victim to their same old patterns.
At the same time, I also loved their maturity in that they could recognize their destructive patterns and try and work on them together because they truly loved each other.

THIS is why I love reading romance and THIS is the book that reminds me why.

Molly and Seth could have easily rubbed me the wrong way but Doyle’s banter and self-reflections were just so well-written that I was hooked and thoroughly enjoyed this read. It’s truly one of the best romance books of 2024 I’ve read so far this year. I highly recommend it!

*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Rom-coms are Molly Marks’s thing. It seems that someone who works so extensively on a genre all about romance would be a believer in true love, but skeptical Molly in her all black get ups couldn’t be further from a believer. In fact, she’s at best a skeptic. Meanwhile Seth Rubinstein practices “family law” (which is a polite way he tries to use to describe divorce). Seth is far from a skeptic about soulmates, though. He’s a believer! And possibly his ex-love interest who he’s never quite gotten over could be his. Molly, naturally, disagrees.

It was a fun little twist that the opposites-attract featured a romance-hater whose career is built around romance, while a romance-believer has a career built around the dissolution of marriages. Opposites attract, even in their career choices! Of course these two have a lot to work through if they are going to have any chance to make it to their happy-ever-after. Molly dumped Seth in high school brutally and without explanation, leaving him sad and confused. They never spoke again.

Molly seems tough on the exterior—she has a wall up that protects how vulnerable she can be from the outside. But inside Molly is a relatable character with emotions, doubts, and fear of getting hurt swirling around. Chapters alternate between Molly’s and Seth’s perspectives, giving the reader insight into their perspectives on their relationship, break up, and reunion.

They hook up. Of course they hook up! They have unresolved feelings, irresistible attraction, and a few too many tropical drinks at their high school reunion for the night to end any other way. And despite Molly resisting it, they’re in their own rom-com. Her challenge is to try to circumvent the cute moments she knows so well from escalating into something scary—love.

Molly is so certain that she won’t fall for Seth, and Seth is so certain she will, that they make a bet. Predict the fate of five couples from high school, including themselves. The book chronicles their interactions over the next five years. The emails, the texts, the phone calls, and the in-person encounters. The banter between Molly and Seth is a highlight of the book. Seth is very sappy but in a sweet way. Molly is a bit too closed off for me (a total softie) to relate to. I found her infuriating a lot of the time, but she won me over with what an amazing caring friend she is. Doyle also includes a good background on how Molly ended up so averse to love and vulnerability.

Charming and funny!

Thank you Flatiron Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.