I absolutely loved all the representation in this book and the tropes were done so well! This book felt like a warm hug and I loved both main characters. The spice was perfect and I loved how comfortable Theo makes Marcela with her body.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the arc!
Pub date: 7/9/24

Okay, the description of this book pulled me in immediately --- librarian AND an NFL player? Say less. In brief, Marcela and Theo are both in love with someone else, Marcela is in love with Theo's brother and Theo is in love with his brother's fiancé.... Yeah that's just a recipe for disaster. This was a complete "leave me alone I'm reading", "can't put my book down", "one more chapter please" kind of read that you definitely need to pick up as soon as it releases! And of course it has some of my favorite tropes around: brother's best friend, fake dating, and friends with benefits vibes!

I was shocked to see that this is Gabriella Gamez's debut novel and CANNOT wait to read more from this author after such a stellar debut! Keep your eyes out for this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the eARC of this upcoming new release!

This book was like a fluffy marshmallow of cuteness! The story was so adorbs, and the characters? So incredibly charismatic! I was legit entertained the whole time. Couldn't put it down, seriously. It's like a warm hug wrapped in pages, and I'm totally here for it.

3.75 ⭐️
ARC review: I really enjoyed this cute read. You definitely could read it in one day. I think it’s cute that Theo and Marcela had so much in common from the beginning. And just kept finding each other and the want and need was there. I do wish it was dual pov, I wanted to be in Theo’s head so much.
But overall a great book!

I devoured this book in one afternoon sitting because it was such a fast, easy, and entertaining read. There's so much representation (i.e., Hispanic, LGBTQIA, plus size) within this story that I relate to, and I am so happy to finally read a book where I can absolutely see myself as the main character.

I absolutely adored Marcela and Theo and the honesty and communication they try to have as they try to figure out their relationship while also trying to get over their unrequited love for both halves of the newly engaged couple, Ben and Alice.

There is character growth as well as regression for one character in particular. Not to name names, *cough* Ben. There is so much drama happening that when you think you've finally figured things out, there's a twist that throws you off and sends you down another path you weren't expecting, and it keeps you guessing, and I, for one, loved that.

The way the author handles Marcela's insecurities about being plus-sized, especially in the dating scene, and not feeling worthy of Theo's wants and desires was *chefs kiss* wonderful.

Overall, I am obsessed with this book and cannot wait for the next one in this potential series. I will definitely be recommending this romance to anyone and everyone possible.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.

This was a fun take on the best friend's brother trope! A recently retired NFL player and a librarian-both in love with two people who get engaged to one another-help each other get over those feelings by, of course, falling for each other.

The only slight knock would be I wanted more Marcela and Theo. More of them developing feelings for each other. More little moments between them. It had a lot of drama and pulling them apart with the other love interests and their own insecurities, so I felt like the actual relationship and growth took a back seat at points.

NetGalley Arc:
The next best fling was a cute book with a lot of tropes. I enjoyed the book but a few things came up short for me. Certain times it felt like other characters had no depth or independence to them other than to push forward the two main characters relationship/plot. Overall it was enjoyable and a good debut book!

It's hard to do the miscommunication trope well, but this book nailed it! I could understand clearly why both main characters had trouble being fully honest with each other and seeing them grow in comfort and vulnerability was satisfying. The character of Alice surprised me by how much I grew to love her!

I have actually never felt more seen in a book in years. Marcela is living my dream of being a librarian. Everything is going great for except one thing the man she's in love with is getting married. Before she can rectify her own feelings she has to stop the grooms brother from stopping the wedding. Turns out he's in love with the bride. Sounds perfect. They could split them up and be two happy couples. They understand its not right. So the two have a crazy idea to be each others fling to get through the wedding. Only problem is now the groom is acting jealous.

I read this book in one night. I was hooked. I loved the dialogue. The author had a perfect way of making my heart beat and become giddy. There was so much maturity to the writing. The characters didn't fall into typical scenarios often. I was very surprised by the writing style and wish there was a dual point of view. I related to a scene about preparing a guy for when things get intimate with a plus size woman. I can look back on it now with only a slight hint of mortification.
Highly suggest this book to anyone who loves a good hearted romance. 4.25/5 stars

The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez was a fun, easy read that focused on not always getting what you want, but something better.

I really enjoyed the body positivity that the author brought to the main characters and the believability of unrequited feelings when you are trying to remain friends. (Ouch!)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I just finished "The Next Best Fling" by Gabriella Gamez, and let me tell you, it's a total win! I loved everything – the characters, the spice, and the plot.

The characters felt like old friends by the end. Their quirks, flaws, and charm made them super relatable, and I found myself rooting for their happiness from the get-go. Gamez knows how to create characters that stick with you.

Now, let's talk spice. Whew! The romantic tension and sizzling moments were off the charts. It added that perfect touch of heat to the story without overpowering the plot. Kudos to Gamez for finding that sweet (or spicy?) balance.

And the plot – it was a rollercoaster of emotions and unexpected twists. When I thought I had it all figured out, Gamez threw in a curveball that kept me hooked. The pacing was spot-on, and I couldn't put the book down until I reached the end.

If you're in the mood for a fun, flirty, and downright enjoyable read, "The Next Best Fling" should be at the top. Gamez has crafted a story that hits all the right notes for a delightful romantic escapade.

"The Next Best Fling" is a must-read for romance enthusiasts. With captivating characters, steamy romance, and a plot that keeps you guessing, Gabriella Gamez delivers a feel-good experience that'll leave you with a satisfied smile.

I’m not sure I’ve read about a love square before but this was an amazingly well done debut book. Theo is an awesome book boyfriend! I look forward to her next book.

Thanks Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

i LOVED this book

to put it into perspective, i received a copy around 9pm and proceeded to stay up the entire night until it was done. it was filled with SO much drama, SO much communication, and SO much frustration towards the non-main characters.

i was so happy to see bipoc rep and body positivity rep in this read. it was beautifully painful to hear the negative thoughts marcela constantly had running through her head.

gabriella gamez wrote about the insecurities and scrutinies that we have on our bodies in such a vulnerable, yet honest way. marcela’s background and her previous experiences drove pretty much all of her decisions and actions.

when she starts realizing that she needs to put her happiness first, things start turning around for her!!

It's called a "crush" for a reason - but for two opposites, their crushes are colliding full force! Shades of "My Best Friend's Wedding" while two forlorn crushers work together to try to overcome feelings long held and not reciprocated. Entertaining and amusing in it's predictability, a good weekend or vacation mental get away.

This story is one made for reality tv gold!
“He wants the bride, she wants the groom.” Two people decide to fake date to get over their past loves.

I loved this story and the unique way it all unfolded. Both main characters are holding onto a past relationship that may never be anything but to them they hope one day it will change. Marcela has been in love with her best friend for nine years. These big feelings are really holding her back in any future relationship. She’s holding onto hope Ben might finally see her as more than a friend. My heart breaks for her to just realize he may not change. Theo is the other main character and he is in love with his childhood best friend that is now engaged to his brother. It’s messy, family drama, a lot of miscommunication, but in the end there is growth by both characters. Many thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

"the next best fling"'s premise of two people who end up confiding in each other after the two people they have been in love with for years get engaged was enough to draw me in initially and it was heartwarming to read about two people finding each other in this way to see their situations more clearly for the first time. however, the characters around them don't feel as fully realized as the two main characters which left me wanting more in the long run.

Gorgeous cover and a flirty story! I read this one quickly and it was easy to get into. I became invested in the main characters and I thought Gamez crafted a fun book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
I was looking forward to reading this book after reading the description, and I was not disappointed. Marcela and Theo both having feelings for their friends that were engaged leads to them having a fake relationship. This gave so many little stories and background to the overall storyline! Several spicy scenes that were sooo good and well written (not cringy at all!) I loved this book and look forward to more from Gabriella Gamez!

3.5 stars!!!! i am quite literally so obsessed with this book!!!!! it was such a cute and fun read. i absolutely loved the plus size rep, i think the author didn't over do it and was able to shed light on insecurities in a well manner!!!

i overall just think the idea of this book is brilliant. she is in love with the groom to be aka her best friend... and he is in love with the wife to be aka his brother's girl, and when they accidentally show up with each other to brunch the next morning... everyone thinks they hooked up and they let people believe it. INSANITY!!!!! there relationship might've started on unlikely ways, but their love for each other was beautiful!!!! they were both broken and fixed each other.

i also just loved the library and book aspects of it, made my reader heart happy!!!!

thank you netgalley for this arc!

I liked this book but I did feel like there was a lot going on. I understand one of the MC’s being in love with someone else but it was tangled web.
I could tell Theo was attracted to Marcela right away and I loved that they talked things out- good communication.