I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Next Best Fling is a fun, promising debut that managed to sell me on one of my least favorite tropes, friends-with-benefits by focusing on some of the core elements of the dynamic, while also not forgetting the emotional investment throughout.
Marcela is incredibly relatable. Starting with the obvious, I love that she’s a librarian who generally loves her job. Her unrequited feelings for her best friend are also painfully realistic, and I couldn’t help but feel for her watching him marrying someone else. Theo, meanwhile, is her best friend’s older brother, who happens to have unrequited feelings for the bride. This setup was so fun, and I loved how things progressed from there.
The dynamic between the two is super sweet. Marcela has some baggage she’s reckoning with, being jaded about love and relationships due to her parents’ divorce. Meanwhile, Theo is a sweetheart and very in touch with his feelings. I loved the patience he had with her, as well as the overall supportive foundation they built with each other, which translated beautifully as they began to explore their feelings for each other.
This was a solid debut romance, and I hope to read more from Gabriella Gamez in the future. I recommend this book to readers looking for lighthearted contemporary romance.

This was a strong debut from Gabrilla Gamez. I thought I knew where the arc of the story was going and I didn't, at points. I'm unsure if I enjoyed that or if I thought it would have been tighter if it followed the beats I was expecting it to. It's a messy story about messy people and I enjoyed how much they leaned into that. I also thought Angela's coming out scene to Marcella was so unexpectedly sweet. I hope the next book in the series is about her.

I wish there was a bit more emotional release with regards to Ben (seriously he SUCKS) or at least an epilogue where we can rub their happiness in his face. I also found the librarian/book references a bit much, and wish it had been toned down a bit. And that's coming from someone who deeply respects the YA genre and what it does for people.

All in all, I had a good time with this one, and can't see what comes next!

I flew through this messy love square. I adored the FMC, Marcela, and her bestie, Angela. Theo was a complete sweetheart! 😍

The book club & the date were my favorite parts in the book. The third act break up was so expected and frustrating but the resolution was worth it!

I'm looking forward to Gamez's next book!

Thanks to NetGalley & Forever (Grand Central Pub) for an advance copy!

As a plus-sized, Hispanic bookworm from Texas, I thought this book would be a guaranteed 5 stars. Unfortunately, I found it a struggle to get through. I tried for months and couldn't finish. I had zero desire to pick it up. While I didn't love the premise, I was willing to put aside my concerns and give it a shot, but the idea of both MCs pining for other people just made me uncomfortable. It would've been one thing if I believed the chemistry between them, but it felt like I was being told that they were attracted to each other, rather than being shown. There was just no spark at all. The banter wasn't there, and I didn't feel like they could've gotten over their feelings for other people enough to form a genuine connection. When it felt like a chore to keep going, I sadly had to throw in the towel. I just didn't connect with the writing or the characters, which is a huge bummer.

This was a sweet romance! I liked Theo and Marcela’s love story. They had some really great moments.

I also really enjoyed curvy representation as well as the Latina perspective.

Some of the characters’ choices were hard to understand, like Marcela’s obsession with Theo’s brother who just seemed like a terrible person to me. But I loved seeing her finally moving past that and experiencing the love she deserved.

I really got into the story by the end and I’m excited to hear more from this author in the future.

I love a good fake dating plot and this one didn’t disappoint. I do wish there had been a little more pining, because that was one of the best parts, but I love how much Theo loves Gabby. I did feel that Ben was a bit unresolved and just villainous. Overall a good book.

4.5 stars!

This debut was so entertaining!! I was laughing and swooning and for sure frustrated at times and cheering for our two main characters. It had all the makings of a great rom-com! I thought Gabriella Gomez did a really great job tackling the idea of two people falling in love with each other after starting a fling to get over their first loves (who they still love!). how do you trust their feelings? And what do you do when the people you’re trying to get over are still very much connected and in both of your lives? So much drama! So much laughter! But also so many sweet moments. theo is every booklovers’ dream man! the way he supports Marcela and her love of reading and spoils her? I think we can all admit we want a man like that. No but for real Theo loves Marcela so well! And I absolutely adored watching them fall in love with one other. Excited to see what Gabrielle does next!
Thank you ReadForever & Netgalley for the eARC! This is my honest review.

This book felt like a hug.

It felt real, conceivable, in a I totally believe these two people were meant to be together even though he wanted her ex best friend and she wanted his brother first type of way...

The characters' chemistry was fantastic, and the relationships were well described. I swooned, I teared, I happy danced through Marcela & Theo's relationship and rooted for them right from the jump!

A fantastic debut, and I can't wait to hear more from them in book #2 - or see more from the author in general.

Thank you NetGalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC copy of this book.

This was an enjoyable read and very easy for me to start and finish!

Thoroughly loved the plus size representation and diversity of characters. Although this book was enjoyable, it just didn't hit the mark for me. The romance wasn't convincing and I would have liked to see a relationship that develops more throughout the book!

It was certainly cute but not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Forever Publishing, for letting me read an eARC of this book!
Release date is July 9, 2024.

I absolutely LOVED this book. Marcela and Theo had undeniable chemistry and I was rooting for them since the beginning of their little fake dating arrangement. I loved the character growth as well as the exploration of familial dynamics displayed throughout the book & it made me absolutely invested in this story. I also loved that Marcela is a librarian and we got to see a little bit of her work throughout the novel! I really enjoyed seeing Theo and Marcela getting closer and getting to know each other better and it made my heart so happy to read this book.
Overall, I’d highly recommend you pick this book up!! One of my fave romances of the year.

DNF 10% in.

This sounded like a fun book but the plot wasn't working for me. I have learned from this book I don't seem to like the unrequited love trope as I don't like a character who is still pining after someone who has been in a committed relationship for almost a decade with someone else. And the fact both of our main character's are that way is something I just didn't enjoy. But I do like the writing style so I definitely plan on keep an eye out for what ever the author writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Pub for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts <3

The Next Best Fling is a phenomenal debut from Gabriella Gamez. I was instantly whisked away when I started the first page. As a library assistant, I loved seeing the all the library lingo and can completely relate to having stacks of library books taking up every inch of free space in my house. Marcela is such a great character because of how hard she's trying to get by while being in love with her engaged, best friend. She doesn't want to hurt anyone, even if it might lead to her own happiness.

Marcela and Theo have chemistry like no other. He wants her bad folx!! Their romance is unique and messy and delightful. They quickly become each other's confidantes. Communication is key and I liked seeing how these two navigated the difficult conversations and reveals they had. Really, once they "got it out of their systems" it was genuinely so fun to see them break the rules they set in the beginning. Theo knows how to put it down and let Marcela know just how much he wants her. I liked the portrayal of Marcela's thoughts on her body. It's always refreshing to see a fat character who sometimes has their struggles (because it's so real) but also loves themselves so much.

Read this if you like bookish MCs, MMCs who are down bad, getting it out of our systems, communication that isn't perfect but is doing it's damn best, and fat MCs that are deeply desired.

early DNF. The writing style was just not a match for me and I found Marcela to be really annoying. I also am unsure how I feel about this premise as a whole, which obviously is on Me!!!

I found this book to be okay. The romance story is good however it drags from the beginning to the end. There should be more happening in the book besides this constant back & forth in Marcela’s head about trust & vulnerability.

Marcela & Theo find themselves in the same situation of unrequited love however only Theo is willing to open up. Since trust & vulnerability run high Marcela seems only willing to let go when she is in her element in the library. It feels like she spends most of the book trying to destroy relationship happiness without giving it a try. It was difficult to stay engaged in the book.

One the other hand, Theo is often led by his insecurities & emotions but he does open slowly to Marcela. With Marcela as a librarian she is a closed book. An interesting dynamic runs between them. Watching Theo slowly open up is nice.

Also, I feel Ben should be a stronger character. As I read, whenever he did appear, it always seemed as if he had more - should have more - to explain or do, but it always feel flat.

It is an okay book I would not put it at the top of my recommendation list.

I loved this book SO much! Based on the premise and the hype I was pretty sure I was going to love it --- so sure that I pre-ordered a copy prior to reading the arc. This was such a unique storyline and the twists and turns were so well done. I found myself really able to relate to Marcela and the way she felt about herself and her fears surrounding love. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the relationship between her and Theo grow and deepen and change. Theo was so easy to love! Being a library geek myself, I loved that Marcela was a librarian and the glimpse into library life we got through her job. Her BFF Angela was a breath of fresh air, and it is always nice to see diverse rep (across the spectrum). The story kept me guessing and I enjoyed how it illustrated that things aren't always as they seem on the surface (or from only one perspective). Such an utter joy to read and I am so excited to soon have a physical copy for my shelf. I very much look forward to reading future books from Gabriella Gamez. Massive thanks to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced copy --- all opinions are my own.

There is something magical about two people using the other to distract themselves from a broken heart just to fall in love with each other! I am very proud of Marcela for pushing her feelings for her best friend aside to protect his relationship from his brother. Super super spicy and I was impressed with the chemistry between the characters!

This was incredible. I do wish it was a bit spicier tbh (for a no strings attached relationship, I was expecting a little more). But a romance set in the stacks??? This was binge worthy and I can't wait to post on my bookstagram on release day!

I loved this book. It’s everything I want in a romance book and more. Great writing, realistic and relatable characters, and romance done without being cheesie. Loved it!!

i loved this!!! a fake/somewhat forbidden dating of a best friend's brother? it was delightful. there was so much depth to these characters emotionally that i immediately fell for them. Marcela and Theo are both in-love with a couple that is recently engaged, and they somewhat use each other to get over them. but as they start to spend more and more time with eachother, they realize that they have a lot more in common then having unresolved feelings for someone they can't have. Marcela and Theo's love story is a fun ride of watching two people slowly fall in love. it is a friendship that is built off of honesty (for the most part), trust, and vulnerability. They open up each other on such an intimate level that is has you swooning and just begging them to give in to eachother!! this was an outstanding debut novel and i cannot wait to read more from this author.

This debut had a lot of potential, and I'm looking forward to checking out more from the author in the future - but, wow, was this a messy romance! I knew that going in, but it was even messier than expected, and all that drama overshadowed the romance for me. But I loved the fresh feel and originality of the storyline. I can truly say that I have never read a book quite like this one, and I loved that it spun a tired trope in an entirely different direction. I bet there will be many readers who love the unpredictability of it, and there was so much other good stuff going on. So it wasn't a total win for me, but it certainly wasn't all bad either.

The story follows Marcela, a woman who has been in love with her best guy friend for years. Though he's been in a relationship with another woman for much of that time, Marcela always assumed that they would find their way together eventually. But when he gets engaged, Marcela realizes that it's officially time for her to move on - which is easier said than done. So when Marcela overhears her bestie's brother giving himself a pep talk before confessing his feelings for his brother's new fiancée, Marcela intervenes. She's only met Theo once or twice, but he doesn't deserve the embarrassment of being rejected, and she can empathize with his feelings. One thing leads to another, and suddenly Marcela and Theo are starting up a fling of their own. If they can't have the one they want, maybe they can rebound together and make it out the other side without too much emotional damage. Except... things don't go according to plan.

If you live for the drama and don't mind a messy road to happily ever after, then chances are that you might enjoy this. I liked Gamez's writing style and the unique vibes. We've all read books where the heroine has been in love with her best friend for years, and I adored the fact that Marcela's story doesn't take the usual path. I also really liked Theo once I got to know him and his backstory. It was easy to empathize with both of them, and it made sense that they would bond over those experiences. There was just a LOT going on, and I felt like the romance was shortchanged because of it. I wanted more of Theo and Marcela connecting because they were right for each other, rather than because of the situation. But there were a lot of strengths to the story too, so I'd check out more from the author in the future.