What a lovely and emotional read.
The concept was very interesting and grabbed my attention feom the start. And I really enjoyed how well it was written and developed. I love a good banter and this had it, just like i love angst and this served that trope too.

I highly recommend it

Fun book - bonus points for a librarian as the main character :) The two main characters bond as they are both in love with other people - who are about to be married. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Oh my did I love this book! Banter is one of the things I most look forward to in romance books and this book definitely delivered, it was top notch. And the spice, oh the spice was just the perfect level for me! The grand gestures were straight out of a fairytale swoony.

And at the center of it all were two imperfect but real characters. Marcela and Theo each had their own things to work through, but they gave each other grace and room to grow.

This was a fantastic debut by @gabbywritesalot and I cannot wait for the second book!

Marcela, our vibrant protagonist who works as a youth librarian, won me over with her contagious enthusiasm for her profession. There's an undeniable charm in her commitment to nurturing a passion for literature. And then there's Theo, the attractive and sincere hero who captivates you with his candor and warmth.

What captivates me most about this novel is its skillful blend of lighthearted sweetness and profound exploration of weighty themes. Marcela and Theo's odyssey isn't merely about fluttering hearts and romance; it delves into confronting insecurities, embracing change, and summoning the courage to pursue one's desires. Not to mention the rollercoaster of emotions triggered by the ebbs and flows of character development, particularly Ben's (Theo's brother) regression, which adds a relatable layer of depth to the narrative.

The chemistry between Marcela and Theo is palpable from the outset, but what distinguishes their bond is its genuineness. Their connection feels authentic and unfiltered, anchored in mutual esteem and sincere fondness. As they navigate the murky waters of attraction and uncertainty, one can't help but cheer for them every step of the way.

I devoured "The Next Best Fling" in a single sitting, completely absorbed in its heartwarming allure and irresistible romanticism. Gabriella Gamez's debut novel is a triumph, and I'm already eager to immerse myself in whatever she pens next. Take my word for it, this book is essential reading for anyone who relishes a captivating love story. So, seize a copy, and prepare to be entranced by the enchanting journey of Marcela and Theo. You won't be disappointed!

This book had a messy af love square, a Mexican American heroine (who is also plus size!), and a love interest who wears his heart on his sleeve and makes the most romantic grand gestures!

My feelings on the writing are conflicted as there were moments were I felt the exposition felt dragged out and there was more "tell than show", but there were still so many cute moments that I really enjoyed.

It's always so exciting to see more Latinx authors publishing books, especially those written by women who shed light on body positivity and the need for more representation of marginalized communities in literature. I can't wait to see what else Gabrielle Gamez writes in the Librarians in Love series!

Thank you @NetGalley and @readforeverpub for the eARC of The Next Best Fling. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

The next best fling is a fast paced romance that is filled with great banter, laughs, with a sprinkle of spice. I normally love my books with more spice but I stuck around for the characters and the banter #netgalley

This is such a great debut novel! I have a special place in my heart for books about librarians falling in love... and this one did not disappoint, The emotions felt real, and there did not seem to be any unnecessary drama in order to lead to an unnecessary third act break up. Will recommend for my library system to purchase.

Marcela is a youth librarian who is trying to make reading more accessible for her community. She has been in love with her best friend, Ben, for a long time, but now he's getting married. She's absolutely gutted, and it turns out someone else is too... her best friend's brother Theo has some thoughts about the engagement as well. Theo is an ex-NFL football player who is back in town and is mighty fine, but has a bit of a reputation.

This was a delightful twist on a contemporary romance and had a bit of a mystery aspect to it. The Next Best Fling is a book lover's romance, for sure. It features fake dating, codependent relationships, past trauma, and cultural representation. It felt a bit long toward the end, but overall, it was a sweet romance with a little bit of spice. This book does an amazing job of showing how past trauma affects your future relationships and working on breaking that cycle.

I would definitely give this a read if you're looking for something a bit more complex than your normal romance book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4 stars

The Next Best fling was fun, entertaining and had one of the best open and honest dialogue between main characters that I have read, which was very refreshing. This Book is a contemporary romance with a fake relationship trope, one character is an ex-football player so I would consider it a sports romance as well because it is part of the story.
Loved all the bookish references and Marcela being a librarian and being so in love with her books and loving her job was such an amazing part of this book it is such a fun setting as a reader. Not only that Theo, was full on board, supporting her and her love of books in several ways, that as a reader I was swooning so hard for him. It was a great aspect to show and made me love Theo as MMC. Marcela was beautiful, fun, optimistic, and sweet. She and Theo had a connection because of the situation they found themselves in, but like I said the communication and openness as relationship developed especially on Theo’s side was great. They checked in with each other throughout the story was amazing to have, as well as understanding where each of them was at. There was some fun sexy banter between them and a little tension. I would have liked to have it ramped up a little more as things developed but still good. Overall, this book was an amazing time, great setting and so sweet, definitely check it out.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

Wonderful! Sexy, fun, a little wacky. I loved the main characters and I really bought their love story.

The Next Best Fling, by Gabriella Gamez, is a fast-paced romance, full of witty banter and laughable moments. This book is a quick easy read that is perfect to toss into your pool bag!
Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC
ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

The Next Best Fling was such a fun and quick read with a little spice thrown in! I was hooked in with the banter and humor, and stuck around for the drama! Seriously such a great read.

This book is the perfect book to read in spring. It's warm, comforting, and a little spicy. You can't help but fall a little in love with Marcela and Theo as they bump along their way to find acceptance, peace, and love. A special call out for the author's use of books to drive the story. Such a fun read.

Next Best Fling delivers a delightful romantic escape! Gabrielle Gamez weaves a captivating tale filled with humor, heart, and plenty of steamy moments. The characters are relatable and well-developed, and I definitely found myself rooting for the MCs to end up together. I generally prefer dual POV, but this was done really well for single POV!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the eARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

Family trauma, codependent friendship, plus size, Fake dating, Latin FMC, Book lover

Spicy- 1 chili pepper

I am so happy I was able to get this ARC!!!! I love Theo (MMC) he is my new lovable book boyfriend. I loved everything about this book! Marcela (FMC) has allowed her "best" friend and secret crush to dictate most of her life. Theo, an ex NFL player, is in love with his brothers fiancee and wants to tell her at the engagement party. Marcela see and stops him. That's when it all starts.

Theo was an open book with Marcela and fell for her fast. Marcela on the other hand has a lot of abandonment issues stemming from her father leaving her at a young age. She doesn't let herself express her feeling right away.

I loved that she was a book lover and a book collector!

Chapter 26 gave me all the feels. I felt the love and the hurt in every word. I didn't think I could love Theo more but this chapter showed me differently.

Thank you so much to Forever Publishing for my ARC

Perfect pace. I prefer dual POV so she had to work harder for me to love this and congratulations because yes. The drama, the a little faster than slow burn, the humor, the characters and the book geek of it all.

Super strong debut and I would read more. I am interested in this universe and these people. Also, this helped me out of a book slump.

The Next Best Fling 🌸 by Gabriella Gamez @gabbywritesalot
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️
She’s in love with him. She stops his brother from confessing his feelings for his brother’s fiance. They use each other to get over other people… but it’s working too well.

My Thoughts: First off, if you love drama and tea, this is for you! This was so messy and had so much angst but all in the best way. I love the plus size representation. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with Theo’s character but he stole my heart! He was always so honest, patient, caring, and so damn sexy! Swoon! he’s such a sweetheart and I love Theo and Marcela together. There was so much personal growth throughout the book. It was so realistic, and this book was just so full of emotions. I really liked how they communicated every thought, even when they didn’t want to talk, they still chose to talk it out and thought of each other every step of the way. That’s how relationships should be! The book felt so smooth and fluid I had to force myself to take breaks and not ignore my day’s responsibilities 😅 I definitely recommend this book and I’m so very much looking forward to the next book.

I love me a good romance novel featuring a librarian protagonist (I mean, I have a whole shelf on Goodreads dedicated to this concept), and Gabriella Gamez's debut novel did not disappoint.

Marcela, though romantically naive, has a kind heart and is a good friend. She supports her true love/ex-boyfriend when he proposes to another, and she stops his brother, Theo, from crashing the engagement party to declare his love for the bride-to-be. After the party, assumptions are made about Marcela & Theo, and fake-dating ensues as a way of keeping the peace.

However, peace is not to be had. Because the groom is decidedly not a good friend, and he goes off the rails trying to break up this fake relationship. His efforts only lead to Theo and Marcela growing closer as they learn to appreciate each other's unique qualities. Slowly, fake dating becomes more and more real, and the emotional stakes just get higher for all involved.

Marcela was a flawed, but still amazing protagonist. Her struggles to overcome emotional baggage from her previous relationships, as well as trauma from her childhood, were described in an authentic way. Theo was such a wonderful counterpoint, with his honesty, patience, and willingness to both see and accept her for who she truly was.

I also appreciated that Alice's character development went in a positive direction. She wasn't Marcela's enemy, and that friendship was able to be redeemed to some extent in the end.

Ben... well, let's all agree that Ben is a POS. Full stop.

Since the series title is "Librarians in Love", expect me to be excitedly awaiting the next installment.

I throughly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down! I loved the concept and story, it was original and the angst was top tier! The characters were wonderfully written, I loved both Marcela and Theo and their relationship. This did not feel like a debut novel to me, the author’s storytelling is so well done. I’m looking forward to what comes from this author in the future!

This is a really cute debut romance read but my gosh was it a bit chaotic and messy. The fmc Marcella has not yet gotten over her love for Ben who is engaged to another woman. His brother Theo is the mmc has always wanted to be with the woman Ben is engaged to and it's a hot mess lol. The main characters get together and start a no-strings-attached relationship to get over those they were pining over.

This book has angst, is a bit emotional, and very complicated. I liked the main characters for the most part but they annoyed me at times. Overall this was a good debut with steam, cute moments, and realistic characters and experiences. Honorable moment to the fmc who is a librarian and advocated for the library throughout the book. Thanks to Forever for this arc.

Read for:
- Plus size rep
- Latina fmc
- Librarian fmc
- Romcom