This book was a really interesting spin on an angsty romance for me. We have a love square! Marcela has been in love with her best friend Ben for years, but he’s engaged to someone else. Ben’s brother Theo has been in love with Ben’s fiancé since they were kids. Marcela stops Theo from risking it all at the engagement party, and people end up thinking they hooked up… and they let them. 😏

Things I loved about this book:
First of all that cover!!
I highlighted a million passages.
I have been Marcela. I felt every single thing she went through. Pining for someone who strings you along. Feeling inadequate and unattractive. Hurting deeply. The fatphobia. Ugh my heart!! I loved her so much.
I really loved how honest Theo was. It was super refreshing and watching him come apart for Marcela was *chef’s kiss* amazing.🧎🏻‍♀️Theo making his desire for Marcela known was so incredibly sexy.
When Ben kept interrupting I wanted to smack him 🤣 I was like get your own life!!!! Stop trying to control Marcela!!!
I loved our main characters growing together and how they made each other better people - they wanted to be better.
Angela was a fun best friend! I liked her a lot.
Marcela had a library in her home. A LIBRARY.
Book talk. A lot of it. Happy heart.
I really liked Alice.
Theo refilled Marcela’s shelves. He planned a library date. This man is a keeper folks.
We love a grand gesture!!!!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Next Best Fling

This book was really great. There were so many things that worked for me and I cannot wait to see what’s to come with this debut author.

1. let’s take a moment for the cover, because wow, how absolutely stunning. From the moment I saw this floating around bookstagram and I knew I’d have to read it because *perfection*
2. The character growth. Beyond the romance, the character growth is one of the key components to this book. Both Marcela and Theo grow so much from the beginning to the end. They take time to figure out themselves while also taking time to figure out each other. I really respect the work they put in to figure out what they wanted.
3. The romance. This book starts off with unrequited love, both main characters struggling watching the people they love be in love with someone else. I’m not going to pretend and say this is my favourite romance trope, but thanks to the fast pace writing I didn’t feel like we were stuck for too long in a “woe is me” period. What did feel realistic thou gh, was the ever changing “what if” sitting in the back of the FMC’s mind. After pining over someone for a decade (Marcela not me 😂), I can understand the struggle of uncertainty. I do wish this book was told in a dual POV because I think Theo’s perspective could have added a lot to the story.
4. Relatability. From the very first page, I instantly felt drawn to Marcela. Her inner monologue talks a lot about her insecurities around relationships and right away I kept a kinship to her and her anxieties.

Overall, I feel this was a super strong debut and I’m absolutely looking forward to what’s to come next from Gabriella.

The Next Best Fling is a faking dating, best friends brother romance. It follows Marcela, a librarian, who has been in love with her best friend since they’ve met. But her best friend, Ben, is engaged to his childhood friend, who happens to be the girl that Ben’s brother Theo is pining after. After one too many drinks, Theo decides he is going to break the happy couple up but is stopped by Marcela. Marcela convinced Theo to go home and assumptions get made about the two of them. They decide to play into what everyone is thinking about.


I really enjoyed reading this book. It started off really strong with Marcela and Theo forming an immediate bond over their situation. It was easy to see how they made an immediate connection and their storyline played out smoothly. Things went a little south for me at the end when Ben did a complete 180. The whole first half of the book made it really clear that Ben did not have feelings for Marcela but then towards the end it seemed like he did? We also never got a true detailed explanation as to why one text broke up Ben and his fiance. Theo also was holding feelings for her for 90% of the book and then suddenly just shut off that side of himself a little too quickly it seemed. I think a little more emphasis on the dynamic between the four of them would have been useful.

This book was plain beautiful. That's all there is too it really. The representation was amazing and so lovely to see!

I never have felt more seen by a book then I have by The Next Best Fling in a very long time. Gabriella's debut romance novel did not disappoint and I loved it from page one. Featuring a curvy FMC, former football player MMC, best friends brother trope and healing a broken heart, The Next Best Fling brings something to the table for all romance lovers.

I adored Marcela's character. A a curvy girl myself who also goes through phases of loving their body and then phases of hating it. I understood her struggles in trying to understand why Theo desired her and if he really wanted her. Let me tell you, the way he soothed and proved those thoughts wrong for her *insert emoji* I also loved that Marcela is a YA librarian, which is so cool to me. YA books are what made me a reader and seeing references from books that I read and loved in the past was almost like a full circle moment for me. I can not express how much I loved the characters in this book and how much I wanted to wrap both Marcela and Theo up in a giant hug and reassure them that everything was going to be okay.

The Next Best Fling does contain open door spice, but to me it wasn't anything crazy and I feel as if it was used to further the plot and the characters then used for filler. Marcela's thought process during the spicy scenes and the way she viewed herself I know will be relatable to many readers, I know it especially was for me.

Again, Gabriella's romance debut did no disappoint, it has been several days since reading and I am still thinking about Marcela and Theo's story. I am excited to see what Gabriella has in store next, she will definitely be an author to add to my TBR list going forward!

This was a really sweet story and I’m not usually one for love squares. I related to Marcela’s insecurities a little too much and I cheered her on when she finally started making the right decisions for herself. Theo was so good to her and incredibly patient while she figured her shit out. I loved this and can’t wait for more from this author. (Thanks NetGalley for the ARC)

The Next Best Fling was highly recommended from two trusted friends. When it landed on my kindle, I devoured it so fast. His best friend and her best friend are getting married to each other. When Marcela prevents Theo from declaring his love at their friends' engagement party, everyone assumes they hooked up. So they run with it. M&T have a no strings attached rebound relationship to help them get over their long time loves. Until they get totally into each other.

It's steamy and sweet and surprisingly addictive. It has a fantastic cast of characters who add so much heart to this romance. I love the not so fake dating, the pining in all directions and how much the heroine loves books. It's a romance for romance lovers and book lovers combined.

The Next Best Fling was such a sweet love story between Marcela and Theo. The two are brought together when Marcela catches Theo rehearsing a speech confessing to his brother's (Marcela's best friend) fiancée, and she convinces him not to go through with it. Turns out, she knows just the position he is in, being in love with the groom, Theo's brother. She lets his drunken self crash at her place, but them leaving together gives the impression that the two hooked up. What follows is the growth of a genuine relationship, even if they started with a falsehood. The two have already seen each other in vulnerable states, and that lends to them bonding in a unique way.

I especially like how three dimensional the characters are and how they aren't perfect, but are still relatable. Both Marcela and Theo are still harboring feelings for other people that they are honest aren't quite gone yet. Both of them express understandable insecurities, and have been shown to take selfish and petty actions in the past. Even during the course of the main story they both withhold information. But as they grow as people they learn to open up to one another and trust each other. I also loved how the couple connected with each other by learning about the other's passions, books for Marcela and football for Theo. Theo's gift to Marcela of all signed books from her wish list was both something that I felt fit the characters as well was something that I would want for myself.

I also like how Alice, the fiancée, was n0t villainized, and in fact gets her own happy ending in a way! The way that Ben's true character was foreshadowed and then revealed over the course of the story was also well done, and you're understandably angry at him but also still feel a little sympathy for him towards the end.

Marcela's character had a lot of qualities I liked. I liked how her Mexican American culture was woven into her life, which makes sense for someone who lives in a place like San Antonio. I also like how she has a nuanced relationship with her body and body image. There are many things she likes about her body, but sometimes dealing with fatphobia indeed is more about how other people perceive and treat you rather than only how you perceive yourself.

Overall I really enjoyed Marcela and Theo's story! Even with the single POV I never felt like I was only getting one side of the characters, and felt that everyone felt fleshed out even though we only see through Marcela's perspective.

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.