I really enjoyed reading this first installment of a new series. I was drawn in by the personalities of the main characters as well as the fact that their careers are not often found in other romance novels. I appreciated the specificity of the setting and the care with which some issues were treated.

When the best friend and brother of the groom end up faking a relationship to hide their feelings for the newly engaged couple neither of them expects their explosive chemistry they share. But can helping each other get over someone else really lead to a happy ever after together?

Marcela was a character whose self doubts really resonated with me and when I sometimes wanted to shake her, I couldn’t help but understand her. Theo and and Marcela’s romantic journey was frustrating at times but filled with sweet moments and gestures and some hit you in the face steam. I was undeniably invested. Looking forward to seeing what Gamez writes next.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! As a librarian, the female main character was relatable,. but I also enjoyed the dynamic between Marcela and Theo. I liked that they had real problems, but in the end everything worked out. Excited to read more from this author in the future!

I loved this book, and I think you will, too. There's so much to love about it. I picked it up and couldn't put it down

Loved this so much. The diversity and representation were excellent, and the story just pulls you in. The complications of the love square - sometimes had me cringing from secondhand embarrassment but that just shows how well told the story was. Definitely looking forward to the next installment in the series!

This book had all my favorite tropes. Such a fun read! Really excited to get a physical copy to put on my shelf.

This was a fantastic read! I couldn't put it down. I also appreciated the plus size representation. I loved reading how Marcela and Theo helped each other grow and found love in a mutually respectful relationship.

If you like messy complicated drama, then I’d definitely recommend this book!
Despite how complicated things were for the characters, I really appreciated how Theo and Marcella wanted better for themselves, even if they didn’t know the healthiest ways to get there. I liked the empathy they showed one another, it’s nice to see that in books.

I also LOVED the bookish aspects and the representation we got with Marcella’s character!!!! (Like loved x12788)

I can’t wait to read book 2!

Thank you so much to Forever Publishing for my ARC 🥰.

3/5⭐️

There’s just something about seeing a book about a book lover!

I loved Marcela and watching her grow over the course of this story. Her friendship with Angela is so special and having someone like that in your corner is a rarity, but so good to see.

Theo was great at someone who is actively aware of his flaws and truly trying to make amends and better himself. The honesty was so refreshing. And when she showed him her BOOKS!?! Gahhhh *swoon*

This was a really fun read! Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy!

I received an E-Arc from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review! Thank you.

This story was so cute and emotional! Gosh I don't know where to start.

There was was cute moments, spicy moment and moments that made me giggle. I was not expecting moments where I had to do a double read to make sure what I read was happening! It was that good.

Theo and Marcela both had discoveries to make throughout the story. Feelings and life! The story and characters showed that relationships can be scary and you never know what can happen. Sometimes relationships and life is a risk and sometimes it is not. It hit some pretty real truths like a roller coaster ride going up and down and sideways. Whoo!

The connection between Marcela and Theo were great characters in this book. I think they were made for each other but do they end up together or not?

This beautiful story took me a few day to read due to life being busy. I will say that the cover is so pretty. I may have to purchase a physical copy of this book due to the it's cover and the story.

This is a must read!
You must get it for this summer.
Put it on your list.
Pick it up in July 2024 and you won't regret it.

I’m just too old for the Gen Z drama. The maturity levels of the main characters is pretty low. And they’re drunk most of the book.

DNF

This book was really good! It starts with the slightly messy drama of Marcela being in love with her best friend Ben. She is devastated when she learns he is getting ready to propose to his girlfriend. At the engagement party she catches Theo, Ben's brother preparing to confess his love to Ben's fiancé. Marcela manages to convince Theo to leave the party. They join together with a plan to fake date to cover for their unrequited love. Ben and Marcela have incredible chemistry! The book was funny and touching. I really enjoyed watching them grow as individuals and then grow together to become a strong unit. I will be very interested in reading more books fro Gabriella in the future!

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

LOVED THIS! First, the representation was immaculate. I always love a good plus sized romance but this was special and had other representation as well.
Theo is absolutely swoon-worthy and Marcela is sweet and relatable.
As a book nerd I love the librarian aspect and all the references to other book series.
I CANNOT wait for the next book in this series. Well done Gabby!
Thank you NetGalley and Forever publishing for the ARC.

Guysssss when Forever sent me an email gushing about this book, I grabbed it from NetGalley SO FAST. Gabriella is a debut author and I’m so impressed!

Librarian Marcela decides to have a rebound when the toxic guy she’s loved for years gets engaged. What she doesn’t plan on is the rebound being with his brother Theo, the NFL player, who happens to love the fiancée. But when they decide that a rebound with each other will get them to move on, they get a lot more than they bargained for.

Read this if you like:
🏈libraries
🏈plus size FMCs
🏈football
🏈steam
🏈sassy friends
🏈he falls first
🏈messy families

Very excited to see what else this author will do!

I loved this book!! It was fabulous and well done. The characters were on point and I thought the plot was well developed. I would recommend this book to others.

Let me start by acknowledging that this was one of my most anticipated releases for 2024. I RAN when it was announced that ARCs were on Netgalley and dropped everything to start reading it that night. And Gabriella did not disappoint!

This book follows Marcela, a plus-sized Latina youth librarian and Theo, retired NFL player. I adore Marcela and Theo is made for the book girlies. Theo was so swoon-worthy. Them together? Immaculate! At times, they feel messy, but that’s what makes them feel real!

I couldn’t put this one down! From holding my breath to intense hatred, laughing, and tearing up, this book made me feel it all. Marcela’s growth was the most precious part of this story for me.

I’m still shocked this is a debut novel and I cannot wait for the next story!!

"The Next Best Fling" by Gabriella Gamez is a steamy and heartfelt romance that explores the complexities of love, friendship, and unexpected connections.

Marcela Ortiz, a librarian harboring secret feelings for her best friend, finds herself entangled in a web of complications when she crosses paths with Theo Young, the older brother of her unrequited love. What starts as a mission to prevent Theo from confessing his feelings for Marcela's best friend at an engagement party quickly evolves into a tangled mess of misunderstandings and simmering attraction.

Gamez expertly crafts a narrative filled with palpable chemistry and emotional depth, drawing readers into Marcela and Theo's journey as they navigate their burgeoning feelings for each other. From library aisles to late-night bar encounters, their relationship unfolds with intensity and passion, blurring the lines between rebound fling and something more meaningful.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of familial dynamics and the impact of secrets and misunderstandings on relationships. Marcela and Theo's bond is tested by the complexities of their respective family dynamics, adding layers of depth and tension to their romance. Gamez deftly balances moments of steamy romance with moments of emotional vulnerability, creating a nuanced portrayal of love in all its messy glory.

The characters in "The Next Best Fling" are well-developed and relatable, each grappling with their own insecurities and desires. Marcela's internal struggle with unrequited love and Theo's conflict between loyalty to his brother and his growing feelings for Marcela are portrayed with authenticity and sensitivity.

While the plot may venture into familiar territory for romance readers, Gamez injects fresh energy and depth into the narrative, keeping readers engaged and invested in Marcela and Theo's journey. The pacing is brisk, with plenty of steamy moments and unexpected twists to keep readers guessing until the very end.

In conclusion, "The Next Best Fling" is a captivating and passionate romance that will leave readers swooning and rooting for Marcela and Theo's happily ever after. Gabriella Gamez delivers a compelling story filled with heart, humor, and sizzling chemistry, making this novel a must-read for fans of contemporary romance.

An adorable romance!! The FMC and MMC in this have really great chemistry and it's a really unique take on the friends to lovers trope. I like that the characters are really flawed and help each other grow rather than judging each other for their mistakes and vulnerabilities. Their pasts and traumas are really well thought out and complex which gives them a lot of depth and the author does a great job of releasing information slowly so your perspective of situations changes over time. My main critique is that I'm not sure the third act breakup was entirely necessary and it went on for way too long, in my opinion. If you like a little angst, it's very possible you'll disagree. But overall, this book was really cute and so fun. I think a lot of romance readers - especially the ones who always wanted a partner that would buy us special editions of our favorite books and set up dates in the library - will like this novel.

Super- duper cute and really relatable. I really appreciated the concept of these two obviously flawed people coming together and helping each other.

On paper there’s actually not much I didn’t like about this. Plot, characters, it wasn’t overtly ridiculous or too serious. Ultimately though this just didn’t quite hit the right spot to get me super invested. Still, enjoyable and I’d be happy to recommend to someone in the right mood for it.

The Next Best Fling HOOKED me from the very beginning. I am a sucker for a good fake dating trope. I also love a strong, confident female main character, and she’s even a librarian! The male main character is so swoon worthy. He falls first and falls hard. Their story is such a delight!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own