This book was a lovely surprise. I enjoyed their push and pull, and watching as they battled with their real feelings for each other and the lines got blurred? It has had me hooked.

I loved this book! Marcela and Theo had amazing chemistry, character development and so much fun together. I really enjoyed the slow burn and spicy of this novel. A must read rom com of 2024!

Marcela is in love with Ben, and has been for years, despite the fact that Ben's in love with and about to propose to Alice. Theo is in love with Alice, and wants to tell her at her engagement party, potentially blowing up everyone's life. But Marcela stops him, and they start spending time together. Can what started as a mutually beneficial fake relationship turn into a HEA?

I really liked this book. It had all the usual tropes (hunky ex-NFL start, unrequited best friend love, a couple swoon worthy grand gestures) but I loved that Marcela was a book lover, a little awkward, a realistic size. I admit to not liking Ben from the beginning, rooting for Theo from the get-go, and coming to really like Alice. Could everything in the book have been settled quicker with some communication between the characters? Yes. But where's the fun in that?

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

What do you do when the best friend you’ve secretly been in love with for 10 years gets engaged? You hook up with his brother of course!

Marcella is a YA librarian who’s been in love with her best friend of 10 years ever since they briefly dated in college. When her best friend Ben gets engaged Marcella is plagued with what ifs and she isn’t the only one. She finds Ben’s older brother Theo practicing confessing his feelings for the bride! When Marcella stops him from making a big mistake sparks fly on a drunken night and they begin to hook up. No feelings and no promises of the future seems easy enough but will their attraction lead to more?

The Next Best Fling from debut author Gabriella Gamez is a fun, spicy rom com about figuring out who you are and what you want. This book was fast paced and short enough to finish in one sitting. It has excellent fat and Mexican representation. Nothing felt forced and it truly felt like reading a lived experience. As a Mexican American I felt so seen by the book. I loved reading Spanish words and reading about traditional Mexican treats that make me think of my culture. This books if for fans of Abby Jimenez and I think anyone who loves rom coms will love this sweet and spicy story!

Well written story but I just didn’t connect to it. This is a fake relationship/friends to lovers/ love square(?) story. The plus size (author made this point many times) FMC is pining for ex boyfriend turned best friend. MMC is the best friend’s brother who is also in love with brother’s fiancé. FMC/MMC strike up friendship turned friends with benefits as they pine and try to move on from their respective interests. It’s a lot. Quick read, open door scenes (but not really spicy, just meh).

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book!!! New favorite author unlocked.

The Next Best Fling begins when two broken hearts decide that the best way to get over their first loves is with a no-strings-attached relationship. Marcela is in love with her best friend, Ben who is engaged to another woman. Theo is in love with his brother's fiancée. Did I mention Theo is Ben's older brother?!

I loved that the characters were both messy and very swoony! The story flowed and I couldn't put it down.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the Advanced copy.

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.