"Holding Out for a Gyro" by Mary Ann Marlowe is a charming and witty romantic comedy that delivers a delightful mix of humor and heart. The story follows a commitment-phobic heroine who challenges herself to be emotionally vulnerable for just one night with a stranger, only to find herself drawn to a charming and irresistible Greek chef who has been a part of her life without her realizing it.

The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and the hero, with his sweet and caring nature, is utterly endearing. Beneath his rugged exterior lies a lovable teddy bear, making him the perfect romantic lead. The slow-burn romance is beautifully balanced with just the right amount of steam to keep things exciting without overwhelming the emotional depth of the story.

The book's humor and quirky challenges between the characters add a lighthearted touch, making it an enjoyable read for fans of light and funny romances. Overall, "Holding Out for a Gyro" is a fun, feel-good story that will leave readers smiling and craving both love and delicious Greek food!

I enjoyed the dynamic between Chelsea and Bas. This was a cute book with both main characters working on their own individual issues and becoming stronger together. I liked the story development but the end of the book felt kind of rushed to me.

Sometimes a book comes along that it think will be a cute read but then totally wrecks you when you find yourself in the main character. That was “Holding Out for a Gyro” for me. I really enjoyed this book but Chelsea connected with me from the first chapter. I didn’t realize how much I needed to go on this journey with her. I don’t want to spoil anything but this is a definite must read if you love, rom coms, romance, witty banter and gorgeous, sexy men! I hope you find a bit of yourself in this story too and if nothing else remember to keep hoping and let love in when it finds you.

I was interested in the premise of this book. You're pulled in from the beginning by the dynamics between the FMC, Chelsea and her best friend, Elizabeth. Chelsea is still recovering and learning how to let go after a traumatic childhood which has led to her creating a list with different tasks. One of these tasks leads her to Basil and what was suppose to be a short term romance. The story illustrates their growth and push and pull as they each learn what they want. I liked the insights into the characters and the banter between both. I would've liked more exploration into her childhood traumas and how Chelsea deals with it. We get to see brief windows but I feel we miss more in depth exploration. There is a significant scene which serves as a catalyst for other events but the issue is left open. I enjoyed the story overall.

I was originally drawn to Holding Out for a Gyro by its cleaver title and beautiful cover, there for fully going in this thinking the story was going to be a vacation romcom adventure set in Greece.

Holding Out for a Gyro takes place in Virginia and follows Chelsea (FMC) and her best friend Elizabeth as they work through their own traumas by completing a bucket list of items. While at a bar Chelsea decides to try and mark off an item on their bucket list, “talk to a stranger” that is when she meets Basil (MMC) a Chef and his best friend Evan. Basil and Chelsea seem to hit it off after having a great conversation and a greater night. He ultimately decides to help her complete her list all while using it as an opportunity get to know her better.

I found it challenging to connect with Chelsea and Basil’s characters. Their relationship came across very one sided as Basil definitely seemed to show more interest in Chelsea than she did of him. I thought the story was going to solely focus on Chelsea and Basil’s romance as there wasn’t mention in the description about Elizabeth and Evan’s romance being entwined within MC’s story. I did enjoy Elizabeth and Even’s journey however, I felt it took the focus away from Chelsea and Basil.

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review..

I found this “meet cute” to be too cringe and honestly didn’t find myself liking our mmc more as this story went on. Both mcs came off immature and it just made me not like their romance/chemistry or this book.

If it was not for the challenge that Elizabeth and Chelsea had, they would have never met Evan and Basil. They had a list of items kind of like a bucket list that they challenged each other to do. One of the items was to have a conversation with a stranger. Thus, where Evan and Basil come in as they strike up a conversation with Elizabeth and Chelsea.

Basil feels drawn to Chelsea fairly quickly. He wants to get to know her better and spend time with her. I thought the interactions between these two were cute. It felt like when they did hook up it was a fast burn and then things would cool back down. This is mainly due to Chelsea and her past. She is trying to work through it, but it is causing a strain on their relationship or the lack of a relationship.

I felt bad for Basil as he was trying and was very patient towards Chelsea. She is so lucky to have a guy like Basil in her life. I understood where Chelsea was coming from and her actions, but it did get kind of annoying how much she kept pushing Basil away.

The addition of Elizabeth and Evan was a nice one. They had a more upbeat relationship and Elizabeth helped bring humor to the story.

The premise of the book sounded super cute and I truly wanted to enjoy this book but unfortunately it really was a swing and a miss for me. I didn't enjoy or feel connected with the characters at all. The FMC especially bothered me, she just came across as selfish, unfeeling, rude, and predictable to me.

I absolutely loved this book! It’s a funny and heartfelt rom-com, perfect for fans of Kate Clayborn or Lynn Painter. The heroine, with her fear of commitment, is so relatable. I enjoyed watching her dive into this adventure where, for once, she decides to be brutally honest about who she really is. And the Greek guy she meets is simply irresistible—mysterious and charming.

Their chemistry is off the charts, and the dialogue is both funny and sincere. It made me smile, laugh, and even think a little about love and vulnerability. Overall, a super enjoyable read that I highly recommend!

This was a good summer read but a bad romance. I really liked the friendship in this book, I mean I always do love good female friendships in books and this book was one of them. However, romance wise, it was very mid, the characters had very little chemistry and I was just there for the glimpses of Chelsea and Elizabeth. 1.5 stars

Thank you so much for this arc. I loved this book so much. I just could not put it down. (Even though I was reading like three books at once haha)
This book I felt like I relate to it so much. There was a time that I never thought I deserved love, especially when you have a bad example of parents on marriage.
But this is a dual pov of Chelsea and basil
She has a lot of childhood trauma, and abandonment, and fear of love.
Basil is the type of person that does what’s asked of him, but stops doing it because it’s not what he truly loves.
Both of them go through a lot of growing together and opening up, not looking for love but ending up in love.
Don’t let fear stop you. Fear holds you back. Go for it, and it will meant to be.
Amazing book. Love it.

What a fun, realistic story! It tackled abuse and mental health in very positive ways. There were moments that I really didn’t like Chelsea but I could see why she was the way she was and it was so real. I loved how Bas just accepted her and wanted to love her.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I rate books at 1-3 stars I will submit the star rating without a review on Goodreads. I don’t post these review on my social media as I do not like to put out negative feedback and discourage others from reading. For me I didn’t vibe for with FMC, but that doesn’t mean others won’t.

This was a super cute and quick read. I felt like it was a bit cheesy at times and the characters could have been a little deeper. I loved the overall idea of this story but felt like we could have gotten more from the characters.
Overall, I do recommend this book for a cute, quick read.

This is such a great concept! Also the role reversal of her being the villain and him being the love struck character is such cool switch. Also, a huge fan of the setting being Greece instead of a cliche location like France, or Italy.

I had a hard time with this one just because I’m not a fan of books where they hookup pretty early on. The mmc was almost alarming into her very quickly.

I though that this book was really cute. The characters have a lot of emotional baggage to overcome to make their relationship work and, of course lack communication to make it happen. The checklist between the friends was a great meet-cute, and fun way to keep them interested in each other, and the dad joke are the best!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

The book skillfully balances fun and depth while addressing serious issues using a unique checklist narrative crafted by best friends Chelsea and Elizabeth. This approach not only shapes the story but also becomes an essential part of the plot. The dual point of view is a highlight, providing insights into the emotional journeys of both characters. Chelsea's traumatic history is handled with care, and Basil's patience in supporting her growth journey is commendable. While Chelsea's stubbornness, a result of her past, may challenge some readers, it adds to the authenticity of her character. The theme of self-discovery is powerful, leading both Chelsea and Basil to realize they are not defined by their parents' expectations or failures.

Thank you Amara, Entangled Publishing, and NetGalley for the arc!

Love this. Will give a better review at a later date but definitely 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️s.. thank you NetGalley for this opportunity. Mary Ann Marlowe for writing a fabulous book.

I adored this one night stand to friends to lovers dual POV romance! Chelsea doesn't trust love or relationships after growing up in a broken home with an abusive father and an alcoholic neglectful mother. She has deep trust issues and is working on herself in therapy.

Luckily her best friend Elizabeth is her rock and with a list of dares, the two challenge one another to expand their horizons and go outside their comfort zone. Dared to have an honest conversation with a stranger, Chelsea meets Bas, a Greek American chef who himself is floundering in a dead end career.

With electric chemistry these two have to figure out how to be there for one another without hurting each other. I loved the food, the puns, the Greek culture, the mental health rep and all the European travel in this tender, big-hearted and STEAMY romance! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!