
Member Reviews

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled for this ARC!
I really enjoyed the concept of this book. The plot was driven by a list created by our FMC and her friend to help them go outside their comfort zones. Their friendship was so beautiful, the definition of girlhood. This was incredibly fun to read and gave Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants vibes.
I, unfortunately, struggled to like the FMC, Chelsea. I believe the way she acts is justified, but that didn’t make her likeable to me. I found her, at times, too mean to those around her and generally unpleasant. Chelsea has a rough upbringing, which I’m sympathetic to, but I often find her using it to excuse her sometimes-cruel behaviour towards Basil. Instead of recognizing the issue and working on it. I spent so much time hoping Basil would put his foot down and stand up for himself. Then - his actions also started to annoy me and made me feel like they were made for each other. It made it hard for me to see a happily-ever-after for them.
This books deals with some pretty heavy themes which is nice to see outside of dark romances. Romance feels a lot more realistic when we see topics such as grief and mental health. I applaud the author for taking on such themes in their book.
The third-act of the book HEAVILY relied on the miscommunication trope which, in my opinion, was poorly executed. It could have easily been solved if they acted their ages and talked. This left me more frustrated with the characters than rooting for them.
This book was a fun, easy read. With Greece being a large topic, I wish we saw more of it. I wish the FMC and MMC were less insta-love and we saw more of them getting to know each other, especially with Chelsea’s past. I wish the third-act felt less forced. But overall - a decent read.

This was a really fun book that covered some really serious topics. After Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood, I wanted more romance books like this and liked how this one handled things as well.
Recently, someone on Twitter asked for non-spicy tropes that make us swoon (or something like that) and my first thought was about characters cooking for each other. Food is my love languages and nothing makes me feel more loved than a home-cooked meal so I love having that in my books as well. I immediately fell for the mMC when he started cooking for her!
One of the funnest parts of the book was the checklist that each chapter was based on. It was such a cool way for the characters that get out of their comfort zones but also find their way to each other. A really cool thread throughout the entire book.
While I liked the early intro of spicy scenes and how that affected the characters differently, here and there the spice did feel a little awkward sometimes. It smoothed out a little throughout the book, though we also didn’t get quite as much detail later on. Overall though, I enjoyed the intersection romance and emotions and spice.
I liked how one character had quite a bit of trauma but that the other one wasn’t this sunshine and rainbows child either. Their childhoods may have been vastly different but there are still things that can be quite stressful and put a lot of pressure on characters that come from happy families too. It was interesting to see how they bounced off each other at moments and handled every situation that came up. It was really difficult to cheer for one of them towards the end when you saw the stress affect them in negative ways but it’s a romance book so we all know it ends with a happy ending! It didn’t have quiiiteee the depth that the majority of the book had for character development, in my opinion, but overall it was a book I really enjoyed in terms of emotional depth, which is one of my main requirements for a book like this.
I already have another book by this author added to my TBR and am looking forward to giving that a try!

The concept of a list to drive the story was cute and the romantic parts worked really well. However, the reasons keeping them apart were flimsy and thier lack of communication and trust - even after acknowleding they needed to communicate better MULTIPLE times - was super frustrating.

Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled for the ARC of this book! I had to request this for the My Big Fat Greek Wedding vibes alone. He's Greek and a romantic, and she doesn't want to open up to people, which limits her relationship possibilities. She thinks she's fine with her way of life until their challenge checklist gets the girls to talk to 2 random men in the bar... hot men. All the characters have their own growth and work to do on their own before lasting romantic relationships can happen. Overall, it's a cute story, but I knocked it down to 3 stars for the painful/forced feeling of the third act conflict. Relied on miscommunication, and I was frustrated with all the characters. It is a HEA.

This book made it on my list of books I wish I could read for the first time again.
Everything about this book was perfect. The authenticity and reliability of the characters was something most books I read lack.
Chelsea is trying to figure her life out while overcoming past family trauma and only depending on herself and her besties Elizabeth. Chelsea’s therapist task her with creating a list of things to do to break her out of her trauma cycle and some of the task led her to Basil Stravos. Bas is the easy going, easy loving chef who flips Chelsea’s world upside down and makes her question everything.
I cannot rave enough about how much I loved the way this story unraveled. Communication is key and this books really showed that.
Thanks Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to review this book!

This books is a fun, exciting ride!
I loved literally all the characters! Watching everyone deal with their own issues and learn and grow was very satisfying!
Bas and Chelsea are super cute, and I loved the injection of Greek culture.
This was a fun, spicy adventure and I truly enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley for my complimentary eARC of Holding OUt for a Gyro. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lots of drama and personal growth.
I’m more into upbeat funny romcoms.
I was all in when I saw Greece, but sadly this one was not for me.

✈️When I saw the cover and read the blurb I knew I had to get my hands of this book!! I’m such a sucker for a good cover. I’m Greeking out 🙈 🤪
✈️ I love love love when a book has traveling in it because I too have a bit of wanderlust, and books such as this allows me to travel for free for a short bit… until I have the funds to experience it in real life!
✈️ The banter not only between the two female best friends, Chelsea and Elizabeth, but also between Chelsea and Basil! The dad jokes ((Chefs kiss😉😂)) had me giggling throughout the book, and the sweet romantic moments that make you swoon, all tied together with a bow of wanting to shake a character and be like “don’t do this! You love that person!!” 😂
I was going through it with the emotions to say the least. Lol.
✈️ Then, there were the more serious moments of the characters background and their trauma. Talk about wanting to wrap them in a blanket and hold them. 🥺
✈️ I love how this book has mental health and mental disorder representation in it!! I feel that the importance of mental health is becoming more of a common topic to speak on which is good to see

As a fellow foodie, this book snagged me from the beginning and did not disappoint! I did have trouble connecting with the characters but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the book. Solid rom-com read, the banter was cute, the first meeting made me giggle. I adored the FMC and her best friend’s list to push them out of the comfort zones. The nod to therapy and doing the inner work throughout the book was inspiring.
Thank you Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Holding out for a Gyro 🩵

3.5 ⭐ (Rounded Up To 4)
This book wasn't what I was expecting it to be but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. From the cover and blurb I was anticipating a playful Rom-Com but this storyline was a bit deeper than that due to past trauma the FMC had experienced.
I really liked the bucket list, friendships and overall storyline. I struggled a bit with the behaviors of the FMC they came off as really mean at times and there was so much miscommunication throughout this story which isn't one of my favorite tropes.
I do think this book is worth checking out and I would read more from this author in the future.
Thank you Mary Ann Marlowe, Net Galley and Entangled Publishing LLC for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

overall this was a perfectly pleasant pretty easy read. there’s plot, characterizations, and rational and reasonable ( irrational ) feelings. while chelsea isn’t my cup of tea generally, her reasons for the way she is, and how she feels, and incredibly understandable and relatable.
it depends a little heavily on the miscommunication trope, but it’s not awful? it just isn’t my favourite trope unfortunately.
elizabeth is delightful as a side character, evan is okay but a bit meh? basil has the most personality out of everyone except chelsea as is fitting his role of main character love interest. sometimes the greek influence felt a bit …. too much? like ? what people think greek people are like vs what greek people are actually like? but to be fair, i think that’s a bit stereotypical and easy to fall into in this type of novel.
i did enjoy the home bases being in virginia, as a native it was wild to see my favourite orchard mentioned and described.
all in all - enjoyable!!! and definitely that sort of end of summer / vacation vibe. very, greek hallmark special. which, was exactly what i was in the mood for.
thank you to entangled for reaching out to offer this arc, and for netgalley providing it! this has no bearing on the truthfulness and honesty of my review, im very appreciative!

I actually enjoyed this book. Reading through all of the character growth and seeing them come to terms with a lot of life fears.
I love the characters and all the banter and dad jokes between them all.
Little bits of Greek thrown in there, I loved that, especially as someone who loves to learn other languages.
-Banter
-Dad Jokes
-Smaller town, to the whole wide world
*Thanks to Netgalley, Mary Ann Marlowe, and Entangled Publishing for the chance to read this ARC

This romance blooms from a dare. I liked the "dare" list created by Chelsea and her friend Elizabeth to get out of their comfort zones, which also acted as a map for Chelsea and Basil, the two main characters.
Basil is a funny, sexy, thoughtful Greek man who can cook, and Chelsea is a graphic designer/jewelry maker/barista who loves to travel. I enjoyed the dual POV, showing the growth and emotions from both characters. Chelsea works to overcome the trauma of a verbally abusive parent and learns how to allow a man into her life, while Basil works to figure out how to get out of a dead-end job and into a real future.
It was challenging to read Chelsea at times as she fell back into her own patterns, but she did learn how to allow someone in along the way. If you're reading this one, settle in with a snack because all the different dishes described will make you hungry.
I received an ARC from Entangled Publishing and NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. And I read it in one sitting!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Entangled/Amara for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I really wanted to enjoy this book. I love Greece and so the cover pulled me in. I loved the list idea to stretch yourself with someone you trust. I found Chelsea to be a bit annoying and insecure. I am not saying she didn't have a reason-but still. I didn't really connect with the main characters. I didn't like the way Basil handled the trip. I am sure many will love this and maybe it was my mood. For me, this was a 2.5

I really liked this story. It was such a cute, funny, and sweet one. I really connected with the Fmc being as guarded as she was. Trauma can really change a person and it made me really feel for her. I loved the spicy bits! I thought they were written really well. Not cringy or misplaced in the story. I thought the relationships between the friends was fantastic too. It really made me look at the ones I have in my life.

I really wanted to like this one.
And I liked some of it. I think the mmc was a really fun character.
I just couldn't connect to it. This book took me a bit to get through.

Holding Out for a Gyro interested me because of the title and the gorgeous cover, but unfortunately, this book did not hold my interest once I started reading. I wanted to enjoy it, but it was a disappointment. I will not be posting about this book on my social media account.

My thoughts on Holding Out for a Gyro can be summed up with words by Abby Lee Miller “you were good. I was waiting for you to be great.”
There was so much potential in this book: the concept is fun, the details of the bucket list was attention grabbing, and the friendship was so beautifully girlhood coded. However I just simply did not love the FMC. I thought she was very hard to like and I didn’t love her relationship with the MMC as much as I thought I would. Insta love is not my favorite unless it’s heavily fated mates coded.
Overall it was a cute story and I’m sure this will be a favorite to many, but I’m very likely not the target audience for it.

A delightful romantic comedy with a dash of Greek flavor. I loved the yearly friends challenge checklist but the book seemed to drag in places.
Many thanks to Entangled Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I .hate givinga a books a little stars rating, but what can I say I just didn't feel this one.
I didn't connect to the MCs, to the storyline.
It was cute, but not for me.
2 stars