When I spotted PERFECT FIT as Read Now on NetGalley, I decided to give it a shot. At the time, I hadn’t read anything from Gilmore but had seen her first book come highly recommended by someone on Instagram. Before I picked this one up, I ended up going back and reading that one — LOVE INTEREST. It wasn’t quite right for me, so I went into PERFECT FIT a little nervously. Thankfully, I was very quickly hooked on the story and invested in the heroine’s business, her struggles with work-life balance, and her reconnection with someone from the past.

The writing was very easy to get into, but I did struggle with the pace. I read the first 40% pretty quickly, and then I kind of stalled out in the middle. It felt longer than necessary and a bit repetitive. Josie was an interesting character, and I enjoyed the combination of her love for “shallow” things and her drive to succeed. She felt like a well-rounded character, and I liked how much of her story dealt with where she found her identity, the need to set healthier boundaries, and the way someone recalibrates when things don’t turn out the way you imagined. Will was sweet, but I didn’t feel that he had much purpose beyond acting as a device to help Josie change. I think that’s part of why I had mixed feelings about this book — there were elements that I really liked coupled with things that just weren’t working for me. This worked better as “women’s fiction” (hate the phrase but don’t know how else to articulate it) than a romance for me, personally. | 3.5 stars

I loved this book! It's a perfect romance for anyone experiencing professional burnout or with eldest millennial daughter syndrome! The characters had a really beautiful connection and I was rooting for them the whole time! A fantastic blend of heart, humor, and sweetness.

Short synopsis: Josie needs a business consultant for her clothing company and ends up hiring her Ex-Best friends twin brother Will.

My thoughts: This was cutie of a rom-com. I think the initial meet cute was fun, luckily no one was seriously injured in the car/bike accident. Not going to lie, I binged this hard. As I read it in one day while my kids were at school.

Josie was such a work-a-holic, it’s no wonder she became so successful overnight. I liked watching her let go of herself and rely a bit more on others around her. Will was so sweet and caring, I loved how their communication was so open from the get-go, and they really were so willing to work hard for each other.

Read if you love:
- Workplace romance
- Best friends brother
- Second chance romance
- Girl boss/business owner
- Fashion industry

I absolutely loved this one! Josie’s journey resonated so deeply with me, as someone who has prioritized my career and is terrified of letting people down. I loved seeing her growth and realizing that it’s ok to shift priorities and let herself lean on Will. And wow, Will Grant is a perfect book boyfriend. The way that he just wants to be there for Josie is everything. So much hot tension between them that gave way to a beautiful love story!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of Perfect Fit in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked the characters of this book. I was quickly drawn into their story lines. Did anyone else want to get the main character a CPAP the first time he woke himself up from his own snoring? I loved the ending of the book and the epilogue. If you like Rom-Coms, don't miss this one.

I'm excited to check out other books by Clair Gilmore.

Josie is the epitome of a "girl boss," creating a brand in her dorm room and building it to have a brick-and-morter store with her best friend. A run-in with her former best friend's twin brother, Will, leads her to looking at her priorities, and discovering what her next steps should be.

This is an interesting one. Totally romance cheese, my favorite, but also a celebration of female CEOs at their best. It looks at Josie's need to find herself apart from the business as much as she's part of the business. I like that she finds the best way for her to be careful with herself, and give herself grace as well as being a strong and reliable boss.

Will is kind and generous in all the best ways, and the romance doesn't fade or break, it stays consistent. Instead of having a third-act break-up within the couple, the drama in the third act is within the company, a nice change from all the romance novels that seem to need to break a couple up in order for them to be a better couple together. Not everyone goes through a break-up-and-make-up in their relationship. Some couples stay solid despite facing adversity, and this book is a celebration of that as well. Love it.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

4.5 rounded to 5

Perfect Fit has all the hallmarks of a great romcom:
- A solid friend group for our heroine so we see the power of female friendship
- Great atmosphere, scene setting, and dialogue so we get completely absorbed into the story.
- He’s down bad (and as established, I am a sucker for the down bad hero).

I love the second chance aspect of this story, both for Will and Josie in a romantic way, but also for Josie and Zoe as best friends. We need more second chance BFF stories, please!

Speaking of Josie, I just love her! She’s one of the most competent and confident rom com heroines I’ve seen in a while. She’s unabashedly herself, she a girl who loves make up and fashion and doesn’t care if people know it. There’s no “not like the other girls” talk here, and I’m here for it. I love a book that shows readers it’s okay to be who they are! Also, she’s a total girl boss and I want to be her.

Will is great too, but he might be TOO perfect. I wish we got to see a bit more of his human side. No real complaints though — getting a perfect man is the dream!

The Perfect Fit is so well done.


Gilmore's portrayal of Josephine, a burnt out woman who is now CEO, man, I felt that (not the being CEO, but the grinding until you are burnt out part). Add in Will, their past, and their chemistry, and you have a fun book, but also a thoughtful book, which I really loved.

After college, Josie and her best friend started a fashion brand. One of their biggest investors tells them to hire a consultant, and the last person she expects to walk through the door is Will. Will is the twin brother of Josie’s childhood best friend, Zoe. After a kiss one spring break back in high school, Josie and Zoe had a huge fight and haven’t spoken since. Josie is immediately attracted to Will, but she doesn’t want to repeat history and upset Zoe even more.
Josie is the definition of a girl boss and the kind of main character I was immediately drawn to. Not only was I rooting for her success in business and in love, but I wanted her to be real so we could be friends. This was the sweetest second chance romance. I loved Josie and Will and how beautifully they complimented each other, and how their history just added to their incredible relationship. The communication between them was relationship goals and they showed up for each other in the sweetest ways. I just loved them. This book was so good in so many ways and I know I’ll be rereading this one.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press Romance and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Perfect Fit captures the excitement of ambition alongside the tenderness of finding your person—even if it means rethinking your priorities. This book is perfect for fans of workplace romances with a twist, as well as those who enjoy seeing strong women learn to balance love with career goals. It’s a heartfelt, empowering rom-com that will resonate with anyone balancing the pressures of success with the desire for genuine connection.

Tropes:
Best Friend's Brother
Workplace Romance
Forced Proximity

Arc received from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions are my own. I have purchased my own copy.

4.5 stars
I’d heard good things about Claire Gilmore so decided to request her newest release. The audiobook was great! The story itself was a refreshing change from the usual contemporary romance formula. I kept bracing myself for miscommunication, drama & the third act breakup. Instead, our main characters liked each other & used their words to talk about obstacles. I loved it!
*thanks to net galley & St Martin’s Press for the advance copy

Perfect Fit was a great slow burn love story. We had a great girl boss, and some healthy relationships. Clare took us through Josephine’s and Will’s lives and shows us the growth that has happened with them and their lives in the best way. The communication between them and the friendships is amazing and something that we all need! I enjoyed the ending as it leaves you to your imagination. Great read and would recommend to many people.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was so so good 🥹🥹 From the very beginning I was so interested and intrigued to keep reading. I always love history between characters so when that was mentioned briefly I was so excited!!!

These characters are also just so sweet 🥲 so many things Will said had me absolutely swooning and the love between him and Josie was so tender and soft! I also very much relate to Josie and her fear of people’s perception of her.

I also loved the fashion aspect of this book! I love project runway and shows like that so it was so interesting to read about Josie’s job and her love for fashion!

Overall an incredible book and I can’t wait for more by Clare!

Josephine’s life has been all about growing her fashion company. After literally running into her ex-best friend’s brother Will, the last thing Josephine plans to do is to hire him as a consultant. The two decide to move on from their past and focus on the success of Josephine’s company. As Will grows to become a positive and consistent support system, Josephine realizes maybe she doesn’t have to do everything herself.

This sweet second chance romance deals with burnout and knowing when to take a step back to enjoy life.

Cute with a quite a few extra cute lines and a few laugh out loud notice. Ultimately though tbtefr was nothing that made it stand out from any other rom com that floods the market. 3.5 stars.

A super cute office romance that had me swooning. I loved Josephine’s character and her romance with Will. It felt real and mature. I could have used a bit more over the top romance but overall it was super cute and an easy read.

Tropes:
Office romance
Girl boss / consultant
Slow burn
It's always been you/second chance romance
Mutual pining/obsession
NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP 👏

What a breath of fresh air! I haven't read an office romance in forever and the way I got sucked into this one surprised even myself. Like, by the 20% mark I was already hunting for the preorder links and any info/graphic/crumbs I could find.

Julie and Will knew each other briefly in high school, but life and circumstances separated them. Fastforward 10 years or so, they are both very accomplished in their career but burnout and missing that human connection. So when a project forces them to work together, travel, talk, open up, flirt, remember what they had it's all kaboom. The world stops. Work stops. Everything falls into place. ❤️

Their story lies mostly in the little things. The little moments. The looks. The vibe. The unassuming words hiding big meanings. The communication, smart banter, plus the work connection these two have is 👏 unreal. 👏

I dont think a title ever described a couple as much as this one. They continue their thoughts, they parry, they flirt, give in, give back, seem always in sync, it's amazing.
And so freaking effortless.

They float from one subject to the next seamlessly; now they talk business now they flirt, now they share some personal history now back to business and it's all so natural and organic and give me butterflies I cannot.

It's like they created their own language. 🫠🫶🥹🥹🥹

Their love langauge is being there for each other, listenting, asking the right questions, the unnerving questions, the hard questions, pushing each other.

This is a work romance but also a second chance Romance so the pining and secret obsession and what ifs thoughts keeping them awake at night is mutual. They keep trying to peel away their layers and to learn everything there is about each other or what they did in the last 7 years or so. Rediscovering, remembering, loving. It's smart, passionate, hearfelt and phew, the tensionnnn. 🤭🥵

They are also very mature and open about their insecurities and obstacles they face, willing to put it all on the line, making the effort.

Also, the story is about self worth, learning to live with imperfections, knowing when to show up, admit burnout and regroup.

It really shows how much social media can influence someone's life how fast things can spirall out of control there and how one mean comment can have a domino effect and ruin more things/people than it was intended.

All in all, perfection.🥰🥰🥰🥰🥹👏👏👏

I swear this book still owns me and for some reason it's not available in international stores yet??? Why?? Uk what is happening I need my trophy copy 😭😭😭🫠

Pro: Interesting look at a workaholic launching her own company. I like a girlboss story. I also liked Will, in general. I liked the initial ruminations about where people end up after high school... Good writing, lively humor in parts.

Con: The entire plot hinges on Jo not talking to people when there's a problem. She loses her best friend for nine years because she doesn't talk to her. She shines on the guy she really liked because of above. That was in high school. Meanwhile, in the present, when she discovers through drunken talk (and there's a lot of drinking in this, which is not a plus for me) that her new besty is going to resign from her com[any, does she ask about it? Nooo, not to the manufactured ending, with a lot of social media stuff that felt forced.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of Perfect Fit.

Perfect Fit was the perfect second chance romance, BUT it was so much more than a romance. It was also about female friendship and taking a moment to see the bigger picture in life. The themes and messages throughout this book were so relatable.

*The cutest smashing meet-cute
*High school crush come back around?
*Fashion entrepreneur
*Austin backdrop is perfection
*Strong, loyal, supportive women friendships
*Major work life/personal life imbalance
*Going through work burnout...
*...Leads to loss of passion for something you used to love
*Realizing the path you're on might not be right for you

My only critique is not just one of this book, but many romcoms that I've been reading lately - most of these books contain main characters that don't have the real life and financial struggles that the people in my own, real world have. Maybe I just haven't run across them? But overall, this book was super adorable and I think it will be well loved.

It was a cute story. Maybe it is my age, but I find myself losing patience with characters who don’t talk to each other, and that is on me. Half the angst in this book could have been avoided with an honest conversation.

I am happy that the conversations finally took place and that issues were resolved. Will and Josie were a cute couple and the side characters were interesting. The ending was satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, and Clare Gilmore for the eARC.