Swoon!

This book follows Josie and does a great job building her character.
The book is focused on her life, friendships, and her career, with romance being the secondary.
Josie's was refreshingly humble, especially as a CEO.

Will is the MMC. He is so precious.
He wants to be in Josie's life, no matter what it takes.
He tells her to "use me. Please" and it made my heart grow ten times in size lol
These characters and this story are genuine and I loved this book.

Josephine is dead set on making the clothing company she started with her best friend successful. She’s focused on getting B corp certified and expanding into brick and mortar, all while staying under the radar as Revenant’s CEO. She ends up hiring a consultant from a past life, and soon the lines of personal and professional are blurring- forcing her to take a look at how much her personality has become rooted in running her company. This was a great love story but also an empowering story of remembering what in life truly matters.

A second chance romance with an admirable FMC & a cinnamon roll green flag MMC! If you want just one reason to read this book, let it be for Will f*cking Grant!

Josie & Will were such great main characters. Josie is a CEO of her fashion company that she aspires and is working to take to the next level. She decides to bring on a strategy consultant to help her with this goal. It turns out that the consultant is nobody else but Will Grant, her ex-best friend’s twin brother. The same brother whom she kissed once & lost her best friend in the process. They sadly had parted ways on that unfortunate note. Now he’s back and is not only hotter but his professional excellence is attractive to the workaholic in Josie. Workplace romance/closed proximity is definitely in play.

What’s to love:
✨ The book is written in Josie’s POV only but it makes sense. It’s nice to see a female lead with focus and determination in a powerful position, workaholic but still is conscious of creating a safe and healthy work environment around her. We see her past experiences, her insecurities which shape her take on love and life, the reason why she is reluctant to let Will into her heart. By the end of the book, there is definitely a progress and realisation for Josie’s character, what she could have done better in her past friendships and how she can take a break when she hits burnout & it’s ok to lean onto a loved one.

✨Will Grant : I loved him from the first moment of the meet cute & with every passing chapter, he solidifies his place in your heart.😍 You may perceive him to be some silly guy who might have not cared for a young Josie, but you eventually will find out he was fighting his own battles as a young kid and he truly admires and believes in Josie. He is the perfect ‘person’ every girl needs - someone who adores her, supports her, can solve her problems but rather gives her space to work through because she is capable.

✨ The relationship : It is certainly a dream come true. How they open up to each other, how they talk through their feelings and concerns, how Will helps Josie to understand that being in a loving relationship is not an obstacle to her dreams, rather it’s having a partner always in your corner. ❤️ This warm fuzzy feeling will make you smile! Also, just wait to meet this sweet guy in the bedroom. He is naughty and hot. The spicy scenes were so good, and yes there is adjoining hotel rooms on a business trip, with sick/taking care trope! Go have fun with that 🔥🌶️

I loved the overall plot, and all the side characters like the current best friend and the ex-best friend, the cycling club. This was my first book by Clare and I am thankful to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the e-arc!

I will be posting to my instagram by next week, 10/11.

This was interesting. Clare's writing is similar to Love Interest (a book I LOVED!!) in that it is so engaging and the romantic/swoonworthy moments always hit. Unfortunately I wasn't super into this plot and I think it was how realistically rich everyone was. It doesn't feel like escapism billionaire romance in the slightest so when the FMC is grappling with being a young CEO, and yes acknowledges her privilege each step of the way I will credit to that, I just don't really care if she's going to step down or not because no matter what she'll be on the board still and find other ventures and just overall be fine. So I get the overarching lesson of being an overachiever workaholic has helped people feel seen this just wasn't my favorite way of telling it, she never really had to make any sacrifices.

The romance was great, the MMC is a total book boyfriend and I definitely fell in love with him right along with her. The added backstory of them knowing each other as teens was an interesting extra angsty layer at first.

I just overall could have done without some really random side tangents like the very beginning about how the FMC claims she was her high school It Girl- the way she self-describes she was absolutely the "all American" girl she was claiming NOT to be, it just did not make sense but luckily didn't come up again. Or like when her friends are calling her out for not showering and it was just such a long and unrealistic conversation. Just ignore those bits and this book is great.

Thank you to SMP for the eARC!

Perfect Fit is Clare Gilmore’s newest novel featuring a burnt-out career woman who discovers love in an unexpected place. This realistic story celebrates friendship, family love, and romantic love.
Josephine “Josie” Davis is a burnt-out career woman. She has built a fashion empire, Revenant, headquartered in downtown Austin. She is not happy when her biggest investor orders her to hire a consultant. She is shocked when the consultant is Will Grant, her ex-best friend’s twin brother. Although Josie and Will were never friends, they did share a kiss nine years ago. She remembers him as moody; he always thought of her as shallow. Josie hasn’t spoken to Will’s sister in years and has been so busy building her company that she hasn’t formed new relationships.
While Josie is attracted to Will, they have lots of obstacles on the road to romance. She’s married to her business and realizes that she will have to make many changes in order to have a real relationship. To complicate matters, they live seventeen hundred miles apart. There’s also family drama and old relationships to repair.
I really like stories which include strong, successful women who have their lives together. While Josie has a work/life imbalance, she’s not a hot mess. Will is the perfect male hero, and readers will fall in love with him. The writing is spectacular, and readers will absolutely love this realistic story. The behind-the-scenes look at the fashion and business worlds are a bonus. I highly recommend Perfect Fit.
I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I feel like if you're a girly with social anxiety brace yourself for how much you'll relate to Josephine in this book. Such a cutie love story. I found the banter pretty exceptional. Will is mega swoonworthy. I also love a girl with social anxiety who still succeeds professionally(relatable content). Another cutie Clare gilmore romance!

I really enjoyed this author's last novel and could not wait to dive into this one!

I loved watching Josie and Will reconnect as friends and fall in love. From literally running into each other (such a good meet cute) after a decade to working together and some forced proximity. There were so many heartwarming and meltworthy moments to choose a favorite. And y'all, Will is the most adorable nerdy cinnamon roll of an MMC I've read in a while. Oh my gosh. Their relationship was paced well throughout the story and for their history, and I loved how well they tackled the challenges being thrown at them in a way that didn't leave room for any grey area in their relationship, and that made me love them even more! I wanted a bit more in the epilogue (but that is my usual!) But otherwise this was one of my favorites for this year!! 🥰

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Clare Gilmore is the best at compiling the most beautiful love stories of characters who are just relatable, easy to fall in love with, and strong passionate businesswomen.

In her second novel, we travel to Austin, Texas and meet the most lovely clothing company and CEO and meet the best lineup of characters.

It is such a delight to read the most touching characters in Gilmore’s books and it is truly such a delight to read and travel to the world of words she’s created.

This is the most touching, relatable, loving story that will satisfy “Mastermind” fans.

I loved that this was romance heavy but not romance forward. I was invested in the plot and the characters and enjoyed what the romance added to the story! I’ve heard great things about Love Interest so I’ll be moving that further up my TBR asap!

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley (THANK YOU) and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Josephine Davis, CEO of a thriving fashion brand, has dedicated herself entirely to her company since its launch. When she unexpectedly crosses paths with Will Grant, a consultant hired to assist her company, her perspective shifts. The more they work together, the harder it becomes to deny their chemistry, until they realize they can no longer resist the pull between them.

Perfect Fit delivers delicious slow-burn tension with plenty of anticipation and want that had me hooked from the first chapter! Though it leans a bit toward insta-love, the shared history between Josie and Will adds depth, giving context to the intense pull between them. Will is so down bad—and I love it. Highly recommend for readers who crave a workplace romance with palpable chemistry.

Thank you Griffin for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. I went in blind and had never read a different book by the author before. I need to go and read everything else she’s published now!

This book was just wow. I loved the character dynamics. I love a friends to lovers trope. And I love that this book didn’t just focus on the relationship at hand. It included many different friendships, professional relationships, family relationships. I loved the way the main character was growing through out the book. I loved the way the main character had so much depth to her. She was relatable and real.

I loved the relationship between Will and Josie. I love that they had history together. I love that they met again and not in a normal way. I just loved everything about them. I love their professional relationship as well. Will is such an amazing book boyfriend. I loved that I could feel the love between them.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for early access to an ARC of Perfect Fit in exchange for my honest opinion. Perfect Fit just published tomorrow, and I definitely recommend it!
Perfect Fit is a second chance romance for a young designer, Josie, who is the CEO of her own fashion brand. The title is so apt for her clothing and her romantic relationship. Josie started her company, Revenant, from her UT college dorm room, and it has grown to be a web presence. They are currently working through opening their first brick and mortar shop. Her college best friend Cami, who is about to get married to a local chef, is also involved in the company.
Josie is a workaholic who has been going nonstop for a long time. She has prioritized Revenant over almost everything else, to the point where she hasn’t dated since right after college. When a handsome friend from her high school past runs into her (literally - he rear ends her car with his bike), she tries to keep her focus on the company. But all work and no play isn’t necessarily what she wants or needs. In fact, what does Josie want?
I liked how the book realistically showed Josie, at a crossroads in her life due to work and friends. I was really into the beginning but then it dragged for a bit in the middle, or maybe that was on me for having too much else going on while reading it.
Austin, TX, is one of my favorite places - I’ve been there many times and traveled with different partners to enjoy the food, beer, culture, and ambiance. I loved that this book was set in Austin! This book includes a fall trip to NYC, which is funny because that’s what I did last weekend and where I read the majority of the book. The book also contains a bachelorette trip to Nashville, the MC’s hometown, which read as quintessentially Nashville. Now I need to go back and read the author’s previous release, Love Interest, which somehow wasn’t on my radar.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

I enjoyed the story, it was addicting and just simple to get lost in. I did not like most of the characters for whatever reason, but it didn't take away from the story .

Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore is a total page-turner. It's got everything you could want in a romantic comedy: a strong female lead, a swoon-worthy love interest, and plenty of witty banter.

Josie, a successful fashion designer, is a bit of a workaholic. When her high school crush, Will, becomes her new business consultant, things get complicated (in the best way possible).

Gilmore's writing is fresh and funny. She captures the ups and downs of modern relationships perfectly.

If you're looking for a fun and flirty read, Perfect Fit is the perfect choice.

3.5 stars

I enjoyed my time with this but it wasn't an omg I need to pick up this and read more book for me. Will is a fantastic book boyfriend and if all men could communicate and understand/help the way he does people would be fighting over them lol. Josie was a sweet character, and it was easy to identify with her. What I'm not a huge fan of it an open ending. Like I wanna know what Josie's answer was to the last question and what happened to the brand?

Clare Gilmore has truly delivered another delightful romance with Perfect Fit! I loved the chemistry between Josie and Will; their banter was so entertaining and kept me hooked. Will is definitely the kind of book boyfriend we all dream of, treating Josie with such care from the start. The side characters added so much depth to the story, making it even more enjoyable. I can't recommend this book enough, and I'm eagerly looking forward to what Clare Gilmore has in store next!

This is just such an *adult* love story. And, no, I don't mean spicy or steamy (though it isn't entirely close door). I mean this is a story that feels real to the adult experience of falling in love despite what you think you deserve and what else you have going against you.

Josie is the CEO of the clothing company she created, Revenant, when her ex-best friend's brother runs into her car. That brother, Will Grant, is an important story in her own reinvention. A drunken make out on the beach in high school led to the dissolution of her friendship and her crashing and burning with the student body.

Will's grown up now though, just like Josie. He agrees to work as a consultant with her company, but he ultimately becomes her guide in making sure that she's selfish in getting both what she needs and what she wants. Will is down bad for her, but in a way that, again, feels very grown up. He can see what she won't admit, she's burnt out and needing to slow down or step away.

Gilmore does a great job of capturing that burn out, how it feels to attach your worth to your professional accomplishments, and what it means if something doesn't work out. The communication she models between Josie and Will feels real, the "drama" of the third act isn't manufactured. Heck, it isn't even drama.

* Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! *

Clare Gilmore's Perfect Fit is a contemporary romance that pulls readers into the fast-paced, high-stakes world of Josephine Davis, a fiercely ambitious CEO who has poured her heart into building her Austin-based fashion brand, Revenant. But when her primary investor insists on bringing in a consultant to steer the company's future, Josie is blindsided to find herself working alongside Will Grant, the twin brother of her former best friend and the last person she thought she'd cross paths with again.

Gilmore crafts a story that’s not just about rekindling old connections but about the journey of reconciling past misconceptions and finding unexpected companionship. Josie and Will's dynamic is colored by their complicated history, having shared a brief, impulsive kiss years ago that has lingered in their memories for different reasons. Will, initially aloof and skeptical of Josie's choices, comes to see the fierce, driven woman behind the designer suits. Josie, once quick to write him off as dark and brooding, starts to discover layers to Will that she never expected. This nuanced evolution in their relationship is one of the book's highlights, making their transition from uneasy colleagues to something more feel natural and deeply satisfying.

Readers will find themselves drawn to Josie’s personal growth as she faces the limits of her independence and questions whether her success is worth the emotional cost of being alone. Will's presence disrupts her carefully managed life, prompting her to reconsider what she really wants — not only for her brand but for herself. With the added tension of their complicated past and the physical distance separating them, the stakes feel both real and relatable.

In Perfect Fit, Gilmore provides a fresh take on the classic romance trope of opposites attracting, balancing humor, chemistry, and emotional depth. Fans of character-driven romance will appreciate how well Gilmore captures the vulnerability and resilience needed to pursue both career dreams and love. With a mix of wit and heartfelt moments, Perfect Fit is an engaging story about finding someone who sees the real you — and choosing to let them in.

This is a cute book. I loved that there was no third act break up, the characters handled the ending conflict maturely and with a discussion. That was so refreshing! I also loved the twin sister when we finally met her and that this drama from high school did not follow them 10 years later! Definitely pick up if you are looking for a childhood friends to lovers where everyone is mature and acts their age!

Last year I read and loved Clare’s debut novel Love Interest. So of course I was so excited to get my hands on this book.

Josie is the founder and CEO of a clothing brand named Revenant. She is a perfectionist that lives and breathes her work. One morning on the way to work, a literal run in flipped her life upside down. Will, her teenage ex best friend’s twin brother, ran his bike into her car. This stirred up a lot of not so great feelings of her senior year of high school.

Just like her first novel, this book was more than just a romance. We get Josie’s friendships, family relationships, work experiences as well as her reconciliation with Will. She expertly weaves the present along with the past to slowly give us their backstory and what led to their fall out. We get the inner struggle of Josie not knowing how to balance her personal and work life. Even though she is magnetically drawn to Will, she does everything she can to fight their relationship.

While I really liked this story, the amount of specific work related aspects kind of lost me. I can understand why, to an extent, Josie made the choices she did throughout this book, however there were parts that were more drawn out than they needed to be.

Read if you like:
✨Workplace Romance
✨Second Chance
✨Close friendships