Perfect Fit by Claire Gilmore is a delightful rom-com that balances humour, emotional depth, and chemistry in all the right ways. Josie is the kind of protagonist you root for—ambitious, flawed, and just vulnerable enough to feel real. Her journey from burnout-driven CEO to someone who’s willing to reconsider what “success” really looks like is relatable and refreshing.

The dynamic between Josie and Will is filled with tension, especially given their complicated history and mutual misjudgments. Their banter is smart and funny, but it’s the emotional layers that sneak up on you—particularly as they navigate the messy intersections of family, forgiveness, and timing.

I especially appreciated how Gilmore tackles themes like burnout, ambition, and the pressure to “have it all” without sacrificing the rom-com charm. The story is modern but grounded, with just enough emotional grit to give it staying power.

One star off only because a few plot threads—like the unresolved tension with Will’s sister—could’ve used a bit more depth. But overall, this is a smart, feel-good love story.

Two words: Will Grant. LOVED this book. Clare Gilmore can do no wrong! Not only does it have work place romance but I loved that it also included female friendships, moving forward and growing!

I received this ARC, and liked this second sort or missed change romance. "You are the end of everything for me." ... Two lovely characters run into each other literally years after a 'previous life'. He somehow convinces her to hire a consultant, and Will slowly gets back into Josephine's good graces.
"Don't think you could ever know how badly I ache for you. The way you feel to me is like as inevitable rightness."
4 stars

This book was so good! I read this authors first book and I liked it, but seeing her grow as a writer was fun! I am definitely going to be a reading anything she writes from now on.

(3.5, rounded up to 4)

Claire Gilmore's "Perfect Fit" is a delightful exploration of love, ambition, and second chances, set against the backdrop of the fast-paced fashion industry. The novel shines through its well-drawn characters, particularly Josephine Davis, a driven CEO navigating the challenges of running her own brand while grappling with burnout. Opposite her is Will Grant, a thoughtful and grounded consultant with a shared history that adds depth to their dynamic. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their gradual connection feels authentic and rewarding.

The plot balances romance and personal growth, weaving in themes of work-life balance and the courage to prioritize happiness over hustle. While the story leans on familiar tropes, such as second-chance romance and opposites attracting, Gilmore’s execution breathes fresh life into these elements. The professional tension between Josie and Will adds a layer of complexity, and the inclusion of Josie’s past friendships and unresolved conflicts enriches the narrative.

In terms of enjoyment, Perfect Fit delivers a heartwarming and engaging read. The humor and emotional moments are well-paced, making it easy to root for the protagonists as they navigate their personal and professional lives. While the story could benefit from a bit more unpredictability, it remains a satisfying and charming romance that leaves readers with a smile. A solid read for fans of contemporary romance with a touch of depth.

What an absolutely pleasant surprise (I’m pretty sure I said the same about Love Interest). I loved Perfect Fit - Will Grant is what book boyfriends are made of.
I laughed and cried throughout this entire book - mostly lighthearted but definitely some serious moments too.

This was a fun and light hearted read, I really enjoyed. It was refreshing to see some of today's culture mixed into the story. This was an easy, fun read!

After really enjoying Love Interest by Clare Gilmore, I absolutely loved this book! The author’s snarky and sarcastic style made for a very enjoyable read. I was invested from the very first page.

Josie and Will have such a warm and fuzzy love story. Despite their past and reasons they shouldn't be together, I love that they got their HEA. The slow burn and pining had me flipping pages so fast! I love a good book with self development and growth so this book hit that nail on the head too. Will is the perfect cinnamon roll MMC and Josie is interesting and passionate about the things in her life. This is one I will definitely be recommending to romance book lovers!

I didn't love this quite as much as Love Interest, but i'm excited to see what Clare Gilmore writes next! I love her characters and Perfect Fit is a fun read. Will Grant, oh my.

Relatable characters, a fun story, humor , and romance- for me, Perfect Fit was a perfect fit. Loved this one!

Thank you Clare Gilmore, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Josie has spent her twenties building her own fashion brand, Revenant, but when her biggest investor orders her to hire a consultant, she never imagines she’ll be reunited with her ex-best friend’s brother. Will and Josie shared one ill-advised kiss during senior year spring break, but they’ve never been friends. She thought he was moody, he thought she was shallow. In Will’s new role though, he’s going above and beyond to be there for Josie. While they both quickly realize they can’t stop thinking about each other, they’ll have 1700 miles, Will’s sister, and Josie’s company to contend with. Can a CEO really slow down enough to fall in love? This one started off really strong for me and fell off a bit somewhere around halfway!

The good: I LOOOVED the Austin setting, really liked the female CEO aspect and seeing her internal struggle with putting so much of herself into her business and how that could affect other areas of her life (felt very genuine), and also really loved the friendships in this book! Oh and her intern was a very important side character for me personally.

The less good: the chemistry was a bit weak to me? Like at the beginning the author was so nailing the banter between Josie and Will and I was so here for the enemies to lovers but it so quickly flipped to Will wanting to do everything to prove himself to her that it felt insta-lovey to me. The push-pull at the end of the book felt a little bit like we were forcing conflict when there wasn’t any.

Still overall enjoyed!

3.5⭐️

4/5
this was such a fun, lighthearted read! as a fashion major, i loved the setting and all the modern references—it definitely made the story more relatable and exciting. the characters were super likable, and their connection was adorable.
there were a few scenes that felt like they dragged on a bit longer than needed, but it wasn’t enough to take away from the overall fun of the book. definitely needed as a easygoing and sweet palate cleanser!

Every once in awhile you encounter a book that’s just so beautifully crafted, where you feel like the characters are long lost friends of yours and it’s a privilege to see your friends grow from afar. Josephine and Will were THAT couple, they had such a strong relationship that I was constantly rooting for, and every side character had a purpose and felt integral to the story/growth of the two of them. I loved seeing how Josephine grew in her friendships, her business, herself! Clare Gilmore just did the dang thing with this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the digital copy of this book!

Me plus this novel equaled the perfect fit! I really, really enjoyed it! This was the first book that I’ve read by Clare Gilmore.

I thought the development (including flashbacks) of Josie and Will’s relationship was so satisfying. My biggest enjoyment in a romance novel is when the main characters communicate— even if the communication results in tension or something to overcome. This book nailed that for me. I enjoyed the side characters and the backstories. I thought everyone had great character growth and I was happy at the conclusion of reading. I look forward to reading more from this author! I also want to shop at Revenant!

This was such a sweet romance! I wouldn't really call it a rom-com, because I don't feel like it had the requisite funny/quirky elements, but it was a great modern romance. I loved the relationship between Will and Josie, but it was also a great depiction of female friendships and the strengths and challenges inherent in them. I also thought it was a great depiction of the challenges of work-life balance, not just in time spent but also in personal identity and purpose. I would recommend this one!

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you're in the mood for a rom-com that will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even think a little about your own work-life balance, the you will definitely want to pick this one up.

Josephine Davis has the kind of life that most people envy—she's the CEO of a successful fashion brand, Revenant, living the hustle-and-grind dream in downtown Austin. But when her investor forces her to hire a consultant, she gets a blast from the past in the form of Will Grant, the twin brother of her estranged ex-best friend. It’s clear from the get-go that Will is the last person Josie expects to find herself working with, let alone falling for, especially after sharing one awkward kiss during spring break nine years ago.

What follows is a deliciously messy and heartfelt journey of two people who are the least likely to be a match, but who just might be exactly what the other needs. The chemistry between Will and Josie is electric and full of banter that had me smiling and cringing at all the right moments. But beneath the witty exchanges and physical tension, there’s a deeper, more meaningful connection brewing. Will challenges Josie’s views on productivity, burnout, and her own self-worth, while Josie shows Will that life doesn’t always have to be lived in black and white.

The book is filled with humor, heart, and all the things I expect in a rom-com, but it doesn’t shy away from exploring the tough stuff—like the pull between career success and personal happiness, the importance of slowing down, and navigating the complexities of family dynamics. As Josie faces the reality of either staying alone in her fast-paced, work-obsessed life or slowing down to embrace love, I remained captivated till the end, wondering which choice she’ll make.

If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining read that leaves you feeling warm and a little reflective, this book is definitely the perfect fit.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and St Martin's Press and am voluntarily leaving my review.

The way this book stole my heart, the story, the characters, everything about it. I feel that I relate to Josie a little too much and maybe thats why this had such an impact on me, but either way WOW 1000/10

I was drawn to the premise of this story but struggled to get into it and feel invested in the characters. Something about the writing hit as more tell than show, and didn’t totally work for me.

This book was just alright. I liked Josie. Will was sweet and probably one of the more mature and emotionally aware male love interests I've read in a long time. The ending did annoy me--I can't figure out the point of leaving the open ended question.

Perfect Fit is a charming and heartfelt romance with a slow-burn office romance vibe that had me hooked. The chemistry between the characters felt authentic, and I loved the balance of flirty banter and emotional depth. Clare Gilmore does a great job bringing workplace tension and personal growth into the mix without it feeling heavy. It’s a perfect read for fans of contemporary romance who enjoy a well-paced story with relatable characters. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author!