This is a sweet one! I really enjoyed this book. Josie is a likeable character who has worked hard to build her own fashion brand, but it seems that burnout is looming. She has to figure out how to juggle work, friendships, and a potential love interest. It's a heartfelt second-chance rom-com with a side of awesome friendships.

i love clare’s characters and their relationships, platonic and romantic. they are so rich and full of life. her settings and descriptions are utterly vibrant. the plot / storyline is a little far fetched, but hey, that’s what makes it a fiction. i didn’t vibe with the last 25% of the book / the ending, but i won’t let that detract from how much i loved the rest of the book.

Josie and Will (the twin brother of Josie’s best friend) shared a kiss one night in high school, now 10 years later they run into each other again and the sparks fly while trying to navigate their working worlds. I loved that they got together quickly, no delayed will they/won’t they and they had such good communication. I also enjoyed that Josie {for the most part} had her life together and wasn’t a stereotypical romcom heroine that’s life is falling apart.

This was a fun and sweet 2nd chance romance! Both characters were really cute and well-developed. They had good banter and tension and the setting was really fun! I liked the flashbacks and think they really added to the romance.

I've heard of the miscommunication trope, but what I love about Perfect Fit is that it seems to embrace the ... communication trope? I loved watching these characters face challenges while refusing to let their worst impulses win out. This was exactly the book I needed in this moment.

Rom coms coupled with second chances are some of my favorite reads. Throw in Austin, Texas, a female CEO and that cover and I was excited to dive in.

Will is worthy of being a book boyfriend. He is dreamy as he works hard to have Josie’s company thrive while also supporting her at every turn. Josie was a little annoying at times but I loved her ambition and drive. And the two together were a couple worth rooting for.

Their connection and chemistry was off the charts. That work trip. 🥰

The representation of their relationship felt so real. Their vulnerabilities showcased the risk involved. But it was balanced with humor.

It hit everything I look for in a rom com.

Not a bad read but Josie was very uncomfortable as a character. Such a strange attitude and the whole ICOML thing is something a tween would do, not an almost 30 year old woman. In fact despite owning a business she mostly acts like a tweenager throughout the book. This book also has another thing I find which is a young man suddenly calling the main character “sweetheart” constantly in nearly every interaction. They go from old friends to uncomfortable crush to a twenty something year old man speaking like an old grandfather and I don’t find it endearing. It always comes off as odd and not realistic to me. Josie wasn’t nice to any of her friends either which was not comfortable to read about. She was constantly judging people and is more vain than she thinks. Never mind the fact that she thinks it’s ok to use the company social media accounts to get dms from her crush that are not work appropriate. These are not ceo behaviors Josie.

Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore is a beautifully crafted romance that intertwines emotional depth, personal growth, and sizzling chemistry. What sets it apart is its unique exploration of ambition, reconciliation, and the complexities of love, making it a standout in the romance genre.
Josephine Davis is a relatable character, a driven, overworked CEO who has poured her life into building Revenant, a thriving fashion brand. When the arrival of Will Grant—a consultant and the twin brother of her estranged ex-best friend—forces her to confront her professional challenges and personal history, sparks fly in unexpected and captivating ways. The narrative skillfully balances Josie's struggles with burnout and her journey toward rediscovering her capacity for love.
Will and Josie's dynamic is fiery and tender, filled with witty banter, unspoken tension, and poignant moments of vulnerability. Their history—marked by misunderstandings and one fateful kiss—complicates their evolving relationship. The story delicately navigates their resentment, growing attraction, and the weight of unresolved past relationships.
The setting, from the vibrant energy of Austin to the allure of Josie's fashion world, enriches the narrative, creating a backdrop that feels both immersive and authentic. It's as if you can feel the pulse of the city and the glamour of the fashion industry. The stakes feel natural, not just in the romance but in Josie's journey of self-discovery and healing.
Clare Gilmore's writing shines with humour, heart, and relatable character development. The resolution is deeply satisfying, leaving readers with a perfect balance of warmth and hope. Perfect Fit is a standout romance that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to balance ambition and love.

I think all of my hardworking girlies will love this/resonate with this. I was annoyed by two small things: 1. that a small miscommunication in HS had such a large effect on her life and 2. how easily the Will sub-plot was resolved. However, this was a fun ride that gave me a lot to think about. I can't wait to read Clare Gilmore's other books!

I have mixed feelings about this book because while there were parts I loved there were also parts that dragged along and I didn’t enjoy. It felt too unbelievable at times like Will leaving a city he loved and uprooting his life. Or Josie leaving her company.

I liked both Josie and Will’s characters, but overall the book fell flat for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Clare Gilmore has quickly become a romance author whose next book I really anticipate. I loved her previous novel, and loved this one just as much. She shakes up the workplace romance with interesting settings, and I was especially interested in Josie's job in the fashion world. I absolutely loved Will and Josie; both watching them fall in love and learning their backstory. I have been highly recommending this one.

I’m a sucker for a second chance romance and this book was no exception - I loved Josie and Will so so much!

❤️ I am absolutely in love with this book! It is heartwarming, charming and built around the sweetest romance ever. I love how well Josephine and Will fit together from the beginning to the end. They are so completely different - Josie is a workaholic who struggles with so many anxieties. However, I was swooning Will and how he managed to understand her so well. There is some spice built into the book, which I feel it is just the right amount especially for these two characters. It all works simply due to balancing one another out. Absolute must read!! ❤️

This rom-com was a complete breath of fresh air!! It literally starts with one MC on a bike running into the other MC (driving her car) and denting her bumper. The chemistry is immediate and palpable. Their friendship-turned attraction was hot and unmistakeable. Solid read that I didn’t put down once!

I thought this book was cute. I enjoyed the characters and their banter. I thought that the fact that they knew each other as kids, but grew up and met again was fun. I loved that she was a strong young business woman chasing her dreams - and that he only wanted her to continue to thrive. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and change. I liked all the side characters too. I found myself smiling and laughing many times. I found that the romance dragged on a little too long, that Josie was too indecisive about what she wanted through most of the book. But overall, a fun and enjoyable read.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copies.

I really liked this one! I loved the chemistry between Josie and Will and the commitment to each other even though they lived across the country from each other. The garlic fest was such a fun cute addition! I love little unique things in books like this. My only thing is I wish they had more scenes with Josie and the best friend (Wills sister.) It felt like the conflict resolution was very “he said this, she said this.” Overall though, I loved this!! I’m 2/2 with this author!

I have been awake for days because I couldn’t put this book down. So excuse me while I give a sleep-deprived review of this book…that I loved!

What didn’t work for me

One POV: This was my same critique with Love Interest and it really is just being nit-picky, but I would have loved to have gotten a bit more of Will’s POV to understand why he was saying the things he was saying and why he was coming on a little strong. I feel like we would have got more Zoe and more of his family too, which would have been enjoyable.

What I liked

Everything else: I say everything else because I liked it so much. The characters are nicely developed and believable and have realistic problems and fights. I loved her best friend and chef fiancé, her cycling friends and even the parts of the business that we were exposed to seemed real. Will is swoon-worthy (seriously, I gushed at a few of the things he said), and Josie seemed mature and grounded, which is something that is usually not the case for rom-com FMCs. Whether you’re into fashion or not truly doesn’t matter. This book is all about relationships—and it’s a good one!

4.5 STARS

??! why? just finished reading and i found that ending very frustrating (the last line that is - not the overall ending).

so, the second chance aspect of this didn’t entirely work for me, i feel like all that miscommunication could have been really easily resolved. and because josie and will didn’t actually have a relationship in the past it just didn’t feel like a second chance thing anyway, it all felt new. apart from that, i liked the characters in this book! the friendships were strong and i enjoyed josie and will’s romance - i’m a sucker for the hurt/comfort trope.

Clare Gilmore books are severely underrated!!! She’s so good at perfecting everyone’s favorite tropes and making them feel fresh and exciting!! Highly recommend!!

🎧📖 Audiobook Review: Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore 📖🎧

A massive thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ebook and RB Books via NetGalley for granting me access to the audiobook! I am head over heels for Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore, a rom-com that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Josephine Davis is the kind of overworked CEO we all root for, but watching her navigate the chaos of love, life, and work-life balance is what truly makes this story shine. Enter Will Grant, the moody, brooding consultant who also happens to be the twin brother of Josie’s ex-best friend (and the guy she once kissed on a whim back in high school). Their chemistry is undeniable, their banter is top-tier, and the slow-burn romance is chef’s kiss.

Through Josie and Will’s journey, Clare Gilmore masterfully explores themes of ambition, vulnerability, and the importance of slowing down to appreciate what really matters. The audiobook’s narration was exceptional, bringing Josie’s determination and Will’s quiet intensity to life in a way that had me hooked from start to finish.

This story has everything: a steamy romance, witty dialogue, laugh-out-loud moments, and a heartwarming reminder that sometimes the person you least expect can be your perfect fit. If you’re a fan of workplace romances or second-chance love stories, you need this book in your life!