Just Some Stupid Love Story

By Katelyn Doyle- debut

Publication 6-4-24, Read 5-30-24

Format: eBook and audiobook

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Audio for this ARC & ALC 🧡! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions are mine alone.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½

🏃🏾‍♀️Run Time: 10:31

🗣️Narrators: Christine Lakin & Tim Paige

The narrators voices fit the characters with standouts Molly, Seth, and Alyssa for pregnancy humor. Their voices were the most distinct, but I could easily tell the difference between all the characters. The reading style brought the story to life and the pacing flowed easily with the story. The narration and the author were in sync, and they fit together perfectly. The narrator paused and announced every time a new chapter came. The book had a table of contents which helped me follow along with the e-book and audio. My recommendation is to read the audiobook because you can adjust the speed, skip parts easily (if desired), and feel the characters' emotions more vividly.

The Plot: Molly Marks and Seth Rubinstein get drunk and have a one night stand at their high school reunion fifteen years after their breakup. They make a bet to meet in 5 years at their 20th reunion picking which five friend couples stay together.; proving that soulmates exists.

Molly (LA rom-com screenwriter who doesn't believe in love) + Seth (a divorce attorney in Chicago and hopeless romantic)

✔ Contemporary Romance
✔Adult/Women's Fic
✔ LGBTQIA+ rep
✔ 2nd chance romance
✔ 33 year old h & H
✔ OP drama
✔ 2 POVs H&h
✔ HEA


Thoughts:

- I loved how Molly and Seth communicated via email and text over the years.

- If I were one of the couples, I would feel a little offended, even though they were right. Marian and Marcus didn't date in high school for a reason, Alyssa and Ryland were the most solid. I felt the crack in Dezzie and Rob's marriage because have much in common. Gloria and Emily were sweet together, and Jon and Alastair couldn't last with Jon pining for their friend Kevin.

- Molly and Seth emotional wreck each other, Molly leaves Seth truly heartbroken because she doesn't care for Seth as much as he does for her.

- I was triggered by Molly and her father Roger's relationship. He was a true narcissist, serial cheater, and just hurt people. I was so glad Molly finally said her peace- once you do, you sleep better at night, trust me..

Trigger Warnings : Self-doubt & Insecurities, parental neglect/abandonment,

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle
Narrated by Christine Lakin; Tim Paige

Thank you so much Macmillan Audio, Flatiron Books, + NetGalley for the free audiobook. #MacAudio2024

Blurb:
A rom-com screenwriter who doesn’t believe in love and a divorce attorney who does, forced together at their high school reunion fifteen years after their break up.

✨My thoughts:
So happy this book is part of the summer reading challenge for BookSparks because I don’t know if I would have gotten to it so fast and that would have been a shame! This story does not disappoint. The audiobook does not disappoint! The banter is top tier and I love the spice. Yes, it’s a little spicy, yes, it’s witty and YES, you will feel all of the things. Molly and Seth are the perfect, relatable, and realistic lobsters! I’m going to need to get myself a finished copy when It’s out, to cherish and reread. I’m telling you, if you’re not crying, you’ll be swooning, making this the perfect read of the summer and you will not want to miss it! Just Some Stupid Love Story is out 6/4/24!

Happy reading 📖

Has:
⁃ second chance
⁃ Grumpy x sunshine
⁃ Spice
⁃ High school sweethearts

I absolutely loved this novel!

Molly Marks, a Hollywood rom-com writer, and Seth Rubinstein, a divorce attorney, find themselves reunited after fifteen years at their high school reunion.

With wit and charm, the author navigates their journey, blending humour with heartfelt moments. As Molly and Seth navigate their bet and their own feelings, readers are treated to a story that is both entertaining and touching, ultimately reminding us that love is anything but predictable.

This was a fantastic romance! Molly and Seth were absolutely perfect together. The only problem that they seemed to have was getting the timing right. Molly and Seth were high school sweethearts until she broke up with him and didn’t look back. They cross paths again at their 15-year high school reunion and discover they are still drawn to one another. I had a great time watching Molly and Seth find their way to a happily ever after.

I loved the characters in this book. Molly doesn’t really believe in love even though she works as a rom-com screenwriter. Her parents’ divorce was terrible and has left her with a tainted view of love (and divorce lawyers). Seth wants nothing more than to find his one true love. He jumps from one relationship to the next hoping to find the person he can spend his life with despite working as a divorce lawyer. When the pair spend time together, it is obvious that they are meant to be.

I thought that Christine Lakin and Tim Paige did a great job with the story’s narration. They added just the right amount of emotion to their reading to bring the characters to life. I thought they did a great job with the various characters’ voices and believe that their voices complimented each other’s nicely. I am certain that their performances only added to my enjoyment of this delightful romance.

I would recommend this book to others. Molly and Seth were great characters and I felt they both grew as characters throughout this novel. The thread of humor worked into the story was a nice touch that added a lot to the story. I was seriously impressed by this debut novel and can’t wait to read more of this author’s work in the future.

I received a review copy of this book from Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books.

I was so invested in the relationships of all the side characters. I felt like I needed to grab some popcorn!

I thought the reunion bet was a really great way to set up the story, and I enjoyed that it popped in and out of the two characters’ lives over five years rather than starting at the end and showing us flashbacks. This book is second chance with a twist (or third or fourth chance?)
This was a really engaging audiobook, and I was sucked right into the story. Some of the pacing/transitions were a bit jarring but overall this was a really fun listen!

I’ve never been to a school reunion, but this made me want to go just to see who’s still together!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts are my own.

This was everything I was hoping it would be. It's funny and filled with joy. Reminded me a little bit of Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez.

If you love a man down bad, this book is for you! Seth was a great male lead. I really liked his character and thought he was written really well. His yearning to be loved with certainly resonate with a lot of readers. I also really liked Molly. She was tough on the outside but a marshmallow on the inside. Molly & Seth really complimented each other and made reading this book feel like it happened in the blink of an eye. The right person, wrong time trope was done extremely well too. My heart was ripped from its chest and I waited on bated breath for them to reconnect. I think the story was well written and will capture a lot of hearts.

The audiobook was enjoyable too! I really liked the narrator.

The premise of this one had me hitting request on an advance copy right away, but ultimately this one just did not live up to the potential. Here are some random thoughts (but please check out other reviews because there are some that loved this one):
** I loved the idea of a rom-com writer who was a soulmate doubter but a divorce attorney who was all in on love - such a cute premise!
** I thought that development of each of their backstories was well done, but that it just didn't quite translate into building romantic tension in current day
** I think the author wanted to write steam, but just needs to work on it. The build up of tension was not great, and the MMC use of crude language just felt awkward to me and did not add to the tension at all.
** The secondary storylines and characters were underdeveloped, and again did not add to the overall plot.
** I did like the use of class reunions as a way to gauge time and relationship developments over time.

Since this is a debut, I would check out more from this author because I do think there was a lot of potential in this one. I just didn't think this one quite hit the nail on the head.

The first three-quarters-or-so of this book was great. Witty, quick, interesting, engaging...
I feel like you could find a good argument for forgiving the first one or two times someone does something, but when it gets to be more than that it makes the person doing the forgiving/forgetting look like an idiot. And pathetic. And by the end of this book that I originally enjoyed very much, I felt that Molly (how many times was it necessary to say "Molls" in this book? Could that have just been her name??) was an inconsiderate, selfish child who was lucky to be forgiven so many times by Seth, the desperate guy who tries too hard, forgives unconditionally (this guy needs a back bone and some self-respect), and tries to jump into marriages because he doesn't have the awareness to realize that he's jumping into relationships just so he can have a family and not because the woman is a good fit for him. It was well-written though.

Thank You to FlatIron and Netgalley for my audio copy. Another entertaining, hilarious enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract romance—my auto-approved tropes that I dive into without a second thought. The smart banter, high chemistry, and intriguing dating concept form the perfect recipe for my rom-com addict membrane! The only thing that kept me from providing a 5 is that it seemed to drag on a little.

When I first started listening to this book, I thought there was no way I was going to like this over the top, nice guy that was Seth Rubinstein. When he was at the reunion and all of the little jokes and phrases he was making… omg. I was literally rolling my eyes. This man was my honest to god worst nightmare. However, I am glad that I kept going because he wasn’t as “mr go-lucky” as he pretended to be.

This book and I definitely had a love hate relationship. There were so many parts that made me smile but just as many that had me wanting to rip out my AirPods. I felt like Molly was a bit mellow dramatic and her mood swings relating to Seth have me serious whiplash. I did love her friendships and her friends. I also loved the idea of betting on which of their friends would stay in their current relationships for the next five years. Was that a little dark and pessimistic? Absolutely. That however, is just what I like 🤣

I do think my issues with the book were “me problems” because right off the bat I knew the MMC was not my type.

The narration on the other hand, was amazing. Tim Paige was the perfect choice for Seth and I also really enjoyed Christine Lakin. They kept me going even when I had my doubts.

Overall ⭐️⭐️.5
Romance 🩷🩷🩷
Spice 🌶️🌶️

I wanted to love this one. I loved the idea of it. Some parts I did enjoy like their banter but I didn’t love the MMC🫣 Seth really bothered me. When I read a romance I want to feel swept away by the MMC. He didn’t give me any feels. I wasn’t a huge fan of the male narrator. Maybe that did play a part why I wasn’t a fan of Seth 🤷🏼‍♀️
It took me a bit to warm up to Molly but I did end up enjoying her character development. This was a quick listen and I would definitely read this authors next book.

Read if you enjoy:
▫️second chance romance
▫️dual POV
▫️opposites attract
▫️slow burn
▫️dual timeline
▫️banter

I really enjoyed the push/pull tension of this will they, won't they romance. As we follow Molly and Seth's relationship told from both sides, we get insights into each person's relationship with the other, why they're concerned, why they want to be together, why they don't. It's funny, sweet and endearing.

Molly attends her 15 year high school reunion, running into her ex, Seth. She hasn’t seen or spoken to him since she ghosted him all those years ago. They catch up, learning Molly is a romance author and Seth is a divorce lawyer. They get drunk, hookup, and argue about who between the two is a better expert in love based on their occupations. The bet is for bragging rights and the game is: who can predict where five couples will be by the next reunion. On the list, one prediction is that Seth and Molly will fall back in love.

This was a cute debut! I liked the plot and thought the bet was a fun, new twist I don’t get to read often. Listening to this one was hard at first, but I found my groove. I found the FMC to be a bit annoying at times. I also thought it was odd how often Seth and Molly ran into each other after not seeing the other person in 15 years. Also there is a smut scene or two and whewwww it caught me off guard listening to that 😅

𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙘𝙤𝙢 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥. 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙯𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨.

Molly has a jaded relationship with love due to her father’s actions toward her mother when she was young. Seth, her high school boyfriend, is a hopeless romantic, who was absolutely devastated when she broke up with him on the last day of school. Cut to their 15 year HS reunion, they meet again, they hook up, and then they make a wager predicting the fates of five couple’s relationships over the next 5 years.

When I started up this book, I found myself laughing out loud so much. Molly is so sarcastic and jaded. I loved her. I saw a lot myself in her, and the banter she could get up to with Seth was right up my alley.

Seth is the epitome of a cinnamon roll MMC. He is dying to find his soul mate, but no one will ever live up to Molly.

The story takes place over a few years, with missed connections, a lot of growth on both their parts, and Covid. I actually enjoyed how the Covid years impacted the story, without being overwhelming, and just feeling “real”.

I had a great time with these characters, and even though it dealt with some heavy, true-to-life topics, I still had such a great time reading it.

Audiobook notes: I always enjoy Tim Paige’s narration, and that was just as true here. Christine Lakin was a new-to-me narrator, but I thought she did a fabulous job. Definitely recommend the audio of this one.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for providing me an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What this book is giving:
✅ Romantic comedy
✅ Dual POV
✅ Second Chance
✅ High School Sweethearts
✅ Romcom Screenwriter/ Love Skeptic FMC
✅ Divorce Attorney/ Hopeless Romantic
✅ Wager

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5

This book is a delightfully witty and heartwarming rom-com that perfectly captures the essence of true love, skepticism, and second chance love.

Molly Marks, a Hollywood screenwriter disillusioned by the romance industry, and Seth Rubinstein, a divorce attorney with an unwavering belief in soulmates, make for an irresistible pair in this engaging tale. Fun fact Molly hates divorce attorneys, but will that stop her from falling for Seth?

We were given a narrative that is both hilarious and deeply touching. The chemistry between Molly and Seth is electric, and their dynamic is enriched by their contrasting views on love. The setup—a bet over predicting the fate of couples, including themselves—adds a clever and entertaining twist that kept me glued to my earbuds.

The dialogue is sharp and filled with humor, making the characters' interactions both relatable and laugh-out-loud funny. Molly's cynicism and Seth's optimism create a perfect balance, and their journey from old heartbreak to potential rekindling is crafted with both sensitivity and charm. The backdrop of their high school reunion and the five-year timeline for the bet adds a sense of urgency and excitement to the plot. Molly has a smart mouth on her & Seth takes it like a champ!

The emotional depth and development of the characters are handled beautifully, allowing us readers to invest in their growth and rooting for their happy ending. The romantic tension is palpable, and the eventual resolution is satisfying and heartfelt.

This audiobook is for anyone who enjoys a story brimming with humor, romance, and the belief in second chances. The narrators did an outstanding job putting their emotions behind each character. It's a five-star gem that will leave you laughing, swooning, and believing in the magic of love.

I am so sorry but I did not enjoy this book. The MMC was insufferable and annoying. The FMC had so much anxiety which, same, but she made me want to scream. Lack of communication was obviously intentional but UGH. it was irritating.

I know others will love this book, it just wasn’t for me.

Molly Marks is attending her high school reunion, not by choice, but only because her friends convinced her that was the only way to see them. However, she doesn't want to be social, and much less, sit next to her high school sweetheart, Seth Rubenstein. The same high school sweetheart whose heart she broke without warning at the end of their senior year... but here she is having to do both of those things. So while she enjoys herself a bit too much her career of writing rom-coms comes up, and Seth calls her out on her satirical view of love. So after a bet on the couples that will still be together in the future, Molly and Seth begin to solidify their own "love story".

This was a very cute Rom-Com read, and I feel like it is perfect timing, for a good summer book. The dynamic between Molly and Seth is comical and touching. There is a bit of spicy, but certainly on the light-side of "graphic". I also appreciated the audio production of this novel. Both narrators were enjoyable, and had clear easy to listen voices and acting.

Just Some Stupid Romance" is a light and breezy read that offers a classic enemies-to-lovers story with a modern twist. The banter between Molly and Seth is entertaining, and the situations they find themselves in provide some laughs.

However, the plot relies heavily on well-worn rom-com tropes, which may feel predictable for some readers. The characters, while likeable, don't stray too far from the established archetypes of the cynical heroine and the optimistic hero.

Overall, this is a perfectly enjoyable read for anyone looking for a lighthearted escape with a touch of romance. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook arc!

I mean it was pretty cute.

Is it just me, or is it a little weird that people keep planning highschool reunions every five years? Maybe thats a me thing because I grew up in a small town, and went to a highschool that was a group of small towns together, but I can't say I'd need to see those folks every five years. Maybe thats the introvert in me.

Also Seth was an actual golden retriever, which was fine, but I think the narrator took me out of the story a few times because it was a little too golden retriever-y.

I think part of my issue with this book is that for both Molly & Seth, both characters had the potential to go a little deeper, but the emotional part of it kinda stayed in highschool. I wanted some more depth, and I think that would have made this better.

In the end, this is a fun and flirty beach read, but I wanted some more chew.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and Flatiron for an early copy.

After reading the blurb, I was so excited to read this book. I love a good rom-com, especially if it's a second chance romance. The cover is fun and inviting, so I figured I would have a blast with this one. Unfortunately, I did not.

Molly and Seth dated in high school and sadly, Molly broke Seth's heart. They reconnect at their 15-year high school reunion and hook up. Then they make a bet on which couples will still be together 5 years down the line. Molly, being a romance writer, knows about relationships, but so does Seth, with him being a divorce attorney. Ironically, however, Molly does not believe in the happy ending, while Seth wants nothing more than to find his happy ending. I thought this would have been interesting considering their occupations and beliefs.

I usually like a grumpy/ sunshine trope however this book did not do it for me. It's grumpy/ sunshine gone wrong. Although I like the idea of the reversed roles, with Molly being the grump and Seth being the sunshine, I felt like each their characteristics were pushed a little too far, causing both characters to be annoying. Molly was insufferable and I did not like how she treated Seth. She was mean to him, she kept breaking his heart, and she held his career choice against him. They haven't seen each other for 15 years and when she does see him, she makes him feel terrible for being a divorce attorney because he knew her parents were divorced. Her character was very unlikable and did not grow the way one would have expected her to by the end. Seth, on the other hand, was way too sunshine to the point it gave airhead. It didn't help that I had a difficult time connecting with the narrator.

I didn't feel Molly and Seth were good for each other. It felt very toxic, and the romance felt lacking. It was more of random hookups throughout the years as opposed to a second chance romance.

Thank you NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Katelyn Doyle for this book!