Ex-high school sweethearts Seth and Molly are seated together at their high school reunion and it couldn’t be more obvious how different they have become over the past fifteen years. Seth is a divorce lawyer on the hunt to find his one true love. Molly writes screenplays for romantic comedies and thinks soulmates don’t exist. Still, there’s a spark between them. After too many drinks and a night in bed, Seth and Molly decide to put their contrasting stances to a test - they wager which of five couples from their high school class (including the two of them) will be in a relationship in five years’ time. Seth thinks they’re fated to be together. Molly thinks he is out of his mind. They have until the next reunion to find out who is right.

This novel is set over a five-year timespan - refreshing to see in the genre that seems to rush from meet-cute to marriage in a matter of months. You get time to become acquainted with Molly and Seth, both individually and as a couple. The book is told from each character’s point of view, alternating chapters as you go.

Molly is sarcastic, prickly, and over it all. She has a distinct “cool girl” vibe. She lives in LA and spends her days networking and working on her next screenplay - using her sardonic voice to subvert romance tropes and add depth to her stories. But she’s flighty when it comes to romance, breaking things off before they have a chance to get too deep. To provide some insight on why she acts like this, you read about Molly growing up amidst a messy divorce and seeking approval from her self-centered father. You can see how she came to be cynical about love. I really liked how she starts to manage her anxiety over the course of the story. From recognizing and managing triggers, working with a therapist, using self-soothing techniques, reaching out to her support network… All of these things helped make Molly feel more real.

Seth was not as successful a protagonist for me as Molly was. In early chapters, Seth grated on my nerves with his overuse of parentheses, offering footnotes about everything from his opinion on a custom cocktail (“totally delish”) to his rationale for why he meditates every morning (“discipline is the essence of self-care”). His constant conflation of puppy love as “perfect” and “the real thing” was similarly irritating. I grant that it’s a challenge to have a male “sunshine” in the grumpy-sunshine trope. Maybe it felt disingenuous because I don’t often see men socialized as optimistic/hopeless romantic types as often as women are. Confident, self-assured? Certainly. But bubbly, life-of-the-party Elle Woods types? Not so much. While you do see Seth tone things down somewhere around the mid-point of the novel, it’s an uphill climb to build back enough goodwill to root for him. And where you get ample background about how Molly came to develop her outlook on love, you get fewer details about why Seth feels compelled to speed through every relationship he’s in and how he starts to course-correct. It’s harder to empathize with him.

That’s the tough thing about books with dual first-person perspectives, I find. The benefit of being inside a character’s mind is that you get to see the contrast between the person they portray themselves to be with the person they are at their core. You get to see the sunshine have doubts. You get to see the grump have hope. When you are privy to the internal workings of both sides of the romantic pairing, you lose a bit of the mystery. I think there’s a good chance I would have liked the book better if it was told solely from Molly’s point of view.

I feel fortunate to have received an advanced digital copy of both the e-book and the audiobook, and I think the story is equally as strong in either form. The two main characters are voiced by two actors: Christine Lakin and Tim Paige. Lakin did a great job portraying cool, sarcastic Molly. Paige was working with what he had from Seth’s chapters. I’ve heard him perform audiobooks before - my early dislike of Seth has nothing to do with Tim Paige’s acting ability. The audio flowed well and the pacing was nicely done. It probably is harder than listeners realize to coordinate multiple narrators to portray the same characters or speak in the same meter. There were no issues here.

By and large, I was not as solidly behind Seth as a character as I was for Molly, but I appreciated that the book took its time over a five-year span to build up to their reunion, and I truly enjoyed the mental health/family relationship aspects of Molly’s character. I think Katelyn Doyle has great potential as an author, and fans of Christina Lauren and Katherine Center will find a lot to like in her writing.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Katelyn Doyle, Macmillan Audio, and Flatiron Books for the e-ARCs in exchange for an honest review.**

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I listened to the audiobook, and unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. I found myself skipping a lot of it due to the excessive spice, language, and dirty talk. Listening to some parts had me feeling quite 😳. Normally, I don’t mind skipping over those parts if I love the actual story, but I didn’t connect with either of the main characters, and the chemistry just wasn’t there for me.

Author Katelyn Doyle has written a fun summer read. Is there such a thing as soulmates? This romcom enemies to lovers has it all. This sweet, spicy, romantic audiobook explores the tender love of youth, heartbreak, how love changes as we grow up, and the idea of fate.

I loved the journey of these two star-crossed lovers and found myself eager to listen to their love story every moment I could. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher Flatiron Books for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook and give my honest opinion. It was 4.5 stars for me, and I cannot wait to read more from this author!

First thing’s first: thank you Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
Just Some Stupid Love Story was about Seth, an a starry eyed and optimistic divorce lawyer, and Molly, a pessimistic and cold screenwriter of rom coms she doesn’t believe in. These two high school sweethearts meet back up again at their 15 year high school reunion and make bets about whether or not five of their classmates relationships will make it to their 20 year reunion. Seth bets Molly that they will be one of the couples who are together by then.
This book! I loved this book! It had absolutely everything I love in a really good rom com. The banter was Emily Henry/Lynn Painter level wonderful. The side characters were well thought out and well incorporated. The conflict was believable. The yearning and the pining was SO GOOD. I laughed, I cried a little, I felt for these characters. I am so excited to see what Katelyn Doyle writes next. This debut was TOP TIER.
5⭐️

"Just Some Stupid Love Story" by Katelyn Doyle is a delightful rom-com that seamlessly weaves humor, heart, and a touch of spice into an irresistible narrative. From the very first chapter, I found myself completely hooked, eagerly turning pages to discover what antics Molly Marks and Seth Rubinstein would get up to next.

Doyle introduces us to Molly, a Hollywood rom-com writer who cynically views romance as nothing more than a sham. Her one experience with love, a high school romance with Seth, ended in heartbreak when she ghosted him fifteen years ago. On the other hand, Seth, a successful divorce attorney, still believes in the grandeur of true love, despite his string of failed relationships. When fate reunites them at their high school reunion, sparks fly once again, leading to a drunken bet that sets the stage for a hilariously entertaining journey.

The banter between Molly and Seth is sharp and witty, infused with undeniable chemistry that leaps off the page. Their dynamic is both entertaining and endearing, as they navigate their complicated history and the bet that could change everything. Doyle's writing is fresh and engaging, effortlessly blending laugh-out-loud humor with moments of genuine emotion.

One of the highlights of the novel is Doyle's adept use of the rom-com trope, from the obligatory drunken hookup to the inevitable misunderstandings and miscommunications. However, she injects enough originality and depth into the story to keep it feeling fresh and compelling.

The supporting cast of characters adds depth and dimension to the story, from Molly's quirky friends to Seth's well-meaning but meddling family. Each character feels distinct and fully realized, contributing to the overall charm of the narrative.

I particularly appreciated Doyle's skillful balance of humor and heart. While the book is undeniably funny, with laugh-out-loud moments aplenty, it also explores deeper themes of love, forgiveness, and self-discovery. The journey of Molly and Seth as they confront their pasts and grapple with their feelings for each other is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

Overall, "Just Some Stupid Love Story" is a standout debut from Katelyn Doyle. It's a book that will leave you grinning from ear to ear one moment and reaching for the tissues the next. With its wickedly funny dialogue, irresistible romance, and well-crafted plot, this is a rom-com that deserves a spot on everyone's summer reading list. I eagerly await Doyle's next offering and have no hesitation in awarding this book a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars.

I gave author Katelyn Doyle a standing ovation at the end of this phenomenally executed debut. JUST SOME STUPID LOVE STORY is a hoot! It's laugh-out-loud funny with enough steam to require turning up the A/C. (One scene in particular stands out in a big way. Oh, my!)

I am a sucker for second chance romances, particularly when the characters are high school sweethearts, so it makes sense that I would love a story that involves third, fourth, and even fifth chances at finding love. I thoroughly enjoyed the juxtaposition of the Grumpy x Sunshine trope with the MMC being Mr. Sunshine and the FMC cast in the role of the perpetually dour non-believer in love. Their professions - his as a divorce attorney and hers as a rom-com screenwriter belie their convictions. Molly and Seth seem perfectly mismatched with him searching for his happy ever after and her actively avoiding relationships at all costs.

After breaking his heart in high school, Molly and Seth are reunited at their high school reunion. Many drinks and an ill advised one night stand later, they each try to prove the other's thoughts on the existence of soulmates wrong by placing a bet on the outcome of five relationships - with the fifth relationship being their own. Through the years there are connections missed and made, deep conversations, and some of intense flirting along with tears and heartbreak. Somehow Ms. Doyle manages to write all of this with a gentleness and humor.

This is an outstanding debut that will please fans of Emily Henry, Christina Lauren, and Abby Jimenez - high praise indeed! Narration of the audiobook is exceptional. I'm not sure how the narrators pulled off not laughing hysterically at some of the dialogue - It's just THAT funny! I believe Katelyn Doyle has a hit on her hands. You won't want to wait to get your hands on a copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Molly is a self-described class b*tch who doesn’t believe in love. While Seth is sunshiny and a hopeless romantic. I love that Molly is the grumpier one and owns it. Their relationship went on quite a journey. They had a brutal high school breakup. And reunite at the 15-year high school reunion, but things don’t immediately turn into sunshine. Things still took some time. It was at a very realistic pace. It did cover a time through COVID, which wasn’t to my liking but can be moved past. There were some funny times and growths. It’s a great rom-com that has a more realistic feeling, like it could actually happen.

I was a little hesitant about this book when I first started listening but ended up having a lot of fun. Just Some Stupid Love Story follows Molly and Seth after reuniting at their 15-year high school reunion. After a drunken one-night stand, Molly and Seth end up making bets on the outcomes of five couples before their next reunion and they are one of the couples. This starts a five-year journey where at the end, one will win the bet.

I enjoyed listening to Molly and Seth's journey throughout the five years and I loved that we got to listen to the different POVS for each character. This is definitely an opposite attracts story and I loved it. Seth's character is a little bit over the top at times, but his character seemed genuine as he tries to figure out that there is more to life than work. My favorite character in this book was Molly. Her character chapters were hilarious, but she is also working on opening herself up to love after witnessing her parents' divorce when she was dating Seth in High School.

Overall, this is a fun Romcom that I would highly suggest buying in the audiobook format. Both narrators do a great job for their respective characters, and I didn't want to stop listening.

Just Some Stupid Love Story comes out June 4th.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to review Just Some Stupid Love Story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars. Molly and Seth are high school exes, forced together at their 15th high school reunion where they make a bet about which couples will still be together at their 20th reunion.

This book was an entertaining romcom with great banter and chapters alternating between Molly and Seth's perspectives. Molly is a grump who doesn't believe in love, yet can't stop thinking about her connection with Seth. Seth is a hopeless romantic, still in love with Molly after all these years but afraid to get his heart broken.

Molly's attitude and self-sabotage drove me nuts throughout -- she got in her own way time after time. I liked Seth, who was not afraid of his feelings and was great at communication. This is full of pining and heartache, but will have you laughing throughout. Overall an enjoyable story and I'd recommend it for romcom fans.

I enjoyed the audiobook narration -- thanks Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copy.

Isn't it funny how cycles occur in books and publishing? This is probably the third book I've read recently about a screenwriter. And I did not like this one as much as I'd hoped. Molly Marks, a pessimist when it comes to love, has made her career in writing romantic comedies. When she reunites with her high school sweetheart turned divorce lawyer, Seth, at their high school reunion they make a bet on 5 couples and whether they'll last.

The beginning of this book was delightful. I loved the reunion, Seth coaxing Molly out of her shell, and their banter. But after about the 20% mark, I just didn't like the steam (and there's a lot), Molly's and her very wishy washy toward Seth, and Seth's golden retriever energy was almost too much. This is a book full of missed connections and "right person, wrong time" and it got frustrating for me.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for my complimentary ALC. All opinions here are my own.

If you give me a dual point of view romance, Im happy. If you then add in a story across multiple years with a flare of When Harry Met Sally - I’m really happy.

I loved the witty banter and great chemistry these two had. I also completely adore that the author showed Seth’s emotional side. Not to mention a role reversal of the stereotypes of the grumpy - sunshine trope.

If you need a spicy romance that will keep you guessing if these two ever get together - absolutely check this one out.

Just Some Stupid Love Story

Oh my goodness, I absolutely ADORED this one! What a delightful, and engaging love over time second chance romance!

Molly and Seth had a bad ending to their high school romance, only to rekindle a flame at their high school reunion. Molly, a romcom screenwriter who doesn’t believe in love, makes a bet with Seth, a divorce lawyer looking for his soulmate, on five couples they think might or might not make it to their next reunion. Over time, the share tidbits and updates and run-ins that ultimately rewrite the ending to their love story.

I am not usually a fan of second chance romance but this one was so well done. The extended timing of their relationship arc felt so realistic on their reigniting their romance.
I also loved that it wasn’t just miscommunication. They talked! They worked through feelings! Admitted what they were scared of! We love love love to see that level of communication, even when it’s hard.

I also enjoyed the honest way the years, and quarantine were handled. Their journey covered 2020, and the way it was incorporated in the story was realistic and honest without being over dramatized.

I listened to the audio and the casting was spot on. I was laughing out loud at times, and swooning over the gestures. I highly recommend the audio.

An absolutely phenomenal debut - thank you to Maximillian Audio for the ALC! My opinions are my own.

I really hesitate to give books this low of a rating, but there were a slew of issues for me here:
-Pacing/cadence was too slow
-Both main characters were insufferable and not in an endearing way. Both felt far too juvenile for being in their 30s
-Relationship felt very insta-lovey. I would've liked a lot more banter
-There was a LOT of spice that I was not anticipating early on

There are definitely readers who will like this, but I am not one of them.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!

This was a fantastic love story. It was a slightly predictable but in the best way. There were surprises throughout and the exact kind of summer read romance that I hoped it would be. The back and forth will they, won't they was cute and felt mostly realistic. I also enjoyed the representation of different types of love and the positive mental health messages.

I absolutely L O V E this book!! It is NOT "just some stupid love story." OK, well it is a little predictable but what Rom Com isn't. The characters personalities were so funny, and I loved their playful banter back and forth. It has the perfect amount of spice and lust. Plus, you just want to hate the BF/GF when the main characters are not together. I meant come on.... pretentious pretty boy, and vegan long-distance runner (BARF!) 🤢. I am not going to spoil anything, but I literally had to pause my audiobook at one point as I was laughing so hard.
Thanks to #netgalley for allowing me to listen as an ARC.

A cute little story about high school love, second chances and right person wrong time.
It was a bit too meta for me with the script. But cute over all

When former couple Molly and Seth, meet up again at a high school reunion, sparks fly. After a one night stand, they set a bet with each other - they'll bet on the outcome of 5 different couples over the next 5 years. The fifth couple is Molly and Seth themselves - Molly doesn't believe in love despite being a rom com writer and Seth is a hopeless romantic despite being a divorce lawyer. Throughout the 5 years they find themselves constantly coming together, though the timing never works out.

Ya'll I LOVED this! It feels like such a unique premise, which is something I'm always looking for as a voracious romance reader. I loved that the relationship took place over so much time - it felt so realistic! I really dug their relationship and felt for Molly working through all of her issues and really trying to be in a relationship. I'm not always a second chance romance fan because there's often a lot of miscommunication, but this book just worked so well for me! I think part of the reason it worked is that the book is written in dual POV - you get to see how the relationship affects both characters so deeply over the years.

I really enjoyed the dual narration by Christine Lakin and Tim Paige. They really brought the characters to life and added so much to my reading experience.

Also the sexting scene was hottttttt - this book isn't super spicy but what we do get is really well done and we actually got more than I anticipated!

Thank you to Macmillan audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A rom com about old high school boyfriend & girlfriend who reunite at their 15 year reunion and make bets on other couples.

This book goes through the next five years to see how the other relationships pan out, and also the back and forth tension between the two: Molly & Seth.

I immediately disliked Seth, and unfortunately never really did start to like him. He seemed arrogant and immature and desperate for love. I liked Molly though.

The narrators were great, especially Christine Lakin, already one of my favorite female narrators.

Talk of covid and pandemic in the middle of a rom com is a huge no for me. I was leaning toward “meh” because I didn’t care for Seth, but then 2020 hits in the book and it’s just the last thing I want drawn out in a rom com.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for my ALC!

#MacAudio2024

Wow! I loved this story & the audiobook! Two all-star voice actors delivered this sweet romance with a bang. Equal parts humorous and emotional- this story follows former high school sweethearts as they navigate being at the wrong place/right time or wrong time/right place. The self growth from introspection was realistic and the characters are so lovable. I was rooting for them and felt like all of their obstacles were realistic and made their story more intense. Highly recommend!

Not sure if it’s just me but I am really loving the romance books coming out lately. A lot of the rom-coms I’m reading are hitting the spot- including this one. It was funny, cute, and tragic all at the same time. A love story strung out over the years with so many almost moments and finally the ending we were all hoping for.

🌀Synopsis
Molly and Seth have a long history. They were together in high school but then went their separate ways. College and now adulthood has left space between them, especially hatter a tough breakup. Now they are forced to see each other at a reunion and both of them have a rush of feelings come back. After a crazy night they both go their separate ways again with some predictions for the next reunion.
Time passes and Molly continues to struggle in her relationship with her father. A chance run in with Seth has her believing she really blew it, he’s now dating someone else. Heck, he’s going to marry someone else.
When they see each other again their 5 year timeline is winding down and some of Seth’s predictions have already come true. In a rare twist of fate, Molly and Seth are both single and it finally is the right time for them to give it a try. Molly is still terrified though and she really makes Seth work for it.