Nothing about this book stood out to me. It's a quick read, and I'm sure the story will hit home with a niche audience, but it was not my favorite rom-com, and I am unlikely to recommend it to others. There are better books out there. The characters fell flat with me, and at many times, were just annoying. Very stereotypical writing that lacked creativity, in my opinion. I did manage to get through the entire book, which is the reason for 2 stars instead of 1. However, it ends exactly the way you think it's going to end from the first chapter of the book. It wasn't deep enough to invoke any real emotion.

I should have done my research on this before reading. I knew there was a probability of sexual content and I was prepared to skip it if/when it appeared. This book did not waste any time getting to sexual content and honestly, that was more than I can tolerate. The first 6 chapters were building up to it but I didn't think it would happen so fast. Unfortunately, I decides to end my reading at Chapter 8. From what I did read, I did enjoy the short chapters as well as both narrators. Sadly, thus just wasn't for me. Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this advanced copy.

Book: Just Some Stupid Love Story
NetGalley Audio ARC: Pub Date June 4th 2024

How do you get some stupid love story?
Add:
1 part RomCom writer who hates romance
1 part divorce lawyer who is a hopeless romantic
(the above need to be high school sweethearts)
1 group of shared friends
1 high school reunion
1 long term bet

This audiobook was adorable. It will be a great summer listen. I listened to it in one day because I didn’t want to pause it. I loved how Molly could write and think about cute rom-com situations, but she run as fast as she could when she got into one in real life. I usually would find her annoying, but we learn about her family background and can understand why she’s locked away her heart.

Seth could be described as a golden retriever. He wants to love with all his heart and wants to be loved. One may find this outlook off when he is a family law lawyer.

The emails going back and forth between these two are cute and balance out some spicy parts.

Christine Lakin and Tim Paige are great narrators of this book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for an advanced audio copy.

I think I knew pretty much from the start of Just Some Stupid Love Story that I would love it. This story centers around Molly and Seth, high school sweethearts who haven't seen each other since they broke up and are reunited at their fifteen-year reunion. Molly is a cynic who writes romantic comedy scripts, while Seth is a hopeless romantic who is a divorce attorney; what could possibly happen when they find out they still have chemistry?

Having both main character POVs was essential here, and I loved how different Molly and Seth's personalities and outlooks on life were from each other. They had excellent and genuinely funny banter and palpable chemistry, and I love how this story took place over many years.

This romcom worked so well as an audiobook, and that had a lot to do with how well both narrators brought to life Molly and Seth and captured their individual tones. I listened to this one quickly and was sad when I had to take a break to actually get work done. I highly recommend this book and think audio is the way to go with this romance!

It was very cliche and overdone doesn't mean it wasn't good or cheesy...just like everything else on the market of romcom right now.

The narrators were good though, they really got the characters and vibe.

“But just because the results won’t be fairy-tale perfect doesn’t mean you can’t try your best to be vulnerable. When you hurt someone, you do what you can to fix it. When you’re scared, you do what you can to be brave.”

A second chance, friends to lovers, “it’s always been you” story that spans two decades… sign me up! Friends to lovers is a top tier trope for me and Katelyn Doyle magicked a story that was honest, relatable, sometimes bittersweet, but oh so beautiful and redemptive while also brimming over with longing, forgiveness, and hope. This story had such a hold on heart and I could not put it down. I was rooting for Seth and Molly and their messy love story from the start and found myself tearing up and clutching the book to my heart several times.

I loved the premise of a cynical rom-com writer and a divorce lawyer eagerly looking for the love of his life, who are former high school sweethearts, reconnecting and unable to resist the spark that’s been burning between them for fifteen years. On the surface Seth and Molly might seem like an opposites attracting situation, but at their very core, they both just want to love and be loved. This story was achingly vulnerable and layered as Seth and Molly worked through their own pasts of unresolved hurt, but I loved how incredibly brave they both were to bare their hearts and desires, even when it was uncomfortable and scary.

I’m a sucker for a grand gesture (love them, can’t get enough) and Molly’s grand gesture was not only perfect for her and Seth’s story, but it was so vulnerable and an act of growth and bravery. This story has the heart and humor of a romcom, but I what I adored most was how Doyle focused on the “after”… the messy, imperfect moments that take place after the highlight reel or when the camera turns off altogether. Doyle did a wonderful job of demonstrating growth and healing for both Seth and Molly as individuals and as a couple, and I appreciated how even in the end, they were still perfectly imperfect but full of hope.

The audiobook was such a delightful experience and I thoroughly enjoyed the dual narration.

Highly recommend if you’re looking for a love story about two imperfect people who don’t always get it right, but who make the decision to be brave and love wholeheartedly, to be vulnerable with their person even when it’s scary, to fight for a happily ever after with the person you adore.

Just Some Stupid Love Story was the perfect audiobook! I savored and sped through it all at the same time! I can’t wait for more from Katelyn Doyle!

This book is a perfect recommendation for fans of Abby Jiminez, Emily Henry, and Katherine Center. The narrators for the audiobook were wonderful. This book is a second-chance romance that is sweet, sexy, tender, and very funny. I have to admit that I identified more with the main female character Molly Marks (who is cynical about love) and rolled my eyes more than once at the main male character Seth Rubinstein and his waxing poetic about true love. While most of the book was fast-paced, it dragged on a bit too long towards the end. I enjoyed this and look forward to Doyle's next book.

I was very excited to see a contemporary romance by Katelyn Doyle /Scarlett Peckham. Unfortunately, the more I read, the more annoyed I got at the mmcs Seth and Molly. The constant problems, the break ups, the miscommunications. The incompatible personalities. Molly would be better off not being a a relationship and Seth could find someone better suited to him. And Seth's toxic positivity just grated on my nerves.
I feel so BAD leaving a negative review because I absolutely love Scarlett Peckham's historicals.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

A quick read!

When they tell you it's like Romantic Comedy, People We Meet on Vacation, and When Harry Met Sally, they're spot on.

Molly is attending her 15 year high school reunion, where she runs into Seth, the man she dated in high school and broke his heart. Seth became a divorce lawyer, even though he believes in love, and Molly is a rom-com screenwriter even though she thinks soul mates don't exist. They decide to bet on 5 relationships, whether they last or fail. Who ever loses has to admit that the other is correct.

The book moves through the next five years by hitting key moment in their "relationship." Will they get together like Seth says?

Be warned, COVID/the pandemic are BIG plot points in this story, so if you aren't ready to read about this/would prefer to not have this as an aspect, you won't want to read this one.

I did enjoy this book, but I had two criticisms..
1)I HATE when people call their love interests "baby" and that word is used SO MANY TIMES in this book!!!! I wanted to throw the book across the room. BUT if you like that sort of thing.. you'll love this
2)Some parts felt super rushed

LOVE LOVE LOVE the ending! Wrapped up differently than I expected and thought it was perfect. I really enjoyed how both characters grew throughout the time frame of the book.

If you love rom-coms with some spicy scenes (there's like 2? idk I skipped them) or second chance romance or enemies (ISH) to lovers, read this!

Thanks to the publisher for sending this ARC to Werner Books! And thanks to NetGalley/the publisher for the ALC!

🎧Just Some Stupid Love Story🎧
By: Katelyn Doyle
Narrated by Christine Lakin and Tim Paige
Review Score: 3 Stars

Why Was This Book “Just Ok”?
I abolsutley LOVED the idea of this book. Second chance romance linked with a bet on what couples would last? I absolutely was hooked and wanted to know what would happen. Unfortunately, this book was just way too long. And the main girl, Molly, was not all that likable.

Do I still recommend it?
Yes. I think people will enjoy this story. And I probably would have liked it more if it was half as long.

———

🎧 Audiobook Review! 🎧

Just Some Stupid Love Story was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. Thank you for allowing me to read this book!

Release Date: 6/4/24

Today’s “Just OK Wednesday” is about Just Some Stupid Love Story.

I have a lot of conflicting feelings on this book. I loved the idea (2 ex lovers who make a bet that in 5 years, they can see what couples are still together). I loved the tropes (Grumpy Vs. Sunshine, He Falls First, Second Chance Romance).

Where I struggled the most with this book was the length. Things kept happening between the couple over and over again (Like, no one “third act breakup”, but 3), and that made it hard for me to believe they were meant to be.

I also found Molly to be a contradiction. She seems to have issues with lasting love, but she has consistent best friends, so she isn’t totally against relationships. And her issues could be better solved, but she just refuses too? I really struggled with her, and felt like Seth deserved a better match.

Regardless, I did enjoy this book. I like the evolution of the story, and the characters. This is not really a light and fluffy read, but it was still good. I liked it, I just didnt love it.


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Molly begrudgingly attends her 15 year high school reunion. She arrives, finding assigned tables. And to her horror, she is seated with her high school boyfriend. She knows she broke Seth's heart. The attraction is still there and they sleep together. Molly doesn't believe in love- Seth is a divorce lawyer who chose his profession to HELP people. Molly doesn't buy it. They make a bet- the choose five couples- who will be together and who won't be by their 20th reunion. In the next five years, Seth and Molly are in and out of each other's lives. At times one or the other wants a relationship, but things never match up. Until one day they do. They were one of the five couples they bet on- the question is- who was right?

I loved both Seth and Molly. Molly is cynical, sarcastic, introverted. I identify with her so much. I am Molly. I think this made me like this book even more- it is hope for someone like me. Seth and Molly balance each other well. And they both have real, normal issues. And they understand each other's issues. It made for a very real dynamic.

I am pretty stingy with 5 star reviews. And while this book was not *quite* perfect, it was darn close.

Christine Lakin and Tim Paige narrate the audiobook. It was great.

I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a solid read for fans of Emily Henry and Curtis Sittenfield. The male character is quite goofy, and that's not a bad thing! However, the audiobook narration makes it more comical than charming. I do think this is a beach read that allows for easy reading, with its accessible language and heart-driven story. Yet, the characters are not very likable, which may distance some readers.

Great romcom. Narrator helped to suck you into the story. Quick listen. Characters are relatable and fun. Minimal steam.

Dated in high school, Molly breaks up with him because she’s scared, trauma from her parents’ divorce affected her too much. Seth is very eager when it comes to relationships, he wants to settle down and have a family. They see each other at their 15yr High School reunion, end up sleeping together and making a bet on which of their classmates would be together or broken up in time for their 20th reunion. Including the status of their relationship. Then we proceed months later or a year later with fate intervening on Molly and Seth reaching out or bumping into each other. Having both POVs was useful in getting to know them better individually and helped move the plot forward. I enjoyed the timeline on the how their story was told, I was delighted in rooting for them throughout their journey. The writing made it easy to feel engaged into the story. The audiobook narrators did a great job, the voice acting was engaging and enjoyable.