Loved this one so much, Meryl Wilsner can always be counted on a great steamy romance and this one didn’t disappoint. A fun ”only one bed/friends to lovers” romance where an engagement is called off and the two friends take the already paid for honeymoon together.

First book I'm going to actually DNF at 66%. There is no plot to this book. The premise is a non binary MC in love with their best friend who then ends up going on the honeymoon with the best friend after she breaks up with her fiancé. There is no depth to their relationship, and it is very surface level hooking up. There is a conversation scene that is supposed to be so pivotal, but what happens right before is so despicable I have to DNF. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, but this wasn't for me.

This is my first Meryl Wilsner book, and it definitely won't be my last! I thoroughly enjoyed it! The spice was SPICING, the queer rep was REPPING, and it was absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to put down! I read it in less than 12 hours! This should be at the TOP of your TBR on pub day April 29th!

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is honest, unbiased, and completely my own.

While I have really enjoyed the two previous book’s of Meryl’s, this one fell flat for me. I just didn’t find myself rooting for Ginny and Elsie. For best friends, there was a lack of communication that felt unrealistic. The two were co-dependent and did not have senses of identity or what they wanted. Even after the conflict, it felt that they didn’t work much out just magically were okay. This book did offer up some hot af spicy scenes during the honeymoon. Unfortunately this one just left me wanting more out of the story.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is my first Meryl Wilsner and I don't think it will be my last. The premise is that Elsie wakes up one day to realize that her fiance planned the entire wedding and while they had been engaged for a year, she didn't really want to be married, let alone to him. Ginny is her best friend and they are Derrick's sounding board for this clearly bad idea. Elsie through this moment and through the honeymoon they end up taking with Ginny because it is already paid for and Derrick is too sad to go realizes she doesn't do anything for herself. So it becomes the week of putting what Elsie wants first and it turns out she really wants to kiss her best friend (and more). They spend the week getting hot and heavy (they go from 0 to 100 real quick!) but when it comes to defining the relationship and everyone being honest about what is going on in their life... well there's some tension and they need to take some time apart. This was necessary for character development for sure as these protagonists are both young (23 or so) and it was evident. There are flashbacks to Elsie in elementary school and her friendship with Ginny as things changed in high school which are necessary for understanding why Elsie is such a people-pleaser and has the anxieties around relationships she does. Only losing a star from me because the pacing felt a bit off at times. While I get that this was not insta-love because they both had been pining for the other throughout the years, the pacing of everything on the trip made it seem that way. Overall, a great queer romance and I definitely will dive into Meryl Wilsner's backlist ASAP!

Keywords/Tropes: Best friends to lovers, nonbinary MC, pansexual heroine, midwestern charm, queer found family, family dynamics.

This one was a struggle. I enjoyed it until the third act breakup which was just so frustrating. I never loved any of the characters.

I’m a big fan of Meryl Wilsner and love their unique writing style, especially how they explore gender identity within their romances. This newest addition to their oeuvre fits well alongside their other works, this time pairing two best friends, Elsie and Ginny, who have each been pining for the other for years. They finally get the chance to redefine what their relationship could be—if they’re willing to face their fears and be completely honest about their feelings.

The premise was fun! Elsie has just broken off her engagement and takes Ginny with her on what would have been her honeymoon. Their friendship quickly turns physical—and it was HOT. Wilsner really turns up the heat in this one. In fact, it was almost jarring how quickly they moved from friendship to physical intimacy, with little lead-up or discussion of feelings. As a reader, you can immediately sense the potential pitfalls. The main conflict, which is clearly foreshadowed early on, ends up being exactly what drives them apart, and I found myself frustrated by the lack of communication between two characters who have supposedly been best friends their entire lives. How could they not be honest about their feelings? How could this one event be what drove them apart?

And the way Elsie ultimately treats Ginny felt nearly unforgivable to me. Ginny was so deeply in love, and my heart broke for her—especially after she was finally brave enough to risk it all.

Ultimately, this is my least favorite Wilsner novel, which honestly pains me to say. It has excellent queer representation and strong spice, but the friends-to-lovers arc just didn’t come together in a believable way for me.

4.25/5 ⭐️s
🌶️🌶️1/4 - slightly more than medium spice

LOVES:
- Aww, Derek 🥺 I actually really liked that misguided, sweetheart. Even though he clearly wasn’t right for Elsie 🙃
- The whole “Elsie should speak up for what she wants” thing was really great. Especially, after seeing how her family treated her ideas and, of course, her near marriage. But examining how Ginny actually needed to do the same, was an important dynamic. This was a third act break up that really frustrated me in some ways, but also made complete sense and was necessary.
- The whole backstory for Ginny and Elsie and the reason behind the situation is so saddddd 😭💔
- I always appreciate some mutual pining and I’m always happy for the feelings to get out in the open 😉
- These two were freaking adorable 🥰

CRITIQUE:
- The third person POV took some getting used to, it’s not my first preference

Could honestly read endless spicy scenes from Meryl, she knows how to write ‘em 👌 Anyway, this was a fun, fresh idea and I really enjoyed it!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC 💝

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance reader's copy of this book. Unfortunately at this time I will be unable to give it my full attention, so I will provide a starred rating and return when I can give it a proper review.

4/5 stars!

Meryl Wilsner basically wrote a book about two trees. BECAUSE THESE FRIENDS BE PINING.

Ginny and Elsie are the freaking best, I loved their friendship from the get-go and ADORED their slide into romance. Meryl Wilsner's writing is always so emotionally gripping, which means as a reader I was FULLY invested in the love story. I've loved all of their books, and this one is no exception. Highly recommend!

Ginny and Elsie have been friends for a long time, both avoiding that they have feelings for the other. The entire book is based on miscommunication and that was super frustrating. I hate when two grown adults won’t just talk to each other. It didn’t feel like they were ready to be in a relationship with each other because they couldn’t just talk to each other about anything meaningful. I appreciated the LGBTQ representation. 3 ⭐️

Most of the time I love going into a book blind and My Best Friend’s Honeymoon is a perfect example of why I don’t read the blurb. I had no expectations and didn’t know what to expect and I really enjoyed this childhood friends-to-lovers romance.

I love Ginny. They are freaking awesome. There is a point in the story where they hit the pause button and I think we don’t do that enough in life. They hit pause so that Elsie and them can grow independently and become stronger people. I love this. This is something that isn’t spoken of enough. Supporting each other to be independent people.

I also love their friendship. I’ve had friendships like this - I didn’t lust after anyone (chuckle). I’ve had those solid everyday relationships where the other person just made my life better. Y’all know how I am about friend code.

Then there is Derrick and Wilsner does him justice. He sees that there is a problem and does something about it. Plus I kinda think there is something going on with Chad (chuckle).

Okay, let’s talk about what we all want to talk about in a romance. The steam factor is hot, hot, hot. The honeymoon is fantastic. Very steamy. Loved it!!!

I recommend this honeymoon getaway. My Best Friend’s Honeymoon is a readcation that you’ll want to take.

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner is friends to lovers lesbian romance.

Elsie Hoffman and Ginny Holtz are life-long friends. When Elsie finally ends her relationship with her fiancé, she and Ginny go on the non-refundable honeymoon together. Their fun in the sun quickly turns to fun in the bedroom. But, the future of the relationship (and friendship) hangs in the balance by the time they board the flight home.

The characters are well-developed and likable. However, despite their long history together, they have a lack of communication that keeps them apart of the last part of the book. Their conflict was a bit contrived and readers do not get much of their romance once they figure things out.

The storyline is engaging but slow-paced. The transformation from friends to lovers is super quick and the story turns into a graphic sex-fest. They tropical honeymoon setting is vividly lifelike and realistic. Despite some great elements, My Best Friend’s Honeymoon is a middle of the road read. Hopefully, Meryl Wilsner’s next romance will be as enjoyable as their debut, Something to Talk About, which I really liked.

Meryl Wilsner never ceases to amaze me with her unbelievable mastery of the smut. The level of hot an bothered is unmatched. True talent at work.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

3.5 I love Meryl Wilsner and they are an auto-read author of mine, so I was so excited about this book. I really enjoyed the premise, and I liked that it picked up quickly. The characters are likeable, if not a bit predictable, and I read it very quickly. The pacing was a bit weird, and I do feel like the spicy scenes came out of nowhere, which really took me out of the story. The story was sweet though, and I was rooting for the characters to get together, so I would give it 3.5 stars. Thanks for the opportunity to review!

Oooh I loved this book. Shortly after starting I knew I would love this book because I enjoyed both characters and their POVs and arcs individually. I did not have a favorite character and I fell for them both. I love how honestly and strong their friendship is and how it's the base for a truly strong relationship. I loved the set up and absolutely every character in this book (which is so rare). I had a lot of fun reading this book and the spice and representation were both fabulous.

I hope to read more books by this author!

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book.
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Read if you like: friends to lovers
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When Elsie breaks off her engagement, she takes her best friend Ginny on her honeymoon, where they hook up and realize they have had feelings for each other all along.
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This was a cute friends to lovers story, but it was missing some of the tension and yearning that I love to see in a friends to lovers story, and would have liked to have seen more of this. I didn't love Elsie as much as I wanted too, but I did like Ginny!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very steamy romance between two best friends. Ginny and Elsie have been friends forever. Ginny is non-binary and has loved Elsie since middle school. Elsie is Pan and realizes she's not in love with her fiancé who has surprised her by planning their wedding for next week and booked a non refundable honeymoon. When she doesn't go through with the wedding she brings Ginny on the honeymoon instead at his insistence. Ginny says whatever Elsie wants she gets while their away and their chemistry takes over for the week. What happens when they come back though? Can they go back to being just friends after that amazing and steamy week?

Really enjoyed this one!

THIS IS A SPICY BOOK!

Elsie calls her engagement/wedding off, and her ex suggests she still goes on the honeymoon. With her best friend. Her best friend that’s secretly been pining for her their entire friendship.

Read this if you like:

miscommunication trope
high spice
honeymoon/travel vibes
friends to lovers
third act breakup
This is a f/nb romance with some frustrating miscommunication, hella spice, and a fun premise.

Rating: 4/5
I received the audio/book for my honest opinion.

What would you do if you learned that your fiancé has just planned your whole wedding without your input, sadly you start to realize that you might not truly love this man, and you call off your wedding. Then your ex-fiancé tells you that you should go on the honeymoon trip because it's non-refundable. You take your best friend Ginny. However, Elsie starts to realize why things really didn’t work with your fiancé because you have been in love with Ginny your whole life, and you’re worried that it would ruin everything.

Wow, just wow. I found the plot to be good, the characters were fun and exciting. I found the third act conflict to have been drawn out a little too long for me, but I understood why because Elise’s character doesn’t do anything fast, but also, I did enjoy that the characters had great character development during the time away from each other. During the honeymoon, they didn’t talk really about all their feelings, and to be honest the romance felt rushed to me. There wasn’t a buildup or anything, but I can say wow there is some spice in this book and I didn’t expect that. I found that the spice really just overshadowed the emotional side of the romance to really help make it believable for me.

I also received the audio of this book, and I enjoyed the dual narration. I found Blair Baker and Emily Shaw really helped me to connect with the characters. If you’re looking for a great audiobook, I would recommend this.

I want to thank NetGalley, SMP and Macmillian for the opportunity to review this book.