Tried digital first, then tried audio and unfortunately i just wasn’t invested at all. I didn’t like the FMC and i think that ultimately led to me deciding this one just isn’t for me. I got to 35% in the book when i decided to DNF. sorry!

3 stars

Meryl Wilsner consistently puts out books I enjoy. The characters are fun, the relationships are charming, and the romantic elements are not overly syrupy.

This book has some great moments, but it doesn't quite come together as I'd hoped, and I honestly think that would have changed with some reordering.

Elsie is in the thick of breaking up with her fiance when the book begins, and the circumstances surrounding this make it impossible to understand how they were together in the first place. The titular honeymoon is still on, though, and Ginny, Elsie best friend, is the one who will join. Their relationship changes on this trip.

The narrative begins with this bizarre relationship breaking up and then dives so quickly into lengthy scenes of intimacy between another couple. It's not until after the trip that readers really get to know more about the characters, which feels out of order. The early events happen fast (in a way), and I wasn't yet invested enough in the characters to pick up on much more than their physical connection, which is nice for them but not as compelling for me. I'd have loved to learn more about the central relationship BEFORE the present day and then continue to move chronologically. I think this could have made all the difference.

I'll still be enthused to read whatever this writer puts out next, but I'll admit that this one wasn't my favorite.

This was a bizarre read because these 2 had no chemistry-friendly or romantic. The writing was extremely pedestrian. I am actually shocked by how little I felt for either of these characters or the plot. I didn’t care one bit about anything in this book. We're in both of the characters' heads, but I didn't understand why they loved one another other than they were friends and both queer. It was just understood that they loved one another. I also didn't like their dynamic--Ginny did whatever Elsie said and cared for Elsie like a child. I understand wanting to be there for her based on the (very little) plot of the book, but it still felt over the top. This felt like I was reading someone's diary of what they wanted a relationship to be rather than a book with fleshed-out characters and plot.

Also, the writing is so wordy. Okay. That's all.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I literally read this in 12 hours LOL
Now… I have a personal bias towards friends to lovers… but then when you add queer love … i’m a goner

i thought this book was so fun. it didn’t necessarily sweep me off my feet or anything but it was cute and lighthearted and had me laughing.

elsie and ginny are best friends. elsie is engaged to her boyfriend who has secretly booked and planned their wedding without her knowledge. which was apparently just what elsie needed to hear to call it off. which worked perfectly for ginny who had been secretly in love with their best friend for years. the problem arises when they realize the honeymoon has been booked already! and someone has to go! so elsie takes her best friend ginny. on this trip ginny promises to give elsie everything she wants… and apparently she wanted to be more than friends! & ginny gives her just that. there’s, of course, a third act breakup because they have a lustful week on vacation and returning to real life gets a little too real. but like all romance novels, they have their cute queer hea <3 yay

it was short and simple and fun.
i love the representation for lesbians and nonbinary and the lgbtq+ community in general

First, I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin Griffin Publishing for allowing me to read My Best Friend's Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner. This review is solely my own opinion. I loved this book. I was excited to when I got the ARC as I've enjoyed Meryl's previous books, and this one met and exceeded my expectations. The story follows Ginny. They've spent the majority of their adulthood working a job they hate and essentially following in the footsteps of their best friend Elsie. Elise diesnt know hiw to ask fir things that benefit her, she is always looking out for others, but not herself. Elsie just called off her engagement from her long-time boyfriend, and he tells her to go on the nonrefundable honeymoon. He puts all of his tickets in Ginny's name so they can go along with Elsie. Ginny tells Elsie that the honeymoon is Elise's and that she can have anything she wants, but she needs to ask for it. The story is a rollercoster of emotions and is so well written. I am definitely looking forward to the release date and recommend it to everyone.

This story is a friends to lovers between Ginny and their best friend Elsie, who just left her fiancé when he tried to surprise her with a wedding in a week. They end up going on the honeymoon trip together so it doesn't get wasted, and what better place to recover from a breakup than in a bungalow on the ocean?

Turns out, Ginny has always loved Elsie, and Elsie has always loved Ginny, but they've both been too scared to say anything about it until Elsie forces the issue. And then it's full steam ahead in their little ocean hideaway. They'll worry about what happens when they get home later.

This is my second Meryl Wilsner book and I was pretty lukewarm on the first one (Mistakes Were Made) too. The spice is great, but I felt like there was emotion missing. We barely get a chance to see Ginny and Elsie interact and build any tension before they have their tongues all over each other. Unfortunately I think this author just isn't for me.

I loved the story, friends to lovers. It was set up well with background information, etc. The setting was great from Minneapolis to an all-inclusive in Mexico. The love story was great. The love scenes were really spicy for my taste but some may love that level of spice! It was just a lot for this girl to handle!

This book is a genre I don't normally read, but wanted to step out of my comfort zone. I was an easy to follow story, but I felt like it was missing something......maybe more tension between the characters before they realize what they want.

(I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Meryl Wilsner.)

I have enjoyed all of meryl’s previous books but I did not enjoy this one in the end. It became too cheesy. (? I think there’s a better word - trying too hard?) after they return from the honeymoon - which I think the “fight” was a little dramatic. Everything after just seemed too much for what actions they were doing. Both were feeling so much and doing nothing, it was annoying. Also adding in the full chapter of ginny using she/her pronouns was very confusing. The ending seemed kinda left field given how much distance they had.

Overall I liked the idea but it seemed rushed and the constant establishing of how much they were each other’s best friend was annoying.

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with both a digital ARC and a digital ALC in exchange for an honest review. The moment I received the email, I downloaded the book and began reading while listening along.

From the very beginning, My Best Friend’s Honeymoon pulled me in. Elsie’s decision to call off her engagement is a pivotal moment, and her ex’s unexpected gesture of sending her on the nonrefundable honeymoon sets the stage for an emotionally charged, deeply satisfying romance. Ginny, who has harbored feelings for Elsie for over a decade, proposes a simple deal: Elsie can have anything she wants, as long as she asks. What unfolds is an intoxicating mix of trust, passion, and self-discovery.

The spice in this book? Absolutely top-tier. Because of their long-standing friendship, Ginny and Elsie bring a deep sense of trust into every intimate moment, making for some incredibly steamy scenes. The sheer intensity of their chemistry, combined with their willingness to explore and push boundaries together, makes for a honeymoon that is unforgettable in every way. This is not a slow burn—it’s years of pent-up desire exploding in a few passionate, indulgent days.

That being said, I struggled with Elsie as a character. While I could empathize with her journey toward self-discovery, she often felt milquetoast compared to Ginny’s quiet, steadfast devotion. I found myself far more invested in Ginny, likely because I relate to their years of unspoken longing. Both characters, at times, bordered on feeling two-dimensional, but I was willing to forgive that when it came to Ginny. With Elsie, however, I wanted more—more depth, more agency, more personality beyond her indecision.

Experiencing this story through dual narration only enhanced the experience. Each narrator brings their respective character to life, capturing the emotional nuances of their personal struggles—Elsie’s uncertainty and Ginny’s patient but aching love. The performances added layers to their conflicts, making the heartbreak hit harder and the resolution even more rewarding.

Then comes the third-act conflict. Ginny’s secret comes out, Elsie reacts badly, and they break up. Was Elsie overreacting? Absolutely. Was Ginny’s response frustrating? Yes—because it didn’t feel entirely in character. That said, their time apart wasn’t just about moping. Both characters actually grow, and that growth makes their eventual reconciliation feel earned.

Meryl Wilsner has cemented themselves as a must-read author for me. Alongside Ashley Herring Blake, they continue to deliver some of the most engaging sapphic romances out there. While Mistakes Were Made remains a favorite, My Best Friend’s Honeymoon is up there, delivering a story full of longing, heat, and well-deserved happiness.

My Best Friend's Honeymoon is about Elsie, whose fiance thinks it's a great idea to surprise her with a wedding (surprise, it's not). The honeymoon is nonrefundable, so Elsie goes with her best friend, Ginny. While Elsie is trying to figure out what she wants in life, will she realize it's her best friend?

I struggled a bit with the pacing of this book. We know they are best friends, but there was little romantic relationship development beyond the physical aspect. I still read it all in a morning. It was a quick and easy read, and it was great to see a non-binary rep! LOTS of spice.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

This is a story about Elsie and Ginny. I liked the inclusivity, the representation and the friends to lovers aspect of the book. The author exposed the reality of queer couples which I liked, especially since I don’t read stories about non-binary and pansexual people often. However, I don’t think it has been properly executed because Ginny’s character seemed all on the surface. For me, it seemed like they were there for Elsie’s character development and not their own. All of their thoughts seemed to revolve around Elsie and their feelings for her and I know it’s the point of a romance book to know how the characters feel about each other, but I would have liked some more developed characters. In addition, the miscommunication that created the conflict in the relationship seemed too intense for what it really was.

I would recommend this book to people who want to see a representation of themselves in a story, but I have to say this one is not Meryl Wilsner’s best work.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

Overall, 2.5 stars. I usually love the friends to lovers trope, but this this story was not for me. I did like a few parts of this book. I enjoyed was Ginny, her support of Elsie, and her encouragement to Elsie to finally start asking for what she wants. I also really enjoyed Derrick's reappearance in Chapter 33, that was refreshing to see. Ginny and Elsie's time apart from each other to figure out who they were and what they wanted was so needed and helped them in the long run.

Two best friends who hid their true feelings for each other. I understand Ginny, but Elsie? How do you go from being engage to Derrick and hiding all of her feelings for Ginny to all of a sudden asking Ginny for sex? She missed a few steps there. The honeymoon sex overwhelmed the story. I hated how Elsie reacted to Ginny quitting her job, that was excessive and unnecessary. Parts of this book made me irrationally angry and made me want to yell at Elsie's family, especially her parents.

While this book was not for me, I encourage readers to check it out, you may love it!

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and St.Martin's Press for the advance audiobook and the arc!

 Format: audiobook/ebook

DNF at 64% unfortunately. I just couldn’t keep going through whatever kind of third act breakup this was because I didn’t care enough about the characters. I pushed through the sex I didn’t care about hoping to get more emotion and relationship from these two but that fight was my breaking point. These characters just felt like blank, horny slates.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
this ultimately fell flat for me. i loved the premise, but didn’t buy in to either character and it felt shallow because of the story being written in third person. in a romance, specifically a childhood friend to lovers story, i want to be inside the ridges of their brain and i think dual pov would’ve absolutely done that for me. the spice was hot, though, so there’s that. definitely will be reaching for more of this authors writing in the future!

My Best Friend's Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner started off strong with a fun premise, but it quickly lost the plot. What began as an engaging story turned into something messy and unfocused, making it hard to stay invested. The characters had potential, but their development felt inconsistent, and the romance didn’t fully land for me. While Wilsner’s writing is enjoyable, this one didn’t quite come together in a satisfying way. A decent read, but not as memorable as I’d hoped.

2.75⭐️ This wasn’t for me. I didn’t love the writing style and the characters felt a bit too naive. I didn’t believe the friends to lovers which was hard to get past. I loved the setting and the concept was fun.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

“What. The. Fuck. (Complimentary)”

About sums up my feeling for this! Wilsner knows how to write a spicy scene like no one else.

I think there’s part of this book that could have been more fleshed out or added to the depth, but for a beachside summer read I couldn’t ask for anything more. If you go into this thinking it’s a literary expedition, temper your expectations. This book is a spicy friends to lovers queer sapphic romance with great representation and conflict that doesn’t actually center on an element of queer identity (thank god).

4.5/5

I think this book concept is a bit overdone. I was disappointed that the plot was almost entirely summarized by the synopsis. I also felt like the romance was way too rushed and I did not find myself fighting for them. From the interactions they had on the honeymoon, I just didn’t see a romantic connection. love is about way more than just friendship + sexual intimacy, and the author failed to convince me that they were in love.

I am a firm believer that it’s important to take space for yourself after ending a long-term relationship (or engagement…). so it didn’t sit right for me that they both wanted to immediately jump into a new relationship. I also found it very hard to believe that either of them would decide to have sex without talking about how it would affect their friendship (since that was the entire reason they didn’t want to pursue each other). and I found it even harder to believe that they would stop talking entirely over one fight.

I did like the idea of Ginny teaching Elsie to ask for what she wants, but it bugged me that Ginny hadn’t been implementing that same concept in their life. however, I did appreciate that they eventually recognized they needed space to see who they are without Elsie.

I was very excited for this read, but it fell short for me. I was committed to finishing it so I could write a fair review. however, I fear the longer it took me to read, the more it made me dislike it.

DNF @ 33%

This is on me -- I'm not a huge Meryl Wilsner fan, but after Cleat Cute, I thought maybe I could be. My Best Friend's Honeymoon is unfortunately back to what didn't work for me before: the present and past mixed tense, the setup, the ages of the characters...I digress. I was frustrated with Ginny and how simply/over the top her refusal to acknowledge feelings might be there with Elsie. Frustrated with Elsie too, but I could understand her motivations better. Maybe because I have been in the same situation as Ginny before...at some point it just becomes easier to tell them you have feelings. Anyway.

I think Meryl Wilnser fans will eat this one up. It seems just like their other work and that really seems to work for them.