Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the advanced copy of this novel.

Elsie and Ginny are best friends who go together on what was supposed to be Elsie’s honeymoon after her engagement ends. This story was light hearted and a lot of fun to read. I enjoyed the fact that both Elsie and Ginny had storylines independent from the romance and their friendship. The pacing of this one felt a bit choppy - the first, second, and third act of the story didn’t flow as seamlessly as I would have liked. This took me out of the story. Overall, this was a fun read however, a bit forgettable.

I will start with...(Other than thanking NetGalley and the Publisher for sharing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review) I am serious when I say I will read anything Meryl Wilsner writes and chances are I will finish the book in less than 5 sittings (within 12-36 hours), and some of which will include going to bed late or waking up early to finish it.

I think it's safe to say I'm not ruining it by saying... The two MC going on a honeymoon (after an engagement fall through) was in fact.. the majority of the storyline. And obviously, the trope of best friends to lovers isn't new and isn't groundbreaking. But what I can't help thinking of, through this whole book... Is thinking about that best friend that I've always wondered 'what if' and perhaps, wishes I've been brave and done something about it. You know? What if she was also pining for me and was also a chicken and every time since we've been grown ups and met as adults (we no longer live in the same country/continent) were horribly timed (me in a relationship, her in a relationship, never 'available' at the same time)...ahh... Signnnnn...

Anyways, back to the actual book. Things, get hot...if I use chilli as a rating, I'd give it a solid 4/5 in the realm of books I do tell people I'm reading and not the ones I don't. Maybe even hotter than the other Wilsner books. (I might have to re-read them for a fair comparison. I mean it's really quite hard to top Mistakes Were Made for all the... Angst and heat.) Which, is always a plus. I mean, sure we are here for the plot, but it helps to get the blood moving, be it because of the heat or the angst or all the feelings in between. I really liked that the two MCs are supportive of each other but also as the character and story developed, really figured out how to be strong together and also be stronger as individuals... Which is really what gives me the warm and fuzzies and also makes me think of how nice and lucky it is to have that in my life (I really do have that with my partner)... and all of that almost keeps the lid on the 'should've, would've, what ifs' of the childhood best friend thing... almost making it insignificant. But I like to keep it emo and have this weird pining way deep in there and fluffs it up when I read books that resonate.

I'm sorry that the general public has to wait til May 2025 for this book to be released and why did I let this copy sit in the TBR pile for so long? I should have read it the moment the file hits my inbox!!

This ended up being exactly what I wanted in the moment - a sweet, low angst friends-lovers sapphic romance. this is an amazing read next Summer and i cannot wait to reread and get me a copy!

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately drawn to the premise of this book, and as a fan of dual POV narratives, I was eager to dive in. This was my first experience with a f/nb (female/non-binary) romance, and I really appreciated the focus on queer representation in a story that’s both heartfelt and steamy. The early chapters grabbed my attention, setting up an engaging dynamic between the two protagonists.

However, as the story progressed, I felt the plot began to lag in the middle. The central conflict, which had such potential, seemed to escalate unnecessarily, and I struggled to fully connect with the emotional stakes. While I did appreciate that both characters were given time to grow and develop outside of their romantic relationship, I ultimately found the resolution a bit underwhelming.

Overall, this is an enjoyable but imperfect read. It will likely resonate with readers who appreciate messy emotions, complicated relationships, and an exploration of queer love.

Another fantastically sexy novel from Meryl Wilsner that I couldn't put down! Books like this are exactly why friends to lovers is my favorite trope. This is a very quick, easy read, and one that will undoubtedly be at the top of next year's summer reading recommendations.

Honeymoon romances don't often ring true to me, because it would certainly take me longer to get over someone I was previously engaged to. However, since Ginny and Elsie had so much history together, I could buy that they flipped the switch from friends to lovers so quickly. It also helped that Elsie was the one doubting her previous relationship, rather than being left at the altar or someting.

I adored Ginny. They've always been such a grounding presence for Elsie, and the way they kept their cool when Elsie lost her wits a bit was impressive. They've got so much emotional strength, and it was a joy to read. They're the sort of person I'd love to be friends with IRL.

Like Wilsner's previous novels, this book is steamy as heck. Who doesn't love some hot vacation sex? You should read this one asap, but at the same time it's the perfect book to save for your own summer vacation.

Ginny + Elsie

-f/nb romance
-friends to lovers
-canceled wedding
-3rd person pov

these two go on elsies honeymoon together & of course...again...haha another recipe for disaster! but we love to see it! i love the fall out we got from this & the nb representation...but the 3rd person pov just really makes it so hard for me to connect with it.

This was my first time reading Meryl Wilsner and it did not disappoint! My Best Friend’s Honeymoon was sweet and reflective, and had everything you want in a friends to lovers romance.
I thought the characters were compelling and I appreciated that the author focused on giving them both the opportunity to grow on their own and together. The story was fast moving but suspenseful, and the spice did not disappoint!
I’m excited to pick up more of this author’s work and see how it compares.

I was really excited for the premise of this book, but honestly it just did not deliver for me. I thought that the characters were kind of one dimensional, which is really not typical of this author in my experiences. The plot didn't really flow for me either, and I found myself getting annoyed that the characters' obsessions with each other (without any real substance otherwise) was really the only plot device.

This is one spicy and fun book. Absolutely love the main characters and the journey they went on to find true love. Add this to your tbr right now. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

This book was a very fun read. Elsie and Ginny are both very relatable characters, and I think the pacing was really great throughout the book. My least favorite part of romance novels is always the miscommunication trope, but I thought that it was done a lot better here than in a lot of books that I've read. It was clear and understandable why Elsie and Ginny made the choices they did, and their motivations for their actions, even when they weren't the best choices. I would have liked to see a little bit more of their relationship outside of the setting of the honeymoon, but even without that, there was good development between Elsie and Ginny and in their relationship. I enjoyed Cleat Cute, but I enjoyed My Best Friend's Honeymoon even more. If you were a fan of Cleat Cute, then you'll definitely like My Best Friend's Honeymoon.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy!
Rating: 4.25/5, rounded to 4/5

I couldn’t finish this. The characters didn’t resonate with me, the spicy scenes were good but something about the romance and everything else just felt off for me.

"My Best Friend's Honeymoon" is a fun and spicy beach read that explores the classic best-friends-to-lovers trope with a modern twist. The story kicks off with Elsie ditching her surprise wedding plans and jetting off to the Caribbean with her best friend Ginny, who has secretly loved her for years. The dynamic between Elsie and Ginny is full of tension and humor, especially as Elsie starts to realize what she truly wants. While the romance felt a bit rushed at times, the chemistry between the characters was undeniable. The book shines in its representation, featuring a bi main character and a non-binary character, which added depth to the story. Although I wished for more development in their friendship before the romance took off, it was still an enjoyable read perfect for a lazy afternoon. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Elsie Hoffman has been engaged to her college boyfriend for a year and a half. Ginny Holtz has been in love with Elsie for almost a decade and a half. When Elsie discovers her fiancé already planned their wedding and honeymoon as a surprise and she’s expected to be in a white dress in seven days, she swiftly realizes she’s let herself become too comfortable with a future she never wanted. She breaks things off, and a week later is on a plane to the Caribbean for her non-refundable honeymoon with her best friend Ginny instead.

Ginny thinks it’s high time Elise learned how to speak up for herself. So, they make a deal with her. For the next week, Elsie can have whatever she wants, wherever, however, and whenever she wants it, as long as she asks. They never expected Elsie to want them.

I'll read anything Meryl Wilsner writes! Overall, I enjoyed this one, but it fell a little flat for me, if I'm honest. It started out strong, there was tons of great 🌶️ in it, but the ending didn't hit me right. I prefer an emotional story, and I feel like the physical overshadowed that. 3.5⭐ rounded up!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

2.5 🌟 I took some time to digest before writing my review. even in 2024, quality sapphic media is (disappointingly) sparse and it can put disproportionate weight into what "good" representation means. while Meryl Wisner's literature has always been hit or miss for me, i was very hopeful upon reading the plot summary and excited to read this on my vacation.

unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me. the characters lacked the maturity to truly work through the challenges presented in the novel - i mean come on, we have a 22-year-old breaking off her engagement and feeling like her life is over? as a midwestern married girlie i'm not one to judge, but it felt like an odd timeline to establish in the adult romance genre. the whole story would've held more weight - emotionally and practically - by aging the MCs up to their 30s... or jeez, maybe 28 to start?

Elsie's b-plot made no sense and frankly, caused me pain to read. we spent 300+ pages establishing her toxic family dynamic and narc mom, only for her to marginally gain her father's respect and "make it work" by the end of the novel? i found it odd to spend so much time with this plotline and arrive at a fledgling resolution, especially given the lack of character development among side characters and Elsie's throughline being "asking for what she needs".

this was quintessential sapphic rep in the sense that the MCs were incredibly chaotic, moved way too fast, and overlooked glaring relationship issues for the sake of "love". and yet, writing yet another lesbian couple incapable of discussing their feelings just feels tired and out of touch. i'd like to think we've grown past the "she's so pretty but totally in a friend way nothing else", but then again sabrina carpenter can kiss a woman in a music video and still have stans screaming about speculating on her sexuality 🙄

Sometimes you're just deeply in love with your life-long best friend, and you should never do anything to risk them not being in your life - right?

My Best Friend's Honeymoon is a cute beach read full of plenty of spice and will-they-won't-they moments.

vacation romance | asking for what you want | spicy | best-friends-to-lovers | bi mc | dual POV | non-binary mc

SPOILERS: I enjoyed how this book actually got better at the third act breakup because it forced the main characters to recognize some of their own codependency and in realizing things about themselves separately and how they wanted to exist in the world as individuals, they were still able to decide that they wanted to continue growing together.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advance copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

ACTUAL RATING 3.6
STEAMY RATING 4

Ginny and Elise are best friend's since childhood, Ginny has been in love with Elisa since they were teens. Elise just called off her engagement and is now off on the nonrefundable honeymoon with her best friend Ginny. Ginny will give anything to Elise so long as she asks, what could go wrong?

I wish i loved this book, as a nonbinary lesbian i love the representation, but the actual romance felt flat to me. Ginny and Elise are best friends but I feel like we see none of their actual adult friendship before they start fucking. The sex scenes were good though they did feel a little crushed together I wish they had done more on the actual trip besides fucking. It also felt a touch short maybe another 50 or so pages to flesh out the characters more.

Overall a very popcorn style book, good for a lazy day on the couch or a beach read.

The premise of this book had me so intrigued. If you're looking for a cute & steamy story, this is it.

After reading some of this author's previous work I was super surprised by how hot this book was! There were so many spicy scenes! With that said, I do wish there were more emotional moments between these two. It felt like a lot of spice for the sake of having spice. Which is why the conflict towards the end of the book made total sense to me. I think I just needed more special moments between all the steamy scenes.

This book is very fast paced and will keep your attention. I liked the vacation spot. Totally wished I was there.

Overall, I enjoyed this but wanted a little more from the romance.

Before we get into this review, I want to start by saying that as soon as Meryl announced this book and gave us the synopsis, I knew I would absolutely love this book. That being said, I was super thankful to have been given the opportunity to read this early. We start off with Elsie and Ginny, childhood best friends making the decision to go on Elsie’s honeymoon together because Elsie had just broken up with her fiancé Derrick. Derrick suggested that Elsie take Ginny on the honeymoon because it was non refundable and if he went it would make him too sad. Ginny agreed because they would do anything for their best friend. On the day they leave Ginny tells Elsie that she can have whatever she wants while on this trip, all she has to do is ask for it. Elsie starts off light, asking for five dollars, to swap seats on the plane, and even going as far to ask a flight attendant if they’ve caught anyone joining the mile high club. That being said, I loved the whole dynamic of Ginny giving Elsie the ability to truly feel comfortable asking for what she wanted. I love how their relationship bloomed from friendship to something more. In the best way possible you could see their relationship coming from a mile away because of the level of chemistry that they had. Meryl truly has a way of depicting their characters chemistry in every book. They way that they both jump to bat for each other, defending each other really warms the heart. I found myself really annoyed with Elsie and how she snapped and lost her mind at Ginny for leaving their job, and I felt that she was a bit to harsh. Elise was definitely being an over dramatic baby about the situation which I really did not enjoy. Bonus points to Meryl for naming Ginny’s dog Rufus because I had a dog named Rufus lol. Back to the main point of the review. I love the dynamic between Elsie and her sister Danielle, and how she seems to be the only one who really listens to her and sees her, and knows what to say and when to say it. I wish that we had gotten more chapters with the two of them together. I loved their final confession so much and I was so glad that they were able to work everything out in the end. This book was an amazing read and I highly recommend it.

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner has a cute premise, but it didn’t fully grab me. The idea of two best friends ending up on a honeymoon together has so much potential, and while there were sweet and *spicy* moments, the chemistry and story didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
I wanted more depth and emotional payoff, but instead, parts of the story felt a little surface-level.
It’s a decent, light read if you’re into friends-to-lovers romances, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. Not bad, just not amazing either!

I love Meryl Wilsner's books! This one was amazing just like the others. I didn't want to put this one down. I am so glad the characters had the growth they did. I can't wait for the next book!