This was a really cute--if completely unrealistic--contemporary romance and I'm so glad I requested it from NetGalley. Don't get me wrong. I really liked this book. Gonzalez has such a way with words. To me, she writes some of the best banter I've ever read in a contemporary romance. It's whip-smart and sexy. Her characters are fully fleshed out and definitely not one-dimensional. The only thing I subtracted a star for was the believability of the plot.

Here it is: A corporate lawyer, Lilly, quits her job on a whim at their corporate retreat in Miami when another guy gets the credit for her work. She immediately decides to stay at an old hotel in Miami for the rest of the summer, in an AirBnB-type thing. That night, she meets all her neighbors at the hotel, including a jewelry expert, a fashion-influencer, and a hot bartender that turns out to be Ben, a poetry professor who is filling in at the bar for his sister.

This is where the plot kind of lost me in terms of plausibility. I like a little relatability to my CRs, and this stretched it. Not only is hot Ben really a poetry professor, he also loves romance novels AND wants to do a podcast with Lilly about romance novels. In between are lots of bookshop dates and brunches with all her new friends. She's immediately best friends with everyone, and that kinda grated on my nerves. And in the middle of all this, she gets a book deal?? Because everyone loves her opinions on romance novels?? In terms of plot, it was just way too much.

However, now that I've talked about that, I want to say that this is my first book by Gonzalez and it won't be my last. I can overlook some plot issues if the characters are strong, and the author did a really good job with hers. I liked that Lilly was both relatable AND vulnerable, and even though she was a mature woman of 30, her fears about men and dating were spot-on. No immaturity here. (Her friends, on the other hand, made me cringe. A lot.) And Ben? Well, Ben is everything you want in a romance MMC. He's sexy, super-smart, and says all the right things. The author did such a good job with the banter that I felt like I could see it all happening. This would make an excellent rom-com.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you can suspend your beliefs for a bit in terms of plot and just enjoy a character-driven romance. I'm looking forward to reading more by Gonzalez. :)

I love that Ben and Lily end up changing and growing together. I also love the moments where he is possessive or shows affection for her. I wish there was less drama and mention of Ben’s ex. I also am tired of MMCs being commitment phobes or wanting casual flings. He even admits to sending her a bunch of mixed signals. I would have preferred the MMC grovel more but that’s just my preference.

I ate this book up! I signed up for the ARC because I live in Miami. I didn’t realize that the author did as well until the acknowledgments at the end. It was so fun to read stories about places I’ve been to. And the book very much has a Miami vibe, it’s fine, funny, and light. Even the darker topics in the book are handled in a very subtle way that doesn’t leave negative feelings.
This is definitely the perfect summer read for a day at the beach on Crandon, while yelling at your kids, not to touch the man o’ wars! 😂
The found the family and instant support the friendship group forms in this book is definitely true of my experience in Miami.
I joined a book club and bam 14 best friends, easy peazy.
Ride or die !
I think there is so much superficiality in Miami that when you find someone(s) you click with here, you hold onto them for dear life, and you are not willing to risk them at all.

The book might be a romance, but it is also a story of friendships. Yes, there was initial attraction between the main characters, both of them wanted more but we’re willing to take less if that meant keeping their friendship. Both characters cared so much that they weren’t willing to lose the other, even if it meant there would be no romance.
And if that isn’t the romance you want then I don’t know what is! Someone that loves you and once you’re happiness more than their own.
Even though I love how everything wrapped up in the book, I really want this to become a series.
You get to know the side characters so well that you don’t want to not be able to find out how their lives shape ip and their love stories and. Hopefully, it will!

I don’t think this was for me. Wasn’t what I thought it would be . I thought maybe this would be a book about the buildings residents and their love stories

DNF at 20%

Unfortunately this book is just not for me. The FMC quit her job, is staying at a hotel on the beach for the summer and is in a room across from the hot local bartender… And that’s the whole plot. Personally, I’m not a fan of insta-love unless it’s done very well, and this just didn’t feel believable.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Lily has just quit her job in corporate law and is planning on spending the summer in Miami, lounging, drinking, and reading. Ben, who she runs into at the bar is also planning on having a fun summer, as her new brooding neighbor. When the two of them start a romance book club, other residents start coming to them for romance advise, which they are all to happy to give.

initial thoughts: I too have wanted to quit my job in the most disastrous way possible and take the summer off to fuck off to Miami. Our FMC Lily is kind of reaching with her ‘first love’ getting married being the catalyst for quitting her job? (they dated in high school/college and she’s 30! get over it!) Benedicto is giving me big hottie w/ a thick mustache vibes (in a good way, he is not described to have a mustache but I picture it too clearly to let it go I fear)

25% in and i’m sorry the insistence on this fiction book review app is kinda grating on me, then they mention their (Lily+Ben) review went ‘viral’ ?? bit of a stretch for me. also I think the characters establishing that they are friends but continuing to flirt and Lily bringing up that she ‘doesn’t want to be anything more’ but then questioning what Ben thinks of her (in a romantic sense) is kinda irritating?

hey so like maybe don’t poke fun at asexuals??? we get enough from literally everyone else thanks!

‘I fell in love with Ben Romeo at 8:04pm’ ma’am you have known this man for 2 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! W H A T ????????

okay wrapping this up. didn’t like this. they kept saying they were just friends and then shamelessly flirting and then we finally get Ben’s who backstory and it’s just like…okay…great…

this feels like a 2nd draft if I’m completely honest. while I didn’t dislike either of the MC’s I certainly didn’t like them either. I think we could have had more fun with the setting and other characters in the building (given the title)

overall a fine time but maybe pick this one up at the library

I loved the cover and the catchy title. I loved the location and feel of the building. It reminded me of the feel of Only Murders in the Building. It was fun, flirty, and fast-paced.

As I was reading I felt like something was missing to hook me in. The third person POV was really throwing me for a loop. I wanted to see the character develop more and didn’t get that for some reason.

Nadine Gonzalez delivers a breezy, sun-drenched romance full of charm, wit, and just the right amount of emotional depth in Only Lovers in the Building. Set against the lush, glittering backdrop of Miami Beach, the novel sparkles with personality—from the eccentric residents of The Icon to the undeniable chemistry between its two central characters.

Liliane Lyon is a compelling heroine: vulnerable yet resilient, looking to recharge after a public career implosion. Her meet-cute-turned-cozy-friendship with Benedicto Romero—a brooding poet on sabbatical—feels organic and sweetly awkward, especially as they bond over a shared love of romance novels. Their banter is sharp, their connection slow-burning, and watching them fumble through their feelings is both frustrating and delightful in the best rom-com way.

The podcast subplot adds a fun, modern twist, giving Lily and Ben a reason to explore their dynamic under the scrutiny of others. While their transition from book buddies to potential lovers occasionally drags, Gonzalez offsets this with lush descriptions, moments of introspection, and a strong supporting cast that keeps the energy high.

Though it doesn’t reinvent the genre, Only Lovers in the Building is a warm, satisfying read that reminds us love doesn’t always follow the script—but sometimes, that’s exactly where the magic lies.

I picked up Only Lovers in the Building because let’s be real, the title gave me instant Only Murders in the Building vibes (which I love), and the adorable cover sealed the deal.

A sweet summer romance set in a vibrant apartment building with a book-loving hero and a book club-turned-podcast? Yes, please!

There’s so much to love in this premise. I really enjoyed the budding connection between Lily and Ben, especially their podcast banter as they discussed romance novels with heart and humor. There’s a wonderful theme of rediscovery woven throughout. Lily stepping away from her corporate law job, building new friendships, and learning to fully live again.

That said, the writing style just didn’t quite click with me. I found myself wishing for more natural flow and deeper emotional moments between the characters. While I loved the idea of the building being filled with quirky neighbors, I wasn’t always sure how their roles fit into the bigger picture.

I still appreciate what this story aimed to do. It’s heartfelt, it’s hopeful, and it carries a lovely message that love can bloom in unexpected places—and that change can be the beginning of something beautiful.

I wish I loved the book as much as I adore the cover. I struggled to connect to the story and characters even though the plot was fleshed out, the characters were well developed. and I enjoyed Gonzalez's writing overall. This could be my mood reader tendencies so I will certainly give future books a try.

This was good and cute, if somewhat slow. Novels where the protagonist lawyer doesn't want to be a lawyer are both really common and ALSO writers writing them always think they're first, so I feel like I'm supposed to be more surprised than I am that drafting merger documents is not that thrilling. I liked the setting. I liked the apartment and the friend group and the love of books. I think the relationship itself was a little off - lots of florid declarations from Ben and confusion from Lily - but the podcast was cute and it was very timely. 3.5 rounded up.

I received a free ARC from Netgalley.

Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

Only Lovers in the Building is an endearing and heartfelt read that begins with a midlife crisis and gently unfolds into a sweet, unconventional romance. While the romantic connection took a while to really click for me—only becoming clear past the halfway mark—it ultimately felt delicate, sincere, and well-earned.

What truly stood out were the heavier themes explored throughout the story. Nadine Gonzalez doesn't shy away from real-life complexities, and she weaves them into the plot with care and thoughtfulness. I appreciated that depth and nuance in what could have been a much lighter read.

I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what she writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book — all thoughts in my review are my own.

The cover of this book screamed Miami to me & that is the reason I chose to read it and I am so happy I did! This was such a fun, quick read that follows Lily, as she is going through some self discovery and quits her job without a plan. I completely related to this because I too left a toxic job environment a few years ago without a plan. Throughout the novel we meet Lily's new neighbors who includes our MMC Ben. One of my favorite male main characters I've read in awhile.

One of the things I enjoyed the most was that Miami wasn't just the setting of the novel but it was a character in itself. I lived in Miami for 17 years but now live in Colorado and the authors description of Miami, from the way she described the thunderstorms to the Lincoln road and the shops transported me back home immediately.

Only Lovers in the Building was an endearing read that started with a midlife crisis but transformed into a sweet romance. While I didn't see the romantic connection in till more than halfway into the book it turned out to be delciate and sweet if a little unconventional. I really enjoyed the discussion of heavy topics in this book and I am excited to see what the other does next. Thank you NetGalley and Publisher

"Only Lovers in the Building" is a contemporary romance set in Miami, blending themes of self-worth, summer love, and the complexities of modern relationships. The story follows Lily Lyon, a former corporate lawyer who retreats to Miami after an abrupt end to her legal career. There, she meets Ben Romero, a MacArthur grant-winning poet and university lecturer. Despite their contrasting personalities, the two bond over their shared love for romance novels which eventually leads to a book club podcast and more. Can summer romance evolve into a lasting relationship?
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I thought the pacing was fine, I loved the banter between the two main characters but often found it rushed or confusing. I really enjoyed meeting the other building residents and wish we had more time with them.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lighthearted and cute, this came as advertised. The building is part of the story, much like its namesake, but the relationship between the two main characters didn’t always feel totally organic. I enjoyed it and it will be a good summer read for anyone looking for a fun and cute book.

I learn to suspend a bit of belief in rom coms, but I wasn't buying this very rapid transition from posting reviews to podcast to major book deal. it felt very rushed, just like this book. I think it could have benefited from being longer than 280 pages. otherwise a lovely friends to lovers, vacation read. just not one I connected well with.

Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez forced proximity, friends-to-lovers summer romance.

Lily has quit her corporate law job and decided to spend the summer in Miami, sitting in the sun, reading, and sipping cocktails. What she does not expect is her charming, book loving neighbor Ben. A fun and flirty romance book club is born with online book reviews and intense chemistry, leading to more members/friends in their building and eventually a podcast. I enjoyed the chemistry between Ben and Lily and I really wanted to love this book, but I really struggled with it. It felt like it was just missing something and the story felt choppy and clunky. While I loved the other characters in the building, I just didn’t always understand the point of them being in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed the witty banter between Ben and Lily with respect to their podcast as they discussed romantic novels. They connected with their listeners as they appealed to then and gave them hope that love can be found. Lily found herself lost in her legal career as she wasn't given credit for all the hard work she put in. She decided to change which led her to the building that she planned on staying through the summer and resurrect her career thereafter. However, in expanding her network whether it be Noah or Sierra, she found herself again. She laughed more and truly started to live. She knew that she could love and be loved in return. This book gives hope that everything does happen for a reason and we all deserve to be happy. I certainly will read it again.