Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for the ARC for my honest review.

This review contains mild spoilers.

This book didn't do it for me. I have previously loved Meryl Wilsner's other books and felt their writing was strong and stories captivating. When reading the synopsis of this book I assumed I would devour it and love every second. I was disappointed.

I couldn't relate to the characters or their relationship with each other. If they were lifelong best friends why didn't Ginny feel as though they could at least tell Elise that she appeared unhappy in her current engagement?

Elise is a whole other story. Elise never stands up for herself and stayed in a relationship with someone who doesn't even care to get to know her (the engagement) entirely too long for a reason I still don't know.

For the smut lovers- there is a lot of it. I enjoy when smut is placed well in a story and helps build the characters and their relationship with each other, but this book feels like it should've been an island fantasy vacation erotica and just scrapped the "story." Almost as if it was a fantasy written out and not necessarily a novel if that makes any sense.

I think there is an audience that would appreciate and enjoy this book, but I am not it.

This book glowed. It gave me all the warm fuzzies, made my heart ache (in the best way), and left me genuinely emotional in the end. 🥹💕

Elsie is freshly single and suddenly on her would-have-been honeymoon with her best friend Ginny, who’s secretly been in love with her for years. What starts as a much-needed getaway turns into something softer, deeper, and beautifully messy. Ginny challenges Elsie to ask for what she really wants and watching Elsie step into that truth? Ugh. So good. 😭✨

What I really loved was the thoughtful, affirming representation of Ginny as a non-binary main character. Their dynamic with Elsie felt so palpable, tender, and full of respect. Wilsner balances romantic heat with emotional depth in a way that made the story feel like a warm hug, with a few toe-curling scenes to spice it up. 😉. You know steam isn't my thing, so I had to hit the jump ahead 30 seconds button quite a bit!

If you love:
• Friends-to-lovers arcs done right
• Queer joy and identity-affirming love
• Island romance with emotional growth
• Characters learning they deserve so much more than “fine”

Then you need this one in your beach bag (or just your heart) 💌

This was such a fun, fast-paced read!
It starts off with Elsie finding out her fiancé planned their whole wedding and honeymoon as a surprise, and she realizes she’s just not that into him.
So, she breaks it off and takes her best friend since childhood, Ginny, on the honeymoon instead since it’s nonrefundable. (Per the exes request so don’t think Elsie is a B here) Ginny has been in love with Elsie for too long so we already know it’s about to get spicy.
The spice is next-level, and I loved how we didn’t have to wait long for Elsie to finally take the leap. I’m talking some of the best sapphic scenes I’ve read.
Sadly, there is a third-act breakup fueled by miscommunication, which honestly, kind of felt so unnecessary at first but then panned out.
Elsie’s freakout was kind of over the top but Ginny handled it all so well, and stood their ground. I loved seeing their growth during that time apart.

This has all the best-friends-to-lovers vibes, lots of spice, and great representation.



Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ALC!

Ahem. I loved this book.

It did get a little bogged down in the post-vacation third-act conflict business, which wasn't my favorite part of the plot. But everything else here was the exact spicy, romantic, trope-y, queer fun that I was expecting from a Meryl Wilsner book. The audiobook was excellent -- no particular raves, but also no complaints! I was able to easily get lost in the story without distraction.

It made me desperately want to go stay in one of those little bungelows over the ocean with my partner and just get away from everything.

I still think I liked Cleat Cute the most out of the Wilsner books I've read, but they are now cemented as an auto-buy author for me! I will be singing the praises of this one on social media.

Love anything Meryl Wilsner writes, and this is no exception. One of my most anticipated 202 novels, this lived up to all my expectations, a perfect summer read, and even better as an audiobook. Highly recommend.

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Macmillan Audio.

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 is expected to be in a white dress in seven days, she swiftly realizes she has 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 is 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.

What starts as choosing activities and taking selfies soon turns to toe-curling kisses and much, much more. But what happens when the honeymoon is over?

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon is about not only learning to ask for what you want, but for the happiness you deserve. This book was extremely fast paced which I appreciated. I loved the foundation of their relationship being rooted in years of friendship. I thought Ginny and Elsie were great characters and were well fleshed out. Watching them grow both emotionally and romantically was really sweet. It was totally believable. I enjoyed seeing them support and uplift each other’s goals and passions. And the banter. The only downside in my opinion is that I did appreciate Elsie’s growth in standing up for herself, but it came at the detriment of them spending a significant portion of the book apart, which was kind of upsetting. But Ginny also had a bit of growing up to do and I appreciated how they handled the situation. My first book by Wilsner and definitely will not be my last.

Rating: 3.5/5

Did not finish. I’m sorry I just couldn’t connect to this story or the characters. It was cringy more than it wasn’t and I couldn’t stand the narrators.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC Audio Copy!

This looks like such a cute story where two lifelong best friends find out that they both feel the same way about each other after one calls off her engagement. I think the premise was really great and I was excited about the representation in the book. However, I feel that the communication was lacking, some of the conversations that really should have been had before this discovery would have made for a better connection between the characters, that really just depended on spice. If you are looking for a deep and meaningful romance, this is probably not this, but if you're looking for a fun and cute spicy romance then this is the book for you.

This was a no from me. I don’t mind spice/smut - many of the books I read include that and I enjoy reading it. Something about a book that is nothing but smut and imo masquerades as a romance is bothersome. This book felt like a thin plot to write out a personal fantasy. I felt nothing from the characters and some of the dialogue was off-putting. All of the characters were insufferable.

This story was amazing, and the narration was even better! I loved the story the first time that I read it, and the narration added d so much to the story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I really liked the representation in this book!! Each character felt really thought out and really well rounded. The only thing I didn’t like was the whole 3rd act break down. Not that there was anything wrong with it I just don’t think it was necessary lol.

I sometimes struggled to understand Elsie. He character could be a little obtuse but I loved Ginny. I loved the plus-sized masculine representation. They were such a great character!!

Overall this was an enjoyable listen!! Blair Barker and Emily Shaw are great narrators!!

“My Best Friend’s Honeymoon” was another fantastic book from Meryl Wilsner. The pace was perfect- the audiobook the perfect companion for a ride into work or listening to around the house.

The story itself was a brilliant take on a friends to lovers trope without feeling tired or overdone, and the use of language, respect for pronouns (as commonplace and not something to be othered), and general exploration of queer culture helped uplift this book and create dynamic worlds for main characters Elsie and Ginny. There are definitely spicy scenes as well- also well written and real, that speak to real, queer, and fat experiences. Overall a great read! Thank you for the opportunity to read/ listen early!

Great love story and I loved the narrator. I also felt like I was at the all-inclusive with them, great description and detail!

I really enjoyed this queer romance read - perfect for the start of Spring weather! These best friends turn into lovers and live out their "honeymoon-phase" quite literally on a honeymoon. The erotic scenes were primarily in the middle of the book - creating a good pacing in the book overall. I genuinely liked Elsie and Ginny as characters. As for their dynamic in a caring, careful, connected sapphic relationship - couldn't have been written better. The narrators were good - I preferred the "Ginny" narrator more than the "Elsie" narrator, who could sound a little too .... simple (?), passive (?) - not sure how to describe exactly what was off but it wasn't anything too distracting. Overall 3.75/5!

Thanks to #NetGalley and to the publisher for access to the audiobook ARC!

I went into My Best Friend's Honeymoon expecting a light, romantic comedy with some heart, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver. The premise was promising—an accidental honeymoon with a best friend has so much potential for charm and chemistry—but the execution fell flat.

The characters felt one-dimensional, and their dialogue often came across as forced or clichéd. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of little happening, followed by rushed emotional developments that didn’t feel earned. I found it hard to root for the romance when the connection between the leads felt more like a plot device than genuine chemistry.

There were a few funny or sweet moments, and the setting was nice, but overall, the story lacked depth and originality. I really wanted to like this more than I did.

I loved Meryl Wilsner’s “Mistakes Were Made” so I was so excited to see this new book coming out with more queer representation!

Elsie and Ginny have been best friends forever and when Elsie’s wedding is called off, they decide to go on the non refundable honeymoon together. One thing leads to another and pretty soon they’re both confessing their mutual attraction and feelings. And it gets SPICY. Very, very spicy. I love how Ginny helps Elsie feel more confident in her wants and desires. The romance moves really quickly-understandably since they have been best friends and have been attracted to each other for awhile.

Both of these characters are messy, with their own faults. I can definitely see some readers might feel frustrated with their actions but remember…real people miscommunicate and make mistakes all the time so it’s normal that fictional characters do too.

Overall, it was a cute, cozy and spicy story. The narration by both Blair Baker and Emily Shaw was wonderful. Their voices really fit the characters.

Thank you Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for early access!

Read if you like:
🏖️Friends to Lovers
🏖️Queer representation (nonbinary & pansexual)
🏖️Miscommunication
🏖️Self discovery & growth
🏖️Hot & Spicy

My Best Friend's Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner was so fun! Friends to lovers with a non-binary main character...just delightful!

Meryl Wilsner continues to establish their place in the sapphic romance genre with My Best Friend’s Honeymoon, a heartfelt, emotionally rich story that explores the blurry lines between friendship and love. In this novel, Wilsner delivers not only a swoon-worthy romance but also a deeply affirming portrayal of platonic intimacy evolving into something more—seamlessly blending drama, charm, and authenticity.

The story centers on two lifelong best friends who unexpectedly find themselves sharing a honeymoon—one that was never meant for them as a couple, but becomes a pivotal space for self-discovery and emotional reckoning. Wilsner masterfully captures the tender tension between the protagonists as they navigate long-suppressed feelings, moments of confusion, and the fear of changing a relationship that has meant everything to them.

One of the standout features of the book is its portrayal of supportive friendships and family dynamics. Rather than relying on the trope of external conflict or disapproval, Wilsner offers a refreshingly affirming environment in which the main characters are buoyed by a close-knit, understanding community. It’s rare and meaningful to see this kind of emotional support system, especially in queer romance, and it adds a grounded, hopeful layer to the narrative.

The audiobook edition further elevates the experience. The narration captures the emotional nuances of the characters’ internal journeys while keeping the pace and tone engaging throughout. The narrator’s ability to differentiate characters and convey their vulnerabilities adds a rich dimension to the already strong writing.

Ultimately, My Best Friend’s Honeymoon is a beautifully told story about the deep, sometimes imperceptible shift from friendship to romantic love. It’s a celebration of connection, honesty, and the courage to embrace love in all its unexpected forms. Highly recommended for fans of queer romance who appreciate both heart and humor.

There was so much I loved about this book - the characters, the representation, the growth, the relationships, the vibes. I haven’t finished a romance this fast in a long time - this was so cute!

My one complaint is that for me the third act conflict happened too soon and ended up being a large portion of the 2nd half of the book. I loved the growth that both of these character’s went through individually but I would have loved to have seen more of Elise and Ginny’s relationship as a couple.

This was my first time reading a book by Meryl Wilsner and I really like their writing style. I will be checking out their other books in the future.

This was a book I had read a blurb about prior to seeing on NetGalley, so I was super excited to get the chance to receive an ARC of this.
Elsie is about to get married! Except, Elsie doesn't know it, as her fiance has planned an elaborate wedding without telling her for the following week. When this surprise doesn't go the way her fiance expected, Elsie is left with a non-refundable honeymoon to a tropical getaway. Enter her best friend Ginny, who Elsie begs to tag along. Unbeknownst to Elsie, Ginny has harbored feelings for Elsie forever. And UNBEKNOWNST TO ELSIE AND GINNIE....maybe that's not unrequited!
The writing was fun, and the breakup of past and present chapters really helped to flesh out both characters. Even when I'd find myself frustrated with one of them, I'd be hit with a chapter explaining what led to that behavior/reaction, and it made me more empathetic to each main character. The representation in this book was done excellently, and it made me breathe a sigh of relief there wasn't rampant homophobia as a consistent plot line of the book.
I will say I found the weakest part of the book to be the conflict that set them apart for the final third of the book. I actually really liked the chapters that focused on them pursing their aspirations separately, I felt as though the basis for the time apart to be a bit frivolous and out of character for Elsie. But overall the writing was fantastic, the chemistry between Elsie and Ginny was 10/10 and the spice was fun without taking away from the overarching story. I really enjoyed this read, and recommend it to anyone who loves a good friends-to-lovers rom-com with a bit of angst.