I received an ARC of The Best I Never Had by Amy Buchanan, and this book completely exceeded my expectations. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. I actually found myself looking up more of the author’s work before I had even finished the opening chapters, which rarely happens for me.

Amy Buchanan’s writing style is incredibly engaging and easy to fall into. She has a way of making the characters feel real almost immediately, and I found myself emotionally invested in them very quickly. The story flows smoothly and feels almost cinematic — descriptive enough to fully picture each scene without ever feeling slow or overdone.

The characters were one of the strongest parts of this book for me. Each one felt well-developed, and I truly cared about what happened to them. The emotional moments felt genuine, and the lighter moments — especially the banter — added so much charm to the story.

This book blends humor, emotion, and romance perfectly. If you enjoy fake relationship tropes, strong character development, and stories that make you laugh while still pulling at your heart, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.

Overall, this has easily become one of my favorite romance reads, and I’m so grateful to have received an early copy. I have no doubt readers are going to love this one when it releases in August 2026.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters pulled me in right away, and Thea and Owen had such an engaging dynamic that kept me hooked the whole time. Their history added just enough tension without feeling heavy, and their interactions felt natural and believable.

The family dynamic was chef’s kiss. It brought a mix of chaos, humour, and heartfelt moments that made the story feel grounded and real.

This hit exactly what I look for in a romcom. There’s emotional depth, a bit of messiness, and a lot of heart. It balances tougher moments with warmth and connection in a way that made it an easy, satisfying read.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press & Amy Buchanan for the eARC.

I absolutely loved The Best I Never Had—I truly couldn’t put it down. It was exactly the kind of romance I needed to break up my usual fantasy-heavy reading, and it delivered in every way.

As someone who’s a total sucker for the fake dating trope, I was hooked from the start. Amy executed it perfectly, making it feel fresh, fun, and completely addictive. The dynamic between Thea and Owen was everything—their banter had me giggling nonstop, but there was also heartfelt moments that brought me to tears.

The story had just the right amount of spice while still delivering real emotional depth. It wasn’t just a light, fluffy romance—it had substance, vulnerability, and characters I genuinely cared about.

This book was such a joy to read, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a romance that’s equal parts swoony, funny, and emotional.

This book took me on such an emotional ride—I laughed out loud, teared up, and felt so many emotions in between. As my first read by Amy Buchanan, I can honestly say it did not disappoint.

Thea is such a relatable character. Watching her grow throughout the story, while carrying the weight of being the oldest sibling and trying to be a constant for her sister, Amy, was incredibly touching and real.

And Owen? Absolutely loved him. His dependability, honesty, and emotional growth made him stand out from beginning to end. He added so much heart to the story.

Overall, this book was funny, heartfelt, and completely engaging. It kept my attention the entire time and was such an enjoyable read. Definitely one I’d recommend!