Engaging and entertaining. A recommended purchase for collections where contemporary romance is popular.

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle and narrated by Christine Lakin and Tim Paige was an enjoyable book to listen to and one that I spent most of one whole day listening to.

Molly is a scriptwriter who is returning home for her high school reunion who ends up meeting up with her high school boyfriend, whom she broke up with on the night of their senior prom. Seth is a lawyer and wants to find love and happiness. They make a bet at the reunion about the couples that are together and if they will still be together at the 20th reunion. During that five years they each live their own lives, but always with the other one in the back of their minds. Their lives intermingle during the five years and that makes the longing (?) for each other more prevalent.

I really enjoy books where the female is the grumpy one, a happily every after has to be worked for, and real life stuff happens. This book checks all of those boxes and includes romance, laughter, and witty conversations between all of the characters.

The narrators in this dual pov, audiobook, were spot on. I was able to fall into the story and they embodied the characters perfectly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Molly and Seth were high school sweethearts, but the night of senior prom, Molly broke up with Seth, before they went off to college separately. 15 years later at their high school reunion, they are each other again for the first time since it happened.

Now Molly is a rom com scriptwriter who doesn't believe in romance lasting and Seth is a lawyer practicing family law who wants nothing more than to find his life partner. They make a wager at their 15 year high school reunion in who is right about romance, and the outcomes of 5 couples, including themselves, for who will be together for their 20 year reunion.

" Talking to you is like having through my high school yearbook while listening to Dashboard Confessional."

Does Seth qualify as a golden retriever? There's definitely a grumpy/sunshine relationship here with Molly and Seth
From the 15 year high school reunion to the 20th, we see how these relationships play out, including Molly's and Seth's. I don't love poor communication as a plot device for the leads misunderstanding each other and their feelings, but I understand it's common. That said, there's a lot of lovely sections in the beats of their story.

I enjoyed both narrators in their dual POV audio book.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for an ALC on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I adored everything about this title, especially the sarcastic banter between the characters. It had the perfect blend of self-sabotage, hopeless optimism and real-life to keep me reading. It is a great weekend read and I loved every word! Can't wait to see more by Katelyn Doyle!

Thank you to flatiron for my physical arc and Macmillan audio for the alc. I enjoyed listening to this book so much and would follow along in the book sometimes as well! The narrators really brought the characters to life for me! This was a fun romcom with witty banter, some dirty talk and a lot of spice! I thought it was a great second chance romance story with an original concept. While Seth is adorable and likable, he isn’t your typical book boyfriend! But his chemistry with Molly was off the charts and I loved how the story ended! Also, if you are into the sprayed edges, I mean who isn’t??, this one will have gorgeous purple edges, so make sure you preorder!!

Warning……. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥…… spicy 🌶️ but realistic!!! 😍

Synopsis: Molly Marks, a pessimist towards love, has made a career off of RomCom Script Writing only to be challenged at her high school reunion to a bet that love is real with her high school ex boyfriend turned divorce attorney, Seth Rubenstein. Will Molly win the bet, or will she fall prey to the love she feels she can never have?


Review: Y’all this book is such a fun twist on teenage romance turned silly teenage breakup to high school reunion bets…… I loved how the two main characters lives took such realistic turns and things never really lined up quite right, but showed how timing in life means so much!!! This is a realistic broken romance that adds a realistic amount of steam for how adults likely are in real dating situations. (I wouldn’t know I was married at 20…. But seems accurate:) I enjoyed the banter and the betting, the hilarious comments, the views of lots of different side relationships. I loved the theme of Love and how no relationship is perfect. Truly the accuracy of feelings from a child of divorce was impressive. The brokenness and desperation from both characters added greatly to the character development and brought impressive insights:)

If you would enjoy a steamier version of Emily Henry, then I encourage you to read this book.

Content: Divorce Trauma
Romance: STEAMY! You have been warned.

If you're super into romance novels as a genre, you're going to love this one! The overarching plot was cute, and how the story dealt with Covid-19 felt really realistic (vs some other romance novels I've read featuring that time). The main characters both had realistic problems that still felt unique - our FMC struggles to be emotionally vulnerable, while our MMC is almost TOO emotionally vulnerable. This felt very different from other romance books I've read, and it really made the story stand out to me! And (without spoiling anything) I LOVED the ending of this one. It was laugh-out-loud hilarious, and made up for all of the "cringe" moments that are typical of the genre.

I loved the idea of a missed connections romance, but, sadly, this fell flat for me. In Just Some Stupid Love Story, we follow Seth and Molly who were former high school sweethearts reunited at their high school reunion. Their on and off relationship felt like a situation typical of a young adult novel. The characters were messy and indecisive to the point of leaving me dreading to continue the book. There was one too many breakups between Molly and Seth to feel realistic and it made me feel as though they weren’t meant to be together.
The narrators were fantastic and saved this book for me, incredible job by both of them. Three stars.

This was such a fun romcom!

Molly and Seth dated in high school. She broke up with him before leaving for college and broke his heart.

Molly is a romcom screenwriter who isn't sure she believes in love and seems to sabotage her own relationships. Seth is a divorce attorney who definitely believes in love and soulmates.

They run into each other at their fifteenth high school reunion and hook up. Seth and Molly bet about several couples and what their relationship status will be at the twentieth reunion. Seth thinks they will be together. Molly disagrees.

Both go their own way. They have other relationships. Their paths cross several times. But they can't stop thinking about each other.

Who do you think will win the bet?

Many thanks to Flatiron books for an eARC and MacMillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I adored this book and loved laughing and kicking my feet at the banter between characters. The book kept me engaged from the beginning and i will be highly recommending this book to all my reader friends!

ARC review.
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle
I do not DNF books. Like ever. I listened to this on audio. I could not get through it. I love second chance romance. But. This was too much. I love grumpy/sunshine and reverse grumpy/sunshine. This was a big no.
The MFC was annoying. The MMC was the only good part in this book.
I love some back and forth..but this was too much. They were back and forth so many times I lost count. Had the book been shorter and some stuff had been cut out, it could've been better.
The relationship was toxic at best.
I'm not at all saying this was a bad book...it just wasn't for me.

Just Some Stupid Love Story numbers as the third—yes—third romcom I’ve read this whole year. I’ve read more nonfiction than romcoms in 2024, unbelievably. As I don’t read Romcoms much, I’m not too hard to please when it comes to them. However, though I liked JSSLS, I feel there were some things that didn’t measure up in general and distracted from the overall enjoyment of the book. Seth and Molly were great characters in and of themselves, but when they interacted, they seemed to change and get worse as people. Add to that some romcom tropes that seem prolific despite the very few in the genre I have read, and I can’t say this one blew me away.

Though the two love interests have known each other for quite a while and dated while in high school, the time line for the novel itself takes place over the course of 5 years. Seth and Molly’s story is a second-chance romance with some tragic backstory for both of them. Seth’s optimism was a highlight for me, and Molly’s very bleak and unchanging outlook was out of place in the genre. These two got together and broke up so much the plot got bogged down from repetition and lost my attention quite a few times.

On a high note, Lakin and Paige really shine in the narration on this one. With very expressive voices and impressive range for all character types, I feel the book was quite a bit more enjoyable for the experience. I find that when a book has exceptional narration, I’m engrossed no matter how well structured the story is.

Overall, 3 stars out of 5 for the story and 5 stars out of 5 for the narration. The plot was incredibly repetitive, bleak for a rom com, and set during the pandemic, which blindsided me. I don’t like stories set during the pandemic, and, had I known this one was, I would not have picked it up. The narrators really saved this one for me. If you can listen to this one, I highly recommend it.

My thanks to Macmillan for the ALC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.

This was a really fun read! The characters were witty and likable. I enjoyed the "second chance romance" trope.
Molly returns home for her high school reunion and is forced to interact with the one person whom she does not wish to: Seth. Molly does not believe in love. But to Seth, Molly is "the one that got away." The kicker? Seth is a DIVORCE ATTORNEY and Molly is a ROM COM WRITER! The two of them make a deal to predict the fate of 5 couples and return in 5 years to reevaluate their predictions. Molly agrees, only to find that Seth has chosen themselves as one of the couples.

Thank you to Netgally, Katelyn Doyle, and Macmillan Audio for allowing me early access to this title in return for an honest review!

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle
Genre: romance
Format: audiobook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 out of 5 stars)

Okay WOW I loved this!

💛Second chance romance
💛Dual POV
💛Great audiobook
💛Black cat FMC and golden retriever MMC
💛High school reunion
💛Banter
💛Books about writers (the FMC is a screenwriter)

This one is a romance over 20 years in the making. I loved that they went to a private school - it reminded me a lot of my high school days (except a lot of these people actually still kept up with each other hahah).

Part of this takes place during COVID lockdown - it’s handled well but you may want to skip this one if that bothers you!

I’ll admit it - at first I thought Seth was WAY too much. The energy, the optimism, and goofiness. But you know what? He absolutely grew on me. Some may call this grumpy x sunshine, which is accurate, but I think black cat x golden retriever paints an even better picture of these characters. Sometimes it was a bit over the top, but for the most part, these characters felt so real!

Molly’s is cynical, sarcastic, and so funny. Seeing her slowly get more vulnerable was great. I also really enjoyed her friendships in this story!

My only complaint is that at times this story dragged a bit. It’s definitely one that focused on the long game for sure.

This book is open door. There’s one scene in particular that happens over the phone that’s 🥵 The chemistry these characters have is everything!! If you like opposites attract with a bit of spice, this is for you!

If you’re looking for your next romance on audio, pick this one up!! I think Emily Henry fans will enjoy this because it’s so layered and there’s a ton of chemistry and banter.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my ALC! All thoughts are my own. Just Some Stupid Love Story is out June 4th!

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for my latest 5/5 star read! DO NOT let the title fool you- Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle is smart, funny, and a unique take on the second chance trope. If you like the type of books I do, you will LOVE this.

At a wedding, Molly Marks, a rom-com screenwriter, runs into her high school ex, divorce attorney Seth Rubenstein. One would think the rom-com writer would be pro-love and the divorce attorney anti, but that is not the case. These two are fully-developed characters that seem so REAL. Seth is different than most male leads and he is a new favorite of mine. He has such a fun personality, and the narrator does a perfect job with it. We don’t always need a grump, and Doyle managed to make him so cheerful and joyful (and a dance hound) but still manly and hot. While reading, I had feelings in my heart area- I absolutely loved it and couldn’t put it down.

I enjoyed listening to narrator Christine Lakin’s raspy voice, and Tim Paige did such a great job, especially with the humor. These two BECAME these characters.

This book is set to be published on JUNE 4, 2024. IMO it is worthy of a pre-order or an as-early-as-possible hold on Libby! Let me know what you think once you’ve read it!

5/5 stars
10 hours 31 minutes at 1x on audio
Open door
Locations: Florida, Los Angeles, Nashville and Chicago

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle is a beautiful second-chance romance that reminded me of When Harry Met Sally.
Molly Marks is a rom-com writer who doesn't believe in love and her ex-boyfriend Seth is an optimistic romantic divorce attorney. When they reunite at their high school reunion, they make a bet on who will stay together and who will break up including themselves.
This story takes place over several years and goes into the highs and lows of trying to overcome their fears and issues with relationships. It has both romantic leads' points of view so you're not left wondering what's going on in the head of the other partner.
Molly is believably damaged after her parent's terrible divorce which leaves her terrified of love and with terrible anxiety. I found her to be very relatable. I also related to Seth's save the world belief in love attitude as well. He was truly a good guy character, so genuine and hopeful all the time.
I laughed and cried and thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I like the narrators and felt their voices lent themselves to the character and completely put me in the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this arc. This review was given voluntarily and all views and opinions are my own.

"Just Some Stupid Love Story" by Katelyn Doyle is an enchanting and humorous dive into the complexities of love, fate, and second chances. The novel's protagonist, Molly Marks, is a seasoned rom-com writer who is ironically jaded about romance, while Seth Rubinstein, a top divorce attorney, remains an incurable romantic. Their reunion at a high school reunion sparks a captivating bet that serves as the heart of this delightful narrative.

Doyle masterfully blends wit and warmth, creating characters that are both relatable and endearing. Molly’s cynical perspective on love juxtaposed with Seth’s unwavering belief in soulmates provides a refreshing dynamic that keeps readers eagerly turning pages. The bet they make, to predict the outcomes of five couples over the next five years, adds a clever and engaging twist to the traditional love story.

The book is filled with sharp dialogue, hilarious situations, and heartfelt moments that explore the evolution of relationships and personal growth. Doyle’s writing is both poignant and playful, making "Just Some Stupid Love Story" a perfect read for anyone looking for a romantic comedy with depth and charm. This novel not only entertains but also invites readers to ponder the true nature of love and destiny.

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle Audiobook version 4.5 stars rounded up. I really enjoyed the narrators, Christine Larkin and Tim Paige, on this one and I thought this was a really good love story. It touched on some tough subjects like broken relationships between parents and broken relationships between adult child and father. It also dived into some self-worth issues which affected personal relationships. I think there was good character growth and the main characters were likable. The MMC has a golden retriever type personality but I did find him sweet and endearing. I think Katelyn Doyle did an excellent job for this being her debut rom-com! I look forward to reading more from her and will definitely be picking her books up again. Thank you to NetGalley, Katelyn Doyle, and Macmillan Audio for an advance audiobook copy. Much appreciated!

3.75⭐️ ARC from Macmillan Audio, these are my own thoughts and opinions

This was a cute listen! Romcom lover who doesn’t believe in love and a divorce attorney who wants to find his soulmate make a bet about who can predict the ending of 5 relationships. Did I mention it’s a second chance romance? It was quirky and fun, and the narrators did a phenomenal job! A lot of the plot happens around COVID, which I didn’t necessarily love, but it worked for this story. Definitely add this to your TBR!

Posted on Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Instagram

Molly broke Seth’s heart right before leaving for college after being high-school sweet hearts. It’s been 15 years with no contact and of course they are seated at the same table at their high school reunion. Molly is a jaded rom-com screen writer who doesn’t believe in true love and Seth is a divorce attorney and a hopeless romantic at heart. With their different views on love, they decide to place a bet. They choose 5 couples and predict who will break up, who will stay together and/or who will get together. Whoever wins is correct about love. The 5th couple, well, that’s them.

What follows is your typical back and forth, push and pull of a good rom-com.

What I liked:

~ I found this to be well-written and clever with nice character development.
~ There are plenty of cute and funny moments.
~ It has everything needed for your typical and enjoyable rom-com: tension, apprehension, sadness and ultimately, the happy ending.

What didn’t work for me:

~ I’m not a huge reader of this genre and while not a prude, I didn’t think the spicy language or sex scene(s) added to the story. I understand though through book groups of which I’m a member on social media that there of plenty of folks out there who believe the more spice the better. This one is probably pretty mild by those standards.
~ While I found Molly to be smart and applauded her attempts to work through her feelings repeatedly, overall, I just didn’t like her and found myself wanting to give her a proper slap at times.

All in all, it’s a quick read with a pleasant if not completely fresh take on your standard rom-com. I could very easily see this as a movie.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a great job.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.