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ambeesbookishpages's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I never have felt more seen by a book then I have by The Next Best Fling in a very long time. Gabriella’s debut romance novel did not disappoint and I loved it from page one. Featuring a curvy FMC, former football player MMC, best friends brother trope and healing a broken heart, The Next Best Fling brings something to the table for all romance lovers.
I adored Marcela’s character. A a curvy girl myself who also goes through phases of loving their body and then phases of hating it. I understood her struggles in trying to understand why Theo desired her and if he really wanted her. Let me tell you, the way he soothed and proved those thoughts wrong for her 😮💨😮💨😮💨 I also loved that Marcela is a YA librarian, which is so cool to me. YA books are what made me a reader and seeing references from books that I read and loved in the past was almost like a full circle moment for me. I can not express how much I loved the characters in this book and how much I wanted to wrap both Marcela and Theo up in a giant hug and reassure them that everything was going to be okay.
The Next Best Fling does contain open door spice, but to me it wasn’t anything crazy and I feel as if it was used to further the plot and the characters then used for filler. Marcela’s thought process during the spicy scenes and the way she viewed herself I know will be relatable to many readers, I know it especially was for me.
Again, Gabriella’s romance debut did no disappoint, it has been several days since reading and I am still thinking about Marcela and Theo’s story. I am excited to see what Gabriella has in store next, she will definitely be an author to add to my TBR list going forward!
***I received a review copy of The Next Best Fling through NetGalley from Forever. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book!***
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I never have felt more seen by a book then I have by The Next Best Fling in a very long time. Gabriella’s debut romance novel did not disappoint and I loved it from page one. Featuring a curvy FMC, former football player MMC, best friends brother trope and healing a broken heart, The Next Best Fling brings something to the table for all romance lovers.
I adored Marcela’s character. A a curvy girl myself who also goes through phases of loving their body and then phases of hating it. I understood her struggles in trying to understand why Theo desired her and if he really wanted her. Let me tell you, the way he soothed and proved those thoughts wrong for her 😮💨😮💨😮💨 I also loved that Marcela is a YA librarian, which is so cool to me. YA books are what made me a reader and seeing references from books that I read and loved in the past was almost like a full circle moment for me. I can not express how much I loved the characters in this book and how much I wanted to wrap both Marcela and Theo up in a giant hug and reassure them that everything was going to be okay.
The Next Best Fling does contain open door spice, but to me it wasn’t anything crazy and I feel as if it was used to further the plot and the characters then used for filler. Marcela’s thought process during the spicy scenes and the way she viewed herself I know will be relatable to many readers, I know it especially was for me.
Again, Gabriella’s romance debut did no disappoint, it has been several days since reading and I am still thinking about Marcela and Theo’s story. I am excited to see what Gabriella has in store next, she will definitely be an author to add to my TBR list going forward!
***I received a review copy of The Next Best Fling through NetGalley from Forever. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book!***
bookishbunny_'s review against another edition
3.0
This started off as a great read, but the last half wasn't my favorite. Honestly the whole situation was kind of toxic and I didn't love how Theo and Marcela got together and handled everything. Initially, I liked how Theo and Marcela were both aware of needing to move on and they found comfort in each other. However, Marcela grew to be a frustrating character. There was transparency from Theo but Marcela was so focused on choosing to blindly read into his words and she was overcomplicating things. There was a lot of miscommunication at the end of the book and it was starting to get silly. I think it would have helped if we saw their relationship develop more, especially beyond a physical level. Marcela felt like a very juvenile character and my biggest issue with her was how messy she was making everything. There's not much to the plot but it started to feel like they were running in circles at the end and it would have been less frustration if there had just been more communication between all the characters. Theo was a great character and I love how clear he was about his feelings/stance but the excuses Marcela was trying to use were disappointing. Overall, there were lots of red flags in the characters and I wasn't invested in the story enough to be convinced about their relationship. Even at the end, it still felt like a rebound relationship and the character development wasn't enough. There were definitely some cute moments though! I wouldn't have minded if we got to see the librarian side of Marcela more.
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
booktribe's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Before I picked up this book, I was in a HUGE romance slump. I was DNF-ing romance after romance & I had only enjoyed one ALL YEAR. I had decided to take a break from the genre for a while, but I randomly picked this book up and I’m so glad I did. This book has renewed my love for romance🥰
This is the perfect romance read! It had everything I ever want in a love story. It had lovable main characters, so many adorable moments, lots of pining, and even drama👀
I loved the characters so much. Marcela and Theo were so great. They had such amazing chemistry. Their relationship had such depth. And the characters individually, had so much depth as well. ALL of the characters were so well developed to the point where I understood everyone, both the good and the bad parts. Theo has made his way into my book boyfriend hall of fame. From his grand romantic gestures to how attentive he was to her feelings. He was the perfect man.
Fake dating is my favorite trope and this was fake dating done well. The scenario which caused the fake dating felt so natural to the story. And this book had a third act breakup that made perfect sense. It wasn’t just some miscommunication where grown people don’t know how to explain their emotions. There were layers to it that they really had to sort through in order to come back together.
I feel like this review doesn’t even begin to convey how much I loved this book. This story had me cheesing and giggling at all the cute moments & beautiful confessions. It had me cussing people out. It had me tearing up. It just took me through so many emotions, in the best way. It was literal perfection from beginning to end. This book is for the real lovers! I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.
TW: abandonment & fatphobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Fatphobia
jinxei's review against another edition
4.0
As a plus sized woman, I was enamored with the cover of ‘The Next Best Fling,’ but cautious on how body image would be handled. @gabbywritesalot completely blew away my expectations as it balances dramatic entanglements with a poignant exploration of self-love, trust, and the journey to find genuine affection amidst toxic bonds. The portrayal of Marcela’s body image was done with care and expertise, presenting plus-size insecurities with sensitivity and realism.
Thank you so much to Forever for the ARC!
Thank you so much to Forever for the ARC!
bethany6788's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was a really interesting spin on an angsty romance for me. We have a love square! Marcela has been in love with her best friend Ben for years, but he’s engaged to someone else. Ben’s brother Theo has been in love with Ben’s fiancé since they were kids. Marcela stops Theo from risking it all at the engagement party, and people end up thinking they hooked up… and they let them. 😏
Things I loved about this book:
First of all that cover!!
I highlighted a million passages.
I have been Marcela. I felt every single thing she went through. Pining for someone who strings you along. Feeling inadequate and unattractive. Hurting deeply. The fatphobia. Ugh my heart!! I loved her so much.
I really loved how honest Theo was. It was super refreshing and watching him come apart for Marcela was *chef’s kiss* amazing.🧎🏻♀️Theo making his desire for Marcela known was so incredibly sexy.
When Ben kept interrupting I wanted to smack him 🤣 I was like get your own life!!!! Stop trying to control Marcela!!!
I loved our main characters growing together and how they made each other better people - they wanted to be better.
Angela was a fun best friend! I liked her a lot.
Marcela had a library in her home. A LIBRARY.
Book talk. A lot of it. Happy heart.
I really liked Alice.
Theo refilled Marcela’s shelves. He planned a library date. This man is a keeper folks.
We love a grand gesture!!!!!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Things I loved about this book:
First of all that cover!!
I highlighted a million passages.
I have been Marcela. I felt every single thing she went through. Pining for someone who strings you along. Feeling inadequate and unattractive. Hurting deeply. The fatphobia. Ugh my heart!! I loved her so much.
I really loved how honest Theo was. It was super refreshing and watching him come apart for Marcela was *chef’s kiss* amazing.🧎🏻♀️Theo making his desire for Marcela known was so incredibly sexy.
When Ben kept interrupting I wanted to smack him 🤣 I was like get your own life!!!! Stop trying to control Marcela!!!
I loved our main characters growing together and how they made each other better people - they wanted to be better.
Angela was a fun best friend! I liked her a lot.
Marcela had a library in her home. A LIBRARY.
Book talk. A lot of it. Happy heart.
I really liked Alice.
Theo refilled Marcela’s shelves. He planned a library date. This man is a keeper folks.
We love a grand gesture!!!!!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
lavenderbtcpodcast's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The more I read romance books the pain of no love in my life grows sharper. This debut ARC I have some wishes that are too late to be done now: trigger warning for fat phobia and body image issues (which is added to the authors website), would have loved more Spanish specifically in Marcela & angela convo, the love interests are white and everyone knows by know how I feel about that *deep sigh*. Overall I really enjoyed this book. I can relate to the body type, abandonment, foreign culture, fears, and ugh the smut was so good. I especially wished the penetrative intimacy wouldn't be seen as it is but that is the heteronormative misconception. I wanted to cry and probably will. Ugh to be lonely but at least I have romance books like these.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Grief
littlecozyreaderr's review
I felt like I really enjoyed the fake dating and build up to the conflict of this story. But the second it “ended” and he started processing his love for her I got mad. There was like 30% left of the book and she just kept pushing him away and acting stupid. The man literally created the perfect date for you and you convince yourself he couldn’t love you?!?? Sorry but I couldn’t finish. That’s annoying haha
thatonebookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
I am not a romance fan, but Gabriella Gamez made this book so relatable that I couldn't put it down! I love the San Antonio references as I live there and it made it easier to see the events happening. Marcela is trying to get over the love she has for her best friend--and ex--Ben who is about to get married. While trying to get over him, she finds herself in a sticky situation with his older brother, ex-NFL player, Theo. While they pretend to date and become friends with benefits for a time, their relationship is one of true acts of love, respect, communication, and support. I loved the growth between Theo and Marcela. How they learned how to communicate with each other with their needs and wants and the subtle support.
AND giving props to the author on her way of writing this plus size romance. She doesn't make Marcela less human for being bigger, but she doesn't make Marcela overconfident with her body. She's flawed and you can see and even relate to her when she questions her attractiveness and sexiness especially when compared to women who she deems look better than her. I feel like even if you don't like romance or "spicy" books, there is still a little something in here for you.
AND giving props to the author on her way of writing this plus size romance. She doesn't make Marcela less human for being bigger, but she doesn't make Marcela overconfident with her body. She's flawed and you can see and even relate to her when she questions her attractiveness and sexiness especially when compared to women who she deems look better than her. I feel like even if you don't like romance or "spicy" books, there is still a little something in here for you.
dai2daireader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
bookishdahi's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0