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lololovesthings's review
- 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
4.25
I thoroughly enjoyed "Love Interest," which is Clare Gilmore's debut book. This is an enemies-to-lovers workplace romance with a hefty side of corporate goings-on. I will admit that it was a little difficult to get into this book, but as soon as the initial elevator scene happened, I was all in on the main characters Casey and Alex. I don't think I've read a book like this, mainly because of Casey's penchant for finance. I just adored her, and I saw a lot of myself in her character. I also loved Alex, whose tragic backstory slowly unfolds to paint a picture I didn't expect at the start of the book. There is fantastic character development for both her and Alex, and even better development where their love story is concerned. The pining, the longing, the adoration from afar, the unease, the unsureness... I was bewitched by their coupling. They have spectacular banter, great inside jokes, and enough sizzling will-they-won't-they to last me through the season. I also appreciated all of the secondary characters. I loved learning about Casey's parents, her coworkers, and her long-time friends. Unfortunately, I feel like this book ends much too quickly. I enjoyed the ending, but it felt like it wrapped up way too fast compared to the rest of the book. Still, I will be thinking about Tide Free and Gentle for a long, long time to come. Read this book ASAP!
Thank you to NetGalley, Clare Gilmore, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
what_karla_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
2/5 stars
Workplace romances with a bit of rivalry in the beginning are always fun, and this one has great chemistry between the two MCs, Alex & Casey.
Tropes:
Work place romance
Rivals to lovers
Financial analyst FMC
Introvert/Extrovert
Secrets & Corporate scandals
Single POV
I really loved Casey's character and overall personality. Although she was a financial whiz and a huge introvert, she wasn't boring. She still had fun and great rapport with all her close friends... and I could totally relate to that. Alex was your typical people loving, social butterfly, extrovert with ambition and hard work. But it was so nice to see him unwind with Casey and show that he isn't always Mr. Sunshine. Both of them had their vulnerable moments, and their budding romance was inevitable.
I did feel that the plot dragged a bit too long, but in the end, it wrapped up nicely. It is an open door romance but it focuses more on the emotional aspect instead of being overly detailed.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Death of a parent (off page), mild sexual content, misogyny
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
vj_thompson's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Death of parent, Abandonment, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Toxic relationship, Cancer, and Terminal illness
katiemack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This is a solid workplace romance with a slow burn yet palpable chemistry between Casey and Alex. Clare Gilmore fully explores both of these characters and their positive attributes, faults, and traumas in a layered way that made me feel like I knew them well. There's some questionable communication issues--mostly ones triggered by the relationship between Alex and his father--but otherwise the story feels sweet and genuine.
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Abandonment
megs1328's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Minor: Toxic relationship and Infidelity
bookedinsideout's review
- 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
3.5
I think there are people who will love that change of pace and I did appreciate that romantic love wasn’t the be-all-end-all for Casey, that she was invested in her job and in following her dreams to live in another continent, but for me it also had a bit too much personal angst for something marketed as a rom com.
The secret she felt she had to keep from Alex; starting a relationship with an end date; leaving her friends, her home, moving even further away from her family who she seems close with but also hadn’t seen in 2 years to move to London (which seemed to be great for her, just stressful/sad for me!).
There were some great “twists” (not hairpin curves, just things that make you realize things aren’t always what they seem), lines and call-backs, and the relationship between Casey and Alex was really warm and lovely. I think it just comes down to feeling a bit anxious throughout the whole book because it felt like—even knowing that there had to be a HEA—something bad was coming/she was keeping something from someone she was developing an emotional connection with, which makes it kind of hard to develop intimacy. (It all turned out okay of course, but I usually like a bit more stability.)
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Misogyny
Moderate: Abandonment and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent
katrinaward's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent