The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez
Product details
Web ID: 19876325Plus Size Debut Romance
Marcela Ortiz has been in love with her best friend Ben Young, who also happens to be her ex boyfriend, for 10 years. Marcela is devastated when Ben gets engaged, but she decides to ignore her feelings and play the role of the supportive best friend like she has year after year for Ben. However, that plan changes when Marcela stops Ben's brother Theo from confessing his feelings to Ben's finance Alice at their engagement party. After that, Marcela and Theo decide to start a friends with benefits relationship. When real feeling start to grow for Marcela and Theo, will they be I really enjoyed The Next Best Fling. Marcela and Theo were so well rounded and were so well developed that it made it so easy to understand their motivations and why they reacted the way they did throughout the book. Marcela and Theo were so easy to root for, and I was so sad when the book was over. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend this to anyone that loves a cute romance book.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
It’s a fun fresh story
I stumbled upon this author at a bookstore and I’m happy that I did. Her story was such a refreshing change. There was great dialogue and a fun plot! She had a sexy sizzle but it wasn’t smut. I’m excited to have found this book
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
One of the best romcoms I’ve read
This book is more than I expected, I finished it in three days and stayed up almost all night reading it! Once you start it you cant put it down! I love how it brings in Hispanic culture and inclusion to the plus size girlys, be being on of them, I felt identified in many ways. The author makes you feel like you are the main character. You feel her pain, love, lost, friendships and so much more. She did not disappoint and can’t wait to read more books published by this author! PS. Definitely spicy so beware!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great plus size rep
This story was very good in terms of plus size representation. It is always a bit hard for the FMC to wonder if he really likes her because of her body but it is also so nice to see his point of view and how much he likes her! The romance was swoony and the plot was pretty good. Not my favorite but definitely one that I am glad I read :)
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Such a touching story
This is a beautiful story. It has everything I could ask for. Some truly touching moment along with some that made my heart weep. The characters are pure gold. I felt so much for what the two MCs went through. I am so glad the way it resolved. It was such a beautiful and touching story. Some truly jaw dropping moments. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a touching but riveting story. This is such a great read.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Just an okay romance
I had so many high hopes going into this one. What’s not to love about a librarian finding love? Not only that, but they were in San Antonio?! It’s where I was born, but now live in Ohio. I thought I was going to love this so much. To me, this was just a fine romance. There are things I liked about it and things I didn’t like. I’m going to start with the things I didn’t like. This way, we end with the good stuff. I know miscommunication is a huge part of romance books, but this was too far. The lack of communication was frustrating as all get out. There are instances where characters walk away from a situation and go radio silent. Umm… excuse me, what? How immature are you?! A lot of this plot felt all over the place. The characters were just okay and a bit too surface-level. I expected so much more from Alice! Marcela was a character that I liked and disliked. I loved her passion for her work. Being a librarian and donating her books, making sure kids can read is amazing. Her issues with her body and second-guessing why someone likes her were so valid. I thought she was such a sweet and endearing character, most of the time. Her obsession with Ben (I sort of get it) was too much. She changes her personality and the things she likes based on his opinions. I know a lot of people do this in real life. I’ve probably done it a time or two in High School. I am disappointed in her best friend for not pointing this out years ago. Theo was flawed and dreamy, at the same time. I might like the “let’s like each other to get over others” trope. They are much more honest about who they are in the beginning. It’s such a great base to start a friendship that turns into a relationship. Ben is Ben. He will be what you assume, and that’s all I’ll say. I did like the representation we had with Marcela and the librarian aspect! As a bookworm, when will that not be something I love?! It brings me back to the days I worked in a library. I loved her friendship with Angela and her relationship with Theo, for the most part. There are many sweet moments to counteract the frustrations. Overall, I thought this was just fine. It wasn’t the best or worst I’ve read. I hate that I’m so neutral, but it’s where I’m landing with this one. It made it so hard to review! Thank you to the publisher for the gift!
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
charming debut romance!
The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez is a debut contemporary romance featuring a plus-sized Latina librarian and a retired football star. Marcela has unrequited feelings for her best friend, who just got engaged. Theo has been in love with his brother's new fiancée since they were kids. This was charming! I was definitely rooting for Marcela and Theo the whole time. I especially loved the way Gamez wrote growth arcs. She does a great job of keeping the balance between trying to have lighthearted moments, but also have deep discussions about personal insecurities and gaining the courage to follow your dreams. It was also very steamy, from a qualitative and quantitative standpoint. The chemistry between our mains is on-point, and the artist did an AMAZING job on the cover to help showcase it. If you like books mentioned in your books you're in luck, because this series focuses on librarians! A grand gesture in this book is definitely the dream of many book lovers. I'm excited to see which librarian we'll focus on in the next book! Tropes in this book include: best friend's brother, forbidden, fake dating, rebound, cinnamon roll hero CW: parental abandonment (prior to book), codependent/toxic friendships, fatphobia (prior to book and on page) I received a copy of this book to review. Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the complimentary eARC. All opinions contained herein are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Bookgirlie gets her perfect bookboyfriend IRL
What a complicated mess Marcie and Theo are in - she wants the Groom, He wants the bride and now they find themselves in a fake relationship trying to sabotage a wedding! Marcie has crushed on her bestie forever but now that he's getting married to someone else, she realises this is her last chance. She's going to have to pull up her bigger girl panties and seize the day/the man! Theo is larger than life. He was a star football player and used to getting what he wants. But Fate does not take want into consideration - you get who you need and it would appear that destiny has decided Marcie and Theo are perfect for each other. Marcie is sweet, loyal and has put everyone else before herself. But when she gets that bee in her bonnet she just can't see reason - she's determined to get her man! Theo could lose his family if he declares his feelings for his brothers fiancé but is she worth the heartache? But when his brain and heart finally get on the same page and he realises that Marcie may just be his ACTUAL dream woman - he's all in! He knew the perfect way to declare his love for Marcie - get her favourite books, signed by the authors and keep up a steady supply! Absolute gem of a book!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com