Book Review: "Just Another Stupid Love Story" by Katelyn Doyle

I’ve always been a sap, so rom-coms and romances have always been a go-to genre for me. And while many of them are predictable—and I love their predictability—I’ve been really captivated lately by romances with a combination of banter, steam, and an exploration of more complex emotions.

Molly is dreading her 15-year high school reunion, but she’s capitulated to the wishes of her two best friends. Being back in Florida where she grew up isn’t that much fun for her, and she’s dreading she’s going to run into Seth, her high school boyfriend, whom she dumped unceremoniously right before graduation.

Seth is shocked to see Molly, who skipped both their earlier reunions. He knows Molly is a successful screenwriter of rom-coms, which is ironic, given how badly she broke his heart. But he’s happy to see her too, and with the liquor flowing, they’re back to flirting and even a few rounds of post-reunion sex.

The two are immensely different, though. Molly, despite writing rom-com scripts, doesn’t believe in love or soulmates; in fact, the minute she gets too close to someone, she sabotages things and flees. Seth, on the other hand, is all about love. He falls too quickly and too hard, and things never work out as he hopes.

They make a friendly wager about the future of five couples and vow to reconvene at their 20-year reunion. But of course, neither can get the other out of their mind, and every time they connect with each other they find themselves either wanting to be together or one pushes the other away.

I really loved this book, even though I kept picturing Seth Rogen, lol, despite the description of the character not fitting him. There are a lot of emotions explored here, fears and habits and how we handle happiness. The banter was top-notch, as was the steam, and I honestly couldn’t get enough.

Book Review: "The Most Likely Club" by Elyssa Friedland

It’s never too late to achieve your high school dreams.

In 1997, four best friends—Melissa, Suki, Priya, and Tara—were determined to set the world on fire after high school. Their classmates thought so, too, voting them Most Likely to Win the White House, Join the Forbes 400, Cure Cancer, and Open a Michelin-Starred Restaurant, respectively.

But as their 25th reunion approaches, while Suki has built a business empire and Priya is a doctor, no one is quite satisfied with the trajectory their lives took. Rather than let that get them down, they decide—with the support and help of each other—to finally achieve the superlatives they received in high school, or at least some success that truly brings them satisfaction.

They call themselves The Most Likely Club. But they’ll find that the path they most want to take might not be the easiest or the best, and it may take coming to terms with truths they’ve kept hidden. At least they’ll do it together.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the nostalgic feel of looking back on your life since high school and seeing how different it is from what you thought it might be. I’m a fan of Elyssa Friedland’s books and the warmth and humor she brings to her stories—not to mention a touch of zaniness.

Thanks to Get Red PR for sending me a copy! I already have Friedland’s next book on my TBR for when it’s published!

Book Review: "The Reunion" by Kayla Olson

Can two former costars find happy ever after when their cast is reunited?

Twenty years ago, “Girl on the Verge” was the quintessential television series. And Liv, the show’s star, grew up on television, although she found it difficult to measure up to the perfection of the character she played. But while the series set her up financially, it definitely took a toll—her father died during the show’s run, and her costar and best friend, Ransom, took a step back from their relationship, leaving her hurt and betrayed.

When a streaming service decides to do a reunion show to celebrate “Girl on the Verge”'s 20th anniversary, Liv feels good about returning. Ransom is now a popular action movie star, and he’s certainly grown into a gorgeous man. Even though they haven’t seen each other in 15 years, the two quickly fall into the same groove, although the chemistry between them is more intense.

As Liv tries to decide whether to let her guard down with Ransom, she’s also trying to decide what path her future should take. Should she consider returning for a reboot of the show, or should she continue choosing films she feels strongly about. And if she decides not to do the reboot, what does that mean for any chance with Ransom?

Trying to determine what is real and what is for publicity can be difficult and nerve-wracking. Will they end up in the same place they did 15 years ago, or will this be the opportunity they both want?

I really enjoyed this. I love second-chance romances and am all about the nostalgia of a popular show reuniting. I’d love to see this made into a movie or Netflix special, because these characters were so well-described I see them in my head!!