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Just Some Stupid Love Story
A debut about a rom-com screenwriter who doesn't believe in love and a divorce attorney who does, forced together at their high school reunion fifteen years after their breakup
Molly Marks writes Hollywood rom-coms for a living—which is how she knows “romance” is a racket. The one and only time she was naive enough to fall in love was with her high school boyfriend, Seth—who she ghosted on the eve of graduation and hasn’t seen in fifteen years.
Seth Rubinstein believes in love, the grand, fated kind, despite his job as, well…one of Chicago’s most successful divorce attorneys. Over the last decade, he’s sought “the one” in countless bad dates and rushed relationships. He knows his soulmate is out there. But so far, no one can compare to Molly Marks, the first girl who broke his heart.
When Molly’s friends drag her to Florida for their fifteenth high school reunion, it is poetic justice that she’s forced to sit with Seth. Too many martinis and a drunken hookup later, they decide to make a bet: whoever can predict the fate of five couples before the next reunion must declare that the other is right about true love. The catch? The fifth couple is the two of them.
Molly assures Seth they are a tale of timeless heartbreak. Seth promises she’ll end up hopelessly in love with him. She thinks he’s delusional. He has five years to prove her wrong.
Wickedly funny, sexy, and brimming with laughs and heart like the best romantic comedies, Just Some Stupid Love Story is for everyone who believes in soulmates—even if they would never admit it.
Molly Marks writes Hollywood rom-coms for a living—which is how she knows “romance” is a racket. The one and only time she was naive enough to fall in love was with her high school boyfriend, Seth—who she ghosted on the eve of graduation and hasn’t seen in fifteen years.
Seth Rubinstein believes in love, the grand, fated kind, despite his job as, well…one of Chicago’s most successful divorce attorneys. Over the last decade, he’s sought “the one” in countless bad dates and rushed relationships. He knows his soulmate is out there. But so far, no one can compare to Molly Marks, the first girl who broke his heart.
When Molly’s friends drag her to Florida for their fifteenth high school reunion, it is poetic justice that she’s forced to sit with Seth. Too many martinis and a drunken hookup later, they decide to make a bet: whoever can predict the fate of five couples before the next reunion must declare that the other is right about true love. The catch? The fifth couple is the two of them.
Molly assures Seth they are a tale of timeless heartbreak. Seth promises she’ll end up hopelessly in love with him. She thinks he’s delusional. He has five years to prove her wrong.
Wickedly funny, sexy, and brimming with laughs and heart like the best romantic comedies, Just Some Stupid Love Story is for everyone who believes in soulmates—even if they would never admit it.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
About the author
Katelyn Doyle
2 books140 followersWrites historical romance under Scarlett Peckham: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,109 reviews
June 4, 2024
This is a SPICY DEBUT novel that was ORIGINAL and ENJOYABLE- BUT I would NOT call it swoon worthy!
Molly Marks writes Hollywood rom-coms for a living—despite NOT believing in love. She KNOWS that romance is a genre with its own set of beats, though different from those of thrillers and detective novels. You start at the “meet cute” and END the story when things are finally going well. You NEVER continue on to the part where he cheats on her or the kids kill their sex life.
Seth Rubinstein believes in soulmates and “once in a lifetime” love, despite his job as one of Chicago’s most successful divorce attorneys. Over the last decade, he has tried to find “the one” often rushing into relationships in his zeal to find his “happily ever after”.
But so far, no one can compare to his high school girlfriend, Molly Marks-the first girl who broke his heart.💔
Molly hates weddings, and class reunions and usually RSVPs her regrets. ( she is my doppelgänger 🤣)
BUT this time her besties, Dez and Alysssa drag her to Florida for their fifteenth high school reunion, and she finds herself seated with Seth.
After far too many “Signature Cocktails” and a drunken hookup -they find themselves making a bet to see which of them can correctly predict the fate of five couples.
Who will be together at their 20th reunion?
The catch? The fifth couple they are betting on is the two of them. Seth is confident she’ll end up hopelessly in love with him, and Molly assures him that there is no chance of that happening!
Who will end up victorious?
I loved the PREMISE but Seth was a very “different” LEADING man! Sure, he was REALLY, REALLY NICE, but he was also extremely GOOFY and NERDY, and I am personally NOT turned on by men who refer to body parts and sexual acts in CRUDE terms. I was not swooning over him.
Still, he doesn’t need to be MY soulmate, he needs to be Molly’s-and by the end, I was rooting for them!
⚠️ This book also includes some very descriptive open door scenes, which isn’t my thing, but will appeal to readers who like things spicy!!🌶️
Despite these two things, I did enjoy the story! Did DeAnn find Seth to be swoon worthy? Be sure to watch for her review!
You can pick this one up TODAY-just in time for beach 🏖️ bag season!
Blame your blush on sunburn!! 🤭
Thank You to FlatIron books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Molly Marks writes Hollywood rom-coms for a living—despite NOT believing in love. She KNOWS that romance is a genre with its own set of beats, though different from those of thrillers and detective novels. You start at the “meet cute” and END the story when things are finally going well. You NEVER continue on to the part where he cheats on her or the kids kill their sex life.
Seth Rubinstein believes in soulmates and “once in a lifetime” love, despite his job as one of Chicago’s most successful divorce attorneys. Over the last decade, he has tried to find “the one” often rushing into relationships in his zeal to find his “happily ever after”.
But so far, no one can compare to his high school girlfriend, Molly Marks-the first girl who broke his heart.💔
Molly hates weddings, and class reunions and usually RSVPs her regrets. ( she is my doppelgänger 🤣)
BUT this time her besties, Dez and Alysssa drag her to Florida for their fifteenth high school reunion, and she finds herself seated with Seth.
After far too many “Signature Cocktails” and a drunken hookup -they find themselves making a bet to see which of them can correctly predict the fate of five couples.
Who will be together at their 20th reunion?
The catch? The fifth couple they are betting on is the two of them. Seth is confident she’ll end up hopelessly in love with him, and Molly assures him that there is no chance of that happening!
Who will end up victorious?
I loved the PREMISE but Seth was a very “different” LEADING man! Sure, he was REALLY, REALLY NICE, but he was also extremely GOOFY and NERDY, and I am personally NOT turned on by men who refer to body parts and sexual acts in CRUDE terms. I was not swooning over him.
Still, he doesn’t need to be MY soulmate, he needs to be Molly’s-and by the end, I was rooting for them!
⚠️ This book also includes some very descriptive open door scenes, which isn’t my thing, but will appeal to readers who like things spicy!!🌶️
Despite these two things, I did enjoy the story! Did DeAnn find Seth to be swoon worthy? Be sure to watch for her review!
You can pick this one up TODAY-just in time for beach 🏖️ bag season!
Blame your blush on sunburn!! 🤭
Thank You to FlatIron books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
January 13, 2024
Yes! Another entertaining, hilarious enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract romance—my auto-approved tropes that I dive into without a second thought. The smart banter, high chemistry, and intriguing dating concept form the perfect recipe for my rom-com addict membrane! The character development, including supporting characters, is also well-executed and easy to connect with.
The only thing that held me back from giving it five stars is the story's longevity, reminiscent of Jason Segel and Emily Blunt’s five-year engagement movie concept. Although intelligent and well-written, the extended timeline made the overall process a bit blurry, leaving me questioning where the story was headed and when it would wrap up. I had a similar feeling while reading this book. The timeline felt too lengthy, and I wish it had been condensed to a two-year span to allow for tighter editing, ensuring I could fully enjoy the entire concept. The last third, while a bit dramatic and angsty, was still good and kept me engaged. Overall, it's a well-crafted rom-com that has earned the author a spot among my favorite romance authors, satisfying my craving for clever .
In this delightful reverse grumpy sunshine tale, our female protagonist, Molly, takes on the role of the pessimist, while Seth, the male lead, embodies the archetype of the "golden retriever boy." It's a refreshing twist on the grumpy sunshine trope, deviating from the typical dynamic and adding a layer of enjoyment to the story.
Molly and Seth's encounters after high school are marked by a sense of fate, yet various obstacles, often initiated by Molly, hinder their connection. Witnessing their characters evolve amid these challenges was thoroughly entertaining.
One of the standout aspects of this book is Seth's genuine care for Molly, a significant factor that elevated my appreciation for the story. Exploring his perspective added depth and richness to the narrative.
It admittedly took me a while to warm up to Molly, given her departure from the typical female protagonist mold I usually favor. However, by the end, she grew on me, showcasing her character's development.
The story unfolds at a high school reunion where a rom-com screenwriter and a divorce attorney, Molly and Seth, reunite and embark on a one-night stand. The twist is the screenwriter's grumpy disposition toward love, contrasting with the attorney's sunny demeanor—a truly iconic setup.
Before parting ways, they make a bet on understanding relationships better, questioning the existence of soulmates. Predicting the fate of five couples, including themselves, they plan to reconvene in five years at the next reunion to determine the winner.
This dual POV narrative delves into the evolving relationship over the years, portraying realistic flaws in the characters. Molly's trauma from her parents' divorce and her reluctance to commit, juxtaposed with Seth's idealized view of love and rushing into relationships, adds complexity.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for sharing this entertaining book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions
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The only thing that held me back from giving it five stars is the story's longevity, reminiscent of Jason Segel and Emily Blunt’s five-year engagement movie concept. Although intelligent and well-written, the extended timeline made the overall process a bit blurry, leaving me questioning where the story was headed and when it would wrap up. I had a similar feeling while reading this book. The timeline felt too lengthy, and I wish it had been condensed to a two-year span to allow for tighter editing, ensuring I could fully enjoy the entire concept. The last third, while a bit dramatic and angsty, was still good and kept me engaged. Overall, it's a well-crafted rom-com that has earned the author a spot among my favorite romance authors, satisfying my craving for clever .
In this delightful reverse grumpy sunshine tale, our female protagonist, Molly, takes on the role of the pessimist, while Seth, the male lead, embodies the archetype of the "golden retriever boy." It's a refreshing twist on the grumpy sunshine trope, deviating from the typical dynamic and adding a layer of enjoyment to the story.
Molly and Seth's encounters after high school are marked by a sense of fate, yet various obstacles, often initiated by Molly, hinder their connection. Witnessing their characters evolve amid these challenges was thoroughly entertaining.
One of the standout aspects of this book is Seth's genuine care for Molly, a significant factor that elevated my appreciation for the story. Exploring his perspective added depth and richness to the narrative.
It admittedly took me a while to warm up to Molly, given her departure from the typical female protagonist mold I usually favor. However, by the end, she grew on me, showcasing her character's development.
The story unfolds at a high school reunion where a rom-com screenwriter and a divorce attorney, Molly and Seth, reunite and embark on a one-night stand. The twist is the screenwriter's grumpy disposition toward love, contrasting with the attorney's sunny demeanor—a truly iconic setup.
Before parting ways, they make a bet on understanding relationships better, questioning the existence of soulmates. Predicting the fate of five couples, including themselves, they plan to reconvene in five years at the next reunion to determine the winner.
This dual POV narrative delves into the evolving relationship over the years, portraying realistic flaws in the characters. Molly's trauma from her parents' divorce and her reluctance to commit, juxtaposed with Seth's idealized view of love and rushing into relationships, adds complexity.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for sharing this entertaining book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
June 4, 2024
3⭐
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Setting ~ Florida & Illinois & California
Publication date ~ June 4, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 318 (42 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 31 minutes
Narrators ~ Christine Lakin, Tim Paige
POV ~ dual 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ debut, 9 parts, HS sweethearts, reverse grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, second chance, some steamage, side character infidelity
Molly & Seth
Molly is a rom com screenwriter that doesn't believe in love and marriage due to her father's example. Seth wants nothing more than to find 'the one' and live happily ever after. He thought he found that with Molly when they were in high school, but she left him and broke his heart. Now they're at their 15 year reunion and the attraction is still there. Can they easily find their way back to each other?
Oh Seth I felt so bad for him. He wears his heart on his sleeve and just wants someone to love him forever. He keeps getting his heart broken and his emotions clearly came through on the page, or in my ears rather.
Eh with Molly. I never really warmed up to her on the romance front, but she was a great friend to her bff's.
Overall, this is fine as a debut. There were enough funny bits to keep me entertained, but I just felt like so much time was wasted.
Side note ~ there are a lot of emails and text messages, which I wouldn't have minded if I was reading it, but to hear all the info following 'to..., from..., date..., time..., subject...' over and over and over again annoyed me.
Narration notes:
They both did fine. Tim still needs to work on his lady voice.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Setting ~ Florida & Illinois & California
Publication date ~ June 4, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 318 (42 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 31 minutes
Narrators ~ Christine Lakin, Tim Paige
POV ~ dual 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ debut, 9 parts, HS sweethearts, reverse grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, second chance, some steamage, side character infidelity
Molly & Seth
Molly is a rom com screenwriter that doesn't believe in love and marriage due to her father's example. Seth wants nothing more than to find 'the one' and live happily ever after. He thought he found that with Molly when they were in high school, but she left him and broke his heart. Now they're at their 15 year reunion and the attraction is still there. Can they easily find their way back to each other?
Oh Seth I felt so bad for him. He wears his heart on his sleeve and just wants someone to love him forever. He keeps getting his heart broken and his emotions clearly came through on the page, or in my ears rather.
Eh with Molly. I never really warmed up to her on the romance front, but she was a great friend to her bff's.
Overall, this is fine as a debut. There were enough funny bits to keep me entertained, but I just felt like so much time was wasted.
Side note ~ there are a lot of emails and text messages, which I wouldn't have minded if I was reading it, but to hear all the info following 'to..., from..., date..., time..., subject...' over and over and over again annoyed me.
Narration notes:
They both did fine. Tim still needs to work on his lady voice.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
June 5, 2024
surprise! it sucked!
- - -
rolled my eyes, sighed, and added to my tbr, because i’m hopeless and everything about this appealing to me even though i know it will most definitely suck
- - -
rolled my eyes, sighed, and added to my tbr, because i’m hopeless and everything about this appealing to me even though i know it will most definitely suck
June 4, 2024
This book?! This book right here?! This book has everything, and it made me feel all the feels. It has witty banter that will make you laugh out loud, the dirty talk and the sexy scenes will have you sweating and blushing, the pining and the heartache will have you swooning and crying. This book is top notch rom-com material and I loved every second of it. Seth is an emotionally mature king and Molly eventually gets there but the journey we get to go on with them is worth the pain and pleasure.
This was my first time reading Katelyn Doyle's work and to say I am delighted is an understatement. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley, Flatiron Books and Katelyn Doyle for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 6/4/24
This was my first time reading Katelyn Doyle's work and to say I am delighted is an understatement. I cannot wait to read more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley, Flatiron Books and Katelyn Doyle for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 6/4/24
Shelved as 'dnf'
June 26, 2024dnf @14%
yeah... no. i was so excited about this book because a hopeless-romantic divorce attorney MMC and a cynic rom-com screenwriter FMC pairing sounded like a dream but the writing ended up being super awkward 😕 the conversations and thoughts these characters had were so ?? weird (?) and the way things progressed until where i left it felt incredibly anti-climactic. idk, i tried pushing through all of it because of the premise but i've been reading this book for a whole week and have no desire to continue it.
yeah... no. i was so excited about this book because a hopeless-romantic divorce attorney MMC and a cynic rom-com screenwriter FMC pairing sounded like a dream but the writing ended up being super awkward 😕 the conversations and thoughts these characters had were so ?? weird (?) and the way things progressed until where i left it felt incredibly anti-climactic. idk, i tried pushing through all of it because of the premise but i've been reading this book for a whole week and have no desire to continue it.
Shelved as 'dnf'
June 24, 2024DNF - 5%
So the MMC had his GF break up with him the night before, he sees his ex an their school reunion, and is instantly in lust with her. Thinking how he never actually got over her and how he wouldn't mind them hooking up and stuff.
- Oh and it's the 15-year reunion, so not like it's recent history either.
The FMC is apparently the school's b***h, she broke his heart with no explanation and is hiding something.
Everyone seemed to be fascinated by them, their past, their breakup, and anything relating to them being/having being involved.
So the MMC had his GF break up with him the night before, he sees his ex an their school reunion, and is instantly in lust with her. Thinking how he never actually got over her and how he wouldn't mind them hooking up and stuff.
- Oh and it's the 15-year reunion, so not like it's recent history either.
The FMC is apparently the school's b***h, she broke his heart with no explanation and is hiding something.
Everyone seemed to be fascinated by them, their past, their breakup, and anything relating to them being/having being involved.
June 23, 2024
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle
Contemporary romance, romantic comedy. Second chance. Dual POV.
Molly Marks decides to attend her fifteenth high school reunion and is seated with her high school boyfriend. Whom she had ghosted on the eve of graduation. They have a surprisingly good time together and he dares her, bet and all, that she would be calling on him before the next reunion.
Seth Rubinstein believes in love, the true fated kind, even though he’s a divorce attorney that has seen some of the worst between a couple. But no matter, which app, or how he finds a potential wife, every try has been a failure. No one can compare to how he felt about Molly.
As they leave the reunion, Molly knows she won’t be calling Seth. But Seth holds a spark of hope in his heart.
Years go by. Each has their own relationships. Molly finds herself thinking more and more about Seth and wanting to call him. Is Seth right? Molly was so sure she’d moved on. And certainly Seth’s family doesn’t want Molly around again. She destroyed him the first time around. Why let her have a second chance?
Dating apps and the stories everyone hears about their failed dates follow from both Molly and Seth’s POV, slowing turning Molly’s thoughts to “could he be right?”
Molly does call Seth and while it’s not then or even soon, they do get together before the five years to “try again” to get their fated HEA.
For me, it was too late. Seth goes through so much and Molly always seems to ride the surface. I’m sure other readers will love their eventual reconnection. I did love the epilogue and was happy they finally found their love, regardless of whom it was with.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Contemporary romance, romantic comedy. Second chance. Dual POV.
Molly Marks decides to attend her fifteenth high school reunion and is seated with her high school boyfriend. Whom she had ghosted on the eve of graduation. They have a surprisingly good time together and he dares her, bet and all, that she would be calling on him before the next reunion.
Seth Rubinstein believes in love, the true fated kind, even though he’s a divorce attorney that has seen some of the worst between a couple. But no matter, which app, or how he finds a potential wife, every try has been a failure. No one can compare to how he felt about Molly.
As they leave the reunion, Molly knows she won’t be calling Seth. But Seth holds a spark of hope in his heart.
Years go by. Each has their own relationships. Molly finds herself thinking more and more about Seth and wanting to call him. Is Seth right? Molly was so sure she’d moved on. And certainly Seth’s family doesn’t want Molly around again. She destroyed him the first time around. Why let her have a second chance?
Dating apps and the stories everyone hears about their failed dates follow from both Molly and Seth’s POV, slowing turning Molly’s thoughts to “could he be right?”
Molly does call Seth and while it’s not then or even soon, they do get together before the five years to “try again” to get their fated HEA.
For me, it was too late. Seth goes through so much and Molly always seems to ride the surface. I’m sure other readers will love their eventual reconnection. I did love the epilogue and was happy they finally found their love, regardless of whom it was with.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
May 13, 2024
Gut reaction: this will be a romcom you don't wanna miss this summer! Full review to come.
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced copy!
What a fun ride this one was! I tore through this book in 3 days and that's not something I do often anymore. This was a good old fashioned rom com in so many ways. The wit, banter, and chemistry of Seth and Molly absolutely jumped off the page in such a fun, fresh way, and I really loved getting to know them. Molly is whip smart with her comebacks to comments and Seth is charismatic and adorable. They're a bit of an unlikely pairing, but that's what makes it so entertaining to read.
I enjoyed that, because the story took place over the course of several years, we got to see how each of them grew individually and grew together. They were in their 30's throughout the course of the story, and I also really loved that - I guess that's my old age coming through, because I think I'm entering my era of wanting to read books about people who are past their crazy 20's! I liked that they were both established in their careers and mostly confident in who they were and what their goals were in life.
Because most people that follow me here probably know that I don't seek out steamy books, I think it's worth mentioning that there is a lot of dirty talk in this book, a scene of graphic masturbation, and implied sex. If you are looking for a sweet/closed door romance, this isn't it. Other TWs include: swearing, mentions of the COVID19 pandemic, descriptions of panic attacks, alcohol, and infidelity.
Overall, I think this was a very fun read and I think a lot of people will be talking about it this summer!
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced copy!
What a fun ride this one was! I tore through this book in 3 days and that's not something I do often anymore. This was a good old fashioned rom com in so many ways. The wit, banter, and chemistry of Seth and Molly absolutely jumped off the page in such a fun, fresh way, and I really loved getting to know them. Molly is whip smart with her comebacks to comments and Seth is charismatic and adorable. They're a bit of an unlikely pairing, but that's what makes it so entertaining to read.
I enjoyed that, because the story took place over the course of several years, we got to see how each of them grew individually and grew together. They were in their 30's throughout the course of the story, and I also really loved that - I guess that's my old age coming through, because I think I'm entering my era of wanting to read books about people who are past their crazy 20's! I liked that they were both established in their careers and mostly confident in who they were and what their goals were in life.
Because most people that follow me here probably know that I don't seek out steamy books, I think it's worth mentioning that there is a lot of dirty talk in this book, a scene of graphic masturbation, and implied sex. If you are looking for a sweet/closed door romance, this isn't it. Other TWs include: swearing, mentions of the COVID19 pandemic, descriptions of panic attacks, alcohol, and infidelity.
Overall, I think this was a very fun read and I think a lot of people will be talking about it this summer!
June 4, 2024
happy release day!! I am reposting this review because this book is officially released and available to read! (My review was first posted on 5/27/24)
★★★★✩«4.5 stars (rounded down)»
Molly Marks is a rom-com screenwriter who doesn't believe in soulmates. She believes some lucky people can find love, but it will always end in disaster and heartbreak. Seth keeps jumping into new relationships hoping he will find the one, and who wholeheartedly believes in soulmates. After Molly broke Seth's heart, they reunite on their 15th high school reunion. They make a bet on if soulmates are real or not, and whoever can predict the most couples' futures wins. Except one of the couples is them.
➥things I liked
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle was a spectacular romance novel, and this was probably my favorite ARC yet. I flew through this book and connected so deeply with all of the characters. This book made me audibly laugh, cry, gasp, and just filled me with joy. I could relate so easily to Seth and his yearning to be loved, and he was written so well. I also loved the right person wrong time trope, because it was the wrong time for them so many times. It made me so sad to read about, but also so ecstatic when they were able to reconnect.
ꨄthings I didn't like
The first things I didn't like has nothing to do with the novel itself or the writing. The way the audiobook was recorded was a little frustrating to listen to at some points. The male voice actor definitely needs to work on his woman voice, but that was pretty easy to get used to. I also didn't like that every email that was sent between Seth and Molly was completely spoken out (so for example the to Molly, date, RE, etc.). Additionally, I felt like the book got a little slow near the end, and there wasn't much plot progression for a while.
Overall, I loved this book! I would definitely recommend this to readers, especially those who like dual-pov, second chance romances. Such a fun book to read/ listen to! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for granting me early access to this audiobook! My review is still my own.
✭favorite quote(s)
"And she was so smart, and she looked so pretty, I thought my heart was going to just melt out of my chest."
"I just wanna be with you Molls, any way you'll have me."
♫songs that remind me of this book
Exile - Taylor Swift:
"I think I've seen this film before, and I didn't like the ending. I'm not your homeland anymore, so who am I defending now?"
Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez and Em Beihold:
"How could we ever just be friends? I would rather die than let you go, Juliet to your Romeo."
★★★★✩«4.5 stars (rounded down)»
Molly Marks is a rom-com screenwriter who doesn't believe in soulmates. She believes some lucky people can find love, but it will always end in disaster and heartbreak. Seth keeps jumping into new relationships hoping he will find the one, and who wholeheartedly believes in soulmates. After Molly broke Seth's heart, they reunite on their 15th high school reunion. They make a bet on if soulmates are real or not, and whoever can predict the most couples' futures wins. Except one of the couples is them.
➥things I liked
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle was a spectacular romance novel, and this was probably my favorite ARC yet. I flew through this book and connected so deeply with all of the characters. This book made me audibly laugh, cry, gasp, and just filled me with joy. I could relate so easily to Seth and his yearning to be loved, and he was written so well. I also loved the right person wrong time trope, because it was the wrong time for them so many times. It made me so sad to read about, but also so ecstatic when they were able to reconnect.
ꨄthings I didn't like
The first things I didn't like has nothing to do with the novel itself or the writing. The way the audiobook was recorded was a little frustrating to listen to at some points. The male voice actor definitely needs to work on his woman voice, but that was pretty easy to get used to. I also didn't like that every email that was sent between Seth and Molly was completely spoken out (so for example the to Molly, date, RE, etc.). Additionally, I felt like the book got a little slow near the end, and there wasn't much plot progression for a while.
Overall, I loved this book! I would definitely recommend this to readers, especially those who like dual-pov, second chance romances. Such a fun book to read/ listen to! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for granting me early access to this audiobook! My review is still my own.
✭favorite quote(s)
"And she was so smart, and she looked so pretty, I thought my heart was going to just melt out of my chest."
"I just wanna be with you Molls, any way you'll have me."
♫songs that remind me of this book
Exile - Taylor Swift:
"I think I've seen this film before, and I didn't like the ending. I'm not your homeland anymore, so who am I defending now?"
Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez and Em Beihold:
"How could we ever just be friends? I would rather die than let you go, Juliet to your Romeo."
May 28, 2024
I wasn’t a huge fan of this book. I think it was mostly because the FMC was terrible, in my opinion.
Seth wasn’t super ideal at first either but he actually had growth in this book. He recognized his issues and he addressed them. He worked on himself. I can’t say the same for Molly.
The first half of this book was pretty good. I was into it. Eventually though, I got tired of the fmc continuing to be a walking red flag. If I were Seth I don’t think I’d ever be able to trust her. Especially after only a month since she broke up with him. I get that she had actual trauma and it messed with her head but that doesn’t mean she didn’t treat Seth terribly. Over and over again.
With all that said, it was an okay book. There were some cute moments. The friend groups were nice. There’s a lot of examples of toxic relationships but also some nice relationships too. I liked the writing style. I just didn’t completely love the storyline. I’d be happy to read a different book by this author in the future though.
Seth wasn’t super ideal at first either but he actually had growth in this book. He recognized his issues and he addressed them. He worked on himself. I can’t say the same for Molly.
The first half of this book was pretty good. I was into it. Eventually though, I got tired of the fmc continuing to be a walking red flag. If I were Seth I don’t think I’d ever be able to trust her. Especially after only a month since she broke up with him. I get that she had actual trauma and it messed with her head but that doesn’t mean she didn’t treat Seth terribly. Over and over again.
With all that said, it was an okay book. There were some cute moments. The friend groups were nice. There’s a lot of examples of toxic relationships but also some nice relationships too. I liked the writing style. I just didn’t completely love the storyline. I’d be happy to read a different book by this author in the future though.
March 16, 2024
4.5 stars for this wonderfully fun story about two people destined for each other. Or are they? A high school 15th reunion brings two people back into each other’s lives and they make a bet about who will be (or not be) together at their 20th reunion. So cleverly written with chapters trading between Seth and Molly, I devoured this book. The eternal romanticist versus the permanent pessimist. Rooting for these two was so fun. If you want a great beach read where you giggle out look at times then this book is for you.
July 10, 2024
"ᴄᴜ́ᴀɴᴅᴏ ᴛɪᴇɴᴇs ᴍɪᴇᴅᴏ, ᴅᴇʙᴇs ᴇsғᴏʀᴢᴀʀᴛᴇ ᴘᴀʀᴀ sᴇʀ ᴠᴀʟɪᴇɴᴛᴇ"
✨ᴏᴛʀᴀ ᴛᴏɴᴛᴀ ʜɪsᴛᴏʀɪᴀ ᴅᴇ ᴀᴍᴏʀ 🎬
ᴀᴜᴛᴏʀᴀ: ᴋᴀᴛᴇʟʏɴ ᴅᴏʏʟᴇ
Molly y Seth sé vuelen a ver después de 15 años en una reunión de ex alumnos. Seth es un abogado especializado en divorcios y es un romántico. Molly es una guionista de películas románticas y no cree en el amor. Cuando estos sé ven terminan haciendo una apuesta de 5 parejas que podrían terminar juntas o separadas. Y la quinta son ellos. 🙈
ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏ́ɴ
Es la primera vez que leo a a Katelyn Doyle y me encantó. Los primeros capítulos eran muy cortos de 5 a 6 páginas pero conforme avanza la historia y te enganchas sé vuelven más largos.
La historia es adictiva y dividida en nueve partes con la perspectiva de Molly y Seth. 😊 Estos dos tienen mucho que superar juntos. 😬 Tienen un pasado y aunque vuelven a conectar ambos siguen su vida por su lado. Aunque sé unen poco a poco.
Aunque todo apunta que es una historia cliché la autora trata de mostrarnos una pareja más realista con problemas totalmente comprensibles, ya sean de los protagonistas o los personajes secundarios.
Admito que Molly me desesperó mucho, yo sólo quería que aceptara a Seth, sé casaran y tuvieran bebés. 🤭 Pero la verdad es que ambos son tercos ninguno sé salva. 😬 Ambos tienen un camino muy largo que recorrer. La autora trata de darnos ese lado romántico y realista a la vez con inseguridades y problemas de pareja.
Sin duda es una de mis novelas románticas favoritas, la recomiendo mucho. Tiene spicy 🔥 pero no demasiado
✨ᴏᴛʀᴀ ᴛᴏɴᴛᴀ ʜɪsᴛᴏʀɪᴀ ᴅᴇ ᴀᴍᴏʀ 🎬
ᴀᴜᴛᴏʀᴀ: ᴋᴀᴛᴇʟʏɴ ᴅᴏʏʟᴇ
Molly y Seth sé vuelen a ver después de 15 años en una reunión de ex alumnos. Seth es un abogado especializado en divorcios y es un romántico. Molly es una guionista de películas románticas y no cree en el amor. Cuando estos sé ven terminan haciendo una apuesta de 5 parejas que podrían terminar juntas o separadas. Y la quinta son ellos. 🙈
ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏ́ɴ
Es la primera vez que leo a a Katelyn Doyle y me encantó. Los primeros capítulos eran muy cortos de 5 a 6 páginas pero conforme avanza la historia y te enganchas sé vuelven más largos.
La historia es adictiva y dividida en nueve partes con la perspectiva de Molly y Seth. 😊 Estos dos tienen mucho que superar juntos. 😬 Tienen un pasado y aunque vuelven a conectar ambos siguen su vida por su lado. Aunque sé unen poco a poco.
Aunque todo apunta que es una historia cliché la autora trata de mostrarnos una pareja más realista con problemas totalmente comprensibles, ya sean de los protagonistas o los personajes secundarios.
Admito que Molly me desesperó mucho, yo sólo quería que aceptara a Seth, sé casaran y tuvieran bebés. 🤭 Pero la verdad es que ambos son tercos ninguno sé salva. 😬 Ambos tienen un camino muy largo que recorrer. La autora trata de darnos ese lado romántico y realista a la vez con inseguridades y problemas de pareja.
Sin duda es una de mis novelas románticas favoritas, la recomiendo mucho. Tiene spicy 🔥 pero no demasiado
June 10, 2024
Our fmc hitting us with the "Im Molly. Class B***h" is a mood.
Thank you BookSparks for the gifted copy of "Just Some Stupid Love Story!" and special shoutout to MacMillan audio for the audiobook. Doyle's debut into the rom-com world is out in the world now!
🎧 This is an audiobook must. Not only does Christine Lakin and Tim Paige absolutely crush their performance but added sprinkle of fun Lakin sounds freakishly like Selena Gomez and its a mood. Talking about setting the mood, nothing gets me more excited than the small tid-bits of music that are added before we get into the story and this book's music made me ready for the romance experience. Great listen. 10/10 must.
I was immediately drawn to this book because grumpy sunshine is my all-time favorite trope but... Molly's grumpy got dramatic towards the end (at least for me). She was H I L A R I O U S in the beginning. I snorted when she dropped the "I'm Molly. Class b****" casually into her conversation at her class reunion. What an icon. I just thought the way she handled the third act break-up was messy and made me roll my eyes. She's nearly thirty six and acted like a full-on teenage drama queen. (The Thanksgiving dinner moment? You know what I am talking about.)
I am going to hit you guys with a mega truth bomb. This was not my favorite. I hate to say it but I wasn't completely head over heels for our love interest Seth and it really affected how much I enjoyed the story. He just really made me feel icky... and that is putting it nicely. The things he said and some of his actions made me cringe. Calling Molly "kid" made me want to punch him right in the throat and I am sorry no one says "they're moved" when a woman sends a cell phone porno. I sincerely apologize, I had to say it and I still can not get over that scene.
I will say outside certain moments (*cough* Thanksgiving *cough*) I appreciate how open and honest the pair are. I love that they have a healthy way of airing out their frustrations and they're willing to work with one another to help feel the most happy.
I wish this book had a little more focus on the bet that the pair made at their class reunion! I thought the competitive vibes were really fun but it kind of got lost in the plot sauce until it was quickly mentioned in the epilogue.
POSITIVE NOTE! I thought that it was SUPER COOL that we got a five year timeline to explore. I loved being able to read about Molly and Seth growing outside from their romance. It was interesting to get a perspective where he was engaged and Molly was finally realizing her feelings. The moments where the pair are in different places in life is an interesting dynamic and feels realistic.
🧡 Reverse Grumpy Sunshine
🧡 Second Chance
🧡 Habanero Spiced
🧡 Opposites Attract
🧡 5 Year Timeline
🧡 Short Chapters
🧡 Dual POV
🧡 High School Soulmates
❔ #QOTD If you were to get a superlative in high school, what category would you fit? What if you were to get one now, what would it be?
Thank you BookSparks for the gifted copy of "Just Some Stupid Love Story!" and special shoutout to MacMillan audio for the audiobook. Doyle's debut into the rom-com world is out in the world now!
🎧 This is an audiobook must. Not only does Christine Lakin and Tim Paige absolutely crush their performance but added sprinkle of fun Lakin sounds freakishly like Selena Gomez and its a mood. Talking about setting the mood, nothing gets me more excited than the small tid-bits of music that are added before we get into the story and this book's music made me ready for the romance experience. Great listen. 10/10 must.
I was immediately drawn to this book because grumpy sunshine is my all-time favorite trope but... Molly's grumpy got dramatic towards the end (at least for me). She was H I L A R I O U S in the beginning. I snorted when she dropped the "I'm Molly. Class b****" casually into her conversation at her class reunion. What an icon. I just thought the way she handled the third act break-up was messy and made me roll my eyes. She's nearly thirty six and acted like a full-on teenage drama queen. (The Thanksgiving dinner moment? You know what I am talking about.)
I am going to hit you guys with a mega truth bomb. This was not my favorite. I hate to say it but I wasn't completely head over heels for our love interest Seth and it really affected how much I enjoyed the story. He just really made me feel icky... and that is putting it nicely. The things he said and some of his actions made me cringe. Calling Molly "kid" made me want to punch him right in the throat and I am sorry no one says "they're moved" when a woman sends a cell phone porno. I sincerely apologize, I had to say it and I still can not get over that scene.
I will say outside certain moments (*cough* Thanksgiving *cough*) I appreciate how open and honest the pair are. I love that they have a healthy way of airing out their frustrations and they're willing to work with one another to help feel the most happy.
I wish this book had a little more focus on the bet that the pair made at their class reunion! I thought the competitive vibes were really fun but it kind of got lost in the plot sauce until it was quickly mentioned in the epilogue.
POSITIVE NOTE! I thought that it was SUPER COOL that we got a five year timeline to explore. I loved being able to read about Molly and Seth growing outside from their romance. It was interesting to get a perspective where he was engaged and Molly was finally realizing her feelings. The moments where the pair are in different places in life is an interesting dynamic and feels realistic.
🧡 Reverse Grumpy Sunshine
🧡 Second Chance
🧡 Habanero Spiced
🧡 Opposites Attract
🧡 5 Year Timeline
🧡 Short Chapters
🧡 Dual POV
🧡 High School Soulmates
❔ #QOTD If you were to get a superlative in high school, what category would you fit? What if you were to get one now, what would it be?
May 9, 2024
Solid 4 stars.
This book was such a cute lil romcom - which is very meta for the plot. The story follows Molly and Seth. They were high school sweethearts who broke up shortly after graduation. Molly completely shattered Seth's heart and they have both been in and out of relationships since. When they find themselves seated at the same table at their 15 year reunion, old feelings flare and emotions run high. The book follows the next 5 years of their lives as they weave through different relationships and try to fight the invisible string that pulls them together.
FMC: Molly is a romcom screenplay writer who ironically is an pessimist when it comes to real life relationships.
MMC: Seth is an optimistic divorce/family law attorney who has been chasing love his entire life. For a lot of the book Seth is a bit too overbearingly positive and it gave me the ick.
They are literally black cat x golden retriever energy.
Spice: 3/5, their are some pretty spicy scenes but it is not the overall narrative of the story.
Tropes: second (and third and fourth) chance romance, high school sweethearts, opposites attract, reversed grumpy x sunshine.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for this ARC!
This book was such a cute lil romcom - which is very meta for the plot. The story follows Molly and Seth. They were high school sweethearts who broke up shortly after graduation. Molly completely shattered Seth's heart and they have both been in and out of relationships since. When they find themselves seated at the same table at their 15 year reunion, old feelings flare and emotions run high. The book follows the next 5 years of their lives as they weave through different relationships and try to fight the invisible string that pulls them together.
FMC: Molly is a romcom screenplay writer who ironically is an pessimist when it comes to real life relationships.
MMC: Seth is an optimistic divorce/family law attorney who has been chasing love his entire life. For a lot of the book Seth is a bit too overbearingly positive and it gave me the ick.
They are literally black cat x golden retriever energy.
Spice: 3/5, their are some pretty spicy scenes but it is not the overall narrative of the story.
Tropes: second (and third and fourth) chance romance, high school sweethearts, opposites attract, reversed grumpy x sunshine.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for this ARC!
May 1, 2024
Wow. This was such a good duet audiobook. The description may say for Emily Henry fans, but I honestly enjoyed this one more than any Emily Henry book to date.
Some of the reviews said this book is long. Yes, it is long, but it is because the character growth that Molly goes through is incredible. Molly’s journey to becoming the woman that deserves Seth is why I loved this book so much.
I wanted to sob, swoon, and then smile throughout this book. It made me feel ALLLLL the feels.
Thank you so much to the author and Netgallery for this ARC of the audiobook.
Some of the reviews said this book is long. Yes, it is long, but it is because the character growth that Molly goes through is incredible. Molly’s journey to becoming the woman that deserves Seth is why I loved this book so much.
I wanted to sob, swoon, and then smile throughout this book. It made me feel ALLLLL the feels.
Thank you so much to the author and Netgallery for this ARC of the audiobook.
Shelved as 'dnf'
May 8, 2024DNF @ 52%/chapter 21
This has an extremely rough beginning where I was debating quitting at 5%. The FMC is intolerable. Its meant to be a reverse grumpyxsunshine but honestly she's just cruel and not grumpy. She's a screenwriter that doesn't believe in love. (At a glance it's a reverse of The Rom-Commers, but this one goes downhill imo.)
The story spans multiple years across text/email messages/calls of highschool ex's but i dont feel the chemistry. I loved the MMC being a golden retriever, but that's it. PASS.
This has an extremely rough beginning where I was debating quitting at 5%. The FMC is intolerable. Its meant to be a reverse grumpyxsunshine but honestly she's just cruel and not grumpy. She's a screenwriter that doesn't believe in love. (At a glance it's a reverse of The Rom-Commers, but this one goes downhill imo.)
The story spans multiple years across text/email messages/calls of highschool ex's but i dont feel the chemistry. I loved the MMC being a golden retriever, but that's it. PASS.
July 11, 2024
ik denk dat ik settle op 3.5⭐️, of toch 3? ik weet het echt niet
het boek gaat over een grumpy fmc en een sunshine mmc (love de trope) die eigenlijk gedurende de jaren langs elkaar gaan en om elkaar heen draaien. in het begin vond ik dit leuk en exciting, en was ik benieuwd hoe ze elkaar nu weer tegen zouden komen. er zitten namelijk tussen de verschillende delen timeskips van meerdere maanden. maar op een gegeven moment na 3 “break-ups” of “dit-gaat-niet-werkens” was ik het echt wel een beetje zat. ik zat bij een volgende ontmoeting dan weer te wachten op wanneer het fout zou gaan. “het einde” vond ik wel een cute afsluiter, maar het boek was gewoon echt veels te lang :)
de onderwerpen en angsten van de personages (verlatingsangst, bang zijn het te verpesten, het niet kunnen uitdrukken van emotie, daddy issues :)) waren wel heel erg herkenbaar. ook vond ik het fijn dat Seth en Molly wel gewoon normaal bleven communiceren en ook veel angsten durfden te uiten (ookal was er wel steeds een soort van miscommunicatie)
af en toe was de smut opeens aanwezig en er werden ook geen doekjes om gewonden, maar ik vond het ook een beetje smut voor m’n moeder geschreven HAHA sorry. ik heb zo vaak het woord vrijen gelezen?!! de sexting scène was wel fijn en hot 🤭
het was een heerlijke, luchtige (maar niet al te) zomerread, maar voor mij toch iets te lang :)
boek gekregen van A.W. Bruna Uitgevers 💗
het boek gaat over een grumpy fmc en een sunshine mmc (love de trope) die eigenlijk gedurende de jaren langs elkaar gaan en om elkaar heen draaien. in het begin vond ik dit leuk en exciting, en was ik benieuwd hoe ze elkaar nu weer tegen zouden komen. er zitten namelijk tussen de verschillende delen timeskips van meerdere maanden. maar op een gegeven moment na 3 “break-ups” of “dit-gaat-niet-werkens” was ik het echt wel een beetje zat. ik zat bij een volgende ontmoeting dan weer te wachten op wanneer het fout zou gaan. “het einde” vond ik wel een cute afsluiter, maar het boek was gewoon echt veels te lang :)
de onderwerpen en angsten van de personages (verlatingsangst, bang zijn het te verpesten, het niet kunnen uitdrukken van emotie, daddy issues :)) waren wel heel erg herkenbaar. ook vond ik het fijn dat Seth en Molly wel gewoon normaal bleven communiceren en ook veel angsten durfden te uiten (ookal was er wel steeds een soort van miscommunicatie)
af en toe was de smut opeens aanwezig en er werden ook geen doekjes om gewonden, maar ik vond het ook een beetje smut voor m’n moeder geschreven HAHA sorry. ik heb zo vaak het woord vrijen gelezen?!! de sexting scène was wel fijn en hot 🤭
het was een heerlijke, luchtige (maar niet al te) zomerread, maar voor mij toch iets te lang :)
boek gekregen van A.W. Bruna Uitgevers 💗
May 9, 2024
Ooooof. I may have spoken too soon when I said 2024 would be the year of amazing romances because this one, similar to the last few I’ve read, was just not it. At this point I am 0/6 for my most recent romance reads, all 2024 titles.
It truly has me side eyeing authors, pubs, and editors who seem to have taken the grumpy x sunshine trope to the brink and expect us to eat it up when these characters become caricatures and embodiments of the most extreme and literal elements of the grumpy x sunshine trope instead of a character that you could see parts of yourself in or be friends with.
While HEAs are common if not guaranteed in most romances, they typically strive to give readers a HEA that feels achievable, hard won, realistic in some sense. Like it’s a true snapshot of the love story that will endure past the pages of the book and quite literally, be happy, ever after! Yet lately, and this book is no exception, these endings honestly fail to sell me on that HEA, it’s not even a ‘happy for now’ moment. I truly do not think Molly and Seth will make it past a year. Hell Jeramy and Sarah Ann from LIB would out last these two.
Molly and Seth felt like such a toxic, vapid, shallow, unnecessary romance with two characters that frankly come together in the most patently cringe of ways. Molly is meant to be the grumpy, bitchy, yet alluring lead, yet she’s essentially that chihuahua with a coyote spike vest on. She doesnt just push people away or run away from emotion, she categorically emotionally evicerates Seth, she essentially tazzes him time and again emotionally and then gets sad and cries when he in fact pulls back. She doesn’t just draw blood, she cuts arteries in her wake and then sells us on this sad narrative that using her words is so hard. But here’s the thing, she IS NOT in fact socially awkward or inept, her very job DEPENDS on her social skills and schmoozing. Maybe it’s not true emotion or vulnerability, but still, she’s plenty capable of communication, she just chooses to bury her head in the sand in the wake of each nuclear bomb she sets off. It was so ‘woe is me’ it was laughable and truly hard to care or root for her.
She’s genuinely just mean and why would I want her to get away with that? Putting the romance aside, how are we even supposed to care about her when she flat out states she writes rom com screenplays as a cash grab? She doesnt believe in love, she doesnt even want it. She makes a mockery of the true emotion and magic behind the genre, reducing it to its profitability so I was often quite pumped to see her shit screenplays fail. Why would audiences want to see a love story from someone who reduces their intellect and interest to dollars and doesn’t actually believe in lasting relationships at all? We have enough cynicism around us, we want romcoms for the escape and joy and celebration that love (in any form, many forms) can in fact win and survive.
As for Seth….well honestly he’s a very weird cocktail of Stockholm syndrome and golden retriever. His tit for tat with Molly is less ‘spicy tension’ foreplay and banter and more of an exercise in gaslighting, manipulation, and emotional abuse. The way Molly gives Seth — and readers, whiplash, is abusive. This isn’t about having Seth break past her defense mechanisms, at some point you just have to let that person go and be toxic and self destructive because it is not your job to fix them. She admits several times how happy it makes her to know Seth still carries a torch for her, even when she shuts him down unequivocally and brutally, just to then wonder why he doesn’t reach out and take her scraps. It was like seeing Seth get whipped and going for seconds, nothing about it was enjoyable to read and the fact that Seth was so attracted to this was concerning.
Add to this some fade to black scenes and truly embarrassing phone sex, and this was a complete hot mess.
I’m not sure when it become the new “it” thing to try and sell us on “damaged” and “messy” characters that instead of feeling more like real life people with real life experiences and trauma, are more akin to psychopaths, egomaniacs, and unhinged entitled villains. If you’re going to do the whole messy / imperfect characters thing, I need more than some bitter parental divorce when you were in high school, I need more than a character being a raging bitch and expecting people to look past that for no other reason other than just ~innately~ knowing the person has baggage.
While divorce certainly can be traumatic and damaging, it’s also quite common, and as a millennial, I can tell you I saw plenty of it growing up and somehow we’re surviving! Honestly often times parents divorcing was the highlight because it immediately deescalated a tenuous and stressful home life. Again, this isn’t to say divorce isn’t a big deal, but that can’t be the thing that’s shaping all these characters backstories and their inability to communicate or accept healthy love and affection or support. Authors need to dig deeper into the whys of their characters, these parental breakups are not always the seismic, life altering events they make them out to be and its feeling quite lazy that they can’t seem to draw from other types of experiences or emotions to build emotional arcs for their characters.
Anyway, part rant at several recent romances I have read, part review of this one poor romance in particular.
It truly has me side eyeing authors, pubs, and editors who seem to have taken the grumpy x sunshine trope to the brink and expect us to eat it up when these characters become caricatures and embodiments of the most extreme and literal elements of the grumpy x sunshine trope instead of a character that you could see parts of yourself in or be friends with.
While HEAs are common if not guaranteed in most romances, they typically strive to give readers a HEA that feels achievable, hard won, realistic in some sense. Like it’s a true snapshot of the love story that will endure past the pages of the book and quite literally, be happy, ever after! Yet lately, and this book is no exception, these endings honestly fail to sell me on that HEA, it’s not even a ‘happy for now’ moment. I truly do not think Molly and Seth will make it past a year. Hell Jeramy and Sarah Ann from LIB would out last these two.
Molly and Seth felt like such a toxic, vapid, shallow, unnecessary romance with two characters that frankly come together in the most patently cringe of ways. Molly is meant to be the grumpy, bitchy, yet alluring lead, yet she’s essentially that chihuahua with a coyote spike vest on. She doesnt just push people away or run away from emotion, she categorically emotionally evicerates Seth, she essentially tazzes him time and again emotionally and then gets sad and cries when he in fact pulls back. She doesn’t just draw blood, she cuts arteries in her wake and then sells us on this sad narrative that using her words is so hard. But here’s the thing, she IS NOT in fact socially awkward or inept, her very job DEPENDS on her social skills and schmoozing. Maybe it’s not true emotion or vulnerability, but still, she’s plenty capable of communication, she just chooses to bury her head in the sand in the wake of each nuclear bomb she sets off. It was so ‘woe is me’ it was laughable and truly hard to care or root for her.
She’s genuinely just mean and why would I want her to get away with that? Putting the romance aside, how are we even supposed to care about her when she flat out states she writes rom com screenplays as a cash grab? She doesnt believe in love, she doesnt even want it. She makes a mockery of the true emotion and magic behind the genre, reducing it to its profitability so I was often quite pumped to see her shit screenplays fail. Why would audiences want to see a love story from someone who reduces their intellect and interest to dollars and doesn’t actually believe in lasting relationships at all? We have enough cynicism around us, we want romcoms for the escape and joy and celebration that love (in any form, many forms) can in fact win and survive.
As for Seth….well honestly he’s a very weird cocktail of Stockholm syndrome and golden retriever. His tit for tat with Molly is less ‘spicy tension’ foreplay and banter and more of an exercise in gaslighting, manipulation, and emotional abuse. The way Molly gives Seth — and readers, whiplash, is abusive. This isn’t about having Seth break past her defense mechanisms, at some point you just have to let that person go and be toxic and self destructive because it is not your job to fix them. She admits several times how happy it makes her to know Seth still carries a torch for her, even when she shuts him down unequivocally and brutally, just to then wonder why he doesn’t reach out and take her scraps. It was like seeing Seth get whipped and going for seconds, nothing about it was enjoyable to read and the fact that Seth was so attracted to this was concerning.
Add to this some fade to black scenes and truly embarrassing phone sex, and this was a complete hot mess.
I’m not sure when it become the new “it” thing to try and sell us on “damaged” and “messy” characters that instead of feeling more like real life people with real life experiences and trauma, are more akin to psychopaths, egomaniacs, and unhinged entitled villains. If you’re going to do the whole messy / imperfect characters thing, I need more than some bitter parental divorce when you were in high school, I need more than a character being a raging bitch and expecting people to look past that for no other reason other than just ~innately~ knowing the person has baggage.
While divorce certainly can be traumatic and damaging, it’s also quite common, and as a millennial, I can tell you I saw plenty of it growing up and somehow we’re surviving! Honestly often times parents divorcing was the highlight because it immediately deescalated a tenuous and stressful home life. Again, this isn’t to say divorce isn’t a big deal, but that can’t be the thing that’s shaping all these characters backstories and their inability to communicate or accept healthy love and affection or support. Authors need to dig deeper into the whys of their characters, these parental breakups are not always the seismic, life altering events they make them out to be and its feeling quite lazy that they can’t seem to draw from other types of experiences or emotions to build emotional arcs for their characters.
Anyway, part rant at several recent romances I have read, part review of this one poor romance in particular.
June 10, 2024
MI NUEVO IMPERIO ROMANO. De los mejores romances que he leído en el año, esto fue increíble. Es como si un erizo (Molly) y un golden retriever (Seth) se enamoraran, y yo me enamoré con y de ellos. Es que son la cosa más ADORABLE de este mundo. Soy incapaz de odiar cualquier cosa de este libro. Para mí todo fue PERFECTO. Ya sé que acaba de publicarse pero siento que está infravalorado. Merece ser conocido y mejorar la existencia de todas las personas, como mejoro la mía.
March 4, 2024
Just Some Stupid Love Story follows Molly and Seth, former high school sweethearts, as they reconnect 15 years later.
For me, the book felt like it dragged somewhat and was a little too long. I think part of that may have been because their bouts of friendship/not speaking/attempts at reconciliation are drawn out over five years. At some point it just became tiresome. While the banter between the two main characters can be entertaining at times, it’s clear they don’t have a healthy connection with each other (romantic or otherwise).
This is the first book I’ve read from Katelyn Doyle, and while this one wasn’t really for me, I would give another book by her a try.
Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the digital ARC in exchange for my review.
Publishing June 4, 2024
For me, the book felt like it dragged somewhat and was a little too long. I think part of that may have been because their bouts of friendship/not speaking/attempts at reconciliation are drawn out over five years. At some point it just became tiresome. While the banter between the two main characters can be entertaining at times, it’s clear they don’t have a healthy connection with each other (romantic or otherwise).
This is the first book I’ve read from Katelyn Doyle, and while this one wasn’t really for me, I would give another book by her a try.
Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the digital ARC in exchange for my review.
Publishing June 4, 2024
June 4, 2024
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle
Narrated by Christine Lakin; Tim Paige
Thank you so much Macmillan Audio, Flatiron Books, + NetGalley for the free audiobook. #MacAudio2024
Blurb:
A rom-com screenwriter who doesn’t believe in love and a divorce attorney who does, forced together at their high school reunion fifteen years after their break up.
✨My thoughts:
So happy this book is part of the summer reading challenge for BookSparks because I don’t know if I would have gotten to it so fast and that would have been a shame! This story does not disappoint. The audiobook does not disappoint! The banter is top tier and I love the spice. Yes, it’s a little spicy, yes, it’s witty and YES, you will feel all of the things. Molly and Seth are the perfect, relatable, and realistic lobsters! I’m going to need to get myself a finished copy when It’s out, to cherish and reread. I’m telling you, if you’re not crying, you’ll be swooning, making this the perfect read of the summer and you will not want to miss it! Just Some Stupid Love Story is out 6/4/24!
Happy reading 📖
Narrated by Christine Lakin; Tim Paige
Thank you so much Macmillan Audio, Flatiron Books, + NetGalley for the free audiobook. #MacAudio2024
Blurb:
A rom-com screenwriter who doesn’t believe in love and a divorce attorney who does, forced together at their high school reunion fifteen years after their break up.
✨My thoughts:
So happy this book is part of the summer reading challenge for BookSparks because I don’t know if I would have gotten to it so fast and that would have been a shame! This story does not disappoint. The audiobook does not disappoint! The banter is top tier and I love the spice. Yes, it’s a little spicy, yes, it’s witty and YES, you will feel all of the things. Molly and Seth are the perfect, relatable, and realistic lobsters! I’m going to need to get myself a finished copy when It’s out, to cherish and reread. I’m telling you, if you’re not crying, you’ll be swooning, making this the perfect read of the summer and you will not want to miss it! Just Some Stupid Love Story is out 6/4/24!
Happy reading 📖
January 1, 2024
Such an enjoyable read! I loved Molly for the most part, we all have flaws and hers was running away from great guys. The MMC was so amazing and felt bad about his mishaps with women. Some good twists in this one. (Side note: I hate Rob 😑) It truly kept me interested and pinning for the 2 MCs the entire time! It will make you fall back into falling in love.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publishers to read/review. All of the statements are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publishers to read/review. All of the statements are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
February 23, 2024
I wanted to read this because the synopsis says it’s “for fans of Emily Henry”, but I would never compare this book to any of Emily Henry’s. I was not a fan of the main characters in this book. There were a lot of things that just didn’t work for me with this book. I won’t list them all to be respectful, but know that I almost DNF’d multiple times.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 30, 2024
Molly split with her high school sweetheart, Seth, breaking his heart, just before they were to leave for college. Seth, a divorce attorney in Chicago, believes in soulmates. Molly is a rom com screenwriter in LA, ironic since she always seems to sabotage her romantic relationships. They unexpectedly meet up at their 15th HS reunion and a spark is reignited, but just for one night, although Seth makes a bet they will be together for their 20th reunion. They play on and off again with their relationship over the ensuing months, with Seth even getting engaged to someone else. Yet, they can’t seem to forget each other. Who will win the bet?
Romance novels are not my typical go tos, but I loved this book. Witty, entertaining, fast moving, I recommend this read to rom com fans as well as though wanting to dip into this genre. It is told in dual POVs, alternating between Molly and Seth. As a Floridian, I was impressed by how much Doyle really “gets” Florida. Lots of good humor here! My only hesitation with the book is that Seth is almost too good to be true…but, after all, it is fiction!
Thanks to #NetGalley and @flatiron_books for the DRC.
Romance novels are not my typical go tos, but I loved this book. Witty, entertaining, fast moving, I recommend this read to rom com fans as well as though wanting to dip into this genre. It is told in dual POVs, alternating between Molly and Seth. As a Floridian, I was impressed by how much Doyle really “gets” Florida. Lots of good humor here! My only hesitation with the book is that Seth is almost too good to be true…but, after all, it is fiction!
Thanks to #NetGalley and @flatiron_books for the DRC.
May 21, 2024
Not sure if it’s just me but I am really loving the romance books coming out lately. A lot of the rom-coms I’m reading are hitting the spot- including this one. It was funny, cute, and tragic all at the same time. A love story strung out over the years with so many almost moments and finally the ending we were all hoping for.
🌀Synopsis
Molly and Seth have a long history. They were together in high school but then went their separate ways. College and now adulthood has left space between them, especially hatter a tough breakup. Now they are forced to see each other at a reunion and both of them have a rush of feelings come back. After a crazy night they both go their separate ways again with some predictions for the next reunion.
Time passes and Molly continues to struggle in her relationship with her father. A chance run in with Seth has her believing she really blew it, he’s now dating someone else. Heck, he’s going to marry someone else.
When they see each other again their 5 year timeline is winding down and some of Seth’s predictions have already come true. In a rare twist of fate, Molly and Seth are both single and it finally is the right time for them to give it a try. Molly is still terrified though and she really makes Seth work for it.
🌀Synopsis
Molly and Seth have a long history. They were together in high school but then went their separate ways. College and now adulthood has left space between them, especially hatter a tough breakup. Now they are forced to see each other at a reunion and both of them have a rush of feelings come back. After a crazy night they both go their separate ways again with some predictions for the next reunion.
Time passes and Molly continues to struggle in her relationship with her father. A chance run in with Seth has her believing she really blew it, he’s now dating someone else. Heck, he’s going to marry someone else.
When they see each other again their 5 year timeline is winding down and some of Seth’s predictions have already come true. In a rare twist of fate, Molly and Seth are both single and it finally is the right time for them to give it a try. Molly is still terrified though and she really makes Seth work for it.
June 27, 2024
this is literally The Bolter, The Prophecy, So High School & evermore combined into the most perfect rom-com book! i did not want to stop reading it for a second. i adore this book. i was rooting for everyone, except maybe rob, but he’s not important anyway.
i cannot tell you the rollercoaster of feelings and the way my heart rate stuttered and sped the fuck up while reading this. i think i shed a few tears even??
Katelyn Doyle you are an absolute goddess and i need to read all of your books now.
i cannot tell you the rollercoaster of feelings and the way my heart rate stuttered and sped the fuck up while reading this. i think i shed a few tears even??
Katelyn Doyle you are an absolute goddess and i need to read all of your books now.
May 8, 2024
3 ⭐️. Feeling a little torn on this book, on one hand I thought it was decent second chance love story about Molly and Seth, high school sweethearts who broke up when Molly ripped Seth’s heart out as they graduated high school, only to meet back up at their 15 year reunion and make a silly bet about 5 couples they think will end up together by their 20 year reunion, them being one of the couples. It was a cute premise but it was a very slow burn and the fmc and mmc made it incredibly hard to root for them as they both had some serious issues. She was very emotionally unavailable and he was cringy in his quest for love and his own HEA. This was also the THIRD book I’ve read in the past 30 days about a screen writer, isn’t that funny how some years many of the books we read end up being thematically very similar? In this case, it grew tiresome for me, which is not the fault of the author. I’d say this was a good debut romance and will certainly read more from Katelyn Doyle in the future.
I did listen to the audio of this book which is narrated by Christine Lakin and Tim Paige. Christine did a phenomenal job and I adored her chapters and it made me like Molly just a little more. I did not love Tim’s narration of Seth so that did put a damper on things for me. In this case I probably would have preferred to read this book instead of listen.
Overall, I’d say give this a try if you like:
* Second chance love
* High school sweethearts
* Grumpy x Sunshine reversed
* Slow Burn
* Dual POV
* Open door romance, some spicy moments but not too many
* Cinnamon roll mmc
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for this advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.
Book publish date is June 4, 2024.
I did listen to the audio of this book which is narrated by Christine Lakin and Tim Paige. Christine did a phenomenal job and I adored her chapters and it made me like Molly just a little more. I did not love Tim’s narration of Seth so that did put a damper on things for me. In this case I probably would have preferred to read this book instead of listen.
Overall, I’d say give this a try if you like:
* Second chance love
* High school sweethearts
* Grumpy x Sunshine reversed
* Slow Burn
* Dual POV
* Open door romance, some spicy moments but not too many
* Cinnamon roll mmc
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for this advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.
Book publish date is June 4, 2024.
May 30, 2024
This book was a goddamned delight despite being full of tropes and events I don’t usually enjoy. I don’t know that I’ve ever actually laughed out loud so many times from a romance book before. This was not what I expected and I cannot wait to re-read!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Spice: 2/5 - explicit language, some on page, some fade to black
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Spice: 2/5 - explicit language, some on page, some fade to black
June 1, 2024
I wanted to like this more than I did but I just didn't connect with the characters and I honestly didn't feel like our characters would have been good for one another in a romantic way. I really did not like the sex scenes in this book. Idk if it was the writing that made them feel awkward or just the lack of chemistry between the characters but it was an instant glance when they popped up. I also found out I really hate contemporary romances that include covid in it. I wasn't a huge fan with how the book handled the topic of divorce. I won't get into it too much since it is the majority of the plot point of the book tbh.
narration was fantastic, loved both the narrators a lot!
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
narration was fantastic, loved both the narrators a lot!
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
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