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meganobrien419's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readwithkait's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book!
I went back and read #1 and #2 immediately before reading this, and I would highly recommend not only reading the two previous books, but reading them back-to-back, if possible. This whole series is so wonderful written with the overlapping timelines weaved together, it may be difficult to follow if there’s a large break.
I was skeptical going into this series that it may be boring, being bachelor-esque books where all 3 are during the same season and each starts the season over but with a new perspective. The books are anything but - instead of feeling repetitive or getting sick of the season, we just learn more and dive into new points.
Book #3 especially was easily my favorite. It’s a true villain love story, not only because it’s following the “villian” of the season’s cast, but because both characters are morally grey. We see the ups and downs, true behind-the-scenes, and learn the intricacies of what made this season so complex.
The romance is also my personal favorite from the three - it’s such a long time coming, and it’s clear that the two are truely a match. There’s also a little more spice than previous books - not enough to be spicy, but we get a few extra glimpses into their dynamic.
I’ll be recommending this book, and I can’t wait to see what the author comes out with next!
I was provided a complimentary ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
scookiecat's review against another edition
> DNF @ Ch 1
Meh wasn't feeling the story nor the writing
Meh wasn't feeling the story nor the writing
sapphic_library's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS is a reality tv romance about murray and lily, two best friends and co-producers of a bachelor-type franchise called "marry me, juliet" and "wherefore art thou, romeo." after working together for years, lily disappears from murray's life—only to come back as the villain in the latest season of "marry me, juliet." murray didn't want to have a villain in the first place, much less his estranged best friend and longtime co-producer. what was a fully planned-out season, down to the smallest detail, is now a fight for control between murray and lily.
i've never been much of a reality tv watcher, but i absolutely eat up reality tv romances and this one did not disappoint. everything about it was absolutely delicious and i read the whole thing in less than a day because i was so desperate to know what happened!! i don't want to give too much away because the twists and turns were one of the things i enjoyed the most, but it's safe to say this was one of my favorite reads.
read if you like:
- reality tv romances
- friends to lovers
- mastermind gets masterminded
- so much pining!!
thanks to netgalley and atria for the advanced copy. NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS comes out june 4th!
i've never been much of a reality tv watcher, but i absolutely eat up reality tv romances and this one did not disappoint. everything about it was absolutely delicious and i read the whole thing in less than a day because i was so desperate to know what happened!! i don't want to give too much away because the twists and turns were one of the things i enjoyed the most, but it's safe to say this was one of my favorite reads.
read if you like:
- reality tv romances
- friends to lovers
- mastermind gets masterminded
- so much pining!!
thanks to netgalley and atria for the advanced copy. NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS comes out june 4th!
carokinkead's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
helen's review against another edition
4.0
A contemporary romance with the 'Battle Couple' trope where the battles are racist misogynistic TV executives and uncooperative reality dating show contestants.
These MCs are manipulative and do morally grey things for the greater good (making the first racially diverse season of a Bachelor/ette type show a success), but when they try to manipulate each other it goes very wrong for them, but very right for me, a reader who loves competent, scheming MCs who are undone by their love for each other.
Other beloved tropes in this book: forced proximity, friends to lovers, providing food as a sign of love, pining, public declaration of feelings, second chance.
I also really appreciated this: "so what if part of me was always going to be pining for her? No one said that the love of your life had to be a romantic one."
And this: "In all the time we'd known each other, he'd listened to every single word I'd said. And god it was hot."
But most of all this: "Every time I think I have a handle on what you're doing you rip the carpet out from under me. I'm angry with you all the time, I'm worried about you all the time. I miss you all the time."
I haven't read the first two books in this series which follow the same events but from different points of view. This book made me want to go back and read them.
Content notes: the FMC is grieving her dead husband for a lot of this book (not a spoiler - this is revealed in the prologue), and it's set during the covid-19 pandemic.
These MCs are manipulative and do morally grey things for the greater good (making the first racially diverse season of a Bachelor/ette type show a success), but when they try to manipulate each other it goes very wrong for them, but very right for me, a reader who loves competent, scheming MCs who are undone by their love for each other.
Other beloved tropes in this book: forced proximity, friends to lovers, providing food as a sign of love, pining, public declaration of feelings, second chance.
I also really appreciated this: "so what if part of me was always going to be pining for her? No one said that the love of your life had to be a romantic one."
And this: "In all the time we'd known each other, he'd listened to every single word I'd said. And god it was hot."
But most of all this: "Every time I think I have a handle on what you're doing you rip the carpet out from under me. I'm angry with you all the time, I'm worried about you all the time. I miss you all the time."
I haven't read the first two books in this series which follow the same events but from different points of view. This book made me want to go back and read them.
Content notes: the FMC is grieving her dead husband for a lot of this book (not a spoiler - this is revealed in the prologue), and it's set during the covid-19 pandemic.
kntaylor1216's review against another edition
5.0
There are not words to adequately express how much I loved this book. I had not read the first two books in the series, but I’m almost glad I hadn’t. Getting to know Lily and Murray organically through THEIR story, while still getting to see the couples from the other two books just means I have two other books to read now.
My ONLY complaint was that Lily’s Big Event that happens at the start of the book was almost too shocking to happen so soon at the start of a new book. Other than that, the pacing, the characterization, the dialogue, the plot, everything… it was perfect.
I wish it had a LITTLE more spicy action but I’ll take what I can get.
Lily, as both herself and Lily Fireball, was a lovable and hate-able character, and you still cheered for her. I will forever go down with a friends to lovers trope, so this one had me by the neck.
Thank you to Simon and Shuster and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
My ONLY complaint was that Lily’s Big Event that happens at the start of the book was almost too shocking to happen so soon at the start of a new book. Other than that, the pacing, the characterization, the dialogue, the plot, everything… it was perfect.
I wish it had a LITTLE more spicy action but I’ll take what I can get.
Lily, as both herself and Lily Fireball, was a lovable and hate-able character, and you still cheered for her. I will forever go down with a friends to lovers trope, so this one had me by the neck.
Thank you to Simon and Shuster and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
andisnalls's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Pining, friends to lovers, reality dating show tropes? Count me 100% in. I was instantly sucked into the Marry Me, Juliet verse from the first chapter. Murray and Lily, co-producers on a Bachelor-type franchise, have been in love with each other for ten years but both timing and self-sabotage prevented anything from happening. When Lily turns up after a year of no contact on the latest season of Marry Me, Juliet, they are both forced to confront their feelings (over and over). I loved the format of the book, with flashbacks from Lily that showed how much this was an idiots in love story.
The chemistry the characters have with each other is excellent, and not just Murray and Lily. McAlister builds the stakes higher and higher until writing in a very satisfying conclusion that got me a little choked up. This is a book I would read again on a rainy day. I realized about halfway through reading that this is the third romance set in this universe so if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to read the others.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The chemistry the characters have with each other is excellent, and not just Murray and Lily. McAlister builds the stakes higher and higher until writing in a very satisfying conclusion that got me a little choked up. This is a book I would read again on a rainy day. I realized about halfway through reading that this is the third romance set in this universe so if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to read the others.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
hanhoffie's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75