Gabriella Gamez bursts onto the romance scene with her delightful debut, The Next Best Fling—the first installment in her promising “Librarians in Love” series. This contemporary romance delivers a perfect blend of humor, vulnerability, and steamy tension that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the sequel, Kiss Me, Maybe.
What begins as a classic tale of unrequited love quickly evolves into something refreshingly complex. Gamez masterfully crafts a story that explores the messy reality of relationships, the courage it takes to move on from heartbreak, and the unexpected ways love sneaks up on us when we least expect it.
Premise: A Rebound with a Twist
The premise alone had me hooked: Marcela Ortiz, a teen librarian who’s been secretly pining for her best friend Ben for nearly a decade, discovers his brother Theo is planning to confess his love for Ben’s fiancée at their engagement party. After stopping him from making a catastrophic mistake, they’re mistaken for a couple—and decide to lean into the lie as a mutually beneficial arrangement to get over their respective heartbreaks.
It’s the perfect setup for a fake relationship romance, but Gamez elevates it with authentic emotional depth and characters who feel wonderfully real.
Strengths: Authentic Characters and Emotional Intelligence
The true strength of The Next Best Fling lies in its characters. Marcela is instantly relatable—a book-loving librarian with deep-seated abandonment issues stemming from her father’s departure. Her insecurities about her body and relationships resonated with me deeply, particularly how she second-guesses herself and struggles to trust in love.
Theo, meanwhile, is far more than the stereotypical ex-NFL player. His vulnerability about his career-ending injury and his thoughtfulness shine through, making him a genuinely swoon-worthy love interest. The scene where he gifts Marcela replacement copies of all her favorite books—books she had donated to her former high school library—was particularly touching and showed the depth of his character.
What impressed me most was how Gamez handles the dual unrequited loves that drive the plot. Rather than portraying these attachments as simply obstacles to overcome, she examines how such long-term pining affects a person’s ability to form healthy relationships and trust their own judgment.
The Library Setting: A Book Lover’s Dream
As a fellow book enthusiast, I absolutely adored the library setting. Gamez’s description of Marcela’s passionate advocacy for diverse YA literature and her creation of a teen book club felt authentic and heartwarming. The scene where Theo visits the book club and helps Marcela act out a dramatic scene from “Before the Dawn” was both hilarious and tender—showcasing their chemistry while highlighting Marcela’s passion for her work.
The library also serves as a perfect backdrop for their romantic journey, becoming the setting for one of the most touching dates in the novel. Readers who love books about book lovers will find much to appreciate here.
The Romance: A Slow-Burn That Delivers
The progression of Marcela and Theo’s relationship is expertly paced, starting with reluctant allies who gradually build trust, friendship, and eventually something more. Their early chemistry is palpable, but it’s the emotional intimacy they develop that makes their romance so satisfying.
What starts as casual physical attraction develops into something deeper as they recognize themselves in each other—two people helping each other heal from unrequited love. Their journey isn’t smooth sailing, particularly when Marcela’s fear of abandonment threatens to derail everything, but that’s what makes their eventual coming together so rewarding.
The steam level is well-balanced—hot enough to make readers fan themselves but never overshadowing the emotional core of the story. The tension builds naturally, making each intimate scene feel meaningful to their developing relationship.
Areas for Improvement
While The Next Best Fling shines in many ways, it’s not without its flaws. The resolution of Ben and Alice’s relationship felt somewhat rushed, with Alice’s career ambitions suddenly taking center stage late in the story. This subplot could have been woven more consistently throughout the narrative to make her decision feel more organic.
Additionally, the final confrontation between the brothers, while emotionally charged, left some questions about their past unresolved. The hint that Ben may have deliberately caused Theo’s career-ending injury seemed like a major revelation that deserved more exploration.
At times, Marcela’s inner monologue becomes repetitive, circling back to the same insecurities. While this realistically portrays how anxiety works, trimming some of these moments would have tightened the pacing in the middle section.
Standout Elements
Several aspects of this novel particularly stood out:
- Representation: Gamez, a Mexican American author, weaves Marcela’s cultural heritage naturally throughout the story. From her mother’s homemade tortillas to discussions about diverse YA literature, these elements add richness to the narrative without feeling tokenistic.
- Mental Health: The honest portrayal of how past trauma affects present relationships is handled with sensitivity and insight. Marcela’s journey toward trusting herself and others feels authentic rather than conveniently resolved.
- Female Friendship: Angela, Marcela’s asexual best friend, provides not just comic relief but genuine support. Their friendship offers a refreshing counterpoint to the romantic relationships in the story.
- Sports Element: The football backdrop adds dimension to Theo’s character without overwhelming readers who may not be sports fans. His coaching position connects meaningfully to his character development.
Final Verdict: A Promising Debut
Gabriella Gamez delivers a debut that balances humor, heart, and heat in equal measure. The Next Best Fling takes familiar romance tropes—fake dating, unrequited love, brothers at odds—and refreshes them with authentic emotion and contemporary sensibility.
The writing style is conversational and engaging, making it easy to sink into the story and connect with the characters. While there are a few first-novel missteps, they’re easily forgiven in light of the book’s many strengths.
With the introduction of the “Librarians in Love” series, Gamez establishes herself as a romance author to watch. The forthcoming sequel, Kiss Me, Maybe, promises to continue exploring the world of book-loving protagonists finding their happily-ever-afters, and I’m eagerly looking forward to it.
Who Will Love This Book?
The Next Best Fling will particularly appeal to:
- Fans of Emily Henry and Tessa Bailey who enjoy contemporary romance with emotional depth
- Readers who love book-centric settings and bookish protagonists
- Anyone who appreciates complex family dynamics in their romance novels
- Those looking for authentic portrayal of Latinx characters and culture
- Readers who enjoy the fake dating and forced proximity tropes
The Next Best Fling delivers a heartfelt romance that skillfully balances humor and emotional depth. While a few plot elements could have been more thoroughly developed, Gamez’s warm writing style, engaging characters, and steamy romance make this a standout debut that promises great things from the “Librarians in Love” series.
For a first novel, Gamez demonstrates remarkable insight into the complexities of human relationships and the courage it takes to move beyond past hurts. If her debut is any indication, romance readers have much to look forward to from this talented new voice in the genre. I’m particularly excited to see where she takes the series with Kiss Me, Maybe—will we perhaps see Angela finding her own happily ever after?
Whether you’re a romance enthusiast or simply love books about book lovers, The Next Best Fling is well worth adding to your TBR pile. Just be prepared to stay up well past your bedtime turning pages—and maybe shed a few tears along the way.