Review of My Best Friend’s Honeymoon by Meryl
When I first picked up My Best Friend’s Honeymoon, I was instantly intrigued by the collision of friendship, love, and the inevitable chaos of surprises. Meryl, the talented author behind this engaging romance, has always captured my heart with her unique storytelling, so it felt like a no-brainer diving into this tale during Pride Month 2025. But as I flipped through the pages, I found myself wrestling with feelings of disappointment. This might just be the first of Meryl’s books that didn’t hit the spot for me, which feels like a grand betrayal given how much I adore her work.
At its core, My Best Friend’s Honeymoon explores the whirlwind of unexpected turns in relationships—surprise weddings, confusion, and the delicate transition from friends to lovers. Elsie, our protagonist, finds herself feeling ambushed when her fiancé, Derek, thinks it’s a stellar idea to spring a surprise wedding on her. Spoiler: she hates surprises. Trust me, as someone who similarly recoils at the notion of unexpected changes (thanks to a former friend’s misguided plans), I felt this deeply. Derek’s well-intentioned but utterly misguided gesture sends Elsie into a tailspin, leading her to break things off in a fit of rage—a decision I may have made myself in an equally heated moment.
Enter Ginny, our lovable best friend, who’s been harboring feelings for Elsie since their first interaction. The tension between them is palpable, but Elsie is blissfully unaware—despite the world around them practically shouting the truth. The nonrefundable honeymoon ends up taking a hard left turn into unexpected pleasures, as Elsie decides to take Ginny along, leading to all sorts of romantic entanglements. Their chemistry sizzles, but there’s an elephant in the room: Elsie’s reluctance to voice her desires, showcasing a relatable struggle many of us face.
Meryl’s writing style remains engaging, blending humor with heartfelt moments. However, with this book, I missed the more vibrant character arcs we’ve seen before in her work. The pacing, particularly towards the end, felt rushed—like Meryl was trying to cram an aromatic summer fling into a too-tight suitcase. Still, the moments where Elsie and Ginny explore their feelings, both tender and torrid, are vivid and passionate, making you root for their love.
One line resonated with me: "When you love someone, sometimes it takes a leap of faith to ask for what you want." It struck a chord because it encapsulates not just the characters’ journey but our own hesitations in love and life. That raw authenticity, however, is what I was hoping for throughout the book, leaving me wishing for deeper exploration—conversations that felt more candid and less glossed over.
Despite my mixed feelings, I believe readers who enjoy friends-to-lovers tropes and LGBTQ+ narratives will find a lot to appreciate in My Best Friend’s Honeymoon. It brings to light the complexities of relationships in a fresh, breezy setting, especially during summer—a time often associated with freedom and exploration. If you’re willing to embrace the bumps in the journey, there’s joy to be found in this nuanced and playful examination of love and identity.
In the end, while this wasn’t my favorite read of Meryl’s, I still appreciated the exploration of how love can often surprise us—even if that means navigating our feelings amidst chaos. And isn’t that what life is all about? An adventure worth taking, even when it leads us to unexpected places. So, grab your ice cream and beach towel, and settle in for a rollercoaster of emotions—it just might surprise you! 🍦🌊
Discover more about My Best Friend’s Honeymoon on GoodReads >>