My Best Friend’s Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner Book Review: A Sizzling Sapphic Escape to Love
- Joao Nsita
- May 1
- 9 min read
Introduction: What If Your Best Friend Was Your True Love All Along?
Imagine jetting off to a Caribbean paradise with your lifelong best friend—only to discover the honeymoon you’re on might be for you two. In My Best Friend’s Honeymoon, Meryl Wilsner serves up a spicy, sapphic romance that’s as lush as a tropical sunset. Released on April 29, 2025, this friends-to-lovers tale follows Elsie Hoffman and nonbinary Ginny Holtz as they trade a canceled wedding for a steamy getaway. Wilsner, a USA Today bestselling author celebrated for queer love stories, crafts a novel that’s equal parts heartwarming and scorching. If you’re craving a queer romance with emotional depth and unapologetic spice, this book is your ticket to paradise. For more irresistible reads, dive into That Love Podcast’s romance recommendations.
Book Summary: A Honeymoon That Sparks More Than Selfies
My Best Friend’s Honeymoon begins with a bombshell: Elsie Hoffman discovers her fiancé has planned their entire wedding as a surprise, expecting her in a white dress in seven days. Realizing she’s been coasting toward a future she doesn’t want, she calls off the engagement. With a nonrefundable Caribbean honeymoon looming, Elsie invites her best friend since childhood, Ginny Holtz, to join her. Ginny, who’s been secretly in love with Elsie for over a decade, proposes a deal: for one week, Elsie can have anything she wants—if she asks for it. What starts with beach selfies and cocktails turns into toe-curling kisses and steamy encounters. The central conflict lies in their unspoken feelings and the fear of what happens when paradise ends. Wilsner’s unique spin? A vibrant queer romance with a nonbinary lead, blending humor, heat, and heart against a dreamy resort backdrop.
Author’s Style and Craft: A Masterclass in Queer Romance
Meryl Wilsner’s prose is like a Caribbean breeze—warm, inviting, and laced with a playful edge. Their third-person narrative shifts between Elsie and Ginny’s perspectives, though some find the transitions abrupt. The pacing is a slow-burn delight, building tension until it explodes into spicy, unapologetic scenes. Dialogue sparkles with wit, like when Ginny teases, “If friendship were enough, why did I want to kiss her so bad?” capturing their longing. Wilsner excels at character development—Elsie grows from passive to empowered, while Ginny’s confidence masks tender vulnerability. The lush Caribbean setting enhances the mood, making every moment feel alive. Wilsner’s craft shines in balancing steamy intimacy with emotional stakes, cementing their status as a sapphic romance icon.
Themes and Deeper Meaning: Love as a Leap of Faith
My Best Friend’s Honeymoon explores self-discovery, desire, and the courage to claim happiness. The honeymoon symbolizes a liminal space where Elsie and Ginny confront their true selves, free from societal expectations. Themes of agency resonate as Elsie learns to voice her wants, reflecting broader issues like women’s autonomy and queer identity. Ginny’s nonbinary identity adds depth, challenging binary norms in romance. Their pining hearts mirror the universal ache of unspoken love, asking: what risks are worth taking for joy? Wilsner weaves these ideas into a vibrant tapestry, making this queer romance a poignant reflection on love’s transformative power.
Strengths: A Tropical Triumph of Spice and Soul
This book is a five-star vacation for the heart. Wilsner nails the friends-to-lovers trope, crafting chemistry that sizzles from shy glances to cabana confessions. The spice is a standout—long, bold scenes that are “undeniably sexy and incredibly sweet,” as Olivia Dade notes. Ginny’s nonbinary, plus-size representation feels authentic, seen through Elsie’s adoring eyes, a refreshing take on desirability. The Caribbean setting is a character itself, with vivid descriptions of turquoise waves and starry nights that pull you in. These strengths create an immersive, empowering read that celebrates queer love with unapologetic joy.
Areas for Improvement: A Few Clouds in Paradise
While My Best Friend’s Honeymoon shines, it’s not flawless. The third-person POV shifts can feel jarring, disrupting the emotional flow, as some NetGalley reviewers noted. The romance’s rapid escalation might overwhelm fans of slower burns, with spice occasionally overshadowing deeper connection. Secondary characters, like resort staff, lack depth, missing chances to enrich the world. A clearer focus on Elsie and Ginny’s emotional bond mid-story could balance the heat. These hiccups may bother readers craving nuanced subplots, but the core romance remains a tropical delight.
Comparative Analysis: A Fresh Wave in Sapphic Romance
My Best Friend’s Honeymoon stands tall among queer romances, echoing the slow-burn charm of Wilsner’s Something to Talk About (Amazon link) but with bolder spice. Compared to Ashley Herring Blake’s Delilah Green Doesn’t Care (Amazon link), it shares vibrant sapphic energy but leans heavier on vacation vibes. Unlike Alison Cochrun’s The Charm Offensive (Amazon link), it prioritizes heat over humor. Wilsner’s nonbinary lead and explicit intimacy push genre boundaries, making this a trailblazer in 2025’s queer romance scene.
Target Audience: Who’s Booking This Getaway?
This book is a dream for queer romance fans craving steamy, heartfelt stories—think women and nonbinary readers aged 18-40 who love sapphic love stories and friends-to-lovers tropes. Fans of diverse representation will adore Ginny’s nonbinary, plus-size identity. It’s perfect for book clubs seeking spicy, inclusive picks. Content warnings: explicit sexual content, mild kink, and breakup themes. If you’re into emotional depth, queer joy, and tropical escapes, this romance is your boarding pass.
Personal Impact: A Heart Left in the Tropics
My Best Friend’s Honeymoon swept me away like a Caribbean tide. Elsie’s journey to self-assertion mirrored my own, while Ginny’s quiet pining broke my heart and pieced it back together. I laughed, blushed, and teared up, finishing with a longing for my own bold leap. This story lingers like a sunset—vivid, warm, and unforgettable. You need this book for its radiant, rebellious love.
Conclusion: A Honeymoon Worth Taking
My Best Friend’s Honeymoon is a dazzling sapphic romance—steamy, soulful, and impossible to put down. Meryl Wilsner delivers a queer love story that’s as bold as it is beautiful, perfect for anyone craving passion and paradise.
Grab it on Amazon and let Elsie and Ginny show you love’s worth asking for.
In a world that demands silence, this book sings of desire’s triumph.Explore more romance treasures at That Love Podcast.
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About the Author: Meryl Wilsner
Meryl Wilsner is a USA Today bestselling author crafting queer romances for women and nonbinary folks. Born in Michigan, they’ve lived in Portland, Oregon, and Jackson, Mississippi, before returning to the Mitten State. Their novels, including Something to Talk About, Mistakes Were Made, and Cleat Cute, blend heartfelt stories with steamy intimacy. Wilsner’s first nonbinary lead in My Best Friend’s Honeymoon marks a bold step in sapphic literature. They love button-down shirts, giraffes’ quirky runs, and their wife. Connect at their website, Goodreads, and Instagram.
FAQ Section: Your Honeymoon Questions Answered
What’s My Best Friend’s Honeymoon about?
A spicy sapphic romance where best friends Elsie and Ginny turn a canceled honeymoon into a steamy love story.
Is it a slow-burn romance?
Yes, but it heats up fast, balancing tension with spice.
How’s the nonbinary representation?
Authentic and empowering—Ginny’s identity is celebrated naturally.
Who’s the target audience?
Queer romance fans who love steamy, diverse love stories.
Any content warnings?
Explicit sex, mild kink, and breakup themes.
How spicy is it?
Very—long, unapologetic scenes that dominate mid-story.
What’s Meryl Wilsner’s style like?
Witty, warm, and immersive with vivid settings.
Does it explore friendship?
Deeply—their lifelong bond anchors the romance.
How does it compare to Wilsner’s other books?
Spicier than Something to Talk About, softer than Mistakes Were Made.
Why read it in 2025?
It’s a bold, inclusive romance riding the sapphic wave.
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