"You need to get messy. Sticky things aren't bad you know. People are scared of all the messes nowadays. Want every little thing to make sense. Things I loved the most? They don't make any sense.... Perfection? No, no one can love perfection. You find the best things in the most messy parts of your life."

"It'll never be enough. I'd always want just one more second with you."

4 stars!

This book was GREAT! I felt the heavy grief with both Jules and Silas. And Grant's epic trip to help them live again and find each other? Brilliant, His letters were EVERYTHING.

Jules, Grant, and Silas were inseparable in college but as they grew older things shifted and they drifted apart. Jules and Grant got engaged, and Silas' father passed away suddenly leaving him in charge of an empire.

But then Grant gets sick and ends up leaving Jules too. His dying request to Silas- show his beloved fiance how to live again. Cue the waterworks!

The only catch: Jules HATES Silas now- and wants nothing to do with even. Especially not travel with him around the world. But since Grant has left her letters at each location, she's forced to make the journey to get the small snippets of him before he's completely gone.

They travel to some amazing places, and do incredible things! All the while figuring out how to be around each other, and opening up about their grief and anger. Maybe there is a chance for Grant's final wish to happen.

I loved it. Loved how Jules and Silas talked through everything, and figured out how to LIVE and LOVE again. Grant's love letters just about brought me to tears- you could feel his love for Jules jump off the page. And Silas? Well it was pretty clear how Silas felt, even from the prologue.

A fantastic read. I need to grab the others in the series now! Kudos to Lily Parker for a perfect second chance love story!

Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This emotionally rich novel explores themes of grief, healing, and second chances. After Jules loses her fiancé Grant, she’s forced to confront her pain alongside Silas—Grant’s best friend and the person she blames for his death. Grant’s final wish sets them on a transformative journey together, one that Jules had always dreamed of.

My thoughts:
The story is beautifully written and deeply moving.
It centers on complicated relationships and emotional growth.
The romance that develops is tender and rooted in heartbreak.
Ideal for readers who enjoy emotional journeys, redemption arcs, and love born from loss.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This beautiful and poignant take on love-after-loss is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. It’s also one of the more unique romance plots I’ve come across.

One year after the death of her fiancé, Grant, Jules learns he had a final wish—that she take a trip across Europe with their old friend, Silas. To get Grant’s four remaining letters, Jules must work through her issues with Silas and go on the journey.

Jules is a wonderfully complex portrayal of grief. She’s not just sad—she’s angry, guilty, and restless, gradually finding her way toward healing. She misses Grant, of course, but no longer wants to be defined by his loss, and over time begins to open herself to the possibilities ahead.

Silas has quietly loved Jules for years with no hope of reciprocation, the very embodiment of male pining. I’m not usually a fan of the billionaire trope, but here it’s handled thoughtfully and with nuance. Once spoiled and entitled, Silas has grown into someone who takes both his responsibilities and relationships seriously, while still keeping his fun-loving side.

Through it all, Grant’s presence—through memory and letters—shapes both Jules and Silas. His insight and selflessness guide their choices, and the deep trust he shared with Silas—steadfast, unshakable, and fully aware of his feelings for Jules—is one of the most memorable aspects of the book.

A slow burn was absolutely necessary, given the complex dynamics. Jules has to give herself permission to move forward, guided in part by Grant’s letters, and the romance unfolds gradually across the trip. By the end, her growing connection with Silas and his quiet, long-held devotion become clear.

The relationship dynamics, both romantic and platonic, are handled beautifully, balancing grief, past love, and the possibilities of new connections.

I loved so much about this book—its portrayal of grief, Grant’s letters guiding Jules, and the depth of the relationships. Beyond a minor pacing issue and a slightly contrived third-act conflict, it was an incredibly moving read.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Joffe Books for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This cover is GORGGGG!!! I ate this book up. I love tropes where he loves her first and this book!! I love Silas and Jules so so much

A year after the death of her fiancé, Grant, Jules receives a letter from him. The letter states it is time to move on, and he has arranged for her to go to four different places abroad. The snag is that she has to go with Silas. Jules, Grant and Silas were best friends, until Silas’ dad died and he took over his father’s business. Silas changed and Jules did everything not to have to see him again.

Can Silas and Jules be civil to each other? Can they both move on from the past?

I’ve enjoyed the books in this series, but this one struck a chord with me. The author gets everything spot on when it comes to dealing with grief. From the guilt of daring to laugh, to the fear of not being able to move on.

I enjoyed reading the story of Jules and Grant, as well as the three of them together, then learning of Jules and Silas’ friendship from years ago. Nonna Lisi was a wonderful character, she made me smile, her approach to life was lovely to hear.

A beautiful and touching story that made me laugh, smile and cry.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

The Best Wild Idea by Lily Parker completely took me by surprise. If you love romance that’s rich in plot, deeply original, with a slow build of spice and all the feels—this is it. I felt every bit of the pain, heartache, love, fear, hate, and sadness. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but one I adored from start to finish.

This is the kind of book that lingers with you long after the last page. I’m grateful for the adventure, the journey, and the sweet, tender moments woven throughout each chapter. It was both a beautiful escape and a reminder to live life to the fullest. Jules, Silas, and Grant are layered, well-developed characters who made the story feel real—and of course, Andy! I absolutely loved Andy.

Thank you to Lily Parker, Joffe Books | Choc Lit, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was truly honored to read this novel and so thankful the author shared this story with us.

The Best Wild Idea has to be the most unique story in the Off-Limits series by Lily Parker. I seriously loved the whole concept of the plot. It’s adventurous, emotional, and packed with memories and joy. The traveling aspect really added so much heart, and the pacing was done so well. I loved how each part of their journey brought new character and plot development, it kept things exciting!

Now let’s talk about Silas… omg, Silas. What a sweetheart! He’s the fun, life-of-the-party type, but he also notices the tiniest details about you. I absolutely adored how his character grew throughout the book. He made me swoon so many times, he’s just that kind of guy you can’t help but fall for!!

On the flip side, I didn’t really vibe with Jules. Her inner thoughts and some of her actions annoyed me, especially the way she treated Silas at times. She definitely gave me the ick here and there, but luckily things worked out by the end.

Still, I really enjoyed their adventures together, and I get why their relationship had so many ups and downs. The second chance romance element was written perfectly, and the way Lily Parker described the settings made me feel like I was right there with them. My favorite parts were definitely the adrenaline-filled moments because they gave me the same rush the characters felt.

Overall, it was such a fun, adventurous read. If you’re into these tropes and love a romance that takes you on a journey, I’d recommend picking this one up!

Jules, Silas, and Grant were once inseparable — until Jules and Grant got engaged, Silas inherited a billion-dollar empire and everything fell apart.
Then the unthinkable happens. Grant is gone. And Jules is alone.
Now the only person who can help her heal is the one man she swore to hate — Silas, the best friend she pushed away.
Silas has loved Jules since he first set eyes on her. But he lost her to his best friend. And now he’s lost his best friend to something his money couldn’t fix.
But a letter arrives. Grant’s final Show Jules how to live again.
Silas must take Jules on the adventure she’s always dreamed of . . . with the man she hates most in the world.
From golden Spanish sunsets to the sparkling coast of Amalfi and the magic of Parisian nights, Jules wants nothing to do with Silas. But there is a thin line between love and hate. And somewhere along the way, the man she left behind, begins to look a lot like the one she can’t live without.
This was a heartfelt and emotional read. Silas comes across through as a spoilt, rich guy with a heart of gold. But in this book we see a different side to him. Though madly in love, he just stayed on the sidelines for his best friend, and that won my heart. I smiled and I cried while reading this book. It was a beautiful romance and I loved how Grant played a role in bringing Jules and Silas together.

This book breaks your heart before it puts it back together.
Expect to cry a little!

Three best friends, inseparable since they met on the first day of college. Jules and Grant fall in love deeply and quickly, so after they graduate and Grant proposes, everyone is thrilled for them. No one more happy than their best friend Silas! Three peas in a pod.
They are all stunned when Silas’s father, a billionaire businessman dies unexpectedly and leaves him all the businesses. He transform into someone Jules and Grant don’t recognize, don’t like and don’t want to be around.
The hard working, hard partying playboy billionaire is not their old friend.

But when Grant gets sick, Jules and Silas rally around him between squabbles until the end.

Heartbroken Jules immediately must start selling the things she thought would be in their life for years.
A year after his death, Jules gets a letter from Grant telling her she is going on an adventure he planned to help her get out of her funk… but Grant is coming with her!

Que heartbreak, confusion, old friends, and a pasta making grandma.

Can Jules forgive her former best friend for who he became in grief? Does she understand how life altering now that it’s happened to her?

This is a lot darker than the other two books in this series but I didn’t love it any less!

4.5 rating for the third book (final book?) in the Off Limits series.
A dual point of view story with Jules and Silas with a few different tropes to please all kinds of readers. After the loss of Grant (Jules' husband and Silas' best friend), the estranged friends set out on a life-changing trip planned by Grant himself. I was sucked in with the first chapter, which set up their unique friendship dynamic, only to gut me with a "years later" in the next chapter, where their friendship has deteriorated.
The nature of the story with the trip and the adventures lends itself to a fast-paced read even though you'll want to slow yourself down because you don't want the trip(or book) to end. While I enjoyed the previous stories, Jules and Silas' story was hands down my favorite. So, if you enjoyed the first two books, there is no question you won't love this installment.

I tried but this was a DNF for me, a very rare occurrence. I couldn’t get into either main character- there was so much filler about how much they were out of touch and living in different worlds for the first portion of the book, I had no reason to root for them to find their way back to each other. The premise was unique enough but not that strong.

This felt like a genuinely emotional and deeply enjoyable read—heartfelt without being heavy, perfect for anyone craving a holiday‑style escape. The overarching arc is honestly a bit predictable, but that didn’t keep me from appreciating the full journey from beginning to end. I was especially captivated by the lush, immersive descriptions of the places visited—the settings practically become characters themselves, each stop a vivid reminder to seize life and live it to the fullest. Character interactions occasionally veer into melodrama, with reactions that feel over‑the‑top or even a little clichéd—but in a way that still entertains. The novel’s emotional beats hit when they need to, and it left me feeling both satisfied and quietly reflective. A lovely, feel‑good read that carries its emotional weight gracefully even amid familiar territory.

After finding the first two books in the series okay, I found the third one right up my street and lord I was HOOKED!

This one is a very slow burn, friends to enemies to lovers with a lot of sadness and grief but done incredibly well! I couldn't out this one down, I loved the characters building, the chemistry, the heartbreak and the fun in this one! ❤️

The story follows the plot line of three friends from school, Jules, Grant and Silas, Grant and Jules fall in love and Silas has always secretly been in love with Jules but leaves it and lets his 2 best friends live the life they deserve until the unthinkable happens and Grant passes away due to an illness. Jules must navigate life without him until a letter is delivered on the 1 year anniversary of his passing that turns her life upside down!
I really enjoyed the letter's from Grant and it gave it the feel of PS I love you and excuse the pun but I loved that!

Great book and I am so thankful I got to ARC read this one!

While this was a book about friendship and second chances, it fell flat for me. I felt there was something missing, like a spark, and the characters lacked real depth.

I thought this book was much deeper than the first book I read in the series. After reading the synopsis, I don't think I realized why Grant wasn't around anymore. Overall I enjoyed the book, I felt like the romance fell a little flat. Suddenly Jules is able to look at Si and see him in a new light. It seemed a little quick without much slow burn leading up to it.

The Best Wild Idea is about three friends and second chances that arise when tragedy strikes. Jules and Grant met at Harvard, are in love and have their entire lives ahead of them until Grant unexpectedly becomes ill and dies. Grant and Silas have been best friends, practically brothers since boarding school. Silas and Jules were close all through college and after until Silas' father died and he pushed her away. One year after Grant's death, Jules receives a letter Grant wrote before he died. In the letter he tells Jules he has planned a trip for her and Silas. There are 4 more letters at each destination and she must have Silas with her to receive the letters. Despite Jules' hatred toward Silas, she agrees to the trip and its stipulations in order to receive the last words her fiancé ever wrote to her.

I really appreciated what this book was trying to do. It just felt like there were some important pieces of information missing for me. The timeline at times was hard to follow and the reasons for Jules hating Silas(prior to Grants death) seemed petty and silly if you knew your friend was hurting. At one point Jules says Silas was the best kisser- just awkward when the first love of her life is the reason she was able to find her second. I did enjoy Jules' and Silas relationship and the way they understood each other. I just wish we could have seen more of her relationship with Grant prior to his death. Without that it was more difficult to appreciate their relationship.

If you like to travel and love a second chance- this could be the book for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I’m obsessed with this book and will immediately be reading the first two in the series. I was skeptical going in. Her dead fiancé’s best friend? I wasn’t sure that plot would work for me. But it did. I laughed, I cried, and I absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys being emotionally devastated (in the best way).

The highlight for me? The letters from Grant. They broke me and somehow stitched me back together.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books, and the incredible author Lily Parker for the opportunity to read this book as an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Publication date: September 17, 2025

I enjoyed this book, but I felt like it was missing some things for me. The book follows Juliet (Jules) after the devastating loss of her fiance, Grant. After Grant’s death, Jules is sent on a European trip with Silas, Grant’s best friend and someone she has grown to hate. As Jules and Silas embark on their trip to get closure on their grief from losing Grant, will they find their way back to each other? Or is the break in their friendship too deep?

While I enjoyed this book overall, and felt that the grief and healing components were portrayed well, I had a hard time getting over the initial pain of Grant’s death. I also felt like the romance between Silas and Jules progressed too fast in the sense that she hated them and suddenly was in love with him. And the reason she hated him seemed very unexpected and out of the blue. The ending and epilogue were sweet, and overall I felt like both characters had really good depth!

3.5/5

I did like this better than the other book I have read from this series.

I still found the characters to be a bit flat at times in this story though, but I really did like their banter and their chaotic adventures. Or misadventures, I guess.

This follows Jules as she deals with the loss of her fiancé, going on a trip around Europe that was set up by him...but there's a catch, her fiancé's best friend is also there. And the two do not get along.

So yes, that means we have a forced proximity enemies to lovers sort of situation on our hands. And that was a fun dynamic.

I did enjoy this book, but I just wanted more. More oomph, more action/drama, more something.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

This book had so much emotional weight packed into it, and I genuinely felt it in more than one scene. Grief, guilt, longing, unresolved tension—it’s all here. The premise is undeniably compelling: a woman forced to confront her greatest heartbreak alongside the one man she can’t forgive. That’s a setup made for drama and slow-burn tension, and it delivers on that front.
Jules is a complex protagonist, and I appreciated how the book didn’t try to make her too likable or too “put together.” She’s angry, grieving, confused—and that made her feel real. Silas, meanwhile, hits a lot of familiar billionaire romance beats, but there’s vulnerability beneath the surface that worked for me. He’s patient in a way that never felt performative, and I liked that his love for Jules wasn’t framed as something that magically fixes her. It lingers, aches, waits.
The travel settings were gorgeous. Spain, Amalfi, Paris… each location was described with just enough texture to make the emotional backdrop even richer. The romance really started clicking for me midway through the trip—before that, some of the tension felt a bit too cyclical (Jules lashes out, Silas takes it, repeat). I would've loved a bit more narrative surprise in their dynamic early on. There were moments where I wished the emotional pacing had a little more bite or unpredictability.
Also: the “he falls first” trope was lovely in theory, but I wish we had seen more internal struggle from him, not just devotion. Give me a little mess in my MMC too!
That said, the writing is warm, emotionally textured, and the final act hit just the right note—without becoming overly sentimental. It’s romantic without losing its emotional grounding.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a thoughtful, heartfelt read—and while it didn’t hit full five-star impact for me, it came pretty close.