I really like it, but I also mostly use F-Droid apps. You can install Google Play in the regular app sandbox, which prevents the worst of the issues andn provides most of the benefits.

That said, there are still some caveats:

• NFC payments don’t work - I use a Pixel watch instead, which works fine (it’s paired to a separate profile on my phone with Google Play installed)
• some banking apps don’t work (some check if your phone OS is stock)
• some apps just don’t work without Google Play services running (e.g. the Sensi app for my smart thermostat), and some have issues even with it running

But other than that, it works pretty well! I have three profiles set up:

• Owner - default, with no Google Play
• Work - handful of work apps using my work Google account
• Google - apps that require Google Play, using a fresh Google account

I’m using a Google Pixel 8, and it does what I need it to do.