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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
This review has very minimal spoilers as I talk about parts I liked and didn’t like, but I’ve marked the extreme spoilers with a warning so proceed at your own risk.
I definitely had conflicting feelings with this book, but overall it was enjoyable and I’ll never pass up an opportunity to devour a sapphic love story.
To start with the positive, I loved the plot. Gemma and Celeste have a complicated romantic history and have not had any contact in eight years, but their paths collide and they’re reunited when they both end up working on a project that sees the two interviewing and photographing different couples of all ages, sexualities and stages of life. This was really enjoyable, heartwarming, and at times emotional.
Despite always trying to avoid second-chance romances, I really enjoyed this one and I was rooting for them both immediately. There was also some really *hot* scenes with the two that I don’t think will be leaving my brain any time soon. I liked both Gemma and Celeste’s characters. They both have their flaws, of course, which are prominent throughout the story, but they’re both real. I loved the mixture of sapphic lore and Korean culture throughout, particularly prominently through Gemma’s POV. As for other characters we meet in their story, I loved Gemma’s friends Kiara and Val; they were incredibly supportive, real and well integrated throughout.
As for what I didn’t like, most of all was the differences in chapter perspective between Gemma and Celeste. Gemma’s chapters were first-person and definitely the more filling throughout the book, whereas Celeste’s chapters were third-person and both shorter in length and less frequent, which left her perspective feeling quite lacking and closed off. I would’ve loved her chapters to have also been first-person and to have more of an insight into her inner monologue, her support system—like we got with Gemma’s friends, Kiara and Val, in Gemma’s chapters—and just her world in general.
I also grew a little frustrated when it came to the reasonings behind Gemma and Celeste’s previous separation. Whilst I understood and sympathised with Celeste’s mum being sick and her needing to return home to take care of her, she completely ghosted Gemma, cut her off entirely and refused every attempt Gemma made at the time to reach out, and whilst I do understand how grief and the fear of sick loved ones can lead to isolation, I felt like it was quite unfair that Celeste seemed to continually punish Gemma for eventually moving on (though four months was definitely pretty quick, I will admit). Though this was frustrating, I admit this does feel very reminiscent to how turbulent life and decisions are at the ripe young age of 21.
I didn’t like the subtle internalised biphobia from Celeste, with how she expresses her hurt for Gemma moving on quickly and puts emphasis on the fact that she’d moved on with a man, describing it as ‘A lesbian’s worst nightmare’. Whilst I understood this likely being a part of her processing the trauma in her life at the time, Celeste was perfectly aware of Gemma’s bisexuality, given that she was her bi-awakening and Gemma’s previous relationships were straight presenting. I would’ve liked if this was something that was unpacked either between the characters or through Celeste’s own growth in the story but it was never touched on.
Lastly, I hated James. Like hated. To the point I wanted to print a screenshot off everytime he was on page just to put it up on a dartboard and fling darts at it.
Overall I did enjoy this story and I will definitely be checking out the rest of Lyla Lee’s works. Thank you Little, Brown Book Group and Netgalley for this digital arc. This review is entirely my own.
My bookstagram!
I definitely had conflicting feelings with this book, but overall it was enjoyable and I’ll never pass up an opportunity to devour a sapphic love story.
To start with the positive, I loved the plot. Gemma and Celeste have a complicated romantic history and have not had any contact in eight years, but their paths collide and they’re reunited when they both end up working on a project that sees the two interviewing and photographing different couples of all ages, sexualities and stages of life. This was really enjoyable, heartwarming, and at times emotional.
Despite always trying to avoid second-chance romances, I really enjoyed this one and I was rooting for them both immediately.
Spoiler
There was also a third act break up, which I’m also typically a hater of, but I did like it here!As for what I didn’t like, most of all was the differences in chapter perspective between Gemma and Celeste. Gemma’s chapters were first-person and definitely the more filling throughout the book, whereas Celeste’s chapters were third-person and both shorter in length and less frequent, which left her perspective feeling quite lacking and closed off. I would’ve loved her chapters to have also been first-person and to have more of an insight into her inner monologue, her support system—like we got with Gemma’s friends, Kiara and Val, in Gemma’s chapters—and just her world in general.
I also grew a little frustrated when it came to the reasonings behind Gemma and Celeste’s previous separation. Whilst I understood and sympathised with Celeste’s mum being sick and her needing to return home to take care of her, she completely ghosted Gemma, cut her off entirely and refused every attempt Gemma made at the time to reach out, and whilst I do understand how grief and the fear of sick loved ones can lead to isolation, I felt like it was quite unfair that Celeste seemed to continually punish Gemma for eventually moving on (though four months was definitely pretty quick, I will admit). Though this was frustrating, I admit this does feel very reminiscent to how turbulent life and decisions are at the ripe young age of 21.
I didn’t like the subtle internalised biphobia from Celeste, with how she expresses her hurt for Gemma moving on quickly and puts emphasis on the fact that she’d moved on with a man, describing it as ‘A lesbian’s worst nightmare’. Whilst I understood this likely being a part of her processing the trauma in her life at the time, Celeste was perfectly aware of Gemma’s bisexuality, given that she was her bi-awakening and Gemma’s previous relationships were straight presenting. I would’ve liked if this was something that was unpacked either between the characters or through Celeste’s own growth in the story but it was never touched on.
Lastly, I hated James. Like hated. To the point I wanted to print a screenshot off everytime he was on page just to put it up on a dartboard and fling darts at it.
Overall I did enjoy this story and I will definitely be checking out the rest of Lyla Lee’s works. Thank you Little, Brown Book Group and Netgalley for this digital arc. This review is entirely my own.
My bookstagram!
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed listening to this book! While the primary focus of the story was from Gemma's perspective, I felt like I learned enough about Celeste to believe the relationship highs and lows between the two characters. Loved the San Francisco setting, Gemma's small chosen family, and how both characters had to grow by the end of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
medium-paced
it was fine but atp i realized that i dont really like contemporary romances
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
spoiler alert: this review contains plot details and discussion of key events.
this book is a second chance romance that honestly took me on a bit of a rollercoaster. while there were things i really appreciated about this book, there were also moments that left me feeling disappointed and, homestly, a bit frustrated. it's one of those stories where i can see what it was trying to do, but i'm not sure it fully got there.
let's start with what worked. the cover is eye-catching and just so pretty. it's what initially grabbed my attention, and i still think it suits the book well.
one of the strongest aspects of the novel was the korean representation. it wasn't just decorative or surface-level; it was fully integrated into the characters' lives and decision. celeste's connection to her culture played a big role in her personal arc, and that added depth to the story. it's not something i see often, and it was handled with care and intention.
the audiobook experience was mostly positive. i especially enjoyed natalie naudus as gemma. since most of the book is from gemma's pov, her narration felt natural and well-paced. catherine ho voiced celeste, and while her performance was fine, celeste's chapters felt a little out of place. the dual pov didn't feel balanced, and i honestly think the story could've worked just as well (maybe better) told entirely from gemma's side.
now onto the second chance romance part. this is where things got shaky for me. the original breakup didn't stem from a messy miscommunication; it was a flat-out failure to communicate. celeste left the country without telling gemma anything - no call, no text, no explanation. later in the book, celeste claims she always felt safe and open with gemma, which made her silence back then feel completely inconsistent. it just didn't add up.
what really took me out, though, was celeste's reaction to gemma dating a man after their breakup. as a lesbian, the way celeste framed it as "a lesbian's worst nightmare" felt both biphobic and lesbophobic. the biphobia is clear, this idea that gemma's attraction to men somehow invalidated their relationship, but there's also something deeply frustrating about how it portrays lesbians. like we're petty or threatened when our exes date men, as if our identity is fragile or reactive. it felt a harmful stereotype, and it wasn't interrogated or challenged at all.
on top of that, celeste spends a good chunk of the book acting like gemma was the one who let their relationship fall apart. when again, celeste left. without warning. without explanation. i felt like i was being gaslit on gemma's behalf. i was so annoyed i stopped taking notes in english and switch to tagalog in all caps just to get my frustration out.
that said, i did appreciate how the ending played out. neither of them was in a good place, and i'm glad the book didn't force a neat resolution right away. they take time to work on themselves before even attempting to try again. and when celeste is the one to reach out to gemma near the end, it finally felt like she was taking real accountability. that moment actually landed for me.
in the end, love in focus gave me a lot to think about. it's a mixed bag for me. i really wanted to love it, and there were elements that genuinely worked, especially the cultural representation and the emotional beats near the end. but the romance itself felt uneven, and at times, harmful in how it handled queerness and accountability.
i received an advanced listening copy of the book from netgalley and hachette audio in exchange for an honest review.
this book is a second chance romance that honestly took me on a bit of a rollercoaster. while there were things i really appreciated about this book, there were also moments that left me feeling disappointed and, homestly, a bit frustrated. it's one of those stories where i can see what it was trying to do, but i'm not sure it fully got there.
let's start with what worked. the cover is eye-catching and just so pretty. it's what initially grabbed my attention, and i still think it suits the book well.
one of the strongest aspects of the novel was the korean representation. it wasn't just decorative or surface-level; it was fully integrated into the characters' lives and decision. celeste's connection to her culture played a big role in her personal arc, and that added depth to the story. it's not something i see often, and it was handled with care and intention.
the audiobook experience was mostly positive. i especially enjoyed natalie naudus as gemma. since most of the book is from gemma's pov, her narration felt natural and well-paced. catherine ho voiced celeste, and while her performance was fine, celeste's chapters felt a little out of place. the dual pov didn't feel balanced, and i honestly think the story could've worked just as well (maybe better) told entirely from gemma's side.
now onto the second chance romance part. this is where things got shaky for me. the original breakup didn't stem from a messy miscommunication; it was a flat-out failure to communicate. celeste left the country without telling gemma anything - no call, no text, no explanation. later in the book, celeste claims she always felt safe and open with gemma, which made her silence back then feel completely inconsistent. it just didn't add up.
what really took me out, though, was celeste's reaction to gemma dating a man after their breakup. as a lesbian, the way celeste framed it as "a lesbian's worst nightmare" felt both biphobic and lesbophobic. the biphobia is clear, this idea that gemma's attraction to men somehow invalidated their relationship, but there's also something deeply frustrating about how it portrays lesbians. like we're petty or threatened when our exes date men, as if our identity is fragile or reactive. it felt a harmful stereotype, and it wasn't interrogated or challenged at all.
on top of that, celeste spends a good chunk of the book acting like gemma was the one who let their relationship fall apart. when again, celeste left. without warning. without explanation. i felt like i was being gaslit on gemma's behalf. i was so annoyed i stopped taking notes in english and switch to tagalog in all caps just to get my frustration out.
that said, i did appreciate how the ending played out. neither of them was in a good place, and i'm glad the book didn't force a neat resolution right away. they take time to work on themselves before even attempting to try again. and when celeste is the one to reach out to gemma near the end, it finally felt like she was taking real accountability. that moment actually landed for me.
in the end, love in focus gave me a lot to think about. it's a mixed bag for me. i really wanted to love it, and there were elements that genuinely worked, especially the cultural representation and the emotional beats near the end. but the romance itself felt uneven, and at times, harmful in how it handled queerness and accountability.
i received an advanced listening copy of the book from netgalley and hachette audio in exchange for an honest review.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the roommate characters but found Celeste to be a bit dramatic. She ghosted Gemma and then is upset she had a boyfriend months later? She doesn’t have a right to be upset about that.