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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A second chance Sapphic Romance? đ Literally my dream come true. I kept hearing about it and when I saw it on Netgalley as Read Now, I immediately clicked download. I wanted to love this books so bad, but unfortunately it didnât do it for me.
The story follows Gemma, a journalist who after 7 years of being in a relationship and engaged, is dumped. She reconnects with Celeste, her ex-girlfriend from college, when her job makes them work together in a once in a lifetime project. Celeste and Gemmaâs relationship didnât end well, and they must navigate through their old feelings, as they work together.
What I loved:
- The asian and queer representation! I absolutely loved the representation of bi-curiosity and exploration of your sexuality.
What didnât work for me:
- Knowing this was a second chance, the romance in the present time was fine, but I didnât feel a true connection between the characters. It felt more like they met in the present and they never dated before.
- Jumping from First person point of view from Gemmaâs character to third person point of view on Celesteâs. I honestly felt so lost and It didnât help me visualize their feelings.
- The unimportance of James, her ex for seven years. It seemed like 60% of the book Gemma was still pinning on James and was hurt, which was understandable after dating for 7 years, but he just kind of disappeared? There was no plot line for him, and Gemma jumped to Celeste immediately after.
- There were some comments made in the book that I didnât appreciate, like when Celeste is expressing sheâs mad because Gemma moved on with a man after dating her, saying itâs a âlesbianâs worst nightmareâ. Also, Gemmaâs friends make a joke about lesbians going on a date and moving together immediately after.
Overall, it was a cute story, but Iâm sad I didnât enjoy it was much as I wanted to.
Thank you Netgalley + Forever for the ARC.
The story follows Gemma, a journalist who after 7 years of being in a relationship and engaged, is dumped. She reconnects with Celeste, her ex-girlfriend from college, when her job makes them work together in a once in a lifetime project. Celeste and Gemmaâs relationship didnât end well, and they must navigate through their old feelings, as they work together.
What I loved:
- The asian and queer representation! I absolutely loved the representation of bi-curiosity and exploration of your sexuality.
What didnât work for me:
- Knowing this was a second chance, the romance in the present time was fine, but I didnât feel a true connection between the characters. It felt more like they met in the present and they never dated before.
- Jumping from First person point of view from Gemmaâs character to third person point of view on Celesteâs. I honestly felt so lost and It didnât help me visualize their feelings.
- The unimportance of James, her ex for seven years. It seemed like 60% of the book Gemma was still pinning on James and was hurt, which was understandable after dating for 7 years, but he just kind of disappeared? There was no plot line for him, and Gemma jumped to Celeste immediately after.
- There were some comments made in the book that I didnât appreciate, like when Celeste is expressing sheâs mad because Gemma moved on with a man after dating her, saying itâs a âlesbianâs worst nightmareâ. Also, Gemmaâs friends make a joke about lesbians going on a date and moving together immediately after.
Overall, it was a cute story, but Iâm sad I didnât enjoy it was much as I wanted to.
Thank you Netgalley + Forever for the ARC.
Their love story was just so sweet! It felt like such a cosy easy read with a lovely storyline! But also the tension in this book is thick! It also had such will they, wonât they vibes that worked so well for them!
The representation in this book is just beautiful with Botha lesbian fmc and a bisexual fmc as well as there being a focus on the culture in South Korea and the struggles of being queer in a country that doesnât have gay rights.
I absolutely love seeing the friendships with side characters in books so I really enjoyed the friendship that Gemma had with Val and Kira as well as the relationship that they had too!
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
The representation in this book is just beautiful with Botha lesbian fmc and a bisexual fmc as well as there being a focus on the culture in South Korea and the struggles of being queer in a country that doesnât have gay rights.
I absolutely love seeing the friendships with side characters in books so I really enjoyed the friendship that Gemma had with Val and Kira as well as the relationship that they had too!
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Love in Focus by Lyla Lee is a sweet, engaging romance that had me rooting for Gemma and Celeste from the start. Gemmaâs voiceâwarm, witty, and honestâdrew me in immediately as she navigated her seven-year breakup and the skepticism it left behind. Being paired with her ex, Celeste, for a high-stakes feature on modern love creates instant tension, and their chemistry still crackles even after years apart. Watching Gemma wrestle with old wounds and new feelings felt genuine and kept me invested in their story.
My one quibble is the switch in perspective: Gemmaâs chapters are in first person, while Celesteâs are rendered in third person. That choice made Celeste feel just a bit more distantâespecially since I was already so attuned to Gemmaâs inner thoughts. I wish the entire novel had maintained a first-person POV to give both women equal intimacy. Still, Celesteâs talent and vulnerability shine through, and seeing them rediscover one another was fun and heartfelt.
Overall, Love in Focus is a quick, enjoyable read that balances humor with emotional depth. While the POV shift was a minor distraction for me, the genuine connection between Gemma and Celeste more than makes up for it. If youâre looking for a light contemporary romance with relatable characters and a solid happily-ever-after, this book is worth a spot on your reading list.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of this title.
My one quibble is the switch in perspective: Gemmaâs chapters are in first person, while Celesteâs are rendered in third person. That choice made Celeste feel just a bit more distantâespecially since I was already so attuned to Gemmaâs inner thoughts. I wish the entire novel had maintained a first-person POV to give both women equal intimacy. Still, Celesteâs talent and vulnerability shine through, and seeing them rediscover one another was fun and heartfelt.
Overall, Love in Focus is a quick, enjoyable read that balances humor with emotional depth. While the POV shift was a minor distraction for me, the genuine connection between Gemma and Celeste more than makes up for it. If youâre looking for a light contemporary romance with relatable characters and a solid happily-ever-after, this book is worth a spot on your reading list.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of this title.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the fun and summery vibes of this book. I think the way Celeste and Gemma meet again is hilarious. It gave me the best version of "if you are not right for each other, you will never see each other again. But if you are you will meet each other over and over again."
Also: Fuck James.
Overall this is a great read for pride month and I'm so happy I'm gay.
thank you netgalley and hachette audio for the audiobook!
the narrators and production were amazing.
Also: Fuck James.
Overall this is a great read for pride month and I'm so happy I'm gay.
thank you netgalley and hachette audio for the audiobook!
the narrators and production were amazing.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
I really enjoyed this audiobook. Itâs a great sapphic love story thatâs not too sappy or fake, with some pretty damn hot sapphic bedroom action too.
Itâs well written and narrated; I really like Natalie Naudus and Iâve not come across Cathrine Ho before but I could listen to her voice all day! She sounded a bit older than the character she was voicing but honestly I donât care, that voice is lush.
The pace of the audiobook is just right and I enjoyed the switching of narrator, it kept the whole thing moving and there was a different feel then for each character, making them more distinct.
The story is set in San Francisco with the two main characters being South Korean. Itâs got some really important layers to it focusing on cultural expectations and acceptance of queerness. And the representation, or lack of it, for Asian queers.
The central character is also Bi and itâs nice to read a book that is entirely sapphic that also doesnât diminish or belittle the Bi part of the main character.
With some healthy coping mechanisms coming into play it feels like a book I wish I could have read a long time ago.
I definitely recommend this one but maybe listen on headphones if kids are around as it gets steamy!!
Itâs well written and narrated; I really like Natalie Naudus and Iâve not come across Cathrine Ho before but I could listen to her voice all day! She sounded a bit older than the character she was voicing but honestly I donât care, that voice is lush.
The pace of the audiobook is just right and I enjoyed the switching of narrator, it kept the whole thing moving and there was a different feel then for each character, making them more distinct.
The story is set in San Francisco with the two main characters being South Korean. Itâs got some really important layers to it focusing on cultural expectations and acceptance of queerness. And the representation, or lack of it, for Asian queers.
The central character is also Bi and itâs nice to read a book that is entirely sapphic that also doesnât diminish or belittle the Bi part of the main character.
With some healthy coping mechanisms coming into play it feels like a book I wish I could have read a long time ago.
I definitely recommend this one but maybe listen on headphones if kids are around as it gets steamy!!
emotional
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:
No
I absolutely loved the representation shown in this book.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
Wow, what a great read!
This is a book I didn't know I needed to read - cute, realistic, diverse and wholesome. I feel like this is such a genuine reflection of how complex relationships can be and yet the beauty and growth of them. It was sincerely realistic and thought-provoking at times. I love the two main characters, Gemma and Celeste, and following their journey together through their culture and workplace throughout this book was a treat! A super easy read. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you Hachette Audio for this advanced reader copy via audiobook.
Publish Date: 27th May 2025
This is a book I didn't know I needed to read - cute, realistic, diverse and wholesome. I feel like this is such a genuine reflection of how complex relationships can be and yet the beauty and growth of them. It was sincerely realistic and thought-provoking at times. I love the two main characters, Gemma and Celeste, and following their journey together through their culture and workplace throughout this book was a treat! A super easy read. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you Hachette Audio for this advanced reader copy via audiobook.
Publish Date: 27th May 2025