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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
This sapphic romance was fast paced and had such good side characters too! I loved her friends especially when she was like im manifesting a better queue in Beyoncé’s next tour. So iconic. I loved Celeste and Gemma dynamic with their flirting and being affected by each other even after so many years. The cliches about lesbians are mostly true especially since i have seen it in my friends which i find even more funny and heartwarming. I really enjoyed seeing the author mention that its rare we see queer couples who are Korean or come from a cultural background that see things as man/woman relationship only. Seeing that in Celeste and how she had to navigate through that when she moved back home temporarily was so heartbreaking. On the lighter side though when they were trying to deny their attraction to each other cracked me up like just make-out already! I definitely would have folded like a house of cards being flirted with by Celeste or Gemma. I appreciated the ending even though it had me crying because Gemma did need to be getting her life together as a single person for a bit. But im happy how it ended.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
This was so sweet and so beautiful and I loved it so much 💖
I loved the diverse representation!
I got kdrama vibes in the best way possible🥰
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an advance listener’s copy of this wonderful book.
I loved the diverse representation!
I got kdrama vibes in the best way possible🥰
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an advance listener’s copy of this wonderful book.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.75 out of 5: Honestly any FMC that is a March Pisces who falls in love easily steals my heart (IE they are like me), adding them being Bi and you make them the most relatable character in the world. I related to Gemma's struggles with dating after being in a long term relationship.
The struggle of dating and being rejected by multiple genders. I also adored her friendship with Kierra and Val they were the ultimate support and found family. Another point that made me adore this story is the characters in their late 20s/early 30s made it all the more relatable.
It was a fun friend with benefits a dash of fake dating mixed with second chance romance. The spice was some of the yummiest sapphic spice to add to the top tier of 2025, but more importantly I loved that this story also centered on love stories at all forms and ages, but especially queer love. I loved when Celeste and Gemma working together to immortalize them and hear them was everything. Especially with Celeste's photography. Now the third act did kill a bit of the rating for me. I did love the going to therapy for Mental health and working through things for yourself, mixed with the last few chapters, on the work they both did, as well as the epilogue was super cute.
The struggle of dating and being rejected by multiple genders. I also adored her friendship with Kierra and Val they were the ultimate support and found family. Another point that made me adore this story is the characters in their late 20s/early 30s made it all the more relatable.
It was a fun friend with benefits a dash of fake dating mixed with second chance romance. The spice was some of the yummiest sapphic spice to add to the top tier of 2025, but more importantly I loved that this story also centered on love stories at all forms and ages, but especially queer love. I loved when Celeste and Gemma working together to immortalize them and hear them was everything. Especially with Celeste's photography.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Very enjoyable; cute relationship between Gemma and Celeste. So spicy. I loved that this surrounded a love in focus project; it was a great forced proximity subject. Also like the representation of other diverse backgrounds. Read very quickly. Didn’t like that Gemma was made to feel bad about moving on with her ex fiance so quickly after Celeste disappeared on her: that’s not the same thing as what Celeste did to her and then she decided she didn’t believe in relationships anymore when it was her fault in the first place. Also, them becoming friends with benefits wasn’t going to work considering they had so much history and feelings for each other in the present. Overall, really good read and sapphic rep. Liked that therapy session www w thing and James sucked so much; it was unbelievable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
We love a good sapphic romance.
I devoured this book in less than twenty four hours.
This novel is a sapphic second chance romance that gives you all the feels. It has elements of self discovery, spice, and love of all genres.
Familial love.
Romantic love.
Platonic love.
A book full of love is always a book for me. 🥹🩷
I devoured this book in less than twenty four hours.
This novel is a sapphic second chance romance that gives you all the feels. It has elements of self discovery, spice, and love of all genres.
Familial love.
Romantic love.
Platonic love.
A book full of love is always a book for me. 🥹🩷
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Love in Focus by Lyla Lee is a delightful sapphic rom-com about second chances, modern love, and navigating life's complicated twists. The story follows Gemma Cho, a relationship advice columnist who's just had her heart shattered after a seven-year relationship ends abruptly. Cynical about love, Gemma is unexpectedly paired with Celeste Min, a world-renowned photographer and, incidentally, Gemma's ex from college—the one who got away after a painful breakup and abrupt move abroad. Sparks immediately reignite, complicating their efforts to keep things professional.
This was such a satisfying, steamy read that genuinely delivered on the romance front. I loved the representation of bisexuality through Gemma's character. Initially, I worried there might be some bi-phobia from Celeste, but I was relieved that Celeste ultimately accepted and embraced Gemma's identity without reservation.
One of the highlights for me was the thoughtful representation of queer characters of color. Gemma and Celeste's Korean heritage wasn't just a background detail; it was deeply woven into their experiences, adding meaningful layers to their love story. Additionally, Lyla Lee vividly captured the charm and vibrancy of San Francisco, which brought the setting alive in a way that beautifully complemented the narrative.
The audiobook was fantastic, thanks in large part to Nathalie Naudus, who perfectly voiced Gemma's inner turmoil, vulnerability, and growth following significant life changes and heartbreak. Her performance truly elevated my listening experience.
However, one element that didn't fully work for me was Celeste's chapters being narrated in the past tense. This choice created a sense of distance from Celeste's character and made it harder for me to connect emotionally, which was especially disappointing because, on a personal note, Celeste's situation—moving somewhere unwillingly to care for her mother battling cancer—mirrors my own experiences. I wanted to connect more deeply with her perspective, but the narrative choice somewhat hampered that.
Despite this minor drawback, Love in Focus was a thoroughly enjoyable and heartfelt story. It's a wonderful addition to the sapphic romance genre, and I absolutely recommend giving it a listen or read!
Thank you to Lyla Lee and Hachette Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
The San Francisco setting was so fun to read about and envision as Gemma explores and lives throughout the city! After reeling from an engagement, Gemma finds herself questioning love when she runs into and begins working with "the one who got away". I love watching characters grow over the story and this did that while having the idea of "love" as a baseline. The support by her friends was also 100 percent how it should be! I thought the story was sweet and reflective. Thank you to Forever Pub and Hachette Audio for an advanced listening copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
I received an ALC copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest opinion.
Second chance romances are hit or miss for me. This one was good. I appreciated the fact that they both had time to grow and mature before reuniting. The tension throughout the book is great. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The narrators were really good too!
Second chance romances are hit or miss for me. This one was good. I appreciated the fact that they both had time to grow and mature before reuniting. The tension throughout the book is great. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The narrators were really good too!
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No