Scan barcode
relin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Very silly premise that is followed through in an enjoyable way! Characters all have delightfully human problems and concerns they are navigating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, Lesbophobia, Drug use, and Alcohol
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Incest, Death of parent, Medical content, and Alcoholism
While in the premise, parent trapping their parents is cute, it does also make them step sisters in a romantic relationship with each other.theyellowhobbit's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Vomit
Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
saukittome's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism, Pregnancy, Violence, and Alcoholism
egheinze's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
savreads28's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, Addiction, and Classism
felishacb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Lesbophobia, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Violence
actual_hobbit's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Lesbian romance in a regency setting, with a smattering of matchmaking thrown in? This book checks all the boxes for me!
I found this book to be witty, fun, and surprisingly thought-provoking. I quickly fell in love with Beth and Gwen, and the side characters of their parents and friends were just as dynamic. Once I got settled into the book, it felt like I was watching a favorite TV show, full of life and good dialogue and depth. As Beth and Gwen struggled to find a way to foster their romance in a world where same-sex relationships weren’t even heard of, I wanted to cry with them, knowing that this was a reality for countless queer people throughout history. The author depicted this heartbreaking situation so well.
In addition to its well-written characters - which is always a win in my book - the book shows the uglier side of the regency era without hesitation. Though other media set in this time period (i.e. Bridgerton) clearly shows how women are dependent on men for security, this took a deeper turn, covering abuse, neglect, and the ramifications of divorce. I especially appreciated the attention that the author gave to day-to-day problems, like navigating hoop skirts, dealing with heat exhaustion at outings, etc. (Remind me to never try a hoop skirt!) This level of detail made the story so much more real for me.
The only drawback for me was the writing style, which took a bit for me to get used to. Personally I struggle with present-tense writing, and the first few chapters felt choppy to me. After the first quarter of the book, it felt like the author hit her stride, and the writing felt more natural. I’d urge anyone to keep going if they struggle with the writing style, as I did! Additionally, the parent/stepparent dynamic wasn’t my favorite solution to the MC’s romance (I much prefer what happened in the epilogue!) but I definitely didn’t get any incest-y vibes as other reviews have mentioned.
I found this book to be witty, fun, and surprisingly thought-provoking. I quickly fell in love with Beth and Gwen, and the side characters of their parents and friends were just as dynamic. Once I got settled into the book, it felt like I was watching a favorite TV show, full of life and good dialogue and depth. As Beth and Gwen struggled to find a way to foster their romance in a world where same-sex relationships weren’t even heard of, I wanted to cry with them, knowing that this was a reality for countless queer people throughout history. The author depicted this heartbreaking situation so well.
In addition to its well-written characters - which is always a win in my book - the book shows the uglier side of the regency era without hesitation. Though other media set in this time period (i.e. Bridgerton) clearly shows how women are dependent on men for security, this took a deeper turn, covering abuse, neglect, and the ramifications of divorce. I especially appreciated the attention that the author gave to day-to-day problems, like navigating hoop skirts, dealing with heat exhaustion at outings, etc. (Remind me to never try a hoop skirt!) This level of detail made the story so much more real for me.
The only drawback for me was the writing style, which took a bit for me to get used to. Personally I struggle with present-tense writing, and the first few chapters felt choppy to me. After the first quarter of the book, it felt like the author hit her stride, and the writing felt more natural. I’d urge anyone to keep going if they struggle with the writing style, as I did! Additionally, the parent/stepparent dynamic wasn’t my favorite solution to the MC’s romance (I much prefer what happened in the epilogue!) but I definitely didn’t get any incest-y vibes as other reviews have mentioned.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
mell_cestmoi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
🇬🇧 This is a book to read for those who want a simple, cute read.
Here we follow the story of Beth and Gwen, two beginners, one must look for a husband and the other just wants to have fun. Then follows the classic story: they become friends, make a plan to get their parents married, fall in love... the kind of things that happen to everyone… right ?
The characters are endearing and the romance is extremely cute
but I found that there were a few lengths and the ending was a little too fast.
As for the period, it is very modernized, it is not a book to read for fans of historical novels who want a story without incoherence
I therefore recommend it for anyone who liked The Parent Trap / Bridgerton, wanting to read a sapphic romance.
And omg!!! This cover 🤍🤍🤍
🇫🇷 C’est un livre à lire pour ceux qui veulent une lecture simple, mignonne et sans prise de tête
On suit ici l’histoire de beth et Gwen deux débutantes l’une doit chercher un mari et l’autre veut juste s’amuser. Suit ensuite l’histoire classique elles deviennent amies, montent un plan pour que leurs parents se marient, tombe amoureuses… le genre de choses qui arrivent à tout le monde.
Les personnages sont attachants et la romance est extrêmement mignonne
mais j’ai trouvé qu’il y avait quelques longueurs et la fin était un peu trop rapide.
Pour ce qui est de l’époque c’est très modernisé, ce n’est pas un livre à lire pour les fans de romans historiques qui veulent une histoire sans incohérence
Je recommande donc pour tous ceux ayant aimé the parent trap / bridgerton voulant lire une romance sapphic.
Et omg !!! Cette cover 🤍🤍🤍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Vomit, and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
megatza's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I am so sad this book did not work for me, because I want to love more Sapphics in historical romance. But this felt off on nearly every mark for a historical romance for me. Too much excessive drinking. Political talk that felt off-key with the rest of the book. The main characters, Beth and Gwen, felt *very* young... but jump from inexperienced kissers to experts in bed.
I rounded up for the sapphic vibes, but ultimately I wanted so much more out of this. I think it'll hit well for readers who aren't as familiar with historical romance.
It's out 1/9/24.
I rounded up for the sapphic vibes, but ultimately I wanted so much more out of this. I think it'll hit well for readers who aren't as familiar with historical romance.
It's out 1/9/24.
Genre: historical romance
London, 1857
Beth Demeroven and her mother Viscountess Cordelia Demervon, are desperate for Beth to find a husband, now that her father has died and the uncle who has inherited wants to cut them off. At a ball, Beth meets Gwen, daughter of the Earl of Havenfort. Gwen is in her fourth season, but seemingly not actively trying to find a husband. They realize that Beth’s mother and Gwen’s father knew each other years ago, and decide to try to set them up. They realize though, that maybe the people who belong to each other are Beth and Gwen themselves! Even as their own relationship is blossoming, Beth has agreed to marry a titled lord with wealth and land, in a decision that may separate her from Gwen permanently.
When I saw sapphic romance set in the Victorian era, I knew I had to read this book. I loved the setup - queer romance with a parent trap twist, but the execution didn’t work for me. The book is written in third person present tense, which ended up being less of a problem for me than I expected, once I was used to it. (I know tense and POV isn’t something all readers spend a lot of time thinking about, but I’m hyper focused on the concept of perspective and how it relates to storytelling).
I always believe that historical romance is an invitation to step into a fantasy world of the author’s choosing, and not always “historically accurate.” What didn’t work for me was the very modern tone the overall narrative utilizes while clinging to its political historical backdrop. Beth and Gwen felt more like 21st-century twenty-year-old women than 19th-century debutantes. There is an uncomfortable amount of excessive drinking and partying, and while I’m not always looking for “proper manners” out of my historical romance heroines, Beth and Gwen felt out of context as the daughters of peers. I think that younger readers, those who enjoy new adult/college romances, and readers newer to historical romance. I also think that many readers looking for explicit Sapphic historical romance will find this satisfying.
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an eARC for review. Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend is out 1/9/24.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Alcoholism
Minor: Vomit
jess_justmaybeperfect's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
What I liked:
- The premise
- The exploration
- The friendships
- The politics
- The mother/daughter relationship*
- The father/daughter relationship**
- The secondary love story***
What I didn’t like
- The use of 3rd person present was distracting to me. I often had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to clarify whose POV I was in.
- * The resolution felt alllllllmost manipulative (no matter the very happy result)
- ** The substance abuse, encouraged by Dad and done by Dad and daughter, wasn’t well addressed.
- *** This was a very sweet parent trapish trope (and this is really almost a dual romance) but the epilogue sees them on a similar mission I’m not sure how I feel about.
- The relationship between Gwen and her family servants was obviously meant to show how compassionate Gwen’s family is but she did vomit all over herself and the stairs and just assumed those people she loves would clean up after her.
- The style jumps a lot between YA and adult romance. Beth and Gwen felt VERY young for the first 1/2 of the book and then suddenly are quite mature. It was distracting.
- The premise
- The exploration
- The friendships
- The politics
- The mother/daughter relationship*
- The father/daughter relationship**
- The secondary love story***
What I didn’t like
- The use of 3rd person present was distracting to me. I often had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to clarify whose POV I was in.
- * The resolution felt alllllllmost manipulative (no matter the very happy result)
- ** The substance abuse, encouraged by Dad and done by Dad and daughter, wasn’t well addressed.
- *** This was a very sweet parent trapish trope (and this is really almost a dual romance) but the epilogue sees them on a similar mission I’m not sure how I feel about.
- The relationship between Gwen and her family servants was obviously meant to show how compassionate Gwen’s family is but she did vomit all over herself and the stairs and just assumed those people she loves would clean up after her.
- The style jumps a lot between YA and adult romance. Beth and Gwen felt VERY young for the first 1/2 of the book and then suddenly are quite mature. It was distracting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism