Reviews with content warning for Classism - Don't Want You Like a Best Friend

Reviews tagging 'Classism'

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

11 reviews

the_lesbrarian's review

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

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its_vendetta's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

AWWW!!! I loved it!! Such a good read! The plot was so well written and I was on the edge of my seat through the entire book. I loved the characters as well they were so interesting and even the side characters felt well thought out.
If you want an amazing historical romance filled with queer joy and amazing characters this book is for you. One of my favorite sapphic romances I've ever read and definitely my favorite historical romance!
I can't wait to read the sequel that is coming out in August!!

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sarasreading's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

This book was really sweet and I liked all the characters and side plots, which I can't always say about a romance. It was fun and funny, interesting and sweet. There were some aspects that didn't fully land for me, or that I couldn't suspend my disbelief for, but it was still a lovely read and I'll definitely read the upcoming books in the series.

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zydecovivo's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.0

TikTok recommended me this book. As a whole, the story is enjoyable. It’s sweet. Neither Gwen nor Beth considers love with a woman as an option towards the beginning of the book, which I think is a common experience for many LGBTQ people. It isn’t until Gwen witnesses a flourishing WLW relationship that she realizes her feelings. That being said, I found their pairing less engaging than their parents. I almost want a prequel of their previous relationship, even if that would be considered a more conventional historical romance. I also found myself getting deja vu. Quite a few lines, especially when describing Gwen and Beth’s feelings and eventual love, I have definitely read in other LGBTQ historical romances, despite only having read a few. This is not necessarily bad, but I think anyone who regularly reads this genre should prepare themselves for a lack of surprises. That being said, I was excited by the setup for the second book in this series and plan to read it.

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letopotato's review against another edition

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emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Whew. That was the first time I've shed a few tears because of a book in a few years. ~~Apparently I have a thing for regency/historical romance now. And lesbians.~~

I usually don't read romance, but I've tiptoed around this one long enough. I only bought this book because of my above-mentioned guilty pleasure and because of the intriguing interwoven plot. And the lesbians, of course.

There's no suspense as to how the book ends, obviously. It's a romance, they're meant to get together. But for the first time, the how, the when and the why has actually kept me on the edge of my seat – I needed to know how Beth & Gwen would manage it! At some points I was almost convinced they wouldn't, this being the 1850s and them being very lesbian and all that.

I can't say how historically accurate this book is – probably not very? Many characters were rather supportive of the main couple, which works great for the story but otherwise is...very unlikely. It didn't matter much to me, because it's still a cute feelgood story. Not very realistic or in-depth, but it hasn't destroyed my suspension of disbelief.

If you want to be invested in the fate of two loveable girls and their shenanigans on how to get their cool as fuck parents together, reading this is the best choice you'll ever make.

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e_riahh's review

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

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savreads28's review

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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

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3readingcircus's review against another edition

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Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

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themelleh's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing sad fast-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? Yes

4.25

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Penguin and, especially, Emma R. Alban for the ARC of More than a Best Friend. My reviews are entirely unbiased, and 100% my own.

Firstly, what a delightful tale! Yes, it was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions at one point but we got there in the end and I am absolutely gagged for the next book. And, secondly, can we please hear it for our supporting couples and characters, and our older characters. What a genuinely fantastic, well rounded and fleshed out bunch they are. It doesn’t feel like no one is there just to pad it out a bit. Every single character has function, story and emotion and it’s - something I’ve just realised is missing in a lot of other stories.

I am absolutely in love with Gwen and Beth. My heart broke for them and it soared for them. Having a nice little period romance that hetero’s take for granted of our own feels nice. And we’re going to get more. I just hope we get more of everyone else as well, because I’m so in love with everyone.

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haileyhardcover's review

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I’ve seen this book marketed as sapphic Bridgerton. Admittedly, I’ve only seen the show, not read the books, so maybe they are less spicy than the show is? In any case, I was expecting a good amount of spice and got… black pepper. 😒

(Lack of) spice aside, the time period, the drama, the goings-on of the ton, that’s all there and all too familiar for those of us who have enjoyed Bridgerton. I really liked both Beth and Gwen, and their families - especially Gwen’s cousins. It was really nice to see their relationship supported by the people who loved them, even though that wouldn’t have been likely for the time period.

I rushed through this book because I won’t have time for reading tomorrow and I didn’t want to leave anything unfinished before the new year. If I didn’t have that time limit hanging over my head, I think it probably would’ve taken me a few days to read because, though it was a sweet story, it didn’t really grip me. I took several breaks throughout the day while reading it, whereas normally, if I really love a book, I could get through one of this length in just a few hours. Still, it is worth the read and a perfectly good way to end the year.

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