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abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.75
A near-perfect book for me, and an outstanding debut from Emma R. Alban.
I was enjoying listening to this book from the outset— great audio narrators, writing that’s the perfect mix of descriptive and quippy, and a Parent Trap style set-up ruse in a Regency setting made for a great but subtle draw.
It was about 60% of the way in when I was well and truly hooked, and this book took it to the next level. The heartbreak and tension in the story, with a few little surprises to round out the ending, really got me.
While I knew the romance had to have a happy ending, it was really hard to see how it all might work out for our heroines. It felt real and the issues of women’s rights in particular (as it pertained to the Marital Causes Act, and status / relationships in general) were an ever-present and moving concern. I loved how Gwen grew enough to ask others for help and tend to her relationships with her cousins, and Lady Demeroven’s arc was beautiful as well.
2024 really is the year of the sapphics!!! If you want to laugh, cry, fist pump, and clap your hands and squeal in your car, I’d highly recommend listening to Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend.
I was enjoying listening to this book from the outset— great audio narrators, writing that’s the perfect mix of descriptive and quippy, and a Parent Trap style set-up ruse in a Regency setting made for a great but subtle draw.
It was about 60% of the way in when I was well and truly hooked, and this book took it to the next level. The heartbreak and tension in the story, with a few little surprises to round out the ending, really got me.
While I knew the romance had to have a happy ending, it was really hard to see how it all might work out for our heroines. It felt real and the issues of women’s rights in particular (as it pertained to the Marital Causes Act, and status / relationships in general) were an ever-present and moving concern. I loved how Gwen grew enough to ask others for help and tend to her relationships with her cousins, and Lady Demeroven’s arc was beautiful as well.
2024 really is the year of the sapphics!!! If you want to laugh, cry, fist pump, and clap your hands and squeal in your car, I’d highly recommend listening to Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Alcohol, and Vomit
Moderate: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
naiu_cs's review
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
luunacy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a cute romance story. Just fluffy enough, though I could have used a little more steam. I look forward to reading the sequel this fall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Sexism, and Domestic abuse
theyellowhobbit's review against another edition
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
zydecovivo's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent
ghostmomxoxo's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny
ankiaisreading's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Sexism, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Death, Alcohol, and Misogyny
quiltsandtealibrary's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban has stolen my heart away!
This book has swiftly secured itself as a favorite for 2024- the audiobook features dual narration for both Beth and Gwen and both ladies are the perfect voices for both girls!
This sapphic regency romance X parent trap mix had the most perfect scenes, most believable and unique moments of love between multiple characters , and thee most satisfying HEA that I have read in months.
This is such a well written, lovely, gorgeous debut and I’m looking forward to the second book in the Mischief & Matchmaking series!
Spoiler?
Conversational awareness piece here:
The claim that this book is glorifying or show casing incest is a mega leap and extremely queerphobic. The girls NEVER knew each other growing up, do not call each other sister romantically, and this is a book of its time: it’s regency. They cannot marry one another like they desire too and this is the next best thing.
The epilogue is another example of them trying to work with the world they are in to potentially appease society/not draw attention to their queerness, live happily ever after together, and maybe help another queer couple live happily ever after all at the same time.
Please stop letting comphet normality ruin this book for you and stop looking at it thru a straight view point.
Spoiler?
Conversational awareness piece here:
The claim that this book is glorifying or show casing incest is a mega leap and extremely queerphobic. The girls NEVER knew each other growing up, do not call each other sister romantically, and this is a book of its time: it’s regency. They cannot marry one another like they desire too and this is the next best thing.
The epilogue is another example of them trying to work with the world they are in to potentially appease society/not draw attention to their queerness, live happily ever after together, and maybe help another queer couple live happily ever after all at the same time.
Please stop letting comphet normality ruin this book for you and stop looking at it thru a straight view point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
fairytalefootnotes's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.75
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Forbidden Love. Second Chance Romance for secondary characters.
3rd Act Breakup?: 2nd Act
The Praise: I loved Beth & Gwen and their development from friends to more. They’re so sweet together and there were so many moments that had me giggling and kicking my feet over them. The side characters were also wonderful, from the parents to Albie, Bobby, Meredith, Mrs. Gilpe, and Mrs. Stelm.
The Critique: My only real issues were that 1) Beth & Gwen didn’t immediately try to get their parents to marry when things went sideways when that had initially been the main plan and 2) it felt so long even though it isn’t really and I think it’s because so much happens. Oddly enough, it felt a lot like The Parent Trap in that way, in my opinion. I’ve always felt like the movie feels like 3 separate movies (camp, the switch, the switch back) and that’s how I felt with this, too, so maybe it was intentional.
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this! The characters were excellent, the banter was fun, and the drama ripped my heart out.
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Forbidden Love. Second Chance Romance for secondary characters.
3rd Act Breakup?: 2nd Act
The Praise: I loved Beth & Gwen and their development from friends to more. They’re so sweet together and there were so many moments that had me giggling and kicking my feet over them. The side characters were also wonderful, from the parents to Albie, Bobby, Meredith, Mrs. Gilpe, and Mrs. Stelm.
The Critique: My only real issues were that 1) Beth & Gwen didn’t immediately try to get their parents to marry when things went sideways when that had initially been the main plan and 2) it felt so long even though it isn’t really and I think it’s because so much happens. Oddly enough, it felt a lot like The Parent Trap in that way, in my opinion. I’ve always felt like the movie feels like 3 separate movies (camp, the switch, the switch back) and that’s how I felt with this, too, so maybe it was intentional.
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this! The characters were excellent, the banter was fun, and the drama ripped my heart out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, and Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
livruther's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
i received an arc from netgalley and the publisher
Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend is a strong debut. I doubt it will have any trouble finding readers with its title, cute cover, and fun premise. I had some trouble believing in the development of their friendship at the beginning because I just didn’t feel that much chemistry between them, nor did I feel like they had a lot in common, but as they developed from friends to lovers, I became fonder of their relationship. The whole cast of supporting characters is also super lovable! It is overall a very well written book, and I thought the conflict was compelling. The third person present tense isn’t my favorite, but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment. The intimacy is done well, and the first kiss scene is absolutely phenomenal. Absolutely would recommend. The epilogue did a great job setting up for the next book, which I am excited for!
Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend is a strong debut. I doubt it will have any trouble finding readers with its title, cute cover, and fun premise. I had some trouble believing in the development of their friendship at the beginning because I just didn’t feel that much chemistry between them, nor did I feel like they had a lot in common, but as they developed from friends to lovers, I became fonder of their relationship. The whole cast of supporting characters is also super lovable! It is overall a very well written book, and I thought the conflict was compelling. The third person present tense isn’t my favorite, but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment. The intimacy is done well, and the first kiss scene is absolutely phenomenal. Absolutely would recommend. The epilogue did a great job setting up for the next book, which I am excited for!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Vomit