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its_vendetta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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!!
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Vomit, Alcohol, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Classism
period accurate sexism and classism (1800s)abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Sexism, Alcohol, and Vomit
Moderate: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
starglitters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Pregnancy
blewballoon's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Misogyny
zydecovivo's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent
saukittome's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism, Pregnancy, Violence, and Alcoholism
letopotato's review against another edition
- 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 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.
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy, Vomit, and Death of parent
sariereads's review
- 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
3.75
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy and Lesbophobia
cloreadsbooks1364's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Gwen and Beth were such well developed protagonists! Gwen was shameless, proud, confident, with a large sense of humour. Beth was shy, polite, gentle, with a fun side too of course. They went so well together!
A large plot point was the girls trying to pair up their parents, both very strong characters. I really enjoyed their opposing personalities.
The background characters were all very well developed also.
The romance between the protagonists was very well-written, not forced. I'd like to remind you that this is an adult book, so don't expect it to be YA in terms of romance.
The historical setting seemed good to me, though I honestly don't know enough to comment on it.
I really loved this book, and highly recommend it!
Queer rep:
Sapphic protagonists
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Addiction and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Domestic abuse
grace_b_3's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend does not utilize the historical setting very well at all. I overall found the writing to be very poor, but some of the side characters were mildly charming and fun.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia