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

Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

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

51 reviews

mell_cestmoi's review

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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 🤍🤍🤍

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mileahst's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny sad medium-paced

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

5.0

first of all to answer the question of whether the cast of characters is diverse. the story takes place in the 1850 in England, so there’s basically no diversity of ethnicity, which is to be expected.

now to the story. i absolutely love it!! i’m not a native english speaker, so it took me some time to get used to this type of writing, since it’s different due to the century. but it was still pretty easy to understand. i loved rooting for multiple couples throughout the book! it made me cry, laugh and squeal, so the perfect mix. when i read the epilogue (i won’t give any spoilers) i immediately knew what was happening and demanded a sequel, which were thankfully getting!! I’m already excited to read the next book and i can only recommend this one!

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fairytalefootnotes's review

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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.

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megatza's review

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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.

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.

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livruther's review against another edition

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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!

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kellysbookverse's review against another edition

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emotional funny relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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viselik's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I think it's a lovely book with some good relationships between Gwen and Beth and their parents, which was a significant highlight, but I will say I didn't like the whole getting their parents together and them getting together as a couple. Even more so, considering Gwen and Beth's parents had a fling many years before the story happened, meaning it's a second-chance romance for the parents, and that's a trope I do not like.

I also found the middle bit a tad boring, and the marriage to another man section was dull, as I found it primarily predictable, although entirely accurate for the period with the misogyny. I find this an issue with romance books in general, though, as I tend to get very bored with either the 2nd or 3rd act breakups, as they generally get back together by the end of the book anyway.

I immensely enjoyed the ending, though, as I found it suitable for the book but kept it open enough for the sequel books from Beth and Gwen's story to follow. I am also curious where this could go and whether Montson will return in future books.

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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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mel_muses's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Thank you to Avon for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

DON'T WANT YOU LIKE A BEST FRIEND is a historical romance full of yearning, mischievous scheming, bent expectations, and love. It met every expectation and hope I had for it, all while bringing the sincerity I crave.

DWYLABF follows two debutantes in Victorian London, Beth and Gwen. Beth, whose father recently passed, has only this season to marry into wealth or be turned out to the street. Gwen, however, has done this before; this is her fourth season and she has no intention of marrying any of the eligible men. When Beth and Gwen an uncover romantic history between their widowed parents, the two decide to set them up... only to fall in love with each other.

I absolutely loved them: Beth, with all her sweetness, wit and quick perception. Gwen, for all her mischief and impulsivity and the deepness of her feelings. Both, in how they came alive in each other.

There's also Beth's mother, the recent widow of an abusive husband who carries with her poise and elegance, even when she's ripping up a man's argument. Gwen's father, who so clearly loves his daughter and who would do anything for her happiness, who instilled in her the righteousness and determination their society was determined to squash. These parent-child relationships felt real and comforting to read.

Each scheme Gwen concocted amused me to no end and the yearning in both perspectives are unmatched. The hand-holding hidden between their skirts! The casual intimacy of their whispered conversations! The pining I felt every time they laid their eyes on each other! Absolutely impeccable.

Even so, there were a fair amount of serious elements. The political backdrop and controversy of the Matrimonial Causes Act created the perfect setting to discuss domestic abuse and women's rights in marriage. Without dominating the narrative, the MCA distinguished the setting from other Victorian romances and made the story tangible.

I am captivated with this debut and the beginning of the Mischief & Matchmaking series. I can't want to see what's waiting in the next book.

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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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