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A review by zydecovivo
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban
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.
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent