*We Could Be So Good* by Cat Sebastian is a heartwarming and delightful queer historical romance that skillfully blends humor, emotional depth, and a slow-burn romance. Set in post-World War II England, the story follows two men—Alden, a buttoned-up politician, and Ben, a charismatic yet disillusioned former soldier—who find themselves drawn together despite their differences. Sebastian’s writing is full of wit and charm, with characters that are both endearing and complex. The romance is tender and genuine, exploring themes of personal growth, healing, and acceptance. *We Could Be So Good* is a captivating and sweet read for fans of historical romance with rich emotional layers and compelling chemistry.

As a Millennial in love with Jack Kelly, there's absolutely no chance that I downloaded this because of Newsies, but what if I did?

If I had done that, I would have been served well. Mid-century newsrooms, and slow burn friends to lovers. Two main characters that act from their histories, and figure things out together.

My only quibble probably was the TONS of non-communication throughout - but my frustration with that trope usually occurs when it feels unearned or forced onto the characters. In this situation, this time period, with these two - it's frustrating still, but completely understandable why they might not be open about this thing or that, or have the vocabulary for it. Overall I really enjoyed this title.

i finished my eARC and immediately ordered a physical copy and you should too.

not to be sappy, but there’s something so healing about queer historical fiction with happy endings. i’m not a big romance reader, but we could be so good is one of those books that feels like it was written specifically for me. the ratio of yearning and angst to heartwarming moments is exquisite, and nick and andy are delightful as individuals as well as together. their love is so gentle and real—i loved all the little domestic moments we got to witness between them.

and the midcentury NYC setting? the newsroom? the cat? chef’s kiss

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian is the first romance I've ever read set in 1958-1959 New York City. Andy Fleming's father owns the newspaper where Brooklyn-born Nick Russo is a city reporter. Nick takes Andy under his wing while trying to fight off attraction to him, which goes about as well as you might imagine when they swiftly become close friends. Andy is a bisexual sweetie who probably has ADHD as well as a fear of abandonment; Nick is not only closeted but the door is barred and chained since an arrest in his teenaged years. Their friendship is charming and believable; woven in among their romance are several key moments in gay history, including a landmark article in The Village Voice and the American publication of Mary Renault's The Charioteer. The protagonists work through issues with their families as well as with how they can safely be together in the way they want to be. This was a lovely, low-stress book and I recommend it.

Andy and Nick are reporters and journalists in the 1950s. Within this story there are so many themes that are both sweet and historically heartbreaking. Andy is engaged to the wrong person- who actually turns out to be a wonderful friend and ally. He’s just trying to figure out life without the influence of his father. Nick is comfortable with who he is but being closeted is safer in this era. He’s been gone for Andy since the very beginning but settles for best friendship. The story explores police corruption, grief, growing up queer in an unsafe environment, and coming into your own power. I love the trope of forced proximity, and this was that for sure! These complex and complete characters and their stories continue to liver their lives in my head a year later <3

This book was really lovely. It’s a historical romance in a period of time that I rarely see represented in the genre. I think Sebastian did a wonderful job bringing the setting and characters to life. The relationship was very sweet, complex, and rich. The plot was a bit slow in the beginning and it took me a while to get drawn into the book. Once I did, I really enjoyed it.

I completely binge read this book in one day. I just could not put this book down. Something about it was just so incredibly compelling to me, and I just wanted to keep reading. I think Cat Sebastian really did a great job transporting me into this world. It was clear a lot of research went into the time period, and I was just completely transported into it. I haven't ever read a historical romance that's set in the late 1950's like this one. I thought it was really interesting. Especially since we're also in the journalism/news paper world in this time. It just was an interesting backdrop to a wonderful love story.
So yeah, I did really like the romance. It is quite angsty, but also really sweet. The dynamic between Nick and Andy is just so well created, and developed. They love each other so deeply, and have such a deep respect for each other. I love the little things they did just to make the other happy, the communication they had was incredible as well. However, we are in midcentury New York, and homophobia is rampant. That backdrop does make this book quite angsty as well. However, don't worry this never gets too dark.
I really liked Nick and Andy as well. They were really compelling characters to follow and I loved how this book followed both of their POV's for different chunks of the novel. Their personal storylines were also really interesting. I also quite liked Nick's family, even if he does have a difficult relationship with them. It just was really well executed. Andy's relationship with his dad was also really interesting. I also quite liked the cast of side characters, and I'm excited this is a series because I want to see some of these side characters take center stage.
The only reason I didn't end up giving this a five star is that throughout the entire book I felt like it was building up to something, and it just didn't. I don't know. I feel like this didn't really have a climax like most books do. I wanted it to pack a punch, and it never did. I don't know if this makes sense but yeah.

This was the first book I've read by Cat Sebastian and it was so, so good. I don't normally go for historical fiction, or historical romance, but I'm glad I gave this one a try. Nick and Andy are delightful even when they were being idiots, and their slow burn romance was beautiful. Also, spoiler-ish but I loved how even though one engagement in the book fails, neither party is denigrated or demonized for it.

Oh my god. My heart.

Queer historical fiction books that take place in the 1950s to 1990s always hit me a lot harder than queer historical fiction that takes place before that. I think a lot of it is that I know how close they were to being able to at least love without going to jail and even though things still suck for queer people we have so much more freedom to be ourselves and express ourselves publicly. Knowing that these characters would probably still be alive and would've been able to experience loving out loud makes my heart ache. Like I get so teary just thinking about it.

I adore this book. I loved every second of it. I loved the two characters and I loved the flip-flopping of their perspectives and different parts of the book. I loved all of their queer friendships and really the celebration that queer people have always been here and we will always be here no matter how much society and laws and politics try and tear us down.

I especially loved and appreciated the focus on the celebration of queerness and a time when it was illegal and the effort that went into historical accuracy and showing that Queer people can be happy and were happy and will be happy.

I don't have any complaints about this book. Not a single one. I don't know why I waited to read it when I read the rest of Cat Sebastian's books and loved them all.

Gay MC, bi MC

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

I think it's possible I never reviewed this because the HarperCollins strike was going on at the time, but despite the horrible Newsies comp in the copy (seriously?!), I loved this book and am coming back just to give it the five stars it deserves.

Historic romance that's a little on the long side. I found it difficult to stay engaged. Problem might be me and my tastes, not the book

A solid 4 stars. Historical fiction can sometimes come across as anachronistic, and unfortunately, LGBTQ+ books are very often guilty of this. Not this book. I really felt I was in 1950s New York, and that the characters were very much of their times, facing the very real fears and navigating the often dangerous waters of those pre-Stonewall days. Cat Sebastian made me care about the two main characters right from the very start, and that's no small accomplishment. Very much recommend, and I had my library buy this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

AH this book was so good!! And I definitely need more from this author. I loved reading about Nick and Andy and how they developed their relationship. One thing that I wish more romances had were good relationships with their family, which is something that this book had. I loved it so much, and especially considering that this is a historical romance set in the 1950s, you could see how much the family's loved their kids but also struggled with what was going on. And just, ugh. The softness was there and it was so sweet.

I can't wait to see what else this author is going to release, because I'll be there to read it.

I may have nothing in common with queer white men in the 1950s, but Cat Sebastian’s sweet and savvy mid twentieth century historical romance is my favorite love story of the year. Andy Fleming is the privileged scion of the New York newspaper company that employs hard-working Nick Russo. In the opposite of the typical “Succession” story, hapless Andy is ambivalent at best about being his father’s designated heir, but he’s agreed to spend a year learning the newsroom ropes nonetheless. Smart and rough around the edges, reporter Nick becomes his work guide and roommate. The unlikely friendship and attraction that sparks are unexpected and amazing. Sebastian handles the historical context with insight and a light but realistic touch, perfecting the art of slow-burning sizzle.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. For a book that is about love set in a background of police corruption, McCarthyism, and pre-Stonewall persecution, this book is surprisingly sweet and loving. Andy and Nick are both rather wary and this is definitely a slow burn romance, but their growth out of fear and constant anxiety into a life of love and family was lovely. There was a little bit of internal angst, but it wasn't nearly as dark as I was expecting a gay romance set in 1959 to be, and I should have trusted the author's name. Even when they were being idiots, Nick and Andy were well worth the read.

This was a very moving and poignant story of a gay reporter from Brooklyn in the 1950's who knew all too well how hostile the environment is and how he can't let anyone get too close to him. Nick Russo is from a typical rough Brooklyn neighborhood. His family is Catholic, his brother a cop. He works the crime beat for The Chronicle and keeps his head down. Andy is the heir apparent for his retiring father who owns the Chronicle. He is haphazardly stumbling through life. Their unlikely friendship opens the door to the possibility of something more.
But a relationship enjoyed in private runs the risk of ruination if it becomes public. Any rumor of homosexuality could result in police scrutiny, communist accusations, and a fire- able offense, and would have any man looking over his shoulder. Rough and handsome Nick is a portrait of vulnerability, fear and looking at a life of loneliness. And even those closest to Nick, much will never be said out loud.
The author did a wonderful job of addressing so many issues in a subtle way giving the readers two very loveable characters, that I could do nothing but root for them!

Nick and Andy deserve the world! I adored every bit of this story and 100% would’ve read even more.

The growth that the characters exhibited throughout the book was amazing. I loved the side characters and getting glimpses into their worlds as well.

This is definitely not the last book I’ll read by Cat Sebastian!

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. (The version I read was a finished copy.)

This is such a delicate story about a new and seemingly inaccessible love between two men in the 1950's. As always, Cat Sebastian has jerked my heart around and tricked my cynical soul into rooting for love yet again.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to read this book early! I really enjoyed it. I thought the writing was very well done, and the story kept me interested. I believe my students/patrons would also love this book and will be acquiring it for the library!