Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Let's Talk Books for the advanced reader copy and to PRH Audio and LibroFM for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

This is the third book in Ashley Herring Blake's Bright Falls series, and I just keep loving them more.

Though Iris is the titular character for this book, I found that Stevie stole the show (pun intended). Their initial meeting is so relatable, and I completely related to how Stevie hyped herself up by telling herself she was Stefania.

The book has so many of my favorite tropes with fake dating and sex lessons. Aspects reminded me of Business or Pleasure, another one of my favorite romances from this summer. And then we get a background of acting together in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (one of my very favorite plays).

I really appreciated the shout out to the Trevor Project. And I loved the representation of anxiety and mental health. And for me, this whole series just embodies all I love about found family and the queer community. It shows great themes of growth, confidence, trust, and love.

The audiobook narration by Kristen DiMercurio was spectacular and brought me to Bright Falls and Portland even more. I'll read anything and everything Ashley Herring Blake writes.

It's unfair to other series that this one ended on such a fantastic note. Ashley Herring Blake took the character in the series I cared the least about, Iris Kelly, and made her into a fascinating, whole person who I rooted for. Stevie was entirely charming and vulnerably open about her struggles, and they were the opposites attract match made in heaven. Steamy, swoony, and a fantastic send off to a group of characters I've loved.

3.5 stars that I'm rounding up to 4 just because I love this series as a whole so much.

This book has everything it needs - romance, steaminess, banter, representation, etc, but I just didn't connect with it as much as the first two books in the series. Reading other reviews, I have the same complaints others have - heavy-handed inclusion, misplaced strawberry allergies, and the fact that Stevie's friends generally suck, but my biggest complaint is that I didn't buy Iris's backstory, but I often find the "I'm unloveable" trope annoying in romance, so that might just be me. I loved Stevie as a character, and her growth throughout the book (although I wanted her to yell at her friends a little bit more). Overall, I breezed through this and enjoyed my time in Bright Falls.

I will certainly read whatever Ashley Herring Blake writes next!

The last of a group of friends to find her forever after, Iris Kelly is actually very sure that she doesn't want a forever after. That doesn't mean she doesn't feel a bit lonely. So she goes out to enjoy herself with a one night stand. But... it doesn't go well.
Stefania (IRL "Stevie") is beyond embarrassed that she ruins an evening with the gorgeous Iris Kelly. She's not sure how this is ever going to work. At least she has her ex-girlfriend's gender-bending "Much Ado About Nothing" to look forward to. But who is the Benedick to her Beatrice? Somehow it's Iris.
Suddenly the two are agreeing to a fake relationship. Stevie because it means her ex is going to get off her back; for Iris... well, her friends mostly know about it but her family might finally look at her like she's accomplished something.
A highly enjoyable book and an amazing addition to this series.

Four stars
This book comes out October 24, 2023
Follows Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

I’ve loved Iris Kelly and her whole vibe since book one and I’m so thrilled to see her get her HEA. So thrilled in fact that I might have cheated and read the ending as soon as I hit the meet cute because I just couldn’t wait! Don’t worry I went back and got all the middle bits because I’m definitely not missing out on all the getting their goodness in between. And as much as I loved and anticipated Iris I do have to say Stevie stole my heart in this one. Stevie’s such an easy character for me to relate to with her anxiety and I think honestly these two characters will resonate with so many of us. I definitely recommend grabbing this one to read soon.

If there has ever been an angsty queer romance novel about creatives reluctantly falling in love, it’s Ashley Herring Blake’s Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date. The third book in the Bright Falls series brings us our surly, outgoing, romance book lover, Iris Kelly. As a new romance author, Iris is having trouble starting her second book, so to get inspiration, she embarks on a trip to a queer club in Portland for a one-night stand. There she finds Stefania, a shy but adorable lesbian Iris cannot wait to go home with, but when their night out goes disastrously wrong, she is okay calling the night a wash and leaving it all be. That is until she decides to audition for a queer local production of Much Ado About Nothing, only to find her one-night stand gone wrong kindly asking her to go along with pretending to be her girlfriend. Iris cannot turn down a fake dating set-up that would snap any romance author out of a writing slump, so she agrees. Now she just has to stop herself from falling for the adorable actress in front of her.

This is a charmingly destructive queer romance that hits every requirement. With the dual POV, we see both characters coming to terms with past relationships as they navigate their current fake relationship and the real feelings they are developing.

Iris is at a difficult turning point in her life as she starts a new career, manages the expectations of her family, and navigates the new dynamics in her friendships as the last non-partnered friend. I cannot help but fall for a character who is outwardly confident and inwardly crumbling so Iris was easy for me to like.

I also enjoyed meeting Stevie in this book. As an actress in Portland, she is struggling to make a name for herself outside the small theater scene. After breaking up with her girlfriend of six years, she is navigating the new dynamics within a friend group that contains both her ex-girlfriend and her new girlfriend. It is wonderful to see the sometimes-messy dynamics in queer friend groups when the friendships remain even as different romantic relationships develop. I also appreciated the careful exploration of the ways Stevie’s Generalized Anxiety Disorder shapes the book. Stevie is strong and clever and shy and absolutely wonderful for Iris.

If you are looking for a warm hug with a side-helping of angst, Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date is the queer contemporary romance for you. Thank you to Berkley for a reader's copy for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Delilah Green Doesn't Care; thought Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail was a step down; and now this was was another step down, when I was hoping it would have gotten better. This was one of the most convoluted stories I have ever read. All of the characters were such messes, and not in the fun way. I was looking forward to an Iris-centered book, since I enjoyed her part in the other two novels, but I unfortunately found this book to be dragging. The steamy scenes were great, but there needs to be more to the story.

My heart was aching for Stevie. I thought the anxiety rep was incredible. I hated Adri and how manipulative and controlling she was trying to be with Stevie especially after she’s the one that broke up with her. Iris deserved everything and I wanted her to know how worthy she was not just that she was good for her body. These two together was magical and made so much sense, the transition from fake to real was beautiful.

#MondayBlues + Review

📣 Sapphic fake dating romance—the end to a great contemporary romance series!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 what’s one of your Monday numbers? Mine is 3–I’ll have 3 kids in school today 😮.

I’ve been such a fan of Ashley Herring Blake’s Bright Falls series & Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date offers more time with the wonderful group of friends we met in book 1 & in particular irrepressible, vibrant Iris.

But despite her passion & her confidence Iris can still be hurt & that’s something that’s definitely explored in this book, as Iris navigates expectations from her family & friends & meets & falls for Stevie, an actor who’s been struggling to get her big break & has problems with her own confidence.

Fake dating shenanigans followed by the leads trading lessons in sex & romance ensue & of course added to all of this is the fact that our leads are catching feelings for each other even as they’re starring in a play together.

There’s a nice amount of tension in this book as Stevie & Iris wrestle with those aforementioned expectations & how they butt up against their own desires, wants, & needs.

The steam is also balanced by the sweetness of their relationship, their moments of bravery balanced by their moments of vulnerability. Stevie’s Generalized Anxiety Disorder is also beautifully explored & something that as an anxious person I’m always excited to see.

Though I wish that at one later point of the plot Stevie takes more initiative, overall both leads end up taking a risk in this book & you love to see it. The ending wraps everything up very sweetly with this group of loving friends together again, doing what they do: being there for each other & appreciating each other.

4.25 ⭐️. Out 10/24.

CWs: Iris has some trauma surrounding an ex who lied to her about being married & having a family. She runs into that previous lover on page.

[ID: Jess, a white woman wearing a blue sweater with embroidered flowers on its sleeve, holds the ebook in front of a screen painted blue & white with a pink flower on a panel.]

Tender, loving, spicy and swoony sapphic romance! Loved it!

The third in the Bright Falls series is an intoxicating and deeply engaging sapphic romance that captivates from start to finish. The story revolves around two complex and compelling characters, Iris and Stevie, each wrestling with their own romantic challenges and past traumas.

The story takes an unexpected turn with a failed hookup and involvement in a queer community theater production of "Much Ado About Nothing" leading into a fake dating scheme.

Despite the complex and somewhat unexpected plot, the narrative beautifully explored tender moments and the emotionally charged relationship between Iris and Stevie.

Ashley Herring Blake definitely knocked in out of the park with the anxiety rep and as someone who suffers from similar issues, I felt very seen and inspired.

The final installment in the series absolutely did not disappoint and it was a delight to see the characters we grew to love from the previous books! Friendship and the support in the queer community absolutely shines through in this one!

Infinite thanks @berkleyromance for the e-arc!

This book was SO AMAZING!!! Definitely my favorite out of the three! They really just keep getting better and better, and I'm sad that this one concludes the trilogy!

I loved Iris and Stevie separately, and together they were much more than the sum of their parts. They complemented each other in a very unique way, and the author did an incredible job writing their strengths and their faults. I especially loved the personal issues that Stevie and Iris worked through, with Steve's anxiety disorder, and Iris' feelings of self-worth within romance. Seeing them grow together was beautiful to read!

Highly recommend this one!!

🌈 Queer rep: primary characters - lesbian, pansexual, FF relationship. Secondary characters - FF relationships, NB/F relationships, nonbinary pansexual person, trans woman, poly characters

A fake relationship after a horrible one-night stand is anything but an act in this witty and heartfelt new romantic comedy.
_
Love the Brightfall series!

This one is about Iris and Stevie. Love the fake dating after a hookup gone wrong. Both of them get a lot of crap from their family and friends for being single and some other things that keep them from being about to settle down. So this situation gives them some space from the pressure.

There is a queer version of Much Ado play. (Which I would love to go see!!) They are both working on it and Stevie's ex who is the director is not happy she's moving on. But this creates forced proximity.

This is another one in the series that I love! They bring up different issues about anxiety and the views people have around bisexuality. They both are in the not good enough to date boat, in their own thinking. Loved their progression and their growth.. And the wooing!

Thank you berkleyromance for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

Iris Kelly is the only person she knows who is single. Her best friends are deeply in love, her siblings and parents are happily married, and she can't seem to get anything to stick. Now that her friends are busy with their new relationships, at least she has her new writing career. Or does she?

Iris is a romance novelist, and she's hit significant writer's block because she hasn't enjoyed any romantic experiences lately. So when she goes to a bar in Portland and meets Stefania, the night starts well and ends with some stress vomiting. Iris decides to audition for a local play and ends up starring in the show, with Stefania as her opposite. She also learns that her one-night stand gone wrong prefers the name Stevie. The two are in a bit of a conundrum because Stevie has led her friends to think she is dating the mysterious redhead from the bar, but Iris is willing to help.

As the two begin rehearsals, they realize their chemistry onstage can quickly go offstage.

Another win from Ashley Herring Blake! The Bright Falls series is fun, queer, and tackles relationships well. Iris is a little frustrating, and I kept yelling at Stevie to open up about her feelings, but overall, this book was everything I wanted.

I think the third-act conflict was a *little* forced, but the resolution had me giggling and kicking my feet, so who am I to judge? Iris and Stevie are SO perfect together, and I want the best for them. <3 If you loved Delilah Green Doesn't Care and Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail, you'll also love Iris Kelly Doesn't Date.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this title to read and review. I was in the process of reading Delilah Green Doesn't Care, the first book in this series, when my ARC came through, so I finished it up, started on Astrid Parker, and rounded out my reading with Iris Kelly. That means I've spent much of this month with this delightful friend group, and I'd highly recommend reading through all of their stories this way if you have the chance. I do think that readers can enjoy Iris' story on her own as a standalone, but after investing so much time in these characters earlier on in my reading, their stories were so much richer and it was very enjoyable to not only have updates from the group of characters, but also have them be so front and center and part of the plot for each other.

As for Iris herself, I really enjoyed her story -- but to me, this story was ALL about Stevie. Stevie stole the show (typical of her expert actress self!) and I was more interested in her as a lead, and not because there was anything missing in Iris but because I could see her easily joining into the existing group as if she'd been there all along. I'm not super into fake dating tropes but this was one of those rare instances where I could kind of squint and imagine it really happening/being believable IRL - which is always a leap. I also think books about writers are something special in and of themselves, and it was lovely to see Iris find her voice, her way, and her gal all along the way!

This series is such a comfort read for me. I was so excited for Iris’ story. I felt she was much less confident than I was expecting based on her personality in Delilah’s book. She definitely showed a lot more vulnerability.

I thought Stevie was fantastic. The not-so-meet-cute with her barfing during a one night stand from anxiety was comedic and also a relatable way to show how someone may respond to stress in a physical situation.

The heat turned up about 75% in - which was more of a slower burn than the other books if I am remembering correctly. But let me tell you- once Stevie came into her own - she really shined. Her character development was my favorite part of the story.

I think I sort of missed the “take no s*t” version of Iris - but I bet a lot of readers will appreciate her softer side.

Ashley Herring Blake continues a strong romantic series with the addition of Iris Kelly Doesn't Date. Iris Kelly doesn't believe dating - or romantic love in any more- is for her. Stevie adores all things romance, but is having trouble getting herself out of a rut after her previous relationship. When they both end up playing opposite each other in a queer retelling of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, all while fake dating, no less, their attraction to each other becomes too much to ignore.

Blake writes a character-driven romantic tale that is truly inclusive of the queer community. The couple has their own flaws and hindrances that feel organic and necessary. When the reader gets the happily ever after, it feels well-earned and fully deserved!

I love this series and while I’m sad to see it end, Iris’s story was the perfect ending. We’ve seen her in Astrid, Claire, and Delilah’s stories so it was great to see her own. As the sarcastic friend who is only into casual hookups after being burned, it was great to see a softer side of Iris. It seemed like she and Stevie just connected from the beginning despite their not so great first meeting. I enjoyed seeing Stevie’s world and learning about the theater. It was a great way to show even more of the chemistry between Iris and Stevie. It was wonderful to see both of them learn that they were worth loving. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author!

I was so excited to receive an arc of this novel! Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Before digging into Iris’s story, I went back and read the first two in the Bright Falls series, though you could absolutely read this on its own.

I adore the friend group and the supportive community they’ve made for themselves. Iris is known as the “fun” and spontaneous one of the group, and she’s convinced herself that she’s not relationship material.

Stevie, the love interest, was great! Her anxiety disorder is handled with grace and care, and as someone who has anxiety, I felt seen.

Overall, 5/5 stars

Astrid is still my favorite Bright Falls character but I think this was my favorite storyline. I loved Iris and Stevie. I love the way they each taught a different aspect of relationships, as if they were two halves making a whole.

This is solidly becoming my favorite series; it was lovely to not only see an update on characters we met in previous books, but also to further develop our acquaintance with Iris and meet her eventual match. An adorable yet believable fake-dating scenario where both leads have to figure out their own shit before they can realize how very un-fake their relationship really is.