#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.

I'm a devoted fan of Ashley Herring Blake's Bright Falls series. However, I have a few minor issues I'd like to address before sharing my enthusiastic praise.
I adored Iris as a protagonist. She provides excellent bisexual representation and exudes confidence in her curvier body, along with a vibrant and witty spirit. Iris's vulnerability and the way Stevie helps her rediscover love after heartbreak make her a relatable and compelling character.

Stevie, the love interest, is a fantastic character, especially for those who've dealt with anxiety. The representation of her struggles and the intersection with her acting career is both honest and reassuring.

Their dynamic and the way they support and respect each other is beautifully portrayed, making it feel like the most authentic and developed relationship in the series. Their communication and mutual support are heartwarming.

The setup of Iris writing a romance book and fake dating Stevie for inspiration was fun, and the inclusion of a Shakespearean play added a delightful touch, especially for theater and Shakespeare enthusiasts.
Couple things- One the strawberry allergy needed addressed. Stevie's friends, including her ex-girlfriend Adri, are not the most likable bunch. I wish there had been more focus on setting boundaries and respecting Stevie's choices, as the way they treated her was off-putting.
The ending felt abrupt and rushed, particularly in trying to resolve all three love stories within a single chapter. This left me with unanswered questions about the central couple's future and integration into each other's lives.



Despite common romance tropes like misunderstandings and self-sabotage, the genuine investment in their love story keeps readers engaged, leading to a satisfying happily ever after.

The book features steamy and adorable romantic scenes, along with a thoughtful grand gesture that might bring tears to your eyes.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I’ve become a fast fan of this author. The characters are quirky and the banter and tension is ALWAYS there.

I always appreciate the lgbtq+ rep.

I didn’t connect to these female main characters quite as much as I did the prior books but I think that had to do with the characters dabbling in theater as their art form so I couldn’t relate.

As always love the cameos of the characters from other books. And ALL THE STARS for the spice in this book - hot damn. I definitely recommend this one if you have liked the first 2 books by this author.

Everyone around Iris Kelly is in love. Her best friends are all coupled up, her siblings have partners that are perfect for them, and her parents are still blissfully married. And she’s happy for all of them, truly. Iris doesn’t want any of that—dating, love, romance. She’ll stick to her commitment-free hookups, thanks very much, except no one in her life will just let her be. Everyone wants to see her settled down, but she holds firmly to her no dating rule. There’s only one problem—Iris is a romance author facing an imminent deadline for her second book, and she’s completely out of ideas. Perfectly happy to ignore her problems as per usual, Iris goes to a bar in Portland and meets a sexy stranger, Stefania, and a night of dancing and making out turns into the worst one-night stand Iris has had in her life. To get her mind off everything, Iris tries out for the lead role in a local play, a queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing, but comes face-to-face with Stefania, whose real name turns out to be Stevie. Desperate to save face in front of her friends, Stevie asks Iris to play along as her girlfriend. Iris is shocked, but when she realizes the arrangement might provide her with some much-needed romantic content for her book, she agrees. As the two women play the part of a happy couple, lines start to blur, and they’re left wondering who will make the real first move....

I enjoy a fake dating trope but this just fell a little flat for me. Neither of the main characters seemed extremely likable and it felt just more of the same from this series. At some point I found myself just skimming over things. And the miscommunication trope in the end made me annoyed. It rarely ever goes well. Also it seemed overly steamy which I don't remember the last two being to this caliber. I am always a fan of LGBT+ stories and mental health representation, but I just didn't love this one as much as I love the previous two books in the series.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 10/24

Stevie was adorable and laughably oblivious which I think makes her the perfect counterpart to Iris who is dramatic and an over-thinker.

Throughout the book Stevie grows more confident in herself and you really see her break out of her previous relationship-shell and become her own person. I think the dynamic between Stevie and her ex could have been explored more, but I’m glad it was clear to the reader that Stevie was ready to move on.

Iris became more trusting and willing to talk through her fears with Stevie which is so important in a relationship. Especially because of how she had been treated in the past. It took a lot of self reflection for Iris to realize her actions impacted other people, but I’m glad she put in the work. I still haven’t read the first book in this series, but so far Iris Kelly is my favorite.

The drawings were SO CUTE and I still can’t get over how the ending made me squeal.

Absolutely ADORED this book! Definitely my favourite instalment in the Bright Falls series by FAR! I'm a sucker for a fake dating scenario, but throw in some classic theatre drama? Say LESS! Iris was my fave character from the jump, so I've been anxiously awaiting her own story. And Stevie? Would die for. Definitely my favourite pairing of the series.

I hope this series continues (I have a few thoughts on who could be the next protagonist), but it'll be hard to top this one for me!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Berkley for allowing me advanced access to this title!

Soooooo... I'm not sure if it is because I came into the series on the third and final installment, but it took me a very long time to get into the story. There were a lot of characters (multiple friend groups, family groups, exes, new partners, coworkers) that it felt like mental gymnastics to keep everyone straight. A lot of the conversations felt like ping pong matches... words were volleyed back and forth but I was still trying to remember who was who.

I did enjoy the premise of the story, and I especially love a fake-turned-real dating storyline. But for some reason I could never quite get there with these two, and I wonder if the back-and-forth points of view prevented me from truly getting inside of the heart and mind of either person.

The book felt long, and took awhile to get into the meat of the story. But once we were there it stalled again.

I do think this book will have an audience, most especially with readers who read and enjoyed the first two books in the series. But I think the number of characters and the amount of dialogue and explaining that needed to happen made it hard for me to connect with the story.

Best of luck to everyone who worked on this book for a successful release!

A stunning, fake dating edition to the Blake's beautifully established works.

I found the characters delightful and the romance swoony and lovely.

I love the Bright Falls series and I think Ashley Herring Blake is such a fantastic writer. Iris Kelly is such a fun character and has been a shining force throughout the other books in the series. It's always fun to read about the chaotic bisexual. In this third installment, she finally gets a story all her own, and it's very swoony.

I love how much Iris loves having sex and isn't shy about it. I love how proud of herself and sure of herself she is. It's a very stark contrast to Stevie, her love interest in this novel, who has grappled with severe anxiety for her entire life. Stevie waffled for me the entire book between being lovable and annoying. She was a hard character for me to nail down, but I really do love Iris and so it was nice to see her with someone so different that still made her so happy. Fake dating is such a pervasive trope in sapphic romances and I truly eat it up every single time even though more often than not it's very absurd, this novel included.

I like how Iris has this sort of crisis of faith around her lifestyle. All her friends are settling down and she's had a string of failed relationships and is feeling on the outskirts amongst her peers. Sure, there's nothing wrong with having casual sex, but her coupled-up friends have moved on and it's kind of like she's an outsider within her own friend group. Additionally, she had to close down her brick-and-mortar business and move to Etsy exclusively. And now she's a romance writer, because everyone has to be on their grind to afford to live these days. Basically Iris is going through a lot of fluctuation in her personal life and it feels very true to life for a late 20/early 30 something woman.

I enjoyed Iris and Stevie's romance and pining for one another. Having known of Iris's ups and downs in her dating life through the other books, there's so much more history on her side, so she's naturally the character you root for more. I also like the progression of the other characters' stories from the previous books. Stevie's friend group is so...PNW white queers? They're not even all white but damn, they were so annoying. Her ex Adri is obviously painted as the villain, but they were all really quite terrible in their own way. Stevie's side of the story started off very strong and interesting, but fizzled out for me over time. I was enjoying the whole "we're fake dating but oops we're catching feelings" of it all, but I also struggled to really relate to Stevie a lot of the time.

I loved this book up until about 75% of the way through where it took a sharp turn for me.

Stevie is incredibly passive as a main character. Things seem to happen around or to her instead of her initiating them. The driving force of the second half of the book is that an old professor of hers just pops up and offers her a spot in a prestigious play in New York, no audition necessary. Oh, and she can live in Brookyln for free, all expenses paid, etc. It's so out of nowhere and despite the fact that we've been told over and over that Stevie is the greatest theater actor ever, we don't get to see it. Like she just gets told she's great and then gets handed things and then has a panic attack about it. I know medication and therapy don't completely cure you of mental illness, but Stevie clearly needs a new dosage or something because she's handling everything in her life horribly, even inexplicable random good things.

Stevie's characterization was also not convincing to me and she often felt very inconsistent. I wanted to be a bigger fan of Stevie, but she reminds me of the kind of person that uses their anxiety as an excuse for bad behavior and I hate that so much. It's especially apparent in their third act break up, which in my opinion was entirely Stevie's fault. Stevie doesn't tell Iris she's been offered a job in New York for 6 weeks, then takes the job without telling her. Iris obviously finds out and is pissed. Stevie never offers any remorse despite the fact that she's been lying to Iris for weeks, then calls Iris a coward for leaving? Iris had every right to leave after a fight. Even when they reconcile later, Stevie doesn't apologize other than saying "I know I fucked up." Dude? Yes, you have anxiety. That doesn't mean you lie to your girlfriend for over a month, or call her names when she rightfully leaves after a fight, OR apologize after you've done all that. This was my breaking point with Stevie, and it made me stop rooting for the two as a couple tbh. Anxiety about what to do or say over a big life changing opportunity is normal, even if she didn't have an anxiety disorder. Lying about it for weeks and then turning around and being mad at Iris for being mad is absurd. And the fact that Stevie gets away without having to atone for how horrible she was to Iris is really weird. Just goes back to Stevie getting everything she wants without having to actually do anything.

Personally, this book is the equivalent of when you have a friend you absolutely adore who gets into a relationship with someone that kind of sucks. And you can't really say anything because they make your friend happy, so you just smile and talk shit about your friend's partner with y'alls mutual friend group. I just know Iris's friends talk shit about Stevie in a separate group chat. Anyway. I'm happy Iris got her happily ever after, even if it's someone as mid as Stevie. 3.5 rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!