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!

Just as great as the first two books in this series. I loved Stevie and Iris and watching them grow together on the page. A really romantic romance with a wonderfully queer cast and story.

In the final installment of the Bright Falls series by Ashley Herring Blake, we follow Iris Kelly, who doesn’t date. Everyone around her has found love, from her friends to her siblings to her happily married parents, and she’s happy for them—but Iris doesn’t want any of that. She’d rather focus on the real issue: being a romance author and being completely out of ideas for her second book.

Perfectly happy to ignore her problems, Iris goes out to a bar one evening and meets sexy, fun, and sweet Stefania. What starts as a great night ends in the worst possible one-night stand of all time. When she runs into Stefania, whose real name is Stevie, at an audition for a lead role in a role play, Stevie begs her to pretend to be her fake girlfriend to save face in front of her group of friends—which includes Stevie’s ex-girlfriend and their best friend who’s now her ex-girlfriend’s new flame. Iris, seeing an opportunity to gain inspiration for her novel, happily agrees. What starts out as fake dating and playing a happy couple on the streets soon turns into something more between the sheets…

Sapphic fake dating, what more could you want, am I right? Blake decides to end the highly beloved Bright Falls series with a wonderful romance between two struggling artists who, for their own reasons, are closed off to love…and yet somehow manage to open each other’s hearts for the possibility of a once-in-a-lifetime-romance.

Iris and Stevie were a such a great pairing and much of that comes down to their well-developed personalities. Iris is a bisexual queen and I loved her confidence in her curvier body and her determination not to let anyone tell her to follow the stereotypical, traditional road of what everyone else in her family has chosen. She’s fun, smart, and intriguing, but there’s so much more to her and as the story unravels, we learn the reasons for her decisions and why she’s so against dating.

Something that intrigued me a lot was Iris’s family. It was interesting to see her with her parents and siblings that have such traditional values which we still often see in society where you aren’t thought of a successful before you don’t complete the house-with-white-picked-fence-and-two-point-five-kids stereotype.

Stevie, meanwhile, just deserved to be wrapped up in a blanket and cuddled all day long. The way Blake approaches anxiety in this book with Stevie was so relatable and I loved that Stevie’s existence shows people that just because you live with anxiety does not mean you can’t want to be successful on a stage or in the spotlight. Stevie’s dream is acting and living with anxiety is not mutually exclusive with that dream.

I love this about Blake’s other novels in this series as well, but Iris and Stevie really were so supportive and understanding when it came to the other person. It always felt like, even when they didn’t see eye to eye, they respected each other on such a deep level that it infused their romance with so many layers. Whether it was about mental health, struggles in their professional lives or something else, those discussions always were a highlight to read about.

Being brutally honest, I actually didn’t like any of Stevie’s friends. Sure, Ren had some charming moments, but Adri and Vanessa had my blood boiling multiple times with how insensitive and downright despicable they were. Appreciating that Stevie eventually set boundaries and told her friends what she needs from them, but every time they treated her badly in the novel, I just wanted to chuck the entire thing to the point where I was frustrated the moment they entered a scene (which, again might have been the point but took away from Stevie as a POV).

Likewise, the ending also felt a bit all over the place for me. I’m not a fan of the traditional third-act break-up, and I struggled a bit with how much time we spent talking about the other couples of the series in the final chapters, but then again it is kind of hard wrapping up the entire series and showing where they other two couples are at without drawing attention away from the couple you’ve spent the last 300+ pages getting to know and love.

All in all, Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date is a satisfying, heartfelt conclusion to an exciting sapphic romance series that offers a lovely farewell to characters and will take the sting out of saying goodbye to the series once and for all.

4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Spice

Tropes:
Small Town
Sapphic Romance
Forced Proximity
Fake Dating
Opposites Attract
Spicy Lessons
Found Family

this was one of my most anticipated releases for 2023 & it did not disappoint. iris kelly & stevie scott meet at a club & have an adorable meet cute that turns disastrous. but to their surprise, life has other plans & the two are forced together in a theatre production. from there the two fall into a fake relationship (that turns into a *spicy* lesson relationship) that blossoms into a very real love story. - i loved everything about this. iris had up so many walls & stevie’s bashful, caring self just breaks them all down while simultaneously building stevie up. it was such a good opposites attract vibe between the two & their chemistry was off the charts. this was definitely the spiciest of the series & i gobbled it up. overall this series has been such a joy to read. i have loved these characters so much. the epilogue was an absolutely wonderful wrap up & i just wish i could live in these stories forever.

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake
Bright Falls #3

I love this series so much!!! If you haven't read Delilah Green Doesn't Care and Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail, do not panic, you can always just stop reading whatever you are currently reading and start this amazing, hot, wonderful, sapphic romance series instead (But also, you can totally read them out of order!)

Iris meets Stevie at a Portland bar while hiding from her romance novel writer's block. They have a disastrous attempt at a one-night stand and assume they will never see each other again. Stevie fibs to her friends, however, and makes it sound like the two of them hit it off. When Iris surprisingly appears at an audition for the play that Stevie already has a lead role in, she quickly begs Iris to play along and pretend they are together. I truly never tire of fake dating!!! And all the previous characters of Bright Falls makes this book such a comfort read.

• You may or may not remember this about me but I am SUCH A SUCKER for bedroom and/or dating lessons and this one has a double sided version of it where Iris needs romance lessons to get creative juices flowing for the romance novel she is writing, and Stevie asks for a little bit of casual dating/hook up type lessons. It's brilliant and wonderful! Fav tropes galore!

• As usual for this series, the steamy parts are impeccable. So, so steamy and emotional growth woven in--just the way we like it!

• I really love the personal baggage that Iris and Stevie both have to overcome. AHB just writes character growth and characters you desperately root for so perfectly. The way Iris *does* actually need to be wooed and to feel safe, but doesn't know it at first. The way Stevie needs to put herself first and stand up for herself!

• The third act break up was definitely angsty and emotional, but it did feel worth it for the magnificent character growth that occurs!

Thanks so much Netgalley and Berkley romance

This third and final book in Ashley Herring Blake's Bright Falls series follows aspiring actress Stevie Scott and romance novel author Iris Kelly. After an attempted one-night stand ends in disaster (thanks to Stevie's general anxiety disorder, which feels authentically portrayed throughout the book), the pair are shocked to run into each other at auditions for a community theater production. A misunderstanding turns into a formalized fake dating pact, which both women have their own reasons for wanting. Of course, that's quickly complicated when they both start to catch feelings and must decide whether they want to turn their fake relationship real.

I read the first and missed the second book in this series. While I think readers would appreciate it more having read both the first two (lots of cameos by the previous couples, who are part of Iris's extended friend group), it isn't a requirement to understand and enjoy this one. The supporting characters are mostly very fun, although some of Stevie's friends really don't come off as very good friends, and the way she wrapped things up with her ex soured me a little bit on the book. I also felt like the pair took the fake dating premise a little too far (sex lessons? really?) which didn't feel terribly realistic.

Overall, though, I felt like the emotional growth of the two main characters was very satisfying. They supported each other and worked through their issues in what felt like a realistic way. There was quite a bit of sex, but also some sweet scenes and fun banter as well. Readers who loved the first two books will enjoy this final entry in the series.

This is the 3rd book set in Bright Falls and possibly the best. Iris finally gets her moment, after being the funny and supportive friend in the previous books, and it's worth the wait. A lovely romance, with humor and self discovery. I'm hoping we get a book 4 that focuses on Simon next!

"Iris Kelly Doesn't Date" by Ashley Herring Blake is a delightful 4-star read that combines humor, heart, and a touch of romance to create an engaging story.

Iris Kelly, a romance author who has sworn off dating, finds herself in a hilarious and unexpected situation after a one-night stand with Stefania, whom she later discovers is actually Stevie. This quirky twist sets the stage for a fake relationship that turns out to be anything but an act.

Ashley Herring Blake masterfully captures Iris' journey to happiness with sensitivity and humor. The character dynamics are real and relatable, especially Stevie's struggle with anxiety, which adds depth and authenticity to the story. Readers will be drawn into the unique bond between Iris and Stevie, watching it evolve into a heartfelt and engaging narrative.

This book is the third installment in the Bright Falls series, but it works well as a standalone read. Blake's writing is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, complex characters, and an atmospheric setting that creates a cozy and enjoyable reading experience.

The chemistry between Iris and Stevie is palpable, and their relationship, despite its initially unconventional nature, is both heartwarming and genuine. As the story unfolds, you'll discover that there's more to their connection than meets the eye.

"Iris Kelly Doesn't Date" is a witty and heartfelt romantic comedy that explores the complexities of love, relationships, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. It's a perfect escape for anyone seeking a cozy LGBTQIAP+ romance with a touch of humor and a dash of authenticity.

I want to express my gratitude to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. The well-written characters and well-developed storyline make it an ideal choice for a cozy fall read. Whether you're a fan of the Bright Falls series or new to Ashley Herring Blake's work, this book is sure to leave you with a smile and a warm heart.

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .5/5
Spice 🌶 🌶 🌶 /5

I have loved this series since the first page of Delilah Green's book and this book was the perfect ending for all the beloved characters.

I have been so curious about Iris since she was first introduced. I loved her energy and lust (pun intended) for life. I am so happy we got to see more of her true self and I found the sweet, anxious Stevie was a perfect balance for her. I really enjoyed how Stevie and Iris met and the perfect awkwardness that followed. Their entire relationship was beautiful. Seeing the growth they both had through the story and how they each pushed the other to be their best selves was perfectly written.

I was am still am sad that the series was over but each character was given such a perfect ending that I can't imagine a better way to have it all come together. I highly, highly recommend this series!

Thank you so much Netgalley, Berkley and Penguin for my advanced copy of this book.

fake dating! sapphic love! anxiety representation! incredible queer found family! an emotionally guarded romance author who loves sex, and a shy theatre nerd who loves romance and needs help open up physically… WHATEVER WILL HAPPEN?!?!

it’s cute, it’s cheesy, the third act break up is dumb, the easter eggs to characters to the first two books in the series are fun, and these mainly are books to read for a delightful and steamy and sweet good time!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— really liked it! #radfourstarreads #radkindlereads

I adore Bright Falls and had no idea how much I was going to fall for Iris. She always felt like the standoff-ish over the top friend, but we didn't really know her and getting to know her so well during this book was amazing. I feel like I can really relate to her using all her defenses to keep her heart safe and her deep-seated fear of being left and used. I also related so hard to Stevie and her anxiety and how her friends take over because they think she needs them to be her voice, when really she needs them to support her use her own voice. Their chemistry was fabulous and this book was spiiiiicy. I loved the fake dating and how supportive Iris was of Stevie and caring even when she had just met her. The ending had me in chills and actually crying because I will miss this town and group of friends so much!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest rview

CW: cheating (past), anxiety, vomit

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-f/f contemporary romance
-one night stand gone wrong
-fake dating
-sex lessons
-romance lessons
-this is just a hookup
-found family
-only one room

Gosh, I adored this one. Iris is the perpetually single one in her friend group, her family. Newly single Stevie is figuring out what her life now looks like. What was supposed to be a hot one night stand ends up in vomit, but life brings these two back together as they fall into fake dating each other in order to help Stevie out with her ex.

I adored how both Iris and Stevie needed the other to see themselves a bit more clearly. They had such a great friend groups, but this was their main character moment. The sex lessons were spectacualr and I adored how it was an opportunity for Stevie to ask for what she wanted, she wasn't passive in her elssons. Clear consent just makes things so much hotter. These two had amazing chemistry, great communication, and just such realistic struggles with sex and relationships.

It was so lovely to see all of my favoites from Bright Falls and their well deserved HEA.

Steam: 3.5

4.5 - “She was just a shell of a person she was even second ago, and she didn’t know how to put herself back together, how to do anything but simply dive into the explosion, join it, become one with all the shrapnel.”

I’ve loved both of the first two Bright Falls novels and this one was no different.

I loved both Iris and Stevie. Iris has sworn off love, but is still trying to finish her romance novel though she’s hit a roadblock. Suddenly she finds herself in a queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing opposite Stevie. They decide to fake date, Iris hoping for inspiration for her book. Their initial relationship is a bit convoluted, and they have some rules for how to go about it. The longer this goes on, the more palpable the tension between them becomes. Regardless of Iris's aversion to be in a relationship, it's clear that she has deeper feelings for Stevie than she wants to admit.

Their tension is excellent. One thing I’ve noticed throughout all of Ashely Herring Blakes’s novels is how she manages to create these main characters that the reader can’t help but sympathize with and root for. Iris struggled with anxiety and moving on with her life, and I feel like that’s something that will resonate with so many people. There’s an innate care that Blake puts into the serious topics in her books and they’re always explored so carefully and respectfully. Iris has such a great arc that culminates in her realizing that it's ok to put herself out there.

Stevie has her own issues, and has a toxic ex. She feels stilted at the beginning, her confidence not where it needs to be. There are some things with Stevie and her ex and her friends that aren’t exactly resolved, and I really wanted to see that situation handled. There was a great opportunity there, and I love seeing characters realize they deserve more. It felt like this moment happens and then there is no resolution that's satisfying; Stevie deserves to have better people in her corner.

Overall, as is with the first two books in the series, this is an absolutely fabulous book. It balances the sweetness of the romance with the heavy, emotional moments so well.