this book was truly everything to me, we got such a wonderful close to this series!
we get so much chaos, sweet moments, and personal growth
iris and stevie are made for each other and i just love them so bad

I've been enjoying the Bright Falls series from Blake immensely so I was thrilled when I received an arc of Iris' story! And it was fantastic! It was so fun and I enjoyed how Iris and Stevie's relationship developed from fake dating. It was also very steamy which was very, very nice~ Besides that, the romance was so fun and truly had me rooting for these two to get together in the end. Also, very well done on the generalized anxiety disorder representation!

Another great installment in the Bright Falls series! The novel centers around Iris Kelly, a vibrant and independent woman who has sworn off dating after a series of failed relationships. Instead, she focuses on her career and friendships, maintaining a seemingly content single life.

Blake's writing is engaging and humorous, making Iris a relatable and endearing protagonist. The author's portrayal of Iris's journey is both heartfelt and realistic, avoiding the common tropes of the genre. Instead of a simple, straightforward romance, the story delves into Iris's personal growth and her struggles with vulnerability and trust. This deeper exploration adds layers to the narrative, making it more than just a light-hearted rom-com. As always, the cast of characters are diverse and delightful.

This is actually the first book in the series that I've read. While it can absolutely be read as a standalone, I am super happy it is not and that I can go back and read about the rest of Iris' friends. This book left me wanting to read the first two and desperately want to see the all queer re-write of Much Ado.

I listened to this as an audio book and I had such a good time. It was light, charming, and just the kind of surface level rom-com that I wanted from this. Cheesy romance, denial, and both characters felt very human. They were both scared (in different ways) and watching them learn to be braver together was a really fun journey for me.

This is a cute sapphic dating story. Iris dates but ends up having one night stands. One night, she meets Stefania on a blind date that ends terribly, with tears and vomit. Iris decides to try out for a local play and is surprised to see Stefania there, who now goes by Stevie. She’s even more surprised when Stevie asks her to say Iris is her girlfriend. As their fake relationship goes on, they become more and more attracted to each other until their feelings aren’t pretend anymore.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Much like the rest of the series, I find myself enjoying this much more than I thought I would. I'm generally not a romance reader, but I find these characters to have the perfect amount of relatability, intrigue, and humor for my taste. :)

Super cute conclusion to the Bright Falls series! I think Stevie might be one of my favorite protagonists in this series—she’s very relatable and dynamic. Sad this series is over!

This romance by Ashley Herring Blake was very good, this was my first time reading anything by Ashley and I know I will read more by them.

Thank you NetGalley for the read.

We first meet Iris Kelly in book one of the Bright Falls series. She is the quirky, bubbly, and fun best friend in the trio that each book in the series is based on. Unfortunately through each book you get glimpses of her life changes from unexpected breakups, business challenges, and what leads to book three - writers block. She owns her own business and is a romance writer.

This was a fun read that had many romance tr0pes thrown in, but you know what, they all worked. Iris meets confident and fun Stefania at a bar, but sparks do not fly. Their second meet cute is when Iris decides to take up acting and runs into Stefania aka Stevie who is also in the play. Their chemistry didn’t feel genuine at first, and I was having a hard time digesting all the different scenarios they were finding themselves in. I also did not love Stevie’s friends. Even their supportive moments did not feel supportive. As the book progressed and the two main characters came out of their shell I thought they were a delightful pairing. They balanced each other out of outgoing vs quiet and confident vs reserved. Through their acting, fake dating, and friendship blooming they connect and I found their romance sweet. I loved how Stevie found her voice at the end, and I’m a sucker for grand gestures.

i loved the conclusion to this series! Iris is a great character and fake dating was the perfect trope. Loved the queer Shakespeare!

Well worth the wait - though I am devastated for this series to end. These friends are so involved with each other's lives - loved it!
Claire and Delilah are engaged. Astrid and Jordan a lovely pair. And Iris is alone. Desperate to jump start something, Iris agrees to join a local Shakespeare production of all queer cast. And there she is - the woman who vomited all over Iris. Her character's love interest.
Stevie and Iris strike a deal beneficial to both - romance, sexy, lovely and so cute.

Dare I say the best in the trilogy??!! I loved Delilah, liked Astrid, but LOVED Iris… and the audio narrator really was perfection in this one… I gotta find more from her.

Iris Kelly, a romance novelist who can't seem to find love in real life, is suffering from a serious case of writer's block. Enter Stevie, a charming actress with crippling anxiety. These two opposites collide (literally, at a bar) and end up in a hilariously awkward one-night stand. To make things even more complicated, they're then cast as girlfriends in a play together. Forced to fake-date for the sake of art (and Iris's dwindling bank account), they find themselves in a whirlwind of awkward encounters, laugh-out-loud moments, and a surprising amount of genuine connection. Will their pretend relationship blossom into something real?

Iris and Stevie - ADORABLE. Stevie and the first date umm issues… RELATABLE (LOL) Idk something about this one just had me right there with them in Seattle and Bright Falls. I loved so much of it.

I enjoy this entire series and look forward to each book that comes out. This one did not disappoint!

The last entry in the Bright Falls series was repetitive and, honestly, a bit disturbing (sex lessons???)

I am probably the most impatient person the planet, so waiting for these two to get together was absolute torture. Iris Kelly Doesn't Date was cute, but, to be honest, I was bored halfway through. I liked the framing device of the play and understand why that was necessary to get to fake dating, but it felt like there wasn't a strong commitment to either one and they were both abandoned towards the middle. Like, all of a sudden, it was closing night and we hadn't heard about the play for a bit. Overall, the book was well written, just not for me.

The third installment in the Bright Falls series. Another sapphic masterpiece with a queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing. I related with Iris' inner struggle with dating and being vulnerable with someone, and the way that she overcame that struggle was chefs kiss. I will read anything this author puts out.

Of the three books in this series, I would say that this is my least favorite. However, that does not mean that it wasn't enjoyable. I'm still chasing the high that Delilah and Claire gave me.

This was by far my favorite book in the series. I loved both of our main characters so so much and I am absolutely a sucker for a fake dating trope. Some may think it is overdone but for me it absolutely never will be. I will say this is the best book I’ve read with said trope, it was written so beautifully and just made me want to jump in the book and yell at our characters. This is one that I will be picking up again when I want to feel all the warm fuzzies and I wish everyone would read it!

Ashley Herring Blake's "Iris Kelly Doesn't Date" is another breath of fresh air in the rom-com genre, offering a truly authentic and heartfelt take on the classic fake relationship trope.

Set against the backdrop of Portland, the story introduces us to Iris Kelly, a romance author with a commitment phobia and a serious case of writer's block. Surrounded by loved-up friends and family, Iris is content with her no-strings-attached lifestyle, until a disastrous one-night stand with a stranger named Stefania throws her off balance.

In a bid to shake off her troubles, Iris auditions for a local play and is stunned to find Stefania—actually Stevie—among the cast. When Stevie suggests they pretend to be a couple to save face, Iris reluctantly agrees, hoping the charade might spark some inspiration for her stalled writing.

What follows is a hilarious and heartwarming journey as Iris and Stevie navigate the complexities of their fake relationship, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and tender exchanges along the way. Blake's writing crackles with authenticity, drawing readers into Iris's world and making them feel like part of the gang.

"Iris Kelly Doesn't Date" is filled with vibrant, relatable characters, from Iris's meddling friends to her quirky siblings, all of whom add depth and humor to the story. The chemistry between Iris and Stevie is electric, and their banter is as sharp as it is endearing, making their slow-burning romance all the more satisfying.

What sets "Iris Kelly Doesn't Date" apart is its genuine exploration of vulnerability and connection. As Iris and Stevie grapple with their feelings for each other, readers are treated to a tender and honest portrayal of love in all its messy, complicated glory.

With its witty humor, engaging characters, and heartfelt romance, "Iris Kelly Doesn't Date" is a true gem of a rom-com that will have readers laughing, swooning, and cheering for love. After being disappointed with Astrid Parker's book in the series, I can't recommend it enough—I rated it 4.5 stars.

A charming and sweet (but steamy) romantic comedy. Especially loved the local theater setting and how both of the characters grew together by the end of the novel.