Loved! Stevie journey throughout this book was so well done. Generalized Anxiety Disorder isn't something that is done as well and nuanced as Blake did in this book. I loved all the spicy sense (there were more than I was expecting!) Can't wait to read any and all books Ashley Herring Blake writes in the future!

Also, Happy Pride!

Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

Quick Synopsis: After a series of bad relationships that ended in a not so great way, Iris is only interested in sex without emotion or romance. Stevie is an out of work actress commissioned by her ex to star in the play they wrote together before they broke up. Stevie needs a fake girlfriend to combat her ex’s extreme PDA with her new girlfriend, and Iris needs help with romance to inspire her new novel. The two embark on this deal and then real feelings get involved.

Trigger warnings: Anxiety; hard break-up; vomit; social anxiety;

What I liked:
-I love Stevie and how the author tackled social anxiety. Despite these attributes, Iris finds Stevie undeniably attractive.
-I think the difficulties Iris faces overcoming fears instilled in her from previous relationships is so real and raw and well depicted as well.
-It’s so romantic. The romance romances hard in this novel and I loved it. The dancing, the hand holding, the candles and the dates. It was so beautiful.
-I loved the choice Stevie made at the end, for herself.
-You get some great spice. Truly great spice.

What I struggled with:
-I found the first 20% of the novel very slow. It takes that long to really get to the plot.

I have loved this whole journey in Bright Falls from Delilah and Claire to Justine and Astric and then to Stevie and Iris and I’m sad it’s over, but I’m so glad I was here for the ride.

I've loved this series of books, including this new one about Iris Kelly. It was a fun and super fast read and I very much enjoy how the author, Ashley Herring Blake, portrays her characters. The humor she uses, the characters she develops, the family dynamics are all right up my alley and this installment is no different. Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to get a peek at this book early!

A lovely ending to the Bright Falls series! As a huge theater nerd, this was an absolutely delightful way to tell this story and a hilarious mirror of Much Ado About Nothing and Beatrice’s feelings. Sad to say goodbye to all these characters, but so excited to read more of Ashley Herring Blake’s work!

"You assume you know what's best for me before even giving me the space to figure it out myself."

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for a chance to read & review an ARC of this book. I never take it lightly, and I am so happy to spread so much joy for it!!!

What a perfect way to end this sweet little Bright Falls timeline. I was so happy inside these pages: I know I'll go back to them every time I need a story that will only bring me comfort, and show me happy, honest growth.

While I will always lean towards the first as my favorite, this one snuck up on me. I never really understood Iris' character, and if I'm honest, I still don't, but I think that's what made this story so fun. Because I did know Stevie. I am Stevie. I'm the friend who feels crippled by her anxiety, and to see my truth lived so freely in these pages felt like a breath of fresh air.

Which is ironic, because that's all Stevie and I are ever looking for.

I found it here, and Stevie found it in Iris. Crazy, over the top, energetic, kind, understanding Iris. All things I didn't realize until I watched her soften her pointy feelings over Stevie's too-rounded ones. I felt it every time Stevie lost the ability to breathe, and felt it ten-fold every time Iris did something silly to combat it.

I loved the nicknames. I loved the inside jokes. I loved that even though this was a "fake relationship", it never read like one because consent was so important to both of them. I love that Stevie was the one with generalized anxiety, but Iris needed just as much help to believe in herself. I love the idea Iris took on of refueling your creative side with a new passion to find the love for your real one. I love that Stevie was never portrayed as weak, but also never told how strong she was. I loved that anxiety was a part of the story, but it was never the plot.

Because that's how it is in reality as well.

When Stevie used the above quote to remind the people who love her that she can take care of herself, all I could think was... I can, too. And I loved seeing Stevie take on her dreams for herself, not for anyone else. I loved everything about her.

I want to be like her when I grow up. Because we aren't broken, we aren't lost, we aren't just making out way through life. We're living it. And we get to choose how we see it.

& last, but certainly not least. These friendships. Have I ever read a more beautiful last line to a book about childhood friends that truly only want the best for each other? Even seeing Iris struggle so passionately because of her love for her friends meant the world.

I need every author to take some tips for Blake. This is what written friendship should be.

This reads very much like Blake's other works of the trio. Fans of Delilah and Astrid will enjoy this one as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

Much like Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, I liked this fine but I don’t think I’ll reread it. For the first half I was definitely thinking I’d rank it above Delilah Green, but unfortunately the second half didn’t work for me quite as much.

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail is still definitely my favourite Bright Falls book though.

“As long as you all remember this blessed union started because I’m a nosy bitch who wants all of her friends to be happy and have regular access to great sex.”

5⭐️ 5🌶️

THAT IS IT… sorry Delilah but Iris is my absolute favorite of this trio 🥹🥹🥹

I was so excited to see the fake dating trope from Ashley, and it was executed perfectly!! That isn’t always the case in romcoms but the characters had such amazing and intoxicating chemistry (albeit a bit awkward at first but you know, things always are when vomit is involved) that I just ate this book and them some so quickly!

Our Bright Falls stories continue with Iris who has found herself being the 7th wheel of the friend group and constantly harassed by her mother to date, marry, pop babies out you know.. the traditional societal concepts of how to be a grown up. Iris is my little rebel; and in so many ways I felt like I was Iris. Contrary to what many people think, I love it when characters do more normal things for a living and Iris is trying to make it as a romance writer. I guess in a way this is paying homage to Ashley Herring Blake herself and I loved every second of it.

Our other main character is the sweetest person you’ll ever meet on paper, Stevie and omfg do I want to just grab her and hug her until she can’t breathe. Her character development throughout the book was absolutely amazing. To see her grow into herself and get her confidence out was truly incredible. She is sweet, caring, full of anxiety **any similarities with myself is pure coincidence** and pls can she boss me around the bedroommmmmmmm!!!

There’s a lot of things in this story that feel so damn real. The biggest one is how narcissistic I found Adri to be. Does Adri remind me a little of my stupid ex? (Who ofc was classic definition of narcissist?) ONE HUNDRED PERCENT YES! I was soooo ready to grab her by the neck and shake her a little bit. Stevie was way too good for Adri and I’m so glad she came across Iris because they were exactly what each needed at that moment. I’d love to say Afro got better as the story progresses but I don’t know that she did.. she simply got busy.

I really loved the structure and representation in this book. Not everyone views sexuality the same way and it’s not that common to find romance novels where one the main characters isn’t all ready to go the first chance they get. I have always loved the varied representation Ashley includes in her novels but for me this one takes the top. I have recommended it to a friend who I believe will find comfort in Stevie and be able to relate to how she feels about sexual encounters. I love seeing how as time passes, authors are being so much more inclusive in their works.

AND THE SPICE??? ASHLEY BBY YOU PULLED OUT ALL THE PEPPERS FOR THIS ONE 🤌🏻😮‍💨🥵💦
When I tell you I read a particularly spicy scene 5 mins before having to into a work meeting AND CHOCKED ON MY LUNCH………….
I was over here clutching the desk, unable to breathe, sweating like a pig, clenching my thighs, eyes bulging, and then sweet dear Stevie comes out of left field with a very particular line and I was done… I WAS ON THE FLOOR DONEEEE WITH THIS LIFE. Hyperventilating some sense back into myself because I needed to compose myself and go into a meeting. Ashley did not hold back. It’s not that the spice is the spiciest of things.. but when combined with the innocence of Stevie and the absolute amazing and delicious chemistry the characters have.. ORGASMIC INDEED!!

I am so sad to think this is the end of the trilogy 😭 hopefully there will be other stories about side characters? I would loooooove to see how Ruby grows into a woman and learn more about her character!!

5/5

The final book in the Bright Falls series and my absolute favorite! Ashley Herring Blake is back with a queer twist on Shakespeare and fake dating with cynical Iris Kelly finally meeting her match. This luminous queer romance had me from its very first pages. I love disaster meet cutes and boy did these two have one. By far one of my favorite romances of 2023. It's hot as hell, especially vulnerable, and just so lovely. I’m going to keep coming back to this one now and forever.


Full review will be posted on my blog closer to publication

I enjoyed this book. The characters were well thought out and the plot was paced in a way that made sense. I would recommend this book to others and would enjoy reading other novels by this author.

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date is the third book in the Bright Falls universe. While you don't have to read the others before this one, it is recommended. Ashley Herring Blake gives readers another queer couple to root for in this small town.

Iris Kelly is so sick of being set up by her mother. She has no desire to get entangled romantically, with men or women, after her disastrous affair with a married woman last year. But, she is finding it increasingly difficult to write her romance novels and be around her friend group that is all happily coupled up.

Meanwhile, Stevie is still reeling from the end of her long-term relationship. It might be easier to move on if her ex wasn't dating another of their friends and they weren't in forced proximity. When her acting career still isn't taking off, she agrees to take a part in the local theater production (that her ex runs), and she accidentally gets into a fake dating scenario with Iris, a one-night-stand-gone-wrong.

The tropes are alive and well with Herring Blake, and she writes unique characters that deserve love and their HEA, I recommend the series for fans of The Charm Offensive and Alexandria Bellefleur's books.

This was an amazing third installment to the Bright Falls series. I have loved Iris Kelly from the beginning, and was so curious from the first book how her story would come to be. I loved how she developed through the series to end up with her own book. It made so much sense why she is the way she is. I also loved Stevie so much…she’s so relatable! Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and this book was SO well done!

Update:
Now that I let the book sit for 24hrs there's some issues I have. I felt that at some points, stereotypical statements were made by the characters concerning the lesbian and bi characters. I also felt that the end fell a bit flat for me, it just happened. Also one of the characters has generalized anxiety disorder and I love that representation but felt like there was no nuance and that it was just her whole personality and then at the end it wasn't mentioned that much like she has suddenly gotten over it.

I stand by my earlier review that says I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. And that it reminds me of me and my girlfriend.


Original review:
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. I am ashamed to say that this is my first Ashley Blake novel. They’ve always been on my radar and tbr but I never made it a reality. Well I am correcting my wrongs starting now.

This book actually reminded me of my girlfriend and I instantly got attached and I honestly can’t let these characters go. And throw in fake dating?! Me and this book = perfect match.

This book was fun and at a couple of points I started to tear up. But mainly it was smiles and eyebrow raises to my girlfriend which lead her to asking what sexy scenes were happening.

Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley, and Ashley Herring Blake for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I’m a big fan of this series and love being in the Bright Falls world. It follows Iris, who quickly became one of my favorite characters, and Stevie. I love how it discusses mental health and anxiety in a realistic way. Their relationship progresses slowly but helps readers to understand both characters. It’s a sweet story and a good addition to the series. It’s not my favorite, which is why I’m giving it three stars, but other people will probably enjoy it more. Especially theatre fans! It was a little slow-paced for me, but I still recommend it

This was cute, though it wasn't my favorite of the Bright Falls books (not enough Bright Falls!) I did like the back half of this one more than the first half. Shakespeare enthusiasts, this might be for you?

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date marks the end of Blake's Bright Falls series and what an ending. Finally, we learn more about the witty, sexy Iris who Blake writes with great emotional depth. After Astrid Blake Doesn't Fail, to say I was excited about this upcoming title would be an understatement. Did it meet the impossible standards that Blake has already set for herself as a follow-up to Astrid's story? Of course.

Fake dating? Check.
A novel being written within a novel? Check.
A journey of self-discovery for both main characters with a neat happily ever after? Check.

Romance fans will love this title.

Swoon! Iris has been one of my favorite characters throughout the Bright Falls series and I was so glad to get her HEA. What starts as a hook-up with a confident woman turns into that woman begging Iris to be her fake girlfriend. And we all know what fake dating leads to…super hot real sex and catching the feels. Another solid queer romcom with characters you wish were real so you could hang out.

Did I intend to read this all in one day? No. Did I expect to start crying? Also, no. Did I completely and utterly enjoy this read? Absolutely. Iris Kelly is the third book in the Bright Falls series that has followed each of the three friends finding their HEA. And, with each book, it only continues to get better. The slow build towards Iris's story allowed the reader to truly understand where the character is coming from. And then anxious but passionate Stevie steps in and completely demolishes all expectations. I enjoyed both characters so much, and that third act moment is some of the best romance ache I've ever read.

*shouting on top of a mountain* I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
Every time I finish a novel in the Brightfalls series, I am convinced it is my new favorite. I did not think I could love a book more than Delilah’s or Astrid's, but THIS BOOK! I am absolutely obsessed. I feel like the representation in this book is phenomenal and the conflict is well done. A unique thing about this book is Iris is writing a romance book throughout this story so it almost feels like a peak behind the curtain. Fake dating is one of those tropes that has to be done well or it feels forced or cheesy. It is done extremely well in this book the motivations for both characters are super relatable. The characters were so lovable and easy to route for. This book is perfection and I am counting down the days until I can put it on my shelves.

Ashley Herring Blake is the best modern sapphic author and I was absolutely honored to read this title early as this was the conclusion to my favorite romance series. Stevie and Iris take on a fake dating/sex education scheme to trick their friends into thinking they are dating to prove they are both ready to move on and flourish. Of course, they fall in love in the process. The peek into the developed relationships from the other couples made my heart soar. I will read anything by her.