Historical fiction sapphic love story with Taylor Swift inspired title… literally what else could you want??

It’s always fun to see queer historical novels because the adherence to the accuracy of the political climate really adds tension to the story. I found this book did some really fun things to not make the whole historic angle of it too angsty.

Started off as enjoyable enough. I enjoy a good queer historical romance, so this should have been a home run for me. Sadly, I can't get behind a romance between step-sisters. Family is family is family, and we can't just move the goal post whenever it suits us.

But even before that situation officially solidified itself—because there was a chance that it wasn’t gonna go that way—it wasn’t even a good romance. The pacing was all wrong. The beginning is very slow-burn, lots of yearning, but the second they have their big queer realizations, they go from zero to sixty in a flash. The relationship is also weighed down by a disproportionate amount of angst that never properly gets addressed. And the dynamic between the characters just didn’t make me feel anything—which, in the end, was for the best. And again, just to be clear: even if the romance had actually been good, that would not cancel out the end result.

The description for this book calls it the lesbian Bridgerton/Parent Trap and honestly, that's a perfect description. I really adored all the characters in this book but I really loved all the quirky side characters. And there was so much wit and banter! This is one of those books that's just a delight to read. I would highly recommend it if you're looking for a fun, flirty, HEA romance.

AH! Finally, historical romance for the gays! I love, love, love this book. If you're looking for Bridgerton vibes but make it queer and turn up the yearning, this is definitely the book for you!

When I first heard about this sapphic period romance novel with a Taylor Swift song lyric for a title, I said "SIGN ME UP!"

This was a fun one. The concept isn't really that unrealistic. They decided to Parent Trap their parents before they got together, but then it became a way for them to be together under one roof without being suspicious.

As much as I enjoyed this one, there were some things that took me out of it. Some of the language used was too modern. And at one point Beth gives her mother a thumbs up, which wasn't a thing in the 1850s. Still, what's not to love about lesbians figuring out how to make out with big hoop skirts and corsets?

If you're a fan of the Apple TV+ show Dickinson, this book will be right up your alley.

And the epilogue perfectly sets up the second book, "You're the Problem, It's You."

A fun and cute historical romance

That said, while it was a pleasant read at the time, I found that it didn’t fully grab my attention. I could easily put it down and, by the time I picked it up again, I’d kind of forgotten about it—hence why this review is coming a little later than expected. It’s one of those books that’s nice while you’re reading it, but doesn’t necessarily linger with you afterward. I started this book back in June while on vacation , and forgot about it until recently and picked it back up again.

The characters were likable, and their chemistry was sweet, but overall, the plot didn’t feel particularly unique or gripping. It’s not a book that will leave you thinking about it, but it was a cute, fun read, but not one that completely hooked me.

This story was so sweet and beautiful, I absolutely loved it! The girls were so believable and likable and flawed but in a really human way. I enjoyed this sweet story so much, the setting and politics around it brought the drama without weighing it down and it went down like a warm cup of tea. Highly recommend.

The more I've thought about picking this book up at almost literally every single bookstore I've stepped foot in since it came out, the less appealing it is to me. (I know, shocker, I love sapphics in pretty dresses). I just think I'm concerned about how much of the story might end up having to do with the parents and I feel like the idea of the parents getting together and the daughters is... awkward?

This is a cute sapphic friends to lovers with a special twist. Thank you for the opportunity to eat and review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!

I love the recent renaissance of regency and historical romances that center wlw love stories. I Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend is a sweet story where two very different young women find friendship in each other that blossoms into love.

Perfect for fans of Jane Austen and Bridgerton who wished there were more lesbians.

I love historical romance, I love queer romance, I looooove this book! This was a fun twist on the parent trap trope, and ended up being just a beautiful little lesbian romance that I literally just adored. Also, I love the nod to Swifties with that title ;)

One of the best LGBTQIA+ reads i've ever read! Forbidden love in a historical period is an amazing trope. Definitely gave me Bridgerton vibes. The ending was wonderful and the emotions felt so realistic, I was rooting for them the entire time. I highly recommend this one!

Queer FF historical romance?!?! YES PLEASE!!!!! LOVING THIS VICTORIAN-ERA GOODNESS!!!!! Such a gorgeous story and cute feel to the characters.

DON’T WANT YOU LIKE A BEST FRIEND by Emma R, Alban is a delightful queer historical romance!

It’s Beth’s first season, and it has to be her last if she is to have a home at the end of it. When her abusive father died, any security she and her mother had, died with him. It is imperative that Beth find a match. At her first event, she meets the bright and brash Gwen, who takes her under her wing. As the title suggests, Beth and Gwen become more than friends, and they desperately plot and scheme to find a way to stay together despite society’s restrictions.

Alban manages to keep the tone light, despite the focus on very serious, very real struggles women faced in Victorian society. Both Gwen and Beth are vividly created characters, young women anyone would want to know in the modern day. I also loved the cast of characters surrounding Gwen - her charming and supportive father, her cousins who would playfully banter and help her scheme, and the female couple who helped raise her when her mother died.

I did find some weakness in the plot, but by and large was just having too much fun with the story to really care. I just wanted to enjoy Beth and Gwen finding their HEA - I wasn’t too concerned with how they made it there.

I love this cover and really wanted to like this book but the plot didn't grab me unfortunately. Same with the sequel.

i found myself genuinely bored while reading this. i should’ve dnf’ed it. the ending…step-sisters?? i’d understand step-sisters in a dark romance but this is contemporary…i don’t know. i was really looking forward to this one. and it took me soooo long to finish.

i read this one ages ago but surprisingly i still remember it quite well since i liked it so much hihi.
don't want you like a best friend is a historical romance set in 1857 following two debutantes called beth and gwen who aren't really interested in finding themselves husband (as they should honestly cause ew) and try to set up their widowed parents, who seem to have a past neither of them is willing to disclose, together. as the two girls start falling in love, a viscount starts showing interest in beth, and beth and her mother can't dney that they need the wealth and security he'll offer them. but gwen can't let beth go, and no matter how well beth knows that marrying the viscount would be in her best interests, she can't help but catch feelings for gwen as well.
i read this after the release date (oops) so i ended up listening to the audiobook instead, and idk whether it was the difference in narrators or the writing itself but the two girls were so distinct from each other that i could literally tell whose chapter i was on from a single sentence. it was so well written in that aspect. i loved their relationship, and them setting up their parents was fun, though idk how to feel about them being step-sisters... the ending left me wanting to start the sequel right away, which... admittedly i still haven't done, but i'm still excited to! i don't really have much to say, but i'd recommend this to anyone looking for a fun little queer historical romance!
thank you to the publisher avon and netgalley for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @ 10%

I am a big fan of historical romance, but so far this is reading like a YA novel. The characters feel very young, especially with the book starting with Beth worrying over a blemish. I think I generally like my historicals a little less rom-comy, so this one wasn’t for me.

If you are a fan of contemporary romance and want to try a historical romance with a similar tone, this might be for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for this ARC!

- I really struggled with this one! I love sapphic historical romance, but there were parts of this book that really didn’t fit!
- I loved the idea of the Parent Trap references, but the execution felt off. Having the girls also trying to get their parent’s together does make sense as a way to get around societal constraints, having the main couple in the story also trying to become step sisters just did not work for me.
- I can love a historical with modern sensibilities, this one felt like it stepped too far away from the genre. This may work for people who haven’t read many historicals!
- I struggled with the pacing at the beginning. I wasn’t as hooked as I’d like to be, and I put this down for a bit before getting an audio to help push through!
- I did love seeing how both the girl’s relationships with their parents developed so much. Those dynamics felt like one of the stronger parts of this book, and it was wrapped up so well!