A historical sapphic romance with a Taylor Swift song as the title? Say less! What a great debut novel! This romance gave exactly what I needed it to!

I SO enjoyed this book!!! Watching Beth and Gwen fall in love and fight so hard to get a life they wanted for themselves and one for their parents as well was so much fun.

The characters were all so loveable and tangible, and even though it is a little bit weird that Gwen and Beth’s individual dad and mom will have a baby together…and that baby will have two half sisters who are in love…it’s also regency and people were out there marrying their cousins so…i’ll let it pass?? LOL

i so look forward to the parent trap - COUSIN EDITION iykyk

THANK YOU to netgalley and Avon for the free review copy!!!

Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend is a strong debut. I doubt it will have any trouble finding readers with its title, cute cover, and fun premise. I had some trouble believing in the development of their friendship at the beginning because I just didn’t feel that much chemistry between them, nor did I feel like they had a lot in common, but as they developed from friends to lovers, I became fonder of their relationship. The whole cast of supporting characters is also super lovable! It is overall a very well written book, and I thought the conflict was compelling. The third person present tense isn’t my favorite, but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment. The intimacy is done well, and the first kiss scene is absolutely phenomenal. Absolutely would recommend. The epilogue did a great job setting up for the next book, which I am excited for!

Sapphic friends to lovers historical romance!

This book gave parent trap, bridgerton and taylor swift vibes! It was SO different than anything I've ever read before. I think I went in expecting something different so the book took me on a journey. The couple had a lot to work through to finally get to their HEA and the epilogue *widens eyes*!! The possible teasers for the next book really have me intrigued.

While this wasn't my fav book I've ever read, I did really enjoy to unique plot!

Thanks to random house & NetGalley for the ARC!

Historical fiction isn’t normally my cup of tea. But in this instance, I found myself blown away by this incredible book!

Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend was everything I wanted in a sapphic romance. It doesn’t shy away from the heteronormativity of the era it’s set in, which I appreciated. This also meant there was so much ANGST and PINING 😍 we love to see it. Both main characters are discovering their queerness for the first time too, and I truly can’t get enough of coming out narratives.

My favorite part of the book was the main characters and their romance. They truly begin as best friends and slowly realize they love each other. It’s such a sweet romance! And as they scheme to try and get their parents together, they grow even closer. ❤️

I highly recommend this book and hope you’ll read it when it comes out THIS TUESDAY! 😍 It’s a true gem of a romance.

Two women finding love in an unaccepting society. This sapphic love story set in victorian era society was a thrilling read and the perfect historical romance. If there is one thing about me, I EAT up a sapphic historical romance and this was no different. The premise was amazing, but the second half of the book took me longer than expected to finish. I was disappointed a little bit by the execution, but truly did enjoy the book.

This was my first sapphic romance book and I loved it! I am a historical romance girlie through and through and this was so enjoyable to read. I loved both Gwen and Beth and how they both realized their feelings for each other. I also loved the side story of their parents and the scheming Gwen and Beth did to get them together! I cannot wait for book 2!

Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend is a delightful sapphic romance novel. It is also a rare romance novel these days that was advertised as something and then delivered on it! Though it touched on some heavy topics at times, it also had lighthearted parts, and it was a quick and fun read.

One of the things that I love about historical romance novels with queer characters is that even though we are getting the standard romance novel - that is, a story about a relationship and a happily ever after ending - the “how” feels slightly less predictable to me. This was definitely the case with Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend. I was on the edge of my seat throughout nearly the entire story, because I couldn’t imagine how Gwen and Beth were going to get together.

This book is high on pining, angst and self-discovery. The way that Gwen and Beth’s feelings were described is spectacular and felt so real. I really felt like I was in their heads and experiencing the romantic feelings for the first time and the ups and downs that come with it. It is a wonderfully emotional book.

I also love the nuance in other characters and the number of romantic plotlines were spectacular. There were people falling in love all over in this book! Plus, there was my favorite: great banter. Not just between Gwen and Beth, but between Gwen and Albie and others. It was awesome - so few books these days satisfy my need for a little quippy back and forth but this one delivered.

The one aspect of the book that I struggled with was the age range. Because the characters were in their early 20s, they were older than “young adult” genre characters. However, the parents were so present in the story, both as their own romance plot line but also just so frequently mentioned, that it almost felt like a young adult book. Certainly it had scenes there would not have been in a YA book, but there were times when it felt like it couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. Normally in an adult romance novel, even in historical stories, we don’t see as much of the parents as this book had. But also, because of the age of the characters, certain things worked that may not have worked if they were older. For example, the moment where Gwen realizes two women can be together, felt so real to me, because people in their early 20s are very self-absorbed! Their brains have not fully developed! So of course she didn’t see something that may have seemed to readers like it was right in front of her face.

Overall, I really liked Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend, and would definitely recommend it to readers looking for a fun, fresh, sapphic historical romance.

1 Star

To be completely honest I didn’t have the highest hopes for this one after seeing some mixed reviews but I still went in hoping for the best. Right off the bat something about the writing just felt off to me. I don’t usually care if a book is in past or present tense - I usually don’t really even notice. However, this book was written in present tense that just felt… off. Even now I can’t quite pinpoint what it is that doesn’t read right but it was very noticeable.
Even pushing past that I just found the book overall to be boring. I wasn’t invested in any of the characters and the pacing was a little awkward. Too slow in some parts and then jumping around.
I found that I just didn’t care about what happened and wasn’t excited about reading this book

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

This book makes up for all those novels marketed as romances that don't really feature one. Because it has two! It's a historical Victorian take on The Parent Trap with Gwen and Beth attempting to set up their single parents when they realize they used to court in their own seasons.

I adored both Gwen and Beth and enjoyed seeing their romance unfold. There's loads of secret pining and sweet stolen moments. And I also loved Gwen's dad who was such a nuanced and charming man. It took a bit longer for me to appreciate Beth's mom, but I ultimately did.

The plot includes a small storyline focused on the passage of the Matrimonial Causes Act. I would have liked to see Gwen and Beth more engaged in the debate. I always appreciate the more political, and especially feminist, aspects of historical romances, and I like to learn the history. For me, including the act at all raised greater expectations of how it was addressed.

I also would have liked slightly different pacing at the middle. The third act tension hit earlier than I would have expected and took longer to resolve. But overall, the characters and premise were delightful. I enjoyed this multigenerational romance. And the hint of a tease for book 2 was perfection.

I love Sapphic historical romance! This book is unique because it's in present tense, not something I see a lot in this genre. That was a bit to adjust to but I once I was accustomed to the writing style I really enjoyed it.

The young debutantes and their suitors actually seem so young! It's something I hadn't really considered but I loved this approach. I bet 19-21 didn't always act mature, even back then. The playfulness and comradery between the friends was delightful. I also loved the detail descriptions of clothing!

I did think the middle was a bit slow; I think this book could have been tightened up a little bit overall. I still had a great time.

3.5 stars

What I liked:
- The premise
- The exploration
- The friendships
- The politics
- The mother/daughter relationship*
- The father/daughter relationship**
- The secondary love story***

What I didn’t like
- The use of 3rd person present was distracting to me. I often had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to clarify whose POV I was in.
- * The resolution felt alllllllmost manipulative (no matter the very happy result)
- ** The substance abuse, encouraged by Dad and done by Dad and daughter, wasn’t well addressed.
- *** This was a very sweet parent trapish trope (and this is really almost a dual romance) but the epilogue sees them on a similar mission I’m not sure how I feel about.
- The relationship between Gwen and her family servants was obviously meant to show how compassionate Gwen’s family is but she did vomit all over herself and the stairs and just assumed those people she loves would clean up after her.
- The style jumps a lot between YA and adult romance. Beth and Gwen felt VERY young for the first 1/2 of the book and then suddenly are quite mature. It was distracting.

First 5-star read of the year and the first book to make me cry in 2024!!

I was SO looking forward to reading this book and it did not disappoint--in fact, it completely blew my expectations out of the water! I really went into this book expecting a silly fun time, and while I did absolutely get that, I also got so much more. From the instant chemistry between Gwen and Beth, to the tangled hands in the folds of their hoop skirts, to the fraughtness of their situation and everything they have to go through in order to be happy, this book took me on an emotional roller coaster. I absolutely fell in love with Gwen, Beth, and their families, and I know this book is going to stick with me for a long time.

I will say--if you're looking for a historical romance that is set in a world free from homophobia, I would look elsewhere. Although there is no active homophobia on page, Gwen and Beth do still run a risk in living their lives as their full selves, and have to be careful in creating a situation in which they can spend their lives together, which is a huge part of the plot. But I also wouldn't completely avoid this book because of that. I think it's a beautiful exploration of how queer women could make things work, even when the world wasn't built for them, and I loved to see how accepting everyone in Gwen and Beth's families was.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the advance copy of this book!

3.5/5 Stars

Thank you to Avon for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

I read very few historical romance books, it just isn’t a genre I personally gravitate towards but this one I really enjoyed. This was a sapphic romance that is bridgerton mixed with parent trap which was really fun. I do think there was a few things that could have used a bit more work and explanation but it was a fun time.

Beth has one season to save her and her mother from being forced to live on the streets after her father’s death but when she meets Gwen her whole world gets flipped upside down. When Gwen and Beth realize their parents have a connection they want to help them get together which would in the end allow Gwen and Beth to stay together. Gwen and Beth never realized that the person they would love would be a woman but now that they have found each other they don’t want to say goodbye. They are willing to try anything to be able to continue their relationship but when unexpected influences impact their relationship they both have to decide which matters more, them or their parents.

I do really like Gwen and Beth together, I think their relationship was sweet. I do wish there was a bit more build up before diving fully in but I think it also helped explain some other plot points. I also love their parents together, I loved slowly learning their past and I wish we learned more whether it is a novella or something but I know it would be fiery. I am curious to see how this world continues in the next book as it was heavily hinted at in the epilogue of how Gwen and Beth might find a way to have a permanent happy ending.

I am excited for book 2 and I can’t wait to read Bobby and James’s story in You’re The Problem, It’s You. I would recommend this if your looking for a fun sapphic historical romance.

A book hits the sweet spot for me when there is mutual pining, a little angst, and heartbreak before a happy ever after. I feel like I have been on a journey with Beth and Gwen from their playful sweet first interactions to the emotional heartache and vulnerability that comes with first love. I am dead for a book that puts me through a bit of turmoil before arriving at the happy ever after. I sighed, I swooned, I got a little misty eyed, I laughed, and holy cow my heart felt like it could burst MULTIPLE TIMES while reading this.

Beth is entering her first season and unfortunately due to a deceased father that has left her and her mother at the whims of an uncle and cousin, she desperately needs to marry up to avoid the poor house. Lucky for Beth, she meets Gwen at her first ball who saves Beth from having to entertain unwanted male interest. Instantly they commiserate over the lack of male choice, becoming fast friends who plan to suffer through the season together. It’s at this point that they also realize Beth’s mother and Gwen’s father seem to know each other from their own seasons. Perhaps “parent-trapping” them will solve both girls’ problems and keep Beth from having to marry for a title, and let Gwen keep her friend close by.

But things don’t always go as smoothly as they would seem. This book has primary, secondary AND tertiary love stories—a feat that is amazing for a debut. You will root for Beth and Gwen. You will root for Mother and Father. You will swoon for Mrs. Gilpe and Mrs. Stelm. You will love Albie, and Bobby, and Meredith…what I’m saying is that this book is perfect and I’m already clamoring for the next Emma R. Alban book. It is the swoony sapphic historical you didn’t know you needed and a fantastic way to welcome in the new year.

And the epilogue…I am DYING to see where the next installment of this story will go with Bobby. I received this advanced copy from Avon and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🤺🦪☕🚣👰‍♀️

I recommend this book to everyone. Lesbian, Bi, Gay, Straight, Male, Female, Trans, Non-Binary. EVERYONE. It's a must-read. I think girls who don't realise they're queer yet will know after this book. The way Emma has these two realise they are in love with each other is so beautiful and heartwarming that I cried a lot.

This Parent Trap crossed with Bridgerton sapphic novel is about two girls, Beth and Gwen who meet at the start of the courting season and become fast friends. They find out that Beth's mother and Gwen's father have a history and they team together to try and get them to become an item, only to find themselves falling in love with each other.

Of course, being set in the 1800s, our two girls have many hurdles to overcome. Especially Beth, whose mother is determined that she marries for status and title rather than love, despite Beth trying to get to see reason that she deserves love too. Gwen finds it hard as well, seeing as she already had a reputation with all the debutantes' mothers of being a bad influence, let alone going through everything she is feeling for Beth without a mother. I'm glad she had her housemaids.

There were heartbreaking moments, laughable moments, heart-soaring moments, and moments that made you angry about the society that they lived in. I'm just glad we don't live in that era.

This book seriously is so good. I can't wait for book two.

Thank you to Netgalley, Emma R. Alban, and Avon for a copy of the ebook. This review is left voluntarily.

What got me was the title (because Taylor Swift, duh) but what kept me was the story. It was an enthralling and enjoyable read!

Adult | Historical Romance | Sapphic | Friends to ?

I really wanted to like this book, I got it early in exchange for an honest review. I've read many historical fiction books and watch enough period dramas too, not just in romance. I did fly through the first 20%, but quickly realized what I was in for. This book read really modern for some reason. I felt like the story premise was exciting but the execution was a bit jumbled so I had a hard time keeping names and settings. There was a lot of off scene meet-ups with no explanation that they happened so one chapter two characters can meet, and the next they already know everything about the other person, including their mannerisms. Due to those facts, I had to DNF at about 21%.

I might return to this book later but I'm not excited to continue reading it now.

This is the first historical romance that I've ever read, and I really enjoyed it! I was drawn in because it was a sapphic romance, and I was so invested in all of the relationships in this book.

The main romance between Beth and Gwen was so much fun, but there are also several other sides relationships that add so much to the story. Beth and Gwen become friends when they are both seeking husbands. They are debutantes, and they must attend balls and events to try to find themselves a suitable husband. They find that they have more fun together than they do with any of their potential suitors.

Gwen and Beth also discover that their parents have history too, and they come up with a plan to get them together. I love The Parent Trap, and I watched that movie so many times when I was a kid. The Parent Trap plot was so much fun, and I loved that part of the story.

Beth and Gwen discover that they have feelings for each other, and it leads to an explosive kiss that changes everything for them. The story does have a little steam to it, which I enjoyed.

I really didn't know anything about the Victorian time period, and I feel like I learned a lot. I had so much fun reading this book, and I'm so excited for how it sets up for the next book in the series. I can't wait to read more about Gwen and Beth's relationship.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon books for an ARC of this amazing story.

"Don't Want You Like a Best Friend," is the lesbian period romance you've been waiting for! If you love the works of Lex Croucher and KJ Charles, you will be in good company with Emma R. Alban. It's Bridgerton but gay, missing the problematic tropes common in period romances, and honestly, even better written!