I need more of this series immediately. Beth and Gwen meet at the first ball of the season and become fast friends. They decide to set up their widowed parents in an effort to get out of having to marry themselves. The plan backfires when they fall in love with each other and see no way out.

I love every character in this book. And would read a whole story about Mrs Gilpe and Mrs Stelm… I don’t even mind that it’s supposed to be 1850s and they use modern language and mannerisms because the story was so immersive. The angst made me cry myself

Beth has one season to find a husband but at her first ball she meets Gwen, who is on her fourth season and has no plans to marry. Beth’s mother’s and Gwen’s father’s reaction to each other clues the girls into their parent’s history and a plan hatches to get their parents together. As they spend time together sparks begin to fly between Beth and Gwen, but Beth knows her duty and becomes engaged to a man she feels nothing for. The pair must figure out how they can be together.

I was super excited when Avon sent me an early ARC of this book. I adore the cover and as a Swiftie the Taylor Swift lyric had me intrigued. I was honestly expecting there to be a lot more Taylor Swift references peppered into the book (like Alexandria Bellefleur does so effortlessly), but found maybe one or two unintentional ones, which is likely going to mean some super Swifties are going to pick this book up and feel like the marketing lied to them, and this book deserves better than that. As a Swiftie who isn’t a Gaylor I was honestly glad to find the book wasn’t T.S. / K.K. fan fiction.

I will say I was instantly disappointed when I started the book and found it was written in third person present tense, which is my absolute least favorite tense. It’s clunky, unnatural, difficult to read, and I find it nearly impossible to feel a deep connection with the characters because it feels like everything is bing told instead of shown. It honestly reads like a movie script. In another tense this book would have been one I flew through in a single sitting, but instead it dragged on for days and I was able to very easily set it down even in the midst of the most exciting parts of the book. I get that present tense is “in” at the moment, but third person present is just not an enjoyable reading experience for me.

I did like both Gwen and Beth. I enjoyed their Parent Trap plot and loved that their parents supported the girls in their own ambitions and their relationship together. I am always intrigued by how historical authors of queer romances find a way for the couples to be together. I like how this book resolved that plot point and hinted at a more permanent solution that may appear in future books in the series. I liked that the love scene was on the page and was happy it took place about half way through the book rather than having to wait for the end like in so many books recently. I liked that the characters were messy as it made them feel authentic. The book did use anachronistic language for much of the dialogue which I can see being a major issue with a lot of historical romance purists. As someone who enjoys shows like Dickinson that modernizes period pieces, the casual nature of the language and some modern vocabulary wasn’t a big detractor for me but was noticeable. I am looking forward to seeing where the next book in this series takes us.

Thank you to Avon for the gifted copy and Avon and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“only bought this dress so you can take it off” (i was definitely waiting if there would be a scene that alluded to this line and there was indeed). i can do a whole separate talk on the sapphic coded of taylor swift “dress” but that for a different day.

the book follows gwen and beth trying to their single parent together but also leading to feeling they developed for one and another. the book follows the conflict of sacrifices for etc. overall it was a sweet cute fun read. based off the epilogue im likely to read the next book to see how everything continues to play out.

my only few critiques is there some repetitiveness and i’m just here like “oh here we go again” *roll eyes* so i definitely found myself skimming some sections. also i have no clue why i thought they were like 16 or 17, i’m not sure if just their dialogue or actions. it wasn’t till after the scene i went back to search whether it ever mentioned their age (which i believe 20)

I loved this little Victorian-esque queer romance. It touts a Bridgerton vibe, which is true to some extent, but more so it fits into period piece romance with a lovely queer romance element. And in this case, romance is actual love, not just spice, which I really enjoyed. (FYI, Bridgerton is a lot spicier than this book.) I loved the characters - Beth and Gwen are perfect, Beth's mother is a quiet badass, Gwen's father is a loving, doting, understanding father with his own love story, and I just really enjoyed the world and the friends and the connections. I immediately searched for other books or upcoming books by Emma R. Alban when I finished - I will be on the lookout for more by this author.

This book wasn’t what I expected at any point. I expected more of a rom-com but that likely was misreading/understanding on my part.

I liked a lot about the book: the premise of a sapphic Victorian novel, numerous Taylor references, the fabulous found family with Gwen’s cousins, all the layers to the clothes, wine cellar scene, Mrs. Stelm and Mrs. Gilpe.

I struggled with a few things in this story. I wish the story had as much fun/romantic pining to sad pining (which bogged down my read). I wish the build up to Gwen and Beth getting together was a little more. I wasn’t as invested in them as I wanted to be when it happened. Honestly, the story of the girls parents was so interesting and I was so invested I would have almost rather read that story. Keeping track of everyone and all the titles was tricky. Also, the parent trap aspect of this romance really lost me a bit, it felt weird especially with how the book ended…

I wanted to love this, it was cute but nothing fantastic.

A wonderful debut novel that gives readers exactly what they want-a good dose of angst, intimacy, and wholesome young love! Alban does a beautiful job of conveying the tumultuous, intense, and terrifying yet beautiful feelings that come with first love and coming to terms with your sexuality. The pacing feels a bit rushed as the initial first kiss and their first ~intimate~ scene did catch me a bit off guard. However, I also appreciate that many historical romances have such a slow build with almost too much yearning and this felt much more truthful to the whiplash of young romances (especially considering Gwen and Beth are not teenagers). I appreciated that while there was some realistic elements of what it was like for queer people at the time, there were lots of supportive and acceptive family, friends, and an older, happy queer couple as a model. There is enough homophobia and queer tragedy in real life and Alban was able to provide some historically accurate queer representation while also keeping the story light enough to still be a very fun read. The setup for the next book in this series was perfect and I can't wait to read it too!

I thought this was a delight for Emma R. Alban’s debut novel. This new adult historical romance is told in dual third-person limited, present-tense POV of Beth and Gwen. Beth’s father passed, leaving her and her mother without any money so they must secure a husband for Beth before the season is over so they can secure housing and protection in society. Gwen’s father has made a name for himself as a bit of a rake in society, and doesn’t mind that Gwen is on her third or fourth season without properly securing an engagement. After Gwen and Beth meet, they strike up a friendship and realize their parents shared an elusive past, and they hope to get them together to avoid having to be in society to find a husband again. They both harbor romantic feelings for the other, and must contend with a society that will not allow them to marry.

I do wish the build up to the actual steamy scenes had a bit more tension, longing, and angst because it felt like it came out of nowhere in the first scene that they kissed. I absolutely believed that Gwen and Beth cared for each other as friends, but I would have really enjoyed a few more moments of longing looks that lasted a bit too long to be “friendly,” or a few more brush of their hands and having the young women feel a bit flustered. A few more scenes of both characters questioning their feelings towards the other would have helped me to know that the kiss was coming, and that their relationship was building up towards this! I did believe the connection towards the end, but I felt like Beth’s feelings especially could have been more fleshed out.

Regarding the subplots of the bill being voted on and the parents getting to know each other again/their second chance romance, I thought it was intriguing enough but it sometimes felt a bit disjointed or out of place. Overall, I had an entertaining enough time and I will continue the series of interconnected standalone romances!

steam rating: 2/5

representation: while there are queer couples, the entire cast is white

cw: sexism, misogyny, intimate partner violence and emotional abuse (past, described, off-page), death of a parent, society is not affirming or open regarding queer couples so we do meet a couple who must remain *discreet* though they are life partners

What a debut!! It reminds me of why I always love trying debuts. I found a new favorite author. I loved the writing, the characters, ADORED the plot oh my god. I am so so happy and thankful I got to read this early. Sapphic masterpiece.

I feel like this got really bogged down in the middle but overall I feel like it delivered on the premise and I had a pretty good time reading it!

“For centuries, and eons, and epochs” will this book stay with me…
This sapphic historical romance is a stunning debut. It was everything that I could have ever hoped for. The pining and desperately waiting… oh wait. Taylor Swift didn’t write this, but I know miss thing would be so proud of this book. It is the MOST Dress coded book I’ve ever read. Not just because of the title, but because of who Gwen and Beth are. I have not stopped thinking about this book and I never will. I think that Alban perfectly captures what sapphic longing feels like. And how timeless it is. This book is so soft, embodies so much queer joy and love. I am so emotional about Gwen and Beth.

this was so taylor swift coded!!

from the title alone i knew i would love it and i did!

thank you netgalley for the e-arc!

Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend is a sapphic regency romance where our two main characters, Beth and Gwen, hatch up a plan to set their parents up so they can have a second chance at happiness and end up falling in love in the process. This was an absolute joy to read. The relationship between Beth and Gwen felt so real and raw and was scattered with very real issues that came with being a lesbian who needed to marry in regency England. The relationship between the parents was also well fleshed out and beautifully done, I felt so bad for Beth’s mom and was immediately charmed by Gwen’s dad. While we mainly follow Beth and Gwen as they meddle and develop feelings, we also see some incredible developments from side characters. The parental relationships both girls have are so important to the story and so wonderful to see, the cousins add some hilarious banter, and the maids are a heartwarming surprise.

The only real critique I have is that it got a bit repetitive and lulled a little in the middle. Nonetheless, this was an incredibly enjoyable read and I cannot wait to see these characters again in the sequel!

Thank you netgalley for the e-arc <3

How dare this book make me cry at work. And during the sex scene no less! So beautiful, so heartbreaking, I loved it. This was the perfect mix of silly and sweet and yearning and magic. Not literal magic, but it felt magical. Even though sometimes I wanted to whack the characters, I still wanted to hug them throughout.

Wow, what a wonderful sapphic regency romance story!!

Beth and Gwen are so cute. Their love is swoon worthy! I was giggling and kicking my feet so many times during this book. I’m so glad they were able to find their happy ending.

I loved the meddling in trying to get their parents to date! That made for some very funny but also heartbreaking moments.

The way intimacy was described between Gwen and Beth took my breath away. The way their lovemaking is described makes the reader yearn for that kind of love and affection.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review!

This book was absolutely one of my favorite reads of the year. A queer bridgerton-esque romance book with a Taylor swift lyric for a title? I’m on my knees. I really enjoyed the progression of the storyline, and how the author was able to continue the “drama” without sacrificing the values of the characters. This entire book felt like queer yearning to me. 5/5 stars!

This was FUN. Regency romance with friends to lovers, yearning sapphics, a bit of debauchery, and incompetent parent trap scheming - what's not to love? Strongly recommend!

There may be some small element of disbelief that the main characters go from "what even is a lesbian" to sleeping together in approximately 2 chapters, but even that doesn't detract from the fun.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher who provided a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

What an absolutely fantastic debut novel. The ballgowns, the banter, the emotions, the longing. I cried, I laughed, and I cried some more. I stayed up all night to read this book and it was well worth it.

The only downside I would say is that it was difficult to keep up with the present tense. It's such a unique choice, to write an entire novel in the present tense, and I couldn't help but feel as if it was more of a roleplay than a novel at some points. However, the depth of the character relationships and the overarching theme of queer visibility overshadowed the awkward tense.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

An incredibly charming and lovely read that feels like a warm hug. I loved it so much! The writing is very easy to follow and the characters are so lovable. Highly recommend and I will be reading anything else Emma puts out.

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend is a pretty great debut, all things considered! When it shines, it does so spectacularly - the sum of Gwen and Beth's relationship, ups and downs included, is really fantastic. The banter, the slow burn; it hits at every moment. And letting Mrs. Gilpe and Mrs. Stelm serve as aspirational fairy godmothers for Gwen is an inspired choice.

It's also nice to see such a robust Father/Daughter relationship here. That's not something I see a lot of in even contemporary sapphic romances, so to show it here is really special.

The cons, so to speak, were more like debut growing pains. The book felt long, and really dragged towards the end. And there were way too many side characters without any differentiating characteristics. Albie and Meredith became fantastic characters, but it took two-thirds of the book to be able to tell them apart.

All in all, it's a great debut and one I really enjoyed. If the epilogue is truly setting up the sequel, I can't wait. 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon, and Emma R. Alban for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! It’s such a cute read that’s reminiscent of The Parent Trap, which I loved as a kid. It follows Beth and Gwen as they meet during Beth’s first season. When they meet, they realize that their parents - Beth’s mom and Gwen’s dad - have some kind of relationship and they want to understand more about it… And get them back together! The romance between them is also super sweet. The book is fun, entertaining, and beautifully written and fans of historical reads and sapphic books will love it. Be sure to check it out! It feels very modern, so readers new to the genre will also really enjoy it.