A warm sapphic Victorian romance that'll have you swooning! Perfect setup for another couple in the book for the next one! A wonderful addition to historical romance!

A sapphic Bridgerton with less spice, this book had me captivated from start to finish. Beth starts out her first season with a mother out of mourning and a desperate need for funds. Her first ball begins with overly-forward elderly men and the saving grace, Gwen, a cyclone of fiery independence who fences with her father, Lord Havenfort, in her free time. It isn’t till the two’s parents meet that a parent trap is hatched. This scheme turns into misplaced croquet mallets, wayward hoop dresses, and not-so-secretive set-ups. This romance starts with friendship and turns into something that never dared be mentioned in the Victorian Era. Even if sapphic romance isn’t your thing, “Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend” has an HEA for everyone. I’m already swooning over the next book to come and this one isn’t officially released yet!

My biggest critique is the pacing during the climax. It went so much slower than the rest of the book, days dragging rather than weeks. It felt like too much was happening in that short time rather than cutting to the most important parts. Even with this time being prolonged, you really got to feel each character’s emotions and personality shine through.

-Dual POV
- Independent FMCs
-Scandal and Forbidden
-Friends to Lovers
-Social/Political Strife
4/5 Stars

There are no words for how obsessed I am with this book. No words! The moment I heard about this book I knew I needed it, and now that I have it I was not disappointed. It was everything, and I am seriously obsessed. For starters, I loved every single character (expect Lord Ashmond, obviously). Every single one had so much heart and jumped off the page at me. From Lord Havenfort and Lady Demeroven to Albie and Meredith to Mrs. Gilpe and Mrs. Stelm, there were fantastic characters and cute romance abound. I even sort of liked Lord Montson. Of course, Beth and Gwen were the stars of the show. I loved everything about both of them: Beth, with her undying, self sacrificing love of her mother and her brilliant mind and quick wit; and Gwen, with her chaotic, joking nature and extreme loyalty and unending kindness to those she loves. On their own, they were amazing. Together, they were something words cannot describe. They had so much chemistry from the very first meeting. As friends they were joined at the hip, always laughing and scheming. As a couple, they were so sweet yet passionate, never once questioning their feelings. Of course, there was still plenty of angst that made for an emotional rollercoaster. All in all, an amazing romance. I also enjoyed the rest of the plot. There was fantastic humor as Gwen and Beth tried to set their parents up, and great drama. I also liked the inclusion of the historical politics. As for the ending, it was as close to a happily ever after as possible, and left a clear opening for a second book that I need as soon as possible. Overall, I highly recommend this book!

this was one of my most anticipated 2024 releases and i was absolutely right to be excited. this book is a stunning historical romance, with a realistic but still happy ending. i loved beth and gwen's love story so much and was really rooting for them throughout the whole book, but what surprised me the most was how badly i wanted their parents to end up together as well. the side characters were also lovable (except lord ashmond, he was the WORST) and you couldn't help but root for them as well. this was a stunning debut novel and i cannot wait to see what the author writes next.

Everybody stop what you are doing and write this pub date in your calendars. If you like regency era London, romance, and best friends to lovers you are in for a TREAT. I read this novel in one day, I absolutely could not put it down. I was enraptured by Gwen and Beth, how the friendship this built morphed into something so gorgeous. I also adored how parts of the story felt like reading a gossip column in 1800s London. Something about the word choice and voice of Alban made me unable to put this down. I also wanted to say that the political subplot was smart and am so glad there was depth and consideration given to each and every character introduced. I can’t wait to discuss this book with my friends after they’ve read it. I need a physical copy IMMEDIATELY for my shelf.

I confess -- this is the first WLW historical romance I can remember in which I was conscious of how difficult it would be to have physical contact around the immense obstacle of fashionable attire. Well-paced, and a good job with both presenting obstacles to their happily ever after, but also a path to resolution that logically followed the established story parameters.

I knew when I saw the premise of this one I had to read it! I love romance with some match making thrown in. I was happy that I loved it as much as I expected to. I couldn't put it down!

I really liked Gwen and Beth! I have a soft spot for stories where people become friends before realizing their sexuality and discover it because they fall for each other. This was an interesting twist on that story because questioning sexuality wasn't spoken of at the time particularly to young women.
I also enjoyed that both parents had a close relationship with their daughters.

Additionally, I really enjoyed the discussion of the marriage act. I am always interested to learn about historical politics though reading romance. However, it was very relevant to the story so I don't think readers who don't like politics in their romance will feel overwhelmed by it.

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend is adorable and if you like historical romance you should give it a try! I cannot wait for the sequel. It sounds like Gwen and Beth have another scheme in mind!

Historic romances are some of the purest love stories. I enjoyed the friendships to lovers element between Gwen and Beth. I, also enjoyed that the relationship was able to develop and not being an immediate instant love. The parents are also a real joy in the story. Overall I enjoyed it.

Let me just say wow. I think this is one of my favorite reads of this year. I, like many, loved Bridgerton when the show came out and have read 2 of the books so far ( I know, I'm slacking). But if I'm being honest the Taylor Swift lyric title was what caught my initial interest and why I requested the ARC. With it being set in the 1800s there obviously was a lack of actual Taylor Swift. But nevertheless, this book was fantastic.

I loved getting to see these women fall in love with each other and discover that they had feelings for each other, and also what that may look like in this world that they live in (because we all know gay people have always existed, so it's great getting to read what their relationships may actually have looked like). I also loved that things weren't perfect from the start and they didn't just instantly get together and damned be Beth's prior engagement, they actually worked to make their lives together happen. I loved the struggle and the constant fear that "will they make this work!?" kept you on the edge of your seat and reading until the last page!

I also loved the snippet into the next book and I was SO hoping that the girls would find two gay men to "marry" and continue the rouse. Plus it makes me excited for the next book knowing the our favorite characters from this story will still be around so we can see their lives (and little ones).

Majorly obsessed with the characters and the plot. It’s like Bridgerton + the Parent Trap but queer 👏🏼🏳️‍🌈, PLUS a Taylor Swift reverence in the title? What more could you want?

My only complaint would be that it was written in present tense and it made it sound clunky in my opinion? Just a personal preference: “Mother leans in to kiss Beth’s cheek before stepping around her and off to gather with her society friends”.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of this book!

This book lived up to all my expectations! Emma did a wonderful job weaving our main characters Beth and Gwen from strangers to friends to lovers without rushing any one of those steps. They built a strong foundation of friendship before realizing they had feelings for one another (and that scene of realization is my favorite scene in the entire book!).
I also absolutely LOVED how Mrs. Stelm and Mrs. Gilpe we’re role models for Gwen their scenes comforting her were some of my favs!
If you want a book with pining, secret hand holding, meddling parent-trapping, Taylor Swift references, and garden make out sessions this is the perfect sapphic romance for you!

First, the title is perfect since it references one of Taylor Swift’s best songs. Second, who doesn’t want to read a sapphic, Victorian, friends-to-lovers romance? Gwen and Beth are best friends that do not want to be married off to some man. Ladies, I’m with you on that. To try and delay the inevitable, they hatch a plan to get their parents together. And of course in the middle of their scheming, they fall for each other. This was a cute read and though some parts of the book were a bit slow for me, I did enjoy it. Gwen and Beth are very sweet together, though messy, but in the best way. I adored Gwen’s dad and how supportive of Gwen he was. If you’re a fan of historic romance, The Parent Trap, and friends-to-lovers, then definitely check this book out.

I received an ARC from Avon and Harper Voyager through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First time reading a novel by Emma R. Alban and have been looking forward to this book all year! Kept seeing her name pop up on reading lists and libraries. Based on the cover and the obviously referenced Taylor Swift lyric in the title, lead me to wanting to read this book. A sapphic regency romance novel!? SIGN ME UP!!! This book was such a delight to read and the characters with glowing. I never wanted this book to end! Also, the Taylor references were *CHEFS KISS*

Everyone go read this book!!!!

4.5 stars rounded up.

This was an absolutely delightful queer romance that delivered on its selling point. It absolutely is a queer Bridgerton parent trap, filling a large hole in the romance section I didn’t realize was there until now.

It’s sweet and funny and a little bit steamy. A true gem.

This is a delightful sapphic debut and I’m so glad I was given early access!

Gwen and Beth are both so easy to root for. I am absolutely enamored by the parent trap portions of this friends to lovers plot. (The setup of the single parents with a history made for such a fun and different story!)

In addition to the difficulties presented for queer couples in this setting and time, there were other political elements of the era that made the story believable and interesting.

I would have loved more of a look inside of the Lord and Lady’s heads because this really did feel like a double love story to me. I wouldn’t mind another book to flesh out their past in a prequel or something! ♥️

i really really loved this book. i feel like all the little tropes were exactly what i wanted out of this book and the budding relationship between the main couple was so realistic. i feel like every queer girl has been in their shoes (or some modernized version of them at least) at some point in their lives. emma alban has made such a fun, juicy, emotional story and the set up for the next book has me soooo excited for the next one.

4.5 stars and i will absolutely be longing for the next one

Immediately I was drawn to this book by the Taylor Swift reference in the title, and the beautiful illustrated cover. This book was everything I wanted and more! A lesbian romance set loosely around regency era England, with friends-to-lovers and mutual pining between the love interests, as well as their parents. I adored Beth and Gwen’s romance so very much, in addition to the way their parents past relationship paralleled it throughout. The writing was engaging and witty, and thoroughly enjoyable! I will be thinking about this book for weeks, and certainly will be recommending it in the future!

ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE! This is the kind of book that squeezes your heart in the best way. What a fantastic debut novel!

This book did a good job of bringing a sapphic vibe to a heavily-written-about time period. A light read with likable characters.

Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend is the historical romance that wlw people have yearned for since the hype of Bridgerton. It is young women being who they are without the notions of men getting in the way. Just a genuinely fantastic story for anyone who wants to dip their toes into a historical romance.