Absolutely adored this historical queer romance!

Historical romances are not always my thing but they are having such a resurgence due to Bridgerton and this book gave me all of those fun feelings of being at the ton but made it more realistic by having two eligible women fall for each other instead of fighting for husbands!

This was such a cute and a little bit angsty read. The plot was giving The Parent Trap, which I loved. I was incredibly invested in not only the main characters love story but also the side characters.

Beth and Gwen had a very sweet connection. I love that everything worked out for them. I was very curious how the story would wrap up. Their plan was actually pretty genius for the times and I loved how much support they seemed to have.

My only real con was the pacing was pretty slow for most of the book, then really fast right at the end, leaving some plot points feeling rushed. I still enjoyed it and will definitely read the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley & Avon for this ARC to read! :)

This cover drew me in from the get-go and I stayed for the story. I needed a historical romance fix and this was such a fun read! I loved the friendship and the banter between the two MCs and loved the opportunity to read more queer historical fiction romance. :)

There were definitely some parts where I wish we had more of an opportunity to have more tension-filled moments which is something I always love in a historical romance, but I'm eager to read more from this author. :)

This is exactly the historical funny but angsty mutual pining romance I wanted. Perfect thing to pick up after/while binging Bridgerton.
This book made me cry? Like, over the romance, not some really sad subplot. What the hell lol.
One star off just because it got a bit repetitive, and all the drinking was a bit much (clearly intentionally, I think?). But overall highly recommend — I loved it.
Thanks to Netgalley for the earc! It’s out now, and I will absolutely be immediately reading the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been drawn to historical romances lately and was excited to read Don't Want You Like a Best Friend. While it was a fun read it left me wanting more. It took about 20% into the book for it to fully capture my attention but then it felt my attention cutting in and out several times after that. This was partly because it read a bit too contemporary for a historical romance. And I think when Beth and Gwen realized they liked each other romantically, it automatically went to “I love you” and I wish that transition was more fleshed out than that.

I will say that I loved the cast of supporting characters and honestly wish we got a full story about the parents and their history and more of Meredith, she was a real scene stealer for me!

Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban is a sweet and steamy sapphic romance set in the Victorian era.

As a queer woman who is a huge fan of regency romance novels, I was head-over-heels excited to read Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend. But, I was also a little apprehensive. I like my romances to feature a HEA (see: happily ever after). I was a little nervous about how that was going to happen for two young women out in society during that time…

And – not to spoil anything! – but I think the way this was handled in Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend was perfect. The romance between Gwen and Beth gave me everything I could have hoped for and more. The move from ‘close confidants’ to ‘wanting something more but knowing they can’t have it’ to ‘going for it anyways’ was done so well. 😍 The Victorian setting created a fitting backdrop for such juicy pinning and angst. (Look, every romance needs a little angst.)

While this book was a little slow to start, once the romance and the rest of the cast of characters were introduced, it really picked up speed. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the second-chance romance between their parents. The way the ending of this book set up its sequel, You’re the Problem, It’s You, fit well and made me quite excited to check it out.

Thank you to the publisher, Avon and Harper Voyager/HarperCollins Canada, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

a sweet sweet book, genuinely one of the best sapphic historical romances i've ever read. i am emotionally wrecked, so naturally i found it to be an absolute delight! very excited to continue this series.

Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

We need more F/F Historicals! We get not one but TWO amazing love stories; one between Beth and Gwen, and another between the Beth’s mom and Gwen’s dad, who they are trying to set up! I absolutely loved the Parent Trap vibes of this book, and the sapphic twist makes it even better. The soft, quiet moments between Beth and Gwen are stunning because not only do they establish their deep friendship, but they also make them (and us!) see there’s something more going on between them. Of course, when Beth and Gwen AND their parents get their HEAs, it made the ending that much sweeter!

This was a perfect pairing after watching the latest season of Bridgerton. I adored this book so much!

This book is the perfect read for fans of Bridgerton who desperately want Eloise to end up with a woman. I felt hat the relationship between our two main characters was done so well while still staying true to the time period that the story was set it. That being said it did have me screaming at the book to please change certain things because the author definitely knows how to pull on our heartstrings. Overall this book was so well written, fun, and heart wrenching to read all at once.

A historical romp with Parent Trap meets Taylor Swift vibes, with a light voice that's perfect for readers who aren't sure if histrom is right for them.

**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an E-ARC of this book. This is my honest review**

Solid 3.5 star read

Beth and Gwen aren't interested in marriage but must meet expectations of their station and find husbands, unless they can respark their widowed parents young romance and give them a second chance at happiness. In the course of their hijinks, they find sparks flying unexpectedly between themselves. Can they find a way to be happy amidst the pressures of their society and money troubles?

This sweet, dash of spicy, sapphic romance met my expectations of a parent trap inspired story. The present tense writing was a bit difficult to get into at first and sometimes pulled me out. I wouldn't say it was heavy on the regency vibes as some books I've read, but regency inspired. I did love that there was a side-romance within the plot of the girls parents and their second chance romance.

While reading nothing stood out as terribly annoying. Reflecting on the story after, its obvious both our heroines are young and a little naive. I didn't feel as connected to their romance as I did their parents. I appreciated the conflict and Beth's reflection on needing to find a husband/her lackluster feelings towards him.

There's a nice set up for a MM romance potential in the second book and a chance for our heroines to be more independent if it's successful.

If you're a diehard regency romance reader, this may not hit the spot for you. But it was a fun, regency inspired, sapphic romance that I would pick up from my library for sure.

Loved it! Finally a Regency romantic comedy starring a sapphic couple. This one was so sweet and made me realize what people see in Jane Austen’s books.

We have to talk. mostly about how I was supposed to read this at the beginning of January and pushed it off for months. For some reason I believed I wouldn't enjoy this and therefore pushed off reading it until I could get my hands on the audiobook. Imagine my regret when my sister picked it up from a random list of books I need to read and then I actually had a fun time. The plot isn't what I was expecting but I enjoyed it, and now I'm impatiently waiting for the sequel to come out.

P.S. I recommend the audiobook it was really well done and made the whole reading experience feel fun.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In attempts to get their parents into a romantic relationship, our two main characters fall for each other.

I DNF'd this book at 40%. As much as I really enjoyed the premise of the book and the personalities of the characters, it struggled to keep my attention. I really enjoyed the writing, but for some reason, I was not able to invest in the romance or the story. I think it may have been the fact that there wasn't enough tension between the two love interests. Additionally, the mystery element of why their parents did not speak to each other anymore did not last long. Although I did DNF it, I would still recommend who likes a slow burn sapphic romance.

This was such a delight! The sapphic parent trap historical romance I never knew I needed. The third act dragged a bit for me, but I loved the writing and both of the romances, so can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I thought this book was very fun! I always enjoy a funny historical romance, and this book was no exception. The characters were charming and I loved the Parent Trap vibes. Unfortunately I did find the romance between the mom and the dad a little more entertaining for most of the book as I just felt like they had more obvious chemistry happening on page and I didn't feel that as much with Gwen and Beth. The supporting characters in the book were also fantastic. I loved Albie and Meredith and Bobby so much. What great friends.

I'm glad I came across this and decided to give it a chance. It was lovely.

✨ Review ✨ Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

Thanks to Avon and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

This one had a lot of potential - a f/f Parent Trap style regency rom com that breaks some regency rules - I was sold! But the execution didn't really do it for me. I didn't really feel a lot of romantic chemistry between the two main characters and I was more invested in them getting their parents together than in their own relationship. I felt a little bored by 1/3 in and I should have listened to my instincts and quit reading 😬

The ahistorical components didn't really bother me (think Lex Croucher Trouble/Reputation type of ahistorical regency writing), but the pacing and chemistry just didn't do it for me.

⭐️⭐️💫 (2.5)
Genre: f/f historical romance
Setting: London ton
Reminds me of: Lex Croucher's YA regency writing
Pub Date: 09 Jan 2024

Did I read this book because the title was a Taylor Swift lyric? Yes, I did. Was it worthy of said title? Yes, it was.

This book was utterly charming and original whist scratching all the classic historical romance itches

I have been wanting to dip my toe into historical fiction for awhile now. What better way than to start with a sapphic one?
I feel like queer historical fiction is having a moment right now, & I want to be apart of it.

The tension! I lived for the swoon worth tension between Beth & Gwen. I am a character driven reader, & I was easily invested in every single character.

I loved the social commentary about being gay in that time.

Thank you for the ARC!