This one wasn't as good as Don't Want You Like a Best Friend. The main characters, conflict, and villains were just not as well written as the first in this series. This one didn't measure up for me. Sadly, the concept and message were better than the execution.

DNF at 30%

This is such a bummer because I loved Don't Want You Like a Best Friend, but I am just not having a good time reading this one. Maybe I'm just not meant for hate-to-love, but it just feels so mean? The very, very few times Bobby and James have had a moment up to this point, it's been quickly interrupted by one of them saying something rude, Beth and Gwen seem to always be arguing, and I'm just not having fun. Also, this villain makes my skin crawl, and I don't even like villains in romance to begin with. Maybe I'm the problem, but I think I'm going to just let the epilogue of speak for itself and consider it a standalone

This is my second 'the highly anticipated sequel isn't quite as good as the first' review in just a few days. It's still quite good, but I Loooooooved Don't Want you like a Best Friend and it was everything I want in a romance, so finding that this one didn't really deliver that was a letdown.

The biggest problem here is the miscommunication and lack of communication. Bobby and James can't get through a sentence before they devolve into hurling insults at each other. Jame repeatedly runs away (literally) at the first sign of danger.

Now, the running away I can forgive because James has some serious PTSD going on from his Stepfather's bullying. But it also made him very frustrating as a character. When he finally did manage to stand his ground and stand up for himself though, that was very satisfying.

They also go from enemies to friends to "in love" very quickly. Gwen and Beth were more convincing as a couple because less time was spent on miscommunication and more on developing their bond.

I did enjoy how everything resolved and how they were able to find a solution to their problems. And how much support they found from their extended circle. That was amazing.

Still. It could have done with cutting some of the beginning miscommunication and spending more time on developing their feelings for each other. It would have made the payoff at the end feel more satisfying and earned.

*Thanks to Avon for providing an early copy for review.

While I loved the sweet sexual awakenings of the first book, the angsty established queerness of this one was DELICIOUS. James is so concerned about image, while still hesitantly exploring his options as a queer man when he is thrust into this world of being a viscount that he never expected to be a part of. Meanwhile Bobby is struggling with the lack of clear purpose that comes with being a second son. The two end up at each others throats, even if they both angstily notice the other's attractiveness before it comes to head with a frustrated and flustered kiss. I loved watching these two dance around each other, from not being able to stand each other, to a tentative friendship, to being romantically involved.

Like the last book, I *adored* the found family aspect. Watching both James and Bobby find purpose and place in this little motley group of friends (them, Beth, Gwen, Albert and Meredith) highlighted how the communities you surround yourself with can make or break one's happiness. The ending in particular was SUCH a sweet wrap up.

Perfect for fans of enemies to lovers, found family, and historical romances.

I really liked this book. It was quite slow for me personally. The chapters were also a bit longer than I would prefer making the book feel even slower. But I loved the banter between the characters and I love that everyone got their happy ending. I don't know if I'd recommend it. But it is a sweet read.

3 stars.

I really enjoyed the first book in Mischief & Matchmaking but I’m kind of disappointed by this one. The romance wasn’t written as well as the first, they just suddenly become head over heels for each other after randomly kissing. There was barely any time spent on getting to know the new side characters and we hardly saw James getting to know Beth and Gwen, especially Gwen. I wish Beth and Gwen was in it more and the book actually showing them actively trying to play matchmaker for Bobby and James.

I did not like James, he really annoyed me. He was rude and judgmental so often and most of it was just brushed off without addressing it. His character arc was also done poorly. James also near constantly refused to take accountability for his own actions and behavior, blaming everything on others. It’s always his stepfather’s fault, Ravenson’s fault, society’s fault, never James’s own fault for how he behaves or treats others. The one thing he did try to take accountability for all the other characters wouldn’t let him, saying it wasn’t his fault. It was so frustrating.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. I thought this book was alright. The romance was missing and I didnt like the two main leads. The side characters were great though!

Bobby and James... what were y'all doing?! But also, I love them. Crush (one-sided) to enemies to friends to lovers. The journey these two went on to find one another in the chaos, I loved it. I had read the first book in the series, and while this can be read as a standalone, it's a lot easier to understand the family dynamics and characters if you've read Don't Want You Like a Best Friend. Highly recommend if you enjoy historical romance with some spice. Also, a bit of a slow burn, but it was worth it to see how they finally accepted their love. Third act breakup happens as well, so fair warning!

*I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Author Emma R. Alban has created a Victorian gay romance involving a young Lord and a handsome sort of rich kid. They hate each other, then they don't. Sound familiar? The trick here is that the author sets the story among nobility in a Victorian age. Her challenge is to make it all believable. I'd say she does. The beginning of the novel was rocky for me, and the epilogue unnecessary. But the heart of the novel is delightful. Who knew gays could get married way back then?
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Very cute and full of all the fluff that I needed right now. I absolutely had such a blast and it filled my heart so much. After reading the first book I was foaming at the mouth to read this following book! Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this arc

You’re The Problem, It’s You is the perfect Bridgerton like book to read after having a long binging sesh.

That being said, I had a fun time reading this book! The beautiful historic setting, and whimsical(Historic) writing really kept me wanting to read more. It was compelling, intriguing, and filled with angst and acceptance.

Being able to follow each individual character, and their own journey was a lovely experience. Through the found family and unique friendships, I adored it. Especially during the drama, and the palpable tension. I absolutely ate it up.

Now, while there a lot of things I absolutely adored about this book, there were a few things that I did not love.
-The Miscommunication trope. In general, I don’t usually love reading this trope. So when it came up, I had a hard time finding myself enjoy those specific aspects. The way that James and Bobby sometimes avoided and danced around each other really had me punching the air. While I love them both dearly, please communicate, I beg.
-Insta-love. I had a hard time empathizing with this storyline(if that makes sense). I am a lover of the slow-burn, enemies to lovers kind of tropes. Therefore, when James and Bobby changed up their opinions on each other so quickly, I was a little confused. I felt that this went a little too fast for my liking, and would have loved to see some of their pining and decision making in this aspect go on for a little longer.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this story full of growth, trust, and love. Being able to see both characters grow alone, and with each other was a wonderful experience.

Thank you so much to Netgally, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Emma R. Alban for a chance to experience this wonderful story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

What a fantastic book this was. I was a little weary going in, because I am not typically one for historical romances, but I was so very surprised with this one. It was superbly written, the characters were all well rounded and people I could root for and the main romance between James and Bobby was beautiful, along with Beth and Gwen’s continued romance.

There was just the right amount of smut here, too. Sometimes, it’s not enough and other times it’s too much so this was absolutely perfectly done with the right amount to convey James and Bobby’s heated bond but not being gratuitous with it.

I was very surprised that this ended up being a 5 star read for me, but I am glad it was. I’ve been telling everyone about this book and letting them know when it releases later this month.

This queer regency era book was so cute. I loved the POV from both men's perspective. I loved how they resolved things so they could be together in an era that it was illegal for the two men to be together. They even have to deal with black mail but I love that the families come to support them no matter what

after having a lack of bridgerton content to consume this was the perfect book to pick up and fill that hole again, this was such a fun read! this sequel was a bit better/stronger than the first book and the characters felt a bit more easier to feel invested in but it still felt like something was missing at times. overall this was a fun read, with fun characters and quick to get through!

I’ve realised this author is simply not for me. I DNF’d the first book and had requested this one before I’d even read that one, but now this one is a DNF too.

I find the characters one dimensional and the conversations between them painfully dull.

I really liked the enemies aspect of this building enemies to lovers romance but I found myself too frustrated with everything else going on that just wasn’t working for me.

I don’t think these are bad books though, just not for me!

I really enjoyed this book! I felt the pacing was better in this one than the first book.
It was filled with angst and tension that made me want to keep turning the pages.
I really felt for James, he was so alone in the beginning. But I loved seeing him come out of his shell, start to trust people and truly find the place he belonged.
I loved the ending! I think it wrapped up the duology beautifully!

I requested this book as I was reading the first in this series. Unfortunately, I feel the same as I did in the first book- the pacing was slow and the characters weren’t lovable like I wished they were.

I loved the first in this series, and this one did not disappoint. Bobby and James were sweet and fun! And I’ll read anything with a title related to Taylor Swift!

I love the authors writing even though historical romance is not my favorite. It is nice to change it up!

Thanks to Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

Of course, OF COURSE I grabbed a book that is second in a duology, but this is a genre I absolutely adore so I snapped it up. While having read the first book would definitely increase your enjoyment of this one, it's not necessary to be able to follow the story or appreciate the plot. There's a good deal of drama, but the super sweet ending more than makes up for it. Solid recommendation for any fans of the genre!

For sensitive readers, there are depictions of child abuse, abusive relationships, sexual assault, and homophobia.

I didn't realize when I started this book that it was the second in a series, and honestly, I was quite confused about what happened in book one, and that took away from some of my enjoyment. I also didn't know how to pronounce Lord Demeroven's name (a little thing, but it irked me). Overall it was a very light-hearted book with a minimum of angst, which I found surprising for the time period. But the characters were fun to spend time with, and I enjoyed seeing how they would work things out. I did think the ending was a bit rushed, though.