You're the Problem picks up where the final scene of Don't Want You Like a Best Friend leaves off, but from the perspective of Bobby Mason, a side character from the first story that is also gay. At the beginning of the story, he’s feeling disconnected from his brother and sister-in-law due to his brother taking over the family title and sister-in-law facing a difficult pregnancy in the country. Beth’s cousin, James, has also come to town after inheriting the viscount title from her father. Beth and Gwen start scheming to set up Bobby and James after seeing the looks between the two at the first ball of the season, but things don’t go quite as planned when their very different personalities, backgrounds, and values collide.

When compared to the first book, I did enjoy this one more. There was more relationship buildup and a lot more spice. I also felt like the stakes were higher with the final solution being less obvious (from the character's perspective). However, it was very difficult for me to sympathize with James’s actions and frankly horrible personality for 80% of the story. I think being around Bobby’s family throughout the first book helped me sympathize with him more, even when I thought he was being stupid. James was just downright mean at times. This story also suffers from a similar issue as the first. The romantic feelings appear at the flip of a switch. Besides the sudden change, I enjoyed James's character growth and the relationship building for the polycule, not just the main couple of this story. The ending was very cute and sweet and just what I wanted for our 4 LGBTQ characters.

A good follow up to Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend, and a good Victorian era romance. I really enjoyed the relationship between Bobby and James for the most part, but I did find that it got frustrating at times. I actually love miscommunication in books because it causes tension and tension moves the story along, but at some point it becomes repetitive, and that happened here. It got to the point I felt it was keeping me from seeing them ever truly bond, which was a bit of a bummer. This also impacted my opinion on the pacing of the book. I felt it started slow, then was going ok, and then got choppy as it went back and forth over and over again. Overall, I did enjoy this but I had some large opinions. I’d still recommend it and I’m really happy to see that we have books with this kind of representation. I also found the intimacy was done well and the rep was handled well. I’m still going to purchase a physical copy for my personal collection and I’m interested in reading further work from this author, so overall I would rate this 3.5 stars.

I want to start off by saying I think I would have enjoyed this one a lot more if I had realized up front that it was the second book in a series. I thought maybe they were supposed to be interconnected stand-alones, but there was definitely a lot I missed out on from the first book in terms of the world bulding and character relations. This made the pacing of the novel a bit slow for me, and it took me a bit to get into the story.

Once I was able to get into the story, I did enjoy it! We follow Bobby and James, who desperately want to find where they belong in their society. James struggles to step up to the responsibilities he has in parliament while living in the shadow of his stepfather. Bobby struggles to find a name for himself as the second son in his family. While initially Bobby and James thought they could bond and become friends, some miscommunication makes them rivals. Thankfully, their cousins Gwen and Beth see what they are pretending not to and not so subtly force them together again and again.

Quickly, the quad became inseparable and realized together, they can take on pressures of society and find their happily ever afters.

Definitely check this one out if you enjoy:
Historical Romance
Dual POV
Rivals to friends to lovers
Found Family
Meddling matchmaking

Thank you, Netgalley, for an eARC of this novel in exchange for a review!

Thank you NetGalley, Emma R. Alban, and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC. As someone who read and enjoyed (for the most part) the first in this series, I was excited to see where the story of Bobby and James would go. The tropes – like enemies to lovers – were executed wonderfully, and overall it was just a really sweet book. Much like the first book, it is well-written and has a little bit of something for all kinds of readers. Would certainly recommend, especially as a duology!

3.5 (Rounded up for my girls Gwen and Beth <3)

The drama, the yearning, the self doubt and never relenting fear of becoming the very thing you hate. I ate this book and what it served me right up BUT I did leave some crumbs.

James and Bobby were equally frustrating and captivating to watch dance around each other in this book. The push and pull between them made me want to take little voodoo dolls of them and make them hug or something (a sentiment I’m sure Beth and Gwen relate to). The big bad of this book (namely the man blackmailing our duo) fell a bit flat to me but still I felt the stakes for these two rise. And though I ADORED Jame and Bobby together, I do wish we could have seen them falling for one another more clearly. Really give me that desperate pathetic yearning that Gwen and Beth got to experience, ya know?

This being the second of a duology I must admit it was difficult to jump into having had some time passed since reading the first - This is a duo meant to be read together lest you spend a great deal of this book going “who is that?” and “what is their title?” or even “Oh - I did not realize that was the same character - why do people of the Ton have so many different names for one person!?”. Once I’d given myself a refresher it was incredibly rewarding to revisit my favorite characters from “Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend” and see how they were faring this next season!


All in all, this little found family that Alban brought to life has wormed their way into my heart. I’ve been charmed by each of them and though I’m sad to see them go, I am so grateful to have their stories concluded in such a beautiful way that did justice to the individual characters and their stories.

As a final note: The first of this series was titled with Taylor Swift lyrics and this one is as well … I see your play on “Anti-Hero” and I raise you “Long Story Short”. Do with this information as you will.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC - I am leaving this review voluntarily!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book! Like the other book in this series, the author gives so much attention to the nuances of the characters lives and the challenges that faced queer people in the past (and still experience in the here and now). I love the fine line that exists between attraction and antagonism. And then it grows into a beautiful love story! I wish the ending had focused a little more on the main couple in the book, but it a good happy ending that really highlights the importance of found family.

Im not huge on cutesy romances but this was definitely worth the read and super cute! I loved the dynamics between the characters and the way the story unfolded. I think this is a great little queer romance for all ages over 13.

Thank you NetGalley, Emma R. Alban, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Emma R. Alban once again knocks it out of the park. I was riveted and engaged, my heart was torn and then put back together again… multiple times.. But all for good reason. Getting to know Bobby Mason and James Demeroven as the main characters after having had the wonderful privilege of seeing them first in Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend was beautiful and magical and this duology is one I will recommend far and wide. The meddling family members, standing up for themselves, the self discovery, and my goodness the commitment to finding a way to live authentically in a world that wouldn’t have allowed it- I LOVE! Gosh, there were so many pieces to this and getting to know each Bobby and James and their enemies to lovers arc with their meddling cousins and complex family history while also trying to handle potential blackmailing- there so much to unpack. And I didn’t even mention the absolutely epic closure giving Bobby, James, Gwen, and Beth the opportunity to each live with their life partners but in a publicly facing acceptable charade. While this is connected to Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend it absolutely can be read independently! I finished and thought- there could not be a better happily ever after in this context and historical setting, what a joy to witness.

The enemies to lovers was executed with so much angst and pining and (eventually) wholesomeness, and I really liked the hea! While book 1 did have a hea on its own, this book rounded it out really well with a conclusion, and the epilogue was everything I wanted 🥲

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

This is a very fun follow-up to Alban’s Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend, I would definitely recommend reading that title first since the characters and stories overlap!

A lively queer historical romance with a lot of heart, these characters are a joy to spend time with and root for as they find their way forward together. Both main characters, Bobby and James, have had past trauma around their sexuality and “worth” in society, and both do face harassment and cruel words from people close to them, so be forewarned. There is a great deal of tension between the two at first, with excellent payoff when they do realize their true feelings for each other. A fun, quick read that left me smiling.

🩵🩷This lovely book by Emma R. Alban is Victorian-era romance, the follow-on to DON’T WANT YOU LIKE A BEST FRIEND.

YOU’RE THE PROBLEM, IT’S YOU is an enemies-to-lovers romp about sticky situations, family politics, politics politics, blackmail, trinkets, and, ultimately, loving who you want, using the system, finding family, and creating social reform! All in a delightful tale of two nervous people finding and seeing each other in a world where it’s difficult to be found and seen. It’s not so different from today, really…

It helps to have read the first book, but it’s not required (even though it’s really a special finale of that book, in a very real way). Think Bridgerton (I know it’s not Victorian but work with me here) meets Romeo & Juliet but not the tragedy part - and the families are really okay with everything in the end. (And really, we need a season or two of queer BRIDGERTON, am I right?)

ANYWAY. The MCs, Bobby and James, shoulder varying levels of intense family responsibility, they both get tricked by the same nefarious money-grubber, but they also find themselves in a lively friend group where they can imagine a magical life together. Which they do. Until they can’t. But then they do, really.

YTPIY is very well-written, fast-paced, funny, surprising, and joyful. I’m not gonna lie - I was crying - several times - with happiness at the way it all worked out. Goodness it was sweet and happy endings abounded - HEAs for just about all the characters, including needy children. Really. You’ll see. 🥹🫶🏼

You're the Problem, It's You is the follow up to Don't Want You Like a Best Friend, which I read back in May, so when I saw I could grab this one on Netgalley, I immediately clicked. The previous book in the series ended with Gwen and Beth, who had just gotten their parents together and fallen in love in the process, deciding to get their cousins together with the goal of entering into lavender marriages and everyone living happily ever after. This book picks up there from Bobby and James's perspectives. You're the Problem, It's You is billed as an enemies to lovers romance, but it didn't really feel like that. The beginning was more lots of awkward miscommunication and lack of communication, which is not my favorite trope so it was a slow start for me. However, once it got going, I really enjoyed James and Bobby and their romance and the family they all create.

So the first third of this book I had a little trouble getting into it and found it a little slow. However, once I got through that point I ended up really enjoying it! The relationship was so sweet and you could really feel all the heartache. I don't think I understood how everyone was related until the end, so I did find that aspect a bit confusing. The epilogue was a little cheesy but what epilogue isn't? Overall I really liked this and would definitely read another.

Somewhere between 1.5-2 stars.

I really was looking forward to reading this book (thank you Net Gallery for the eARC!) but what a disappointment.

Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend was a sweet and enjoyable romance between Beth and Gwen, while You’re the Problem It’s You was a messy, thrown together whirlwind of concepts.

For starters, Bobby and James were such boring characters. I got tired of James quickly, especially when his chapters went on and on about how much he dislikes himself. Then in Bobby’s chapters I could never figure out if he had any hobbies beyond socializing and being rich. Not great that these are the only personality traits I can confidently pick out from the characters after reading 300 pages.

What really irked me, truly, was the lack of plot. Raverson was an extremely weak villain to be at all relevant. He never had any actual evidence of Bobby and James’ affairs, throwing around Bobby’s signet ring as if that went anything. He was just mean and reoccurring. I believe it was at about the halfway point in which I felt any semblance of plot end and random text started. At this point Bobby and James had stood up to Raverson (basically told him to piss off because he really did not have any evidence) and then they began their sexual encounters. I was already not in love with this story, but this is where all my hopes for redemption were crushed.

I was also thrown off by the sexual content, mostly because in DWYLABF had only one intimate scene (if I recall correctly) and it felt rushed. However, I recognize these are adult romance books so it’s completely valid.

The final thing I feel the need to mention in my review is about diversity. Now, I won’t lie in her first novel I had brushed off the fact that there were no POC. I had dismissed it for a multitude of reasons, but mostly because I don’t expect a debut romance novel to dive deep into any world politics. I was focused on Beth and Gwen, and only Beth and Gwen. However, it became even more notable in this novel. The way in which both of these books have a side plot involved with politics (the marriage act in the first and the medical act in this one) made me question why there is such intense misogyny and homophobia in this world while there are no POC to be seen. Why are we writing diverse stories while lacking a part of diversity? I honestly don’t have much more to say about this, as I feel what I’ve already said is enough.

I wish I had positive things to say about this novel! I truly do, but there isn’t much to be said. I guess I enjoyed the ending. It was sweet to see that Beth and Gwen had a way to avoid official marriage while the four of them get to parent younglings. Most of the good opinions I have involve Beth and Gwen, so I feel that is all I need to say.

Ultimately I wouldn’t recommend. Read her debut instead!

I loved the first book in this series, but this one kind of fell short for me. I'm not sure if my expectations were too high or I just wasn't in the mood for a regency romance. Overall I did enjoy it especially seeing Beth and Gwen again - they made the book for me!

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

This book unfortunately did not work for me. Like the first book in this duology, it is meant to be a historical romance, but its use of modern language distracts from the historical setting (see, e.g., “He has zero interest in finding a nice young lady to chat up.”). In addition, I found the writing style—which seemed to consist of exclusively telling rather than showing—made the book feel quite juvenile. As a result, the book reads as a young YA/middle grade, which feels disjointed because the characters are in their 20s and the spice scenes indicate the book is seeking a more mature audience.

Beyond these more stylistic complaints, I was frustrated by the characters’ (particularly James’s) inability to apologize for abhorrent behavior, the introduction of unnecessary conflicts, and the duo’s abrupt shift from (manufactured) enemies to lovers.

I wish I had liked this one more—I suspect many of my hang ups are pet peeves that will not bother other readers!

I’m crushed to write this review. It’s not a good one y’all, so if you’re only here for positivity, look away.

I need to preface by saying I loved Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend. It was such a comfort read for me and I was so excited to have an ARC of book 2.

This book is pitched as enemies-to-lovers and features two characters we’re introduced to in book 1, Bobby and James. Bobby is a sweet little cinnamon roll who has never done anything wrong in his life. James is… a mess. In the beginning, I felt super attached to James and my top priority was watching him get a HEA. But by the end I was so over him 😭

You know the miscommunication trope? Bobby and James had a little-to-no communication trope. Every time they would attempt to speak to one another, they started fighting. They couldn’t get more than 2 sentences into a convo without hurling cruel words at each other. Or the alternative, James would physically run away.

And then!!! Out of no where! When they had JUST decided that they might possibly be able to be friends, they’re suddenly in love. But they get caught smooching and BAM. James high-tails it outta there, as per usual. After the 3rd or 4th time James physically ran away from Bobby with no explanation or apology, I was done. My focus was on Bobby living his best life and I didn’t care if James was in the picture or not. I probably would have preferred he not been; you know it’s bad if you feel that way. I felt so exasperated by the end that even my angel babies Gwen and Beth were starting to irk me.

Ultimately this one was a miss for me, but at least I got to see some of my favs from book 1 ❤️

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was the BEST Pride Month read! After DWYLABF I felt a large hole in my heart, I was so fortunate to be able to read this book as an ARC! The tension was so beautiful.

I will say all of this about You're the Problem, It's You—I chose to pick it up and read it knowing that I made the active choice not to read its predecessor, Don't Want You Like A Best Friend. So any slight confusion that may have come from my own choices did not influence my review!

I made this decision because I had been extremely excited to pick up the first book in the series—however, one of the tropes within it (which I understand is necessary and essential for the realistic survival of the relationship of the two women leading the book) is just something I personally do not like in media (the first book has the protagonists "parent trap" their parents, allowing them to be together and live together romantically while considered "sisters" (to some degree) to the world. This was something I personally could not look past—but loved the idea of queer people in this era, and heard lovely things about the author's writing. So I decided to pick up You're The Problem, It's You.

Admittedly I did come into it thinking that the book would be a little bit more of a standalone with smaller references to the first book, not that the main characters of the first book would essentially also be main characters in this story—but the author did a wonderful job at giving enough context around the events of the first book that I never felt completely lost and was still able to enjoy the character Dynamics and still get to enjoy the fun sapphic ship that led the first novel, Beth and Gwen.

Getting to it now—as for this book, it follows James and Bobby, one a recent lord and one a second son of a titled family who clash every time they seem to come together. The two of them were so much fun to read, and watching them slowly pick up pieces of affection for each other beyond physical attraction was a delight. While some of their animosity came from misunderstandings (which are not always my speed), I felt they were realistic enough based on different characters' knowledge levels and never dragged on for longer than they needed to for the sake of plot.

The author did a superb job at creating two different men who have different experiences being queer in a time where it is punishable. James has only experienced hardship and does not necessarily have a support system and cannot imagine a future that is kind for a man like him; meanwhile Bobby is idealistic, aware of his cousin and her partner and their family's support. This dynamic created an extremely interesting back and forth between the two of them on what their relationship and growing feelings for each other could mean, and I loved seeing James slowly settle into that warmer side of the family.

For me one of the most moving scenes in the book was when one of the main characters, Bobby, who is considered to be a little more reckless and free with his decisions, is caught by his uncle who is not aware that he is gay but is aware of his cousin (the man's daughter) and her partner. The uncle is significantly more severe with Bobby and it is something that Bobby brings up—something that was briefly touched on in this and was unique to this series that has both sapphic and achilliean relationships was the level of punishment for men versus women at the time—how a man being caught queer had a much more severe fate. This was briefly touched on and I spent a good portion of the rest of the book hoping that Bobby and his uncle would have a deeper conversation, about the idea of toxic masculinity and the unfairness of punishments for things like sodomy at the time. I think this was a really interesting point to bring up and I wish the author had touched on it more! It feels like the queer male trial of this time next to the idea that women were made to believe they hardly existed beyond a need to marry a man and have his children (which again I am certain from the implications in the text that the first book dealt with).

Admittedly, I did call the resolution of the plot about 10% in and knew that if I was correct it would unfortunately skew my feelings about the plot of the book—once again something that I was aware would probably be the neatest solution to give queer people in this time their happy ending. However, the way that the lavender marriages essentially created a family circle out of a family tree gives me a little bit of the ick as the kids say. Again I understand it is necessary, but it is something that, combined with the continued reminder of the familial connections that not only tied together now the two main characters from the original book but also the protagonists of this book along with an epilogue that was not particularly to my taste, was the primary reason that I took a star off of this review. Other reasons include a slightly one-dimensional villain (though I'm certain if he appears in the first book perhaps that is some of the depth and context that I am missing), and a briefly clunky initial transition into their first kiss that I was not sure what had inspired it.

Overall though, I had a great time reading about this plucky bunch of queer characters and their dynamics; there was something extremely fun about the almost heist style plot towards the end, and the optimistic idea that perhaps people are more accepting than we might think.

I had really high hopes for this book, but upon reading it I found that I was a little disappointed. This book was so hard to get into because the beginning just felt like the world building went on and on and it felt like it was just monotonous day to day stuff and nothing truly eye catching (like I now know how to play whist because of the detail of it in this book, it’s very close to spades/hearts and backalley). I wanted to read this book because I thought it’d be basically gay bridgerton, and while some of the themes transfer over, I found it to be a little slow going. Once we got to the real conflict of the book, I finally felt the pace pick up, but unfortunately that wasn’t until half way through the book. I loved the cute love hate relationship of Bobby and James and I’m glad they got their happily ever after, but I saw the solution that they came up with so early on that it felt too obvious. Overall, the title and cover were super cute, and I did find the book to be an entertaining read, it was just unfortunately not as fast paced or spicy as I was hoping. But every reader likes different things, if you want something to close to gay bridgerton then go for it, this book is perfect.