going into this, the cutesy cover combined with the playfulness i remember loving from don't want you like a best friend had me anticipating more lighthearted fun. thus, it took me a bit off guard that nearly the entire first half felt so overwhelmed with distress, the stakes so much higher. it could be that i am simply misremembering alban’s debut, and it's not necessarily a knock on this one either that it took me a little while to get into. that is to say — it wasn't the book; it was me. i only put such emphasis on my difficulty in the beginning to overstate how much i deeply enjoyed the second half. it had everything i'd been looking for — the fluffy romance, the found family, the pure joy, the scheming! it was golden.

"You're the Problem, It's You" was exactly what I was looking for in a regency romance novel. I was craving something after watching Brigerton and this fit the bill perfectly. I loved the first book in the series "Don't Want You Like a Best Friend" and its sequel did not disappoint.
 
I loved that this story threw you and as the reader you immediately get to see James and Bobby thrown together (by scheming from their cousins and also just due to peer social trajectory). We get to meet Bobby who is trying his best to just be there for his family, while also feeling the keen pressure of his brother being the 1st born son, and James sliding into a title and having to learn how to manage all that comes with it. 

Watching these two but heads and gripe at each other was super entertaining and made them coming together so much sweeter. The character development and self-acceptance we get it *chef's kiss.*

I highly recommend you pick up this book if you love bridgerton and wanted it to celebrate queer love. This book is full of character supporting each other and celebrates us making our own families where acceptance is the norm. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars rounded up :)

3/3.25 ⭐️

This was fun and i absolutely adore the cover.
I felt like the miscommunication at the beginning of the book was painful. It also isn’t quite enemies to lovers - it’s giving more rivals or “i didn’t like you at first” to lovers.

I think the growth the characters have from beginning to end is DEEP. They really truly are almost insufferable at the beginning and it makes it hard to connect and want to continue to read, but they do try to turn it around by the end.

I enjoyed the way the duology finished with the fake double wedding so both couples could be happy.

While i had fun, and it was overall a fun, quick enjoyable read. It felt really dull and forgettable. It will end up being a book i sit down and can’t tell you anything about it in a week.

BUT if you enjoy the tropes and want a fun quick read, i’d recommend.

I’m a sucker for a queer historical romance. This one had it all: viscounts, second sons, meddling cousins, and even a little blackmail.

This takes place after Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend and follows the story of James and Bobby. James knew Bobby from school but Bobby never noticed James until his first season in London. Their personalities of course immediately start clashing after that. Beth and Gwen also have a large meddling presence in this story and I expect nothing less from them. The romance in this story is believable especially for how difficult being queer would be in this time period. I think it’s handled well and it was a very sweet love story. If you loved Don’t Want you Like a Best Friend you’ll love this book too!

A fun sequel to More Than a Best Friend which keeps many of that books more lovable characters while also introducing new dynamics and digging deeper into the internal tensions of Gwens' cousin Albie's family. This book digs a little deeper into questions of how lesbian and gay relationships might play out in a Bridgerton-esque setting and the toll that the social and legal penalties for those relationships might take even on the privileged and relatively lucky. This book has a fantastic (as in counter-historical) narrative and happy ending for the central couple (two young gay men) in a number of ways, and it is perhaps a more enjoyable read for those who are interested in a Bridgerton-vibe setting for contemporary reflections on how to navigate risk, openness, and to find the people you trust. If historical verisimilitude is important to you, look elsewhere, but this book has all the delightful hallmarks of a readable romance: likeable, sympathetic characters somewhat blind to the limits of their own experience and perspective, a background of courting events and even a little politicking, and the close friends and family who help the central characters mature and make room for a romantic relationship.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I thought the premise was very interesting to say the least. I think the miscommunication was a bit frustrating to get through and wished that James' crush on Bobby in the beginning was more convincing.

I had read the first book when it released and loved it. As a queer girlie, I saw a sapphic period romance and knew I'd immediately be on board. I wanted to read this book to get the updates on Beth & Gwen, honestly, but let me tell you - I was full invested in this story. Emma Alban tells a great story with a wonderful ensemble. I am a sucker for a strong supporting cast of characters and the love and support that the extended characters brought was a slam dunk. I am fully team Albie and Meredith (especially Meredith...). I was so rooting for all of the characters in this story and just loved it so much. Bobby and James are so sweet and really tugged at my heartstrings.
And I loved the epilogue. Getting a quick little insight and still getting *so* much information. Knowing that they're all happily living next to each other with a blended family where they all just love each other so much. When I tell you this was like wrapping yourself in a blanket straight from the dryer, I mean it. Loved it so much!

Such a great continuation to the series! I loved getting to know the Bobby and James better, and also appreciated that Beth and Gwen were still very involved in the story (Love my meddling lesbians <3). I had so much fun reading and all these characters own my heart.

The plot of this didn't quite hang together as well as the first book in the series, but gosh. GOSH EVERYTHING ABOUT THESE CHARACTERS IS JUST SO CHARMING. I love how hard everyone was trying to do better than their parents, and finding the joy amidst a society that isn't built for you. <3

4.25 stars. This was enjoyable, but not quite as much as the first book in the duet. I did love James’ character arc as he overcomes his intense anxiety as he integrates into his accepting new family. Bobby was great too, but sometimes it felt like he was used as an avenue to tie everything together between the two couples. Like the first book, there were some darker themes, but the fun in the book didn’t quite balance out the darkness as well as the first book. Plenty of Beth and Gwen though, and Albie and Meredith, who are all fantastic. Loved the ending, very fitting for the couples, and I always enjoy an epilogue that goes a few years into the future.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!!

I just KNEW this book wasn’t going to disappoint and it didn’t! The plot, the story, the characters, the setting. All of it was just perfect. Originally this was going to be part of a mini-review post, but honestly? It deserved to have a post to itself. I flew through this book and it didn’t even feel like I was reading at all. The characters quite literally were in my mind the whole time. If you love Red, White, and Royal Blue, I think you are going to love this book too. We’re talking enemies to lovers, only one bed, found family, forced proximity, a hint of angst, and unconditional love (is that a trope? It should be). This book was a Monet painting in words. The flow and artistry of this book are meant to be in a museum right next to a Monet painting. It evokes the same calmness and serenity as a Monet piece. All things considered, that is the highest compliment I could give a book because I love his pieces.

Oh boy I wanted to like this book so much better than I did but it has the dreaded miscommunication trope in spades! I loved the found family aspect and I really enjoyed being back in this cozy corner of Victorian England where these characters have carved out a way to be their queer selves. However, I wanted more emotional development from the characters. They spend almost the entire book not communicating well (James especially, Bobby did his best) and that was really frustrating to read about. By the time they started to make romantic declarations I didn't find them believable because we hadn't seen many positive interactions between them. James also makes a lot of decisions out of fear that I found understandable but difficult to forgive because of how much they hurt other characters. I personally didn't feel the romance but the found family aspect warmed my heart and kept me reading. If miscommunication increases the tension for you this could be your perfect book!

If you are a fan of Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton, this book is for you.

This novel is an enemies-to-lovers achillean romance the second book in the Mischief and Matchmaking series following the sapphic romp Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend,

This novel features found family/community, blackmail, and a social commentary of the time. It is an enjoyable read though this reader could benefit from a family tree or org chart of sorts. The large cast of characters with various titles can make it difficult to track who is who and how they are related or what role they play in the story.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and Net Galley for the ARC..

This was a drag. I hate to be the one leaving a bad review, but I just had a hard time forcing myself through it. There were far too many characters, main and side, far too many relationships to keep track of; whose family was whose, how they all related to each other, and after a while I found myself going "who's that again?" because I had read so many names that if one particular name didn't appear for a while in mention, I'd forgotten the character entirely. The main event (their getting together) should not have been nearly 20 chapters into a 30 some chapter book. If there was a bit of preamble leading up to it, maybe even some sort of inkling as to their feelings for each other being shown in anything other than their own private thoughts, it would've made for a better slow burn. Instead it was just 20 some chapters of pure drivel and nonsense and turning my brain backwards and inside out to figure out who was who and what was what whilst also waiting for the main plot to kick off. I was looking forward to this, but ultimately was disappointed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

You’re the Problem, It’s You is the sweet, witty, and wildly entertaining second book in the Mischief & Matchmaking series.

I had the best time with this one. It was funny and tender, romantic and heartfelt. The political intrigue and beautiful writing captivated me, and the fast pacing and diverse characters had me flying through the pages. I loved the found family and the adorable ending. This historical fiction is one of my favorites, and I cannot wait to read more of Emma’s work!

Thank you to the publisher and author for the free ARC!

This book covers a variety of tropes. Enemies to lovers, mm romance, lgbtq inclusive, fake marriage, historical romance,
James remembers Bobbie from Oxford and has been crushing on him since. James has just come in to his Title and wants nothing to do with it. Bobbie is the “spare” and has no direction. They are attracted to each other from afar but, can’t get along. A threat to both of the men brings them together to save their names, reputation and families.
18+ spice.
This book was very enjoyable. The problems dealt with by the characters are dealt with thoughtfully and with great insight. I will definitely recommend it

Thank you to NetGalley, Emma R. Alban, and the publishers for allowing me access to the e-Arc.

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed the first book in the series more than this one. I think for me it was frustrating to read their miscommunications throughout most of the book. I did understand why James acted the way he did. But it was frustrating that he didn’t change until almost the end of the book. I felt like the first book was a sweet and beautiful romance where this one was clunky. I liked Bobby and James together but they needed to work out more of their problems. Overall, I did enjoy it.

I devoured this book, it’s such a sweet and lovely follow to Alban’s debut. You feel Gwen and Beth’s love grow stronger in an existing relationship, while experiencing the flutters of new love. Alban writes feelings and intimacy in a way that’s very fun but also heart-melting, and I love the political element she bring in, rooting these characters so well in their time. I want so many more!

Slow burn enemies to lovers, Bridgerton meets red white and royal blue. I LOVED this book. It was such a fun, delightful read and I love the banter between characters. The depth of the characters was incredible and I loved how real they felt.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64824839043.5 Stars. Bobby and James keep getting thrown together during the London season, mostly by their cousins Beth and Gwen, and neither quite know what to do with the other. After running into one another at an underground queer gentleman’s club they both become aware of the other’s secret which leads each to figure out their attraction to the other may not be one sided. Unfortunately each has had a fling with a school mate who threatens to air their secrets if they do not pay what he wants.

Like the previous book in this series, I had to turn of my historical knowledge to enjoy this book. The book is painfully anachronistic in language, societal rules, references, etc. which will annoy the historical romance purists. It is also written in present tense (I think third-person limited present to be exact) which I absolutely hate for a historical romance. I actually started it and then put it down for a few weeks because I was struggling with the tense. That being said, I did enjoy the overall story, though I do question why it is being marketed as enemies to lovers because at no point in the story are Bobby and James enemies or even rivals, maybe dislike to lovers would be best descriptor. But just say the book is no plot all vibes and call it good without forcing tropes that aren’t there onto it.

I absolutely love the cover of the book and I liked both Bobby and James. I do think the attraction was stronger between Gwen and Beth in the first book and I was more invested in their romance than I was with Bobby and James, but I still liked their characters. I enjoyed that the character from the first book were so involved in this one. I do struggle with miscommunication as a plotline, which was essentially the first half of the book, which could explain why I had a harder time connecting with the pair. The villain of the story was almost cartoon-like, which yes is common in historical romances, but usually those books have enough other drama that the cartoon villain fits into the story. This review is coming across more negative than I want it too, but the good things about the book are strictly vibes. The book has excellent vibes and once I got used to the writing style i did read 75% of the book in a single day. As this duology is finished, I am interested to see what Emma writes next.

Swifties: THIS BOOK DOES NOT HAVE TAYLOR REFERENCES the title is the only Taylor Swift reference. If you want cute queer romances with Taylor Swift references, please read Alexandria Bellefleur.

Thank you Avon for the gifted print ARC in exchange for an honest review.