What a delightful historical romance!! I think I still prefer Emma's first, but I really enjoyed this followup. As soon as the pairing was set up at the end of the first book, I knew this was going to be so fun, and it did not disappoint.

The sequel to DON’T WANT YOU LIKE A BEST FRIEND, YOU’RE THE PROBLEM IT’S YOU follows Bobby and James in an enemies-to-lovers Victorian romance.

This book was so sweet, cozy, and the perfect follow up to its predecessor. The romance between Bobby and James was done so well—the hate-to-love and slow burn aspects of their relationship made it all the more satisfying when they finally got together.

I adored being reunited with the cast of characters we loved in the first book, and the new additions in this story were perfect additions to their found family dynamic.

I think the simplicity in this duology’s structure is such an asset. I had a great time following these characters in their day-to-day activities while hiding these pining feeling for each other.

My only reservation with this book, similar to my feelings with the first book, regarded its ending. Though the fake marriages to Gwen and Beth is definitely realistic for the time frame the novel is set in, I felt the story’s events wrapped up very quickly, and almost too easily and perfectly. However, I do love a queer romance with a happy ending, so I couldn’t begrudge it too much.

This duology is the perfect read for anyone seeking a cozy, queer, Victorian romance, and I would wholeheartedly recommend picking it up!
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to continue with this story after "Don't Want You Like a Best Friend" but I really struggled to get into this one. I think this may have been a case of not being in the right mindset because I do love the idea behind it and the characters, so I'd definitely give it another shot.

I’m a big fan of queer historical romance, so I had high hopes for this book– especially since I enjoyed the first book in the series. Unfortunately, the book ended up being a bit of a letdown.

First of all, the two protagonists aren’t really enemies. Despite overlapping at Oxford, they don’t officially meet until their cousins introduce them to each other. When I read enemies to lovers, I want to see YEARS of mutual loathing.

I’m not as picky as some readers when it comes to historical accuracy. In fact, I appreciated that the key political issue in this book was a medical act; this paired nicely with the Marriage Act from the first book. However, I found myself bothered by some of the dialogue and situations.

Despite all this, I did enjoy the book. I thought the abusive stepfather was an interesting element to James’ character development and I especially appreciated that he apologizes to his cousin Beth for how she and her mother were treated in the past.

I would recommend You’re the Problem, It’s You.. but with the caveat that it’s a bit light on historical accuracy and chemistry.


I received a digital ARC of this book from Avon/NetGalley.

While this book was fun and cozy, I just wasn't hooked in the way I hoped. Alban's writing didn't feel strong for what she wanted to accomplish. This also could've been due to the fact that I read this book after falling in love with another and I couldn't find a book to compare. The premise was fun and I enjoyed the character dynamic but I just wish for more from them.

I read this book as an ARC a few months before it was published, but after a conversation with two of my library co-workers who were both outraged (outraged!) that I hadn't read Don't Want You Like a Best Friend first, I put off any sort of review until that situation was remedied. Maybe it was procrastination; maybe it was foresight. Either way, I'm glad I waited because reading the books together is a treat.

Don't get me wrong: I liked this book as a standalone. It's a fun opposites-attract Victorian romance all on its own, and Bobby and James are fun to read, whether they're avoiding each other, bickering, or...well. But I appreciate their cousins' meddling so much more now that I'm caught up with the duology. Not to mention, having Beth and Gwen's history from the first book makes the solution at the end of the second feel less contrived.

The only thing that detracted from my enjoyment of You're the Problem, It's You was the villain. Not only was he a bit over-drawn, but I also hated that he seemed driven by internalized homophobia even more than by greed. I mean, he had to lay some serious groundwork to be in a position to try to blackmail our protagonists. I just wish queer-baiting and self-loathing didn't prop up that entire plot element.

Just like Don't Want You Like a Best Friend, this sequel confronts the harsh realities of historical queer love while balancing out the angst and drama with joy, ferocity, and mirth. The tension's increased from the last book, as the reality for queer men in this time period was more dangerous, but that only makes the resolution that much more satisfying.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

You're the Problem, It's You is the second book in a duology. While you could theoretically read it as a stand alone, I enjoyed the continuation of the characters from the first book & think it provided a lot more depth to the story. The queer rivals to lovers story is cute and a fun read, and, as stated, is enhanced with the background from the first book. I enjoyed the read, although did find it to drag a bit in some places. Overall, it was still a worthwhile experience.

I received a copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.

In Alban’s latest book, readers meet Bobby Mason, the lazy spare with no expectations of him but a desire to do something meaningful, and Viscount James Demeroven, who knows he’s a disappointment but has turned it into a survival strategy, when they absolutely cannot avoid each other because their strong-minded cousins Beth and Gwen have plans of their own this Season. James, having had a crush on Bobby while they were at Oxford, cannot stand his attempts to shatter the web of security that James has built up around him, while Bobby hates that James does nothing with his title, power, and prestige. When the families fall victim to a blackmailer, Bobby and James find themselves in a tenuous and unlikely alliance -- but only for their families, right? This brilliant queer Victorian romance novel brings all the best romance tropes to the Victorian aristocracy and to Bobby and James’ interactions throughout the novel, and readers will love the chemistry, banter, and tension between the two protagonists. In alternating between their perspectives throughout the book, Alban helps readers get to know the two characters, their strengths, and their weaknesses, over the course of this immersive, fascinating, and charming LGBTQ+ historical romance novel.

Interesting read. At times it moved a bit slow and then it picked up. Taking place in the past where being queer was not acceptable. Being stuck in traditional roles and finding a way to get everything you want.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Avon/Harper Voyager for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: Dual POV, enemies to lovers, Victorian era, queer representation

This was good. It just didn't grab me like I thought it would. It was hard to remember it for me.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I am so in love with Emma R. Alban's brand of queer Victorian chaos. When I read Don't Want You Like a Best Friend, I had a feeling that the Mischief & Matchmaking series was going to become one of my all time favorites, and You're the Problem, It's You absolutely cemented it. The humor of James and Bobby's antagonistic dynamic was only heightened by their cousin's meddlesome hijinks. I really love when the main characters of the previous books have a role in the sequels, and Alban did a great job spotlighting a new love story while also continuing to tell the stories of several characters readers fell in love with in the first book.

This was a super cute read. I really love how it all came together. I am really looking forward to reading the first book in the duology as well. Characters are all super likeable (except the villain obv...but he's more pitiable than villainous). Low stakes, cosy queer regency romance.

MM
Third person
Enemies to lovers
Flustered MC
Found family
Anxiety rep

Rating: 3.5/5 - I really enjoyed this book but I probably won't reread it
🌶️: 1/5 - a few intimate scenes, only one explicit

TLDR: full of highly loveable characters and a slow plot

I really enjoyed this book. It was very sweet with highly loveable characters. This may feel boring to some because of the length and slowly developing plot. I however am happy as long as I have loveable characters and this book has that in spades. Not only is the relationship between the MMCs interesting but the friendships they have are beautiful and engaging. One of the MCs deals with panic attacks throughout the book and fear of childbirth is mentioned several times. These subjects were handled well for the time period this book is set in. Ultimately, I would recommend this book to any historical romance lover.

The premise of an LGBTQIA Bridgerton sold me on wanting to read this and I heard rave reviews about book 1, but it fell really flat when I started to read it. I ended up DNFing at 36%. The pacing was really slow and more often than not, it just felt like an endless inner monologue.

I can normally tolerate the miscommunication trope if done in a witty and full-of-banter way, but the MCs were unfortunately too boring. One was even borderline rude when the other was just looking out for him.

I couldn't vibe with the writing style - stiff and infodumpy and hard to follow. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I read the first book in this series and was on the fence but I decide to give it a chance because I love mm/anything queer. The story had good vibes but the enemies to lovers pace was off. The story didn’t build tension enough. It was nice having an appearance by Beth and Gwen. It was a cute follow up but I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series of there more

This was an excellent queer historical romance! The enemies-to-lovers vibes were spot on. If you're looking for a cozy read, this is it!

Thanks, Avon Books and Libro.FM, for the arc and ALC!

This is the second book in the MISCHEIF & MATCHMAKING series by Emma R. Alban. Once again, the book is an ode to a TSwift song, so I would be reading it even if I hadn’t read the first book, DON’T WANT YOU LIIKE A BEST FRIEND. Dare I say I liked YOU’RE THE PROBLEM, IT’S YOU better? A good found family does that to me.

I was happy to see characters returning from the first book be present in this one, and some new ones fit right in. It was comforting. I also loved seeing the difference between how Gwen and Beth got and stayed together and how Bobby and James got and stayed together. And I adored the antics that led up to the latter.

The audiobook was excellent for switching back and forth with the arc as I read. Chris Devon and Will Watt worked together wonderfully, bringing Bobby, James, and the other characters to life.

I don’t think reading the first book is necessary to understand the second one, but it makes it 1000x better if you do. It feels like a complete story and knowing everyone’s life - like Bridgerton! So, I would suggest doing it that way. But if you are only curious about Gwen and Beth or Bobby and James, you’ll be fine reading just their books.