Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, lots of angst and spice. It did take a little while for the story to develop, but once it picked up I was wanting to keep reading the pages. I need to go back and read the first novel. but I think I will like that one just as much! This was my first Emma Alban and I would love to read more from her!

bridgerton vibes, but make it queer, and make it complicated, and make one of the main guys grumpy, and make the queer found family vibes STRONG, and you've got this book! i listened on audio and half liked it, half was annoyed by one narrator's voice, but enjoyed the story and seeing the evolution of these two MMCs as they stopped fighting their feelings and found their way to each other. the ending? a DREAM, considering the confines of the era!!

While I enjoyed the first book in this duology Don't Want You Like a Best Friend , You're the Problem, It's You was an improvement in a lot of ways. Structurally, the story is much more focused on the central romance. It does still have Beth and Gwen as prominent side characters and a lot of familiar faces from the first book but they complement the central romance rather than distracting from it.

One of my favorite things about Don't Want You Like a Best Friend was the characters and that is also true of one. While Bobby and James frequently butt heads and cause each other pain and frustration, I found both deeply sympathetic characters. Bobby is the second son trying to find his place and be helpful to the family while feeling left out of a lot of things. And James is someone who's grown up in a fairly toxic family, having to hide who he is just to get by and not even sure what he wants out of his new role as Viscount Demeroven.

Initially there's a lot of miscommunication between the two men, but given their individual frustrations and pride, it made sense to me that they wouldn't share more than they did. If you're really sensitive to the trope, it might bother you more but I didn't think it was unreasonable. There were some elements here that reminded me of the dynamic of Pride and Prejudice. It's not full-on enemies to lovers but definitely two very different people trying to deal with bad first impressions on both sides and slowly coming to understand each other.

I also really liked the historical detail in this one, much like in the first one. I'm not a stickler for exact historical adherence but it's really fun to see more queer representation in a historical context and a wide array of how they handled not being able to legally express that love. There were some sections where it was so focused on the parliamentary struggles of the period that I lost a bit of interest but I appreciated the level of detail and focus on social commentary.

Overall, while not perfect in terms of some pacing issues, I still really enjoyed You're the Problem, It's You. It's very closely connected to the first book in the series so I think it would be tough to read this one without having read the first but it builds really well on what was already set up and improves it in a lot of ways.

Not revolutionary, but an enjoyable romp of a queer historical romance. I have not read the first book in this series (although familiar with the premise) and did not have any difficulty jumping in at this point. The ending was a bit obvious from rather early in the narrative, but the characters were engaging, so it was still satisfying to see them work to the solution on their own.

This was every bit as cute as the first installment, if significantly more angsty—not that that's a bad thing! It was just clear that the stakes were very different this time around. It did a great job of telling a new story whole continuing the storylines from book one. That can be a difficult feat, but the author pulled it off well. Everything was wrapped up neatly by the end, but I'd absolutely read more from this universe. I would have loved to have seen the villain of the piece handled differently, but maybe that's just me.

This book was a bit of a let down after reading Don't Want You Like A Best Friend. The two boys were so annoying. I understand that they are both going through some shit, but I was so frustrated with them. The story gets better, but not my favorite historical MM romance.

Super fun and the perfect sequel. If you’re worried about the second in a series not living up to the first have no fear. I thought this book was the perfect way to dive back into this world.

This book was a great fun read! It definitely veers more into the rom-com territory than just historical romance (which in my mind tends to be differentiated by the level of historical accuracy and period accurate details they include). I personally don't mind some historical inaccuracy so I loved it. But honestly, the title is a reference to a Taylor Swift song sooooo if you're picking this up with the intention of complete accuracy, you might be choosing the wrong book.

I love enemies to lovers but think there could have been a bit more chemistry; overall would recommend. I did prefer the first book in the series more though so if you haven't read that one yet, choose that one!

Rating: 3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4

(soft) DNF @ 33%

I am SO SAD to say that I didn't enjoy this book. I picked it up and put it back down so many times hoping that one day it would click with me but that day just isn't coming.

I do not know if this is perhaps an issue with me and not an issue with the book. I absolutely adored Alban's debut with Don't Want You Like A Best Friend and even requested this the second I finished it. So I'm very confused about not enjoying this one. I loved that one so much, why is this one not resonating with me? I don't even have many exact issues with it, I am just currently finding it boring. It is still well written, I feel like I could really love these characters, but it just isn't doing it. The only exact issue I have is that every scene we are getting of Gwen and Beth is them fighting and that's just not what I want to see after I spent 300+ pages falling in love with a couple. I'm sure there's a good reason for it though that I haven't gotten to!

I hope this will be a soft DNF and I will come back to it one day. I am so sure that this is not an accurate representation of the book that I will be withholding this review publicly as to not impact others opinions. This review stays between us, NetGalley.

a very lovely continuation of a queer regency love story. getting to see my babies Gwen and Beth get their true happy ending with James and Bobby made my little heart happy
- full of queer joy and some queer hardship since this is a pretty realistic take on the regency era. lots of reinforcement of how unfair life can be, lots of lessons on how necessary it is to carve your spot in the world despite it all
- every character in this little found family is my baby, but james demeroven is truly mine. i see you boo 😭
- the antagonist was straight up evil. he got his comeuppance tho 🔪
- i think i liked the first one more, still loved this tho!! i feel like we got less of james and bobby actually getting to be together since it took a while to get them there
- the ending tho 😩😩😩🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Note: this was my first NetGalley book and I didn’t know I could sent feedback here!!! I read this back when I first got approved. Thank you so much for this opportunity and letting me read this early!

I love angry boy kissing!!!!!!! While I preferred the first book in the series, this one was still very good. I was invested immediately and couldn’t put it down. We need more queer historical romances.

Thank you to Avon Books for the eARC.

I have to admit, I didn’t adore this one as much as I did its predecessor Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend. So much of the story was basically a long miscommunication that could have easily been prevented had any of the characters just talked?? But of course, it’s Victorian England—we don’t discuss our problems!

I did love Bobby though. Supportive and loving of his family, he even gives James too many second chances (IMO). I enjoyed their relationship, watching it evolve, but I did really want a little more grovel and apologies than I received.

What I really appreciate about this series is the realism. Not the dialogue or banter, because a lot of that feels modernized, but the societal pressures they all have to deal with. The fact that multiple characters feel like they have to hide their true selves just to survive (literally at times in Bobby’s and James’ cases). I adored the ending and their workaround.

Overall, this was a fun and cute story but I didn’t feel hooked like I did with the first.

REVIEW: You're the Problem, It's You

You're the Problem, It's You by Emma R. Alban is a delightful and heartwarming follow-up to Don't Want You Like a Best Friend. This enemies-to-lovers romance continues the story of Bobby Mason and James Demeroven, two men drawn together by their mutual dislike and a shared mission.

Alban's writing is witty and engaging, and the characters are incredibly well-developed. Bobby and James's banter is hilarious and endearing, and their growing attraction is palpable. The author expertly balances the tension between their hatred and undeniable chemistry, creating a captivating and emotionally resonant story.

In addition to the romantic elements, the novel explores friendship, family, and social change themes. The Victorian England setting adds a layer of historical richness and intrigue. The author's portrayal of queer love in a time of prejudice and discrimination is both poignant and hopeful.

Overall, You're the Problem, It's You is a fantastic addition to the Mischief & Matchmaking series. It's a heartwarming, funny, and thought-provoking read that will leave you wanting more.

Thank you, Netgalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager | Avon, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

You're the Problem, It's You by Emma R. Alban is a sharp and insightful exploration of self-discovery, personal growth, and the complexities of relationships. From my perspective, Alban’s writing is both candid and engaging, drawing readers into the protagonist's journey as she confronts her own shortcomings and learns to navigate the challenges of love and life. The character development is particularly strong, making the protagonist’s evolution feel authentic and relatable.

I appreciated how the narrative tackles themes of accountability and the importance of self-reflection in relationships. Alban’s humor adds a delightful layer to the story, balancing the more serious moments with wit and charm. The pacing is well-executed, with a nice rhythm that keeps the story moving while allowing for meaningful insights.

Overall, You're the Problem, It's You is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that resonated with me on multiple levels. It’s a fantastic choice for readers who enjoy contemporary romance with a focus on personal growth and the complexities of modern relationships. Alban's ability to blend humor with genuine emotional depth makes this book a compelling and enjoyable experience.

This book was fun, even if it really does not feel like the historical setting and language are accurate. If you can look past this (or if you do not really care about these things), then this book is a lighthearted romance. Personally, I really enjoy Victorian-era books and do not mind looking past the specific details so I can just enjoy the vibes. 

While I really did not feel the chemistry between James and Bobby, it was still an enjoyable read. I found the “found family” trope to be much more appealing. I also stayed reading for the character growth, which was well done. Ultimately, if you enjoyed the first book in the series then you’ll probably enjoy this one too. I actually enjoyed You're the Problem, It's You a bit more than the first book.

3.5 stars

This was a sweet queer romance set during the Victorian era. Overall, I did enjoy it, though it got off to a bit of a slow start, partially due to some miscommunication between the two main characters. Bobby and James aren't exactly the biggest fans of each other at the moment, but the more they find themselves in each other's presence, the more they realize that they have more in common than not. The tension was high between them, and I loved it whenever their control would snap.

About halfway through, things began to pick up, and despite the fact that they came to a conclusion in the end that I figured out very early on, it still made for a perfect ending. I enjoyed the found/chosen family within the larger family that developed to support and protect each other.

I really did love Gwen and Beth as side characters. They were actually probably my favorite characters in the book. Even though I read this book without reading book 1, there weren't any issues keeping up with the story. If anything, it has me curious to go back and read the first book with Gwen and Beth's journey.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon for the advance reader copy!

I wish I would have read book one before this, but it ended up being fine. The book gave Bridgerton and I read it when I so badly wanted to have new episodes of said show to entertain me. I plan on going back and reading the first book so that is a good sign. It wasn't my favorite read as of late, but it was a solid read. Historical fiction is one of those things you have to look at lightly. Was it 100% accurate, probably not, but it's fiction. Go into it with an open mind and you will be fine.

I read this second book without reading the first in the series and had no problem following along even though the characters from the first book are heavily involved in the plot. It has a lot of subplots, and while they help show character growth they also pull my interest away from the main characters and their love story at times. The actions of an ex-lover are tiresome, and the solutions to this and other conflicts are predictable.

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend was one of my favorite romance reads of the year so I was excited when I saw another book was coming so soon. Sadly I would not say I liked this one as much. I wish it had just been a direct sequel so we could have spent more time with Beth/Gwen and their parents. James and Bobby just were never as interesting as the girls. I felt mostly bored throughout this. The miscommunication was just too overused and for two people getting blackmailed they really couldn't stop getting caught.

I wanted more of the lavender marriage aspect, I kept waiting and waiting for it to come into play. It just felt so slow.

I was truly excited for this book, especially after completing Don't Want You Like a Best Friend. But unfortunately, it fell a bit short for me. It felt as though part of the main plot was miscommunication, and that is something that was bothering me while reading. While the ending did redeem it and make it worth the time it took to read, there were moments where I almost DNF'd it. All of this to say that I would still recommend this book, and am very much looking forward to more books by Alban! This author just has such a way with words and an ability to make lovable characters that I had to finish reading.