“This is what it’s supposed to feel like. Swoony and bright and everything.” ✨

Ever since I first saw the cover and title of these books, I needed to read them. Queer historical romance with Taylor Swift song references in the title?? It’s absurdly cheesy. However, I am a rat! I love cheese!

I was super fortunate to receive an ARC of the second book so finally picked them and read them back-to-back. Even though each book has a different character and a different couple, you need to read them in order. I would also really recommend reading them back-to-back because it’s easier to remember all the names (and there are lots of them!!).

Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend follows Gwen and Beth as they enter the 1857 social season. Beth has to snag a wealthy husband, or she and her mother will be out on the street. Gwen, on the other hand, is in her fourth season with no intention of finding a husband. Instead of surrendering to courtship, they set up Gwen’s father and Beth’s newly widowed mother: Let them get married instead. There are just two problems: Their parents seem to hate each other, and Gwen and Beth have developed feelings for each other.

You’re the Problem, It’s You picks up sometime after the first book and now we follow Gwen and Beth’s cousins, Bobby and James. Who seem to hate each other. They can barely get through a single conversation without tensions boiling over. Neither Bobby nor James has ever met a more intriguing, infuriating, infatuating man. But they can’t keep avoiding each other as their cousins keep conveniently setting up group outings.

This series is so fun. I started them right around the time that I started Bridgerton S3 and that’s exactly the vibe that these books are going for. It’s not supposed to be a gritty, realistic, piece of historical fiction, it’s a silly frothy romantic fun time. A lot of people don’t vibe with it, which is fair!!! I just don’t think it’s supposed to be that serious so I had fun!!

The first book has Parent Trap vibes with many fun hijinks, but I have to be honest and say that I liked the second book more!! Why? Because it has more angst and yearning and pining and repression. Sorry, I can only really get invested in romances with angst I am aware that is probably a problem.

Though Gwen/Beth and Bobby/James are the main characters, their parents and friends truly stole the show at times. Especially the parents. It’s so rare to see romance books where the parents actually play an important role and are constantly there supporting their children, and I love to see it!!

This was such a lovely time. I hope Emma R. Alban writes more books in this series/world, but in general excited to see what they write next!!

4.25 stars. I really liked this book, far more than the first one. The chemistry between James and Bobby was so cute, I loved the mutual pining and slow burn. I felt like the two of them were far more complex and fleshed out than Beth and Gwen was. I felt connected to both of them, and felt like I knew them personally. It was definitely a bit slow at the beginning, but the second half went so quick! It definitely felt easier to pay attention and understand. The plot was linear and executed well, and I never felt like I lost the plot at points. The third act breakup had me CRYING. I love how they learn to accept each other in the end.

Thank you Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, & Emma R. Alban for the ARC.

I love a good queer historical romance, and this ticked all the boxes. I definitely would read more like this from this author.

Not usually a fan a third person. Took a while to get into. The main characters are a bit boring.

Love the cover & title. This is giving queer Bridgerton vibes

Loved this book, I always love this genre and it always has me hooked before I know it! Great characters and plot

This book is SO good. I was excited to see that there was a second book after reading "Don't Want You Like A Best Friend." I will say that if you enjoyed the first book you will enjoy this one as well! The pacing of this book is A LOT better than the first book, it's quick right from the first chapter and continuously kept me engaged and excited to read. This book follows the cousins of Beth and Gwen (first book characters.) Technically, you don't HAVE to read the first book to enjoy this one, but some things are mentioned and carried over. Since this is a historical romance there are some... tense moments relating to keeping relationships and interests a secret that may not be the case for other romances. There is quite a bit of detailed spice in the book as well. The character and relationship development between James and Bobby is beautifully written and portrayed. Found family is another key element to this book/series. I really enjoyed this second installment in the series and hope that there will be more in the future!

Autistic-coded, Darcy-esque protagonist!! He is offputting because he cares so much!! I find this type so endearing (and somehow relatable, even though I think I come across as the opposite of aloof/rude lol).
I loved Gwen and Beth so much, but neither of them was as instantly recognizable/memorable as the two leads here. For once I didn’t mind the miscommunication, even!

I’m so dumb that I never realized that like…every lord (ok, every “peer”) was in the House of Lords?? Like you inherit a viscountdom (?) at 21 and suddenly you’re in the parliament, what the heck?? You have a title and you just get to choose the laws?? I def understand some more things about American history now, lol.

I do think Alban makes her happy endings a bit too long for my personal taste and verrry sappy (I think I’d like more of the couple being together after admitting they’re in love instead), but overall this was delightful. I think people will be very happy with how the series ends.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! It comes out tomorrow (!), Aug 27.

After having read "Don't Want You Like a Best Friend", I was READY for more queer regency romance, plus we love the Taylor Swift references, in Emma R. Alban's latest book "You're the Problem, It's You".

Just like in the first, the characters are relatable from the start and I love when a series continues to build by exploring the stories of side characters from the first. I'm still not a major fan of how Alban writes the narrative in present tense instead of past, but it was still enjoyable, just felt more difficult to read because of it.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of this book!

This was a truly delightful romp through historical England! I loved Bobby and James and their individual journeys but also their romance. I loved getting to see Gwen & Beth again, and just...the warm fuzzies of it all. And it was HOT! Beautiful. I adored this!

After, Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend, I was eager to pick up the next book in their story and it did not disappoint! Bobby and James were utterly enjoyable and I loved getting to see more of Beth and Gwen. A great book!

I was eagerly anticipating Emma R. Alban's You're the Problem, It's You, but unfortunately, the novel fell short of my expectations. The lack of historical accuracy pulled me out of the story and made it feel somewhat aimless. The protagonist, Bobby, is portrayed as mired in ennui due to his inability to participate in politics. However, it was quite common for second sons to be involved in politics, albeit in the House of Commons rather than the House of Lords.

While this historical inaccuracy might have been forgivable with a stronger romance, both main characters came across as petty and whiny, which made it difficult to sympathize with them. Creating a compelling and historically accurate queer Victorian novel is undoubtedly challenging, but You're the Problem, It's You leaned so heavily into the angst that it rendered the protagonist unlikable.

I adored this story. I enjoyed Don't Want You Like A Best Friend, but this one was perfect. I loved Bobby and James and their journey to figuring out each other. The miscommunication made sense, they both took things literally, and both had to be careful in their words given the time frame and situation.

This is a queer historical romance set in London, but not during the regency era featuring two families that are merged because of events of the first book, match making cousins, a nasty character that is not above blackmail, great information on the Medical Act that helped to standardized doctor training and registration leading to a better standard of healthcare, and sweet characters and their insanely protective partners.

Highly recommend this story.

this book! this FREAKING BOOK! emma r alban has earned a spot as a new favorite author of all time this year. i simply ADORED her debut, and this sequel was no different. bobby and james had amazing chemistry together and kept me on the edge of my seat. not to mention, they were both wonderful to read as individuals with their own personal growth journeys. this book captures everything i adore about queer historical romance: people persevering to make a life they love in spite of societal circumstances, the swooniest sneaking around and obliviousness, and, of course, the aesthetic that the regency era affords with its swishing gowns and parasols and buttoned up suits and afternoon picnics and evening dances. the ending emma gives these beloved characters certainly wraps everything up in a wonderful bow, but i of course could read so much of their idyllic life at demoroven manor. i could also gush for hours. amazing and would rec to anyone wanting a wonderful historical romance.

You’re the Problem, It’s You

4/5 rating

Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Avon.

I was very surprised to find that I enjoyed this one even more than the previous entry “Don't Want You Like a Best Friend”. The romance was a slower burn which personally made the angst and pinning so much more effective this time around. If you are going into this as a standalone and are looking for something super realistic/historically accurate this is definitely not that. But if you are looking for something queer, creative, and fun, pick this up asap!

Overall, this novel was an engaging and fluffy story full of bickering and angst that wraps up with a very satisfying ending.

I really enjoyed the writing style and the premise was interesting but the beginning was so slow. It didn't pick up for me until around 30-35%. It was not grabbing my attention whatsoever up until that point.
ended up having to pick up the audiobook on release day and tandem read them to keep my focus (although it did help that the story picked up).
did like the solution they came up with in the end to be able to live their lives happily during the time period they're in.
I would definitely pick up something from this author in the future because did enjoy the writing
If you are a fan of historicals you would probably enjoy this.

I really liked the first book in this series, Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend, so I was looking forward to reading the next installment.

Possibly very light spoilers (mention of parts that occur early on in the book, and the type of good ending — no specific details on the ending though)

I think I was expecting this book to be different than it was. While I could see the ending coming from a mile away, that was okay. I had more problems with the relationship development between the two main characters. For the first 50% or so, I didn’t quite understand how they would end up even remotely liking each other as there was so much verbal sparring. To me, it didn’t feel realistic, and I didn’t feel emotionally involved with the characters. (Except perhaps Gwen, Beth, and their parents from the first book.) Supposedly James has had a crush on Bobby since University, but as for why… not entirely sure. And with how he acted toward Bobby you’d never know.

I will say one part of the book I resonated with James’ fear of being discovered. I definitely empathized with him in this aspect.

Overall, this felt like a book with a good ending, but mainly a good ending for Beth and Gwen. A nice wrap up to their story. Not sure I much enjoyed James and Bobby’s story, unfortunately.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Avon.

Tired of being overlooked, Bobby yearns for significance while his peers squander their privilege. He clashes with the newly titled Viscount Demeroven, James, who feels like a disappointment and avoids attention. James is drawn to Bobby’s vibrant energy, but their ambitions and personalities clash. When an extortionist threatens their families, they’re forced to cooperate and to navigate their simmering attraction.

This novel has more angst and less humor than I expected, based on the cover and title. I enjoyed the romance between Bobby and James, especially in the second half of the book. This is the second book in the series, and I highly recommend reading Book 1 immediately before reading this one. The audiobook narration was well done.

Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC.

Overall, I liked this one but it was a little slow at times. And then, it all happened so fast, they fell completely for each other so fast and it felt a little off. Basically the pacing was one for me...
I still enjoyed this, especially all the family things and seeing the girls from book 1 again and again. I liked the main characters and the overall drama even though some part of it felt a little off.
It was a good romance and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

Not a fan of the blackmail part of the plot but it was rather minor compared to the rest of the story so it’s fine. No hate but bridgerton vibes and im not a big fan of that show/era. It was still a good read despite that so if you like the rivals/enemies to lovers thing but make it Victorian you’ll like this. It felt like they went into the love aspect a bit quickly but this is part of a duology so maybe that’s why? I didn’t read the first book so maybe I’m just missing context. Even without reading the first the story still works.

Definitely not fully a standalone, it can be confusing if read as one with all the references towards the first story. The previous batch of characters are fully still in this second book. That’s just a heads up as it’s my bad for thinking otherwise haha. It definitely gives Bridgerton vibes, the show not the books, like Benedict’s storyline if they continued down his bi storyline! James was definitely a bit heavy on the Darcy douchey side to start off with, but you can eventually see how rooted in fear it was and his kinder heart start to shine through. Our sunshine, Bobby, was going through a lot while trying to tamper the feelings he was developing for James, and I loved how their little found/actual family were all there for each other. I can’t wait to see which of them is featured next!