Heat Factor: I wasn’t getting a significant amount by the time I threw in the towel

Character Chemistry: It’s reading like “we got off on the wrong foot but we’d prefer to get off, period” is the vibe here

Plot: I DNF’d for non-plot related reasons, but from what I gathered we’re looking at two young lords who don’t feel like they fit in anywhere else but together. Only they didn’t know it yet when I stopped.

Overall: It’s very possible I’ll try harder to finish this but as of now I’m calling it at 20%.

…and this is why: the writing style is very slippery and hard for my brain to hold on to, and while I tried for literally a month to get it done, eventually I realized I am not built for catching this particular kind of literary trout and I gave up.

I can point out that the title and the cover were intriguing, and of course anytime I see queer historical I’m going to want to give it a shot. The characters, Bobby and James, were both kind of dismal for the first bit but in an understandable and relevant way. (I assume that the author sheds them of their dismal auras as the plot thickens, but I couldn’t get that far.)

Obviously many books are written in 3rd person present and it’s not a problem, but this one very much was for me. I sat with why, and luckily the next book in my queue was ALSO 3rd person present and I realized that the pace of the sentences was very repetitive—it was kind of the same feeling as riding in a car and going over evenly spaced highway bumps…you’re going to nod off. Maybe literally. I will also say that a lot of the material was reiterated in multiple ways over the course of each character’s chapter, so between the repeated content and the pace, I couldn’t retain anything I was reading whatsoever. I had to look up the character’s names to write the review, and it was almost brand new information.

Another factor that took me out of the book was that the dialogue was more contemporary than I expected. I had to re-check the year based on one of the “new laws” mentioned in the storyline. I don’t actually care normally if authors are relaxed about these things—it can be a really fun way to tweak norms and conventions, honestly. But in this case, because I was already struggling to focus, I ended up being totally yanked out of the narrative and I couldn’t get back in. And I really did want to get through it! I did. Some books just aren’t meant to enter my consciousness, I guess. Best of luck to those who would like to give it a go, though!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

As someone who loved this authors debut, I found this book to be just as delightful. The enemies to lovers dynamic worked so well for them and I found Bobby and James to be very likable and even funny. The tension between these two was undeniably present and you were just waiting for these two to let go and get together. If you love the Bridgerton vibes, but make it more queer, I definitely recommend these books. Overall a wonderful read I’ll continue to recommend.

I really loved this sweet, moving queer romance. I do think this was marketed differently from what I expected—this is not really a lighthearted enemies to lovers. It’s a book about queer chosen family and loneliness and finding self worth in the face of abuse. It’s very good, but make sure to tailor your expectations!

You’re the Problem, It’s You by Emma R. Alban (Book 2)

oh my gosh, I was so excited to read the second book in this cute queer series and it did not disappoint! Not only are the titles adorable TS songs, but the characters were so well written and I loved seeing the queering of the regency novel and all the fun romance tropes that played out.

I really loved the (while very predictable) lavender marriage concept that played out in this book, and the way that the author brought in the very real fears associated with being a gay man in a time that there was a very real threat of being jailed and losing everything simply for being a man in love with another man, in a way that queer women were not as openly threatened. And it was sad but refreshing to explore real fear and trauma that James is experiencing having grown up without a supportive family and due to his previous experiences.

I did feel that the threat of Raverson felt a bit contrived and forced by the end, as though it wasn’t really ever much of a threat at all and I was glad for the move from reality that a family would be so openly welcoming of queer love, but the overall challenges weren’t so dire or high stakes and we were led to believe. And overall, I can’t complain because we got our HEA in such a lovely way.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

After loving Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend earlier this summer I was overjoyed to get the arc of this one and it did not disappoint. Since watching Bridgerton I have been loving regency romances and I love that this one puts a queer spin on it. While this one isn’t very historically accurate, let’s be honest I’m not reading these for historical accuracy. This story follows a young lord and a second son who can’t stand each other and their meddling cousins who keep trying to force them together!

The beginning of the book is a little slow but once I got into it I did not want to put it down. I loved seeing Gwen and Beth again and seeing how they were meddling with James and Bobby. These books have such fun side characters!

There is a major plot involving black mail but I thought it fit well with the story and added to the plot!

This was such a great follow up to the first book and I can’t wait to see what Alban does in the future!

If you enjoy queer or historical romances this one is definitely worth picking up! This was a 4.5 out of 5 for me, rounded up to 5.

I think Emma R. Alban books are going to be auto-reads for me. I really enjoy her writing, and so far both books in the series have brought me a lot of joy.

In You're the Problem, It's You, Bobby and James are two former schoolmates who currently can't stand each other. Bobby thinks James has a stick up his butt, and James thinks Bobby is a little too reckless with his escapades. Through a series of unfortunate events, both men get blackmailed by a former a mutual former paramour and must work together to fix it. I could go through all the other details, because there are lots, but the gist is this: it is not easy being queer in old England.

If you read the first book in this series, you may have an inkling of where the story might go. I liked the ending and how it worked out. I felt like it was a good ending based off the times, and it made me happy for everyone involved.

You should check out this series if you like found family, accepting parents, and queer joy.

Thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the e-ARC!

This was just so cute. After the first in the series I was excited to see this one once it came out. It had a lot of fun moments and I love a good enemies to lovers. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested.
4.25/5

Fun and frothy, with appropriate amounts of drama and regency nonsense. Made for perfect reading during a heat wave.

After catching sight of that cover (A+ on that), I *had* to check out this book. It was the perfect post-Bridgerton read and great for readers who love the enemies-to-lovers trope. The romance was believable, and the story easy to follow for people like me who haven't read the first book. (I enjoyed this one enough to pick up #1 one.)

Enemies to lovers is my favorite and having it in Victorian England, yes, please! The tension and forced proximity in this book keeps you wrapped up!

“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!