this is not my favorite, dnf'ing at 30%. i will come back to this and finish it before the end of the year

I really enjoyed the rivals-to-lovers dynamic between James and Bobby. Their interactions were fraught and fun, and I was rooting for them to get together the whole time. Overall, this was a sweet story that I enjoyed. I did struggle to get into it at first, not because of the main characters -- who I enjoyed immediately -- but because there were so many minor characters and so many group scenes where side characters were referred to by both names and titles, and I just couldn't keep everyone straight. I actually wondered at one point if I had forgotten key characters and needed to reread the first book in the series (which I only read two months ago). Or perhaps I needed to make some sort of character list for my own reference. That was really distracting to me, and unexpected since I did not have the same confusion while reading the first book in the duology. Once I settled in though, I was able to lose myself in the story. There characters were all sympathetic in their own way, and I enjoyed the setting even if it felt a little unrealistic that everything could work out so neatly for two queer couples in this time period. I will gladly take unrealistic over traumatic though, so I was happy to suspend that disbelief to enjoy this story.

You’re the problem, its you is a period romance and the second in the mischief and matchmaking series. We follow Bobby Mason, a simple second son, as he tries to befriend the new Viscount Demeroven, James, very unsuccessfully. Both boys find themselves in the same circles, in and out of society, as they stumble upon one another in Parker’s gentleman’s club, a safe space for queer men of the ton. They’re forced to band together to keep their family, and each other safe, growing fonder of each other through the minute. I adored Bobby and James’ story and the life they built, and happily rate this 4 stars!!!


James and Bobby have an electric dynamic, they spend the first half of the book bickering and the second half devouring each other. I didn’t know how badly I had been missing rivals to lovers until them.
I love how much of a lovesick puppy dog Bobby is the whole time, he’s down bad for James the entire book, which is saying something when you factor in James’ school crush. He’s very cautious, and easily spooked; he spends the first part of the book in gay panic mode. It’s not until he learns about Gwen and Beth, and their families acceptance, that he is able to relax and be himself. I really enjoyed James’ adrenaline induced “come to Jesus” moment where he realized how much he didn’t want anything he’d been working so hard to preserve. I love seeing a character that was once so headstrong about making themselves unhappy finally realize what they’re doing to themselves.

It’s so funny knowing what Gwen and Beth’s plans were, and then realizing just how suspicious it was. I was in the dark like the boys, I had no clue their behavior was off.
I really loved the epilogue, seeing that the four of them were able to build their own beautiful lives, and while some parts may be seen as “unrealistic”, there was still time accurate conflict. Yes they created a safe haven, but we know the world outside this family is not safe for them and their kids, despite their statuses in society.

This was a really quick and fun read for me. I hadn’t read Don’t Want You Like A Bestfriend, and I feel like I should have and plan to read it. The family dynamics were a bit hard to follow, something I think reading the first book would have cleared up.

Did not much care for the first book in this series, about Beth and Gwen, and their whole parent trap sapphic situation. But this one is more interesting, and not just because it handles enemies to lovers so well. Bobby and James are both shown struggling significantly with their purpose in life, with their privilege and their complicated inherited legacies, they have a fantastic queer group of friends, and a family entrenched in the politics of medical safety, especially with two family members going through difficult pregnancies. I'm so impressed by how well rounded this story is in grounding the characters in their circumstances and zeitgeist. Such a rarity in Regency romance, especially queer ones, usually the forte of only a handful of well established authors in the genre. Not to mention the huge departure from the relatively frivolous tone of the previous book. Beth and Gwen somehow still manage to be the most annoying side characters but the D'Vere crew and the parliamentary storyline more than makes up for it. I wish it could have been a standalone but unfortunately the events of the first book are crucial in setting up the family structure that we see and cherish in this second book.

You're the Problem, It's You, the second installment in the Mischief & Matchmaking series is funny and tense, and packed to the brim with sweet little moments. This is such a sweet gay Victorian romance, bringing back a cast of beloved characters from the first book as supporting characters for James and Bobby. There is a sprinkling of enemies to lovers, and the banter between the characters is witty and well-paced.
The characters are stubborn and loveable.

My only qualm is that I found the combination of the third person omniscient point of view combined with the fact that victorian era characters tend to be referred to as their first name, their last name, or their title interchangeably. this combination, at times, caused a bit of a disconnect for me personally, but the alternating perspectives helped this quite a bit!

The plot is also well-paced and managed to include a lot of important topics and interesting themes. Overall this was such a warm and entertaining read, a perfect fit for queer bridgerton lovers!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

I read the first book in the series and knew that I had to read this one. I read the first one for the Bridgerton vibe. I read this one for the same reason and both of them hit their marks!{! I enjoyed both of these books thoroughly but I enjoyed the first one a bit better. I would still highly highly highly recommend this book to anybody and I think that the Taylor Swift inspired idea of it all was pretty brilliant as well and I’m not even a swiftie. Overall, I think this book was a great and I’m glad that I was able to read it and enjoy it..

I have been so eagerly awaiting the follow up to Emma Alban’s first sapphic historical romance (Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend) which I loved loved and this in no way disappointed. And, as I updated @sarahsbookstacks, I only cried eight times while reading it.

Gwen & Beth’s (the couple from book 1) cousins, second-son Bobby and newly come into his title Viscount James seem like stark opposites. James is prone to panic and doesn’t know how to fit in his new role in the ton or in Parliament. Beth and Gwen urge Bobby to help James find his place, but the two do nothing but clash and argue. Yet their fighting is maybe just because the heat between them is something other than animosity. When they have to team up to protect their families from blackmail, they realize how much they care for each other, but with the way the world is in regency England, is a future something they can ever have?

Look, historically I know that most families wouldn’t have been supportive of their family members being gay, I am so obsessed with the fact that Alban allowed her characters to find loving families who did anything to support them. This is such a perfect example of found family which is one of my most favorite tropes. It also handled the issues that women faced historically with the dangers of child birth which was so important. I loved loved James and Bobby and how much they loved each other even if I wanted to slap them a couple times for their miscommunication. I always think miscommunication works so much better in historical romances and even though I was frustrated for them (just be happy!) it made sense why they couldn’t be honest up front.

If you’re looking for mm love in a historical romance you must absolutely pick this book up, out today!

If you’re looking for a historically immaculate novel, "You’re the Problem, It’s You" isn’t that book. Emma R. Alban’s mid-19th century setting blends the time period with a modern sensibility, adding to its charm while giving readers not one but two happily-ever-afters at a time when society and laws made it difficult, if not impossible, for queer folks to live as their true selves.

James Demeroven and Bobby Mason aren’t dire enemies as much as they simply find each other beyond insufferable. James is aloof and arrogant—for reasons which gradually become clear—while Bobby is a second son who hasn’t established his role in the world yet. There’s no small amount of envy thrown into their dynamic, but, of course, there’s also lust and attraction that makes them even more prickly and annoyed when they’re forced to be in each other’s company, let alone acknowledge each other’s existence. Which is far too often for their liking.

Cue: The Villain.

No, it’s neither Bobby nor James but someone with whom they are both unfortunately, intimately associated. When they aren’t busy insulting and running away from each other, they have time to realize the only solution to being blackmailed is to put their animosity aside, for the sake of themselves and their families, and cut off their mutual extortionist’s ammunition against them. Bobby and James don’t work alone, either, which offers the story so much of its sincerity and hope within the love and respect and acceptance they find from all sides of their blended families, and more than a few outside allies too.

Warmth and kindness go hand-in-hand with trouble and threats in "You’re the Problem, It’s You", which serves to draw a close-knit family closer and makes love and a future together possible for James and Bobby, and Gwen and Beth. This novel is about queer joy, pure and simple and uplifting.

A Taylor Swift inspired gay Bridgerton?! What's not to love?! This is giving cute banter and it's very cute, very demure. Not gonna lie, it's nothing I wasn't expecting, but sometimes you just need a gay lil' period piece moment.

Queer Romance + Historical Romance + Taylor Swift?? Absolutely sign me up! What first drew my attention was this book cover. It’s so cute!!! But then the blurb hooked me in. I really liked this story and I really liked both main characters.

I read romance novels for the joy and the hope they give me that love exists and can happen regardless of (fill in the blank). And I cannot find two words more fitting for the feel of You’re the Problem, It’s You, than hope and joy. Emma R. Alban has imagined a world in which queer love can exist AND prosper, where acceptance by family and friends, if not by society, makes it okay to love whomever you choose.

I adored Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend and was excited and nervous for James and Bobby’s story. The book begins with lots of anxiety; Viscount James Demeroven has just come into his first season in Parliament, having lived under the intimidation and belittlement of his stepfather for years. He has secretly harbored a crush on schoolmate Robert, Bobby Mason, second son whom he now encounters frequently due to working closely with Bobby’s older brother Albie in parliament. James has a tremendous amount of fear not only about his sexual proclivities being discovered but also that he will fail in his role as viscount. Bobby has been lucky enough to live close to his uncle who provides protection for his daughter Gwen and her stepsister Beth to live as lovers. Seemingly different as they may be, James and Bobby find each other continually nudged together in social settings by their friends and family. What begins as distrust and dislike slowly begins to turn into something more as opportunities to engage with each other allow Bobby and James to see each other with fresh eyes.

With a lot of romances, once the MCs get together, the book is at its apex. And yet what I loved was that I knew James and Bobby would get together, but given the time period and circumstances (and an evil viscount), I truly could not see how they would get their happy ever after. Alban so creatively and beautifully creates a way for her characters to ALL receive a love story fitting for them, and I had enjoyment in seeing it unfold. Family, friends, and the power of loving acceptance play a tremendous role in the character development of both MCs. There is such hope that queer love can bloom in the world Alban has created. There were moments I teared up, just thinking about how much I wished more people in the world could believe in love like these characters do. It may not have been an easy path, but it ends with the best rewards.
Avon graciously sent me a finished copy and all opinions are my own. I am excited to see what other queer love stories Alban will write in the future.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Steam: 🪭🪭
Favorite quote: “It’s the world that’s wrong, not us.”

This one hit just as hard as the first one, and I mean that in the best way possible. I absolutely adored Bobby and James. Their love story was so sweet, and I was kicking my feet and giggling the entire time. These books feel like a warm hug, and I love them so much.

If anyone starts complaining about historical accuracy, in the words of Chappell Roan, “you’re no fun!”

I am all sorts of warm and fuzzy. This lovely second installment in the Mischief and Matchmaking series features a queer Victorian enemies to lovers storyline for the ages!

I really, really had a lot of fun with this! The enemies portion is slower paced, but I love the way Emma R. Alban was able to expand on the world that she created in Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend. It was so great to get to revisit Beth and Gwen and their family from the first book, learn more about Gwen’s cousin Bobby, and get introduced to James, the new Lord Demeroven.

I thought the love story in Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend was really cute and fun, but Bobby and James turn into a truly swoon worthy romance as they move through the book. I wish really could just live in those heightened moments. As important as the romance is, the relationships amongst the rest of the characters were really heartwarming. The family dynamic really is something special and it makes you yearn for more.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I read this book as a stand alone without reading the first book in the series. I give this book 4 stars and 3.75 chili peppers for spice. I really liked this book. The first part of the book was a little bit of a struggle for me due to not knowing characters and the family dynamics, which I know were written about in detail in the first book. Once I got the character situation straitened out, I loved it. I loved the personalities of the two male main characters and also the dynamic of their relationship. I love that once they got together they couldn't keep their hands off each other and it was insta love. I also loved the ending of the book. Super glad I read this book because it was a fun read.

I was really excited about the premise of this book, adorable cover, huge lover of queer historical fiction... but I'm sorry to say that I was just incredibly bored. I read 50% of it, and every time I picked it up between 30-50% was honestly a struggle to get myself to do so. I didn't find the drama of the book compelling, there wasn't a ton of chemistry between the two MCs in my opinion, and things weren't moving fast enough. I didn't come in expecting an epic adventure or super high romance, but I didn't expect to be *bored*.

Their spatting isn't fun; I was often bored by the content of their spats, instead of finding it fun and banter-y. I'm not even sure why they are rivals/enemies at the beginning? The seem to just be completely inept at getting through a conversation without inadvertently offending the other. The extortionist, to the best of my understanding, is a slimy queer guy who has hooked up with both of them and is trying to expose both MCs as queer, so that's an unfun dose of the persecution of queer people I wasn't expecting. I hoped for fun meddling cousin antics but didn't find there to be much of that. Maybe there is later in the book, but I'm too bogged down by the gross villain to get there.

I think perhaps this isn't a bad book -- certainly lots of people seem to love it -- but I'm not sure the summary did a great job of preparing me for what the book actually is, and therefore left me expecting something else and disappointed.

Maybe someday I'll come back to give this book a second chance, but for now, life is too short to finish books I'm not enjoying.

You're The Problem It's You gives a queer twist to a familiar regency setting that felt very reminiscent to Bridgerton! It's a part of the Mischief and Matchmaking duet from Alban, and I did find it incredibly easy to read! There was a bit of a miscommunication towards the third act but I feel like it fixed itself towards the end very well, while adding in other societal norms (and twists) that I wouldn't have thought of for the era of time. The only thing I would say is that I'm not so sure about Bobby and James being enemies, it seemed any time they spoke it would be a brash discussion so going from that to lust was a bit of a 180 for me but once it was there you could tell that them being together did in theory make sense. I also will say having the antagonist being Riverson being SO deplorable was decadently done.

This book was pretty good. I enjoyed the read overall. It was my first read from Emma R Alban. I liked the banter, and the epilogue was so cute! Creating family any way you can is such a beautiful message.

This is a Victorian enemies-to-lovers queer romance, but it’s also a story of found family and acceptance. This series is for everyone that wanted to get on the Bridgerton train but passed because it wasn’t gay enough.

James is the heir, and Bobby is the spare. Both want the life that the other has, and their jealousy often overshadows their simmering attraction. When an old flame returns and threatens to out both of them to their families and society, they’ll have to find a way to trust each other and their loved ones in order to save their reputations. All the while, their cousins, Beth and Gwen, are plotting a way to ensure everyone can have the life and happiness they all deserve.

The romance in this story is sweet and messy, but it’s the found family aspect that really makes this a wholesome story. Bobby and James are not a lone pair trying to carve out some happiness in a world that will never accept them. Certain family members and friends surround them to support their love instead of caving to societal norms and pressures.

I loved Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend, and I love that the sequel has plenty of Beth and Gwen shenanigans. Romance sequels can be hit or miss when the original couple is still in the mix, but this just felt like a natural continuation of the overall story. Now that both books are published, I recommend reading them both in quick succession. I read the first one at the beginning of the year, and I had forgotten some key characters and plot points.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

You're the Problem, It's You is book two in the Mischief & Matchmaking series by Emma R. Alban.
This charming enemies-to-lovers queer Victorian romance was such a solid story.
It’s always so interesting reading about historical queers. to see how they have to navigate their sexualities in that time period, how they keep themselves safe, how that love flickers like a bright light anyway, restless and powerful
A super fun and spicy sapphic regency romance that I absolutely adored!

Thank You NetGalley and Avon for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This book really took me by surprise, and I really wanted to read the book because the first one was really enjoyable, and while I enjoyed the storyline of the first one more than this, I thought the characters were really well done and the writing was funny and enjoyable!