I had read (and loved) this authors previous book, Not Just Gal Pals, so I was super excited to get into Novel Problems which is set in the same town (but can be read as a standalone).

In it we follow George, who owns and runs a cafe/bookstore in Sapphire Springs, and Hannah, who writes popular fantasy books under a pen name. Hannah in new to Sapphire Springs, and is tasked with signing over 800 copies of her upcoming book, but when she goes to George's bookstore to pick up the books, she is unable to hear very well in the cafe due to misplacing her hearing aid, so she accidentally instead agrees to a job working in the cafe.

I thought this was such a fun premise! This is the only way I will enjoy a miscommunication trope, and it reminded me of the fun in the book ‘The Undomestic Goddess’ by Sophie Kinsella. It was interesting, however, how the book was structured. I assumed that this would be the plot of the book, however this section of the book lasted until about a third of the way through when it was solved. It almost felt like 3 short books in one, as it did feel like we got multiple full story arcs. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it was just interesting that it was set out this way. Personally, I do think I would have preferred the miscommunication about the job to maybe have been the entire book, rather than it ending and then getting a few new story arcs after.

We did, however, get no pesky third act breakup. Which may have been because the book doesnt follow the typical romance book structure.
I did like that we had some discussions about power imbalances in relationships, as (even though she wasn't meant to be) Hannah was an employee of George, creating a power imbalance. Power imbalances in romance books is something I hate, so I'm glad this was a concern for the characters.

Being an anxious girly myself, I really related to Hannah and her stress over difficult conversations throughout the book. But love the positive talk about therapy, Hannah has clearly been working on communication.

As I'm not someone who deals with hearing loss, I can't speak to how the representation was done, but I thought the authors note at the end was lovely, even giving tips on communicating with someone with hearing loss.

Overall, I did really enjoy this one and will continue to pick up from this author in future.

I've been trying to read more books in other genres and have been enjoying throwing in lighter romance reads in my rotation because I've been in the mood for cute stories. And this book delivered! It was a great mix of cute and also touched on some bigger topics, such a communication in relationships (romantic and platonic), setting + following boundaries, accommodating disabilities, and more.

As a straight person, though, I will be honest that this was my first time reading a sapphic romance novel. I selected it to read new perspectives and the story description had me intrigued. I love books about authors, librarians, book shops, coffee shops, or similar. This book has it all! Hannah is a best selling fantasy author who goes by a pen name because she does not like being the center of attention. George is a former computer nerd who turned around and opened a bookstore/ coffee shop combination (which would be a dream by the way, right?) in a small town called Sapphire Springs because she was tired of her computer career and wanted to interact with people and books more often. Honestly, same here (well the books part, maybe not the people part, although I interact with a fair amount of people as a healthcare provider, but I digress.). It may seem on paper to be an unlikely pairing, but I'm sure you will find yourself rooting for them early on in the story as I did.

As previously mentioned, this story did a nice job of tackling more challenging topics like communication with friends and romantic partners, setting and following boundaries, how to accommodate disabilities in everyday life (for example, Hannah has hearing loss and wears a hearing aid), dealing with difficult parents, and more. The one thing I wish the author had done a better job in the book, though, was showing in her writing, not telling for certain scenes/situations. This was a relatively short book and I feel like certain scenes could have benefited from a more expansive description of what was going on, rather than a summary of what happened/ how Hannah or George perceived a certain situation. This did not majorly detract from the story overall, though, and why I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars, rather than 5 stars. It was a quick and cute read, but also had important lessons and solid character development!

This is my first time reading a book by Elizabeth Luly, but I don't plan for it to be my last! Especially because I found out a few of the characters in Novel Problems are in a different book of hers also set in Sapphire Springs (although it is totally find to read them out of order/ as standalones).

A complimentary copy was provided by West Brunswick Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A fun read!

Loved this small town romance. A writer moves to a small town and ends up working at a cafe bookstore.

Fun characters and a good plot.

This book wasn’t for me. There were some parts that I liked but there were even more that I didn’t like. I wasn’t the intended audience.

A sweet romcom

Hannah is a best selling fantasy author, but she writes under a pen name and doesn't expose herself to the public. When writer's block hits her after a breakup, she moves to Sapphire Springs to find inspiration again. But her publisher sends books for her to sign in a local cafe-bookstore, and instead of introducing herself as the author, she accidently gets a job as a waiter. She can blame that on how ridiculously attractive her new boss is. But between lies, the deadline and growing desire, she's in more trouble than she can handle.

The premice of this book was exquisite. Even if I wanted to shake Hannah like a tree so she would stop lying and putting herself in such horrible situations, I couldn't help but understand her reaction, and why she couldn't quite reveal the truth. The romance was really sweet and beautiful, and I liked how both women didn't really know what to do about their feelings because of their professionnal situation, but talked it out rather than letting it stew. It was a sweet story, and both characters were really relatable and well-written, flawed and intense like I love them. It was fun, quirky and embarassing in the best way. However, the writing did feel a bit too tell instead of show for me, and it sometimes pulled me out of the story a little, like I was more observant than in the head of one of the MCs. Nothing that prevented me from enjoying the book!

I recommend if you like sapphic romcoms with secrets and mistakes.

"You are anything but a disappointment."

What happens when an extremely private, introverted, best-selling fantasy writer has a bad case of writer’s block, is going through personal stuff finds herself is a small town, working at a cafe bookstore, oh, and falls in love with her new boss who finds herself falling for her new employee as well?

Well…
I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out!

I loved the humor, the writing, the easy flow of a true summer romance.

No third act breakup, and a great representation of mental health/therapy and disability rep.

This is definitely a must for readers who love reading about a sweet summer romance, hilarious moments, finding courage, and strong sapphic characters.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the eARC of this novel! I overall really enjoyed it, especially while being home in my small town for the summer, it made me really want to open up an indie bookstore like George. the writing style was a bit unnatural to me, I wasn’t bothered by it that much, but occasionally I would read some dialogue that I just can’t imagine being said aloud in the same way. The story was great, though, it was easy to follow, kept me hooked, and was overall well done! The character development was also done really well. I loved to see the characters purposefully and openly acknowledging their flaws and addressing them. Even though miscommunication was what started the whole relationship between the two MCs, it didn’t make me angry like the trope often does with other books, most likely because it was relatable and resolved in healthy and constructive ways. The relationship between the MCs as a whole was also done very well and I though the author did a wonderful job portraying a healthy relationship with communication and boundaries, also in spicy scenes which I always love to see! Overall I gave this book 4 stars and would definitely recommend it as a nice summer sapphic romance read!

A big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with ARC of this book!
Release date of this novel: 5/30/24
Available on Kindle!

Synopsis: Hannah Taylor has some novel problems. The best-selling fantasy author, who writes under a secret pen name, is suffering from writer’s block after her long-term relationship collapses. With the deadline for her next novel fast approaching, Hannah flees Manhattan for Sapphire Springs, New York, planning to hide away until she finishes her book. But when she’s forced to visit the local cafe-bookstore, she accidentally finds herself with a new job and one very attractive new boss. Distractions she definitely doesn’t need with her looming deadline…or does she?

George O’Grady worked hard to turn Novel Gossip into the cafe-bookstore of her dreams, but staff shortages are putting the normally unflappable lesbian under pressure. Hannah’s appearance is a godsend. Although it would be easier if her new employee was less distractingly lovely, because George has a strict rule against dating employees.

Over the course of the summer, Hannah and George grow closer. But can the two book lovers overcome their novel problems, rules and relationship baggage to write their own happy ending?

My Review:
I enjoyed this light hearted LGBTQ+ romance between Hannah & George. I appreciate how the author brought awareness to disability representation with Hannah's hearing loss. I found the beginning of this book anxiety provoking/ frustrating as I was eager for Hannah to tell George the truth of who she really was, and why she is now in Sapphire Springs. It seemed that Hannah was digging a bigger hole for herself as the lies went on. This element of the story does provoke readers to continue on reading and to see how everything unfolds as George finally learns the truth about Hannah's identity and her being George's favorite author.

I also appreciated the awareness/representation around being divorced at a young age and starting over.

This book gave me Hallmark story vibes, I would have loved if there was more spice in this story apart from just fluttery feelings and kisses.
Overall if you are looking for an easy, light hearted read with interesting characters this book is for you!

thank you to netgalley for providing me with ARC of this book. this book came out 5/30/24 and is available on kindle unlimited. i had not read book one and it can be read as a standalone.
i really enjoyed the disability rep of hannahs hearing loss and how it was something she struggled with in daily activities as i go through similar struggles with my blondness. hannahs communication issues drove me insane initially but the way it was resolved at the end had me more ok with it. i enjoyed the other fmc george’s perspective as well and i thought these two were very complimentary.

I enjoyed the writing and the quirks of the characters and the town - I'm a sucker for small town romances. This book gave me so much anxiety, because there were so many chances to come clean and reveal the truth and it took way too long to get there!

The mysterious author H.M. Stewart, after her sad divorce, retreats to a beautiful town named Sapphire Spring. Hannah, who is a fantasy author by pen name H.M. Stewart, after finding her wife cheating, for the sake of old memories and the hurt of failed relationships, moved to a beautiful cottage, but despite her plan for avoiding people, she ended up in a novel gossip cafe. George, the novel gossip owner, is an aspiring woman who found her own café by the sole passion of a good book followed by good coffee and delicious cakes. She, who was understaffed for managing her customer, was looking for an employee and mistook Hannah, who was there to sign her books for an upcoming publication, as a job seeker. Their chemistry immediately clashes, and it starts sparkling.

The book is from the dual pov of Hannah and George's resolve to connect characters with readers; it describes the two fmc blooming relationships and how they got where they are. It's a low-angst romance, but it also contains the struggles of both characters: Hannah, who is an introvert and struggles with imperfections, and George, who witnessed the prejudice of an unbalanced relationship both in her parents and herself. But all in all, when the connection sparks, it's hard to ignore it because we see the moment where they both are uncertain, like Hannah dueling to tell George she's her favorite author but scared of what would happen, or George refusing her attraction because she's not sure if it's the right choice to start a relationship.


The novel problem is not only about dealing with worries about being in a relationship; it also shows that being in a fair part of that also matters. There is this part when the lack of confidence made Hannah not tell George who she is, and it started the string of avoidance, which led her to worry more about the future when George finds out who she is even though she didn't do anything wrong. When reading the book, you understand how your actions and behavior could influence you in life, especially having the confidence you deserve, but Hannah, by being so untrusting of herself, makes the situation confusing and also delays her being with George sooner.

I appreciate the subtle description about how both George and Hannah feel, but I could do more with the details and the plot. Yes, it is romance, but I think it has more rooms for adding both FMC experience and origins. George is a genius tech who has a degree on it and even developed an app for her ex-campaign to win the house of reps, and the money she earned by that indicates she paid her father's debt and found a novel gossip cafe. This only has a lot to say, and also Hannah, who has a history with her ex, which before the tragedy was her big support to reach where she is now. I could really do with more detail in that. So I rate the book only 3 and the excitement 1 because it has technically nothing except the flutter they feel and some kisses. But if you are looking for new experiences from the view of two queer girls, Go on, but don't expect much.

Novel Problems is a great sapphic romance featuring Hannah, a best-selling author, and George, a bookstore/cafe owner. I loved both main characters and thought the writing was super fun. There was a focus on anxiety and mental health, which I think was handled really well. I loved to see how both characters communicated and moved on from their mistakes. (Even if the starting misunderstanding went on way too long lol)

Thanks to NetGalley, Elizabeth Luly, and West Brunswick Press for the opportunity to read and review! My opinions are my own.

I'm hooked on the Sapphire Springs series. This book swaps a third act miscommunication for a first act miscommunication, that resolves as the main character learns more about her self. The cozy Hudson Valley setting is the heart of the book.

I am so glad I could read this book without having read the first in the series. I will go back and read Not Just Gal Pals now, as it bugs me that I didn't read it first. Let's talk about the cover. It is a beautiful cover and gives me the summertime vibes with the skyline in the background. I love how Hannah is drawn, but I pictured George being different in my head when I got to know her (more attractive than what the cover showed). The author did a good job at bringing these two different (but not different) souls together. I like how both have books in their backgrounds. Hannah being a best-selling fantasy author and George owning a cute small-town cafe-bookstore. Small-town romance has my heart and I live for a good book that has this trope! Distractions were the least of what Hannah and George needed. Hannah was hiding away trying to finish her book but landed a new job at the bookstore. George was under pressure with staff shortages and doesn't like to date employees. So, when both FMCs find the other one attractive, you can see where things are headed. I can easily see this story turn into a cute Hallmark movie!

I had such a great time reading this cute FF romance.
I really liked the hidden identity aspect of the first part of the story and even the miscommunication trope was well executed.
I felt the chemistry between our two fmcs, they were not each other types but somehow were really made for each other.
It's a really good read for summer time and i can't wait to recommend it to my friends.

Apologies for such a long time before reviewing!

"Novel Problems" by Elizabeth Luly is a delightful sapphic small-town summer romance that captures the essence of love and self-discovery. The charming setting and well-drawn characters make it easy to get lost in the story. The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, and their journey is both heartwarming and engaging. Luly's writing style is vivid and evocative, bringing the small town to life and immersing the reader in the characters' experiences. While the plot is somewhat predictable, the emotional depth and genuine connection between the characters make it a highly enjoyable read. A perfect summer escape! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really liked the sound of this. A cute romance about a famous author trying to find some peace and inspiration after a messy divorce falling for a bookstore owner? It sounded cute. However, I couldn't get farther in than like 15%.
My main problem was Hannah and her inability to come clean. I could forgive her working a shift after accidentally telling George that she was the applicant to work at the cafe. That's something I could see myself doing to avoid admitting I'd misheard something. However, with everything going on, like 841 of her books taking up space at the store waiting for Hannah to sign them, I didn't like the way she kept going with it. The secondhand embarrassment/discomfort was too much.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

3.5 stars rounded up. This is a sweet little sapphic summer romance with minimal angst and cute B-plots related to George’s cafe/bookstore and Hannah’s career as an author. I really loved George in particular, and the queer cast of characters that surrounds our MCs. We need more rep for gender-nonconforming cis queer people, too!!

At times, I found it a bit too self aware and referential, like when Hannah mentioned her favorite sapphic authors or music she was listening to, but it wasn’t too frequent or distracting. There was a bit of miscommunication trope, which isn’t my favorite, and Hannah does acknowledge that, which felt a little too much like the author’s attempt to excuse it. I also felt that the dialogue was somewhat unnatural at times, and the chemistry was there for the romance, but I wasn’t excited by the spicy scenes at all.

The cover was distracting to me and I really don’t like how they drew George. I usually prefer to be able to imagine the characters myself, and in this case I feel like they made George look like this weird buff bald guy which is so not her!!

Overall, a fun and easy read I’d recommend for the summer.

This book was a sweet read with a lot of romance and no unnecessary 3rd act break-up which I hate. George and Hannah so right for each other after having bad past relationships.

Nice to also reconnect to Blake and Jenny from Not Just Gal Pals.

Novel Problems, similar to the first in the series, is very Hallmark-y and sweet. There was growth within the characters and they each had their own hang ups. Communication was a big part of this story, literally- one of the characters is hard of hearing! I struggled only a little with the pacing, but it was still a fun, easy read that I’d recommend!