Guillory’s first queer romcom is just as fun and steamy as her other books, and I loved it! After a bad breakup, Avery realizes she has no hobbies and no clue how to flirt—especially with women. Enter Taylor, a total flirt with a heartbreaker rep, who offers to teach Avery the ropes. Sparks fly, and even though their “lessons” start as just friends-with-benefits, it’s clear they’re dancing around something more. The writing had some awkward moments, and the characters could’ve had more depth, but overall, this was a flirty, fun, and salsa-spiced sapphic romance!

There is something SO GOOD about Jasmine Guillory’s writing!! Much like all of her books this was one absolutely wonderful. It was fun to be back in Napa!! And we got to see Margot and Luke a little bit! And Avery and Taylor were so much fun!! I loved how quickly they formed their little friendship and started their flirting lessons and how SEAMLESSLY they fell for each other!!

They both needed someone that was low risk, fun, and easy?!! And they did have so much fun! They learned so many things about themselves! watching Avery really find herself was so good!! She needed not only flirting lessons but she really needed a chance to find her place, a place she could really be comfortable and herself!! And I really loved watching Taylor go from a commitment phobe to a girl who had it BAD. She needed someone to really be on her side and be there for her. They were really so SWEET!

The communication was tough! They went into their relationship thinking it was going to be casual, which is fine, right? But when they started to age stronger feelings, starting thinking maybe things could change, that they could be in it for real…they just didn’t talk about it!!! I also struggled with the way Taylor’s friends kept talking about her…nothing they said was necessarily wrong?? But it was clear she was uncomfortable about it…and when Erica got in on it…hurt my heart! I WILL say I did like way Taylor and Erica’s story was written! (Even though I was hurting right along side Taylor, and then eventually Erica!!) When things change in a friendship it’s HARD! And you don’t always want to talk about it?? But also you SHOULD! The resolution was written so well too!

I will forever read anything Jasmine writes!!

Thanks to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 rounded up. I love Jasmine Guillory, and her sapphic debut is no exception! The eARC was a little weird so switching POV was hard, but otherwise I loved it.

I love this author so much—I’m a completist! Unfortunately, this didn’t work for me as it was just too predictable without the emotional heft of her previous novels. I’ll read the next one!

What a fun way to spend the week of Valentine’s Day, reading this adorable and funny romcom. This was not my first from this author, I’ve read a few of hers, but this was my first LGBTQ+ main focus book. And let me tell you, it was sexy! The chemistry between the characters was insane and everything was very sensual.

Not only was it sexy, it was fun and flirty and such a good time. I enjoyed the messaging throughout the book of confidence and speaking your mind. Going after what you want whether it’s relationships or career. This book was filled with strong independent women and I loved it.

Thank you @berkleyromance , @jasminepics , and @netgalley for allowing me early access to this in exchange for an honest review!

ARC Review: Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory
Pub Date: April 8

Thank you to @berkleyromance for the early #gifted copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily. #berkleypartner

This one started off a little rough for me - I had a hard time connecting to the characters and adjusting to the writing. But ultimately I'm really glad I stuck with the book because I ended up enjoying it a LOT more than I thought I would! I really liked the concept of the "flirting lessons" and actually think a lot of the tips would be genuinely helpful for people experiencing social anxiety and wanting to challenge themselves to branch out. I thought the characters had genuine chemistry with each other that really leapt off the page. The character growth from both Avery and Taylor throughout the book is wonderful to see and really believable. The book is pretty spicy and I loved it!

I've read one or two of Jasmine's book before but this has by far been my favorite so far! I highly recommend giving it a try. Supporting queer BIPOC books is incredibly important given the current state of the world/this country - reading is political my dear friends. Consider preordering this one to show publishers what kinds of books we want more of!

This was my first Jasmine Guillory book and I'm pleasantly surprised! I thought the characters chemistry leapt off the page and the romance was sweet and tender and slow even though this is very sexy. The stakes could have been higher for me and some early scenes felt a little slow, but I definitely recommend this if you like a lower stakes romance with a lot of interpersonal and sexual tension.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was a refreshing and captivating experience, and I found the writing to be both engaging and accessible. The story flowed smoothly, making it easy to stay connected to the plot and characters without feeling lost or overwhelmed. The author struck a perfect balance, keeping things interesting while still making the content feel approachable. Overall, it was a wonderful read, and I would definitely recommend it to others who are looking for an enjoyable and easy-to-digest book.

I had high hopes for this one. The cover is gorgeous and definitely caught my attention. Unfortunately, this one was underwhelming for me. I felt like the story and characters didn't have much depth. The story focused too much on the lessons and the friend situations and not enough on building the chemistry between Avery and Taylor.

Jasmine Guillory delivers a fun, flirty, and heartfelt sapphic romance in Flirting Lessons, a novel that perfectly balances sweetness and spice while offering a charming exploration of self-discovery and vulnerability.

Avery Jensen is an absolute delight of a protagonist—reserved, responsible, and ready to finally let loose after years of playing it safe. Watching her bloom under Taylor’s playful and confident guidance is immensely satisfying, as she not only learns how to flirt but also how to trust herself and embrace her desires. Taylor, on the other hand, is the quintessential heartbreaker who doesn’t take anything too seriously—until Avery starts to shake up her carefully curated world. Their dynamic is pure magic, full of witty banter, growing tension, and undeniable chemistry that makes every lesson between them crackle with energy.

One of the biggest wins (for me) of this book is its low-angst nature. Even as Taylor struggles with her emotions and Avery learns to step outside of her comfort zone, the communication between them remains refreshingly open. There’s no unnecessary drama, no frustrating miscommunications—just two women navigating their feelings, learning from each other, and making mistakes in a way that feels real and relatable. And of course, the spice level? Chef’s kiss. The intimate scenes are steamy but never gratuitous, blending seamlessly into the emotional arc of their relationship.

If there’s one small critique, it’s that the story follows a fairly predictable trajectory. While this isn’t a bad thing (sometimes you want that cozy, familiar rom-com rhythm), it means that there aren’t many surprises along the way. But honestly? That didn’t take away from the enjoyment. This book was exactly what I needed at exactly the right time—a warm, romantic, and sexy story about finding confidence, taking risks, and allowing yourself to fall.

Thank you to Netgalley, Jasmine Guillory & Berkley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve tried reading Jasmine Guillory’s books for some time now. I’ve read two before and they were just meh to me. Nothing stuck out and both were slow burns. I didn’t feel connected to the plot or the characters and this one was not any different for me sadly. I wanted to enjoy it but i didn’t make it that far to do so.

I enjoyed the premise of the book, but not the execution. I wanted the characters to be more multi-dementional.

Another sweet and spicy romance from Jasmine Guillory, featuring a woman ready to learn how to let go and connect with others more authentically and one who doesn’t realize she’s ready for a real relationship until she’s already falling. If you’ve read Drunk on Love, you’ll be familiar with Avery, Luke’s best friend, and Taylor, Margot’s best bartender. I was delighted when I realized we’d get to see their romance play out (and get Tony glimpses of Luke and Margot, too). From the very start, Avery and Taylor have sparkling chemistry, and I love the deal they strike - for Taylor to teach a freshly-single Avery how to flirt, especially with women, a new experience for her.

As for what Taylor gets out of the deal, that would be a new friend, the joy of helping someone step out of their comfort zone and connect with others, and seeing that person grow in confidence and happiness. Of course, Taylor didn’t know that’s what she’d be getting when she offered to give lessons, she just knew she felt drawn to Avery, wanted to spend time with her and help her, and is just a generally kind person.

That’s part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much: Both Avery and Taylor are kind, thoughtful people who pay attention and listen to each other. They do their best to be open, vulnerable, and honest about what they are feeling, even when they feel embarrassed about it, or scared, of angry. Sure, there’s still miscommunication at times, because they, like all of us, deal with private insecurities and assumptions. But both Avery and Taylor (with the help of their thoughtful friends) do their best to not wallow in their fears, but take the risk to say what they want.

Avery’s growth in confidence throughout this book is truly remarkable, and while Taylor and her honest, genuine compliments and gentle advice are partly to thank for that, she is the one who took each brave step toward this new life and attitude. During each lesson/date, Taylor assigned tasks, but she was very clear that Avery should only do them if she was comfortable and wanted to, and that non-judgmental, open-minded attitude really helped Avery set aside her anxiety and push herself to meet others and talk to them. Honestly, a lot of Taylor’s flirting advice is just excellent advice overall on how to connect with others and make friends - listen and pay attention to people’s names and what they say, ask them questions about themselves, find ways to connect, don’t be too afraid of rejection to put yourself out there.

One of my favorite relationships in the book is the one that develops between Avery and Beth, her “garden friend” that she never would have met if Taylor hadn’t brought her to that initial book event and encouraged her to pursue a friendship. Avery desperately needed a friend, and so did Beth, and their shared garden bed became the perfect place for them to bond over their vegetables and their relationship and life issues.

I also really appreciated the way Taylor and Erica’s relationship played out. You could tell early on that Taylor was feeling left behind by Erica, and that her feelings were hurt every time Erica dismissed the things she told her or made jokes of them. It took a lot to get Taylor to the point of confrontation, and I absolutely hated that scene (and was so angry at Taylor’s “friends”), but I was really glad that Taylor didn’t just let it slide again. That conversation with Erica was long overdue for both of them, and provided space for some radical honesty between the two that heated a relationship that wouldn’t have lasted much longer without it.

This book truly had me hanging on the edge of my seat, and I couldn’t put it down once I got about a quarter through. Seeing how comfortable and easy Avery and Taylor were together made me so happy, and I had to know what was going to happen next. I’m really hoping we’ll get to see more books set in this community of friends - I feel like Callie deserves her own story, and Cat from the Painting Night!

Spicy warning: As for the spicy scenes, there are quite a few in the second half of the book as the two main characters grow closer, and I’d say they are 3🌶️ - explicit descriptions but nothing wild, and relevant to the plot.

This book comes out on April 7, so get those hold requests and preorders in! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I love Jasmine Guillory and I have read all of her books. I enjoyed the development of the main relationship and appreciated the queer representation. Avery and Taylor’s voices didn’t seem as distinct from each other as I have found in other books by this author and any conflict seemed a bit too easily resolved.

This is the second sapphic romance I’ve read where one main character gives the other main character lessons on being a baby gay — and I gotta say, this trope really works for me! (And not just because I sure could have used some lessons like this early on in my journey!) I love the way Avery and Taylor communicate, I love how much they BOTH learn from each other, and I love their warmth and chemistry. A light, easy, hopeful, sexy read at a time when the LGBTQ+ world really needs more books like these.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this book and provide and honest review.

DNF @ 17% i cannot stand the slut shaming. this is pissing me tf off. i did DNF another book by this author, i didn’t super love the writing style. safe to say i don’t think her books are for me. if you liked her other books, you may like this!

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a review. This author is popular in Black Romance and i have read 2-3 of her other books. This book just didn’t do it for me. The writing, the plot, the character, none of it was captivating for me at all. I could’ve done without this one.

Flirting Lessons was a cute spin on a meet cute romance. Seeing that Avery went into this "relationship" trying to learn more about herself and explore her sexuality and be more comfortable in herself was refreshing, especially since people like to use others' opinions of them as truth. It was also cute to see that the teacher, Taylor, became a student in the end because she also was able to learn things from Avery. Seeing the dynamic of Taylor's relationships to friendships with her exes would definitely have made me feel some type of way if I was Avery but it was good to see that Avery didn't let that get to her a whole lot. They had great chemistry and the initial open communication was a good build to the start of their relationship because they felt so comfortable being open with each other except initially when it mattered the most. But I am glad they got it together in the end because they were coming very close to some unneeded miscommunication because they both didn't want to discuss their true feelings for each other. In the end though such a cute book.

2.5 ⭐️

wow. guillory’s first sapphic romcom! i was ecstatic to hear about this book and over the moon at receiving the arc that i dived right in…and that’s about where the excitement left me. i’m dnf’ing at 60% 🥲

it’s been a while since i’ve read one of her books so i don’t remember much about her writing style, but this times round i felt very disconnected from the writing and characters. it felt like, for the content being what it was, the writing was a bit immature in that it was very to the point. no reading to be done in between the lines. kinda like how i’m writing this review portion 😭 their voices were also hardly discernible which i’ll give her grace for since that’s a common issue in wlw books. (i still feel like more could’ve gone into making their voices feel different internally).

overall, i wanted to like it a lot more than i did but i’m grateful for the opportunity to read it! i will leave my review here instead of publicly 💜

Another great romance from Jasmine Guillory!

Event planner Avery Jensen is great at talking to people when it comes to her job, but not so much when she's in social situations. After breaking up with her dud of a boyfriend, she's ready to hit the singles scene and explore her attraction to women. After Avery confesses to acquaintance Taylor Cameron that she's feeling apprehensive about entering the queer dating scene, Taylor decides to take her under her wing and give her flirting lessons to help her feel more comfortable meeting new people. Despite mutual attraction, the two are determined to keep things platonic--but as they grow closer over the course of the summer, things start to heat up. This is set in the same world as Drunk on Love, with some recurring minor characters (although you don't need to have read that to appreciate this one).

I always love a new Jasmine Guillory book and while this was no exception, I will say I didn't love it quite as much as some of her previous ones! It took me a little while to get into this one and I felt like the setup was a little forced--Avery didn't seem to be as socially awkward as the book was trying to portray her so the premise just felt a bit contrived. The book is very dialogue heavy which was a little distracting at first, but grew on me over the course of the book as it demonstrated just how great the main characters were at communicating (very refreshing for a romance novel, no misunderstandings to drive a third act breakup here). I felt like the chemistry between the main characters was great and the romance itself felt well-paced, not too fast. As some other reviews have mentioned, some of the writing felt a bit clunky. I didn't find the POVs switches confusing, but your milage may vary there. The book was good and I'm thrilled that she wrote a sapphic romance, but I just didn't like it quite as much as some of her previous ones.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.