i loved how this book captured the ups and downs of life & love in such a realistic manner. i loved this story of a bisexual man and a lesbian woman finding home in each other, finding something to come back to. i love how they both came alive under this author's pen strokes. while i had my moments of doubt in the middle of reading this, this book really delivered and i'd recommend it to anyone who loves unconventional families and friendships. ari & mae will remain embedded in my heart for a while.

Lotte Jeffs has written a unique love story with "This Love".

Ari and Mae meet outside of a gay bar during their last year at university. Ari recently transferred from NYU, and the two connect instantly. There's an immediate comfort and ease with each other. Mae, who tends to be self-involved and self-important, needs Ari to help mature and grow up. Ari needs Mae to keep him calm and as an anchor. His time and transfer from NYU is shrouded in mystery and secrecy.

The two agree to a secret plan to create a family in the near future. But as time goes on, both enter relationships, both good and bad, and succeed in their chosen careers. When the time comes for their plan, they must deal with their partners and each other.
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The love in friendship is something hard to define. It's a pure, deep love that goes beyond anything else. The love one has for their family, the love for their partner, it's all good and true, but the deep love for a friend is rare.

Lotte Jeffs does an excellent job of capturing this kind of friendship, especially as this is a debut novel. It's been called a queer "One Day" and while I can see the similarities, this digs into deeper topics and shows the power of a soulmate.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I've been so excited to read This Love by Lotte Jeffs after hearing all the hype coming out of the UK about this book. Within This Love, we explore the platonic relationship between our two main protagonists, Mae and Ari, over a decade or so after meeting outside a gay nightclub while studying at the University of Leeds. What This Love exceeds at is challenging the heteronormative experience of love, friendship, family, and parenting. This Love captures the messy and realness of life and love, which endeared me to this book, although some of the toxic relationships do make this a hard read at times. Nevertheless, This Love offers a great conversation regarding found family and all the ebbs and flows of just living life. I think if you're a reader who loves coming-of-age and/or queer stories, this is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Incredibly beautiful and devastating. Such a magnificent chronicle of two people so distinctly intertwined and yet so far apart.

this was just okay. i think there’s an audience but i felt it a bit slow and difficult to connect to. i loved the platonic friendship between the two main characters and the exploration of love beyond the romantic kind.

Sometimes, the most important person in your life isn't a romantic partner but a friend who's been with you every step of the way. That's the case for Ari and Mae in This Love, by Lotte Jeffs. In the novel, Jeffs tells the story of the two friends who met in college, and how they try to stay close despite their differences and life pulling them in different directions.

Mae is a butch lesbian, and Ari is a gender non-conforming pansexual queer guy. While the former loves rules and grew up happy in a middle class family, the latter is willing to blur the boundaries. He's incredibly rich, but that doesn't make up for the fact that he has a troubled past he doesn't really want to talk about. For all of their differences, there are similarities about them too. Their hearts beat for each other even though neither has any attraction in that way.

If you've read (or watched) Sally Rooney's Normal People, you may see some similarities in this work. There's nothing holding the two of them apart, and yet somehow still life gets in the way. If that book was too dark for you, this one almost definitely will be as well. The primary difference is how unbelievably queer this work is, and the focus on found family both in terms of Mae and Ari's relationship and their plans for the future.

One of the best aspects of this book is the character development of Mae. She's such a fully fledged character that even when I found myself absolutely hating her (I did, a lot), I couldn't help but root for her as well. In the early years, Ari's life too is equally developed and vibrant. These are two people that feel individual while at the same time being entirely defined by the other.

Unfortunately, I do think that the last 1/4 of the book should have been expanded to include more of Ari's life and his emotions in the space between the final chapter and the epilogue. That is my one criticism for This Love, which was otherwise incredible, and I think it can be explained by the fact that Jeffs wanted Mae to be the main character.

If you appreciate character-driven novels that, while they have romance, focus more on platonic love, this is absolutely the book for you.

TW: Domestic abuse, emotional abuse, grooming, student-teacher relationship, miscarriage, suicide, loss

This was a well written story about friendship, but ultimately, I didn't feel a strong connection between the 2 main characters. I love reading about men and women friendships because it's so rare in literary fiction. This is why I was disappointed with the overall vibe and conclusion. This not a bad book by any means, but I don't think the story was very memorable. Lotte Jeffs is a good writer. Hopefully her next book will be a home run.

3.5 stars

"This Love" is one of the most unique pieces of queer fiction I've ever read, as it tells a story centered on platonic love, found family, and all of the other relationships that are woven in between. I enjoy how Jeffs structured the story to evolve over a decade, and I feel that every type of relationship was explored, from platonic love to familial love to romantic love. This is a story that feels uniquely queer and very grounded in current queer culture.

That being said, it wasn't my personal cup of tea. This is a harder read, as many of the relationships that Mae and Ari endure are toxic, including their own at times. This novel was a very real look at relationships that succeed, but more so those that fail. As someone who mainly consumes books to escape from reality, this novel forced me to think about my current and former relationships, which was a heavy feat. The novel is also marked by tragedy at every turn, to the point that I never trusted when any of the characters felt they were thriving. Perhaps that's just the way life is, in which case, I think this is a novel that accurately portrays what it means to be human, but it was depressing to get through, to the point I could only handle reading it for a bit each day.

I think "This Love" is a unique queer novel that realistically portrays queer love and families in this day and age, but because of that, be forewarned that this is a heavier novel to get through.

Lotte Jeffs’ This Love is an enchanting exploration of relationships, identity, and self-discovery that left me utterly captivated. From the first page, Jeffs draws you in with her deft prose and a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. As someone who relishes stories that delve into the complexities of human connections, this book was an absolute delight.

What I loved most about This Love is its authenticity. Jeffs’ characters are richly developed, with flaws, hopes, and vulnerabilities that make them leap off the page. The protagonist’s journey—navigating love, heartbreak, and the pursuit of a deeper understanding of herself—felt so real and relatable. Jeffs handles the themes of sexuality and identity with incredible sensitivity and insight, painting a nuanced picture that avoids clichés while remaining profoundly moving.

The writing itself is a highlight. Jeffs has a way of weaving humor, tenderness, and poignancy together, making you laugh on one page and tear up on the next. The dialogue feels natural, and the descriptions of places and emotions are vivid without ever being overwrought. I found myself bookmarking passages that resonated with me, a testament to the emotional depth of the storytelling.

Beyond the romance, This Love is a celebration of finding joy in the messy, unpredictable nature of life and love. It’s a reminder that the path to self-discovery is often as beautiful as it is challenging, and that the relationships we form—whether romantic or platonic—shape us in unexpected ways.

In short, This Love is a must-read for anyone who enjoys heartfelt, thought-provoking fiction. Lotte Jeffs has crafted a story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. For me, it’s a book I’ll return to, both for its rich storytelling and the comfort it offers in its honest portrayal of love in all its forms. Highly recommended!

This is a novel about friendships, identity, the different forms of love and how people make room for them, outside the traditional family unit. Mae and Ari’s relationship, for most of this book, reminded me a lot of that between the two main characters in Ai Yazawa’s NANA—the way their deep friendship sometimes morphed into toxic co-dependency, or the possessive way Mae initially stopped Ari from pursuing what could’ve been a wonderful relationship, until they finally distanced themselves from each other to find out who they are without their best friend. It wasn’t the easiest to read, because not all queer relationships are going to be easy breezy even in the general absence of homophobia in the narrative, and Ari’s relationship with Oliver was painful to follow. What I do love is just how unapologetically queer this entire story is, making room for polyamory and drag queens, characters whose gender presentation defies/challenges rigid binaries, and the way a massive and queer found family eventually came together to make space for each other. This was indeed a story about love.

This Love by Lotte Jeffs is the story of Mae and Ari, who meet up in college and are soul friends. Their relationship goes beyond friendship to being one another's soulmate, though not in a sexual way. I totally enjoyed the epic feel of this book as we follow Mae and Ari together and separately as they come to adulthood and over the years work to heal their scars and their relationships. The growth in the characters kept me engaged throughout. I will miss these characters and would love to check in with them later in life.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of This Love in exchange for an honest opinion. This Love will be available in January.

A beautiful story between 2 real and raw characters. I enjoyed this book, but I definitely expected to like it a little bit more. There were a lot of British-isms that sort of went over my head, but I think that's a me problem. I am glad I read this book, and I think others will really like it too!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC! :)

this is a good book! I liked the themes of love and queer relationships. I liked the characters and the writing style this author had. I think the premise of this being a story about love, and not a love story is the perfect way to describe this book!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

I almost quit this multiple times at the beginning, but I'm glad I didn't if only bc of the...idk, not necessarily nostalgia, but something akin to it that it made me feel towards the end.

Don't most queer folks have that best friend they talk about starting a family with some day? Yeah. This made me think of her.

A wonderful read for people who love found families and queerness. I loved how vivid this book was, but the pacing felt a bit off at times. Still, overall an amazing novel.

Rating: 4/5

"This Love" by Lotte Jeffs is a tender, emotional exploration of unconventional relationships, platonic love, and chosen families. Mae and Ari's friendship, starting in college and evolving through a decade of life’s highs and lows, feels raw and authentic, though it occasionally leans into familiar character tropes. The narrative dives deep into queer identity, family-making, and the complex dynamics of love beyond traditional boundaries, all while offering moments of humor and poignancy.

While I loved the vivid portrayal of their bond and its focus on queer joy, the pacing felt uneven—dwelling too long on their early years and glossing over some later complexities. Still, the book shines as a heartfelt ode to forging connections on your own terms. Perfect if you're craving a fresh perspective on love and friendship!

For those of us who love stories about found families and queer friendships. There’s something about the writing that feels nostalgic and familiar. Read this during a road trip and it help my interest the entire time!

"This Love" is the debut novel by Lotte Jeffs, offering a coming-of-age tale exploring the complexities of friendship between Mae and Ari.

Set against the backdrop of college life in the UK, their connection sparks with an instant camaraderie. However, as they navigate the intricacies of their personal lives, both grapple with the shadows of past traumas that inevitably shape their relationship choices.

Early in the story, determined to start a family together, Mae and Ari decide to have a child. This choice sets them on a transformative journey filled with challenges and triumphs, forcing them to confront the evolving nature of their friendship.

The narrative depicts a range of relationships—ranging from toxic to nontraditional, and from fragile to flourishing—revealing how love can manifest in various and unexpected forms.

Despite these compelling themes, I found myself struggling at times. I wanted to embrace the emotional depth of their journey more fully; however, the novel didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped, especially as a queer person. I would prefer different pacing or flow to the story, and more character development.

Readers who enjoy heartfelt themes akin to those in films like "Beaches," or who appreciate the writing styles of authors such as Coco Mellors and Naoise Dolan, may find this novel appealing. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for providing the advanced reader copy.

Before I get into my thoughts, I think it’s important for me to add a disclaimer that I am a straight, cis-gender woman who grew up in America. This is important because I found the first third of the book to fall completely flat in its characterizations of queer people.

Both Mae the lesbian and Ari the fluid pansexual felt like stereotypes. They were extremely predictable and in no way unique. It wasn’t until major tragedies strike that either character grew in depth, complexity, and uniqueness. Once they were fully realized, they were beautiful characters that I felt an emotional attachment to, however I still recalled the reductive portrayals in the first third and they continued to leave a sour taste.

My other (somewhat nit picky) complaint is that there clearly is a misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Americans in this novel. Ari is American, however as an American with a British parent, I felt that Ari was validated in his great code-switching. However, when we get into his adult life in NYC, there is inexplicable mentions of WhatsApp groups and extremely British dialogue coming out of american characters mouths. Maybe not important, but it was extremely jarring and will be noticed by any American readers.

Overall I really enjoyed the plot of this novel, queer love in every facet of life. Family, friends, romance. I really wish that the characters were more than just stereotypes when the book began.