Coffee shop setting. Roommate romance. This one was a bit too much drama for me, but for those that like a rom-dram, check it out.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for French Press Love to come out January 21, 2024.

I've let the book marinate for almost 24 hours. I have very mixed feelings about it. For most of the book, up until around 80% mark, I was going to rate it with 5 stars. Then it dropped to 4 and quickly to 3-3.5. There are some minor spoiler below.

Jordan is an interesting main character. I really liked her although I'm not a fan of her one night stands. She feels real in every way. There's toxic family relationships, dead parent, asshole ex, past trauma, professional setbacks... There are similarities in her trauma to Jess's from L.A. Metro by RJ Nolan. I think French Pressed Love could have and should have discussed and processed the issues a bit more and at least start the healing process (like L.A. Metro did). If that was the only issue I had with the book, it wouldn't have mattered that much but with all the rest it has an effect on the overall rating. Jordan still is worth at least 4 stars as a main character.

I also liked Noémie (up until the rating started to drop). She's one of those characters that you first have to dislike and slowly start to understand and eventually love. She could have been a 5-star love interest. For me, the *big reveal* was off putting and ruined the novel and the character for me. She's toxic. She has toxic family, asshole ex, and asshole brother, but those don't give her any excuses to be the way she is. Jordan deserves better.

I think Jordan and Noémie would fit well, even great together. They could have had an epic romance but the story took the wrong turn for me. I'm almost mad about how the story evolved. There were so many scenes and bits in this slow burn romance that made my heart ache and tremble. I felt their pining and yearning in my bones. Yes, I'm mad how the story crumbled after the slow burn turned to flames.

Like said, I have mixed feelings. The novel is well written and the slow burn is delicious. The first 80% are really good, parts of it even great. There are one or two almost unnecessary side plots, like the François plot, that could have either been left out or would have needed more pages or refining. Those weren't the cause for the lower rating, though.

The *big reveal* or conflict that caused the 3rd act breakup was cheap and immature. In my opinion, it was from another story all together. It just didn't fit well with the first 80%. The conflict could have been smaller or more about their insecurities and feelings instead being this big game. The ending could have been the same even with different reason for the breakup. I'm still mad.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for providing the free ARC of the book.

I enjoyed the characters and the setting a lot. It's good to see queer rep that is messy and raw and real.

This sapphic romance is a slow-burn gem that highlights the beauty of vulnerability and emotional growth. Noemie and Jordan’s journey toward finding comfort in each other felt genuine and heartfelt, with relatable moments that capture the excitement and uncertainty of falling for someone unexpected. The representation in this book was a standout, and I appreciated how it shed light on facing insecurities while being uncomfortable. While I loved the build-up, the ending felt a little rushed—I wanted more time to savor their connection.

This slow-burn enemies-to-co-workers-to-roommates-to-lovers story, set in a coffee shop, has an intriguing premise. I wished for more prose to develop the narrative further and bring the characters to life. The story also serves as a love letter to Toronto and Canada as a whole, with one of the main characters being Québécois. This enjoyable tale is perfect for binge-reading over hot cocoa during a snowy winter.

(4.5) this was fun !! finished under 7 hours, i found myself unable to put it down at times. the pacing felt consistent throughout the whole book, and there was just enough happening. jordans inner monologue was fun and interesting, and i never felt trapped inside her head. in that sense i feel like she was telling me just enough about everything and everuone around her. also the chapters were the perfect length.
the dialogs felt natural, the characters and settings were just enough to set the scenes into motion, and the side character were just side enough if it makes sense. in the chrismas bit i felt like too many names were thrown into the mix, but it didnt affect my reader experience.

i loved jordan standing up for herself in the last bit, and even when i would've appreciated some initiative from noemi, i found jays reactions and their further interactions really guttural and true to her character. she really reacted accordingly to what we learned about her along the book, and i appreciate that the conflict wasnt given that of an easy resolution (even when i felt the ending a little bit rushed).

a book with a stone stud protagonist that doesn't get "fixed" at the end by the love interest is very refreshing to see, amazing !! (we need more studs/butches/mascs,,,). i cant put into words how much liked and appreciated jordan as a protagonist. i would have loved to see more about the relationship with her family. also the masc x masc situationship was a great addition. i just felt the ending a little bit rushed. other than that, an enjoyable reading experience with good characters. (less)

This book had me smiling a lot! The moments of cuteness, sadness and reality were chef’s kiss.
The drama and story are super captivating.
I really enjoyed reading this book!!