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Verdict: A kisses-only, horror-movie-set romance between a closeted B-list scream queen and the special effects makeup artist who has long crushed on her. Readers praise the Jewish and bi rep and the gory behind-the-scenes detail; many say the chemistry fell flat and the book tried to do too much.
Best for: Horror-movie fans who want a clean, queer Jewish romance.
Heat level: Kisses only
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (2.9/5 — a 3.30 Goodreads average across 3,057 ratings, 3.29 on StoryGraph from 1,450 reviews, and 4.0 stars across 193 Amazon ratings)
Tropes: Actress/crew, celebrity crush, slow burn, roommates, coming out, stalker subplot.
I Kissed a Girl is Jennet Alexander’s 2021 contemporary sapphic romance from Sourcebooks Casablanca. Lilah Silver is a young actress hoping to climb out of B-list horror films; she has just been cast as the lead in what could be her breakout — a creature feature.
It holds a 3.30 average across 3,057 Goodreads ratings, with 40% of them four or five stars, 3.29 on StoryGraph from 1,450 reviews, and 4.0 stars across 193 Amazon ratings.
What Is I Kissed a Girl About?
Noa Birnbaum is a brilliant makeup artist and special effects whiz trying to break into the union, already run ragged keeping everyone happy. When the star she has secretly crushed on admits her own fears, Noa vows to help Lilah shine.
Long hours in the makeup chair forge a connection — but can it survive the glare of the spotlight, and a stalker targeting Lilah?
What Works in This Book
- Jewish rep: Several readers call it some of the best, most casual and authentic Jewish rep they have read.
- Bi and coming-out rep: Readers value two women at different stages of coming out.
- Horror and FX detail: The goopy, gory filmmaking is a highlight for several readers.
- Audiobook: One listener credits Natalie Naudus with lifting the story.
Book Synopsis
A scream queen needs help to make her breakout role work. Her makeup artist has had a crush for years.
Together they could take the world by storm — if the spotlight doesn’t break them.
My Review
The setting is the charm: far from glitzy Hollywood, Lilah spends her days in a tank that smells of sour milk and rinsing fake blood from her hair, and the book’s love of cheesy horror is infectious.
But the most common complaint is flat chemistry in a very slow romance. Readers call the plot meandering and all over the place, with everything from snakes to a stalker; some found it exhausting or repetitive, one felt Noa mocks the things Lilah loves, and a few skimmed the long makeup detail.
My honest note: Try the audiobook, and go in expecting a sweet, busy book rather than a swoony one.
| Element | In I Kissed a Girl |
|---|---|
| Central relationship | Lilah Silver (horror actress, bisexual) & Noa Birnbaum (FX makeup artist, lesbian) |
| Core tropes | Actress/crew, slow burn, coming out |
| Setting | A low-budget horror film set |
| Heat level | Kisses only |
| Length | 384 pages (paperback) |
| Series | Standalone |
| Content notes | Stalking, fire injury, gore, biphobia, misogyny |
How Spicy Is I Kissed a Girl?
It isn’t — kisses only.
StoryGraph readers overwhelmingly flag stalking, followed by fire injury, gore and biphobia.
Who Should Read This Book?
You’ll likely love it if: you love horror films and want clean, queer Jewish rep. It is on our celebrity lesbian romance list.
You may want to skip it if: you need chemistry and heat, or stalking is a trigger.
In short: Fun setting, faint spark.
What Readers Are Actually Saying (September 2026)
On Goodreads the split is 12% five stars, 28% four, 41% three, 14% two and 3% one. On StoryGraph, 73% tagged it lighthearted and 56% funny, and 68% found the characters loveable.
Why readers love it (according to the discourse): Jewish rep first. Second, bi rep. Third, horror detail. Fourth, the audiobook.
What readers argue about and complain about: Flat chemistry, above everything. Second, an overstuffed plot. Third, the stalker subplot.
The comparison worth making first: The Fame Game, another kisses-only Hollywood romance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy is I Kissed a Girl?
Not at all — readers describe it as a slow-burn, kisses-only romance, and one listener was disappointed the leads never have sex on page.
Is there a stalker plot?
Yes. Stalking is by far the most flagged content warning on StoryGraph, and readers are split on whether the subplot adds tension or feels out of place.
Is I Kissed a Girl Jewish rep?
Yes. Both leads are Jewish — Noa is a lesbian and Lilah is bisexual — and several readers praise the Jewish rep, including a Shavuot setting.
Is there an audiobook?
Yes, narrated by Natalie Naudus; one listener says the performance made the story more enjoyable than reading it would have been.
Is I Kissed a Girl on Kindle Unlimited?
Yes, when we checked — or $7.59 to buy on Kindle.
If You Loved I Kissed a Girl, Read These Next
Try Director’s Cut or The Fame Game. Browse our celebrity list or the full Book Reviews archive.
The Bottom Line
I Kissed a Girl sets out to be a fun, queer romance set on a B-movie horror shoot, and the setting and rep deliver. What holds it back is a romance that never quite catches fire. For horror fans on Kindle Unlimited. Check I Kissed a Girl on Amazon →
The Eikna Overall Ranking
On the Eikna scale, I Kissed a Girl ranks as a weak celebrity pick — spirited, unfocused.
The Evidence Scorecard
Overall ★★★☆☆ 2.9/5
- ✓ 3.30 average across 3,057 Goodreads ratings
- ✓ 40% of Goodreads ratings are four or five stars
- ✓ 3.29 on StoryGraph from 1,450 reviews
- ✓ 4.0 stars across 193 Amazon ratings
Romance ★★★☆☆ 2.5/5
- ✓ Slow burn
- ✓ Flat chemistry for many
- ✓ Kisses only
- ✓ Sweet moments
Characters ★★★☆☆ 2.9/5
- ✓ Relatable Lilah
- ✓ Prickly Noa
- ✓ Diverse side cast
- ✓ 68% loveable on StoryGraph
Writing ★★★☆☆ 2.8/5
- ✓ FX detail
- ✓ Meandering
- ✓ Repetitive for some
- ✓ Fun horror homage
Emotional Impact ★★★☆☆ 2.9/5
- ✓ Coming out
- ✓ Lighthearted
- ✓ Stalker tension
- ✓ Exhausting for one
Heat Level ★☆☆☆☆ 1/5
- ✓ Kisses only
- ✓ Closed door
- ✓ Clean
- ✓ No sex on page
Ending ★★★☆☆ 3/5
- ✓ Movie-style finale
- ✓ Mutual rescue
- ✓ Fun
- ✓ Over the top
Re-read Value ★★★☆☆ 2.8/5
- ✓ On Kindle Unlimited
- ✓ $7.59 Kindle price
- ✓ Natalie Naudus audiobook
- ✓ 384 pages
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