Life, Love, and Other Messes Review — Is It Worth Reading?
A compassionate, honest novel about a writer managing mental illness and falling for her neighbor — but the romance is a subplot, Lisa stays thin and the ending is rushed.
Friends-to-Lovers
Sapphic friends-to-lovers romance: best friends, roommates, childhood friends and the slow realisation that this is more. Each review rates the book, states the heat and ending, and sums up what readers say. For a shortlist, see friends-to-lovers lesbian romance, reviewed.
Make My Wish Come True Review — Is It Worth Reading?
A cosy sapphic YA Christmas fake-dating romance with a lovable town and a Hanukkah party, held back by 18-year-old leads who read like 25 and a heroine many readers struggle to forgive.
A Swedish Christmas Fairy Tale Review — Is It Worth Reading?
A gentle, closed-door sapphic Christmas romance with a lovely Swedish setting, held back by a heroine many readers find too childlike and an ending that stops rather than lands.
The Christmas Catch Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Clare Lydon’s Christmas road trip strands two women in a Glasgow blizzard. Warm, funny and 4/5 on heat, but the mishaps repeat and the last act stalls. 3.6/5.
Witch’s Favor Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Is Witch’s Favor by Victoria Szalay worth reading? Our review of the sapphic dark fantasy prison-ship heist — the found family, the fade-to-black romance, and the cliffhanger.
Who We Could Be Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A cosy, low-angst friends-to-lovers story about two childhood best friends who practise dating each other after their engagements collapse, held back by a romance that only properly ignites in the final fifth and editing that needed another pass. Best for: Readers who want a gentle comfort read, a queer awakening between lifelong friends, and … Read more
The No-Girlfriend Rule Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A joyful, big-hearted YA debut about a fat, anxious teen finding her people at an all-girls tabletop game, with four starred reviews behind it, held back by a romance lighter than its marketing and more in-game play than some readers want. Best for: Teen and adult readers who want fat and mental-health representation done … Read more
Inside the Paint Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A tender slow-burn sports romance: Sonia Munroe, a Canadian former WNBA player, signs with the Blizzards in Cardiff for one season and displaces Asha Bhamra, the quiet, autistic point guard and artist who struggles with change. Readers love the representation, the care between the leads and Asha’s dog Iolo; one found it too innocent … Read more
Where the Heart Is by Lily Seabrooke Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A warm, funny Christmas friends-to-lovers romance: Stella Jackson’s family heads to the cosy town of Bellsford for two weeks, her parents secretly divorcing, and her childhood best friend Abigail, closeted and heartbroken after a semester abroad, comes too and ends up sharing Stella’s bed. Readers love the cosiness, the large cast and matchmaking little … Read more
Sculpting Her Heart Review — Is It Worth Reading?
Verdict: A warm, funny and heartfelt romance: Zari Woods, a famous autistic sculptor who has everything except love, decides her new neighbour Frankie should be her girlfriend, but Frankie is in the middle of leaving a complicated relationship. Most readers adore it, and one calls it possibly the best book of their year; two autistic … Read more