I may have nothing in common with queer white men in the 1950s, but Cat Sebastian’s sweet and savvy mid twentieth century historical romance is my favorite love story of the year. Andy Fleming is the privileged scion of the New York newspaper company that employs hard-working Nick Russo. In the opposite of the typical “Succession” story, hapless Andy is ambivalent at best about being his father’s designated heir, but he’s agreed to spend a year learning the newsroom ropes nonetheless. Smart and rough around the edges, reporter Nick becomes his work guide and roommate. The unlikely friendship and attraction that sparks are unexpected and amazing. Sebastian handles the historical context with insight and a light but realistic touch, perfecting the art of slow-burning sizzle.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. For a book that is about love set in a background of police corruption, McCarthyism, and pre-Stonewall persecution, this book is surprisingly sweet and loving. Andy and Nick are both rather wary and this is definitely a slow burn romance, but their growth out of fear and constant anxiety into a life of love and family was lovely. There was a little bit of internal angst, but it wasn't nearly as dark as I was expecting a gay romance set in 1959 to be, and I should have trusted the author's name. Even when they were being idiots, Nick and Andy were well worth the read.

This was a very moving and poignant story of a gay reporter from Brooklyn in the 1950's who knew all too well how hostile the environment is and how he can't let anyone get too close to him.  Nick Russo is from a typical rough Brooklyn neighborhood. His family is Catholic, his brother a cop. He works the crime beat for The Chronicle and keeps his head down.  Andy is the heir apparent for his retiring father who owns the Chronicle. He is haphazardly stumbling through life.  Their unlikely friendship opens the door to the possibility of something more.
But a relationship enjoyed in private runs the risk of ruination if it becomes public. Any rumor of homosexuality could result in police scrutiny, communist accusations, and a fire- able offense, and would have any man looking over his shoulder.  Rough and handsome Nick is a portrait of vulnerability, fear and looking at a life of loneliness.  And even those closest to Nick, much will never be said out loud. 
The author did a wonderful job of addressing so many issues in a subtle way giving the readers two very loveable characters, that I could do nothing but root for them!

Nick and Andy deserve the world! I adored every bit of this story and 100% would’ve read even more. 

The growth that the characters exhibited throughout the book was amazing. I loved the side characters and getting glimpses into their worlds as well. 

This is definitely not the last book I’ll read by Cat Sebastian!

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. (The version I read was a finished copy.)

This is such a delicate story about a new and seemingly inaccessible love between two men in the 1950's. As always, Cat Sebastian has jerked my heart around and tricked my cynical soul into rooting for love yet again.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to read this book early! I really enjoyed it. I thought the writing was very well done, and the story kept me interested. I believe my students/patrons would also love this book and will be acquiring it for the library!

I usually loves Cats book but this one wasn't for me.  It's an engaging story and well written just didn't hit the mark for me.

Cozy, charming mid-century historical romance with a lovely cast of characters and an incredibly sweet romance.

A masterpiece, not that I expected any less from Sebastian. But truly, so tender and masterfully written and researched. Loved it.

This was a beautiful historical fiction opposites attract, dual POV, friends to lovers, workplace romance between two queer men living in 1950s NYC. I honestly had no idea just how much I was going to fall in love with Nick and Andy and their gradual move from best friends to lovers in this incredibly moving and poignant M/M love story!! 

I absolutely loved that this is a time period not often written about and it was refreshing to learn about what life was like as a gay/queer man at this time. The book addresses issues such as being out in private but not public, hiding your identity from coworkers and your family, safety, lack of positive representation in the media and so much more. 

Great on audio read by Joel Leslie and HIGHLY recommended for fans of authors like KJ Charles or Casey McQuiston. Cat Sebastian is quickly becoming one of my absolutely favorite queer romance writers!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I thought this book was really cute. It was a fluffy light romance set in 1950s New York. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator’s performance was really theatrical, it felt like I was listening to a stage play, and also made me think this would work wonderfully as a stage play! Nick and Andy were very cute together, and their love story was enjoyable.

I wish there was more on the corrupt cop story Nick was working on at the newspaper. That B story was really intriguing to me, moreso than a lot of the other little side plots going on and it ended kinda bleh. But overall it was a fun read.

Cat Sebastian writes incredible stories and this one is no exception. I was so happy to have the opportunity to read this ARC! Her characters are so unique and her story lines always keep me invested.

I like Cat Sebastian's work and this one was no different!  Andy and Nick are a great match.  I enjoyed them as characters individually as well as together.  It was a fast read for me with not too much drama or trauma around the difficulties of being queer in the 1950s.

After seeing so many of my book club friends raving about this I was excited to pick it up and it did not disappoint! I loved this book! The two main characters were very well written and the love story was great! You could feel the chemistry between them. I really enjoyed Andy’s journey of discovering his sexuality. The research regarding the time period, especially what it was like for gay men specifically in NYC was fantastic! This is going to be a go to recommendation for me!

I really enjoyed this book, the love story was wonderful, the characters written well and chemistry palpably.  And I appreciated the research of the time peiord and what it might have been like for homosexual men in these times in nyc

Oh I LOVED this. Not a surprise, I love Cat Sebastian, I love queer historicals, I love baseball and historical romance set in less conventional time periods. Note to all publishers: more like this please!

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for this ARC.

Nick Russo meets Andy Fleming and can’t figure out why he keeps helping him- he’s the bosses kid for heaven’s sake, and can’t even figure out where he left his keys. This 1950s newsroom journalist rom com will keep asking you, whether or not these men will ever get out of their own way. It shows how we can find happiness, even if it seems that the world might not approve. Fans of Newsies will love “We Could Be So Good.”

After seeing so many of my Goodreads friends absolutely RAVING about this book, I was so excited to get my hands on it, albeit a little nervous. I'm happy to say, it certainly DID live up to the hype. This book had me smiling like an idiot at points and tearing up at others and that's what truly did it for me. Nick and Andy are impossible not to fall in love with and I really hope all readers give themselves a chance to be lost in their story. You won't regret it.

Set in the late 1950s New York, Nick Russo lands a coveted reporting job at a major newspaper and must safeguard his true self and queer identity. That is until he meets Andy, a seemingly wayward soul and the heir to the newspaper empire for which Nick is now employed. Due to Andy's newsroom naivety, Nick finds himself guiding Andy through the complexities of the news industry and business operations.  Ultimately, a tender bond blossoms between them and they must begin to navigate evolving emotions and what it means to be queer in the 50's.  

This story celebrates the revolutionary act of queer joy, while managing complex familial relationships and personal struggles. I really enjoyed these characters - their tenderness toward each other, their growth, and bravery. Also strong found-family vibes, which is always a win!

Sincere thanks to NetGalley & Avon/Harper Voyager for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC. I'm a big fan of Cat Sebastian's work so I knew I needed to get my hands on this one, and I'm so glad I was able to! This book is just incredible. It's hard for me to talk coherently about this book because it was just so good that I want to gush/ramble about it for days! Just like read it?? Please?? It's a queer historical romance between two journalists set in New York City in the 1950s and it's incredible. That's all.