In her debut novel, Experienced, Kate Young takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and love with protagonist Bette, a woman in her late twenties who comes to terms with her sexuality and embarks on a mission to explore the queer dating scene. Bette's realization that she is attracted to women sets her on a path of exploration and self-acceptance. She falls for Mei, who seems perfect until she suggests they take a break so that Bette can experience the queer dating scene and be certain about their future together. Bette reluctantly embarks on a mission to date hot women and have casual sex before returning to her loving girlfriend. Along the way, she meets Ruth, a gorgeous and self-assured woman who becomes her queer dating guide. Young's writing is honest and relatable, capturing the complexities of Bette's emotions and experiences as she navigates her new reality. Bette's odyssey takes her to unexpected places, both physically and emotionally, as she learns about herself and the world around her. While the novel is often heady and thrilling, there are also moments of cringe as Bette makes mistakes and learns from them. But through it all, she is supported by her friends, including Ruth, who helps her to navigate the queer dating scene and come to terms with her own desires. Experienced is a well-written and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of love, sexuality, and self-discovery. Young's characters are well-developed and relatable, and her writing is both insightful and entertaining. This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary fiction or stories about LGBTQ+ experiences.

I was very fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy from NetGalley but all thoughts are unbiased and my own!

When the book opened with lyrics from “What I Want” by MUNA I said ALRIGHT NOW! But this was a fun and very enjoyable read with diverse perspectives and characters.

The novel covers the feeling of being left out and almost in a way “othered” by Queer people which I thought was interesting and it’s not talked about enough! Like even when you come out and you identify as Queer, there’s almost a feeling of sometimes having to prove yourself. It was really interesting reading that perspective!

Beyond how the author covered some experiences of the LGBTQ+ community not often talked about enough, the book had many universal themes that will stick with everyone. It was written about how the main character Bette just struggled with dating and just wanted the search for the right someone to be over, which I think almost everyone can relate to.

Loved this read A LOT!

Kate Young is a voice to look out for! Her first novel, Experienced, keeps readers on their toes with her electric cast of characters and a nuanced, contemporary queer romance.

Experienced is a fun and witty romantic comedy about a recently out woman who is forced by her love to take a pause on their relationship and gain some experience before committing. I liked the idea of the countdown through the three months that they agreed on for the pause, and also the twists in her relationships throughout.