I am not a huge historical romance fan but always make exceptions of LGBT+ works, especially ones with adorable covers like Emma R. Alban's. This story follows Bobby and James, both of whom were introduced in Alban's first book. It's an interesting look at navigating the social season of the time as a closeted person, as well as a very cute romance. I do think things moved kind of fast in this. I wish we spent more time building the resentment between the two before they gave into their feelings for each other, and I wish we saw them connecting more on an emotional level. This one felt a little more smutty than the first one, and I wish that time was spent more on character development. Still, I was just as charmed by these characters as I was in book one and found both James and Bobby to be very likable. James' story in particular felt very touching, as he allowed himself to open up more and become part of the kind, caring family he's found himself involved in.

This is an easy recommendation for me. It's a quick, fun read and I think historical romance lovers will like it. Emma R. Alban knows how to write flirty banter, and characters you'll really love. I don't think every romance needs to be perfect, as long as I'm having fun, and I really did with this one!

4.25 stars. This is actually the second in a series, the first one being "Don't Want You Like a Best Friend." The two main characters from the "Don't Want You" are very prominent in the sequel, but one could read this book without having read the other one. I have to admit that I kept getting very confused and a bit distracted about how the different characters were related, but that's more on me than the writer. Although the main villain comes across a bit cartoonishly, overall the book had a lot of depth and feeling. I was especially impressed by how much the difficulties of being LGBTQ+ in the Victorian era were represented and acknowledged and dealt with. The HEA feels just slightly forced and rushed and is maybe not 100% believable, but I felt the characters and plot were spot on. Very much recommend this one, and I'm looking forward to reading its predecessors and successors.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This was fun, but like. not fun enough. It felt flat in several places, and felt super forced in others.

You're the Problem, It's You was one I picked up as I found the title name to be witty and synopsis intriguing- who doesn't love a historical romance enemies to lovers? However; I was not able to finish the book at 20% as i found both characters to be flat, without much depth besides them complaining about one another. I understand why the homophobia was presented but it was overdone, in my opinion and I wanted more of other things.

Loved James and Bobby's story so much!! I loved how they both started out grumpy and ended so incredibly happy. They worked together to achieve happiness for themselves and Beth and Gwen. Definitely need more of this story.

Cute book regency romance with LQGBTQ+ themes. Loved the banter.

I received this book to review for NetGalley

I did not finish this book but because netgalley counts it against you if you dont leave feedback I'm giving it 3 stars

I had such a fun time with the first book in this series, and the second did not disappoint! I absolutely love these characters :)

This book was so effing cute, it was a great ending to the series and the epilogue was just so adorable.

I was soooo excited to read this book after finishing Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend and I just love these characters so much.

This series has such good representation of queer joy and it’s so adorable and I love it.

If you’re thinking about picking this book up, be sure to read Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend first since the stories are closely connected.

Thank you to Avon for an ARC in exchange for a review.

This second installment in Emma R. Alban's historical duology romance was another fun romp - full of hope, swoony love, and great friendships! I loved the characters and the final resolution to the issue that has been a part of the story since book one, and I can't wait to read more of Emma's books!

You’re the Problem, It’s You has a ton of potential and I just don’t feel like it met it. I felt similarly about the first book also. I think it was a fun time and while I don’t regret my time with, it isn’t a reread for me.

This queer, historical romance is a related standalone to her debut, Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend which I gave 4 stars. In this book, we follow Gwen’s cousin Bobby and Beth’s cousin, James.

Bobby and James’s love story starts in a much riskier way to Gwen and Beth which was a definite slow burn. They meet at a clandestine queer bar and initially are “enemies”/rivals/definitely butt heads, but this is quickly resolved as a simple misunderstanding.

James and Bobby go through similar trials as did Gwen and Beth as they struggle to be in a relationship due to the stigma and social dangers of living in the Regency era.

What I appreciate about Alban’s work is her patience in giving each character their own arc and struggles instead of immediately jumping into their dynamic as a couple.

For instance, James struggles to fill the role that was left to him by his stepfather as a leader in Parliament. Bobby meanwhile is trying to live up to his family in a different way. This allows the characters to connect deeper in a relationship because they understand each other.

This book dovetails so nicely with DWYLABF because it allows for 2 lavender marriages and showcases a very real piece of queer history in that.

The spicy scenes in this book were well done, as they were in DWYLABF. Kudos Emma! Love a queer HEA.

I don't read a lot of historical romance, but I really liked Don't Want You Like A Best Friend. The queer aspect of this series drew me in, and add in enemies to lovers and it's perfection!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were in no way influenced by receiving this copy.

I really loved the first book in this duology. It was fun and spunky and I loved how the girls worked to get their parents together and even thought it covered some heavier topics (ie, less fun than just regency boinking) it still felt like a fun light hearted read.

This one I felt was heavier. From all the blackmail and the self doubt, it just wasn't as fun and light as the original. Which isn't to say it's not good, because this was still a good book, it just wasn't the same as the first.

Still an overall good read!

Really enjoyed this. Emma has become an auto buy authority for me. Loved this relationship and the continued exploring of this world.

3.5⭐️ 2🌶️

Publisher: Avon
Writing perspective: third person
Length: 396p
Reading format: Kindle
ARC provided by: Avon

Relationship dynamic: MM
Tropes/Microtropes/Vibes/Reps:
⌛️ Historical
❤️‍🔥 Hate to love
💞 Pining
🔗 Found family
🛏️ Only one bed
🏳️‍🌈 Queer joy
👯‍♀️ Meddling cousins

📖 Bobby and James and their adorably meddlesome cousins, Beth and Gwen, were a fun 1800s hate to love style lavendar marriage set in the 1800s. This one started out a bit slow mostly due to miscommunication between our MCs, but picked up around the half way point. I honestly loved Beth and Gwen the most!

This is another book where there is potential! Lots of potential! I enjoyed this book and it would have gone from “like” to “love” if there had been just a few minor changes.

I needed there to be more development between the two main characters. There was some base chemistry there but I just needed to see their relationship built up which could have happened if the pacing was different. There was just so much of this book. It could have been edited down and been stronger because of it.

Also, would love for books to stop having Taylor Swift lyrics as titles. Please. It feels so wildly anachronistic here that it takes me out of the book entirely.

Loved seeing a friend group pick up right where we left them. Beth and Gwen are just as crafty as book one and we love them for it. I appreciate Emma not shying away from the limits society imposes on the group and queer folk but also determinedly not accepting anything but a complete happily ever after. All the good things for our favorite found family. And I love when solving the problem is getting everyone to come together.

I really loved this couple!! Bobby and James are charming and true to themselves. What I liked most of this book was the fact that they're not in their discovery process; they know who they are and they lived their way. Also, I liked their respective family dynamics. I'm not a big fan of historical fiction books, but this one gave me more reasons to still giving chances to this genre.

I absolutely adored this book. In the follow up to Don't Want You Like a Best Friend, we are following Bobby and James as they navigate the season. I liked how in this one, Bobby and James both know they are gay and that is not something they are discovering about themselves. I love the tension and build up of their relationship. I also just adored all of the friend/familial love and support for each other. This cast of characters are so easy to root for and fall in love with. I highly recommend this series!