Thank you to NetGalley, author Emma R. Alban, and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

You literally cannot tell me anything bad about this book or its predecessor, Don't Want You Like a Best Friend!!!!! I am honestly so genuinely shocked seeing both of these books in the 3 star rating average range on popular review sites because I ate both of these UP!!! Are they realistic? Are they historically accurate? Not exactly at all parts! But is this okay because they are so fun and queer-affirming and lovely? YES!! I usually am more of a fan of true historically accurate works, but I totally associate this with the Bridgerton tv show in the sense that both of them take artistic liberty to tell a story with modern elements in a historical setting and do so in a brilliant way! I will say that I am partial to Gwen and Beth's story being a lesbian myself, but I absolutely adored how they set up Bobby and James' story at the end of the first book because it helped to continue their story in their book seamlessly. I found both men to be compelling characters that I felt a real connection between. I also enjoyed how Alban added great anxiety representation through James and such strong sense of self and identity in both of them. My biggest note is for some reason, I found this one a bit harder to track with all the different characters and names (especially in the switching back and forth between first and last names), which made it hard to keep my interest at times. However, as cheesy as the ending was, I absolutely ADORED the happy ending all the characters got and did ultimately find myself engaged to see how everyone's story was going to unfold. I do hope that Alban writes at some point another book set in this world where we can follow up on our lovely couples, but I also just hope Alban writes more books soon in general because I adore her writing style and storytelling! If you enjoy the Bridgerton show, historical Regency fiction, and especially if you are queer, these are perfect reads filled with a lot of heart and love.

E-ARC generously provided by Avon in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!

If you enjoyed the first book "Don't Want You Like a Best Friend" you will love the second book in the Mischief and Matchmaking duet.

We pick up right where we left off in the first book, and I really enjoyed that all the same characters were still very present throughout James and Bobby's story. The enemies to lovers and banter was done really well. This book excels in the found family that is established in the first book. If you love that trope in your romance books, do NOT skip this one because it is beautifully done.

4.5/5 You’re the Problem, It’s You is the second book in the Mischief and Matchmaking series. This was a new to me author and I was able to read this as a standalone. I now want to go back and read book one though. There does seem to be some jokes between the characters and a story about the MC from book one that are mentioned but James is not privy to this information either, so it worked well that I learned things as he did.

This was an enjoyable read and I had a hard time putting it down. I thought the storyline of Bobby showing James around was going to go one way in the beginning but liked that it quickly turned into an enemies to lovers. It wasn’t something I was expecting and enjoyed the dynamic it created for them. I loved each of their character arcs and how each had to take leaps of faith to secure their happiness. James has anxiety about being found out for who he is and anything that has to do with his stepfather. I liked how this played into his character but it wasn’t mentioned again once he decided to take his life back from his stepfather. It’s a lighthearted story though and doesn’t linger long on scenes with tension.

The side characters are endearing and supportive of one another but I had trouble keeping them all straight sometimes. In the end though, James and Bobby were thoughtful and kind and had me rooting for them from beginning to end.

There is one long encounter plus a few other intimate scenes that are either alluded to or not as descriptive as the first encounter.

I received an advance ebook via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

While I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I had hoped to. I did love its message of how people were able to live true and authentic lives during a time when people could be thrown in prison for who they loved. Their journey to finding that path and being able to watch James find his people and a way to be comfortable with who he is. Half of the book was just a bit rough to get through. Though James as a character can be rough at times. Overall, this is a decent book. It has a lovely message it just was not one of my favorite LGBTQ books for the year.
Thank you to Avon and Harper and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

4 stars
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A queer romance set during the regency era, James and Bobby have all the world against their love but that doesn’t stop them. Following Beth and Gwen was fun, but James and Bobby really hold my heart after this one.

The start of this book was definitely a bit slow. I didn’t see the connection between the characters, based on their tense first meetings and competing ideas. But once we got into the story and really got to know them, I really was rooting for them. There was definitely a lot of miscommunication that could have been avoided, but I liked the tension and build up it added to the romance. This one was definitely a touch steamy, but had a lot of closed door romance as well that really made for a good balance. I liked the blackmail storyline and how it played out. I loved seeing Gwen and Beth again, and the addition of Albie and Meredith was a fun, too. Our characters really develop through the book. They both come off as so immature at the start, but I like the true selves they become in the end. The overall ending was a bit predictable, but I still enjoyed it despite that.

I really love a queer regency romance and this one hit all the good points.

Sweet and funny, this follow up to Don‘t Want You Like a Best Friend was a delightful read. While I may have preferred the first one to this one due to all of the unnecessary angst (just have a conversation!), I especially enjoyed seeing the characters from the first book remain in the mix and seeing everyone‘s happy conclusion. Releases August 27th, make sure you pick this one up!

Enjoyed reading a continuation of Gwen and Beth's story within this new romance story. Great to see the perspective of the couple that the two ladies are "trapping" this time around. I had been very curious to see more of Gwen and Beth's parents in the first book, so had a fun time seeing the love story from James and Bobby's POVs. Always love an enemies-to-lovers romance story. James and Bobby were very good at arguing with each other, their turn towards uncomfortable ally to lovers seemed a bit abrupt for me. But since we do know from their perspectives that they do like each other, it just seemed like they needed one honest conversation to make the switch a little more believable. James' anxiety allowed me to do a lot of handwaving, though, about how other characters are perceiving him and interacting. So glad he found a wonderful family to be a part of.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for letting me read an e-ARC of You’re the Problem, It’s You by Emma R. Alban!

Bobby Mason is the second-born son in his family and with that comes a lack of responsibility for family and political affairs and never being able to measure up to his older brother. He takes it in stride, though, by acting like nothing ever bothers him and trying to find ways to make his voice and opinions count for something. James Demeroven, however, is the newest Viscount of his estate and, for all intents and purposes, appears to have an extremely easy life. He is involved in political decisions, listens to his stepfather about what a disappointment he’ll always be, and he simply tries to fly under the radar at all times. Naturally, these two hate each other, even though there is a simmering attraction just below the surface.

When a night out for both men includes a stop by a discreet social gathering in a safe space for men who are attracted to other men, they’re both unwittingly roped into a future stag night for one of the engaged attendees. This whirlwind of a night just might shift each man’s perspective of the other, though their situations are, understandably, complicated. Their situation only grows more complicated as a simple crush quickly develops into something more after their cousins, Gwen and Beth, continue to come up with reasons for their families to spend more quality time together - both in public and private.

While I personally enjoyed Gwen and Beth’s story a little more, Bobby and James have a wonderful story of their own that will make readers laugh and cry and rage as the enemies-to-lovers and miscommunication tropes are ABOUND in this installment. I found the ending predictable and, even though I wasn’t a big fan of this choice, I understand that the time period in which it’s set would’ve made it impossible for each queer couple to legally be together. These characters are making the best of impossible situations and I do love that for them.

I loved this one even better than the first. James and Bobby were so frustratingly frustrating, so tender with their friends, so damaged by their fathers and childhoods, and when they finally came together, it was such a relief. They really deserved every happy ending, every sweet thing. It was such a fun book, with the same romps and outings as the first, with new characters folded into the old. I loved seeing Beth and Gwen again, and seeing their story continue to develop alongside the boys’. Any historical romance fan will enjoy this, especially if they adored the girls’ story!

This one was such fun! As our MCs keep getting put together by those around them, we see the inevitable disasters ensue! This was funny, romantic, and so much fun to read.

you're the problem, it's you | emma r. alban

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥

▫️ let's talk about it

I have mixed feings about this book!

Positives:
- m/m regency romance!
- Bobby! He's a sweetie and I loved him
- Supporting cast: loved the friends and family dynamics in this one
- The writing was great!

Negatives
- basically, James! I appreciated his journey with feeling comfortable in his own skin, but he was SO hot and cold! One or two conflicts would have been fine, but the entire book was him not being able to be in a relationship without worrying he'd be ruined. And then believing he could. And then changing his mind. Over and over! Bobby deserved better.

The book had GREAT potential... It just needed some conflict editing!

I wouldn't NOT recommend this book. I just wasn't over the moon about it!

✰✰✰✰✰ / 5

This queer regency romance is delightfully sweet, sexy, and joyous all around. A sequel to Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend , this mlm romance provides a whole new couple while also finishing Gwen and Beth’s story.

The dual POV was brilliantly done, and I really enjoyed both James and Bobby’s stories. While the romance was sweeping, I also really cared for their personal journeys of acceptance and belonging in the world they live in. I’m glad this book handled the actual duties and responsibilities these gentlemen would have — being in Parliament, having heirs, estates, etc (Bridgerton could never). It’s not all parties and romance!

The romance between James and Bobby was really sweet. I loved the pining and the lust and the cutesy moments. Yes it went a bit quickly, but they always do in these types of books. These two did fit together, and I really loved their dynamic together and with the whole Mischief and Matchmaking group.

Absolutely loved both of these books!!

I really liked this historical gay romance by Emma R. Alban! The sequel/companion to Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend, which is a sapphic friends to lovers, this book continues the story but it follows Bobby and James, who are the respective cousins of the girls in the first book.

When James Demeroven comes to London for the first time in a long time, he and Bobby Mason immediately get off on the wrong foot. And then they keep getting into arguments every time they end up in the same room together. But they both can’t deny that the other is very attractive… but that doesn’t mean anything. And they can’t be sure the other one shares their preference. Then one night they run into each other at London’s only gay establishment and realize that they might actually be able to relate to each other after all. And maybe this intense tension between them is actually chemistry and mutual attraction and not anger after all.

“That man is, without a doubt, the absolute most obnoxious… insufferable… hottest man to ever walk the ton.”

This is a classic enemies-to-lovers (but with a few good twists) set in the fantastic world that Alban created in Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend. The characters have such good chemistry and are so well-written. I think I enjoyed this one more than the first and can’t wait to see what else Alban comes up with!

You’re the Problem, It’s You is the follow-up to Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend.

Bobby Mason is used to being second best and yearns to contribute something that matters to the world. Which is why he can’t stand James Demeroven, who squanders his political power.

James Demeroven, who just recently became a viscount, harbored a secret crush on Bobby during their Oxford days. Since then, James has discovered that Bobby is foolishly brash and has an annoying habit of rubbing James’s failures in his face.

Yet the two men can’t deny their attraction to each other and when an extortionist threatens them and their families, they must work together.

While the first book was a fun regency romp, the sequel plods along with thinly sketched characters. While the book insists that Bobby and James hate each other, I couldn’t really figure out why. It spells it out in the summary but not in the book itself.

I ultimately had to put down You’re the Problem, It’s You without finishing it because it was becoming a chore to pick up. I wish I had enjoyed it as much as the first book in the series and I hope that any future books in this series are more like the first!

I think I loved this even more than the first book which is really saying something because I rated that highly too. The initial tension between Bobby and James, Bobby not understand James' disinterest was really anxiety, James thinking Bobby was a second son who floated around without a care.

I loved James so much. I'm also an anxious little bean and heavily related not only to his panic attacks, but his general anxiety day to day. I loved the way he grew as the story went on and that his anxiety never left, but that he would remind himself he's no longer alone and there are people who love him dearly who want to be there for him.

I do wish we got a bit more of Bobby openly expressing his insecurities with James, but I loved how he actively turned to his family when he was feeling down.

While this story had real stakes, it never felt like too much and it was so easy to root for James and Bobby, but also for the family.

That epilogue really got me. I'm never a crier with books, but it got a couple happy tears from me 🥲

i tried really hard to like this one. i love regency romances and alban hit it out of the park with don't want you like a best friend. this one felt really slow in the beginning and i lost interest. i would still recommend alban's books to those wanting a regency romance with LGBTQ+ representation and with a modern twist.

I was completely charmed by this queer historical duet by Emma R. Alban. You're the Problem, It's You is the follow-up to Don't Want You Like a Best Friend, and ultimately, both should be read together and in order.

This book follows the unlikely romance between Bobby Mason and the newly minted Viscount Demeroven. It's very much enemies-to-lovers (my fave), and I thoroughly enjoyed how this story unraveled in a surprising but refreshingly realistic way. There's meddling from friends and family, competitive yard games, and a rather involved blackmail plot. The ending is lovely and puts a nice bow on the plots of both books.

I can't recommend this book and its predecessor enough!

Although I thought this book was good overall, I found the beginning of the book to be a little slow, so it took me longer than I thought to really get into it. The novel didn't really gain up speed until we reached the main conflict, which was regrettably not until halfway through.

Regarding the storyline and locations, it was wonderful to see a Victorian-era tale that managed to depict the story of queer love while yet acknowledging the contrasting social norms of the day.

Though I was more involved in Bobby and James' romance, I do believe that Gwen and Beth had a greater initial attraction in the first book. Reading about their misunderstandings for the most part of the book was probably annoying for me. But still I could understand why James acted the way he did. Even though there were moments when I wanted to yell at them, I still loved both of these characters.

I have to say that with her second book, Alban did, in my opinion, write a better and more developed book. She writes about intimacy and emotions in this book in a way that is both humorous and heartwarming.

If you're a fan of Bridgerton or the Victorian era and want to read a book that celebrates queer love, I strongly suggest you pick up this one.

3 Stars I was so excited for You're the Problem, It's You after loving Don't Want You Like a Best Friend, but sadly, it fell flat for me. I'm hoping that, as the title states, it's me, I'm the problem, and that others love this story.

I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope, which immediately put me off of James and Bobby's story. There's not only miscommunication, but a frustratingly complete lack of communication between the two for a good chunk of the novel. So much of the conflict could've been avoided if they had simply talked to each other for once. The three stars are for the ending. I loved the lavender marriage and the epilogue was perfect.

3 Stars I was so excited for You're the Problem, It's You after loving Don't Want You Like a Best Friend, but sadly, it fell flat for me. I'm hoping that, as the title states, it's me, I'm the problem, and that others love this story.

I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope, which immediately put me off of James and Bobby's story. There's not only miscommunication, but a frustratingly complete lack of communication between the two for a good chunk of the novel. So much of the conflict could've been avoided if they had simply talked to each other for once. The three stars are for the ending. I loved the lavender marriage and the epilogue was perfect.