This review is also posted on Goodreads! Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this ARC for free!

I really teetered on the DNF line for a good 40% of the book, I’m not gonna lie. I’m very glad I’m extremely stubborn though because I did very much like the rest of it! I can’t stand the miscommunication trope to begin with, but I feel like in this case it was dragged out immensely and I had a very hard time getting through it. That being said- I loved the little spicy moments, I loved the found family aspect, I love Bobby that sweet little cinnamon roll, I love the girls, and I loved the ending. I do recommend this to anyone who likes the miscommunication trope and the rivals to lovers trope. The cover art is absolutely gorgeous and I feel like I would for sure purchase this to have the duology physically.

Overall, I’d say it’s a good 3.5 stars for me.

I loved the first book in this duology so I was pleasantly surprised how much of a page turner this one was, too. I loved how the characters from the first book weren’t just background for the new couple but continued to develop through this book as well.
The family situation was a bit…odd to get over but understandable given the situation and the time period.
Both books do a tremendous job of handling some really complex family issues, like parental abuse and recovering from it, that I admired as well.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Avon for allowing me to read this early!
I was not a huge fan of the first book but really wanted to give the second book a try. Unfortunately, I did not find it any better. The writing itself is pretty solid but the story felt repetitive and unnecessary at points. I was really hoping this would be another queer romance series I could fall in love with, but sadly have to pass.

You're the Problem, It's You was a highly anticipated read on my TBR list this year, so I was very excited to get my hands on an ARC. I enjoyed the first book a lot more, but that’s usually the case with most duologies. I give the book 3.5 stars overall.

If you enjoy reading about found family and queer historical romances, definitely give this book a shot!

Bobby and James’ story was filled with moments of tenderness and vulnerability (even amongst their miscommunication). I also loved seeing their dynamics with the other supporting characters. Even though I wish we had seen more meddling, mischief, & matchmaking by Beth and Gwen, their romance from the first book in the series carried over nicely and it was really satisfying to get to see how their love story had progressed since the last social season. I also loved the lavender marriage solution. (I had been rooting for this since the previous epilogue.) Personality-wise the "husband/wife pairs match up really well and they have amazing friendships. I thought it was so cute that after Beth got seasick while sailing that she and Bobby collectively decided that “the Masons don’t sail.” I just love queer friendships!

While I liked the story overall, I didn't rate it higher for a few reasons. I felt like the plot was a little wishy-washy or clumsy at times. The pacing just felt off. The switch from enemies to lovers happened too fast. Also, the main antagonist of the book was almost unnecessary in my opinion. He disappeared for a good portion of the book and mostly remained in the background not really impacting much.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the arc!
I absolutely adored the first book in the series, and I am really bad to say that the second book was thoroughly enjoyable.

Would I say this enemies to lovers? No I would not, but the romance is still spectacular. The tension between Bobby and James is just so good. It is definitely less enemies delivers and more just miscommunication and misunderstandings between them that lead them just to not like each other. Every single romance in these books, whether there would be the main characters or the side characters is so perfect!
Now one of my only complaints about this book is that I do think some of the characters had moments and scenes where they were acting really out of character or their character switched how they were acting at a certain point kinda randomly.
I would definitely say there are some differences between the books generally, I would say in the vibes. The first book definitely focuses more on this beautiful and sweet romance between Gwen and Beth with a little bit less outside plot stuff happening. This book while it does have an absolutely spectacular romance, incorporates a bit more of the world outside of the romance and a more realistic view of the romantic possibilities. I actually think that was a real bonus for the book as it makes it a bittersweet and beautiful romance while still representing that this was a reality for many people in history.

"You're the Problem, It's You' is the lovely conclusion to this queer historical romance duology, one that ramps up the drama, the heartache, and the deep emotions of finding a soulmate even when the whole world is against you.

It's another fiery enemies-to-lovers dynamic, but unlike the heroines from book one, Bobby and James have to be infinitely more careful of their inclinations. Once it's clear they can't keep their hands off each other--since it's less believable in their society for men to be that close--there is no hiding from the 'ton' (as the women do going out as 'companions') especially when a past paramour blackmails them. Love how their relationship being riskier is highlighted a couple of times. If Beth/Gwen were found out, the worse that would've happened is they'd be cast out of society. But for men to be found out, would've meant jail or worse. So even though at certain points Bobby feels like he's not being supported as much as Beth/Gwen, it's more that his loved ones are afraid of the severe consequences if he is discovered. The high risk is also the main cause for James's panic attacks. It's beautiful to see them both grow and deal with this inevitable fact in their own ways.

Another interesting point is Bobby and James are both from respectable families, but still from different "levels". While James is a viscount and the head of family, Bobby is only a second son, a spare and untied to any sort of important responsibility. Think Benedict Bridgerton *wink wink*. This detail never becomes an issue between them, but it was an interesting part of both men's inner conflicts. Bobby doesn't just feel cast aside for being a queer man, but also cast aside for being the spare, the one no one expects to be responsible or even interested in helping out with family affairs. Nothing is further from the truth, and I loved the nice resolution Bobby gets after speaking with his brother. James can't deal with the pressure of leading on his own, especially while his stepfather keeps putting him down at every turn. It takes a breaking point to show him that no matter the risks, together is better than apart.

I saw the solution/ending coming from a mile away--It's not that hard to put two and two together (quite literally) when they all want the same. But it didn't detract from the surprises that cropped up during the ending chapters and all the way through the epilogue. If you like stories about queer found families who fight and carve their own space in a world that is against them because there's no way they're giving up on their HEA, then this duology will charm and delight you.

DNF @26%

The miscommunication in this book was too much for me to handle. They could have just had one conversation and fixed everything.

Super cute Victorian Queer Romance! I am on a personal mission to read every sport in romance form and this one checked off croquet off of my list! If you love enemies to lovers, this one is for you!

I hadn’t read “Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend” so this was my first book by Emma and I really enjoyed it! There were a few moments where I was a little confused by the characters and the names; at times they would use first names and other times last names and sometimes nicknames and I understand certain dynamics between characters call for that but I found myself focusing a lot on trying to figure out who was who and who had what relationship with whom. Also (and this might be a me thing) I had to concentrate on characters having the same names, like fathers and the sons, but that’s probably me just not reading a lot of historical romances

Overall I really enjoyed the found family, the enemies to lovers, the banter and the themes throughout this book!

Full disclosure, I received this as an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was really drawn in by the synopsis, cover, and title, but regrettably this was a DNF for me. I normally LOVE enemies-to-lovers, but I just did NOT care for James. It's hard to read a book when half of the time it's from the POV of a character I don't really care about. Also, I don't mind a well-done 'miscommunication' trope, but all their interactions just seemed forced without anything between them. Ymmv as I don't normally read period romances, but this just wasn't for me.

3.5 Rounded up!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the story overall and following James and Bobby as they navigated society and getting to know one another. I loved their angry kisses and their banter and the dynamic with them and Gwen and Beth. Unfortunately I felt like this story and characters were slightly less developed than the first book and that the ending felt predictable/not scary because of the way this book was set up in book one.

I was so excited to go into this sequel. I will say it dragged a little in the middle for me but I still think it was a beautiful queer romance.

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

Compelling, frothy, and containing a Bridgerton-esque queer romance that’s impossible to not root for, You’re the Problem, It’s You is an excellent bookend to this delightful duology inspired by the music of Taylor Swift.

I haven't flown through a book like I did with this in a while!

James Demeroven has recently come into a title and power despite his feelings of powerlessness and lack of interest in politics. Meanwhile, Bobby Mason longs to make a difference in the world but lacks any authority or influence. Neither can stand each other, yet both are searching for companionship and love in an era that won't allow them to love who they'd like.

I loved this book! The family ties might be uncomfortably close for a romance but I really appreciated how ride or die this family is for each other. the family relationship also allowed this story not to become a total gay tragedy. As much as the homophobic societal pressure and criminalization is needed in historical queer romances to create believability, angst, and conflict, it is so refreshing to see these characters be given a safe space in the Victorian era.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic worked out well because both men had a real reason to dislike the other but the sexual tension and personal similarities were still obvious from the start so the switch to friends didn't feel forced.

The resolution with the main antagonist was probably the weakest element and a little cartoony, but if I imagine it like a rom-com movie scene it's forgivable. Perhaps I am just bad with names (especially when Victorian titles and customs are involved in how characters address each other) but a relationship chart with characters' names and how they're related to each other would've been so helpful for me.

It also took me a little while into reading to realize that Beth and Gwen clearly had gone through their own story before the events of this one. I will definitely be going back and reading more about their romance. Gwen especially was an absolute delight to read about and I need to know more!

This is such a fun follow-up to Don't Want You Like a Best Friend, and I was glad that Beth and Gwen are still characters throughout. It did make me want a book about their parents even more than before, though.

First of all the cover is absolutely beautiful! That being said this was just not a book I found myself wanting to pick up and when I did I could not get more than 5% into the book. I'm sure it's a great read for some, but for me I could not get into it because of the 3rd person point of view writing style. I much prefer first person and was genuinely excited to read this book at first but the 3rd person POV was just not it for me at this moment. I am a mood reader though so maybe this could be a book that I would revisit at some other time just not now.

It ran a bit too long but I really liked all the characters and seeing all of their happy endings made my heart so warm

I loved this fun follow up to Alban's Don't Want You Like a Best Friend. You're the Problem, It's You takes on one of my favorite romance tropes: enemies to lovers. Bobby and James (who we were introduced to in Alban's first book) knew each other in school, and although they each thought the other was a hottie, they also found each other infuriating. Bobby is much more adventurous, while James, a viscount, is just trying to stay out of everyone's way. I loved the scenes where Bobby and James allow themselves to be together while out in the country -- very steamy.
This series doesn't need to be read in order, but I appreciated the way this second in the series involved Gwen and Beth (our heroines from the first book), along with cousin Albie and his wife Meredith. The family dynamics and plotting and scheming are a natural continuation from the first book, and the HEA at the end of this book wraps up Gwen and Beth's story along with Bobby and James'.
Definitely recommend for fans of the Bridgerton series or other 19th century romances, and obviously for fans of queer romance -- enjoy!

Huge thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the early copy, it was much appreciated!

I absolutely loved the cover and thought the premise of You're the Problem, It's You would right up my alley, but unfortunately I didn't really end up liking this one. The pacing of the romance was glacial and was not a fan of the enemies to lovers thing over a miscommunication that could have easily been cleared up. Overall was cute just not my jam

I started this book almost immediately after finishing Bridgerton and I think that was the wrong choice for me. I was looking for the same swooning that the show has, but with queer representation. I also haven't read the first book, and I think I would have understood better where this story picks up.

Unfortunately I didn't really enjoy this one. I felt that the romance was so slow and not that enjoyable. Again, it could be that I started with this book without having read the first one, or that I just wasn't in the right head space for it. The writing style wasn't my favorite either. I am not really sure what about it I didn't like, just didn't vibe with it. I'll probably try to read the first book first and then come back to this one.

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!