uhhhhh i had a number of issues with this book. i don't think this book benefitted from both main characters being in some degree of a 'coming out' phase of their sexual awakening. also don't love that the one lesbian character was immediately identified as the villain. i'd recommend skipping this one (tho the cover is dreamy).

A second chance romance? Count me in! It's not my usual trope but this one sounded like too much fun to not enjoy! (And secret points to the author spelling her name like I do!)

"The Lovers" by Rebecca Faubion stands out as a striking addition to contemporary romantic comedies. This novel has garnered attention due to its relatable characters and fresh approach to exploring love, friendship, and personal growth. Particularly noteworthy is its meaningful representation of LGBTQ and bisexual characters, a feature that significantly enhances its appeal to a broad audience.

Rebecca Faubion's latest work is a heartfelt narrative that reconnects two estranged friends, Kit and Julia, after a decade-long separation. Their unexpected reunion at a wedding brings a mix of nostalgia, unresolved issues, and the potential for new beginnings. Faubion skillfully combines humor and emotion, making "The Lovers" a compelling read that resonates well with fans of the genre.

Rebecca Faubion has carved out a unique niche for herself in the world of contemporary fiction. Known for her ability to blend humor with poignant life lessons, she has captivated audiences with her previous works. Faubion's writing is characterized by a deep understanding of human emotions and relationships, which she explores with both sensitivity and wit.

Plot Overview:

"The Lovers" is a heartfelt story centered around two women, Kit and Julia, who were once inseparable friends in high school. However, a falling out drove them apart, and they spent ten years without any contact. Their paths cross again at a wedding, where unexpected circumstances force them to confront their past and consider the possibility of a renewed friendship—or something more.

Kit attends the wedding in the unique role of a tarot reader, bringing an element of mysticism and introspection to the event. Julia, on the other hand, is the wedding planner, showcasing her organizational skills and her ability to stay composed under pressure. The wedding setting serves as a perfect backdrop for their reconnection, filled with romance, tension, and the complexities of adult relationships.

As the story unfolds, Faubion skillfully unravels the layers of Kit and Julia's past, revealing the reasons behind their estrangement and the deep bond they once shared. The reunion is not without its challenges, but it is also filled with moments of humor, reflection, and tenderness. Ultimately, "The Lovers" is a narrative about second chances and the enduring power of love and friendship.

LGBTQ Representation:

One of the standout features of "The Lovers" is its meaningful representation of LGBTQ and bisexual characters. In an era where diverse stories are increasingly seeking their rightful place in literature, Faubion's work is both timely and significant. By centering the narrative around two women rediscovering their bond, she highlights the experiences and emotions of LGBTQ individuals in a relatable and authentic manner.

Kit's and Julia's journey is not just about romance but also about understanding and accepting their identities. Faubion portrays their sexualities with sensitivity and respect, avoiding stereotypes and clichés. This thoughtful representation provides much-needed visibility and resonates deeply with readers who see their own lives reflected in the characters' experiences.

Moreover, Faubion's inclusion of bisexual characters challenges and expands the traditional boundaries of romantic comedies. This not only enriches the genre but also offers a broader portrayal of love and relationships. "The Lovers" is a commendable addition to LGBTQ literature, contributing to the ongoing conversation about diversity and inclusion in storytelling.

Themes and Motifs:

"The Lovers" is rich with themes and motifs that add depth and resonance to the story. At its core, the novel explores the theme of second chances. Kit and Julia's reunion after ten years underscores the idea that it is never too late for reconciliation and healing. This theme is beautifully woven into their interactions, as they navigate their complicated history and the possibility of a future together.

Friendship is another central theme, depicted through the enduring connection between Kit and Julia. Despite their estrangement, the bond they shared in high school remains a pivotal part of their lives. Faubion illustrates the complexities of friendships and how they evolve over time, especially when intertwined with deeper emotions and past grievances.

The motif of tarot reading adds an intriguing dimension to the narrative. Kit's profession as a tarot reader symbolizes the quest for understanding and insight, both for herself and for Julia. The tarot cards serve as a metaphor for the unknown, the potential for change, and the possibility of new beginnings. This motif enriches the story, providing layers of meaning that enhance the reader's experience.

Overall Reaction:

"The Lovers" by Rebecca Faubion is a delightful and heartfelt novel that captures the essence of love, friendship, and second chances. Through the compelling story of Kit and Julia, Faubion offers readers a fresh and nuanced perspective on romantic comedies, enriched by meaningful LGBTQ and bisexual representation. The book's engaging plot, authentic characters, and thought-provoking themes make it a standout in contemporary fiction.

Faubion's background and commitment to inclusivity shine through in her writing, providing a narrative that is both entertaining and impactful. Her portrayal of Kit and Julia is both relatable and poignant, reflecting the complexities of relationships and personal growth. "The Lovers" is more than just a romance; it is a story of reconnection, understanding, and the enduring power of love.

For readers seeking a romantic comedy with depth and diversity, "The Lovers" is a must-read. Its rich storytelling and emotional resonance ensure it will leave a lasting impression, making it a cherished addition to any reader's collection. Faubion's debut work is a testament to her talent and a promising indicator of more great stories to come.

A DNF for me... I felt no chemistry between the two main characters and the setting and secondary characters stressed me out. A cute cover though, and maybe I would have liked it better when the audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I could see this being for fans of Julie Soto and Ashley herring Blake. I really enjoyed the tarot aspect and it was a super fun element for tarot lovers like myself. Honestly, the tarot reads could get a bit tense! I had a few issues with this story though - the characters came off toxic, the flirting and banter was definitely there but very drawn out to the point where I was just underwhelmed by the time the spice hit. Spice level was probably 2/5 peppers. 3.5 rounded down

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

dnf at 18%

I will admit that I was initially drawn into this book by its cover. I think the cover design and color palette is amazing!

But I sadly did not connect with this book but I do think others can enjoy it.

This is a sapphic second chance romance, between two childhood friends who are thrown back into each other's lives when they both happen to be working the same wedding.

This particular wedding atmosphere is what threw me off a bit, because everyone is an influencer of some sort / or have these great connections and I just don't want to be reading about that.

100% drawn in by the cover - it's gorgeous! But the content is fantastic as well(: The Lovers is such a quick read filled with drama, tension, and yearning in all the best ways.

I really liked the tarot aspect of the story and how it's done. Usually when I read a tarot related romance it's more fantasy, but this one is very much a contemporary romance with a bit of fate. Kit and Julia received the Twin Flames card during a tarot reading when they were in high school and at the time just best friends and since then Kit hasn't drawn the same set of cards - until she sees Julia again. Kit and Julia very much have unfinished business since Kit ghosted after Julia admitted her feelings for her and they hooked up. Since then, Kit has only dated men and hasn't explored that she might like women because she grew up believing in the "Ideal Rom-Com Life Path" her father extolled and that she thought her parents had. But when she learns they're getting divorced because her mother is in love with a woman, her whole world tilts on its axis and she starts to come to terms with the fact that she likes women and that the romance she had built up in her head isn't the one she wants for herself.

To escape the drama unfolding between her parents and what their divorce and learning that her mother is also bisexual means for her, she accepts a job for an influencer's wedding in Joshua Tree -- which is where she runs into Julia. Taking place over the course of a wedding that both Kit and Julia are working gave me the forced proximity that I LOVE to see in romance and a pretty dreamy setting for reconnecting with your Twin Flame. This one is big on the influencer vibes, which felt very reality tv-esque but was entertaining. The added drama of Julia's manipulative ex popping up as a last minute addition to the wedding party gave an extra element of reality tv villain vibes. The chemistry and romance between Julia and Kit is obvious from the start and their story is very well written. Plus, I love that each of them grows individually, pushing themselves to become who they really want to be and to live the lives they truly desire - romantically and professionally.

There's a part when Kit is talking to her mom about her bisexuality and she says that by not telling her about that part of herself, her mom essentially gave Kit "a guide with a really important chapter missing" that I really loved because it just resonated. Parents aren't given guidebooks and there's no perfect way to raise kids but I liked this moment between Kit and her parents where they all confront and acknowledge that kids look to their parents for guidance and to relate to and by not knowing that her mom was also bisexual, she didn't see herself represented and didn't know how to bring it up/accept that part of herself when as far as she knew they both believed in this ideal romance between a man and a woman. Knowing that part of her mom's identity could have opened up a new path of communication and acceptance for her - which it does now when she's an adult - and their conversation was very healthy and mature, allowing them all to become closer.

Definitely add to your tbr if you like:

*second chance
*sapphic romance
*friends to lovers
*fated love
*bisexual rep
*forced proximity
*first love
*self-discovery/acceptance

CW: biphobia, manipulative/emotionally abusive ex, public outing, cheating (not the MCs), parents' divorce

I received a drc from Berkley via NetGalley which I have voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed watching Kit and Julia (re) fall in love in this cute and fast read. Faubion's writing was descriptive and lush. I loved reading the descriptions of the beautiful scenery of Joshua Tree as well as the interactions between the main characters and how they perceived each other. Their attraction to each other was clearly evident and hot to read.

I found the internal conflict Kit and Julia both had to be compelling. For Kit, the fear of coming out, and for Julia the difficulty of dealing with an unsupportive partner that turns into a disrespectful ex. I found the scenes with Piper hard to read at times because she was such a horrible person, but the writing and the conflict itself were both excellent and made for a heart wrenching but ultimately uplifting story.

Thank you to Berkely Romance for the free book. The Lovers follows ex-best friends Kit, a tarot reader, and Julia, a wedding planner, as they get stuck spending the weekend together in the desert for a wedding. Kit and Julia had a little fling in high school until summer ended and Kit ran off scared. Ten years later they meet again and the feelings start to bubble up. I really liked the friends to lovers and second chance romance of this story. Having met my wife in high school, it was very relatable to read about that connection of finding yourselves together at a young age. It’s a very sweet queer romance, however I did have some issues with it. My biggest of those being Kit’s reluctance to come to terms with her sexuality. I understand that everyone’s experience is different, but it was a bit hard for me to believe that Kit was scared to come out to her loving parents and her queer best friend in her very queer loving hometown of LA. It made me more confused than sympathetic for her. Other than that I felt there was a lot of unnecessary fluff in some places- there was a whole scene where Julia tells us about a big conversation she had with Kit but I wished I could see that actually play out and learn about them as they learned about each other. Also the sex scenes were kinda eh and not super realistic. Overall it’s a good romance but it was lacking a bit for me.

The Lovers made my bi heart so happy!! As someone who didn’t openly acknowledge their queerness until their late 20’s, I found a kindred soul in Kit. I was able to relate so much with her and I really admired her character growth. Julia’s ability to forgive and understand Kit’s struggle with coming out and the willingness to build back trust between them was a highlight to this romance. The tarot element was a ton of fun and makes me want to take out some of my cards and do a lil reading just for funsies. I don’t often find myself identifying heavily with fictional characters, so being able to do so with Kit was truly special. I want to thank the author for putting this story out in the world - I feel so seen as a bi woman and would love to see more similar storylines in romance.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for sending me an early copy!

The twin flames part of this story I absolutely hated, but other than that this second chance romance was good! I thought there was a TON of chemistry between Kit and Julia and I do love me a chaotic wedding.

I was so excited for this book and it was a fun read! I couldn't believe this was Faubion's first novel! I thought the setting was so unique and entertaining. And as a tarot girlie, I really enjoyed how prominently and authentically tarot was featured in the story! Can't wait to read more from this author in the future!

I tried very hard to get into this one but it just didn't work for me. Kit and Julia were okay characters but I didn't really feel a strong connection to either. They did have good romantic chemistry but I felt like everything else kind of fell flat. The vibes of the whole wedding were a little too eccentric to keep me engaged or invested in the story. I wanted to like this book so much but in the end it just didn't work for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. The premise of this queer romance was pretty compelling - lovers to exes to lovers again, but the motivations and fears of one protagonist seemed like quite a stretch. It's hard to believe someone who is from LA would be so stuck on compulsory heterosexuality in 2024, but it was still a fun little read set in one of my favorite places, so it was worth it!

Rebekah Faubion does a great job with the second chance romance trope, delicately building out the characters' past to make their present romance all the more satisfying when it happens. HOWEVER, my biggest issues with this book were the lengthy descriptions of the setting that seemed completely unnecessary and, more importantly, the discussions around coming out that included a slew of biphobic language that at times was very uncomfortable to read, especially as a queer person. I can understand what the author was trying to do, but between the biphobia and the lack of diversity in the romance, this definitely missed the mark.

I did not finish this book. It didn't grab me at all. I'm sure it would appeal to some readers but not to me.

So cute! I absolutely adored this one. I received an ARC of this (thanks!) and would love to pick up a physical copy for my home library. Kit and Julia are everything you want a second-chance romance to be. If you're looking for a sapphic romance, choose this one!

I love a good bi-awakening book but this was not it. I had such high hopes at the beginning and should have DNF'd when I started cringing over the influencer stuff.

I loved the romance, but did not love the side characters. There was zero diversity, and seemed to have obvious stereotypes. However, romance and chemistry was truly amazing. Not for me, but i can see it being great.

Another tale of parental expectations warping someone's childhood development into an adult, and escalating the pressure not to let them down.

But it also has an adorable relationship, revisiting the thing that made you question your identity in the best way, and being able to still feel connected to someone even with years and hurts between you.
Some of those hurts get fixed, there's a bit of petty revenge, and moments of revelation.

Tarot plays a big part in the story too, and it's always fascinating to know the different interpretations of the cards. It was also fun to be inside the head of someone trying to balance what they see and know with what the person who is getting the reading wants to hear.

Overall, AdORABLE, and with satisfying resolutions to all the plots.