
Member Reviews

My strongest feeling in regard to this book was wooow is Greg insufferable and it sucks that everyone has let him get away with this behaviour for so log.

This is a good book for someone who wants a tour of places to eat in Los Angeles. Most of the book is centered around food. I liked the MCs and the story but got tired of all of the emphasis on food.

I absolutely loved this book! So many amazing pop culture references that brought levity and humor to an emotionally deep story. Clementine’s journey of self-discovery and coming out later in her 30's is handled with so much care and authenticity. Also her chemistry and slow burn romance with Chloe is full of banter and fun! They are such a fun couple! This was an all around fabulous read.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, & One More Chapter for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am always up for a good love story and this was definitely a great one. The main characters and their love story story were just lovely and if you believe love is love is love then this is a must read.

I have read quite a few queer romances and this just wasn’t the one for me. I did enjoy this book as it was light hearted and fun but I just didn’t love the main characters which is a shame. I do think it is partially my fault due to having not read the previous 2 books so therefore I haven’t had the chance to emotionally connect with the characters . One thing I really didn’t like was Chloe’s attitude toward Clementine’s baby-gay status. I found it borderline condescending and how she often she can easily dismiss Clementine is off-putting.

On Her Terms was a quick read, this sapphic romance was great especially the MFC Clementine coming out later in life and the fake dating trope.
The writing I felt was what I'd expect of a rom com, easy to read and enjoyable. The plot line was predictable but most are in this genre and I mean no disrespect with this comment. I really enjoyed reading On Her Terms.

This book is something.
I do not care about these characters at all. I didnt like the love interest.
Clem’s brother though, can suck a big bag of dicks! Someone dive in this book and punch him, and then get her some new friends!

If you are looking for a mostly lighthearted sapphic romance, this is a perfect read.
Clementine is newly single and newly *out* and enters into a fake dating relationship with Chloe to attend some events together. And, well, you know the rest!
What you’ll find:
☀️sapphic romance
☀️bi coming out
☀️lesbian representation
☀️fake dating
☀️California setting
☀️plus size representation
☀️Hollywood adjacent

I absolutely love Amy's Out in Hollywood series and this is no exception. This book kept me company on jury duty and it was delightful. I loved reading about the late-in-life bisexual experience and how it altered Clementine's relationships with her family and friends, and the second coming of age required from getting out of such a long relationship. Can't wait for the next one!

Queer romance at its finest, this was a super easy quick read for me and I really enjoyed it overall. I enjoy the old Fake Dating trope and it added some fun where we find they already have mutual acquaintances

On Her Terms by Amy Spalding is a fresh and heartwarming contemporary romance that explores the complexities of self-discovery, desire, and the joy of embracing who you are. Clementine, fresh off a breakup and determined to chart her course away from the conventional life she once thought she wanted, is ready to experience something new—especially in her love life. At thirty-six, she is eager to explore uncharted territory, and though the idea of a fake relationship to appease her family seems like a disaster waiting to happen, she finds herself saying yes to Chloe Lee, a smart and spirited dog groomer.
Chloe is well beyond the “baby gay” stage, but even before the two women dive into the fake relationship for Clem’s parents' anniversary party and Chloe’s friend’s wedding, they begin spending more and more time together. What starts as a pretend romance soon grows into something far more real for Clem. But Chloe, who is convinced that Clem is merely seeking a temporary companion, isn’t so sure that she’s ready for anything more. As Clem grows closer to Chloe, she starts to realise that her life doesn’t need a partner to be fulfilled—except that being without Chloe? That’s a whole different matter entirely.
Spalding’s writing is both witty and wise, capturing the intricacies of navigating life transitions, self-confidence, and the nuances of queer identity. The chemistry between Clem and Chloe is undeniably sweet, but what makes On Her Terms truly shine is the thoughtful exploration of chosen family, the pressure of societal expectations, and the journey towards self-acceptance. Clem’s realisation that being "alone" doesn’t have to mean loneliness is a powerful and empowering message, and the relationship between her and Chloe is grounded in mutual respect, authenticity, and gradual growth.
This is an uplifting love story that is full of heart, laughter, and sincerity. The perfect read for anyone seeking a feel-good romance that is both deeply relatable and full of hope, On Her Terms offers an ending worth every page turned.
3.5/5.
Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Amy Spalding's LA books! Clem and Chloe are a great addition to the crew! Clem is so relatable as a queer woman in her 30s. The tropes are on point. The story is on point and I continue to look forward to more of Spalding's books - a definite auto-buy author for me now! :)

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and read it in one day! I enjoyed the storyline and the characters! I would definitely recommend this book.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Amy Spalding for providing me with an ARC of On Her Terms in exchange for my honest review.
As a queer person, I was immediately drawn to this book. The premise of exploring coming out later in life, combined with the fake relationship and found family tropes, seemed like the perfect blend of heartfelt and fun. Amy Spalding has a knack for crafting engaging dialogue, and the witty banter throughout the novel was definitely a highlight for me.
That said, while I appreciated the representation and the themes the book tackled, the overall execution didn’t fully resonate with me. The story felt a little flat at times, and I struggled to connect with the characters. I was hoping for more depth of character, especially given the rich potential of the themes at play. While the humor and lighthearted moments were enjoyable, they sometimes overshadowed the depth I was craving.
Despite my mixed feelings, I can see On Her Terms being a great read for those who enjoy charming, witty stories with a focus on self-discovery and later-in-life queer experiences. While it may not have fully resonated for me, I appreciate its contributions to LGBTQ+ literature and would still recommend it to readers who love heartfelt contemporary fiction.

I love love love this series. The setting and the characters are so good. I really enjoyed this part, as well. Specifically what spoke to me is the baby gay, straight passing, fat, bisexual vibe in here. This book was so much more than a romance (might have even been more of a side plot), and it really touches upon topics like insecurities. Super relatable (thats bad isnt it). Honestly, what a good read.
Its getting close to release day, so to anyone reading this, i absolutely recommend reading this (read the other 2 first though)
Personal request from amy spalding: can i pleaaaaaaasee get a phoebe and bianca book? I need to know about how they met and got to be where they are.
Did i get approved for the netgalley read for this? Yes (i love it). Did i also get in my afterlight special edition? Absolutely (in my defense, i didnt know which would be faster). Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review.

'Fake dating' is probably my least favourite trope romantic fiction, but I also adore Amy Spalding and figured if any author could make me enjoy this trope, it would be her. And I did love a lot about On Her Terms. In common with all of Spalding's fiction, it was great to have a plus size heroine whose size is basically irrelevant to the plot and instead just one fact about her among many. I also enjoyed the humour provided by Clementine's cartoonishly awful brother, Greg (although I did wish she'd called him out on his bulls**t much earlier in the book: when it eventually happened it seemed ill-timed given what else was happening at that moment). And the chemistry between Chloe and Clem is convincingly written. I do wish, however, that we readers had had more chance to get to know Chloe's friends; a group of LA power lesbians who welcome Clem with such open arms. They were both integral to the plot and somehow not fully realised at the same time? Nevertheless, a fun romantic comedy which will appeal to fans of Emily Henry.

A story about Clementine and her break up with her long-term boyfriend, Will.
While I hoped to love reading On Her Terms, I had a hard time getting into the story.
There was fake dating and found family…..this is a troupe that usually draws me in. On reflecting a bit….it felt like the chemistry between the characters was just not there.
Overall, On Her Terms was a ok read.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
when clementine ended her relationship with her boyfriend of 20 years ... could she really go down the path she was considering.... she knew she was bi... but did anyone else think that.... she was a bundle of nerves... which didnt help when she was about to walk into her first ever gay bar... but it was the heckling from a group of men that nearly put paid to that .... but it was chloe that rescued her and took her into the bar....
it turned out that chloe had recognised clementine but it took clementine a while before she recognised chloe
as both chloe and clementine each had a problem that the other could solve and when they hatched the plan to be fake girlfriends to help them in their situations never realising the trouble it would cause them..... fun times ahead...
this book is written in one pov..... so we never really get to know many of the characters... which was a shame... but apart from that it didnt distract to much from the action of being fake girlfriends....

It took me a little while to get into this book (partially because some of the interpersonal dynamics hit a little close to home--they just felt so real) but once I did, I loved it! The central relationship was great, but so were the friendships. I really liked On Her Terms!

On Her Terms by Amy Spalding was an enjoyable sapphic rom-com!
I thought this story was so charming, featuring a wonderfully relatable main character.
The characters are heartfelt and genuine and Spalding creates a dynamic you truly want to root for.