When Angela goes viral on TikTok for having never been kissed, she makes a plan to use her newfound fame to make it happen. She enlists the help of her bartender crush, Krystal, who becomes a contender for her heart.

This book has amazing ace spec representation and does a great job of providing really good explanations and information about different sexualities. Angela being a late bloomer in love was so refreshing to read! I don’t see many late bloomer stories in romance and this book did it well.

I had a hard time getting invested in Angela and Krystal’s story. Krystal wasn’t very likable to me. While they had great communication, Krystal was still very back and forth with Angela and it put me off of their connection. I enjoyed the tender moments they had but sometimes I just didn’t feel it. The inclusion of social media wasn’t a problem for me like I’ve seen it was for others. I think it added a fun element to the story and a great way for MC to try her hand at dating. Now the scavenger hunt was what fell short for me. It was supposed to be the big thing in the story but often times felt like it got pushed to the wayside. The ending is where it fully fleshed out and I enjoyed the way everything finalized. Overall good book with some fantastic representation.
Thank you to NetGalley!

I was so excited to get back to the Librarians in Love series!

Angela and Crystal were so cute!! I loved how their relationship blossomed. The slow burn was amazing and I really liked getting to know them, getting to the bottom of their reservations and what made them pause when it came to relationships.

I also learned so much about other identities as a cis-straight woman. I really enjoy reading for fun and to escape but reading books that also allow me to learn without it feeling like a lesson is a big part of why I enjoy reading.

Another thing I really loved about this book is how it explored those less than supporting families and how necessary it is to create those boundaries and go no contact when it feels right. I love when people stand on their beliefs and don't let things go so easily by the end!

Thank you Forever for the arc!

I really enjoyed this book. There were so many different aspects of this book that I enjoyed. The found family aspect, the Hispanic family rep, the ace representation, which we don't see a lot in books, the TikTok relationship. It was all done so perfectly in my opinion.

Angela feels ostracized by her own cousins, so she's felt like she's had to form her own little group of people to feel safe with and she's been successful with that. The thing with Latinx families is that you don't truly understand them unless you're a part of them and that is what helps Gabriella write us so well is that she's part of one so she's able to write these relationships perfectly.

I really enjoyed the journey Angela went on discovering her sexuality. It shows how not everything is so black and white no matter how old you, it doesn't mean you need to have everything figured out. She handled that with such tact. It was just a really great book to read that didn't shy away from tough conversations.

Thanks to Forever for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review as always, all words are my own.

Kiss Me, Maybe had a lot of things I was excited about, Latina and LGBTQIA+ rep, but overall, it just didn’t totally work for me. I liked seeing Angela’s experience coming out later in life and the mix of family support and tension felt really real.

But the writing felt a little clunky, and I never fully clicked with Angela as a character. The scavenger hunt idea, which sounded super fun at first, ended up feeling really immature for a 27-year-old, and honestly, the whole thing just made me anxious. I kept thinking, "Girl, you’re gonna get a stalker!"

The way asexuality and labels were explained also kind of interrupted the story at weird times. Plus, I wish there had been more focus on Angela’s lesbian identity too, not just her ace-spec journey. And Krystal, the love interest, didn’t have enough depth for me to really care about their romance.

Overall, it’s not a bad book, just not my vibe. I think some readers will really love the rep, but I found it hard to stay engaged throughout the whole thing

Thank you Forever Pub for the eARC and ALC via Netgalley!

I've looked forward to this book ever since it was teased in the first one because as much as I loved the first one (and I did), I knew after hearing just a bit of Angela's story that it would mean a lot to me. She's another library assistant with Marcela from book one, and has been figuring out her identity the last few years. She knows she's somewhere on the ace spectrum, now in her late twenties, never been kissed, never really dated or done anything, but she's lonely and wants all of that; sex, maybe or maybe not, she isn't sure yet (she very rarely experiences sexual attraction but is sex favorable & open to exploring the idea). She goes viral on tiktok talking about it all & decides to do a scavenger hunt where the winner will be her first kiss.

Then the woman she's crushed on forever decides to help her plan it. Krystal is the bartender at Angela's regular hangout spot, & they've been flirty the last five years but as they get to know each other more she learns that Krystal won't ever want a relationship. The closer they get, the more Angela learns about herself & her sexual desires, the more she wants to kiss Krystal. But she has her followers & herself to think of since she wants a relationship & the woman she finds herself falling for doesn't believe in love.

I really loved this book. It has such a great exploration of different identities and micro labels ace-spec people have, how romantic attraction is seperate from sexual attraction, and how comphet can have people go a long time explaining things away because of how they're "supposed to be" before realizing they are queer, ace included.

Thank you to Forever for the ARC, Leni Kauffman for quite possibly the most gorgeous cover, and Gabriella Gamez for this beautiful story. I'm excited for what I hope will be the next one based on what was teased at the end!

•fat rep (plus-size love interest)
•Latinx rep (main character, love interest, and other prominent side characters)
•queer rep (ace-spec, lesbian, bisexual)
•some spicy scenes

Thank you to Forever for the free copy of Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez!

This was such a super cute (and spicy!) never been kissed type of sapphic romance 🙂‍↕️💕😮‍💨

I really loved how Angela and Krystal’s story played out 🫶🏽 It was so refreshing to read about a character who identifies as Ace, and someone who’s honest and open about their lack of relationship experience on social media. Even though Angela’s TikTok scavenger hunt ended up going way differently than she planned, it was still so cute watching her relationship with Krystal grow as they worked on it together ☺️

Lowkey thought it was kinda crazy how they managed to plan all of that before even kissing lmao 😅 but honestly, it made their slow burn will they won’t they friends to lovers relationship even hotter 😮‍💨

I also really appreciated the storyline with Angela’s beef with her stank-ass cousins. As someone who doesn’t have the best relationship with her own cousins, I loved seeing Angela confront her day one bullies and still grow into the person she always wanted to be. Because let’s be real, sometimes the people closest to you can hurt you the worst. But it’s all about what you allow to affect you, and Angela had to learn to rise above that to truly step into her real self 👏🏽👏🏽

This was my first read by Gabriella Gamez, and it def look forward to reading more from her 🫶🏽

Thank you to @readforeverpub for the gifted copy! Thank you to @hachetteaudio for the gifted audiobook!

This was one of my most anticipated reads this year and it worth the wait! Angela is the bff of Marcella from Gamez’s first novel: The Next Best Fling. I’m a sucker for interconnected standalone romances, I find it enriches the story so much because you already know some of the characters.

I adored Angela’s exploration of her sexuality and her identity. Her emotional growth was so satisfying and it was so fulfilling to see her be her true self by the end of the book. I loved Angela and Crystal and was rooting for them from the start. The spice was 🔥🥵 and Angela and Crystal were so compatible and cared for each other deeply. I really appreciated the representation in this book, queer, ace, demi. It’s so nice to see in a traditionally published book and was done authentically and very well here. I absolutely loved this book and now I’m anxiously awaiting more from Gabriella Gamez *crossing my fingers for more stores in this friend group since this book added TWO new friends*

This is a must read! 🩵

I really enjoyed the previous novel in this series but definitely struggled with this book. I had trouble connecting to the characters and I wasn't the biggest fan of Krystal. The ace representation was well done and including multiple conversations on sexual orientation/identity and the various orientations within asexuality were important and well done. Thanks to Forever and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel.

I really wanted to like this one, and boy did I try, but I just couldn’t bring myself to care about a plot where someone went viral on TikTok, then used the momentum to set up a competition to see who could be her first kiss. The cover is stunning though.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC!

Kiss Me, Maybe starts in a unique way as far as romances go. Our main character, Angela, or Angel as she’s called, creates a few TikTok videos. One is a thirst trap, which ends up causing her to admit that she’s part of the ace/asexual spectrum. In addition, she shares that she’s never been kissed or has been in a relationship despite being in her 20s. She decides to take advantage of her newly minted viral status.

While Angel does open up about her life, she decides to try to find a partner via social media. It comes in the form of a scavenger hunt. The only issue is that she’s planning it with her long-time crush, Krystal. Krystal is the bartender at her favorite bar, and it’s clear the two have a slight friendship, although we all know it’s going to become more.

Let’s get into the romance, which is an incredible mix of slow burn and friends-to-lovers. I adored seeing these two slowly realize their feelings before doing anything to act on them. The steamy scenes between the two were equally as great, too. Seeing how Angela acted with Krystal in the bedroom was so unexpected, but it made the book all the more fun.

Ultimately, the reason why I enjoyed this book so much was that it felt like something fresh and new. I’ve read very few books with ace characters, and seeing how it worked with Angela was so interesting. I adored the way Gabriella Gamez added social media into the story, as it felt like it made sense but never detracted. This book was an utter delight and one I devoured over the course of an afternoon.

If you enjoyed The Next Best Fling, then you need to make sure Kiss Me, Maybe is on your TBR. Gabriella Gamez is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors, and I can’t wait to see what she releases next.

Kiss Me, Maybe” was an entertaining read.

I really appreciated the queer representation portrayed in this one. I think that visibility is so important and I will be sure to recommend it to all of my friends who read.

I found the love story to be fun. I also enjoyed that Angela seemed a bit clumsy in life and that Crystal was scared.

Thank you to Forever for selecting me for this ARC. I enjoyed it.

3.5 stars.

"Kiss Me, Maybe" by Gabriella Gamez boasts a terrific LGBTQIA2S+ (specifically ACE) representation! In that aspect, this story is beautiful, and it gives readers a chance to learn about something they might not fully understand already. It's all about discovering who you are, leaning into the beauty of your identity, and being unashamedly you despite what others may think. It's also about not being afraid to cut ties with people, including family, if they are not willing to accept you for who you are. So often in fiction, friends and family "other" people and expect them to just roll over and take it. I hate that, no! Blood means nothing if it comes with conditions. This is a quick read full of interesting banter and intriguing people and situations. I love that Gamez isn't afraid to write messy, flawed characters. This was true in "The Next Best Fling," and it is true here, too. My main complaint is that this book comes across as extremely young adult at times. Though it discusses serious subject matters, Angela feels like she is written as a teenager, even though there is quite a bit of spice here. A lot of the conversations are important and revelatory, but some of them are juvenile, too. Maybe it's because of the scavenger hunt? I like the idea, but it comes across as kid-ish. You have to be *extremely* interested/invested in TikTok/viral videos/influencers/being chronically online to get into the meat and potatoes of the story. Some of it made me roll my eyes, if I'm being honest. TikTok isn't going to last forever, so in a decade, the major crux of this plot might be a relic of the past. It's not just a small part of the story: the entire thing revolves around Angela going viral on TikTok and becoming an ACE influencer as she creates a scavenger hunt to get her first kiss at 27 years old. There is a lot of ensuing drama that springs from Angela's decision to "date the internet," involving commenters online, her cousins, a local artist she wants to involve in the scavenger hunt, and Krystal, the bartender at her favorite bar. Gamez touches on the downfalls of being chronically online, parasocial relationships, gaining viral fame, and the negativity that comes with it. Also, a few things that happen happen a little too conveniently. Still, I think it is worth checking out for the representation alone.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gabriella Gamez, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Have you ever seen a more gorgeous cover than this one?!?! I absolutely adored The Next Best Fling so I was elated to read Kiss Me, Maybe.

When a late bloomer goes viral for coming out, she decides to use her newfound fame to get her first kiss—with the help of a sexy bartender—in this “funny, smart, and spicy” romance (Abby Jimenez).

My Texan heart absolutely loved the setting of San Antonio during Fiesta De Los Reyes! If you’ve never been to Fiesta just think HUGE street party with tons of food, dranks and all the Tejano music you fathom. 🤠🇲🇽🌮 This book absolutely captures the magic of San Antonio.

And the love story!!!! Such a sweet almost coming of age journey (since Angela is a late bloomer). I learned so much about Ace identities. Learning from fictional characters is icing on the cake. The pining in this book had me in a chokehold. 🥹 Angela and Krystal are just the cutest. Seeing their vulnerability and courage to be themselves is so inspiring. Did I mention the steam?!?! 🥵🔥

This was a sweet slow burn sapphic romance. In this book we have Angela who thinks she is asexual, but she is struggling with finding a label she feels 100% fits her. So Angela goes online and posts about her experience and decides to setup a scavenger hunt, and whoever figures out the clues will be the one to get to be her first kiss. As she is planning this she gets very close with local bartender Krystal. She has been secretly crushing on Krystal for years. As Krystal tries to help Angela find love, the lines blur between the two of them and their relationship and what they both want in life. This was a sweet story about finding yourself and learning that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and reach for what you want in life. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

I struggled with this book (specially the written one as I had an audio cope as well). I wasn't sure what age/target group this book was written for as it came across as YA besides a few places (but was marketed as adult). There was great representation (hispanic, ACE, LGBTQ+), which I really enjoyed but struggled with the plot and didn't really love the relationship between the main characters. The audio version of this book earns a 3.5/5 and brings up this overall rating! Thank you to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the advanced readers copy and advanced listeners copy!

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet up the whole time. The fmc’s were so sweet and I loved reading their love story blossom. Overall a great read, would definitely recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley, Forever and Grand Central Publishing for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars, rounded up.

I thoroughly enjoy this book! I loved the focus an exploring identity and the fact that it had a-spec representation, something you don’t often see in romance. I also loved the chemistry between the main characters and the development of their relationship throughout the book. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet, fun sapphic romance with great character development and realistic exploration of identity.

This book was nothing short of amazing! I loved Krystal and Angela so much! It's already hard to figure out your identity as an adult, but to do it in social media and with family members who don't support you? Hugs to Angela!

This was one of my most anticipated books of 2025, but honestly, I’m a bit let down. I was so excited for a queer Latinx romance AND it’s based in the city I live in!! While I absolutely loved the queer representation and ACE education, I feel underwhelmed by the romance. More so, I feel annoyed with it. I wish we got to connect with Krystal more and watch Angela focus more on her rather than the TikTok plan. The care towards each queer character’s journey was something I really enjoyed, but that’s about as far as my attachment goes. I kept waiting for their relationship to elevate romantically which it never really did for me.

As a San Antonio reader I was able to see all the Fiesta elements for what they were, but they definitely weren’t explained or emphasized enough for readers outside of the area to understand the celebration. It would’ve been cool to see it make a bigger experience given the cover.

Now as far as the Latinx rep goes, I absolutely understand we (Latinx people) are not a monolith and our lived experiences are all so different! That being said, if you’re a Latinx reader not from SATX and pulled towards the book because of the beautiful cover thinking you’re going to see a heavy dose of your culture, I unfortunately have to say that’s not necessarily the case here. While there are a few small things throughout the story to let the reader know the characters are Latinx, they didn’t feel done in a way that displays the characters connection to their heritage, but rather just randomly dropped. I thought there would be significantly more cultural displays throughout. Maybe some Spanish/Spanglish between the characters! I also acknowledge that being able to speak Spanish does NOT correlate to someone’s Latinidad. Spanish is the colonizer me language and I would never hold the ability to speak it or not against anyone. Traditions, holidays, music, etc. But again, given the cover and marketing, I was just waiting for…more.

Plot wise a few pieces felt unfinished, unnecessary, or not properly explained. For instance Angela’s job and the cousin drama.

Overall I’m happy I read it so I could give my thoughts, but left it feeling meh.

I’m crossing my fingers for more Latinx experiences to be showcased in romance because our culture and stories deserve to take up space!💕

The premise had all the makings of a quirky, heartfelt rom-com: Angela, a 27-year-old who’s never been kissed, goes viral after coming out as an ace lesbian—and decides to turn her newfound fame into a dating scavenger hunt. Instead of leaning on her coupled-up bestie, ride-or-die cousin, or ultra-supportive parents, Angela turns to Krystal—her not-so-secret crush—to help run the whole thing. Together, they set out to find someone worthy of her first kiss.

What follows is a whirlwind of angst, family tension, online chaos, workplace drama, a little heat, and a sweet (if slightly anticlimactic) conclusion.

Angela’s voice felt very YA/new adult—not because of her inexperience, but because of her actions and emotional responses. I had a hard time connecting with her, and since we’re in her head the entire time, that disconnect left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.

A decent concept with some fun and messy moments, but ultimately not a book I see myself revisiting.

#KissMeMaybe
#NetGalley

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.