3.75 rounded up

Angela is a self-identified late bloomer. She created a video on social media to find a community. It went viral! With the new status of influencer, she decided to create an event where the winner would be her first kiss. Her long-time crush, Krystal, helped her plan this event. This was a cute book. I enjoyed going on Angela's journey of self-discovery and creating community. The story gave me Never Been Kissed vibes.

KISS ME, MAYBE by @gabbywritesalot is officially out in the world as of Tuesday! You can grab a copy now! Thank you @netgalley and @librofm for my review copies!

This was my first book from this author, and I really enjoyed it! The audio was also really well done!

Do you have/use TikTok?

This book starts with one of the FMC’s going viral on TikTok for coming out, and what comes of that!

KISS ME, MAYBE by is a contemporary romance that explores ace spec representation and what that all entails in great detail. I really enjoyed learning more about this!

The two FMC’s were great, and very likeable, and I enjoyed how they slowly (this was a slow burn friends!) cane to be more than friends. The tension? Immaculate! So good. And then the spice? Also really good!

If you are looking for a great romance book full of lots of laughs, excellent representation and an all around feel good type of book, pick this one up! Oh, did I mention one of the FMCs is a librarian?!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a tough review to write because while I really appreciated the intent and representation, the story itself didn’t fully land for me.
I loved the inclusion of aro/ace identities and found the early explanations of micro-labels thoughtful and informative. But as the story went on, the repetition of coming-out moments and recurring instances of homophobia started to weigh down the pacing and tone. I also struggled to feel the connection between the main characters and didn’t find myself drawn into the influencer plotline. While the work drama was likely meant to reflect real challenges, I personally found it hard to relate to.
Still, I’m glad this book exists. It wasn’t a bad read—it just didn’t resonate with me the way I hoped. One small note: given how central aromantic identity is to the story, I do wish the aro flag had been included on the cover. It felt like a missed opportunity.

I'm quite sad I didn't like this book more after enjoying the first book in the series!

I have to applaud the author for including representation for a lot of more under-represented queer identities that is lacking in literature.

If you would have told me this was a YA book instead, I would have enjoyed it SO much more. I understand that the point is that Angela is a late bloomer, but god the dialogue and the whole scavenger hunt plotline was very high school, and these characters are in their mid-to-late 20s. I struggled to see the genuine connection between the two main characters, and as they got closer, I didn't understand keeping the whole scavenger hunt plotline going. There was so much back and forth about it that I stopped caring about it in the slightest.

I'm sure some people out there will love this, but it was simply not for me.

First and foremost, thank you to the publisher and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I loved this story and it was definitely worth the read!

Gabriella Gamez, I love you. There's something so special about these books. As a Tex-Mex-Am reader, these books feel like home. I see my own family in them, I see myself in them, from the little bits of Spanglish to the references of HEB and my favorite museum in Texas. There's something so comforting in escaping into the stories Gabriella builds in the world that I already know and love. I loved Angela and Krystal's story so much -- and I usually don't go for friends to lovers! Angela's journey of self discovery and self identity is so relatable to any queer person -- ace spec or not! I can't wait to reread this already!

A Librarian discovers her ace identity while also using her influencer status to come up with a scavenger hunt where the winner earns her first kiss only the person who might be closer to her than she ever expected, in the form of her hot bartender/unrequited crush of five years. This was a really fun story that discusses identity and the ace identity and the various forms and spectrums that come with it. I do think that this is a great book for anyone looking for an ace romance and I think the romance itself was really cute. While I do wish the scavenger hunt was further developed rather than pushed to the side and that the story had better pacing, overall it was a nice read and one I will be recommending!

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This one’s for the girlies in their twenties who haven’t had their first kiss 🩷

Unfortunately I didn’t love this one like I did The Next Best Fling and it all comes back to the plot. This follows Angela who after discovering she is an asexual lesbian, makes a tiktok that goes viral about how she has never been kissed. This leads to her putting together a scavenger hunt where the winner will be her first kiss. Kind of a wild concept and her job had every right to basically be like “wtf?”. I enjoyed how Angela was able to use social media to connect with other people in the lgbtq+ community and share her experience. However, it did feel parasocial at times.

I did like Angela and Krystal and thought they were really cute together. I know this was mainly Angela’s story, but coming from a romance standpoint I really would’ve liked to see dual pov and what Krystal was thinking and going through at times.

Overall I enjoyed the representation in this book. Both leads are Mexican American, Angela being a lesbian and asexual while Krystal is bisexual. I will say I’m really disappointed there are no asexual colors on the cover like there is lesbian and bi!

I liked the idea of this more than the actual book. I struggled to see the connection between the FMCs and I wasn't super invested in the influencer storyline. Maybe it's my NY blue state privilege but I just got so annoyed by her work drama. I love that this has aro/ace representation and in the beginning, the explanations of the micro labels felt helpful but as the story went on it felt like a ton of coming out over and over and dealing with homophobia over and over. It was just a downer.

This is a tough review to write. Even with all my complaints, the book wasn't bad. It just fell flat for me.

also WHERE IS THE ARO FLAG ON THE COVER?! It's literally 80% of the story.

Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez
Librarians in Love series #2. Contemporary NA diverse romance. FF, ace-spec.
Angela Gutierrez is feeling underrepresented and uncertain about her status and ace identity. She uses her influencer status to try to find her way out of her celibate and lonely life.
Krystal Ramirez has had a crush on Angela for years. She’s willing to help Angela with her work of the scavenger hunt and also help Angela with some of the firsts she’s missed.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook. The narration was performed by Ruby Corazon who did a great job with the two main leads and a few of the secondary characters. The passions of uncertainty, anger, happiness and arousal were clearly heard.
I did listen to this at a speed above 1.5 to more clearly match my reading and conversation speed.

There was so much inner dialogue by Angela. She should be sharing what’s she thinking and not keeping it inside. Yes, she was uncertain what she wanted and how she would know if she had labeled herself correctly but she never expressed her doubts or concerns with Krystal or anyone else unless she posted something on social media.
This is more about her confidence than about her sexuality.

The romance is filled with angst as are some of the other relationships with all resolved and comforting in the end. Hea which is what my heart wants by the last page.
3.5

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Hachette Audio

I absolutely loved this. the characters weren't perfect, they were definitely flawed and I loved seeing their journey. I do love an ace main character and this was all so captivating. I was glued to the page from the first line to the last. I really loved the setting too and the friends and the family. It was such an interesting romance honestly. I had such a good time. I really want to read the first book in this world and I can't wait to read the next one too! I'll probably reread this one too since I loved it so much!

First thank you NetGalley for the arc.

As this is the second book from Gabriella Gamez, I was excited since I really liked The Next Best Fling. This one was cute and also one that deals with one’s identity. I related to Angela in the way that even in your 20s you feel like your not “experienced” as the rest and you’re a late bloomer but everyone has their own paths. Another thing that I related to were the family members who were judgmental cause that’s something that hit home for me personally. I also related in the aspect of seeing the negative and wanting to fulfill peoples expectations.

I appreciate the LGBTQ rep and Texas rep especially in a city like San Antonio. As someone who has been there a lot and knows it, it felt nice knowing where Angela and Krystal were and my times there.

'm so sorry but I had to DNF this like two chapters in. I don't love the writing style and the focus on TikTok/social media.

Thank you Forever Romance for the early digital copy!

Read if you 💕:
• 📍 Scavenger Hunts
• 💘 Long time Crushes
• 🌈 LGBTQIA+ Representation
• 🍹 Having a Signature Drink for every occasion!

I was blown away by the incredible asexual representation in this book, and after learning more about the author and all the thoughtful research that went into it, I'm not surprised at all. While the romance between Angela and Krystal absolutely shines, the true heart of Gamez's latest novel is its powerful message: sexuality can look different from person to person, even when they share the same label or grew up in the same place.

Speaking of places, if you thought the first novel in the Librarians in Love series was a love letter to San Antonio, just wait until you start this one! Angela’s search for the best first kiss has her planning a TikTok scavenger hunt during Fiesta, the city’s biggest annual celebration. Even readers who have never been able to visit during the 11 -day festival will find themselves craving a chicken on a stick while wearing a colorful flower crown.

I was really hoping the scavenger hunt would be more of the story, so I was bummed when it was pushed to the wayside about halfway through. There were also moments where I was internally screaming from embarrassment due to the main character’s choices. I get so stressed for fictional characters sometimes so it can affect how I enjoy the story—but I know that’s more of a personal thing.

If you’re a fan of TikTok shenanigans, family drama, and falling in love when you least expect it, be sure to grab a copy of 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐞, 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 at your local bookstore!

3.5⭐️ communication and consent QUEENS!!! I love when adults act like adults and communicate feelings it’s so refreshing to read!

Angela is a librarian who has never been kissed! When she goes viral for coming out, she decides to use her newfound fame to get her first kiss—with the help of a sexy bartender.

I really liked the two main characters especially Angela! I loved that she was learning about her sexuality and realizing that just because a label fit her years ago doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. I felt like it was a really genuine self discovery journey and my favorite part of the book. I also really liked Krystal’s character development and her realization that she deserves love.

The biggest miss for me in the book was the whole online scavenger hunt plot. It kept going on and off and I totally lost interest. It just never made sense to me that people online were going to be able to figure out clues to a scavenger hunt about her and want to win a kiss. That whole thing I just didn’t vibe with.

Overall this was fun and I will definitely go back and read the first book in this inter connected series!

This is my first book by this author and now I'm more excited to read her debut. The original premise made this book stand out from any romance I've read before which was really cool. The ace and sapphic representation were terrific and educational without reading like a textbook! And I love any book featuring a librarian. Can't wait to read her next book.

I enjoyed the first book in the series so I was excited to read the first one in this series early! However, it didn't quite do it for me. I loved both of these characters - Angela's self discovery journey and time on TikTok (even the drama) was heartwarming and grounded, while Krystal's evolution to be open to love was similarly lovely. However, the plot around them struggled to come together for me. There was SO much back and forth about this damn scavenger hunt that I stopped caring if it actually happened or how. There was also a few tangents that I didn't think served the plot needed and served as a distraction from the core plot. If you are looking for a romance with Ace-discovery representation then I do think this will be enjoyable for you, but as an overall romance I worry the plot gets in the way. Drink this book: A really tropical NZ Sauvignon Blanc will give you some of the festival/bar/adventure vibes where this book shines.

My favorite thing about this romance (besides EVERYTHING) was the ace-spec representation. As an asexual person, I think it was presented in such a real and careful way, and that says a lot about Gabriella Gamez and her writing. This is my first book from her but after the A+ tension and a slowish-burn friends to lovers romance PLUS spectacular pacing?? I will be back for more!

Kiss Me, Maybe is the second book in the Librarians in Love series by Gabriella Gamez. I absolutely adored The Next Best Fling (Marcela and Theo’s story), so I was super excited to be granted an ARC of KMM.
I found a lot to like in this story. I appreciated the discussions of the ACE spectrum and choosing to define your own sexuality for yourself, especially when self discovery and exploration can change the way you feel about it for yourself over time. I felt that the combination of informing/educating on the subject in a natural and fluid way was handled well as a part of the story.
Gamez kept me wanting more with how great she is at building tension with her pacing in KMM. She’s effectively edging us all while we watch Angela navigate her journey to her first kiss. There are some really steamy and intimate scenes even without the explicit descriptions I’m used to reading. It’s sexy, but it’s more sensual. The only thing I missed was maybe having Krystal’s point of view along the way.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I’m looking forward to more from Gabriella Gamez and the Librarians in Love series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and Gabriella Gamez for the ARC opportunity.

A sweet sapphi love story with plenty of heart, humor, and a bit of an emotional punch. I'd not read Gabriella Gamez's work prior, nor the first in the Librarians in Love series, but this gorgeous cover and the blurb drew me in. A late bloomer figuring out her sexuality? Yeh that felt like prime emotional content...and hit a bit close to home.

In this case our late bloomer Angela shares a viral video about her identity...and her lack of firsts. Firsts she's determined to get, via a clever scavenger hunt...with a little help of Krystal, the sexy bartender who has sworn off love. And the girl Angela's pined after for many years. A little fun, a lot of forced proximity, and some meaningful moments open up the eyes and hearts of both ladies...and turns out there's more at stake than a first kiss.

This started a bit slow for me in terms of the narrative pacing, but I found both characters so endearing, and once things begin to pick up with the first kiss quest, I loved watching the connection between these two deepen and evolve. Their chemistry is really great, and it was really sweet (and affirming) to see them figure out what they want and need and to find that in one another.

The love story is really charming, and while I can only speak of my own lived experiences and vantage point, I felt the representation to feel sensitive, tender, and authentic. Even if my own identity isn't an exact parallel to theirs, it's refreshing to see two characters grappling with their own identity constructs, and I found the ACE representation to feel very affirming and meaningfully portrayed. I've not read a love story with that identity represented in a main character before, and I wish we had so much more of it in romance.

What to expect:
📚Sapphic Love
📚Late Bloomer/Virgin FMC
📚Ace Representation
📚Found Family
📚Scavenger Hunt
📚Friends to Lovers