4.5⭐️ rounded up

Imagine Food Network and HGTV had a sapphic baby on the set of Gilmore Girls but Stars Hollow is in the Ozarks. This book is that baby.

I loved Molly, Robin, and the cast of characters from Eureka Springs, AR! The entire book gave me nostalgic feel good vibes I didn’t want to put down.

Only downside for me was the abundant use of “hella” and “dude.” Kinda took me out of believing this was a post-pandemic world where our FMCs were in their 30s.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is a sapphic second-chance romance. Molly and Robin were once married and are now both residing at the bed and breakfast they previously owned. The setting of the book was truly enjoyable. The bed and breakfast just oozes charm, and the small town is filled with many intriguing characters. It was captivating and made me want to live there.

I found reading both Robin and Molly's perspectives to be delightful. Robin's focus on food and cooking, and Molly's on her remarkable art, were both wonderful. Everything seemed beautifully and vividly described.

The book effectively portrayed their shared past and how it influenced them now that they have reunited after seven years; as a reader, one can certainly sense their enduring affection for each other. However, the development of their relationship felt somewhat lacking for me. I was hoping for a bit more from them. Overall, it was a good book, and I enjoyed the experience.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Absolutely loved reading this ARC. I love a good second chance romance, especially when its queer.
I loved seeing the evolution of Molly and Robins relationship. The fear, the memories, the tricks they would play.
I especially loved Robins POV. The fear of being a failure, not knowing what could be next. A sense of reality with a bit of hopefulness.
I've been reading more mysteries lately, so switching over to romance, especially this book felt like a big breath of fresh air, I loved it.

Bed & Breakup is a queer second chance romance between Molly & Robin would have been divorced for a few years. I honestly had a hard time relating to the characters and the intentional miscommunication between the couple is frustrating. I didn’t finish this one but the cover is STUNNING.
Thank you to Net Galley & for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There were a lot of elements I loved in this, but I sometimes found the pacing to be weird. it was fast paced, but I also felt like the ending felt rushed? All this build up, and then ending happened too quickly. Overall, still a super cute read! 3.5 stars

“Bed and Breakup” is the Schitt’s Creek of Arkansas. This was such a cute romance. If you’ve ever felt alone or different this book will feel like a warm hug. I felt like the book dragged a little and then rapidly closed. But the chapters were short which helped you move along, even when the dialogue or some of the fluff dragged.

such a good romance. it’s super hard to find good sapphic books but this one hit the spot. would definitely recommend!!

I really enjoyed this second chance romance! Sapphic + Small Town + Inn = SIGN ME UP FOR A FALL READ. I enjoyed both MC as well as the townspeople/side characters. This was an easy read, I finished in 2 days with little effort. I did take off one star as I feel as all the MCs could have used a bit more time on character development. The writing of Robin and Molly felt a bit formulaic and one note, but it did not keep me from enjoying the vibe of this book.

Pick this one up if you want a light, easy read without much extra thought needed.

Bed and Breakup is a fairly typical second chance romance, but with added commentary about queerness in the south, which I appreciated. I wasn’t in love with this story or these characters, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.

📖 Title: Bed and Breakup
✍️ Author: Susie Dumond
⭐️ Rating: (3.5 out of 5)
📅 Date Finished: June 28th, 2025
—————————————————————————
🧵 Quick Summary:
"Bed and Breakup" by Susie Dumond is a charming sapphic rom-com about two ex-wives who unexpectedly reunite at the B&B they once built together. As they clash, coexist, and renovate the inn, old sparks begin to resurface in a cozy, queer-friendly small-town setting.
💭 What I Loved:

- Representation
- The witty banter
- The feeling of hope

😬 What Didn’t Work for Me:

- Miscommunication tropes
- The petty underhanded actions rather than just talking.

📌 Favorite Character:

Marmalade. The cat. Just saying.

🗣️ Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book a lot. The characters were all relatable in their own way. I personally didn't love some of their choices and behaviors, but I rooted for them all the way! I also read the behind the scenes of the book (so to speak) and it made the story mean that much more to me.

Bed and Breakup has an engaging premise and some fun, lighthearted moments, but ultimately it didn’t land for me. While the setting and cozy small-town vibes were enjoyable, the characters themselves felt flat and underdeveloped. I struggled to connect with Molly and Robin, and their motivations lacked emotional depth, making it difficult to believe in their emotional journey.

The second-chance romance trope can be powerful when it feels earned, but here I never fully bought into the idea that these two belonged back together. Their chemistry was inconsistent, and instead of rooting for them, I often found myself questioning why they were trying again at all. This made the story feel more superficial than heartfelt, undercutting what should have been the book’s emotional core.

That said, the atmosphere was charming, and the themes of art, food, and chosen family gave the novel a pleasant backdrop. It’s a light, cozy read that might work for those who want something easy and sapphic with a tidy resolution. For me, though, the lack of depth in the characters and their relationship kept it from being more than a 3-star read.

This was a cute read, even if it won’t live rent-free in my head.

Ex-wives Molly (stained glass artist) and Robin (celebrity chef) land back at the shuttered Hummingbird Inn in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the queer-friendly B&B that helped make—and break—their marriage. Forced proximity, petty pranks, and plenty of simmering feelings ensue as they tangle over whether to fix it up or finally let it go. The craft and food details are tasty, the town vibes are charming, and the side-character community adds warmth.

But while I enjoyed the banter and the second-chance setup, the beats felt familiar and the emotional punch didn’t fully stick. I liked these two in the moment—snark, chemistry, the whole messy history—but once I closed the book, the story kinda faded. Still, it’s an easy, cozy pick when you want sapphic second-chance romance with small-town sparkle, lowish stakes, and a satisfying tidy bow.

I got an ARC of this book.

Dumond and I have not been the best match, so I was cautious. Her first book was a DNF for me, but this one just looked so good that I crossed my fingers and procrastinated starting it.

This was much more my speed. My issues with the first book were not present here at all. It is wild just how much Dumond has been able to capture that romcom feeling this time compared to the first time. The stilted dialogue is gone and in its place is witty banter and angst. I stayed up way too late reading this book and getting too excited about all the little milestones and the small town feel.

I need more southern romance novels. Give me queers that aren’t in coastal cities and they still love their homes. Seeing the love these women had for their home in Alabama really felt validating as someone who lives in a state that isn’t the most welcoming for my community, but has been the best fit of any place I have lived. It was wonderful to get that small town feel, but make it super queer and progressive. The type of small town that I would thrive in and want to live in forever. A vegan restaraunt and a game store? Sign me up. I was ready to move in and run the bed and breakfast myself.

The second chance romance aspects were wonderful. There was actual communication and growth from the characters. There was admitting to trauma and allowing that trauma to be addressed and exist, instead of being ignored or magically be fixed by love. It allowed this nuance to exist, which is so rare in romance novels. Love does not cure mental health issues, it doesn’t fix trauma. Instead it can compound it and bring it out. Allowing the characters to deal with that felt so freeing and sweet.

Overall, I was delighted that I took a second chance on Dumond. This was delightful, sweet, and felt just so right in so many ways.

This book was so cute and i enjoyed every second of it. The characters, the vibes, everything felt right. Molly and Robin were a joy to read.

I thought this book was very unique take on the second chance romance. Originally the believability of the town was a bit off putting but after reading the details shared by the author after the book, it put the story in a bit more perspective.

Love a second chance romance and this story was fun and easy to follow. Thank you for the copy in exchange for a fair review.

Bed and Breakup by Susie Dumond is a queer second chance romance centered around Molly, a rising artist, and Robin, a celebrity chef going through hard times, and their not so happy reunion at the Hummingbird Inn in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. What unfolds is a series of pranks making way for a resolution to renovate the inn, sell it, and then go their separate ways. But, along the way, Molly and Robin learn a lot about each other and suddenly seem to be getting along.

This book was a cute, easy read that celebrates queer joy and the importance of inclusive spaces. I always like the second chance romance trope, so I found myself rooting for Molly and Robin as the story progressed. The dialogue was snappy and clever, and I really got a sense of their emotions throughout the story. The entire community was very cute and wholesome too. I did find the characters to be unlikeable at first, but they grew on me eventually. While this story didn't have a major impact on me, I think it's a worthwhile read.

Thank you to Random House and The Dial Press for the ARC!

Susie Dumond has become a go-to romance writer for me! Since reading an ARC of LOOKING FOR A SIGN, I've been eagerly awaiting her next novel. BED AND BREAKUP delivers on what I've come to see as her niche: realistic but whimsical stories of queer love in the American South, always supported by a cast of characters you grow to love as much as the main couple. Dumond writes her settings like their own character, and Eureka Springs shines!

This is a great option for fans of Gilmore Girls (historic inns, small towns, lovable supporting characters) as well as fans of Ruby Barrett's THE ROMANCE RECIPE, one of my first and favorite sapphic romances!

Molly and Robin, once married, made the Hummingbird Inn a successful for queer travelers. Unfortunately, they departed and divorced and a management firm to over control of the Hummingbird Inn. Both ambition, career women turned away and never looked back.

Both women return to Hummingbird Inn and Eureka Springs Arkansas for different reasons and find themselves both at the Inn together. Molly, an artist will be creating art for some restaurants and stores in Eureka Springs. On the other hand Robin, a celebrity chef finds herself at a crossroads with her careers as her restaurants are all not doing well. Both refuse to leave and ultimately decide to renovate the Inn and this time sell and walk away for good. Will that be the case?

I loved the premise of this book and the fact it was all built around the queer community. It felt slow throughout the book and then rushed for me towards the end. Overall a good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the digital ARC of this book!

ARC Review: Bed and Breakup by Susie Dumond
Pub Date: June 24th

Thank you Dial Press for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I've really enjoyed Susie's past books and this one was no exception! This is a really well rounded story with complex characters that you just can't help but to root for. The spice was great as always and I loved seeing this small town, which we would usually not laud for it's inclusivity, to support this queer B&B and help bring it back to life. The book is chock full of found family (most of the queer variety) and was just a true delight to read! Highly recommend checking this one out.

Read this for:
- Sapphic rep
- Home reno
- Forced Proximity
- Second Chance
- Chef x Artist
- Character growth