I couldn’t get through it… I’ve tried twice now and both times I just haven’t connected to the characters. I found their romance extremely lackluster and I wasn’t really rooting for them.. DNF.

I feel like I need to be upfront that I'm not generally the audience for books where one or more of the main characters is famous, but this was a sapphic romance and involved a bookstore, so I had to give it a shot. I'm glad I did! I loved just how very queer this book is, and I'm a sucker for found family stories. I was less invested in the romance because I just found Kat's lying to be so awful (especially when she had so many opportunities to come clean), and I wished Jude had found someone more deserving. I still wasn't completely sold on Kat at the end, but I did like how her storyline wrapped up and will just hope that she eventually deserves Jude! This is a messy romance, so if you like that sort of thing, you will probably love this.

I'm texting friends to recommend this book as I type this review. That's how good it was. This book had so many things I love: queer romance, books about books, and a more-than-subtle nod to one of my favorite rom-coms. Something I really appreciated about this book was that both characters felt fully formed. I think in a romance book, it can be really easy for one of the characters to feel a bit more one-dimensional or there to serve the romance plot, and I did not feel like that was the case in this book.

This book was sexy. This book was fun. I can't wait to read Camille Kellogg's next book. I'm sat, etc. If you're looking for the queer romance of the summer, do yourself a favor and read this book.

The Next Chapter is a sapphic romance between Jude, a butch bookseller and Kat, a closeted Hollywood has been trying to get back into acting through the theater scene. Kat’s life is pretty much controlled by her manager, Jocelyn and in the effort to revive her acting career, Kat was tasked to go on a date with a lesbian to come out to the public—Jude did not know about this plan.

From meet cute to a month later, they have fallen in love however, Kat needs to take the next step in Jocelyn’s plan which is to break up with Jude and date someone from the industry.

I enjoyed the spice in this book—it was hot. This book also did a great job discussing the importance of safe spaces for queer people and queer identities.

Unfortunately, there was something in this story that just didn’t hit for me. Jude felt flat for me. I wish her personality had more layers. Kat’s lying made me feel uncomfortable. It felt like a one-sided fake dating situation. There was something lacking in the chemistry between the main characters. I feel like I was looking for more flirting and banter.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this title. I was looking forward to this one, I knew it would be well-written and paced, the ideal romance novel. And of course, the bookstore setting is even more compelling for many of us who read queer romance!

A messy as hell sapphic relationship between Kat and Jude aka former child star and book store girly. Their dynamic is insanely frustrating at times. There were a couple points I was actively rooting against them with how frustrated I was. It kept me engaged though. Both main characters feel like real people and that helps the book tremendously. The supporting cast is a delight (mostly Jude’s friends) and to be honest I like some of them more than Jude.

Fair warning the book does touch on heavier themes, including panic attacks and disordered eating but it’s pretty lightweight and handled with kid gloves so I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Overall it’s a frustrating ride but it was a fine read.

Sapphic Notting Hill in New York? Count me in.

I absolutely loved the meet-cute in this. I liked Jude and Kat, but I'm not sure they had much chemistry after their initial meeting. I just didn't feel the spark. Their individual stories were so well done, and they were both very fleshed out, authentic characters. And, obviously, the queer representation in this is just so, so lovely.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the e-arc!

I was very excited to read The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg after having listened to the audiobook of her novel Just As You Are a while back. This book was filled with a wonderful found family, many humorous moments, relevant pop culture references, and two main characters that I adored.

I think Kat's coming out was handled believably, despite it being coupled with a ruse that was intended to revive her acting career. I kept waiting for the white lies to come to light; I was both excited and anxious about how that would happen and how it would progress the story.

Jude's story was also well done. She struggled with clinging to the past (with her mom's death, a bad breakup, and the future of the bookstore) and being afraid of making changes. Many people can relate to that. Her core group of friends at the bookstore definitely helped me empathize with her character's motivations for her actions. I also want to note that Jude's panic attacks were written perfectly.

The chemistry between all of the characters was fun to read through, and I wish we could read more stories about them in the future!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review the arc of this book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Press for this eARC!

I was really compelled by the premise but this didn’t hit for me. There were a lot of elements I enjoyed. I loved the open discourse around queer identity, the inclusion of so many ways identity exploration can look, the community/found family that Jude had within her bookshop friends, and the importance of continued growth.
What I did connect with was that Kat was likable whatsoever. She was really self-oriented throughout the entire story and Kat’s intentions and decision making made it hard to enjoy most of the book because it was just sad to know how Jude would inevitably feel when the truth came out.

I think there are a lot of important and enjoyable elements in this book, and I think that the writing was engaging and relatable. I think it tried to do a lot and tackle a LOT of topics, and it was not a good fit for me. I think that even the attempts to explore disordered eating, panic and anxiety disorders, and parental loss were not thoroughly explored due to the huge range that this book tried to cover. It ended up feeling like so much had to be limited.

I loved this book. I can't wait to read the next book by Camille Kellogg as I'm sure it will also be great. Five out of five stars.

I’ve really enjoyed this authors other books but this didn’t hit the same for me. It was cute and I do love a sapphic romance! And it’s really about second chances of all kinds which I LOVE. But it just didn’t work for me this time.

The Next Chapter was an enjoyable read. The description "queer homage to Notting Hill" is quite apt, and I think it will find a wide readership.

I thought the characters were well-developed and appreciated how both Kat and Jude both grew from the beginning to the end of the book. Like in Notting Hill, Jude's friends are delightful and, at some moments, steal the show.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in advance of publication!

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I had a hard time feeling engaged with the characters. They all felt very one dimensional to me, and at this point I am BEGGING for more diversity in sapphic romance, PLEASE!

Though I thought the premise was interesting and loved the way Kellogg writes, The Next Chapter just didn't resonate with me. I found it hard connect to Kat as she came across as incredibly entitled and selfish. There seemed to be an imbalance between what Kat and Jude were putting into things that I couldn't get past. Jude’s friends were the best and I loved them so much, like I wouldn't be mad if there was a book with them as the leads.

While this book didn't hit the right notes for me, it was well written so I don't doubt it will find an audience.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author
and I enjoyed it. A cute and quick read. Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

The Next Chapter is a heartfelt and charming read that beautifully captures the complexities of love, growth, and friendship. One of the things I appreciated most about this book was how fully developed the characters’ stories felt—each one had depth, history, and emotional resonance that made them feel real. The friendships portrayed throughout were another standout; they were nuanced and supportive, offering moments of humor, comfort, and authenticity that added richness to the narrative.

Kat’s development was especially compelling. Watching her come into her own, process her past, and navigate new beginnings was both satisfying and relatable. Her journey felt honest and earned, and I am elated that she found her way.

My only real critique is that I would have loved to see more interaction between Kat and Jude’s friends. It felt like a missed opportunity to further explore Kat’s integration into Jude’s world.

Overall, The Next Chapter is an engaging, character-driven novel that delivers both emotional depth and uplifting moments. I can’t wait to read more by Camille Kellogg!

*Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.*

Just finished The Next Chapter and my heart feels like it’s been wrapped in a cozy sweater—equal parts warmth, ache, and joy. Camille Kellogg delivers a story that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. It’s a love letter to second chances, messy emotions, and the beautiful, complicated journey of figuring yourself out.

The main character? Flawed, funny, and so incredibly real. Watching her navigate heartbreak, healing, and unexpected reconnections felt like catching up with an old friend over coffee—where you laugh, cry, and leave feeling a little more whole.

What truly shines is the emotional honesty. This isn’t just about romance (though the romance swoons, trust me)—it’s about growth, identity, and finding your voice even when everything feels uncertain. The writing is sharp, heartfelt, and filled with those little one-liners that hit you right there.

This is the kind of book that quietly nestles into your soul, reminding you that every chapter—no matter how rough—leads somewhere meaningful.

First off, I want to thank the author and publisher for the amazing opportunity to read an early copy of this book!

The writing itself was beautiful and I really enjoyed Camille Kellogg’s writing style. The plot itself held so much promise and was clearly crafted with attention. Unfortunately, I found myself having a hard time connecting with the main characters in this book. Character connection for me in a book is important and it’s what draws me into stories. I ultimately made the decision to DNF around the 40% mark.

That being said, just because this book didn’t click with me personally doesn’t mean it won’t become a favorite for others. It just wasn’t the right fit for me, but i’m still excited to see what the author writes next!

This charming romance brings a delightful Notting Hill energy to the queer bookish world.

Jude, a lovable butch bookseller, is working at The Next Chapter when she unknowingly sells a book to Kat, a former child star turned nearly has-been celebrity. Sparks fly, and the two women begin to orbit each other more closely. For Kat, who’s slowly navigating the complexities of coming out later in life—and in the public eye—Jude seems like the perfect partner to help her take that leap. But for Jude, still reeling from heartbreak and deeply rooted in the bookstore her mother once owned, this relationship is far more than a PR opportunity.

There’s so much to love here, starting with Jude herself. She's thoughtful, endearing, and surrounded by a vibrant cast of quirky, queer friends. She's lost her bookstore-a beacon for queer folks-to a hateful man who wants to whitewash it, and she's struggling. Through it all, her desire to support Kat is honest and selfless.

The story also tackles the nuances of coming out, especially when it happens under the spotlight. Kat’s journey is compelling, though at times frustrating—particularly in how she treats Jude. Her hesitance, while understandable given her past trauma and dependence on her image-conscious agent, sometimes crosses into emotional carelessness. I found myself wishing she’d just talk to Jude more openly!

Despite some of that tension, the chemistry between them sizzles from their very first meeting, and the romance unfolds with both steam and sweetness. The Notting Hill nods—celebrity/“normal person” dynamic, bookstore meet-cute, and other fun Easter eggs—are clever and satisfying.

Ultimately, THE NEXT CHAPTER is a warm, heartfelt read about love, identity, and rediscovering courage. Perfect for fans of celebrity/commoner pairings, queer found families, and stories about learning to believe in yourself again.

This was a sweet read! Their closeness grew steadily throughout the book, which I loved to see, especially since the first chapter featured an insta-love moment in the bookstore.

I loved seeing the two of them overcome different issues throughout the book. Each character's backstory felt true to how they each acted in the book, and that always makes a story more real for me.

It got really messy with the conflict, and the person that helped resolve the conflict felt a little unbelievable- like there’s history there and why would that character feel motivated to help one of the main characters suddenly. But otherwise, I’m glad that the two FMCs made it together in the end.

There was also some real world experiences in this book (like the disordered eating and panic attacks) as well as grief, which really pushed the limits of two characters falling in love. Definitely a will-they/won't-they as the story unfolded. But I truly do love when a book can combine a story of grief and love at the same time, it makes the ending so rewarding.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!