3.5/5 Stars

I love a good sapphic contemporary romance, and make it second chance? SOLD!

Gemma is a relationship advice columnist who was just dumped by her fiance (and coworker) of seven years and has given up on love. The one other significant relationship she has had was nearly a decade ago with her college girlfriend, who she thought was her forever until Celeste abruptly left to go back to South Korea and stopped talking to her. But fate is funny and Gemma ends up paired with Celeste as the photographer on a career-defining piece about modern love. As these two are forced to work together about what defines love and romance, they find that the spark they once had never went out and have to decide if this reunion is just a rebound fling or a love that will stand the test of time

I had such a good time with this book! I love love love second chance romance, especially when there has been a significant time in between and the two people are in very different places as they were when they were first together. Being forced to work together brings in some delicious forced proximity and I am so happy that they addressed the issues from their past almost immediately. I LOVE COMMUNICATION. They also immediately show there is still chemistry there and I honestly loved how quick they kind of fell back into each other. It made for some good spicy content and these two are so so delicious (also I love me a tatted femme).

While they had the immediate physical chemistry again, I loved the slow build of their romantic and emotional attachment. Having this project about love and their interviews with other couples woven into their relationship was such a good way to develop their trust and feelings again. I really enjoyed that element! I also appreciated how Celeste and Gemma both grew in this book and realized where they needed to work on themselves. Their reunion was so sweet!

Overall, this was a sweet and spicy sapphic romance. Perfect for people who love second chance and yearning!

This book felt like something the author was under deadline to finish and not something that was really enjoyable to write.

There were good bones to the book, but next to no flesh to it. Nothing was really filled out. Everything felt rushed through, even the love scenes. The characters felt shallow, and their hobbies seemed to be made clear to make them more realistic. I don't really think it is a good replacement for characters with believable flaws and personalities.

The romance was without any actual ROMANTIC chemistry. I think too many times sexual chemistry is conflated with romantic chemistry in books. They can overlap, but one doesn't necessarily make for the other.

The idea of the subplot also sounds good on paper, and while it had some small connections to what was going on in the life of the main characters, it still just felt like filler at the end of the day. The relationships of these passing characters were better written than the main pair. Heck, even the ex (as big of a jerk as he is) felt way more "real" than the main pair.

In the end, more airtime should have been given to the main couple so they could be fleshed out as people and as a couple, even if that meant it needed to be a longer book or subplots would have to fall to the wayside.

*Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.*

DNF @78% super fast read but i really could not bring myself to be attached to the characters or story. i love second chance romance but it didn’t feel like their break up was valid and i wish there was more flashbacks so i could understand why they were in love in the first place because it felt all about sexual tension. and gemma getting out of a relationship and almost immediately jumping back into something just wasn’t something i liked

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

this was my first book by lyla lee, and while some dialogue/descriptions were a tad too cringey and corny for my taste, overall i enjoyed this second-chance sapphic romance! (although the second-chance aspect came about due to a LACK of communication, not miscommunication, i still consider it miscommunication, which is my least favorite trope).

the spicy scenes were SPICAYYY!

as for the narrators, while i love natalie naudus and catherine ho, i felt ho was not the right fit for a romance as she doesn’t really change her voice/tone/inflection for other characters like naudus does.

Love in Focus by Lyla Lee is a heartfelt and refreshingly nuanced story that goes beyond the conventions of a typical romantic comedy. With a cast of relatable characters and emotionally resonant themes, Lee delivers a narrative that feels both personal and universally accessible.

What sets this novel apart is its depth. While it offers the warmth and charm readers expect from a romance, it also delves into identity, self-acceptance, and the complexities of relationships in a way that feels genuine and unforced. The characters are thoughtfully developed, each with their own unique voice and journey, making it easy for readers to see parts of themselves reflected on the page.

Lee’s storytelling is both compassionate and engaging, offering a powerful reminder of the importance of authentic love—both for others and for oneself. Love in Focus is a standout addition to contemporary LGBTQIA+ fiction, and a highly recommended read for anyone seeking a story that balances heart, humor, and emotional truth.

✨ Sapphic Adult Romance
✨ Dual POV, First & Third Person
✨ 3/5 Spice Level
✨ Second Chance
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Standalone
✨ Rep: Korean MCs, non-binary SC, bisexual MC, lesbian MC

> micro-tropes and content warnings after review

I have some mixed feelings on this book. On one hand I really appreciated the representation with two South Korean main characters (along with rep from side characters). However, this book is written in both first person (Gemma) and third person (Celeste). I’ve read books before where that worked, but I’m not sure it works the best in the romance genre. I felt like I got to know and understand Gemma well, but I didn’t get that same opportunity with Celeste. It was more challenging to understand where she was coming from. She almost felt like a caricature rather than a fully fleshed out character. There was a statement made at the end of the first chapter of Celeste’s POV that felt stereotypical (in a bad way). I wonder if it was supposed to just be this silly offhand remark, but it didn’t sit well with me. I liked Gemma, I liked her friends, I liked the project Gemma and Celeste were working on which had a good message. I struggled with the characterization of Celeste though.

Additionally, while the beginning of the book had good pacing, the end of the book felt rushed in some ways. I didn’t really find myself rooting for them in the end. I think this book could have benefited from having both POVs in first person as well as some extra pages to flesh out Celeste and pace the story better. Overall, I was left wanting more.

(beware potential spoilers below)

Micro-tropes
✨ Ghosted
✨ Friends with Benefits
✨ Eating out (for the first time)
✨ The one who got away
✨ Undeniable chemistry

Content Warnings
(may not be all inclusive)
ended engagement, cheating (not between MCs), homophobia, cultural expectations

Quick, fun LGBTQIA+ book! Took a bit to get into as I was expecting more depth from the characters, but found they fell flat at times. The side characters felt very one note and was hoping to see more from them as well. Overall, I enjoyed this book but was left wanting more.

One of my faves of the year! This is my first time ever reading Ms. Lee and I had to look up more books by her! The connect between the characters had to be my favorite things about the book. It was also a very meet-cute vibe on top of the little comedy in between. I will get this for my shelf.

Late to the party because I could not figure out what to say about this one. It's a fine romance, it's okay.It was an enjoyable read. I had been expecting this one for two years and it turned out okay. I think I was quite charmed by the beginning and the second meet cute at a dramatic time of Gemma's life but then the tension fizzled out. They're working together, they hastily end up back together without friction.

You're supposed to give me more to make me root for them, not just well everything is fine now. It wasn't helped by the prose who was, as most romances nowadays, barely good enough to hold the story together. But I wanted more out of it. More life, more chemistry, more second chance angst, just more connection.

3.5 stars

Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

This was a super cute, second chance sapphic romance! This was my first book by Lyla Lee, and I was captivated by the gorgeous cover and the book description.

When Gemma gets paired up to work with Celeste, her college roommate and first girlfriend, who she hasn't seen or spoken to in eight years, she is initially hesitant. Especially since they're supposed to be collaborating on a story all about love. They decide to ignore their past and move forward with the project. But as sparks fly and old feelings return, it has them questioning everything they thought they knew.

I enjoyed so many elements of this book! Gemma and Celeste's dynamic was cute, flirty, and downright steamy at times. You could tell there was still love and care between them, even after all the time apart. I loved Gemma's friends, I need a spin-off book focused solely on them and their adorable cat, Burrito. I loved the interviews with the various couples, that was a fascinating look into how love shows up in many various. The representation throughout the book was great too, and I appreciated the realistic hurdles and dilemmas the characters faced. Overall this is a cute, fun, and easy read perfect for summer.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This was a quintessential romance book in the absolute best way - witnessing a love story unfold while getting hit with some tough love therapy along the way. I also LOVE witness queer, POC, and queer POC love ❤️

Gemma's Saturn Return is rough- her fiancé of seven years breaks up with her out of the blue. She's grateful to be able to stay with her friends, but it's still a whirlwind. And to top it all off, after eight years, her ex from college is back in her life and she is feeling some things. Celeste is hot and they're going to be working together again creating a series celebrating love. Will this assignment bring them closer together?

Complete with humor, an adorable cat, this romcom also touches on topics like cultural differences in the queer community, self-esteem and mental health, and growing up. I am officially a Lyla Lee fan now!!

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an early review copy.

This is an enjoyable romcom featuring two exes, who reunite when they're assigned to the same work assignment. The sapphic and Korean American representation were well depicted. This is a good showing for Lyla Lee's adult debut.

I enjoyed this book as a wonderful break in between some of my heavier fantasy series! Love In Focus by Lyla Lee was so cute and perfect for anyone looking for a diverse sapphic romance book about ex-lovers finding their way back to each other. Gemma and Celeste used to date in college after they became roommates. Celeste helped Gemma realize she is actually Bi and they have a wonderful year together during college. But a family emergency back home in Korea takes Celeste out of California without a word or any indication on when she might be back. This broke Gemma's heart! What follows in the book is Gemma and Celeste being forced to work together, but taking that time to get to know each out again after 8 years apart. There were some things about this book that bogged it down for me, but overall, I truly loved it! I would read more books by Lyla Lee in the future for sure!

Okay Gemma and Celeste are the definition of right person, wrong time.

There were so many things I really loved about this book. The tension between Gemma and Celeste was palpable, I just adored Gemma's friends and especially loved Val's scene with Gem where they talked about realistic relationship expectations. It really hit home for my own relationship.

My biggest complaint was the way Celeste's chapters were formatted. Jumping from first person to third back to first was jarring and I just don't think that was a good stylistic choice

Love in Focus is the perfect beach read for this summer. It’s is everything I wanted for a summery escape sweet, swoony, and with just the right amount of depth. The story follows Gemma, an advice columnist, and Celeste, a photographer, who just so happen to be exes from college and now have to work together.

I adored Lyla Lee’s YA debut I’ll Be the One back in 2020, so I was seriously excited for this one and it totally delivered. It’s got that fun, flirty rom-com vibe but also doesn’t shy away from the heavier stuff, like what it’s like to navigate the world as someone who’s queer and Asian. It struck a great balance, and I flew through it.

Gemma’s friend group was such a highlight for me. I loved how the book emphasizes the importance of friendship, not just romance. it gave the story extra heart. And the pacing? Chef’s kiss. I couldn’t put it down.

That said, I had a harder time with Celeste’s chapters. They’re written in third person (while Gemma’s are in first), and that switch kept throwing me off. Celeste also had fewer chapters, which made it tough to fully connect with her.

Still, if you're looking for a bingeable second-chance romance with some thoughtful layers and lots of charm, Love in Focus totally hits the mark.

Oof it's DNF time. I really wanted this one to work, but it just didn't. I think my biggest issue is that no work was done to give me a reason to care about our main characters. Everything has been really surface level and honestly I find myself wanting to know more about the friends which is sad. I also had an issue with the biphobic commentary made by Celeste in the beginning with no correction to those thoughts in the 30%+ of the book that has happened since. I'm 45% into the book and there's been only one serious conversation between the FMCs which is not only incredibly frustrating as reader, but it also means there's been so space to redeem Celeste's biphobic commentary. The initial instance happened in her head, but if that's actually how she feels, you figure it might come up in conversation. At 45% I should feel marked progress in their second chance romance. Even if they aren't together, I should feel like we're learning about the growth they've had since they were apart or a change in behavior that caused their separation in the first place and it's just not there. These two are meant to be almost 30 and I feel like I'm reading about college freshmen with the way they're acting.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc

Unfortunately I was put off by the biphobia in this book.

I thought this was such a cute second chance romance. Not normally a trope I pick up, but I will read every sapphic romance I can get my hands one.

This story follows two exes that have to work together after basically ghosting each other after college. The majority of the story is from Gemma's pov which was really engaging and funny. When it would switch to Celeste it didn't work as well. It was jaring and she didn't seem as balanced or fleshed out s a character.

I do love the bi rep in this and the talk about the underrepresentation of sapphic media. I was hoping for more heavy romance but I still enjoyed their story.

Overall super cute, will definitely be looking for more books by this author in the future. Thank you to netgalley for the arc for an honest review.

This was sweet! Perhaps not overwhelmingly memorable, but reading about the historical struggles that sapphic, especially Asian, couples have suffered through, will definitely stick with me. Some people might say their circumstances were *too* perfect, running into each other immediately after Gemma gets out of her 7 year long relationship with a man. But I honestly don't mind that. It's fate...and fiction! And I love nothing more than a second chance romance :)

IMHO, I felt like we didn't get enough from Celeste, and what we did get was a bit contradictory. Like, she doesn't ever want to be in a relationship again but then wants to be with Gemma forever, but then won't be with her because she already told Gemma that she wanted to keep it casual. I get it, she was figuring out her life and needed more time but sometimes I felt like she was the more passionate one, but then always put the breaks on.

Overall though, I did love the story, the spice, the setting, and side characters. I honestly WOULD read it again and recommend it!

Thank you Forever for the ARC!

This was such a fun and refreshing romance read! I do not typically like a second chance plot, but this one WORKED!

I found myself loving both Gemma and Celeste - both MCs are strong and career-focused women who are also miraculously in touch with their feelings and manage to communicate these things very well... a quality that is sadly missing from a lot of romance books. The fact that they more or less settled their emotional baggage/conflict from the past in one main conversation - of course revisiting it later as well - was so nice because I feel like this helped to avoid unnecessary drama.

The discussions around representation are incredible, especially focusing on the specific exposure to queer Asian relationships that both of our leads so desperately wished to see in their lives as positive images of what they could have.

This was moderately spicy and I loved the way these women cared for each other in pretty much every way possible. We truly get to see LOVE expressed through so many ways in this book - which is the point, and it works so well. From the sexual and romantic love, to platonic friendship love, and even familial love through Gemma's parents.

The reason this didn't get 5 stars: the final few chapters felt rushed - like the story was basically over but we hadn't had the full resolution yet so we had to jump forward in time a few times to fill in gaps? I don't live time jumps, especially when they come kind of out of nowhere.
ALSO - the chapters from Celeste's POV were in third person? And it was jarring to go from Gemma's first person POV to third person for Celeste. Celeste only had a few chapters anyway, but I wish they had been first person as well.