I have such mixed feelings towards this book. I beg and beg for plus size queer representation but when we get it, it feels like it’s done so poorly.

Chloe came off as the worst a lot of the time. From not being able to communicate her own feelings, leading her to gaslighting Clementine. Or an attraction to plus size women that felt borderline like fetishization.

The book had many tropes that I find used a lot but still was a fan of. Fake dating, only one bed, etc. They somehow made this book something I wanted to keep enjoying.

See? Mixed feelings!!

Amy Spalding’s On Her Terms is a thoughtful, gently funny romance that explores queerness, identity, and connection—with an audiobook narration that adds a welcome spark to the quieter parts of the story. It’s a listen that shines, especially through Clementine’s late-blooming journey.

Clementine is an easy character to root for—thirty-six, newly single, and finally giving herself permission to live her life on her own terms. Her "baby gay era" is refreshingly handled without condescension or melodrama. Instead, we get a warm, realistic look at a woman choosing herself, learning what she wants, and realizing that desire doesn’t come with an expiration date. Her dynamic with Chloe—quirky, confident, and deeply guarded—offers plenty of chemistry and slow-burn tension, though Chloe’s hesitance sometimes pulled me out of the romance. It took me longer to connect with her emotionally, and I often found myself more invested in the friendships and community than the central relationship.

The third act breakup was a harder pill to swallow in this one. To be fair, the trope is widely used and doesn’t bother every reader—but for me personally, it’s starting to feel overdone, and in this case, unnecessary. The emotional arc had enough weight without adding that extra, familiar beat of conflict. If third act breakups don’t bother you, though, this story might land closer to four stars—it certainly has all the right pieces in place for a satisfying HEA.

That said, the narration by Lori Prince elevates the story in all the right ways. Her comedic timing and nuanced performance bring the characters to life, particularly Clementine’s dry humor and Chloe’s chaotic charm. Prince nails the balance between heartfelt and hilarious, giving voice to the cast with distinct warmth and energy. Her portrayal of returning characters from the series, like Ari, added an extra layer of delight for longtime fans.

While On Her Terms may not be a grand sweeping romance, it thrives in its quieter victories—exploring self-discovery, chosen family, and the courage to want something different. The story might meander at times, and the romantic resolution felt slightly underdeveloped, but the audiobook version brings out its best qualities with wit and charm.

A tender, feel-good listen about queer discovery, friendship, and finding love without compromising yourself, made even more enjoyable through Lori Prince’s top-tier narration.

Thank you to Netgalley and Recorded Books for an ALC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The LGBTQIA+ contemporary rom-com On Her Terms by Amy Spalding is book three (3) in the Out in Hollywood series. I got the chance to listen to Lorie Prince narrate the audio version of this book, through NetGalley as provided by Recorded Books Media and I must say this book hit too close to home for me. So close in fact I almost didn’t finish it. First off the main character reminded me too much of an ex-girlfriend of mine to the point of anger. The parallels of a white woman not standing up for herself against her own family while being annoyingly self centered made this character so believable, but the character also shut the hell up when the love interest talked about issues that they faced as a person of color so the parallels did shift there for me. Overall the characters were objectively well written and most likely based on real people in the author’s life and that really comes through. The erotic scenes in the book are tasteful and I even got mad when my phone rang during these parts because it was just the right amount of steamy for me. I give this story a 3 out 5 strawberries (yes that is without taking my feelings out of the mix). The book was good, I wish it had more comedy, but there was so much queer love and romance in every minute of the book that I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and smile a lot. If you're not butt hurt like me when you read this book it’s a sweet book with California charm.

I really enjoyed this book! I got sucked in pretty immediately - I loved the journey that both FMCs went on. It felt really realistic - and I LOVED the friend group!

4 🌟

Thank you netgalley for this arc!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I felt seen. As always with romcom books I was slightly annoyed by the characters but I liked how there was actually communication. Sometimes the communication went poorly, but the characters attempted to tell each other how they feel which I appreciated. I did not find myself caring overmuch if the characters ended up together, but that did not feel like the point of the story. This story was so much more than a surface level romcom. I would highly recommend reading it!

I went into this book not knowing that it was the third in a series but it truly does read like a standalone and I wasn't confused at all. I loved the humor, the close friendships, and the overall message that it's okay to not want to get married, have kids, or live in the suburbs. You can be happy with your own company but also want the company of others. I cheered on Clementine and Chloe so hard and I wasn't disappointed by the outcome. I can't wait to go back and read this series from the beginning!

Clementine broke up with her boyfriend of many, many years because she didn't want the trappings of a conventional life and she could tell that Will (boyfriend) was changing his mind about having kids and was talking about going to talk to her dad to get permission to marry her. So Clementine chose to prioritize herself and ended things. She is now living on her own and kind of struggling in the way that living alone with ADHD results in lots of struggles to do things like, you know, continue doing the yoga she was used to doing every day, or meal prepping, or maintaining the same cleaning schedule. But what she is also doing is finally going to a local queer bar (Johnny's for those familiar with the series) and along the way, she meets Chloe. Chloe sort of negs her for being a baby gay (in my opinion, I really didn't like the way their friendship/relationship kicked off), but eventually the two wind up fake dating for their own reasons, but both of which are related to feeling like their friends aren't taking them seriously.

My feelings about this book are pretty conflicted because while I didn't dislike it, I really didn't like or appreciate the baby gay concept that Chloe kept emphasizing. It's just not my favorite thing to remind someone that they've not yet dated someone of the same gender. Ultimately, it wound up feeling like Chloe was engaged in some negging, which I really hate, especially since Chloe is otherwise really interested in Clementine. I think if it had been addressed in a more substantive way, it ultimately wouldn't have bothered me so much, but it wasn't so it did. That said, I think I'm currently extremely attuned to anything that even slightly rings of biphobia because I've just finished watching this season of Love is Blind and started season 1 and both seasons have some pretty intense biphobia that caught me super off guard. So, all that to say, aside from this quibble, I actually quite enjoyed the book. I always love Spalding's writing and I enjoy the Hollywood adjacent jobs of many of her main characters. I loved the found family and the group of friends. I liked seeing the struggles in Clementine's friendship group and how that ultimately resolved. And, of course, I loved Chloe's friendship group because those are the cast of characters we're familiar with and I loved getting to see them again. I loved so many of the "lessons" of this book and the sense of community in general. So all in all, I would still recommend! I just hope the baby gay concept doesn't irk you the way it did me.

Oh, and the audiobook narration is solid. I don't think it really added or detracted from my enjoyment of the book. So a great choice if you need something to put on while doing other things, but if you only have the space for your eyeballs to consume the text, you're solid in that regard too.

The world that Amy Spalding has created is something that I want to continue to be a part of. I love living vicariously through this community of queer folks. This book of the series has probably been my favorite to date. Sure, it's a fake dating trope - but there aren't enough stories told with the type of love that Clementine and Chloe want. A love that does not fit the "norm", and gives those of us who feel similarly a place to be seen. I can't wait to re-read this.

I love a fake dating romance! This was such a nice light read! Chloe and Clementine were such a cute couple and you start rooting for them immediately. Their chemistry was perfect! You watch them through their trials and all of them feel like rather realistic problems. And you cheer for them when they finally get together at the end! I loved their story and their friend groups were such a strong supportive community, with just enough drama and complication to create the perfect B plot issues for Clementine and Chloe. It was a perfect lighthearted read!

Infuriatingly loveable

Narration rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot development: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Character development: 👌

First of all, the narration! I'm obsessed!!! Lori Prince drew me in and kept me there. I was enthralled!!
The voice fit the characters perfectly, and the way she changed her tone and sound to differentiate every character was perfect! I was aware at every moment who was talking, and not just by hearing the dialogue tag. I often wondered if the book was narrated by multiple people instead of one.
Very good job!
The book itself was delicious, but to hear it was the cherry on top! It made me dive into the story and want to stay there.

⭐️Book overview:

One bisexual Clementine leaves a two decades heterosexual relationship, running from heteronormative expectations. She stumbles into a bar where she's rescued by the enigmatic Chloe. The daring brunette catches Clementine's eyes and makes her wonder if her fantasy of being picked up in a bar would come true.
They exchange numbers, talk, make jokes, and end up agreeing to a fake dating, no attachments arrangement that would benefit both of them in a couple of months.

⭐️My feeling about the dynamics between the two of them is that there couldn't be a more realistic approach to this situation.

Chloe definitely has attachment issues, and she constantly tries to push Clem away. Her rude approach made me mad more than once, but eventually, I understand where she's coming from. Chloe is not a favorite character, but she definitely deserves a second chance from Clementine.

Clem, on the other hand, is a sweet and loveable woman who struggles to find her path in her queer journey. She powers through her seemingly cold approach from her friends and family when she comes out but finds solace in Chloe's friends, who welcomed her into their group with warmth and understanding. Chloe finally finds her place.

I loved this book.

First and foremost, I loved how bisexuality was fairly portrayed, and the author made it justice. Finally!
I also loved how the struggles of not wanting to follow a patriarchal road to getting married and having kids were treated as something normal. Not all want the same thing, and that's okay.

This book was fun and sweet but at times I just wanted to shake the characters and tell them to talk to each other. It was a typical fake dating story but this time it was sapphic. That was also the reason why I requested it. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and I also liked it in this book.

But somehow it felt like something was missing. I can’t quite name what it is. In one moments I didn’t really like Clementine nor Chloe and just wanted the story to get over. In other moments I couldn’t get enough of them.

This is also the third book in the series, but it can also be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the other two books prior to reading this, but I will maybe pick them up. Overall it was a fun and easy listen.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for this audiobook arc!

Thank you, BookSparks and RB Media, for the review copies of On Her Terms by Amy Spalding!

I'm always here to support queer stories, and Spalding's sapphic romances never disappoint. She delivers rich character depth, emotional development, undeniable chemistry, and that perfect mix of yearning and swoon-worthy moments that make any romance shine.

For fans of her Out in Hollywood books, there are some delightful cameos and returns to familiar characters. But if this is your first Spalding novel, don’t worry—you won’t feel lost at all (though I highly recommend picking up her other books if this one wins you over).

The novel’s standout themes include exploring identity, growing not just "up" but into one’s sexuality, and moving beyond the "baby gay" phase toward self-acceptance, confidence, and clarity in relationships and personal goals. It’s also refreshing to see a romance centered on characters in their 30s.

What resonated most for me, though, was its honest look at friendships—especially those that no longer serve us. The book thoughtfully examines how not all friendships allow us to be our true selves and the importance of recognizing when to let go. Spalding approaches these themes with openness, heart, and an authenticity that hit home for me.

In a time when so many of us—post-pandemic, under the weight of ongoing global stress, and grappling with burnout—have had to reevaluate the people in our lives, this book feels especially meaningful. And for queer and questioning readers, I imagine it will matter even more.

Sweet, steamy, queer romance that plays with the “fake dating” trope to great effect. The inner monologs and interpersonal dialogs are believable and well scripted. While it is fairly obvious where the main plot is headed (it’s a romance novel, after all), the characters are complex and grow, and people are generally mature and decent to one another, and the female (& nonbinary) friendships are rich and generally supportive, I thoroughly enjoyed this and the narrator for the audiobook is excellent.

3.5 rounded up to 4!

I really appreciated this book! As someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community in a straight-passing marriage, this was an interesting read as I’ve been with my husband since we were 14 so I haven’t had a lot relationships - and none with women though that attraction is there. It takes you into her worries of not being queer enough but she found a friend group that understand her. Outside of the relatable parts, I loved the storyline - I’m a sucker for fake relationship romances. I think the author did it well. I also really liked that the side characters still had their own personalities and importance to the story.

I loved the first one so was thrilled to be granted access to this one. It didn’t disappoint! I had a great time. The chemistry was here plus the passion. I loved listening to this one!

Clementine is a chaotic late bloomer bisexual who doesn’t want 2.5 kids and a piket fence. Very relatable. I loved how well done the found family was!!! The fake dating relationship felt real to a point where you thought „ oh these are real people who are really fucked up and should just talk about there feelings“ but not in a annoying miscommunication way but in a „I am scared to get hurt and don’t know how to get over rejection „ kind of way.

Cloe‘s voice for the Audiobook was so fun it had so much character. Sassy af.

This book was great, such a good plausible story line. Very easy to read and enjoy. The narration was excellent and I didn’t want the book to end.

After admittedly not loving her previous book, I was a little hesitant to give On Her Terms by Amy Spalding, a chance. But when I saw Lori Prince was the narrator, I decided to go for it. And boy am I glad I did! Lori Prince is by far my favorite narrator and, with this book, she has proved her skill once again.

The depth and nuance she brought to the voices of Clementine and (especially) Chloe made these characters jump off the page. The writing itself was a welcomed surprise and, in my opinion, was a step up from Spalding’s last book, At Her Service. Combined with Prince’s stellar narration, this story kept me engaged from start to finish and gave me the happy ending I craved. I highly recommend this audio book if you’re looking for a well-rounded romance and engaging (and often hilarious) narration.

There's a lot to like here - and a lot I struggled with.

Clem's journey was easy to root for: She broke up with her boyfriend after realizing it felt like he didn't really know/understand her, and the life he had planned for them wasn't the one she wanted. She's also bi, but because she was with Will for ages, she's never dated women before/many in her life don't see her as queer.

Chloe suggests they fake date, so she has a date for her friends' wedding, and Clem can get through the "baby gay" phase. [redacted to avoid spoilers]

Maybe the best part of ON HER TERMS was the friendships, and the way in which so many characters show up for others. Nina and Ari (from book #1) make several appearances (it's their wedding!) I skipped the second book in the series, but Sadie's in this one multiple times as well. I appreciated author Amy Spalding's commentary on making and holding space for our friends.

Audiobook narrator Lori Prince's delivery was good, and her differentiation between Clem and Chloe was easy to follow. The pickups were a little noticeable, but weren't too bad. One issue, however: the NetGalley app had me at 100% before Clem and Chloe even reunited! The book ended at 108%.

A delightful sapphic story of a "baby gay" finding her way in the queer world alongside her (fake...at the beginning) partner - and she's plus size!! I can not endorse this book enough - it made me feel so seen!!