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!!

I absolutely enjoyed this audiobook, especially for how beautifully it balances career ambition, personal growth, complex family dynamics, and a heartfelt romance. Clementine’s journey is one of self-discovery, and I was completely drawn to the way she navigates change—both in her professional life and in her personal identity.

After ending a long-term relationship with her boyfriend, Clementine decides it’s finally time to explore dating women. She’s identified as bisexual for a long time but hasn’t had the chance to pursue a relationship with a woman—until she meets Chloe. Chloe needs a date for a series of wedding events with her friends, and Clem agrees to a fake relationship, seeing it as an opportunity to gain some experience before looking for something "real." But, of course, as they spend more time together, Clem starts to realize how much she genuinely likes Chloe, blurring the lines between what was supposed to be pretend and what feels undeniably real. Their chemistry is undeniable, and it’s so satisfying to watch Clem step into this new chapter of her romantic life with both excitement and uncertainty.

But Clem’s growth isn’t just about romance—she’s also learning to shed the expectations that have shaped her for so long. As a lifelong people-pleaser, she has spent years trying to meet her family’s standards, never feeling quite "perfect enough." Over the course of the book, she comes to understand that she doesn’t need to be defined by her past or by who others expect her to be. Her evolving relationship with her sister is another highlight, adding depth to the theme of self-acceptance and proving that personal growth isn’t just about finding love—it’s also about healing and strengthening the relationships that matter.

Clementine’s career adds another compelling layer to the story, and I loved seeing her passion for her work. It’s refreshing to read about a character so driven in her field while also grappling with personal identity in such an honest, relatable way.

The audiobook narration enhances every moment, making Clem’s journey even more immersive and emotionally resonant. *On Her Terms* is a heartfelt, empowering listen—one that beautifully captures the highs and lows of stepping into your true self, embracing new possibilities, and realizing that sometimes, what starts as an experiment might just turn into something real.

Before I get into my review of “On Her Terms”, I’d like to thank NetGalley and RBmedia for the eARC copy!

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book since the day Amy Spalding announced it, and I’m slightly disappointed. The way Chloe treated Clementine throughout the whole book gave me the biggest ick ever.

One moment Chloe would tell Clementine that the reason she wouldn’t tell Clementine her type in women is because it was Clementine. Then another minute she would completely shut out Clementine and pretend she didn’t suggest the whole fake dating agreement in the first place.

I honestly felt sad for Clementine throughout this whole book. Clementine did so much for Chloe, when Chloe did the bare minimum.

This book reminded me of my first relationship as a baby gay, somewhat toxic and an inevitable train wreck.

These two (somehow) had a happily ever after, but in another universe (the one where this book takes place) I think we all know that won’t last too long.

Netgalley and Amy - Thank you for allowing me to read this book early. I enjoyed the journey Clementine and Chloe went on and enjoyed their characters and friend groups! I've added my review below.

Loved this book! The fast-paced dialogue and rapport between Clementine and Chloe was to die for, and felt really authentic. I listened to the audio version and the narration was excellent. The narrator really did justice to Clem’s personality.

Read if you like: Olivia Dade (older MCs who aren’t interested in having kids), Ashley Herring Blake (similar loving friend group vibe), and late bloomer stories.

Thanks to Netgalley and RBmedia for providing me with a copy of the book.

Spalding enchants readers with her masterful portrayal of emotion in On Her Terms, the third installment of the Out in Hollywood series. From confusion and sadness to joy and love, the characters express their feelings with striking depth and authenticity, creating moments that truly resonate. At the heart of the story is Clementine, a bisexual woman navigating her “baby gay” phase after the end of a long-term heterosexual relationship—a journey many readers will find deeply relatable. Her path to self-discovery is not only genuine but also infused with humor, especially as she embarks on a fake relationship with Chloe, a lively and free-spirited dog groomer. While the fake-dating trope is familiar, Spalding breathes fresh life into it through Clementine and Chloe’s nuanced dynamic, making their chemistry all the more compelling. Their witty exchanges and evolving bond add layers of tension, heat, and humor, ensuring the narrative remains both engaging and refreshingly original.

Spalding’s writing shines in its ability to create characters who feel undeniably real, brimming with the quirks and complexities of everyday life. Each scene is a vivid snapshot, rich with emotion and nuance, drawing readers into the heart of the story. Clementine and Chloe’s awkward yet endearing navigation of their fake relationship is a delight to witness. While Chloe grapples with romantic attachment due to her insecurities, Clementine’s journey toward embracing her true self adds depth to their dynamic, keeping readers invested until the very last page. On Her Terms is more than just an enjoyable read—it’s a thoughtful exploration of identity, love, and the beautifully messy human experience.

The novel’s heartfelt depiction of queer friendships and chosen family is both compelling and deeply resonant. These bonds, a cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ experience, are portrayed by Spalding with authenticity and care. Chloe’s vibrant circle of friends adds richness to the narrative, underscoring the profound role of community in queer life. Each friend brings a unique perspective and their own set of challenges, making their connections feel dynamic and real. Through shared laughter, struggles, and unwavering support, they create a sanctuary where acceptance and love thrive. This aspect of the novel truly elevates the storytelling, making it memorable and read worthy.

A word about the narration…

Lori Prince delivers a masterful performance in this delightful fake-dating romance, effortlessly balancing humor and heartfelt moments to create an emotionally resonant listening experience. With her rich, expressive voice, she brings the well-developed characters to life, enhancing the sharp dialogue and the story’s nuanced exploration of queer identity. Her skillful narration adds depth and charm, making this audiobook an absolute winner.

Strengths…

Well-written
Emotionally engaging
Well-scripted dialogue
Entertaining supporting cast
Old trope with a fresh voice
Easy to enjoy
Excellent narration