I’m not typically a huge romance fan because I get really hung up on the premise the romance is constructed around. In this case it’s the MC pretending her brother is more transphobic than he is to get attention from her high school crush. And I did struggle with this because it’s a dumb and hurtful lie but also because pity does not really equal chemistry in my mind? But I really wanted to power through because it’s a sapphic romance with a bi trans protagonist, something that is exceptionally rare to see represented.

In the end I’m glad I pushed through my initial sense of annoyance. The initial lie ended up making more sense in the context of the story, how it was an assumption of oppression by a trans ally, but also not far from the truth. It makes sense how this got muddled up given Julie’s complex lived experience and (misplaced) desire for validation of her gender.

The sense of humor worked for me and it felt genuinely funny. I loved the bits of Jewish culture that were sprinkled in, they felt natural and not tokenistic. And the trans rep felt really lifelike, it examines the complexities of being trans in a way that felt really true to life for a certain type of relatively privileged trans person.

My favorite thing was how this examined the MCs relationship with her family being a child of divorce. Her dynamic with her parents felt really fleshed out, especially with her mother, and the complex Jewish mother daughter relationship made even more murky by Julie’s transness.

Things to know:
Bi, trans woman MC, lesbian and pansexual love interests
Humor felt funny to me but borders on feeling millennial which might put some people off
Low spice level, there are sex scenes but they don’t go into much detail

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

Rose Dommu’s book is a dazzling, laugh-out-loud romp through the chaos of weddings, queer identity, and the tangled mess of growing up—no matter how old you are. Julia Rosenberg is the ultimate reluctant participant in her brother’s Florida wedding, swapping the vibrancy of her New York life for a week of over-the-top bridal festivities and awkward family dynamics. But when she’s reunited with her high school crush, Kim Cameron, Julia makes one impulsive decision that spirals into a web of deception and romantic misadventure. Dommu’s sharp wit and effortlessly breezy prose make every moment of Julia’s journey a joy to read, from the ridiculousness of wedding-week antics to the deeply relatable struggle of proving—to others and herself—that she belongs.

Beneath the champagne-fueled chaos and biting humor, *Best Woman* is also a heartfelt exploratio of self-acceptance, second chances, and the messy, nonlinear path of personal growth. Julia is a refreshingly flawed, charismatic protagonist, and her relationships—both romantic and familial—are infused with authenticity and emotional depth. Dommu masterfully balances comedy and poignancy, delivering a story that’s as tender as it is outrageous. Fans of My Best Friend’s Wedding and irreverent, big-hearted queer rom-coms will fall head over heels for this sparkling debut. Julia might be making the worst decisions of her life, but for readers, Best Woman is an absolute win.

"Best Woman" is Rose Dommu’s debut novel, and if this is her first offering, I eagerly anticipate what she will create next. The story follows Julia, a late-twenties trans woman and wonderfully chaotic bisexual, as she returns home to Florida to be her brother’s Best Woman at his wedding.

Throughout the novel, we see Julia navigating her coming-of-age experience in New York City while reconnecting with her quirky Jewish family and high school friends. She confronts past relationships and old crushes, all while dealing with her loving brother, divorced parents, and more.

Although this book pays homage to the hilarious and unforgettable rom-com "My Best Friend’s Wedding," it transcends typical rom-com boundaries. It offers a witty exploration of family dynamics, self-esteem, the quest for acceptance, and the importance of being loved for who we are.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would recommend it—think "My Best Friend’s Wedding" meets "Home for the Holidays." Fans of Torrey Peters, Nicola Dinan, Anna Dorn, Emma Cline, and Jen Beagin may find this messy but lovable story appealing. Thank you to Random House Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

I devoured this book and enjoyed every minute! It hits all the emotional beats you expect from a romantic comedy while brining fresh perspective and twists to the idea of people from a wedding party falling for each other. Julia is a vibrant, relatable, very real character with flaws and desires that made me feel like I knew her and was part of her NYC inner circle. Dommu perfectly captures the feeling of returning home when your life has changed in such enormous ways, and the immense complexity of emotion that comes along with seeing the people who knew you before you got out. Dommu also spoke to the difficult experience of being queer with a vaguely supportive family who doesn’t truly “get it” and all the ways big and small that they can do harm while sincerely loving you. This book is a romance, but there are so many beautiful love stories between siblings, parents, and friends that it’s hard to pick my favorite sub-plot. I can’t wait to recommend this book.

3 stars- An enjoyable quick read! Thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a chaotic, hilarious, and deeply heartfelt rollercoaster that had me grinning, cringing, and fully invested in Julia’s mess. The writing is sharp, the humor is biting, and beneath all the wedding mayhem and questionable choices, there’s a story about self-discovery, longing, and the complicated relationships that shape us. Julia is a disaster in the best way, and I adored every second of her flailing attempts at romance, her sharp wit, and her painfully relatable family dynamics. The chemistry with Kim crackles with tension and nostalgia, and every interaction is laced with that delicious mix of yearning and ‘oh no, what have I done?’ chaos. This book is vibrant, wildly entertaining, and impossible to put down. I loved every second of it.