Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez is a sweet, sapphic romance that blends late-bloomer charm with heartfelt identity exploration.

Angela Gutierrez is a librarian who’s never been kissed — and she’s ready for that to change. After going viral for a video about her ace identity and never-been-kissed status, Angela comes up with a scavenger hunt idea where the winner earns her first kiss. But organizing an event like that is a lot… and she’ll need help.

Enter Krystal Ramirez: confident bartender, queer heartbreaker, and Angela’s long-time crush. Despite claiming she’s not built for romantic love, Krystal is all in on helping Angela — and their chemistry is undeniable.

This story is full of community love, and queer joy. I especially loved the Mexican American rep and the affirming journey Angela takes toward understanding her identity and desires. That said, some aspects — like the scavenger hunt — felt underdeveloped, and the characters skewed a bit young for my taste at times.

Tropes & Themes:
• Influencer x bartender
• Mexican American main characters
• LGBTQIA2S+ rep
• Sapphic romance
• Unrequited crush
• Friends-to-lovers-ish
• Late bloomer / first kiss journey
• Mutual pining
• Identity exploration (asexual & aromantic spectrum)

A tender, sapphic romance with heartwarming representation and a fun concept — even if the execution felt a little young and underbaked in places. A sweet read if you’re looking for a sweet sapphic story with great rep and a premise that’s equal parts cute and emotional.

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever and Hachette Audio for providing an e-ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review!

I really loved this story! Even more than book 1! The characters had so much depth, and I adored them so much. The story gave such an in depth view of the Ace community. I loved the representation so much! The romance was so compelling. I was rooting for them the whole time! I also really loved this narrator. She did a great job making these two women unique.

There is plenty to love about this book! The main romance was full of sizzling yearning, with a genuine will-they-won’t-they feel as the book went on.

What really stood out about this book is how the author explored different queer identities, particularly on the asexual spectrum. The main character, Angela, tells us quite early on that she identifies as an asexual lesbian, and over the course of the book she explores the ways she can express her sexuality, and discovers more about the spectrum of asexuality. Asexuality is often seen as being very cut and dry, and I really liked how this book explored the whole asexual umbrella.

I do have mixed feelings about the role social media plays in this book. I do really like the way Angela found an online community, as that’s something many queer people experience, and it thought that was done really well. I also liked the idea of her accidentally going viral, and having to balance her online presence with her real life, and how the two impact each other. The whole scavenger hunt plot, however, I wasn’t so keen on. I wasn’t really a fan from the get-go, and as the book went on it just felt increasingly drawn out.

That aside I really enjoyed this book, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from this author.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

I’m sorry, I tried, but I just could not get into this book. I don’t necessarily think it’s bad, just not for me. The main character just really annoyed me and I could not get into it even though I really tried.

She calls her Angel. Just had to let you know.

Asexual representation in adult romances overjoys me, and Kiss Me, Maybe did it with nuance. Our main character Angela is very much in the exploratory part of understanding her identity, and along for the ride is bartender Krystal – who herself has sworn off serious relationships. Complicated feelings ensue.

I listened to the audiobook, and it is long. The book is probably long, too. We get quite detailed in this story, and whilst at times it serves the purpose of honesty or transparency, it mostly feels unnecessary. If you don’t mind a bit of a slower pace – go right ahead!

I think of the narration as sincere. It came across as stilted, but I suspect this is a reflection of the writing as it corresponds with the main character’s awkwardness, which made me not mind.


Thank you NetGalley, Forever and Hachette audio for the ARC!

I loved this SO MUCH. I loved the representation it had and the unrequited pining????? Chefs kiss. Every time Crystal and Angela went to bat for each other made me love them SO much more.

If you love a slow burn romance with highly unrepresented sexual orientations look no further! Kiss Me Maybe was a breath of fresh air that will likely lead many to do more googling to determine what, if any, labels may apply to themselves. It does have a degree of spice to it which is not closed door so just bear that in mind if your only knowledge of asexual is an individual with zero interest in sexual acts, as the book details it is a wide spectrum.

As Angela learns about herself and her support system, she works through a kooky scavenger hunt idea to help her further her self discovery but things don’t go according to plan. Enter Krystal, a love shy bartender who isn’t capable of being in love and won’t put herself in that position to hurt someone again… right? Solid follow up for Gamez, very different from her debut novel but just as solidly built up with life lessons, crappy family members, and all the tension.

A few random notes:
Ugh fuck Esme for real. I cannot remember the last time I wanted to reach through the pages to throttle a character before, which definitely speaks to the 3 dimensional character aspect.

Krystal being simultaneously the protective caretaker type while having a submissive side as well was *chefs kiss*

Never Been Kissed vibes but make it TikTok and sapphic.

Audio book specific: overall enjoyable narration, no issues with voicing other characters, etc.

Thank you Hachette Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5 Stars

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for allowing me to listen and review this book.

I initially grabbed this book just based on the cover and it appeared to be sapphic, which it is but it’s more than that. The beginning almost lost me, it was slow there was a lot of words and it was slow but then it picked up thankfully. I liked the narrators voices, they did a great job with the characters voices.
Character wise I did enjoy the characters, I did think that they were way younger, so they read younger and I think with the social media as well. It read like a coming of age story but it was an older coming out story and finding yourself. I did think that the scavenger hunt was a neat idea, who doesn’t love a scavenger hunt.
I would recommend this read it just didn’t hit it out of the park for me.

A heartwarming, fun and empowering exploration of asexuality and self discovery, Kiss Me, Maybe was a true joy to read.

The amount of representation and nuanced conversation surrounding identity in this book was so natural and refreshingly written. I adored the characters in this and loved being reunited with Angela after adding her in The Next Best Fling (it was great to see Marcela and Theo again too!)

Overall this was a delight and has firmly placed Gabriella Gamez as an autobuy author for me.

Sometimes, having the audiobook it's so much better than having a physical copy. This is one of those times. I hate the main character with all my soul. I'm not saying she's a bad character, but we are different people, and her lack of decision-making bugs me a lot. I'm sure that if I had a physical copy, I wouldn't have finished it. The audiobook gave me a chance to enjoy such a character by giving her a voice. I still don't like her, but I can understand her train of thought. I ended up enjoying this book because I could see how this girl matures.
At the end of the day, I enjoy this experience. I hope the author and narrator can work together again because they make a good team.

A story of self-discovery, romance and friendship.

Angela was determined to break out of her shell and make a big change in her life. She had a few setbacks but ultimately the team that rallied around her had her back.

The relationship that blossomed between Angela & Krystal was wonderful to read about. They had liked each quietly and secretly for so long, never doing anything about it until circumstances aligned to bring them together. It felt very organic.

A story like this is also a great reminder that representation matters and if someone wants to label themselves that is ok but if the labels change for them over time that is ok too.

Unsure how many books this series will have but so far so cute and I’ll be going back to read book 1!

Really impressed by Ruby Corazon‘s narration, she captured both main characters personalities brilliantly.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this lovely ALC!

Kiss Me, Maybe had a cozy, queer rom-com vibe I was excited for, and while the story had its ups and downs, the narration carried the experience. Angela’s journey as a late bloomer navigating firsts was sweet and authentic, and the dynamic with Krystal had potential—even if the pacing sometimes made it feel like it took forever to reach its conclusion.
But Ruby Corazon? Total standout. She brought so much charm and personality to both Angela and Krystal that it helped smooth out the parts of the story that felt slower or repetitive. Her voice gave Angela the perfect mix of softness and inner strength, and she made Krystal feel warm and real, even when the character was emotionally distant. Honestly, the narration made the book feel a bit more alive than it probably would’ve thought on the page alone.

🎧Song Pairing: Femininomenon - Chappell Roan

💭What I thought would happen:

The title and cover honestly give me nothing to go on. I made zero assumptions except ooo colourful pretty cover!

📖What actually happens:

🌶️Spicy sapphic romance
🏳️‍🌈Bi + lesbian representation
🩷Aro/ace rep
💋Never been kissed
🩵Latin rep

🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:

If you saw my story recently, this was the book I was listening to when I got caught in the rain in my little white tank top and had to pass firefighter training where they could easily tell you the colour shape and circumference of my nipples..,anyways add insult to injury it was a particularly spicy scene as I was passing by so needless to say I’ll never forget this book 😂

Another wonder-gay-ful lesbian/bi romance! And I adored the aro/ace representation - I think this was my first book and I learned so much!

The drama in this book with a particular family member was peak yaaaassss. I love me some fam dram!

I wish it had been dual perspective. I’d have loved to have been in Krystal’s mind.

Sign me up for anything and everything written by Gabriella Gamez. While I think some readers are turned off by Gamez's quirky characters and storylines, I absolutely adore them. Kiss Me, Maybe is written for any one who has felt the pressure to discover themselves in private, without the support of family and friends. Its for the shy girls, the ones who are "late bloomers (though if there's a moral of this book, it's that the idea of being "late" to self discovery is nonsense), and to for those learning to prioritize their wants and needs. I saw another review that said something along the liens of Gabriella Gamez knowing that real life happens in the details -- the text messages, the internal thoughts, and small conversations -- and I could not agree more. Life isn't often full of big dramatic life changing moments, instead it's the little things that happen each day, and behind the scenes that make up our lives. I love how this is portrayed in this book. Additionally, as a San Antonian, I adored all of the references and settings throughout the book.

This is a beautiful sapphic story. And while sometimes the detailed definitions of queer identities felt a bit heavy handed, I felt like it did make sense in the context of the book -- since our MC is literally also figuring out her gender and sexual identity alongside the reader.

Thank you to Forever for the ARC of the audiobook of Kiss Me, Maybe. I adored the narration, and found it so fun to listen to. Would definitely recommend this book, and particularly the audio to readers everywhere.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review!

The narration was fantastic and reading/listening to this book at the same time was fun to do because of it. You can definitely tell that the author did a lot of research of the queer community, especially asexuality! I always like finding another book with ace rep that I can remind to my friends and followers.

Although, it was overall a good book, it wasn't a new favorite. I had a hard time liking and rooting for the main character so that definitely affected my rating. Overall, I would still recommend it, it just wasn't a new fav!

Angela has never been kissed which she announces to the world through a Tik Tok video. With the help.of friends, she begins a scavenger hunt quest, and the prize is her first kiss. Throughout the story, as the hunt is being set up, Angela is exploring their own identity and the concept of the fluidity of identity. I loved all of the main characters and supportive characters in this book! Angela's journey throughout the pages was full of emotions and reflection. I did not want to put this book down. I wanted Angela to find her happily ever after, not what is dictated by society and other's opinions. Thank you to Forever Pub and Hachette Audio for an advanced listening copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Kiss Me, Maybe is a swoony, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud queer romcom that beautifully blends coming-of-age self-discovery with irresistible slow-burn chemistry. Angela Gutierrez is a proudly ace librarian and late bloomer whose viral video turns into a delightfully chaotic scavenger hunt for her first kiss. But it’s Krystal—the sharp, guarded bartender with a soft spot for Angela—who steals both the show and her heart. Gabriella Gamez crafts a romance that’s as smart and spicy as it is tender and validating, giving readers a rare ace-centered love story without shying away from the complexities of desire, vulnerability, and identity. Fans of Talia Hibbert or Casey McQuiston will adore this fresh, funny gem.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Funny, heartfelt, and beautifully queer—Kiss Me, Maybe is another absolute gem from Gabriella Gamez

Gabriella Gamez has done it again—Kiss Me, Maybe is a pitch-perfect romance that balances humor, heat, and vulnerability with ease. This book is so much more than a cute premise—it’s an empowering, deeply emotional exploration of identity, love, and the very real messiness of late-blooming self-discovery.

💋 Why it’s a 5/5 must-listen:
Angela is everything. A proudly ace, awkward-yet-determined librarian who goes viral after opening up about her never-been-kissed status? She’s relatable, lovable, and refreshingly honest about her insecurities.

Krystal = crush material. Tattooed, emotionally guarded, and sneakily soft—Krystal’s steady presence and quiet yearning are addictive. The way she supports Angela without taking over? Swoon.

The scavenger hunt twist is genius. It adds a playful, rom-com energy to the story while sneaking in moments of reflection, flirting, and tension-filled will-they-won’t-they goodness.

Representation done right. Ace/gray-ace identity, emotional intimacy, queer friendships, and healthy boundaries—Gamez handles it all with nuance, humor, and care.

Ruby Corazon’s narration? Perfection. She brings warmth, vulnerability, and chemistry to every scene, making the characters feel so alive it’s impossible to press pause.

🧡 Final thoughts:
Kiss Me, Maybe is about finding love on your own terms, discovering your worth, and realizing that sometimes the perfect person isn’t the one you were searching for—it’s the one who’s been right there all along. This story will make you laugh, ache, and absolutely melt.

Five stars. Full heart. Forever recommending.

I actually adored the characters. This book may be fiction, but so much of it felt real. Like this could be your friend's experience. I was drawn in so quickly and devoured it in one sitting, staying up until after midnight to finish it!!

Highly recommend!!

This book I received the ALC but it disappeared from my NetGalley before I had the ability to review it. I was able to review the ARC to formulate my feedback on the writing of the book

Okay so… I really liked this. But it also felt a bit too telling, and not enough showing. I can’t quite say why or how- it’s just a vibe that doesn’t settle in the soft spot in my chest. It doesn’t resonate, like Crystal says about Natalia’s mural print.

I wish it did. Becuase the depth and richness in this story really deserves to be experienced.