I was not sure if I would enjoy Kiss Me, Maybe. I didn’t really know what ACE was or many of the other terms in the book. I had to google but I am really glad I read it. I enjoyed it. I am not the biggest fan of telling the whole world all your life(Im not huge into social media) and kind of wish it went a different way. Loved the idea of a scavenger hunt to get to know people though. It’s the whole look at what is right in front of you situation.

I’m still not sure what I wanted to say in my review several days later but overall I did enjoy it.

I love when books with pretty covers have fantastic stories inside of them.

The asexual representation and awareness is incredible in this. The author writes about asexuality in a way I simply must applaud. So many people seem to be quick to assume they know everything about being asexual, & I love that this story showcases the asexuality spectrum. I really enjoyed that the characters played with their sexualities.
I think this book is going to be important for many people exploring their own sexuality. The sex toy exploration was so freaking cool too!!!!!!!!!! I am a SUCKER for that in books!!!!

Social media is always interesting in books, it’s not something that tends to bother me, & I didn’t mind it in this.

Ruby Corazon is a phenomenal narrator & deserves all the flowers for this performance. Easily a new favorite audiobook for me.

The overall energy from this story is a true delight with its character growth, representation, & pinch of heat!!

A major thank you to Forever, Hachette Audio, the author, & to NetGalley for the ARC/ALC in exchange for my honest review!

i wanted to like this book so much and there was a lot i did like! the representation in general was fantastic, it felt like such a colorful reflection across all spectrums were represented in here and i love this so much. unfortunately, i are more about the characters individually and outside of the main couple and was a little bored/underwhelmed with them.

i’d give this a 2.5, maybe a 3 if i went back to it.

thank you to forever for the ALC!

My Fav Contemporary of 2025 So Far

What a fantastic listen! I devoured this one in two days and enjoyed every minute. As an acespec late bloomer I related to this story on a profound level. As much as I love reading romance, it's not always a genre that makes me feel fully seen or represented. Kiss Me, Maybe was an exception to that in the best way possible.

The explanations of what it means to hold various queer identities were effortlessly worked into the story, cluing in unfamiliar listeners without feeling like info dumps. The story's message that there's no such thing as being "behind" in life and that it's okay to achieve milestones on your own terms-(or not at all) resonated with me deeply, as did Angela's journey of self-discovery.

Also, can we talk about the communication in this book? Angela and Krystal were open and honest with each other almost the entire time, which is something I want to see more of in romance! While this is very much their story, each of the side characters were well-developed and intriguing in their own right. And this book was freaking hot, y'all. There's so much tension and yearning, and when the spice finally hits, it HITS.

This is my first book from the author, but it won't be my last. As soon I get through more of my May ARCs, I'm planning to check out The Next Best Fling! (less)

This was a sweet novel with a late bloomer main character and solid asexual representation, which made my heart so happy. I liked the plot and I enjoyed the characters. I loved the audiobook's narrator (for context: I listened at 1.25x speed and it was perfect; I'm usually between 1.25 and 1.50x). I've learned by listening to this book, though, that I'm not a fan of using real-life social media/technology so heavily in fiction. I went into this book thinking, "I loved books set practically ON Twitter in junior high, so this should be right up my alley!" It wasn't, in that sense. But I still had a great time with these characters and would recommend the book!

Angela Gutierrez is in her late twenties, a librarian, a lesbian, oh and has never been kissed. But after accidentally going viral on TikTok, she realizes the perfect opportunity might be right in front of her. She just has to date the entire internet to get there. That’s when Angela launches an idea, THE idea to ensure success. A scavenger hunt about her, and whoever wins gets to be her first kiss. That way, she’ll know it’s with someone who really gets her. And it’s not as though Angela expects to find her soulmate, but at the very least, she can finally experience some romantic firsts.

With the help of her best friend, a local artist and a hot but emotionally unavailable bartender, she begins to think she can pull off the scavenger hunt. But something is growing between Angela and the bartender, Krystal. And though she claims she’s sworn off romance forever, Angela can’t help but feel their feelings are mutual. However, just when everything seems to be going right, Angela finds herself caught up in an internet scandal and a web of lies she might’ve accidentally spun herself. Can she salvage her reputation and still get the girl she’s been pining over for five years? Or will her internet fame and budding flame fizzle out before she can salvage them? All the late blooming gay panic and more in Kiss Me Maybe.

Now this is how you write a romance book. It sank its claws into me and never let up for a second. I was surprised by the representation the author managed to include without being preachy or crowded. It felt genuine, too, not as though the author was vying for diversity points. The main character goes through a realistic transformation, and her identities fit exceedingly well in the novel. The plot was fun and high stakes, but not overly stressful. The characters were relatable and complex. The writing style was detailed with realistic dialogue. And the audiobook narration added great characterization and tone to the story. If you enjoy late bloomer romances with spice, vast emotional depth, and relatable characters, you are in the right place.

The main character, Angela, embarks on an interesting coming-out story that puts a fresh twist on a tired trope. Going into the story, Angela is confident in her lesbian identity despite not being out to her entire family. So the novel focuses on her coming into her asexual/greysexual orientation. This added nuance to her journey and allowed us to grow with her as she attempted to sort this part of herself out. Her journey wasn’t linear; she backtracked, misspoke, and changed her label a few times. But this is often the reality of queer self discovery. It takes trial and error, and this book did such a great job of not chastising her. The main character also mentions comphet, which is all too relatable for many lesbians. Due to this, Angela flirted with lots of guys in her early 20s, and when her followers found out, many used it to discredit her identity. Even her family, which is the unfortunate reality of so many lesbians who came out later in life. And because of this, I think many people will see themselves represented in Angela, from comphet lesbians, to greysexuals, to late bloomers. Her journey is surprisingly easy to relate to, which makes her so fun to read and empathize with. Despite hitting quite a few bumps along the road.

The plot wasn’t as good as the characters, but it was still interesting and gave great external conflict to contrast with Angela’s internal conflicts. The scavenger hunt aspect had potential up front, but I think it fizzled out a bit as her romance with Krystal continued. Although it made for a great ending, it didn’t impact the plot or characters as much as I wanted it to after the halfway mark. Which surprised me because I thought it was a clever plot device. But it also didn’t detract from the plot in a way that would impact my rating or enjoyment. The family and TikTok drama, though, was what hooked me. It is so risky being an influencer, especially given Angela’s situation, and although I saw the big twist coming, the catalyst and extent still shocked me. It came at the perfect time, though, because the pacing was well done. Every scene had a purpose and never lulled, but without having too much “action”. There was a great balance of “doing” scenes, where things happened and the plot was furthered, and “context” scenes, where the reader could breathe and the characters reflect on everything that has happened up to that point.

The writing style was great, although I did listen to the audiobook. As most romances do, it leaned into descriptors and “telling” rather than showing in the beginning. However, once the characters and settings were established, it did a great job of transitioning to “showing” more. It felt juvenile at first, but it grew into a more mature style as Angela came into herself, which was impressive and fun to read. The dialogue was also great and felt like real conversations. The audiobook narration was fantastic, too. It gave real life and body to Angela, as though she were reading it to me. There were also no weird voices, and it had a consistent tonality. The pacing was most likely good too; however, I always listen to books at 2.5x speed, so, in that aspect, I am not a great judge.

All in all, this friends-to-lovers romance is a must-read. From the TikTok antics to the will-they-won't-they tension, you will not be able to put it down. Not to mention wishing you could join in on the first kiss scavenger hunt. If you love complex characters and diverse identities, you are in the right place. Happy reading!

CW: Anxiety, alcohol, bullying, lesbiphobia, misogyny, queerphobia, homophobia, and slut shaming.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for sending an eARC audio for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For more sapphic reviews, follow @the.lesbian.library on Instagram, StoryGraph, Substack, and YouTube.

There are so many layers to this, I don’t even know how to start unpacking it

“𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵, 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦”

This one is for the people who put themselves online or out there to be perceived by strangers in any type of journey, self discovery or self mastery they embark on. This one is for the girlies that don’t think they are capable of love, hell they’re not even sure what that is and how it’ll look like for them. This one is for the girlies that have never experienced romantic love before and feel set back, “not normal” or less than because of it. This one is for the lonely ones, the girlies that feel lonely in their hearts because there is so much they’re yet to discover about themselves.

Oh how I love all the meaningful parts of this story, i was over here screaming “girl the love of your life is right in front of you!” Even while appreciating the journey it took both MC’s to find themselves. I received the ALC on NetGalley and the audiobook narration is perfection. Very engaging, very revealing, leaning into accents and emotions in an easy flow that completed the story so well.

I will admit, with the plot itself, I felt stuck sometimes.. lowkey bored cause the pacing struggled to keep me entertained 100%. I kept coming back tho for the knowledge, the beautiful quotes, the diversity, the real edge the story had. I wish from the bottom of my heart I was reading an ebook so I could annotate because the prose SPOKE to me.

3.5🌟final rating

I really liked the audio book, listened to it within three days and really didn't want to take my headphones out to do other things during that time.
The narrator had a really nice voice which helped to amplify the generally cozy atmosphere.
Even though it was a rather simple story, the characters all were very layered and seemed relatable.
On the whole the story was very close to life showing the pros and cons of social media, a rarely portrayed perspective on (first) love and other firsts and how complicated but also beautiful relations between humans can be.
To summarise I can definitely recommend listening to everyone who just needs a chill and heartwarming but also realistic story and to everyone who often feels like an outsider not portrayed by the media a lot.

Let me start by saying that Kiss Me, Maybe is super cute!

Angela was very believable as a late bloomer with her own flaws while she figured out her identity, and that journey was relatable to me as I didn't fully explore my own sexuality until I was in my mid-to-late 20s. There was so much representation (Mexican-American, ace spec, bi, and lesbian) included in this story, and I hope it resonates with its intended audience. And the spice??? It was perfect. Overall, I did enjoy this book, particularly on audio. The narrator, Ruby Corazon, was perfect for this audiobook! Her narration was engaging and fun.

However, I do feel like the plot didn't satisfy me like I'd hoped. I wasn't quite sold on Angela and Krystal as friends-to-lovers because there wasn't much depth to their friendship; I would've loved to see it developed more before the scavenger hunt. Additionally, the scavenger hunt became an afterthought and quickly fell apart. It felt strange that Angela wanted to do a scavenger hunt with strangers on the internet but also wanted to have a connection with whoever she kissed.

Thank you to the publisher (Forever and Hachette Audio) as well as Netgalley for the ALC! I also received a physical ARC at B&N Book Fest, which was signed by the author.

NetGalley can we please have a DNF option instead of a star rating. I do not like giving star ratings to books I DNF.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this audiobook @25% I could not vibe with narrator or the story. After over two weeks I found myself avoiding picking this back up. I also did not like the premise and Angela came off very juvenile in my opinion. That being said, I love seeing Latine representation in publishing, as well as Sapphic stories. The narrator did not bring this story to life for me and I found myself confused at times who was speaking. Although this audiobook was a miss for me I could totally see it working for others. This was my first novel by Gamez, but I will checkout her previous novel. I greatly appreciate the publishers and NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 ⭐️

This is a review of the audiobook.

I really enjoyed this story and love all of the different types of representation. However, I think it ran a little long for my taste. After about the halfway point, I was kind of expecting the story to be over but then looked to see I still had half the book left. The chemistry between Angela and Crystal was great and I was definitely rooting for them from the first time they met.

I had a little trouble differentiating between the 2 main characters. The voices used were very similar and sometimes if I wasn't paying 100% attention, I wasn't sure who was speaking. But otherwise, I loved the narrator and think they did a wonderful job narrating this book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend to lovers of books with great LGBTQIA+ representation and very lovable characters.

If I first comment on the narration, I have to say that at times I felt there were too few differences in the different voices.
Otherwise the pace was good.
The story itself had interesting aspects.
Asexuality is not new to me, but it is not that well known either.
That's why I liked it and I learned a lot.
As a romance, however, it really didn't grab me for a long, long time.
Because I didn't know how Crystal and Angela were supposed to work. I liked Crystal, but Angela was difficult for me to understand as a character.
It was an up and down and the scavenger hunt was a bit unnecessary, but oh well, that was the story.
Unfortunately it didn't grab me til the nearly end. But it could be an interesting story for people who are interested in asexuality and an internet presence as an influencer with insecurities.
Thanks very much to Hachette Audio and Netgalley for the ARC

*Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for early copy for review*

4.5 rounded up

Amazing ace rep is demonstrated in this book. Especially the fluidity of being ace and sexuality in general.

"I've never felt lonelier in my whole life, than when I realized I was ace spec."

This quote felt like it had reached into my own experiences to smack me in the face. There was many more moments that had me feeling like that as well. The romance between our characters was really fun and filled with many cinematic moments. I really could see them falling for each other. Also I loved their flirting throughout as well.

I definitely need more ace character to fall in love and the epilogue definitely hinted at another book!

Thank you for providing me with the ARC audio version of this book. It was my first audiobook experience, and it presented several challenges. I had no prior expectations, but the experience was different from what I anticipated. I believe that if I had had a physical copy of the book alongside the audiobook, I might have been able to better follow the story, characters, and plot. I spent a significant amount of time rewinding sections to comprehend certain aspects. Additionally, the concept of having a single female narrator narrate a sapphic novel with two female protagonists made it difficult to distinguish between the characters. The narrator also narrated the male characters’ voices. The lack of realism in the book hindered my ability to fully immerse myself in the story. Nevertheless, I completed the audiobook and found it heartwarming and enjoyable. I particularly appreciated the build-up between Angela and Krystal. I loved the dynamic between them, where they alternated between taking control and grappling with deep secrets that brought them immense shame. The heartwarming part was witnessing their efforts to overcome these secrets and finally embrace their love for each other. The book beautifully explored the concept of self-love, flaws and all, while also delving into the complexities of falling in love with a friend. I was particularly drawn to Angela’s character as a librarian who enjoyed herself and deviated from the typical image of an older, stern librarian who shushes children throughout the day. In conclusion, I intend to reread the book to enhance my engagement with the story, but overall, it was a delightful listening experience.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I read the description of Kiss Me, Maybe, I was so excited to read it! Everything about it is my JAM... but it fell SO flat.

There was waaaaay too much telling and not enough showing. I tried to listen at regular speed but had to amp it up to 2x speed to get through it.

I'm incredibly disappointed because I love reading sapphic stories, but this just didn't do it for me unfortunately.

I like Gabriella’s writing. This wasn’t my favorite main character but I enjoyed the book. Thanks for the chance to listen!

Gabriella Gamez delivers a sweet, sexy, and delightfully charming romantic comedy in Kiss Me, Maybe—a fresh, sapphic twist on the beloved Never Been Kissed trope. With its lovable characters, playful humor, and just the right amount of spice, this story is a standout addition to the series and a feel-good read from start to finish.

At the heart of the novel is Angela, whose innocence and sincerity are impossible not to root for. Her longing to break free from the label of “never been kissed” is both endearing and relatable, drawing readers into her emotional journey. Enter Krystal, a no-nonsense bartender with a guarded heart and a surprising willingness to help Angela navigate the unknown. The dynamic between them is filled with tension, laughter, and slow-building chemistry that makes their relationship all the more satisfying.

Gamez does a wonderful job balancing lighthearted humor with deeper emotional beats, creating a story that’s as heartfelt as it is entertaining. The banter sparkles, the romance simmers, and the supporting cast adds just the right amount of color and warmth to round out the world.

Kiss Me, Maybe is a fun and flirty rom-com that delivers both laughs and feels, making it a must-read for fans of queer romance and anyone who loves a good twist on a classic romantic setup. Gabriella Gamez continues to prove her talent for writing romance that’s both inclusive and irresistibly enjoyable.

I listened to this book in one evening, I just couldn't stop! "Kiss me, maybe" has the perfect mix of humor, love (of different kinds) and exploration of Angela's identity, in a thoughtful, respectful and part informative manner. And that, without it feeling on the nose, which is not easy to do.

I love the fact that we have multiple queer characters, especially the ace rep of course, but also the Hispanic LGBTQIA+, both of them are still so rare in (romance) novels.

I feel like I could relate to Angela and her friends on many levels and I love the way they navigated their thoughts and emotions and supported each other. The slow-burn friends-to-lovers felt like it was at the perfect pace and gave me all the good feelings.

The audiobook narration is done beautifully, no notes, just love.

I fully recommend this book, especially if you're interested in learning more about the ace spectrum or life of non white queer people while enjoying a good romance book.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Gabriella Gamez and NetGalley for the audiobook arc!

I went into this read with no real expectations or comparisons, and I was pleasantly surprised. This was a charming, slice-of-life romance with a strong queer narrative that felt both warm and genuine.

What stood out most was the thoughtful representation of queer identity within the Hispanic community, a perspective that in my experience, isn’t often spotlighted in romance novels. The book also touched on important themes like bullying and the journey toward self-acceptance, particularly when identity is fluid. These elements were handled with care and added an extra layer of depth to the story.

Both of the main female characters are of Hispanic descent, and one is curvy, which added a refreshing layer of body diversity that’s often missing in romance. I appreciated the realism and relatability this brought to their characterization.

The romance itself struck a great balance between tenderness and steam. The spice was steamy and unexpected almost gave me whiplash because I did not expect it to be so hot! The spicy moments felt organic and authentic, never forced or cringy, which can be a tricky line to walk in romance. While the plot itself felt a bit flat at times, the engaging writing style and character-driven storytelling kept me invested.

Overall this was a sweet and satisfying read that offered meaningful representation, relatable characters, and a well-balanced romance. I'm glad this was my entry point into Sapphic romance.

Excellent read, seriously. Angela is embroiled in TikTok virality and also admits to being never been kissed or in any sort of relationship. There’s a whole lot of self-doubt and self-discovery baked into this story, as Angela navigates her desire to connect with others along with trying not to fall fully in love with her crush Krystal. Angela decides upon some sort of scavenger hunt for the ladies of the internet to give Angela her first kiss, and she recruits Krystal to assist, even though there’s clearly simmering feelings between them. We get some more messy drama in the form of Angela’s bullying cousins, and Krystal’s romantic backstory. I loved reading these two crushes become friends and then more. Audio was excellent!