This book has been on my radar for damn near a year. I have been not so patiently waiting to read it for almost that entire time. Since the cover reveal, I’ve been in love with these characters and their story, knowing NOTHING about them, but the absolute joy and love the artwork is serving… and it is SERVING!

Little did I know that what I thought was a Mexican sapphic story would be absolutely PACKED with asexual representation. I mean, it was still everything I had hope for, but now it got 1000 times better. This has the most well-versed (for those who don’t understand and need to be taught) explanations on the feelings, both sexually and not, of an ace spec person. Our MC, Angela, is finding herself later in life, so she’s also figuring out what it means to her to be asexual.

These kind of stories are so important, because not all queer voices are represented enough. While sapphics and achilleans are in mainstream media, the rest of the alphabet has been all but forgotten in that now cold soup. So I love getting a story where not only is the main character ace, but so many of the book’s characters are as well. It was like watching an episode of Oprah Winfrey’s show… And you get an ace! And you get an ace!! Oh! You too!

And let’s not forget the romance. You may be asking, “but haven’t you been talking about the characters being asexual?” BOOBOO! Ace comes in lots of shapes and sizes. Read this book for more info… also, if you want some ICONIC banter and HAWWWWWWWT spice, Kiss Me, Maybe is WHERE IT IS AT!!!! 🥵

Have you met a 27 year old asexual lesbian who has never been kissed? Well, meet Angela. She's battling going viral on TikTok while also trying to navigate her crush on a local bartender, Krystal. And how does she make it more difficult? By enlisting the internet on a scavenger hunt where the prize is....her first kiss!

This book had me squealing and screaming at my car sound system. I was introduced to more of the LGBTQIA+ community and I loved it. This book explored a lot of different sexual identities that I hadn't heard of or experience before and I'm grateful for that. I felt deeply for Angela and her story.

Thank you to @netgalley and @hachetteaudio for this gifted ALC. I had so much fun with it and thought the narrator was phenomenal. Hachette Audio, keep popping out these bangers!

Thank you Net Galley and Hachette Audio for the ARC! This was cozy cutesy cozy. A very predictable read but nothing beats gay yearning. I loved how the author highlighted all the different experiences some may face coming out to family. Angela’s character growth was absolutely unmatched and it made me root for her from the beginning. Sometimes characters like her fall into this helpless quiet narrative but Angela was vulnerable and got out of her own way.

Welcome to Kiss Me, Maybe, where Angela is a "late bloomer" who has never been kissed and is still trying to figure out her identity, all the while developing a para-social following on TikTok as she decides to "date the internet" to find a girl to have her first kiss with. Does that sound a bit messy? Probably, because it kind of is in parts. Mostly because Angela is a bit of a naive mess, multiple times during this story.
I want to be clear. This book has some good- Hispanic representation for one, and exploring different LGBTQ+ identities- taking us on Angela's journey as she moves from fully asexual to ace spec, all while trying to make others understand her comphet ways when she was younger. Also, I really wanted to like her for her whole "late bloomer" journey (as a fellow late bloomer, I felt like this author was saying "go late bloomers!" while also trying to act like not dating at 16 is being a late bloomer. Oh honey, I'm 30 and I'm still trying to figure it out).
BUT: I feel like all of the drama with her cousin (and specifically, the guy she brought to dinner) was kind of thrown in and it was a bit rushed, especially (again) the guy's part in all of this. I also really wanted more from Krystal. I mean I love dual POV but I know not all authors like to write from multiple perspectives for one story, but she was terrible at communicating so I was never sure where to take or leave things with them- I know I'm supposed to be rooting for them but it didn't always feel that way.
I'd also like to say that I received this as an audiobook, and it was not my favorite to listen to. There wasn't much emotion given by the narrator in the narration- even in the spicy scenes it felt kind of bland. There were no problems with pacing or sound quality, however. I'd probably give both the audiobook and the story itself 3/5 Stars.
Thank you NetGalley for an ALC of this book, this is my honest review.

Gabriella Gamez’s Kiss Me, Maybe is a heartfelt sapphic romance that delves into the complexities of identity, the dual nature of internet fame, and the importance of community, both online and offline. Set against the vibrant backdrop of San Antonio, Texas, the novel follows Angela Gutierrez, a 27-year-old asexual librarian who has never been kissed.

Gamez does not shy away from the complexities of identity. Angela's journey of self-discovery is portrayed with nuance, highlighting the spectrum of asexuality and the challenges of coming out later in life. Krystal's character adds depth to the narrative, as she confronts her own fears about love and vulnerability. Their evolving relationship underscores the theme that queer individuals exist everywhere, including in heavily conservative states, and that their stories are worth telling

The novel also emphasizes the importance of building community. Angela finds support among fellow queer individuals online, creating a sense of belonging that contrasts with the lack of understanding she faces from some family members. This duality showcases how online platforms can foster connection and empowerment, even as they expose individuals to criticism and scrutiny

If you love a dating competition and a book that is impacted by a character’s internet fame this book is for you!

Favorite Quotes: “Friend is too small a word a word for someone you love”
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age: Adult
Tropes: First Kiss, Dating Competition, Friends to Lovers, Long Term Crush
Spice: Had me blushing for sure. When I found out the main character was Asexual, I wasn’t expecting spice in the boo,k and wow was I WRONG. Such is the amazing thing about representing the spectrum of sexuality.
Themes: Re-discovering sexual identity, Learning to date, Influencer culture, finding a micro-label
Representation: Greysexual Lesbian, Mexican American MC, Curvy Bisexual Mexican-American
Read For: Netgalley
Obtained From: Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the Advanced Listening Copy of this Audiobook.
Song Recommendation for the vibe: (For Krystal) Crush by Fox Gunn, (For Angela) Sofia by Clairo

⅘ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kiss Me, Maybe
Author: Gabriella Gamez

Just finished Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez and it was such a pleasant, feel-good read! It follows Angela, a librarian who goes viral on TikTok and sets up a scavenger hunt to find someone for her first kiss—with help from her longtime crush, Krystal. I really enjoyed the TikTok and influencer vibes throughout, and the scavenger hunt was a super fun twist. Spice level was maybe a 3/5, just enough to keep things interesting. Overall, it was cute, modern, and sweet—solid 4/5 stars from me! Thank you so much Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC!

On the surface this a fun, cute sapphic romance that involves a scavenger hunt, social media and a first kiss. And this book is all of those things, but also so much more. This story is emotional and dives into self discovery and identity and labels and the pressure that people feel to put themselves in a specific box.

Angela is doing the best she can and we see her navigate dating and what love and sexuality mean to her. I loved the chemistry she had with Krystal…but that doesn’t mean their connection is simple or easy.

I have never read a book with ace spec representation and it felt very honest and authentic. We also see these characters dealing with influencer culture, how toxic it can be and the effects of going viral. There is a scene early on where Angela is called in by HR to discuss a video that went viral that had me raging on her behalf.

At times this story is a little messy and dramatic…but honestly so is life!

I thought the narrator did a good job with the voices and bringing these characters to life!

✨What To Expect:
💋Sapphic Romance
❤️‍🔥Friends to Lovers
🍻Librarian x Bartender
🏳️‍🌈Ace Spec, Bi, & Lesbian rep
⭐️Found Family
🧭Scavenger Hunt
📱Influencer/TikTok Culture
🔥Spicy Scenes…But No Kissing!

This was aa heartwarming rom-com, but with a nice blend of humor and emotional depth. Angela, a librarian and late bloomer, gains viral fame after coming out, and she decides to make the most of it by organizing a scavenger hunt where the prize is her very first kiss. Then, Krystal, the local bartender and Angela's longtime crush, agrees to help. What starts as a fun and quirky idea quickly turns into something deeper as their connection grows, and the chemistry between them is palpable. The story takes its time to unfold, but it was still nice as it developed.

I really appreciated the representation of asexuality here, especially with Angela still figuring out her identity. The author handles the complexities of love, family, and personal growth with a lot of care, and the dynamic between Angela and Krystal was both tender and charged.

If you're looking for a sapphic romance that has the right mix of humor, heat, and heart, this might be for you!

I received an audio copy of this book and the narrator did an excellent job!

Thanks NetGalley for the audio!

This was definitely a cute story! I hadn't read the first book in the Librarians in Love series and didn't feel like that hampered my enjoyment of this story.

Angela is a sweet and inexperienced young woman who has gone viral from a TikTok post related to her non-existent first kiss and her Ace sexual identity. Angela's new virality gives her a platform to meet more queer people and explore more of her feelings about her identity while also trying to find someone to help her have her first kiss. Krystal is the bartender of Angela and Marcela (book 1's FMC) favorite bar. Angela has had a crush on Krystal for a while but her TikTok video has finally given them a reason to get close to each other.

I thought this was a cute romance! Some of the plot points regarding Angela's ideas to finding her first kiss felt a little unbelievable but it was fun enough that I wasn't super bothered by it. Most of the characters were really well developed and I understood how and why they were making the decisions they did.

I listened to this story on audio and I really enjoyed the narrator here. She pronounced all the Spanish properly and really brought a great voice to this production!

Angela has never been kissed. She considers herself to be an asexual lesbian. She has a massive crush on her regular bartender, Krystal, but has never acted on it. When she decides to post about this on TikTok, she doesn't realize it will take off. Quickly, she is planning on doing a scavenger hunt for her first kiss and is planning it with the help of Krystal. But will all this time together cause those feelings to bubble over? What if the identity she has embraced is not the best fit?

I still have a lot to learn about the sexuality spectrum. This was a lesson, and wow, the yearning was HOT.

I thought this was an excellent romantic comedy, and it was neat to have a new type of protagonist.

The narration was fantastic. I really enjoyed it and thought that Angela's voice was perfect for her.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Forever, and Net Galley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

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

3 stars

The audiobook narration for this book was good, but not one of my favorites. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish between dialogue being spoken versus internal thoughts. A bit more variation in tone would've helped with keeping my attention as I repeatedly took breaks listening to this book.

In regards to the story, I really enjoyed witnessing Angela explore and learn more about her identity throughout this book and I learned so much about the asexual spectrum. I liked Angela as a character and genuinely was rooting for her to have a happy ending. I think this book fell flat for me because of how it was executed versus the characters themselves. There were a lot of subplots that tended to be repetitive so the overall story felt like we were going in circles. I honestly could’ve done without the entire scavenger hunt aspect and mainly focused on Angela trying to choose between her existing feelings for Krystal and the new attention she’s gaining from TikTok. While this wasn’t my favorite read, I’d still recommend it for someone who enjoys reading about women loving other women, self-discovery stories, and sweet happy endings.

A pretty solid read overall. My main problems with this book were definitely how Angela prioritized Krystal over her other relationships and friendships, how Angela absolutely did not seem like a 27 year old to me, and how little real communication seemed to happen. Angela really makes choices and acts (especially on the internet) like someone much younger so to have her be 27 kept taking me out of it a bit. I love an older realization of sexuality, but to me it felt like melding her to fit whatever would please Krystal the most and not Angela. We really gloss over Krystal’s very real issues with Isaac and that past relationship which I think would cause problems down the line. Also, the smut was pretty good, but Angela’s dominance came out of nowhere and felt random (was hot though) and every time I heard “pussy” I was taken out of it. Overall, had some cute moments, but not really my cup of tea.

Gabriella Gamez’s Kiss Me, Maybe is a heartfelt, spicy, and thoughtful queer romance that strikes the perfect balance between slow-burn tension and deeply personal identity exploration. It’s a story about firsts—first kisses, first love, first steps into self-acceptance—and it unfolds with charm, humor, and heat.
Angela Gutierrez, a book-loving librarian and proud late bloomer, goes viral after posting a video about her ace identity and lack of kissing experience. Instead of retreating from the spotlight, she leans in, crafting a scavenger hunt with her first kiss as the prize. Enter Krystal Ramirez, the sexy bartender who has haunted Angela’s daydreams for years. Though Krystal claims romantic love isn’t in the cards for her, the chemistry between them is undeniable and only intensifies as they work together.
This story does a phenomenal job of showcasing ACE spectrum representation with care and nuance. Angela’s journey feels authentic and empowering—Gamez doesn’t gloss over the complexities of identity but rather embraces them fully. I especially appreciated how her ace identity wasn’t just a plot device but was interwoven into her character’s voice, thoughts, and choices.
The spice level is more smoldering tension than explicit heat, which might surprise readers expecting more steam, but the emotional build-up more than compensates for it. The only slight drawback for me was the underdevelopment of Angela’s non-romantic relationships—Marcela and Julian felt a bit sidelined, which left me wanting more depth beyond the romance and social media angle.
As for the audiobook, the narration was solid but not a standout. The pacing felt a bit slow with noticeable pauses, so I found myself speeding it up for a smoother flow. Not a deal-breaker, but something to consider if you're particular about audiobook rhythm.
Overall, Kiss Me, Maybe is a near-perfect romance that left me smiling, swooning, and eager to dive deeper into ace-spectrum stories. Gabriella Gamez crafts a romance that doesn’t just entertain but educates and affirms, all while delivering top-tier tension and an unforgettable pairing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the advanced listening copy!

Wanted to love this one just as much as Book 1 but the storyline fell a little flat for me. I felt a bit lost with all the different characters at the beginning. This audiobook really helped me move along in the book. Wish we got to read/listen from Krystal's POV.

I did love Krystal, the way she was dedicated to showing "Angel" her love, their dates, all of it was super cute. Loved Marcella's mentions. Angela's storyline and the way she's comfortable/proud of who she is.

Can't wait to read more of Gamez's work! Thank you to Forever Pub, Gabriella Gamez, and NetGalley for this ALC!

Angela Gutierrez is a queer ace librarian that’s never been kissed. She comes out on social media and decides she’s ready to get some firsts out of the way. Angela plans a scavenger hunt where the winner will earn her first kiss. Needing help planning the scavenger hunt, Angela turns to her favorite bartender and unrequited crush of five years, Krystal Ramirez. Every time they hang out, the connection between Angela and Krystal gets stronger, until Angela isn’t sure about the scavenger hunt anymore. However, Krystal is convinced she isn’t capable of love. Angela soon realizes she is falling for a woman who may never love her back.

This was my first book by Gabriella Gamez, and it definitely won’t be my last. I really enjoyed this story about self-discovery. Angela explores her queer identity and where she fits on the asexual spectrum. I also enjoyed the slow-build romance between Angela and Krystal. It felt authentic. I enjoyed the audio narration by Ruby Corazon. I highly recommend this one to anyone that enjoys sapphic romance! I give it 4/5 stars.

Overall 3.5

Chloe, a woman who’s a little wary of love after past heartbreaks, and Lucas, a charming guy who knows how to make a grand first impression. What begins as a chance encounter soon blossoms into a slow-burn romance that is sweet, funny, and full of heart. The chemistry between Chloe and Lucas is undeniable, making every interaction between them engaging and fun. The development of their relationship feels genuine, and the pacing keeps readers hooked, wondering when (and if) they'll take the plunge from "maybe" to "yes." The book also addresses themes of trust, personal growth, and overcoming fear of vulnerability.

I thought that it was just okay, I felt like it was doing to much. Angela has just come out as ace and is still discovering what that means to her, there's the scavenger hunt, the back and forth with Krystal, then there is the family drama, a side plot involving one of Angela's favorite artists and other shenanigans. But because there is so much to cover, there is not enough time to flush everything out as much as it should be. The scavenger hunt it supposed to be a central point of the book, but half way though it feels forgotten about and it keeps happening. that being said, I do feel like the author did a good job with the ace representation and did flesh out Angela's self discovery with what it means to be ace for her.

I wanted to love this so much more than I did🙃 I read the first in this series, which I really enjoyed and I think the difference was the plot for me. The queer representation is so educational and important, specifically surrounding identity exploration. I received the audiobook for this, so maybe if I had read it I would have had a different experience. I have enjoyed this narrator in the past, but I couldn’t get past how flat of an affect the FMC had even during intimate scenes. I was confused with the scavenger hunt plot line, I mean I get why it was used but I feel like we could have done something different to get to the end goal. I do think it’s important for others to read this book, especially for how much I learned about the ACE community!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this 🎧 ARC.

I had a pretty good time with this book. Overall I didn't find it as successful for me as the first book, but I still liked it. I thought the main character was well rounded and relatable. She was insecure and flawed and all over the place and just trying to adult in today's world. There were enough side characters that it felt like a full world but not too many that I needed a chart to keep up with them. I liked the juxtaposition of her relationship with her family members and her "found family".

Honestly, the part I struggled with the most was honestly the backbone of the whole book. I LOVED seeing different representations of people of all spectrums and identities, but sometimes it got a bit clinical. Some parts felt like it was straight out of a text book from a sexuality college course. I kind of glazed over listening to certain parts because I felt like I should be taking notes for an exam. But the personal parts of her exploring her self landed better with me than the technical descriptions. I understand why they were necessary, and maybe it would have been easier to digest if I read it in a physical format so I could reread certain passages to fully absorb it.

I thought the narrator did a great job. I listened at 1.5 speed and it felt very comfortable and naturally paced.

Firstly, I love the cover. The colors, the vibe, the design. The love literally jumps out at me. I could hardly wait to start the audiobook. After just a few minutes, I was thrilled by the story and the narrator. The story about Angela is modern, beautiful, heart-warming, steamy and so damn romantic. It's a search for yourself, your sexual orientation and, of course, for true love. I loved the idea of a scavenger hunt to find the perfect woman for Angela's first kiss. And there was so much tension and longing between Angela and Krystal - god! That was really perfect and so beautifully written.

Overall, I found the characters had a lot of depth with lots of backstory and great development. And the story was just as colorful as the cover. Great LGBTQIA+ representation, especially the ACE!

I especially liked the narrator who was very fitting and her voice reflected all the emotions that happened in the story. By changing the pitch and depth of the voice, I was able to distinguish well between dialog/characters and Angela's narration. She brought the story to life. I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC.