Love in Focus is a sweet and thoughtful second-chance sapphic romance that I really enjoyed.
There’s a lot of emotion and history between the characters, and I liked how the story gave them space to unpack it. Their shared work also becomes a way for them to rediscover themselves and each other. The ending is great, its hopeful but not perfectly tied up, which is quite realistic.
The romance itself feels very real. It’s not simple or idealized—life commitments, emotional baggage, and personal growth all make their journey back to each other more complex and authentic. I appreciated how the story didn’t shy away from those messier parts of being exes and reconnecting. I found the exploration of how comforting it can be to be with someone who shares your cultural background, while also highlighting how individual upbringings can still lead to misunderstandings realistic.
I found the dual POV structure particularly interesting—Gemma’s chapters are in first person, while Celeste’s are in third. This contrast adds depth, especially as we see how differently each woman processes their shared history. The story also represents queerness in a way that is not cliché and it shows how ‘normal’ the feelings of love and complexities around a relationship are regardless of the genders.
The audiobook narration was well done, I really enjoyed Gemma’s POV narrator. That said, I found the narrator for Celeste a little flat at times, especially since the character is explained as being confident and composed. However, Celeste’s POV reveals a more vulnerable, introspective side, which balances that out.
Overall, Love in Focus isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s heartfelt and insightful. If you’re curious about bisexual relationships or the ways culture and past experiences shape who we are and how we love, this book offers a genuine and accessible look. I would recommend it!

I really wanted to love this one. And the story was really cute. I adore Natalie Naudus and I think she did a fantastic job narrating Gemma. I do however think with the point of view of Celeste, being in third person, the second narrator was not necessary. She was very monotone and very, very slow to the point where between point of views I needed to change the speed of the book multiple times I feel it made Celeste character less likable. Additionally, Celeste being biphobic was a really weird take, and having all these stereotypes about lesbians makes the author also seem lesphobic. All in all it was a cute plot line but it was lacking some love for the queer community.

thank you to lyla lee & netgalley for an arc of this book. all opinions are my own. ♡

.｡*ﾟ+.*.｡ happy publication day!! +..｡*

₊˚⊹⋆ first thoughts: ooo this looks like its gonna be so cute. a second chance hates to see me coming!
₊˚⊹⋆ final thoughts: i dont think celeste is as mysterious as she is attempted to be seen as. i feel like both her and gemma have potential to be such great characters, but they somehow lack depth. i personally didn't feel the genuine chemistry between them and i dont know if it was me or them. i do however really enjoy the plot and circumstances they find themselves in - it gives me 13 going on 30 vibes with gemma working for a magazine and celeste being hired in as the photographer. overall it's a cute book with some nice spice sprinkled in after the 60% mark. 3.5!!

Love in Focus by Lyla Lee is a sapphic second-chance romance set in present-day San Francisco, featuring two Korean-American heroines reuniting after nearly a decade apart. What should have been an emotional exploration of healing and reconnection between Gemma, a love advice columnist, and Celeste, a world-renowned photographer (and Gemma’s college ex), unfortunately fell flat for me.

The premise had potential: exes forced to collaborate on a high-profile project about modern love? Sign me up. Add to that the rich cultural details around Korean food and traditions—which I genuinely appreciated—and there were moments of promise. However, the execution left a lot to be desired.

The biggest struggle? The romance lacked emotional depth. Despite a supposed seven-year relationship in their past, Gemma and Celeste’s reconnection felt superficial and underdeveloped. Their dialogue leaned formulaic, and the emotional beats never quite hit. It often felt like they barely knew each other, both in the past and in the present.

Narrative structure added to the disjointed feeling. The story alternates between first-person present (Gemma) and third-person past (Celeste), a jarring choice that may work for some readers but made it harder for me to stay immersed. The pacing was also uneven—after a slow burn, the story pivots to a rushed third-act breakup followed by a two-year time jump. The resolution lacked payoff, especially considering how much buildup the story aimed for.

The audiobook narration by Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho was a highlight. Both narrators delivered strong, engaging performances that brought as much warmth and clarity to the characters as possible, even when the script didn’t give them much to work with.

Overall, Love in Focus reads like it was following a strict romance formula without enough originality or emotional nuance to stand out.

I really enjoyed this dual POV, second chance Sapphic adult romance debut from Lyla Lee that sees two queer Korean American former college girlfriends reunited when a work project at bisexual Gemma's magazine brings her back into lesbian photographer Celeste's orbit. Set in San Francisco, this book had emotional depth, great therapy rep (both women explore feelings about not feeling worthy of love or not believing lasting love was possible). It was also fantastic on audio narrated by Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho. Highly recommended for fans of the L Word show and authors like Ashley Herring Blake or Sarah Echavarre Smith. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: open door, lots of explicit, consensual sex

This was a very cute romance!
I enjoyed the characters and the Korean-American perspective aspect of the book, especially since both characters are korean/korean-american sapphic girls, which you usually don't see.
And I really love the pretty cover.

Synopsis
love in focus is a sapphic second chance romance, that follows Gemma and Celeste. Gemma & Celeste dated in college until Celeste broke up with Gemma over text and moved to a whole other country. Fast forward seven years Gemma gets broken up with after a seven-year relationship with her ex-fiancé, heartbroken, and after not being singe for over seven years Gemma just wants to try and have fun. Until she bumps into her college ex Celeste at a bar. Gemma having so many questions wants to know what happened 7 years ago.
Celeste, who is now a photographer, gets signed up to do a project together with Gemma for work and to make it worse it's about love. As sparks fly, they wonder if they can work on their past and if they can finish this project without getting feeling for each.

My thoughts
Sapphic books are always some of the best books out there, and this one defiantly didn't disappoint. I loved the diversity that the book had to offer with bisexual rep, Asian rep. I loved how both of them ended up going to therapy. Their relationship seemed genuine and loving in the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the alc

This was an absolute delight to read! It was witty and so well paced. I found myself binging the audiobook and pushing off other tasks just so i could kick my feet and giggle over these sapphic babes! Their second chance romance felt gut wrenching, relatable and realistic in a way that comforted the soul.

3.5

This was fine. I didn't love it and definitely didn't hate it but I mostly wanted to check this book out prior to it being released in a book box later this summer and I don't think it would have been worth the expensive price point that comes with book boxes.

There is a biphobic comment made by one of the MCs but I don't think its based in biphobia and rather her disappointment and frustration that her ex had moved on so fast. It happens early on in the book but only the one time. The comment is made by Celeste about Gemma. I think my personal frustrations with this line, especially coming from Celeste, is that we get minimal POVs from her compared to Gemma, and the POV chapters we do get, don't super endear me to her or make me understand more of the "why" around the reasoning and her feelings about bi people.

I don't really have much to say about this story. I did like that there were two narrators for this story, however I don't think the audiobook was anything spectacular.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the early copy of the audiobook!

This is my first novel by this author and I know I will be reading more from her. This book was short but a good time. I liked both Gemma and Celeste and enjoyed having chapters with both their POVs. I also think this book had good discussion on love and being in your late twenties. I can see some not liking Gemma as she can be a bit all over the place but I think the author did a good job developing her character. The only thing I did not care for was the fact that Celeste kept harping on Gemma moving on after she ghosted her first, I thought that was a bit immature. Besides that, I had a good time with this book and would recommend it. I also listened to this in tandem with the e-book and it was probably the better reading experience.

Love in Focus features Gemme and Celeste, college exs who are thrown back together for a work project. Realing from a recent breakup with her fiance of seven years, Gemma is woefully unprepared to deal with the feelings Celeste's return bring back.
This second chance romance is very cute and relatable. Delilah Green Doesn't Care is listed as a comp title and I think that is right on point. Celeste is obviously inspired by Delilah, a tall, dark-haired lesbian covered in tattoos and working as a free lance photographer. Thankfully, past that character description and the circumstances that bring the main characters together, the story goes on to build its own identity.
I love that this book touches on the topics of intersectionality and looks into deeper issues such as the lack of elder queers and lack of Queer representation in Korean culture.
I think the book was cute, but it's not something I'd read again.

I didn’t really like this book. There’s an unnecessary biphobic comment about 15% into the book. Even if I ignored that though, it was just okay. I didn’t really think it was paced well or like the way the POVs were written.

I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it.

The audiobook specifically, I always enjoy Natalie Naudus. Catherine Ho was fine as well but my enjoyment of her chapters ties back to my enjoyment of how the POVs were done so perhaps not on the narration.

I have a special place in my heart for second-chance romances. Gemma is excited for the opportunity to show her skills at work, the only bump in the road is having to work with Celeste who damaged her heart. I liked the self discovery that Gemma goes through with the insane circumstances in her life.

This was a fast listen full with tension and second chances. After almost a decade after breaking up they’re thrown together for a clever and very cute plot of forced proximity. I really appreciated the growth that needed to happen for both characters and how the story took us through it. Would recommend for anyone interested in a quick and steamy sapphic read.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this 🎧 ARC.

Basic info:
- Contemporary (sapphic) romance
- Double POV, mixture of 1st and 3rd POV, single timeline with references to the past
- Standalone

Tropes & hooks:
- LGBTQ+
- Second chance
- Asian FMMs
- Columnist/Photographer
- Forced proximity

Some of my random thoughts about this book:
- Generally speaking, cute, easy to read, on a shorter side romance book. This book is mostly character driven.
- The book switches between Gemma's POV in the first person, and Celeste's POV in third person. If you combine that with the fact that there are less Celeste's chapter and they are shorter, I feel like we know Gemma better.
- It was really interesting reading about Korean culture (also traditions and food) and some of the problems Gemma and Celeste encounter for not fitting into some of said culture standards.
- It was a really interesting idea to make Gemma and Celeste to view their relationship and just love in general through the interview with different couples. The whole concept of this article about successful relationships is wholesome.
- Generally speaking their romance is very cute. It's low-stake stake, with no major drama or toxicity. (Except may be Gemma's ex XD) I personally just didn't feel overly obsessed with it. It was nice to read about, but not something I'll be thinking about in a week or two. I was a little iffy about their separation reason. They both could just communicate a little better and avoid their separation (but then, this book wouldn't exist XD)
- The audiobook was great, I have no complaints about the quality or the narration style/narrators. I had consumes the audiobook in one day, definitely recommend.

* I received an ALC of this book, all opinions are my own.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever 💌 for the opportunity to listen to this ARC audiobook! 🎧

Love in Focus by Lyla Lee is a gorgeous second-chance sapphic romance that hit all the right notes 🎶💞 It follows Gemma Cho, a love advice columnist ✍️ who’s paired with her ex-girlfriend — the elegant, successful Celeste Min 💼📷 — for a magazine feature on modern love.
What could go wrong… or very, very right? 👀🔥

Their forced proximity turns into something much deeper as they navigate old wounds, rekindled attraction, and emotional healing 🥺🫶

The audiobook narration was fantastic 🎙️ — truly brought both POVs to life in a way that felt intimate and emotionally resonant 🩷

I especially loved the Korean rep, the quiet emotional beats, and the nuanced exploration of what it means to fall in love again — but better 🌿🌈💗

Highly recommend if you love soft but deeply felt romance, second chances, and queer joy in all its quiet brilliance 💫📚

I absolutely loved the narrators for this books. Reading it was nice, but the narrators really brought it to life.

As someone who is attracted to both genders but struggled to find my sexuality, this really hit the mark. Gemma’s thought process was exactly what went through my head at 18, when I finally knew I liked both men and women. Yes I married a man, who I’m madly in love with and loyal too. But that doesn’t change my sexuality.

Gemma was relatable—how I like my FMC’s. I could relate to her thought process and I wanted to jump in and give her a hug and tell her “you are lovable. It’s not your fault your exes suck!!”

Val is my spirit animal. The games, the anime, the wanting to stay home… I have never related to a character more.

Now with Celeste and Gemma… I never condone getting back with an ex (been there done that). But they meet the exception. The first time around it felt more like the right person at the wrong time kind of thing. There was not much communication and when either party was ready to talk the other wasn’t .

Gemma’s parents are awesome.

I wish Celeste had communicated properly to Gemma. It was clear Gemma cared and wanted to be there for Celeste. Everyone copes differently but ghosting your girlfriend is not okay. I don’t think Gemma is in the wrong for moving on.

This was a good book and I definitely did not yell at the phone, when something happened in the audiobook. And the tensionnnnnnnnn, I loved it. I was rooting for them the whole time!

If you love second chances, forced proximity, friends with benefits, sapphic romance. Then this is for you!

Personal Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

TROPES: SECOND CHANCE, FORCED PROXIMITY, COWORKERS, SAPPHIC,

This was overall an enjoyable read. I enjoyed Celeste’s and Gemma’s relationship. I loved Kiara and Val’s relationship and how they take care of Gemma. The third act conflict I found to be reasonable but rushed/unnecessary. There was smut, which was a little expected, but I thought it was done well and wasn’t over the top or the main focus of the story. It seemed natural for the two characters.

Overall I enjoyed this read.

This was a cute second-chance-at-love story. I enjoyed the plot, the history between the characters and the character development. I always enjoy a sapphic love story, but I really appreciated that the novel also featured a bi/pan character and addressed biphobia a bit.

3 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very quick read. I've been struggling with finishing audiobooks, but I read this in about a day. This was an immediate pick-me-up and I love how effortlessly queer it was. I really like seeing Gemma and Celeste's experiences as queer Korean women, and how they related and differed. I like Gemma's friends and how they were a nonjudgmental support system for her.

The choice to have Gemma's POV be in first person and Celeste's in third felt a little awkward. I do wish Celeste had more chapters and we were given a chance to learn more about her and her life. Despite the characters being in their late 20s/freshly 30, they came off very young. At most, I would have guessed everyone to be 22 or 23 years old. While the book had a fun premise and good bones, I don't feel like the execution was pushed as far as it could have been. The main characters felt underdeveloped, the side characters were underutilized, and the romance was rushed and lacked depth. I also wish certain things were challenged, like Celeste's insecurities with Gemma's bisexuality.

The narrators did a wonderful job portraying Gemma and Celeste. Natalie Naudus continues to be one of my all time favorite narrators. This was my first audiobook with Catherine Ho and I look forward to hearing more in the future.

Despite not loving this as much as I wanted, this was a nice, lighthearted read. I am interested in checking out Lyla Lee's backlist and picking up any future adults books they put out.