Gemma Cho and Celeste Min were college roommates and seemingly first loves. But Celeste returned to Korea and ghosts Gemma in their last year. Celeste moves on to James, a guy in their friend group. Fast forward eight years and James calls off their engagement and Gemma is now sleeping on her best friend's sofa. At the magazine where Gem works she gets the chance to write the cover story article. A special photographer has been hired and it is her ex Celeste.

There are parts of this book that are very engaging. Gem is sweet and hard working. She initially isn’t thrilled to see Celeste again but it is a chance to get the answers as to why she left. Celeste is talented and is closed off to new relationships because she never got over Gem. I like the honesty between the two. I like the discussion of the lack of queer representation in media, especially older couples. And they both carry the extra burden of Asian cultural expectations. As Celeste points out gay marriage is not yet recognized in her home country let alone her family.

Some parts of the book I wanted something more. James could have been more of an antagonist. And I was thrown when it was switched to Celeste’s POV because it switched to first person and I found that jarring. And I didn’t need a grand gesture but did want a little something more for their HEA. I know they are going to get their HEA but I wanted more in the moment. But overall a very enjoyable sapphic second chance romance.

This story was cute. I enjoyed it.
1. Since I received the narration of this book I feel it’s only right for me to comment on the narration. Natalie Naudus is an exceptional narrator. I will read anything she narrates. Her work in this book was no exception. I very much enjoyed her narrating.
However, if there wasn’t a name listed next to the second narrator in this dual narration, I would have thought it was AI. I will try more or Catherine Ho’s work but this wasn’t great. It was so monotoned. It lacked emotion. Honestly, Natalie could have done both parts and it would have been fine. I feel like the narrator seemed like a different person from the character. Like the character was younger but the narration made her seem way older.

As for the story, I love sapphic romances. I think they’re so much fun and beautiful and raw. They show their emotions and how they really feel in the moments.

Spoilers below






I will say that the third act “breakup” is an annoying trope BUT this one was good because it showed that they each took that time to truly grow and not just realize they wanted to be together, or something. It was deeper than just their relationship.

Overall good book. I would definitely recommend it.

Probably more like a 2.75 but I rounded up.

In general, I liked the concept of the book. Two exes forced to work together on a project and rekindling their romance over time. And I enjoyed the flow of the prose and the writing.

I think that where it went wrong was how quickly the conflict with her and Celeste was resolved. The didn't talk for over 8 years and then resolve everything within a chapter. I guess I was hoping for something more drawn out, and so the middle was kind of flat once that was resolved. I also think we didn't really need Celeste's point of view at all actually; it didn't really add much to the story since it was so sparsely included, and mostly just gave me the impression that she was kind of biphobic. The characters also struck me more as new adult sometimes than 30 year olds with all of their PDA, it made me cringe internally.

I almost wish we had gotten to explore a little more the conflict with James, but all in all I like the way that conflict and the story was wrapped up as a whole. I think it really showed how the events changed her and how their relationship would actually work this time around.

The narrator did a great job, and I would definitely listen to another book read by her.

The first thing I noticed about this book was its gorgeous cover. Then I read the blurb and knew I wanted to hear this audiobook. I mean, I‘m a romance reader… of course I want to hear a second chance romance about two exes who have to work together on an article about love!

I liked the narrator reading Gemma, Natalie Naudus, a lot, but Catherine Ho, the narrator for Celeste didn‘t sound natural to me at all. She made long pauses between sentences and it felt irritating to me. Overall, the audio was easy to follow and there was a clear difference in the sound pattern, so you always knew who was talking.

Throughout the book, the FMC interviews different couples about their love story and the last question always was, how would you define love? For me, that was the leading theme of the story. We get to accompany Gemma and Celeste while they define their love. This was a sweet story, a feel-good story. It was an everyday love story, that could have happened to you or one of your friends.

Gemma was a really thought-through character. She had some quirks, but that just made her more likable. But I had my troubles with Celeste. To me, she came across as self-centred and a bit manipulative. I mean really, she breaks up with her girlfriend of over a year via text and without explanation and then she has ne nerve to be hurt when said girlfriend moves on? Also, she always complains that her mother doesn‘t accept that she‘s a lesbian, but then shows biphobic tendencies herself? James was a bit too stereotypical portrayed for me and I felt like there was wasted potential in the situation with him.
This story could have been more, but nevertheless it was really cute and I‘m sure it will lighten your day!

Thank you to Lyla Lee, NetGalley, and Hachette Audio for the ALC!

The comparison to The Bold Type is really what convinced me to read this book but unfortunately it wasn’t giving me the same feelings as the show. The book itself was a decent read. There were parts of both Celeste and Gemma that I could relate to. Maybe it was the pace or the timing but the ease of forgiveness between them before they got back together was throwing me off. The audiobook was great. I was able to fly through it. Sort of middle of the road for me overall!

Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
There is underlying tones of biphobia in this book and @buffyreads on threads pointed out what I had been feeling and I found out that this is never addressed so I decided to DNF at 28%. The love interest Celeste is angry that the MC moved on back in college when she basically ghosted her when she had to leave for a family emergency. This is classic miscommunication but the underlying tone of why Celeste is so mad is because the MC moved on with a man. She literally says it's 'a lesbians worst nightmare' which is just so biphobic. I continued as I hoped this would be addressed since I was loving the rest of the story but it never does so I wouldn't recommend this.

I loved the audio and I would have definitely recommended the audiobook as it has dual narrators if there wasn't biphobia in this.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hachette Audio and Lyla Lee for this audioARC in exchange for an honest review

Okay, so I have to admit, I’m not usually a romance reader at all. But I’ve been trying to branch out lately since last month (I blame booksta where I keep feeling like I’m missing out), and Love in Focus was such a pleasant surprise! It’s the kind of book that feels like a sweet strawberry on a sunny day, even though I went into it fully expecting to be skeptical.

Gemma, the main character, was such a refreshing protagonist. She felt real in a way that not all characters do—flaws, messy emotions, and all. Some people might find her a little prickly or frustrating at times, but that’s exactly why I loved her. She wasn’t just a "perfect" love interest waiting to happen. She had depth, insecurities, and a personality that jumped off the page. Celeste, on the other hand, was instantly likeable, but I do wish we’d gotten to know her a little better. She was charming and sweet, but compared to Gemma, she felt a very underdeveloped and 2 dimensional. That said, their relationship was adorable. It wasn’t overly dramatic or full of unnecessary angst—just two girls figuring things out in a way that felt genuine and heartwarming.

And can we talk about Gemma’s found family? Because they were everything. I’m a total sucker for quirky, supportive side characters, and this book delivered. They added so much warmth and humor to the story, and I found myself grinning every time they showed up. It’s the kind of friend group that makes you wish you could jump into the book and join them for coffee (or in their case a manifestation ritual).

The writing style was light and breezy, which fit the story perfectly—it made for such an easy, enjoyable read. My only real complaint was the occasional random switch to third-person POV? It wasn’t constant, but every time it happened, it pulled me out of the story for a second. Still, it wasn’t enough to ruin my enjoyment.

Overall, Love in Focus was exactly what I needed—a cute, low-stakes romance with enough heart to keep me hooked. It’s the kind of book I’d recommend for a lazy afternoon, especially if you’re curled up in the sun with a snack and want something sweet and uplifting.

4.5 / 5 Stars

5-Star ARC Review: Love in Focus by Lyla Lee

Thank you so much to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review!

Love in Focus by Lyla Lee is a heartfelt, swoony, and utterly addictive sapphic romance that had me hooked from the very first page. I found myself reaching for this book outside my usual reading time—always a sign that I’m reading something special.

From the moment we meet Gemma, I was sold. She’s punchy, chatty, and quirky in the best way. Her narration is fast-paced and full of personality, delivering necessary background in a way that feels natural and honest—more like you’re catching up with a friend than sitting through an info dump. Her struggles with modern dating are hilariously relatable, and while her string of failed dates made me laugh, they also perfectly captured the exhausting reality of finding love in the digital age.

Celeste is a strong counterpoint to Gemma, and while her initial coldness feels frustrating, it makes sense as the story unfolds. Her heart was broken, and although I didn’t necessarily agree that both she and Gemma were at fault for their past, I appreciated how their history was treated with honesty and nuance. They were just kids then, and their growth is apparent throughout the story.

And let me tell you—these two have magnets for lips. The chemistry is undeniable and electric. If my ex-girlfriend wrapped her arm around my waist and told people we were together, I’d also have a heart attack. The tension and longing between them are so well written, and when the spice finally comes? Gloriously hot. Pure perfection.

The cultural touches—especially the inclusion of Korean language and traditions—added such richness to the story. It made the world feel that much more alive and gave extra depth to both main characters, especially Celeste. I loved that her reluctance to pursue relationships wasn’t just about a broken heart, but tied into family dynamics and her upbringing. It added a layer of sadness that grounded her decisions in something deeper.

The side characters, especially Val and Kiara, are such sweet and supportive presences. I adored them. They uplifted the story and showed how important chosen family and good friends are in the journey to love.

The ending was everything I hoped for—sweet, satisfying, and full of genuine character growth. Love in Focus is romantic, funny, emotional, and beautifully diverse. I loved every second and can’t wait to see what Lyla Lee writes next.

5 stars.

I overall enjoyed this book! It’s not often you see not only queer / LGBTQIA+ representation, but with an added Asian rep twist. There was one part of the book where the characters are having an emotional conversation about the unfortunate reality for gay people in Asia still and it really hit home because it’s still so accurate. There’s been some change in social acceptance, but still a long way to go.

The two FMC’s I thought were well rounded. This is a second chance romance where they dated in college but one of them suddenly up and left and ghosted the other. Both of their pains from that situation felt so realistic and valid and I loved that both of them were able to recognize and apologize for the pain they caused the other. The development of their reignited relationship felt good. Not forced, not toxic at all.

On the audio specifically:
I liked the two narrators overall! They did a good job with the pacing of each of their sections, and there was definitely enough differentiation in tone that there was no way you’d be confused about who’s speaking. My one gripe though was that even though both characters are Korean (and from what I gather speak Korean and understand the culture), one of the narrators mispronounces a few words. It’s a personal pet peeve and I just wish narrators would just take a few moments to learn the phonetics of the words they’re trying to pronounce. Otherwise, it was great audio!!

Thanks to Hachette audio and NetGalley for this arc!

I thought this audiobook was great. The narrators were great. Not over the top and soothing really. Love the representation in this book as well!

This romance novel was a quick read that kept my attention throughout. I found the latter portion of the book to be more earnest and predictable than the start, but not in a way that was too off putting. I do wish the author described more than told more often - it would have helped build up the tension between the characters. Because of the telling nature, I wasn’t deeply bought into the romance.

The dual POV was interesting in that one used first person and the other third. The second speakers speed was much slower that the first narrator, so I did find myself needing to adjust the read back time in the app between chapters.

3 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

This one was cute. I’m starting to really enjoy second chance romance. The characters have some depth, though they’re not as fleshed out as I like. I think too much time is spent on Gemma’s ex and while it’s integral to the story and growth of our FMC I don’t think they needed to be mentioned as often as they were. However overall it’s a fun easy read.

This is the first book I’ve read where one point of view is done in first person, and the second is done in third and I actually kind of hated it. It was distracting and hurt the flow of the story for me.

I also listened to this on audio and quite frankly I wish I hadn’t. The narrator for Celeste sounded like a robot. My initial reaction was AI, but after doing some research it’s clearly not. However there was no emotion and it was just so flat and matter of fact I was pulled out of the story every single time we switched to her pov. The narrator for Gemma though did a fantastic job and really brought the character to life. I definitely would’ve enjoyed this one more had I read it as opposed to listing.

Thank you to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley for an ALC of this novel.

3.75/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️

In my pursuit of reading stores with more diverse characters, I was excited to read (listen) to this during AAPI month! This book follows Gemma and Celeste, two Korean women who met, lived together, and dated during college. Celeste suddenly leaves one day after a year together, texting Gemma to break up. Celeste doesn’t share that it is because her mom got sick and she had to go home to Korea to take care of her. Gemma moves on and meets a man she ends up dating and getting engaged to after 7 years together.

Fast forward and Gemma’s fiancé breaks up with her out of the blue, leaving her heartbroken and homeless. She ends up moving in with friends and taking on a big project at work… where she ends up working with Celeste. Over the course of working with Celeste, they explore what happened and where they go from here. Will they end up together since Celeste lives in LA and Gemma lives in SF?

The audiobook was narrated by Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho, who both did excellent jobs portraying their characters. I am grateful that when audiobook narrators are being chosen, they are selecting narrators that identify similarly to the characters. In this instance, both narrators are of Asian descent. It adds a layer of authenticity that wouldn’t otherwise be there.

This was SUCH a sweet romance audio listen!

I loved the second-chance romance between our two main characters, Celeste and Gemma.
Second-chance romance can be tricky because the author needs to convince the reader that the two characters do belong together, even if it didn't work out the first time, and Lyla Lee really did that for me. I wanted them to be together so badly. You could feel they had unfinished business with each other, and I was rooting for them the whole time.

It was so interesting reading a sapphic romance where both characters were Korean. I loved how that played into the storyline in a beautiful way. There were also great side characters and I loved how different queer experiences were talked about and reflected.

If you're looking for a great lesbian romance audio listen, definitely check this one out! It is so romantic and steamy.

Thank you Netgalley!

If love is a lens through which we see the world, then Love in Focus is a beautifully filtered snapshot of second chances, soft sapphic yearning, and the messiness of modern romance—with just the right amount of character growth and emotional honesty.

This sapphic second chance romance follows Gemma, a bisexual relationship advice columnist reeling from a sudden breakup, and Celeste, the tattooed, artsy ex who ghosted her back in college and is now—surprise!—the photographer on Gemma’s career-defining assignment. The story is witty, cozy, a little spicy, and delivers on so many good tropes:
📸 Workplace forced proximity
📸 Second chance romance
📸 Bisexual rep
📸 Queer Asian MCs navigating cultural expectations
📸 redemption arc

Let’s talk about the audiobook, because that’s where this rom-com really flourished. Natalie Naudus, narrating Gemma, was a standout. She absolutely captured Gemma’s blend of self-doubt, wit, and underlying optimism. From the snarky inner monologues to vulnerable heartbreak and cautiously rekindled feelings, Natalie nailed the emotion. Listening to her was like having your clever best friend spill her feelings over a glass of wine.

Catherine Ho, who voices Celeste, had a quieter energy. Her tone was warm and even, and had the charisma I expected from a globe-trotting, leather-jacket-wearing, cool-girl photographer. Celeste, as written, is a character with big vibes, and the narration matched that presence.

The story itself? So bingeable. I devoured it over a weekend. Gemma and Celeste’s journey back to each other was sweet, reflective, and layered with identity, culture, and just the right amount of romantic tension. It also isn’t afraid to explore themes like emotional avoidance, queer erasure in immigrant families, and self-worth.

I wanted more angst. More mess. More of Celeste wrestling with what she did and more of Gemma processing it before so easily letting her back in. This ghosting wasn't a missed text—it was an eight-year blackout. But that's just me who loves the DRAMA! lol.

Thank you again to Lyla Lee, NetGalley, and Hachette Audio for the ALC!

This was one of my most anticipated reads and I was SO excited to get approved for the an advanced copy of the audiobook. The narrators were both great and really embodied Gemma and Celeste.
Love in Focus is a sapphic second-chance romance that will have you swooning. I really loved and connected to both characters. I felt Gemma and Celeste’s need to be near each other no matter in what form and I was rooting for them throughout the entire book. As someone who took a break before starting forever with their partner, time apart really can help two people grow both individually and within their relationship. I find that to be really important in this story and I found it to be very realistic. The spice in this book was also perfect and it tied in well with the story.

I’m a Lyla Lee lover through and through!!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and Hachette Audio for the ALC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC! Celeste and Gemma were so cute and their shared history of almost a decade made this second chance romance all the more special. I loved that they were both journalists who met again through a work project — so sweet and made me feel connected to their story that much more. This sapphic, WOC romance didn’t disappoint in one bit. Highly recommend, especially the audio!

3.5 ⭐️, leaning towards 4⭐️

I really enjoyed this story. I found both of the main characters to be realistic, and the way they interacted with each other and the other characters felt authentic. I really enjoyed the narrator for the audiobook. I felt their pacing was great and the inflections for each character made them stand out. I do feel like it was a little too long. I was more invested in the romance than the side plot and it got to around the 80% mark and I felt like we could have started wrapping things up then. While I enjoyed the characters, it didn’t feel like they have ever had a relationship. They really acted more like strangers or acquaintances, and I kept forgetting this was a second chance romance. Nothing about the romance or the plot was life changing, and it was a little more fluffy (nothing wrong with that! sometimes we need fluff!) but that’s why I settled on a 3.5 star and not a full 4 star rating.

Thank you NetGalley, Hachette Audio and Forever for sending this audiobook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Well this book was an amazing surprise! I started listening to the audio on a whim, and one chapter in I was hooked! The story follows Gemma and Celeste, who were together in college until circumstances and misunderstandings forced them apart. 8 years later, they are writing a magazine article together on Modern Love, and sparks are rekindled between them! I really loved the story, and I believed the chemistry between Gemma and Celeste. I really felt the pining and angst between them from all the years apart. I also even liked the third act breakup! I really felt it was necessary for the growth of both characters, and I felt like their happy ending was really hard earned and worth it. (Also, the spicy scenes were H.O.T.)

The audiobook was excellent, the narrators really brought all the characters to life and kept me engaged in the story. I highly recommend!

3.5, but I round up.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette audio for this audiobook!
This is a super cute, if a little tropey sapphic romance! Celeste and Gemma are very cute characters with great chemistry! The books reads as a little uneven. This is made truer by the switch from third person POV for one character and first person for the main character. While I did not personally find this jarring, there also wasn't an obvious literary reason for it, which was kinda a bummer. I wanted to know more about both characters, cus I really liked them! I will definitely read more by this author.