I quite liked this book.It was very sweet and definitely a good read for pride month!Tbh this was my first ever sapphic book I've ever read.It was a fun and sweet read and worth the read! I listened to the audiobook and finished this in 3 days(which is quite fast for me )! Summary(mostly from goodreads) When her boyfriend of seven years suddenly breaks up with her, relationship advice columnist Gemma Cho is convinced that real love doesn’t exist. As a bisexual woman who’s had zero luck with both men and women, she’s ready to give up on her own romantic prospects. That is, until she's paired up with world-renowned photographer Celeste Min on a potentially career-saving piece on modern love. Celeste is extremely talented , and would be the perfect collaborator and rebound for Gemma for their project—if it weren’t for the fact that she’s Gemma’s college ex, the one that broke her heart through text in college and moved to a whole other country before Gemma could even make sense of what went wrong between them. Heightened by the unmistakable sparks that still fly between them, Gemma and Celeste struggle to keep their relationship strictly professional. For the sake of her career, Gemma needs this piece to do well. And for the sake of what’s left of her beaten up hopeless romantic heart, she wants to fall head over heels for Celeste again. More of my review: I loved Gemma and Celeste's sweet relationship! They worked so well together too!I love how they slowly warmed up to eachother again and how Celeste told Gemma about her family and why she in such a rush to leave the country.No miscommunication!!!I also live for Gemma's friend group.Like the found family 😍😍They were so supportive and literally the best people to have your back while you go through a relationship crisis!The other Sapphic couple in yhe friend group was also so adorable! I honestly kinda want a novella just about them 🤣🤣
believable
change and grow
likeable
relatable
clever plotting

This was a really sweet story! I enjoyed the characters and their connection. The narration was well done and enjoyable to listen to.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review!


This was a fun and quick read! I'm a true sucker for a second chance romance, and this one mostly scratched that itch. Gemma and Celeste felt like real people, and I could easily empathize with their struggles as queer women. This made it so easy to root for them. It was refreshing to see a couple in a romcom actually communicate; there was no miscomminication that leads to a big third act conflict.

This did however lead to the book having fairly low stakes. I never experienced that moment of 'but how will they resolve this?' I'm not saying the author had to force a miscommunication trope in there, but I do think a little conflict would have made this book a bit more interesting.


I should also mention that I recieved this as an audio book, and the narrators did a great job!


If you're looking for a cute romance book with diverse characters, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
Edit Review

I wanted to love this book, I mean just look at the cover. However coming off of a high from one of my favorite wlw romances this year, this one just didn't do it. I will say that reading it so close to another one probably wasn't fair, but I just didn't feel strongly about these characters.

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for my early copy.

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook arc!

Gemma and Celeste were so cute together and their scenes while working on their job's project.
I especially loved how the actually communicated and even though sometimes there were issues, they went and talked about it, instead of going on assuming the worst. At the end they had both grown a lot I really enjoyed how they didn't immediately jump into their relationship but took it slow.

This was a cute little LGBTQ read. Also loved the added multi cultural relationship aspect however I feel like it lacked the character depth I wanted. The writing was kinda surface level (I felt like I was told things rather than written in a way that would evoke emotions) and I really just wanted more from the story and the characters. I loved the premise and the ideas of who the characters would be but it just fell a little flat.

I did the audio for this one and I have mixed feelings about it. I really didn’t like Celeste’s voice actor. This maybe a me problem but it was just so jarring to me when we would switch to her POV. I also think her POV was not really necessary as the majority of the story was told from Gemma’s POV—this may have been more the issue. It was set up that Celeste was a main character but she acted more like a side character. Definitely think we needed more Celeste or just cut her POV altogether. Though there were some aspects I found lacking it’s still a very cute, fun, little rom-com and a perfect read for summer!

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio for an ALC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Love in Focus by Lyla Lee is a strange yet wonderful love story that explores second chances in a truly heartfelt way. At the center of the novel are two female leads who are brought together to work on an interview project about love. This setup adds a unique and thoughtful perspective to the story, allowing readers to reflect on the many ways love can look and feel in different lives.
The interviews they conduct with other people are especially moving, as they reveal the deep, diverse, and sometimes unexpected forms that love can take. These moments give the book emotional weight and help build a broader understanding of what love means beyond just romantic relationships.
One of the most beautiful elements of the novel is how it weaves culture into the story. Both main characters come from backgrounds rich with tradition and expectations, and the way their cultural identities shape their experiences, beliefs, and even communication styles is handled with care and depth. It adds another layer to the story that makes their journey feel more authentic and relatable.
Their relationship is full of miscommunication, learning, and growth. Watching them slowly figure out how to really talk to each other felt honest and rewarding. However, there is an odd shift from first-person to third-person narration that pulled me out of the story a bit. It felt jarring and unnecessary, especially in such a character-driven book.
The ending is sweet and satisfying, but the conflict felt slightly drawn out—as if it was extended just to add more length rather than serve the story naturally. Still, the overall message of love, connection, and understanding shines through.
Love in Focus is a lovely read that offers a thoughtful look at relationships, identity, and the different ways we find our way back to each other. It’s tender, culturally rich, and full of heart.

3.5⭐️ | 2🌶️

This book was so sweet and heartwarming.

I connected with Gemma right from chapter one—she was a compelling and layered character who absolutely carried the story. Her voice felt honest, vulnerable, and real.

One of the highlights for me was her dynamic with her friend group. Every scene with them felt lively, relatable, and full of joy. It made the story feel grounded in a way I really appreciated.

As a woman in a wlw relationship, I also genuinely appreciated the representation in this book. It felt affirming to see a story centered on a queer woman navigating identity and connection.

Even the third-act breakup—which I usually hate—worked for me. I understood why Gemma needed that time to grow and figure herself out.

Now… onto my issues with the book.

Celeste was my biggest struggle. Her POV being written in third person made her feel distant and emotionally unavailable, which was frustrating since she was already written as cold and reserved. The result? She felt more robotic than real.

What really bothered me, though, was the lack of accountability around her internalized biphobia. Early on, she implies that Gemma was just “experimenting” when they were together in college and eventually went back to dating men—but this is never addressed again. No conversation, no closure. That silence felt like a huge missed opportunity for growth and healing.

And don’t even get me started on that last scene with Gemma’s ex (whatever his name was). Why on earth did we need a random cheating plot at the very end? That conflict was resolved at the beginning of the book—we didn’t need to circle back to it. 🙄

I received this book as a ALC in exchange for a honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the author.

This was Honestly was a very cute and easy read. The relationship seemed healthy and great. Great pride read!! Thank you forever for the ALC

I love that this book has queer asian main characters, but the story itself wasn't as enticing as I thought it'd be. It was very easy to listen to and I enjoyed the narrators, Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho, but something within the writing was definitely lacking for me. I didn't really empathize with the characters and didn't particularly care about what happened to them. It wasn't for me but might be for you!

Thank you Hachette Audio | Forever for the title of this ALC and Forever for the ALC of this title.

4⭐️

Gemma & Celeste are two exs that haven’t heard from each other in almost ten years. After sharing a romance like no other in college that ended with broken hearts in different countries both women have to team up on a project together. Can the women put aside their differences or will they rent a Uhaul together? 😉

Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho were incredible narrators and really brought the characters to life. They helped make Celeste and Gemma’s voices distinctive where some sapphic books can get muddled. Celeste’s chapters were in 3rd POV which sometimes felt a little weird and made it feel like this was Gemma’s book and Celeste just added some context from time to time. I really loved Celeste and wish she had 1st POV too.

A cute and sweet read that would make a great pallet cleanser between bigger/intenser reads🩷. I’ll definitely be picking up more of Lyla Lee’s work in the future.

3.5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for letting me listen and enjoy this book.

I was sold at sapphic! This book was super cute read following our two main characters who get a second chance romance after an 8 year split. I enjoyed getting to know both Celeste and Gemma. I liked finding out how they have changed since they were last together and how they have in certain aspects stayed the same. I love the Asian queer rep, I haven’t read much of it. I liked the kick ass females not taking crap from no man and letting him know it. There were a couple spicy scenes which I felt blended nicely with the story and what was happening. I was looking the tension between Celeste and Gemma.
I appreciated that we had two narrators and that they played their parts perfectly. I would absolutely recommend this one.

Gemma thought she had her future figured out until her long term boyfriend turned fiancé dumps her without explanation. As if that wasn’t enough, her next assignment is to write a piece on Modern Love and she’s paired with her first love and college ex, Celeste, a talented photographer with whom she shares both unresolved history and undeniable chemistry. As the two focus on capturing Modern Love, old wounds resurface but so do sparks.

This is a charming second chance romance! This was a cozy, low-drama sapphic romance with likable characters who felt human: flawed, yes, but not toxic, cringy, or annoying. There was conflict and emotional baggage, but it was handled with maturity, self-awareness (eventually), and solid communication. The only thing that kept me from feeling fully invested was the pacing.

The audiobook features dual POV narration from Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho, both narrators I’ve listened to before and enjoyed! Natalie Naudus is at the top of her game, and while both performances were strong, the pacing between them occasionally felt mismatched, which slightly disrupted the listening rhythm.

If you’re looking for a cozy, queer romance that’s warm, affirming, and grounded in emotional realism, I recommend Love in Focus.

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

Are you looking for a fun, second chance romance that has a slightly slower burn? You want it to be a mix of cute, sweet, and steamy? It should be heartwarming but also have a splash of tension? I’d suggest picking up this book.

While the touch of tension comes from a bit of a classic situation, it still felt fresh. Gemma and Celeste are forced to work together years after their relationship had ended and their hearts never fully recovered. Is it fate that the project they're working on focuses on couples and love? Could this inspire them to give each other a second chance?

I enjoyed listening to this book. The narrators did a wonderful job and it was easy to get swept into the story. I listened for a few hours at a time without realizing how much time went by.

I didn’t catch it right away but Gemma is written in first person while Celeste is written in third. Once I did notice this, I was pulled slightly out of the story when the point of view changes but it wasn’t a total deal breaker for me (majority of the book is from Gemma’s point of view.) I think reading it instead of listening would have had less of an impact for me.

If I’m in need of a feel good/cozy read I’d pick this book back up for a re-listen/reread.

Book Rating 3.5/4
Audiobook Rating: 4/5

3.5⭐️

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year - that cover is GORGEOUS and I am always so excited to see more sapphic romance - and I am so sad to say this story didn’t quite come together for me.

The positive: I LOVED Gemma! After both of her long term relationships ended poorly, she could have wallowed for a long while and no one would have judged her for it, BUT she decided to hell with that and with the help of her wonderful friends, got up, brushed herself off, and did the damn thing. If you look up the word effervescent, Gemma’s picture would be next to it. She is loyal, optimistic (but not in a toxic positivity way), witty, and always ready to celebrate and support her friends. And Natalie Naudus (a personal favorite narrator!) was the PERFCT choice for Gemma and captured her spirit so perfectly.

What didn’t work… Celeste’s biphobia and the fact that it was never addressed… MAJOR yikes and hard pass. This was incredibly disappointing to see presented a few times throughout the story and I really wish the author and editors has addressed this. I also did not like how Celeste was frustrated with Gemma for moving on months later even though Celeste GHOSTED Gemma. Celeste, what did you think was going to happen when you went radio silent?! I also found Catherine Ho to be an odd choice to narrate Celeste’s chapters. Ho read the chapters well, but there wasn’t much emotion in the performance and I also thought Ho sounded a little too old for Celeste’s age.

Overall, this had some very cute moments and I loved the friendships, message of loving yourself, the prioritization of mental health, and therapy advocacy, but Celeste’s biphobia really impacted my reading experience.

This audiobook was super entertaining and easy to listen to, the narrator’s did a great job!
The writing was a bit cringe at some points and sometimes it was hard to root for either of the protagonists.
I adore the queer representation in this and it was mostly well done but I do think some parts could be seen as bi-phobic.

This was a cute story! I feel like the pacing was a little off for me at times (somethings just felt rushed and I couldn't relate) but overall I did enjoy my time listening to this one. I enjoyed both FMC's and I liked the setting/work atmosphere overall.

First and Foremost, thank you to Lyla Lee, Hachette Audio and Netgalley for an Advanced Audiobook of Love in Focus in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:
When bisexual relationship columnist Gemma Cho is paired with her ex, celebrity photographer Celeste Min, for a career-defining project on modern love, she’s forced to confront the sparks—and heartbreak—that still linger between them. As the two travel and collaborate, old wounds resurface alongside undeniable chemistry. But while Gemma wants to believe in love again, she’s not sure Celeste can give her the consistency she needs. Their second-chance romance becomes a delicate dance between trust, vulnerability, and rediscovered connection.

Short and Sweet Opinion:
A beautiful second-chance sapphic romance with great bisexual rep and emotional resonance, though the POV shifts and hot-and-cold dynamic made it harder to fully invest at times.

In-Depth Opinion:
I really enjoyed Love in Focus! The audiobook was well produced, and Natalie Naudus absolutely nailed Gemma’s narration. Gemma felt fully realized—funny, emotionally vulnerable, and deeply relatable. Her voice carried so much of the story’s emotional weight, and the bisexual rep was authentic and affirming.

Celeste, on the other hand, took me a while to warm up to. Both the character and her narrator felt more distant, and her internal conflicts were harder to connect with. I appreciated the effort to show the struggles of queer Korean women and the intergenerational silence around queerness, but emotionally I found her harder to root for.

The constant back-and-forth between Gemma and Celeste sometimes left me questioning the depth of their feelings—especially paired with the jarring shift between first and third person POV. That narrative structure, while potentially smoother in print, made the audiobook harder to settle into.

Still, it’s heartfelt, queer, and meaningful, with a splash of spice and a solid emotional core. I’ll be keeping an eye out for whatever Lyla Lee writes next.

Love in Focus by Lyla Lee is a second chance romance abour college exes Gemma and Celeste narrated by Natalie Naudus and Catherine Ho. The story is easy to immerse yourself in and the narrators do the characters justice. There is queer and Asian representation (if that wasn't obvious from the cover), and conversations about love and what that looks like for different people. Overall a cute time.

This book drew me in with a queer Asian main character. It’s a second chance romance!

They fell in love as college roommates. Then they were left with nothing but heartbreak and silence. Gemma moves on to a long term relationship and engagement with her coworker James. Celeste reappears soon after James unexpectedly breaks off their engagement.

I love a good second chance romance, but I do not like miscommunication tropes. Gemma is heartbroken after the end of her engagement but is now swooning over her college ex. Did you know they’re college exes? It is certainly mentioned enough. There is no real connection between the characters. Each one is unlikable in their own way. Also. What the heck? Their relationship ended suddenly and they went years without talking. But now they’re completely fine with no tension or long discussions. Just totally fine. I don’t understand that, and it was off putting.

It’s an easy read, but I do not recommend it.

The narration is just okay.