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Flirting Lessons
The exciting new contemporary romance—and her first to feature a queer romance—by New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory
Avery Jensen is almost thirty, fresh off a breakup, and she’s tired of always being so uptight and well-behaved. She wants to get a hobby, date around (especially other women), flirt with everyone she sees, all the fun stuff normal people do in their twenties. One Avery doesn't know how to do any of that. She doesn't have a lot of dating experience, with men or women, and despite being self-assured at work, she doesn't have a lot of confidence when it comes to romance.
Enter Taylor Cameron, Napa Valley's biggest flirt and champion heartbreaker. Taylor just broke up with her most recent girlfriend, and her best friend bet her that she can't make it until Labor Day without sleeping with someone. (Two whole months? Without sex? Taylor?!?!) So, she offers to give Avery flirting lessons. It will keep her busy, stop her from texting people she shouldn't. And it might distract her from how inadequate she feels compared to her friends, who all seem much more settled and adult than Taylor.
At first, Avery is stiff and nervous, but Taylor is patient and encouraging, and soon, Avery looks forward to their weekly lessons. She tells herself it's because the lessons are fun, not because she kind of might have a little bit of a crush on Taylor. Taylor doesn't even try to deny that she's intrigued by Avery, but she's still got a bet to win. With Taylor’s help, Avery is finally doing what she wants to flirting with lots of women, making friends, having fun! But after a while, it becomes impossible for Avery and Taylor to ignore their attraction to one another, despite them both insisting to themselves and everyone else that it isn't serious. When Taylor is forced to confront her feelings for Avery, she doesn't know what to do, how to deal with it, and most importantly, if she's already ruined the best thing she's ever had.
Avery Jensen is almost thirty, fresh off a breakup, and she’s tired of always being so uptight and well-behaved. She wants to get a hobby, date around (especially other women), flirt with everyone she sees, all the fun stuff normal people do in their twenties. One Avery doesn't know how to do any of that. She doesn't have a lot of dating experience, with men or women, and despite being self-assured at work, she doesn't have a lot of confidence when it comes to romance.
Enter Taylor Cameron, Napa Valley's biggest flirt and champion heartbreaker. Taylor just broke up with her most recent girlfriend, and her best friend bet her that she can't make it until Labor Day without sleeping with someone. (Two whole months? Without sex? Taylor?!?!) So, she offers to give Avery flirting lessons. It will keep her busy, stop her from texting people she shouldn't. And it might distract her from how inadequate she feels compared to her friends, who all seem much more settled and adult than Taylor.
At first, Avery is stiff and nervous, but Taylor is patient and encouraging, and soon, Avery looks forward to their weekly lessons. She tells herself it's because the lessons are fun, not because she kind of might have a little bit of a crush on Taylor. Taylor doesn't even try to deny that she's intrigued by Avery, but she's still got a bet to win. With Taylor’s help, Avery is finally doing what she wants to flirting with lots of women, making friends, having fun! But after a while, it becomes impossible for Avery and Taylor to ignore their attraction to one another, despite them both insisting to themselves and everyone else that it isn't serious. When Taylor is forced to confront her feelings for Avery, she doesn't know what to do, how to deal with it, and most importantly, if she's already ruined the best thing she's ever had.
409 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2025
895 people are currently reading
38140 people want to read
About the author
Jasmine Guillory
24 books24.1k followersJasmine Guillory is a New York Times bestselling author of nine novels including The Wedding Date, the Reese's Book Club selection The Proposal, and Flirting Lessons. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Bon Appetit, and Time, and she is a frequent book contributor on The Today Show. She lives in Oakland, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,375 reviews
September 1, 2024
First of all, can we all just appreciate this gorgeous cover 😍?! It's giving queer Shall We Dance or Dirty Dancing vibes 💃
If I'm being honest though, the cover of this book is far sexier than the story itself.
Told in 3rd person, in dual POVs, the story follows Avery and Taylor. Avery just got out of a relationship and is interested in dating women but doesn't know where to start because she doesn't have a lot of dating experience and has never been with a woman. Meanwhile, Taylor (who never backs down from a bet) bets that she can totally make it through the summer without sleeping with anyone. To keep herself distracted, she offers to give Avery "flirting lessons" and tries to keep their relationship platonic despite the growing attraction between the two.
As much as I loved the cover of the book and the premise of the story, I was really close to DNF'ing this book on multiple occasions because of the writing style and bland characters.
My primary issue is with the writing style. Perhaps it's the formatting of the eARC, which will hopefully be resolved at final publishing, but I found the sudden mid-page POV switch (with no advance warning) jarring and confusing. I spent the first few chapters constantly getting Avery and Taylor mixed up. Not only that but despite the profanity and sex scenes, the writing style was very stilted and felt very juvenile.
Take the following as an example:
and
This writing style lacks subtlety and reminds me of many middle-school books that I've read, in which everything is written in short stilted sentences, where every character interaction includes a lengthy monologue, and the entire book is written as if the readers are too dumb to read between the lines and figure out the characters' feelings and intentions. I think these issues would be easily resolved if the book was written in first person instead.
As for the romance, aside from the fact that they're both physically attracted to each other, there's very little to indicate that Avery and Taylor's attraction goes beyond thinking that the other person is hot. There are constant reminders of how sexy or pretty they think of each other but nothing more.
Finally, the characters were underdeveloped and their character development was rather underwhelming. Avery's entire personality is that she's introverted and likely has anxiety while Taylor's entire personality is that she's a flirt who has probably slept with every lesbian in Napa Valley and has the power to flirt the pants off any woman. Also, every single character is overly chatty, tends to ramble a lot, and all talk the same way/have the same personalities. It also seems like everyone's personality (both main characters and secondary characters) is based on whether or not they're in a relationship. It's weird.
This book would have been a 1-star read but I'm giving this book an extra star because it provided pretty solid advice (especially for introverts like me) on how to meet new people, make new friends, and flirt with people you're attracted to.
I think I would've loved this book if it were a rom-com told in alternating first-person POVs. There was so much potential to inject humour in the flirting lessons or in the interactions between the two FMCs. Overall, I feel like this book needs a complete rewrite and heavy editing. The story is there and the characters have some potential, but they need to be fleshed out more, and the dialogue and writing flow need to be reworked.
*All quotes are taken from an Advanced Readers Copy and may change prior to the release of the final copy.*
**I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration, but all opinions are my own.**
*** #45 of my 2024 Popsugar Reading Challenge - An LGBTQ+ romance novel ***
If I'm being honest though, the cover of this book is far sexier than the story itself.
Told in 3rd person, in dual POVs, the story follows Avery and Taylor. Avery just got out of a relationship and is interested in dating women but doesn't know where to start because she doesn't have a lot of dating experience and has never been with a woman. Meanwhile, Taylor (who never backs down from a bet) bets that she can totally make it through the summer without sleeping with anyone. To keep herself distracted, she offers to give Avery "flirting lessons" and tries to keep their relationship platonic despite the growing attraction between the two.
As much as I loved the cover of the book and the premise of the story, I was really close to DNF'ing this book on multiple occasions because of the writing style and bland characters.
My primary issue is with the writing style. Perhaps it's the formatting of the eARC, which will hopefully be resolved at final publishing, but I found the sudden mid-page POV switch (with no advance warning) jarring and confusing. I spent the first few chapters constantly getting Avery and Taylor mixed up. Not only that but despite the profanity and sex scenes, the writing style was very stilted and felt very juvenile.
Take the following as an example:
"Taylor was weirdly distracted by watching Avery and her partner. Why did that distract her so much? She had to focus."
and
"Taylor didn't say anything for a minute. She could tell it had been hard for Avery to tell her that. It felt good that Avery could be honest with her."
This writing style lacks subtlety and reminds me of many middle-school books that I've read, in which everything is written in short stilted sentences, where every character interaction includes a lengthy monologue, and the entire book is written as if the readers are too dumb to read between the lines and figure out the characters' feelings and intentions. I think these issues would be easily resolved if the book was written in first person instead.
As for the romance, aside from the fact that they're both physically attracted to each other, there's very little to indicate that Avery and Taylor's attraction goes beyond thinking that the other person is hot. There are constant reminders of how sexy or pretty they think of each other but nothing more.
Finally, the characters were underdeveloped and their character development was rather underwhelming. Avery's entire personality is that she's introverted and likely has anxiety while Taylor's entire personality is that she's a flirt who has probably slept with every lesbian in Napa Valley and has the power to flirt the pants off any woman. Also, every single character is overly chatty, tends to ramble a lot, and all talk the same way/have the same personalities. It also seems like everyone's personality (both main characters and secondary characters) is based on whether or not they're in a relationship. It's weird.
This book would have been a 1-star read but I'm giving this book an extra star because it provided pretty solid advice (especially for introverts like me) on how to meet new people, make new friends, and flirt with people you're attracted to.
I think I would've loved this book if it were a rom-com told in alternating first-person POVs. There was so much potential to inject humour in the flirting lessons or in the interactions between the two FMCs. Overall, I feel like this book needs a complete rewrite and heavy editing. The story is there and the characters have some potential, but they need to be fleshed out more, and the dialogue and writing flow need to be reworked.
*All quotes are taken from an Advanced Readers Copy and may change prior to the release of the final copy.*
**I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration, but all opinions are my own.**
*** #45 of my 2024 Popsugar Reading Challenge - An LGBTQ+ romance novel ***
April 8, 2025
happy pub day to this cutie 💞
NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!!! 💫 taylor’s fuckass friend group can eat rocks, she deserved better and AVERY WAS EXACTLY WHAT SHE NEEDED!!!! i can def tell a 29 year old did notttt write this (and sometimes that’s okay) but jasmine guillory writing a sapphic romcom is my new religion 🧎🏻♀️
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc!!
NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!!! 💫 taylor’s fuckass friend group can eat rocks, she deserved better and AVERY WAS EXACTLY WHAT SHE NEEDED!!!! i can def tell a 29 year old did notttt write this (and sometimes that’s okay) but jasmine guillory writing a sapphic romcom is my new religion 🧎🏻♀️
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc!!
June 1, 2025
3/5
- I’ve read so many books by this author and they’re always a cute fun read. This was a fluffy read that would be fun to pick up if you enjoy the fake dating trope!
- I love that this author touched on deeper themes like being scared to open up to someone else & trusting them, but it didn’t overshadow the fun of the book.
- This would be a fun one to pick up during the summer months!
- I’ve read so many books by this author and they’re always a cute fun read. This was a fluffy read that would be fun to pick up if you enjoy the fake dating trope!
- I love that this author touched on deeper themes like being scared to open up to someone else & trusting them, but it didn’t overshadow the fun of the book.
- This would be a fun one to pick up during the summer months!
June 17, 2025
**3.5-stars rounded up **
After Avery Jensen goes through a break-up, she's realizes her life is stale. She's tired of being well-behaved and reliable. She wants to shake it up; get a hobby, make new friends and flirt with lots of people, men and women.
As she considers all of that though, she realizes, she has no clue where to start. She feels like she's lost confidence since her relationship, and is at a loss for how to get it back.
Taylor Cameron is a known flirt and infamous heart-breaker. After her most recent break-up, her best friend bets her that she can't make it 2-months without sleeping with someone new. Taylor, though realizing her history stacks the odds against her, takes the bet.
When Avery and Taylor meet at a winery event, Avery spills her concerns to Taylor. It's not like her to be so open with a stranger, but there's something about Taylor.
Taylor feels for Avery and offers to help her. She'll give Avery flirting lessons, her specialty, and in turn, that project will distract Taylor from getting up to no good elsewhere; she's determined to win her bet if she can.
At first, Avery is uncomfortable with their arrangement, but Taylor is so warm and encouraging and soon she begins to look forward to their weekly sessions.
The more time the women spend together, the more they start seeing each other in a whole new light. Their chemistry is undeniable and it's becoming impossible to ignore their mutual attraction.
Could their flirting lessons lead to love?
Flirting Lessons is a very cute and enjoyable read, with beautiful WLW-representation. I really liked both MCs, particularly Taylor, whose perspective I found so relatable.
I did feel the women acted a lot older than their stated ages, they were quite mature and open with their emotions, which is something I would have run a million miles away from in my 20s. Besides that though, I did find their relationship trajectory believable and engrossing.
I loved the lessons Taylor set-up. They were so creative and fun, and helped to draw Avery out of her shell.
I also really appreciated Avery's character arc. She was in a real rut at the start and I liked how she took charge of her life and took action to improve things. I can definitely see why Taylor would find that attractive.
I feel like the women were a great match. Their personalities played off each other well, and they both provided strength in areas that the other might lack, or need to work on. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop.
Overall, this was an enjoyable Adult Contemporary story, with well developed characters, fun dates, great chemistry, and not too much steam.
I always look forward to new Jasmine Guillory novels and this didn't disappoint for a moment.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm glad I finally made time for this. A perfect Pride Month read!
After Avery Jensen goes through a break-up, she's realizes her life is stale. She's tired of being well-behaved and reliable. She wants to shake it up; get a hobby, make new friends and flirt with lots of people, men and women.
As she considers all of that though, she realizes, she has no clue where to start. She feels like she's lost confidence since her relationship, and is at a loss for how to get it back.
Taylor Cameron is a known flirt and infamous heart-breaker. After her most recent break-up, her best friend bets her that she can't make it 2-months without sleeping with someone new. Taylor, though realizing her history stacks the odds against her, takes the bet.
When Avery and Taylor meet at a winery event, Avery spills her concerns to Taylor. It's not like her to be so open with a stranger, but there's something about Taylor.
Taylor feels for Avery and offers to help her. She'll give Avery flirting lessons, her specialty, and in turn, that project will distract Taylor from getting up to no good elsewhere; she's determined to win her bet if she can.
At first, Avery is uncomfortable with their arrangement, but Taylor is so warm and encouraging and soon she begins to look forward to their weekly sessions.
The more time the women spend together, the more they start seeing each other in a whole new light. Their chemistry is undeniable and it's becoming impossible to ignore their mutual attraction.
Could their flirting lessons lead to love?
Flirting Lessons is a very cute and enjoyable read, with beautiful WLW-representation. I really liked both MCs, particularly Taylor, whose perspective I found so relatable.
I did feel the women acted a lot older than their stated ages, they were quite mature and open with their emotions, which is something I would have run a million miles away from in my 20s. Besides that though, I did find their relationship trajectory believable and engrossing.
I loved the lessons Taylor set-up. They were so creative and fun, and helped to draw Avery out of her shell.
I also really appreciated Avery's character arc. She was in a real rut at the start and I liked how she took charge of her life and took action to improve things. I can definitely see why Taylor would find that attractive.
I feel like the women were a great match. Their personalities played off each other well, and they both provided strength in areas that the other might lack, or need to work on. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop.
Overall, this was an enjoyable Adult Contemporary story, with well developed characters, fun dates, great chemistry, and not too much steam.
I always look forward to new Jasmine Guillory novels and this didn't disappoint for a moment.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm glad I finally made time for this. A perfect Pride Month read!
April 1, 2025
Flirting Lessons is a sweet and summery sapphic romance following Avery, a recently single event planner wanting to explore her bi-sexuality, and Taylor, her confident and playful new friend who signs on to teach her everything about flirting with women. This was such a fun romance, I loved the Napa setting and all the refreshing little dates and activities. Taylor and Avery were so cute together and I loved that their relationship was built around a friendship and so much banter and teasing. The two had amazing chemistry and I appreciated how open and honest they were with each other about everything. Their romance unfolded so naturally, and with the perfect mix of character growth, steam, and undeniable chemistry, this lighthearted book gave me everything I wanted!
Read if you like:
🌷Opposites Attract🌷
🌷Friends to Lovers🌷
🌷Dual POV🌷
🌷Queer Rom-Coms🌷
🌷Dating Lessons🌷
🌷Open Door Steam🌷
~Many thanks to Berkley for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Read if you like:
🌷Opposites Attract🌷
🌷Friends to Lovers🌷
🌷Dual POV🌷
🌷Queer Rom-Coms🌷
🌷Dating Lessons🌷
🌷Open Door Steam🌷
~Many thanks to Berkley for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Want to read
July 29, 2024Jasmine Guillory's first queer romance!! 😭🥰
June 15, 2025
I've read all of Jasmine Guillory's novels, and I've enjoyed them all. Flirting Lessons is her first same sex Romance and I liked both characters Taylor and Avery. The friend group was realistic, and I liked the plot. Of course, since it's me, I didn't really care about the Romance. That's pretty normal for me and Romance. I didn't feel any connection between Avery & Taylor as a couple, but since I liked them both, I'm happy if they are happy.
Yall should know by now not to get Romance recommendations from me, but if you want to read about 2 really nice cool people falling in love, then you might enjoy this book.
Yall should know by now not to get Romance recommendations from me, but if you want to read about 2 really nice cool people falling in love, then you might enjoy this book.
May 10, 2025
Cute read! 3 stars
Based in Napa during the summertime.
Avery is an event planner who is looking to put herself out there in the dating scene but is a bit of a wallflower. Taylor has a reputation of being a player. They meet at an event. She agrees to help Avery through “flirting lessons.” Unbeknownst to Avery, Taylor has a bet with her friends that she won’t sleep with anyone that summer.
To enjoy this book, you kind of have to appreciate for what it is and not read too much into it. I found all the salsa dancing and “lessons” cute. My favorite part was Taylor’s advice to Avery about being social and putting herself out there. The struggles they have are relatable. Taylor being at the age where friends are starting to “settle down.” While Avery seemingly has anxiety and confidence issues. I loved how she navigated her self-consciousness. She was brave in building new relationships and friendships as an adult.
Now, the characters don’t go past surface level in their characterizations and development. What you see is what you get. They don’t feel completely developed to me. We didn’t get too much of their pasts, why they are the way they are. I would have also liked less of “distance” feeling between the reader and the character’s inner thoughts and feelings. That may have had something to with the third person narrative.
With that, some of the writing was kind of stilted. It read like Guillory was spoon feeding the reader instead of letting us read between the lines. It interrupted the flow.
One issue I didn’t understand was what the big deal with Taylor’s sex life. If she likes sleeping with people then that’s what she likes. It also seemed like all the characters defined each other by who was in a relationship and who wasn’t. I didn’t get any of that.
Overall, I liked the opposites attract and getting to see how they recognized and expressed their feelings for each other. I liked the focus on friendships as an adult. Whether it’s making new ones, or navigating ones when everyone’s moving differently through life stages. I thought there would have been a bit more conflict when Avery finds out about the bet, but there wasn’t. It was a cute, easy read and I would read more from this author.
Based in Napa during the summertime.
Avery is an event planner who is looking to put herself out there in the dating scene but is a bit of a wallflower. Taylor has a reputation of being a player. They meet at an event. She agrees to help Avery through “flirting lessons.” Unbeknownst to Avery, Taylor has a bet with her friends that she won’t sleep with anyone that summer.
To enjoy this book, you kind of have to appreciate for what it is and not read too much into it. I found all the salsa dancing and “lessons” cute. My favorite part was Taylor’s advice to Avery about being social and putting herself out there. The struggles they have are relatable. Taylor being at the age where friends are starting to “settle down.” While Avery seemingly has anxiety and confidence issues. I loved how she navigated her self-consciousness. She was brave in building new relationships and friendships as an adult.
Now, the characters don’t go past surface level in their characterizations and development. What you see is what you get. They don’t feel completely developed to me. We didn’t get too much of their pasts, why they are the way they are. I would have also liked less of “distance” feeling between the reader and the character’s inner thoughts and feelings. That may have had something to with the third person narrative.
With that, some of the writing was kind of stilted. It read like Guillory was spoon feeding the reader instead of letting us read between the lines. It interrupted the flow.
One issue I didn’t understand was what the big deal with Taylor’s sex life. If she likes sleeping with people then that’s what she likes. It also seemed like all the characters defined each other by who was in a relationship and who wasn’t. I didn’t get any of that.
Overall, I liked the opposites attract and getting to see how they recognized and expressed their feelings for each other. I liked the focus on friendships as an adult. Whether it’s making new ones, or navigating ones when everyone’s moving differently through life stages. I thought there would have been a bit more conflict when Avery finds out about the bet, but there wasn’t. It was a cute, easy read and I would read more from this author.
April 6, 2025
I've read a few of Jasmine Guillory's books and enjoyed them, so I was happy to pick this one up. Her genre is usually contemporary romance or rom-com, but this was is her first queer romance novel.
Description:
Avery Jensen is almost thirty, fresh off a breakup, and she’s tired of always being so uptight and well-behaved. She wants to get a hobby, date around (especially other women), flirt with everyone she sees, all the fun stuff normal people do in their twenties. One Avery doesn't know how to do any of that. She doesn't have a lot of dating experience, with men or women, and despite being self-assured at work, she doesn't have a lot of confidence when it comes to romance.
Enter Taylor Cameron, Napa Valley's biggest flirt and champion heartbreaker. Taylor just broke up with her most recent girlfriend, and her best friend bet her that she can't make it until Labor Day without sleeping with someone. (Two whole months? Without sex? Taylor?!?!) So, she offers to give Avery flirting lessons. It will keep her busy, stop her from texting people she shouldn't. And it might distract her from how inadequate she feels compared to her friends, who all seem much more settled and adult than Taylor.
At first, Avery is stiff and nervous, but Taylor is patient and encouraging, and soon, Avery looks forward to their weekly lessons. She tells herself it's because the lessons are fun, not because she kind of might have a little bit of a crush on Taylor. Taylor doesn't even try to deny that she's intrigued by Avery, but she's still got a bet to win. With Taylor’s help, Avery is finally doing what she wants to flirting with lots of women, making friends, having fun! But after a while, it becomes impossible for Avery and Taylor to ignore their attraction to one another, despite them both insisting to themselves and everyone else that it isn't serious. When Taylor is forced to confront her feelings for Avery, she doesn't know what to do, how to deal with it, and most importantly, if she's already ruined the best thing she's ever had.
My Thoughts:
The flirting lessons are fun and made me laugh many times, so this was an enjoyable read. The sex was more detailed than I would like in any book though. Taylor takes on her mentor role well in teaching Avery how to flirt and approach women she is interested in. Avery is brave and willing to try anything Taylor throws out there. Taylor is admired and maintains confidence and all that Avery wants to emulate. I enjoyed the flirting lessons, they were innovative and fun. This book did have humor which is always nice. Not my favorite by Guillory, but a good story.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Avery Jensen is almost thirty, fresh off a breakup, and she’s tired of always being so uptight and well-behaved. She wants to get a hobby, date around (especially other women), flirt with everyone she sees, all the fun stuff normal people do in their twenties. One Avery doesn't know how to do any of that. She doesn't have a lot of dating experience, with men or women, and despite being self-assured at work, she doesn't have a lot of confidence when it comes to romance.
Enter Taylor Cameron, Napa Valley's biggest flirt and champion heartbreaker. Taylor just broke up with her most recent girlfriend, and her best friend bet her that she can't make it until Labor Day without sleeping with someone. (Two whole months? Without sex? Taylor?!?!) So, she offers to give Avery flirting lessons. It will keep her busy, stop her from texting people she shouldn't. And it might distract her from how inadequate she feels compared to her friends, who all seem much more settled and adult than Taylor.
At first, Avery is stiff and nervous, but Taylor is patient and encouraging, and soon, Avery looks forward to their weekly lessons. She tells herself it's because the lessons are fun, not because she kind of might have a little bit of a crush on Taylor. Taylor doesn't even try to deny that she's intrigued by Avery, but she's still got a bet to win. With Taylor’s help, Avery is finally doing what she wants to flirting with lots of women, making friends, having fun! But after a while, it becomes impossible for Avery and Taylor to ignore their attraction to one another, despite them both insisting to themselves and everyone else that it isn't serious. When Taylor is forced to confront her feelings for Avery, she doesn't know what to do, how to deal with it, and most importantly, if she's already ruined the best thing she's ever had.
My Thoughts:
The flirting lessons are fun and made me laugh many times, so this was an enjoyable read. The sex was more detailed than I would like in any book though. Taylor takes on her mentor role well in teaching Avery how to flirt and approach women she is interested in. Avery is brave and willing to try anything Taylor throws out there. Taylor is admired and maintains confidence and all that Avery wants to emulate. I enjoyed the flirting lessons, they were innovative and fun. This book did have humor which is always nice. Not my favorite by Guillory, but a good story.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group through Netgalley for an advance copy.
February 25, 2026
Reading this book during Pride Month felt sacrilegious.
Let me start by saying, the only reason I read it was because it was an Afterlight subscription book. I liked the premise, but the low rating here would’ve kept me away if it wasn’t. I almost DNFd it multiple times, but I paid good money for it, so I finished it.
I am convinced that anyone who rated this book higher than two stars is either a liar or has never read a book before.
I’ll start with what I didn’t like:
1. I didn’t like the writing style at all. It was so basic. This felt like a very rough first draft. There was no substance or depth to it at all.
1.1. And why did the author use so many exclamation points?! I love a good exclamation point, but my god.
1.2. And so many words and phrases were repeated to the point that I found myself predicting what was going to be said next.
2. If I had a dollar for every time someone “burst out laughing” I would be rich. It was so overused, and tbh nothing said in this book was so funny that any of the characters should burst out laughing.
3. This was a third-person dual POV, but there was NO distinction between these two characters and their personalities. One, because the author didn’t bother putting their names before the switch (so fucking annoying) and two, because they were not written well enough to have distinct personalities. There were so many times I had to flip back a page because I couldn’t remember whose POV it was and I kept getting the characters mixed up.
3.1. These people are supposed to be in their late 20s/early 30s, but I kept forgetting because they all act so much younger. It’s all very immature and juvenile. They did not feel or behave like grown ass adults.
4. And speaking of the characters, they had ZERO chemistry. At no point did I feel like they were actually attracted to each other. They SAID they were, but I didn’t feel it. There were so many times where Taylor and Avery said the other was flirting with them but like…when? How? If you hadn’t told me I wouldn’t have known.
4.1. Their first kiss came out of nowhere. I was shocked when it happened. And not in a good way. It’s because there was no chemistry and no sexy build-up or anticipation. Like Avery touched Taylor’s hair but that was it.
4.2. WHY WAS THERE SO MUCH PATTING?! I stfg the only physical touch between Taylor and Avery other than sex was “she patted her shoulder” or “she patted her hand.” Why are they patting each other? They’re not grandmas.
5. Taylor is supposed to be this hot ass woman who literally “every lesbian and their mother (sometimes literally)” (direct quote, wtf) in the world is obsessed with but like. Why? I know a lot of the characters said it, but at no point did she say or do anything that seemed especially hot or sexy or smooth. I don’t get the hype. She’s supposed to be an excellent flirter and a charmer, but I didn’t get that at all.
6. Taylor’s friends SUCK SO MUCH ASS. I fucking hated all of them.
7. The slut shaming in this book is exhausting and gross.
8. Avery’s reaction to the baby shower bet was so fucking weird and out of character…
9. Is the author obsessed with nipples or what?
And here are some things I liked:
1. I thought Avery’s anxiety and social anxiety were portrayed very well and realistic. That being said, I wish the author would’ve gone in deeper about it. It’s like, Avery is aware she has anxiety, but never mentions her social anxiety specifically. And she never really *talks* about her anxiety. Her character development was good, but it would’ve been better if it was explored.
2. No third act breakup!!!!!!!!
Honestly my favorite part of this book, and probably the only thing I actually really liked or cared about, was Beth. This book is supposed to be about Taylor and Avery, but I found myself more interested in Avery and Beth and their friendship.
Idk. I just don’t think this book was very good. The premise was promising, but the execution was bleh. I kept looking up at the page numbers to see how much I had left. I was more looking forward to the end because I would be done with the book, not because I actually cared how it ended.
Afterlight, I’d like to speak to your manager.
*Also I’d like to call out that while writing this review, I kept forgetting who was who and put in the wrong names of Avery and Taylor. That’s how bad the distinction was between the two.*
Let me start by saying, the only reason I read it was because it was an Afterlight subscription book. I liked the premise, but the low rating here would’ve kept me away if it wasn’t. I almost DNFd it multiple times, but I paid good money for it, so I finished it.
I am convinced that anyone who rated this book higher than two stars is either a liar or has never read a book before.
I’ll start with what I didn’t like:
1. I didn’t like the writing style at all. It was so basic. This felt like a very rough first draft. There was no substance or depth to it at all.
1.1. And why did the author use so many exclamation points?! I love a good exclamation point, but my god.
1.2. And so many words and phrases were repeated to the point that I found myself predicting what was going to be said next.
2. If I had a dollar for every time someone “burst out laughing” I would be rich. It was so overused, and tbh nothing said in this book was so funny that any of the characters should burst out laughing.
3. This was a third-person dual POV, but there was NO distinction between these two characters and their personalities. One, because the author didn’t bother putting their names before the switch (so fucking annoying) and two, because they were not written well enough to have distinct personalities. There were so many times I had to flip back a page because I couldn’t remember whose POV it was and I kept getting the characters mixed up.
3.1. These people are supposed to be in their late 20s/early 30s, but I kept forgetting because they all act so much younger. It’s all very immature and juvenile. They did not feel or behave like grown ass adults.
4. And speaking of the characters, they had ZERO chemistry. At no point did I feel like they were actually attracted to each other. They SAID they were, but I didn’t feel it. There were so many times where Taylor and Avery said the other was flirting with them but like…when? How? If you hadn’t told me I wouldn’t have known.
4.1. Their first kiss came out of nowhere. I was shocked when it happened. And not in a good way. It’s because there was no chemistry and no sexy build-up or anticipation. Like Avery touched Taylor’s hair but that was it.
4.2. WHY WAS THERE SO MUCH PATTING?! I stfg the only physical touch between Taylor and Avery other than sex was “she patted her shoulder” or “she patted her hand.” Why are they patting each other? They’re not grandmas.
5. Taylor is supposed to be this hot ass woman who literally “every lesbian and their mother (sometimes literally)” (direct quote, wtf) in the world is obsessed with but like. Why? I know a lot of the characters said it, but at no point did she say or do anything that seemed especially hot or sexy or smooth. I don’t get the hype. She’s supposed to be an excellent flirter and a charmer, but I didn’t get that at all.
6. Taylor’s friends SUCK SO MUCH ASS. I fucking hated all of them.
7. The slut shaming in this book is exhausting and gross.
8. Avery’s reaction to the baby shower bet was so fucking weird and out of character…
9. Is the author obsessed with nipples or what?
And here are some things I liked:
1. I thought Avery’s anxiety and social anxiety were portrayed very well and realistic. That being said, I wish the author would’ve gone in deeper about it. It’s like, Avery is aware she has anxiety, but never mentions her social anxiety specifically. And she never really *talks* about her anxiety. Her character development was good, but it would’ve been better if it was explored.
2. No third act breakup!!!!!!!!
Honestly my favorite part of this book, and probably the only thing I actually really liked or cared about, was Beth. This book is supposed to be about Taylor and Avery, but I found myself more interested in Avery and Beth and their friendship.
Idk. I just don’t think this book was very good. The premise was promising, but the execution was bleh. I kept looking up at the page numbers to see how much I had left. I was more looking forward to the end because I would be done with the book, not because I actually cared how it ended.
Afterlight, I’d like to speak to your manager.
*Also I’d like to call out that while writing this review, I kept forgetting who was who and put in the wrong names of Avery and Taylor. That’s how bad the distinction was between the two.*
March 18, 2025
♡ Thank you @berkleyromance & @prhaudio for the ARC & ALC ‧₊˚🎧⊹
2.5⭐️ but if you love contemporary romance give this a try. I tend to struggle with this genre.
💘 Opposites attract in this semi-forbidden romance between a player (aka flirting expert) and her pupil. 💕
·˚ ༘₊·꒰➳: ̗̀➛ Taylor oozes charm and charisma and has a reputation as a heart-breaker who plays the field.
·˚ ༘₊·꒰➳: ̗̀➛ Avery is the nice girl introvert who is meticulously organized, a bit shy, and a wall flower.
When Avery needs an assist with her dating game, Taylor is there to offer flirting lessons 101.
I wanted to give this a chance because the premise reminded me of the movie Hitch which I loved 🥰
I was hoping for more humor and found myself frustrated with Taylor’s extremely judgmental so-called friends. I found it hard to connect or stay invested in side characters. I did enjoy watching Avery come out of her shell, speak up, and push herself out of her comfort zone.
‧₊˚🎧⊹ The audio helped me to get to the finish line on this one, although my preference was for the written word. My problem with the audio: it’s confusing which character’s perspective we are getting as the narrator’s voice sounds similar for both POVs.
2.5⭐️ but if you love contemporary romance give this a try. I tend to struggle with this genre.
💘 Opposites attract in this semi-forbidden romance between a player (aka flirting expert) and her pupil. 💕
·˚ ༘₊·꒰➳: ̗̀➛ Taylor oozes charm and charisma and has a reputation as a heart-breaker who plays the field.
·˚ ༘₊·꒰➳: ̗̀➛ Avery is the nice girl introvert who is meticulously organized, a bit shy, and a wall flower.
When Avery needs an assist with her dating game, Taylor is there to offer flirting lessons 101.
I wanted to give this a chance because the premise reminded me of the movie Hitch which I loved 🥰
I was hoping for more humor and found myself frustrated with Taylor’s extremely judgmental so-called friends. I found it hard to connect or stay invested in side characters. I did enjoy watching Avery come out of her shell, speak up, and push herself out of her comfort zone.
‧₊˚🎧⊹ The audio helped me to get to the finish line on this one, although my preference was for the written word. My problem with the audio: it’s confusing which character’s perspective we are getting as the narrator’s voice sounds similar for both POVs.
August 9, 2025
As much as I wanted to like this, and trust me I waited 2 months for this on Libby, I wasn't impressed with it. The writing style is juvenile and leaves no room for the reader to infer anything. The prose reads like a movie script and it's so annoying, this is adult fiction!! I am not stupid and I do not appreciate the author writing like her readers are.
That aside, I did like the relationship between Taylor and Avery. I'm a sucker for the 'stuck up character and go with the flow character ' dynamic lol and I think it was done pretty well in this. I also like that the miscommunication didn't drag out!
That aside, I did like the relationship between Taylor and Avery. I'm a sucker for the 'stuck up character and go with the flow character ' dynamic lol and I think it was done pretty well in this. I also like that the miscommunication didn't drag out!
April 12, 2025
Content warnings: alcohol, sex scenes.
Rep: Avery (MC) is cis, Black, and bisexual. Taylor (MC) is cis, Black, lesbian, and plus sized. Oodles of side queer characters.
I just loved this one a lot.
It was fun, it was entertaining and captivating, and I was left wanting to keep reading each time I had to stop reading for adulting reasons.
This is an easy new favourite of mine.
Rep: Avery (MC) is cis, Black, and bisexual. Taylor (MC) is cis, Black, lesbian, and plus sized. Oodles of side queer characters.
I just loved this one a lot.
It was fun, it was entertaining and captivating, and I was left wanting to keep reading each time I had to stop reading for adulting reasons.
This is an easy new favourite of mine.
April 4, 2025
unfortunately found this one to be a disappointment. i was excited to read jasmine’s first sapphic book but it did not deliver. the entire plot felt very juvenile and it was hard to believe they were grown adults. the characters did not have any chemistry together and individually they were not likeable. Taylor is riddled with stress about her friend group and Avery is working on her low self confidence. i found it hard to believe these were the character’s biggest struggles. it was entirely lacking depth.
June 5, 2025
Taylor’s eyes smiled into hers. If there was a way to bottle the feeling that Taylor Cameron gave a person, she’d make a million dollars on just one sale.
3.5 stars. Very much a rollercoaster of a read. I started off really liking it and really enjoying the dynamic between the characters. Midway through the book, I kind of started to lose steam and lose interest a little bit. But happily, in the end, it managed to bring me back around and I ended up really liking this. Perhaps not as much as I hoped to like it when I first started, but it was still a cute read. My first from Jasmine Guillory! Since I didn't love the writing, I don't really see myself going back to read any of her backlist. But if she writes more sapphic romances, I will definitely check them out.
Avery is a straitlaced, buttoned up, by the book event planner, newly out as bisexual, fresh off of a breakup. Taylor is a little bit of a lesbian Casanova, still figuring life out, working at a winery. They know of each other through mutual friends, and after they connect at an event, Taylor ends up agreeing to teach Avery how to loosen up and flirt, especially with other women. These lessons take place on a weekly basis, where Taylor takes Avery to different events, places her in different situations, gives her a bunch of tips and pointers for romance, and generally starts making her feel more comfortable in her own skin.
The first half of this book was really delightful. Avery has the type of personality that it's just so fun to see under a microscope, especially when you start peeling back her layers. She takes the whole flirting lessons thing so seriously: taking notes, trying to commit techniques to memory, et cetera. So cute. She's also not the most socially adept, and can get pretty anxious, and overthink things a bunch. I empathised so hard. I really like the way that Taylor approached the lessons with her, in that she didn't give Avery anything particularly wild or difficult to do, and there's always the understanding that if Avery doesn't want to do something, then she simply doesn't have to. But each scenario was just so cute and simple, and were great avenues to get to know the characters and see them build up a rapport around each other. Avery is, of course, flirting with other women and not Taylor, which was honestly a cute dynamic at the start of the book. And it became more so as it continued on, and they started to develop feelings for each other. And they had such a fun dynamic. I think it's really lovely to see someone who gets joy out of building up someone else's confidence and making them even more secure, and that's what Taylor was able to do for Avery. I really enjoyed how slow this was (at least at the beginning) and every teensy bit of flirting between them made me smile so much.
For me, the book did start to go downhill a little bit when they actually got together. For one, I do wish that it had taken longer for them to admit their feelings to one another. Once that happened, I feel like the pacing slowed down a lot, and I just became less invested, almost immediately. I don't know, maybe it was just me, but I found the relationship dynamic to be so much more interesting and alluring when they were still in that kind of courtship phase, where they were still developing feelings, or realising that their feelings extended beyond just friendship. Obviously, I really like them as a couple, but I think this would have been so much better if it had been more slow burn. Which is what I say about almost every single romance that I read, but it definitely is applicable here. Jasmine Guillory has a very competent writing style, nothing wrong with it, but there also wasn't a lot about it that shone. So when we got rid of the tension that was extant in the first half, and they actually consummated things, I was just a little less interested.
But happily, things turned around for me in the end. At least a little. They both have engaging side plots with their friends, and I actually enjoyed just how much page time the friendships in this got. Like, I loved that one of Avery's flirting lessons results in an actual meaningful friendship for her, and the gardening side plot was genuinely so fucking cute. Taylor's angst and worry about her best friend drifting away from her was depicted in such a relatable way. And I got so mad on Taylor's behalf in the latter half, though it did turn out that Erica had her reasons.
Another thing that I liked, that I wouldn't always enjoy in every book, is how self-aware the characters sometimes were. And not in a bad way. Like, sometimes Taylor would do something a little bit snarky or bitchy, and then a few minutes later she would reflect and think "wait, maybe I was a little out of line." I usually don't like when characters are TOO self-aware; when they do something bad and can then immediately recognise the flaw in their behaviour. But here, it was done in a way that felt natural. Instead of feeling forced, I was just aware that I was reading about two mature adults who had the capacity for self reflection and change. And so it also meant that when they were misunderstanding each other and had their conflicts in the third act, it didn't feel weird and overblown and overdramatic, like conflicts usually do in many romance books. It felt like exactly the kind of misunderstanding that these two specific characters would have. And I like the way that it was resolved in the end.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Heidi Franklin and it was really cute. Not my favourite voice, but she definitely did a great job of bringing all of the characters to life. This was so close to being something that I could have really loved, but unfortunately that middle section did lower it to something that I really liked instead. But I'm still thinking of this as a win, and I'm really glad that Jasmine Guillory decided to give sapphic romance a try.
April 17, 2025
I really loved the yearning and build up of the friends to lovers between Taylor and Avery. Everything before them getting together was so good, the banter, the side characters, the humorous scenarios. Not to mention great advice on how to flirt or be friendly!
After the couple got together I liked this less. There was a lot of insecurity and miscommunication that made me cranky. But the last few pages and epilogue are very sweet.
After the couple got together I liked this less. There was a lot of insecurity and miscommunication that made me cranky. But the last few pages and epilogue are very sweet.
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 8, 2025
Ngl, I was on the fence about this, particularly with its depiction of Taylor, which I'd read in reviews weighs heavily on the oversexed bisexual trope. Then a friend was like "YOU HAVE TO READ THIS" and I am so happy I followed their advice (our tastes tend to align pretty closely).
I really enjoyed this surprisingly slow-ish burn romance between Taylor and Avery. It locks in fast, establishing both characters and their respective dilemmas within the first chapter, a feat of writing skill that I was just in awe over because it just worked (trust Guillory to always elegantly get to the point).
Anywho, I really enjoyed it. There is a big miscommunication trope, and yes it does rely on the "Taylor doesn't stay in relationships long and gets around" trope, but that is examined a little bit (not as much as I'd have liked, but it didn't annoy me in the way I thought it would).
It was cute. It was sweet. I don't think these two are going to last once the honeymoon phase is over. But that's okay.
I really enjoyed this surprisingly slow-ish burn romance between Taylor and Avery. It locks in fast, establishing both characters and their respective dilemmas within the first chapter, a feat of writing skill that I was just in awe over because it just worked (trust Guillory to always elegantly get to the point).
Anywho, I really enjoyed it. There is a big miscommunication trope, and yes it does rely on the "Taylor doesn't stay in relationships long and gets around" trope, but that is examined a little bit (not as much as I'd have liked, but it didn't annoy me in the way I thought it would).
It was cute. It was sweet. I don't think these two are going to last once the honeymoon phase is over. But that's okay.
April 8, 2025
Thank you to #berkleypartner @berkleypub for my gifted finished copy & #prhaudiopartner @prhaudio for my gifted audiobook copy.
Flirting Lessons is a cozy romance that takes its time building up, making it a true slow burn. This one delivery’s on themes like personal growth, strong friendship foundations, and blossoming love with lots of chemistry. The friendships were a highlight for me, they felt genuine and added to the story for me. I also enjoyed the banter throughout. When banter and “Flirting Lessons” turn real and the 2 realize what they have and what they really want.
For romance fans, if you love slow, steady relationship development, charming banter, and relatable characters, this one might be right up your alley. It’s not a whirlwind kind of romance, but a patient kind of HEA as the connections unfold naturally. I believe that I would have liked this one a bit more if I had read this one solely with my eyes. If you are a Jasmine Guillory fan like me, I would suggest reading the physical copy. I felt like the audiobook made the book feel more YA (aside for the spicy bits) This one does have its fair share of spice!
Flirting Lessons is a cozy romance that takes its time building up, making it a true slow burn. This one delivery’s on themes like personal growth, strong friendship foundations, and blossoming love with lots of chemistry. The friendships were a highlight for me, they felt genuine and added to the story for me. I also enjoyed the banter throughout. When banter and “Flirting Lessons” turn real and the 2 realize what they have and what they really want.
For romance fans, if you love slow, steady relationship development, charming banter, and relatable characters, this one might be right up your alley. It’s not a whirlwind kind of romance, but a patient kind of HEA as the connections unfold naturally. I believe that I would have liked this one a bit more if I had read this one solely with my eyes. If you are a Jasmine Guillory fan like me, I would suggest reading the physical copy. I felt like the audiobook made the book feel more YA (aside for the spicy bits) This one does have its fair share of spice!
May 19, 2025
Getting this hold immediately dropped all my other books down on the TBR!! I was curious about Jasmine Guillory’s sapphic debut, and for the most part, Flirting Lessons didn’t disappoint.
I enjoyed the focus on Avery learning different techniques for flirting, instead of writing it off as hopeless for someone less “cool” than Taylor. Growing your confidence with conversations can be so encouraging, and Avery is the perfect guide for this process. I imagine many other readers will find her character to be a precious, anxious, and endearing stand-in for themselves.
I also appreciated how Guillory never allowed one character to become uniformly “better” than the other. Avery’s slow and steady lifestyle is relatable, and I certainly understood her musings about what more excitement in life might look like. However, on the other side of the “greener grass”, Taylor feels like she’s stuck in a phase of life that her closest friend is outgrowing—something I’ve seen many relatives and friends experience. Even Taylor’s bestie from hell, Erica, will be familiar to many. I didn’t fully buy the redemption arc with her at the end, but I get why it was there.
Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone else who loves reading any sapphic romance novel you can get your hands on!! It’s not my absolute favorite in the subgenre, just because it’s a bit sweeter and more tame than I prefer. However, there is a place for corny authors in the romance world, and Flirting Lessons hits many of the marks we expect from these sorts of books. If you’ve read everything else and are looking for more, I’d say this one is certainly worth enjoying over a long weekend.
I enjoyed the focus on Avery learning different techniques for flirting, instead of writing it off as hopeless for someone less “cool” than Taylor. Growing your confidence with conversations can be so encouraging, and Avery is the perfect guide for this process. I imagine many other readers will find her character to be a precious, anxious, and endearing stand-in for themselves.
I also appreciated how Guillory never allowed one character to become uniformly “better” than the other. Avery’s slow and steady lifestyle is relatable, and I certainly understood her musings about what more excitement in life might look like. However, on the other side of the “greener grass”, Taylor feels like she’s stuck in a phase of life that her closest friend is outgrowing—something I’ve seen many relatives and friends experience. Even Taylor’s bestie from hell, Erica, will be familiar to many. I didn’t fully buy the redemption arc with her at the end, but I get why it was there.
Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone else who loves reading any sapphic romance novel you can get your hands on!! It’s not my absolute favorite in the subgenre, just because it’s a bit sweeter and more tame than I prefer. However, there is a place for corny authors in the romance world, and Flirting Lessons hits many of the marks we expect from these sorts of books. If you’ve read everything else and are looking for more, I’d say this one is certainly worth enjoying over a long weekend.
February 12, 2025
DNF @ 17% i cannot stand the slut shaming. this is pissing me tf off. i did DNF another book by this author, i didn’t super love the writing style. safe to say i don’t think her books are for me. if you liked her other books, you may like this!
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
March 24, 2025
Such a cute read!! In this sapphic love story we meet Taylor and Avery, Taylor is the playgirl, serial dating around the town, while Avery has just gone through a bad break up and on the mend. Taylor is the expert flirt, can make anyone fall for her, and Avery is new to exploring her bi-sexuality, and needs someone to teach her how to flirt. This begins the Flirting Lessons. I really enjoyed this story, it was very sweet and has a huge heart as we follow our two FMCs go on a variety of activities to help Avery learn to flirt. Their relationship felt real, as their feelings flourished. Taylor with her struggling friendships as her best friend is now married and pregnant was such a poignant side plot as well, striking a chord in this 30 year old reader. If you’re looking for something fast and fun, cute and sweet, this is a great story to pick up.
I did the audio book for this one and thought the narrator did an amazing job because the story was duel POV, third person, but I always felt like I knew whose story we were in as she switched.
Thank you PRH audio for the book!
Taylor Swift Songs: I Think (S)he Knows, Lover, Paper Rings, Sparks Fly, Dress, You Are In Love, Fearless
I did the audio book for this one and thought the narrator did an amazing job because the story was duel POV, third person, but I always felt like I knew whose story we were in as she switched.
Thank you PRH audio for the book!
Taylor Swift Songs: I Think (S)he Knows, Lover, Paper Rings, Sparks Fly, Dress, You Are In Love, Fearless
May 14, 2025
A low-angst, charming book about rake/wallflower with "lessons" but this time of the flirting variety. Everyone is thoughtful and considerate. Friends look out for one another, and offer useful advice. When there's conflict between characters, they sit with their feelings and talk it out.
Taylor is a charisma monster, you know the kind, charming everyone, friendly and fun, attractive as all get out. Avery is fresh out of a long-term relationship with a fully mid guy, and wanting to explore the queer side of herself, but not sure where to begin. She's buttoned down and cautious, and feels at sea in this new environment. If only she could safely practice with someone!
A microtrope I really like is when a character carries on with the behavior that was normalized in their cohort, but everyone else has moved on so now they are an outlier. In this case, Taylor's best friend is married and expecting, and Taylor's prolific no-attachment serial monogamy is starting to look less cute, or at least she's more aware of the jokes and gossip surrounding her rakish abilities. She bets her BFF she can go the summer without [marital congress] and since she'll need something to do while she's not doing that, she offers Avery flirting lessons focused on women.
I thought there would be a Chekov's Bet situation, but Avery found out about it and nbd. How did she find out about it you ask? Wellllll, let's just say she was there when Taylor lost. Honestly I was expecting Taylor to wonder if she was sick with indigestion or the pain in her chest, she was such a Oh No A Feeling character. "They were both on the same page, no feelings were hurt, and they'd get to keep doing the flirting lessons. So why did she feel so confused?" HMMMM. I WONDER.
Guillory did something I don't love, but do concede is a HIGHLY effective microtrope, when one of the people in a "casual" relationship changes the rules in their head but doesn't tell the other and heartbreak ensues (an outstanding example of this is in Run, Run Rabbit (Cambric Creek After Darkverse, #1)). Because of course going into this all parties knew that Avery wanted the confidence and skills to explore and have fun with this new side of herself, and "Taylor only did casual, short-term relationships, so this thing between them was a ticking clock, no matter how good it felt."
Guillory does a great job of showing the multifaceted ways in this these two are compatible - not only their attraction and physical side, but how they listen to and support the other, and bring out the best in their partner. I will say Guillory's authorial voice is very pronounced, her characters tend to think and act in similar ways (or possibly northern California where most of her books are set is populated by really considerate and reflectively thoughtful people). I don't mind at all though, I really like her as an author, and am picking up what she is laying down. Possibly this book was *too* low angst for me? I kept waiting for a conflict or a couple cued up issues to play out, but things resolved easily, all told. Oh well, there are worse fates than spending a couple days reading about pleasant and attractive people doing fun things and eating delicious food. Plus, maybe my own flirting skills improved along the way!
Taylor is a charisma monster, you know the kind, charming everyone, friendly and fun, attractive as all get out. Avery is fresh out of a long-term relationship with a fully mid guy, and wanting to explore the queer side of herself, but not sure where to begin. She's buttoned down and cautious, and feels at sea in this new environment. If only she could safely practice with someone!
A microtrope I really like is when a character carries on with the behavior that was normalized in their cohort, but everyone else has moved on so now they are an outlier. In this case, Taylor's best friend is married and expecting, and Taylor's prolific no-attachment serial monogamy is starting to look less cute, or at least she's more aware of the jokes and gossip surrounding her rakish abilities. She bets her BFF she can go the summer without [marital congress] and since she'll need something to do while she's not doing that, she offers Avery flirting lessons focused on women.
I thought there would be a Chekov's Bet situation, but Avery found out about it and nbd. How did she find out about it you ask? Wellllll, let's just say she was there when Taylor lost. Honestly I was expecting Taylor to wonder if she was sick with indigestion or the pain in her chest, she was such a Oh No A Feeling character. "They were both on the same page, no feelings were hurt, and they'd get to keep doing the flirting lessons. So why did she feel so confused?" HMMMM. I WONDER.
Guillory did something I don't love, but do concede is a HIGHLY effective microtrope, when one of the people in a "casual" relationship changes the rules in their head but doesn't tell the other and heartbreak ensues (an outstanding example of this is in Run, Run Rabbit (Cambric Creek After Darkverse, #1)). Because of course going into this all parties knew that Avery wanted the confidence and skills to explore and have fun with this new side of herself, and "Taylor only did casual, short-term relationships, so this thing between them was a ticking clock, no matter how good it felt."
Guillory does a great job of showing the multifaceted ways in this these two are compatible - not only their attraction and physical side, but how they listen to and support the other, and bring out the best in their partner. I will say Guillory's authorial voice is very pronounced, her characters tend to think and act in similar ways (or possibly northern California where most of her books are set is populated by really considerate and reflectively thoughtful people). I don't mind at all though, I really like her as an author, and am picking up what she is laying down. Possibly this book was *too* low angst for me? I kept waiting for a conflict or a couple cued up issues to play out, but things resolved easily, all told. Oh well, there are worse fates than spending a couple days reading about pleasant and attractive people doing fun things and eating delicious food. Plus, maybe my own flirting skills improved along the way!
March 2, 2026
I did enjoy this one.
The flirting lessons were honestly so fun, and I loved seeing the growth through each one. Every event felt unique and well thought out, and that was definitely the highlight for me.
The growth for both characters was satisfying, though, and I appreciated the way they each came into themselves.
The chemistry between Avery and Taylor was okay. It wasn’t bad but I think it could have had a little more depth or tension. I wanted to feel it just a bit more, I wasn’t fully convinced. I missed the profession of love which felt glazed over and kind of uneventful. It was more of a discussion than a moment, and I wanted something that felt bigger or more earned after everything that built up to it.
The ending was predictable, but I still enjoyed the ride. Overall, a fun, light romance with great character growth just missing that final emotional punch for me.
The flirting lessons were honestly so fun, and I loved seeing the growth through each one. Every event felt unique and well thought out, and that was definitely the highlight for me.
The growth for both characters was satisfying, though, and I appreciated the way they each came into themselves.
The chemistry between Avery and Taylor was okay. It wasn’t bad but I think it could have had a little more depth or tension. I wanted to feel it just a bit more, I wasn’t fully convinced. I missed the profession of love which felt glazed over and kind of uneventful. It was more of a discussion than a moment, and I wanted something that felt bigger or more earned after everything that built up to it.
The ending was predictable, but I still enjoyed the ride. Overall, a fun, light romance with great character growth just missing that final emotional punch for me.
Read
May 28, 2025The rom-com GOAT writes a sapphic novel for the first time and not only does she knock it out of the park but there is no third act break up!!! I repeat, there is no third act break up! And you know why?!?! Because Guillory writes characters so believeable she needs to transcend tropes. She kept it so real here and even though we track Avery and Taylor’s every insecurity, their communication is so strong there was no way she could create some bullshit breakup. Chef kiss! I love the way Guillory writes fat women who love their bodies. She also always has a diverse cast of characters. She is the GOAT to me for so many reasons. Love.
June 16, 2025
A good love story! A girl who was known to be a flirt, never committed, etc. meets a girl who hadn't dated women before and they were able to change each other for the better. The flirt (Taylor) had to deal with the misconceptions everyone had about her and how long she'd stay in a relationship with Avery, so that brought added drama to the story.
January 23, 2025
3.5/5
This was a cute read about Avery one of the fmcs who just went through a breakup and realized that she has no hobbies and doesn't know how to flirt. The other fmc Taylor is known for her flirting and relationships and they agree for Taylor to give Avery lessons and teach her all she knows about flirting and hookups. Of course, they fall for each other and start a benefits relationship.
I liked the premise and I liked the main characters, especially in the beginning. I thought the romance was cute and inevitable. I loved the salsa dancing element and their getting closer during these lessons. I also loved the opposites attract element and showed they complemented each other. I do think that the characters felt surface-level at times without a lot of growth. I also think the writing at times was weird but overall this was a nice and quick read. Thanks to Berkley for this arc for an honest review.
This was a cute read about Avery one of the fmcs who just went through a breakup and realized that she has no hobbies and doesn't know how to flirt. The other fmc Taylor is known for her flirting and relationships and they agree for Taylor to give Avery lessons and teach her all she knows about flirting and hookups. Of course, they fall for each other and start a benefits relationship.
I liked the premise and I liked the main characters, especially in the beginning. I thought the romance was cute and inevitable. I loved the salsa dancing element and their getting closer during these lessons. I also loved the opposites attract element and showed they complemented each other. I do think that the characters felt surface-level at times without a lot of growth. I also think the writing at times was weird but overall this was a nice and quick read. Thanks to Berkley for this arc for an honest review.
May 21, 2025
Unfortunately I was so let down by one of my most anticipated books of the year. Damn.
I think it was really hard to follow the narration when the thoughts of both characters were on the same page. It would have been better if they each had their own chapters I think.
I also hate a “bet” trope. It feels childish and not something adults do so I wasn’t really into that. I struggled to really feel the connection between the love interests. It became so repetitive and boring I was just kinda wishing for it to be over.
I did like this book existing in the same universe as Drunk in Love which I loved!!
I think it was really hard to follow the narration when the thoughts of both characters were on the same page. It would have been better if they each had their own chapters I think.
I also hate a “bet” trope. It feels childish and not something adults do so I wasn’t really into that. I struggled to really feel the connection between the love interests. It became so repetitive and boring I was just kinda wishing for it to be over.
I did like this book existing in the same universe as Drunk in Love which I loved!!
February 16, 2026
What I appreciate about Flirting Lessons is how Guillory captures the nasty inner voice of anxiety in both Avery and Taylor. Despite being younger than both women, I really related to both of their struggles: Avery's self-esteem issues, her worry that she hasn't done enough in her twenties; Taylor feeling like she doesn't measure up to Erica's new married, home ownership, baby on the way life. This was the first book I've read that so honestly and unabashedly throws the reader into these thought spirals, and then challenges the characters to think differently.
Unfortunately, all other aspects of this book just did not do it for me. I only managed to enjoy this book when I thought about it as a self-help book masquerading as a really, unnecessarily long romance novel.
And when I say all other aspects, I mean:
- This book is 90% dialogue, most of which reads as stiff/unbelievable or is unnecessary. At one point, Avery recounts to Luke in detail a scene that we as the readers already went through. Paragraphs are dedicated to guessing what another character is about to reveal to them: a date location, big news, etc. Too much dialogue is boring/tells me nothing/is downright cringe. At the same time, other parts are used to tell me as the reader things I would have never known before (instead of, you know, building the plot and scenes that would let the characters live through the things I am instead being informed in the 100th conversation of the book). On a minor note, the characters use words that I rarely hear in daily life ("I was being histrionic," Taylor says near the end) - this is fine if this is part of the character's way of speaking, but they feel out of character and take me out as a reader. And speaking of character:
- The characters are so flat. The whole cast feels like ultra-processed food that you get at the supermarket: no ability to trace where any ingredients come from. No hobbies, no mentions of family, the most simple of friendships. No struggles with work, no attunement to the body, no coping mechanisms. And no mentions of the past, or past relationships?? This is especially frustrating given both characters have such one-dimensional framings at the start: the "boring goody 2-shoes" girl, the "heartbreaker commitment-allergic girl." By the end, the characters have changed on paper, but I'm not sure why or whether any of it is really deserved.
- I really struggled with the depiction of queerness in this book. I am mindful of how no one book can bare the burden of being The Authentic Queer Experience (and then, on top of that, The Authentic WLW Experience Between Black Women). That would be an incredibly unfair and irresponsible ask for any story. And, it is genuinely great that more books like this are being published. I went to Guillory's talk at The Battery, and she said something I appreciated - how stories that are happy are deemed as lesser, and how she wanted to show Avery being excited, to lean towards happiness in a literary world that gives more clout to sad stories, stories about struggle, etc. That is all great! But this book literally feels Out of Touch. There are no discussions of either character's relationship to their sexuality outside of Taylor dating every woman in Napa and Avery being excited to be with a woman, which feels disingenuous to each character's whole narrative arc. First queer relationships don't always have to be intense or scary or u-haul esque, but Avery's experience is so flat and doesn't even consider any of these things. The intimate scenes feel so not-complex, which is fine if you weren't barraging the reader every two seconds with how "Taylor has literally slept with all the gay women in Napa." And the depictions of how queer people talk to each other, see each other, think about each other all felt so laced with poison and, to be quite frank, the male gaze. Conquests, lusting over, blah blah blah. The posturing both women did, and the "Sexy" moments, felt like a man had inserted himself into the writer's room. And then outside of the "lusting" - at some times Taylor's friends are just downright mean to each other. All of which would be fine if the story didn't end these moments there! You don't have to make your characters cookie cutter perfect and I would be bored out of my mind if you did! But these moments are often brushed off, taken for granted, or reframed as how friends are and it felt very disappointing to me. I sometimes felt like I was in a more diverse, queer version of the later seasons of SatC when everyone's just being self-interested and rude and calling it friendship.
- If I had a dollar for every time someone laughs, has laughter in their voice, can't help but smile or grin, or "shouts with glee," I could buy all of Guillory's books in hardcover! As someone who used to use these kinds of fillers often, I get it - it's an easy way to create atmosphere, gesture towards intimacy and chemistry, etc etc. But you can't do it on every other page. It feels cheap + lazy, and to be quite frank, a disservice to your story, which has so much untapped potential for more interesting moments
On a final note: Why do these characters keep calling Napa Napa Valley? At Guillory's talk, she calls it Napa. Why is the book different? Was this an editorial choice for readers who don't know Napa is the same as Napa Valley? If so, this is indicative of one of my main gripes with this book, which is that the book does not trust the reader at all to be able to process more than the most basic dialogue to follow a story.
Anyway I read two chapters of an AO3 fic in the middle of finishing this book and it felt like eating a fresh, in-season orange after subsisting on stale toast. I am glad I finished this book but am looking forward to better Valentine's Day reads in the years to come.
Unfortunately, all other aspects of this book just did not do it for me. I only managed to enjoy this book when I thought about it as a self-help book masquerading as a really, unnecessarily long romance novel.
And when I say all other aspects, I mean:
- This book is 90% dialogue, most of which reads as stiff/unbelievable or is unnecessary. At one point, Avery recounts to Luke in detail a scene that we as the readers already went through. Paragraphs are dedicated to guessing what another character is about to reveal to them: a date location, big news, etc. Too much dialogue is boring/tells me nothing/is downright cringe. At the same time, other parts are used to tell me as the reader things I would have never known before (instead of, you know, building the plot and scenes that would let the characters live through the things I am instead being informed in the 100th conversation of the book). On a minor note, the characters use words that I rarely hear in daily life ("I was being histrionic," Taylor says near the end) - this is fine if this is part of the character's way of speaking, but they feel out of character and take me out as a reader. And speaking of character:
- The characters are so flat. The whole cast feels like ultra-processed food that you get at the supermarket: no ability to trace where any ingredients come from. No hobbies, no mentions of family, the most simple of friendships. No struggles with work, no attunement to the body, no coping mechanisms. And no mentions of the past, or past relationships?? This is especially frustrating given both characters have such one-dimensional framings at the start: the "boring goody 2-shoes" girl, the "heartbreaker commitment-allergic girl." By the end, the characters have changed on paper, but I'm not sure why or whether any of it is really deserved.
- I really struggled with the depiction of queerness in this book. I am mindful of how no one book can bare the burden of being The Authentic Queer Experience (and then, on top of that, The Authentic WLW Experience Between Black Women). That would be an incredibly unfair and irresponsible ask for any story. And, it is genuinely great that more books like this are being published. I went to Guillory's talk at The Battery, and she said something I appreciated - how stories that are happy are deemed as lesser, and how she wanted to show Avery being excited, to lean towards happiness in a literary world that gives more clout to sad stories, stories about struggle, etc. That is all great! But this book literally feels Out of Touch. There are no discussions of either character's relationship to their sexuality outside of Taylor dating every woman in Napa and Avery being excited to be with a woman, which feels disingenuous to each character's whole narrative arc. First queer relationships don't always have to be intense or scary or u-haul esque, but Avery's experience is so flat and doesn't even consider any of these things. The intimate scenes feel so not-complex, which is fine if you weren't barraging the reader every two seconds with how "Taylor has literally slept with all the gay women in Napa." And the depictions of how queer people talk to each other, see each other, think about each other all felt so laced with poison and, to be quite frank, the male gaze. Conquests, lusting over, blah blah blah. The posturing both women did, and the "Sexy" moments, felt like a man had inserted himself into the writer's room. And then outside of the "lusting" - at some times Taylor's friends are just downright mean to each other. All of which would be fine if the story didn't end these moments there! You don't have to make your characters cookie cutter perfect and I would be bored out of my mind if you did! But these moments are often brushed off, taken for granted, or reframed as how friends are and it felt very disappointing to me. I sometimes felt like I was in a more diverse, queer version of the later seasons of SatC when everyone's just being self-interested and rude and calling it friendship.
- If I had a dollar for every time someone laughs, has laughter in their voice, can't help but smile or grin, or "shouts with glee," I could buy all of Guillory's books in hardcover! As someone who used to use these kinds of fillers often, I get it - it's an easy way to create atmosphere, gesture towards intimacy and chemistry, etc etc. But you can't do it on every other page. It feels cheap + lazy, and to be quite frank, a disservice to your story, which has so much untapped potential for more interesting moments
On a final note: Why do these characters keep calling Napa Napa Valley? At Guillory's talk, she calls it Napa. Why is the book different? Was this an editorial choice for readers who don't know Napa is the same as Napa Valley? If so, this is indicative of one of my main gripes with this book, which is that the book does not trust the reader at all to be able to process more than the most basic dialogue to follow a story.
Anyway I read two chapters of an AO3 fic in the middle of finishing this book and it felt like eating a fresh, in-season orange after subsisting on stale toast. I am glad I finished this book but am looking forward to better Valentine's Day reads in the years to come.
May 12, 2025
Thanks Berkeley publishing group! I won an advance copy of this book. It was a cute Rom com following Avery and Taylor. It was fun to read and see what dates and activities they would try out. I love that their relationship was built around a friendship and all the banter and teasing. It was open and honest and to see the relationship become more than friends. It was easy and lighthearted read. I am a fan of the author reading other books she published so I was so excited to get this and read.
August 25, 2024
Did I stay up till 5am to finish this book? You bet I did!
There are a few current romance authors I like because there's a simple elegance to their work, and Jasmine Guillory is one of them. It feels like you spend so much time with her characters and experience what they do.
Also, this book is hot, a thing that I'm usually not into but I guess when it's women ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
There are a few current romance authors I like because there's a simple elegance to their work, and Jasmine Guillory is one of them. It feels like you spend so much time with her characters and experience what they do.
Also, this book is hot, a thing that I'm usually not into but I guess when it's women ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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