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Toni and Addie Go Viral
Mistakes Were Made meets Delilah Green Doesn't Care in a charming lesbian romance from New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr
Hot new author and her lead actress stun fans in a secret wedding―is it all a publicity stunt? Or something more…
On a whim―and hoping to pay off the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt her grifter father left behind―Victorian history professor Toni Darbyshire sells her lesbian detective novel in a massive deal. Suddenly thrust into the overwhelming new world of publishing, plus a television adaptation, Toni’s life gets even more complicated when her one-night stand turned pen pal (and the namesake for her main character) shows up in person for casting of the show.
Aspiring actress Addie’s had a crush on the professor ever since she watched her lectures on the Victorian era to prep for a stage role. Now, getting cast in Toni’s TV series could be her big break. But Addie’s in over her head when promo pictures of their fake Victorian wedding go viral. She could lose more than just her heart … and her historically accurate underthings.
Hot new author and her lead actress stun fans in a secret wedding―is it all a publicity stunt? Or something more…
On a whim―and hoping to pay off the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt her grifter father left behind―Victorian history professor Toni Darbyshire sells her lesbian detective novel in a massive deal. Suddenly thrust into the overwhelming new world of publishing, plus a television adaptation, Toni’s life gets even more complicated when her one-night stand turned pen pal (and the namesake for her main character) shows up in person for casting of the show.
Aspiring actress Addie’s had a crush on the professor ever since she watched her lectures on the Victorian era to prep for a stage role. Now, getting cast in Toni’s TV series could be her big break. But Addie’s in over her head when promo pictures of their fake Victorian wedding go viral. She could lose more than just her heart … and her historically accurate underthings.
384 pages, Paperback
Published August 12, 2025
30 people are currently reading
7870 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Marr
108 books13k followersMelissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
September 5, 2025
Sapphic Romcom
🎥 Bookish Thoughts
Oh wow this book was a ride! Toni and Addie Go Viral is a fake dating sapphic romcom, and be prepared for a lot of laughing because it’s a bit ridiculous. The role playing scenes were a little cringe 🤣🤣🤣
I’ll be frank, Toni was a moron for most of the book. You still end up liking her, but wow she was determined to self-sabotage herself and their relationship. I wanted to shake her for a good majority of the book, since she came off selfish and immature.
Addie, on the other hand, was so sweet and funny! She felt more mature than Toni despite their age gap. I do think she was a little too patient with Toni. She put her foot down toward the end, but I still felt like she forgave too easily.
Overall, this was a fun listen with plenty of laughs. 4 stars from me, and the audiobook narrators were amazing!
🩷 What to Expect
• Author x actress
• Fake marriage
• Age gap romance
• Publicity stunt
• Sapphic romcom
✨ Fave Quote
“Anyone who thought dating women was easier than dating men hadn’t ever dealt with an angry woman.”
_ _ _ _
🎧 Audio Score: 5 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual
📅 Pub Date: August 12, 2025
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
🎥 Bookish Thoughts
Oh wow this book was a ride! Toni and Addie Go Viral is a fake dating sapphic romcom, and be prepared for a lot of laughing because it’s a bit ridiculous. The role playing scenes were a little cringe 🤣🤣🤣
I’ll be frank, Toni was a moron for most of the book. You still end up liking her, but wow she was determined to self-sabotage herself and their relationship. I wanted to shake her for a good majority of the book, since she came off selfish and immature.
Addie, on the other hand, was so sweet and funny! She felt more mature than Toni despite their age gap. I do think she was a little too patient with Toni. She put her foot down toward the end, but I still felt like she forgave too easily.
Overall, this was a fun listen with plenty of laughs. 4 stars from me, and the audiobook narrators were amazing!
🩷 What to Expect
• Author x actress
• Fake marriage
• Age gap romance
• Publicity stunt
• Sapphic romcom
✨ Fave Quote
“Anyone who thought dating women was easier than dating men hadn’t ever dealt with an angry woman.”
_ _ _ _
🎧 Audio Score: 5 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual
📅 Pub Date: August 12, 2025
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
September 5, 2025
they may be toxic and deeply, deeply incompatible but boy was lesbian smut just what i needed 💖
August 11, 2025
This was spicy, and I didn't expect that, but I enjoyed it! While I enjoyed the main character, I also had moments I found her a bit annoying. Overall, this was a decent read.
I received this ARC audibook from NetGalley and Brilliance Audio to listen/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to this audiobook.
I received this ARC audibook from NetGalley and Brilliance Audio to listen/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to this audiobook.
July 13, 2025
Read This Book If…you’ve had an emotional unavailable ex!
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Toni and Addie Go Viral by Melissa Marr
Genre: Queer romance
Spice Level: 4/5🌶, 3-4 explicit scenes
Setting: LA and DC
POV: dual, 3rd person, past tense
Tropes: friends with benefits, fake marriage, virgin, one bed, role play, “good girl”
Content Warning: extreme homophobia and attempted assault of a character
My Thoughts:
Overall, I believe these two are Happy For Now and not Happily Ever After. Here’s why…
There was zero character growth until the 90% mark. While they did make an effort, they are fundamentally incompatible. The cycles of self sabotage and keeping secrets got repetitive before the main event even happened.
HOWEVER, I still enjoyed this read! Toni and Addie were interesting characters with plenty going on in their lives outside of the romance. I loved getting to see their relationship develop before the titular viral moment and how they both reacted.
I particularly enjoyed the journey of the newly-out Addie and her journey of demisexuality and what sex even means. I really enjoyed the spicy scenes and thought they were well-written.
Again, I enjoyed this read, but you will be screaming at the characters to just talk it out multiple times!
Memorable Quote: “I’ve let myself think this is some big romance, but maybe I was just…convenient?”
Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Toni and Addie Go Viral by Melissa Marr
Genre: Queer romance
Spice Level: 4/5🌶, 3-4 explicit scenes
Setting: LA and DC
POV: dual, 3rd person, past tense
Tropes: friends with benefits, fake marriage, virgin, one bed, role play, “good girl”
Content Warning: extreme homophobia and attempted assault of a character
My Thoughts:
Overall, I believe these two are Happy For Now and not Happily Ever After. Here’s why…
There was zero character growth until the 90% mark. While they did make an effort, they are fundamentally incompatible. The cycles of self sabotage and keeping secrets got repetitive before the main event even happened.
HOWEVER, I still enjoyed this read! Toni and Addie were interesting characters with plenty going on in their lives outside of the romance. I loved getting to see their relationship develop before the titular viral moment and how they both reacted.
I particularly enjoyed the journey of the newly-out Addie and her journey of demisexuality and what sex even means. I really enjoyed the spicy scenes and thought they were well-written.
Again, I enjoyed this read, but you will be screaming at the characters to just talk it out multiple times!
Memorable Quote: “I’ve let myself think this is some big romance, but maybe I was just…convenient?”
Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy!
August 31, 2025
2.5 stars
i really wanted to love this book, the premise seemed absolutely perfect!
but this one fell kind of flat to me.
the book and the writing felt kind of random and all over the place at times which was a bit confusing.
something about addie approaching toni in the bar and not divulging that she knew of her prior felt kind of weird to me. especially not telling her after even though they stayed in contact.
also i understand that toni was highly affected by the things that happened between her parents and what happened with them but we as the reader really did not need to hear her say over and over that she didn't want to be like her dad or her mum, we only really needed that statement once to understand why she's so scared of opening up and dating.
the overall communication between them was pretty annoying, i wish they had just communicated properly from the beginning. and i wish we got more of them actually building feelings for each other as opposed to them hooking up more than talking and working stuff out.
AND the random love bombing after addie’s attack omg no
the narrators Gail Shalan & Stephanie Németh-Parker did an amazing job of bringing this story to life
i really wanted to love this book, the premise seemed absolutely perfect!
but this one fell kind of flat to me.
the book and the writing felt kind of random and all over the place at times which was a bit confusing.
something about addie approaching toni in the bar and not divulging that she knew of her prior felt kind of weird to me. especially not telling her after even though they stayed in contact.
also i understand that toni was highly affected by the things that happened between her parents and what happened with them but we as the reader really did not need to hear her say over and over that she didn't want to be like her dad or her mum, we only really needed that statement once to understand why she's so scared of opening up and dating.
the overall communication between them was pretty annoying, i wish they had just communicated properly from the beginning. and i wish we got more of them actually building feelings for each other as opposed to them hooking up more than talking and working stuff out.
AND the random love bombing after addie’s attack omg no
the narrators Gail Shalan & Stephanie Németh-Parker did an amazing job of bringing this story to life
August 7, 2025
I had the audiobook version of this book and that's the reason I continued to read it. The Narrators did an amazing job filling the story with feeling and made it comprehensive.
The story wasn't bad, it was just all over the place.
What I really appreciated was the ending, I love that nobody changes or give up their dreams. I think that ending was really mature and perfect for the two characters.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC.
The story wasn't bad, it was just all over the place.
What I really appreciated was the ending, I love that nobody changes or give up their dreams. I think that ending was really mature and perfect for the two characters.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC.
August 20, 2025
this book was infuriating and so all over the place, like i truly didn't know what the plot was trying to do. and the main plot point in the blub didn't happen until the halfway mark, and then everything went so fast. i couldn't root for either character because they kept doing & saying the same things over and over again. i think melissa marr is just not for me.
August 12, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
I was excited for the premise—academia, publishing, and a viral romance—and the setup had so much potential. The idea of a secret wedding turning into a media frenzy was intriguing, and I enjoyed the dynamic between Toni and Addie, especially their history and the chaos of everything going viral. However, the execution didn’t fully deliver for me. The story leaned heavily on telling rather than showing, making it hard to deeply feel their emotions or the pressure they were under. Pacing was uneven—some parts dragged, others rushed through key moments—and their individual arcs felt underdeveloped, with little growth until late in the story.
That said, I still found the book enjoyable! The spicy scenes were well-written and added extra flavor, and I appreciated Addie’s journey of discovering her demisexuality and what intimacy means to her. Despite the ups and downs, I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop before everything went viral. However, the characters’ cycles of self-sabotage and secrecy became repetitive, and they often felt fundamentally incompatible—leaving me with a feeling that they’re “happy for now” rather than truly happy forever.
Overall, a decent, entertaining read with great moments but a few frustrating pacing and character development issues. Still, I enjoyed the journey and the spice!
I was excited for the premise—academia, publishing, and a viral romance—and the setup had so much potential. The idea of a secret wedding turning into a media frenzy was intriguing, and I enjoyed the dynamic between Toni and Addie, especially their history and the chaos of everything going viral. However, the execution didn’t fully deliver for me. The story leaned heavily on telling rather than showing, making it hard to deeply feel their emotions or the pressure they were under. Pacing was uneven—some parts dragged, others rushed through key moments—and their individual arcs felt underdeveloped, with little growth until late in the story.
That said, I still found the book enjoyable! The spicy scenes were well-written and added extra flavor, and I appreciated Addie’s journey of discovering her demisexuality and what intimacy means to her. Despite the ups and downs, I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop before everything went viral. However, the characters’ cycles of self-sabotage and secrecy became repetitive, and they often felt fundamentally incompatible—leaving me with a feeling that they’re “happy for now” rather than truly happy forever.
Overall, a decent, entertaining read with great moments but a few frustrating pacing and character development issues. Still, I enjoyed the journey and the spice!
August 11, 2025
I was really excited to get an early copy for this book but it really fell flat for me.
It was incredibly slow and dull.
To be completely honest, I’m surprised and concerned this was selected by a publisher. Maybe it’s my fault for having higher expectations in a book that’s supposed to be professionally edited and reviewed, but at minimum, I do expect the book to follow the golden rule of show don’t tell.
There was so much potential for this to be good. Perfect set up for great tension and a unique story.
Both of the main characters weren’t likeable and it was unnecessarily challenging to root for them when it felt like there wasn’t anything to root for.
A special thank you to the narrators who made this possible to endure. This review in no way reflects their performances. They get five stars.
If you’re looking for a book with emotionally immature characters, no real depth, miscommunication and insta-lust, you’re in for a treat.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing/Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!!!
It was incredibly slow and dull.
To be completely honest, I’m surprised and concerned this was selected by a publisher. Maybe it’s my fault for having higher expectations in a book that’s supposed to be professionally edited and reviewed, but at minimum, I do expect the book to follow the golden rule of show don’t tell.
There was so much potential for this to be good. Perfect set up for great tension and a unique story.
Both of the main characters weren’t likeable and it was unnecessarily challenging to root for them when it felt like there wasn’t anything to root for.
A special thank you to the narrators who made this possible to endure. This review in no way reflects their performances. They get five stars.
If you’re looking for a book with emotionally immature characters, no real depth, miscommunication and insta-lust, you’re in for a treat.
Thank you Brilliance Publishing/Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!!!
August 12, 2025
There was potential in this story. The book blurb sounded so intriguing and I liked the cover.
The execution was lacking. The writing was unfortunately flat. I didn't feel anything for or from these characters. The plot was a bit here and there and the pacing was fast and slow and I had trouble keeping up.
There were moments I enjoyed, hence the rating. But it really needs a little more time in edits to be good.
The execution was lacking. The writing was unfortunately flat. I didn't feel anything for or from these characters. The plot was a bit here and there and the pacing was fast and slow and I had trouble keeping up.
There were moments I enjoyed, hence the rating. But it really needs a little more time in edits to be good.
June 6, 2025
I won this book as a goodreads giveaway. It is an ARC so there were still spelling errors and such in the book, but that’s to be expected. Honestly, I really did enjoy this book. At times I did get frustrated with the characters because of some of the choices they made, but at the end I really enjoyed them together. Some of the narratives were repetitive throughout the book when it came to certain things. However, I enjoyed reading about Toni and Addie and their different jobs, but I also enjoyed their relationship and seeing them try to work it out. I do wish we got more of them at the end of the book because I wanted to see if they worked through the issues that were throughout the book. Also I loved the cat in the book. Oscar Wilde was such a cute add.
September 28, 2025
(rounded up from 2.5)
I had high hopes for this one, but unfortunately, for the most part, I was disappointed.
Let's start with the literal premise: the titular wedding that the main characters, Toni and Addie, go viral with. We get a news clipping of this event to start with, and then it's about 60% of the way through the rest of this bloated book that we return to this actual event, so I have to wonder if it was worth framing in the title and as the pivotal plot point at all? Especially since
The main characters are insufferable. Toni is a professor and accidental Victorian sapphic detective mystery book writer. She smashed out this mystery book in one night, apparently, and given how most thrillers have plot holes you can drive a truck through, this seems about par for the course. She has SEVERE commitment issues and I got bored of reading her mental reiterations of "she deserves someone better than me", "my parents trusted and loved each other and this led to heartbreak and debt so ANYONE who falls in love or has a relationship will 100% experience the same thing", and "my mom has dementia, what if I have dementia later?". I am not exagerating when I say that upon reading the same things whirling around in her POV chapters for the fiftieth time, I was so close to DONE with this book.
Addie is overly naive and, honestly, a bit dim. Endearingly so, but also she fully wants to have a relationship with someone who is so closed off that it's like breaking into Fort Knox AND gets her feelings hurt every single time Toni behaves exactly as a severely commitment phobic person will.
I can't honestly say I was sold on the relationship, period (heh). The two MCs meet in person twice at either end of a year and have very boring, non-personal, and short email correspondence in the meantime. I don't know why Addie would be hung up on this one person she met briefly a year ago, or why Toni, who is a masc-presenting lesbian who has been swimming in women up until this point, would even be thinking about a random encounter she had with an attractive stranger in another country a year ago. The personalities are SUCH a bad fit together, and the email conversations we do see (aside from the quick "One year later" shortly into the start of the book) are impersonal and do not sell any kind of chemistry or closeness. There's a lot of telling that Toni feels like Addie is a confidant and friend, but no showing, which always frustrates me in a romance. For a MUCH better example of how to do a romance where two women get to know each other purely from correspondence and actually form a bond, check out The Blind Side of Love.
Anyway, I have very mixed feelings about the start of the relationship (), the middle of the relationship where Toni is constantly an asshole and Addie is somehow surprised and hurt every time, and the end of the book where we see some spectacular love bombing.
TL;DR: An interesting premise, but the execution was sorely lacking (and mostly just frustrating), unfortunately.
I had high hopes for this one, but unfortunately, for the most part, I was disappointed.
Let's start with the literal premise: the titular wedding that the main characters, Toni and Addie, go viral with. We get a news clipping of this event to start with, and then it's about 60% of the way through the rest of this bloated book that we return to this actual event, so I have to wonder if it was worth framing in the title and as the pivotal plot point at all? Especially since
The main characters are insufferable. Toni is a professor and accidental Victorian sapphic detective mystery book writer. She smashed out this mystery book in one night, apparently, and given how most thrillers have plot holes you can drive a truck through, this seems about par for the course. She has SEVERE commitment issues and I got bored of reading her mental reiterations of "she deserves someone better than me", "my parents trusted and loved each other and this led to heartbreak and debt so ANYONE who falls in love or has a relationship will 100% experience the same thing", and "my mom has dementia, what if I have dementia later?". I am not exagerating when I say that upon reading the same things whirling around in her POV chapters for the fiftieth time, I was so close to DONE with this book.
Addie is overly naive and, honestly, a bit dim. Endearingly so, but also she fully wants to have a relationship with someone who is so closed off that it's like breaking into Fort Knox AND gets her feelings hurt every single time Toni behaves exactly as a severely commitment phobic person will.
I can't honestly say I was sold on the relationship, period (heh). The two MCs meet in person twice at either end of a year and have very boring, non-personal, and short email correspondence in the meantime. I don't know why Addie would be hung up on this one person she met briefly a year ago, or why Toni, who is a masc-presenting lesbian who has been swimming in women up until this point, would even be thinking about a random encounter she had with an attractive stranger in another country a year ago. The personalities are SUCH a bad fit together, and the email conversations we do see (aside from the quick "One year later" shortly into the start of the book) are impersonal and do not sell any kind of chemistry or closeness. There's a lot of telling that Toni feels like Addie is a confidant and friend, but no showing, which always frustrates me in a romance. For a MUCH better example of how to do a romance where two women get to know each other purely from correspondence and actually form a bond, check out The Blind Side of Love.
Anyway, I have very mixed feelings about the start of the relationship (), the middle of the relationship where Toni is constantly an asshole and Addie is somehow surprised and hurt every time, and the end of the book where we see some spectacular love bombing.
TL;DR: An interesting premise, but the execution was sorely lacking (and mostly just frustrating), unfortunately.
August 4, 2025
Anyone who thought dating women was easier than dating men hadn't ever dealt with an angry woman.
When Toni and Addie meet for the first time, sparks fly. Maybe its because Addie is wearing a sheer Victorian nightgown or maybe its the thrill of meeting a stranger in a bar in Edinburgh. Whatever the deciding factor, the two of them have a steamy encounter and then go their merry way... except Toni can't get Addie out of her head and decides to name a character after her in her debut novel. When Addie lands a role in the tv adaption and comes face-to-face with Toni a year later, both need to decide whether their meeting was a short fling or destined for something more, but there's one problem: Toni doesn't believe in relationships.
Damn it. I'm in love with a fool.
This story was really cute but definitely appeals to a very niche audience, as it combines elements of Victorian humor and a fast burn romance plot. Their encounters were sweet & spicy at the same time, and I loved how Addie came to embrace her newfound sexuality, both as a newly out lesbian while discovering her sexual desires as a demisexual.
It was her super power. Worry. Self-doubt. Anxiety.
The parts that got a little frustrating where the moments the two didn't spend together, which were often filled with miscommunication and an overall lack of transparency of their mutual feelings. Their two characters seem to be constantly battling between not wanting to enter a committed relationship while also feeling strongly possessive of the other woman.
I was awaiting the key point of the fake marriage but have to say it felt a little forced to me. Without going into spoilers, I did not see the need for the circumstance which put the two FMCs into the situation of fake marrying each other. The two of them also kept a lot of secrets from each other for the majority of the book which does not lend towards a healthy lasting relationship.
If it looked like a closet even because of dubious lighting, squinting, and the like, Toni wanted no part of it.
Overall, I was missing a little bit of a spark (make me swoon!) and the humor did not always land for me, but I think this book can be excellent for the right audience as it discusses a lot of deeper topics, such as homophobia, emotional trauma, taking care of a mentally unwell family member.
Women who looked like Addie could pass for straight in a pinch, could escape danger or crude remarks. Not that Toni wanted to pass, but every so often Toni thought it would be nice to live in a world where she did not get disdainful looks because of how she was born.
genre: contemporary romance
pages: 379
rating: 3.5stars
writing: dual POV
spice: explicit
Tropes & Themes
-slight age gap (27 x 32)
-commitment-phobe x relationship girl
-"Good Girl"
-actress x writer
- grumpy x sunshine
-friends with benefits
-PR stunt gone rogue
-fake marriage
-insta lust
-lots of Victorian speech & costumes
-cute but feisty pet (cat!)
-Queer rep: WLW x WLW (demisexual)
-CW: severe homophobia, attempted assault, death of a family member (off page), mental illness
When Toni and Addie meet for the first time, sparks fly. Maybe its because Addie is wearing a sheer Victorian nightgown or maybe its the thrill of meeting a stranger in a bar in Edinburgh. Whatever the deciding factor, the two of them have a steamy encounter and then go their merry way... except Toni can't get Addie out of her head and decides to name a character after her in her debut novel. When Addie lands a role in the tv adaption and comes face-to-face with Toni a year later, both need to decide whether their meeting was a short fling or destined for something more, but there's one problem: Toni doesn't believe in relationships.
Damn it. I'm in love with a fool.
This story was really cute but definitely appeals to a very niche audience, as it combines elements of Victorian humor and a fast burn romance plot. Their encounters were sweet & spicy at the same time, and I loved how Addie came to embrace her newfound sexuality, both as a newly out lesbian while discovering her sexual desires as a demisexual.
It was her super power. Worry. Self-doubt. Anxiety.
The parts that got a little frustrating where the moments the two didn't spend together, which were often filled with miscommunication and an overall lack of transparency of their mutual feelings. Their two characters seem to be constantly battling between not wanting to enter a committed relationship while also feeling strongly possessive of the other woman.
I was awaiting the key point of the fake marriage but have to say it felt a little forced to me. Without going into spoilers, I did not see the need for the circumstance which put the two FMCs into the situation of fake marrying each other. The two of them also kept a lot of secrets from each other for the majority of the book which does not lend towards a healthy lasting relationship.
If it looked like a closet even because of dubious lighting, squinting, and the like, Toni wanted no part of it.
Overall, I was missing a little bit of a spark (make me swoon!) and the humor did not always land for me, but I think this book can be excellent for the right audience as it discusses a lot of deeper topics, such as homophobia, emotional trauma, taking care of a mentally unwell family member.
Women who looked like Addie could pass for straight in a pinch, could escape danger or crude remarks. Not that Toni wanted to pass, but every so often Toni thought it would be nice to live in a world where she did not get disdainful looks because of how she was born.
genre: contemporary romance
pages: 379
rating: 3.5stars
writing: dual POV
spice: explicit
Tropes & Themes
-slight age gap (27 x 32)
-commitment-phobe x relationship girl
-"Good Girl"
-actress x writer
- grumpy x sunshine
-friends with benefits
-PR stunt gone rogue
-fake marriage
-insta lust
-lots of Victorian speech & costumes
-cute but feisty pet (cat!)
-Queer rep: WLW x WLW (demisexual)
-CW: severe homophobia, attempted assault, death of a family member (off page), mental illness
April 11, 2025
The premise really grabbed me, and the cover is gorgeous, but unfortunately this one didn't do it for me.
Addie and Toni really read like stock characters to me, mostly because the writing is so flat. This happens, then that happens, then this happens. Even the stuff I liked didn't keep me locked in, because the story is so belabored. Addie is also, like, comically stupid. Maybe she could be read as trusting and a little naive, but she has no real care for her physical safety. I didn't like how she was infantilized at first, but then I guess I got used to the fact that she can't take care of herself. Toni is mean and I didn't like a lot of what she said and did. I liked the tenderness between her and Emily, and her feelings toward her mother are very complex and interesting. But she was super shitty to Addie, who deserves better despite being a few cards short of a full deck. Toni is an interesting character, but her actions are selfish and she cannot get out of her own way. Honestly, she's a walking red flag. Addie's stupidest move is continuing to see Toni when she makes it clear she's not open to love and romance. Honestly I found them both exhausting and I wasn't even rooting for them.
I did read until the end because I wanted to know what happened, but overall this book was just so slow and dull and needed a few more drafts before it would be properly entertaining. I also noticed the (entirely American) characters in this book using Britishisms, which is just a little thing that annoys me, but I'll own I'm nitpicking here.
TWs: Neglectful parents and parents with addiction (in past, off page), dementia of a parent, death of a parent (off page), attempted assault of a major character, bodily injury (no gore), homophobia in the workplace
Addie and Toni really read like stock characters to me, mostly because the writing is so flat. This happens, then that happens, then this happens. Even the stuff I liked didn't keep me locked in, because the story is so belabored. Addie is also, like, comically stupid. Maybe she could be read as trusting and a little naive, but she has no real care for her physical safety. I didn't like how she was infantilized at first, but then I guess I got used to the fact that she can't take care of herself. Toni is mean and I didn't like a lot of what she said and did. I liked the tenderness between her and Emily, and her feelings toward her mother are very complex and interesting. But she was super shitty to Addie, who deserves better despite being a few cards short of a full deck. Toni is an interesting character, but her actions are selfish and she cannot get out of her own way. Honestly, she's a walking red flag. Addie's stupidest move is continuing to see Toni when she makes it clear she's not open to love and romance. Honestly I found them both exhausting and I wasn't even rooting for them.
I did read until the end because I wanted to know what happened, but overall this book was just so slow and dull and needed a few more drafts before it would be properly entertaining. I also noticed the (entirely American) characters in this book using Britishisms, which is just a little thing that annoys me, but I'll own I'm nitpicking here.
TWs: Neglectful parents and parents with addiction (in past, off page), dementia of a parent, death of a parent (off page), attempted assault of a major character, bodily injury (no gore), homophobia in the workplace
December 4, 2025
I'm so conflicted on whether to round this up to 4 stars or not. I hate the Goodreads rating system! Anyway.
This was a 3.5 read for me. I enjoyed it, and I loved the history nerdiness of it all (since I'm also a history nerd). The times when Toni and Addie were having fun together and being lovey-dovey were my favorite parts, and I honestly could have read a whole book just of them being blissfully in love. But alas, every good book needs a plot!
And that's where my issue came in. The "I can't get attached, can't fall in love" character archetype is typical in romance, and I was down with it for Toni at first. However, as the book went on, this got repetitive. Toni and Addie's relationship just seemed to go in circles all the time. And Toni's reasoning for trying to keep her distance began to feel even flimsier near the end, and I was unconvinced and annoyed. Honestly by the end, I couldn't see how their relationship would even last, because of the repetitiveness and how seemingly neither of them seemed to learn after every breakup.
The very ending felt rushed, especially the epilogue. With that said though, I did enjoy most of the book. I've got the sequel right now and have started it, and I like it so far!
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC through NetGalley!
This was a 3.5 read for me. I enjoyed it, and I loved the history nerdiness of it all (since I'm also a history nerd). The times when Toni and Addie were having fun together and being lovey-dovey were my favorite parts, and I honestly could have read a whole book just of them being blissfully in love. But alas, every good book needs a plot!
And that's where my issue came in. The "I can't get attached, can't fall in love" character archetype is typical in romance, and I was down with it for Toni at first. However, as the book went on, this got repetitive. Toni and Addie's relationship just seemed to go in circles all the time. And Toni's reasoning for trying to keep her distance began to feel even flimsier near the end, and I was unconvinced and annoyed. Honestly by the end, I couldn't see how their relationship would even last, because of the repetitiveness and how seemingly neither of them seemed to learn after every breakup.
The very ending felt rushed, especially the epilogue. With that said though, I did enjoy most of the book. I've got the sequel right now and have started it, and I like it so far!
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC through NetGalley!
September 4, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ rounded to a 4
i really enjoyed the idea of this book! An actress meets up with an author and then ends up getting the lead role in the tv adaptation of her book. Make it sapphic and add drama and you have a hit on your hands!
While i did enjoy the overall plot of the book, I actually really disliked both of the FMCs. There was so much drama in this book because they refused to effectively communicate. I was screaming at my
book so many times cuz if they would have just talked to one another a lot of the drama and miscommunication would have been relieved. I don’t feel like we really ever got a healthy stretch with them. They were both always refusing to communicate while also communicating effectively when they did.
The book wasn’t bad by any means. I was engaged the entire time and eager to see what happens next. I really enjoyed the narration, it was done well and did add to the story.
Overall, the cover is great, the plot is great and while the characters are infuriating, they still made me feel something! I’d def recommend to pick this one up!
The Vibes:
-Fake Marriage
-FWB turns more
-Role Playing
-author/professor x actress
-Sapphic
-Her first
i really enjoyed the idea of this book! An actress meets up with an author and then ends up getting the lead role in the tv adaptation of her book. Make it sapphic and add drama and you have a hit on your hands!
While i did enjoy the overall plot of the book, I actually really disliked both of the FMCs. There was so much drama in this book because they refused to effectively communicate. I was screaming at my
book so many times cuz if they would have just talked to one another a lot of the drama and miscommunication would have been relieved. I don’t feel like we really ever got a healthy stretch with them. They were both always refusing to communicate while also communicating effectively when they did.
The book wasn’t bad by any means. I was engaged the entire time and eager to see what happens next. I really enjoyed the narration, it was done well and did add to the story.
Overall, the cover is great, the plot is great and while the characters are infuriating, they still made me feel something! I’d def recommend to pick this one up!
The Vibes:
-Fake Marriage
-FWB turns more
-Role Playing
-author/professor x actress
-Sapphic
-Her first
July 23, 2025
Toni and Addie is a thoughtful romance with two unique characters. They are both well developed and consistent. Their backstories were well thought out and it reflected. Demi readers will appreciate the thoughtfulness of the spice. I was surprised by how long it took to get to the titular moment, but I found myself appreciating how their relationship progressed before it got to that point. I did struggle to relate to the characters myself, but I can see it working well for other people.
Overall, a cute romance I will be recommending.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Bramble for the ARC!
Overall, a cute romance I will be recommending.
All opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Bramble for the ARC!
July 31, 2025
Lesbian romance
Friends with benefits
Fake marriage
Role play
Miscommunication 🙄
Dual narration - Gail Shalon & Stephanie Nemeth Parker
A good listen. The miscommunication trope is strong during this story. I found myself frustrated with the characters at multiple points. I enjoyed the coming of age part for Addie truly finding herself. The spice was written well.
Overall it’s a good listen with some frustrating moments.
Friends with benefits
Fake marriage
Role play
Miscommunication 🙄
Dual narration - Gail Shalon & Stephanie Nemeth Parker
A good listen. The miscommunication trope is strong during this story. I found myself frustrated with the characters at multiple points. I enjoyed the coming of age part for Addie truly finding herself. The spice was written well.
Overall it’s a good listen with some frustrating moments.
August 19, 2025
This was an enjoyable audiobook experience, thanks mainly to narrators Gail Shalan and Stephanie Németh-Parker, who brought real emotion and distinction to the characters. The story follows Victorian history professor–turned-author Toni and aspiring actress Addie as their chemistry from a one-night stand collides with a TV adaptation and a fake wedding that suddenly goes viral. I loved the witty Victorian touches. The spice was well done, adding depth. That said, the miscommunication and cycles of secrecy grew frustrating, and at times the characters fell a little short of my expectations. Still, the narration elevated the experience, making this a fun, imperfect, but entertaining listen.
June 15, 2025
Love that these two actually talk through the baggage that they both have. This was adorable.
August 12, 2025
DNF @ 55%
I tried really hard to continue with this book but alas, I cannot. I feel like both of the MCs were insufferable and I don't think there was anything they could do to make me want to continue this. I found myself spacing out a lot while listening to the audiobook and the small things that kept my attention for like five seconds still wasn't enough. The writing felt all over the place honestly.
I did like the narrators and I think they did a good job. I think the cover and them are the only things good about this book!
----------
thank you to to NetGalley and Bramble for an ALC of this book, all thoughts are my own.
I tried really hard to continue with this book but alas, I cannot. I feel like both of the MCs were insufferable and I don't think there was anything they could do to make me want to continue this. I found myself spacing out a lot while listening to the audiobook and the small things that kept my attention for like five seconds still wasn't enough. The writing felt all over the place honestly.
I did like the narrators and I think they did a good job. I think the cover and them are the only things good about this book!
----------
thank you to to NetGalley and Bramble for an ALC of this book, all thoughts are my own.
October 3, 2025
Super cute and a great fun read! Could all of their problems be solved with therapy and better communication… yes… but I guess then there would be no story 🤷♀️
April 5, 2025
dnf the arc at 50%
this book is a masterclass in telling instead of showing. the characters are one-dimensional, annoying, and have nothing to say. it’s obscene how many important details of their relationship are buried between time jumps and both of these 30s or close to 30 characters are uninteresting underdeveloped children!! just because it’s gay doesn’t mean you don’t need to write a story!!
this book is a masterclass in telling instead of showing. the characters are one-dimensional, annoying, and have nothing to say. it’s obscene how many important details of their relationship are buried between time jumps and both of these 30s or close to 30 characters are uninteresting underdeveloped children!! just because it’s gay doesn’t mean you don’t need to write a story!!
August 20, 2025
I'm breaking format and not doing my cutesy book blurb. This is a book about a toxic relationship between an author and the actress who eventually ends up portraying the main character that the author named after her. The entire plot hinges on a violent homophobic man.
I hate it.
I had such high hopes for this book. It was cute and sexy for a while. But eventually it became clear these women are incapable of communicating. This isn't miscommunication, it isn't failure to communicate, and it goes past a mismatch in communication style. It is outright willful refusal to communicate. Neither of these women can just be honest about the way they feel. Addie is manipulative with stalker tendencies; Toni is emotionally unavailable but also wildly possessive and controlling. They will not last as a couple. I feel like I read an unfinished domestic thriller that needs more crime added. Toni and Addie had good bones as characters but the author seemed to be trying so hard to make them unique that she made them unrelatable and unlikeable.
I resent the idea of a sapphic Romance between two lesbians (seriously, such a rare find) that STILL somehow centers a man who one of them used to date. Terrible choice.
I'm also gonna nitpick for a second as a NoVa local. Vienna, VA is the perfect place to put a fictional college HOWEVER calling it "Vienna College" made me cringe. And I will not accept a college by that name being anywhere else in the DC Metro, that is even worse.
Also, when Toni is leaving the airport, the narration says she got on "THE 28" which sounds so utterly ridiculous that I stopped the book to start writing my review. It's just 28 or Route 28, please. Nobody who has had a single conversation/rant about traffic on 28 would call it THE 28.
The train from Manhattan to DC takes 3 to 4 hours, not almost-3. And if Toni lives in/near Vienna, add another hour of travel time for Emily coming to feed the damn cat.
Potomac Mills is like an hour from Dulles; there are at least 4 malls closer to where Toni lives with just as many cheap clothing options.
Also, the corset slander. A Victorian-era historian should not be giving into the idea that corsets are bad and should be done away with in the costumes for her TV series. Complete nonsense. Criticizing Hollywood costumers for not using proper, supportive corsetry would have been valid. What happens here is absolutely not.
Oh and being stabbed with dull scissors is WORSE than sharp ones. It means they tore through skin like a blunt object. Why is Addie acting like that isn't the case? I fear this author has no basic common sense, let alone the ability to do simple research.
Separate from the content, both narrators did amazingly with this audiobook. The editing is also perfect. My qualms are entirely with the absolute garbage relationship, setting building, and glaring inaccuracies.
I received this audiobook through NetGalley as an ARC/ALC. Opinions are my own; many thanks to Brilliance Audio for the read.
I hate it.
I had such high hopes for this book. It was cute and sexy for a while. But eventually it became clear these women are incapable of communicating. This isn't miscommunication, it isn't failure to communicate, and it goes past a mismatch in communication style. It is outright willful refusal to communicate. Neither of these women can just be honest about the way they feel. Addie is manipulative with stalker tendencies; Toni is emotionally unavailable but also wildly possessive and controlling. They will not last as a couple. I feel like I read an unfinished domestic thriller that needs more crime added. Toni and Addie had good bones as characters but the author seemed to be trying so hard to make them unique that she made them unrelatable and unlikeable.
I resent the idea of a sapphic Romance between two lesbians (seriously, such a rare find) that STILL somehow centers a man who one of them used to date. Terrible choice.
I'm also gonna nitpick for a second as a NoVa local. Vienna, VA is the perfect place to put a fictional college HOWEVER calling it "Vienna College" made me cringe. And I will not accept a college by that name being anywhere else in the DC Metro, that is even worse.
Also, when Toni is leaving the airport, the narration says she got on "THE 28" which sounds so utterly ridiculous that I stopped the book to start writing my review. It's just 28 or Route 28, please. Nobody who has had a single conversation/rant about traffic on 28 would call it THE 28.
The train from Manhattan to DC takes 3 to 4 hours, not almost-3. And if Toni lives in/near Vienna, add another hour of travel time for Emily coming to feed the damn cat.
Potomac Mills is like an hour from Dulles; there are at least 4 malls closer to where Toni lives with just as many cheap clothing options.
Also, the corset slander. A Victorian-era historian should not be giving into the idea that corsets are bad and should be done away with in the costumes for her TV series. Complete nonsense. Criticizing Hollywood costumers for not using proper, supportive corsetry would have been valid. What happens here is absolutely not.
Oh and being stabbed with dull scissors is WORSE than sharp ones. It means they tore through skin like a blunt object. Why is Addie acting like that isn't the case? I fear this author has no basic common sense, let alone the ability to do simple research.
Separate from the content, both narrators did amazingly with this audiobook. The editing is also perfect. My qualms are entirely with the absolute garbage relationship, setting building, and glaring inaccuracies.
I received this audiobook through NetGalley as an ARC/ALC. Opinions are my own; many thanks to Brilliance Audio for the read.
August 6, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to listen to this Aduiobook as an ARC.
I really liked the premise of this book and I liked certain parts of Addie and Toni but overall I didn’t feel connected to either of them for the most of the book.
I was interested in Addie’s journey to find herself and her sexuality, however, she was lowkey stalking Toni and was dishonest from the jump. I think that a lot of blame gets put on Toni for being toxic(rightfully so) but Addie inserted herself in dishonest ways as well.
I felt that Toni and Addie both brought too much baggage that they hadn’t unpacked and it brought too many miscommunication between them both.
I know this isn’t technically a trope(maybe it is, dumb smart people?) but I hate when supposedly smart people(people in academia, STEM roles etc) are so obtuse in how humans/relationships work. I get it, they were fucked up by past traumas but it seems like incredibly smart people should have slightly better critical thinking skills to at least understand how their actions impact others. The mental gymnastics I had while listening to this book was kind of insane.
I was irrationally annoyed whenever Toni called Addie “love” because like, what the heck, Toni, you were literally running away from her and could barely claim to be dating but your pet name is love? WILD stuff.
On the flip side, I loved how Toni stood up for Addie on set. That was beautifully written and you could feel the love Toni had for Addie in the moment, naturally for her to be like LOL JK WE’RE NOT DATING AND YOU CAN’T BE IN LOVE WITH ME.
All in all, 3 trending on 3.5 stars. The narrators were both great, I will say, the narrator for Toni was a little slower and during those chapters I had to increase the speed and then decrease for Addie’s chapters.
I really liked the premise of this book and I liked certain parts of Addie and Toni but overall I didn’t feel connected to either of them for the most of the book.
I was interested in Addie’s journey to find herself and her sexuality, however, she was lowkey stalking Toni and was dishonest from the jump. I think that a lot of blame gets put on Toni for being toxic(rightfully so) but Addie inserted herself in dishonest ways as well.
I felt that Toni and Addie both brought too much baggage that they hadn’t unpacked and it brought too many miscommunication between them both.
I know this isn’t technically a trope(maybe it is, dumb smart people?) but I hate when supposedly smart people(people in academia, STEM roles etc) are so obtuse in how humans/relationships work. I get it, they were fucked up by past traumas but it seems like incredibly smart people should have slightly better critical thinking skills to at least understand how their actions impact others. The mental gymnastics I had while listening to this book was kind of insane.
I was irrationally annoyed whenever Toni called Addie “love” because like, what the heck, Toni, you were literally running away from her and could barely claim to be dating but your pet name is love? WILD stuff.
On the flip side, I loved how Toni stood up for Addie on set. That was beautifully written and you could feel the love Toni had for Addie in the moment, naturally for her to be like LOL JK WE’RE NOT DATING AND YOU CAN’T BE IN LOVE WITH ME.
All in all, 3 trending on 3.5 stars. The narrators were both great, I will say, the narrator for Toni was a little slower and during those chapters I had to increase the speed and then decrease for Addie’s chapters.
January 4, 2026
Toni and Addie Go Viral opens with a bang—literally, a news article announcing a wedding—and promises a gleefully messy sapphic romance built on fame, publishing, and fake relationships. While the premise is irresistible, the execution proved more complicated for me, largely because of how uneven the emotional terrain between its protagonists becomes.
It’s difficult to root for Toni, whose unresolved trauma bleeds into nearly every interaction she has. Her emotional avoidance, insensitivity, and tendency to retreat behind walls she’s fortified over a lifetime make her frustrating to follow as a romantic lead. Addie, meanwhile, initially reads as a baby-gay ingenue, but quickly reveals herself to be far more emotionally capable and self-aware than Toni. Watching her repeatedly offer grace, patience, and understanding—only to be hurt again—made their dynamic feel lopsided. That said, Addie’s eventual insistence on her own worth and boundaries was one of the most satisfying moments in the novel.
A subplot involving a homophobic actor (and Addie’s ex) escalates into harassment that becomes increasingly upsetting. While I understand the narrative function this serves, it felt unnecessarily heavy-handed, and I struggled with how much page space it occupied. Other mechanisms could have been used to provoke conflict without leaning so hard on trauma tied to queer vulnerability in public spaces.
There are moments of genuine charm here, and Marr clearly understands the pressures of visibility, queerness, and success colliding all at once. Still, for me, the romance never fully balanced out. Addie does most of the emotional labor and bears the brunt of the hurt, while Toni remains stuck in patterns she’s unwilling to fully confront. I enjoyed aspects of this book, but ultimately, it didn’t come together in the way I’d hoped.
It’s difficult to root for Toni, whose unresolved trauma bleeds into nearly every interaction she has. Her emotional avoidance, insensitivity, and tendency to retreat behind walls she’s fortified over a lifetime make her frustrating to follow as a romantic lead. Addie, meanwhile, initially reads as a baby-gay ingenue, but quickly reveals herself to be far more emotionally capable and self-aware than Toni. Watching her repeatedly offer grace, patience, and understanding—only to be hurt again—made their dynamic feel lopsided. That said, Addie’s eventual insistence on her own worth and boundaries was one of the most satisfying moments in the novel.
A subplot involving a homophobic actor (and Addie’s ex) escalates into harassment that becomes increasingly upsetting. While I understand the narrative function this serves, it felt unnecessarily heavy-handed, and I struggled with how much page space it occupied. Other mechanisms could have been used to provoke conflict without leaning so hard on trauma tied to queer vulnerability in public spaces.
There are moments of genuine charm here, and Marr clearly understands the pressures of visibility, queerness, and success colliding all at once. Still, for me, the romance never fully balanced out. Addie does most of the emotional labor and bears the brunt of the hurt, while Toni remains stuck in patterns she’s unwilling to fully confront. I enjoyed aspects of this book, but ultimately, it didn’t come together in the way I’d hoped.
August 1, 2025
(3.5 Stars) Addie is an actress who has a crush on Victorian history professor Toni Darbyshire. She attends one of Toni’s seminars and catches her attention. This leads to a hook-up, which is a first for Addie. Fast forward a year and Toni has published a best selling novel that is going to be made into a series. And Addie is auditioning for the lead role. And it is a cute twist Toni named the character for Addie. The set up is there. But the year jump skips a lot. The pair have been exchanging emails but most of which aren’t on the page. And Toni is emotionally not available. She has her own reasons, but she doesn’t want to be in love or in a relationship at all.
Addie is adorable as the ingenue figuring out her demi self. She wears her heart on her sleeve but Toni is a tough nut to crack. But in the meantime they are willing to be friends with benefits as long as feelings are not attached. The intimate scenes are well written. But the push pull of the pair becomes redundant. Why does Addie push for more when Toni clearly says she doesn’t want a relationship. Honestly, other than the spice I wasn’t that invested in the relationship. Having to be together or not because of social media and public perception went on too long. The book wraps it all up nicely but I wasn’t convinced this was a relationship that was going to last forever. There are some interesting historical details and several lines that I liked and highlighted. Thank you to Tor Publishing for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
Addie is adorable as the ingenue figuring out her demi self. She wears her heart on her sleeve but Toni is a tough nut to crack. But in the meantime they are willing to be friends with benefits as long as feelings are not attached. The intimate scenes are well written. But the push pull of the pair becomes redundant. Why does Addie push for more when Toni clearly says she doesn’t want a relationship. Honestly, other than the spice I wasn’t that invested in the relationship. Having to be together or not because of social media and public perception went on too long. The book wraps it all up nicely but I wasn’t convinced this was a relationship that was going to last forever. There are some interesting historical details and several lines that I liked and highlighted. Thank you to Tor Publishing for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
August 4, 2025
While I liked the description of this book I just didn't fully get into this audiobook. The miscommunication was a lot to get past. And the story just felt long and drawn out.
Miscommunication
Lesbian Romance
Role Play
Friends w/ Benefits
Grumpy x Sunshine
Writer x Actress
Fake Marriage
Insta-lust
Virgin FMC
Audiobook: Dual Narration
Spice Level: 2/5
Toni is a history professor who was suffering under a lot of debt from her parents while trying to move her mom into a nursing home with better care. And when her friend tells her she should publish a her book, she takes the chance and submits it. Which leads to a huge multi-book deal and a tv adaptation.
Addie doesn't know what she likes, she assumed she was asexual but realized she can like someone, she just has to know them first. She was up for a role in a Victorian play so she want to a lecture by Toni and was instantly attracted to her. So she made sure to show up at a bar wearing a very flimsy dress and Toni and her instantly fell into lust. However, Addie ran away before anything could happen.
They ended up emailing back and forth for a year before met again when Addie was auditioning for the lead role in Toni's adaptation. And then they picked up where they left off.
I received an advance review copy audio version. Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, for the opportunity to listen to this book. Gail Shalan and Stephanie Németh-Parker did an amazing job narrating this audiobook
TW: homophobia, loss of parent, abuse
Miscommunication
Lesbian Romance
Role Play
Friends w/ Benefits
Grumpy x Sunshine
Writer x Actress
Fake Marriage
Insta-lust
Virgin FMC
Audiobook: Dual Narration
Spice Level: 2/5
Toni is a history professor who was suffering under a lot of debt from her parents while trying to move her mom into a nursing home with better care. And when her friend tells her she should publish a her book, she takes the chance and submits it. Which leads to a huge multi-book deal and a tv adaptation.
Addie doesn't know what she likes, she assumed she was asexual but realized she can like someone, she just has to know them first. She was up for a role in a Victorian play so she want to a lecture by Toni and was instantly attracted to her. So she made sure to show up at a bar wearing a very flimsy dress and Toni and her instantly fell into lust. However, Addie ran away before anything could happen.
They ended up emailing back and forth for a year before met again when Addie was auditioning for the lead role in Toni's adaptation. And then they picked up where they left off.
I received an advance review copy audio version. Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, for the opportunity to listen to this book. Gail Shalan and Stephanie Németh-Parker did an amazing job narrating this audiobook
TW: homophobia, loss of parent, abuse
June 11, 2025
I was excited about the premise of this book—the mix of academia, publishing, and a reality-blurring romance had so much potential. I went in expecting sharp tension, layered emotions, and a whirlwind of media-fueled chaos, but I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The story had moments that kept me interested, and I liked the dynamic between Toni and Addie. Their history and the unexpected viral wedding made for an intriguing setup, but the execution fell flat for me. The writing leaned heavily into telling rather than showing, and I found myself wishing for deeper, more immersive scenes. I wanted to feel their emotions, the pressure of their circumstances, and the tangled nature of their relationship—but instead, everything was laid out too plainly, which made it hard to fully connect. I also felt like the pacing didn’t always work in the book’s favor. Some sections dragged, while others rushed past moments that could have been explored further. I loved the idea of Toni navigating the publishing world and Addie chasing her big break, but their individual arcs felt underdeveloped in ways that left me wanting more.
While I didn’t completely dislike the book, it didn’t leave much of an impression.
Thank you to @brambleromance and @netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
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