I Kissed Her First

by Betty Cayouette

An aspiring chef and world-famous popstar cook up what starts to sound like a love song in this sapphic new adult debut from Betty Cayouette.

This is Riley’s last summer as a chef. At least, this is what she’s promised her dads, who run a Cape Cod lobster shack and don’t want their daughter to follow in their stress-ridden footsteps. So Riley decides to go big and audition as a private chef for a singer’s European tour. When she finds out she got the gig, she’s thrilled. But when she learns that the singer she’ll be cooking for is Luna Leya, she and her sister’s favorite popstar? She almost can’t believe it.

Soon enough, Riley and Luna strike up an unexpected friendship, much to Luna’s manager’s disapproval. Luna should be focused on getting her Grammy, which means pulling off this tour without a hitch and continuing to date the notorious singer/heart throb/beloved bad boy Hudson, who’s rocketed her to a new level of fame with their hit single. Luna should definitely not be sneaking off to the Eiffel Tower and private Andalucian dinners to spend time with Riley. As the two get closer, Riley thinks she might be losing her mind. Is it possible the Luna Leya is flirting with her? And is there a world where Riley could keep her dream of being a chef alive? Soon, things will reach a tipping point and both Riley and Luna will be left could their story be a love song after all?

Genres: Lesbian, Queer, Romance, LGBT, Fiction, Adult, Contemporary Romance

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Betty Cayouette is an author, viral video content creator and cinematographer. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University in only three years, with a dual-degree in Film, Television and Interactive Media and Interpersonal and Mass Communications, and minors in Creative Writing and English. In 2021, she was named a Brandeis BOLD 9 winner, as an up-and-coming alumni who is sparking creativity, conversation and change in her field. She also won the Sony Alpha Female contest in 2021, for her work getting girls into video production.

In 2021, Betty created @bettysbooklist, the viral TikTok/Instagram account which is one of the top book recommendation accounts in the world and is featured in outlets such as The Boston Globe, Euronews, Fox News, The London Times and Glamour UK. She has over 400,000 followers across platforms and started the viral trend of acting out the plot of the book as the main character.

Betty’s debut novel, ONE LAST SHOT, sold to St. Martins/Macmillan in a two book major deal. ONE LAST SHOT follows a model and a photographer who reconnect on a photoshoot in Italy for one last shot at love. It was released in May 2024, and was the Afterlight book box pick for the month of May, had a 16 stop book tour, and was translated into 7 languages. Her sophomore novel TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL releases May 2025.

Betty also works with fashion and lifestyle brands to create best in class viral video content. Past clients include Aerie by American Eagle, Williams Sonoma, Sony and more. In a single day, a video campaign Betty created for Aerie garnered 50M views and grew their following by over 300%. In her spare times she also enjoys shooting wedding videos.

Reviews

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this and am so grateful to the publisher for sending me an ebook copy from NetGalley to pre-read. I’ve never been the first to review a book on Goodreads before!!

I absolutely LOVED this!!! The Provincetown love is so good and so vivid and the world tour and ensuing relationship are the best.

Luna is like a mix between Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift in terms of world stardom, and Riley is an overachiever cooking influencer (with two dads! both amazing!) who becomes Luna's private chef. Their romance built in a really beautiful way that kept me turning the pages of my kindle, and their emotional journeys felt like they were well-matched.

Big trigger warnings for grief, for one in loss of a mom and for the other in loss of a sister, both happening before the book, but still a big part of the story. It was nice that they could show up for each other in these ways.

[Rhiannon]

Three chapters in and I can already tell this book is not for me.

Riley is 24 years old but apparently so beholden to her dads that she has to essentially beg for permission to spend the summer touring Europe as Luna’s private chef. While I understand wanting to fulfill your parents’ expectations, that scene was written in a way that immediately made Riley seem so unbearably immature to me. Not to mention that it was also driving me crazy that, in order to differentiate between her two dads, she refers to them by their first names.

In the one chapter I read from her POV, Luna also came across very immature for her age, and I just get the impression that the two of them together will be far more than I can tolerate.

The writing felt incredibly amateurish, and that’s such a pet peeve of mine that I can’t even push through not loving the characters for the sake experiencing the story in full (or even for one more chapter).

Thank you to NetGalley and Saturday Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and I thought it was great.
The first chapter was well written and instantly sparked my interest. The trope of a pop star and private chef is super unique and felt like a refreshing idea!
Riley and Luna’s characters felt natural and their chemistry didn’t feel forced the way it does in some romance novels. I also liked that each character was well developed it really makes you feel like you’re in the story with them.
I liked what the book had to say about the music industry and how it explored Lunas struggles with trying to be everything at once for everyone.
There’s not a ton a spice in this book but enough to make you blush a bit!
Overall a very cute story and one of the better sapphic romances I’ve read recently.

[Tiffany Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
Such an absolutely adorable story!
We meet two women, one a pop star, the other a personal chef, both of them trying to find their path in life, all while learning how to love and be loved. This story shows the chances you have to take to be happy and make your dreams come true, shows how believing in yourself can create the most magical times, and how honesty with yourself and those you love is the way to happiness and a balanced life. All good things come to those who try— and this book tries and succeeds with a great story, cute plot, easy reading and just enough spice to make you blush.
Loved every second!

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I dreamed it would be and more, I can not BELIEVE how beautiful this book is. No character is perfect, every character is human, every character makes mistakes, all the characters have growth arcs and learn from their mistakes, everything is just perfect.
Riley is the main character of this story, she is a chef working at her parents shack You’re My Lobster- a super popular place to eat in their hometown of Provincetown. The family is super loving and caring, the only rule is Riley does not end up in the catering / chef business. There is a huge reason for this, and it is reasonable, but being a chef is Rileys dream, which is why she finds herself secretly auditioning to be Luna Leyas private chef for a leg of her tour.
Luna and Riley instantly hit it off, and Luna finds herself feeling happiness and freedom she hasn’t felt since her mother died, and Riley feels the same way. The two end up messaging all the time, going on mini trips and just naturally gravitating towards each other.
this feels like it means something to both of them.
Riley is such a beautiful character, she truly does love cooking and is obviously incredibly good at it, I love that she shares her cooking with the world through her videos, sharing your passion with others like that is such a cool thing to be able to do, and everyone loves Riley’s cooking and her videos. Her families story is heartbreaking, the strength of Riley and her dads is ridiculous, her dads hesitations are so incredibly valid. I love how all that is written too, it could come across in a way that makes them look harsh or mean, but it’s wrote in a way where it’s clear they are speaking from a place of care and love and just want their daughter to be safe and happy.
Luna is also such a well written character, she’s just a bubble of sweetness and love inside, but then outside all the focuses on his her career, the charts, the fans and the media. It’s understandable because singing is her dream, and she has it, so she doesn’t want to lose it, but the repercussions of that start to hit her once Riley enters her life. I also love how strong she is, in a different way from Riley but Luna is also strong, once she realizes her mistakes she jumps to try and fix them, and she does not take no for an answer, I loved when she took that leap to stand up for herself and her wants. Her strength is also shown when she is on stage, her persona of Luna Leya never faulters on stage, no matter what’s going on behind the scenes.
I AM RUNNING OUT OF ROOM BUT THE SPICE WAS INCREDIBLE AND AMAZING AND SO HOT, LIKE SO HOT, INCREDIBLY HOT!! ALSO Love how Lunas sexuality awakening wasn’t a huge deal, I also like how much all those scenes were written so clearly. I would have liked her to come out as a Lesbian specifically since that’s clearly what she is, but that’s okay, baby steps.

[Kristen M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

I absolutely tore through this. I thought the concept was clever, a rock star and a chef- a combo I wouldn’t have thought of on my own but totally works in this world. As a sidenote, I am apparently a sucker for rock star/normie romances since I keep finding them and devouring them, so this really checked that box. I also appreciated the fun Eras tour references and nods to other pop music girls (Sabrina Carpenter’s “Nonsense” in particular had me swooning…!) as well as including lyrics in the story. Whenever I read these books and there are songs written, I love when we get to see the lyrics.

As far as characters go, I loved Riley- her development was really well done. I loved her upbringing with her dads, her hometown of Provincetown and the restaurant her family owned. Her struggles with grief felt genuine, and I was really rooting for her to get everything she ever wanted. I also loved the deep dive into the food scene of the places they toured, it made me crave all the things!

As a romance, this is pretty good- the characters have chemistry, although I would have preferred more of a slow burn. I’m okay with instant connection but their first meeting should have been drawn out further so we could see more of their banter. Still, I liked them at first. And the spice is written well. However— I stopped really rooting for them toward the end. I liked Luna until she kept making the same selfish bad choices. She starts off sweet and troubled, but then she proceeds to dominate the relationship, always putting her needs above Riley’s. After a while, her POV drove me a bit crazy. Obviously the two eventually get to a stable place, but it falls flat for me because I didn’t see enough evidence that Luna had changed or valued Riley as much as she should. The book ends and I felt kind of meh about them as a couple, which brought down the vibe.

Also, I got emotional at the very end, but it wasn’t because of anything in the relationship. It was another plot point entirely, focused on Luna. I think that’s a tribute to good writing, where I could feel emotional without even really liking her, but I would have wanted to be swooning more over their romance. Hence my 3 star rating vs a 4 or 5.

Overall though, this is a solid book, and a good summer read. I will read more of Betty’s writing because I think she’s very talented. If you’re looking to enjoy a book on the beach (preferably with a lobster roll and a glass of wine) then this might be it.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Kissed Her First is a cute contemporary romance focusing on Luna Leya: an artist who is breaking mainstream, and Riley: an aspiring chef and newly hired personal chef for Luna. The book was a very easy read, switching POVs, and in first person.

I enjoyed how the author took the time to develop Luna and Riley’s insecurities and indecisiveness. Both characters have very clear flaws that follow them throughout the book, and intensify in the second half. Both characters are likable and you are happy to egg them into a relationship. This is a bit of a slower burn than some other books, but their connection is immediate.

The plot is pretty straightforward: Luna Leya is on tour and needs a chef. And they hit it off. Featuring some trials and tribulations on the way, as well as experiencing the harsh reality of fame. I do think the plot and characterization weakened in the last 25% of the book, however.

The flaws in the characters drive conflict, naturally, which results in a third act break up. The speed at which these characters “learn their lessons,” for lack of a better phrase, is near instant. The processing of the flaws that got them to where they are is immediate, with little real internal conflict and nothing to grapple with, beyond guilt (which is immediately fixed, of course, after an apology and an act or do). The characters we had really started getting a feel for, their distinct flaws and characterizations, felt pushed a bit to the side in order for a quick wrap up (at about 9% of the book left). This was true for one of the side characters as well, Ashley, who spent the entire story pushing and acting perhaps as a light antagonist, to immediately switch her opinions and actions when confronted. Although, to be fair, the side characters were not heavily developed in this.

There were a couple of other personal things that I didn’t quite vibe with in this, some of which are not reflective of the story itself but contribute to my rating, which include:
- the way the memories were included in the story
- first person POV
- every other chapter character POV switch
- long song lyric inclusions

It was a fun read, but I probably wouldn’t read it again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing the e-ARC for honest review!

[jayden abel · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Possible Spoilers*

I Kissed Her First is like a decent but dramatized Hallmark movie. The title does the book a disservice; it makes the book sound mediocre right off the bat. Also, as a song title, I Kissed Her First is a flop. I never particularly gained interest or sympathy for Luna and Riley. They didn't feel human, they felt like romcom caricatures.

The two are what I call perfectly imperfect. Everything about them, from their traits to their weaknesses are sculpted just right. Luna is an unsatisfied popstar who dreams of dressing boho and singing folk songs. She is set on winning a Grammy to honor her late mother. During the whirlwind of fame, she starts helicopter-piloting her relationship with Riley. In the end she comes to the conclusion that facing homophobia is better than losing her girlfriend.

Riley doesn't want a traditional 9-5 job, but she also cannot stomach letting her dads down. She’s a devoted daughter, working at her family’s seafood shack. As one last hurrah, she becomes her favorite singer’s private chef. She ends the book running an artfully crafted weekly fine dining experience back home. What I did like was the relationship with her dead sister. Liv was a recovering addict and Riley’s best friend. Riley has a plethora of memories with her, some positive and some negative, but all full of love.

I don’t like the superfan x superstar trope, but at least Luna was a fan of Riley’s Tiktok videos first. I was impressed that their big fight actually had merit. Without prior consent, Luna writes, records, and releases a song detailing Riley’s experience with an addicted sister. Riley is rightfully mad. It isn’t a glamorized misunderstanding, Luna makes a big, fame-induced oopsie. Personally, I wouldn’t publicly apologize to my girlfriend for dishing out her family drama, but whatever.

While I didn’t particularly feel a connection to the main couple, the side characters were nice. Luna’s ex-boyfriend, while a mediocre partner, does pull through as a friend. Riley befriends a fellow tourmate who becomes her hypewoman. If you’re into fluffy gossip magazine relationships, this book is exactly that.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will be posting this on Goodreads and/or Tiktok and Instagram in late April.

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked that both Riley and Luna faced significant past trauma that impacted how they pursued their goals, lived their lives, and what they felt they were “allowed” to do or be. Not that I wanted either of them to experience trauma/significant losses. However, I find that in stories where a character has to get past some trauma or obstacle, it is often one main character with the traumatic past, and the love interest is generally involved in helping the person move past the trauma, which often involves doing something that temporarily makes things worse and threatens to ruin the relationship.

This story felt more balanced because Riley’s pursuit of a culinary career, at which she would likely excel, is hindered by her sister’s death and the circumstances around it and how her and her dads have coped with it, while Luna is seeing the musical success and may win the Best New Artist Grammy that she and her mother dreamed of but she is in a relationship she doesn’t want to be in (but cannot leave for publicity reasons) and struggling to write new songs that resonate and fit the persona that has been crafted for her instead of the songs that really speak to her.

I enjoyed the friendship and then relationship between Luna and Riley, including, when the opportunity arose, Riley introducing Luna to the joys of sapphic love. But also how affirming they were of each other and how they allowed each other to open up and be themselves — Luna geeking out over passenger airplane features, Riley’s love for creating beautiful and tasty meals highlighting local cuisine; her use of food as her love language; Luna using her celebrity to enable Riley to meet with and learn from the chefs at the various restaurants they visited; Luna’s ability to express such emotion in her songs; Riley letting Luna know that she, like many others, was a longtime fan and that Luna’s popularity was deeper than her hit duet with Hudson and the publicity relationship with him. Riley’s dads, Ashley, and Luna’s backup dancers, especially Rhia, made for a great supporting cast.

[Allix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I KISSED HER FIRST is a sweet, simple sapphic romance between a rising pop star and her tour private chef. The premise was very cute, and I thought some of the descriptions, particularly of the food, the performances, and the specific locations the tour team traveled to were well done and fun to read. Main characters Luna and Riley were fun to read about and I liked how passionate they both were about their chosen careers, and that they shared that passion with each other. I wasn’t really sold on Luna and Riley’s relationship, though - they didn’t seem to have a lot in common other than grief and circumstance, and that kept their relationship from feeling real or interesting. I felt as though we were sort of going somewhere with exploring Luna’s big bad case of career-induced comphet when her romantic relationship with Riley started to develop, and I was left disappointed with how it ended up being handled.

I would have liked to see more in-depth characterization for both of them, and I would have also liked to see more from the relationships between the main characters and side characters - the conflict between Riley and her dads, for example, was kind of busted; the issue was that they weren’t communicating, and when miscommunication or under-communication is the entire source of a conflict, it’s frustrating to read. I also thought the conversations around addiction could have used some work - I appreciate that the author didn’t make the character who experiences addiction the “bad guy,” but apart from that, I don’t think that particular aspect of the story was handled super well.

Overall, I KISSED HER FIRST is a cute and mostly-enjoyable read. As a lesbian, I always want more sapphic romance novels, and while I think this particular one fell sort of flat for me, I’ll definitely be checking out this author again in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Saturday Books for the ARC!

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! This comes out on September 8th.

Riley wants nothing more than to be a professional chef but her dads know firsthand the stress of working in a restaurant, and witnessed Riley’s deceased sister’s struggle with the job, and thus are very much against the idea. On a whim, Riley interviews to be a private chef for famous pop star Luna Leya on her upcoming tour. Riley never expected to actually get the job, much less to become friends with Luna, and maybe more, along the way.

This is a sweet and simple sapphic romance. Riley and Luna are both fun characters to follow, with interesting careers and engaging backstories.

I would have liked to see their friendship and crush develop more before they got together - they don’t actually spend that much time together beforehand. I especially would have liked to have seen this from Luna’s POV since this is her first time dating a woman.
The secondary characters all felt interchangeable. I couldn’t tell you anything about them outside of their jobs. I especially wish that Riley’s dads were more developed as they play such a vital role in Riley’s life.

I wish the book had let Luna’s ex-boyfriend Hudson be a bad guy, or at least a more complicated character. In the end he’s made out to be this great guy even though he didn’t treat Luna all that well when they were dating and somehow accidentally called Luna a cheater (I didn’t understand how his conversation with his sponsor got out or what the context was. It was a strange, ultimately unnecessary plot point).

Overall, I enjoyed my time reading this but likely won’t remember it all that long. It’s very cute but not groundbreaking and I would have liked a little bit more meat to the story.

[Filomena Mealy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Kissed Her First by Betty Cayouette is a vibrant, heartfelt, and utterly charming debut that blends food, music, and romance into a story that feels as joyful and addictive as your favorite love song.

At the center is Riley, an aspiring chef trying to figure out her future while navigating family expectations and her own dreams. I loved how the story captures that pivotal “last summer” feeling — full of possibility, uncertainty, and the courage it takes to choose your own path. When Riley lands an incredible opportunity to work as a private chef on a European tour, the story really takes off in the best way.

The moment she realizes she’ll be cooking for Luna Leah, her (and her sister’s!) favorite pop star, is pure magic — and from there, the book delivers a swoony, beautifully paced romance that feels both exciting and emotionally grounded. The chemistry is undeniable, but what makes this story shine is the way it balances that romance with themes of identity, ambition, family, and self-discovery.

There’s also something so delightful about the combination of food and music — the sensory details, the energy of touring, and the behind-the-scenes glimpse into a pop star’s world all add richness and charm to the story.

I Kissed Her First is a fresh, feel-good sapphic romance with heart, humor, and plenty of sparkle. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling, rooting for the characters, and maybe even a little hungry.

A sweet, uplifting debut that hits all the right notes.

[BookishLatinaJenn (Jennifer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 ARC Review: I Kissed Her First, by Betty Cayouette
ARC provided by the author, St. Martin’s Press, Saturday Books, and NetGalley

This book feels like a love song written in soft glances, stolen moments, and really good food. Riley and Luna should not work on paper but man do they! One is a small-town chef trying to outrun a future she is not sure she is allowed to want. The other is a global popstar living a life that barely belongs to her anymore. And yet, put them in the same orbit and suddenly everything starts to feel possible.

What I loved most is how balanced their emotional journeys are. Both Riley and Luna are carrying grief, pressure, and expectations that shape how they move through the world. Neither is there to fix the other. They simply make space. Riley shows love through food, through care, through quiet steadiness. Luna, in turn, gives Riley permission to dream bigger than what she thinks she deserves. Watching them choose each other while also choosing themselves felt so real.

The romance builds in these tender, intimate beats that feel just as meaningful as the bigger, swoony moments. Also, the setting? European tour meets culinary love language is a combination I will always LOVE!

Tropes:
🎤 Celebrity x normal girl
🍽️ Chef FMC
🌈 Sapphic romance
💞 Friends to lovers
✈️ Travel romance
🎭 Hidden relationship
🧠 Grief and healing
✨ Self-discovery

[Jamie P-Kretzschmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely pick up new adult romance; it just isn't my usual genre. But something about a sweet, sapphic second-chance romance pulled me in, and honestly? I mostly liked this one. The setting does a lot of the heavy lifting. The story bounces between a nostalgic summer camp in the French countryside and modern-day Paris, and the descriptions are vivid enough that I felt genuinely transported. It is the perfect breezy beach read.

We get a dual-timeline structure packed with tropes I love, like rivals-to-lovers, forced proximity, and heavy pining. The queer discovery elements feel authentic and heartfelt, and you really root for the characters to figure themselves out as they transition into adulthood.

But the book isn't without its flaws. Because I spend my hard-earned money on my reading habit, I have to be honest about the mechanics. The writing style felt a bit too young and simplistic for me. Sometimes it reads less like a naturally unfolding story and more like a collection of moments engineered to go viral on BookTok, relying heavily on telling rather than showing.

I also struggled with the pacing. Jumping between the past and present was sometimes jarring, and I wanted deeper individual character development for the leads outside of their obvious chemistry. Even so, it's a fun, fast-paced read. If you want a queer spin on something like People We Meet on Vacation, this hits those sweet spots perfectly. It earns a solid three stars from me.

[inquillery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC! This was such a sweet, wholesome read. Lighthearted and fun, the story focuses more on external conflict rather than unnecessary drama between the two leads. I liked how healthy their relationship was overall, though of course neither was perfect and they still had to grapple with their mistakes.

I did struggle a little with the music industry aspect, as someone who is a musician and has experienced it firsthand. I felt this story was more inspired by specific details of Taylor Swift’s career, rather than a reflection of how the industry works, and it occasionally took me out of it. (For example, a 21-year-old with only one folk album and a few pop singles out playing a three-hour era’s style show.) But most readers will likely not notice or mind.

I especially loved how the intimate scenes were handled, emphasizing consent, pleasure, and safety over any particular end goal. There seemed to be a real intention to demonstrate healthy sexuality for young people, something often missing from other new adult novels. Thus, I think this is the perfect book for those aging out of YA but not quite ready for the heavy spice often present in adult romcoms.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this and the characters were so lovely to read about. The writing sucked me in immediately and kept me enticed!

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 upcoming romance novel slated for release Aug 25, 2026!

Aspiring chef Riley lands a job as the private chef on her favorite pop star’s upcoming world tour. As Riley cooks for Luna Leya, the pair can’t deny their burgeoning desire for each other, leading to an unexpected relationship.

I enjoyed the writing style of this novel and felt that the storyline was interesting throughout, making this for a quick read for me. I loved Riley’s character and as this novel is a back-and-forth of perspectives between Riley and Luna, Riley’s chapters were definitely my favorite. There was also a good ratio of spice to other romance elements, in my opinion. With that being said, I honestly couldn’t really connect with Luna’s character and felt she lacked a depth that Riley had, making her chapters less interesting to me. I also prefer in romance novels that there be limited strife and unhealthy communication between the characters, which is just a personal preference, but did make the second half of the book less appealing to me.

The storyline is heavily focused on personal grief as one character recently lost a parent and the other a sibling, so content warning for anyone who may be sensitive to that topic.

[Jesaka Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

I KISSED HER FIRST is the first book by Betty Cayouette I've read. The concept of a pop star and personal chef falling in love during the singer's European summer tour sounded too good to pass up. Chef Riley's confidence and obvious skill in the kitchen were very compelling; she was a fun character to read. Pop star Luna was less interesting; she felt bland. perhaps because she's trying to figure out who she is throughout much of the novel. Riley and Luna's romance starts out as sparkly. and fun, but somewhat quickly becomes a series of tears and apologies and interference from other characters. The repetition becomes tedious as does the countless number of times Luna and Riley cry (separately and together). The most under utilized element of I KISSED HER FIRST is the side characters. There's so much undeveloped potential there! Rhia, one of the backup dancers on tour, becomes a friend to Riley but does not have anything to do other than hear Riley talk about her troubles. Riley complains about Luna not asking Riley questions about her life, then Riley does the same thing to Rhia. By about 70% into the novel, I was ready for it to end.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read the eARC.

[Andrea (looseleftlesbian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found it a little weird that a 24 year old had to ask permission to take a job. I know the reasoning behind it but, I was put off by how she was treated. Maybe I’m getting too old to read about MCs in their early twenties. But I went into this knowing it was a New Adult romance, so I’m not going to fault it for that.

I feel like I have a love/hate relationship with this story. While I’m mad and annoyed at how selfish Luna can be, I found myself liking the drama of it all. But I also think that has to do with me not being too invested in the couple. I wasn’t upset about the drama and what it could do to Luna and Riley because I didn’t feel a whole lot towards them? I don’t know. My rating probably won’t make sense because I don’t think the writing is bad and it did keep my attention, it just wasn’t for me, I guess?

It had a cute little ending where everything wrapped up nicely. I definitely appreciate I Kissed Her First, but it wasn’t for me. It was really adorable and angsty. I definitely think a lot of younger women will enjoy it! 3.5 stars

[jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

3.75/5

I Kissed Her First is exactly what it promises: a breezy, feel-good sapphic romance that’s easy to devour in an afternoon.

The book follows Luna and Riley. Luna is a pop star who reads as a mashup of Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift in a way. There are references to both throughout the book. Riley is an aspiring chef who is newly hired for Luna’s tour. Luna’s immaturity occasionally grated on me. But I think that’s to be expected, as that does tend to come with the territory of fame, so it at least felt true to character. I really enjoyed Riley’s storyline, and character growth though.

I had some questions about how Luna could possible be putting on an Eras style tour (like pretty spot on) but very early in her career. It just seemed unrealistic but maybe that was just me lol. Overall, a light and genuinely fun read. The romance is sweet, the pop star world is entertaining to inhabit, and the sapphic love story at the heart of it all makes it well worth the afternoon. A solid pick if you’re looking for something warm and easy to fly through.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

I Kissed Her First is a really fun and sweet read. Going on the journey with Luna and Riley of overcoming grief and finding themselves again, both together and on their own, was full of heartfelt moments and a lot of good food. There were a few times where the dialogue felt slightly cheesy or flat but overall things were handled well and fleshed out nicely. I do wish we got more time with Rhia as a side character as it feels like she only showed up when it was convenient for Riley to talk about something we needed to hear and not as organically as if she were actually friends and on the same tour.

Overall, this was cute and charming with a lot of talk about grief and how that shapes both of our main characters as the navigate their lives and become who they both have always wanted to be professionally, and finding happiness together personally.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

I was pulled into this story immediately with Riley cooking lobster—having grown up in Maine, that detail felt especially vivid and authentic to me. From the start, the setting and atmosphere grounded the story in a way that made it easy to settle in. From Provincetown, to Paris, Spain, Greece and London, their journey was fun to follow.

I really appreciated the somewhat unique pairing of a chef and a pop star. It added a fresh dynamic, balancing Riley’s more rooted, hands-on world with Luna’s high-profile, fast-paced life. What truly gave their relationship emotional weight, though, was the bond they shared through loss—Riley’s sister and Luna’s mother. That shared grief added a layer of depth that made their connection feel more meaningful.

Their chemistry felt genuine, and I found their love and support for one another genuinely sweet. There’s a tenderness in how they show up for each other that makes you want to root for them.

[Jazz’s Reads and Rants · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW | This was my first time reading anything by Betty Cayouette, and I am officially hooked. I loved everything about this storyline, especially how it wove together so many fun and interesting settings. From the small-town lobster business to the tour, Spain, kitchens, and more, it truly had it all.

I found both Luna and Riley incredibly relatable, and I was rooting for each of their journeys from the very beginning.

I want more though! I ended this read with just wanting to know more. What happens next, does Riley go on to have her restaurant? Will they settle in Provincetown or move somewhere new all together? I LOVED Riley’s storyline so much that I need a whole other book just about her and the future.

This is definitely a must-read for any sapphic romance lover—or anyone who just needs a beautifully yearning read.

[Reece Dragonriver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I'm very thankful to have gotten to read it early!

We follow Riley, our personal chef from a small town that has only a summer left of cooking before having to settle into getting out of the kitchen and settling into another job.

Just as much as we follow Luna, an aspiring pop star whose going on her big international tour, and needs to figure out how to tell the person she's seeing that it's not working out.

We follow the both of them as your life becomes full of many twists and turns that makes your life what it is. I felt the book accurately portrayed the relationships that you gain within a touring environment, while also showing the harsh realities of being famous.

This is meant for adult audiences that really love the idea that achieving goals is worth the leap, even if it means risking everything you know.

[Catie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed I Kissed Her First and ended up giving it 4 stars. The characters were definitely the strongest part of the book for me. Everyone felt layered and believable, and I found myself really invested in their relationships and emotional growth. I especially liked how messy and realistic the dynamics felt at times without becoming overly dramatic. The author did a great job making the characters feel like actual people instead of just fitting into predictable romance tropes.

The pacing started a little slower for me, but once the story found its rhythm, I flew through it. I appreciated that the relationships were given time to develop instead of everything feeling rushed. There were a few moments in the middle that dragged slightly, but overall the balance between emotional moments, tension, and character development kept me interested the whole time.

[Selena Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWWWWWW!!!!! i basically binged this book, i adored the vibes so so much. riley sounds like someone i would also be head over heels for so i totally get where luna is coming from. wait! lowkey just realized we never followed up on rhia and i think she was ratting them out the whole time - not a spoiler, im so serious. there were some parts and dialogue that felt a little forced and childish and some times i hated every thought narrated by luna bc girl….. what are these priorities. but at the end of the day, whatever. this was a feel-good foray into the pop music industry, culinary arts and just sapphic joy. it tried to check a lot of boxes and for the most part, it was super successful in doing so. YIPPEE for a rly good ARC, thanks netgalley and the publisher!

[Emily Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an advanced copy from NetGalley*

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an my first ever advanced copy of a book!

This book is about two women, Riley and Luna, who enjoys each other’s company and very much have a love-at-first-sight kind of relationship, in my opinion.

I love the idea of this story. It’s unique and a breath of fresh air among typical rom-com tropes. However, some of the pacing in this book is a little… weird. Some parts I wish we’d spend more time with - such as them explaining their experiences with grief - felt rushed. I also wish there was a little more tension between the two that brought them together.

Overall, it was a pleasant read with a unique storyline and a cute love story!

[Kristy Marquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC.

This was a super cute new adult sapphic romance. Riley and Luna’s love story is fresh and interesting. I love how the story develops.

Riley is a chef who is trying to convince herself that she isn’t going to be a chef, so when she auditions to be Luna Leya’s on-tour private chef, she believes it's her last summer as a chef. But cooking is her passion and something she is excellent at.

Luna is feeling lonely, and things with her boyfriend Hudson are not all that they seem to be, so when she befriends Riley, she isn’t looking for a new romance or to do anything to derail her chances at a Grammy, but love has a different opinion about how her life should go, and love isn’t really willing to listen to reason.

Adorbs!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going to be a great end of summer read! It's a super fun romantic romp through Europe. The characters were well developed, specific and interesting. Luna, a pop star, is going on tour and vying for a Grammy when she meets Riley, who is hired as her private chef. Sparks fly pretty quickly, but will Luna stick with her PR hungry boyfriend, or take the leap into a romance that makes her, and her career, vulnerable? I'm a sucker for any book that includes a lot of food descriptions, so this was right up my alley.

I do want to content warn that there are some more serious topics treated in this book, including drug and alcohol abuse. I am not an expert on these topics so I can't be sure, but I felt that they were treated gently and with a nuanced touch.

[Rin Lashay · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow Riley (lowkey cooking influencer/high key overachiever) as she goes against her Dads’ wishes and pursues her version of rebellious defiance by becoming the private chef for THE pop star of the moment: Luna Leya. Luna is like if you took Sabrina Carpenter but made her almost 6 feet, brunette, and about as straight as a rainbow colored bendy straw (so basically, a tolerable Taylor Swift). These two cuties quickly realize that there’s def some bed chem over trays of artfully arranged lobster rolls and lyric covered napkins. But being an out artist in any universe comes with its pitfalls.

[Zach Strassburger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweet novel about grief, expectations of oneself, what it means to have a career, and finding love. The characters are a pop star and a wannabe chef, and neither of them is perfect. Riley is a little too giving, and Luna a little too selfish, but they work as a pair even if I’m giving Luna side-eye. But could you really be a pop star if you weren’t thinking of yourself all of the time? Even her apologies center herself…
Will Luna and Riley make it as a couple? Idk. But the book is a really good read and I am glad I got to access it.

I read an advance reader copy, courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.