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Not His Girlfriend (Yet): 4 1/2 Dates and a Fracture
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jun 26She called his mother at 1 AM and said "sa copine." She told the nurse at 5:47 and said "girlfriend." He doesn't know about either one.
A warm, sharp, stay-up-past-your-bedtime winter romance about a graphic designer who accidentally becomes a firefighter's emergency contact — and then his temporary roommate. Two cats. One hallway. Neither of them will cross it — until someone does.
Set in Montréal, where the snow falls straight down, the cats have opinions, and the truth keeps slipping out at 2 AM.
A warm, sharp, stay-up-past-your-bedtime winter romance about a graphic designer who accidentally becomes a firefighter's emergency contact — and then his temporary roommate. Two cats. One hallway. Neither of them will cross it — until someone does.
Set in Montréal, where the snow falls straight down, the cats have opinions, and the truth keeps slipping out at 2 AM.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 5, 2026
It’s a cute story. It had a great plot and I enjoyed seeing how they learned each other and found themselves
Review of advance copy
I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of Not His Girlfriend (Yet). This novella follows Nora, when she finds herself thrust into the role of carer for Ethan, her erstwhile haven't-defined-what-they-are-to-eachother, after two kisses and four-and-a-half-dates and a car accident that leaves Ethan with a broken hip.
It examines the tension between Nora's need to feel needed, her fear that she was overstepping, and the competing demands on her time; and Ethan's fear of being too demanding. I really loved how this novel exposed the cost of caregiving and framed it as a gendered expectation; how it was just expected by the doctors and physios that one of the women in his life would take on all the unpaid care for him; how it exposed the cost of that care (working with nightmare clients at all hours while Ethan is asleep so she can afford rent) and the expectation that she will make it invisible.
The author clearly knows what it's like inside a hospital. They captured really beautifully the way you focus on anything else so you don't have to think about what you're afraid of, how jarring and limiting pain can be, how your whole identity can be displaced by pain, especially when your identity was based around what you did physically. I really liked how they showed Ethan losing, then regaining, part of himself that he was known for - unflappable calmness under pressure.
Makeup is used beautifully as a metaphor for armor. Nora wasn't born in a vacuum; the reader has a fair idea of what must have happened to her for her to feel the need to layer on protection. It's interesting to me that Ethan just wants to see her behind the walls, but never questioned why she felt the need to build them in the first place.
This book got so, so close to exposing a truth that is core for so many women. But it stopped short of where it could have gone. Now, fair, not everyone wants a feminist treatise backdoored in their fluffy romance read. I get it. But it got SO close.
It said the quiet part out loud - that care is expensive and exhausting, that women are expected to hide the cost, so we build these walls, we hide behind our masks, because we have been conditioned culturally to believe that we won't be lovable if we let the cost to us, or our imperfections, show. Ethan SAW the labor that would normally slip past, invisible.
But it didn't take the next step. Ethan said nothing instead of, I don't know, offering to pay her fairly for the enormous amount of work she was doing so she wasn't working freelance at all hours so she could clear her rent check (and we know he'd got the driver's insurance details!). When they FINALLY have a conversation like adults - and I'll give them grace, I didn't expect them to while he was hopped up on morphine, but it took over six frigging weeks of misaligned expectations and an accident that left him helpless on the floor for them to finally talk - instead of him acknowledging the imbalance, expressing gratitude and trying to make things fair, or her acknowledging the imbalance and asking for fairness when he's feeling well enough, she leans in to needing to be needed and threatens to throw his crutches out the window.
What came so close to being a really lovely feminist romance novel ended with a note of codependence.
I get it. It can't be pushed too far. I just wish it had gone half a step further and challenger Nora as to why she feels like she needs to be needed, and let them navigate a romance where labor is writ visible and kept balanced.
As a side note - being set with a Quebecois male lead, all the characters are bilingual, most of them trilingual. I actually loved the way the author used the different languages and showed subtleties of meaning and miscommunication that couldn't be done any other way. That being said, while the author often puts as an aside what is actually meant, they didn't always, which meant I had to do a lot of translation, which rather broke the immersion.
I wanted to give this 3.5 stars but have rounded up to 4. Codependent ending aside, it at least pulled back the mask. Which is a hell of a lot more than most other romances.
It examines the tension between Nora's need to feel needed, her fear that she was overstepping, and the competing demands on her time; and Ethan's fear of being too demanding. I really loved how this novel exposed the cost of caregiving and framed it as a gendered expectation; how it was just expected by the doctors and physios that one of the women in his life would take on all the unpaid care for him; how it exposed the cost of that care (working with nightmare clients at all hours while Ethan is asleep so she can afford rent) and the expectation that she will make it invisible.
The author clearly knows what it's like inside a hospital. They captured really beautifully the way you focus on anything else so you don't have to think about what you're afraid of, how jarring and limiting pain can be, how your whole identity can be displaced by pain, especially when your identity was based around what you did physically. I really liked how they showed Ethan losing, then regaining, part of himself that he was known for - unflappable calmness under pressure.
Makeup is used beautifully as a metaphor for armor. Nora wasn't born in a vacuum; the reader has a fair idea of what must have happened to her for her to feel the need to layer on protection. It's interesting to me that Ethan just wants to see her behind the walls, but never questioned why she felt the need to build them in the first place.
This book got so, so close to exposing a truth that is core for so many women. But it stopped short of where it could have gone. Now, fair, not everyone wants a feminist treatise backdoored in their fluffy romance read. I get it. But it got SO close.
It said the quiet part out loud - that care is expensive and exhausting, that women are expected to hide the cost, so we build these walls, we hide behind our masks, because we have been conditioned culturally to believe that we won't be lovable if we let the cost to us, or our imperfections, show. Ethan SAW the labor that would normally slip past, invisible.
But it didn't take the next step. Ethan said nothing instead of, I don't know, offering to pay her fairly for the enormous amount of work she was doing so she wasn't working freelance at all hours so she could clear her rent check (and we know he'd got the driver's insurance details!). When they FINALLY have a conversation like adults - and I'll give them grace, I didn't expect them to while he was hopped up on morphine, but it took over six frigging weeks of misaligned expectations and an accident that left him helpless on the floor for them to finally talk - instead of him acknowledging the imbalance, expressing gratitude and trying to make things fair, or her acknowledging the imbalance and asking for fairness when he's feeling well enough, she leans in to needing to be needed and threatens to throw his crutches out the window.
What came so close to being a really lovely feminist romance novel ended with a note of codependence.
I get it. It can't be pushed too far. I just wish it had gone half a step further and challenger Nora as to why she feels like she needs to be needed, and let them navigate a romance where labor is writ visible and kept balanced.
As a side note - being set with a Quebecois male lead, all the characters are bilingual, most of them trilingual. I actually loved the way the author used the different languages and showed subtleties of meaning and miscommunication that couldn't be done any other way. That being said, while the author often puts as an aside what is actually meant, they didn't always, which meant I had to do a lot of translation, which rather broke the immersion.
I wanted to give this 3.5 stars but have rounded up to 4. Codependent ending aside, it at least pulled back the mask. Which is a hell of a lot more than most other romances.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Forced Proximity With a Side of Chaos
Not His Girlfriend (Yet) by Not His Girlfriend (Yet) is the first book in the Montreal Seasons series and follows Nora Chen and Ethan Morin, who have only gone on 4.5 dates when a freak accident leaves Ethan on bedrest. Nora unexpectedly moves in to help take care of him, and what follows is a story about two people so afraid of being honest about their feelings that they spend most of the book pretending to be who they think the other person wants.
The premise immediately gave me While You Were Sleeping vibes, which had me really excited going in. There’s so much potential in the forced proximity and caretaking setup, especially with two characters clearly developing feelings for each other.
Unfortunately, the execution fell flat for me. I understand that the blurb leans into the idea that “both of them are idiots,” but at some point the constant lack of communication became more frustrating than endearing. The misunderstandings and emotional avoidance eventually became repetitive for me and made it difficult to stay fully invested in the romance.
There were still moments that worked for me, particularly the cozy setup and the initial chemistry. I also absolutely loved the cats, who honestly may have stolen the show for me. Overall though, I struggled to fully connect with the romance because of how repetitive the emotional conflict became.
Thank you, SenSheng Labs, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#NotHisGirlfriendYet #NetGalley #BookReview #RomanceBooks #ContemporaryRomance #ForcedProximity #MontrealSeasons #RomanceReader
Not His Girlfriend (Yet) by Not His Girlfriend (Yet) is the first book in the Montreal Seasons series and follows Nora Chen and Ethan Morin, who have only gone on 4.5 dates when a freak accident leaves Ethan on bedrest. Nora unexpectedly moves in to help take care of him, and what follows is a story about two people so afraid of being honest about their feelings that they spend most of the book pretending to be who they think the other person wants.
The premise immediately gave me While You Were Sleeping vibes, which had me really excited going in. There’s so much potential in the forced proximity and caretaking setup, especially with two characters clearly developing feelings for each other.
Unfortunately, the execution fell flat for me. I understand that the blurb leans into the idea that “both of them are idiots,” but at some point the constant lack of communication became more frustrating than endearing. The misunderstandings and emotional avoidance eventually became repetitive for me and made it difficult to stay fully invested in the romance.
There were still moments that worked for me, particularly the cozy setup and the initial chemistry. I also absolutely loved the cats, who honestly may have stolen the show for me. Overall though, I struggled to fully connect with the romance because of how repetitive the emotional conflict became.
Thank you, SenSheng Labs, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#NotHisGirlfriendYet #NetGalley #BookReview #RomanceBooks #ContemporaryRomance #ForcedProximity #MontrealSeasons #RomanceReader
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May 25, 2026Not His Girlfriend (Yet): 4 1/2 Dates and a Fracture is a warm, emotionally engaging romance that beautifully balances humor, vulnerability, and slow burning connection within an intimate and cozy atmosphere. M.T. Liu crafts a story filled with charm, emotional sincerity, and sharp dialogue, creating a reading experience that feels both comforting and deeply immersive.
What makes the novel especially compelling is the natural chemistry between the characters and the subtle emotional tension woven throughout their interactions. The accidental emergency contact setup and temporary roommate dynamic create moments that feel both humorous and emotionally authentic, allowing the relationship to unfold in a way that feels genuine and emotionally rewarding. The quiet intimacy between them becomes just as powerful as the romantic tension itself.
The Montréal winter setting and small details throughout the story add tremendous personality and warmth to the narrative. From the late night conversations to the cats with opinions and emotionally vulnerable moments slipping out unexpectedly, the atmosphere feels cozy, grounded, and memorable. M.T. Liu balances wit, emotional depth, and romantic development with confidence and heart.
Charming, intimate, and emotionally satisfying, Not His Girlfriend (Yet) is a delightful contemporary romance that will strongly resonate with readers who enjoy slow burn relationships, cozy winter settings, emotionally driven storytelling, and heartfelt romantic tension.
What makes the novel especially compelling is the natural chemistry between the characters and the subtle emotional tension woven throughout their interactions. The accidental emergency contact setup and temporary roommate dynamic create moments that feel both humorous and emotionally authentic, allowing the relationship to unfold in a way that feels genuine and emotionally rewarding. The quiet intimacy between them becomes just as powerful as the romantic tension itself.
The Montréal winter setting and small details throughout the story add tremendous personality and warmth to the narrative. From the late night conversations to the cats with opinions and emotionally vulnerable moments slipping out unexpectedly, the atmosphere feels cozy, grounded, and memorable. M.T. Liu balances wit, emotional depth, and romantic development with confidence and heart.
Charming, intimate, and emotionally satisfying, Not His Girlfriend (Yet) is a delightful contemporary romance that will strongly resonate with readers who enjoy slow burn relationships, cozy winter settings, emotionally driven storytelling, and heartfelt romantic tension.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Nora Chen and Ethan Morin have been on four and a half dates when a freak accident lands Ethan in the hospital with a broken pelvis. Is she his girlfriend? They've only kissed twice and one of those was an accident.
Nora feels like she has to be perfect all the time. She spends hours before every date getting ready, plastering on make-up so she always looks pristine. Carefully schooling her features, her voice, even her breathing. Always scared that her authentic self is too much, too big, too loud.
Ethan is a firefighter who feels like he has to downplay everything and is afraid to ask anyone for anything (including help) because when he leans on someone they always leave.
Can forced proximity face these two lost souls to drop the façade and be real?
This is a difficult book to review, I see from NetGalley that it is a novella (although it didn't feel that way reading it) and it sort of makes sense because there's a whole lot of nothing much happening and not a lot of backstory as to why Nora and Ethan feel they have to behave the way they do. Also, I'm not sure on what grounds they fall in love. It was pleasant enough but I wasn't enthralled enough to download the free epilogue.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Nora feels like she has to be perfect all the time. She spends hours before every date getting ready, plastering on make-up so she always looks pristine. Carefully schooling her features, her voice, even her breathing. Always scared that her authentic self is too much, too big, too loud.
Ethan is a firefighter who feels like he has to downplay everything and is afraid to ask anyone for anything (including help) because when he leans on someone they always leave.
Can forced proximity face these two lost souls to drop the façade and be real?
This is a difficult book to review, I see from NetGalley that it is a novella (although it didn't feel that way reading it) and it sort of makes sense because there's a whole lot of nothing much happening and not a lot of backstory as to why Nora and Ethan feel they have to behave the way they do. Also, I'm not sure on what grounds they fall in love. It was pleasant enough but I wasn't enthralled enough to download the free epilogue.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5⭐️ 0🌶️
This was a cute book but felt it left a lot to be desired. The chapters do not specify who's POV it is, so it's like a fun game of "new phone who dis?" with each chapter. It is a novella, so I was expecting it to be fast moving with not a lot of back story, but I feel this story line needs the back story.
Both Nora and Ethan are wonderfully chaotic, but it was hard to connect to the character when you don't understand why they are the way they are, when the way they are leads to a lack of communication and awkward encounters, and when it's still happening at 70% it's frustrating. These could have the potential to be endearing, but they fall flat because we don't understand the characters fully.
Thank you, MT Liu and SensSheng Labs, for an advanced copy of this ebook.
This was a cute book but felt it left a lot to be desired. The chapters do not specify who's POV it is, so it's like a fun game of "new phone who dis?" with each chapter. It is a novella, so I was expecting it to be fast moving with not a lot of back story, but I feel this story line needs the back story.
Both Nora and Ethan are wonderfully chaotic, but it was hard to connect to the character when you don't understand why they are the way they are, when the way they are leads to a lack of communication and awkward encounters, and when it's still happening at 70% it's frustrating. These could have the potential to be endearing, but they fall flat because we don't understand the characters fully.
Thank you, MT Liu and SensSheng Labs, for an advanced copy of this ebook.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️
**ARC Review**
Not your girlfriend (yet) was a push and pull kind of read.
I loved the way the characters complimented each other and how they were forced into defining their relationship. Both of their personalities were beautifully developed and were so good together.
This was fun to read and I am so grateful for the opportunity to ARC read for you.
**ARC Review**
Not your girlfriend (yet) was a push and pull kind of read.
I loved the way the characters complimented each other and how they were forced into defining their relationship. Both of their personalities were beautifully developed and were so good together.
This was fun to read and I am so grateful for the opportunity to ARC read for you.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews