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Just Might Work
Dane Marner’s aunt is obsessed with soul mates.
As a self-proclaimed ‘cosmically guided matchmaker,’ she’s played every card in the deck trying to set Dane up with the perfect match she’s found.
The problem? The ‘perfect’ match is Evangeline Hudson.
Dane and Evangeline rent rooms in Dane’s eccentric aunt’s house, but that’s where their similarities end. Dane is a drifter who freewheels from one odd job to the next, and Evangeline is an overachieving undergrad with a ten year plan so detailed it reads like an autobiography.
The two can’t even agree on a laundry schedule without feuding, but when Dane’s aunt reveals new tenants ready to take over the lease, they realize they’ll need to play some cards of their own to keep the beautiful old house they both love.
Their plan is simple: fake falling for each other long enough to get some soul mate sympathy—and a lease renewal.
A few lingering glances, some ‘accidental’ touches, maybe some well-timed tiptoeing into each other’s rooms late at night...
It’s a stretch, but it just might work.
Only said tiptoeing starts to heat the house up faster than they can stop it. As their plan begins peeling back the layers between them to reveal more similarities and way more feelings than either expected to find, Dane and Evangeline are forced to toe the line between real and fake—and decide which side they’re brave enough to stand on.
Just Might Work is a New Adult NBLW lesbian romantic comedy featuring a non-binary lead and a cis heroine faking their way into real love.
As a self-proclaimed ‘cosmically guided matchmaker,’ she’s played every card in the deck trying to set Dane up with the perfect match she’s found.
The problem? The ‘perfect’ match is Evangeline Hudson.
Dane and Evangeline rent rooms in Dane’s eccentric aunt’s house, but that’s where their similarities end. Dane is a drifter who freewheels from one odd job to the next, and Evangeline is an overachieving undergrad with a ten year plan so detailed it reads like an autobiography.
The two can’t even agree on a laundry schedule without feuding, but when Dane’s aunt reveals new tenants ready to take over the lease, they realize they’ll need to play some cards of their own to keep the beautiful old house they both love.
Their plan is simple: fake falling for each other long enough to get some soul mate sympathy—and a lease renewal.
A few lingering glances, some ‘accidental’ touches, maybe some well-timed tiptoeing into each other’s rooms late at night...
It’s a stretch, but it just might work.
Only said tiptoeing starts to heat the house up faster than they can stop it. As their plan begins peeling back the layers between them to reveal more similarities and way more feelings than either expected to find, Dane and Evangeline are forced to toe the line between real and fake—and decide which side they’re brave enough to stand on.
Just Might Work is a New Adult NBLW lesbian romantic comedy featuring a non-binary lead and a cis heroine faking their way into real love.
ebook
First published June 26, 2022
295 people are currently reading
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About the author
Katia Rose
25 books1,000 followersKatia Rose is not much of a Pina Colada person, but she does like getting caught in the rain. She loves to write romances that make her readers laugh, cry, and swoon (preferably in that order). She’s rarely found without a cup of tea nearby, and she’s more than a little obsessed with tiny plants. Katia is proudly bisexual and has a passion for writing about love in all its forms.
Join the Club Katia community and grab your romance freebies! katiarose.com/club-katia
Join the Club Katia community and grab your romance freebies! katiarose.com/club-katia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
December 13, 2022
TW//
“They make the future feel full of wild possibilities I couldn’t possibly predict, and even if that’s terrifying, it’s also exactly what my mom called it: magic.”
I didn’t think I could find any Katia Rose book that I love more than Catch and Cradle, but I think Just Might Work now takes the cake for my favorite. This book had me smiling, laughing, and nearly crying from how perfect it was.
Just Might Work is the cutest queer fake dating romance. It follows two equally awesome main characters that’ll have you falling in love with them from the first chapter. I really related to the both of them for a variety of different reasons. Dane’s gender struggles is especially something that I really relate to. I won’t go into too much of that here, but I just wanted to a highlight a couple quotes about Dane’s gender that really stuck with me.
“All I know for sure about my gender is that it confuses the hell out of me. I started using they/them pronouns and going by the name Dane right after high school, when I realized my identity lies somewhere beyond the boundaries of just ‘girl.’ I also know I’m not a man, but everything else is still a mystery the Gender Gods have yet to reveal.”
“I don’t know what feels right. I don’t even know who I am. I know I’m not a woman, at least not all the time…
Yeah, gender is a confusing, complicated mess for me and it really felt like Katia understood me when she was writing Dane’s character.
I also really relate to Evangeline. I plan everything (which you can thank my OCD for), but the fear of not having everything planned out is so real. Evangeline also loves books like I do, but I’m lowkey super jealous of her library. The house that Dane and Evangeline share sounds like a literal dream come true, particularly because a whole room with bookshelves lining the walls and pretty fairy lights… I need that.
Dane and Evangeline had great chemistry right off the bat. It was so cute to watch their progression from bickering housemates to full blown lovers. I wish this book were longer so that I could spend more time basking in the happiness that I got from those two lovers.
I loved how this book dealt with the topics of bullying and divorce. These topics were dealt with really respectfully and they give good insight into what living with those struggles is like. The divorce and seperated parents part might be triggering for some people to read about, but I think Katia did a great job of incorporating it into this story.
I also adored how this book included consent and figuring out each other’s boundaries. So many books jump right into the spicy scenes without consideration for boundaries, but this book took it’s time and it was so refreshing to read steamy scenes that felt 100% consentual.
There’s two freaking adorable pets in here, too, that made me so happy. Jelly Bean (a cat) and Mimi (an axolotl) are freaking adorable. If this ever gets made into a movie, I can’t wait to see Jelly Bean and Mimi on the big screen.
I could ramble even longer about how much I love this book because it’s just that perfect. What I will say is that if you’re looking for a queer spicy romance with some nonbinary rep, this is the perfect book for you. It’s on Kindle Unlimited, but if you don’t have KU, it’s well worth the money to invest in a hardcopy.
“They make the future feel full of wild possibilities I couldn’t possibly predict, and even if that’s terrifying, it’s also exactly what my mom called it: magic.”
I didn’t think I could find any Katia Rose book that I love more than Catch and Cradle, but I think Just Might Work now takes the cake for my favorite. This book had me smiling, laughing, and nearly crying from how perfect it was.
Just Might Work is the cutest queer fake dating romance. It follows two equally awesome main characters that’ll have you falling in love with them from the first chapter. I really related to the both of them for a variety of different reasons. Dane’s gender struggles is especially something that I really relate to. I won’t go into too much of that here, but I just wanted to a highlight a couple quotes about Dane’s gender that really stuck with me.
“All I know for sure about my gender is that it confuses the hell out of me. I started using they/them pronouns and going by the name Dane right after high school, when I realized my identity lies somewhere beyond the boundaries of just ‘girl.’ I also know I’m not a man, but everything else is still a mystery the Gender Gods have yet to reveal.”
“I don’t know what feels right. I don’t even know who I am. I know I’m not a woman, at least not all the time…
Yeah, gender is a confusing, complicated mess for me and it really felt like Katia understood me when she was writing Dane’s character.
I also really relate to Evangeline. I plan everything (which you can thank my OCD for), but the fear of not having everything planned out is so real. Evangeline also loves books like I do, but I’m lowkey super jealous of her library. The house that Dane and Evangeline share sounds like a literal dream come true, particularly because a whole room with bookshelves lining the walls and pretty fairy lights… I need that.
Dane and Evangeline had great chemistry right off the bat. It was so cute to watch their progression from bickering housemates to full blown lovers. I wish this book were longer so that I could spend more time basking in the happiness that I got from those two lovers.
I loved how this book dealt with the topics of bullying and divorce. These topics were dealt with really respectfully and they give good insight into what living with those struggles is like. The divorce and seperated parents part might be triggering for some people to read about, but I think Katia did a great job of incorporating it into this story.
I also adored how this book included consent and figuring out each other’s boundaries. So many books jump right into the spicy scenes without consideration for boundaries, but this book took it’s time and it was so refreshing to read steamy scenes that felt 100% consentual.
There’s two freaking adorable pets in here, too, that made me so happy. Jelly Bean (a cat) and Mimi (an axolotl) are freaking adorable. If this ever gets made into a movie, I can’t wait to see Jelly Bean and Mimi on the big screen.
I could ramble even longer about how much I love this book because it’s just that perfect. What I will say is that if you’re looking for a queer spicy romance with some nonbinary rep, this is the perfect book for you. It’s on Kindle Unlimited, but if you don’t have KU, it’s well worth the money to invest in a hardcopy.
July 6, 2022
A great romance with a non-binary character
I have read most of Katia Rose’s Sapphic romances and I like her style a lot, especially the balance between sweet romance, hot scenes, and a bit of drama. Add to the mix lovely Canadian settings as a refreshing change from the ubiquitous US-based novels and her stories are very enjoyable.
Dane and Evangeline rent rooms in Dane’s eccentric aunt’s house. Dane’s aunt is a self-proclaimed “cosmically guided matchmaker” who is convinced that Dane and Evangeline are made for each other while in reality, they hardly can agree on house chores. When Dane’s aunt announces that she’s leasing the house to new tenants, Dane and Evangeline decide to fake falling for each other to get some soul mate sympathy and a lease renewal.
This is a fake relationship romance between a non-binary person and a cis woman. In 2017, I remember reading Who’d have thought? by G. Benson, my first book with a (secondary) non-binary character and since then I’ve been struggling to grasp the idea of non-binary gender. I admit that it’s still a work in progress for me because I was raised with very compartmental ideas, but the release of more books featuring NB characters helps me a lot to be aware of identities that are outside the male-female gender binary. This particular book deals with the concept of non-binary in a way that helped me to grasp the idea further.
This is a New Adult romance and both main characters are trying to figure things out about their identities, their growing up, their relationships with their families and their future. Their hangups are a source of conflict between them as they both have a lot to unpack and to grow as characters along the journey. Despite the levity of the fake relationship and the eccentricities of Dane’s aunt, who is a firecracker, the story also deals with the typical difficulties new adults have to navigate in that period of their lives. The romance itself is, at the same time, sweet and hot, typical of this author.
Overall, a very enjoyable fake romance with some food for thought. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I have read most of Katia Rose’s Sapphic romances and I like her style a lot, especially the balance between sweet romance, hot scenes, and a bit of drama. Add to the mix lovely Canadian settings as a refreshing change from the ubiquitous US-based novels and her stories are very enjoyable.
Dane and Evangeline rent rooms in Dane’s eccentric aunt’s house. Dane’s aunt is a self-proclaimed “cosmically guided matchmaker” who is convinced that Dane and Evangeline are made for each other while in reality, they hardly can agree on house chores. When Dane’s aunt announces that she’s leasing the house to new tenants, Dane and Evangeline decide to fake falling for each other to get some soul mate sympathy and a lease renewal.
This is a fake relationship romance between a non-binary person and a cis woman. In 2017, I remember reading Who’d have thought? by G. Benson, my first book with a (secondary) non-binary character and since then I’ve been struggling to grasp the idea of non-binary gender. I admit that it’s still a work in progress for me because I was raised with very compartmental ideas, but the release of more books featuring NB characters helps me a lot to be aware of identities that are outside the male-female gender binary. This particular book deals with the concept of non-binary in a way that helped me to grasp the idea further.
This is a New Adult romance and both main characters are trying to figure things out about their identities, their growing up, their relationships with their families and their future. Their hangups are a source of conflict between them as they both have a lot to unpack and to grow as characters along the journey. Despite the levity of the fake relationship and the eccentricities of Dane’s aunt, who is a firecracker, the story also deals with the typical difficulties new adults have to navigate in that period of their lives. The romance itself is, at the same time, sweet and hot, typical of this author.
Overall, a very enjoyable fake romance with some food for thought. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2023
I just knew this was going to be a wonderful read when it started off with ice skating cows promoting milk products. Roommates who barely tolerate each other, Dane and Evangeline are complete opposites or so they think. Both have hidden insecurities and the need to be completely accepted and comfortable in their personal identities. Evangeline is working towards becoming a vet and Dane's dream is to have their own photography business. Forced into a fauxmance (I won't go into details - really, just read the book ;)) our leads realize through conversations that they aren't that different after all. Both are romantic at heart and crave a lasting relationship. Eventually, with manipulation and lies exposed will Dane and Evangeline trust in each other and take the chance for happiness?
A deftly written romance with humor, a touch of angst, heat and nicely rounded supporting characters particularly Tante Noelle and Jonah.
Labels and words have a way of complicating identities - Katia Rose in her usual way gets to the core of this in a sweet, hot but clear romance. Kudos!
Heartily recommend.
A deftly written romance with humor, a touch of angst, heat and nicely rounded supporting characters particularly Tante Noelle and Jonah.
Labels and words have a way of complicating identities - Katia Rose in her usual way gets to the core of this in a sweet, hot but clear romance. Kudos!
Heartily recommend.
June 28, 2022
Katia Rose is one of the authors for me who has such an incredible way with words. Every story I fall in love with her writing more and more. I also think she improves so much with every story.
This time it’s the most wonderful opposite attracts fauxmance story. Evangeline (love the name) & Dane really couldn’t be any more different. While Evangeline has her whole life planned out (including the dishes), Dane doesn’t seem to have much of a plan. Well they actually have a big plan but doesn’t share it a lot with other people, because so far everyone let them down by not believing in them and making them believe they won’t ever get somewhere.
Living together as roommates was always tricky and they clash together more than once. When circumstances lead them to fake dates and having feelings for each other they realise there is more about the other than they have ever thought of. Both are surprised and taken aback to see a side that is so different, which of course leads to developing real feelings. But what if you were always afraid of taking any risks (like Evangeline) & think your soulmate has to be like you? What if your parents made you believe you’re a mistake? What are you going to do, if finally there is someone believing in you and you feel seen?
These and more questions descend on them the longer the story goes on. Because it’s written in first person and we get to witness both characters POV, I felt like I was in their head. Katia Rose was able to draw me in and made me feel their feelings. I laughed and cried. I had flashbacks to my own childhood and what came next because some things like a parents divorce reminded me a lot of my own experience.
I also loved how Katia Rose described the struggles and everything else by someone who is non-binary. I have no experience at all in that area, but she was able to help me understand. This is something I appreciate very much when an author does this.
In the end of course they are the perfect match. They are exactly what both need to bring out the best in each other. And last but not least they realise that a home isn’t a place but where your heart is. ❤️ Oh and in case you’re wondering about the heat level and chemistry, there are several very hot scenes in that won’t leave you cold. 😉
As usual I highly recommend this story by Katia Rose. If you haven’t read her other books, definitely check them out too. 😊
I received an ARC of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This time it’s the most wonderful opposite attracts fauxmance story. Evangeline (love the name) & Dane really couldn’t be any more different. While Evangeline has her whole life planned out (including the dishes), Dane doesn’t seem to have much of a plan. Well they actually have a big plan but doesn’t share it a lot with other people, because so far everyone let them down by not believing in them and making them believe they won’t ever get somewhere.
Living together as roommates was always tricky and they clash together more than once. When circumstances lead them to fake dates and having feelings for each other they realise there is more about the other than they have ever thought of. Both are surprised and taken aback to see a side that is so different, which of course leads to developing real feelings. But what if you were always afraid of taking any risks (like Evangeline) & think your soulmate has to be like you? What if your parents made you believe you’re a mistake? What are you going to do, if finally there is someone believing in you and you feel seen?
These and more questions descend on them the longer the story goes on. Because it’s written in first person and we get to witness both characters POV, I felt like I was in their head. Katia Rose was able to draw me in and made me feel their feelings. I laughed and cried. I had flashbacks to my own childhood and what came next because some things like a parents divorce reminded me a lot of my own experience.
I also loved how Katia Rose described the struggles and everything else by someone who is non-binary. I have no experience at all in that area, but she was able to help me understand. This is something I appreciate very much when an author does this.
In the end of course they are the perfect match. They are exactly what both need to bring out the best in each other. And last but not least they realise that a home isn’t a place but where your heart is. ❤️ Oh and in case you’re wondering about the heat level and chemistry, there are several very hot scenes in that won’t leave you cold. 😉
As usual I highly recommend this story by Katia Rose. If you haven’t read her other books, definitely check them out too. 😊
I received an ARC of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 29, 2022
Sweet read. Get on it!
Read
July 2, 2022
Just Might Work is LIVE! I'm thrilled to be releasing this book into the world. I've already heard from so many early readers who said Dane and Evangeline's story made them feel seen and represented. Every single DM, comment, and email has reminded me over and over again what an honor it is to create stories like this. I wrote Just Might Work as a story where queer readers can go to feel safe, seen, and celebrated, and where allies can continue to learn and support our amazing community. It's meant the world to me to already see Dane and Evangeline's story resonating with readers. To everyone living out their own NBLW love story: your love is beautiful, you are awesome beyond measure, and you are never alone <3
July 28, 2023
Katia can do no wrong!
October 26, 2022
4.5⭐️s
6/29/22
CW/TW: Divorced parents, uncertain housing situation, unsupportive family environment
From Katia Rose’s website: Reference to misgendering and dead-naming of a non-binary character, reference to bullying targeting gender presentation and sexual orientation
I’m writing this review right in time because this wonderful book is out TOMORROW!
I love our two main characters. Their POVs are very distinguishable from one another. I often forget whose perspective I’m reading from in multi-POV books, but not this one!
I love how they helped each other grow. Even though Evangeline is a reader, she still judges Dane by their cover. (I had to work a book pun in here, okay?) Both of them learn that there’s more to each other than meets the eye, and that they have more in common than they initially believed.
I loved the communication in this book. The typical third act breakup doesn’t center around miscommunication, thank goodness. These two communicate SO WELL. Even in the steamy scenes, these two continuously stop to check in on each other and make sure the other is comfortable. For example, Evangeline asks Dane what names they are okay with being called and if there are areas of their body she should avoid touching.
All in all, I am SO READY to read anything and everything Katia Rose releases.
Huge thank you to the author and StoryOrigin for an ARC of this!
6/27/22
Love love LOVED THISSSS. Full review to come!
6/9/22
I got an ARC WOOO! After reading The Devil Wears Tartan, I am READY to read everything Katia Rose releases and am so excited to catch up on her backlog!
6/29/22
CW/TW: Divorced parents, uncertain housing situation, unsupportive family environment
From Katia Rose’s website: Reference to misgendering and dead-naming of a non-binary character, reference to bullying targeting gender presentation and sexual orientation
I’m writing this review right in time because this wonderful book is out TOMORROW!
I love our two main characters. Their POVs are very distinguishable from one another. I often forget whose perspective I’m reading from in multi-POV books, but not this one!
I love how they helped each other grow. Even though Evangeline is a reader, she still judges Dane by their cover. (I had to work a book pun in here, okay?) Both of them learn that there’s more to each other than meets the eye, and that they have more in common than they initially believed.
I loved the communication in this book. The typical third act breakup doesn’t center around miscommunication, thank goodness. These two communicate SO WELL. Even in the steamy scenes, these two continuously stop to check in on each other and make sure the other is comfortable. For example, Evangeline asks Dane what names they are okay with being called and if there are areas of their body she should avoid touching.
All in all, I am SO READY to read anything and everything Katia Rose releases.
Huge thank you to the author and StoryOrigin for an ARC of this!
6/27/22
Love love LOVED THISSSS. Full review to come!
6/9/22
I got an ARC WOOO! After reading The Devil Wears Tartan, I am READY to read everything Katia Rose releases and am so excited to catch up on her backlog!
July 12, 2022
Every Katia Rose novel I read I like better and better. I think she's definitely found her stride with sapphic novels! I adored Dane and Evangeline, as well as the quirky side characters within this novel. At times, this novel is jovial and fun, and at other times it's quite deep and I loved both character's individual trials they face and have to overcome to be together.
Dane is non-binary, and I really enjoyed reading a romance with a main enby character. There's quite a bit of spice to this novel, and I loved how Katia Rose built the chemistry between Dane and Evangeline. 🔥
All in all, a great new adult novel. I highly recommend a read.
Many thanks to StoryOrigin and Katia Rose for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Dane is non-binary, and I really enjoyed reading a romance with a main enby character. There's quite a bit of spice to this novel, and I loved how Katia Rose built the chemistry between Dane and Evangeline. 🔥
All in all, a great new adult novel. I highly recommend a read.
Many thanks to StoryOrigin and Katia Rose for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2022
4.5*
wow this was absolutely amazing, i loved every second of this. i read this all in about 2 hours because i could not put it down once i started reading. i was hooked from the beginning!
this story follows dane and evangeline who have been roommates for about two years but have to take date in order to keep their house. i LOVED the tension between them throughout the whole book, it was sosososo good. i also loved how this book talked about dane’s photography and evangeline’s veterinary schooling, it was so interesting to read about.
my favourite part tho had to be the characters. they were so funny and so cute together. i could feel how much they liked each other throughout the book and nothing felt forced to me. i was so invested in their relationship and i was rooting for them from the beginning. also it’s fake dating, how could i not love it?
overall, this was incredible. thank you to the author for an e-arc of this book!
wow this was absolutely amazing, i loved every second of this. i read this all in about 2 hours because i could not put it down once i started reading. i was hooked from the beginning!
this story follows dane and evangeline who have been roommates for about two years but have to take date in order to keep their house. i LOVED the tension between them throughout the whole book, it was sosososo good. i also loved how this book talked about dane’s photography and evangeline’s veterinary schooling, it was so interesting to read about.
my favourite part tho had to be the characters. they were so funny and so cute together. i could feel how much they liked each other throughout the book and nothing felt forced to me. i was so invested in their relationship and i was rooting for them from the beginning. also it’s fake dating, how could i not love it?
overall, this was incredible. thank you to the author for an e-arc of this book!
August 13, 2022
** review to come **
_____________
13th august
oops, i forgot to come back to this and now it's been a while and i've forgotten all about this book which i think sort of sums it up honestly.
some of it's coming back slowly, and one thing i do remember is the representation and how it was handled so well. one of the mc's is non-binary and it's not an afterthought. there are conversations about consent, and what is comfortable between the mc's and i loved that.
i think the actual story was lacking, and i didn't enjoy this one as much as the devil wears tartan. but a solid romance novel that was easy and cute.
_____________
13th august
oops, i forgot to come back to this and now it's been a while and i've forgotten all about this book which i think sort of sums it up honestly.
some of it's coming back slowly, and one thing i do remember is the representation and how it was handled so well. one of the mc's is non-binary and it's not an afterthought. there are conversations about consent, and what is comfortable between the mc's and i loved that.
i think the actual story was lacking, and i didn't enjoy this one as much as the devil wears tartan. but a solid romance novel that was easy and cute.
June 30, 2022
Wow. WOW. Katia Rose blows it away again. I immediately fell in love with Dane and Evangeline. I was able to see bits of myself in each character and it just pulled me in from the first chapter. As an avid romance reader myself, I connected with Evangeline immediately and both of the characters were so fleshed out and realistic; despite the main focus being their relationship (real or fake hehe), there are plenty of subplots to keep the story moving. Each side character is interesting and different, which gives the story so much warmth. I loved watching Dane and Evangeline grow, both personally and in their relationship. I cried, swooned, fell in love, laughed, and so much more. This is such a wonderful (and hot) read and I could not recommend it more.
May 1, 2023
This book truly had it all: An opening scene in inflatable cow costumes? Check. Scams, bamboozling, and hijinks? Check. A pet axolotl? Check. Some seriously steamy sex scenes? Check and check. A tender portrait of a nonbinary person finding love? Infinite check. I do not want to spoil things any further, so I will just say that this was a truly special read.
May 11, 2023
why did it take me this long to read this?? WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME HOW GOOD THIS BOOK IS??
June 26, 2022
A copy of the book was provided to Sapphic Book Club in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
Rose has done it again. Rose has been a consistent author supporting and offering ARC's to the Sapphic Book Club, and I have read them all and have enjoyed every single one of them. Rose has become one of my Must Read authors because they never disappoint. All of their books are heart warming, sweet, and captivating.
Just Might Work follows Dane, a nonbinary photographer that is working odd end jobs to save up money to start their own photography business. They live in their aunts house with their roommate Evangeline, a pre-veternarian student whose love of organization will rivals anyone. When Dane's soul-mate matching enthusiastic aunt tells them she may be ending there lease so that Dane's shady cousin can use it for their own soul-mate experience. Dane and Evangeline decide to embrace the soul-mate theory by pretending to be in a relationship to keep the house.
I really liked the characters. Dane was great! They were funny, sweet, and their struggles with their family and identity really added depth and complexity. Rose always have well rounded characters that are dealing with the college age identity shifts, and Dane and Evangeline have captured that well.
All in all, I really enjoyed this fake romance story and would highly recommend it to fans of Rose's previous work and/or fake relationships.
4.5 stars
Rose has done it again. Rose has been a consistent author supporting and offering ARC's to the Sapphic Book Club, and I have read them all and have enjoyed every single one of them. Rose has become one of my Must Read authors because they never disappoint. All of their books are heart warming, sweet, and captivating.
Just Might Work follows Dane, a nonbinary photographer that is working odd end jobs to save up money to start their own photography business. They live in their aunts house with their roommate Evangeline, a pre-veternarian student whose love of organization will rivals anyone. When Dane's soul-mate matching enthusiastic aunt tells them she may be ending there lease so that Dane's shady cousin can use it for their own soul-mate experience. Dane and Evangeline decide to embrace the soul-mate theory by pretending to be in a relationship to keep the house.
I really liked the characters. Dane was great! They were funny, sweet, and their struggles with their family and identity really added depth and complexity. Rose always have well rounded characters that are dealing with the college age identity shifts, and Dane and Evangeline have captured that well.
All in all, I really enjoyed this fake romance story and would highly recommend it to fans of Rose's previous work and/or fake relationships.
July 3, 2022
A copy of the book was provided to Sapphic Book Club in exchange for an honest review.
*Mushes my face into my hands and squeals*
This was such a delight. Just Might Work is the second title I’ve read by Katia Rose, after Catch and Cradle. I enjoyed Catch and Cradle very much, but I liked this more. There’s snarky banter and some beautifully executed fake dating, a trope I’m weak for at the best of times, so this? This was very good for me.
The character dynamic between Dane and Evangeline was rich and believable: the reasons they don’t understand each other, although they’re already roommates, and the barriers that prevent them from getting together, feel true to who they are. It’s so easy to make fake dating feel contrived, or over reliant on miscommunication for plotting, but Rose avoids this. The character work drives the plot, and both Dane and Evangeline are people I really enjoyed spending time with on the page. Evangeline’s one hack for dealing with m/f romance is absolutely hilarious.
I’m not non binary, and so can’t speak with authority on how well Dane’s identity was handled, but it’s an aspect of the story that really resonated with me, as someone who occasionally has gender feels.
I adored this book: I’d especially recommend it to people who enjoy fake dating, but also to anyone who really appreciates good character work. It’s an absolute joy, and so, so charming.
*Mushes my face into my hands and squeals*
This was such a delight. Just Might Work is the second title I’ve read by Katia Rose, after Catch and Cradle. I enjoyed Catch and Cradle very much, but I liked this more. There’s snarky banter and some beautifully executed fake dating, a trope I’m weak for at the best of times, so this? This was very good for me.
The character dynamic between Dane and Evangeline was rich and believable: the reasons they don’t understand each other, although they’re already roommates, and the barriers that prevent them from getting together, feel true to who they are. It’s so easy to make fake dating feel contrived, or over reliant on miscommunication for plotting, but Rose avoids this. The character work drives the plot, and both Dane and Evangeline are people I really enjoyed spending time with on the page. Evangeline’s one hack for dealing with m/f romance is absolutely hilarious.
I’m not non binary, and so can’t speak with authority on how well Dane’s identity was handled, but it’s an aspect of the story that really resonated with me, as someone who occasionally has gender feels.
I adored this book: I’d especially recommend it to people who enjoy fake dating, but also to anyone who really appreciates good character work. It’s an absolute joy, and so, so charming.
March 29, 2023
Wow wow wow. I loved that🥲 I related to Evangeline wayyy too much and I’m obsessed with Dane and their energy. I first want to say, some people said they didn’t want to pick this book up because there’s a non binary character…. Shame on you!!! And you’re missing out!! This made it to my favorites list. *mom stop reading this review now*
THIS WAS SO SPICY AND HOT. The scenes…. Chefs kiss. The chemistry… 🥲 THE FANTASY PART. Im not ok. The way I wanted to be miss Evangeline. I had my mouth open and eyes wide when I was reading parts of this book because what the hell. It was hot. That’s it. Im done, thank you.
THIS WAS SO SPICY AND HOT. The scenes…. Chefs kiss. The chemistry… 🥲 THE FANTASY PART. Im not ok. The way I wanted to be miss Evangeline. I had my mouth open and eyes wide when I was reading parts of this book because what the hell. It was hot. That’s it. Im done, thank you.
July 17, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5 or 10/10 literally anything and everything I loved this book so much! I’ve loved all of what I’ve read of Katia Rose and I think this just might be my favorite one so far. I didn’t think the devil wears tartan could be beat but wow so sweet and funny
5/5 or 10/10 literally anything and everything I loved this book so much! I’ve loved all of what I’ve read of Katia Rose and I think this just might be my favorite one so far. I didn’t think the devil wears tartan could be beat but wow so sweet and funny
February 8, 2025
I loved the charecters and i couldn't put it down 🐈📸📚
March 21, 2026
This sat on my TBR shelves for to long! I'm happy to have sprung it. What a beautiful story, fake dating, enemies to lovers roommates love story. Throw in an eccentric aunt and it's a fun story! Dane and Evangeline are roommates and are as different as oil and water, or are they? When it looks like their lease might not be renewed by Dane's aunt they band together and pretend to start dating. Until they are. Dane is nonbinary and Evangeline is a cis female. When they get together it is sizzling HOT!! I LOVE THIS BOOK!! Definitely 5 stars!!!
Read
March 6, 2023not my cup of tea. DNF.
October 20, 2022
A copy of the book was provided to Sapphic Book Club in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5
this is another solid romance by katia rose! it centers on dane (they/them), a spontaneous photographer, and evangeline (she/her), a vet-in-training who loves planning. they are roommates in dane's aunt's house and they bicker frequently about trivial things - until dane's aunt says she might have to rent the house to someone new, and they team up to convince her that they are soul mates. fake dating - and real dating - ensues!
"just might work" is so. much. fun. i really enjoyed the middle of the novel! rose writes sexual tension so so so well, and it's amazing to see how each character experiences their sexual attraction uniquely, rather than it all being written the same way. there's also lovely stuff about romance novels, as evangeline reads them! the sex scenes are well written (consent <3), the non-binary rep was fantastic (i'm enby myself!), the characters felt real, and the problems keeping them apart were actual problems!!!!!!!!!! something i always love to see is enby characters loving their bodies in sex scenes, and rose does a great job of both giving dane space to be trans - making sure that they can communicate their preferences - while not forcing them to constantly be in the throes of dysphoria. i loved loved loved loved this!
that said, there were some things that made this just an average read for me overall. for one, the beginning and end fell a bit flat? something similar happened in "the devil wears tartan" at the end, where cliches were a bit overused and i didn't buy into the emotions the characters were feeling (i ended up with a lot of annotations that just said "._." because i felt disconnected from the scene). this was really just in the beginning and end; i felt none of this throughout the middle of the novel. another part that irritated me was dane's aunt, tante noelle, because i liked her character but the joking references to meditation, chakras, retreats, and spirituality felt a bitttt off to me??? i can't say for certain if it's "bad" (whatever that means), but it always makes me a bit uncomfy when hippie/yoga/spiritual things are thrown off without consideration of the history of appropriation/colonization there.
overall, i would say if you are looking for a fun romance, this is a great choice! it's not perfect but rose has a way of pulling you in that definitely doesn't disappoint here.
3.5/5
this is another solid romance by katia rose! it centers on dane (they/them), a spontaneous photographer, and evangeline (she/her), a vet-in-training who loves planning. they are roommates in dane's aunt's house and they bicker frequently about trivial things - until dane's aunt says she might have to rent the house to someone new, and they team up to convince her that they are soul mates. fake dating - and real dating - ensues!
"just might work" is so. much. fun. i really enjoyed the middle of the novel! rose writes sexual tension so so so well, and it's amazing to see how each character experiences their sexual attraction uniquely, rather than it all being written the same way. there's also lovely stuff about romance novels, as evangeline reads them! the sex scenes are well written (consent <3), the non-binary rep was fantastic (i'm enby myself!), the characters felt real, and the problems keeping them apart were actual problems!!!!!!!!!! something i always love to see is enby characters loving their bodies in sex scenes, and rose does a great job of both giving dane space to be trans - making sure that they can communicate their preferences - while not forcing them to constantly be in the throes of dysphoria. i loved loved loved loved this!
that said, there were some things that made this just an average read for me overall. for one, the beginning and end fell a bit flat? something similar happened in "the devil wears tartan" at the end, where cliches were a bit overused and i didn't buy into the emotions the characters were feeling (i ended up with a lot of annotations that just said "._." because i felt disconnected from the scene). this was really just in the beginning and end; i felt none of this throughout the middle of the novel. another part that irritated me was dane's aunt, tante noelle, because i liked her character but the joking references to meditation, chakras, retreats, and spirituality felt a bitttt off to me??? i can't say for certain if it's "bad" (whatever that means), but it always makes me a bit uncomfy when hippie/yoga/spiritual things are thrown off without consideration of the history of appropriation/colonization there.
overall, i would say if you are looking for a fun romance, this is a great choice! it's not perfect but rose has a way of pulling you in that definitely doesn't disappoint here.
June 29, 2022
I am so glad I discovered this book! I liked seeing the representation, such as how Dane was unapologetic about using they/them pronouns. This is so important in books because it is not really addressed. The author did a wonderful job at describing Dane’s difficult experiences growing up and how they did not let their family dictate how to live their life. Evangeline, Dane’s love interest, also experienced a difficult childhood. Although it was not about her gender identity, she struggled with always wanting to be perfect and letting go of control. She is secretly a hopeless romantic but does not believe love exists for her because she witnessed her parent’s toxic relationship. Although both characters seem to dislike each other because they have clashing personalities, they learn they were seeing what they expected to see. I loved the way the author wrote their character development. I really felt like I was in their head reading their thoughts. I could totally understand why they acted the way they did and empathized with them.
I find it so fascinating that part of the conflict is how Dane’s aunt, Noelle, believes in soulmates and plays matchmaker with who she believes belongs together. However, Dane and Evangeline were more focused on not being kicked out of Noelle’s house since they are leasing it while each of them accomplish their goals. Throughout the story they learn that it is their home for various reasons and are willing to fight for it. It was fun to see pieces of different tropes, such as enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and friends-to-lovers. There are many funny moments as well as moments that made me reflect. I enjoyed reading about Dane’s passion for photography and Evangeline’s passion for becoming a veterinarian. One of my favorite parts is also how Evangeline introduces Dane to romance novels! This plays an important role in the steamy scenes, which were also great because they ask each other what they are comfortable with. Overall, I loved this book. The author has a beautiful writing style and addresses important topics while you fall in love with love.
I find it so fascinating that part of the conflict is how Dane’s aunt, Noelle, believes in soulmates and plays matchmaker with who she believes belongs together. However, Dane and Evangeline were more focused on not being kicked out of Noelle’s house since they are leasing it while each of them accomplish their goals. Throughout the story they learn that it is their home for various reasons and are willing to fight for it. It was fun to see pieces of different tropes, such as enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and friends-to-lovers. There are many funny moments as well as moments that made me reflect. I enjoyed reading about Dane’s passion for photography and Evangeline’s passion for becoming a veterinarian. One of my favorite parts is also how Evangeline introduces Dane to romance novels! This plays an important role in the steamy scenes, which were also great because they ask each other what they are comfortable with. Overall, I loved this book. The author has a beautiful writing style and addresses important topics while you fall in love with love.
June 30, 2022
“Maybe life is painful and complicated no matter where you live. Maybe people are always bound to hurt each other, but maybe people are also what makes life searingly, stunningly, unfathomably beautiful.”
This book was indescribable, and I am so incredible grateful and honored I got to read it before it’s official release. Finding myself more this year, so many things throughout this book struck different chords within me. Evangeline is very much a Type A personality, and throughout the story we see her slowly let go of the tight grasp she has on life. Everything should have a plan, a purpose…but what happens when things don’t go according to plan and you have to wing it?
Dane is so, SO, relatable for me as a reader. They are one of very few non-binary characters I have read thus far, but they have so many qualities to love, and admire. Dane has been a bit of the outcast of their family - the disappointment. They think going back to where they grew up is the best “final” plan, but Tante Noelle has other plans. She’s a bit of a match maker of souls, and with Evangeline and Dane living in her house, she knows without a doubt these two belong together.
Both Dane and Evangeline have so much to explore about themselves in this story, but they only truly do so by exploring things about each other. Having lived together for a bit of time, they never truly got along. How does that all pan out though when they do start talking? How do people who outwardly seem completely opposite end up not being too different after all. Not only do both characters have to learn about each other, but they discover and uncover the past experiences they’ve held on to for far too long through it all. I loved exploring the emotions with both of these characters, and even with Tante Noelle. All three had bits of wisdom that, if you’re discovering yourself as a reader, I don’t think you’ll find anywhere else.
This book was indescribable, and I am so incredible grateful and honored I got to read it before it’s official release. Finding myself more this year, so many things throughout this book struck different chords within me. Evangeline is very much a Type A personality, and throughout the story we see her slowly let go of the tight grasp she has on life. Everything should have a plan, a purpose…but what happens when things don’t go according to plan and you have to wing it?
Dane is so, SO, relatable for me as a reader. They are one of very few non-binary characters I have read thus far, but they have so many qualities to love, and admire. Dane has been a bit of the outcast of their family - the disappointment. They think going back to where they grew up is the best “final” plan, but Tante Noelle has other plans. She’s a bit of a match maker of souls, and with Evangeline and Dane living in her house, she knows without a doubt these two belong together.
Both Dane and Evangeline have so much to explore about themselves in this story, but they only truly do so by exploring things about each other. Having lived together for a bit of time, they never truly got along. How does that all pan out though when they do start talking? How do people who outwardly seem completely opposite end up not being too different after all. Not only do both characters have to learn about each other, but they discover and uncover the past experiences they’ve held on to for far too long through it all. I loved exploring the emotions with both of these characters, and even with Tante Noelle. All three had bits of wisdom that, if you’re discovering yourself as a reader, I don’t think you’ll find anywhere else.
September 26, 2022
"Just Might Work is a New Adult NBLW lesbian romantic comedy featuring a non-binary lead and a cis heroine faking their way into real love." I can't stop thinking about this book. First of all it had so many of my favorite tropes: fake dating, close proximity, shared bedroom, and enemies to lovers. The angst and complications for two new adults was done so well.
Dane's struggles with their identity and the confidence of being who they are in the world or so well written. The struggle is well explained and the feelings they have when they are treated with kindness. (Trigger Warning that there are several mentions of past bullying and the pain this continues to cause Dane are mentioned in minimal details.) The lack of support in Dane's overall life continues to guide them in all of their decision making and fear of an overall commitment.
Evangeline appear almost the opposite of Dane. She is incredibly organized, focusing on school and schedules everything (including a chore list). She loves working with animals and is focused on becoming a vet. She is an avid reader of all genres, but WLW romances are high on her list. However, she does not believe in soul mates and is rather resistant to relationships. The continued issues of her parents divorce (10 years ago) guides a lot of her decision making and need for control.
One of the things I liked about this book is that Dane and Evangeline have a rather open communication style with mutual respect from the beginning, they may struggle to keep feelings in and fear discussing them to each other, but the way it plays out shows more of their need to grow as individual people and less around respecting each other.
This definitely is a book focused on finding oneself in order to be open to the potential of a soul mate.
The humor in this book is well done and the back and forth snark between the characters is entertaining to be sure.
Dane's struggles with their identity and the confidence of being who they are in the world or so well written. The struggle is well explained and the feelings they have when they are treated with kindness. (Trigger Warning that there are several mentions of past bullying and the pain this continues to cause Dane are mentioned in minimal details.) The lack of support in Dane's overall life continues to guide them in all of their decision making and fear of an overall commitment.
Evangeline appear almost the opposite of Dane. She is incredibly organized, focusing on school and schedules everything (including a chore list). She loves working with animals and is focused on becoming a vet. She is an avid reader of all genres, but WLW romances are high on her list. However, she does not believe in soul mates and is rather resistant to relationships. The continued issues of her parents divorce (10 years ago) guides a lot of her decision making and need for control.
One of the things I liked about this book is that Dane and Evangeline have a rather open communication style with mutual respect from the beginning, they may struggle to keep feelings in and fear discussing them to each other, but the way it plays out shows more of their need to grow as individual people and less around respecting each other.
This definitely is a book focused on finding oneself in order to be open to the potential of a soul mate.
The humor in this book is well done and the back and forth snark between the characters is entertaining to be sure.
September 1, 2022
A copy of the book was provided to Sapphic Book Club in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows two roommates Evangeline, a vet student, and Dane a photographer. They are living at Dane's aunts house when she informs them shes thinking of selling the place to one of Dane's cousins. Dane's aunt is obsessed with playing matchmaker to people that she thinks are soulmates and is convinced Dane and Evangeline are meant to be so, in an effort keep living the house, they decide to fake date. The only problem is they are self-proclaimed opposites; however, as the two grow closer they realize they have more in common than they thought and their relationship starts to blur the lines between fake and real.
I had some trouble getting into the book at first because I'm not a big fan of antagonistic relationships? There was a lot teasing and getting on each others nerves on purpose that just rubbed me the wrong way. That being said, this was my first nblw read and overall I thought it was pretty good! I thought Dane was a well written main character and I appreciated their heart. The fact that they were a photographer was also a plus since I like photography myself. I think the book did particularly well regarding the spicier scenes and I loved the communication around boundaries, I felt it was written is a way that didn't ruin the flow at all. I also enjoyed the care and understanding that developed between Dane and Evangeline and how they learned to look past both their prejudices.
I wish I'd liked this book a little more but I think it was just due to personal preference on the beginning. The ending had me EMOTIONAL (in a good way lol). Overall, I'd recommend this book to romance fans especially those who like opposites attract fake dating.
This story follows two roommates Evangeline, a vet student, and Dane a photographer. They are living at Dane's aunts house when she informs them shes thinking of selling the place to one of Dane's cousins. Dane's aunt is obsessed with playing matchmaker to people that she thinks are soulmates and is convinced Dane and Evangeline are meant to be so, in an effort keep living the house, they decide to fake date. The only problem is they are self-proclaimed opposites; however, as the two grow closer they realize they have more in common than they thought and their relationship starts to blur the lines between fake and real.
I had some trouble getting into the book at first because I'm not a big fan of antagonistic relationships? There was a lot teasing and getting on each others nerves on purpose that just rubbed me the wrong way. That being said, this was my first nblw read and overall I thought it was pretty good! I thought Dane was a well written main character and I appreciated their heart. The fact that they were a photographer was also a plus since I like photography myself. I think the book did particularly well regarding the spicier scenes and I loved the communication around boundaries, I felt it was written is a way that didn't ruin the flow at all. I also enjoyed the care and understanding that developed between Dane and Evangeline and how they learned to look past both their prejudices.
I wish I'd liked this book a little more but I think it was just due to personal preference on the beginning. The ending had me EMOTIONAL (in a good way lol). Overall, I'd recommend this book to romance fans especially those who like opposites attract fake dating.
January 4, 2024
Ultra beautiful, thought provoking romance
This is just an exceptional story.
Dane doesn’t know what they are doing, preparing to start a new business, but always having been put down by their family, and so never really having the self confidence to go for it. Living with daily hand-to-mouth unusual jobs with their friend Jonah, and doing the occasional semi-secret photoshoot in preparation for the big business. They also think they need to move back to Vancouver, to recreate a time before all their problems started.
Evangeline is a scheduling junkie - for her, if it can’t be scheduled, then it won’t happen, so why even consider it. She is an ultra busy student, also doing all sorts of extra duties as a vet’s assistant to get extra credit. She is also living in the past, dredging up her parent’s disastrous divorce, comparing herself to her mom, and as far as her own future relationships are concerned, planning to fail.
Together they live in domestic tension, each rubbing the other up the wrong way. They share their wonderful Victorian house with Dane’s bohemian Tante Noelle, even though she is away for most of the time overseas. Until Tante Noelle decides that she needs to terminate their rental contract. Then the frantic planning, the comedy and the romance begins in earnest.
Even though this is totally out of my experience, in a country and a culture (and sometimes a language) I know very little about, the story seemed to pull me in, making this one of the best books I have read this year. Both Dane and Evangeline have lots of learning and compromising to do, and even Tante Noelle has to learn from these two also.
Even though throughout the story we hear fairly equally from the point of view of Dane and Evangeline, it’s Dane’s descriptions that really make the story, especially their photographic interpretations of the beauty of the world around them, of the city, of nature, and ultimately of Evangeline.
This is just an exceptional story.
Dane doesn’t know what they are doing, preparing to start a new business, but always having been put down by their family, and so never really having the self confidence to go for it. Living with daily hand-to-mouth unusual jobs with their friend Jonah, and doing the occasional semi-secret photoshoot in preparation for the big business. They also think they need to move back to Vancouver, to recreate a time before all their problems started.
Evangeline is a scheduling junkie - for her, if it can’t be scheduled, then it won’t happen, so why even consider it. She is an ultra busy student, also doing all sorts of extra duties as a vet’s assistant to get extra credit. She is also living in the past, dredging up her parent’s disastrous divorce, comparing herself to her mom, and as far as her own future relationships are concerned, planning to fail.
Together they live in domestic tension, each rubbing the other up the wrong way. They share their wonderful Victorian house with Dane’s bohemian Tante Noelle, even though she is away for most of the time overseas. Until Tante Noelle decides that she needs to terminate their rental contract. Then the frantic planning, the comedy and the romance begins in earnest.
Even though this is totally out of my experience, in a country and a culture (and sometimes a language) I know very little about, the story seemed to pull me in, making this one of the best books I have read this year. Both Dane and Evangeline have lots of learning and compromising to do, and even Tante Noelle has to learn from these two also.
Even though throughout the story we hear fairly equally from the point of view of Dane and Evangeline, it’s Dane’s descriptions that really make the story, especially their photographic interpretations of the beauty of the world around them, of the city, of nature, and ultimately of Evangeline.
June 19, 2022
When I first discovered I was granted an ACR of this book, I was ecstatic. Katia Rose’s sapphic novels are a (not-so) guilty pleasure of mine, and I have enjoyed each and every one I have read of hers so far. This book was no exception.
The story unfolds between two roommates Evangeline and Dane who are currently in the “transition” state of life. Evangeline is currently making her way through her last year of vet school, while Dane attempts to make a living off a series of odd pay jobs while growing their photography skills (their true passion) on the side. When their home is threatened to be taken away from them, they decide to take drastic measures to prove that they need this home - “drastic measures” meaning fake-dating. In addition to pretending to be in a relationship, each character deals with their own sort of issues, which greatly affect their outlook on life and self-perspective, especially when it comes to dating. Throughout the novel, we watch as they work through their own differences and grow as young adults, separating themselves from their families’ ideas of who they should be ans becoming their own person.
With that being said, this wasn’t my all-time favorite book by Rose (Catch and Cradle has yet to be beat I’m afraid!!). It did feel as if we were entering the story with Dane and Evangeline’s chemistry already having begun, as in our first chapter from Evangeline she mentions Dane’s attractiveness and getting flustered around them. It also felt insta-love-y at times, though granted they have been living together for months prior to the story so the initial mutual relations were already built.
Tropes of this book include fake dating, soulmates, opposites attract, forced proximity, and-they-were-roommates, and lastly, enemies-to-lovers - “enemies” coming from their distinctive differences from one another and refusal to get along.
The story unfolds between two roommates Evangeline and Dane who are currently in the “transition” state of life. Evangeline is currently making her way through her last year of vet school, while Dane attempts to make a living off a series of odd pay jobs while growing their photography skills (their true passion) on the side. When their home is threatened to be taken away from them, they decide to take drastic measures to prove that they need this home - “drastic measures” meaning fake-dating. In addition to pretending to be in a relationship, each character deals with their own sort of issues, which greatly affect their outlook on life and self-perspective, especially when it comes to dating. Throughout the novel, we watch as they work through their own differences and grow as young adults, separating themselves from their families’ ideas of who they should be ans becoming their own person.
With that being said, this wasn’t my all-time favorite book by Rose (Catch and Cradle has yet to be beat I’m afraid!!). It did feel as if we were entering the story with Dane and Evangeline’s chemistry already having begun, as in our first chapter from Evangeline she mentions Dane’s attractiveness and getting flustered around them. It also felt insta-love-y at times, though granted they have been living together for months prior to the story so the initial mutual relations were already built.
Tropes of this book include fake dating, soulmates, opposites attract, forced proximity, and-they-were-roommates, and lastly, enemies-to-lovers - “enemies” coming from their distinctive differences from one another and refusal to get along.
June 30, 2022
Thank you to the author for an ARC via StoryOrigin.
This is the fourth novel I've read of Katia Rose's and while it doesn't usurp "This used to be easier" in my line of favorites, it is still in as one of the top queer romances I've read this year. I loved it and absolutely recommend it!
In Just might work, we first meet Dane, a twenty-something "sexy cow", flitting between cash-earning odd jobs to fund their photography-fueled dreams & Evangeline, a 'Marie Kondo'-esque veterinarian-in-training, as they learn to find common ground as roommates of two years. When free-spirit and self-declared "soul-mate" match-maker, Noelle is introduced, Dane & Evangeline come up with a scheme to prevent their lease from being terminated, by pretending to fall in love while grappling with feelings that don't seem so fake after all.
There is a solid balance between the light-hearted shenanigans of lessee's-to-fake-and-then-real-lovers, and the deep-seated issues they must face as individuals, who are still growing into the world and themselves. I particularly like the shared history as roommates that have been orbiting around one another at a distance before finally becoming involved in a more substantial way. I felt the hint at previous shared "moments" fueled the witty banter that later developed between them. Both characters are well fleshed out, and show strong development throughout. It's wonderful to see the non-binary representation and how despite not being 'close' to Dane, Evangaline is unwaveringly supportive and understanding of their complex feelings of gender & sexual identity.
Throw in the Canadian back-drop, well-written supporting characters, and ever-intensifying sexual tension with a steamy conclusion, this queer read is sure to hit home. It's entertaining, unproblematic and ultimately heartwarming.
This is the fourth novel I've read of Katia Rose's and while it doesn't usurp "This used to be easier" in my line of favorites, it is still in as one of the top queer romances I've read this year. I loved it and absolutely recommend it!
In Just might work, we first meet Dane, a twenty-something "sexy cow", flitting between cash-earning odd jobs to fund their photography-fueled dreams & Evangeline, a 'Marie Kondo'-esque veterinarian-in-training, as they learn to find common ground as roommates of two years. When free-spirit and self-declared "soul-mate" match-maker, Noelle is introduced, Dane & Evangeline come up with a scheme to prevent their lease from being terminated, by pretending to fall in love while grappling with feelings that don't seem so fake after all.
There is a solid balance between the light-hearted shenanigans of lessee's-to-fake-and-then-real-lovers, and the deep-seated issues they must face as individuals, who are still growing into the world and themselves. I particularly like the shared history as roommates that have been orbiting around one another at a distance before finally becoming involved in a more substantial way. I felt the hint at previous shared "moments" fueled the witty banter that later developed between them. Both characters are well fleshed out, and show strong development throughout. It's wonderful to see the non-binary representation and how despite not being 'close' to Dane, Evangaline is unwaveringly supportive and understanding of their complex feelings of gender & sexual identity.
Throw in the Canadian back-drop, well-written supporting characters, and ever-intensifying sexual tension with a steamy conclusion, this queer read is sure to hit home. It's entertaining, unproblematic and ultimately heartwarming.
June 30, 2022
Just yesterday evening Story Origin approved my request for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I finished this book in record time despite going out with friends on a friday night/saturday morning. It’s got me hooked from the first few chapters.
If you know me, you know my absolute favorite trope of all time is fake-dating. I also quite enjoy dislike to lovers because of all the bickering, the banter and most of all - the tension. With “Just Might Work” Katia Rose has delivered all of that and even more.
Self proclaimed Matchmaker Tante Noelle is renting out her house for cheap. Dane - who has a strained relationship with most of their family for various reasons (being non-binary, not going to college, wanting to be a photographer) - and Evangeline, vet student, book influencer and (fellow) child of divorced parents are a perfect match in Noelles eyes. However they never can’t seem to get along. When suddenly they’re faced with the possibility of losing the house, they form a plan - they pretend to be fake dating. Neither of them factored in their chemistry.
Dane and Evangeline couldn’t be more opposites - or so it seems at first glance. Despite obvious differences they both keep open minds and get to know each other and most importantly - they listen and respect each other. Both characters have their own struggles they overcome in the duration of the book and I love that there’s so much character development. They actually talk about their problems and (even though they run), they manage to solve them together. There’s so much support in their relationship, especially when Evangeline is validating Dane in their gender identity, it’s heartwarming.
I already know I’ll be ordering the paperback copy once the book is published! Always a joy to read Katia Rose’s books!
If you know me, you know my absolute favorite trope of all time is fake-dating. I also quite enjoy dislike to lovers because of all the bickering, the banter and most of all - the tension. With “Just Might Work” Katia Rose has delivered all of that and even more.
Self proclaimed Matchmaker Tante Noelle is renting out her house for cheap. Dane - who has a strained relationship with most of their family for various reasons (being non-binary, not going to college, wanting to be a photographer) - and Evangeline, vet student, book influencer and (fellow) child of divorced parents are a perfect match in Noelles eyes. However they never can’t seem to get along. When suddenly they’re faced with the possibility of losing the house, they form a plan - they pretend to be fake dating. Neither of them factored in their chemistry.
Dane and Evangeline couldn’t be more opposites - or so it seems at first glance. Despite obvious differences they both keep open minds and get to know each other and most importantly - they listen and respect each other. Both characters have their own struggles they overcome in the duration of the book and I love that there’s so much character development. They actually talk about their problems and (even though they run), they manage to solve them together. There’s so much support in their relationship, especially when Evangeline is validating Dane in their gender identity, it’s heartwarming.
I already know I’ll be ordering the paperback copy once the book is published! Always a joy to read Katia Rose’s books!
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