Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This book focuses on a reality show called "I Do, I Don't". The contestants are picked by an algorithm that Nicole has written for the producer & friend, Annie. When Nicole was testing out the system, she put in her own data. She forgot to delete this data when the real contestants are entered into the system. She realizes her mistake when one the brides backs out and the second choice is her! Nicole steps in as the back up to get married to the other bride.
There is one small problem( besides the big problem of being married to someone she doesn't know), she has feelings for Annie, the producer and friend. Will she stay married or risk it all for love?
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another sapphic rom com banger. Argento really brought Annie and Nicole's struggles and love to the forefront with such an interesting premise.

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I felt like there could have been more to this story than what found its way on the pages. It took a long time for the MC's to get together and even though I don't mind a slow burn, it took me a bit too long. Or something was missing. I don't know how to put my finger on it. It just wasn't there.

Lisa seemed like a really kind person but I didn't get enough to really root for her or get to know her. It all felt superficial.

Annie and Nicole had their cute moments but it all felt wrapped up pretty quickly. Even the drama was thrown in there pretty hastily and then resolved in just a couple of pages.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

Interesting plot with well developed characters. It’s a slow burn romance that focuses on two people matched by an algorithm. Executive producer of the reality show works with a computer program to develop the algorithm. The main characters are likable. I enjoyed the story and would recommend.

I’m a big fan of reality shows and often bemoan the fact that there’s so little lesbian representation so I jumped at the chance to read this book. I really connected with Nicole and rooted for her to find love, however, this book was missing something for me. Annie was not a very sympathetic character and I questioned the fact that she put Nicole in the position of having to take part in the show. The fact that most of the book was taken up by Nicole and Lisa’s marriage and that we had very little insight into Annie for most of the story didn’t help. The writing was engaging but I’m afraid the romance didn’t work for me.

This was a nice romcom. "I do, I don't" is a real reality show I sometimes watch and always complain there isn't sapphic couples so I was happy to put my hands on this book.
It was interesting to have a glimpse of how reality shows are manipulated to follow a certain narrative to attract audience.
I enjoyed the parallel between the growth of the relationship between Annie and Nicole/ Nicole and Lisa : seeing one relationship blooming but fighting against it VS a relationship not going where it should go despite efforts. I was rooting for Annie and Nicole but I admit Lisa was so perfect and nice, I wouldn't have been mad if Nicole explored something with her.
The storyline had a lot of potential but I don't feel like the characters feelings were explore with real depth to make me really feel invested. When the characters finally get together after all the prenuptial dance, I expected to feel the fireworks but that wasn't the case. I was expecting a more romantic and more build up first kiss and the same for the love scene which was written in an almost scholar rather than passionate way.
My review are pretty constant when the third act breakup comes late, if the author doesn't give me two or three chapters of bliss post break up, my heart stays a bit mad;). I don't mind some miscommunications but this one left me really frustrated with Nicole's behavior.
Another point I wanted to mention : I am used to read books who alternates pov between the MCs or with unique POV. This was the the first time I read a book with both of their POV mixed in same chapters and it was a bit a bit unsettling. I eventually got used to it and it didn't bother me, even if I had to go back to some sentences.

This still was an enjoyable and easy read. Some spin off with new brides would make a good serie.

3 stars. Executive producer Annie Jackson wants to believe love can be found with a computer algorithm. Her programmer, Nicole Hart only put herself in the system as a test. When she comes out as a high match, she is convinced to be part of the dating show and marry the woman they picked. The highest match dropped out last minute, so Nicole has no option but to fill in the role or the show can be cancelled. She does not feel a spark with her wife but with the producer of the show.

I wanted to like this book so much, but I could not. There were parts of the book that I thought should have been expanded and I felt like their romance was not what I wanted. I thought they could have had more tension earlier on in the book and I feel like some of the book could have been better written. I really wanted to like this book but I did not. I do not really recommend this one. I fee like the concept wasn't bad but it could have been better executed.

This was a good book. This slow burn reality show romance had all the feels. I loved that it matched women to their ideal mate, but you know there's always something that will go wrong with trying to match anyone by algorithms. Especially when said person has feelings for someone else. I really liked this book and the characters were very well written and the emotional aspects of this story were spot on especially the idea of disappointing everyone involved. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author.

This book showed lots of potential, with a decent plot and plenty of scope for a variety of scenarios. Sadly it just didn’t seem to go anywhere. I really wanted to be interested in the characters, but they ended up being so bland. The story seriously needed either humour or drama, preferably both. It’s all there and close to being good, but ultimately it needed more.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

a reality show
contestants
a wedding

that is the aim of the show i do i dont.... all around the data algorithms .... the computer will pick to brides from their answers with a more or less promise of finding your ideal partner for everlasting love

nicola is the one that has written the algorithms and to test it she inputted her own data so imagine her shock when she becomes the next bride in line and with two weeks to go before the wedding can she walk down that aisle for the show and her algorithms and find ever lasting love

anyone that likes reality show will love this book.... this did remind me a little bit of cilla blacks blind date show...

not a bad read

Such a fun romance!

Annie’s reality TV show, ‘I Do, I Don’t’, runs into a hitch when one of the brides due to get married drops out. Using Nicole’s algorithm to find the next possible match at the last minute throws up Nicole up as the match. Torn between disappointing Annie and letting the show down and not really wanting to be in the spotlight, Nicole eventually agrees to marry Lisa but when she starts working out why she really said yes, things get complicated.

There was so much cuteness, fun, and drama going on in this story it really suited the idea of two strangers getting married and just going with whatever happened. Although Nicole sort of knew why she was agreeing, she seemed to be ignoring her thoughts about Annie until she could do so no more. I believed she did try with Lisa because Nicole just wanted what was best for everyone. If she hadn’t done this, not only Annie would have been let down but Lisa too. You just know the second Nicole agrees this will be anything but simple because whichever way it goes, someone is at risk of getting hurt.

What I loved was the focus on doing the right thing. Nicole didn’t do anything that would be deemed as breaking vows to her friend, employer, or new wife. She had a great set of morals, which inevitably leant well to her spending time with Lisa and them finding a mutual understanding to do what they had to for their marriage and the show. It wasn’t without its bumps in the road, but it was Annie who eventually had everything on the line and more to lose in exploring the sudden feelings she too realised she had for Nicole. I just really hoped it would all work out for the best.

A really enjoyable romance that as a bit different and filled with twists and turns that made it as dramatic as a reality show itself. Even though, like Nicole, I don’t really like reality shows like this one, I am a huge fan of this book and the idea of Annie’s show. It was so exciting to join Nicole and Annie on this venture and I hope there will be future stories either about them, or about other amazing couples that go on I Do, I Don’t in their search for love!

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️.5

Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks Netgalley.

General Thoughts: First f/f romance I have read. Think we need more of the genre. I think that’s partly why I had high hopes a f/f stem coding romance with a lesbian marriage reality tv show. It sounded utterly unique, so major props to Joy for creating such a fun story and plot. For the most part, I really liked the characters too. They were unique and interesting. The novel was also paced well. So the story did have a lot going for it. And on the whole, I enjoyed it. Enough to give it a 3.5.

It fell slightly short for me though. There was a bit of head hopping sometimes where the POV switches rapidly and I couldn’t figure out whose head I was in. It had a few tropes I didn’t love too.

I think because I went in with high hopes is why it fell a bit for me. But I would read more by the author.

Steam Meter: ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥very few sexual scenes and pretty tame relatively speaking.

Romantic Tropes
-kind of some other woman drama (but no cheating)
-slow burn
-stem romance
-dual pov third person
-F/F
-miscommunication trope

You can read more of my reviews at mylastromance.com. You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.

Note: Amazon link pending

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Queerness Level: 🏳‍🌈🏳‍🌈🏳‍🌈

I Do, I Don't by Joy Argento follows Annie Jackson and Nicole Hart who work together on a reality tv show of the same name. The show aims to match up brides based on a matching making algorithm. Annie is the creator and executive producer of the show while Nicole had designed algorithm in question.

The plot gets rolling when one of their brides drops out of their pilot season. Nicole being the next best match, is then thrust into the spotlight to replace her. Nicole's program is perfect and this could save the show. Yet her developing feelings for Annie throughout the process could potentially blow up the whole show.

***
Overall it was a lovely queer book that had it's own story with established queer women. I really appreciated that it wasn't a coming out story. We need more books where queer characters are past that and just living their lives. The writing style and plot was simple and easy to get into. The characters were likeable as well.

However, it could have been more developed and in depth. I think as a huge reality dating tv fan and a filmmaker, I did have some expectations going into it. The behind-the-scenes of making the show could have been more fleshed out and immersive. The book could have leaned more into Annie's producing to create a more compelling conflict on Annie's side as well.

All in all, it was still a nice book with a lot of potential. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted read who loves romance reality shows and queer romances. Should there be a spin off with another set of characters with the depth built upon, I would love to read it. Joy Argento can only go up from here!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bold Strokes Books, Inc. and Bold Strokes Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a wonderful easy read with great characters. They were fully developed and likeable. It was a joy going on this journey with this piece. It was like watching a reality show.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley

This is my second book by Joy Argento and she is going to the top of my reading list. I read this is in one day which is very unusual for me as I am a slow reader as English is not my first language. Not sure what it is about books about reality shows that I love but I guess I am shallow that way. I imagine the premise of the book must be based on the reality married at first sight, I have never watched this show, so not sure how similar they would be, but honestly, it got my hooked from the beginning.Love the chemistry between the main characters and some hot scenes were a plus. Loved it.

Annie Jackson is putting together a reality show, ‘I Do, I Don’t’. There women can find other women that want the same thing as they do, a happy marriage. One of the most important parts is choosing the first bride and then going on her personality Annie and her crew pick the second bride, They have to marry right away without meeting each other and stay married for four months.
In order to do that she’s hired Nicole Hart, with the computer skills to select the brides using the algorithm she has developed. When the second bride backs out if she deals with the show they have no choice but to find another woman who’s a perfect mate for their bride. Luckily enough Nicole turns out to be the best match.
Ms Argento has given us another wonderful read. Great characters you can’t help but like, an interesting plot make this a very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


Nicole and Annie team up to produce a reality show I Do, I Don't where Nicole have created algorithms that can match you with your soulmates. Nicole program is flawless but when one of the bride backs out at that last minute and not risking losing money and lawsuit they scramble to find another bride. When they run the program Nicole is shock that she is pick decide to do it to save the show but has to keep a secret that she works for the show. Nicole and Lisa gets married and start to get know each other but it’s feels more a friendship than romantic between them. The real story really is Annie and Nicole realizing their feelings for each other wether to act on them. I enjoy this read all characters are likable but it’ll would’ve been a nice twist if one of the employees were actually filming Nicole and Annie love story instead of Nicole with Lisa. I understand because the premise is about a algorithm predicting your soulmate but you know sometimes your soulmate can be right in front of you that you miss it because rather believe a algorithm then your own feelings.

Interesting premise and I can’t decide which couple I’m rooting for!
I'm definitely not liking who I assume is one of the mains 'cos we see more of her and the more I see the less I like. The author will have a job to have me rooting for her!
The author didn't quite manage it. In the break up part of the story arc I was rooting for my original couple.
I also didn't enjoy aspects of the make-up scene.
For personal taste I would probably rate this lower. I don't think the book is bad so it's a 3 but not for me. It's not that one main was bad or unlikeable, I just didn't like her.

A reality TV show about two people being matched by a computer algorithm, seems like a good ratings potential but sometimes computer data can't predict chemistry between people. That's what happens in I Do, I Don't, when Nicole and Lisa feel more like best friends or sisters rather than lovers.

The book was an enjoyable read and my only complaint is that Nicole and Annie, the show's executive producer, and eventual real love interests, didn't really begin to realize their interest in each other until almost half-way through the book. That didn't really allow much time for their relationship to truly develop. 3 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.