This was so cute. I really liked all the characters alot. I liked how Devin was so supportive of Avery and her condition. The authors didn't shy away from topics not normally shown in romance books and it was very refreshing.

While the book may resonate with a younger audience looking for lighthearted distractions, it wasn’t for me. I wanted more depth and less fluff. In the end, it didn’t leave a lasting impression, just a sense of “meh” after turning the last page.

This book made me laugh, cry and squeal with giddiness. I found it hard to predict. The characters faced challenges that are real world challenges. I found the characters extremely relatable the book was tasteful in tackling some sensitive issues. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read.

Sydney Wilder’s Confessions of a Virgin on a Dating App is a witty, humorous, and heartfelt exploration of love, self-discovery, and modern romance. This book offers a unique perspective—told through the eyes of a woman who has never ventured into the realm of online dating until now. Wilder’s writing brings out the awkwardness, the excitement, and the uncertainties that accompany modern dating, particularly for someone who’s unfamiliar with the nuances of swipe culture.

This novel shows the complexity of navigating online dating, combined with humor, makes for an engaging and easy read. The relatable struggles with finding genuine connections make the book not just entertaining but thought-provoking as well. This is a quick and easy read. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary romance It’s a reminder that sometimes, I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this advance reading copy.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

Confessions Of A Virgin On A Dating App is the latest novel from author Sydney Wilder. This is a brilliant age gap friends to lovers romance which also features important topics such as endometriosis, sexual dysfunction and religious trauma.

Sydney Wilder perfectly nailed the blend of romance, humour and more serious representation. The book is well paced and a compelling read.

It is truly brilliant to see an underrepresented topic like endometriosis represented within romance fiction, particularly in such depth. We follow Avery’s journey towards getting a diagnosis and her journey towards starting to overcome the sexual dysfunction that has been caused by her condition.
The book also explores abstinence/purity culture and religious trauma. These serious topics were all handled well and explored in the depth they deserved which was brilliant to see.

Avery was a brilliant FMC who felt really relatable. We also had a fantastic MMC in Devin who was so sweet and thoughtful. This is an age gap romance but both of them are adults and Avery as the younger of the two of them is in her late twenties. Avery and Devin had brilliant chemistry and it was amazing to see how supportive and respectful Devin was towards Avery’s health issues and resulting sexual dysfunction.

This book is very heavy on the gaming content with many chapters set in the gaming store and, as someone who isn’t a gamer, these sections did unfortunately start to drag after a while. But I’m sure if you’re into RPGs then you’ll enjoy this aspect of the book.

Overall, this is a sweet and important romance read covering topics it’s truly brilliant to see represented within the genre.

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Level: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️/ 5 (Open Door)

I have posted my review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk

*Thank you to NetGalley, Sydney Wilder and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.

This book was very unexpected. I didn't know that it would focus on a chronic illness and I really enjoyed it. It was definitely a fast burn with Devin but I loved it because they are so cute. He really loved her and would wait forever for her if he had to.

This was an interesting read both for Avery and Devin's story, and for Avery's individual growth. Avery grew up in a deeply religious community that came crashing down in college when her boyfriend she expected to marry pushed her into sex, which didn't end well. Such that she is 26 and still a virgin who is afraid of being rejected and hurt like she was before for something she can't control.

While she has figured out she wants a husband and family, it wasn't just her upbrining telling her to, Avery needs to figure out her physical needs. Really, her medical needs which she does slowly (and somewhat frustratingly for the reader) do.

It was interesting to see how she thought as it was so unfamiliar to me, but I appreciated how Avery's personal journey was first and foremost in the book, then her finding love and acceptance and joy with another.

And Devin has his own trauma that he has worked through and was such a green flag.

Overall, Avery's story was interesting and different than what I expected, but I still found her relatable in some ways.

Thank you to netgalley and Victory Editing for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Read for: virgin FMC, age gap (9 years), friends to lovers, religious trauma, endometriosis rep, he fell first

3.75 stars
1 spice

This is such an impactful romance novel and truly highlights how adaptable this genre is. The representation in this novel is beautiful, and the writer's ability to balance such a heavy theme with lightheartedness while not taking away from the gravity of the content is to be admired.

This was a really fun read with an entertaining premise. I loved the game shop settings and the characters. The writing was witty and funny, a lot of relatable stuff included. The romance was light and flirty, consuming you to continue reading.

I really loved the whole setting of this book and the characters. I also loved the game shop setting and the focus on RPGs. It was totally fun to read.

This book is a 4.5 for me leaning towards 5 stars. I thought it was funny and real my only “switch off” times were the C&C sessions, but I understood them for making the story work. As someone with female reproductive health problems (psos) and friends who have endometriosis this book really resonated with me and what my group of buddies go through. All the characters felt so real and not perfect but I did love how Devin was the most perfect gentleman making avies wait entirely worth it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read and review this book.

This is not normally a genre I read right now but I am so glad that this one captured my interest. I loved reading it so much, with the light and flirty side that is something else to the romance I just wanted to keep on reading. Well done to the auhor and keep this level of writing going I am a convert.

💚 M/F romance
🖤 Friends to Lovers
💚 Gamer Girl & Gamer/Goth Boy
🖤 Age Gap (10 years)
💚 Dungeons and Dragons vibes
🖤 Online Dating
💚 Banter
🖤 Creatures & Crypts
💚 He Fell First
🖤 MMC is a patient gentleman
💚 FMC is a virgin
🖤 Religious backgrounds

Avery is 26 years old and still a virgin. Avery had a hard time when it came to actually losing her virginity. Avery never really talked to anyone about her condition until her symptoms were getting severe. She didn't research her symptoms until she went to the clinic. I feel like Avery should have talked to someone about her condition. I'm a little surprised she didn't tell her best friend about her past. Avery didn't seem to know her best friend or Devin too well even though they had known each other for a while. Avery and Devin have been friends since Avery moved there. I really liked Devin's character when he was patient and understanding towards Avery. Devin was such a sweet and caring partner to Avery. It was good that Avery and her friends opened up more with each other about their pasts. It was interesting reading about Avery's process through her journey throughout the book.

When I first looked at the cover & title of this book, it felt like a rom-com but it has some topics which I have hardly seen being a part of any story.
Our FMC deals with endometriosis which makes everything hard for her. The author has discussed these topics in a very good manner which makes us aware about this. Also if you are a gamer, you are going to love this book.
The perspective of first time being intimate with someone scares the hell out of everyone and the author did a great job dealing with topics. I loved and enjoyed this book

3.5⭐️

After getting kicked out of her religious college for trying to have sex, Avery Murphy makes a move to Orlando, Florida to start a new life. Dealing with pain and religious guilt, she can’t physically have sex. A big gamer, she becomes close with her local game shop and finds friendship and even new love. Devin Lancaster, owner of the game shop, provides a safe space and comfort for Avery as she navigates dating, horrible periods and painful sex. Finding out she actually has an undiagnosed medical issues, she has to work through her physical and mental challenges to open herself up to someone she never realized would change her life in the best way possible.

This book has very important topics being discussed that typically aren’t brought up and tough to talk about. For that alone, this book is great. For those that are dealing with endometriosis or religious guilt or trauma, this book is a great representation.

I truly enjoyed the progression from friendship to lovers between Avery and Devin. He was so patient and understanding with her, it warmed my heart that she had someone who stood by her through it all.

I struggled a bit with the writing itself. At times, the writing felt slow and worded weirdly. Other times, it was easy and quick. Sometimes it felt like there was a lot of telling instead of showing, especially in the beginning. I felt that the writing definitely got better as the book progressed, but there were quite a bit of editing mistakes that took me out of the story at times.

Overall, it was a quick read that was great representation on many levels! There were a lot of hard topics you don’t typically read about in romance books and it was great to see the work in dealing with them. At times, the writing didn’t feel fully flushed out, with weird dialogue or descriptions. After everything, it was a heartwarming read!

This was such a fun, heartwarming read! The story was intriguing, and I loved the characters and their arcs. It was a great balance between fun rom-com vibes and more serious topics - the way the novel tackled endometriosis was so well done. While the gaming scenes were sometimes a little long, I swept through this novel very quickly and it really held me captive.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

Based off the cover you would think this is a romcom, however it touches on a very huge issue that many females deal with Endometriosis. Avery tried but it was too painful, but she wants to be loved so at the age of 27 she starts to try the online dating app and she slowly starts to realize that you can find love when you least expect it and sometimes things may be hard in life but its best to communicate the things you are going through with the person you are dealing with (seriously) and they should be supportive of everything that you are going through.

I chose this book because oh my goodness, this perspective if needed- so many women silently suffer from endometriosis, or blame themselves for not instantly enjoying sex. This book was such a gentle, sex-positive love story - the pacing was slow, but I was GLAD it was slow because we got to watch the FMC unlearn a lot of things that were ingrained in her from her toxic religious upbringing/ex-boyfriend/religious college. It was wonderful watching her find her voice, and I loved that the book didn't judge any of its characters. The lesson seemed to be that you don't have to be limited by your past- you can find your person and live a full life regardless. There were pockets of moments when the writing was a little more "tell" an less "show", but I honestly didn't mind - the intentions behind this book, and overall messaging, were wonderful.

The FMC suffers from endometriosis so having that rep was amazing!! I enjoyed this book quite a bit but I think it was a little slow at some parts. Overall I think this author is on my radar and I will be continuing to read other books she puts out! It was a solid and enjoyable read that I think anyone who wants a nice little romance book to read would enjoy.

-thank you netgalley for e-arc!