I promised myself that in 2025 I would DNF any book I am not enjoying, no matter what. No excuses, life is too short to do anything you’re not loving. I wasn’t enjoying the dialogue and I felt like the character interactions were inauthentic. Thank you for the opportunity and I’m sorry it didn’t work out.

I picked this up because the cover is gorgeous, but that's where my enjoyment ended. The writing was rough, the story were hard to get through, and the characters were extremely toxic. I finished it, but it was a struggle. Definitely not for me.

This was not really my cup of tea (pun not intended). I originally sat down to read this for a cute lgbt romance, but some of the themes were triggering and I felt like the romance kind of became unhealthy further into the book. I didn't feel as connected to the characters anymore, and wasn't really as excited to sit down and read anymore. The writing style was easy to follow, but some wordings and references kind of threw me off.

Not my cup of tea, the style of the book was not for me but the love story was sweet nonetheless. I did love the nods to Toronto and that’s probably what brought my rating up! I do want to try reading other books from the author.

How could I describe this book? A rollercoaster of emotions, angst, and tension-filled romance that keeps you hooked. If you love messy, complicated love stories with characters who challenge each other in all the best (and worst) ways, this book is for you.

Jordan Alexander is stuck—financially, emotionally, and in a job that barely pays the bills. Enter Noémie St. Pierre, the ultimate nightmare customer whose privileged attitude rubs Jordan the wrong way. But when Noémie’s charmed life suddenly crumbles and forces her to get a real job, she and Jordan become unlikely roommates. What follows is a beautifully frustrating, slow-burning romance filled with misunderstandings, jealousy, and undeniable chemistry.

Jordan is guarded, independent, and wary of love, while Noémie is a spoiled rich girl learning what it means to struggle. Watching them challenge and slowly open up to each other is both painful and incredibly satisfying.

This isn’t your typical romance—Hutson doesn’t shy away from the messy, complicated nature of attraction, especially when it comes to exploring sexuality and self-discovery.

Just be warned—you might never look at your morning coffee the same way again.

After reading reviews and feedback for this book I do not believe it would be in my best interest to read it due to some themes present and therefore I can not leave a sufficient review.

People seem to either love or hate this. I gotta say I loved it up until we find out what Noémie did. I think this kind of betrayal shouldn't be forgiven and I felt really bad for Jordan when they inevitably got back together. Also I feel like Wayne is a shit friend and Jordan deserved better than him and Noémie. So even though this didn't really stick the landing for me I immensely enjoyed reading this book. I got super invested and couldn't put it down so huge probs to the writing. I think I'll check out the author's other work following this.

It was interesting to see two different lived experiences of unaccepting families. When perspective from an underprivileged family and the other perspective from a family of means. It's also pretty typical to have messy connections with exes and to be in community with them so I like that that was included. I did find myself annoyed with the characters constantly being referred to as broken or unlovable. I was also annoyed by the concept of the bet it doesn't really seem like it was necessary as a plot point.

Butch main, and that is the pov the story is told from. Although I have read many books with “butcher” mains, they tend to be chivalrous and providers rather than like this…… but at 30% in I’m not sure enough of this character to describe them, except to say I am interested in more. I didn’t like the sister, but we aren’t supposed to. To be honest, I didn’t like most of the secondary characters. It’s not that they weren’t well written, just not likeable.
It’s great to be exposed to different cultures, although I am glad the whole book wasn’t written in the style of the sisters dialect. It was understandable (and a glossary was provided!) but I had to focus.
I’m a bit torn by this novel. The story or conflict between the mains keeps the tension going. As I said the main is a bit more butch, (self identified as a pretty stud!) and of the style - “physical with someone you can have to forget someone you can’t” than I am used to reading. Not always likeable….. (The last 2 comments may be related,)
The physical scene didn’t work for me. That is purely personal taste. Again, not an issue with the writing, or me. I think that is where my issue with this book comes from. There were aspects of people’s behaviour I didn’t like, so didn’t enjoy reading that, but enjoyed the rest. It certainly felt like a fresh voice! 3.5.

In this charming and emotional LGBTQ+ romance, readers follow artist and barista Jordan Alexander as she deals with a major life rut when she is scraping by on her salary and no closer to her dream. Forced to choose between a new roommate or a new place to live, Jordan has no idea that the Poutine Princess Noemie St. Pierre is also having her own issues, being recently cut off from her wealthy father, and that the two new coworkers will also become roommates. As the two navigate their new work and living arrangements and deal with their own issues and assumptions about each other, readers will have to see if complications appear between this unlikely duo. With a host of fascinating characters and complex and flawed protagonists, readers will love this new novel for its surprising reveals and the twists in the character narratives. The characters are easily the star of the show, and readers’ perspectives will change as the book progresses. For those looking for a nuanced LGBTQ+ romance relatable to modern readers, this is definitely it because the changing tropes, different locations, fantastic characters, and unique cultural elements really bring this new and immersive romance novel to life.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and M.C. Hutson Press INC. for this arc of French Pressed Love!

I went into this book with some high expectations, from the banging playlist provided to the premise, it all sounded so promising! This was a good book, but there are a lot of things I wish could be improved on. Drama is a necessary plot point sometimes in novels, but I felt as if the drama in this one was becoming way too overwhelming and I was tired of both Jordan and Noémie's mess and lack of communication. The plot was enticing and it did keep me interested in seeing what happened next for our two fmcs. However, the characters and their own experiences felt underdeveloped and I was wanting much more from them. A dual pov would have made this have much more depth along with giving us more about the main characters and even the side characters. Overall, this was a fun read and was pretty solid when it comes to sapphic fiction, I just wished there was more romance and less unnecessary drama.

DNF’d at 45% i wasn’t a fan of the writing style. The synopsis sounded so good but I found the delivery was lacking. Sorry

4.5 stars

I loved this angsty, slow-burn sapphic romance.

firstly, touch-me-not/stone top rep is so, so important and I loved seeing it in this book. We need more of it! (and pillow princess rep too)
secondly, I don't think this book is as toxic as people are claiming? It's a bit messy and the character's aren't the best at communicating due to past traumas. But people don't have to be perfectly healed to be deserving of love.

This book felt realistic to me in a way that most other sapphic romances don't. The frequent use of lesbian terms, the messy friendship group full of exes, and the masc rep stood out to me. (from memory, Jordan never refers to herself as a butch or stud)

my only criticism is that I think an epilogue showing them healthily together and a bit more healed would've gone a long way. and some of the transitions felt a bit jarring.

one last thing: I think the SA aspect was handled wonderfully. The assault shouldn't have to be explicitly explained for you to understand why or how it impacts the character. The people I've seen criticising that have pissed me off. The assault was mentioned/alluded to a few times throughout the book, which is realistic.

This was a good Lesbian romance with lots of emotional layers with people leery about relationships! Read it

Let me be real here, I have rarely read something that the premise sounded interestingly good for this to be possibly the most toxic sapphic what the f*ck I have ever read.

I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this but honestly my overall annoyance to the general nonsense that I read is mind blowing. So much unnecessary drama, where one MC basically sleeps around with any woman that moves and the other is well… manipulative. Both MCs are so toxic that not even the worst trope ever of miscommunication can save this.

The family and friends are horrible people, truly awful. Rich vs poor dynamic which honestly didn’t make sense, homophobia / internal homophobia which really was a poor plot lead back to a weird try at being “hetro-normative”. Which I found actually a bit insulting to any queer person! Ridiculous volume of jealousy, lots of trauma that really is not explored nor anything moved forward to support them. The only positives I can take away was great to see some Jamaican culture with some top notch food choices and that the story was fairly short!

I am sorry to say but I would not recommend this, honestly what have I just read! Enjoy getting through this for everything to happen in the last 95% and then just end. There is no pay off plus by that point who actually cares!

I don't even know what to say. This has to be the most painful book to ever read like the plot was not plotting like it should've. Both the characters were toxic asf and I don't know how I even finished reading this book, no wonder it took me weeks to finish this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

Jordan works as a barista in a coffee shop in Toronto. Every day, this uptight, social-media-influencer, and all round rich girl, Neomie, comes to order her coffee and generally makes a fuss. She's full of herself, but regardless of her bad attitude, Jordan has the hots for her.

Neomie has her own drama going on though, and before we know it, she's cut her off from her rich daddy's income and looking for a job and a roommate. Jordan and Neomie find themselves closer than ever.

I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read. I read some of the reviews on it recently and it's getting some bad press because of the characters' toxicity. Yes, the characters are a bit toxic, but it's fiction, they're allowed to be, they are characters, that's the point. Don't get so het up on made-up characters, their toxicity isn't actually real.

Jordan, has some walls up from her past and Neomie has a takes-no-bulls*t kind of attitude. Neomie's character is not meant to be likeable, but she warms on you later on. I found both characters frustrating, but I think that was the point the author wanted to achieve. I still enjoyed the book.

When I saw the title, I knew I had to read it! I went into this blind and it's a very angsty sapphic romance. A fun, quick read with just the right amount of tension to keep the pages turning. Complete with characters you love to hate.

I'm looking forward to what else M.C. Hutson has to offer. Thanks to NetGalley and M.C. Hutson Press Inc for an early copy.

Love love love! This book was everything I wanted it to be.
I really enjoyed the writing style and getting to know the characters!

Drama filled. Jordan Alexander has a degree in fine arts but gets by being a coffee shop manager in Toronto. She feels unlovable and plays the field, not doing relationships. Noemie St. Pierre is a high fashioned, regular customer at the shop. Her father owns an expanding successful restaurant chain. When her father cuts Noemie off she seeks a job at the coffee shop. And when Jordan’s roommate moves across the country, Noemie suggests leasing a room from her.

The story is told entirely from Jordan’s POV and she can be an unreliable narrator. She has feelings for Noemie but firmly believes she is straight. She also is pushy about how Noemie spends her money, making assumptions about her. This book is not miscommunication but is full of no communication. I’m not sure how much they truly know each other by the end. It is also a very, very slow burn romance. Three fourths the way through they are still interacting with others. I would almost call this realistic drama fiction more than romance.

There are a lot of other issues touched on in the story: homophobia, death of a sibling, class, race, SA, depression and more. I did like Toronto as the setting and Toronto slang word guide in the beginning of the book. It is compelling reading but it is not a light romance. If you enjoy books with characters who are harder to like and warm up to this may work for you. Thank you to the author and BooksGoSocial for the digital copy via NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review.