The cover of this book is adorable and it's so exciting to see woc/masc representation in the sapphic romance genre. I thought the idea of it sounded like a fun rom-com in the making. Jordan needing a cigarette to escape from the horrors of a customer service based job is SO real. I also love the coffee shop element of romance books and never get tired of it (sue me). Sending a personal thank you to Jordan for saying negronis taste like lighter fluid. Lesbian relationships and circles are inherently drama-filled due to our communities being so small (in most cases) locally. It's believable that all of this gossip would be happening in a coworker and friendship circle like this.

However, I found the story line to be way more on the side of "situationship drama" than anything else. This sort of dynamic appeals to a lot of readers, it's just not enough to get me really invested. I understand both women have a lot of reasons to struggle with connecting with each other in the middle, but it gets tough to root for either side after so many nasty things are said. I also have a tough time with casual drug use in lgbt+ media. I don't love the stereotype this enforces.

The ending felt a bit rushed, but I did think the writing was solid. Every character was well developed, every character had a clear motive, and there were definitely some great lines. This just wasn't for me, personally - but I'd definitely check out some works from this author in the future to see how their writing grows.

If you love a slow burn with some good character development/evolution, French Pressed Love is for you. I’m not a huge fan of a miscommunication trope but it was done damn well, and overall I loved how the story evolved.

this book definitely had potential. but i had a tough time getting into this one. the pacing was all over the place, dragging in parts that should’ve been super engaging and speeding through moments that needed more attention. plus, the characters were hard to vibe with, which made it tough to cheer them on or really care about their journey. it felt like a chore to get through. the drama was just too much, and instead of pulling me in, it mostly just annoyed me.

First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I was especially excited about this one.

One of my reading goals this year—and for many years to come—has been to immerse myself in more sapphic stories. When I picked up this book, I was hopeful it would be a story I could connect with and enjoy.

Unfortunately, I struggled to get into it. The pacing felt off, making the story drag in parts where it should have been engaging and rush through moments that deserved more depth. On top of that, I found the characters difficult to like or relate to, which made it harder for me to root for them or stay invested in their journey. It felt like a slog to get through, and it took me far longer to finish than I expected. What made it even more challenging for me was the overwhelming amount of drama woven throughout the plot. Instead of pulling me in, it often left me feeling frustrated.

That said, I do believe the story has a very solid idea at its core—it’s clear there’s potential here. However, the execution didn’t quite hit the mark for me. While the premise was intriguing, the way it unfolded left me feeling more frustrated than entertained.

This fun, easy read from MC Hutson was a warm cup of sapphic tea. Jordan, a manager at Grind That Bean coffee shop, loves and hates Noémie, a regular customer at the shop. Jordan and Noémie come from very different backgrounds and have to learn from each other when they become roommates. They both struggle with being honest with each other and we see that cause strain on their relationship throughout the book.

This book was great but I always struggle with (in my opinion) trivial reasons for the third act breakup. This may have been a sticking point for me but others may quite enjoy.

Overall, I found this book hard to put down and I really enjoyed the diversity of the characters represented throughout the story.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for access to the eARC!

First off, thank you so much to NetGalley for the arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What the book contains: coffee shop setting, roommates, toxic lesbians, an annoying gay man who needs to mind his business, and even more toxic lesbians.

When I say these lesbians are toxic, THESE LESBIANS ARE TOXIC! I am a lesbian. I love toxic lesbian stories—but this is toxic to the point you CAN’T stand one half of the relationship.

Let’s start off with the writing:
- It’s an arc, so if it’s already published, it may have been edited: but more scenes certainly held more attention from the author than others. At points the writing flowed well and had great descriptions, and at other times it had choppy, blocky writing that needed to be expanded on.

Now onto the characters:
- Jordan: GIRL STAND UP? Why are you on your knees for this VILE CREATURE?
- Noèmie: Never date again.
- Wayne: shut the fuck up

Oh my GOD was this romance storyline so…awful? Let me break it down for you:

Jordan hires Noèmie and ends up becoming her roommate, falls for her but feels awful over it because Noèmie is straight.

Wayne is constantly telling Jordan to leave Noèmie alone and not think about it because to him (and basically everyone else) apparently, Jordan is a lesbian that can “turn” straight women gay and he wants his new bestie to be around the coffee shop.

Jordan falls for Noèmie and feels like predatory over her emotions WHICH SHE SHOULD NOT FEEL LIKE A PREDATOR IT HAPPENS TO EVERY GAY PERSON EVER JFC WHY DOES EVERYONE SUCK IN THIS STORY AND NOT HELP HER OUT?

Jordan kisses Noèmie, has a breakdown bc she’s an SA SURVIVOR and now thinks her giving in and kissing someone is equal to what happened to her

Noèmie begins to date this dude Felix but then Jordan finds out Noèmie is actually gay just in the closet, and then Jordan gets into an accident from running off in a storm when she finds out

When Jordan expresses how she feels it isn’t fair Noèmie didn’t tell her she’s gay after Jordan confided she felt like a predator, Noèmie says something about her dead sister and goes I CAN COME OUT WHENEVER I WANT (completely dodging the fact that yes while you can come out whenever you want, you probably should tell the truth to someone WHO THINKS THEY FUCKING SEXUALLY ASSAULTED YOU WHEN THEY DID NOT)

They end up having sex and then the next morning Noèmie is on a plane to go on a trip with her fucking boyfriend

Jordan breaks down and Wayne says she’s crazy bc it’s obvious her boyfriend and Noèmie are gay and then reveals to Jordan that Noèmie and him MADE A BET in which he said Jordan is too cold and heartless to love and Noèmie bet she could tie her down, revealing he knew she was gay all along even though most of the book is him basically calling Jordan a predator for wanting Noèmie?????????

Jordan leaves and tells Noèmie to fuck off and then everyone gaslights her to the point she apologizes, even when Noèmie is explicitly telling her all the toxic things she did such as wanting to see her jealous, mad, sad, etc etc.

Like jfc that isn’t even EVERYTHING that’s just the romance? There’s also stuff about toxic families and facing interracial relationships—that aren’t ever really…worked through? Like at the end, only Noèmie gets a happy ending with her brother saying fuck you to her homophobic father, and Jordan’s family doesn’t really make much of a change…

I can’t even explain how much I dislike this book. There’s so much bad rep and I don’t like the relationship AT ALL. If you’re gonna be toxic at least be likeable like jfc.

Primeiramente, eu amei o título, mas a escrita é a história em si não me agradaram muito. O que é uma pena, porque uma das personagens é bem cativante

Thank you for the ARC. This book started out strong with the family drama but then you knew that there was some dishonesty going on with Noemie and that bugged me. It was more of a drama with some hooking up than a romance so if that's what you're looking for, then I would recommend it. The drama was just a little much for me but there was great queen repping so yay for that!

*3.5

This book is cute and I really loved Noemie and her journey to become less entitled and more “normal”. I have a soft spot for brat characters who learn to recognise their privileges.
The romance is soft and worked, but it’s a little fast. There are too many time skip, I wanted to see their relationship developing more. However, the story is really cute, they are really cute together and I enjoyed this book a lot!

*French Pressed Love* by M.C. Hutson is a romance that slowly drew me in more than I expected. The story follows Jordan, a coffee shop manager in Toronto who’s stuck in a tough spot—struggling with her unfulfilling life, financial stress, and housing issues. Her situation felt so relatable, and I immediately understood the weight of trying to figure out what comes next when life feels uncertain.

Enter Noémie, a wealthy, high-maintenance customer who’s cut off by her father and forced to get a job. She ends up working at Jordan’s coffee shop, and their relationship starts off rocky. Noémie’s entitled attitude irritates Jordan, and I could totally see why. But when Noémie learns about Jordan’s housing problems, she offers to let her move in, and things take an unexpected turn. At first, I thought this would be a disaster, but as they settle into the arrangement, I began to see a different side of Noémie—a more vulnerable, complex side.

The slow-burn romance between the two is filled with emotional tension. Jordan, burned by past relationships, is hesitant to open up to Noémie, especially since Noémie dates men. Watching their attraction grow while they battle their personal walls felt authentic and compelling. The way the author explores themes of self-discovery and vulnerability added depth to the story, and the dialogue, though sharp and witty, also captures their messy emotions in a real way.

While the pacing is slow, it worked for me. I enjoyed seeing the characters evolve, both individually and together. Jordan’s journey of self-acceptance and Noémie’s transformation from a privileged woman to someone who genuinely connects with others was touching and made their relationship feel grounded.

Overall, *French Pressed Love* is perfect for anyone who enjoys character-driven romances with slow-building tension and deep emotional growth. It’s a sweet, heartfelt story about finding love in unexpected places, showing that sometimes the most surprising connections can turn out to be the most meaningful.

I really enjoyed both of these characters and their relationship development. I liked how they didn’t just jump into things and there was real development.

My only problems with this book were that I felt like the time jumps between chapters were too big and I didn’t see much of a plot.

That being said, this book hooked me from the beginning and kept me invested the whole time. I would definitely recommend this book for a spicy, slow burn, holiday read.

This book had its cute moments, and I really appreciated the wlw representation, which isn’t something we see enough of in romance novels. The coffee shop setting was cozy.
That said, the story didn’t quite work for me. While I usually enjoy slow-burn romances, this one felt overly drawn out with too many twists and turns, making the pacing frustrating. By the time the main couple got together, the book ended, leaving their relationship feeling underdeveloped.
The heavy use of clichés also made the story feel more like a well-written fanfic rather than something truly original. While some readers may enjoy the familiarity of those tropes, I was hoping for something more unique.
Overall, while it wasn’t a bad read, it didn’t leave a lasting impression for me. Fans of light, tropey romances may enjoy it.

Jordan and Noemie were two great, complex characters, with a realistic slow burn romance.
The miscommunication was a bit too much for me, the constant revenge cycle almost felt toxic. They both had issues they should have worked through before the end. Some of the side characters had half-baked stories and a lot of the friendships seemed fake. Nevertheless I loved the yearning in this book, and the messy drama kept things interesting.

My favorite character was Noemie, I liked her bubbly personality that we see blossom as we get to know her throughout the book. I like her appreciation for food and other cultures and how attentive she is to Jordan.

Overall I enjoyed the book, but I did have some issues with it. Some of the pacing felt off and jarring at times. For not wanting to end up like her dad, Jordan had a lot of addictive behaviors.
It seemed like the book did a lot of telling and not showing - characters would go from one emotion or thought to another to the point where I never really felt like I knew the characters reasonings for their actions.

Personally the Harry potter reference really threw me off, it wasn't necessary and in this day and age should honestly not be in a 2SLGBTQIA+ novel.

I would be interested in reading more from this author to see how their style grows!

French Pressed Love by M.C. Hutson mixes romance and self-discovery in an enjoyable way. The characters are engaging, I enjoyed their interactions, and the story flows seamlessly without any lags. The book draws one in with its lighthearted charm and hooking one with its relatable characters and witty dialogue.

That said, the book left me with mixed feelings. While the journey was fun, the ending felt unresolved, leaving several threads dangling. If this was intentional (like, a reflection of the messiness of life and love) then I suppose it makes sense. For readers who want/need closure, this might be somewhat unsatisfying.

I can't deny that French Pressed Love is an enjoyable read. It's both predictable and comforting while also not being overwhelming. If you're looking for a light romance with memorable characters, this book is worth picking up.

Starting off, thank you for letting me read this amazing ARC. French Pressed Love is written from the point of view of Jordan. Her story begins at Grind That Bean coffee shop in Toronto, Canada. This book follows Jordan’s journey navigating friendship, life’s challenges, and love. This is a slow burn, filled with yearning. The end will have you smiling from ear to ear with even a few happy tears streaming down your face. This book contains many lovable characters, and you are bound to find at least one that you connect with. I highly recommend this book to fellow lovers of queer stories.

M.C. Hutson’s French Pressed Love is a delightful and cozy romance that perfectly blends love, ambition, and the charm of a quaint coffee shop setting. This story is as heartwarming as your favorite cup of coffee, making it a wonderful escape for fans of small-town romance and sweet love stories.

The characters are endearing and relatable, with the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and personal growth taking center stage. The romantic tension between the leads is skillfully built, with their chemistry shining through the pages. Hutson’s ability to capture the magic of unexpected connections makes the romance all the more enjoyable.

The coffee shop setting adds a layer of coziness and charm to the story, and the descriptions of freshly brewed coffee and pastries will have readers craving a visit to their local café. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of humor, tenderness, and just enough conflict to keep the pages turning.

While the story follows familiar tropes, Hutson’s engaging writing style and heartfelt storytelling bring a freshness to the narrative. French Pressed Love is a sweet and satisfying romance, perfect for readers who enjoy stories about love, community, and following one’s heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a 3.25/5 star read for me. Did I enjoy it? Yes. I liked Noemi's character. There were several things that I liked about this book. But overall, it just was not for me. I went into this book expecting a cute romance with some spice. This was not it. I did like how it was set in Canada and used Canadian slang. French words and sentences were also used which I enjoyed, seeing as how I can understand some French and read on my kindle so I could translate what I didn't know. But, there was a LOT of swearing in this book. Way more than I expected and it didn't even seem to be used well. The words were mostly in unexpected places and it threw me off. There is also a very small amount of dom/sub elements in the book which I absolutely did not expect. My main issue with it though, is how bad the communication in it is. I love a good slowburn romance, don't take me wrong. But nothing even seemed to happen until close to 70% in. If Jay had just confessed her feelings and had an actual adult conversation instead of always running, this book would have been so much shorter. She is practically incapable of acting like an adult when she needs to. Miscommunication trope done well is good, but this just wasn't. And so many of the things Noemie did was just childish and horrible to Jay. They do not seem compatible at all. To be honest, they are both childish and immature people that need to learn how to be an adult before even attempting a relationship. I didn't hate this book. It did have some good things that I loved. But I would not recommend it, or re-read it.

I've given it 4.5 stars mostly because it had the third act breakup due to lack of communication and that gets on my nerves so much. It made some sense since the main character does have trauma from past romantic interactions, but I still always wish that the characters would just talk to each other instead of running off! Other than that it was a really good romance with forced proximity and just one bed, and I definitely suggest it for anyone looking for a new sapphic romance.

** Major spoilers ahead**

Sort of lost on what my final thoughts are with this one, on one hand, it hooked me in more than most romances have recently and some good plot twists kept me on my toes. On the other hand, it feels similar to the movie 'Happiest Season', Jordan isn't perfect but she's trying her best meanwhile everyone around her is fucking horrible to her at all times. There's no resolution or climax surrounding her relationship with her sister (I thought it was pretty ironic that her sister gave her so much shit for being lighter skinned and liking 'white' music but she refused to eat Jamaican food at all and brought MACDONALDS TO THANKSGIVING???), Noemie is lowkey horrible and so is Wayne.

Joran is plagued by the idea that people keep forcefully insinuating that she's some predatory lesbian and none of that is ever unpacked which also links back to her horrible sister and sister's best friend.

There are just so many plot points that are thrown in and never properly handled, the dead sister, Joran being sexually assaulted at some point in the past which is thrown out and never mentioned ever again, her relationship with her sister's best friend, her relationship with her best friend, her other friends' cop girlfriend calling her a homewrecker based of seemingly nothing then getting into a physical altercation with said friend. Then the plot twist at the end throws in a whole bunch of other plot points that we didn't even know were happening. So much happens and almost none of it is ever really explored.

But also I did really enjoy reading this I just wish Jordan got to have a better love interest and some actual friends.