First and foremost, what kind of a french woman, qui est si francaise that she can't help but la bise, would bring a bottle of wine as a host gift? maybe it's different in Quebec, as it seems she is less French and more Quebecois, but still that was weird for me.
This romance could have been soooo good. The first half, the slow-burn, the tension, IMMACULATE. Then, what happened? Who did these people become? It made me viscerally angry to read about. I appreciated that these characters, including side characters, were intriguingly complex, flawed, and at times deeply problematic, but at a certain point it was no longer enjoyable to read about. I'm also very upset about Wayne, and I don't understand why Jordan forgave him so easily but not anyone else. That would have been 100% more worth being upset about than anything else.
This was such a fun read, but the last quarter totally blew it for me, it felt like it didn't belong in this cute, slow-burn, romance novel.

DNFed at 50%. I really wanted to like it but the writing didn’t have much depth. I also had an issue with the fact that the only Black characters, Jordan’s family and Ex, are not good people while white people, her friends, the love interest, Noémie, and her dad, are the only ones that have been kind to her. It rubs me the wrong way, especially since the main reason I picked up this book was because I wanted to read about a Black queer woman. Maybe things after the point I stopped at are different but the writing was not gripping enough to keep me going. I will say the chemistry between Jordan and Noémie was good.

thanks to netgalley for the arc!

so that was a lot of toxic drama for a coffee shop romance !! both of these mcs are a little bit horrible (jordan is constantly leading people on, noemie is just.... well, that is actually established in the book.) and i'm still not sure what's actually going on with her money situation? did her father cut her off or did she just lie about that for fun? and if she did lie for fun (VERY possible) why didn't they ever talk about that before they just got together for a supposed happily ever after?

jordan spends a LOT of time worrying about being a 'predatory lesbian' for having a crush on noemie and it was kind of exhausting. and wayne really didn't help with that? i know he and jordan are supposed to be besties but he was nothing but kinda rude to everybody.

things i did like: jordan's realistic relationship with her family, her exasperation with her family members balanced with pride for her jamaican heritage, jordan's webcomic (probably?) working out well

It took me a minute to get into the writing style but once I did I had a good time. The lack of communication was a little but annoying but it was also funny to see how Jordan could not pick up on any clues. Obviously I know it's a sapphic romance but she was still dropping so many hints and being vague about her sexuality it's a miracle Jordan didn't pick up on it. The third act breakup in the book was so good, I just love a good bet plot. Lowkey wish the book was dual pov but it was fine wothout it.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I recently read French Pressed Love by M.C. Hutson, and I absolutely loved it! This cozy romance perfectly blends love, ambition, and delicious latte drama. The story is filled with raw vulnerability and queer representation, making it a refreshing and engaging read. The characters are relatable and their journey is both heartwarming and inspiring. If you're looking for a delightful romance that will leave you with a smile, this book is a must-read.

I just could not vibe with this book. At times it felt overly dramatic and soap opera-y and other times it felt like dry lit fic, and neither are my jam. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters at all.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Jordan works at a coffee shop and aspires to be an artist. She's mildly obsessed with the very high femme local influencer who is the daughter of the local homophobic rich guy and is annoyed at herself for it because Noémie is rude and kind of a shit when she comes in for her coffee order. Due to circumstances, they become roommates and coworkers and, dare I say, friends? As far as Jordan knows, Noémie is hot but straight.

I enjoyed this overall because it's a quick and easy read with a lot of emotions and drama to keep you going. Sadly, there isn't much depth to dealing with trauma (Jordan has some significant trauma from her past with sexual assault) and being up front and honest (Noémie's brain is a mystery throughout this story and I wish we got more insight into her thoughts) or just being adults about miscommunications instead of just icing each other out in turns. Once again: high drama and if you enjoy that sort of thing, you'll love this.

The characters are messy and often unlikeable (Jordan needs better friends and family, my god) but the chemistry between the two main characters is definitely there and enjoyable.

TL;DR: high emotional stakes, lots of drama, and incredibly messy situations but a fun read.

2.5⭐️ thank you to netgalley and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

French Pressed Love follows Jordan, a self proclaimed womanizer & barista, as she hires and lives with her customer turned crush, Noemie. I found Jordan to be extremely obnoxious, and I honestly didn’t like her as a character. She was constantly upset with Noemie for not opening up, meanwhile she was doing the exact same thing. She kept saying how “straight” Noemie was, without any proof, and belittling her because of it. There was no romancing, no tension that you’d expect from coworkers/roommate trope. I especially didn’t like Jordan constantly wanting question and control Noemie’s spending and money habits, when it genuinely is none of her business. The way these two got together was very sudden and truly unbelievable. Even up until the end of the book, both FMCs were still running from problems and shutting each other out.

I think if you like drama filled trashy romance books (said with love), then this is for you!

Pub date: January 21, 2024

This was a beautifully done romance novel, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the use of coffee shop element. The characters had that feel that I wanted and the romance was perfectly done. I enjoyed the way they were written and was invested in what happened with the characters. M.C. Hutson wrote this well and am excited for more.

was this ever a romance book???? i am completely flabbergasted. this was the saddest book i have ever read…our mc’s are NEVER truly together in a relationship, as the entire premise revolves around a ruse that one of the women is straight. i’m genuinely sick to my stomach at the shenanigans that went on in this book because messing with a queer persons feelings is in NO world okay and the least romantic thing i could’ve ever expected. this being said, i will not ,este a public review for this, but will instead leave my thoughts here.

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.