Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

It's going good. It's going great; then, boom blatant fatphobic comment and completely unnecessary harry potter reference. Yeah, I liked this, but after that I'm done. I'm begging authors to stop using JKR references in their books. It's 2025.

If you don't mind that then pick up this slow burn sapphic romance.

This book was painful. . .in the best way!! So much angst. So much drama. I couldn't put it down.

The characters are messy, their communication is awful and that's the point! I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen.

This was hella messy. I mean it's weird to market as a sapphic romance when it's a one-sided crush on your "straight" room-mate.
But it was super easy to read and I had a lot of fun but I like messy, drama filled books.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book!*

"French Pressed Love" is a queer romcom novel set in Canada that suffers from all the usual romcom flaws: overly dramatic, predictable, shallow. It was partially fun to read, but I was often a bit annoyed. While I enjoyed how the story also discussed intersectional issues with regards to the main protagonist, I simply did not like the love interest and found the entire "rich girl, complicated family" part boring.

2.5 stars

I absolutely LOVED this. The vibe, the banter. The narrative.

Just, a whole lot of yes, wrapped in a coffee related pun.

Thank you for the ARC! Sadly unable to read as this was downloaded onto a device I no longer have access to and the book has since been archived.

If you love drama with a capital D and live for the messy confusion that comes from poor communication, then you will LOVE this book. Personally, it was a fast read and I enjoyed the world of the story and some of the dynamics between the characters, but I'm way too old for some of the crappy communication in this story. Mystery isn't sexy. Saying who you are and what you want is.

I absolutely adored this book! Thank you for letting me read it early. The setting, the characters, and the romance were chef’s kisses!

I initially said I would not give feedback, because the advanced copy would not download to my kindle. After it was published, I borrowed it from my library.

Unfortunately this just wasn't for me, I found the main character to be extremely frustrating and problematic.

A fun romance

Jordan, coffee shop manager, likes her job. Unfortunately, her salary doesn't allow her to live without a roommate, and when her best friend moves, she has to find a solution. That's where Noémie, nicknamed the Poutine Princess, daughter of rich CEO, comes into place. Having lost her father's financial support, she needs a new source of income. Moving in with Jordan and working at the coffee shop seems like the best option. Even if Jordan hates her.

I really liked the vibe of this book. This enemies to lovers romance was quite fun to read because the hatred came from assumptions and appearances, so seeing the two women getting to really know one another was quite entertaining. I liked how their relationship progressed, with attraction and discovery and flirting and uncertainty. The way they bonded over their pasts and dreams was really sweet. However, I didn't really like how Noémie behaved toward the end and how it was dealt with regarding the other characters, which is why I'm not giving it five stars. It was still a fun read and I had a good time reading.

I recommend if you like complex yet fun romances.

"It won't be easy. Nothing worth having is ever easy."

Overall, I loved this book, however, the slow burn was a little too slow for me and the ending was somewhat predictable. I would personally have preferred it if the build-up tied in more with the ending and was different to what I expected but nevertheless, I still really enjoyed and would love to read more from this author!

☕ French Pressed Love by M.C. Hutson is a cozy, heartwarming romance that brews slow but strong—like the perfect cup of coffee. Set in a charming café tucked away in a small town, it follows two strangers whose paths cross over a shared table, spilled secrets, and the comfort of caffeine. Hutson weaves a sweet, feel-good story full of chemistry, second chances, and the magic of everyday love. A perfect read for anyone who believes the best love stories are the ones you can sip slowly.

This book was not for me. There was to much miscommunication, and it was to messy. Don’t get me wrong, I like messy characters but this was too much. I did not like Jordan or Noemie. I felt like they were underdeveloped.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I loved the coffee shop ambiance of the book! It's a perfect cozy yet emotionally rich book! I loved the characters and ther emotional connection with each other and their bonding!

French Pressed Love is the queer romcom you didn’t know you need!

Struggling to make ends meet, coffee shop manager Jordan reluctantly agrees to become roommates with her insufferable customer, Noemie, after Noémie’s wealthy father cuts her off. As their forced proximity leads to unexpected feelings, Jordan must navigate her growing attraction—despite Noemie’s history of dating men and Jordan’s aversion to relationships—while bracing for a messy, drama-filled journey.

What worked for me?

🇨🇦 As a Canadian, I love that this book is not only written by a queer Canadian, but also takes place in Toronto!

🤍 I really liked the characters and their complexity. This is not your average romcom with characters who have no depth.

⏩ The pace of the book works well and continued to pique my interest time and time again. I was really rooting for both Noemi and Jordon to succeed and be happy.


What didn’t work for me?

📑 The transition between some of the chapters I found a bit confusing or abrupt. I had to look back a few times and check if I miss something because I didn’t always change in location or time. (But that could just be a me problem??? lol!)

Overall this was a great book and I really enjoyed it! MC Hutson is a new author to me and I hopes she continues to write more! 🫶🏼

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

You know when you read a romance and all you can think is "They could really just have one honest conversation and that would clear up a lot?" That is how i felt this entire book. Except, then, because they were not having that one honest conversation, all of their actual conversations were kinda meaningless. And that... was a bummer.

French Pressed Love by M.C. Hutson is a captivating slow-burn sapphic romance that masterfully intertwines themes of personal growth and unexpected connections. Set against the cozy backdrop of a Toronto coffee shop, the story introduces readers to Jordan Alexander, a coffee shop manager facing life’s hurdles, and Noémie St. Pierre, a high-maintenance customer with hidden depths. Their evolving relationship is both intense and heartwarming, offering a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps readers engaged. The novel’s authentic portrayal of complex characters and their messy, real-life challenges adds depth to the narrative, making it a compelling read for those seeking a romance that deviates from the norm. I loved it

This book was for sure a slow burn! I really enjoyed the overall vibe of the book and the characters. Normally characters and their traits blend together for me but Jordan and Noémie stood all on their own! The trope didn’t really work for me but that’s just a personal preference.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for this review.

I think I have finally settled on a 3.5 rating for this book.

I went into this book knowing it was going to be messy and I think in order to enjoy it you need that caveat. It's MESSY. It's got lying, and jealousy, and massive amounts of manipulation and miscommunication. These two MC's are wildly toxic and need lots of therapy but yet I was still rooting for them.

The book is told from Jordan's POV and I do think I would have appreciate a little of Noémie's as well.

Because the entire book Jordan thinks Noémie is straight and keeps trying to tamp down her feelings, I got a lot of angst but not a lot of yearning. And without Noémie's POV I didn't anything from her but mixed feelings and bitchiness with a side of jealousy.

By the time we get these two together the book is over and I really needed more time for this thing to develop because I didn't buy into the love at all.

That said I really did love the messiness when I was in it. It was clever and fun and toxic and I knew these characters are totally imperfect but still wanted them to find happiness.

So that's why the 3.5 stars.

⭐ Rating: 3.5/5
📖 Genre: Sapphic Romance, Contemporary Fiction
📅 Publication Date: November 2024

🌟 Summary:
French Pressed Love is a slow-burn sapphic romance that intertwines themes of personal growth, complex relationships, and the challenges of modern life. The story follows Jordan Alexander, a coffee shop manager struggling to make ends meet, and Noémie St. Pierre, a demanding customer who seems to have it all. Their initial friction evolves into a deeper connection as they navigate their contrasting worlds, revealing vulnerabilities and desires that challenge their perceptions of love and self.

🖋️ My Thoughts:
✔ Engaging Characters: Jordan and Noémie are well-developed protagonists whose personal journeys are both relatable and compelling. Their interactions are charged with tension and chemistry, making their evolving relationship a focal point of the narrative.

✔ Authentic Dialogue: The conversations between characters feel natural and contribute to the depth of their relationships, enhancing the reader's immersion in the story.

✔ Realistic Portrayal of Modern Challenges: The novel addresses issues such as financial instability, societal expectations, and personal insecurities, adding layers of realism to the romantic plot.

🔸 A Few Drawbacks:
▫ Pacing Issues: Some readers might find the progression of the romance slow, with certain plot points feeling repetitive, potentially affecting engagement.

▫ Complex Dynamics: The portrayal of toxic relationships and flawed characters may not resonate with all readers, as it introduces elements of messiness and angst that could be polarizing.

✨ Final Verdict:
French Pressed Love offers a nuanced and realistic depiction of a sapphic romance, highlighting the complexities of love and personal growth. While the narrative delves into challenging aspects of relationships, it ultimately presents a heartfelt story that many readers will find engaging and thought-provoking.

📌 Recommended For: Readers who appreciate slow-burn romances with depth, character-driven stories, and explorations of contemporary life challenges.