4⭐️/5

I would recommend this if you enjoy:
- LGBTQIA+ romances
- Small town romances
- Friends to lovers
- Slow burn-ish
- Cozy Christmas vibes
- Spicy scenes

Thank you for the ARC Netgalley & Storm Publishing - all opinions are my own.

This book follows Quinn, a Christmas Tree farm owner, and Zoey, a bakery owner, who meet when Quinn returns to town with her sister Frankie. The pair get nudged together by Morgan and Frankie (the FMCs from book one) as they think they're well suited but they don't really interact until Quinn picks up cookies from Zoey's bakery.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than book one "The Ex Effect" as I felt the characters actually had chemistry and the tension between them was excellent. I liked that they built a friendship first and they got to know one another that way before the romance began. It was so sweet and the moments made me smile.

The characters were each going through things but they helped and complimented one another well, despite getting off to a rocky start. Zoey is compared to Zooey Deschanel and 'New Girl' is referenced and I love that show so I didn't mind the mention. It did actually help me picture Zoey in my mind and even though she was a shyer person than Quinn, she knew what she wanted and I liked that about her. I felt similarly about Quinn who was apprehensive about forming a connection but knew to not let it go when she had it.

I like how both the town and the characters are confident and accepting of their sexualities. It's refreshing and I liked the community. They feel like a warm beverage which added to the cozy Christmas vibes of this book.

I noticed in the previous book and this one that the author doesn't include an abundance of spicy scenes and prioritises the organic growth of the couple's relationship through gestures and communication and I highly appreciate that. It made me root for the pair more and I like the way the author wrote the romance.

Overall, I would recommend this book because the couple became a favourite in this series and I enjoyed the author's writing style. I would definitely pick up another of their books.

This Christmas themed books starts with this statement from Quinn: “I am totally convinced nobody actually likes Christmas” and you know it will be a lot of fun to convince the grumpy Quinn about the opposite. This is easily the best book I have read written by this author so I highly recommend it.

Quinn has just like her older sister Frankie (The Ex Effect) left the stress in New York for a calmer life in their old hometown Spring Harbor. She bought a Christmas tree farm from her aunt and uncle and so much to fix there before opening and regarding her own life. Very soon clear that Frankie and her girlfriend Morgan try to set up Quinn with Zoey, the baker, to make sure she is settling down, but she is doing everything to avoid that plan. Quinn is the typical fuckboi, never more than two servings with a woman, so no way she wants to settle down, a relationship not even vaguely on her agenda.

Zoe is the opposite of Quinn regarding relationships. She dated Josie for ten years and was so deeply hurt when Josie, who she thought was the one, broke up with her two years earlier. It has taken time to get over that, but she is looking for a life partner, a soulmate so casual is not for her.

Quinn and Zoey meet, and they clash over a misunderstanding about cookies. They soon realize it was all a misunderstanding, and they start over as friends. They also really think the other person is so hot, but they can never work as anything else but friends since their view on relationships differ so much, Quinn doesn’t think she is good enough for Zoey and Zoey doesn’t think Quinn wants more than a casual hook up ever.

It is amazing to read about how they get to know each other and struggle with their feelings. They both evolve as persons in the process, and you just sit and want them to get their HEA and that Quinn will finally realize that Christmas is something amazing. The Cusacking moment – vow!

I have enjoyed other books that I have read by the author and Any Girl But You certainly didn't disappoint. It was such a cute and easy to follow festive novel and I read it in less than a day. The story was cute and easy to follow and had a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💖 Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A very sweet story. Zoey has thrown herself into her bakery business after breaking up with her partner of many years. Quinn is trying to resurrect her inherited christmas tree farm after working with a toxic boss in New York. Zoey is all softness, kindness and wants a long term relationship if she ever risks her heart again. Quinn is a bit prickly, hyper-efficient and doesn't do relationships. Yet, somewhere along the way, the two meet in the middle and a beautiful friendship and relationship starts to blossom. Lots of self doubt from both of them, but lots of healing too with plenty of family and friends to offer support and encouragement. A lovely, heartwarming story.
Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Dana Hawkins for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

If you are in the mood for a slow burn, spicy, Sapphic romance with a side helping of holiday cheer than this second book in a series might be the one for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book which I am giving 3⭐️.

I did not get on well with the first book in this series (The Ex Effect) but was quite pleased that this book had much better FMC’s this time around. It definitely helps to have all the requisite Hallmark style holiday elements.

A baker who is still recovering from their ex✅
A former NYC executive assistant who returns home after burning out and hopes to restore an elderly relatives Christmas tree farm✅
Forced Proximity✅
An adorable child who isn’t in the book too much to take away from the romance✅
Pesky wildlife animals causing troubles✅

In general I thought this book was a good diversion, fun for the holidays and a big step up from the previous book!

What a cute and cozy Christmas romance! I loved the cast of characters, and the way they all showed up for each other. Seeing Zoey and Quinn falling in love was super sweet and I loved that they built their friendship first. I especially liked that we got to see some of their relationship after they get together as well. Also, finally a romance with no third act breakup! Really enjoyable, quick and cozy read, perfect for fans of low angst sapphic romance. 4.7/5 stars!

Sapphic Christmas romance? I’m here for it.

Perfect if you love:
-Grumpy x sunshine
- Sapphic Romance
- Small town romance
- Christmas vibes

Christmas hating, anti-relationship Quinn has just returned to Minnesota. Since she has arrived, she’s been urged to meet the happy-go-lucky bakery owner- Zoey.
Zoey is Quinns opposite. She is a sweet, innocent people-pleaser, and the two don’t exactly hit it off.
However, when disasters strike both of their businesses, they must work together to save them. In the process they may even get more than one Christmas miracle.

This was cute!
I am starting to think Dana Hawkins may be the sapphic romance expert.

This story has characters from her previous novel “The Ex Effect”- which I also loved!
I defienltey think that is a win!
This does act as a standalone though, so even if you have not read that one, you can still read this one without any problems.

I love the opposites attract/ grumpy x sunshine dynamic here.
Though, i would not consider Quinn to be that grumpy once the story actually progresses. She just has a rough start.

I really liked the romance in this.
Both women made themselves very vulnerable, and stepped out of their comfort zones and took a chance on each other.
That is so special.

Overall, pretty great!
It’s quick, it’s cute, its seasonal… Whats not to love?

Thank you to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and author Dana Hawkins for providing me with the eARC of “Any Girl but You”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: October 14th, 2025
Reviewed on Goodreads: August 27th, 2025