I'll say upfront - it's been a long time since I've read rom-com novels, and it's the first time I'm starting to read more LGBTQ+ novels as someone who figured out they're LGBTQ+...so, perhaps my expectations where just too high? And this might be really enjoyable for other people.

But to be honest, the story isn't quite as romantic as I expected it to be. I mostly loved the diversity of the leads, and how ambitious, charming, and big-hearted Jo and Emma are. They clearly have feelings for each other in the beginning, but just aren't comfortable enough to tell each other how they feel i.e. like a lot of lesbian romances. Jo isn't quite out of the closet yet, having always regarded her romantic life as "no comment" to maintain privacy with the public. And, Emma doesn't want to seem like an overzealous fangirl crushing on her boss. So, there's a lot of miscommunication between the both of them that makes the plot a slow-burn, and draws an obvious respectful where they don't want to take advantage of the other. But it's almost too much of a build-up to actually becoming a couple that it loses the 'when-will-they' aspect.

The most intriguing part of the story to me was how the characters would handle their chemistry getting 'caught' in front of the world...but the author closes the door on that with Jo not addressing it with anyone except Emma. Maybe that tone fits how an LGBTQ+ actor can be more accepted when they come out today, but it kind of kills the plot's momentum that the world is making a big deal out of their moment. The inciting incident is very insular, and not in way that it's going to make a big impact when/if Jo does finally deciding to go public with Emma. With that out of the way for the most part, the author splits their perspectives into individual chapters...but it doesn't push the story forward - it feels like it's mostly used for the leads to recap what happened in the previous chapter to supporting characters, and bring in other conflicts that drives them apart more and more -

Spoiler

a subplot where Emma is sexually harassed by a director that Jo wants her to meet/gain experience with felt even more unnecessary

. The story ends up focusing so much on the characters being co-workers and how wrong it could be for them to be romantically involved that I wasn't left swooning (even though their first date is actually sexy!!).