Iris Kelly Doesn't Date: A swoon-worthy, laugh-out-loud queer romcom

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I want to say more, but spoilers, so hopefully I can come back when this book comes out and fill the rest in. When Stevie desperately asks Iris to play along as her girlfriend, Iris is shocked, but goes along with it because maybe this fake relationship will actually get her creative juices flowing and she can get her book written.

It’s sweet, it’s spicy, it’s sapphic, it’s satisfying—everything readers of Blake’s work have come to love. A fake relationship with a one-night stand is anything but an act in this witty and heartfelt new romantic comedy by Ashley Herring Blake. I felt the representation was great and loved how the author addressed that being an actor and dealing with anxiety are not mutually exclusive and that playing a part can be an escape for those who suffer from anxiety to get out of their own head and take on a new persona. It feels like the queerness on display (both in the leads and the minor characters) is very uniform. I loved getting more into iris's personality and seeing everything that was going on beneath that “life of the party, no shits given” exterior and it's just someone who wants to be loved fully for who she is - to feel desired and supported and be able to be her authentic self and not have to change for someone else's happiness.

One difference that I did notice, and appreciate, was that she finally realized that she can just say “her” or use the character’s name when writing scenes between two women instead of constantly saying “the other woman. Yes, even Astrid—who, by the way, gives off such extreme Lemon Breeland vibes that I’ve since had to go back and rewatch a few episodes of Hart of Dixie. Not just Adri, her ex-girlfriend, who I think we’re supposed to kind of hate, but also Ren, who is supposed to be her closest friend in the group and Vanessa, too, though she had very little page time. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. Except Stevie's friends think that Iris is her girlfriend, and what's a girl to do except fake date Iris to get her well meaning, but pushy, friends off her back.

Loved Stevie, how human and relatable she got and of course Iris, our beautiful and entusiastic redhair. Not allowed to be upset, defend herself, have her doubts etc it's all painted as if she's in the wrong.Here is one example of how unnaturally she incorporates part of a character’s identity: “…two gay men—one of them trans—played Hero and Claudio. It is a little disappointing to feel like the weaker parts of this book held back the incredible character development and love story at the centre. But okay, let's roll with it: as far as fake dating goes, Stevie acts very lacklustre and uninvested, seeming like a really bad girlfriend.