Don't Want You Like a Best Friend: A Novel (The Mischief & Matchmaking Series, Book 1) By Emma R. Alban

In this enchanting debut queer Victorian romance, two resourceful debutantes, Beth and Gwen, conspire to set up their widowed parents instead of pursuing conventional marriages. The story unfolds in 1857, where Beth is under pressure to secure a wealthy husband during her debut season. However, the traditional courtship process doesn't align with Beth's desires, and Gwen, in her fourth season, has no interest in marriage.

Gwen proposes a daring plan—matchmaking their respective parents. By orchestrating a union between Gwen's rakish earl father and Beth's widowed mother, they hope to create a secure future for both families. The only complication? Their parents seem to harbor mutual animosity.

As the young women navigate the complexities of their parent-trapping scheme, a handsome viscount enters the scene, offering Beth a conventional and secure marriage. This unexpected development challenges Gwen and Beth's plan and reveals Beth's growing feelings for someone she didn't anticipate falling for.

The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and unconventional pathways to happiness, providing a fresh take on Victorian romance. The clever and spirited protagonists, along with the humor and heart in their escapades, make this a delightful and swoon-worthy tale reminiscent of a queer Victorian Bridgerton crossed with a Parent Trap narrative.

The story unfolds against a backdrop of societal expectations, with the protagonists challenging norms to find love and happiness on their terms. 📖💖