Review: Toni and Addie Go Viral by Melissa Marr
Toni and Addie Go Viral by Melissa Marr
Narrated by: Gail Shalan & Stephanie Németh-Parker
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Melissa Marr delivers a charming sapphic romance with a dash of Victorian flair, Hollywood drama, and just enough spice to keep the pages turning.
The Premise:
When Victorian history professor–turned–bestselling novelist Toni Darbyshire meets aspiring actress Addie in a bar in Edinburgh, sparks fly fast. What should have been a single unforgettable night turns into more when Toni names her heroine after Addie—and then fate (or casting) throws them back together a year later on the set of Toni’s book-to-TV adaptation. Between costume fittings, on-screen chemistry, and a fake Victorian wedding that goes unexpectedly viral, the line between publicity stunt and real feelings blurs fast. But with Toni’s deep-rooted relationship fears and both women keeping secrets, a happily-ever-after is far from guaranteed.
What Worked:
- Sizzling first encounter: That opening scene? Electric. It set the tone for their chemistry beautifully.
- Unique setting & flavor: Victorian speech, period costumes, and quirky historical touches gave the romance a distinctive, niche charm.
- Queer rep: Marr gives space for Addie’s journey as a newly out lesbian discovering her demisexual identity, and Toni’s perspective as a more seasoned queer woman navigating her own traumas.
- Strong narration: Gail Shalan and Stephanie Németh-Parker brought both POVs vividly to life, balancing heat, humor, and heart.
What Fell Short for Me:
- The fake marriage setup felt more forced than organic, with the plot contrivance pulling me out of the story.
- Miscommunication overload: Too many withheld truths and lack of transparency created repetitive tension rather than building emotional payoff.
- Missing swoon factor: The romance had heat, but I wanted more tenderness and emotional spark to make me root harder for them.
- Humor hit-or-miss: Some comedic beats didn’t quite land, especially in quieter moments that could’ve deepened the connection instead.
Tone & Audience:
This is very much for a specific romance reader—someone who loves period-dress whimsy, behind-the-scenes TV drama, and a mix of sweet-and-spicy sapphic chemistry. It’s also worth noting the heavier themes: homophobia, emotional trauma, mental illness, and grief are woven into the romance.
Tropes & Themes:
- Slight age gap (27 x 32)
- Commitment-phobe x relationship-oriented
- “Good Girl” dynamic
- Actress x writer
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Friends with benefits
- PR stunt gone rogue / fake marriage
- Insta-lust
- Victorian costuming & speech
- Cute but feisty cat companion
- Queer rep: WLW x WLW (demisexual heroine)
- CW: severe homophobia, attempted assault, death of a family member (off-page), mental illness
Final Thoughts:
While the romance didn’t sweep me completely off my feet, Toni and Addie Go Viral still offers a fresh take in the sapphic romance space. For readers who love niche historical humor blended with contemporary queer romance and don’t mind a bit of contrived setup for the sake of fun tropes, this could be a delight.
