Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez
As soon as I saw this beautiful cover, I knew I had to read this book. Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez is her sophomore offering and one of my most anticipated reads of 2025. I’m also a big fan of Leni Kauffman’s artwork, and I especially love that this clinch cover features two women and thoughtfully incorporates the colors of the lesbian and bi flags. It’s vibrant, romantic, and so meaningful—truly a standout in sapphic romance.
This story follows Angela, a butch-presenting woman who unexpectedly goes viral after posting about her asexuality online. With her platform growing, she decides to create a scavenger hunt where someone can win her first kiss. It’s a creative premise, and while the scavenger hunt element doesn’t play as big a role in the plot as the setup suggests, it does mirror Angela’s evolving priorities and emotional journey.
The book delves deeply into Angela’s relationship with social media—both the visibility it offers and the darker side of public scrutiny and bullying. At times, the viral backlash felt slightly exaggerated (especially the level of obsession over her dating history), but it’s not out of the realm of possibility given how intense and invasive online spaces can be. The commentary on how isolating social media fame can be felt real and grounded.
Angela’s introspective arc around her asexuality is central to the story. I really appreciated that her identity is allowed to be fluid—that she’s still exploring where she falls on the ace spectrum and finding the words that fit. The story also touches on her gender presentation and how she navigates other people’s expectations, adding further depth to her character. As someone not on the ace spectrum, I found this portrayal thoughtful and informative—a truly positive representation that makes space for questioning and growth.
However, while I appreciated Angela’s personal journey, I wished the romance with Krystal had received a bit more development. There was a lot going on thematically—family struggles, past relationships, social media drama—and at times, it felt like the emotional connection between Angela and Krystal was pushed to the background. Their chemistry wasn’t always fully convincing, and some of Krystal’s actions left me unsure of her role in Angela’s healing. That said, I did love that the book featured a butch/femme pairing—something I don’t see enough of in sapphic romance.
The spice level was also a surprise (in a good way). For a romance centered on an ace lead, the book includes several steamy scenes that are respectful of Angela’s identity and desires. The tension building to The Kiss was especially satisfying.
Overall, this was an introspective, voicey novel that centers an asexual main character in a thoughtful and affirming way. While I wanted more from the romance and some plot elements felt exaggerated, Angela’s journey, the representation, and that gorgeous cover made this a compelling read. I think this will really resonate with ace readers and allies alike—and I’d absolutely read more from this author in the future.
