Breakup Buddies: A Sapphic Holiday Rom Com

I picked up Breakup Buddies on the recommendation of a friend—and now I completely understand why it came so highly recommended. This was exactly the kind of holiday-themed love story I enjoy: warm, funny, heartfelt, and just the right amount of swoony. The premise alone hooked me—two women connecting through a breakup recovery app and then meeting up across different cities and holidays—but what really made this story shine was the execution. The relationship between Grace and Alix felt genuine and well-developed, with a slow-burn build that made their growing connection incredibly satisfying. I also have to give a special nod to the supporting cast. Characters like Phyllis added so much charm and personality to the story, making the world feel full and lived-in. And as a Southern California native, I especially appreciated the attention to the different locations—those details really resonated with me and added an extra layer of immersion. Overall, this was such a fun, uplifting read that perfectly captures the magic of the holiday season—not just in setting, but in the feeling of being seen, chosen, and taking a chance on something real. I will say however… I might gently question the couple’s final choice of where to settle. 😊 I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a cozy, heartfelt sapphic romance that will leave you grinning.

My expectations for this book was high, knowing how both JJ and Bryce write. And unsurprisingly and in the best ways possible, Breakup Buddies surpassed all of my expectations. Legitimately, no notes, absolute perfection, the two of them writing together is absolutely lethal. Bryce has this phenomenal way of writing such witty banter, the comedic timing is incredible, and all of her characters are crafted with such care that you can’t help but root for them. Even when you occasionally want to smack them upside their head. Bryce creates these quiet intimate moments that has you kicking your feet. All of her books, I’ve read thus far, without fail has had me grinning like an idiot at my phone reading. Then you have JJ, one of my favorite authors, who continues to write such beautifully unapologetic women. Women who don’t shy away from embracing their culture and heritage. Women who champion their beliefs. Women who love loudly. And apparently women who have such a great culinary palette, that I’m always left drooling over their food. Not to mention, her ability to write the steamiest freaking scenes. It should be illegal that I had to wait until chapter 27 for that iconic spice. (It’s forgivable since this slow burn was so damn good and the build up was worth every page) Like I said, Bryce and JJ writing together is a lethal combination. Their writing styles complement each other while also elevating it. I feel like I was highlighting every other sentence because it was…

Friends to lovers. Long distance. LA hairstylist x Miami lawyer. Open door. This was such a fun, lighthearted read! The witty banter was spot on and definitely had me laughing. The supporting characters were so inviting that they were close to overshadowing the FMCs. I want to be Phyllis when I grow up. And the spicy bits were open door and sweet with no kink. Overall a solid read that made me giggle.

How do you know when you’ve met the love of your life? That’s the question Alix and Grace seem to wrestle with from the very beginning, and watching them find the answer is pure magic. They are the definition of opposites attract. East Coast meets West Coast. Structure meets spontaneity. Yet somehow, it works beautifully. What starts with witty banter and thoughtful gestures slowly deepens into something lasting, built not just on chemistry but on genuine friendship and emotional understanding. Their connection unfolds through spontaneous decisions, meaningful conversations, and quiet moments that linger long after the page is turned. And yes…this story brings the heat. The toe-curling kind of spice that perfectly balances the tenderness. Add in Cuban cafecito, comforting plates of beans, snowy Colorado mountains, and sun-soaked California skies, and you have a romance rich in both flavor and feeling. At its heart, this book is about more than romance. It’s about building a relationship on respect, friendship, and shared growth. It’s about family, both the one you’re born into and the one you choose…and how love, in all its forms, makes life fuller and more meaningful. A heartfelt, steamy, and beautifully layered love story that proves sometimes opposites don’t just attract, they belong together.

Stars: 5 Stars Format: Digital Series: Stand Alone Steam Level: Steamy I read this for the I Heart Sapphic 2025 Reading Challenge for the prompt Secret Crush. I love J. J. Arias. I love Bryce Oakley. Of course I preordered it the second I could. If I hadn’t been in the middle of another couple of books, I would have read it the moment it released. Quick Thoughts: - This is low angst! Yay! It made this perfect for a holiday book - I love books where the protagonists meet online then fall for each other. That’s what happened with me and my wife - Julie needs to move to Alaska and never be heard from again - I laughed so hard during the whole Thanksgiving vacation portion - Baby swimming around, in particular, had me laughing so dang hard I startled a cat - The whole going back to Colorado part was perfectly done. I’ve read far too many books where the estranged family doesn’t really change or grow but they miraculously reconcile and everything is perfect. There is growth and it is explained how that came about in a way that is believable - I don’t know which I want more, a Phyllis in my life or to become a Phyllis - No third act breakup! - Wow. The strap scene in this was so incredibly hot - The epilogue was the perfect cherry on top of an incredibly lovely book - Something I loved about this book is just how darn funny it was without it becoming obnoxious. That’s a hard thing to do right and this book smashed it out of the park Overall I had so much fun with…