Reread March 2024: I want to fling myself off a cliff! I truly don't know how else I'll be able to deal with the overwhelming and all-consuming love I have for Nick and Andy. A masterpiece! 

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Regardless of the era or setting, the vibes of Cat Sebastian's queer historical romances are always on point, and she'll have me screaming into my pillow out of love/excitement/frustration/feels I just can't contain inside. We Could Be So Good was no different and it's definitely a new fave! 

 

WCBSG is set in NYC in the 1950s where Nick and Andy are reporters at a newspaper. Andy's the boss's son and based on that alone, Nick is determined to hate him. That lasts all of 10 mins until he notices Andy's freckles and Nick begrudgingly decides that okay, maybe Andy isn't the worst person in the world, and instead they become fast friends. My fave trope's idiots-to-lovers and lucky for me, both Nick and Andy are oblivious idiots when it comes to each other, in the BEST way. The way that makes you want to crawl into the book and shove their faces together and go "now kiss" at them, self-worth and abandonment issues be damned! They're the best kind of grumpy/sunshine, strangers-to-friends-to-lovers, and I'm already so excited to reread the book because I miss them as if they were my actual friends. 

 

As queer men in the 1950s, Nick and Andy's identities and relationship are direct dangers to themselves, and period typical homophobia, as well as internalized homophobia play big roles in the book. This, contrasted with the overwhelming love the guys have for each other, and the oppression of queer people and culture, feels achingly sad and infuriating. It doesn't make the book itself sad though as there's often a wonderful sense of hope and love woven throughout their struggles. However, it does show how Nick and Andy, as well as other queer people have (had) to fight for and seek alternative solutions to find and keep the love they so deserve. 

 

Like all of Sebastian's books, We Could Be So Good has a nice sense of "eat the rich" and a focus on class differences and inequalities, and this one also has a great ACAB storyline. The writing is all-around funny, sharp, and wonderful to read. 

 

In conclusion: I would die for Nick and Andy. Read this is you like histrom, idiots-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, found family, soup, and/or Stucky. 

 

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the e-ARC. We Could Be So Good is out June 6 in the US and June 8 in the UK