In her sophomore novel, “Kiss Me, Maybe,” Gabriella Gamez delivers a warm, witty, and incredibly thoughtful romance that explores the complexities of sexual identity, family dynamics, and finding love on your own terms. “Kiss Me, Maybe,” the second installment in her Librarians in Love series, strikes a delicate balance between lighthearted romance and deeper explorations of what it means to truly be yourself.
The Plot: Modern Romance Gets a Digital Twist
At 27, librarian Angela Gutierrez has never been kissed. After accidentally going viral with a TikTok video that gets misinterpreted as a thirst trap, she creates a follow-up explaining her late bloomer status and identity as an asexual lesbian. This unexpected internet fame inspires her to organize a scavenger hunt where the winner gets to be her first kiss—an idea that’s both charming and perfectly suited to our digital age.
To pull off this elaborate event, Angela enlists the help of Krystal Ramirez, the gorgeous bartender she’s been secretly pining for during the past five years. Despite Krystal’s insistence that romantic love isn’t for her due to past heartbreak, the chemistry between them is undeniable as they work together planning the scavenger hunt.
What unfolds is a beautifully messy journey of self-discovery as Angela navigates her newfound viral fame, complex family dynamics, and her growing feelings for Krystal—who might never be able to love her back.
Character Development: Authentic and Multidimensional
Gamez excels at creating characters who feel wonderfully real. Angela’s journey to understand her identity resonates deeply, particularly in how she navigates her asexuality while still experiencing romantic attraction. Her character development is masterfully handled—she evolves from someone who’s spent years hiding parts of herself to a woman who finally embraces who she truly is, short haircut and all.
Krystal’s character is equally compelling. Her reluctance to open herself to love stems from a failed engagement that left deep emotional scars. The way Gamez unveils Krystal’s backstory in layers adds genuine depth to her character and makes her eventual emotional breakthrough all the more satisfying.
Secondary characters aren’t merely background elements either. From Marcela (Angela’s supportive best friend) to Julian (Angela’s cousin who’s navigating his own identity questions) to Natalia (a jaded artist who becomes an unexpected ally), each character brings something meaningful to the story.
Strengths: Where “Kiss Me, Maybe” Truly Shines
Authentic Representation
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this novel is Gamez’s nuanced approach to asexuality. Angela’s character offers a refreshingly authentic portrayal of someone on the ace spectrum who is still figuring out exactly where she fits. The novel thoughtfully explores the differences between sexual and romantic attraction without becoming didactic.
Digital Age Romance
The integration of social media and viral fame into the romance narrative feels incredibly timely. Gamez captures both the community-building potential of platforms like TikTok and their capacity to turn toxic when misused. The scavenger hunt concept brilliantly bridges digital and real-world romance.
Family Dynamics
The complicated relationships between Angela and her cousins, particularly the toxic dynamic with Esme versus the redemptive arc with Briana, offer a nuanced look at how family can both wound and heal us. These relationships feel painfully authentic.
Sexual Tension and Chemistry
Despite being a romance featuring an asexual protagonist, the chemistry between Angela and Krystal sizzles. Their journey from friends to lovers unfolds with delicious tension that culminates in intimate scenes that are both emotionally resonant and genuinely steamy.
Areas for Improvement
While “Kiss Me, Maybe” delivers a satisfying romance overall, a few elements could have been strengthened:
- Pacing issues in the middle: The novel occasionally meanders in the middle sections, with some scenes between Angela and Krystal becoming repetitive.
- Esme’s antagonist role: While Briana receives a nuanced redemption arc, Esme remains somewhat one-dimensional as the story’s antagonist. A deeper exploration of her motivations could have added complexity.
- Scavenger hunt logistics: For a premise so central to the plot, the actual execution of the scavenger hunt gets sidelined toward the end. More focus on this unique aspect could have further distinguished the story.
- Resolution speed: The final conflict resolution feels slightly rushed compared to the careful setup throughout the novel.
Series Context: Librarians in Love
“Kiss Me, Maybe” follows Gamez’s well-received debut “The Next Best Fling,” the first in her Librarians in Love series. While the books share the library setting as a backdrop, each works perfectly as a standalone novel with unique characters and storylines.
In “The Next Best Fling,” readers were introduced to a different librarian protagonist navigating her own romantic challenges. What unites these books is Gamez’s talent for creating environments where intellectually curious characters find love in unexpected places, often with their preconceptions challenged along the way.
The series cleverly subverts the stereotypical “quiet librarian” trope, instead presenting library workers as complex, passionate individuals with rich inner lives and desires—a refreshing take on a profession often reduced to caricature in fiction.
Writing Style: Warm, Witty, and Genuine
Gamez’s writing style is conversational and inviting, making it easy to slip into Angela’s world. Her dialogue feels natural and often sparkles with humor. Particularly impressive is her ability to handle emotionally complex scenes with sensitivity while maintaining the overall warmth of the narrative.
The first-person perspective allows readers to experience Angela’s growth alongside her, creating an intimacy that serves the story well. Gamez doesn’t shy away from awkward moments either—Angela’s nervousness about her first kiss and sexual experiences feels endearingly real rather than idealized.
Who Will Love This Book?
“Kiss Me, Maybe” will resonate with:
- Readers seeking authentic LGBTQ+ representation, particularly those interested in asexual and lesbian characters
- Romance fans who appreciate slow-burn relationships with genuine emotional depth
- Anyone who’s ever felt like they’re “behind” on life milestones and need reassurance that there’s no universal timeline
- Readers who enjoy contemporary romances that incorporate digital culture and social media
- Fans of authors like Alison Cochrun, Talia Hibbert, and Casey McQuiston
Final Verdict: A Meaningful Romance That Stays With You
At its heart, “Kiss Me, Maybe” is about much more than a first kiss—it’s about finding the courage to be your authentic self and allowing yourself to be loved for exactly who you are. The novel balances lighthearted romance with thoughtful explorations of identity in a way that feels both entertaining and meaningful.
Gabriella Gamez has crafted a romance that feels both timely and timeless. While not flawless, this sophomore effort confirms her as a compelling voice in contemporary romance, particularly for readers seeking authentic queer representation. The minor pacing issues and character development opportunities don’t detract significantly from what is ultimately a heartwarming and satisfying read.
For readers who enjoyed “The Next Best Fling,” this follow-up delivers the same warmth and authenticity while exploring new territory. And for those new to Gamez’s work, “Kiss Me, Maybe” serves as a perfect introduction to her voice and thematic interests.
With its blend of humor, heart, and genuine emotional stakes, “Kiss Me, Maybe” is a romance that does more than just entertain; it makes you think, feel, and perhaps see the world a little differently.
