The Next Chapter By Camille Kellogg Book Review

I will be honest—I chose The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg because I wanted a sapphic, celebrity romance. I kept reading because of the fake dating, the Notting Hill references, and the warm West Village bookstore. If you want queer romantic comedies with real LGBTQ+ characters and some media drama, this book is worth reading.

Key Takeaways

The Next Chapter is a cozy sapphic romance with real LGBTQ+ characters. It mixes humor, fake dating, and a warm bookstore setting. The bookstore feels like a hug.
The main characters have great chemistry. They talk honestly and grow together. This makes the romance feel real and easy to relate to.
The story moves at a steady pace. It balances media drama with sweet moments. Some parts feel rushed. The side characters could be more detailed.

Quick Verdict

Who Will Enjoy It

I have to say, I stayed up late reading The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg. If you like queer romantic comedies with some celebrity drama, you will probably enjoy this book. I wanted the main characters to get together from their first cute meeting in the bookstore.

Strengths and Weaknesses

I have to say, the chemistry between the main characters is great. Their funny conversations made me smile. The fake dating idea felt new because of the queer twist. The West Village setting felt very cozy. I could almost smell the old books and coffee.

But no book is perfect. Sometimes the story moved too fast or too slow. The media drama could have been deeper. I wanted to know more about the side characters, especially the found family at the bookstore.

Plot

Story Overview

I have to admit, I got swept up in the story right away. The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg follows a classic linear timeline, so I never felt lost. The story starts with a meet-cute in a cozy West Village bookstore. One main character is a famous former child actress, the other is a charming, masc bookseller. Their paths cross, and sparks fly almost instantly.

Here’s how the story unfolds:

The two leads meet in the bookstore, and the chemistry is obvious.
A fake dating plan kicks off after a tabloid catches them together.
The story moves through key beats: awkward first dates, media chaos, and sweet moments in the shop.
The plot keeps things moving forward, with each event building on the last.
The ending ties up the main romance, but leaves a few side stories open.

I liked how the story kept a steady pace. I never felt bored, but I did wish for a few more quiet moments between the big events.

Unique Elements

What made this book stand out for me? The Notting Hill homage felt like a love letter to classic rom-coms, but with a fresh, queer twist. The fake dating trope added tension and plenty of laughs. I loved the bookstore setting—it gave the whole story a warm, safe feeling.

Some things I noticed:

The West Village backdrop made every scene feel real and lived-in.
The media scrutiny theme added drama, showing how fame can mess with real relationships.
The queer rom-com style felt modern and honest, not forced or preachy.

To be fair, I wanted a bit more depth in the media drama. Still, the mix of romance, humor, and LGBTQ+ representation kept me turning the pages.

Characters

Main Leads

I have to give props to Camille Kellogg for creating leads who feel so real. In The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg, I met two characters who stuck with me long after I finished the last page. The first is the former child actress, now grown up and trying to find her place outside the spotlight.

She brings a mix of confidence and vulnerability that made me root for her. The other lead, the masc bookseller, feels like someone I’d want to grab coffee with. She’s grounded, witty, and fiercely loyal to her found family at the bookstore.

What I loved most:

Both leads have clear strengths and flaws. They mess up, apologize, and try again.
Their identities as queer women aren’t just background details. The story shows how their experiences shape their choices and fears.
I saw real LGBTQ+ representation, not just a romance with a rainbow sticker slapped on.

Chemistry and Growth

I couldn’t put it down once their banter started. The chemistry between these two is electric, but it’s not just about flirting. They challenge each other to grow. I watched them open up about their pasts, face their insecurities, and learn to trust. Some scenes had me grinning; others left me gasping at how honest and raw their conversations got.

Note: If you want a romance where both leads actually change and support each other, this book delivers.

Their journey isn’t perfect, but it feels honest. I saw myself in their awkward moments and small victories. That’s what made their story stick with me.

Romance

Relationship Dynamics

I have to admit, the relationship in this book felt real to me. The main characters don’t just flirt—they actually talk about their fears and dreams. I loved how both leads got to show what they wanted, not just in romance but in life. The story lets both women express desire and vulnerability, which made their connection feel honest.

Both leads have moments where they take the first step. I noticed that neither one always plays the “cool” or “reserved” role.
Their emotional talks felt natural, not forced. I could see how their pasts shaped their choices.
The romance doesn’t just rely on big gestures. Small things—like a shared joke or a quiet moment in the bookstore—made me root for them.

Pacing and Conflict

The romance moves at a steady pace. I never felt lost or rushed. The fake dating starts things off quickly, but the real feelings build over time. I liked how the story balanced sweet moments with real problems.

The conflict comes from outside pressure—like the media and public attention—not just misunderstandings.
The author spaces out the drama and the cozy scenes, so I never got bored.
I saw the characters work through problems instead of just running away.

Some bestselling romance authors say that good pacing means mixing tension with relief. This book does that well. I stayed up late because I wanted to see how the leads would handle each new twist. The ending felt earned, not just handed to them.

Writing Style

Tone and Voice

I have to give props to Camille Kellogg for her distinctive voice. I felt like I was chatting with a friend who just gets me. The writing uses a mix of short, punchy lines and longer, thoughtful sentences.

I noticed clever word choices—sometimes a bit quirky, sometimes old-fashioned, always fitting the characters. The narrator’s attitude shines through with a blend of warmth and a little sarcasm.

Unique word choices pop up, making the dialogue feel real.
Sentences jump between quick banter and deeper, stream-of-consciousness thoughts.
Formatting tricks like italics and bold add personality.
The narrator’s perspective feels honest, never trying too hard.

I’ve seen studies that use tools like Coh-Metrix and LIWC to measure this kind of voice. They show that a strong, recognizable style isn’t just about what’s said, but how it’s said. Here, the voice feels both fresh and familiar, which kept me hooked.

Humor and Vulnerability

I laughed out loud more than once. The humor isn’t forced. It sneaks up in the middle of serious moments, making the story feel real. I noticed the jokes are easy to read—nothing too complicated or over-the-top. That lines up with research showing that humor works best when it’s simple and accessible.

Jokes and funny moments appear often, almost like in a TED Talk.
The humor has a near-neutral tone, so it never feels mean or out of place.
Vulnerability shows up in quiet confessions and awkward silences.

I found myself rooting for the characters because they let their guard down. The mix of laughs and honest moments made the story stick with me. Sometimes, I even caught myself grinning at the page, wishing I could step into that cozy bookstore for real.

Themes

Media and Privacy

I have to give props to Camille Kellogg for showing how media attention can mess with real life. I felt the pressure right along with the characters. Every time a camera flashed or a headline popped up, my heart raced a little.

I started to wonder how I would handle that kind of spotlight. The book doesn’t just show the fun side of fame. It digs into the stress and the way rumors can hurt.

The story made me think about how hard it is to keep anything private when everyone wants a piece of you.
I saw the characters struggle with trust. They had to decide who to let in and who to keep out.
Sometimes, I wanted more depth in this theme, but the moments we got felt real.

Note: If you ever felt exposed or judged, you might see yourself in these pages.

Found Family

This theme hit me right in the feelings. The bookstore crew felt like a real family. I loved how the main characters found support from people who weren’t related by blood. The warmth in those scenes made me wish I could pull up a chair and join them.

The found family gave the story heart. I saw loyalty, laughter, and even a few tough love moments.
I noticed how the characters leaned on each other when things got rough.
The sense of belonging made the romance even sweeter.

I’ll be honest, I wanted more time with the side characters. Still, the found family theme left me smiling and a little jealous. Who wouldn’t want a group like that cheering them on?

Strengths & Weaknesses

I have to confess, I read this book in one sitting. I curled up on my couch, lost track of time, and only realized how late it was when my phone buzzed with a “go to bed” reminder. That’s the kind of pull this story had on me.

Here’s what stood out:

Strengths:

Chemistry: The main characters spark off each other. Their banter made me grin and sometimes even blush.
Setting: That West Village bookstore felt so real. I could almost hear the bell over the door and smell the coffee.
Representation: I saw real LGBTQ+ lives, not just a romance with a label slapped on.
Humor: The jokes landed. I laughed out loud, especially during the fake dating scenes.

Weaknesses:

Pacing: Some chapters zipped by too fast. Others dragged a bit. I wanted more balance.
Side Characters: The found family at the bookstore had so much promise. I wish I’d gotten to know them better.
Media Drama: The story touched on fame and privacy, but I wanted a deeper look at how it shaped the leads.

To be fair, not every book can do it all. This one gave me cozy vibes and a romance I rooted for, but left a few threads hanging.

The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg Compared

Sapphic Romances

I read a lot of sapphic romances, so I always look for something that feels fresh. The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg gave me that cozy, lived-in feeling I crave. I noticed the chemistry between the leads felt more real than in some other books. I saw them talk about their fears and dreams, not just flirt. That made me care about them.

Many sapphic romances focus on coming out or first love. This book skips that and lets the characters be themselves from the start.
The West Village bookstore setting felt like a warm hug. I wanted to step inside and join the found family.
I laughed at the banter and felt the tension during the fake dating scenes.

I read that 63% of book reviews compare genres, and I get why. Comparing helps me see what stands out. Here, the honest conversations and equal partnership made the romance shine.

Celebrity Romance

Celebrity romance can feel over-the-top or fake, but this one surprised me. The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg kept things grounded. The media drama felt real, not just for show. I saw how fame made things harder for the couple, but it never took over the story.

The fake dating trope worked because both leads had something to lose.
I liked that the book showed the stress of being in the spotlight, but still gave us sweet, private moments.
Some celebrity romances focus only on the glitz. This book gave me heart and humor instead.

I have to give props to the author for balancing the fun of celebrity life with the messiness of real feelings. I finished the book wanting more stories like this.

Recommendation

Ideal Reader

I have to admit, I finished The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg in one long, cozy night. If you love queer rom-coms that feel like a warm hug, this book will probably hit the spot. I kept thinking about the characters long after I closed the last page.

You might be the perfect reader if:

You want a sapphic romance with real LGBTQ+ characters who talk about their feelings.
You enjoy fake dating, celebrity crushes, and bookstore settings.
You like stories that balance humor with honest, sometimes awkward, conversations.
You want a book that feels like a movie night with friends, not a high-stakes thriller.

If you need a story that moves fast but still gives you time to care about the characters, this one delivers. I wouldn’t pick it up if you want a slow-burn or a plot full of twists. This book is all about the feels, the banter, and the comfort of found family.

Similar Books

I always look for more books that give me the same cozy, swoony feeling. If you liked The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg, you might want to check out these:

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
This one has a queer romance, found family, and a bit of magic. The subway setting feels just as real as the West Village bookstore. I laughed and even teared up a little.
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
If you want more fake dating and sapphic chemistry, this book is a solid pick. The banter is sharp, and the romance feels genuine.
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
This one dives into celebrity romance and media attention. The slow build between the leads had me rooting for them the whole way.
Notting Hill (the movie)
I know it’s not a book, but if you love the homage in The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg, you’ll probably want to rewatch this classic. The bookstore scenes and awkward charm are all there.

I closed The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg with a smile. I recommend it if you want a cozy sapphic romance with real heart.

Perfect for fans of One Last Stop or Written in the Stars
Honest, funny, and warm
My Dionysus Review Rating: 7/10

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg a standalone or part of a series?

I read it as a standalone. I didn’t see any hints about sequels. You can jump in without reading anything else first.

Does the book have explicit scenes?

No, the romance stays fade-to-black. I never felt uncomfortable. The focus stays on feelings, not graphic details.

Will I enjoy this if I’m not into celebrity stories?

Probably! The bookstore setting and fake dating made me care, even though I don’t usually pick up celebrity romances. The characters felt real, not just famous faces.