Lesbian Romance

Sleepless Nights by Iona Kane

Sleepless Nights
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Published: 8/31/21

Sleepless Nights is an impressive debut from writer Iona Kane. It’s a charming story of a closeted singer and an out and proud drummer navigating through their fears and feelings to find love.

Tyra MacLean had her first hit at fifteen but her career quickly nosedived after she came out. She spiraled out of control and only got herself straightened out when she was called upon to help raise her twin cousins Jamie and Mhairi. When the twins started a band Ty stepped in to be their drummer knowing she would soon retreat back to producing as she is wary of the limelight performing brings.

Alex Knight is preparing for her US tour and sees a clip on Dandylions performing. She decides immediately that she wants them to open for her. The meeting the members on Dandylions doesn’t go as planned when Tyra shows up drunk. The next day Ty shows up to apologize. She tells Alex that she only wants to do the tour for the twins. All the attention that will come with it is a huge turn off for her. She also reveals that she has issues with celebrities who stay in the closet to avoid damage to their careers. She came out before it was accepted and her career never recovered. Alex appreciates the honesty, although, not the commentary of her closet status, and Dandylions are signed as her opening act.

Tyra is invited by Alex to stay at her house for the week she comes to New York without the twins. The two have sizzling chemistry and during the week they have dinner together and get to know each other. Alex talks to Ty about her teenage daughter Dora, who she has a strained relationship and Ty tells Alex about her past struggles after her mom passed away and her career tanked. The week is blissful but after they decide that it can’t go any farther as they have a tour to work on together and Alex isn’t ready to come out. While on tour can Alex and Tyra keep their distance or will they give in to their desires and try to make a relationship work?

Alex and Tyra are charming characters. I became invested in their happiness. I wanted Alex to work things out with her daughter and realize that it was time for her to own her sexuality. I wanted Ty to have career vindication and find true love. The conflict was well conceived as the events that transpired understandably caused Alex to retreat into herself and take a step back from a relationship.

Iona Kane has given us a very well written celebrity romance. I look forward to what comes next from her.

 

Mutual Benefits by HP Munro

Mutual Benefits
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Published: 9/13/20

Mutual Benefits by HP Munro is so delightful and hilarious. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes but this one is unique and will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Hannah Melville is a clothing designer who owns her own shop with her best friend Phillip in Edinburgh, Scotland. Hannah has a meddlesome mother who is always trying to find Mr. Right for her to marry. Hannah and Phillip are joking and say that Hannah should just tell her mom she is dating a woman. During dinner when Isobel starts in on Hannah and her dating life she says her last relationship was with Jamie, a woman. She expects this to get her mom off of her back but the opposite occurs. Both Hannah’s mom and dad are thrilled she finally feels comfortable enough to come out to them. Her mom has been in a group called “Parents of Diversity” for years just waiting for Hannah to “come out” to her.

Hannah’s mom sets her up with one of the daughters of a woman in her group and Hannah sees no way out but to go. She goes out on a date with Ashley, telling her she is straight and the story behind their meeting. Ashley has a meddlesome mother as well and during over many drinks Hannah and Ashley devise a plan to fake date to get their mothers off of their backs. Of course, the best laid plans never work out as intended.

The girls start “dating” and find they enjoy each other’s company. Ashley quickly develops a crush on Hannah and Hannah decides the flutter she gets in Ashley’s presence is only because she’s excited to have a new friend. Getting to know Ashley causes Hannah to see herself in a new light, one she never expected.

I adore Hannah and Ashley. From the moment they met they “saw” each other. Ashley recognizes that Hannah tends to play down her accomplishments and Ashley encourages her to be proud of herself. Hannah sees how being the only kid with brown skin in school still affects Ashley. They click not just physically but emotionally as well.  Their friends are wonderful. Hannah’s best friend Phillip and Ashley’s friends Jude and Haz are hilarious and are the kind of supportive yet skeptical friends we all need. Hannah’s mom is irritating but does only wants to see her daughter happy.

HP Munro is a great writer of comedy and this is one of my favorite romcom’s. If you want a story that will make you laugh and warm your heart this is a great choice.

Favorite Quotes: “Dear God, what are you wearing on your feet? You look like a Roman Centurion. Plus, your toenails are an entirely different shade than your fingernails. If you’re going to flash your feet, you could at least make sure the carpet and curtains match.”

“She was flattered her mum thought that as a lesbian. this was the league she would be playing in. The woman was, from a purely objective position, stunning.”

“A little pee might come out. Not that I have an issue in that regard. My pelvic floor is taut, so the nurse said at my last smear. ”  Are you sure you’re not a lesbian? I’m only asking cause it only took you an hour to start talking about your vagina.”

“Her parents think she’s gay and she doesn’t want to disappoint them.”  “Well, that’s not a phrase you hear too often.”

“I’m going to have to get you to skim over any reference to your lady bits. In my head you’re like a Barbie doll- you have boobs but no nipples and definitely nothing netherly.”

Warm Pearls and Paper Cranes by E.V. Bancroft

Warm Pearls and Paper Cranes
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Published: 10/15/21
True Love Can't Be Stopped

E.V. Bancroft’s debut novel is a sweeping epic of the enduring power of love. Maud and Bea have been in love with each other since 1939. They have stayed together through war, family interference and their careers only to be sent to separate nursing homes in the twilight of their lives. Maud is devastated and her only hope is her great niece, Hannah, who Maud raised after the death of her mother and grandmother, along with her “best friend” Bea.

One look at Beatrice Williams and Maud Heaston’s life is changed forever. Bea arrives as Maud’s brothers tutor and the two have an instant connection. Maud isn’t only attracted to Bea, they also share a desire to learn and have careers and not just marry and have children. Maud’s brother Harry is also smitten with Bea but she rejects him letting him know where her heart lies. Harry goes off to war and Maud’s family finds out about her and Bea’s relationship when her sister sees them kissing. Maud is forbidden from seeing Bea so she decides to join the war effort in the Land Army so she could earn her own money and wouldn’t have to marry George, the poor bloke whom her mother pressured her to get engaged to.

Bea and Maud wrote to each other and met up when they could and eventually after the war was over settled in London together. Over the years they continued to love each other although to the outside world they presented themselves as just best friends. When Maud’s sister and niece were killed in a car accident, teenager Hannah came to live with them. She was angry and struggling to accept her sexuality and her and Maud often butted heads. But when Maud and Bea are put in separate nursing homes, their letters are sent to Hannah. Reading of the love between them that she never knew existed, she begins to see her Aunt in a new light. The letters bring her closer to her roommate Suki, who she’s been in love with for some time. Hannah is determined to help reunite Maud with her true love and hopefully get her own happy ending as well.

E.V. Bancroft really went for it with her first novel. Writing an epic that spans over 75 years is no small feat.  The way the past and present were interweaved was seamless. We not only get to experience Hannah’s relationship to Maud, Bea and Suki but we get to take the journey with Maud and Bea as they meet and fall in love. The characters are really well developed. I loved the sweetness of Bea and the stubbornness and passion of Maud. I appreciated Hannah’s desire to understand the aunt she had always had issues with and in the process discovers more about herself and her capacity to love. Suki is Hannah’s roommate and in the shared experience of reading Maud and Bea’s letters, finds her courage to follow her heart. I may actually love Maud’s brother, Harry, most of all. Despite his love for Bea, he knew what she shared with Maud was stronger, and gave his blessing to his sister. For a man to do that anytime shows such strength of character but to do so during the 1940’s, is really beautiful.

It is wonderful to read a love story that spans so many years. We are all searching for what Maud and Bea have, a love that not only survives but gets even stronger the more time that passes. The ending was beautiful and brought a tear to my eyes. I highly recommend and will be looking forward to what comes next from E.V. Bancroft.

ARC received from the author for an honest review.

When I’m With You by Monica McCallan

When I'm With You
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Published: 6/6/21

Brooke Nicholas has gotten under Kennedy Ryan’s skin since the moment they met two and a half years ago. Kennedy became friends with Brooke’s roommates Julia and Hannah their junior year of college and has no idea what the two see in Brooke. When Brooke and Kennedy get stranded in a cabin during a snowstorm without their friends to run interference Kennedy begins to see how wrong she’s been.

Kennedy is responsible, she always has a plan, she’s reserved. Brooke is undependable, unpredictable and never has a plan. Or at least, that’s how Kennedy has always seen her. During the time they have alone at the cabin Kennedy talks about her big family of six brothers and sisters. When Brooke reveals that she’s on her own Kennedy begins to see Brooke in a new light and regrets having judged her so harshly.

After returning home Brooke goes with Kennedy to her parents for Christmas Eve dinner. Kennedy’s family welcomes Brooke and makes her long for what she only had briefly when she lived with her grandparents, a family to love and support her. Brooke and Kennedy’s friendship continues to flourish. Brooke finds an abandoned puppy and they become co-parents. They spend evenings together watching tv cuddling up with Frankie, text each other at work and think about each other when they aren’t together. Brooke realizes first that her feelings have moved beyond friendship but Kennedy isn’t far behind. However, both are scared to lose the friendship that has come to mean so much to both of them and neither wants to be the first to confess their feelings.

I am a big fan of Monica McCallan’s books and this one is now my favorite. I love Brooke and just want to snuggle her and tell her how wonderful she is despite losing big in the mother department. Brooke is one of those people who brightens a room just by entering it, she talks to strangers on the sidewalk, rescues puppies and always puts others before herself. Add that she knows her wine and even knows when Julia’s fish Simon’s food is on sale and she is really the perfect woman. Her childhood looms large in her interactions despite her cheery disposition. She doesn’t let too many people get to know who she is beneath the outgoing, fun persona she projects. She expects people to let her down so when she lets Kennedy in, it means even more.

Kennedy’s outright dismissal of Brooke’s value as a person stems from her own issues and nothing that Brooke is responsible for. Kennedy is the oldest child in her family and has always been overwhelmed with the chaos that is her family. Brooke represented more chaos and she automatically dismissed her as someone she wanted to spend time with. It wasn’t until she realized that Brooke didn’t have a family that she began to see how important Brooke’s relationships with Hannah and Julia are and how they are her chosen family and she wants to be a safe space for Brooke as well.

Kennedy had always thought that her and Brooke were polar opposites but as Hannah states they really aren’t. “You two seem different, but you’re really the same. You keep everyone at arms length, but you’re really a big softie on the inside. And Brooke’s the same, just inverted. She’s open and approachable and always has a kind word for a stranger.”  When Kennedy opens her mind and heart to Brooke she sees how badly she misjudged her and how she was always meant to be her person.

This book has sweetness, angst (because Monica’s books always bring the angst), laughter, love and wonderful supporting characters. I highly recommend it and dare you not to fall in love with Brooke and Kennedy.

Favorite Quotes: “She wanted whatever that thing was that made you search a person’s face for meaning or to find reasons to touch them. A hand of the back through a narrow exit. A quick tap on their wrist to get their attention in a loud space. The gentle brush against each other’s shoulders while you moved to the music.”

“Hey Elsa! You want to help me with these bags, or are you going to spend all day dreamily floating through winter wonderland.”

“The icing on the cake was being stuck with freaking Brooke Nicholas, fairy nymph and sprite of exuberance and extroversion.”

“I’d tell him to get bent, but his head’s already so far up his own ass he’s a perfect circle.”

 

The Brutal Truth by Lee Winter

The Brutal Truth
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Lee Winter is a brilliant writer. Her books provide some of the things I love most: witty banter, icy queens who need an adorable woman to thaw them and hilarious supporting characters. The Brutal Truth has all of these things and is one of my absolute favorite books.

Elena Bartell isn’t prepared for Maddie Grey when she buys the failing Hudson Metro News. Maddie is the overnight girl who writes obits and crime stories. Maddie isn’t at all intimidated by Elena’s outward terrifying demeanor. Over late night conversations they begin to know each other and Elena is fascinated and exasperated with Maddie. She is just uniquely herself. She doesn’t want anything from Elena, she just seems to genuinely like her company. Elena is surrounded by people who wants something from her and Maddie is refreshing. It doesn’t take long for Elena to deduce that Maddie is the author of a blog called “Aliens of New York” that Elena has been reading for years. The blog details Maddie’s loneliness in New York City and how she longs to return to Sydney. Elena and Maddie see in each other what others overlook. Elena see Maddie’s loneliness as it mirrors her own and Maddie sees the humanity that Elena tries so hard to keep  hidden. It doesn’t take long for Maddie to develop feelings for her hot, intense boss until she fires her and tells her she isn’t a journalist.

A few days later Elena offers Maddie a job as her personal assistant and asks her to go with her to Sydney where she has to return to work on her Style Sydney magazine. Elena is giving Maddie a way to return to the city she loves but without the humiliation of coming back a failure in her career. They go to Sydney but their late night talks and teasing banter are gone. Maddie misses their interactions. She is consumed with thoughts of Elena. “She wanted to see her throw her back her head in laughter. Or in ecstasy. That thought thrilled her. It was a fantasy that sent shivers through Maddie. God, how she wanted her in every way imaginable”.

Elena is consumed with getting the elusive designer Veronique Duchamp for an interview. She sends loads of flowers which are rejected. Maddie thinks that was the wrong approach. Thus the truth bet comes about. If Maddie can’t get the attention of Veronique she must give Elena an entire day of honesty and if Maddie succeeds, Elena must be entirely honest for a week. Before the truth bet can get interesting Elena learns some some brutal truths about her husband that she refuses to accept and fires Maddie yet again.

Maddie befriends Veronique’s daughter Natalii and confesses her crush on Elena despite the fact that she is insufferable and keeps firing her.  Natalii finds her refreshing and she is granted access to Veronique for one question. That question will change Maddie’s life forever and may help her succeed in getting the love of one very acerbic tongued media mogul.

This book has some of the best supporting characters. Felicity, who will be getting her own story The Awkward Truth releasing in November, is absolutely hilarious. She can’t understand Elena’s fascination with the grunge t-shirt wearing Aussie and is befuddled when Maddie seems to be unstoppable. “Well, look who it is. The star of the whole damn universe”.  “You’ll look at me all doe-eyed with that aw-shucks Australian innocence and explained it all just happened. If I didn’t somewhat like you I would poke your eyes out with a cheese knife. Well, I would, if cheese knives weren’t so bloody close to the cheese platter.”  Natalii and Veronique Duchamp are two larger than life characters who provide some comic relief as well.

This book is simply riddled with perfect dialogue. “Was it wrong to be jealous of the whole world who owned Madeleine now? They would see her magnificence and never let her go. Sure, she would miss her. Her smile could be quite cheeky. As was the way she looked at Elena, past her title and mask, as though what lay beneath was all that really mattered. She was unaccustomed to anyone caring that much for her.”  “Madeleine I have long admired beauty in all its forms. Your unblemished, creamy skin the way it dips and flows and glows with vitality. What lover of beautiful things could resist looking at it?” “Do you know how rare and beautiful it is for two watchful, lonely souls like us to find each other?”

That is what makes this book so special. It’s a story of two lonely souls who find the person they are meant for in the most unlikely of packages. Elena may have a global empire but is missing someone who sees behind the mask she wears. When Maddie comes along and starts pealing it away Elena realizes how truly lonely she has been. Maddie is the sweet, observant woman we all want to fall in love with. She finds in Elena a kindred spirit who pushes her to be her best.  Both of these characters are so well developed and this book is truly a brilliant piece of writing. Lee Winter is on my Mt Rushmore of lesbian fiction writers. She writes dialogue that is intelligent and filled with humor. There is just no one better at creating memorable characters who are thought provoking and entertaining.  I love this book and I highly recommend reading it or listening to it on Audible.

Mrs Middleton by Melissa Tereze

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Published: 3/20/21

If you’re looking for a tame, nice story about a older woman who watches Hallmark movies with her daughters best friend, this is not the book for you. Emma is returning to the UK after 18 months in Africa. Before she left she made a drunken phone call to her best friends mom, Vanessa confessing her love. Emma had met Lauren at university ten years ago and was immediately attracted to her mom. She spent most holidays and family dinners with the Middletons as she wasn’t close with her own family.

Upon Emma’s return she is invited to stay at Vanessa’s until she finds a place to rent. Vanessa and her husband, Richard, are divorcing and Lauren is leaving for Australia with her boyfriend. Emma tries to refuse knowing how difficult it will be to be around Vanessa after her declaration to no avail. Their mutual attraction is difficult to ignore especially after Emma discovers Vanessa partaking in a little self servicing. When they begin dating everything is perfect until Lauren discovers that her mom and best friend are involved.

The chemistry, both sexual and emotional, between Vanessa and Emma was intense. They are both well developed characters I want to be friends with Emma and I kind of want to make out with Vanessa. I try to put myself in Lauren’s shoes and I’m sure I would be disturbed if my mom and best friend were dating, but she still gets on my nerves. The dialogue is well written and I gravitated to Emma’s character. Given her background with her family her fear and her fear of abandonment, I wish that Vanessa would have handled things differently when their relationship came to light. Melissa Tereze is a great writer and this is one of her best.

The Last to Leave by Erica Lee

The Last to Leave
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Not even a broken nose can stop true love.

Nicole and Courtney have a combative history as athletes at rival high schools. Eight years after graduating they are invited to Cabo with Roberta, Nicole’s best friend and Fulton, Courtney’s best friend. Fulton plans to propose to Roberta and wants both of them to be there. Neither of them are thrilled, especially Nicole, who is still harboring anger over a broken nose Courtney gave her in a basketball game. That anger and hostility is quickly replaced with attraction. They give in  thinking that it’s a one time thing and when they return home they can go back to life pre Cabo. However, when Roberta needs help planning the wedding Nicole and Courtney find themselves spending more time together. It isn’t long before they both hope the other is the last to leave.

Erica Lee books always give me the feels. This one does that but also had me laughing out loud.  Favorite line-  “If you’re up for it, once your gluteus maximus heals, I’d like for you to use your strapeus averagous on me.” Nicole and Courtney chemistry is off the charts. Combine that with their witty banter, competitive nature, even in the bedroom, and this is a great book to relax by the pool with. Roberta, Fulton, and the girls families are well developed and are a great support system for Nicole and Courtney. The more Erica Lee books I read the more I appreciate her talent. Her characters are relatable and deal with  Her books leave a smile on your face and a lightness in your heart.

 

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Just Physical by Jae

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Published: 11/30/15
Tingly feelings all around

Jae has a lot of great books out. Several that are a lot newer than this one. But for me it’s a sentimental choice. This is the only book I’ve read with a lead character who suffers from MS.  I was diagnosed 19 years ago with MS right after I turned 30. The symptoms and emotions that Jill experiences are very similar to what I experienced. The fear of the unknown future that you face and not wanting to burden those you love. Jae captured those feelings perfectly.

Jill is an actress who is co-starring in a movie based on her friend Lauren’s screenplay. Lauren and Grace loved it up in the previous book in the series, Damage Control. Crash is a stunt woman working on the film. She is immediately attracted to the fiery redhead.  She commences with the wooing but Jill is having none of it as she has sworn off relationships, unwilling to burden anyone with her uncertain future. Jill, however, can’t seem to resist Crash’s charms.

This brings about the old no strings attached nudie fun. This doesn’t work because those pesky feelings get in the way for both of them. Crash would be easy to fall for, she’s super sweet and patient and does her best to understand the illness Jill has to deal with. I would date Crash in a second. I could sing Crash Into Me during a romantic moment because that would be too awesome not to do!

I love all of the books in Jae’s Hollywood Series but this one is close to my heart. Representation matters and to have a character with MS who I can relate to will always have this book in my favorites list. Jae delivers as usual.

 

The Headmistress by Milena McKay

The Headmistress
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Published: 2/10/21

The Delicate Things We Make is one of my favorite books of the year. With The Headmistress, Milena McKay has gone beyond the brilliance of her first novel and is now firmly ensconced as one of the elite writers of lesfic.

Sam Threadneedle was left as a baby at Three Dragons Academy and is now the math chair. Sam had never felt like she fit in, like she was always standing on the outside looking at her life as it passed her by. Three Dragons is the only home she has ever known and the only place she feels close to being seen. Sam is lonely, especially after a chance encounter with a beautiful woman who she can’t seem to get off her mind. The night in NYC with the woman is sprinkled throughout the book and it’s no wonder Sam can’t get stop thinking about her. As Magdalene says to Sam, “Could it be that, with one exception, you have done nothing reckless in your entire life?” Sam doesn’t do reckless but she had a hunger for Magdalene that isn’t satisfied, even after she arrives and appears to be on a mission to destroy Sam’s home.

Magdalene Nox is one of those characters that stick with you. She is a paradox, as most incredible ice queens are. She can be cold and unrelenting but in the next moment with Sam, she is gentle and open. They have an undeniable chemistry and the vulnerability they display with each other is lovely.

The supporting characters really add a lot to the story. Joanne, Sam’s mentor, the only person at Three Dragons aware of her penchant for the ladies, Lily, one of Sam’s students and Willoughby, the rotund cat who falls for Magdalene’s charms. As I have come to expect from Milena she interweaves these characters and plots seamlessly.

I will read anything Milena writes from now until I’m too old to give a damn about reading. She could write a history on the evolution of toilet paper and I will read it. I may need a glass or four of wine, but I will remain devoted and read whatever this talented writer puts out. Milena McKay’s writing is some of the most beautiful I have every had the privilege of reading. I am very grateful she has shared her gift with all of us.