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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Ignis by KJ

Ignis
Published: 8/3/21
The brilliance of KJ

I don’t like this book. I completely love it. I read it in just a few hours, ignoring my duties as a dog and human mother and I don’t even feel bad about it. KJ’s books usually leave me all warm and fuzzy. This doesn’t have the same effect. It’s a thrilling, stressful but deeply satisfying ride. This is  KJ’s magnus opus.

Felicity Davis is the principal of Rawson Girls Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia. She is featured in both Coming Home and Art of Magic. This is her back story and after having read it, her strength is even more admirable. A student at a neighboring school disappears and inspector Tal Diamandis comes to the school to speak with Felicity. There is an instant connection between the two. Tal has difficulty getting a read on Felicity, which makes her all the more fascinating.

There are a lot of other occurrences that keep Tal and Felicity in each others orbit and working together to try to set things right. Tal is nonbinary and is the perfect match for Felicity. Tal and Felicity both exhibit strength of character, while showing each other their vulnerability.

This book kept me on the edge of my couch. Felicity is such a great character and I am so glad she got a story worthy of her. KJ is one of my favorite authors and I love that she gave us something unexpected. Anyone who reads this won’t soon forget it. Ignis is an exceptionally well written book.

 

No More Secrets by Jamey Moody

No More Secrets
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Time Can't Stop True Love

Jamey Moody has written a heartfelt happily ever after that proves that true love doesn’t have an expiration date. Actress/Producer Krista Kyle runs a lesbian hideaway resort  with her best friend Julia Lansing. She is nursing a broken heart after her breakup from reporter Brooke Bell. Brooke reconnected with her first love and Krista was left shattered.

Upon learning of the breakup, Krista’s first love Melanie Zimmer shows up with her daughters, who were children when they first met at the resort. The girls now have children of their own and have remained in touch with Krista.

I like how the book goes back to the beginning and you experience the joy of them falling in love and find out how many obstacles got in the way to them making it work over the years. It can sometimes take longer than expected but your heart always returns to the one who makes it come to life.

An ARC was provided by the author for an honest review.

 

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.

The Goodmans by Clare Ashton

The Goodmans
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Published: 2018
Family drama in a idyllic British village.

The Goodmans by Clare Ashton is my favorite book. I want to be a member of this loving, crazy family. I want to hang out with Celia, the grandmother and get my medicinal relief. I want to rage against the annoying neighbor and civil injustices with Maggie. I want to make fun of everyone with Eli. I want to encourage Jude to see the wonder that is her mother and I want to hug the mess out of Abby and Richard.

Jude is a doctor who spends the weekends in her hometown with her family and best friend Abby. She has no clue that Abby is head over heels in love with her. It takes her overhearing her brother and seeing the look of despair on Abby’s face when Bill, Jude’s boarish boyfriend, proposes to open her eyes to the truth. Abby is the quintessential girl next door. She’s a doctor as well and the whole town loves her because she is kind and attentive. After Abby’s mother died tragically while her and Jude were in college, the Goodmans made her a part of the family.

Abby feels a particular closeness with Maggie, who became a surrogate mother for her. Jude loves her mother but is more than often annoyed and exasperated with her behavior. I think one of the many reasons I adore Maggie so much is because she reminds me of my own mother. My mom was obnoxious and smothering but she had the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known.  Maggie has all of these same qualities and more. She is the heart and soul of this book and I adore her completely.

Maggie and her husband Richard are separated but still live in the same house. They have decided to tell the family they are divorcing until Eli shows up with his new fiance. Everything after turns Maggie’s world upside down and the ride is surprising, exhilarating and beautiful. I will reread this book many times and have a tear in my eye every time for years to come. Clare Ashton has created a literary masterpiece.

About Me

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My name is Laura Green and I am a huge fan of lesbian fiction books. I spend way too many nights missing out on sleep to enjoy getting lost in a fictional world. It helps to get out of my own head for a while and relax. This last year has been tough and reading has been a wonderful escape for me.

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