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Begin Again…Again by Addison Clarke

Begin Again...Again
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Published: 4/28/22
A Moonflower Cove Novella

Hayden Forrester has just gotten the worst news imaginable. And all she can think of is that she has to tell her best friend. Molly Jaymes that she’s been in love with her for years, before it’s too late. She quits her job and heads to Moonflower Cove, Maine, where all the lesbians go, to confess her love.

Molly is shocked to see her best friend Hayden on her doorstep. Her momentary happiness at hearing that Hayden loves her turns to sorrow when she discovers what prompted the urgent reason Hayden confessed her feelings.

This Moonflower Cove novella is just as adorable as the previous books in this series. Addison Clarke keeps impressing me with her writing and the wonderful characters she creates. Hayden and Molly are both lovely and I found myself hoping for a miracle, so they enjoy being happy and in love.  Of course, we get to enjoy time with our favorite Moonflower Cove characters, including Mason, who finds herself experiencing that unfamiliar feeling of jealousy when she witnesses the love between Molly and Hayden. I’m looking forward to Mason finding happiness in a future book.

This is a heartfelt read that made me smile, while also causing some anxiety. I love these characters and wish I could travel to Addison Clarke’s lesbian mecca in Maine to hang out with them. I am eagerly anticipating the next story in the series.

An ARC was received from the author for an honest review.

 

Champagne Problems by Addison Clarke

Champagne Problems
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Published: 3/10/22
A Moonflower Cove Romance

Emily Crawford is in her final year in the MBA program and is excited to take the Women and Sexualities in Literature with Professor Sophia Beachamp. She doesn’t expect the icy reception she receives from the professor, despite hearing that she was a bit on the bitchy side. Sophia doesn’t understand why a business major would take her class and take a spot away from an English student. It isn’t long before Sophia regrets her judgement, not only is Emily the best student in her class, she sparks feelings in Sophia that she hasn’t had for a very long time.

Sophia Beauchamp has been my favorite character since State of Grace, the first book in Addison Clarke’s Moonflower Cove series. Sophia’s fierce protectiveness of her friend Alexis endeared her to me immediately, not to mention the wicked sharp tongue and sexy French accent. I am so happy that Addison gave us Emily and Sophia’s story. Emily may be much younger than Sophia, but she has a maturity that comes from her less than stellar childhood. She has wonderful friends but until Sophia comes into her life, she doesn’t have that person who puts her first and protects her at all costs.

Sophia may have been in Moonflower Cove for a while, but she didn’t have a group of friends. She fled France for a fresh start and left her family and failed relationships behind her. Emily not only gives her a love unlike she has ever experienced, she gives her a set of friends who welcome her into their group and give her a family. Not to say that I loved Sophia all of the time. She had some moments where I wanted to shake her a bit because she kept things from Emily that were pretty significant. Since this is a backstory, we already know that Emily and Sophia overcome that speed bump in their relationship and are one of the most stable couples in this idyllic lesbian mecca.

I really like the way Addison Clarke writes. She obviously has a great deal of affection for these characters and it’s contagious. She has a wonderful way of making them relatable, lovable, yet still flawed and striving to better themselves. I want to visit Moonflower Cove and hang out with the many lesbian couples who make the town home. I want to listen to Sophia say French words to me and I want to meet Emily, make her my friend and give her a big hug. I encourage all of you to visit Moonflower Cove. You will want to go back again and again.

An ARC received from the author for an honest review.

State of Grace by Addison Clarke

State of Grace
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Published: 8/12/21

State of Grace is an impressive debut novel from Addison Clarke. It is the first offering in the Moonflower Cove series, set in idyllic Moonflower Cove, Maine.

Actress Blake Calloway has spent seven years starring on a hit tv show. Her ex-girlfriend and current manager is waiting to hear whether it will be picked up by another network. Blake is cleaning out her father’s condo after his death and finds letters from her mother that her father had kept from her. Her father had told her she was unfit and Blake, at five years old, never saw her mother or sister again.

Blake decides to head to Moonflower Cove, Maine to reconnect with her mother and get some of her questions answered. Blake’s mother, Isla, is shocked but thrilled to see Blake again after so many years. She takes Blake to her farmhouse and introduces her to her wife Vera and their children as well as Blake’s sister Mason, who was only three years old when they last saw each other.

Alexis Holland has worked at Isla’s bar, Straight to Ale, since she was eighteen years old. Alexis is a big fan of Blake’s show and even writes fanfiction. She has a five year old daughter Harper. Alexis’s best friend Sophia and her partner live near door to Alexis and have been a lot of help to her in raising Harper. Alexis’s relationship with her family is nearly nonexistent but her chosen family have been there for her through a lot of difficult times.

Blake and Alexis have chemistry almost immediately. They are both so comfortable around each other. Blake always has people who want something from her but with Alexis she feels as if she can just be herself. Alexis can’t fathom what a rich, beautiful actress would want with her. Alexis has been through a lot and is weary of opening her heart when Blake will be leaving to return to her acting career. Will they find the courage to listen to their hearts or will fear and self doubt destroy their chance for love?

I really enjoyed this book. Blake and Alexis are charming and it’s easy to feel empathy for them. Blake having been separated from her mom and sister and the trauma that Alexis suffered make it very easy to want the best for them. The supporting characters fit perfectly, from Alexis’s adorable daughter, Harper, to her best friend and protector Sophia. Blake’s mother and her wife are important characters who give Blake the first semblance of a home and a family. Moonflower Cove also seems to be the mecca for lesbians in Maine, even the mayor likes the ladies!  This is my kind of town and I am looking forward to the second book in the series.