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Moonlighters #3
Wherever Is Your Heart
How long, exactly, had June been coming to Moonie’s for the sole purpose of pining after the bartender?
She certainly didn’t come for the karaoke. Even though the karaoke made her smile sometimes. All these young queers with their off-key, bouncy energy. They made Mal smile, too, June knew. Even if Mal tended to hide her smiles.
But she saved them sometimes, for June.
Maybe Mal had secret smiles for other women, when June wasn’t around. There was probably no good reason for Mal Edwards, a bastion of stability and good sense, to see any kind of future with June anyway. Was it even fair to express feelings to a woman like that when you spent months away on the road?
But as another Pride weekend approaches, June’s fiftieth birthday and the eventual end of her long-haul trucking days loom in her mind, nestled against the memories of Moonie’s nights gone by where it felt like June and Mal came close—close to something happening, something real. Until June would inevitably chicken out. Retreat once again to life on the road.
It’s time for June to finally figure out her next act. And if she’s not brave enough to ask Mal Edwards to be part of it, she doesn’t deserve her, anyway.
After all. If you can’t tell a butch you love her during Pride, when the hell can you?
She certainly didn’t come for the karaoke. Even though the karaoke made her smile sometimes. All these young queers with their off-key, bouncy energy. They made Mal smile, too, June knew. Even if Mal tended to hide her smiles.
But she saved them sometimes, for June.
Maybe Mal had secret smiles for other women, when June wasn’t around. There was probably no good reason for Mal Edwards, a bastion of stability and good sense, to see any kind of future with June anyway. Was it even fair to express feelings to a woman like that when you spent months away on the road?
But as another Pride weekend approaches, June’s fiftieth birthday and the eventual end of her long-haul trucking days loom in her mind, nestled against the memories of Moonie’s nights gone by where it felt like June and Mal came close—close to something happening, something real. Until June would inevitably chicken out. Retreat once again to life on the road.
It’s time for June to finally figure out her next act. And if she’s not brave enough to ask Mal Edwards to be part of it, she doesn’t deserve her, anyway.
After all. If you can’t tell a butch you love her during Pride, when the hell can you?
95 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2022
About the author
Anita Kelly
10 books1,265 followersHi there! I'm a lover of romance of all stripes, and a writer of queer contemporary HEAs, including a forthcoming three-book series published by Forever. I live in the Pacific Northwest with my wife, our kiddo, a cat who loves me a little too much sometimes, and a three-legged dog who's a real dummy with a heart of gold. I love tea and frequently eat too much ice cream and hate myself a little afterwards.
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April 15, 2023Two women of fifty or so, both working non glamorous jobs (bartender and truck driver), both wearing XL sizes, getting their own book. That doesn't come along in romance every day. I liked this sweet novella enormously: both leads know their own minds, even if they're less sure of the other's intentions, and it's fabulous to get a book about older women having love and sex that doesn't actually depend on them not looking/feeling their age. I'm nearly fifty and my knees and back hurt. Give me romances with people whose knees and backs hurt.
April 21, 2023
➥ 2.5 Stars *:･ﾟ✧
Buddy read with Ashlee and Sam 😊💘.
Firstly, I'd like to mention how much potential this book had. Look at that stunning cover, the synopsis sounds amazing - two older plus-sized butch women with regular jobs falling in love -, and it's a novella.
Sadly, the execution was extremely disappointing, for Ashlee, Sam and I. One aspect that we all found quite jarring was the use of aggressive language, always calling people "bitch", "little fuck", or "d*ke". And generally, it felt like an attempt to prove their masculinity but I didn't like it at all. We could see it in other instances too.
Like? That's just so bizarre? This was from Mal's (h) perspective (the woman dressed in black on the cover).
This one was in June's (h) perspective. This usually happen in straight romance in the man's pov and I roll my eyes every single time. "I hate being scared" ok? Do you think anyone likes it hello? Macho shit fr 🥴.
You don't want her to be empathetic?? This is giving me flashbacks to when boys growl and say "facts over feelings". Even though this is between two butch women (where we can obviously expect some masculine traits), I didn't think emotional intelligence was out of the question.
Which leads me on to my next point: there is no reason to try to add backstory to a novella. And by that I mean that Mal was hung-up on her ex, Olivia, and kept comparing June to her. And then she actually describes Olivia to June and this is what she says 😀:
The way I'd be out the door if my current partner described their ex as "this real boss femme" and "hot as shit" with a "small smile" 😀🔪. I could not believe my EYES!
Now, as shitty as everything I mentioned above is, what most bothered me was how badly the romance was written. This book starts off by telling us that the characters have had crushes on each other for 5 fucking years. Yet we, as a reader, only see them interact after the 5 years?? So any of the growing fondness we're told they have for each other is something we're just told happened 🤷♀️. And just to reiterate, there is no need to do this in a novella. Sure, some books do dual-timelines to show second-chance romances or whatever, but this is a pretty short novella where all I ask for is for there to be a meet-cute where we see them gradually grow warm and fuzzy (and steamy) feeling for each other and live happily ever after.
I mean, I don't think it's rocket science to know that your characters shouldn't already be saying they love each other in the first chapter (or first 15%) of the book. This made it so that the romance was not believable at all. There was no trajectory of their feelings - we're just told they always had them so nothing really happens to further their growing feelings for each other - they just finally grow the balls to ask each other out and eventually smoke together.
Obviously I'm slightly bitter with disappointment, but at least now I can talk about a few aspects that I did enjoy. Other than the premise being strong, I liked the idea that Kelly had for the characters. I liked that, although Mal is kind of a baddie and June is more of a softie, that Mal likes to garden and cross stitch - CUTE!
And also (you know I have to comment on this - sorry), I actually really liked the sex scene. I thought it was true to the characters, loving, yet also hot. This box was definitely ticked for me.
Though...Mal laughing at June's surprisingly feminine moans was NOT on my bingo card. I would actually die of mortification if that happened to me like jesus. But I'm trying to forget about that so I can have at least one aspect that I firmly liked about this book 😞. There were also a few typos (small things like "fade" instead of "face") but I guess it's because this novella wasn't traditionally published?
Ultimately, I cannot confidently recommend this book to anyone, though I really wish I could. The premise was more than promising and the bones of this book were there, but the execution was flimsy, to put it kindly. I am hoping to come across more butch/butch romances though! 💘
Her eyebrow lowered. She shifted her gaze to focus straight ahead, matching mine. "Come on, June," she said, quiet, the sound of a hard shell softening. "You know I'd always come with you."
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
Buddy read with Ashlee and Sam 😊💘.
Firstly, I'd like to mention how much potential this book had. Look at that stunning cover, the synopsis sounds amazing - two older plus-sized butch women with regular jobs falling in love -, and it's a novella.
Sadly, the execution was extremely disappointing, for Ashlee, Sam and I. One aspect that we all found quite jarring was the use of aggressive language, always calling people "bitch", "little fuck", or "d*ke". And generally, it felt like an attempt to prove their masculinity but I didn't like it at all. We could see it in other instances too.
“I had dearly wanted to follow her and pummel her into the grass, but my knees hurt and it felt like too much effort at the time.
Brave.
Fuck my sister for implying I wasn’t brave.”
Like? That's just so bizarre? This was from Mal's (h) perspective (the woman dressed in black on the cover).
“In short: I was scared as shit.
And I hated being scared.”
This one was in June's (h) perspective. This usually happen in straight romance in the man's pov and I roll my eyes every single time. "I hate being scared" ok? Do you think anyone likes it hello? Macho shit fr 🥴.
"My parents are dead. Drove sloshed after leaving the bar one night when I was seventeen. Never made it home.”
Mal chewed on a piece of bacon. Her face remained steady, not betraying a hint of sympathy or surprise. Even in this, she was everything I wanted. “I’m sorry, June,” she said.”
You don't want her to be empathetic?? This is giving me flashbacks to when boys growl and say "facts over feelings". Even though this is between two butch women (where we can obviously expect some masculine traits), I didn't think emotional intelligence was out of the question.
Which leads me on to my next point: there is no reason to try to add backstory to a novella. And by that I mean that Mal was hung-up on her ex, Olivia, and kept comparing June to her. And then she actually describes Olivia to June and this is what she says 😀:
“My last relationship was with this woman Olivia,” she started. “We dated for six years. I thought we were endgame, you know?”
(...)
“She was this real boss femme.” Mal’s lips gentled, that small smile threatening to appear again. I tried my hardest to not want to pummel this Olivia person. “Hot as shit.”
The way I'd be out the door if my current partner described their ex as "this real boss femme" and "hot as shit" with a "small smile" 😀🔪. I could not believe my EYES!
Now, as shitty as everything I mentioned above is, what most bothered me was how badly the romance was written. This book starts off by telling us that the characters have had crushes on each other for 5 fucking years. Yet we, as a reader, only see them interact after the 5 years?? So any of the growing fondness we're told they have for each other is something we're just told happened 🤷♀️. And just to reiterate, there is no need to do this in a novella. Sure, some books do dual-timelines to show second-chance romances or whatever, but this is a pretty short novella where all I ask for is for there to be a meet-cute where we see them gradually grow warm and fuzzy (and steamy) feeling for each other and live happily ever after.
I mean, I don't think it's rocket science to know that your characters shouldn't already be saying they love each other in the first chapter (or first 15%) of the book. This made it so that the romance was not believable at all. There was no trajectory of their feelings - we're just told they always had them so nothing really happens to further their growing feelings for each other - they just finally grow the balls to ask each other out and eventually smoke together.
Obviously I'm slightly bitter with disappointment, but at least now I can talk about a few aspects that I did enjoy. Other than the premise being strong, I liked the idea that Kelly had for the characters. I liked that, although Mal is kind of a baddie and June is more of a softie, that Mal likes to garden and cross stitch - CUTE!
And also (you know I have to comment on this - sorry), I actually really liked the sex scene. I thought it was true to the characters, loving, yet also hot. This box was definitely ticked for me.
Though...Mal laughing at June's surprisingly feminine moans was NOT on my bingo card. I would actually die of mortification if that happened to me like jesus. But I'm trying to forget about that so I can have at least one aspect that I firmly liked about this book 😞. There were also a few typos (small things like "fade" instead of "face") but I guess it's because this novella wasn't traditionally published?
Ultimately, I cannot confidently recommend this book to anyone, though I really wish I could. The premise was more than promising and the bones of this book were there, but the execution was flimsy, to put it kindly. I am hoping to come across more butch/butch romances though! 💘
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
February 18, 2022
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
Anita Kelly has become one of my favorite authors in recent months. Those who haven’t heard of Love & Other Disasters yet, put this book on your TBR, buy it in your local bookstore or order it online! It’s sooo good!
Next to their full novel, Anita also wrote three novellas, all taking place in a queer Karaoke bar, the Moonie’s. And each of those novellas is amazing as well.
Wherever is Your Heart is the third and final novella, and it’s about two badass women, a trucker and a bartender, and at the same time, it’s so sweet and tender. Like Anita told me, this book is the quietest of all three, and maybe not for everyone, but definitely for me! Loved Mal and June together, and I smiled when they both sat in the truck and Mal tried to find the mints. I smiled so much more, and I always love that feeling in my belly when I just adore a couple and want to keep reading on and on. I can’t wait for Anita’s sophomore full novel, Something Wild & Wonderful, and am counting down the days until its release (a year from now, a year, sigh …)!
Thank you so much, Anita, for this ARC!
Anita Kelly has become one of my favorite authors in recent months. Those who haven’t heard of Love & Other Disasters yet, put this book on your TBR, buy it in your local bookstore or order it online! It’s sooo good!
Next to their full novel, Anita also wrote three novellas, all taking place in a queer Karaoke bar, the Moonie’s. And each of those novellas is amazing as well.
Wherever is Your Heart is the third and final novella, and it’s about two badass women, a trucker and a bartender, and at the same time, it’s so sweet and tender. Like Anita told me, this book is the quietest of all three, and maybe not for everyone, but definitely for me! Loved Mal and June together, and I smiled when they both sat in the truck and Mal tried to find the mints. I smiled so much more, and I always love that feeling in my belly when I just adore a couple and want to keep reading on and on. I can’t wait for Anita’s sophomore full novel, Something Wild & Wonderful, and am counting down the days until its release (a year from now, a year, sigh …)!
Thank you so much, Anita, for this ARC!
February 21, 2022
Quite simply obsessed with June and Mal. Two quiet butches who love each other!!!!
February 28, 2022
4.5/5
Anita Kelly continues to write these soft queer love stories that utterly destroy me. This book is all swoons and vibes (no third-act breakup, babes!!) and I loved every second of it. Mal & June are both in their 50s and have been basically eyeing and pining for each other across the bar at Moonie's. June finally decides to ask Mal ask out and what we have is a lovely little novella depicting the first few moments of their relationship.
Loved it!
April 14, 2023
The writing of this novella isn’t bad per se, I just didn’t like the language used by either of the characters.
I’ll readily admit that has to do with my own prejudices and stereotypical images, but using words like dyke never sit well with me. And these ladies use it frequently!
Certain scenes in this book just don’t add up and even make me uncomfortable.
These butches are a bit grumpy, maybe a lot jaded and tons insecure, it’s endearing but maddening. I somehow ended up liking and disliking this novella. Just something about the characters and the language that doesn’t feel right to me.
The more I think about this one, the more I discuss it with my buddy readers, the less I like it…
I’ll readily admit that has to do with my own prejudices and stereotypical images, but using words like dyke never sit well with me. And these ladies use it frequently!
Certain scenes in this book just don’t add up and even make me uncomfortable.
These butches are a bit grumpy, maybe a lot jaded and tons insecure, it’s endearing but maddening. I somehow ended up liking and disliking this novella. Just something about the characters and the language that doesn’t feel right to me.
The more I think about this one, the more I discuss it with my buddy readers, the less I like it…
March 7, 2022
DRC provided directly by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Representation: lesbian white protagonist, lesbian demisexual white protagonist, queer tertiary characters.
Content Warning: alcohol, anxiety.
Wherever Is Your Hear by Anita Kelly is the third and final (sadly) novella in the Moonlighters series, which centres a queer karaoke bar and the romances of its customers and employees.
June spent years sitting on the same stool at Moonie’s observing Mal, sharing with her anecdotes of her travels and falling in love with her, never having the courage to ask her out because of her work. The only exception being last Pride’s parade when June was almost on the point of asking Mal out, but chickened out before she could actually do it.
Mal spent years serving June her whiskeys, conversing with her and looking forward to those times when June was not driving all over the country on her truck as well, but still enjoying her time at work, with her customers and with herself.
What can I say? Anita Kelly did it again. This last novella was so heart-warming and such a nice and stark distinction to Anita’s previous novella Our Favorite Songs. I am yet to read the first entry in this majestic series (it is looking at me right now from its place on my shelf luring me to read it as if it was a siren, but alas it has to wait still a little longer), but I can undoubtedly state that this series of novellas is phenomenal and it will reach inside a lot of people’s hearts and stay there forever, warming them from the inside out. These novellas definitely do this for me.
As usual, I am having issues in expressing how much this novella touched me and I came up with this solution, a roundabout way of elaborating my thoughts and my feelings on Wherever Is Your Heart: comparing it and its predecessor to paintings. Perhaps, it will work, at least in this instance, as a way of saying how brilliant Anita, her writing and their series are.
While Our Favorite Songs to me was like a Jackson Pollock painting, a series of seemingly chaotic splashes of colour, disorganisedly forming a devastingly, visually impactful work; Wherever Is Your Heart is more like a Barbara Jaenicke oeuvre, a heart-warming, soft pastel panorama which enveloped me in its cosy atmosphere and lulled into a balmy stupor.
To put simply: I loved this book. I loved this series. I love this author.
Representation: lesbian white protagonist, lesbian demisexual white protagonist, queer tertiary characters.
Content Warning: alcohol, anxiety.
Wherever Is Your Hear by Anita Kelly is the third and final (sadly) novella in the Moonlighters series, which centres a queer karaoke bar and the romances of its customers and employees.
June spent years sitting on the same stool at Moonie’s observing Mal, sharing with her anecdotes of her travels and falling in love with her, never having the courage to ask her out because of her work. The only exception being last Pride’s parade when June was almost on the point of asking Mal out, but chickened out before she could actually do it.
Mal spent years serving June her whiskeys, conversing with her and looking forward to those times when June was not driving all over the country on her truck as well, but still enjoying her time at work, with her customers and with herself.
What can I say? Anita Kelly did it again. This last novella was so heart-warming and such a nice and stark distinction to Anita’s previous novella Our Favorite Songs. I am yet to read the first entry in this majestic series (it is looking at me right now from its place on my shelf luring me to read it as if it was a siren, but alas it has to wait still a little longer), but I can undoubtedly state that this series of novellas is phenomenal and it will reach inside a lot of people’s hearts and stay there forever, warming them from the inside out. These novellas definitely do this for me.
As usual, I am having issues in expressing how much this novella touched me and I came up with this solution, a roundabout way of elaborating my thoughts and my feelings on Wherever Is Your Heart: comparing it and its predecessor to paintings. Perhaps, it will work, at least in this instance, as a way of saying how brilliant Anita, her writing and their series are.
While Our Favorite Songs to me was like a Jackson Pollock painting, a series of seemingly chaotic splashes of colour, disorganisedly forming a devastingly, visually impactful work; Wherever Is Your Heart is more like a Barbara Jaenicke oeuvre, a heart-warming, soft pastel panorama which enveloped me in its cosy atmosphere and lulled into a balmy stupor.
To put simply: I loved this book. I loved this series. I love this author.
March 6, 2022
2022 Spring Bingo (#SpringIntoLoveBingo🌷): Feels Like Home
As someone who adores Brandi Carlile and queer romance novellas, this is *extremely* relevant to my interests.
As someone who adores Brandi Carlile and queer romance novellas, this is *extremely* relevant to my interests.
August 3, 2023
THIS WAS EVERYTHING???
so relative fiction coded if you ask me…tried not to giggle and kick my feet half of the time why the fuck was this so short. and why are . people hating on this . GET OUT
so relative fiction coded if you ask me…tried not to giggle and kick my feet half of the time why the fuck was this so short. and why are . people hating on this . GET OUT
June 29, 2024
Lovely romance between two butch lesbians around age 50 who have built a friendship over 5 years at Moonie’s bar, and both yearn for something more. Like all the Moonie’s novellas, this gives a snapshot of a moment in their lives as they begin a romance.
Romances for characters around age 50 and romances of butch x butch women pairings are both in short supply, so I especially loved this niche that use more representation.
Can be read as a standalone, though I enjoyed all 3.
The previous stories’ protagonists are referenced in passing as being in the bar and enjoying each others’ company, which is a nice little treat if you’ve read them as an affirmation that those young romances have continued.
But not at all necessary; none of the previous characters even speak to our characters in this one, and are truly just mentioned in passing. Previous couples are younger, in their 20’s, F/enby and M/M.
Anita Kelly has been 5 stars for me across these three novellas and the MM novel I read, so it’s safe to say I will be reading more of their work in the future!
Romances for characters around age 50 and romances of butch x butch women pairings are both in short supply, so I especially loved this niche that use more representation.
Can be read as a standalone, though I enjoyed all 3.
The previous stories’ protagonists are referenced in passing as being in the bar and enjoying each others’ company, which is a nice little treat if you’ve read them as an affirmation that those young romances have continued.
But not at all necessary; none of the previous characters even speak to our characters in this one, and are truly just mentioned in passing. Previous couples are younger, in their 20’s, F/enby and M/M.
Anita Kelly has been 5 stars for me across these three novellas and the MM novel I read, so it’s safe to say I will be reading more of their work in the future!
June 11, 2024
Cute. I love that this is a love story between two fifty-something’s. The miscommunication trope is the biggest third wheel on this date tho. I wasn’t a fan of that 🫠
November 12, 2023
OH MY GODDDDD
it’s been so long since a book has had me giggling and cheesing so damn bad. i literally have no bad notes! i loved this book so much im smiling just writing the review. i <3 butches i <3 older dykes. thank you jesus
it’s been so long since a book has had me giggling and cheesing so damn bad. i literally have no bad notes! i loved this book so much im smiling just writing the review. i <3 butches i <3 older dykes. thank you jesus
March 26, 2022
I didn't like this one as much as the other two in the series, but it was still pretty good! RTC.
July 13, 2024
a romcom novella inspired by a brandi carlile song? sure, i’ll bite.
March 12, 2022
My heart is so full! It was so good to be back at Moonie’s. I love everything about this series; this installment was especially heartwarming. It’s a soft, sweet story about two butch lesbians who decide to finally do something about their long-standing crush during Pride weekend. June’s plan involves a drive to the beach to see the sunrise, while Mal got tickets to see Brandi Carlile. I just adored watching them get to know each other outside of the bar and especially the way being 49 and 50 factors into what they want out of life. This is a novella and I would have read so much more about them but it’s also a perfect morsel. Anita Kelly is such a talented writer.
Characters: June is a 50 year old white butch lesbian trucker who wears glasses. Mal is a 49 year old white butch lesbian demisexual bartender. This is set in Portland, OR.
Content notes: June’s alcoholic parents died while driving drunk (past), on page sex, alcohol, marijuana, gendered insults, ableist language, mentions of back pain, reference to past death of Mal’s dad
Disclosure: I am friendly with the author online.
Characters: June is a 50 year old white butch lesbian trucker who wears glasses. Mal is a 49 year old white butch lesbian demisexual bartender. This is set in Portland, OR.
Content notes: June’s alcoholic parents died while driving drunk (past), on page sex, alcohol, marijuana, gendered insults, ableist language, mentions of back pain, reference to past death of Mal’s dad
Disclosure: I am friendly with the author online.
July 25, 2024
Maybe I should pay more attention to Anita Kelly from now on - this was my fourth story of theirs and I loved it too.
The OLDER MCs! The BUTCH LESBIANS! This is the story of Mal, the Moonie's bartender, and one of Moonie's customers, June. And June is a TRUCK DRIVER!! Gosh, how awesome are these jobs? Like, something other than the usual occupation found in romance
And OMG, their love story felt so mature - talking about their life, their experience, the dreams they left behind. AND, despite that they were both described as butch/dyke, when it was just June and Mal, it felt... soft... and tender. That moment by the ocean? Swoon!
The only thing missing, for me maybe, was the karaoke scenes. The previous two novellas have them in abundances. But June and Mal didn't really sing here, although music was still part of their story, as they listened to it on their trip. Still it was rather differen't
By the way, this novella had one of the BEST LINE ever... when June said "We're going to look like two beached whales" ... Mal replied with "Good. Whales are majestic as fuck"
HELL YEAH, WHALES ARE MAJESTIC!!
The OLDER MCs! The BUTCH LESBIANS! This is the story of Mal, the Moonie's bartender, and one of Moonie's customers, June. And June is a TRUCK DRIVER!! Gosh, how awesome are these jobs? Like, something other than the usual occupation found in romance
And OMG, their love story felt so mature - talking about their life, their experience, the dreams they left behind. AND, despite that they were both described as butch/dyke, when it was just June and Mal, it felt... soft... and tender. That moment by the ocean? Swoon!
The only thing missing, for me maybe, was the karaoke scenes. The previous two novellas have them in abundances. But June and Mal didn't really sing here, although music was still part of their story, as they listened to it on their trip. Still it was rather differen't
By the way, this novella had one of the BEST LINE ever... when June said "We're going to look like two beached whales" ... Mal replied with "Good. Whales are majestic as fuck"
HELL YEAH, WHALES ARE MAJESTIC!!
June 3, 2024
Very cute and soft little wlw novella between two older butch lesbians. One is a trucker, one is the terrifying bartender at the Moony bar. Both are quietly pining for the other, making a gesture, reminiscing on past pining. This was very cute, and is set during Pride which felt fitting to pick up in June.
Audio is also currently available on Hoopla which is a bonus!
Audio is also currently available on Hoopla which is a bonus!
February 3, 2022
Another perfect Moonie's novella. My heart is so full <3
April 18, 2023
First of all, how great is it that we got a queer romance with two lesbians aged 50?
It's awesome.
I'm 49 and would love if there were more adult and mature MCs around my age in romance, or at least just a decade younger? (although I feel very comfortably in the middle of my adult life, I get that for 20-30 year old readers a book with 50 year old MCs may not be that appealing).
This novella was a bit shorter than the first two in the series (around 95 pages) and had a different vibe to it, too. It felt calm and quiet.
I liked the storyline, but not as much as in the previous books.
Both FMCs were different from every other FMC I've read about. June was a long distance truck driver and Mal a bartender. Both didn't open up easily, but had been sure of their own feelings for the other for a long time. I loved how June got them to finally talk and spend time together.
Being around their ages myself I found their returning thoughts of being so old and in pain (because of their age and demanding jobs) a bit extreme, they felt more like 65 year olds to me. But maybe at 65 I won't accept being old, either, so maybe my take on life is the issue, not the characters' 😁.
4 stars.
It's awesome.
I'm 49 and would love if there were more adult and mature MCs around my age in romance, or at least just a decade younger? (although I feel very comfortably in the middle of my adult life, I get that for 20-30 year old readers a book with 50 year old MCs may not be that appealing).
This novella was a bit shorter than the first two in the series (around 95 pages) and had a different vibe to it, too. It felt calm and quiet.
I liked the storyline, but not as much as in the previous books.
Both FMCs were different from every other FMC I've read about. June was a long distance truck driver and Mal a bartender. Both didn't open up easily, but had been sure of their own feelings for the other for a long time. I loved how June got them to finally talk and spend time together.
Being around their ages myself I found their returning thoughts of being so old and in pain (because of their age and demanding jobs) a bit extreme, they felt more like 65 year olds to me. But maybe at 65 I won't accept being old, either, so maybe my take on life is the issue, not the characters' 😁.
4 stars.
February 17, 2022
I have all of the feelings. This was so soft and wonderful and perfect. These two women are just so delightful. The mutual pining? The way they’ve loved each other for so long? It’s just too good for words.
The author sent me an advanced copy. But all opinions are my own.
The author sent me an advanced copy. But all opinions are my own.
April 2, 2022
4.5* so fucking cute
May 2, 2022
I love how this one didn't have drama. It was adorable, sweet and very romantic.
January 1, 2023
3.0 stars
Meh. I wanted more from this. I enjoyed the whole two older butch lesbians falling in love later in life kinda thing, but I just wasn't feeling it, ya know?
Meh. I wanted more from this. I enjoyed the whole two older butch lesbians falling in love later in life kinda thing, but I just wasn't feeling it, ya know?
June 7, 2022
4.25 stars- I liked that the MCs were older, which is rare in romance. I loved that there was no break-up or misunderstanding twist in it. It just ended happily!
February 12, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a free digital ARC from the author. I am friendly with the author online. All opinions expressed are my own.
I want to write an articulate review, I do. But right now it’s all FEELINGS and I don’t know how to put them into words! I just…I love Anita’s writing so much. Yes, this is a gentle book but sometimes it’s the softest experiences that make you feel the most.
Overall rating: 5
Hannah Angst Scale™️ Rating: 3.75 (big feelings but so soft)
Content notes: MC’s parents died while driving drunk (past), on page alcohol and marijuana use, on page sex
I want to write an articulate review, I do. But right now it’s all FEELINGS and I don’t know how to put them into words! I just…I love Anita’s writing so much. Yes, this is a gentle book but sometimes it’s the softest experiences that make you feel the most.
Overall rating: 5
Hannah Angst Scale™️ Rating: 3.75 (big feelings but so soft)
Content notes: MC’s parents died while driving drunk (past), on page alcohol and marijuana use, on page sex
March 1, 2022
Hand on heart perfection. Just two butch lesbians pushing 50, pining for each other and falling in love during snatched moments in a queer karaoke bar. Gorgeously written, romantic af and soft soft soft.
July 12, 2023
#1 sing anyway ★★★★★
#2 our favorite songs ★☆☆☆☆
#3 wherever is your heart ★☆☆☆☆
sometimes i love a nice, quiet story but this one doesn’t work for me
content/trigger warnings; alcohol consumption, ableism, drunk driving related death of parents mentioned, explicit sexual content, drug use,
rep; june (mc) is a butch lesbian. mal (mc) is a butch, demisexual lesbian.
this is a very slow, quiet story where very little happens and very little is said. the characters insist they’re in love with each other, despite only interacting for a little bit once a month at mal’s work and mainly making surface level conversation. i don’t know why i’m supposed to buy their love or connection. sorry but “sometimes you just know” doesn’t cut it. there’s a lot of “she deserves better than me” which i can’t stand because it completely negates her autonomy, let her decide what she deserves, instead of projecting your insecurities onto her. and there’s several random lines here and there that just rubbed me the wrong way or made me go “....what?”. overall, i was bored and didn’t care.
#2 our favorite songs ★☆☆☆☆
#3 wherever is your heart ★☆☆☆☆
sometimes i love a nice, quiet story but this one doesn’t work for me
content/trigger warnings; alcohol consumption, ableism, drunk driving related death of parents mentioned, explicit sexual content, drug use,
rep; june (mc) is a butch lesbian. mal (mc) is a butch, demisexual lesbian.
this is a very slow, quiet story where very little happens and very little is said. the characters insist they’re in love with each other, despite only interacting for a little bit once a month at mal’s work and mainly making surface level conversation. i don’t know why i’m supposed to buy their love or connection. sorry but “sometimes you just know” doesn’t cut it. there’s a lot of “she deserves better than me” which i can’t stand because it completely negates her autonomy, let her decide what she deserves, instead of projecting your insecurities onto her. and there’s several random lines here and there that just rubbed me the wrong way or made me go “....what?”. overall, i was bored and didn’t care.
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March 20, 2022I would read an Anita Kelly book every day if it were possible. This one follows two older butch women, a bartender and a truck driver, who have been quietly pining for each other for years and both finally decide to take a chance during Pride. Tender, sexy, and very romantic.
March 1, 2022
I loved this So so much, and related to Mal and June so hard. Their love is quiet but it shines through every moment of the story, every word and every action and every look they share. I also loved that the conflict wasn't external. It was an internal will-she-or-won't-she brooding that was easily dispelled. The getting together was so natural and comfortable it just felt right.
The writing is so beautiful and I highlighted so many lines to refer back to. The one about being alone but together was just. Exactly how I've always felt with my partner. I crave that quiet companionship and it was so nice to see it on the page. Also, I too went to college in California and then went up the coast to (almost) Oregon and love the rugged pacific coast so. This novella stole my heart in a lot of different ways.
Even though I haven't read the first two novellas -- which I will remedy now -- it was easy to know and love Mal and June. They were just so honest and easy together, and felt so real and present as characters despite the fact that this is a novella. The customers at the bar were only on the page for a brief time but I am intrigued by them and excited to read more.
*thanks to Anita Kelly for providing an e-arc for review.
The writing is so beautiful and I highlighted so many lines to refer back to. The one about being alone but together was just. Exactly how I've always felt with my partner. I crave that quiet companionship and it was so nice to see it on the page. Also, I too went to college in California and then went up the coast to (almost) Oregon and love the rugged pacific coast so. This novella stole my heart in a lot of different ways.
Even though I haven't read the first two novellas -- which I will remedy now -- it was easy to know and love Mal and June. They were just so honest and easy together, and felt so real and present as characters despite the fact that this is a novella. The customers at the bar were only on the page for a brief time but I am intrigued by them and excited to read more.
*thanks to Anita Kelly for providing an e-arc for review.
January 18, 2023
3.5 stars rounded down.
I liked the idea of this and the sentence-to-sentence writing. But something about it dragged. I stalled out for a week or so around 33% — I’d only read pages, and yet it felt like I’d read well over 100.
Once I started again (and they got out of Moonie’s) it did pick up, but still wasn’t as engaging as I wanted it to be.
Contains: FF, both butch, 50 + late 40s, truck driver + bartender, friends, pining, finally going to shoot my shot, karaoke bar, mini road trip, ocean, Pacific Northwest, weed
Steam: 1 scene, fully detailed
I liked the idea of this and the sentence-to-sentence writing. But something about it dragged. I stalled out for a week or so around 33% — I’d only read pages, and yet it felt like I’d read well over 100.
Once I started again (and they got out of Moonie’s) it did pick up, but still wasn’t as engaging as I wanted it to be.
Contains: FF, both butch, 50 + late 40s, truck driver + bartender, friends, pining, finally going to shoot my shot, karaoke bar, mini road trip, ocean, Pacific Northwest, weed
Steam: 1 scene, fully detailed
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