Hers for the Weekend by Helena Greer Cardigan’s Christmasland series #3. Contemporary sapphic romance. Fake relationship troupe. Can be read as a standHers for the Weekend by Helena Greer Cardigan’s Christmasland series #3. Contemporary sapphic romance. Fake relationship troupe. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series since couples from the previous books are secondary characters in this book. No-nonsense lawyer Tara Sloane Chadwick has been invited to her ex’s wedding. At Carrigan’s Christmasland. It’s not just a polite invite. They want her to attend. In a moment of panic, she commits to attending but tells them she’s bringing her new girlfriend. Now she just needs to find one. Holly Delaney is a waitress and baker and is being pressure to go home to Iowa for Christmas where her family is as well as her ex-wife. When Tara asks Holly to be her fake plus one at holiday wedding at Carrigan’s Christmasland, she jumps on the excuse to not go home. Plus, she’s got a major crush on Tara so it’s the perfect opportunity to have a fun fling and then walk away. A perfect setup in her mind. Tara and Holly agree to a temporary arrangement but feelings soon get in the way as well of their jobs and lifestyles. They will have to decide if they stick to the breakup plan or take a chance on more.
Both women have a past that’s getting in their way of a future. It will take their friends and a lot of self analysis to move forward. Neither wants to change their life. Plenty of angst, more sizzling steam between all the couples, and lots of cutesy Jewish Christmasland and wedding traditions. Reconnect took too long on the calendar IMO but I know the in depth heart searching couldn’t have been easy. It was fun to have the previous characters integrated into this story which I assume is the last in the series. Holiday romance. Holiday magic.
The Third Daughter by Adrienne Tooley Betrayal Prophecies series #1. YA fantasy. Slow burn romance. A prophecy rules the citizens of Velle. It’s said tThe Third Daughter by Adrienne Tooley Betrayal Prophecies series #1. YA fantasy. Slow burn romance. A prophecy rules the citizens of Velle. It’s said the third daughter of the third daughter will be the New Maiden all powerful ruler. Eloise, the eldest of the current ruler feels cheated from the crown when the prophecy child is born. Elodie also wants to protect the child, her sister, and finds a way to put her to sleep for years. Sabine didn’t mean for the treatment to be for years. It was a mistake. Sabine and Elodie work together and discover there is more to the prophecy.
I’ve never been a fan of political manipulation. While this may start out that way, there is a lot below the surface that is positive and well meaning. This is not a betrayal of family but rather protective. Besides the nasty father, of course. Much of the plot twists and story is wrapped up in this first of series, with the exception of the additional detail from the prophecy at the end, so it will be interesting to see what direction the series may go. ...more
Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous by Mae Marvel Contemporary sapphic romance. Diverse. Dual POV. Second chance troupe. Wilifred Greene and Katie PEveryone I Kissed Since You Got Famous by Mae Marvel Contemporary sapphic romance. Diverse. Dual POV. Second chance troupe. Wilifred Greene and Katie Price were best friends during their school years. But Katie left for Hollywood at eighteen and the two haven’t seen each other in person for thirteen years. Katie is coming home for the year-end holidays. While they haven’t talked to each other in person, they have kept behind the scenes. Both have millions of followers. Katie as a famous actress, and Wil as a famous TikTok influencer with a goal of kissing two new people every week. Maybe now they are both home in Green Bay, Wisconsin they can actually talk about their feelings for each other.
Second Night Stand by Karelia and Fay Stetz-Waters Sapphic romance. Diverse. Izzy Wells doesn’t have time for more than an occasional hookup. She has aSecond Night Stand by Karelia and Fay Stetz-Waters Sapphic romance. Diverse. Izzy Wells doesn’t have time for more than an occasional hookup. She has a theater to renovate though she doesn’t have the money. She enters the Great American talent show hoping the win would be able to help save the building and continue to make it a safe place for queer performers. Lillian Jackson has sacrificed everting for ballet, including a personal life. She enters the Great American Talent show hoping to use the winnings to keep her all-Black ballet company afloat. Izzy and Lillian have a history. Sure, it was only one night, but being in competition against each other now stirs buried feelings of what could have been. And what might be. Their chemistry together was sizzling and neither can forget. Would it be too much to hope to make their dreams work?
TV reality show competition vs. two dedicated professional woman that have strong goals and need for those winning points. Attraction and great sex are wonderful but when weighed against a possibility of losing everything they’ve worked for, it’s not enough. Or maybe it is? Strong, unique women. A stage and all the family of theater that’s a bit brash and real. It’s not always comfortable. But as family, they are a collective unit with a mutual goal. From the inside. Interesting, romantic and positive but too much theater for me in the whole. 3.5
Remedial Magic by Melissa Marr A Course in Magic series #1. Mandatory adult magic school. LGBTQ+ Fantasy romance. Cliffhanger. Multiple POV. Multiple rRemedial Magic by Melissa Marr A Course in Magic series #1. Mandatory adult magic school. LGBTQ+ Fantasy romance. Cliffhanger. Multiple POV. Multiple relationships. Prospero is a powerful witch from the magical land of Crenshaw. She believes in a prophecy that has an uninitiated witch as a the key in saving their homeland. Prospero takes steps to ensure that powers are awakened. Three new witches arrive in Crenshaw and must learn the rules of their new situations.
At Her Service by Amy Spalding Out in Hollywood series #2. Sapphic romance. Can be read as a stand-alone. New Adult. Max Van Doren has a great job as aAt Her Service by Amy Spalding Out in Hollywood series #2. Sapphic romance. Can be read as a stand-alone. New Adult. Max Van Doren has a great job as a Talent Agent Assistant. She juggles tasks, phone calls, errands and reads scripts. Sure, she’d love to have her boss’s job one day, but she’s still learning. And her job keeps her busy so she really hasn’t made any friends. She does have a favorite neighborhood bar but that may be because she has a huge crush on the bartender, Sadie. Max has goals but she is not really sure how to make them a reality. Roommate Chelsey, a gorgeous and self-assured influencer convinces Max to sign up for a new self-actualization app and document the process through Chelsey’s page. Max now has actionable items for her career, finding new friends, gaining strength and moving forward on love. Max feels like her life is finally coming together. But the public exposure can also cause problems.
Oh the angst of dating, career and responsibilities. It can be daunting in your 20’s. Or 30’s. Or any age. This story has heart and drama. It has sexy love and uncomfortable friendships. It has career ambitions and uncertainty. It’s has feel good moments galore as Max learns more about herself and what she really wants. And it has love. It takes work but finding and keeping love does. And it’s okay. Chase your dreams. You’re worth it.
How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly Love & Other Disasters series #3. Contemporary sapphic sports romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as pHow You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly Love & Other Disasters series #3. Contemporary sapphic sports romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series. The couple from the previous book are secondary characters in this book. Julie Parker coaches a high school basketball team. She has a new student with enough attitude for the whole team. When the new foster parent shows up to support the teen, Julie knows it’s the perfect time to fill the open slot of assistant coach. Julie is a little star stuck by Elle Cochrane as a former WNBA player. As the two work together, sparks fly and soon practice turns to game on.
Depth of characters here include depression, self-labeling, imposter syndrome, adult friendships, and migraines, all of which are over and above being a foster parent of a teen. I loved the level of communication between these women. Open, heartfelt and not afraid to touch the difficult topics.
Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings Contemporary sapphic romance. Opal Devlin likes to do things for people. Even when she can’t afford it herself. Winning tLate Bloomer by Mazey Eddings Contemporary sapphic romance. Opal Devlin likes to do things for people. Even when she can’t afford it herself. Winning the lottery is a surprise bonus she never expected. She also didn’t expect friends to immediately expect a handout. Opal takes the money and buys a farm, thinking she can finally make her art into a business. But when she gets there, she finds that the farm is still actively growing flowers and Pepper didn’t know her mother had sold the property out from under her. Opal and Pepper agree to coexist on the farm while they both make decisions on their future.
Lots of life planning, some angst, a bit of loving, and quite a few flower arrangements and metaphorical flower analogies.
Unchartered by Alli Temple A Pirate and Her Princess series #1. Historical F-F romance. Closed door. Georgina lives in a very strict society of nobles Unchartered by Alli Temple A Pirate and Her Princess series #1. Historical F-F romance. Closed door. Georgina lives in a very strict society of nobles and oppressed. She discreetly carries notes hidden within her petticoats as part of a resistance group. One afternoon, upon returning home, she finds she’s been sold to the Prince as his new bride. When she overhears his plans to have her killed, she manages to escape with the help of friends but ends up in the bowels of a pirate ship, kidnapped. Pirate Captain Cinder is a terror on the open sea, striking fear wherever she sails. But Georgina knows this fierce Captain as her childhood friend she thought dead. Maybe she’s not in as much danger as she thought.
An epic adventure of kidnapping, running, hiding, overcoming obstacles and surviving when everything in life is scary, uncontrolled and threatening. Georgina wants to prove herself and ends up swabbing the deck, climbing the lines and trying to reconnect with her first love. Lots of twists and turns, hardships and continued hope as the ship travels from stop to stop on the way to her future. Suspenseful and riveting. Resilience. Georgina has it....more
Open Road 2 by Karmen Lee Contemporary lgbtq+ romance novella. Own-voice. Can be read as a stand-alone. Kandice is dating Robert, her boss at the schoolOpen Road 2 by Karmen Lee Contemporary lgbtq+ romance novella. Own-voice. Can be read as a stand-alone. Kandice is dating Robert, her boss at the school where she works. But it doesn’t feel right. She’s not feeling passionate about the relationship and she can’t help comparing it to her former relationship with Rebekah. With Rebekah, she felt alive but with Robert, she just feels blah. Kandice needs to self access her life choices.
Self assessment and awareness is the focus of this coming out short romance. It is a continuation of the first book in the series where you are introduced to all the characters and situations. There are a couple of graphic sexual and erotic scenes between Kandice and Rebekah....more
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilser Contemporary sapphic (F-F) sports romance. New adult. Phoebe Matthews gets her greatest wish and is drafted to play soccer oCleat Cute by Meryl Wilser Contemporary sapphic (F-F) sports romance. New adult. Phoebe Matthews gets her greatest wish and is drafted to play soccer on the U.S. Women’s National Team. She develops a crush on the Captain of the team, Grace Henderson, and the two start a relationship as they manage life, career and outside pressures.
Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert Dark Olympus series #5. Retelling mythology. Romance with erotica elements. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert Dark Olympus series #5. Retelling mythology. Romance with erotica elements. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series. Aphrodite is forced to marry the new Hephaestus for political reasons, and the 13. She plans leverage by seducing Pandora, the only person he seems to care about. He retaliates by seducing Adonis, her ex-lover. Lines blur and emotions get entangled. But Olympus is far from stable and enemies may be closer than they realize.
Consort of Fire by Kit Rocha Bound to Fire and Steel series #1. Fantasy. Dragons, romance, lgbtq+, erotica elements. For three thousand years, an ancieConsort of Fire by Kit Rocha Bound to Fire and Steel series #1. Fantasy. Dragons, romance, lgbtq+, erotica elements. For three thousand years, an ancient dragon god has protected the borders of the Sheltered Lands. He makes one demand that the mortal ruler must send an heir to serve him. In the year 2999, Sachi is the thirty first to be sacrificed to the dragon. She has been trained for what ever might be her duties including seduction. But she also has secrets. First, she is an orphan rather than an heir. Second, her handmaid, Zanya, is an assassin. Third, Sachi is cursed. She and Zanya have five weeks to murder the Dragon. If she fails, it means her very soul. The Dragon too has secrets and the first is that he wants to possess both women.
A bit on the dark side as the women are being forced to comply with the kill order under threat plus there is cruelty from the priests in belittling them. Sashi is vulnerable in protecting her best friend and lover and the priests take full advantage of her. It made me angry. There is also reference to the women being drugged in their training so that didn’t help ,y attitude. Fortunately the ancient Dragon is a good guy and protective of the women. This is on the erotic side of the romance genre. Whew! I can’t wait to see where this goes.
I received a copy of this from NetGallety. ...more
The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur Contemporary F-F romance. Fake relationship troupe. Tansy has been lying about being in a relationship for tThe Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur Contemporary F-F romance. Fake relationship troupe. Tansy has been lying about being in a relationship for the last six months to avoid family functions. Accidentally having named the other person, Tansy is shocked when Gemma shows up at a family wedding and agrees to go along with the game. Of course there are conditions and consequences along the rocky road to love.
Each of the women are attracted to the other which makes for delicious tension. Each also has personal issues beyond the set-up that they have to deal with. Together they need to watch their trusted friends and their backs. It was tantalizing and a bit bumpy and ultimately heart swooning.
I received a copy of this from the publisher. ...more
Behind the Scenes by Karelia Stetz-Waters Contemporary sapphic romance. Rose is a high powered business woman. She’s the best in her field. She been coBehind the Scenes by Karelia Stetz-Waters Contemporary sapphic romance. Rose is a high powered business woman. She’s the best in her field. She been contacted by an assistant of Ash Stewart to help put together a finance proposal to make a movie. Rose and Ash had already met by a pool with a camp of pugs. Since there is already interest and attraction, Rose immediately accepts the work on a probono basis.
Rose and Ash are attracted to each other but between past relationship issues and other factors, they are both hesitant to approach the subject. It drags the first third of the book down when neither has the courage to do more than longing glances. Fortunately by the half mark, they have both realized and acted on the feelings and begin a relationship. There are a few hurtles, as in any romance, that need to be dealt with and overcome. The women deal with those issues gracefully and by talking to each other. So smart! Engaging and romantic.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley....more
Season of Love by Helena Greer Contemporary F-F romance. Miriam has always compartmentalized her emotions and dealt with facts. Now that she has inheriSeason of Love by Helena Greer Contemporary F-F romance. Miriam has always compartmentalized her emotions and dealt with facts. Now that she has inherited partial ownership of the Christmas Tree farm she finally accepts and deals with all the feelings of love, loss and acceptance. “Noelle disturbed her life, made her think about her choices, made her be present in her body.” Likewise, Hannah must deal with cousin Miriam being back in her life and Noelle and Cole have their own secrets.
It’s an emotional physiological couch of issues and turmoil and healing. Way more than I expected from the holiday cover. It is a multi holiday story in setting, yes, but more overcoming life obstacles. There is a large cast of dear friends and made family. It’s also a hard-won love story with stumbling blocks and rollercoaster situations. A pleasing hook in the epilogue to what I hope will be the next book and the next romance.
Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner Contemporary F-F romance. Forbidden love troupe. Cassie hooks up with a sexy older woman at a bar and finds out theMistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner Contemporary F-F romance. Forbidden love troupe. Cassie hooks up with a sexy older woman at a bar and finds out the next morning it’s her best friend’s mother. They continue their hidden relationship as their attraction and feelings grow. The main problem: neither is sure where their affair is going or what they want to do about it.
For Cassie, it’s her first long term relationship as she finishes college. For Erin, her daughter is the most important part of her life, But Erin is finding that Cassie is simply making her happy. A lot of self discovery (for Cassie) between college drinking bouts and building life long friendships. When Cassie says she doesn’t know how to do “feelings”, that’s not an exaggeration. At the heart, it was fulfilling to read and follow the emotional growth of Cassie, and best friend Parker as their relationship deepens and changes with Erin and their individual connections.
The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish Contemporary LGBTQ+ romance. Two intertwined stories, one each of M-M and F-F. Greta and Truman need an escape from relThe Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish Contemporary LGBTQ+ romance. Two intertwined stories, one each of M-M and F-F. Greta and Truman need an escape from relationships gone south and while they don’t know each other, end up trading houses for the get-away they need. Each finds beauty in Maine and New Orleans and comfort in their new surroundings as well as potential for a different life.
Sometimes it’s only a small pebble that starts the cascade. Other times it is a dramatic uprooting that is needed for a change of mindset. This story shakes up both Truman and Greta to self analyze why and where they are in life (not necessarily deeply) and suggests love is simply a matter of geography. For Truman and Greta, that’s exactly what happens when they switched homes. It’s darling and steamy and hopeful. Both find love in a person as well as in their new town. Both make positive and helpful changes in the situations, not sitting back and letting others do all the work. It’s a wonderful winter holiday romance. ...more
The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marias Paranormal witch mystery with older characters and telling a story that happened in the past but has iThe Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marias Paranormal witch mystery with older characters and telling a story that happened in the past but has impacted current day. Includes a magical transgender character. The witches in the manor are a made family. They are elderly and are waiting for one of their own to come home. The local men’s counsel wants the witches out and is calling the debt. The witches have only until midnight on All Hallows’ Eve to pay the debt or the house will be bulldozed.
Last names of the men and families in the town are clearly descendants of the time of the Salem Witch Trials. Young Persephone is a delight. She’s smart and creative and I felt bad for her home situation. The witches themselves are amusing with their quirks and idiosyncrasies. Secrets are slowly revealed as the story unfolds. A few twists I could see coming but they were integral and revealed with effective writing techniques.
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