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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Live and Love Again in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Three years ago, Sarah lost her partner, Cheryl, in a terrible accident. A former Colonel in the military, Sarah remains shattered by Cheryl's death and closed off to those around her. She focuses on her furniture business and her dog, Benny. But on a flight to Chicago, she meets Jessica Whitney, a beautiful, successful, businesswoman. The two hit it off immediately and feel an instant connection. The sudden sparks force Sarah to re-think everything - is she ready to move one? Can she really imagine herself with a wealthy and strong woman?
This book is admittedly, a fairly stereotypical cheesy romance. But if the New Adult genre can write them so prolifically, then I think it's refreshing to find a novel that actually offers lesbian characters. True, I probably overlooked a few flaws in this book because I'm completely starved for books with lesbian protagonists and romance, but it was still an enjoyable story. The book engages you early on, when Jessica and Sarah meet. I read the first 150 pages rapidly - it drew me in immediately. Sarah is a likable character; as is Jessica, really. You can imagine knowing either of them in your lesbian circles (beyond Jessica's money, perhaps).
Speaking of the money, the book hammers home that point a bit much: Sarah has no money, Jessica has plenty of it. That gets a bit repetitive and the book stalls a little in the middle. That stall is helped by the cliche of the "wounded character hurt by a death in a previous relationship who can't move on." However, that cliche is found in plenty of genres, not just LGBT. Still, Gayle maneuvers her characters around all their issues fairly deftly. You're pretty sure you know how Jessica and Sarah will wind up, but it's still fun watching them get there. The book is sexy (especially early on - maybe that's the real lesbian cliche - ha!), fun, and, as always, refreshing to see some lesbian characters portrayed as real people. Points for the sweet and loyal supporting character of Jimmy the Driver, too. Definitely a fun, quick read.
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley (thank you!); it is available for publication on 1/19. You can check out a review of this novel and many others on my <a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">blog</a>;.
This book is admittedly, a fairly stereotypical cheesy romance. But if the New Adult genre can write them so prolifically, then I think it's refreshing to find a novel that actually offers lesbian characters. True, I probably overlooked a few flaws in this book because I'm completely starved for books with lesbian protagonists and romance, but it was still an enjoyable story. The book engages you early on, when Jessica and Sarah meet. I read the first 150 pages rapidly - it drew me in immediately. Sarah is a likable character; as is Jessica, really. You can imagine knowing either of them in your lesbian circles (beyond Jessica's money, perhaps).
Speaking of the money, the book hammers home that point a bit much: Sarah has no money, Jessica has plenty of it. That gets a bit repetitive and the book stalls a little in the middle. That stall is helped by the cliche of the "wounded character hurt by a death in a previous relationship who can't move on." However, that cliche is found in plenty of genres, not just LGBT. Still, Gayle maneuvers her characters around all their issues fairly deftly. You're pretty sure you know how Jessica and Sarah will wind up, but it's still fun watching them get there. The book is sexy (especially early on - maybe that's the real lesbian cliche - ha!), fun, and, as always, refreshing to see some lesbian characters portrayed as real people. Points for the sweet and loyal supporting character of Jimmy the Driver, too. Definitely a fun, quick read.
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley (thank you!); it is available for publication on 1/19. You can check out a review of this novel and many others on my <a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">blog</a>;.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Survivors in Books
May 20, 2018
I have had this book on mt 'list' for awhile. It was worth the wait. It mixed two of my favorite genres of dystopian and lesbian fiction together. It was well researched and written. The characters were realistic and for the most part likable(there were a few you wanted to slap). The ending could have been better or another book could be written to continue the story. It just left me wanting more which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Sparks (Wild Irish Silence #1) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
If you are a fan of music or just good writing you will enjoy this book. [Sparks] delves deeper into the background of BJ Sparks who is a minor character in the [WeHo series] if you read those. These are some of [Sherryl D. Hancock's] most developed and complex characters yet. This book will take you on a wild ride. Another benefit is you can suggest this book to people who may not be so into the lesbian scene and introduce them to an amazing author.
April Rose Mossow (93 KP) rated Down to the Bone in Books
May 20, 2019
I like this book a lot, you don't see many lesbian-themed YA books out there. I'm 26 but I missed out on youth fiction geared toward me as a youth. I had vampire books, that's about it. :/ anyway, pros: it was well written, truthful, and heartfelt. Cons: I did not like the Main Character's Dialogue. She sounded very juvenile for her age and spoke in a way I'd never heard myself as a 17 year old (half) tortillera. All in all I enjoyed the story, I liked the characters and I liked the ending. :)
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Darkness Falls in Books
Aug 25, 2018
As a major fan of dystopian fiction and lesbian fiction Darkness Falls is the best of both worlds! Each character is unique and developed there is no unnecessary fluff it all flows. The event that causes the world to collapse is plausible, which is important to me in my dystopian fiction. The reactions of the characters is also realistic. From the resourceful ones to those in denial. I highly recommend this book and believe you should have K.C. Luck on your list of up and coming authors to watch out for!
Perfect Little Worlds
8.0
Rate It
Book
Lucy can’t hold the secret any longer. Twenty-six years ago, her sister did the unthinkable. ...
General Fiction with lesbian characters Autism
Going Off Script
Book
A TV writer’s room intern must join forces with her crush to keep her boss from ruining a lesbian...
Young Adult Romance
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Last Time I Saw Her in Books
Jun 3, 2018
This book was well written. I had to keep in mind the time periods it was set in while reading it due tothe labels used. I think it accurately portrayed what being a lesbian in the 1980's was like. The interaction between the characters seemed forced but again I believe this was done intentionally to add to the overall mood. I think there were quite a few sterotypes in this book and that was a bit off putting but as I said in the 1980's some people were fitting those just to fit in. Overall it was a well written and edited book.
This is a novella, which I think threw a lot of people who were expecting a full length book. What surprised me, is how rounded the characters were in only 132 pages.
The main character, Scott, realises he is losing weight at an alarming weight, and the strange thing is, is that he looks exactly the same. He seeks the advice of a friend - a retired doctor who is as clueless as he is.
Meanwhile, he has an encounter with some new neighbours, a married lesbian couple whose dogs have been using his lawn as their toilet. DeeDee, one of the women, is very defensive, blows it out of proportion and wants nothing to do with him. But after a local 12K race, this all changes.
What happens though, to a man who continues to lose weight? What will happen when he hits zero?
I really enjoyed this. I really liked the characters, and the ending was quite something!!
The main character, Scott, realises he is losing weight at an alarming weight, and the strange thing is, is that he looks exactly the same. He seeks the advice of a friend - a retired doctor who is as clueless as he is.
Meanwhile, he has an encounter with some new neighbours, a married lesbian couple whose dogs have been using his lawn as their toilet. DeeDee, one of the women, is very defensive, blows it out of proportion and wants nothing to do with him. But after a local 12K race, this all changes.
What happens though, to a man who continues to lose weight? What will happen when he hits zero?
I really enjoyed this. I really liked the characters, and the ending was quite something!!
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia Grey, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Smartly written, highly engaging, totally unputdownable - I love this book! Seriously, it's not often that a book will so capture my interest in the first page that I don't put it down for seventy pages (regrettably), and when I next pick it up, keep reading until it's finished - at 509 pages too!
Deanna Raybourn did a wonderful job bringing the characters and Victorian setting alive, and in a fairly realistic fashion. The only iffy thing was how easily it was accepted that Portia was a lesbian. I know that the March's are a peculiar and unconventional bunch, but still. All the 'gay' plotting felt too modern to me and that's my only beef with the book, not that I overly minded it (just enough to mention it :P). The way the story unfolded was seamless and fitting with the atmosphere of the mystery. Lady Julia was a wonderful character and it really is amazing how well everything was brought to life using a first-person narrative. I am looking forward to the next installment and know that won't be enough of these characters!
Deanna Raybourn did a wonderful job bringing the characters and Victorian setting alive, and in a fairly realistic fashion. The only iffy thing was how easily it was accepted that Portia was a lesbian. I know that the March's are a peculiar and unconventional bunch, but still. All the 'gay' plotting felt too modern to me and that's my only beef with the book, not that I overly minded it (just enough to mention it :P). The way the story unfolded was seamless and fitting with the atmosphere of the mystery. Lady Julia was a wonderful character and it really is amazing how well everything was brought to life using a first-person narrative. I am looking forward to the next installment and know that won't be enough of these characters!