Safe Harbor

Provincetown Tales #1

by Radclyffe

Reese Conlon, Lt.Col USMCR, is the new sheriff who has heads turning amidst speculation as to who will be the first woman to capture her attentions.

Doctor Victoria King has been betrayed by love once and refuses to risk heartbreak again.

Brianna Parker, the teenaged daughter of Reese's chief, fears her father's wrath when he learns that she loves another girl.

As these three women struggle to live and love in freedom, they risk their hearts and souls to give one another a Safe Harbor.

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Lesbian Romance, Lesbian Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2001

About the author

Radclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.

She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”

Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing series! the beginning of a really good romantic,love story & also detective series which involved two strong female leads plus some good supporting cast. Both leads themselves had trust issues and lots of other stuff in their lives but manage to end up having feelings for one another. Then there is other characters in this town that has problems and efficient side stories for readers to fish through --enjoyable,intense,entertaining and action pact..recommended series (paperback!)

[JulesGP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally visited Provincetown for the first time in 2021 and then 2022. My friend kept pointing out, that’s where Tory the town doctor kayaks, that’s the jetty where such and such happens in the book. Safe Harbor is probably mandatory reading now, classic Radclyffe I’m told. I listened to the audiobook and the narration seems perfect, giving us the highs and lows of Tory’s and Reese’s feelings about each other, their doubts, fears, heightening lust. The story is like a good soap and adventure serial. Just about every new chapter comes in with an exciting situation for sheriff/marine Lt Col Reese to tackle or a dramatic turn between the new couple. I had a good time reading and listening to the book. A little old fashioned but in the best way.

[Rain G · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to 5
You can't go wrong with Radclyffe
Full entertaining, romance, and high chemistry
Good read!

[Tere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww, my friends Tory and Reese. Have read the book more than once and this time it was a re-listen. Before you judge me, I just visited Provincetown so this seemed like the only choice for my next audiobook! ‘Safe Harbor’, published in 2004, is the first installment of the Provincetown Series, which has a total of seven books (and hoping for more).

Reese Conlon has just become Provincetown’s new sheriff after leaving active military duty. Raised by her career military father, her future was always tied to the Marines. Now in her thirties, she left the only life she has ever known to satisfy a disquiet she can’t quite understand. Tracking her estranged mother brought her to Provincetown. Here she meets Dr. Tory King, who left Boston for this town after finding out her partner of twelve years cheated on her. Circumstances bring these two women together as Reese’s feelings awaken and Tory learns to trust again.

I feel any book by Radclyffe has two strong leads with an instantaneous or almost instantaneous love. The readers either love it or hate it. Perhaps as lesfic grows and has more authors, Radclyffe’s formula seems a little outdated, but the truth is it works for the majority of her readers still to this day. Being a romance fan, I accept the premise and just enjoy the ride. For me, that means the medical aspect that Radclyffe excels at. ‘Safe Harbor’ has a fair amount of medical jargon because of Tory being the only doctor in town and there are a few scenes that I thoroughly enjoyed. The story also has some tender moments along with some action scenes where our mains have to brave their way through different situations.

Nicol Zanzarella narrates the entire series and did a wonderful job. She sets a particular pace on her narration but it works for me and I’ve listened to the entire series.

It was so great to hear about places that I literally just visited. Herring Cove, Commercial and Bradford Street, dunes just to name a few. Although I will admit that after seeing the great white signs and all the seals, I’m not sure what Tory was thinking when she gets on a kayak every morning! I’m good admiring the ocean from the shore.

Overall a great start to a very good series. 4.5 stars

[Jane Shambler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This is a great story to read. It has everything. Love, Honor, pride, friendship and great scenery. Radclyffe puts you right there. Her descriptions are awesome. Her characters are very realistic. The storyline isn't far from reality either. She deals with some difficult topics with compassion and sincerity. Great book, great read. I loved it. Off to look for more.

[Jo reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why have I not read these before now??

My new favorite couple!

[Alealea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished the audiobook version. I had already read it twice, so a review is overdue.

It's one of my favorite from Radclyffe and I really enjoy this narrator voice, so I was like, "Why not ? Let's go for it. "
I did and I'm quite mixed about it. :s

The narration is mostly great. And the story is good.
Reese seems too good to be true but the writer put enough cracks on her surface that it magnifies her and her complexities . Tory is a pretty good match and I really enjoy their exchanges.
The teen/young-adult couple give a second layer to the story that is just top.

But listening to it, the tempo felt so slow, that I was chafing at the bit a lot. The audiobook version spoils the book a bit for me, highlighting the repetitions, the slow-pace and some contradictions.

It's still a good one, but I should probably stick to rereading for it and all the serie.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Radclyffe never disappoints. This is the perfect cozy, summery beach read. Low stakes, slow romance, and blue skies as far as the eye can see.

(Also, there's something about a hot, aloof butch who comes at the barest touch of her lover's hand that is just...-chef's kiss-)

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safe Harbor is the first book in Radclyffe series Provincetown Tales. It also happens to be one of my favorite books. I’m madly in love with Reese Conlon and Tori King. They are such strong female leads and yet so tender and loving. Their chemistry is off the hooks.
Reese feels something missing in her life. She’s been career military since high school. She leaves and joins the sheriffs department as second to see if she can find something to quill her discontent. She reconnects with her mother Kate and her partner Jean. Learning that her father was behind the long separation between them. When she meets Dr. Victoria King her life is changed forever. I love how Tory awakens all the desire and want in Reese. Things she’s never felt or experienced.
Tory has been hurt in the past. Physically by a fellow competitor that ends her Olympic career, leaving her with a badly damaged ankle, and emotionally by KT the women who was suppose to love and cherish her, leaving her with a wall around her heart. When Tory meets Reese she finds that wall crumbling. She thought she would never love again but she finds herself falling hard for Reese.
We also meet Bri and Carre who are teens in their last year of high school and are deeply in love. They have to hide for fear of being forced to separate and of what Caroline’s father would do if he found out. Bri finds a strong role model and friend in Reese and starts training with her in the Dojo. She wants to be able to protect herself and Carre.
I love these women and how they face things together and fight to keep the members of their community safe and healthy.

[Cynthia · Rating 1 out of 5]

The constant head-hopping was just awful to read and pretty useless imo. Additionally, being constantly told that every woman in town, including straight and married women, found one of the MCs irresistible (and the many mentions of the importance of being good-looking) was tiring and made for an unrealistic read that felt like a heavy-handed fantasy of a self-insert. On top of that, that same character arguably being acespec was extremely poorly handled, especially considering her LI is a lesbian doctor in a very gay town. Finally, them going from friends to fuck-bunnies in 0.5 seconds is always deserving of eye-rolls, but especially grating when the sex scenes are weirdly and unrealistically intense and short in a way that feels extremely reminiscent of bad male-centered hetero sex scenes (especially with the dubious consent for their first and second and...other... times). The only positive thing I can think of is the almost-organic slow development of their romance, but it is heavily tainted by the feeling that it is only justified by the, again, poorly handled demisexuality topic.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Radclyffe knows like no other how to build a romance at a rhythm that is realistic. You will get to know the characters little by little, and you you go along in the developing love story.

Okay, Radclyffe does not write the most original stories, when I look at originality, I would have to rate it 4 stars. But when I rate these kind of books, I take into account the feelings and emotions the writer is creating. And I believe Radclyffe is a master at that. Her books grow on me every time. I think her books are very romantic and tasteful, and she writes beautiful intimate scenes. To create a balance between Hot and steamy but romantic as well, that's hard! And yet in my opinion she gets it right again and again. That what makes Radclyffe one of my favorite writers. And would like to recommend her books to everyone with a romantic soul.

[Tory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the reviews and decided I would try this series. I am already a Radclyffe fan so I figured it would be a no brainer. I really liked the characters, the story and the setting. I think this is my favorite by far of all the Radclyffe series I’ve read.

[Ty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overwrought and dramatic.

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Radclyffe- brilliant story, goodies, baddies, some inbetween... moved me to tears second time round. Class act.

[Emily Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, yes, this book and the characters are incredibly unrealistic with the way they’re all apparently perfectly attractive and intelligent and funny etc etc. And yes there are parts of the plot that are just like ??? And ABSOLUTELY Radclyfe does write the sex scenes like a hetero man who’s painfully cringy.
BUT, despite all that, I did quite enjoy the book. I’ve never really been into het romance novels because I found them quite boring, and this is my first time reading a queer (specifically lesbian) romance novel. I think if you take it at face value of what it is - a cheesy, gay, romance - and don’t pick apart the plot then it’s an easy read that is mostly predictable but enjoyable.

[Megzz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, really I did! I've read some awesome books by Radclyffe and the reviews for this one were good. But she is not a sure thing either. Sometimes I find myself being completely annoyed by one of her stories, and this is one of those times!

I try not to rate books that I don't finish. But I still do.. because I think it says a lot about a novel when it can't keep a reader interested, or when it bothers the hell out of them from the beginning.

Because I seem to be one of very few that didn't like the book, I feel obligated to write an honest (and really mean) review.

I haven't finished Safe Harbor. As it is the case in all the Radclyffe stories I dislike, the characters of this one are just TOO perfect. They're always so beautiful, charming, intelligent, funny, polite, brave, honest............. Those women DO NOT exist in real life, or if they do, it's really rare that they are both gay and actually find each other in an American small town. Not only do I find this unrealistic, but it also bores me to tears. I love stories with characters that are actually human and vulnerable. And it's not enough that Tory was injured, for some reason the weaknesses Radclyffe gave her characters in Safe Harbor appear like a lame excuse to say "my characters are not actually goddesses. But they are a little". As a result of that, the characters seem to lack depth and the emotions feel really superficial.

I also feel like I have read this story a million times before. A small town in the US, a broody butch sheriff/detective/cop/deputy in a uniform, a beautiful femme who's a doctor/store owner/neighbor. And of course a story like this never goes without the cliché lines like "Oh my god I don't know what I'm doing Catherine", "I don't know if I should trust her", "Are you scared that you might love her?", "This isn't my heart we're talking about, this is my soul!". God it was so cheesy I was actually embarrassed.

But maybe the thing that bothered me the most was how clueless Reese is. 37 and never been on a date? 37 and doesn't have a clue what she likes? I mean who is THAT sheltered? even after working in the military? It might be endearing to some, but it was annoying to me.

I might get really really tired of American stories, in which it's often the same settings and the same dynamics. It's almost always a femme and a butch, almost always in small towns surrounded by a lot and a lot of.. water, grass, mountains? I know it's what the authors know, but it's still uninteresting to read after a while, and all those stories become one in my mind, so that I hardly remember what any of them are about. It'd be nice to read something that takes place in a big city, with the energy and life of thousands of people on the street, jobs that are not just doctors and farmers and cops... just something different.

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the characters, in particular Dr. Victoria King. Independent, feisty and dedicated to her patients. I also enjoyed the interaction between Tory and Reese. The care and concern for each others' well-being is a wonderful way to build romance and a relationship.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Radclyffe's books! I find myself not wanting this series to end, I want to continue reading about these people. I don't usually like fiction but I will read ALL of Radclyffe's books....

[Evren (Nonbinary Knight Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

I wasn’t fully sold on this book just by reading the summary, but it’s a favorite of an author I love so I decided to give it a chance. It’s a good book.

Reese recently left active military duty to become a sheriff in Provincetown. She is a career military woman who was raised by her military father after her mother left. She’s never really taken the time to make friends, figure out her future, or figure out herself. In Provincetown she meets the local doctor. Victoria King serves as the doctor of the town. She isn’t a social butterfly nor is she keen to talk about her past. She was burned in the past by an ex-lover, and she also suffered an injury that took away her dreams. The two women are brought together by circumstances and they can’t seem to stop themselves from wanting to be closer.

There seems to always be some instant attraction in Radclyffe books, but I don’t mind. Reese is quite serious because of her background and it was nice to see her figure herself out with the help of a friend that she made while there. She also has personal reasons as to why she chose to be in Provincetown even if she doesn’t want to admit it. Victoria is a force to be reckoned with. She’s a bit of a workaholic who tries to distance herself from her past and others. I will mention that she uses a cane to walk because of her injury.

I like the relationship that the two characters built together but I wish there had been less back-and-forth about it. I really liked how Reese wanted to protect the people of her town, but she had to struggle to figure out how she could do that without taking away the peace these people were given. I especially love how she seemed to truly care about Brianna, her chief’s daughter who she helped with some personal issues.

I quite enjoyed this book. It had its moments where I got annoyed at the characters or something, but it was a good read. There are more books in the Provincetown Tales series, but I don’t know if I’ll ever read them. I like a good series, but I prefer series that focus on multiple characters getting into relationships rather than series that focus mainly on the same characters.

[Balthazaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one hit the spot for me.

I guess I like stories where the characters are a little older, have a bit more history behind them and know things can't be perfect, but need to just pick a course and hope for the best.

In fairness, there's a lot of perfection in this (location, heroism, dedication, abs) and between kayaking and split-shifts and emergency calls no one ever seems to need to sleep. But it is escapism. And I escaped right into it. Added bonus, it's the first of a series. Deadly!

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, I read it at least once a year..

[Awallens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mysterious newcomer, a reclusive doctor, and a troubled gay teenager learn about love, friendship, and trust during one tumultuous summer in Provincetown.
Reese Conlon, LtCol USMCR, is the new sheriff who has heads turning amidst speculation as to who will be the first woman to capture her attentions. Doctor
Victoria King has been betrayed by love once and refuses to risk heartbreak again. Brianna Parker, the teenaged daughter of Reese's chief, fears her father's
wrath when he learns that she loves another girl. As these three women struggle to live and love in freedom, they risk their hearts and souls to give one
another a Safe Harbor.
this book was fabulous. it shows love between women is just as powerful and sacred as love between men and women. Those who doubt that need to read this book.

[Sterling Sapphic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book from Radclyffe that I've ever read. I found it on the Audible romance package and I decided to give it a go. I really enjoyed this book. The way it was written was fantastic. The characters were well developed, as were the secondary and tertiary characters. All the story lines flowed perfectly. The dynamic between Tori and Reese is captivating. Both characters are strong and competent. The build of their friendship and relationship was executed splendidly.

(the narration was also done very well)

I loved this book. This is one of the best F/F romances I've ever read. I'm very very glad I stumbled on this author. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series and her other works as well.

[Sonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written angst a drama BUT when does “no” or “don’t” or “stop” not mean just that. That really bothered me. I guess it it’s supposed to be romantic BUT..,. And how did Reese no how to make love having never participated before? That just didn’t make sense. Lost stars on those points. I’m just really sensitive and opposed to portraying “no” not respected especially since this book is so much about respecting and accepting LGBT people.

[Anna Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a prolific writer! So far, I'm more of a fan of the Provincetown series than the Honor series. Radclyffe definitely likes her main characters to have goddess like characteristics, which is a little bit cliché and seems to be the defining rule of all the lesbian series I've read so far. But she is a good writer, especially since she is churning them out like nobody's business.

[Carm_killa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book is a piece of art that sticks with you and often makes you wonder about the characters you read. Safe Harbor is one such novel that keeps me coming back every now and then. I have read it so many times I can almost recall words by words. No regrets. Will read some more.

[JT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has a lot of local references

[Pricelessfem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok if you haven't read this book I am telling you that by the end of it you are going to find yourself completely inlove with Reese. My god this book was AWESOME!

[Lindie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was major cheese, but who doesn’t love that?

[Jeimy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so funny how much lesbian romances have evolved since this book was published. Still, I know this is a community of people I want to get to know better.