When Rachel accepts that she isn't going to fall in love the way others appear to, she decides she is at least going to have a fulfilling career. While her friends spend an afternoon complaining about the lack of help they receive from their husbands, one of them announces she needs her own wife to help her get her tasks done. This sparks an idea for Rachel to create an app specifically designed to help working women, the way wives help their spouses behind the scenes.
Rachel's friends are not able to understand why she would exchange a high-paying job to become an errand girl, but for Rachel, the reward is in helping her community, and she couldn't be happier.
When one of her clients, a much older woman, asks her to accompany her to a work function, fate steps into action as Rachel begins her journey to self-discovery.
Erinne writes stories about lesbians and women who simply fall in love with other women. She enjoys illustrating inner transformations in the characters she creates and leading the reader on a journey they can't predict. She doesn't always create heroes of her leading women, because sometimes good women want to do bad things too.
While she loves to write about two women falling in love, she doesn't consider herself a romance writer, but more of a contemporary lesbian fiction writer.
So good! So different! So unexpected! So emotional! I fell in love with this book, I fell in love with the characters, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Believe the hype on this book. The Wife App crushed my heart in the most wonderful way possible. Rachel is a thirty something year old who is unhappy with her programming career and unsettled in her romantic relationships. One of her best qualities is to meet life head on and so she takes the plunge, quits her successful job to instead create a startup business and leaves her boyfriend to boot.
The book has so many good qualities, the writing is an absolute pleasure to read, the tone is that of adults having thoughtful and mindful discussions. In Rachel’s new business, she meets the needs of busy corporate women, acting as a confidential personal assistant for temporary assignments. In this new role, she meets two very special women, Justine and Catherine, who play important parts in her new direction. Both of these characters are multidimensional and amazing in their own right.
Another reason why I love the book is that the story is a genuine journey. There are no straightforward answers so we just ride along with Rachel as she makes new discoveries about herself. It’s one of the best character arcs I’ve read in awhile. If anyone is wondering, the romantic moments will tug at your heart and the sex is wildly hot.
I already know Wife App is going on my Best of 2023 list and I thank my favorite GR reviewers for recommending, especially Corporate Slave.
Please someone release an audiobook because I want to hear Justine’s Irish accent.
Kindle Unlimited. Thanks to Ashlee for putting this on my radar!
This is quite a unique one, that the blurb doesn't do justice to, but at the same time I feel like if it was more detailed I may not have read it, because it features a few things I normally can't stand, and yet here it works!
Rachel is a unique person of I think they said 33, who has been dating men and clearly being unfulfilled by it. Her besties were always trying to set her up, because married life is so awesome - yet those same besties are constantly lamenting about how their husbands are upto shady shit, not doing much to support them, and how they themselves need a wife. Rachel loves this idea and since she has a computer programming degree, decides to create an App: The Wife App. An app specifically for professional women, who need assistance from other women, running errands for them etc.
Her friends are down on her about it, at first, thinking her mad for wanting to be some sort of 'errand girl' despite her extensive education and previous high-paced work environments. But Rachel is over all that. She's realizing she isn't "normal" and that is explored in subtle and not so subtle ways through the story, and that is what kept me interested.
She meets upscale client Justine, a high powered business woman of 47 who needs the services of Rachel to run errands for her. They have an easy banter between them, that shows a connection right from the get-go, but things are very complicated. With a potential spouse involved for Justine.
Rachel, too, meets someone to explore her burning sexuality with, so things are just complicated for the two women, despite an obvious connection that sizzles and a casuality and shorthand the two seem to have together, where there's a real understanding of one another.
This is where I would normally hate this kind of story, angst and pining isn't my thing, neither is love triangles or love squares as the case may be - and yet it doesn't tread into that overly jealous angsty territory. It's all treated in a very adult and mature manner and I am over here singing hallelujah! Adult women actually communicating, despite the potential drama, and having understanding!? *fans self* lol!!
Rachel's besties end up being kinda dickish toward her, but one of them ends up really stepping up, and the sub-story (side story?) is interesting and helps pack a lot into the story, in really creating a full life of characters with backstory.
I loved the discussions of 'normalcy' and expectations of women and men, I highlighted a few passages in the notes section.
As is the way in lesfic romance, it all works out, but I was genuinely on board for the ride. I did think toward the end it became a little too drawn out, at times. I feel like the author was trying to meet a word count quota, when it just wasn't neccesary, but I absolutely enjoyed the epilogue and families meeting etc. It could just use a finer hand at editing a bit, here and there.
So, just a unique one for those who enjoy slightly off-kilter stories and protagonists; that has drama but not in an overly dramatic, angsty way. It's like proper mature adult drama, for lack of better terminology. So I would absolutely recommend people giving it a go, on KU!
Thanks again, Ashlee for putting it on my radar, and do check out her review as I'm sure I am not articulating things particularly well here lol. I do tend to ramble!
I enjoyed this book more than I expected from the burb. It certainly kept my attention and surprised me a few times as Rachel went about her journey of self discovery. Her life goes through a series of pretty significant changes and she finds out new things about herself and the people around her. Her demeanor makes it seem at times as if she is indifferent but she definitely cares and I liked how she surprises herself with how much she does care. There is a little bit in the second half where her love interest starts giving some mixed signals and I didn’t really like that, it almost turned into a game for a bit and felt out of place in this book. I also wish some of the scenes just had a bit more to them, quite a few chapters are single pages or less and some of them just feel like they are missing something. Loved the ending though and the epilogue takes you through her life and gives the book a sense of finality with a true hea. That ending for me bumped this from 4 to 4.5 stars, wish we had more like this.
I guess this is not a common opinion, but I loved this one.
There are so many wrong things happening in this book at the same time but feels real. It was written in such a good way that I already want to read it again. Look, it’s complicated and messy, you have a bit of everything but still I couldn’t stop reading, I was on vacation and as soon as I arrived at the hotel I continued to read.
I’m definitely reading this again. I enjoyed way too much the MCs and there some crappy friends around Rachel.
Rachel a Justine were perfect and I was given everything possible from these characters.
I've been restless and struggled to read a full-length book these past few weeks. So I stick with short stories or novellas most of these days. But this one, however, I don't want to put the book down!
This is a well-written contemporary romance. The story runs smoothly and is easy to read. I love the interaction between Rachel and Justine. And I enjoy the friendship between Rachel and Anne. The book has a really good start and it had me hooked instantly, but it dims a little toward the end, and there are a few storylines that I feel like didn’t give a satisfying ending. But I’m willing to overlook the flaw because I enjoy this book so much!
Idk man this one just didn’t do it for me. At all. It’s honestly a 2.5ish read for me.
I nearly gave it 2 stars but I feel bad giving it that low of a rating, bc I usually reserve that for ones that I am actually annoyed with for some reason. This wasn’t offensive or irritating but I was BORED. I must be an outlier here, so take it with a grain of salt bc everyone seems to have loved this apart from me. Reviews are saying it was so emotional and mature and angsty and I’m over here with the crickets confused face.
I was straight up bored. I never connected with any of the characters. Rachel baffled me. Justine baffled me even more. All the stuff with Loo and Anne seemed thrown in there for the hell of it. I never really felt or was invested in Rachel and Justine’s relationship and it moved SO FAST once they got together. Idk. It was also a lot of really short zippy chapters and the timeline was a little funky. Idk. Sometimes you just don’t connect at all with smth that everyone else loves, and this was one of those times.
I have to be honest. I’m going back and forth between 3 and 4 stars and I don’t even know why exactly.
This book was ok, it was actually pretty well-written. I think I might not like the characters or the story that is being told. Lots adultery, bit of sexism, engaging but infuriating characters.
I don’t know how I feel about the romance, or what happened before with some side characters (or even during). I guess you could see it as an engaging story and “life is a mess”, I’m struggling with it all.
The writing was surprisingly good, at least to me. I went in without knowing what this book was about or even the author’s name. I heard good things and I needed to experience it for myself. I don’t regret it. The writing was compelling and I kept wanting to know what would happen, while not completely liking some story choices. It happens 🤷🏻♀️
(I really liked the epilogue for some weird reason)
An interesting “late bloomer” story. I admire that the author made clear distinction between what a person needs from a partner (flesh or heart) and highlighted the importance of knowing, truly knowing, one self and not just diving into relationships for the sake of companionship or familiarity.
I am looking forward to reading the author’s other works.
5.0 🤍 I felt a longing to mesh the spirit within myself to that which was inside of her. - I knew that any of the choices I had second-guessed in my past had all been validated. Every one of them led me to stand in this very spot at this very moment, with this very woman. - “Darling why are you afraid of losing me? You have absolutely no reason to do this to yourself. I am yours. You are mine. Through silliness, and exploration; Growth and stumbles; Mountains and hills, I am willing to go through any trials we face.”
i won't say anything about it, i'll just leave it here. this book was so beautiful with funny characters and a memorable couple and the end had me crying like a baby.
This one was very easy to read but some of the character motivations and story choices didn’t make a lot of sense, or weren’t fully fleshed out. I found myself invested in the romance anyway and overall enjoyed this book.
3.5 stars. I liked the book, but sometimes the dialogue between the characters didn’t click for me as it seemed a bit choppy. The overall story was nice though and I could feel the connection the MCs had.
I think as much as I understand why people enjoy this book it really wasn't for me. I enjoyed the chemistry between Rachel and Justine but mostly before they got together. I thought their connection was pretty sweet but as soon as they were together the book turned into a bunch of very dramatic speeches about love that didn't really... Work for me. It felt like so many parts of this book just weren't necessary for the story. The side plots with Rebecca or Loo never felt truly developed. They both felt like the huge revelations should have been a bigger deal. And then there was a very particular scene with a server at a Korean restaurant that was honestly baffling in how it came off and how unnecessary it was. I truly couldn't get past that for the rest of the book.
I enjoyed this book. It felt fresh. It is a romance and there is tension will they? who will? and with whom! The book kept me guessing. The epilogue was also different, and I will confess to getting a wee bit emotional reading it. Most epilogues happen quite shortly after the last chapter, this gave the rest of the story.
That was f**king brill! I enjoyed this immensely. I also really appreciated that it didn't play to the typical straight girl/queer woman tropes that lots of other media tend to. 10 out of 10 would read again.
This was an amazing read. Funny, tear jerking, at times it was impossible to put down. The story drew me in so much I cried at the end. If you’re looking for a good book to relax on the couch with, you’ve found it. Keep up the good work Ms. Bates!!
I don’t even have words to begin to describe how I’m feeling right now, as I have just completed reading this book.
I had all kinds of emotions, running through me while I was going through all the chapters, anger, confusion, happiness, hatred towards a specific character for doing something completely ridiculous.
As I continued on throughout the story, I feel more and more in love with these two main characters, Justine and Rachel…. However, I’m not gonna lie. I bawled my eyes out when I got to the last page. It’s an absolutely beautiful ending. Don’t get me wrong but oh my God I’ve never felt so gutted and so happy at the same time not gonna leave any spoilers…. But I am not sure how I feel right now. I’m sad I’m happy I’m crying I’m laughing it’s fantastic but at the same time. God I want so much more of these two women.
Edit: I just realized that her first book and her second book are about the same Justine…. Lol…. Also I have decided that I need closure with all the characters… Anne/Ryan/Loo/Jeff/Catherine…. I need it all!! Also just because the last page destroyed me and was very final doesn’t mean there can’t be in between stories about them!!!!
First, Erinne, please keep writing. I haven’t been this surprised by anything in awhile and I’ve read many sapphic romances. You have such a nuance for writing about love and exploration of self. I can’t wait to read more.
This was such a delightful and poignant story about two people finally finding real love. It’s not always neat and packaged in this way and that’s why I loved it so much. It’s also so damn sexy 🥵 I read this in one sitting.
This author is new to me, but I throughly enjoyed this story. It’s a slow burn romance about being with your soul mate. The app is a genius idea I love the way they got together. I would definitely recommend
Love finds it’s way through many different journeys. Some long lasting and others mere foundations. The paths always leads you to where you will find a HEA.
Another example of comphet: the book. I enjoyed the first seventy-five percent of this book, as we have a person figuring out herself and her life and career and finding out things about herself as a result and getting satisfaction. The last bit gets a bit sappy and was not as enjoyable for me, but I appreciate the more mature approach to relationships.
Rachel, Loo and Anne have been best friends since childhood. After Rachel quits her job as a software engineer and breaks up with her boyfriend, she has the idea to create an app to help professional women who need things done. Her first customer is Justine.
An interesting story about a woman trying to find herself, deciding which way her life should go, making new friends and losing others. This is a very deep story, Rachel finding out how to love another woman, with some experimentation along the way.
The passages where Rachel and Justine finally make love are just that - love. Very well written, showing the depth of their emotion and their connection without being too steamy. These are some of the best emotional intimacy scenes I have read. This is in direct contrast to the superficial feeling of the sex between Rachel and the artist Catherine. As the story is written in first person from Rachel’s perspective, this is understandable as her relationship with Catherine was solely sexual on her side.
Erinne Bates paces the story well, not rushing it. As we see the growth of the feelings between Rachel and Justine, we aren’t left feeling as though we want more - there is no more to have. Also the side plot between Anne and her husband Jeff is a good counterpoint to the main storyline.
As soon as the epilogue began, I could see from the grammar tense used that it would be sad, and it did make me tearful. This definitely was a happy ever after, but we also see the ultimate definitive ending.