143

by Jade Winters

ASIN B005YCQM9C moved to the most recent edition

Genevieve's parents are still reeling from the news that their daughter is a lesbian and she will no longer be marrying Paul, the man who they believe is the ideal son-in-law. Rejected by her family and friends, Genevieve makes a new life with Rebecca, the woman she has fallen in love with and she has never been happier.

D.C Isabelle Smith first encounters the couple when investigating a vicious attack on Genevieve along the embankment of the River Thames. Her investigation is hampered when the Genevieve regains consciousness but can not remember the attack, who she is or the woman she loves.

With great reluctance Rebecca has no choice but to let Genevieve return to her family and ex-fiance who will do what ever they can to steer her along the path they believe is the right one - the one that does not include Rebecca.

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

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2011

About the author

While Jade Winters has been putting words together since she was a child, it wasn’t until 2010 that she became a serious writer. Today, as a full-time author, she has published four novels in the lesbian fiction genre as well as several short stories. Jade was born and educated in London where she studied journalism for three years at a London University. She is the youngest of 6 children born to a Nigerian father and English mother and blames her love of spicy food on her African heritage. Jade now makes her home in Dorset in the South of England with her partner and furry companions Zorro, Buttons and Zeus.

Reviews

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frustrating but entertaining read

I find with Jade Winters that her books are hit or miss with me and honestly I wouldnt have given this one a second thought if these characters didnt appear in the Amber Hills book 2. Regardless of what sex you are attracted to there is always a cringe moment when the one you love gets taken away from you by the one you stole them from because of memory loss. There are cringe worthy moments and moments you want to smack Rebecca upside the head Gibbs style. In the end its a happier ending than most of the characters deserve but a happy ending nonetheless. This a kU read as is most if not all of her books. Now on to Amber Hills 2.

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another gem from my TBR shelves! Genevieve is in love with her partner Rebecca of four years. When she is attacked and when she wakes up Genevieve has amnesia. She doesn't remember anything or anyone. Her parents do everything they can to keep Rebecca away from her. Will her memory come back? Will they find who attacked her? Will Genevieve and Rebecca get back together? This will keep you riveted! 5 stars!

[Natsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read, happy to round it off to 5.

While I found the start of Becca and Genie's relationship shaky and abrupt, the main plot made up for it. I felt that another chapter could've been added so that the last one was about our mains instead of Elsie and Nancy . I liked how stuff with Isabel played out too.

Aside from Gen, Rebecca and most of the secondary characters are somewhat imprisoned (by beliefs, love for another, etc). Some took a destructive path and some broke free before it can consume them.

There were some unexpected turns that I liked. I love it when I get stuff wrong when I read. :D

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 would be more fair

[AC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider myself a consumer of words because I love to read stories that take me away into a place where I can escape for a while. There is a reason why I read anything that Jade Winters writes…because I love her ability to create a story and characters that draw me into a world where I feel immersed in a multitude of emotions and senses. Her descriptions will have you believe you can see, hear, and taste everything along with the characters. Honestly, it is a total pleasure to read the scenarios she creates. I never give spoilers, as anyone knows by now, so I will just tell you that this is a book you will want to read again. I will not bore you with some of the lines that struck me full on…and many of them are just in the first chapter, but I found myself wanting to just read those passages over and over. Perhaps that is why it often takes me a while to read a book.
Winters develops characters that are warm, endearing and witty as well as those whom you would want to just kick to the curb. The combination gives birth to a resounding work of art (no pun intended) that is worthy of a million thank you’s. And that is just from me, you can add your own after you read it!

[susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found a treasure

I stumbled across this book on my kindle. I don't remember downloading it. But I am glad I did. This story touch my heart. I understand why Rebecca didn't tell Genevieve about their relationship. Genevieve didn't remember her. I wanted to give those parents I piece of my mind. Then hit Paul over his head. I am glad I found d this book. I definitely recommend this book.

[DR · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This is an amazing body of work. Characters with believable depth. Contrary to what others may believe, Rebecca's handling of the situation (giving Genevieve space to remember) felt true to me. And, it brought home the fact the legality of family intruding in the lives of their children if they don't like their life choices.
Memory loss is tender and fragile and as much as it would seem right to force remembrance I believe Miss Winters' POV was sensitive and true to herself. Well done.
Well written. I'm on to the next one of her books!

[Amanda Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. The characters are so easy to get to know and their situation is so relatable for a lot of people. To tackle the on going problems of parents having issues with homosexuality is very brave and some would go to the lengths as Eddie did. Thank you Jade Winters for another great book!

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of read that makes you think about the coming out process as related to family. The read was generally short and therefore lacked the depth I would have liked to get to know the characters better. There was meanness, emotional abuse, attacks, verbal abuse, deception and overall bad behavior. Tough read but I stuck with it to the end.

[Cabecass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

Wow...what a beautiful story and so well written. I like the fact that everything seems so realistic from the ugliness of the homophobia to the love that these women share. A very good balance. This is one of those novels that I'll be reading again and again.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

143... Very creative. That's about it. I wasn't much into this book, not because it's bad, but because this sort of situation infuriates me.

[Vibeke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook version of this book and the narration was great!!!

I loved the story too- I was afraid it would be a hard “read” because of the separation of Genevieve and Rebecca and the attack. But the story was never too much angst, separation etc. It was an important part of the story but it was woven well into the storyline so it was a natural part of the story!

It has a happy ending but I would have loved the last chapter to be more about Genevieve and Rebecca instead of Genevieves mother and an old friend of hers.
It doesn’t spoil the story but I didn’t care much for the mother at all so I would rather have learned a bit more about Genevieve and Rebecca happy life afterwards

[Michele Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully Written Story

The book was filled with emotional moment. Two women who had found each other when a terrible accident occurs and Genevieve looses her memory. Her own family plays mind games with her leaving Rebecca out in the cold. Will she ever remember the love they shared? Or will Paul convince Genevieve he I still her fiance. A terrible beating happens to Rebecca in her own home. Will Fannie get her memory back in time? Who beat both of these women, will such hate? Elsie, Gennie's mom has a secret of her own! A wonderful book! Unfortunately it.depicts how LGBT+ suffer at the hands of those who.are.suppose to love is unconditionally.

[Sky Declur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really liked this book, and honestly speaking I didn't think I would. I loved how the whole memory loss thing played out, I felt that it was really realistic but I've got to say I really just wanted to strangle Rebecca at times, seriously. But overall it was a great read.

[Bernadith Ato · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for angst-filled moments in a story and this one had plenty! I loved it. Although I couldn't help but notice that some parts were rushed. There were times I got confused what just happened so had to read back to get it, but it didn't turn me off.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

Ignorance and hate filled world that tries to destroy a love that is true and authentic. But in the it is the the same love triumphs surrounded by the powerful support of others.

[Lyssa Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Jade Winters, just read it. You will not regret it.

[Christine Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

Loved this book made me cry laugh every emotion that the main characters felt I could feel two it was incredible congratulations

[Cris000 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The end doesn't sit right with me. Interesting plot but frustrating to read.
I was honestly rooting for Isabel and Rebecca more than Gen.

[moxieBK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book that introduced me to the most delicious writing of Jade Winters. It's one I still fall back on and read when I'm feeling down. Ms. Winter's writing is easy to enjoy. It's dependable and very rarely falls flat.

This book in particular has always hits me in the heart, especially as the "143" symbolism is revealed.

I can honestly say, there just isn't anything wrong with this story. It feels real and immediately hooked me in and naturally made me fall in love with these characters. Ms. Winters' knows how to write a scene. It's been awhile since I last read this book, but there are scenes from the book that are so pressed into my mind, that I can "see" them and my heart shutters just thinking about them.

You really won't be disappointed with this story. As the story progresses, it feels more like I am peeking in on someone's life rather than reading a piece of fiction someone thought up.

And that's exactly why I recommend this story, and other stories my Jade Winters. (Caught by Love, Guilty Hearts, and Say Something are my other favorites by her.)

Jade Winters knows how to write a good, engrossing story that can take me through the gamut of emotions, and still have me begging for more. She knows how to write real characters and circumstances, and not scenes that feel over the top and unlikely to happen.

[Cassandra Lemard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Ms Winters books a long time ago, 143 is another exceptional read!! As always great books like this, makes it hard to put down and of course I read it within 24 hours. Winters takes us on an emotional roller-coaster, subject to Rebecca's and Genevieve's relationship. Through a brutal attack, Genevieve suffers amnesia and has no recollection of her relationship with Rebecca. Question is who's behind the attack? It was one of those stories that keeps you guessing, as-well as allowing the reader to see things from different perspectives. I'm not afraid to admit, I was wrong about the attacker lol....and shocked at the plot twist! I can't recommend this book enough!! READ READ READ READ!!!!

[Hesch Aut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book didn't leave me cold (lesbian romance hardly does, but that's not what I mean). I would suffer with Rebecca, get annoyed with Genevieve and my inability to pronounce her name properly, get really angry with Genevieve's parents and literally start to hate her ex. And in between I would get scared, because an unexpected "danger" entered the scene and suddenly I was like "Hmm, now she is quite an interesting woman, too. Maybe I want an other happy end after all".
This is a quick read.

[Anne]

Somehow, this book was read in small pieces in between other things. I didn't know it was written as a specific lesbian book. The sexual orientation of the lead characters was obvious but only in the final chapters I picked up on the sentiments behind this book. To me, it is just a good romance story about people who overcome difficulties. I love the symbolism of 143 itself.

[Ezra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very well written book, I just wasn't able to become invested in any of the characters unfortunately