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Shaken #1
(Without Warning: Bk. 1 (Shaken)) [By: K.G. MacGregor] [May, 2008]
On a day that begins like any other, a violent earthquake strikes Los Angeles, plunging the region into chaos. Two strangers, trapped in a collapsed shopping mall, find each other amid the rubble and join forces to escape. Hampered by injury and darkness, they dig and claw their way through one crumbled store after another, emerging long after most have given up hope for survivors.The ordeal leaves both women shaken, but their shared triumph sets them on a life-changing course together, igniting a connection like neither has ever known.Anna Kaklis—whose perfectly planned life never included falling in love with another woman—is thrown for a loop, but she doesn’t doubt her heart.Lily Stewart—abandoned too many times by people she trusted—won’t let herself believe that Anna’s love will endure.Without Warning is the story of their courageous journey through adversity, and their promise of steadfast love.
Paperback
First published December 1, 2007
26 people are currently reading
1350 people want to read
About the author
K.G. MacGregor
37 books331 followersA former teacher and market research consultant, KG MacGregor holds a PhD in journalism and mass communication. Infatuation with Xena: Warrior Princess fanfiction prompted her to try her own hand at storytelling in 2002. In 2005, she signed with Bella Books, which published the Goldie Award finalist Just This Once. Her sixth Bella novel, Out of Love, won the 2007 Lambda Literary Award for Women's Romance, and the 2008 Goldie Award in Lesbian Romance. In 2009, she picked up Goldies for Without Warning (Contemporary Romance) and Secrets So Deep (Romantic Suspense).
Other honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Academy of Bards, the Alice B. Readers Appreciation Medal, and several Readers Choice Awards. An avid supporter of queer literature, KG currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Lambda Literary Foundation.
KG MacGregor divides her time between her homes in Miami and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. When she isn't writing, she's either on a hiking trail, a golf course, or if she's really lucky, a cruise ship.
Other honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Academy of Bards, the Alice B. Readers Appreciation Medal, and several Readers Choice Awards. An avid supporter of queer literature, KG currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Lambda Literary Foundation.
KG MacGregor divides her time between her homes in Miami and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. When she isn't writing, she's either on a hiking trail, a golf course, or if she's really lucky, a cruise ship.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
May 18, 2019
For my Fallback Friday pick I decided to pick a book that I have wanted to read for ages. MacGregor is one of those authors that I almost always enjoy and this one was no exception. I almost forgot how long she’s been an author for but I will be coming back to her for more Fallback picks.
This is book 1, in a four book series that has been pretty popular over the years. If you don’t know about this series it’s about two women that are trapped together after an extensive earth quake in California. This actually reminded me a bit of the Bryant book I just read that starts with a plane crash. I like these books that start off with some good excitement that gets me hooked into the book from the beginning. What better way for two people to make a connection than to go through a disaster together, leaning on each other.
The romance in this book was a really sweet friend’s to lover’s romance. You have the slightly geeky car girl in Anna and the hard working legal aid attorney Lily. Two women from completely different backgrounds, but they share a bound too strong to be broken. This is also a toaster oven romance. It’s interesting you don’t see these kinds of romances as often anymore. This book was published 12 years ago and I sure do remember reading more of this type of romance back then.
Since this book is 12 years old it does show it’s age a little bit. Little things like the two women missing each other’s phone calls. I kept thinking to myself why does nobody text😀 And I do think if I had read this book a decade ago I would have given it 5 stars instead of 4. I really enjoyed this, but with so many good books out now, this was a little less impressive than it would have been a decade ago.
All in all if you are looking for a sweet romance with a bit of excitement to start you off with, this is a good choice. I need to read more of MacGregor’s back library and I’m excited to do it.
This is book 1, in a four book series that has been pretty popular over the years. If you don’t know about this series it’s about two women that are trapped together after an extensive earth quake in California. This actually reminded me a bit of the Bryant book I just read that starts with a plane crash. I like these books that start off with some good excitement that gets me hooked into the book from the beginning. What better way for two people to make a connection than to go through a disaster together, leaning on each other.
The romance in this book was a really sweet friend’s to lover’s romance. You have the slightly geeky car girl in Anna and the hard working legal aid attorney Lily. Two women from completely different backgrounds, but they share a bound too strong to be broken. This is also a toaster oven romance. It’s interesting you don’t see these kinds of romances as often anymore. This book was published 12 years ago and I sure do remember reading more of this type of romance back then.
Since this book is 12 years old it does show it’s age a little bit. Little things like the two women missing each other’s phone calls. I kept thinking to myself why does nobody text😀 And I do think if I had read this book a decade ago I would have given it 5 stars instead of 4. I really enjoyed this, but with so many good books out now, this was a little less impressive than it would have been a decade ago.
All in all if you are looking for a sweet romance with a bit of excitement to start you off with, this is a good choice. I need to read more of MacGregor’s back library and I’m excited to do it.
May 6, 2021
After having this on my to-read list forever and looking forward to what a disaster book (i.e. earthquake, asteroid, etc.) would deliver, I have to admit that I'm left somewhat disappointed.
The best parts of the book I found in the first third of the read where the earthquake occurs and Lily and Anna are trapped within the mall. Though this section was more on the light-hearted side than you'd think, since our heroines decide to lead with humor in their traumatic situation, I was able to visualize the scenes and felt more emotional intimacy because of the tight confines and their precarious situation.
The aftermath of the earthquake section, where the romance is allowed to blossom, was more "eh".
The book is more or less written fine but I couldn't help feeling there was a clipped, matter of fact manner to it all. I saw the characters' actions and was privy to their thoughts but I wasn't necessarily moved and impacted by them.
Having been an original reader of Xena and AU Xena fanfiction back in the day I could definitely see the roots of the book written for its original intention. One of the pitfalls of a fanfic turned published original work is that a fanfic is already enshrouded in the feels, soulmate-ness, and history of the characters to fill in the gaps. Perhaps because I'm more removed these days or because of that short-cutted, clipped style I wasn't as enmeshed with the read as I wanted to be. It also just feels like an older story or style than more contemporary novels these days.
It was an okay book though. 3.3 stars
The best parts of the book I found in the first third of the read where the earthquake occurs and Lily and Anna are trapped within the mall. Though this section was more on the light-hearted side than you'd think, since our heroines decide to lead with humor in their traumatic situation, I was able to visualize the scenes and felt more emotional intimacy because of the tight confines and their precarious situation.
The aftermath of the earthquake section, where the romance is allowed to blossom, was more "eh".
The book is more or less written fine but I couldn't help feeling there was a clipped, matter of fact manner to it all. I saw the characters' actions and was privy to their thoughts but I wasn't necessarily moved and impacted by them.
Having been an original reader of Xena and AU Xena fanfiction back in the day I could definitely see the roots of the book written for its original intention. One of the pitfalls of a fanfic turned published original work is that a fanfic is already enshrouded in the feels, soulmate-ness, and history of the characters to fill in the gaps. Perhaps because I'm more removed these days or because of that short-cutted, clipped style I wasn't as enmeshed with the read as I wanted to be. It also just feels like an older story or style than more contemporary novels these days.
It was an okay book though. 3.3 stars
April 20, 2021
A classic. If this is new to you, run, don't walk, to read it.
August 23, 2025
➥ 4.25 Stars *:･ﾟ✧
Oh this was LOVELY. thank you very much for the rec, Kelly. If you’re looking for a romance with a lot of heart and one that navigates family dynamics, this could be a winner. This is a slow-burn romance, but gosh these precious women really earned their happy ending.
There’s a toaster-oven element to this, but it did work out organically and maturely. There wasn’t some horrible denial or lashing out.
The conflict was one some may not be fond of, but one I consider to be realistic, and done well.
My complaints mostly consist of wishing the author would take more time to slow down certain character interactions, to make their chemistry clear and let their attraction/tension linger. Anna’s realization is partly dependent on realizing her attraction to Lily, but I found the author kept depending on only 2 instances of tension/attraction (one of which is featured above). I think it would have been good to have a couple more, and to have had them be more drawn out. For instance, I loved the camping, but the intimacy/playfulness of theirs could have been explored much more. We're given some really fun interactions between them, but then the story line suddenly cuts to when the camping trip is over.
Having been published in 2004, it also does have some outdated comments: the typical weight mentions (salads vs. burger debates) and being overly tolerant of conservative/offensive comments (typically from men). Also, not a huge fan of really abstract nicknames . They rarely feel natural to me, and take away from the intimacy rather than adding to it.
Someone mentioned this book based on a specific ship’s dynamic (Xena?), and I did notice a slight lack of satisfying character definition. I did care about the characters and wished for their happy ending, but they weren't defined enough for me to find them very memorable.
I liked how there’s a lot of emphasis on the emotional connection rather than physical one. They’re intimate way after they’ve confessed their love, and I actually enjoying this different approach.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this story – I have a weakness for survivalist/forced-proximity concepts.I wouldn’t say the banter/chemistry was next level, but this was overall a solid delightful read. I found myself reading it in one sitting.
It honestly made me a bit emotional to really notice the older lesfic style. Kelly will tell you I sometimes moaned about the lack of really life-changing older lesfic (like a Bloom Town, for instance) back in the day, but this has a classic, nostalgic feel that I actually felt really endeared to. Even the characters having to joke about never planning to get married because same-sex wasn’t even legalized 💔. I definitely see how works like these work as a precious foundation to the lesfic we know today, and I see myself trying more older works now. Some of the more popular old lesfic may not always work for me, but there are definitely some hidden gems.
Despite the political circumstances, I loved seeing the number of queer side characters here. Sometimes modern tradpub depicts lesbian characters as the odd ones out in their general community/friend group, but I loved how this showed Lily having a real queer support system, and Anna growing to have one 🥹
Would recommend if you’re looking for something tender and genuine. This one is precious to me for pretty unique/particular reasons that differ from other books I tend to hold dear ❤️🩹 thanks again, Kelly.
"Are you hurt?"
"N-n-n-no!" Anna shivered as she stood waist deep in the water.
Lily rowed in closer and leaned over the side, asking in a voice so low only Anna could hear, "Is the water cold, or are you just glad to see me?"
In a lightning quick moment, Anna lunged toward her and grabbed her by her waistband and collar. "Oh, I'm glad to see you all right!" Lily found herself upside down in a somersault into the lake.
━━━━━━━━━━━ ✯ ━━━━━━━━━━━
Oh this was LOVELY. thank you very much for the rec, Kelly. If you’re looking for a romance with a lot of heart and one that navigates family dynamics, this could be a winner. This is a slow-burn romance, but gosh these precious women really earned their happy ending.
There’s a toaster-oven element to this, but it did work out organically and maturely. There wasn’t some horrible denial or lashing out.
The conflict was one some may not be fond of, but one I consider to be realistic, and done well.
My complaints mostly consist of wishing the author would take more time to slow down certain character interactions, to make their chemistry clear and let their attraction/tension linger. Anna’s realization is partly dependent on realizing her attraction to Lily, but I found the author kept depending on only 2 instances of tension/attraction (one of which is featured above). I think it would have been good to have a couple more, and to have had them be more drawn out. For instance, I loved the camping, but the intimacy/playfulness of theirs could have been explored much more. We're given some really fun interactions between them, but then the story line suddenly cuts to when the camping trip is over.
Having been published in 2004, it also does have some outdated comments: the typical weight mentions (salads vs. burger debates) and being overly tolerant of conservative/offensive comments (typically from men). Also, not a huge fan of really abstract nicknames . They rarely feel natural to me, and take away from the intimacy rather than adding to it.
Someone mentioned this book based on a specific ship’s dynamic (Xena?), and I did notice a slight lack of satisfying character definition. I did care about the characters and wished for their happy ending, but they weren't defined enough for me to find them very memorable.
I liked how there’s a lot of emphasis on the emotional connection rather than physical one. They’re intimate way after they’ve confessed their love, and I actually enjoying this different approach.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this story – I have a weakness for survivalist/forced-proximity concepts.I wouldn’t say the banter/chemistry was next level, but this was overall a solid delightful read. I found myself reading it in one sitting.
It honestly made me a bit emotional to really notice the older lesfic style. Kelly will tell you I sometimes moaned about the lack of really life-changing older lesfic (like a Bloom Town, for instance) back in the day, but this has a classic, nostalgic feel that I actually felt really endeared to. Even the characters having to joke about never planning to get married because same-sex wasn’t even legalized 💔. I definitely see how works like these work as a precious foundation to the lesfic we know today, and I see myself trying more older works now. Some of the more popular old lesfic may not always work for me, but there are definitely some hidden gems.
Despite the political circumstances, I loved seeing the number of queer side characters here. Sometimes modern tradpub depicts lesbian characters as the odd ones out in their general community/friend group, but I loved how this showed Lily having a real queer support system, and Anna growing to have one 🥹
Would recommend if you’re looking for something tender and genuine. This one is precious to me for pretty unique/particular reasons that differ from other books I tend to hold dear ❤️🩹 thanks again, Kelly.
━━━━━━━━━━━ ✯ ━━━━━━━━━━━
May 9, 2021
What amazed me from the beginning was the chemistry between minds (without MCs physically seeing each other) this story offered.
So, the MCs got to know each other personalities literally in the darkness, since they've met in a scenery of obscurity, below earthquake destruction.
This book hooked me from page 1 and I found myself surfing book 3 already and excited to know what will happen next.
As I was told by other readers, I found some odd situations around phone calls, digital cameras, and other old stuff, since it was written many years ago.
However, and despite these kind of disconnected elements, I have enjoyed this book a great deal.
It doesn’t happen to me too often that I can’t put a book down, so my rating is 4.5 stars rounded to 5
So, the MCs got to know each other personalities literally in the darkness, since they've met in a scenery of obscurity, below earthquake destruction.
This book hooked me from page 1 and I found myself surfing book 3 already and excited to know what will happen next.
As I was told by other readers, I found some odd situations around phone calls, digital cameras, and other old stuff, since it was written many years ago.
However, and despite these kind of disconnected elements, I have enjoyed this book a great deal.
It doesn’t happen to me too often that I can’t put a book down, so my rating is 4.5 stars rounded to 5
May 7, 2021
4⭐ - Unique meet-cute, well written and engaging story
I got all 4 books in the series on sale at Bella Books. for $24.99. I have been wanting to read the first one and figured it was a bargain since they are $9.99 each on Amazon. Hoping the series holds up because I really enjoyed the first book a lot. I was hoping that the trapped in the earthquake ravaged mall part had lasted a bit longer but even so, I thought it was a very clever and new way to have the MCs meet.
I liked both characters and I am sucker for the toaster over trope. I would definitely recommend.
I got all 4 books in the series on sale at Bella Books. for $24.99. I have been wanting to read the first one and figured it was a bargain since they are $9.99 each on Amazon. Hoping the series holds up because I really enjoyed the first book a lot. I was hoping that the trapped in the earthquake ravaged mall part had lasted a bit longer but even so, I thought it was a very clever and new way to have the MCs meet.
I liked both characters and I am sucker for the toaster over trope. I would definitely recommend.
August 7, 2019
An oldie by about 12 years, but has been on my TBR for along time. This was a fairly sweet, vanilla read that I breezed through quite quickly, but did enjoy. The two mains, Anna and Lily, are trapped in a collapsed mall after an intense California earthquake. They help each other navigate through the dark, twisted remains, not knowing where they are, everything is pitch black and they can't even see each other. This would be terrifying. God, did I ever want them to stumble on a) a mini bar, b) water cooler or c) an A&W (not necessarily in that order). Actually if they were trapped longer, that would have upped the drama for me. Anyway, they tried to keep one another's spirits up with witty one-liners, and the banter back and forth was very funny. I still wish one of them would have grabbed that sexy red teddy off the mannequin and it would have reappeared later in the book put to appropriate use, though I suppose this could potentially trigger PTSD symptoms. But....but.....say it with me now....sexy red teddies!!! Yes please!
The earthquake part is only a quarter of the story however, the rest being the predictable coupling. Anna is the VP of a high end BMW dealership in Beverly Hills, and has been straight all her life, so we readers get the inevitable coming around to her true feelings, nothing new here, though maybe more new in prose back in 2007. Lily, a lawyer fighting for the greater good, sweet and kind but pretty firey. I liked both MCs well enough, though still want to take Anna's dense brick of a meddling father to the Autobahn and run him down with one of his beloved BMWs.
I found that the story started off really strong, but did weaken towards the end. The ending caused mega frustration,
I see that this is the first of the series. Will I read the rest? Possibly. Convince me, friends, as I'm not fully convinced I'm invested enough. Will I put this on my re-read list? Probably not. It was nice, but not earth shattering (see what I did there?). I do look forward to exploring more of this author's work though!
The earthquake part is only a quarter of the story however, the rest being the predictable coupling. Anna is the VP of a high end BMW dealership in Beverly Hills, and has been straight all her life, so we readers get the inevitable coming around to her true feelings, nothing new here, though maybe more new in prose back in 2007. Lily, a lawyer fighting for the greater good, sweet and kind but pretty firey. I liked both MCs well enough, though still want to take Anna's dense brick of a meddling father to the Autobahn and run him down with one of his beloved BMWs.
I found that the story started off really strong, but did weaken towards the end. The ending caused mega frustration,
I see that this is the first of the series. Will I read the rest? Possibly. Convince me, friends, as I'm not fully convinced I'm invested enough. Will I put this on my re-read list? Probably not. It was nice, but not earth shattering (see what I did there?). I do look forward to exploring more of this author's work though!
March 16, 2018
Without Warning is the first book in The Shaken Series by KG MacGregor.
I love this book dearly and it was the first ever Lesfic paperback I bought (along with the rest of the series).
The book follows the aftermath of a earthquake in Los Angeles. Two women who have never met and are trapped together in a shopping mall get to know one another and develop a connection while trying to escape the rubble. Months after their rescue they meet again and begin a close friendship, that starts to develop into more... but they are from different worlds, Lily’s a lesbian and Anna is straight. Can it really work out?
Firstly I love KG MacGregors books. Period. I haven’t read a book by her that I haven’t fallen head over heels for. Without Warning is no exception. I had butterflies from the moment these two women met again after months of looking for each other following the aftermath of the earthquake.
Lily and Anna are soul mates without knowing it. The small gestures and intimate moments even as just friends was evidence of a deeper connection between them, I just knew they had to have a happy ever after. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters especially Anna’s sister, Kim who cracked me up more times than I could count.
This is definitely a book not to be missed. But be forewarned that when you start this series you're going to want to have the next book waiting because it's addictive.
5 stars.
I love this book dearly and it was the first ever Lesfic paperback I bought (along with the rest of the series).
The book follows the aftermath of a earthquake in Los Angeles. Two women who have never met and are trapped together in a shopping mall get to know one another and develop a connection while trying to escape the rubble. Months after their rescue they meet again and begin a close friendship, that starts to develop into more... but they are from different worlds, Lily’s a lesbian and Anna is straight. Can it really work out?
Firstly I love KG MacGregors books. Period. I haven’t read a book by her that I haven’t fallen head over heels for. Without Warning is no exception. I had butterflies from the moment these two women met again after months of looking for each other following the aftermath of the earthquake.
Lily and Anna are soul mates without knowing it. The small gestures and intimate moments even as just friends was evidence of a deeper connection between them, I just knew they had to have a happy ever after. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters especially Anna’s sister, Kim who cracked me up more times than I could count.
This is definitely a book not to be missed. But be forewarned that when you start this series you're going to want to have the next book waiting because it's addictive.
5 stars.
July 12, 2016
Read this first when it was online. I didn't notice any huge changes, though the author said it was re-edited. But then again it has been a few years & my memory is crap. The positive is re-reading is enjoyable.
I may skip the next installment. It was not my favorite of the series. We will see.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book, tho their nicknames for each other got annoying after awhile. It is a must read if you are a MacGregor fan - or a fan of traditional f/f romances.
I may skip the next installment. It was not my favorite of the series. We will see.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book, tho their nicknames for each other got annoying after awhile. It is a must read if you are a MacGregor fan - or a fan of traditional f/f romances.
November 26, 2018
Really, really, really like these books! I just bought the fourth one in the series. I have basically read one a day since I started "Without Warning". Which is unheard of for me with my work schedule! I just found them extremely enjoyable. The characters are very well developed. The emotions are genuine and it's just a really enjoyable, nice read! Perfect for the Beach!!
May 30, 2019
Interesting read - loved the first 30% when in earthquake territory but never returned to that peak for me. See it's book one of four - but enough already.
March 29, 2020
Liked it....
October 7, 2025
Yep, still love this book. Anna and Lily are likely my very favorite lesfic couple of all time. The story is filled with humor, the leads have great chemistry, and, even though there are some typos, it's pretty impossible for me to be anything but completely engrossed in the story. And that really says something after the countless times I've read it.
I love this book. Did I mention that?
**11/2017 reread. Missed Anna & Lily. Love them. Love this book.
**12/10/20 reread. Stopping with the first one. Think I'll do a reread of Just This Once because now I'm in the mood.
I love this book. Did I mention that?
**11/2017 reread. Missed Anna & Lily. Love them. Love this book.
**12/10/20 reread. Stopping with the first one. Think I'll do a reread of Just This Once because now I'm in the mood.
January 16, 2015
Wow. I never thought I'd ever find Korrasami feels in a novel. But need I say more? This hit closer to my heart after being still not over The Legend of Korra and the awesomeness that Korra and Asami is canon.
Anna, a mechanical engineer, car-geek, and Lily, a creampuff, sweet-ball of mush. Ugh. Don't miss out and better read this.
Anna, a mechanical engineer, car-geek, and Lily, a creampuff, sweet-ball of mush. Ugh. Don't miss out and better read this.
February 12, 2019
I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down.
May 13, 2021
I was on the hunt for Xena-verse type lesfic stories and this was recommended. I jumped on it and was not let down.
As much as I struggle with femme/femme characters, there are times, where the storyline overshadows the dynamics of the characters, and Shaken was one of them.
MacGregor depicted the aftermath of the earthquake brilliantly. I could see Lily and Anna trapped, struggling, fighting to get out from under the collapsed mall. I felt their fear as well as their determination to survive. I also felt Lily and Anna's feelings for another strengthen toward one another the longer they were trapped. I adored Anna's reaction to Lily's deteriorating health regarding Lily's asthma, she acted like a frightened mama bear and demanded help from the rescuers. In that moment, I knew Anna's heart had attached itself to Lily whether she realized it or not. As this was a Xena-type story, I was surprised that Lily was the more dominant personality type as opposed to Anna, (Xena). Anna was a strong, independent woman with brains that would put Einstein to shame (okay, maybe not quite Einstein intelligent, but you get what I'm saying), and as femme as she was, I found her intelligence and protective side added a ruggedness to her, playing down her skirt-wearing, pursing-toting, side. I love Lily and Anna's friendship and how they built a relationship slowly based on trust, unbelievable amount of trust, respect, and silliness. They were so silly sometimes, it warmed the cockles of my heart. Lily was a firecracker comedian with sass and I found that endearing as well as entertaining. The fact that Anna could keep up with equal snap-backs, made it all the more enjoyable.
There were so many voice-of-reason characters all throughout for both Lily and Anna. Lily struggling with her attraction and growing love for Anna, a straight woman coming out of a divorce from a bland marriage. Then Anna, a woman who thought was straight, but quickly discovered her feelings for the same sex ran deeper than she thought. I understood Lily's hesitance to further anything with Anna for fear of getting her heart broken, and I also understood Anna's confusion towards Lily's scarcity toward their relationship because Anna was straight, she had only dealt with men, not lesbians. Both of their discoveries was interesting to read, more so Anna's. I love that woman, because she was intelligent and could think with her mind instead of her heart. She always kept a cool head about her. And when the clouds parted, she allowed her heart to fully open and take over.
I thoroughly enjoyed this friends-to-lovers, not-so-straight, slow-burn, love story. It was brilliantly written and I would definitely recommend.
As much as I struggle with femme/femme characters, there are times, where the storyline overshadows the dynamics of the characters, and Shaken was one of them.
MacGregor depicted the aftermath of the earthquake brilliantly. I could see Lily and Anna trapped, struggling, fighting to get out from under the collapsed mall. I felt their fear as well as their determination to survive. I also felt Lily and Anna's feelings for another strengthen toward one another the longer they were trapped. I adored Anna's reaction to Lily's deteriorating health regarding Lily's asthma, she acted like a frightened mama bear and demanded help from the rescuers. In that moment, I knew Anna's heart had attached itself to Lily whether she realized it or not. As this was a Xena-type story, I was surprised that Lily was the more dominant personality type as opposed to Anna, (Xena). Anna was a strong, independent woman with brains that would put Einstein to shame (okay, maybe not quite Einstein intelligent, but you get what I'm saying), and as femme as she was, I found her intelligence and protective side added a ruggedness to her, playing down her skirt-wearing, pursing-toting, side. I love Lily and Anna's friendship and how they built a relationship slowly based on trust, unbelievable amount of trust, respect, and silliness. They were so silly sometimes, it warmed the cockles of my heart. Lily was a firecracker comedian with sass and I found that endearing as well as entertaining. The fact that Anna could keep up with equal snap-backs, made it all the more enjoyable.
There were so many voice-of-reason characters all throughout for both Lily and Anna. Lily struggling with her attraction and growing love for Anna, a straight woman coming out of a divorce from a bland marriage. Then Anna, a woman who thought was straight, but quickly discovered her feelings for the same sex ran deeper than she thought. I understood Lily's hesitance to further anything with Anna for fear of getting her heart broken, and I also understood Anna's confusion towards Lily's scarcity toward their relationship because Anna was straight, she had only dealt with men, not lesbians. Both of their discoveries was interesting to read, more so Anna's. I love that woman, because she was intelligent and could think with her mind instead of her heart. She always kept a cool head about her. And when the clouds parted, she allowed her heart to fully open and take over.
I thoroughly enjoyed this friends-to-lovers, not-so-straight, slow-burn, love story. It was brilliantly written and I would definitely recommend.
May 3, 2021
I love the Shaken series and am looking forward to reading the newest book 5, but before that I’m enjoying another read through of the series.
In Without Warning, I love how Lilly and Anna work together to survive and escape being buried under the rubble of a mall during an earth quake. When they find each other again weeks after their bond blossoms into a friendship that only grows deeper the more time they spend together. I love watching the love between them grow. Seeing Anna find the love she’s always wanted and sees in others relationships. Lilly is so sweet and her heroic heart is so fragile after being abandoned by her mother as a child. I love how Anna sees it and continues to tell and show Lilly that, although being with a woman is new, being with Lilly is what her heart most wants and needs.
In Without Warning, I love how Lilly and Anna work together to survive and escape being buried under the rubble of a mall during an earth quake. When they find each other again weeks after their bond blossoms into a friendship that only grows deeper the more time they spend together. I love watching the love between them grow. Seeing Anna find the love she’s always wanted and sees in others relationships. Lilly is so sweet and her heroic heart is so fragile after being abandoned by her mother as a child. I love how Anna sees it and continues to tell and show Lilly that, although being with a woman is new, being with Lilly is what her heart most wants and needs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2021
I started reading this because Lex mentioned this was probably the best lesbian pure romance series overall. How could I not give this a shot after a comment like that?
I liked this first installment a lot. How exciting to have the main characters meet through adversity of a natural disaster. Fighting for their lives.
This was older but didn't feel extremely out of date.
I liked this first installment a lot. How exciting to have the main characters meet through adversity of a natural disaster. Fighting for their lives.
This was older but didn't feel extremely out of date.
November 8, 2017
Re-read this one super quick, just like the last time I read it. I didn't love it *as* much as the last time. I think I've gotten pickier the more I've read. But I still loved the characters and couldn't stop myself from reading the entire series. Again.
January 11, 2016
Great read! I couldn't put it down. I love both of the women and their chemistry is unmistakable. Looking forward to the next books in the series. I'm happy I found this one to read as I feared I've read all the good ones out there. You won't regret picking this one up!
June 25, 2022
Without Warning starts off when a lawyer and a sales manager get stranded in the mall in the aftermath of an earthquake and form a deep connection in little time.
I liked the fact that the marriage wasn't dragged for the whole length of the book and the MC got divorced pretty soon in the book, the affair wasn't unethical. I also liked how they both supported each other to do the best in life.
Lily's foster background gave a depth to the book and Anna's family was complicated as well. All these components made it a good book.
But sadly, I wasn't much impressed by the romance and there was something lacking in that department. Looking as how it is a ROMANCE book, I was left disappointed.
I liked the fact that the marriage wasn't dragged for the whole length of the book and the MC got divorced pretty soon in the book, the affair wasn't unethical. I also liked how they both supported each other to do the best in life.
Lily's foster background gave a depth to the book and Anna's family was complicated as well. All these components made it a good book.
But sadly, I wasn't much impressed by the romance and there was something lacking in that department. Looking as how it is a ROMANCE book, I was left disappointed.
August 1, 2020
Very nice read. The writing is smooth and easy to understand. But needs to describe more of their emptional state during and after the earthquake so the readers can feel how devastating the situation was.
May 25, 2015
I really enjoyed this story. The flow and character development had be sucked in from the beginning. I'm tempted to read the others in the series right "now" but I have to at least finish one of the other books I've started reading.
September 11, 2016
WAY too many references to "The tall woman"(35 times), "The blonde woman" (53 times), and the "Dark-haired woman"
Overall, the story was good and the writing excellent on this first book of the series.
Overall, the story was good and the writing excellent on this first book of the series.
January 5, 2025
Simply put I really enjoyed this read. It took a situation and gave it some levity without it getting too heavy. Enjoyable romance.
Just re-read...it's easy and light, worth the second read but I did change the rating to 4.
Just re-read...it's easy and light, worth the second read but I did change the rating to 4.
September 3, 2021
This was adorable. Dated, in some ways - expected, since it is 14 years old - but I loved Anna and Lily’s friends-to-lovers journey, fraught with uncertainty as Anna learns that she is not as straight as she’d always assumed she was - or perhaps was simply expected to be.
There are three more in this series, written in the first decade of this century - and a new fifth book which came out just a few months ago - ten years later both in real time, as well as in story time. I have read romance series which share characters (Melissa Brayden’s Soho Loft trilogy which involve four close friends, for example), but this is the first I’ve heard of which follows the life of the same two MCs.
I hear that this series pulls that off expertly. I am looking forward to reading and enjoying the next four books!
There are three more in this series, written in the first decade of this century - and a new fifth book which came out just a few months ago - ten years later both in real time, as well as in story time. I have read romance series which share characters (Melissa Brayden’s Soho Loft trilogy which involve four close friends, for example), but this is the first I’ve heard of which follows the life of the same two MCs.
I hear that this series pulls that off expertly. I am looking forward to reading and enjoying the next four books!
October 30, 2021
I’m continuing my exploration of KG MacGregor with “Without Warning” book 1 in the Shaken series (as recommended by book reviewer extraordinaire Lex Kent after I positively GUSHED over Worth Every Step).
Well this was a good fkn recommendation!
We start with two strangers entering a mall on an ordinary day when an earthquake strikes, practically bringing the building down. These two strangers find each other in the rubble and struggle together to find a way out before the rest of the building comes down. This was really exciting and then also had an awesome slow burn sapphic romance and some very fun dialogue too. I already bought all four books in this series and am very much looking forward to the next installment.
Well this was a good fkn recommendation!
We start with two strangers entering a mall on an ordinary day when an earthquake strikes, practically bringing the building down. These two strangers find each other in the rubble and struggle together to find a way out before the rest of the building comes down. This was really exciting and then also had an awesome slow burn sapphic romance and some very fun dialogue too. I already bought all four books in this series and am very much looking forward to the next installment.
November 25, 2018
Absolutely Love It
I was hooked from the first page! Thank goodness I started it on my day off because I couldn't put it down! I felt like I really got to know the characters and experienced their fears and frustrations right along with them. The friendship and eventual romance that built between Lily and Anna was captivating. I can't wait to read the next in series!
I was hooked from the first page! Thank goodness I started it on my day off because I couldn't put it down! I felt like I really got to know the characters and experienced their fears and frustrations right along with them. The friendship and eventual romance that built between Lily and Anna was captivating. I can't wait to read the next in series!
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December 11, 20230/10
dnf
uhh
had it on my tbr for like a year
then i was "reading" it for two years (nearly gotten to the end)
so its safe to say i didnt really click with this book, couldve been me tho
dnf
uhh
had it on my tbr for like a year
then i was "reading" it for two years (nearly gotten to the end)
so its safe to say i didnt really click with this book, couldve been me tho
March 23, 2016
An ok read. Rather predictable and formulaic, however I did enjoy the escape from the collapsed building. Those scenes were written smoothly and were easy to follow, the author handled descriptions that would normally be illustrated by sight quite well using descriptions of touch and deductive reasoning.
After the escape from the collapsed building episode, the book switches to one of the usual formulas, i.e: girl meets girl, she's straight don't do it!, she couldn't love me, maybe she feels the same, should I, shouldn't I, confusion, angst, oh, she does love me, I am so stupid for not realising/I do love her, how could I have been so blind all my life?, one family freaks out, other family is cool with it, they finally get together and move in to a brand new house.
I did sometimes get the two protagonists confused, perhaps that's just me. It's not that they were not different in appearance or careers etc, however their style of speaking was very similar and I sometimes had to double check who was speaking. Aside from this, I found the novel relatively well written. A quick and easy read for an afternoon if you've got the time.
After the escape from the collapsed building episode, the book switches to one of the usual formulas, i.e: girl meets girl, she's straight don't do it!, she couldn't love me, maybe she feels the same, should I, shouldn't I, confusion, angst, oh, she does love me, I am so stupid for not realising/I do love her, how could I have been so blind all my life?, one family freaks out, other family is cool with it, they finally get together and move in to a brand new house.
I did sometimes get the two protagonists confused, perhaps that's just me. It's not that they were not different in appearance or careers etc, however their style of speaking was very similar and I sometimes had to double check who was speaking. Aside from this, I found the novel relatively well written. A quick and easy read for an afternoon if you've got the time.
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