Turning Point

by Cathy Dunnell

Asha has worked hard to get where she a great job, a beautiful apartment and the city life she always wanted. But everything is turned upside down when her dad falls ill and she has to return to the hometown she once vowed to escape from. The only thing that could make this bad situation even worse? Seeing Jody, the mean girl who made Asha’s high school years unbearable.

Jody has tried hard to move on from who she used to be. When she runs into Asha again, painful memories are stirred up, but Jody is determined to prove to Asha that she’s changed for the better. Especially since Asha seems to have life all figured out while Jody has so many insecurities and baggage.

Asha and Jody deny the growing attraction between them, but when tragedy forces Asha to a turning point, both their lives will change forever.

264 pages, Paperback

Published February 13, 2024

About the author

Cathy Dunnell is a queer romance author. Her latest novel 'Turning Point' is out on 1st February 2024 from Bold Stroke Books.

Her debut novel ‘Beulah Lodge’ was released in 2021 followed by 'A Cutting Deceit' in 2022.

Cathy lives in the UK with her wife, daughter and cat. When not writing, she likes playing football and reading her way through the mounds of books she keeps buying from second-hand book shops.

Reviews

[Rosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about the return of a woman, Asha, to her hometown, from which she practically fled to leave behind the closed environment, the teasing and bullying at school and also the family traditions, being of Hindu origin. And the return brought her some surprises that she did not expect. Her return is not due to her wanting, it is due to a serious family circumstance, since her father is in a coma after a stroke.

So first she is going to have to deal with saying goodbye, with the anguish of not knowing if she will be able to be honest with her family about her sexuality. But what she doesn't expect at all is to meet again with the two girls who made her life impossible at school. Let alone Jody becoming so approachable and friendly, it almost seems surreal.

So Asha must simultaneously assimilate the more than certain loss of her father, even though she does not lose hope that he will recover, with this attraction that is slowly growing between her and Jody. The story grows in drama, evidently due to Asha's family situation, which in addition to her father's illness, she no longer wants to hide her sexuality. As always, the fear of coming clean is more in Asha herself than in those around her, who already knew or assumed about it, as always again.

Jody also has her insecurities and fears, which mix with this reunion between her and Asha, almost ruining everything. As characters, they are both quite interesting and complex, and they are both quite likeable, to be honest.

It was a quite interesting and sensitive story.


Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for an honest review

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to read a story based in UK - well written, good MCs and good story. Enjoyed it, will read more of her’s. Recommended.

[kelisliveshere˚₊⋆ ʚɞ ⋆₊˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so easy to please😭

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asha loves her life in London. There was family pressure to work hard and succeed and she has done that. But she takes a leave of absence to be with her mother while her dad is in the hospital. It means returning to her hometown and of course she runs into Jody who in school was a mean girl. Jody is interested and is shocked at Asha’s intense dislike of her. And it felt odd that she genuinely didn’t realize that she was a bully in school. Or as she puts it “such a cow”. Jody’s best friend dismisses it as everyone is mean in school. And sadly that is kind of disappointing that her character never owns it and still catches herself using old nicknames. But Jody wants to make amends. In the meantime Asha wants a friend and she never thought it would be Jody.

I thought this book touched on some sensitive subjects. Jody has a limited connection with her father because he chose alcohol over being a good dad. Asha struggles because she lost her first love relationship for not being out to her family. I was actually on team Katie for a while. This is a gentle romance. There is enough angst in the story because of the situations I’ve named. Jody and Asha become friends and more as they try to support each other in the things that are happening. (3.5 Stars)

[Shimere Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offered a pleasantly uncomplicated read with a beautifully crafted storyline and minimal angst. Asha's journey to break free and come out to her family, despite the challenges with her father, showcased her strength and resilience. The connection between Asha and Jody felt authentic, revealing the true selves they had become. Despite moments where the story seemed to slow down, it allowed for a deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships with friends and family. Overall, it's a book to savor, providing a sense of coming home for both characters.

[Sue Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

there comes a time in everyones life when we reach that point...its a turning point in life...asha had worked hard studied hard and got the fantastic job out of school away from the bullies that haunted her school life

but now she found herself back in her hometown as her parent was ill and she came face to face with them....

jody was that person....she had been a different person when she was younger and when she left school she tried really hard to change the circumstances of her life... and she was doing really well

then asha and jody met up one night and thats where they realised how they had been with each other...jody the biatch at school and asha the nerd....

could these two work out their differences and realise that maybe the stood a chance with each other

not a bad read

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, emotional romance!

Asha is back home because her dad has fallen ill, when she runs into Jody, an old acquaintance from school by chance. Jody has changed since Asha knew her, and desperate to prove this she tries to support Asha without overstepping and acting on an attraction she is sure they both feel.
I fell in love with story so quickly. Asha and Jody were both likeable characters that together had an amazing connection, but it was easy to empathise with them both. Asha had the success, but was carrying all the hurt from the past caused by Jody and her friends at school, whereas Jody was very insecure but trying to hide it to keep up a persona and with her friends. They both had situations with their families that became that starting point they needed to reconnect and try to be friends. Jody had to put in a lot of effort, yet I completely understood and empathised with Asha’s reasons for wanting to keep distance.

What really made this story was the slow build up between them, the hesitance to admit feelings on Asha’s part and the need to be slow and careful so as not to mess it all up on Jody’s side. Jody was used to masking and become a bit of an expert at it, so Asha hadn’t stood a chance in really working out how Jody felt. There was this amazing moment though where everything fell into place and it is a chapter of this story that moved me the most and will stay with me.

Slow burn romance that had such heart and emotion that I couldn’t put it down and enjoyed every moment, even the ones that had me in tears because they were so beautiful.

[Aleana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asha worked to get where she at but things change when she had to come home after her father falls ill. While out she runs into someone she didn’t want to see ever again. Jody tries hard not to be that person she was in school she has great job a okay social life a bestfriend Tess and boss who thinks she applied for a promotion. Jody wants to make up for the things she did to Asha but Asha is hesitant to believe she is sincere but decides to be open minded when Jody puts effort in making things right and they start to grow closer. A cute read there’s some angst with Jody thinking she not good enough for Asha and Asha ex trying to get her back.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

[Monna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turning Point by Cathy Dunnell

I received a free ARC copy from NetGalley for this book.

Turning Point by Cathy Dunnell is a multi-faceted book. The emotions portrayed and experienced by the two MCs, Jody and Asha, run the gamut. This isn’t a lighthearted romance but it grows on you; the characters grow on you. Jody and Asha explore their vast differences from school days, learn their seemingly disparate similarities, and discover a deep and abiding respect then love for each other. Their families play a large part in Asha’s struggles especially, but Jody also deals with a family relationship and her low self-esteem. It’s “opposites attract” with a happy ending.

Reviewed 2/4/24

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jody meets a old classmate in distress, who blows her off. Remembering how badly she treated Asha in school, she wants to make it up to her.

Asha initially thinks Jody is just screwing with her, but eventually realizes she's sincere. But Asha has her own troubles, including her father having had a severe stroke.

Good novel, set in England with a Indian and White heroine. The culture clash is interesting, and I really liked both heroines. Good book, with interesting character growth and a sweet romance.

[Lucia C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn in and didn’t want to stop reading. Great characters, as well as the main two heroines, also their surrounding friends and family felt real, like people I know. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to them. I liked the themes of forgiveness and repentance and how Asha and Jody gradually came to trust each other. This is more than just a romance novel. The theme of grief is also dealt with warmth and acknowledging its complexity beautifully. Another great Dunnell read – looking forward to the next!

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok. I didn't particularly like the desi MC, and I didn't think it was realistic that she could just switch how she saw her old bully (the LI) so easily or how fast they say "I love you", but I appreciated some things about it. I thought it felt realistic how their relationship starts and evolves and how different it is for them, I especially appreciated how the LI never wants to put any pressure on the MC, and not in an whiny way like so many romcoms do, and I actually came to sort of like the LI's best friend in how realistic she felt for an ex-bully.

[Michael Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 women with a history meet years later. Asha is Indian and very successful in London. Jody is still in the town she grew up in. Each did not realize how much their life would change when they met again. The plot revolves around Asha's and Jody's life as they realize what they really want. This is a captivating romance between two different people who became lovers. I recommend this story for all romance readers.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turning point is a well written enjoyable novel that will absolutely grow on you with as you read each page. I recommend, 4 stars.


Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books.

[hubsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read, somewhat slow paced and a very rushed ending.