Date Night

by Eliza Lentzski

Sydney Brisbane has worked hard all her young life. These days, she works hard to balance between being Dr. Brisbane, the psychologist, and Sydney, the girlfriend.

Zabe Abazi is Sydney’s fiery opposite - dark and wild to Sydney’s blonde optimism and serious nature. Separated by time and geographical distance, these former college roommates are ill-prepared for what happens when they unexpectedly reconnect.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, LGBT, Lesbian Fiction, Queer, Lesbian Romance

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2012

About the author

Eliza Lentzski is the best-selling author of sapphic fiction, romance, and erotica including the Winter Jacket and Don’t Call Me Hero series. A historian by day, Eliza is passionate about telling the stories of marginalized communities.

Born and raised in the upper Midwest—a landscape that often shapes her novels—Eliza now lives in Boston with her wife and their cat, Charley.


Reviews

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

First 70% of this book was great. The last 30% was WTF.

[Lisa Wing]

Sydney Brisbane? Really?

[Fia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a mess.

And since I loved author's Winter Jacket, Second Chances and I liked Bittersweet Homecoming, I was greatly disappointed.

[Joc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because of M's review:

"First 70% of this book was great. The last 30% was WTF."

I wanted to know what the WTF was about. As it turns out it was the first 70% that killed it for me. I can't balance infidelity and romance in my head. I like Zabe as a character by Sydney irritated me. I enjoyed the last 30% more than the rest of the book. Takes all kinds, I guess.

[Alexa Steli · Rating 2 out of 5]

1,5/5
No.This was painful.
Almost every character annoyed, even the characters I was "supposed " to like.I couldn't give 2 fucks if one of the main characters would had died at the end.
Zabe was too pushy,she really needs to learn the definition of the word stop,and she was also bipolar, but she also had no self respect, she kept running and going after Sydney like a puppy the whole book.
Sydney was boring and unlikable,her reason for cheating wasn't even a good reason(not that cheating can have good reasons) and she made this book full of drama,too much drama.
If I was in Zabe's place I wouldn't keep begging and trying so hard for Sydney, and I was Sydney I would get a restriction order because of Zabe.

[Candie Kisses · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superficial love...

The characters in this book have phenomenal chemistry and the author makes both women so likeable in completely different ways. It's a lot of "opposites attract" on a superficial level but then you get to know the characters on a deeper level and realize they're not so different after all.

This book has some of the best sexual banter I've read but if I'm honest it falls short in the physical act of sex by comparison. Maybe it's because they only ever seem to have sex or "fuck" and don't ever seem to make love, not even once, that leaves me unsatisfied. Or maybe it's the artificial use of a sex toy that makes their first time having sex and the last so impersonal, unemotional, not romantic, in my eyes. (Don't get me wrong I'm all for toys and exploration but more than that I'm about romance and love and that's where this story falls short for me.)

They are a sexy couple, extremely attracted to one another physically but emotionally I feel we are robbed of knowing the depth of how they feel. I don't like getting to the end of a book thinking that the characters and couple lack depth. It makes me question if they will last and live happily ever after especially when one or both characters show minimal or a total lack of character growth from start to finish.

Don't get me wrong this book is good. It's hot, it's sexy and will turn you on, but if you're looking for heartwarming and romantic you've got the wrong book. On the other hand, if your looking for plenty of laughs and overwhelming physical attraction then you've got the right book. If you're looking for depth, emotions and the full spectrum of character growth, again, you've got the wrong book.

In the end, I think the title is fitting because it feels like two very sexual women dating because the sex is so great not because they found their soulmate. I don't feel that their story or the characters come full circle. There's is an unfinished story, in my mind, because I'm not sure they will last unless they both grow up especially Zabe.

Bottom line, it's a good book or I wouldn't have read it a second time before reviewing it.

[Arianne · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst lesbian books I've read this year. The start was really good but everything went downhill from there. Never have I seen such an irritating protagonist as the one in this book. Poor Zabe, having to deal with the personification of a bitch in whole colors. And the pregnancy was totally a story wrecker. Yuck, I do not need fetus' in a lesbians womb conceived from the act of making love with a guy. The trend with lesbian stories that have guy interest is horrible enough, but lesbians pregnant and not wanting to be with the guy is just sick. That's both an immature and selfish thing to do, you should've thought about that before letting the guy impregnate you. This is not a good example for children, and this is definitely not a good book to read, less' you wanna waste time that is.

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of cliches. No character depth. And I don't mind cheating but having sex with a man after they slept with the girl I hate... a mediocre man at that.. And she had to get pregnant. Also a psychologist is like the last profession that would have someone who was in denial about their sexuality. Makes no sense. They were like the first profession to say it was normal... makes NO sense. And also a psychologist with her own practice in late twenties is hard to believe but impossible is that she'd just hook up with a bar manager... this reads like fanfiction with good grammar... a lot of fluff and nothing else.

[Megg Leon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't even finish the book, not a fan of cheating
...

[Dide · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 star rating
Friends to lovers is ancient romance and the writer fills it up with drama, eroticism, angst and some heroics.
But despite all these, I just feel this was just a time filler...I am not coming out from it with any aww and ahh. I do like the young man counseling angle though, some aspects of it I can still remember.

[Tangy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first time reading a f/f erotica/ romance book and it was simply amazing. I'm hooked to this genre now. I just Loved it, loved it, loved it. Reading about Zabe and Sydney's relationship was like being on a rollercoaster at an amusement park. Up, down, around and around it goes and at the end your left breathless with exhilaration chanting "Lets do it again".
Man do I want to do it again w/these two ;)

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a nice story. I really liked the characters. But I think the epilogue should've been different.. should've passed a little more time. In general was a fun read.

[This · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this book had me both laughing and cringing at times.
The main character is called Sydney Brisbane?! Her middle name should really be Adelaide.
The cringing is mainly because there's a fine line between being predatory and creepy and letting someone know that you are interested in them and keeping on letting them know that. This is not a minus point for the story - as it works. It makes you look for the clues that this is not all one sided.
This is quite an old book - I enjoyed it enough to want to read more - so I will work through them all.

There is gang violence and a will she/wont she back and forth.
There is of course an epilogue - but this is set fairly quickly after the main story just to let you know all is well.

[Ebony Gillan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book from a little bookshop when me and my friend visited a booktown! This was such a great experience, and so cool. Literally just a town full of bookshops… What more could you need?

I had never heard of the book or knew much about it when I first picked it up. After reading reviews just before starting it, there was such a wide variety of 1 stars to 4 star ratings. I gave this book a three, I didn’t love it or absolutely hate it. I read it pretty much in the same sitting. This review contains spoilers!

The story follows Zabe and Sydney when they are reunited after going to college together. They are thrown back to one another and battle through a whole load of issues. Sydney is with a guy and still continues to flirt with Zabe. There is sort of a secrecy feeling around their friendship/relationship, especially when Sydney starts cheating on her partner to be with Zabe.

Sydney ends up getting pregnant and says yes to being married to her boyfriend. To which Zabe obviously tried to stop in any way she could.

There is also a shooting scene involved within this story, causing Sydney to leave her fiance on their wedding day and run to help her young client who was involved.

I just feel that everything was thrown in this story in such a short few pages. I would have liked to have seen more of Zabe and Sydney’s connection, and maybe a bit more about their past to fully understand their emotions and experiences of each other. I definitely feel there was a lot more to unpack.

[Robin Kenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable read, pretty hot sex scenes.

Eliza Lentzski is a good writer. Sh.e needs a bit better editors as there are many repeated words, misspelled words and mixed grammar errors. Despite those, I enjoyed the storyline. I am familiar with the settings and her characters do hold up well. A marriage for convenience is dependable for some laughs and tears. Well done Eliza!

[Shannon Castle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read some of the authors other books and enjoyed. This one sounded good too, but honestly, I should’ve skipped it. Zabe was insufferable. Over the top flirtatious and cocky and I’ve no idea why Sydney was into it. All I wanted to do was bang her over the head with a cooking pot. It seemed very little plot, a whole lotta porn.

[DeStijlx · Rating 3 out of 5]

No way did i end up finishing this in a day. Definitely a quick read. Some parts were a rollercoaster ride. Also there's cheating involved so if you're not into reading about morally grey characters, u should probably skip this one.

⚠️ Trigger warning the book also contains a scene re gun violence.

[Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked certain parts/aspects of this story but overall it felt disjointed and like it was just missing cohesion. Especially compared to some of the other works by this author that I loved!

[Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I couldn’t get past the internalized homophobia one of the main characters constantly displays.

[gema · Rating 3 out of 5]

3

[TeJai Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Story....

I loved the story and the emotion in it all. I am so glad that Sydney and Zane found each other again. The raw emotion and the journey of discovery that Sydney went through is something I think we all can relate to at some point I our lives. I wish there was a continuation on o this story.

[Nessy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot: The book starts with Zabe contacting Sydney after years of no contact. They instantly pick up where they left off. Zabe flirts outrageously. They run into each other by chance and end up sleeping together. Sydney feels guilty for cheating on her boyfriend but continues to both date him and flirt with Zabe.

Eventually Zabe learns that Sydney has gotten engaged. Zabe is hurt but realizes that she never told Sydney how she feels so Sydney might think it was only physical. Zabe crashes the engagement party to tell Sydney she loves her and to convince her to call off the wedding. Sydney tells Zabe she doesn’t want to see her anymore so Zabe cuts off contact.

Sydney’s little sister, Amber, convinces Zabe to try one last grand gesture on Sydney’s wedding day. Sydney shocks Zabe by tell her she’s pregnant and that’s the reason that she is marrying him. Sydney thinks Zabe’s shock indicates that Zabe is no longer interested.

Sydney gets a work call and realizes that she needs to call the wedding off. She tries to help one of her patients during a hostage situation but ends up getting shot. Zabe saves her. Sydney finally decides to give Zabe a chance and the start dating.

This book was a fun read but wasn’t very believable. At first Sydney seems reluctant to be with Zabe because she doesn’t want to accept that she is gay. At the end of the book Sydney acts as if she doesn’t care about being gay, she is only worried that her relationship with Zabe won’t last when her only desire is to be happily married.

Zabe was also a hard to believe character. She seems to value drinking and partying. I get that her attitude was a front so that she doesn’t feel vulnerable but she still refuses to move in with Sydney because she wants to preserve her bachelorette status until the baby is born. That makes it seem like she isn’t very committed to the relationship working even though she is portrayed as quietly devoted to Sydney.

Characterization: Sydney is tightly wound. She stresses about appearances but can’t resist Zabe in any way.

Zabe is edgy and fun. She can come across as uncaring when she tries to act too cool for school but knows that she wants Sydney above all else.

Writing: This was written in a limited third person perspective. Most of the time from Sydney’s POV but the perspective occasionally jumps around mid scene. It was pretty disorienting. I noticed the author used contribute when she actually meant attribute, she used an adverb when she should have used an adjective, she used innocent when she should have used innocence, she used incorrect verb tenses, and used the awkward word breastplate. On top of that she broke my personal rule of using the word “impossibly” to describe completely possible things. Despite all of these things this book was very fun and sexy.

[Ch · Rating 2 out of 5]

"If Zabe thought herself capable of being in love, she would have fallen in that moment."

I tried so hard to like the story but in the end, I just couldn't. First, Zade felt like a cardboard character, she's there for the sake of the story. We don't really know anything at all about her, or her past wasn't really that covered. She's just this hot, sexy and flirty chick that the main got involved with years ago thatcame back. During the first part of the story, I find her cool and funny, the girl had wit but soon lost interest in her as the story progresses. She was imaged as sex-obsessed and flirty then in the near end of the story it was told it was her way because she was nervous and she's just doing that to impress Syd, like what the hell? And the number of times she touched Syd without consent and the cheating part. There was no consistency, especially in Syd's part, 3 pages ago she's sending Zabe out the next she's in her bed. And to top it all there was no chemsitry between Syn and Zade. I also didn't feel connected to any of the characters. All characters were one-dimensional, such a disappointment. Although, if I were to pick one character that I'd love to know more, I'd pick Amber any time of the day.

And don't mention the ending. That was the most cliche-y thing I've read this year.

[Raelynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zabe Deserved Better . . .

It’s an okay book and I’m soooo glad Eliza Lentzski kept writing, because her books and other characters have become some of my favorites. Sadly, it’s just this book that is one of my least favorites of her stories. I just never connected with the main character Sydney, as a reader should have, and found her too cold despite being someone everyone in the story seemed to love. Towards the end I was almost glad, Sydney and Zabe, didn’t get together because Sydney was so hot and cold in her actions and feelings, and Zabe was too good for her. But it weirdly all works out and is quite thrilling in the end for the two women, when Sydney finally figures out her life even if it was almost too late.

[moxieBK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book a lot! This is the second book I've read by Ms. Lentzski and it's a more tightly written, with characters that are very likable, despite their flaws, and the plot moves at a crisp pace...a real page turner. In fact, I'm going to put this back on my to-read pile again and read it sometime in the future to see if I still like it as much the second time. Sydney and Zabe are characters that belong together. And having a sister like Amber helps too. I am definitely going to follow this author and see what else she has written.

Four stars.

[Naomi Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable

I loved the characters and the story line is well written. I didn't put the kindle down once I started this book. I'll definitely be looking for more by this author. the characters are so well written they could be people you know down to earth real life personalities.

[Pixip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was even better than Don't Call Me Hero. I completely fell in love with Zabe, I would very much like my own Zabe. Her and Sydney were just beautiful together, this perfect mix of banter, lust, love and friendship. I wish it could have been longer so we could see how they adjusted to life together.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay Story

I just couldn't get why Zabe would keep running away from Sydney. She kept saying to herself that she wanted more and even had Syd's sister in her corner. I guess I'm just used to you fight for what you want especially when it comes to love.

[Adrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun

It was a funny book, loved the characters but Idk, too much drama. I felt the whole mall thing was dumb, and at the end I wanted more love from both of them after going through so much.

[B.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with every book by Eliza Lentzski that I have read - an amazing read.