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Never Say Never
I don't want to hurt you, Leslie." Sara's words stung me. Of all the ways she could have said it, she'd chosen these specific words. Not "I won't hurt you," or "I'm not going to hurt you." Those words would have calmed my fears. But no. She chose "I don't want to hurt you."
Computer analyst Leslie Howard knows all too well that the fastest way to a broken heart is to ignore Lesbian Dating Rule Number One: Never, ever, get involved with a straight woman. Yet, despite her better judgment, and serious warnings from her friends, she finds herself battling a growing infatuation with her very straight - and very attractive - co-worker Sara Stevens.
Haunted by memories of past rejection, Leslie is understandably hesitant about coming out to Sara, yet she doesn't want to jeopardize their friendship by being dishonest about who she is. When Leslie finally trusts Sara enough to tell her she's a lesbian, Sara fulfills Leslie's worst fears and cuts her off.
Hurt and angry with herself, Leslie vows never to trust Sara again, and seeks solace in the arms of a seductive young golf pro. When Sara sees Leslie with her new lover, she is forced to confront her own hidden desires. Then, a long business trip together turns into an emotional tug-of-war, as Leslie and Sara struggle to control the raging passions that could bring them together - or tear them apart.
Computer analyst Leslie Howard knows all too well that the fastest way to a broken heart is to ignore Lesbian Dating Rule Number One: Never, ever, get involved with a straight woman. Yet, despite her better judgment, and serious warnings from her friends, she finds herself battling a growing infatuation with her very straight - and very attractive - co-worker Sara Stevens.
Haunted by memories of past rejection, Leslie is understandably hesitant about coming out to Sara, yet she doesn't want to jeopardize their friendship by being dishonest about who she is. When Leslie finally trusts Sara enough to tell her she's a lesbian, Sara fulfills Leslie's worst fears and cuts her off.
Hurt and angry with herself, Leslie vows never to trust Sara again, and seeks solace in the arms of a seductive young golf pro. When Sara sees Leslie with her new lover, she is forced to confront her own hidden desires. Then, a long business trip together turns into an emotional tug-of-war, as Leslie and Sara struggle to control the raging passions that could bring them together - or tear them apart.
214 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1996
9 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Linda Hill
9 books22 followersLibrarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Originally born and raised in Iowa, Linda Hill now lives in Massachusetts. She is the author of several lesbian romances and the publisher of Bella Books.
Originally born and raised in Iowa, Linda Hill now lives in Massachusetts. She is the author of several lesbian romances and the publisher of Bella Books.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 16, 2017
Fab read! a satisfying love story with genuine and likable characters,well developed and good supporting cast,nice romance,exceptionally written (paperback!)
February 20, 2015
There really wasn't anything outstanding or different about the plot of this book; the story has been told a million times (or so it feels). Gay girl falls for straight girl while straight girl has a crisis about her identity. It's nothing new.
Having said that, this telling of the story impressed me more than most. The characters felt very real to me. Their emotions and reactions came across as natural, given the circumstances. There was no point that I felt confused by a character's actions; frustrated a little maybe, but not confused.
It would have been quite easy to get even more frustrated by Sara, to be fair, but even though we weren't privy to her private thoughts on the situation, her behaviour spoke volumes. And rather than irritate me, I understood why she was doing the things she was doing, and how that affected Leslie.
So as I say, the story wasn't anything terribly original, but it was told well, and the characters sold it for me. Well developed, interesting, and realistic, both Sara and Leslie kept me eagerly reading.
Having said that, this telling of the story impressed me more than most. The characters felt very real to me. Their emotions and reactions came across as natural, given the circumstances. There was no point that I felt confused by a character's actions; frustrated a little maybe, but not confused.
It would have been quite easy to get even more frustrated by Sara, to be fair, but even though we weren't privy to her private thoughts on the situation, her behaviour spoke volumes. And rather than irritate me, I understood why she was doing the things she was doing, and how that affected Leslie.
So as I say, the story wasn't anything terribly original, but it was told well, and the characters sold it for me. Well developed, interesting, and realistic, both Sara and Leslie kept me eagerly reading.
March 4, 2020
I’m not sure what my thoughts are on Never Say Never.... I liked and not like some aspects of it... I don’t fancy Sara’s reaction right after Thanksgiving with her family. Sara was Leslie’s soft spot and as much as I wanted Leslie to be a little bit harder, a little bit tougher with Sara, I accepted it; matters of the heart can be a bit complex...
Ratings: High 3
Ratings: High 3
January 12, 2019
This a difficult book to review. I really don't like the way Sara treats Leslie, but at the same time I get where she comes from. And I like where they end. It's the getting there that's a bit difficult.
June 27, 2023
3/5
I really don't know how to describe how I feel towards this book ,because I felt too many things at once.
So basically this book is kinda friends-lovers who are coworkers, the mc is a lesbian and the love interest is a "straight " woman.Beacuse of their job they have to spend a lot of time together.
I hated the way Lindsey was describing Sara being "not like the other girls" ,I simply hate when this happens
I hated how Sara treated Lindsey when she needed time alone.
But I also liked them together, they were cute i can't lie,and hot too,especially SARA THAT WOMAN GOT ME BLUSHING SO MANY TIMES.
I loved the friendship between Lindsey and Susan so much,definitely platonic soulmates, like I actually started crying at a moment for them.
This book had some good quates too,that really touched my heart(it means that it made me cry)
I can't tell you that this book is a masterpiece but I can tell you that it is enjoyable
I really don't know how to describe how I feel towards this book ,because I felt too many things at once.
So basically this book is kinda friends-lovers who are coworkers, the mc is a lesbian and the love interest is a "straight " woman.Beacuse of their job they have to spend a lot of time together.
I hated the way Lindsey was describing Sara being "not like the other girls" ,I simply hate when this happens
I hated how Sara treated Lindsey when she needed time alone.
But I also liked them together, they were cute i can't lie,and hot too,especially SARA THAT WOMAN GOT ME BLUSHING SO MANY TIMES.
I loved the friendship between Lindsey and Susan so much,definitely platonic soulmates, like I actually started crying at a moment for them.
This book had some good quates too,that really touched my heart(it means that it made me cry)
I can't tell you that this book is a masterpiece but I can tell you that it is enjoyable
October 23, 2022
This was one of the first lesbian romances I read back in the early 2000s and it was an interesting experience to read it again. Mostly it’s made me thankful that I don’t have to be afraid to be out, married to a woman, etc like the women in this book are. As far as the story itself, a little bit too much tell, not enough show. 3 .5 stars taking into account that this was written 30 or so years back and just hasn’t really held up over time.
August 11, 2024
The writing's really good, story is fast-paced. The chemistry between the two leads is also palpable. What keeps me from giving this a 5 is the fact that the heartbreak here is so close to the ending, although it's a happy one. I wish there was an epilogue that stretched out the happy ending bit, but still overall this was a good read.
May 21, 2010
In general I liked the story and the main characters. However, it does feel outdated. The last separation of the characters also seemed a little stretched.
A nice read, but not special.
A nice read, but not special.
November 6, 2020
Prejuicios
Me encantó la novela. Esta muy bien escrito es fácil de leer.
Leslie es lesbiana, pero en el trabajo nadie lo sabe. Por las circunstancias le toca trabajar con una compañera, cual con el tiempo se convierte en una buena amiga. Leslie empeza a tener sentimientos y no quiere arruinar la amistad. Regla Nr 1 no te enrolles con heteros.
Esta novela no es la típica que te habla de final feliz, a patir del medio del libro, te deja siempre con el signal del alarma en tu cabeza, esperando cuando surge.
Me encantó
Me encantó la novela. Esta muy bien escrito es fácil de leer.
Leslie es lesbiana, pero en el trabajo nadie lo sabe. Por las circunstancias le toca trabajar con una compañera, cual con el tiempo se convierte en una buena amiga. Leslie empeza a tener sentimientos y no quiere arruinar la amistad. Regla Nr 1 no te enrolles con heteros.
Esta novela no es la típica que te habla de final feliz, a patir del medio del libro, te deja siempre con el signal del alarma en tu cabeza, esperando cuando surge.
Me encantó
February 26, 2022
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: sapphic classic (1996), favorite trope, coming-out story (possibly other categories)
This was a little bit of a rollercoaster ride. It was another re-read for me, and I had completely forgotten everything about it. It was authentically set in the 90's, though, and it brought back some memories. The main characters were interesting, as was the plot, and it flowed well. It seemed to be going in a disappointing direction as it neared the end, but a major twist brought it to a wonderful close.
This was a little bit of a rollercoaster ride. It was another re-read for me, and I had completely forgotten everything about it. It was authentically set in the 90's, though, and it brought back some memories. The main characters were interesting, as was the plot, and it flowed well. It seemed to be going in a disappointing direction as it neared the end, but a major twist brought it to a wonderful close.
June 3, 2021
My first book by this author and it was a nice read. This is another older book from the late 90’s before the latest wave of personal freedoms. There is a lot of angst about being in the closet and the trope of straight girl and lesbian lover. The writing is solid, the characters are interesting but not always sweet. There is a happy ending which helps the story come together. I look forward to reading additional books.
July 14, 2024
The Story was okay.
It‘s been a nice distraction and a trip down memory lane into a time where not everyone had a cellphone at hand all the time.
So, getting hold of someone wasn‘t as easy as calling and be sure the other person is able to answer the call directly or writing a text message.
Other than that. Sometimes it felt like there where timejumps that confused me a bit. Perhaps that‘s the reason I‘m only in it for three start.
But, have fun reading this nice little romance
It‘s been a nice distraction and a trip down memory lane into a time where not everyone had a cellphone at hand all the time.
So, getting hold of someone wasn‘t as easy as calling and be sure the other person is able to answer the call directly or writing a text message.
Other than that. Sometimes it felt like there where timejumps that confused me a bit. Perhaps that‘s the reason I‘m only in it for three start.
But, have fun reading this nice little romance
October 12, 2020
Based on the cover and the fact that it’s a lesbian romance published in 1996, my expectations were so low.
I loved this book, it was so lovely and sweet and I love seeing two lesbians get the happy ending that they deserve.
I loved this book, it was so lovely and sweet and I love seeing two lesbians get the happy ending that they deserve.
October 15, 2019
Enjoyable reading
A good book with a good balance of sex to romance of a budding relationship between two women looking for real love.
A good book with a good balance of sex to romance of a budding relationship between two women looking for real love.
January 18, 2021
Some very nice angst.
Love a little of that sometimes.
Love a little of that sometimes.
February 28, 2021
Well written, nicely paced. Characters you can really care about.
June 1, 2022
Quick easy. Almost had a hard time believing it. Happy to have read.
October 3, 2023
Never reading again.
October 30, 2015
I liked it a lot. It was a nice and easy read.
When I started reading, I wished I could read it in 1 session. I hated every delay.
To me at times it was so 'damn' recognisable that it hurt.
It will definitely be a re-read shortly.
When I started reading, I wished I could read it in 1 session. I hated every delay.
To me at times it was so 'damn' recognisable that it hurt.
It will definitely be a re-read shortly.
July 9, 2016
I usually love this trope but I felt like the ending was rushed and was out of the blue without any actual resolution.. Also some loopholes left unanswered.. Like did something happen between Leslie and Susan?
October 8, 2016
Good book!
I enjoyed this story very much. Leslie and Sara's characters were developed very well. The plot of this story flowed well and the supporting characters were well done. I particularly enjoyed Michelle and Susan. All in all a very enjoyable book.
I enjoyed this story very much. Leslie and Sara's characters were developed very well. The plot of this story flowed well and the supporting characters were well done. I particularly enjoyed Michelle and Susan. All in all a very enjoyable book.
April 25, 2013
Quick, easy read.. Nothing special, sweet story.
May 23, 2014
An enjoyable read and as others have noted, nothing earthshattering. When I picked up this book, that's exactly what I wanted.
May 26, 2016
If only I had a story like this in real life.....
February 7, 2017
Finally, a writer who understands how to pace a book! Yes, as a whole the book could've been longer, but the pacing was sublime.
February 9, 2013
A sweet, simple story. Not bad--not earth shattering-- but cute.
April 7, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have read it 3 times. However I am searching for books like these everywhere! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Love this plot ❤. Straight girl falls for gay girl..
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews