What do you think?
Rate this book
An Infatuation
Lise Cabot has it all. A successful realtor in Aspen, Lise is married to her high school sweetheart and is the mother of two great kids, Michael and Candace. To her two closest friends, Kitty and Cheryl, Lise's life appears ideal, until her husband Scott is passed over for the partnership in the architectural firm where he works. At the party to welcome her husband's new boss, a woman she's determined to despise, Lise meets Juliana Rhodes. The attraction is immediate and unsettling for Lise, sending her perfectly balanced life into a tailspin.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2013
88 people are currently reading
1023 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
April 7, 2020
Lise and Jules went from friends to lovers in under 60 pages and I was enjoying it because their chemistry was off the charts till I remembered that the book is 340 pages. So the rest of it was filled with unnecessary angst and miscommunications. Lise could be so cold to the people she supposedly loves. Her lack of guilt really bothered me. Plus the constant honey and baby was maddening. Every other sentence out of Lise and Jules mouth to each other contained honey and baby. Eventually Lise and Jules came to their senses and resolved their issues. Unfortunately my patience had left long before.
January 11, 2018
Lise Cabot is a married woman with two kids and a husband, living in Aspen. She gave up her dream of becoming a psychologist to support her family and is now a realtor.
Juliana Rhodes moves to Aspen when she is promoted to partner in the law firm where Lise’s husband Scott works. The two women meet at a party in Juliana’s honor and even though Lise swore to hate everything about this usurper, when they lay eyes on each other the attraction is instantly and mutual. *Shwing!!*
The endearments start very early, which felt a bit weird to me. Because shortly after you stop hating the woman who got your husband’s promotion, do you call her ‘Jules’, ‘darling’ and ‘sweetie’?
The Juliana-is-a-vegan aspect is almost preachy. Faux leather shoes, pants, specially ordered leatherette car seats and 'here, let me lend you some of my extensive book collection on the Vegan way of life', the whole nine yards. Of course Lise promptly quits eating meat and looks so much healthier *snort*.
Lise leaves her family to accompany Juliana on a road trip to San Francisco where Juliana’s very affluent and successful parents live. On their first stop during the trip they almost act on their mutual lust for each other but Lise (suddenly growing a conscience) pulls on the breaks. She explains she can’t do that to her kids (it’s already established that she does not love her husband and Juliana – who is engaged – does not fancy her aimant much either). They decide to try and keep it platonic (yeah right). Of course that promise goes out the window on the first night at her parent’s house. What I found astonishing was the level of confidence both women displayed, knowing they had only experience sleeping with men. Instead of a bashful “does this feel right?” or “I have no clue what to do now”, they just dove in like sapphic super stars!
Lise is ready to leave Scott, but Jules doesn’t want to make any demands on her lover’s marriage. She is happy with what they’ve got now but Lise stresses that they are way past that point. There will be a massive upheaval in their future. And so the drama-rama begins….
f/f explicit
Themes: One week in San Francisco turns into three. Do you really leave your job and family for 3 weeks? And unannounced at that? I also find it hard to believe that Juliana can just leave her new job for that long. Aren’t successful lawyers up to their elbows in work?
Them having sex in the guest bedroom while clueless hubby is down the hall is damned cold.
Oh Lordy… the train already pulls into heartbreak town and we’re only halfway in the book… and WTF Lise?! You are doing what now?!?! Another couple that is unable to communicate. This plot device is getting really stale by now. Writers take note!
Lise’s friends and their competitiveness for her affection is beyond ridiculous. Are these grown women?
100 pages on and we have descended into a deep swamp of angst that flows into the delta of the river (de)Nile. Please feed me to the sacred crocodiles because I have lost the will to live!
Oh, btw, Jules’ mother – who’s whole character was built up to be this ominous presence – is never seen again in the rest of the story. What was the fucking point?
2.0 stars
Juliana Rhodes moves to Aspen when she is promoted to partner in the law firm where Lise’s husband Scott works. The two women meet at a party in Juliana’s honor and even though Lise swore to hate everything about this usurper, when they lay eyes on each other the attraction is instantly and mutual. *Shwing!!*
The endearments start very early, which felt a bit weird to me. Because shortly after you stop hating the woman who got your husband’s promotion, do you call her ‘Jules’, ‘darling’ and ‘sweetie’?
The Juliana-is-a-vegan aspect is almost preachy. Faux leather shoes, pants, specially ordered leatherette car seats and 'here, let me lend you some of my extensive book collection on the Vegan way of life', the whole nine yards. Of course Lise promptly quits eating meat and looks so much healthier *snort*.
Lise leaves her family to accompany Juliana on a road trip to San Francisco where Juliana’s very affluent and successful parents live. On their first stop during the trip they almost act on their mutual lust for each other but Lise (suddenly growing a conscience) pulls on the breaks. She explains she can’t do that to her kids (it’s already established that she does not love her husband and Juliana – who is engaged – does not fancy her aimant much either). They decide to try and keep it platonic (yeah right). Of course that promise goes out the window on the first night at her parent’s house. What I found astonishing was the level of confidence both women displayed, knowing they had only experience sleeping with men. Instead of a bashful “does this feel right?” or “I have no clue what to do now”, they just dove in like sapphic super stars!
Lise is ready to leave Scott, but Jules doesn’t want to make any demands on her lover’s marriage. She is happy with what they’ve got now but Lise stresses that they are way past that point. There will be a massive upheaval in their future. And so the drama-rama begins….
f/f explicit
Themes: One week in San Francisco turns into three. Do you really leave your job and family for 3 weeks? And unannounced at that? I also find it hard to believe that Juliana can just leave her new job for that long. Aren’t successful lawyers up to their elbows in work?
Them having sex in the guest bedroom while clueless hubby is down the hall is damned cold.
Oh Lordy… the train already pulls into heartbreak town and we’re only halfway in the book… and WTF Lise?! You are doing what now?!?! Another couple that is unable to communicate. This plot device is getting really stale by now. Writers take note!
Lise’s friends and their competitiveness for her affection is beyond ridiculous. Are these grown women?
100 pages on and we have descended into a deep swamp of angst that flows into the delta of the river (de)Nile. Please feed me to the sacred crocodiles because I have lost the will to live!
Oh, btw, Jules’ mother – who’s whole character was built up to be this ominous presence – is never seen again in the rest of the story. What was the fucking point?
2.0 stars
August 2, 2016
Best vanilla romance I've read this year. I was gonna say 'straight romance' but since this is f/f...it just doesn't sound right :) Anyway, this isn't my usual type of reading because of the "done-to-death" storylines. I much prefer romances with added flavors of mystery/thriller/action/historical/scifi where the traditional romance recipe is heavily spiced up with other ingredients to create what appears to be all new dishes. But 65 reviews on Amazon...and mostly 4 & 5 stars is a bit persuasive.
The author made me believe in the characters, their all-consuming lust for each other, and all their actions--destructive or otherwise. I barely noticed the first person POV. Normally, I dont care for this style because it really limits our perception of the other (sometimes more interesting) protagonist. But I understood the other girl, and all the other supporting characters completely.
Even though it is over 340 pages long, nothing came across as filler. There's quite a good number of social events--get togethers, parties, breakfasts, lunches, dinners,..hmm...the entire book is bookended by social events. It is after all, a book about society women--and its pretty much all they do, aside from shopping and pedicures. :) But don't let that discourage you. The author managed to fill all of the never-ending meets with lots of tension--sexual and otherwise--and juicy gossip.
And the angst...love it. A book can never have too much angst. I love the complexity of the plot--so many twists and turns--but nothing too absurd or contrived. Up till near the end, I was never really sure who would end up with whom.
Some little issues I have with the book: typos like characters falling 'head over heals' in love (at least 3 times!), A rather unusual way of formatting the dialogue which can be confusing as to who was talking. It slowed my reading somewhat but I didn't mind because it allowed me to savor all the words and resulting emotions.
Nice cover too.
The author made me believe in the characters, their all-consuming lust for each other, and all their actions--destructive or otherwise. I barely noticed the first person POV. Normally, I dont care for this style because it really limits our perception of the other (sometimes more interesting) protagonist. But I understood the other girl, and all the other supporting characters completely.
Even though it is over 340 pages long, nothing came across as filler. There's quite a good number of social events--get togethers, parties, breakfasts, lunches, dinners,..hmm...the entire book is bookended by social events. It is after all, a book about society women--and its pretty much all they do, aside from shopping and pedicures. :) But don't let that discourage you. The author managed to fill all of the never-ending meets with lots of tension--sexual and otherwise--and juicy gossip.
And the angst...love it. A book can never have too much angst. I love the complexity of the plot--so many twists and turns--but nothing too absurd or contrived. Up till near the end, I was never really sure who would end up with whom.
Some little issues I have with the book: typos like characters falling 'head over heals' in love (at least 3 times!), A rather unusual way of formatting the dialogue which can be confusing as to who was talking. It slowed my reading somewhat but I didn't mind because it allowed me to savor all the words and resulting emotions.
Nice cover too.
June 16, 2017
A beautiful heartwarming love story...the consequence of falling in love with another(triangle effect)..well written
April 26, 2013
Another one of the books where I wonder what everyone else was reading, because apparently I was reading something entirely different.
I didn't read the entire thing and skipped through the second half, I was annoyed and at the same time wanted to see how it continued.
I liked the premise, I'm always interested in how people deal with situations like these.
I'm not too fond of the execution. While the book was proof-read (yay for low standards ;)), it could have used solid editing. There were a lot of little things that added up.
The story itself left something to be desired, although I mostly attribute that to the first-person POV. It's a good example of why that's a tricky POV. One of the limits is the portrayal of the 2nd main character. She comes off as 'odd' to put it mildly, and a lot of the things that bugged me are resolved late in the book by a conversation that lets the reader into her head. I would have preferred a more evened out POV.
I just didn't get the motivation for a lot of the things the people in this book did and they didn't contribute to getting a grasp on the characters. Too bad, the story had potential. That the book ends with an epilog that is cliched as it gets didn't help matters.
I didn't read the entire thing and skipped through the second half, I was annoyed and at the same time wanted to see how it continued.
I liked the premise, I'm always interested in how people deal with situations like these.
I'm not too fond of the execution. While the book was proof-read (yay for low standards ;)), it could have used solid editing. There were a lot of little things that added up.
The story itself left something to be desired, although I mostly attribute that to the first-person POV. It's a good example of why that's a tricky POV. One of the limits is the portrayal of the 2nd main character. She comes off as 'odd' to put it mildly, and a lot of the things that bugged me are resolved late in the book by a conversation that lets the reader into her head. I would have preferred a more evened out POV.
I just didn't get the motivation for a lot of the things the people in this book did and they didn't contribute to getting a grasp on the characters. Too bad, the story had potential. That the book ends with an epilog that is cliched as it gets didn't help matters.
January 27, 2019
This is one interesting read. Infidelity at play for both MCs; married Lise & an engaged Juliana - stay away if you don’t like such theme. Story had me hooked from beginning up until the 2 ‘straight’ MCs hook-up, which was pretty early in the book. From then on, I actually found it such a drag to continue reading and almost gave up. Up until at about mid-way through the book when all hell broke loose - that’s when the book got interesting & angsty and had me up until the wee hours in the morning just so I can finish reading it (so gonna be in trouble at work 😅).
3.75 ⭐️
3.75 ⭐️
September 26, 2013
I can't believe I actually made it to the end of this one, but I think I only kept going to see if it had anything redeeming in it at all. Spoiler alert: it doesn't (at least for me).
The book is chock full of lotsa lazy errors. Pretty much every single time it is supposed to say "were" it says "where" (just an example). An editor would also have been useful in trimming this book down - it includes a lot of wasted pages. The author bio states that she is in real estate & Colorado based. As a result the level of detail the real estate (main character) and scenery get are basically completely not relevant to the story and just waste space - and your time when reading it.
The author tells us the make and model of pretty much every single character's vehicle. The only time this seems to actually relate to the story is once - when it's mentioned how Jules is vegan and didn't get leather seats. But so many car details on so many pages...
Kinda absurd that have two women who are straight - one married and one engaged - who suddenly decide that they want to bang each other and it's like no BFD to them. Coming out lesfic is kinda lame unless you're a new gay, but there should've at least been some turmoil for them. Overall, characterization was just a thumbs down.
The author's view on cheating was also interesting. Apparently, if you're married then cheating is okay as long as you stop sleeping with your spouse as soon as you start sleeping with your new fling!
The love/sex scenes. Let me start by saying that you can usually tell by an author's love scenes if they've ever actually been in a passionate relationship. Those that have been seem to write better scenes while the rest of them, well - they write less than great love scenes. As far as relaying this type of passion, the author did manage to successfully accomplish that, but it was still kinda lackluster. And it seemed as if pretty much all the love scenes were just oral and then "she crawled up to lay beside her" or something equally lame like that. Basically - a good start and then a wrong turn into fizzled out nothingness.
Storyline was very predictable. And lots of the things she has the characters think/feel is not age appropriate - makes me wonder if this started out as some sort of fanfic with teen main characters or something as there are far to many thoughts of "feeling tingly inside" and utterly ridiculous teenage-love style dialogue.
To sum up: Poor writing quality, full of typos/errors, loads of irrelevant details, predictable "plot", love scenes were "meh", probably would've been awesome if I was about 15 years old and really liked real estate, cars, and Colorado scenery, seemed to drag on and on.
This book sorta made me want to cry....because I wasted all that time reading it :(
The book is chock full of lotsa lazy errors. Pretty much every single time it is supposed to say "were" it says "where" (just an example). An editor would also have been useful in trimming this book down - it includes a lot of wasted pages. The author bio states that she is in real estate & Colorado based. As a result the level of detail the real estate (main character) and scenery get are basically completely not relevant to the story and just waste space - and your time when reading it.
The author tells us the make and model of pretty much every single character's vehicle. The only time this seems to actually relate to the story is once - when it's mentioned how Jules is vegan and didn't get leather seats. But so many car details on so many pages...
Kinda absurd that have two women who are straight - one married and one engaged - who suddenly decide that they want to bang each other and it's like no BFD to them. Coming out lesfic is kinda lame unless you're a new gay, but there should've at least been some turmoil for them. Overall, characterization was just a thumbs down.
The author's view on cheating was also interesting. Apparently, if you're married then cheating is okay as long as you stop sleeping with your spouse as soon as you start sleeping with your new fling!
The love/sex scenes. Let me start by saying that you can usually tell by an author's love scenes if they've ever actually been in a passionate relationship. Those that have been seem to write better scenes while the rest of them, well - they write less than great love scenes. As far as relaying this type of passion, the author did manage to successfully accomplish that, but it was still kinda lackluster. And it seemed as if pretty much all the love scenes were just oral and then "she crawled up to lay beside her" or something equally lame like that. Basically - a good start and then a wrong turn into fizzled out nothingness.
Storyline was very predictable. And lots of the things she has the characters think/feel is not age appropriate - makes me wonder if this started out as some sort of fanfic with teen main characters or something as there are far to many thoughts of "feeling tingly inside" and utterly ridiculous teenage-love style dialogue.
To sum up: Poor writing quality, full of typos/errors, loads of irrelevant details, predictable "plot", love scenes were "meh", probably would've been awesome if I was about 15 years old and really liked real estate, cars, and Colorado scenery, seemed to drag on and on.
This book sorta made me want to cry....because I wasted all that time reading it :(
August 13, 2014
Although the writing is overall functionally sound (but there are typos), I have a lot of problems with this book. It starts with the main character Elise (who seems quite happily married) discussing how much she despises the woman that took her husband's promotion from him. Then she meets the woman (Juliana) and becomes almost immediately obsessed with her. From the title you think "infatuation-ok so it's probably a pretty intense attraction going on." But this is pure obsession. And I would suggest an unhealthy one at that. I had a hard time understanding what exactly they saw in each other to make such an instant connection believable. The characters did have excellent chemistry, the author is good at writing that.
However, the speed at which these two go to calling each other "honey" and "baby" in front of everyone they know is quite alarming. Also, Juliana is emotionally immature at best. She has tantrums, reacts defensively a lot, and cries and stomps off when she doesn't get her way. Honestly, I contemplated borrowing my wife's DSM to determine if this character could be classified as a sociopath (I believe she is). I know that sounds kind of crazy, but let me tell you why I think so.
Everything up to approximately 75% of the book made me keep looking back to make sure that this was in fact written as a romance. I honestly thought it was a thriller and that someone would be murdered at some point. The arguments they had sounded like arguments one would have with an emotionally unstable person. As an example, at one point Juliana asks Elise to go with her to San Francisco to pick up some stuff from her parents' house. They leave the next day for what they say will be a week. When they get there, there is some seriously weird conversations involving the mother, who photographed her daughter being put into deadly situations when she was a child (this is never brought up again, indescribably). Juliana then says they need to go to the vacation home and just be together for a few days, after being really creepy and irrational about a bike she bought for Elise in San Francisco WEEKS ago (wait-but didn't she JUST ask her to come to San Fran? Yes, because she's manipulative and creepy). Eventually they return home THREE WEEKS LATER without giving any word to her husband and children, who she left in Colorado.
I kept with the book but by the end, I honestly did not want these characters to end up together. I didn't like how Juliana talked to Elise even when they were on good terms (don't even get me started on the 'cabbage incident'). I kept yelling at my e-reader "No! Don't do it! She's going to make furniture out of your skin!"
Think I'm being overly dramatic? Yeah, I probably am. But I think I would have liked this book a lot more if it had been a thriller instead. That, I would have understood.
On the plus side, since the character of Elise showed fairly good growth throughout, the author shows potential. I just think this book missed the mark in a lot of areas.
However, the speed at which these two go to calling each other "honey" and "baby" in front of everyone they know is quite alarming. Also, Juliana is emotionally immature at best. She has tantrums, reacts defensively a lot, and cries and stomps off when she doesn't get her way. Honestly, I contemplated borrowing my wife's DSM to determine if this character could be classified as a sociopath (I believe she is). I know that sounds kind of crazy, but let me tell you why I think so.
Everything up to approximately 75% of the book made me keep looking back to make sure that this was in fact written as a romance. I honestly thought it was a thriller and that someone would be murdered at some point. The arguments they had sounded like arguments one would have with an emotionally unstable person. As an example, at one point Juliana asks Elise to go with her to San Francisco to pick up some stuff from her parents' house. They leave the next day for what they say will be a week. When they get there, there is some seriously weird conversations involving the mother, who photographed her daughter being put into deadly situations when she was a child (this is never brought up again, indescribably). Juliana then says they need to go to the vacation home and just be together for a few days, after being really creepy and irrational about a bike she bought for Elise in San Francisco WEEKS ago (wait-but didn't she JUST ask her to come to San Fran? Yes, because she's manipulative and creepy). Eventually they return home THREE WEEKS LATER without giving any word to her husband and children, who she left in Colorado.
I kept with the book but by the end, I honestly did not want these characters to end up together. I didn't like how Juliana talked to Elise even when they were on good terms (don't even get me started on the 'cabbage incident'). I kept yelling at my e-reader "No! Don't do it! She's going to make furniture out of your skin!"
Think I'm being overly dramatic? Yeah, I probably am. But I think I would have liked this book a lot more if it had been a thriller instead. That, I would have understood.
On the plus side, since the character of Elise showed fairly good growth throughout, the author shows potential. I just think this book missed the mark in a lot of areas.
September 6, 2016
Wow, what a read. The happenings started from the first few pages and exploded from there. Love/Lust at first sight can be fascinating because you want to know if and what they will do about it. I really enjoyed how the story unfolded starting as friends doing various activities together. Juliana Rhodes is laid back but knows what she wants. Lise Cabot thinks she is happy but realizes that she is not as happy as she thought she was. The friends added so much to the read because they were so supportive making you wish you had friends like that.
dnf
December 2, 2022I think this book is good but it's stressing me out. I think I am going to skip it at this point because I can only read a few pages at a time before I have to put it down again. The MC is blowing up her life and while I am usually down for a straight girl figuring out she's not so straight this book deals with infidelity against her husband who is not a bad guy and he deserves better. I think this is like a really good angsty and dramatic cable miniseries which I would watch bit and pieces of but have a hard time watching the whole thing because of my conflicting emotions about it. Like, the tv show Gypsy, I thought was super hot but also toxic af and I never did watch the finale because I just couldn't take it. :) I guess I am a wimp. Oh well.
January 29, 2015
So very disappointing. I was almost embarrassed reading this book, I stopped halfway through. First, I thought the friendship between both women was so horribly unrealistic, it is almost ridiculous. On the day they meet, they already have nicknames for the other. Days later, they call each other "honey" and "baby". After like 2 weeks, they're the best of friends. I'm a true believer of love at first sight and soul mates, but the writer here even fails to depict any kind of real, deep emotion. The only thing I believe is the physical attraction, and even this is poorly demonstrated. The friendship is not convincing, the romance is not convincing, overall the connection between both women was lost on me.
Also, I am not against adultery in romance novels but this one was just awfully handled. The character of Lise is very flat. She hardly tries to fight her attraction to Juliana. There is almost no struggle in her mind, no questions, no doubts. Juliana is no better. So they are not in love with their husbands/soon-to-be husbands. Okay. Still, Lise has two kids, and her husband is a sweetheart, isn't she going to struggle emotionally, even just a little bit? Both women fall for another woman, and it's no big deal to them. This lack of...well, angst, and tension, makes the story really boring and so hard to get into.
Lastly, the first person POV just ruins the whole thing too. It's hard to know what is going on in Juliana's mind, and I couldn't get a clear and consistent idea of who the character was. (For instance, from the blatant way she was checking out Lise at that first party, I was pretty sure she was gay, out and proud. I didn't expect her to be shy and awkward. It just didn't make sense to me).
That was a 4 hours I'll never get back!
The ONE good thing about this book, is its cover.
Also, I am not against adultery in romance novels but this one was just awfully handled. The character of Lise is very flat. She hardly tries to fight her attraction to Juliana. There is almost no struggle in her mind, no questions, no doubts. Juliana is no better. So they are not in love with their husbands/soon-to-be husbands. Okay. Still, Lise has two kids, and her husband is a sweetheart, isn't she going to struggle emotionally, even just a little bit? Both women fall for another woman, and it's no big deal to them. This lack of...well, angst, and tension, makes the story really boring and so hard to get into.
Lastly, the first person POV just ruins the whole thing too. It's hard to know what is going on in Juliana's mind, and I couldn't get a clear and consistent idea of who the character was. (For instance, from the blatant way she was checking out Lise at that first party, I was pretty sure she was gay, out and proud. I didn't expect her to be shy and awkward. It just didn't make sense to me).
That was a 4 hours I'll never get back!
The ONE good thing about this book, is its cover.
September 21, 2016
I've had a difficult time reading this book, I hated it from the very beginning but couldn't seem to just drop it, I needed to finish it at least.
First, the adultery thing just itches me, while the way they meet each other, Elise and Juliana, is enticing, Juliana being the new boss of Elise's husband, how fast they develop a sort of unbreakable bond of friendship is weird as fuck. I guess the author tried to use the 'love at first sight' trope, in the end i think it played out well enough. Secondly, the way they fall into bet together, without any sort of build up, and then Elise neglecting her children in favor of spending 3 weeks in Juliana's bed was just ridiculous. They are so destructive and toxic, the need Juliana has for Elise is almost child like. Also throughout the book they are so manipulative, specially Juliana, always trying to have a hold on the other.
Regarding characterization the rest of the characters were good enough, Elise dropped everything the moment she met Juliana so I don't feel I really have a grasp on how she is as a person, and Juliana is so freaking complicated.
In the end if you want to read a complicated lesbian love affair this is your book.
First, the adultery thing just itches me, while the way they meet each other, Elise and Juliana, is enticing, Juliana being the new boss of Elise's husband, how fast they develop a sort of unbreakable bond of friendship is weird as fuck. I guess the author tried to use the 'love at first sight' trope, in the end i think it played out well enough. Secondly, the way they fall into bet together, without any sort of build up, and then Elise neglecting her children in favor of spending 3 weeks in Juliana's bed was just ridiculous. They are so destructive and toxic, the need Juliana has for Elise is almost child like. Also throughout the book they are so manipulative, specially Juliana, always trying to have a hold on the other.
Regarding characterization the rest of the characters were good enough, Elise dropped everything the moment she met Juliana so I don't feel I really have a grasp on how she is as a person, and Juliana is so freaking complicated.
In the end if you want to read a complicated lesbian love affair this is your book.
February 15, 2018
A woman meets her husband's boss and falls into lust. Both women are seemingly straight but somehow they connect in intimate ways that reveal they were both either gay or bisexual all along and suppressed it. It all seemed superficial and clichéd in the beginning. I thought, what is wrong with this woman? She's sneaking her lover into her home with her family there? Wth? But as the story evolved, things grew more complex and I was drawn in as the affair transformed into a genuine once in a lifetime love story. The author gave a bigger picture of how these women found themselves in this place and time. I actually thought the story could have easily had an additional 100 pages to draw out more of the characters' backstories which I thought were crucial to their present behavior. I am already determined to read more of this author's books.
March 23, 2017
Apparently people loved or hated this book. I became a little infatuated with reading it. I wasn't certain how things would end up and I always was waiting for Juliana to be like the rabbit killing chick from Fatal Attraction. It also brought up some of my own personal history and that wasn't a road I particularly wanted to travel again. Obviously I had a fair amount of angst while reading this book with conflicting emotions but I think that is what makes a story resonate with us and change our lives in some small way. Great job by the author of making the reader think.
May 24, 2021
Immature writing, had potential and terrible cover
November 13, 2013
I found the book to be amazingly written! It had all the key elements one can ask for in a well written story. I was kept on my toes and walked around with a goofy smile on my face the entire reading. Very realistic characters that made my own heart race, anticipating what would happen next with the two beauties! I could go on and on because I loved Infatuation that much, so I'll finish off by STRONGLY recommending this book. To Ms Lyndon,I am anxiously awaiting your next! Thank you so very much for making this fabulous piece my latest infatuation.
November 10, 2013
I'm tired of reading about adultery. It's not sexy. It's not fun. Listen, I adore a sexy lesbian story but I just can no longer brook these affairs: if one of the characters is married to a man but is attracted to a woman that does NOT make it okay. In all fairness, I also found the main character of Jules (Juliana) to be a bit, um, of a sociopath with her her ping-ponging and frighteningly puerile emotional status.
January 5, 2026
The only thing I didn't like about this book was the infidelity factor. Both MC's are with male partners and presumably straight until they meet at a party and are inseparable after that. The love that grows between them had me hooked from the start and kept me up late into the evening reading. This is a book I will read and enjoy again and again.
May 13, 2013
Wow, unexpected and amazing.
What I loved most about Jennifer Lyndon's writing: While a character was talking, instead of beats that led to what they were doing with THEIR hands or THEIR expressions, she included the opposite person's reactions.
It was so new and interesting to be reading that way. It helped me get a better picture of everything that was going on.
I also got an amazing insight to who the main character, Elise was. Lyndon gave her a great depth of personality and she's definitely one of those characters I'll never forget.
I truly hope Lyndon creates more lesbian romance! This was the first book I ever read by her and I would buy a second in a heartbeat.
What I loved most about Jennifer Lyndon's writing: While a character was talking, instead of beats that led to what they were doing with THEIR hands or THEIR expressions, she included the opposite person's reactions.
It was so new and interesting to be reading that way. It helped me get a better picture of everything that was going on.
I also got an amazing insight to who the main character, Elise was. Lyndon gave her a great depth of personality and she's definitely one of those characters I'll never forget.
I truly hope Lyndon creates more lesbian romance! This was the first book I ever read by her and I would buy a second in a heartbeat.
June 12, 2013
This book is totally out of my expectation in a good way. I've just randomly selected this one off the shell and didn't expected to be captivated.
It's so true that we don't choose who we fall in love with, and when Elise was falling so hard for Jules, every bit in this book just felt so real. The marriage, friends, kids, work, life etc...
I'm not going to write anymore spoilers here. Go pick up a copy for yourself, I'm sure you'll love this book as I do.
It's so true that we don't choose who we fall in love with, and when Elise was falling so hard for Jules, every bit in this book just felt so real. The marriage, friends, kids, work, life etc...
I'm not going to write anymore spoilers here. Go pick up a copy for yourself, I'm sure you'll love this book as I do.
July 12, 2018
There's something really wrong in this book. Lise is not a good person. She's unloyal to her husband and to her children, because of sex.
DNF.
DNF.
June 13, 2023
Not everyone gets angsty obsessive cheating lesbians the way I do and that’s okay!
January 29, 2019
Um...where do I begin. Well I'll start by saying the first half of this book was just wow! Had me infatuated! The connection, the obsession, the undeniable attraction, loved every minute of it. I wasn't so infatuated with the second half but overall still a very good read. 4 1/2 stars for sure😊
September 6, 2016
What did I think? This book is pretty close to the way some women behave is what I thought! :)
An infatuation between two straight women (one a trophy wife, the other a talented and precocious design genius) leads into a short and very intense affair. There is a great deal of collateral damage here, selfish demands are made, and a break up with awful emotional consequences ensues. They avoid each other with a vengeance (yes, women do that!) and finally the friends rally round and... Well, I will leave it there as I don't want to spoil it for you!
I thought that the most telling thing in this story was the characterization of Lise and Jules. Both women are emotionally fragile and seem to be totally lacking in any compassion for the other - it's all "you did" and "me, me, me", professing love without showing very much to anyone, but then the state of being "in love" tends to be a very selfish, exclusive and hormonal thing in many cases.
Any criticism? Yes, personally I think this would have been best without the "epilogue" at the end which I did find a little anodyne. Until that PC point it was 5* all the way for me because I have seen people (men and women, but women especially) behave JUST like Lise and Jules.
An infatuation between two straight women (one a trophy wife, the other a talented and precocious design genius) leads into a short and very intense affair. There is a great deal of collateral damage here, selfish demands are made, and a break up with awful emotional consequences ensues. They avoid each other with a vengeance (yes, women do that!) and finally the friends rally round and... Well, I will leave it there as I don't want to spoil it for you!
I thought that the most telling thing in this story was the characterization of Lise and Jules. Both women are emotionally fragile and seem to be totally lacking in any compassion for the other - it's all "you did" and "me, me, me", professing love without showing very much to anyone, but then the state of being "in love" tends to be a very selfish, exclusive and hormonal thing in many cases.
Any criticism? Yes, personally I think this would have been best without the "epilogue" at the end which I did find a little anodyne. Until that PC point it was 5* all the way for me because I have seen people (men and women, but women especially) behave JUST like Lise and Jules.
June 2, 2015
I started reading it and I couldn't put it down. I love how the author adds interesting details about the characters and their personalities, but continues to move the story foreword. Everything from the moment the two main characters meet to the dialogue between them is important and I savoured it. I've re-read this book multiple times. It's a great piece.
May 15, 2013
One of the more "real" lesbian fiction books I've read. These were normal women - what a relief. And the story was realistic. I know right? Sounds goofy - like setting the bar really low. But it was a nice read. I'll read more Jennifer Lyndon.
July 5, 2013
Loved this book. I never wanted it to end
April 13, 2024
I’m impressed and surprised. I didn’t realize until after reading the book that this is Jennifer Lyndon’s first and only novel. The story she has written is enthralling yet simplistic. There are dynamic characters. The plot is believable and relatable. There were no points where I felt the urge to skip ahead. Nothing is convenient or contrived. Lyndon does her due diligence in fleshing out the premise she has established with good dialogue, an interesting supporting cast, and a lovable, imperfect protagonist, Lise Cabot.
The story is told from Lise’s point of view, but Lyndon manages to keep her perspective from seeming limited. She uses flashbacks and conversations to make the reader feel like they understand the other characters as well. Juliana makes some rash decisions and behaves erratically, but at no time did I feel like I didn’t understand why. Lyndon outlines how Jules was raised and gives insight into her mindset through her parents and “family staff”. She pulls it off without it feeling forced. There are other characters that could have been explored more like Lise’s husband or her son Michael. But at the same time it was unnecessary for the development of the plot. This book almost feels like a glimpse into the lives of the characters. I like that the author didn’t try to tie up every loose end in an overly nice and neat way because that is not life. Lyndon has made the reader want to know more about every character. I think that is the hallmark of a well-constructed drama.
The attraction between Lise and Juliana is intense and leaps off of the page. You feel for them and their predicament; they are both with other people, but have fallen for one another. The story doesn’t glorify infidelity. Lyndon addresses effect on the family unit. The characters even talk about the poor decisions they’ve made along the way. They do crazy things, take unnecessary risks, and act in their own self-interest at times. They could have done a lot of things differently and with more care, but like real people, they screw up a bit. From a “Lesbian Romance” standpoint, this premise is hardly original. After having read it though, I don’t think I’ve ever read quite so intimate a portrait of a woman discovering who she is and dealing with the outcome of how her life inevitably has to change due to that discovery.
There are editing flaws, typos mostly. They are not a real barrier though. I alleviated my O.C.D. by making corrections in my Kindle app. Lyndon could easily pull another story out of this exposition because it is just that good, but I like where she left it. She uses an epilogue set nearly two years after the last page, and though it’s little more than a peek at how things sort of turned out, I think it was a good way to wean me off without that familiar lost feeling after a binge read. All in all, it could have been better, but it was great and worth the time.
The story is told from Lise’s point of view, but Lyndon manages to keep her perspective from seeming limited. She uses flashbacks and conversations to make the reader feel like they understand the other characters as well. Juliana makes some rash decisions and behaves erratically, but at no time did I feel like I didn’t understand why. Lyndon outlines how Jules was raised and gives insight into her mindset through her parents and “family staff”. She pulls it off without it feeling forced. There are other characters that could have been explored more like Lise’s husband or her son Michael. But at the same time it was unnecessary for the development of the plot. This book almost feels like a glimpse into the lives of the characters. I like that the author didn’t try to tie up every loose end in an overly nice and neat way because that is not life. Lyndon has made the reader want to know more about every character. I think that is the hallmark of a well-constructed drama.
The attraction between Lise and Juliana is intense and leaps off of the page. You feel for them and their predicament; they are both with other people, but have fallen for one another. The story doesn’t glorify infidelity. Lyndon addresses effect on the family unit. The characters even talk about the poor decisions they’ve made along the way. They do crazy things, take unnecessary risks, and act in their own self-interest at times. They could have done a lot of things differently and with more care, but like real people, they screw up a bit. From a “Lesbian Romance” standpoint, this premise is hardly original. After having read it though, I don’t think I’ve ever read quite so intimate a portrait of a woman discovering who she is and dealing with the outcome of how her life inevitably has to change due to that discovery.
There are editing flaws, typos mostly. They are not a real barrier though. I alleviated my O.C.D. by making corrections in my Kindle app. Lyndon could easily pull another story out of this exposition because it is just that good, but I like where she left it. She uses an epilogue set nearly two years after the last page, and though it’s little more than a peek at how things sort of turned out, I think it was a good way to wean me off without that familiar lost feeling after a binge read. All in all, it could have been better, but it was great and worth the time.
April 23, 2017
I love lesbian fiction but this one had me doubting if I could/would actually finish it. There were many scenarios I found very unbelievable. The main characters 'irritated' me on many counts...illogical behavior, inconsistencies, unloving and disrespectful demeanors. Juliana (Jules) and Elizabeth (Elise or Lise), two 'straight' women who are immediately and TOTALLY drawn to one another without any real indication of such proclivities. Lise does things which disrespect the man she's married to (i.e. brings another person into the house she shares with her spouse to engage in sex and romance) and little concern for her children (i.e. just met someone (love/lust interest), go out of town for three weeks with little forethought other than the sex and romance you're going to share with someone you just met). Jules isn't much better. She breaks off the engagement with her fiancee' for a love/lust interest she's just met (less than three...four months prior).
The characters are very flippant with the level of 'out' they display, or choose to display and expose their family, friends, acquaintances to --- one minute it's 'I don't care' (i.e. giving out information that clearing indicates the level of their involvement) and the next instant...wanting to keep things 'hush hush' to same said family/friends. Lise's husband (Scott) seemed just a little too clueless. Your wife (Lise) all of a sudden (like at the beginning of their meeting) spends much of her free time (i.e. spending nights at her house, going away for three weeks after having known her for less than a month, biking and eating together every day, etc.) in the company of your new boss (Jules - who's taken a job you were hoping to slide into). I find it difficult that he would not be a little suspicious of this quick friendship and the amount of time Lise spends with this other person.
I thought the story also dragged on a little longer than it had to and there was some information that was a case of overkill, for me -- i.e. the real estate information (Lise is a real estate agent), the architectural info. (Jules is an architect), the 'million' sexual encounters. Also, there was some redundant actions/verbiage ---- how many times, and why do I need to be informed every time said character '...bites her lip...'?
There were some comical moments. I loved, Loved, LOVED Lise's friends Kitty and Cher. They added humor and irreverence that I enjoyed.
Anyway, I don't believe I'll be rushing out to read anything else by this writer...if she were to create/publish another novel.
The characters are very flippant with the level of 'out' they display, or choose to display and expose their family, friends, acquaintances to --- one minute it's 'I don't care' (i.e. giving out information that clearing indicates the level of their involvement) and the next instant...wanting to keep things 'hush hush' to same said family/friends. Lise's husband (Scott) seemed just a little too clueless. Your wife (Lise) all of a sudden (like at the beginning of their meeting) spends much of her free time (i.e. spending nights at her house, going away for three weeks after having known her for less than a month, biking and eating together every day, etc.) in the company of your new boss (Jules - who's taken a job you were hoping to slide into). I find it difficult that he would not be a little suspicious of this quick friendship and the amount of time Lise spends with this other person.
I thought the story also dragged on a little longer than it had to and there was some information that was a case of overkill, for me -- i.e. the real estate information (Lise is a real estate agent), the architectural info. (Jules is an architect), the 'million' sexual encounters. Also, there was some redundant actions/verbiage ---- how many times, and why do I need to be informed every time said character '...bites her lip...'?
There were some comical moments. I loved, Loved, LOVED Lise's friends Kitty and Cher. They added humor and irreverence that I enjoyed.
Anyway, I don't believe I'll be rushing out to read anything else by this writer...if she were to create/publish another novel.
December 1, 2021
4.0/5
What a surprise this book was. From all the books I've been reading lately, they usually lose steam in the second half because of predictability. I can definitely say that the second half of the book was better and I much prefer it. The pacing in the early parts were a little fast. But it got much better as the story went on. There were some inconsistencies, but I think my enjoyment overlooks it. I finished the book in one sitting.
Fun and easy read.
What a surprise this book was. From all the books I've been reading lately, they usually lose steam in the second half because of predictability. I can definitely say that the second half of the book was better and I much prefer it. The pacing in the early parts were a little fast. But it got much better as the story went on. There were some inconsistencies, but I think my enjoyment overlooks it. I finished the book in one sitting.
Fun and easy read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews