Silver Threads

by Lyn Denison

Australian artist Melanie Jamieson feels her life is on a one-way trip to nowhere. Since the unexpected breakup of her six-year relationship with the author of the children's books she illustrates, Melanie has been unable to drag herself out of an ever-deepening depression. To make matters worse, Melanie is constantly running into Terry and her new girlfriend.

Wavering between anger and despair, Melanie decides to leave Melbourne and visit her family in Queensland. Once there, she discovers that her parents are going out of town. In an effort to keep Melanie's mind off her problems, her mother convinces her to stay with their former neighbor, Crys Hewitt, who needs help to make ends meet on her farm.

Unknown to Melanie's mother, when Melanie was a shy, confused teenager, she had an incredible crush on Crys, and now feels she made a complete fool of herself trying to win the woman's attention. Despite her initial reluctance, Melanie finds herself back on the farm — and back in the life of the attractive and sensuous older woman.

Genres: Lesbian, Fiction, Lesbian Fiction, Romance, Australia, LGBT, Lesbian Romance

195 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

Lyn Denison was born and still resides in Brisbane, Australia, and attended school in Brisbane and Charters Towers. Before making writing a full-time career, Lyn was a librarian. Apart from reading, Lyn enjoys genealogy, scrapbooking, photography, playing her 12-string guitar and chatting with friends.

Reviews

[John Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Ms Denison's writing, especially as they are Aussie based and well written. Another age gap, friends to lovers story told in alternating chapters. Mel is an illustrator of animal stories (her present one about a wombat) with her collaborator and former lover, Terry, who has left her for someone else. She is encouraged by her mother to regroup and stay with her close friend and former next door neighbour, Crys, on a farm in Northern NSW. Mel has had a crush on Crys for over ten years, although she is her mother's friend and 14 years her senior. I felt the story and interactions between the two very honest and believable. I will continue to read Ms Denison's books. 4 stars.

[isa Simonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyn Denison has been a pioneer of the lesbian book since 1990, when she released her first book.
She has written over twenty books formerly published by Bella Books. The 90s were not yet very open to lesbianism. but since that date she has been able to write lesbian romances with sexual relations.
Many lesbian books today would not be published if some authors had not taken the lead. Read,The Wild One, Gold Fever, among others.
Read her books and see the modernity of what she wrote.

[Dide · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 star rating
Crushes rarely materialises into reality but this story says otherwise. Pleasant read leaving me wonder how the best friend and mum will react

[Diana P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7

[B. Lazenby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed the book and loved the two main characters. However, I didn't like the abrupt way the story ended. Would like to have known how Mel's mother reacted to their relationship.

[Hope Freed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I largely enjoyed this tale of 28 year old Mel, having suffered a break up, retreating to life on a farm owned and run by her childhood crush, Crys. Crys is the lesbian best friend of Mel’s mother and 14 years older than Mel. They haven’t seen each other for about 10 years after a youthful indiscretion. And what doesn’t come out for quite some time is that Mel is also a lesbian, not the straight girl everyone assumes she is. Both women find their previous feelings being rekindled but Crys is wary of a supposedly straight girl experimenting and Mel thinks her own feelings are not reciprocated…
What I found somewhat frustrating in this was the way Mel missed multiple opportunities to own up to both her mother and Crys that 1) she’s a lesbian and 2) her former lover, Terry, was a woman, not a man. I know it added to the dramatic thrust but it just felt very unreal. I also felt a little cheated at not getting a scene of Mel finally coming out to her mum and admitting she’s now in a relationship with Crys. Otherwise, this was enjoyable enough.

[Sarah Kidd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy going, age gap romance, perfect to while away a few hours in an afternoon.

Nothing spectacular but gave me everything I wanted as a reader. Nothing I had to think too hard about, just relax and enjoy the storytelling.

The ending was a bit abrupt as other reviews have mentioned. It would have been nice to extend it and see the reaction of Mel’s mother to the new couple. Could have led to some interesting dynamics and conversations. As well as the reaction of Crys’s friend group.

But overall a nice solid read that stands the test of time pretty well for a book written over 25 years ago.

[Sandi D · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute age gap story..

Cute age gap story. At 17 your best friend’s daughter had a crush on you. Now 28 the daughter is trying to heal from breaking up with her boyfriend who was actually a girlfriend seems there was a “small” communication problem in the family.. the mother’s leaving town and asks if the daughter Mel can stay with you so she’s not alone. What can possibly happen. haha

[Kathleen Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this wonderful age gap romance. Mel and Crys are so beautifully written and the way they deal with passion, both past and present, is well done.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story until the end, it didn't go far enough. The interaction of the characters was great.

[Trippentigger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read

This is a nice quick contemporary romance read. Enjoyed getting to see this glimpse of the MCs lives. Likable characters with great chemistry together.

[Kayla Brahm · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I am a complete sucker for age gaps, this one just didn't give enough for me. I did really enjoy the characters but I needed more build-up with them. There wasn't a ton of dialogue that moved the story forward. I also would have loved to see them interact as a couple and come out to Mel's mother. Overall, I think if this novel was a bit to short.