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Mainely Books Club
Charmed By Her
The only thing I had to look forward to was getting as far away from my hometown of Arrowbridge, Maine, as possible. That is, until I bump into a single mom and her bug-loving daughter. Ingrid Davidson and I have absolutely nothing in common. She’s older, she has a child, and she’s settled in Arrowbridge for good.
Still, I can’t stop finding reasons to spend time with her, and her adorable toddler. There’s no rule that I can’t have a friend before I head off to my new life. Just one small problem: my feelings for Ingrid are not just friendly.
Not only is she unbelievably stunning, but she’s funny and I love the way she is with her daughter. Ingrid’s life as a single mom isn’t easy, and the pull to want to be there for her is undeniable. As my original plans start to fade further into the background, I wonder if I could make a good life in Arrowbridge, or if I have to follow my plans to get away once and for all.
Still, I can’t stop finding reasons to spend time with her, and her adorable toddler. There’s no rule that I can’t have a friend before I head off to my new life. Just one small problem: my feelings for Ingrid are not just friendly.
Not only is she unbelievably stunning, but she’s funny and I love the way she is with her daughter. Ingrid’s life as a single mom isn’t easy, and the pull to want to be there for her is undeniable. As my original plans start to fade further into the background, I wonder if I could make a good life in Arrowbridge, or if I have to follow my plans to get away once and for all.
Unknown Binding
First published June 20, 2023
82 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Chelsea M. Cameron
114 books4,880 followersChelsea M. Cameron is a New York Times/USA Today/Internationally Best Selling author from Maine who now lives and works in Boston. She's a red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, former cheerleader, and world's worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, eating brunch in bed, tweeting, and playing fetch with her cat, Sassenach. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 17, 2023
Lovely feel-good age-gap romance with a single mom as one MC. Low on the angst read and an adorable 3 year old daughter as a second character.
Entertaining read.
Entertaining read.
January 9, 2024
A good read: you know what you get with Chelsea and I for one love them. Just what I need. If you like one, you’ll love them all. Recommended series.
Read
July 9, 2023A beautiful age gap story with an adorable toddler
Karissa wants nothing more than to move out of Arrowbridge. Until she saves Athena from being hit by a car in a
parking lot. The 3 yr old's mother Ingrid is grateful and offers to take Karissa out to dinner as a thank you. Karissa is so attracted to Ingrid. Their dinner lasted till closing. This is a heartwarming age gap story. Love this series! Hot!! 5 stars!
Karissa wants nothing more than to move out of Arrowbridge. Until she saves Athena from being hit by a car in a
parking lot. The 3 yr old's mother Ingrid is grateful and offers to take Karissa out to dinner as a thank you. Karissa is so attracted to Ingrid. Their dinner lasted till closing. This is a heartwarming age gap story. Love this series! Hot!! 5 stars!
February 12, 2024
I'm such a sucker for books with age gaps and this book ticked all my boxes. This author writes fluff like she means serious business and I absolutely adore her characters. This book made me stupidly happy and is probably my favourite in this series. Can't recommend it enough!!
January 13, 2025
This SERIES is very enjoyable. It is a cozy read with little conflict or angst. Its straightforward and easy to read, with some very cute romance and spicy bits. Each companion novel builds on the others, so the result is a very full world full of characters that you know and connect with.
This was the worst entry in the series so far. I didn’t really dislike anything about it…. more that there wasn’t anything to have a strong opinion about. It was, remarkably underwhelming. The “low conflict and angst” was dialed down to 0, and basically nothing happens in this novel that is noteworthy. This was one of those novels where the “conflict” was that the protagonist doesn’t think they should be together until at one point they change their mind, and there is noting that I could label as a “climax” to this story (well, there are several “climaxes” of a different kind……).
It’s got its cute moments, and the protagonists are honestly adorable together. Its also very short and incredibly quick to read. If you are reading this series then you should read this one, but don’t expect a lot from it. As a whole, the series is absolutely worth the read and this is part of the package deal.
My Rating: “C-”
Converted Rating: 2-Stars (Rounded Down)
This was the worst entry in the series so far. I didn’t really dislike anything about it…. more that there wasn’t anything to have a strong opinion about. It was, remarkably underwhelming. The “low conflict and angst” was dialed down to 0, and basically nothing happens in this novel that is noteworthy. This was one of those novels where the “conflict” was that the protagonist doesn’t think they should be together until at one point they change their mind, and there is noting that I could label as a “climax” to this story (well, there are several “climaxes” of a different kind……).
It’s got its cute moments, and the protagonists are honestly adorable together. Its also very short and incredibly quick to read. If you are reading this series then you should read this one, but don’t expect a lot from it. As a whole, the series is absolutely worth the read and this is part of the package deal.
My Rating: “C-”
Converted Rating: 2-Stars (Rounded Down)
August 25, 2023
Well…this is why I began the “Mainely Books Club” series!! I wanted to read an age gap, single mother sapphic romance book, and this satisfied me perfectly!! I do not even care that it is instalove / instant attraction or anything, it was just so cute, and absolutely everything I wanted!!
Karissa was a nice character in the previous book, and I am so happy that Ingrid (and Athena) were in this one too!! They were so cute in the previous one (from what we saw of Mia interacting with them), and ahhh!! This was just so heartwarmingly cute!!
Again, it is sad that Layne, Joy, and Sydney (as well as Honor, Ezra, and Lark), and even Everly and Ryan, are so minor at this point considering the series began with them. But I do love Mia and Tenley, and especially Karissa and Ingrid (and of course Athena) now!!
Lastly, Karissa’s goals are so relatable!! I have long desired to get out of Kansas. I hate it. But I know for a fact that if I were to find someone as great as Ingrid is with Karissa (that is: if I fell in love), I would happily stay. It is not the location that really matters to me so much as the people, and right now I just feel so…isolated? That if I lived in a big city, I would experience more of the world? And yet, I still am like Karissa in that I do not really enjoy going out to parties or large social gatherings, even if I do fantasize about going to them.
Please forgive the tangents in this.
Karissa was a nice character in the previous book, and I am so happy that Ingrid (and Athena) were in this one too!! They were so cute in the previous one (from what we saw of Mia interacting with them), and ahhh!! This was just so heartwarmingly cute!!
Again, it is sad that Layne, Joy, and Sydney (as well as Honor, Ezra, and Lark), and even Everly and Ryan, are so minor at this point considering the series began with them. But I do love Mia and Tenley, and especially Karissa and Ingrid (and of course Athena) now!!
Lastly, Karissa’s goals are so relatable!! I have long desired to get out of Kansas. I hate it. But I know for a fact that if I were to find someone as great as Ingrid is with Karissa (that is: if I fell in love), I would happily stay. It is not the location that really matters to me so much as the people, and right now I just feel so…isolated? That if I lived in a big city, I would experience more of the world? And yet, I still am like Karissa in that I do not really enjoy going out to parties or large social gatherings, even if I do fantasize about going to them.
Please forgive the tangents in this.
June 20, 2023
Karissa wants nothing more than to leave her small town life and annoying job in her rear view mirror, but a surprise encounter with the beautiful Ingrid and her precious toddler have her seriously considering making a u-turn.
Charmed by Her is truly as charming as its title implies. Karissa is a funny, likable main character and Ingrid is a compelling yet down to earth love interest. The secondary characters are equally entertaining, especially little Athena as well as Karissa’s dad, who furnishes several endearing and heartwarming scenes. While not a slow burn, the romance build slowly enough to let the reader feel and enjoy all the emotional nuances of Karisssa’s growing connection with Ingrid and Athena. As a bonus, as with the rest of the books in this series, this story also drops tantalizing hints of other great sapphic books for devoted fans of the genre.
If you love warm-hearted sapphic romances with adorable characters and situations, you’ll be charmed by Charmed by Her.
Charmed by Her is truly as charming as its title implies. Karissa is a funny, likable main character and Ingrid is a compelling yet down to earth love interest. The secondary characters are equally entertaining, especially little Athena as well as Karissa’s dad, who furnishes several endearing and heartwarming scenes. While not a slow burn, the romance build slowly enough to let the reader feel and enjoy all the emotional nuances of Karisssa’s growing connection with Ingrid and Athena. As a bonus, as with the rest of the books in this series, this story also drops tantalizing hints of other great sapphic books for devoted fans of the genre.
If you love warm-hearted sapphic romances with adorable characters and situations, you’ll be charmed by Charmed by Her.
June 29, 2023
Of course, I immediately liked the sixth series of books "By her" or "Mainly Books Club". Why "of course" and "immediately", just a story about a single mother, it's automatically pass the exam with a good mark in the subject of my favourites.
It is very easy for Chelsea to capture the reader's attention. There's something about the author's writing that I can't put into words. In short, her series books are like a drug, I swallow them immediately and finish them in a day or two. And after reading them, I look forward to new ones. I wait like a faithful dog for its master.
Let's talk about the story itself, it is generally warm, memorable and pleasant. The little heroine Athena has sunk into my soul since the fifth book. The book exceeded my many expectations and I really liked the couple. But something was missing for me. I think the volume of the story itself and more passion and languor.
It is very easy for Chelsea to capture the reader's attention. There's something about the author's writing that I can't put into words. In short, her series books are like a drug, I swallow them immediately and finish them in a day or two. And after reading them, I look forward to new ones. I wait like a faithful dog for its master.
Let's talk about the story itself, it is generally warm, memorable and pleasant. The little heroine Athena has sunk into my soul since the fifth book. The book exceeded my many expectations and I really liked the couple. But something was missing for me. I think the volume of the story itself and more passion and languor.
June 23, 2023
HEART-WARMING AND VERY CUTE
A really cute story and loved the little girl. As a single mom myself I could relate to Ingrid’s fatigue and the need to be upbeat literally all the time. Never showing true affection until it is real.
A rare example of a loving and respectful dad for Kerissa. I don’t think I’ve read another lesbian book that stressed a really great father. Mostly it is mom’s both good and bad. I loved that idea.
Kerissa had big dreams but frankly, they didn’t sound all that exciting to me. More like escape.
A very enjoyable book. Certainly wouldn’t mind living in Arrowbridge, Maine. Sounds utopian with so many lesbians finding each other. Chelsea is building a lesbian environment that all of us are interested in visiting and perhaps moving in…
A really cute story and loved the little girl. As a single mom myself I could relate to Ingrid’s fatigue and the need to be upbeat literally all the time. Never showing true affection until it is real.
A rare example of a loving and respectful dad for Kerissa. I don’t think I’ve read another lesbian book that stressed a really great father. Mostly it is mom’s both good and bad. I loved that idea.
Kerissa had big dreams but frankly, they didn’t sound all that exciting to me. More like escape.
A very enjoyable book. Certainly wouldn’t mind living in Arrowbridge, Maine. Sounds utopian with so many lesbians finding each other. Chelsea is building a lesbian environment that all of us are interested in visiting and perhaps moving in…
July 12, 2023
Another Amazing Volume In This Delightful Series
Chelsea Cameron does not disappoint, again. Ingrid and her daughter, Athena don’t realize it but they’re ready for a change in their lives. That change arrives in the form of Karissa, who rescues little Athena, who got loose from her mother in a parking lot.
Karissa, meanwhile, has been trying to convince herself that her future is in some big city, far from Arrowbridge. But from the moment they meet, Ingrid and Karissa are drawn to each other. And the more time they spend together, the stronger that draw becomes.
This book is about trusting our feelings, and opening our eyes to the possibilities that are often right there in front of us. Ingrid and Karissa did, and for them, that choice became their happy ever after.
Chelsea Cameron does not disappoint, again. Ingrid and her daughter, Athena don’t realize it but they’re ready for a change in their lives. That change arrives in the form of Karissa, who rescues little Athena, who got loose from her mother in a parking lot.
Karissa, meanwhile, has been trying to convince herself that her future is in some big city, far from Arrowbridge. But from the moment they meet, Ingrid and Karissa are drawn to each other. And the more time they spend together, the stronger that draw becomes.
This book is about trusting our feelings, and opening our eyes to the possibilities that are often right there in front of us. Ingrid and Karissa did, and for them, that choice became their happy ever after.
June 23, 2023
Slow burn age gap single mom
Charmed by Her just shows why Ms. Cameron is one of my favorite authors! A sweet slow burn featuring an alluring age gap with the elder being a single mom. They basically have an instant connection but one wants out of town asap and the other is very settled. Once they meet, they can’t seem to spend enough time together. Do they eventually get there? Must read to find out!! (Also wonderful to get glimpses of the cast of characters from the previous Mainely Books).
Charmed by Her just shows why Ms. Cameron is one of my favorite authors! A sweet slow burn featuring an alluring age gap with the elder being a single mom. They basically have an instant connection but one wants out of town asap and the other is very settled. Once they meet, they can’t seem to spend enough time together. Do they eventually get there? Must read to find out!! (Also wonderful to get glimpses of the cast of characters from the previous Mainely Books).
June 22, 2023
happy
This is my new favourite book in this series! My apologies to Honor and Laney but I couldn’t help it. I don’t know what it is about a cute kid that just makes things sweeter. I loved these two main characters and of course the kid. It’s funny how you think your life is heading in one direction, then boom! About turn and everything is just brighter and better. I’m looking forward to hearing more about this little family in future books.
This is my new favourite book in this series! My apologies to Honor and Laney but I couldn’t help it. I don’t know what it is about a cute kid that just makes things sweeter. I loved these two main characters and of course the kid. It’s funny how you think your life is heading in one direction, then boom! About turn and everything is just brighter and better. I’m looking forward to hearing more about this little family in future books.
June 22, 2023
Love the Series
Arrowbridge, Maine is small town but LGBTQ friendly. But Karrissa can’t wait to move to a big city and leave her dead in job. When she rescues a little girl in a parking lot and meets Ingrid and her daughter. Now the course of her life is in question as she falls in love with Ingrid and Athena. Awesome characters and charming life moments.
Arrowbridge, Maine is small town but LGBTQ friendly. But Karrissa can’t wait to move to a big city and leave her dead in job. When she rescues a little girl in a parking lot and meets Ingrid and her daughter. Now the course of her life is in question as she falls in love with Ingrid and Athena. Awesome characters and charming life moments.
June 24, 2023
Charmed By Her is another nice addition to the Mainely Books Club series. The story arc combines age-gap and single-parent tropes. There is some angst and an insect obsessed toddler to keep things moving. As usual, there are opportunities to catch up with some of the couples from earlier tales. This is an enjoyable read with a satisfying conclusion.
October 29, 2023
satisfying and fun read!
The read is light and uplifting: positive parenting throughout, Ingrid and Karissa are very likable, references to books by other authors I’ve enjoyed, all the main characters are supportive and caring of each other. It’s a relief to feel it even if it is fiction! CMC always drops in unexpected humor that makes me laugh, which is such a gift!
The read is light and uplifting: positive parenting throughout, Ingrid and Karissa are very likable, references to books by other authors I’ve enjoyed, all the main characters are supportive and caring of each other. It’s a relief to feel it even if it is fiction! CMC always drops in unexpected humor that makes me laugh, which is such a gift!
June 25, 2023
Each and every one of the books in this series has been so enjoyable to read. I love the characters, storyline, and how wonderfully they are written. Highly recommended, and there's nothing more to be said!
July 20, 2023
Marissa and Ingrid met during an almost unfortunate accident. After many dinners, the ladies sat and talked. Some life throws you balls and it's up to you to catch them or let it fall. Marissa caught it. HEA ending, well written.
June 23, 2024
Athena though….
Athena is just the cutest little thing. This heart warming book is a single mother’s dream. To find that love that also falls in love with your child. Ingrid is a great mother to Athena. I love how they do everything together.
Athena is just the cutest little thing. This heart warming book is a single mother’s dream. To find that love that also falls in love with your child. Ingrid is a great mother to Athena. I love how they do everything together.
June 20, 2023
Another good one
I have enjoyed this book as much as the others. I enjoyed their story as they navigate life and love. I really cannot wait for the next one.
I have enjoyed this book as much as the others. I enjoyed their story as they navigate life and love. I really cannot wait for the next one.
June 26, 2023
So cute, I love the little family and how natural they got together, so sweet
July 1, 2023
Adorable
I haven’t read a book written by Chelsea that I haven’t like, this one is no exception.
A cute read with a cute little girl. You’ll like “Kissa” and family,
I haven’t read a book written by Chelsea that I haven’t like, this one is no exception.
A cute read with a cute little girl. You’ll like “Kissa” and family,
July 11, 2023
Very sweet.
July 24, 2023
I love Chelsea M. Cameron’s books. This series is so sweet and I love the low drama, no angst romance of it all. And the toddler in the mix just made it sweeter. Lovely afternoon read.
September 10, 2023
enjoyable series
Really like the books in this series. Age-gap, single mother, HEA. Ms. Cameron brings a small town in Maine to life.
Really like the books in this series. Age-gap, single mother, HEA. Ms. Cameron brings a small town in Maine to life.
January 19, 2024
I wasn't sure I'd like this when I started reading it but by the 2nd chapter I was hooked. Good book, well written and very entertaining.
July 10, 2024
Very cute
I think this is my favourite from this series so far. They make an excellent couple and we do love a bit of age gap.
I think this is my favourite from this series so far. They make an excellent couple and we do love a bit of age gap.
October 11, 2025
I really really liked this book! It was so comforting to read and I had a huge smile the whole time reading!!!
June 29, 2023
- another great book in the series
- story involves character having a child
- not my favorite in the series but still really loved reading it
- story involves character having a child
- not my favorite in the series but still really loved reading it
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews