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Olive Oil and White Bread
What happens to lovers after the happy-ever-after moment? What goes on behind the closed doors of a relationship once the commitment is made? What does romance turn into when the hands of time keep turning? Olive Oil and White Bread is a novel that dares to answer those questions.
Angie Righetti is the daughter of a sprawling but close-knit Italian American family. She's out and they're proud.
Jillian Clark's family is the white bread to Angie's olive oil. Stoic and emotionally buttoned up, they don't want to think about Jillian's sexuality.
It's 1988 when they move in together, on the brink of starting their careers. Like every couple at the start of their life together, they expect to live happily ever after.
And for twenty-three years life happens: they change jobs, buy a house, get a dog, and deal with money issues and the death of a parent. They fight, love, cry, play, make mistakes, have regrets, and try to be good to each other and to everybody else. Like most of us they tumble into a routine that turns into a rut that leads to distraction and danger.
In 96 Hours Georgia Beers gave herself the challenge of writing a romance set in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. And she succeeded, coming up with a book that garnered awards and great reviews. She returns with a new challenge—writing a romance that starts, rather than ends, with the happy-ever-after.
Angie Righetti is the daughter of a sprawling but close-knit Italian American family. She's out and they're proud.
Jillian Clark's family is the white bread to Angie's olive oil. Stoic and emotionally buttoned up, they don't want to think about Jillian's sexuality.
It's 1988 when they move in together, on the brink of starting their careers. Like every couple at the start of their life together, they expect to live happily ever after.
And for twenty-three years life happens: they change jobs, buy a house, get a dog, and deal with money issues and the death of a parent. They fight, love, cry, play, make mistakes, have regrets, and try to be good to each other and to everybody else. Like most of us they tumble into a routine that turns into a rut that leads to distraction and danger.
In 96 Hours Georgia Beers gave herself the challenge of writing a romance set in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. And she succeeded, coming up with a book that garnered awards and great reviews. She returns with a new challenge—writing a romance that starts, rather than ends, with the happy-ever-after.
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2014
26 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Georgia Beers
61 books1,505 followersLambda and Golden Crown Literary Award-winning author Georgia Beers lives in Rochester, New York. She has been writing for as long as she can remember, and published her first lesbian novel in 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
March 31, 2021
Beautiful and bittersweet.
I was attracted to this audiobook for two reasons. The first was that Abby Craden was reading a Georgia Beers book. And it's on the audible plus catalogue so I couldn't pass this up. This is my second audiobook ever (my first read by Craden) and I totally get why Craden is so popular. She does have an incredible voice that draws you in so yeah, like everybody else, I'm a fan.
The second was the premise of the story, which felt different from what I'm used to. Instead of having two people in heated passion, we get about 20 years or so out of two people committed to a long-term relationship. And while I don't think Jillian and Angie have the best kind of relationship, they have a realistic one. One where people sometimes forget what's most important... where life and dreams consume people, where people unknowingly take their partners for granted and where communication breaks down progressively over the years. But they stick on and I'm wondering if the time period plays a part. I mean it's the 1980s to 2000s, would people at that time be less likely to break up due to irreconcilable differences than today?
Anyway, it's a beautiful, bittersweet story that concluded really well. Beers is a consistently good writer so no surprises there.
I was attracted to this audiobook for two reasons. The first was that Abby Craden was reading a Georgia Beers book. And it's on the audible plus catalogue so I couldn't pass this up. This is my second audiobook ever (my first read by Craden) and I totally get why Craden is so popular. She does have an incredible voice that draws you in so yeah, like everybody else, I'm a fan.
The second was the premise of the story, which felt different from what I'm used to. Instead of having two people in heated passion, we get about 20 years or so out of two people committed to a long-term relationship. And while I don't think Jillian and Angie have the best kind of relationship, they have a realistic one. One where people sometimes forget what's most important... where life and dreams consume people, where people unknowingly take their partners for granted and where communication breaks down progressively over the years. But they stick on and I'm wondering if the time period plays a part. I mean it's the 1980s to 2000s, would people at that time be less likely to break up due to irreconcilable differences than today?
Anyway, it's a beautiful, bittersweet story that concluded really well. Beers is a consistently good writer so no surprises there.
May 21, 2016
Georgia Beers is an extremely reliable author, you know when you read her, you are going to get a quality written book. And Olive Oil and White Bread was no exception. This story follows the life of two partners, from when they meet, through 20+ years together. This is not a light and fluffy book. While there are moments that are warm and tender, there are moments that make you cry and make you cringe.
After reading the book, Threads of the Heart, I was extremely disappointed and mad, how that book handled infidelity. In her review, of Threads, Pin mentioned books that know how to handle the infidelity issue. Pin listed Olive Oil and White Bread as a book that got it right. Which is what led me to this book. She was right, Beers took a tough subject, but handled it realistically. I was glad I didn't have to walk around the room spitting curses, when I was finished reading this one:)
After reading the book, Threads of the Heart, I was extremely disappointed and mad, how that book handled infidelity. In her review, of Threads, Pin mentioned books that know how to handle the infidelity issue. Pin listed Olive Oil and White Bread as a book that got it right. Which is what led me to this book. She was right, Beers took a tough subject, but handled it realistically. I was glad I didn't have to walk around the room spitting curses, when I was finished reading this one:)
March 13, 2019
OK....How did I not read this ages ago. I saw this listed in my library for over a year and kept skipping by it, actually thinking it was some kind of cook book. I was like "Hmmm, Ms. Beers made a foray into the culinary world before lesfic, how about that." Folks: In case any of you are as slow as me.....THIS IS NOT A COOK BOOK. *withering look*
As mentioned by the very clear description, this (non-cook) book follows one couple from 1989 - 2011, and along the way, actual historical events are weaved throughout (ie: Ellen coming out, same-sex marriage, etc), as are excellent song titles that follow the decades. This could be anyone's story! This book shows us the nitty gritty reality of being a couple for 20+ years, the trials and tribulations, the highs and lows. It was so well done. I was invested in the couple, Angie and Jillian, from that first look on the softball field, and I wanted them to win at life.
I HAVE FEELINGS! God. This is such a relatable read! The vulnerabilities of aging specifically, how Jillian is seeing/feeling her age come her 40s, and coming to terms with what is new and wholly unwelcome, and her self-esteem takes a hit. Needing to feel physical connections and words from her partner is necessary for her self-worth and confidence, but all she gets is silence. On the other hand, Angie feels and fully believes that more work, success, and the giving of material things adds to their solid foundation as a couple. Both highly believable, neither are wrong. Flirting and extra attention from random baristas or strangers in bars IS a boost to one's ego, no matter how solid you are in your relationship, and I'm glad these moments are included. The lack of communication is REAL, even if it is frustrating to read. Really, but how many of us can say that we have not experienced that? Even for a short amount of time? I 100% connected. One of the MCs inner dialogue was along the lines of "why is is hard to talk about this to my partner of 16 years?" which is so true....we can easily get into negative patterns without realizing it, closing ourselves off to those we shouldn't, believing the assumptions and going on autopilot while the relationship slowly falls apart. We often lash out at those we are closest to. This book is a huge reminder to pay attention to your partner's needs, even if they are different (like in this case, the couples' love languages were different but no less important).
Loved it. Well done. Now I"m gonna go cook something from a real cook book. Pie, maybe.
As mentioned by the very clear description, this (non-cook) book follows one couple from 1989 - 2011, and along the way, actual historical events are weaved throughout (ie: Ellen coming out, same-sex marriage, etc), as are excellent song titles that follow the decades. This could be anyone's story! This book shows us the nitty gritty reality of being a couple for 20+ years, the trials and tribulations, the highs and lows. It was so well done. I was invested in the couple, Angie and Jillian, from that first look on the softball field, and I wanted them to win at life.
I HAVE FEELINGS! God. This is such a relatable read! The vulnerabilities of aging specifically, how Jillian is seeing/feeling her age come her 40s, and coming to terms with what is new and wholly unwelcome, and her self-esteem takes a hit. Needing to feel physical connections and words from her partner is necessary for her self-worth and confidence, but all she gets is silence. On the other hand, Angie feels and fully believes that more work, success, and the giving of material things adds to their solid foundation as a couple. Both highly believable, neither are wrong. Flirting and extra attention from random baristas or strangers in bars IS a boost to one's ego, no matter how solid you are in your relationship, and I'm glad these moments are included. The lack of communication is REAL, even if it is frustrating to read. Really, but how many of us can say that we have not experienced that? Even for a short amount of time? I 100% connected. One of the MCs inner dialogue was along the lines of "why is is hard to talk about this to my partner of 16 years?" which is so true....we can easily get into negative patterns without realizing it, closing ourselves off to those we shouldn't, believing the assumptions and going on autopilot while the relationship slowly falls apart. We often lash out at those we are closest to. This book is a huge reminder to pay attention to your partner's needs, even if they are different (like in this case, the couples' love languages were different but no less important).
Loved it. Well done. Now I"m gonna go cook something from a real cook book. Pie, maybe.
June 2, 2014
This is a nice change of pace from the usual romance novel story-telling that ends when our couple get together and we assume they live happily ever after. The book covers over 20 years of our ladies' lives. Work and real life challenges intrude--just the usual stuff that long-term married couples have to deal with--but they are so rarely touched on in lesfic they make this book a unique read.
In addition to the couple issues, we see the ladies wrestling with self-esteem issues when middle age (or their definition of it,lol) hits, LBD, deaths of loved ones, career advancement (or lack thereof), perceived financial problems, and the most heartbreaking issue of all-- . I loved the characters despite all their flaws and I kept rooting for them to the end.
Some of the highlights of the book are the glimpses we see of the couple reacting to some important milestones in history--the coming out of Ellen, 9/11, the legislative victory for marriage equality--such nice touches!
I could easily rate this a 5, but I will deduct some points for all those times the ladies could have talked to each other more and spared us some of the needless angst.
I highly recommend this book though, if you demand more out of a book than just a formula romance.
4.4 stars
In addition to the couple issues, we see the ladies wrestling with self-esteem issues when middle age (or their definition of it,lol) hits, LBD, deaths of loved ones, career advancement (or lack thereof), perceived financial problems, and the most heartbreaking issue of all-- . I loved the characters despite all their flaws and I kept rooting for them to the end.
Some of the highlights of the book are the glimpses we see of the couple reacting to some important milestones in history--the coming out of Ellen, 9/11, the legislative victory for marriage equality--such nice touches!
I could easily rate this a 5, but I will deduct some points for all those times the ladies could have talked to each other more and spared us some of the needless angst.
I highly recommend this book though, if you demand more out of a book than just a formula romance.
4.4 stars
February 1, 2022
"Olive oil & white bread" follows Angie and Jillian from when they've met and fell in love in the 80s until over 20 years later.
Their relationship is not perfect at all and has many ups and downs, but it feels real. The story was sometimes sad, but in the end it left me feeling good and it gave me a lot to think about. I enjoyed reading this different approach of a romance. It was refreshing to read about a couple in a longterm relationship for a change.
Their relationship is not perfect at all and has many ups and downs, but it feels real. The story was sometimes sad, but in the end it left me feeling good and it gave me a lot to think about. I enjoyed reading this different approach of a romance. It was refreshing to read about a couple in a longterm relationship for a change.
December 3, 2020
4.5 stars. Wow, I was pleasantly surprised by this novel! I've read two other books by Georgia Beers, but this one definitely entertained me the most. I love, love, loved the fact that we got to experience the ups and downs with Jillian and Angie throughout their decades-long relationship/HEA. This was not a fluffy romance; I spent most of the latter half of the book in this state...
...but it was so worth it! I'd recommend this book to anyone who's grown tired of reading similar lesfic plots over and over again. Oh, and the audiobook is narrated by Abby Craden, who does a fantastic job as always.
(Side note: The title...on one hand I think it's kind of hilarious, but on the other hand...why?? lol.)
...but it was so worth it! I'd recommend this book to anyone who's grown tired of reading similar lesfic plots over and over again. Oh, and the audiobook is narrated by Abby Craden, who does a fantastic job as always.
(Side note: The title...on one hand I think it's kind of hilarious, but on the other hand...why?? lol.)
November 23, 2014
Ms Beers stretches her writing chops with Olive Oil and White Bread.
This is not another girl next door HEA romance. No, this is a story of life. The good, the bad, the happy and sad events that are far more reflective of our true lives and relationships than any girl meets girl fairy tale.
Scrape off the sugar coating of that HEA and we are faced with the challenge of making our relationships work. If there is a theme in this novel it is that successful relationships take work.Give and take and compromise all come into play in any successful couple.
I read the story of Jillian and Angie as they weathered all the moments in their combined lives and I kept thinking that their relationship is reflective of all relationships whether straight or same sex. All couples go through many phases and stages in their lives together. How they handle the ups and downs thrown at them by an ever changing set of circumstances determines how much satisfaction each partner will derive from the relationship. Great food for thought.
I was also impressed once again by Beers effortless writing style. There are no dull or dry chapters filled with information the reader has to slog through to get to the good bits. The story moves as quickly as the historical moments in history it parallels. Olive Oil and White Bread is a hard book to put down.
An excellent read.
This is not another girl next door HEA romance. No, this is a story of life. The good, the bad, the happy and sad events that are far more reflective of our true lives and relationships than any girl meets girl fairy tale.
Scrape off the sugar coating of that HEA and we are faced with the challenge of making our relationships work. If there is a theme in this novel it is that successful relationships take work.Give and take and compromise all come into play in any successful couple.
I read the story of Jillian and Angie as they weathered all the moments in their combined lives and I kept thinking that their relationship is reflective of all relationships whether straight or same sex. All couples go through many phases and stages in their lives together. How they handle the ups and downs thrown at them by an ever changing set of circumstances determines how much satisfaction each partner will derive from the relationship. Great food for thought.
I was also impressed once again by Beers effortless writing style. There are no dull or dry chapters filled with information the reader has to slog through to get to the good bits. The story moves as quickly as the historical moments in history it parallels. Olive Oil and White Bread is a hard book to put down.
An excellent read.
December 1, 2021
This was an interesting take on a romance novel. There’s the initial meeting and falling in love, but it speeds up and then gives you specific slice of life chucks over the years to follow the couple through. I really enjoyed it overall. As much as the “falling in love” stage is fun, there are a LOT of other ways to tell stories about relationships, and it’s nice to actually just see an established relationship over the years.
I enjoyed both MCs, and both of them also drove me nuts. Their flaws felt realistic though. I would have personally liked a little more of the timeline expanded in the aftermath of the infidelity, but overall this was a refreshing take on the standard and I had a good time. Abby Craden’s narration was as wonderful as always.
I enjoyed both MCs, and both of them also drove me nuts. Their flaws felt realistic though. I would have personally liked a little more of the timeline expanded in the aftermath of the infidelity, but overall this was a refreshing take on the standard and I had a good time. Abby Craden’s narration was as wonderful as always.
May 29, 2022
2.5 stars. Another book that's like, objectively fine, so please don't let my middling rating deter you if this interests you. Beers is an author I've read from and really liked before, so I came to this book hoping for some good, solid lesfic that would be sure to make me feel something. And while, again, there was nothing objectively wrong with this, it didn't really strike me profoundly in any way.
It's one of those after-the-HEA, marriage-in-trouble romances that follows a couple throughout their lives, so we get to see everything that happens to them after they fall in love, and the type of conflicts that come into their lives. I've read a couple romances like this before and liked them; they make for a nice change of pace. Angie and Jillian were good characters to follow, and I do like when a romance really encapsulates both people's lives and families and makes it feel very fleshed out. But I still just didn't feel much of anything for this! It was just... extremely okay! The book has a soundtrack, songs at the start of each part as the book moves through the years, and I really wish I'd thought to listen to those songs as I came across them. Not always, but often, music in books can be really really effective and wonderful to me, especially in a romance. (I'm thinking of One Last Stop.) But I only started looking up the songs at like 60% and by then, my heart wasn't into it.
A couple little nit-picks:
Listened to the audiobook as read by Abby Craden, and I can never not love her voices. I just didn't love this book! But it wasn't bad.
Content warnings:
It's one of those after-the-HEA, marriage-in-trouble romances that follows a couple throughout their lives, so we get to see everything that happens to them after they fall in love, and the type of conflicts that come into their lives. I've read a couple romances like this before and liked them; they make for a nice change of pace. Angie and Jillian were good characters to follow, and I do like when a romance really encapsulates both people's lives and families and makes it feel very fleshed out. But I still just didn't feel much of anything for this! It was just... extremely okay! The book has a soundtrack, songs at the start of each part as the book moves through the years, and I really wish I'd thought to listen to those songs as I came across them. Not always, but often, music in books can be really really effective and wonderful to me, especially in a romance. (I'm thinking of One Last Stop.) But I only started looking up the songs at like 60% and by then, my heart wasn't into it.
A couple little nit-picks:
Listened to the audiobook as read by Abby Craden, and I can never not love her voices. I just didn't love this book! But it wasn't bad.
Content warnings:
April 18, 2021
“Olive Oil and white bread” 4 stars.
I love to read about long term relationships. Ups and downs of a life together.
This book brought to my memory a series that I loved so much by Lili R Mason: book 1,Taking the Long Way, and then book 2, Me and You and Daisies.
I enjoyed “Olive Oil …” pretty much, I would enjoyed the read a little bit more if the author would get to show more situations and feelings through interaction between characters and not just through the narrative.
I am always complaining about authors that force situations in stories that are hard to believe.
I was happy to find, that this book was Not the case.
I value that Beers could capture so many true-life situations along the story.
Through the pages I found myself immersed in this relationship that wasn't perfect but was so real.
Enjoyable read!
I love to read about long term relationships. Ups and downs of a life together.
This book brought to my memory a series that I loved so much by Lili R Mason: book 1,Taking the Long Way, and then book 2, Me and You and Daisies.
I enjoyed “Olive Oil …” pretty much, I would enjoyed the read a little bit more if the author would get to show more situations and feelings through interaction between characters and not just through the narrative.
I am always complaining about authors that force situations in stories that are hard to believe.
I was happy to find, that this book was Not the case.
I value that Beers could capture so many true-life situations along the story.
Through the pages I found myself immersed in this relationship that wasn't perfect but was so real.
Enjoyable read!
October 2, 2024
Olive Oil & White Bread by Georgia Beers offers a deeply realistic portrayal of a long-term relationship, spanning decades between Jillian and Angie. Unlike the typical passion-filled romance, this story explores the complexities of love over time—how dreams, routines, and life itself can erode communication and emotional connection. The book beautifully captures the vulnerabilities of aging and the challenges of maintaining intimacy, even as unspoken assumptions take root.
Beers tackles difficult themes, including infidelity, with maturity, showing how forgiveness and perseverance can save relationships. Though bittersweet, this heartfelt journey remains relatable and thought-provoking. It was so refreshing reading a novel that captured long-term relationships and their complexities. As someone who has hit 15 years with her spouse, there was a lot that resonated with me.
This is a well-written, thought-provoking novel and I think one of my new favourites from Beers.
Beers tackles difficult themes, including infidelity, with maturity, showing how forgiveness and perseverance can save relationships. Though bittersweet, this heartfelt journey remains relatable and thought-provoking. It was so refreshing reading a novel that captured long-term relationships and their complexities. As someone who has hit 15 years with her spouse, there was a lot that resonated with me.
This is a well-written, thought-provoking novel and I think one of my new favourites from Beers.
May 31, 2014
I was just so happy with this book. It reads more like a memoir than a fiction novel, and it's something that you don't see much in lesfic. It chronicles a couple's relationship, showing both the good and the bad that everyone in a long-term relationship has experienced.
Not only that, you also get to witness the protagonists experiencing events that have greatly shaped the lesbian community, such as the first lesbian character on tv, family reactions to their relationship, and the recent acceptance of same-sex marriage by state's legislature. You relive the terror of 9-11 and the sadness of losing family, friends and loved ones for various reasons, all things that have greatly affected our population over the last decades.
It was emotional at times, but I simply couldn't put it down or keep myself from pulling for their relationship to succeed, even when I wanted to smack them for not communicating enough. Highly recommended.
Not only that, you also get to witness the protagonists experiencing events that have greatly shaped the lesbian community, such as the first lesbian character on tv, family reactions to their relationship, and the recent acceptance of same-sex marriage by state's legislature. You relive the terror of 9-11 and the sadness of losing family, friends and loved ones for various reasons, all things that have greatly affected our population over the last decades.
It was emotional at times, but I simply couldn't put it down or keep myself from pulling for their relationship to succeed, even when I wanted to smack them for not communicating enough. Highly recommended.
February 9, 2015
A very nice read. The flow of the story is very believable.
It shows what happens after the HEA stage, when the "newness" fades and the real world butts in.
It's true that relationships don't always end in HEA. Especially when you consider the things that need to be done to keep a good relationship alive.
I like how both POV's were shown and how the characters changed throughout the story.
It shows what happens after the HEA stage, when the "newness" fades and the real world butts in.
It's true that relationships don't always end in HEA. Especially when you consider the things that need to be done to keep a good relationship alive.
I like how both POV's were shown and how the characters changed throughout the story.
June 30, 2018
A book that I whizzed through. I enjoyed especially that I got to see the characters grow throughout the years, how their relationships developed, the politics around the different time periods and everything else that happened along the way. There's so much love and and so much hurt and it felt like a change compared to the other books.
However, the title is a bit cliche; I'm sure with a bit more brainstorming something better could have been chosen. Also, (spoilers) there are parts in the books where certain characters cheat on each other and no matter how realistic this is it's just something that really makes me mad and I'm glad the author didn't romanticize it.
However, the title is a bit cliche; I'm sure with a bit more brainstorming something better could have been chosen. Also, (spoilers) there are parts in the books where certain characters cheat on each other and no matter how realistic this is it's just something that really makes me mad and I'm glad the author didn't romanticize it.
July 15, 2014
Like the four star rating says, I really liked this book. As someone who has been with the same woman for nearly 30 years, I appreciated the honest look at what long term couples go through and how hard it can be to stay together. Hard but rewarding and worth the fight. It's easy to lose yourselves as a couple when you're growing so much as individuals, too.
Like most of the author's books, I truly enjoyed getting to know the characters and they felt three dimensional and authentic. The language and tone, along with the individual voices of the characters all made this likely one of my favorite of Ms. Beers' books. It was hard to read at times but because of the tough emotional issues being dealt with, not because of any major technical issues.
I'm loving the direction the author has been going with her writing over the past year or so and I'm looking forward to her next book. No matter what it's about.
Like most of the author's books, I truly enjoyed getting to know the characters and they felt three dimensional and authentic. The language and tone, along with the individual voices of the characters all made this likely one of my favorite of Ms. Beers' books. It was hard to read at times but because of the tough emotional issues being dealt with, not because of any major technical issues.
I'm loving the direction the author has been going with her writing over the past year or so and I'm looking forward to her next book. No matter what it's about.
February 7, 2017
4,5 rounded up to 5.
October 22, 2025
Boy, that was a hard read.... I am a bit stunned, because reading this book was cutting very close to my experiences in my very long term, very tumultuous, and ultimately very happy relationship.... This was realer than GB usually gets, and it definitely hit the mark... It was tough, tackling many long-term relationship issues, but still did it gently and in a compelling way. I love GB, but i really liked this book. Thank you! 👍
July 10, 2021
I wish there were more reads that examine life after a couple begins their life together. The story takes place over two decades. Jillian Clark, art teacher, artist, white bread, with a stoic and emotionally buttoned up family. Angelina Righetti, sales business, olive oil, with a close-knit Italian American family. Both women have issues they need to deal with. As the story unfolds, the lack of communication was a real issue. I appreciated how the author handled the communication issue, infidelity, family, loss, and friendship. Day-to-day life is not easy. Relationships are not easy. If you want a relationship to work, you have to invest and most importantly communicate your needs and wants. The writing was wonderful with a nice flow.
April 4, 2021
An interesting premise but it was not for me. Some of the descriptions and reasoning were just plain awkward. I found this book much better than the last Georgia Beers book that I read, but felt the strongest writing and descriptions of the romance was contained in the last chapter. The time jumping made it hard to get a sense of what the characters meant to one another, I don't like having to fill in romance gaps.
February 13, 2025
I cannot write this review without spoilers. The book made me quite cross.
I do still think sapphic books shoild exist.
I do still think sapphic books shoild exist.
May 2, 2017
Another classic Georgia Beers
Spoilers:
This was a very unconventional romance story -- it wasn't your usual meet cute to starting a relationship. It was the story of a life together. It was a cute nod to straight romances in a way which all end at the marriage proposal :) it just took 25 years for it to become legal. I really enjoyed the journey of these two people, though I really didn't like the way that Angie kept making all these big decisions -- buying a house, buying a car, changing jobs -- without really discussing it with Jillian. Their relationship didn't seem all that good or healthy throughout most of it. It did feel real though -- as if these were neighbours of yours that you saw a few times a year. I liked the episodic nature of the story. A good solid read that is a real romance rather than the three day stories you often get.
Spoilers:
This was a very unconventional romance story -- it wasn't your usual meet cute to starting a relationship. It was the story of a life together. It was a cute nod to straight romances in a way which all end at the marriage proposal :) it just took 25 years for it to become legal. I really enjoyed the journey of these two people, though I really didn't like the way that Angie kept making all these big decisions -- buying a house, buying a car, changing jobs -- without really discussing it with Jillian. Their relationship didn't seem all that good or healthy throughout most of it. It did feel real though -- as if these were neighbours of yours that you saw a few times a year. I liked the episodic nature of the story. A good solid read that is a real romance rather than the three day stories you often get.
November 8, 2014
Lovely. Great to see this writer taking a step away from formula and succeeding with nobs on.
As always, her characters are well developed and the dialog is great. I was a bit turned off by the first couple of pages. Had it been a writer I didn't know/like as much I might've closed the book right then. Just too clichéd writing. There were a couple of other places where things were too predictable, but overall I still enjoyed it more than any other lesfic I have read in a while. Maybe even since her last book?
I won't hope that she entirely steps away from the romance formula, but I do hope she continues to at least stretch its limits in the future. Hmm... Pick up something else or read again immediately?
As always, her characters are well developed and the dialog is great. I was a bit turned off by the first couple of pages. Had it been a writer I didn't know/like as much I might've closed the book right then. Just too clichéd writing. There were a couple of other places where things were too predictable, but overall I still enjoyed it more than any other lesfic I have read in a while. Maybe even since her last book?
I won't hope that she entirely steps away from the romance formula, but I do hope she continues to at least stretch its limits in the future. Hmm... Pick up something else or read again immediately?
June 19, 2020
A complete departure from the average lesfic style. I loved this book and watching the two main characters find love, laughter and struggles galore.
November 14, 2018
I'll say upfront that I am a big Georgia Beers fan. I have not read one of her books yet that I didn't enjoy thoroughly. Olive Oil and White Bread is one that I am particularly fond of due to the nature of the story. Instead of just getting a quick view into a relationship, she takes the reader on a long journey, from the beginning of a relationship, through courtship and that "honeymoon" period, to the difficult parts of a relationship (dealing with work, parental loss, infidelity). I always love how well Georgia develops characters, and this book is no different. You get to really know Jillian and Angie, what drives each of them and what each wants out of the relationship.
I don't want to spoil anything in the story, so I will not go too deep in my explanation. I feel the book gives a very realistic portrayal of the ebbs and flows of a relationship. It isn't all about sex and love and happily ever after. Relationships take work to maintain and the characters in this story get to see that firsthand. There are some points in the book that had me feeling down and were filled with deep emotion. That is not a bad thing. Georgia does an excellent job of bringing the reader into the story and making you feel something for the characters. It made me think of my own relationships and how easy it is to miss the obvious things by just going through life without paying attention. This is an excellent book about relationships, not just about lesbian relationships. It is definitely worth a read.
I don't want to spoil anything in the story, so I will not go too deep in my explanation. I feel the book gives a very realistic portrayal of the ebbs and flows of a relationship. It isn't all about sex and love and happily ever after. Relationships take work to maintain and the characters in this story get to see that firsthand. There are some points in the book that had me feeling down and were filled with deep emotion. That is not a bad thing. Georgia does an excellent job of bringing the reader into the story and making you feel something for the characters. It made me think of my own relationships and how easy it is to miss the obvious things by just going through life without paying attention. This is an excellent book about relationships, not just about lesbian relationships. It is definitely worth a read.
December 3, 2017
It's so refreshing in lesfic to follow a couple and find out what happens after they get together. How living with and loving the same person isn't always easy; that "happy ever after" cannot be assumed but takes work, commitment, and above all, communication.
I also enjoyed the milestone historical moments that were referenced.
I also enjoyed the milestone historical moments that were referenced.
August 14, 2014
This is a tale of two woman’s lifetime relationship, the ups and downs, struggles and compromises.
As always Ms Beers books are elegantly written, carefully plotted and charmingly constructed. Her language and editing exemplary.
Our main characters are normal, wholesome, ordinary women with altogether real personalities. They are warm, honest and flawed, just as we all are.
They are surrounded by a realistic cast of family, friends and co-workers. They fight normal battles, make normal mistakes and attempt to maintain closeness and sustain their relationship through the minutia of daily life. They drift, come together, fluctuating in their intensity, intimacy and togetherness.
And I guess for me that is the problem. There is no passion. Jillian and Angie are nice women we will all recognise. We may know them. We may be them. This is a simple story of a twenty year life together, and as such it just didn't grab me.
If Ms Beers aim was to draw simply that, an exploration of the gentle ups and downs, stresses and angsts of totally normal lives, then this is perfect. But while i liked them, understood them, recognised them.. Jillian and Angie didn't engage me. I pick up a book to lose myself in it, the adventure of love and life, the charisma and passion of the players. This book was too much like reality , like day to day living, it was simply a life too ordinary to catch my attention.
As always Ms Beers books are elegantly written, carefully plotted and charmingly constructed. Her language and editing exemplary.
Our main characters are normal, wholesome, ordinary women with altogether real personalities. They are warm, honest and flawed, just as we all are.
They are surrounded by a realistic cast of family, friends and co-workers. They fight normal battles, make normal mistakes and attempt to maintain closeness and sustain their relationship through the minutia of daily life. They drift, come together, fluctuating in their intensity, intimacy and togetherness.
And I guess for me that is the problem. There is no passion. Jillian and Angie are nice women we will all recognise. We may know them. We may be them. This is a simple story of a twenty year life together, and as such it just didn't grab me.
If Ms Beers aim was to draw simply that, an exploration of the gentle ups and downs, stresses and angsts of totally normal lives, then this is perfect. But while i liked them, understood them, recognised them.. Jillian and Angie didn't engage me. I pick up a book to lose myself in it, the adventure of love and life, the charisma and passion of the players. This book was too much like reality , like day to day living, it was simply a life too ordinary to catch my attention.
May 25, 2021
I thought this was a better-than-average lesbian romance. I found the unusual format (beginning with the HEA and then bringing us chronologically through 20 years of relationship) interesting. The 2 MCs were relatable and distinct personalities. Even their friends and families had more depth to them than is often the case in romance. My biggest issue with this novel (SPOILER ahead) is that the treatment of a brief infidelity seemed to me to be so unfair. Angie had been a lousy partner for years - she drank way too much, was never home, ignored cell phone calls, withheld sex, was emotionally abusive, and generally made me dislike her intensely. Yet when Jill finally has a brief fling with a co-worker (because she feels lonely and unappreciated) her act is treated as if it was so much more heinous than years of terrible behavior. I found this completely unbalanced. Anyway - most readers of F/F romance will enjoy this novel despite the awful title.
August 7, 2016
This is my second attempt at reading this book. I did start from the beginning and although I got much further this time I am still abandoning it. I got about 1/2 way through and I'm just finding the main characters, Angie and Jillian, feel flat and two dimensional. As a result, I'm just not engaged. This one is just not my cup of tea. Not liking 1 out of 13 of Georgia Beers books is a pretty darn good success rate. I'm looking forward to whatever comes out next
7/2015
Alrighty, I'm giving this another try. I'm in a better mindset so we will see how this goes
4/2015
I may come back to this and try again because I usually like Georgia Beers stories. The writing style of this one has just thrown me off and I can't get thru it
7/2015
Alrighty, I'm giving this another try. I'm in a better mindset so we will see how this goes
4/2015
I may come back to this and try again because I usually like Georgia Beers stories. The writing style of this one has just thrown me off and I can't get thru it
February 4, 2021
We’d just finished a rather long, heavy and emotionally draining book and were looking for a fairly short and easy read which is why we picked this book. But this rather slim volume pack a huge punch. Though the cover calls it “a romance” this is “a life”. Starting from girl-sees-girl in the 1980s through legalisation of same sex marriages 20+ years later, this is a fabulous book of two people who have chosen each other for love.
Read the full review @https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
May 23, 2024
After going through some books, that put me asleep and took me some time to finish. I have enjoyed this book, which I could not stop listening to until it was done. Started listening at 7 pm last night and just finished today at noon. It is the first romance I’ve listened to that chronicles the ups and downs of a couple’s relationship of over 20 years.
Abby Craydon is a wonderful reader with a nice voice, who’s done tons of books many of them lesbian romance.
Abby Craydon is a wonderful reader with a nice voice, who’s done tons of books many of them lesbian romance.
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