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The Reunion
High school reunions. Nearly everyone is mildly curious about their classmates' fortunes, but for some, the promise of soothing past hurts proves irresistible. Living in her native England, Jemma had largely forgotten about her traumatic senior year. But now that she's back in America, that damned invitation keeps nudging her�reminding her of the unexplored path she'd been sure she was hers for the taking.
Shelby hasn't fared as well as Jemma. Or maybe she's just not been able to vanquish the past. No matter what has gotten her stuck�she feels like she's fallen into quicksand. Maybe going to the reunion will let her connect with some old friends, to free herself from whatever is stopping her from living the life she was called to experience.
To most, the potential of meeting your old classmates again promises an evening of shared memories. For Jemma and Shelby, this reunion will change their worlds.
Shelby hasn't fared as well as Jemma. Or maybe she's just not been able to vanquish the past. No matter what has gotten her stuck�she feels like she's fallen into quicksand. Maybe going to the reunion will let her connect with some old friends, to free herself from whatever is stopping her from living the life she was called to experience.
To most, the potential of meeting your old classmates again promises an evening of shared memories. For Jemma and Shelby, this reunion will change their worlds.
349 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2013
12 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Susan X. Meagher
59 books370 followersSusan X Meagher was born in southern Illinois and grew up in East St Louis. She attended college in Chicago and started her working career there. She and her partner moved to the Los Angeles area in the late 80's. It was there that she started to write. Her first few books were simply posted on the web and became the I Found My Heart in San Francisco series. In 2002 she moved to New York and divides her time between Manhattan and the Jersey Shore. She has published thirteen books in the series and has gone on to write many individual books as well. She has partnered with other authors on two short story books and has written many stories that have been published in other mainstream anthologies. Susan is active in the lesbian author community and loves to attend Women's week at Provincetown and the GCLS annual conventions. Her stories revolve around the relationships that two women can build when given a chance and how those relationships can strengthen the individual and the partnership. Her genre is lesbian romance/fiction and she believes strongly in the happy ending that we all so deserve. Susan X Meagher was awarded a 2011 Lesbian Fiction Readers’ Choice Award for Favorite Lesbian Fiction Writer. She is the recipient of the 2014 Alice B. Medal for her body of work.
From the author's website: I live in New York with my spouse, Carrie. We've lived in Chicago and Los Angeles for significant periods, but New York fits us very well. I love to discuss my work and fiction in general. My goal in writing is to explore feelings. I want to entertain, but I also want to make people think. I've heard that life is all about finding out who we are. To me, life if about finding out who other people are. I'm interested in the small details of life, that's how a story about two young women in college is slowly becoming a 26 book series. The joke in Seinfield was that it was about nothing. I feel the same about most of my books. They are about the many things that happen when nothing is happening. The small joys and sorrows of everyday life can be fascinating, especially if you care about the people involved. I try to create characters that will make a reader care deeply. I'm always interested in hearing how close I am to that goal. So please drop me a line whenever you have a comment or a question about a story. Writing is a pretty solitary pursuit and it's great to know that I'm not alone.
From the author's website: I live in New York with my spouse, Carrie. We've lived in Chicago and Los Angeles for significant periods, but New York fits us very well. I love to discuss my work and fiction in general. My goal in writing is to explore feelings. I want to entertain, but I also want to make people think. I've heard that life is all about finding out who we are. To me, life if about finding out who other people are. I'm interested in the small details of life, that's how a story about two young women in college is slowly becoming a 26 book series. The joke in Seinfield was that it was about nothing. I feel the same about most of my books. They are about the many things that happen when nothing is happening. The small joys and sorrows of everyday life can be fascinating, especially if you care about the people involved. I try to create characters that will make a reader care deeply. I'm always interested in hearing how close I am to that goal. So please drop me a line whenever you have a comment or a question about a story. Writing is a pretty solitary pursuit and it's great to know that I'm not alone.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 5, 2016
3 1/2 Stars. I had mixed feeling about this book. At first I didn't care for it at all, something was off, something bothered me... I almost put the book down to read at a later date. I decided to keep going, and I finally found myself drawn into the characters and their story. Yes, this is a love story, but for most of the book it felt like more of a coming out story. It is not an easy story to read. Parts are tough, reading about how one of the characters was dealing with debilitating depression and horrible medicinal side effects. I've tried to think back about how many LesFic books I have read that has dealt with depression. I'm struggling to think of any, and considering how many I read, it's a bit surprising. Especially when you consider how many people actually deal with depression and anxiety. And to read about a character going through such a tough time of it, really put into perspective what other people on a daily basis, must go through. I liked that this book brought that issue to light, for me.
I think part of what didn't work for me was this book was very slow paced and seemed longer than needed. I think Meagher dragged out the time before the characters got together. By the time we get to their actually relationship, it goes by so fast and the book ends. I think this book would have been better 50 pages shorter, or take those 50 pages and add them to the relationship instead.
Meagher, is no doubt a very talented writer, and I look forward to trying her alphabet series (I Found My Heart In San Fran books) to see if they appeal to me a bit more.
I think part of what didn't work for me was this book was very slow paced and seemed longer than needed. I think Meagher dragged out the time before the characters got together. By the time we get to their actually relationship, it goes by so fast and the book ends. I think this book would have been better 50 pages shorter, or take those 50 pages and add them to the relationship instead.
Meagher, is no doubt a very talented writer, and I look forward to trying her alphabet series (I Found My Heart In San Fran books) to see if they appeal to me a bit more.
July 13, 2014
I have a love/frustration relationship with SXM novels. This one grabs you from the start with two interesting women meeting at a high school reunion. Best friends in their youth, Jemma and Shelby's lives have gone in very different directions.
Jemma is a wonderfully drawn character. She is a priest and an all around warm human being. Her intelligence and dry humour shine through in every page of dialogue. She also has the patience of Job. She has to be patient. The other woman in this story, Shelby, is one indecisive hot mess of human emotions.
Or maybe that was just my take on the woman who fled any sort of a relationship with Jemma back in their youth.
My frustration with this author comes midway through the novel. The story begins to lose momentum and wanders around aimlessly while characters discuss their issues and spend a fair bit of time wringing their hands and pondering their woulda/coulda options. Shelby's reasons for breaking up with Jemma in their youth seem far fetched to me, especially considering her bohemian lifestyle parents.
Just when I am about to give up on the novel, SXM pulls it together and the story once again builds to a satisfying ending. As usual her dialogue is excellent, her settings are easy to visualize and even her sex scenes are pretty hot. I guess the key to enjoyment when I read this author, like Jemma, is to learn to be patient. All good things come to those who wait.
At the end of the day, Ms. Meagher is still head and shoulders above most writers in the Lesfic genre.
Jemma is a wonderfully drawn character. She is a priest and an all around warm human being. Her intelligence and dry humour shine through in every page of dialogue. She also has the patience of Job. She has to be patient. The other woman in this story, Shelby, is one indecisive hot mess of human emotions.
Or maybe that was just my take on the woman who fled any sort of a relationship with Jemma back in their youth.
My frustration with this author comes midway through the novel. The story begins to lose momentum and wanders around aimlessly while characters discuss their issues and spend a fair bit of time wringing their hands and pondering their woulda/coulda options. Shelby's reasons for breaking up with Jemma in their youth seem far fetched to me, especially considering her bohemian lifestyle parents.
Just when I am about to give up on the novel, SXM pulls it together and the story once again builds to a satisfying ending. As usual her dialogue is excellent, her settings are easy to visualize and even her sex scenes are pretty hot. I guess the key to enjoyment when I read this author, like Jemma, is to learn to be patient. All good things come to those who wait.
At the end of the day, Ms. Meagher is still head and shoulders above most writers in the Lesfic genre.
February 6, 2021
When I read the blurb, my first few thoughts on The Reunion are:
- Second chance romance
- One of the MCs has a high-powered business job somewhere in my fictional brain; while
- Second MCs isn’t faring as well, career-wise, compared to 1st MC
- Both MCs are single/not in any relationship making reconciliation not too difficult with not too much of angst/drama...
Oh how utterly wrong my thoughts were...
High-powered MC....YES! But not in a corporate world and I never would have guessed 🙂
Well anyway....This was a long read which I enjoyed with plenty of angst, lots of flashback and a nicely wrapped HEA
- Second chance romance
- One of the MCs has a high-powered business job somewhere in my fictional brain; while
- Second MCs isn’t faring as well, career-wise, compared to 1st MC
- Both MCs are single/not in any relationship making reconciliation not too difficult with not too much of angst/drama...
Oh how utterly wrong my thoughts were...
High-powered MC....YES! But not in a corporate world and I never would have guessed 🙂
Well anyway....This was a long read which I enjoyed with plenty of angst, lots of flashback and a nicely wrapped HEA
April 16, 2014
What a read! We are introduced to teenagers Jemma and Shelby when they were the best of friends. Jemma falls in
love with Shelby but Shelby feels she cannot return the feelings. This resulted in a heartbreaking break for the teenage girls which sets apart and lose contact. The story really starts when both women are older and it is high school reunion time.... The reunion sets the scene which Jemma and Shelby mets again. Will they reconnect? Can they overcome the events which saw them break apart twenty years previously? A very compelling read.
love with Shelby but Shelby feels she cannot return the feelings. This resulted in a heartbreaking break for the teenage girls which sets apart and lose contact. The story really starts when both women are older and it is high school reunion time.... The reunion sets the scene which Jemma and Shelby mets again. Will they reconnect? Can they overcome the events which saw them break apart twenty years previously? A very compelling read.
October 25, 2013
The Reunion as a title for this novel is a bit of a play on words as the high school reunion mentioned in the blurb last mere moments. Instead it is the reunion of our two leads, Shelby and Jemma, that is the true focus of this novel and the catalyst for the events that unfold. I can't say that I loved this as much as I did Susan's previous two standalone novels, but I did enjoy it simply because it was written very well. The Reunion was an emotional journey through depression, heartache and betrayal.
I don't feel that The Reunion is so much a romance as it is a story of healing and forgiveness. The romance definitely takes a back seat to Shelby's journey through depression and the events that lead her back to herself. I mention this because I personally was hoping for The Crush version 2.0 and got something very different. I can appreciate that about Susan as an author though. She never tells the same story twice and her characters are always unique. I love that she writes real people. There are no perfect lesbian stereotypes here. These people have flaws that make them stand out more than the typical lesfic character.
I learned a few things from reading this book. Initially when introduced to Shelby I wanted to shake or slap her to wake her up from the zombie-like state in which she was leading her life. It was very frustrating to read about her depression and to not be able to understand it. However, as I continued to read the book I truly began to understand how Shelby got to be so "lost". I know there must be other girls out there in the world, like Shelby, who have made similar bad decisions based on fear.
No need for us as readers to fear though. I once read a quote by Susan that promises happy endings and there is one here. The Reunion is well worth reading and I never came up for air until I finished it. As for a rating I am stuck somewhere between a 4 and a 5... so I am rounding up.
I don't feel that The Reunion is so much a romance as it is a story of healing and forgiveness. The romance definitely takes a back seat to Shelby's journey through depression and the events that lead her back to herself. I mention this because I personally was hoping for The Crush version 2.0 and got something very different. I can appreciate that about Susan as an author though. She never tells the same story twice and her characters are always unique. I love that she writes real people. There are no perfect lesbian stereotypes here. These people have flaws that make them stand out more than the typical lesfic character.
I learned a few things from reading this book. Initially when introduced to Shelby I wanted to shake or slap her to wake her up from the zombie-like state in which she was leading her life. It was very frustrating to read about her depression and to not be able to understand it. However, as I continued to read the book I truly began to understand how Shelby got to be so "lost". I know there must be other girls out there in the world, like Shelby, who have made similar bad decisions based on fear.
No need for us as readers to fear though. I once read a quote by Susan that promises happy endings and there is one here. The Reunion is well worth reading and I never came up for air until I finished it. As for a rating I am stuck somewhere between a 4 and a 5... so I am rounding up.
December 22, 2022
SX Meagher writes fully fleshed out stories, and when I like the characters and the setting, that's a good thing, but when one of them is a drag (and a selfish git) it makes for a tedious read.
I'd recommend you check out The Lies That Bind instead.
I'd recommend you check out The Lies That Bind instead.
January 9, 2018
I really enjoy this author and would recommend her work if you like a longer read.
This was really compelling and quite angsty (is that a word?!) especially the first 2/3's. I liked getting to know the characters and their story, which was slowly revealed as the story unfolded. My only criticism was that that the end felt a little rushed.
This was really compelling and quite angsty (is that a word?!) especially the first 2/3's. I liked getting to know the characters and their story, which was slowly revealed as the story unfolded. My only criticism was that that the end felt a little rushed.
June 19, 2020
No, lost me at Chapter two - any story that opens and then jumps back 20 odd years is not my sort of book - one of my pet hates. And neither MC rocked my boat. Sorry.
May 29, 2017
Having read this book a second time, after reading so many other books with a similar story line, I was really able to appreciate the story a lot more.
The author didn't just have the two main characters meet and then hop into bed or make hasty decision based on a love that was dormant for 25 years, instead she created a story that portrays what a healthy relationship should be.
This book is not just a coming out story or a romance, it is also a story of finding one's self. I also love how the author dealt with the issue of depression, instead of one of the characters just saying that Shelby isn't really depressed and that she should just stop seeing the doctor who was giving the pills, the author shows us how very real depression is and how it should be dealt with.
I think I have renewed my love for Susan Meagher's work and will probably end up on a binge of her work.
The author didn't just have the two main characters meet and then hop into bed or make hasty decision based on a love that was dormant for 25 years, instead she created a story that portrays what a healthy relationship should be.
This book is not just a coming out story or a romance, it is also a story of finding one's self. I also love how the author dealt with the issue of depression, instead of one of the characters just saying that Shelby isn't really depressed and that she should just stop seeing the doctor who was giving the pills, the author shows us how very real depression is and how it should be dealt with.
I think I have renewed my love for Susan Meagher's work and will probably end up on a binge of her work.
December 9, 2013
English Priest, Jemima Stokes-Kydd, (Jemma) had pushed thoughts of her traumatic final senior school year aside when she was living back in England. But she’s living in New York now and can no longer ignore her high school reunion. The invitation is burning an impression on her mind. All the emotional turmoil and angst she experienced during that last year comes rushing back to her. At that time, Jemma thought she knew where her life was headed and with whom. Jemma simply has to know what happened to Shelby. She needs to know the truth of what happened to take away the happiness she was sure was theirs for the taking.
Shelby Parker-Bates has every material thing she could want. Lavish houses, cars, a nice life style, but she’s unable to escape from the past and thoughts of what might have been. Stuck in a marriage she’s never wanted, living a lie, what can she do to help herself? Maybe attending the reunion will help her free herself from the past so she can live her life as she should.
Meeting old classmates, sharing memories and reminiscing is usually just a good old blast from the past. But for Jemma and Shelby, the reunion changes their lives forever.
This is a wonderful well written blockbuster of a story. A book that is long and one to really get stuck into. The two main characters, Jemma and Shelby are both multi-faceted and their interactions together showed me they were simply made for each other. Soul mates. But how they can get to be together is the journey we follow in this story. If indeed they do eventually get together.
The story is written both in the past and the present. Very easy to follow. Susan Meagher has obviously done an enormous amount of research into the early days of the AIDS virus and it’s affect on the gay population.
The story is full of depression, angst, emotional turmoil, heartbreak, heartache, fear and betrayal. But, it is also written about hope, forgiveness, healing and romance. Although basically this book is a romance, it is far more than a simple girl meets girl, girl loses girl and girl gets girl again story. Susan has taken us deep into the depths of the despair of Shelby’s depression. She has also shown us how Shelby managed to overcome the dark feelings and get herself back to being Shelby again. It’s an interesting journey of ups and downs and twists and turns. On the other hand, we also get to see how Jemma reacts and copes after being badly betrayed by the one she loved. The story spans decades and allows the reader to understand exactly how easy it is to be afraid of coming out and how much of a stigma being a lesbian is for some of us.
This is a book I will be re-reading. A book I know I will get more out of on a second read without the ‘not knowing how it ends’.
Shelby Parker-Bates has every material thing she could want. Lavish houses, cars, a nice life style, but she’s unable to escape from the past and thoughts of what might have been. Stuck in a marriage she’s never wanted, living a lie, what can she do to help herself? Maybe attending the reunion will help her free herself from the past so she can live her life as she should.
Meeting old classmates, sharing memories and reminiscing is usually just a good old blast from the past. But for Jemma and Shelby, the reunion changes their lives forever.
This is a wonderful well written blockbuster of a story. A book that is long and one to really get stuck into. The two main characters, Jemma and Shelby are both multi-faceted and their interactions together showed me they were simply made for each other. Soul mates. But how they can get to be together is the journey we follow in this story. If indeed they do eventually get together.
The story is written both in the past and the present. Very easy to follow. Susan Meagher has obviously done an enormous amount of research into the early days of the AIDS virus and it’s affect on the gay population.
The story is full of depression, angst, emotional turmoil, heartbreak, heartache, fear and betrayal. But, it is also written about hope, forgiveness, healing and romance. Although basically this book is a romance, it is far more than a simple girl meets girl, girl loses girl and girl gets girl again story. Susan has taken us deep into the depths of the despair of Shelby’s depression. She has also shown us how Shelby managed to overcome the dark feelings and get herself back to being Shelby again. It’s an interesting journey of ups and downs and twists and turns. On the other hand, we also get to see how Jemma reacts and copes after being badly betrayed by the one she loved. The story spans decades and allows the reader to understand exactly how easy it is to be afraid of coming out and how much of a stigma being a lesbian is for some of us.
This is a book I will be re-reading. A book I know I will get more out of on a second read without the ‘not knowing how it ends’.
August 11, 2014
A lot of flashbacks, just when that started to get annoying, the story moved on and they did help with the set up. So they were needed. Loved Jemma!!! I think I would always be in church if she was there.
July 15, 2015
This was actually a very good book not slow at all. And i Love hoe it takes you back to when there were children. I love how it takes them time to realize it but in the end they know they were meant to love one another even after so long. Jemma though her feelings would have changed but even after so long she still loved her. And Shelby had the courage to raise her daughters the best way any mother could and still be able to fall in love with her childhood crush. Its an amazing book. And both Jemma and Shelby found the happiness they were looking for even after so long. I love how these book have bigger msgs that some other books don't. Its pretty amazing!!
August 7, 2017
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was very well written although sometimes I had to run for a dictionary. I loved the characters and the concept as a whole. My main problem was that while there was definitely chemistry between the main characters, there wasn't ENOUGH chemistry. When they finally get together it's more of an "aww shucks" than a "YES! Thank god, finally!" If that makes sense to anyone besides me! I like the build up as much as I like the happy ending and the buildup was just lacking for me.
January 11, 2023
unbelievable
Shelby stole my heart. Of course she was the one with most of the problems but had the biggest heart. I felt badly for her and felt just absolute admiration for her as well.
This was such a great story. A very slow burn with lots of backstory and wonderful character development. But leaving the physical intimacy very light and in the last few pages was heartbreaking. I think we all deserved a little more than that from their story.
One thing that bothered me was the whole church angle. It just felt off. Having been raised in the church I don’t know if any that is as free about premarital consummation.
As far as imagination goes, I still can’t really figure out what Jemma looks like. As much as I loved the story, her character fell a bit flat to me. It took too long to get there with Shelby and was so “robotic” in a way. Planning…??
All in all, I still loved this book and their story.
Shelby stole my heart. Of course she was the one with most of the problems but had the biggest heart. I felt badly for her and felt just absolute admiration for her as well.
This was such a great story. A very slow burn with lots of backstory and wonderful character development. But leaving the physical intimacy very light and in the last few pages was heartbreaking. I think we all deserved a little more than that from their story.
One thing that bothered me was the whole church angle. It just felt off. Having been raised in the church I don’t know if any that is as free about premarital consummation.
As far as imagination goes, I still can’t really figure out what Jemma looks like. As much as I loved the story, her character fell a bit flat to me. It took too long to get there with Shelby and was so “robotic” in a way. Planning…??
All in all, I still loved this book and their story.
November 18, 2013
I have read two previous works by this author and found something about her writing that bothers me. The first parts of her books are always great, creating a background to the story for her main characters, but there is a point where it just gets too much too slow. I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more with 3/4s of the chapters or descriptions involved.
I would read another book by her, but at the end I just had to start skipping pages as it was too much of the same.
I would read another book by her, but at the end I just had to start skipping pages as it was too much of the same.
October 27, 2013
Great story!
January 23, 2014
I found this book really hard to start took about 20pages of me nearly putting it down but then, wow loved it differently a fav for me
June 28, 2014
Very much enjoyable!
It's the fourth book I read of the author and I can't wait for the next one...
I love how every book is different and well depicted.
It's the fourth book I read of the author and I can't wait for the next one...
I love how every book is different and well depicted.
July 8, 2015
Interesting and well written. The characters a well rounded and the story is compelling. I would recommend it.
September 25, 2015
3.5 stars
It was more than average for me, but I like her other books more.
It was more than average for me, but I like her other books more.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews