What do you think?
Rate this book
Turning the Page
Melanie Larson is an attractive, extremely successful business executive who shocks herself by resigning from her job when her company merges with another and relocates. While trying to decide what to do with her life next and at the urging of her uncle, Melanie heads to Rochester, New York, to stay temporarily with her cousin Samantha. She hopes to use her business savvy in an attempt to help Sam sort out the financial woes of her small bookstore. During her stay, Melanie meets and becomes close to the family that owns the property on which Samantha lives, the charming Benjamin Rhodes, a distinguished, successful businessman, as well as his beautiful and intriguing daughter Taylor. Surprised by what and how she feels for each of them, Melanie is soon forced to face the facts and re-examine what's really important to her in life, career and love.
268 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2001
28 people are currently reading
612 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 6, 2017
This book has me torn. I want to give it 4 stars, but I just can’t. I can’t get over the dad. He almost totally ruined it for me. I also can’t get over that his weird competitiveness with his daughter was somewhat accepted. It was weird and creepy. That is not the behavior of a parent who is close with their child. It’s creepy. I stopped reading several times because of this, but my ocd of finishing books I start won out. Everything else about the story was great. Take that out and I’d say this is a 4.5.
September 17, 2016
Predictable & boring unfortunately!
December 9, 2010
This is my first Georgia Beers book and it won’t be my last. This is a sweet coming out story, the kind where a character falls in love for the first time with someone of their own sex. Just the kind I really like.
What I liked: Melanie is at a turning point in her life and is in limbo about what she’ll do. Until this point, she’s focused solely on her career, putting love on the back burner. As far as she knows, she’s straight, until she meets Taylor. What I loved is that how she falls for Taylor is done nice and slowly. No big shocks or freaking out about what she starts feeling, just a nice slow progression of opening up to and acceptance that she might be a lesbian.
Melanie decides to take over a bookstore her uncle bought for her cousin after her cousin blows off, but realizes that since the big box stores are major competition, she needs to be a niche bookstore. So she decides on it being gay/lesbian oriented along with feminist offerings. This is part of her opening process.
She also becomes really good friends with Lynda, a lesbian and owner of the coffee shop next door. Since Melanie is so open, Lynda is not sure about her and invites her to a lesbian bar, where Melanie has a good time, becoming more open to her interest in all of that.
All along, Melanie has growing feelings for Taylor, the daughter of the man who owns the house Melanie’s cousin, Samantha, has been renting. But Taylor’s father also has eyes for Melanie and this becomes confusing to Melanie since she has a lot in common with him and he pursues her romantically.
Taylor makes it pretty clear that she’s very attracted to Melanie, but of course, she’s not sure if Melanie is into women so she comes on and then backs off accordingly, which actually gives Melanie a chance to ease into it since this is the first time she’s attracted to a woman.
The dance between Taylor and Melanie is done so softly and yet, it’s very clear that both have major hots for each other. All those intense feelings of attraction and falling in love come through pretty strongly in the writing and how they interact.
I liked all the characters in the story. Lynda is a fun character who adds a lot to this story as she’s sort of the go to person who helps Melanie sort out her unexpected feelings. Samantha is a bit of a caricature of a bad girl. And she has a shocking reaction at finding out that Melanie is having an affair with Taylor, which I thought was a bit over the top. But I think it fit her superficial personality.
Taylor is a genuine, sweet type of character. She’s fairly conflicted about what’s going on with her and Melanie due to issues with her father, an ex- girlfriend who keeps calling, and not being sure if Melanie is actually straight or bi or gay. But she’s a grounded girl and she just keeps putting it out there in ways that Melanie can take and so when Melanie really gets that she’s a lesbian and goes for it fully with Taylor, it’s so satisfying.
What bothered me: This is the first romance book I’ve ever read in which there are romantic competitions going on between a parent and child. I’ll admit, it made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Everyone knows that it happens between mothers and daughters in some situations in which jealousies and competition happen about partners, but it’s an unspoken thing that most people don’t like to acknowledge. Certainly not in a romance.
In this case, you have a lesbian daughter in competition for women with her father, who is a good looking, suave man who easily attracts women. Since Taylor’s mother died her father has been dating a lot. And he sets his eyes on Melanie almost immediately, to the chagrin of Taylor.
Although Ben, Taylor’s father, is written as a good guy, a decent man, it’s still weird for me to read a romantic triangle with a father and daughter being two parts of that triangle. Just to be clear, Melanie is about 13 years younger than Ben and about 8 years older than Taylor. So the age differences weren’t what made this squicky. It’s handled in an OK way, but it does cause some stress to Taylor to betray her father on this level. And it was just a bit weird for me.
The main thing that bothered me had nothing to do with plot or characterization, which were well written, but more to do with writing technique. Instead of character names, tags like “the tall one, the younger one, the older one, the brunette, the blond, the blue eyed one,” etc. were used constantly. This drove me nuts for some reason. I’m sure this is personal preference so YMMV. But after a while they stuck out like a sore thumb and pulled me out the story often. This was either the first or one of the first books Ms. Beers wrote, so maybe her writing has changed over time. I hope so on that level.
Altogether though, I loved this book. It’s full of heart and realistically written as a coming out story. Although there are quite a few stereotypical to lesbian pop culture references, it didn’t get preachy or so lesbian centric that that non lesbian readers won’t relate to it. I definitely recommend Turning the Page if you like first time experiences that turn into love stories and characters who don’t make a big deal about finding out they are gay.
What I liked: Melanie is at a turning point in her life and is in limbo about what she’ll do. Until this point, she’s focused solely on her career, putting love on the back burner. As far as she knows, she’s straight, until she meets Taylor. What I loved is that how she falls for Taylor is done nice and slowly. No big shocks or freaking out about what she starts feeling, just a nice slow progression of opening up to and acceptance that she might be a lesbian.
Melanie decides to take over a bookstore her uncle bought for her cousin after her cousin blows off, but realizes that since the big box stores are major competition, she needs to be a niche bookstore. So she decides on it being gay/lesbian oriented along with feminist offerings. This is part of her opening process.
She also becomes really good friends with Lynda, a lesbian and owner of the coffee shop next door. Since Melanie is so open, Lynda is not sure about her and invites her to a lesbian bar, where Melanie has a good time, becoming more open to her interest in all of that.
All along, Melanie has growing feelings for Taylor, the daughter of the man who owns the house Melanie’s cousin, Samantha, has been renting. But Taylor’s father also has eyes for Melanie and this becomes confusing to Melanie since she has a lot in common with him and he pursues her romantically.
Taylor makes it pretty clear that she’s very attracted to Melanie, but of course, she’s not sure if Melanie is into women so she comes on and then backs off accordingly, which actually gives Melanie a chance to ease into it since this is the first time she’s attracted to a woman.
The dance between Taylor and Melanie is done so softly and yet, it’s very clear that both have major hots for each other. All those intense feelings of attraction and falling in love come through pretty strongly in the writing and how they interact.
I liked all the characters in the story. Lynda is a fun character who adds a lot to this story as she’s sort of the go to person who helps Melanie sort out her unexpected feelings. Samantha is a bit of a caricature of a bad girl. And she has a shocking reaction at finding out that Melanie is having an affair with Taylor, which I thought was a bit over the top. But I think it fit her superficial personality.
Taylor is a genuine, sweet type of character. She’s fairly conflicted about what’s going on with her and Melanie due to issues with her father, an ex- girlfriend who keeps calling, and not being sure if Melanie is actually straight or bi or gay. But she’s a grounded girl and she just keeps putting it out there in ways that Melanie can take and so when Melanie really gets that she’s a lesbian and goes for it fully with Taylor, it’s so satisfying.
What bothered me: This is the first romance book I’ve ever read in which there are romantic competitions going on between a parent and child. I’ll admit, it made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Everyone knows that it happens between mothers and daughters in some situations in which jealousies and competition happen about partners, but it’s an unspoken thing that most people don’t like to acknowledge. Certainly not in a romance.
In this case, you have a lesbian daughter in competition for women with her father, who is a good looking, suave man who easily attracts women. Since Taylor’s mother died her father has been dating a lot. And he sets his eyes on Melanie almost immediately, to the chagrin of Taylor.
Although Ben, Taylor’s father, is written as a good guy, a decent man, it’s still weird for me to read a romantic triangle with a father and daughter being two parts of that triangle. Just to be clear, Melanie is about 13 years younger than Ben and about 8 years older than Taylor. So the age differences weren’t what made this squicky. It’s handled in an OK way, but it does cause some stress to Taylor to betray her father on this level. And it was just a bit weird for me.
The main thing that bothered me had nothing to do with plot or characterization, which were well written, but more to do with writing technique. Instead of character names, tags like “the tall one, the younger one, the older one, the brunette, the blond, the blue eyed one,” etc. were used constantly. This drove me nuts for some reason. I’m sure this is personal preference so YMMV. But after a while they stuck out like a sore thumb and pulled me out the story often. This was either the first or one of the first books Ms. Beers wrote, so maybe her writing has changed over time. I hope so on that level.
Altogether though, I loved this book. It’s full of heart and realistically written as a coming out story. Although there are quite a few stereotypical to lesbian pop culture references, it didn’t get preachy or so lesbian centric that that non lesbian readers won’t relate to it. I definitely recommend Turning the Page if you like first time experiences that turn into love stories and characters who don’t make a big deal about finding out they are gay.
April 9, 2018
I originally rated this book 4 stars when I read it on 2012. My re-read has made me realize how much I liked this book, so I'm upgrading it to 5 stars :)
December 8, 2020
Georgia Beers is a good author but this book was slightly uncomfortable. Father and daughter constantly competing for the same women? That's just creepy. I felt like Ben was a creepy predator even though he wasn't meant to be one.
July 10, 2011
Loved this. An easy read, with characters you can relate to. I recently discovered Georgia Beers as an author and read every one of her books within a couple of weeks! They are all well written and easy to lose yourself in. Refreshing to find some lesbian fiction that isn't just erotica!
April 21, 2020
Going back to the beginning of Georgia Beers and what a delightful read. A lovely page turner with warm and delicious characters. Melanie, a corporate exec who leaves the rat race and winds up with a slower and more rewarding life. Taylor, the younger woman, who leaves the abusive lover for her own sanity. A bookstore, a sexual awakening and steamy love. All the elements for a great story. I really enjoy Georgia Beers an you will too!
June 1, 2021
Amazing
For a first book by Georgia Beers this was inspiring and amazing. Its wonderful to see how she grows as an author. I have read other books by her before this one and truly enjoyed most. I will keep turning to her books for the enjoyment of her writing and storytelling.
For a first book by Georgia Beers this was inspiring and amazing. Its wonderful to see how she grows as an author. I have read other books by her before this one and truly enjoyed most. I will keep turning to her books for the enjoyment of her writing and storytelling.
August 23, 2017
A sweet story...a characteristic of many of this writer's style. Unlike many come out book experiences where the turmoils of acceptance comes to play this was descriptively short with pretty clear feelings and decision. Good read
Update!
This book introduced me to the fantasy heroine "Xena". After reading this book I was curious to find out what Xena was all about and googled. Now I think I have become a fan and a Xenian :). Presently on Season 2 and loving every bit of it. Thanks Geogia Beers.
Update!
This book introduced me to the fantasy heroine "Xena". After reading this book I was curious to find out what Xena was all about and googled. Now I think I have become a fan and a Xenian :). Presently on Season 2 and loving every bit of it. Thanks Geogia Beers.
November 30, 2010
Enjoyed this one, probably the foodie element and the bookshop! The supporting characters are fun, too.
July 27, 2011
I love this novel but I liked the cover of the first edition better!
May 20, 2024
4-
FAVORITE AUTHOR!
FAVORITE AUTHOR!
October 4, 2020
Not really a fan of this book. The dads behavior kind of got under my skin. The relationship between Mel and Taylor was sweet.
July 31, 2022
This book was a bit nostalgic due to how long ago it was written. Having just been released as an audiobook in 2022, it was fun to listen for older references, like VCR’s, answering machines, no mention of cell phones, etc. Even the story not ending with a proposal was interesting since this was before legalization of same sex marriages. So that made the book have a sharp contrast to many books written today.
I enjoyed the overall story of a woman discovering herself in her 30’s. I didn’t much care for the Ben character much. I know why he was in the story, but I didn’t like the way he made moves on Melanie and then was hurt when he finds that she isn’t what he thought. I just didn’t like his character. I also didn’t much care for Melanie’s cousin, especially when she finds that Melanie is gay. She says some very sharp and hurtful things that seem to have been forgiven way too easily.
Melanie and Taylor’s relationship was enjoyable to follow. It was a nice slow burn as the couple get closer and as Melanie deals with the feelings she never expected. It was a sweet romance and one I will listen to again.
I enjoyed the overall story of a woman discovering herself in her 30’s. I didn’t much care for the Ben character much. I know why he was in the story, but I didn’t like the way he made moves on Melanie and then was hurt when he finds that she isn’t what he thought. I just didn’t like his character. I also didn’t much care for Melanie’s cousin, especially when she finds that Melanie is gay. She says some very sharp and hurtful things that seem to have been forgiven way too easily.
Melanie and Taylor’s relationship was enjoyable to follow. It was a nice slow burn as the couple get closer and as Melanie deals with the feelings she never expected. It was a sweet romance and one I will listen to again.
December 3, 2024
I listened to this and chose it because it was relatively short as I knew I wouldn't have much time and didn't want to forget the story before I could finish it. It is obviously a book written quite a while ago - as evidenced by answerphones and lack of smart phones and 24 hour availability.
The story pivots on Melanie who arrives to stay with her cousin for a period of time to look at her business as a favour to her uncle. She meets father and daughter duo Ben and Taylor as her cousin's home is on their land.
Quite bizarrely father and daughter both proceed to try and 'woo' her. Melanie in her 30's is presented with Ben, a widower in his 50's and Taylor a lesbian in her 20's. As this is a Georgia Beers book I think it is fair to say that the outcome is guaranteed to be in Taylor's favour.
This seemed an odd trope to me - and sort of perpetuating the myth of bisexuality and not being able to choose which one she wanted. As Melanie had not had previous relationships with women she did some soul searching and sort of dated both of them at the same time to decide what she wanted.
I enjoyed it though - apart from anything else it involved running a bookshop.
The story pivots on Melanie who arrives to stay with her cousin for a period of time to look at her business as a favour to her uncle. She meets father and daughter duo Ben and Taylor as her cousin's home is on their land.
Quite bizarrely father and daughter both proceed to try and 'woo' her. Melanie in her 30's is presented with Ben, a widower in his 50's and Taylor a lesbian in her 20's. As this is a Georgia Beers book I think it is fair to say that the outcome is guaranteed to be in Taylor's favour.
This seemed an odd trope to me - and sort of perpetuating the myth of bisexuality and not being able to choose which one she wanted. As Melanie had not had previous relationships with women she did some soul searching and sort of dated both of them at the same time to decide what she wanted.
I enjoyed it though - apart from anything else it involved running a bookshop.
February 15, 2023
It’s been 12 years since I first read this book and rereading it now made me remember how much I enjoyed Georgia Beers novels.
It’s weird, I just noticed reading a book published in 2001 versus the current more modern lesbian romance, there’s a sense of sadness in the older books? I don’t know if I’m making any sense. I just feel it when I’m reading it.
Anyway, going back to Turning the Pages, it just hits a bit weird when people work on an actual PC and don’t have laptops or not having mobile phones. It’s easier to digest it if it’s set in like 70’s or 80’s. It’s just unsettling to go back in time and realise that we lived our lives with less technological influence then.
In summaryyyyyy, the book is great! The story is good and easy to digest.
It’s weird, I just noticed reading a book published in 2001 versus the current more modern lesbian romance, there’s a sense of sadness in the older books? I don’t know if I’m making any sense. I just feel it when I’m reading it.
Anyway, going back to Turning the Pages, it just hits a bit weird when people work on an actual PC and don’t have laptops or not having mobile phones. It’s easier to digest it if it’s set in like 70’s or 80’s. It’s just unsettling to go back in time and realise that we lived our lives with less technological influence then.
In summaryyyyyy, the book is great! The story is good and easy to digest.
January 9, 2024
I really enjoyed the way Melanie handled her "sexual awakening". It felt authentic, in the way she tried to justify some of her feelings. Also, I loved how patience and kind Taylor was throughout the whole process. I honestly fell in love with her myself. I didn't love the Samantha aspect of the story. I don't feel as though it added anything, other than being annoying. The sole reason I cannot give this book a rating higher than a 3 is Taylor's dad. He came across as so utterly creepy, that I found myself skipping his parts completely. His complete disregard for his daughter was appalling, and the competitiveness he showed with trying to woo Melanie was disgusting. Other than that, I really did enjoy Melanie and Taylor's story and look forward to reading more books by this author.
May 25, 2024
I loved how this book blended the perspectives of multiple characters, it was an intriguing change from the romance novels I've read recently where the focus is almost exclusively on the main couple. I particularly enjoyed the attention paid to the characters emotions. For such a short book, Georgia Beers really pulled me into the world that she created. There were a couple of times where I got caught up on the repetition of phrases that pulled me out of the atmosphere of the book, but honestly, It didn't significantly subtract from my reading.
May 11, 2020
I wanted to give this another star because I really kind of enjoyed it. But two things stopped me. Her constant reference to "the older woman" when talking about Melanie and the way the writing never really spoke about the women without some odd ball descriptor: brunette, older, red-headed, etc. It bothered me. I also found the line about Taylor not tasting "like tuna" offensive. But even with all of that I enjoyed the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2021
This book would have been great if it hadn't been for Taylor's dad. He is truly creepy and portrays just about everything one could hate in a man, way too much blind confidence in his own charm, no regard for any other person's desires or wants and not even enough love or respect for his own daughter. I seriously considered to dnf this book when both Melanie and Taylor felt bad about dating each other because they "hurt Ben's feelings".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2021
So cute, and just the right amount of steamy. I've read some of her more recent work and it was neat to read something from two decades ago and see how her style has changed and how it has stayed the same.
Yes, the Ben plotline is a little... squicky, but for me that comes down to more of the size of the age gap than the triangle itself. Ultimately the chemistry between Melanie and Taylor made up for it for me.
Yes, the Ben plotline is a little... squicky, but for me that comes down to more of the size of the age gap than the triangle itself. Ultimately the chemistry between Melanie and Taylor made up for it for me.
March 4, 2018
Making one life change can cascade into other life changes. Hopefully all these changes = a happy ending.
Lots on the surface, so not much depth.
Lots on the surface, so not much depth.
July 4, 2018
An almost-triangle with both father and daughter was an unusual twist but it does work out without too many hard feelings.
Read
July 10, 2019Don't remember.
August 22, 2019
Makes me want to rewatch xena. Good book but I didn't really like Melanie, she acted immature most of the time. 3,5⭐
January 27, 2022
This was a fun book to read with a good story and lots of the cuteness I crave to see in a romance novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
March 5, 2018
This is basically a fluffy, feel-good story. There is no real conflict despite several potential sources, including an unstable alcoholic ex (); a spoiled, self-centered cousin; and a father-daughter love triangle. The real draw is Rochester itself. The shop at the center of Turning the Page was inspired by Silkwood, a feminist bookstore that was on Monroe Ave for years before closing in the late '90s. My older friends remember it fondly. The setting is actually my very own neighborhood (even my street is mentioned!) which was apparently a big LGBT area back in the day (they've since moved mostly to NOTA and the South Wedge). Pretty sure the bookstore is in this building, since it's mentioned as being across the street from Aladdin's. There is so much local flavor I am honestly surprised no one ate a Garbage Plate.
(Ironically, Melanie is advised against making it a secondhand bookstore, and yet Rick's Recycled Books has been on that part of Monroe forever! Meanwhile, the Equal Grounds coffeehouse on South Ave is phasing out its book retail section because it's easy to find LGBT literature on Amazon now.)
All in all, I think this one is mostly appealing to a local audience. Still not overly impressed with Beers's writing (her prose is so very beige and there was annoying, awkward tendency to refer to Taylor and Melanie as "the brunette" and "the older woman" in place of their names), but this was certainly an improvement over Olive Oil and White Bread .
(Ironically, Melanie is advised against making it a secondhand bookstore, and yet Rick's Recycled Books has been on that part of Monroe forever! Meanwhile, the Equal Grounds coffeehouse on South Ave is phasing out its book retail section because it's easy to find LGBT literature on Amazon now.)
All in all, I think this one is mostly appealing to a local audience. Still not overly impressed with Beers's writing (her prose is so very beige and there was annoying, awkward tendency to refer to Taylor and Melanie as "the brunette" and "the older woman" in place of their names), but this was certainly an improvement over Olive Oil and White Bread .
October 9, 2013
I like Georgia Beers' books, and this one was no exception. It is an upbeat romance with characters that engage the reader.
From the publisher's website - Melanie Larson is an attractive, extremely successful business executive who shocks herself by resigning from her job when her company merges with another and relocates. While trying to decide what to do with her life next and at the urging of her uncle, Melanie heads to Rochester, New York, to stay temporarily with her cousin Samantha. She hopes to use her business savvy in an attempt to help Sam sort out the financial woes of her small bookstore. During her stay, Melanie meets and becomes close to the family that owns the property on which Samantha lives, the charming Benjamin Rhodes, a distinguished, successful businessman, as well as his beautiful and intriguing daughter Taylor. Surprised by what and how she feels for each of them,
I enjoyed Melanie's journey to discovery and liked the story overall. I rated the book 4 stars instead of 5 stars because I found the fact that she dated both father and daughter a bit icky,
From the publisher's website - Melanie Larson is an attractive, extremely successful business executive who shocks herself by resigning from her job when her company merges with another and relocates. While trying to decide what to do with her life next and at the urging of her uncle, Melanie heads to Rochester, New York, to stay temporarily with her cousin Samantha. She hopes to use her business savvy in an attempt to help Sam sort out the financial woes of her small bookstore. During her stay, Melanie meets and becomes close to the family that owns the property on which Samantha lives, the charming Benjamin Rhodes, a distinguished, successful businessman, as well as his beautiful and intriguing daughter Taylor. Surprised by what and how she feels for each of them,
I enjoyed Melanie's journey to discovery and liked the story overall. I rated the book 4 stars instead of 5 stars because I found the fact that she dated both father and daughter a bit icky,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews