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Leicester Trilogy #3
Mending Bones
Claire, a Detective Inspector in her late forties, has known and worked with Estelle for many years. Ever since they met, it felt like there could have been something more there: Estelle's gentle flirting and compliments have been a constant in Claire's life, but her self confidence never allowed her to truly believe the other woman meant anything by it.
Until one day, Claire breaks her leg and finds out soon after that Estelle has decided to retire from the police, at only 56. Something doesn't feel right there, but before Claire can begin to ask more questions, Estelle offers to take her away to her seaside cottage for a week. After all, with Claire on sick leave and Estelle retired, they both have the time.
Surely a week of lazy mornings, too much food and wine, and walks through the countryside aren't enough to make Claire fall when she’s resisted for so long?
Until one day, Claire breaks her leg and finds out soon after that Estelle has decided to retire from the police, at only 56. Something doesn't feel right there, but before Claire can begin to ask more questions, Estelle offers to take her away to her seaside cottage for a week. After all, with Claire on sick leave and Estelle retired, they both have the time.
Surely a week of lazy mornings, too much food and wine, and walks through the countryside aren't enough to make Claire fall when she’s resisted for so long?
222 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2023
10 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Merlina Garance
8 books24 followersMerlina writes and lives in France, with a husband and their beloved dog. After a career as a social worker, Merlina first published a novel in 2023. Merlina's head is full of LGBTQ love stories, so keep an eye out for those to come...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 19, 2023
What a wonderful book, the book was very well written and I really enjoyed the storyline, Claire has an unfortunate tumble and brakes her leg - ouch, she goes to a retirement party for Estelle the Superintendent of the Cyper Crime unit in Leicester. The following day, Estelle invites Claire to Devon to her cottage for a week away while she recovers from her injury, which she agrees to.
The connection between Claire and Estelle is undeniable, and it is clear there is some deep sexual attraction between the two. The story was wonderful, and I couldn't put the book down. What a great read, and I surely do recommend it.
Thank you, Merlina, for the ARC. This book comes on Secember 15th, so get it in your diaries now! Side note, this is Book 3 in the trilogy, and although the book can be read on its own, I will be reading book 1, The Flourishing, in the not to distant future because I enjoyed this one that much.
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥
The connection between Claire and Estelle is undeniable, and it is clear there is some deep sexual attraction between the two. The story was wonderful, and I couldn't put the book down. What a great read, and I surely do recommend it.
Thank you, Merlina, for the ARC. This book comes on Secember 15th, so get it in your diaries now! Side note, this is Book 3 in the trilogy, and although the book can be read on its own, I will be reading book 1, The Flourishing, in the not to distant future because I enjoyed this one that much.
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥
April 5, 2025
I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but I really do love Merlina Garance’s characters in a very personal, protective way, and that’s everything to do with how real and raw they feel.
Mending Bones is an electric sapphic romance set by the sea, following two middle-aged women who are finally able to act on long-harboured feelings when they find themselves taking unexpected breaks away from their usual fast-paced police work for varying reasons.
This book feels like a love letter to a slower, more restful life, something we all need, and above that, raises explorations between fighting and surrendering when it comes to tough social injustices. If you’re looking for something both gentle and steamy, with lovable main characters and quiet intimacy, I can’t recommend this one enough. I’m sad to have finished the Leicester Trilogy but so, so excited to visit some more stops in the MGU (Merlina Garance universe).
Mending Bones is an electric sapphic romance set by the sea, following two middle-aged women who are finally able to act on long-harboured feelings when they find themselves taking unexpected breaks away from their usual fast-paced police work for varying reasons.
This book feels like a love letter to a slower, more restful life, something we all need, and above that, raises explorations between fighting and surrendering when it comes to tough social injustices. If you’re looking for something both gentle and steamy, with lovable main characters and quiet intimacy, I can’t recommend this one enough. I’m sad to have finished the Leicester Trilogy but so, so excited to visit some more stops in the MGU (Merlina Garance universe).
![Profile Image for Yves V.H. [Slow reading].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1710076694i%2F170151541._UY200_CR5%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 12, 2023
I feel like this book has the most adorable story among the trilogy. When Estelle admitted that she's been trying to flirt with Claire but she's always been turned down because Claire thought it wasn't serious. I like what message the author tries to send here about Estelle's early retirement because it does happen in real life.
🌸 Received a copy of the book but all thoughts and opinions are my own
🌸 Received a copy of the book but all thoughts and opinions are my own
December 8, 2024
3.75 stars rounded up
December 14, 2023
The third book in the Leicester Trilogy, Mending Bones is a quick-burn, sweet romance story with undertones of a more intense nature - no spoilers! We met Claire in book one - she's Andy's best friend and colleague, and it's wonderful to see more of her. Much like The Flourishing, it was a quick, easily digestible read, with a satisfying conclusion, the characters have depth and personality - Estelle was delightful and it was just a really good read.
I want to make a special mention to the dedication of this book, I'll let that speak for itself, but the message spans throughout the story, that regardless of who you are, who you love, what you look like, how old you are - anything, you deserve to take up space, you deserve to love and be loved for your whole, beautiful self and you deserve to seek joy. You deserve good things. You do.
I want to make a special mention to the dedication of this book, I'll let that speak for itself, but the message spans throughout the story, that regardless of who you are, who you love, what you look like, how old you are - anything, you deserve to take up space, you deserve to love and be loved for your whole, beautiful self and you deserve to seek joy. You deserve good things. You do.
December 24, 2023
It was a brilliant story that I finish reading in a rather short time. I love the ending, it made my eyes wet.
Looking forward to read author's other books!
Looking forward to read author's other books!
October 6, 2023
My love for Merlina Garance’s books has ascended to the level when I read them before they’re even up on Goodreads, so this review will decant in my notes app for a while, like the fancy wines this book didn’t fail to provide. As always, I’m thankful for the ARC and voluntarily leaving a review.
Mending Bones is the highly anticipated (it’s been for me, at least!) third and last novel in the Leicester trilogy, following The Flourishing and Just Stu.
Here, we find our beloved Claire Atkins (the MVP supporting character who stole our hearts in book 1 and 2) finally in the role of the protagonist. We happen to get to her at the time of a domestic incident some readers will remember reading about in Just Stu, and the aftermath of it. Though the recovery won’t be difficult on the physical level, it takes a toll on Claire’s mental health, and she is sure she will go mad with boredom. Thankfully, her ever-flirty friend and colleague Estelle (also known as the love of my life from now on) comes up with a plan to get her out of town for a couple of days…
If you wonder where this trip will take Claire, in terms of feelings, you’ll be delighted to hear that this book will come out soon.
To surprise of absolutely no one, I loved this book. I love Merlina’s writing style, I love the characters from these books, I wish I could hang out with them in real life. Getting to know Claire better was awesome, as was being able too see some old friends again (though I’d like to file a complaint for the low amount of Thalia mentions in this book). Estelle was the real revelation. After her appearance in Just Stu I couldn’t wait to read more of her, and was not disappointed in the slightest. She is just wonderful, so full of life and shades and personality, just like all of Merlina Garance’s love interests are. They don’t just exist to get the romance going, they live and breathe on page, and make you want to get to know them just as much as the protagonists.
As always, the characters and dialogues are what I appreciated the most in this book. The plot is mostly romance, as fits a book of this length, but it did take an unexpected turn I didn’t see coming, and that got me hooked and worried until resolved. Speaking of length, I wish this book was longer, but you’ll see there’s a reason why it was written this way: what we read is a very specific portion (possibly the juiciest one) of a story that, in a way, unfolds over a decade. As much as I’d like to know more, I’m content with Merlina’s choice of telling this moment in particular.
Mending Bones is a short, sugary and spicy quick-burn romance book that made me laugh, cry and even snort milk out of my nose one time (that’s on me for reading at breakfast time, really). The fun, the angst and the sexy scenes are well balanced and all of them feel authentic and memorable. It also holds a wonderful message, not just hidden along the lines but voiced out loud in various points, that no matter who you are, how you look or how old you are: you have a right to belong, take your space and be yourself, unapologetically. You deserve good things.
With a level of spice that tops The Flourishing (and a level of denial and dumbassery from the main character that matches Just Stu’s), Mending Bones is the perfect conclusion to the Leicester trilogy, though that won’t stop me from gently poking Merlina with a stick and demanding more content. If you’re reading this, help a boy out and read these books to show this wonderful author just how much love their work deserves. Let’s get a round of applause, folks! Merlina: you did it again.
Mending Bones is the highly anticipated (it’s been for me, at least!) third and last novel in the Leicester trilogy, following The Flourishing and Just Stu.
Here, we find our beloved Claire Atkins (the MVP supporting character who stole our hearts in book 1 and 2) finally in the role of the protagonist. We happen to get to her at the time of a domestic incident some readers will remember reading about in Just Stu, and the aftermath of it. Though the recovery won’t be difficult on the physical level, it takes a toll on Claire’s mental health, and she is sure she will go mad with boredom. Thankfully, her ever-flirty friend and colleague Estelle (also known as the love of my life from now on) comes up with a plan to get her out of town for a couple of days…
If you wonder where this trip will take Claire, in terms of feelings, you’ll be delighted to hear that this book will come out soon.
To surprise of absolutely no one, I loved this book. I love Merlina’s writing style, I love the characters from these books, I wish I could hang out with them in real life. Getting to know Claire better was awesome, as was being able too see some old friends again (though I’d like to file a complaint for the low amount of Thalia mentions in this book). Estelle was the real revelation. After her appearance in Just Stu I couldn’t wait to read more of her, and was not disappointed in the slightest. She is just wonderful, so full of life and shades and personality, just like all of Merlina Garance’s love interests are. They don’t just exist to get the romance going, they live and breathe on page, and make you want to get to know them just as much as the protagonists.
As always, the characters and dialogues are what I appreciated the most in this book. The plot is mostly romance, as fits a book of this length, but it did take an unexpected turn I didn’t see coming, and that got me hooked and worried until resolved. Speaking of length, I wish this book was longer, but you’ll see there’s a reason why it was written this way: what we read is a very specific portion (possibly the juiciest one) of a story that, in a way, unfolds over a decade. As much as I’d like to know more, I’m content with Merlina’s choice of telling this moment in particular.
Mending Bones is a short, sugary and spicy quick-burn romance book that made me laugh, cry and even snort milk out of my nose one time (that’s on me for reading at breakfast time, really). The fun, the angst and the sexy scenes are well balanced and all of them feel authentic and memorable. It also holds a wonderful message, not just hidden along the lines but voiced out loud in various points, that no matter who you are, how you look or how old you are: you have a right to belong, take your space and be yourself, unapologetically. You deserve good things.
With a level of spice that tops The Flourishing (and a level of denial and dumbassery from the main character that matches Just Stu’s), Mending Bones is the perfect conclusion to the Leicester trilogy, though that won’t stop me from gently poking Merlina with a stick and demanding more content. If you’re reading this, help a boy out and read these books to show this wonderful author just how much love their work deserves. Let’s get a round of applause, folks! Merlina: you did it again.
November 19, 2023
Merlina Garance does not miss. This satisfying end to the Leicester Trilogy gives Andy and Stu's friend and confidante, Claire, her own book and her own romance.
Garance's writing once again lulled me into a kind of reading trance where I couldn't put this down once I had an evening to devote to it. It's the perfect blend of escapist whimsy and the ache of the human condition.
Claire is a wonderful, real main character full of memories and uncertainty and sometimes denial, but she shows crystal clarity when she relates insights she's gained about herself and her friends - well, everyone except Estelle, who she realises suddenly she doesn't know that well at all. And she realises she really really does want to know Estelle!
Estelle is a stunning love interest. She's beautiful, flighty, and impulsive, in the charming way of all the best love interests. But she's also hiding the darker corners of her inner world. I really appreciate that Estelle is not a relentless ray of sunshine; she actually emotes like most of the charmingly flighty people I know, which is to say she's mostly happy and carefree, but occasionally she gets intensely sad or angry. I guess "intense" is the key word here. She's very intense! She is very much a full person, I feel like I've met her.
Garance sets up the eventual conflict between these two masterfully and resolves it well, with communication and humour and characters showing care and honesty. I can't imagine it ending any other way.
This entire trilogy is so queer and heartwarming and hopeful. I will be rereading these books over and over again and I can't wait for everything Garance writes next.
Thank you to Merlina for the ARC! This is my honest review.
Garance's writing once again lulled me into a kind of reading trance where I couldn't put this down once I had an evening to devote to it. It's the perfect blend of escapist whimsy and the ache of the human condition.
Claire is a wonderful, real main character full of memories and uncertainty and sometimes denial, but she shows crystal clarity when she relates insights she's gained about herself and her friends - well, everyone except Estelle, who she realises suddenly she doesn't know that well at all. And she realises she really really does want to know Estelle!
Estelle is a stunning love interest. She's beautiful, flighty, and impulsive, in the charming way of all the best love interests. But she's also hiding the darker corners of her inner world. I really appreciate that Estelle is not a relentless ray of sunshine; she actually emotes like most of the charmingly flighty people I know, which is to say she's mostly happy and carefree, but occasionally she gets intensely sad or angry. I guess "intense" is the key word here. She's very intense! She is very much a full person, I feel like I've met her.
Garance sets up the eventual conflict between these two masterfully and resolves it well, with communication and humour and characters showing care and honesty. I can't imagine it ending any other way.
This entire trilogy is so queer and heartwarming and hopeful. I will be rereading these books over and over again and I can't wait for everything Garance writes next.
Thank you to Merlina for the ARC! This is my honest review.
December 16, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎯👙🧴🍷🍾
Ok, so this was such a good way to end the trilogy. Having seen Claire in the previous two books, and the hinting of a romance with Estelle, getting to read their story was epic to that bittersweet ending.
Claire, having to grow up as a Black, Queer, and a woman is used to having to go the extra mile to show that she is worthy to be where she is. When she breaks her leg due to being over-exhausted, she is forced to take medical leave to recover. At the same time, a work colleague, Estelle, who she has been flirting on and off with for the past seven years retires and invites Claire to her beach house since they both have the time.
Claire, not used to not working almost 24/7, compliments, or having sexual partners that are more than a one-night stand since her last long relationship break up, is struggling with Estelle's advantages. Until Estelle finally makes it clear that she wants Claire. Being in forced proximity of being alone in a small beach house helps for that matter too.
This age gap, work colleagues to lovers novel was so good that I read it all in one setting. I loved the flirty nature of Estelle, the realization that Claire had that she was worth it, and smexy times. I loved the writing and the plot, it made me cry near the end when Estelle's situation that was hinted throughout the book became about.
Thanks to Merlina Garance for a copy of the ebook. This review is left voluntarily.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎯👙🧴🍷🍾
Ok, so this was such a good way to end the trilogy. Having seen Claire in the previous two books, and the hinting of a romance with Estelle, getting to read their story was epic to that bittersweet ending.
Claire, having to grow up as a Black, Queer, and a woman is used to having to go the extra mile to show that she is worthy to be where she is. When she breaks her leg due to being over-exhausted, she is forced to take medical leave to recover. At the same time, a work colleague, Estelle, who she has been flirting on and off with for the past seven years retires and invites Claire to her beach house since they both have the time.
Claire, not used to not working almost 24/7, compliments, or having sexual partners that are more than a one-night stand since her last long relationship break up, is struggling with Estelle's advantages. Until Estelle finally makes it clear that she wants Claire. Being in forced proximity of being alone in a small beach house helps for that matter too.
This age gap, work colleagues to lovers novel was so good that I read it all in one setting. I loved the flirty nature of Estelle, the realization that Claire had that she was worth it, and smexy times. I loved the writing and the plot, it made me cry near the end when Estelle's situation that was hinted throughout the book became about.
Thanks to Merlina Garance for a copy of the ebook. This review is left voluntarily.
April 19, 2024
it was definitely cute and i liked the plot (and the yurilicious scenes)!!! i love how the characters were older women because i feel like that's not something you see often, especially in wlw representation.
however this also leads to what i didnt like... SPOILERS!!!
the fight claire and estelle share near the end was a bit juvenile but idk maybe its just me. like i know the first time having a fight with someone you care about is going to be different in every instance but.. you guys are grown women! ur telling me you dont know how to properly take a moment to think about your emotions and apologize to someone at the age of 46... i know it was at the height of a lot of anger and ultimately the fight was curated to move the plot along but the end just felt a bit rushed to me. i know claire and estelle's heightened emotions were redirected onto each other during the fight but it didn't feel like there was much of a reason for them to be arguing about in the first place.
anyways i also wished that we got to see stu's reaction to claire being in a relationship with estelle (and just more stu in general) instead of just an epilogue where their relationship was established to those around them
it's a great wlw book overall tho (:
however this also leads to what i didnt like... SPOILERS!!!
the fight claire and estelle share near the end was a bit juvenile but idk maybe its just me. like i know the first time having a fight with someone you care about is going to be different in every instance but.. you guys are grown women! ur telling me you dont know how to properly take a moment to think about your emotions and apologize to someone at the age of 46... i know it was at the height of a lot of anger and ultimately the fight was curated to move the plot along but the end just felt a bit rushed to me. i know claire and estelle's heightened emotions were redirected onto each other during the fight but it didn't feel like there was much of a reason for them to be arguing about in the first place.
anyways i also wished that we got to see stu's reaction to claire being in a relationship with estelle (and just more stu in general) instead of just an epilogue where their relationship was established to those around them
it's a great wlw book overall tho (:
December 12, 2023
Today I would like to talk about Mending Bones - the third book in Leicester trilogy. The MC of this story is Claire (the charming Andy's friend from the first book and Stu's best friend from the second book 😁). I wanted to see Claire'a story since I've read The Flourishing so this really lived up to my expectations ❤️.
.
When you look at the whole trilogy, you can see some paterns in the story - there's always some serious situation (Thalia's husband in the first book, John's sister, Stu's secret and their miscommunication in the second...) in this one was corruption in the police department... The next thing is this ”I need to think about this alone" time - which could've been frustrating to read but wasn't and you can't even imagine how happy I am thanks to that! Claire and Estelle had to communicate quite a lot about several issues and they had very different opinions about some of them but they eventually worked through them 🥰 just as Andy and Thalia and John and Stu did ✨.
.
This whole story was extremely cozy, I just wanted to go to the beach and chill a little bit with Estelle and Claire. 🥹 And now I can't believe it's over! I'll miss all the Leicester couples 🥹❤️... It was really nice to read about them.
.
Thanks to Merlina Garance for the eARC, I loved to be part of this ❤️.
.
PS: This trilogy reminds me books by Anita Kelly - my beloved Moonlighters series ✨
.
When you look at the whole trilogy, you can see some paterns in the story - there's always some serious situation (Thalia's husband in the first book, John's sister, Stu's secret and their miscommunication in the second...) in this one was corruption in the police department... The next thing is this ”I need to think about this alone" time - which could've been frustrating to read but wasn't and you can't even imagine how happy I am thanks to that! Claire and Estelle had to communicate quite a lot about several issues and they had very different opinions about some of them but they eventually worked through them 🥰 just as Andy and Thalia and John and Stu did ✨.
.
This whole story was extremely cozy, I just wanted to go to the beach and chill a little bit with Estelle and Claire. 🥹 And now I can't believe it's over! I'll miss all the Leicester couples 🥹❤️... It was really nice to read about them.
.
Thanks to Merlina Garance for the eARC, I loved to be part of this ❤️.
.
PS: This trilogy reminds me books by Anita Kelly - my beloved Moonlighters series ✨
February 7, 2024
Relationship Goals
What I love most about this author is that she doesn't shy away from the hard realities of life. Her stories invite you to see the person- frailties, doubts, and painful crap, AND how that's true for most of us. Her goal isn't to offer a fantasy escape but a way forward into honesty, trust, love with a partner. I've thoroughly enjoyed this series and this one perhaps most of all. Claire, as one of a few Black women in her profession, is someone I can relate to very well. Her truths, anxieties, and stubbornness are easy for me to understand. As is Estelle.
This is a really well done story. Read it.
What I love most about this author is that she doesn't shy away from the hard realities of life. Her stories invite you to see the person- frailties, doubts, and painful crap, AND how that's true for most of us. Her goal isn't to offer a fantasy escape but a way forward into honesty, trust, love with a partner. I've thoroughly enjoyed this series and this one perhaps most of all. Claire, as one of a few Black women in her profession, is someone I can relate to very well. Her truths, anxieties, and stubbornness are easy for me to understand. As is Estelle.
This is a really well done story. Read it.
April 18, 2024
After a lot of procrastination I finally finished reading the book and it was so worth it! Every character is so well written troughout the entire trilogy and I could relate to Claire more than I expected to. All in all a perfect way to end the trilogy and a must read for everyone who started reading the series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews