Novel Problems

Sapphire Springs #2

by Elizabeth Luly

A sapphic summer romance featuring a best-selling fantasy author and a warm-hearted cafe-bookstore owner, perfect for your next beach read!

Hannah Taylor has some novel problems. The best-selling fantasy author, who writes under a secret pen name, is suffering from writer’s block after her long-term relationship collapses. With the deadline for her next novel fast approaching, Hannah flees Manhattan for Sapphire Springs, New York, planning to hide away until she finishes her book. But when she’s forced to visit the local cafe-bookstore, she accidentally finds herself with a new job and one very attractive new boss. Distractions she definitely doesn’t need with her looming deadline…or does she?

George O’Grady worked hard to turn Novel Gossip into the cafe-bookstore of her dreams, but staff shortages are putting the normally unflappable lesbian under pressure. Hannah’s appearance is a godsend. Although it would be easier if her new employee was less distractingly lovely, because George has a strict rule against dating employees.

Over the course of the summer, Hannah and George grow closer. But can the two book lovers overcome their novel problems, rules and relationship baggage to write their own happy ending?

Note to readers:

Standalone. This book can be read as a standalone without having read Not Just Gal Pals (Book 1 in the Sapphire Springs series).Content Warning: Difficult family relationships, depictions of anxiety and panic attacks.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, LGBT, Queer, Audiobook, Lesbian Fiction, Fiction

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2024

About the author

Romance author Elizabeth Luly writes cozy, low-angst sapphic rom coms. She is best known for her Sapphire Springs series, a small-town sapphic rom com series.

There are four books in the Sapphire Springs series:
1. Not Just Gal Pals: a grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity cozy sapphic small-town rom com between a gruff local doctor and a bubbly influencer
2. Novel Problems: a sapphic romance about a fantasy author who accidentally gets a job in the local cafe on mistaken pretences, and falls for the owner
3. The Floral Arrangement: an enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating, age gap, ice queen sapphic small-town rom com about a flower-hating business woman who buys the local flower farm and butts heads with the attractive local florist
4. Deck the Hauls: a sapphic holiday rom com between a Christmas-loving actress who stars in a Christmas movie being filmed at Red Tractor Farm, and the head farmer who hates Christmas (to be published in 2026)

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Reviews

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hannah, a secretive fantasy author, moves to Sapphire Springs after breaking up with her wife. Her new book is coming out and she’s supposed to sign hundreds of copies her fans preordered but when she gets to Novel Gossip, the local bookstore, the owner, George, desperate to hire someone to help, mistakes her for a candidate for the job. Missing one of her hearing aids, Hannah misunderstands and when she realises what happened, it’s too late and she’s hired. The job turns out to be enjoyable, George is sweet and sexy, Hannah struggles to set the record straight, so to speak, and the longer she waits, the harder it becomes.

Novel Problems is seriously cute and earnest. Hannah is an introvert, George embodies golden retriever vibes, there are no villains, no jealous peer or ex trying to ruin everything, only life and regular people being regularly awkward and getting in their own way. I also appreciated reading about a main character with hearing issues. Disabilities, visible and invisible, are a huge part of many people’s lives and as cliché as it may sound, representation matters.

If you’re looking for a sweet and very easy read, Novel Problems may be the answer. 3.5⭐️

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

[Sterling Sapphic Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novel Problems is the epitome of a perfect summer read—sweet, engaging, and heartwarming. This sapphic romance between a best-selling fantasy author and a warm-hearted cafe-bookstore owner will make you believe in love all over again.

Hannah Taylor, a best-selling fantasy author hiding behind a secret pen name, is grappling with a serious case of writer's block after the collapse of her long-term relationship. With a looming deadline, she escapes the hustle and bustle of Manhattan for the serene town of Sapphire Springs, New York, hoping to find some peace and inspiration. Little did she know that a visit to the local cafe-bookstore would not only lead to a new job but also introduce her to George O’Grady, the attractive and unflappable owner of Novel Gossip.

George has turned Novel Gossip into the cozy, bookish haven of her dreams, but she's struggling with staff shortages. Hannah’s unexpected arrival is a blessing, though George’s strict rule against dating employees complicates things as she finds herself increasingly drawn to Hannah. Over the course of the summer, the two women grow closer, sharing their love for books and life’s ups and downs.

What makes Novel Problems stand out is its super sweet and low-angst narrative. There's no third-act breakup, which is refreshingly different and allows the story to focus on character communication and growth. Hannah and George’s journey is beautifully portrayed, capturing the essence of healing, understanding, and finding love when you least expect it.

The romance between Hannah and George is tender and genuine, filled with moments that will make your heart flutter. Their chemistry is undeniable, and watching their relationship blossom is an absolute delight. The way they navigate their novel problems, both personal and professional, is realistic and endearing, making their eventual happy ending all the more satisfying.

Perfect for a chill summer read, Novel Problems is a feel-good story that will leave you with a smile on your face. Whether you're lounging by the beach or curled up in a cozy corner, this book is sure to bring warmth and joy to your heart. If you're looking for a sweet, sapphic romance with great character development and a delightful storyline, this is the book for you.

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable novel. I liked it enough that I’m going to be grabbing the other novel in this series sometime soon (I didn’t realize this was a sequel!), which I think is a great endorsement on its own. I think this is a firm 4-star novel; I enjoyed reading it a lot, but there are likely other novels I would recommend over it.

Ultimately my main feedback is simply that I enjoyed reading this novel. It was fun, with a lot of little delightful things sprinkled throughout. Writing this review, I’m having difficulties placing my finger on anything specific (not that that’s a bad thing!). This novel had a lot to offer. I liked the writing and the characters. There was a lot of subplots that were woven together in a way that worked out really well.

On the flipside ill say that I’m not sure what the overall plotline is, except that it’s a romance and a love story. The novel moves through several subplot arcs in a way that flows nicely but doesn’t seem to have a clear throughline (aside from the fact it’s a romance, of course). This isn’t a bad thing, but something I noticed that makes it hard to easily summarize what this novel is “all about”.

There were some elements to this novel that I didn’t like or didn’t like as much. There was a section where one of the characters was hiding a lie and we were just waiting for everything to blow up in their face; some people like that type of plotline but I do not. I can’t enjoy all the fun or sweet things that are happening because I’m waiting for the entirely avoidable blow-up. Thankfully this didn’t carry through the entire novel, so it wasn’t a deal-breaker.

My other critique would be that this novel sometimes suffered from telling-not-showing, which was a disappointment. I have seen worse for this, but also much better. There were a lot of scenes/sections where the reader was informed of what happened instead of living through the scene; I suppose this allowed for more content to be packed into the novel, but with less detail and reader investment than there could have been.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Scriptmonkey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Novel Problems for one very good reason: I read the first book in the Sapphire Springs series, Not Just Gal Pals

But, *checks notes* you didn't care for that book.

This is true.

So, why...?

No more questions!

I was wary from the very description of Hannah as a "best-selling fantasy author" and the contents of the book bolstered this concern. She was a best-seller, she was respected, and she was George's (the other MC's) favorite author.

For me, making a character a "great writer" is problematic when the author, almost necessarily, is not. I don't like this in any medium. Many movies have had characters create a diegetic Oscar-worthy film or write an award-winning novel although the movies themselves are typically mediocre and forgettable. The snippets we get of those fanciful works are often melodramatic drivel that is, at best, a caricature of an award-winning story. Why? Because the writer is likely not talented enough to write such material. If they could, they'd be writing that and not the dreck they gave us.

Hannah can't even come up with a less loaded synonym for "romantic" to describe a dinner setting. This "great writer" falls upon an almost nonapplicable "cute" instead of something as simple and appropriate as "charming". Yes, I get that she was nervous but at least make her good at the one thing at which she is supposed to be good.

I'm given to understand that the author is hearing-impaired. Representation, sure. That's great. Then why make this a easily replaceable (which is to say nearly irrelevant) plot device instead of a simple fact of her existence? It serves a similar function as that of sitcom character having a clogged ear canal, so that a "miscommunication" can happen. A sitcom writer uses such tropes because they have 22-minutes to tell the story and its still kind of lazy. So, when a novelist does it, what should it be called? This novel cannot happen without multiple instances of miscommunication.

Hannah also manages to lose her hearing aid in her box of sex toys. How? She asks herself that very question--but really, how? Did it fall out while she was packing and impossibly not notice? Did she wake up and shove all her toys off her nightstand and into a box one day and sweep the hearing aid along with it? Worse, George mistakes the hearing aid for some strange vibrator.

More on Hannah, she supposedly suffers from severe social anxiety, but really, as with the hearing impairment, it's only a problem when it helps to further the plot. Otherwise, it's little more than standard introvert behavior. A person with severe social anxiety shouldn't excel at in-person customer service, such as a barista as Hannah does.

Just so it doesn't seem like I'm picking on Hannah, George (apart from her hearing aid faux pas) pays $160 for two tickets to an outdoor movie. She doesn't wonder why it was so ghastly expensive (it's a fancy dinner, the one Hannah called "cute") and, unlike every other human on Earth, doesn't even ask what movie is being shown.

To compound the stupidity, the movie is Wet Hot American Summer. What? Why? A formal dinner date setting with a fancy meal and they play a mildly raunchy early 2000 comedy. No explanation is given. No one notes it as a humorous juxtaposition. Just a terrible movie choice.

Later they go kayaking, and Hannah suggests she and her ex, Tonya, went kayaking once and Tonya the more experienced kayaker apparently sat in front and paddled alone. Maybe not impossible but also not ideal nor intelligent.

Again, Hannah is a fantasy author but the most fantastical thing is that a program like The Today Show or Good Morning America would care about her identity enough to be eager to interview her. To garner that level of interest, her name would have to rhyme with George R.R. Martin or maybe Stephenie Meyer and it's does not.

There's a lot more to quibble about, but in the end, once again it's a book with minimal stakes and when the moment of confrontation comes, nothing happens. Just reasonable discussion after reasonable discussion. When they aren't diffusing potentially interesting discussions, they worry repeatedly about the same two or three things through the entire novel, even revisiting after it was presumably resolved. Just excruciating.

[ReadingwithCaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome back to Sapphire Springs! Extremely private author Hannah moves away from her disastrous life in New York planning to live a secluded life in small town Sapphire Springs. She didn’t count on the charming local book cafe owner though.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Escaping city life and a cheating ex, a new life in an adorable small town is just what Hannah needs. As a top selling fantasy author she is very strict in protecting her pen name and is notoriously introverted. Her publisher wants her to sign 841 books for an upcoming release and delivers the books to a local bookstore/cafe. When Hannah walks into Novel Gossip nervous about revealing her identity, she is immediately charmed by George, the owner. Struggling with her hearing Hannah misunderstands George and somehow ends up with a job as Novel Gossip’s new employee. As the days go on, it gets more difficult to reveal the true meaning why she came to the shop in the first place and get those damn books signed. All the while Hannah feels more and more attracted to George. This can only end in disaster, right?

George has been working relentlessly to make her business a success. With one of her employees out with the flu, she can’t believe het luck when Hannah shows up at Novel Gossip. This intriguing woman is a godsend and seems to be the perfect addition to her crew. Hannah is good with the customers and apparently loves books as much as she does. Atop of that, Hannah is gorgeous and kind, all things that appeal to George. She can’t be interested in her like that though, George is Hannah’s boss!

It was a pleasure returning to Sapphire Springs. The lovely town is a character in the story itself and it was great getting a glimpse into the lives of Blake and Jenny, the main characters of Book 1, Not Just Gal Pals.

Hannah starts the story very secretive about her true identity. She fails to reveal her pen name to George and omitting the truth is creating all kinds of problems. While lying by omission is still lying in my book, the way Luly writes about Hannah’s internal struggles, makes me like her right from the start. Hannah might not be handling things very well but it’s very relatable and understandable why she does what she does. The way her identity is finally revealed to George, is so funny! I loved how George dealt with it. She turns out to be truly authentic and kind, just the partner you would wish for, for Hannah.

While George has her own insecurities about relationships, she communicates very openly about them. It’s so refreshing to read that characters actually try to understand each other and deal with whatever comes their way together. Both characters grow throughout the story and especially Hannah finds her own strengths in a remarkable way, all the while being supported by George in the background.

While this book is a true low angst, small town romance, it’s actually very funny as well. There are a few hilarious situations Hannah and George find themselves in that made me laugh. It never felt forced, the story just flowed naturally.

This book is part of the Sapphire Springs series but both stories can be read as a standalone. If you like sweet romance with strong characters, this series should definitely be on your TBR!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah, a socially anxious, hard of hearing and recently divorced best-selling fantasy author moves to Sapphire Springs to try to finish her latest book only to get caught up working (and falling) for the local cafe/bookstore owner, George.

This was another swoony, seasonal Sapphic romance from one of my fav queer indie romance authors. It featured cameos from the main characters in the first book but definitely can be read as a standalone and had great #ownvoices mental health, therapy and disability rep.

Highly recommended for fans of authors like Ashley Herring Blake and Meryl Wilsner and a perfect book to pick up and take to the beach this summer. Many thanks to the author for sharing an early digital copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own.

🔥Steam level: a couple open door scenes

[Adeline Weatherwax · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY HAD WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for this in exchange for my honest review. This is the second book in the Sapphire Springs series but read wonderfully as a stand alone.

4 Stars!

A best selling fantasy author with a pen name and private identity moves to the small town of Sapphire Springs to escape NYC and all the problems that city holds for her. Here in Sapphire Springs she accidentally creates more problems for herself, some involving George who owns the local book store. Novel Problems takes place over the course of the summer where we follow along with Hannah diving headfirst into the small towns community events, employment at Novel Gossip, possibly the river, and maybe in love?

As an introvert, I related wholeheartedly to Hannah and almost everything she brought up as being a challenge for herself. Both characters' POV were very east to understand and see yourself in and it made the story that much more special.

I could not help but root for these two and I loved what a healthy relationship they had. They communicated so well which I feel can be lacking in other romance novels.

Last but absolutely not least, the setting in Sapphire Springs is something from my dreams! Not even halfway through this book I was ready to pack my bags and find a Sapphire Springs of my own.

The pace of the story felt a little off to me at times and some very minor problems the characters had were frustrating though I don't want to give spoilers so I won't share them. This could be a total binge read if you're looking for something pool side this summer that's fun and lighter without being totally mindless, like some can be. I look forward to jumping back to book 1 now!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is everything I was hoping for, it’s silly and cute and just a little cringy in the way all good lighthearted romances are.
Two women are learning to find themselves and create lives out of the shadow of a previous relationship. They happen to find and help each other. The book is filled with the cutest little dates, frustrating but not over the top miscommunication, and a lot of really sound logic surrounding how to grow from trauma. My only complaint is that I could have used a little more spice, there were only a couple actual sex scenes, significantly more were just implied.
It’s a lovely light read I would highly recommend for a relaxing summer’s day.

A big thank you to West Brunswick Press for sending me this book as an ARC.

[Ana-Luisa Anaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk what happened to my ability to suspend disbelief but it's severely impacting my ability to read romance

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Elizabeth Luly, and the publishers for allowing me access to the e-Arc.

4.25 stars

I absolutely love their love story. Their relationship is beautiful. The beginning of the book was kind of annoying when Hannah just wouldn’t speak her mind. But I understand that level of anxiety. It’s very close to my own so I started to understand Hannah as a character. George is such a strong and boss woman. Her cafe sounds incredible. I wish it was really. I do love a small town romance and for it to be a sapphic romance is a perfect summer read.

I highly recommend it!

[The_Book_Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming Sapphic romance between a bookstore-cafe owner and a fantasy author.

[Star]

DNF @ idk.
This one wasn't fitting the vibe, unfortunately.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

the first sapphire springs book (“not just gal pals”) has been on my tbr since it was released and I never got round to it, but upon seeing “novel problems” available on netgalley I decided to jump right into this small town world at book 2. I can confirm this is great without having read the first book, but I’m definitely excited to go back and catch up!

I have to admit I was initially cautious about this book. I often get very frustrated by the miscommunication trope as it can so easily be done badly, but I needn’t have worried. it’s not dragged on for longer than needed, and there’s really nice character exploration and development surrounding the miscommunication which I found to be pretty meaningful.

I fell in love with the characters so quickly it almost shocked me; I instantly wanted to know more about both Hannah & George, as well as the wider friend group! I had a wonderful time following these two getting to know each other and really enjoyed some of the funny scenarios that they wind up in. and, most importantly for a romance, the relationship always felt so real and natural. I was rooting for them from the first interaction and didn’t waiver for even a moment. I have sooooo much love for them!!

unfortunately despite my love for these two, this has landed as a 4 star read for me. the writing sometimes felt a little repetitive & some points felt a little too laboured. more show & less tell would’ve been ideal. nevertheless, I won’t hesitate to jump into another of this author’s sapphic books!

thanks to netgalley & publishers for this arc!

[Nikki Ghirardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

Welcome back to Sapphire Springs! This was actually my gateway book into the series. It reads beautifully as a stand-alone if this plot reads more to your trope preferences over book #1.

One of my favorite parts of romance books are the imaginary or wonder-filled jobs these people have -- tech developer turned small cafe/bookstore owner? with a dog?? secret best-selling fantasy author? Jobs of dreams.

Watching their story unfold felt relatable in so many aspects, and can speak to a large variety of people out there. What brought my rating down was the length due to the repetition of specific character thoughts being read but not addressed. Specifically, the anxieties of keeping Hannah's identity secret, George's anxieties related to dating an employee, etc. Having anxiety, I understand that this is how it is in our brains -- constant reminders of these anxieties without addressing them or glossing over. However, for the sake of the book I felt that it could have done with a little less of this and still gotten the point across.

Finally, being from the Northern NJ area, I couldn't help but feel so ready to pack my bags, head northeast, and find any towns reminiscent of Sapphire Springs. These towns exist, and deserve the publicity! Books are based on real places! Go explore -- find your Sapphire Springs!!!

A giant thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I cannot wait to go back to book #1 and definitely can't wait to see if there will be a book #3!

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

my second book by this author and it wont be the last... i really like how the characters are formed and how they come alive on the page plus the interactions with others makes this an interesting read

hannah taylor is in the middle of a crisis... she has writers block, she has moved to another place and shes getting divorced....and then she finds out she has to sign over 800 books before publications date and she doesnt have enough room in her new place to even have the books delivered to her new place

so when the books are organised to be dropped at novel gossip... a cafe come bookstore she now has to make herself known as the author so she can have access to the books

but as she walks into the cafe come bookstore george the owner thinks shes come for the job and offers to her on the spot as george is rushed off her feet....

and thats how things spiral out of control....

its funny in places and serious in others... but the canoe scene is the funniest i have read in a while

looking forward to reading more from this author

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/4.75 ✨

AHHH. I adored this book! It felt like such a warm hug and just the vibes were immaculate.

Novel Problems follows two FMCs who are just doing regular, everyday life and they’re getting in their own way. It felt normal and relatable, and i loved that about it!

I loved seeing the author part of the story and seeing that from the inside perspective. I also loved a book series in a bookstore! The vibes are always just top tier.

There’s hearing aid / hearing loss representation, and i loved seeing that! Representation matters! 😊

The audiobook was really well done as well, i love the narrators and felt they added to the overall enjoyment of the book!

The Vibes The Book Brings:
-Small Town Romance
-Hard of Hearing Rep
-Fantasy Author X Book Store/Cafe Owner
-SAPPHICCCC GOODNESSSSS
-Hidden Identity

def recommend this one! 😊

[Divya Khare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly loved this book. "Novel Problems" by Elizabeth Luly is a captivating read that kept me hooked from start to finish. Hannah and George's character evolution was truly amazing to see. As a writer, I found myself relating to Hannah so much—her struggles, her triumphs, and her creative journey all felt incredibly real and inspiring. It took me a week to finish, but I wish I could have devoured it even sooner. This is a book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page. Loved it and highly recommend it to all!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novel Problems was really cute. It made me giggle a few times and it was a perfect light, summer read.

I really liked the anxiety representation in this book. If someone doesn't struggle with anxiety, they may feel Hannah's character was frustrating or over thought too much. But that is the reality of anxiety. It comes with unrealistic thoughts and fears.

I LOVED the communication between Hannah and George. It was really nice to see a couple who wasn't afraid to speak on their fears and work with each other to validate them.

I can't wait to read more in this series!

[Franka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the coziest "summer romances" I've ever read! I've been looking forward to this release ever since I finished Not Just Gal Pals. It was funny, there was great chemistry between George and Hannah, pretty much all of the tension happened in the first half of the book, giving their relationship plenty of time to develop and deepen. The whole romance was so wholesome and felt like a warm hug. Can't wait for more Sapphire Springs stories!

[Samantha Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novel Problems is book two in the Sapphire Springs series. It’s a small-town lesbian romance featuring George and Hannah. Hannah is a successful fantasy author writing under a pen name, but relationship issues and writer’s block means she has a deadline looming with no novel. After a marriage breakdown, she moves to Sapphire Springs to start a new life away from the bustle of Manhattan and to hopefully regain her writer’s mojo. But she first needs to sign those 800 books that have been delivered to the local cafe/book store, Novel Gossip, run by George.

After a misunderstanding due to Hannah’s partial hearing loss, George thinks Hannah’s the new staff member, which leads to Hannah accidentally finding herself with a new job, putting both George and Hannah in the position of dealing with a mutual attraction and facing up to their self-imposed rules and life issues. As they grow more attracted to one another, it becomes increasingly difficult for Hannah to come clean about her secret identity and makes George question her ‘no dating staff members’ rule, particularly while she’s dealing with the stress of problems with her business.

I enjoyed this story. I was a George fan in the first book - Not Just Gal Pals - and it was nice to see her get her own starring role. It’s a well-written, cosy, low-angst novel with loveable characters that explores social anxiety, hearing loss, people pleasing and opening oneself up to love again. It can be read as a stand alone but I’d recommend reading Not Just Gal Pals first so you get the full Sapphire Springs experience!

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a great time listening to this. It was such a great time that through cooking, laundry, and hanging out with my cat, I finished this one in a single day. I loved the dynamic between Hannah and George, and I was glad to read a book that never grew too heavy.

[Chelsea Pitsos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute one!

[Melena🕷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Lizbeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obligatory pride read (as if I don't read sapphic romance year round). It was cute and I didn't mind that there wasn't really a third act "conflict." Sometimes those are super unnecessary for a romance.

[Siddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah has been going through an anxious divorce, and she also has a book she needs to finish writing (actually to begin writing too)! She decides to get away from NYC, away from all her memories of her marriage, and her wife’s infidelity.
George owns Novel Gossip, a small coffee and book shop. She is understaffed, and is hectically running around trying to serve everyone. Then Hannah enters the shop, and a fun misunderstanding ensues, ending with Hannah working in the coffee shop helping out with the staffing shortage.
Hannah is an extremely anxious person, and uses her fantasy writing as an escape from her real world issues. This makes the interactions between George and Hannah often fun, but also frustrating because of Hannah’s inability to say no.
In the scene where they get together and admit their attraction to each other, suddenly Hannah becomes uncharacteristically dominant. I found this scene so different from her personality only a few paragraphs earlier, where she was so unsure of herself. In her book she is writing, Hannah leaves writing the sex scene until later, not being able to write it at the time. It feels as through Elizabeth Luly did exactly the same thing as her character; this scene seems to have been written at a different time from the previous ones, and it has a completely different vibe.
Overall a good book, very well written with some great sections, but for me this didn’t really gel, I felt a bit unfulfilled after finishing it.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️ This book was such a happy sapphic small town rom com. It was so happy it didn’t even have a third act breakup! I truly loved Hannah and George and their relationship was sweet and healthy! I also empathized with Hannah and enjoyed reading about her journey toward becoming more assertive and confident in herself, her writing, and her social skills! The reason this isn’t rated any higher is because I felt like there was overall a lack of emotional depth in this, with George feeling like she was give almost no subplot outside of being a slightly stressed small business owner and Hannah’s love interest. With George having been introduced in the previous book, I expected her character to be more developed, but instead, I felt like this book almost could have been written in just Hannah’s POV, as there was a lot more focus on her past and her growth than on George’s. I loved George, don’t get me wrong, but I just felt like her character needed more. I love a happy rom-com, but overall I just felt like this one was almost too happy, as even the most light-hearted rom coms tend to address at least one more emotional/growth subplot per character. However, did I have a great time reading this? Absolutely. I definitely recommend this series, especially for the specific seasonal vibes and the adorable small town (and the sapphic characters of course)!

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book

Sweet and cozy love story. Sapphire Springs here we go again! I loved it! Emotional, cute and funny. Well-written light read.

[Hatake Kakashi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mysterious author H.M. Stewart, after her sad divorce, retreats to a beautiful town named Sapphire Spring. Hannah, who is a fantasy author by pen name H.M. Stewart, after finding her wife cheating, for the sake of old memories and the hurt of failed relationships, moved to a beautiful cottage, but despite her plan for avoiding people, she ended up in a novel gossip cafe. George, the novel gossip owner, is an aspiring woman who found her own café by the sole passion of a good book followed by good coffee and delicious cakes. She, who was understaffed for managing her customer, was looking for an employee and mistook Hannah, who was there to sign her books for an upcoming publication, as a job seeker. Their chemistry immediately clashes, and it starts sparkling.

The book is from the dual pov of Hannah and George's resolve to connect characters with readers; it describes the two fmc blooming relationships and how they got where they are. It's a low-angst romance, but it also contains the struggles of both characters: Hannah, who is an introvert and struggles with imperfections, and George, who witnessed the prejudice of an unbalanced relationship both in her parents and herself. But all in all, when the connection sparks, it's hard to ignore it because we see the moment where they both are uncertain, like Hannah dueling to tell George she's her favorite author but scared of what would happen, or George refusing her attraction because she's not sure if it's the right choice to start a relationship.

The novel problem is not only about dealing with worries about being in a relationship; it also shows that being in a fair part of that also matters. There is this part when the lack of confidence made Hannah not tell George who she is, and it started the string of avoidance, which led her to worry more about the future when George finds out who she is even though she didn't do anything wrong. When reading the book, you understand how your actions and behavior could influence you in life, especially having the confidence you deserve, but Hannah, by being so untrusting of herself, makes the situation confusing and also delays her being with George sooner.

I appreciate the subtle description about how both George and Hannah feel, but I could do more with the details and the plot. Yes, it is romance, but I think it has more rooms for adding both FMC experience and origins. George is a genius tech who has a degree on it and even developed an app for her ex-campaign to win the house of reps, and the money she earned by that indicates she paid her father's debt and found a novel gossip cafe. This only has a lot to say, and also Hannah, who has a history with her ex, which before the tragedy was her big support to reach where she is now. I could really do with more detail in that. So I rate the book only 3 and the excitement 1 because it has technically nothing except the flutter they feel and some kisses. But if you are looking for new experiences from the view of two queer girls, Go on, but don't expect much.

[Marian. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I needed and so much more, I didn't expect to like it so much but I think liking it is an understatement because I LOVED THE WHOLE HANNAH AND GEORGE STORY LIKE CRAZY.

Just now I'm not having a good time mentally speaking and reading Hannah's story, seeing how she came through with all her anxiety, with her book, with finally saying what she felt, god I was happy for her, I felt happy for her and most of all I felt myself in her, she is one of those characters that will stay with you forever, plus she found in George the love she needed, because not only did they love each other, George helped her in the ways she needed, these two were without a doubt soulmates, they were what each other needed and I’m here for it.

Their story is beautiful because there is NO DRAMA, everything is so cute and beautiful that I just had a smile while reading, stories like this are the ones that are worth it, with such a beautiful representation that I want and long for everything to work like that in real life for everyone, this story reads fast, it's beautiful, am I a little in fan mode? I don't care, I will read it again when I feel I can't anymore and want to give up because without a doubt Hannah and George became so special to me and their story gives me hope.

📌I received a ebook copy through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

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Este libro fue todo lo que necesitaba y mucho más, no esperaba que me gustara tanto pero creo que gustar queda corto porque AME CON LOCURA TODA LA HISTORIA DE HANNAH Y GEORGE.

Justo ahora no estoy pasando un buen momento mentalmente hablando y leer la historia de Hannah, ver cómo salió adelante con todo lo de su ansiedad, con lo de su libro, con por fin decir lo que sentía, dios me alegré por ella, me sentí feliz por ella y sobre todo me sentí a mi misma en ella, es de esos personajes que quedarán contigo para siempre, además de que encontró en George el amor que necesitaba, porque no solo se amaban, George la ayudaba en las maneras que ella necesitaba, ellas dos fueron sin duda almas gemelas, eran lo que la uno y la otra necesitaban y aquí estoy para ello.

Su historia es hermosa porque NO HAY DRAMA, todo es tan lindo y hermoso que solo tenia una sonrisa mientras leía, historias como estas son las que valen la pena, con una representación tan hermosa que quiero y anhelo que todo funcionara así en la vida real para todos, esta historia se lee rápido, es hermosa, ¿estoy un poco en modo fan? no me importa, me lo volveré a leer cuando sienta que no pueda más y me quiera rendir porque sin duda Hannah y George se volvieron muy especiales para mi y su historia me da esperanzas.