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Niente da perdere
Si può trovare l'amore in un luogo senza speranza?
Ecco Scarlet Williams: pragmatica, incazzata e appena cacciata dal suo appartamento nel seminterrato a causa di un'alluvione. La sua improbabile salvatrice? Joy Hudson, la sindaca sempre raggiante, che apre la sua casa ai cittadini, tra cui Scarlet con le sue cose. L'incessante ottimismo di Joy e la spirale di distruzione di Scarlet si rivelano un cocktail perfetto. Ma tra i detriti fangosi scatta un'improbabile connessione che fa rivalutare a entrambe le donne ciò che potrebbe essere.
Preparatevi a vivere una storia d'amore e un imbarazzante tango di sentimenti; un romanzo reale, umoristico e britannico come una tazza di tè preparata in fretta e furia durante una crisi. Questa non è solo una storia d'amore saffico; è un libro che mette in luce la timida speranza che spesso si nasconde dietro le calamità della vita, mostrando la capacità dell'amore di entrare in punta di piedi nei momenti più cupi.
Ecco Scarlet Williams: pragmatica, incazzata e appena cacciata dal suo appartamento nel seminterrato a causa di un'alluvione. La sua improbabile salvatrice? Joy Hudson, la sindaca sempre raggiante, che apre la sua casa ai cittadini, tra cui Scarlet con le sue cose. L'incessante ottimismo di Joy e la spirale di distruzione di Scarlet si rivelano un cocktail perfetto. Ma tra i detriti fangosi scatta un'improbabile connessione che fa rivalutare a entrambe le donne ciò che potrebbe essere.
Preparatevi a vivere una storia d'amore e un imbarazzante tango di sentimenti; un romanzo reale, umoristico e britannico come una tazza di tè preparata in fretta e furia durante una crisi. Questa non è solo una storia d'amore saffico; è un libro che mette in luce la timida speranza che spesso si nasconde dietro le calamità della vita, mostrando la capacità dell'amore di entrare in punta di piedi nei momenti più cupi.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2016
126 people are currently reading
1838 people want to read
About the author
Clare Lydon
42 books1,613 followersClare Lydon is a London-based writer of contemporary lesbian romance. She's a No.1 best-seller on lesbian fiction charts around the globe with five full-length novels to her name, as well as writing the All I Want series, set to continue throughout 2016. If you love romantic comedies, prepare to fall head over heels in love.
If you like books shot through with witty dialogue, 3D characters and sharp observations of modern lesbian life, why not give Clare's books a try?
More at: www.clarelydon.co.uk
Get a copy of my free Christmas novella 'It Had To Be You' by signing up to my mailing list here:
www.clarelydon.co.uk/it-had-to-be-you
If you like books shot through with witty dialogue, 3D characters and sharp observations of modern lesbian life, why not give Clare's books a try?
More at: www.clarelydon.co.uk
Get a copy of my free Christmas novella 'It Had To Be You' by signing up to my mailing list here:
www.clarelydon.co.uk/it-had-to-be-you
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
October 18, 2021
Such sweet and romantic pick me up for darker times. A little insta lovely but a good story nevertheless. I enjoyed the couple, such a cute pairing! Listened to this as an audiobook and I'm looking forward to listen to more of Clare Lyons works.
August 23, 2017
“Nothing to Lose” is enjoyable, but in a “oh yes, I expected that to happen next” sort of way throughout the book. Although events actually move along rather quickly, as does the new friendship between MCs Scarlett and Joy, the book feels like things move along slowly. Perhaps the frequently repeated feelings about the flood and the details of sewage water just made me feel like I was stuck in a repeating loop too often.
Yes, a flood brings Scarlett and Joy together, and the clock is ticking to see whether the waters will recede and the cleanup can happen before the MCs decide they like being together. No spoilers, but this is lesfic…any guesses?
Scarlett starts out as a rather pessimistic person, and becomes more likable as Joy and the townspeople demonstrate lots of kindness to strangers. Joy is mayor of the town, and only her ex-husband and grandmother know that she divorced because she realized she wanted to be with a woman, not a man. The predicable angst phase of the book during her struggle to accept being lesbian enough to come out publicly was nice and brief.
While not a MC, Joy’s grandmother was delightful - I love it when books include old people who are both insightful as well as willing to say whatever they want without playing games. I wonder what age it is that our filters turn off IRL?
Though not much time passes in their fictional lives before passion ensues, it takes quite awhile in book time (chapter 16 was their first kiss…and things become nice and steamy right after!).
I’m undecided about the narrator. Her British accents sound fine to me, one character is Scottish and perhaps she did that well too. The pacing and enthusiasm was fine….but at many times it sounded like she spoke with a pronounced lisp, and it was distracting.
Overall, the book was pleasant, but some might find it so predicable that it could also be considered a little more boring than it could have been. If you’re looking for a slow burn romance with no significant drama, I think you’ll like “Nothing to Lose”. 3.5* rounded to 4* for GR.
Yes, a flood brings Scarlett and Joy together, and the clock is ticking to see whether the waters will recede and the cleanup can happen before the MCs decide they like being together. No spoilers, but this is lesfic…any guesses?
Scarlett starts out as a rather pessimistic person, and becomes more likable as Joy and the townspeople demonstrate lots of kindness to strangers. Joy is mayor of the town, and only her ex-husband and grandmother know that she divorced because she realized she wanted to be with a woman, not a man. The predicable angst phase of the book during her struggle to accept being lesbian enough to come out publicly was nice and brief.
While not a MC, Joy’s grandmother was delightful - I love it when books include old people who are both insightful as well as willing to say whatever they want without playing games. I wonder what age it is that our filters turn off IRL?
Though not much time passes in their fictional lives before passion ensues, it takes quite awhile in book time (chapter 16 was their first kiss…and things become nice and steamy right after!).
I’m undecided about the narrator. Her British accents sound fine to me, one character is Scottish and perhaps she did that well too. The pacing and enthusiasm was fine….but at many times it sounded like she spoke with a pronounced lisp, and it was distracting.
Overall, the book was pleasant, but some might find it so predicable that it could also be considered a little more boring than it could have been. If you’re looking for a slow burn romance with no significant drama, I think you’ll like “Nothing to Lose”. 3.5* rounded to 4* for GR.
June 19, 2024
4 Stars for Nothing to Lose: A Lesbian Romance (audiobook) by Clare Lydon read by Gabrelle Baker.
A flooded basement flat brings these two women together. Neither would have guessed that this disaster would change their lives forever.
This was an interesting situation to put the characters in. One has lost everything and the other is overseeing the community. The main story is about the couple coming together and realizing that they need each other to have a fulfilling life. And then there’s a secondary story about the community coming together and helping each other through this difficult time.
A flooded basement flat brings these two women together. Neither would have guessed that this disaster would change their lives forever.
This was an interesting situation to put the characters in. One has lost everything and the other is overseeing the community. The main story is about the couple coming together and realizing that they need each other to have a fulfilling life. And then there’s a secondary story about the community coming together and helping each other through this difficult time.
November 17, 2017
I listened to the audible version of this. I enjoyed it quite a lot. The narrator, Gabrielle Baker was great.
February 21, 2019
I don't even know where to begin with this novel.
I guess I should start by saying that I did think the romance was sweet, the characters worked well together, plus the mature age group, and the removal of love at first sight was very refreshing. However, I could not stand Scarlet always whining about the flood. I get it, it is devastating, but at one point she compares the flood with living through a world war.... Can you just calm down Scarlet, Jesus!!
AND Scarlet was so angry at Joy for not wanting to flaunt a relationship that was not only Joy's first lesbian relationship, but also had only been going for like four days. Give the girl a break, she lives in a small town and needs some time to let people know.
All in all, I hated Scarlet, and I feel like this book is going to be forgotten pretty quickly.
I guess I should start by saying that I did think the romance was sweet, the characters worked well together, plus the mature age group, and the removal of love at first sight was very refreshing. However, I could not stand Scarlet always whining about the flood. I get it, it is devastating, but at one point she compares the flood with living through a world war.... Can you just calm down Scarlet, Jesus!!
AND Scarlet was so angry at Joy for not wanting to flaunt a relationship that was not only Joy's first lesbian relationship, but also had only been going for like four days. Give the girl a break, she lives in a small town and needs some time to let people know.
All in all, I hated Scarlet, and I feel like this book is going to be forgotten pretty quickly.
January 14, 2021
If you like a story about insta-everything, then you might like this..
Ratings: 3+ star... (7 out of 10) 🙂
Ratings: 3+ star... (7 out of 10) 🙂
January 12, 2020
⭐️ ⭐️ .5
(Read via Audible).
I’m not sure if I didn’t enjoy the writing of this one or if it was because of the narrator on Audible.
I really didn’t enjoy the narrator at all and don’t recommend this books audiobook.
The premise of this story is great but it just falls short for me.
As for the two main characters- Joy the Mayor is an enjoyable character but I didn’t enjoy the character of Scarlet at all. She was... well annoying and add the narrators voice for her on top and it really didn’t sit well.
** Edited to add that I do love this cover! I love most of Clare Lydons book covers.
(Read via Audible).
I’m not sure if I didn’t enjoy the writing of this one or if it was because of the narrator on Audible.
I really didn’t enjoy the narrator at all and don’t recommend this books audiobook.
The premise of this story is great but it just falls short for me.
As for the two main characters- Joy the Mayor is an enjoyable character but I didn’t enjoy the character of Scarlet at all. She was... well annoying and add the narrators voice for her on top and it really didn’t sit well.
** Edited to add that I do love this cover! I love most of Clare Lydons book covers.
April 7, 2018
Nice story.
Good chemistry, good plot, relatable characters.
The ending was somehow predictable, but I don't care the story was sweet enough for me.
Good chemistry, good plot, relatable characters.
The ending was somehow predictable, but I don't care the story was sweet enough for me.
July 4, 2016
Really enjoyed this book. Scarlets basement flat is destroyed in flooding making her homeless. A stroke of good luck and the kind help of local mayor Joy Hudson and she finds a place to stay.
I really felt for Scarlet at the beginning of this book, her life is a bit of a mess. Single, her parents have passed and she's not in contact with her brothers. She's a glass half empty kind of person.
Joy is also going through a though time, recently divorced and the subject of town gossip. She opens her home following the floods to help the locals. I loved the development of their friendship/relationship. They hit it off even though they are quiet different to each other, Scarlet is like I said a bit of a pessimist. Joy is probably the opposite of that but is struggling to live her true self.
As the blurb says this book is full of the British wit which can be found in all of the stories by this author.
Another great read by Clare Lydon, definitely worth your time.
I really felt for Scarlet at the beginning of this book, her life is a bit of a mess. Single, her parents have passed and she's not in contact with her brothers. She's a glass half empty kind of person.
Joy is also going through a though time, recently divorced and the subject of town gossip. She opens her home following the floods to help the locals. I loved the development of their friendship/relationship. They hit it off even though they are quiet different to each other, Scarlet is like I said a bit of a pessimist. Joy is probably the opposite of that but is struggling to live her true self.
As the blurb says this book is full of the British wit which can be found in all of the stories by this author.
Another great read by Clare Lydon, definitely worth your time.
May 27, 2022
now i am a huge clare lydon fan. as i work my way through her work, i feel with every completed read i find my expectations for the next one increase, which unfortunately set this book up for me. as i was flicking through the pages today i realised i saw completing this as a chore because my heart wasn’t connected to the story or the central relationship. everything fell flat for me for reasons i cannot conjure up.
January 28, 2021
This was a quick read, but a monotonous one. There were blips of conflict that were solved so quickly the story fell flat. The characters were stale, and the absolute warp speed of the novel’s timeline gave me whiplash, even for a lesbian romance novel.
Also can we collectively vote to stop writing stories where one character is forced out of the closet? It’s manipulative and not romantic.
Also can we collectively vote to stop writing stories where one character is forced out of the closet? It’s manipulative and not romantic.
September 13, 2016
Clare Lydon creates a sweet yet sexy Romance novel.
My Synopsis
The sleepy town of Dulshaw is on the brink of being flooded. The floodgates are opening and Scarlet Williams is in the torrent path. She gets a knock on the door at 4am and is told her basement flat will be swallowed by the pending disaster. That’s is all Scarlet needs; she’s not exactly the most positive and optimistic person.
Enter Joy Hudson, the Local Mayor of Dulshaw, Life coach and closeted lesbian. Joy has only told her Gran and her Ex-husband/Best friend about her sexuality that’s until she takes in some flood disaster victims that no longer have homes.
From the moment Scarlet turns up on Joy’s doorstep there are destined for a world wind romance… Can Scarlet find her inner sunshine? And can Joy let her inner Lesbian out to play?
My Review
I found the novel light, sexy and easy to read. It was exactly what I was in the mood for. The characters had genuine life and love obstacles and I found myself cheering them on throughout.
The sex scenes where a extreme turn on. Especially the Kitchen Sex Scene in chapter 15... it's worth the wait.
The back-story about the flood, its victims and how the community pulling together also pulled at my heart strings. It really enhanced the feel good feeling you get from Joy and Scarlet’s romantic journey.
This was the first novel by Clare Lydon I’ve read and I’ll definitely be watching out for her next novel. 4 stars.
My Synopsis
The sleepy town of Dulshaw is on the brink of being flooded. The floodgates are opening and Scarlet Williams is in the torrent path. She gets a knock on the door at 4am and is told her basement flat will be swallowed by the pending disaster. That’s is all Scarlet needs; she’s not exactly the most positive and optimistic person.
Enter Joy Hudson, the Local Mayor of Dulshaw, Life coach and closeted lesbian. Joy has only told her Gran and her Ex-husband/Best friend about her sexuality that’s until she takes in some flood disaster victims that no longer have homes.
From the moment Scarlet turns up on Joy’s doorstep there are destined for a world wind romance… Can Scarlet find her inner sunshine? And can Joy let her inner Lesbian out to play?
My Review
I found the novel light, sexy and easy to read. It was exactly what I was in the mood for. The characters had genuine life and love obstacles and I found myself cheering them on throughout.
The sex scenes where a extreme turn on. Especially the Kitchen Sex Scene in chapter 15... it's worth the wait.
The back-story about the flood, its victims and how the community pulling together also pulled at my heart strings. It really enhanced the feel good feeling you get from Joy and Scarlet’s romantic journey.
This was the first novel by Clare Lydon I’ve read and I’ll definitely be watching out for her next novel. 4 stars.
May 22, 2020
Super cute. A bit too insta but overall it was a nice story about how sometimes good things can come from tragic events.
January 14, 2026
✔Sapphic Book Bingo Challenge 2026 🌈✨: Hidden Gems Board - Supportive Ex
4 stars. Scarlet loses her home due to a flooding. Joy is the mayor and recently divorced her husband because she realizes that she’s gay. She’s still very much closeted and omg all of the gay panic! I love a good gay panic and Joy is filled with it as it pertains to coming out.
Scarlet moves in with Joy temporarily. I thought this was such a good read. It had a great balance of angst, humor, and romance with a little spice on top. Scarlet is quite the pessimistic character in the beginning but it’s easy to understand why and her being around Joy really gets her to look on the bright side of life and I loved that. I liked both characters and while their relationship moves at the speed of light I didn’t too much mind it. I liked their chemistry and romance. I also really liked Joy’s ex husband. He was a wonderful character and was so supportive in helping Joy navigate her feelings towards Scarlet. Great read.
Spice:❤️🔥❤️🔥/❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Content Warning:
4 stars. Scarlet loses her home due to a flooding. Joy is the mayor and recently divorced her husband because she realizes that she’s gay. She’s still very much closeted and omg all of the gay panic! I love a good gay panic and Joy is filled with it as it pertains to coming out.
Scarlet moves in with Joy temporarily. I thought this was such a good read. It had a great balance of angst, humor, and romance with a little spice on top. Scarlet is quite the pessimistic character in the beginning but it’s easy to understand why and her being around Joy really gets her to look on the bright side of life and I loved that. I liked both characters and while their relationship moves at the speed of light I didn’t too much mind it. I liked their chemistry and romance. I also really liked Joy’s ex husband. He was a wonderful character and was so supportive in helping Joy navigate her feelings towards Scarlet. Great read.
Spice:❤️🔥❤️🔥/❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Content Warning:
April 2, 2022
A darling lezzie romance, I knocked a star Bc of the trope but it recovered quickly. Very enjoyable overall. Scarlet, whose apartment gets flooded becomes displaced and has to move into the community center with others. However, she said heck no I won’t go, overheard that people were staying with the mayor, Joy, and so she scurried on over and weaseled her way into staying there. Scarlet quickly realizes that she was in a rut and maybe being flooded was just what she needed to get out of her routine. A foxy lady mayor doesn’t hurt either ;)
March 17, 2026
A beautiful slow burn love story! Scarlet has to leave her basement apartment at 4:30 a.m. because of a controlled flood. She ends up at Joy's house who happens to be the mayor. Whenever they touched each other they both felt a jolt of attraction. Scarlet is an out lesbian and Joy divorced her husband Steve because she realized she was a lesbian. This is their story! I LOVE THIS BOOK! 5 stars!
March 23, 2020
It was okay, but a lot of lost potential really. There was not enough tension, the out character was very unsympathetic (absolute downer, no empathy for her girlfriend of two days who won't come out of the closet to be with her publicly). Had a cute old lady in it, so that was nice. The characters were well rounded and I felt I could visualise it very well, so points for that. It was a bit sexy in the beginning but quickly became domestic. I'd try this author again.
Recommended for those who want domestic fluff without a lot of tension (I'm assuming there are a lot of readers out there who would love this one).
Recommended for those who want domestic fluff without a lot of tension (I'm assuming there are a lot of readers out there who would love this one).
February 22, 2018
So I picked up several Clare Lydon books at once. This was the first I read out of the lot. I had read one book by this author in 2016 and really enjoyed it. I decided to go ahead and try some others. For me this book had a very Bridget Jones feel to it. I thought it was funny in parts, but I didn't fall in love with it like I did London Calling. The book is a good read, and I recommend picking it up if you want an easy enjoyable weekend read.
May 9, 2024
This book took me so long to finish it i started reading it in February got to page 40 and every time im was going to read it i didn't feel like reading it because the book was moving fast but slow at the same time but i finally forced my self to read it and it a 3.15 stars🌟🌟🌟
July 24, 2019
2.5/5
Things I liked:
- the characters being older, I’ve read so much YA romance that it felt very refreshing to read about characters who are in their 40s (though that’s definitely a me thing, I know lots of books about older queer women do exist)
-how sweet they were with each other
-I’m always a sucker for grumpy introvert and actual ray of sunshine falling in love
-scarlet learning to open up to people and accept love and friendship
-how adorably British the whole thing was
-joy still being kind of insecure about her label because of dating men for so long but realizing that lesbian is what she feels comfortable with and owning it.
Things I didn’t like:
-I felt it was a bit too long. They got together and then it kind of just meandered around a lot. It’s a very simple story and I felt like they had the same conversation about three or four times which I thought was unnecessary. It’s already a pretty short book but I felt it could have been a little shorter to the honest. Just personal preference though
-the sex scenes were just a bit meh to me. Luckily there weren’t many of them, I just wasn’t a huge fan of how they were written
-scarlet depression (because as someone with depression with basically the same symptoms she definitely had at least situational depression) basically disappearing overnight because she met a girl. I mean I wish life was like that but it definitely isn’t. So scarlet going from a huge downer, not socializing at all and barely believing she had friends, to super happy and bubbly and talking to everyone all in a week just because she met joy was extremely unrealistic. I know it’s just a cute romance and I shouldn’t think so much about it, but it was bugging me while reading
-scarlet basically trying to bully joy into coming out to the entire town? I was really enjoying the book for what it was up until that point but wow. It would have been a 4 probably but that part just made me deeply uncomfortable. Joy literally said that she wanted to do it in her own time and that she was perfectly comfortable with who she is but she’s the mayor and it’s kind of a lot and couldn’t scarlet understand that. And scarlet FREAKED out and basically broke up with her over it. Like literally if she hadn’t come out scarlet would have broken up with her.
And I mean I get it, it would probably be really hard to be almost 50 and feel like you have to hide but Jesus, they were together for like two days and she freaked out that joy didn’t want to announce it yet! That whole part just made me really uncomfortable. It was framed in a way where joy later actually thanked scarlet for giving her the push she needed to come out (which like I get is some people’s actual experience but I mean come on) it just all felt pretty insensitive to me, don’t you think if you care about someone the way scarlet said she cared about joy she would be understanding of her situation and want to just be supportive and let her come out as she needed to?
Not a good look
Things I liked:
- the characters being older, I’ve read so much YA romance that it felt very refreshing to read about characters who are in their 40s (though that’s definitely a me thing, I know lots of books about older queer women do exist)
-how sweet they were with each other
-I’m always a sucker for grumpy introvert and actual ray of sunshine falling in love
-scarlet learning to open up to people and accept love and friendship
-how adorably British the whole thing was
-joy still being kind of insecure about her label because of dating men for so long but realizing that lesbian is what she feels comfortable with and owning it.
Things I didn’t like:
-I felt it was a bit too long. They got together and then it kind of just meandered around a lot. It’s a very simple story and I felt like they had the same conversation about three or four times which I thought was unnecessary. It’s already a pretty short book but I felt it could have been a little shorter to the honest. Just personal preference though
-the sex scenes were just a bit meh to me. Luckily there weren’t many of them, I just wasn’t a huge fan of how they were written
-scarlet depression (because as someone with depression with basically the same symptoms she definitely had at least situational depression) basically disappearing overnight because she met a girl. I mean I wish life was like that but it definitely isn’t. So scarlet going from a huge downer, not socializing at all and barely believing she had friends, to super happy and bubbly and talking to everyone all in a week just because she met joy was extremely unrealistic. I know it’s just a cute romance and I shouldn’t think so much about it, but it was bugging me while reading
-scarlet basically trying to bully joy into coming out to the entire town? I was really enjoying the book for what it was up until that point but wow. It would have been a 4 probably but that part just made me deeply uncomfortable. Joy literally said that she wanted to do it in her own time and that she was perfectly comfortable with who she is but she’s the mayor and it’s kind of a lot and couldn’t scarlet understand that. And scarlet FREAKED out and basically broke up with her over it. Like literally if she hadn’t come out scarlet would have broken up with her.
And I mean I get it, it would probably be really hard to be almost 50 and feel like you have to hide but Jesus, they were together for like two days and she freaked out that joy didn’t want to announce it yet! That whole part just made me really uncomfortable. It was framed in a way where joy later actually thanked scarlet for giving her the push she needed to come out (which like I get is some people’s actual experience but I mean come on) it just all felt pretty insensitive to me, don’t you think if you care about someone the way scarlet said she cared about joy she would be understanding of her situation and want to just be supportive and let her come out as she needed to?
Not a good look
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2019
This is the first book that I have read by the author. I have been listening to her podcast with T.B. and realized I have never read anything but almost all of T.B. books. I really enjoyed it. I am a firm believer in everything happens for a reason and this went along those lines. Looking forward to reading more by Clare!
May 28, 2018
Exactly the book I needed/wanted to read.
There are VERY few lesbian romance novels with HEA (happily ever afters) and my hopeful romantic heart needs to read them all.
The story is simple but well developed, the characters are relatable and realistic, flawed and full of fears and confusions, again impossible not to relate.
I deeply enjoyed reading the whole "Does she like me like I like her?" banters, because who can't remember those butterflies and inner struggles, honestly this is exactly what I wanted.
The intimate scenes were cute and realistic, it's so important to have writers that are from the LGBTQ community writing them, makes a world of difference, makes it real.
Overall adored the story, especially the Grandmother/relationship cheerleader, it was cute, realistic, full of everyday life momentums and hope that it's never too late to start again and live the love life you always wanted.
There are VERY few lesbian romance novels with HEA (happily ever afters) and my hopeful romantic heart needs to read them all.
The story is simple but well developed, the characters are relatable and realistic, flawed and full of fears and confusions, again impossible not to relate.
I deeply enjoyed reading the whole "Does she like me like I like her?" banters, because who can't remember those butterflies and inner struggles, honestly this is exactly what I wanted.
The intimate scenes were cute and realistic, it's so important to have writers that are from the LGBTQ community writing them, makes a world of difference, makes it real.
Overall adored the story, especially the Grandmother/relationship cheerleader, it was cute, realistic, full of everyday life momentums and hope that it's never too late to start again and live the love life you always wanted.
September 16, 2016
It was a good book with likable characters from the mains to the minor characters. The last third dragged for me, but I could put that on my life at the time not necessarily on the writing. The "angst" if you can call it that was predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2018
I'm settling on 3 stars for this because I don't have any particular feelings towards it one way or another. It was just okay. The plot was predictable and very similar to a YA plot line, but I liked the message that even in your 30s, it's not too late to come out and finally be yourself.
February 15, 2022
Dnf-ed at
I cannot
The first 100 pages of this books dragged and then they both got together for one night and then had problems the next morning was just not it for me. This wasn't it for me at all...
Seems like this year doesn't like me especially when it involves books😭😬
I cannot
The first 100 pages of this books dragged and then they both got together for one night and then had problems the next morning was just not it for me. This wasn't it for me at all...
Seems like this year doesn't like me especially when it involves books😭😬
May 21, 2018
I'd have been happy if it had ended right when they got together :-p
December 7, 2020
This is a lovely story. I like the fact, that both main characters are in their prime, as they say. As Life goes both have made mistakes and have been hurt. One by others, the other by herself.
Fate throws the two together and what could have been a disaster turns out a boon. Building in flood planes is a folly, that too many councils in the UK indulged in, but the same thing happened in Germany too. So when having cut too much money from the maintenance budget causes the badly maintained floodgates to fail, Scarlet's basement flat becomes a possible Death trap and she has to leave it within half an hour, her life seems about to be ruined.
But on an impulse, thrown off her normal course by the flood, she finds Joy in more ways than one. Firstly it is the name of the woman who takes her in now she’s homeless and not insured. Then to be with her becomes more and more of a joy, too.
It is a lovely pretty realistic story of how an event, that at first glance seems devastating, can have the exact opposite effect. The dialogues are witty, the character developments plausible, and the romance is on. I loved both characters from the start. People speak like real people do in this book and something like this plot could happen around the UK any day, yet the books leaves me feeling optimistic and with a smile on my face, well done Clare Lydon.
Fate throws the two together and what could have been a disaster turns out a boon. Building in flood planes is a folly, that too many councils in the UK indulged in, but the same thing happened in Germany too. So when having cut too much money from the maintenance budget causes the badly maintained floodgates to fail, Scarlet's basement flat becomes a possible Death trap and she has to leave it within half an hour, her life seems about to be ruined.
But on an impulse, thrown off her normal course by the flood, she finds Joy in more ways than one. Firstly it is the name of the woman who takes her in now she’s homeless and not insured. Then to be with her becomes more and more of a joy, too.
It is a lovely pretty realistic story of how an event, that at first glance seems devastating, can have the exact opposite effect. The dialogues are witty, the character developments plausible, and the romance is on. I loved both characters from the start. People speak like real people do in this book and something like this plot could happen around the UK any day, yet the books leaves me feeling optimistic and with a smile on my face, well done Clare Lydon.
July 8, 2025
Les livres lents, ça existe et ils sont parfois très bien ! Le problème c'est quand le bouquin passé de lent à chiant et là j'ai un peu plus de mal. Déjà, Scarlet, parlons en. Antipathique de première, pessimiste et clairement dépressive dans le début du roman, elle a un retournement de cœur après avoir rencontré Joy et subitement devient une nouvelle femme, une qui prend la vie comme elle vient et who believes in human kindness... Et qui, pourtant, est toujours aussi ennuyeuse. Joy est mignonne mais je n'ai pas grand chose d'autre à dire sur elle si ce n'est qu'elle méritait plus qu'une femme qui la force à faire son coming out alors qu'elles se connaissent depuis une semaine et qu'elles ne couchent ensemble que depuis 2 jours. Les scènes de sex étaient meh in my opinion but that might have been influenced by my desire for this book to be over. C'est le deuxième livre de cette autrice que je lis et je peux désormais affirmer que ce n'est pas pour moi. Thank you, next
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 29, 2020
This just wasn’t the book for me. While there wasn’t anything inherently wrong with the story itself, I just never connected with the characters or particularly cared about them. Furthermore, Scarlet was a character I actually rather disliked but the main reason behind which could be considered a spoiler, so I won’t go into the details. I thought this would be a quick read but then found myself struggling to finish.
August 1, 2019
Really low-angst romance, though the external things are a little more difficult for the characters. It's cute. I thought the ending went on a little long, too. But it was reasonably entertaining!
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