Wild Ginger in the Rhubarb

by Eule Grey

The rules for ex-undercover cops are clear: No girlfriend, no sex, no snuggles—too risky for everyone concerned. After a year of spying on gangsters, tough Charlie couldn’t agree more. She doesn’t want a girlfriend or a relationship; she only needs power tools and a job in her brother’s bike shop.

Still, it’s difficult to leave the past behind. Charlie feels bad about betraying the gangster's trust. Guilt comes with the job. So what? When a gorgeous gin artist becomes a neighbour, wanting to help is natural. Fix the fridge—yeah. Sexual attraction? Nope. Girlfriend? Double nope. All that matters is following the rules: No girlfriend, no sex, no sharing. Repeat.

Rose loves summer flowers, gin, pretty clothes, and butch lesbians. Owning a cocktail shop is a dream come true, even if the responsibility is tricky for one person to bear. If only she had friends and family! A caring friend would be extremely welcome to fix the fridge and put up the shelves. It’s strange how Charlie smells of wild ginger and Rose of sweet rhubarb, like an award-winning gin.

Rose has secrets, too, about the past. She doesn’t intend to cuddle up with Charlie. It’s just that the heart wants what the heart wants. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Genres: LGBT, Romance, Novella, Lesbian, Contemporary

101 pages, Unknown Binding

First published August 13, 2024

About the author

Eule Grey has settled, for now, in the north UK. She’s worked in education, justice, youth work, and even spread the butter in a sandwich factory.

Eule writes LGBTQI books with the characters she’s been seeking since childhood: neurodivergent villains, characters with mental health issues, conflicted thoughts, and a craving for cupcakes. Best of all, Eule adores writing romantic stories, often with a dash of the paranormal.

LINK TO INDIE INK AWARDS. PLEASE VOTE FOR MISSION SKYSCRAPER:
https://indiestorygeek.com/story/10661

Reviews

[Lez_be_readin_ya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a delightful and heartwarming romance novel. The plot is incredibly straightforward, and the undeniable connection and attraction between Rose and Charlie is evident from the beginning and continues throughout the entire story.

I appreciated the fact that although Charlie had rules that she was required to adhere to, she could not resist breaking them for the charming and alluring woman named Rose. It was evident from the outset that despite a minor obstacle at the beginning, they were destined to be together in the end.

I highly recommend this book, and Eule's other books are also pretty great.

Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Andy Allord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a tender and sweet unexpected discovery kind of story. Most treasured in two women who meet each other unexpectedly, however with a hidden commonality.

The budding relationship of Charlie and Rose is innocent, tender and wonderful. Both being clumsy and opposite on looks truly find they are intricately bound to love one another.

A very heart warming and refreshing relationship of innocence, desire and proving sometimes love comes to us at our most unexpected readiness.

Eule Gray is wonderful writing lesbian love stories without full graphics of sexual relations yet very powerful in developing characters full of life, depth and tenderness love truly has.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting tale of finding love. This author is known for their whimsical writing that I’ve come to adore and this story doesn’t disappoint. The MCs are relatable and let their bodies talk when their voices don’t work how they want. They both have a special skill that helps them each in their own ways. When they come together it is inevitable that they will be true and love will find them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky romance

Charlie is an ex undercover cop who has given it all up to work in her brother’s bike shop after feeling guilty about a case where she betrayed a gangster’s trust. When Rose moves into the shop next door to sell cocktails, she and Charlie are drawn to one another, but with both of them having secrets, a relationship isn’t so simple.

I really liked how this story connected scents that had meaning to the characters to them meeting and being around one another that then fuelled their story. It was that threaded throughout the story that kept me guessing until some of the secrets started to be revealed and it all started making sense why the scent of ginger figured so heavily. I thought that was a really clever way to centre a story and bring Charlie and Rose together, while at the same time using their secrets to keep distance between them really getting their relationship started.

I wasn’t expecting some of the twists and turns the story took, but welcomed them all and some of them were lovely inclusive surprises that made the story feel special. Charlie and Rose really were opposites in every way, yet they suited one another so perfectly. Rose’s enthusiasm was infectious, despite her hesitations and worrying about the past, she managed to keep that positive outlook on living out her dreams no matter how she had to do it to get there, whereas Charlie was really upset and dwelling on the guilt, but also suspicious and slightly on edge because of that uncover cop alert to keep senses trained for danger.

A really good story, with a heartwarming romance that I really enjoyed.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Ginger in the Rhubarb is a novella about a butch decorated undercover cop and a femme gin artist with a secret past, and given that very basic premise it could have easily turned dark, but this one doesn’t go there. Instead it’s a lovely, sweet romance between two adorable and somewhat inept individuals who both happen to have the same type of synesthesia, which I thought was really interesting and it was woven into the story well.

At 101 pages it's a super quick read but it didn’t feel rushed, although it didn’t leave a lot of room for backstory and character development. That’s okay, though, since it’s not meant to be a deep and moving story, it’s just good fun with a cute twist.

I received a free ARC from BookSirens, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.

[Klara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirenrs, to the author, Eule Grey, for providing me with this e-copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.


Ex-undercover cop Charlie lives by strict rules: No girlfriend, no sex, no snuggles. After a year of spying on gangsters, she only wants to work at her brother’s bike shop and leave the past behind. When her new neighbour, Rose, a charming gin artist, needs help with tasks around her cocktail shop, Charlie is drawn to assist, despite her rules.
Rose loves gin, pretty clothes, and butch lesbians. She runs her shop alone and welcomes Charlie's help. Both women harbour secrets and fight their growing attraction, repeating their mantras to avoid getting close.


This is a sweet, easy, and short read. I love it so much; it's perfect for a summer read between heavier books. There are no surprising twists, and everything moves at a fast but good pace. From the start, I had a sense of what would happen (not in detail, but generally.

Charlie and Rose are so sweet and cute together, and I couldn't wait for them to just give in to their passion. Despite having major secrets, their relationship was so good and passionate. Both of them, scared to have something real (Rose running from her family and Charlie being undercover and following rules), finally decide to love someone. Their encounters are sweet and a little clumsy yet full of chemistry. I loved how Charlie is protective, insisting that Rose is only hers and nothing can happen to her. And Rose, being a feminine girl, wants someone to lead her but also sometimes wants to take the lead herself.

All in all, I really loved this book and recommend it for a short, sweet read, especially for summer.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read written by Eule, loved both MCs Rose & Charlie.

Won’t give any spoilers away, Charlie who has just come out of an undercover job helps her brother Oli run his bike shop & it just happens to be next door to Rose who has opened her new Gin shop.

The instant they meet there’s a connections & laughed at the thoughts going through Rose’s head about Charlie.

A butch/femme romance that I love. Rose is so cute & petite than you have Charlie an attractive athletic muscular butch.

I had to laugh at Charlie’s awkwardness and trying to make conversation by piecing together bits of words which is meant to be sentences to Rose (who is a ‘normal) lol 😂

Really enjoyed how their friendship blossomed to more & there’s some drama halfway through & I didn’t expect that ending to be what it was, what a nice lil surprise.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[A. Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book! Both characters have synesthesia, and I love the way it's used and described. Charlie is described as a butch ex-cop, but she's not what I expected, and that made me love her more. Rose is the sweetest lovable character. The chemistry and desire between these characters wouldn't let me put this book now. As I read this book, I thought I knew where the ending was going, but it took a complete turn and a love Ms Grey for that. I want to read it again and I only just finished. Would highly recommend this book to anyone! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bonnie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Wild Ginger in the Rhubarb” by Eule Grey

From the title, to the story, to the characters, this book is gorgeous! I just want to hold Rose and Charlie and tell them everything will be alright. But they don’t need me to do that; they only need each other. Please read this wonderful book. It is on my “Read Again” list for sure. Thank you Eule Grey!

[Michael Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose flees from her gangster family and opens a Gin Store. There, she encounters Charlie, an undercover agent, and sparks fly between them. I found the plot to be well-crafted and the characters compelling. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy romance.

I received an advance review copy at no cost and am posting this review of my own volition.

[Tammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, adorable quicky! The writer did get some background in this shorty, which added to the story. Don't expect a lot of depth, but all in all a lovely book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Martez HB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Ginger in the Rhubarb is story about starting over, but written in a quirky sweet way.

The characters both have a form of synesthesia, where emotions smelt.

The story is engaging. A very enjoyable tale.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice, quick read with little to no angst. Even though it's relatively short, you still get a sense of who the characters are. The story is well written and kept my interest throughout. This is the first Eule Grey book I've read and I'm looking forward to reading more.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable, and unique read. The creative imagery and descriptive language that resulted from the protagonist synesthesia (condition where people have particular smells) was beautifully done and something delightfully different. This novella was a pleasure to read. The overall plot, the characters, and the way everything was woven together was nicely structured. This novella was heartwarming as the connection between protagonists was clear as day and they were adorable together. I love it when the characters are mutually supportive of each other in the way they were here.

The plotline was very straightforward, and most elements of this novella were somewhat rushed. It is a common issue with short novellas, particularly when they try and do as much as this one did, but it is still unfortunate. The romance progressed so rapidly that I didn’t have a chance to truly get into it, despite it still being adorable and enjoyable to read. The plotline had excellent setup (I truly loved the premise) but I found that they didn’t do very much with that potential in the end.

This was a good read, and considering how quick it would be to read I would recommend it. It’s short and simple and wont be lifechanging, but it is still a lot of fun.

My Rating: "C+"
GoodReads: 3-Stars

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ruby Ridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
I just love the imagination that is Eule Grey no two books ever the same. I keep waiting for the cycle to start anew but each time is something different. The author in this book shows she can turn up the temperature without descending into the realm of pornography.
I like the idea of two main characters with synesthesia and this is the first time I have seen it as a major plot element (once again I would love to know where these ideas come from).
The butch and femme characters are well written and not stereotypes as they often are.
The plots and subplots mesh well together to produce a well rounded novella.
Well written and enjoyable as all the author's novels, what more could you ask for in a book. As usual recommended

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only Eule Grey's vibrant imagination could blend such disparate elements as synaethesia, artisanal gin, undercover cops and criminal gangs into a wholly charming Sapphic romance.

Charlie and Rose were both such likeable characters, vulnerable in markedly different ways and shy about the prospect of romance. The clever way their mutual synaesthesia emphasised their rightness for each other was heartwarming.

The atmosphere of this short story had a whimsical, fairytale feel, prompted by the gorgeous descriptions of Rose's tailormade recipes for gin painstakingly matching each individual client. The themes of family, loyalty and support enhanced the joyous HEA. Utterly delightful.

I was given this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This ARC came with an acknowledgment that final edits were continuing and asked for direct feedback which I have provided. I believe in the plot and premise and especially like the idea of a wholesome gangster daughter, but I believe there were too many instances where environments or dialogue were not completely flushed out and caused confusion. I also think this cover art is beautiful but the woman depicted doesn't match either character in the story. There were many moments of humor and I think this was an excellent representation of a neurodivergent masc/butch with femme romance. I am leaving this review voluntarily and received my advance review copy for free. I would absolutely re-read this book if more edits were completed to solidify an already strong foundation.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story with two unlikely women pairing up. Charlie works undercover to infiltrate and apprehend criminal rings, but also helps her brother with a bike shop. Rose is a quiet and impoverished brewer, who comes from a family of criminals. Their respective shops are next door, so of course, they see a lot of each other. As per usual in many romances, their first meeting doesn’t go well, and they have some awkward encounters, but Charlie’s brother intervenes. It’s a sweet quick read with a frisson of danger hovering around them. I liked both women and enjoyed the story.

I received an ARC from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. This was fun and quirky. I really liked it and had a blast reading it. I will admit that the beginning took a bit for me to get into because of the pacing but that didn't last too long. The characters of Charlie and Rose were great. They were both so likable and the romance between them was adorable as hell. They both had some secrets but I like how they handled everything. There was no unnecessary drama which I appreciated. The writing was fantastic and I absolutely loved the descriptions of scent. It was so vivid. Fun plot, lovable characters and a lovely romance.


*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Morgues · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Booksirens and the author and publisher for the free copy to review!

I was very excited to read this, honestly. The cover is cute and it sounded really cozy and sweet and I do keep that opinion that it was at most points. I liked the spice and the ideas of the characters and the plot, but I sincerely wish this was longer. If this story had more time, it could be soooo much better. I did like this, don’t get me wrong. I like novellas very much, but I think that Charlie and Rose’s story is meant to be fully fleshed out! I do recommend to anyone who doesn’t mind extremely fast pacing.

This review will also be posted on Booksirens!

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful, sweet with heat romance. Charlie and Rose are sure to find a place in your heart, they're unforgettable characters, and I enjoyed getting to know them over the course of the book. It was so adorable and frustrating to watch how friendly they were, yet pushing themselves away from their own feelings, trying to keep the other from getting hurt or mixed up in their own complicated pasts. This is mid-spice, so if you’re looking for something really steamy, this isn’t going to be your cup of tea. But if you like cute romances with a touch of spice, and two MCs pretending they haven’t totally fallen for each other already, then you’ll want to grab this one!

[Lotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice quick read, with a slightly surprising plot. It definitely wasn't something I had read before and I quite liked it.
The characters were well thought out and for a novella there was already quite some depth in their persons and history. The plot was very good and if you followed the breadcrumbs throughout the novella, it wasn't such a surprise as to what happened, but still well thought out.
It was a nice introduction to this author and I will definitely look into her other works. Plus if the author decided to maka another novel(la) with these characters or side characters, I definitely would read it.

[Looby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a whacky book about Gin creator and shop owner, Rose, and a detective called Charlie back from a case, who is helping her brother who owns the bike shop next door.
Both MC’s have synaethesia which means everyone has a smell. In this case it’s either flowers or plants.
It was fun to read, had a unique story and interesting characters plus a twist that’s hinted at but takes the MC’s a lot longer to work out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. The plot wasn’t bad and the characters were likeable and interesting. But overall, this book fell short of my expectations. I also didn’t particularly like the magical(?) portrayal of synesthesia. For a book that was pretty set in realism, that one element felt out of place. A single fantasy element doesn’t read well to me, and combined with the flowery writing it wasn’t my cup of tea.

Ultimately, I think this book just wasn’t quite the right book for me, since I have no glaringly obvious critiques.

I received a free advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a heartwarming read from start to finish, the plot was very straightforward and the connection between the characters was undeniable and is evident from the beginning and continues throughout the entire story.

I liked the sweetness of the story and the discovery of their love story with the added twist of commonality.

I highly recommend this book, and Eule's other books are also pretty great.

Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice rating. 🔥🔥

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dulaine Roode · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure what to say.

I like the story, the premise and the plot line, even the characters are interesting.

Maybe it's me, with my book expectations, but the book was slightly hard to read, in the sense that there with jumps in the writing that the picture didn't line up for me.

But like I said I still enjoyed the story line and characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose and Charlie, both escaping their pasts, meet under tense circumstances but soon find there is an attraction that keeps drawing them together.
Due to the short length, a lot of action happens in a short time. However the author manages to capture the characters well, giving the reader the background needed to understand both MC's history and how it effects their current behaviours.
A fast paced romance with a dash of mystery.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eule Grey always infuses her stories with magic. This is a fast-paced short story with both two main characters have synesthesia. I love how it is described, and it definitely added sparks to the book. It's brilliant!
Highly recommend it if you're looking for a quick, fun read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maisie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a lovely, sweet, tender love story, and I liked the length of it too. Although it didn't leave much room for character development, the developments which did occur were entertaining to read, and I liked the main characters a lot too!

I received an advance review copy of this book for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, cute read. Both main characters had issues to overcome and we got a HEA. I liked all the references to different flowers and the idea of making customized gin.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.