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Hairpin Curves
A
Popsugar
Best Romance Novel of 2020
RITA Award—winning author Elia Winters delivers a sexy, playful frenemies-to-lovers road trip romance.
Megan Harris had hopes of seeing the world, but at twenty-five she’s never even left Florida. Now a wedding invitation lures her to Quebec…in February. When her ex-friend Scarlett offers to be her plus-one (yeah, that’s a whole story) and suggests they turn the journey into an epic road trip, Megan reluctantly agrees to the biggest adventure of her life.
A week together in a car is a surefire way to kill a crush, and Scarlett Andrews has had a big one on Megan for years. The important thing is fixing their friendship.
As the miles roll away, what starts as harmless road-trip games and rest-stop dares escalates into something like intimacy. And when a surprise snowstorm forces Megan and Scarlett to hunker down without the open road as distraction, they’ve got a bigger challenge than making it to the church on facing the true nature of their feelings for each other.
Carina Adores is home to romantic love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
RITA Award—winning author Elia Winters delivers a sexy, playful frenemies-to-lovers road trip romance.
Megan Harris had hopes of seeing the world, but at twenty-five she’s never even left Florida. Now a wedding invitation lures her to Quebec…in February. When her ex-friend Scarlett offers to be her plus-one (yeah, that’s a whole story) and suggests they turn the journey into an epic road trip, Megan reluctantly agrees to the biggest adventure of her life.
A week together in a car is a surefire way to kill a crush, and Scarlett Andrews has had a big one on Megan for years. The important thing is fixing their friendship.
As the miles roll away, what starts as harmless road-trip games and rest-stop dares escalates into something like intimacy. And when a surprise snowstorm forces Megan and Scarlett to hunker down without the open road as distraction, they’ve got a bigger challenge than making it to the church on facing the true nature of their feelings for each other.
Carina Adores is home to romantic love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
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First published July 28, 2020
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About the author
Elia Winters
16 books370 followersElia Winters is a fat, tattooed, polyamorous bisexual who loves petting cats and fighting the patriarchy. She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and teaches at a small rural high school, where she also runs the drama club. In her spare time, she is equally likely to be found playing tabletop games, kneading bread, cross-stitching, or binge-watching Marie Kondo. A sex educator and kink-positive feminist, Elia reviews sex toys, speaks at kink conventions, and writes geeky, kinky, cozy erotic romance. She currently lives in western Massachusetts with her loving husband and their weird pets.
In addition to her official website, you can also find Elia on Twitter and Facebook.
In addition to her official website, you can also find Elia on Twitter and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
July 22, 2020
3.50 Stars. This was a sweet romance with a surprising amount of heat. I’m not the biggest fan of second-chance romances, I prefer seeing the first ever meeting between the two mains, but I do really like enemies to lovers and I love a good road trip story. Two out of three was plenty for me to read this book and I’m glad I did because I liked this one.
I did not expect this to have a NA feel with the characters in their 20’s. I usually have trouble with characters in their early to mid-20’s because they seem immature and sometimes hard to connect with. I actually find YA easier to connect with, go figure. Anyway, while I did find the mains to feel a bit immature here, they were much better than I expected. The few immature issues didn’t bother me much and I found myself mostly just hoping for a HEA. I did find the characters hard to connect with in the beginning, but once the road trip starts, they open up and become much more likeable.
I ended up enjoying the romance more than I expected. The characters are stuck in a car together so you can’t have that big angst that causes a separation. The angst here was much more push-pull and because it wasn’t so heavy, it gave this romance a sweeter feel. What surprised me was the heat level of the intimate scenes. A sweeter romance with some spice, is something you don’t always see together in books. I’m happy to say it worked and I actually liked this book better because of the added heat. Plus, it was also a good mix of intimate scenes so it kept things fresh which is always appreciated.
I received an early copy of this book to review so there were a couple issues that need to be fixed. This is common in ARC’s so this didn’t affect my rating and I expect this book to be all perfect by the time it releases. The reason I’m bringing this up is that I could have used a few more dialogue tags in this story. I don’t know if they have enough time to add any but there were a few times I had no idea who was speaking. There is a lot of quick back and forth conversations so more dialogue tags would have made the flow of the book even better for me.
If you are looking for a sweet road trip romance, with a surprising amount of steam, this book is for you. I’m glad I enjoyed this NA read more than I expected to. I would read Winters again.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
I did not expect this to have a NA feel with the characters in their 20’s. I usually have trouble with characters in their early to mid-20’s because they seem immature and sometimes hard to connect with. I actually find YA easier to connect with, go figure. Anyway, while I did find the mains to feel a bit immature here, they were much better than I expected. The few immature issues didn’t bother me much and I found myself mostly just hoping for a HEA. I did find the characters hard to connect with in the beginning, but once the road trip starts, they open up and become much more likeable.
I ended up enjoying the romance more than I expected. The characters are stuck in a car together so you can’t have that big angst that causes a separation. The angst here was much more push-pull and because it wasn’t so heavy, it gave this romance a sweeter feel. What surprised me was the heat level of the intimate scenes. A sweeter romance with some spice, is something you don’t always see together in books. I’m happy to say it worked and I actually liked this book better because of the added heat. Plus, it was also a good mix of intimate scenes so it kept things fresh which is always appreciated.
I received an early copy of this book to review so there were a couple issues that need to be fixed. This is common in ARC’s so this didn’t affect my rating and I expect this book to be all perfect by the time it releases. The reason I’m bringing this up is that I could have used a few more dialogue tags in this story. I don’t know if they have enough time to add any but there were a few times I had no idea who was speaking. There is a lot of quick back and forth conversations so more dialogue tags would have made the flow of the book even better for me.
If you are looking for a sweet road trip romance, with a surprising amount of steam, this book is for you. I’m glad I enjoyed this NA read more than I expected to. I would read Winters again.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
August 1, 2020
If you’re looking for a cute frenemies to lovers kind of book, this is for you! Overall I thought the story was sweet; I really loved the road trip as a setting for Megan and Scarlett to fall in love. It was heartwarming to see the two rebuild their friendship, and learn to trust one another again. I felt like I was living vicariously through them in their healing. However, there were a few things that kept it from being a great read in my opinion.
At first, I thought the characters were extremely cookie cutter. There’s a trope I am discovering, especially in LGBTQ romances, of one character being fun and lively and the other being boring and stuck in their routines. This book really went to the extremes of highlighting the “boringness” of Megan at the start, and it felt like she wasn’t even a real person; she fit the bland description too well. And even getting past that, it made no sense why Scarlett developed feelings for her with the way she was first described. She would make comments about how “everything about Megan was beige” and “the same hairstyle that didn’t do her any favors,” and then all of a sudden she was calling her cute? If it had been more of a “seeing someone in a different light” for the first time realization I could have bought it, or if she started falling for her after Megan came out of her shell a bit (over halfway into the book), but that wasn’t the way Scarlett’s feelings were portrayed.
However, when the characters finally felt more tangible, I fell in love with them. Megan began to have more personality traits than just how particular she was, and Scarlett started to open up about her past and feelings. If those developments had begun earlier in the book, or if there wasn’t such a stark contrast between their beginning and ending of book personalities, I would have enjoyed it more.
That being said, I really did enjoy their journey together. The idea of falling in love on a road trip was just so adorable, and I think Winters really nailed the descriptions to make it feel like I was on the trip with them. There were little snippets, like the front desk man at one of the hotels who had no idea what he was doing, that made me chuckle and added to the feel of the unpredictability of an adventure. From the beach, to the mountains, to Tennessee, that’s what really made the book for me; I found myself wanting to jump in the car and go on a road trip of my own.
If the characters were a developed a little better earlier in the book this probably would have been a four star read for me, but I still really enjoyed it and am giving it a 3.5/5, rounded down to 3/5.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Intended audience: Adult
Content warnings: detailed physical intimacy
At first, I thought the characters were extremely cookie cutter. There’s a trope I am discovering, especially in LGBTQ romances, of one character being fun and lively and the other being boring and stuck in their routines. This book really went to the extremes of highlighting the “boringness” of Megan at the start, and it felt like she wasn’t even a real person; she fit the bland description too well. And even getting past that, it made no sense why Scarlett developed feelings for her with the way she was first described. She would make comments about how “everything about Megan was beige” and “the same hairstyle that didn’t do her any favors,” and then all of a sudden she was calling her cute? If it had been more of a “seeing someone in a different light” for the first time realization I could have bought it, or if she started falling for her after Megan came out of her shell a bit (over halfway into the book), but that wasn’t the way Scarlett’s feelings were portrayed.
However, when the characters finally felt more tangible, I fell in love with them. Megan began to have more personality traits than just how particular she was, and Scarlett started to open up about her past and feelings. If those developments had begun earlier in the book, or if there wasn’t such a stark contrast between their beginning and ending of book personalities, I would have enjoyed it more.
That being said, I really did enjoy their journey together. The idea of falling in love on a road trip was just so adorable, and I think Winters really nailed the descriptions to make it feel like I was on the trip with them. There were little snippets, like the front desk man at one of the hotels who had no idea what he was doing, that made me chuckle and added to the feel of the unpredictability of an adventure. From the beach, to the mountains, to Tennessee, that’s what really made the book for me; I found myself wanting to jump in the car and go on a road trip of my own.
If the characters were a developed a little better earlier in the book this probably would have been a four star read for me, but I still really enjoyed it and am giving it a 3.5/5, rounded down to 3/5.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Intended audience: Adult
Content warnings: detailed physical intimacy
July 28, 2020
*2.5 stars*
Hairpin Curves was a nice romance, but the characters felt a bit young and the story was too slow for my taste.
I'm always looking for killer lesbian romances, but this one just missed the mark. Plus, I keep reading road-trip stories but I don't know if they are for me. There is something about the long, drawn-out trip that makes the pacing difficult to get right.
Hairpin Curves is an ex-friends-to-lovers story, which always appeals to me. There is a lot of history between the two MCs, but, oddly, they didn't seem to know each other that well. There were some definite communication missteps in their past, and I found it odd that ex-best friends had so much unknown about each other.
I related hard to one of the MC's struggles with her 504 accommodations in college as my children have learning disabilities. It made me want to reach out an advocate for her. There was also a lot to like in the quiet moments of the story, and I enjoyed the unexpected amount of heat.
What the story lacked for me was in the need to read it factor. It took me over a week to finish this story and that's with forcing myself to continue. It all felt kind of boring to me, which isn't what I want in my romances. I also feel like the MCs were too juvenile for their age. I would have preferred them to be high school graduates and make the story YA as I was frustrated reading parts of the story.
While I'm sure this will please contemporary romance lovers who like a slower-paced story, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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Hairpin Curves was a nice romance, but the characters felt a bit young and the story was too slow for my taste.
I'm always looking for killer lesbian romances, but this one just missed the mark. Plus, I keep reading road-trip stories but I don't know if they are for me. There is something about the long, drawn-out trip that makes the pacing difficult to get right.
Hairpin Curves is an ex-friends-to-lovers story, which always appeals to me. There is a lot of history between the two MCs, but, oddly, they didn't seem to know each other that well. There were some definite communication missteps in their past, and I found it odd that ex-best friends had so much unknown about each other.
I related hard to one of the MC's struggles with her 504 accommodations in college as my children have learning disabilities. It made me want to reach out an advocate for her. There was also a lot to like in the quiet moments of the story, and I enjoyed the unexpected amount of heat.
What the story lacked for me was in the need to read it factor. It took me over a week to finish this story and that's with forcing myself to continue. It all felt kind of boring to me, which isn't what I want in my romances. I also feel like the MCs were too juvenile for their age. I would have preferred them to be high school graduates and make the story YA as I was frustrated reading parts of the story.
While I'm sure this will please contemporary romance lovers who like a slower-paced story, it wasn't exactly what I was looking for.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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July 4, 2020
Hairpin Curves is a sweet and very sexy second-chance / enemies-to-lovers romance.
Megan, Scarlett and Juliet were the best of friends for the major part of their childhood. When Juliet moved to Québec, Megan and Scarlett stayed close… until they weren’t. A few years later, unaware her former best friends had a falling-out, Juliet invites them both to her wedding. In Québec. In February. Scarlett suggests they drive there together and, despite being terribly mad at her still, Megan agrees. She just lost her dead-end job, has no idea what she wants to do with herself and is coming to understand that playing it safe for all these years hasn’t made her either safe or happy. The idea of going out of Florida for the first time ever is irresistible, and Scarlett convinces her to make a whole trip out of it. Scarlett, whose crush on Megan never disappeared, is hoping to mend some fences on the way.
While Scarlett came out as bisexual very early in her life, Megan only realised in college that she, too, was attracted to women also. By then, they had lost touch, so Scarlett still believes Megan to be straight. A lot of what she thought she knew about Megan isn’t true, and they’ll both discover who the other has become in the few years since high school. Megan’s anger at Scarlett stems from nonsensical reasons, that have more to do with teenage angst than anything else.
The story starts too fast, as if the author wanted to lay the background as quickly as possible and be rid of it in order to get on with the real story ASAP. But once the road trip begins and the characters have no choice but to be themselves, put their guard down, they’re incredibly real. I’m not sure how to explain it, but I found this novel surprisingly moving. Something happened with these characters that touched me way deeper than I would expect from a Harlequin book, to be honest (I know, I’m a snob sometimes). I really liked how both characters slowly unveiled their true selves, which prove to be much more complex than what they show at the beginning of the book. Scarlett is not as free and comfortable with herself as she appears, Megan is not as bland as she lets the world believe.
Another excellent surprise of this book was how hot it is at times. The chemistry between Megan and Scarlett is fantastic, once they allow themselves to feel it. And while the romance itself would qualify as slow-burn, the relationship gets steamy early on.
My rating for this book wavered between 4* and 4.5* all along. I ultimately settled on 4* because both the beginning and the ending of the book feel a tad rushed. The author explains in the acknowledgements that she wrote this story during lockdown, so maybe that’s why. I did, however, enjoy it a lot, so 4* it is.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Megan, Scarlett and Juliet were the best of friends for the major part of their childhood. When Juliet moved to Québec, Megan and Scarlett stayed close… until they weren’t. A few years later, unaware her former best friends had a falling-out, Juliet invites them both to her wedding. In Québec. In February. Scarlett suggests they drive there together and, despite being terribly mad at her still, Megan agrees. She just lost her dead-end job, has no idea what she wants to do with herself and is coming to understand that playing it safe for all these years hasn’t made her either safe or happy. The idea of going out of Florida for the first time ever is irresistible, and Scarlett convinces her to make a whole trip out of it. Scarlett, whose crush on Megan never disappeared, is hoping to mend some fences on the way.
While Scarlett came out as bisexual very early in her life, Megan only realised in college that she, too, was attracted to women also. By then, they had lost touch, so Scarlett still believes Megan to be straight. A lot of what she thought she knew about Megan isn’t true, and they’ll both discover who the other has become in the few years since high school. Megan’s anger at Scarlett stems from nonsensical reasons, that have more to do with teenage angst than anything else.
The story starts too fast, as if the author wanted to lay the background as quickly as possible and be rid of it in order to get on with the real story ASAP. But once the road trip begins and the characters have no choice but to be themselves, put their guard down, they’re incredibly real. I’m not sure how to explain it, but I found this novel surprisingly moving. Something happened with these characters that touched me way deeper than I would expect from a Harlequin book, to be honest (I know, I’m a snob sometimes). I really liked how both characters slowly unveiled their true selves, which prove to be much more complex than what they show at the beginning of the book. Scarlett is not as free and comfortable with herself as she appears, Megan is not as bland as she lets the world believe.
Another excellent surprise of this book was how hot it is at times. The chemistry between Megan and Scarlett is fantastic, once they allow themselves to feel it. And while the romance itself would qualify as slow-burn, the relationship gets steamy early on.
My rating for this book wavered between 4* and 4.5* all along. I ultimately settled on 4* because both the beginning and the ending of the book feel a tad rushed. The author explains in the acknowledgements that she wrote this story during lockdown, so maybe that’s why. I did, however, enjoy it a lot, so 4* it is.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 12, 2023
Sapphic frenemies to lovers on a road trip! Hairpin Curves is sweet and cozy while also getting surprisingly steamy in the latter half of the book.
Megan and Scarlet were best friends as teenagers, but had a falling out when Scarlet abandoned their plans for college together. Now it's been years since they've spoken when another high school friend invites them to her wedding in Canada and they decide to take a road trip together. Scarlet was out as queer in high school and secretly had a crush on Megan who she assumed was straight. But as it turns out, Megan discovered she was bi in college. As they make little side trips on the road trip, things heat up between them...
This is a great pick if you want a fun and light-hearted sapphic romance with excellent tension build-up, sex positivity, and casual inclusion of toys. Perfect for pride month! I received a copy of this book from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Megan and Scarlet were best friends as teenagers, but had a falling out when Scarlet abandoned their plans for college together. Now it's been years since they've spoken when another high school friend invites them to her wedding in Canada and they decide to take a road trip together. Scarlet was out as queer in high school and secretly had a crush on Megan who she assumed was straight. But as it turns out, Megan discovered she was bi in college. As they make little side trips on the road trip, things heat up between them...
This is a great pick if you want a fun and light-hearted sapphic romance with excellent tension build-up, sex positivity, and casual inclusion of toys. Perfect for pride month! I received a copy of this book from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
July 23, 2020
This book was all sorts of adorableness, fun, emotional, real, and hot hot Hot!!! For about the first 60% of the book I was thinking this was a solid four star read. I was really enjoying it, but then that last 40% came. And boy oh boy, did it come. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️😂🤣 (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.)
The emotions in this story were so real that I was totally invested in the girl’s and their drama. And their sex scenes were some of the hottest I’ve ever read, and that is definitely saying something! Phew, I mean really, very explicit and sexy.
Sorry, I’m getting distracted here. This was just such a great read and it also had me laughing too. I adored following along on this eye opening road trip and I also love how the focus was not on their sexual orientation. They are who they are and that was that. They talked about it and accepted each other and that was all. Awesomeness!!!
I want to read more books just like this one, but that’s probably not very realistic because I’d never get anything done!!! Now excuse me while I go stalk (jk, sort of lol!!) the author and see what she’s coming up with next... Oh, but before I forget, if you love romance, road trips, or books about besties, you’ve gotta pick this one up!!!! Like right now. Go.
Thanks you so so very much to NetGalley and Carina Press for proving it me with a copy of this book for my honest and unbiased opinion!!!
The emotions in this story were so real that I was totally invested in the girl’s and their drama. And their sex scenes were some of the hottest I’ve ever read, and that is definitely saying something! Phew, I mean really, very explicit and sexy.
Sorry, I’m getting distracted here. This was just such a great read and it also had me laughing too. I adored following along on this eye opening road trip and I also love how the focus was not on their sexual orientation. They are who they are and that was that. They talked about it and accepted each other and that was all. Awesomeness!!!
I want to read more books just like this one, but that’s probably not very realistic because I’d never get anything done!!! Now excuse me while I go stalk (jk, sort of lol!!) the author and see what she’s coming up with next... Oh, but before I forget, if you love romance, road trips, or books about besties, you’ve gotta pick this one up!!!! Like right now. Go.
Thanks you so so very much to NetGalley and Carina Press for proving it me with a copy of this book for my honest and unbiased opinion!!!
July 3, 2020
4.5/5
I received an arc from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
You know when there’s a trope you’re not particularly a fan of but you still attempt to read because the plot still sounds interesting to you and there might be a chance you love it? That was me with this book when I saw it was a road trip book.
This book was truly delightful. I found both Megan and Scarlett to be engaging and interesting characters. Watching their dynamic throughout the novel was interesting to see as a result of their strained friendship.
Since this is a romance, being stuck in a car with an ex friend where one of them has a crush on the other is great building blocks for a romance. Even though you can predict some of the beats of the story, it is done in these enjoyable way and enhanced by the characters.
Since Scarlett and Megan were best friends in high school, a lot of the book was them finding new things about the other. It was also about them reopening up to each other and I loved that factor. You can tell that even with their falling out they still care about the other.
This was definitely a slow burn and it was well worth it. The romance is believable and whenever there was glimpses of them getting along more, it brought so much joy.
Another aspect I loved about this book was that while it was a road trip, it wasn't your typical Summer Road Trip, it's in the middle of winter. That was a really nice twist to a trope I typically don't enjoy.
Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it.
I received an arc from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
You know when there’s a trope you’re not particularly a fan of but you still attempt to read because the plot still sounds interesting to you and there might be a chance you love it? That was me with this book when I saw it was a road trip book.
This book was truly delightful. I found both Megan and Scarlett to be engaging and interesting characters. Watching their dynamic throughout the novel was interesting to see as a result of their strained friendship.
Since this is a romance, being stuck in a car with an ex friend where one of them has a crush on the other is great building blocks for a romance. Even though you can predict some of the beats of the story, it is done in these enjoyable way and enhanced by the characters.
Since Scarlett and Megan were best friends in high school, a lot of the book was them finding new things about the other. It was also about them reopening up to each other and I loved that factor. You can tell that even with their falling out they still care about the other.
This was definitely a slow burn and it was well worth it. The romance is believable and whenever there was glimpses of them getting along more, it brought so much joy.
Another aspect I loved about this book was that while it was a road trip, it wasn't your typical Summer Road Trip, it's in the middle of winter. That was a really nice twist to a trope I typically don't enjoy.
Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it.
July 9, 2022
Carina’s new Adores line is putting out tropey, category-length romances for LGBTQ+ audiences, and I am here for it. (Info from Carina Press here.) Elia Winter’s Hairpin Curves brings readers everything they love about the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, road trip, and snowed in (just one bed!) tropes, but with 100% more queer lady representation. This book is well-written and competently executes its mission. I would recommend it.
Unfortunately, this was a “meh” read for me personally. I love that Hairpin Curves is soft and wholesome and low conflict (similar to The Girl Next Door by Chelsea M. Cameron, another F/F novel from the Adores line). The problem with a “quiet” romance, however, is that it walks a thin line and can easily veer from quiet into straight-up boring. Which was the case here. I didn’t feel like much of anything actually happened here. Yes, the protagonists are on a roadtrip and seeing sights, but I didn’t get a sense of movement or tension in the narrative. This is primarily because of the lack of strong emotionality between Scarlett and Megan, which I think would have helped power this more laid-back plot.
Firstly, the pacing of the entire story felt a bit off. At the outset, Scarlett and Megan haven’t spoken to each other in several years, as their high school friendship blew up. They get invited to their friend’s wedding in Canada, and decide to drive instead of fly. (The reasons for this are flimsy, but Romance Logic is not to be questioned under such circumstances.) During the entire first third of Hairpin Curves, the protagonists can barely speak to one another civilly. It’s not until the 50% mark that the idea of a romantic relationship enters the picture. I understand the difficulty of progressing from enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, and I understand this is a shorter book overall. But if so much of the text is spent just getting the main characters on speaking terms, that leaves very little room for them to explore whether or not they could feasibly have a monogamous romantic relationship at some point.
In terms of characterization, I though Megan and Scarlett were nice. (Which is to say, I damn them with faint praise.) Both protagonists were realistic, relatable women in their mid-twenties dealing with all of the weird identity crises that go with being that age. I found them to be very authentic, and I enjoyed learning more about them as the story progressed. I was just missing the depth and complexity I reach for in a romance.
Also, I think perhaps what I kept trying to put my finger on while reading is that the romantic arc in Hairpin Curves was too realistic. Hear me out. In real life, people probably don’t have Dark Moments or Secret Babies or Centuries’ Long Family Feuds or [insert romance trope of choice] that keep them apart. Real romantic relationships have tension and conflict, of course, but it’s usually something along the lines of “my wife who I love very much forgot to refill the Keurig reservoir AGAIN!” and not “this fucking guy lied to me about his secret identity as the billionaire who caused my father’s financial ruin!”
Which is not to say that you can’t write a low-stakes romance! I have read them and enjoyed them, numerous times. But I imagine that it’s quite tricky for a writer to sell the normal, everyday conflict in a way that feels just as compelling as the high-octane , bananapants conflicts that are common in some romances. I don’t think Winters quite hit the mark here. And I want queer romance to get a chance at being the multi-faceted, varied smorgasbord of plots and styles and sub-genres that hetero romance has gotten to be. Which is why I love Carina Adores. This particular novel just wasn’t quite it, overall.
At the end of the day, this was not the book for me. I certainly didn’t dislike it, but neither was Hairpin Curves very memorable.
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Unfortunately, this was a “meh” read for me personally. I love that Hairpin Curves is soft and wholesome and low conflict (similar to The Girl Next Door by Chelsea M. Cameron, another F/F novel from the Adores line). The problem with a “quiet” romance, however, is that it walks a thin line and can easily veer from quiet into straight-up boring. Which was the case here. I didn’t feel like much of anything actually happened here. Yes, the protagonists are on a roadtrip and seeing sights, but I didn’t get a sense of movement or tension in the narrative. This is primarily because of the lack of strong emotionality between Scarlett and Megan, which I think would have helped power this more laid-back plot.
Firstly, the pacing of the entire story felt a bit off. At the outset, Scarlett and Megan haven’t spoken to each other in several years, as their high school friendship blew up. They get invited to their friend’s wedding in Canada, and decide to drive instead of fly. (The reasons for this are flimsy, but Romance Logic is not to be questioned under such circumstances.) During the entire first third of Hairpin Curves, the protagonists can barely speak to one another civilly. It’s not until the 50% mark that the idea of a romantic relationship enters the picture. I understand the difficulty of progressing from enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, and I understand this is a shorter book overall. But if so much of the text is spent just getting the main characters on speaking terms, that leaves very little room for them to explore whether or not they could feasibly have a monogamous romantic relationship at some point.
In terms of characterization, I though Megan and Scarlett were nice. (Which is to say, I damn them with faint praise.) Both protagonists were realistic, relatable women in their mid-twenties dealing with all of the weird identity crises that go with being that age. I found them to be very authentic, and I enjoyed learning more about them as the story progressed. I was just missing the depth and complexity I reach for in a romance.
Also, I think perhaps what I kept trying to put my finger on while reading is that the romantic arc in Hairpin Curves was too realistic. Hear me out. In real life, people probably don’t have Dark Moments or Secret Babies or Centuries’ Long Family Feuds or [insert romance trope of choice] that keep them apart. Real romantic relationships have tension and conflict, of course, but it’s usually something along the lines of “my wife who I love very much forgot to refill the Keurig reservoir AGAIN!” and not “this fucking guy lied to me about his secret identity as the billionaire who caused my father’s financial ruin!”
Which is not to say that you can’t write a low-stakes romance! I have read them and enjoyed them, numerous times. But I imagine that it’s quite tricky for a writer to sell the normal, everyday conflict in a way that feels just as compelling as the high-octane , bananapants conflicts that are common in some romances. I don’t think Winters quite hit the mark here. And I want queer romance to get a chance at being the multi-faceted, varied smorgasbord of plots and styles and sub-genres that hetero romance has gotten to be. Which is why I love Carina Adores. This particular novel just wasn’t quite it, overall.
At the end of the day, this was not the book for me. I certainly didn’t dislike it, but neither was Hairpin Curves very memorable.
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July 27, 2020
Meghan and Scarlet have been friend for a long time. Right after high school, they had a falling out, but they haven't really spoken since. When one of their close friends is getting married in Quebec, they make a choice to drive there together. Meghan has never left Florida and Scarlet hasn't seen much of the country either, so this will be an adventure for them both. They will find out more aobut each other than ever before. But will they be able to rekindle their friendship?
Thank you to Carina Press/Harlequin for the opportunity to read and review this book.
When Scarlet didn't show up to be roommates with Meghan, Meghan was devastated. But Scarlet is hiding a few secrets about why she chose not to go with Meghan. To top that off, they both have more than friendly feelings for each other.
This isn't the typical type of romance that I normally read, but it kept me entertained. This is a LGQBT+ book.
When I was in college, I loved taking road trips with my friends. Going to school in Texas, it's not hard to drive all day and still be in the same state. Making tapes or CDs for the journey, and planning out snacks and stops. That part of this book I could relate too very much.
For those of you who are interested in a frenemies to lovers book that includes a Female/Female romance, I think you will enjoy this book.
Thank you to Carina Press/Harlequin for the opportunity to read and review this book.
When Scarlet didn't show up to be roommates with Meghan, Meghan was devastated. But Scarlet is hiding a few secrets about why she chose not to go with Meghan. To top that off, they both have more than friendly feelings for each other.
This isn't the typical type of romance that I normally read, but it kept me entertained. This is a LGQBT+ book.
When I was in college, I loved taking road trips with my friends. Going to school in Texas, it's not hard to drive all day and still be in the same state. Making tapes or CDs for the journey, and planning out snacks and stops. That part of this book I could relate too very much.
For those of you who are interested in a frenemies to lovers book that includes a Female/Female romance, I think you will enjoy this book.
November 18, 2020
As a Canadian, my little ears perk up whenever I hear about an f/f romance that has anything to do with Canada. So, when I saw that Hairpin Curves is a road trip romance that takes the characters from Florida to Quebec, I said “Oh yes, please and thank you!” Although we see very little of them in Canada, I still enjoyed parts of this story because the angst is low, which is my speed these days. However, the conflict hinges on what could be solved by one conversation, which is frustrating.
Full review: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
Full review: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
November 11, 2023
I appreciate the nuance between the main characters’ relationships, mending a fractured connection that’s healed over incorrectly thus having to reset the fracture so a proper healing happens.
January 31, 2021
I had kind of a hard time getting into this book, mostly because I didn't love the main characters at first. Especially Scarlet was really judgmental. But she then went through a lot of growth, and I absolutely loved the road trip plotline!
September 6, 2020
Hairpin Curves is a f/f romance between two girls in their twenties who used to be friends in high school but then pride and miscommunication got in the way and they ended up not talking to each other anymore. Megan started working at a restaurant while Scarlett went to college. When one of their mutual friends invited them both at her wedding, they figured it was better and more practical to go on this road trip together even though they clearly weren't on good terms. On the way to the wedding, their attraction comes back to play.
I enjoyed reading this book but I feel like I wasn't a big fan of the characters so that's probably why I never really got attached to them or shipped them all that much. The smut was hot at times and overall it was a nice & short romance but I just didn't fall in love with it.
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
I enjoyed reading this book but I feel like I wasn't a big fan of the characters so that's probably why I never really got attached to them or shipped them all that much. The smut was hot at times and overall it was a nice & short romance but I just didn't fall in love with it.
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
July 20, 2020
Hello Book Friends! HAIRPIN CURVES by Elia Winters was a delightful LGBTQ+ book about Megan Harris and her ex-friend Scarlett Andrews. Scarlett used to have the biggest crush on Megan in high school. Scarlett knew she was bisexual and came out in her teens. Megan discovers that she is attracted to women but only once in college. Just as they were on the verge to go to college and be roommates, Scarlett changes her mind and decides to attend another school, leaving Megan to fend for herself. Needless to say, they stopped being friends on that day. Several years later, they agree to embark on a long road-trip to attend their childhood friend’s wedding in Québec city. It is always nice to see my hometown mentioned in a book! Who does not love a story that mentions their hometown?!?! Megan and Scarlett will be facing many challenges on this road-trip. Will this bring them further apart or will they rediscover their friendship? Will the close proximity revive or destroy Scarlett’s crush on Megan? Could this lead to more than just friendship?
The story is full of tension, fun events, rediscovery, making amends, and love. It is a fast sexy hot read that you don’t want to miss.
🙋🏼♀️ Thank you, Harlequin Publicity Team for sending me a copy of this delightful book. HAIRPIN CURVES by Elia Winters will be available at your favourite bookstore on July 28, 2020.
January 6, 2021
this was great friends to lovers ff romance!!
a perfect road trip book with some steamy moments!!
a perfect road trip book with some steamy moments!!
July 28, 2020
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book. I am providing a voluntary review, and all thoughts and views are my own.
I’ve been meaning to read something by Elia Winters for a while now, so when I was offered the chance to participate in the blog tour for her latest release Hairpin Curves, you can bet your booty I was all over that. And after finishing, I was left wondering why I hadn’t succumbed to this brilliant author’s words before now.
Megan and Scarlett’s story is a friends-to-quasi-enemies-back-to-friends romance with a road trip and forced proximity and just all the delicious tropes as far as the eye can see! I am here for tropes, as long as they’re approached with a careful hand and a touch of something fresh. All of that and more can be said about Ms. Winters and this delightful trope-tastic tale.
She also does a wonderful job of handling bisexuality in both characters. As a pansexual, I often find myself frustrated by the way characters who are attracted to more than a single binary gender are portrayed in romance. Sometimes it’s just a convenient plot point. Other times it’s a mostly unrealistic revelation tied to dramatic moments and fails to be handled with respect and honesty. Sometimes it’s used as a weapon, where love interests refuse to believe their potential partner who is attracted to more-than-one-gender could possibly be happy with only them. Because, after all, bi- and pansexuality automatically means a person can only be happy in a polyamorous situation or else they’ll be prone to cheating. <> That all being said, this is not how Ms. Winters portrays either of her bisexual characters, and to that, I cheers her!
This story kept me engaged and turning the page. I believed in their romance, and I wanted them to find their much deserved HEA. My pom-poms were out from very early on, and when they came back together after the black moment, I let out an audible squeal. Those kinds of reads are the best. The kind you can sink into, wrap up your emotions into, and when it all comes out the other side rainbows and roses, heave a great sigh of readerly relief and contentment.
I’d recommend this story as an excellent one for readers interested in diving into lesbian romance for the first time, because I think it is handled so very well. It would be the perfect springboard to show readers who might be unsure of the genre just how beautiful it can be!
I’ve been meaning to read something by Elia Winters for a while now, so when I was offered the chance to participate in the blog tour for her latest release Hairpin Curves, you can bet your booty I was all over that. And after finishing, I was left wondering why I hadn’t succumbed to this brilliant author’s words before now.
Megan and Scarlett’s story is a friends-to-quasi-enemies-back-to-friends romance with a road trip and forced proximity and just all the delicious tropes as far as the eye can see! I am here for tropes, as long as they’re approached with a careful hand and a touch of something fresh. All of that and more can be said about Ms. Winters and this delightful trope-tastic tale.
She also does a wonderful job of handling bisexuality in both characters. As a pansexual, I often find myself frustrated by the way characters who are attracted to more than a single binary gender are portrayed in romance. Sometimes it’s just a convenient plot point. Other times it’s a mostly unrealistic revelation tied to dramatic moments and fails to be handled with respect and honesty. Sometimes it’s used as a weapon, where love interests refuse to believe their potential partner who is attracted to more-than-one-gender could possibly be happy with only them. Because, after all, bi- and pansexuality automatically means a person can only be happy in a polyamorous situation or else they’ll be prone to cheating. <> That all being said, this is not how Ms. Winters portrays either of her bisexual characters, and to that, I cheers her!
This story kept me engaged and turning the page. I believed in their romance, and I wanted them to find their much deserved HEA. My pom-poms were out from very early on, and when they came back together after the black moment, I let out an audible squeal. Those kinds of reads are the best. The kind you can sink into, wrap up your emotions into, and when it all comes out the other side rainbows and roses, heave a great sigh of readerly relief and contentment.
I’d recommend this story as an excellent one for readers interested in diving into lesbian romance for the first time, because I think it is handled so very well. It would be the perfect springboard to show readers who might be unsure of the genre just how beautiful it can be!
September 16, 2022
GOD this was such great gay brain rot material, it was literally so fun and joyful to read, hence me reading it in literally two sittings 😀 it was genuinely so fun, and i really liked and believed the girls relationship and the build up, and it had sooo many cute ((and steamy 😳😳)) moments, like the best friends to enemies to lovers trope??? a roadtrip??? the one bed trope??? yeah.
.
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complete side note but ......, i Despise this cover...., who did that. deadass ....,,,, i just wanna talk.
.
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complete side note but ......, i Despise this cover...., who did that. deadass ....,,,, i just wanna talk.
September 10, 2020
Megan wasn't going to be be same person after this trip. Maybe Scarlet didn't have to be either.
Hey so I adored this. It was so so so good. I don't think I've read many road trip romances, but I love the concept, and I think it was executed near perfectly here. Megan and Scarlet are estranged best friends, having had little contact over the past seven years, and they reunite for a cross-country road trip to another friend's wedding. I feel like the characterisation for both characters was so solid and so believable. They're in their mid-twenties but they're both grappling with what drove them apart at 18, and I think Winters does a great job of showing how they've grown, but also have some more growing up to do. I really liked how their personalities seemed to clash at first, but as the story progresses we see why they used to be best friends, and just how well they fit together. This isn't quite a second chance romance, since they weren't together before, but it does FEEL like one, since there's obviously strong feelings on both sides.
I also really like the themes that were explored: learning to stand up for yourself, putting yourself first when you need to, learning disabilities and how they affect people into adulthood, the liminal space between adolescence and adulthood and how it can stretch larger for some people, because not everyone has their life figured out at 18! I really loved the road trip aspect, and how it made this lighter and just more fun than it might have been otherwise. They have to stay in a couple of motels, so you can guess what trope makes an appearance. ;) There was some angst, but it didn't get too heavy, and the misunderstandings were handled the way I like best: quickly. Also yo this was extremely sexy. Megan... 😍
There was one part of the book that sorta dragged for me, but that's purely because I'm pretty bored by tarot/witchcraft/horoscopes/etc in a mundane setting. That's all subjective though, and it didn't take up a huge part. I also think the ending came a bit too quickly; there should have been a bit more self reflection or ruminating on Megan's part especially before we came to the conclusion. I was of course rooting for their HEA, but I think Megan went from point A to Z in too short a time.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Devra Woodward and I enjoyed it immensely! Loved her voice for both characters, loved her inflections, how she did sarcasm and humour and all the heart-rending bits.
Really great stuff. I'd love to read more form Winters in the future. 4.5 stars.
Hey so I adored this. It was so so so good. I don't think I've read many road trip romances, but I love the concept, and I think it was executed near perfectly here. Megan and Scarlet are estranged best friends, having had little contact over the past seven years, and they reunite for a cross-country road trip to another friend's wedding. I feel like the characterisation for both characters was so solid and so believable. They're in their mid-twenties but they're both grappling with what drove them apart at 18, and I think Winters does a great job of showing how they've grown, but also have some more growing up to do. I really liked how their personalities seemed to clash at first, but as the story progresses we see why they used to be best friends, and just how well they fit together. This isn't quite a second chance romance, since they weren't together before, but it does FEEL like one, since there's obviously strong feelings on both sides.
I also really like the themes that were explored: learning to stand up for yourself, putting yourself first when you need to, learning disabilities and how they affect people into adulthood, the liminal space between adolescence and adulthood and how it can stretch larger for some people, because not everyone has their life figured out at 18! I really loved the road trip aspect, and how it made this lighter and just more fun than it might have been otherwise. They have to stay in a couple of motels, so you can guess what trope makes an appearance. ;) There was some angst, but it didn't get too heavy, and the misunderstandings were handled the way I like best: quickly. Also yo this was extremely sexy. Megan... 😍
There was one part of the book that sorta dragged for me, but that's purely because I'm pretty bored by tarot/witchcraft/horoscopes/etc in a mundane setting. That's all subjective though, and it didn't take up a huge part. I also think the ending came a bit too quickly; there should have been a bit more self reflection or ruminating on Megan's part especially before we came to the conclusion. I was of course rooting for their HEA, but I think Megan went from point A to Z in too short a time.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Devra Woodward and I enjoyed it immensely! Loved her voice for both characters, loved her inflections, how she did sarcasm and humour and all the heart-rending bits.
Really great stuff. I'd love to read more form Winters in the future. 4.5 stars.
March 6, 2023
Megan is stuck in a rut. She is 25 and has never left Florida and has had the same job since high school. It's not until the local diner (where she works) closes and a high school friend announces she is invited to her wedding; in Canada, forces Megan to make some choices. She tells her dead-beat brother to move out (he was mooching off her). Megan doesn't like change and she has always put other people first.
Scarlett, who is 26, is in a similar situation. Stuck in a dead-end job, struggling to make ends meet, and regretting her lost friendship with Megan, Scarlett also has some choices to make. When they are both invited to the wedding in Canada, they decided to drive together and see some sights on the way.
This was very New Adult. Scarlett's reasons for what she did I understood, but at the same time feel she should have come clean much earlier since Megan was such an important friend (they were best friends in school and were supposed to room together in college, until Scarlett decided to do something different which lead to them not talking for 7 years).
Anyway, Megan and Scarlett do eventually talk and clear the air. Forced proximity worked in this situation. And they do come up with a plan to change things when they get home. The epilogue (2 years later) was nice.
Scarlett, who is 26, is in a similar situation. Stuck in a dead-end job, struggling to make ends meet, and regretting her lost friendship with Megan, Scarlett also has some choices to make. When they are both invited to the wedding in Canada, they decided to drive together and see some sights on the way.
This was very New Adult. Scarlett's reasons for what she did I understood, but at the same time feel she should have come clean much earlier since Megan was such an important friend (they were best friends in school and were supposed to room together in college, until Scarlett decided to do something different which lead to them not talking for 7 years).
Anyway, Megan and Scarlett do eventually talk and clear the air. Forced proximity worked in this situation. And they do come up with a plan to change things when they get home. The epilogue (2 years later) was nice.
July 13, 2020
* I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange of a honest review.
Wow Meghan and Scarlett's romance really moved me and it was so unexpected for me to actually like this book. Never read anything from this author before so I just picked it because I was intrigued by the description. I'm a sucker for friends to enemies to lovers stories and I wholeheartedly recommend this one to everyone who loves this premise.
Their chemistry was so hot, their characters so intriguing and complex, I will definitely reread this book again. I can't wait for more from this author, I was pleasantly surprised. 4 to 4,5 *
Wow Meghan and Scarlett's romance really moved me and it was so unexpected for me to actually like this book. Never read anything from this author before so I just picked it because I was intrigued by the description. I'm a sucker for friends to enemies to lovers stories and I wholeheartedly recommend this one to everyone who loves this premise.
Their chemistry was so hot, their characters so intriguing and complex, I will definitely reread this book again. I can't wait for more from this author, I was pleasantly surprised. 4 to 4,5 *
December 17, 2020
I liked this but it didn't go beyond that.
December 22, 2021
3.75 ⭐️
Lesbians and road trip? Why not lol. It was p enjoyable actually, I thought it was YA at first but then I saw it was adult XD it also had Bi rep which is always appreciated since we don’t see a lot of bi characters.
Lesbians and road trip? Why not lol. It was p enjoyable actually, I thought it was YA at first but then I saw it was adult XD it also had Bi rep which is always appreciated since we don’t see a lot of bi characters.
July 9, 2020
3.5 stars
Megan Harris and Scarlett Andrews used to be childhood friends up to high school … until they are not. Scarlett left Megan before college without any explanation and years passed by without the two of them interact anymore, even after Scarlett returned home to Crystal River, Florida. But then another friend of theirs invited Megan and Scarlett to attend her wedding. And suddenly Megan found herself saying “yes” to Scarlett’s plan of doing road trip to Quebec... in February. How is that NOT a disaster coming?
...
I LOVE road trip stories (which is practically a forced proximity trope on the road). All those hours shared within the confinement of the car … it is a great setting for the characters to work out their feelings from long-time frustration to pent-up desire. That is why the summary of this book, by new-to-me author Elia Winters, attracted me in the first place.
What I liked the most from Hairpin Curves is the depiction of characteristics of both our heroines. They are quite complete opposite, each with their strengths and flaws. And I think Winters keep this part solid throughout, while still giving space for each Megan and Scarlett to ‘refine’ themselves by offering on how the other sees them.
For Megan, is all about stability and reassurances – she hates changes. It stops Megan from trying to expand her horizon. She never leaves Florida. She works at the same diner for the past decade. She avoids relationship because it entails ‘possibility’ of getting her heart broken. Scarlett bailing on their plan all those years ago also makes Megan unable to trust her ex-friend easily.
But at the same time, there are other things that make Megan unique. She is good at scrapbook. She is quite a good singer. Interestingly, Megan also embraces ‘adventure’ in sex (as in sex toys) more so than Scarlett. Even if her sex-partner is less than Scarlett
Scarlett might be more adventurous than Megan, but it is also because she tends to run away when there’s trouble. Scarlett doesn’t really believe in herself; she doesn’t think she has enough talent, enough smarts. Scarlett always sees Megan as more capable and confident of what she wants.
I do think that despite them being childhood friends, there are so MUCH that neither Megan nor Scarlett know about one another. They make a lot of assumption about the other girl – and we know what assumptions make, right? Maybe they are not good friends after all? *laugh*. Well, at least the road trip gives them the chance to learn.
The road trip itself is good – I liked the places that they visited and what they did there. I may question whether, with their financial limitations, Megan and Scarlett can actually do all of the things mentioned here… but hey, I don’t really have benchmark about prices in the U.S. since I live in another part of the world. So, what do I know?
Also, despite these girls being in their mid-twenties, the music references seem to be very old. Sometimes, I feel like it’s more of the author’s musical choices rather than trying to be updated with the current music trend. It’s easier to make the characters like old soul type, right?
Hairpin Curves is quite character centric. It’s all about Megan and Scarlett throughout, with very minimal secondary characters present. At times, it may be tiring reading about how their ‘break-up’ as friends are all based on those assumptions that each has about the other. But stick with them anyway… I think it’s worth it in the end.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Megan Harris and Scarlett Andrews used to be childhood friends up to high school … until they are not. Scarlett left Megan before college without any explanation and years passed by without the two of them interact anymore, even after Scarlett returned home to Crystal River, Florida. But then another friend of theirs invited Megan and Scarlett to attend her wedding. And suddenly Megan found herself saying “yes” to Scarlett’s plan of doing road trip to Quebec... in February. How is that NOT a disaster coming?
...
I LOVE road trip stories (which is practically a forced proximity trope on the road). All those hours shared within the confinement of the car … it is a great setting for the characters to work out their feelings from long-time frustration to pent-up desire. That is why the summary of this book, by new-to-me author Elia Winters, attracted me in the first place.
What I liked the most from Hairpin Curves is the depiction of characteristics of both our heroines. They are quite complete opposite, each with their strengths and flaws. And I think Winters keep this part solid throughout, while still giving space for each Megan and Scarlett to ‘refine’ themselves by offering on how the other sees them.
For Megan, is all about stability and reassurances – she hates changes. It stops Megan from trying to expand her horizon. She never leaves Florida. She works at the same diner for the past decade. She avoids relationship because it entails ‘possibility’ of getting her heart broken. Scarlett bailing on their plan all those years ago also makes Megan unable to trust her ex-friend easily.
But at the same time, there are other things that make Megan unique. She is good at scrapbook. She is quite a good singer. Interestingly, Megan also embraces ‘adventure’ in sex (as in sex toys) more so than Scarlett. Even if her sex-partner is less than Scarlett
Scarlett might be more adventurous than Megan, but it is also because she tends to run away when there’s trouble. Scarlett doesn’t really believe in herself; she doesn’t think she has enough talent, enough smarts. Scarlett always sees Megan as more capable and confident of what she wants.
I do think that despite them being childhood friends, there are so MUCH that neither Megan nor Scarlett know about one another. They make a lot of assumption about the other girl – and we know what assumptions make, right? Maybe they are not good friends after all? *laugh*. Well, at least the road trip gives them the chance to learn.
The road trip itself is good – I liked the places that they visited and what they did there. I may question whether, with their financial limitations, Megan and Scarlett can actually do all of the things mentioned here… but hey, I don’t really have benchmark about prices in the U.S. since I live in another part of the world. So, what do I know?
Also, despite these girls being in their mid-twenties, the music references seem to be very old. Sometimes, I feel like it’s more of the author’s musical choices rather than trying to be updated with the current music trend. It’s easier to make the characters like old soul type, right?
Hairpin Curves is quite character centric. It’s all about Megan and Scarlett throughout, with very minimal secondary characters present. At times, it may be tiring reading about how their ‘break-up’ as friends are all based on those assumptions that each has about the other. But stick with them anyway… I think it’s worth it in the end.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
January 28, 2021
Friends-to-enemies (sorta)-to-friends-to-lovers. This one covers a wide range in the relationship of the two leading ladies with excellence.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
November 13, 2024
Hairpin Curves ehhhh...as a title, while it does apply to some of the sudden changes in their lives, I don't think it carried consistently enough from a thematic perspective to justify it.
In any case--I think much of this was missed opportunities and failed expectations. Having been on many long road trips, there is a certain allure about these stories, but this one missed the mark at least as much as it hit it.
Right from the start, the set-up was implausible. Two former besties still living in a very small-town years after high school (and somehow Meagan never learns that Scarlett flunked out of community college rather than attended a private university?) get invited by a cherished childhood friend (that they never talk to, and I mean EVER given her lack of knowledge of their circumstances) to her wedding. But that's okay because Meagan and Scarlett were friends from childhood through high school and seem to know nothing about each other either.
Irrelevant Moment: Meagan's brother is a loser--but don't worry, after she tells him to move out, he is never heard from again--even though it was clear he'd be a problem.
Scarlett claims she had to escape Meagan's judgments when she ended their friendship, but Scarlett does most of the initial judging--and Meagan never seems to act in a way that would have justified Scarlett's idiotic decision to ghost her--to say nothing of Meagan not calling Scarlett's mom (whom Meagan describes as sweet and friendly as all hell) to ask her what happened.
Meagan loses her waitressing job, but the owner's give her $10,000 like any restaurant owner would (sure) and, like the brother--are never heard from or seen again. This is very fortunate, otherwise the trip could never have happened. How or why Meagan has never left the state of Florida--apparently not even to Georgia or Alabama--is probably best left unexplained.
They plan the trip to Quebec with detours that they simply must take--but seem to have forgotten that they have to drive back and could do some of that then.
Meagan hates technology, unless it is a sex toy, for unknown reasons. So, she gets hard copies of maps, uses a Polaroid, and burns CD mixes instead of fixing her radio. For this last, it's because it makes her feel like a DJ? Alrighty. Later, when she gets her dream/career job at a radio station, there is no explanation give for what she is actually doing--or what on Earth would have qualified her for the job. I've burned CDs and printed fancy labels with images for them. I'm a music producer now! No, I'm not.
Anyway, the trip gets underway, and they ease up on the bickering once Scarlett reveals her dirty (stupid) little secret. Later, with remarkably little prompting or justification, Meagan reveals she likes to masturbate to let off steam and Scarlett encourages her to do so. They then both do so while "pretending" they are alone. Like friends do. They continue to try and pretend it was nothing but then up the ante by deliberately staring at each other while masturbating--again as all friends do.
In between this, far too much time is spent in Salem getting a woo-woo magic candle and a tarot deck that (like the M's brother) is never seen again.
Eventually, shocking spoiler, they have sex. I wasn't prepared for this. So, naturally, when you are with someone for the first time, especially old childhood friends, the first thing you want to do is strap on a dildo and give it to 'em hard and deep. Once again, this means nothing. Then they have sex again and both of them try to convince themselves it won't happen again while simultaneously admitting to themselves they love the other while also convincing themselves the other feels nothing for them.
In another shocker, once they decide to truly communicate, they resolve their problems and realize that being happy and having great sex doesn't mean it is wrong or impossible.
Jump ahead two years plus years, and Meagan has that aforementioned radio gig--somehow, doing whatever. Meanwhile, Scarlett not only got accepted to a school, based on her Fs and incompletes from community college--and graduated with a degree in...not revealed. I can assume some sort of "Education" degree so that she can teach. I mean, the author could have specified, but why bother?
The point is they are two deliriously happy, implausibly educated, improbably employed women who finally stopped lying to and closing themselves off from their bestie--and it all started by masturbating together like all friends should. Apparently. I don't know. Look, no one reads these books for a coherent story do they?
In any case--I think much of this was missed opportunities and failed expectations. Having been on many long road trips, there is a certain allure about these stories, but this one missed the mark at least as much as it hit it.
Right from the start, the set-up was implausible. Two former besties still living in a very small-town years after high school (and somehow Meagan never learns that Scarlett flunked out of community college rather than attended a private university?) get invited by a cherished childhood friend (that they never talk to, and I mean EVER given her lack of knowledge of their circumstances) to her wedding. But that's okay because Meagan and Scarlett were friends from childhood through high school and seem to know nothing about each other either.
Irrelevant Moment: Meagan's brother is a loser--but don't worry, after she tells him to move out, he is never heard from again--even though it was clear he'd be a problem.
Scarlett claims she had to escape Meagan's judgments when she ended their friendship, but Scarlett does most of the initial judging--and Meagan never seems to act in a way that would have justified Scarlett's idiotic decision to ghost her--to say nothing of Meagan not calling Scarlett's mom (whom Meagan describes as sweet and friendly as all hell) to ask her what happened.
Meagan loses her waitressing job, but the owner's give her $10,000 like any restaurant owner would (sure) and, like the brother--are never heard from or seen again. This is very fortunate, otherwise the trip could never have happened. How or why Meagan has never left the state of Florida--apparently not even to Georgia or Alabama--is probably best left unexplained.
They plan the trip to Quebec with detours that they simply must take--but seem to have forgotten that they have to drive back and could do some of that then.
Meagan hates technology, unless it is a sex toy, for unknown reasons. So, she gets hard copies of maps, uses a Polaroid, and burns CD mixes instead of fixing her radio. For this last, it's because it makes her feel like a DJ? Alrighty. Later, when she gets her dream/career job at a radio station, there is no explanation give for what she is actually doing--or what on Earth would have qualified her for the job. I've burned CDs and printed fancy labels with images for them. I'm a music producer now! No, I'm not.
Anyway, the trip gets underway, and they ease up on the bickering once Scarlett reveals her dirty (stupid) little secret. Later, with remarkably little prompting or justification, Meagan reveals she likes to masturbate to let off steam and Scarlett encourages her to do so. They then both do so while "pretending" they are alone. Like friends do. They continue to try and pretend it was nothing but then up the ante by deliberately staring at each other while masturbating--again as all friends do.
In between this, far too much time is spent in Salem getting a woo-woo magic candle and a tarot deck that (like the M's brother) is never seen again.
Eventually, shocking spoiler, they have sex. I wasn't prepared for this. So, naturally, when you are with someone for the first time, especially old childhood friends, the first thing you want to do is strap on a dildo and give it to 'em hard and deep. Once again, this means nothing. Then they have sex again and both of them try to convince themselves it won't happen again while simultaneously admitting to themselves they love the other while also convincing themselves the other feels nothing for them.
In another shocker, once they decide to truly communicate, they resolve their problems and realize that being happy and having great sex doesn't mean it is wrong or impossible.
Jump ahead two years plus years, and Meagan has that aforementioned radio gig--somehow, doing whatever. Meanwhile, Scarlett not only got accepted to a school, based on her Fs and incompletes from community college--and graduated with a degree in...not revealed. I can assume some sort of "Education" degree so that she can teach. I mean, the author could have specified, but why bother?
The point is they are two deliriously happy, implausibly educated, improbably employed women who finally stopped lying to and closing themselves off from their bestie--and it all started by masturbating together like all friends should. Apparently. I don't know. Look, no one reads these books for a coherent story do they?
July 31, 2020
This is a lovely book.
Since I had already decided to read as many lesbian romances as I can this summer, this book was devoured in little over a day.
The premise of this story is so very real life and the two characters, Scarlett and Megan are almost larger than life.
You can't help the feeling of " been there, done that" All through the book, especially in Megan's case, but Scarlett is nevertheless equally convincing. Both charaters are incredibly well worked out. At my age, of course I have been on similar road trips a number of times, but none ever was such a revelation for me, yet I can so well relate to the feeelings of both ladies.
What I really liked most was the anti-climax at the end. The fact that the goal of the trip turned out nowhere near as satisfying as the other the result of the trip itself is a brave, but ever so clever a move. I also like the quirky and mostly funny dialogues, once the road trip starts and neither of the two girls is holding back.
Not that I'd discard the deep emotional insight, that permeates the story, mind you. Anyone who's had to cope with being "different" will be able to empathise with both, Meagn and Scarlett about a lot of things. Also, having friends in some places being visited on the way, I can very well relate to Megan's feelings of awe and exitement.
Since I had already decided to read as many lesbian romances as I can this summer, this book was devoured in little over a day.
The premise of this story is so very real life and the two characters, Scarlett and Megan are almost larger than life.
You can't help the feeling of " been there, done that" All through the book, especially in Megan's case, but Scarlett is nevertheless equally convincing. Both charaters are incredibly well worked out. At my age, of course I have been on similar road trips a number of times, but none ever was such a revelation for me, yet I can so well relate to the feeelings of both ladies.
What I really liked most was the anti-climax at the end. The fact that the goal of the trip turned out nowhere near as satisfying as the other the result of the trip itself is a brave, but ever so clever a move. I also like the quirky and mostly funny dialogues, once the road trip starts and neither of the two girls is holding back.
Not that I'd discard the deep emotional insight, that permeates the story, mind you. Anyone who's had to cope with being "different" will be able to empathise with both, Meagn and Scarlett about a lot of things. Also, having friends in some places being visited on the way, I can very well relate to Megan's feelings of awe and exitement.
August 1, 2020
Scarlett and Megan were best friends. They were supposed to go to college together until Scarlett ghosted and left Megan wondering what happened. Now both are living back in their hometown, Scarlett working from home and Megan still working at the same cafe she's been employed at her entire working life. And their friend wants them both to come to her wedding. In Canada. In the winter.
Cautiously agreeing to taking the dream road trip Megan has meticulously planned out, these two former friends are forced to confront not only the hurts from their past but also their growing sexual tension.
A fantastic road trip romance, I adored how Winters portrayed these 20-somethings who are still finding themselves as they are drawn to each other. I also loved that while Scarlett once had a crush on Megan, their high school friendship wasn't tested because of that, but because of the secret reason Scarlett did not go to college with Megan. And Megan was already out when she and Scarlett reconnect. All of their character growth revolves around their careers, where they want to be in their lives, not questioning their sexuality, which was great.
A very steamy kind of slow burn, I really had fun buddy-reading this with Leigh Kramer (she lists CWs in her excellent review).
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
Cautiously agreeing to taking the dream road trip Megan has meticulously planned out, these two former friends are forced to confront not only the hurts from their past but also their growing sexual tension.
A fantastic road trip romance, I adored how Winters portrayed these 20-somethings who are still finding themselves as they are drawn to each other. I also loved that while Scarlett once had a crush on Megan, their high school friendship wasn't tested because of that, but because of the secret reason Scarlett did not go to college with Megan. And Megan was already out when she and Scarlett reconnect. All of their character growth revolves around their careers, where they want to be in their lives, not questioning their sexuality, which was great.
A very steamy kind of slow burn, I really had fun buddy-reading this with Leigh Kramer (she lists CWs in her excellent review).
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
August 21, 2020
Thanks to netgalley.com and Carina Adores for the advance ARC copy for my honest review.
Let me start with a myth about Florida, it's not a cheap place to live as everyone thinks it is.
This was my first read from the author Elia Winters, feel like she took a good story, then bogged it down with fluff, got to repetitive, took too long with the relationship between the two main characters and just a shame since this could have been a so much better read.
Meghan and Scarlett have know each other from childhood, they went to school together, supposed to go to College together, had crushes on each other, have a falling out, both are insecure, neurotic, emotional, yet they are likable and easy to relate too.
Felt some of the driving was too unrealistic for them too have actually done, easily could have ended with them making out at the wedding and in a sequel have them driving home a different route that they end up going home on I-75.
Also felt the author was a puppeteer, both Meghan and Scarlett where puppets, she tried to slow it down, although as a reader it's predictable as to what will happen and don't see the point of trying to control it verse just let it happen.
Definitely would love to see what you get giving this storyline to either Terry Brewer or Chelsea M. Cameron and would give the author another try.
Let me start with a myth about Florida, it's not a cheap place to live as everyone thinks it is.
This was my first read from the author Elia Winters, feel like she took a good story, then bogged it down with fluff, got to repetitive, took too long with the relationship between the two main characters and just a shame since this could have been a so much better read.
Meghan and Scarlett have know each other from childhood, they went to school together, supposed to go to College together, had crushes on each other, have a falling out, both are insecure, neurotic, emotional, yet they are likable and easy to relate too.
Felt some of the driving was too unrealistic for them too have actually done, easily could have ended with them making out at the wedding and in a sequel have them driving home a different route that they end up going home on I-75.
Also felt the author was a puppeteer, both Meghan and Scarlett where puppets, she tried to slow it down, although as a reader it's predictable as to what will happen and don't see the point of trying to control it verse just let it happen.
Definitely would love to see what you get giving this storyline to either Terry Brewer or Chelsea M. Cameron and would give the author another try.
June 3, 2021
It's so cute how we queer women can have a woman practically shouting "I'M VERY VERY ATTRACTED TO YOU IN A VERY VERY GAY WAY" from the rooftops, but we're still like..............but is she, though???
This was a fun little romp, friends to sort-of-enemies to lovers with a road trip and only-one-bed trope thrown in, as well. I usually dislike the miscommunication issue, but being that it occurred when they were about 18, it's a lot more believable and understandable. Both Megan and Scarlett had valid reasons for the estrangement, and while we obviously know where things are heading, it was nice to see them slowly warm to each other again, while sharing a car for hours and hours a day, and small motel rooms each night.
It did take quite a while for them to actually get together, and I say that as someone who skips the sex scenes anyway. The book is 242 pages, and I think the first one is around page 190 or so?? I wish there had been a little more to the post-wedding (not theirs!) portion of the story. It also felt like the author was trying to pad the word count sometimes, by jamming in extra words here or there. We had breakfast at the breakfast place next door. Oh did you, what a surprise. Not a big deal, but it stuck out to my former-editor's eye.
Very sweet and breezy Sapphic read to kick off Pride month 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
This was a fun little romp, friends to sort-of-enemies to lovers with a road trip and only-one-bed trope thrown in, as well. I usually dislike the miscommunication issue, but being that it occurred when they were about 18, it's a lot more believable and understandable. Both Megan and Scarlett had valid reasons for the estrangement, and while we obviously know where things are heading, it was nice to see them slowly warm to each other again, while sharing a car for hours and hours a day, and small motel rooms each night.
It did take quite a while for them to actually get together, and I say that as someone who skips the sex scenes anyway. The book is 242 pages, and I think the first one is around page 190 or so?? I wish there had been a little more to the post-wedding (not theirs!) portion of the story. It also felt like the author was trying to pad the word count sometimes, by jamming in extra words here or there. We had breakfast at the breakfast place next door. Oh did you, what a surprise. Not a big deal, but it stuck out to my former-editor's eye.
Very sweet and breezy Sapphic read to kick off Pride month 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
August 20, 2020
Hairpin Curves didn't feel like Winters' other books. Maybe because of the heat level, but mostly I think it's a lack of conflict in the story. The two main characters were once very good friends and then there was a big betrayal (this turns out fine, you won't hate anyone) and they stopped talking for years. Now they're both going to the same wedding and end up in a car together for two weeks roadtripping from Florida to Quebec City. It was surreal to read about the traveling and when they crossed an international border I was holding my breath. COVID-19 has screwed me up, wow.
Both heroines are bisexual and the sex scenes are not what we usually get to read. Before these two former friends are ready to be together, they engage in multiple instances of mutual masturbation for "stress relief." Then when they are touching each other much later (that first kiss is at like 70%) they're using toys in addition to body parts.
As for the lack of conflict... it's not that I wanted them to be fighting, but they get their stuff sorted out pretty early on and there's no external conflict so there wasn't much to propel the narrative forward. It's a quiet book and the best parts were the parts that scared me most - exploring new places with a good friend. Normally I love a road trip romance, but I was unsettled for much of this one. Winters couldn't have known while writing this that we'd be in the throes of a global pandemic at pub time.
Content Warnings: crappy sibling who negs one MC, references to past homophobia, one MC has a learning disability and was made to feel stupid her entire life
Suzanne received a copy of this book for review but purchased her own.
Both heroines are bisexual and the sex scenes are not what we usually get to read. Before these two former friends are ready to be together, they engage in multiple instances of mutual masturbation for "stress relief." Then when they are touching each other much later (that first kiss is at like 70%) they're using toys in addition to body parts.
As for the lack of conflict... it's not that I wanted them to be fighting, but they get their stuff sorted out pretty early on and there's no external conflict so there wasn't much to propel the narrative forward. It's a quiet book and the best parts were the parts that scared me most - exploring new places with a good friend. Normally I love a road trip romance, but I was unsettled for much of this one. Winters couldn't have known while writing this that we'd be in the throes of a global pandemic at pub time.
Content Warnings: crappy sibling who negs one MC, references to past homophobia, one MC has a learning disability and was made to feel stupid her entire life
Suzanne received a copy of this book for review but purchased her own.
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