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Hobbs #1
High October
Liz Stolz and Maggie Fitzgerald were college roommates until Maggie confessed to her parents that she’d fallen in love with a woman. Maggie gave up her dream of becoming an actress and married her high school boyfriend. Liz became a famous breast surgeon. Maggie is performing in a summer stock production near the Maine town where Liz is now a general practitioner. When Maggie breaks her leg in a stage accident, she lands in Dr. Stolz’s office. Is forty years too long to wait for the one you love?
"Sometimes gentle and sensual, sometimes tense and tinged with sadness, this is a book that provided a real emotional workout. ‘High October’ is an acutely observed study of mature love, and the mechanisms we employ to cope with traumatic events. Delivered with such empathy, I found it easy to lose myself in Maggie and Liz’s story. Wonderful reading!" -The Reading Room
"Sometimes gentle and sensual, sometimes tense and tinged with sadness, this is a book that provided a real emotional workout. ‘High October’ is an acutely observed study of mature love, and the mechanisms we employ to cope with traumatic events. Delivered with such empathy, I found it easy to lose myself in Maggie and Liz’s story. Wonderful reading!" -The Reading Room
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First published October 15, 2019
About the author
Elena Graf
19 books97 followersAward-winning novelist Elena Graf has been scribbling stories since high school. Her first novel, Occasions of Sin was published in 2012. She considers herself primarily a historical novelist, but she is probably best known for the contemporary Hobbs series, featuring a group of middle-aged women living in a small town in Maine.
The novels in the Passing Rites series are set in Europe in the early 20th century and show how a noble family dealt with the momentous changes of the period. Two volumes in the series won both Golden Crown Literary Society and Rainbow Awards for historical fiction.
Elena Graf pursued a Ph.D. in philosophy and often explores difficult moral situations in her fiction. She ended up in the “accidental profession” of publishing, where she worked for almost four decades. She lives in coastal Maine.
The novels in the Passing Rites series are set in Europe in the early 20th century and show how a noble family dealt with the momentous changes of the period. Two volumes in the series won both Golden Crown Literary Society and Rainbow Awards for historical fiction.
Elena Graf pursued a Ph.D. in philosophy and often explores difficult moral situations in her fiction. She ended up in the “accidental profession” of publishing, where she worked for almost four decades. She lives in coastal Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
March 4, 2025
**'Always remember, successful writers are not those who tell the best and efficient stories. They are those who keeps on writing..'
3.5 stars!
This storyline took a bit to get into but ended up balancing their (Liz & Maggie) past to present chemistry and why they still had that connection even after having no contact for forty years.
Good mature book #1 in the 'Hobbs' chronicle.
3.5 stars!
This storyline took a bit to get into but ended up balancing their (Liz & Maggie) past to present chemistry and why they still had that connection even after having no contact for forty years.
Good mature book #1 in the 'Hobbs' chronicle.
January 5, 2020
Not your average contemporary romance novel.
Buckle up kids. Grab a box of tissues, a bottle of wine, some chocolate or ice cream and get comfortable as Elena Graf tinkers with your emotions.
The plot. After forty years apart, former lovers Liz and Maggie meet again when Maggie breaks her leg and ends up in the care of the woman whose heart she shattered all those years ago. But how do you forgive and move on after all that time apart? Is it even worth it?
The characters. I was honestly a little taken aback by how well these women were written. By that I mean they were not written as idealistic. They had flaws, they were sometimes irrational, they made (stupid) mistakes. So often I read about characters and think they're written a little too good to be true but not in this book (although Liz had her moments). These are women that I think a lot of readers will be able to identify with because of how true to life they are depicted.
The writing. This ties into what I mentioned about the characters and how realistic they're written. Real life isn't all rainbows and sunshine and this story certainly shows the uglier side of that. Anything from growing older, regret, past hurts, illness and problematic family members are fair game in this emotional roller coaster of a book.
The verdict. Well written with good pacing, this book is sure to leave you moved after reading it. Despite it being low in angst and a little predictable at times, it remained a page turner for me. Overall rating is a 3,75*
Buckle up kids. Grab a box of tissues, a bottle of wine, some chocolate or ice cream and get comfortable as Elena Graf tinkers with your emotions.
The plot. After forty years apart, former lovers Liz and Maggie meet again when Maggie breaks her leg and ends up in the care of the woman whose heart she shattered all those years ago. But how do you forgive and move on after all that time apart? Is it even worth it?
The characters. I was honestly a little taken aback by how well these women were written. By that I mean they were not written as idealistic. They had flaws, they were sometimes irrational, they made (stupid) mistakes. So often I read about characters and think they're written a little too good to be true but not in this book (although Liz had her moments). These are women that I think a lot of readers will be able to identify with because of how true to life they are depicted.
The writing. This ties into what I mentioned about the characters and how realistic they're written. Real life isn't all rainbows and sunshine and this story certainly shows the uglier side of that. Anything from growing older, regret, past hurts, illness and problematic family members are fair game in this emotional roller coaster of a book.
The verdict. Well written with good pacing, this book is sure to leave you moved after reading it. Despite it being low in angst and a little predictable at times, it remained a page turner for me. Overall rating is a 3,75*
October 11, 2019
I’ve been meaning to read Elena Graf’s Passing Rites series but never got around to it. From what I understand, this romance novel is some sort of new endeavour for her, and it gave me an idea of what her writing style is like. I like it, a lot. There’s something both agile and melancholy about it. I also liked a lot that both main characters are older: one is 58, the other 60.
A former renowned surgeon and breast cancer expert, Liz Stolz has chosen to retire to the seaside in Maine and has taken over the family practice. One evening, she’s called back to the practice by one of her friends, the local theatre manager, to see to one of his actors’ broken leg. Liz doesn’t recognize the woman at first but when she does, the surprise is huge. The actress is Maggie Fitzgerald, her first love, the woman who broke her heart forty years ago when, pressured by her family and social conventions, she left her to marry a man.
Liz is straightforward, almost rude at times but also kind. Her sometimes harsh outside comes mostly from her being a surgeon on one hand and her need to protect herself against more heartbreak on the other. Maggie is more complex, more tortured in a way. She’s coming to realize she’s never been happy, not since she broke up with Liz. Maggie is also trying to make a comeback as an actress, after retiring from teaching, so it’s second chances all the way. Liz and Maggie knew each other when they were college roommates, and the changes that happened in their bodies over forty years are cleverly addressed.
The relationship between Maggie and her adopted daughters, one of whom suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression, was well-developed, as was Liz’s relationship with her ex, Jenny, and her mother.
I also enjoyed the atmosphere the author created. As I wrote above, it’s melancholy, and languid yet hopeful. There’s a slight slump towards the end, but it goes back on track soon.
I read a lot of romance novels, and while I love the sweet and idealistic ones, I also enjoy the more bittersweet stories like this one. The angst is real and doesn’t feel forced at all, not everything is going well. The story is on the realistic side. And yes, there’s a happy ending (it wouldn’t qualify as a romance otherwise), but the characters have to work for it.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
A former renowned surgeon and breast cancer expert, Liz Stolz has chosen to retire to the seaside in Maine and has taken over the family practice. One evening, she’s called back to the practice by one of her friends, the local theatre manager, to see to one of his actors’ broken leg. Liz doesn’t recognize the woman at first but when she does, the surprise is huge. The actress is Maggie Fitzgerald, her first love, the woman who broke her heart forty years ago when, pressured by her family and social conventions, she left her to marry a man.
Liz is straightforward, almost rude at times but also kind. Her sometimes harsh outside comes mostly from her being a surgeon on one hand and her need to protect herself against more heartbreak on the other. Maggie is more complex, more tortured in a way. She’s coming to realize she’s never been happy, not since she broke up with Liz. Maggie is also trying to make a comeback as an actress, after retiring from teaching, so it’s second chances all the way. Liz and Maggie knew each other when they were college roommates, and the changes that happened in their bodies over forty years are cleverly addressed.
The relationship between Maggie and her adopted daughters, one of whom suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression, was well-developed, as was Liz’s relationship with her ex, Jenny, and her mother.
I also enjoyed the atmosphere the author created. As I wrote above, it’s melancholy, and languid yet hopeful. There’s a slight slump towards the end, but it goes back on track soon.
I read a lot of romance novels, and while I love the sweet and idealistic ones, I also enjoy the more bittersweet stories like this one. The angst is real and doesn’t feel forced at all, not everything is going well. The story is on the realistic side. And yes, there’s a happy ending (it wouldn’t qualify as a romance otherwise), but the characters have to work for it.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 4, 2020
Graf doesn’t seem to take the easy route to the destination. I was hoping for a romance with a happy ending and I kind of got it on a fairly twisty journey. Renowned surgeon Elizabeth Stolz has retired from surgery to run a family practice in Hobbs, Maine and at 58, she’s enjoying the diversity of her life and hobbies. A call from the local theatre director has her in her practice to set the lead actress’ broken leg. It’s been 40 years since Liz has seen Maggie Fitzgerald but she was her first love and first broken heart.
Liz is a stoic and modest person who comes across as infinitely honourable. It’s hard not to be drawn to her. Maggie, a professor and actress, was not someone I warmed to and, admittedly, it might be my own baggage. It didn’t stop me enjoying the read which is quite a feat in itself. The dialogue is wonderful and I loved the pragmatism of older leads. They’re mostly sensible and have open and honest conversations.
Reading this during lockdown had an added dimension with a Facebook page called “Lesbian Fiction Campfire Share” started by Graf. Not only are Graf’s descriptions of Maine in the novel vivid, but I’ve had the added dimension of beautiful photographs of the area to accompany the story. It’s created an atmosphere that I really appreciate as a visual person.
Of course, this is not a simple second chance romance, there is quite a bit of tension around the past and the future, with complications that are fairly uncommon in romances. Beautifully written, it is an enjoyable read.
Book received from Purple Hand Press for an honest review.
Liz is a stoic and modest person who comes across as infinitely honourable. It’s hard not to be drawn to her. Maggie, a professor and actress, was not someone I warmed to and, admittedly, it might be my own baggage. It didn’t stop me enjoying the read which is quite a feat in itself. The dialogue is wonderful and I loved the pragmatism of older leads. They’re mostly sensible and have open and honest conversations.
Reading this during lockdown had an added dimension with a Facebook page called “Lesbian Fiction Campfire Share” started by Graf. Not only are Graf’s descriptions of Maine in the novel vivid, but I’ve had the added dimension of beautiful photographs of the area to accompany the story. It’s created an atmosphere that I really appreciate as a visual person.
Of course, this is not a simple second chance romance, there is quite a bit of tension around the past and the future, with complications that are fairly uncommon in romances. Beautifully written, it is an enjoyable read.
Book received from Purple Hand Press for an honest review.
February 11, 2020
"You're my, my, my, my lover..." - Taylor Swift
Liz is a 58 year-old renowned surgeon that semi-retired to Maine where she opened up a small family practice. One night she is called to the office to urgently help an actress who fell and injured her leg. The thing is, the wounded thespian just happens to be the woman who broke Liz's heart 40 years ago when she chose a man over her and shut her out of her life.
Liz invites Maggie into her home so that she can be taken care of and heal. They have history and their unresolved feelings rise to the surface.
I liked the setting in Maine. I liked the premise of the story. I liked how Liz seemed a bit grumpy, put off, and awkward.
I didn't like how they come together felt like a forgone conclusion and seemed very diplomatic. They talked so openly and matter-of-fact about things that there left little to the imagination.
I wanted to love this. It had an epic sort of feel to it. But it mostly just fell flat with me. I didn't feel the love and connection between them the way that I really wanted to. They bickered a lot. Maggie gave so much of herself and Liz just constantly said the wrong things and came off flippant about the relationship. A lot of it was on purpose because of their characterizations but it didn't work for me personally.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how many times they referred to each other as lovers. I'm sure it is a generational thing, but it so very distracting and takes me out of the story.
Graf is a good writer. It was high quality and kept me engaged for the most part. (It kind of dragged toward the end). People love this book and I read it because of all the amazing reviews. I'm definitely the odd reader out with most of my critiques.
I recommend this to people who like to read about romance, second chances, mature relationships, medicine, theater, Maine, family, and a high attention to breasts.
Liz is a 58 year-old renowned surgeon that semi-retired to Maine where she opened up a small family practice. One night she is called to the office to urgently help an actress who fell and injured her leg. The thing is, the wounded thespian just happens to be the woman who broke Liz's heart 40 years ago when she chose a man over her and shut her out of her life.
Liz invites Maggie into her home so that she can be taken care of and heal. They have history and their unresolved feelings rise to the surface.
I liked the setting in Maine. I liked the premise of the story. I liked how Liz seemed a bit grumpy, put off, and awkward.
I didn't like how they come together felt like a forgone conclusion and seemed very diplomatic. They talked so openly and matter-of-fact about things that there left little to the imagination.
I wanted to love this. It had an epic sort of feel to it. But it mostly just fell flat with me. I didn't feel the love and connection between them the way that I really wanted to. They bickered a lot. Maggie gave so much of herself and Liz just constantly said the wrong things and came off flippant about the relationship. A lot of it was on purpose because of their characterizations but it didn't work for me personally.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how many times they referred to each other as lovers. I'm sure it is a generational thing, but it so very distracting and takes me out of the story.
Graf is a good writer. It was high quality and kept me engaged for the most part. (It kind of dragged toward the end). People love this book and I read it because of all the amazing reviews. I'm definitely the odd reader out with most of my critiques.
I recommend this to people who like to read about romance, second chances, mature relationships, medicine, theater, Maine, family, and a high attention to breasts.
December 6, 2020
Forty years after their days as college roommates, Maggie and Liz meet unexpectedly when Maggie breaks her ankle during a theatre performance and ends up in a family clinic run by Liz, a retired surgeon. Time may have passed but the feelings they once shared still smolder under the surface.
I’ve always loved reading books set in the US northeast and Maine, with its gentle pace and beautiful scenery sets the tone for this second chance novel. These women have led full lives and had their share of successes, failures and regrets. They’ve made mistakes. They are not perfect. They are doing the best they can. They feel very real. Their dance is tentative, their memories cloud their decisions, and doubts about moving forward in a relationship keep them apart for the majority of the novel. This is a mature slow burn.
I found this book a refreshingly honest look at older women in love. Nicely done.
I’ve always loved reading books set in the US northeast and Maine, with its gentle pace and beautiful scenery sets the tone for this second chance novel. These women have led full lives and had their share of successes, failures and regrets. They’ve made mistakes. They are not perfect. They are doing the best they can. They feel very real. Their dance is tentative, their memories cloud their decisions, and doubts about moving forward in a relationship keep them apart for the majority of the novel. This is a mature slow burn.
I found this book a refreshingly honest look at older women in love. Nicely done.
November 3, 2019
Elena Graf proves with High October that she masters the contemporary romance genre just as well as her historical work. I think it’s very fortunate for us readers when an author is willing to step outside their comfort zone and see ‘what happens’. Well… something awesome happened, really.
As an older lesbian I am delighted that this is a romance between two older women. There are a lot of us out there (older lesbians I mean) and sure, I don’t mind reading about some young 20 something getting it on, but I can’t really identify with them (anymore). So thank you Elena, for going that route. It’s heartwarming to be represented and this story proves that love can hit you just as hard when you’re nearing 60.
The story is told from both women’s point of view so we will get to know Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Stolz and actress Maggie Fitzgerald very intimately. 40 Years ago, Liz loved Maggie deeply and then got her heart broken when Maggie left her to live a straight life. Since then both women had full lives with careers, relationships, kids. They never saw each other again until now, a chance meeting in Liz’s doctor’s office, when Maggie is brought in after injuring herself during rehearsals for a play. Maggie has never forgotten her first love and regrets what happened back then. Liz never really stopped loving Maggie but is she willing to let Maggie into her heart a second time?
This second chance, slow burn romance is sweet and even feels domestic at times, but packs quite an emotional punch. Leave it to Graf to make this a deeply moving experience.
If you haven’t read this author just because you don’t go for historical fiction this is the right time to get acquainted. Graf’s style is intelligent, engaging and elegant, every word exactly where it should be. I personally find her stories highly addictive (once you start it’s impossible to put down). Oh, and there’s a great cast of supporting characters as well.
High October is available on Kindle Unlimited for the time being, so what are you waiting for. I highly recommend!
f/f you know how the saying goes, there may be snow on the roof but the fire is still raging ;-)
Themes: you will fall in love with Hobbs, that small coastal town in Maine where it all takes place , older women, second chance, first love, the one that broke her heart, there is an ex, brilliant dr. Stolz, boobs, and then there are Maggie’s kids, the big C, can Liz do it all again now life has gotten comfortable.
5 stars
(* I received an ARC copy from the author in exchange for an honest review).
As an older lesbian I am delighted that this is a romance between two older women. There are a lot of us out there (older lesbians I mean) and sure, I don’t mind reading about some young 20 something getting it on, but I can’t really identify with them (anymore). So thank you Elena, for going that route. It’s heartwarming to be represented and this story proves that love can hit you just as hard when you’re nearing 60.
The story is told from both women’s point of view so we will get to know Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Stolz and actress Maggie Fitzgerald very intimately. 40 Years ago, Liz loved Maggie deeply and then got her heart broken when Maggie left her to live a straight life. Since then both women had full lives with careers, relationships, kids. They never saw each other again until now, a chance meeting in Liz’s doctor’s office, when Maggie is brought in after injuring herself during rehearsals for a play. Maggie has never forgotten her first love and regrets what happened back then. Liz never really stopped loving Maggie but is she willing to let Maggie into her heart a second time?
This second chance, slow burn romance is sweet and even feels domestic at times, but packs quite an emotional punch. Leave it to Graf to make this a deeply moving experience.
If you haven’t read this author just because you don’t go for historical fiction this is the right time to get acquainted. Graf’s style is intelligent, engaging and elegant, every word exactly where it should be. I personally find her stories highly addictive (once you start it’s impossible to put down). Oh, and there’s a great cast of supporting characters as well.
High October is available on Kindle Unlimited for the time being, so what are you waiting for. I highly recommend!
f/f you know how the saying goes, there may be snow on the roof but the fire is still raging ;-)
Themes: you will fall in love with Hobbs, that small coastal town in Maine where it all takes place , older women, second chance, first love, the one that broke her heart, there is an ex, brilliant dr. Stolz, boobs, and then there are Maggie’s kids, the big C, can Liz do it all again now life has gotten comfortable.
5 stars
(* I received an ARC copy from the author in exchange for an honest review).
December 27, 2019
High October by Elena Graf is a wonderful second chance novel from another author I haven’t read before.
When Elizabeth Storm has to treat an accident-stricken actress in her practice, neither of the two women suspects what journey is in store for the two of them. The actress is Maggie Fitzgerald, the woman who broke Liz’s heart, forty years ago. Soon they recognize each other and Liz is offering Maggie to stay in one of her guest rooms at home, for the next few weeks. Liz is very reserved, sometimes a bit harsh towards Maggie, the old wound actually still hurts. On the other side, Maggie is realizing, she never was really happy since the time they were a couple in college. Will Maggie this time be able to stand for herself and her awakened feelings for Liz? And will Liz be willing to risk another rejection and give in to the chance of loving the woman who still owns a part of her heart?
It was really nice to read a story about real women, who aren’t that young anymore, Maggie (60) and Liz (58) have a story together and a bigger one apart from each other. Their lives are full of success, renunciation, unsatisfactory relationships, adoption of traumatized children, being a grandmother, retirement, second chances, new beginnings and looking out for the right person to get old together. Both had to face difficult situations but the biggest hurdle is still ahead of them. Will they be able to face it together or will it tear them apart?
I was able to identify with both MCs and understand some of their thoughts and fears. Sometimes it was hard for me to read on because my sister-in-law (almost twenty years ago) and my best friend (this year) faced the same brutal reality as one of the MCs. They had to fight hard and still are. Fortunately, both successful.
The story is real and both are very likable characters, also the secondary characters are very interesting people who added to the depth of the story. The chemistry between them is still there and the love they feel is real. It’s great to witness, how they reconnect and build a new relationship without the mistakes from the teenage years. They really talk to each other, direct and honest. They mostly know what they are doing and what they would lose if they fail.
This book has it all, slow-burn romance, angst, second chance, facing painful realities and succeding. Sometimes it was hard for me to read on because my sister-in-law (almost twenty years ago) and my best friend (this year) faced the same brutal reality as one of the MCs. They had to fight hard and still are. Fortunately, both successful.
Recommended to all who love a heartwarming second chance romance, older women and a bittersweet story with a happy ending.
My rating 5 stars
ARC provided by the author and LezReviewBooks.com in exchange for an honest review
When Elizabeth Storm has to treat an accident-stricken actress in her practice, neither of the two women suspects what journey is in store for the two of them. The actress is Maggie Fitzgerald, the woman who broke Liz’s heart, forty years ago. Soon they recognize each other and Liz is offering Maggie to stay in one of her guest rooms at home, for the next few weeks. Liz is very reserved, sometimes a bit harsh towards Maggie, the old wound actually still hurts. On the other side, Maggie is realizing, she never was really happy since the time they were a couple in college. Will Maggie this time be able to stand for herself and her awakened feelings for Liz? And will Liz be willing to risk another rejection and give in to the chance of loving the woman who still owns a part of her heart?
It was really nice to read a story about real women, who aren’t that young anymore, Maggie (60) and Liz (58) have a story together and a bigger one apart from each other. Their lives are full of success, renunciation, unsatisfactory relationships, adoption of traumatized children, being a grandmother, retirement, second chances, new beginnings and looking out for the right person to get old together. Both had to face difficult situations but the biggest hurdle is still ahead of them. Will they be able to face it together or will it tear them apart?
I was able to identify with both MCs and understand some of their thoughts and fears. Sometimes it was hard for me to read on because my sister-in-law (almost twenty years ago) and my best friend (this year) faced the same brutal reality as one of the MCs. They had to fight hard and still are. Fortunately, both successful.
The story is real and both are very likable characters, also the secondary characters are very interesting people who added to the depth of the story. The chemistry between them is still there and the love they feel is real. It’s great to witness, how they reconnect and build a new relationship without the mistakes from the teenage years. They really talk to each other, direct and honest. They mostly know what they are doing and what they would lose if they fail.
This book has it all, slow-burn romance, angst, second chance, facing painful realities and succeding. Sometimes it was hard for me to read on because my sister-in-law (almost twenty years ago) and my best friend (this year) faced the same brutal reality as one of the MCs. They had to fight hard and still are. Fortunately, both successful.
Recommended to all who love a heartwarming second chance romance, older women and a bittersweet story with a happy ending.
My rating 5 stars
ARC provided by the author and LezReviewBooks.com in exchange for an honest review
February 5, 2020
This was a fantastic book. This was a new writer for me, but I am certainly going to look for her next books. Her writing makes this story like a piece of expensive dark Swiss chocolate, you have to consume it slowly to savour it and though it sometimes tastes a bit bitter, it’s still very good and enjoyable. Though this book is a (second chance) love story it’s also about a very difficult time for both main characters after they’ve met again. Graf wrote about that a very sensitive way, without too much angst but still very realistic I think. Both main characters are strong women, older than usually found in lesfic romances, they are 60 and 58 I think. Apart from the phenomenal stortytelling, I liked the warm-hearted feeling this book gave me. I’ll certainly read this book again. 5 fat stars.
March 13, 2020
They never really said goodbye and never reached out to each other in all those years. Watching them reconnect was a great pleasure and it all happened in a pleasant pace. I love reading about mature characters. Characters with real life experiences. I felt an immediate connection with the main characters. High October is a second chance romance with great dialogue and it is very well written. Highly recommended!
June 27, 2020
Wonderful characters. Set in Maine. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
October 24, 2020
It was an okay read for this very cold day spent in bed lol it was different from what I’m used to, but I enjoyed these ladies’ love story very much. The health part lowkey made me want to stop reading because I don’t particularly like reading about that, but I skimmed through that part and the happy ending was all the warmth I needed 🥰
October 30, 2019
so close to 5* I have to give it 5
It is a refreshing change to read a story about two more mature women, aged 58 and 60 at the start of the novel. They have a lifetime of memories, happiness and sadness, baggage - good and bad - as well as broken hearts and life changing regrets, and it makes them totally real. College room mates 40 years before this begins, soul mates torn apart by one’s acceptance of family pressure, financial and social, they meet by accident and are instantly drawn back together, despite the hurt, the anger and the span of time and distance between them.
On the surface it’s a second chance romance, but the depth and feeling make it a love story that spans these women’s lives. As we delve into the emotions and actions that have shaped their existence it becomes increasingly clear that they have both settled, and yet always been unsettled, by lesser emotions and shallow relationships – one perhaps knowingly, the other without realising why she can’t commit.
It’s slow burn, they aren’t teenagers making out in the back of cars. It’s emotional yet gentle, despite the pressure of time, they have done the first passionate romance and are now far more aware of the need to let things develop, to allow themselves to re-grow those connections and rediscover each others souls. And they are both aware that mucking this up would mean the loss of an amazing chance to reconnect.
I loved it. I loved the fact that we learn snippets of the past without having full-blown flashbacks. That it deals with real issues mature women face, like menopause, the decline and loss of parents, the concerns of aging and the knowledge of time passing. That these women and many of their colleagues and friends have such deep long term relationships and knowledge of each other that they don’t play games, they don’t need to walk on ice, they just cut to the chase with full frontal honesty.
Extremely well written and crafted this is simply a wonderful exploration of love across time, and how these mature women have settled into themselves enough to accept who they are and respect who each other has become.
It is a refreshing change to read a story about two more mature women, aged 58 and 60 at the start of the novel. They have a lifetime of memories, happiness and sadness, baggage - good and bad - as well as broken hearts and life changing regrets, and it makes them totally real. College room mates 40 years before this begins, soul mates torn apart by one’s acceptance of family pressure, financial and social, they meet by accident and are instantly drawn back together, despite the hurt, the anger and the span of time and distance between them.
On the surface it’s a second chance romance, but the depth and feeling make it a love story that spans these women’s lives. As we delve into the emotions and actions that have shaped their existence it becomes increasingly clear that they have both settled, and yet always been unsettled, by lesser emotions and shallow relationships – one perhaps knowingly, the other without realising why she can’t commit.
It’s slow burn, they aren’t teenagers making out in the back of cars. It’s emotional yet gentle, despite the pressure of time, they have done the first passionate romance and are now far more aware of the need to let things develop, to allow themselves to re-grow those connections and rediscover each others souls. And they are both aware that mucking this up would mean the loss of an amazing chance to reconnect.
I loved it. I loved the fact that we learn snippets of the past without having full-blown flashbacks. That it deals with real issues mature women face, like menopause, the decline and loss of parents, the concerns of aging and the knowledge of time passing. That these women and many of their colleagues and friends have such deep long term relationships and knowledge of each other that they don’t play games, they don’t need to walk on ice, they just cut to the chase with full frontal honesty.
Extremely well written and crafted this is simply a wonderful exploration of love across time, and how these mature women have settled into themselves enough to accept who they are and respect who each other has become.
February 2, 2021
We absolutely love the fact that the MCs are 58 and 60 in this one and have a second chance at HEA together after 40 years. This is such a realistic situation given the fact that the world was a very different place four decades back. So right away, huge points to the author for this.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
April 26, 2020
The angst! Definitely not light and fluffy.
October 3, 2019
Elizabeth "Liz" Stolz, M.D., renowned breast specialist, and now owner of the family medical practice in small-town Hobbs, Maine;
Margaret Mary "Maggie" Fitzgerald Krusick, actress, author and professor.
Liz and Maggie were in college together forty years ago, and were lovers. Now, Liz is a successful and beloved doctor in the small town where she has moved to semi-retire. Because of a strange and unique accident, Liz and Maggie meet again. What are the odds?
This intelligent look at relationships is very intricate and nuanced. Neither of the main characters are sure they can fully commit to each other again because of the passage of time, life events that have obviously changed, and their fear that they will part again, while admitting they still love and care about each other deeply. These two women are complicated, and their life experiences swirl around their reluctance to reconnect.
I find myself missing these characters as the days go by. I really fell in love with them and their story.
The secondary characters are all interesting and necessary, and add a lot to the story.
I was so excited to have an opportunity to read and honestly review this ARC provided by Purple Hand Publisher!
Margaret Mary "Maggie" Fitzgerald Krusick, actress, author and professor.
Liz and Maggie were in college together forty years ago, and were lovers. Now, Liz is a successful and beloved doctor in the small town where she has moved to semi-retire. Because of a strange and unique accident, Liz and Maggie meet again. What are the odds?
This intelligent look at relationships is very intricate and nuanced. Neither of the main characters are sure they can fully commit to each other again because of the passage of time, life events that have obviously changed, and their fear that they will part again, while admitting they still love and care about each other deeply. These two women are complicated, and their life experiences swirl around their reluctance to reconnect.
I find myself missing these characters as the days go by. I really fell in love with them and their story.
The secondary characters are all interesting and necessary, and add a lot to the story.
I was so excited to have an opportunity to read and honestly review this ARC provided by Purple Hand Publisher!
October 9, 2019
This is a story to be savored. I definitely treasured the storyline. I absolutely loved the two primary characters and the strong love they shared with each other. It felt like I was reading about a twin flame connection. I especially love that it was about finding that love later in life. It was wonderful.
March 15, 2020
What a wonderful book featuring mature women. Beautifully written. The characters were so real with imperfections that made the story believable and easily relatable. This was such a great book. I cannot say enough positive things about this wonderful love story that was so unique. It will remain memorable. Highly recommended.
October 19, 2019
What a wonderfully written story! Graf’s characters are complex; filled with all the emotions and regrets of a lifetime, yet willing to grasp the present and even look to the future. She develops the story and timeline enveloping the sorrow of their past and weaving it flawlessly into their developing relationship of the present. Graf’s physical description of the locations gave me wonderful visions in my mind of Liz’s home, the beach, the clinic, even the small apartment in the city.
I love the character of Liz; her wit and her honesty. Her character was refreshing. Two women who rediscovered each other after 40 years and found the path to move from a painful break and still have the courage to face adversity again, but together is indeed a journey worth taking. As I said, it is a wonderfully written story with characters whom I was drawn to for a variety of reasons. And I haven’t heard the term ‘musk melon’ since I was a kid, living in the midwest. That was a very aromatic and tasty memory, thank you for that! I enjoyed this story so much and devoured every word. Just sayin’! I hope you enjoy it also.
I love the character of Liz; her wit and her honesty. Her character was refreshing. Two women who rediscovered each other after 40 years and found the path to move from a painful break and still have the courage to face adversity again, but together is indeed a journey worth taking. As I said, it is a wonderfully written story with characters whom I was drawn to for a variety of reasons. And I haven’t heard the term ‘musk melon’ since I was a kid, living in the midwest. That was a very aromatic and tasty memory, thank you for that! I enjoyed this story so much and devoured every word. Just sayin’! I hope you enjoy it also.
October 9, 2019
Elena Graf's second chance romance is a change from her usual historical romance novels.
High October is well written and edited, overall an enjoyable read.
Secondary characters are well developed and add to the story. I trait that is missing from many novels.
ARC copy provided for honest review, I would buy this book.
High October is well written and edited, overall an enjoyable read.
Secondary characters are well developed and add to the story. I trait that is missing from many novels.
ARC copy provided for honest review, I would buy this book.
September 11, 2020
It's so sweet when older couples find love again... and this was even sweeter 'cause they were one another's first love. Also, cancer sucks major gonads!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. This was my first story that starred not one, but two older protagonists. Liz being 58, and Maggie at 60. I feared I wouldn't be able to relate to either of them, given that I'm half their age, or that the sex scenes wouldn't be enjoyable. I was very wrong. This story had excellent character development with just enough backstory to catch us up on the women's past but not too much where we were lulled into a bored stupor, praying for the story to continue. It was constantly moving forward, with superb dialogue, mature conversations, and great detail. I enjoyed reading how these two women re-kindled that flame that never quite went out 40 years prior. The side characters were perfect, adding either a bit of spice, sugar, or drama, helping to enrich everything to a full, rounded story. The cancer scare had me wondering at times if the author was going to go against the norm of the HEA and maybe give us something to cry about, but fortunately and unfortunately, the author gave what most readers want, an HEA. I am the minority, and sometimes root for a sad but hopeful ending. It's just my dark soul seeping through.
Beautiful love story where two lost souls re-unite at a much later time in life and struggle to find a middle ground through exe's, past or present, careers, children, and health scares.
Beautiful love story where two lost souls re-unite at a much later time in life and struggle to find a middle ground through exe's, past or present, careers, children, and health scares.
November 2, 2020
I think I rated this as high as I did because I get tired of the MC meets MC, angst/angst/angst/, breakup, makeup, fin trope. It's all so superficial and mundane. *THIS* however never felt that way. I think part of it is that this is my first book from Graf and I really like her writing style. It just felt 'full', ie, not frivolous. The MC's were far from one dimensional. And the fact that it mostly surrounded a pretty heavy topic, ie, breast cancer and it dealt with it really well I thought. Enough that I put 'get your mammogram' nag on my spouses shared calendar... lol
Anyway, I'm def going to read more from Graf.
Anyway, I'm def going to read more from Graf.
April 12, 2020
Wasn’t a bad book at all. I found it hard to relate to characters, their nearly or in their 60s I’m 36, gives me hope thou for the future. I do like these story types, ppl reuniting later in life.
November 28, 2021
4 stars. The writing was so good and it is paced really well. I never felt like it dragged or anything. I loved the setting and the fact the heroines are both over the age of 50 (Liz is 58 & Maggie is 60). That was wonderful. This is a second chance romance as the characters were lovers in college but they haven’t seen each other in forty years. It also includes Maggie coming out as a 60 year old woman. Wonderful. I seriously loved all of these things.
Now, what bothered me is that Liz was so stoic and just so closed off. Maggie really carries the relationship which isn’t fair to her and is something I really don’t like. I wanted Liz to put in some emotional work. Also, I didn’t like the relationship she had with her ex and it got weird at the end between them and made me uncomfortable. I don’t know, Liz isn’t an awful character but I definitely didn’t love her. Maggie was better and my heart absolutely broke for her after . She was all in in the relationship which was great and she was genuinely likable.
All of the medical stuff made me a tad bit uncomfortable as that hit a little too close to home but it didn’t really hinder my enjoyment.
Overall, I really wanted more from the romance but everything else about this was very good and made for a very emotional and engaging read. I will definitely continue on with this series.
Now, what bothered me is that Liz was so stoic and just so closed off. Maggie really carries the relationship which isn’t fair to her and is something I really don’t like. I wanted Liz to put in some emotional work. Also, I didn’t like the relationship she had with her ex and it got weird at the end between them and made me uncomfortable. I don’t know, Liz isn’t an awful character but I definitely didn’t love her. Maggie was better and my heart absolutely broke for her after . She was all in in the relationship which was great and she was genuinely likable.
All of the medical stuff made me a tad bit uncomfortable as that hit a little too close to home but it didn’t really hinder my enjoyment.
Overall, I really wanted more from the romance but everything else about this was very good and made for a very emotional and engaging read. I will definitely continue on with this series.
April 11, 2021
I really enjoyed this. Older characters. Great writing style. Good details about the medical system that didn't break the story for me. I liked the pacing, the atmosphere. Nothing broke the immersion for me. I will read more of this series.
July 4, 2021
“High October” by Elena Graf is the first book in the Hobbs Series
The meaning of the title : High October is the period during Maine autumn when it’s really warm like an Indian summer when it’s warm enough to walk without a jacket, at least this is what the old Mainers call it and it can be celebrated in the Acadia National Park, when at one point the main character travel.
A second chances mature lesbian love romance and drama, “High October” portraits how the two main characters Liz and Maggie have evolved professionally and emotionally, how they still have feelings for each other, how can this chance by faith can grow into at least friendship and how love can overcome flaws, disease, passing of time.
The location of the book is mainly set in Hobbs, Maine
Why is a 40 years after reconciliation credible, especially that the characters are now in their 60’s?
Simple. The event that caused their reconciliation happened by chance.
Liz is a family doctor in Hobbs, Maine.
Maggie is an actress who plays a part that has brought her in Hobbs, Maine.
She has a contusion at her ankle during the performance and Liz is asked to help her. So she does and even more, as always, Liz offers her home so that Maggie can heal in peace, not in a hotel.
Also, the story becomes even more credible, because of their age, they are grown up women, with pasts, starting with their year of happiness as lovers and college roommates, their past romances : Liz had a 15 years relationship with Jenny, another female doctor and Maggie married a man, Barry and has two adopted daughters from Romania : Alina and Sophie.
Two parentheses here:
(Alina is the Romanian use of a girl’s name of Slavic origin meaning “bright, beautiful”. Alina is one of the scores of global variations on the classic Helen, well used in Poland and Russia, and also heard in the Celtic and German cultures, as well as in the US., while Sofia was the Romanian use to the English Sophie , Sophia, also spelled Sofia, is a feminine given name, from Greek Σοφία, Sophía, “Wisdom”. Diminutive forms include Sophie and Sofie. The given name is first recorded in the beginning of the 4th century. It is a common female name in the Eastern Orthodox countries – source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_...)
2. (Alina and Sophia were adopted from Romanian orphanages from during the communist regime before the 1990 during the Ceausescu era. Those places were horrible institution because the communist regime despised the people who didn’t fit into their doctrine. Americans and other countries’ citizens who came after the fall of the communist regime and adopted Romanian children from the orphanages are true angels of mercy, because those poor kids were only victims of poverty, and of a cruel regime’s policies. Elena Graf didn’t tell the whole horror story, but outlined the fact that one of the girls had serious psychotic episodes; the girl was on medication and sometimes she had panic attacks, because of the horrors she went through in that orphanage when she was only an innocent child – more on the story : https://www.theguardian.com/news/2014... and https://www.washingtonpost.com/archiv...)
Maggie and Liz are two mature women, they understand differently now, after 40 years, the meaning of a soul mate, the regrets of time passing, of their lost love, what aging means.
They don’t play hide and seek, they want to know what they have missed about each other, they want to know how much deeper their feelings can grow and if they can become at least friends, or even more.
And, also, 40 years prior the society was different and it’s credible that Maggie was forced to leave Liz and marry a man, because of her parents’s Catholic beliefs regarding the fact that she was gay and their treats of ruining her future.
Liz was Maggie’s first love and Maggie was Liz’s first love.
two young happy women dancing on the beach at sunset in slow motion
Liz Stolz is 58 and she is a famous doctor who left her speciality : breast cancer and bought a family practice in Hobbs, Maine, because she needed a fresh start, be away from great hospitals and and she is almost sixty, so she doesn’t feel like being a surgeon anymore. And also she needed space from Jenny, her former girlfriend whom with she shares a house in Connecticut.
At 60, Maggie Fitzgerald (Krusik) is a divorced actress who still loves acting and for the purpose still lives in New York. She is also a mother of her two adopted daughters of Romanian origin and a grandmother to her granddaughter. She and Liz were college roommates and lovers. She decided then to tell her parents that she was gay and in love with Liz. They were strict Catholics and they thought being gay is a sin and treated not to pay for college and Maggie’s other future plans unless she leaves Liz and marry the perfect man foe her, Barry, who years later cheated on her and left to Florida. Then , there is a surprise that I didn’t expect in Maggie’s life , which I won’t spoil. Yet, again, she didn’t give up, she had another relationship with a man : Tom, who had also cheated on her. At least, she has daughters. She had tried for years to have a child, she went to numerous fertility clinics, without any luck, yet Alina and Sophia were the treasures of her life, all together with her granddaughter.
She plays a part that has taken her to Hobbs, Maine and because of an unfortunate event she falls and has a contusion on her ankle and she needs a medic’s intervention and then Liz comes to the rescue, they don’t really acknowledge each other until Maggie notices Liz’s name and then Liz sees Maggie’s and they realize who the other is and then Liz offers Maggie a place to stay, a room in her home, so that Maggie can heal better, rather than in a hotel room.
Maggie has hurt Liz in the past and Liz doesn’t know how to behave towards her, but she really wants to know more about Maggie’s life.
Maggie knows how much she has hurt Liz and understands Liz’s behavior: she stays away from Maggie, but Maggie suspects it’s just a form of self preservation and that Liz still has feelings for her, just as she has for Liz.
Liz is an amazing doctor and a caring human being, she is dedicated to rescue humans, yet when it comes to Maggie and personal feelings, she behaves more like of a doctor than of a lover, overthinks telling the truth due to the fear of causing pain (Liz’s German origins are set on display). She wants to understand Maggie, to befriend her and even more, yet there are many questions still left unanswered and her mother, Monica just puts fuel on the fire.
As an actress, Maggie reads people and understands their behavior more than anyone else, she sees between the lines and she understands she has never stopped loving Liz and can’t understand why she had wasted so much time without her. Maggie has many flaws : giving up on herself for so many times to her parents, to Barry, to Tom means that she always wanted to please others and wasn’t strong enough to fight for her true love, and, abandoning Liz meant a big gap in her soul, which seems full again only now, when she is with her again.
Even though they are in their sixties, their mothers, alive or dead, have so much influence on them, seems surreal, yet it’s true, and they have to overcome them, also.
This is a slow burn romance, but with so many events, that treat the thin emotional connection they have now, so it’s hard to imagine what comes next in line for them.
I loved the setting in Hobbs, Maine, the author described so beautifully. Liz’s and Maggie’s surroundings that I felt I was almost there.
The language was great.
I also liked Liz’s and Maggie’s sex talks and Liz’s and Jenny’s banter.
I absolutely recommend Liz’s and Maggie’s story in “High October” by Elena Graf because it is a great book, not simply a romance, but a drama, a different type of plot, different characters with flaws, with pasts and regrets, yet strong to evolve even at sixty and become their true selves and give themselves a second chance to love and life.
The meaning of the title : High October is the period during Maine autumn when it’s really warm like an Indian summer when it’s warm enough to walk without a jacket, at least this is what the old Mainers call it and it can be celebrated in the Acadia National Park, when at one point the main character travel.
A second chances mature lesbian love romance and drama, “High October” portraits how the two main characters Liz and Maggie have evolved professionally and emotionally, how they still have feelings for each other, how can this chance by faith can grow into at least friendship and how love can overcome flaws, disease, passing of time.
The location of the book is mainly set in Hobbs, Maine
Why is a 40 years after reconciliation credible, especially that the characters are now in their 60’s?
Simple. The event that caused their reconciliation happened by chance.
Liz is a family doctor in Hobbs, Maine.
Maggie is an actress who plays a part that has brought her in Hobbs, Maine.
She has a contusion at her ankle during the performance and Liz is asked to help her. So she does and even more, as always, Liz offers her home so that Maggie can heal in peace, not in a hotel.
Also, the story becomes even more credible, because of their age, they are grown up women, with pasts, starting with their year of happiness as lovers and college roommates, their past romances : Liz had a 15 years relationship with Jenny, another female doctor and Maggie married a man, Barry and has two adopted daughters from Romania : Alina and Sophie.
Two parentheses here:
(Alina is the Romanian use of a girl’s name of Slavic origin meaning “bright, beautiful”. Alina is one of the scores of global variations on the classic Helen, well used in Poland and Russia, and also heard in the Celtic and German cultures, as well as in the US., while Sofia was the Romanian use to the English Sophie , Sophia, also spelled Sofia, is a feminine given name, from Greek Σοφία, Sophía, “Wisdom”. Diminutive forms include Sophie and Sofie. The given name is first recorded in the beginning of the 4th century. It is a common female name in the Eastern Orthodox countries – source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_...)
2. (Alina and Sophia were adopted from Romanian orphanages from during the communist regime before the 1990 during the Ceausescu era. Those places were horrible institution because the communist regime despised the people who didn’t fit into their doctrine. Americans and other countries’ citizens who came after the fall of the communist regime and adopted Romanian children from the orphanages are true angels of mercy, because those poor kids were only victims of poverty, and of a cruel regime’s policies. Elena Graf didn’t tell the whole horror story, but outlined the fact that one of the girls had serious psychotic episodes; the girl was on medication and sometimes she had panic attacks, because of the horrors she went through in that orphanage when she was only an innocent child – more on the story : https://www.theguardian.com/news/2014... and https://www.washingtonpost.com/archiv...)
Maggie and Liz are two mature women, they understand differently now, after 40 years, the meaning of a soul mate, the regrets of time passing, of their lost love, what aging means.
They don’t play hide and seek, they want to know what they have missed about each other, they want to know how much deeper their feelings can grow and if they can become at least friends, or even more.
And, also, 40 years prior the society was different and it’s credible that Maggie was forced to leave Liz and marry a man, because of her parents’s Catholic beliefs regarding the fact that she was gay and their treats of ruining her future.
Liz was Maggie’s first love and Maggie was Liz’s first love.
two young happy women dancing on the beach at sunset in slow motion
Liz Stolz is 58 and she is a famous doctor who left her speciality : breast cancer and bought a family practice in Hobbs, Maine, because she needed a fresh start, be away from great hospitals and and she is almost sixty, so she doesn’t feel like being a surgeon anymore. And also she needed space from Jenny, her former girlfriend whom with she shares a house in Connecticut.
At 60, Maggie Fitzgerald (Krusik) is a divorced actress who still loves acting and for the purpose still lives in New York. She is also a mother of her two adopted daughters of Romanian origin and a grandmother to her granddaughter. She and Liz were college roommates and lovers. She decided then to tell her parents that she was gay and in love with Liz. They were strict Catholics and they thought being gay is a sin and treated not to pay for college and Maggie’s other future plans unless she leaves Liz and marry the perfect man foe her, Barry, who years later cheated on her and left to Florida. Then , there is a surprise that I didn’t expect in Maggie’s life , which I won’t spoil. Yet, again, she didn’t give up, she had another relationship with a man : Tom, who had also cheated on her. At least, she has daughters. She had tried for years to have a child, she went to numerous fertility clinics, without any luck, yet Alina and Sophia were the treasures of her life, all together with her granddaughter.
She plays a part that has taken her to Hobbs, Maine and because of an unfortunate event she falls and has a contusion on her ankle and she needs a medic’s intervention and then Liz comes to the rescue, they don’t really acknowledge each other until Maggie notices Liz’s name and then Liz sees Maggie’s and they realize who the other is and then Liz offers Maggie a place to stay, a room in her home, so that Maggie can heal better, rather than in a hotel room.
Maggie has hurt Liz in the past and Liz doesn’t know how to behave towards her, but she really wants to know more about Maggie’s life.
Maggie knows how much she has hurt Liz and understands Liz’s behavior: she stays away from Maggie, but Maggie suspects it’s just a form of self preservation and that Liz still has feelings for her, just as she has for Liz.
Liz is an amazing doctor and a caring human being, she is dedicated to rescue humans, yet when it comes to Maggie and personal feelings, she behaves more like of a doctor than of a lover, overthinks telling the truth due to the fear of causing pain (Liz’s German origins are set on display). She wants to understand Maggie, to befriend her and even more, yet there are many questions still left unanswered and her mother, Monica just puts fuel on the fire.
As an actress, Maggie reads people and understands their behavior more than anyone else, she sees between the lines and she understands she has never stopped loving Liz and can’t understand why she had wasted so much time without her. Maggie has many flaws : giving up on herself for so many times to her parents, to Barry, to Tom means that she always wanted to please others and wasn’t strong enough to fight for her true love, and, abandoning Liz meant a big gap in her soul, which seems full again only now, when she is with her again.
Even though they are in their sixties, their mothers, alive or dead, have so much influence on them, seems surreal, yet it’s true, and they have to overcome them, also.
This is a slow burn romance, but with so many events, that treat the thin emotional connection they have now, so it’s hard to imagine what comes next in line for them.
I loved the setting in Hobbs, Maine, the author described so beautifully. Liz’s and Maggie’s surroundings that I felt I was almost there.
The language was great.
I also liked Liz’s and Maggie’s sex talks and Liz’s and Jenny’s banter.
I absolutely recommend Liz’s and Maggie’s story in “High October” by Elena Graf because it is a great book, not simply a romance, but a drama, a different type of plot, different characters with flaws, with pasts and regrets, yet strong to evolve even at sixty and become their true selves and give themselves a second chance to love and life.
October 29, 2019
This story is an interesting and different twist on a possible second chance romance. The story involves Liz who is a physician and lives in Maine and Maggie, an actress and teacher who lives in New York. The two women meet by chance and realize that 40 years ago they were both in college at the same time and had a passionate love affair that ended abruptly and broke the hearts of both women. This is a well written story that has great dialogue which enables the reader to get an understanding of both characters and how their lives have changed over the years. It is not a simplistic love story where are the two characters easily get back together rather, it is a credible description of the complexities of mature people trying to adjust to the possibility of establishing a friendship and possibly more. There is a myriad of emotions that both characters experience and the way they interact with each other is like a dance where they approach and retreat because the pain of the past and the complexities of two people who live very separate lives for 40 years can never easily be over come. The writing skills of Elena Graf does a masterful job of exploring how a relationship between these two very different women could be a possibility.
I became emotionally involved in the story as I imagined my first love and heartbreak when I was in college years ago and wondered what would happen and how would I react if I met that woman today.
I really enjoyed reading this book despite the fact that some elements with the secondary characters were less interesting and could have been eliminated however, they did add a more full and rich exclamation of Liz and Maggie. The sophisticated writing of this book was simply a joy to read.
I became emotionally involved in the story as I imagined my first love and heartbreak when I was in college years ago and wondered what would happen and how would I react if I met that woman today.
I really enjoyed reading this book despite the fact that some elements with the secondary characters were less interesting and could have been eliminated however, they did add a more full and rich exclamation of Liz and Maggie. The sophisticated writing of this book was simply a joy to read.
February 12, 2020
Quite the rollercoaster!
Liz and Maggie knew each other in college, but now forty years later they are reunited as a result of an act of fate. Maggie is injured whilst working a small town performance in Maine, and the doctor at her rescue just so happens to be Liz. While Maggie is recovering from her injuries she stays with Liz, giving them an opportunity to catch up, and rekindle that flame extinguished years ago. After all these years they are getting that chance to be happy they had once thought they might get, but nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and the road to happiness for these two isn’t easy.
The most endearing thing about this story was that it didn’t fit the standard norms for romance. The main characters were both representing older women, which was absolutely wonderful to see. It made an interesting dynamic, and covered topics that might not be covered in other romances within this genre. Elena also took quite sensitive subjects and handled them in a very realistic way. There was a lot going on for Liz and Maggie, and after everything they went through it made this story very angsty.
It really was drama filled because of all the history, and the characters personalities. Although Liz and Maggie had quite a chemistry after all those years, a true love that had been forbidden, they also had a lot of differences of opinion. Maggie needed help and support, and was very worried about everything, whereas Liz was strong, seeing things in black and white, and extremely stubborn. They balanced each other nicely and that really added to the plot and building the story.
I really enjoyed reading something that was a bit different, and recommend this story for anyone looking for romance with representation of older women.
Liz and Maggie knew each other in college, but now forty years later they are reunited as a result of an act of fate. Maggie is injured whilst working a small town performance in Maine, and the doctor at her rescue just so happens to be Liz. While Maggie is recovering from her injuries she stays with Liz, giving them an opportunity to catch up, and rekindle that flame extinguished years ago. After all these years they are getting that chance to be happy they had once thought they might get, but nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and the road to happiness for these two isn’t easy.
The most endearing thing about this story was that it didn’t fit the standard norms for romance. The main characters were both representing older women, which was absolutely wonderful to see. It made an interesting dynamic, and covered topics that might not be covered in other romances within this genre. Elena also took quite sensitive subjects and handled them in a very realistic way. There was a lot going on for Liz and Maggie, and after everything they went through it made this story very angsty.
It really was drama filled because of all the history, and the characters personalities. Although Liz and Maggie had quite a chemistry after all those years, a true love that had been forbidden, they also had a lot of differences of opinion. Maggie needed help and support, and was very worried about everything, whereas Liz was strong, seeing things in black and white, and extremely stubborn. They balanced each other nicely and that really added to the plot and building the story.
I really enjoyed reading something that was a bit different, and recommend this story for anyone looking for romance with representation of older women.
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