Crossroads: A Small-Town Sapphic Romance

by Karmen Lee

Devastated by betrayal, Kandice returns to her small hometown to start over as a single mom and teacher. But as her reawakened bond with Rebekah, her former high school friend, deepens, Kandice can't ignore the growing feelings she’s tried so hard to suppress.

Rebekah has always regretted letting go of the woman she loved. When fate brings Kandice back to town, betrayed and with a child in tow, Rebekah wonders if there’s still a chance for them.

Meddling friends, family drama, and rivals for love seem determined to pull them apart. In the small town where love once slipped through their fingers, can Kandice and Rebekah finally find the love they always wanted?

Crossroads (formerly Open Road 1 & 2) is a completely revamped novella kicking off a brand new small-town sapphic series.

Genres: Lesbian, Queer, Novella, LGBT

117 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2025

About the author

Karmen Lee is an avid reader of anything and everything. She’s a lifelong Southerner living it up in Atlanta, Georgia with her kid, her cats, and humidity. When she’s not packing lunches or working her normal nine-to-five, you can usually find her drinking coffee too late at night, watching House Hunters International and dreaming up ways to show her readers a good time. You can keep up with her on Twitter (@Author_KLee) or Instagram (@authorkarmenlee).

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Reviews

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 3 out of 5]

bi or gay awakening??

Ok so I enjoyed this and it sparked my interest in more stories like it but there was a part near the end that was really unsatisfying so it almost felt unnecessary and kinda messed with the flow for me. Same thing with epilogue it felt more like something that should have been told instead of shown and left room for something else like a conversation between Kandice and Caleb or better yet Caleb and Rebekah. So I’m going 3.5 but I always round up for Zon.

[Ness (Vynexa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute and quick sapphic read, which I will always need in my life.

[Kassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutesy

Quick easy read. Simple and straight to the point. Not a lot of yearning and not predictable which I love

[Shon]

So addicted Karmen Lee’s novellas. They are always the perfect length and dose of spicy and sweet

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of interesting plots to engage the reader but with only 117 pages much of it was left superficially glossed over. The characters needed more to make the reader feel attached to either one of them. I liked the story but felt it may have been better as a longer book. On another note, I have to say I don't like the word c*nt to describe a woman's anatomy and think there must be a more flattering way to say this especially during a sexy scene.

[Camila Nakashima · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little love story! This book tells the story two best friends who reconnect after one of them, a single mom, moves back into town. I will always love small town romances, and set in Georgia?? Yes please!!

I think the author did a great job of choosing to write about two people who already knew each other since the novella is very short, so that it is truly just a snippet of their reconnection.
I do think it was a bit too short because I felt like I barely had time to connect with the characters. With that, I think there was a lot of setup in the beginning, leaving very little space for their relationship to flourish... as they had so much to talk about, etc.

I also do think Kandice’s son had very little role in the book, so I was also missing a bit of that since she was a single mom. On the other hand, I loved the input and role of Kandice’s mom, because even in this little snippet, her personality came through. I also liked the backstory of Kandice’s previous relationship and how it shaped where and who she is today.

I do love the school plot, the fact that they are teachers, the small town life... the vibes were really there.
Brownie points for the spice at the end hehe.

[T. W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quick read of Crossroads. While I did find myself stumbling over the writing style at times, especially with some repetitive word choices, it was still a sweet and meaningful story overall.

To me, this book beautifully captures how life has a way of coming full circle. It shows that sometimes we end up exactly where we’re meant to be, even if the journey there isn’t straightforward. Kandice and Rebekah were clearly destined for one another, but like many in the LGBTQ+ community, Kandice initially conformed to what society and family expected—choosing a version of life that looked “acceptable” rather than one that felt authentic.

What really stuck with me was Rebekah’s unwavering love. That, to me, is the heart of true love. It’s something that remains steady through waiting, loss, and even silence. It’s a choice. At first, I thought Kandice seemed to move on too quickly, jumping from one relationship to the next. But by the end, I realized it wasn’t about rushing, it was about returning.

She didn’t just fall into another relationship; she found her way back to where she truly belonged. I love that for them.

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kandice, after catching her husband cheating with her best friend Riley, had taken her son Cedric and went back to her home town. Her Mom welcomes them, but she's not sure what to do now.

Rebekah hears about the return, gossip is fast, but is busy dealing with her own breakup. Then her and her pal Emma run into her shopping, and Kandice seems honestly happy to see her.

Kandice gets a job at the local school (creepy principal alert) and she and Rebekah go out. They do a movie, and Kandice is surprised when Rebekah kisses her.

Kandice's Mom admits she pushed her to date the guy, and was aware Rebekah had feelings for her. She suggests she at least look into it, or she might have regrets later.

Kandice and Rebekah realize ex-friend Riley also encouraged their breakup. They go out a few times, happily ever after.

Pacing felt rushed, tho that's also due to it being short.

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

✔Sapphic Book Bingo Challenge 2026 🌈✨: Hidden Gems Board - BIPOC Main Characters

4 stars. Kandice and her son Caleb move back to Hickory Springs after her split with her asshole husband. Rebekah and Kandice were best friends in high school until Kandice left. With her back in town she runs into Rebekah and there’s a spark there. I really enjoyed both characters a lot. The chemistry was wonderful between them and while there is a tiny bit of gay panic on Kandice’s behalf it wasn’t overwhelming. This was just a really sweet romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ll get to book two soon for sure.

Spice: ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥/❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥
Face sitting, Dirty talk, Squirting
Content Warning: Cheating (not between MCs), Toxic ex, Death of a parent (off page, in the past), Ex drama

[AlrightOkay · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

It was cute but kind of boring, and I had to keep making myself focus on the story.

I wish Caleb featured more in the story. I never understand why authors include children and yet don't have them be active characters. If the child can be replaced by a dog and barely change the story, why is the child there? A Caleb/Rebekah dynamic would've been nice to see - especially if he encouraged Kandice's relationship with her.

Also, why include the new principal at all? He was never a possible love interest and wasn't an antagonist (being frustrated/disappointed at an unrequited crush does not make you a villain). His presence was simply an annoyance for Rebekah.

I skimmed the last 20% of this just to get it finished. It had so much potential, but fell a little short.

[Simon Says Hellooo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This follows a woman who is going through a divorce and returns to her home town with her son. She meets an old friend when she moves back that she fell out with after marrying. Now that she's back maybe they can be friends again or more.

I enjoyed this story but it does seem like Karmen Lee seems to like their characters to be teachers and second chance romances. Well written but not sure if I could read the same story structure with different characters that many times?

[Amy (amysbooksnthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful read. I enjoyed watching these two characters reconnect and embrace the chemistry they were feeling for each other. Kandice and Rebekah were sweet together and it was easy to root for them.

[DaphaBelle Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️ & 🌶️🌶️/5. A cute, second-chance novella about childhood best friends who reconnect and rekindle not just their friendship, but something more (wink wink). If you're in the mood for a cozy, short sapphic romance, this is definitely worth picking up.

[CiCi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cutesy and quick
I’m not typically a second chance kinda girl but this didn’t really give second chances to me. It read more best friends to lover in the slowest of burns

But when we got to the spice oowww she spiced
Solid 3 stars and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s up next in the series

[Kayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Kemia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and cute read!

[Jamekia · Rating 3 out of 5]

book couple that would probably break up. was still cute though!

[ly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this so bad but the only good quality this book had was lesbians

[zira :3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed it, but also wish it was longer so i could feel that lived-in dynamic between the mc’s

[Tee SW · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story. A slow burn it was, however I did appreciate the spice in the last few chapters. Spice would have been better more spread out. nonetheless, a super cute story.

[LaNee Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the cutest little story. Kandice was getting on my nerves at first but she pulled it together.

[liberty · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5
adorable childhood friends to adult lovers sapphic romance

I love Karmen Lee’s characters and couples

quick pacing due to its short length

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 1 of 2026. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Crossroads: A small town romance was a cute and short read. Rebekah and Kandice had great chemistry. This book begged me for more of their ever growing romance.