Ambitious Blake Saunders is about to have it all. The forty-two-year-old is set to become CEO of a multibillion-dollar private equity firm and win at life. Until everything starts to unravel for the woman who is all about control.
Her sympathetic sister, Emma, offers her a One month with Emma where she makes all of Blake’s decisions for her. How bad could it be?
Then Blake finds herself at rundown Blissful Breeze Sanctuary stuck doing activities including pug yoga, emotion charades, and sharing circles.
Worse, the sizzling hot lawyer at the retreat who Blake has her eye on for “stress relief” is definitely not Emma-approved. No, her sister thinks she should instead romance the soft-spoken feminist bookstore owner who practices yoga and Stoicism.
A quirky, fun lesbian romance about finding what you need, not what you want.
Rita Potter has spent most of her life trying to figure out what makes people tick. To that end, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and an MA in Sociology. Her favorite pastime is crawling around inside peoples’ brains. Her loved ones are grateful that she now has characters whose minds she can explore, so maybe she’ll stay out of theirs.
Rita’s writing reflects her belief that in some way we are all damaged and must conquer our demons in order to create a fulfilling life. Being an eternal optimist, she maintains that the human spirit is remarkably resilient and can overcome even the most challenging obstacles. That optimism is the wellspring of her life goal- to provide encouragement and support to help people thrive.
In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors. She is especially drawn to the water, which is ironic since she lives in the middle of a corn field. Her first love has always been reading, which has spurred her writing. She rides a Harley Davidson and has an unnatural obsession with fantasy football. More than anything she detests small talk, but can ramble on for hours given a topic that interests her.
She lives in a small town in Illinois with her wife, Terra, and their cat, Chumley, who actually runs the household.
Rita is a member of American Mensa and the Golden Crown Literary Society. She is currently a student of the GCLS Writing Academy 2021.
This was a book that made me think. It is all about what are you prepared to give up being successful in your career, being in control and hiding from your feelings. Is it all worth it or are there more important things in life that you can achieve only if you choose to be vulnerable.
Blake is not having a great time in life, losing her chance at being CEO. She is getting a hefty severance package, but she is not happy since this is something she has worked towards all her life, so she is very close to crashing. Fortunately, she has her sister Emma that is seeing her and convinces her to go to a retreat for four weeks and she must agree to everything Emma picks. This retreat is Blake’s worst nightmare to start with, it is very spartan and she is supposed to open up, show her feelings and Emma is not even allowing her to hook up with some hot willing women there.
Soon Blake starts to get it more and more. There might be something else out there for her, something she has failed to see ever since Aunt Bess passed when she was 12 years old. It’s all about learning to let go and stop trying to control everything because you’ll lose. Emma is such a wonderful sister that only wants Blake to finally get back to who she once was. When that is starting to happen, she also may have a chance to a real love in her life, someone she never would have considered in the past, not her type at all but something so much better and approved by her sister, Robyn.
It’s true opposites do attract! Blake consumed by her job with nothing else happening in her life gets fired just as she’s expecting to be made CEO. Blindsided she’s a mess fortunately she has sister day monthly with Emma (sister) who finds her consumed, un-bathed, sitting in her underwear blindly working on a spreadsheet determining what companies will be a good fit. Emma gets Blake to agree to a 4 week vacation where Emma makes all the decisions. What could go wrong when Blake’s a control freak!
The story just wow! The bond between the sisters, the retreat and the women they meet. Just a wonderful heartwarming story.
I really liked this book! Why? The characters were very relatable perhaps pushing to take action in my own life. Although the story was predictable, you didn’t know how you would arrive. Thank you for a great read!
This was such a cozy read. I laughed out loud way too many times, and brought to the brink of tears once or twice (which is a feat for me tbh)
The pacing was stellar, character development as well. Natural dialogue. This is easily my favourite read so far of 2026, and will likely dominate that list all year. This is definitely one that will end up on my bookshelf one day! I’m already looking forward to rereading it when I need a good uplifting and beautiful story.
Potter knows people and writes people well. There were scenes in this book I found very emotional, particularly the silent conversation scene and the epilogue…… The problem is these scenes mainly involved the main and her sister and I connected more with their relationship than the mains. That’s why this is a 3. It’s a good book and I love the insights Potter gives to people and how they work….. and should work! Worth your time!
This was a unique story line and it captured me from the beginning. Rita Potter has written a wonderful story about sisters, how childhood affects us and how different siblings Lives can evolve. This book has many facets and insights which I found enlightening and true. It’s a great book.
Blake's story isn't just one of a romantic connection, it's also one of healing.
When Blake gives her sister Emma control of everything for a month, she's sure she won't be able to stand it. And when Emma tells her emphatically "no" about the hot lawyer at the retreat, Blake reluctantly agrees.
Then Blake meets Robyn. Blake doesn't seem fully aware of it but clearly, sparks are flying.
And from that point onward, Blake begins to open up, right up to the critical moment when she finally, decades later, lets go of the grief from her past
Finally, and this isn't a criticism, but I saw what Blake would ultimately do at the end of the book within the first few chapters. But even knowing that, it was a pure delight to watch how she got there.
This was not what I was expecting by Rita Potter, a book about serendipity. But as we got deeper into the story and the main character has an experience that only Rita can write, we discover the true meaning behind serendipity. This was enjoyable and had all the required feels. The characters each had a special place in this story including “Millie”. I highly recommend this book!
This story drew me in from the first chapter. I teared up too many times and I'm not emotional in general. The characters were described so vividly that you can see each in your mind. I wish I could attend this place!
Funny, poetic and thoughtful. People who are meant to be in your lives intertwined from trauma and grief, leads you to healing towards happily ever after.
This book put me through all the feels again. The journey you are taken on is incredible. All i can say is sit back and enjoy this book. The characters are fantastic and well rounded; the plot is also so so good. Read the blurb to find out what it's about. I didn't. I just knew anything Rita Potter writes, I'm reading. She never lets me down.
Rita Potter has delivered another great book. Low on angst we watch Blake think she's at the bottom when she is just getting started. I love the sister relationship at the heart of this book. Emma gets Blake out of her comfort zone and forces her to try new things. They go to a month long retreat in Wisconsin. I laughed out loud, cried out loud and just plain enjoyed the whole thing. Kudos!
This book is so good. The characters are !likeable and well developed. We get to read about their growth as happy caring and self aware people. I recommend this book. Its great. Thanks for another winner.
Rita Potter never fails to bring you into the story and make you think about your own life. Blake and Emma are sisters. Blake is a high powered equity trader and Emma, married to Andrew; Emma is eighteen months older, although they look like twins. Blake thought she was due to be promoted to CEO, but instead looses her job with a hefty severance. Emma sees how lost Blake is and extends an offer to hand over control of her life decisions for one month. This is so difficult for control freak Blake but she agrees. Emma makes every decision, right down to what to wear, timing and even deciding where they'll go for the month. It turns out they go to Wisconsin in a wonderful womens' retreat. Blake is petulant and is not happy with most of the choices Emma makes, right down to the sessions they will attend. Blake meets Dana, a high powered lawyer from Madison thinking she might have a little 'fun'; but then she meets Robyn and she tries to control her attraction, but sometimes fate has other plans, or as Robyn would say serendipity. The story line takes in the beautiful Wisconsin woods, lakes, and encourages you to become part of the story and the scenery. As transformation happens in nature so do the lives of the people attending the retreat. They argue, discuss, and bond over their differences and similarities. Once again Rita potter has touched my heart with her characters and the changes they experience.
Blake is a very tightly wound business lady on the verge of a total breakdown after a professional setback, and her sister is concerned enough to drag her to a dilapidated and very woowoo retreat for a month. there's also a pretty girl or two. for me the book was closer to general fiction than romance - the focus of the piece was Blake's character study and rebuilding her relationship with her sister. which is very well done, Blake is a very challenging PoV character but over the course of the book we really dive in to why she is so difficult and obnoxious
there's a romance there as well, between Blake and camp counsellor Robyn. but for me the climax of the book was Blake having a breakthrough with her sister. after the very public and cathartic event, Blake and Robyn sorting things out in the back third feels like the Scouring of the Shire. that being said, the book as a whole worked for me, and there's enough heft to Robyn's issues that it's not completely an afterthought
though, I think I'd almost prefer the version of the book where Blake instead really focuses on wellness. or the Katlynn and Helena story they seemed like they had stuff going on
Uplifting but intense at times This was a good book. I really liked the premise--making a control-freak give up all control for a month. I liked the growth and challenges of Blake and her relationship with her sister, Emma. Can I say that this is a light book while also being very deep and emotional? I really liked the chemistry between Robyn and Blake. And the other characters were also very interesting. I'm not sure what could improve this book. The pacing seemed a little off at times. Days felt like weeks, and at times, weeks felt like days. That's not really a flaw, but it made the story somewhat hard to follow on occasion. The writing is good. The book isn't error-free, but the errors are minor. Another proofing would probably help. The ending was excellent. I especially loved Blake's consideration of Robyn's feelings at an important point. Oh, and I just loved Millie! The book had one other romance that I enjoyed. I wish the retreat was a real place. I'd love to go and experience Robyn's teaching. But it wouldn't feel right if Millie wasn't there, too. I can see myself returning to this book. I think there's more to learn and enjoy in its pages.
Blake Saunders went into the office expecting a promotion... instead she found out the owner is selling the firm, and she's fired. Cut loose, Blake is surprised at how aimless she feels, as she had worked for the ceo position for years.
Her sister Emma feels she is too work focused, and should take a holiday. Blake is iffy until she finds out her ex, Marta, is getting married. That kick in the ass gets her to go along with Emma's idea....
To go to a self discovery/therapy retreat
(I know this isn't therapy, exactly, but you would think staffers would go 'it's unethical to treat a unwilling subject, I'm out.' Or something.)
Emma instantly feels that Blake should ask out Robyn, a staffer, but Emma is resistant. Plus, they're only going to be there four weeks.
Third act breakup. Ugh.
The revelation why a certain character was a ass doesn't excuse them being a ass.
Wrap up, and epilog.
I will admit, I just NEVER really warmed to Emma, and she was a jerk a lot of the time. So that hurt the book... other than that, decent writing.
3.7 stars. This book started off rocky to say the least. Blake had the ideology of a teenage boy toward women in the early stages of the book. I honestly struggled to get through the beginning because it honestly was like a look into myself. Though, I’m not a control freak in fact I go out of my way to be nonchalant and just let things go with the flow. But, my ideology toward both women and my future occupation is similar to Blake’s. This book was like a splash of cold water for me because of that. Blake’s character development was immense to say the least. Side note: I didn’t like Emma much in all honesty because I felt she was Blake to do things she wasn’t equipped to do and in very public settings; but I’m an extremely private person so take this with a grain of salt. My only complaint with the MCs is that they exemplified a U-HAUL relationship. But, the smut was enjoyable so I’m fairly satisfied. Anyway, the side characters added to this story more than I usually see so kudos to the author for that! Anywho, good book.
I really loved the main character, especially her voice at the beginning, and I think writing the book in first person was the right choice. Yes, the ending was pretty predictable, but watching Blake’s journey from a pragmatic, closed-off ice queen to who she becomes by the end was a delight. And quiet fun at times. I appreciated that she didn’t suddenly turn into sunshine and rainbows, but kept some of her bite almost until the very end.
That said, the story felt more focused on the relationship between the sisters (proved by the epilogue) than on the romance itself. I would’ve loved more “show, don’t tell” moments between Blake and Robyn to better see how their relationship developed.
The side characters were all memorable and distinct, and they added a lot of depth to the story. Emma annoyed me a bit at first, but she grew on me over time.
Even with those small issues, I couldn’t give this anything less than five stars.
Animal. Specifically Pug. Millie. Love animals who are just quirky and bring chaos to their humans. Sometimes all you need is chaos creature. (Yeah, I have several.) Animals with personalities in books, especially quirky ones, are my absolute favourite. She is just hilarious.
Blake, it’s burnout. Call it as I see it. Just when she thinks she has it all. She really doesn’t, even at the drop of a hat. Her sister, Emma, has her back and boy does she need it. Decisions? Emma’s job.
The feminist bookstore owner, Robyn. She knows what life is about. Her pug, Millie, could be the bane of her existence, but she’s just too damn cute for her own good.
I loved the whole premise of the story. MC, Blake, the driven, successful funds manager who had her dreams turn into a dumpster fire. Her sister, Emma, who knew exactly what Blake needed; even if Blake thought the whole trip was hippy, dippy crap. Robyn, who saw through all the snark and saw something in Blake that she liked, very much! I loved all the ladies they shared their villa with, Annie, Katelyn, Helena, and after a time, even Dana. I recommend this book to anyone who scoffs at serendipity. Once you decide to give up trying to control every single aspect of your life, the stresses seem to disappear. Allow things to happen and in those moments, you might find real love.
This book tore at my emotions in all the ways (mostly good) it took me a while to get into it. As my title suggests, it is the reverse of a standard ice queen trope. (Nice person MC meets Ice queen, spends the book melting their icy heart)
This is the first book I have read, told from the perspective of said ice queen. It was different and made for a slow start, as it was hard to sympathize and attach myself to such a character immediately.
However, I urge you to stick with it. I believe this story could change people for the better. It is very powerful. I am a heart on my sleeve, feel all the feels person. I tear up often at books, but seldom do they make me full on cry. Thisbook accomplished that.
No Such Thing As Serendipity is one of those rare books that makes you laugh, reflect, and feel seen all at once. Rita Potter masterfully balances humor, heart, and transformation, creating characters so relatable you can’t help but find pieces of yourself in them.
My partner and I read it in tandem, and it sparked so many meaningful conversations and moments of self-reflection. The timing felt serendipitous—like this story found us just when we needed it most. A beautiful, funny, and deeply transformative read that lingers long after the final page.
What a wonderful read. I adore Blake. She’s not just a total smoke show, she’s also finally learned to let go of her need to control everything and just be real. Watching her grow into someone open, grounded, and emotionally present was so satisfying. I’m all for strong women, but it’s even better when that strength comes from honesty instead of walls. Blake is absolutely the star of this story, but only because Robyn is so incredible and supportive. I laughed and smiled through most of it, got a little emotional along the way, then ended with a big happy grin. Fantastic book
This story has so many facets (but easily followed) that it truly takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster of the best kind. I am not a crier but there were so many times I had to fight not to cry (not sure if I'd stop if I started-too much grief the last few years). Ironically, this whole story is a journey into discovery of emotions, life choices, life goals that fit (or don't) . Such a fabulous journey! So well laid out..... you think you've got it then realize you don't see it coming. Brilliant writing
For starters, I LOVE THIS BOOK!! IT IS A FAVORITE!! This follows Blake Saunders as she, thanks to her sister Emma, goes to Blissful Breeze Sanctuary(retreat) for a month with Emma. There she meets Robyn, one of the leaders. This is a study of how complex the human psychy is. We are complex beings. We also observe a slow burn, tender, loving passion filled love story! This deserves more than 5 stars!