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Slow Bright Things
When Kathryn Kepler has lunch with her high school boyfriend, she rejects his advances but is alarmed by the fury triggered in her. What exactly does she have with Ellie Belmont, her lover of five years? And why is her closet door merely ajar, not wide open? As Kathryn and Ellie grapple with intrusive ex-lovers, difficult children, meddling neighbors, and their own insecurities, can they go deep enough to make a lifetime commitment?
This sequel to the beloved novel A Light on Altered Land shimmers with humor, passion, and mature love.
From BOOKLIFE/PUBLISHER'S
Bohan’s expert command of characterization shines through, and the well-developed cast, rich with distinct voices, makes the novel well worth a reader’s time. Endearing and humorous, Slow Bright Things follows in its predecessor’s footsteps as a beautiful celebration of queer love, illuminating that it is never too late in life to fall in love and rediscover yourself.
From KIRKUS
The latest from Bohan, whose previous book was A Light on Altered Land(2020), continues the love story of Ellie Belmont and Kathryn Kepler, retirees whose relationship brings great joy to their golden years. Bohan’s tale ably balances the couple’s passion with a thoughtful exploration of how past relationships, especially Kathryn’s marriage to Joe and Ellie’s marriage to her late wife, affects their perspectives. The novel includes a well-developed cast and meaty subplots, especially one involving Kathryn’s emotionally distant daughter…A reflective, satisfying sequel about second acts.
This sequel to the beloved novel A Light on Altered Land shimmers with humor, passion, and mature love.
From BOOKLIFE/PUBLISHER'S
Bohan’s expert command of characterization shines through, and the well-developed cast, rich with distinct voices, makes the novel well worth a reader’s time. Endearing and humorous, Slow Bright Things follows in its predecessor’s footsteps as a beautiful celebration of queer love, illuminating that it is never too late in life to fall in love and rediscover yourself.
From KIRKUS
The latest from Bohan, whose previous book was A Light on Altered Land(2020), continues the love story of Ellie Belmont and Kathryn Kepler, retirees whose relationship brings great joy to their golden years. Bohan’s tale ably balances the couple’s passion with a thoughtful exploration of how past relationships, especially Kathryn’s marriage to Joe and Ellie’s marriage to her late wife, affects their perspectives. The novel includes a well-developed cast and meaty subplots, especially one involving Kathryn’s emotionally distant daughter…A reflective, satisfying sequel about second acts.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2025
4 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 2, 2026
5 Stars
Amazing. The story and character development from book 1 was substantial in a very good way. Despite the characters already being grounded and mostly emotionally and intellectually mature, their coexistence pushed them to even better themselves. It was enlightening and weirdly addictive to read about their lives.
Amazing. The story and character development from book 1 was substantial in a very good way. Despite the characters already being grounded and mostly emotionally and intellectually mature, their coexistence pushed them to even better themselves. It was enlightening and weirdly addictive to read about their lives.
November 18, 2025
(rounded down from 4.25)
This was an enjoyable standalone book that I learned later is a follow-up. I often whinge about books that are follow-ups, but don't do a good job of introducing new readers to the continuing story and making us care about the characters.
I enjoyed this story about two women in their older years finding love and dealing with problems like internalised homophobia, societal judgment, exes popping up again, and family being somewhat unsupportive. I could have done without the biphobia from some characters, but given the age of the characters, I can understand that their take on a late-in-life bisexual woman is to be sceptical and not quite trust the relationship.
This was a heartwarming story about a cast of characters who are struggling in their own ways, and I appreciate that the main characters speak and behave like women who have had a lifetime of therapy and learning to deal with challenging situations.
This was an enjoyable standalone book that I learned later is a follow-up. I often whinge about books that are follow-ups, but don't do a good job of introducing new readers to the continuing story and making us care about the characters.
I enjoyed this story about two women in their older years finding love and dealing with problems like internalised homophobia, societal judgment, exes popping up again, and family being somewhat unsupportive. I could have done without the biphobia from some characters, but given the age of the characters, I can understand that their take on a late-in-life bisexual woman is to be sceptical and not quite trust the relationship.
This was a heartwarming story about a cast of characters who are struggling in their own ways, and I appreciate that the main characters speak and behave like women who have had a lifetime of therapy and learning to deal with challenging situations.
December 14, 2025
I enjoyed spending some time kicking back with Ellie and Kathryn in this book, which was a very enjoyable read. They seemed like people I'd like to know, in person: thoughtful, respectful, insightful, sensitive, evolved feminists using practices like mantras to send someone a little peace, when needed. The couple let love be their guide and trusted themselves as they felt their way through uncharted territories. And, along the way, they tackled real life road blocks (estrangement/mental illness/neuro a-typical behaviors in the family, modern abortion, politics, etc). Yet, with their inner resources of good communication skills and a devotion to one another, they take it all on with a rare and competent attitude.
Becky Bohan has a beautiful style of writing. I underlined some of her word choices and humorous plays on words along the way, which I think other readers will likely enjoy, too:
* "Kris got up and let out the two dachshunds who, in a flash of cinnamon, vaulted off the deck and into the grass." (fun word choice)
* "I love fastening our anniversary dates to the seasons!" (a clever concept)
* "...sight is the greatest of all the senses...We can see stars hundreds of light years away with our bare eyes." (profound)
* "Sandy examined the label. 'Veuve Clicquot. Never heard of it.' That's what you get for not reading lesbian romances, Ellie said. It's the genre's champagne of choice." (fabulous insight and humor)
Additionally, the way Bohan wove in an understanding of Shakespeare, the natural world/astronomy, drones and human behavior was just really rich! I love learning things as I read a novel. Why not? It makes the reading experience delightfully interesting when added to an already compelling story.
This book was everything I want in a good novel.
Becky Bohan has a beautiful style of writing. I underlined some of her word choices and humorous plays on words along the way, which I think other readers will likely enjoy, too:
* "Kris got up and let out the two dachshunds who, in a flash of cinnamon, vaulted off the deck and into the grass." (fun word choice)
* "I love fastening our anniversary dates to the seasons!" (a clever concept)
* "...sight is the greatest of all the senses...We can see stars hundreds of light years away with our bare eyes." (profound)
* "Sandy examined the label. 'Veuve Clicquot. Never heard of it.' That's what you get for not reading lesbian romances, Ellie said. It's the genre's champagne of choice." (fabulous insight and humor)
Additionally, the way Bohan wove in an understanding of Shakespeare, the natural world/astronomy, drones and human behavior was just really rich! I love learning things as I read a novel. Why not? It makes the reading experience delightfully interesting when added to an already compelling story.
This book was everything I want in a good novel.
November 25, 2025
This beautifully-written novel explores staying in love after the initial passion has mellowed and inevitable issues emerge. Bohan's appealing protagonists model navigating the challenges of transparent communication, deeper commitment, disapproving exes and children who would sabotage the relationship, coming fully out of the closet, and painful unexpected crises. Where else do you get astronomy, aging, drone technology, golf, nonviolent communication, sex, tapping, and Veuve Clicquot (champagne) all in one gripping love story? This beautiful sequel to Bohan's prize-winning novel, "A Light on Altered Land," in which Ellie and Kathryn fall in love, can be read by itself. But I bet you will love both books!
February 14, 2026
Sweet Book
Well-written and sweet. The story is a bit slow the first half of the book, but picks up afterward. Love has no age limit, which this story demonstrates.
Well-written and sweet. The story is a bit slow the first half of the book, but picks up afterward. Love has no age limit, which this story demonstrates.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews