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Breaking from Frame
Not yet published
Expected 17 Mar 26A slow-burn vintage lesbian romance about desire, freedom, and daring to embrace your truth.
In the spring of 1969, Mrs. Claire Davis struggles through a discontented life to play the perfect homemaker. When beautiful, unmarried Jackie Callas moves in next door, the mysterious and thoroughly modern photographer upends everything Claire thought was normal.
Embracing Jackie's friendship while trying to avoid the judgment of gossipy Acacia Circle, Claire finds herself swept down a path of longing and self-discovery that shatters her suburban bubble. But when her secret dreams threaten to become real, will Claire have the strength to choose love over safety?
Contains mature themes.
In the spring of 1969, Mrs. Claire Davis struggles through a discontented life to play the perfect homemaker. When beautiful, unmarried Jackie Callas moves in next door, the mysterious and thoroughly modern photographer upends everything Claire thought was normal.
Embracing Jackie's friendship while trying to avoid the judgment of gossipy Acacia Circle, Claire finds herself swept down a path of longing and self-discovery that shatters her suburban bubble. But when her secret dreams threaten to become real, will Claire have the strength to choose love over safety?
Contains mature themes.
Audible Audio
Expected publication March 17, 2026
25 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
Jazz Forrester
2 books210 followersJazz Forrester spends her days getting lost in research rabbit holes over insignificant details. Growing up in rural Ontario, she spent her life constantly reading and creating stories in her head without ever thinking to write them down. Once she started putting pen to paper in 2018, she never looked back. When she’s not writing, she spends her time with fandom nonsense, gaming, playing D&D, and trying out new recipes on her partner.
Jazz currently lives in Niagara, Ontario, and enjoys her day job talking to people about history.
Jazz currently lives in Niagara, Ontario, and enjoys her day job talking to people about history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 3, 2026
What a great book to kick off the new year. It’s such a slow burn but the angst, tension and character development was spectacularly written. Oh and once the burn ended, that steam was just wow.
December 21, 2025
Hello 1969. Claire is married to Pete. Plain and simple. A homemaker and nothing else. Pete's world revolves around him alone; Claire is just there to serve him. Jackie moves in next door. She's a free spirit, single woman living a life that Claire can't even imagine. She drives her own car, owns her own home and makes her own money. This is the story of how Claire breaks her chains and frees her spirit. It's a very long slow burn as Claire's eyes open to what she could truly be. The book is well written with side characters you love and love to hate. Jazz Forrester, I hand you my heart on a platter and recommend this book to anyone who's struggled knowing themselves. Heck, I recommend it to everyone!
November 1, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Historical romance is one of my favorite genres. I was so excited when I read about this book and then realized who the author was. While this is the first work of hers that I’ve read, I’ve heard good things about her other book, Shifting Gears.
I love historical fiction. I love Breaking From Frame. Most of the time, historical fiction stories are accurate with the times they take place. Sometimes, they aren’t. I like when the fiction is accurate to the time period. Even though it is hard to read the blatant racism,sexism and homophobia..it’s reality. I appreciate when authors can accurately portray the struggles of a sapphic woman.
Jazz does that. She accurately portrays what it would be like to be a housewife in 1969. She portrays what it would be like to be a lesbian that owns her own house in 1969. Claire and Jacqueline’s story is beautiful but it is not without trials and tribulations. Claire is very repressed. It is easy for me as a queer woman in 2025 to scream at how naive she was with everything. Of course, it’s easy for me to know that Jacqueline was never talking about a married man. Of course, it was easy for me to know that Jacqueline was pushing Claire away to not “corrupt” her. I appreciate the journey that Claire had to take. While it was frustrating, it was realistic. Poor girl didn’t even know what a cl*t was.
Beautiful is the word of the day. I can’t think of another word to describe this story. I loved every second of it. Like all books that I love, I had to force myself to stop reading so it woudn’t be over so soon. I easily could’ve finished this in a day. I am so happy that there is a happy ending. You don’t always get that with sapphic historical romance. Jazz has created such wonderful characters that come alive off the page. I found myself thinking how old Jacqueline, Theo and Claire would be when the world started to change for the better for the queer community. As if they were real people, as if I wanted to make sure they were alive to see the world change.
Any book I love, I get get the physical copy of it. Preordering Breaking From Frame now!
I love historical fiction. I love Breaking From Frame. Most of the time, historical fiction stories are accurate with the times they take place. Sometimes, they aren’t. I like when the fiction is accurate to the time period. Even though it is hard to read the blatant racism,sexism and homophobia..it’s reality. I appreciate when authors can accurately portray the struggles of a sapphic woman.
Jazz does that. She accurately portrays what it would be like to be a housewife in 1969. She portrays what it would be like to be a lesbian that owns her own house in 1969. Claire and Jacqueline’s story is beautiful but it is not without trials and tribulations. Claire is very repressed. It is easy for me as a queer woman in 2025 to scream at how naive she was with everything. Of course, it’s easy for me to know that Jacqueline was never talking about a married man. Of course, it was easy for me to know that Jacqueline was pushing Claire away to not “corrupt” her. I appreciate the journey that Claire had to take. While it was frustrating, it was realistic. Poor girl didn’t even know what a cl*t was.
Beautiful is the word of the day. I can’t think of another word to describe this story. I loved every second of it. Like all books that I love, I had to force myself to stop reading so it woudn’t be over so soon. I easily could’ve finished this in a day. I am so happy that there is a happy ending. You don’t always get that with sapphic historical romance. Jazz has created such wonderful characters that come alive off the page. I found myself thinking how old Jacqueline, Theo and Claire would be when the world started to change for the better for the queer community. As if they were real people, as if I wanted to make sure they were alive to see the world change.
Any book I love, I get get the physical copy of it. Preordering Breaking From Frame now!
January 17, 2026
This was sooooo good!!! I loved it from the start and all the way through. All of the characters were so well written.
January 5, 2026
Jazz Forester describes so well how women are raised and expected to serve their husband and child. I could feel the claustrophobia Claire felt in her life. Then Jackie pops in her life, and while the whole neighborhood ostracized her, Claire finds solace in her company and she get stronger everyday. What I absolutely loved is Claire starting to feel things she was unable to identify as she was raised with bliders from day one. Her journey to freedom had to be earned and seeing her blooming put tears in my eyes. She is incredibly endearing. Jackie's POV can't can't be read but guessed and I really liked her too. After finishing the book, I ended up with that delicious feelikg of a heart fullfilled and that feeling lingers. It mean I really loved it.
December 11, 2025
I was unsure whether I would like this or not because anything set in the past has the potential homophobic element to it. But I loved it. I particularly like Claire as a character. She has this wonderful unfolding of who she is. Beautifully paced. The only thing that bothered me was the occasional phrase that seemed anachronistic. Other than that, an absorbing read.
January 13, 2026
Best way to start the year IMO
January 14, 2026
Like a nostalgic hug and empowering!
It’s 1969 and Claire, a homemaker is discovering something is changing in life when she meets Jackie, who is unmarried and moves in next door. Everything about Jackie is exciting and empowering in a way that has Claire questioning whether her life can continue as it is. When she gets swept up in friendship with Jackie that sets the gossipy circle she lives in judging her, Claire is making difficult life decisions.
The second I started reading this I knew I was going to love it. There was a familiarity with the characters and the setting that is like one of my favourite TV shows, so I got completely enveloped in this story and really felt a connection to everything. I could empathise with Claire and her situation. The second she met Jackie you knew her life was going to change in ways that Claire was in no way prepared for, but it surprised me even more when Claire started opening up to Jackie about how she really felt and confided in her about everything she’d ever felt about not fitting into her lifestyle. Claire had really suppressed her true self due to other factors, something I could personally relate to and I willed her on to rediscover herself, while also drawing on her strength to remind myself I should continue doing the same. She was really inspiring!
Jackie was that woman I think we all admire, confident and put together on the outside but as always they have a vulnerable side that they have also learned to bury and keep hidden. So in a way I could do the same with her as I had with Claire, but I was so in awe of her. That independence and free spirit attitude. She and her friends brought vibrancy and life to this picturesque stuck in time place where Claire found herself and together they all liberated her. While there, Jackie also learned a lot about herself and in being vulnerable with Claire she allowed her to help her realise she was not the problem, the world was!
I couldn’t put this down and wished it was never going to end! I loved its empowering message and the sense of embracing freedom to be true to yourself. I highly recommend this!
It’s 1969 and Claire, a homemaker is discovering something is changing in life when she meets Jackie, who is unmarried and moves in next door. Everything about Jackie is exciting and empowering in a way that has Claire questioning whether her life can continue as it is. When she gets swept up in friendship with Jackie that sets the gossipy circle she lives in judging her, Claire is making difficult life decisions.
The second I started reading this I knew I was going to love it. There was a familiarity with the characters and the setting that is like one of my favourite TV shows, so I got completely enveloped in this story and really felt a connection to everything. I could empathise with Claire and her situation. The second she met Jackie you knew her life was going to change in ways that Claire was in no way prepared for, but it surprised me even more when Claire started opening up to Jackie about how she really felt and confided in her about everything she’d ever felt about not fitting into her lifestyle. Claire had really suppressed her true self due to other factors, something I could personally relate to and I willed her on to rediscover herself, while also drawing on her strength to remind myself I should continue doing the same. She was really inspiring!
Jackie was that woman I think we all admire, confident and put together on the outside but as always they have a vulnerable side that they have also learned to bury and keep hidden. So in a way I could do the same with her as I had with Claire, but I was so in awe of her. That independence and free spirit attitude. She and her friends brought vibrancy and life to this picturesque stuck in time place where Claire found herself and together they all liberated her. While there, Jackie also learned a lot about herself and in being vulnerable with Claire she allowed her to help her realise she was not the problem, the world was!
I couldn’t put this down and wished it was never going to end! I loved its empowering message and the sense of embracing freedom to be true to yourself. I highly recommend this!
November 4, 2025
Hey so I cried reading this and it’s such a beautiful book and I think everyone should read it!
The premise is gutting at times, but not so heavy that the book is too traumatic to read. Jazz does an excellent job of acknowledging and addressing the deeply problematic and terrifying moments of the 60’s while delivering a story of love.
I truly adored this book and will absolutely be buying a copy for my shelves!
*Huge thanks and forehead kisses to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
The premise is gutting at times, but not so heavy that the book is too traumatic to read. Jazz does an excellent job of acknowledging and addressing the deeply problematic and terrifying moments of the 60’s while delivering a story of love.
I truly adored this book and will absolutely be buying a copy for my shelves!
*Huge thanks and forehead kisses to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
January 12, 2026
A solid 4.5 stars. The book was almost a perfect 5 ⭐️ for me. It’s one of those stories that stays with you even after you finish reading, and one you don’t want to end. That said, I had one small issue with the ending—it wraps up very soon after the main characters reach an important turning point in their relationship. I would have loved to see more of their life together and how they build it, rather than the story ending so quickly.
A great read and one I’d highly recommend.
A great read and one I’d highly recommend.
November 23, 2025
Wonderfully written with great emotions. Im amazed at how well this author captured the restrictive behavior of women in the late 1960's and the beginnings of the movement to set them free.
Homosexuality and birth control is also discussed. Just the right mix of topics to convey the times. It made me think "Stepford Wives"
I really liked this story and all the characters....except the husbands.
The evolution of Claire, the unhappy housewife, is realistic and well paced.
The dialog is excellent and conveys all the emotions, happiness, sadness, and loneliness she endured.
Young women reading this story will learn what women endured and where we NEVER want to return.
I really liked this story and the ending.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Homosexuality and birth control is also discussed. Just the right mix of topics to convey the times. It made me think "Stepford Wives"
I really liked this story and all the characters....except the husbands.
The evolution of Claire, the unhappy housewife, is realistic and well paced.
The dialog is excellent and conveys all the emotions, happiness, sadness, and loneliness she endured.
Young women reading this story will learn what women endured and where we NEVER want to return.
I really liked this story and the ending.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2025
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is wonderful. I finished it several days ago, and am still thinking about it so often it is ocasionally impeding my current reading!
The romance was amazing, and I loved the development between Jackie and Claire. It was such a believeable build up, and an excellent slow burn. As others have said, it really does take a long time for their relationship to develop, but it is worth it!
Jackie is such a great character, and in many ways, she is Claire's opposite. She is very "loud", uncaring what anyone thinks about her lifestyle, and is very involved in the queer community. Her presence in many ways upends the entire neighborhood, but of course Claire's household most of all.
I absolutely loved the transformation that Claire went through. In the beginning, she is very overshadowed by the people and expectations around her, but by the end, you can see her as she was meant to be. She is an intelligent yet naive woman, stuck in the life she has chosen, trying to shove herself into a mold that will never fit. She feels different, and she thinks she's broken.
Breaking from Frame is more than a romance, it's really Claire's story. You see her slowly break free from the life she and so many other women of the time are caught in. No matter how terrifying it is for her to upend her life, she still chooses to do something different. I can't help but think that if I were born in the same time as Claire, how I would lead such a similar life, yet may be too afraid to ever change things. It's a scary thought.
I would reccomend this to anyone who has ever felt trapped by their circumstances, and of course, for fans of sapphic romance. If you've read Forrester's other book, Shifting Gears, this one is just as excellent, albeit in a different way. 5/5 stars!
This book is wonderful. I finished it several days ago, and am still thinking about it so often it is ocasionally impeding my current reading!
The romance was amazing, and I loved the development between Jackie and Claire. It was such a believeable build up, and an excellent slow burn. As others have said, it really does take a long time for their relationship to develop, but it is worth it!
Jackie is such a great character, and in many ways, she is Claire's opposite. She is very "loud", uncaring what anyone thinks about her lifestyle, and is very involved in the queer community. Her presence in many ways upends the entire neighborhood, but of course Claire's household most of all.
I absolutely loved the transformation that Claire went through. In the beginning, she is very overshadowed by the people and expectations around her, but by the end, you can see her as she was meant to be. She is an intelligent yet naive woman, stuck in the life she has chosen, trying to shove herself into a mold that will never fit. She feels different, and she thinks she's broken.
Breaking from Frame is more than a romance, it's really Claire's story. You see her slowly break free from the life she and so many other women of the time are caught in. No matter how terrifying it is for her to upend her life, she still chooses to do something different. I can't help but think that if I were born in the same time as Claire, how I would lead such a similar life, yet may be too afraid to ever change things. It's a scary thought.
I would reccomend this to anyone who has ever felt trapped by their circumstances, and of course, for fans of sapphic romance. If you've read Forrester's other book, Shifting Gears, this one is just as excellent, albeit in a different way. 5/5 stars!
November 15, 2025
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
ohh man this one is based in the late 60s when life for women was very different.... they were stay at home moms or if they were married they were there to look after the home whilst the hubby went to work and brought home the bacon
women needed permission to do anything stifling times but one that nobody knew how to change.... least of all the men because why would they....
claire has been married to her husband for 10 years she knows her place ...none of her clothes are store bought her mother in law makes them for her its to save money and she never forgets her wifely duties
so when jackie moves in to the house next door from them claire is thrilled ... a new friend but its also very clear that jackie is so very different from the surrounding area.....
so against petes wishes claire meets jackie secretly....
and a friendship blooms.....
what isnt expected is how everything will pan out
its an interesting read seeing how far women have come since the 60s how more in control and the decision making that now takes place instead of only have two rooms in a house that women were meant to occupy and even then it was against their wishes.... wifely duties were taken seriously... man how i hate that concept....
good read though and i cant wait to read more from this author
ohh man this one is based in the late 60s when life for women was very different.... they were stay at home moms or if they were married they were there to look after the home whilst the hubby went to work and brought home the bacon
women needed permission to do anything stifling times but one that nobody knew how to change.... least of all the men because why would they....
claire has been married to her husband for 10 years she knows her place ...none of her clothes are store bought her mother in law makes them for her its to save money and she never forgets her wifely duties
so when jackie moves in to the house next door from them claire is thrilled ... a new friend but its also very clear that jackie is so very different from the surrounding area.....
so against petes wishes claire meets jackie secretly....
and a friendship blooms.....
what isnt expected is how everything will pan out
its an interesting read seeing how far women have come since the 60s how more in control and the decision making that now takes place instead of only have two rooms in a house that women were meant to occupy and even then it was against their wishes.... wifely duties were taken seriously... man how i hate that concept....
good read though and i cant wait to read more from this author
December 10, 2025
*4.5🌟
i feel like i've never been prouder of a fictional character than i did claire😭❤️❤️ it feels so rewarding to read her journey from being pete's wife to the woman she is at the end🥹🥹
the relationship between her and jackie is also so beautiful.. i love the progression of their friendship/crush that blooms into something more. the way they see and understand each other, the way claire's kindness soften jackie's edges and jackie's boldness and confidence encourages claire to be her true self.... it's #real romance to me!! the slow burn was worth but i just wished we have more of them as a couple😔 (a little epilogue would've been nice.....)
i feel like i've never been prouder of a fictional character than i did claire😭❤️❤️ it feels so rewarding to read her journey from being pete's wife to the woman she is at the end🥹🥹
the relationship between her and jackie is also so beautiful.. i love the progression of their friendship/crush that blooms into something more. the way they see and understand each other, the way claire's kindness soften jackie's edges and jackie's boldness and confidence encourages claire to be her true self.... it's #real romance to me!! the slow burn was worth but i just wished we have more of them as a couple😔 (a little epilogue would've been nice.....)
December 12, 2025
favoritadissimo!!!!!!!! LIVRO MUITO LINDO, MARAVILHOSO, PERFEITO, ESTUPENDO, FENOMENAL, INCRIVEL
December 1, 2025
Breaking from Frame is one of those quiet, aching stories. Set in 1969, it follows Claire, a housewife doing everything she was told would make her happy, and Jackie, the modern, artistic neighbor who unsettles that carefully built life just by existing nearby. The slow burn here is intentional and beautifully done. The kind of forbidden tension that builds in glances, small moments, and the heavy silence of wanting something you can’t name yet.
The themes are heavier than I expected. Suburban confinement, artistic identity, making yourself small to survive, and the unspoken rules of femininity in the late 1960s. There’s also a tenderness in how clothing, art, and private moments are used to explore desire and self-expression. As someone who loves costume and textile imagery, those scenes really pulled me in.
Overall, this is a beautifully written vintage sapphic romance that blends longing and artistic self-discovery. If you enjoy queer historical fiction, slow burns, and character-driven stories about stepping into your truth, this one is worth picking up.
Definitely check content warnings beforehand, especially for readers sensitive to era-specific taboos and heavier emotional undercurrents.
The themes are heavier than I expected. Suburban confinement, artistic identity, making yourself small to survive, and the unspoken rules of femininity in the late 1960s. There’s also a tenderness in how clothing, art, and private moments are used to explore desire and self-expression. As someone who loves costume and textile imagery, those scenes really pulled me in.
Overall, this is a beautifully written vintage sapphic romance that blends longing and artistic self-discovery. If you enjoy queer historical fiction, slow burns, and character-driven stories about stepping into your truth, this one is worth picking up.
Definitely check content warnings beforehand, especially for readers sensitive to era-specific taboos and heavier emotional undercurrents.
November 30, 2025
Breaking From Frame by Jazz Forrester has quickly become one of my top reads of the year, so much so that the second I finished the e-book I ordered a physical copy to keep on my shelf for future re-reads. I went into this novel unsure what to expect… and was instantly pulled into a beautiful, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful story of self-discovery and love.
The story follows Claire, a suburban homemaker in 1969, whose life is upended when Jackie, a bold and modern photographer, moves in next door. What begins as friendship slowly blossoms into desire, freedom, and a truth Claire can no longer ignore. Their relationship is slow-burn and rich with longing. The emotional weight of their journey is overwhelming, but totally worth it! I laughed, I cried, and I hurt for these characters, but through it all I felt hopeful.
This book is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go when it comes to acceptance and queer visibility. I honestly had no words when I finished, just that deep, lingering ache and awe only a truly great book can provoke.
If you’re looking for a sapphic romance that doesn’t shy away from reality, that embraces longing and self-acceptance, and delivers a love story you’ll never forget, Breaking From Frame is one I’ll recommend over and over.
The story follows Claire, a suburban homemaker in 1969, whose life is upended when Jackie, a bold and modern photographer, moves in next door. What begins as friendship slowly blossoms into desire, freedom, and a truth Claire can no longer ignore. Their relationship is slow-burn and rich with longing. The emotional weight of their journey is overwhelming, but totally worth it! I laughed, I cried, and I hurt for these characters, but through it all I felt hopeful.
This book is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go when it comes to acceptance and queer visibility. I honestly had no words when I finished, just that deep, lingering ache and awe only a truly great book can provoke.
If you’re looking for a sapphic romance that doesn’t shy away from reality, that embraces longing and self-acceptance, and delivers a love story you’ll never forget, Breaking From Frame is one I’ll recommend over and over.
November 30, 2025
Another strong novel from Jazz! I’ve been following her fics for years and love her work. Such a sweet and happy ending. I can’t overlook the irony of Claire coming out to Jackie while in a closet. Long live Claire and Jackie! Hopefully they had a fantastic honeymoon vacation because they both deserve all the happiness.
December 3, 2025
oh fuck off (this was really cute). 4.5/5 only because I have a weird thing when reading 3rd person where if the characters name is mentioned so often in the same paragraph I get annoyed, It's really a me thing. The story was delightful though.
December 15, 2025
I really loved this one. Set in the late 60s in a suburban town in CA where everyone has a seemingly picture perfect life. It's set in the time where women were the homemakers taking care of their husband's every need. The main character, Claire is starting to struggle keeping up with this kind of life and her whole life turns upside down when someone new moves in next door - a beautiful, independent, vibrant woman named Jackie who is escaping her past. I loved watching this story unfold and especially Claire coming into who she is in all the ways - how she wants to spend her life, her sexuality, her gender expression, and just as a person living in the time she was. Like the movie, Pleasantville & the song, Out of the Woods by Taylor Swift - this story fits the line/theme of "the rest of the world is black and white but we were in screaming color" One of my favorite reads of the year, highly recommend! Us sapphics need more books like this!
Also special shoutout to the gorgeous cover that's giving the beautiful floral dress and whole look of Taylor Swift for the 2021 Grammy's 😍
Read if you:
- yearn for a slow burn sapphic romance
- like the movie, Pleasantville but make it sapphic
- want more soft butch/high femme rep
- wish there were more lesbian books written in the mid 20th century
- like the tropes forbidden romance + friends to lovers
- are a late in life lesbian or sapphic
- liked books like Carol/The Price of Salt, Curious Wine, and Nightgale
* Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review *
Also special shoutout to the gorgeous cover that's giving the beautiful floral dress and whole look of Taylor Swift for the 2021 Grammy's 😍
Read if you:
- yearn for a slow burn sapphic romance
- like the movie, Pleasantville but make it sapphic
- want more soft butch/high femme rep
- wish there were more lesbian books written in the mid 20th century
- like the tropes forbidden romance + friends to lovers
- are a late in life lesbian or sapphic
- liked books like Carol/The Price of Salt, Curious Wine, and Nightgale
* Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review *
November 19, 2025
Wow, just wow! I couldn’t, wouldn’t and didn’t want to put this book down for a second. I might have a new book to add to my favorites list.
The romance is a SLOOOOOOW burn, and I loved every second of it. Claire and Jackie as individual characters were incredible, vastly different but complimentary. They opened new worlds to one another, Jackie allowing Claire to just be herself and helping her find her way and Claire being Jackie’s safe place within the community. Them showing each other what loving and being loved actually felt like.
Theo is my favorite secondary character, what a wonderful friend and just all around incredible person, who had the courage to live authentically. Lyann, Darla and Anita deserved honorary mentions as wonderful characters too.
I lack the words to properly describe how this book made me feel. If you like a really slow burn, strangers to friends to lovers, queer awakening, and love to get mad at insane expectations of women as wives (that hasn’t changed much), please give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to Jazz Forrester, Ylva Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC.
The romance is a SLOOOOOOW burn, and I loved every second of it. Claire and Jackie as individual characters were incredible, vastly different but complimentary. They opened new worlds to one another, Jackie allowing Claire to just be herself and helping her find her way and Claire being Jackie’s safe place within the community. Them showing each other what loving and being loved actually felt like.
Theo is my favorite secondary character, what a wonderful friend and just all around incredible person, who had the courage to live authentically. Lyann, Darla and Anita deserved honorary mentions as wonderful characters too.
I lack the words to properly describe how this book made me feel. If you like a really slow burn, strangers to friends to lovers, queer awakening, and love to get mad at insane expectations of women as wives (that hasn’t changed much), please give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to Jazz Forrester, Ylva Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2025
There is something so beautifully healing about this book. I love Claire and Jackie so much. It's wonderful seeing the way Claire's world opens up and how her view of herself and her worth changes from spending time with Jackie.
I'm not usually one for stories set in the past, but this story fits perfectly into the time period and provides enough cultural context for readers to have an idea of the danger and prejudice around queerness and race at the time.
For anyone curious about the fanfiction this originated from, this has far surpassed it, in my opinion (and I LOVED the fic). The story is given more space to expand on the social climate at the time, and the characters are given more backstory. New characters are introduced who flesh out the world/community and who provide a support system to Claire in different ways. Claire's journey of self-discovery is also more fleshed out, with events being reworked in a healthier, more sustainable way (ie. Claire finds her own independence, reconnection with her past, and sense of community, where before she would be leaning mostly on Jackie as she finds her feet). It's blossomed into a better, more mature, and gracefully told story.
Reading this feels like a work of love by Forrester, crafted painstakingly and earnestly, with care and attention to detail. You can tell she's also improved in her craft since her debut novel. That's not a critique of Shifting Gears - I love it so much - I just love seeing people get better at what they do with every iteration of their work. Well done!
I'm not usually one for stories set in the past, but this story fits perfectly into the time period and provides enough cultural context for readers to have an idea of the danger and prejudice around queerness and race at the time.
For anyone curious about the fanfiction this originated from, this has far surpassed it, in my opinion (and I LOVED the fic). The story is given more space to expand on the social climate at the time, and the characters are given more backstory. New characters are introduced who flesh out the world/community and who provide a support system to Claire in different ways. Claire's journey of self-discovery is also more fleshed out, with events being reworked in a healthier, more sustainable way (ie. Claire finds her own independence, reconnection with her past, and sense of community, where before she would be leaning mostly on Jackie as she finds her feet). It's blossomed into a better, more mature, and gracefully told story.
Reading this feels like a work of love by Forrester, crafted painstakingly and earnestly, with care and attention to detail. You can tell she's also improved in her craft since her debut novel. That's not a critique of Shifting Gears - I love it so much - I just love seeing people get better at what they do with every iteration of their work. Well done!
January 7, 2026
This book was so good, I couldn't put it down! The story of two people falling in love without even understanding why... it was written in a way that was so captivating and full of emotion. A slow burn as advertised but so worth it!
Thank you Net Galley for the early advanced copy.
I included this book in my 2025 year-end roundup on Substack. Check it out if you're interested!
Thank you Net Galley for the early advanced copy.
I included this book in my 2025 year-end roundup on Substack. Check it out if you're interested!
November 4, 2025
I...wow.
This might be a terrible thing to say as someone who received an ARC for this to review it...but I have no words.
But I'll try.
This is a slow burn, very romantic book about a 60s suburban housewife finding herself after she meets this hot and mysterious cosmopolitan photographer.
Right from the get go I fell in love with the characters. Claire is adorable. Jackie is intriguing. They both had a strong sense of identity early on and I wanted to get to know them more. The story has a strong sense of time and place--we are in the 60s, with all the unrealistic expectations on foisted upon women at that time (unlike now where we...well never mind).
The writing...oh the writing. One of the first things I noticed was how well it described not just what it was to be a housewife in the 60s, but what it FELT like. Peter has one-sided conversations AT her wife, not WITH her. Then this horrible expectation that as long as you have a husband who 'provides' and have a roof over your head, what do you have to complain about? You should be happy. Oh I felt the frustration. I was so indignant in Claire's behalf!
And speaking of Claire, I loved her as our POV character. I truly felt for her. The bullshit she deals with day by day feels so relatable that I felt protective over her when she says a word out of place, or when she does some innocuous thing that her neighbors don't approve of. I was so proud of her when she did things that were incredibly brave for a woman of her circumstances.
Her romance with Jackie developed so organically. Their conversations felt so natural that you can really feel their relationship evolving from casual acquaintances to close friends. Sometimes, you meet someone that you connect with on a deeper level than anyone else, then before you know it you're having such honest conversations that you've never had before, that you never thought was possible with another human being. It feels both scary and liberating, and the book gets that across well.
If you like your books with a lot of pining, emotions, hunger, and Feelings with a capital F, this is it. I started reading this book last night, and eventually had to sleep cause I had work the next day. But even during work all I could think of was finishing this book. What a ride this was. I don't want to let go of these characters yet.
Word of warning though, when the description says slow burn, it IS very much a slow burn. They will take a good while to get together. So if you plan to read this, make sure the rest of your day and your next day is free, cause you wouldn't be able to put this book down until then.
This might be a terrible thing to say as someone who received an ARC for this to review it...but I have no words.
But I'll try.
This is a slow burn, very romantic book about a 60s suburban housewife finding herself after she meets this hot and mysterious cosmopolitan photographer.
Right from the get go I fell in love with the characters. Claire is adorable. Jackie is intriguing. They both had a strong sense of identity early on and I wanted to get to know them more. The story has a strong sense of time and place--we are in the 60s, with all the unrealistic expectations on foisted upon women at that time (unlike now where we...well never mind).
The writing...oh the writing. One of the first things I noticed was how well it described not just what it was to be a housewife in the 60s, but what it FELT like. Peter has one-sided conversations AT her wife, not WITH her. Then this horrible expectation that as long as you have a husband who 'provides' and have a roof over your head, what do you have to complain about? You should be happy. Oh I felt the frustration. I was so indignant in Claire's behalf!
And speaking of Claire, I loved her as our POV character. I truly felt for her. The bullshit she deals with day by day feels so relatable that I felt protective over her when she says a word out of place, or when she does some innocuous thing that her neighbors don't approve of. I was so proud of her when she did things that were incredibly brave for a woman of her circumstances.
Her romance with Jackie developed so organically. Their conversations felt so natural that you can really feel their relationship evolving from casual acquaintances to close friends. Sometimes, you meet someone that you connect with on a deeper level than anyone else, then before you know it you're having such honest conversations that you've never had before, that you never thought was possible with another human being. It feels both scary and liberating, and the book gets that across well.
If you like your books with a lot of pining, emotions, hunger, and Feelings with a capital F, this is it. I started reading this book last night, and eventually had to sleep cause I had work the next day. But even during work all I could think of was finishing this book. What a ride this was. I don't want to let go of these characters yet.
Word of warning though, when the description says slow burn, it IS very much a slow burn. They will take a good while to get together. So if you plan to read this, make sure the rest of your day and your next day is free, cause you wouldn't be able to put this book down until then.
January 30, 2026
there’s something abt historical romances that will always pull me in. maybe it’s the time travel aspect of it all, getting to glimpse lives from a different era, even through fiction. or maybe it’s the yearning. especially between two women where desire exists alongside fear, repression, and very real consequences.
breaking from frame does a lot of things right on a technical level. the writing is gentle and accessible, and claire’s journey, slowly coming to terms with who she is and what she wants, is genuinely tender to witness. you can feel the quiet sincerity in the way her awakening unfolds and i appreciated how much patience the story gives her. it understands that self-realization, especially in an era like this, doesn’t happen all at once.
that said, i struggled with the “historical” part of this historical romance. the story tells us it’s set in 1969 and we’re shown familiar issues: homosexuality being illegal, the lack of autonomy afforded to women, the suffocating expectations of domestic life. all of these matter, of course. but for me, they were the only real indicators of the era. the same struggles still exist today in so many places, which made the setting feel more like a backdrop than something fully lived in. i kept wanting more texture, more specificity, more of the world beyond the character’s immediate bubble. i never quite felt transported.
the characters themselves are.. fine. claire’s arc is the strongest part of the book. though i’ll admit i had a hard time believing it took her nearly the entire story to realize that her best friend, her favorite person in the entire world, and eventual love interest, was a lesbian. i understand why this choice was made, given the time period, but it still felt a little stretched. jackie callas, meanwhile, is introduced as this free-spirited, magnetic presence, but she never quite deepens beyond that initial impression. unfortunately, both characters ended up feeling somewhat surface-level to me, which made it difficult to fully connect or feel emotionally invested in their relationship.
i wanted to feel the weight of the era more and the yearning to ache a little deeper. there’s nothing outright wrong with this book. it’s thoughtful, restrained, and clearly written with care. but it didn’t quite hit the way i hoped it would.
breaking from frame does a lot of things right on a technical level. the writing is gentle and accessible, and claire’s journey, slowly coming to terms with who she is and what she wants, is genuinely tender to witness. you can feel the quiet sincerity in the way her awakening unfolds and i appreciated how much patience the story gives her. it understands that self-realization, especially in an era like this, doesn’t happen all at once.
that said, i struggled with the “historical” part of this historical romance. the story tells us it’s set in 1969 and we’re shown familiar issues: homosexuality being illegal, the lack of autonomy afforded to women, the suffocating expectations of domestic life. all of these matter, of course. but for me, they were the only real indicators of the era. the same struggles still exist today in so many places, which made the setting feel more like a backdrop than something fully lived in. i kept wanting more texture, more specificity, more of the world beyond the character’s immediate bubble. i never quite felt transported.
the characters themselves are.. fine. claire’s arc is the strongest part of the book. though i’ll admit i had a hard time believing it took her nearly the entire story to realize that her best friend, her favorite person in the entire world, and eventual love interest, was a lesbian. i understand why this choice was made, given the time period, but it still felt a little stretched. jackie callas, meanwhile, is introduced as this free-spirited, magnetic presence, but she never quite deepens beyond that initial impression. unfortunately, both characters ended up feeling somewhat surface-level to me, which made it difficult to fully connect or feel emotionally invested in their relationship.
i wanted to feel the weight of the era more and the yearning to ache a little deeper. there’s nothing outright wrong with this book. it’s thoughtful, restrained, and clearly written with care. but it didn’t quite hit the way i hoped it would.
November 17, 2025
Firstly I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher to give me an opportunity to read this prior to realise for an honest review.
I finished this book last night and honestly I enjoyed this so much I was disappointed when it ended, a historical novel set in America during the mid 1960s, this is a story of love and finding one’s self.
Claire a woman in a suburban marriage who fulfills the wishes and duties of her husband including cleaning, gardening, cooking and food shopping. She has become a traditional wife of this era. She’s shopping and by chance helps a woman reach an item off a high self, a chance encounter with a very pretty woman nothing more. However this same woman becomes her new neighbour. Jackie is not a housewife but a woman living her life on her own terms and the neighbours and Claire’s husband very much disproves.
What follows is an obsession of an intense female friendship, Claire finds herself drawn to Jackie in a way that would eventually be considered at the time not normal. She adores her and cares more about her than herself or her husband’s wishes.
I do not wish to spoil anything but this is a story about love romantic and platonic, finding one’s self, finding family and tribe, passions and breaking the mould of expectations. Jackie is at first a complex character but the more we understand as the reader the more she opens up and things slot in to place to unravel her truth.
The writing and unfolding of the story is purposefully slow and careful given how things of a sapphic nature were illegal and very disapproved the story is beautifully written, you can see Claire’s courage to break the traditional frame work to be who she wasn’t aware she could be. It’s a lovely read that is well executed. I have not read a historic novel of this type previously and would advise everybody to read this, the longing alone is worth this!
I can see why people may cry but it’s a joyful book to read and one I highly recommend. Read this from the 19th November.
I finished this book last night and honestly I enjoyed this so much I was disappointed when it ended, a historical novel set in America during the mid 1960s, this is a story of love and finding one’s self.
Claire a woman in a suburban marriage who fulfills the wishes and duties of her husband including cleaning, gardening, cooking and food shopping. She has become a traditional wife of this era. She’s shopping and by chance helps a woman reach an item off a high self, a chance encounter with a very pretty woman nothing more. However this same woman becomes her new neighbour. Jackie is not a housewife but a woman living her life on her own terms and the neighbours and Claire’s husband very much disproves.
What follows is an obsession of an intense female friendship, Claire finds herself drawn to Jackie in a way that would eventually be considered at the time not normal. She adores her and cares more about her than herself or her husband’s wishes.
I do not wish to spoil anything but this is a story about love romantic and platonic, finding one’s self, finding family and tribe, passions and breaking the mould of expectations. Jackie is at first a complex character but the more we understand as the reader the more she opens up and things slot in to place to unravel her truth.
The writing and unfolding of the story is purposefully slow and careful given how things of a sapphic nature were illegal and very disapproved the story is beautifully written, you can see Claire’s courage to break the traditional frame work to be who she wasn’t aware she could be. It’s a lovely read that is well executed. I have not read a historic novel of this type previously and would advise everybody to read this, the longing alone is worth this!
I can see why people may cry but it’s a joyful book to read and one I highly recommend. Read this from the 19th November.
November 21, 2025
The 1960s...
Claire Davis has a good life, except that her husband wants kids and the idea terrifies her. She may also have anxiety... The in-laws and her mom are also expecting grandkids.
Jackie Callas has just moved to the area and Claire is stunned by how pretty she is. She's also, shockingly, a single woman. She invites everyone over for a housewarming party, and Claire's husband Pete is appalled at how wild it gets. By his standards, anyway. Pete forbids her from seeing her, but Claire ignores it.
Claire is intrigued by her, including that she's a photographer. Jackie has photos of gays, including a butch woman, and describes Claure as handsome. She's not sure how she feels about that.
Claire learns that Jackie left San Fran due to a love affair gone wrong. Jackie learns from Claire's artist friend that Claire painted. She even won a scholarship, that she turned down because Pete gaslight her about her talent.
Jackie decides she's a bad influence to Claire and breaks things off. Ironically this spurs her to finally leave Pete, and goes to work for a art shop and sleeping on a friend's couch.
Claire realizes that Jackie is gay, and after talking with Jackie's friend Theo realizes she probably is too, and only married out of duty.
Claire finally gets Jackie to listen to her confession, and they get together.
4 out of 5 stars, really solidly good writing and character bits. Does feel like it could have used a epilog tho....
Claire Davis has a good life, except that her husband wants kids and the idea terrifies her. She may also have anxiety... The in-laws and her mom are also expecting grandkids.
Jackie Callas has just moved to the area and Claire is stunned by how pretty she is. She's also, shockingly, a single woman. She invites everyone over for a housewarming party, and Claire's husband Pete is appalled at how wild it gets. By his standards, anyway. Pete forbids her from seeing her, but Claire ignores it.
Claire is intrigued by her, including that she's a photographer. Jackie has photos of gays, including a butch woman, and describes Claure as handsome. She's not sure how she feels about that.
Claire learns that Jackie left San Fran due to a love affair gone wrong. Jackie learns from Claire's artist friend that Claire painted. She even won a scholarship, that she turned down because Pete gaslight her about her talent.
Jackie decides she's a bad influence to Claire and breaks things off. Ironically this spurs her to finally leave Pete, and goes to work for a art shop and sleeping on a friend's couch.
Claire realizes that Jackie is gay, and after talking with Jackie's friend Theo realizes she probably is too, and only married out of duty.
Claire finally gets Jackie to listen to her confession, and they get together.
4 out of 5 stars, really solidly good writing and character bits. Does feel like it could have used a epilog tho....
November 4, 2025
Some heavy themes in this slow burn
If you like slow burn unconventional romance with angst and drama that keeps you guessing how it will end, this is worth reading. I liked the story but the buildup was too long for me, the resolution felt clipped by comparison. There are heavy themes in the book and Claire's situation in 1969 is tough to read; it's both heartbreaking and frustrating to see a good character being mistreated by others in different ways, to see how it's affected her when Jackie arrives in the cul de sac and shakes things up for her. I wanted to airlift Claire out of there and Jackie too, to get them around better people and influences. Claire is in the dark about alot of things, things that are clear to the reader long before she connects the dots and the penny drops; her awakening is not Disney-fied so it gets angsty in places. I didn't expect to read the book as fast as I did but ended up staying up late to finish it (in an extended reading session), to see where Claire and Jackie end up and if it's happily ever after or not. If you want fluffy romance this ain't it but if you want a story that is bound to spur emotional reactions out of you while reading, consider checking this one out. I've read two books by this author so far and am curious to see where her next book takes me in time and place.
If you like slow burn unconventional romance with angst and drama that keeps you guessing how it will end, this is worth reading. I liked the story but the buildup was too long for me, the resolution felt clipped by comparison. There are heavy themes in the book and Claire's situation in 1969 is tough to read; it's both heartbreaking and frustrating to see a good character being mistreated by others in different ways, to see how it's affected her when Jackie arrives in the cul de sac and shakes things up for her. I wanted to airlift Claire out of there and Jackie too, to get them around better people and influences. Claire is in the dark about alot of things, things that are clear to the reader long before she connects the dots and the penny drops; her awakening is not Disney-fied so it gets angsty in places. I didn't expect to read the book as fast as I did but ended up staying up late to finish it (in an extended reading session), to see where Claire and Jackie end up and if it's happily ever after or not. If you want fluffy romance this ain't it but if you want a story that is bound to spur emotional reactions out of you while reading, consider checking this one out. I've read two books by this author so far and am curious to see where her next book takes me in time and place.
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