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Ex's and Oh's: A Sapphic Romance Novel

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Billy and Rosa were supposed to be forever.

Until untreated depression, slammed doors, and one devastating ultimatum tore their marriage apart.

Rosa stayed. Billy left. And while Rosa raised their daughter largely alone, Billy fought her way back — slowly becoming someone who could show up, stay steady, and co-parent properly.

Sixteen years later, they’ve found a fragile balance. Weekends are shared. Conversations are civil. The past is something they’ve learned not to touch.

But Imogen has never stopped wanting her family whole.

With the help of her friends — and a carefully coordinated plan involving her grandmother in Austria — she orchestrates the perfect sixteenth birthday a mountain getaway where her mothers have no choice but to share a cabin.

Then the snow falls.

Snowed in with nowhere to run and years of unspoken hurt between them, Billy and Rosa finally say the things they should have said long ago. Old wounds soften. Old desire flares. And one night changes everything.

Billy is ready to try again.
Rosa is willing — on one no one can know until they’re sure.

So while Imogen flies home convinced her matchmaking mission failed, her mothers are already sneaking around like teenagers — stealing weekends, sharing beds, and quietly rebuilding the marriage they once lost.

But when a family emergency pulls them back to Austria and their secret is exposed, Billy and Rosa must decide whether this second chance is strong enough to stand in the open.

Because sometimes love doesn’t end.

Sometimes it just waits for you to be brave enough to choose it again.

A heartfelt, spicy sapphic second-chance romance featuring ex-wives, forced proximity, snowed-in confessions, secret reconciliation, and the kind of love worth fighting for.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2026

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About the author

Claire Highton-Stevenson

46 books379 followers
Award-Winning and best selling, Claire Highton-Stevenson is an Independent author of contemporary romance and crime novels.

Having worked for many years in emergency services, Claire now spends her time writing, traveling, researching ancestry, following Liverpool FC and enjoying life as much as possible.

She lives in West Sussex, UK. Along with her wife and fur babies.

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5 stars
132 (59%)
4 stars
73 (32%)
3 stars
15 (6%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa.
345 reviews5 followers
April 1, 2026
This is a sweet, lighthearted second chance romance.
Profile Image for Vicky.
5 reviews
March 16, 2026
I really enjoy reading Claire's books, and the football-related ones are my favorites. At first, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue this one after the prologue. Because I live with someone who struggles with mental health issues, I wasn't certain I wanted to bring that reality into my reading space.

I'm glad I set that hesitation aside and kept reading. Rosa and Billy reminded me of people I know. You could really feel their struggle to co-parent and maintain a positive relationship for their daughter. Claire does a great job conveying those emotions, especially from Rosa's perspective. It can be difficult to understand what someone is going through, even when you live with them, during a mental health crisis particularly when their communication skills aren't the best. Sometimes after a breakup or divorce, trust never fully returns to a relationship, but in this case Billy's patience and willingness to let Rosa set the pace of their relationship allowed them to rebuild trust and eventually grow together again.

I loved the romance and the spice - just enough to keep things interesting. And because they had a previous relationship, it didn't seem forced. Sneaking around like teenagers was pretty funny, and spot on.

I especially enjoyed how Claire incorporated characters and locations from her other books. It felt realistic in a way, because the lesbian community can be pretty small, regardless of the size of the place you live, and it often seems like everyone knows everyone.
Profile Image for Betty.
167 reviews3 followers
March 11, 2026
Sweet

This is such a sweet story. I mean who doesn't love meddling kids and parents. Let's not forget that this is set in the same area and time lines as Bath Street Harriers series and Heal their Hearts book. So that means we get a bit of the some of the MCs from those books as cameo visits. Seriously no 3rd act breakup, spice, some strap and a HEA. A must read.
Profile Image for Sapphic Literary Society.
18 reviews7 followers
April 15, 2026
Here’s what really stayed with me:

💗 Billy and Rosa have grown so much since their divorce—life has changed, they’ve changed, and now their wonderfully meddling daughter is stirring the pot in all the best ways.

🔥 The chemistry is still very much alive… and when they end up snowed in together at a remote cabin? Let’s just say proximity works its magic.

🌿 A beautiful story about understanding, self‑growth, and rediscovering love—not just loving someone, but choosing to fall in love with them again.
Author 1 book19 followers
March 11, 2026
After her wife Billy had a breakdown and left, Rosa Cafferty has been raising their daughter as a single Mom. 16 years later their daughter, Imogen, wants both Moms at her big birthday bash at the grandparents ski lodge. Rosa is very iffy.

Billy Fisk has gotten her shit together, and now steps up as a co-parent. She also feels guilty for her absence, which Imogen plays like a fiddle to get what she wants.

They and the kids arrive, only to find out there's not enough room at tbe main house, and Rosa and Billy will have to share a nearby two bedroom lodge.

Turns out the kids and grandparents are actively trying to get them back together. Considering how independent Rosa is, it might blow up in their faces.

Mild nitnpick: the chapters are annoyingly short.

They get snowed in, and hash out their past. Then sleep together. Despite the snow, everyone manages to get together on the last day.

Off home. They date, keeping it from Imogen, then a emergency comes up with the step grandpa, and Rosa admits she loves Billy.

Rosa does eventually learn about the set up.

3.5 stars out of 5. Good despite the annoying tiny chapters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for The Wild Weary Cow Reads Sapphic .
224 reviews17 followers
March 19, 2026
Billy and Rosa have a complicated history.....They also have a daughter who is determined to get them back together!

After mental health pulled the life they thought they'd have together apart, Billy and Rosa have spent the last 16 years dancing around each other.

When their daughter decides to take matters into her own hands, she hatches a plan with her best friends & grandmother to get them back together

After putting them together in the cabin whilst visiting her grandparents in Austria for her birthday, she thinks she's failed when it seems they're just as distant ... but....she doesn't realise these two are slowly falling again but don't want to hurt and upset her if it doesn't work out.

We get-

Forced Proximity
Snowed In
Log Cabins
Spicy scenes in front of open Fires
Emotions on Display
Trying not to get caught!
And the time they need to truly talk about the past

Second Chance books are my Kryptonite!

CHS writes them perfectly...

It's never just a quick fix for her characters.
It's an emotional, heartfelt coming back together, even when the topics are difficult

Billy and Rosa fast became one of my favourite MCs from CHS!!

Profile Image for En.
113 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 5, 2026
A second chance journey of ex-wives working through their messy past, with the help of their loved ones. Of Ex's and Oh's is a fast-paced novel with very short chapters that would keep you turning the pages. Billy and Rosa generally seem to put up with each other while co-parenting their child, Imogen, until they are forced to confront their past frustrations and anger while snowed in.

Of Ex's and Oh's attempts to give us a realistic insight into Billy’s depression and the impact of her actions, while revealing Rosa’s internal struggles along the way. I appreciate Billy’s attempt to communicate with Rosa, though some scenes felt as though she was trying to play at being a therapist. While I found myself rooting for them, some spicy scenes felt forced as well. It was a little grating for the couple to act like lustful teens, especially when Rosa was supposed to be struggling with her indecisiveness.

If you like a second-chance romance where the leads are respectful of each other’s boundaries and attempt to reacquaint each other without too much drama, give Of Ex's and Oh's a go.
Profile Image for Maddie Weeks.
222 reviews8 followers
March 4, 2026
I was accepted by Claire to be a part of the ARC team for Ex’s and Oh’s and below is my honest review.

This book stole my heart from the first page. A realistic, sapphic romance that is written beautifully.

The story is centred around ex-wives Rosa and Billy as they navigate life co-parenting their daughter Imogen.

It’s filled with all of the best tropes: snowed in, forced proximity and second chances 😍

I loved the there was mention of The Bath Street Harriers and characters from some of Claire’s other books.

It’s a lighthearted, sapphic romance that covers some tough topics but they are written and handled so well. On that note, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.

I recommend this to anyone who loves a realistic and trope filled sapphic read!

Overall, I give this 5 stars!

Thank you Claire for asking me to read and review!

Ex’s and Oh’s will be released on 10th March 2026!
123 reviews2 followers
March 11, 2026
Wonderful Heartwarming Story

Claire’s book’s always hit a perfect note-this stories has many notes and her storytelling allows the reader to experience the highs and lows that her characters face in the story. Billie and Rosa and Imogene are a family that is broken and their daughter Imogene decides it’s time to fix it. Billie left her family amid a depression that threatened to destroy her and her family-so she leaves and 16 years she is ready to reclaim her family- will Rosa allow her her to take over or will the pain from the past. E too much to overcome.

Intelligently written and all the spice that are a trademark of Claire’s books make this book a new favorite! Plus a few little cameos from previous books always makes me smile! 5 🌟
Profile Image for JeanQueen.
61 reviews
March 13, 2026
Outstanding

I’ve read pretty much all of this author’s work. I certainly have my favorites among them specifically the football books, and those characters in a time where AI is changing WLW romance, to read something so sensuous and rich from an author is almost a rare pleasure now I think it is a talent to be able to combine a family storyline, and still maintain the sensuality of the two main characters. The character of Imogen was so well thought out and rounded she became such a beautiful part of the story and the romance as well. The dynamics of family, divorce, change, growth, hurt, mental health, so many issues were tackled, so seamlessly and expertly put together. This is one of the best books. I’ve read all year so far.
Profile Image for Lens_and_Lit Sapphic Reads.
28 reviews5 followers
April 29, 2026
EX’s and OH’s is a beautiful second-chance love story about two people who never truly stopped loving each other. When their daughter was born, they were forced to make difficult choices — and now, sixteen years later, fate places them back in close quarters.

It’s tender and fiery all at once — raw, fragile, and deeply emotional. Watching this family slowly find their way back to one another, with just a gentle nudge, is truly beautiful.

Mental health plays an important role in the story, reminding us how deeply it can shape not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. Always choose kindness.

🧡🤍🩷 Meet Mothers Rosa and Billy along with their daughter Imogen
253 reviews4 followers
March 19, 2026
Second time around

This romance shows what happens when life gets in the way and love is not enough (the first time around). Rosa and Billy have to navigate rebuilding trust in themselves and each other in order to make their second chance work. I really liked the dialogue and interactions of the characters in the story. The growth and vulnerability shown by both Billy and Rosa's characters was so relatable, so real. This is one of those romances that you want to read again and again because it inspires hope that it's never too late to try again.
669 reviews6 followers
March 21, 2026
Correcting a decision made long ago to split, takes heart!

Claire Highton-Stevenson has brought a family back from the brink to a smooth balance in this delightful story. Mental illness, depression in particular is tricky to write into a happy ending, yet here it leads from divorce to remarriage along a bumpy path that is smartly written. Claire is able to balance the sadness for these three MC’s with optimism and a deep seated love to bring about trust. The settings are perfect, the characters are sweet and wisely crafted. Just all around a great book to read.
Profile Image for Kumaobake.
106 reviews
April 25, 2026
What a refreshing, fun, sexy story. The spice is so loving between two former partners whose bodies remember each other, but who have some mental walls to climb after splitting when they were young. Add in a daughter plus in-laws, and you have a loving family dynamic determined to play "Parent Trap".

The angst is low, but there are still stumbling blocks. The journey is a big part of any story, and I really enjoyed going for a ride with Billy and Rosa, and I cheered for them the whole way through!
1,242 reviews
March 16, 2026
Second Chance Interference At Its Best!

I always get excited when a new story is coming out by CHS. This was an interesting and exciting read. The prologue shows the heartbreak that this married couple has gone through. What happens to this family many years later is the set up for some serious soul searching. Broken relationships, quiet setups, appearances from some old friends and family love. All this makes for a very special story. A must read!
6 reviews
March 28, 2026
Good second chance romance

I enjoyed this novel! I really liked reading the post-mortem sections of what went wrong the first time around, and I appreciate the care and understanding that mental health was handled with. The only 'criticism' I have is just technical stuff. The writing felt a little bit head-hoppy at times, and POV wasn't always clear. The story was worth dealing with those issues though.
217 reviews2 followers
March 29, 2026
meddling pays off..

Maybe you should be glad you don’t have teenagers. It seems Immy thought her mom’s who were divorced but in her view still loved each other needed to get back together. With the help of her grandmother, her 2 best friends they hatch a plan.

This was a cute story, great characters the neighbor, Immy’s 2 best friends and of course the grandmother. Oh, and the mom’s who realized yes, they were still in love with each other. Just needed that push.
18 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2026
another fantastic read

Love this new book. And having characters appear from some of the past books is a wonderful connection. I just want to move to this part of England, root for the Harriers and celebrate at Banjo’s. PS. Do I sense a sequel for Immy and Robbie? Just a thought CHS
Profile Image for Cat5.
124 reviews
March 13, 2026
Great characters. Short chapters make it a quick read. Thoroughly enjoyable. One thing I like about this author is her ability to write about the complicated parts of life in a compassionate way. In this story, the topics include mental health, abandonment, forgiveness, single parenthood, and extended/found family.
390 reviews4 followers
March 31, 2026
Great book

Another great book from Clare. 2nd chance romance with a little push from theie daughter. Billy and Rosa story is filled with love, hardache and family. I enjoyed the book for it short direct chapters. One of my favorite things about the book is making characters from other books Clare has written. Definitely is worth the read.
Profile Image for Deb.
503 reviews3 followers
June 19, 2026
Hmm

Not sure what it is, I usually love CHS books. This one however, just didn’t seem to sit right with me.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a fun book to read. Has everything you expect, might induce slight sweating, and a HEA…what’s not to love right?
I’ll let it sit and possibly change this when I figure out what the thing is.
Profile Image for Shannon Cross.
51 reviews
March 11, 2026
Five Stars All the Way!

This book completely stole my heart. The chemistry between the characters felt real and electric, and the emotional moments had me smiling one minute and tearing up the next. A beautifully written romance that I didn’t want to end.
Profile Image for Penny.
9 reviews
March 16, 2026
Another good read from Claire.

This is a good redemption story. Billy has reclaimed her self worth and Rosa is gently nudged to find her better self.
Once more Claire has crafted a credible dialogue/connection between her characters.
Loved the football link through Immy.
54 reviews
March 19, 2026
A very enjoyable read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of second chance and family. The author once again delivered a thoroughly fun adventure in Austria and UK. Anything they write is worthy.
45 reviews
April 22, 2026
Sweet Second Chance

This is a really lovely story. Great themes about forgiveness, self reflection and moving past fear. All the characters were wonderfully written. The side characters really made the story sing, especially Immy and Meredith.
34 reviews
March 12, 2026
Another enjoyable read from Ms Highton-Stevenson. P.S. Imogen is a brat.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
36 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2026
A Must Read

Thoughtful. Emotional. Very well written. Romantic and Spicy. Fall in love with Billy and Rosa and their journey.
Claire has done it again with Ex’s and Oh’s.
6 reviews
March 17, 2026
heart felt

Great story with finding their way back. Made me laugh and sigh at different times. A tapestry of emotions throughout
33 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2026
Sweet story

I enjoyed the latest book from Claire HS. Low angst romance with lovely characters. It was a good story. It was sweet.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews