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Coffee Date
Alice is finally happy with her body and her life—except for the part where revealing she's trans winds up leaving her hurt and abandoned over and over again. She's decided she's done making herself miserable by looking for love.
Love finds her anyway, in the form of Hank, the new guy at her local coffee shop. He's sweet, friendly, charming... and will probably turn out like all the rest. Determined not to shatter the fantasy and lose him before she has to, Alice holds fast to her secrets.
But if the truth doesn't ruin everything, the lies will, and it seems no matter which choice she makes Alice is set for just one more heartache.
Love finds her anyway, in the form of Hank, the new guy at her local coffee shop. He's sweet, friendly, charming... and will probably turn out like all the rest. Determined not to shatter the fantasy and lose him before she has to, Alice holds fast to her secrets.
But if the truth doesn't ruin everything, the lies will, and it seems no matter which choice she makes Alice is set for just one more heartache.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2015
1 person is currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
K. Lynn
32 books14 followersK. Lynn has been an avid reader and writer since childhood. In her youth, she could most likely be found in the local library, devouring books that covered everything from WWII History to Dr. McCoy's latest adventures aboard the Enterprise, with some X-Men thrown in for good measure. Once she had read everything that was on the shelves, she turned around and read them again. K. Lynn was also known to create elaborate adventures that more than once made it to the page. Ink-filled papers gave way to overflowing computer memory as the years went on, but the stories never ceased.
While in college, K. Lynn increased her involvement in LGBT issues and writing within the LGBT fiction genre. She has become a long-time fan of the authors that seek to explore the commonality that exists within all sexualities and genders. Most of K. Lynn's work features LGBT characters, many of whom are in established relationships and show how love perseveres through every trial and tribulation that life holds. She also has a particular interest in seeing transgender characters gain a larger foothold within the LGBT fiction genre, hoping that the market for these works expand in the future.
K. Lynn has degrees and certificates from UNC-Chapel Hill in the areas of American History, Religion, Creative Writing, Public Health, and Journalism. She is a member of Mensa and has an extensive writing and editing background. To her, life is an ongoing adventure where she seeks to learn something new every day. When K. Lynn is not writing short stories, she is working on her novels. Her interests range from erotica to education, with stops along the way in paranormal fiction, historical novels, and established relationship romance. Give her a good story and she's willing to read.
While in college, K. Lynn increased her involvement in LGBT issues and writing within the LGBT fiction genre. She has become a long-time fan of the authors that seek to explore the commonality that exists within all sexualities and genders. Most of K. Lynn's work features LGBT characters, many of whom are in established relationships and show how love perseveres through every trial and tribulation that life holds. She also has a particular interest in seeing transgender characters gain a larger foothold within the LGBT fiction genre, hoping that the market for these works expand in the future.
K. Lynn has degrees and certificates from UNC-Chapel Hill in the areas of American History, Religion, Creative Writing, Public Health, and Journalism. She is a member of Mensa and has an extensive writing and editing background. To her, life is an ongoing adventure where she seeks to learn something new every day. When K. Lynn is not writing short stories, she is working on her novels. Her interests range from erotica to education, with stops along the way in paranormal fiction, historical novels, and established relationship romance. Give her a good story and she's willing to read.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 1, 2015
JavaGirl's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Alice is happy with her life and who she is. She enjoys her job, and has a small circle of close, supportive friends. This hasn't always been the case. Coming out as transgender to her family was disastrous-resulting in a break from her parents. She has been hurt so many times that she convinces herself it's better to be alone than to risk the rejection when she reveals that she is transgender. Then she meets Hank at her local coffee house. She is attracted to him, but keeps it to a casual flirtation until Hank shows up at her work and asks her to dinner. Alice is torn about when and how to tell Hank the truth. The longer the relationship goes on, the more difficult it becomes for her. This short story provided a wonderful opportunity to see inside the head of a transgender woman; to see her fears, hopes, dreams, and the vulnerability a transgender person experiences at the beginning of a new relationship. How and when to tell? How will he react-with acceptance, anger, disgust, violence? Opening oneself up to a new relationship always puts one in a position of vulnerability, but I think it's even more so for a transgender person. I really did enjoy this short story and I appreciate the insights into the mind and heart of a transgender woman. I would love to read a follow-up story to check in with Hank and Alice to see how their relationship has progressed.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Alice is happy with her life and who she is. She enjoys her job, and has a small circle of close, supportive friends. This hasn't always been the case. Coming out as transgender to her family was disastrous-resulting in a break from her parents. She has been hurt so many times that she convinces herself it's better to be alone than to risk the rejection when she reveals that she is transgender. Then she meets Hank at her local coffee house. She is attracted to him, but keeps it to a casual flirtation until Hank shows up at her work and asks her to dinner. Alice is torn about when and how to tell Hank the truth. The longer the relationship goes on, the more difficult it becomes for her. This short story provided a wonderful opportunity to see inside the head of a transgender woman; to see her fears, hopes, dreams, and the vulnerability a transgender person experiences at the beginning of a new relationship. How and when to tell? How will he react-with acceptance, anger, disgust, violence? Opening oneself up to a new relationship always puts one in a position of vulnerability, but I think it's even more so for a transgender person. I really did enjoy this short story and I appreciate the insights into the mind and heart of a transgender woman. I would love to read a follow-up story to check in with Hank and Alice to see how their relationship has progressed.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
April 14, 2015
3.5 stars, rounded up
For my honest and true view of this book, please read …MORE
Goodreads TOS-compliant review (I think, let me know when they tell us what the rules are):
"The book I just read is about two (or three) lovely people, written in beautiful language, by a very good and prolific author. I liked it very, very much.
It is for sale on Amazon.”
DISCLAIMER: My reviews now all have this pretty face, so that all and everyone on Goodreads can stay happy and beatific. I’ll let you know if I change my mind. See the real review above for my thoughts on this book.
For my honest and true view of this book, please read …MORE
Goodreads TOS-compliant review (I think, let me know when they tell us what the rules are):
"The book I just read is about two (or three) lovely people, written in beautiful language, by a very good and prolific author. I liked it very, very much.
It is for sale on Amazon.”
DISCLAIMER: My reviews now all have this pretty face, so that all and everyone on Goodreads can stay happy and beatific. I’ll let you know if I change my mind. See the real review above for my thoughts on this book.
May 12, 2015
You know, it’s certainly become something of a romance trope by now, but I still love reading these stories. True love is the most beautiful thing in the world, and having it threatened by a transgender secret makes it even more significant. It’s like the old saying about not knowing what you’ve got until it’s gone – that secret, that fear, that trepidation really accentuates the romance of Coffee Date.
Alice is an absolutely lovely woman, completely comfortable in her transition. She has a career as a librarian that she enjoys, at least one good friend, and what seems like a healthy social life. Things like hormone shots are just a fact-of-life inconvenience, really no different than a diabetic’s shots. He gender doesn’t define her, and she doesn’t obsess over who might know or what they might suspect.
When she first encounters Hank at the coffee shop, their daily flirting is so very sweet. She enjoys being admired, and allows herself to succumb to the fantasy of romance. When he shows up at the library with a coffee to ask her out, she’s so embarrassed it’s cute, but she doesn’t think twice about accepting. Really, for most of the story, Lynn plays it straight (pun intended) as a budding romance between a man and a woman.
Maybe that’s why I had such a sick feeling in my stomach when Alice finally decides it’s time to confess her secret to Hank. Those coming out conversations are always hard, but it’s even worse when you’ve waited so long. His response is pretty much what you’d fear/expect, and I will admit to hating him for a few pages. There are so many ways an author can deal with that revelation, and here it’s not a matter of gender at all, but one of trust issues. Hank has been hurt before, and he feels betrayed that she didn’t say anything before now.
Where Coffee Date rises above the tropes is in its final scene. Lynn concludes the story with a difficult conversation that promises a better day tomorrow, but doesn’t force a happily-ever-after. As much as we might crave instant acceptance, I loved the idea that love may not conquer all, but it’s strong enough to allow a couple to work through their issues together.
As reviewed by Sally on Bending the Bookshelf
Alice is an absolutely lovely woman, completely comfortable in her transition. She has a career as a librarian that she enjoys, at least one good friend, and what seems like a healthy social life. Things like hormone shots are just a fact-of-life inconvenience, really no different than a diabetic’s shots. He gender doesn’t define her, and she doesn’t obsess over who might know or what they might suspect.
When she first encounters Hank at the coffee shop, their daily flirting is so very sweet. She enjoys being admired, and allows herself to succumb to the fantasy of romance. When he shows up at the library with a coffee to ask her out, she’s so embarrassed it’s cute, but she doesn’t think twice about accepting. Really, for most of the story, Lynn plays it straight (pun intended) as a budding romance between a man and a woman.
Maybe that’s why I had such a sick feeling in my stomach when Alice finally decides it’s time to confess her secret to Hank. Those coming out conversations are always hard, but it’s even worse when you’ve waited so long. His response is pretty much what you’d fear/expect, and I will admit to hating him for a few pages. There are so many ways an author can deal with that revelation, and here it’s not a matter of gender at all, but one of trust issues. Hank has been hurt before, and he feels betrayed that she didn’t say anything before now.
Where Coffee Date rises above the tropes is in its final scene. Lynn concludes the story with a difficult conversation that promises a better day tomorrow, but doesn’t force a happily-ever-after. As much as we might crave instant acceptance, I loved the idea that love may not conquer all, but it’s strong enough to allow a couple to work through their issues together.
As reviewed by Sally on Bending the Bookshelf
July 13, 2016
This is a quick read with some fun moments and some parts that made me think. I like the author’s writing style, but I have to admit, I have really mixed feelings about the story.
What I loved was the friendship and easy banter between Mary and Alice. I would have enjoyed seeing more of their friendship, including some resolution to the whole class reunion thing. I also enjoyed the way at first, Alice’s relationship with Hank slowly blossomed. But those things were a bit overshadowed by some of the other issues with the story.
First of all, in the blurb, it says Alice is happy with her body and her life. However, almost right away, it becomes clear she isn’t–she’s disappointed with her love life and she still wants gender confirmation surgery. That’s fine; trans people have all different feelings about those things, and representing one perspective is all right. However, it’s not what the blurb says, so for some readers, that could be distressing.
Second, the plot (trans woman doesn’t reveal she hasn’t had bottom surgery) is really tired. Hank’s reaction was predictable, but what really annoyed me was how fast Alice took him back and how he kept saying that being angry made him say things he didn’t mean. His reason for being upset was also a little iffy. It was all a bit too tidy.
Third, I was very confused about her figuring out she was trans because she liked straight guys. That conflates gender and sexuality. Trans people have all different orientations, and there is so much more to figuring out one’s gender identity than who one develops crushes on. It also plays heavily into gender and sexuality stereotypes.
I was expecting that the conflict between Alice and Hank might be something other than her identity or her body or that the story might stick to the light, sweet tone it had at first.
This is the second gender-themed story I’ve read by this author, and I really do feel she has potential to explore these things better and more deeply. I think she’s doing a good thing and simply needs to focus on developing more skill with writing trans characters. Despite my reservations about this story, I’m looking forward to seeing her take her trans characters to the next level.
October 23, 2015
I really wanted to like this story. I pre-ordered it and had been looking forward to it for several weeks. There's not nearly enough queer romance with transgender women as protagonists! Unfortunately, as a transgender person, I don't think that Alice's gender status was handled particularly well and I found some of it downright upsetting.
Furthermore, much of Hank and Alice's relationship development is glossed over. There's a lot of exposition describing what they did and talked about, but not as much as I would have liked showing the characters' interactions. The characters felt a little flat, and my favorite character was neither Hank nor Alice, but Alice's friend Mary. Gender roles are followed heavily, which just isn't my preference in queer romance stories.
My biggest issue with the story was
Overall, while this story had potential and it had cute moments, it was not what I was looking for and it has some problems with its portrayal of a transgender woman. I was reading it hoping to find something to recommend to my other transgender friends, but unfortunately I really can't.
Furthermore, much of Hank and Alice's relationship development is glossed over. There's a lot of exposition describing what they did and talked about, but not as much as I would have liked showing the characters' interactions. The characters felt a little flat, and my favorite character was neither Hank nor Alice, but Alice's friend Mary. Gender roles are followed heavily, which just isn't my preference in queer romance stories.
My biggest issue with the story was
Overall, while this story had potential and it had cute moments, it was not what I was looking for and it has some problems with its portrayal of a transgender woman. I was reading it hoping to find something to recommend to my other transgender friends, but unfortunately I really can't.
May 18, 2015
This story is completely underdeveloped. I've seen authors do a lot in very few pages, but this just isn't one of them. The relationship of Alice and Hank happens almost entirely off page. It's basicelly "over time, they went on dates and fell in love". I feel some sort of TV narrator in a fairy tale happening as I type that. And it's true. That's how the relationship was written, and then BAM, they're in love. Except...she's got a Big Secret.
The reveal was traumatic, no doubt. I felt for Alice and wanted to kick Hank in the shins. The resolution, though, felt forced into a tiny box. It wasn't at all realistic, and he absolutely didn't grovel. He didn't even FIND her. It was all accidental and lazy.
Overall, I was underwhelmed by every part of this.
I received an ARC of this via Netgalley.
The reveal was traumatic, no doubt. I felt for Alice and wanted to kick Hank in the shins. The resolution, though, felt forced into a tiny box. It wasn't at all realistic, and he absolutely didn't grovel. He didn't even FIND her. It was all accidental and lazy.
Overall, I was underwhelmed by every part of this.
I received an ARC of this via Netgalley.
August 21, 2015
This is a quick read with some fun moments and some parts that made me think. I like the author's writing style, but I have to admit, I have really mixed feelings about the story.
What I loved was the friendship and easy banter between Mary and Alice. I would have enjoyed seeing more of their friendship, including some resolution to the whole class reunion thing. I also enjoyed the way at first, Alice's relationship with Hank slowly blossomed. But those things were a bit overshadowed by some of the other issues with the story.
First of all, in the blurb, it says Alice is happy with her body and her life. However, almost right away, it becomes clear she isn't--she's disappointed with her love life and she still wants gender confirmation surgery. That's fine; trans people have all different feelings about those things, and representing one perspective is all right. However, it's not what the blurb says, so for some readers, that could be distressing.
Second, the plot (trans woman doesn't reveal she hasn't had bottom surgery) is really tired. Hank's reaction was predictable, but what really annoyed me was how fast Alice took him back and how he kept saying that being angry made him say things he didn't mean. His reason for being upset was also a little iffy. It was all a bit too tidy.
Third, I was very confused about her figuring out she was trans because she liked straight guys. That conflates gender and sexuality. Trans people have all different orientations, and there is so much more to figuring out one's gender identity than who one develops crushes on. It also plays heavily into gender and sexuality stereotypes.
I was expecting that the conflict between Alice and Hank might be something other than her identity or her body or that the story might stick to the light, sweet tone it had at first.
This is the second gender-themed story I've read by this author, and I really do feel she has potential to explore these things better and more deeply. I think she's doing a good thing and simply needs to focus on developing more skill with writing trans characters. Despite my reservations about this story, I'm looking forward to seeing her take her trans characters to the next level.
** I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads**
~Amy
What I loved was the friendship and easy banter between Mary and Alice. I would have enjoyed seeing more of their friendship, including some resolution to the whole class reunion thing. I also enjoyed the way at first, Alice's relationship with Hank slowly blossomed. But those things were a bit overshadowed by some of the other issues with the story.
First of all, in the blurb, it says Alice is happy with her body and her life. However, almost right away, it becomes clear she isn't--she's disappointed with her love life and she still wants gender confirmation surgery. That's fine; trans people have all different feelings about those things, and representing one perspective is all right. However, it's not what the blurb says, so for some readers, that could be distressing.
Second, the plot (trans woman doesn't reveal she hasn't had bottom surgery) is really tired. Hank's reaction was predictable, but what really annoyed me was how fast Alice took him back and how he kept saying that being angry made him say things he didn't mean. His reason for being upset was also a little iffy. It was all a bit too tidy.
Third, I was very confused about her figuring out she was trans because she liked straight guys. That conflates gender and sexuality. Trans people have all different orientations, and there is so much more to figuring out one's gender identity than who one develops crushes on. It also plays heavily into gender and sexuality stereotypes.
I was expecting that the conflict between Alice and Hank might be something other than her identity or her body or that the story might stick to the light, sweet tone it had at first.
This is the second gender-themed story I've read by this author, and I really do feel she has potential to explore these things better and more deeply. I think she's doing a good thing and simply needs to focus on developing more skill with writing trans characters. Despite my reservations about this story, I'm looking forward to seeing her take her trans characters to the next level.
** I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads**
~Amy
July 28, 2015
Reviewed by Kiersten for QUEERcentric Books
3.7 Stars
K. Lynn’s latest, Coffee Date, is a brisk and enjoyable trans* romance. Alice is a librarian who likes to get her morning mocha at the local coffee shop. Without looking for love after too many failed relationships, she quite suddenly finds the new hunky barista, Hank, making special deliveries at the library--just for her.
THE TRUTH COMES OUT
As their relationship develops, Alice is terrified to reveal to Hank that she is transgender. She withholds this information until they’re both in too deep. The truth comes out, as it always does, and Hank’s cruel reaction to Alice in her moment of bravery is heartbreaking.
Alice blames herself for Hank’s bigotry, but her best friend Mary has the best advice for her: “If he can’t accept you for who you are, then you’re better off knowing it now.”
Coffee Date could have easily been doubled or even tripled in length to flesh out the characters a bit more. The only conflict in the story was that Alice kept her transgender identity from Hank and he reacted poorly to the news. Hank later justifies his reaction; in the past, he had been burned by an ex-lover who was lying to him. This does not, however, endear Hank to me--I had a hard time forgiving him after his transphobic comments.
I HAD A FEW POINTS OF CONTENTION WITH THE STORY
I had a few points of contention with the story itself. First, unlike the book description, Alice was not actually happy with her body. It was as jarring to find out that Alice, who still wanted bottom surgery, was not satisfied with her physical appearance after the promise of the book description. Her so-called “mismatched” body made her feel incomplete.
Read Kiersten's full review on QUEERcentric Books
3.7 Stars
K. Lynn’s latest, Coffee Date, is a brisk and enjoyable trans* romance. Alice is a librarian who likes to get her morning mocha at the local coffee shop. Without looking for love after too many failed relationships, she quite suddenly finds the new hunky barista, Hank, making special deliveries at the library--just for her.
THE TRUTH COMES OUT
As their relationship develops, Alice is terrified to reveal to Hank that she is transgender. She withholds this information until they’re both in too deep. The truth comes out, as it always does, and Hank’s cruel reaction to Alice in her moment of bravery is heartbreaking.
Alice blames herself for Hank’s bigotry, but her best friend Mary has the best advice for her: “If he can’t accept you for who you are, then you’re better off knowing it now.”
Coffee Date could have easily been doubled or even tripled in length to flesh out the characters a bit more. The only conflict in the story was that Alice kept her transgender identity from Hank and he reacted poorly to the news. Hank later justifies his reaction; in the past, he had been burned by an ex-lover who was lying to him. This does not, however, endear Hank to me--I had a hard time forgiving him after his transphobic comments.
I HAD A FEW POINTS OF CONTENTION WITH THE STORY
I had a few points of contention with the story itself. First, unlike the book description, Alice was not actually happy with her body. It was as jarring to find out that Alice, who still wanted bottom surgery, was not satisfied with her physical appearance after the promise of the book description. Her so-called “mismatched” body made her feel incomplete.
Read Kiersten's full review on QUEERcentric Books
June 25, 2015
Alice, formerly Al, is happy with her life now but it wasn’t always this way. She’s gone through bullying and torment before her transition and faced losing people she loved, including her parents, afterwards. The truth is something people didn’t always want to hear. Now she meets Hank, a barista, and his gentle flirting and sweet demeanor liven up her day. He’s a writer who lost his creative way while working corporate and now he’s following his muse.
The two of them begin this soft, slow journey and it’s sweet. There’s no rushing into sex, no insta-love. It’s two people getting to know each other and that was lovely. Alice has an amazing friend, Mary, who has some great advice when she tells Alice – you have to tell Hank about yourself. “If he finds out some other way, he’s going to be hurt and confused.” Yes, because they’ve been dating months and she hasn’t mentioned. When it finally happens, the outcome isn’t good.
Something I loved about this story is that I felt Hank’s response was realistic. He was hurt, angry and lashed out; just what I would expect from someone who finds their partner has been lying to them about something important. Worse for Hank, since he has betrayal in his history already. Did he lash out? Sure, but Alice waited way too long to tell him.
The story is pretty short so there are things that aren’t covered, but I felt it was a decent beginning to this relationship. There’s going to be some difficulties but I’m pulling for these two to make it work.
The two of them begin this soft, slow journey and it’s sweet. There’s no rushing into sex, no insta-love. It’s two people getting to know each other and that was lovely. Alice has an amazing friend, Mary, who has some great advice when she tells Alice – you have to tell Hank about yourself. “If he finds out some other way, he’s going to be hurt and confused.” Yes, because they’ve been dating months and she hasn’t mentioned. When it finally happens, the outcome isn’t good.
Something I loved about this story is that I felt Hank’s response was realistic. He was hurt, angry and lashed out; just what I would expect from someone who finds their partner has been lying to them about something important. Worse for Hank, since he has betrayal in his history already. Did he lash out? Sure, but Alice waited way too long to tell him.
The story is pretty short so there are things that aren’t covered, but I felt it was a decent beginning to this relationship. There’s going to be some difficulties but I’m pulling for these two to make it work.
July 4, 2015
Alice walks into her favorite coffee shop one morning and meets Hank, a flirty new employee. Flirting over coffee soon turns into a string of dates and everything is going great between the two, except Alice is scared to tell her new boyfriend that she’s trans.
This short story is super short and felt kind of rushed in parts. Alice and Hank’s relationship was kind of glossed over in the getting-to-know-each-other stage and suddenly they’re getting serious. I liked Alice (she’s a librarian who loves coffee – a girl after my own heart), but I felt Hank was kind of one dimensional, so I never cared about him one way or another outside of how he reacts to the news Alice tells him. Small spoiler – Hank’s kneejerk reaction is kind of, well, jerky. There’s a Happy-For-Now ending to the story, but I wasn’t really feeling it – he really said some mean things to her and I felt like she was too quick to forgive him.
While I really wished some things had been better fleshed out in Coffee Date, and that Alice had made Hank grovel a bit in the end, I did like the main character and I enjoyed the story overall.
*I received an ARC of this book to review. You can find this review and others like it at BookAndCoffeeAddict.com, along with recommendations for a fantastic cup of coffee.
This short story is super short and felt kind of rushed in parts. Alice and Hank’s relationship was kind of glossed over in the getting-to-know-each-other stage and suddenly they’re getting serious. I liked Alice (she’s a librarian who loves coffee – a girl after my own heart), but I felt Hank was kind of one dimensional, so I never cared about him one way or another outside of how he reacts to the news Alice tells him. Small spoiler – Hank’s kneejerk reaction is kind of, well, jerky. There’s a Happy-For-Now ending to the story, but I wasn’t really feeling it – he really said some mean things to her and I felt like she was too quick to forgive him.
While I really wished some things had been better fleshed out in Coffee Date, and that Alice had made Hank grovel a bit in the end, I did like the main character and I enjoyed the story overall.
*I received an ARC of this book to review. You can find this review and others like it at BookAndCoffeeAddict.com, along with recommendations for a fantastic cup of coffee.
May 15, 2015
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four and a half stars!
There are so many emotions in this story. Hank is a wonderful person and was so wonderful to Alice. You can tell he loves her deeply. I felt horrible for Alice though. Having to choose between being honest and being looked at differently. I loved the characters and their story. I would love to read more about these two to see how they handle a relationship after all of the secrets are out and they’re open with each other. But I also have faith they’re going to make it and build a beautiful relationship from the solid foundation they have.
Four and a half stars!
There are so many emotions in this story. Hank is a wonderful person and was so wonderful to Alice. You can tell he loves her deeply. I felt horrible for Alice though. Having to choose between being honest and being looked at differently. I loved the characters and their story. I would love to read more about these two to see how they handle a relationship after all of the secrets are out and they’re open with each other. But I also have faith they’re going to make it and build a beautiful relationship from the solid foundation they have.
May 15, 2015
3.5 stars
I requested a copy of this story when I saw the main character was a transsexual. It's a genre I enjoy and don't often stumble across.
The writing is fine and I enjoyed a great deal of the story. Especially the struggles Al/Alice went through to be true to herself.
I was on the fence about Hank, he was hot and cold, understandably at times, but I couldn't make him out.
The ending felt rushed and too tidy, for me to fully enjoy this shortie.
Copy received via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I requested a copy of this story when I saw the main character was a transsexual. It's a genre I enjoy and don't often stumble across.
The writing is fine and I enjoyed a great deal of the story. Especially the struggles Al/Alice went through to be true to herself.
I was on the fence about Hank, he was hot and cold, understandably at times, but I couldn't make him out.
The ending felt rushed and too tidy, for me to fully enjoy this shortie.
Copy received via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2019
Story and characters simplistic, prose unpolished.
July 1, 2015
Check out the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Note: This ARC was provided by Less Than Three Press in exchange for an honest review.
Coffee Date is a short story about Alice, a transwoman whose transition hasn't been fully embraced by her parents or the men she's dated. When she meets Hank, they engage in a friendship that soon evolves into more. Even after months of being together, Alice has yet to let Hank know about her being trans, and it could have a lot to do with their not being intimate, so it's not as if Alice has had reason to confess her status. It brings up an interesting question: do you divulge your most intimate secret early on in a relationship or do you wait until a stronger foundation has been created before saying anything?
This was a very quick read, but it told a complete story, one that I've never come across in all my years of being a bookaholic, which is why I was so drawn to it in the first place. Alice's story is one that countless people can relate to, whether they're part of the LGBT community or not, because it's about acceptance. Alice has long accepted who she is but it's certain people around her who seem to have difficulty doing the same. No one likes being rejected or being made to feel as if who they are isn't acceptable or good enough. Her love story with Hank shows that, with an open mind and heart, and in their case, a bit of time, space, and understanding, finding love and acceptance isn't an impossibility. Coffee Date gets 4.5 stars, rounded off to five stars for Goodreads. ♥
Note: This ARC was provided by Less Than Three Press in exchange for an honest review.
Coffee Date is a short story about Alice, a transwoman whose transition hasn't been fully embraced by her parents or the men she's dated. When she meets Hank, they engage in a friendship that soon evolves into more. Even after months of being together, Alice has yet to let Hank know about her being trans, and it could have a lot to do with their not being intimate, so it's not as if Alice has had reason to confess her status. It brings up an interesting question: do you divulge your most intimate secret early on in a relationship or do you wait until a stronger foundation has been created before saying anything?
This was a very quick read, but it told a complete story, one that I've never come across in all my years of being a bookaholic, which is why I was so drawn to it in the first place. Alice's story is one that countless people can relate to, whether they're part of the LGBT community or not, because it's about acceptance. Alice has long accepted who she is but it's certain people around her who seem to have difficulty doing the same. No one likes being rejected or being made to feel as if who they are isn't acceptable or good enough. Her love story with Hank shows that, with an open mind and heart, and in their case, a bit of time, space, and understanding, finding love and acceptance isn't an impossibility. Coffee Date gets 4.5 stars, rounded off to five stars for Goodreads. ♥
June 24, 2015
This is such a gem for me. It's very difficult to find transgender fiction, and this little love story was short and sweet.
The story begins with Alice reliving a moment from her past when she was in transition in college. Her memories of one person in particular making her life miserable as she moved from Al to Alice and her thoughts of disappointing her family rang true.
The story quickly moves to her chance meeting at her favorite coffee shop where she meets the new barista, Hank. After some intense flirting, he asks her out. Alice has been hurt before and doesn't want to lose Hank, but is afraid her past will scare him away.
What I liked: This was a very sweet love story, and I felt that it was very sensitive regarding Alice's transition. She enjoys her work as a librarian and I appreciated the back story behind that. Hank is more hurt by Alice's lies than by her past which was a nice touch.
What I didn't like: Hank reacts predictably when Alice tells him the truth and it's not in a good way. The sex scene between them felt a little perfunctory and forced and left me feeling nothing.
Please keep in mind this is an extremely short book, and should be more accurately described as a novella. it was well written and it was nice to find a happy ending here where so often we don't see that in real life.
ARC provided by NetGalley
https://readingfemme.wordpress.com/20...
The story begins with Alice reliving a moment from her past when she was in transition in college. Her memories of one person in particular making her life miserable as she moved from Al to Alice and her thoughts of disappointing her family rang true.
The story quickly moves to her chance meeting at her favorite coffee shop where she meets the new barista, Hank. After some intense flirting, he asks her out. Alice has been hurt before and doesn't want to lose Hank, but is afraid her past will scare him away.
What I liked: This was a very sweet love story, and I felt that it was very sensitive regarding Alice's transition. She enjoys her work as a librarian and I appreciated the back story behind that. Hank is more hurt by Alice's lies than by her past which was a nice touch.
What I didn't like: Hank reacts predictably when Alice tells him the truth and it's not in a good way. The sex scene between them felt a little perfunctory and forced and left me feeling nothing.
Please keep in mind this is an extremely short book, and should be more accurately described as a novella. it was well written and it was nice to find a happy ending here where so often we don't see that in real life.
ARC provided by NetGalley
https://readingfemme.wordpress.com/20...
March 19, 2016
Title: Coffee Date
Author: K. Lynn
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
ISBN: 9781620045701
Buy Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/boo...
Reviewer: Teresa - Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Alice is finally happy with her body and her life—except for the part where revealing she's trans winds up leaving her hurt and abandoned over and over again. She's decided she's done making herself miserable by looking for love.
Love finds her anyway, in the form of Hank, the new guy at her local coffee shop. He's sweet, friendly, charming... and will probably turn out like all the rest. Determined not to shatter the fantasy and lose him before she has to, Alice holds fast to her secrets.
But if the truth doesn't ruin everything, the lies will, and it seems no matter which choice she makes Alice is set for just one more heartache.
Summary:
The stress Alice felt trying to live her life while keeping her secret was incredibly hard. The difficulties that transgender individuals feel daily was brought to life for the reader through Alice's story. It was wonderful experiencing her growth under the attentions of Hank, but secrets have a way of coming out and one can't be sure what the outcome could be. This was an amazing story about reaching for ones dream in spite of the odds.
Author: K. Lynn
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
ISBN: 9781620045701
Buy Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/boo...
Reviewer: Teresa - Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Alice is finally happy with her body and her life—except for the part where revealing she's trans winds up leaving her hurt and abandoned over and over again. She's decided she's done making herself miserable by looking for love.
Love finds her anyway, in the form of Hank, the new guy at her local coffee shop. He's sweet, friendly, charming... and will probably turn out like all the rest. Determined not to shatter the fantasy and lose him before she has to, Alice holds fast to her secrets.
But if the truth doesn't ruin everything, the lies will, and it seems no matter which choice she makes Alice is set for just one more heartache.
Summary:
The stress Alice felt trying to live her life while keeping her secret was incredibly hard. The difficulties that transgender individuals feel daily was brought to life for the reader through Alice's story. It was wonderful experiencing her growth under the attentions of Hank, but secrets have a way of coming out and one can't be sure what the outcome could be. This was an amazing story about reaching for ones dream in spite of the odds.
April 27, 2016
This was a really lovely short story. Alice is an interesting character, and I could really feel her struggle throughout the book. There were to tough decisions to make: telling Hank the truth and risking the loss of their relationship, or hiding it from him and basically lying about who she is.
Hank is really sweet. He brings her coffee and a muffin to work when she's running late one morning, and asks her for a date. They have a lot in common, both doing jobs that they love (she's a librarian, he's a writer and barista). And Hank is willing to wait for Alice to be comfortable with a physical relationship... although this also allows Alice to keep her secret even longer.
And eventually, Alice knows that she's going to have to tell Hank the truth
I really recommend this cute romantic short story!
Hank is really sweet. He brings her coffee and a muffin to work when she's running late one morning, and asks her for a date. They have a lot in common, both doing jobs that they love (she's a librarian, he's a writer and barista). And Hank is willing to wait for Alice to be comfortable with a physical relationship... although this also allows Alice to keep her secret even longer.
And eventually, Alice knows that she's going to have to tell Hank the truth
I really recommend this cute romantic short story!
September 16, 2015
Full review to come
December 8, 2015
A sweet if underdeveloped story about a very loving and patient woman who gives a dude and his manpain a second chance they may not deserve.
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