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Close Reading
Two professors, three kids, two dogs, one coffee shop, and a whole winter of almosts.
Margot Voss is precise, private, and hasn't let anyone close in twelve years. Priya Anand is warm, brilliant, chronically late, and the first person to tell you when you're wrong.
When their university pairs them for a research project neither of them volunteered for, they recognize something in each other immediately… and spend the next five months pretending they don't. Between faculty meetings, school pickups, and long afternoons at Lavender House, the distance keeps closing.
The work is manageable. What's happening between them is not. Someone will have to say it.
Close Reading is an introspective slow-burn sapphic romance for readers who like to live inside a love story. It's two women in their forties, told in alternating first person. The longing is the point, and the payoff is worth the wait.
Close Reading is Book One of the Lavender House Series, set in Millhaven, a Pacific Northwest college town with a queer coffee house at its heart.
Slow burn · Forced proximity · Found family · Dual first-person POV · Character-driven · Open door
Margot Voss is precise, private, and hasn't let anyone close in twelve years. Priya Anand is warm, brilliant, chronically late, and the first person to tell you when you're wrong.
When their university pairs them for a research project neither of them volunteered for, they recognize something in each other immediately… and spend the next five months pretending they don't. Between faculty meetings, school pickups, and long afternoons at Lavender House, the distance keeps closing.
The work is manageable. What's happening between them is not. Someone will have to say it.
Close Reading is an introspective slow-burn sapphic romance for readers who like to live inside a love story. It's two women in their forties, told in alternating first person. The longing is the point, and the payoff is worth the wait.
Close Reading is Book One of the Lavender House Series, set in Millhaven, a Pacific Northwest college town with a queer coffee house at its heart.
Slow burn · Forced proximity · Found family · Dual first-person POV · Character-driven · Open door
- GenresContemporaryQueerRomance
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2026
About the author
Anya Birch
6 books7 followersAnya Birch is the pen name for two married queer women writing sapphic literary romance from the Pacific Northwest. Both came to fiction from academic careers because fiction could hold what scholarship couldn't. They have twelve published books between them, including award-winning titles and bestsellers, and this is their first collaboration. They live with their two kids and one snuggly dog, and have been meaning to get the garden going for several years now.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 27, 2026
Close Reading is the first in Anya Birch's Lavender House series. This book was unexpected. I highlighted so many passages that I will have to limit my quotes in this review. The writing style is descriptive, atmospheric, and intellectual. From the beginning, vivid imagery sets the scene in Washington in the fall. The author assumes the reader's intelligence and writes a clever and sometimes humorous narrative about two older protagonists who are single mothers and esteemed academics at a university. They begin working together on a long-term project and are magnetically drawn to one another over several months.
"The first day of the fall semester feels the same every year, which is what I like about it. September light in the Pacific Northwest arrives lower than mid- summer light, softer, the first concession toward the grey that will define the next six months. The grass is still wet at 7:40, the dew catching the slant before the sun burns it off."
"I nod at Dr. Otieno from Political Science. I do not stop. I have never stopped on my way across the quad, and he has never expected me to, and this mutual understanding, arrived at silently, maintained for a decade, is the foundation of what I consider a perfectly functional collegial relationship."
"I am seventeen minutes late to my own welcome-back meeting. An improvement over last year’s twenty-three, and I would like the record to reflect that the improvement is significant even if the result is still, technically, late."
"He [Moti (dog)] has seen everything and judged it all and taken no action; this is his approach to most things and which I find, depending on my mood, either profoundly philosophical or deeply unhelpful."
"The smell is a combination of new carpet they installed in July and coffee from a machine that should have been retired during the previous administration. The coffee tastes like fluorescent lighting feels, flat, institutional, nobody’s first choice but technically present."
Birch uses some effective metaphors.
"Isolation always loses more. The sentence follows me across the quad. It was a scalpel of a sentence. It found the exact place, and it cut cleanly, and the cut is only painful because the cutting was accurate."
"The silence is not comfortable. It has edges."
The characters float in and out of a coffee shop across from campus called Lavender House, run by Bea, who is wise and subtly helpful. The diverse supporting cast passes through almost daily, interacting with the main pairing and each other in a variety of ways. This introduces the characters who provide quiet guidance and will be explored in later books.
"This is how Lavender House works. Things endure past their origins, and no one needs to explain why."
Margot and Priya are very complex and introspective individuals. Their dialogue is sparse. That appears to be intentional and strategic. I enjoy the dual perspectives and inner monologues, but I prefer more on-page dialogue and exchanges than the author included. The relationship is characterized by a quiet, simmering tension that grows over time. Some of the conversations and interactions between Margot and Priya are told rather than shown, which seems important to note because I disagree with that decision.
The pace felt slow and the plot organic. Margot is processing trauma that has built a wall around her heart and a quiet, ordered life for protection against uncertainty. Priya is patient and observant. Some of the assumptions each of them makes are quite a stretch without the necessary conversations taking place.
The two have different personalities but it is often difficult to tell who is speaking even though the chapter headers were character names. Their voices are similar and it is easy to forget who is who.
I appreciate the body positivity in the way Margot is described as fat and beautiful. She has an intelligent and insightful young teen daughter. Priya has a couple of funny dogs and intelligent children. I also like that Priya is Indian and we get to learn a bit about her culture through her children's experiences.
There are a few steamy scenes that I think are well-done. They emphasize gentleness, consent, communication, and once again, body positivity.
(What I think are the) Morals of the story:
• There is incredible strength in being vulnerable.
• Real love is what fills the spaces between the actions of everyday living and also the holes left by trauma.
"A dog hair on the surface. Golden. Fine. Kali’s. I pick up the dog hair. I hold it for a moment. I put it in my pocket."
The silly things we do when we are deliriously in love...
Close Reading is a strong series starter. I'm looking forward to the rest.
#washington #academia #professors #ecology #science #university #comparativeliterature #oppositesattract #plussize #WOC #indian #children #pets #divorced #singleparents #slowburn #funnydogs #masturbationscene #atmospheric #forcedproximity #bodypositivity #oldermaincharacters #diversity #steamy #consent #HEA
I received a review copy from the author. This is my honest opinion.
"The first day of the fall semester feels the same every year, which is what I like about it. September light in the Pacific Northwest arrives lower than mid- summer light, softer, the first concession toward the grey that will define the next six months. The grass is still wet at 7:40, the dew catching the slant before the sun burns it off."
"I nod at Dr. Otieno from Political Science. I do not stop. I have never stopped on my way across the quad, and he has never expected me to, and this mutual understanding, arrived at silently, maintained for a decade, is the foundation of what I consider a perfectly functional collegial relationship."
"I am seventeen minutes late to my own welcome-back meeting. An improvement over last year’s twenty-three, and I would like the record to reflect that the improvement is significant even if the result is still, technically, late."
"He [Moti (dog)] has seen everything and judged it all and taken no action; this is his approach to most things and which I find, depending on my mood, either profoundly philosophical or deeply unhelpful."
"The smell is a combination of new carpet they installed in July and coffee from a machine that should have been retired during the previous administration. The coffee tastes like fluorescent lighting feels, flat, institutional, nobody’s first choice but technically present."
Birch uses some effective metaphors.
"Isolation always loses more. The sentence follows me across the quad. It was a scalpel of a sentence. It found the exact place, and it cut cleanly, and the cut is only painful because the cutting was accurate."
"The silence is not comfortable. It has edges."
The characters float in and out of a coffee shop across from campus called Lavender House, run by Bea, who is wise and subtly helpful. The diverse supporting cast passes through almost daily, interacting with the main pairing and each other in a variety of ways. This introduces the characters who provide quiet guidance and will be explored in later books.
"This is how Lavender House works. Things endure past their origins, and no one needs to explain why."
Margot and Priya are very complex and introspective individuals. Their dialogue is sparse. That appears to be intentional and strategic. I enjoy the dual perspectives and inner monologues, but I prefer more on-page dialogue and exchanges than the author included. The relationship is characterized by a quiet, simmering tension that grows over time. Some of the conversations and interactions between Margot and Priya are told rather than shown, which seems important to note because I disagree with that decision.
The pace felt slow and the plot organic. Margot is processing trauma that has built a wall around her heart and a quiet, ordered life for protection against uncertainty. Priya is patient and observant. Some of the assumptions each of them makes are quite a stretch without the necessary conversations taking place.
The two have different personalities but it is often difficult to tell who is speaking even though the chapter headers were character names. Their voices are similar and it is easy to forget who is who.
I appreciate the body positivity in the way Margot is described as fat and beautiful. She has an intelligent and insightful young teen daughter. Priya has a couple of funny dogs and intelligent children. I also like that Priya is Indian and we get to learn a bit about her culture through her children's experiences.
There are a few steamy scenes that I think are well-done. They emphasize gentleness, consent, communication, and once again, body positivity.
(What I think are the) Morals of the story:
• There is incredible strength in being vulnerable.
• Real love is what fills the spaces between the actions of everyday living and also the holes left by trauma.
"A dog hair on the surface. Golden. Fine. Kali’s. I pick up the dog hair. I hold it for a moment. I put it in my pocket."
The silly things we do when we are deliriously in love...
Close Reading is a strong series starter. I'm looking forward to the rest.
#washington #academia #professors #ecology #science #university #comparativeliterature #oppositesattract #plussize #WOC #indian #children #pets #divorced #singleparents #slowburn #funnydogs #masturbationscene #atmospheric #forcedproximity #bodypositivity #oldermaincharacters #diversity #steamy #consent #HEA
I received a review copy from the author. This is my honest opinion.
September 11, 2026
Overall this was a good slow burn romance. The collegiate setting brought two professors together for a joint project that might provide reasons for the budget-conscious board to keep the comparative literature department (Margot) by connecting it with a "hard" science like ecology (Priya). The people around Priya and Margot are drawn enough to intrigue readers toward the other books forthcoming in the series.
I had trouble several times with separating the narrative voices of Priya and Margot. Both are very exacting and deep thinking personalities, and that shows up in their narrative voices, very factual, and staccato like "stacking" facts. But sometimes I'd get deep into a chapter, or have to stop reading mid-chapter, and needed to flip back to the beginning of the chapter to see the name at the top to recall who was speaking. It helped if I came across a name of one of their children because the common bond of writing the paper and preparing the presentation, they both became versed in the other's discipline and that began blending their observations.
My favorite scene is probably where the women communally come together for the daughter's first menstruation and Margot finds her "roar."
I had trouble several times with separating the narrative voices of Priya and Margot. Both are very exacting and deep thinking personalities, and that shows up in their narrative voices, very factual, and staccato like "stacking" facts. But sometimes I'd get deep into a chapter, or have to stop reading mid-chapter, and needed to flip back to the beginning of the chapter to see the name at the top to recall who was speaking. It helped if I came across a name of one of their children because the common bond of writing the paper and preparing the presentation, they both became versed in the other's discipline and that began blending their observations.
My favorite scene is probably where the women communally come together for the daughter's first menstruation and Margot finds her "roar."
Review of advance copy received from Author
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The first installment in the Lavender House series, Close Reading follows Margot and Priya, two university professors as they become research partners, then friends, and finally, something more.
Let's talk about the things I did like:
1. The diversity. Fat, thin, White, Indian, lesbian, gay, nonbinary, academic, sporty, introverted, extraverted, tenured vs. PhD'd, the teen years vs. being in your forties—we run the gamut, and that is amazing.
2. The location. The way the authors describe seasons and how the light changes and the lavender grows throughout the year, the slow but steady shifts that take place across the college campus, is so moody and delicious. Though I've never experienced the Pacific Northwest, I felt enveloped by the atmosphere so completely; it made for super cozy vibes. Plus, as someone who works for a university, it felt familiar and captured that timeless, nostalgic vibe I love about being on campus.
3. The friendships. Marcus with his chart. Bea with her drinks and cards. Helen with her generosity. Gerald with his companionship. The side characters contributed to some funny and interesting scenes. I would've loved to know more about Bea and Margot's relationship, but I did really enjoy the omnipotence of her character in this first installment; it leads me to wonder about her personal installment and potentially seeing behind that all-knowing persona.
4. The project. Even though we never see it in its entirety, the thought and research that must have gone into that paper—the melding of comparative literature with ecology—was evident in the writing. (Also, the authors being former academics makes SO much sense.) The passages and concepts we did get out of it were interesting in their own right and showed off each woman's complex and erudite thought processes. Bonding over intellectual pursuits remains one of my favorite tropes of all time and it worked so well here.
5. The trust. For all the discussions about the wall and openness and what it means to be present with those you love, I could really FEEL the trust Margot and Priya had for each other by the end of the book. Even if "I love you"s hadn't been exchanged, their words and actions would have been evidence enough.
And with all that said, let's talk about some things I didn't love...
6. The writing cadence and lack of dialogue. The characterizations of each women started off so strong! Each had a distinct voice, which came out, especially for Priya, in the dialogue; her being late and friendly and boisterous came through so strongly. But bar the first couple chapters, a lot of the book was written using internal monologue and there was little to no change in the writing style between each woman's thoughts. The writing cadence, or excessive use of run-on sentences, was present in both POVs and made it difficult to differentiate who was speaking. (Sometimes I had to scroll back to the start of the chapter to verify if it was Priya or Margot.)
7. The omniscience of the internal monologue. There are numerous instances throughout where, in their internal monologues, Margot and Priya dissect each other and make assumptions and decisions based on those assumptions that seem far-fetched given the amount of actual interaction they have. It's one thing to have Bea be the omnipotent, all-seeing overlord of the coffee shop who just "knows" things. It's another to have Priya monologuing about "the wall" before it's ever brought up in dialogue between she and Margot. There was just a lot of inherent understanding about each other that felt unrealistic.
8. Priya's expectations. I'm glad Marcus got real w/ Priya about loving ALL of Margot because it pissed me the hell off that she thought the wall would come down in perpetuity, just like that *insert snap here*. That is SO unrealistic in terms of trauma response, and for someone supposedly so patient and understanding and willing to wait close to a year for Margot to be ready, it felt ridiculous that she assumed the wall would just magically stay down. The baggage doesn't disappear overnight, and whether we like it or not, we bring it with us to every situation; just because the baggage is also present doesn't mean a person isn't open. Even if Priya was hurt by the withholding, an emotionally intelligent person would've seen through that protective mechanism in a heartbeat. I could rant about this for much longer, surely, so just know that I was 100% on Margot's side in that confrontation. She put in the effort and opened up SO MUCH and one little slip should not have been the basis for the third act conflict.
ALL THIS TO SAY...
This series has potential. While I didn't love this installment, this is only the beginning. There is room for feedback and improvement, particularly with regard to characterization and tone, and if those are actively taken into account, along with a heavy scoop of dialogue between the main love interests, I think this series could be really great!
The first installment in the Lavender House series, Close Reading follows Margot and Priya, two university professors as they become research partners, then friends, and finally, something more.
Let's talk about the things I did like:
1. The diversity. Fat, thin, White, Indian, lesbian, gay, nonbinary, academic, sporty, introverted, extraverted, tenured vs. PhD'd, the teen years vs. being in your forties—we run the gamut, and that is amazing.
2. The location. The way the authors describe seasons and how the light changes and the lavender grows throughout the year, the slow but steady shifts that take place across the college campus, is so moody and delicious. Though I've never experienced the Pacific Northwest, I felt enveloped by the atmosphere so completely; it made for super cozy vibes. Plus, as someone who works for a university, it felt familiar and captured that timeless, nostalgic vibe I love about being on campus.
3. The friendships. Marcus with his chart. Bea with her drinks and cards. Helen with her generosity. Gerald with his companionship. The side characters contributed to some funny and interesting scenes. I would've loved to know more about Bea and Margot's relationship, but I did really enjoy the omnipotence of her character in this first installment; it leads me to wonder about her personal installment and potentially seeing behind that all-knowing persona.
4. The project. Even though we never see it in its entirety, the thought and research that must have gone into that paper—the melding of comparative literature with ecology—was evident in the writing. (Also, the authors being former academics makes SO much sense.) The passages and concepts we did get out of it were interesting in their own right and showed off each woman's complex and erudite thought processes. Bonding over intellectual pursuits remains one of my favorite tropes of all time and it worked so well here.
5. The trust. For all the discussions about the wall and openness and what it means to be present with those you love, I could really FEEL the trust Margot and Priya had for each other by the end of the book. Even if "I love you"s hadn't been exchanged, their words and actions would have been evidence enough.
And with all that said, let's talk about some things I didn't love...
6. The writing cadence and lack of dialogue. The characterizations of each women started off so strong! Each had a distinct voice, which came out, especially for Priya, in the dialogue; her being late and friendly and boisterous came through so strongly. But bar the first couple chapters, a lot of the book was written using internal monologue and there was little to no change in the writing style between each woman's thoughts. The writing cadence, or excessive use of run-on sentences, was present in both POVs and made it difficult to differentiate who was speaking. (Sometimes I had to scroll back to the start of the chapter to verify if it was Priya or Margot.)
7. The omniscience of the internal monologue. There are numerous instances throughout where, in their internal monologues, Margot and Priya dissect each other and make assumptions and decisions based on those assumptions that seem far-fetched given the amount of actual interaction they have. It's one thing to have Bea be the omnipotent, all-seeing overlord of the coffee shop who just "knows" things. It's another to have Priya monologuing about "the wall" before it's ever brought up in dialogue between she and Margot. There was just a lot of inherent understanding about each other that felt unrealistic.
8. Priya's expectations. I'm glad Marcus got real w/ Priya about loving ALL of Margot because it pissed me the hell off that she thought the wall would come down in perpetuity, just like that *insert snap here*. That is SO unrealistic in terms of trauma response, and for someone supposedly so patient and understanding and willing to wait close to a year for Margot to be ready, it felt ridiculous that she assumed the wall would just magically stay down. The baggage doesn't disappear overnight, and whether we like it or not, we bring it with us to every situation; just because the baggage is also present doesn't mean a person isn't open. Even if Priya was hurt by the withholding, an emotionally intelligent person would've seen through that protective mechanism in a heartbeat. I could rant about this for much longer, surely, so just know that I was 100% on Margot's side in that confrontation. She put in the effort and opened up SO MUCH and one little slip should not have been the basis for the third act conflict.
ALL THIS TO SAY...
This series has potential. While I didn't love this installment, this is only the beginning. There is room for feedback and improvement, particularly with regard to characterization and tone, and if those are actively taken into account, along with a heavy scoop of dialogue between the main love interests, I think this series could be really great!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this novel!
This is a love story between two academics whose expertise lies in observation. One is skilled in the sciences, the other in comparative literature. Thrown together on a joint project, Priya and Margot slowly develop a deep relationship despite Margot’s deep-seated resistance to getting enmeshed in anything that has the potential of becoming chaotic (as love does).
Here is a story of patience and growth and unfolding—a slow burn between middle-aged women, whose journey is as important as their destination. Lucky for the reader, the characters are compelling and the trajectory beautifully depicted. At no time does the story drag.
As a writer myself, I was intrigued by the structure of the novel. Close Reading feels like a blend of literary and genre fiction. It is simultaneously sophisticated and relatable. It ends well (the promise of the romance genre) and also reads ‘fresh.’
The story is told in first person, present tense and relies on each of the partners’ observations of the other to unfold the relationship. Until the end, there is minimal dialogue between the characters. You might be skeptical about this, but I assure you that this doesn’t impoverish the story in the least. On the contrary, it makes it richer, a new type of reading adventure.
As the novel phrases it: This is a story about two women who have been having a conversation without words for a very long time. “We talk about nothing that matters, [so] everything we say has the quality of mattering enormously because the talking is not the point. The talking is the surface. The point is underneath.”
I received an Advanced Review Copy of this novel. I will be buying the paperback even though I already possess the e-book version. This novel is a keeper. It merits being re-read. I leave this review voluntarily and with pleasure to be sharing my thoughts about this novel.
This is a love story between two academics whose expertise lies in observation. One is skilled in the sciences, the other in comparative literature. Thrown together on a joint project, Priya and Margot slowly develop a deep relationship despite Margot’s deep-seated resistance to getting enmeshed in anything that has the potential of becoming chaotic (as love does).
Here is a story of patience and growth and unfolding—a slow burn between middle-aged women, whose journey is as important as their destination. Lucky for the reader, the characters are compelling and the trajectory beautifully depicted. At no time does the story drag.
As a writer myself, I was intrigued by the structure of the novel. Close Reading feels like a blend of literary and genre fiction. It is simultaneously sophisticated and relatable. It ends well (the promise of the romance genre) and also reads ‘fresh.’
The story is told in first person, present tense and relies on each of the partners’ observations of the other to unfold the relationship. Until the end, there is minimal dialogue between the characters. You might be skeptical about this, but I assure you that this doesn’t impoverish the story in the least. On the contrary, it makes it richer, a new type of reading adventure.
As the novel phrases it: This is a story about two women who have been having a conversation without words for a very long time. “We talk about nothing that matters, [so] everything we say has the quality of mattering enormously because the talking is not the point. The talking is the surface. The point is underneath.”
I received an Advanced Review Copy of this novel. I will be buying the paperback even though I already possess the e-book version. This novel is a keeper. It merits being re-read. I leave this review voluntarily and with pleasure to be sharing my thoughts about this novel.
Review of advance copy
This book was so much more than I expected. It was deep and thoughtful and FULL in the best possible way. Nothing felt rushed, and I never felt like the story was skipping over the parts that mattered.
I absolutely adored the way Margot and Priya found each other and how they ended up being exactly what the other needed. Their relationship felt so intentional and deeply satisfying. And, for perhaps the first time ever, I’m not mad that I didn’t get an epilogue. The story did enough. It gave me what I needed and left me feeling completely settled with where they ended up.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the spicy scenes. They were so hot, but not because they were particularly explicit. It was the intimacy of them. The tenderness. The care they had for each other was so incredibly evident, and somehow that made everything feel even hotter.
I really loved how, throughout the entire story, they treated each other with such care and respect. It was so clear that these are mature women later in life, and I genuinely appreciated that. Not once did I find myself rolling my eyes and thinking, oh my god, why are you being stupid? Even Margot, with all her walls, never felt immature to me. There were definitely moments where you could argue that she needed to grow, but needing to grow and being immature aren’t the same thing. Her choices made sense for who she was and what she had been through.
I was also really impressed with the portrayal of two powerful, mature women. And I especially loved that Margot being fat wasn’t treated as the defining feature of her character or her story. It was simply part of who she was. Fantastic representation.
Honestly, this book and these characters made me feel settled. And I think that’s one of the nicest things a romance can leave you feeling.
I loved this one so much.
I absolutely adored the way Margot and Priya found each other and how they ended up being exactly what the other needed. Their relationship felt so intentional and deeply satisfying. And, for perhaps the first time ever, I’m not mad that I didn’t get an epilogue. The story did enough. It gave me what I needed and left me feeling completely settled with where they ended up.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the spicy scenes. They were so hot, but not because they were particularly explicit. It was the intimacy of them. The tenderness. The care they had for each other was so incredibly evident, and somehow that made everything feel even hotter.
I really loved how, throughout the entire story, they treated each other with such care and respect. It was so clear that these are mature women later in life, and I genuinely appreciated that. Not once did I find myself rolling my eyes and thinking, oh my god, why are you being stupid? Even Margot, with all her walls, never felt immature to me. There were definitely moments where you could argue that she needed to grow, but needing to grow and being immature aren’t the same thing. Her choices made sense for who she was and what she had been through.
I was also really impressed with the portrayal of two powerful, mature women. And I especially loved that Margot being fat wasn’t treated as the defining feature of her character or her story. It was simply part of who she was. Fantastic representation.
Honestly, this book and these characters made me feel settled. And I think that’s one of the nicest things a romance can leave you feeling.
I loved this one so much.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“She looks like someone turned the lights off in her a long time ago and someone needs to turn them back on.”
I’m so glad I took a chance on this book! Close reading is a sapphic slow burn featuring women in their 40s with established lives, careers, and baggage. Both are single mothers. Priya is divorced from her husband and has two sons. Margot has an adopted daughter that she raised alone after her cheating girlfriend/partner of four years left her. Both women are academics, college professors at Ardmore College in the Pacific Northwest, and from different fields of study. Margot is from Comparative Literature and Priya is from Ecology and Environmental Science. The two women are assigned to work on a collaborative project between their departments that will last for months. During this time a fondness and love grows between them that is slow and quiet.
I loved the tone and vibe of this book. The author’s writing style is very different from most contemporary romances that I’m used to reading. The writing was smart and academic but also accessible. Despite this being a slow burn the pacing was not slow. The book never dragged and I found myself staying up too late to read “just one more chapter.” One thing that I didn’t enjoy as much was how the author’s tone dominated the characters completely. There were times I had to double check whose chapter I was reading because the book was that cohesive. This isn’t entirely a bad thing but I would have liked each character’s voice to be a bit more distinct. I really identified with Margot and her “System.” I felt seen and was grateful for Priya coming Into Margot’s life and seeing her. We should all be so blessed to have a Priya in our lives.
I’m so glad I took a chance on this book! Close reading is a sapphic slow burn featuring women in their 40s with established lives, careers, and baggage. Both are single mothers. Priya is divorced from her husband and has two sons. Margot has an adopted daughter that she raised alone after her cheating girlfriend/partner of four years left her. Both women are academics, college professors at Ardmore College in the Pacific Northwest, and from different fields of study. Margot is from Comparative Literature and Priya is from Ecology and Environmental Science. The two women are assigned to work on a collaborative project between their departments that will last for months. During this time a fondness and love grows between them that is slow and quiet.
I loved the tone and vibe of this book. The author’s writing style is very different from most contemporary romances that I’m used to reading. The writing was smart and academic but also accessible. Despite this being a slow burn the pacing was not slow. The book never dragged and I found myself staying up too late to read “just one more chapter.” One thing that I didn’t enjoy as much was how the author’s tone dominated the characters completely. There were times I had to double check whose chapter I was reading because the book was that cohesive. This isn’t entirely a bad thing but I would have liked each character’s voice to be a bit more distinct. I really identified with Margot and her “System.” I felt seen and was grateful for Priya coming Into Margot’s life and seeing her. We should all be so blessed to have a Priya in our lives.
September 11, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me with this ARC of Close Reading in exchange for an honest review.
Though ultimately I don’t think this book worked for me I do want to note some things I did like about it.
1. I love a character that knows exactly what you need, when you need it. So Bea the coffee shop owner is exactly my cup of tea, if you will.
2. Marcus and his astrology!! I wanted more of him.
3. I appreciate the way the author writes Priya talking to Sophia about ecology. She doesn’t dumb it down or make it seem difficult to explain it to her. I know that Sophia is 13 and is likely a genius but I like when we show that kids are capable of asking about and understanding complex topics.
4. While I think the writing style does not translate well into long form storytelling like this (for my taste at least) I think the author would write beautiful poetry.
5. I particularly liked the scene about Margot’s ex leaving and the tenure meeting. As well as the scene when they are making up after their fight when Margot has kept something from Priya
The story that is written I don’t think is the story that the book is telling. If that makes sense. We are reading about two colleagues doing a research project together in order to save the literature program at the school. But the story is actually about two women who are healing from their past and allowing themselves to want more than what they have.
Though ultimately I don’t think this book worked for me I do want to note some things I did like about it.
1. I love a character that knows exactly what you need, when you need it. So Bea the coffee shop owner is exactly my cup of tea, if you will.
2. Marcus and his astrology!! I wanted more of him.
3. I appreciate the way the author writes Priya talking to Sophia about ecology. She doesn’t dumb it down or make it seem difficult to explain it to her. I know that Sophia is 13 and is likely a genius but I like when we show that kids are capable of asking about and understanding complex topics.
4. While I think the writing style does not translate well into long form storytelling like this (for my taste at least) I think the author would write beautiful poetry.
5. I particularly liked the scene about Margot’s ex leaving and the tenure meeting. As well as the scene when they are making up after their fight when Margot has kept something from Priya
The story that is written I don’t think is the story that the book is telling. If that makes sense. We are reading about two colleagues doing a research project together in order to save the literature program at the school. But the story is actually about two women who are healing from their past and allowing themselves to want more than what they have.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I would like to thank the publisher for the arc copy. all opinions are my own. this review does contain spoilers.
So, I got 4 chapters in and gave up. This book has the quality of writing I'd expect from someone who was given a word count and filled in the blanks with as many descriptors as possible. As shown in the examples below:
"The blazer fits as all my blazers do: precisely, because I have them tailored, because the difference between a blazer that fits and a blazer that almost fits is the difference between armor and a costume, and I stopped wearing costumes a long time ago."
"I know Bea speaks of her with a tenderness Bea reserves for people she has decided to protect—not everyone, and not lightly—and this tells me something I don’t yet have the context to interpret. Bea’s protectiveness is a signal. It means there is something to protect, something that happened, something that made the protection necessary."
And then there's the character descriptions...why are 2 female characters described as fat? There are so many words you could use to describe a heavier set woman and you chose FAT??? Really? But the male character is described as soft around the middle. I did a double take then back tracked to fact check myself.
Overall I found this disappointing. The idea is so cute, with so many lovely tropes I adore. To bad the writing doesn't live up to it.
So, I got 4 chapters in and gave up. This book has the quality of writing I'd expect from someone who was given a word count and filled in the blanks with as many descriptors as possible. As shown in the examples below:
"The blazer fits as all my blazers do: precisely, because I have them tailored, because the difference between a blazer that fits and a blazer that almost fits is the difference between armor and a costume, and I stopped wearing costumes a long time ago."
"I know Bea speaks of her with a tenderness Bea reserves for people she has decided to protect—not everyone, and not lightly—and this tells me something I don’t yet have the context to interpret. Bea’s protectiveness is a signal. It means there is something to protect, something that happened, something that made the protection necessary."
And then there's the character descriptions...why are 2 female characters described as fat? There are so many words you could use to describe a heavier set woman and you chose FAT??? Really? But the male character is described as soft around the middle. I did a double take then back tracked to fact check myself.
Overall I found this disappointing. The idea is so cute, with so many lovely tropes I adore. To bad the writing doesn't live up to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read this as an ARC read, recommended by someone from my bookclub, and I loved it !
The two characters are as opposed as two people can be, and somehow they find a way to communicate together.
Some will say Margot is a bit too much about the walls she built, and her "systems", but it's a common thing in romance : after being brokenhearted in the worst way possible and at the worst time possible, you understand why she would keep people at arm-length.
As most "ennemies to lovers", this is a (really) slow burn and you have enough time to get attached to the character, and so their "firsts" are even more intense.
You can see how Priya, the least patient woman on earth (except for me), has the patience and kindness to break every brick of the wall one by one, and how, without knowing it, she gives Margot the biggest reassurance ever by connecting with Sophia and being patient and kind with her as well, still remaining herself.
The story is not only about how two women find each other, it's also about friendship and about being a witness to your kids growing up. I found a great amount of tenderness in this book, and I'm looking forward to reading the next novels of Lavender House.
The two characters are as opposed as two people can be, and somehow they find a way to communicate together.
Some will say Margot is a bit too much about the walls she built, and her "systems", but it's a common thing in romance : after being brokenhearted in the worst way possible and at the worst time possible, you understand why she would keep people at arm-length.
As most "ennemies to lovers", this is a (really) slow burn and you have enough time to get attached to the character, and so their "firsts" are even more intense.
You can see how Priya, the least patient woman on earth (except for me), has the patience and kindness to break every brick of the wall one by one, and how, without knowing it, she gives Margot the biggest reassurance ever by connecting with Sophia and being patient and kind with her as well, still remaining herself.
The story is not only about how two women find each other, it's also about friendship and about being a witness to your kids growing up. I found a great amount of tenderness in this book, and I'm looking forward to reading the next novels of Lavender House.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
I really enjoyed this book. It's slow, deliberate - like the main characters. Margot is deliberate and controlled because it's the only way she knows to stay safe. Priya is deliberate and controlled because Margot needs that and Priya is determined to support Margot for as long as it takes for the walls to come down.
The MCs and supporting characters are deeply layered and well written. Margot and Priya are middle aged and their maturity fills the pages. The writing is sometimes dense, as is needed when the plot involves 2 university professors writing a research paper. I enjoyed that, though some may not.
This is a SLOOWWW burn - a glacially slow burn. If you need spice in the first 10 pages, this is not your book. But if you want real characters with real issues - especially older characters with imperfect bodies and the baggage that comes with life - Close Reading is a good choice.
I'm curious to read the rest of the Lavendar House series, and am anxious for the next one!
The MCs and supporting characters are deeply layered and well written. Margot and Priya are middle aged and their maturity fills the pages. The writing is sometimes dense, as is needed when the plot involves 2 university professors writing a research paper. I enjoyed that, though some may not.
This is a SLOOWWW burn - a glacially slow burn. If you need spice in the first 10 pages, this is not your book. But if you want real characters with real issues - especially older characters with imperfect bodies and the baggage that comes with life - Close Reading is a good choice.
I'm curious to read the rest of the Lavendar House series, and am anxious for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received the physical ARC and appreciate it!!
I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately it didn’t fully work for me. I did really like Margot and Priya and their relationship, and I loved the cozy college setting and the friendships throughout the book.
The biggest issue for me was the writing. There was a lot of internal thoughts and not enough dialogue, which made the pacing feel a little slow at times.
I definitely think this series has potential though, and I’d still be interested in seeing where it goes!
I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately it didn’t fully work for me. I did really like Margot and Priya and their relationship, and I loved the cozy college setting and the friendships throughout the book.
The biggest issue for me was the writing. There was a lot of internal thoughts and not enough dialogue, which made the pacing feel a little slow at times.
I definitely think this series has potential though, and I’d still be interested in seeing where it goes!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Got an ARC copy
I loved it! The characters feel mature which is fitting since they are in their 40s. I think this does a great job of showing what adult love looks like. It's all in ordinary small things that make a lasting connection.
I loved it! The characters feel mature which is fitting since they are in their 40s. I think this does a great job of showing what adult love looks like. It's all in ordinary small things that make a lasting connection.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had the perfect slow burn and characters that were relatable and real this book pulled me out of a reading slump and gave me so much joy sometimes seeing characters develop in real time gives the best rewards
Review of advance copy
It is clear that one or both of the authors have a background in English literature. They are skilled at expressing themselves, and the book is difficult to put down because of its flowing prose.
I very much enjoyed the dynamic between the characters, as well as their internal dialogue.
I very much enjoyed the dynamic between the characters, as well as their internal dialogue.
September 22, 2026
This was a fanatic debut novel that I stumbled upon. I was hooked from the beginning. I highly recommend this novel if you’re fan of slow burn romance. Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC! I look forward to reading book two!!
Did Not Finish
August 14, 2026DNF at 10%
Not the book's fault. I'm just not in the mood for something as cozy as this seems to be. Will revisit when I need something slower-paced and relaxing.
Not the book's fault. I'm just not in the mood for something as cozy as this seems to be. Will revisit when I need something slower-paced and relaxing.
September 20, 2026
Real women!
Real women with neither unusual eye color, cheek bones that can cut glass, nor perfect figures. Sweet, slow mature falling. Looking forward to next in series.
Real women with neither unusual eye color, cheek bones that can cut glass, nor perfect figures. Sweet, slow mature falling. Looking forward to next in series.
September 24, 2026
The author uses ambiguity to great effect until there's a mountain of exposition. Still, the characters and their relationship are well developed and it moves at a decent pace. Solid read.
October 5, 2026
The characters are captivating, the plot feels so real. I don’t often read fiction but I couldn’t put this one down. Can’t wait for the rest of the series!
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