Across the Pond

by Cheri Crystal

After having been betrayed by her partner of thirteen years, Janalyn isn’t looking for another relationship, especially not one separated by miles of ocean. But when she travels to Devon, England, for a conference and meets a sporty Brit named Robyn, desires Janalyn thought were permanently lost are suddenly back and stronger than ever. Despite cultural differences, poking fun at each other’s use of the English language, and Robyn coming off as a player, Janalyn can’t help the attraction she feels, no matter how hard she tries. Can she and Robyn find a common ground upon which to make a life together? Will Janalyn throw caution to the wind and risk her heart again? If Janalyn does indeed venture across the pond, will love be her life preserver?

Genres: Lesbian

256 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2016

About the author

Attractions of the Heart, a 2010 Golden Crown Literary Winner for lesbian erotica. Across the Pond by Ylva Publishing is her first novel. In her spare time, Cheri enjoys swimming, hiking, viewing wildlife, cooking, jigsaw puzzles and spending quality time with family and friends. Visit www.chericrystal.com
http://ylva-publishing.co.uk/product/across-the-pond-by-cheri-crystal/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HZ4PIU6/ref=nav_timeline_asin?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Reviews

[Tiff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Across the Pond by Cheri Crystal has a great premise, and front cover. Unfortunately this is where the greatness ends. Don't get me wrong this book isn't terrible, its just lacking that spark that really makes makes me want to invest in the characters and their story.

The book begins introducing Janalyn Jacobs as she prepares a romantic dinner for her partner Faith on their 13th anniversary. Janalyn is head over heals for her workaholic, always away on business partner, Faith. Janalyn goes on and on about how Faith turns her into mush with her sexiness, how they have great sex . . . you get my drift. A few chapters later, it's all gone to hell in a hand basket. Breakup, and cue the heartache.

The problem with the story is the over abundance of details that have no pertinence to the story. One case in particular is our main goes on a tirade on empty calorie foods while eating at TGI Fridays. Do health nuts really eat at TGI Fridays? Janalyn is bothered by the size of her salad and we literally have paragraphs about this issue, and it's societal effects of obesity in America. I felt as if the author was speaking her mind through her character, it just wasn't necessary. Also, the constant need to tell the reader that Janalyn was going to the gym with her coworker Deb. Why is this here, stop distracting me. Janalyn is basically that friend on Facebook that updates her status each time she goes for a run, followed by a selfie in neon spanex. Ugh!

While there were glimmers of hope throughout the book that would pull me back in, I would find myself right back to driving the struggle bus. By the time the across the pond love interest, Robin showed up I was fading fast. I was quite surprised the two almost the hookup with in an hour of meeting each other. Whiplash much. The romance was too little too late, and the sexy talk wasn't sexy at all. Fire up the Uhaul and story's over.

Too much telling, not enough showing. The main character left me cold and uninterested in her overall outcome. This book could have been so much more if it would have had better pacing and less unnecessary details.


I was given this book by Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhere underneath layers of verbose descriptors of pointless events there lies a story with potential.

Unfortunately, the pacing was off and the writing 99% tell 1% show. I found myself speed reading through large chunks of text because nothing happened for two pages except a detailed description of a gym session... which does not impact on the storyline at all.

I've rounded up because I was vacillating anyway and 1 star felt mean for a debut author. I'm sad to say, though, there really wasn't much I liked about this book.

1.5 stars.

[tlev 4242 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

With an engaging main character (Jan), a best friend (Debs) that you’d be lucky to have, a love interest (Robyn) and a conference overseas there is quite a lot to enjoy here. There was also a lot of details described that slowed things down.

Things I really liked:
The emotions were conveyed really well. I was happy reading about Jan as she prepared for her anniversary, the joy she felt was conveyed very well. I also really felt for Jan when she was betrayed and her world shattered. The author has a really strong ability to express emotion. I loved Deb. I think everyone could use a friend like her, who pushes you out of your comfort zone, and who supports you when times are tough. Her scenes were a delight to read. The flirting between Jan and Robyn was good too, I think the two of them had a lot of chemistry together, but I would have liked to have spent more time with them after the conference.

Things I didn’t like:
There were several scenes that I think could have been cut (the gym and some of the parts at work), things that were described in too much detail and a focus on the food. I found it a little difficult to see what made Roybn such an irresistible ‘hottie’ at first glance, but she grew on me. I think that a little more could have been done to show her commanding presence and the appeal instead of just saying she has a commanding presence.

Overall though, I did enjoy this book. I actually read it while at work (on my lunch break!) because I wanted to see what happened next. I found the ending to be abrupt, but I think that’s more because the last twenty pages are where everything started clicking I just wanted it to continue.

[Elisa Rolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Across the Pond by Cheri Crystal
1) Good 1st book. Took me a while to get into it but it finished strong.
2) A really good book. I am always pleased if a book become more and more interesting as the pages goes by, and this is what happened to me with this read. I have found myself more into the story the more I entered into the story. The story is simple but well developed; the characters felt real and the setting is perfect for this story. A very good debut book, so good that I will keep my eyes out for this author next work.

[Ela The Queer Bookish · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, I found the description to be a little bit misleading. There is not much loving across the pound. I was expecting a long-distance romance. I didn't get one.

There are a few things that could have been left out, like working out at the gym for example and all that talk about food and how you have to watch your weight and wether you're allowed to eat xyz or not because of calories.

But let's get to the actual story, which consists of two parts. Janalyn and her first girlfriend and then Janalyn and Robyn. The relationship between her and the first girlfriend seemed strange (read: unhealthy). Luckily that one ends. And then after lots of hard work she is in England on a conference and she meets Robyn. And there is absolutely no chemistry between them at all. I didn't get it. But they keep skipping out of important meetings (very professional by the way) to 'date' each other and/or have sex. Right now I can't think of a relationship that left me as untouched as this one. And a quick question: I am german, so I don't know much about british and american culture, but are they that different that one has to worry about language barriers and if the differences can be overcome? I was a little bit confused by that drama.

One reason for the nonexistent chemistry seems to be Janalyn. I often asked myself how old she is and how can one feel possessive over someone they know for a day. I didn't really get a feeling for Robyn either to be honest.

Their whole romance happens in a few days, something I can never get behind.

All in all it sounded very promising but it ended up being disappointing.

Disclaimer: I was provided by Ylva Publishing with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

[Emily Snyder · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very hard for me to get through, especially the beginning. After pushing through the first 100 pages I finally found a spot in the book that got my attention, but unfortunately it was short lived and covered with too much description. The overall story was drawn out, and I felt abruptly ended on a sour note.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this book and it was just written in a style I didn't really like - too much information on what exactly she had like awesome brands over brands - it just felt wired and inappropriate.... It was one of the only books I didn't finish and just left halfway through....