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The Housing Crisis
Wanted: female roommate to take over lease. Non-smoker. No boys allowed.
When Alyssa’s roommate leaves her in a lurch, she’s desperate to find someone, anyone, to move in with her. Rent is coming due and she can’t afford to pay it by herself. There’s only one rule: no boyfriends allowed. Her religious family would throw a fit if they knew she was living in a house with boys.
Needed: new place ASAP. Female preferred.
Hannah doesn’t have a boyfriend. But her cheating ex-girlfriend has made her housing situation untenable. With her career as a musician about to take off, she can’t afford a distraction. A tip from an old friend leads Hannah to Alyssa and a roommate match made in heaven is born.
Filled: one girl next door plus one singer equals domestic bliss?
Alyssa thinks Hannah is really cute. Which wouldn’t be a problem if she were into women. Hannah has no interest in dating a straight girl. But when sparks fly, neither young woman can say no to the chemistry between them.
Despite their passion, Alyssa’s worried about the reaction from her conservative family. Even worse, Hannah’s career may take her out of state for good, stopping their relationship before it even begins. They will need to face their problems together or be torn apart.
Can Alyssa overcome who she thinks she is in order to be with the woman she loves? Can Hannah learn to trust again after a failed relationship?
Or will they both be putting up housing wanted ads before their lease is up?
When Alyssa’s roommate leaves her in a lurch, she’s desperate to find someone, anyone, to move in with her. Rent is coming due and she can’t afford to pay it by herself. There’s only one rule: no boyfriends allowed. Her religious family would throw a fit if they knew she was living in a house with boys.
Needed: new place ASAP. Female preferred.
Hannah doesn’t have a boyfriend. But her cheating ex-girlfriend has made her housing situation untenable. With her career as a musician about to take off, she can’t afford a distraction. A tip from an old friend leads Hannah to Alyssa and a roommate match made in heaven is born.
Filled: one girl next door plus one singer equals domestic bliss?
Alyssa thinks Hannah is really cute. Which wouldn’t be a problem if she were into women. Hannah has no interest in dating a straight girl. But when sparks fly, neither young woman can say no to the chemistry between them.
Despite their passion, Alyssa’s worried about the reaction from her conservative family. Even worse, Hannah’s career may take her out of state for good, stopping their relationship before it even begins. They will need to face their problems together or be torn apart.
Can Alyssa overcome who she thinks she is in order to be with the woman she loves? Can Hannah learn to trust again after a failed relationship?
Or will they both be putting up housing wanted ads before their lease is up?
187 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2016
36 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Kate McLay
3 books15 followersKate McLay grew up in the Midwest, but after a short stint in Scotland she found her home deep in the heart of Austin, Texas. By day, Kate wrangles with computers and solves technological problems. By night, she dreams of magic and romance and can usually be found with her fingers on a keyboard or her head buried in a book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 2, 2017
This is a feel good romance with some unexpected twists. Even with some predictions I had, the story still ended up surprising me. Ally and Hannah make for a cute couple and the novella manages to avoid some tropes, mainly there are no breakups.
Ally is a unique character in that she's Catholic and comes from a strongly religious home. Seeing how this impacts her was interesting though it seemed the book got lighter on introspection once she got with Hannah.
There's a bit of Mary Sue with Hannah and her music career but it's forgivable. And, there's a m/f scene in the beginning of the book that's more graphic than we usually find in lesfic. I think there was a point to it, though...and, no, it's not Hannah so there's that.
Kate McLay has some solid talent and I find this to be more of a teaser of what could be. I'm interested to see what else she produces. 3.5 stars
Ally is a unique character in that she's Catholic and comes from a strongly religious home. Seeing how this impacts her was interesting though it seemed the book got lighter on introspection once she got with Hannah.
There's a bit of Mary Sue with Hannah and her music career but it's forgivable. And, there's a m/f scene in the beginning of the book that's more graphic than we usually find in lesfic. I think there was a point to it, though...and, no, it's not Hannah so there's that.
Kate McLay has some solid talent and I find this to be more of a teaser of what could be. I'm interested to see what else she produces. 3.5 stars
January 4, 2018
Soooooo, I really liked this sweet story of roommates falling in love, one, Alyssa, from a strict Catholic family in Iowa, ostensibly straight. I appreciated the Alyssa character who absolutely did not mess around with coming out and being open about Hannah. Dialogue and descriptions were quite funny in the beginning and little things helped me to feel like I knew the characters better than usual.
May 8, 2016
You know how cats do that thing when they stretch and roll around like it's the most comfortable thing ever? I literally did that, except I was fangirling.
The Housing Crisis is a light, crisp read. Fluffy, too! What it lacks in robustness, it makes up in voice and character. While in Alyssa's POV, I kept thinking, "I KNOW THIS PERSON". She's the hesitant ally, product of a small town or super religious upbringing. The ones who (thankfully) aren't carbon copies of their parents, but tiptoe through the progressive space due to ingrained hangups. Now that I think of it, this perspective is so rare for me to find in lesbian romance. Done well, that is. There are many layers between hick town homophobe and rainbow guns-a-blazin' accepting.
Actually, Alyssa's character is the medium between her mother and her roommate-to-be-girlfriend, Hannah. Open-minded, flexible while shy of abandoning her values. Kate McLay wrote Alyssa well. I grew up with Alyssas. At some point, I was an Alyssa myself...which makes me feel a bit strange when I say I had a mild crush on her character.
Surprises in the end made sure this short story didn't get stale. Even when I guessed something, I still squealed when it happened. It's a breezy coming out story bolstered by a relatable, humorous tone. Hope I'm not overselling. It's just such a joy to stumble upon fiction that pleasantly hits close to home.
I look forward to more fron Kate McLay!
The Housing Crisis is a light, crisp read. Fluffy, too! What it lacks in robustness, it makes up in voice and character. While in Alyssa's POV, I kept thinking, "I KNOW THIS PERSON". She's the hesitant ally, product of a small town or super religious upbringing. The ones who (thankfully) aren't carbon copies of their parents, but tiptoe through the progressive space due to ingrained hangups. Now that I think of it, this perspective is so rare for me to find in lesbian romance. Done well, that is. There are many layers between hick town homophobe and rainbow guns-a-blazin' accepting.
Actually, Alyssa's character is the medium between her mother and her roommate-to-be-girlfriend, Hannah. Open-minded, flexible while shy of abandoning her values. Kate McLay wrote Alyssa well. I grew up with Alyssas. At some point, I was an Alyssa myself...which makes me feel a bit strange when I say I had a mild crush on her character.
Surprises in the end made sure this short story didn't get stale. Even when I guessed something, I still squealed when it happened. It's a breezy coming out story bolstered by a relatable, humorous tone. Hope I'm not overselling. It's just such a joy to stumble upon fiction that pleasantly hits close to home.
I look forward to more fron Kate McLay!
March 5, 2017
Well, this story had potential but the writing and the story telling was just mediocre (even spelling mistakes like you're and your were still in there). I wasted 2,99 on this story! Don't bother if you want a quality story, it reminds me of badly written fanfic, nothing else!
May 27, 2016
Nice love story
This was a very good coming out little romance story. The connection Alyssa and Hannah felt was instantaneous and their dreams seemed to be shared. It was nice for a change to not be caught up in the drama of straight girls going back and forth in the relationship, one day they're all in then they panic and run off, it's just frustrating. Though Alyssa wasn't quite certain of her feelings at first, she stuck to it and let it flourish. Very nice.
This was a very good coming out little romance story. The connection Alyssa and Hannah felt was instantaneous and their dreams seemed to be shared. It was nice for a change to not be caught up in the drama of straight girls going back and forth in the relationship, one day they're all in then they panic and run off, it's just frustrating. Though Alyssa wasn't quite certain of her feelings at first, she stuck to it and let it flourish. Very nice.
April 5, 2016
What a lovely story of how Alyssa met the love of her life. My only complaint is that I wish the story would have been longer than it was.
August 23, 2024
Lovely
A lovely short read that despite being compact fits in depth and character development that leads you fully into the story.
A lovely short read that despite being compact fits in depth and character development that leads you fully into the story.
May 19, 2017
i remember reading this last year sometime. it was free on kindleUnlimited so of course i had to give it a read. i actually enjoyed the story. very short read but covered everything enough that you dont feel lost or cheated really. would have been nice to be longer but it was good. i liked it.
July 13, 2018
Too much of telling instead of showing what is happening. Didn't feel the chemistry and the romantic development went too fast.
April 22, 2018
Alyssa’s roommate ditched on her with no warning, leaving her desperate for a replacement before rent comes due. It has to be another girl, or her super Catholic mom would flip. Hannah just caught her girlfriend cheating on her, so that living arrangement doesn’t work anymore. Good thing a former co-worker told her about the roommate she just ditched on. New roommate is super cute. But Alyssa is straight, totally, maybe, and Hannah doesn’t want to go there again. Will they wind up together anyway or will both wind up looking for someone new?
The Housing Crisis by Kate McLay is very much a book that I wish was longer. The story is super cute. The characters are enjoyable. It makes me want more.
Which is actually a really good place to start. One of my only issues with the book is a side effect of it being as short as it is. The relationship is really sweet, but I would have loved to see it developed more. We’re more told that Hannah and Alyssa are increasingly attracted to each other, than allowed to see it develop. As always, I want the build, I want to see the relationship grow from friends to girlfriends. In the same vein, I would like to have seen more of Alyssa realizing that she’s totally into her roommate and not as straight as she thought. More of them dealing with Alyssa playing it straight in public and how that affects Hannah. More of Hannah wanting to fall for Alyssa but being held back by last time. I want to see the character struggles that lead to the triumphant ending.
This is my single big complaint about the book, it’s so short that the ideas behind the story don’t get expanded much if at all. We go from Alyssa being so straight arrows are jealous to being told that she’s been struggling with dealing with her attraction to Hannah for weeks and, never mind struggling, going for it. It goes similarly for Hannah, we’re told that she doesn’t want to fall for another straight girl because the last one broke her heart, but we don’t see her worrying much about it past them hooking up. We see a fair amount of Alyssa’s boss, Martha, but I feel like there should have been more with her. Like she could have been much more developed and contributed a lot more to the story.
So that’s my issue with the book. What else was there to it that I wanted it more developed because of? Friends, this book was adorable and sweet and just a bite of cuteness. I have been trained by pop culture and other novels not to accept when a book aimed at adults is being sweet and fluffy and this was a really nice break from that. I didn’t find a character in the book proper that I disliked. The few scenes that were uncomfortable were meant to be. Most of the bits that we iffy were things that expanding on character and situations could have handled easily.
It was a book that just made me happy, which isn’t a thing I’ve had a lot of lately. It was fun for the sake of itself, a happy little romance story that chooses to be positive. For all that I spent two paragraphs talking about it needing to be expanded on, I keep bringing this up because I want more stories like this. I want more of this story, like a follow up of Alyssa and Hannah and what happens after the end of this one.
So, yeah, this gets a five out of five. I would read Kate McLay again and very much hope that she has a successful career writing.
The Housing Crisis by Kate McLay is very much a book that I wish was longer. The story is super cute. The characters are enjoyable. It makes me want more.
Which is actually a really good place to start. One of my only issues with the book is a side effect of it being as short as it is. The relationship is really sweet, but I would have loved to see it developed more. We’re more told that Hannah and Alyssa are increasingly attracted to each other, than allowed to see it develop. As always, I want the build, I want to see the relationship grow from friends to girlfriends. In the same vein, I would like to have seen more of Alyssa realizing that she’s totally into her roommate and not as straight as she thought. More of them dealing with Alyssa playing it straight in public and how that affects Hannah. More of Hannah wanting to fall for Alyssa but being held back by last time. I want to see the character struggles that lead to the triumphant ending.
This is my single big complaint about the book, it’s so short that the ideas behind the story don’t get expanded much if at all. We go from Alyssa being so straight arrows are jealous to being told that she’s been struggling with dealing with her attraction to Hannah for weeks and, never mind struggling, going for it. It goes similarly for Hannah, we’re told that she doesn’t want to fall for another straight girl because the last one broke her heart, but we don’t see her worrying much about it past them hooking up. We see a fair amount of Alyssa’s boss, Martha, but I feel like there should have been more with her. Like she could have been much more developed and contributed a lot more to the story.
So that’s my issue with the book. What else was there to it that I wanted it more developed because of? Friends, this book was adorable and sweet and just a bite of cuteness. I have been trained by pop culture and other novels not to accept when a book aimed at adults is being sweet and fluffy and this was a really nice break from that. I didn’t find a character in the book proper that I disliked. The few scenes that were uncomfortable were meant to be. Most of the bits that we iffy were things that expanding on character and situations could have handled easily.
It was a book that just made me happy, which isn’t a thing I’ve had a lot of lately. It was fun for the sake of itself, a happy little romance story that chooses to be positive. For all that I spent two paragraphs talking about it needing to be expanded on, I keep bringing this up because I want more stories like this. I want more of this story, like a follow up of Alyssa and Hannah and what happens after the end of this one.
So, yeah, this gets a five out of five. I would read Kate McLay again and very much hope that she has a successful career writing.
November 21, 2017
Housing Crisis -- Kate McLay -- (22 chapters) -- Oct 21, 2017
This is another book that I downloaded and read a while back, but this one is much more memorable.
It's cute an adorable and made me smile.
This is a godod book to read when you just need a quick pick-me-up. It short, sweet, enchanting, and endearing.
The two women in this story are from different backgrounds, but the mesh well together. It may not be very realistic, (although that Mom might be,) but it was high escapism.
There were two things that really bugged me about this. One: the "hick" girl was from Iowa and only wanted to escape her state ASAP. While this might be convenient and true for some Iowans, it is not true for all. (Full disclosure: I'm from Iowa, I grew up on a farm, and I came out after my son was born...(so sue me)...and I still live in Iowa. I have no idea about this author's background, but Iowa seems a little too convenient.
My other issue is the ending. A great, great story and then bam! it's over with. Too abruptly. I keep switching back and forth thinking I lost a page somewhere. (It has happened to me before...and I read on an e-reader.)
Other than those points, and fairly good read.
Three stars.
This is another book that I downloaded and read a while back, but this one is much more memorable.
It's cute an adorable and made me smile.
This is a godod book to read when you just need a quick pick-me-up. It short, sweet, enchanting, and endearing.
The two women in this story are from different backgrounds, but the mesh well together. It may not be very realistic, (although that Mom might be,) but it was high escapism.
There were two things that really bugged me about this. One: the "hick" girl was from Iowa and only wanted to escape her state ASAP. While this might be convenient and true for some Iowans, it is not true for all. (Full disclosure: I'm from Iowa, I grew up on a farm, and I came out after my son was born...(so sue me)...and I still live in Iowa. I have no idea about this author's background, but Iowa seems a little too convenient.
My other issue is the ending. A great, great story and then bam! it's over with. Too abruptly. I keep switching back and forth thinking I lost a page somewhere. (It has happened to me before...and I read on an e-reader.)
Other than those points, and fairly good read.
Three stars.
April 12, 2019
This wasn’t necessarily a bad book, but it also wasn’t a particularly good book as far as plot goes. It was a very fluffy, quick read with a happy ending and if that’s what you’re looking for then this book would be a good pick.
For me the story progressed much too fast and the characters were not fleshed out enough and were kind of overdone cliches. The straight-laced, small-town Catholic girl? Seen it. The cool lesbian musician with an alternative haircut? Boring. So much was skipped in between chapters that I kept feeling like I was missing something. I also expected much more angst from a girl raised in a midwest religious household, but instead it was like, “Okay, I guess I’m gay now!” I just wanted more explanations.
The plot twist at the end was kind of interesting but again, it kind of came out of nowhere, and the main character just accepted it with no questions. Of course the author was trying to portray her as an open-minded and accepting person, but if your boss suddenly winds up being your long-lost transgender sibling you would think there would be kind of... more to it.
And then the book was over. And I said: meh.
For me the story progressed much too fast and the characters were not fleshed out enough and were kind of overdone cliches. The straight-laced, small-town Catholic girl? Seen it. The cool lesbian musician with an alternative haircut? Boring. So much was skipped in between chapters that I kept feeling like I was missing something. I also expected much more angst from a girl raised in a midwest religious household, but instead it was like, “Okay, I guess I’m gay now!” I just wanted more explanations.
The plot twist at the end was kind of interesting but again, it kind of came out of nowhere, and the main character just accepted it with no questions. Of course the author was trying to portray her as an open-minded and accepting person, but if your boss suddenly winds up being your long-lost transgender sibling you would think there would be kind of... more to it.
And then the book was over. And I said: meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2019
This is a book where I feel like whether I "liked" a book (like Goodreads' star rating asks) isn't the best way to rate it. Because… there were times when I found it a tough book to face. Not because of any shortcoming in the writing, but because the writing shone light on some ugly realities, especially those that hit close to home in my own life. There were times when I felt this book was "too real" to be fun reading.
In this little book, Kate McLay hits some tough themes. The mother character reminded me uncomfortably of my own mother in her rigidity, religion, and rejection of anything other than straight and cisgender as true or good. And there was also the character trying to come to terms with who she is, as her religious upbringing conflicted with who she came to learn that she was.
There is a part of me that kind of wishes I felt up to rereading this soon, because I would love to reread the scenes involving her and her boss, after the revelation near the end of the book. Maybe someday.
In this little book, Kate McLay hits some tough themes. The mother character reminded me uncomfortably of my own mother in her rigidity, religion, and rejection of anything other than straight and cisgender as true or good. And there was also the character trying to come to terms with who she is, as her religious upbringing conflicted with who she came to learn that she was.
There is a part of me that kind of wishes I felt up to rereading this soon, because I would love to reread the scenes involving her and her boss, after the revelation near the end of the book. Maybe someday.
July 16, 2019
The Housing Crisis: New Adult Lesbian Romance
This was a well written story. The story revolves around a young woman whose a Catholic comes home to find her flatmate has moved out leaving a note saying she's moving in with her boyfrienf . She panics as the rent is due in two weeks. She advertises for a new flatmate. Another young woman walks in on her girlfriend whose in there bed her with a man. She kicks her out. This was a story that had a few twists which I felt could have been explained in more detail making it an excellent opportunity to explain why religions tends to twists things to their benefit and brainwashing young people. And how families are broken.
The author Kate McKay did an excellent job but tried to put a lot in without explaining some of it. But I feel that she had more to offer in the future.
This was a well written story. The story revolves around a young woman whose a Catholic comes home to find her flatmate has moved out leaving a note saying she's moving in with her boyfrienf . She panics as the rent is due in two weeks. She advertises for a new flatmate. Another young woman walks in on her girlfriend whose in there bed her with a man. She kicks her out. This was a story that had a few twists which I felt could have been explained in more detail making it an excellent opportunity to explain why religions tends to twists things to their benefit and brainwashing young people. And how families are broken.
The author Kate McKay did an excellent job but tried to put a lot in without explaining some of it. But I feel that she had more to offer in the future.
March 25, 2019
Alyssa moved to Chicago after graduating college. She comes from a conservative Catholic family in Iowa. When her roommate suddenly moves out to live with her boyfriend, Alyssa is desperate to find someone to take her place. Hannah is a college dropout musician and out lesbian. When she finds her gf is cheating on her, she looks for a place to move. As Alyssa and Hannah begin their time as roommates, they each develop attraction and feelings. Alyssa has always assumed she's straight and Hannah is determined not to get involved with a woman who isn't out about her sexuality.
This is a novella length book and a quick read. It's a decent short book, though a bit rushed in the end. Another middling romance. I'm hoping to read a 5 star soon.
This is a novella length book and a quick read. It's a decent short book, though a bit rushed in the end. Another middling romance. I'm hoping to read a 5 star soon.
August 25, 2019
Acceptance of all people = Openness to all love
“She’d never wanted to keep anyone, to have anyone, to be with anyone as much as she wanted that with Alyssa.”
“After one night, Alyssa already knew that she was addicted to the taste of Hannah. She didn’t know if she’d ever get over her. Or if she would ever want to.”
+ • + • + • +
A creative, entertaining out-of-the-box story about figuring out your own path, place & person in this world as the flashpoint for finding peace & freedom in being true to yourself & accepting love whatever form it may come in.
“She’d never wanted to keep anyone, to have anyone, to be with anyone as much as she wanted that with Alyssa.”
“After one night, Alyssa already knew that she was addicted to the taste of Hannah. She didn’t know if she’d ever get over her. Or if she would ever want to.”
+ • + • + • +
A creative, entertaining out-of-the-box story about figuring out your own path, place & person in this world as the flashpoint for finding peace & freedom in being true to yourself & accepting love whatever form it may come in.
October 5, 2017
Awesome
I recommend reading this book because it was easy to follow, adorable, and it had some small unexpected twists that I honestly didn’t see coming. The story was short, but said a lot about people and how they tend to think they already know things when they aren’t willing to search for answers.
I recommend reading this book because it was easy to follow, adorable, and it had some small unexpected twists that I honestly didn’t see coming. The story was short, but said a lot about people and how they tend to think they already know things when they aren’t willing to search for answers.
September 23, 2020
A girl from Iowa leaves home!
Nothing could have prepared Alyssa for what she finds out after moving to Chicago. Constant searching as to who and what she was and having a mom with a guilt trip could leave some people still wandering. But finding she has a sister she did not know she had, wow! Enjoy!
Nothing could have prepared Alyssa for what she finds out after moving to Chicago. Constant searching as to who and what she was and having a mom with a guilt trip could leave some people still wandering. But finding she has a sister she did not know she had, wow! Enjoy!
November 15, 2017
Charming story, with several interesting plotlines, just too short. For once a whole story in a short online published book and enjoyable but still too short to develop some of the complex potential that lies in this tale.
July 27, 2018
Impressed
I really liked this story. Don't get me wrong, the words "straight" and "Catholic" almost had me running.
Didn't see that twist coming. Was pleasantly surprised.
Minor errors, and a few consistency issues.
Nice afternoon read.
I really liked this story. Don't get me wrong, the words "straight" and "Catholic" almost had me running.
Didn't see that twist coming. Was pleasantly surprised.
Minor errors, and a few consistency issues.
Nice afternoon read.
May 23, 2019
Cute and Lovable!
The main characters of the story felt very real and you sort of got caught up in their excitement as the relationship developed. I like the unexpected twist and the fact that it all came together in the end.
The main characters of the story felt very real and you sort of got caught up in their excitement as the relationship developed. I like the unexpected twist and the fact that it all came together in the end.
September 8, 2024
A very heartwarming story
This book was adorable. It did feel a little rushed at times, but it was overall entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed the various plot twists and turns. Would definitely recommend it.
This book was adorable. It did feel a little rushed at times, but it was overall entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed the various plot twists and turns. Would definitely recommend it.
September 22, 2017
Cute story
Felt like a YA read but it was a light and a short read. Not quite what I am used to but the story is enough to hold one’s attention.
Felt like a YA read but it was a light and a short read. Not quite what I am used to but the story is enough to hold one’s attention.
October 3, 2017
Awesome
This was a pretty good story. The "turning gay with little angst" thing was true to my experience, so it didn't feel odd that she wasn't over-thinking it.
This was a pretty good story. The "turning gay with little angst" thing was true to my experience, so it didn't feel odd that she wasn't over-thinking it.
October 29, 2017
It was cute but I feel like it could have been better.
July 7, 2018
GOOD READ
A very good ebook. Touching and gratifying. Just good. HAPPILY EVER AFTER story!😍
A very good ebook. Touching and gratifying. Just good. HAPPILY EVER AFTER story!😍
October 13, 2018
A nice enough book, has a few good moments and is easy to read, but I got kind of bored of it before the book even ended? (omg this is like the worst review i've ever written for a book i'm so sorry)
March 31, 2019
Short book which really needed more filling out of the characters. Bit too cliche, however I still rounded up from 2 1/2 stars to 3. Hope the author continues to improve her writing skills.
July 16, 2019
It was just so bad. Read like someone's unrealistic fantasy.
May 8, 2020
Was good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews