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Moonstone
Moving back to her hometown was never at the top of Joy Henderson’s to-do list. With a successful career in San Francisco and plenty of opportunity for casual relationships, the last thing Joy wants is to return to the small town she’d planned her whole life to escape. But family obligations pull her back home and it isn’t long before Joy runs into someone she’s always dreamed of seeing again—the first girl she ever imagined kissing. Kelsey West.
Olympic dreams are a thing of the past for Kelsey. Now an out of work swim coach recovering from a bad relationship, she’s back home only long enough to get her life together. When she learns that Joy Henderson, the high school crush she never forgot, is also back in town, she can’t help but wonder if there’s a chance to rewrite the past.
Time has changed their hometown. Time has changed Kelsey and Joy. But when it comes to two women who have never trusted love—has time changed them enough?
Olympic dreams are a thing of the past for Kelsey. Now an out of work swim coach recovering from a bad relationship, she’s back home only long enough to get her life together. When she learns that Joy Henderson, the high school crush she never forgot, is also back in town, she can’t help but wonder if there’s a chance to rewrite the past.
Time has changed their hometown. Time has changed Kelsey and Joy. But when it comes to two women who have never trusted love—has time changed them enough?
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2016
11 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Clevenger
38 books330 followersJaime Clevenger lives with family in Colorado. Most days are spent working as a veterinarian. Writing is a side gig but also a true love. Hobbies include swimming, karate, dreaming about beach vacations, and convincing random strangers to share their life story. Bonus points are given if they include a good romance—whether or not there’s a happy ending.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 10, 2023
Really enjoyed this even though the ending was sudden. A real roller-coaster of a tale that kept me entertained but never frightened. I'll look out for more of her's. Well worth it.
Stood up well to 2nd reading.
Stood up well to 2nd reading.
July 15, 2016
Too be honest, I had a little trouble with this book. I found the beginning to be quiet boring and it wasn't until about have way through, did the book start to pick up. I enjoyed Jamie's other book Waiting for a Love Song so I was excited to read this, unfortunately it didn't quite meet my expectations.
I enjoyed the character of Joy, and it's always nice to have at least a little diversity in books. My problem lied more with Kelsey. I just could not connect with her. It wasn't that she used to have a drug problem, I don't mind my characters flawed, I think it was more the lying and her refusing to ever talk things out. Joy sounded to me like a real catch, smart, beautiful, successful, and so patient with Kelsey, that I found myself thinking she deserved better.
The romance was slow moving and no quick "I love yous" which I liked, but not really enjoying Kelsey's character, hampered the romance for me. And I don't even want to talk about Kelsey's ex, I could have happily cut her out of the book. I did enjoy the secondary characters of Kelsey's mom and her sorta girlfriend, but was disappointed how that side story ended.
This wasn't a bad book by any means, and I know Jamie is a quality writer, I just think you need a bit of patience to read this book.
I enjoyed the character of Joy, and it's always nice to have at least a little diversity in books. My problem lied more with Kelsey. I just could not connect with her. It wasn't that she used to have a drug problem, I don't mind my characters flawed, I think it was more the lying and her refusing to ever talk things out. Joy sounded to me like a real catch, smart, beautiful, successful, and so patient with Kelsey, that I found myself thinking she deserved better.
The romance was slow moving and no quick "I love yous" which I liked, but not really enjoying Kelsey's character, hampered the romance for me. And I don't even want to talk about Kelsey's ex, I could have happily cut her out of the book. I did enjoy the secondary characters of Kelsey's mom and her sorta girlfriend, but was disappointed how that side story ended.
This wasn't a bad book by any means, and I know Jamie is a quality writer, I just think you need a bit of patience to read this book.
April 8, 2022
Audiobook-narration was solid by Prince.
The actual book had too many back and forth between the present and past (and I’m not anti flashbacks) and didn’t allow to connect well with the story. Characters were annoyingly insecure for two grown women. Very descriptive as well. Did enjoy the biracial aspect and book is overall written well as expected for this author.
The actual book had too many back and forth between the present and past (and I’m not anti flashbacks) and didn’t allow to connect well with the story. Characters were annoyingly insecure for two grown women. Very descriptive as well. Did enjoy the biracial aspect and book is overall written well as expected for this author.
February 25, 2019
This book was a little too all over the place for me. The relationship between Joy and Kelsey and the flashbacks that are in the first part of the story were intriguing, but the second part of the story it just goes off the rails.
We're told early on that Joy is in an open relationship with Vanessa, so I was expecting her to show up again, but once Kelsey and Joy started their relationship I sort of expected it would be exclusive, yet Joy goes right back to sleeping with Vanessa just days after telling Kelsey she'd happily commit to her if Kelsey was ready. Plus, there's a trail of at least five women (Kelsey to Joy to Vanessa to whomever Vanessa was sleeping with to whomever that woman was also sleeping with) yet there's no mention at all of safe sex. Unbelievable.
Kelsey's ex drama was also depressing and dragged the story down, so that by the end I didn't really like either character, nor was I overly invested in whether they got together.
This was my first book by this author, and I was happy to see a POC as a main character. I'd probably give her another try, hopefully her other stories are a bit less convoluted.
We're told early on that Joy is in an open relationship with Vanessa, so I was expecting her to show up again, but once Kelsey and Joy started their relationship I sort of expected it would be exclusive, yet Joy goes right back to sleeping with Vanessa just days after telling Kelsey she'd happily commit to her if Kelsey was ready. Plus, there's a trail of at least five women (Kelsey to Joy to Vanessa to whomever Vanessa was sleeping with to whomever that woman was also sleeping with) yet there's no mention at all of safe sex. Unbelievable.
Kelsey's ex drama was also depressing and dragged the story down, so that by the end I didn't really like either character, nor was I overly invested in whether they got together.
This was my first book by this author, and I was happy to see a POC as a main character. I'd probably give her another try, hopefully her other stories are a bit less convoluted.
July 1, 2016
Secrets always have a way of biting you. 4.5stars
Overall I really liked this book. At first I was a little thrown off by the flashbacks which lasted for the first part of the book. And then I finished the book realized that they really didn't have that big of an impact on the present story as I would have thought they would... meaning there wasn't some big event that happened in the past that caused the present (at least between Kelsey and Joy themselves...hopefully that makes some sense). The pace of the story was good though I felt the spark between Kelsey and Joy was very subtle and never really exploded. I did enjoy the story line between Denise and Barn...that one was entertaining and a little sad.
A lot happens in this book all the way to the end and although I would have liked to have had a nice epilogue at the end, most lose ends are tied and the ending is satisfying. I really enjoyed this read and would recommend it.
Overall I really liked this book. At first I was a little thrown off by the flashbacks which lasted for the first part of the book. And then I finished the book realized that they really didn't have that big of an impact on the present story as I would have thought they would... meaning there wasn't some big event that happened in the past that caused the present (at least between Kelsey and Joy themselves...hopefully that makes some sense). The pace of the story was good though I felt the spark between Kelsey and Joy was very subtle and never really exploded. I did enjoy the story line between Denise and Barn...that one was entertaining and a little sad.
A lot happens in this book all the way to the end and although I would have liked to have had a nice epilogue at the end, most lose ends are tied and the ending is satisfying. I really enjoyed this read and would recommend it.
July 8, 2021
DNF boring and The jumps to The past felt unnecessary and drew me out of the story in stead of in it.
May 21, 2018
These were among the most messed up people I've read about in a romance in a while. the obstacles between them though a little cliche felt realistic because of how real the problems felt. the writing really made it feel like a real description rather than fiction -- growing up biracial in a small town, addiction, abusive/corrosive relationships, non-monogramy -- all of it had a ring of truth. The romance itself was cute but a little unbelievable that they would put up with so much on both sides. All in all a satisfying read because spoiler alert it all works out in the end.
August 7, 2021
2 stars. Because I did finish it. But do I feel fulfilled or satisfied or happy at all that I did so? Not really.
This came up as a recommendation on Hoopla because I've listened to a handful of other novels narrated by Lori Prince. Unfortunately, not even Lori Prince could save this one.
An optometrist in an open relationship but always out for flings moves back to her hometown and - wouldn't you know it - runs into her high school crush, who is broken after an insane emotionally abusive relationship that completely went off the rails. I couldn't connect to either character, their side stories were depressing and left little feeling of growth or hope, and the push and pull between the two characters was far more irritating than it was enticing. As I approached the end, I didn't even care if the characters got together, I just wanted it to be over. I was far more invested in the relationship between one of the main character's moms and her not-girlfriend, and honestly pushed through to the end because I wanted to see what happened between THEM, not necessarily the main characters.
Meh. It had a couple moments but just... meh. up from 1.5 stars because I did enjoy the flashbacks to high school. Wish the present had been more well done.
This came up as a recommendation on Hoopla because I've listened to a handful of other novels narrated by Lori Prince. Unfortunately, not even Lori Prince could save this one.
An optometrist in an open relationship but always out for flings moves back to her hometown and - wouldn't you know it - runs into her high school crush, who is broken after an insane emotionally abusive relationship that completely went off the rails. I couldn't connect to either character, their side stories were depressing and left little feeling of growth or hope, and the push and pull between the two characters was far more irritating than it was enticing. As I approached the end, I didn't even care if the characters got together, I just wanted it to be over. I was far more invested in the relationship between one of the main character's moms and her not-girlfriend, and honestly pushed through to the end because I wanted to see what happened between THEM, not necessarily the main characters.
Meh. It had a couple moments but just... meh. up from 1.5 stars because I did enjoy the flashbacks to high school. Wish the present had been more well done.
April 22, 2025
I typically enjoy Jaime Clevenger’s books but Moonstone didn’t quite land for me. While I appreciated the diversity in the characters and found Joy to be thoughtful, grounded, and refreshingly mature, I really struggled to connect with Kelsey. Her tendency to lie, avoid difficult conversations, and keep everyone at arm’s length made it hard for me to root for the romance. Joy honestly felt too patient, and I found myself wishing she’d walk away.
The story takes a long time to build, and while the last third is where everything happens, it felt both rushed and overly dramatic. There’s a lot of heavy material packed into those final chapters—addiction, abuse, trust issues—but none of it felt like it got the emotional weight or resolution it deserved. Jaime Clevenger is a strong writer, but I’ve found some of her earlier works, like this one, struggle with uneven pacing and endings that don’t quite stick the landing.
There are some compelling side characters and moments that showed real potential, but overall, the story felt scattered and unfocused. I wasn’t bored, but I never felt fully invested either. A decent read for fans of flawed, messy characters—but one that requires a bit of patience.
The story takes a long time to build, and while the last third is where everything happens, it felt both rushed and overly dramatic. There’s a lot of heavy material packed into those final chapters—addiction, abuse, trust issues—but none of it felt like it got the emotional weight or resolution it deserved. Jaime Clevenger is a strong writer, but I’ve found some of her earlier works, like this one, struggle with uneven pacing and endings that don’t quite stick the landing.
There are some compelling side characters and moments that showed real potential, but overall, the story felt scattered and unfocused. I wasn’t bored, but I never felt fully invested either. A decent read for fans of flawed, messy characters—but one that requires a bit of patience.
September 16, 2023
Despite being markedly different from many of Clevenger's other books, Moonstone still rates about the same quality as the rest, which is not a good thing. While this book was blessedly free from characters delusionally referring to their phallic toys as if it were part of them (though it does include a couple overt references to bondage--not shown--because for Clevenger love isn't possible without being tied up) it replaced that nonsense with greater emphasis on toxic relationships and pretending they were worth saving.
The majority of the story takes place in "Raceda" which is clearly Eureka, California but had the name changed to protect...what exactly? Further, if changing the town name, why not change the name of locations like Mad River Beach?
In any case, after an odd bagel chucking incident that was probably supposed to be seen as cute, the story begins a series of annoying flashbacks. While the first one is identified as 18 years earlier, every other transition forward or back just happens. A new paragraph begins and whether or not it's in the past or present is up to the reader to figure out.
Now, despite a few dozen pages worth of flashbacks, it all built up to one incident: a brief moment of holding hands and then Joy pulled away. Or was it Kelsey? It doesn't matter. It wasn't worth the time invested. Any other storylines or subplots noted will come to nothing.
A few chapters in, Clevenger either decided or remembered that Joy was supposed to be black. Perhaps an editor told her that her vague allusions to skin tone weren't cutting it. Who's to say? Not Joy. She hardly seems aware of her racial identity. Kelsey, the whitest white girl has to point that out.
As other reviews have noted, while the main characters don't consummate their relationship for the first time until 80% of the novel is finished, this isn't a slow burn. There is no burning at all. The characters listlessly interact and avoid meaningful communication. Further, as noted, the story takes a dramatic shift as the high school flashbacks end, and the things get progressively crazier.
Kelsey is not a good person but, probably because she is white, Clevenger makes her the primary character. Primary in that it is her wishes that dictate the ultimate choices. If she wants to stay in a place that seems remarkably limited in diversity, a place she didn't even want to be for most of the book, a place that has made Joy and her brother feel unwelcome numerous times, then they will. Kelsey says, "if you asked me to leave, I would" except she says that after saying "I can't leave". Clevenger would have us believe that despite 9.50 out of 10 hours of being unhappy in the town, they decide they are happy at the end with little justification.
So many characters and storylines have little to no resolution.
Kelsey's mother, Barbara and her friend Denise. It gets built up as possibly a toaster oven romance but is abruptly shifted and ultimately left hanging. Tamara and Andrew pop in as adults for a scene after featuring as jerks in high school and then...nothing happens. Vanessa plays a far larger role than it would have seemed possible, including multiple sexual encounters with Joy, and her story is resolved with a vague reference to "Tiff". The enabling older sister to Hanna, Sadie Padgett, gets hooked up with Kelsey's brother off-page. Does anyone experience any consequences for virtually encouraging Hanna to be a drug dealer, a partner abuser, as well as fostering her drug habit? No.
More examples of Kelsey being just the worst:
Kelsey loans Joy a hoodie. Later Joy finds a bottle of pills in the pocket (made out to Kelsey's ex). When she asks about it, Kelsey gets upset and ruins the evening. Then, she blows off a planned date with Kelsey. Then, she gets pouty when Joy hangs out with Vanessa, someone who actively tried to be with her instead of avoiding her.
After their first bout of lovemaking, Kelsey becomes outraged that Joy had the absolute temerity to get ready for work the next morning instead of gushing about what they had shared. This irrationality is capped off by Joy apologizing for slipping out of bed to take a shower. It is like Kelsey couldn't imagine having a discussion later that evening. Then she storms out, refuses to answer any of Joy's texts or phone calls for over a week, and becomes upset when she hears Joy might be thinking of leaving and blames Joy for not being able to handle her baggage (most of which she hasn't even shared with Joy).
At various points, Kelsey tells Hanna she is done. Then later, Kelsey tells Hanna she is done. Then, Kelsey tells Hanna she is done. Kelsey tells Joy she is done with Hanna. Then Kelsey tells Joy she is done with Hanna, then Kelsey tells Joy she is done with Hanna. If you see a pattern developing, as well as a lack of follow-through, good for you.
Kelsey also: As a coach, allows a relationship to develop with a student. She accepts a gift of a luxury car from a family that is clearly enabling a dangerous drug dealer, to keep silent over the obvious crimes she has committed, including stealing Kelsey's car.
In the end, the biggest problem may be that the characters do no grow. I have little doubt that Clevenger thought she created characters that did just that. However, what she did was create flawed characters who, eventually, accepted or acknowledged their situation. They didn't learn anything. They didn't earn redemption/sobriety/or the love and respect they say they have for one another. While this may be classified as an HEA, it's closer to an HNA (Happily Never After) because despite their promises, YES, Kelsey will use again. She has sought no treatment whatsoever. It took her months and being threatened with losing everything to face up to a lie everyone knew she was telling. And YES, Joy will leave Raceda given that her endorsement of the town amounts to little more than "it could be worse". But, the only way it could be worse was if she was forced to read this novel.
The majority of the story takes place in "Raceda" which is clearly Eureka, California but had the name changed to protect...what exactly? Further, if changing the town name, why not change the name of locations like Mad River Beach?
In any case, after an odd bagel chucking incident that was probably supposed to be seen as cute, the story begins a series of annoying flashbacks. While the first one is identified as 18 years earlier, every other transition forward or back just happens. A new paragraph begins and whether or not it's in the past or present is up to the reader to figure out.
Now, despite a few dozen pages worth of flashbacks, it all built up to one incident: a brief moment of holding hands and then Joy pulled away. Or was it Kelsey? It doesn't matter. It wasn't worth the time invested. Any other storylines or subplots noted will come to nothing.
A few chapters in, Clevenger either decided or remembered that Joy was supposed to be black. Perhaps an editor told her that her vague allusions to skin tone weren't cutting it. Who's to say? Not Joy. She hardly seems aware of her racial identity. Kelsey, the whitest white girl has to point that out.
As other reviews have noted, while the main characters don't consummate their relationship for the first time until 80% of the novel is finished, this isn't a slow burn. There is no burning at all. The characters listlessly interact and avoid meaningful communication. Further, as noted, the story takes a dramatic shift as the high school flashbacks end, and the things get progressively crazier.
Kelsey is not a good person but, probably because she is white, Clevenger makes her the primary character. Primary in that it is her wishes that dictate the ultimate choices. If she wants to stay in a place that seems remarkably limited in diversity, a place she didn't even want to be for most of the book, a place that has made Joy and her brother feel unwelcome numerous times, then they will. Kelsey says, "if you asked me to leave, I would" except she says that after saying "I can't leave". Clevenger would have us believe that despite 9.50 out of 10 hours of being unhappy in the town, they decide they are happy at the end with little justification.
So many characters and storylines have little to no resolution.
Kelsey's mother, Barbara and her friend Denise. It gets built up as possibly a toaster oven romance but is abruptly shifted and ultimately left hanging. Tamara and Andrew pop in as adults for a scene after featuring as jerks in high school and then...nothing happens. Vanessa plays a far larger role than it would have seemed possible, including multiple sexual encounters with Joy, and her story is resolved with a vague reference to "Tiff". The enabling older sister to Hanna, Sadie Padgett, gets hooked up with Kelsey's brother off-page. Does anyone experience any consequences for virtually encouraging Hanna to be a drug dealer, a partner abuser, as well as fostering her drug habit? No.
More examples of Kelsey being just the worst:
Kelsey loans Joy a hoodie. Later Joy finds a bottle of pills in the pocket (made out to Kelsey's ex). When she asks about it, Kelsey gets upset and ruins the evening. Then, she blows off a planned date with Kelsey. Then, she gets pouty when Joy hangs out with Vanessa, someone who actively tried to be with her instead of avoiding her.
After their first bout of lovemaking, Kelsey becomes outraged that Joy had the absolute temerity to get ready for work the next morning instead of gushing about what they had shared. This irrationality is capped off by Joy apologizing for slipping out of bed to take a shower. It is like Kelsey couldn't imagine having a discussion later that evening. Then she storms out, refuses to answer any of Joy's texts or phone calls for over a week, and becomes upset when she hears Joy might be thinking of leaving and blames Joy for not being able to handle her baggage (most of which she hasn't even shared with Joy).
At various points, Kelsey tells Hanna she is done. Then later, Kelsey tells Hanna she is done. Then, Kelsey tells Hanna she is done. Kelsey tells Joy she is done with Hanna. Then Kelsey tells Joy she is done with Hanna, then Kelsey tells Joy she is done with Hanna. If you see a pattern developing, as well as a lack of follow-through, good for you.
Kelsey also: As a coach, allows a relationship to develop with a student. She accepts a gift of a luxury car from a family that is clearly enabling a dangerous drug dealer, to keep silent over the obvious crimes she has committed, including stealing Kelsey's car.
In the end, the biggest problem may be that the characters do no grow. I have little doubt that Clevenger thought she created characters that did just that. However, what she did was create flawed characters who, eventually, accepted or acknowledged their situation. They didn't learn anything. They didn't earn redemption/sobriety/or the love and respect they say they have for one another. While this may be classified as an HEA, it's closer to an HNA (Happily Never After) because despite their promises, YES, Kelsey will use again. She has sought no treatment whatsoever. It took her months and being threatened with losing everything to face up to a lie everyone knew she was telling. And YES, Joy will leave Raceda given that her endorsement of the town amounts to little more than "it could be worse". But, the only way it could be worse was if she was forced to read this novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2022
Tough subject, great book
May 3, 2023
2.75 stars - I was really enjoying this story until the end, but then the time jump happened and I was just so frustrated. I was frustrated throughout the story with the two leads, but most of their decisions made sense so I chalked up my frustration to “necessary angst”. Then chapter 39 happened, and I was so annoyed; and then chapter 43 came and the story completely lost me.
I was pissed off with Kelsey’s choices with the drugs. Sure, she dealt with a lot with her past relationship, but the decisions on the beach were Kelsey’s to own, and that didn’t come in a way that was respectable. She continued to lie about what she had done until the very end, and that was pretty brushed over aside from a bit of anger and there were no real consequences for Kelsey’s actions. That was a real miss for me. Then for Kelsey to start losing her mind on Joy for not bringing up the possible sale of the clinic immediately? The audacity! There was a wait throughout the story for Joy and Kelsey to finally get together, and the author made what was a very realistic coming together throughout the book that I was invested in feel gross and unnatural with these poor choices at the end. I went back and forth throughout the story about which one of the leads did not deserve the other, but I very much ended the story thinking that Kelsey didn’t deserve Joy, and that’s not how I want to feel after a romance story. All of this could have been made better if less time was wasted at the beginning/middle of the book, and the events of the ending happened much earlier, to give time for a fulfilling conclusion.
I’m also curious about this author’s background. From images I have seen, the author doesn’t appear to be a person of color. If I am misjudging that, I apologize. If I am correct, I do hope the author spoke to people living the black queer experience, rather than make their own assumptions. However, I’m doubtful of this because while this is sort of alluded to, it’s very clear the racism and the homophobia Joy was exposed to was at the root of her issues. This author didn’t actually go there though, and I think that’s due to them not being able to bring that lived experience into their story.
I was pissed off with Kelsey’s choices with the drugs. Sure, she dealt with a lot with her past relationship, but the decisions on the beach were Kelsey’s to own, and that didn’t come in a way that was respectable. She continued to lie about what she had done until the very end, and that was pretty brushed over aside from a bit of anger and there were no real consequences for Kelsey’s actions. That was a real miss for me. Then for Kelsey to start losing her mind on Joy for not bringing up the possible sale of the clinic immediately? The audacity! There was a wait throughout the story for Joy and Kelsey to finally get together, and the author made what was a very realistic coming together throughout the book that I was invested in feel gross and unnatural with these poor choices at the end. I went back and forth throughout the story about which one of the leads did not deserve the other, but I very much ended the story thinking that Kelsey didn’t deserve Joy, and that’s not how I want to feel after a romance story. All of this could have been made better if less time was wasted at the beginning/middle of the book, and the events of the ending happened much earlier, to give time for a fulfilling conclusion.
I’m also curious about this author’s background. From images I have seen, the author doesn’t appear to be a person of color. If I am misjudging that, I apologize. If I am correct, I do hope the author spoke to people living the black queer experience, rather than make their own assumptions. However, I’m doubtful of this because while this is sort of alluded to, it’s very clear the racism and the homophobia Joy was exposed to was at the root of her issues. This author didn’t actually go there though, and I think that’s due to them not being able to bring that lived experience into their story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2023
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Lori Prince. As always, she did a superb job.
The story has lot of rough edges, maybe problems, in my opinion:
- In the first third, there a lot of unannounced flashbacks. They give background information, which will never again be relevant to the present.
- At least four side characters are introduced and get some side story, which will never be completed. They don't even add to character growth.
- Everything relevant to the two main characters happens in the last 3 of the 10 hours of this book.
- The first 7 hours wouldn't even qualify as slow burn, because the characters don't move towards each other in any way.
- The last 3 hours are PACKED with (construed) drama, revelations and bad communication.
There ARE talks about problems and fears, but I feel there is no catharsis, no breakthrough and no real meat to the talks. The last 3 hours went by fast, but they felt very unsatisfying to me. What irks me the most is, Clevenger created two great, flawed characters with enough backstory for really strong personal growth. It would have been fantastic to resolve an old bully problem, to resolve the story about an abusive ex, to atleast tackle a personal substance abuse problem, to resolve a dead-parent-expectations problem. The book has a ton of potential storylines, but it all waters down to "I don't know." "I fear my feelings." "I don't trust you.".
The story has lot of rough edges, maybe problems, in my opinion:
- In the first third, there a lot of unannounced flashbacks. They give background information, which will never again be relevant to the present.
- At least four side characters are introduced and get some side story, which will never be completed. They don't even add to character growth.
- Everything relevant to the two main characters happens in the last 3 of the 10 hours of this book.
- The first 7 hours wouldn't even qualify as slow burn, because the characters don't move towards each other in any way.
- The last 3 hours are PACKED with (construed) drama, revelations and bad communication.
There ARE talks about problems and fears, but I feel there is no catharsis, no breakthrough and no real meat to the talks. The last 3 hours went by fast, but they felt very unsatisfying to me. What irks me the most is, Clevenger created two great, flawed characters with enough backstory for really strong personal growth. It would have been fantastic to resolve an old bully problem, to resolve the story about an abusive ex, to atleast tackle a personal substance abuse problem, to resolve a dead-parent-expectations problem. The book has a ton of potential storylines, but it all waters down to "I don't know." "I fear my feelings." "I don't trust you.".
January 22, 2023
So this took me over an hour of debating with myself. Four stars or five? Do I even write anything since my head is all over the place on if I liked or loved it?
*sigh* I am going with 4.5 stars, the story was good.
After the death of her father, Joy returns to her hometown, the place she always felt out of place. She has no plans on staying longer than needed to get the business her father left her up to date and sold. Kelsey, her first crush, was the last person she expected to see.
Fresh out of a toxic and abusive relationship with her ex Hannah, Kelsey is now back at her mother's to have a fresh start. She has landed herself a job and is somewhat doing alright, as long as she avoids her own truths. Running into Joy was not in the top ten things she thought she would be doing back in her hometown.
Joy is in an open relationship with Vanessa, you find this out very early on, but she is still harboring all those feelings for Kelsey and is determined to try something with her. Joy goes back and forth with Vanessa, and I do not blame her at all. Kelsey is ... complicated and all over the place due to her past and her incessant need to lie and omit the complete truth until it is almost too late. Joy was often left unsure of what was even happening half the time.
I have to say, Joy and Vanessa felt like the sanest and most solid relationship in the story, and that is even including the others Vanessa was also with. I almost wished these two found happily ever after together. But alas, love can never be that easy, right? 🙄
I feel if Hannah didn't have such a big part in the story there would have been more room for growth with Kelsey and Joy. Sadly, I think just as their story was taking off, I ran out of pages.
This is still a great book, and the side characters Denise and Barb were so adorable, I found myself wanting a little love story there also.
Anyway, it is well worth the read, just be gentle with Kelsey, she gets there in the end.
*sigh* I am going with 4.5 stars, the story was good.
After the death of her father, Joy returns to her hometown, the place she always felt out of place. She has no plans on staying longer than needed to get the business her father left her up to date and sold. Kelsey, her first crush, was the last person she expected to see.
Fresh out of a toxic and abusive relationship with her ex Hannah, Kelsey is now back at her mother's to have a fresh start. She has landed herself a job and is somewhat doing alright, as long as she avoids her own truths. Running into Joy was not in the top ten things she thought she would be doing back in her hometown.
Joy is in an open relationship with Vanessa, you find this out very early on, but she is still harboring all those feelings for Kelsey and is determined to try something with her. Joy goes back and forth with Vanessa, and I do not blame her at all. Kelsey is ... complicated and all over the place due to her past and her incessant need to lie and omit the complete truth until it is almost too late. Joy was often left unsure of what was even happening half the time.
I have to say, Joy and Vanessa felt like the sanest and most solid relationship in the story, and that is even including the others Vanessa was also with. I almost wished these two found happily ever after together. But alas, love can never be that easy, right? 🙄
I feel if Hannah didn't have such a big part in the story there would have been more room for growth with Kelsey and Joy. Sadly, I think just as their story was taking off, I ran out of pages.
This is still a great book, and the side characters Denise and Barb were so adorable, I found myself wanting a little love story there also.
Anyway, it is well worth the read, just be gentle with Kelsey, she gets there in the end.
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October 23, 2024
Some stories read like a romcom movie. This one reads like a soap opera. It's a very slow burn with lots of angst and drama.
Kelsey and Joy secretly crushed on each other in high school, but neither of them made a move. Now, years later, they meet up again, back in their small town, with a possible second chance. Here's where it gets complicated - both these ladies have baggage. You can sense their attraction to each other, but I didn't think either of them were in a place to get into a relationship.
Maybe that was the point of the book...not every romance makes sense, or is easy. These two just seemed wrong for each other, yet they made it work.
Kelsey and Joy secretly crushed on each other in high school, but neither of them made a move. Now, years later, they meet up again, back in their small town, with a possible second chance. Here's where it gets complicated - both these ladies have baggage. You can sense their attraction to each other, but I didn't think either of them were in a place to get into a relationship.
Maybe that was the point of the book...not every romance makes sense, or is easy. These two just seemed wrong for each other, yet they made it work.
July 9, 2024
The more I worked my way through this book the more irritated I became with the main characters (Joy and Kelsey). I’m not sure I can pinpoint why but I found myself thinking ‘for goodness sake just talk to each other!’ Add to that (and I’m sorry to say this) but I’m not a fan of Lori Prince’s narration - the dialogue is just too slow and drawn out. I feel like I need to play the audio at higher speed.
October 22, 2020
Character development was well done. The plot and setting where interesting. The pace of the story worked really well. Enjoyable modern F/F romance with interesting woman of color as one of the main characters.
May 18, 2024
3.5 star rating
High school crushes finally become real as adults but with personalities and life experiences that certainly shakes their rekindled emotions.
Tough in some parts but an enjoyable read.
High school crushes finally become real as adults but with personalities and life experiences that certainly shakes their rekindled emotions.
Tough in some parts but an enjoyable read.
September 27, 2025
This is a re read for me and although it began slowly returning to home town first teen crush it developed at a deeper level. Meeting again in mid thirties probably does result in more baggage but where would the love go if it wasn't based on a lie.
December 13, 2018
So many feels.
October 9, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
Read
October 23, 2022DNF
February 25, 2024
Old crush and old love new life. Love the Chemistry between Joy & Kelsey.
July 24, 2024
Kelsey is annoying
July 12, 2025
Whew! This one was emotional, but just as good as the rest!
June 23, 2016
Good book
I stick with this story till the end because I have enjoyed this author's other books,
The story was poignant and there was sadness in places, sweetness and humor in others. Kelsey and Joy loved each other but were too afraid to admit their love for fear of rejection. The each had baggage that had to be dealt with before making their final commitment to each other. A well written story.
I stick with this story till the end because I have enjoyed this author's other books,
The story was poignant and there was sadness in places, sweetness and humor in others. Kelsey and Joy loved each other but were too afraid to admit their love for fear of rejection. The each had baggage that had to be dealt with before making their final commitment to each other. A well written story.
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