Slow Burn in Tuscany

by Giselle Fox

What do you do when your worst enemy turns out to be the one woman you can't resist?
Single mom Brianna Valente has hated Madison Blake since the night they graduated high school. So when the rich, beautiful Madison signs up for the same tour of Italy that Bree is taking with her BFF, it’s almost enough to ruin the trip before they start. As if that’s not bad enough, a nosy, loud-mouthed journalist starts poking into the tourists’ private lives -- and turns Bree’s upside down. Suddenly, everything she thought she knew is wrong … and the woman she was sure she hated is hotter than the Tuscan sun and firing all Bree’s fantasies.
The tour becomes a journey of unexpected discoveries, full of sweet seduction and vivid emotion … until Bree realizes that she stands in the way of Madison’s deepest desire. Will Bree sacrifice her first-ever chance at real romance for the sake of Madison’s dream? And if she does, can love find a way to bring them together again?

61,700 words

Genres: Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Lesbian, Lesbian Romance, Femme Femme, LGBT, Erotica

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2016

About the author

Sure, I do other stuff but mostly I’m a writer. I get up early in the morning and work at my kitchen table with a steaming hot cup of tea. Sometimes I listen to brain.fm to help me focus. Sometimes I use a timer and write in sprints. Sometimes I don’t do any of that and listen to the chatter of the birds in my back yard while I dive into a scene. Whatever I do, I sit my ass in the chair every day and write.
I have a wife. She’s the inspiration for all of my sexy heroines. She’s the crème de la crème. She’s my favorite love story. She’s my queen.
I’m also a mother. I have a son that I adore more than anything in the world. He’s the best thing I ever did, by far, and his amazing sense of fun and adventure keeps me wanting to explore.
I’m a musician. I used to play in a band. I’m a computer geek, I love cooking, tasting delicious craft beers and being outside. I love where I live, on the beautiful West Coast of Canada where it’s temperate in all sorts of ways.
Giselle Fox is my pen name. Having a pen name puts a little separation between real life and fiction. And since my stories are always spicy, that separation is a good thing. Giselle is the creative part of me. She gets me out of bed every morning, she cracks the whip when I want to flake out on the couch and watch Netflix. She makes me pay attention to people and circumstances and ask questions so I can write. Having an alter ego is great. You should try it, if you haven’t already.

Reviews

[Corporate Slave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a confusing rating for me! If you're not a romantic person, you will rate this a 1. If you're just a romantic person, you could give it a 4! If you are like me, a romantic person who loves italy, 2 sexy characters, a funny BFF, and most importantly could ignore a couple of things that didn't make sense, you will definitely rate it a solid 5 :)
At one point I thought, WTF am i reading! By the end of the book, I had such a big smile and felt simply: HAPPY :)

[Diane Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read! classic betrayal and forgiveness in friendship when comes to love and true happiness...well written and fantastic chemistry between the main characters..nice ending and i should hope others will get into this story

[Harrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the definition of feel-good book. Once the years old misunderstanding between the main characters is resolved that's when the book really begins. The chemistry between the MCs was superb. The cheerful atmosphere of the book was infectious. I couldn't stop smiling. This was such a cute read.

[Netgyrl (Laura) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars - Kindle Unlimited

You know there are some author's writing you click with and some you don't? Well I 100% click with Giselle Fox's books. So far I have loved them all. I think this is my new favorite.

Love the location. Tuscany sounds beautiful and the descriptions of the sights, sounds, smells and food set the scenes perfectly.

If you are in the mood for crazy intense insta-lust/love, I am talking - like obsessed with being naked with your lover 24/7, then this book will scratch that itch and then some. These two have a history as friends in high school so it's not as unbelievable as hitting that mark with a complete stranger. Trust me, it's very romantic. Their chemistry is off the hook.

This book also has the best, first org@sam with a woman lover I have ever read. It's hot and funny (and relatable) all at the same time. I was laughing and fanning myself simultaneously.

The dark moment, comes a bit late in the story and really probably could have been worked out with a few more discussions and time but you know... must have a bit of drama! Normally that would drive me nuts, but I loved them so much that I decided I didn't care. I can say my heart was breaking for them so it ended up working for me anyway. Luckily it doesn't last long at all and the HEA is lovely.

If the blurb and my review sound like something you'd be into then this book comes with my highest recommendation. I loved it and I can't wait to read it again.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another pleasant and easy read… on a roll now 🙂

Like comfort food, Slow burn in Tuscany is comfort read to me. Easy to read. I liked the writing, the plot, the main characters (Brianna & Madison) who were friendly back in high school but became the enemy in Brianna’s eye and eventual lovers almost 20 years later. And then there’s Italy 🇮🇹 which brought wonderful memories for me.

Ratings: High 3s ⭐️

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5-

WOW...what a ride. I wasn't sure which way this was gonna go but I can live with it. :o} The two MC's were very well developed I thought. I liked that they conveyed their thoughts with just a look at times. The ending seemed very rushed, however.

[Vic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun little story of a complicated budding romance, inescapable desires, a bit of angst, and some pretty good characters. The story flowed quite well, and the dialog was mostly on point, but the book seemed a little too light (in weight and content).

I was hoping for tantalising descriptions of a place I've visited and would love to go back to. Italy needed a much bigger role in this book, given the title. A bit of a wasted opportunity.

Brianna was the stand out for me here, and I would have liked to get to know her better. The build up between the two leads could also have used more time; more emotional excavation rather than slotting quickly into mooning and drooling over each other. I wanted more from this interesting couple.

I liked the book for what it was, though, and would recommend it for a fairly easy, frivolous read. Also, when the inevitable angst hit, it was believable instead of some dumb misunderstanding, or miscommunication (which really annoys me in this genre). Brianna's decision was completely understandable, and the inevitable conclusion was worth the small wait.

Nothing mind blowing, but a nice read. 3.5

[Heinerway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this story had potential to become a pretty decent novel, but... imho it just wasn't fulfilled.

[Elske · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,25 stars. Nice characters, well written but a bit too sweet for me. Too quick and too much loving without anything else happening (until the end when the short and abrupt breakup happened)

[XR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty sexy and heartfelt read, and I really liked it. It made me want to go to Tuscany with my love. ☺️

[Kurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice albeit worn predictable read with the "ten years later" trope. The two characters knew each other in High School but one of the mains has the triple-whammy of getting pregnant from the first time she's ever had sex right when she graduates from High School, her boyfriend even has a fling with one of her friends around the same time but they get married anyway because, well, you know, she's Catholic. They stay together for the child and as soon as she goes off to college the papers are filed. Everyone who matters meets on an organized tour of Tuscany after the eighteen years are over. Time to live! But there are surprises

I kept thinking about this poor cheated on girl, pregnant as she graduates High School, living with her husband in her parent's basement until they could buy the house. What a drag! I kept thinking about that for most of the story. But then there are surprises ahead.

[IanWAA · Rating 3 out of 5]

This us my third Giselle Fox book and a bit to bland for my taste. They hooked up way to fast and then the middle got way to repetitive and the end was really rushed. I felt there was no real development.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read although I was worried about the ending. I wish the epilogue would have been a touch longer. All in all, a sweet and steamy love story that was written for romantics like me.

[Lady Avalon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 rounded up.

[Anja · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story feels rushed once in a while (they go from enemy to lovers within a few pages) but still it's a nice little story with lots of wonderful descriptions of Italy, sex, more Italy, food, more sex and more Italy (not necessarily in that order ;) oh and I forgot ice cream! Makes me want to book a holiday in Tuscany ASAP! I like the main characters and I love their chemistry, it could have been longer in some parts, more getting to know each other again, more dancing ... bit fuck slow ;)

PS: I don't really like the ending

[Simone11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 4,5 ⭐️

[Luce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had problems with this book. Spoilers ahead. You have been warned.

Audrey - not much of a BFF. And why did Bree put all her anger on Madison then Audrey (justified) yet there was no animosity towards Duncan in HS or in present time. Maybe there was and I just missed it?

Talk about UHaul. Normally quick whirlwind romances don't bother me. If it did, I wouldn't be able to read romances. This one did. It was going ok until the last few chapters. I really disliked Bree in the end. It was cruel leaving Madison at the gate. Why couldn't Bree just believe Madison when she said she wasn't ready to try again. And then at the very end Bree still was forcing the issue.

[Musa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am now looking forward to visit Tuscany! But that aside, I'm feeling a bit lukewarm about the story. Bree and Madison were literally foes for 20 years and then they got over their differences literally in a page and falling in love shortly after. Also in the same pace - Bree and her best friend were not friends anymore and then they were back talking. If the pace/ the length can be adjusted a bit, I feel this could have been a great story.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this one through the Amazon lending library and really enjoyed it. A slow burn it was not, but it was a good love story. The ending was rushed but still enjoyed it a great deal. Didn't take long to read, and the writing was very good and held my interest from start to finish. The lending library did exactly what it is intended to do, I will be picking up the author's other books to read asap.

[Danni Mladenovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a whole lot of sexiness in this book, and their attraction to each other is wonderfully written and shown. It's almost palpable. Still, when it comes to the plot, I'd prefer better connection between the characters in this book, little more interaction between all of them. For instance, not once we saw how would Madison and Maize get along...

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this author. Great characters with good dialogue. Some wonderfully descriptive love making.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprised by how much I enjoyed this.

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well has this author been hiding? I loved it - call me sappy but it was just what I needed. Go with the flow and love the story! Oh, golly, so good I'm grieving I've finished it. love Sappy :)

[Aleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to take the easy way out and say - just read Corporate Slave’s review - but I'll write a little.

This book also had me confused. At first I was thinking -- this is only going to be a three. But the romantic in me appreciated the undeniable pull between the MCs and the idea of unforgotten love. Overlay that with the beautiful landscapes of Italy and it made it worth it. (I adore Italy and Greece so that gave the book bonus points - just like Scent of Rome). Finally, sprinkle in a little motherhood and my heart just swooned! It got the 4th star.

It's on KU - enjoy the read.

[Kindle Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Corporate Slave said in another review: if you´re a romantic person, love f/f books, love lesbian couples, love Italy, love lesbian couples in Italy while they fall in love with each other in a very cute way...well... you're gonna LOVE this book.

Even though this is a short book (only 200 pages), I didn´t think that it has compromised the quality of it. I loved every page, I was in love with both main caracthers, and I´m gonna read a second time in the near future because I don´t think that I gave it all the attention necessary.

When I finished, I really missed the fact that the book only shows us a few details about Madisson point of view. But we can´t have everything, right?

The ending was a little bit rushed (another U-Haul lesbian story). But as I said in the beggining, the book only has 200 pages and it makes a great closure. So I don´t have any negative consideration to make.

[Eugenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you finish a book but it stays with you that's a good book. I love the characters, especially Madison (a little bit of her in me). She pursued her dream, got her girl, would love to read more about them, hope the author writes a sequel. My favorite book along with In the Role of Playing Herself.

[Ty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can you call it a slow burn if it happens in a week? I don’t think you can.

[Not · Rating 5 out of 5]

5*

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, interesting story-line, well-drawn characters, and location that screams passion.

[Tinything · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book, i guess. The story is kind of like:
the main characters kind of start to fall for each other on the graduation night, but thing happened and than the falling postponed or paused for 18 years. They meet again and thing start to continue from there i guess. Than falling in love and lots of sleeping with each other and lots of naked together (eventho the naked only happened for 1 day and a half? Why did i feel like it goes so long?) nvm, moving on.
And then Bree and Audrey didnt talk with each other anymore. I mean with what Audrey did, why didnt she at least try to apologies or something? I know apology didnt seem right anymore. But they had been best friend for 18 years plus years before graduate as well. And they were BEST FRIEND. Audrey was just disappeared and never try to contact Bree. Until Bree went to her herself -_-
and the ending.. i dont like the ending. It is a happy ending, i know. But how it ended.. i just dont like it. Sorry. I think i talked? Reviewed? Wrote? Too much already. But well at least they are together again
I enjoyed the book, but not so much.