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Courageous Love
Alex Taylor is an ER nurse who prides herself on the care she gives to those in need. Through a chance encounter, Alex meets police sergeant Francesca Greco and finds the handsome officer too hard to resist. When Alex is diagnosed with a devastating disease, her role is changed from caregiver to patient and she prepares for the fight of her life. Frank Greco has developed intense feelings for Alex, but wonders if she has it in her to take care of another woman she loves who has become sick. However, she sees this as an opportunity to do things differently this time around. Will Alex and Frank be able to overcome Alex’s illness, and their own demons, to embrace love?
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2016
20 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
K.C. Richardson
9 books32 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
KC Richardson attended college on a basketball scholarship, and her numerous injuries in her various sports led her to a career in physical therapy. Her love for reading and writing allows her to create characters and tell their stories. She and her wife live in Southern California where they are trying to raise respectful fur kids.
When KC isn’t torturing… erm… fixing people, she loves spending time with her wonderful friends and family, reading, writing, kayaking, working out, and playing golf.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
KC Richardson attended college on a basketball scholarship, and her numerous injuries in her various sports led her to a career in physical therapy. Her love for reading and writing allows her to create characters and tell their stories. She and her wife live in Southern California where they are trying to raise respectful fur kids.
When KC isn’t torturing… erm… fixing people, she loves spending time with her wonderful friends and family, reading, writing, kayaking, working out, and playing golf.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 2, 2019
'NetGalley ARC provided by The Publisher in exchange for an unbiased review'
**'Beware of the Metaphor..Find a topic/person/subject that really interests you as the writer,and write until you've finished the arc of a good story.Then go back and spend as much more time revising than you'd spent writing..'
Fair read!
'Whenever you write,whatever you write,never make the mistake of assuming the audience is any less intelligent than you are' ---- This storyline just fell flat from the beginning all through to the ending plus there's nothing much to give about the storytelling or writing only that the author tried diving into a wide range of topics but the paced were too rush and way too cliche' which only convince me that this author do not certain readers who are reading books today. Things that was wrong with this book: no chemistry between the leading characters,many forced stories,no character development,misleading blurb.
**'Beware of the Metaphor..Find a topic/person/subject that really interests you as the writer,and write until you've finished the arc of a good story.Then go back and spend as much more time revising than you'd spent writing..'
Fair read!
'Whenever you write,whatever you write,never make the mistake of assuming the audience is any less intelligent than you are' ---- This storyline just fell flat from the beginning all through to the ending plus there's nothing much to give about the storytelling or writing only that the author tried diving into a wide range of topics but the paced were too rush and way too cliche' which only convince me that this author do not certain readers who are reading books today. Things that was wrong with this book: no chemistry between the leading characters,many forced stories,no character development,misleading blurb.
November 12, 2016
Courageous Love is a romance which in addition to a mandatory love story deals also with some really serious life issues (one of the main characters fights breast cancer), but unfortunately not in the right way for this genre. The first half of the story is about a fast paced budding romantic relationship between cop Frank and nurse Alex (their friends are Jordan and Kirsten, protagonists from the author's debut New Beginnings). The second half of the story is a combination of a breast cancer awareness essay and a handbook for breast cancer patients. I very much appreciate the good intentions of the author, but the story lacks depth, there is too much telling, too much teaching and counseling, and in that second half the main characters border on caricature (Frank is a saint, Alex is a bitch). I am really sorry, but overall, this novel feels to me like a missed opportunity to do a proper romantic drama with some very valuable educational elements.
2 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
2 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
March 16, 2017
I am a huge fan of cops and docs lesfic books. Love them! So I was really excited to read this. Unfortunately, the book turned for me in the second half and never really recovered.
The story is about Frank, a charming gentlewoman police Sargent, and Alex a nurse. After a passionate love affair, Alex is diagnosed with breast cancer. Can their love survive?
This book really was the story of two halves for me. I really enjoyed the first half. Even though the romance was quick, it was passionate and enjoyable. Then Alex was diagnosed with best cancer and it all went down hill.
I wonder how much of this is personal to me. I have had a large amount of family members pass away from cancer. My grandfather, an Aunt and an Uncle, multiple cousins including one who was just a little boy. And now my other cousin, who is a few years younger than me, is also walking around with terminal brain cancer, wondering which day might be his last. I was hoping reading this book about a treatable cancer, I was going to watch this loving couple go into battle. They were going to fight and beat this awful disease. Instead we get this extreme personality change where all Alex does is attack Frank. As other reviews wrote, the whole cancer storyline was all telling not showing, and it just was a really big disappointment.
I do appreciate that Richardson wrote about such a tough subject, I just wish it would have went better. I have wanted to read her other book New Beginnings for a while, so I will give her writing another chance.
An ARC was given to me from Bold Strokes Books, for a honest review.
The story is about Frank, a charming gentlewoman police Sargent, and Alex a nurse. After a passionate love affair, Alex is diagnosed with breast cancer. Can their love survive?
This book really was the story of two halves for me. I really enjoyed the first half. Even though the romance was quick, it was passionate and enjoyable. Then Alex was diagnosed with best cancer and it all went down hill.
I wonder how much of this is personal to me. I have had a large amount of family members pass away from cancer. My grandfather, an Aunt and an Uncle, multiple cousins including one who was just a little boy. And now my other cousin, who is a few years younger than me, is also walking around with terminal brain cancer, wondering which day might be his last. I was hoping reading this book about a treatable cancer, I was going to watch this loving couple go into battle. They were going to fight and beat this awful disease. Instead we get this extreme personality change where all Alex does is attack Frank. As other reviews wrote, the whole cancer storyline was all telling not showing, and it just was a really big disappointment.
I do appreciate that Richardson wrote about such a tough subject, I just wish it would have went better. I have wanted to read her other book New Beginnings for a while, so I will give her writing another chance.
An ARC was given to me from Bold Strokes Books, for a honest review.
November 13, 2016
Slow, cliched, and flat...
Alex Taylor is an ER nurse at the local county hospital. This fun-loving lady enjoys her job, her friends and being an amazing godmother to her best friend’s little boy. While her positives are abundant so are her flaws when she deals with a crisis. Alex is fiercely independent, always helping others, but resisting when others do the same for her.
Francesca “Frank” Greco is an easy going, mild mannered police sergeant. Frank spends her days working or hanging out with her lab-mix, Bella. Frank has no family to speak of, losing her twin sister to breast cancer, caused irreparable damage to her relationship with her parents. The loss of her sister weighs heavily in Frank. (Rambling side note: Why in the world would a thirty-year-old woman go by the name Frank? Just, no!).
You may be thinking those aren’t very good descriptions of the two main characters. Well, that’s the thing. This book is kind of like a flat soda. You can still drink it, but you probably won’t get much satisfaction from it. Harsh, that was kind of harsh, sorry, but it’s true. This book is all telling, no showings. The characters are superficial and unlike an onion, there just aren’t many layers to them. The relationship between Alex and Frank takes off, boom there’s the cancer and we go into a public service announcement. It just doesn’t engage the reader, you are basically pushing through to finish the book. Frank is a doormat, Alex is all over the place emotionally, and neither character feels like a real person!
2 stars
Alex Taylor is an ER nurse at the local county hospital. This fun-loving lady enjoys her job, her friends and being an amazing godmother to her best friend’s little boy. While her positives are abundant so are her flaws when she deals with a crisis. Alex is fiercely independent, always helping others, but resisting when others do the same for her.
Francesca “Frank” Greco is an easy going, mild mannered police sergeant. Frank spends her days working or hanging out with her lab-mix, Bella. Frank has no family to speak of, losing her twin sister to breast cancer, caused irreparable damage to her relationship with her parents. The loss of her sister weighs heavily in Frank. (Rambling side note: Why in the world would a thirty-year-old woman go by the name Frank? Just, no!).
You may be thinking those aren’t very good descriptions of the two main characters. Well, that’s the thing. This book is kind of like a flat soda. You can still drink it, but you probably won’t get much satisfaction from it. Harsh, that was kind of harsh, sorry, but it’s true. This book is all telling, no showings. The characters are superficial and unlike an onion, there just aren’t many layers to them. The relationship between Alex and Frank takes off, boom there’s the cancer and we go into a public service announcement. It just doesn’t engage the reader, you are basically pushing through to finish the book. Frank is a doormat, Alex is all over the place emotionally, and neither character feels like a real person!
2 stars
August 3, 2018
This is the first book I've read by this author and what caught my attention was her attempt to mix a romantic story with such a tragic disease as cancer. I was curious on how she could intertwine the happiness of new love with the devastation of being diagnosed with a deadly disease into a consistent, coherent and whole plot. I'm disappointed that she couldn't pull it off.
As a result of this, the reader is left with what appears to be two independent stories corseted into one. The first, a happy and light budding romance, with a good plot and enjoyable characters, the second, a tragic story full of medical treatment descriptions, breast cancer awareness handbook quotes and out of character behaviours. Such is the contrast between both stories that, in my opinion, Alex's fight against cancer (with a good edition) might have worked better as a sequel of the first part of the plot. So, if you want to read a happy romance, just stop reading at the end of chapter fifteen. But if you want to suffer with the rest of us, read until the end.
Overall, 2.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com
As a result of this, the reader is left with what appears to be two independent stories corseted into one. The first, a happy and light budding romance, with a good plot and enjoyable characters, the second, a tragic story full of medical treatment descriptions, breast cancer awareness handbook quotes and out of character behaviours. Such is the contrast between both stories that, in my opinion, Alex's fight against cancer (with a good edition) might have worked better as a sequel of the first part of the plot. So, if you want to read a happy romance, just stop reading at the end of chapter fifteen. But if you want to suffer with the rest of us, read until the end.
Overall, 2.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com
November 28, 2023
Superb story - a real tear jerker with strong realistic characters who bodily picked me up and carried me through this tale. A 5* block buster. PS: Been seen crying in public is not a good sight!
November 16, 2016
This was a tough one to review because I have mixed emotions about the book. The story follows Alex Taylor from the Authors first book ‘New Beginnings’ which I loved. So when I heard Alex had her own story I was really excited.
Alex meets Srgt Frank Greco when she’s pulled over for talking on her phone while driving. Straight after they meet they both turn up to mutual friends apartment for a party. Attraction is instant even though Alex plays hard to get. Unfortunately just as their romance is taking off Alex is diagnosed with Cancer. Can Frank stand by her when she’s just beginning to fall for her? Especially when she has lost a love one before to the same disease?
Honestly I loved this book for the first half and then it began to take a turn. Don’t get me wrong the writing is great and a fantastic topic to tackle, which I feel make the Author incredibly brave, but the characters started to get a little flat and the story was very slow for second half. The subject matter didn’t help with the characters because Alex’s personality changed during the treatment and I began not enjoy her in the book and I especially didn’t like how she treated Frank. I get that this is a symptom of some horrible disease but for me it felt a little too sad and the story lost momentum. That being said as we approached the end the story-line picked up again we got to see some really incredible strength from both protagonists and the ending was done extremely well.
3.5 stars.
Alex meets Srgt Frank Greco when she’s pulled over for talking on her phone while driving. Straight after they meet they both turn up to mutual friends apartment for a party. Attraction is instant even though Alex plays hard to get. Unfortunately just as their romance is taking off Alex is diagnosed with Cancer. Can Frank stand by her when she’s just beginning to fall for her? Especially when she has lost a love one before to the same disease?
Honestly I loved this book for the first half and then it began to take a turn. Don’t get me wrong the writing is great and a fantastic topic to tackle, which I feel make the Author incredibly brave, but the characters started to get a little flat and the story was very slow for second half. The subject matter didn’t help with the characters because Alex’s personality changed during the treatment and I began not enjoy her in the book and I especially didn’t like how she treated Frank. I get that this is a symptom of some horrible disease but for me it felt a little too sad and the story lost momentum. That being said as we approached the end the story-line picked up again we got to see some really incredible strength from both protagonists and the ending was done extremely well.
3.5 stars.
December 7, 2016
*ARC provided by Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review*
When I started this book I thought the hardest thing for me to wrap my head around was going to be Alex's random change in her feelings towards Frank but then I got over it because their story was so easy to read, there was none of the angst that normally precedes the characters getting together.
For the first 60% of the book the author creates a rather enjoyable romance between Frank and Alex and then she adds an obstacle for them to face, which had me very interested in seeing how she was going to deal with a sensitive issue such as breast cancer.
I actually understood the distance that Alex created between them and found it quite realistic because a lot of people push the ones they love away and think that they are somehow protecting them. The thing that really ruined This book was the medical journal that someone managed to miss (hopefully accidentally) attached to the end of the book.
I enjoy books that are informative about their subject matter and honestly I am usually critical of fiction books that turn serious issues into side topics or fluff pieces but in this case the author just went a bit overboard and killed the chemistry between Frank and Alex.
I enjoyed the authors book New Beginnings which is why I read this book but if this book had preceded it I probably never would have gotten around to reading New Beginnings.
This author has talent and hopefully in the final copy all of the mistakes that were made will be rectified because Frank and Alex are great characters with lots of potential.
When I started this book I thought the hardest thing for me to wrap my head around was going to be Alex's random change in her feelings towards Frank but then I got over it because their story was so easy to read, there was none of the angst that normally precedes the characters getting together.
For the first 60% of the book the author creates a rather enjoyable romance between Frank and Alex and then she adds an obstacle for them to face, which had me very interested in seeing how she was going to deal with a sensitive issue such as breast cancer.
I actually understood the distance that Alex created between them and found it quite realistic because a lot of people push the ones they love away and think that they are somehow protecting them. The thing that really ruined This book was the medical journal that someone managed to miss (hopefully accidentally) attached to the end of the book.
I enjoy books that are informative about their subject matter and honestly I am usually critical of fiction books that turn serious issues into side topics or fluff pieces but in this case the author just went a bit overboard and killed the chemistry between Frank and Alex.
I enjoyed the authors book New Beginnings which is why I read this book but if this book had preceded it I probably never would have gotten around to reading New Beginnings.
This author has talent and hopefully in the final copy all of the mistakes that were made will be rectified because Frank and Alex are great characters with lots of potential.
December 17, 2016
Wonderful Read
Been a while since I had read anything by KC Richardson, but I was not disappointed with Courageous Love. Wonderful story, especially for someone who has been through, or is going through breast cancer. Recently had a scare myself, so this hit close to home. To read about the bonds of love and devotion that one companion would have for another just brings tears to my eyes! Alex has to go through a lot and will be put to the test, and so will Frank. Will their love be strong enough to sustain them through it all? A book that is well worth the read to find out at the end!
Been a while since I had read anything by KC Richardson, but I was not disappointed with Courageous Love. Wonderful story, especially for someone who has been through, or is going through breast cancer. Recently had a scare myself, so this hit close to home. To read about the bonds of love and devotion that one companion would have for another just brings tears to my eyes! Alex has to go through a lot and will be put to the test, and so will Frank. Will their love be strong enough to sustain them through it all? A book that is well worth the read to find out at the end!
December 26, 2016
This is a wonderful story of love, support, fear, and overcoming terrifying difficulties. I don't want to give anything away, but there aren't many books out there that deal with this particular issue so kudos to the author for writing this. It was evident that she really connected with the emotions and situation of the characters, which totally comes across on the pages. It was written with a lot of heart and feeling. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone. And love the title. It couldn't be anymore fitting.
December 20, 2016
Really nice story
Definitely read this story. The characters and plot are well developed. There sexy moments, heartbreaking moments, and beautifully touching moments. The main character has a really good support system of friends and family that love her deeply, and that comes across well.
Definitely read this story. The characters and plot are well developed. There sexy moments, heartbreaking moments, and beautifully touching moments. The main character has a really good support system of friends and family that love her deeply, and that comes across well.
December 31, 2016
A very sweet, emotional, and heart-warming story. Nurse Alex and policewoman Francesca move from attraction to love and deep commitment as they are faced with a tremendous life challenge. Have some tissues available for several good cries! The author, KC Richardson, does an outstanding job of character development. Please buy and read this book. You will not be disappointed. XOXOXOs to KC:)
July 3, 2018
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This book was ok, but the storytelling and progression did not engage me at all. The interactions and storyline felt forced and made me, in turn, feel forced to continue reading. The plot had promise, but the lack of chemistry between the characters and the amount of telling in writing had me skimming through portions of this book. Not a great read and I will not be reading again.
January 14, 2017
3.5
Take one happy and well centered ER nurse add one handsome Cop and the scene is set for a happy ever after. But throw in a life threatening disease and KC Richardson ramps up the angst.
Alex has a loving family, great friends, a godson she dotes on and a job she loves as an ER nurse. When a gorgeous sergeant pulls her over for speeding and texting, she gets all kinds of angry, but it sparks an attraction for both of them.
Several months later when Alex is diagnosed with the same disease that killed the most important women in Franki’s world and the stage is set for a traumatic time for all of them.
This is a great storyline and felt very well done. While there is a heavy dose of angst, it’s justified and well handled. There is a lot of medical information, but again it felt appropriate, and used to accentuate the overwhelming decisions and emotions of somebody faced with life defining choices.
Alex and Frank are well drawn and along with their closest friends and Alex’s family, become familiar characters we would be happy to meet and get to know. I haven’t read ‘New Beginnings” which sets up Jordan and Kirsten, but their relationship is delightful as is their son Aiden, Alex’s God-son,.
The impact of the disease on the friendly and easygoing Alex is extreme, making her an almost Jekyll and Hyde personality in the two halves of the story. But while extreme Ms Richardson amply justifies the feelings of a young woman whose surgery, in her mind, destroys her femininity.
I personally would have preferred Francesca to be Franki rather than Frank, she felt soft butch despite her uniform, and the fully masculine form seemed harsh, but that is purely personal.
My only real criticism of the book was that it needed a much heavier red pen to take out both word and explanatory repetition, rapidly becoming my biggest bugbear in the works of our newer authors, but then again that is hardly the author’s fault if they aren’t being told.
Take one happy and well centered ER nurse add one handsome Cop and the scene is set for a happy ever after. But throw in a life threatening disease and KC Richardson ramps up the angst.
Alex has a loving family, great friends, a godson she dotes on and a job she loves as an ER nurse. When a gorgeous sergeant pulls her over for speeding and texting, she gets all kinds of angry, but it sparks an attraction for both of them.
Several months later when Alex is diagnosed with the same disease that killed the most important women in Franki’s world and the stage is set for a traumatic time for all of them.
This is a great storyline and felt very well done. While there is a heavy dose of angst, it’s justified and well handled. There is a lot of medical information, but again it felt appropriate, and used to accentuate the overwhelming decisions and emotions of somebody faced with life defining choices.
Alex and Frank are well drawn and along with their closest friends and Alex’s family, become familiar characters we would be happy to meet and get to know. I haven’t read ‘New Beginnings” which sets up Jordan and Kirsten, but their relationship is delightful as is their son Aiden, Alex’s God-son,.
The impact of the disease on the friendly and easygoing Alex is extreme, making her an almost Jekyll and Hyde personality in the two halves of the story. But while extreme Ms Richardson amply justifies the feelings of a young woman whose surgery, in her mind, destroys her femininity.
I personally would have preferred Francesca to be Franki rather than Frank, she felt soft butch despite her uniform, and the fully masculine form seemed harsh, but that is purely personal.
My only real criticism of the book was that it needed a much heavier red pen to take out both word and explanatory repetition, rapidly becoming my biggest bugbear in the works of our newer authors, but then again that is hardly the author’s fault if they aren’t being told.
November 22, 2016
This book was read for a fair review for Netgallery.
Being completely honest this book is tough to review. The subject matter is touchy because it deals with cancer. There is a lot of information, so it's a lot to absorb and there is a lot of time devoted to the emotional journey of the patient & caregiver. In other words, it's not a light hearted romance. So I feel if you are expecting a romantic book this book can sting a little because you dive into a lot of personality internal dialogue and emotions with a harsh disease.
That said, there is a sweetness to the book and a raw honesty of both sides of couples taking on a disease. People experience this to a degree with any chronic or potentially life threatening illness.
I'm giving it a higher rating because I feel for readers who are experiencing this in their lives, these characters are well written. However, if you are seeking a light romance, without a lot of 'counseling and education' added to the story you won't like the 2nd half of the book.
Still there is something noble about the author taking a chance and writing this book. It took guts. So I'm giving it 4 stars of taking a heavy topic and weaving a lot of information and romance into 1 book.
Being completely honest this book is tough to review. The subject matter is touchy because it deals with cancer. There is a lot of information, so it's a lot to absorb and there is a lot of time devoted to the emotional journey of the patient & caregiver. In other words, it's not a light hearted romance. So I feel if you are expecting a romantic book this book can sting a little because you dive into a lot of personality internal dialogue and emotions with a harsh disease.
That said, there is a sweetness to the book and a raw honesty of both sides of couples taking on a disease. People experience this to a degree with any chronic or potentially life threatening illness.
I'm giving it a higher rating because I feel for readers who are experiencing this in their lives, these characters are well written. However, if you are seeking a light romance, without a lot of 'counseling and education' added to the story you won't like the 2nd half of the book.
Still there is something noble about the author taking a chance and writing this book. It took guts. So I'm giving it 4 stars of taking a heavy topic and weaving a lot of information and romance into 1 book.
January 14, 2017
This book is a romance story that truly mirrors real life. It is believable and is not one of those love stories where the couple meet and then jump right into bed. In a few portions of this book, however, the very fact that it was a slow build up to the relationship, it seemed to get bogged down by the mentioning of the everyday tasks that the characters performed. This slower pace, however, did not take away from the overall enjoyment of the book.
There are two main themes in this book. The relationship development of Frank and Alex and the fight against breast cancer. I thought that the character development was excellent. While reading this book, I was wondering if the author had a strong attachment to someone who was diagnosed with breast cancer because you could really feel the emotions exhibited by the characters. It is quite possible that readers might shed a tear or two.
I would give this book 5 stars. Because of dealing with the fight against breast cancer, this would not be light romance reading. But, it is a good book and the reader just needs to know that there will be moments that will make one sad.
I was given this ARC by Netgalley and Bold Strokes in return for an honest review.
There are two main themes in this book. The relationship development of Frank and Alex and the fight against breast cancer. I thought that the character development was excellent. While reading this book, I was wondering if the author had a strong attachment to someone who was diagnosed with breast cancer because you could really feel the emotions exhibited by the characters. It is quite possible that readers might shed a tear or two.
I would give this book 5 stars. Because of dealing with the fight against breast cancer, this would not be light romance reading. But, it is a good book and the reader just needs to know that there will be moments that will make one sad.
I was given this ARC by Netgalley and Bold Strokes in return for an honest review.
February 5, 2018
A review very short and fast, but a review anyway:
A great story of love, with two characters who meet and have to face an unforeseen event that will mess up their meeting and their story. The characters are well described and quite consistent over the pages. The book reads easily, a very beautiful story, to read now!
A great story of love, with two characters who meet and have to face an unforeseen event that will mess up their meeting and their story. The characters are well described and quite consistent over the pages. The book reads easily, a very beautiful story, to read now!
May 11, 2019
Courageous Love is a tender story.
I absolutely loved this book. I was hooked from the first chapter.
The characters are great, and some hot scenes between the two.
The story is well written and thought provoking (tactfully done), the book made me think deeply, this doesn't just happen to others,
I would recommend this book to everyone.
I absolutely loved this book. I was hooked from the first chapter.
The characters are great, and some hot scenes between the two.
The story is well written and thought provoking (tactfully done), the book made me think deeply, this doesn't just happen to others,
I would recommend this book to everyone.
December 17, 2016
Excellent!
I loved this book. Great read. Beautifully written. I loved the two main characters, Alex and Frank. I love reading about strong women.
I loved this book. Great read. Beautifully written. I loved the two main characters, Alex and Frank. I love reading about strong women.
July 30, 2018
Wonderful story about love, desese and what it takes to overcome it. Loved the happy ending.
October 17, 2021
Just weird.
It's very clichée, which wouldn't necessarily be such a bad thing in itself. What bothers me is just how weird the characters behave. It's like they need to live out these tropes, but they lack the logical motivation for it. For example: one character is suddenly really angry, but the reason for the sudden anger is very abstract and minor. It feels like the author had it planned out that the character now had to be angry because some formula demanded it and only then thought of a way to MAKE the character angry.
A thing that bugged me a lot: characters constantly reiterate what JUST happened, which gets annoying extremely fast and feels, again, weird.
The (over-)abundance of sex scenes doesn't help, especially so early on in the story where the characters basically have no relationship to speak of. And the scenes are, again... weird. I don't want to go into much detail, but sometimes I felt like the scenes were written for a hetero couple (and definitely for a hetero reader, there's no doubt about that) and somewhere along the lines, one partner was just suddenly changed into a woman.
And then there's the quite serious part where the book tries to deal with health, death and grief, but it all falls flat: the characters are just so weird and stiff, I can't take them seriously.
If the characters are weird and flat, and the sex is weird, and the serious plot doesn't work because of it, there is only one thing left: the actual love story. Unfortunately there is basically no story: the characters are suddenly in love with no organic growth into the relationship to speak of.
I really found nothing enjoyable here unfortunately :/
It's very clichée, which wouldn't necessarily be such a bad thing in itself. What bothers me is just how weird the characters behave. It's like they need to live out these tropes, but they lack the logical motivation for it. For example: one character is suddenly really angry, but the reason for the sudden anger is very abstract and minor. It feels like the author had it planned out that the character now had to be angry because some formula demanded it and only then thought of a way to MAKE the character angry.
A thing that bugged me a lot: characters constantly reiterate what JUST happened, which gets annoying extremely fast and feels, again, weird.
The (over-)abundance of sex scenes doesn't help, especially so early on in the story where the characters basically have no relationship to speak of. And the scenes are, again... weird. I don't want to go into much detail, but sometimes I felt like the scenes were written for a hetero couple (and definitely for a hetero reader, there's no doubt about that) and somewhere along the lines, one partner was just suddenly changed into a woman.
And then there's the quite serious part where the book tries to deal with health, death and grief, but it all falls flat: the characters are just so weird and stiff, I can't take them seriously.
If the characters are weird and flat, and the sex is weird, and the serious plot doesn't work because of it, there is only one thing left: the actual love story. Unfortunately there is basically no story: the characters are suddenly in love with no organic growth into the relationship to speak of.
I really found nothing enjoyable here unfortunately :/
December 31, 2016
I was so excited to read this book. I love cop/doc lesbian romances, and in my excitement I may have set myself up for disappointment. The book begins really strong, and does a perfect job of getting the reader to be engaged. However, it was all going too well too quickly. The book starts to fall apart once Alex is diagnosed with breast cancer.
The first ½ of the book I really enjoyed. I really liked Alex’s character, and felt like she and Frank were going to really get through anything. I am going to step onto my soapbox for a moment. I love butch characters, I mean LOVE them. I could read a dozen books with the same butch character in them and never get bored. I dislike butch characters with men’s names or nicknames. It instantly makes me frown. I usually change the name in my head, because I dislike it so much. Lesbian fiction authors have a problem. I am in fact a lesbian, and I know other lesbians… several in fact. All of which have perfectly female sounding names. I actually know of no grown lesbian that goes by a male name (Stepping down now).
The second ½ of the book was sad, and frustrating. Alex, who I really liked, I quickly began question my judgement. Frank who appeared too perfect. I feel the author did too large a character shift for Alex. The second half was information driven, and I respect that, except I am a woman and assume the majority of readers are women too. Perhaps a little less information and bit more romance. I just got a little whiplash with the character change in Alex.
The first ½ of the book I really enjoyed. I really liked Alex’s character, and felt like she and Frank were going to really get through anything. I am going to step onto my soapbox for a moment. I love butch characters, I mean LOVE them. I could read a dozen books with the same butch character in them and never get bored. I dislike butch characters with men’s names or nicknames. It instantly makes me frown. I usually change the name in my head, because I dislike it so much. Lesbian fiction authors have a problem. I am in fact a lesbian, and I know other lesbians… several in fact. All of which have perfectly female sounding names. I actually know of no grown lesbian that goes by a male name (Stepping down now).
The second ½ of the book was sad, and frustrating. Alex, who I really liked, I quickly began question my judgement. Frank who appeared too perfect. I feel the author did too large a character shift for Alex. The second half was information driven, and I respect that, except I am a woman and assume the majority of readers are women too. Perhaps a little less information and bit more romance. I just got a little whiplash with the character change in Alex.
August 17, 2019
Audio book. Not sure if narrator or the dialog, but just didn’t flow nicely. The story was pretty good. Cop and nurse fall in love. Nurse gets breast cancer, struggles ensue. I am going through a partner with cancer right now so did find some helpful and interesting topics.
June 1, 2022
The minute Alex showed up at Frank's door after getting his address from her hospital computer I started having problems. Their relationship was just too quick and then so soon into it, the breast cancer diagnosis gets throw in. Too much with a couple that just isn't really a couple.
December 9, 2018
3.5 stars. Great that this topic is getting exposure, an important and devastating issue for many women. Felt that the rest of the book/ story line lacked a little depth...still enjoyable.
December 11, 2016
Overall, I found the book fairly enjoyable and the characters were good.
My 2 big issues with the story...
1. It felt like the author was telling us not showing us how things evolved. It felt very textbook rather than evoking feeling in many places.
2. I have this issue with a lot of lesbian fiction - everyone these two meet or know seems to be a lesbian. A little variety in characters would be nice.
My 2 big issues with the story...
1. It felt like the author was telling us not showing us how things evolved. It felt very textbook rather than evoking feeling in many places.
2. I have this issue with a lot of lesbian fiction - everyone these two meet or know seems to be a lesbian. A little variety in characters would be nice.
December 2, 2016
This book touched on a lot of topics of which I have little experience so when I say I found it unrealistic that should be taken with a grain of salt. I struggled with the fast relationship, I struggled with Alex pushing Frank away but there were definitely touching moments and I found myself drawn in.
I received a free copy for an honest review
I received a free copy for an honest review
November 29, 2016
I rec'd a copy via NetGalley for an honest review. No synopsis needed. Smartly written without any hitches. The storyline of Alex's illness and Frank's (Francesca) interaction is well done and believable. All in all an excellent romance. 4 stars.
November 9, 2016
via netgalley
was an ok read
was an ok read
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