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Dark Horse
When facing her demons in the hometown that once exiled her, cool, butch, biker Sadie meets the most perfect opposite—a pretty, loving, bisexual desk clerk who warms all the places in her heart she didn’t know she had. Sometimes, going back is the only way forward. Punished for a crime she did not commit, Sadie is sent away to live with her grandmother in Sydney, Australia. Now, several years later, Sadie’s an aloof, lone wolf, café-manager who loves only her best friend, her gran, and her motorbike. Returning home to see her dying mother, she’s forced to face her past. In the midst of family turmoil, she connects with the most unlikely of people. Holly, a beautiful hotel desk clerk, is Sadie’s polar opposite and a beacon of warmth and light amidst Sadie’s darkness. It’s a lot to take in. Between Sadie’s growing love and old family lies, can she build a new, bright future with Holly? A hot, butch/femme, opposites-attract, lesbian holiday romance.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2017
About the author
A.L. Brooks
26 books343 followersA.L. Brooks was born in the UK but currently resides in Frankfurt, Germany, and over the years she has lived in places as far afield as Aberdeen and Australia. She works 9–5 in corporate financial systems and her dream is to take early retirement. Like, tomorrow, please. She loves her gym membership, and is very grateful for it as she also loves dark chocolate. She enjoys drinking good wine and craft beer, trying out new recipes to cook, and learning German. Travelling around the world and reading lots and lots (and lots) of books are also things that fight for time with her writing. Yep, she really needs that early retirement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 12, 2017
3 1/2 Stars. I believe this is Brooks' second full length book, and the first I have read by her. I thought this was a pretty decent read that evoked quite a few emotions in me. While this book is absolutely a romance, I think I would call it a drama-romance.
The story is about Sadie, who has been estranged from her family for over 12 years. When she finds out her mother is dying from cancer, this is her chance to get answers and maybe closure with her. When Sadie returns home, she find more than she expected, including a woman she can't take her eyes off of. Holly's age and location are warning signs for Sadie to stay away. Will she listen to her head or follow her heart?
I liked both main character quite a bit. Sadie could frustrate me with her abandonment issues. It definitely added some pressure to a possible relationship. Holly is 22 to Sadie's 29, not a big age gap, but we all remember at the age of 22, you still have a lot of growing up to do. I thought Brooks did a good job of letting Holly act her age, but she's still a character you really enjoyed.
As I said above, this book is more of a drama-romance. There is a lot going on. Mild violence, and scenes that will make you cry. But there is a lot of heart in this book so you will smile too. There is some angst in this book, but it resolves itself pretty quickly. I actually liked it that way. I was very impressed with the romance of the book. I think the characters have a ton of chemistry, that really jumps off the pages. I also have to mention that Brooks is very good at writing steamy sex scenes. Some of the better ones that I have read in a little while.
My one issue with this book and why I didn't rate it higher than 3 1/2 stars.. I think the pace slowed down in parts. There was some parts that just flew by, others was just a little too slow. I actually think this book could have used less pages. A few of the slower scenes were not needed, and could have been pulled to tighten up the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this enough to recommend it and want to read more books, by Brooks, in the future.
An ARC was given to me by YLVA, for a honest review.
The story is about Sadie, who has been estranged from her family for over 12 years. When she finds out her mother is dying from cancer, this is her chance to get answers and maybe closure with her. When Sadie returns home, she find more than she expected, including a woman she can't take her eyes off of. Holly's age and location are warning signs for Sadie to stay away. Will she listen to her head or follow her heart?
I liked both main character quite a bit. Sadie could frustrate me with her abandonment issues. It definitely added some pressure to a possible relationship. Holly is 22 to Sadie's 29, not a big age gap, but we all remember at the age of 22, you still have a lot of growing up to do. I thought Brooks did a good job of letting Holly act her age, but she's still a character you really enjoyed.
As I said above, this book is more of a drama-romance. There is a lot going on. Mild violence, and scenes that will make you cry. But there is a lot of heart in this book so you will smile too. There is some angst in this book, but it resolves itself pretty quickly. I actually liked it that way. I was very impressed with the romance of the book. I think the characters have a ton of chemistry, that really jumps off the pages. I also have to mention that Brooks is very good at writing steamy sex scenes. Some of the better ones that I have read in a little while.
My one issue with this book and why I didn't rate it higher than 3 1/2 stars.. I think the pace slowed down in parts. There was some parts that just flew by, others was just a little too slow. I actually think this book could have used less pages. A few of the slower scenes were not needed, and could have been pulled to tighten up the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this enough to recommend it and want to read more books, by Brooks, in the future.
An ARC was given to me by YLVA, for a honest review.
February 4, 2017
A bunch of secondary characters who are more than just tools for making the story more interesting
My second novel by Brooks and another very good one. Loved the main characters (Sadie and Holly), and some of the minor ones were truly well-done. Sadie's gran Elsie is not just for my shelf for superb grandmothers, but also for my unforgettable supporting shelf. Along with the well-chosen title and cover Dark Horse is the complete package. Sincerely recommended.
4 stars
Jan 4, 2017
My second novel by Brooks and another very good one. Loved the main characters (Sadie and Holly), and some of the minor ones were truly well-done. Sadie's gran Elsie is not just for my shelf for superb grandmothers, but also for my unforgettable supporting shelf. Along with the well-chosen title and cover Dark Horse is the complete package. Sincerely recommended.
4 stars
Jan 4, 2017
August 28, 2017
A pleasure to read. Impossible not to be drawn to Sadie and Holly and the challenges each had to overcome in their lives. Strong supporting cast with a Gran you want to have as your own. Sadie's dad was more caricature than character but filled the role of antagonist well enough. More sinister and coldly effective was the evil Chloe. Gotta love a black widow.
June 11, 2017
An absolutely great story!
Homophobia causes big damage to Sadie's life and an alienation in her relationship with her family. Because of the hatred and rejections, Sadie is very insecure and she doesn't know how to maintain a committed relationship. But this book is about more than just homophobia. It addressed a severe disease, redemption, bigotry, a hypocrite of a father, stunning friends, confrontations, compassion, loss, second chances and with a beautiful love story. The characters are very realistic, very human. A heartwarming, emotional and passionate story. Don't miss out on this!
Homophobia causes big damage to Sadie's life and an alienation in her relationship with her family. Because of the hatred and rejections, Sadie is very insecure and she doesn't know how to maintain a committed relationship. But this book is about more than just homophobia. It addressed a severe disease, redemption, bigotry, a hypocrite of a father, stunning friends, confrontations, compassion, loss, second chances and with a beautiful love story. The characters are very realistic, very human. A heartwarming, emotional and passionate story. Don't miss out on this!
December 6, 2017
4.5 stars. I was looking through other people's age gap lists and found this gem. Talk about chemistry, oh boy... It was pouring out of my screen. The family drama was also well developed and the secondary characters were incredible. The writing is on point, the mains felt very human, like real people with faults and insecurities. I've never read Brooks before but now I've to check out her other works. Love her style.
December 13, 2022
3,5 stars
I liked this.
I wasn't that fond of the MCs issue-related freakouts, but they made sense (at least partially), so I tolerated them.
The plot was average, so I don't feel any need to ever revisit this book, but it was decently written, so the rating reflects that.
I liked this.
I wasn't that fond of the MCs issue-related freakouts, but they made sense (at least partially), so I tolerated them.
The plot was average, so I don't feel any need to ever revisit this book, but it was decently written, so the rating reflects that.
June 18, 2017
Dark Horse feels like it’s very much Sadie’s book, and in a way I guess it is. She’s the first character we meet, she goes through the most difficult stuff, whether it’s confronting her past or dealing with her mother’s cancer in the present. We fully invest in her as we see the effects of her past trauma popping up in the present. And yet, Holly is just as important and distinct, with her own struggles as she’s trying to figure out her life and has to deal with her mother’s reactions to her friendship and romantic relationship with Sadie. I found myself truly caring about both characters as they worked through their issues individually and together and I was happy with how things ended for them.
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/dark-...
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/dark-...
March 21, 2018
I actually had a little trouble finishing this book. Aside from it starting off slow, it evoked so much angst and negative feelings that when scenes came along between the two main characters that were supposed to be sweet or sexy, all I was left feeling was apathy.
By no means do I mean that this book isn't technically well written because it is. There were just too many constant negative aspects in it and Sadie's hot & cold attitude really wasn't making my reading experience any better. I guess this just wasn't my cup of tea.
By no means do I mean that this book isn't technically well written because it is. There were just too many constant negative aspects in it and Sadie's hot & cold attitude really wasn't making my reading experience any better. I guess this just wasn't my cup of tea.
February 5, 2017
This was my second novel by A. L. Brooks and I loved this one. The story is very plausible.
Sadie, who was a little troublemaker in her youth, comes back to her hometown to say goodbye to her dying mother. She hadn’t seen her since her father has thrown her out of her home, for something she hasn’t done. She is fighting a lot of anger, pain and uncertainties since then. Can she overcome her disappointment she feels for her mother, who didn’t say anything twelve years ago and reconcile with her and maybe her sister? And there is Holly, the receptionist in the hotel she’s staying. Is this immediate connection she feels with Holly real? Can she trust her fast growing feelings for this woman?
I also liked Holly very much, who is searching for her way in life, what she wants to do with her life. Is Sadie the solution, will she have the opportunity for a future with this woman she's falling very fast?
And there is Elsie. Sadie’s mischievous gran with the big heart. I wish I had such a funny and loveable gran. She adds some funny aspects to the story.
It’s really well written. Especially all the conversations between Sadie and her mother.
I could imagen the struggling of Sadie and Holly with all this different feelings.
I give this story 4,5 stars.
Thanks to Ylva for receiving an ACR for a honest review. Sorry for my incorrect English writing, I’m from Switzerland.
Sadie, who was a little troublemaker in her youth, comes back to her hometown to say goodbye to her dying mother. She hadn’t seen her since her father has thrown her out of her home, for something she hasn’t done. She is fighting a lot of anger, pain and uncertainties since then. Can she overcome her disappointment she feels for her mother, who didn’t say anything twelve years ago and reconcile with her and maybe her sister? And there is Holly, the receptionist in the hotel she’s staying. Is this immediate connection she feels with Holly real? Can she trust her fast growing feelings for this woman?
I also liked Holly very much, who is searching for her way in life, what she wants to do with her life. Is Sadie the solution, will she have the opportunity for a future with this woman she's falling very fast?
And there is Elsie. Sadie’s mischievous gran with the big heart. I wish I had such a funny and loveable gran. She adds some funny aspects to the story.
It’s really well written. Especially all the conversations between Sadie and her mother.
I could imagen the struggling of Sadie and Holly with all this different feelings.
I give this story 4,5 stars.
Thanks to Ylva for receiving an ACR for a honest review. Sorry for my incorrect English writing, I’m from Switzerland.
August 18, 2017
First book I have read by A.L. Brooks. I think Brooks did a fantastic job on this novel. Since I have nothing of hers to compare to, I think she took on a couple of important issues. While Sadie and Holly do not have a huge age gap, it was such an issue in the book it is worth noting. Overcoming something like maturity or where one person is in life vs. another is difficult. Brooks took it on quite well. While age gap in lesbian romances isn’t new, I enjoyed reading Sadie and Holly’s love story. I really liked Holly, though I struggle with actual 22 year olds. For me this book was a roller coaster of emotions. It is dealing with Sadie’s abandonment by her family, she is dealing with the reconnection of her mother, her mother’s illness, her father, and falling in love. It is a bit exhausting just thinking about all of the issues going on in this novel. It worked though and that is what matters. I thought the book was solid, and a really good read. The book is well written, has enjoyable characters, and hot sex scenes not much else you could ask for in a romance.
July 15, 2017
I greatly enjoyed this story. A.L. Brooks is a great writer who carried the story along nicely. Loved the Australian setting of course, and particularly loved the supporting characters and the roles they played: Sadie's and Holly's parents, Sadie's grandmother, her mother, her sister, her best friend. The strained family bonds and ties were the best part of this for me.
Sadie and Holly's relationship was well done and I enjoyed them as a couple. A fantastic read.
Sadie and Holly's relationship was well done and I enjoyed them as a couple. A fantastic read.
January 14, 2017
*ARC provided by Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review*
So I am going to be honest and say that the cover of this book is what really drew me in. I can also honestly say that I am not disappointed by the fact that the book wasn't what I had expected it to be.
This book is set in Australia and deals with Sadie who has a bit of a bad girl reputation in her home town and Holly, the girl who has always done as told and just seems far too good for Sadie.
What I loved about this book was the way the author took the "bad girl meets good girl" storyline and gave it her own twist. Holly didn't remain the good girl throughout and she was in fact one of my favourites in the book, along with Sadie's grandmother Elsie, and we quickly learn that Sadie doesn't really deserve the reputation she has.
This book wasn't anything outrageously different from all of the other books out there. But it is definitely worth a read and will very likely have you laughing along with Elsie and her wicked humour.
4.3 stars
So I am going to be honest and say that the cover of this book is what really drew me in. I can also honestly say that I am not disappointed by the fact that the book wasn't what I had expected it to be.
This book is set in Australia and deals with Sadie who has a bit of a bad girl reputation in her home town and Holly, the girl who has always done as told and just seems far too good for Sadie.
What I loved about this book was the way the author took the "bad girl meets good girl" storyline and gave it her own twist. Holly didn't remain the good girl throughout and she was in fact one of my favourites in the book, along with Sadie's grandmother Elsie, and we quickly learn that Sadie doesn't really deserve the reputation she has.
This book wasn't anything outrageously different from all of the other books out there. But it is definitely worth a read and will very likely have you laughing along with Elsie and her wicked humour.
4.3 stars
March 31, 2021
AL Brooks is a five star writer and this book really proves that and then she makes a rookey mistake and hands us a real brick wall ending. Pathetic. Might even take off 2 stars. Yes, three!!
February 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. The story focuses on Sadie, who has a lot of emotional baggage after being thrown out of the family home 12 years ago. She returns home for a visit due her mum not having long to live. She meets Holly, working at the family business and not quite sure what she wants to do with her life next.
It has strong, interesting and believable characters. Pleased that the book focused on the plot first with the added bonus of a romance. Generally pacing was good.
I loved Sadie's gran Elise. Its well written, gripping story, believable characters. Well worth a read.
Arc received from Ylva for honest review.
It has strong, interesting and believable characters. Pleased that the book focused on the plot first with the added bonus of a romance. Generally pacing was good.
I loved Sadie's gran Elise. Its well written, gripping story, believable characters. Well worth a read.
Arc received from Ylva for honest review.
March 2, 2017
A classic love story fraught with twists and turns. You will find the characters compelling and end up rooting for a happy ending. A wonderful light read.
February 21, 2017
I really liked this book. It’s a romance story but it has more depth than your average romance. The romance part of the story is quite lovely and the two leads are easy to like. Sadie has ‘issues’ that lead to some negative behaviours, but she’s working on them. For the most part, Sadie is a very sympathetic character.
Holly is a less fleshed-out character, but she’s only 22 and she’s had a pretty easy life so far, so there’s not much angst in her life to make her ‘interesting’. She worked hard at school, went to university and fulfilled her goals. Now she’s stuck because she doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life – she hadn’t thought much beyond university. It’s a situation that many of us have found ourselves in, and her frustration at working reception for her parents’ hotel is understandable.
Sadie, on the other hand, has had about as much angst as she can handle. An unruly teen, she was kicked out of home and rejected by her parents at age 17, and she still suffers from feelings of abandonment. Sure, plenty of children have been treated worse than Sadie was, but pain and rejection are real feelings, regardless of the circumstances, and suffering cannot usefully be compared and lessened. The rejection and the injustice hit Sadie hard and the emotions invoked by fear of rejection are debilitating. It’s not something that Sadie can just ‘get over’, so yes, she still has some issues.
Now aged 29, she has followed her father’s injunction and has not spoken to her parents or sister since the day she left. Fortunately, she was sent to Sydney to live with her grandmother, who loves Sadie unconditionally, and Sadie now has her life mostly together.
Her peace is shattered when she discovers that her mother is dying and is asking to see her. Can she hold herself together and return to the scene of her troubles? Is she strong enough to see her mother again to say goodbye? With all of this to handle, the last thing she needs or expects is to get involved with someone during a week’s visit to her home town of Ballarat.
However, the attraction between Sadie and Holly is instantaneous and mutual. There’s a lot to overcome if they are to get together, what with the brevity of the visit, the distance between Ballarat and Sydney, Sadie’s emotional mission to visit her dying and estranged mother, Sadie’s reputation in Ballarat, and the fact that Holly’s mother is unaware of her daughter’s bisexuality.
Brooks weaves the elements of the story together expertly, and nothing feels forced or unrealistic. Many of the secondary characters are beautifully drawn, especially her grandmother, Elsie. We all need an Elsie on our sides.
There were many elements to this story that I could relate to. I confess some parts brought tears to my eyes, although it’s not a maudlin tear-jerker of a book by any means. There’s a depth to the story and it conveys genuine emotion. I know that a book has really touched me if it affects my dreams, and I dreamt about this book three nights in a row. And just to add to my enjoyment, it’s partly set in Sydney where I live.
The drama part of the story could stand on its own, but coupled with the love story between Sadie and Holly it is a completely satisfying book that I can recommend wholeheartedly. I look forward to reading more of Brooks’s work.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Holly is a less fleshed-out character, but she’s only 22 and she’s had a pretty easy life so far, so there’s not much angst in her life to make her ‘interesting’. She worked hard at school, went to university and fulfilled her goals. Now she’s stuck because she doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life – she hadn’t thought much beyond university. It’s a situation that many of us have found ourselves in, and her frustration at working reception for her parents’ hotel is understandable.
Sadie, on the other hand, has had about as much angst as she can handle. An unruly teen, she was kicked out of home and rejected by her parents at age 17, and she still suffers from feelings of abandonment. Sure, plenty of children have been treated worse than Sadie was, but pain and rejection are real feelings, regardless of the circumstances, and suffering cannot usefully be compared and lessened. The rejection and the injustice hit Sadie hard and the emotions invoked by fear of rejection are debilitating. It’s not something that Sadie can just ‘get over’, so yes, she still has some issues.
Now aged 29, she has followed her father’s injunction and has not spoken to her parents or sister since the day she left. Fortunately, she was sent to Sydney to live with her grandmother, who loves Sadie unconditionally, and Sadie now has her life mostly together.
Her peace is shattered when she discovers that her mother is dying and is asking to see her. Can she hold herself together and return to the scene of her troubles? Is she strong enough to see her mother again to say goodbye? With all of this to handle, the last thing she needs or expects is to get involved with someone during a week’s visit to her home town of Ballarat.
However, the attraction between Sadie and Holly is instantaneous and mutual. There’s a lot to overcome if they are to get together, what with the brevity of the visit, the distance between Ballarat and Sydney, Sadie’s emotional mission to visit her dying and estranged mother, Sadie’s reputation in Ballarat, and the fact that Holly’s mother is unaware of her daughter’s bisexuality.
Brooks weaves the elements of the story together expertly, and nothing feels forced or unrealistic. Many of the secondary characters are beautifully drawn, especially her grandmother, Elsie. We all need an Elsie on our sides.
There were many elements to this story that I could relate to. I confess some parts brought tears to my eyes, although it’s not a maudlin tear-jerker of a book by any means. There’s a depth to the story and it conveys genuine emotion. I know that a book has really touched me if it affects my dreams, and I dreamt about this book three nights in a row. And just to add to my enjoyment, it’s partly set in Sydney where I live.
The drama part of the story could stand on its own, but coupled with the love story between Sadie and Holly it is a completely satisfying book that I can recommend wholeheartedly. I look forward to reading more of Brooks’s work.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2017
The main characters, Sadie and Holly, were both really interesting and likable characters. Sadie's grandmother was simply wonderful. But I found the story of Sadie's return to her childhood home a little bland.
February 13, 2017
I received an ARC in an exchange for my honest review.
Wow, I really enjoyed this one! Basically, this story is about Sadie, a 29 years old woman, returned to her hometown after a long time away due to her parents kicking her out, and see her terminally ill mother. In the process, she met Holly, a 22 years old woman, who worked at the hotel Sadie stayed at during her visit. That's the very basic storyline, but it is filled with so many elements such as family abuse issue, homophobia, life changes, friendships, etc.
I think the story is very well written with well developed plot lines, characters development, and some nice intimate scenes. Sadie is very well liked and her flaws make sense due to what happened to her. I have to wonder if the author based the Holly character on different Holly character from a TV show, Rookie Blue and the actress (Aliyah O'Brien) who played her. Holly O'Brien with similar physical characteristics and some personality similarities as above. Pretty big coincidence if that is not intentional! Not that it is a bad thing, Holly is a great character all on her own. I just wonder if that is the author's inspiration for the character.
Dark Horse probably is one of the better written books I've read in a while. I really wish I could give a 4.5 stars instead of just 4. Excellent story and I definitely will read again when I'm in mood for a re-read.
Wow, I really enjoyed this one! Basically, this story is about Sadie, a 29 years old woman, returned to her hometown after a long time away due to her parents kicking her out, and see her terminally ill mother. In the process, she met Holly, a 22 years old woman, who worked at the hotel Sadie stayed at during her visit. That's the very basic storyline, but it is filled with so many elements such as family abuse issue, homophobia, life changes, friendships, etc.
I think the story is very well written with well developed plot lines, characters development, and some nice intimate scenes. Sadie is very well liked and her flaws make sense due to what happened to her. I have to wonder if the author based the Holly character on different Holly character from a TV show, Rookie Blue and the actress (Aliyah O'Brien) who played her. Holly O'Brien with similar physical characteristics and some personality similarities as above. Pretty big coincidence if that is not intentional! Not that it is a bad thing, Holly is a great character all on her own. I just wonder if that is the author's inspiration for the character.
Dark Horse probably is one of the better written books I've read in a while. I really wish I could give a 4.5 stars instead of just 4. Excellent story and I definitely will read again when I'm in mood for a re-read.
September 15, 2023
I adore this author and I loved this book. Emotional, beautiful and full of love. It’s got hot, gorgeous steamy scenes and left me wanting more.
Brilliant book and the audio narration is fabulous too.
I don’t have time for a long review but just wanted to say how much I loved this.
Brilliant book and the audio narration is fabulous too.
I don’t have time for a long review but just wanted to say how much I loved this.
March 9, 2024
2.5 stars. I guess if I were feeling more generous, I would round up to 3, because there was some good stuff in here, some sweet moments, but enjoyment-wise, it's unfortunately lower than that. I'm starting to think that maaaaaybe this author isn't for me? Maybe. I've read a few of her books and they've all been largely enjoyable, but I've had big nitpicks that I wasn't able to get over.
This is a butch/femme romance with a slight age gap, between a biker returning to visit her dying mother in the town that exiled her, and the pretty receptionist at her hotel. The first hurdle was that I didn't realise that there would be such a heavy emphasis on terminal illness. That's not a bad thing; just something that I'm a little sensitive about and I don't really have a great time reading about it. Maybe I should have DNFed? IDK. The fact that I didn't is totally on me, not the book. The other hurdle was the romance. This was pretty sexy, with a lot of great, charged moments between Holly and Sadie. But even though the author clearly took a stab at establishing an emotional connection, I truly didn't feel it. I don't know why! There's something about the writing style, something that I can't pinpoint, that was just very stilted and forced. Authors have gotten me to believe in whirlwind romances that take place in a short period of time, but it didn't happen here, alas. Don't get me wrong; it was cute and and I enjoyed seeing them on page, really liked their chemistry and flirtiness, but there was almost no depth.
Sadie, like any other character in any other book, is a good but flawed person with some growing to do, but I didn't like how it was written. Particularly with regard to her insecurities, and the way it kept being used to shoehorn in cheap moments of conflict and angst. That got really annoying. Especially since it was still popping up at like 96%. Everything ended well and happily, obviously, but this is the kind of couple where I leave the book thinking... 'Yeah, they're not gonna last.' Which is a bummer, in a romance novel. And there were other relatively minor things in the writing that nevertheless really irritated me. It got weird about weight in a way that had me checking to see if this was written in 2005. (It wasn't.) Vindictively wishing that an evil ex has gotten fat and has a bunch of kids, because obviously, that's the worst thing that can happen to a person. There was also a comment about how Sadie's sick, dying mother had lost a lot of weight, but 'it sat well on her.' ...Okay.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Justine Eyre, which was my favourite thing about the book. I just really adore her voice. I'm trying to think of other things I enjoyed about the book, and I can't? Other than the fact that it was sexy and fun at times, and well-written. I mostly liked the characters, but not a lot, and the storyline ultimately wasn't my favourite. Some of that is just my personal reading taste; I don't want to make it sound as if the book is, like, bad. Because it isn't! But between the family drama that I didn't enjoy, Sadie's mildly irritating issues, and not connecting emotionally to the romance, this just fell a little flat for me.
Content warnings:
This is a butch/femme romance with a slight age gap, between a biker returning to visit her dying mother in the town that exiled her, and the pretty receptionist at her hotel. The first hurdle was that I didn't realise that there would be such a heavy emphasis on terminal illness. That's not a bad thing; just something that I'm a little sensitive about and I don't really have a great time reading about it. Maybe I should have DNFed? IDK. The fact that I didn't is totally on me, not the book. The other hurdle was the romance. This was pretty sexy, with a lot of great, charged moments between Holly and Sadie. But even though the author clearly took a stab at establishing an emotional connection, I truly didn't feel it. I don't know why! There's something about the writing style, something that I can't pinpoint, that was just very stilted and forced. Authors have gotten me to believe in whirlwind romances that take place in a short period of time, but it didn't happen here, alas. Don't get me wrong; it was cute and and I enjoyed seeing them on page, really liked their chemistry and flirtiness, but there was almost no depth.
Sadie, like any other character in any other book, is a good but flawed person with some growing to do, but I didn't like how it was written. Particularly with regard to her insecurities, and the way it kept being used to shoehorn in cheap moments of conflict and angst. That got really annoying. Especially since it was still popping up at like 96%. Everything ended well and happily, obviously, but this is the kind of couple where I leave the book thinking... 'Yeah, they're not gonna last.' Which is a bummer, in a romance novel. And there were other relatively minor things in the writing that nevertheless really irritated me. It got weird about weight in a way that had me checking to see if this was written in 2005. (It wasn't.) Vindictively wishing that an evil ex has gotten fat and has a bunch of kids, because obviously, that's the worst thing that can happen to a person. There was also a comment about how Sadie's sick, dying mother had lost a lot of weight, but 'it sat well on her.' ...Okay.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Justine Eyre, which was my favourite thing about the book. I just really adore her voice. I'm trying to think of other things I enjoyed about the book, and I can't? Other than the fact that it was sexy and fun at times, and well-written. I mostly liked the characters, but not a lot, and the storyline ultimately wasn't my favourite. Some of that is just my personal reading taste; I don't want to make it sound as if the book is, like, bad. Because it isn't! But between the family drama that I didn't enjoy, Sadie's mildly irritating issues, and not connecting emotionally to the romance, this just fell a little flat for me.
Content warnings:
July 16, 2017
Great book that had me turning the pages and not wanting to put it down. Sadie and Holly were the perfect couple, I definitely could feel the chemistry off of the pages.
Would have loved an epilogue seeing the two down the road.
Loved the location in Ballarat never thought i would read a lesfic book located there! Felt more real to me just knowing the location like that.
Would have loved an epilogue seeing the two down the road.
Loved the location in Ballarat never thought i would read a lesfic book located there! Felt more real to me just knowing the location like that.
February 8, 2024
A heartwarming story of finding love when you least expected, of family drama and forgiveness, of overcoming rejection and abandonment, of friendship and open communication. Sadie was abandoned by her parents at seventeen, lived thousand miles away in Sydney, when she was told that her mother was dying of cancer, she went back to her childhood home to visit her mom and reconcile. She met Holly who worked for her family owned hotel in her hometown, and instantly fell for her. The love story intervened with the sadness of grieving, but it doesn't feel too depressing. The author's brilliant writing brought me into Sadie's world, I can't help but deeply caring for her and rooting for her happiness with her girlfriend.
February 24, 2017
Nice love story
If your looking for a fast pace love story this isn't it. I wasn't sure what I was getting into since this the first book A.L's I have read. All the characters were written beautifully they all had some kind of challenge in life they were working out in t heir own way. The storyline was well written to. I kept hoping thing would work out for Sadie. I would definitely recommend this book.
If your looking for a fast pace love story this isn't it. I wasn't sure what I was getting into since this the first book A.L's I have read. All the characters were written beautifully they all had some kind of challenge in life they were working out in t heir own way. The storyline was well written to. I kept hoping thing would work out for Sadie. I would definitely recommend this book.
October 10, 2017
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. Wow. For some reason, I kept putting this at the back of my shelf, but once I started it today, I just couldn't put it down. It was absolutely amazing, I haven't read A.L. Brooks before, but I will definitely be looking out for her in the future. This is a great romantic read that also has a fair bit of angst about Sadie's family. This was definitely worth the read and I plan on re-reading it very soon.
August 23, 2017
Have tissue some parts I just ended up with tears but what a great read over all
February 5, 2017
*ARC from Ylva for review*
While I don't know what the title has to do with the book (I can only speculate it stands for the Harley), the content is pretty straight forward.
The two main threads are: Sadies childhood problems and the reconciliation about them with her family and the love interest in Holly.
So Sadie, living with her grandmother, gets back to her mother because of the latter beeing terminally ill, to get answers about the abandonement she experienced as a teenager.
And what is not to understand? When your child is not behaving you don't seek counsel. You just send her away. Much easier: Out of the eye, out of the mind - especially the public's mind, cause you're a career politician.
So Sadie, having abandonement issues, comes back to get answers from her mother in time. And the reconciliation process between them goes pretty easily forward.
Meanwhile Sadie is stationed at the hotel owned by Holly's parents and the two of them have a strong attraction from first sight on. Therefore it takes only the week Sadie is there to fall in love.
And much to the lesbian cliché the U-haul awaits at the end of the second week.
Sadly the only bad person is Sadie's father (somehow another cliché).
All in all a pretty straight forward story and there are no big surprises, no plot twists and no deus-ex moments. It's not a light read, but also not really a dark one.
While I don't know what the title has to do with the book (I can only speculate it stands for the Harley), the content is pretty straight forward.
The two main threads are: Sadies childhood problems and the reconciliation about them with her family and the love interest in Holly.
So Sadie, living with her grandmother, gets back to her mother because of the latter beeing terminally ill, to get answers about the abandonement she experienced as a teenager.
And what is not to understand? When your child is not behaving you don't seek counsel. You just send her away. Much easier: Out of the eye, out of the mind - especially the public's mind, cause you're a career politician.
So Sadie, having abandonement issues, comes back to get answers from her mother in time. And the reconciliation process between them goes pretty easily forward.
Meanwhile Sadie is stationed at the hotel owned by Holly's parents and the two of them have a strong attraction from first sight on. Therefore it takes only the week Sadie is there to fall in love.
And much to the lesbian cliché the U-haul awaits at the end of the second week.
Sadly the only bad person is Sadie's father (somehow another cliché).
All in all a pretty straight forward story and there are no big surprises, no plot twists and no deus-ex moments. It's not a light read, but also not really a dark one.
February 19, 2017
I received this ARC from Ylva for my honest review.
This book is about romance between two different peoples and about dealing with issue with parents.
Main character Sadie (29) deal with false accusation about crime, she didn´t done. I must say her dealing with this issue was very realistic and the describing of her change from "bad" kid to a grown woman, who makes her own way was also a good one.
On the other side is Holly (22), who has supporting parents and didn´t have to deal with those thing as Sadie, but has her own issue about growing up and start her own life. I think the story about those two is very good, because it shows the balance between two people in relationships. There are also few characters - grandmother, friend who make the story whole.
The love story is well written and the love scenes are really good.
This book is about romance between two different peoples and about dealing with issue with parents.
Main character Sadie (29) deal with false accusation about crime, she didn´t done. I must say her dealing with this issue was very realistic and the describing of her change from "bad" kid to a grown woman, who makes her own way was also a good one.
On the other side is Holly (22), who has supporting parents and didn´t have to deal with those thing as Sadie, but has her own issue about growing up and start her own life. I think the story about those two is very good, because it shows the balance between two people in relationships. There are also few characters - grandmother, friend who make the story whole.
The love story is well written and the love scenes are really good.
February 27, 2017
I loved this book. It has a bit of everything. But what I liked the most was the personal story of the lead character and the way the author portrayed it. The book is very well written and I found it hard to put down. It's a situation many find them selves in but I liked the positive outcome despite the sad events. Yes, this is my first book by this author but it definately won't be the last. The author bravely hit on issues many face and dealt with them in a compassionate manner. I really enjoyed the story and I found I could relate to it and I expect many more can. Enjoy, I did
April 26, 2018
This is a very easy and enjoyable read, and I mean this in the best possible sense. It’s a romance novel, simple as that, and it has all the ingredients I want when I pick up a romance.
You have two attractive main characters (‘attractive’ not only in terms of pleasant to look at, but also in terms of personality and character), back stories for both of them to make them come alive, they’re grown up and strong but also flawed and insecure at times. In short: real human beings.
There’s just enough fluff to make you go ‘aaaawwww’ but won’t rot your teeth, there’s just enough angst to make you go ‘hnnng’ but won’t make you lose sleep, there’s just enough heartache to make you blink but won’t traumatise you. Know what I mean? It’s the perfect balance for a good read.
Oh, and the sex scenes are brilliant. I mean, brilliant. All too often romance novelists try too damn hard and their ‘sexy times’ turn out either flowery-vanilla or soullessly pornographic. AL Brooks is nicknamed ‘writer of filth’ (or something like that, I can’t recall the exact wording) but while she keeps the filth on a tight leash here, she still delivers. Hell yes, she does!
Yes, you will find the usual clichés here, too. Sadie’s father is cruel, her ex is a cold-hearted bitch, her sister is dating a homophobic arsehole but in all honesty, I don’t pick up a 270-page novel with the expectation of in-depth character studies for everybody making an appearance in the story. They serve their purpose (add some detail to Sadie’s background story, then fade out) and that’s good enough for me. We get to know the people who count and who push the story forward: Sadie’s grandmother who has taken her in after she got kicked out by her father; Sadie’s mother whose disease forces Sadie to return to her hometown; some of her friends, too; and we get to know Holly’s parents who come across prejudiced and ignorant (well, her mother) but who are willing to listen, change and learn.
(And on a personal level, the close relationship between Elsie and Sadie reminded me so much of my own Gran with whom I had a very similar relationship that I had to blink away the odd tear or two. Also, I could relate very much to what Sadie was going through with her mother at the very end because I’ve been there, too.)
She’s a good writer and storyteller, A.L. Brooks is. I found her story to be well-composed and her writing style to be well-crafted, pleasant and, like I said above, a thoroughly enjoyable read!
The only reason I’m giving four and not five stars is that I found the cover (although I love the photo!) plus the ‘punished for a crime she did not commit’ bit a little misleading. For some reason I expected more of a biker story with a possible involvement in criminal activities at some time in the past. Maybe it’s just me and somebody else may well find this to be nitpicking but I did go, ‘huh?’ when I started reading. But I quickly adjusted because the writing and the story are good and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a good romance story!
You have two attractive main characters (‘attractive’ not only in terms of pleasant to look at, but also in terms of personality and character), back stories for both of them to make them come alive, they’re grown up and strong but also flawed and insecure at times. In short: real human beings.
There’s just enough fluff to make you go ‘aaaawwww’ but won’t rot your teeth, there’s just enough angst to make you go ‘hnnng’ but won’t make you lose sleep, there’s just enough heartache to make you blink but won’t traumatise you. Know what I mean? It’s the perfect balance for a good read.
Oh, and the sex scenes are brilliant. I mean, brilliant. All too often romance novelists try too damn hard and their ‘sexy times’ turn out either flowery-vanilla or soullessly pornographic. AL Brooks is nicknamed ‘writer of filth’ (or something like that, I can’t recall the exact wording) but while she keeps the filth on a tight leash here, she still delivers. Hell yes, she does!
Yes, you will find the usual clichés here, too. Sadie’s father is cruel, her ex is a cold-hearted bitch, her sister is dating a homophobic arsehole but in all honesty, I don’t pick up a 270-page novel with the expectation of in-depth character studies for everybody making an appearance in the story. They serve their purpose (add some detail to Sadie’s background story, then fade out) and that’s good enough for me. We get to know the people who count and who push the story forward: Sadie’s grandmother who has taken her in after she got kicked out by her father; Sadie’s mother whose disease forces Sadie to return to her hometown; some of her friends, too; and we get to know Holly’s parents who come across prejudiced and ignorant (well, her mother) but who are willing to listen, change and learn.
(And on a personal level, the close relationship between Elsie and Sadie reminded me so much of my own Gran with whom I had a very similar relationship that I had to blink away the odd tear or two. Also, I could relate very much to what Sadie was going through with her mother at the very end because I’ve been there, too.)
She’s a good writer and storyteller, A.L. Brooks is. I found her story to be well-composed and her writing style to be well-crafted, pleasant and, like I said above, a thoroughly enjoyable read!
The only reason I’m giving four and not five stars is that I found the cover (although I love the photo!) plus the ‘punished for a crime she did not commit’ bit a little misleading. For some reason I expected more of a biker story with a possible involvement in criminal activities at some time in the past. Maybe it’s just me and somebody else may well find this to be nitpicking but I did go, ‘huh?’ when I started reading. But I quickly adjusted because the writing and the story are good and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a good romance story!
April 13, 2020
What can I say about this tale other than I have mixed feelings towards it.
The first quarter of the story had me feeling disconnected from the characters. It started out with the protagonist falling into a pit of anger, frustration, loss, and selfishness after being told her best friend was moving out to be with her girlfriend. I couldn't connect with Sadie, the protagonist, because I was never given time to warm up to her and her personality or lifestyle. I was more annoyed than anything. As the story moved forward we got to know Sadie a bit better, we even got small glimpses of her managing the coffee shop she worked at. However, it fell a bit flat at the author's attempt to show us that Sadie was a mature adult as opposed to the wild rebel she once was as a teenager. I needed more development for me to connect. Sadie was a misunderstood misfit as a kid/teen with a father who appeared to hold nothing but disdain towards her and a mother who was blind to it all. Sadie suffered emotionally and in result, caused her to be an angry, guarded woman. After being kicked out of her family home at 17, Sadie never spoke to her family again, until a dreaded phone call came years later, telling her that her mother was dying. And that's when the story kicked it into gear and caught my attention. Apart from the family drama, shaky reunions, unspoken words of anger and love, there was a love story enfolding as well. However sweet the love story was between Sadie and Holly, the sweet bisexual receptionist at the hotel, the story between Sadie and her estranged family was the focal point. I enjoyed the interaction between Sadie, her sister, her gran, her mother, and even the volatile reunion between Sadie and her father. My core temp rose up whenever the family interacted because there was so much hurt, pain, ridicule, and confusion amongst them all. Homosexuality and homophobia were a big part of it, and my heart hurt for Sadie. As for the lovebirds Sadie and Holly, well, their relationship started as mainly physical but very quickly evolved to them professing their love for another in the span of a week. I found their relationship to be a bit immature at times, not communicating and storming off like brats, which was infuriating. I honestly didn't care for the romance aspect of this story, and that's weird for me to say because I seek out books with romance and erotica, especially if a motorcycle riding butch is involved. I personally enjoyed the family aspect of it more. I assume the author is British because I learned some new words and phrases in this story that had me googling to see what I was reading.
I give this a 3 star. It elicited emotions from tears to anger, but not much else. The ending felt off to me as well.
The first quarter of the story had me feeling disconnected from the characters. It started out with the protagonist falling into a pit of anger, frustration, loss, and selfishness after being told her best friend was moving out to be with her girlfriend. I couldn't connect with Sadie, the protagonist, because I was never given time to warm up to her and her personality or lifestyle. I was more annoyed than anything. As the story moved forward we got to know Sadie a bit better, we even got small glimpses of her managing the coffee shop she worked at. However, it fell a bit flat at the author's attempt to show us that Sadie was a mature adult as opposed to the wild rebel she once was as a teenager. I needed more development for me to connect. Sadie was a misunderstood misfit as a kid/teen with a father who appeared to hold nothing but disdain towards her and a mother who was blind to it all. Sadie suffered emotionally and in result, caused her to be an angry, guarded woman. After being kicked out of her family home at 17, Sadie never spoke to her family again, until a dreaded phone call came years later, telling her that her mother was dying. And that's when the story kicked it into gear and caught my attention. Apart from the family drama, shaky reunions, unspoken words of anger and love, there was a love story enfolding as well. However sweet the love story was between Sadie and Holly, the sweet bisexual receptionist at the hotel, the story between Sadie and her estranged family was the focal point. I enjoyed the interaction between Sadie, her sister, her gran, her mother, and even the volatile reunion between Sadie and her father. My core temp rose up whenever the family interacted because there was so much hurt, pain, ridicule, and confusion amongst them all. Homosexuality and homophobia were a big part of it, and my heart hurt for Sadie. As for the lovebirds Sadie and Holly, well, their relationship started as mainly physical but very quickly evolved to them professing their love for another in the span of a week. I found their relationship to be a bit immature at times, not communicating and storming off like brats, which was infuriating. I honestly didn't care for the romance aspect of this story, and that's weird for me to say because I seek out books with romance and erotica, especially if a motorcycle riding butch is involved. I personally enjoyed the family aspect of it more. I assume the author is British because I learned some new words and phrases in this story that had me googling to see what I was reading.
I give this a 3 star. It elicited emotions from tears to anger, but not much else. The ending felt off to me as well.
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