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Callie & Rebecca #1
Autumn Leaves
Her arrival changes everything…
Rebecca has everything she’s ever dreamed a family, a beautiful home, and good friends. When Callie moves into the house across the street, Rebecca is quick to welcome the young writer into the tightly-knit community of Autumn Leaves. She has no idea that Callie will confront her with a truth about herself she might not be ready to face.
All Callie wanted was to flee the big city and finish her latest book in peace, but life in the small town comes with unexpected temptation and danger...
Barbara Winkes’ debut novel Autumn Leaves, first published in 2012, is a small-town, toaster-oven romance with plenty of suspense.
Rebecca has everything she’s ever dreamed a family, a beautiful home, and good friends. When Callie moves into the house across the street, Rebecca is quick to welcome the young writer into the tightly-knit community of Autumn Leaves. She has no idea that Callie will confront her with a truth about herself she might not be ready to face.
All Callie wanted was to flee the big city and finish her latest book in peace, but life in the small town comes with unexpected temptation and danger...
Barbara Winkes’ debut novel Autumn Leaves, first published in 2012, is a small-town, toaster-oven romance with plenty of suspense.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2012
53 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Winkes
99 books212 followersBarbara Winkes writes suspense and romance with lesbian characters at the center. She has always loved stories in which women persevere and lift each other up. Expect high drama and happy endings.
Discover a variety of genres, serial and standalone. Women loving women always take the lead.
Discover a variety of genres, serial and standalone. Women loving women always take the lead.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 24, 2020
Oh dear, not my scene at all - didn't really gell with any of the characters, all seemed mean spirited and didn't care about anyone except themselves. Wow, 4 books of this?? No thanks.
January 12, 2013
When I first started reading this book, I wanted to stop because the writing quality is so far beyond terrible. What kept me going? At the beginning, there were moments where it was so bad that it was sending me into fits of laughter. Of course, it didn’t take long for that to change into moments of “wtf?” both because I could not make out what the sentences were trying to relay and because the path of the story was so non-existent. And at that point, the choice to continue reading was actually somewhat of a challenge to see how much worse it could get.
I could go on for a lifetime about how terrible this book is, but I won’t. Here’s the Reader’s Digest version of my thoughts on it:
-lots of odd word choices (enjoying the ‘quietude’ – ???, spelling out “junior” when it should be “Jr.” and so on – there was also a really awkward use of the word ‘audacity’ at one point and the main character ends up calling her estranged husband her “yet husband” for most of the book which is just dumb)
-lots of continuity issues (one scene starts by telling us that the daughter, Dina, is upstairs and then a few sentences later she is coming in the front door – one sentence will call a character by their name and the next will be a nickname that we’ve never been introduced to)
-cliché heavy
-full of dumb stereotypes
-the only really bad stuff in the story happens to those who identify as gay – what a great message for the youth, not!
-writer seemed to use this book as way to deal with her own issues of religion + being gay
-overuse of totally irrelevant details (we don’t need to know every single item placed on the table for dinner if it has nothing to do with the story. We also don’t need every freaking character’s full name. And who calls their friends by their full name each time they seem them or talk about them?)
-writer seems to have no real-life experience in terms of the way people in a relationship (platonic or romantic) actually talk to and relate to each other
-completely unrealistic character reaction to sexual assault
-really bizarre things throughout..... like the kids only going to school for a half-day…every day. Where does this happen cause I would've loved that as a kid!
-no real plot, no real romance, no love scenes (which is actually a blessing considering how terrible the writing is in the book - this book almost turns me off reading and I’d hate for it to turn me off of sex as well) There’s actually more talk of God and religion in this book than anything else.
-way too many errors that should have been caught by an editor (missing words, weird spacing, etc.)
At the end of the day, this book leaves me wanting to smack the author with the often mentioned Bible in this book for even having the audacity to call this a book and release it into the publishing world. It’s like she shat on the virtual bookshelf.
I could go on for a lifetime about how terrible this book is, but I won’t. Here’s the Reader’s Digest version of my thoughts on it:
-lots of odd word choices (enjoying the ‘quietude’ – ???, spelling out “junior” when it should be “Jr.” and so on – there was also a really awkward use of the word ‘audacity’ at one point and the main character ends up calling her estranged husband her “yet husband” for most of the book which is just dumb)
-lots of continuity issues (one scene starts by telling us that the daughter, Dina, is upstairs and then a few sentences later she is coming in the front door – one sentence will call a character by their name and the next will be a nickname that we’ve never been introduced to)
-cliché heavy
-full of dumb stereotypes
-the only really bad stuff in the story happens to those who identify as gay – what a great message for the youth, not!
-writer seemed to use this book as way to deal with her own issues of religion + being gay
-overuse of totally irrelevant details (we don’t need to know every single item placed on the table for dinner if it has nothing to do with the story. We also don’t need every freaking character’s full name. And who calls their friends by their full name each time they seem them or talk about them?)
-writer seems to have no real-life experience in terms of the way people in a relationship (platonic or romantic) actually talk to and relate to each other
-completely unrealistic character reaction to sexual assault
-really bizarre things throughout..... like the kids only going to school for a half-day…every day. Where does this happen cause I would've loved that as a kid!
-no real plot, no real romance, no love scenes (which is actually a blessing considering how terrible the writing is in the book - this book almost turns me off reading and I’d hate for it to turn me off of sex as well) There’s actually more talk of God and religion in this book than anything else.
-way too many errors that should have been caught by an editor (missing words, weird spacing, etc.)
At the end of the day, this book leaves me wanting to smack the author with the often mentioned Bible in this book for even having the audacity to call this a book and release it into the publishing world. It’s like she shat on the virtual bookshelf.
January 22, 2019
Superb Read
A beautifully well written emotional love story it has a little bit of everything and knits together perfectly well worth a read carrying on to read the next three books.
As little foot note an extra 5* for the Eva Cassidy fans wii know what I mean it’s one of my favourites
A beautifully well written emotional love story it has a little bit of everything and knits together perfectly well worth a read carrying on to read the next three books.
As little foot note an extra 5* for the Eva Cassidy fans wii know what I mean it’s one of my favourites
March 26, 2017
I'm left wondering if the people who write out and out positive reviews of books like this have actually read the book or if they are friends of the author. The editing in this book is dreadful. Clunky sentences, poor word choices - "she could find various more ways to risk..." Various more? Seriously? Then there were silly things like needing to pick the girls up from school and then taking them out for pizza for lunch... So school in Autumn Leaves doesn't finish at 3pm like everywhere else? Then Rebecca cancelled a Saturday brunch when one hadn't previously been discussed in that chapter. The editing didn't improve in the rest of the book. Random things happen or are said with no explanation. So why three stars? I'm a sucker for a happy ending :)
February 11, 2014
Rebecca Lowman is a normal small town Mom. She has a husband who works too hard and is away 3/4 of the month, a teenager starting to cause her to worry and a delightful 8 year old. She has friends, saturday brunch, church and a manically busy life. She has even managed to keep up her web design business as a small sideline. She has everything she wanted and planned for.
When Callie moves into the vacant house across the street Rebecca reaches out in that all-American way with a welcome gift and the offer of friendship. She quickly finds out Callie is a writer who has written children’s books but now writes Lesbian Erotica. Rebecca is immediately disturbed by Callies’ openness about what she does and challenged in her small-town prejudices.
As their friendship develops Rebecca is increasingly drawn to her young neighbor. But just how far will she go is her acceptance of Callie’s sexuality?
---------------------
I have to admit straight out to finding this book a difficult read. It’s a good story, the players and pieces are all there, and you can see what Ms Winkes is trying to do. But that’s actually the problem. You can see what she is trying to do. It doesn’t flow, it hasn’t got quite that subtlety that means you forget the writer and become immersed in the characters and the story.
There are several issues. First for me was the language and editing. There are some typos, a couple of words missing, a few words used in an odd way, and more often a slight discomfort in the tense of a phrase and use of grammar. Ms Winkes is German now lives in Quebec. I admire anyone who even attempts to write in a second language, but it grates on occasion and dropped me out of the emotional flow while I reacted to the language. I would have preferred tighter and tougher editing to correct these little language faux pas.
In terms of editing there is also a huge amount of detail of daily life. There is nothing wrong with that in itself, but I am not sure it was all necessary or added to the story and character development. While it clearly sets the tone for Rebecca’s incredibly normal domestic suburban small town life, tougher editing could have reduced it and tightened up the story.
More important was that sense that you could always hear and feel the author. She has attempted to tell a great deal of the story through Rebecca’s internal monologue. That is a great tool, but it doesn’t quite come off. For me there were leaps in logic and thought. For example we see Rebecca more and more interested in Callie, but the jump into their weekend together seems too great from the preceding contemplation. There is too much of some thought processes and decisions and not enough of others.
Overall I felt disconnected from the characters. It got better as the book went on, once the deed was done they seems to settle down, they were more realistic and the plot, dialogue and internal consciousness worked more coherently.
This is Barbara Winkes’ first book and it’s a good attempt. I am being critical because it could be better. It isn’t terrible, and there are far worse out there in this genre. I am going to read the second installment, partly to find out what Ms Winkes does with the plot in another book and partly to see if the writing style (and editing) develops into something I find more comfortable.
When Callie moves into the vacant house across the street Rebecca reaches out in that all-American way with a welcome gift and the offer of friendship. She quickly finds out Callie is a writer who has written children’s books but now writes Lesbian Erotica. Rebecca is immediately disturbed by Callies’ openness about what she does and challenged in her small-town prejudices.
As their friendship develops Rebecca is increasingly drawn to her young neighbor. But just how far will she go is her acceptance of Callie’s sexuality?
---------------------
I have to admit straight out to finding this book a difficult read. It’s a good story, the players and pieces are all there, and you can see what Ms Winkes is trying to do. But that’s actually the problem. You can see what she is trying to do. It doesn’t flow, it hasn’t got quite that subtlety that means you forget the writer and become immersed in the characters and the story.
There are several issues. First for me was the language and editing. There are some typos, a couple of words missing, a few words used in an odd way, and more often a slight discomfort in the tense of a phrase and use of grammar. Ms Winkes is German now lives in Quebec. I admire anyone who even attempts to write in a second language, but it grates on occasion and dropped me out of the emotional flow while I reacted to the language. I would have preferred tighter and tougher editing to correct these little language faux pas.
In terms of editing there is also a huge amount of detail of daily life. There is nothing wrong with that in itself, but I am not sure it was all necessary or added to the story and character development. While it clearly sets the tone for Rebecca’s incredibly normal domestic suburban small town life, tougher editing could have reduced it and tightened up the story.
More important was that sense that you could always hear and feel the author. She has attempted to tell a great deal of the story through Rebecca’s internal monologue. That is a great tool, but it doesn’t quite come off. For me there were leaps in logic and thought. For example we see Rebecca more and more interested in Callie, but the jump into their weekend together seems too great from the preceding contemplation. There is too much of some thought processes and decisions and not enough of others.
Overall I felt disconnected from the characters. It got better as the book went on, once the deed was done they seems to settle down, they were more realistic and the plot, dialogue and internal consciousness worked more coherently.
This is Barbara Winkes’ first book and it’s a good attempt. I am being critical because it could be better. It isn’t terrible, and there are far worse out there in this genre. I am going to read the second installment, partly to find out what Ms Winkes does with the plot in another book and partly to see if the writing style (and editing) develops into something I find more comfortable.
February 24, 2019
I love Barbara Winked romance and mysteries!
This was a deep book covering hate crimes, domestic violence, prejudice amongst family, friends & community. The difference of loving someone vs being IN LOVE. The bond between mother and daughters. A God who is all about LOVE. Rebecca worked on websites from home. Her husband David was on the road with work 3 out of 4 weeks a month. They have two daughters Dina (13) and Maggie (8).The house across the street had been empty for some time, when Callie and her friends arrive to help her move in to the house her Aunt left her. Rebecca was the first person to welcome Callie to the neighborhood. Rebecca was drawn to Callie, they began hanging out together and Sallie spent time with Rebecca's family. Dan d took the girls to Disney for a long weekend and.Rebecca had to back out because of the website she was working on for the church. Rebecca was having feelings for Callie and Callie was falling hard for Rebecca. They spent that long weekend together at Callies home. Rebecca realized that the.life.She wanted was with Callie and her girls. She wasn't happy any longer in her life with David. Rebecca confront David.and.tells him the truth about her love for Callie. Lives explode, guilt and pressure is placed on
Rebecca. Who will Rebecca choose and what about how her daughters feels?? NO SPOILERS!! A must read! It draws you in, evokes emotions and you won't want to put it down!!
This was a deep book covering hate crimes, domestic violence, prejudice amongst family, friends & community. The difference of loving someone vs being IN LOVE. The bond between mother and daughters. A God who is all about LOVE. Rebecca worked on websites from home. Her husband David was on the road with work 3 out of 4 weeks a month. They have two daughters Dina (13) and Maggie (8).The house across the street had been empty for some time, when Callie and her friends arrive to help her move in to the house her Aunt left her. Rebecca was the first person to welcome Callie to the neighborhood. Rebecca was drawn to Callie, they began hanging out together and Sallie spent time with Rebecca's family. Dan d took the girls to Disney for a long weekend and.Rebecca had to back out because of the website she was working on for the church. Rebecca was having feelings for Callie and Callie was falling hard for Rebecca. They spent that long weekend together at Callies home. Rebecca realized that the.life.She wanted was with Callie and her girls. She wasn't happy any longer in her life with David. Rebecca confront David.and.tells him the truth about her love for Callie. Lives explode, guilt and pressure is placed on
Rebecca. Who will Rebecca choose and what about how her daughters feels?? NO SPOILERS!! A must read! It draws you in, evokes emotions and you won't want to put it down!!
May 9, 2018
This is my first book by this author and although the cover put me off (yes I know Judgy) it was on special with Bookbub, so I bought it. I am so glad I did.
I have to say that the near rape story almost put me off, because I have seen it in several books already. Still, I read on.
Some clunky editing, and quirks, but the story was enough that these did not interrupt the flow of the read. I like the nested plot. Reading about a writer having a romantic adventure whilst writing about someone having a romantic adventure.
It’s still a good story though.
I will read more of hers.
I have to say that the near rape story almost put me off, because I have seen it in several books already. Still, I read on.
Some clunky editing, and quirks, but the story was enough that these did not interrupt the flow of the read. I like the nested plot. Reading about a writer having a romantic adventure whilst writing about someone having a romantic adventure.
It’s still a good story though.
I will read more of hers.
April 12, 2018
Understanding...
That's all Rebecca tried to do. She doesn't understand the feelings she has for another human being. Granted, she's married and the other human happens to be a woman! Her love story begins when she meets Callie, the girl next door. How will the story and when she has a family that she loves, but the feelings she can't fight pull her in a different direction?
That's all Rebecca tried to do. She doesn't understand the feelings she has for another human being. Granted, she's married and the other human happens to be a woman! Her love story begins when she meets Callie, the girl next door. How will the story and when she has a family that she loves, but the feelings she can't fight pull her in a different direction?
April 15, 2018
Looking at other reviews it seems people either liked it or hated it. I’m in the likes it crowd. Did see a few editing errors, but I’ve certainly seen much worse. I will continue on the book 2 to see where the journey takes them.
June 29, 2019
This could have been my story
This was a very hard book to read. Not because of the writing; that was good. It was the content. This could b
Have been my story from years ago. It is sad that even now love is not accepted as love; that lives need to be wrenched open and families put through the wringer. That children are forced to watch and overcome...or not...the changes in their lives.
Read this book. It will open your eyes to a lot going on in this world
This was a very hard book to read. Not because of the writing; that was good. It was the content. This could b
Have been my story from years ago. It is sad that even now love is not accepted as love; that lives need to be wrenched open and families put through the wringer. That children are forced to watch and overcome...or not...the changes in their lives.
Read this book. It will open your eyes to a lot going on in this world
October 15, 2017
this is one of the best quality books i've read till now. even the sequels didn't disappoint . the relationship kids have with rebecca and the tuning of callie and maggie was written so good (i actually craved for maggie part) , ofcourse romance was indeed good. i am personally attached to this book , kudos to the writer for this perfect series and i'm gonna follow next books too .
March 25, 2017
Not often I don't finish a book I started. This one had that honor. The writing style is annoying, there are inconsistencies. I'm sure it had promise, but I'm not sticking around for it. Two long chapters in and I'm out. Life is too short.
February 11, 2021
Different in a good way
I was very captivated by the story. I wasn’t sure where the story was going but I liked it! Great characters and some unexpected stuff that kept me interested and on my toes. I read this in one day because I couldn’t put it down.
I was very captivated by the story. I wasn’t sure where the story was going but I liked it! Great characters and some unexpected stuff that kept me interested and on my toes. I read this in one day because I couldn’t put it down.
December 14, 2022
This is the first 5 star book I've read in a while. It kept me intrigued throughout. It has relateable characters, and an interesting story. It was recommended to me per a request for a fall read...it didnt feel like fall. It was more character driven than scenery.
July 7, 2024
An absolutely horrible book. The narrative is incoherent, the protagonists are extremely unlikable or bewildering. There is homophobia both explicit (part of the story) and implicit (not acceptable). Definitely not recommended.
December 3, 2019
Excellent book really enjoyed the story looking forward to reading other books by this author
July 10, 2020
Awesome xx
June 30, 2014
Rebecca is an American small town girl in a happy marriage with two daughters and is content with her life, although her husband is away for most of the year and she is conditioned by the way people are brought up and raised in small towns such as Autumn Leaves. She seems to be a bit more open-minded though and at least willing. Everyone knows each other and the church is the center of people’s lives. The new kid in town, Callie, upsets the balance unwittingly. Rebecca welcomes her new neighbour Callie but doesn't quite know what to make of her when she finds out that she writes erotica and that she is a lesbian. Rebecca starts reading her books and she starts to fantasize about her new interesting neighbour. The two become friends and most around them have their own opinions and prejudice ready. It is a story of small town prejudice and interference from nosy neighbours.
Will their new found love be safe in Autumn Leaves? Are its people ready for this? Can their love survive all the obstacles they meet?
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters and felt for Rebecca and Callie. I can imagine this story is as realistic as it gets with real emotions and inner questions and struggles in a small town such as this. It might be fiction but in regards to the reactions and emotions it stirs in people it is accurate. This is still alive today. The story is well told and the writer has gone into incredible detail to describe domestic life which makes it all the more real.
The important lesson I got from this story is that love is universal and does not have gender or preference. If we open our hearts we’ll be surprised by what we find.
Well done, Mrs Winkes. I look forward to the next instalment and reading more about Callie and Rebecca.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Will their new found love be safe in Autumn Leaves? Are its people ready for this? Can their love survive all the obstacles they meet?
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters and felt for Rebecca and Callie. I can imagine this story is as realistic as it gets with real emotions and inner questions and struggles in a small town such as this. It might be fiction but in regards to the reactions and emotions it stirs in people it is accurate. This is still alive today. The story is well told and the writer has gone into incredible detail to describe domestic life which makes it all the more real.
The important lesson I got from this story is that love is universal and does not have gender or preference. If we open our hearts we’ll be surprised by what we find.
Well done, Mrs Winkes. I look forward to the next instalment and reading more about Callie and Rebecca.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
February 11, 2013
Review by Linda Hays-Gibbs
Of
Autumn Leaves
By Barbara Winkes
With Eternal Press
This is an alternative lifestyle romance between two people who overcome huge obstacles for their happily ever after.
I found the characters full fleshed and complete with their own fears and in depth analysis of their directions. The problems that face Rebecca Lowman
seem insurmountable, at least the ones of which, she is aware. With two children and her husband, David she thinks she is satisfied at least settled for the rest of her life. She doesn't even realize that she has settled for what was expected of her.
She doesn't argue or defend herself or her choices because one seems as good as another until a young writer moves in across the street from her.
It was like a bolt out of the blue when Rebecca meets Callie. They try to deny it, hide it, and run from it, but their love will not let them.
Finally, they must confront it, along with their fears for Rebecca's family and the humiliation and censure from the Autumn Leaves' community around them and even her own church friends.
A crisis involving Callie makes Rebecca realize that her life has drastically changed and she must face the consequences of her actions and make a commitment.
The only thing that is not given up by Rebecca is Callie, as all else seems lost. Tragedy strikes but they hold on to each other and weather the storm.
The happily ever after was extremely satisfying. I loved the plot, the conflict and the growing experience that both women had for very different reasons. A very tastefully done portrayal of this story. I give her five stars out of five for an engaging love story between two women from very different worlds.
Of
Autumn Leaves
By Barbara Winkes
With Eternal Press
This is an alternative lifestyle romance between two people who overcome huge obstacles for their happily ever after.
I found the characters full fleshed and complete with their own fears and in depth analysis of their directions. The problems that face Rebecca Lowman
seem insurmountable, at least the ones of which, she is aware. With two children and her husband, David she thinks she is satisfied at least settled for the rest of her life. She doesn't even realize that she has settled for what was expected of her.
She doesn't argue or defend herself or her choices because one seems as good as another until a young writer moves in across the street from her.
It was like a bolt out of the blue when Rebecca meets Callie. They try to deny it, hide it, and run from it, but their love will not let them.
Finally, they must confront it, along with their fears for Rebecca's family and the humiliation and censure from the Autumn Leaves' community around them and even her own church friends.
A crisis involving Callie makes Rebecca realize that her life has drastically changed and she must face the consequences of her actions and make a commitment.
The only thing that is not given up by Rebecca is Callie, as all else seems lost. Tragedy strikes but they hold on to each other and weather the storm.
The happily ever after was extremely satisfying. I loved the plot, the conflict and the growing experience that both women had for very different reasons. A very tastefully done portrayal of this story. I give her five stars out of five for an engaging love story between two women from very different worlds.
February 10, 2013
I love a book that can make me make me do three things...
1. Identify with the characters
2. Make me feel for the characters
3. Make me want to read more from the author
Autumn Leaves by Barbara Winkes did all of the above and more.
I pride myself on being open minded. I was instantly drawn into this book. The fact that the two main characters, women from very different worlds, find each other and become more than friends made me very comfortable because of the authors style of writing. She maked it easy for me to identify with the characters. I felt every known feeling while reading this story; empathy, sympathy, anger, sorrow, longing, love, disdain, you name it, I felt it. To me, those are the makings of an awesome story and well rounded characters.
I could see myself in many roles contained within this book. The busy soccer mom, the young woman desperate to be loved, the jilted spouse, the friend that should have been there but wasn't. jJst about every character that Ms. Winkes wrote, I at some point, have been. that fact, made the story that much more endearing. The fact that she threw in real life drama and despair, made it even better, if possible.
I cannot wait to read more from Ms. Winkes as she has gained a lifelong fan! I give Autumn Leaves 5 out of 5 stars and more than highly recommend it...it's a MUST READ
1. Identify with the characters
2. Make me feel for the characters
3. Make me want to read more from the author
Autumn Leaves by Barbara Winkes did all of the above and more.
I pride myself on being open minded. I was instantly drawn into this book. The fact that the two main characters, women from very different worlds, find each other and become more than friends made me very comfortable because of the authors style of writing. She maked it easy for me to identify with the characters. I felt every known feeling while reading this story; empathy, sympathy, anger, sorrow, longing, love, disdain, you name it, I felt it. To me, those are the makings of an awesome story and well rounded characters.
I could see myself in many roles contained within this book. The busy soccer mom, the young woman desperate to be loved, the jilted spouse, the friend that should have been there but wasn't. jJst about every character that Ms. Winkes wrote, I at some point, have been. that fact, made the story that much more endearing. The fact that she threw in real life drama and despair, made it even better, if possible.
I cannot wait to read more from Ms. Winkes as she has gained a lifelong fan! I give Autumn Leaves 5 out of 5 stars and more than highly recommend it...it's a MUST READ
May 17, 2013
Right off the bat, the first thing that pops to my mind when it comes to my thoughts on this book, was that it is an amazing gentle romance; and that romance just happens to be between two women. The story line was done well, in my opinion, Barbara was able to take a situation that does happen and make a great story about it.
The characters were written well, you got to learn more about Rebecca’s character, her life before she had met Callie for the first time. You could almost tell that she was settled with her life, but she wasn’t completely happy with it as well.
Callie’s character seemed like the breath of fresh air that was needed in the community. I loved her free spirit lifestyle, also her wanting to try to fit into the community as well. You could tell that by her attending church because that’s what the other people did in the neighborhood.
All in all I have to say that I was greatly pleased with this story and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a gentle romance that is more about the romance than the sex.
The characters were written well, you got to learn more about Rebecca’s character, her life before she had met Callie for the first time. You could almost tell that she was settled with her life, but she wasn’t completely happy with it as well.
Callie’s character seemed like the breath of fresh air that was needed in the community. I loved her free spirit lifestyle, also her wanting to try to fit into the community as well. You could tell that by her attending church because that’s what the other people did in the neighborhood.
All in all I have to say that I was greatly pleased with this story and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a gentle romance that is more about the romance than the sex.
June 10, 2015
Well written, realistic and filled with the nuts and bolts faced by every lesbian couple ...and oh yeah, filled with unexpected twists and turns, drama and complications. But above all, filled with love and the kind of hope that always finds a home when love is genuine, deep and mutual. I liked this story and I like Barbara's writing. As someone who didn't realize I was a lesbian until later in life, I could so relate to this book and found it quite believable. And as is the case tonight, I found myself staying up late because I didn't want to stop reading. This is the second book of Barbara's that I've read and I'm sure I'll be reading more.
June 18, 2013
A really well crafted story of the relationship that develops between an out author and her het neighbour. Ms. Winkes accurately portrays the angst and issues this creates, both in the main characters and their loved ones. While this slows the pace of the story down somewhat, it allows the reader to fully identify with the challenges facing a married woman entering a relationship with a lesbian. Quite long, the story is a great read, well priced but perhaps too many "fade to black" scenes for this reader. ;-)
I've bought the sequel.
I've bought the sequel.
January 26, 2013
I liked the story line, had some issues trying to figure out if the words in the writing were right or not. Had to re-read a couple times to make sure I was getting part of the story correct. I am not one to edit someones writing in any way, I did not like english. But there were times I got a little lost and thought there should have been punctuation of sometime or other words used.
May 14, 2015
Very good book. Tough issues written well. The author did a good job of not glossing over the marriage or the stigma's.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews