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Life Pushes You Along
The unchallenging and dull life of an assistant in a small London bookshop is where Zoe Achidi feels safe. Bored, but safe.
Frequent customer, Rebecca Clare, makes Zoe's days a little brighter. But the beautiful, and impressive businesswoman in her forties seems unobtainable.
Zoe's brother and her best friend are convinced that she is stuck in a rut. When they decide to meddle in Zoe's life, they manage to bring Zoe and Rebecca together. It soon becomes obvious that Rebecca is bored with her own uneventful life as well.
Unfortunately, their meetings seem to remain all business. As they find the bravery and resolve to allow life to push them along, the question soon becomes - will it push them together or apart?
Categories: Novella, Romance
Frequent customer, Rebecca Clare, makes Zoe's days a little brighter. But the beautiful, and impressive businesswoman in her forties seems unobtainable.
Zoe's brother and her best friend are convinced that she is stuck in a rut. When they decide to meddle in Zoe's life, they manage to bring Zoe and Rebecca together. It soon becomes obvious that Rebecca is bored with her own uneventful life as well.
Unfortunately, their meetings seem to remain all business. As they find the bravery and resolve to allow life to push them along, the question soon becomes - will it push them together or apart?
Categories: Novella, Romance
136 pages, ebook
First published May 12, 2017
48 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Emma Sterner-Radley
28 books170 followersEmma Sterner-Radley spent far too much time hopping from subject to subject at university, back in her native country of Sweden. One day, she finally emerged with a degree in Library and Information Science. She thought libraries was her thing, because she wanted to work with books, and being an author was just an impossible dream, right? Wrong. She's now a writer and a publisher. (But still a librarian at heart, too.)
She lives with her wife and two cats in England. There is no point in saying which city, as they move about once a year. She spends her free time writing, reading, daydreaming, working out, and watching whichever television show has the most lesbian subtext at the time.
Her tastes in most things usually lean towards the quirky and she loves genres like urban fantasy, magic realism, and steampunk.
Emma is also a hopeless sap for any small chubby creature with tiny legs, and can often be found making heart-eyes at things like guinea pigs, wombats, marmots, and human toddlers.
She lives with her wife and two cats in England. There is no point in saying which city, as they move about once a year. She spends her free time writing, reading, daydreaming, working out, and watching whichever television show has the most lesbian subtext at the time.
Her tastes in most things usually lean towards the quirky and she loves genres like urban fantasy, magic realism, and steampunk.
Emma is also a hopeless sap for any small chubby creature with tiny legs, and can often be found making heart-eyes at things like guinea pigs, wombats, marmots, and human toddlers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
December 28, 2017
I need to make one quick point at the outset before moving on to a review: I’ve had some ‘issues’ with most of the works I’ve read recently, the last, oh, 12 or 20 books/short stories, so I might have been overly impressed with this book and therefore overrated it – though not purposefully, but maybe nudged that way subconsciously. Or – I do not believe I’ve overrated this book, but there is a possibility that I might have.
Right, book.
This book alternates between three characters, though starts off mostly seeing things through the eyes of a young 26 year old named Zoe Achidi. After getting tossed out of her home when she was 17, by her very religious (Catholic) parents for ‘choosing’ to be a lesbian and therefore choosing to spite them and automatically going to hell, Zoe showed greater ability than many in her situation by getting a job and an apartment. Unfortunately she then fell into a rut – 7 or so years after getting that job at an independent bookstore, she still has that same job. And relationship-wise, she’s not had a girlfriend in years.
Somewhat shocking me, after a long large number of chapters that followed Zoe’s thoughts, ideas, and actions, suddenly the book turned to a new point of view. No no, that wasn’t the shocking part – I’ve seen that type of thing before (long periods with one character before switching). No it was who the book switched to when it finally switched point of views. Most romance books, and this is a romance book, tends to stick to solo pov, or couple point of view (as in, the two people who will become a couple get a point of view – one of the reasons I really disliked a recent Tessa Dare book was because a man suddenly got control of the POV and I groaned, for then I knew that the asshole was going to be the man in that book) – with, depending on genre, occasional snippets from others (like if mystery can have snippets from murderer/murder victim, etc.; or romantic suspense could have POV from the ‘evil fucker’). So when this book next turned to Helen to take control of the POV I was, as noted, shocked. For Helen, you see, had previously been introduced as Zoe’s best friend and Zoe’s brother’s long-term girlfriend. And nothing leading up to the POV change indicated any chance that Helen might be romantically interested in Zoe. So, as noted, shocked I was.
Of course Helen, which was rapidly confirmed, hadn’t taken over POV because she was romantically interested in Zoe. Helen took over because there were some scenes that needed to be seen that would be easier to be seen through either Helen or Jamie’s point of view (Jamie being Zoe’s brother). Why them? Because, as noted, Zoe has been in a long term rut, and the brother and best friend were determined to try to push her out of that rut. By personally introducing themselves to a stranger and asking for help from her – doing so to judge that strangers interest in Zoe. Unmentioned yet is the part wherein the stranger has already been seen by the reader in the book. As a reoccurring patron of the book store that Zoe works in – and the same patron who is lusted over by both Zoe and Darren (Zoe’s boss). That patron being Rebecca Clare.
Right, so, as far as Zoe, Jamie, and Helen know – Rebecca has something to do with recruitment (based on email address and other hints) so that was Helen and Jamie’s ‘in’ to visit Rebecca. By asking her if Rebecca could help Zoe find a better job.
Interesting dynamic in this book. Zoe and Rebecca seem, both on the surface and internally, like they’d make a quite good couple. Perfect? Eh, maybe maybe not. But possibly quite good. But neither would have gotten there without the help of this outside party – for Zoe has the self-confidence of a timid mouse, and Rebecca has the social skills of a . . . um . . cantaloupe. So neither could really tell the other was interested in them romantically.
So, right, sorry, Rebecca Clare is the third point of view in the book. She’s 40 and works in upper management at a recruitment firm, though not specifically directly with recruitment. *taps fingers* hmm, I’ve got nothing to add to this paragraph.
Going back to Jaime and Helen’s first visit with Rebecca – they did it by going directly to Rebecca’s work and asking to speak to Rebecca, dropping Zoe’s name as reference. I mention this, and go back to it, because this is the first time that I learned that: 1) Jaime is black; 2) presumably, as Jaime’s sister, Zoe is also black; 3) later Zoe’s skin color was confirmed. It came up here because Jaime was quite self-conscious about being in such a fancy place dressed like he was and being black (only to have Helen point out that one of the receptionists was also black).
So I only learned deep into the book that I was reading a person of color book. Oh, I later learned that the parents are: mother from Scotland, father from Cameroon (or the other way around). Presumably the parent from Scotland is white, while the one from Cameroon is black. Though that reminds me of when Charlize Theron won that Oscar in 2003 and an announcer loudly stated that she was an African American being that she is from South Africa – overlooking the part wherein she wasn’t American (though she’s a citizen of the USA now, since 2007). Point being that the parent from Cameroon could be among the 1% of the population who is ‘non-African’ (as that is worded on Wikipedia). Though being Catholic corresponds to the 40% of the population that is Catholic.
The demographics chart on Wikipedia is weird, but I think it is telling me that something around 0.7% of Scotland is black – so maybe the parent from Scotland is as well. Religious wise, 19% of the population is Catholic – which is a statistic that I had not known.
I got distracted by demographics and confused as to where I wished to go next. Mmphs.
Right, so, very enjoyable book – I rather liked the characters in this book, and while the book ended the way it did, I was satisfied with the somewhat casual ending (though not the part where it ended at something like 71% of the Kindle file; or before learning if ).
Sex: I, um . . . . quite frankly cannot recall if there was graphic sex in this book or not. I suspect that there wasn’t, though I know that sex occurred, just . . . not graphically.
Rating: 4.79
December 28 2017
Right, book.
This book alternates between three characters, though starts off mostly seeing things through the eyes of a young 26 year old named Zoe Achidi. After getting tossed out of her home when she was 17, by her very religious (Catholic) parents for ‘choosing’ to be a lesbian and therefore choosing to spite them and automatically going to hell, Zoe showed greater ability than many in her situation by getting a job and an apartment. Unfortunately she then fell into a rut – 7 or so years after getting that job at an independent bookstore, she still has that same job. And relationship-wise, she’s not had a girlfriend in years.
Somewhat shocking me, after a long large number of chapters that followed Zoe’s thoughts, ideas, and actions, suddenly the book turned to a new point of view. No no, that wasn’t the shocking part – I’ve seen that type of thing before (long periods with one character before switching). No it was who the book switched to when it finally switched point of views. Most romance books, and this is a romance book, tends to stick to solo pov, or couple point of view (as in, the two people who will become a couple get a point of view – one of the reasons I really disliked a recent Tessa Dare book was because a man suddenly got control of the POV and I groaned, for then I knew that the asshole was going to be the man in that book) – with, depending on genre, occasional snippets from others (like if mystery can have snippets from murderer/murder victim, etc.; or romantic suspense could have POV from the ‘evil fucker’). So when this book next turned to Helen to take control of the POV I was, as noted, shocked. For Helen, you see, had previously been introduced as Zoe’s best friend and Zoe’s brother’s long-term girlfriend. And nothing leading up to the POV change indicated any chance that Helen might be romantically interested in Zoe. So, as noted, shocked I was.
Of course Helen, which was rapidly confirmed, hadn’t taken over POV because she was romantically interested in Zoe. Helen took over because there were some scenes that needed to be seen that would be easier to be seen through either Helen or Jamie’s point of view (Jamie being Zoe’s brother). Why them? Because, as noted, Zoe has been in a long term rut, and the brother and best friend were determined to try to push her out of that rut. By personally introducing themselves to a stranger and asking for help from her – doing so to judge that strangers interest in Zoe. Unmentioned yet is the part wherein the stranger has already been seen by the reader in the book. As a reoccurring patron of the book store that Zoe works in – and the same patron who is lusted over by both Zoe and Darren (Zoe’s boss). That patron being Rebecca Clare.
Right, so, as far as Zoe, Jamie, and Helen know – Rebecca has something to do with recruitment (based on email address and other hints) so that was Helen and Jamie’s ‘in’ to visit Rebecca. By asking her if Rebecca could help Zoe find a better job.
Interesting dynamic in this book. Zoe and Rebecca seem, both on the surface and internally, like they’d make a quite good couple. Perfect? Eh, maybe maybe not. But possibly quite good. But neither would have gotten there without the help of this outside party – for Zoe has the self-confidence of a timid mouse, and Rebecca has the social skills of a . . . um . . cantaloupe. So neither could really tell the other was interested in them romantically.
So, right, sorry, Rebecca Clare is the third point of view in the book. She’s 40 and works in upper management at a recruitment firm, though not specifically directly with recruitment. *taps fingers* hmm, I’ve got nothing to add to this paragraph.
Going back to Jaime and Helen’s first visit with Rebecca – they did it by going directly to Rebecca’s work and asking to speak to Rebecca, dropping Zoe’s name as reference. I mention this, and go back to it, because this is the first time that I learned that: 1) Jaime is black; 2) presumably, as Jaime’s sister, Zoe is also black; 3) later Zoe’s skin color was confirmed. It came up here because Jaime was quite self-conscious about being in such a fancy place dressed like he was and being black (only to have Helen point out that one of the receptionists was also black).
So I only learned deep into the book that I was reading a person of color book. Oh, I later learned that the parents are: mother from Scotland, father from Cameroon (or the other way around). Presumably the parent from Scotland is white, while the one from Cameroon is black. Though that reminds me of when Charlize Theron won that Oscar in 2003 and an announcer loudly stated that she was an African American being that she is from South Africa – overlooking the part wherein she wasn’t American (though she’s a citizen of the USA now, since 2007). Point being that the parent from Cameroon could be among the 1% of the population who is ‘non-African’ (as that is worded on Wikipedia). Though being Catholic corresponds to the 40% of the population that is Catholic.
The demographics chart on Wikipedia is weird, but I think it is telling me that something around 0.7% of Scotland is black – so maybe the parent from Scotland is as well. Religious wise, 19% of the population is Catholic – which is a statistic that I had not known.
I got distracted by demographics and confused as to where I wished to go next. Mmphs.
Right, so, very enjoyable book – I rather liked the characters in this book, and while the book ended the way it did, I was satisfied with the somewhat casual ending (though not the part where it ended at something like 71% of the Kindle file; or before learning if ).
Sex: I, um . . . . quite frankly cannot recall if there was graphic sex in this book or not. I suspect that there wasn’t, though I know that sex occurred, just . . . not graphically.
Rating: 4.79
December 28 2017
June 23, 2017
This is the debut novella by Emma Sterner-Radley. The premise of the book is that if people are stuck in their personal situations, "life pushes you along" in many different ways: it can be by chance, by self determination or by someone else's help. The latter is what happens to Zoe, a 26 year old bookstore employee who feels dissatisfied with her job and lack of love life. With a little help from her best friend, her brother and Rebecca, a sexy job hunter she's secretly attracted to, Zoe tries to change her life.
While it is positive that the book departs from the ubiquitous lesfic romance by presenting a mixed race relationship between two women with an age gap of 14 years, it falls short in delivering realistic situations and there is a good amount of telling but not showing.
The book is written mostly from Zoe's point of view with a few chapters of her best friend's and a couple of Rebecca's. The author clarifies the pov in each chapter title which I don't think it's necessary. Some parts of the dialogues (specially Rebecca's lines) seem to belong more to written speech and sound a bit unnatural or too long. Additionally, the relationship seems to evolve too fast in the last few chapters (with some degree of "insta love") compared to the slow pace at the beginning of the book.
Overall, an ok summer read. 2.5 stars rounded to 3.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
While it is positive that the book departs from the ubiquitous lesfic romance by presenting a mixed race relationship between two women with an age gap of 14 years, it falls short in delivering realistic situations and there is a good amount of telling but not showing.
The book is written mostly from Zoe's point of view with a few chapters of her best friend's and a couple of Rebecca's. The author clarifies the pov in each chapter title which I don't think it's necessary. Some parts of the dialogues (specially Rebecca's lines) seem to belong more to written speech and sound a bit unnatural or too long. Additionally, the relationship seems to evolve too fast in the last few chapters (with some degree of "insta love") compared to the slow pace at the beginning of the book.
Overall, an ok summer read. 2.5 stars rounded to 3.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2017
4 Stars!
A very pleasant well written read. A romance between an unlikely couple.
There is Zoe is a 26 yr old bookstore clerk is in a rut that she doesn’t know how to get out of. She is not happy at the store but feels she is unqualified for anything else. Rebecca, a regular customer, she is a successful 40yr old businesswoman. Zoe described her as beautiful, confident, calm, direct and a sense of power. In other words, out of her league. Rebecca maybe all those things, but in social situations- such as her attraction to Zoe she is just as anxious and insecure as Zoe.
Helen (Zoe’s BFF) to Zoe
“If you do nothing, if you settle and then just stay dormant, stay still... then life pushes you along. It might not be a nice push. It might be a shove or a kick up the arse, but life pushes you along."
A very pleasant well written read. A romance between an unlikely couple.
There is Zoe is a 26 yr old bookstore clerk is in a rut that she doesn’t know how to get out of. She is not happy at the store but feels she is unqualified for anything else. Rebecca, a regular customer, she is a successful 40yr old businesswoman. Zoe described her as beautiful, confident, calm, direct and a sense of power. In other words, out of her league. Rebecca maybe all those things, but in social situations- such as her attraction to Zoe she is just as anxious and insecure as Zoe.
Helen (Zoe’s BFF) to Zoe
“If you do nothing, if you settle and then just stay dormant, stay still... then life pushes you along. It might not be a nice push. It might be a shove or a kick up the arse, but life pushes you along."
September 2, 2017
This was an entertaining read that I read in one sitting and I really enjoyed it. It has the essence of being a cute novella.
Zoe is a low self-esteemed but likable character stuck in a rut while Rebecca is the older sophisticated woman she has a crush on. The chemistry built between the two was fun to watch and I found it to be believable. I also liked how the author pulled back the curtain on Rebecca to see some of her vulnerability.
All of the characters are well-drawn, the interactions are interesting, and the story has refreshing plot points I haven't read elsewhere.
This is an age gap romance (14 years) that gets the unique distinction of having the leads communicate. I love when that happens! And the diversity present is that Zoe is mixed race (black/white) and Rebecca is bisexual.
The only problem I really had with the book is that it felt a little rushed in the end. It definitely could've been a little longer but it's a minor gripe.
The setting is in a location on the outskirts of London (I think).
Fun read. 4.3 stars
Zoe is a low self-esteemed but likable character stuck in a rut while Rebecca is the older sophisticated woman she has a crush on. The chemistry built between the two was fun to watch and I found it to be believable. I also liked how the author pulled back the curtain on Rebecca to see some of her vulnerability.
All of the characters are well-drawn, the interactions are interesting, and the story has refreshing plot points I haven't read elsewhere.
This is an age gap romance (14 years) that gets the unique distinction of having the leads communicate. I love when that happens! And the diversity present is that Zoe is mixed race (black/white) and Rebecca is bisexual.
The only problem I really had with the book is that it felt a little rushed in the end. It definitely could've been a little longer but it's a minor gripe.
The setting is in a location on the outskirts of London (I think).
Fun read. 4.3 stars
March 17, 2020
The romance is between polished, posh and proper Rebecca and stuck in a rut Zoe. The book started off really good and then halfway through lost it's magic.
May 8, 2017
Life is funny sometimes. One day you’re totally fine and then the next you have that overwhelming blah feeling. You take a look around and start to wonder why am I stuck in this rut? Do you take a much need vacation, take up a new hobby or do you flip a switch and make a much-needed career change? That’s exactly what our main character, Zoe does. She takes a leap a faith and starts to change her life’s current trajectory. Will her gamble be worth it?
Zoe Achidi has not had an easy life. When she came out to her parents they abandoned her. Cast out of her childhood home as a teen, she has literally had to make it the hard way. Begging for a job, and working tirelessly to keep a roof over her head and food on the table. Her boss and owner of the neighborhood bookstore, is the ultimate slacker, using Zoe as his workhorse so he can phone it in but keep the benefits of her hard work. Most of us wouldn’t put up with what Zoe does, but how do you leave a job that saved you from the streets, even though you know you are capable of so much more. Rock meet hard place, right! The one highlight of her existence is an amazing brother, bestie and the super-hot client that visits her workplace.
Rebecca Clare is said hottie. Rebecca is a successful businesswoman. Over the course of time, Rebecca has taken notice of Zoe, but she’s the younger woman as out of her league. Funny, because Zoe thinks the exact same thing about Rebecca. Upon an unexpected meeting with Zoe’s brother, Rebecca agrees to help Zoe break out of her rut. She begins to assist Zoe, on improving her resume and searching for jobs with a better career path.
Rebecca and Zoe have a fantastic dynamic. These two have a magnetic pull to each other. Their heads war with the hearts, neither seeing how amazing they are but the other totally seeing it. Rebecca, at the age of 40, doesn’t see why a 26-year-old beauty would want anything to do with her other than a mentor. Zoe, cannot for the life of her, see why a successful professional would see anything in a lowly bookstore clerk. They click, they bring out the best in each other, and finally, the heart wins the battle and their heads get out of the way of love. A little help from the bestie and the brother help as well.
Overall this novella is well written, with excellent dialogues. Zoe and Rebecca are interesting and dynamic characters that jump right off the page. I can’t wait to see what Emma Sterner-Radley writes next. 4.25 stars
Zoe Achidi has not had an easy life. When she came out to her parents they abandoned her. Cast out of her childhood home as a teen, she has literally had to make it the hard way. Begging for a job, and working tirelessly to keep a roof over her head and food on the table. Her boss and owner of the neighborhood bookstore, is the ultimate slacker, using Zoe as his workhorse so he can phone it in but keep the benefits of her hard work. Most of us wouldn’t put up with what Zoe does, but how do you leave a job that saved you from the streets, even though you know you are capable of so much more. Rock meet hard place, right! The one highlight of her existence is an amazing brother, bestie and the super-hot client that visits her workplace.
Rebecca Clare is said hottie. Rebecca is a successful businesswoman. Over the course of time, Rebecca has taken notice of Zoe, but she’s the younger woman as out of her league. Funny, because Zoe thinks the exact same thing about Rebecca. Upon an unexpected meeting with Zoe’s brother, Rebecca agrees to help Zoe break out of her rut. She begins to assist Zoe, on improving her resume and searching for jobs with a better career path.
Rebecca and Zoe have a fantastic dynamic. These two have a magnetic pull to each other. Their heads war with the hearts, neither seeing how amazing they are but the other totally seeing it. Rebecca, at the age of 40, doesn’t see why a 26-year-old beauty would want anything to do with her other than a mentor. Zoe, cannot for the life of her, see why a successful professional would see anything in a lowly bookstore clerk. They click, they bring out the best in each other, and finally, the heart wins the battle and their heads get out of the way of love. A little help from the bestie and the brother help as well.
Overall this novella is well written, with excellent dialogues. Zoe and Rebecca are interesting and dynamic characters that jump right off the page. I can’t wait to see what Emma Sterner-Radley writes next. 4.25 stars
August 27, 2017
Loved it. Not sure their story is done though. Just a feelin. Kind of an unconventional ending if I'm honest. Mmm. Age gap, bi, WoC, all well done. Hope to see more of them soon :) They're super sweet.
September 6, 2017
What a fantastic short story, I was hooked from the minute our main protagonists Zoe and Rebecca spoke to one another. I thought this was going to be a nice easy Lesbian short story and it was - but it also had a massive dollop of sexy in some of the scenes between Zoe and Rebecca.
What’s really interesting about this story is that its written from three different points of view. Firstly from Zoe and Rebecca’s point of view as per usual but Zoe’s best friend, Helen also gets her air-time and her time on the page is spent tying everything together nicely. I really enjoyed this concept because it gave an outsiders opinion on the romance but also added an extra pinch of levity in the novel.
First time I've read the word Pansexual in a book and it made me really happy to see authors bringing other sexualities to the table in Lesbian fiction. Well done Emma!
Great short and I can’t wait to read more from Emma Sterner-Radley. 5 stars.
What’s really interesting about this story is that its written from three different points of view. Firstly from Zoe and Rebecca’s point of view as per usual but Zoe’s best friend, Helen also gets her air-time and her time on the page is spent tying everything together nicely. I really enjoyed this concept because it gave an outsiders opinion on the romance but also added an extra pinch of levity in the novel.
First time I've read the word Pansexual in a book and it made me really happy to see authors bringing other sexualities to the table in Lesbian fiction. Well done Emma!
Great short and I can’t wait to read more from Emma Sterner-Radley. 5 stars.
January 23, 2022
A hidden gem of a story
Zoe is stuck in a rut and crushing on a woman she thinks she could never have. Little does she know Rebecca is not as put together as she seems. This is a wonderfully sweet slow-burn, age-gap romance.
Zoe is stuck in a rut and crushing on a woman she thinks she could never have. Little does she know Rebecca is not as put together as she seems. This is a wonderfully sweet slow-burn, age-gap romance.
November 5, 2018
Sweet Novella
This was a sweet and quick read. Zoe is a loveable bookshop employee stuck in a rut in her work and personal life. Thanks to her well meaning brother and her best friend, she gets the opportunity to connect with her secret crush, an older woman named Rebecca. Lovely romance with two well developed mains. Nicely done.
This was a sweet and quick read. Zoe is a loveable bookshop employee stuck in a rut in her work and personal life. Thanks to her well meaning brother and her best friend, she gets the opportunity to connect with her secret crush, an older woman named Rebecca. Lovely romance with two well developed mains. Nicely done.
August 25, 2017
Life Pushes You Along by Emma Sterner-Radley is the kind of touching story that will have readers reexamining their own lives.
April 13, 2022
Very nice little ice queen romance. Very little angst,
July 26, 2017
3.5
This is the first story I have read from this author and I liked enough. It was sweet and the writing was well done enough to keep me interested and engaged in the story. I did find it odd that POV was announced for each chapter when it was technically done in third person...even if the majority was from Zoe. I mean...it was easy enough to figure it out without any confusion. Regardless, the characters were good and though I was hoping for just a little more angst it was a good read. I do wish for more more depth...I don't know to get that but I would have liked it. I do agree with some reviews that things worked out just a little to perfectly but hey that's a romantic fiction for ya.
Overall, a decent read. I will give this author reads in the future...so an easy 3.5* for me.
This is the first story I have read from this author and I liked enough. It was sweet and the writing was well done enough to keep me interested and engaged in the story. I did find it odd that POV was announced for each chapter when it was technically done in third person...even if the majority was from Zoe. I mean...it was easy enough to figure it out without any confusion. Regardless, the characters were good and though I was hoping for just a little more angst it was a good read. I do wish for more more depth...I don't know to get that but I would have liked it. I do agree with some reviews that things worked out just a little to perfectly but hey that's a romantic fiction for ya.
Overall, a decent read. I will give this author reads in the future...so an easy 3.5* for me.
May 18, 2017
I am a tad conservative with my rating because I thought the story wasn't all that. See, I know the author from her fanfic and I know she can write imaginative, passionate and flowing stories. This is just not one of them. "Life Pushes You Along" was bloodless and uneventful due to a plot that had any wrinkles easily smoothed out by the brother and his gf (her best friend). I hope Emma Sterner-Radley finds her groove back with her next publication.
October 2, 2017
Detailed score: 3.5 rounded up because first time author
Nice enough story although the main character is a bit annoying.
Hope this isn't the last we hear from this author
Nice enough story although the main character is a bit annoying.
Hope this isn't the last we hear from this author
July 21, 2018
It was good until the end, very fast. It does not seem natural for them to love each other the second time they kiss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2017
Two thumbs up!
Zoe's job was not her dream job. No, this job bored her the entire time. A big consolation in her job was one regular customer, an elegant beautiful woman with stunning eyes. Unfortunately, she was also way out her league. Zoe's job, being single, being who she is, makes her life boring and she is sick of all this. Her friends think it's time for a change. A library was Zoe's chance of a change in her life but she knows that she will be too scared to grab this chance. It's obvious she needs help. Without Zoe knowing it, her friends do something about it and that is when life pushes Zoe along. This is my first book by this author and I liked it a lot. It was fun, has a good pace, a little or no drama and the characters are very likeable. I loved the struggle that comes with being secretly in love with someone and how the main characters get along together. It has all the elements of a good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend this book.
Zoe's job was not her dream job. No, this job bored her the entire time. A big consolation in her job was one regular customer, an elegant beautiful woman with stunning eyes. Unfortunately, she was also way out her league. Zoe's job, being single, being who she is, makes her life boring and she is sick of all this. Her friends think it's time for a change. A library was Zoe's chance of a change in her life but she knows that she will be too scared to grab this chance. It's obvious she needs help. Without Zoe knowing it, her friends do something about it and that is when life pushes Zoe along. This is my first book by this author and I liked it a lot. It was fun, has a good pace, a little or no drama and the characters are very likeable. I loved the struggle that comes with being secretly in love with someone and how the main characters get along together. It has all the elements of a good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend this book.
October 8, 2017
Really enjoyable read about two people with low self-esteem and a deep crush on each other. Can they make it in spite of their own misgivings? They each hope that they are reading the situation as attraction, but then they talk themselves into reading it as the most innocent possible.
April 28, 2017
Life Pushes You Along is a real treat. I was afraid that, like often with romance, this story would have been kitsch and filled with the over use rom-com trope. Nothing could be further away from the truth. Yes, it is a pure romance, no there is no mixed genre or sub-genre here. And quite frankly? It would be useless. The story of Zoe is interesting enough on it's own.
We follow Zoe, a young lesbian woman of color COMMA going through the motions of life. She works an uneventful job, rather dull and unmotivating, she keeps doing it, thinking it's all she's worth, all she can dream of, that she doesn't deserve better.
Her low self-esteem is also present in her absent love life. She refuses to even try, as everyone is out of her league -according to herself at least. In fact she is not even living, she is surfing on the tides of life.
Fortunately, her brother and his girlfriend - who happens to be Zoe's best friend- take the matter in their own hands and seek "professional" help to drag her out of the limbo that defines her current life.
They contact Rebecca, a customer at Zoe’s workplace, who is working for a recruitment company. Why? Because, when your life seems to stagnate, an adventure of job hunting with an enticing older woman is a good place to trigger a wave of well-needed change.
More than a simple romance, Life Pushes You Along is a story about self-worth, self-love, friendship and maybe finding someone to love.
That’s enough about the plot review, now the technical aspects. The writing style is captivating it take only a few pages to be immersed in the third person narrative.
The novella is rather short so the story does not drag, but that doesn’t mean that the pacing is rushed. Sterner-Radley takes the time needed for character development, without unnecessary subplots or chapter fillers. The book feel like a stand alone and doesn’t require a sequel, but if one was available ? I would read it an heartbeat.
A novella I would totally recommend.
We follow Zoe, a young lesbian woman of color COMMA going through the motions of life. She works an uneventful job, rather dull and unmotivating, she keeps doing it, thinking it's all she's worth, all she can dream of, that she doesn't deserve better.
Her low self-esteem is also present in her absent love life. She refuses to even try, as everyone is out of her league -according to herself at least. In fact she is not even living, she is surfing on the tides of life.
Fortunately, her brother and his girlfriend - who happens to be Zoe's best friend- take the matter in their own hands and seek "professional" help to drag her out of the limbo that defines her current life.
They contact Rebecca, a customer at Zoe’s workplace, who is working for a recruitment company. Why? Because, when your life seems to stagnate, an adventure of job hunting with an enticing older woman is a good place to trigger a wave of well-needed change.
More than a simple romance, Life Pushes You Along is a story about self-worth, self-love, friendship and maybe finding someone to love.
That’s enough about the plot review, now the technical aspects. The writing style is captivating it take only a few pages to be immersed in the third person narrative.
The novella is rather short so the story does not drag, but that doesn’t mean that the pacing is rushed. Sterner-Radley takes the time needed for character development, without unnecessary subplots or chapter fillers. The book feel like a stand alone and doesn’t require a sequel, but if one was available ? I would read it an heartbeat.
A novella I would totally recommend.
January 28, 2022
• Life pushes you along
• Author Emma Stemer-Radley Debut Novella
• MC Zoe Achidi Book store Clerk
• Rebecca Clare Business Woman
• Age-gap
Zoe is stuck in a rut. She has hung ups. She works at a bookstore.
Zoe is scared to venture out in the world, she is afraid of letting go to reach her full potential.
Along comes the support crew! Jamie, Zoe’s brother, they are very close. Helen, Zoe’s friend since age 6, Bossom Buddies for life.
The love interest! ❤️
• Rebecca is a business woman
• Rebecca is in her early 40 ‘s
• Rebecca is kind and helpful
• Rebecca sees Zoe’s potential.
Zoe talks to Jamie about the first time her and Rebecca spoke.
Jamie teams up with Helen to give Zoe the push she needs to get out of her comfort zone.
Rebecca helps Zoe look for a new job/fresh start.
There is a 14 year age gap between Rebecca and Zoe
• Zoe is 26 years old and a book store clerk
• Zoe is kicked out by her parents at 17
• Zoe is stuck in a rut
• Zoe lacks self confidence
Once Zoe and Rebecca get closer feelings start flying. All TYPE of feelings. The heat gets turned up!
Bow chicka bow wow! . In my opinion, they’re so cute, sweet and patient with each other.
Rebecca made herself very transparent and laid all her cards out on the table.
Her and Zoe wanted a long term successful, happy relationship. (Side note )
I really like the author shared some truth about family. Sometimes you have to walk away from your family, if they are toxic, not supportive and impacting your mental health.
I believe god will send you your own special family, who gives you what you need to thrive.
Zoe found her family with Rebecca,Jamie and Helen
A story about finding love and your own family
Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟💫
• Author Emma Stemer-Radley Debut Novella
• MC Zoe Achidi Book store Clerk
• Rebecca Clare Business Woman
• Age-gap
Zoe is stuck in a rut. She has hung ups. She works at a bookstore.
Zoe is scared to venture out in the world, she is afraid of letting go to reach her full potential.
Along comes the support crew! Jamie, Zoe’s brother, they are very close. Helen, Zoe’s friend since age 6, Bossom Buddies for life.
The love interest! ❤️
• Rebecca is a business woman
• Rebecca is in her early 40 ‘s
• Rebecca is kind and helpful
• Rebecca sees Zoe’s potential.
Zoe talks to Jamie about the first time her and Rebecca spoke.
Jamie teams up with Helen to give Zoe the push she needs to get out of her comfort zone.
Rebecca helps Zoe look for a new job/fresh start.
There is a 14 year age gap between Rebecca and Zoe
• Zoe is 26 years old and a book store clerk
• Zoe is kicked out by her parents at 17
• Zoe is stuck in a rut
• Zoe lacks self confidence
Once Zoe and Rebecca get closer feelings start flying. All TYPE of feelings. The heat gets turned up!
Bow chicka bow wow! . In my opinion, they’re so cute, sweet and patient with each other.
Rebecca made herself very transparent and laid all her cards out on the table.
Her and Zoe wanted a long term successful, happy relationship. (Side note )
I really like the author shared some truth about family. Sometimes you have to walk away from your family, if they are toxic, not supportive and impacting your mental health.
I believe god will send you your own special family, who gives you what you need to thrive.
Zoe found her family with Rebecca,Jamie and Helen
A story about finding love and your own family
Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟💫
April 28, 2017
This was a cute novella. I thought it had just the right amount of description and character development. Zoe and Rebecca both seemed realistic, especially when you think about any of their awkward moments or when their worried about what the other thinks. I would definitely recommend this and it would make a good quick, weekend read. Looking forward to any of Emma's future publications.
ARC received from publisher in exchange for honest review
ARC received from publisher in exchange for honest review
April 27, 2017
I loved the book! I read it the same day I got it and did not want to put it down.
Life Pushes You Along was a cute story about two women falling in love. Zoe is stuck in a rut and gets some much needed help from her brother, Jamie, and her best friend, Helen. Zoe works in a bookstore and has a crush on one of the regulars, Rebecca. Thanks for her brother and best friend Zoe is able to interact with Rebecca on more than just a professional level. The book explores the developing relationship between Zoe and Rebecca while also exploring Zoe's attempts to get out of her rut.
The book feels like a romantic comedy and the characters are all very relatable. The book had me hooked from the first chapter because of the hints of comedy. There were several points in the book that had me laughing out loud. The banter between the characters was so entertaining. I found myself identifying with Zoe because she, like me, is a woman of color and a woman loving woman. Zoe also has moments of awkwardness and self doubt which I loved because it made her more real. We are both around the same age and I felt myself identifying with a lot of Zoe's feelings which made me want things to work out for her even more. There were some changes in perspective which I found interesting because it let you see what was going on with the other characters. I especially enjoyed getting to see things through Rebecca's perspective.
The book left me with a smile on my face. I would definitely recommend the book.
Life Pushes You Along was a cute story about two women falling in love. Zoe is stuck in a rut and gets some much needed help from her brother, Jamie, and her best friend, Helen. Zoe works in a bookstore and has a crush on one of the regulars, Rebecca. Thanks for her brother and best friend Zoe is able to interact with Rebecca on more than just a professional level. The book explores the developing relationship between Zoe and Rebecca while also exploring Zoe's attempts to get out of her rut.
The book feels like a romantic comedy and the characters are all very relatable. The book had me hooked from the first chapter because of the hints of comedy. There were several points in the book that had me laughing out loud. The banter between the characters was so entertaining. I found myself identifying with Zoe because she, like me, is a woman of color and a woman loving woman. Zoe also has moments of awkwardness and self doubt which I loved because it made her more real. We are both around the same age and I felt myself identifying with a lot of Zoe's feelings which made me want things to work out for her even more. There were some changes in perspective which I found interesting because it let you see what was going on with the other characters. I especially enjoyed getting to see things through Rebecca's perspective.
The book left me with a smile on my face. I would definitely recommend the book.
December 5, 2017
Amazingly written, such a cute love story about two women who end up falling in love and dealing with life and the ups and downs that it brings, you feel for these characters, the book is so well described that you feel as you know the characters and feel what they are going through! Great job Emma, I can't wait to read more from you in the future!
June 18, 2017
Sweet story!
This was a very sweet story! I loved the way the characters were developed. Zoe and Rebecca were very endearing characters. The supporting characters were equally charming. Very well developed storyline.
This was a very sweet story! I loved the way the characters were developed. Zoe and Rebecca were very endearing characters. The supporting characters were equally charming. Very well developed storyline.
April 26, 2017
Life Pushes You Along is about a young woman, Zoe, who is seemingly stuck in a dead-end job, in a dead-end life, where nothing interesting ever happens... until her best friend and brother intervene.
This story reads like a romantic comedy, flows beautifully and is so enjoyable you wish it was a little longer. On the other hand, there's nothing extra and no filler bits. No need to wait for the action!
Like a good romcom, it also has its touching moments, but - no spoilers!
The main characters are not perfect, which was nice; at times the things they do are embarrassingly realistic.
Life Pushes You Along is definitely a feel-good book, something to return to. I finished it with a smile on my face and immediately recommended it to my friends.
This story reads like a romantic comedy, flows beautifully and is so enjoyable you wish it was a little longer. On the other hand, there's nothing extra and no filler bits. No need to wait for the action!
Like a good romcom, it also has its touching moments, but - no spoilers!
The main characters are not perfect, which was nice; at times the things they do are embarrassingly realistic.
Life Pushes You Along is definitely a feel-good book, something to return to. I finished it with a smile on my face and immediately recommended it to my friends.
June 6, 2017
I loved reading this. The characters are delightful and the writing has a bounce that carries you along, sweeping you up in the lives depicted here.
July 28, 2017
Loved it! Was sweet, nice slow build up, even for a short novella.
April 21, 2019
Perfectly fine novella, but nothing too special. Review to come!
May 12, 2017
Second review because the first one deleted I think!
I received a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to review on Amazon but it wouldn't let me. I'm sorry!
This wonderful story is focused on Zoe and her desire for what I would call a new direction in her life. With help from her brother, best friend and Rebecca (her crush) she starts looking for a new job and along the way she finds out that her crush reciprocates her feelings. Yay! Right?! They're super cute together and make a awesome couple.
I felt like it was a super slow-burn though. Way too slow burn for me personally but I stuck through it and found out that I didn't mind it as much as I thought I would.
I love all the characters you put into this story and I enjoyed every one of them. Well maybe except Darren. xD (Sorry, if that's spelt wrong)
When I read that Rebecca has red hair I immediately imagined Rebecca Mader. She would definitely make a good Rebecca for your story. Now it was mentioned Zoe had shoulder length curly hair but I pictured Samira Wiley for her. I don't know why but it was the first person my mind came up with.
It did have a few mistakes but it didn't bother me. I loved it anyways.
The only thing that bugged me was that most of the story was focused on Zoe finding a job but at the end there was never mention of her finding a job only that she was looking around Rebecca's area. I felt like that part dragged on without a mention of her getting a job.
It didn't bug me a whole lot but I thought I would mention it.
Overall, this story was enjoyable to read and it's one I'll definitely be reading again one day. You had a great storyline and I loved that a library and bookstore were included for scenes because I love reading and love books of course!
Five stars because everything was perfect! Well done on this book! Hope it's going to be a bestseller!
I received a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to review on Amazon but it wouldn't let me. I'm sorry!
This wonderful story is focused on Zoe and her desire for what I would call a new direction in her life. With help from her brother, best friend and Rebecca (her crush) she starts looking for a new job and along the way she finds out that her crush reciprocates her feelings. Yay! Right?! They're super cute together and make a awesome couple.
I felt like it was a super slow-burn though. Way too slow burn for me personally but I stuck through it and found out that I didn't mind it as much as I thought I would.
I love all the characters you put into this story and I enjoyed every one of them. Well maybe except Darren. xD (Sorry, if that's spelt wrong)
When I read that Rebecca has red hair I immediately imagined Rebecca Mader. She would definitely make a good Rebecca for your story. Now it was mentioned Zoe had shoulder length curly hair but I pictured Samira Wiley for her. I don't know why but it was the first person my mind came up with.
It did have a few mistakes but it didn't bother me. I loved it anyways.
The only thing that bugged me was that most of the story was focused on Zoe finding a job but at the end there was never mention of her finding a job only that she was looking around Rebecca's area. I felt like that part dragged on without a mention of her getting a job.
It didn't bug me a whole lot but I thought I would mention it.
Overall, this story was enjoyable to read and it's one I'll definitely be reading again one day. You had a great storyline and I loved that a library and bookstore were included for scenes because I love reading and love books of course!
Five stars because everything was perfect! Well done on this book! Hope it's going to be a bestseller!
July 18, 2017
Zoe is a 26 year old biracial lesbian living outside of London and stuck in a rut. She's been working at the same bookstore for 8 years and has no relationship and no other career prospects. Rebecca is a 40 year old white woman who has a career and is a regular customer at the bookstore.
For some time, Zoe has had a mad crush on Rebecca but has decided Rebecca is out of her league.
The book tells the story of how these two come together with the help of Zoe's brother and her best friend.
This is a relatively short romance novel that takes a while to get hold of you. Most of the first two-thirds are told from Zoe's perspective and she's painfully down on herself to the point where you have no idea what Rebecca or anyone else could see in her.
Once there is mutual recognition of what's happening and the POV switches to alternate between Zoe and Rebecca, the book picks up. I wish we'd been hearing from Rebecca all along.
For some time, Zoe has had a mad crush on Rebecca but has decided Rebecca is out of her league.
The book tells the story of how these two come together with the help of Zoe's brother and her best friend.
This is a relatively short romance novel that takes a while to get hold of you. Most of the first two-thirds are told from Zoe's perspective and she's painfully down on herself to the point where you have no idea what Rebecca or anyone else could see in her.
Once there is mutual recognition of what's happening and the POV switches to alternate between Zoe and Rebecca, the book picks up. I wish we'd been hearing from Rebecca all along.
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