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In Every Port
Jessica has it all. An expensive condo in the city of dreams, San Francisco. A high-powered, prestigious career as a management consultant that takes her all over the country... to passionate Roberta in Chicago, to delicious Marilyn in San Antonio... To all those cities and all those willing women Jessica has recorded in her well-used little black book.
Sex with these women doesn't really mean a thing, Jessica tells herself. It's all just good times. Because she is not really a lesbian. No, of course not. Her sexual adventures are merely keeping her occupied until she decides to settle down with a man.
Then she meets Cat, the alluring young hotel executive who lives across the hall from her new condo. What is Jessica to make of her chaotic feelings, her yearning—and yes, her deepening love—for the sensuous, captivating Cat, who offers entrancing friendship, but nothing more?
Originally published in 1989 by The Naiad Press.
Sex with these women doesn't really mean a thing, Jessica tells herself. It's all just good times. Because she is not really a lesbian. No, of course not. Her sexual adventures are merely keeping her occupied until she decides to settle down with a man.
Then she meets Cat, the alluring young hotel executive who lives across the hall from her new condo. What is Jessica to make of her chaotic feelings, her yearning—and yes, her deepening love—for the sensuous, captivating Cat, who offers entrancing friendship, but nothing more?
Originally published in 1989 by The Naiad Press.
ebook
First published December 1, 2003
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About the author
Karin Kallmaker
81 books707 followersKarin Kallmaker has been exclusively devoted to lesbian fiction since the publication of her first novel in 1989. As an author published by the storied Naiad Press, she worked with Barbara Grier and Donna McBride, and has been fortunate to be mentored by a number of editors, including Katherine V. Forrest.
In addition to multiple Lambda Literary Awards, she has been featured as a Stonewall Library and Archives Distinguished Author. Other accolades include the Ann Bannon Popular Choice and other awards for her writing, as well as the selection as a Trailblazer by the Golden Crown Literary Society. She is best known for novels such as Painted Moon, Simply the Best, Touchwood, The Kiss that Counted and Captain of Industry.
The California native is the mother of two and lives with her wife in the Bay Area. You can catch her blogs at Romance and Chocolate: https://kallmaker.com/blog/. Find her on social media by searching for "Kallmaker" - there's only one.
In addition to multiple Lambda Literary Awards, she has been featured as a Stonewall Library and Archives Distinguished Author. Other accolades include the Ann Bannon Popular Choice and other awards for her writing, as well as the selection as a Trailblazer by the Golden Crown Literary Society. She is best known for novels such as Painted Moon, Simply the Best, Touchwood, The Kiss that Counted and Captain of Industry.
The California native is the mother of two and lives with her wife in the Bay Area. You can catch her blogs at Romance and Chocolate: https://kallmaker.com/blog/. Find her on social media by searching for "Kallmaker" - there's only one.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 12, 2022
A journey for the heart that reaches your very soul.
This story is full of self-awareness as Jessica come to terms with her life, Cat bring a whole new meaning of love. Neighbors that become friends that become lovers. The twists that come with this story as it unfolds are full of such exploration of what love means. It is not lost on me how easy it is to compartmentalize the very deep connections in out life to fit other standards. Who we are takes so long to be seen even by ourselves, because the "world" has decided how we should live. This is just the hottest story of two women who finally know who they are and how they want to love. It was cherished gift to read. The story of Harvey Milk which had gone lost the way of most martyred will be brought to folks mind. Thank you Karin Kallmaker for this magnificent book. I loved every moment.
This story is full of self-awareness as Jessica come to terms with her life, Cat bring a whole new meaning of love. Neighbors that become friends that become lovers. The twists that come with this story as it unfolds are full of such exploration of what love means. It is not lost on me how easy it is to compartmentalize the very deep connections in out life to fit other standards. Who we are takes so long to be seen even by ourselves, because the "world" has decided how we should live. This is just the hottest story of two women who finally know who they are and how they want to love. It was cherished gift to read. The story of Harvey Milk which had gone lost the way of most martyred will be brought to folks mind. Thank you Karin Kallmaker for this magnificent book. I loved every moment.
July 29, 2025
My days of not leaving reviews is over (until I forget or get lazy)
This book had me giggling, crying, and yearning for more pages- yes, it took me a year to finish this BUT I wanted to give it the proper attention it deserved.
The writing style was unique to today’s standards and entertaining, especially Jessica’s internal dialogue.
Kallmaker does a great job of tying lgbtq+ politics of the time in SF into this short story. This was my first discovery of Harvey Milk, a gay politician and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. Slay.
“Here’s to homogeneity!”
This book had me giggling, crying, and yearning for more pages- yes, it took me a year to finish this BUT I wanted to give it the proper attention it deserved.
The writing style was unique to today’s standards and entertaining, especially Jessica’s internal dialogue.
Kallmaker does a great job of tying lgbtq+ politics of the time in SF into this short story. This was my first discovery of Harvey Milk, a gay politician and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. Slay.
“Here’s to homogeneity!”
August 16, 2012
It was a little funny, after having read a number of Kallmaker books as a teenager, to come back and read her First Novel.
I wasn't super fond of the conversations the MC had with "Herself"; they were occasionally witty, although for me they broke up the flow of narrative. I was amused with how the MC could sleep with so many women thinking it was just a temporary alternative to men, for while her career was her priority or whatever, without thinking "lesbian"--but it fits history, I suppose.
I'm glad it wasn't ALL about coming out--in that the MC had previously been sleeping with other women--but it had just enough to remind me that this was a lesbian's first novel and that it was written in the 70's. Loved the politics in it, with mentions of Milk and everything.
There was some hot stuff in there, too! Kallmaker is very poetic, although sometimes I would love less metaphor and vague direction and more direct smut. It's very flowery.
Fun story in the end, though. Wish it could be that way for more straight girl crushes! I liked this one, although I'm glad that Kallmaker kept writing and allowed her style/stories to evolve. (;
I wasn't super fond of the conversations the MC had with "Herself"; they were occasionally witty, although for me they broke up the flow of narrative. I was amused with how the MC could sleep with so many women thinking it was just a temporary alternative to men, for while her career was her priority or whatever, without thinking "lesbian"--but it fits history, I suppose.
I'm glad it wasn't ALL about coming out--in that the MC had previously been sleeping with other women--but it had just enough to remind me that this was a lesbian's first novel and that it was written in the 70's. Loved the politics in it, with mentions of Milk and everything.
There was some hot stuff in there, too! Kallmaker is very poetic, although sometimes I would love less metaphor and vague direction and more direct smut. It's very flowery.
Fun story in the end, though. Wish it could be that way for more straight girl crushes! I liked this one, although I'm glad that Kallmaker kept writing and allowed her style/stories to evolve. (;
March 15, 2023
Just a genuine, sweet, slice-of-life romance that made me physically laugh out loud multiple times. Jessica is the smartest idiot I know and she deserves the best.
January 29, 2013
I picked this up on a sale day so I don't feel bad about the money spent. It's just very dated - the feminist content and technology - and, I felt, overly dramatic. But I think this was her first book and I certainly have enjoyed several of her later offerings. She's one of the queens of the genre!
But I could have done without reading this one.
But I could have done without reading this one.
May 11, 2017
In Every Port The first thing you have to take into account is the publication year, 1989. It was a different world. You might find yourself doing eyerolls at a coming out/coming to terms with being a lesbian story, but then again, it's 2017, and yeah, it's different world. Though in some ways a product of the 80's, the story, as with just about everything Karin Kallmaker pens, transcends time locks. A lesbian who isn't a 'lesbian' and a straight girl who never knew. Today, pff, really, who dat? But writing in the 80's and setting the novel in the '70's, the story is ground breaking, and it is a true slice of life. Charcter. Character. Charcter. That is what Karin does best. Live, flawed, but ultimately real, In Every Port tells a fun little tale of coming to terms with who you are. Ultimately, in the GLBTQ community, we all go through it. What brings the emotional hammer home is the Epilogue, and incorporating the death of Harvey Milk into the reality of the fantasy. This is more than a light, sexy little lesbian romp. This is our history, and it is a history within a history; the setting and framework of the story mean something to the characters, and they mean something to us today. When I got to the author's note at the end on Harvey Milk being our generation's first martyr, that sucked tears out of places I'd forgotten existed. Read it. It's easy. It's fun. It's real. It's Karin's first published novel, and it rocks!
September 1, 2025
4 stars. I’m pretty sure this is Kallmaker’s first book and you can definitely tell. The writing isn’t bad at all but it’s not up to par that I’m used to from her. I digress, this was really good! Kallmaker is one of my favorites for a reason. I can pick up a book from her and just know that I’m going to have a good time and swoon. Cat and Jessica definitely had me swooning and I thought the plot was so different. Jessica is a lesbian who won’t admit it to herself even though she sleeps with a lot of women, Cat is straight. The friendship between them was lovely and I really liked the way their romance developed. They were great together and I also loved how all in Cat was once they got together. This was quick and while it at times definitely felt like a product of its time I did thoroughly enjoy it.
July 21, 2017
Excellent
If I could give this book 10 stars I would, this turned out to be a wonderful book. I consider Ms. Kallmaker a wonderful writer she delivers great stories with very well developed characters. The only thing I don't like very much about her books is the amount of information given on a certain subject sometimes the reading can get quite boring because of this, but on this book it wasn't the case. It was very interesting learning how things could be for women at that moment in time and the little references about Harvey Milk and his amazing influence and work done for the LGBT folks. I found myself quite fond of this book even though the main characters are fictional they were absolutely fantastic and the romantic portion was actually very sweet .
If I could give this book 10 stars I would, this turned out to be a wonderful book. I consider Ms. Kallmaker a wonderful writer she delivers great stories with very well developed characters. The only thing I don't like very much about her books is the amount of information given on a certain subject sometimes the reading can get quite boring because of this, but on this book it wasn't the case. It was very interesting learning how things could be for women at that moment in time and the little references about Harvey Milk and his amazing influence and work done for the LGBT folks. I found myself quite fond of this book even though the main characters are fictional they were absolutely fantastic and the romantic portion was actually very sweet .
October 30, 2017
Written in 1986, this is a book I wish I had had access to at the time. I could completely relate to the hesitance of stepping over the threshold into a woman's bookstore for the first time and the fear that then people would know. I really enjoyed the strength of the main character, Jess, and the quirky conversations she had with "Herself". The build-up of her relationship with Cat was well-paced as was her realisation of who she was. I loved bits and pieces of current affairs that were woven into the story.
May 26, 2020
This was an ok read. I got through it in a single sitting. It is an older publication, so it's a little dated, but the story is kind of sweet. It sort of reminded me a little of the old lesbian pulp fiction novels from the 50s - 70s. I know it was supposed to be serious, but I couldn't help but howl with laughter after a sex scene. They went from crying from the sweetness of it all to making tuna fish sandwiches. I'm not sure cunnilingus and tuna fish go together romantically. Still, for Kallmaker's first book and the date it was written and set, it was not a bad read.
September 18, 2021
This is my very first Karin Kallmaker novel, bought and read in 1993. It opened a new world for me, and I'm forever grateful!
April 10, 2022
Feminist history, very slow burn, funny toward the end. I appreciate a 1989 lesbian romance paperback!
March 2, 2024
Good
Nice read. Sometimes nice to find something easy to read
After having read Trust
Already read a few of her books.
Nice read. Sometimes nice to find something easy to read
After having read Trust
Already read a few of her books.
December 15, 2023
I really did not enjoy this book. The writing was all over the place and I found it hard to like any of the characters. I do appreciate what this book was for the time period it was written in. The concept of the story was interesting, I just didn't love the execution.
February 18, 2017
Reading other people's review...I am surprised my opinion differ. I loved this book perhaps my best so far by the author. It was eclectic....supplied my impressionable self some psychology, women studies, politics etc and certainly romance in an old school form. I certainly will go back and read this book a number of times in the future.
October 3, 2023
One word: Timeless.
Set in 1978 (and first published in 1989) this Lesbian Romance is a classic. I loved the conversations the main character Jessica has with Herself, I love the romance that blossoms and the way politics and coming-out and historical facts (the Briggs Inicetive and Harvey Milk) are still relevent to today's reader. For a first book this novel is well written and the characters/ setting gripping. Not to mention sexy.
I'd totally recommend it.
Set in 1978 (and first published in 1989) this Lesbian Romance is a classic. I loved the conversations the main character Jessica has with Herself, I love the romance that blossoms and the way politics and coming-out and historical facts (the Briggs Inicetive and Harvey Milk) are still relevent to today's reader. For a first book this novel is well written and the characters/ setting gripping. Not to mention sexy.
I'd totally recommend it.
July 4, 2014
Not my favorite Kallmaker. I had a hard time "feeling" for the characters. I don't know, maybe it's because I know nothing about the Harvey Milk era, but I like to think that it's something I liked about this book, it replaced me in a time I didn't know so I don't think it's that. I don't know. Guess it happens sometimes. Oh and something has to be done about scene breaks cause...there are none. In the same paragraph it changes the scene without warning. It threw me off for some time.
January 12, 2014
Quite good, and the first lesbian romance I'd ever read. Kind of falls into "everyone is gay" though, as almost every single character the lead runs into is homosexual, which is oddly distracting. Still, a good period piece and worth reading.
January 4, 2012
Great book! Fast read. Fun coming out/falling in love story. It was my first by this author. Looking forward to more!
January 25, 2012
An enjoyable read
May 23, 2012
Just lovely. Fun to read. And I loved the addition of Harvey Milk. The situation of women in the workplace in the 1970s seems so quaint now, but in many ways it is just as relevant today.
September 28, 2013
A Karin Kallmaker classic......
November 12, 2015
CAN not put in words how deeply this book touched me. Not only the love story, but the political side too.
More meaningful now that I've been to San Francisco and learned about Milk.
More meaningful now that I've been to San Francisco and learned about Milk.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews