Like a Book

by Bette Hawkins

Trish Carter has found the other side of an unsatisfying relationship and is now ready to embrace a new job and a new life. She isn't expecting to test the limits of her fresh start on her first day at work though. The striking young author, June Williams, grabs her attention from their first conversation and Trish can't seem to stay away from her.
When the two women form a pact to test the theories June is researching for her book, they quickly discover that romantic friendships are easier on paper. Their contract clearly stipulates which types of intimacy is allowed and which aren't. Holding hands is okay--but kissing certainly is not.
At first the deal seems perfect. They can be close to one another without risking too much. But what happens when they cross the line and the boundaries of the contract conflict with real life?

Editor: Lauren Humphries-Brooks
Cover Designer: Judith Fellows
Genre: Romance

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Friends To Lovers, Slow Burn

214 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2018

About the author

Bette Hawkins is a social worker who hails from Melbourne Australia. She lives with her long-term girlfriend and their very spoiled dog. In addition to writing, Bette’s favorite pastimes include playing the guitar, watching films, cooking, and reading.

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I had honestly forgotten how much I liked Hawkins debut book No More Pretending. I know it had some mixed reviews, but it really worked for me. I think this book was slightly better written, but the enjoyment factor was about the same. For whatever reason, the way Hawkins writes just clicks for me. I’m hopeful romance fans will enjoy this as much as I did.

This is an age-gap romance that takes place in Australia. You have 35 year-old Trish who is a librarian, and 26 year-old June who is a writer, teacher and bartender. When the two women first meet they have an immediate attraction. The problem is Trish doesn’t believe the younger woman, who holds many part time jobs, is really interested in a steady relationship. Can they spend time together without really risking their hearts?

As I mentioned already, I like how Hawkins writes. Even if I don’t like a characters choices or behaviors, I understand them. Trish is a complex character who makes decisions that drove me nuts at times. But instead of disliking her, I felt more compassion and understanding. June on the other hand is just pretty wonderful, and was a good balance for the character of Trish.

When it came to the romance I enjoyed it. I felt the two women had good chemistry and I absolutely believed in their connection. I would not call the sex scenes spicy, but they were intimate and you felt the characters deepening their connection by being together.

This is not a smooth sailing book. There is a good amount of angst. However, it is not overdone. While I found myself bothered and even tearing up a bit over the angsty issues, it wasn’t the kind of angst that gets me angry. It didn’t feel forced or just thrown in. It was a part of the books conflict and the characters needed to grow from it.

Two tiny things I still have to mention. One, I’m really glad there was no rushed “I love yous”. It seems they come quicker and quicker in books nowadays and it can lose some of its believability. The other plus was the book had a nice ending. It felt like a proper ending to give the story a satisfying conclusion.

I’m slowly but surely turning into a Hawkins fan. If she keeps writing like this I will be a happy camper. I would recommend this to romance fans who don’t mind some angst in their books. I will absolutely be reading what Hawkins writes next.

An ARC was given to me by Bella for a honest review.

[Pin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a Book is a solid contemporary romance set in Melbourne, Australia. The protagonists are librarian Trish (35) and writer/tutor/barmaid June (26). I liked the author's debut No More Pretending, and she even progressed in some respects in this second novel. The writing is again solid with good dialogue, but the conflicts between protagonists are done better. The main character June is really likable while Trish can be trying at times. There is some angst, some drama, some insecurities, and beneath all that quite a nice love story -- although sometimes frustrating, the chemistry between the protagonists worked. This was an easy, enjoyable read for me, and I am looking forward to more nice stories by the author.

3.5 stars rounded up
August 5, 2018
*A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.*

[Banchengy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely old fashioned romance for the 21st century, with a strong central idea at its core. I won't fully give away that idea here. But I will say that it's one that resonated with me as a kid growing up queer and constantly confused by the gray area of friendship/romance between me and close friends. The main topic could have been explored as a toaster oven type book (straight woman realizing she might be gay), but the writer chose to frame it as something more updated and challenging. To me, it made the relationship more interesting (despite how much I love toaster oven books).

I found the two leads - Trish and June - really empathetic. A large portion of the book is a close reading of Trish the librarian - recovering from a break up, stunted by her own insecurities, desperate to find her own footing but unsure of how to proceed. Emotionally, Trish is a hot mess who finds safety behind her own sense of logic. Throw in June, the easy going-ish and appealing love interest, and the library stacks (always a great setting for assignations) and you have the makings of a fun, angsty read. I won't say that every choice the characters make is rational but more irrational and petty miscommunications have happened IRL.

Btw, haven't read Bette Hawkins' first book. Probably will now.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detailed score: 3.25

It’s always a struggle when you want to shake your main lead - and do it was with this one. I really didn’t see what the other lead found so attractive about her that she was willing to persist through all the angst.

In addition one of my pet hates - tell not show romance / coming together in the last 10% of the book. So rushed and unsatisfying.

I feel like this author is on the verge of writing a satisfying, albeit transitional, romance but hasn’t quite made it yet.

Overall: it has some nice moments but would not recommend rushing out to buy this one .

Ps have to share a very specific point of irritation- book is set in Melbourne, my home town and one that prides itself on its coffee culture. At one point one of the characters picks up a coffee on their way to work from ‘one of the carts on flinders street station’. And all I could think about was ‘but why? That makes no sense! There are *so* many better places to get coffee near flinders st station— no self respecting melbournian would get station cart coffee unless they were super desperate!!!

[Kexx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh Bette - what were you thinking? Trish is such a disaster I hardly know were to start. And a wonderful woman falls for her?? Come on, get a Life!

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a Book is Bette Hawkins’s second book and it has a lot of good things going for it (especially June!). If you enjoy contemporary romances, especially those set in Australia, you should check this one out. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this author.

Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/like...

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could have been a 5 but for a little bit around 4/5ths of the way through..was minor anyway. Overall grabbed and held my attention.

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this wonderful book on my TBR shelves! It looks like I'm in the minority here! I love this book! An amazing age gap, opposites attract slow burn love story! Yes, Trish is a mess, but June makes up for her. Eventually, Trish works through herself and asks forgiveness. 5 stars!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a slightly rocky start I found myself completely enthralled by this.

[IndigoIris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one and I can honestly say I like it a lot but something about the writing felt stilted to me. Of course, it could be me but it didn't flow, I felt the effort of reading throughout.

Having said that... it was a great story. The premise of the story is two women exploring a "romantic friendship" and while at first glance I thought this would be a cliche'd theme, it was not at all. The story turned out to be much more interesting than I was expecting.

Something small was missing for me as I never really fell in love with either character but I would not dismiss this one. I think it's a solid story. It has all the right pieces: angst, internal stuff, a bit of drama, some fun and while at times frustrating, the romance worked.

A solid 3.5

[Alu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this book could have been better. It was a good concept, but the story felt a little shallow. There could have been more, but everything seemed a bit rushed.

I also couldn't sympathize with the characters. Trish was a bit too wishy washy for me. I never really felt for her how how she felt.

Overall I just feel like if there was more time taken with this story it would have been a lot better.

[Ulya]

At 34%

[Camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[wren4777 · Rating 2 out of 5]

For the first like, 90% of the book this is just Trish treating poor sweet June like dirt. And then she forgives her??? Why June why

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that if I'd read a preview chapter or two of this book I wouldn't have bought it… I was in a rush to buy some books the night before my flight, and since I like to order my e-books straight through Bella so that more money gets to the authors, it's always a pain in my butt and takes entirely too long. Anyway, I was in the rush and I didn't vet the book as well as I normally would.
It's okay, written well enough. Wasn't really into the story though, and found it tiresome after a while. I also disagreed with some of the librarian stuff, if I'm recalling correctly.