What do you think?
The Power to Choose
Lisa Owens has recently moved to the lakeside town of Winchester, Maine. When the situation at her new job becomes uncomfortable, she turns to Carrie Sawyer, owner of the local café, for support. Carrie grew up in Winchester and seems to know everything about everyone there.
Lisa soon discovers that her boss seems to have many secrets, and with Carrie’s help, begins to dig deeper into her boss’s activity. As the two women work together to expose a cover-up, their attraction to each other begins to grow.
But Carrie is certain that Lisa doesn’t feel that way about her—especially when Toni, the woman that Lisa had a major crush on back in college—enters the picture.
Genre: Romance
Lisa soon discovers that her boss seems to have many secrets, and with Carrie’s help, begins to dig deeper into her boss’s activity. As the two women work together to expose a cover-up, their attraction to each other begins to grow.
But Carrie is certain that Lisa doesn’t feel that way about her—especially when Toni, the woman that Lisa had a major crush on back in college—enters the picture.
Genre: Romance
- GenresLesbian
258 pages, Paperback
Published June 15, 2018
About the author
Sarah Libero
3 books2 followersSarah Libero was born and raised in Maine. She lived in Massachusetts for several years before returning to Maine where she currently works as a software developer. When not writing, she enjoys jogging with her Siberian Husky, kickboxing, and coaching the company softball team, which is steadily improving. She lives on a lake where she engages in kayaking and other water sports as she develops her characters into stories she hopes readers will find entertaining.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 5, 2018
3.25 Stars. This was a decent story that even had a little excitement. This is the second book Libero has written. I did think it was better than her debut book Consequences. The writing felt smoother and there was less “telling” though that is something Libero still has to work on a bit. But overall, I did see some growth in her writing. This is mostly a romance, but it has a little mystery to go along with it.
After losing her parents, Lisa decided to move to a small town in Maine. She loves her accounting job but it is starting to change for the worse. Lisa turns to one of her new friends Carrie, for help. The more time they spend together the more feelings become involved. Between the trouble from Lisa’s job and a blast from her past, will the two women ever have a chance at a relationship together?
The book had a decent storyline and enough conflict to keep me reading. While I liked the excitement the mystery lent to the story, I did find some of the clues a little easily presented. You would think such a big “conspiracy” would be hidden a little better. There were definitely some moments that I had to suspend disbelief a bit. However, like I mentioned above I did enjoy the little action excitement towards the later parts of the story.
While I found both character to be likeable, I felt my connection to them was pretty much on the surface level. For me personally I always crave a deeper connection with the character I read about. I did care what happened to them in this book, I just didn’t feel like I knew them like I wanted to.
I had similar problems with the romance. I felt like we were more told that the characters had feelings than being shown it. I was missing that really good chemistry. I wanted sparks and I didn’t feel them. I liked them as a potential couple, but again I needed more.
I think Libero improved her writing from her first book, but I hope she focuses more on her characters and chemistry in her next book. This book was entertaining in parts so that helped; I just needed to feel more connected.
An ARC was given to me by Bella, for a honest review.
After losing her parents, Lisa decided to move to a small town in Maine. She loves her accounting job but it is starting to change for the worse. Lisa turns to one of her new friends Carrie, for help. The more time they spend together the more feelings become involved. Between the trouble from Lisa’s job and a blast from her past, will the two women ever have a chance at a relationship together?
The book had a decent storyline and enough conflict to keep me reading. While I liked the excitement the mystery lent to the story, I did find some of the clues a little easily presented. You would think such a big “conspiracy” would be hidden a little better. There were definitely some moments that I had to suspend disbelief a bit. However, like I mentioned above I did enjoy the little action excitement towards the later parts of the story.
While I found both character to be likeable, I felt my connection to them was pretty much on the surface level. For me personally I always crave a deeper connection with the character I read about. I did care what happened to them in this book, I just didn’t feel like I knew them like I wanted to.
I had similar problems with the romance. I felt like we were more told that the characters had feelings than being shown it. I was missing that really good chemistry. I wanted sparks and I didn’t feel them. I liked them as a potential couple, but again I needed more.
I think Libero improved her writing from her first book, but I hope she focuses more on her characters and chemistry in her next book. This book was entertaining in parts so that helped; I just needed to feel more connected.
An ARC was given to me by Bella, for a honest review.
June 5, 2018
In her second novel Sarah Libero chose to walk a similar path as in her first novel. It is again a romance cum mystery/thriller, and she again has problems with some of the writing elements.
The dialogue often seems stilted, the narrative interesting but illogical and unconvincing in places. The setting is well described, and is one of the strengths of this story.
The main characters are likable, but their romance left me dissatisfied. I find no real chemistry between them. The author unfortunately overused the miscommunication trope, and that made the reading at times frustrating and repetitive. I had a feeling that the character of Toni (an alternative love interest of one of the protagonists) is used only as a plot device. The same goes for the villains (a bunch of men). They are quite one-dimensional.
Overall, I got a very similar reading experience as with the debut -- not a particularly memorable but still sufficiently enjoyable novel.
June 5, 2018
*A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.*
The dialogue often seems stilted, the narrative interesting but illogical and unconvincing in places. The setting is well described, and is one of the strengths of this story.
The main characters are likable, but their romance left me dissatisfied. I find no real chemistry between them. The author unfortunately overused the miscommunication trope, and that made the reading at times frustrating and repetitive. I had a feeling that the character of Toni (an alternative love interest of one of the protagonists) is used only as a plot device. The same goes for the villains (a bunch of men). They are quite one-dimensional.
Overall, I got a very similar reading experience as with the debut -- not a particularly memorable but still sufficiently enjoyable novel.
June 5, 2018
*A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.*
August 12, 2018
3.6
I actually enjoyed this more then I thought I would! First book of Libero that I've read.
I enjoyed the story line, don't under stand why Toni was brought into it, thought the whole relationship between Lisa and Toni was a bit 'over the top'' and made Lisa look like abit of a player, really don't think they were a need for her... more could have been written on Carries and Lisa growing relationship.
The story line was good, kept me engaged. You have the parents, a witty friend 'Rachel', you have a arsehole of a boss, a dog named Daisy and a corrupt copper in the story plot. All in all, it wasn't that bad of a read.
I actually enjoyed this more then I thought I would! First book of Libero that I've read.
I enjoyed the story line, don't under stand why Toni was brought into it, thought the whole relationship between Lisa and Toni was a bit 'over the top'' and made Lisa look like abit of a player, really don't think they were a need for her... more could have been written on Carries and Lisa growing relationship.
The story line was good, kept me engaged. You have the parents, a witty friend 'Rachel', you have a arsehole of a boss, a dog named Daisy and a corrupt copper in the story plot. All in all, it wasn't that bad of a read.
December 8, 2021
Oh ok, Carrie and her assupmtions leave her on the backfoot with her interaction with a new friend she finds herself attracted to, Lisa. Lisa has been leaving hints and not getting much bites figures that Carrie is just looking for friendship. Lisa starts having issues with her job, and turns to Carrie to help sort it out and they both work on trying to find a way to expose the boss.
Their attraction is put on halted when Lisa past flame enters the scene.
The journey these ladies choose to go on with strawberries, (yummy) kayaks (wet) jumping in the lake, meals at "their"table , all make a wonder telling of a beautiful story.
February 5, 2019
If ever you were looking for an example of a book that is all telling and no showing, this would be your ideal choice! On top of that narrative mess, there is also an absolutely ridiculous corporate sexual harassment cum small town political conspiracy subplot that is clunky, heavy-handed, and eye rolling. Rounding out the triumvirate of painful writing were the main characters who were bland and lacking of any chemistry.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews