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Chicago #3
Love Walked into The Lantern
Summer Taft is a twenty-seven-year-old billionaire, who founded a tech startup with her brother while she was still in college. As that company’s CEO, she feels stuck and underappreciated. She also has to take care of the company while her brother goes off exploring the world, leaving her holding the bag. The company recently opened an office in Chicago, where Summer has met some new friends. As Summer decides to uproot her life and make the move to Chicago, she meets Lena.
Lena Tanner has had no luck in her love life after divorcing her husband of several years before, after finally admitting to herself that she was gay. Lena had been exploring and having fun in the new life she’d made for herself. But now she’s ready to find the one and settle down. After a blind date gone wrong, she ends up at The Lantern where she spots her group of expanding friends and a newcomer.
Lena had never been brave in her personal life. And Summer has difficulty making decisions, small and large. The two women settle into a quick friendship that turns more flirtatious, but is either ready to dive right into something new that could be lasting?
Lena Tanner has had no luck in her love life after divorcing her husband of several years before, after finally admitting to herself that she was gay. Lena had been exploring and having fun in the new life she’d made for herself. But now she’s ready to find the one and settle down. After a blind date gone wrong, she ends up at The Lantern where she spots her group of expanding friends and a newcomer.
Lena had never been brave in her personal life. And Summer has difficulty making decisions, small and large. The two women settle into a quick friendship that turns more flirtatious, but is either ready to dive right into something new that could be lasting?
371 pages, ebook
First published July 6, 2018
148 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Pyland
79 books819 followersNicole Pyland is a bestselling author of lesbian romance novels, including No After You, All the Love Songs, and the series like Chicago, San Francisco, Tahoe, Sports, Boston, and more. Since 2017, she’s published over 30 novels (not including her What Happened After shorts), and more books are on their way!
Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a start-up. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.
Website: nicolepyland.com
Newsletter: nicolepyland.com/newsletter
Twitter: @nicole_pyland
Facebook: @nicolepylandauthor
Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a start-up. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.
Website: nicolepyland.com
Newsletter: nicolepyland.com/newsletter
Twitter: @nicole_pyland
Facebook: @nicolepylandauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
March 16, 2019
My favorite in the Chicago series! Loved every second of it :) I think this series is the best out there to be honest! The characters are amazing, the connections are so real and it’s so god damn entertaining!! P.s: it gets very hot too but that’s just a bonus point :)
July 25, 2018
I liked this book, so stay with me for a minute...
I had a harder time getting into this one than I have with previous Pyland books. There is an overabundance of information that isn’t really relevant to the story jam packed in the first few chapters. There are also a lot of characters within the first few pages that we’re bombarded with and it feels a bit crowded/overwhelming. I’m going to recommend reading these books in order, as each character from the previous 3 books are mentioned and/or present within the first chapter and there is absolutely no easing into it. You’re expected to know who they are (so that’s 7 total characters you have to be familiar with before even moving on to chapter 2). Even as someone that has read the full series, I felt a little overwhelmed, but that could just be me.
Once you make it through this initial bombardment, however, this really becomes the story of Lena and Summer. I found myself enjoying it quite quickly despite my initial reluctance. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get invested in these characters, but as I continued on I found myself happy to be reading about their development towards one another.
If Lena was a character in a previous book (this was written like I should have a clue who she is), I don’t remember her, but Summer was a tech billionaire that was introduced in book 3 through Charlie. After a disastrous blind date, Lena meets up with her friends for a drink and Summer happens to be in attendance. As the night carries on, the group of friends slowly disperse, eventually leaving Lena and Summer to get to know one another. They agree to be each others wing-woman, so that they can both support one another in their individual attempts to find a partner. Of course, they’re both immediately attracted to one another, but neither are willing to just come right out and say so.
So, the good…Pyland is really wonderful at creating likable characters and creating partnerships between two people who really seem to have a strong, viable connection. I felt the conversations started off a bit odd here, but maybe that’s just a reflection of that awkward first meeting because Pyland quickly finds her stride and Lena and Summer come together in a way that is really very sweet. There are minor communication issues scattered throughout, but nothing so extreme that it felt like miscommunication was a trope. Lena and Summer talk and quickly work through their issues. They are both actually self-aware, which is not something I’m accustomed to reading. This is written in 3rd person from both of their POVs, so while in their thoughts, at separate times, we experience them acknowledging their own bad behavior (one jumping to conclusions and pulling away, one being passive aggressive).
One thing that I think some may have an issue with is the insta-love type story between Lena and Summer. I was ok with it for some reason and perhaps that’s because they are both strong, independent, caring women who communicate. They do not jump into bed, they do not immediately profess their love for one another, . These two are sweet and I believed in their connection completely.
For any Pyland fans that expect her steam to be through the roof, I’m going to say that the same is true here. However, the steam does not come along until around the 80% mark. It took forever to get there, but it was certainly worth it because it lasts for pages, and pages, and pages...and pages once it finally happens.
I enjoyed this more than book two and zero, but not as much as book one. Pyland has another book coming out called ‘The Fire,’ and I will be reading it because overall I enjoy her writing style even if it isn’t perfect.
I had a harder time getting into this one than I have with previous Pyland books. There is an overabundance of information that isn’t really relevant to the story jam packed in the first few chapters. There are also a lot of characters within the first few pages that we’re bombarded with and it feels a bit crowded/overwhelming. I’m going to recommend reading these books in order, as each character from the previous 3 books are mentioned and/or present within the first chapter and there is absolutely no easing into it. You’re expected to know who they are (so that’s 7 total characters you have to be familiar with before even moving on to chapter 2). Even as someone that has read the full series, I felt a little overwhelmed, but that could just be me.
Once you make it through this initial bombardment, however, this really becomes the story of Lena and Summer. I found myself enjoying it quite quickly despite my initial reluctance. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get invested in these characters, but as I continued on I found myself happy to be reading about their development towards one another.
If Lena was a character in a previous book (this was written like I should have a clue who she is), I don’t remember her, but Summer was a tech billionaire that was introduced in book 3 through Charlie. After a disastrous blind date, Lena meets up with her friends for a drink and Summer happens to be in attendance. As the night carries on, the group of friends slowly disperse, eventually leaving Lena and Summer to get to know one another. They agree to be each others wing-woman, so that they can both support one another in their individual attempts to find a partner. Of course, they’re both immediately attracted to one another, but neither are willing to just come right out and say so.
So, the good…Pyland is really wonderful at creating likable characters and creating partnerships between two people who really seem to have a strong, viable connection. I felt the conversations started off a bit odd here, but maybe that’s just a reflection of that awkward first meeting because Pyland quickly finds her stride and Lena and Summer come together in a way that is really very sweet. There are minor communication issues scattered throughout, but nothing so extreme that it felt like miscommunication was a trope. Lena and Summer talk and quickly work through their issues. They are both actually self-aware, which is not something I’m accustomed to reading. This is written in 3rd person from both of their POVs, so while in their thoughts, at separate times, we experience them acknowledging their own bad behavior (one jumping to conclusions and pulling away, one being passive aggressive).
One thing that I think some may have an issue with is the insta-love type story between Lena and Summer. I was ok with it for some reason and perhaps that’s because they are both strong, independent, caring women who communicate. They do not jump into bed, they do not immediately profess their love for one another, . These two are sweet and I believed in their connection completely.
For any Pyland fans that expect her steam to be through the roof, I’m going to say that the same is true here. However, the steam does not come along until around the 80% mark. It took forever to get there, but it was certainly worth it because it lasts for pages, and pages, and pages...and pages once it finally happens.
I enjoyed this more than book two and zero, but not as much as book one. Pyland has another book coming out called ‘The Fire,’ and I will be reading it because overall I enjoy her writing style even if it isn’t perfect.
December 8, 2018
Sometimes life just gets in the way of being a bookworm. This took me a little longer than normal to finish but oh how I kept staring at my E-reader longingly whenever I had stop reading. This really is fantastic series. To be fair I still need to read books 0 and 5 but that will no doubt happen as Pyland keeps writing winners.
Vacatedboat wrote a great and detailed review already about this book so I'll keep my rant short. The first thing I need to mention is that you shouldn't wait too long after reading book 2 to read this 3rd book. You will be buried in the first few chapters under an avalanche of character names which can become very confusing. (I skimmed book 2 quickly before starting this, it helped.)
The other thing worth mentioning is that this is a great read for those looking for something relatively angst free. The story is overall sweet and has a high fluff factor. There are a few moments involving some characters that might cause some frustration as a reader but these moments pass pretty quickly.
Finally, this book is a strange mix of insta-love while at the same time being a bit of a slow burn. How is that possible? Well, it's what happens when your relationship is going full steam ahead but the universe and Verizon/AT&T decided to clam jam you over and over. If that explanation doesn't make sense, just read the book and all will be explained. Full 4* rating for this one.
Vacatedboat wrote a great and detailed review already about this book so I'll keep my rant short. The first thing I need to mention is that you shouldn't wait too long after reading book 2 to read this 3rd book. You will be buried in the first few chapters under an avalanche of character names which can become very confusing. (I skimmed book 2 quickly before starting this, it helped.)
The other thing worth mentioning is that this is a great read for those looking for something relatively angst free. The story is overall sweet and has a high fluff factor. There are a few moments involving some characters that might cause some frustration as a reader but these moments pass pretty quickly.
Finally, this book is a strange mix of insta-love while at the same time being a bit of a slow burn. How is that possible? Well, it's what happens when your relationship is going full steam ahead but the universe and Verizon/AT&T decided to clam jam you over and over. If that explanation doesn't make sense, just read the book and all will be explained. Full 4* rating for this one.
January 11, 2019
Summer Taft and Lena Tanner have a mutual group of friends and when they finally meet, they get on amazingly well.
This is an enjoyable really read with much less angst than the previous installment. In fact, there is very little angst. I loved that there was very little issue made of their age difference and also that Summer's wealth wasn't constantly discussed. Pyland is particularly good at excessively romantic endings and I'm not complaining because there are times when that is exactly how a book needs to end. A couple of detractors were that there were times when the book seemed unnecessarily long and Lena's ex-husband was mentioned far too often, especially before or after moments of intimacy. Perhaps if you haven't read book two this won't be such an irritant.
This is an enjoyable really read with much less angst than the previous installment. In fact, there is very little angst. I loved that there was very little issue made of their age difference and also that Summer's wealth wasn't constantly discussed. Pyland is particularly good at excessively romantic endings and I'm not complaining because there are times when that is exactly how a book needs to end. A couple of detractors were that there were times when the book seemed unnecessarily long and Lena's ex-husband was mentioned far too often, especially before or after moments of intimacy. Perhaps if you haven't read book two this won't be such an irritant.
August 14, 2020
Please note that there are uses of ableist language in the book.
This is the last full length novel of the Chicago series. I recommend starting from book zero Fresh Start and read every single one of them.
Summer Taft is twenty-seven, bi, an entrepreneur, and ridiculously rich. She is also unable to make up her mind about a lot of things. Having been sucked into the world of startups when she and her brother Seth founded a tech company years ago, Summer is still unsure of what she wants in life. Lena Tanner is thirty-six, divorced after finding out she is gay, and ready to settle down after two years of fun dating life. When the pair meets through mutual friends, they find themselves drawn to each other. With Summer on a house hunt, Lena offers her temporary lodging at her own place. Little does either of them know, Summer immediately falls in love with Lena's home, and maybe with the owner, too.
Though I didn’t feel as much chemistry between Summer and Lena than I did with the other three couples in this series, I love the pairing and I love both characters. They are financially balanced with possibly similar experiences in dating women. Before starting this one, I was afraid that Summer's indecisiveness will be lumped with biphobic comments from others, but I am glad it wasn't. However, Lena does continue to assume Summer will choose to be with men but I think it is more because of her insecurities and less about being biphobic.
This book takes place roughly two years after Just Tell Her . All couples in previous books are important characters in this one, and I love that the friend group is integral to the whole series. Because with this one technically being the fourth book in the series, we already got to know Alyssa, Hannah, Eva, Ember, Charlie, and Hailey over the last thousand pages, seeing them in this book is like reuniting with old friends.
I realized that Pyland’s books focus on characters rather than just their romantic relationships. Not every event is closely tied with the main couple as a whole, and we get to see the characters grow as individuals in addition to their budding romance. These types of books generally work better for me because I like getting to know the characters as people and not as characters defined solely by their relationship. It feels like having book friends instead of just reading a story.
Love Walked into The Lantern is another wonderful romance between two strong, career-driven women. It deals with familial problems, finding purpose, and lots of insecurities. I will revisit this very soon.
This is the last full length novel of the Chicago series. I recommend starting from book zero Fresh Start and read every single one of them.
Summer Taft is twenty-seven, bi, an entrepreneur, and ridiculously rich. She is also unable to make up her mind about a lot of things. Having been sucked into the world of startups when she and her brother Seth founded a tech company years ago, Summer is still unsure of what she wants in life. Lena Tanner is thirty-six, divorced after finding out she is gay, and ready to settle down after two years of fun dating life. When the pair meets through mutual friends, they find themselves drawn to each other. With Summer on a house hunt, Lena offers her temporary lodging at her own place. Little does either of them know, Summer immediately falls in love with Lena's home, and maybe with the owner, too.
Though I didn’t feel as much chemistry between Summer and Lena than I did with the other three couples in this series, I love the pairing and I love both characters. They are financially balanced with possibly similar experiences in dating women. Before starting this one, I was afraid that Summer's indecisiveness will be lumped with biphobic comments from others, but I am glad it wasn't. However, Lena does continue to assume Summer will choose to be with men but I think it is more because of her insecurities and less about being biphobic.
This book takes place roughly two years after Just Tell Her . All couples in previous books are important characters in this one, and I love that the friend group is integral to the whole series. Because with this one technically being the fourth book in the series, we already got to know Alyssa, Hannah, Eva, Ember, Charlie, and Hailey over the last thousand pages, seeing them in this book is like reuniting with old friends.
I realized that Pyland’s books focus on characters rather than just their romantic relationships. Not every event is closely tied with the main couple as a whole, and we get to see the characters grow as individuals in addition to their budding romance. These types of books generally work better for me because I like getting to know the characters as people and not as characters defined solely by their relationship. It feels like having book friends instead of just reading a story.
Love Walked into The Lantern is another wonderful romance between two strong, career-driven women. It deals with familial problems, finding purpose, and lots of insecurities. I will revisit this very soon.
July 17, 2018
I really like this series
I'm pretty sure I have said this before but I really this series and I really do hope it continues maybe with Van or even just with an update on the four couples. This one is about Lena and Summer. Their relationship is pretty quick in starting and honestly never slows down. There is no real drama and obstacles that the couple has to overcome but its sweet and sometimes sweet is what one needs. It's a good addition to the series and fans of the series should enjoy it. An easy 4.5 stars
I'm pretty sure I have said this before but I really this series and I really do hope it continues maybe with Van or even just with an update on the four couples. This one is about Lena and Summer. Their relationship is pretty quick in starting and honestly never slows down. There is no real drama and obstacles that the couple has to overcome but its sweet and sometimes sweet is what one needs. It's a good addition to the series and fans of the series should enjoy it. An easy 4.5 stars
March 14, 2019
3 stars.
One thing that really rubbed me the wrong way about this book and kinda ruined the whole experience was how one character considers a surprise more important than their partner's well being. They let them intentionally worry and assume things incorrectly for a WEEK because a romantic gesture is more important than the person herself. Is that even love? Or is it being in love with the idea of love? Because to me, it seemed that the person of interest came in second in a toxic way.
Otherwise, a solid romance story with well-developed characters, I just wish that didn't happen so I could give this 4+ stars.
One thing that really rubbed me the wrong way about this book and kinda ruined the whole experience was how one character considers a surprise more important than their partner's well being. They let them intentionally worry and assume things incorrectly for a WEEK because a romantic gesture is more important than the person herself. Is that even love? Or is it being in love with the idea of love? Because to me, it seemed that the person of interest came in second in a toxic way.
Otherwise, a solid romance story with well-developed characters, I just wish that didn't happen so I could give this 4+ stars.
May 7, 2019
It was a really sweet book, with nice characters.
April 26, 2022
4 stars
I quite liked it. Both MCs were nice, the romance made (mostly) sense and it was well written. It wasn't as good as the first one in the series but decent nevertheless
I quite liked it. Both MCs were nice, the romance made (mostly) sense and it was well written. It wasn't as good as the first one in the series but decent nevertheless
January 2, 2019
A stellar series which I've really enjoyed - easy to read as a stand alone but love the inter-play across the series with the characters. Looking forward to the 4th and last book. Thanks, Nicole.
July 5, 2018
I have seriously enjoyed Nicole Pyland's books. It is a breath of fresh air with all these other "ok" and "good" lesbian fiction/romance books. The Chicago series is a must-read. They follow a group of Sapphic women in Chicago. It is kind of like Melissa Brayden's Loft series where all the MC's of each book are all friends and connected in some way. I really loved her first book of the series, Fresh Start. It really hit me in a way very few F/F books do. All her books, honestly, have no slow or boring parts because her writing style is on-point for me that I don't care if her characters are just doing laundry and bantering for 400 pages!
Anyway, sorry off track! This particular novel was about Lena Tanner and Summer Taft. I absolutely adored this couple. They had so much palpable chemistry that it was believable, for me, when they were already professing certain words to each other. Lena is a newly out lesbian who is a kickass VP for O'Shea grocery stores, but she has no clue what to do when confronted with an attractive woman. This was showcased in the previous book, Just Tell Her, when she was a potential dating partner for one of the women in that book. She is known for not knowing how act or instigate things with women.
Her opposite, Summer Taft is a bisexual woman who is pretty famous for doing a technology start-up with her brother when she was 20. She is more out-going in the ladies department, but also very indecisive. So of course they are meant to be!
I enjoyed this so much. One of the many reasons why I love Pyland’s books is because she actually writes her romances so that we can see them be a couple instead of a whole novel’s worth of angst and will-they-won’t-they drama. They have so much affection and development between her characters that it feels real and organic. I love every kiss or make-out scene and every lazy-cuddly adorable scene. I would read her characters just going grocery shopping and being cute as fuck and be ecstatic.
Summer and Lena start out friends who hang out a few times and they both have a strong attraction towards the other but none of them wanting to admit to it quite yet. But then we get to see them be all cute and coupley. Nothing major really occurs, nothing devastating (thank glob). Summer’s father’s health and her job as a CEO of her and her brother’s company does get in the way of their new romance and they deal with the trials and tribulations of that.
As usual, the sex scenes were steamy and awesome.
Summer and Lena are just so adorable. The fluff is alive and well. Ok I am done. Sorry. The feels were sort of all over the place, but it was that good, friends.
Love Walked Into the Lantern will be available July 12.
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Anyway, sorry off track! This particular novel was about Lena Tanner and Summer Taft. I absolutely adored this couple. They had so much palpable chemistry that it was believable, for me, when they were already professing certain words to each other. Lena is a newly out lesbian who is a kickass VP for O'Shea grocery stores, but she has no clue what to do when confronted with an attractive woman. This was showcased in the previous book, Just Tell Her, when she was a potential dating partner for one of the women in that book. She is known for not knowing how act or instigate things with women.
Her opposite, Summer Taft is a bisexual woman who is pretty famous for doing a technology start-up with her brother when she was 20. She is more out-going in the ladies department, but also very indecisive. So of course they are meant to be!
I enjoyed this so much. One of the many reasons why I love Pyland’s books is because she actually writes her romances so that we can see them be a couple instead of a whole novel’s worth of angst and will-they-won’t-they drama. They have so much affection and development between her characters that it feels real and organic. I love every kiss or make-out scene and every lazy-cuddly adorable scene. I would read her characters just going grocery shopping and being cute as fuck and be ecstatic.
Summer and Lena start out friends who hang out a few times and they both have a strong attraction towards the other but none of them wanting to admit to it quite yet. But then we get to see them be all cute and coupley. Nothing major really occurs, nothing devastating (thank glob). Summer’s father’s health and her job as a CEO of her and her brother’s company does get in the way of their new romance and they deal with the trials and tribulations of that.
As usual, the sex scenes were steamy and awesome.
Summer and Lena are just so adorable. The fluff is alive and well. Ok I am done. Sorry. The feels were sort of all over the place, but it was that good, friends.
Love Walked Into the Lantern will be available July 12.
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
July 16, 2018
Slow burning love at first sight?
With book three of the Chicago Series (which is really the fourth book when you included "Fresh Start" , which is book zero) Nicole Pyland accomplishes a seemingly impossible feat: writing a "slow burn" romance and "love at first sight" romance simultaneously, about the same two characters, and she makes it work... Wonderfully! I expect there may be some naysayers decrying the "instalove" involved in a love at first sight story, but as someone who has experienced the phenomenon, and is still married to her nearly 30 years later, I don't have any issues with that. I loved both characters. I adored the way they were both connected to the "Chicago Series" group through Charlie. (When both characters were introduced in the previous volume in the series as potential love interests for Charlie, before her situation was resolved.) And I found the chemistry between Summer and Lena to be amazing! Highly recommended!
I received an ARC of this book.
With book three of the Chicago Series (which is really the fourth book when you included "Fresh Start" , which is book zero) Nicole Pyland accomplishes a seemingly impossible feat: writing a "slow burn" romance and "love at first sight" romance simultaneously, about the same two characters, and she makes it work... Wonderfully! I expect there may be some naysayers decrying the "instalove" involved in a love at first sight story, but as someone who has experienced the phenomenon, and is still married to her nearly 30 years later, I don't have any issues with that. I loved both characters. I adored the way they were both connected to the "Chicago Series" group through Charlie. (When both characters were introduced in the previous volume in the series as potential love interests for Charlie, before her situation was resolved.) And I found the chemistry between Summer and Lena to be amazing! Highly recommended!
I received an ARC of this book.
July 22, 2018
Gut Punch
I don’t know how she does it. Nicole Pyland has quickly become one of my favorite authors. This love happened very fast but at the same time like Summer’s Dad said, “ It hits you in the gut like a punch.” I loved these two together which is saying a lot because I did not really like them in the last book, but that was when I thought they were getting in the way of Hailey & Charlie. Anyway, another great story from Nicole and I’m already preordering her next book. Now if only I could get that punch to the gut.;)
I don’t know how she does it. Nicole Pyland has quickly become one of my favorite authors. This love happened very fast but at the same time like Summer’s Dad said, “ It hits you in the gut like a punch.” I loved these two together which is saying a lot because I did not really like them in the last book, but that was when I thought they were getting in the way of Hailey & Charlie. Anyway, another great story from Nicole and I’m already preordering her next book. Now if only I could get that punch to the gut.;)
April 17, 2019
If you thought that the lesbian u-haul cliches signals a slow burning relationship then get ready for this treat: this couple moves in together before their first date...🙄
It’s all very sweet. Nothing bad happens. Ever. Not sure now that anything really happens. The love story is instalove but still sweet. A fine way to spend an afternoon reading.
It’s all very sweet. Nothing bad happens. Ever. Not sure now that anything really happens. The love story is instalove but still sweet. A fine way to spend an afternoon reading.
April 23, 2025
I LOVE this book! I found it on my TBR shelves! Summer, at 27 is the CEO of her and her brothers'company. They have offices in San Francisco, Chicago and Detroit. She feels at home in Chicago and decides to move there. Her friend Hailey has a group of Lesbian friends she wants to introduce her to. The meet at The Lantern a bar with a lesbian patronage. One of Hailey's friends is Lena, a 37 year old VP of a grocery chain. When Summer first sees Lena she's instantly in love with her golden curls and blue eyes. Then Lena sees Summer and her heart flip flops.
This is a beautiful slow burn, but steamy love story. Both Summer and Lena are wonderful people, that you can't help but love. 5 stars!!
This is a beautiful slow burn, but steamy love story. Both Summer and Lena are wonderful people, that you can't help but love. 5 stars!!
September 10, 2020
I liked the easy going of the discovery between Summer and Lena. Very enjoyable.
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November 19, 2022Love Walked into The Lantern
I loved the last book of the series. Each book is abundant in chemistry and love. The friendships are strong. Nicole Pyland is very talented. I will come back to this series time and again.
I loved the last book of the series. Each book is abundant in chemistry and love. The friendships are strong. Nicole Pyland is very talented. I will come back to this series time and again.
July 13, 2018
Another entertaining book from Nicole Pyland, the third of her Chicago series, continues with characters who feel like friends and family. Pyland’s characters are well developed and her ability to weave a story draws you into their lives. She has a talent for creating a visual, not just of her characters, but of places, and scenes. For me, her characters come to life within the easy banter she develops between the cast of friends. She infuses the story with a balance of witty conversations and slow burning romance.
I also like the fact that the author includes women who exemplify the diversity within the Lesbian community. This is a fantastic read on its own, but as a part of the series, it is more enjoyable. . I hope that there are more stories to come in the Chicago series, as these women embark on new adventures in their lives.
I also like the fact that the author includes women who exemplify the diversity within the Lesbian community. This is a fantastic read on its own, but as a part of the series, it is more enjoyable. . I hope that there are more stories to come in the Chicago series, as these women embark on new adventures in their lives.
March 31, 2020
You wait so long to accept who you are and once you find out who and what that is you start letting yourself live. Lena was that person. She was married, but now divorced because she’s gay. After a few bad dates and a one night stand Lena was starting to feel like after all this time she wouldn’t find her person. Then she meets Summer Taft.
Summer Taft is a billionaire and a CEO of her and her brothers’ company. She’s looking for someone too in her life. She’s dated and hooked up but wants more. When Lena walks into bar and their eyes meet its kismet.
They won’t take long to realize they are made for each other.
Summer Taft is a billionaire and a CEO of her and her brothers’ company. She’s looking for someone too in her life. She’s dated and hooked up but wants more. When Lena walks into bar and their eyes meet its kismet.
They won’t take long to realize they are made for each other.
November 3, 2024
This was a lovely ending to the Chicago series. Unlike Just Tell Her, these were two people who met and fell in love at first sight. There's some trepidation there, because Lena, while a VP with a regional grocery chain, doesn't think that billionaire tech startup CEO Summer Taft could possibly be interested in her. But things do work out and overall it's a gentle love story with very few real bumps along the way.
But you absolutely read the rest of the Chicago series, including the intro book, because all of the characters from prior books will be making appearances throughout.
I do recommend this book and I enjoyed it greatly.
But you absolutely read the rest of the Chicago series, including the intro book, because all of the characters from prior books will be making appearances throughout.
I do recommend this book and I enjoyed it greatly.
July 16, 2018
Loved it
I love this series and enjoyed the continuation of the story of this group of friends. Once again Pyland wrote a sweet story with likeable new characters. I appreciate that this book didn't have too much angst or a drawn out conflict in it. At one point I thought a misunderstanding and a lack of communication was going to send this new relationship off the rails and I dreaded having to read through that stage of the story, but the conflict was quickly resolved through honest communication. I was so relieved!
I love this series and enjoyed the continuation of the story of this group of friends. Once again Pyland wrote a sweet story with likeable new characters. I appreciate that this book didn't have too much angst or a drawn out conflict in it. At one point I thought a misunderstanding and a lack of communication was going to send this new relationship off the rails and I dreaded having to read through that stage of the story, but the conflict was quickly resolved through honest communication. I was so relieved!
July 26, 2018
I started the Chicago series with Fresh Start, Hannah and Ali's story. I loved it. I was thrilled that the author continued the story lines with a circle of friends they made when they relocated to Chicago. I particularly enjoyed the last one, Love Walked into the Lantern. I didn't want it to end and I'm sorry the series ended. I look forward to this author's next book. I highly recommend them.
July 30, 2018
Another winner
This has been a fun series set in Chicago. I finished book two and rolled right into The Lantern eagerly. I really liked book two but, I loved loved book three. It's funny how Charlie played a role in Lena and Summers lives. Their epic chemistry that faced many obstacles was definitely worth the wait. Ill be thinking about this one long after the last page.
This has been a fun series set in Chicago. I finished book two and rolled right into The Lantern eagerly. I really liked book two but, I loved loved book three. It's funny how Charlie played a role in Lena and Summers lives. Their epic chemistry that faced many obstacles was definitely worth the wait. Ill be thinking about this one long after the last page.
January 25, 2019
This book, the third in the Chicago series is marvelous. The series gets better with each book. The characters are just marvelous and I really felt locked in the story so much I just couldn't put it down. I would definitely recommend this book and series. The author did an absolute blinder with this series.
September 8, 2021
best ever!
Love at first sight, the story of Lena and summer! that never fails you to fall in love again and again... from the chicago series this is my favorite! I hope there will be a full story of their wedding and after marriage! Like the continous story of charlie and hailey.
Love at first sight, the story of Lena and summer! that never fails you to fall in love again and again... from the chicago series this is my favorite! I hope there will be a full story of their wedding and after marriage! Like the continous story of charlie and hailey.
January 17, 2022
what a wonderful book
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Made me feel good. Loved the different supporting characters as well as Lena and Summer. It was easy to read and follow.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Made me feel good. Loved the different supporting characters as well as Lena and Summer. It was easy to read and follow.
June 11, 2022
“Everything’s different with Summer. I can’t explain it. She makes me feel more like the whole version of myself. It’s as if she makes me more confident in who I am or who I was meant to be.”
Heroine: 27 year old Summer Taft
Heroine: 36 year old Lena Tanner
Both women were brought into the fold by their connection to Charlie. Summer has accomplished a lot in the last 7 years but she has figured out that something is missing or at minimum her life needs more. Enter Lena. Lena has very little confidence in the romantic side of things. She hesitates to go after what she wants. Then there’s Summer. Both fall into things quickly, which oddly seems to work for this pairing. They push and pull. There’s some stuff towards the end that didn’t work for me. Seemed out of character to through in some unnecessary drama.
Cliffhanger – no (book #3 in series)
POV - Summer & Lena
Heroine: 27 year old Summer Taft
Heroine: 36 year old Lena Tanner
Both women were brought into the fold by their connection to Charlie. Summer has accomplished a lot in the last 7 years but she has figured out that something is missing or at minimum her life needs more. Enter Lena. Lena has very little confidence in the romantic side of things. She hesitates to go after what she wants. Then there’s Summer. Both fall into things quickly, which oddly seems to work for this pairing. They push and pull. There’s some stuff towards the end that didn’t work for me. Seemed out of character to through in some unnecessary drama.
Cliffhanger – no (book #3 in series)
POV - Summer & Lena
January 2, 2023
This was a nice read. It didn't quite hit top tier for me, but it was enjoyable. Lena and Summer were referenced in prior books, but i wasn't really familiar with them (I think they were mostly in book 2 which i hadn't read before i read this. I have read it since and hated it - not my kind of story). Anyway, there was some pretty good tension in the beginning of the book as our MCs get to know each other. They sorta got together quickly, but then again didn't as they weren't fully communicating and that was fun to read.
There were a couple of childish moments, but fortunately we had Lena acting like an actual adult. In fact the communications between the two was generally good so that was nice. There was copious amounts of interruptus in this book lol. Fortunately, it didn't detract but it did start to make me wonder in each high stakes scene what was going to be the interruption.
There were a couple of childish moments, but fortunately we had Lena acting like an actual adult. In fact the communications between the two was generally good so that was nice. There was copious amounts of interruptus in this book lol. Fortunately, it didn't detract but it did start to make me wonder in each high stakes scene what was going to be the interruption.
December 31, 2021
One of the things I do to help me remember to review the books I've read is I keep them around until I review them. So they stick in my Kindle or Audible or on my actual bookshelf until then. An unfortunate side effect is that some books have fallen into an unfortunate limbo that puts a very small amount of pressure on me that I mostly ignore.
Well, I need the space, if only emotionally, so I'm creating this little message and will put it on all the books as I clear them out. Most of these are dnfs that happened by me putting the book down and not having enough oomph to pick them back up again. One or two I actually finished but ran out of oomph to say anything useful about them.
I apologize for the placeholder review, but it's the best I can do. Or the least, at any rate...
Well, I need the space, if only emotionally, so I'm creating this little message and will put it on all the books as I clear them out. Most of these are dnfs that happened by me putting the book down and not having enough oomph to pick them back up again. One or two I actually finished but ran out of oomph to say anything useful about them.
I apologize for the placeholder review, but it's the best I can do. Or the least, at any rate...
July 22, 2019
A nice addition to the Chicago series. While there is plenty of romance many other things happen that might more accurately be referred to as building a long lasting relationship. There are a large number of secondary characters, including many from previous books. Most of these are well developed, though it is a little hard to keep track of who is who and how they are connected. Consequently there are times when the story seems more of a newsy update on the crew instead of a romance between the main characters. Overall a good read.
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