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Desperate Times
Is it possible to be so much alike that you're completely incompatible?
Tess and Sidney have both committed the greatest online dating faux pas possible: uploading old pictures. When the two tough butches meet at a small town bar, they think they're getting the femmes of their dreams.
So begins the awkward - yet sordid - acquaintance of the only two lesbians in town. Local rancher Tess doesn't have time for women who aren't her type, and new-girl-in-town Sidney isn't interested in someone who only sees her as a piece of fresh meat.
Yet they keep bumping into each other... is it fate, or just small town karma?
A bad date turns into a one-night stand. A one-night stand turns into a casual relationship. A casual relationship becomes Sidney's greatest amusement, and Tess's biggest nightmare as she's slowly forced out of the closet in conservative River Rock.
Desperate times are afoot in the sleepy, gossipy hamlet of rural America. It's going to take more than nerves of steel to survive the isolationism and people with nothing better to do than ruin their neighbors' lives.
It's going to take a whole lotta introspection - and love.
(And no-holds-barred carnality. Let's be real.)
Tess and Sidney have both committed the greatest online dating faux pas possible: uploading old pictures. When the two tough butches meet at a small town bar, they think they're getting the femmes of their dreams.
So begins the awkward - yet sordid - acquaintance of the only two lesbians in town. Local rancher Tess doesn't have time for women who aren't her type, and new-girl-in-town Sidney isn't interested in someone who only sees her as a piece of fresh meat.
Yet they keep bumping into each other... is it fate, or just small town karma?
A bad date turns into a one-night stand. A one-night stand turns into a casual relationship. A casual relationship becomes Sidney's greatest amusement, and Tess's biggest nightmare as she's slowly forced out of the closet in conservative River Rock.
Desperate times are afoot in the sleepy, gossipy hamlet of rural America. It's going to take more than nerves of steel to survive the isolationism and people with nothing better to do than ruin their neighbors' lives.
It's going to take a whole lotta introspection - and love.
(And no-holds-barred carnality. Let's be real.)
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
70 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Hildred Billings
149 books318 followersHildred Billings is a Japanese and Religious Studies graduate who has spent her entire life knowing she would write for a living someday. She has lived in Japan multiple times in multiple locations, from the heights of the Japanese alps to the hectic Tokyo suburbs, with a life in Shikoku somewhere in there too.
Currently, Hildred lives in Oregon with her partner and two cats. When she's not commandeering the corner of the neighborhood coffee shop on hours on end (it's okay, she's on a first-name basis with the baristas) she's probably parked on the couch watching Bob's Burgers or screaming at a Zelda game. (Seriously, Link, why don't you move right?)
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Currently, Hildred lives in Oregon with her partner and two cats. When she's not commandeering the corner of the neighborhood coffee shop on hours on end (it's okay, she's on a first-name basis with the baristas) she's probably parked on the couch watching Bob's Burgers or screaming at a Zelda game. (Seriously, Link, why don't you move right?)
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/3rgEzLz
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3c7Lcf4
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3vPLpvd
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/3lDutn5
Twitter: @hildred
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 31, 2018
I can’t say that this was my favorite Billings, but it’s certainly the most lighthearted of her stories that I’ve ever read. It seemed so far out of the realm of Billings, in fact, that I forgot that I was reading one of her books for a long while.
This is the story of Sidney, who moves to small town USA, and Tess, a closeted butch who works and lives on her father’s ranch. They meet on a dating app using old pictures of themselves (both presenting as much more femme than either actually are in real life). My impression is that this was supposed to be set up to be much funnier than is typical for Billings. Admittedly, some parts had me giggling, but nothing was overtly funny. Tess was crass and Sidney was merely just a laidback person that I could see myself hanging out with (compared to Tess’s high strung nature, she came across as pretty down-to-earth).
I was not a fan of Tess at all. I can’t even say I’m a fan of hers at the end. She has a bad attitude and treated Sidney like crap for most of this book. If Sidney were actually one of my friends, I’d advise her to run away. Even when we’re in Tess’s perspective, her thoughts are rather vile and ignorant. My assumption is that she’s supposed to be, that’s just her character because of her limited world view, but intentional or not, it doesn’t make her likable.
‘Desperate Times’ doesn’t really feel like a romance as much as it does two people stuck in a small town (pop. less than 800) who settle for one another because they’re the only lesbians in town. Towards the end of the book, I think the reader is supposed to believe they chose one another, but nothing between these two ever felt romantic. They had a lot of sex (some hot sex), but they never became friends...at least, I never feel like I experienced them become friends.
This is the second book in a row that I’ve read that I think I would claim to have hate-fucking in it, though this is more like disgust-fucking and it just didn’t work quite as well. There was less passion (a necessary ingredient in hating-fucking), and more a need to have sex with the first lesbian Tess comes across (even though she isn’t attracted to her at all) because it’s been so long since she’s been with someone. This is not what I’d consider the setup for a promising future.
Billings is a really good writer, so I’ll always read her works, but this just wasn’t my cup of tea. I liked it alright and the storyline was unique from anything I’ve read before, but I wasn’t enthralled by it. It was just ok. I wouldn’t read it again and I don’t know anyone I’d personally recommend this to. I think this is kind of just one of those things someone is going to take a chance on or not...and either love or not. I took a chance on it, but didn’t love it so much. If someone reads this book and has a more positive take on these two, I’d love to read about it because I just didn’t understand Sidney and Tess as a couple at all...
2.5*, rounded up because it’s well written and when I compare it to books I’ve given 2*, it’s still better even though I didn’t love it.
This is the story of Sidney, who moves to small town USA, and Tess, a closeted butch who works and lives on her father’s ranch. They meet on a dating app using old pictures of themselves (both presenting as much more femme than either actually are in real life). My impression is that this was supposed to be set up to be much funnier than is typical for Billings. Admittedly, some parts had me giggling, but nothing was overtly funny. Tess was crass and Sidney was merely just a laidback person that I could see myself hanging out with (compared to Tess’s high strung nature, she came across as pretty down-to-earth).
I was not a fan of Tess at all. I can’t even say I’m a fan of hers at the end. She has a bad attitude and treated Sidney like crap for most of this book. If Sidney were actually one of my friends, I’d advise her to run away. Even when we’re in Tess’s perspective, her thoughts are rather vile and ignorant. My assumption is that she’s supposed to be, that’s just her character because of her limited world view, but intentional or not, it doesn’t make her likable.
‘Desperate Times’ doesn’t really feel like a romance as much as it does two people stuck in a small town (pop. less than 800) who settle for one another because they’re the only lesbians in town. Towards the end of the book, I think the reader is supposed to believe they chose one another, but nothing between these two ever felt romantic. They had a lot of sex (some hot sex), but they never became friends...at least, I never feel like I experienced them become friends.
This is the second book in a row that I’ve read that I think I would claim to have hate-fucking in it, though this is more like disgust-fucking and it just didn’t work quite as well. There was less passion (a necessary ingredient in hating-fucking), and more a need to have sex with the first lesbian Tess comes across (even though she isn’t attracted to her at all) because it’s been so long since she’s been with someone. This is not what I’d consider the setup for a promising future.
Billings is a really good writer, so I’ll always read her works, but this just wasn’t my cup of tea. I liked it alright and the storyline was unique from anything I’ve read before, but I wasn’t enthralled by it. It was just ok. I wouldn’t read it again and I don’t know anyone I’d personally recommend this to. I think this is kind of just one of those things someone is going to take a chance on or not...and either love or not. I took a chance on it, but didn’t love it so much. If someone reads this book and has a more positive take on these two, I’d love to read about it because I just didn’t understand Sidney and Tess as a couple at all...
2.5*, rounded up because it’s well written and when I compare it to books I’ve given 2*, it’s still better even though I didn’t love it.
September 6, 2019
The premise for this story is rather sad. Two lonely women in a tiny town, not another lesbian in sight. They’re both butch (Tess more than Sidney), attracted to very feminine women. Certainly not to each other. Yet they decide to give it a try. They’re both looking for companionship in the long run but first and foremost for sex. So that’s how it begins. They’re also both really sweet (though Tess hides it well) and interesting and unexpectedly grow on each other. It’s an unusual love story but it’s a love story all the same.
Desperate Times is one of these books that come to life in audio. I gave it three stars when I read it but the audiobook version gets four stars. The narration by Marie Smith brings a new dimension to the characters. Tess’s complexities come out in a much clearer way in the audiobook, I think. I had a hard time liking her when I first read Desperate Times but felt I understood her better when I heard her. Things were much easier with Sidney both times, she’s much more laidback and easier to get, if only because she’s not confronted to as many obstacles as Tess is and can therefore afford to see things in a simpler way.
If I had to summarize this story, or delineate its morale, I’d say it’s not only about not judging a book by its cover, it’s also about the unexpected treasures you can find when you go beyond appearances, however unwillingly. In the end, Tess and Sidney are perfect for each other, which they wouldn’t have guessed if they had not found themselves in what seemed to be an impossible situation. They were more or less forced together, for lack of anything (or anyone) better, but it might also have been fate. After all, how did Sidney come to live in such a tiny town when she could have moved anywhere? Fate, I say.
Desperate Times is one of these books that come to life in audio. I gave it three stars when I read it but the audiobook version gets four stars. The narration by Marie Smith brings a new dimension to the characters. Tess’s complexities come out in a much clearer way in the audiobook, I think. I had a hard time liking her when I first read Desperate Times but felt I understood her better when I heard her. Things were much easier with Sidney both times, she’s much more laidback and easier to get, if only because she’s not confronted to as many obstacles as Tess is and can therefore afford to see things in a simpler way.
If I had to summarize this story, or delineate its morale, I’d say it’s not only about not judging a book by its cover, it’s also about the unexpected treasures you can find when you go beyond appearances, however unwillingly. In the end, Tess and Sidney are perfect for each other, which they wouldn’t have guessed if they had not found themselves in what seemed to be an impossible situation. They were more or less forced together, for lack of anything (or anyone) better, but it might also have been fate. After all, how did Sidney come to live in such a tiny town when she could have moved anywhere? Fate, I say.
February 19, 2025
4.7 stars.
Wow, that was... So good.
Tess and Sidney are so much alike but at the same time really different. They fight a lot, which is pretty funny and kinda hot. I love how understanding Sidney is about Tess' insecurities. Most people would leave her but Sidney doesn't give up on her. Their dynamics are interesting and a bit confusing at times.
I loved this book, this is a re-read for me.
Wow, that was... So good.
Tess and Sidney are so much alike but at the same time really different. They fight a lot, which is pretty funny and kinda hot. I love how understanding Sidney is about Tess' insecurities. Most people would leave her but Sidney doesn't give up on her. Their dynamics are interesting and a bit confusing at times.
I loved this book, this is a re-read for me.
October 16, 2022
Butch for Butch Love
Neither Tess nor Sydney had realized how much they needed a partner who'd challenge them. They were both seeking a pretty femme who'd submit. Instead in a small town these two butches were it, take it or leave it. So they decided to try to put up with each other at least as friends with benefits.
Well, the sex is hot! The inner narratives hilarious and eye opening. The dialogue raw, saucy, rough, and sometimes downright rude and hurtful from Tess.
But Tess met her match with Sydney whose willingness to compromise along with the chutzpah to fight not just for herself but also for Tess to realize what could be kept the relationship from tumbling wholly over the edge of a clif while allowing it room to flourish.
Watching these two women fall in love inspite of the very real fears of losing everything while facing their own inner turmoil was a rewarding and satisfying experience. I highly recommend this book!
Neither Tess nor Sydney had realized how much they needed a partner who'd challenge them. They were both seeking a pretty femme who'd submit. Instead in a small town these two butches were it, take it or leave it. So they decided to try to put up with each other at least as friends with benefits.
Well, the sex is hot! The inner narratives hilarious and eye opening. The dialogue raw, saucy, rough, and sometimes downright rude and hurtful from Tess.
But Tess met her match with Sydney whose willingness to compromise along with the chutzpah to fight not just for herself but also for Tess to realize what could be kept the relationship from tumbling wholly over the edge of a clif while allowing it room to flourish.
Watching these two women fall in love inspite of the very real fears of losing everything while facing their own inner turmoil was a rewarding and satisfying experience. I highly recommend this book!
April 30, 2020
So how have I missed Hildred Billings all this time? This book had a ton of mentions in a reader group last week when someone asked for a butch/butch pairing recommendation. I'm sorry I'm two years late to the party! The story is fantastic (the only two lesbians in a tiny town find each other online, one a closted lifelong resident and the other a newcomer to town, enemies-to-lovers), the characters from the mains to the side characters are all perfection, the pacing is spot on, the descriptions/dialogue/inner monologues are hysterically funny, and the editing is spotless. This is the EXACT book I've needed lately, and excuse me, but I'm on my way to buy Hildred Billings's entire back catalog.
October 9, 2020
Tess is fucking annoying i hate her
August 28, 2025
Hands down one of the best books I have ever read. The character development was incredible. A major page turner!
April 12, 2020
Saddle up for a good read.
So, this was my first time reading a butch for butch title and though I wasn't quite expecting it, I really enjoyed it. The humor through sarcasm throughout was an added bonus. Living in a city where one has the pick of the litter, I can only imagine how desperate one might become moving to a small, country town where the pickings are just shy of non-existent. I will say, this helped to better understand the switch dynamic and how difficult it can be at times for two type A women to come together. I loved Sidney but I think Tess was my favorite because she evolved the most as she overcame some personal and very public struggles. All in all, I would definitely recommend this book.
So, this was my first time reading a butch for butch title and though I wasn't quite expecting it, I really enjoyed it. The humor through sarcasm throughout was an added bonus. Living in a city where one has the pick of the litter, I can only imagine how desperate one might become moving to a small, country town where the pickings are just shy of non-existent. I will say, this helped to better understand the switch dynamic and how difficult it can be at times for two type A women to come together. I loved Sidney but I think Tess was my favorite because she evolved the most as she overcame some personal and very public struggles. All in all, I would definitely recommend this book.
November 13, 2020
"Desperate Times" (2018, 2019) by Hildred Billings is a unique novel about Tess and Sidney, two butch lesbians who meet after posting deceptive photos online showing each as feminine. Due to the dearth of lesbian women in the small town, they decide to become reluctant FWBs. I found Tess to be too unlikable to really enjoy the story completely. Narrator Marie Smith needs to work on pronouncing two-syllable words with the letter T in the middle (certain, cotton, button, etc.). Still, recommended.
July 28, 2024
Fun premise...gotta love 2 butches figuring shit out. I really enjoyed the first couple chapters. Then the plot kind of stagnated...Tess did not grow at all as a character, to the point where I was confused by the lack of book left for things to be resolved. Also, I know rural people are known to be more conservative, but honestly it just made me a little sad to see the background cast of this book portrayed as uniform homophobes. I live and work in a rural area. It's not all like that. Overall, the middle to end of this book was not super enjoyable to me, which kind of sucks.
June 13, 2018
Whew!
I'd never read a book by Hildred Billings but decided to give Desperate Times a try. I liked the storyline about Tess and Sidney searching for a girlfriend via a dating app in rural USA and finding no other lesbians besides each other. Instead of opposites attracting this is a tale of two butches who've met their match outside and in the bedroom. Whew! The book also explores homophobia in small town America.
I'd never read a book by Hildred Billings but decided to give Desperate Times a try. I liked the storyline about Tess and Sidney searching for a girlfriend via a dating app in rural USA and finding no other lesbians besides each other. Instead of opposites attracting this is a tale of two butches who've met their match outside and in the bedroom. Whew! The book also explores homophobia in small town America.
July 7, 2018
Wow - waht an awesome story!
I love this story so much! First, characters are so well fleshed out. Second, motivations are really understandable.
What would make this perfect is a cover that had two Butch women on it. So often, the main couple is two femme or feminine women - and that's fine. But with such a rare couple of two Butch women, it would be awesome to see that on the cover.
I love this story so much! First, characters are so well fleshed out. Second, motivations are really understandable.
What would make this perfect is a cover that had two Butch women on it. So often, the main couple is two femme or feminine women - and that's fine. But with such a rare couple of two Butch women, it would be awesome to see that on the cover.
November 26, 2018
Real authentic story
Tess and Sidney’s relationship is true to the lifestyle of living in a small minded town. The problem of one out of the closet and one firmly entrenched in the closet is more real than a lot of people realize. Finding two people so alike that have such a rocky start was both fascinating and entertaining. Writing a cohesive story and actually a real plot to follow was exciting and an excellent job of keeping this reader wanting more.
Tess and Sidney’s relationship is true to the lifestyle of living in a small minded town. The problem of one out of the closet and one firmly entrenched in the closet is more real than a lot of people realize. Finding two people so alike that have such a rocky start was both fascinating and entertaining. Writing a cohesive story and actually a real plot to follow was exciting and an excellent job of keeping this reader wanting more.
April 28, 2020
Wow I am not sure what to feel with this narrative. Somehow if Tess of dubervilles is gay and in some small town. This is the story I can expect to happen.
Based on the title, it truly is desperate times. I have no idea why Tess and Sidney are together apart from survivalist qualities. This book is not so much a romantic one, Tess deals with deep seated closet/ and mild homophobia. Sidney deals with cultural shift.
Just speechless with this book
Based on the title, it truly is desperate times. I have no idea why Tess and Sidney are together apart from survivalist qualities. This book is not so much a romantic one, Tess deals with deep seated closet/ and mild homophobia. Sidney deals with cultural shift.
Just speechless with this book
May 19, 2021
Interesting
Being Butch myself I can fully understand the mess these 2 women find themselves in. I have found that the roles seem to be something we wrap around ourselves to feel like everyone else. These women found their HEA with someone so unlike what they thought they were looking for. A very small town with very small ideas on what’s right or wrong doesn’t help much. A well written book.
Being Butch myself I can fully understand the mess these 2 women find themselves in. I have found that the roles seem to be something we wrap around ourselves to feel like everyone else. These women found their HEA with someone so unlike what they thought they were looking for. A very small town with very small ideas on what’s right or wrong doesn’t help much. A well written book.
March 14, 2023
When I initially read the blurb and then some reviews I was hesitant to listen to this story. I freaking loved the story. These two women butt heads constantly, but I find it adorable. Tess can be frustrating but given where she lives it's understandable. Sidney doesn't mind switching it up if that's what it takes. Both women learn to compromise and see things from the other's perspective. I am so glad I picked up this audiobook. Hildred Billings is always making me open my eyes to new things.
August 11, 2019
Small Town Farmer Mets City Woman
Tess and Sidney have both submitted misleading pictures to a lesbian dating apt. They are both dykes and want a femme which neither of them are going to role play. Friends with being it is but in a small town staying undiscovered will be close to impossible. Erotic romance and marvelous performance. Recommend
Tess and Sidney have both submitted misleading pictures to a lesbian dating apt. They are both dykes and want a femme which neither of them are going to role play. Friends with being it is but in a small town staying undiscovered will be close to impossible. Erotic romance and marvelous performance. Recommend
July 17, 2024
Fate?
Tess and Sidney both join an online dating service. Both put their “best” profile pictures on the site. Meeting day comes and both get a huge surprise. The author takes us on a journey filled with twist and turns. Can judging a book by its cover lead to love or loneliness? Recommended read. With flirting and spice.
Tess and Sidney both join an online dating service. Both put their “best” profile pictures on the site. Meeting day comes and both get a huge surprise. The author takes us on a journey filled with twist and turns. Can judging a book by its cover lead to love or loneliness? Recommended read. With flirting and spice.
September 27, 2018
Great book!
A great story about finding love where one wouldn't expect to find it. Let alone with the last person they'd want it with. This book does a great job painting the picture of a small town and how small minded that town can be.
A great story about finding love where one wouldn't expect to find it. Let alone with the last person they'd want it with. This book does a great job painting the picture of a small town and how small minded that town can be.
July 4, 2019
🌈WHOLESOME FUN🌈
Plenty of sapphic love 💘. And still give more than that . I was greatly entertained with Sidney's riveting conversation 's with herself . They were so funny and at times intimately scintillating !😍
Plenty of sapphic love 💘. And still give more than that . I was greatly entertained with Sidney's riveting conversation 's with herself . They were so funny and at times intimately scintillating !😍
August 31, 2021
Great book
I really liked this book. I loved how they met and neither one was what the other one thought they were meeting but in then end they were exactly what they both wanted in a girlfriend.
I really liked this book. I loved how they met and neither one was what the other one thought they were meeting but in then end they were exactly what they both wanted in a girlfriend.
January 3, 2022
I wasn't sure I would like this book, it sounded a little too 'country' when I first started reading. However, I found the characters to be quite likable and then they really grew on me. It was a well written, fun book which I really enjoyed.
July 4, 2023
Great to see this dynamic
It’s rare to read about 2 butches with a HEA. Throw in one so firmly in the closet it’s painful and you know where it’s headed. Some steamy power dynamics as they jostle for who’s the top.
It’s rare to read about 2 butches with a HEA. Throw in one so firmly in the closet it’s painful and you know where it’s headed. Some steamy power dynamics as they jostle for who’s the top.
September 26, 2023
Butch/butch pairings are so rare so I am extremely grateful to the author for writing this book!
Does it have hot sex scenes? Yes!
Is it predictable? Yes. Does this detract from it being a fun, and light read? No!
Go on... give it a try.
Does it have hot sex scenes? Yes!
Is it predictable? Yes. Does this detract from it being a fun, and light read? No!
Go on... give it a try.
January 18, 2024
DNF'd at 33%. I think the premise had a lot of potential especially if it was a better growth story but after over 30% of Tess enforcing barbaric gender norms and shame spirals from hell, I gave up. This book screams early 2000's butch culture and not in a good way.
May 25, 2018
Whew!
Another hot and heavy romance from the queen of hot and heavy! Oh my lord, this book was good! Highly recommend reading this one!
Another hot and heavy romance from the queen of hot and heavy! Oh my lord, this book was good! Highly recommend reading this one!
December 2, 2018
Kiddy Up
Lovely story and it really described country living. As written in many ways; love comes from the most unexpected place.
Lovely story and it really described country living. As written in many ways; love comes from the most unexpected place.
June 4, 2021
It wasn't my favorite Billings writing but it has a nice butch/ butch feelings of falling in love with where you are.
January 25, 2022
Not a bad read
It was pretty good. A bit heavier on the smut than plot but it wasn't bad! I quite liked the dynamic of the two, though I wish Tess had become more open by the end.
It was pretty good. A bit heavier on the smut than plot but it wasn't bad! I quite liked the dynamic of the two, though I wish Tess had become more open by the end.
September 12, 2022
Love out of convenience
I enjoyed this story. Would love to read more about Tess and Sidney 5 or 6 years down the line getting married and family life on the Ranch.
I enjoyed this story. Would love to read more about Tess and Sidney 5 or 6 years down the line getting married and family life on the Ranch.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews