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A Way with Words: A Lesbian Romance
Evelyn Driscoll, famed novelist and professor at a small midwestern arts college, has been feeling lost. It's been over seven years since her hit book came out, her editor is clamoring for a new manuscript, and life in northern Ohio just doesn't compare to the literary world she once inhabited. Her love life feels like even more of a mess. Evie is really beginning to feel trapped.
When one of her graduate writing students, the beautiful and talented Meadow Sims, makes her adoration known, Evie feels the passion she once had for life and love all start coming back. Meadow is smart, sweet, and she has almost completed a novel of her own. But Evie and Meadow must thread the needle carefully, keeping their romance hidden from a jealous rival student and the university administration.
Can this love affair succeed despite the professional consequences? Will love win out over jealousy and prohibition? Blossoming love can be a catalyst for change, and accepting everything that change entails isn't always the easiest proposition. But it could be exactly what Evie needs.
When one of her graduate writing students, the beautiful and talented Meadow Sims, makes her adoration known, Evie feels the passion she once had for life and love all start coming back. Meadow is smart, sweet, and she has almost completed a novel of her own. But Evie and Meadow must thread the needle carefully, keeping their romance hidden from a jealous rival student and the university administration.
Can this love affair succeed despite the professional consequences? Will love win out over jealousy and prohibition? Blossoming love can be a catalyst for change, and accepting everything that change entails isn't always the easiest proposition. But it could be exactly what Evie needs.
- GenresLesbian
264 pages, Paperback
Published August 13, 2018
85 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 8, 2018
As a general rule I like Nic's books. I *completely* missed my guess on the % at the breakup point. This time by more than 20%. You'd think I'd be better at spotting it by now. Anyway, was ok. Age gap, prof/student, writers (that's sorta new), etc.
Meadow was a very likable MC. Although the POV is in Evie's perspective for the most part. Evie's all like, devil may care until it matters then, poof, there goes the backbone. lol. Once all that happened the whole thing lost steam with me. I mean the rest was fine, don't get me wrong. Just, IDK, muted.
Oh. For what it's worth. The usage of the endearment, "Dear." used by Evie (the older of the two) is so 1950's. It wasn't necessary to reinforce the age gap. So if you're reading this Nic, next time you do an age gap, drop that bit. This isn't written in the time frame of sock hops and The Fonz.
Meadow was a very likable MC. Although the POV is in Evie's perspective for the most part. Evie's all like, devil may care until it matters then, poof, there goes the backbone. lol. Once all that happened the whole thing lost steam with me. I mean the rest was fine, don't get me wrong. Just, IDK, muted.
Oh. For what it's worth. The usage of the endearment, "Dear." used by Evie (the older of the two) is so 1950's. It wasn't necessary to reinforce the age gap. So if you're reading this Nic, next time you do an age gap, drop that bit. This isn't written in the time frame of sock hops and The Fonz.
December 7, 2021
Two hearts fulfilled
“To your career as a writer,” said Evie. “May it be long and fruitful.”
A great line to give the story about how much life sometimes needs to a change to find prospective.
“To your career as a writer,” said Evie. “May it be long and fruitful.”
A great line to give the story about how much life sometimes needs to a change to find prospective.
February 9, 2018
Well in this Dane book she has a way with words that left me somewhat puzzled. The story was flat, had stilted dialogue , the timeline was uneven and I did not feel connected with either Evie or Meadow. Danes usual charm and sexiness was missing in this student/ professor romance. The story was like a pebble skipping across the water, touching but making very little splash and hardly a ripple in a lake.
It needed more details to their relationship and less on the drinking and smoking. Perhaps more of Meadows point of view would have added depth. I didn't get the whole nutty student stalker Sabrina storyline. I'm a fan of Danes, just not of this one. I received an ARC book.
It needed more details to their relationship and less on the drinking and smoking. Perhaps more of Meadows point of view would have added depth. I didn't get the whole nutty student stalker Sabrina storyline. I'm a fan of Danes, just not of this one. I received an ARC book.
March 13, 2018
I liked it.
Overall, this was a nice read, but I had a hard time really getting invested with the characters. By the end, I still wasn't. I just couldn't see or feel the passion in the characters nor the dialogue. It was a bit stagnant.
Overall, this was a nice read, but I had a hard time really getting invested with the characters. By the end, I still wasn't. I just couldn't see or feel the passion in the characters nor the dialogue. It was a bit stagnant.
August 8, 2018
Evie is a well-known writer. Her first book won a national award and she escaped the limelight for a safe job teaching graduate students in a writing program at a small college in Ohio. Six years into the job and up for tenure she meets Meadow, a new student in her writing workshop. A growing friendship and attraction evolves into a relationship and suspicions about the two are raised when a meddling student realizes what's going on.
This book was a mixed bag. I found Evie to be an interesting character who was well drawn by the author, although I spent most of the book not particularly liking her. She gets involved with a student and seems not to think that's a problem, even though she knows it could mean her job. Meadow, on the other hand, is a complete blank slate and I have no idea what Evie saw in her except that she's pretty and a good writer. But I didn't see the attraction or the chemistry. The best part of the book was about 2/3 of the way through when the two face the consequences of their actions and Meadow makes a difficult choice. But once that's resolved, it's smooth sailing til the HEA.
One thing to note: the author pads her KU book with lengthy blurbs about her other books, including a long passage from another. The actual book ends before you get to 90%
This book was a mixed bag. I found Evie to be an interesting character who was well drawn by the author, although I spent most of the book not particularly liking her. She gets involved with a student and seems not to think that's a problem, even though she knows it could mean her job. Meadow, on the other hand, is a complete blank slate and I have no idea what Evie saw in her except that she's pretty and a good writer. But I didn't see the attraction or the chemistry. The best part of the book was about 2/3 of the way through when the two face the consequences of their actions and Meadow makes a difficult choice. But once that's resolved, it's smooth sailing til the HEA.
One thing to note: the author pads her KU book with lengthy blurbs about her other books, including a long passage from another. The actual book ends before you get to 90%
April 29, 2019
Interesting…
“The hangovers were gone, and it was only affection that was left in their wake. It was a tender moment that both women felt simultaneously, forged in their throbbing hearts. The desire was real.”
“Deep down, Evie wanted to be with Meadow, and it was difficult to sit there and pretend like everything was going to be okay. But it was probably for the best. Meadow was young and pretty and vibrant and talented. She would recover.
Would Evie? She couldn’t be certain. But she would have to try.”
“With love they would surely flourish. With love nothing was insurmountable.”
+ • + • + • +
@
An entertaining, though questionable, story with some rather interesting characters. The issue is the problematic character attitudes of apathy & rejection of ethical behaviors & standards of conduct. If you can look past that then its at least a decently enjoyable & easy to read book— but definitely nowhere near the quality & level that's accustomed to with a Nicolette Dane book.
“The hangovers were gone, and it was only affection that was left in their wake. It was a tender moment that both women felt simultaneously, forged in their throbbing hearts. The desire was real.”
“Deep down, Evie wanted to be with Meadow, and it was difficult to sit there and pretend like everything was going to be okay. But it was probably for the best. Meadow was young and pretty and vibrant and talented. She would recover.
Would Evie? She couldn’t be certain. But she would have to try.”
“With love they would surely flourish. With love nothing was insurmountable.”
+ • + • + • +
@
An entertaining, though questionable, story with some rather interesting characters. The issue is the problematic character attitudes of apathy & rejection of ethical behaviors & standards of conduct. If you can look past that then its at least a decently enjoyable & easy to read book— but definitely nowhere near the quality & level that's accustomed to with a Nicolette Dane book.
May 16, 2020
It was, overall, not a bad book, and kind of enjoyable. However, it wasn’t really to my taste.
First, it is the epitome of insta-romance. Now, I know some people are fans of that, but I prefer a slow burn. I mean, the first time they meet, they already look like they’ve both fallen hard for the other. There’s no push and pull, and their relationship starts and develops unrealistically (then again, some might like that).
Second, we never really get to know the MCs much. We know a very minimal backstory from when they share it between themselves, but that’s it. Moreover, we don’t really get deep insights on their feelings or their thoughts, even though the narrator is omniscient. There’s also very little (if any) character development.
Overall, it wasn’t unpleasant, but I don’t think I’ll want to read it again, and it’s definitely not one of my favourites.
First, it is the epitome of insta-romance. Now, I know some people are fans of that, but I prefer a slow burn. I mean, the first time they meet, they already look like they’ve both fallen hard for the other. There’s no push and pull, and their relationship starts and develops unrealistically (then again, some might like that).
Second, we never really get to know the MCs much. We know a very minimal backstory from when they share it between themselves, but that’s it. Moreover, we don’t really get deep insights on their feelings or their thoughts, even though the narrator is omniscient. There’s also very little (if any) character development.
Overall, it wasn’t unpleasant, but I don’t think I’ll want to read it again, and it’s definitely not one of my favourites.
December 1, 2020
This was a 2.5 star book for me. I was able to finish it pretty quickly but it was not very good. The story is written in 3rd person perspective which sucks any emotion from the book.
On top of that NOTHING HAPPENS! They meet, they become friends, they date, they fall in love. Sure there’s that one annoying student who we all knew was gonna be a problem from the start but she just gives up all of a sudden when it becomes convenient for the plot. Neither of them seriously try’s to resist or puts much effort in concealing their relationship so it comes across as not a big deal and rather boring.
On top of that NOTHING HAPPENS! They meet, they become friends, they date, they fall in love. Sure there’s that one annoying student who we all knew was gonna be a problem from the start but she just gives up all of a sudden when it becomes convenient for the plot. Neither of them seriously try’s to resist or puts much effort in concealing their relationship so it comes across as not a big deal and rather boring.
February 1, 2018
Am I past my due date?
Evie, quickly gaining on her 40th, an acknowledged writer and Professor, leaves the hustle and bustle of New York for a slower pace and a year of teaching mature university grads about their writing. Melanie, an inspiring talent with an almost finished first manuscript, is intrigued by Evie, who is her favourite author, and has come to Westin specifically to learn from the master. Where could this desire for knowledge lead them, under the scrutiny of administration and others?
Evie, quickly gaining on her 40th, an acknowledged writer and Professor, leaves the hustle and bustle of New York for a slower pace and a year of teaching mature university grads about their writing. Melanie, an inspiring talent with an almost finished first manuscript, is intrigued by Evie, who is her favourite author, and has come to Westin specifically to learn from the master. Where could this desire for knowledge lead them, under the scrutiny of administration and others?
February 9, 2018
Excellent!
This is a very well written tale with well developed characters and an engrossing storyline. Finding love in a small college town while facing a rapidly approaching 40th birthday can be daunting. As a professor, falling for a student isn't allowed. Sometimes love hurts though. To find out how this conundrum turns out, be sure to add this book to your must-read list.
This is a very well written tale with well developed characters and an engrossing storyline. Finding love in a small college town while facing a rapidly approaching 40th birthday can be daunting. As a professor, falling for a student isn't allowed. Sometimes love hurts though. To find out how this conundrum turns out, be sure to add this book to your must-read list.
October 21, 2018
A Way with words
I loved this book. The character descriptions were great, I loved them falling in love. Evie had such patience, giving Meadow the space she needed to find her way back to Evie.
I loved this book. The character descriptions were great, I loved them falling in love. Evie had such patience, giving Meadow the space she needed to find her way back to Evie.
June 15, 2019
Enjoyable read
Even though the plot was predictable (Aren't all romances?), I enjoyed the story. I would have liked to have seen more of the antagonist. I thought she was swept aside too quickly, but that's just me.
Even though the plot was predictable (Aren't all romances?), I enjoyed the story. I would have liked to have seen more of the antagonist. I thought she was swept aside too quickly, but that's just me.
April 5, 2018
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Graciously written beautifully told. I Loved 💘.
Definitely looking forward to my next book from
Nicolette Dane.
Graciously written beautifully told. I Loved 💘.
Definitely looking forward to my next book from
Nicolette Dane.
April 18, 2019
Solid read
I enjoyed the characters and their situation. There are parallels between the characters and the books they are writing that make the novel more interesting.
I enjoyed the characters and their situation. There are parallels between the characters and the books they are writing that make the novel more interesting.
Read
February 9, 2021Another beauty
It has been quite a while since I had the great Dane on my lap, ok just one of her books and a chance to fall in love with them all over again...more please!
It has been quite a while since I had the great Dane on my lap, ok just one of her books and a chance to fall in love with them all over again...more please!
April 18, 2019
I like the story especially as it is an age gap story but this time wasn't very convincing. I couldn't read the passion, the flare to overcome all obstacles and difficulties to be in this relationship. Lovely story but not very deep for me. I really like all the books of Nicolette Dane but this one was missing something.
September 24, 2019
Good...
Love the characters.. The flow of the story was great as well.. Loved the big of humor as well. Good read
Love the characters.. The flow of the story was great as well.. Loved the big of humor as well. Good read
March 20, 2018
What do you do when your personal feelings invade your professional life? How do you reconcile the two? Dane challenges the readers' own conceptions of ethics, as well as bridging an age gap. Not only is Evie Driscoll a writer and professor, her grad student she finds herself attracted to is also much younger than she. Their relationship does not have much time to develop before another student interferes by informing the Dean of their affair. Evie had been struggling to write another book after her first highly successful novel, but seemed to have lost her passion for it. Her student, Meadow has passion and a finished novel, which seems to stir Evie's passion for both love and writing. I truly enjoyed the challenge that this book presented regarding my views on age, and professional ethics--and love.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews