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Not Since You
Charlotte Southwick always has a plan. Boarding her honeymoon cruise alone and decidedly unmarried wasn’t her intention. Neither was running into her high school love on board. Lexi looks so confident, and so hot, and so irresistible... How could she have let this woman get away?
Lexi Bronson hasn’t had a permanent address in almost a decade and couldn’t be happier. Life is good bartending for a luxury cruise line—open seas, warm beaches, beautiful women, and no unnecessary anchors—until the woman who broke her heart shows up on her ship, and all those dreams of forever come rushing back.
When passion flares, will the storm that rages shipwreck them both?
Lexi Bronson hasn’t had a permanent address in almost a decade and couldn’t be happier. Life is good bartending for a luxury cruise line—open seas, warm beaches, beautiful women, and no unnecessary anchors—until the woman who broke her heart shows up on her ship, and all those dreams of forever come rushing back.
When passion flares, will the storm that rages shipwreck them both?
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2019
42 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Riley
19 books344 followersFiona Riley was born and raised in New England where she is a medical professional and part-time professor when she isn’t bonding with her laptop over words. She went to college in Boston and never left, starting a small business that takes up all of her free time, much to the dismay of her ever patient and lovely wife. When she pulls herself away from her work, she likes to catch up on the contents of her ever-growing DVR or take a walk with her dog.
Fiona’s love for writing started at a young age and blossomed after she was published in a poetry competition at the ripe old age of twelve. She wrote lots of short stories and poetry for many years until it was time for college and a “real job.” Fiona found herself with a bachelor’s, a doctorate, and a day job, but felt like she had stopped nurturing the one relationship that had always made her feel the most complete: artist, dreamer, writer. A series of bizarre events afforded her with some unexpected extra time and she found herself reaching for her favorite blue notebook to write, never looking back.
Fiona’s love for writing started at a young age and blossomed after she was published in a poetry competition at the ripe old age of twelve. She wrote lots of short stories and poetry for many years until it was time for college and a “real job.” Fiona found herself with a bachelor’s, a doctorate, and a day job, but felt like she had stopped nurturing the one relationship that had always made her feel the most complete: artist, dreamer, writer. A series of bizarre events afforded her with some unexpected extra time and she found herself reaching for her favorite blue notebook to write, never looking back.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
November 10, 2019
I’m sorry to say that this was just an okay read. It wasn’t bad in anyway, it was a perfectly nice story, but it just didn’t really do anything for me. I like Riley as an author. I will always read her books, but this one was missing a character connection for me. I guess the best way to explain it is that I felt distance between myself and the characters. I love when you feel what a character is going through. When you smile because they are happy and when your heart aches because theirs is breaking, I love that strong character connection. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t there for me with this book. The characters were fine and nice, but they didn’t move me.
I found myself having trouble with this. I’m pretty late to read this and it is because I picked it up and put it down a few times. Again, I need to be clear that there is nothing wrong with this book, but like the characters, the plot wasn’t really going anywhere for me either. This has a beachy read feel, nothing very deep happened or anything that kept me turning the pages. I kept reading out of my respect for Riley more than my actually enjoyment of the book.
While she’s not Meghan O’Brien level, Riley writes excellent and hot sex scenes. I am happy to say that they were once again done well here. I wished I felt a little more chemistry between the characters so I would appreciate these steamy scenes even more, but good sex can only elevate a story so much.
I hate to give a blasé type review especially when it’s from an author I really like and respect but this book wasn’t really for me. I do think if you are a fan of Riley you will enjoy certain aspects of this. It was a nice story, it just wasn’t what I was hoping for. I will absolutely be reading Riley again because I know her next book will be a winner because she’s too good not to come back in a big way.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
I found myself having trouble with this. I’m pretty late to read this and it is because I picked it up and put it down a few times. Again, I need to be clear that there is nothing wrong with this book, but like the characters, the plot wasn’t really going anywhere for me either. This has a beachy read feel, nothing very deep happened or anything that kept me turning the pages. I kept reading out of my respect for Riley more than my actually enjoyment of the book.
While she’s not Meghan O’Brien level, Riley writes excellent and hot sex scenes. I am happy to say that they were once again done well here. I wished I felt a little more chemistry between the characters so I would appreciate these steamy scenes even more, but good sex can only elevate a story so much.
I hate to give a blasé type review especially when it’s from an author I really like and respect but this book wasn’t really for me. I do think if you are a fan of Riley you will enjoy certain aspects of this. It was a nice story, it just wasn’t what I was hoping for. I will absolutely be reading Riley again because I know her next book will be a winner because she’s too good not to come back in a big way.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
March 5, 2020
Most of the book is just the MCs flirting. While it was really enjoyable and sweet in the beginning, I had my fill of constant banter and tease halfway through and was ready for the book to move along. Except there was nothing to move along to. I would've liked a little angst or at least some discourse. It was all too lovey dovey and sweet.
October 7, 2019
Let me first start by saying that Fiona Riley needs to win an award for hot, steamy sex scenes :) I cant remember a lot of books that have this amount of sex scenes that are not repeated or expected..
The other thing i liked about the book is the setting.. It is basically set on a cruise ship with amazing islands, very nice drinks and food, perfect weather and fun parties.
The supporting characters were very good. I think they added a lot to the overall storyline. The MCs were very sexy! Now you have a book that has the perfect setting, very good supporting characters and sexy MCs, but but but.. my only issue is the book lacked something. I kept trying to figure out what it was and for me this was a very tricky rating and review because everything should've been perfect! The romance was supposed to be great because the writing style of the author is so good. All along i was trying to "feel or believe" their love but i just couldnt! and once i got this feeling, i just couldn't connect with them. I just thought their physical connection was far deeper than their emotional one which is ok i get it but it just didn't work out for me.
I also believe that this is more of an erotic read than a romantic one, which again is ok with me!
So i am going to recommend this book to the ladies that want a HOT and FUN read!
"I received an ARC for an honest review."
The other thing i liked about the book is the setting.. It is basically set on a cruise ship with amazing islands, very nice drinks and food, perfect weather and fun parties.
The supporting characters were very good. I think they added a lot to the overall storyline. The MCs were very sexy! Now you have a book that has the perfect setting, very good supporting characters and sexy MCs, but but but.. my only issue is the book lacked something. I kept trying to figure out what it was and for me this was a very tricky rating and review because everything should've been perfect! The romance was supposed to be great because the writing style of the author is so good. All along i was trying to "feel or believe" their love but i just couldnt! and once i got this feeling, i just couldn't connect with them. I just thought their physical connection was far deeper than their emotional one which is ok i get it but it just didn't work out for me.
I also believe that this is more of an erotic read than a romantic one, which again is ok with me!
So i am going to recommend this book to the ladies that want a HOT and FUN read!
"I received an ARC for an honest review."
December 23, 2019
« I’m gonna make this vacation my bitch. » Charlotte is determined to enjoy the cruise she’d planned on taking with her wife even though she’s now wifeless and still hurt after finding her fiancée in bed with another woman. The good news is, her ex-fiancée wasn’t the love of her life. And as fate would have it, Lexi, who is the love of her life, just happens to be working on the ship and has been assigned as Charlotte’s VIP attendant. They haven’t seen each other in ten years, not since Charlotte left Lexi to go study in Europe, a decision she has regretted ever since.
I have a thing for second chance romances. One of my favorite novels is Turn Back Time by Radclyffe. There’s something delightfully angsty about lost time and making up for it. There’s often (but not always) some sort of betrayal the characters have to overcome, and trust to establish anew. And the question of whether the chemistry is still there. Fiona Riley deals rather quickly yet efficiently with the first issue. As for the chemistry, it definitely still exists. The love Charlotte and Lexi shared as teenagers has obviously never faded, but before they even talk about that and maybe imagining a future together, there’s a lot of sex. I mean, a lot. Not right away, there’s plenty of tension and teasing first, since Lexi is not allowed to have any relationship with passengers. A rule they try to abide by for a couple of days… It might seem fast but it’s not really insta-lust since they already were in lust a decade ago. They simply get to act on it again. It makes sense. And the fact that it seems so obvious, so natural, so easy between them stems from that love they’ve always shared, even when they were apart.
I have to be honest here. I’m way more emotional at the moment than I usually am so I’m not entirely sure all the feelings I got came from the book itself. But it’s still a damn good story, with lovely characters (including the secondary characters), it’s well written and hot. So hot.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have a thing for second chance romances. One of my favorite novels is Turn Back Time by Radclyffe. There’s something delightfully angsty about lost time and making up for it. There’s often (but not always) some sort of betrayal the characters have to overcome, and trust to establish anew. And the question of whether the chemistry is still there. Fiona Riley deals rather quickly yet efficiently with the first issue. As for the chemistry, it definitely still exists. The love Charlotte and Lexi shared as teenagers has obviously never faded, but before they even talk about that and maybe imagining a future together, there’s a lot of sex. I mean, a lot. Not right away, there’s plenty of tension and teasing first, since Lexi is not allowed to have any relationship with passengers. A rule they try to abide by for a couple of days… It might seem fast but it’s not really insta-lust since they already were in lust a decade ago. They simply get to act on it again. It makes sense. And the fact that it seems so obvious, so natural, so easy between them stems from that love they’ve always shared, even when they were apart.
I have to be honest here. I’m way more emotional at the moment than I usually am so I’m not entirely sure all the feelings I got came from the book itself. But it’s still a damn good story, with lovely characters (including the secondary characters), it’s well written and hot. So hot.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 15, 2024
➥ 3.75 Stars *:･ﾟ✧
Pleasant and digestible, Not Since You is a solid summer read. I had been saving this one for the summer months and decided to fittingly pick it up while on a cruise, just like our protagonists Charlotte (h) and Lexi (h).
Charlotte has just gone through a nasty divorce, and Lexi happens to be working on the cruise. And they used to be highschool sweethearts.
A second-chance romance begins to form between them, and they have the chemistry for it. The plotline is lighthearted and yet has enough stakes to be entertaining. Cruises have so much going on that we see these women do so much together. Dance, flirt at the bar, get jealous...did I mention this was a lesbian cruise? Not a dull moment.
What Riley lacks in natural dialogue, she makes up for in chemistry, tension and romance. They dance around each other and when it's time for the payoff, it pays off.
However, I will say that it began to drag a bit toward the end with all the conflict. And, this one isn't as soft and romantic as some of Riley's other books. I have come to realise that although I will always have a good time with Riley's work, it is a bit of a roulette to see which work the best for me. Although this one was released not too long ago (2019) I'd say it's a bit weaker than her 2017 release, Unlikely Match.
The conflict (which is unfortunately typical of Riley), is very drawn out and dramatic, and the dread begins to weigh the book down, despite how I was initially flying through it. Eventually it does all work out, and I was pleasantly surprised with how darling the secondary characters were.
Overall a lovely book to calmly pass the time in the summer. I would recommend it to readers not too repelled by some cringey dialogue here and there, with an overall heartfelt storyline.
"Fuck this job." Lexi grunted as she gripped Charlotte's hips and rolled them against hers. "I'll get a new one."
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
Pleasant and digestible, Not Since You is a solid summer read. I had been saving this one for the summer months and decided to fittingly pick it up while on a cruise, just like our protagonists Charlotte (h) and Lexi (h).
Charlotte has just gone through a nasty divorce, and Lexi happens to be working on the cruise. And they used to be highschool sweethearts.
A second-chance romance begins to form between them, and they have the chemistry for it. The plotline is lighthearted and yet has enough stakes to be entertaining. Cruises have so much going on that we see these women do so much together. Dance, flirt at the bar, get jealous...did I mention this was a lesbian cruise? Not a dull moment.
"I wonder if you're still as sensitive as you used to be." She leaned in and kissed the skin next to Charlotte's mouth and asked, "Should we find out?"
What Riley lacks in natural dialogue, she makes up for in chemistry, tension and romance. They dance around each other and when it's time for the payoff, it pays off.
However, I will say that it began to drag a bit toward the end with all the conflict. And, this one isn't as soft and romantic as some of Riley's other books. I have come to realise that although I will always have a good time with Riley's work, it is a bit of a roulette to see which work the best for me. Although this one was released not too long ago (2019) I'd say it's a bit weaker than her 2017 release, Unlikely Match.
The conflict (which is unfortunately typical of Riley), is very drawn out and dramatic, and the dread begins to weigh the book down, despite how I was initially flying through it. Eventually it does all work out, and I was pleasantly surprised with how darling the secondary characters were.
Overall a lovely book to calmly pass the time in the summer. I would recommend it to readers not too repelled by some cringey dialogue here and there, with an overall heartfelt storyline.
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
November 6, 2019
Fiona Riley is normally like a warm blanket for me with a good dose of HUZZ-AH! Her stories are light but remarkably well thought out, and her intimate scenes count as some of my faves in lesfic. Her main characters are beautiful feminine and strong women, my faaaaves. However with "Not Since You," I felt something was off.
MC Charlotte took her honeymoon solo after walking in on her fiancee in bed with someone else (ouch, that particular trope will always stab me in the throat). She is on the ship hoping to take back what's rightfully hers and have a much-deserved vacation due to the shit she has been through. Coincidentally, her first love, MC Lexi is the hot bartender on said ship, and needless to say, sparks fly as high as the drinks do. Their parting as teenagers made sense, though some hurt feelings linger and they discuss these pretty rationally. Yet they cannot act on their feelings b/c fraternization between staff and guests is a one-way ticket to Jobless-Town.
I did like the two MCs, Charlotte a graphic designer and Lexi bartender/business owner hopeful, but felt the romance and story was rather ho-hum. The sex scenes became redundant and somewhat too much, something I rarely say in lesfic, as I certainly like me some steam. Maybe because they didn't really add more depth to the story or characters, and it was a very predictable read, with a HEA. The dialogue became very overdone by about 60% on, with large declarations of love and affection and kittens and bunnies, all worthy of all the Hallmark movies in existence. Blech, too much, a bit nauseating.
I don't know, I was just left feeling rather flat with this one. I was more into the detail of the honeymoon suite and the beach front hotel than other aspects, and developed more of a a soft spot for sport-sandal wearing, sunglasses-tanned spiky haired middle aged Barb, and Paw Paw, because I adore the geriatrics, haha.
Compared to the author's other works, all of which I found extremely well done, this one was just an ok read, 2.75/5.
*Huge thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
MC Charlotte took her honeymoon solo after walking in on her fiancee in bed with someone else (ouch, that particular trope will always stab me in the throat). She is on the ship hoping to take back what's rightfully hers and have a much-deserved vacation due to the shit she has been through. Coincidentally, her first love, MC Lexi is the hot bartender on said ship, and needless to say, sparks fly as high as the drinks do. Their parting as teenagers made sense, though some hurt feelings linger and they discuss these pretty rationally. Yet they cannot act on their feelings b/c fraternization between staff and guests is a one-way ticket to Jobless-Town.
I did like the two MCs, Charlotte a graphic designer and Lexi bartender/business owner hopeful, but felt the romance and story was rather ho-hum. The sex scenes became redundant and somewhat too much, something I rarely say in lesfic, as I certainly like me some steam. Maybe because they didn't really add more depth to the story or characters, and it was a very predictable read, with a HEA. The dialogue became very overdone by about 60% on, with large declarations of love and affection and kittens and bunnies, all worthy of all the Hallmark movies in existence. Blech, too much, a bit nauseating.
I don't know, I was just left feeling rather flat with this one. I was more into the detail of the honeymoon suite and the beach front hotel than other aspects, and developed more of a a soft spot for sport-sandal wearing, sunglasses-tanned spiky haired middle aged Barb, and Paw Paw, because I adore the geriatrics, haha.
Compared to the author's other works, all of which I found extremely well done, this one was just an ok read, 2.75/5.
*Huge thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2019
Gorgeous, tropical locations, a luxurious cruise ship and a fated reunion kick off this book.
Charlotte is trying to get her life back together after a shattering betrayal by defiantly taking the (non-refundable) VIP cruise she bought for her honeymoon. Little does she know that her one-on-one VIP attendant is none other than Lexi, her high school sweetheart she left behind with a broken heart ten years ago.
The first third of the book has a lot of emotions, as the MCs meet again and everything that transpired in the past ten years is brought to the surface. The tension is really good in this part, and so is their communication. It is obvious they’ve both matured a lot since they last met. The supporting cast of Lexi’s friends completely endeared me, especially Enrique who takes Charlotte under his sassy wing.
Besides the hurts and misunderstandings of the past, a more real and pressing threat is the fact that if Lexi is even seen touching a guest, she will be summarily dismissed, which would be devastating due to her lack of resources and support net.
However, Lexi is not to be kept down and she mobilizes her entire force of loyal friends, who all have detailed knowledge of the ship and it’s working as well as their own unique talents, who help her in exchange for a lot of favors. Which is a little disappointing.
More disappointing is the banter which never lets up. It’s fun to see friends slinging zingers at each other, but when all communication is increasingly hostile banter that ends up with Zara deliberately leaving Lexi in a physically painful and mentally torturous position in revenge for a lighthearted quip earlier in the scene that she takes offense to, the best-friends vibe gets a little sour. Zara does redeem herself to me at the end, so I’m glad of that.
Okay, let’s talk about the sexy scenes. From the start, the sexual tension sparked and I was on the edge of my seat to see who gave in and made the first move. The scenes were hot, with lots of variety and a lovely balance of action and feelings. And a big bonus for including hygiene and proper consent at all times without breaking the mood. It is really interesting to see the sexual dynamic between our two MCs who share a past, but have experienced so much since their last encounter. One really nice touch is when Lexi notices Charlotte has filled out a bit and she’s completely turned on. Let’s hear it for women with a bit of meat on them, although I’m sure she gets in really good shape with all that *ahem* exercise.
The ending ties up a lot of loose ends and finishes on a happy and hopeful note. I like how all the little details that build up along the way become significant later on.
My rating: originally 3.5 but raised to 3.75 from the big bonus I mentioned earlier.
ARC received from NetGalley and Goodreads in return for an honest review.
Charlotte is trying to get her life back together after a shattering betrayal by defiantly taking the (non-refundable) VIP cruise she bought for her honeymoon. Little does she know that her one-on-one VIP attendant is none other than Lexi, her high school sweetheart she left behind with a broken heart ten years ago.
The first third of the book has a lot of emotions, as the MCs meet again and everything that transpired in the past ten years is brought to the surface. The tension is really good in this part, and so is their communication. It is obvious they’ve both matured a lot since they last met. The supporting cast of Lexi’s friends completely endeared me, especially Enrique who takes Charlotte under his sassy wing.
Besides the hurts and misunderstandings of the past, a more real and pressing threat is the fact that if Lexi is even seen touching a guest, she will be summarily dismissed, which would be devastating due to her lack of resources and support net.
However, Lexi is not to be kept down and she mobilizes her entire force of loyal friends, who all have detailed knowledge of the ship and it’s working as well as their own unique talents, who help her in exchange for a lot of favors. Which is a little disappointing.
More disappointing is the banter which never lets up. It’s fun to see friends slinging zingers at each other, but when all communication is increasingly hostile banter that ends up with Zara deliberately leaving Lexi in a physically painful and mentally torturous position in revenge for a lighthearted quip earlier in the scene that she takes offense to, the best-friends vibe gets a little sour. Zara does redeem herself to me at the end, so I’m glad of that.
Okay, let’s talk about the sexy scenes. From the start, the sexual tension sparked and I was on the edge of my seat to see who gave in and made the first move. The scenes were hot, with lots of variety and a lovely balance of action and feelings. And a big bonus for including hygiene and proper consent at all times without breaking the mood. It is really interesting to see the sexual dynamic between our two MCs who share a past, but have experienced so much since their last encounter. One really nice touch is when Lexi notices Charlotte has filled out a bit and she’s completely turned on. Let’s hear it for women with a bit of meat on them, although I’m sure she gets in really good shape with all that *ahem* exercise.
The ending ties up a lot of loose ends and finishes on a happy and hopeful note. I like how all the little details that build up along the way become significant later on.
My rating: originally 3.5 but raised to 3.75 from the big bonus I mentioned earlier.
ARC received from NetGalley and Goodreads in return for an honest review.
October 24, 2019
A second chance cruise romance.
Charlotte is vacationing on a cruise that was meant to be her honeymoon. Her ex-finance cheated on her and therefore they never married. As luck would have it... Charlotte's first HS love, Lexi, is employed and assigned as her VIP for the week.
Instant re-attraction. Instant feelings. Instant everything. This was the opposite of slow burn to the point of almost being unbelievable. But seeing as how they had a strong history, it is somewhat seemed plausible. I thought there was an opportunity for Lexi to have a bit more angst over reconnecting with Charlotte. She was so quick to fall back into things despite how Charlotte had broken hear heart. And alternately, Charlotte was so quick to jump into things despite the recent dissolution of her engagement.
The story was filled with many different settings and interactions. The best part of this book was the chemistry and flirty/dirty dialogue.
Another reviewer commented on considering this an erotic story. While there was quite a bit of explicit sex, it didn't feel that way to me. In fact, there were no intimate scenes until the second half of the book. But being the prude I am, I have to say that I PERSONALLY felt there were more than necessary. Having said that, the scenes were not repetitive like so many other books fall victim to. Each scene was unique and sexy.
Because there was so much of THAT, I felt that the book suffered from not creating a deeper connection between Charlotte and Lexi. Sure, they said the words and had inner monologues describing their feelings. But I didn't necessarily see it. Their relationship was more physical than emotional.
The ending dragged on a bit too long.
Overall, this was an entertaining story with a lot of sexy scenes. Not surprisingly, this would be a good beach vacation read.
I recommend to those who are interested in romance, second chances, vacationing, cruises, bar tending, friends who collude, dirty talk, sexual tension, and packing (not luggage).
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Charlotte is vacationing on a cruise that was meant to be her honeymoon. Her ex-finance cheated on her and therefore they never married. As luck would have it... Charlotte's first HS love, Lexi, is employed and assigned as her VIP for the week.
Instant re-attraction. Instant feelings. Instant everything. This was the opposite of slow burn to the point of almost being unbelievable. But seeing as how they had a strong history, it is somewhat seemed plausible. I thought there was an opportunity for Lexi to have a bit more angst over reconnecting with Charlotte. She was so quick to fall back into things despite how Charlotte had broken hear heart. And alternately, Charlotte was so quick to jump into things despite the recent dissolution of her engagement.
The story was filled with many different settings and interactions. The best part of this book was the chemistry and flirty/dirty dialogue.
Another reviewer commented on considering this an erotic story. While there was quite a bit of explicit sex, it didn't feel that way to me. In fact, there were no intimate scenes until the second half of the book. But being the prude I am, I have to say that I PERSONALLY felt there were more than necessary. Having said that, the scenes were not repetitive like so many other books fall victim to. Each scene was unique and sexy.
Because there was so much of THAT, I felt that the book suffered from not creating a deeper connection between Charlotte and Lexi. Sure, they said the words and had inner monologues describing their feelings. But I didn't necessarily see it. Their relationship was more physical than emotional.
The ending dragged on a bit too long.
Overall, this was an entertaining story with a lot of sexy scenes. Not surprisingly, this would be a good beach vacation read.
I recommend to those who are interested in romance, second chances, vacationing, cruises, bar tending, friends who collude, dirty talk, sexual tension, and packing (not luggage).
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
October 23, 2019
I like Fiona Riley's romances though I will say the last book I read from her was from the "Perfect Match" series. Regardless, I really enjoyed this read. The romance was front and center and any obstacles the two main characters faced seemed realistic enough to me. What I loved most was that the story took place in the present and not the past. No flashbacks or drawn out angsty moments from long ago. The one liners were really great too: "...to celebrate your grand opening with my grand opening." That one made me snicker (yes snicker not laugh because well it's a snicker type line) a bit. Fans of Riley I think will like this low key, little angst, very well written, happy romance. I give it 4.75 stars.
November 11, 2019
This Love Boat went the way of the Titanic.
Ok so the book wasn't that bad but compared to other books by this author, this one was a little lacking in several areas.
The first one being the angst and conflict. I can understand the need to resolve past hurts but that particular issue felt a little drawn out and happened almost a decade ago. The part that I wanted some more background information on was why Charlotte was getting married to someone like Veronica in the first place? No wonder she was almost immediately ready to shiver Lexi's timbers.
The second thing the book got wrong for me was the (emotional) intimacy. I can totally get behind the concept of insta lust. However, the grand declarations of love had both me and Cupid rolling our eyes. Girl, it's only been a few days since you've seen each other again and a lot of time has passed, maybe ease up on giving Shakespeare a run for his money.
Finally and I can't believe i'm about to say this but despite the sex scenes being really hot, I wasn't that into them. One of the scenes had me thinking Lexi is an idiot for packing while at work and the final scene had me hoping Lexi forgot to charge the toy so we could move on with the rest of the story.
Definitely not Ms Riley's best work but you better believe her next book will also be an automatic 'must read'. Overall rating for this one is 3,25*
Ok so the book wasn't that bad but compared to other books by this author, this one was a little lacking in several areas.
The first one being the angst and conflict. I can understand the need to resolve past hurts but that particular issue felt a little drawn out and happened almost a decade ago. The part that I wanted some more background information on was why Charlotte was getting married to someone like Veronica in the first place? No wonder she was almost immediately ready to shiver Lexi's timbers.
The second thing the book got wrong for me was the (emotional) intimacy. I can totally get behind the concept of insta lust. However, the grand declarations of love had both me and Cupid rolling our eyes. Girl, it's only been a few days since you've seen each other again and a lot of time has passed, maybe ease up on giving Shakespeare a run for his money.
Finally and I can't believe i'm about to say this but despite the sex scenes being really hot, I wasn't that into them. One of the scenes had me thinking Lexi is an idiot for packing while at work and the final scene had me hoping Lexi forgot to charge the toy so we could move on with the rest of the story.
Definitely not Ms Riley's best work but you better believe her next book will also be an automatic 'must read'. Overall rating for this one is 3,25*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2019
3.5 stars. Charlotte Southwick dumped her fiancée shortly before their wedding after she discovered she was having an affair. A few months after, Charlotte decides to board her honeymoon cruise holiday by herself and try to make the most of a bad situation. What she wasn't counting on is to run into her high school sweetheart. Lexi Bronson is happy with her life as a bartender on a cruise ship and hasn't had a permanent address in almost a decade. When she meets Charlotte after she left Lexi so many years ago, all her hopes and fears came rushing back. Will they be able to leave that past behind them and build a future together?
Fiona Riley is one of my to-go authors when I'm looking for a sweet and hot romance. I particularly liked her 'Perfect Match' series and 'Media Darling'. This is a second-chances romance with the beautiful setting of a holiday cruise in the Caribbean. Even though Riley's typical writing style is also present in this novel through good dialogues, multilayered characters and hot intimate scenes, the story as a whole didn't convince me. I'm not a fan of insta-love and this book was no exception. I understand that the characters had a strong past history that allowed then to reconnect a decade after their breakup but, for me, that wasn't convincing enough to justify a 'pick up where they left it' relationship.
Now, the sex scenes are the highlight of this book and are well done and varied. Ms. Riley knows how to write them and it is one of the strong points of this novel. The rest of the plot is a bit flat and predictable without unexpected twists or excessive drama. If you like the kind of books with light entertainment and without much drama but plenty of sex, then this might be for you.
Overall, an ok second-chances romance low on angst and high on hotness. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
Fiona Riley is one of my to-go authors when I'm looking for a sweet and hot romance. I particularly liked her 'Perfect Match' series and 'Media Darling'. This is a second-chances romance with the beautiful setting of a holiday cruise in the Caribbean. Even though Riley's typical writing style is also present in this novel through good dialogues, multilayered characters and hot intimate scenes, the story as a whole didn't convince me. I'm not a fan of insta-love and this book was no exception. I understand that the characters had a strong past history that allowed then to reconnect a decade after their breakup but, for me, that wasn't convincing enough to justify a 'pick up where they left it' relationship.
Now, the sex scenes are the highlight of this book and are well done and varied. Ms. Riley knows how to write them and it is one of the strong points of this novel. The rest of the plot is a bit flat and predictable without unexpected twists or excessive drama. If you like the kind of books with light entertainment and without much drama but plenty of sex, then this might be for you.
Overall, an ok second-chances romance low on angst and high on hotness. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
October 27, 2019
Fiona Riley, the power you have to get me to rush to your books is startling.
Usually, I'm someone who's more into a girl-meets-girl storyline, as in two people who've never met in their lives cross paths that lead to a romance. In this case, we have have Charlotte and Lexi, two twenty-something beauties, who reconnect years after breaking up. The spark between them is clear, but it did take me a bit to be convinced.
But, whew, once I was convinced...let us all bow down to all the smoking hot sex scenes, like damn. Once Lexi and Charlotte started getting intimate, I saw this book with fresh eyes. This is a sexy beach read, where the characters, at times, are quite literally at or near the beach. It's a vacation-setting love story I'm reading in October, when the air is getting crisp.
We get many scenes of Lexi and Charlotte flirting, which I am a huge fan of. Give us more lesbian flirting, other lesbian writers! Holy crap, the heated interactions at the white party were...*fans self*. Delicious.
I'll throw in a couple critiques. The first is one I've probably mentioned before, but Fiona Riley tends to over-write sometimes. While in some ways it's awesome (sex scenes!), it can come off like the reader can't be trusted to remember things. It can also make dialogue seem unnatural. And the other critique is something I used to see in fanfiction: making people who are over forty years old down decrepit. A character who's in her late sixties had "gnarled hands" and talked like someone who was over a century. I know that age group can have and do those things, I don't know, it made me take pause.
This is a sexy, fluffy read. Low conflict and no needless drama.
☆ This copy was provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. in exchange for an honest review. ☆
Usually, I'm someone who's more into a girl-meets-girl storyline, as in two people who've never met in their lives cross paths that lead to a romance. In this case, we have have Charlotte and Lexi, two twenty-something beauties, who reconnect years after breaking up. The spark between them is clear, but it did take me a bit to be convinced.
But, whew, once I was convinced...let us all bow down to all the smoking hot sex scenes, like damn. Once Lexi and Charlotte started getting intimate, I saw this book with fresh eyes. This is a sexy beach read, where the characters, at times, are quite literally at or near the beach. It's a vacation-setting love story I'm reading in October, when the air is getting crisp.
We get many scenes of Lexi and Charlotte flirting, which I am a huge fan of. Give us more lesbian flirting, other lesbian writers! Holy crap, the heated interactions at the white party were...*fans self*. Delicious.
I'll throw in a couple critiques. The first is one I've probably mentioned before, but Fiona Riley tends to over-write sometimes. While in some ways it's awesome (sex scenes!), it can come off like the reader can't be trusted to remember things. It can also make dialogue seem unnatural. And the other critique is something I used to see in fanfiction: making people who are over forty years old down decrepit. A character who's in her late sixties had "gnarled hands" and talked like someone who was over a century. I know that age group can have and do those things, I don't know, it made me take pause.
This is a sexy, fluffy read. Low conflict and no needless drama.
☆ This copy was provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. in exchange for an honest review. ☆
October 15, 2019
Prior to reading this book I was a Fiona Riley virgin. Thankfully, I'm not a literal virgin as there's plenty of steam between these pages. With that said, not nearly as much as I anticipated based on a few reviews.
You could say the first half is a slow burn, but it wasn't slow going, if that makes sense. The pacing was perfect, the characters fully developed, the leads both likable.
The setting was to die for, I've never been on a cruise other than the one this book took me on. I'm not sure the covers a great fit, but hey it caught my eye, so there's that.
In short, I'm so very happy I've found this wonderful author.
I don't give out 5 stars easily, but Not Since You ticked all the right boxes, for me.
copy provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley.
You could say the first half is a slow burn, but it wasn't slow going, if that makes sense. The pacing was perfect, the characters fully developed, the leads both likable.
The setting was to die for, I've never been on a cruise other than the one this book took me on. I'm not sure the covers a great fit, but hey it caught my eye, so there's that.
In short, I'm so very happy I've found this wonderful author.
I don't give out 5 stars easily, but Not Since You ticked all the right boxes, for me.
copy provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley.
November 16, 2019
This was my first excursion into the books of Fiona Riley and I've come out of it satisfied but not amazed. It's a story about a woman who decides to go on her honeymoon cruise even though her marriage had fallen through due to her fiance's infidelity and as luck would have it her first love and high school sweetheart whom she had abandoned soon after graduation is a member of the staff on the cruise and personally appointed to serve her.
What follows is quite straight forward as you would imagine and I want to say that especially the sex scenes are delicious and before I discovered this book I had read somewhere on here that Mrs. Riley was very talented in that department.
Anyways, it's a sweet romance without much obstacles, I did like how mature the characters seemed to be about their situation in the beginning, usually you have to get through 25 pages of angst to get to the meat of the story but here we see an adult conversation where cards are put on the table which was refreshing.
3.5/5.0
What follows is quite straight forward as you would imagine and I want to say that especially the sex scenes are delicious and before I discovered this book I had read somewhere on here that Mrs. Riley was very talented in that department.
Anyways, it's a sweet romance without much obstacles, I did like how mature the characters seemed to be about their situation in the beginning, usually you have to get through 25 pages of angst to get to the meat of the story but here we see an adult conversation where cards are put on the table which was refreshing.
3.5/5.0
November 19, 2019
I am a huge fan of Fiona Riley's books. I though her Match series was such a great collection of books. With that being said, Not Since You was not my favorite of Riley's work thus far. There is nothing technically wrong with it, not by any means. I just thought the book was more erotica than romance. That will totally work for some, but for me, I would have loved to see more dialogue between the two mains. I want that push-pull, I want those little moments that grab at your heartstrings. This one just did not go there, its a lot of hot steamy scenes in the sheets but thin in other aspects plot-related.
Lexi Bronson has worked as a bartender on for a cruise line for the last ten years. With no family back home, Lexi finds comfort is the traveling nomadic lifestyle that this industry provides.
Charlotte Southwick has just ended a three-year relationship. She came home early to surprise her fiance and found her in bed with another woman. Charlotte decides to take their honeymoon cruise alone and runs into her high-school ex-girlfriend, Lexi.
This one goes very much into you broke my heart at eighteen, and I have carried the hurt around for 10+ years to naked time. (The naked time is super hot by the way.) I just thought the plot needed more. If you are looking for a traditional romance this one might not be for you. If you are looking for something hot and steamy, you will love this one.
Lexi Bronson has worked as a bartender on for a cruise line for the last ten years. With no family back home, Lexi finds comfort is the traveling nomadic lifestyle that this industry provides.
Charlotte Southwick has just ended a three-year relationship. She came home early to surprise her fiance and found her in bed with another woman. Charlotte decides to take their honeymoon cruise alone and runs into her high-school ex-girlfriend, Lexi.
This one goes very much into you broke my heart at eighteen, and I have carried the hurt around for 10+ years to naked time. (The naked time is super hot by the way.) I just thought the plot needed more. If you are looking for a traditional romance this one might not be for you. If you are looking for something hot and steamy, you will love this one.
December 27, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this simple, erotic romance. Lexi Bronson has been working on a cruise liner for nine years. She has a plan and an endgame but she's not there yet. When she's assigned to a VIP passenger she comes face to face with her first love, Charlotte.
It's a lovely, easy summer read, perfect for lazing about on the beach. There is lots of very sexy teasing from two likeable main characters.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
It's a lovely, easy summer read, perfect for lazing about on the beach. There is lots of very sexy teasing from two likeable main characters.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
October 30, 2019
Charlotte Southwick is boarding her honeymoon cruise alone after catching her fiancée in bed with another woman. To her complete surprise, her first love and woman she left behind for college works in the cruise ship. Lexi Bronson has been running away since Charlotte left her behind ten years ago. Bartending for the cruise line, going from one tropical location to the next has been managing her disquiet. That is, until she sees Charlotte again. Can this first love get a second chance?
This is a hard one for me to rate. I have read a couple of other novels by this author and enjoyed them both. Her ability to create chemistry is excellent and the reader will find that she succeeded again in this book. The light touches and flirting make Lexi and Charlotte a good couple. That said, Lexi is a very forgiving woman to not require much of an explanation for Charlotte leaving her 10 years ago. The reason is ok and well, things happen when you are young. I’ll be honest, I wish I had Lexi’s ‘moving on’ mentality. There are a few explicit sex scenes that will not disappoint those readers that have come to expect that from Ms Riley.
The second big hurdle is Charlotte’s failed engagement. I liked that her breakup happened months before as the honeymoon was not planned for immediately after the wedding. Acceptable fix for not having a main fall for someone else right after breaking an engagement up. The fact that they share a history also helped.
The cruise life got a little boring for me. I appreciate the effort the author made to bring the mains together as no employee is allowed to romantically interact with a guest. Unfortunately, that meant many cruise ship activity descriptions that lost me. The older woman Charlotte met was intrusive and seemed wasted effort as the character faded to nothing. The other disappointing part was the big conflict in the story. All of a sudden the end of the cruise week is such a horrible thing and defining issue but the reality is the cruise was going to always end. I feel the real conflict of the story was the how to continue the relationship beyond the cruise time and things were not developed on that front. Felt like a missed opportunity to delve into something more critical and what really matters in a forever love story. That also meant some skimming on my part to reach the final resolution.
Overall an okay second chance story. 3 stars
ARC generously provided to me by BSB via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a hard one for me to rate. I have read a couple of other novels by this author and enjoyed them both. Her ability to create chemistry is excellent and the reader will find that she succeeded again in this book. The light touches and flirting make Lexi and Charlotte a good couple. That said, Lexi is a very forgiving woman to not require much of an explanation for Charlotte leaving her 10 years ago. The reason is ok and well, things happen when you are young. I’ll be honest, I wish I had Lexi’s ‘moving on’ mentality. There are a few explicit sex scenes that will not disappoint those readers that have come to expect that from Ms Riley.
The second big hurdle is Charlotte’s failed engagement. I liked that her breakup happened months before as the honeymoon was not planned for immediately after the wedding. Acceptable fix for not having a main fall for someone else right after breaking an engagement up. The fact that they share a history also helped.
The cruise life got a little boring for me. I appreciate the effort the author made to bring the mains together as no employee is allowed to romantically interact with a guest. Unfortunately, that meant many cruise ship activity descriptions that lost me. The older woman Charlotte met was intrusive and seemed wasted effort as the character faded to nothing. The other disappointing part was the big conflict in the story. All of a sudden the end of the cruise week is such a horrible thing and defining issue but the reality is the cruise was going to always end. I feel the real conflict of the story was the how to continue the relationship beyond the cruise time and things were not developed on that front. Felt like a missed opportunity to delve into something more critical and what really matters in a forever love story. That also meant some skimming on my part to reach the final resolution.
Overall an okay second chance story. 3 stars
ARC generously provided to me by BSB via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
unfinished
March 6, 2020This had an interesting premise and I was kinda onboard with it. Ex-lovers run into each other in the confined environ of a cruise ship and get to decide if they want to reconcile or not. Charlotte was a little weak as the alone-on-what-should-have-been-her-honeymoon person licking her wounds, but Lexi was all kinds of engaging as the cruise crew VIP specialist sometimes bartender with a gaggle of friends that, in a hilarious twist, includes the token hetero bestie to dole out needed truth-bombs and relationship advice (seriously, I have no idea if Riley did that on purpose, but I about fell off my face* laughing with that one).
But I only made it about a third through before abandoning ship. I wanted to like them but their actions and choices were so immature that I just couldn't engage. I mean, Lexi cherishes her job and has big plans; so engaging with Charlotte in a way that will get her a summary dismissal if it is discovered is just dumb. Doing it when it's all just a good time and not anything serious felt like the author screwing with the readers. I just couldn't take it seriously. Both women are supposedly mature and career focused (which is going to provide marvelous tension later on) so these actions are reckless in a way that broke me completely out of taking them seriously.
No rating on this one for . . . reasons. It's complicated. Which is why there's a link...
Also: apologies for the aquatic puns. I have no self-control...
* like falling on your face, only funnier
But I only made it about a third through before abandoning ship. I wanted to like them but their actions and choices were so immature that I just couldn't engage. I mean, Lexi cherishes her job and has big plans; so engaging with Charlotte in a way that will get her a summary dismissal if it is discovered is just dumb. Doing it when it's all just a good time and not anything serious felt like the author screwing with the readers. I just couldn't take it seriously. Both women are supposedly mature and career focused (which is going to provide marvelous tension later on) so these actions are reckless in a way that broke me completely out of taking them seriously.
No rating on this one for . . . reasons. It's complicated. Which is why there's a link...
Also: apologies for the aquatic puns. I have no self-control...
* like falling on your face, only funnier
December 5, 2020
Second chance romance, MCs who were apart for 10 years and met again on a cruise ship... What follows next is very little angst and oozing with plenty of hot steamy sexy scenes... Operative word here is sexy, it’s not over the top but-gets-under-your-skin-like-sexy. And all that flirting... Adored it!
4 ⭐️
4 ⭐️
November 20, 2019
3 Stars for this Fiona Riley romance aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean.
We join Charlotte Southwick on her Honeymoon only without her wife. Or rather without her cheating ex-fiancé. Too late to cancel for a refund, she decides to go on the cruise honeymoon by herself since she already paid quite a bit of money for the VIP room and excursions. Lexi Bronson is the lead bartender on the ship and she is assigned as the VIP attendant for the honeymoon suite. As a VIP attendant she gives them personal service in setting up their tours, reservations, excursions etc. Lexi has been without a permanent address for almost a decade, all the while working on cruise ships and she loves it. They are both in for a surprise when Lexi visits the “honeymooners” only to find Charlotte, her high school love. The girl who broke her heart when she broke up with Lexi and left to go to college.
The previous Riley books I read was her Match series and I rated them all 4 or 5 stars. This book I liked but it was a 3 star’er which for me is an average read, but not a negative in my book (so to speak). I liked the characters and they were well written. I also liked Lexi’s crewmate friends and I felt Lexi’s distress when her BFF for many years has decided to leave the cruise line for dry ground. I’ve never been on a cruise and highly likely I ever will because I get nauseous on a floating pier. Some medications have worked for me on relatively calm waters for short excursions, but my fear would be that they won’t on a cruise and that’s a lot of money wasted only too feel horrible in the cabin. Not to mention missing the great food! So I did enjoy living vicariously on a cruise vacation.
Although most romances are predictable in that there will most likely be a HEA, however its how they get there and their exact HEA is what makes it compelling. Unfortunately, I predicted early on exactly what would happen and how it would end and I was right. Maybe the clues were too obvious? But I will say, there were some HOT sex scenes. So be prepared if reading in public with over the shoulder readers. Although this was a 3 Star book for me, I am looking forward to reading the next new Fiona Riley book.
ARC was provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.
We join Charlotte Southwick on her Honeymoon only without her wife. Or rather without her cheating ex-fiancé. Too late to cancel for a refund, she decides to go on the cruise honeymoon by herself since she already paid quite a bit of money for the VIP room and excursions. Lexi Bronson is the lead bartender on the ship and she is assigned as the VIP attendant for the honeymoon suite. As a VIP attendant she gives them personal service in setting up their tours, reservations, excursions etc. Lexi has been without a permanent address for almost a decade, all the while working on cruise ships and she loves it. They are both in for a surprise when Lexi visits the “honeymooners” only to find Charlotte, her high school love. The girl who broke her heart when she broke up with Lexi and left to go to college.
The previous Riley books I read was her Match series and I rated them all 4 or 5 stars. This book I liked but it was a 3 star’er which for me is an average read, but not a negative in my book (so to speak). I liked the characters and they were well written. I also liked Lexi’s crewmate friends and I felt Lexi’s distress when her BFF for many years has decided to leave the cruise line for dry ground. I’ve never been on a cruise and highly likely I ever will because I get nauseous on a floating pier. Some medications have worked for me on relatively calm waters for short excursions, but my fear would be that they won’t on a cruise and that’s a lot of money wasted only too feel horrible in the cabin. Not to mention missing the great food! So I did enjoy living vicariously on a cruise vacation.
Although most romances are predictable in that there will most likely be a HEA, however its how they get there and their exact HEA is what makes it compelling. Unfortunately, I predicted early on exactly what would happen and how it would end and I was right. Maybe the clues were too obvious? But I will say, there were some HOT sex scenes. So be prepared if reading in public with over the shoulder readers. Although this was a 3 Star book for me, I am looking forward to reading the next new Fiona Riley book.
ARC was provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2019
This book is exceptional lesbian fiction, and the characters (especially Charlotte) were swoon-worthy... honestly, I think I hugged my kindle at one point.
Hot damn!!! This is to date the sexiest book Fiona Riley has ever written and let me tell you, she has written some of the sexiest lesbian fiction scenes to date.
Well, how can Fiona Riley top that? I have confidence she will, but I’ll need a week off to recover next time!
For full review please click the link below:
https://lesreveur.com/2019/11/15/not-...
Hot damn!!! This is to date the sexiest book Fiona Riley has ever written and let me tell you, she has written some of the sexiest lesbian fiction scenes to date.
Well, how can Fiona Riley top that? I have confidence she will, but I’ll need a week off to recover next time!
For full review please click the link below:
https://lesreveur.com/2019/11/15/not-...
October 10, 2019
This was a very fun read. Like always, Fiona Riley managed to make the sexual tension almost palpable, the chemistry and flirting between the characters very erotic, but not vulgar. I'm a fan of her books, and this one is no exception to me. Both Charlotte and Lexi are very lovable characters with a history between them, so it picks your curiosity, and you are eager to see how will the writer lead you through the book and their re-encounter and relationship re-establishment.
October 26, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Charlotte decides to go on the cruise that she booked for her honeymoon. Unfortunately, she never married as she caught her fiancee in bed with another woman and called off the wedding. She decided that she would go on the cruise by herself for the experience.
Lexi works as a Barwoman on a cruise ship. She has been on cruise ships for just under a decade. She used to go out with Charlotte when she was in her teens but got her heart broken.
I thought that this was a great story. Lexi is a sweetheart from the beginning. She wears her heart on her sleeve. Charlotte took me a little longer to like. At the beginning there was something that I cannot put my finger on, I just didn't like her. As the story progressed and you got to know the characters better that is when she started to grow on me. I thought the story line was good. The author wrote it in such a way that you feel like you are there with them. The chemistry between both MC was off the charts and the sex scenes, lets just say that Ms Riley is the queen at writing sex scenes. I wouldn't recommend reading any of her books whilst at work. A cold shower is recommended after reading them.
If you like second chance romances then this could be the book for you.
Charlotte decides to go on the cruise that she booked for her honeymoon. Unfortunately, she never married as she caught her fiancee in bed with another woman and called off the wedding. She decided that she would go on the cruise by herself for the experience.
Lexi works as a Barwoman on a cruise ship. She has been on cruise ships for just under a decade. She used to go out with Charlotte when she was in her teens but got her heart broken.
I thought that this was a great story. Lexi is a sweetheart from the beginning. She wears her heart on her sleeve. Charlotte took me a little longer to like. At the beginning there was something that I cannot put my finger on, I just didn't like her. As the story progressed and you got to know the characters better that is when she started to grow on me. I thought the story line was good. The author wrote it in such a way that you feel like you are there with them. The chemistry between both MC was off the charts and the sex scenes, lets just say that Ms Riley is the queen at writing sex scenes. I wouldn't recommend reading any of her books whilst at work. A cold shower is recommended after reading them.
If you like second chance romances then this could be the book for you.
November 11, 2019
This is a read about forgiveness, letting go, moving on, being true to self, and holding on to dreams. There is quite a bit of self-reflection and self-talk. I appreciate when the author provides a glimpse into the why and how of the main characters. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time connecting with the MCs. There were things I liked about them independently but not together. Maybe it was the setting. Maybe it was their combined personalities. Maybe it was their uncertainty about what should or will come next in their lives. Maybe I just cannot put my finger on it.
Lexi Bronson, is a bartender for a luxury cruise line. She is likeable and knows the importance of being able to take care of self since she lacks a financial safety net. Charlotte Southwick, is a graphic artist going on a honeymoon cruise alone. Both women have a desire to do something different professionally but various "things" are holding them back. I enjoyed the reconnection of the high school sweethearts and the description of the various amenities on and off the cruise ship. I also liked the family and friends and how their comments impacted the MCs. Overall, romantic, entertaining and sexy.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley.
Lexi Bronson, is a bartender for a luxury cruise line. She is likeable and knows the importance of being able to take care of self since she lacks a financial safety net. Charlotte Southwick, is a graphic artist going on a honeymoon cruise alone. Both women have a desire to do something different professionally but various "things" are holding them back. I enjoyed the reconnection of the high school sweethearts and the description of the various amenities on and off the cruise ship. I also liked the family and friends and how their comments impacted the MCs. Overall, romantic, entertaining and sexy.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley.
February 26, 2021
I have read alot of books from Riley, exceptional and excellent writer, this could be categorized as holiday romance also as second chance romance, the latter which I usually don't care for but i pick this book because of the holiday romance and setting of this book, a Cruise ship, Sunset, blue skies, the ocean and two beautiful leads of course this promise alot of sex, I mean the steamy kind, I loved the mcs, Charlotte and Lexi, they had a bond from their teenage love affair but I find it hard to believe their reconnection and this feeling they stil had for each other, that's why I place this under lustful,erotica romance but stil a feel good book that I really enjoyed
April 6, 2020
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a Riley fan, and this was an ok read, but it’s not my favourite of hers.
Here, we have Lexi, who works as bartender and VIP liaison on a cruise ship, and Charlotte, whose fiancé cheated on her and who is now taking the honeymoon trip alone. Lexi and Charlotte also happen to be high school sweethearts who broke up when Charlotte left for college. The two reconnect on the Majestic Princess (which I found weird because that’s an actual cruise ship) and sparks fly.
It’s very much an instant attraction, and while that (and the insta-love that followed) would usually annoy me, it’s less of a problem here due to their shared past and that I believed they each were ‘the one that got away’ for the other. The setting is the issue, because (as Lexi points out over and over) cruise ships have strict policies about crew hooking up with guests, and the cruise was a week long! Seriously, how hard is it for two grown ass women to hold out for a week. They don’t though, and this leads to plenty of sexy times, which should please those who like a lot of hot sex in their stories.
So, while I enjoyed the start of the book and their reconnection (and Lexi’s friends). I was annoyed by the sex on the ship shenanigans and the resulting repercussions. I was, however, thankful that this did not dissolve into a protracted break up as I was expecting it to. Still, I would have preferred that they had just met on the ship and used Lexi’s upcoming vacation as the point of actual reconnection. The book also lacked any depth to them getting back together, outside of apologising for what went wrong and flirting/having sex, they didn’t really talk about anything of actual value and that made the new relationship seem sort of shallow. There’s also the fact that Charlotte is still nursing a broken heart and it’s not addressed nearly enough.
I liked both characters, and enjoyed their banter. I also liked the circle of friends (I was disappointed not to see Barb at the end), and that time had passed before the end of the book, but would have preferred a bit more time on that part of the relationship. It’s probably 3.5 stars, rounded down.
I’m a Riley fan, and this was an ok read, but it’s not my favourite of hers.
Here, we have Lexi, who works as bartender and VIP liaison on a cruise ship, and Charlotte, whose fiancé cheated on her and who is now taking the honeymoon trip alone. Lexi and Charlotte also happen to be high school sweethearts who broke up when Charlotte left for college. The two reconnect on the Majestic Princess (which I found weird because that’s an actual cruise ship) and sparks fly.
It’s very much an instant attraction, and while that (and the insta-love that followed) would usually annoy me, it’s less of a problem here due to their shared past and that I believed they each were ‘the one that got away’ for the other. The setting is the issue, because (as Lexi points out over and over) cruise ships have strict policies about crew hooking up with guests, and the cruise was a week long! Seriously, how hard is it for two grown ass women to hold out for a week. They don’t though, and this leads to plenty of sexy times, which should please those who like a lot of hot sex in their stories.
So, while I enjoyed the start of the book and their reconnection (and Lexi’s friends). I was annoyed by the sex on the ship shenanigans and the resulting repercussions. I was, however, thankful that this did not dissolve into a protracted break up as I was expecting it to. Still, I would have preferred that they had just met on the ship and used Lexi’s upcoming vacation as the point of actual reconnection. The book also lacked any depth to them getting back together, outside of apologising for what went wrong and flirting/having sex, they didn’t really talk about anything of actual value and that made the new relationship seem sort of shallow. There’s also the fact that Charlotte is still nursing a broken heart and it’s not addressed nearly enough.
I liked both characters, and enjoyed their banter. I also liked the circle of friends (I was disappointed not to see Barb at the end), and that time had passed before the end of the book, but would have preferred a bit more time on that part of the relationship. It’s probably 3.5 stars, rounded down.
July 4, 2021
It took me longer than anticipated to finish this book, although by no fault of the story or writing and rather a terrible case of reading slump.
Reading slump or not, I still enjoyed "Not Since You" immensely. It's a second-chance F/F romance written in dual POV.
I haven't read any other stories by this author (yet) but I've really taken to her writing style. I enjoyed how thoroughly she explored Lexi's and Charlotte's feelings, their hurt and vulnerabilities, hopes and dreams. It made their reconnection after 10 years feel more organic and real, and, even though everything between them was happening pretty fast, not rushed at all. Lexi and Charlotte were both very good at communicating their feelings and I was glad that some giant misunderstanding wasn't a driving force for "the final conflict" that usually happens at the end of the contemporary romances and keeps the couple apart before they get together.
Other than that, I also enjoyed all the friendships that Lexi had with her colleagues on the cruise ship, all the support she had made me feel all happy and warm.
All in all, this story was well-written, both heart-warming and cute, funny and hot. The only fault I could find in it is that it wasn't published closer to summer, because with all the cruising of the Caribbean that this book contained, I would love to read it on the beach while sipping a cool fruity drink. Then again, I'll probably do just that in a few months :)
July 3, 2020
Charlotte Southwick finds her fiancée in bed with another woman shortly before their wedding. She has already planned the honeymoon of her dreams so she takes the trip alone. She had not planned on running into the love of her life, Lexi Bronson, onboard ship.
I loved that there are no endless misunderstandings or false communication in this story. The communication is upfront and honest. I get very frustrated with books that revolve around a misunderstanding that is not resolved until the end of the book. There is none of that here. Also, this book was so well edited that I found only two minor errors (because I'm nit-picky) that can be easily overlooked by most.
Excellent book! I will be reading this again.
I loved that there are no endless misunderstandings or false communication in this story. The communication is upfront and honest. I get very frustrated with books that revolve around a misunderstanding that is not resolved until the end of the book. There is none of that here. Also, this book was so well edited that I found only two minor errors (because I'm nit-picky) that can be easily overlooked by most.
Excellent book! I will be reading this again.
February 21, 2021
I have always found Fiona Riley writing tense, there is jeopody in the air and I can never fully relax, expecting the worst to happen, even when I jump ahead and read the epilogue. This is no exception, but good MCs so no real complaints. I knew what I was signing up for.
December 1, 2019
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a Riley fan, and this was an ok read, but it’s not my favourite of hers.
Here, we have Lexi, who works as bartender and VIP liaison on a cruise ship, and Charlotte, who’s fiancé cheated on her and who is now taking the honeymoon trip alone. Lexi and Charlotte also happen to be high school sweethearts who broke up when Charlotte left for college. The two reconnect on the Majestic Princess (which I found weird because that’s an actual cruise ship) and sparks fly.
It’s very much an instant attraction, and while that (and the insta-love that followed) would usually annoy me, it’s less of a problem here due to their shared past and that I believed they each were ‘the one that got away’ for the other. The setting is the issue, because (as Lexi points out over and over) cruise ships have strict policies about crew hooking up with guests, and the cruise was a week long! Seriously, how hard is it for two grown ass women to hold out for a week. They don’t though, and this leads to plenty of sexy times, which should please those who like a lot of hot sex in their stories.
So, while I enjoyed the start of the book and their reconnection (and Lexi’s friends). I was annoyed by the sex on the ship shenanigans and the resulting repercussions. I was, however, thankful that this did not dissolve into a protracted break up as I was expecting it to. Still, I would have preferred that they had just met on the ship and used Lexi’s upcoming vacation as the point of actual reconnection. The book also lacked any depth to them getting back together, outside of apologising for what went wrong and flirting/having sex, they didn’t really talk about anything of actual value and that made the new relationship seem sort of shallow. There’s also the fact that Charlotte is still nursing a broken heart and it’s not addressed nearly enough.
I liked both characters, and enjoyed their banter. I also liked the circle of friends (I was disappointed not to see Barb at the end), and that time had passed before the end of the book, but would have preferred a bit more time on that part of the relationship. It’s probably 3.5 stars, rounded down.
I’m a Riley fan, and this was an ok read, but it’s not my favourite of hers.
Here, we have Lexi, who works as bartender and VIP liaison on a cruise ship, and Charlotte, who’s fiancé cheated on her and who is now taking the honeymoon trip alone. Lexi and Charlotte also happen to be high school sweethearts who broke up when Charlotte left for college. The two reconnect on the Majestic Princess (which I found weird because that’s an actual cruise ship) and sparks fly.
It’s very much an instant attraction, and while that (and the insta-love that followed) would usually annoy me, it’s less of a problem here due to their shared past and that I believed they each were ‘the one that got away’ for the other. The setting is the issue, because (as Lexi points out over and over) cruise ships have strict policies about crew hooking up with guests, and the cruise was a week long! Seriously, how hard is it for two grown ass women to hold out for a week. They don’t though, and this leads to plenty of sexy times, which should please those who like a lot of hot sex in their stories.
So, while I enjoyed the start of the book and their reconnection (and Lexi’s friends). I was annoyed by the sex on the ship shenanigans and the resulting repercussions. I was, however, thankful that this did not dissolve into a protracted break up as I was expecting it to. Still, I would have preferred that they had just met on the ship and used Lexi’s upcoming vacation as the point of actual reconnection. The book also lacked any depth to them getting back together, outside of apologising for what went wrong and flirting/having sex, they didn’t really talk about anything of actual value and that made the new relationship seem sort of shallow. There’s also the fact that Charlotte is still nursing a broken heart and it’s not addressed nearly enough.
I liked both characters, and enjoyed their banter. I also liked the circle of friends (I was disappointed not to see Barb at the end), and that time had passed before the end of the book, but would have preferred a bit more time on that part of the relationship. It’s probably 3.5 stars, rounded down.
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