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Decree Absolute
Jessica Barron no longer believes in love.
Her first husband died tragically and she discovers her second husband in flagrante with their children’s nanny. But with the faithless pair gone, her parents holidaying overseas, and her friend Amy in no state to assist, the Leeds divorce advocate can’t juggle the demands of her job with the care of her children, Luke and Gemmy, who she is emotionally estranged from. Jessica needs a new nanny, and fast.
Renée Arden is over relationships. Reeling from a recent break up, the Home Solution Agency owner is temporarily homeless. When Jessica mistakes her for a staff member, the solution is obvious. Renée will step in as nanny.
On their initial meeting Jessica and Renée clash. But desperate times call for desperate measures and the women put aside their differences. Both women, in their own way, need each other.
Renée’s efficient running of the household, enables Jessica to reconnect with her children and their relationship moves from professional to friendship, with the possibility of so much more.
But circumstances and supposed friends conspire against them.
Further heartbreak, hidden truths and secret desires test their fledgling relationship.
Decree Absolute…the end is a new beginning. Or is it?
Her first husband died tragically and she discovers her second husband in flagrante with their children’s nanny. But with the faithless pair gone, her parents holidaying overseas, and her friend Amy in no state to assist, the Leeds divorce advocate can’t juggle the demands of her job with the care of her children, Luke and Gemmy, who she is emotionally estranged from. Jessica needs a new nanny, and fast.
Renée Arden is over relationships. Reeling from a recent break up, the Home Solution Agency owner is temporarily homeless. When Jessica mistakes her for a staff member, the solution is obvious. Renée will step in as nanny.
On their initial meeting Jessica and Renée clash. But desperate times call for desperate measures and the women put aside their differences. Both women, in their own way, need each other.
Renée’s efficient running of the household, enables Jessica to reconnect with her children and their relationship moves from professional to friendship, with the possibility of so much more.
But circumstances and supposed friends conspire against them.
Further heartbreak, hidden truths and secret desires test their fledgling relationship.
Decree Absolute…the end is a new beginning. Or is it?
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Published November 28, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 21, 2018
For the first 30% of this read I wanted to sing its praises. I was even getting excited because it had echoes of the quality of "Truth and Measure" by Telanu. After that, though, the book took a nosedive.
To be fair, the middle chunk was still okay. It just seemed to me like the book skipped some necessary developments and started going too fast in the way the scenes were written. They felt stripped down in comparison to the first third of the book. Plausibility-wise it faltered for me because our supposedly straight lead goes from 100% straight to 100% gay-for-you with almost zero internal struggle during a very tumultuous time for herself. Even if a person accepts their feelings of attraction for what they are, which can be refreshing, at the same time it's odd the lead doesn't question herself more or at least go into doubting some feelings based on the intensity of stress and circumstances that are occurring. It's 0 to 60.
Then, in the last third, we get this stripped style with the added injury of the biggest dreaded tropes ever (no communication and a break-up scene) *plus* we get a hefty dollop of melodrama. Why?! Argh.
What started out fantastic kept going downhill on a steep incline which left me disappointed.
The book offers a great ice-queen and hate-to-love romance with two strong, sympathetic, and likable women that are on the rebound of bad relationships. I did like the career background of our lead, Jessica, and her fluid sexuality along with the dynamics she had with Renee. The kids were okay and the the stressful circumstances that both women are under in the beginning of the book is well done. It was also nice to have two romantic leads in their 4os. There's so much to like about this book but everything just became too loosey-goosey later on.
I think this is an indie book and the editing is fairly strong but there are a few issues here and there. I noticed that the word "bought" kept being used instead of "brought", for ex. The story is strong enough to overcome any of those issues, though, and I'd consider them minor.
Though I didn't find the book too depressing it does contain triggers of cancer, death, suicide, and mental illness.
This read is in the Kindle Unlimited program and also is fairly inexpensive to purchase outright. Because of this I can still recommend the book but, boy, did it leave me frustrated!
To be fair, the middle chunk was still okay. It just seemed to me like the book skipped some necessary developments and started going too fast in the way the scenes were written. They felt stripped down in comparison to the first third of the book. Plausibility-wise it faltered for me because our supposedly straight lead goes from 100% straight to 100% gay-for-you with almost zero internal struggle during a very tumultuous time for herself. Even if a person accepts their feelings of attraction for what they are, which can be refreshing, at the same time it's odd the lead doesn't question herself more or at least go into doubting some feelings based on the intensity of stress and circumstances that are occurring. It's 0 to 60.
Then, in the last third, we get this stripped style with the added injury of the biggest dreaded tropes ever (no communication and a break-up scene) *plus* we get a hefty dollop of melodrama. Why?! Argh.
What started out fantastic kept going downhill on a steep incline which left me disappointed.
The book offers a great ice-queen and hate-to-love romance with two strong, sympathetic, and likable women that are on the rebound of bad relationships. I did like the career background of our lead, Jessica, and her fluid sexuality along with the dynamics she had with Renee. The kids were okay and the the stressful circumstances that both women are under in the beginning of the book is well done. It was also nice to have two romantic leads in their 4os. There's so much to like about this book but everything just became too loosey-goosey later on.
I think this is an indie book and the editing is fairly strong but there are a few issues here and there. I noticed that the word "bought" kept being used instead of "brought", for ex. The story is strong enough to overcome any of those issues, though, and I'd consider them minor.
Though I didn't find the book too depressing it does contain triggers of cancer, death, suicide, and mental illness.
This read is in the Kindle Unlimited program and also is fairly inexpensive to purchase outright. Because of this I can still recommend the book but, boy, did it leave me frustrated!
September 14, 2018
An enjoyable read
I stumbled upon this while browsing my kU recommendation and glad I gave it a read. This takes place in Leeds, which I think is in the English area at least thats where I put it and had all my characters except Renee speaking with an English accent. Anyway, Jessica is a solicitor (i think thats the equivalent to a lawyer) whose home life is suffering because of her work. Renee is the owner of Home Solutions, a home assistant (aka nanny) agency. Renee gets sucked into being Jessica's home assistant when Jessica seeks help. The meeting between the two is unbelievably frosty, its actually quite comical. A gokd talking to, a pup, and frequent trips to the park later and Jessica, her two kids, and Renee are getting along perfectly. Now, throw in the roadblocks!!!
The book was well written and the romance was as far as lesfic goes a slow burn. The children were written well and I found myself enjoying any conversation with Gemmy. If you have time, give this one a read. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more by this author. Plus kU read.
I stumbled upon this while browsing my kU recommendation and glad I gave it a read. This takes place in Leeds, which I think is in the English area at least thats where I put it and had all my characters except Renee speaking with an English accent. Anyway, Jessica is a solicitor (i think thats the equivalent to a lawyer) whose home life is suffering because of her work. Renee is the owner of Home Solutions, a home assistant (aka nanny) agency. Renee gets sucked into being Jessica's home assistant when Jessica seeks help. The meeting between the two is unbelievably frosty, its actually quite comical. A gokd talking to, a pup, and frequent trips to the park later and Jessica, her two kids, and Renee are getting along perfectly. Now, throw in the roadblocks!!!
The book was well written and the romance was as far as lesfic goes a slow burn. The children were written well and I found myself enjoying any conversation with Gemmy. If you have time, give this one a read. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more by this author. Plus kU read.
November 7, 2019
This enemies-to-lovers / ice queen romance was a solid 4* until I got to the last part. And then it got too much. Way too much. It’s definitely worth reading nevertheless, but know the end is OTT.
Jessica Barron is a well-known solicitor in Leeds (England), specializing in divorce, which is kinda ironic since when we first meet her, she finds out her husband is cheating on her with the nanny. She gets rid of both offenders – fires the nanny, files for divorce – which leaves her in need of another live-in nanny to help her take care of her two young children, Luke and Gemmy. Renée Arden, the owner of the Home Solution Agency, needs a place to stay after breaking up with her girlfriend so when Jessica mistakes her for “just” an employee, she goes with it. At first, they can’t stand each other, what with Jessica being haughty and bordeline rude, but Renée is so good at making her life easier that she ends up realizing how precious she’s become to her.
I really enjoyed the first part, with Jessica trying to regain control of her life. For years, because of her husband’s recklessness, she’s had to work non-stop to pay for the extravagant Italian-style house he insisted on building. Her children don’t really know her any more, and a huge part of the process of rebuilding her life goes through getting their affection back. Besides her husband’s infidelity, Jessica is also coping with the loss of the love of her life, her first husband Damian, whom she never stopped grieving. She reluctantly lets Renée in, and finds she doesn’t always have to protect herself. Once she realizes she’s fallen in love with her, she takes it in stride. A little internal struggle would have made it a tad more plausible, though.
There’s a lot of grief in Jessica’s life, and I felt the story should have stopped when she finally got some balance back. The last part of the book felt like it could have been another story, tacked on at the end.
As for the narration, it was rather good, despite the sometimes odd pronunciation of French words (Renée is half-French) and funny accents of some of the French characters. But at least I understood the words, even when they weren’t said correctly, so it could have been a lot worse.
Jessica Barron is a well-known solicitor in Leeds (England), specializing in divorce, which is kinda ironic since when we first meet her, she finds out her husband is cheating on her with the nanny. She gets rid of both offenders – fires the nanny, files for divorce – which leaves her in need of another live-in nanny to help her take care of her two young children, Luke and Gemmy. Renée Arden, the owner of the Home Solution Agency, needs a place to stay after breaking up with her girlfriend so when Jessica mistakes her for “just” an employee, she goes with it. At first, they can’t stand each other, what with Jessica being haughty and bordeline rude, but Renée is so good at making her life easier that she ends up realizing how precious she’s become to her.
I really enjoyed the first part, with Jessica trying to regain control of her life. For years, because of her husband’s recklessness, she’s had to work non-stop to pay for the extravagant Italian-style house he insisted on building. Her children don’t really know her any more, and a huge part of the process of rebuilding her life goes through getting their affection back. Besides her husband’s infidelity, Jessica is also coping with the loss of the love of her life, her first husband Damian, whom she never stopped grieving. She reluctantly lets Renée in, and finds she doesn’t always have to protect herself. Once she realizes she’s fallen in love with her, she takes it in stride. A little internal struggle would have made it a tad more plausible, though.
There’s a lot of grief in Jessica’s life, and I felt the story should have stopped when she finally got some balance back. The last part of the book felt like it could have been another story, tacked on at the end.
As for the narration, it was rather good, despite the sometimes odd pronunciation of French words (Renée is half-French) and funny accents of some of the French characters. But at least I understood the words, even when they weren’t said correctly, so it could have been a lot worse.
November 25, 2018
I really enjoyed the first half or so of this book. I liked the original premise. The second half was packed full of a lot of stuff, including some insta love. Things were happening quickly. At one point I thought days had elapsed but turns out it was only the next day. The main conflict didn’t make much sense to me seeing as how we didn’t really get much backstory or motivation on the antagonist’s part.
If you have KU it’s probably worth the read.
If you have KU it’s probably worth the read.
September 24, 2018
Enjoyable read. Story started off well and had me hooked; what’s with Ms Uptight walking in on her husband, meeting and slamming the door twice on Ms Poppins, etc. Plenty of drama in the story and the build-up to the romance between Jessica and Renee had all the right tensions. 2nd half of the book was a bit dramatic - too many drama and I felt that the romance took a back seat momentarily. I still enjoyed the book though and it was nice to have MCs who are in their early 40s.
December 29, 2019
Why do authors do this?
4* This book started off really well as an enemies to lovers romance. For roughly the first 35% I was really enjoying the back and forth between Jessica and Renee. I even liked the kids and all the secondary characters that were introduced because of the depth they added to the story.
3* Then we get to the part around 35% to 65%. This is where, despite things heating up between Jessica and Renee, the book starts to lose me. New and more over the top angst and dramatic elements are added and are beginning to pile up while the narrative is making less and less sense.
1* Sure enough by the time I got to the 78% I had to put the book aside. The story of the woman who was cheated on by her husband, trying to raise her kids as a single mom and falling for her female live-in nanny had turned into some twisted version involving suicides, depression, mental illness, blackmail, drugs use etc.
1* I almost marked this as a DNF. Now seven weeks later I decided to bite the bullet and try and finish the book. The last part was just a disaster of every lesfic cliché you could think of. I didn't even bother reading the epilogue.
On a final note, the book has several easy to spot grammar and spelling errors. The other thing that bugged me throughout the book was why, on several occasions, statements were written as questions:
“There’s just one more thing?”
“Back up and kick it to me?”
“That’s unlike you. You normally have them tagged and bagged in minutes?”
For a debut novel Ms. Cooper gets an A for effort but this was so not my kind of book.
4* This book started off really well as an enemies to lovers romance. For roughly the first 35% I was really enjoying the back and forth between Jessica and Renee. I even liked the kids and all the secondary characters that were introduced because of the depth they added to the story.
3* Then we get to the part around 35% to 65%. This is where, despite things heating up between Jessica and Renee, the book starts to lose me. New and more over the top angst and dramatic elements are added and are beginning to pile up while the narrative is making less and less sense.
1* Sure enough by the time I got to the 78% I had to put the book aside. The story of the woman who was cheated on by her husband, trying to raise her kids as a single mom and falling for her female live-in nanny had turned into some twisted version involving suicides, depression, mental illness, blackmail, drugs use etc.
1* I almost marked this as a DNF. Now seven weeks later I decided to bite the bullet and try and finish the book. The last part was just a disaster of every lesfic cliché you could think of. I didn't even bother reading the epilogue.
On a final note, the book has several easy to spot grammar and spelling errors. The other thing that bugged me throughout the book was why, on several occasions, statements were written as questions:
“There’s just one more thing?”
“Back up and kick it to me?”
“That’s unlike you. You normally have them tagged and bagged in minutes?”
For a debut novel Ms. Cooper gets an A for effort but this was so not my kind of book.
September 27, 2018
When divorce lawyer Jessica Barron discovers that her husband is cheating on her with their children's nanny, she throws them out of her home. In urgent need of a new nanny, she finds the perfect replacement in Renée Arden, an enigmatic French woman owner of a childcare company in need of a temporary home after a recent breakup. After a rocky start, their relationship develops into mutual attraction but will they act on it and what will be the consequences?
This is a slow-burn romance by debut author W.A. Cooper, written in third person from both main characters' points of view. It took me a while to adapt to her writing style that, in my opinion, interrupted the reading flow. For example, the story is presented in short-ish scenes cut with a text break without transitions. Additionally, the dialogues are often interrupted by long sentences about what the character is thinking and incidentally there is also a good amount of tell but no show.
Regarding the plot, I found it at parts unrealistic - for example, in Jessica's coming out - and some other parts on the melodramatic side. While both main characters are well rounded and kudos to the author for featuring main 40 somethings, some of the secondary characters seem a bit stereotyped, specially the villains. All in all, the story didn't appeal to me but I'm not that interested in plots with lots of drama and angst but I'm sure other readers will enjoy it more.
Overall an ok read from a debut author, specially if you are interested in dramatic fiction. 3 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com
This is a slow-burn romance by debut author W.A. Cooper, written in third person from both main characters' points of view. It took me a while to adapt to her writing style that, in my opinion, interrupted the reading flow. For example, the story is presented in short-ish scenes cut with a text break without transitions. Additionally, the dialogues are often interrupted by long sentences about what the character is thinking and incidentally there is also a good amount of tell but no show.
Regarding the plot, I found it at parts unrealistic - for example, in Jessica's coming out - and some other parts on the melodramatic side. While both main characters are well rounded and kudos to the author for featuring main 40 somethings, some of the secondary characters seem a bit stereotyped, specially the villains. All in all, the story didn't appeal to me but I'm not that interested in plots with lots of drama and angst but I'm sure other readers will enjoy it more.
Overall an ok read from a debut author, specially if you are interested in dramatic fiction. 3 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com
January 17, 2019
I found this story very interesting because it focused on a different type of plot than one I have read before.
Jessica is having a very emotional time, she has the cheating husband, the big career, a family, and things coming at her that she can’t even begin to comprehend. She’s a strong character, who doesn’t have enough time and ends up meeting Renee, when she is rushing around looking for a new home assistant. The fact that she mistakes Renee for her next home helper, instead of a owner of the company she has gone to for help made for a hilarious start and gets them off on a tense path.
They are definitely a clash, and the fact that they have to learn to accept one another builds a great romance as the story progresses.
Unfortunately for Jessica, her story is filled with sadness that will just tug at your heart strings, and left me feeling emotional as I read on.
This book is filled with such drama, but perfectly balanced with romance and light-hearted innocence of Jessica’s children, to help create a beautiful story. I found myself crying at some scenes, and furious at others, especially when all the drama starts coming out, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would recommend it.
Jessica is having a very emotional time, she has the cheating husband, the big career, a family, and things coming at her that she can’t even begin to comprehend. She’s a strong character, who doesn’t have enough time and ends up meeting Renee, when she is rushing around looking for a new home assistant. The fact that she mistakes Renee for her next home helper, instead of a owner of the company she has gone to for help made for a hilarious start and gets them off on a tense path.
They are definitely a clash, and the fact that they have to learn to accept one another builds a great romance as the story progresses.
Unfortunately for Jessica, her story is filled with sadness that will just tug at your heart strings, and left me feeling emotional as I read on.
This book is filled with such drama, but perfectly balanced with romance and light-hearted innocence of Jessica’s children, to help create a beautiful story. I found myself crying at some scenes, and furious at others, especially when all the drama starts coming out, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would recommend it.
September 20, 2018
Err, don't judge a book by its cover. Yes, the wig threw me off at the first glance but thanks to CLo and her raving review, I went ahead.
Trigger warning
Okay, you've read the trigger warning. Is it still safe to read this book. Hell yes!
Let me quote Charlie XCX
"No silver or no gold
Could dress me up so good
You're the glitter in the darkness of my world
Just tell me what to do
I'll fall right into you
Going under, cast a spell, just say the word
I feel your love
Boom clap
The sound of my heart
The beat goes on and on and on and on and
Boom clap
You make me feel good
Come on to me, come on to me now
You are the light and I will follow
You let me lose my shadow
You are the sun, the glowing halo
And you keep burning me up with all of your love"
Well done Ms.Cooper, you are a mixologist. Instead of drinks and cocktails, you create a story with a perfect blend of sadness+happiness and so much of love. Oh yes, I'm claiming Renee too. Adding her to my crush list after Queen Latifah, Kate from Sunscreen and Coconuts and Austen from Under The Falling Star.
This book is available on KU. Kindle price is USD2.99
Trigger warning
Okay, you've read the trigger warning. Is it still safe to read this book. Hell yes!
Let me quote Charlie XCX
"No silver or no gold
Could dress me up so good
You're the glitter in the darkness of my world
Just tell me what to do
I'll fall right into you
Going under, cast a spell, just say the word
I feel your love
Boom clap
The sound of my heart
The beat goes on and on and on and on and
Boom clap
You make me feel good
Come on to me, come on to me now
You are the light and I will follow
You let me lose my shadow
You are the sun, the glowing halo
And you keep burning me up with all of your love"
Well done Ms.Cooper, you are a mixologist. Instead of drinks and cocktails, you create a story with a perfect blend of sadness+happiness and so much of love. Oh yes, I'm claiming Renee too. Adding her to my crush list after Queen Latifah, Kate from Sunscreen and Coconuts and Austen from Under The Falling Star.
This book is available on KU. Kindle price is USD2.99
September 4, 2018
"I can't force you to come back, Renee. I love you. I'll fight for us by myself if I have to."
I loved this story! It's one of friendship, loyalty, love, acceptance, heartbreak and sacrifice. It's such a wonderful tale of Renee and Jessica's relationship, going from employer/employee, to friends, to so much more. Facing challenges together, and one making a painful decision that alters their course.
Jessica Barron has had it. A lying, cheating, soon to be ex-husband, two kids with whom she's lost a connection, a crippling mortgage on a house she never wanted, and an unbearable and unforgiving work schedule. She needs help. Enter Home Solution Agency. Jessica never imagined the assistant sent to help her would forever change who she thought she was, or ever imagined she could be. But, when jealousy threatens to ruin everything, will this be one challenge they can't face? Will it be enough to tear them apart? She's just found Renee and she can't bear to lose her. How can she convince Renee they're worth fighting for?
Renee Arden, owner of Home Solution Agency, wants to understand the issues modern families are facing. What better way then to get in the trenches. Agreeing to take an assignment as a home assistant to Jessica Barron, she never thought her life could be changed this much. As the attraction grows, and the relationship becomes apparent to others, one person threatens to ruin them both. Renee has a choice to make - one that will destroy both of them, all in the name of love.
This was my first F/F read and I can say it won't be my last. While the relationship is one of F/F, the story is so much deeper than that. Sure the intimate scenes are steamy, but they're also really tender. It is one of accepting love where it grows. Of accepting and embracing who you are, even if it's someone you never thought you would be. It's about sticking it out together, facing any battles come what may, and fighting - Fighting for what you want, everyone else be damned.
I would highly recommend this one! It's a great story with wonderful characters, even the antagonists. I loved hating them!!
I loved this story! It's one of friendship, loyalty, love, acceptance, heartbreak and sacrifice. It's such a wonderful tale of Renee and Jessica's relationship, going from employer/employee, to friends, to so much more. Facing challenges together, and one making a painful decision that alters their course.
Jessica Barron has had it. A lying, cheating, soon to be ex-husband, two kids with whom she's lost a connection, a crippling mortgage on a house she never wanted, and an unbearable and unforgiving work schedule. She needs help. Enter Home Solution Agency. Jessica never imagined the assistant sent to help her would forever change who she thought she was, or ever imagined she could be. But, when jealousy threatens to ruin everything, will this be one challenge they can't face? Will it be enough to tear them apart? She's just found Renee and she can't bear to lose her. How can she convince Renee they're worth fighting for?
Renee Arden, owner of Home Solution Agency, wants to understand the issues modern families are facing. What better way then to get in the trenches. Agreeing to take an assignment as a home assistant to Jessica Barron, she never thought her life could be changed this much. As the attraction grows, and the relationship becomes apparent to others, one person threatens to ruin them both. Renee has a choice to make - one that will destroy both of them, all in the name of love.
This was my first F/F read and I can say it won't be my last. While the relationship is one of F/F, the story is so much deeper than that. Sure the intimate scenes are steamy, but they're also really tender. It is one of accepting love where it grows. Of accepting and embracing who you are, even if it's someone you never thought you would be. It's about sticking it out together, facing any battles come what may, and fighting - Fighting for what you want, everyone else be damned.
I would highly recommend this one! It's a great story with wonderful characters, even the antagonists. I loved hating them!!
September 15, 2018
A well-written romance with very likeable main characters, along with some unlikeable bad guys and gals.
books-i-ll-most-likely-never-finish
October 9, 2018DNF at 60%
I don’t often quit a book so late in the game, but what started out kind of nice turned into a mess of characters that just don’t make sense. Irrational decisions all the way around.
The other thing that bothered me from the beginning was the blandness of place. Not sure why it is set in Leeds never mind England. Language and places are all very generic.
Amount of errors was just this side of tolerable. Curiously, most were incorrect words that I guess spellcheck just couldn’t catch.
I don’t often quit a book so late in the game, but what started out kind of nice turned into a mess of characters that just don’t make sense. Irrational decisions all the way around.
The other thing that bothered me from the beginning was the blandness of place. Not sure why it is set in Leeds never mind England. Language and places are all very generic.
Amount of errors was just this side of tolerable. Curiously, most were incorrect words that I guess spellcheck just couldn’t catch.
September 7, 2018
This is a totally new kind of book for me and I was a bit wary of it at first but a couple of pages showed me that it was worth reading and I was soon engrossed in it.
Jessica is a divorce lawyer with a huge workload and two children. Having caught her husband red-handed with the nanny, Jessica has no choice but to throw him out and sack the nanny. This leaves her in a sticky situation which she solves by engaging a nanny from a different agency, not knowing that Renee is co-founder of the agency.
Amy is a long-time friend who enjoys gossiping on social media but is becoming very bitter and twisted and she does all she can to try and derail the growing friendship between the two women.
I have to confess to getting worked up about the situation that Amy provokes and I was shouting for Jessica and Renee all the way through the book, occasionally getting annoyed with them for not being more pro-active against the tittle-tattle that they are both so frightened of. There are times in the novel when the events are so sad and I was caught up in the drama, exuding sympathy for the pair.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read and one I would recommend.
Jessica is a divorce lawyer with a huge workload and two children. Having caught her husband red-handed with the nanny, Jessica has no choice but to throw him out and sack the nanny. This leaves her in a sticky situation which she solves by engaging a nanny from a different agency, not knowing that Renee is co-founder of the agency.
Amy is a long-time friend who enjoys gossiping on social media but is becoming very bitter and twisted and she does all she can to try and derail the growing friendship between the two women.
I have to confess to getting worked up about the situation that Amy provokes and I was shouting for Jessica and Renee all the way through the book, occasionally getting annoyed with them for not being more pro-active against the tittle-tattle that they are both so frightened of. There are times in the novel when the events are so sad and I was caught up in the drama, exuding sympathy for the pair.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read and one I would recommend.
June 27, 2019
What a beautiful story!
How refreshing it is to have two strong, formidable women in their 40's as main characters. Moreover, every character in this book had their part to play in making the story come alive and flow through the pages, including Mr Pip! Certain parts were so moving I couldn't see the words for tears. Highly recommended.
How refreshing it is to have two strong, formidable women in their 40's as main characters. Moreover, every character in this book had their part to play in making the story come alive and flow through the pages, including Mr Pip! Certain parts were so moving I couldn't see the words for tears. Highly recommended.
September 8, 2018
This is my first FF read and I am very impressed. The story is beautifully written and the love scenes were tastefully done, with enough steam to heat up your kindle. This new author has done a brilliant job!
September 9, 2018
Very good story!
I enjoyed this story very much. It had all the essentials for a good plot. Two very strong and compelling main characters. The children were adorable. The supporting characters Natalie and Mac were really good (would love a sequel about Mac’s story). The villains Amy, Carlo, and even Sam were very well done and totally despicable. It goes without saying that I totally adored Mr. Pip! What a wonderful Pied Piper! All in all, a very good story!
I enjoyed this story very much. It had all the essentials for a good plot. Two very strong and compelling main characters. The children were adorable. The supporting characters Natalie and Mac were really good (would love a sequel about Mac’s story). The villains Amy, Carlo, and even Sam were very well done and totally despicable. It goes without saying that I totally adored Mr. Pip! What a wonderful Pied Piper! All in all, a very good story!
September 3, 2019
DECREE ABSOLUTE is an entertaining lesbian romance, with two leading characters who are a little different--a court justice and the owner of a "nanny" business. I found Jessica and Renee attractive and appealing and liked their romance. However, Jessica's estranged husband Carlo and her questionable friend Amy had as much or more to do with the plot than the two main characters themselves. After several externally-created plot twists, it began to feel a bit contrived. I was taken enough with Jessica and Renee to want the best for them and to keep reading--in fits and starts-- until the happy ending.
September 14, 2018
I have a confession to make- yes another one. I haven’t actually come across W. A. Cooper before. I read the synopsis of ‘Decree Absolute’ and I was intrigued. I needed to read the book to see what direction the story took and whether or not the main characters had a happy ever after.
I really felt for Jessica Barron at the beginning of the book. She is a working mother, who works in the legal profession. She works all the hours that she can and that is mainly because of her husband’s spending habits. She has to work to pay off his debts. Jessica starts to feel frazzled, which is understandable given that she works so hard, her dedication to her work means that she has missed out on so much as regards the children. Heartbreakingly the children are used to coming second best and I get the impression that they much prefer the company of their father or their nanny. Both are sent packing after Jessica finds them next to the dryer and they certainly weren’t drying the washing if you get my drift. Jessica has to pick up the pieces from the break up of her marriage and answer the questions that her children fire at her, as well as try to keep the household ticking along and cope with an ever increasing workload. It’s certainly a juggling act for sure. Not surprisingly Jessica can’t keep all those balls in the air and so she hires a nanny through a nanny agency. This is what brings her into contact with Renee. Renee is a co-owner of the agency and she takes on the impossible job of looking after the household and the children, which isn’t going to be easy as Jessica has stipulated so many conditions or specifications that are crucial to the role. As a nanny, Renee makes Mary Poppins like an amateur. She’s good with the kids, she gets on with practically anybody, she can pacify Jessica and she helps to repair the damaged parent/ children relationship. From fairly early on, it’s clear that there is a spark between Jessica and Renee and I was just hoping that they would get together. Both women are the total opposite of each other but then they do say that opposites attract.
‘Decree Absolute’ is one of those books that gets your attention from the start and keeps it throughout the book. It had a perfect mix of drama, reality, humour and certain scenes reminded me of a farce. I found it to be an easy read and I didn’t realise just how quickly the pages were turning until I got over a third of the way through the book. I was enjoying the author’s writing style, the storylines and the characters so much that I just couldn’t stop reading and I found I had become addicted to this book. I liked almost all of the characters and as I indicate above, I felt for Jessica but ooh there were times when she needed a slap a few dozen times across the chops with a wet fish for the way she spoke to people and to bring her back to reality.
In short I really did enjoy reading ‘Decree Absolute’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be looking out for more books by W A Cooper. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.
I really felt for Jessica Barron at the beginning of the book. She is a working mother, who works in the legal profession. She works all the hours that she can and that is mainly because of her husband’s spending habits. She has to work to pay off his debts. Jessica starts to feel frazzled, which is understandable given that she works so hard, her dedication to her work means that she has missed out on so much as regards the children. Heartbreakingly the children are used to coming second best and I get the impression that they much prefer the company of their father or their nanny. Both are sent packing after Jessica finds them next to the dryer and they certainly weren’t drying the washing if you get my drift. Jessica has to pick up the pieces from the break up of her marriage and answer the questions that her children fire at her, as well as try to keep the household ticking along and cope with an ever increasing workload. It’s certainly a juggling act for sure. Not surprisingly Jessica can’t keep all those balls in the air and so she hires a nanny through a nanny agency. This is what brings her into contact with Renee. Renee is a co-owner of the agency and she takes on the impossible job of looking after the household and the children, which isn’t going to be easy as Jessica has stipulated so many conditions or specifications that are crucial to the role. As a nanny, Renee makes Mary Poppins like an amateur. She’s good with the kids, she gets on with practically anybody, she can pacify Jessica and she helps to repair the damaged parent/ children relationship. From fairly early on, it’s clear that there is a spark between Jessica and Renee and I was just hoping that they would get together. Both women are the total opposite of each other but then they do say that opposites attract.
‘Decree Absolute’ is one of those books that gets your attention from the start and keeps it throughout the book. It had a perfect mix of drama, reality, humour and certain scenes reminded me of a farce. I found it to be an easy read and I didn’t realise just how quickly the pages were turning until I got over a third of the way through the book. I was enjoying the author’s writing style, the storylines and the characters so much that I just couldn’t stop reading and I found I had become addicted to this book. I liked almost all of the characters and as I indicate above, I felt for Jessica but ooh there were times when she needed a slap a few dozen times across the chops with a wet fish for the way she spoke to people and to bring her back to reality.
In short I really did enjoy reading ‘Decree Absolute’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be looking out for more books by W A Cooper. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.
September 4, 2018
This is the first F/F book I have ever read, I took a chance and really enjoyed it.
A story of two very strong, determined minded women who are attracted to each other. Threatened to be exposed to society for loving each other.
Jessica Barron is a well known divorce attorney, she has been married twice and has two children. Her second marriage has been filled with betrayal and mistrust. She now has to juggle her private life, her job and her children on her own as she has left her husband and fired the children's nanny.
Needless to say Jessica is now looking for a live in temporary nanny for her children until her workload lessens. She walks into Home Solution Agency determined to hire someone to help with her children, she sees Renee Barron and decides to hire her on the spot unaware that Renee is the owner of the company.
Renee Barron is just coming out of a bad relationship with her girlfriend and needs to move out, she is looking for a temporary place to live.
For Jessica and Renee it's a win win situation. Renee has a temporary place to live and Jessica has a temporary home assistant.
Renee begins to feel an attraction to Jessica but doesn't want to compromise her business, family and employees. Jessica is denying the chemistry between her Renee. Jessica is compromising her job and the custody of her children.
What will happen to Jessica and Renee? Will they give up on the attraction they feel based on a compromise? Or will they take a chance and face their fears.
I would highly recommend this book. This shows friendship, loyalty, acceptance and heartbreak. It teaches us that anything can be overcome no matter what lies in front of us.
Great Job WA Cooper!
A story of two very strong, determined minded women who are attracted to each other. Threatened to be exposed to society for loving each other.
Jessica Barron is a well known divorce attorney, she has been married twice and has two children. Her second marriage has been filled with betrayal and mistrust. She now has to juggle her private life, her job and her children on her own as she has left her husband and fired the children's nanny.
Needless to say Jessica is now looking for a live in temporary nanny for her children until her workload lessens. She walks into Home Solution Agency determined to hire someone to help with her children, she sees Renee Barron and decides to hire her on the spot unaware that Renee is the owner of the company.
Renee Barron is just coming out of a bad relationship with her girlfriend and needs to move out, she is looking for a temporary place to live.
For Jessica and Renee it's a win win situation. Renee has a temporary place to live and Jessica has a temporary home assistant.
Renee begins to feel an attraction to Jessica but doesn't want to compromise her business, family and employees. Jessica is denying the chemistry between her Renee. Jessica is compromising her job and the custody of her children.
What will happen to Jessica and Renee? Will they give up on the attraction they feel based on a compromise? Or will they take a chance and face their fears.
I would highly recommend this book. This shows friendship, loyalty, acceptance and heartbreak. It teaches us that anything can be overcome no matter what lies in front of us.
Great Job WA Cooper!
November 10, 2019
What started off as a well-paced and well-written story just blew out of proportion with an overly dramatic conflict. What a waste of good plot. It ruined the entire thing for me. The author overdid it towards the end, and the ending wasn't even satisfying. I mean, seriously... Couldn't there be another chapter or two to spare for an ending with a more positive setting? And no, the one on the epilogue doesn't count.
I absolutely hate (yeah, I really mean hate; this isn't an exaggeration) it when conflicts are brewed in such a way where the protagonist purposely withholds information that's pivotal to the conflict resolution, especially if it's without good reason! It's such a cheap way to get the ball rolling. Add more to that the defeatist response where the MC succumbs to the antagonist's demands, and you'll have me see an MC undeserving of a happy ending -and there shouldn't be one!
Also, what's up with the break in those sex scenes? It's so weird and distracting to find pause/end scene marks for a supposedly continuous moment.
Anyway, the last third of the book reminded me so much of those cheaply made soap operas where things escalate to ridiculous degrees. I was planning on reading another novel by this author, but sad to say, this book made me retract that decision.
I absolutely hate (yeah, I really mean hate; this isn't an exaggeration) it when conflicts are brewed in such a way where the protagonist purposely withholds information that's pivotal to the conflict resolution, especially if it's without good reason! It's such a cheap way to get the ball rolling. Add more to that the defeatist response where the MC succumbs to the antagonist's demands, and you'll have me see an MC undeserving of a happy ending -and there shouldn't be one!
Also, what's up with the break in those sex scenes? It's so weird and distracting to find pause/end scene marks for a supposedly continuous moment.
Anyway, the last third of the book reminded me so much of those cheaply made soap operas where things escalate to ridiculous degrees. I was planning on reading another novel by this author, but sad to say, this book made me retract that decision.
September 5, 2018
There is just something about a confident and strong willed woman! Combining two of them together can lead to fireworks!
This story is about Jessica who finds herself in a position of needing a new nanny aka assistant after coming home to a rude awakening.
Renee is in a precarious position herself- when these two women meet it's not as copacetic as either had imagined, but soon a friendship forms, trust is built, and electricy crackles to life.
Someone threatens to destroy everything...can Jessica find out who and save the love she has found?
What would you do to protect the one you loved?
Secrets, tragedy, blackmail are woven into this story that pulled me in and had me invested in each of the characters (not just Jessica and Renee) from the kids and Mr. Pip to friends and family.
I giggled...i cried (the letters! Oh man they got me!)...i longed...and i wanted to beat the ever lovin snot out of a character! This was both my first F/F read and first book by this author and i look forward to reading more from her and would recommend (am secretely hoping Mac gets her own book) Though i am intrigued by the teasing of the dragon and the fairy too!
This story is about Jessica who finds herself in a position of needing a new nanny aka assistant after coming home to a rude awakening.
Renee is in a precarious position herself- when these two women meet it's not as copacetic as either had imagined, but soon a friendship forms, trust is built, and electricy crackles to life.
Someone threatens to destroy everything...can Jessica find out who and save the love she has found?
What would you do to protect the one you loved?
Secrets, tragedy, blackmail are woven into this story that pulled me in and had me invested in each of the characters (not just Jessica and Renee) from the kids and Mr. Pip to friends and family.
I giggled...i cried (the letters! Oh man they got me!)...i longed...and i wanted to beat the ever lovin snot out of a character! This was both my first F/F read and first book by this author and i look forward to reading more from her and would recommend (am secretely hoping Mac gets her own book) Though i am intrigued by the teasing of the dragon and the fairy too!
October 23, 2018
Decree Absolute is a beautifully done, compelling story. Jessica has her share of problems and has few people who she can trust to help her juggle her busy life. Enter Renee, who has to learn how to deal with the obstinate and closed-off Jessica - something she manages wonderfully, bit by bit. The budding relationship between these women drew me in and had me devouring the pages. WA Cooper shows all of the trepidation and doubt that comes with a budding romance, especially from a woman's viewpoint, and in this case, she does it times two. Jessica and Renee are very different personalities, and neither wants to admit to the attraction out of fear of rejection. Of course, the author gives us some extreme circumstances to push these ladies into action. Rather than give too many spoilers, I'll just leave it at this one is a must read in the genre. It's emotional, a bit provocative, engaging, and we even get a bit of treachery and betrayal for some gripping angst.
March 5, 2020
This was a solid 4* book until the last 20% when it sank into ridiculous melodrama, inappropriate tropes upon tropes and a completely unbelievable plot line that undermined all the previous character building of the protagonist (you know the excellent communicator, university lecturer, psych degree holding intelligent woman suddenly behaves like a spoilt teenager who can't talk about it) type of thing and it made me want to throw it across the room.
I don't recommend the audio which was read in a very pedestrian fashion by a narrator who seemed to struggle with the pronunciation of even quite straightforward words and tended towards a melodramatic tone even when there wasn't any.
It really spoilt it for me. Two professional women who suddenly behave like morons... For no real reason... Give me strength!
I don't recommend the audio which was read in a very pedestrian fashion by a narrator who seemed to struggle with the pronunciation of even quite straightforward words and tended towards a melodramatic tone even when there wasn't any.
It really spoilt it for me. Two professional women who suddenly behave like morons... For no real reason... Give me strength!
September 12, 2018
I absolutely loved reading this Beautiful love story between Jessica and Renee. The story held me captivated. It's about two strong independent Women who have both been disillusioned by love and at times life. After accepting a job to help out Jessica who has a high profile job, Renee works her magic helping with Jessica's two gorgeous kids Gemmy and Luca and showing them all how to be a Family and interact again, with the help of Mr Pip Renee's little dog. Renee helps Jessica to relax and feel again, and the two after a rough start begin to connect on a deeper level. Loved this read by Wendy, can't wait for more from you.
September 23, 2018
Captivating Read
I don’t know if this is WA’S first book,but if it is she’s got a pretty damn hard job to better it! The ebb and flow of the relationship between Jessica and Rene’e is brilliantly written there are of course the obligatory older and wiser friends on both sides who help love along,and not forgetting the serial unfaithful husband and Jessica’s psycho “best “ friend mix them all together and you’ve got one hell of a good read.Hope the Dragon and Fairy book comes out soon
I don’t know if this is WA’S first book,but if it is she’s got a pretty damn hard job to better it! The ebb and flow of the relationship between Jessica and Rene’e is brilliantly written there are of course the obligatory older and wiser friends on both sides who help love along,and not forgetting the serial unfaithful husband and Jessica’s psycho “best “ friend mix them all together and you’ve got one hell of a good read.Hope the Dragon and Fairy book comes out soon
December 10, 2018
This was a fairly long book but I loved that because it allowed me to enjoy it that much longer. I didn't want to put it down. It had me captivated right from the first chapter. It took me through some of the emotions the characters were feeling. The characters are well developed, and the storyline flows from the pages. The language was authentic and I learned some new phrases as I am a reader in the US and the setting is in England. That made it that much more interesting as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This was my first book by this author but it definitely won't be the last!
September 10, 2018
Really enjoyed this book.
Jesse's first husband died, her second husband is
cheating on her with the Nanny.
She has had enough, her 2 kids and her have no
connection any more because of her working so
much to keep up with the crippling mortgage.
Renee is the owner of home solutions agency.
Renee agrees to be a assigned home assistant
to Jesse.
Renee has a choice to make when Jesse and her
relationship becomes noticed by others.
I will be recommending this book.
Jesse's first husband died, her second husband is
cheating on her with the Nanny.
She has had enough, her 2 kids and her have no
connection any more because of her working so
much to keep up with the crippling mortgage.
Renee is the owner of home solutions agency.
Renee agrees to be a assigned home assistant
to Jesse.
Renee has a choice to make when Jesse and her
relationship becomes noticed by others.
I will be recommending this book.
November 21, 2018
A good gritty romance.
The reason I enjoyed this book is the realistic characters that made the story so believable. With real life problems and strong characters making a good story, a few sex scenes to keep the romance of Jessica and Renee interesting, good friends such as Mac and Natalie and a sociopath in Amy to give the story a BT of suspense turns the book into a really good read!
The reason I enjoyed this book is the realistic characters that made the story so believable. With real life problems and strong characters making a good story, a few sex scenes to keep the romance of Jessica and Renee interesting, good friends such as Mac and Natalie and a sociopath in Amy to give the story a BT of suspense turns the book into a really good read!
June 18, 2019
So many of my favorite tropes come into play in this book: melting the ice queen, falling for the nanny, single mom dates again. I wouldn't describe this as an enemies-to-lovers, but Jessica and Renee certainly get off to a rough start. The book is a bit of a slow starter. But, I found the pacing to be generally excellent. The major obstacle to the HEA, which was not what I expected it to be, did seem to be somewhat drawn out though I do understand why it lasted as long as it did. The children had moments where they faded to the background, and while that ruins some of the realism, is necessary for other parts of the story to move forward. Mac and Natalie are wonderful supporting characters. This book has some lovely attention to detail which really enriches the world of the story.
September 15, 2018
Welcome W.A. Cooper and Congratulations on your debut book. I found this to be a very good story, will well developed characters. I loved how dominate both Jessica and Renee were. Both women had been hurt in relationships and had given up on love, until they meet each other and decide to take one more chance.
Looking forward to reading more of your future books, I highly recommend this book.
Looking forward to reading more of your future books, I highly recommend this book.
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