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Midnight in Manhattan #1
Don't Cry for Me
A frosty television host, a bubbly bar owner, and a litter of abandoned kittens. The recipe for ratings gold...or heartbreak?
Eve Marlow has her eyes on the a third season of her popular business makeover show, Do Over. But when her ratings take an unexpected dive, Eve needs a blockbuster new client, or she can kiss season three goodbye. She has her work cut out for her, and that’s before she discovers a litter of newborn kittens in a trash can. Now she’s desperate to find someone to take them so she can concentrate on reviving her career.
Josie Swanson had to put her kitten rescue on the back burner when she inherited her father’s bar two years ago. Since then, she’s invested all her time and energy into keeping it afloat, but despite her best efforts, Swanson’s is going under. When she gets a phone call from Eve Marlow, host of the television show Josie applied to earlier that year, the woman she’s convinced can save her bar, Josie hopes her luck has finally turned.
Eve knows what she needs to succeed, and it isn’t Josie—or her bar. There’s no denying the chemistry sizzling between them, though. Josie’s personality is as vibrant as her turquoise-tipped hair. She stirs things in Eve that haven’t been stirred in a long time, but there’s a reason she keeps her heart under lock and key. Eve stands to lose a lot more than her TV show if she lets her guard down, no matter how tempted she is to see if Josie’s love would be worth the risk.
Eve Marlow has her eyes on the a third season of her popular business makeover show, Do Over. But when her ratings take an unexpected dive, Eve needs a blockbuster new client, or she can kiss season three goodbye. She has her work cut out for her, and that’s before she discovers a litter of newborn kittens in a trash can. Now she’s desperate to find someone to take them so she can concentrate on reviving her career.
Josie Swanson had to put her kitten rescue on the back burner when she inherited her father’s bar two years ago. Since then, she’s invested all her time and energy into keeping it afloat, but despite her best efforts, Swanson’s is going under. When she gets a phone call from Eve Marlow, host of the television show Josie applied to earlier that year, the woman she’s convinced can save her bar, Josie hopes her luck has finally turned.
Eve knows what she needs to succeed, and it isn’t Josie—or her bar. There’s no denying the chemistry sizzling between them, though. Josie’s personality is as vibrant as her turquoise-tipped hair. She stirs things in Eve that haven’t been stirred in a long time, but there’s a reason she keeps her heart under lock and key. Eve stands to lose a lot more than her TV show if she lets her guard down, no matter how tempted she is to see if Josie’s love would be worth the risk.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2020
604 people are currently reading
1915 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Lacey
37 books2,349 followersRachel Lacey is an award-winning contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She's been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in the mountains of Vermont with her family and a variety of rescue pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
December 20, 2022
Edit: December 20th, 2022, audiobook review
Don’t Cry for Me was my first ever Rachel Lacey book, the one that made me fall in love with her characters and stories and the overall loveliness of her books. I love them all but this one will always hold a special place in my heart. Reacquainting myself with Josie and Eve, with Kaya and Adam, with the theatre kittens, was pure pleasure.
Listening to an audiobook when you already know the book is completely different from discovering the story through narration, anticipation is added to the mix. In this case, having recently experienced Lauren’s story – who, when I first read this book, was “just” a secondary character, one who was important to the story but not one the reader knew much about – increased the anticipation and brought even more feelings. Lori Prince‘s narration is a little uneven but there are a lot more things I love about it than not. I know a lot of listeners associate her with comedy but to me, she truly shines in drama. I have a weakness for unexpected vulnerability and she breaks my heart in those moments.
And, of course, now I want a kitten. 4.5⭐️
------------------------------------------------
4.5* – Who doesn’t love an ice queen? Eve Marlow has good reasons to protect her heart, and herself in general, and that no-nonsense you-do-what-you-have-to-do quality has come in very handy in her job as a TV personality helping faltering small businesses flourish. Not even the iciest of ice queens, however, can leave newborn kittens to die in a trash can on the street. Yet there’s a difference between not wanting them to die and taking responsibility for them, especially when she has to focus on getting her show renewed, with less than a week to find the ideal candidate to save the current season.
Josie Swanson’s life is all about rescuing kittens but since her father’s death a couple of years ago, she’s been killing herself trying to keep the bar he loved, the bar she grew up in, afloat. When Eve, whose show she loves, comes to her for help with the abandoned kittens, sparks fly, not all in a pleasurable way.
This story gave me all the feels. It has most of everything I love in a romance: sweet but complex characters, hardships to overcome, cute kittens (I like puppies too, and most creatures, but kittens, you know…), overpowering attraction, angst… It’s instalust and almost instalove but the way the story is told makes complete sense. Eve’s reasons for trying to resist Josie’s charm (and her ever colour-changing hair) are coherent, despite the undeniable chemistry. And the whole kitten arc is delightful.
The only reason I’m giving it 4.5* and not the whole 5* is that there’s a little too much head-hopping and a few wobbly sentences, but not enough to lessen my enjoyment of this book. It’s the first one in a new series and I know I write this often, but I really can’t wait for book 2, It's in Her Kiss, announced for September 15th. While this was my first novel by Rachel Lacey, her previous f/f romance, Lost in Paradise, was released last year and is going on my TBR list right away.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
Don’t Cry for Me was my first ever Rachel Lacey book, the one that made me fall in love with her characters and stories and the overall loveliness of her books. I love them all but this one will always hold a special place in my heart. Reacquainting myself with Josie and Eve, with Kaya and Adam, with the theatre kittens, was pure pleasure.
Listening to an audiobook when you already know the book is completely different from discovering the story through narration, anticipation is added to the mix. In this case, having recently experienced Lauren’s story – who, when I first read this book, was “just” a secondary character, one who was important to the story but not one the reader knew much about – increased the anticipation and brought even more feelings. Lori Prince‘s narration is a little uneven but there are a lot more things I love about it than not. I know a lot of listeners associate her with comedy but to me, she truly shines in drama. I have a weakness for unexpected vulnerability and she breaks my heart in those moments.
And, of course, now I want a kitten. 4.5⭐️
------------------------------------------------
4.5* – Who doesn’t love an ice queen? Eve Marlow has good reasons to protect her heart, and herself in general, and that no-nonsense you-do-what-you-have-to-do quality has come in very handy in her job as a TV personality helping faltering small businesses flourish. Not even the iciest of ice queens, however, can leave newborn kittens to die in a trash can on the street. Yet there’s a difference between not wanting them to die and taking responsibility for them, especially when she has to focus on getting her show renewed, with less than a week to find the ideal candidate to save the current season.
Josie Swanson’s life is all about rescuing kittens but since her father’s death a couple of years ago, she’s been killing herself trying to keep the bar he loved, the bar she grew up in, afloat. When Eve, whose show she loves, comes to her for help with the abandoned kittens, sparks fly, not all in a pleasurable way.
This story gave me all the feels. It has most of everything I love in a romance: sweet but complex characters, hardships to overcome, cute kittens (I like puppies too, and most creatures, but kittens, you know…), overpowering attraction, angst… It’s instalust and almost instalove but the way the story is told makes complete sense. Eve’s reasons for trying to resist Josie’s charm (and her ever colour-changing hair) are coherent, despite the undeniable chemistry. And the whole kitten arc is delightful.
The only reason I’m giving it 4.5* and not the whole 5* is that there’s a little too much head-hopping and a few wobbly sentences, but not enough to lessen my enjoyment of this book. It’s the first one in a new series and I know I write this often, but I really can’t wait for book 2, It's in Her Kiss, announced for September 15th. While this was my first novel by Rachel Lacey, her previous f/f romance, Lost in Paradise, was released last year and is going on my TBR list right away.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
April 21, 2020
Exactly what I needed
I have been reading a lot of just so-so books recently. I wasn't sure if it was because of the quality of books or if maybe my head has been in a funny space as a result of quarantine during this pandemic.
After reading this, I have to assume it was the books I was reading. Because this one had me hooked and invested. It was one of those where it is really inconvenient when you have to do things like sleep, eat, or log into work.
Eve owns her own marketing company and also has a television show that focuses on saving businesses from going under. She learns that her ratings are not where they should be and she is in jeopardy of not getting a third season. On the way home one night, she finds some abandoned newborn kittens.
Josie rescues pets and does animal related YouTube videos. She gets a call from Eve asking her to take the kittens but she can't do it because she is working night and day at a bar she inherited. She gives Eve tips on how to get them through the night and promises to try and find someone who can take them in.
What follows is a beautiful story of two women tainted with sadness who find a bit of contentedness in each other's company. And despite their attempts at casual, the intensity of their attraction and depth of their connection, creates something bigger than they ever could have anticipated.
The characters were rich with unique personalities and backstory. I loved both Eve and Josie for all of their endearing qualities and heartbreaking faults. Eve was a sexy, petite, impenetrable business woman throwing herself into work to avoid her own thoughts and memories. Josie was a quirky, full-of-life, altruistic gal working herself into the ground out of obligation.
There is something so satisfying in witnessing someone's walls crumbling despite all of their attempts at resisting.
I could find no faults in this. It was a deeply moving love story.
I recommend this to anyone who loves to read about romance, reality television, bars, strong chemistry, meaningful history, striving for success, and Broadway kittens.
P.S. A big thanks to Jude for recommending when she heard I was in a reading slump.
I have been reading a lot of just so-so books recently. I wasn't sure if it was because of the quality of books or if maybe my head has been in a funny space as a result of quarantine during this pandemic.
After reading this, I have to assume it was the books I was reading. Because this one had me hooked and invested. It was one of those where it is really inconvenient when you have to do things like sleep, eat, or log into work.
Eve owns her own marketing company and also has a television show that focuses on saving businesses from going under. She learns that her ratings are not where they should be and she is in jeopardy of not getting a third season. On the way home one night, she finds some abandoned newborn kittens.
Josie rescues pets and does animal related YouTube videos. She gets a call from Eve asking her to take the kittens but she can't do it because she is working night and day at a bar she inherited. She gives Eve tips on how to get them through the night and promises to try and find someone who can take them in.
What follows is a beautiful story of two women tainted with sadness who find a bit of contentedness in each other's company. And despite their attempts at casual, the intensity of their attraction and depth of their connection, creates something bigger than they ever could have anticipated.
The characters were rich with unique personalities and backstory. I loved both Eve and Josie for all of their endearing qualities and heartbreaking faults. Eve was a sexy, petite, impenetrable business woman throwing herself into work to avoid her own thoughts and memories. Josie was a quirky, full-of-life, altruistic gal working herself into the ground out of obligation.
There is something so satisfying in witnessing someone's walls crumbling despite all of their attempts at resisting.
I could find no faults in this. It was a deeply moving love story.
I recommend this to anyone who loves to read about romance, reality television, bars, strong chemistry, meaningful history, striving for success, and Broadway kittens.
P.S. A big thanks to Jude for recommending when she heard I was in a reading slump.
February 14, 2021
I enjoyed this story, though not without some reservations. There are some minor contrivances throughout that I just had to let go and those are in pretty much all aspects of the story. So while it mostly works, I was conscious of having to gloss over little things all along the way.
So while Josie was kind of awesome, with her kitten rescue, hair color changes, and inner strength, I had a hard time seeing her devotion to the bar that was sucking the life out of her or the really odd circumstance that lead to her owning it. And I liked the plot of her working to save the bar by making it all her own and feeling like she was abandoning its history at the same time only to have a pretty much random betrayal thrown in to provide a setback and tension.
And I'm afraid that the biggest contrivance I had to get by was Eve's negative motivation* bound up in her former marriage and its tragic end. None of those elements with Eve were a particular strain, mind. But they added up. And when that adding up leads to "an inability to love again" I found myself more impatient than sympathetic (not helped by knowing I was reading a romance so I knew she'd have to get over that by novel's end).
And all of that sounds like a lot more than it is; even Eve's poor-me character motivation. I mean, I was fully engaged and really loving the characters (all of them, including side characters) along the way. And it doesn't hurt that there were rescue kittens.
So I'm giving this a solid four stars for the engaging story, even if there was more-or-less constant friction on my engagement. Josie was outstanding and I came around on Eve, particularly once she got her motivations squared away.
A note about Steamy: I had a small break in the middle of this so I lost count of explicit sex scenes. There weren't enough to get past the middle of my steam tolerance so a handful, maybe? Frankly, I think Lacey did an excellent job of giving us the right level of detail, forgoing those in the later part of the story once their emotional/intimate arc had been established.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
So while Josie was kind of awesome, with her kitten rescue, hair color changes, and inner strength, I had a hard time seeing her devotion to the bar that was sucking the life out of her or the really odd circumstance that lead to her owning it. And I liked the plot of her working to save the bar by making it all her own and feeling like she was abandoning its history at the same time only to have a pretty much random betrayal thrown in to provide a setback and tension.
And I'm afraid that the biggest contrivance I had to get by was Eve's negative motivation* bound up in her former marriage and its tragic end. None of those elements with Eve were a particular strain, mind. But they added up. And when that adding up leads to "an inability to love again" I found myself more impatient than sympathetic (not helped by knowing I was reading a romance so I knew she'd have to get over that by novel's end).
And all of that sounds like a lot more than it is; even Eve's poor-me character motivation. I mean, I was fully engaged and really loving the characters (all of them, including side characters) along the way. And it doesn't hurt that there were rescue kittens.
So I'm giving this a solid four stars for the engaging story, even if there was more-or-less constant friction on my engagement. Josie was outstanding and I came around on Eve, particularly once she got her motivations squared away.
A note about Steamy: I had a small break in the middle of this so I lost count of explicit sex scenes. There weren't enough to get past the middle of my steam tolerance so a handful, maybe? Frankly, I think Lacey did an excellent job of giving us the right level of detail, forgoing those in the later part of the story once their emotional/intimate arc had been established.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
February 4, 2021
I'm not crying, you're crying.
Everyone is onto the third book to the Midnight in Manhattan series now and I'm only at the first. I'm late but I hope I'm not too late to the party on this one.
I’ve read so many lesfic novels by now that I’ve become a little desensitized to the different emotional baggage that characters cling to making it harder for me to empathize at times. Hence, I have to hand it to Lacey for creating a backstory and for telling it so well, through words, emotions, photos, scars, I cried. It’s a past that cuts so badly, Eve can only cope by shutting her emotions down to prevent getting hurt again. For the first time I felt so sorry to have an ice queen simply because of how that ice was made.
Josie too has her own painful memories of the past, but instead of shutting down, she becomes driven to put the bar she inherited back in business. This is a tall feat for someone without business acumen, but she sees opportunity when Eve shows up asking for help with a litter of newborn kittens. When Josie ends up being the new client of Eve’s popular business makeover show, something between them shifts, starting with physical attraction that would evolve eventually to emotional intimacy.
I don’t usually use quotes in book reviews but here's one I love because of the implicit reference to how lonely Eve had been and the explicit realisation from this point forward that she isn’t alone.
“Don’t cry for me,” Eve whispered against her neck.
Josie swiped at her cheeks. “Someone should.”
Josie is one of the reasons why this book felt so right. She’s a gem who knows her place when it comes to relationships and she lets Eve set the pace and heal organically.
A story that involves letting go of a past isn’t easy to construct but Lacey gave us a perfect love story, one that stirs up all kinds of emotions and I love it.
Everyone is onto the third book to the Midnight in Manhattan series now and I'm only at the first. I'm late but I hope I'm not too late to the party on this one.
I’ve read so many lesfic novels by now that I’ve become a little desensitized to the different emotional baggage that characters cling to making it harder for me to empathize at times. Hence, I have to hand it to Lacey for creating a backstory and for telling it so well, through words, emotions, photos, scars, I cried. It’s a past that cuts so badly, Eve can only cope by shutting her emotions down to prevent getting hurt again. For the first time I felt so sorry to have an ice queen simply because of how that ice was made.
Josie too has her own painful memories of the past, but instead of shutting down, she becomes driven to put the bar she inherited back in business. This is a tall feat for someone without business acumen, but she sees opportunity when Eve shows up asking for help with a litter of newborn kittens. When Josie ends up being the new client of Eve’s popular business makeover show, something between them shifts, starting with physical attraction that would evolve eventually to emotional intimacy.
I don’t usually use quotes in book reviews but here's one I love because of the implicit reference to how lonely Eve had been and the explicit realisation from this point forward that she isn’t alone.
“Don’t cry for me,” Eve whispered against her neck.
Josie swiped at her cheeks. “Someone should.”
Josie is one of the reasons why this book felt so right. She’s a gem who knows her place when it comes to relationships and she lets Eve set the pace and heal organically.
A story that involves letting go of a past isn’t easy to construct but Lacey gave us a perfect love story, one that stirs up all kinds of emotions and I love it.
January 25, 2023
5⭐️
A wonderful story about loss and that if you dare, you can get a second chance at happiness and love. And also about dreams deferred that may yet come true. A strong character story, it's especially nice to see how the ice around Eva's heart slowly starts to melt, whether she wants to admit it or not. And Josie with her big heart and too much trust, you can't help but love her. A love story that goes to the heart.
A wonderful story about loss and that if you dare, you can get a second chance at happiness and love. And also about dreams deferred that may yet come true. A strong character story, it's especially nice to see how the ice around Eva's heart slowly starts to melt, whether she wants to admit it or not. And Josie with her big heart and too much trust, you can't help but love her. A love story that goes to the heart.
November 6, 2022
I‘ve read this book for the second time. Loved it as much as the first time. It’s one of my favorites.
The story is very well written. You slowly get to know the two MCs and their troubled background and life experiences. Especially the ice queen character Eve is lovely and she and Josie make a perfect couple. I loved the two together very much.
And as a “cat person” I was very pleased with the huge amount of cats in this story.
Highly recommend.
The story is very well written. You slowly get to know the two MCs and their troubled background and life experiences. Especially the ice queen character Eve is lovely and she and Josie make a perfect couple. I loved the two together very much.
And as a “cat person” I was very pleased with the huge amount of cats in this story.
Highly recommend.
February 5, 2021
From the blurb I was expecting a light fluffy romance with kittens involved. What I got deflated me a bit while still fluffing me up at the end. I just really wasn't expecting it!!!
Possible spoiler ahead _ This book does deal with spousal death and the death of an unborn child from the same tragic accident, so I was blubbering like whale at the heart wrenching discovery of that, which I was not anticipating.
However the beautiful tale told with heartbreak combined with the healing of new love and opening up, touched and uplifted me beyond words.
Possible spoiler ahead _ This book does deal with spousal death and the death of an unborn child from the same tragic accident, so I was blubbering like whale at the heart wrenching discovery of that, which I was not anticipating.
However the beautiful tale told with heartbreak combined with the healing of new love and opening up, touched and uplifted me beyond words.
September 10, 2020
I’m in a weird headspace right now. Idk if it has something to do with my mood, but I didn’t love this as much as most people did. Maybe I’m noticing the wrong things 🤷🏻♀️
First, I took longer than expected to consume this. I struggled with the entire first half of the book enough for me to debate DNF-ing it. But I wanted to know why a lot of people liked it, so I pushed myself to continue until I finished it. Nothing in the business arc stimulated me despite it occupying majority of the book. To me, it has taken more space than it should in exchange of where the romance could’ve been developed more organically.
The writing put more emphasis on events/actions than emotions; it’s more tell than show. I was only able to bridge the gap emotionally between me as a reader and the story in the second half of the book. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Eve and Josie. It was as if they only lusted after each other than catch actual feelings. They jumped into bed more times than they conversed intimately, and maybe that makes sense because things started off casual between them, but still, the “love” they felt for each other ended up unconvincing to me. I just don’t think they individually ruminated on their feelings enough to highlight the fact that they were indeed falling for each other.
I also suppressed a cringe whenever Josie inadvertently backs Eve in a corner, making things awkward. Surprisingly, their conversations move on as if the elephant in the room didn’t rear its head. Josie was just too presumptuous sometimes that she turned me off (e.g. ). It screams red flag to me.
The deep emotions at play whenever a certain tertiary character was mentioned were fleeting and often shoved on the side. This worried me because I know the author has to properly address the drama brought about by this character. It happened so close to the end, but it was such a relief to finally see it unfold in Chapter 24 (there are 29 chapters + an epilogue). I just wish the author allowed the pain from this to run its course, because sometimes that's the healthier way to deal with it.
In the end, while the personal heartbreaks of both MCs felt heavy and gripped my heart, their relationship with each other, sadly, failed to capture me. If not for the personal drama of one MC, this would've only been a 2-star book for me.
First, I took longer than expected to consume this. I struggled with the entire first half of the book enough for me to debate DNF-ing it. But I wanted to know why a lot of people liked it, so I pushed myself to continue until I finished it. Nothing in the business arc stimulated me despite it occupying majority of the book. To me, it has taken more space than it should in exchange of where the romance could’ve been developed more organically.
The writing put more emphasis on events/actions than emotions; it’s more tell than show. I was only able to bridge the gap emotionally between me as a reader and the story in the second half of the book. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Eve and Josie. It was as if they only lusted after each other than catch actual feelings. They jumped into bed more times than they conversed intimately, and maybe that makes sense because things started off casual between them, but still, the “love” they felt for each other ended up unconvincing to me. I just don’t think they individually ruminated on their feelings enough to highlight the fact that they were indeed falling for each other.
I also suppressed a cringe whenever Josie inadvertently backs Eve in a corner, making things awkward. Surprisingly, their conversations move on as if the elephant in the room didn’t rear its head. Josie was just too presumptuous sometimes that she turned me off (e.g. ). It screams red flag to me.
The deep emotions at play whenever a certain tertiary character was mentioned were fleeting and often shoved on the side. This worried me because I know the author has to properly address the drama brought about by this character. It happened so close to the end, but it was such a relief to finally see it unfold in Chapter 24 (there are 29 chapters + an epilogue). I just wish the author allowed the pain from this to run its course, because sometimes that's the healthier way to deal with it.
In the end, while the personal heartbreaks of both MCs felt heavy and gripped my heart, their relationship with each other, sadly, failed to capture me. If not for the personal drama of one MC, this would've only been a 2-star book for me.
January 18, 2023
Josie is desperate. Her bar, which is a family legacy, is sinking fast. Lucky for her, the host of a reality tv show decides to pick Swanson’s for a business makeover.
What I like best about the book is Eve’s journey. The character starts out as a seemingly icy career-driven woman. But as we learn who she really is and what she is capable of becoming, then the story emerges as something special. Josie has her own shining moments dealing with her own ghosts but it’s Eve who tugged at my heart. This is one of those books that I wonder what a prequel might look like, in this case, starring Eve’s past.
Overall, an engaging romance with two likable mains. As usual, Lori Prince knocks it out with just the right amount of humor. 4.5 stars rounded up.
What I like best about the book is Eve’s journey. The character starts out as a seemingly icy career-driven woman. But as we learn who she really is and what she is capable of becoming, then the story emerges as something special. Josie has her own shining moments dealing with her own ghosts but it’s Eve who tugged at my heart. This is one of those books that I wonder what a prequel might look like, in this case, starring Eve’s past.
Overall, an engaging romance with two likable mains. As usual, Lori Prince knocks it out with just the right amount of humor. 4.5 stars rounded up.
October 29, 2023
Traveling book #2:
This book started so good, I loved the first half, loved the reality show setting and the kitten rescue side plot. I really thought this would be a 4 star book - but once the reality show wrapped up the second half of the book just dragged on. It got boring and felt like I was reading forever.
This book started so good, I loved the first half, loved the reality show setting and the kitten rescue side plot. I really thought this would be a 4 star book - but once the reality show wrapped up the second half of the book just dragged on. It got boring and felt like I was reading forever.
January 14, 2023
Beautiful read. Rachel Lacey, where have you been all my life. After a so so month of average reads Don't Cry for Me warmed my heart and had me fully invested, and not just in the adorable kittens Eve rescues. This was a fully fleshed out movie worthy romance. Memorable and marvelous. On to the second book in the series.
May 20, 2020
I liked this book, a lot and I wasn't expecting it. I think I judged the book by it's cover and that cover didn't inspired me to read it, the reviews did.
So, lovely Josie runs a bar and a kitten rescue thing. Reallity tv star Eve finds kittens and after a youtube search finds Josie. THEEEN Josie helps Eve with the kittens and begs Eve to take her on her show. Eve says no and Eve producer decides to take Josie's bar anyway.
Good chemestry, atraction, kinda same but different trauma, adorable kittens and I don't know, you feel the atraction, the longing, the struggle. It was a nice entertaining read.
So, lovely Josie runs a bar and a kitten rescue thing. Reallity tv star Eve finds kittens and after a youtube search finds Josie. THEEEN Josie helps Eve with the kittens and begs Eve to take her on her show. Eve says no and Eve producer decides to take Josie's bar anyway.
Good chemestry, atraction, kinda same but different trauma, adorable kittens and I don't know, you feel the atraction, the longing, the struggle. It was a nice entertaining read.
February 5, 2021
Jumped on the bandwagon, my friends. This book got me in the feels real good!
November 28, 2022
This was fantastic.
This is the third book I’ve read by this author and I think this one if my favorite so far. Both MCs were rlly likable and easy to root for both individually and together. The pacing felt great, the conflicts believable, and the interactions were rlly lovely all around. I’m glad I caught this one on audiobook, bc Lori Prince makes everything better and her performance here (particularly with Eve near the end) was just fantastic. I want to read all the rest in this series now, but I also want to wait for them to be on audiobook with Lori reading them… but I don’t k own if I have the patience for that. Might have to just be re-listens after I read, bc if the other three are anything like this one, I need them now. Def rec.
This is the third book I’ve read by this author and I think this one if my favorite so far. Both MCs were rlly likable and easy to root for both individually and together. The pacing felt great, the conflicts believable, and the interactions were rlly lovely all around. I’m glad I caught this one on audiobook, bc Lori Prince makes everything better and her performance here (particularly with Eve near the end) was just fantastic. I want to read all the rest in this series now, but I also want to wait for them to be on audiobook with Lori reading them… but I don’t k own if I have the patience for that. Might have to just be re-listens after I read, bc if the other three are anything like this one, I need them now. Def rec.
May 30, 2020
If you’re on Kindle Unlimited (UK) do yourself a favour and download this now. It makes the monthly subscription worthwhile! Why?
1. Chill Queen with broken heart (she’s not cold enough for Ice)
2. Kittens rescued from a dumpster bin
3. A lovely woman who might just thaw an ice queen ;-)
4. A reality TV backstory that is a whole lot of fun
You need more? Really? Well, there’s a lovely connection between two very different people who are both very loveable. Genuine hurdles to overcome with a sad backstory. A fun business rescue of a bar. Chemistry.
And one small thing that really pleased me: the Chill Queen is brunette with brown eyes and the warm girl is blond. Thank you! Every little breaking down of stereotypes helps.
Why not 5? It lost some pace in the middle is all. And I’d give 4.5 stars if I could.
1. Chill Queen with broken heart (she’s not cold enough for Ice)
2. Kittens rescued from a dumpster bin
3. A lovely woman who might just thaw an ice queen ;-)
4. A reality TV backstory that is a whole lot of fun
You need more? Really? Well, there’s a lovely connection between two very different people who are both very loveable. Genuine hurdles to overcome with a sad backstory. A fun business rescue of a bar. Chemistry.
And one small thing that really pleased me: the Chill Queen is brunette with brown eyes and the warm girl is blond. Thank you! Every little breaking down of stereotypes helps.
Why not 5? It lost some pace in the middle is all. And I’d give 4.5 stars if I could.
January 17, 2023
This is a very enjoyable sapphic romance between Eve, the host of a business makeover show, and Josie, the owner of a struggling bar! However, they don’t end up meeting because of the show. Eve finds a litter of abandoned kittens and contacts Josie’s kitten rescue to try and save their lives. So there are plenty of adorable kitten scenes along with the bar renovation and rebranding.
Don’t Cry For Me is a good mix of compelling characters, great chemistry, and an interesting plot. There’s also believable reasons for why they think they can’t be together right away. It wouldn’t be professional for Eve to be with a client, and she also has some history that has her hesitant to get into a relationship again. Rachel Lacey really delivers with both the steamy moments and the more serious emotional moments.
Don’t Cry For Me is a good mix of compelling characters, great chemistry, and an interesting plot. There’s also believable reasons for why they think they can’t be together right away. It wouldn’t be professional for Eve to be with a client, and she also has some history that has her hesitant to get into a relationship again. Rachel Lacey really delivers with both the steamy moments and the more serious emotional moments.
May 11, 2020
I loved, loved, loved this book! 5+ stars.
-Loved both MCs
-Great Chemistry
-Ice Queen but not to icy so perfect.
-Great writing.
-Baby kittens!!
-Perfect angst. Totally understandable and heartbreaking, like, it made me tear up.
-Reality TV - business make over show
-HEA
-bonus points for an Epilogue so you get to see how our OTP are doing and its the perfect bow on a perfect romance.
-Loved both MCs
-Great Chemistry
-Ice Queen but not to icy so perfect.
-Great writing.
-Baby kittens!!
-Perfect angst. Totally understandable and heartbreaking, like, it made me tear up.
-Reality TV - business make over show
-HEA
-bonus points for an Epilogue so you get to see how our OTP are doing and its the perfect bow on a perfect romance.
May 24, 2022
This was a very good read. I'll be searching out Lacey's other books. I liked both characters, and the writing was strong.
July 22, 2022
This book hit a sweet spot for me. I needed something quick with low angst and it came at the right time. I loved the juxtaposition of the MCs and how their relationship just grew so naturally. At times Josie seemed a little too aggressive and dismissive of Eve’s reservations, but it didn’t take away from the overall good vibe.
May 17, 2020
I wondered why the love scenes in this story felt off. Then I noticed that this author is a writer of mostly male/female romance and probably does not get the connection two women have together. She gets an 'A' for effort but only 3 stars from me for the story. I just didn't feel any love connection from the MCs.
November 18, 2021
And the best side characters go to --- The Kittens!
To be honest, I didn’t read the blurb thoroughly. I thought it would be a pure fluffy romance(because of the cover and the kittens in the blurb...). I did not expect the angsty and heart wrenching part. Both MCs are loveable, but I especially adore Eve. She has so many layers, and kudos to the author for handling the grieving and the intimacy issue pretty well. Josie is the charming one. You’ll love her unique style instantly. Although some of her behavior, I’m pretty sure it will make me cringe and run away in real life, oddly it didn’t really bother me in this book.
I have saved this book on my Amazon wish list for a while, but I didn’t open it until a few days ago. This is also my first time reading Rachel Lacey’s book, and I really enjoy her writing style!
p.s I love makeover reality TV shows; I watch channel HGTV everyday (am watching it right now)
To be honest, I didn’t read the blurb thoroughly. I thought it would be a pure fluffy romance(because of the cover and the kittens in the blurb...). I did not expect the angsty and heart wrenching part. Both MCs are loveable, but I especially adore Eve. She has so many layers, and kudos to the author for handling the grieving and the intimacy issue pretty well. Josie is the charming one. You’ll love her unique style instantly. Although some of her behavior, I’m pretty sure it will make me cringe and run away in real life, oddly it didn’t really bother me in this book.
I have saved this book on my Amazon wish list for a while, but I didn’t open it until a few days ago. This is also my first time reading Rachel Lacey’s book, and I really enjoy her writing style!
p.s I love makeover reality TV shows; I watch channel HGTV everyday (am watching it right now)
January 16, 2021
This was good, but didn't blow me away, so I feel comfortable with my 3.25. The story had some unique moments, but I found some parts repetitive (so....many....kitten.....feedings. So....much....hair dye) that could have been edited. The two MCs both had incredible losses in their lives, but the author dealt with this topic respectfully and didn't overdo/under-do it. I was more drawn to Eve than Josie for some reason, Josie felt a little immature and overbearing at times. Overall, I would recommend this as a light read, even through the character's losses, but it's not one I'd feel the urge to re-visit.
April 17, 2020
Received an ARC for an honest review.
This was a really enjoyable read. The chemistry between Eve and Josie was off the charts and the entire premise was just enjoyable. The two come together when Eve finds a litter of abandoned newborn kittens and a google search sends her to Josie. Before you know it, Eve is helping Josie renovate her bar, despite the fact that bars bring up the very worst kind of memories.
Lacey wrote real characters. They were fleshed out and I found myself feeling for them. I cheered for them to get together and my heart broke when they had trouble. And the kittens were the icing on the cake. I don't even like cats, yet they were adorable and the way Eve found herself so invested in them was perfect. A great read.
This was a really enjoyable read. The chemistry between Eve and Josie was off the charts and the entire premise was just enjoyable. The two come together when Eve finds a litter of abandoned newborn kittens and a google search sends her to Josie. Before you know it, Eve is helping Josie renovate her bar, despite the fact that bars bring up the very worst kind of memories.
Lacey wrote real characters. They were fleshed out and I found myself feeling for them. I cheered for them to get together and my heart broke when they had trouble. And the kittens were the icing on the cake. I don't even like cats, yet they were adorable and the way Eve found herself so invested in them was perfect. A great read.
August 1, 2024
“So are you going to fall in love?”
“It’s not midnight,” she said with a wink.
“It’s midnight somewhere.”
Maybe closer to 3.75 stars than a 4, but still, very close to a 4. I liked this so so much! I did forget to write a review, and usually when that happens, it's not a great sign. But in this case, it doesn't reflect badly on the book. This is a really sweet and emotional opposites attract romance, one of my favourites from this author so far. I'm really looking forward to continuing the series.
Eve is a TV show host and marketing expert who finds a litter of kittens in a bin. Josie is the bar owner/kitten rescuer she ends up getting help from. Josie's struggling bar also ends up being featured on Eve's business makeover show (even though Eve is extremely reluctant at first) and a really sweet romance blossoms. At first, I was a bit worried. This was one of those romances what I really liked one character (Eve) and the other character had a lot of catching up to do (Josie). And to be honest, it took longer than I expected for me to start genuinely liking Josie. In each moment where I would find myself softening towards her, she would do something that would just irritate me or set me a little bit on edge. Obviously, this is an opposites attract romance, and the characters are bound to clash at first. That's part of the appeal. But the ways that Josie would push at Eve's boundaries in the beginning were a little too insensitive, a little uncomfortable.
“Don’t cry for me,” Eve whispered against her neck.
Josie swiped at her cheeks. “Someone should.”
Okay, all those complaints makes it sound like it didn't like Josie/the book, but I really did! It's a testament to how sweet and emotionally effective and swoony this was, that I still ended up enjoying it so much. Eve is my favourite type of ice queen, in that she's not all that icy to begin with, and she doesn't take her coldness too far. The entire premise of her saving this litter of kittens, insisting she doesn't care about them, and then eventually beginning to love them is just sooooo cute. I fell totally in love with the kittens too, and I really enjoyed all the scenes and details of how they needed to be taken care of. The moments when Josie and Eve took care of them together, or traded off duties, were so lovely. Always tugs at my heart, to see people connecting with animals, and connecting with each other through animals. The entire book felt light and fun, except when it didn't. The heavy moments were so good; not too overdone, just as devastating as it needed to be. Perhaps it was just the mood I was in, but some of those later revelations about Eve's past really made me tear up. And I loved all those scenes where Josie was able to be an emotional rock for her. There are some things that I wish had been more cohesive. But that's really minor. I really fell in love with this couple. The last few chapters really cemented how much I loved them, and Josie finally clicked for me. This book had one of those love confession scenes that I felt in my heart.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Lori Prince, and this was one of my favourites from her. A perfect rendition of both women. I'm really happy that this turned out to be one of the best that I've read from Lacey, and I'll hopefully continue the series soon.
Eve deserved the world, and Josie was going to give it to her, one kiss at a time.
May 24, 2021
I wasn't expecting to be this good. I loved it, the story is so good and the heavy topic about Eve's trauma was delivered nicely.
May 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this. 4.5 stars
July 24, 2023
Rachel Lacey has crafted an extraordinary tale to kick off the Midnight in Manhattan series. Marketing expert, Eve Marlow’s show Do Over is in need of a ratings boost and she has no idea when she finds a litter of abandoned kittens in a garbage can that meeting Josie Swanson, kitten rescuer and bar owner, would change the course of her life forever.
Josie Swanson’s bar which has been in her family for generations is struggling. When Eve Marlow steps into her bar with a litter of abandoned kittens, Josie not only helps Eve save the kittens but also throws down the gauntlet and begs Eve to do over her bar.
I absolutely love Eve! She has walls upon walls up around her and Josie’s mixture of patience and probing slowly begins to break down those walls. She tries so hard to portray an air of indifference but underneath she’s a big softy. Despite the traumas she endured, she persevered. Her strength and resilience are admirable and I just want to give her a hug.
Josie is an absolute sweetheart. Her loyalty to her family’s business and her drive to rescue helpless kittens make her a lovely human. Eve tries really hard to resist the pull toward Josie and fortunately for us readers, she can only resist for so long. Their chemistry is so delicious and their conversations are so emotional and heartfelt.
Lori Prince is the perfect narrator for this book. Her ability to take Rachel Lacey’s brilliant writing and bring the story to life is incredible. Her inflections and intonations are spot on and I am in awe of her ability to infuse so much emotion into the scenes. I honestly teared up several times during my listen due to the depth of emotion Lori Prince portrayed.
Don’t Cry For Me by Rachel Lacey is a beautifully written, emotional journey with two incredible main characters, a litter of adorable kittens, and a bar I’d love to visit. Highly recommended!
I received a copy of the audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Josie Swanson’s bar which has been in her family for generations is struggling. When Eve Marlow steps into her bar with a litter of abandoned kittens, Josie not only helps Eve save the kittens but also throws down the gauntlet and begs Eve to do over her bar.
I absolutely love Eve! She has walls upon walls up around her and Josie’s mixture of patience and probing slowly begins to break down those walls. She tries so hard to portray an air of indifference but underneath she’s a big softy. Despite the traumas she endured, she persevered. Her strength and resilience are admirable and I just want to give her a hug.
Josie is an absolute sweetheart. Her loyalty to her family’s business and her drive to rescue helpless kittens make her a lovely human. Eve tries really hard to resist the pull toward Josie and fortunately for us readers, she can only resist for so long. Their chemistry is so delicious and their conversations are so emotional and heartfelt.
Lori Prince is the perfect narrator for this book. Her ability to take Rachel Lacey’s brilliant writing and bring the story to life is incredible. Her inflections and intonations are spot on and I am in awe of her ability to infuse so much emotion into the scenes. I honestly teared up several times during my listen due to the depth of emotion Lori Prince portrayed.
Don’t Cry For Me by Rachel Lacey is a beautifully written, emotional journey with two incredible main characters, a litter of adorable kittens, and a bar I’d love to visit. Highly recommended!
I received a copy of the audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2021
I read this jumping on the bandwagon after seeing several other people on goodreads sing it's praises, and I'm nothing if not trendy- especially if it's on KU. And while I did like it a lot, I'm not all over it like some other people.
I really liked the characters of both Eve and Josie, and I felt their chemistry hard. I also really liked the backstory in both characters that gave them depth, and they both dealt with their issues in real ways- it wasn't tragedy for the sake of tragedy.
The connection was real, I loved the kittens, and I loved the world and I would LOVE to have a drink in dragonfly.
Why I'm not going full five stars was I felt that this book lulled a few times. After the characters realized and even discussed attraction to each other, there was like 20% of the book with just yearning. There's nothing wrong with a slower burn necessarily but I felt like something could have been put in that slot to keep my interest more. Whether it was more backstory, or exploring Josie's relationship with her friends. Or something.
But this was a really good book that brought out a lot of emotional content to it. This was the first Rachel Lacey book I've read and I'll be looking to continue this series soon! 4/5
I really liked the characters of both Eve and Josie, and I felt their chemistry hard. I also really liked the backstory in both characters that gave them depth, and they both dealt with their issues in real ways- it wasn't tragedy for the sake of tragedy.
The connection was real, I loved the kittens, and I loved the world and I would LOVE to have a drink in dragonfly.
Why I'm not going full five stars was I felt that this book lulled a few times. After the characters realized and even discussed attraction to each other, there was like 20% of the book with just yearning. There's nothing wrong with a slower burn necessarily but I felt like something could have been put in that slot to keep my interest more. Whether it was more backstory, or exploring Josie's relationship with her friends. Or something.
But this was a really good book that brought out a lot of emotional content to it. This was the first Rachel Lacey book I've read and I'll be looking to continue this series soon! 4/5
February 20, 2023
One of the easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given! I couldn’t move on. I couldn’t put it down. Even when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about these characters! 😭 My heart was overwhelmed with emotions at all times! M(r)s. Lacey sure knew how to pull this girl’s heartstrings with this one because JESUS CHRIST I thought I was going to legit cry at times.
Eve has my heart and I totally related to Josie just wanting to love Eve and ensure her very much deserved happiness. ✨💚
Eve has my heart and I totally related to Josie just wanting to love Eve and ensure her very much deserved happiness. ✨💚
April 15, 2020
Really enjoyed this story. Through the writing you felt right there in the story. Rachel Lacey was able to capture all my emotions. Honestly this is not my typical read but it kept me engaged and routing for the characters and don't forget the kittens. Definitely a story I think you will enjoy. I received a free copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a review
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