Heart surgeon Dr Bree Parker has never had a care in the world until Gaston Roget sets his sights on her. Looking for a safe haven from her stalker, she finds herself hiding out in the morgue where she finds a sympathetic shoulder to cry on in Dr Morgan Jennings. They became fast friends and the line between friendship and the opportunity for something more is often blurred, and always ignored. That is until Bree announces she’s pregnant, and getting married. Devastated, Morgan finally acknowledges her feelings for her friend. Unable to stand by and watch her marry Tony, she sends Bree a letter explaining that she’s leaving town, but if Bree feels the same way, then she should stop her from leaving. Bree doesn’t turn up. Morgan finds herself on the shore of the lake, looking out onto the mountains. In the arms of Maggie, she has the chance to love again, but leaving Bree is more difficult than she thought. Especially when circumstance keeps bringing her home to LA. Back to Bree. Will there be a chance for them to reconcile? Or will Morgan return to the mountains? 30,000 words; novella
Award-Winning and best selling, Claire Highton-Stevenson is an Independent author of contemporary romance and crime novels.
Having worked for many years in emergency services, Claire now spends her time writing, traveling, researching ancestry, following Liverpool FC and enjoying life as much as possible.
She lives in West Sussex, UK. Along with her wife and fur babies.
This was such short and angsty read. Stalkers, stolen letters and significant others, in the end nothing could keep Bree and Morgan apart. And omg their mothers were such shippers. The stalker plot could've been better developed but I read it for romance and it was pretty great.
In this friends to lovers romantic novella, we meet with Dr. Bree Parker, a heart surgeon, and her good friend Morgan Jennings, who is working as a pathologist at the same hospital. A few years ago they met when Bree was looking for a safe haven where she could hide from her stalker. Fast they became friends, almost more than friends. But the surprising announcement from Bree that she’s pregnant and will marry Tony leaves Morgan devastated. She regrets that she’s never told Bree that she’s in love with her. Her only way to handle that is leaving Bree. Will there ever be a chance for them to have the relationship Morgan craves? Will Bree anytime soon accept her feelings for Morgan, or what is holding her back?
It’s a nice slow burn romance, which I appreciated. It’s very well written and the pacing is good. The chemistry between the two women is palpable and the supporting characters are adding depth to the story. It’s written in an alternating POV. I liked this change very much, to witness both their thoughts, feelings, and actions. I liked Morgan and Bree from the beginning very much and their families are fun and supporting. The stalking is not a big part in the story, but it’s an important part of the background.
The only thing I was wondering was, why in the end everything was rushed. On my e-reader it shows only 118 pages, so I think there could have been one or two more chapters without a problem. Otherwise, I liked this book very much.
Recommended to all the romance fans. My rating 4.25 stars An ARC was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review
3.5* Bree isn’t a celebrity but a cardiologist yet she is being stalked and struggles to escape her (legitimate) fears. The only place she seems to find peace is in the pathologist’s office. Bree and Morgan become BFFs then more but don’t really realize it. When Bree gets pregnant and decides to marry the father of her child, Morgan is devastated and leaves for a quieter life in the mountains. But fate (or rather their families and friends) wants them together.
Whereas the whole stalker part didn’t work for me since I kept forgetting about the guy, I loved that both MCs’ mothers plotted to get them together. I was sorry for Maggie, though, who deserved better (so did Tony but he also did screw up).
There’s something frustrating about this novella, some scenes (especially in the first chapters) feel a bit short, ending abruptly on some kind of punchline when they could have gone on a little longer. Everything feels very final between Bree and Morgan at first, when they could have understood each other better if only they had talked 5 or 10 more minutes. Then again, there would have been no story to tell if they had, I guess. And then when they finally find their way to each other, we don’t get to witness their first kiss. I love first kisses, that first time everything comes together.
I nevertheless quite enjoyed this short and unexpectedly light read, thanks mostly to very endearing characters, both the main ones and those around them.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this read up until the last 25%. I agree with some other reviews that the ending felt rushed. The author did such a good job of creating angst out of miscommunication but then when the real story starts of the two MCs finding each other it was just wham bam thank you ma'am. I would have liked it to match the rest of the book in that aspect. It would have been nice to see more development of the relationships between the new Bree and new Morgan (now that I think of it that may be the biggest flaw of the book). It would have also been nice if the Tony played a bigger role and even that Roget dude. Anyway, despite all that, I enjoyed the read. It had a good amount of angst for me and a decent, though rushed, HEA. Plus free on kU. Fans her books will enjoy it. 3.5*
This book is a bit of an odd duck in some ways. It's an absolute page turner and snags your attention from the very beginning. There's very little action and suspense involved despite Bree being the target of a mad man. I was expecting a little more angst in that department but there was enough to keep me on the edge of my seat for a short while.
The narrative during some moments moved at a rapid pace. Where some books would draw out certain confrontational scenes, this book just jumped right into the thick of things. No waiting around, no second guessing, just straight up "I know it was you, why did you do it?" moments. That was really refreshing for a change. I hate when authors dumb down their characters and make it seem like they all of a sudden can't figure out what 2+2 is.
As others have pointed out, after a lot of will they won't they between the main characters, the author took their relationship from 0 to mach 1 in the blink of an eye. Who would skip the first kiss? This author apparently. Not only that but there is another vital scene that she told through a flashback. WHY Claire Highton-Stevenson?! Don't you know those scenes are why we read these books in the first place?
The book definitely gets points for the great set of secondary characters involved like the mothers of the main characters and Maggie. Sadly it also loses points for rushing the ending and leaving several questions unanswered.
Friends to lovers romance between Bree and Morgan, both doctors, bisexuals and can’t seem to express their feelings for each other! Likeable secondary characters - some might call Bree and Morgan’s mothers nosey but, hey, they only have interests’ of their daughters at heart. A short read with some angst and HEA.
Enjoyed this book even though it dragged a bit in the middle because of the lack of communication between the main characters. This was no thriller, but a romance. As others have said: the end felt rushed and could have been more fleshed out. So all in all: 3.5 stars which rounds up to 4.
How much heartache and pining can you pack into 142 pages? LOADS!
If I were to describe this by tropes, it would be second chance, friends to lovers, slowburn. Simple, yeah?
But nothing is ever simple, not the characters or the story - there are layers and depth to everything, and that's what made this novella so good.
Morgan and Bree are great, realistic characters, ditto the supporting cast. I found myself rooting for Morgan all the way, occasionally wanting to yell at her to just get on with it and stop being so.. [censored]!
For the squeamish: the stalker bits are mostly just hinted at, as they are not the focus here. Mainly, they are there as another layer to Bree's backstory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I definitely love Claire’s writing style and no matter what she writes, always delivers. I’m permanently up for a good romance and this one has made high up on the list.
Bree Parker is a heart surgeon, she can mend hearts like nothing. Except for her own. She finds herself in a problem with a stalker, so she hides in the morgue around the talented Dr Morgan Jennings. A strong friendship grows. But something unexpected happens and what Bree has to say leaves Morgan distraught enough to acknowledge her feelings for Bree and decides is time to let her know, hoping she feels the same way. Leaving her the option to decide if she follows her…she doesn’t. So, for Morgan the best way to heal is leaving Bree. And the story begins…why didn’t Bree acknowledged her love declaration? The big question is will they ever have a chance? Or will Morgan Stay away?
I loved this book! This is a very interesting, beautiful story, a slow pace romance that fits perfectly. Both main characters are very lovable, wonderful and have immense chemistry. There are also fabulous secondary characters that flavours the story. The storyline moved along flawlessly and kept me totally involved. So much that I couldn’t help talking to the characters from time to time, telling them that they should talk, mainly. I found very endearing the way the story develops.
A great story told in an alternate POV, which is charming because gives us a bigger understanding of their thoughts and feelings. A story about finding unexpected love, surprises, struggles on the way, listening to the heart and ultimately the fight for love.
This is a winning story that you won’t be able to put it down. Will get you hooked from the first page. Undoubtedly a great story from a brilliant writer; you should definitely check this one out.
I gladly recommend this book.
I received an ARC copy of the book and voluntarily leaving my review.
Stories by Claire Highton-Stevenson never disappoint me…ever!!!!
With each new story, comes new amazing characters and I find myself falling in love with all her stories so very much. Her unique ability to tell a story in a straightforward, and simple way, without over complicating it really makes everything she writes so wonderful to read.
Leaving Bree left me in an emotional mess. These characters!!! Seriously, so much misunderstanding and unrequited but desperately wanted love. My heart broke, healed, and broke all over again as I joined Morgan and Bree in this story, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat for the reading experience I had.
I loved every second of this! It was cute but filled with angst. Morgan and Bree needed their heads banging together and their mother’s really help to make this story when they figure this out too.
What I loved most was the lessons this book taught. Nothing is ever as simple as you imagine, and don’t assume, that’s where these two made mistakes. But from mistakes you can learn, and so much power is held in Morgan’s and Bree’s lessons learned in this story. I really hope to see more from these characters in future because Leaving Bree was just the tip of the iceberg, and I need more!
Highly recommend this amazing, romantic, cute but drama filled romance.
Again I liked the characters... but for a heart surgeon/cardiologist, Bree Parker's a tad daft.
Bree should have told Morgan the situation and let her choose for herself what she wants to do... but noooooo, Bree's willing to have Morgan in her life while the bloke was stalking her, and then when the psycho stalker is caught and put in jail, she pushes Morgan away?
Morgan's a bloody saint and very forgiving.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Another great read from Claire loved the main characters and their mothers, the only slight disappointment was i thought it was a little short and rushed ,but that could be me as I'm not a great lover of shorter stories,so lovers of shorter stories will love it
Claire has written a great story of lost love or is it? The main character’s story reminds us to share your feelings with those you love. Is it too late for Morgan, should she give her heart to another? Will Bree ever get the chance to find out if she has a chance at true love? I really enjoyed reading this book and finding the answers to these questions! Another good one Claire! I can’t wait for your next one!
Great read and story. About a surgeon who is stalked who want her but also will kill her best friend who is also a doctor but works in the morgue. The stalker says if she doesn't meet her. This is a story of fear misunderstanding and more. Claire Highton-Stevenson the author did a great job writing and look forward to reading more by her.
I loved this story. I loved the chemistry between Morgan and Bree. The ups and downs of their relationship and where it leads was well written. Best Friends to Love is always a complicated but well worth it story.
I absolutely loved this book! I'm not the greatest on reviews but would recommend this one for anyone within the range of my keyboard! Well done! FIVE STARS!
This was an excellent book! I've enjoyed every book I've read from Claire Highton-Stevenson. If you enjoy lesfic, be sure to put these books on your must read list.
This book gripped me from the very beginning, when confident surgeon Bree Parker finds herself being stalked. She doesn't want her colleagues to know she's rattled, but she needs to talk to someone, and she ends up confiding in - and falling in love with - Morgan, the morgue doctor. The morgue is quiet and isolated, and Morgan is a great listener. Soon they form a tight, protective friendship, but then the stalker comes for Bree - and tells her in detail what he will do to Morgan if she doesn't cooperate. He's caught, and Bree returns to normal life, but it's clear she's traumatized and is afraid to be close to Morgan anymore, Morgan doesn't understand, and she can't stand to watch Bree marrying a man she clearly doesn't love and having a baby with him, so she goes on sabbatical...and meets someone else. But her heart just won't let go of Bree... What I love about this story is that you could feel the connection between Bree and Morgan right away. I like that Bree is bisexual and it's not a big deal; I'm not bi myself, but I still get frustrated with the biphobia rampant in lesbian media. I also love the scheming of the mothers of the two women who know their daughters belong together! Morgan's heartache is downright palpable in some scenes, and it can even be painful to read. She tries so hard to start her life over, and she just can't move on. But as she learns, sometimes you just have to stay and fight for what you want!
Life is filled with choices, whether or not they are ours or made by others, they profoundly affect our past, our present, and our future. Highton-Stevenson encompasses it all in Leaving Bree. With wonderful dialogue, creative imagery, and delightful humor, the author created a story that left me laughing, feeling melancholy, at times agitated, and always wanting the characters to make the choices I wanted them to make. The best thing is, Highton-Stevenson made the right choice to write this story. I relished it from beginning to end. Perhaps you could make the choice to add it to your reading list, I think you would be happy you did.
This was the skeleton of a good book — but after the prologue, literally every major plot point was either referenced or flashed back upon. The only things that happened on the actual page were recitations of feelings, the interim relationship before the HEA, and some of the plot to reunite the protagonists...and none of it was fully fleshed out.
I love everything else I’ve read by the author, and want to love the book hiding inside this one — but the relationship between the protagonists is the story I want. And it’s missing.
I really enjoyed this story! It kept me intrigued. It was heartwarming but also sexy. The only thing I would have changed is there was almost nothing about the physical side of their relationship. I didn't want graphic details ( subtlety is better) but it was almost totally skipped over. But otherwise, I really loved this book and very much look forward to reading more of this authors work!
It was heart breaking, it had so much emotion that I felt all of them. Now that's the type of book that gets the 5 plus to me.
My only thing with this book was that sometimes I felt the scenes to end to quickly, very abruptly and that they could have had more, but other than that I love the way all the characters evolve from the beginning to the end of the book.
You should check it out if you're looking for something good to read.
Another solid release from Claire Highton-Stevenson. The evolution of the romance is lovely and the way that each woman has to grow in order to be ready to embrace their relationship is well done. The ending is a bit rushed and I would have liked this to be a longer novel but overall, an enjoyable quick read.
The main characters were presented as both strong women with careers that paralleled each other. The author gave a beautiful story a little excitement and slight drama regarding both women. The implied sexual content leading up to the final scene on their wedding day was written with descriptive words. Overall a very enjoyable experience
Great book by a new author to me. I will be reading more from this author. Although this was a novella, I look forward to full-length features! Great characters, especially the mothers. I loved Brees assertiveness.
Beautiful and intense story. Detailed described characters main and secondary and so realistic dialogues. In some moments the story felt to rush but I fully enjoyed this book until the end