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Love Stories #5
Love Under Fire
ASIN moved from less recent edition
Kristin Clark, a beloved elementary school teacher, discovers the power of a single disapproving voice. Her lifestyle brought into question, and false accusations made by one student’s father, sees Kristin suspended from her position and her career in potential ruin. How can she win when it’s her word against his?
Ex Michelin Star chef, Taylor O’Connell, has sworn off relationships with women who aren’t honest and open about their sexuality. Happy in her unconventional day job, and rediscovering her love for cooking, Taylor is making small steps in an attempt to move forward from recent heartbreak.
When the two women’s worlds intersect, the reality of their situations quickly diminishes the unexpected attraction they feel for each other. Kristin’s need to be discreet, and Taylor’s need for openness, defies compatibility. Will the fear and ignorance of others shape their futures, or will they fight for the right to live and love on their own terms?
Kristin Clark, a beloved elementary school teacher, discovers the power of a single disapproving voice. Her lifestyle brought into question, and false accusations made by one student’s father, sees Kristin suspended from her position and her career in potential ruin. How can she win when it’s her word against his?
Ex Michelin Star chef, Taylor O’Connell, has sworn off relationships with women who aren’t honest and open about their sexuality. Happy in her unconventional day job, and rediscovering her love for cooking, Taylor is making small steps in an attempt to move forward from recent heartbreak.
When the two women’s worlds intersect, the reality of their situations quickly diminishes the unexpected attraction they feel for each other. Kristin’s need to be discreet, and Taylor’s need for openness, defies compatibility. Will the fear and ignorance of others shape their futures, or will they fight for the right to live and love on their own terms?
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2018
164 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
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July 13, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/13/2019)! 🎁
July 25, 2019
This is the sort of book I’m almost embarrassed to even have on my reading record. A romance. A cheesy cheesy romance. I mean, it was free, quick and mindless. It was decently enough written and properly edited. It had lovely ladies. It’s the sort of thing that helps one understand the genre appeal, but only barely so, because in the end of the day I just can’t get with the idea that reading should be mindless. And also (and I do apologize to all the romance fans out there, I understand it to be a thriving genre with a mighty fan base) but what a silly genre. I was gonna say dumb and edited myself. But seriously, the entire thing is based on a completely fictional premise, which would be fine for fantasy or something, because that comes with an innate understanding of it being a work of imagination, but this…this appears to be realistic, only any real person who has been in a relationship with another real person in real life knows this to be completely not the case. So it’s just a lie that does nothing but create completely unrealistic expectations of real life relationships. Kind of like porn in a way. There are probably romance fans out there who’d challenge this assessment and I’d love to hear a coherent intelligent rebuttal, but thing with arguing is that almost no one ever chances their minds anyway, you are what you are, you like what you like and all that. So yeah, back to the book…it does exactly what a romance ought to do, which is to create a fairly unrealistic and certainly oversimplified lesbian relationship between a teacher and a parking meter maid/chef. The author seems to have a series of this novellas, featuring interconnected characters. I’ve checked out their plot summaries and they all follow a formula. For one thing, there’s always a crisis. In this book it’s the teacher’s character, facing discrimination at her fancy private school due to her sexual orientation. Apparently, that’s still going on, despite the story taking place in San Francisco, one of the most progressive gay friendly cities there is, at least in the US. So she must decide whether to remain in the closet to appease the homophobic bastards or live her life out and proud. If you’re familiar with the genre, you can figure out what she chooses. And there be the moral, laid nice and heavy and very well intentioned indeed. All things work out as neatly as a in prime time tv comedy and about as quickly and there is the prerequisite happy ending. Aw. Adorable. If you can get past the fact that someone voluntarily chooses to be a parking maid, which has got to be a horrible job, you can probably just go with this entire thing. There are a lot of deserts. There is no sex. Enjoy at your leisure.
July 14, 2019
I've always been curious about this series, so immediately one-clicked when I saw this one listed for free.
I'm thankful I finally got to sample Ellie Spark's writing style.
I'm thankful I finally got to sample Ellie Spark's writing style.
July 12, 2019
Enjoyable but minor nits
I'll preface this review to say this is my first lesbian romance novel. I love romance of all kinds, so this intrigued me, though I'll assert it's less a romance than the story of two people going through growing pains that happen to meet each other during that transition. There are no sex scenes (though some groping and definitely a lot of implied sex), for those who care one way or another about that.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, even if I do get angry at the all too real bigotry against non-hetero people that it portrayed. It wasn't amazing or super standout, though, either. Plus, a few nits grated at me and lessened my enjoyment of the story.
1. Several times, especially at the beginning, non-American (or at least non Californian) expressions are used even though this is set in California.
2. A big section talks about baking macaroons, but as far as I can tell, they were actually baking macarons. These are two very different cookies! The first is gooey coconut and the second it's fluffy sandwich cookies that come in different pastel colors.
I'll preface this review to say this is my first lesbian romance novel. I love romance of all kinds, so this intrigued me, though I'll assert it's less a romance than the story of two people going through growing pains that happen to meet each other during that transition. There are no sex scenes (though some groping and definitely a lot of implied sex), for those who care one way or another about that.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, even if I do get angry at the all too real bigotry against non-hetero people that it portrayed. It wasn't amazing or super standout, though, either. Plus, a few nits grated at me and lessened my enjoyment of the story.
1. Several times, especially at the beginning, non-American (or at least non Californian) expressions are used even though this is set in California.
2. A big section talks about baking macaroons, but as far as I can tell, they were actually baking macarons. These are two very different cookies! The first is gooey coconut and the second it's fluffy sandwich cookies that come in different pastel colors.
December 8, 2022
2.5 Stars, rounded down because....
*grumbles*
Let this be known right off the bat: I have read three of this author's books so far, and I will very likely read all the others whenever I inevitably collect them. There is an issue with this particular book that absolutely infuriates me, but these dang books are like potato chips, I can't read just one! Let it be known that a definite "good" thing about this book, as with her other books, is that the writing style is very engaging and readable. So let that temper the more negative aspects of my review (actually, I only have ONE nit to pick, but it's a doozy).
The Good:
For starters, I was grateful that the presence of the group of bigoted parents was not half as rage-inducing as I have seen in other books (usually horror books, to be fair). I just don't want to see that kind of hate in my feel-good reads, you know? So, despite how half the plot revolves around this group basically harassing one of the main characters, they don't make me dread picking the book back up. I think this is due to the support Kristen gets from her friends that makes this easier to digest, especially because it unfortunately applies to real life. It's more comforting in a way, to be able to see this kind of hate, but to also see how the characters can get past that while knowing the majority doesn't feel that way. I think the way the story handles the gravity of this situation while balancing the general lighthearted nature of the romance was rather well done.
I also loved the two main characters, with a certain exception I will get to in "The Bad" section. The two leads felt very natural together, and while I don't enjoy how fast their relationship goes (literally everyone is hooking up at the speed of light), I liked that they had hobbies and things that they enjoyed outside of each other. They also were much more flippant about whether or not their budding relationship worked out in the beginning when more important and pressing issues became prevalent (notably Kristen). Like, that's realistic. I loved Kim and was invested in her relationship, so much so that I really want to read how her story unfolds in the subsequent book, despite the main issue I have with this book.
The Bad: (sorry, but this won't be spoiler free)
Obviously, not everyone is going to feel the way I do about this. Heck, I think I'm the only one in the reviews who even saw it like this (considering I can only read the Amazon reviews, and not GR, since the Android app is glitched to all hell). So, this isn't necessarily a warning to not read the book. By all means, I enjoyed every other aspect of the book well enough to want to read more books from this author. However, this is how I interpreted these specific interactions due to the circumstances of my own life, possibly even incorrectly so with respect to the book. But it did bother me and thus affected how I felt about the book, hence the score.
*grumbles*
Let this be known right off the bat: I have read three of this author's books so far, and I will very likely read all the others whenever I inevitably collect them. There is an issue with this particular book that absolutely infuriates me, but these dang books are like potato chips, I can't read just one! Let it be known that a definite "good" thing about this book, as with her other books, is that the writing style is very engaging and readable. So let that temper the more negative aspects of my review (actually, I only have ONE nit to pick, but it's a doozy).
The Good:
For starters, I was grateful that the presence of the group of bigoted parents was not half as rage-inducing as I have seen in other books (usually horror books, to be fair). I just don't want to see that kind of hate in my feel-good reads, you know? So, despite how half the plot revolves around this group basically harassing one of the main characters, they don't make me dread picking the book back up. I think this is due to the support Kristen gets from her friends that makes this easier to digest, especially because it unfortunately applies to real life. It's more comforting in a way, to be able to see this kind of hate, but to also see how the characters can get past that while knowing the majority doesn't feel that way. I think the way the story handles the gravity of this situation while balancing the general lighthearted nature of the romance was rather well done.
I also loved the two main characters, with a certain exception I will get to in "The Bad" section. The two leads felt very natural together, and while I don't enjoy how fast their relationship goes (literally everyone is hooking up at the speed of light), I liked that they had hobbies and things that they enjoyed outside of each other. They also were much more flippant about whether or not their budding relationship worked out in the beginning when more important and pressing issues became prevalent (notably Kristen). Like, that's realistic. I loved Kim and was invested in her relationship, so much so that I really want to read how her story unfolds in the subsequent book, despite the main issue I have with this book.
The Bad: (sorry, but this won't be spoiler free)
Obviously, not everyone is going to feel the way I do about this. Heck, I think I'm the only one in the reviews who even saw it like this (considering I can only read the Amazon reviews, and not GR, since the Android app is glitched to all hell). So, this isn't necessarily a warning to not read the book. By all means, I enjoyed every other aspect of the book well enough to want to read more books from this author. However, this is how I interpreted these specific interactions due to the circumstances of my own life, possibly even incorrectly so with respect to the book. But it did bother me and thus affected how I felt about the book, hence the score.
July 15, 2019
Love Under Fire — Ellie Sparks (11 chapters + 6 months later) July 10, 2019
Short, sweet review: Kristen is a teacher who had to leave her last school due to an unfortunate event. She relocates to San Francisco where her friend lives and starts teaching at another school. Running late one day, she gets a ticket from Taylor, and then meets her later on in a cooking class. Kristen is not out; Taylor is. This story has a good plot that is well written, contemporary and has a lesson about being true to one’s own self.
I really liked this book a lot. There weren’t any “graphic” sexy bits, but you knew nookie-nookie is going on in places.
Four stars.
Short, sweet review: Kristen is a teacher who had to leave her last school due to an unfortunate event. She relocates to San Francisco where her friend lives and starts teaching at another school. Running late one day, she gets a ticket from Taylor, and then meets her later on in a cooking class. Kristen is not out; Taylor is. This story has a good plot that is well written, contemporary and has a lesson about being true to one’s own self.
I really liked this book a lot. There weren’t any “graphic” sexy bits, but you knew nookie-nookie is going on in places.
Four stars.
December 12, 2020
Love this book, it makes you think about schools and parents
Love this book, it really makes you realize how teachers have to hide their identity to keep their jobs I just wished their was part 2 to the book maybe either Kristin came kim get together perhaps someone is going to have a baby or taylor and morgan, to see how their lives had changed or how the school is dealing with Kristin relationship after all school is how all our lives start ou
Love this book, it really makes you realize how teachers have to hide their identity to keep their jobs I just wished their was part 2 to the book maybe either Kristin came kim get together perhaps someone is going to have a baby or taylor and morgan, to see how their lives had changed or how the school is dealing with Kristin relationship after all school is how all our lives start ou
December 31, 2021
Book 120/75: Love Under Fire by Ellie Spark. I needed a quick read to get through challenge #2 of the year: to get to an average of 10 books per month in 2021, which means 120 books this year and DONE! WOW! What a wild year! And finishing off with this read where within a few pages, I was shooketh and hooked! The sentence on the cover is perfect for the sentiment expressed: Does anyone have the right to judge? Honestly ecstatic I ended the year on an LGBTQ read!
February 18, 2019
I’m a huge fan of the Love... series by Ellie Sparks - her charcters are well developed and multi faceted. The story is light and easy to read and is a typical feel good story with a bit of drama and romance and friendship. I would highly recommend to read this story and to read all the other ones from this series, which are all standalone stories.
February 26, 2020
Love is new
What I like about this story is how Taylor and Kristin meet by she getting a ticket for her meter expires and she was getting a warning and then everything started too feel good because they ending up meeting up again at this class for cooking and they get too know each other better.
What I like about this story is how Taylor and Kristin meet by she getting a ticket for her meter expires and she was getting a warning and then everything started too feel good because they ending up meeting up again at this class for cooking and they get too know each other better.
August 5, 2020
Courage in the face of the threat of your peaceful life . When faced with it can truly test any person . But for women that have accepted the truth . And the truth be they prefer people of there same gender have to seek their courage from within ! And Kristin was definitely really tested .
This was a very pleasant book .
This was a very pleasant book .
April 15, 2019
Love these books - I feel I should review them as one but they come separately - novels or novella? When does a novella "grow" into a book? I think we should be told! Super story - you know what you'll get with ES - and you do!
August 10, 2019
So far in the Love Series, I think this one was my favorite! The plot was good, interesting characters, nice romance. There were some errors but nothing huge, and the wrap up at the end was almost too easy, but a fun read overall.
November 14, 2019
Love Under Fire wasn't a bad story. The characters were okay. The dynamics was interesting with one character being out and the other out but keeping it quiet at work because she was a teacher. I can understand and found the scenario believable.
This was a quick read.
This was a quick read.
February 23, 2020
Pretty good. First book I've read from this author and I really liked it. The struggle Kristin was feeling are real for a lot of people. Characters were good. I liked the author's style of writing. Well worth a read.
March 7, 2020
I don't know maybe I'm just bold...
It was frustrating to see the character get walked all over by the school and for her to kind of just accept it and not try to fight or seek help.
It was frustrating to see the character get walked all over by the school and for her to kind of just accept it and not try to fight or seek help.
April 24, 2020
Genre: romance
2 LGBTQ main characters: lesbian
2+ LGBTQ side characters: lesbian
Importance of identities to plot: 1/5
Romance: 5/5
Coming out: yes
Notes: TW homophobia. A big plot point is that one of the MCs is an elementary school teacher and finds her self under homophobic fire.
2 LGBTQ main characters: lesbian
2+ LGBTQ side characters: lesbian
Importance of identities to plot: 1/5
Romance: 5/5
Coming out: yes
Notes: TW homophobia. A big plot point is that one of the MCs is an elementary school teacher and finds her self under homophobic fire.
September 9, 2020
The book was good but some of the characters didn't seem very well developed. Also, I know this isn't about the writing, but the cover doesn't reflect the main characters which is kind of a distraction.
November 30, 2018
It looks like this one is the last one from Ellie. Love this one, I almost thought it will end on sad note but nope, ended, as I would imagine.
July 17, 2019
I got this ebook as a freebie but had hoped for much more!
November 29, 2019
Just okay, but likeable. Too much winking, and that's not a euphemism for anything. Also being gay isn't a "lifestyle", although that language may just be dated rather than purposeful.
August 2, 2020
Kristin and Taylor’s desserts
This is a light and easy read. Fairly predictable and it hits on some topics that are unfortunately still too relevant in society today.
This is a light and easy read. Fairly predictable and it hits on some topics that are unfortunately still too relevant in society today.
November 13, 2020
A fun, light, and charming read! It helped me get back into reading after being on a slump.
December 1, 2020
A beautiful story with a happy ending.
I totally recommend this book...easy to read and the story developes quite well.
I totally recommend this book...easy to read and the story developes quite well.
January 12, 2021
I learnt some things that are true every where. Another good read for me
September 17, 2021
Love it!
I have loved this universe you are writing in this series. I can't wait to see where you take it to. Thank you for your hard work.
I have loved this universe you are writing in this series. I can't wait to see where you take it to. Thank you for your hard work.
June 22, 2019
Relatable & Relevant Entertainment
A good, entertaining story with interesting characters. It was a very enjoyable & easy to read. Anticipating the next book in this series.
Ellie Spark did a better than good job connecting the characters with fairly brief time & minimal opportunities & under-detailed descriptions—yet her characters draw you into the story.
I recommend this story.
A good, entertaining story with interesting characters. It was a very enjoyable & easy to read. Anticipating the next book in this series.
Ellie Spark did a better than good job connecting the characters with fairly brief time & minimal opportunities & under-detailed descriptions—yet her characters draw you into the story.
I recommend this story.
May 6, 2025
This was a very cheesy romance, one that I wasn’t annoyed with. Decently written. Properly edited; you don’t see that often with these types. Lovely characters; they didn’t annoy me all that much either. I wouldn’t reread this, but it wasn’t terrible. It was kind of cute. Realistic; discrimination because of sexuality is a thing people still face in real life, just slightly less now (with gender identity, on the other hand, is a different story).
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews