Love Is for Later

Rainbow Central #4

by Arizona Tape

ASIN moved from less recent edition

Casual is the new black.

No strings attached, that's the way Nix likes her life. Determined not to fall for anyone she sleeps with, casual is just her thing.

Harper is looking for a fresh start and a new city means just that. This is her chance to re-invent herself.

The thin line between friendship and more blurs when Nix and Harper dance around each other in an LGBT club. It's all fun and games until one of them catches feelings, but that's not what they agreed on...

—
Love Is For Later is a lesbian friends-with-benefits to lovers romance and is the completed story of Harper and Nix. It's the first book in the Rainbow Central series.

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Queer, Lesbian, Fiction, Contemporary, Adult

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 22, 2019

About the author

Arizona Tape lives her dream life hanging out with her dog and writing stories all day.

Her favourite books to write are urban fantasy and paranormal romances with queer leads, stories that she wished were around when she was younger.

When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen, watching shows that make her cry, or trying her hand at her new hobby of the week.

She currently lives in the United Kingdom with her girlfriend and her adorable dog who is the star of her newsletter. Sign up here for adorable pictures, free books, and news about her books: www.arizonatape.com/subscribe



Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/arizonatapeauthor
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Her books are available on all retailers and can be requested from most public libraries.

Reviews

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper doesn’t do casual. She’d like to, but feelings seem to always get in the way. At least that’s what she thinks. She’s only ever had one relationship, with a closeted girl, so maybe the problem wasn’t that Harper wanted more but that her ex wasn’t ready (nor willing) to give it to her. Nix, on the other hand, is not looking for a relationship. So why can’t she stay away from Harper?

Not Today is the first book I read by Arizona Tape, and I’m glad I got the chance to discover a new (to me) author. The writing is very good, I could easily visualize the scenes. The only thing I didn’t like about the way the story is written is the use of « the brunette » or « the blonde » when they have perfectly good names.

Both main characters are sweet in different ways, both still growing into the adults they barely are. Harper is an overthinker with pretty low self-esteem (she can thank her ex for that), Nix is both tough and not as laid-back as she wants others to believe. She’s also dealing with an awful family and a crazy ex. Tape does a really good job at describing the doubts that often come with new relationships, and the insecurities of these first years as adults. There are also a few secondary characters I wouldn’t mind getting to know better. I’m definitely looking forward to more of these stories!

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nix and Harper are the central characters in this hot little romance. Nix is portrayed as love 'em and leave 'em but there is more beneath the surface. It's her way of coping with life and all the crappiness. Harper is a bundle of emotions. Desperate for a change, she finds herself in a new town with hopes for personal growth and change. Soon enough the two meet at a popular bar/night club and recognize each other from high school and so the dance begins.
Arizona's writing is clear. The emotional ups and downs, doubts, anxieties and heat all comes through. You want that happy ending.
There's much more to learn about Rainbow Central and the women that come through those doors.
Looking forward to what comes next in the series.

[Kexx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange tale, all sex and…. Well, all sex. I read it back to front, not sure I would finish it, but did. (If a book is a bit iffy after first 3 or 4 chapters, I read the last chapter + epilogue as I did here.) Read in one afternoon.

[Ameliah Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Platapussies
Nix loves her drinks strong and her sex casual. Living above the Rainbow Central bar, she’s young, bold and likes to play. Harper is a mess. Her ex was such a piece of work that she had to change cities and schools. She heads out to a club one night only to run into Nix, who she knew as Nicole in high school. One thing leads to another and now they know each other a whole lot better!

This is an interesting story. Harper is shy, insecure and a worrier. She is convinced that she gets too attached too easily and falling in love with Nix, who only wants casual, isn’t helping. With crazy exes, less than loving parents and a serious motorcycle crash, these two have a lot to overcome. This is the first book in a series and it looks like it’s going to be a good one.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Today by Arizona Tape is an enjoyable lesbian romance.

Nix Walding and Harper Williams meet at Rainbow Central, but they knew each other slightly in high school. These college aged women have both experienced horrible relationships recently and they decide to remain an "unlabeled can." Lemons quickly become lesfic lemonade as their relationship unfolds.

My only quibble with this short and sweet novel is that the book cover doesn't reflect the physical description of the main characters. (Of course, there's a new version without any cute baby dykes on the cover.) The book may be a bit bare bones in its length, but the love story is well crafted. The book blurb mentions other books in the series titled Not Monday, Not Tuesday, etc. It helps to put Not Today in some context. There are several secondary characters that could be developed in order continue the Rainbow Central saga, but I don't know if this series has been published or not.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

She was the girl they dissed in high school. Now she is the one she wants in her bed.

This wonderful F/F romance story of learning to see things differently. The past is in the past and while it can hurt, you can't let it control you.

The story is very well written, with solid and realistic characters that I loved from the first chapter. Of course, there are bumps in the road and problems to overcome, but that is the nature of love. Will our couple make it? You will have to read to find out.

I found this to be a very enjoyable book which drew me in from the very beginning and kept me reading well after I should have been doing other things. I am very glad this is the complete story as a serial would have driven me nuts with anticipation.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Cutesy FF Romance

I seriously enjoyed this book and the dynamic between the characters here was wonderful! It takes both Harper and Nix so long to accept their feelings for each other, especially as both have scarring from past relationships. Harper’s anxiety is well written and played out, so recognisable and understandable.

Nix and her best friend have both sworn off relationships for the rest of their lives, neither wanting to live through crazy partners and terrible break-ups again. Yet that pact is tested when love interests come along. And, of course, it takes a whole book for these love interests to be realised!

The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that there wasn’t true conflict resolution. There was an incident in the book, which I was hoping would be explained away rather than just being walked past (like, was it because of the crazy ex that it happened)? I can’t say too much without revealing what it was (I can’t use spoiler tags on all platforms!) but, considering all the build-up, I was expecting there to be a reason for the incident.

But I still enjoyed the story a lot, so only minus one star for the lack of resolution.

Final rating: ★★★★☆ – Really liked

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper goes to the Rainbow club, she’s in a new city and trying to get over her disastrous last relationship. She says to herself she is not looking for a girlfriend but in her heart she misses the closeness of one. She almost instantly meets Nix, a beautiful woman who calls her by name. It takes a few minutes but then she remembers her from high school, the girl her friends used to tease about being gay. But Nix is over it and they feel a pull, a spark and act on it. What happens after that, well for that you need to read the book.

This is the first lesbian romance I have read and I have to say I am so glad I did. This book is hot with erotic scenes but it is also so much more than that. It is a glimpse into the world of love between two women. They have a lot to overcome, family issues, societal barriers, and failed past relationships. Tape expertly weaves all the elements for romance into an emotional and dramatic storyline. The characters are amazingly well developed and you get a sense of empathy for what they go through. I found that this was ultimately a love story, be it a very hot one, regardless of the characters sexual orientation. I enjoyed reading this book and I hope there will be more stories from the rainbow club.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It's a very real depiction of the struggles and insecurities of navigating new relationships. I could really connect with Harper - her constant second guessing and over thinking while trying to reinvent herself is very relatable. I absolutely loved Nix and was intrigued by her from the start. The side characters were great and i'm hoping we get stories from Delta and Charlie and Caspian.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably the only two stars for a book I won’t finish.
One lead bashed herself literally every second, to the point that she sounds 12.
They are referred to by the hair color. “I grabbed the brunette” or “The blonde looked hot”. Not to describe unknown people, that is literally the only way either could let you know who they’re talking to or about. When I reached the fourth name replaced by hair color on one page I finally gave up.
Storyline interesting. Execution stinks.

[Tera Comer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great read that is cram packed with drama and fun. This book shows plenty of the struggles that happen in a new relationship. The characters and world building are perfect together and I must say I hope that the side characters will get their own stories in the future.

[Μαρία Ν. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to buy this book after reading the blurb and seeing the pretty yet simple cover.I was expecting myself to fall in love with it by the end,but I simply liked it.It might be the fault of the large time gap between starting it and finishing it,so some details of the story were forgotten or distorted in my head.I will try to review the book based on what I can clearly recall.

The story was interesting.I liked that important real life issues were discussed,such as homophobia and toxic relationships.Truly Harper's answer to the homophobic words of Nix's sister was the highlight of this book.It was very unique reading a story mostly focusing on the nightlife(yes really most of the plot takes place in the Rainbow Central bar).My only problem with the story was its progression;the first chapters felt very slow to me,while the last ones felt much more faster.As for the writing it was good.

As much as I liked the story/the setting,I wish I could say the same for the characters.Indeed the weakest point of this book are the characters.Till the end of the book I could not emotionally connect with any of them(maybe Harper).I could not feel their pain like if it was my own.I know that not everyone wants a deep emotional connection with the characters in order to enjoy a story,but I really like a story more when there is this connection.Furthermore,I was dissapointed that the characters lacked development(this is mostly seen on the secondary characters but also Nix and Harper suffer from it).The only one I think had a small dose of character development was Nix,as she decides to enter into a relationship with Harper and leave behind her fear which was caused by her previous (toxic) relationship with Beth.Harper was in a toxic relationship too,but the change is mostly shown on Nix's character as she is kind of a "player" in the story.

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and cheeky!!!

Harper meets Nix at Rainbow Central, and they instantly have a connection. Harper is trying to start over again, not be the same person she was before and hopes being in this new location will be the key to her fresh start, but upon meeting Nix she is finding old habits hard to break. Likewise, Nix is also struggling with breaking her set ways of having a fun, free and easy life, but Harper is making her question if perhaps she has a shot at love. With a little drama along the way, Harper and Nix have an adventure and dare to fall in love with one another.

It was a lot of fun reading this story, it was simple, yet it had its complications but was an easy read. I loved how you could just get lost in the fun that Harper and Nix were having, and meeting all the different personalities of the people at the club added to that fun.

Their story was an interesting one, as they really were opposites and you know what they say about opposites attract! Nix is free and easy, Harper doesn’t do casual relationships, but here they are working it out and compromising. It was really refreshing to see them deliberating with each other’s feelings as well as their own feelings, and that’s on top of dealing with their pasts, and in Nix’s case her family. They really had a lot going on, both together and individually.

It was a really interesting story, and as previously mentioned a lot of fun. It was easy going romance with a touch of drama and just something to experience. I really enjoyed it and hope there will be more to come from Harper and Nix in future, because I suspect some crazy adventures lie ahead.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story follows two women, Harper and Nyx. Harper is new in town. she's blonde and is trying to reinvent herself into "Harper 2.0" following a break-up. Nyx is an old casual acquaintance that Harper knew in high school. Nyx is brunette and not into relationships. They agree to keep things casual. But then they both fall for each other.

And that's the basic plot, stretched to novel length. Most of the story is from Harper's perspective (when it switches to Nyx, it lets you know). Get ready for a lot of internal turmoil and second-guessing.

Harper and Nyx are both fine, I guess, but they both smoke (personal turn-off) and take forever to say how they feel.

The author does try to liven things up by giving Nyx a disapproving family and a psycho ex-girlfriend, but her sister and ex show up for one scene each, and that's it. They're mentioned near the end but never show up again.

The author often refers to the characters by their hair color. And she makes frequent mention of Nyx's eyes (whose colors apparently adjust based on her mood). Get ready for a lot of steel, grey, stormy, metal, etc.

I wouldn't call this my favorite in the Rainbow Central series. Add in the numerous typos that are common in this series, and you've got a book that's just okay.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book okay enough, but I felt that with a few more edits, it could be a much stronger book. There were clear typos and grammar errors, which could easily be cleaned up and prevent the reader from dropping out of the story. But there were also a few parts of the story that felt like they could have been tightened or explained a little differently for more impact. For example, there was a later scene with Rita that left me expecting more. And I expected the "driver" (avoiding spoilers) to be a very specific person. That being said, I feel like I've interacted with a number of these characters before, which made it rather relatable. It just could be better.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She will only ever do casual again after having her heart broken into pieces. so she will be shocked when a girl arrives and they start a friendship. although it may just become more if she can even allow that to happen. Will she fall in love again? Will her heart be broken again? Follow them as the explore the possibilities

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Keisha Ming · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish the Author the best but I had to skim and skip

I've been trying to read this book for over a week I got up to 15 chapters and just gave up. The book feels like a wattpad debut the story is going nowhere the characters are just on the surface she goes to the club, drink and get drunk and hook up repeat this book lacks depth and needs to be fleshed out more but has potential

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper is coming off a bad relationship, and Nix is anti-relationship, so a hook-up between them should be fine, no strings, right? This story deals with some tougher issues, like family disapproval/estrangement and obsessive/toxic relationships, but there’s plenty of light fun too. A sweet ending makes for a delightful book.

[Stephanie Cullers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. The main characters and even the side ones draw you in. I really liked reading about them and the family of Rainbow Central. This book goes into the highs and lows of friendship and romance and does an exceptional job of it.

[Doug Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main characters spend most of the story being so deliberately emotionally detached from much of anything, including each other, that it is difficult to feel much for them when they suddenly decide to connect at the end. The fact that they are intoxicated much of the time does not help.

[Wendell Hennan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up at 60%, two women, Nix and Harper, who have been crushed in previous relationships who don't want to get into another relationship yet obsess in the most annoying manner over the lack of a commitment and are they doing anything that could be interpreted as a relationship.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

STORIES WERE OK BUT WEREN'T FIVE STAR WORTHY.

Arizona is a good author but the zing is just not there! Hopefully, her future offerings will be more EROTIC AND LESBIAN!

[Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Story

Even if you declare that you absolutely will not fall in love, sometimes life throws it's head back and laughs hysterically. Well done.

[MizLiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy the story but felt it was written to be read by pre-college people.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable light read.

Three stars because I felt the story had so many additional things to explore that I felt a bit disappointed it didn't go to those places. Example, the ex girlfriend was a super threat that just disappeared. How was that resolved? And the prolonged angst was a bit much, I found myself just muttering "get on with the story, you are adults!"
At the same time, these characters were lovable and I couldn't NOT finish the story and see what became of them. So that's a big plus for me. Arizona definitely has talent for creating characters.
If you want a light read, lesbian insecurity, loveable characters, this is for you.