The Little Red Barn: An Olympic Romance

by Dorothy Rice Bennett

After wandering aimlessly for years through the South Seas, tanned, athletic, and wealthy Kate Brighton returns home on a sailboat bound for Seattle. When The Lavender Loafer docks briefly in Sequim, Washington, Kate recalls that she has an old friend living there. Deciding to explore, she strides across the small Olympic Peninsula town, pausing for breakfast at a rustic coffee shop called The Little Red Barn. Angie, her curvaceous server, sports a long auburn braid and shining, dark brown eyes. Feeling a familiar tingle of desire, Kate considers checking out this stunning young barista, hoping she is a lesbian. First Kate must look up her friend, Marianne, a Cornell University grad student when undergrad Kate was swimming competitively. Soon Kate discovers that things have changed radically: while she has been wandering the globe having fun, Marianne has survived an auto-accident and is confined to a wheelchair. Her caring partner, Jake Summers, crafts furniture and art objects while watching out for Marianne. Impulsively, Kate decides to stay in Sequim for a while. She returns to the coffee bar; Angie seems very happy to see her. Kate shortly learns that the barista is a lesbian but has two young children. Having limited experience with kids, Kate wonders how to woo this charming woman. And despite their admittedly mutual attraction, the two are very different: Angie has dreams but can barely feed her family, and Kate, while having deep pockets, has avoided responsibilities and commitments.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Lesbian Romance

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2019

About the author

Dorothy Rice Bennett grew up in the Midwest. She began filling spiral notebooks when she was 10 years old with fanciful stories that she shared with her classmates in school. Her story heroines were women of action--they flew Navy jets, they competed in hydroplane boat races, drove in auto races, and they raced horses as jockeys. In short, Dorothy was way ahead of her time, but little could she dream as a child that women would someday do those very things. As an adult, Dorothy still loved writing, but her busy life in both the mental health field and in journalism commanded her time and energy. Yet writing was never forgotten, and eventually she pushed other tasks aside and began to put words on paper. NORTH COAST is her first published novel, and she's already at work on the next one. The characters of NORTH COAST were inspired by her own relationship with a woman several years her senior in age--a relationship that put her at peace with her own sexuality and set her finally on a path to personal fulfillment. Her second novel, GIRLS ON THE RUN is now available in quality paperback. She is currently at work on her third novel, which has the working title of THE ARTEMIS ADVENTURE.

Reviews

[Loek Krancher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great!

They are complete opposites in every single way. What could they have in common? There was a lot of uncertainty, impulsive actions, issues from the past but the story is also about accomplishing dreams, great kids, a dog, very supportive friends and it has a beautiful setting. It took me a while to really get into the story but eventually I did enjoy this easy going romance.

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really straight forward book that goes from A to Z. No real emotion in the tale, it is what it is and move on. Neither character comes out of it too well and I have to wonder why 'friends' do so much?

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok...mostly

I think this is my first book by this author and honestly I read it because it was a kU book. The beginning of the book was really good and actually got me hooked bit after Kate bought the groceries it kinda went down hill for me. There was just a lot of nothing happening and some of the issues thought I could understand, others i just couldnt. I also felt that Angie's character was confusing. At first shes strong and independent which was great, prideful even. Then out of nowhere I felt she was the exact opposite and even high maintenance. And while I get Kate made a commitment of sorts why was she all of sudden responsible for everything...at least that's what it felt like. And if Icwas Jake and Marianne I think at one point I would need to reevaluate my friendship with Kate.
Anyway, there was no real big blow up where stuff went down like crazy which I was hoping for, I know crazy on my part. Overall, this was an okay read. A bit longer than needed to be. But the kids were cool and I would have liked more of them.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF!! The first half was good, but at some point one of the MC (Angie) was too ungrateful for my taste and a little bit annoying. No real chemistry here. Maybe I wasn't in the right mindset. Ha well, can't win them all.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall story was good. Kate’s lack of relationship knowledge was annoying, but worked with the story.

[Margie J. Shine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about main characters

I started out liking the 2 main characters, but as they became more involved, Angie became more self centered and acted like a spoiled brat that took Kate and her generosity for granted. Kate became more self centered as well, taking her friends Jake and Marianne for granted. Despite her friends doing everything for her, all she ever did in thanks was give them a bottle of wine. Not many redeeming qualities in these 2 characters. The secondary characters are much more likable, even the kids and dog.

[T.J. Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet, easy to read, genuine, age-gap romance. When wealthy Kate meets single younger mother Angie, we follow their lives through getting to know each other, childcare, new house, new dog, new and old friends, Kate's dreams of an Olympic Training Centre and Angie's dreams of becoming a nurse. This is a real-life sweet relationship with very little angst, and I really enjoyed it. My first book by this author, but I look forward to another.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very disappointing. I have read a few other books by the author that take place in Sequim and the Pacific Northwest, and they were excellent. I anticipated the same, but came away wanting.

I really liked Kate, but did not like Angie at all. She was a constant nag, always seeing the worst in Kate, and treating her like a child with her scolding and withholding her love. She belittled Kate often and made it clear that Kate was supposed to make her world revolve around Angie and her dreams. I just did not see the equality in the relationship, and really felt Angie was toxic.

I also found Marianne to often be harsh and judgmental of Kate, especially given she was supposedly a friend from her past. The whole counseling scene near the end with Marianne really sealed it, and how much this book felt like a parent talking down at two children. Bleh

It was as if the author wanted to share a deeper message about childhood traumas and their impacts on adult relationships, but came up short along the way.

This story just did not work for me, leaving me dissatisfied.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel there wasn't enough heat between the two main characters. You can have children and still have red hot flaming desire for the woman who is supposed to be your lover. The author has Angie ( the mom) being too hung up on the fact her ex-husband left her for someone else because she is actually a lesbian. Once the babies daddy is out of the picture and you in fact realize you are a lesbian, believe me, there is no thinking about that man ever again especially when you have a sexy older woman in your bed. Kate is the the sexy older woman who walks into Angie's place of work and can't take her eyes off of her. Angie also keeps drooling over Kate in between customers. When they actually do get together it isn't transferred into words as well as it should've been. The story part is great it just needed some tweaking and more reality.

[JoAnn Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. Angie has two children, works as a waitress and is barely getting by. Having been divorced by a philandering husband and abandoned by her family she doesn't really trust anyone. Kate is wealthy and generally irresponsible and self absorbed. When Kate sees Angie there is an instant attraction and Angie is also attracted to Kate. The beginning of an adventure for both of them. Not all sunshine and roses but work at a relationship. Enjoyable and fun

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK. The plot itself was a good one but the story seemed a little dry in places. I’m not sure how to explain it but I felt detached from the characters. At about a third of the way through the book, Kate, the wealthy character, did exactly what her friends warned her not to do. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the last time. Her heart might have been in the right place, but she didn’t always follow through on her words.

[J.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not everything can be bought as Kate found out!

Kate tried to please her dead parents, until she almost lost her new soon to be family. Angie was divorced, learned she was a lesbian and two children to raise. Kate walks into the coffee shop where Angie worked and for whatever reason, things started changing. Having a supporting partner and friends and trying to learn and not run away is/was a big step. Enjoy!

[Lesbian Romance Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more from the characters in this story. Kate was a flighty, but in charge 40 year old who floats from one place to another. Angie is a divorcee with 2 children.

I wanted to scream at Kate for not listening to Angie's concerns: over and over.

[Frances Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great b6

I gave it five stars because I couldn't put it down loved the characters the storyline was great and kept me up late. I enjoyed reading this book I recommend this book

[DR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in Oregon and have visited Washington. However, not in the area described in this book. Dorothy Bennett described the trails, towns, roadways, and places of business with great detail. The story was well written and Angie & Kate's relationship building rang true with the ups and downs as both women learned to love through the hard time(s). A good story.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book

I enjoyed this book. The characters are very likable. This is a love story where the characters grow and develop to become partners to each other. Supporting characters are very likable and important to this story. Highly recommend this book. Thanks

[rosalind s stanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Love Story

The book takes you from the beginning to the excellent ending of their love story. We watch the maturing of both women in the relationship. Great job Ms. Bennett keep up the great writing. Highly recommended.

[Anna Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice finding yourself story

When I started to read this story I was captured right away.
Full of beautiful descriptions of the mountains and the sea.
Lovely gentle love story that was easy to see in my minds eye.
Wonderful writing.

[Margaret L. Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

I loved The Little Red Barn. It’s a great romance. I like the emphasis on trust and reliability between partners.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story with some nice love scenes. Nice ending.