What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Changes Everything
Dr. Samantha Brooks is having a midlife crisis. Her twin sons are about to go off to college, leaving her struggling to find direction. On top of that, she’s being deposed for a lawsuit. And just when it can’t get any worse, she finds out her lawyer is Kirby Fielding, the woman she had a brief but dazzling affair with just before starting medical school. Sam didn’t have the courage to follow her heart back then, or to reach out to Kirby since, but now she’s ready for a change. She only hopes Kirby will give her another chance to prove that love changes everything.
- GenresLGBTLesbian Fiction
259 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2020
10 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Maddox
12 books24 followersJaime Maddox grew up on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Northeastern Pennsylvania. As the baby in a family of many children, she was part adored and part ignored, forcing her to find creative ways to fill her time. Her childhood was idyllic, spent hiking, rafting, biking, climbing, and otherwise skinning knees and knuckles. Reading and writing became passions. Although she left home for a brief stint in the big cities of Philadelphia, PA, and Newark, NJ, as soon as she acquired the required paperwork—a medical degree and residency certificate—she came running back.
She fills her hours with a bustling medical practice, two precocious sons, a disobedient dog, and an extraordinary woman who helps her to keep it all together. In her abundant spare time, she reads, writes, twists her body into punishing yoga poses, and whacks golf balls deep into forests. She detests airplanes, snakes, and people who aren’t nice. Her loves are the foods of the world, Broadway musicals, traveling, sandy beaches, massages and pedicures, and the Philadelphia Phillies. (from the publisher's website)
She fills her hours with a bustling medical practice, two precocious sons, a disobedient dog, and an extraordinary woman who helps her to keep it all together. In her abundant spare time, she reads, writes, twists her body into punishing yoga poses, and whacks golf balls deep into forests. She detests airplanes, snakes, and people who aren’t nice. Her loves are the foods of the world, Broadway musicals, traveling, sandy beaches, massages and pedicures, and the Philadelphia Phillies. (from the publisher's website)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 4, 2021
A wonderful story about loving someone at different times in life.
This book opens with a 50 year old Sam having a midlife crisis, twin sons heading off to college and she's deposed for a lawsuit. This is when she discovers her lawyer is the same Kirby whom she had a brief affair with before medical school. Kirby is also Sam’s first real love. But Sam didn’t have the courage to follow her heart back then or reach out to Kirby ever since. Kirby at 50 years old, still has that same effect on Sam and Sam wants another shot with her.
This book juxtaposes the experience of a 20 year old girl falling in love with a 50 year old woman falling in love all over again. Not a lot of the book is spent rekindling the relationship between 50 year old Sam and Kirby. Instead a large proportion of the book is dedicated to the love story between the young pre-med Sam and Kirby. And this is understandable because of how people and society have changed over the years. A 50 year old Sam no longer has the same considerations as she did back in those days. Experience has nurtured her to be true to herself and open about it. So her interactions with Kirby are simply straight to the point, no grand gestures needed.
A 20 year old Sam is a different story. She wasn’t quite sure of her sexuality and couldn’t be courageous with her feelings. She struggled to reconcile her newfound sexuality with her own religious upbringing and was forced to manage her uptight Catholic mother. On top of that, both women had to deal with their busy careers and their futures. So Sam ended up choosing everything else over being true to her own feelings.
I'm not sure if love changed things for Sam. If anything, it awakened her. But it took years of self-realisation, time, circumstances, maturity and experiences all put together to change things around this time. To put it simply, its about having a different outcome from loving someone at a different time.
Overall I think the author did a wonderful job putting this story together.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book opens with a 50 year old Sam having a midlife crisis, twin sons heading off to college and she's deposed for a lawsuit. This is when she discovers her lawyer is the same Kirby whom she had a brief affair with before medical school. Kirby is also Sam’s first real love. But Sam didn’t have the courage to follow her heart back then or reach out to Kirby ever since. Kirby at 50 years old, still has that same effect on Sam and Sam wants another shot with her.
This book juxtaposes the experience of a 20 year old girl falling in love with a 50 year old woman falling in love all over again. Not a lot of the book is spent rekindling the relationship between 50 year old Sam and Kirby. Instead a large proportion of the book is dedicated to the love story between the young pre-med Sam and Kirby. And this is understandable because of how people and society have changed over the years. A 50 year old Sam no longer has the same considerations as she did back in those days. Experience has nurtured her to be true to herself and open about it. So her interactions with Kirby are simply straight to the point, no grand gestures needed.
A 20 year old Sam is a different story. She wasn’t quite sure of her sexuality and couldn’t be courageous with her feelings. She struggled to reconcile her newfound sexuality with her own religious upbringing and was forced to manage her uptight Catholic mother. On top of that, both women had to deal with their busy careers and their futures. So Sam ended up choosing everything else over being true to her own feelings.
I'm not sure if love changed things for Sam. If anything, it awakened her. But it took years of self-realisation, time, circumstances, maturity and experiences all put together to change things around this time. To put it simply, its about having a different outcome from loving someone at a different time.
Overall I think the author did a wonderful job putting this story together.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2021
While in college, Dr. Samantha Brooks had a short but torrid affair with Kirby Fielding. But then she didn't have the courage to pursue the relationship any further. Now in her late 40s, with a failed marriage and twin boys who are about to leave for university, Samantha is in a better place. Until a deposition for a lawsuit makes her cross paths again with Kirby, who is now her lawyer. Sam feels the attraction again but will Kirby risk her heart for Sam once more?
This is a second chance romance set during two time periods: one in the 90s and the other in present time. The book starts in the present and after the mains meet again, it goes back in time in a long flashback that extends for more than half of the novel to finally come back to the present. I admit that the way the past and present stories were featured didn't help to hold my interest. Maybe if both stories were intertwined it would have made the plot move forward in a more dynamic way.
The past story is set in the 90s, which was around the time I came out so it brought me back to some painful memories of how society was less accepting of homosexuality then, but that's hardly the author's fault. However, as I couldn't connect with the main characters, I didn't find myself invested in their love story either. I couldn't empathise with them. So when the plot fast-forwarded to the present, I had already lost interest in seeing them together.
Funny enough, I found the medical and legal parts of the plot more interesting than the romance which doesn't surprise me as the author is a doctor herself. Ms. Maddox is very good at describing the issue of opioid addiction which she covered in-depth in her novel 'Hooked', which was written loosely based on one of her relatives' experience with drug addiction. The few medical scenes featured in this book made me wish that Ms. Maddox would write medical romances. If she did, I'd read them in a heartbeat.
Overall, an OK second chance romance lacking in the chemistry department. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a second chance romance set during two time periods: one in the 90s and the other in present time. The book starts in the present and after the mains meet again, it goes back in time in a long flashback that extends for more than half of the novel to finally come back to the present. I admit that the way the past and present stories were featured didn't help to hold my interest. Maybe if both stories were intertwined it would have made the plot move forward in a more dynamic way.
The past story is set in the 90s, which was around the time I came out so it brought me back to some painful memories of how society was less accepting of homosexuality then, but that's hardly the author's fault. However, as I couldn't connect with the main characters, I didn't find myself invested in their love story either. I couldn't empathise with them. So when the plot fast-forwarded to the present, I had already lost interest in seeing them together.
Funny enough, I found the medical and legal parts of the plot more interesting than the romance which doesn't surprise me as the author is a doctor herself. Ms. Maddox is very good at describing the issue of opioid addiction which she covered in-depth in her novel 'Hooked', which was written loosely based on one of her relatives' experience with drug addiction. The few medical scenes featured in this book made me wish that Ms. Maddox would write medical romances. If she did, I'd read them in a heartbeat.
Overall, an OK second chance romance lacking in the chemistry department. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
January 15, 2021🏳️🌈👩❤👩📚⚢👩⚕🥎👩💼👩❤💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of "Love Changes Everything" by Jaime Maddox from BSB (via NetGalley).
So, here it is !!!
My rating : 2 ⭐️
I have several of Jaime Maddox’s older books in my e-library but that’s the very first time that I’m able to read something by this author. (I haven’t had time to dicover her work yet …)
Based on the plot, the story was supposed to focuses on 49 years old Dr. Samantha "Sam" Brooks who’s having a late midlife crisis and is being deposed for a (maybe) lawsuit & on Kirby Fielding, Sam’s lawyer for this (maybe) lawsuit and also the woman with whom Sam had a brief but dazzling affair just before starting medical school over two decades ago…
So … What the hell was that ???
The book begins in present time, and, honestly, I liked it … BUT, unfortunately & sadly for me (and probably for a lot of other readers, very quickly arrives the "flashback" … well, if we can call this like that at this level since the story focused on the past occupies at least the 2/3 of the book … and, then, something like 50 pages before the end, back to present time. It makes the way the book is written not very interesting to me, since the author spends too much time on totally non-relevant details during a very short time frame (if I get everything right here, it’s covering only a 4 short weeks = 30 days period of time in the young MCs' life -- from the Tuesday they met at the softball tryouts to the Tuesday Sam's mom collapsed which pushed Sam to end things with Kirby the day after...)
Seriously, if you remove all that stuff ( = all the detailed scenes about the young MCs with whom you are NOT able to connect because they are very young adult, almost still girls), there is very little substance left from Sam and Kirby’s past relationship. As a matter of fact, all the annoying and useless details are more like fillers than anything else to me , even the " I Love Yous" … And about what happens in present time, it’s even worst !! There’s absolutely no substance at all about Sam and Kirby’s current relationship … How could it be and how could we know a thing about the MCs and connect with them, since it’s rushed… Whereas it would have been interesting to have some THERE, there’s a cruel lack of details … That was really boring to read about the young version of the MCs, so boring that the reading has become painful to me and I almost DNF the book...
OK, you get the picture : The book is clearly divided into two parts … But those two parts, the way they are presented in there, don’t make sense to me. I really don't see the point in the actual detailed part about the meeting and the fling that followed taking 2/3 of the novel which makes it a YA book!!! And given the actual building of the book ( at least that wasn't an action movie, such building of scenario would have emptied the theatre in no time…), I guess I won’t be the only one thinking that the MCs’ reunion and their reaquintence is too rushed, so, totally unbelivable. How could it be when what which would have taken a huge part of the book takes only 50ish pages and, so too many things fall miraculously into place with a total lack of angst and no depth.
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind a flashback or two but here, that's too much. In my opinion, it would have made more sense to have a 1/3 (or less, only ¼ would have been even better) of the book being "Part one"/ prologue about the young MCs in 1993 (a very short version of their meeting and what happened between them) and, then, a 2/3 (or even better ¾ ) "Part two" about the older MCs being reunited in present time. It would have avoided to totally break the flow and allowed a way much better character development (right now, it’s pretty poor), some real action and, in the end, a way more balanced and logical book with some depth... And … Maybe it would have been great (and more honest) to inform the readers about the mostly YA aspect of the novel. If I had known I wouldn't have requested the book since, the YA stories are not my cuppa, at all.
A few other things (not exhaustive list) which bothered me …
°° Sam is such a cliché : she is from a conservative and strict Catholic family, she has a boyfriend, but she fall in love (or so we are said) with a girl and is possessed by the "insta-pornstar effect" on her very first intimate encounter with the very same girl… Sam is questionning her sexuality, or so we are told … but, personally, I don’t think she questionned it too strongly … Why would she do that ? It could have led her to be truly herself (being gay, even more if the person is closeted, never prevented anyone to become a doctor, right ???) … that would have been such a shame …nope ??
°° Of course, since there’s a very religious upbringing, there’s the homophobic/bigot manipulative mother who uses her heart condition (the same heart condition she simply ignored for years) to emotionally bully her daughter, a child she should have loved unconditionally...
°° Sam's aggravating denial about her feelings about Kirby and her cowardice … her refusal to be herself taking the form of her stupid promise to her mom... Gosh !!! Seriously, Sam is really NOT a likeable MC and all the useless drama coming from her … Yuk!!
°° What to say about the totally ridiculous arguments such as "I’m Catholic, I can’t get divorced" or the "It’s complicated" .. Duh !! Like a lot of other things in the novel, it does not make sense to me … An example ?? => She couldn't get divorced but she could cheat on her husband (yep .. sleeping around while still married, in the eye of the Church, that's cheating... nothing less … and cheating, that’s a sin !!! )
°° In addition to too many details about irrelevant things, there are some repetitions which weakens even more the already poor narrative.
°° the rushed ending is a HFN, not a HEA...
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Sadly … Nope ! It’s a book of very little interest.
- Did I find the characters believable? => Sadly … Nope !
- Is this book now included in my "must be re-read"-list? => Nope !
- Will I purchase the paperback? => Nope !
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes. Since that’s the first time I was able to read a novel by Jaime Maddox, I don’t want to stay on this very disappointing experience & I’d like to give her, at least another chance.
- Would I recommend this book => I’ll let people use their free will to read the novel, or not …
🏳️🌈👩❤👩📚⚢👩⚕🥎👩💼👩❤💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of "Love Changes Everything" by Jaime Maddox from BSB (via NetGalley).
So, here it is !!!
My rating : 2 ⭐️
I have several of Jaime Maddox’s older books in my e-library but that’s the very first time that I’m able to read something by this author. (I haven’t had time to dicover her work yet …)
Based on the plot, the story was supposed to focuses on 49 years old Dr. Samantha "Sam" Brooks who’s having a late midlife crisis and is being deposed for a (maybe) lawsuit & on Kirby Fielding, Sam’s lawyer for this (maybe) lawsuit and also the woman with whom Sam had a brief but dazzling affair just before starting medical school over two decades ago…
So … What the hell was that ???
The book begins in present time, and, honestly, I liked it … BUT, unfortunately & sadly for me (and probably for a lot of other readers, very quickly arrives the "flashback" … well, if we can call this like that at this level since the story focused on the past occupies at least the 2/3 of the book … and, then, something like 50 pages before the end, back to present time. It makes the way the book is written not very interesting to me, since the author spends too much time on totally non-relevant details during a very short time frame (if I get everything right here, it’s covering only a 4 short weeks = 30 days period of time in the young MCs' life -- from the Tuesday they met at the softball tryouts to the Tuesday Sam's mom collapsed which pushed Sam to end things with Kirby the day after...)
Seriously, if you remove all that stuff ( = all the detailed scenes about the young MCs with whom you are NOT able to connect because they are very young adult, almost still girls), there is very little substance left from Sam and Kirby’s past relationship. As a matter of fact, all the annoying and useless details are more like fillers than anything else to me , even the " I Love Yous" … And about what happens in present time, it’s even worst !! There’s absolutely no substance at all about Sam and Kirby’s current relationship … How could it be and how could we know a thing about the MCs and connect with them, since it’s rushed… Whereas it would have been interesting to have some THERE, there’s a cruel lack of details … That was really boring to read about the young version of the MCs, so boring that the reading has become painful to me and I almost DNF the book...
OK, you get the picture : The book is clearly divided into two parts … But those two parts, the way they are presented in there, don’t make sense to me. I really don't see the point in the actual detailed part about the meeting and the fling that followed taking 2/3 of the novel which makes it a YA book!!! And given the actual building of the book ( at least that wasn't an action movie, such building of scenario would have emptied the theatre in no time…), I guess I won’t be the only one thinking that the MCs’ reunion and their reaquintence is too rushed, so, totally unbelivable. How could it be when what which would have taken a huge part of the book takes only 50ish pages and, so too many things fall miraculously into place with a total lack of angst and no depth.
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind a flashback or two but here, that's too much. In my opinion, it would have made more sense to have a 1/3 (or less, only ¼ would have been even better) of the book being "Part one"/ prologue about the young MCs in 1993 (a very short version of their meeting and what happened between them) and, then, a 2/3 (or even better ¾ ) "Part two" about the older MCs being reunited in present time. It would have avoided to totally break the flow and allowed a way much better character development (right now, it’s pretty poor), some real action and, in the end, a way more balanced and logical book with some depth... And … Maybe it would have been great (and more honest) to inform the readers about the mostly YA aspect of the novel. If I had known I wouldn't have requested the book since, the YA stories are not my cuppa, at all.
A few other things (not exhaustive list) which bothered me …
°° Sam is such a cliché : she is from a conservative and strict Catholic family, she has a boyfriend, but she fall in love (or so we are said) with a girl and is possessed by the "insta-pornstar effect" on her very first intimate encounter with the very same girl… Sam is questionning her sexuality, or so we are told … but, personally, I don’t think she questionned it too strongly … Why would she do that ? It could have led her to be truly herself (being gay, even more if the person is closeted, never prevented anyone to become a doctor, right ???) … that would have been such a shame …nope ??
°° Of course, since there’s a very religious upbringing, there’s the homophobic/bigot manipulative mother who uses her heart condition (the same heart condition she simply ignored for years) to emotionally bully her daughter, a child she should have loved unconditionally...
°° Sam's aggravating denial about her feelings about Kirby and her cowardice … her refusal to be herself taking the form of her stupid promise to her mom... Gosh !!! Seriously, Sam is really NOT a likeable MC and all the useless drama coming from her … Yuk!!
°° What to say about the totally ridiculous arguments such as "I’m Catholic, I can’t get divorced" or the "It’s complicated" .. Duh !! Like a lot of other things in the novel, it does not make sense to me … An example ?? => She couldn't get divorced but she could cheat on her husband (yep .. sleeping around while still married, in the eye of the Church, that's cheating... nothing less … and cheating, that’s a sin !!! )
°° In addition to too many details about irrelevant things, there are some repetitions which weakens even more the already poor narrative.
°° the rushed ending is a HFN, not a HEA...
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Sadly … Nope ! It’s a book of very little interest.
- Did I find the characters believable? => Sadly … Nope !
- Is this book now included in my "must be re-read"-list? => Nope !
- Will I purchase the paperback? => Nope !
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes. Since that’s the first time I was able to read a novel by Jaime Maddox, I don’t want to stay on this very disappointing experience & I’d like to give her, at least another chance.
- Would I recommend this book => I’ll let people use their free will to read the novel, or not …
🏳️🌈👩❤👩📚⚢👩⚕🥎👩💼👩❤💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
November 23, 2020
The book is split into 2, present-day and some 30 years ago. However heartbreaking the storyline in the past is, I prefer that part of the book.
Dr. Samantha Brooks is at a crossroads in her life; her twins are almost off to college, she is being deposed for a lawsuit, and she has no idea what to do with her life. When she meets her lawyer to prepare for her deposition she gets the biggest surprise of her life. her lawyer is Kirby Fielding, the woman she had a whirlwind romance with almost 30 years ago. From this point in the book, we go to the past and get to know 20 something Sam & Kirby. Their romance is a fast but profound one that takes place over one month. Kirby is out, but Sam is dealing with Catholic guilt and a not too accepting mother. Sam breaks off their romance and in the 30 years since she hasn't found the courage to contact Kirby. But in present-day they have to work together, their chemistry is still there, but is it friendship or can it be more?
Overall I think the book was a nice read but it was missing something, maybe because I feel like Sam's friend Teddy needs to have some more backstory/ bigger part in the story. There are some small surprises in the story, especially in the present day, that I appreciated. The ending is certainly not what I had hoped, sure it can be perceived as a HEA, but it just a bit mwah for me. The Catholic guilt is something I don't understand at all, but I appreciate everyone has their own struggles when it comes to life in general and I think this is a fair and realistic portrayal of struggles with one's self. Stories like these make me realise I had it pretty easy, and I realise there are many people still dealing with this nowadays, this is kind of heartbreaking for me. You should be able to love whoever you want. Since the romance and all the backstory seems to be in the past that is the part of the story I like best, I think this book would have benefitted from another chapter or two in present-day, just to finish it nicely. Or it could have switched to present day a couple chapters sooner.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
Dr. Samantha Brooks is at a crossroads in her life; her twins are almost off to college, she is being deposed for a lawsuit, and she has no idea what to do with her life. When she meets her lawyer to prepare for her deposition she gets the biggest surprise of her life. her lawyer is Kirby Fielding, the woman she had a whirlwind romance with almost 30 years ago. From this point in the book, we go to the past and get to know 20 something Sam & Kirby. Their romance is a fast but profound one that takes place over one month. Kirby is out, but Sam is dealing with Catholic guilt and a not too accepting mother. Sam breaks off their romance and in the 30 years since she hasn't found the courage to contact Kirby. But in present-day they have to work together, their chemistry is still there, but is it friendship or can it be more?
Overall I think the book was a nice read but it was missing something, maybe because I feel like Sam's friend Teddy needs to have some more backstory/ bigger part in the story. There are some small surprises in the story, especially in the present day, that I appreciated. The ending is certainly not what I had hoped, sure it can be perceived as a HEA, but it just a bit mwah for me. The Catholic guilt is something I don't understand at all, but I appreciate everyone has their own struggles when it comes to life in general and I think this is a fair and realistic portrayal of struggles with one's self. Stories like these make me realise I had it pretty easy, and I realise there are many people still dealing with this nowadays, this is kind of heartbreaking for me. You should be able to love whoever you want. Since the romance and all the backstory seems to be in the past that is the part of the story I like best, I think this book would have benefitted from another chapter or two in present-day, just to finish it nicely. Or it could have switched to present day a couple chapters sooner.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
November 11, 2020
Love Changes Everything is a pleasant read with not a lot of angst or 'will they, won't they' moments. In this second-chance romance, you know what's going to happen, and that's OK - even if the story takes a while to unfold.
Samantha Brooks is a successful ER doctor who is being deposed for a lawsuit and discovers her ex-girlfriend, Kirby, is the lawyer representing her. The book takes us back almost 30 years ago when Samantha first realized she liked women after meeting Kirby for the first time during softball practice. Inexplicably drawn to her, Samantha's sexual awakening happens right before she graduates from college and has a packed summer of family obligations and work, getting ready for medical school, and a strict Catholic mindset thanks to her mother's influence. All of this just means that she can't handle the fact that she's gay on top of everything else happening in her life! Since the majority of the book is focused on this time period, we're told in detail how the relationship develops, but not how it really ends (i.e. the conversation/scenes between Samantha and Kirby, it's only implied)... which I felt was disappointing as the story then jumps to the present day.
The last few novels I've read have all touched on the religious theme being one of the reasons for the main characters struggling with their feelings about their sexual identity - and while I get it, I can't really connect with that story line as much, for some reason. I was more intrigued with the story taking place almost three decades ago and what it meant to be an out lesbian during the early '90s - and, of course, I loved the references to VHS tapes and boom boxes. :)
Overall, I'd give this 3.5 stars. It felt drawn out in parts and didn't get to the point very quickly - the dialogue in particular felt stilted at times, but I still appreciated the journey it took me on.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
Samantha Brooks is a successful ER doctor who is being deposed for a lawsuit and discovers her ex-girlfriend, Kirby, is the lawyer representing her. The book takes us back almost 30 years ago when Samantha first realized she liked women after meeting Kirby for the first time during softball practice. Inexplicably drawn to her, Samantha's sexual awakening happens right before she graduates from college and has a packed summer of family obligations and work, getting ready for medical school, and a strict Catholic mindset thanks to her mother's influence. All of this just means that she can't handle the fact that she's gay on top of everything else happening in her life! Since the majority of the book is focused on this time period, we're told in detail how the relationship develops, but not how it really ends (i.e. the conversation/scenes between Samantha and Kirby, it's only implied)... which I felt was disappointing as the story then jumps to the present day.
The last few novels I've read have all touched on the religious theme being one of the reasons for the main characters struggling with their feelings about their sexual identity - and while I get it, I can't really connect with that story line as much, for some reason. I was more intrigued with the story taking place almost three decades ago and what it meant to be an out lesbian during the early '90s - and, of course, I loved the references to VHS tapes and boom boxes. :)
Overall, I'd give this 3.5 stars. It felt drawn out in parts and didn't get to the point very quickly - the dialogue in particular felt stilted at times, but I still appreciated the journey it took me on.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
December 14, 2020
My third book from Bold Strokes this month that approaches the traditional romance book differently. I enjoyed the writing, the book construction and the narrative of this one.
We start in the present day with Samantha, an ER doctor, who is being sued. The hospital is providing a lawyer, who turns out to be the woman Samantha had a relationship with in college - Kirby.
A large chunk of the book takes place in 1993, when the pair originally fall for each other in their early twenties. Some of this has a stereotypical homophobic parental trend, but it isn’t done in an overly dramatic way. I enjoyed that we got to know the characters a little in the present day before we made the cut back to their origin story and I liked that we got to see the beginning and the end of the relationship journey at that point.
We don’t spend anytime with them as a couple in the present day except for the epilogue which is a bit of a shame, but nonetheless I felt like the pacing was about right as they explored getting to know each other again. It’s nice to have older characters in wlw fiction. I enjoyed the maturity of the discussions when they reconciled and in the present day discussions around the lawsuit. The tonal difference between the present day and the past to illustrate how both women had grown in themselves was also done really well.
I’d recommend this to any wlw romance fans. It’s structure makes for an interesting read, especially as by not having a traditional chronological structure it escapes the 90% breakup.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
We start in the present day with Samantha, an ER doctor, who is being sued. The hospital is providing a lawyer, who turns out to be the woman Samantha had a relationship with in college - Kirby.
A large chunk of the book takes place in 1993, when the pair originally fall for each other in their early twenties. Some of this has a stereotypical homophobic parental trend, but it isn’t done in an overly dramatic way. I enjoyed that we got to know the characters a little in the present day before we made the cut back to their origin story and I liked that we got to see the beginning and the end of the relationship journey at that point.
We don’t spend anytime with them as a couple in the present day except for the epilogue which is a bit of a shame, but nonetheless I felt like the pacing was about right as they explored getting to know each other again. It’s nice to have older characters in wlw fiction. I enjoyed the maturity of the discussions when they reconciled and in the present day discussions around the lawsuit. The tonal difference between the present day and the past to illustrate how both women had grown in themselves was also done really well.
I’d recommend this to any wlw romance fans. It’s structure makes for an interesting read, especially as by not having a traditional chronological structure it escapes the 90% breakup.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2020
3.5
When I was 16, I went through something similar to what one of the main characters Samantha Brooks went through. You're trying to figure your own sexuality out, as well as school and all other pressures of being a teenager. You meet someone, confused as hell, and have no idea how you're going to tell the parents. I can relate to the story... and it was so frigging hard to read. BUT, at the same time, it was nice, the blossoming romance between the 2 main characters. the feelings they had felt very real.
The story is set into 2 parts. The past and the present. Even tho the past was hard to read, full of prejudices, it was needed to explain why Samantha found it difficult with her own sexuality and found it hard to come out, especially to her family. I would have loved to have known more about Kirby's background etc..
I did feel like the ending was rushed, I think this needed more...
I was given a copy for an honest review.
When I was 16, I went through something similar to what one of the main characters Samantha Brooks went through. You're trying to figure your own sexuality out, as well as school and all other pressures of being a teenager. You meet someone, confused as hell, and have no idea how you're going to tell the parents. I can relate to the story... and it was so frigging hard to read. BUT, at the same time, it was nice, the blossoming romance between the 2 main characters. the feelings they had felt very real.
The story is set into 2 parts. The past and the present. Even tho the past was hard to read, full of prejudices, it was needed to explain why Samantha found it difficult with her own sexuality and found it hard to come out, especially to her family. I would have loved to have known more about Kirby's background etc..
I did feel like the ending was rushed, I think this needed more...
I was given a copy for an honest review.
November 23, 2020
Another book by Ms Maddox and like all her other books a joy to read.
DR. Samantha Brooks grew up knowing she wanted to be a doctor just like her dad. So she lived the kind of life every parent would be proud of. No late night parties, no staying out too late, no drugs and the best thing, at least for her mother, she was dating Doug. This was the man both Sam and her mother thought she’d marry. Her father died while she was still a teen but her mother reminded her often just how proud he’d be.
But in her final year of college she met Kirby Fielding and started a relationship that lasted only three weeks but it had changed how she saw herself. She wanted to be a part of Kirby’s life but how could she do that when she didn’t identify as lesbian and there was no way in hell would her mother wanted this life for her. Stick with Doug and over time she had her twins but needless to say the marriage did not survive.
Kirby Fielding had already graduated and was working at a local bank. She lived her life out in the open and never thought she’d find herself in a relationship with Sam. She wasn't done with her education either, seeing herself becoming a lawyer. But she couldn't deny the feelings she had for Sam. But could she live her life in the closet. Maybe for the short term but her whole life, she just couldn’t see that happening. She did meet a woman with whom she had two children.
Everything changed when her mother had a health scare. As it was she didn’t want her daughter with Kirby or any other women. Being the only parent Sam had and her being sick her mother made Sam promise her she’d stop seeing Kirby. Didn’t change the fact that they were in love. It was hard to keep her promise but she did. Now twenty years later Sam was sued and the lawyer who was given the task of defending her was Kirby. After all this time did they even have a desire to start again.
Ms Maddox knows how to tell a story, filled with interesting characters and two main characters. Sam and Kirby, people you will find yourself rooting for.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books
DR. Samantha Brooks grew up knowing she wanted to be a doctor just like her dad. So she lived the kind of life every parent would be proud of. No late night parties, no staying out too late, no drugs and the best thing, at least for her mother, she was dating Doug. This was the man both Sam and her mother thought she’d marry. Her father died while she was still a teen but her mother reminded her often just how proud he’d be.
But in her final year of college she met Kirby Fielding and started a relationship that lasted only three weeks but it had changed how she saw herself. She wanted to be a part of Kirby’s life but how could she do that when she didn’t identify as lesbian and there was no way in hell would her mother wanted this life for her. Stick with Doug and over time she had her twins but needless to say the marriage did not survive.
Kirby Fielding had already graduated and was working at a local bank. She lived her life out in the open and never thought she’d find herself in a relationship with Sam. She wasn't done with her education either, seeing herself becoming a lawyer. But she couldn't deny the feelings she had for Sam. But could she live her life in the closet. Maybe for the short term but her whole life, she just couldn’t see that happening. She did meet a woman with whom she had two children.
Everything changed when her mother had a health scare. As it was she didn’t want her daughter with Kirby or any other women. Being the only parent Sam had and her being sick her mother made Sam promise her she’d stop seeing Kirby. Didn’t change the fact that they were in love. It was hard to keep her promise but she did. Now twenty years later Sam was sued and the lawyer who was given the task of defending her was Kirby. After all this time did they even have a desire to start again.
Ms Maddox knows how to tell a story, filled with interesting characters and two main characters. Sam and Kirby, people you will find yourself rooting for.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books
November 7, 2020
This was a good read.
Dr. Samantha is shock to learn that she is being deposed for a law suit about a case she work on thirteen years ago on a young boy. She already having a crisis because her twins boys will be leaving the nest and she doesn’t know what to with herself. When she goes to meet the lawyer who will be representing her she is shock to see it’s Kirby the woman she let go because of circumstances and because she was uncomfortable being gay.
Kirby was hurt when Sam let her go but they both led a okay life she has two kids of her own a daughter who in college and son who about to go college. As they get to know each other again their feelings for each other are still there and decides to give their relationship a another shock. I like all characters like their children who have their heads straight and how they love their mothers.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Dr. Samantha is shock to learn that she is being deposed for a law suit about a case she work on thirteen years ago on a young boy. She already having a crisis because her twins boys will be leaving the nest and she doesn’t know what to with herself. When she goes to meet the lawyer who will be representing her she is shock to see it’s Kirby the woman she let go because of circumstances and because she was uncomfortable being gay.
Kirby was hurt when Sam let her go but they both led a okay life she has two kids of her own a daughter who in college and son who about to go college. As they get to know each other again their feelings for each other are still there and decides to give their relationship a another shock. I like all characters like their children who have their heads straight and how they love their mothers.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
March 12, 2021
This book was so wrong on so many levels I'm shocked I gave it 2*s (but in my defense she writes really well.) Read the first chapter and 75% of the book is ruined as it's basically recapping that chapter and then, after all that, we get a brickwall ending. This cost £7.99 - and only a quarter of this book is relevant. I feel totally ripped off.
November 15, 2020
I tend to agree with the other ratings on this book. It was well written and flows smoothly enough, however is focused on the past for most of the book when the two main characters were basically girls. I don’t have much in common these days with a 22 year old, so it was hard to understand what they were going through. I really wish the book had invested more in the present day story line, when the characters had a little more life experience to deal with their feelings. Instead, the book is centered on a young woman coming to terms with her sexuality and religion. The book is good, just nothing I was expecting.
December 4, 2020
I enjoyed reading Love Changes Everything. This romance This books goes back a few decades to summer before Samantha goes to medical school. She meets Kirby the first day of softball league and Samantha eventually finds herself in an intense summer affair. These mains for sure have strong chemistry, but there is a problem. Kirby is out but Samantha isn't and knows her mother will have an issue with her sexuality.
I really liked the story of the romance that happened years ago between Samantha and Kirby.. Both characters are likable, they have great chemistry and they get along with each other. Maddox does a great job moving the story along smoothly. The pages are easy to turn and you get absorbed with the story telling. I also liked the dynamic between the characters in the present. Of course there is some tension between them, but it is to be expected. I liked that both had really good kids that are older. When the mains and the supporting characters come together it makes for seamless read. I did find myself wanting more of the present interaction between the mains. I am one of those people who like an epilogue. Still with that missing, I enjoyed Love Changes Everything.
4.25 stars
This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
I really liked the story of the romance that happened years ago between Samantha and Kirby.. Both characters are likable, they have great chemistry and they get along with each other. Maddox does a great job moving the story along smoothly. The pages are easy to turn and you get absorbed with the story telling. I also liked the dynamic between the characters in the present. Of course there is some tension between them, but it is to be expected. I liked that both had really good kids that are older. When the mains and the supporting characters come together it makes for seamless read. I did find myself wanting more of the present interaction between the mains. I am one of those people who like an epilogue. Still with that missing, I enjoyed Love Changes Everything.
4.25 stars
This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
December 16, 2020
This book had me completely captivated - more so than anticipated. Samantha's personal journey outlined in this book was exceptional. I really felt for her, especially her relationship with her mother and its implications. I was completely enraptured with Samantha and Kirby - I felt like I could feel their chemistry through the pages and really wanted them to have their HEA.
In regard to the book's blurb, I think it could've been clearer that the majority of this book takes place in 1993, when Samantha and Kirby were in their early 20's. The novel overall was written really well. I loved the way Maddox managed to wrangle both time periods together to create this beautiful love story.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
In regard to the book's blurb, I think it could've been clearer that the majority of this book takes place in 1993, when Samantha and Kirby were in their early 20's. The novel overall was written really well. I loved the way Maddox managed to wrangle both time periods together to create this beautiful love story.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2020
“I told myself I wasn’t really in love with you, but I was lying.”
This is a second chance romance where the main characters were brought back into each others’ lives after 2 decades apart and readers get to live through memories of their history.
Present day Dr Samantha Brooks, an ER doctor being deposed for a lawsuit, was thrown for a loop when she found the identity of the lawyer sent to represent her. Kirby Fielding, the one person whom she had cast into the deepest recesses of her mind but had never succeeded disposing of.
The book focused heavily on the past, where young Samantha was infatuated and took a chance to further her attraction for Kirby. Their beginning though tentative, was all bloom and glorious until reality came knocking.
I enjoyed living through the memories of their young love, found the agony when circumstances forced them apart relatable but wish that the years spent apart was expounded as the main characters clearly loved each other.
I just reviewed Love Changes Everything by Jaime Maddox. #NetGalley
This is a second chance romance where the main characters were brought back into each others’ lives after 2 decades apart and readers get to live through memories of their history.
Present day Dr Samantha Brooks, an ER doctor being deposed for a lawsuit, was thrown for a loop when she found the identity of the lawyer sent to represent her. Kirby Fielding, the one person whom she had cast into the deepest recesses of her mind but had never succeeded disposing of.
The book focused heavily on the past, where young Samantha was infatuated and took a chance to further her attraction for Kirby. Their beginning though tentative, was all bloom and glorious until reality came knocking.
I enjoyed living through the memories of their young love, found the agony when circumstances forced them apart relatable but wish that the years spent apart was expounded as the main characters clearly loved each other.
I just reviewed Love Changes Everything by Jaime Maddox. #NetGalley
November 20, 2020
This story was an enjoyable read. The writing paced nicely through the back story helping you care about both of the characters. The Catholic guilt was handled realistically, which made the plot work well. Curiously, despite the book having a well written ending, I felt a bit dissatisfied on the last page. I think the plot had more to give somewhere and I was missing out on something crucial. I’m not sure, but it may have been Teddy. I definitely wanted to know more about her. Overall it’s a decent romance and provides hope in the face of condemnation. The fact it left me wanting more means I will be looking out for this author’s next work.
November 9, 2020
Ok.. this started really great, but half into it I got so board. I wanted to fast forward into the present way sooner then when it happened. don't get me wrong I like to know the history but I really love reading the present more it helps me see the growth and the development of the characters. And even tho the author wrote this beautifully. I felt that their re-connection felt rushed, since the majority of the story was in the past,
January 26, 2021
It's Sam's final year of college and she's got full life. She's got a long term boyfriend, she's been accepted into medical school, and she's got great friends. But when she meets Kirby her whole world turns upside down and she learns a lot about herself and about love. Their love doesn't have a place in her life at this time, and it's not until decades later when the two meet again and with time and circumstances changing maybe their love is still destined to be.
This is actually my first book by Jaime Maddox and I enjoyed this book for the most part, the writing was a really nice style and the whole atmosphere in the book was light and fun and really resonated as a first real love. I found some of the pacing and the balance between past and present a little off. The summary made me think this would take place more in the present but the bulk of the story happens in the past where I think their romance really shines while the present time was a little bland. Sometimes the characters acted a little disjointed for me but overall I really enjoyed all the characters and liked seeing their evolution from their younger selves.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is actually my first book by Jaime Maddox and I enjoyed this book for the most part, the writing was a really nice style and the whole atmosphere in the book was light and fun and really resonated as a first real love. I found some of the pacing and the balance between past and present a little off. The summary made me think this would take place more in the present but the bulk of the story happens in the past where I think their romance really shines while the present time was a little bland. Sometimes the characters acted a little disjointed for me but overall I really enjoyed all the characters and liked seeing their evolution from their younger selves.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2020
Oh what a feeling when you have found that someone that you would like to spend the rest of your life with. But what if "the one" is afraid to take the life journey with you. This read about self-discovery, doubt, friendship, family, Catholic guilt, and love. Kirby Fielding, attorney, unbeknownst to her is set to meet the women that walked away 30 years ago. Samantha Brooks, ER physician, unbeknownst to her is set to meet the women she walked away from 30 years ago. Kirby and Samantha are both likable. Kirby knows who she is, a lesbian working in a career that she loves and is good at. Samantha struggles with Catholic guilt. It is important to do the right/straight thing. I can understand the family and general life pressure of presenting and living a straight life.
As the story unfolds, it is presented in two parts: current and 30 years ago. To some extent, that was good. I suppose I preferred that as opposed to moving back and forth throughout the story. Being true to self can be difficult if you feel actual or perceived guilt. What a supportive person Kirby was, wow.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
As the story unfolds, it is presented in two parts: current and 30 years ago. To some extent, that was good. I suppose I preferred that as opposed to moving back and forth throughout the story. Being true to self can be difficult if you feel actual or perceived guilt. What a supportive person Kirby was, wow.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
January 6, 2021
I'm late to the party on this, so I won't rehash the present day-with-flashback aspect that many others have covered, but it totally worked for me. Sam's experience of "what on earth is going on with me?" as a 22-year-old reminded me in vivid detail of my own time in high school. I was lucky to not have the added issue of Catholic guilt, but certainly it just wasn't discussed in my family for a couple of decades.
It's obvious that Jaime Maddox spent more than a month or two writing this book because of the level of detail and the superb characterization of the early '90s. An author really can't get too detailed for my taste, so I was quite impressed with this story. In fact, it was heading for five stars from me, but I would've enjoyed more time after Sam and Kirby reunited. Perhaps we'll be treated to a sequel?
It's obvious that Jaime Maddox spent more than a month or two writing this book because of the level of detail and the superb characterization of the early '90s. An author really can't get too detailed for my taste, so I was quite impressed with this story. In fact, it was heading for five stars from me, but I would've enjoyed more time after Sam and Kirby reunited. Perhaps we'll be treated to a sequel?
December 22, 2020
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Do you ever think about your first love, the one that didn't last for so many reasons?
Sam is a talented ER doctor, mother of teenage boys who is happy with her life.
An unexpected legal issue brings her face to face with her past.
Kirby, her first female lover, is the lawyer who will sheppard her through another doctor's malpractice suit. And along the way, relive the very brief, passionate, angst filled romance they shared when Sam was twenty two.
The plot explores coming to terms with your sexuality, making decisions based upon pleasing your parents and the path you take based on those choices.
This is a well written, smoothly paced story.
Do you ever think about your first love, the one that didn't last for so many reasons?
Sam is a talented ER doctor, mother of teenage boys who is happy with her life.
An unexpected legal issue brings her face to face with her past.
Kirby, her first female lover, is the lawyer who will sheppard her through another doctor's malpractice suit. And along the way, relive the very brief, passionate, angst filled romance they shared when Sam was twenty two.
The plot explores coming to terms with your sexuality, making decisions based upon pleasing your parents and the path you take based on those choices.
This is a well written, smoothly paced story.
January 13, 2021
As I read the blurb, I thought this book will focus on Sam’s middle life crisis and second chances with Kirby, but I was wrong. Majority of the book tackled more on Sam and Kirby’s past. I know it was an important aspect of the story but I just wished the author emphasized more on the present day. It was kinda disappointing how the “present” story was lacking and rushed. Still it was a great read and I enjoyed reading it. Also, I love how the MCs were written, very relatable and real.
I received an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2020
Dr. Samantha Brooks is a fifty year old part time ER physician who is raising her twin sons who will soon be going to college. Out of the blue she receives some news from a hospital administrator that she is being deposed for a lawsuit related to a young patient she treated over ten years ago. She is set to meet with an attorney arranged by the hospital when she learns at the meeting that the attorney has fallen ill and has been replaced by her first and probably only love, Kirby Fielding.
The story flashes back at that point to how Sam and Kirby met over two decades ago and how they fell in love in thirty short days. About sixty-five percent of the storyline is focused on what occurred in the past, from their first meeting which included mutual attraction, to how they broke up a month later. But neither forgot about the other person even though their lives moved on with other people, they had children, and their careers progressed. The latter part of the book resolves the deposition as well as their feeling for each other.
I enjoyed both of the characters and the storyline. The author brought Sam's fears to light about coming out to her friends and especially to her mother. The author also did a great job of writing the moment of realization about when real attraction is finally realized between two people. Overall 4 stars.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story flashes back at that point to how Sam and Kirby met over two decades ago and how they fell in love in thirty short days. About sixty-five percent of the storyline is focused on what occurred in the past, from their first meeting which included mutual attraction, to how they broke up a month later. But neither forgot about the other person even though their lives moved on with other people, they had children, and their careers progressed. The latter part of the book resolves the deposition as well as their feeling for each other.
I enjoyed both of the characters and the storyline. The author brought Sam's fears to light about coming out to her friends and especially to her mother. The author also did a great job of writing the moment of realization about when real attraction is finally realized between two people. Overall 4 stars.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2022
I am a little undecided on how to rate this book. On the one hand, it is one of those stories that are generally my favorites, in which a relationship lasts over time despite everything and is finally achieved.But on the other hand, the way it is written has not been very interesting to me, since the author spends too much on non-relevant details and if we remove all that stuff, there is little substance left from the relationship between Sam and Kirby, unfortunately.
The story is divided into two parts, one in which it is explained how the two of them met when they were between twenty and twenty-five years old, I cannot say it specifically and the other when they meet again when they were over fifty. The main part is that of them being young and living in the society of the early 90s, with all the difficulties and prejudices and adding to that that Sam is from a conservative and strict Catholic family as far as supposed righteousness is concerned. There are not really violent or unpleasant situations in the homophobic sense, but Sam has all that education so in her head that it makes her not know how to react to her feelings towards Kirby.
As I said, the style in which it is written has not favored my full recognition. I also consider that the ending was too hasty. Overall it was just okay.
Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for my honest review
The story is divided into two parts, one in which it is explained how the two of them met when they were between twenty and twenty-five years old, I cannot say it specifically and the other when they meet again when they were over fifty. The main part is that of them being young and living in the society of the early 90s, with all the difficulties and prejudices and adding to that that Sam is from a conservative and strict Catholic family as far as supposed righteousness is concerned. There are not really violent or unpleasant situations in the homophobic sense, but Sam has all that education so in her head that it makes her not know how to react to her feelings towards Kirby.
As I said, the style in which it is written has not favored my full recognition. I also consider that the ending was too hasty. Overall it was just okay.
Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for my honest review
December 15, 2024
I did not really get what I expected after reading the synopsis. I thought I would get a book about a middle-aged woman with a midlife crisis who wins a toaster oven. But after 75% I still haven't read anything that indicaties a midlife crisis. Most of the story is about a woman in her early twenties who thought she was straight but gets a crush on a new teammate on her softball team.
Only the first two chapters and the last few are set in the present day where Sam is almost 50 years old and meets this crush, Kirby, again after more than 25 years. The other chapters (about 75% of the book) tell the story of the crush in 1993.
While the story of the 90s was certainly enjoyable enough, at one point I became a little restless as I desperately wanted to know what was happening in the present day. But at the point we go back to present time I was a little disappointed that the 90s story didn't continue. The ending was a bit weak and unsatisfying. 4-⭐️
Only the first two chapters and the last few are set in the present day where Sam is almost 50 years old and meets this crush, Kirby, again after more than 25 years. The other chapters (about 75% of the book) tell the story of the crush in 1993.
While the story of the 90s was certainly enjoyable enough, at one point I became a little restless as I desperately wanted to know what was happening in the present day. But at the point we go back to present time I was a little disappointed that the 90s story didn't continue. The ending was a bit weak and unsatisfying. 4-⭐️
December 13, 2020
Classic lesbian romance, two women meet but for one its not the right time and so it falls apart and then they meet by chance years later... I really enjoyed the way that this book started with the two main characters meeting and then went back in time to when they first met and fell in love. It's an unusual device and works well, the focus is much more on Dr Samantha Brooks and the challenges she faced when they were first together. When the book returns to the present day though we do find out more about what happened for Kirby in the intervening years. A good story told well.
With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2021
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a honest review
I chose this book because of the blurb so I was expecting a second chance romance between two older women. However, I would say the major part of the book is in the past when the main characters are around 23 years old.
Normally I wouldn't have picked a YA romance as it feels like a lifetime ago but the story of Kirby and Sam transported me the time, all interactions and emotions felt very realistic and could understand why Sam was struggled.
I would have loved for more time in the present and perhaps a little more passion after reconnecting again.
Overall, it is a good read.
I chose this book because of the blurb so I was expecting a second chance romance between two older women. However, I would say the major part of the book is in the past when the main characters are around 23 years old.
Normally I wouldn't have picked a YA romance as it feels like a lifetime ago but the story of Kirby and Sam transported me the time, all interactions and emotions felt very realistic and could understand why Sam was struggled.
I would have loved for more time in the present and perhaps a little more passion after reconnecting again.
Overall, it is a good read.
April 29, 2021
Truth will set you free
Lovely story of Sam and Kirby who discover a passion for each other. Their banter was electric. However, love, desire and playfulness couldn’t erase the darkness of catholicism. As a recovering catholic, I understand the guilt that pervades one’s life. It was handled truthfully in this story and sadly still exists today. All of the characters were well developed and relatable as was the plot. I loved that their four children accepted that they were lesbians. It shouldn’t be a big deal. A very good read. I heartily and enthusiastically recommend this and any other works by this author. Thank you Peace
Lovely story of Sam and Kirby who discover a passion for each other. Their banter was electric. However, love, desire and playfulness couldn’t erase the darkness of catholicism. As a recovering catholic, I understand the guilt that pervades one’s life. It was handled truthfully in this story and sadly still exists today. All of the characters were well developed and relatable as was the plot. I loved that their four children accepted that they were lesbians. It shouldn’t be a big deal. A very good read. I heartily and enthusiastically recommend this and any other works by this author. Thank you Peace
December 28, 2020
I'm a huge fan of second chances novels. I enjoyed the story line. The main characters Samantha and Kirby situation will connect with a lot of people. Especially Samantha' who was from a strict Catholic home and struggled with accepting her sexuality. Even though I enjoyed the book, I must say I felt that the ending was abrupt. Sam and Kirby relationship when they reunited needed more focus instead of their relationship when they were younger.
I received an eBook from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for my honest opinion.
I received an eBook from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for my honest opinion.
December 22, 2020
Netgalley Review:
I liked the writing style and I thought the dialogue was interesting and true to life. This book honestly gave me slight PTSD to both coming out and dating someone coming out. I think the balance between the present and the past was a bit off and the present seemed easily resolved. Also, the catholicism and weird friend's opinions on queerness was sort of intense, I would have liked more context for that or maybe a final check in on the characters evolution on her sexual orientation. 3 stars.
I liked the writing style and I thought the dialogue was interesting and true to life. This book honestly gave me slight PTSD to both coming out and dating someone coming out. I think the balance between the present and the past was a bit off and the present seemed easily resolved. Also, the catholicism and weird friend's opinions on queerness was sort of intense, I would have liked more context for that or maybe a final check in on the characters evolution on her sexual orientation. 3 stars.
January 19, 2021
Love might change everything, and in some occasions it takes time for it to happen. This is a second chance romance and may not be for everyone, as a long part of the book shows us how things did not work out.
I liked the book, but I got kind of bored at some point when talking about the past, so I had to take a break and come back to it later, something that is not usual for me.
Other than that, Sam and Kirby are strong and well driven women, and that is always nice to find on a book!
I liked the book, but I got kind of bored at some point when talking about the past, so I had to take a break and come back to it later, something that is not usual for me.
Other than that, Sam and Kirby are strong and well driven women, and that is always nice to find on a book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews