Gabby never imagined that going back home might mean a second chance with her first love…
Gabby Torres is a rock star searching for meaning in life. All the crowds in the world don’t mean anything to her these days, and she needs a change. But when she decides to go back to her hometown to figure out her next steps, she’s not banking on running into Diana: the woman whose heart she broke when she left to chase her dreams.
Diana Caetano is just trying to make it through the day. As a single mom with two kids, she’s not looking for drama. But when her first love comes back to town, she finds herself wondering whether the old spark between them could reignite into a fresh blaze.
Tensions rise as the two women fall back into each other’s orbit. But will their second chance at love result in the family they’ve both been searching for? Or will it end in tragedy?
I always grew up hungry for stories that I could see myself in. Even the tiniest hint of queerness would make my heart beat faster, but any sort of media where queer women were the protagonists was a rarity. Even rarer if you wanted queer characters who got happy endings!
One day I decided to start writing the types of stories I wished I could read. Stories where being queer isn't something to overcome, where the main characters could fall in love and be themselves and find joy in each other. I'm mostly writing contemporary F/F romance these days, but occasionally I dabble in fantasy and sci-fi.
I love connecting with readers, so feel free to drop me a line any time you want to talk about books, dogs, or nerdy things :)
Delightful read! This 2nd book in 'The Lady Lotharios' ongoing series, was an enjoyable storyline about returning home to recreate that special love that you had for your first love. It was even much much better written. Recommended book!
Diana and Gabby were high school sweethearts whose time together came to an end when Gabby chose her career over their relationship. She left Diana a letter..... Fifteen years later, famous rock star Gabby came back to town to help revitalize Santa Fe’s music scene. Naturally on her first day back in town, at the grocery store no less, runs into widowed Diana and her two kids. The story was told from both main characters’ points of view and the reader was granted a really good sense of each characters’ thoughts, feelings, and emotions. However, I don’t believe that either character effectively conveyed their feelings with the other. It was just a little too easy for Diana to forgive Gabby and welcome her into their little family unit. Gabby being a famous rock star wasn’t very believable either. If she was so famous that she got offered a residency in Vegas, then how was she continuously able to be out and about in town with no one really ever bothering her. Or maybe the people of Santa Fe were just simply respectful?!? Overall this was an entertaining read, perfect for an afternoon escape!
I usually love a second chance romance, but this one missed the mark. Let me summarize why. Spoiler filled rant coming…
Our first heroine, Gabby, left home when she was 18 years old to pursue her dream. She left back her high school sweat heart and was too scared about passing up her dreams and said goodbye in a letter. I really didn’t see any issues with this. Nearly 15 years later, she’s feeling life unfulfilled and goes back home. Of course she runs into Diana, our second heroine, almost immediately. Now where it was really a bummer for me was Diana. Yes, your tender heart was broken but she moved on quick. She had two beautiful children and what seemed like the perfect life. Until her husband died. It’s hard to connect these two when there’s no past interactions. Because if Diana’s husband didn’t die, there would be no her and Gabby. It’s really that simple. Diana also is super unfair and pins everything on Gabby. She’s kind of mean hearted for nearly half the book too. The ending really just made me angry. Gabby didn’t need to be doing a grand gesture. She made her choice to stay. Diana should have gotten into her car (or talked it out wiring Gabby and the kids before making life altering choices for everyone) and chased her down when she was the one who told Gabby to leave their lives for Vegas. That would have maybe gotten another star from me.
PS I really liked the kiddos and Gabby. They were a bright spot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Well, Gabby and Diana sure make it so when it should not be and sometimes Diana's 13 year old daughter is the one with the clearest assessment. Holly, Gabby's new friend has a pretty clear view of the whole mess as well. Just as well that Gabby, being given a final nudge by destiny, finally follows her advice.
Their story is a very good description how overthinking things can come back to bite you in the bottom, but in the end all is well, that ends well.
Gabby's development is easy to follow and it's rather cute, how she falls in love with Diana's kids, who both are pretty cute themselves. Diana as a character had me roll my eyes more than just once, but she, too, is very relatable. So over all I really enjoyed the read.
Finding out what and who is important in your life.
There is always something that seems better on the horizon than what you have it takes courage to realise someone is more important than anything else. Whether it's moving to be with someone or changing your life plans. When you know that's it take the risk it's worth the task because happiness is hard to find. This is a great romantic novel with an HEA.
Gabby the rockstar left at 18 in search for fame, leaving behind high school girlfriend Diane behind. 15 years later Gabby goes back home and she realize what she was missing in life.
We get to meet Diana's children and how one of them (fan of Gabby's music) ends up being what bring Gabby and Diana together again.
Good book, not a lot of angst and what little amount of it, it's just a few pages.
Visiting the local grocery store with her kids, Diana has to face the love of her life who has just returned after disappearing years ago. She has made a life for herself and her kids and doesn't think they need a distraction.
Gabby never stopped loving her and has to now fight for a chance at a life she didn't know she wanted.
I really enjoyed this story. Life is full of big decisions, some easy, some hard. When you're faced with the ramifications of those decisions, it can be very hard. The author brings the story to a very satisfying conclusion. Her dialogue is real and draws you into feeling as if you really personally know the characters in the story! Well done!
So I read this series out of order starting with the third and honestly I really liked the way they all connected. This is a good stand alone though and you don't need to read the previous one to enjoy it !
I liked this book a lot. It was really sweet and I loved Gabby & Diana’s relationship. Though, Diana was really frustrating me towards the end (who let this woman make decisions?!) maybe it’s just because I’m not a big lover of angst. I loved the character of Gabby though.
By the end of the book, I really couldn't stand Diana, and I only wanted them together because that's what Gabby wanted and you know that's the only way Gabby and the kids could have a continuing relationship.