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Calumet
Jaxon Lavigne left the small town of Chackbay, Louisiana, to escape disapproving parents and has never looked back. She’s now a popular English lit professor. Life is good. Really. The only problem is the invite in her mailbox. Who in their right mind has a fifteen-year high school reunion?
Iris Long’s days are predictable. She did the safe thing and married the high school quarterback. While her life isn’t a grand love affair, it’s comfortable, and as the secretary at the local high school, she can see her daughter and son throughout the day. Her family is great, but Iris longs for the one person she can’t have.
Jaxon comes back to town amid gossip that started sixteen years earlier and never really died down. After crushing on Iris in high school, seeing her again is a welcome surprise. But it’s Iris’s daughter, Sean, whose dark hair, blue eyes, and brilliant mind are startlingly like Jaxon’s own who exposes scars from small town secrets.
Jaxon has been kept in the dark by those she loves most, including Iris. But when the truth is finally revealed, will she leave for good?
Iris Long’s days are predictable. She did the safe thing and married the high school quarterback. While her life isn’t a grand love affair, it’s comfortable, and as the secretary at the local high school, she can see her daughter and son throughout the day. Her family is great, but Iris longs for the one person she can’t have.
Jaxon comes back to town amid gossip that started sixteen years earlier and never really died down. After crushing on Iris in high school, seeing her again is a welcome surprise. But it’s Iris’s daughter, Sean, whose dark hair, blue eyes, and brilliant mind are startlingly like Jaxon’s own who exposes scars from small town secrets.
Jaxon has been kept in the dark by those she loves most, including Iris. But when the truth is finally revealed, will she leave for good?
242 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2021
30 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Ali Vali
57 books460 followersAli Vali is the author of the long-running Cain Casey "Devil" series and the Genesis Clan "Forces" series, as well as numerous standalone romances including two Lambda Literary Award finalists, Calling the Dead and Love Match, and her 2017 release, Beauty and the Boss. Ali also has a novella in the collection Girls with Guns.
Originally from Cuba, Ali has retained much of her family's traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which she carries till today. Ali currently lives outside New Orleans, Louisiana, and she has discovered that living in Louisiana provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories.
Originally from Cuba, Ali has retained much of her family's traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which she carries till today. Ali currently lives outside New Orleans, Louisiana, and she has discovered that living in Louisiana provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
July 26, 2021
Whispers of a small town.
I had trouble putting my thoughts to words. I have so many things to say but can't because, spoilers. The blurb tells a lot but also too little and my mind went a million directions wondering how this story would go and how it would end. It was a problem for me not knowing because by the fourth chapter, I fell in love with one of the characters who was mature for her age, but also perfect and so precious, I was afraid she would get hurt.
The blurb mentions two characters - Jaxon and Iris, who have a shared history in a small Louisiana hometown but now lead separate lives. Jax, who hasn't been back since high school, lives a good life as a English Literature Professor in California. Iris stayed behind and is now married with two kids. Their lives converge again when Jax returns for a 15-year high school reunion. Nothing extraordinary there, except there's Iris' teenage daughter who bears an uncanny resemblance to Jax.
I love how Calumet isn't a formulatic story about rekindling old flames. The multitude of layers of the story caught me by surprise and my mind went wild with imagination by the hows and the whys and the what happens next. And Vali teases by unravelling the mystery past bit by bit. There's so much character development for Jax in this short span too as she faces her past and I love how she gradually heals from it and opens her heart up. But it isn't just her, I realise. This story is about everybody else making peace as well and finding a way to move past history.
Vali delivered a romance storyline and for some reason, it stuck with me. I love it. Maybe because the love is strong. There's a scene at the reunion that has been playing on loop ever since I put my kindle down and it feels oddly satisfying and so right. I'm not ready to let the characters go. There's potential for both a prequel and a sequel, and I'm particularly in favour of a prequel of Jax's time in California.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had trouble putting my thoughts to words. I have so many things to say but can't because, spoilers. The blurb tells a lot but also too little and my mind went a million directions wondering how this story would go and how it would end. It was a problem for me not knowing because by the fourth chapter, I fell in love with one of the characters who was mature for her age, but also perfect and so precious, I was afraid she would get hurt.
The blurb mentions two characters - Jaxon and Iris, who have a shared history in a small Louisiana hometown but now lead separate lives. Jax, who hasn't been back since high school, lives a good life as a English Literature Professor in California. Iris stayed behind and is now married with two kids. Their lives converge again when Jax returns for a 15-year high school reunion. Nothing extraordinary there, except there's Iris' teenage daughter who bears an uncanny resemblance to Jax.
I love how Calumet isn't a formulatic story about rekindling old flames. The multitude of layers of the story caught me by surprise and my mind went wild with imagination by the hows and the whys and the what happens next. And Vali teases by unravelling the mystery past bit by bit. There's so much character development for Jax in this short span too as she faces her past and I love how she gradually heals from it and opens her heart up. But it isn't just her, I realise. This story is about everybody else making peace as well and finding a way to move past history.
Vali delivered a romance storyline and for some reason, it stuck with me. I love it. Maybe because the love is strong. There's a scene at the reunion that has been playing on loop ever since I put my kindle down and it feels oddly satisfying and so right. I'm not ready to let the characters go. There's potential for both a prequel and a sequel, and I'm particularly in favour of a prequel of Jax's time in California.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2021
First thing, don’t let the blurb mislead you, this is not a second-chance romance. In fact, it’s not a traditional romance in any sense. The main couples are already established, I actually did a quick search to see if this was a sequel just because of the way it’s written. This is more a journey of forgiveness and letting go of your past so you can move on. There’s also quite a bit of family dynamics and some of those were the best bits.
Jaxon Lavigne is finally happy with her life. She’s got a great job teaching English lit at UCLA and is in love with her actress girlfriend, Margot Drake. She reluctantly agrees to go to her small Louisiana hometown for her high school reunion. She runs into her first love, Iris, and is taken aback by some surprises Iris has for her. She also has to deal with her family; and her issues with them after she came out in high school.
There’s a lot to like about this book. It doesn’t follow the usual romance structure which makes for a nice change of pace. There’s a lot of drama and angst (which I love) with some lighter moments to balance out the drama. The characters are all interesting, even if some aren’t actually likeable. It’s full of characters and stereotypical personalities from small-towns which both annoyed and amused me. My favorites were side characters such as Jaxon’s grandmother and Wilbur, Margot’s dad. I did have an issue with one person who Vali seemed to try to redeem but didn’t deserve it in my opinion. I don’t know if it was on purpose or not but he got a big yikes from me.
So, while I did enjoy many parts of this there were some parts I didn’t particularly enjoy. Those things are just personal taste preferences and a few aspects that I can’t really discuss because it would spoil some major storylines. There were several times I got really frustrated and almost stopped reading but I’m glad I moved past it because it is a terrific overall read.
I do recommend this. It’s a well written, fascinating tale of being queer in a small-town and all that can encompass.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jaxon Lavigne is finally happy with her life. She’s got a great job teaching English lit at UCLA and is in love with her actress girlfriend, Margot Drake. She reluctantly agrees to go to her small Louisiana hometown for her high school reunion. She runs into her first love, Iris, and is taken aback by some surprises Iris has for her. She also has to deal with her family; and her issues with them after she came out in high school.
There’s a lot to like about this book. It doesn’t follow the usual romance structure which makes for a nice change of pace. There’s a lot of drama and angst (which I love) with some lighter moments to balance out the drama. The characters are all interesting, even if some aren’t actually likeable. It’s full of characters and stereotypical personalities from small-towns which both annoyed and amused me. My favorites were side characters such as Jaxon’s grandmother and Wilbur, Margot’s dad. I did have an issue with one person who Vali seemed to try to redeem but didn’t deserve it in my opinion. I don’t know if it was on purpose or not but he got a big yikes from me.
So, while I did enjoy many parts of this there were some parts I didn’t particularly enjoy. Those things are just personal taste preferences and a few aspects that I can’t really discuss because it would spoil some major storylines. There were several times I got really frustrated and almost stopped reading but I’m glad I moved past it because it is a terrific overall read.
I do recommend this. It’s a well written, fascinating tale of being queer in a small-town and all that can encompass.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2021
Yes, time taught valuable lessons, and one of them was that forgiveness had to be felt as well as given. Loc 3781
Hats off to Ali Vali for changing up what I thought was going to be just another second chance romance and turning this into a study in forgiveness. The blurb led me to assumptions which Vali challenges from the opening chapters. It’s very difficult to be spoiler free with this review so I will say I loved the secondary characters and the impact they had on the main characters and the story as a whole. They added so much value to the central romance and had me cheering on the mains to get their act together.
I was impressed with the character development throughout this story with Jaxon as a standout in the growth department. She has a successful career and life but you can feel her reticence to move past the anger she feels towards events in her past. Sometimes you can go home again to a dreaded high school reunion and reconcile the ghosts from your past with the help of family and friends.
Calumet left me feeling happy and uplifted and that makes it a five star read any day.
A copy of this book was received from the publisher via NetGalley for review.
Hats off to Ali Vali for changing up what I thought was going to be just another second chance romance and turning this into a study in forgiveness. The blurb led me to assumptions which Vali challenges from the opening chapters. It’s very difficult to be spoiler free with this review so I will say I loved the secondary characters and the impact they had on the main characters and the story as a whole. They added so much value to the central romance and had me cheering on the mains to get their act together.
I was impressed with the character development throughout this story with Jaxon as a standout in the growth department. She has a successful career and life but you can feel her reticence to move past the anger she feels towards events in her past. Sometimes you can go home again to a dreaded high school reunion and reconcile the ghosts from your past with the help of family and friends.
Calumet left me feeling happy and uplifted and that makes it a five star read any day.
A copy of this book was received from the publisher via NetGalley for review.
August 16, 2021
4.5 stars. Ali Vali throws the lesfic formula out of the window and I loved it! It’s surprising, complex and it keeps you wanting to know more. I already knew from other reviews that the blurb is misleading, this is not the romance you expect from the blurb, but it is a romance. Had I not already known a little bit more info from other reviews I probably would have been more anxious about one of my favorite characters in this book, but I was very happy with how it all turned out. While the romance is important, there is also a lot of drama, this book is also about forgiveness and coming to terms with your past.
Jaxon, a professor in English literature at UCLA, is reluctantly going back to her small southern hometown for a high school reunion. She has built a nice life for herself in California and is happy there, so I say reluctantly as she has no good memories of her high school period, her family, or even her old high school girlfriend Iris. Iris stayed in the small town, got married and has two kids and she regrets some of her actions in the past that are connected with Jaxon. When Jaxon returns old wounds are opened and there are some surprises for Jaxon. She is kept in the dark for a long time about what happened (and thus the reader too, and I needed answers!), which is about all I can say without spoilers.
Strangely this book reminded me of Vali’s “The Inheritance”, only where The Inheritance is pretty much over the top soap opera drama this one is far more subtle. Yet, it resembles the intricacy of all connections between the characters and some of the crazy-ass family members. Especially Wilbur, an overly protective father with a military background, cracked me up.
Since this book is a bit different from the norm the secondary characters are almost as important as the mains. Some of them are a bit stereotypical small-town prejudiced people, but most of them (the important ones) I liked a lot. The best character for me was Jaxon though. She’s larger than life, successful and good looking, and everybody wants to be her or be with her. This is a type of character I have come to expect from Vali, but we also get look at what exists under the surface and she shows so much growth, it was extremely well done.
I know others have expressed their wishes for a prequel or sequel and I too would love to see this happen. This is a beautiful layered romance with excellent characters, definitely one of my favorites of Vali and I highly recommend this book!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jaxon, a professor in English literature at UCLA, is reluctantly going back to her small southern hometown for a high school reunion. She has built a nice life for herself in California and is happy there, so I say reluctantly as she has no good memories of her high school period, her family, or even her old high school girlfriend Iris. Iris stayed in the small town, got married and has two kids and she regrets some of her actions in the past that are connected with Jaxon. When Jaxon returns old wounds are opened and there are some surprises for Jaxon. She is kept in the dark for a long time about what happened (and thus the reader too, and I needed answers!), which is about all I can say without spoilers.
Strangely this book reminded me of Vali’s “The Inheritance”, only where The Inheritance is pretty much over the top soap opera drama this one is far more subtle. Yet, it resembles the intricacy of all connections between the characters and some of the crazy-ass family members. Especially Wilbur, an overly protective father with a military background, cracked me up.
Since this book is a bit different from the norm the secondary characters are almost as important as the mains. Some of them are a bit stereotypical small-town prejudiced people, but most of them (the important ones) I liked a lot. The best character for me was Jaxon though. She’s larger than life, successful and good looking, and everybody wants to be her or be with her. This is a type of character I have come to expect from Vali, but we also get look at what exists under the surface and she shows so much growth, it was extremely well done.
I know others have expressed their wishes for a prequel or sequel and I too would love to see this happen. This is a beautiful layered romance with excellent characters, definitely one of my favorites of Vali and I highly recommend this book!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2021
So I've written in the past of my rollercoaster relationship with Ali Vali's books. I tend to either end up enjoying them well enough. or really disliking them. And since I never quite know what to expect, I usually wait to see some other reviews on her works, and don't try to get them as ARCs. But when I read the blurb of this book, it intrigued me so much that I made an exception to my usual proceedings and requested it. I had no idea where this book would go and the mystery implied seemed riveting to me. So I was very excited to read this book.
Calumet is the story of Jaxon Lavigne and Iris Long. Jaxon and Iris secretly dated in high school in their small Louisiana town, but after they were split up right after high school, Jaxon turned her back on the town and never returned- and has become a very successful English professor in California. Iris stayed in her hometown and married a local. But when a high school reunion dawns Jaxon decides to return to town and confront some demons from her past, but just finds out more.
I want to start off by saying, this book has a love story and it is a prominent one- but I would not label this book as a romance novel. I know Vali writes more than romance, but many of her standalone books are romance novels. But this is a different kind of standalone. This is a book that is more about exploring different decisions people make in their lives in regards to people they love, and it is about emotionally dealing with past hurts and injustices and what it takes to deal with those. And I really enjoyed it.
The characters are really interesting. Iris and Jaxon are both carrying past hurt and dealing with their issues in different ways. Watching the dual character exploration that takes place primarily in their heads was good. I appreciated how their thought processes took place.
My favorite characters were probably all the secondary characters however. Sean, Iris' daughter is wonderful and nuanced in the best teenager way, Birdie and Eugena in Jaxon's life were lovely too.
What I also found interesting in this book is that Vali books often have a very "good guys vs bad guys" theme to them- but all of the characters in this book felt a lot more shades of grey- with one small exception. Even the characters you might love to hate in this book definitely have redeemable parts to them. Particularly the father figures of the book.
My criticisms are more minor. I actually spent about 60% or so of this book worried that I would HATE the ending, but fortunately it worked out in a way I very much enjoyed. And also there were occasional times I would have trouble remembering who was speaking or what was happening around the characters as they interacted, but that might just be on me too.
I think this is the first Vali book I've rated higher than 4 stars. It's definitely my new favorite of hers, and I really like that she is pushing herself as a writer. 4.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Calumet is the story of Jaxon Lavigne and Iris Long. Jaxon and Iris secretly dated in high school in their small Louisiana town, but after they were split up right after high school, Jaxon turned her back on the town and never returned- and has become a very successful English professor in California. Iris stayed in her hometown and married a local. But when a high school reunion dawns Jaxon decides to return to town and confront some demons from her past, but just finds out more.
I want to start off by saying, this book has a love story and it is a prominent one- but I would not label this book as a romance novel. I know Vali writes more than romance, but many of her standalone books are romance novels. But this is a different kind of standalone. This is a book that is more about exploring different decisions people make in their lives in regards to people they love, and it is about emotionally dealing with past hurts and injustices and what it takes to deal with those. And I really enjoyed it.
The characters are really interesting. Iris and Jaxon are both carrying past hurt and dealing with their issues in different ways. Watching the dual character exploration that takes place primarily in their heads was good. I appreciated how their thought processes took place.
My favorite characters were probably all the secondary characters however. Sean, Iris' daughter is wonderful and nuanced in the best teenager way, Birdie and Eugena in Jaxon's life were lovely too.
What I also found interesting in this book is that Vali books often have a very "good guys vs bad guys" theme to them- but all of the characters in this book felt a lot more shades of grey- with one small exception. Even the characters you might love to hate in this book definitely have redeemable parts to them. Particularly the father figures of the book.
My criticisms are more minor. I actually spent about 60% or so of this book worried that I would HATE the ending, but fortunately it worked out in a way I very much enjoyed. And also there were occasional times I would have trouble remembering who was speaking or what was happening around the characters as they interacted, but that might just be on me too.
I think this is the first Vali book I've rated higher than 4 stars. It's definitely my new favorite of hers, and I really like that she is pushing herself as a writer. 4.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
September 6, 2021
I totally enjoyed Calumet. This is so far my favorite book by the author.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
July 28, 2021
Ali Vali made a brilliant decision when she decided to use Calumet as the title to her newest novel. The Native American calumet (also known as a “peace pipe”) has always been a physical representation for peace, and that fits perfectly with one of the main themes of this novel.
Calumet is not your usual standalone romance novel. It is much more complex and layered. The main character, Dr. Jaxon Lavigne has achieved what she set out to do when she left small town Louisiana after her high school graduation. She is a well-respected professor at a prestigious university and in love with a beautiful and successful Hollywood actress, Margot Drake. Even with all her success, Jaxon still can’t get over her past. When an invitation for her 15th high school anniversary arrives, she is encouraged by Margot and her best friend Bert to go back home and face the town and people she left behind, including her parents and her first love Iris, and the secret Iris has been keeping for many years.
The plot of this story is intricate and nuanced with many layers of meaning for different characters. The mystery involving Jaxon and Iris is slowly revealed throughout the tale. There is also a good bit of angst that Jaxon must go through as she returns to confront the people who caused her to leave home. The small town of Chackbay, the moss covered trees and slow-moving water actually made me a bit homesick. I also love the way the author connects her stories to her other books. I look for little “easter eggs” or mentions of things from different stories. In this book, we actually have Tully and Libby Badeaux from the novel Second Season as minor secondary characters. It’s always nice to see a couple I fell in love with still together and doing well.
The romance between Jaxon and Margot is lovely and runs through the whole story, though to me it is almost secondary to seeing Jaxon make peace with her past and grow as a character. The characters make this novel. It is definitely a character driven tale. In fact, if someone wants to study how to develop a character in a story, all they need to do is read this book and study the character Jaxon Lavigne. The way the author created this character and showed her development and growth through the book as she faced the hurt and angst of her past is just amazing.
I have only the highest praise for this novel and the author. I suggest you buy and read this book as soon as you can.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Calumet is not your usual standalone romance novel. It is much more complex and layered. The main character, Dr. Jaxon Lavigne has achieved what she set out to do when she left small town Louisiana after her high school graduation. She is a well-respected professor at a prestigious university and in love with a beautiful and successful Hollywood actress, Margot Drake. Even with all her success, Jaxon still can’t get over her past. When an invitation for her 15th high school anniversary arrives, she is encouraged by Margot and her best friend Bert to go back home and face the town and people she left behind, including her parents and her first love Iris, and the secret Iris has been keeping for many years.
The plot of this story is intricate and nuanced with many layers of meaning for different characters. The mystery involving Jaxon and Iris is slowly revealed throughout the tale. There is also a good bit of angst that Jaxon must go through as she returns to confront the people who caused her to leave home. The small town of Chackbay, the moss covered trees and slow-moving water actually made me a bit homesick. I also love the way the author connects her stories to her other books. I look for little “easter eggs” or mentions of things from different stories. In this book, we actually have Tully and Libby Badeaux from the novel Second Season as minor secondary characters. It’s always nice to see a couple I fell in love with still together and doing well.
The romance between Jaxon and Margot is lovely and runs through the whole story, though to me it is almost secondary to seeing Jaxon make peace with her past and grow as a character. The characters make this novel. It is definitely a character driven tale. In fact, if someone wants to study how to develop a character in a story, all they need to do is read this book and study the character Jaxon Lavigne. The way the author created this character and showed her development and growth through the book as she faced the hurt and angst of her past is just amazing.
I have only the highest praise for this novel and the author. I suggest you buy and read this book as soon as you can.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
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July 30, 2021Small town's always have their problems.... that being, everyone knows everyone else's business. Or they think they do! Full of gossip, whispers, and family secrets.
Calumet was an interesting read which kept me engaged. I just imagined my own small village where I live and wondered what the 'old biddies' and local trouble makers would stir up if this was a true story.
I've given this story a 4stars. It's a good read, likable characters.... wasn't expecting the story to go this way after id read the blurb, but that's a good thing... I was expecting something completely different, which pecked my interest in reading 'just ''one more chapter''.
I would love a sequel... just to see how everyone was getting on! To see if relationships form or to see if they fail. To see if the gossip was still stirring.....
Jaxon left home to escape her disapproving parents and she never looked back. She is now a successful English lit professor and very happy with her life. But she's left with a dreading feeling when she receives an invite to her high school reunion.
Iris stayed in her family village, Chackbay, her days are predictable, but the rumors and whispers never change. She played it safe and married the high school quarterback. Her life isn't grand, she's happy, and has a comfortable job at the local high school.
Even before Jaxon comes back home, the gossip is stirring again, the same gossip that started 16 years back. She fell for Iris back in high school, seeing her is a welcome surprise. But Jaxon is more intrigued by Iris's daughter sean, whose dark hair and blue eyes, and brilliant mind are startlingly like Jaxon.
Jaxon has been kept in the dark by everyone she loved the most, including Iris. But once the truth is spoken, it's up to Jaxon to figure out if she's leaving for good.
Calumet was an interesting read which kept me engaged. I just imagined my own small village where I live and wondered what the 'old biddies' and local trouble makers would stir up if this was a true story.
I've given this story a 4stars. It's a good read, likable characters.... wasn't expecting the story to go this way after id read the blurb, but that's a good thing... I was expecting something completely different, which pecked my interest in reading 'just ''one more chapter''.
I would love a sequel... just to see how everyone was getting on! To see if relationships form or to see if they fail. To see if the gossip was still stirring.....
Jaxon left home to escape her disapproving parents and she never looked back. She is now a successful English lit professor and very happy with her life. But she's left with a dreading feeling when she receives an invite to her high school reunion.
Iris stayed in her family village, Chackbay, her days are predictable, but the rumors and whispers never change. She played it safe and married the high school quarterback. Her life isn't grand, she's happy, and has a comfortable job at the local high school.
Even before Jaxon comes back home, the gossip is stirring again, the same gossip that started 16 years back. She fell for Iris back in high school, seeing her is a welcome surprise. But Jaxon is more intrigued by Iris's daughter sean, whose dark hair and blue eyes, and brilliant mind are startlingly like Jaxon.
Jaxon has been kept in the dark by everyone she loved the most, including Iris. But once the truth is spoken, it's up to Jaxon to figure out if she's leaving for good.
August 4, 2021
This is so far away from the formulaic lesfic romance and I absolutely loved it.
The blurb leads us to believe there are two main characters in this book, and while this may be true, there are so many other important characters as well. I find the blurb a little misleading actually, but I wouldn't know how to make it better either. The book is way more than the blurb gets across. This book is so layered and beautifully written I don't even know where to begin.
The blurb gives me the impression this is a second chance romance, it isn't, it's so much better. Jax left her small town and her high school sweetheart to get away from her parents and make a life of her own where she is accepted. Iris broke Jax's heart when she left. Jax is a very popular English Lit professor at UCLA and in a relationship with television star Margot. They are a very cute couple. When Jax receives the invitation for her high school reunion it is time for her to tell Margot more about her past and face the demons she hasn't seen in over 15 years. Iris has been living in the small town forever, married to a man who used to bully Jax, raising two kids. One of the kids, her daughter Sean, is the spitting image of Jax. This is a little mystery that is in the story, what happened here? As mentioned, this story is so layered nothing I write will do it any justice.
This isn't your typical lesfic romance, but there is plenty of character development and romance in this book. I adore Jax. I'm hoping Vali will considering writing a sort of sequel that involves Sean. This book is about family, love, growing up, dealing with your past, I guess this book is about life and how beautifully messy it can be.
I love Vali's Cain Casey series, but this might be my all time favourite Ali Vali book.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
The blurb leads us to believe there are two main characters in this book, and while this may be true, there are so many other important characters as well. I find the blurb a little misleading actually, but I wouldn't know how to make it better either. The book is way more than the blurb gets across. This book is so layered and beautifully written I don't even know where to begin.
The blurb gives me the impression this is a second chance romance, it isn't, it's so much better. Jax left her small town and her high school sweetheart to get away from her parents and make a life of her own where she is accepted. Iris broke Jax's heart when she left. Jax is a very popular English Lit professor at UCLA and in a relationship with television star Margot. They are a very cute couple. When Jax receives the invitation for her high school reunion it is time for her to tell Margot more about her past and face the demons she hasn't seen in over 15 years. Iris has been living in the small town forever, married to a man who used to bully Jax, raising two kids. One of the kids, her daughter Sean, is the spitting image of Jax. This is a little mystery that is in the story, what happened here? As mentioned, this story is so layered nothing I write will do it any justice.
This isn't your typical lesfic romance, but there is plenty of character development and romance in this book. I adore Jax. I'm hoping Vali will considering writing a sort of sequel that involves Sean. This book is about family, love, growing up, dealing with your past, I guess this book is about life and how beautifully messy it can be.
I love Vali's Cain Casey series, but this might be my all time favourite Ali Vali book.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
July 18, 2021
This wasn’t the traditional romance in the sense that the plot doesn’t revolve around the love story of two people. There is a romance aspect but it plays more of a secondary role. The plot revolves more around the main character addressing her past traumas from her youth and coming to terms with her future, while unveiling some surprises along the way. As I read, I kept wondering if there was a personal aspect for Vali and if this was a cathartic topic. This was drastic departure from her comfort zone. As others have said, it was nothing I was expecting. It was well written, and a good story, just didn’t appeal to me. The stars are based on the quality of the story, not my personal likes.
August 7, 2021
This is not the typical romance story. It's very difficult to comment without spoiling everything left and right, but let's say this book is about forgiving. And it's very, very gripping.
August 25, 2021
I've liked books; loved books by this author. For whatever reason, this really didn't feel like an Ali Vali book.
Right, so. Three-POV book (three main POV; there is in fact a fourth POV, but they control very little of the book). Certain plot-lines and plot turn points seemed to have been set up from the beginning. I rather liked how things turned out as what I saw as possibly occurring I really didn't want to read or see. And not everything I feared/expected happened.
The weird thing with this book is that I think I initially liked the married to a man woman's POV character more than the other two main characters, and while her personality didn't really change . . . I learned enough about her by the end of the book that I kind of despised her. Weird how that happened.
I kind of expected I was supposed to end up disliking the actress POV - and while she was the thinest of the three characters, there wasn't really anything dislikable about her. (eta: I didn't write this correctly. What I meant was: I expected that the actress POV character would be one I was supposed to dislike, but that plot line didn't occur).
And the professor POV? eh. There were certain aspects that would pop up that made me dislike her; while seemingly at the same time certain aspects popped up that made me like her more. Examples? Um . . . only real thing I can think of is her interaction with that complete asshole father of her lover. That guy . . . fuck him. The lover's mother was also kind of insane, and was an enabler (of the insane abusive dick father). How the fuck did the actress come from those two twisted fucks? Eh, whatever.
The twin story-line was unexpected (twin? heh, I'm trying to not be spoiler-y. So I do a misdirect . . . which, if you've read the book, you know what I mean; and if you haven't you'll probably be annoyed by me bah (). An interesting twist. Though it also made me despise the woman who stayed in the small town (and my how I wanted to dislike, hate the husband but . . . he was a dick but . . . . . I feel very bad for the daughter in this situation with that mother and that father.
Rating: 3.62
August 25, 2021
Right, so. Three-POV book (three main POV; there is in fact a fourth POV, but they control very little of the book). Certain plot-lines and plot turn points seemed to have been set up from the beginning. I rather liked how things turned out as what I saw as possibly occurring I really didn't want to read or see. And not everything I feared/expected happened.
The weird thing with this book is that I think I initially liked the married to a man woman's POV character more than the other two main characters, and while her personality didn't really change . . . I learned enough about her by the end of the book that I kind of despised her. Weird how that happened.
I kind of expected I was supposed to end up disliking the actress POV - and while she was the thinest of the three characters, there wasn't really anything dislikable about her. (eta: I didn't write this correctly. What I meant was: I expected that the actress POV character would be one I was supposed to dislike, but that plot line didn't occur).
And the professor POV? eh. There were certain aspects that would pop up that made me dislike her; while seemingly at the same time certain aspects popped up that made me like her more. Examples? Um . . . only real thing I can think of is her interaction with that complete asshole father of her lover. That guy . . . fuck him. The lover's mother was also kind of insane, and was an enabler (of the insane abusive dick father). How the fuck did the actress come from those two twisted fucks? Eh, whatever.
The twin story-line was unexpected (twin? heh, I'm trying to not be spoiler-y. So I do a misdirect . . . which, if you've read the book, you know what I mean; and if you haven't you'll probably be annoyed by me bah (). An interesting twist. Though it also made me despise the woman who stayed in the small town (and my how I wanted to dislike, hate the husband but . . . he was a dick but . . . . . I feel very bad for the daughter in this situation with that mother and that father.
Rating: 3.62
August 25, 2021
August 9, 2021
I enjoyed Calumet for many reasons, but one of the most satisfying surprises about this book (for me) was the fact that it did not follow the romance structure I was expecting. There's enough angst to swamp a riverboat, for sure. There are tons of hurt feelings, resentment and questions. But there are also layers of love, sacrifice, and hope.
There are some characters we might expect, like Danny - a cop who's not sure he likes who he's become. Or his wife that he sacrificed so much for. She can't let go of the past, not really. And no matter what the reader thinks of her choices, Iris does surprise us eventually.
There is a T.V celebrity with a heart of gold and a plan, and far more patience than I might have! Her father is funny, dedicated and a little scary. And Jaxon, the main character, who has been hurt so horribly in the past but still loves the most special people in her life. There's a full cast of unique characters here, each with their own distinctiveness and personalities.
One of the things I know I can expect in Al Vali's stories is that her main character will be Southern, polite and genteel. They're most often well-educated in their field, wear their heart on their sleeve and are usually passionate. Their morals are usually in the right place, too. (Yes, even Cain Casey).
But don't fool yourself into expecting cardboard cut-outs, because they aren't. Each of them might easily be the person in front of you at the grocery store.
One of the charming aspects of this book is, as I said earlier, the hope interwoven through the layers of angst. By the time you get to the end, the title makes a new kind of sense, and you find yourself cheering for most of the characters in some way or another.
I am very glad I read Calumet. Many thanks to Ali Vali for writing it, and to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
There are some characters we might expect, like Danny - a cop who's not sure he likes who he's become. Or his wife that he sacrificed so much for. She can't let go of the past, not really. And no matter what the reader thinks of her choices, Iris does surprise us eventually.
There is a T.V celebrity with a heart of gold and a plan, and far more patience than I might have! Her father is funny, dedicated and a little scary. And Jaxon, the main character, who has been hurt so horribly in the past but still loves the most special people in her life. There's a full cast of unique characters here, each with their own distinctiveness and personalities.
One of the things I know I can expect in Al Vali's stories is that her main character will be Southern, polite and genteel. They're most often well-educated in their field, wear their heart on their sleeve and are usually passionate. Their morals are usually in the right place, too. (Yes, even Cain Casey).
But don't fool yourself into expecting cardboard cut-outs, because they aren't. Each of them might easily be the person in front of you at the grocery store.
One of the charming aspects of this book is, as I said earlier, the hope interwoven through the layers of angst. By the time you get to the end, the title makes a new kind of sense, and you find yourself cheering for most of the characters in some way or another.
I am very glad I read Calumet. Many thanks to Ali Vali for writing it, and to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 4, 2021
I feel like I have a lot to say because of the way this book made me feel. I love it and the characters and the story would surely stick with me for a long time.
Jaxon Lavigne left town once she graduated and never looked back, set on making a life for herself and forgetting all the pain that came with living where she grew up. She's happy, she has a good life, and she has Margot, her girlfriend, whom she loves very much. However, the pain and the hurt from her past still hold her back, unconsciously so. Then there's also that 15 year class reunion she didn't want to attend--but maybe it could lead to closure, right? That, or it could open more questions surrounding her ex-girlfriend and first love Iris and Iris' daughter that looks exactly like her (Jaxon).
I dove into it not knowing what it would be despite the reviews I read about it, and because of the blurb I assumed it would be that typical second chance romance with angst before all the getting together again. So of course, I was scared because I loved all three of them (Jaxon, Margot, and Iris) and I thought: “There’s no way any of them isn’t going to be hurt by the time this story ends.” Maybe I was right or maybe I wasn’t.
But am I happy with how it all turned out in the end? Definitely. Am I still sad anyway? Yes. Because of life, because of the decisions made, and because I just really, really wanted all the characters to be happy. Which makes the book a whole lot deeper for me, personally, because it tackled both happiness and regret. Happiness is just always around--it’s warm and beautiful. But regrets burn and we never know when--and if--it would ever heal. Isn't that such a scary thought?
I requested an ARC from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jaxon Lavigne left town once she graduated and never looked back, set on making a life for herself and forgetting all the pain that came with living where she grew up. She's happy, she has a good life, and she has Margot, her girlfriend, whom she loves very much. However, the pain and the hurt from her past still hold her back, unconsciously so. Then there's also that 15 year class reunion she didn't want to attend--but maybe it could lead to closure, right? That, or it could open more questions surrounding her ex-girlfriend and first love Iris and Iris' daughter that looks exactly like her (Jaxon).
I dove into it not knowing what it would be despite the reviews I read about it, and because of the blurb I assumed it would be that typical second chance romance with angst before all the getting together again. So of course, I was scared because I loved all three of them (Jaxon, Margot, and Iris) and I thought: “There’s no way any of them isn’t going to be hurt by the time this story ends.” Maybe I was right or maybe I wasn’t.
But am I happy with how it all turned out in the end? Definitely. Am I still sad anyway? Yes. Because of life, because of the decisions made, and because I just really, really wanted all the characters to be happy. Which makes the book a whole lot deeper for me, personally, because it tackled both happiness and regret. Happiness is just always around--it’s warm and beautiful. But regrets burn and we never know when--and if--it would ever heal. Isn't that such a scary thought?
I requested an ARC from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 19, 2021
This blew my mind in how different it is to Vali's other books... still an enjoyable read, just different. It wasn't the typical high school lovers finding one another trope that I like. This was complicated in so many ways but Vali brought all the twisted paths together quite nicely for Jaxon, Margot, Sean and every other character in between.
August 9, 2021
Ali Vali knows how to keep her readers hooked. Calumet is one of those books. This read was different from most romance novels because romance has little to do with what happens in this book.
Jaxon Lavigne grew up in the small town of Chackbay where she left as soon as she graduated highschool. Leaving behind Iris Long, the girl she loved, hoping she could follow Jaxon but as happens sometimes life got in her way.
After Jaxon left Iris started dating the highschool quarterback and before long she found herself pregnant. Now her daughter is getting ready for college. Working as the school secretary has been a great way to keep up with her son and daughter.
Unfortunately Iris is also in charge of the fifteenth high school reunion. Iris doesn’t think Jaxon will attend but if she does there will be some explaining to do. Number one, why does her daughter look so much like Jaxon. Many secrets were held back form Jaxon and if she returns what will Iris say about that.
Most romances follow the same tried and true plot line but this one doesn’t even try. I would love to say more but everything I think of saying I’m scared will ruin the reading experience for other fans of Ms Vali’s work. So I will say this. I started reading and had a very hard time putting this book down. Great read.
ARC via NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books
Jaxon Lavigne grew up in the small town of Chackbay where she left as soon as she graduated highschool. Leaving behind Iris Long, the girl she loved, hoping she could follow Jaxon but as happens sometimes life got in her way.
After Jaxon left Iris started dating the highschool quarterback and before long she found herself pregnant. Now her daughter is getting ready for college. Working as the school secretary has been a great way to keep up with her son and daughter.
Unfortunately Iris is also in charge of the fifteenth high school reunion. Iris doesn’t think Jaxon will attend but if she does there will be some explaining to do. Number one, why does her daughter look so much like Jaxon. Many secrets were held back form Jaxon and if she returns what will Iris say about that.
Most romances follow the same tried and true plot line but this one doesn’t even try. I would love to say more but everything I think of saying I’m scared will ruin the reading experience for other fans of Ms Vali’s work. So I will say this. I started reading and had a very hard time putting this book down. Great read.
ARC via NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books
August 6, 2021
High school days can be a quagmire of teenage angst, love and betrayal, friendships, cliques and bullying. Most of us survived our school days however for some it is a time so dark you never want to revisit. Jaxon Lavigne left her home town of Chackbay Louisiana with the intention of never looking back. Her life is good now with her career as a professor and living with Margo, the love of her life. Except that her best friend from home wants Jaxon to go with him to the high school reunion to show everyone how they both bettered their lives.
Ali Vali is a proven storyteller with her Cain Casey series. This stand alone novel has the richness of Vali’s imagination combined with her subtle wit and laid back writing style. Her main characters are complex and interesting with a supporting cast of loveable odd balls. This is the South as you expect it be; full of charm and politeness which hides all the small town secrets, pettiness and idiosyncrasies.
I was given a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.
Ali Vali is a proven storyteller with her Cain Casey series. This stand alone novel has the richness of Vali’s imagination combined with her subtle wit and laid back writing style. Her main characters are complex and interesting with a supporting cast of loveable odd balls. This is the South as you expect it be; full of charm and politeness which hides all the small town secrets, pettiness and idiosyncrasies.
I was given a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.
August 12, 2021
Calumet really pushed the lesfic boundaries and I could not be happier. I really don't want to give too much away but this book has thrown away the formulaic lesfic structure and created something very unique.
I really liked this book, mainly for our main character of Jaxon. She felt so real and vulnerable at times, it was quite overwhelming. I couldn't help but being so invested by her story. She was a joy to read and get to know.
The storyline is so unique and truly kept me guessing. Some of the secondary characters were a bit cookie-cutter for me, but regardless they bought what they needed to the story. Calumet won me over, however, for two reasons: Jaxon Lavigne and it's very intriguing plot.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this book, mainly for our main character of Jaxon. She felt so real and vulnerable at times, it was quite overwhelming. I couldn't help but being so invested by her story. She was a joy to read and get to know.
The storyline is so unique and truly kept me guessing. Some of the secondary characters were a bit cookie-cutter for me, but regardless they bought what they needed to the story. Calumet won me over, however, for two reasons: Jaxon Lavigne and it's very intriguing plot.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2022
3 stars
This was definitely something. The blurb seemed like a typical second-chance romance between high-school sweethearts, but it was way more interesting than that.
I don't want to spoil anything but it was different than the blurb implied. I think it made more sense this way :)
Reasonably well written too.
This was definitely something. The blurb seemed like a typical second-chance romance between high-school sweethearts, but it was way more interesting than that.
I don't want to spoil anything but it was different than the blurb implied. I think it made more sense this way :)
Reasonably well written too.
July 20, 2021
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Jaxon and Iris secretly dating in high school. They went their separate ways after high school. Jaxon hasn’t come back to her small Louisiana town in years and was never planning on returning ever. Jaxon is successful professor and popular one at that she enjoys her work and have a steady girlfriend. Iris got married have two children she loves her job because she gets to see her kids everyday even when they are being teenagers. Although she loves her town she tries to shield her daughter Sean from rumors that still affect her family.
Jaxon and Iris are still dealing with past pain as they tries to move forward. I like that this book wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. I like Margot and how she was patient with Jaxon as she deal with her past. Sometimes you have to confront the past in order to let go.
Jaxon and Iris secretly dating in high school. They went their separate ways after high school. Jaxon hasn’t come back to her small Louisiana town in years and was never planning on returning ever. Jaxon is successful professor and popular one at that she enjoys her work and have a steady girlfriend. Iris got married have two children she loves her job because she gets to see her kids everyday even when they are being teenagers. Although she loves her town she tries to shield her daughter Sean from rumors that still affect her family.
Jaxon and Iris are still dealing with past pain as they tries to move forward. I like that this book wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. I like Margot and how she was patient with Jaxon as she deal with her past. Sometimes you have to confront the past in order to let go.
July 18, 2021
Wow, Ali Vali delivers a knock out of a story. Dr. Jaxon Lavigne is a college English professor at UCLA and hasn't returned to her hometown in over a decade. When she receives an invitation to her 15 year high school reunion her partner Margot, an actress, encourages her to attend. She's hoping Jaxon will be able to move on from her past so they can move forward in their relationship.
Iris Long Gravois is Jaxon's first love. She stayed in Chackbay, Louisiana and married the high school quarterback. But rumors about Jaxon and Iris still effect her marriage and family. I thought this was going to set up a high school sweethearts second chance trope which I've enjoyed by other authors. But Vali goes a different direction and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see how everything plays out.
The writing is top notch. I like the love of literature, reading and the written word that is promoted. There is thoughtfulness in a story Jaxon uses to teach while visiting her old HS. And Margot is one of my favorite main yet side characters. I feel mixed about the ending because I was happy and sad at the same time. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Iris Long Gravois is Jaxon's first love. She stayed in Chackbay, Louisiana and married the high school quarterback. But rumors about Jaxon and Iris still effect her marriage and family. I thought this was going to set up a high school sweethearts second chance trope which I've enjoyed by other authors. But Vali goes a different direction and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see how everything plays out.
The writing is top notch. I like the love of literature, reading and the written word that is promoted. There is thoughtfulness in a story Jaxon uses to teach while visiting her old HS. And Margot is one of my favorite main yet side characters. I feel mixed about the ending because I was happy and sad at the same time. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2021
1 star. Jaxon Lavigne is from a small town in Louisiana, before she moved in CA to go to college and become a successful English Professor. Iris Long married the high school quarterback and did not have a great love affair with her husband. She had one love in her life, and she let her leave. There is a high school reunion coming up and both Jaxon and Iris decide to attend. Jaxon has not been back in a long time and had not wanted to come back.
I really did not like this book. I could not even finish it, I found it boring and hard to read. I did not like the storyline of the book once I started reading it. I really started to not like the characters, especially Iris and I felt just frustrated about the characters and how they talked about their life. I was about 40% in when I gave up on the book, and I don't think Iris and Jaxon had one interaction yet, which I found annoying and I did not like how the story was progressing. Do not read this book.
I really did not like this book. I could not even finish it, I found it boring and hard to read. I did not like the storyline of the book once I started reading it. I really started to not like the characters, especially Iris and I felt just frustrated about the characters and how they talked about their life. I was about 40% in when I gave up on the book, and I don't think Iris and Jaxon had one interaction yet, which I found annoying and I did not like how the story was progressing. Do not read this book.
July 21, 2021
Add me to the list of readers who were not expecting this. For a good portion of the book, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop and the {dare I say it} cheating to ensue. There were so many layers to this story and I just didn't want to stop reading. What could've been a throwaway standalone is so, so much more. I remember a few months ago when Ali Vali showed the cover on social media, but I don't remember the title being Calumet. I spent 99% of the book wondering what the significance of Calumet is, but it was worth the wait
Even without a gangster in the cast of characters, I could spot an Ali Vali book in a blind test. Her use of language and sentence structure is uniquely hers.
Even without a gangster in the cast of characters, I could spot an Ali Vali book in a blind test. Her use of language and sentence structure is uniquely hers.
November 22, 2024
Another gem from my TBR shelves! After reading the blurb, I was scared that Jaxon was going to leave Margot for Iris.
But that's not how this story goes. Jaxon was kicked out of her family home at 17 before graduation because she's a lesbian. Her young lover Iris had promised to leave with her after graduation but she chickened out at the last minute.
This story starts as Jaxon is a PhD English professor and living with the love of her life Margot an actress. She's just recieved her 15 yr high school reunion notice. She hasn't been home since she left. What will happen if she goes?
What a fascinating story! Not a typical sapphic romance. A FAVORITE! 5 stars!
But that's not how this story goes. Jaxon was kicked out of her family home at 17 before graduation because she's a lesbian. Her young lover Iris had promised to leave with her after graduation but she chickened out at the last minute.
This story starts as Jaxon is a PhD English professor and living with the love of her life Margot an actress. She's just recieved her 15 yr high school reunion notice. She hasn't been home since she left. What will happen if she goes?
What a fascinating story! Not a typical sapphic romance. A FAVORITE! 5 stars!
July 15, 2021
OMG this is such a sad story. I'm super conflicted if I'm happy with the ending or not but I'm saluting the author for not making this such a typical story. this is well written and so worth the read.
thank you for the author and her team
thank you for the author and her team
November 7, 2021
Jaxon left her small town more than a decade ago, after her parents disowned her and her girlfriend, who was supposed to go with her changed her mind and stayed behind. Now, after 16 years, her girlfriend has convinced her to go back for her 15 yr high school reunion. Iris is the girl who broke Jaxon’s heart. She’s married with two teenagers. Life isn’t perfect but shes mostly content. If only her daughter wasn’t so distant, but she has reason to be… Jaxon will always be the one who got away but she did what she thought was best. Now Jaxon is back and her secrets are going to be exposed. The gossip is still rampant, her mother is still cold hearted and mean, and there is a teenager who is her spitting image….
I was afraid the Jaxon, who was in love with a wonderful woman, would get involved with her lost love as is so often the case with reunion books and I wasn't sure how that could have a good outcome. I was surprised and pleased with how it all worked out. This book has tons of feels, lots of drama, some angst and anger, and a romance that will leave you with a huge smile on your face. The story has stayed with me for days after I read it and it is so compelling, I am thinking of moving it to the top of my re read list!
I was afraid the Jaxon, who was in love with a wonderful woman, would get involved with her lost love as is so often the case with reunion books and I wasn't sure how that could have a good outcome. I was surprised and pleased with how it all worked out. This book has tons of feels, lots of drama, some angst and anger, and a romance that will leave you with a huge smile on your face. The story has stayed with me for days after I read it and it is so compelling, I am thinking of moving it to the top of my re read list!
July 20, 2021
I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book when I first read the briefing, its not your usual lesbian style of writing, but that said don't be put off by this.
It still has it all, excitement, passion and questions
Calumet was a pleasure to read and I enjoyed from page 1 to the end. Ali Vali has done good with this one
Would I recommend: Yes if you don't want your 'normal run of the mill love story
It still has it all, excitement, passion and questions
Calumet was a pleasure to read and I enjoyed from page 1 to the end. Ali Vali has done good with this one
Would I recommend: Yes if you don't want your 'normal run of the mill love story
February 7, 2022
This book is not for second-chance trope lovers. just wanna put it out there.
July 17, 2021
Jaxon Lavigne was told to get out of her family home as her high school graduation neared because of who she loved.
Now years later after a lot of hard work she is a successful college professor attracting students who want to learn from her and some who are just attracted to her. But Jaxon is involved with someone and has a happy life. Now she has received another invitation to her high school reunion and as usual has no interest in going back. However her best friend is once again asking her to go with him.
Iris Long works and lives in the small town she grew up in and is in charge of the reunion. She has always hoped her first love would return. But Iris has some long buried secrets she will soon have to face.
Jaxon decides to go back although she isn't sure why. Once there is finds that much hasn't changed and is anxious to get back home until she meets a high school student who has the same dreams that she had and looks very familiar.
Jaxon soon meets the young girls mother and questions bubble up from all those years. She had asked Iris to leave with her after graduation but Iris wasn't secure enough to do so. But how does her daughter look so much like Jaxon?
Ali Vali is an extraordinary writer bring so much life to her characters and amazing depth to her stories. You will enjoy this one and the ending will you feeling.....feeling what is hard to say.
Now years later after a lot of hard work she is a successful college professor attracting students who want to learn from her and some who are just attracted to her. But Jaxon is involved with someone and has a happy life. Now she has received another invitation to her high school reunion and as usual has no interest in going back. However her best friend is once again asking her to go with him.
Iris Long works and lives in the small town she grew up in and is in charge of the reunion. She has always hoped her first love would return. But Iris has some long buried secrets she will soon have to face.
Jaxon decides to go back although she isn't sure why. Once there is finds that much hasn't changed and is anxious to get back home until she meets a high school student who has the same dreams that she had and looks very familiar.
Jaxon soon meets the young girls mother and questions bubble up from all those years. She had asked Iris to leave with her after graduation but Iris wasn't secure enough to do so. But how does her daughter look so much like Jaxon?
Ali Vali is an extraordinary writer bring so much life to her characters and amazing depth to her stories. You will enjoy this one and the ending will you feeling.....feeling what is hard to say.
dnf
April 2, 2024DNF this is just NOT what i thought it would be so 100% disappointed
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