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Love On Madison Island #3
Mechanics of Love
It’s the person she least expected who provides a much-needed tune up of her life...
For Dr. Irene Johnson-Moore perception is everything. After living most of her life behind facades built from other people’s expectations, she’s ready for a change. At least that’s what she tells herself. But old habits die hard. And when her car breaks down, forcing her to deal with the town mechanic—a woman whose bluntness always irked Irene—her resolve is instantly put to the test.
Remi Martin prides herself on being unapologetically honest. Brutally so at times. No good ever came from pretending to be someone or something she’s not.
When she responds to a call from a stranded motorist, she never imagined she’d be towing the self-proclaimed “town princess” into her world. Irene Johnson embodies everything Remi tries to avoid, yet she can’t seem to shake her one-time adversary.
However, the more time they spend together, the more feelings begin to idle under the surface. But before their relationship can rev to life, they must release their preconceived notions or things could come to a screeching halt.
For Dr. Irene Johnson-Moore perception is everything. After living most of her life behind facades built from other people’s expectations, she’s ready for a change. At least that’s what she tells herself. But old habits die hard. And when her car breaks down, forcing her to deal with the town mechanic—a woman whose bluntness always irked Irene—her resolve is instantly put to the test.
Remi Martin prides herself on being unapologetically honest. Brutally so at times. No good ever came from pretending to be someone or something she’s not.
When she responds to a call from a stranded motorist, she never imagined she’d be towing the self-proclaimed “town princess” into her world. Irene Johnson embodies everything Remi tries to avoid, yet she can’t seem to shake her one-time adversary.
However, the more time they spend together, the more feelings begin to idle under the surface. But before their relationship can rev to life, they must release their preconceived notions or things could come to a screeching halt.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2021
15 people are currently reading
874 people want to read
About the author
Meka James
20 books287 followersI'm a stay at home mom of 4 kids and have been happily married to my husband for 11 years and counting. I lead a pretty basic and straightforward life and use writing and reading as my escape.
Best places to find me:
Blog:
http://mekasmusings.blogspot.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AuthorMekaJames
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/author_meka...
Best places to find me:
Blog:
http://mekasmusings.blogspot.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AuthorMekaJames
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/author_meka...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 28, 2022
This is currently onsale for under $1 on amazon, so I snapped it up.
https://www.amazon.com/Mechanics-Love...?
I loved the idea of a studly butch mechanic in Remi, and the more bougie feminine Doctor Irene, both 44. Polar opposites, from different sides of town - They knew each other growing up, but always had an antagonistic relationship, which continues throughout most of this story. But there's a simmer of attraction that steams throughout!
Now I'm usually not one for antagonism, but in this case I felt it worked because our MC Irene is in a state of transformation where she recognizes she has to change and knows her attitude isn't helping. She was obsessed with being perfect and also thought status and image was everything. She became everything everyone else wanted her to be, and found herself stuck in a terrible marriage to a cheating asshole who constantly disrespected her.
Now she definitely got on my nerves and what I LOVED was that Remi was quick to put her in her place, and tell her calmly but firmly when she was being an ass.
In other books with a similar theme you get the love interest fawning over the horrible person and the bad things they do, but I loved the difference here with Remi calling her out and making her face reality. Remi was a great no nonsense character, just working hard, doing her thing to be a respectful friend and family member, doesn't need the aggravation and drama that Irene brings into her life. But she keeps ending up in her orbit again and again, and she can't deny she's an attractive package, and that there's something more to her, than she ever knew. But she still isn't letting her off that easy, either!
They both come to realize they have a lot of similarities and that there's something between them, and I was here for it. It was hot and sweet in equal measure, and damned sexy too. I liked that they communicated well, and pushed each other in the best ways to really bring out the realness in one another.
I would recommend it.
https://www.amazon.com/Mechanics-Love...?
I loved the idea of a studly butch mechanic in Remi, and the more bougie feminine Doctor Irene, both 44. Polar opposites, from different sides of town - They knew each other growing up, but always had an antagonistic relationship, which continues throughout most of this story. But there's a simmer of attraction that steams throughout!
Now I'm usually not one for antagonism, but in this case I felt it worked because our MC Irene is in a state of transformation where she recognizes she has to change and knows her attitude isn't helping. She was obsessed with being perfect and also thought status and image was everything. She became everything everyone else wanted her to be, and found herself stuck in a terrible marriage to a cheating asshole who constantly disrespected her.
Now she definitely got on my nerves and what I LOVED was that Remi was quick to put her in her place, and tell her calmly but firmly when she was being an ass.
In other books with a similar theme you get the love interest fawning over the horrible person and the bad things they do, but I loved the difference here with Remi calling her out and making her face reality. Remi was a great no nonsense character, just working hard, doing her thing to be a respectful friend and family member, doesn't need the aggravation and drama that Irene brings into her life. But she keeps ending up in her orbit again and again, and she can't deny she's an attractive package, and that there's something more to her, than she ever knew. But she still isn't letting her off that easy, either!
They both come to realize they have a lot of similarities and that there's something between them, and I was here for it. It was hot and sweet in equal measure, and damned sexy too. I liked that they communicated well, and pushed each other in the best ways to really bring out the realness in one another.
I would recommend it.
Read
June 28, 2022content warnings:
This! Was! Such a lovely sapphic romance! And soooooo slowburn. The good kind of slowburn. With a lot of tension, communcation and decades long issues being solve. Truly so good and cute.
This! Was! Such a lovely sapphic romance! And soooooo slowburn. The good kind of slowburn. With a lot of tension, communcation and decades long issues being solve. Truly so good and cute.
October 14, 2024
What a breath of fresh air!!!
After my most recent foray into the dumpster fire that was This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan, I was desperately craving my comfort zone. A short and sweet Black sapphic romance where the characters respect each others’ boundaries and autonomy will always be more up my alley, and Meka James delivered with this book.
In Mechanics of Love, our protagonists are both in their mid-40s, and have recently returned to their Georgia hometown. Irene and Remi have a glittering enemies-to-lovers arc that is chock full of spicy conflict. I thought Meka James did a great job with keeping their dynamic humorous, but also deeply believable. I loved how Irene was obsessed with getting Remi to like her, but also did not really have many skills to know how to make that happen! Every time Irene would put her foot in her mouth, she would be too stubborn to fully apologize, and Remi would be too stubborn to meet her halfway on the apology. This initial tug-and-pull makes their eventual partnership all the more rewarding.
Like with many other romance novels of late, I am loving the inclusion of a broader cast of characters—family, friends, even coworkers. While not all of these characters take on a central role in the story, the ones that do feel intentional and considered, not just like plot devices to keep the romance moving forward. Caregiving and reverse migration are central themes in this story, and I thought the approach to both topics seemed well-aligned with the real-life decisions I see many women in their age bracket having to make. Remi settling into Irene’s extended friend group was a particularly sweet element of this story. As someone who is often more introverted, but would like to have a close circle of friends who live in the same place, I was grinning every time Remi headed over to poker night, and then immediately spent the next 3 nights on her couch recharging her social battery.
I am docking one star because I did feel a bit annoyed with the late-in-the game love scenes here. I’m all for a slow burn when it makes sense, but I hate stories where it feels like the author spends 75% of the book getting the characters on the same page, and then crams all the actual romance into the last 25%. I would’ve gladly read another 100 pages in Mechanics of Love, and I think that would’ve helped balance out the ending a bit more. The time Irene and Remi spend in a relationship is really sweet, and I simply wish we had more space on the page to enjoy it! To her credit, Meka James has released a “bonus scene” to readers online. This scene functions well as an extended epilogue, and allows us to spend just a bit more time with this adorable couple.
In a few weeks, I’ll be buddy-reading Meka James’ WNBA romance, Love and Sportsball. Let’s hope that one gives us a bit more time to appreciate the characters she is really good at bringing together!
After my most recent foray into the dumpster fire that was This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan, I was desperately craving my comfort zone. A short and sweet Black sapphic romance where the characters respect each others’ boundaries and autonomy will always be more up my alley, and Meka James delivered with this book.
In Mechanics of Love, our protagonists are both in their mid-40s, and have recently returned to their Georgia hometown. Irene and Remi have a glittering enemies-to-lovers arc that is chock full of spicy conflict. I thought Meka James did a great job with keeping their dynamic humorous, but also deeply believable. I loved how Irene was obsessed with getting Remi to like her, but also did not really have many skills to know how to make that happen! Every time Irene would put her foot in her mouth, she would be too stubborn to fully apologize, and Remi would be too stubborn to meet her halfway on the apology. This initial tug-and-pull makes their eventual partnership all the more rewarding.
Like with many other romance novels of late, I am loving the inclusion of a broader cast of characters—family, friends, even coworkers. While not all of these characters take on a central role in the story, the ones that do feel intentional and considered, not just like plot devices to keep the romance moving forward. Caregiving and reverse migration are central themes in this story, and I thought the approach to both topics seemed well-aligned with the real-life decisions I see many women in their age bracket having to make. Remi settling into Irene’s extended friend group was a particularly sweet element of this story. As someone who is often more introverted, but would like to have a close circle of friends who live in the same place, I was grinning every time Remi headed over to poker night, and then immediately spent the next 3 nights on her couch recharging her social battery.
I am docking one star because I did feel a bit annoyed with the late-in-the game love scenes here. I’m all for a slow burn when it makes sense, but I hate stories where it feels like the author spends 75% of the book getting the characters on the same page, and then crams all the actual romance into the last 25%. I would’ve gladly read another 100 pages in Mechanics of Love, and I think that would’ve helped balance out the ending a bit more. The time Irene and Remi spend in a relationship is really sweet, and I simply wish we had more space on the page to enjoy it! To her credit, Meka James has released a “bonus scene” to readers online. This scene functions well as an extended epilogue, and allows us to spend just a bit more time with this adorable couple.
In a few weeks, I’ll be buddy-reading Meka James’ WNBA romance, Love and Sportsball. Let’s hope that one gives us a bit more time to appreciate the characters she is really good at bringing together!
November 13, 2021
Irene is a wealthy, standoffish woman whose recent divorce is causing her to question her obsession with appearances. Remi is a mechanic whose tough, self-sufficient exterior is starting to crack after her father develops Parkinson's. This novel follows how their mutual disdain turns into a romance. It's told from both characters' perspectives, and I enjoyed both as narrators. There's a few sex scenes towards the 2/3 mark.
January 6, 2026
(rounded up from 4.5)
Caveat: there is some awkward phrasing in here, particularly at the beginning, that could benefit from an edit pass.
I really enjoyed this. I love an emotional romance, and this one fits the bill. Dr Irene Johnson is divorcing her cheating husband and encounters her high school crush, Remi, who is now the local mechanic in her small town. Remi has always been annoyed by Irene because she's too hoity toity, and Irene has always been fascinated by Remi because she's a straight shooter and unapologetic about her identity and sexuality. There is emotional investment, family trauma, opening up to people, and some sweet romance moments. I chuckled, I cried, what else do you possibly want in a romance book?
Caveat: there is some awkward phrasing in here, particularly at the beginning, that could benefit from an edit pass.
I really enjoyed this. I love an emotional romance, and this one fits the bill. Dr Irene Johnson is divorcing her cheating husband and encounters her high school crush, Remi, who is now the local mechanic in her small town. Remi has always been annoyed by Irene because she's too hoity toity, and Irene has always been fascinated by Remi because she's a straight shooter and unapologetic about her identity and sexuality. There is emotional investment, family trauma, opening up to people, and some sweet romance moments. I chuckled, I cried, what else do you possibly want in a romance book?
April 26, 2023
Enemies to lovers is always a hard sell for me.
June 26, 2022
This has a lot of good things - I haven’t read many mechanic heroines, and it’s always nice to read older characters (both age 44). For me it got a little bogged down in discussing and rehashing all of the characters’ baggage
January 30, 2024
4 stars
CW/TW: infertility, caring for an ailing parent, infidelity, loss of a spouse, sexual content, minor gaslighting, toxic spouse.
I hate slow burns but the wait was worth it in this book.
CW/TW: infertility, caring for an ailing parent, infidelity, loss of a spouse, sexual content, minor gaslighting, toxic spouse.
I hate slow burns but the wait was worth it in this book.
September 26, 2021
From the moment that cover was released, I have been dying to get my hands on this book. The other two books gave hints that something was going on with Irene and I couldn’t wait to see what sort of sparks would fly between her and Remi. And oh boy I was not disappointed! This book is the third in the series and could probably be read as a standalone, though you’d miss out on the friendship development.
Irene has spent her life being everything everyone else wants her to be: the perfect lady for her mother, the perfect wife for her husband, the perfect confidant for her friends. But when her husband’s latest infidelity pushes her a step too far, she realizes that she doesn’t know who the real Irene is – but she wants to find out. Her first step? Taking her soon-to-be-ex’s beloved sports car and driving home to Madison Island. But an accident puts her face-to-face with her high school nemesis, Remi, now the town’s mechanic. There’s always been something between the two of them, but both wrote it off as dislike back in high school. Only now can Irene freely admit that she wanted Remi, but given her past actions, is there any hope that Remi could want her back?
Irene enjoys the finer things in life, so it’s not much of a surprise that she comes off as, well, high maintenance and spoiled. But she’s spent her life trying to live up to her mother’s expectations of what a “lady of social standing” should act like and look where it’s got her: fighting with her husband to get a divorce and looking for a place to live that’s not her parents’ house. Oh, and she has to fess up to her friends that she’s kept all this from them for years. But even with all these problems on her plate, she can’t stop thinking about how beautiful Remi is and how much different her life would have been if she’d kissed her back in high school.
With Remi, what you see is what you get, and she assumes that everyone else is the same. Remi is honest to the point of bluntness, but she’s also comfortable with who she is and judgmental about others who care more about image – and she doesn’t give second chances. So it’s no wonder that she thinks Irene is nothing but a stuck-up rich girl. But Remi’s friends are also all friends with Irene, so it’s hard to avoid her, especially when she insists on flaunting how hot she is everywhere she goes. But Remi doesn’t want to be Irene’s rebound chick, and she’s still not entirely sure she even likes her. Bit by bit, as Irene’s walls come down and Remi lets her into her life, it becomes clearer than ever that the two women are more alike than they’d want to admit. And I do mean “bit by bit,” because the romance is very, very slow burn. It makes sense in context. Irene is figuring out who she is, and I’d agree with Remi that accepting who you are is an important step before getting into a relationship. But the tiny moments between them, whether it was bringing extra marshmallows or checking in on Remi’s father, were so sweet and definitely made the payoff worth it.
One of my favorite things about this series is the friendship between Irene, Cynthia and Regina. They’re hilarious and supportive, but not afraid to pull out the tough love if needed. Irene fully admits that her friends are the strong, independent women she wants to be. Unfortunately, she’s also been lying to them for years, keeping the fact that her marriage was on the rocks from them even while she supported both of them through their own troubles. They understandably call her on it, and I loved them for it. It was exactly the wakeup call Irene needed and rather than ending their friendships, it deepened it. Remi’s also taken the first steps into that circle of friends, though she tends to hang out more with the men than the women, but she’s also keeping secrets from them, something that Irene sees the parallels to all too easily. I loved how that bit of the story was wrapped up.
Overall, this was another lovely entry to the series, but I’m not sure if this’ll be the last book as all three friends are matched off. Whatever happens, I’ll definitely be picking up this author’s next book!
Content notes:
I received an advance review copy of this book from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Irene has spent her life being everything everyone else wants her to be: the perfect lady for her mother, the perfect wife for her husband, the perfect confidant for her friends. But when her husband’s latest infidelity pushes her a step too far, she realizes that she doesn’t know who the real Irene is – but she wants to find out. Her first step? Taking her soon-to-be-ex’s beloved sports car and driving home to Madison Island. But an accident puts her face-to-face with her high school nemesis, Remi, now the town’s mechanic. There’s always been something between the two of them, but both wrote it off as dislike back in high school. Only now can Irene freely admit that she wanted Remi, but given her past actions, is there any hope that Remi could want her back?
Irene enjoys the finer things in life, so it’s not much of a surprise that she comes off as, well, high maintenance and spoiled. But she’s spent her life trying to live up to her mother’s expectations of what a “lady of social standing” should act like and look where it’s got her: fighting with her husband to get a divorce and looking for a place to live that’s not her parents’ house. Oh, and she has to fess up to her friends that she’s kept all this from them for years. But even with all these problems on her plate, she can’t stop thinking about how beautiful Remi is and how much different her life would have been if she’d kissed her back in high school.
“I take people as they are, when they are. So, what you’re getting has nothing to do about then and everything to do about now. My opinion of you isn’t low, Irene, it just isn’t as high as the one you have of yourself.”
With Remi, what you see is what you get, and she assumes that everyone else is the same. Remi is honest to the point of bluntness, but she’s also comfortable with who she is and judgmental about others who care more about image – and she doesn’t give second chances. So it’s no wonder that she thinks Irene is nothing but a stuck-up rich girl. But Remi’s friends are also all friends with Irene, so it’s hard to avoid her, especially when she insists on flaunting how hot she is everywhere she goes. But Remi doesn’t want to be Irene’s rebound chick, and she’s still not entirely sure she even likes her. Bit by bit, as Irene’s walls come down and Remi lets her into her life, it becomes clearer than ever that the two women are more alike than they’d want to admit. And I do mean “bit by bit,” because the romance is very, very slow burn. It makes sense in context. Irene is figuring out who she is, and I’d agree with Remi that accepting who you are is an important step before getting into a relationship. But the tiny moments between them, whether it was bringing extra marshmallows or checking in on Remi’s father, were so sweet and definitely made the payoff worth it.
One of my favorite things about this series is the friendship between Irene, Cynthia and Regina. They’re hilarious and supportive, but not afraid to pull out the tough love if needed. Irene fully admits that her friends are the strong, independent women she wants to be. Unfortunately, she’s also been lying to them for years, keeping the fact that her marriage was on the rocks from them even while she supported both of them through their own troubles. They understandably call her on it, and I loved them for it. It was exactly the wakeup call Irene needed and rather than ending their friendships, it deepened it. Remi’s also taken the first steps into that circle of friends, though she tends to hang out more with the men than the women, but she’s also keeping secrets from them, something that Irene sees the parallels to all too easily. I loved how that bit of the story was wrapped up.
“You have always been you. I know when you say, or better yet, when you do something it has meaning.”
Overall, this was another lovely entry to the series, but I’m not sure if this’ll be the last book as all three friends are matched off. Whatever happens, I’ll definitely be picking up this author’s next book!
Content notes:
I received an advance review copy of this book from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Read
April 12, 2022So I actually read all three of the books in the series within like a day and a half because I found them on scribd and I had a stretch of time to just listen and these books were exactly what I needed. To be honest I was decorating cookies for like 7 and 1/2 hours and I had a migraine and I needed a book that would not require a lot of emotional investment for me but also still be an enjoyable read. These books are perfect for that.
I mean that in the best way. These books are easy to listen to and easy to enjoy. They center around this small town and this group of three friends who are all kind of figuring out their stuff after life has thrown them some big hiccups. They are all over 40 and we live for that here.
The best of the best opposites attract.
Remi is a mechanic in Madison island and has always been open and up front about her sexuality. She's now running the auto shop while also caring for her ailing father. The last thing she needed was for Irene to show up.
Irene is the utter opposite of Remi. She is pristine and polished and always ALWAYS acting the rope expected of her of haughty rich good girl. Except Irene doesn't think that fits who she is anymore.
She's fed up with her toxic gaslighting cheating asshole of a husband and when she sends divorce papers, takes the car and heads home to Madison Island, she wasn't ready for Remi to show up to tow her car after it breaks down.
Irene wasn't kind to Remi. She wasn't outright mean but she wasn't nice either. Irene didn't understand how to explain that she was attracted to Remi as a teenager and her confusion and protectiveness of herself was seen as coldness and frigidity by Remi.
These two have some drama to work out and some preconceived notions of each other to drop. They have to battle their own stereotypes and figure out how and if they can move forward together.
My one qualm about this one is that it seemed like they very suddenly went from enemies to lovers. It was a slow burn until it was a raging fire.
I still loved the book and the conversations about perceptions, sexuality, and familial expectations.
CW for gaslighting, toxic spouse, abusive behaviors, hospital stay, caring for an ill parent, discussion of infertility, explicit sex
Black lesbian MC over 40, Black queer MC over 40
(Irenes sexuality isn't labeled but it's clear she's attracted to multiple genders. She doesn't have a big coming out story but simply takes a woman home. It's implied that she was previously out but it isn't discussed)
I mean that in the best way. These books are easy to listen to and easy to enjoy. They center around this small town and this group of three friends who are all kind of figuring out their stuff after life has thrown them some big hiccups. They are all over 40 and we live for that here.
The best of the best opposites attract.
Remi is a mechanic in Madison island and has always been open and up front about her sexuality. She's now running the auto shop while also caring for her ailing father. The last thing she needed was for Irene to show up.
Irene is the utter opposite of Remi. She is pristine and polished and always ALWAYS acting the rope expected of her of haughty rich good girl. Except Irene doesn't think that fits who she is anymore.
She's fed up with her toxic gaslighting cheating asshole of a husband and when she sends divorce papers, takes the car and heads home to Madison Island, she wasn't ready for Remi to show up to tow her car after it breaks down.
Irene wasn't kind to Remi. She wasn't outright mean but she wasn't nice either. Irene didn't understand how to explain that she was attracted to Remi as a teenager and her confusion and protectiveness of herself was seen as coldness and frigidity by Remi.
These two have some drama to work out and some preconceived notions of each other to drop. They have to battle their own stereotypes and figure out how and if they can move forward together.
My one qualm about this one is that it seemed like they very suddenly went from enemies to lovers. It was a slow burn until it was a raging fire.
I still loved the book and the conversations about perceptions, sexuality, and familial expectations.
CW for gaslighting, toxic spouse, abusive behaviors, hospital stay, caring for an ill parent, discussion of infertility, explicit sex
Black lesbian MC over 40, Black queer MC over 40
(Irenes sexuality isn't labeled but it's clear she's attracted to multiple genders. She doesn't have a big coming out story but simply takes a woman home. It's implied that she was previously out but it isn't discussed)
Read
October 11, 2025⭑ ⭑ ⭒ ⭒ ⭒
2.5 stars
ꨄ︎ DNF @ 67%
ʚଓ One of the main characters is a snobby, classist bitch (don’t worry though, she’s “trying” to live a simple life and fit in…yawn). The other is a “chill, one of the guys” pick-me girl who brings up how chill she is in literally every conversation. Spoiler ⚠️ : she’s not chill.
ʚଓ Honestly, the book itself isn’t bad. The writing was solid and the plot was fairly decent. But these two main characters? Completely irredeemable. If I had finished, this would’ve been a solid one-star read. I simply didn’t hate myself enough to push through the remaining 33%.
2.5 stars
ꨄ︎ DNF @ 67%
ʚଓ One of the main characters is a snobby, classist bitch (don’t worry though, she’s “trying” to live a simple life and fit in…yawn). The other is a “chill, one of the guys” pick-me girl who brings up how chill she is in literally every conversation. Spoiler ⚠️ : she’s not chill.
ʚଓ Honestly, the book itself isn’t bad. The writing was solid and the plot was fairly decent. But these two main characters? Completely irredeemable. If I had finished, this would’ve been a solid one-star read. I simply didn’t hate myself enough to push through the remaining 33%.
dnf
September 15, 2024I think I got like 17% in and my main issue was the audiobook, the narrators felt so unnatural and robot like, I couldn't vibe with that, also the dislike between them felt so childish and pointless, I just lost interest.
May 21, 2022
3.5/5
February 22, 2023
“As you’ve said, I like to get my way.”
And I apparently was keen to give in.
3.5 stars. A sweet slow burn romance about sorta childhood enemies to lovers, reconnecting after years spent outside of each other's orbit. Irene is travelling back to her small hometown after serving divorce papers on her cheating husband. When she gets into some car trouble, the mechanic that shows up is the woman she's always sorta butted heads with, but always been attracted to: Remi. It's a very opposites attract romance; they come from different social circles and have pretty different personalities, and they're really prickly with each other at first. I really liked their banter, how they poked at one another, how it took a long time for them to really start trusting and opening up. Especially on Remi's side. There were a few time skips I really wish we hadn't had; I think it would have been beneficial for the reader to see their thoughts in the three weeks they spent apart. But I appreciated the slow burn, and when things do get started, it's real hot. <3 I think I needed a few more points of connection for them, and a few more scenes to really show why they worked together? I don't think we really got that.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Denim Striker and Alana Grace; I liked it! This was a pretty short read, but it had a lot of heart behind it. I really loved reading about women in their forties; it's a simple storyline that fits how mature they are. Definitely always willing to read from this author.
Content warnings:
December 14, 2023
Slow burn, exciting banter, old high school enemies to lovers, ladies in their 40's. This book was sooooo good , and has one of the longest BEST sex scenes ive read in my ENTIRE life. Meka James snapped with this one
June 5, 2022
Great story - I love a slow burn that still had plenty of burn. I listened in audio and did not like the narrator much but tried not to let it take away from the quality of the story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2024
oooouuuu its an excellent read.. they had me UP and the buzz.. no like might be the best sapphic read ive had all year
March 1, 2025
it was cute.
June 19, 2022
Enemies to lovers. Irene is the perfect wife until she leaves while Remi is a mechanic in their hometown. Remi finds Irene too above. Weird gaslighting from her friends, too. Not a fan of this. Decent use of location but not a lot.
Went from enemies to lovers without any real build up or compromise by Remi. Reminded me of Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. A way of knocking someone down. Lots of erotica near the end but no real relationship depth. Overall meh.
Went from enemies to lovers without any real build up or compromise by Remi. Reminded me of Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. A way of knocking someone down. Lots of erotica near the end but no real relationship depth. Overall meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2024
One of the better sapphic books I've read. I liked that both heroines were open about their sexuality and it wasn't a conflict in the book, and I liked that both had experiences with women before each other, I liked that neither one of them had significantly more experience than the other.
I think I would've liked it more if the narrators were better. I'm not sure how to describe it, but they sounded kinda robotic.
But overall, it was a really good book.
I think I would've liked it more if the narrators were better. I'm not sure how to describe it, but they sounded kinda robotic.
But overall, it was a really good book.
December 31, 2021
I loved this! The ways that both characters had to allow themselves to open up, and to allow others to really see them, was a source of great delight and joy for me. The slow burn worked really well to let the characters' interactions and development ring more true, but the later scenes were also super hot!
December 31, 2025
I didn't read the first two books in this series, but I will be going back. This was my first book by this author. She pulls you into the story. This book shows that you have no idea what is going on in other people's lives. Irene seems to have the perfect life. She's a doctor who is married to the "perfect" guy. The give the appearance of a happy marriage when it is anything but. Remi has so much on her plate. She has her own business. She's taking care of her father. She just doesn't have a lot of spare time. I liked how they each made room for the other in their lives.
October 7, 2021
4.5 stars
A reckoning is coming! Dr. Irene Johnson-Moore has returned to Madison Island, her life at a crossroads. The façade she has successfully maintained is beginning to fissure. Transition and revelations will bring about profound change. Her longtime friends Cynthia and Regina are there providing support, honesty and love along the way.
Remi Martin has lived her life with honesty and authenticity, which hasn't always been easy. A loving relationship with her father comes with some challenges. She has parleyed her passion into a fulfilling business.
Irene and Remi have known each other for many years, despite this their interactions have been antagonistic. That's why Remi is perplexed by Irene's continued efforts to insert herself into Remi's orbit. The tension that has always existed between them is revealed to be a long held attraction that Irene has had Remi. Friendship, understanding, discovery and attraction grow between the pair.
The book is a wonderful read. I enjoyed following Irene's journey of self realisation, possibility, acceptance, and pursuit of lasting love with Remi. Equally gratifying was seeing Remi letting her guard down, developing deeper friendships, and taking a chance on love. The book also illuminates the complexity, kinship and beauty of sista-friendships.
A reckoning is coming! Dr. Irene Johnson-Moore has returned to Madison Island, her life at a crossroads. The façade she has successfully maintained is beginning to fissure. Transition and revelations will bring about profound change. Her longtime friends Cynthia and Regina are there providing support, honesty and love along the way.
Remi Martin has lived her life with honesty and authenticity, which hasn't always been easy. A loving relationship with her father comes with some challenges. She has parleyed her passion into a fulfilling business.
Irene and Remi have known each other for many years, despite this their interactions have been antagonistic. That's why Remi is perplexed by Irene's continued efforts to insert herself into Remi's orbit. The tension that has always existed between them is revealed to be a long held attraction that Irene has had Remi. Friendship, understanding, discovery and attraction grow between the pair.
The book is a wonderful read. I enjoyed following Irene's journey of self realisation, possibility, acceptance, and pursuit of lasting love with Remi. Equally gratifying was seeing Remi letting her guard down, developing deeper friendships, and taking a chance on love. The book also illuminates the complexity, kinship and beauty of sista-friendships.
September 22, 2021
I truly enjoyed my time on Madison Island. The fact that the characters were women into their 40's gave me that grown folks romance I didn't know I needed. I couldn't wait to read about Irene and Remi. I think what I enjoyed the most was the simplicity and the ordinary way their relationship developed. It was about two people trying to figure out how to make it work without going through unnecessary dramatic antics. Irene has this ADW 's Whitley vibe meaning you can sense the vulnerability under the ice princess look. Remi also has her own vulnerability... Things just felt organic regardless of the few obstacles. I do wish we had a bit more of the friends trio because I feel like this was as important as love for Irene's character development. Anyway, things just felt organic regardless of the few obstacles. It was so nice to hang out with these funny, sweet and regular people who know what they want and go for it. Small-town romance for the win!
September 16, 2023
CW: cheating (Irene's husband cheats on her), psychological abuse references, gaslighting, parent with Parkinson's, infertility.
Rep: cis Black bisexual MC, cis Black lesbian MC.
I wanted to love this one a lot more than I did.
I just felt like there was no chemistry at all between Irene and Remi. But they're apparently immediately hot for each other. Which I guess is good, because I did not see why they even liked each other. But hey, opposites attract.
Rep: cis Black bisexual MC, cis Black lesbian MC.
I wanted to love this one a lot more than I did.
I just felt like there was no chemistry at all between Irene and Remi. But they're apparently immediately hot for each other. Which I guess is good, because I did not see why they even liked each other. But hey, opposites attract.
August 20, 2022
Irene was insufferable! But I loved Remi! I enjoyed her standing in her truth and not backing down. I respected her creating boundaries and holding Irene accountable for her behavior. Slow burn.
🌶🌶 🌶/5
Tropes:
Sapphic romance
HEA
Trigger warning ⚠️:
Parkinson’s disease
Divorce
🌶🌶 🌶/5
Tropes:
Sapphic romance
HEA
Trigger warning ⚠️:
Parkinson’s disease
Divorce
October 12, 2021
TW: cheating ex-husband
This wonderful romance did the grumpy/sunshine trope very well. It's all about forgiveness and old assumptions, and change. I enjoyed this one a lot.
This wonderful romance did the grumpy/sunshine trope very well. It's all about forgiveness and old assumptions, and change. I enjoyed this one a lot.
November 30, 2021
Excellent Book
I usually don't like slow burn books but this one was exceptional and I was not disappointed with the out come. This was 🔥
I usually don't like slow burn books but this one was exceptional and I was not disappointed with the out come. This was 🔥
December 14, 2022
Such a hot couple with amazing chemistry! A very well written enemies to lover that kept me reading like a maniac.
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