Six Feet is a contemporary, pandemic romance with the emphasis on romance.
Henley Stones Smith, 42, is a psychologist with three foster daughters: Paloma, Jackie and Manhattan. Nicki Zabelle, 28, is a professional video gamer who sleeps in late and always orders take-out.
The Covid pandemic hits and Nicki abruptly moves from Boston to Western Massachusetts where Henley is juggling working from home, remote school, and single parenthood.
Little Jackie's early morning mishap brings Henley and Nicki together. Henley sees Nicki as an incredibly young neighbor who is kind enough to share her pool. Nicki sees Henley as an incredibly hot neighbor who she hopes is kind enough to share her bed.
Michele M. Reynolds is the author of right books (Love Coupons, Thawing Hearts, Love's Autograph to name a few) .She is an outdoors enthusiast and has spent many years living in the wilderness. She has lived in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. When she is not writing or reading, she spends time with her family members.
I found this book on Kindle Unlimited but I think it would probably appeal more to people who have an affinity for kids (which unfortunately isn't me) or those who are looking to foster and adopt because fostering is a major theme. Henley, one of the characters, is a foster mother of three girls and this book brought out the challenges she faces in managing the kids who are a handful, dealing with the system and balancing her work and home. Unfortunately, I thought this book brought out more pains in raising children than joy, so that wasn't helpful for me.
I struggled to connect with the romance between Henley and her younger, hot pro gamer neighbour, Nicki, as well. Don't get me wrong. I like the romance build-up, I also love Nicki who becomes the "saviour" character who puts some order back to Henley's life. But because it's set during the height of the pandemic, the romance feels convenient. Nobody has a social life and a lot of their interactions are at Nicki's house where the kids use the pool and Henley takes a break. When they are not doing that, Henley is at work and Nicki helps to watch the kids. But though the kids are always around somewhere in the periphery, I actually find very little bonding happening with the kids within the pages, save for one or two episodes or incidents. Henley and Nicki flirt some, and I kinda like it but Henley is also really hung up the entire time on their 14 year age gap and I don't find 42 and 28 to be a problem at all.
Together they are building forever but can love survive all obstacles? Six Feet is a great age gap romance set during the pandemic. Luckily, Covid does not play a major role in the story. The characters and their struggles felt real. There are tears of happiness, sadness and frustration. The storyline is engrossing, the romance is sweet, with adorable kids and there is a little bit of drama. Overall, well done!
4.5 stars Lovely and lighthearted slow burn romance with little angst. Even though it is situated during COVID with all its restrictions, it never depresses. I especially liked the way the growing bond between Henley, Nicky and the three kids was depicted with a mixture of realism and optimism. Recommend😁
Henley, a single mother to three foster daughters is having a difficult time during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she meets Nicki, a younger, millionaire who has just moved into their neighbourhood. Instantly smitten with Henley and her children after an incident with Jackie, Nicki offers to help Henley with some childcare and because the girls are obsessed with visiting Nicki’s pool in the height of the summer heat. When extra complication comes knocking at both Henley and Nicki’s doors, they have to find a way to make things work.
Such a cute story, with the running theme of a swimming pool and three adorable kids that really made the story special. Considering Michele has set her story during the pandemic, it is light and carefree because it just has the most wonderful sense of hope and little fantasy. Henley was a great mother, but being on your own can be hard and I just adored how quickly Nicki adapted and accepted the girls into her life with no questions asked.
This ticked all the boxes for romance to just drift away with and more times than I can count I was just smiling because it was hard not to get caught up in the moments with all the excitement, attraction, and intensity of the chemistry between Henley and Nicki. Of course, Henley was a lot more cautious in embarking on a relationship than Nicki was, but for all the right reasons. She had to consider her position as a foster carer and the effect on the girls.
I loved Nicki though. You couldn’t not. She had the house, the money, a cool carer, and although younger than Henley she was wise beyond her years. I couldn’t have admired her more for all she took on, and it was more about being kindness and trying to help someone who just need a friend and some kindness. The fact that she then developed that connection with Henley was just an amazing bonus.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and really enjoyed it, even at the more intense moments. It was exciting and so much more than I had originally expected it to be which was a lovely surprise.
Absolutely adored this book. Some laugh out loud moments and I fell in love with the main characters. One of the best books I’ve read this year…loads of good feels. Will definitely check out her other books.
This was an engaging read that I honestly couldn’t put down. It gave a really good insight into the lives of working parents when the world was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I like that our author took such care in describing the success and challenges of foster parenting. The dialogue and banter between Henley and Niki was highly fun. I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry between the two until much later in the book and the lack of a steamy scene or two was kind of a bummer, but alas I can’t have it all and it was an engaging read nonetheless!
I have stayed away from books with "covid" in it during 2020-2021. Six Feet is a really good take on the recent history but somehow stays away from the bad parts of covid.
Jae's SRC age-gap romance friends-to-lover romance girl next door character new to you author
Found this to be a decent read. It's PG so for those who prefer that you will like reading this on. I do prefer a little steam in my books so I might avoid this author in the future. 2.5 stars
Okay so when I read COVID in the description- I really didn’t want to get into it. 2020 was an awful year and I honestly didn’t want a reminder. But then Amazon kept putting it in front of me and the cover was cute and so I dove in - and I’m really really glad I did so. This is a fantastic story that really brings to front some of the challenges parents had to go through managing kids, work and general health concerns. So what does this story have - it has three kids and especially one that is precocious enough to challenge anybody’s sanity let alone the brave psychologist single mom who is managing all of this, a gamer MC that is just too cute for words, workplace issues and of course the swimming pool. This was a well plotted story and the pacing was great and it really kept my interest. My only gripe, I never really got the sense that Henley was as invested until the very end. I absolutely loved Nicki’s character who is just meltingly sweet and mature even more so than Henley who is supposed to be older. Apart from that - I really enjoyed this book. Well done Michelle Reynolds!
5/5 stars: This review is my longest yet and is all over the place as I wrote it on my phone and updated it as I was listening so forgive the messiness of it 😂
First time listening to a P.J Morgan narration. This was such a cute listen and a excellent debut by Michelle.
I LOVED this story just by the description and spent ages trying to find it until it was finally released on Audible! A professional gamer, an age-gap relationship and kids! As a gamer this drew me in straight away, the kids and older woman was just an added bonus.
Set during the COVID pandemic, Henley a single mother to 3 foster daughters and Nicki, a professional gamer who recently moved into the neighbourhood saves Jackie from literally being mowed down by a driver and this starts this chaotic journey.
The kids were adorable and I felt like I was in the presence of the 3 kids after listening to this, I was so tired. When the power went out and they had the mini movie night at Nicki’s my heart soared! The kids were so cute and I awww’d so much. 😂 Jackie was a little madam in parts and I liked it. Henley narrating Nicki’s game was hilarious, I’ve had an ex-girlfriend be my eyes before too and it’s hilarious watching a non-gamer get so into a game. I loved Henley and Nicki’s budding friendship turned relationship. Henley’s dilemma about Nikki was adorable, I’m so glad she went with her heart when it came to Nikki.
Nicki and Henley were just completely adorable. Their conversation when they decided to date was so cute, Henley was so nervous and excited at the same time and Nicki was just all in from the start. Their playfulness after becoming a couple was so light hearted I couldn’t stop smiling. They we’re so much more flirty with each other, it seemed like Henley was finding her feet a bit when it came to Nicki.
HAND HOLDING AND HAND KISSING leading to a first kiss was the cutest thing ever!! This book had me smiling so much my cheeks hurt and gave me so many emotions!
Henley’s heartbreak over possibly loosing her girls was so heartbreaking especially as the girls biological mother was homophobic, to listen to. I’m so glad that Nicki didn’t walk away when she was trying to push her away. Also Nicki being accidentally outted by Jackie was heart clenching. Their breakup was so sad, I could see where Nikki was coming from but I couldn’t help shouting, OMG JUST TELL HER WHY!! But then they got back together and pretty much decided to move in together so I was happy again. Talk about lesbian u-haul 😅
I’m so happy they got adopted by Henley, even if they were little upset they couldn’t be with their biological mom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
For most of the book, I was conflicted on whether I'd give this a three-star rating or not. It's an inoffensive story, and I actually did find it enjoyable at times—but only with a lot of suspension of disbelief.
The interactions in general lacked emotion and were too transactional. The kids felt more like a means to an end than actual characters, and their relationship with Henley barely developed between the covers of the book, if at all. Henley's resolution felt very convenient, too. And wtf was that final chapter? Was the written solely to take L's?
You'd expect there to be some steamy action with a blurb that contains "Nicki sees Henley as an incredibly hot neighbor who she hopes is kind enough to share her bed." Nope, all fade to black. So there's not enough emotional development to carry the story forward, and there's not enough physicality to pick up the slack either.
Nicki felt too much like a savior who did everything for Henley and her foster daughters (who at times also felt too mature for the age they portray), and I wasn't a huge fan of this. Her career immediately takes a back seat to this new woman in her life, no questions asked. Absolutely no regard for her own future, which felt off for someone near the top of the rankings. Then again, see savior/martyr part. The clause in her contract also felt weird, but I have no idea if having that clause in contracts like Nicki's is par for the course.
Calling a controller a remote threw me off.
Lastly, the book is in dire need of editing. Typos, missing/incorrect punctuation marks, misused homonyms, and name repetition fill the book. In the middle of chapter forty-eight is text that says FORTY-NINE, which seems to have been intended as the marker for the next chapter. I don't know if these have been addressed in the ebook edition (I hope so).
I really liked the story. Older woman adopting 3 kids and falling for younger woman with tattoos and kind soul during quarantine coused by covid. It was lovely to read about them getting close and slowly becoming a family. The kids were also fun to read about, not sure why the autor only mentioned age of the youngest child (4) who somehow talked like an adult, they all kinda did, even though I guess they were around 6-7, they seemed like teens in a way. The thing making me not to give it more than 3 stars was the wrighting style, there were some errors in grammar and overuse of names and some words. I know some autors seem to strugle with this particular problem, but a sentence can be phrased in a way that there is no need to use a characters name or a word 4 or more times in a shot paragraph. For example....... Manhattan: “I peed my bed. I promise I didn’t drink anything before bed and I went to the bathroom before bed,” Manhattan whined. “I stripped the bed. I just need help washing up and putting the bottom sheet on.” The name Nicki was used 2467 times and Henley 2448 times, that is perhaps too much. One other thing (and this might just be me) I was not expecting the sex scenes to be fade to black. Now I don't need a book to be too exlicit or anything, but I think some semi-steamy moments would go nicely with the developing relationship between the MC's. I don't like when things just fade away and jump to the middle of the next day. Overall it was a very nice PG13 story, with lovely charactes main as well as secondary, it was fun and wery sweet. So I would recomend it, if you are in the mood for something fluffy and uncomplicated. :)
I loved everything about this book, but most of all the real life relatability to the story and the characters. Henley is the most authentic character I've ever encountered in a book. She has real struggles, is flawed, and overwhelmed with her life in a world we all relate to during the pandemic. She also has a big heart and a deep love for her three foster (and hopefully soon adopted) girls. The personalities, behaviors and emotional range of the girls and how their experiences have shaped them is so honest and is a true picture of what many children struggle with when coming from a traumatic background. Enter Nicki, a humble and low key professional gamer. Nicki is Everything I'd hope to be if I ever became a millionaire. I loved her job as a pro gamer, especially as a female! Even if you do not "get" video games and the appeal of gaming, you will be able to follow the book. There is just enough game talk for those who are aware to appreciate it, but not so much that you will be lost if you don't. Nikki is kind, generous, and down to Earth, despite all of her success. Both women have their own unique hang-ups when it comes to love, but the chemistry is there from the start. Even while navigating a pandemic, three young girls, media bias, and adoption concerns, these ladies find their HEA. Every piece of this book is so well written. It was a mix of the truth of real life with a hint of knight in shining armor with both women being rescued in a different way. I would recommend this book to anyone because there are so many ways that different people can relate to it.
Book is good but I have many issue with it - main character wants to only pay female and queer employees wtf means if reverse is done it will be called sexist or racist ...if u want people to hold all are equal flag ...u have to do it... dont be biased
-most bad guys are males here driver in starting who is a good citizen btw and stalker also a male why cant it be a female stalker
I'm seriously offended by lesbain community...if u want every1 to accept u please do the same to all other....treat everyone equally ...stop doing reverse racism its ugly
I stumbled upon this book in my kindle recommendations. I’m not usually one for pandemic romances but thought what the hey I needed something to really get my attention since it’s been a bit. Well this was a complete shock for me. I loved it. The characters, the plot, the realistic life of a foster/adoptive parent. I am one so seeing how it was honest but respectfully and tastefully done was a breath of fresh air. I really can’t recommend this book enough. The romance is sweet and tame. It had me going from laughing out loud to near tears. Very well done.
Fun read about small age gap romance and coming out
This is my second review because I can't edit the other one. This is a great read with a slow burn and a few twists and turns but a definite HEA. This is a well written novel that dealt with age gaps, sexuality, homophobia and adoption issues. It was a nice way of blending ca family successfully which us exceedingly difficult at the best of times.
Nikki and Henley met by an accident with Henley‘s daughter Jackie who was one of three sisters who were going to be adopted by Henley. That’s what is a great story about relationships between two women and also the women and the children. I really like the Plot and the characters were great. I would recommend this book for all romance lovers and also relationship readers.
The editing gets a little dicey at the back 40% of the book. Needs another proofreader to go through and clean it up. There’s a few places where similar words replace what one assumes to be the correct word.
Besides that, the story is lovely. Nicki is a delight. Henley is hot and awesome. The daughters are crazy and cute and lovable as daughters tend to be.
I would say that overall this is a book worth reading. Do it. Enjoy it.
I know I it's like to have to wait for the county to decide if you get to keep your foster kids. I also know what it's like to have your adoptive child wanting to be with their birth mom. This book spelled everything out in a loving way. The relationship between Behalf and Nicki was a loving story and respectful. I love age gap love stories!
This is the 2nd book I read on a recommendation from an author I follow and this one did not disappoint. I really liked it all, those beautiful girls... and what can we say about Jackie... Love, love, love!
I wish there were many more Nikki's out there, that just give unconditionally. Loved that she found not only love but a family.
Lovely read set under the shadow of the pandemic. Henley is a single foster mum of 3, trying to navigate life in the new normal. Enter the new hot, sexy, young neighbour Nikki with a pool! She is the answer to Henley problems, if only she wasn’t so young. A lovely story with an age gap theme and a happy ever after!
This is a great book I love the characters Especially Liked The story line Such a diverse Family I'm about to children And foster care I love the story I hope there's another book About this family I recommend this book
I absolutely loved this book, the adoption & gaming story lines were very different to the usual and I really enjoyed the age gap romance too. Ignore the grammar errors at the start, it's worth it.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was well written. The characters are very interesting and likable. The romance is sweet and the story of Henley and her foster children was well done. Thanks for another winner.
This is great story! I loved the way the author brought it all together. There were tears and laughs ( Jackie is really a hoot !). It really mirrored life with all it's ups and downs. Well done!
This book dealt with such a tough subject so well while not making it too angsty. I fell in love with this family. Can’t wait for more from this author!
I loved this story not just for the relationship-building (main romance and others), but also for how it dealt with fostering, adopting, COVID, and everything else.