Under Her Gaze

by Jade Winters

When actor Laurie gets her first big break, little does she know her role will be the catalyst to a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

Cinematographer Shona is no stranger to one-night stands and sees Laurie as just another conquest. During filming, her involvement with Laurie leads to the realisation that love, not sex, is the gateway to happiness.

As filming reaches a conclusion and the two become closer, will events from the past block their happiness, or can they overcome all obstacles in their path and build a future together?

Genres: Lesbian

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2021

About the author

While Jade Winters has been putting words together since she was a child, it wasn’t until 2010 that she became a serious writer. Today, as a full-time author, she has published four novels in the lesbian fiction genre as well as several short stories. Jade was born and educated in London where she studied journalism for three years at a London University. She is the youngest of 6 children born to a Nigerian father and English mother and blames her love of spicy food on her African heritage. Jade now makes her home in Dorset in the South of England with her partner and furry companions Zorro, Buttons and Zeus.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

This book starts with promise & a favorite trope (closeted star). Laurie had a dalliance with a friend in high school that ended badly, since then she's hidden in the closet. Starting a career as an actress, she debates auditioning for a dream role albeit in a lesbian film because someone may figure out her secret shame. Shona is a love em & leave em type of a gal, who is the cinematographer on the film. They're viewpoints are intertwined with other minor characters all of whom are on our near the film in some capacity. This leads to inevitable infatuation & much drama.

There's too much instalove & not enough dialog in places that need it. I find this author to be hit or miss from me. This was not my favorite of hers, all though others may love it.

I received an advanced copy for an honest review.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotions and memories strangled but revived through alcohol that is what haunts Laurie though 10 years have gone by. A budding actor, she wins the role that could rocket her career but recognizing and embracing her true self proves difficult. Shona, the cinematographer on the set starts off seeing Laurie as another potential notch on her "one-night" belt. Fate has a way of stepping in sometimes and through doubts, missteps and drama a romance develops between the two. Nicely meshed in the storyline is the resolution of the debacle between Laurie and her childhood nemesis Sophie - the root of Laurie's stunted emotions. Side characters include Maya and Grace - there's a tale waiting to be told on its own.
For me, a quick and satisfying read with enough bedroom heat and a HEA.

I rec'd a copy from the author and this is a completely unbiased and voluntary review.

[Jennabeebs79 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laurie, a deeply closeted actress landed a part that could launch her career. During her audition, Shona, the cinematographer for the movie caught her eye. Little did Laurie know that she caught Shona’s eye as well. Laurie had PTSD from an incident with her best friend in high school and due to the shame of that incident kept herself from truly embracing who she really was. This book, unlike a lot of Jade Winter’s books did have a whole lot of drama which was a plus for me. The story progressed quickly, the dialogue flowed naturally, and the steamy scenes were sexy. It’s an all around quick enjoyable read.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so sold on the concept of this book that I was really excited to read it, however it didn’t quite live up to the expectations I had of it.

Firstly we’re given not one but three points of view. Normally I’m fine with multiple perspectives but with this story the perspective is not indicated in each chapter title, and it takes you a page or two in some instances to figure out whose perspective you’re actually in each chapter.

On top of that it felt kinda dramatised in a false feel way. Everything felt over the top or just exclamations folk would rarely say ‘whoppppeeeeee! I did it!’.

It had a definite kinda rushed fanfic feel to it.

Also I just didn’t like any of the characters, Shona is instantly in love and just a mess, Laurie’s reasons for not coming out don’t feel substantiated we’re just given info on a brief fling that went a little wrong. And Grace I honestly feel like her perspectives could have been dropped from the novel entirely and we wouldn’t have gained or lost anything pivotal.

In all honesty I would have dnf’d if I hadn’t already downloaded it.

The only thing I can say is the spice, most scenes are actually pretty well written and it’s not tacky or overly mushy. It’s a great balance of sexy and sweet. However that was probably the only thing I enjoyed, and even then the sex scenes kind of came outta no where and felt oddly out of place.

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another ruby from my TBR shelves! I love the duel couples . Laurie and Shona and Grace and Maya. A coming out story, and an age gap story. Two beautiful love stories in one book. 5 stars!

[Marjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this dubble romance. The two main characters were loveable and it was easy to follow their motivation for being careful with their hearts. I did think that Sophie was forgiven really easy for something that had so much inpacked on Laurie. The pace of the story sometimes was a bit fast for my liking but it also made it an sweet and easy read. I loved the roommmate story who happens to be in love with her boss. I could have easily read more about the two of them.
For someone who did years of hiding her sexuality, Laurie did come out of het closet a little to easy to my liking.
All in all this was a really nice and easy read with a Lovely HEA.

I received an ARC for my honest review from the auteur.

[Julie Liggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Jade.. where the suspense keeps you page turning, because you need to know.. The characters are believable and relatable, whilst acknowledging dilemmas that are real and often can get in the way, but showing that you can jump hurdles if its the right thing to do.. Jade is such a talented writer who gets your heart racing.. ❤

[Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book about an actress who during filming her first film, falls for the camera lady.
Well written and although slightly predictable plot, still keeps you interested right to the end. Well worth a read.

[Devoncatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely coming out romance

Is this a coming out realization or realising you need to be who you are not what other people want you to be. It's your life not you family's life, it's not the 1950s it can take a while to know it's okay to be gay! And find your soulmate...

[Margaritas Cherena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love is the main topic of this particular story, found many unrequited love in the story. Good reading, excellent pace with some comedy and lots of drama. Five women in love but only four will be responded.

[Ashvergent · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting.

I found it really good. Ending was a bit mediocre though in my opinion, hence why I chose 4 stars. Yeah I would recommend, the book was enticing and kept me intrigued.

[Joanna Oddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a movie star storyline and I also love books set in London - this had both! I loved the will they - won’t they plot and thought the relationships were beautifully written. I’d have liked to know more about maya and her life though!

[Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

I really enjoyed this story. The author does a good job of making you feel you really know the characters. Well done!

[MizLiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, sweet story. easy reading.

[katrina french · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

As always this author never disappoints. Love all her books so far. Plenty of action to keep attention thru the wholebook

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unusual start, reading cold there seems to be three main characters, at least, three that there is their point of view. Intriguing! I think the writer has film experience so I expect the details to be accurate, obviously not a documentary but believable. I think my knowledge of the writer’s knowledge influenced my opinion rather than reading it and being immersed. I think I mean I wasn’t sucked into the book but felt I should have been because this was written by an insider. 40% in and I’m not sure. I now know who the mains are though. It just all feels a bit cerebral for me. The words tell me they are at a precipice. I’m not shown that. I think that is where me cerebral issue comes from, it should be in my heart, not my head. To sum up, when I picked it up, was fine, but when not reading, not that magnetic pull I get from some books. Having said all that, 50% in, there is a plot twist I wasn’t expecting. Not that it wasn’t breadcrumbed, but I only saw them afterwards. Then things, again there were breadcrumbs, ramp up in another plot complication and the novel is flying. The jeopardy that was missing is there in spades! I can honestly say I didn’t know how this book was going to end. I can also,say I don’t know what I thought about this book. I had to make an effort to keep picking it up in the first half. Then romped through the second half! I think it is 3.5, almost 3 for the first half, four for the second, but there were still some parts that didn’t quite work for me, like the second sex scene, which is why I haven’t rounded it up to 4, which would be loved it but have left it at 3, which is on the good side of an okay book.

[Raelynn Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF Got to 57% . . .

It was just to slow to keep me invested and the MC’s were not as fascinating as you would want to make you care about their possible attraction. I was halfway through and MC still weren’t involved but kept skirting around the other. I’m all for flirtation buuuut characters were just flat even on a Hollywood movie set.

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read

This was a fun read I got through in a single sitting. It's got a bit of angst, some miscommunication, the wrong place at the wrong time, and some sweetness. If you like a generally feel good lesfic story that travels a bit of a rough path, you will probably enjoy this.

[Eva Reddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good slow-burn from Jade Winters.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A teenage drama changed the way life should be, but one gaze can change everything.

Laurie and Sophie were caught on Laurie's sixteen birthday sharing their love. That one embarrassed moment pushed Laurie so far in the closet ten years later she still can't be truthful to herself. She gets the acting part of a lifetime and must face her past to give 100% to this big break. She did not count on meeting Shona the cinematographer or how her heart might find life. This story is full of way too many women living in their head instead of speaking their truth. There is some character drama both main and strong support women. So many chapters trying to find the courage to share their heart. A very forgiving time between high school friends. So much drama I was not sure anyone would get together. The middle is so important to the last chapters in the book which just makes the story precious. A very easy read that touches the heart. I received an ARC copy but loved the story enough to purchase for my to be read again pile!