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Playing with Fire
Lesfic Bard Award for Romance 2021
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention
Michaela is driven by ambition and her vast creative fire burns for expression, acknowledgement and acclaim. Kim has been there, knows the cost, and has lost the spark of inspiration she once had. Their chance meeting and growing friendship sets in motion a series of events that leads them through loss and heartbreak onto new paths of discovery. How will they finally put the past behind them to find their peace and place in the world?
2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention
Michaela is driven by ambition and her vast creative fire burns for expression, acknowledgement and acclaim. Kim has been there, knows the cost, and has lost the spark of inspiration she once had. Their chance meeting and growing friendship sets in motion a series of events that leads them through loss and heartbreak onto new paths of discovery. How will they finally put the past behind them to find their peace and place in the world?
503 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2021
10 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 29, 2021
Playing with fire is this author’s debut novel and I hope it’s the first of many. Set in Cape Town at the tip of the African continent it follows a trope which most authors in this genre tend to avoid. Two couples in long term relationships coming to a bitter end. Hang on there is a happy ending. The rich texture of the characters is what makes this story so engaging. Not just the mains but also the secondary characters especially the oldest of them Sophia. Well done Sue! Next please!
September 11, 2022
Fantastic debut novel
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: award-winning book, newbie author, non-US/UK setting, favorite trope, unusual job; UNICORN: 400+ pages (possibly other categories)
Two women had a chance meeting that led to several life changes. Michaela, a gifted artist that used a couple of different mediums, was in a healthy relationship with Issa, while Kim, a writer, was in an unhealthy one with Marilyn. Marilyn was a cruel, vindictive, and insecure person who frequently accused Kim of cheating on her. She came up with a scheme to ruin Kim and Michaela's friendship that resulted in a devastating impact for each of them. It didn't take much time for Michaela and Kim to sort things out and rely on their deep friendship again.
Once things settled down, both women made the decision to move away from South Africa and make other big changes in their lives. Michaela went to college in Boston, Massachusetts for an art degree while Kim moved to Scotland to return focus on her writing career. Unfortunately, both had finally admitted to being in love with each other, and wished that they could be together.
The story covered significant events and people in their lives, many of whom were mutual friends. They had a few opportunities where they ended up seeing each other, mostly in passing, but they continued living their lives separated by the Atlantic Ocean.
Nothing more will be revealed because it was a really worthy read. I had a little bit of confusion between chapters 34 and 35 because I didn't realize that an unknown amount of time had passed, but I finally figured it out. It was was such a beautiful, well-written story that it was understandable why it was an award-winning novel.
This was my second Sue Graham novel that I read, but it was her debut novel. I was already a big fan when I read it, and I will definitely read her future books.
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: award-winning book, newbie author, non-US/UK setting, favorite trope, unusual job; UNICORN: 400+ pages (possibly other categories)
Two women had a chance meeting that led to several life changes. Michaela, a gifted artist that used a couple of different mediums, was in a healthy relationship with Issa, while Kim, a writer, was in an unhealthy one with Marilyn. Marilyn was a cruel, vindictive, and insecure person who frequently accused Kim of cheating on her. She came up with a scheme to ruin Kim and Michaela's friendship that resulted in a devastating impact for each of them. It didn't take much time for Michaela and Kim to sort things out and rely on their deep friendship again.
Once things settled down, both women made the decision to move away from South Africa and make other big changes in their lives. Michaela went to college in Boston, Massachusetts for an art degree while Kim moved to Scotland to return focus on her writing career. Unfortunately, both had finally admitted to being in love with each other, and wished that they could be together.
The story covered significant events and people in their lives, many of whom were mutual friends. They had a few opportunities where they ended up seeing each other, mostly in passing, but they continued living their lives separated by the Atlantic Ocean.
Nothing more will be revealed because it was a really worthy read. I had a little bit of confusion between chapters 34 and 35 because I didn't realize that an unknown amount of time had passed, but I finally figured it out. It was was such a beautiful, well-written story that it was understandable why it was an award-winning novel.
This was my second Sue Graham novel that I read, but it was her debut novel. I was already a big fan when I read it, and I will definitely read her future books.
September 23, 2021
This book was very well written. The subject didn’t appeal to me but I was intrigued by the high ratings.
It was a bit depressing to read. I guess we are all wanting to read stories that lift our moods and you really have to wait until the last page to get your reward.
I felt sad reading the book most of the time, wishing it would end already and everything would be ok. I think the author writes beautifully, but it is not the type of story I want to read. Having said that, I recommend it just for the fact that the writing is excellent.
It was a bit depressing to read. I guess we are all wanting to read stories that lift our moods and you really have to wait until the last page to get your reward.
I felt sad reading the book most of the time, wishing it would end already and everything would be ok. I think the author writes beautifully, but it is not the type of story I want to read. Having said that, I recommend it just for the fact that the writing is excellent.
October 16, 2021
All the things…
There was so much in this book, I might have to read it again just to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Two women at different places in their lives meet and feel a connection. Both have the fire of creativity inside them. Both have been beaten down with negativity in the past. Both are in relationships. So friendship it is…right? They are drawn together by something ageless, something ethereal, something almost frightening. Most of all they are pulled to each other by something too strong to ignore. I hope you read this book and feel just a tiny spark of what these characters feel.
There was so much in this book, I might have to read it again just to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Two women at different places in their lives meet and feel a connection. Both have the fire of creativity inside them. Both have been beaten down with negativity in the past. Both are in relationships. So friendship it is…right? They are drawn together by something ageless, something ethereal, something almost frightening. Most of all they are pulled to each other by something too strong to ignore. I hope you read this book and feel just a tiny spark of what these characters feel.
July 11, 2021
Wow! Saw this book recommended on a Facebook page and when I read the description, I wasn’t sure if I would like it. Thankfully, I did read it.
This was a well written book that tells a unique story. There are several well thought out characters in this book. You feel like you are engaged in their lives, happiness and heartbreaks. This is a story told of a true deep love that develops from friendship. Some people are brought into our lives to teach us things, some people are brought into our lives for us to live and be loved by them
This was a well written book that tells a unique story. There are several well thought out characters in this book. You feel like you are engaged in their lives, happiness and heartbreaks. This is a story told of a true deep love that develops from friendship. Some people are brought into our lives to teach us things, some people are brought into our lives for us to live and be loved by them
August 8, 2021
I have just finished Playing with Fire, and what a satifying, good read! Rich believeable characters, and a great warm flow of a story. I loved the picture of Cape Town that it painted, as well as the interesting and insightful views into the world of artists, creatives.
While the characters go on difficult and diverging journeys, the ending is wonderful ... hopefully the start of another journey, dear author!
While the characters go on difficult and diverging journeys, the ending is wonderful ... hopefully the start of another journey, dear author!
July 10, 2024
Kim and Michaela meet and immediately click. Kim is an established author and Michaela is an aspiring artist with her 1st show coming up.Kim is married to Marilyn and Michaela has a long term partner in Isabelle. This book takes you on a journey of love, betrayal, awakening, sadness, life! Sue Graham has done a magnificent job of keeping readers entertained. A FAVORITE!Should be more than 5 stars!
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July 20, 2021Beautiful Story
The story the author tells is lyrical and beautiful. This is a story about finding your place in the world and being able to recognize it. Wonderful story!
The story the author tells is lyrical and beautiful. This is a story about finding your place in the world and being able to recognize it. Wonderful story!
July 28, 2021
Captivating!
I absolutely love this book. The plot flowed nicely, and the characters were beautifully written. Can’t wait to read more stories by this author!
I absolutely love this book. The plot flowed nicely, and the characters were beautifully written. Can’t wait to read more stories by this author!
August 24, 2021
5 stars
5 stars, it was great to followed the lives of the characters. Only wish I have was to see what punishment Marilyn had received.
5 stars, it was great to followed the lives of the characters. Only wish I have was to see what punishment Marilyn had received.
February 12, 2022
not a fan
Characters were for the most part flat. Michaela and Kim are both artists. So of course they must be special, because no one except artists are special. Which is how michaela at least excuses her selfishness. She’s not really a catch of a person, she’s not supportive of her SO, she just mouths platitudes without taking action.
I made it 63% of the way through the book and then gave up. The only character I really liked, ‘Isabella’ was at that point broken, and growing ‘harsh and cold’ or something. Frankly, Isabella deserved better from every single character in this book, and seeing the writing on the wall was enough that I flipped through the last chapter or two, saw where the road ended and decided it wasn’t worth the drive.
Characters were for the most part flat. Michaela and Kim are both artists. So of course they must be special, because no one except artists are special. Which is how michaela at least excuses her selfishness. She’s not really a catch of a person, she’s not supportive of her SO, she just mouths platitudes without taking action.
I made it 63% of the way through the book and then gave up. The only character I really liked, ‘Isabella’ was at that point broken, and growing ‘harsh and cold’ or something. Frankly, Isabella deserved better from every single character in this book, and seeing the writing on the wall was enough that I flipped through the last chapter or two, saw where the road ended and decided it wasn’t worth the drive.
September 25, 2021
This book pushes so many buttons. A alcoholic lover who in her delusions, decides to hurt others in the worst way possible. Coming out the other side is not easy. It is a very difficult, thought provoking read.
June 29, 2021
Brilliant book, and a fantastic debut! I look forward to seeing what the author brings us next.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews