When the Coastguard are called to a stranded sailboat in the Gulf of Lion, the last thing Team Leader Louka Scott expects to find is a woman whose allure and charm make her forget to breathe. If she let her, Elizabeth would threaten her carefully erected walls. Louka has no intention of allowing her close.
In Provence for a summer of teaching at the Maritima archaeological centre, Oxford University lecturer Elizabeth McLean would have no such qualms. She is absolutely up for some fun on the side, and the sexy coastguard has got under her skin.
As the weeks unfold, and the two women get close, not all is as it seems.
My novels are about strong, grounded women who live, love, and thrive in adventurous worlds.
As Natalie Debrabandere, I write lesbian fiction with a romantic twist. As N.D. Shar, I dive into edgy sci-fi with kick-ass female leads and non-stop action.
If this is your first experience with my books, I hope you’ll find as much pleasure in reading them as I do in writing them.
The best way to support me? Read, review, and share—share—share! My books are available worldwide in Kindle and paperback formats on your local Amazon site.
You can contact me through my website: nataliedebrabandere.com
Maritima was the first and possibly still my most favourite book of hers until I read this one. It was absolutely lovely to come back and find Ky, Jessie and my most favourite side character Manon again and how they are faring. Even better to find both, Elisabeth and Louka making friends with them, especially Louka, who is wonderfully attentive to Manon.
With Louk and her job this picks up a line, kind off, from "One Fine Morn", but this I fell for even more. Louka's work adds the adventure and danger, thus spice to the romance in the plot plot, that is pretty cute in a lot of respects, even though the immediate sexual tension between Elisabth and Louk is more than just hot.
I read this intentionally slowly, wanting to savour every step of the wonderful development of the increasingly sweet romance between Elisabeth and Louk. The writing is really, really great and the characters come to life beautifully, even the side ones. Definitely a new addition to my top favourite shelf.
This was a nice read. The dialogue felt a bit clunky in places and it was a book I had to do in a few sittings instead of my “book in an afternoon” pace. Even so, it was enjoyable enough and the characters were likeable.
Just didn't really work for me - a recipe for a really good story, academic, heroine coastguard, disasters all over the place.... but just left me feeling So??
Her books are always amazing and this one was no different. Maybe it's because I've always had a thing for professors so I can definitely understand why Louk fell for Elizabeth. It was a great story barely any angst which I love and Louk and Elizabeth actually talked to each and communicated. Love it!
This was an ok read, but I prefer the author's sci-fi or spec fiction writing. This was your basic lesfic with a touch of angst and fighting against what the characters truly want. There were a couple of pet peeves for me such as typos and the use of 'her own self' instead of 'herself' and 'alright', but I'll put it down to being an American thing. If you are after a fast lesfic read, this will do the job.
Loved this one. The last few books I read were slow and a tad dull and this one made me feel that rush that reading a good book does. For sure a really lovely and HOT love story where the mains are super likable. 4.25 stars
This is a story about two strong women who have loved before and lost for different reasons. Because they were destroyed by past loss, they were both afraid to love again, but they find a way to connect with each other, unintentionally, but it happens as does life. By the way, the story does not dwell on past grief at all, but rather focuses on the present and the choices one makes to make life the best it can be. This is an uplifting story. This is a story that encourages the reader to seize the day and live life to it’s fullest, because we only get one go around. There’s no practicing. Make the best of every day.
3 stars. My least favorite by this author thus far. It wasn’t awful or anything. I really do like Debrabandere’s writing and I thought the characters were awesome. Elizabeth and Louka were both such headstrong and intelligent characters. I liked their chemistry and they way their relationship developed. The plot itself was super, super slow going for the first 40% something percent and by that point I was losing steam. It did pick up and had some great intense moments but then I wasn’t happy with the ending unfortunately. Three stars for Elizabeth and Louk and the wonderful romance.
Louka is the team leader for the Coast Guard and loves every thing about her work. Having sworn off relationships after being stood up at the altar she’s not ready for the beautiful English professor she rescues from a stranded ship. Elizabeth is beautiful, smart, exciting and an expert on Atlantis. Passionate romance and adventure for two strong women. Great author.
Loved it, because I it included some of the characters form the Maritima book and it brought fond memories. I could not place it as I was reading it and was like... this sounds familiar? and when I was able to place it, it was that much better.
I hope that I stumble on another one of this authors book that has Manon's expedition, that would be a great treat.
Louka is part of a coastguard rescue team. Louk and her rescue partner, Pascal, save the day for Elizabeth and friends when their boat stalls on the water. Instant attraction between Elizabeth and Louk. A delightful romance well worth a read. Recommend, you won’t be disappointed.
A real HEA with a bit of angst, a good amount of fun plus some twists. Natalie's description of the Carre area of France and the calanque's were so enticing that I went to look up pictures to better envision the world the MC's were navigating.
I enjoy Natalie's storytelling so I am now off to start "Scars and Duty" it looks very promising.
Louka and Elizabeth are both determined to never fall in love again. That is, until they meet each other, then fate has her way! Thank you to Natalie Debrabandere for giving us a sweet and satisfying love story.
The author has a great way of hooking you and keeping you totally invested in Louka and Elizabeth. Their relationship has it's struggles but it all comes together in the end. Well done!
Wow what a fantastic storyline it was quirky intense beautiful heartfelt love story I loved the main characters chemistry it shone through a definitely top 3 must read congratulations
Natalie Debrabandere does not disappoint with this love story. Drew me in and now I want to visit and explore this part of the world. Excited to read more from this author.
Great story as always. Natalie does write romances but her stories are so entertaining and well plotted that the romance aspect falls by the wayside for me. I’m amazed with each book at the amount of research she puts into developing her story lines. This was a great read start to finish. Loved it.
The characters were interesting and complex, the story was adventurous and romantic, and it's located in a beautiful place. A well written and well edited novel.
Another fantastic story by Natalie Debrabandere. Her books always keep me captivated and are written so well regardless if its a romance or SyFy. I love them!!!!
Fast paced and action pactioned. The mains are beautiful and brilliant and fun. I enjoyed the watching the romance unfold. Another great read by Debrabandere