Surfacing Again: A short contemporary lesbian romance

by A.L. Lester

Melinda is staying on Lindisfarne for a Christmas break with her old friend when an unexpected argument leaves her alone for the holiday.

It's the first Christmas since her mother died and the island's peace and wild tranquillity bring balm to her wounded heart. Two chance meetings, first with a pair of wary otters and then with cafe-owner Rowan, bring her genuine joy.

Will her tentative relationship with Rowan survive the end of her holiday and the turning of the year?

A short sapphic Christmas story. With otters.

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Short Stories, Queer, Contemporary, Christmas

43 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2021

About the author

Hi! I write queer, paranormal, historical, romantic suspense, mostly, with some contemporary short stories and novellas thrown in. I live in the middle of nowhere in the south west of England with Mr AL, my family, various animals, a rewilding native woodland and a regenerating orchard. I like permaculture gardening but I don't really have time or energy these days. I'm not musical, I don’t much like telly, I like to read. I'm non-binary. I'm chronically disabled and have fibromyalgia and seizures. My pronouns are she/they.

Subscribe to my newsletter for monthly-ish updates and an exclusive story. Find my self-published stories on itch.io and my publisher-work at JMS Books. Find me on social media at BlueSky.

I also write higher-heat contemporary gay romance as Frances Fox.

Reviews

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick short story. Adorable otters involved. Attraction sparking for two I'm assuming late 30s early 40s ladies? One states it was 20 years since college. Nothing explicit on the page / fade to black. Both have had their hearts broken before and want something real. But it's hard to pack In a lot of emotions with a short. But still charming.

[A. L. Lester]

Out now! A short sapphic Christmassy romance set on Lindisfarne, with cute otters, fairy lights, ginger biscuits and cinnamon and apple muffins.

[Holly Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Otters! This is such a lovely tale, a slow-building romance between Lin and Rowan. It doesn't take long to read, but I sat snuggled up and just enjoyed the cosy feeling - the cold wind of the sea, the warmth of Rowan's cafe, and Rowan herself of course. I loved the descriptions of Lindisfarne so much I now want to go there 😊 Sweet, cosy, holiday story!

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, mildly Christmassy, and very quick read :)

[Sadie Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carrying on the theme of seasonally-themed fluff (frankly all my brain can take right now), A.L. Lester's Surfacing Again is a sapphic romance set on Lindisfarne at Christmas. Lin is staying on the island for the holiday, but when the friend she was with storms off after an argument, taking the turkey with her, it looks like being a lonely time. But then Lin meets Rowan, owner of the local cafe, and things start looking up.

This is short and sweet, and made me long to visit Lindisfarne again. (One day...) Definitely recommended as festive light reading.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story! The whole backdrop and atmosphere of Lindisfarne was enchanting, with the friendly otters adding to the joy. The tentative start to the central relationship was charming and the subtle use of the Christmas theme worked a treat. An atmospheric gem of a tale!

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - This is the only one of these Celtic Myth retellings by Lester that isn’t on hoopla, but I was happy to buy it, because I’ve really enjoyed all the rest. It’s a sweet and gentle Christmas holidays on vacation away from home story, and was just lovely.

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Surfacing Again” is a short contemporary lesbian love story. It’s part of A.L. Lesters “Celtic Myth” tales. This one comes just in time for the holiday season with a couple of cute otters.

Melinda aka Lin had agreed to a Christmas vacation with her friend Justine. She has feelings for Justine but had always kept them secret. But things don’t go so well and Justine angrily leaves. None of the issue is Lin’s fault but only the fault of Justine.

Being on her own Lin decides to finish out the vacation on the island of Lindisfarne. It’s a busy touristy island but once the tourist are gone Lin sees the beauty and peace of Lindisfarne. For peace of mind she wanders down to the shore of the North Sea and has a beautiful discovery of Otters.

Lins exploring of Lindisfarne leads her to a small cafe where she’s invited in by the owner, Rowan. They find a new friendship with each other and make plans to explore the wonders of castles and priories. As they spend the short time together, Christmas is upon them and Rowan invites Lin to celebrate Christmas with her family. But Lin will need to return home soon. Can this sweet love affair survive beyond the short time they have left?

As always A.L. Lester doesn’t disappoint with her romantic descriptions of Lindsfarne, the shore of the North Sea, castles and monasteries. And of course the cute otters! The tale all adds up to a wonderful romance to make “Surfacing Again” the perfect, little story for the holiday season!!

I love these little Celtic tales!! As always with the “Celtic Myths” A.L. Lester provides history in “About St. Cuthbert and Lindisfarne” at the closing of the tale!

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sapphic romance? Christmas romance? Lindisfarne setting? Otters?! Sign me up!

This was a lovely short story about a chance Christmas meeting on Lindisfarne, an island off the coast of Northumberland which is only accessible during low tide. This was the perfect setting for a Celtic-inspired tale, and gave the story a mystical atmosphere.

📚Read this and other reviews on my blog!📚

Both of our main characters are dreading Christmas for different reasons; Melinda because it’s the first Christmas since her mother passed away, Rowan because it’s her first Christmas as a single woman for a long time. Seeing them meet and create their own Christmas celebrations was so festive and heart-warming! Even though the story is a short one you can’t help but root for them both.

This was a great little read, perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit!

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about respite and healing realizations and otters who are obviously symbolic but also just utterly delightful otters, whose gentle playfulness is all good things, rolled into one. I loved the simplicity of the story, which really turns on pivotal moments that seem small but make huge differences, like a conversation had years after it should have been or the decision to stop in a particular shop at a particular time. I also really love the author’s prose style, which feels deeply meditative but not overwhelmingly so, as in this moment when Lin thinks about the nature of love and longing: “periodic appearances had tugged at Lin’s heartstrings… but the strings were only there because Lin had got into the habit of leaving them tied. Now she’d realized the knots were tighter on her end than Justine’s… she could just undo them and let Justine go.”

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Susan Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is immunocompromised, traveling is permanently off my to-do list, so I enjoy stories set in foreign locations. I especially like A.L. Lester’s little contemporary Celtic myths and their newest, Surfacing Again, is no exception.. Also, I’ve been in love with otters, the kitties of the sea, since a visit to Vancouver’s aquarium, well before the world changed. All of which says this was another delight to read. Lin is a strong character who takes chances when appropriate. Rowan is more of a homebody, living in a small village to be near her sister and family. I think I’ve done both, taking chances and putting family first at different times in my life. A sweet read for the holidays. I received a copy of Surfacing Again by A.L. Lester from the author and Booksirens and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ru · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a lovely short story! Like all of the other stories in the Celtic myths series, there is a strong sense of hopefulness and care. The Christmas theme is gentle and quiet, and worked really well for me, giving a very strong sense of place and time, linking in well with the setting on Lindisfarne. The relationship was gentle and sweet, and I woukd very happily read much more of them! But for me, one of the best joys of this series is the sense that the relationship is just beginning and their future together is to be discovered.

Also the otters were absolutely adorable!

*I received a free ARC and I have chosen to leave a review*

[WY_reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surfacing Again is a short and sweet Christmas novella. Lin finds herself alone on the island of Lindisfarne after arguing with her close friend. Content to watch the otters and explore the ruins, Lin finds unexpected kinship and companionship with the owner of the small bakery. Rowan is quirky, warm, and just what Lin needs to enjoy the holidays again. The relationship development is quick, but sweet, and Surfacing Again is ultimately a cozy, well-written holiday read.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy for free and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, Christmas-y story... with otters! *laughs*

Part of the Lester's Celtic Myths tales, this is sweet and dreamy and perfect for this time of the year. A romance growing at the shore of the North Sea, under the shadow of old monasteries and impressive castles, and blooming at Christmas. Simply delightful :D

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otterly delightful. Ha! Of course I went there!

A lovely, simple story about two women meeting and taking an instant shine to one another and letting themselves be open to where that takes them. I enjoyed the writing style and the lack of angst in this short work as well as the remote English setting at Christmas time.

I would consider reading more by this author.

[RjS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written snapshot of the start of a relationship. Loved the otters - and would love the recipes for Rowan’s baking. An idyllic and gentle
Christmas romantic tale.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Robin Kenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet short.

A.L. Lester has a way with words that draws one in and keeps them there! This sweet love story grabbed my attention on page one and did not release me until it was done.

[Donna Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and delightful

[Carole Damoci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Very cute little story. I have no idea how someone could live in place like that. I guess it proves you can find love anywhere.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story. Being brave, reaching out (and setting limits) and being rewarded.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet short

Warm story of new beginnings. Lin went away to relax but found instead a new lease on life. Otter and friendly bakers can make all the difference!

[MelissaBu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story to read. Lin life changes for the good after she spend her time on the island and with Rowan. A nice read for the holidays.