A messy break up can only be healed by the best of friends.
Coming out in a rural Kansas town was never something Jewel thought she’d do, especially as the newly-minuted music teacher. She finds adversity everywhere she looks, except one. Her best friend, Lea, has always been the supportive backbone she’s needed. When her boyfriend breaks up with her, Jewel needs Lea more than ever.
When Jewel dives deep into finding love and tries to drag Lea with her, she can’t help but wonder if the perfect person is right in front of her. Breaking down the walls Lea has put up for decades is not easy, but Jewel is determined to be the one person Lea can always trust. What she doesn’t expect is for music to strike a chord with the science teacher.
Adrian J. Smith has been publishing since 2013 but has been writing nearly her entire life. With a focus on women loving women fiction, AJ jumps genres from action-packed police procedurals to the seedier life of vampires and witches to sweet romances with a May-December twist. She loves writing and reading about women in the midst of the ordinariness of life. Two of her novels, For by Grace and Memoir in the Making, received honorable mentions with the Rainbow Awards.
AJ currently lives in Cheyenne, WY, although she moves often and has lived all over the United States. She loves to travel to different countries and places. She currently plays the roles of author, wife, and mother to two rambunctious kids, occasional handy-woman. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, or her blog.
This is the second book of the Indigo B&B series and it's a best friends to lovers romance, a trope that I typically like so I enjoyed this though not everything about it.
This book isn't high on angst but the romance isn't straightforward either because the characters needed time to come to terms with their feelings, especially since one of the characters, Jewel, was fresh out of a straight relationship and the other character, Lea, had many considerations being in an open lesbian relationship in a small conservative town. I think what Adrian J. Smith did well was to create the romantic tension and I could feel the longing and romantic chemistry between the characters and this was what kept me interested and invested in the story.
But while I can picture Jewel and Lea as a couple, I thought they were an odd pair as best friends. One, they have a huge age gap that made it weird that they could supposedly connect so well. Two, even though they spend a considerable amount of time together, I actually think their interactions were pretty superficial and I don't think they know each other well at all. Perhaps they were better as friends before they had an awareness of their romantic feelings for one another, but that would have been off the pages as they were super awkward around one another for most of the book.
That being said, I still enjoyed my time with this. I like Smith's style of writing a story and have liked every book of hers that I've read so far.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
After I totally loved the first book in this series I was very curious about book two. First of all I am just in love with the covers of this series and could look at them for hours. 🥰
An age-gap, friends to lovers story sounded perfect and I didn’t get disappointed. The book actually starts in the most funny way. Just the first sentence was enough for me to know that I will love this book.
At first Jewel the by 15 years younger of the two seems to be a bit immature. But at the same time she has lots of fire and definitely doesn’t hesitate to speak up ☺️. One thing I totally loved about her. Azalea on the other hand (or Lea how Jewel calls her) is way more serious. She actually is too serious when she is around others. But when she is with Jewel we get to see a different side. It‘s a side only her dear friend Eli also gets to see. Eli who we got to know in book one, but I will get back to this a bit later in my review.
At the beginning both actually believe they are not more than friends and they don’t even know that the other is interested in women. Add Jewel only getting out from her last relationship, them living in a small town, where people are still not out and proud, and you will know that this won’t be a book where they hop into bed with each other very early in the book. No Adrian J. Smith gifts us with something she is incredible in, which is the most wonderful slow-burn story.
I just loved how Jewel slowly realised having romantic feelings for her best friend and how she tries everything to make these feelings go away. Lea on the other hand is totally oblivious to Jewel‘s growing feelings which was so sweet to witness.
When Lea has the idea of them spending their spring holiday at Eli‘s ranch indigo, it gets more and more difficult for Jewel to hide how she feels. Especially when you add the very observant Eli, who wants nothing more for her friend Lea to find happiness. 🥰 I loved to see Eli again and the moments she had with both of them. It felt like coming home to a place got to love so much.
As magical their time at Indigo is, a life together back home doesn’t seem to be in the cards for them. At least not if you ask Lea. The question is how long she can resist her best friend. Will it be sooner or later? Once or twice I definitely wanted to shake Lea and make her act. This also seems to be something Adrian likes to do. Making you wanting to shake characters. LOL Thank god Jewel likes to take things into her own hands. ☺️
And this is where I‘m going to stop with my review. I definitely recommend to read Jewel‘s & Lea’s story and if you haven’t read the first book Indigo: Blue you just need to read this one too. Both books can be read as a standalone but for me it makes more sense to read them in order. I am already looking forward to book three and whatever else Adrian J. Smith is going to offer. She is definitely one of my favourite authors by now. 🥰
I received an advance reader copy from the author and voluntarily leaving a review.
Stand alone - would have liked more of Eli & Sarah from book one, but this was like running through quick sand. Didn’t seem to get anywhere near the ending promised…
I loved the first novel in this series but it is worth noting that ‘Indigo Nights’ can be read as a standalone. Something I really love about Smith’s writing style is how sincere and fully thought out all of the characters are and ‘Nights’ accentuates this within the friendship of Jewel and Lea. The book opens with Jewel’s breakup from her boyfriend and as with all emotional events, she leans on her friend and the two of them embark on a getaway at Indigo ranch. As with most romances, the truest and most poignant of feelings come from those who are right under our nose but Jewel’s epiphany doesn’t come easy. I really appreciated the way Smith handles the friends to lovers trope with delicate care and the harsh realities of a smaller town environment. As with the first novel in this series there is a tight focus on the main characters and their complicated experiences of love and friendship but also a theme of hopefulness for the future, despite any pain that came beforehand. A really beautiful and sweet read.
*Indigo: Nights (Indigo B&B Book 2) *Author Adrian J. Smith *MC Jewel & Lea aka Azalea
The book opens with Jewel receiving an upsetting text message. After her relationship comes to an end, Jewell is ready for a change. Her best friend Lea is there to help her pick up the pieces.
Sometimes what we need is right in front of us, but we are to busy paying attention to everything else around us. Jewel seems to have this epiphany, and realizes the love she’s always wanted was right in front of her. Lea is afraid of change, and didn’t want to endure the scrutiny of a small town. This story follows the beautiful friendship between Jewel and Lea, and the changes and feelings that neither one expected.
Indigo Nights is a true friends to lovers story, about not letting our past define our future. And taking chances, so we don’t miss an opportunity for love.
I highly recommend this book. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I would like to thank the Author for the Arc!! The book is available June 6 , 2022
This is the second book in the Indigo series, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it a lot! While it can be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading Indigo: Blues first. This book is a delightful age-gap, friends to lovers romance. A bonus was that both mains are teachers! Being a teacher myself, I love when a sapphic book features teachers! Best friends Jewel and Lea are close and when Jewel gets dumped, Lea is there to help her pick up the pieces. The setting in a closed-minded small town added an interesting dynamic to the overall plot as well as the different generations coming out in said small town. I enjoyed witnessing Jewel and Lea's transition from friends to lovers and the little bit of angst that was involved in it. The relationship development was believable and entertaining. I can't wait for book 3 in this series.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story is set in the Indigo Blues setting. And Nights is just as good as Blues. Jewel has been dumped by her boyfriend. She has a melt down in front of the town at the grocery store and tells him off. Her best friend Lea comes to console her. Lea is several years older. I just love an age gap. Lea is who help Jewel get her job at the school. Lea had felt something for Jewel when she first came to town. But gave up those hopes. Lea thinks she will always be alone living in the small town. Jewel realizes she cares more for Lea than she thought. Adrian does a wonderful job telling the coming together of these two lonely souls. She does bring Eli along for a part. It is an easy book to read. Enjoyable. At different parts I yelled at Jewel, then yelling at Lea. To me both are very likable. Adrian just has a great way to tell a story. I did receive an ARC but these are my own thoughts.
This is the second book in the Indigo series, I enjoyed the first one so much that I am glad that I finally got to read this one! Adrian is my favorite author and her book is always a delight and this one is just as excellent as I expected from her. It is a very slow burn love story with age gap and small town setting, the couple, both small town public school teachers, are endearing and very likable. Jewel, the young music teacher, is bold and brave and passionate, while her love interest Lea, the older science teacher, is more reserved and wise and witty. Their friends to lovers' story is heartwarming and sweet and I love every moment of their back and forth tango of romance. I am also happy to read a little bit more about Eli, the MC from the first book, and the former student of Lea, about their long lasting friendship.
I received an ARC of this book in return for leaving an honest review.
The flow of the story is very well put together and the characters are well suited together, even if there is a lot of “drama” between them.
The first sentence of this story had me feeling angry! Not at the author, but at the immature childish guy who texted that message to his girlfriend!
It turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Jewel. She is a spit fire and doesn’t take his cowardness sitting down. She confronts him in the parking lot of the grocery store in their small town and then enters her best friend Lea.
Lea heard about the incident when she received a phone call from someone telling her about the interaction.
Jewel and Lea spend a lot of time together with Jewel crying and angry and Lea comforting her. Throughout the story, Lea and Jewel interact with each other with Lea being her safety harbor.
Lea is gay but is deeply in the closet and afraid to come out in their small town for fear she will lose her job as a teacher that she’s had for 20 years. She always goes out of town, where she can’t be recognized for her trysts with other women.
The story revolves around these two women with the pitiful ex-boyfriend trying to hit on Lea and then being with another woman to try and make them both jealous.
Jewel eventually comes to the realization that she has feelings for Lea. She tries to act on them, but Lea shuts her down. She doesn’t want to be Jewel’s “experiment” and get her heart broken. Yes, she has had feelings for Jewel for a long time but keeps them buried.
Jewel is persistent, even though she has no clue about Lea’s feelings. The story continues with Jewel and Lea spending time together and Jewel realizing that she does love Lea as more than a friend. Jewel spends a lot of time angry at her ex and Lea just comforts her.
Both women are prominent in this story with Lea always picking up the pieces of Jewel’s life.
Will they eventually get together with Lea’s fears and Jewel’s whining? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
This is book 2 of the Indigo B&B series, and I am loving the series so much.
Jewel is struggling with a breakup but her best friend Lea is there to help. They have been best friends for a while and Jewel has had a crush on her friend for as long as she can remember but she hasn’t been brave enough to speak up, adding to the fact she is the newest teacher in a small rural town. Lea has built thick high walls for decades and breaking them down won’t be easy. What happens when you discover that what you might have needed all this time has been always in front of you? This is a friends to lovers and age-gap story. I liked this book very much. I enjoyed Adrian’s writing style very much. The plot is well developed. I like how things were evolving between Azalea (Lea) and Jewel, the pace is excellent. She let the realisation of the shift in their friendship and feelings move along in a very organic way. It is very charming the way the author tells the story, it’s easy to get invested in the story.
There was one thing that drove me crazy though, Brady was starting to get on my nerves, two words, restraining order. Also, there were moments I thought they needed a shake to get them to talk, it’s funny when I want to yell at the characters, but that gives you an idea of how engaging the book is.
I like them both, Lea being the mature one but fighting some demons and Jewel younger and immature, full of life and hopes. Both are very likeable and their chemistry is tangible and strong. Loved the ending.
This is a very enjoyable romance, and one I'd like to recommend
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Adrian Smith’s Indigo Nights pairs Azalea or “Lea,” a 20-year science teacher, with Jewel, who’s been leading the school’s music programs for five years.
The two are best friends, each spending countless hours together, whether sharing meals, attending events, watching movies, or being an enthusiastic cheerleader or pitch perfect sounding board.
So, when Jewel’s boyfriend Brady tactlessly dumps her via text, it’s Lea’s shoulder she cries on.
And it’s also Lea who stands by Jewel when the boorish ex-boyfriend asks Lea on a date and then — when Lea says no — suggests that the two women are more than best friends.
The breakup, Brady’s insults, and Jewel’s trial online date — with a woman — tip the pair’s unwavering friendship, inducing doubt and tension.
At the same time, Lea begins to question if it’s time to peek out of the closet she’s been hiding in, and Jewel starts seeing Lea as her beautiful, funny, smart, loyal, and softly-lipped best friend.
Smith makes the characters work to remake their relationship and sends them on spring break to Eli’s Indigo ranch.
The book takes a look at living in a small, conservative, and gossipy community and how attitudes have (or maybe haven’t) changed between Lea’s young adulthood and Jewel’s.
I read this for the I Heart Sapphic 2025 Reading Challenge for the prompt Vacation/Travel.
This book was amazing. From now on I have a feeling I’m going to sound like a broken record as I review this author’s other books.
Quick Thoughts: - First and foremost, I adore this cover. In fact I adore covers to this whole series after I took a closer look at them - I loved this pairing and the set up was a blast. Don’t know why I love an age gap teacher/teacher pairing so much - Brady can jump off a cliff then crawl back up it and jump off again - Eli! She was great in this book and I loved seeing her - Going back to Indigo B&B was a treat. I still wish I could find someplace like that to hide out in - As a rule, I’m not a big fan of small town romances. I either get claustrophobic or it seems a bit suspicious when just about everyone seems to be accepting. But somehow Adrian J. Smith made me love this place and these people. Even Bridget is growing on me - Loved the easy friendship Jewel and Lea have. It felt inevitable that they fall in love - The whole ending bit from the talking about who might be spreading rumors was a hoot - So the reason I took off half a star is that after they get back from Indigo, the way that Lea seemed to think/resolve something in her head about their growing relationship, then in the next scene it’s like that bit of the book didn’t happen. It felt very disjointed - Quinn Riley is an amazing narrator and everyone should listen to her
Overall I loved this book. It’s fun going back to Adrian J. Smith’s earlier works and see her grow as an author. I’m delighted I have so many more books to read by her.
Another small town romance, this features Jewel and Azalea, or Lea, as Jewel calls her. Both are teachers but Jewel is newer to the town and 15 years younger. Lea mentored her during student teaching. This starts with Jewel being unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend.
The women are attracted from the beginning but unsure of how the other feels. They both value their friendship, and Lea doesn’t want to lose it if things don’t work out. Jewel, perhaps because she’s 15 years younger, doesn’t have the same trepidations.Lea doesn’t want to move, isn’t sure how they would be accepted, and thus worries about losing her job. When they take a vacation at Indigo, both realize they have feelings that are more than friendship. Lea’s caution and concerns really resonated with me, the one step forward and one back, with all the fears she had at coming out in a small town.
For me, this story was really heartfelt and touching. I loved Eli and Sarah but I connected more with Lea and Jewel. I was shocked by something Lea did at the end, but it was amusing, and showed other dimensions to her character.
First and foremost, I received a free copy of this book (ARC) and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am not a huge fan of friends-to-lovers romances, but on occasion, I find one that does a great job of making the friendship and the ensuing romance feel authentic. Indigo: Nights accomplishes this task really well. I absolutely loved the friendship of Lea (Azalea) and Jewel, and them recognizing the underlying attraction they'd had for one another didn't feel forced. The age gap added an element to the relationship with them both being teachers in a small town and how different generations have dealt with coming out (or not coming out). You can read the book as a standalone, though I think reading Indigo: Blues first adds a bit to it, since some of the same characters show up in this one here and there. I am certainly looking forward to the third book in this series, as I thought Indigo: Nights was even better than its predecessor, Indigo: Blues. So give this book a read, you'll be glad you did!
This sequel to Indigo Blues is a good followup, but it does have flaws. It has a good story line & likeable, believable characters. The line & copy editing are solid, but I feel it needs some development editing. I felt there was too much repetition in the internal conflicts both protagonists struggle with. They have fallen in love with each other, but the story depends on painful past experiences and related fears and insecurities to repeatedly prevent them from engaging in a romantic relationship. When they do finally overcome these barriers, the reasons for shifts were not very clear to me.
As a result, there is relatively little dramatic tension. Usually I find myself getting increasingly engaged in most novels as the plot moves closer to resolution, but that didn't happen with this story. If anything, my emotional engagement diminished a little as the story progressed.
Still, it was an enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
Book 2 adds the age-gap, friends-to-lovers genre to the Indigo collection.
Enter Lea (Azalea) and Jewel, best friends for the 5 years that they have been workmates, teaching together. After a break-up with her boyfriend, Jewel begins to see Lea in a different light to that of her friend. Why is it Lea has never dated (that Jewel knows of)? Suspecting Lea might be gay and realizing that all she's ever wanted in a relationship is right in front of her, Jewel sets out to make it happen. Lea however is resistant, she has so many concerns that need to be overcome. Enter Eli from Book 1.
What a gem Eli is!! Eli was taught at school by Lea and is one of the few people who know Lea's sexuality, having received Lea's help and guidance to accept her own sexuality and come out to her family and loved ones in her teen years. If anyone can help Lea overcome her self-imposed obstacles and find happiness it is Eli.
A lovely story that will take you on a ride full of ups and downs. Returning to Eli and Indigo B&B feels like coming home :)
I came into this book having not read the first and although it’s a standalone I wish I’d read in order. So I’ll get book 1 then re-read this again. A delicious slow burn with an age gap, plus friends to lovers this story should entice most readers. Living in a conservative town hinders Lea from being open and keeps her blinkered whilst being in a straight relationship… till she wasn’t, stopped Jewel, so neither can see what was in front of them the the whole time. Navigating from friends to lovers isn’t easy though. Another great book by Adrian. I need desperately need to go and buy book 1 now.
Jewel and Lea i’ve been friends for five years. They both teach in the same school Joel teaches music and Lea teaches science. There is a 15 year gap in their ages but they have been very close friends. The plot revolves around how they go from friends to more than friends. There is a lot of emotion in this book and also love. Neither jewel or Lea, can’t get over the fear of being in a relationship so they try to avoid it each other but that doesn’t work and then they worry about the effect on the small community they live in. I found the book very interesting and I recommend it for all romance readers.
Indigo: Nights is such a great love story!! It has a very realistic plot and Lea and Jewel are both amazing. I'm a sucker for friends to lovers, and the way to discovery with these ladies was beautiful to read! I can't imagine living in a small, conservative town like the one in the book, but Adrian did a fantastic job fleshing out the setting. And of course, scenes with Eli are always welcome! She's great comic relief and a bit of a cupid I think. I loved the ending, and can't wait for the 3rd in series.
Lea an older woman who had to hide her sexuality when growing up. As a teacher for twenty year she loves her students but more than that she loved her friendship with Jewel. Jewel a music teacher had a bad break up with her boyfriend and ran to Lea for help. Jewel realized that she was really in love with Lea the problem is how can she tell her and not loose the friendship they have because she think Lea is straight. A beautiful story of two women trying to figure out what will happen if they do get together.
I enjoyed this book but not quite as much as the first in the series, I have read the third one as well which is my favourite so far. The books are all well written and engaging and everyone will have their own personal favourites depending on how they relate personally to them. This is a friends to lovers which I do not usually enjoy as much but having said that you could really see why they had not gone down this route earlier which made the difference between whether it was believable or not. I did not however understand what happened to make the transition, one minute there were the valid reasons why they should not get romantically involved and the next minute things moved on, but nothing seemed to happen to get it there. I am really loving this series and enjoying the differences between all the different characters, I would think there is something for everyone in the series somewhere. Keep up the good work Adrian.
It gave a close-up view to what it is like to have a lesbian relationship in a small conservative town. I could relate to all the fears and concerns about getting outed. I grew up in central Montana in the 60’s and 70’s and had the same problem with gossips and worries about losing my job or my housing. I’m glad they were able to work out a plan together that they both were satisfied with.
Jule and Lia's friendship probably always had a love that couldn't be explained, and both are either afraid to lose it, or feel devasted if they didn't find out if there wasn't something more. Poor Jule is about to go through torture after she realizes how deep her love is for Lia. And the shared history between Eli and Lia is really special. I love having Eli as this matriarch that has this eye into everything going on and can tell folks like it is. This could be the epitome of the Indigo Series and how I imagine Eli being a player in things that change course between potential lovers. I could listen to this story, especially the middle, again. Of course, if you need a small town fix, this has it because some business gets all around town fast. Is this love or a rebound? This story reminds me of when I read Meeting Millie Meeting Millie. How many times is "love" brought up – without the person saying it admitting and giving into the true depth of their love?
I really love that they were best friends. Jewel's ex Brady was a little kreepy, but the rest was just an awesome love story. I am really enjoying all the Indigo book series so far.
I love Indigo b&b series. This one is no exception. The plot and the layout is splendid. The characters are lovable and i just didn't want to put it down. An absolutely sweet read.
There may have been a few times when I wanted to strangle both main characters. Although it was very fitting for them too so there is that. I love Eli and her no nonsense way of just telling it how it is. Totally made me laugh a few times.