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Slightly Addictive
Meet Gia Barone
When her girlfriend of three months expectedly dumps her, Gia decides it's time to pull the location card—again—and start over. A whim lands her in Palm Springs, where she intends to clean up her act for good. No more booze, cigarettes, or (especially) casual sex.
Enter Roxi Delgado
With her espresso-colored eyes and legs for days, Roxi is just the kind of girl Gia would normally chase. Except, she's off limits. Will a budding friendship keep Gia on the rails or cause a trainwreck?
Catch up with two people from different worlds in Palm Springs for a tale of overcoming obstacles and letting go of the past to find the future.
When her girlfriend of three months expectedly dumps her, Gia decides it's time to pull the location card—again—and start over. A whim lands her in Palm Springs, where she intends to clean up her act for good. No more booze, cigarettes, or (especially) casual sex.
Enter Roxi Delgado
With her espresso-colored eyes and legs for days, Roxi is just the kind of girl Gia would normally chase. Except, she's off limits. Will a budding friendship keep Gia on the rails or cause a trainwreck?
Catch up with two people from different worlds in Palm Springs for a tale of overcoming obstacles and letting go of the past to find the future.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2022
22 people are currently reading
1021 people want to read
About the author
A.K. Rose
12 books93 followersI grew up in the small towns and big cities of Texas, and moved West right after college to find my calling and my people. For the last twenty years, Seattle's been home, though I just recently cast it as a character in one of my books.
When we're not in a pandemic, you'll find me in the mountains, in a lake, or deep in the forest, clearing my mind in the clear air of nature.
I love to read memoirs and biographies as well as literary fiction and romance. Find me at akrosewrites.com and drop me a line at akrosewries@outlook.com.
When we're not in a pandemic, you'll find me in the mountains, in a lake, or deep in the forest, clearing my mind in the clear air of nature.
I love to read memoirs and biographies as well as literary fiction and romance. Find me at akrosewrites.com and drop me a line at akrosewries@outlook.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 16, 2022
The first sentence says it all "She started drinking to give up smoking. And she'd started sleeping around to give up drinking." Immediately I was drawn in, rooting for Gia Barone.
She is looking for a do-over in her life and acknowledgement of addiction is an important part so there she is, having picked up and moved to Palm Springs, at an AA meeting in a church hall where she meets Roxi. Both women dealing with addiction, stunted dreams and disappointments. That first meeting would've led in the past to Gia having a quick fling but it's different now, she's firm in her commitment of sexual abstinence for one year while coming to grips with alcoholism and other failings in her life. Friends only, meeting at the church hall once weekly, Roxi portrays as without a care, pushing ever so slightly for more. Gia continues to be steadfast in her decisions for healthy changes, steady job, a few good friends and resistance to temptation - not at all easy since the relationship with her mother weighs heavily in her mind and colors her thinking. Roxi is there, a weekly touchstone (not without problems of her own) to make her smile and boost her spirits. They become comfortable with and lean on each other. Is it possible to keep that one year promise? Life goes on but not without bumps in the road. The author has written Gia's journey (of growth from acceptance of addiction to learning how to cope and live with it) with a firm but steady hand. Side characters and events add warmth, some humor and the promise of romance to the storyline without taking away from the main focus of addiction, that relapses hang in the periphery, acceptance of personal responsibility is necessary and that healthy relationships are okay when the time is right.
I do hope Ms. Rose follows up with an Epilogue to really round out Gia's and Roxi's HEA.
I rec'd an ARC from Booksprout. This is an unbiased, voluntary review.
She is looking for a do-over in her life and acknowledgement of addiction is an important part so there she is, having picked up and moved to Palm Springs, at an AA meeting in a church hall where she meets Roxi. Both women dealing with addiction, stunted dreams and disappointments. That first meeting would've led in the past to Gia having a quick fling but it's different now, she's firm in her commitment of sexual abstinence for one year while coming to grips with alcoholism and other failings in her life. Friends only, meeting at the church hall once weekly, Roxi portrays as without a care, pushing ever so slightly for more. Gia continues to be steadfast in her decisions for healthy changes, steady job, a few good friends and resistance to temptation - not at all easy since the relationship with her mother weighs heavily in her mind and colors her thinking. Roxi is there, a weekly touchstone (not without problems of her own) to make her smile and boost her spirits. They become comfortable with and lean on each other. Is it possible to keep that one year promise? Life goes on but not without bumps in the road. The author has written Gia's journey (of growth from acceptance of addiction to learning how to cope and live with it) with a firm but steady hand. Side characters and events add warmth, some humor and the promise of romance to the storyline without taking away from the main focus of addiction, that relapses hang in the periphery, acceptance of personal responsibility is necessary and that healthy relationships are okay when the time is right.
I do hope Ms. Rose follows up with an Epilogue to really round out Gia's and Roxi's HEA.
I rec'd an ARC from Booksprout. This is an unbiased, voluntary review.
May 6, 2022
"Slightly Addictive" was a very enjoyable read. The story follows Gia Barone's journey to recovery. After too much drinking, smoking and one-night-stands she moves to Palm Springs to start over her life. At an AA meeting she meets Roxi who is also dealing with addiction and they develop a friendship and possibly more.
I cared a lot about both Gia and Roxi. Gia's character development throughout the story is amazing and it was beautiful to see her starting to make healthier choices for herself. Roxi was supportive and always pushing Gia a bit out of her comfort zone.
The book handled the difficult subject of addiction really well and it was uplifting instead of dark and sad.
I wish there was an epilogue to see how everything turned out for Gia and Roxy.
I cared a lot about both Gia and Roxi. Gia's character development throughout the story is amazing and it was beautiful to see her starting to make healthier choices for herself. Roxi was supportive and always pushing Gia a bit out of her comfort zone.
The book handled the difficult subject of addiction really well and it was uplifting instead of dark and sad.
I wish there was an epilogue to see how everything turned out for Gia and Roxy.
June 23, 2023
Addiction is always difficult to write about: if real it’s all over the place and difficult to read, to make a convincing novel out of it. This is close
April 17, 2022
Kindle Unlimited.
2.5? Liked it, for the most part. But I really struggled with the love interest and her behaviour as being anything but healthy. I couldn't root for the couple in any way.
2.5? Liked it, for the most part. But I really struggled with the love interest and her behaviour as being anything but healthy. I couldn't root for the couple in any way.
June 5, 2022
Passion. Addiction. Perseverance. Trauma. Sexuality.
You’re going to get all of that and so much more from this book.
I truly went in blind and I’m so happy I did. The female main character was never feel into the cliques that most books due that have any romance in them.
She was strong, she was vulnerable, she was genuine and I really appreciated a refreshing story like this.
Highly recommend!
You’re going to get all of that and so much more from this book.
I truly went in blind and I’m so happy I did. The female main character was never feel into the cliques that most books due that have any romance in them.
She was strong, she was vulnerable, she was genuine and I really appreciated a refreshing story like this.
Highly recommend!
April 13, 2022
Kudos For This Story!
There is so much truth in these pages ...truth in relationships, truth in addiction recovery, truth in real friendships, and none of it offered in a preachy way! I grew to care about the characters, and pulled for their success. I 'm not going to give any spoilers. Instead, I am highly recommending this uplifting book...it is well worth a read. ENJOY!
There is so much truth in these pages ...truth in relationships, truth in addiction recovery, truth in real friendships, and none of it offered in a preachy way! I grew to care about the characters, and pulled for their success. I 'm not going to give any spoilers. Instead, I am highly recommending this uplifting book...it is well worth a read. ENJOY!
April 29, 2022
"Slightly Addictive," by A. K. Rose, is a thoroughly enjoyable read, especially for those who would recognize themselves, or a friend or lover, in any of the main protagonists: Gia, Roxy, and even Jennifer. It's a little intimidating to review such an unassuming book, but which is potentially bound for great things!
Though the typical reader might not be looking for 'a slice of life' story--and I wasn't--this relentlessly upbeat book just brims with optimism, but follows the bootstrapping adventures of a woman whom life has 'kicked to the kerb,' and who has firmly decided to turn over a new leaf. In Gia, the author has invented a unique hero: at once simple and outgoing, and focused and stern. In Roxi, Gia has the perfect foil, but of course she doesn't know this; Gia has climbed up the wrong palm tree once too often to take chances. And (from where Gia sits), what does Roxi have going for her? She's just cute, and a tease. And constantly tosses Spanish phrases at Gia, which alternates between being hilarious and annoying! Luckily, Roxi's sterling qualities are gradually revealed.
Being an author, I must say 'Slightly' is a story I wish I had written myself! But I could never have done it; I just don't have the background. Gia is a great invention, and little details reveal how carefully Gia's character has been put together. For instance, Gia has a dictum: Three strikes, and you're out. What kind of person has to lean on a principle like that? One who blames her failures on her tendency to be too helpful, and too forgiving. We wonder what Roxi sees in Gia, beyond their chemistry. Perhaps chemistry is all one needs, in the end--NOT!
Two thumbs up, and I wish I had more thumbs! Note: an all-new HEA is reportedly in the works.
Though the typical reader might not be looking for 'a slice of life' story--and I wasn't--this relentlessly upbeat book just brims with optimism, but follows the bootstrapping adventures of a woman whom life has 'kicked to the kerb,' and who has firmly decided to turn over a new leaf. In Gia, the author has invented a unique hero: at once simple and outgoing, and focused and stern. In Roxi, Gia has the perfect foil, but of course she doesn't know this; Gia has climbed up the wrong palm tree once too often to take chances. And (from where Gia sits), what does Roxi have going for her? She's just cute, and a tease. And constantly tosses Spanish phrases at Gia, which alternates between being hilarious and annoying! Luckily, Roxi's sterling qualities are gradually revealed.
Being an author, I must say 'Slightly' is a story I wish I had written myself! But I could never have done it; I just don't have the background. Gia is a great invention, and little details reveal how carefully Gia's character has been put together. For instance, Gia has a dictum: Three strikes, and you're out. What kind of person has to lean on a principle like that? One who blames her failures on her tendency to be too helpful, and too forgiving. We wonder what Roxi sees in Gia, beyond their chemistry. Perhaps chemistry is all one needs, in the end--NOT!
Two thumbs up, and I wish I had more thumbs! Note: an all-new HEA is reportedly in the works.
April 30, 2022
Wow, what an honest look!
After too much drinking, smoking and one night stands, Gia begins a path to recovery. She meets Roxi at an AA meeting and is immediately smitten, but is determined to gain a healthier "her.". Ms. Rose portrays their friendship and struggles of addiction in a non-preachy and non-judgmental fashion. Their road to recovery is new, but positive and honest to the reader. I also very much enjoyed the secondary story of the senior ladies that Gia helped. I highly recommend this very uplifting book!
After too much drinking, smoking and one night stands, Gia begins a path to recovery. She meets Roxi at an AA meeting and is immediately smitten, but is determined to gain a healthier "her.". Ms. Rose portrays their friendship and struggles of addiction in a non-preachy and non-judgmental fashion. Their road to recovery is new, but positive and honest to the reader. I also very much enjoyed the secondary story of the senior ladies that Gia helped. I highly recommend this very uplifting book!
April 13, 2022
A gentle story about trying to get out from under the behaviors patterns that cause ourselves and those around us harm. The romance was a slow burn and a fade to black ending. I could relate to the main characters issues with their mother. There is a B-story about finding a long-lost love of one of the main characters neighbors that didn't really add to the story, but also didn't take away from it, and I did find myself rooting for a happy ending there as well.
May 26, 2022
This was an interesting book to read, it combined a lot of different aspects. I think that alcoholism was represented in an accurate and respectful way. The story is unique and different from your usual rom-com, which I fully appreciated.
My only issue is the lack of Gia's background. I felt like I haven't learned anything about her life and it was very repetitive at times.
My only issue is the lack of Gia's background. I felt like I haven't learned anything about her life and it was very repetitive at times.
June 4, 2022
I won a copy of this book as part of a goodreads giveaway and what a lovely book it was. It is a heartwarming story about living with and trying to overcome addiction… about the quest to find who you truly are when all you have left is yourself. While this is classified as a romance, the romance takes a bit of a backseat, and I was ok with that. Because this book ended up being so much more.
June 7, 2022
The book was alright. It was good for a pallet cleanser more than anything. I was hooked from the first line, but the love interest wasn’t someone I could root for. It was a short book, so things felt rushed and choppy at times. Not awful, but not one of my favorites
June 30, 2022
I enjoyed A.K. Rose’s book “Slightly Addicted. Her main character Gia is a living doll with quite a few addictions she would like to shake. When we first meet her she was having relationship problems and dragging around a bag of her addictions she couldn’t lose. Smoking, drinking and sleeping around.
She takes some sage advice that misery loves company and free coffee and heads for the nearest addiction meeting. There she meets Roxy a nice girl with the same problems. They strike up a friendship right away and decide to lighten their expenses by sharing the rent and their problems.
Reading this book reminded me that we all have addictions and need to keep track of them no matter how small they are. My biggest addiction is to books , a week doesn’t go by that I don’t need a few. It soothes my conscious to tell myself it’s not a big addiction like liquor, cigarettes, or worse.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews