Changing Spaces

Clover Hill Romance #8

by Karmen Lee

Star has spent the past five years making Clover Hill’s Anisse & Clover Diner her home away from home. She’s turned her job there into a fulfilling career and has never felt more content. If her dating life is a little lackluster, well, that’s just how it’ll have to be. But when ownership of the diner changes hands from mother to daughter, Star finds herself scrambling to keep up…and to keep far away from the attractive woman who’s now at the helm.

Anisse moved back home to reconnect with her roots after too many years in the city, and she’s excited to bring the diner her family founded into the current decade. Unfortunately, she might have more to worry about than just reinventing the recipes she grew up with. Star, the gorgeous manager whose cooperation she needs to make the refreshed Anisse & Clover a success, hardly gives her the time of day.
But once Star and Anisse are pushed into sitting down together, their mutual attraction is undeniable. Going from coworkers to dating would be tricky, but neither of them wants to walk away from what might be the relationship they’ve always wanted.

Can these two women navigate their burgeoning connection, or will too many changes too fast leave both of them singed beyond repair?

Genres: Lesbian, Queer, Novella, Contemporary, Romance, Adult

Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2023

About the author

Karmen Lee is an avid reader of anything and everything. She’s a lifelong Southerner living it up in Atlanta, Georgia with her kid, her cats, and humidity. When she’s not packing lunches or working her normal nine-to-five, you can usually find her drinking coffee too late at night, watching House Hunters International and dreaming up ways to show her readers a good time. You can keep up with her on Twitter (@Author_KLee) or Instagram (@authorkarmenlee).

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Reviews

[Joana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been my least favorite so far from this series, but I really don't think it's on the book, I think it's on my reading mood currently - it's been hard to get through anything - and not on it, because I love so much about this book!!!
Okay, maybe the beginning was not my favorite overall, and that's maybe what led me to slow down with the reading, the book has both a miscommunication trope and the enemy-to-lovers (not enemies, but arguing a bit) trope, which are not something I really get on well with. On the other hand, when they do get together, their relationship is so cute and sweet, there's this great trust and development between them - it's so beautiful!!!
Definitely a recommendation for a cute sapphic romance!!

(I received the book for free in exchange of an honest review)

[Toya (thereadingchemist) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karmen’s romances never disappoint! This sapphic romance had the perfect amount of pining, angst, and steam! I am also a sucker for books with food settings. I adored Anisse and Star!

[Meg Mardell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute Clover Hill romance that ticks a lot of the comfort reading boxes for me, including Small Town homecoming and a Foodie Romance. Anisse is the homecomer in this sapphic romance as she returns from NYC to the queer-friendly, food-obsessed town to take over the diner previously run by her mother. There she tangles with Star, the restaurant's manager. This is a great setup and I wanted a bit more of the initial conflict between these two. The on-page rep is mostly them not speaking to each other - after three months of co-managing a business - because they find the other hot and intimidating. When they do finally start talking, after a serious intervention from outside, their attraction and ensuing romance is sweet and sexy (though where is the dessert-based sex scene?) Still, Anisse's motivations and character came through more clearly for me than Star. Obviously it's a novella so there's limited room for backstory, but I wanted to see what Star was risking, emotionally and financially, by getting into a relationship with her boss. Also I'm one of those plot focussed readers who really wants the whole money/ownership thing spelt out. Whereas if you are a more emotions/vibes reader, I suspect these quibbles wouldn't register as much because the whole thing is just pure coffee -date-with-your-crush energy. As ever, looking forward to dipping into the CH universe as and when needed.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Changing Spaces is the eighth book in the Clover Hill Romance series. Just as before, it works as a standalone, although I of course recommend reading them all. I especially loved the vibes of this one, with most of the story being set in the town diner where both leads work.
I love how the romance is a great balance between the two being opposites and also a meeting of minds and hearts. Star and Anisse both love the diner, but they aren’t necessarily on the same page at first. However, their initial misunderstandings about each other evolve seamlessly into respect and understanding, and then love for the other. The narrative also addresses the complexities of dating as coworkers/Anisse technically being Star’s boss, and I like how it tackles those hurdles as they navigate their feelings and find their way to professional and personal happiness together.
This is another winner for the series, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys small-town queer romance.

[Alicia Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karmen Lee
Changing Spaces (Clover Hill Romance Book 8)
Kindle Unlimited



Anisse was captivated by Star's presence, causing her thoughts to become muddled and unclear. The idea of mixing business with pleasure made her uneasy, but the undeniable attraction between them was too strong to ignore. They both shared a passion for the success of their business and were willing to go above and beyond to support each other.

Star's sister and Anisse's cousin added a delightful touch to the storyline, creating a well-rounded supporting cast. The changes they implemented to the business initially made Star nervous, but it was a new opportunity for growth that proved successful as customers began to flock in. The challenge now was to maintain their relationship without compromising their business.

This heartwarming small-town love story was a joy to read, and having read the author's previous work, I was not disappointed. It's definitely worth checking out on Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

[Renora Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

This book gives everything a romance needs. The angst of when they’ll get together, the meddling best friends/sisters to push it along, as well as the complications that gives the reader doubt if they could or will get together. I found myself strategizing ways to solve the problem and address the elephant in the room!!! lol! Yes it drew me in and it will draw you in as well. Love is love and gotta love a good lesbian romance that isn’t focused on the tired storyline of a woman leaving her boyfriend to explore a night of passion with her flamboyantly queer female friend! Glad to read a story that represents the LGBTQ+ community well without a straight narrative:)

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

My feel good series from last year continues its run into this year with more stories not to be missed. I loved this one for the two great characters in Star and Anisse (just love those names together!) and the way we get to see their relationship develop along with the revisions to the diner. My favorite stories are those where I get to see characters at their job because that shows us so much about who they are. That's definitely true here, has Star has let her job at the diner overshadow any personal life and Anisse has returned from the city to reconnect with herself via the family diner. Discussions about this place both love brings them closer personally in this winning romance.

[Alessandra Dreyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time entering the clover hill universe and I won’t be my last. Karmen Lee has crafted something special here. I love a good chef romance, and both Star and Anisse are such swoon-worthy MCs. The passion they share for the diner and each other is so real, wonderful and refreshing. I also genuinely loved how realistic the miscommunications are handled in this book! They feel grounded and mature in a way that I don’t always see in romance. The fact the story is also a low angst really made the moments of misunderstanding work that much better for me, so when they get on the same page, their passion and perspective on the diner and themselves just makes for a lovely HEA.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This was very cute. I didn’t love it but it was sweet. Anisse and Star were both likable and I liked their romance and the way communicated. The side characters were wonderful as well and helped the story come to life. This was low angst and had a comforting small town feel to it which was cool. It was a nice quick read.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet read

This was a sweet quick read. Star and Anisse are crushing on each other. It takes Star’s sister Stella to get the first date to happen which was funny. They are an adorable couple, taking it a bit too slow lol. Low angst, off page sex, a very enjoyable read

[N.G. Peltier · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok this was cute and i liked that even though they had that lil misunderstanding (sending some side eye cuz she shouuuld have discussed it first >.>) they sorted it out in a mature way :)

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A workplace romance, boss-employee but everyone is supportive of it, small town and cozy. Novella-length but hallmark vibes!