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I Heart Sapphfic Pride Collection #7
HOWL: Home of the Wayward Lovers
Lou McCallister owns Howl, the only surviving queer bar in Boston. When an investment opportunity to save the floundering bar is inadvertently sabotaged by Clementine Darby, Howl’s newest employee, Lou is ready to give up. Now Clem will do anything she can to make it right and keep Howl alive, but will she be able to save the bar in time? This sapphic Coyote Ugly reimagining brings the funny and the feels.
This book is part of the I Heart SapphFic Pride Collection, which contains eight standalone books from some of the top authors in sapphic fiction today. Each one promises a Pride theme and a happy ending. The collection was organized by I Heart SapphFic, which is a website for authors and readers of sapphic fiction to stay up to date on all the latest sapphic fiction news.
This book is part of the I Heart SapphFic Pride Collection, which contains eight standalone books from some of the top authors in sapphic fiction today. Each one promises a Pride theme and a happy ending. The collection was organized by I Heart SapphFic, which is a website for authors and readers of sapphic fiction to stay up to date on all the latest sapphic fiction news.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2022
140 people are currently reading
782 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Bexley
10 books416 followersLucy Bexley grew up in Michigan. Her favorite lake is Erie and her favorite Dunes are Sleeping Bear. She started reading romance novels in 2019 and hasn’t been able to put them down since. She fell in love with stories featuring queer women getting their happily ever afters. Lucy lives in Boston with her partner, dog, two cats, and eleven bookcases. She’s a fan of terrible jokes, seltzer, MarioKart, and silence.
www.lucybexley.com
www.lucybexley.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
July 9, 2022
One night stand to forever.
One night stand to forever and I just love how sexy this book is. I thoroughly enjoyed the intimacy between the main characters and thought the scenes were well-written.
I also love how this book is so low-angst when one of the characters has the potential to be a heartbreaker. Lou is the owner of a queer bar and she's only up for one night stands which has worked well for her because the women she chooses to be intimate with don't stay around. But Clem is different because she ends up working at the bar so feelings have the opportunity to grow. Lou doesn't consider the possibility of exploring something more with Clem at first but I love how Clem gradually breaks down Lou's defences at a speed that matches Lou's need for time to discover her self-worth and how to trust.
Lou's bar is also interesting. I thought it has a strong culture that was kinda fun.
Wonderful story. So enjoyable!
One night stand to forever and I just love how sexy this book is. I thoroughly enjoyed the intimacy between the main characters and thought the scenes were well-written.
I also love how this book is so low-angst when one of the characters has the potential to be a heartbreaker. Lou is the owner of a queer bar and she's only up for one night stands which has worked well for her because the women she chooses to be intimate with don't stay around. But Clem is different because she ends up working at the bar so feelings have the opportunity to grow. Lou doesn't consider the possibility of exploring something more with Clem at first but I love how Clem gradually breaks down Lou's defences at a speed that matches Lou's need for time to discover her self-worth and how to trust.
Lou's bar is also interesting. I thought it has a strong culture that was kinda fun.
Wonderful story. So enjoyable!
June 4, 2022
Okay, I started laughing as soon as I read the first sentence and only stopped here and there to feel emotional. Lucy Bexley really writes adorable characters, and I just want them to be happy.
Clementine left her parents’ diner in Maine in the hopes of finding herself in Boston. Her new life doesn’t start in the best way, since her car gets stolen before she even makes it to Boston. Once there, however, things start getting better immediately as her new roommate invites her to Howl, the city’s last queer bar. Lou found a home in Howl and hopes to save her bar but would never dream of asking anyone for help. She wouldn’t dream of opening up to anyone either and surely a quickie in the storeroom with her employee’s friend shouldn’t be life-changing. Think again, Lou.
This Coyote Ugly sapphic reimagining is part of the I Heart Sapphfic Pride Collection, along with books by Haley Cass, Lily Seabrooke, Cara Malone and more. I haven’t read the others yet but I plan to. I was really looking forward to this one and it turned out to be the perfect book to get into Pride mood and, beyond that, in summer mood.
Sure, a couple of scenes feel a bit rushed but I don’t care, I love Clementine and Lou too much. The chemistry between them is joyous and exciting. The MCs aren’t the only ones I love. Lou’s Gram, the other bartenders at Howl, Clem’s dad and her best friend Sam, every secondary character is a gift, both in Clem and Lou’s lives and to the reader. And Clementine is a wonderful mix of determined, earnest, funny, and sweet. Lou never had a chance. 4.5⭐️
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog: Jude in the Stars
Clementine left her parents’ diner in Maine in the hopes of finding herself in Boston. Her new life doesn’t start in the best way, since her car gets stolen before she even makes it to Boston. Once there, however, things start getting better immediately as her new roommate invites her to Howl, the city’s last queer bar. Lou found a home in Howl and hopes to save her bar but would never dream of asking anyone for help. She wouldn’t dream of opening up to anyone either and surely a quickie in the storeroom with her employee’s friend shouldn’t be life-changing. Think again, Lou.
This Coyote Ugly sapphic reimagining is part of the I Heart Sapphfic Pride Collection, along with books by Haley Cass, Lily Seabrooke, Cara Malone and more. I haven’t read the others yet but I plan to. I was really looking forward to this one and it turned out to be the perfect book to get into Pride mood and, beyond that, in summer mood.
Sure, a couple of scenes feel a bit rushed but I don’t care, I love Clementine and Lou too much. The chemistry between them is joyous and exciting. The MCs aren’t the only ones I love. Lou’s Gram, the other bartenders at Howl, Clem’s dad and her best friend Sam, every secondary character is a gift, both in Clem and Lou’s lives and to the reader. And Clementine is a wonderful mix of determined, earnest, funny, and sweet. Lou never had a chance. 4.5⭐️
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog: Jude in the Stars
June 4, 2022
In true Lucy Bexley fashion, this was funny and adorable and sweet. It’s a grumpy/sunshine romance with Lou, a bar owner, being the cutest little grump. Clem was our little miss sunshine and I loved seeing how she was the exception to all of Lou’s rules.
June 11, 2022
Clem has finally made it out of Maine and is ready to start a new life in Boston. The world is her oyster, the sky in the limit, or maybe life is still a shitshow. On day one her old Toyota gets stolen. Even car thieves are accepting mediocrity. Her new sweatin to the oldies roommate, Alyssa, invites Clementine to Howl, Boston’s only remaining queer bar. Clementine takes one look at Lou, the bars gorgeous owner and is smitten like a kitten. Maybe this place isn’t so bad after all.
Between trying to save her failing bar and checking in on her grandmother, Lou, doesn’t have the time or energy for anything other than a hookup now and then. Clementine is the perfect candidate for a little extracurricular in the storeroom, since she is crazy hot and only in town for the weekend and thus they will never again cross paths. Lou may have gotten a wee bit confused as to how long Clem will be around but it doesn’t matter because she has no interest in anything that will detract her from saving the bar that is the only place she has ever felt she belonged.
Just when I think I couldn’t possibly love Lucy Bexley’s writing more, she brings Clem and Lou into my life. This book has everything I have come to expect from her books, moments of laugh out loud laughter, main characters who are relatable and deserving of love. And supporting characters who are so perfect I wish they were real so I could make them friends, like Alyssa and Sam. I think the character who captured my heart the most Lou’s Gram, Eleanor, who reminded me so much of my late Gram it made me smile and tear up at the same time.
I love this book. I love Lou and how much she wants to preserve the bar for all those who never felt like they had a place where they could truly be themselves. I love Clementine, who has finally decided to live for herself and even if everything she owns has been stolen, she is determined to live her best life. I love how this book made me feel, how it made me smile and how it reinforced that Lucy Bexley is one of the most gifted authors in our community. This is a must read and the perfect book to celebrate Pride month.
An ARC was received from the author for an honest review.
Between trying to save her failing bar and checking in on her grandmother, Lou, doesn’t have the time or energy for anything other than a hookup now and then. Clementine is the perfect candidate for a little extracurricular in the storeroom, since she is crazy hot and only in town for the weekend and thus they will never again cross paths. Lou may have gotten a wee bit confused as to how long Clem will be around but it doesn’t matter because she has no interest in anything that will detract her from saving the bar that is the only place she has ever felt she belonged.
Just when I think I couldn’t possibly love Lucy Bexley’s writing more, she brings Clem and Lou into my life. This book has everything I have come to expect from her books, moments of laugh out loud laughter, main characters who are relatable and deserving of love. And supporting characters who are so perfect I wish they were real so I could make them friends, like Alyssa and Sam. I think the character who captured my heart the most Lou’s Gram, Eleanor, who reminded me so much of my late Gram it made me smile and tear up at the same time.
I love this book. I love Lou and how much she wants to preserve the bar for all those who never felt like they had a place where they could truly be themselves. I love Clementine, who has finally decided to live for herself and even if everything she owns has been stolen, she is determined to live her best life. I love how this book made me feel, how it made me smile and how it reinforced that Lucy Bexley is one of the most gifted authors in our community. This is a must read and the perfect book to celebrate Pride month.
An ARC was received from the author for an honest review.
June 9, 2022
Fun to read. Wonderful addition to the Pride collection books.
For me it was a way down memory lane with a financially struggling lesbian bar and the often not so modern interior but the feeling of coming home.
For me it was a way down memory lane with a financially struggling lesbian bar and the often not so modern interior but the feeling of coming home.
June 16, 2022
This novella is part of the I heart SapphFic Pride collection released earlier this month with the eight different novellas written by well-known Sapphic fiction authors.
Clem moves out of Maine to Boston where she meets Lou, the gorgeous owner of the last lesbian bar in the city. Lou only does one night stands and is very guarded but Clem has a way to slowly lower Lou's walls with her determination to save the bar from closing permanently and her desire to conquer Lou's heart.
I mentioned in another review that Lucy Bexley has a very distinct writing style in which she combines elements of slapstick comedy with very real human struggles. I personally love this style as it balances humour and seriousness well. There are quite a few laugh out loud moments mixed with more emotional ones that will keep the reader entertained and invested in the story.
As in her novel No Strings, Lucy Bexley introduces the no strings attached trope which is one of my favourites. Both characters are likeable and their chemistry is so strong that their initial hesitation to commitment is slowly but surely challenged. The cast of secondary characters is fantastic and helps to bring the story to life.
If you are looking for a funny and romantic story with no angst, this one is for you. Ideal summer read. 4.5 stars.
Clem moves out of Maine to Boston where she meets Lou, the gorgeous owner of the last lesbian bar in the city. Lou only does one night stands and is very guarded but Clem has a way to slowly lower Lou's walls with her determination to save the bar from closing permanently and her desire to conquer Lou's heart.
I mentioned in another review that Lucy Bexley has a very distinct writing style in which she combines elements of slapstick comedy with very real human struggles. I personally love this style as it balances humour and seriousness well. There are quite a few laugh out loud moments mixed with more emotional ones that will keep the reader entertained and invested in the story.
As in her novel No Strings, Lucy Bexley introduces the no strings attached trope which is one of my favourites. Both characters are likeable and their chemistry is so strong that their initial hesitation to commitment is slowly but surely challenged. The cast of secondary characters is fantastic and helps to bring the story to life.
If you are looking for a funny and romantic story with no angst, this one is for you. Ideal summer read. 4.5 stars.
June 11, 2022
I loved this. It's funny and sweet and I think I want my own Canoodle the toy Poodle. I love the banter and Clem's such a sweetheart. I was happy to see Lou change her ways and let people in which is scary AF. Lou and Clem made me happy... but gram made me happy the mostest!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this, with the humour and adorable characters that Bexley is known for this is another win for the Sapphfic Pride Collection.
This retelling and sapphic-ing (yes I just made that up) of Coyote Ugly is all we need. Once again Bexley writes this great combination of humour mixed with heartfelt moments. Our sunshine in this story is Clem and you just have to love her for all her sincerity, optimism and tenacity. Our adorable grump is Lou, the owner of the Howl. She is grumpy per se, just a hurt little bird I’d say. Scared to ask for help and depend on people, she needs that now to save the only remaining lesbian bar in Boston, her bar, Howl. Of course our happy little sunshine is there to help her and make Lou shine as well.
Lou’s gram is the best by the way.
This retelling and sapphic-ing (yes I just made that up) of Coyote Ugly is all we need. Once again Bexley writes this great combination of humour mixed with heartfelt moments. Our sunshine in this story is Clem and you just have to love her for all her sincerity, optimism and tenacity. Our adorable grump is Lou, the owner of the Howl. She is grumpy per se, just a hurt little bird I’d say. Scared to ask for help and depend on people, she needs that now to save the only remaining lesbian bar in Boston, her bar, Howl. Of course our happy little sunshine is there to help her and make Lou shine as well.
Lou’s gram is the best by the way.
June 11, 2022
Liked both MCs in this one. Clem was super sweet, but not a ditzy character and Lou was bold and bossy and hurting underneath her tough exterior. Bexley can write a good story and well thought out characters. I will definitely read her again.
My favorite quote from this book.
“That was the trouble with someone being so good to you. No one else was ever quite good enough for them.”
My favorite quote from this book.
“That was the trouble with someone being so good to you. No one else was ever quite good enough for them.”
June 26, 2022
My most favorite from this collection that I've read! I have to say that neon cover contribute on the decision and ofc Lou!
June 25, 2023
This was a quick read. My first from this author I think. It was fine but bar culture isn’t really my thing and so I found myself a little… not quite caring as much about saving the bar etc. Rachel was just too brash and mean for me and never grew on me even in the end—hazing someone to getting that drunk, esp on the job, is just beyond cruel and immature—I didn’t really latch on to any of the characters or the dynamics all that much, but it was a sweet quick read.
June 9, 2022
A sapphic reinterpretation of Coyote Ugly? Yes, please.
I am falling evermore in love with Lucy Bexley's writing with each book I read. HOWL did not disappoint, giving me all the fun parts of Coyote Ugly (bar dancing! No water! Struggling artists!) plus a meddling grandma, and wall bangin'!
I will not there is a thread of sadness woven into this story, that is full countered by the present love and acceptance the characters have in each other and their future. Lou and her grandma made my heart so happy!! Lou's parents are truly missing out.
And Clem! I always enjoy reading about romance characters who struggle financially, who need to make things work. This is that sort of romance, including Lou's struggle to keep Boston's last historic gay bar alive.
And did I mention it is hot? It is really hot.
I checked this out on KU for #ReadingTheRainbow22 with But Do They Bang! I used it to fit the "friends" square.
I am falling evermore in love with Lucy Bexley's writing with each book I read. HOWL did not disappoint, giving me all the fun parts of Coyote Ugly (bar dancing! No water! Struggling artists!) plus a meddling grandma, and wall bangin'!
I will not there is a thread of sadness woven into this story, that is full countered by the present love and acceptance the characters have in each other and their future. Lou and her grandma made my heart so happy!! Lou's parents are truly missing out.
And Clem! I always enjoy reading about romance characters who struggle financially, who need to make things work. This is that sort of romance, including Lou's struggle to keep Boston's last historic gay bar alive.
And did I mention it is hot? It is really hot.
I checked this out on KU for #ReadingTheRainbow22 with But Do They Bang! I used it to fit the "friends" square.
March 8, 2023
This was a sweet, short listen narrated by Abby Craden. A homage to Coyote Ugly without the visual eye candy. This is more of a dessert than a full meal, but sometimes that's all you're looking for! When it comes to Bexley, I'm a fan.
June 6, 2022
I simply adore Lucy Bexley's sense of humor.
June 5, 2022
Howl — a sapphic ode to Coyote Ugly
Perfect book to start pride month off with. This is what it’s about, support and showing up for each other.
Grumpy/Sunshine pairing between Lou the bar owner and Clem new to Boston and is bubbly & organized in all the best ways. The two work together (along with the community) to save one of the last remaining sapphic bars in Boston. Their interest in each other paced really well and was believable. I loved them together.
The supporting characters are a lot of fun and provide a ton of laughter throughout the book. I can see each of them earning their own stories some day, and hopefully we’ll get a lil update on Lou & Clem. And Gram <3
You’ll have trouble reading through laughter and tears from heartwarming/hopeful moments, a true Lucy Bexley brand.
Perfect book to start pride month off with. This is what it’s about, support and showing up for each other.
Grumpy/Sunshine pairing between Lou the bar owner and Clem new to Boston and is bubbly & organized in all the best ways. The two work together (along with the community) to save one of the last remaining sapphic bars in Boston. Their interest in each other paced really well and was believable. I loved them together.
The supporting characters are a lot of fun and provide a ton of laughter throughout the book. I can see each of them earning their own stories some day, and hopefully we’ll get a lil update on Lou & Clem. And Gram <3
You’ll have trouble reading through laughter and tears from heartwarming/hopeful moments, a true Lucy Bexley brand.
August 16, 2024
I love this book! From the first line, which made me laugh, to the end. I found it charming, funny and very interesting! I love the characters, though it took me awhile to like Rachel but she won me over. I love Lou and Clemmie! The chemistry between them is off the charts. If you want a cute, funny story, buy this book and of course read it!
June 10, 2022
A short introduction:
A couple of months ago, I had asked a question in a group wishing that an author would write a similar story to Coyote Ugly, but with a sapphic romance. When I read that Lucy Bexley was in the middle of writing HOWL, I couldn’t believe it. My dream was about to come true. Why? Because it was the year 2000 and I was in Alabama and I watched it and I couldn’t stop obsessing about it, so much that before going back to Europe, I bought the DVD (of course a region 1 DVD) and when I was at home I modified my DVD player, messing up with the codes, in order to be able to play it. You must know that back then, in the 90’s and in the 2000s’ it would take up to 6 months for an American movie to reach Italy, and I couldn’t of course wait. Of course, that’s when I fell in love with Piper Perabo… oh yes… Imagine Me & You.
Lucy Bexley literally revised all my favorite scenes through the eyes of Lou and Clem, adding even more depth to the characters than in the movie. Can I get a howlllllllllllllllllll?
Clementine just left Maine in search of a brighter and more adventurous future in Boston. She wants to be more than someone who will regret all her life, staying in her small hometown, taking care of her dad, after her mother passed away. A small town girl moving to a bigger city, she soon discovers that life has a wicked sense of humor, when someone steals her old Toyota. “Who the fuck steals a Toyota?” (Quoting the book). Everything moves fast afterwards. Her roommate, Alyssa, suggests her to audition to work for the queer bar Howl, owned by Lou McCallister, a grouchy and inscrutable character who will attract Clementine as a magnet.
What did I like in this book?
Many things!
The way Clementine is running away from home in search of herself and of a better future. The way Lou has always been running away from herself, building walls and walls, and pretending she could do everything by herself in her life. When the two of them meet is like they finally find their “home”, and this is “HOWL: Home of the Wayward Lovers, a bar which represents so much for the queer community, for all those who never really had a home. It teaches you that bonds of blood don’t always mean family, you can create your own family, thanks to your friends and the belonging to a community.
Clementine and Lou couldn’t be different from each other: sunshine and cloudy with a chance of a storm. I loved how Clem managed to push down all Lou’s defenses so that she could trust people again.
What else? All the secondary characters are absolutely lovable, including Rachel! Oh yes, I so would like to see a spin-off only with her. Great job in mirroring the original character from Coyote Ugly. The punch… I had to smile! But also, Alyssa, Sam, Lou’s grandmother… adorable.
Most of all, what I loved about the book is the humor in it. I could quote all the times I had to laugh, but I would ruin the fun for other people.
Cute, cute, cute.
Ps. The movies from the 90’s and 2000’s will always stay with me, and I wish Hollywood would go back to make more romantic comedies like in the past.
Now… a request… can someone write the sapphic version of How to Lose a guy in 10 days? 😉
A couple of months ago, I had asked a question in a group wishing that an author would write a similar story to Coyote Ugly, but with a sapphic romance. When I read that Lucy Bexley was in the middle of writing HOWL, I couldn’t believe it. My dream was about to come true. Why? Because it was the year 2000 and I was in Alabama and I watched it and I couldn’t stop obsessing about it, so much that before going back to Europe, I bought the DVD (of course a region 1 DVD) and when I was at home I modified my DVD player, messing up with the codes, in order to be able to play it. You must know that back then, in the 90’s and in the 2000s’ it would take up to 6 months for an American movie to reach Italy, and I couldn’t of course wait. Of course, that’s when I fell in love with Piper Perabo… oh yes… Imagine Me & You.
Lucy Bexley literally revised all my favorite scenes through the eyes of Lou and Clem, adding even more depth to the characters than in the movie. Can I get a howlllllllllllllllllll?
Clementine just left Maine in search of a brighter and more adventurous future in Boston. She wants to be more than someone who will regret all her life, staying in her small hometown, taking care of her dad, after her mother passed away. A small town girl moving to a bigger city, she soon discovers that life has a wicked sense of humor, when someone steals her old Toyota. “Who the fuck steals a Toyota?” (Quoting the book). Everything moves fast afterwards. Her roommate, Alyssa, suggests her to audition to work for the queer bar Howl, owned by Lou McCallister, a grouchy and inscrutable character who will attract Clementine as a magnet.
What did I like in this book?
Many things!
The way Clementine is running away from home in search of herself and of a better future. The way Lou has always been running away from herself, building walls and walls, and pretending she could do everything by herself in her life. When the two of them meet is like they finally find their “home”, and this is “HOWL: Home of the Wayward Lovers, a bar which represents so much for the queer community, for all those who never really had a home. It teaches you that bonds of blood don’t always mean family, you can create your own family, thanks to your friends and the belonging to a community.
Clementine and Lou couldn’t be different from each other: sunshine and cloudy with a chance of a storm. I loved how Clem managed to push down all Lou’s defenses so that she could trust people again.
What else? All the secondary characters are absolutely lovable, including Rachel! Oh yes, I so would like to see a spin-off only with her. Great job in mirroring the original character from Coyote Ugly. The punch… I had to smile! But also, Alyssa, Sam, Lou’s grandmother… adorable.
Most of all, what I loved about the book is the humor in it. I could quote all the times I had to laugh, but I would ruin the fun for other people.
Cute, cute, cute.
Ps. The movies from the 90’s and 2000’s will always stay with me, and I wish Hollywood would go back to make more romantic comedies like in the past.
Now… a request… can someone write the sapphic version of How to Lose a guy in 10 days? 😉
March 18, 2023
This is what I always wanted Coyote Ugly to be. The Coyote Ugly we deserved, with sweeter moments and more hilarious friendships and banter.
That and lines like this that stopped me.
- So often beauty had absolutely nothing to do with the way something looked, and everything to do with how it made you feel.
- If you belong you can still be cast out.
Also, chapter 16 - this chapter hit me in so many ways I can’t even describe the power it has over me.
All in all, go get this book.
That and lines like this that stopped me.
- So often beauty had absolutely nothing to do with the way something looked, and everything to do with how it made you feel.
- If you belong you can still be cast out.
Also, chapter 16 - this chapter hit me in so many ways I can’t even describe the power it has over me.
All in all, go get this book.
June 24, 2022
Who else had the urge to re-watch Coyote Ugly after reading Howl?
Lucy Bexley's re-imagining of this classic early 2000's movie is brilliant. Her ability to inject so much humour into a topic which could be angsty and depressing allows the reader to laugh with the characters as opposed to feeling pity for them.
Lou owns Howl, a sapphic bar which she is on the verge of loosing. Her family consists of an adorable grandma, and her employees. She survives on one-night stands and keeping her problems to herself. Clem leaves her small town and her father to find her own way after feeling out of place in her own life. Her new room mate doesn't give her a moment to wallow in her own misery so she ends up at Howl, and in Lou's sights. Together they ignore the mutual attraction which is building between them, and while Clem breaks down the protective walls Lou has built around herself, she convinces her to accept help from their community to save the bar so many have called home over the years.
Howl is that book you need when your after a feel good, low angst, fun vibes story.
Lucy Bexley's re-imagining of this classic early 2000's movie is brilliant. Her ability to inject so much humour into a topic which could be angsty and depressing allows the reader to laugh with the characters as opposed to feeling pity for them.
Lou owns Howl, a sapphic bar which she is on the verge of loosing. Her family consists of an adorable grandma, and her employees. She survives on one-night stands and keeping her problems to herself. Clem leaves her small town and her father to find her own way after feeling out of place in her own life. Her new room mate doesn't give her a moment to wallow in her own misery so she ends up at Howl, and in Lou's sights. Together they ignore the mutual attraction which is building between them, and while Clem breaks down the protective walls Lou has built around herself, she convinces her to accept help from their community to save the bar so many have called home over the years.
Howl is that book you need when your after a feel good, low angst, fun vibes story.
November 23, 2024
This was a fun little read but nothing too memorable about it.
The best character was grandma. Clem was ok, but a little immature sounding and Lou just made me sad. I wish it was more of an homage to Coyote Ugly and not an exact retelling with lesbians. Maybe I’ve seen Coyote Ugly too many times (cause I’ve seen it a lot), but I would have liked it to be a little bit more than it was, creatively speaking.
The best character was grandma. Clem was ok, but a little immature sounding and Lou just made me sad. I wish it was more of an homage to Coyote Ugly and not an exact retelling with lesbians. Maybe I’ve seen Coyote Ugly too many times (cause I’ve seen it a lot), but I would have liked it to be a little bit more than it was, creatively speaking.
June 10, 2022
I REALLY like Lucy Bexley, but this book wasn’t my favorite of hers. It almost felt like an assignment her heart wasn’t in. I’m still glad I read it. I’ll read whatever she puts out.
May 6, 2023
A great story of a group of brave and proud bartenders trying to save the only lesbian bar in Boston, along the way the newbie bartender Clem and the bar owner Lou falling in love despite their age gap and vast different life experience. The writing is brilliant as usual and the story fun and easy to read, in the audio book, Abby Craden's sexy voice adds more chemistry and charm to the already addictive read.
May 15, 2023
Audio reviewed for The Lesbian Review
May 12, 2025
3.75/5
This was cute
This was cute
July 15, 2022
I have liked Bexley's other books but this one, not so much. Granted, it made me laugh at some points, but overall I was completely bored. Clementine, one of the two MCs, moves to Boston looking for adventure after escaping from a small town in Maine. I think the problem with Clementine is that she, not the town, is the boring one. The other main character, Lou, owns the last sapphic bar in Boston and the bar is about to close down. The bar itself sounds depressing, Lou sounds depressing. The other characters in the story sound like they're 12 years old. Yes, I disliked the book this much. I see good reviews out there but I do not agree. I gave it a good try and read half the book until I said no more.
June 20, 2022
Good book
Clem moved to Boston to start her life, while her dad runs the family restaurant in Maine. Lou owns Howl a bar that is for Wayword Lovers, but its the last one in Boston and she has to make money to buy it before the contract the landlord gave her. Clem is funny and will do anything to help when she fines out that Lou may lose the bar. Lou is grumpy and doesn't want any help. Read this funny Coyote Ugly version book it's worth it.
Clem moved to Boston to start her life, while her dad runs the family restaurant in Maine. Lou owns Howl a bar that is for Wayword Lovers, but its the last one in Boston and she has to make money to buy it before the contract the landlord gave her. Clem is funny and will do anything to help when she fines out that Lou may lose the bar. Lou is grumpy and doesn't want any help. Read this funny Coyote Ugly version book it's worth it.
June 21, 2022
Excellent.
I loved Howl. It does a heart good to be reminded that there are people in the world who still care. Swallow your pride and ask for help. The results will surprise you.
I loved Howl. It does a heart good to be reminded that there are people in the world who still care. Swallow your pride and ask for help. The results will surprise you.
July 4, 2023
Owwwwwww (⬅️ howling bout this book!) Loved it! Couldn’t put it down. A bit sappy at the end but so perfect for pride (which should last all year). The two best friends are hilarious. I would love to read a book about them. The whole cast of characters makes this book shine but especially the MCs who have sizzling chemistry and are beautiful individuals. I had a bit of trouble with the timeline- thought weeks/months had passed when it was days, but the instalove/one-night to forever trope works well with these two, who you just want to hug. Very low angst, lots of queer love- what’s not to like?
Short summary: When Clem’s car is stolen on her way to Boston, she needs a job fast. Luckily her roommate works at Howl, a sapphic bar in need of help. More help than Clem realizes. And then there’s Lou, the brooding, sexy owner who Clem can’t keep her eyes off.
Short summary: When Clem’s car is stolen on her way to Boston, she needs a job fast. Luckily her roommate works at Howl, a sapphic bar in need of help. More help than Clem realizes. And then there’s Lou, the brooding, sexy owner who Clem can’t keep her eyes off.
February 3, 2023
Light
If I hadn’t waited so long to leave this review, I would have rated it 3.5/4. But after a few weeks, I only remember a few major points. I remember much more of Lou, the character that I think was a bit more compelling than Clem.
As I type, more of the book is coming to me. It was light, sometimes over-the-top, funny but not one that will stick with me.
If I hadn’t waited so long to leave this review, I would have rated it 3.5/4. But after a few weeks, I only remember a few major points. I remember much more of Lou, the character that I think was a bit more compelling than Clem.
As I type, more of the book is coming to me. It was light, sometimes over-the-top, funny but not one that will stick with me.
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