What happens when you meet the one person you can’t live without–right as she’s leaving?
Tilly Fenchurch never saw any reason to leave Vermont. Living in the town where she grew up, working at her moms’ family business, and never traveling far, she tells herself she’s happy–at least until she’s pulled, quite literally, into Frankie’s world.
Frankie Holt is excited. She’s just applied for her dream job in LA and she can’t wait to leave small-town Vermont behind. That is, until she grabs a random stranger in a celebratory hug and meets someone unforgettable.
A plan to reunite their estranged friends brings them closer together, and before long, it’s hard to imagine life without each other. With Tilly convinced she’s straight, Frankie attempts to fight her growing crush, while Tilly is left questioning everything she ever thought she knew about herself, her sexuality, and her life.
Will Frankie and Tilly figure out their feelings in time, or will three thousand miles tear them apart?
This is an adorable friends-to-lovers romance with little angst; it's sweet and heartwarming to read. I'm not really into this trope, but The Other Side of Leaving really delights my weekend!
Both MCs are lovable, though I have to admit I was a bit annoyed with Frankie's too carefree behavior at first, but she'd grow on you! The side characters, Tilly's moms and June/Andi, definitely were a nice touch to the story. I was hoping we could get a bonus story about June and Andi. I'm so intrigued about them...Perhaps? Maybe? (finger crossed)
There are a few chapters in which you might feel frustrated about Frankie and Tilly keep misunderstanding each other, but I'd also like to point out that Jacqueline crafted it so well that it will make you feel related to the story. I guess there's a reason "useless sapphic" exists, cuz the struggle is real ugh!
I've read Jacqueline Ramsden's story from Love on Locations(a sapphic anthology), and I really enjoy their written style. I guess now I'll just have to read all of their books :).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A bit drawn out, so crept over the line as 5*. But a good story, good back characters and the story took everyone forward. Recommended, if slow to the boil is your thing.
Excellent book cover. Happy with her job, life, family and friends, Tilly has never had the urge to travel far afield - she loves her Vermont. She is content with trips with her Moms Mona and Jules and being the token "straight" girl in her friends group. Well, she's a bit uncertain about the "straight" bit but only time will tell since her nice orderly daily existence is soon to be upended. Enter happy-go-lucky, exuberant Frankie and the two form an unlikely friendship. A slow attraction builds for each other but miscommunication and self doubt keep getting in the way. The Mums do their best but it's up to Tilly to reconcile her feelings and break out of the box she's been stuck in regarding her sexuality. Add the pressure of Frankie's possible departure for L.A. and their romance seems destined to fizzle since it seem that Tilly will never leave Vermont. Best friends help and hinder - I wished Snap would just butt out and leave Tilly and Frankie to find their way. There was angst, sweet love and heartfelt sexual awakening all beautifully wrapped up in this romance, topped with a HEA bow. Nicely done, Ms. Ramsden.
I rec'd a copy through Booksprout and this is an unbiased review.
I've really come to love works by Jacqueline Ramsden. Her characters are so lovably quirky and I find it easy to relate to them. Frankie and Tilly are adorable together and I loved the progression of their relationship. Tilly had some anxiety issues and they make the reader a tad anxious throughout the story but definitely kept me engaged in the plot. Tilly's family is so supportive and it was nice to see such a great family dynamic. Frankie is a conundrum, a mix of brash self confidence and deeply empathetic. She is so self aware in some scenes but then also doubts herself in others. The supporting cast is equally fun and I found the plot very entertaining. I'll be picking up any future books by Ramsden as they've all proven to be good reads.
Omg, I just loved this book and the characters so much. Jacqueline definitely outdid herself with it. She pulled me in and made me feel so many feelings. She made me smile, cry, feeling insecure with the characters (ok usually Tilly ☺️) and so much more. But most of all at the end I was happy.
But until we get there and Tilly & Frankie find their happiness it takes some time. I am almost sure that many readers will suffer like me with them. At first I don’t think they could be more different. Tilly is the one who is insecure and constantly overthinking everything. She doesn’t believe in her own strengths and herself at all. Life is scary and the unknown stresses her out. She also struggles to ask for her needs. I believe because she reminded me a lot of myself, I fell in love with her so much. This probably sounds funny now because I wouldn’t wanna date myself. Even if Tilly really is very sweet. But I believe I tend to love the character the most I see myself in because we often look for representation. And when you rarely see yourself in others, it’s just incredible when you’re finally seen. 🥰
Frankie on the other hand is totally carefree and doesn’t think much before she acts. This behaviour what makes them meet for the first time. And she is definitely what Tilly needs. They form the most wonderful friendship and develop a huge crush on each other. But nothing happens because Frankie believes Tilly is straight and Tilly being her doesn’t believe Frankie could see anything in her but a friend.
They have the most wonderful time together but it‘s a limited time because chances are high Frankie gets a job at the other end of the country. The question is if either Tilly or Frankie finally is able to get over themselves and tell the other how they feel. There were moments I wanted to push them and just talk openly. And wow how much they made me feel. There were several scenes where I had to cry and my heart was breaking. You would think I totally hated that and yes I would have loved to just see them happy, but no I loved to feel all these feelings. It means the author was able to reach and touch me.
I will stop here and let you experience everything by yourself. I mean where is the fun otherwise. ☺️ But before I definitely stop I wanna say something about the side characters. First of all Tilly‘s mums Mona & Jules. I loved them so much. You just feel how much they love their daughter and I loved the advices they gave. They are perfect together. So perfect that I would love to read their story. 🥰
Then there says Frankie’s best friend June. She is the friend you want in your life and she even gets her own love story in the story. ☺️
A side character I didn’t know for a long time if I like them or not was Tilly‘s best friend Snap. They come across as forceful sometimes and not very thoughtful. But I assume because Tilly has difficulties setting boundaries, they never saw anything wrong with their behaviour.
I could go on and on about this book. But I believe the best will just be, if you read it. I hope others love it as much as I did. Jacqueline really outdid herself and I can’t wait for more. 😊
I received an ARC of this book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fun book, not my usual reading, but I was surprised how easily I got into the vibe of it. A lively, sudden start, and wonderful description, especially of Frankie. Tilly comes across as an insecure, romantically undecided person, but with a strong cute factor. Frankie and Tilly start a platonic friendship, as far as they are concerned, but from the outside they look like a married couple. The discovery phase of the book is easy read, witty and fun. Tilly has been told by her friend Snap that she is the token straight, and she carries that throughout her friendship with Frankie. Eventually she realises she has never been comfortable with that label, and has a talk with her moms. This is one of the most emotionally charged parts of the book, a wonderful piece of writing. There is angst in this book, but for me it’s positive angst, not negative such as a love triangle, etc. I normally don’t like angst, but this is lovely tear-jerker angst, especially around the time of Frankie’s party. The first kiss is just so perfect… until it isn’t. Then it gets more difficult. The big thing here is lack of communication, about having the guts to put yourself out there and talk about how you feel, about your sexuality and emotions. And both of these wonderful women are too worried about losing the other to do that - there were several times I almost yelled at them to say what they were feeling. The biggest downside of this book is that it seems quite a long drawn out book, in some places padded out just to get a bigger word count, scenes that could have easily been cut or shortened. The story contains a lot of mental illness and therapy descriptions, done in a very understanding way.
Jacqueline Ramsden is slowly becoming a new favorite of mine from the indie queer romance writing scene, and The Other Side of Leaving is a perfect example as to why. It’s sweet and heartwarming, with a bit of angst (but not an overwhelming amount), and I really feel emotionally invested in the characters. And the fact that this one is a friends-to-lovers story absolutely helped matters. I love the interplay between Tilly and Frankie. They’re opposites in what they perceive as their life goals and desires, which is one element of the conflict. Tilly also goes on a journey of figuring out her sexuality which really spoke to me, as someone who’s only come to some catharsis about it as an adult…and still isn’t 100% sure. Not to mention reckoning with anxiety…Tilly really is my soul sister. Meanwhile, Frankie is usually very carefree and open, but I really appreciate how her growing feelings for Tilly complicated that. I love how these two played off and influenced each other, and while it took a while for them to figure themselves and each other out, it ultimately came together beautifully. This is a wonderful read, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet, heartfelt sapphic contemporary romance. CWs: Discussions and depictions of anxiety and depression, on-page sex, some angst.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this book so much, I had to reread it as soon as I finished it. It’s that good.
I won’t lie, I’m a sucker for a good friends-to-lovers slowburn story, especially when both characters are completely clueless. The Other Side of Leaving sucks you in within the first few lines as our MCs are thrown together right away. Excited about applying for her dream job, Frankie demands someone hugs her and, lucky for her, Tilly is there. While Tilly is shy and quiet, Frankie is carefree and outgoing, and together they forge an unlikely friendship.
Throughout their friendship, Frankie and Tilly start to fall for each other, but believe it’s one-sided. They are useless sapphics after all. Was their miscommunication frustrating at times? Yes. Do I love being frustrated by idiots in love? You bet I do.
The Other Side of Leaving touches on important topics (depression, anxiety, and coming to terms with your sexuality) and provides all the angst you need in a romance book. Jacqueline never misses and I highly recommend you read all of her books!
This book was so lovely. I really enjoyed losing myself in the characters and the setting. Parsley the one-eyed cat was my favorite character but I loved the whole journey, all the angst and pining and even the misunderstandings. Frankie and Tilly are such loveable idiots and I loved every second of their ridiculously cute story. I can't wait to read more from Jacqueline!
A lot of anxiety and self doubt keeping the main characters apart. Loved the representation of the spectrum of sexuality. Sometimes it takes a person time to understand and accept who they are on that spectrum. Well done telling that part of the story.
This may have well been a good story..but with so many good books out there that I dont have to "try" and read..well I DNFt it... androgynous names and they them and I moved along
Tilly (VT homebody, thinks she's straignt) and Frankie (gay, ambitious, aiming for LA) fall in love. Sweet, well-written romance, which I enjoyed very much!
Loved it! Such a beautiful read. Very emotional (it had me teary for most of the book), tender and sweet, and just so well done. There is something special about Tilly and Frankie's relationship, from the friendship that initially forms, to what it eventually evolves into, and the growth and self-realisation (and coming out) that happens along the way. Yes, it was always going to be an angsty and stressy read, but the journey and characters are just so worth it, and yet again this book has cemented why she is one of my favourite authors.
OMG! Another gem from my TBR shelves! A FAVORITE! We followTilly and Frankie who from a random hug, to friends to lovers! But it takes quite a path, as Tilly thinks she's straight, and Frankie thinks Tilly is too. This is a wonderful story of self discovery, with the help of Tilly's queer moms! Their friends are all on the queer spectrum too. What a fantastic read! 5 stars!
I just spent my whole day reading this book and it was super cute!
This book follows Tilly and Frankie who meet one day when Frankie randomly hugs Tilly after receiving some good news. The two become close friends which grows into something more.
Frankie and Tilly are so adorable. I found both characters to be relatable and their romance with one another was so sweet. They put a smile on my face and I loved every minute reading about them.
I loved the anxiety representation in this book! As someone who also has anxiety, I found it to be so similar to what I experience. The way this book showed Tilly’s overthinking was executed so perfectly. It was so relatable.
I also liked the overthinking and difficulty we saw at the beginning with trying to make friends as an adult. It’s not something I really see in books and I appreciated the realism of it.
Overall I really enjoyed this and if you’re looking for a sweet sapphic friends to lovers story, I’d definitely recommend this!
Wonderfully written story of Frankie and Tilly’s journey to each other. Their meeting was a passionate hug before they even knew each other’s names. Frankie if full of energy and well-deserved confidence. Tilly is much less intense and feels like she doesn’t fit in. Tilly’s moms are a Lesbian and Pansexual couple. They are so loving and supportive. Their friends were also loving and supportive. All the characters were well developed and relatable. It was a gift to watch Tilly discover her true identity and embrace it with gusto. A very good read. I enthusiastically and unequivocally recommend this and any other works by Jacqueline Ramsden. Thank you Peace
Discovery, Defining Yourself, and Grabbing Ahold of Love
This is a beautiful complex story of friendship and love, a well done sensitive look inside the life and thoughts of Tilly who struggles with anxiety, of her challenging journey of discovery of who she really is and how she identifies, of coming out, and of acceptance and belonging.
Jacqueline Ramsden brings you in and holds your attention as Frankie and Tilly's story unfolds. She moves the story forward smoothly with much laughter and character interaction. And when we first encounter Tilly's struggle with anxiety, we already love her and are rooting for her and for her and Frankie's relationship.
The main and supportive characters as well as the storyline are believable and well crafted.
My only issue is when Snap's pronouns cause confusion in conversations and paragraphs where context swings between Snap as they and Snap and others as they. This often interrupts the story flow as you try to figure out if the pronouns they or they're is singular referring to Snap or plural referring to Snap and others. Yet, it only happens when Snap, a minor character, is around.
Still, this is an engaging story with two wonderful HEA's and delightful characters that you will enjoy.
I received an ARC of The Other Side of Leaving for an honest review.
3.75/4 I thought it was a touch too much angsty "will they/won't they", selfdoubt and not communicating. Otherwise again a very enjoyable Ramsden story with great over-top characters :)