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Healing Hearts #2
Fighting Her Touch
ASIN B0B5B6RVWM moved to the more recent edition
The future is fully mapped for a young new nurse, Elizabeth Fletcher. Her engagement to Mr. Chad Hawthorne foretells a life among the wealthy and powerful.
New nurse Elizabeth Fletcher is excited to be finally following the career of her dreams even if it will only be for a few months. When she begins work at the Corrine Ann Pettrone Medical Center (CAPMED) in Chicago, she quickly realizes that she jumped in too deep. She loves the hospital environment, but things start to feel too real, too fast.
Dating Chad Hawthorne, her wealthy boyfriend of five years, Liz always believed she could have love and a career. Yet, when she accepts Chad’s marriage proposal, all bets are off. It is becoming clear to her that his views of what a Hawthorne wife should and should not do are pretty well set.
With little time before the marriage to make a life for herself, Liz desperately wants to prove she can have both. Throwing herself into her career is only a start. What she doesn’t count on is throwing herself into the arms of a non-Hawthorne: a woman — an older woman!
Marisa Cavanaugh is confident, and beautiful, and commands a presence in every room she enters. But what she doesn’t want to portray is the woman that is still fighting a broken heart. She handles that well, or so it seems.
Marisa and Liz spark an instant connection, and for the first time in Liz’s life, she finds someone who appreciates her as she is, and the career that shapes her.
Marisa needs to fight through her chemistry with Liz because there are just too many hurdles in their way. For one, Liz is nearly half her age. It will never work, and Marisa is set on proving that to everyone, especially herself. Yet, their connection just might be too much for Marisa to deny.
Marisa is everything Liz desires in a partner Will Liz be able to secure her happiness with a new love? Or will Liz’s secret be the thing that pulls Marisa away from her once and for all?
The future is fully mapped for a young new nurse, Elizabeth Fletcher. Her engagement to Mr. Chad Hawthorne foretells a life among the wealthy and powerful.
New nurse Elizabeth Fletcher is excited to be finally following the career of her dreams even if it will only be for a few months. When she begins work at the Corrine Ann Pettrone Medical Center (CAPMED) in Chicago, she quickly realizes that she jumped in too deep. She loves the hospital environment, but things start to feel too real, too fast.
Dating Chad Hawthorne, her wealthy boyfriend of five years, Liz always believed she could have love and a career. Yet, when she accepts Chad’s marriage proposal, all bets are off. It is becoming clear to her that his views of what a Hawthorne wife should and should not do are pretty well set.
With little time before the marriage to make a life for herself, Liz desperately wants to prove she can have both. Throwing herself into her career is only a start. What she doesn’t count on is throwing herself into the arms of a non-Hawthorne: a woman — an older woman!
Marisa Cavanaugh is confident, and beautiful, and commands a presence in every room she enters. But what she doesn’t want to portray is the woman that is still fighting a broken heart. She handles that well, or so it seems.
Marisa and Liz spark an instant connection, and for the first time in Liz’s life, she finds someone who appreciates her as she is, and the career that shapes her.
Marisa needs to fight through her chemistry with Liz because there are just too many hurdles in their way. For one, Liz is nearly half her age. It will never work, and Marisa is set on proving that to everyone, especially herself. Yet, their connection just might be too much for Marisa to deny.
Marisa is everything Liz desires in a partner Will Liz be able to secure her happiness with a new love? Or will Liz’s secret be the thing that pulls Marisa away from her once and for all?
234 pages, ebook
Published June 27, 2022
172 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
M.T. Cassen
25 books34 followersMorgan Cassen writes Lesbian Romance. Her mission is to make the world safer for sapphic stories to be told. Inner conflict is what Morgan writes about in her books. Please join her as she writes the stories of breakup and love that tug at heartstrings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
September 24, 2022
**'Writing should not be taken too seriously because in life not everything is as serious as one thinks..'
Mediocre read!
.....chemistry? nope!
Mediocre read!
.....chemistry? nope!
September 10, 2022
The second book in Cassen's medical romance series.
The leads in this one are Elizabeth/Liz a newbie nurse and Marisa lab manager at the hospital. The two connect from first meeting, both serious about their careers. Liz was drawn to nursing having lost a brother to leukemia. She's wishes boyfriend Chad would stop being so controlling and self centered. Marisa recognizes Liz's talent as a nurse and over time, her feelings for her deepen. The same goes for Liz but what about Chad? Is a future between the two women even possible?
Thank goodness for supporting characters Hanna and young Donovan to add some depth to the plot. The author adds a bit of a twist and a touch of drama in this straightforward storyline before the HEA.
I rec'd a copy through Booksprout. This is an unbiased review.
The leads in this one are Elizabeth/Liz a newbie nurse and Marisa lab manager at the hospital. The two connect from first meeting, both serious about their careers. Liz was drawn to nursing having lost a brother to leukemia. She's wishes boyfriend Chad would stop being so controlling and self centered. Marisa recognizes Liz's talent as a nurse and over time, her feelings for her deepen. The same goes for Liz but what about Chad? Is a future between the two women even possible?
Thank goodness for supporting characters Hanna and young Donovan to add some depth to the plot. The author adds a bit of a twist and a touch of drama in this straightforward storyline before the HEA.
I rec'd a copy through Booksprout. This is an unbiased review.
February 5, 2024
Book two of the series. The two MCs are really likeable. Marissa is as sweet as they come and hesitant about her feelings for much younger nurse Liz. Liz is a new nurse and reluctantly engaged to her wealthy boyfriend Chad. But she's confused by her feelings for Marissa. This is a wonderful age gap/medical love story. 5 stars!
January 17, 2023
Love will always Find a Way
Liz has been a newly graduated nurse for CAPMED's pulmonary department for little over three weeks. Prone to being a worrier anyway, Liz is positively flipping out when, during her break, she intercedes on behalf of a young boy in the emergency department and is late coming back to her shift.
When Liz receives the official letter asking her to meet with her department head before her shift, she's convinced that she's losing her job. Desperate for someone to confide in, her friend Hanah tells her that the head of the Lab, Marisa, is a great person to talk to.
Marisa, an attractive woman in her 40's, has just broken up with her girlfriend of four years, and prefers her own company with a bottle of wine and Netflix for her downtime. But something about Liz brings out her compassion and she listens, comforts and consoles her until Liz can face her boss.
Now, the love story begins, by throwing together Liz, who is engaged to Chad. And Marisa who believes that only "mature" women of similar age can make a relationship work.
Fighting Her Touch, the second book in the Healing Hearts series is about how people make assumptions about each other, choose not to be honest with themselves and how true love conquers all of the ridiculous barriers we put in the way of what we really want. This is an excellent story.
Liz has been a newly graduated nurse for CAPMED's pulmonary department for little over three weeks. Prone to being a worrier anyway, Liz is positively flipping out when, during her break, she intercedes on behalf of a young boy in the emergency department and is late coming back to her shift.
When Liz receives the official letter asking her to meet with her department head before her shift, she's convinced that she's losing her job. Desperate for someone to confide in, her friend Hanah tells her that the head of the Lab, Marisa, is a great person to talk to.
Marisa, an attractive woman in her 40's, has just broken up with her girlfriend of four years, and prefers her own company with a bottle of wine and Netflix for her downtime. But something about Liz brings out her compassion and she listens, comforts and consoles her until Liz can face her boss.
Now, the love story begins, by throwing together Liz, who is engaged to Chad. And Marisa who believes that only "mature" women of similar age can make a relationship work.
Fighting Her Touch, the second book in the Healing Hearts series is about how people make assumptions about each other, choose not to be honest with themselves and how true love conquers all of the ridiculous barriers we put in the way of what we really want. This is an excellent story.
September 8, 2022
I love a good age-gap and medical lesbian romance.
That is why I loved “Fighting Her Touch ~ Book 2” by M.T. Cassen.
I liked the introduction she did by thanking to all the medical staff for their work, especially during these hard times (Covid-19).
After reading this book, besides the beautiful romance, the reader will notice how exhausting it is to be a part of a hospital’s medical staff.
“Fighting Her Touch ~ Book 2” by M.T. Cassen is an age-gap and medical lesbian drama and romance, featuring Liz and Marisa, two strong women , yet at different stages in life.
The title suggests Marisa tries to stay away from Liz.
Elizabeth (Liz) Fletcher always wanted to be a nurse. Her dream became true and she starts her new position as a nurse at Corrine Ann Pettrone Medical Center (CAPMED) in Chicago. She is 23 years old, young and inexperienced, yet she is a very dedicated nurse with a heart of gold, especially with the children who have terminal diseases like her brother had.
She starts at the pulmonology floor, but then is moved to the ER floor and she meets new colleagues during breakdowns, like Hanna who is a nurse at the ER floor and of course, Marisa, the laboratory manager.
Liz and Marisa share a deep connection from the start, both being dedicated to their jobs and Marisa seems to see all through Liz’s way to build her career as a nurse, especially on the emotional side and Liz is very attracted to the fact that Marisa is an older woman, warm and kind and seems to listen and understand her very well in days after they first meet.
However, Liz is a straight woman, engaged to Chad Hawthorne, her boyfriend of five years.
Chad is a very successful man, he started his business at 23 years old and know it was a growing empire. Of course, he is also, a very handsome guy. However, Liz is saddened by his attitude towards her job and her future as his wife: he expects her to be a stay at home mom and quit her job. He, also, doesn’t seem to be listening to any of Liz’s problems, especially the ones from the hospital, nor understand her when she is exhausted and she is expected to dress up and go out with him. Marrying Chad is her parents’ dream, not hers and she is frustrated about his attitude.
Liz seems to be living according to the society’s blunt views and she wants to prove that she can be successful in her career and she would really like to meet someone who can be kind and warm and understands her emotional issues. This situation amplifies when she meets you boy Donovan in the ER floor. At first, the doctor is retained to diagnose a final disease and they run tests. Liz fears the worst and she gets attached to the young boy and to his mother, Victoria. Of course, she can lean on Marisa to help out with the blood tests.
The hardest part is when the boy returns to the ER a second time and the blood tests will show what his disease is and Marisa really helps Liz, coming to the hospital from her free day.
Marisa Cavanaugh is the laboratory manager at Corrine Ann Pettrone Medical Center (CAPMED) in Chicago. She has been here for many years. She is 42 years old now and breaths confidence in her way of behaving and being especially professionally. She is, also, a very beautiful woman. Deep down, she hides a broken heart, after her ex left a year ago. She feels lonely when she comes home after long working hours and she would really love the company of another woman. She loves her job and I liked her kindness towards her patience and her warmth and care towards Liz.
When she first sees Liz she know she is attracted to her and she really wants to know her better.
She is really attracted to Liz, above all, due to her emotional side towards her patients and especially towards Donovan and, of course, because she is such a beautiful young woman.
I love how they both love children and they know how to interact with them to try to help the overcome the uncertainty of being into a hospital.
Marisa is also very kind to her other colleagues, like Hanna or Samantha, who even has a crush on her.
Marisa is not attracted to Samantha and she tries to get her down slightly by telling her that the age gap is a problem for her (Samantha being younger than Liz).
Marisa breaks all her rules with Liz, she cannot deny her attraction to her, the age-gap doesn’t matter anymore, nor Liz being straight and having a boyfriend.
There are two turning points: the first happens when Samantha kisses Marisa at the club in front of many of their colleagues including Liz, while the second happens when Liz’s big secret is revealed to Marisa.
When Samantha kisses Marisa at the club in front of many of their colleagues, including Liz, Marisa is surprised and she didn’t want it and Liz flees the club and she understands then she is very attracted to Marisa and she wishes she would have been in Samantha’s place kissing Marisa. And, when Marisa tries to explain Liz what happened she blurts out that she wanted to kiss someone else instead of Samantha and reveals that that someone is Liz. Of course, they kiss and it’s mind blowing and neither can deny their flamboyant attraction anymore.
I loved how Marisa and Liz are together, they understand each other and the great burden from the hospital gets off at home after they have certain conversations and they are enveloped in their own small universe patronized by their lovemaking and passion.
When Liz’s big secret is revealed, Marisa cannot believe it and it is very affected. Her world crumbles and so does their relationship.
Will Marisa and Liz get a chance at a together forever ?
Will Liz love Marisa enough?
Will Marisa forgive Liz?
The themes: age-gap lesbian romance, medical drama, falling for a straight girl, turning the straight girl gay, loving an engaged not so straight woman, the mentality of the man after marriage, living by the society’s rules a.s.o. were greatly touched by the author and enveloped nicely in the plot.
The main characters are one of a kind. I am in love with Marisa all over again, her warmth, her tender care are so alluring.
The side characters like Hanna, Samantha or Chad are nicely built to sustain the development of the plot.
I really liked this book, because of the wonderful characters, the themes and the medical drama.
I totally recommend it.
Inkmarksonemptydreams
August 14, 2024
Enjoyable quick read.
The story was sweet but also kinda frustrating.
Also really instalove, like the other two books in the series, which isn't my thing.
I did like both the characters, at least for the most part.
The story was sweet but also kinda frustrating.
Also really instalove, like the other two books in the series, which isn't my thing.
I did like both the characters, at least for the most part.
January 25, 2024
This book resonated in a personal note as I fought against my age gap relationship due to age at the start being 13 years older. Would have been nice to drawer other issues such an age gap romance would entail. The part where her mother disclosed the same also resonated. A lot of predictability but an enjoyable easy read.
December 7, 2023
This simply dragged on too long for me. The relationship issues between Liz and Marisa became almost anticipated and repetitive. The highlight was that of a young boy diagnosed with leukemia. I actually wished that had been the main plot.
January 3, 2024
Age gap romance is a lovely twist to read. I feel we don't often decide who we fall in love with and age difference based on feeling it is not right separates far too many from the love of their life.
M. T. Morgan focuses well on the relationship between Liz and Marisa, their similarities and differences; the very thing lasting relationships are built on. They learn how they compliment each other and are better together.
It is a heart touching story that leaves you reliving your own story, whether it ends like Liz and Marisa or the opposite is up to the choices you make.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
M. T. Morgan focuses well on the relationship between Liz and Marisa, their similarities and differences; the very thing lasting relationships are built on. They learn how they compliment each other and are better together.
It is a heart touching story that leaves you reliving your own story, whether it ends like Liz and Marisa or the opposite is up to the choices you make.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 22, 2023
Liz is a fresh out of college new nurse trying to figure out how to do her job and deal with the stress and challenges of nursing in a hospital. Marisa is a doctor in the lab at the hospital who has been working there for 20 years. Liz has a bad day and Marisa helps her feel heard and supports her. They're instantly attracted to each other but Liz is in a relationship with a man and Marisa is hung up on the age difference. Ups and downs ensue as they navigate their own baggage, work stress, and fighting their growing attraction.
There are WAY too few lesbian romances so first off, love seeing that. I loved how natural the relationship progression was even when there were quick jumps it all felt very relatable and engaging. All of the tensions of the hospital and the patients and the coworkers and family built such an engaging setting that it was like hearing the story from a friend. Very easy to read, not too much spice, overall a lovely book.
There are WAY too few lesbian romances so first off, love seeing that. I loved how natural the relationship progression was even when there were quick jumps it all felt very relatable and engaging. All of the tensions of the hospital and the patients and the coworkers and family built such an engaging setting that it was like hearing the story from a friend. Very easy to read, not too much spice, overall a lovely book.
December 5, 2023
New nursing school graduate Liz landed her first job in a hospital and her wealthy boyfriend surprised her with a beautiful engagement ring. Career and love - everything is great, right? Except Chad does not want her to continue working and doesn’t seem to listen to her or meet her emotional needs. Liz accepted his ring, but didn’t feel like she had his true attention and she began to have second thoughts immediately.
Once Liz started making friends at work, she realized her friend Marissa (about 19 years her senior) was a great listener and gave sound advice. Slowly their relationship began to move from friendship to something deeper and more complicated - attraction. I enjoyed following Liz and Marissa move from friends and colleagues to partners as they dealt with their age gap and other issues.. The relationship they created together has all of the components everyone should desire: communication, understanding, caring, supportive, and sharing. Some may be uncomfortable with their lesbian relationship but it s really a great book.
Once Liz started making friends at work, she realized her friend Marissa (about 19 years her senior) was a great listener and gave sound advice. Slowly their relationship began to move from friendship to something deeper and more complicated - attraction. I enjoyed following Liz and Marissa move from friends and colleagues to partners as they dealt with their age gap and other issues.. The relationship they created together has all of the components everyone should desire: communication, understanding, caring, supportive, and sharing. Some may be uncomfortable with their lesbian relationship but it s really a great book.
December 4, 2023
The book starts off with a first day at work - and I felt like I was there myself. The main character is Liz, who presents herself with a mostly good head on her shoulders, although at times you question her decisions. I would have liked to see a little more of her and Chad's relationship, to get a better feel of why she feels the way she does.
The internal war that goes on inside her as she's trying to figure out what her heart wants is done well. I also wish there would be a little more background to it - has she had any past female lovers? Is she just curious? Those were a few questions I had as the book went on.
I like how the author didn't drag out the "fighting" between her and Chad. I also liked the conflicts between Liz, Marisa, and Samantha.
Overall well written, not super spicy, and it flows well.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. This is an unbiased review.
The internal war that goes on inside her as she's trying to figure out what her heart wants is done well. I also wish there would be a little more background to it - has she had any past female lovers? Is she just curious? Those were a few questions I had as the book went on.
I like how the author didn't drag out the "fighting" between her and Chad. I also liked the conflicts between Liz, Marisa, and Samantha.
Overall well written, not super spicy, and it flows well.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. This is an unbiased review.
January 16, 2023
Finding Her Path
Very new Nurse Elizabeth Fletcher is so excited to be on her career path. Engagement to Chad Hawthorne is not really what she wanted. When she meets Marisa Cavanaugh she sees a beautiful confident woman. With an instant connection and a new friendship they find themselves drawn together in every way. Will Marisa be able to recover from her previous relationship and will Liz be able to open to a very different path. Fun series in the world of medicine. Fun series.
Very new Nurse Elizabeth Fletcher is so excited to be on her career path. Engagement to Chad Hawthorne is not really what she wanted. When she meets Marisa Cavanaugh she sees a beautiful confident woman. With an instant connection and a new friendship they find themselves drawn together in every way. Will Marisa be able to recover from her previous relationship and will Liz be able to open to a very different path. Fun series in the world of medicine. Fun series.
December 20, 2023
I love romance drama books and this was right up my alley. I loved that when I received it through book funnel I was able to read aloud in the play books app. Definitely worth reading. It is a sweet bisexual romance that will keep you wanting more
September 20, 2022
I am not particularly drawn to age-gap or medical romance novels but I do enjoy a good lesbian romance. It did meet that criteria, so I was happy enough to read this book. It was an enjoyable easy read that could have benefited from some editing. There wasn't a lot of depth and the characters didn't appear to waste a lot of time examining their motives or actions. But it was a fun, light summer romance and I enjoyed the read.
December 29, 2022
Finally, books with people just living their lives.
Normal people, living normal lives with normal emotions.
This is what I want to see. The fact that they are women falling for each other will be huge for many people.
That they both worked, both worried about their relationships, ages, jobs, and families, but not about being killed for just being in a woman- woman relationship. Now that's is the normal life I want to read about and live.
Great book, great reading.
Normal people, living normal lives with normal emotions.
This is what I want to see. The fact that they are women falling for each other will be huge for many people.
That they both worked, both worried about their relationships, ages, jobs, and families, but not about being killed for just being in a woman- woman relationship. Now that's is the normal life I want to read about and live.
Great book, great reading.
December 16, 2023
3 weeks into her nursing career and she intervenes helping a boy in emergency department (not her department) then a letter to meet with head of staff given to her at the end of her shift.
On top of this she was married until she met and felt the touch of a woman. But then Chad comes about.
This book will have you feeling for Liz
On top of this she was married until she met and felt the touch of a woman. But then Chad comes about.
This book will have you feeling for Liz
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2023
Lovely quiky coming out romance
Coming out when you nrever knew you wanted to be with a womsn She thought she was marrying a man was what her patents wanted not her. She founf out a particular women aws what she wanted their is an HEA
Coming out when you nrever knew you wanted to be with a womsn She thought she was marrying a man was what her patents wanted not her. She founf out a particular women aws what she wanted their is an HEA
September 24, 2024
Relatively short read. It was sweet but not spicy at all. Cheating is not really my thing even if the fiancee was doing it first Liz should have dumped him before even considering going further with Marissa.
September 17, 2022
second book in this series
I only gave the first book 4 stars because of grammar problems. This one is much better. Great storyline. Great characters. And I’m a sucker for a HEA.
I only gave the first book 4 stars because of grammar problems. This one is much better. Great storyline. Great characters. And I’m a sucker for a HEA.
October 15, 2022
good read
I enjoyed this book. The characters were both likeable. I really loved their chemistry.
I definitely prefer this book to the first one.
I would recommend this.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were both likeable. I really loved their chemistry.
I definitely prefer this book to the first one.
I would recommend this.
January 6, 2023
Good read
I actually enjoyed reading this book, it started a little slow, but turned out to be the best book I've read in 2023.
I actually enjoyed reading this book, it started a little slow, but turned out to be the best book I've read in 2023.
March 17, 2023
Loved it!
August 31, 2023
Good read
A sweet read. The usual dramas were not drawn out. It was great to have other life events happening in the background.
A sweet read. The usual dramas were not drawn out. It was great to have other life events happening in the background.
September 21, 2023
Too love again
Truly loved this book be a tear jerker at times. So happy for Donovan's family. Cannot wait to read the other book. Great job!
Truly loved this book be a tear jerker at times. So happy for Donovan's family. Cannot wait to read the other book. Great job!
December 1, 2023
This book is so relatable. To be with Marisa and Liz on their journey of discovery, to feel the pain, anguish, love and sadness that life throw their way. It shows that you can never control love ❤️
May 12, 2024
Elizabeth “Liz” Fletcher is a newly hired nurse at Capmed, passionate about making a difference and having a fulfilling career. Except, Liz being in the medical field, let alone working, isn’t quite what her boyfriend-turned-fiancé had in mind for her. But, Liz is determined to make the most out her challenging job for as long as possible.
Queue Marisa Cavanaugh, a lab manager for Capmed, whose confidence and caring personality are effortless and top notch. If you ever wanted a main character with the trifecta, it would be Marisa: endless amounts of compassion, oozing confidence masking a slowly healing heartbreak, and honest almost to a fault. Of course, this causes a whirlwind of confusion for poor Liz, as she soon finds herself seeing Marisa more than just a coworker or friend. Can she reconcile how she feels before she winds up marrying Chad, or is the pull to Marisa stronger and deeper than her pending marriage?
I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a lesbian medical drama with an age gap. It’s worth noting that the secondary characters, specifically Hanna and Donovan, really elevate the book. They definitely deserve honorable mentions!
I have one critique: I felt the number of times Marisa fixated on the age difference between herself and Liz to be a tad overwhelming. I wholeheartedly understand that the age difference was concerning for her and her biggest reason to friend-zone Liz, but I would think her thinking and feeling that so chronically would sour their relationship mentally. How can she possibly get past that thinking if it’s every other few minutes? I personally just feel that deep seated fear could have been toned down a touch.
Side note, I really wish we could have had a deeper dive into Marisa and her ex’s past, as I feel a great deal of her anxiety stems from fearing being on the receiving end of heartbreak again. There was an explanation of Marisa’s ex (being vague on purpose to avoid spoilers), but it would have been awesome to see, feel, hear more to it. Maybe this could be a spinoff series? It wouldn’t have a happy ending (based on the “ex”-girlfriend portion…), but it would quell the desire to understand that relationship more.
Overall, good book and I will definitely be checking out more from M.T. Cassen in the future!
I would like to express my profound gratitude to Voracious Readers Only and M.T. Cassen for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own.
Follow me on Instagram @liv.readsalot
#FightingHerTouch #MTCassen #VoraciousReadersOnly #Romance #MedicalDrama #LGBTBook #LGBTRead #LGBT #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #liv.readsalot #livreadsalot #livvaroni @liv.readsalot
Queue Marisa Cavanaugh, a lab manager for Capmed, whose confidence and caring personality are effortless and top notch. If you ever wanted a main character with the trifecta, it would be Marisa: endless amounts of compassion, oozing confidence masking a slowly healing heartbreak, and honest almost to a fault. Of course, this causes a whirlwind of confusion for poor Liz, as she soon finds herself seeing Marisa more than just a coworker or friend. Can she reconcile how she feels before she winds up marrying Chad, or is the pull to Marisa stronger and deeper than her pending marriage?
I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a lesbian medical drama with an age gap. It’s worth noting that the secondary characters, specifically Hanna and Donovan, really elevate the book. They definitely deserve honorable mentions!
I have one critique: I felt the number of times Marisa fixated on the age difference between herself and Liz to be a tad overwhelming. I wholeheartedly understand that the age difference was concerning for her and her biggest reason to friend-zone Liz, but I would think her thinking and feeling that so chronically would sour their relationship mentally. How can she possibly get past that thinking if it’s every other few minutes? I personally just feel that deep seated fear could have been toned down a touch.
Side note, I really wish we could have had a deeper dive into Marisa and her ex’s past, as I feel a great deal of her anxiety stems from fearing being on the receiving end of heartbreak again. There was an explanation of Marisa’s ex (being vague on purpose to avoid spoilers), but it would have been awesome to see, feel, hear more to it. Maybe this could be a spinoff series? It wouldn’t have a happy ending (based on the “ex”-girlfriend portion…), but it would quell the desire to understand that relationship more.
Overall, good book and I will definitely be checking out more from M.T. Cassen in the future!
I would like to express my profound gratitude to Voracious Readers Only and M.T. Cassen for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own.
Follow me on Instagram @liv.readsalot
#FightingHerTouch #MTCassen #VoraciousReadersOnly #Romance #MedicalDrama #LGBTBook #LGBTRead #LGBT #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #liv.readsalot #livreadsalot #livvaroni @liv.readsalot
March 27, 2023
As required by U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations and Audible.com requirements, I am disclosing that I was given a free review copy of this audiobook at my request. I have listened to the audiobook, and I have voluntarily left an honest review. Receiving a review copy did not influence my rating nor my review.
“Fighting Her Touch” changed the narrator from book 1, which initially disappointed me but the new narrator did a fantastic job, and I’m looking forward to hearing her again on book 3 of the series.
A few of the characters from book 1 make reappearances, but book 2 focuses on our two new MCs: Liz and Marissa. My favorite character in the book, btw, was side character Samantha! I have to say I looked ahead to the blurb for book 3, hoping it would feature Samantha. Alas…not to be.
Yes, it probably says something about how I feel about the MCs if my review focuses first on a side character. I just couldn’t connect with Liz, the younger of the two MCs. She succumbed to an engagement with a man to make her parents happy. Happily for us, he’s rushed off to France for business, and monkey business, so he’s not a big part of the book. My biggest issue with Liz was the cavalier way she treated her employment; frankly, after accepting an engagement she doesn’t want, her job decision really screamed “immature” to an older love interest and just didn’t seem appropriate to the love story.
MC Marisa is eighteen years older than Liz, and is having a difficult time moving on from her ex. She wants a stable relationship, and is concerned about Liz being too young. While some age-gap stories make the gap work, in this case the MCs just sort of ended up together. I didn’t quite get the “fight” for each other.
“Fighting Her Touch” changed the narrator from book 1, which initially disappointed me but the new narrator did a fantastic job, and I’m looking forward to hearing her again on book 3 of the series.
A few of the characters from book 1 make reappearances, but book 2 focuses on our two new MCs: Liz and Marissa. My favorite character in the book, btw, was side character Samantha! I have to say I looked ahead to the blurb for book 3, hoping it would feature Samantha. Alas…not to be.
Yes, it probably says something about how I feel about the MCs if my review focuses first on a side character. I just couldn’t connect with Liz, the younger of the two MCs. She succumbed to an engagement with a man to make her parents happy. Happily for us, he’s rushed off to France for business, and monkey business, so he’s not a big part of the book. My biggest issue with Liz was the cavalier way she treated her employment; frankly, after accepting an engagement she doesn’t want, her job decision really screamed “immature” to an older love interest and just didn’t seem appropriate to the love story.
MC Marisa is eighteen years older than Liz, and is having a difficult time moving on from her ex. She wants a stable relationship, and is concerned about Liz being too young. While some age-gap stories make the gap work, in this case the MCs just sort of ended up together. I didn’t quite get the “fight” for each other.
September 21, 2022
The story is set in a hospital and has an age gap and first female attraction storyline.
Very much a light read.
I like the characters well enough and was happy to finish it, however here were a few issues with aspects of the story.
Liz's nursing job is written like she's hasn't done years of training and she's just giving it a try on a whim. Liz is likeable but almost teenage at times. Early in to the story she receives a meeting request from her superiors at work and responds to it with the nervous mindset of a pupil being called to the principles office.
Luckily, her romantic entanglements are written better.
The story isn't too complicated and unfortunately the peripheral characters and workplace scenes lack depth. Sometimes their work is written like summer jobs rather than vocational careers which many would consider nursing and hospital lab work to be.
Marisa is a very attractive character and my interest in her helped me get to the end.
The chemistry between the leads is written well but not really layered at all. The push and pull is appealing and keeps the story moving.
A touch of angst is something I enjoy and there is just enough to satisfy the plot.
The age difference seems to only serve in creating some kind of storyline issue for Marisa to grapple with because really, she's just had her head turned by a sweet young thing and that's that! Outside of their attraction and appealing kind nature there isn't a whole lot else going on there.
A few aspects of the story are conveniently and swiftly concluded and might not suit everyone.
Very much a light read.
I like the characters well enough and was happy to finish it, however here were a few issues with aspects of the story.
Liz's nursing job is written like she's hasn't done years of training and she's just giving it a try on a whim. Liz is likeable but almost teenage at times. Early in to the story she receives a meeting request from her superiors at work and responds to it with the nervous mindset of a pupil being called to the principles office.
Luckily, her romantic entanglements are written better.
The story isn't too complicated and unfortunately the peripheral characters and workplace scenes lack depth. Sometimes their work is written like summer jobs rather than vocational careers which many would consider nursing and hospital lab work to be.
Marisa is a very attractive character and my interest in her helped me get to the end.
The chemistry between the leads is written well but not really layered at all. The push and pull is appealing and keeps the story moving.
A touch of angst is something I enjoy and there is just enough to satisfy the plot.
The age difference seems to only serve in creating some kind of storyline issue for Marisa to grapple with because really, she's just had her head turned by a sweet young thing and that's that! Outside of their attraction and appealing kind nature there isn't a whole lot else going on there.
A few aspects of the story are conveniently and swiftly concluded and might not suit everyone.
June 29, 2023
Fighting Her Touch has all the elements to be a good read, but it ended up being mediocre at best. The plot is very predictable and lacked any sense of tension even during the dramatic moments. The two main characters are likeable, but lack emotion depth and unfortunately there is no chemistry or connection between them.
There were too many small issues which took me away from the story. I found the continual references to God and praying for people trite since there is no real sense of these characters having any faith or even a moral compass. There were many unrealistic events, (especially to do with Liz’s employment) which were unbelievable. There is also a lot of repetition of the same thoughts and inner monologues. There are several continuity errors. The narrative is very basic and there is lots of telling the reader about various emotions.
Overall this book needs a stronger edit and more coherence in the two narrative points of view. People don’t speak, think or act like this in real life. Where there is action there should be reaction, where there is cause there is an effect - here there was none. Sadly it just lacks any real depth or substance.
I received an ARC in return for an honest review.
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