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Romance in the City #1
Penny for Your Heart
At fourteen, Penny Winters fell out of the closet and in love with her best friend, Misa Ito. But before they truly understood their feelings, Misa and her family were gone. Over a decade later, when Penny secures a job at a top New York advertising agency, she has a second chance at first love when she’s introduced to the lead account executive, Misa.
But the road to happiness is riddled with potholes. Misa is still impossibly beautiful, but super cold. And Misa shows no recollection of Penny—the girl who once showed her how to skateboard, make daisy chain crowns, and shared every secret with. On top of that, there’s the huge engagement ring and photo of a handsome man on Misa’s desk. The butterflies Penny feels don’t seem one-sided, and she wants answers.
Penny has no idea that she’s begging for the impossible. Getting Misa to admit anything means asking her to do the unthinkable: put aside her career and her father’s expectations to give in to her heart. Which has always belonged to Penny.
But the road to happiness is riddled with potholes. Misa is still impossibly beautiful, but super cold. And Misa shows no recollection of Penny—the girl who once showed her how to skateboard, make daisy chain crowns, and shared every secret with. On top of that, there’s the huge engagement ring and photo of a handsome man on Misa’s desk. The butterflies Penny feels don’t seem one-sided, and she wants answers.
Penny has no idea that she’s begging for the impossible. Getting Misa to admit anything means asking her to do the unthinkable: put aside her career and her father’s expectations to give in to her heart. Which has always belonged to Penny.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2023
41 people are currently reading
1891 people want to read
About the author
Season Vining
17 books515 followersSEASON VINING is a romance author, penning adventurous and sexy stories with a dash of humor. She grew up in southern Louisiana where food, culture, and family mean everything. She has lived in Cincinnati, San Diego, and NYC—all of them providing colorful experiences and tons of writing material. She is a graphic designer by day, a complete font snob, and enjoys all forms of art. Her obsessions include live music, tattooed bad boys, vintage cars, and people who know the difference between their, there, and they’re. Season currently lives in Texas with her husband, daughter, and the hungriest corgi that ever lived.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 27, 2023
penny would be my least favorite person ever irl
February 10, 2023
To be honest, I have not read any novels with LBGTQ themes so I am going to treat this as the romances I have read. That being said, the story line was interesting-old friends reconnect but one does not appear very happy at the onset. Penny is ecstatic to see Misa after fourteen years of missing her. Misa ignores their past of a very close friendship until she no longer can. Spicy scenes involved along with a male predator.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 22, 2023
This was decent but not exceptional. I like the idea of introducing race into a story like this but only if it actually plays out in more nuanced ways than the tired old "she has an Asian parent and therefore she must be an overachiever and preserve the family's honor by marrying a well to do straight cis Asian man". I appreciate Penny absolutely never shutting up about her travels but babe, please recognize your privilege. As a Black and Asian woman, Misa would legitimately not be able to travel as freely as Penny tends to, but this reality is never addressed.
Aside from this, nothing was stopping either of these women from getting back in touch as adults but they never do. Their relationship seems purely physical, which is not great to get me invested in the connection. The resolution is incredibly simple, which makes me wonder why on earth Misa waited so long to even try to find a modicum of happiness for herself.
Penny is also written as an incredibly clumsy person, which gets really unrealistic and then really old. If you've ended up falling so that you're between your boss' legs in an office, there are some significant concerns about your appropriateness and professionalism as an employee, ma'am.
Aside from this, nothing was stopping either of these women from getting back in touch as adults but they never do. Their relationship seems purely physical, which is not great to get me invested in the connection. The resolution is incredibly simple, which makes me wonder why on earth Misa waited so long to even try to find a modicum of happiness for herself.
Penny is also written as an incredibly clumsy person, which gets really unrealistic and then really old. If you've ended up falling so that you're between your boss' legs in an office, there are some significant concerns about your appropriateness and professionalism as an employee, ma'am.
February 15, 2023
I’ve been a fan of Season Vining since her first book release almost 10 years ago. And for 10 years, I have been waiting for a queer romance.
IT. WAS. WORTH. THE. WAIT.
I couldn’t put it down. The characters are so raw and real. Growing up queer isn’t an easy thing for most people, and Season captured the reality that many people in the queer community still struggle with acceptance well into adulthood.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
IT. WAS. WORTH. THE. WAIT.
I couldn’t put it down. The characters are so raw and real. Growing up queer isn’t an easy thing for most people, and Season captured the reality that many people in the queer community still struggle with acceptance well into adulthood.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
May 15, 2023
I just found this book so frustrating. I really wanted to love it, but I hated so much about Penny that I just couldn’t truly get invested in the story. I liked the plot, but honestly, Penny was so unrealistic to me. I found it impossible to relate to her and I think if I met her in real life she’d be enough to make me closet myself.
September 27, 2023
The chemistry between Penny and Misa is UNREAL. Palpable. Could be cut with a knife! I laughed throughout this entire book. This was by far one of my favorite romance novels to date. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series! Just enough of a mix of lightheartedness with real life topics mixed in!
April 5, 2023
Hilarious and heartwarming! Season Vining has written characters who are relatable and believable. Penny’s quick wit and sense of sarcasm will have you laughing out loud. The LGBTQ community needed Season’s voice!
March 26, 2023
A Million Notes of Love
This book absolutely enraptured my entire soul. I have always loved Season Vining’s books, but this one is a complete masterpiece. It’s becoming, and love, and every single moment in between of forever. It is worth the read.
The story is so well done and I love Penny any more than I already do. She is the very essence of everything we want to be. She is chaos but also the endless possibilities of our dreams. And there’s Misa, daring and sacrificing, but also that voice in the back of mind that makes us quiet down and see everything in front of us. Gosh I want to squish them.
Add in the many other characters that fuel this book’s wonderment, and I’m quite sure I’ll be reading this again to see what I missed. They were all so charming and funny and real. I know these people. Heck j am some of them. And that’s what makes this story truly relatable. It was a joy from beginning to end.
Don’t walk, run to the download butting to read this book. It will open your eyes to many things, but mainly that the heart wants what it wants and that’s okay.
This book absolutely enraptured my entire soul. I have always loved Season Vining’s books, but this one is a complete masterpiece. It’s becoming, and love, and every single moment in between of forever. It is worth the read.
The story is so well done and I love Penny any more than I already do. She is the very essence of everything we want to be. She is chaos but also the endless possibilities of our dreams. And there’s Misa, daring and sacrificing, but also that voice in the back of mind that makes us quiet down and see everything in front of us. Gosh I want to squish them.
Add in the many other characters that fuel this book’s wonderment, and I’m quite sure I’ll be reading this again to see what I missed. They were all so charming and funny and real. I know these people. Heck j am some of them. And that’s what makes this story truly relatable. It was a joy from beginning to end.
Don’t walk, run to the download butting to read this book. It will open your eyes to many things, but mainly that the heart wants what it wants and that’s okay.
March 27, 2023
Thank you for the free copy of this book!
This story made me tear up at multiple points. Such great representation. As someone that also didn't realize how much I liked my best friend, and in what way, this was a lovely read.
Small critique, the word "hum" and its iterations were a little overused, especially in the second half of the book.
This story made me tear up at multiple points. Such great representation. As someone that also didn't realize how much I liked my best friend, and in what way, this was a lovely read.
Small critique, the word "hum" and its iterations were a little overused, especially in the second half of the book.
March 20, 2023
5⭐️ 2🌶️
I loved this book. It was so funny. The chemistry between these characters was everything. This book sucks you in from the beginning. I could t get enough if it . This was the first book I read from this author and she did not disappoint. I immediately fell in love with the characters story. It’s definitely a must read.
I loved this book. It was so funny. The chemistry between these characters was everything. This book sucks you in from the beginning. I could t get enough if it . This was the first book I read from this author and she did not disappoint. I immediately fell in love with the characters story. It’s definitely a must read.
August 13, 2023
Yikes, unfortunately this book missed the mark for me.
I'm not a fan of flashbacks and truthfully, I skipped those parts so essentially, I skim read this book.
The idea was there but the execution lacked for me sadly. :(
I'm not a fan of flashbacks and truthfully, I skipped those parts so essentially, I skim read this book.
The idea was there but the execution lacked for me sadly. :(
February 5, 2023
“How boring would the world be if we were all the same?”
dnf
May 7, 2023DNF @ 2%
girlie was telling people that her dress had pockets on the street and that was enough for me
girlie was telling people that her dress had pockets on the street and that was enough for me
March 16, 2023
This is my first book by this author and it was an incredible read. From the moment I picked it up I could not put it down. I am definitely going to go and read more by this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 10, 2023
Fabulous read! I giggled and laughed throughout the book! What penny and miss have is real and I couldn’t stop turning the pages!
September 6, 2023
Penny is wild, unpredictable chaos with flaming red hair and out-of-this-world fashion choices. Misa is a firey hot ice queen climbing the corporate ladder in NYC. When Penny walks into her first day at her new job and finds the friend who disappeared out of the blue 14 years ago, she's elated. Until Misa acts like she doesn't remember Penny. Penny's not one to take that lying down and so begins this wonderful story.
There's so much to love about this book. I loved the diversity in these characters and the world and family they've built. I absolutely adored Penny's mom and best friend, Ross. These characters radiate life off the page and bring you right into their world. This story had a perfect blend of humor to balance the hardships of life and navigating external expectations placed on you by the world.
The chemistry between Misa and Penny singes the pages and sucks you right into their vortex.
I could not put this book down.
I'm still sitting in the afterglow of this amazing story and I cannot WAIT for the next book of this series. I'm beyond elated that this is the first book and we get another story from Vining with these wonderful characters.
There's so much to love about this book. I loved the diversity in these characters and the world and family they've built. I absolutely adored Penny's mom and best friend, Ross. These characters radiate life off the page and bring you right into their world. This story had a perfect blend of humor to balance the hardships of life and navigating external expectations placed on you by the world.
The chemistry between Misa and Penny singes the pages and sucks you right into their vortex.
I could not put this book down.
I'm still sitting in the afterglow of this amazing story and I cannot WAIT for the next book of this series. I'm beyond elated that this is the first book and we get another story from Vining with these wonderful characters.
Read
March 14, 2023DNF at 21%
While the concept of this story is one that intrigued me, I kept feeling as though the book was trying too hard. I don't know how many times I was told that Penny is quirky, different, doesn't fit in a box, etc. She also wouldn't change herself for anything or anyone and didn't care how people saw her and was super confident in who she was. I get it. But you need to show me and not just tell me.
I love the representation and support of the LGBTQIA community so far in this story. I believe it's important to show diverse characters, but also to show their struggles and triumphs. That was done well up where I read.
While the concept of this story is one that intrigued me, I kept feeling as though the book was trying too hard. I don't know how many times I was told that Penny is quirky, different, doesn't fit in a box, etc. She also wouldn't change herself for anything or anyone and didn't care how people saw her and was super confident in who she was. I get it. But you need to show me and not just tell me.
I love the representation and support of the LGBTQIA community so far in this story. I believe it's important to show diverse characters, but also to show their struggles and triumphs. That was done well up where I read.
October 27, 2023
DNF - 68%
I tried, I really tried, because I hate leaving books unfinished and I hate giving books bad reviews. Everything about this book irritated me. The main character is insufferable. I think she is meant to be free spirited and kooky but she just comes across as selfish, immature and unprofessional. The rest of the characters and the plot were like a paint by numbers effort by someone who just finished "Writing Queer Literature for Dummies" and misunderstood every single point. I found the trans character particularly irritating with his punching walls and "big brother" protectiveness of Penny. Why must he mansplain????
Urgh.
I tried, I really tried, because I hate leaving books unfinished and I hate giving books bad reviews. Everything about this book irritated me. The main character is insufferable. I think she is meant to be free spirited and kooky but she just comes across as selfish, immature and unprofessional. The rest of the characters and the plot were like a paint by numbers effort by someone who just finished "Writing Queer Literature for Dummies" and misunderstood every single point. I found the trans character particularly irritating with his punching walls and "big brother" protectiveness of Penny. Why must he mansplain????
Urgh.
December 9, 2024
I appreciate reading unique and interesting queer/sapphic content; however, I found the MC to be so self-absorbed with no willingness to understand the challenges her love interest was facing career or culture-wise. I also found Misa somewhat hollow as a character with little to no depth despite having an interesting backstory; I wanted to like this book as friends-to-lovers, which is my favorite trope, but overall, I found the story lacking.
December 5, 2023
DNF. Tried many many times to like it, but it was so cringe. Didnt like Penny, can’t take Misa’s hot and cold character 🤷🏻♀️
February 21, 2025
The main character gave huge "Lisa who went to Australia for a year and can't shut up about it" vibes. Which is slightly insufferable at first and then I grew to love her and how headstrong she was. I also gotta applaud that this story didn't pretend like a kiss or sex were the answer to every problem. Penny and Misa have a lot of shit to figure out and they actually do that, instead of kissing it better.
However I would've liked to learn a lot more about Misa's relationship to her father. As it is he fills the stereotype of "strict homophobic asian father". Which extends to Misa's need to make him happy. This could've been fine, if the author added more depth to their relationship. But as it is it doesn't move past the racist caricature, which is immensely disappointing.
However I would've liked to learn a lot more about Misa's relationship to her father. As it is he fills the stereotype of "strict homophobic asian father". Which extends to Misa's need to make him happy. This could've been fine, if the author added more depth to their relationship. But as it is it doesn't move past the racist caricature, which is immensely disappointing.
March 11, 2024
Great read
I read a lot of lesbian romances and I think I've become a little jaded. I know what I like and I don't settle for anything that doesn't hit the mark. This book had all the things that made me keep reading and loving every second of it. The declaration from Misa at the end was a pleasant surprise that doesn't happen for me often in this genre. All of the characters were lovely and real. The glimpses of Misa and Penny when they were kids were beautiful. I'll definitely be reading more by this author.
I read a lot of lesbian romances and I think I've become a little jaded. I know what I like and I don't settle for anything that doesn't hit the mark. This book had all the things that made me keep reading and loving every second of it. The declaration from Misa at the end was a pleasant surprise that doesn't happen for me often in this genre. All of the characters were lovely and real. The glimpses of Misa and Penny when they were kids were beautiful. I'll definitely be reading more by this author.
March 8, 2023
First love! First LGBTQ+ love! My younger "in the closet" -self wish books like this would have been available to me then!
This book is colorful... vibrant! I read this and could imagine being right there with Penny and crew through it all.
This book has it all from LGBTQ+ self-doubt, to coming to terms with who you are, and then being unapologetic about who you are. I felt it all and related to it. I'm in love... with Penny for Your Heart!
This book is colorful... vibrant! I read this and could imagine being right there with Penny and crew through it all.
This book has it all from LGBTQ+ self-doubt, to coming to terms with who you are, and then being unapologetic about who you are. I felt it all and related to it. I'm in love... with Penny for Your Heart!
July 22, 2023
I'm torned on this one because for the most part the writing is solid. Penny is sometimes to chaotic but still works. My problem is towards the end of the book and how the problem was resolved. The confession scene was borderline cringe, to be honest. I understand that it was meant to be an over the top gesture and all that, but execution could have been better. I mean, it was so unrealistic and so cringe. But if I weigh together with the rest of the book, I'd still give 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2025
ugh Penny was annoying AF. The spice, tension, heat did not hit. The flashbacks, while I understand their place, pulled me out of the story more than they added to it. The ending was ridiculous on all fronts from their public reconciliation, their boss magically being ok with interoffice romance after making such a big thing out of it, and the Oasis center problem magically being solved. Like that would happen that fast and seamlessly.
April 21, 2023
Fun second-chance romance
I enjoyed this friends-to-strangers-to-enemies-to-lovers lesbian romance. In a workplace setting, two separated childhood friends meet again, pretend to be strangers, fight, and are forced to work together until the sexual tension boils over. I enjoyed this steamy romance with fantastic side characters.
I enjoyed this friends-to-strangers-to-enemies-to-lovers lesbian romance. In a workplace setting, two separated childhood friends meet again, pretend to be strangers, fight, and are forced to work together until the sexual tension boils over. I enjoyed this steamy romance with fantastic side characters.
August 8, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. This was my first by Season Vining, and guess what -LOVE her!!! I am already reading the second one in this series, and waiting for the 3rd one. I definitely need to take a gander at some of the other books she’s written. If they are half as good as these, I’m going to have to jump on the Season Vining bandwagon!!! Love it!
July 30, 2025
Penny and Misa- childhood BFFs. Total opposites in every sense, but they truly compliment each other. Until Misa suddenly moved away. Fate brought them together again at Penny's new job, only for her to have more questions than answers about their past, present, and, of course, future.
This is a cute little romcom. Penny is a hilarious character - super fun to read!
This is a cute little romcom. Penny is a hilarious character - super fun to read!
August 23, 2025
LOVE Penny!!
Such a great character and SO well written! Really enjoyed the interactions with Ross (and Rachel - HA) and Misa! Thank you for bringing love, laughter and joy to the world!
Such a great character and SO well written! Really enjoyed the interactions with Ross (and Rachel - HA) and Misa! Thank you for bringing love, laughter and joy to the world!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews