What do you think?
Rate this book
Sea Legs
The Emerald Duchess sets sail for the serene Caribbean, but the passengers are headed for the chaos of romance. Kelly Ridenour couldn't be happier. She's leaving the bitter Rochester winter behind and going with new friends on a fabulous vacation. Even better, her cabin mate is Natalie Chatham, the lovely lady of Kelly's recent daydreams.
Natalie Chatham has a golden opportunity. Among the other travelers is Didi Caviness, her ex. She and Didi collaborated on their fashion business and their private lives until beautiful--and young--Pamela Roche came along. Natalie wants to win Didi back, even if she has to use one of the oldest tricks in the book to do it.
With the attentive, dashing Kelly playing along, she's going to show Didi she's got competition. Kelly agrees to the charade, planning to make it look real, very real. Seasick and sunburned, Didi watches Kendell woo Natalie and wonders if she's finally missed the boat. Not even the captain knows where this ship is going to land!
Lambda Literary and Golden Crown winner KG MacGregor creates a sea cruise like no other, with all the charm, passion and surprises that readers worldwide have come to expect.
Natalie Chatham has a golden opportunity. Among the other travelers is Didi Caviness, her ex. She and Didi collaborated on their fashion business and their private lives until beautiful--and young--Pamela Roche came along. Natalie wants to win Didi back, even if she has to use one of the oldest tricks in the book to do it.
With the attentive, dashing Kelly playing along, she's going to show Didi she's got competition. Kelly agrees to the charade, planning to make it look real, very real. Seasick and sunburned, Didi watches Kendell woo Natalie and wonders if she's finally missed the boat. Not even the captain knows where this ship is going to land!
Lambda Literary and Golden Crown winner KG MacGregor creates a sea cruise like no other, with all the charm, passion and surprises that readers worldwide have come to expect.
280 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2009
11 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
K.G. MacGregor
39 books331 followersA former teacher and market research consultant, KG MacGregor holds a PhD in journalism and mass communication. Infatuation with Xena: Warrior Princess fanfiction prompted her to try her own hand at storytelling in 2002. In 2005, she signed with Bella Books, which published the Goldie Award finalist Just This Once. Her sixth Bella novel, Out of Love, won the 2007 Lambda Literary Award for Women's Romance, and the 2008 Goldie Award in Lesbian Romance. In 2009, she picked up Goldies for Without Warning (Contemporary Romance) and Secrets So Deep (Romantic Suspense).
Other honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Academy of Bards, the Alice B. Readers Appreciation Medal, and several Readers Choice Awards. An avid supporter of queer literature, KG currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Lambda Literary Foundation.
KG MacGregor divides her time between her homes in Miami and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. When she isn't writing, she's either on a hiking trail, a golf course, or if she's really lucky, a cruise ship.
Other honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Academy of Bards, the Alice B. Readers Appreciation Medal, and several Readers Choice Awards. An avid supporter of queer literature, KG currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Lambda Literary Foundation.
KG MacGregor divides her time between her homes in Miami and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. When she isn't writing, she's either on a hiking trail, a golf course, or if she's really lucky, a cruise ship.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 17, 2019
I needed a break from the snow storms and chose to make my virtual escape on a Caribbean cruise with K.G. MacGregor. This book was published in 2009 and it was interesting seeing how much lesbian romance novels have changed in ten years. There were moments when the book read like a primer on understanding butch-presenting women, a must read for condescending femmes. Dyke drama to be sure but I enjoyed this blast from the past.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
February 28, 2019
This has been in my TBR pile for awhile, but I read another review for it so thought I’d give it a go. I’ve read multiple ‘groups of women take a trip together’ books and it’s not my favourite plot. I was ambivalent about the storyline here, but usually like MacGregor’s work, so wanted to give it a try. This was slightly below average in my opinion.
The basic premise is that six women are taking a cruise together, one stable couple (their names don’t matter), one newish couple (Didi and Pamela), and two women who’ve never met and are sharing a cabin (Kelly and Natalie). But the wrinkle is that Didi and Natalie own a business and used to be in a relationship. Natalie wants Didi back (God knows why, she’s a real bitch) and so she decides to use Kelly to make Didi jealous.
Did I mention that Kelly is butch? She is, and this is harked on (along with her fashion sense) by the other women relentlessly, because four of them are femmes, which as everyone knows is superior (sarcasm). There’s just so many problems with this group of women. Most of them aren’t likeable, Natalie’s desire to get back with Didi is unfathomable, Kelly is a bit of a doormat, and the other characters don’t add much to the story. I also didn’t really buy into the supposed chemistry between Kelly and Natalie, so the main romance did nothing for me.
Oh, and also, as an Aussie, I found the Australian character teeth-grittingly stereotypical. Yes, some Aussies refer to their friends as ‘Mate’, but not every time they address them, nor do we just address random strangers that way. I half expected Jo to start addressing Kelly as ‘Cobber’, but I guess KG didn’t get that far in the ‘Aussie Book of Slang’.
Anyway, I didn’t warm to any of the characters, and so couldn’t really get into this. I give it 2.5 stars but have rounded up to 3 because it’s KG, so it’s well-written from a technical standpoint, but I won’t be re-reading it.
The basic premise is that six women are taking a cruise together, one stable couple (their names don’t matter), one newish couple (Didi and Pamela), and two women who’ve never met and are sharing a cabin (Kelly and Natalie). But the wrinkle is that Didi and Natalie own a business and used to be in a relationship. Natalie wants Didi back (God knows why, she’s a real bitch) and so she decides to use Kelly to make Didi jealous.
Did I mention that Kelly is butch? She is, and this is harked on (along with her fashion sense) by the other women relentlessly, because four of them are femmes, which as everyone knows is superior (sarcasm). There’s just so many problems with this group of women. Most of them aren’t likeable, Natalie’s desire to get back with Didi is unfathomable, Kelly is a bit of a doormat, and the other characters don’t add much to the story. I also didn’t really buy into the supposed chemistry between Kelly and Natalie, so the main romance did nothing for me.
Oh, and also, as an Aussie, I found the Australian character teeth-grittingly stereotypical. Yes, some Aussies refer to their friends as ‘Mate’, but not every time they address them, nor do we just address random strangers that way. I half expected Jo to start addressing Kelly as ‘Cobber’, but I guess KG didn’t get that far in the ‘Aussie Book of Slang’.
Anyway, I didn’t warm to any of the characters, and so couldn’t really get into this. I give it 2.5 stars but have rounded up to 3 because it’s KG, so it’s well-written from a technical standpoint, but I won’t be re-reading it.
January 13, 2017
I could not really carry a torch for any of the characters and the whole butch-femme thing was getting stale at some point. Sea Legs did not rock my boat.
July 30, 2019
The book was well written, but I found it to be boring. A group of women (all friends with someone in the group) go on a cruise. One majorly catty bitch, one somewhat catty, two nice women, a doormat and a women who knows who she is.
I don't know if it was just that I like a bit of a mystery and there was zero in this or if it was really that boring. Made me think of the Sweet Valley High books I read in High School, though I am thinking there was more drama and backstabbing in those (maybe not it's been a while).
I don't know if it was just that I like a bit of a mystery and there was zero in this or if it was really that boring. Made me think of the Sweet Valley High books I read in High School, though I am thinking there was more drama and backstabbing in those (maybe not it's been a while).
February 2, 2011
I like K. G. MacGregor's writing style. I always have, even when the book as a whole didn't live up to my hopeful expectations. I enjoyed the way she took on the butch/femme theme in Sea Legs.
July 6, 2025
Eine wlw Story zwischendurch kann nie schaden. Nur leider hat mich eine Sache extrem gestört: Und zwar das dauernde erwähnen von Femmes und Butches und die starren Rollenbilder derer. Natalie ist eine Femme und war bislang immer von anderen Femmes angezogen. Kelly (eine Butch) kämpft unentwegt um Natalie und bedient sie von A bis O. Natalie ist in der Dynamik mit Kelly endlich Mal im Mittelpunkt und sie macht quasi kaum etwas für Kelly. Auch so abwertende Kommentare wie: "Da kann man ja direkt mit einem Mann zusammen sein wenn man Kelly datet" haben mich massiv gestört, auch wenn sich dafür entschuldigt wurde. Diese Starren Rollenbilder von männlichen und weiblichen Frauen hat mir das Buch etwas kaputt gemacht. Die Femme geht gerne shoppen, verbringt Stunden im Bad und steht auf Mode. Die Butch macht übertrieben viel Sport, liest der Femme alles von den Lippen ab, ist handwerklich und war bei der Navy. Ansonsten fand ich's ganz unterhaltsam.
April 19, 2023
Wow! Sea Legs is a fun ride...I felt as if I was on vacation with these ladies. I'd put off reading this one in my MacGregor binge, thinking the larger cast of characters (and they are indeed characters) might be harder to keep up with. I was wrong. So very wrong. Each one is well developed and adds a special element to the story. Kelly is utterly charming while Natalie is delightfully confused. Didi makes you want to toss her overboard, but Pamela's sweet demeanor and devotion to Didi saves her. And Steph and Yvonne are the steady peacekeepers...even though peace rarely makes an appearance. LOL
Kelly and Natalie are stunning in the picture I have in my head...together, they paint a complete image of dashing and feminine...chivalry and grace. I absolutely adore these two.
Kelly and Natalie are stunning in the picture I have in my head...together, they paint a complete image of dashing and feminine...chivalry and grace. I absolutely adore these two.
December 27, 2009
I must seem like a glutton for punishment. Complaining about lesfic and then diving right back in. But I still have a couple of books lying around and a couple more ordered and I will read them.
And you know what? I *liked* this one. It's different enough from the usual formula to not be boring, has interesting characters and interesting issues it deals with and actually *deals* with them. It is also well written, that usually helps ;)
I have to admit I was torn beforehand about the issue, identity in regard to femme/butch, but it worked well. The story starts with a bunch of friends, most of them femme and a butch partner of one of them (even though, and that kind of grated me, the partner seems de-butched by her partner in regard to appearance), go on a cruise along with a friend of the couple who is also butch. There are anti-butch comments by the fashionistas to set the scene, but for the most part the lovely butch counters them and is above such petty things. Even though I don't get the anti-butch attitude at all, it was portrayed in a way that made sense for the story and I guess that kind of attitude is out there. I had to think of a Gerri Hill novel in which a bunch of closeted power dykes rally against one of her own when she falls for a butch cop... there were no levels there, just black and white and I couldn't find my way into the story for lack of believability... in this one, the different attitudes are explored (within the scope of a romance novel, don't expect anything too heavy or something that will make you think, mind you), a bunch of other 'complications' are thrown in the mix.
Personally I liked that the eventual pairing (and yes, you know right from the start) is believable and that the ending does not seem rushed. So I was a happy camper today, still determined to find a lesfic world though that is not centered on romance. I've already gotten a few suggestions of where to look and a few names I hadn't come across yet. Always looking for more if you have them.
What I did want to add is that this book was produced with a shabby printing job. The print is smudgy, as if the page was moving up and down while it was printed on and a lot of lines on left pages are missing the last letter, sometimes making the word guesswork. Very annoying. It's not the first time I've complained about a Bella print job, and I've complained to them as well, but they seem to be happy with the results.
And you know what? I *liked* this one. It's different enough from the usual formula to not be boring, has interesting characters and interesting issues it deals with and actually *deals* with them. It is also well written, that usually helps ;)
I have to admit I was torn beforehand about the issue, identity in regard to femme/butch, but it worked well. The story starts with a bunch of friends, most of them femme and a butch partner of one of them (even though, and that kind of grated me, the partner seems de-butched by her partner in regard to appearance), go on a cruise along with a friend of the couple who is also butch. There are anti-butch comments by the fashionistas to set the scene, but for the most part the lovely butch counters them and is above such petty things. Even though I don't get the anti-butch attitude at all, it was portrayed in a way that made sense for the story and I guess that kind of attitude is out there. I had to think of a Gerri Hill novel in which a bunch of closeted power dykes rally against one of her own when she falls for a butch cop... there were no levels there, just black and white and I couldn't find my way into the story for lack of believability... in this one, the different attitudes are explored (within the scope of a romance novel, don't expect anything too heavy or something that will make you think, mind you), a bunch of other 'complications' are thrown in the mix.
Personally I liked that the eventual pairing (and yes, you know right from the start) is believable and that the ending does not seem rushed. So I was a happy camper today, still determined to find a lesfic world though that is not centered on romance. I've already gotten a few suggestions of where to look and a few names I hadn't come across yet. Always looking for more if you have them.
What I did want to add is that this book was produced with a shabby printing job. The print is smudgy, as if the page was moving up and down while it was printed on and a lot of lines on left pages are missing the last letter, sometimes making the word guesswork. Very annoying. It's not the first time I've complained about a Bella print job, and I've complained to them as well, but they seem to be happy with the results.
December 30, 2011
This book severely annoyed me. All the characters were horrible, judgmental and just generally characters you would expect to be antagonists. Even Kelly who was so pleasant, kind and un-judgmental was a little annoying in her passiveness. I mean she came off as someone with low self esteem. First of all she should have told Natalie and all her friends to go f&@# themselves instead of constantly ingratiating herself with them.
I can understand that everyone has their preferences as to what they find attractive and not everyone goes for butch. But I mean the characters didn't stop there and just say that's not their type. They were horribly mean and snobby. These characters' behaviours were like high school kids.
The resolution at the end seemed horribly forced. It seemed as if Natalie turned a blindside to Kelly's 'butchness'. Almost as if she tolerated her appearance. It was like an 'in spite of romance'. What served to annoy me even more was Kelly sucking up to ditsy Didi at the end *vomit*.
I'm sure this novel was an attempt at exploring the butch/femme dynamics and to also show that butches aren't always well received (many novels make them seem like 'the shit'). But this novel was just permeated with disdain and despite MacGregor's valiant attempt the novel could not clear that smog.
After reading this I spent some time contemplating K.G. MacGregors novels and I've come to the conclusion that she's an absolute snob. Most if not all her characters are either ridiculously rich or have some glamorous job.
I can understand that everyone has their preferences as to what they find attractive and not everyone goes for butch. But I mean the characters didn't stop there and just say that's not their type. They were horribly mean and snobby. These characters' behaviours were like high school kids.
The resolution at the end seemed horribly forced. It seemed as if Natalie turned a blindside to Kelly's 'butchness'. Almost as if she tolerated her appearance. It was like an 'in spite of romance'. What served to annoy me even more was Kelly sucking up to ditsy Didi at the end *vomit*.
I'm sure this novel was an attempt at exploring the butch/femme dynamics and to also show that butches aren't always well received (many novels make them seem like 'the shit'). But this novel was just permeated with disdain and despite MacGregor's valiant attempt the novel could not clear that smog.
After reading this I spent some time contemplating K.G. MacGregors novels and I've come to the conclusion that she's an absolute snob. Most if not all her characters are either ridiculously rich or have some glamorous job.
November 14, 2015
“Kelly groaned, ‘Dyke drama. Let’s hope everyone behaves for the next twelve days.’” With a marshmallow like that, what are the odds? You know those books your teenage sister/daughter/niece reads - all talk, no action? Well that this except it’s all girls, all talk, no action. See, girl 1 lost girl 2 but books onto the same Barbados cruise with her bringing girl 3 along specifically to make 2 jealous. Of course, that the ruse backfires and 1 and 3 fall in love. There’s chick numbers 4, 5, and 6, too, but this didn’t even hold my attention to register them as anything but faceless mannequins. Speaking as a dude, this entire book is an exercise in waiting for something (like the ship) to explode. There’s not even sex talk. It’s weird; you could find-and-replace the names with any names and it’s the same generic book, other than maybe those critical shoe shopping scenes. Caveat emptor: just because it’s in the Gay Lit section doesn’t mean it’s either gay or lit.
Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.
Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.
June 15, 2017
It took me awhile to warm to the character of Natalie, I thought she was a judgemental bitch. I didn't like how she seemed to pigeon-hole Katie without evening knowing her. Katie, however, I really liked. I would have liked to have gotten to know Pamela a bit more because I like there was no insight into her relationship with Didi. I did enjoy the book, but I don't think I'll be in a massive hurry to re-read it lke I was with some of her other books.
May 19, 2020
This is the second book i have read from this author. I find her characters likeable and enjoy their interactions. In this book, I like that the way the relationship develops. I wasn't thrilled with what seemed like a need for serving the other so much that the self is without needs. Maybe just how i read it, but seemed to go a little too far for me with that.
January 23, 2017
Sea Legs by KG MacGregor is a butch/femme vacation romance that takes us cruising on the Caribbean. It’s full of friends, exes, and unlikely attraction, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/sea-l...
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/sea-l...
December 8, 2011
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Not quite your standard romance and situations, which made it an engaging read.
March 24, 2013
Not bad, easy read. Would be happy to spend more time with the characters, although Didi's attitude change at the end didn't ring true.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews