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Love Where You Work #3
Courtship: A Novel
Reaux Briggs is no stranger to cruising; each night a different woman warms her bed. She doesn’t exactly mind it, as intimacy is something she gave up on long ago. But when her hot nights land her in hotter water and she’s ousted as drummer by her metal band, Reaux thinks things couldn’t possibly get worse. Then she walks onto the deck of a long-awaited holiday cruise only to run face-first into the woman who broke her heart.
Catherine “Fitz” Fitzgerald is an up-and-coming divorce lawyer too busy trying to make partner to care about her love life, or anything approximating one. But thanks to an antiquated norm at her family’s firm, Fitz needs to find a partner in order to get promoted. As if her mother setting her up on horrible blind dates wasn’t bad enough, Fitz also has to contend with being in forced proximity to Reaux, her high school sweetheart and the girl she’s never really been able to get out of her head.
Increasingly pulled together by feelings they can’t quite ignore—not to mention a tropical hurricane that threatens the lives of everyone aboard the ship—Reaux and Fitz must learn to navigate the emotional and literal storms swirling about them. Will they be able to mend their past hurts and reach safe harbors, or has their ship sailed once and for all?
Catherine “Fitz” Fitzgerald is an up-and-coming divorce lawyer too busy trying to make partner to care about her love life, or anything approximating one. But thanks to an antiquated norm at her family’s firm, Fitz needs to find a partner in order to get promoted. As if her mother setting her up on horrible blind dates wasn’t bad enough, Fitz also has to contend with being in forced proximity to Reaux, her high school sweetheart and the girl she’s never really been able to get out of her head.
Increasingly pulled together by feelings they can’t quite ignore—not to mention a tropical hurricane that threatens the lives of everyone aboard the ship—Reaux and Fitz must learn to navigate the emotional and literal storms swirling about them. Will they be able to mend their past hurts and reach safe harbors, or has their ship sailed once and for all?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2023
25 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Anna Pulley
7 books87 followersANNA PULLEY is a queer, mixed-race, hard-of-hearing writer living in the Bay Area. She writes rom-coms and is the author of The Lesbian Sex Haiku Book (with Cats!), which Tegan and Sara said was "an adorable and hilarious way to start the day," Cheryl Strayed called a "must-read," and actress Jennifer Tilly said was "thoroughly charming." She writes a weekly sex and dating advice column for The Chicago Tribune and been published in New York magazine, Mother Jones, The Washington Post, San Francisco magazine (the issue she contributed to won a National Magazine Award), Vice, Salon, BuzzFeed, and many others. She was also named a Top LGBTQ Writer on Medium. Her writing was excerpted/quoted in Esther Perel's book, The State of Affairs. She's been a repeat guest on Dan Savage's podcast, Savage Love, on Daniel M. Lavery's "Dear Prudence" podcast, and most recently on the popular 99% Invisible podcast.
When not writing or reading, you'll find her trapped under a cat, probably.
When not writing or reading, you'll find her trapped under a cat, probably.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 20, 2023
Wow amazing storyline
Wow amazing storyline I loved the main characters chemistry it was described perfectly their journey from finding themselves and finally putting their hearts out their from each other wow MUST READ congratulations
Wow amazing storyline I loved the main characters chemistry it was described perfectly their journey from finding themselves and finally putting their hearts out their from each other wow MUST READ congratulations
January 31, 2023
"Promise me that when love comes through that doorway, you'll look her square in the eye and say, 'My god, it's freezing in here. I wish I'd brought my sweater.'"
COURTSHIP is the third in Anna Pulley's Love Where You Work series, and it is every bit (perhaps more?) sweet, funny, and spicy as the first two. This is exactly what I wanted to read right now. Compelling and fully realized queer characters facing relatable and also hilariously over the top dilemmas. Slow burn lust and hot sex scenes. Laugh out loud prose with moments to really tug at your heartstrings.
Anna Pulley builds on what she did so well in the second book, which is tackle disability in a thoughtful and relatable manner. Reaux's status as an amputee is just part of the texture of her life, much like her queerness. I'm here for it. And I can't wait for Love Where You Work 4!
COURTSHIP is the third in Anna Pulley's Love Where You Work series, and it is every bit (perhaps more?) sweet, funny, and spicy as the first two. This is exactly what I wanted to read right now. Compelling and fully realized queer characters facing relatable and also hilariously over the top dilemmas. Slow burn lust and hot sex scenes. Laugh out loud prose with moments to really tug at your heartstrings.
Anna Pulley builds on what she did so well in the second book, which is tackle disability in a thoughtful and relatable manner. Reaux's status as an amputee is just part of the texture of her life, much like her queerness. I'm here for it. And I can't wait for Love Where You Work 4!
September 11, 2024
This story is set mainly on a cruise ship. I happened to be on a cruise when I read it. Luckily nothing untoward happened on mine! Sadly there was no towel art on my cruise - that seems to have gone by the by since covid.
This story involves some of the characters from Pivot - with the emphasis on Reaux and Catherine (Fitz) - the one who got away.
Paula and Nita are due to get married on the cruise and have invited their friends along to share the happy occasion with them. Reaux and Catherine have not seen each other since they were 18 and Catherine ended their relationship abruptly. Of course now we are told the reason - and it is another take on the old 'I was threatened that something would happen to you if I didn't stop seeing you' idea. This time it is a slight age gap and the threat of Reaux being registered as a sex offender.
Generally speaking whenever anything is set on a cruise ship it sinks or takes on water and everyone is in peril. Here there is a storm, a lot of water and people are frightened.
Reaux and Catherine will of course end up together again. 3 months later Catherine takes a course to become a dominatrix - and is more assertive at work! She stands up to her mother at last.
Epilogue
This is a year later and the music school opens in new premises.
This story involves some of the characters from Pivot - with the emphasis on Reaux and Catherine (Fitz) - the one who got away.
Paula and Nita are due to get married on the cruise and have invited their friends along to share the happy occasion with them. Reaux and Catherine have not seen each other since they were 18 and Catherine ended their relationship abruptly. Of course now we are told the reason - and it is another take on the old 'I was threatened that something would happen to you if I didn't stop seeing you' idea. This time it is a slight age gap and the threat of Reaux being registered as a sex offender.
Generally speaking whenever anything is set on a cruise ship it sinks or takes on water and everyone is in peril. Here there is a storm, a lot of water and people are frightened.
Reaux and Catherine will of course end up together again. 3 months later Catherine takes a course to become a dominatrix - and is more assertive at work! She stands up to her mother at last.
Epilogue
This is a year later and the music school opens in new premises.
April 24, 2023
My favorite in this series was the first, probably in part because it was such a surprise: quirky lesbians who seemed like people I'd want to know, endless inventive metaphors and similes, humor, serious emotion, and realistic graphic sex.
The second book, and now this third, have been more of the same, and I suspect I've loved them slightly less because they aren't at the same level of surprise as the first. However, I've really enjoyed them.
Reaux, a side character in the last book, is the star here. She is a promiscuous drunk who's missing a hand, and a drummer who is chronically underemployed, so obviously someone's Ms. Right /s. Her roommate/high school bestie is getting married on a cruise ship and her high school ex-girlfriend is invited. Fitz, the ex, is an unhappy lawyer who is afraid to piss off her mom. High seas hijinks ensue.
If you like ridiculous situations combined with real emotional growth + good sex scenes, this whole series will probably make you happy.
The second book, and now this third, have been more of the same, and I suspect I've loved them slightly less because they aren't at the same level of surprise as the first. However, I've really enjoyed them.
Reaux, a side character in the last book, is the star here. She is a promiscuous drunk who's missing a hand, and a drummer who is chronically underemployed, so obviously someone's Ms. Right /s. Her roommate/high school bestie is getting married on a cruise ship and her high school ex-girlfriend is invited. Fitz, the ex, is an unhappy lawyer who is afraid to piss off her mom. High seas hijinks ensue.
If you like ridiculous situations combined with real emotional growth + good sex scenes, this whole series will probably make you happy.
January 31, 2025
“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳,” 𝘖𝘱𝘢𝘭 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘰𝘯. “𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘶𝘯. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘈 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴.”
“𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘖𝘵𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘬𝘦, 𝘵𝘰𝘰.” “𝘐 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘦,” 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘹 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥, “𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴.”
“𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘥. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘯.”
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆
Oh my gosh I loved this book so much. Theres so many amazing quotes I could put but we would be here forever. Fitz and Reaux both have my heart completely, along with all the side characters. I haven’t laughed so much while reading a book in awhile. It was so ridiculous in such a good way, but also touched on so many topics perfectly. Ugh such a good read, I recommend this book with my whole being I’m so serious.
“𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘖𝘵𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘬𝘦, 𝘵𝘰𝘰.” “𝘐 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘦,” 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘹 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥, “𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴.”
“𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘥. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘯.”
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚ *ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆
Oh my gosh I loved this book so much. Theres so many amazing quotes I could put but we would be here forever. Fitz and Reaux both have my heart completely, along with all the side characters. I haven’t laughed so much while reading a book in awhile. It was so ridiculous in such a good way, but also touched on so many topics perfectly. Ugh such a good read, I recommend this book with my whole being I’m so serious.
March 17, 2023
This second-chance romance brings Reaux and Fitz back together twelve years after a forced separation. The setting for their reunification is a mutual friends' wedding aboard a cruise ship. Comic relief is provided by other passengers including a Senior Singles group and a convention of dominatrixes. Additional stress comes in the form of a tropical hurricane that leaves the ship adrift and ultimately overrun by livestock. Amidst all these goings-on Reaux and Fitz realize that they still have strong feelings for each other. Despite these realizations they go their separate ways once the ship finally limps into port. The final reconciliation takes a while longer and requires a few more upsets in each of their lives. The conclusion is a little implausible but is generally satisfying.
August 11, 2023
Love Cruise?
Maybe maybe not, but there’s definitely a cruise (I’ve never been on one and I don’t think I ever will ;)) and there’s definitely love. There’s been love since they were in high school. Unfortunately, they were separated and both never really ‘lived’ after. They have amazing chemistry even with how they both handle any situations, especially when tension is involved. Awesome book! I loved the side characters as well especially the frisky seniors lol. The majority of the book was the cruise so the character growth was a bit rushed but still very well done and satisfying.
Maybe maybe not, but there’s definitely a cruise (I’ve never been on one and I don’t think I ever will ;)) and there’s definitely love. There’s been love since they were in high school. Unfortunately, they were separated and both never really ‘lived’ after. They have amazing chemistry even with how they both handle any situations, especially when tension is involved. Awesome book! I loved the side characters as well especially the frisky seniors lol. The majority of the book was the cruise so the character growth was a bit rushed but still very well done and satisfying.
February 8, 2023
Never gonna take a cruise
3rd book in the series and it didn't disapoint. Reaux and Fitz story was a delight to read, lots of angst, a great supporting cast, a good heap of real life sadness, but a happy ending.
Could a friends wedding on a cruise go so wrong and yet be so right. A well paced book that didn't rush the ending. Looking forward to reading more by Anna Pulley
3rd book in the series and it didn't disapoint. Reaux and Fitz story was a delight to read, lots of angst, a great supporting cast, a good heap of real life sadness, but a happy ending.
Could a friends wedding on a cruise go so wrong and yet be so right. A well paced book that didn't rush the ending. Looking forward to reading more by Anna Pulley
March 21, 2023
Enjoyable story
Having a life altering experience on a cruise, these characters revealed a different way of facing a challenging experience and making the life lessons they learned from it improve their future. I, especially, like the characters from The Whispering Pines care center.
Having a life altering experience on a cruise, these characters revealed a different way of facing a challenging experience and making the life lessons they learned from it improve their future. I, especially, like the characters from The Whispering Pines care center.
June 24, 2025
Pleasant, holding attention second-chance sapphic romance. I really liked main characters developed and their willingness to make changes in themselves in order to be with each other. That was wonderful. It was great to have support characters from two previous books in the series. Generally very nice book.
January 21, 2023
This was a great book! I have read the whole series and was never disappointed. Great characters and stories in all three. Each could be read alone but the background on the couples is great if read in order!
January 29, 2023
The story had so many twists and turns. First the wedding on the cruise with the drama that ensued. The second chance that was offered a couple, but not fully taken. Most of all the journey of two people that had to let their true selves out and be the start of their own happiness.
January 29, 2023
I’m torn
This book was great and controversial. I mean, melancholy and funny at the same time. Tragic and disastrous characters who have tragic and disastrous events happening to them in a funny way.
Good advice and great friends manage to patch things up and into a happy end.
This book was great and controversial. I mean, melancholy and funny at the same time. Tragic and disastrous characters who have tragic and disastrous events happening to them in a funny way.
Good advice and great friends manage to patch things up and into a happy end.
March 7, 2023
fun!
I love a story that blend humor with romance, and adds just the right amount of personal growth. This story has all that with a touch of madcap comedy on the side. A good time was had by all.
I love a story that blend humor with romance, and adds just the right amount of personal growth. This story has all that with a touch of madcap comedy on the side. A good time was had by all.
January 4, 2025
laugh out loud funny rom com
You may never want to go on a cruise again after reading Courtship, but you will definitely want to read another Anna Pulley book. Funny, sweet, and steamy.
You may never want to go on a cruise again after reading Courtship, but you will definitely want to read another Anna Pulley book. Funny, sweet, and steamy.
February 23, 2023
brilliant
Loved this book straight away, it made me laugh, for someone who cruises , I want to try this one
Loved this book straight away, it made me laugh, for someone who cruises , I want to try this one
April 18, 2023
3.5 stars. Some ridiculous plot points but obviously not taking itself too seriously.
January 29, 2024
i…don’t remember reading this but i know i did
February 16, 2025
3.5. I really liked Reaux as a character.
January 4, 2024
In the past Reaux and Fitz were young lovers, girls at a convent school. Now Reaux hates Fitz after Fitz effectively ghosted her twelve years before - and Reaux has no idea why.
This is a story written in an excellent prose style - Anna Pulley has an eloquent style of writing, witty, descriptive, and often very poetic. Some of the interactions between Reaux and Fitz are so funny - amongst which are their comical names for things and people. But when they are apart their sense of humour goes, as though they really do need one another to be whole.
I found the whole attitude of Reaux sad. She seems as if she is just marking time in life, waiting for something to happen. Her attitude to women and sex, and to herself is so negative. She has a massive lack of self respect. Her only saving grace is her devotion to helping others. Then when she and Fitz are talking early in the story on the ship, it’s as though her loneliness is eating away at her, and Fitz is the only one who can make her believe in herself again.
Fitz is extremely submissive, especially to her mother. She won’t stand up to anyone, just wants to be liked and doesn’t want to rock the boat. Since she finished with Reaux twelve years before, she just got on with her education and career because it is what was expected of her, but she has not really enjoyed life.
There are many brilliant idiomatic one liners in this, for example: “so white it looked like an Apple store dipped in anal bleach”. Overall it is an excellent book, well worth slow multiple reads, as there are so many details you may miss the first time through.
This is a story written in an excellent prose style - Anna Pulley has an eloquent style of writing, witty, descriptive, and often very poetic. Some of the interactions between Reaux and Fitz are so funny - amongst which are their comical names for things and people. But when they are apart their sense of humour goes, as though they really do need one another to be whole.
I found the whole attitude of Reaux sad. She seems as if she is just marking time in life, waiting for something to happen. Her attitude to women and sex, and to herself is so negative. She has a massive lack of self respect. Her only saving grace is her devotion to helping others. Then when she and Fitz are talking early in the story on the ship, it’s as though her loneliness is eating away at her, and Fitz is the only one who can make her believe in herself again.
Fitz is extremely submissive, especially to her mother. She won’t stand up to anyone, just wants to be liked and doesn’t want to rock the boat. Since she finished with Reaux twelve years before, she just got on with her education and career because it is what was expected of her, but she has not really enjoyed life.
There are many brilliant idiomatic one liners in this, for example: “so white it looked like an Apple store dipped in anal bleach”. Overall it is an excellent book, well worth slow multiple reads, as there are so many details you may miss the first time through.
April 20, 2023
All aboard!
Pack your bags and baggage people, this book brings up all the angsty “woulda shoulda coulda” of first loves gone wrong and sets it aflout on a cruise ship years later to see what happens next. Life is messy, and so are the two main characters in their own unique ways. I loved how playful this book was while at the same time showing how real individual growth was key to the main characters having a chance to finding a way back to each other. Siddle up to the open bar and enjoy the ride!
Pack your bags and baggage people, this book brings up all the angsty “woulda shoulda coulda” of first loves gone wrong and sets it aflout on a cruise ship years later to see what happens next. Life is messy, and so are the two main characters in their own unique ways. I loved how playful this book was while at the same time showing how real individual growth was key to the main characters having a chance to finding a way back to each other. Siddle up to the open bar and enjoy the ride!
November 18, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It is the first book by Anna Pulley that I have read. It will not be my last. Courtship is the third book in the series but can be read alone. The chemistry between Reaux and Fitz is hot. This is a funny and spicy story. Who could ask for more, right? I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 3, 2024
This is just pure funny and quirky. Not the best storyline, in my opinion, but the wonderful ideas, and great secondary characters, are just the best!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews