When It Feels Right

by Tagan Shepard

Marlene Diggs has her whole life figured out and a ten-year plan for success. You know what’s not on that plan? A one-night stand with a woman who makes her question everything. How could she have spent thirty years not knowing she’s a lesbian? Her first lesbian relationship ends in disaster and leaves her even more confused than before. Of course, the lingering crush on a certain bartender doesn’t help.
Abby McC allister has always felt good in her own skin. It’s everyone else who has a problem. When yet another girlfriend labels her “too much,” another relationship bites the dust, and she winds up sleeping on the couch in her art studio. A cute regular at the bar offers up her spare room in exchange for some tips on fitting into the gay scene, and Abby jumps at the chance. What’s the worst that could happen?
Marlene and Abby know that falling for your roommate is the worst cliché ever, and it’s absolutely not going to happen to them. But resisting their feelings is hard to do when being together feels so right.

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Contemporary

276 pages, Paperback

Published April 11, 2023

About the author

Tagan Shepard has always spent quiet moments weaving stories in her head. It didn't occur to her until recently to take the time to write them down. Now that she's started, she can't seem to stop. When not writing, she makes her living in a hospital laboratory.
She is a cardio junkie, history buff, and unrepentant nerd, happily wasting countless hours of her life on video games and science fiction/fantasy of every stripe. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her very patient wife and two rather surly cats.

Reviews

[Della B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self discovery comes late into Marlene’s life. She can blame it on always looking ahead to the future to set up strategic contingency plans instead of living in the here and now. Finding out she is a lesbian is the biggest shock of her life. Marlene’s first girlfriend leaves her after five months and destroys any self confidence she found in being a lesbian.

Abby lives her life out loud in bold colours and honest intentions. Working as a bartender provides a living for Abby but painting brings the joy to her life. After another brutal ending to a relationship, Abby finds herself homeless and living crammed into her art studio. Abby meets Marlene at the gay bar where she works and ends up becoming her roommate. They both try to live with their secret crush on each other.

Shepard uses this roommates to lovers romance as a platform to dissect butch/femme relationships as well as coming out in your workplace and self love. No, no you naughty reader, not THAT kind of self love but loving your authentic self. She digs deep into these issues while maintaining a slow burn romance.

Abby is an easy character to like and I admire that Shepard makes us work to understand and appreciate Marlene’s character and her growth. Marlene’s best friend Ellie remains a mystery to me. There was a hint of a deep attraction from Ellie towards Marlene yet nothing was played out. I would call Ellie a convenience character, showing up at just the right time to promote the plot when she could have been much more to the story.

When It Feels Right is a compelling and complex romance which is much more than I expected or the front cover portrayed. It is well worth a read.

I received an advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. Too many of the scenes felt redundant for me to really enjoy.

[Jo reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

All about self discovery. When it feels right, is a slow burn, romance and it's worth a read. It's does have some likable characters and the story is straightforward and enjoyable,.

I've given When it feels right a 3.6 out of 5

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

Marlene has one night that changes her life forever, helping her embrace her true self. When her relationship breaks up and Marlene blames herself, Abby, a bartender at her favourite bar starts coaching her in a bit of an exchange for somewhere to stay after her relationship ends abruptly. Abby finds herself contemplating her attraction to Marlene, but can Marlene keep her new found love this time.

So much was packed into this story and each and every bit of it carried such importance. Tagan covered toxic relationships, low self esteem, body confidence issues, and homophobic working environments while focusing on how much impact this had on Marlene and Abby. While they both didn't experience exactly the same things, they did face similar challenges and situations they could bond over. It was really sweet how despite her own insecurities, Abby reassured Marlene through her own.

While Abby had moments in the story, the main focus was Marlene's journey of self discovery to acceptance. She was presented with some horrendous circumstances, each one easy to empathise with the way she dealt with it, even if her friends and Abby didn't necessarily agree. Marlene was such an admirable character and to experience all this with her was very personal and intimate. Marlene and Abby really were perfect for one another and the way they supported one another really cemented the importance of embracing your true self and not worrying about what others think of you if you truly want to find happiness.

Such a feel good, positive, and uplifting story about coming out, being proud, and loving the life you have. Enjoyed every second of it and hope there will be future stories about Marlene and Abby.

[currentlyreadingbynat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Shepard's books as they typically stem into deeper themes than what you sometimes expect. For example, When It Feels Right delves into a sweet butch/femme romance but also about finding your identity later in life.

Marlene is a late bloomer at 38, who has recently come to terms with her sexuality as well as the way she wants to express herself. Her newfound confidence is shaken after her first ex-girlfriend leaves with a few nasty parting comments. Meanwhile, Abby has confidence in spades and with a little persuasion agrees to tutor Marlene in all things about lesbian culture.

It's a cute premise with two intriguing characters. This book features a slow burn, but it pays off as it cements the development of their romantic relationship. I will admit that the conflict near the end of the book felt a tad overplayed, but regardless I still enjoyed this romance.

An added bonus was getting reacquainted with Kieran and Pen from Swipe Right. I remember reading Swipe Right and wishing for a bit more of an insight into Pen. Weirdly, I got my wish via this novel as Pen features an important role in When It Feels Right.

Another great book by Shepard.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlene Diggs is a late bloomer to her real self. At the age of 38, and after a one night stand, she realizes she isn’t as straight as she thought. After her first try at a relationship doesn’t end well her confidence is lacking. Abby McCallister is curvy, confident, flirty and beautiful. After her latest failed relationship she needs a new place to live. Abby is the bartender at the club Marlene frequents. Marlene offers to let Abby move into her condo in exchange for teaching about being gay. (The jokes, movies, books etc.)

As Marlene explores the butch she is meant to be she finds that it causes issues at work with her new manager. And of course both Abby and Marlene know they shouldn’t fall for each other. This is a nice exploration with focus on femme/butch dynamics. Marlene needs to find self confidence which is difficult coming out at an older age. I found the story hard to get into in the beginning and was hoping for more humor. This book is a stand alone but ties into the same world at the author’s Swipe Right (June 2021). Both MCs (Pen and Kieran) from that book have appearances in this story.

This works into a sweet, slow burn romance and the ending saves it for me. I especially enjoyed the scene between Marlene and Pen. I did wonder about Marlene’s future though. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I’m leaving a voluntary review

[Aleana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlene knows who she is but she starts to realize maybe she doesn’t when she have a one night stand with woman and question why she hasn’t realized she was lesbian. She tries having a relationship that doesn’t ends well has giving her low confidence in herself. Abby has been told she is too much after a failed relationship she been in. Abby works at the bar that Marlene frequently goes to when Marlene offers her spare room in exchange for lessons on how to be lesbian Abby takes up the offer. As Marlene gets comfortable in her own skin although does causes some problems at work which is ridiculous. Abby and Marlene knows it’s such a cliche to fall for your roommate but they do. I enjoy the read I like that Marlene finds her confidence and I like that Pen and Kieran made a appearances I love when authors slide in previous characters into the story without taking away from the MCs.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars, Marlene just figured out that she was a lesbian. When she finds out the bartender, Abby at her favorite bar needs a place to stay, Marlene offers it in exchange for lesbian lessons. Marlene wants to know all the cultural references and things that are involved with being a lesbian. Marlene also thinks it might help her crush on the bartender, and she just wants to understand how she can keep a girlfriend.

I thought I might enjoy this book, but the drama and everything felt a little off to me. It felt like the two women in this book should be like 25 not like 40. They both acted immature and it annoyed me the whole book. Marlene acted especially young and Abby had some drama that I felt like someone at her age would not have, I do not recommend this novel. It was an okay read but I did not enjoy the concept or the drama, most of it just made me cringe at how stereotypical it was.

[Alexa Steli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5
This rating is purely for enjoyment.

Because I wasn't really bored at no point in this book,even when they got together, beacuse they still had issues I knew they needed to fix that was a bad thing for themselves and their relationship, even tho they comed to this conclusions kinda late if you ask me.

There were moments when I just couldn't agree with the characters actions ,which made me dislike them sometimes ,enough to make me angry in having a passing thought about dnf'g this book(which obviously didn't happen)

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlene’s life is turned upside down when’s she’s told she walks gay. When her first relationship with a woman ends she finds herself back where it all began. On the other side of the bar is the same Abby, flirty, confident Abby who finds herself sleeping in her small studio after yet another relationship ends. And Marlene has a spare room. What could go wrong? or right? A sweet romance, where the 2 leads need to start believing in themselves and their worth.
Free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alice M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read most of Tagan Shepherd’s books and have enjoyed them. However although I quite liked this story I was not as taken with it as with the others of hers that I’ve read. Insecure Marlene and outgoing Abby. A small bit of angst, to be expected due to Marlene’s lack of faith in herself. Her work situation does not help with her self image. This is the story of Abby and Marlene getting to know each other and themselves.

[Sha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angsty and romantic - this is a great story!
I am not a fan of angst but I loved this book. It was so justified and relatable.
To my great surprise, the roommates-turned-lovers did not jump into bed right away but took their time to ensure the other was comfortable, and to get to know each other a bit better... I loved it, it was such a delicate dance between lust and wanting the ever-lasting love to be established first.
This kind of almost-too-slow pacing is evident throughout the book. The MCs take their time in handling their everyday lives and in deciphering their feelings toward their roommate. That means that they actually have time to fall in love for real and I love it!
Only by the end of the book, when Marlenne is learning to love herself, the pacing is disrupted and becomes unrealistic. It is hard to believe that after 38 years of internal homophobia, a woman would need only 1 month to go through such a massive change. I didn't buy it and it was the one thing that stood out to me as the very shaky basis for the conflict resolution. It basically undermined the resolution and held me back from giving this book 5 stars. What a shame.

I must give a shout-out to the author for the wonderful and so much fun depiction of a large, fat, loud, over-the-top, over-40 woman who captured my heart with her nerdiness, talent, and above all - kindness. She's the embodiment of self-love and positive body image and you can't help but fall in love with her. Absolutely delightful character!

T&T:
Tropes: women over 40, fat/curvy women, body positivity, femme-butch, coming out late in life
Triggers: homophobia, internalized homophobia, verbal abuse, discrimination at the workplace
Rating: 4 stars

[Bee Sherrard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby McAllister never followed anyone when it came to clothing or hair. She wore what she wanted because of her desire to just be comfortable in her own skin. She’s an artist who supplements her earnings working as a bartender. When we meet Abby she is being told it’s time for new digs, seeing as she didn’t fit in with the people her girlfriend worked with. Now she’s staying in the little studio.
Marlene Diggs is the manager of a small bank and has broken up with another girlfriend. Apparently she wasn’t ‘butch enough’ for her and she comes home to find her bags packed and someone to help her leave. When Marlene tells her best friend what the ex said about her not being ‘butch enough’ and is surprised when she’s told it’s in her walk. How did she not know she was a lesbian?
When a new head manager’s brought in Marlene’s job isn’t as secure as she thought. Abby needs a place to live and Marlene has a room to rent. All Marlene really wants is for Abby to ‘teach’ her how to be an lesbian. I admit I didn’t read pages and pages of background information, I’ve already read it twice. Once I read the back story I don't have to read the same thing over and over again. A very nice read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This read focused on coming to terms with your real self later in life. Some other issues and topics covered: body image, sexual identity, appearance, homophobic, self-confidence. The cover does not reflect the complexities of the story. It was a pleasant surprise.

Marlene Diggs, bank manager, not feeling good with who she is and not really looking for a relationship (but kind of). The most interesting to me was how she came to find her true and real self. Very well done. Steps forward, steps backward. Marlene's best friend Ellie was a positive addition to the read. Very supportive. I appreciated her spunk. Abby McCallister, bartender, feels good in her own skin, looking for someone that "gets her". I liked the give and take between Abby and Marlene. Both characters were likeable and it was easy to want the best for them as individuals. A satisfying read.

ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley

[Patty Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good late bloomer coming out story. Marlene is a late bloomer butch lesbian who's not too comfortable in her own skin yet, while Abby is a lesbian femme who's very comfortable in her own skin. When these two meet there's an attraction there, but nothing comes of it until Marlene asks Abby to teach her how to be a real butch lesbian and this were their relationship begins. I liked that these two took it kind of slow and became friends before they were lovers. Their relationship had a bit of angst and quite a bit of drama,, that only helped to make this an even more interesting story. The supporting characters were well written and helped to move this story along and took it to another level. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author.

[Nathalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the blurb and figured I'd enjoy the book but sadly that was not really the case. There was too much focus on all the negative and I know this is to show how the MC's look at life and at themselves but it was too much. Marlene's insecurity is just annoying and the focus on Abby's body figure was a bit over the top for me.

Then the sudden added drama to get them to split. I was not feeling a lot of scenes. Throw in all the stereotypes and a homophobic man and I couldn't wait to finish the book but also had trouble continuing the book.

2,5 stars for me.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

[DS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming out is hard. Coming out later in life, I would think would be even harder. But hearing someone tell you you "walk gay" would have to make you question a lot of things about yourself. This is how this funny, quirky, heartwarming story begins. Marlene doesn't get the U-Haul, the toaster oven or the gold star lesbian jokes, but she really wants to. Does that make her a bad lesbian? Join Marlene, Abby and their zany friends in this clever and colorful book by Tagan Shepherd. It truly is life changing...in many ways.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

More 3.5 for me, but it was a really interesting story about self discovery for someone who finds herself and her identity when older.

What didn't work for me too much was the constant hesitation and insecurity. I get it's part of the journey, but it wore me down a little bit through the book. In spite of that, I do think it probably reflects a journey that speaks to a great many people. Interesting.

[Honest Sapphic review · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet. It's about accepting yourself.
But lacked a bit chemistry and the miscommunication in the end didn't work for me

[Siddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marlene is a bank manager who thinks she is straight. Abby is a bartender and artist. At first their characters are so different, as though Marlene lives life in B&W, and Abby in full technicolour.
I really like this story - it has so much depth and extremes of emotion. Marlene is such a sorrowful person at times. I visualise her as a sad little brown sparrow, small, delicate, and insecure. Then one of the bar regulars tells her she is gay, and from there her story develops.
Abby is a very outgoing femme, into D&D cosplay, and she is often serving at the bar in costume, with extravagant coloured wigs. Her extroverted flirty personality is very well portrayed.
This story does have one negative character, Marlene’s homophobic boss. Other that that, all the supporting cast are lovely too.