Karin's Lesfic bookblog

Breathe – Cari Hunter

I think Cari Hunter’s books are my best discovery of 2019. So when I started listening to Breathe, I knew I would not be disappointed. This book is a less sensational book than others I’ve read or listened to from Hunter, but still, the plotline is exciting and I enjoyed it immensely.

Jemima, one of the mc’s in Breathe seems to have drawn the short straw on luck. For starters: that name… Jemima Pardon. Pardon me? Who does that to a kid… Also, she has chronic asthma, is a kid of the foster system (later adopted), gets dumped in weird and disrespectful ways by (potential) girlfriends and when she goes out for a simple paramedic call, things escalate and the worst medical shit happens. She seems to attract all things opposite to luck, is far from perfect and you as a reader will root for her, love her and will turn page after page and be sad when you reach “the end”.

I think this should be enough of a review for you to go and read that book, it’s great! But let’s talk some more because a great book like this deserves more words of awe. Instead of reading this book when it was just published, I waited a while for the audiobook to be published. Cari Hunter is the queen of British slang and listening to this book being narrated by Nicola Victoria Vincent is a feast. When not used to or common with British slang, you might want to use the urban dictionary to look up some slang, like: “put this down your neck”, “sod off”, “wellies” and “SOCO”. Because of the accents the narrator used, I did have to re-listen to the first few minutes and get used to the voices. It took some getting used to but added a great dimension to listening to this book.

Jem meets Rosie when she’s in the middle of nowhere, trying to resuscitate a young bloke whose injuries are so severe it’s a lost cause. Despite their efforts, the boy doesn’t make it and when a doctor comes to the scene she also checks a cold and soaked Jem for any health issues. She commissions Rosie to be the caretaker for Jem the rest of that night, just to make sure she gets a hot shower and something to eat. This evening starts off the plotline and – of course – the romance between Jem and Rosie.

Between the plotline, the pace is nice and slow, in a good way. Although the romance part of the book could have been more fast-paced for my taste. You will love the mc’s and the secondary characters. The book made me crave for more. I would love to read more about the feisty doctor who helps Jem in the emergency room. But also would like to know more about Jem’s earlier years. If you ask me, there is potential for a series in this book. I would buy them all!

Speaking of buying: haven’t you bought it yet? Do so now and check out the website of Bold Strokes Books. Happy reading!

The Promise – Claire Highton-Stevenson

This book is one of the most touching books I’ve ever listened to. It’s been in my library for quite some time before I dared and pushed play. As goes for a lot of people, I lost a couple of loved ones and friends due to cancer and wasn’t sure I could cope with listening to this book. Although I know people process loss in their own way and pace, I truly think reading or listening to this book can help you in that process. It thought me that each person handles grief differently. It thought me to never forget to live in the moment and cherish what matters most. But most of all it thought me that life does not stop after a loved one dies. Even if that seems to be the case in the beginning and that’s oke.

Now about the book instead of my psyche. This book is written in two parts: at first, we get to meet Ali and Susan Jenkins. A lovely couple who seem to have it all. Their love for each other is described in a way that must stir the heart of even the greatest pessimist. They encounter what is the most awful that can happen to any couple: Susan is diagnosed with terminal cancer, their future together is cut short and they both have different ways of coping with it. Ali’s way is to denial and Susan’s way is to make sure every detail is taken care of. The scenes in the book are, besides beautiful also very insightful. It shows a good balance between the medical part and the emotional part of dealing with cancer.

Some point in the first part of the book Blair comes into their lives as a live-in nurse. She comes at a point where Susan and Ali can just handle things fine between the two of them, but knowing Susan wants to have every detail in order before it’s too late, she also arranged Blair in a timely matter. At this point, I have already fallen in love with Susan and Ali and it is easy to ad Blair to the equation. What a wonderful person she is.
The moment you’ve seen coming from miles away still broke my heart into a million pieces. Susan’s passing described beautifully and her last act has something to do with the title of this book. Blair stays in their house for a couple of more days and then both women go their own way.

I can go on and on about this book, but I don’t want to spoil all the fun. It’s been a week since listening to it and still it plays through my mind. I’ve cried while listening, maybe even non stop in the beginning. And even whilst writing this down my tear ducts seem to become overly active and water my eyes. This book deserves 5 stars for breaking my heart, for making me smile, for love and second chances, for beautifully handling an awful topic. Thank you, Claire Highton-Stevenson, for writing this beautiful book.

I highly recommend you buying this book, on amazon for instance.

In The Shadow of Darkness – Nicole Stiling

I love reading vampire stories, but this is a different kind than I’m used to reading. For starters, the world is not full of vampires lurking in the shadows. Also, the love interest of the vampire in this story is not turned. Very refreshing!

This book is set in the present and past. It starts in Angelina’s past in 1926. It is an exciting read and pulled me in from the first moment. In the second chapter were taken to present day and we meet Megan while fueling up her car. This scene also makes the beginning of the book an exciting read.

Stiling did a great job alternating between the past and present. The build-up in the past makes you understand the choices Angelina’s making in the present and are delivered at the exact right time in the book. Also, it gives you a real insight into how Angelina experiences being immortal and have to live forever.

The main characters are both likeable and – apart from one being a vampire (duh) – realistic. I think, for me, the romance qualifies as a slow burn. There is not a lot of suspense in the book but the sexy scenes were well written and gave some nice tingles.
I would definitely recommend this book to people liking a vampire romance. If you don’t necessarily like the heavy sex you mostly find in those novels, you may find just the right book here. I enjoyed reading it.

I received and ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

You can go to the website of Bold Strokes Books to buy this title, or visit another store of your choice.

No Parking – Valentine Wheeler

Older characters alert! This is a small-town romance about two ladies in their fifties (almost 60). After reading I think you will enjoy this book if you like slow paced books and identify as asexual or are interested in reading about that point of view.

Both MC’s once were married with kids. Marianne was born and raised in the small town and Rana is an immigrant from Egypt. Also, there is Zeke, who is a transman (FTM). This book is very sensitive towards the diverse queer community with the correct use of pronounce and a very diverse audience in the book for such a small town. The author didn’t overdo it, so it is still very realistic.

The title of the book says it all: No Parking. Although I did not expect it, the storyline revolves around a parking issue and it is a nicely paced story to read. The blurb gave me the impression that “sparks would fly” and in my opinion, they didn’t fly. I was expecting more than kissing when sparks fly, to be honest. This could be because Marianne is on the asexual spectrum and I identify as on the opposite. I do believe though that if you are on the asexual spectrum that you can relate to this book and enjoy it very much.

The writing style of Wheeler is solid, the conversations in the book are fun to read and after the showdown in court the ending of the book is very satisfying. Although it was a nice read, this wasn’t (for me) a read to shout about. But I do want to cheer because of the unique elements: older mc’s, the transgender characters and the asexual spectrum. If you identify yourself as such or want to read about mature women I’m sure you will enjoy reading this book.

Check out the website of NINESTAR PRESS for a copy of this book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Soul Burn – Megan Hart & Brenda Murphy

Let me start by saying I love reading about shifters, erotica and BDSM. Soul Burn tends to all those favourites so it is safe to say I loved reading this book. When this is your guilty pleasure too, please don’t hesitate to pick this one up, you will enjoy.The book contains two stories/novellas: Shifting Flames (Brenda Murphy) and The Fire Inside (Megan Hart).

I’m familiar with Murphy’s work and she never fails to satisfy my kink. And after reading Harts novella I’m able to say I like her writing style and she also is very able to write down a good story with satisfying scenes. Because these are novellas, I didn’t expect too deep soul searching but was pleasantly surprised that I did find it in both novella’s (a little more in Harts book). For the short time the authors had, they made it work great. In both stories, I found a little suspense, lots of sexy scenes and both provided well on an emotional level.

Shifting Flames: When reading Celeste’s first scene in the novella, she handles as a ruthless killer. At first, I was taken aback, but the reason why made me forgive her quickly.
Reading about the physical differences between Eve and Celeste I would have guessed the domme-sub roles being the other way around. So thank you, Murphy, for slapping my fingers on labelling people. The play in this part of the book is – in my opinion – milder than the Harts story. If you don’t scare easily it is suitable for readers who haven’t read BDSM before.

As for Harts part of the book – The Fire Inside – is a little more rough play, which is a necessity for Selena. All will be clear when you read this book, so don’t let me spoil it for you. This was – for me – the first time to read about a submissive who didn’t need the submissive part, but more the pain part. And although that may sound weird, it did give the book more depth. Also in this part of the book labels are not what they seem. Due to a lack of trust in herself, the power of shifting is what makes Selena weak.
Both enjoyable and sexy reads.

You can buy this book at the store of your choice off course, please consider buying directly from the publisher: NineStar Press.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Inheritance – Ali Vali

Ali Vali did it again! This is a great enemy-to-lovers book about fierce love and family. Don’t we all wish we had a lover like the ones Ali Vali creates in her books. Vali made me laugh and cry while reading this book.

In the first chapters, you get an insight into the most important characters. I instantly got a liking to Tucker, Jim Bob, Willow and Monique. Usually, I have a strong disliking towards people who have someone hidden aside their marriage. But the way Ali Vali lets you in on Jim Bob’s life you can’t do other than liking the man and maybe berating him for his stupid choice to stay with his awefull wife (I did want to use less suitable expletives here).
When Willow and Tucker meet their chemistry is great, as is their banter. A fast burn is what follows their first night out. But then Willow discovers that Tucker is Jim Bob’s little sister and breaks it off in a bad way.

What follows is what you know is coming. If you’ve read the blurb you know Jim Bob will pass. But leave it to Vali to make it into a heartbreaking scene in the book that’ll make you cry your eyes out. Vali and love in her books have always some kind of fierceness over it. So in those few pages, I’d become to love Monique and Jim Bob and my heart broke for their love not getting a chance to be a happily ever after. Imagine my heart breaking for a second time.

What Monique had in store for Tucker and Willow is just great, I read it with a smile on my face and it felt like sunlight coming through the clouds after days of sad and dark weather.

Although I love other books by Vali, this one stole my heart because of the simplicity of it. Earlier books by Vali that I read were mostly about crimes and you’ll have to pay attention reading those book because of the many characters and intrigue she works in her plotline. In this book the plotline was less complicated, but certainly not less beautiful. The book is full of beautiful emotional moments and Vali did a great job writing down the good, the bad and the ugly. I cried and laughed while reading and had difficulty putting it away.

I can recommend this book to everybody who enjoys a butch-femme, enemies-to-lovers family romance. As a bonus, it is set in New Orleans, which I love. Read it, you won’t be sorry.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
You can buy this book on the publishers website.

Check out this and other reviews on my blog.

The Lesbian Billionaires Club – KC Luck

Let me start by saying I enjoyed reading this book, but it didn’t get me like other books the past year did. But, most important: okay book, fine read, nice feelings! So I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy this nice and sexy read as I did. Don’t hesitate to buy it.

The book is written in the first person and is told from Madison’s point of view. Madison doesn’t seem to be her real name, but nowhere in the book will you learn her real name. That didn’t bother me though. Madison is not necessarily likeable, being a billionaire maybe makes you that way, so she has a small excuse. Her thoughts have a potty-mouth, which I don’t mind, but can come across as offensive at times. I for one enjoyed that potty mouth in her head.

Madison seems to be horny all the time and that seems to give some trouble in the club of lesbian billionaires. So they call her on it and ask her to settle down. By faith/coincidence she meets Claire (nog going to spoil how) and Madison just has to have her. She is the one she wants to settle down with: a low profile nobody.
And that’s kind of the whole deal with this book: when you’re rich, you think you can have anything. It was mayor over the top, but he: it’s fiction 🙂 And surprise: Madison can! First, she tries a little “aggressive” and later with more wooing.

I think I would also have enjoyed this book without the bit of criminal plot in there, but then with a little more elaborate plot on the history/troubles of Claire. For me, the criminal plot in the billionaires club didn’t add value to the book. If there was spend more time on the emotional buildup instead I may have felt it more and rated 4 stars.

Last note: this book has lots of sex in it, so if that’s your thing or just what you need right now: go for it!

Check out this and other reviews on my Goodreads profile. If you’re Dutch and want to talk about lesfic with other Dutch fans, join the Lesbische Boeken Club on Facebook. Thank you for reading!

Want to buy this book, check Amazon or your own go-to shop.

Beautiful Dreamer – Melissa Brayden

It’s been a while since I’ve read a Melissa Brayden Book. Melissa Brayden is a “go-to” in our household: you always know that you won’t be disappointed. This one is no exception.

A real estate broker from Philly (Devin) and an “od-job” small business owner (Elizabeth) from a small town. It happens to be the town where Devin grew up in and where her sister still lives. When there’s a family emergency with Devins sister, she needs to go back to her hometown. The boring life in Dreamer’s Bay doesn’t seem to suit her fast-paced life anymore. Not used to the role of care-taker, Elizabeth is an angel with helping her out. And also very helpful in getting Devin to see the beauty of Dreamer’s Bay again.

I always like it when characters in a book are total opposites of each other, this book works well in that department. Main characters are both likeable. Even the sometimes obnoxious Devin who can come across as an egotistical workaholic, but really isn’t. What I also appreciated was that the supporting characters were great. Devins sister, the best friends of Elizabeth and even other townfolks.

Where Brayden can really do the cookie-cutter books – which I really don’t mind – this book does better than that. Yes, characters meet, are attracted, do the friends-with-benefits thing, and get separated again because they don’t tell each other how they really feel (because they don’t know yet, don’t want to admit it, are scared: pick one). But then in this book, it’s not just happily ever after in five pages because one of them admits her feelings to the other. Devin had to work for it, and that part of the book I enjoyed most.
I had fun reading, didn’t want to put the book away and I even believe I had a smile on my face.

Check out this and other reviews on my Goodreads profile. If you’re Dutch and want to talk about lesfic with other Dutch fans, join the Lesbische Boeken Club on Facebook. Thank you for reading!

You can buy this book on the website of Bold Strokes Books.

Come to my Door – Lexa Luthor

The Alpha God #2

What the hell, I’m going to do it: this one gets my first five-star review of 2020. I’m not very generous in giving out five-star ratings. But this book gets it for being a new genre for me and surprising me in the best possible way. I devoured this book in a day!

I’ll repeat what I said in my review of book one (Dancing in the Darkness): this book is not for everybody as it contains G!P content. But I for one really enjoy that content (considering myself open-minded in many ways).

Book two in The Alpha God series continues with a short flashback from Charlie and then gets right back to the cliff hanger. Let me not spoil the book for you, but as Charlie is also the main character in this book you can do the math 😉

This book focusses on the recovery of Charlie, the retrieval of Starr and the deepening of the relationship between Kal and Charlie.
Charlie is so focussed on getting Starr back – who is taken to the planet Serrato – that she misses all the signs from Kal that things are changing between them. Charlie herself just seems to be blocking out feelings she has, running away is much easier after all. Where I would not have called the sex-scenes in book one lovemaking, I will call them that in this book. Their interaction in the bedroom has changed and evolved to a different level. And also their connection outside of the bedroom has developed to connecting when they are not even in the same solar system.

I enjoyed the way Charlie seems to be insusceptible for Alpha behaviour of the high commander and fights it and at the same time can be very submissive about it. Great dynamics and well described.
Because the developing feelings in this book I did enjoy the sex-scenes even more than in the first book. Written very explicit and primal, but never rank. Great job there!

In her quest to retrieve Starr from the humans in the business of trafficking different races throughout the galaxy she connects with old and new friends to help her out. The plotline develops and I think I can see what future books will be about and can’t wait to read them. Maybe an intergalactic war is coming… And damn me, but I never expected to want to read about it. Luthor has me hooked on the plotline and the characters, all of them, not only the MC’s.

Because I never have been interested in sci-fi, I did scratch my head why I wasn’t able to put this book away and wanted to keep reading. After some thought, I think it’s because this book just happens to be located in outer space, and although it does give the extra experience of space travel and different races, the sci-fi theme doesn’t feel overdone and it was never in the forefront of my mind. But the plotline itself, the world she described and the characters make it a great read!

Please share your thoughts on Omegaverse in the comments. F/F Omegaverse tips are very welcome, I think I have found another kind of trope I love!

You can buy this book on the author’s website (or Amazon, etc), feel free to also take a look around.

Check out this and other reviews on my Goodreads profile. If you’re Dutch and want to talk about lesfic with other Dutch fans, join the Lesbische Boeken Club on Facebook. Thank you for reading!

Dancing in the Darkness – Lexa Luthor

The Alpha God #1

This was my first F/F omegaverse novel and I am pleasantly surprised. As I consider myself as an open-minded person and also sexually fluent, I don’t burn myself quickly when picking up a book that has a certain kink. This book contains G!P content (google that if you’re not familiar) and I can imagine it is not for everybody. I, on the other hand, had a great time with this book and also with that part of the book.

Luthor’s book brings you to outer space. Earth as we know it does no longer exist. Charlie, along with other earthlings, are refugees living on the planet Kander. Charlie however no longer lives there as she has chosen a career as space mercenary. Which means she lives on her spaceship with her crew and travels from job to job retrieving people. For that career, she’s being called back to Kander. On Kander, she meets the high commander Kal who wants her to retrieve an Omega who is taken from the planet.

In this book, Luthor introduces you to all the outer space stuff in a very pleasant tempo. You’ll get introduced to the Alpha-, Omega- and Beta-types. Also, the introduction of different languages is done well because it isn’t overdone, but just enough to feel the outer space vibe. I really like Luthor’s writing style.

There is sexual tension between high commander Kal and Charlie and they do find each other in the bedroom, but the plotline is not only about their union.

I like the way the technique had a part in this book, after reading I want to buy a techbit… but it doesn’t seem to exist in the real world 😉

Because there is G!P content in this book, I feel I have to address the sex-scenes in this book. Luthor did a good job describing the scenes, she does so in an explicit way and that’s just the way I like it. It has a primal edge to it like you also see in shape-shifter books, but it is not the same. If you don’t like the G!P content, you can even skip the sex-scenes and still have a very decent novel with a good plot.

This is the first book in a series and although I mostly see HEA in books in a series, this book does not have one. The book ends with a major cliffhanger! Loved it and I immediately picked up book two: Come to my Door.

Never heard of Omegaverse before but want to give it a try, than I think this is just the book for you. If you have read F/F Omegaverse before and have some tips for me: leave them in the comments please.

You can buy this book on the author’s website (or Amazon, etc), feel free to also take a look around.

Check out this and other reviews on my Goodreads profile. If you’re Dutch and want to talk about lesfic with other Dutch fans, join the Lesbische Boeken Club on Facebook. Thank you for reading!