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lezreadalot's review
3.0
“It’s the way the other person makes the character feel. That connection. It’s a balance of power. A dance. Sometimes a fight. It’s visceral, but above all, it’s personal.”
A second chance romance between estranged writing critique partners, taking place at a con. Second chance isn't my favourite trope, and these characters didn't do much to endear me to them, but I still liked this because as always, I love reading about writers and the publishing industry! Just little realistic titbits and details about book deals, trying to scrape your way through edits, how the writing process differs for people, tension between different genres. I also liked the convention setting, and I loved their date; it was so cute and unique! I still wanted a little more substance from this, even though it's a novella, and I can't say this will stick with me? But I had a good time while reading it.
liralen's review
3.0
Short and sweet! I'm not generally head over heels for novellas, because by the time you get into them they're over. This feels well paced for its length, but I'd have been curious to see what kinds of tension might have come out of something longer. Also, always a risky choice to write fiction about characters who write fiction, so props to the author for pulling it off as well as she did.
kirstyreadsblog's review
3.0
Confession: I haven’t read any of Laura Lam’s novels yet but I saw her at a book event last year and she’s on my list. Then I saw on her twitter that she was going to write f/f romance and needed people to review her first novella. So I sent her an email and she was nice enough to send me a copy of the book to review. Which is how we are now here.
After a big falling out Natalie and El went from being writing partners and lovers to not speaking for 3 years. When they’re both invited to attend a big writing convention in London (think YALC but without the name drop) they’re thrown into each other’s lives again.
Continue my review here: https://kirstyreadsblog.wordpress.com/2019/02/22/a-hidden-hope-by-laura-ambrose-review-gifted/
After a big falling out Natalie and El went from being writing partners and lovers to not speaking for 3 years. When they’re both invited to attend a big writing convention in London (think YALC but without the name drop) they’re thrown into each other’s lives again.
Continue my review here: https://kirstyreadsblog.wordpress.com/2019/02/22/a-hidden-hope-by-laura-ambrose-review-gifted/
sunnydaysrainynights80's review
4.0
Good quick read
First time reading this author and I’ll definitely be reading more of her books. Decent plot and well developed characters! Fast read so great weekend book!
First time reading this author and I’ll definitely be reading more of her books. Decent plot and well developed characters! Fast read so great weekend book!
lbcecil's review
4.0
This was a super cute f/f romance story! I loved the characters -- they were both realistic and I love that they both learnt and grew from their mistakes, especially in a short novella. I really enjoyed the insider's look into the publishing industry as well. As a qualified editor, the explanations of building an author career, how auctions work, author letters and more, was so fun to read. I agreed with so many of Ambrose's grievances with the industry as well.
I highly recommend this book!
I highly recommend this book!
marysbookinit's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Cancer
ejimenez's review
3.0
A sweet, lightweight story burdened by an excess of epithets ("the taller girl", "the other girl", etc), and some unfortunate PDA/exhibitionism (very much not my kink).
judeinthestars's review
4.0
3.5*.
I sometimes got the feeling that at least one of the characters had first been written as male then « turned » into a woman. But the story still worked so it’s okay. I really liked that one of the MC had social anxiety and how it played in the story.
I sometimes got the feeling that at least one of the characters had first been written as male then « turned » into a woman. But the story still worked so it’s okay. I really liked that one of the MC had social anxiety and how it played in the story.
nancyotoole's review
4.0
Natalie and El are two authors of speculative fiction who bonded over their writing and found themselves falling for each other in the process. Then things went south, leading them to break off all contact with each other. When their paths cross unexpectedly at a London-based SFF convention, they stumble into a second chance at love. But first, they'll need to get over their respective emotional baggage.
I don't read a lot of F/F romance, but the geek writerly backdrop of A Hidden Hope highly appealed to me. It may have taken me a couple chapters to get emotionally invested into Natalie and El's journey, but once it took off, I was completely on board. I know this is the first novella in a planned series, and I am curious to check out future volumes.
A Hidden Hope is a F/F novella that should appeals to geeky individuals who enjoy their romance both sexy and charming.
I don't read a lot of F/F romance, but the geek writerly backdrop of A Hidden Hope highly appealed to me. It may have taken me a couple chapters to get emotionally invested into Natalie and El's journey, but once it took off, I was completely on board. I know this is the first novella in a planned series, and I am curious to check out future volumes.
A Hidden Hope is a F/F novella that should appeals to geeky individuals who enjoy their romance both sexy and charming.