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lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
She was awkwardness incarnate, knocked senseless and incoherent by the utterly innocent act of holding another woman's hand.
3.5 stars. A trio of very cute, competently-written butch/femme novellas, some more enjoyable than others. I really adore butch/femme romance, the world needs more of them in my very non-biased opinion, and I'm determined to read more. These were great little romances, each with a different feel and different types of characters!
Before I get into the novellas themselves, I have to say, I really wish that authors didn't feel obligated to include 'I love you's and an HEA even in very short romances. Whether it's insta-love or not, (and these did all smack of insta-love, not my favourite thing), in a novella/short story, it almost always feels rushed and unbelievable to shoehorn in an 'I love you' when it doesn't feel earned. I guess your mileage may vary on this, but I would be more satisfied with an HFN, or just the knowledge that the characters will come to care for each other deeply in the future. But that's just a little nitpick.
Follow Her Lead - Aurora Rey
3.5 stars. A high-powered, slightly socially inept businesswoman strikes up a romance with a woman she hires to teach her to dance. Really sweet, and I adored all the dancing scenes. The romance of it was impeccable. The conflict in this one kind annoyed me (would Jude really have been THAT dense?) but I really liked the characters.
Just As You Are - Angie Williams
3 stars. This story had my favourite premise. A geeky butch has to try to overcome her insecurities and the shadow of her overbearing ex if she wants to seriously have a chance with the new woman in her life. I really loved the turning away from stereotypes, and the emphasis on butch women being allowed to be vulnerable. However, I couldn't really connect with the writing in this, and I didn't fall in love with the characters. Also I just tend not to love 'terrible ex' type plots.
An Epiphany in Flannel - Meghan O'Brien
4 stars. A waitress from a conservative family in a small town falls for a trucker who's passing through town. Easily my favourite. Even though it was just as short and kinda insta-lovey like the others, the chemistry and the connection between Maisie and Aiden felt fully fleshed out and palpable, and I really came to like this couple. This is arguably the story with the least plot? But in terms of character development, I really liked it. It was also the sexiest of the lot.
kburns2004's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed these three stories. Wish we got a full length story for all of these characters.
claire60's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting collection of three novella's all based around the Butch/Femme dynamic.
The first story by Aurora Rey, had a good premise and an interesting way to set up the meeting between Jude and Gabby, their chemistry was realistic and enjoyable, good supporting characters too. .
The second by Angie Williams was less engaging, a couple of times the butch really snapped at her femme, which wasn't entirely believable or likeable, which soured the story for me.
The third was another classic from Meghan O'Brien with an interesting premise and a harrowing experience of homophobia, this was a perfectly crafted and executed short story. She is one of my favourite writers for this reason and her story alone is worth getting this book for, although Aurora Rey is excellent too and I'm sure Angie Williams will get better in time.
With thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The first story by Aurora Rey, had a good premise and an interesting way to set up the meeting between Jude and Gabby, their chemistry was realistic and enjoyable, good supporting characters too. .
The second by Angie Williams was less engaging, a couple of times the butch really snapped at her femme, which wasn't entirely believable or likeable, which soured the story for me.
The third was another classic from Meghan O'Brien with an interesting premise and a harrowing experience of homophobia, this was a perfectly crafted and executed short story. She is one of my favourite writers for this reason and her story alone is worth getting this book for, although Aurora Rey is excellent too and I'm sure Angie Williams will get better in time.
With thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
blacet1's review
5.0
I really enjoy reading books with Butch/Femme dynamics and when I saw that this book was coming out, I immediately pre-ordered on Amazon. It is always great to read stories where Butch and Femme relationships are written so well! I must say these three authors did a great job with both MC in their story. I loved that the stories were so different! I can't say that I have a favorite story because I loved all three for different reasons. I loved Jude's take charge attitude and willingness to let go in Follow Her Lead, I liked the innocents and determination of Maisie in An Epiphany in Flannel and the vulnerability and insecurity of Dylan in Just as You are. I'd love to see Aurora Rey, Meghan O'Brien and Angie Williams write other books together! I highly recommend!
blacet1's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoy reading books with Butch/Femme dynamics and when I saw that this book was coming out, I immediately pre-ordered on Amazon. It is always great to read stories where Butch and Femme relationships are written so well! I must say these three authors did a great job with both MC in their story. I loved that the stories were so different! I can't say that I have a favorite story because I loved all three for different reasons. I loved Jude's take charge attitude and willingness to let go in Follow Her Lead, I liked the innocents and determination of Maisie in An Epiphany in Flannel and the vulnerability and insecurity of Dylan in Just as You are. I'd love to see Aurora Rey, Meghan O'Brien and Angie Williams write other books together! I highly recommend!
samanthadoyle's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
patricia71's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t finish the book(yet) but to be honest I only bought it to read the Meghan O’Brien short story. I am so glad that she wrote something again and it didn’t disappoint me. It was cute, sexy and hot
elvang's review against another edition
4.0
“A femme is velvet-covered steel and a butch is steel-covered velvet.”
Lesléa Newman
I enjoy reading novellas and am impressed with authors who can lay out plot, characters and setting in the short time allowed while making us care about all of the above. No easy feat.
Opposites Attract takes a look at the butch/femme trope, one of my favourite tropes in lesbian romance novels.
Follow My Lead by Aurora Rey
Venture capitalist Jude Benoit has been named Majesty of Artemis and will be expected to dance the first dance at the Artemis Ball. Gabriella Viard, a dance instructor and owner of her own small dance studio is hired by PA Muriel to help Jude overcome her rich girl TDL (traumatic dance lessons) memories from childhood.
I enjoyed this rich butch/working class femme romance. Rey does an admirable job of fleshing out Jude and Gabby and making us care about this wealthy uptight businesswoman and her interactions with the beautiful and down to earth dance instructor. The story has that Pretty Woman vibe to it with Jude’s lack of understanding of how her entitled life differs from Gabby’s world. Miss-steps happen as expected along with a sweet, predictable ending.
4 stars
Just as You Are by Angie Williams
I had trouble connecting with this story of two women loaded down with baggage from previous relationships stepping back into the dating game. Masculine of center Dylan comes across as damaged goods while femme auto mechanic Carrie is quick to judge and decide Dylan is not worth the effort. Their lack of communication is uncomfortable to watch. Carrie is more steel than velvet, not willing to give Dylan a chance to explain her behaviour. Dylan is more mush than steel.
3 stars
An Epiphany in Flannel by Meghan O’Brien
I wish O’Brien would make this a full length novel, her story is that rich and full of heart. Young Maisie Davis works long hours waitressing at Moe’s Diner while trying to complete her college degree. When a handsome trucker stops by for a short stack of pancakes, Maisie is overwhelmed by her attraction to Aiden Crane. Aiden is every femme's wet dream butch.
There is so much more to this story than the simple toaster oven scenario. Meeting Aiden opens Maisie’s eyes to new possibilities but she also must deal with a homophobic and controlling mother and community. Does she throw away security for a chance at love? This one had me fully engaged, hoping Maisie would find a way to her own personal HEA.
5 stars.
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review.
gmzzn's review against another edition
4.0
(I got this eARC through Netgalley!)
This anthology has 3 short stories with different lesbian couples, in different situations. The level of enjoyment went up and down in different moments of each story, and despite them having some angst and conflict, most of them was pure fluff. Overall I feel like it deserves a rating of 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
The first story is “Follow Her Lead”, by Aurora Rey. Here we have Gabby, a dance teacher, and Jude, a serious businesswoman - almost a sunshine/grumpy trope, at first. Jude needs a dance teacher for a ball, and they fall for each other from the first meeting. It felt a lot like a romcom movie, something very light and predictable I’d watch to relax after a long day. 3 stars.
“Just As You Are”, by Angie Williams, sadly was my least favorite of the three, and I’m giving it 2.5 stars because it at least had some cute moments. Both protagonists felt very immature for their age, with conflict showing up over something very small. The dialogue didn’t feel very real to me, and it was all so melodramatic I couldn’t help but think they should deal with their issues before trying to date each other.
The winner of the book is “An Epiphany In Flannel”, by Meghan O’Brien. Here we have things from Maisie’s perspective, a waitress in a diner of a small religious town, who meets and falls at first fight for sweet trucker Aiden. The way they interacted with each other was really adorable, and I loved seeing them falling for each other (even though by the end I felt it was a bit too rushed, a bit too insta-love for me). Despite that, I think we got too little about Aiden, which made harder to get to know her beyond the gentle way she interacted with Maisie and her dog, so I’m giving it 4 stars.
Overall I had fun reading these novellas, and I'll probably check out other stuff by the authors soon!
trigger warnings:
This anthology has 3 short stories with different lesbian couples, in different situations. The level of enjoyment went up and down in different moments of each story, and despite them having some angst and conflict, most of them was pure fluff. Overall I feel like it deserves a rating of 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
The first story is “Follow Her Lead”, by Aurora Rey. Here we have Gabby, a dance teacher, and Jude, a serious businesswoman - almost a sunshine/grumpy trope, at first. Jude needs a dance teacher for a ball, and they fall for each other from the first meeting. It felt a lot like a romcom movie, something very light and predictable I’d watch to relax after a long day. 3 stars.
“Just As You Are”, by Angie Williams, sadly was my least favorite of the three, and I’m giving it 2.5 stars because it at least had some cute moments. Both protagonists felt very immature for their age, with conflict showing up over something very small. The dialogue didn’t feel very real to me, and it was all so melodramatic I couldn’t help but think they should deal with their issues before trying to date each other.
The winner of the book is “An Epiphany In Flannel”, by Meghan O’Brien. Here we have things from Maisie’s perspective, a waitress in a diner of a small religious town, who meets and falls at first fight for sweet trucker Aiden. The way they interacted with each other was really adorable, and I loved seeing them falling for each other (even though by the end I felt it was a bit too rushed, a bit too insta-love for me). Despite that, I think we got too little about Aiden, which made harder to get to know her beyond the gentle way she interacted with Maisie and her dog, so I’m giving it 4 stars.
Overall I had fun reading these novellas, and I'll probably check out other stuff by the authors soon!
trigger warnings: