⭐⭐⭐⭐
Erin Zak does unexpected attraction and sexual awakening
late in life really, really well. The questioning, the anxiety in this one is
in-built so there is no real trying to add the expected conflict and resolution
in the end which makes it smooth flowing and mostly angst-free – and very, very
readable.
Sixteen-year old Beth lands up at the doorstep of her birth
mother, lesbian romance writer, Jackie Mitchell without any warning. Jackie is
thrown, unwelcoming and unaccepting of the girl. Beth has hitchhiked from
Savannah to Florida to meet Jackie so rather than risk hitchhiking back at
night, Beth asks to stay over. Jackie is unwilling for that so she decides to
drive Beth back. Meeting Beth’s adoptive mom, Susan Weber, is a shocker for
Jackie who is immediately attracted to the other woman. Susan’s married life is
on a downward spiral with physical abuse and cheating; both of which she has
kept from Beth. Things come to a head when Susan’s husband hits her in Beth’s
knowledge and Beth comes to her mom’s rescue. This is the breaking point for
Susan, who finally decides to leave her marriage. With nowhere to hide from a
man she fears, Susan accepts Beth’s idea and they land up at Jackie’s doorstep
seeking sanctuary.
The books is narrated from the PoVs of Susan, Jackie and
Beth which gives it a great flavour and pace. We get to know all the three
people and the growth of their relationships, which is absolutely lovely.
We wholeheartedly want to wish away the Jackie-Dana track
from the book. Jackie’s treatment of Dana, a wonderful woman in love with
Jackie is terrible. Enough to make us dislike Jackie, but to the credit of the author,
we still didn’t completely hate Jackie.
This is a great read with an unusual premise which is very
well written. Certainly recommended.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
