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Ms. Right #1
Read Between the Lines
From award-winning author Rachel Lacey comes a playful romance about a Manhattan bookstore owner and a reclusive author who love to hate—and hate to love—each other.
Books are Rosie Taft’s life. And ever since she took over her mother’s beloved Manhattan bookstore, they’ve become her home too. The only thing missing is her own real-life romance like the ones she loves to read about, and Rosie has an idea of who she might like to sweep her off her feet. She’s struck up a flirty online friendship with lesbian romance author Brie, and what could be more romantic than falling in love with her favorite author?
Jane Breslin works hard to keep her professional and personal lives neatly separated. By day, she works for the family property development business. By night, she puts her steamier side on paper under her pen name: Brie. Jane hasn’t had much luck with her own love life, but her online connection with a loyal reader makes Jane wonder if she could be the one.
When Rosie learns that her bookstore’s lease has been terminated by Jane’s company, romance moves to the back burner. Even though they’re at odds, there’s no denying the sparks that fly every time they’re together. When their online identities are revealed, will Jane be able to write her way to a happy ending, or is Rosie’s heart a closed book?
Books are Rosie Taft’s life. And ever since she took over her mother’s beloved Manhattan bookstore, they’ve become her home too. The only thing missing is her own real-life romance like the ones she loves to read about, and Rosie has an idea of who she might like to sweep her off her feet. She’s struck up a flirty online friendship with lesbian romance author Brie, and what could be more romantic than falling in love with her favorite author?
Jane Breslin works hard to keep her professional and personal lives neatly separated. By day, she works for the family property development business. By night, she puts her steamier side on paper under her pen name: Brie. Jane hasn’t had much luck with her own love life, but her online connection with a loyal reader makes Jane wonder if she could be the one.
When Rosie learns that her bookstore’s lease has been terminated by Jane’s company, romance moves to the back burner. Even though they’re at odds, there’s no denying the sparks that fly every time they’re together. When their online identities are revealed, will Jane be able to write her way to a happy ending, or is Rosie’s heart a closed book?
Audiobook
First published December 1, 2021
About the author
Rachel Lacey
36 books1,877 followersRachel Lacey is an award-winning contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She's been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in the mountains of Vermont with her family and a variety of rescue pets.
Rachel loves to keep in touch with her readers! You can find her at:
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Rachel loves to keep in touch with her readers! You can find her at:
Rachel Lacey Facebook
Instagram @rachelslacey
Newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,987 reviews
February 16, 2022
This is a lesbian romance between two girly girls who are friends online but (although they don’t realize it) are “enemies” in real life (this is, the author tells us, a popular “trope”). It’s not only a highly contrived plot, but it came across to me as perhaps narcissistic. You see, one of the women is a women’s-suit-and-stillettos-wearing business tycoon by day, and an unfulfilled romance novelist by night. So, a lesbian writer is penning a novel about a lesbian writer. When I spent days, in college, digging through a college literary magazine’s slush pile, I found lots of highly self-referential stories that usually weren’t all that good, and so perhaps I’m biased about that kind of writing?
But the author committed a grave sin, not once, but twice. During the obligatory sex scenes, the only sexual activity discussed was one woman fingering the other. To describe penetrating one’s partner, the author used the phrase “swirled and plunged.” When I saw this, my first thought was of, if you’ll forgive my honesty, a toilet. You know, when you flush it, the water swirls around the bowl, unless the toilet becomes plugged, in which case, you have to deal with the problem with your trusty plunger. But apparently the author thought this was such a superlative way to describe sexual activity, that she used the exact same phrase again, later in the book. My wife says that, hey, she’s a writer — couldn’t she think of another way to describe it? Me, I was still recalling nightmarishly plugged toilets I have known.
One other problem I had with this story is that there is an adorable little, brown dog named Brinkley. That’s the sum total of what I know about him because that is all we are told about him. Was he a dachsund? A pug? A beagle? A cocker spaniel? Some kind of mixed breed dog? We don’t know because while this dog is celebrated throughout the novel, “little” and “brown” constitute the entirety of the author’s description of said dog.
I didn’t care much about either of the main characters, and the angst that kept them apart or later drove them apart seemed contrived and superficial. At least, as the author tells us, they’ll be able to share makeup — so that’s something.
But the author committed a grave sin, not once, but twice. During the obligatory sex scenes, the only sexual activity discussed was one woman fingering the other. To describe penetrating one’s partner, the author used the phrase “swirled and plunged.” When I saw this, my first thought was of, if you’ll forgive my honesty, a toilet. You know, when you flush it, the water swirls around the bowl, unless the toilet becomes plugged, in which case, you have to deal with the problem with your trusty plunger. But apparently the author thought this was such a superlative way to describe sexual activity, that she used the exact same phrase again, later in the book. My wife says that, hey, she’s a writer — couldn’t she think of another way to describe it? Me, I was still recalling nightmarishly plugged toilets I have known.
One other problem I had with this story is that there is an adorable little, brown dog named Brinkley. That’s the sum total of what I know about him because that is all we are told about him. Was he a dachsund? A pug? A beagle? A cocker spaniel? Some kind of mixed breed dog? We don’t know because while this dog is celebrated throughout the novel, “little” and “brown” constitute the entirety of the author’s description of said dog.
I didn’t care much about either of the main characters, and the angst that kept them apart or later drove them apart seemed contrived and superficial. At least, as the author tells us, they’ll be able to share makeup — so that’s something.
November 7, 2021
For a good portion of this book, I thought it would end up on my 5+ shelf. But . . . there were certain things here or there that were just enough off-putting to knock off that + (the interaction between Jane and family; between Jane and Rosie when that "significant event" occurred).
Right, so.
A well-written book about a 29 year old (turning 30 over the many months, six (roughly October to March), covered by this book) bookstore owner in Manhattan, Rosie, who becomes entangled with three women: 1) her favorite author Brie (the two have gotten friendly with each other the last few years); 2) the gorgeous woman who visited Rosie's bookstore with her niece; 3) and 35 year old Jane Breslin, the woman who sent a letter letting Rosie know her 30+ year business (opened and operated by Rose's mother until Rosie took over) would have its lease not be renewed and her building would be demolished.
That second woman was more of a "that's your type" kind of woman mentioned by Rosie's best friends and roommates. The other two, Brie and Jane, were separate entanglements. Until they weren't. Is that a spoiler? It was kind of hinted at in the book description. If it is a spoiler I do not really have much more I can write. Hmms.
Well, going well-written part, since it leads to one of the off-putting parts. The author, for the most part, really seemed to pull me into scenes, and "feel" what was happening, notice things as they occurred. The interaction with the two POV characters (Jane & Rosie) with their environment, with their friends, with each other was heightened by this aspect (whatever it is I'm talking about). To the point that the interaction between Jane and her father, which has been built up as to why the 35 year old ins in the position she is in her live (working for the family business, etc. etc.), seemed weak in comparison. Eh, I'm probably overthinking this without being overly descriptive of what I'm referring to here.
Right, so, I liked the two main point of view characters, the friends, family (mostly Jane's sister), and Brinkley, the dog.
Rating: 5.0
November 7 2021
Right, so.
A well-written book about a 29 year old (turning 30 over the many months, six (roughly October to March), covered by this book) bookstore owner in Manhattan, Rosie, who becomes entangled with three women: 1) her favorite author Brie (the two have gotten friendly with each other the last few years); 2) the gorgeous woman who visited Rosie's bookstore with her niece; 3) and 35 year old Jane Breslin, the woman who sent a letter letting Rosie know her 30+ year business (opened and operated by Rose's mother until Rosie took over) would have its lease not be renewed and her building would be demolished.
That second woman was more of a "that's your type" kind of woman mentioned by Rosie's best friends and roommates. The other two, Brie and Jane, were separate entanglements. Until they weren't. Is that a spoiler? It was kind of hinted at in the book description. If it is a spoiler I do not really have much more I can write. Hmms.
Well, going well-written part, since it leads to one of the off-putting parts. The author, for the most part, really seemed to pull me into scenes, and "feel" what was happening, notice things as they occurred. The interaction with the two POV characters (Jane & Rosie) with their environment, with their friends, with each other was heightened by this aspect (whatever it is I'm talking about). To the point that the interaction between Jane and her father, which has been built up as to why the 35 year old ins in the position she is in her live (working for the family business, etc. etc.), seemed weak in comparison. Eh, I'm probably overthinking this without being overly descriptive of what I'm referring to here.
Right, so, I liked the two main point of view characters, the friends, family (mostly Jane's sister), and Brinkley, the dog.
Rating: 5.0
November 7 2021
December 2, 2021
Not my favourite by Lacey. I have loved most of her previous works, she has been a fresh voice with different characters and a change to the usual lesfic script, up until now. So I guess that's why it feels so disappointing that this newest installment, felt like any other lesfic. The same dramas and black moment and plotting issues that plague lesfic, which hadn't occurred in her works before and otherwise made her such a different writer in the genre. So it's sad to see her stick to the script, when she had done so well beforehand to break out, and stay away from that.
Overall it's still a solid story, don't get me wrong. But the drama felt forced and eked out a bit much, by one MC in particular in their attitude made her unlikable. It sucked a lot of the fun out of it. I also struggled to really believe the connection happening between the two love interests.
I don't really have much else to add. It's on Kindle Unlimited, like most of her books - so I would recommend her other WLW works, for sure!
Overall it's still a solid story, don't get me wrong. But the drama felt forced and eked out a bit much, by one MC in particular in their attitude made her unlikable. It sucked a lot of the fun out of it. I also struggled to really believe the connection happening between the two love interests.
I don't really have much else to add. It's on Kindle Unlimited, like most of her books - so I would recommend her other WLW works, for sure!
November 22, 2021
As happens every so often, I found myself liking Read Between the Lines more at the end than at the beginning.
What the book is about: Rosie inherited her mother’s bookstore, Between the Pages, and couldn’t be happier about her job. She’s a huge book nerd and loves nothing more than recommending the right book to the right person. When she’s not working, she chats, via Twitter DMs, with Brie, her favourite lesfic author. Rosie might even have a crush on Brie… They talk about everything, except their real identities. When Rosie gets a letter from Jane Breslin, property manager at Breslin Property Development, letting her know the bookstore’s lease won’t be renewed, all she tells Brie is that she had a rough day. She doesn’t tell her either about the hot suit-wearing woman who came into the store with her adorable niece. Little does she know that both Brie and the sexy aunt are actually Jane Breslin…
For the first time since I started reading Rachel Lacey’s books, it took me a pretty long time to really feel invested in the story. Maybe because this was marketed as a You’ve Got Mail inspired enemies-to-lovers romance, and I’m not a fan of the movie (I do love Lubitsch’s The Shop Around the Corner, however). I liked both MCs but I didn’t feel the chemistry and while I wasn’t bored, I wasn’t captivated either. Once Jane and Rosie realise who the other is, however, the chemistry is much more obvious, and I really felt the connection.
Read Between the Lines starts indeed as an enemies-to-lovers romance, but it’s mostly opposites attract, with Jane being an introvert and Rosie an extrovert. Jane is sweet but awkward and Rosie is always trying to find the bright side of events. She’s an optimist and a go-getter, and even when she’s scared of losing her beloved bookstore, she keeps looking for ways to beat the odds. Her best friend Lia is wonderfully supportive, as are her other roommates and friends. Jane doesn’t have friends but she can always count on her sister to cheer her on, even against their parents’ will.
I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and until that happened, I couldn’t let myself fully enjoy the romance. This feeling of dread wouldn’t leave me. I was actually relieved when it happened because it made sense and also it didn’t, which is kinda what life is about, making do with things that don’t make sense. And the characters could finally work on fixing things. Whether they’d succeed or not was never a real question, since romance demands a HEA or HFN, but how they would, and whether I’d believe it, was.
Rosie and Jane are meant to be together, and them being apart could only last a little while. Their love is too strong and too real, and they’ve addressed their issues from the beginning. They didn’t fix them from the beginning, however (hence the sense of dread), which wouldn’t have been plausible anyway. The ending could have felt rushed but because of what made me uneasy before, it didn’t. I’d been worried as I was reading, that I wasn’t enjoying the story as much as I had hoped. But in the end, it worked. Everything that kept me on my toes, even as it all felt very mellow, led to this ending. I closed this book with a really good feeling.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
What the book is about: Rosie inherited her mother’s bookstore, Between the Pages, and couldn’t be happier about her job. She’s a huge book nerd and loves nothing more than recommending the right book to the right person. When she’s not working, she chats, via Twitter DMs, with Brie, her favourite lesfic author. Rosie might even have a crush on Brie… They talk about everything, except their real identities. When Rosie gets a letter from Jane Breslin, property manager at Breslin Property Development, letting her know the bookstore’s lease won’t be renewed, all she tells Brie is that she had a rough day. She doesn’t tell her either about the hot suit-wearing woman who came into the store with her adorable niece. Little does she know that both Brie and the sexy aunt are actually Jane Breslin…
For the first time since I started reading Rachel Lacey’s books, it took me a pretty long time to really feel invested in the story. Maybe because this was marketed as a You’ve Got Mail inspired enemies-to-lovers romance, and I’m not a fan of the movie (I do love Lubitsch’s The Shop Around the Corner, however). I liked both MCs but I didn’t feel the chemistry and while I wasn’t bored, I wasn’t captivated either. Once Jane and Rosie realise who the other is, however, the chemistry is much more obvious, and I really felt the connection.
Read Between the Lines starts indeed as an enemies-to-lovers romance, but it’s mostly opposites attract, with Jane being an introvert and Rosie an extrovert. Jane is sweet but awkward and Rosie is always trying to find the bright side of events. She’s an optimist and a go-getter, and even when she’s scared of losing her beloved bookstore, she keeps looking for ways to beat the odds. Her best friend Lia is wonderfully supportive, as are her other roommates and friends. Jane doesn’t have friends but she can always count on her sister to cheer her on, even against their parents’ will.
I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and until that happened, I couldn’t let myself fully enjoy the romance. This feeling of dread wouldn’t leave me. I was actually relieved when it happened because it made sense and also it didn’t, which is kinda what life is about, making do with things that don’t make sense. And the characters could finally work on fixing things. Whether they’d succeed or not was never a real question, since romance demands a HEA or HFN, but how they would, and whether I’d believe it, was.
Rosie and Jane are meant to be together, and them being apart could only last a little while. Their love is too strong and too real, and they’ve addressed their issues from the beginning. They didn’t fix them from the beginning, however (hence the sense of dread), which wouldn’t have been plausible anyway. The ending could have felt rushed but because of what made me uneasy before, it didn’t. I’d been worried as I was reading, that I wasn’t enjoying the story as much as I had hoped. But in the end, it worked. Everything that kept me on my toes, even as it all felt very mellow, led to this ending. I closed this book with a really good feeling.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 23, 2021
Read Between the Lines was one of the latest forays I made when trying romance books. Somehow I happen to prefer lesbian romances to heterosexual ones, and it is not because I prefer kinky sex. In fact I rarely know what is going on, even in lesbian porn, let alone lesbian bookish smut.
The frustration with the author, Rachel Lacey, is that she adds a lot of sweetness to her book, while at the same time writing in a scared way. Whenever there is a challenging scene to be envisioned, Lacey plunges into her book with the alacrity of a tropical swimmer diving into an icy lake. She shies away from demanding acts of emotion in her books.
Take the example of the two main characters going out with the friends of Rosie. This is a potentially delectable challenge to an author who calls herself such. Yet the friends are treated like extras in the background after this unforgettable going out to town night. Lacey switches cleverly the coming out of Jane, creating her sexually out but authorially closeted.
This switcheroo is spoiled by the fact that there is little conflict between our characters and their surroundings. The hunt by Rosie for a site for her bookstore ends sweetly, yet the chase was not pulsating or suspenseful, just like the lukewarm sex Lacey offers.
In the end I would say that the book is sweet under the surface, with a surface that is bereft of personality and character. We might even say, that when trying to read between the lines, the need arises for the readers to write between the lines, as everything is sketched with the barest lines. So we are left with a book that needs us to fill in the blanks and superimpose our own peccadilloes onto the book.
The frustration with the author, Rachel Lacey, is that she adds a lot of sweetness to her book, while at the same time writing in a scared way. Whenever there is a challenging scene to be envisioned, Lacey plunges into her book with the alacrity of a tropical swimmer diving into an icy lake. She shies away from demanding acts of emotion in her books.
Take the example of the two main characters going out with the friends of Rosie. This is a potentially delectable challenge to an author who calls herself such. Yet the friends are treated like extras in the background after this unforgettable going out to town night. Lacey switches cleverly the coming out of Jane, creating her sexually out but authorially closeted.
This switcheroo is spoiled by the fact that there is little conflict between our characters and their surroundings. The hunt by Rosie for a site for her bookstore ends sweetly, yet the chase was not pulsating or suspenseful, just like the lukewarm sex Lacey offers.
In the end I would say that the book is sweet under the surface, with a surface that is bereft of personality and character. We might even say, that when trying to read between the lines, the need arises for the readers to write between the lines, as everything is sketched with the barest lines. So we are left with a book that needs us to fill in the blanks and superimpose our own peccadilloes onto the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2021
Wanted To Like It
I wanted to like this I really did. Jane is truly endearing but for both Jane and Rosie there was very little to no development. As a matter of fact, Jane came off as clingy towards the end.
While I appreciated the sentimentality of Rosie's situation, it came off as wildly immature for a 30 year old to be THAT resentful of someone who had 0 decision making authority. Not to mention, having very little to no emotional responsibility (aside for saying she was rash but didn't change) for ways in which HER behavior chased harm as well. (Side note: if Lia was doing literally ALL the hard work, she deserved more.)
I like to escape as much as anyone, but having Jane chase after Rosie multiple times saying sorry for something she couldn't control is worrying.
It was sweet, I guess, but I found myself wishing better for Jane.
I wanted to like this I really did. Jane is truly endearing but for both Jane and Rosie there was very little to no development. As a matter of fact, Jane came off as clingy towards the end.
While I appreciated the sentimentality of Rosie's situation, it came off as wildly immature for a 30 year old to be THAT resentful of someone who had 0 decision making authority. Not to mention, having very little to no emotional responsibility (aside for saying she was rash but didn't change) for ways in which HER behavior chased harm as well. (Side note: if Lia was doing literally ALL the hard work, she deserved more.)
I like to escape as much as anyone, but having Jane chase after Rosie multiple times saying sorry for something she couldn't control is worrying.
It was sweet, I guess, but I found myself wishing better for Jane.
December 23, 2021
It didn't take long for me to figure out that this is something of an homage to the movie You've Got Mail. The similarities are stronger in the beginning and they aren't terribly pronounced (for one, I'm glad the author jettisoned the power imbalance that was half the movie because Jane admits that she is "Brie" after only a little hesitation). Which I think is a good thing as it was enough to evoke the movie without feeling like I had to keep comparing all the time.
Which is fortunate because Jane isn't at all like Tom Hanks's Joe Fox. Yeah, she has a corporate job, but she doesn't like it much and she's actually a shy introvert who has difficulty relating to others. Which is why she rather likes being an author. Fortunately, it's also what makes her such a great match for Rosie, despite Rosie being a much closer analog for Meg Ryan's Kathleen Kelly. Rosie is outgoing and personable and likes getting to know strangers and I could see her being a great bookstore owner.
Watching them fall for one another was pretty engaging. The only thing dragging it down is Rosie's over-dramatization of Jane's company forcing her to shut down her store. Indeed, the entire conflict (between the two of them) is that Rosie moves from "I forgive you" to "how could you do this?!?" over and over again. Jane is literally helpless in this. She didn't come up with the plan. She didn't approve the plan. She's just a corporate flunky but because it's her family's business, Rosie holds her personally responsible. Over and over again.
And I had a really hard time with this. Some of that is personality. I don't attach much to places and venerating an old building just because your family leased retail space there for thirty years seems a bit over the top. Yeah, it's a sad pain that you have to move, but it's not evil, despicable, or even wrong. They didn't pull any fast ones, they didn't do anything illegal, they waited out the term of your lease, you have literally no leg to stand on making this a thing between you and someone you're falling for.
So when the dark moment hit, I lost all respect for everybody in the story.
Anyway, this ends up with 3½ stars. I wouldn't go that high with that ending except that the characters really were quite sweet together and I really liked most of the beginning when Rosie is just hurt and before she goes back on her assertion about forgiving and moving on. I can't round up because of how awful it got in the end, though.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes but the latter one(s) get kind of surface, so it's just barely still on the light side of my steam tolerance. They were a bit rote, I think, which feels like a missed opportunity, frankly.
Which is fortunate because Jane isn't at all like Tom Hanks's Joe Fox. Yeah, she has a corporate job, but she doesn't like it much and she's actually a shy introvert who has difficulty relating to others. Which is why she rather likes being an author. Fortunately, it's also what makes her such a great match for Rosie, despite Rosie being a much closer analog for Meg Ryan's Kathleen Kelly. Rosie is outgoing and personable and likes getting to know strangers and I could see her being a great bookstore owner.
Watching them fall for one another was pretty engaging. The only thing dragging it down is Rosie's over-dramatization of Jane's company forcing her to shut down her store. Indeed, the entire conflict (between the two of them) is that Rosie moves from "I forgive you" to "how could you do this?!?" over and over again. Jane is literally helpless in this. She didn't come up with the plan. She didn't approve the plan. She's just a corporate flunky but because it's her family's business, Rosie holds her personally responsible. Over and over again.
And I had a really hard time with this. Some of that is personality. I don't attach much to places and venerating an old building just because your family leased retail space there for thirty years seems a bit over the top. Yeah, it's a sad pain that you have to move, but it's not evil, despicable, or even wrong. They didn't pull any fast ones, they didn't do anything illegal, they waited out the term of your lease, you have literally no leg to stand on making this a thing between you and someone you're falling for.
So when the dark moment hit, I lost all respect for everybody in the story.
Anyway, this ends up with 3½ stars. I wouldn't go that high with that ending except that the characters really were quite sweet together and I really liked most of the beginning when Rosie is just hurt and before she goes back on her assertion about forgiving and moving on. I can't round up because of how awful it got in the end, though.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple of explicit sex scenes but the latter one(s) get kind of surface, so it's just barely still on the light side of my steam tolerance. They were a bit rote, I think, which feels like a missed opportunity, frankly.
January 25, 2022
Books.
The first book of the Ms Right series is a love story between an author and her fan... or a bookstore owner and the person who hands her her eviction letter, depending on how you look at it. It's the same two people just from different angles. Rosie is a bookstore owner and an avid reader while Jane is a woman in a power suit working in her family's property developer company by day and writes lesbian romances under the pseudonym of Brie by night. Rosie and Brie have a great online relationship and the anonymity works well for Jane who is shy and introverted, which leaves her with no real friends except for her sister. Rosie and Jane's offline relationship is more contentious because Rosie holds a grudge against Jane for evicting her bookstore from the building.
I absolutely loved most parts of the book. It hit all the sweet spots for me and I fell for the idea of them together because Jane and Rosie are ridiculously cute together. I also have a soft spot for Jane, who aside from being shy, is also a bit innocent. I love her growth arc, in particular how she learns to embrace the author side of her and I thought it was pretty well written. Rosie, on the other hand, makes me want to scream because everytime I think she's getting better, she circles back to the same issue that hangs over them. Over and over.
I think I would have enjoyed this a lot better if Jane didn't need to walk on eggshells around Rosie that many times. But I'm still pushing this to a four star rating for the enjoyment. If anyone is interested, I suggest going for the audiobook. It's narrated by Abby Craden, which means it's worth it.
The first book of the Ms Right series is a love story between an author and her fan... or a bookstore owner and the person who hands her her eviction letter, depending on how you look at it. It's the same two people just from different angles. Rosie is a bookstore owner and an avid reader while Jane is a woman in a power suit working in her family's property developer company by day and writes lesbian romances under the pseudonym of Brie by night. Rosie and Brie have a great online relationship and the anonymity works well for Jane who is shy and introverted, which leaves her with no real friends except for her sister. Rosie and Jane's offline relationship is more contentious because Rosie holds a grudge against Jane for evicting her bookstore from the building.
I absolutely loved most parts of the book. It hit all the sweet spots for me and I fell for the idea of them together because Jane and Rosie are ridiculously cute together. I also have a soft spot for Jane, who aside from being shy, is also a bit innocent. I love her growth arc, in particular how she learns to embrace the author side of her and I thought it was pretty well written. Rosie, on the other hand, makes me want to scream because everytime I think she's getting better, she circles back to the same issue that hangs over them. Over and over.
I think I would have enjoyed this a lot better if Jane didn't need to walk on eggshells around Rosie that many times. But I'm still pushing this to a four star rating for the enjoyment. If anyone is interested, I suggest going for the audiobook. It's narrated by Abby Craden, which means it's worth it.
November 15, 2021
2 stars. Eh. Not a very interesting story and the character of Rosie was a pain in the ass. I really didn’t like her character at all and I felt bad for Jane and she deserved better. The romance was lacking, it feels super long (even though it isn’t) because of the thin plot. The dialogue was a bit stilted and awkward but the writing itself wasn’t bad. The pacing isn’t very good but again that’s because the plot is barely there. The only thing I did enjoy about this were some of the side characters and Jane. I thought she was a great character and was the only one who went through development. This wasn’t awful or anything but it felt so…empty.
December 10, 2021
I gave this two stars, then thought “what is the extra star for?” I dreaded reading this book every time I picked it up. Seriously considered DNFing for the first time ever.
You cannot just throw a bunch of tropes together and slap an illustrated cover on the front and call it a romance novel. I feel terrible for people looking for queer romances that THIS is what they have to choose from.
Very annoying, VERY repetitive, and absolutely zero reason to root for the MCs. They weren’t even bad people, they were just SO. GOD DAMN. BORING. Not a single spark of chemistry in 318 pages. Even in the half assed sex scenes.
Please please please do not waste your time or money on this!!!!!
You cannot just throw a bunch of tropes together and slap an illustrated cover on the front and call it a romance novel. I feel terrible for people looking for queer romances that THIS is what they have to choose from.
Very annoying, VERY repetitive, and absolutely zero reason to root for the MCs. They weren’t even bad people, they were just SO. GOD DAMN. BORING. Not a single spark of chemistry in 318 pages. Even in the half assed sex scenes.
Please please please do not waste your time or money on this!!!!!
April 13, 2022
I enjoyed this adorable romance set in my favorite city, New York between a book store owner and a property developer that moonlights as a romance author in her free time. Rosie and Jane worked through serious obstacles in their relationship and got their happily ever after in the end. I was rooting for them the whole way.
This was my first read by the author and I can't wait to dive into more of her books.
This was my first read by the author and I can't wait to dive into more of her books.
December 14, 2021
Review of Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey, audiobook narrated by Abby Craden
I’m still in need of a cheer-up so a feel-good romance with little angst was on the cards for me. Even much better if it’s narrated by Abby Craden.
Rosie Taft is a bookstore owner who has an online friendship with an elusive lesbian romance author. Jane Breslin is a property developer by day and romance author Brie by night. When Jane informs Rosie that her bookstore lease will be terminated, sparks fly and not of the good kind. Neither of them knows the online identity of the other so when Rosie and Brie decide to finally meet in person, things get complicated…
Read Between the Lines is book one of the Ms. Right series by Rachel Lacey which was – according to the author – inspired by the 90s movie You’ve got mail. As in the movie, it’s a mixture of anonymous online flirting with enemies to lovers tropes. There are some similarities to the movie but more as an homage to that iconic film than anything else. Ms. Lacey created a romantic, entertaining, and cute women-loving-women story.
Rachel Lacey is a seasoned author who has authored a good number of books, most of them m/f. I’ve read a couple of her f/f books, Lost in Paradise and Hideaway, which I enjoyed very much. Read Between the Lines was very enjoyable too.
I loved the chemistry between the mains, especially the pull-push between their online attraction and their complicated relationship in real life. Rosie was in such turmoil that she sometimes came across as annoying but her behaviour seemed consistent with her reality. I liked that in this story both characters equally take a journey that changes them and makes them feel better with themselves and each other. I loved that each character’s transformation was done independently for themselves and not as a result of a romantic grand gesture.
My only complaint about the story is that the sex scenes felt a bit watered-down. I know that Ms. Lacey can write sizzling hot intimate scenes so it left me wondering about her choice. It could be as a result of trying to appeal to a wider audience but I’m not sure. To clarify, the scenes aren’t fade-to-black but they felt a bit bland and rushed to me. In any case, every reader is different in their preferences regarding books’ intimate scenes so this might suit some people well. Just keep in mind that you won’t find very explicit scenes here.
Abby Craden narrated the audiobook version and, as usual, did a great job. I feel like I always repeat myself when I’m reviewing one of her audiobooks but she’s an absolute pro who makes every story even better and that’s what gives her the status of a rock star in the world of lesbian audiobooks. This one gave me all the much-needed happy feels. 4.5 stars.
Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins
I’m still in need of a cheer-up so a feel-good romance with little angst was on the cards for me. Even much better if it’s narrated by Abby Craden.
Rosie Taft is a bookstore owner who has an online friendship with an elusive lesbian romance author. Jane Breslin is a property developer by day and romance author Brie by night. When Jane informs Rosie that her bookstore lease will be terminated, sparks fly and not of the good kind. Neither of them knows the online identity of the other so when Rosie and Brie decide to finally meet in person, things get complicated…
Read Between the Lines is book one of the Ms. Right series by Rachel Lacey which was – according to the author – inspired by the 90s movie You’ve got mail. As in the movie, it’s a mixture of anonymous online flirting with enemies to lovers tropes. There are some similarities to the movie but more as an homage to that iconic film than anything else. Ms. Lacey created a romantic, entertaining, and cute women-loving-women story.
Rachel Lacey is a seasoned author who has authored a good number of books, most of them m/f. I’ve read a couple of her f/f books, Lost in Paradise and Hideaway, which I enjoyed very much. Read Between the Lines was very enjoyable too.
I loved the chemistry between the mains, especially the pull-push between their online attraction and their complicated relationship in real life. Rosie was in such turmoil that she sometimes came across as annoying but her behaviour seemed consistent with her reality. I liked that in this story both characters equally take a journey that changes them and makes them feel better with themselves and each other. I loved that each character’s transformation was done independently for themselves and not as a result of a romantic grand gesture.
My only complaint about the story is that the sex scenes felt a bit watered-down. I know that Ms. Lacey can write sizzling hot intimate scenes so it left me wondering about her choice. It could be as a result of trying to appeal to a wider audience but I’m not sure. To clarify, the scenes aren’t fade-to-black but they felt a bit bland and rushed to me. In any case, every reader is different in their preferences regarding books’ intimate scenes so this might suit some people well. Just keep in mind that you won’t find very explicit scenes here.
Abby Craden narrated the audiobook version and, as usual, did a great job. I feel like I always repeat myself when I’m reviewing one of her audiobooks but she’s an absolute pro who makes every story even better and that’s what gives her the status of a rock star in the world of lesbian audiobooks. This one gave me all the much-needed happy feels. 4.5 stars.
Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins
March 16, 2022
Featured presentation: Read between the lines by Rachel Lacey
The road to happiness is often only implied…
Cast: Rosie Taft is the owner of a bookstore, Between the Pages. Jane Breslin works for her family’s business, Breslin Property Development.
The Plot: Rosie has just been handed her eviction notice for Between the Pages, signed by Jane… But Jane has an alter ego, who just happens to be Rosie’s favourite author, Brie. On Twitter, they have an easy friendship that often borders on flirting. In real life, things are about to get ugly…
The blazing: Ms Lacey beautifully depicts Jane’s struggles between what her family expects of her versus her personal dreams. She has become a successful author (of the lesbian romance variety!) with little support. Her sister Amy is her ever-present cheerleader – always there to back whatever decision Jane makes, even if she disagrees…
Furthermore, both Rosie and Jane have an internal battle between their personal and professional desires. This leads to a lot of conflict between them. This could’ve been avoided if they engaged in an open conversation about it, which I would usually see as a negative. Ms Lacey, instead, crafted her characters in such a way that the open conversation would’ve felt out of place (at the time). Rosie has been living for Between the Pages since her mother’s passing and will do whatever necessary to ensure her mother’s legacy lives on, whereas Jane has grown up constantly seeking her parents’ approval, denying her own dreams in the process. Neither of them can change this aspect of themselves overnight and it works surprisingly well in this case…
The bright: Jane does her best to support Rosie in finding a new location to reduce the level of damage BPD caused Rosie’s business. Rosie, in turn, provides Jane with the sounding board for her writing she has been aching for. Neither of them always goes about this in the best way, but they are committed to their relationship and clearly try to encourage the other in worthy endeavours. There is something incredibly sweet in their attempts and the chemistry between them becomes more evident as time progresses.
Rosie has a knack for matching people with the perfect book for them and this is how she enthralls Jane’s niece, Alyssa. Alyssa is a force by herself, even though we don’t see a lot of her. I liked that the connection between Rosie and Alyssa continued throughout the book. Ms Lacey’s seemingly small detail made a big difference to me…
The bleak: I liked the fact that both Jane’s parents was supporting of her writing towards the end. The fact that her mother had to hide it from her father at first, placed quite the damper on that… I understand that this is often the way these things play out in real life, but it has caused Jane so much pain, I wanted them to be more on-board…
Jane was assigned a distorted portion of the blame, especially towards the end. I applaud Rosie’s refusal to do business with people with a skewed view of the merits of women in the corporate world, but I don’t understand why Jane was to blame for this…
The burned-to-ashes: Nothing.
And then The Plot Thickens into sweet, syrupy honey… There is no other metaphor to describe the way Ms Lacey slowly surrounds you and sweeps you up in the narrative. And afterwards, you want to lick off your lips (and possibly fingers) to saviour every drop of sweetness, just like honey.
Studio: Montlake.
Closing credits: This review is brought to you borderline late, but still in time for the release of No rings attached. Yay! (I think...)
The road to happiness is often only implied…
Cast: Rosie Taft is the owner of a bookstore, Between the Pages. Jane Breslin works for her family’s business, Breslin Property Development.
The Plot: Rosie has just been handed her eviction notice for Between the Pages, signed by Jane… But Jane has an alter ego, who just happens to be Rosie’s favourite author, Brie. On Twitter, they have an easy friendship that often borders on flirting. In real life, things are about to get ugly…
The blazing: Ms Lacey beautifully depicts Jane’s struggles between what her family expects of her versus her personal dreams. She has become a successful author (of the lesbian romance variety!) with little support. Her sister Amy is her ever-present cheerleader – always there to back whatever decision Jane makes, even if she disagrees…
Furthermore, both Rosie and Jane have an internal battle between their personal and professional desires. This leads to a lot of conflict between them. This could’ve been avoided if they engaged in an open conversation about it, which I would usually see as a negative. Ms Lacey, instead, crafted her characters in such a way that the open conversation would’ve felt out of place (at the time). Rosie has been living for Between the Pages since her mother’s passing and will do whatever necessary to ensure her mother’s legacy lives on, whereas Jane has grown up constantly seeking her parents’ approval, denying her own dreams in the process. Neither of them can change this aspect of themselves overnight and it works surprisingly well in this case…
The bright: Jane does her best to support Rosie in finding a new location to reduce the level of damage BPD caused Rosie’s business. Rosie, in turn, provides Jane with the sounding board for her writing she has been aching for. Neither of them always goes about this in the best way, but they are committed to their relationship and clearly try to encourage the other in worthy endeavours. There is something incredibly sweet in their attempts and the chemistry between them becomes more evident as time progresses.
Rosie has a knack for matching people with the perfect book for them and this is how she enthralls Jane’s niece, Alyssa. Alyssa is a force by herself, even though we don’t see a lot of her. I liked that the connection between Rosie and Alyssa continued throughout the book. Ms Lacey’s seemingly small detail made a big difference to me…
The bleak: I liked the fact that both Jane’s parents was supporting of her writing towards the end. The fact that her mother had to hide it from her father at first, placed quite the damper on that… I understand that this is often the way these things play out in real life, but it has caused Jane so much pain, I wanted them to be more on-board…
Jane was assigned a distorted portion of the blame, especially towards the end. I applaud Rosie’s refusal to do business with people with a skewed view of the merits of women in the corporate world, but I don’t understand why Jane was to blame for this…
The burned-to-ashes: Nothing.
And then The Plot Thickens into sweet, syrupy honey… There is no other metaphor to describe the way Ms Lacey slowly surrounds you and sweeps you up in the narrative. And afterwards, you want to lick off your lips (and possibly fingers) to saviour every drop of sweetness, just like honey.
Studio: Montlake.
Closing credits: This review is brought to you borderline late, but still in time for the release of No rings attached. Yay! (I think...)
July 19, 2024
OMG this was so cute and sweet, and I loved it. I loved Rosie and Jane and I related to both of them (especially Jane). The bookstore setting and their relationship was so cute and wholesome. Also I loved how Rosie is a bookstore owner and Jane is an author (I would love to be both of those things but especially an author). RTC.
December 20, 2024
4.5 Stars for Read Between the Lines (audiobook) by Rachel Lacey read by Abby Craden.
These online friends quickly become in person enemies as their business strategies conflict. But fate slowly brings them back together as they realize that life is better together and the work difficulties can be overcome.
These online friends quickly become in person enemies as their business strategies conflict. But fate slowly brings them back together as they realize that life is better together and the work difficulties can be overcome.
February 16, 2023
Read Between the Lines is the first book in Rachel Lacey's Ms. Right series. It's a charming book with sweet characters who will warm your heart. Rachel keeps churning out the lady lovin hits!
Rosie Taft owns her own bookstore, Between the Pages and runs it with her best friend Lia. Her mother opened the store thirty years ago and Rosie absolutely loves it and can’t imagine her life without it. Books are in her soul, romance books, specifically. She develops a crush on her favorite writer, Brie, after they start chatting on Twitter. She hasn’t dated in a while but it’s because she doesn’t want to waste her time with someone who will be wrong for her not because of her crush on Brie, or so she keeps telling herself. Her life is turned upside down when she receives a letter from the company who owns her building telling her the lease will be terminated at the end of the year.
Jane Breslin is a property manager for her family company, Breslin Property Development. On a day out with her nine-year-old niece, Alyssa, they come upon Between the Pages. Jane is shocked to see her latest book, On the Flip Side on display. Jane writes as Brie but only her sister Amy is aware of her other life. Jane can’t stop thinking about Rosie after being in her bookstore knowing she’s the one who mailed her the letter telling her lease wouldn’t be renewed and Rosie can’t stop thinking of the hot woman in the power suit because power suits are so darn sexy.
Rosie sends an email to Jane inviting her to an event at the bookstore hoping she can convince her to extend the lease. Jane shows up introducing herself properly, which bursts Rosie’s bubble because she had crushed on her when she showed up with Alyssa. Jane can’t do anything to stop it as the building is set for demolition so that condos can be built.
The two continue chatting to each other online unaware of the others true identity and decide to meet. Both are feeling the pull of attraction until Jane see Rosie and puts it together that Rosie is Aurelia. Rosie stays unaware and thinks Brie has stood her up and Jane being at the bar is a coincidence. A few days later after a heart to heart with Amy when Jane reveals how much she likes Rosie (Aurelia) she ventures to the bookstore and reveals her pen name. After Rosie’s shock wears off, they have an honest discussion and share a steamy kiss. Rosie can see the good in Jane despite the inner turmoil she still feels regarding Jane’s job. Obstacles will need to be overcome and understanding achieved before the girls find their happy ending.
I adore Rachel Lacey’s Midnight in Manhattan series and this one is just as good. Her characters are well developed and relatable. Rosie is the perfect girl next door who just wants her storybook romance. She is someone who brings a smile to everyone's face with her kind heart and charm. Her bookstore is a connection to her mom that she can’t bear to lose. It would be like losing her mother all over again.
Jane is Rosie’s opposite. She is an introvert who avoids conflict. It’s why she is working at her family company instead of writing full time. She doesn’t have close friends and prefers to spend her free time with her sister, brother-in-law and niece. Jane is awkward in social situations and thinks she is much better writing romance than living her own. But her heart has other ideas when Rosie comes along. Jane has hidden her writing from her family and hasn’t allowed herself to be proud of being a published author. Rosie not only opens Jane’s heart to love but also to allow herself to be proud of her accomplishments. She allows Jane to truly be herself and loves her for the wonderful person she is.
You can’t have a book like this without supportive friends for the protagonists to confide in. Rosie’s best friend Lia and Jane’s sister Amy provide laughs and encouragement to help the two accept that they have found their lobster. Lia manages the bookstore for Rosie and helps her make it a success while being the best friend every woman needs. Amy encourages Jane to strive to be a full-time writer and leave the family business because she knows it will make her happy. They are both wonderful supporting characters.
Rachel Lacey has written a charming lesbian “You’ve Got Mail” that will you all the feels. It’s what I have come to expect from her books and I look forward to the next book in the series!
ARC received from the author via Net Galley in exchange for honest review.
Rosie Taft owns her own bookstore, Between the Pages and runs it with her best friend Lia. Her mother opened the store thirty years ago and Rosie absolutely loves it and can’t imagine her life without it. Books are in her soul, romance books, specifically. She develops a crush on her favorite writer, Brie, after they start chatting on Twitter. She hasn’t dated in a while but it’s because she doesn’t want to waste her time with someone who will be wrong for her not because of her crush on Brie, or so she keeps telling herself. Her life is turned upside down when she receives a letter from the company who owns her building telling her the lease will be terminated at the end of the year.
Jane Breslin is a property manager for her family company, Breslin Property Development. On a day out with her nine-year-old niece, Alyssa, they come upon Between the Pages. Jane is shocked to see her latest book, On the Flip Side on display. Jane writes as Brie but only her sister Amy is aware of her other life. Jane can’t stop thinking about Rosie after being in her bookstore knowing she’s the one who mailed her the letter telling her lease wouldn’t be renewed and Rosie can’t stop thinking of the hot woman in the power suit because power suits are so darn sexy.
Rosie sends an email to Jane inviting her to an event at the bookstore hoping she can convince her to extend the lease. Jane shows up introducing herself properly, which bursts Rosie’s bubble because she had crushed on her when she showed up with Alyssa. Jane can’t do anything to stop it as the building is set for demolition so that condos can be built.
The two continue chatting to each other online unaware of the others true identity and decide to meet. Both are feeling the pull of attraction until Jane see Rosie and puts it together that Rosie is Aurelia. Rosie stays unaware and thinks Brie has stood her up and Jane being at the bar is a coincidence. A few days later after a heart to heart with Amy when Jane reveals how much she likes Rosie (Aurelia) she ventures to the bookstore and reveals her pen name. After Rosie’s shock wears off, they have an honest discussion and share a steamy kiss. Rosie can see the good in Jane despite the inner turmoil she still feels regarding Jane’s job. Obstacles will need to be overcome and understanding achieved before the girls find their happy ending.
I adore Rachel Lacey’s Midnight in Manhattan series and this one is just as good. Her characters are well developed and relatable. Rosie is the perfect girl next door who just wants her storybook romance. She is someone who brings a smile to everyone's face with her kind heart and charm. Her bookstore is a connection to her mom that she can’t bear to lose. It would be like losing her mother all over again.
Jane is Rosie’s opposite. She is an introvert who avoids conflict. It’s why she is working at her family company instead of writing full time. She doesn’t have close friends and prefers to spend her free time with her sister, brother-in-law and niece. Jane is awkward in social situations and thinks she is much better writing romance than living her own. But her heart has other ideas when Rosie comes along. Jane has hidden her writing from her family and hasn’t allowed herself to be proud of being a published author. Rosie not only opens Jane’s heart to love but also to allow herself to be proud of her accomplishments. She allows Jane to truly be herself and loves her for the wonderful person she is.
You can’t have a book like this without supportive friends for the protagonists to confide in. Rosie’s best friend Lia and Jane’s sister Amy provide laughs and encouragement to help the two accept that they have found their lobster. Lia manages the bookstore for Rosie and helps her make it a success while being the best friend every woman needs. Amy encourages Jane to strive to be a full-time writer and leave the family business because she knows it will make her happy. They are both wonderful supporting characters.
Rachel Lacey has written a charming lesbian “You’ve Got Mail” that will you all the feels. It’s what I have come to expect from her books and I look forward to the next book in the series!
ARC received from the author via Net Galley in exchange for honest review.
July 14, 2022
This is my first romance novel, like rom-coms, I don't really venture into this genre. But it came recommended to me because there's a lesbian romance. Points for that.
But oh dear God much of the dialogue and reactions felt fake and immature. I don't know if the author is queer herself and maybe if she is not, perhaps that's why it feels off to me.
Plus, the acronym of a relevant company is BPD. I just kept reading it as the acronym for Borderline Personality Disorder because that's how I first saw those letters. I cannot be the only one reading this book who associates it with mental illness. Perhaps they should have workshopped that company name some more.
But it was semi-enjoyable fantasy (but not fantasy) junk that I'm glad I did not pay for.
But oh dear God much of the dialogue and reactions felt fake and immature. I don't know if the author is queer herself and maybe if she is not, perhaps that's why it feels off to me.
Plus, the acronym of a relevant company is BPD. I just kept reading it as the acronym for Borderline Personality Disorder because that's how I first saw those letters. I cannot be the only one reading this book who associates it with mental illness. Perhaps they should have workshopped that company name some more.
But it was semi-enjoyable fantasy (but not fantasy) junk that I'm glad I did not pay for.
February 3, 2024
1 ★ | Am I the problem? No. No I’m not. I’m just confused how this book is so highly anticipated? Like why? Did we even read the same book???? This is one of the reasons I stay WELL away from overhyped sapphic novels.
Chemistry. Where? Storyline. Wtf? Annoying? Oh yes. It lacked substance for me. I couldn’t get on board with ANYTHING. I found it boring. It didn’t tick any of my boxes. I DNF and I tried, I really did…and that’s all I have to say.
Chemistry. Where? Storyline. Wtf? Annoying? Oh yes. It lacked substance for me. I couldn’t get on board with ANYTHING. I found it boring. It didn’t tick any of my boxes. I DNF and I tried, I really did…and that’s all I have to say.
February 14, 2024
Business and pleasure
A very good, sweet book. I really like that the characters are intelligent and don't just stuble into things. Also, the growth of Jane especially. All the characters, both main and supporting, are very good for each other. They create an incredible support network.
Both Rosie and Jane have taken up their respective family businesses. Though Rosie is doing what she loves, Jane wants to follow her dream of becoming an author. Now, their professional, social media, and real lives are on a collision course.
A good book of following your dreams and finding the right person to share them with.
A very good, sweet book. I really like that the characters are intelligent and don't just stuble into things. Also, the growth of Jane especially. All the characters, both main and supporting, are very good for each other. They create an incredible support network.
Both Rosie and Jane have taken up their respective family businesses. Though Rosie is doing what she loves, Jane wants to follow her dream of becoming an author. Now, their professional, social media, and real lives are on a collision course.
A good book of following your dreams and finding the right person to share them with.
January 1, 2022
Very sweet read but third act conflict was unnecessary, still feel-good read.
November 6, 2021
So when I saw the premise for this book- a combination enemies to lovers and friends to lovers book where they are enemies in real life and close friends online without either knowing it, it excited me. I have read a book with a concept similar to this in I Kissed Alice last year. And while I ended up enjoying that book overall because I did like how it resolved, I had some major issues with the main characters. So with this book having a similar theme, and an author I knew I liked already I jumped at it.
Read Between the Lines follows Rosie Taft and Jane Breslin. Rosie owns a bookstore that has been in her family for over thirty years, and she is crushed to find that a company that purchased the property is planning on demolishing the building. Jane Breslin works for her families development company, but her real love is working as an author of lesbian romance novels under the pseudonym Brie. Unbeknownst to either Rosie and Jane, is that on twitter they have been talking and flirting for months without knowing the true identities of either...
This book was really fun! As I mentioned before, this isn't the first of this online vs real life dichotomy book I've read but I was super into this. I loved both Rosie and Jane. They had real chemistry between them both when they are arguing in person, and when they had feelings online. Then when identities are revealed (I feel like that's not really a spoiler to say happens) I really loved the connection between them. Side characters were great too! I'm excited for Lia's book next!
Smaller notes, the book didn't go into that much detail on serious topics but I do like that it touched upon topics like gentrification too. Also there are several You've Got Mail references which are amusing given the topic.
My main complaint is about at ~80% the book kinda dragged for me. It had a lot of little things to tie up and I appreciate that, but as much fun as a lot of this book was, towards the end it slowed down.
I did enjoy this book. The dichotomy between real life and online was fun to read and the characters were lovely. 4.25/5
Read Between the Lines follows Rosie Taft and Jane Breslin. Rosie owns a bookstore that has been in her family for over thirty years, and she is crushed to find that a company that purchased the property is planning on demolishing the building. Jane Breslin works for her families development company, but her real love is working as an author of lesbian romance novels under the pseudonym Brie. Unbeknownst to either Rosie and Jane, is that on twitter they have been talking and flirting for months without knowing the true identities of either...
This book was really fun! As I mentioned before, this isn't the first of this online vs real life dichotomy book I've read but I was super into this. I loved both Rosie and Jane. They had real chemistry between them both when they are arguing in person, and when they had feelings online. Then when identities are revealed (I feel like that's not really a spoiler to say happens) I really loved the connection between them. Side characters were great too! I'm excited for Lia's book next!
Smaller notes, the book didn't go into that much detail on serious topics but I do like that it touched upon topics like gentrification too. Also there are several You've Got Mail references which are amusing given the topic.
My main complaint is about at ~80% the book kinda dragged for me. It had a lot of little things to tie up and I appreciate that, but as much fun as a lot of this book was, towards the end it slowed down.
I did enjoy this book. The dichotomy between real life and online was fun to read and the characters were lovely. 4.25/5
August 13, 2022
This was a nicely written lesbian rom com. The book starts with the most unlikely combination of coincidences ever concocted and ends up with Rosie, who has run her bookshop that her mum started with love, and Jane who works for her father as a real estate developer, yet is a closet lesbian rom com writer.
There are moments, including a loveable dog, but ultimately there is little to grab on to in this hate to love rom com. OK, but not recommended.
There are moments, including a loveable dog, but ultimately there is little to grab on to in this hate to love rom com. OK, but not recommended.
February 26, 2022
Really enjoyed this book - though initially thought I'd got mail, but the story goes into it's own orbit and is tbe better for it. Recommended.
July 6, 2022
Characters were likable and mature, there wasn't unnecessary drama in this book and I liked that.
This was really cozy to read, but usually I love interaction with secondary characters in this kind of books but this was just okay thinking about that. There were interaction and it felt belivable but I can't say I would have loved one of them more than the another. They felt a bit same. Who wouldn't love book store as a setting? I loved how this had so many book lovers and I think the setting was maybe the thing I liked most.
This dragged a bit at some point but only slightly. I really liked how this ended and this was really sweet and entertaining.
This was really cozy to read, but usually I love interaction with secondary characters in this kind of books but this was just okay thinking about that. There were interaction and it felt belivable but I can't say I would have loved one of them more than the another. They felt a bit same. Who wouldn't love book store as a setting? I loved how this had so many book lovers and I think the setting was maybe the thing I liked most.
This dragged a bit at some point but only slightly. I really liked how this ended and this was really sweet and entertaining.
November 18, 2021
Absolutely adorable f/f bookstore romance between a bookstore owner and the corporate hottie who evicts her ❤️ BUT WAIT! It’s a lot more than that too - it’s You’ve Got Mail for 2021 with LESBIANS.
November 25, 2021
Rosie's a bit of a dick & the whole thing felt like a You've got Mail rip off.
January 2, 2022
sitting here full on sobbing at 11:55pm
December 1, 2021
So Cute!
Rosie is devastated when she learns that she is being evicted from her bookstore by a property developer who have bought the building. When Jane is passing by Rosie’s shop one day she can’t believe a book she has written under her pen name is displayed in the window. When Rosie learns that Jane is not only her favourite author but works for the company taking away her store, and Jane learns Rosie is the fan she has been chanting to online, things get complicated.
This was too cute, and reminded me a lot of those fantastic 80s and 90s romcom films you can’t help but smiling at and watching every time they are on. What I loved was the ‘You’ve Got Mail’ vibe this story had and how Rosie and Jane were just perfect for one another but weren’t going to realise why until the truth was known and they started really talking about who they were.
I was hooked and really enjoyed the story. Despite some heartbreaking moments, I couldn’t help but root for happiness for both Jane and Rosie, not only together but in their dreams and what they wanted from life. There were many moments shared that were just the cutest, and for most of the time my heart actually broke for Jane. She really was conflicted, stuck between a rock and hard place in much of what life kept throwing at her, but she was determined, and with love and encouragement from Rosie was able to really strive for her dreams. Undeniably, Rosie was just a sweetheart. Her enthusiasm for her store, and books (especially Jane’s) was infectious. When Rosie was upset and devastated about things, you were really emotionally moved as the reader and could feel her pain.
A great story that was most enjoyable. I recommend the story to anyone who loves a romcom with lots of heart, cute moments, a touch of drama.
Rosie is devastated when she learns that she is being evicted from her bookstore by a property developer who have bought the building. When Jane is passing by Rosie’s shop one day she can’t believe a book she has written under her pen name is displayed in the window. When Rosie learns that Jane is not only her favourite author but works for the company taking away her store, and Jane learns Rosie is the fan she has been chanting to online, things get complicated.
This was too cute, and reminded me a lot of those fantastic 80s and 90s romcom films you can’t help but smiling at and watching every time they are on. What I loved was the ‘You’ve Got Mail’ vibe this story had and how Rosie and Jane were just perfect for one another but weren’t going to realise why until the truth was known and they started really talking about who they were.
I was hooked and really enjoyed the story. Despite some heartbreaking moments, I couldn’t help but root for happiness for both Jane and Rosie, not only together but in their dreams and what they wanted from life. There were many moments shared that were just the cutest, and for most of the time my heart actually broke for Jane. She really was conflicted, stuck between a rock and hard place in much of what life kept throwing at her, but she was determined, and with love and encouragement from Rosie was able to really strive for her dreams. Undeniably, Rosie was just a sweetheart. Her enthusiasm for her store, and books (especially Jane’s) was infectious. When Rosie was upset and devastated about things, you were really emotionally moved as the reader and could feel her pain.
A great story that was most enjoyable. I recommend the story to anyone who loves a romcom with lots of heart, cute moments, a touch of drama.
November 18, 2023
2.5 stars, rounded down | Well, at least it’s over.
I was so excited for this book, and the premise seemed so interesting. But by the time I reached page twenty, I was skimming, and that was honestly the only way I could stop myself from getting angry and/or bored.
The blurb makes it sound like this is an enemies to lovers slow burn. It’s not. Their online identities are revealed officially on page 74, which is the end of chapter six, and Jane figures out who Rosie is something like two chapters before then. I would have been fine with the book just being about their relationship if it wasn’t so bland.
Here’s the thing. There were parts of this book that I found really interesting. I liked reading about Jane and her agent talking about book deals, and I found Rosie’s search for a new venue really interesting. But the reality is that this is a romance book, and, honestly, it bored me.
Part of the problem was the dialogue and the writing. Everything was explained to the reader, and not in a way that gave you information. It was just the inner dialogue of characters explaining things unnecessarily or in a very choppy manner.
“She hadn’t had anything but a glass of champagne last night, and no wonder she felt like shit this morning. (…) Methodically, she finished her breakfast, and then, feeling much more clearheaded, she looked at her sister.”
That’s not the best example, but you can see how choppy it is. The entire book reads like this, if not worse. I would put more quotes in, but it would be painful to try to find them.
Also, I got second hand embarrassment from reading some of the “romantic” content. I didn’t read a single on of the sex scenes because, from just scanning the page, I could see that they were having full on conversation, effectively explaining what was going on to each other. Even the crush-type stuff they would say was horrible.
“Not to quote a cheesy song lyric, but she felt like she was walking on sunshine. If she were an emoji, she’d be the one with hearts for eyes.”
Yep, that’s something that an author with 25 published books wrote. Not to mention that she directly referenced the plot of one of her following books, making it into the book Jane was writing. Don’t even get me started on the conversation that was had around tropes.
Also, we need to talk about the whole romance author thing. I enjoyed the characters of Rosie and Jane, and despite the debatable writing, they were good characters. However, if you’re going to have a character who writes “swoon worthy romances”, MAKE THE RELATIONSHIP THAT THEY ARE IN INTERESTING. I was so done with them talking about how good of an author she is and what makes a good romance book when I couldn’t care less about the book talking about all of it.
The one thing outside of liking each other that Jane and Rosie had going for them was the fact that their communication was great, which actually prevented the implied enemies to lovers arc. I was hoping that this would allow them to smoothly move through the story, maybe with some healthy disagreements, but nothing major. Of course, that didn’t happen, because what’s a romance without a third act conflict? All the previously mentioned communication went out the window, and when they did make up, it was ridiculously anticlimactic.
I was ready to give up on this book so many times, and if I hadn’t been skimming so much, I would have. This reads like a second or third draft, and it’s frustrating. I’m probably going to read the sequel because apparently I’m a masochist, but I personally wouldn’t recommend this.
Have a great next read! Mwah! 💋
I was so excited for this book, and the premise seemed so interesting. But by the time I reached page twenty, I was skimming, and that was honestly the only way I could stop myself from getting angry and/or bored.
The blurb makes it sound like this is an enemies to lovers slow burn. It’s not. Their online identities are revealed officially on page 74, which is the end of chapter six, and Jane figures out who Rosie is something like two chapters before then. I would have been fine with the book just being about their relationship if it wasn’t so bland.
Here’s the thing. There were parts of this book that I found really interesting. I liked reading about Jane and her agent talking about book deals, and I found Rosie’s search for a new venue really interesting. But the reality is that this is a romance book, and, honestly, it bored me.
Part of the problem was the dialogue and the writing. Everything was explained to the reader, and not in a way that gave you information. It was just the inner dialogue of characters explaining things unnecessarily or in a very choppy manner.
“She hadn’t had anything but a glass of champagne last night, and no wonder she felt like shit this morning. (…) Methodically, she finished her breakfast, and then, feeling much more clearheaded, she looked at her sister.”
That’s not the best example, but you can see how choppy it is. The entire book reads like this, if not worse. I would put more quotes in, but it would be painful to try to find them.
Also, I got second hand embarrassment from reading some of the “romantic” content. I didn’t read a single on of the sex scenes because, from just scanning the page, I could see that they were having full on conversation, effectively explaining what was going on to each other. Even the crush-type stuff they would say was horrible.
“Not to quote a cheesy song lyric, but she felt like she was walking on sunshine. If she were an emoji, she’d be the one with hearts for eyes.”
Yep, that’s something that an author with 25 published books wrote. Not to mention that she directly referenced the plot of one of her following books, making it into the book Jane was writing. Don’t even get me started on the conversation that was had around tropes.
Also, we need to talk about the whole romance author thing. I enjoyed the characters of Rosie and Jane, and despite the debatable writing, they were good characters. However, if you’re going to have a character who writes “swoon worthy romances”, MAKE THE RELATIONSHIP THAT THEY ARE IN INTERESTING. I was so done with them talking about how good of an author she is and what makes a good romance book when I couldn’t care less about the book talking about all of it.
The one thing outside of liking each other that Jane and Rosie had going for them was the fact that their communication was great, which actually prevented the implied enemies to lovers arc. I was hoping that this would allow them to smoothly move through the story, maybe with some healthy disagreements, but nothing major. Of course, that didn’t happen, because what’s a romance without a third act conflict? All the previously mentioned communication went out the window, and when they did make up, it was ridiculously anticlimactic.
I was ready to give up on this book so many times, and if I hadn’t been skimming so much, I would have. This reads like a second or third draft, and it’s frustrating. I’m probably going to read the sequel because apparently I’m a masochist, but I personally wouldn’t recommend this.
Have a great next read! Mwah! 💋
February 16, 2022
Cute and Sweet
First time reading this type of romance, and I must admit I really liked it. I enjoyed reading about a same sex couple going thru relationship issues, the same as any other couple. I love that they are both professional women, with their own minds, with their own careers, handling their own business. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance story.
4.5 🌟
First time reading this type of romance, and I must admit I really liked it. I enjoyed reading about a same sex couple going thru relationship issues, the same as any other couple. I love that they are both professional women, with their own minds, with their own careers, handling their own business. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance story.
4.5 🌟
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