7/10

So far my least favourite book of G. Benson but still good.

I loved this book way more than I thought I would.

Both main characters are very interesting and I was able to feel everything they feel. Especially Cora took a hold of me and didn’t let go. The way she struggles and how she gets stronger and stronger is really well-written. Bonus points for the slow building friendship and romance. It felt very real and was a fun, slightly dramatic read.

I really liked Jack as well. His struggles with being pregnant were so heart breaking… And I especially liked how Frazer uses ‘pregnant people’ instead of ‘pregnant women’ in her programme. It should be standard, but sadly it’s not.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've read "All the little moments" by this author and rated as 5 stars so I didn't doubt to read this one even though the book blurb didn't appeal to me that much. The main idea of this book is an interracial affair between a lesbian and a straight colleague woman who's married to their boss. Yes, I know, recipe for disaster. However, there is so much more to this book than the affair itself. The book also touches issues like prejudices against transgender people, family expectations and state support for pregnant persons in Australia. Of course, there is some good romance and hot scenes thrown in between so the readers who are just looking for a typical lesbian romance won't be disappointed either.

The story is written from both main characters' point of view so the reader can immerse themselves into their feelings and struggles. Ms. Benson does an excellent job in her description of the angst and self-doubt that fill her main characters that you can actually empathise with them. The secondary characters, especially Jack and Tia, add not only credibility to the main story but they bring to life an interesting sub-plot.

There are a few editing errors but nothing too annoying. Overall, a very good read if you are into lesbian romances with a bit of substance.

Y'all are SLEEPING on this book. SLEEPING.

This is probably the best romance novel I've read in a minute. Which is interesting, since I thought I would hate this book based on the description. That also doesn't really match my rating, but I'll get into that in a minute.

I loved these characters, I think they were wonderfully well-developed and nuanced in a way I haven't seen in a while. I enjoyed how Cora's situation was depicted, I felt myself both feeling sorry for her while also kind of side-eyeing her for the way she handed everything. I also really liked Frazer from the very beginning just because she's incredibly likable, she just has a charm and charisma to her that's honestly everything.

I also enjoyed the fact that these characters are not 100% good people. They both knowingly have this affair when one of them already has a partner, and it's not romanticized in the slightest. Multiple people surrounding these two know what they're doing is wrong and they call them out for it, while also still caring about the people involved and wanting the best for them.

The dialogue is great, I think the tension in some scenes are so wonderfully palpable (which is kind of necessary for a romance book). There's a gradual build-up to the scenes in question, so it feels really natural.

Finally, I liked the fact that multiple people in the novel acknowledged how it's not a good idea to enter into a relationship if you yourself are unhappy with your life and where it's going, because of the fact that you can use your relationship as a way of distracting yourself or becoming convinced it's your only way to be happy with it. It's just such a good message, I really appreciated it.

Some things I do have to point out though, the perspectives were never that distinct which did bother me, as the fact that the struggle between them deciding whether they should end the affair or not was exasperating.

Still a good read, would recommend to most people.

I did not remember reading that book, especially since it prominently features cheating (which I hate). Upon re-reading, I hated every second of the cheating but the grey area they keep mentioning is done well enough to make the reader empathize with the main characters. The author is also as adept as ever (not great, but decent) at writing likable characters, and believable emotions. The ending is unrealistic, I doubt a relationship based on such circumstances would not crash and burn; but I did appreciate the slow realization of the married woman that her husband is abusive, and the way her friends tried to help her realize it before without being too pushy, which would be more detrimental to her than anything, as is usually the problem with such situations.

All in all, an okay read that does the usual meet-fall-fight-HEA better than usual, with the author's usual diversity.

I was wary about this book at first. Love stories that start off with infidelity tend to make me uncomfortable, for one thing. And for another, it's set in my home city and the protagonists have careers that are closely related to my own (I'm a nurse, Frazer and Cora are a midwife and a social worker). That meant it was super relevant to my interests, but had the potential to throw me out of the story if the portrayal didn't ring true. I was destined to either love this book or hate it. And I LOVED it!

The cheating plotline was sad and uncomfortable, but it was supposed to be. Alec and Cora's marriage wasn't working, and hadn't been for a long time. Frazer and Cora were both very sympathetic characters, good people who were making some bad choices. Alec was controlling and unkind and not particularly sympathetic, but he wasn't a cardboard cutout villain, and it was clear that him being a shitty husband didn't mean cheating on him was OK. There was a ton of friendship and personal growth for both protagonists, and I was so proud of them and happy for them by the end.

Frazer and Cora were both really good at their jobs, and they loved their work. The program they put together to support people struggling with pregnancy in less than ideal circumstances was inspiring, and it warmed my heart to watch it grow. They're both people I'd love to know as friends or colleagues in real life.

The author nailed what it's like to work in a hospital, and to live in Perth. I never get to read about a setting I'm so familiar with, it was great! I got a little thrill when they talked about a place I recognised.

And I was so happy I could almost cry that they actually used the word bisexual. Multiple times, even! Cora did research after falling for Frazer prompted her to reconsider her orientation, and considered a lot of options before concluding that 'bi' felt best to her. And there were trans and queer and gay secondary characters, I was so pleased with the portrayal of the LGBT community.

This book was beautiful. It gave me so many feelings. I'm really glad I took a chance on it.

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)