Taking it Easy on All for Her by Brooke, Hale, and Aurora Rey
Author: Gun Brooke, J. J. Hale, Aurora Rey
Publication Date: January 14, 2025 by Bold Strokes Books
Genres: Romance| LGBT
Representation: Lesbian
Although this fell short for me on the “angst and excitement of forbidden love few would dare,” All for Her was still a solid collection of well-written, enjoyable tales of women-loving-women romance. The boundaries being tested here are a mix of professional and personal, and while none of them are truly forbidden, there’s just enough tension and guilt to carry them through.
Her Boss’s Wife by Gun Brooke tells the story of a woman, her tyrannical jerk of a boss, and his very soon-to-be ex-wife. This probably felt the most forbidden of the trio, with January risking the good word of her boss (and potentially her future) by chasing the woman who’s captured her imagination. It’s one of those trope-filled stories that relies on coincidence to enable the romance, but there’s a sweetness and a vulnerability to it that I enjoyed.
Her Therapist’s Daughter by J.J. Hale is more quietly forbidden, with Freya and Blake getting together without knowing they share a connection. They’re a fun couple with an instant connection, and I loved how the story moved from cute to lusty while playing with some awkward moments along the way.
Her Brother’s Girlfriend by Aurora Rey didn’t connect with me as well as the other two. It felt less forbidden and more heartbreaking, and I think that was the issue for me. The jump from boyfriend to sister felt rushed, and the story didn’t allow space for the emotions of that to be fully explored.
What all three stories had in common is one, likable characters with personalities, and two, romances that are sweet and satisfying.
Rating: 
My sincere thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
