Romancing the Gorgon

by Tallie Rose

Romancing the Gorgon is a steamy, sapphic, second chance romance with a lot of heart and plenty of sassy heroines.


Two magical ex-lovers, one inn, and a second chance to capture a heart of stone. Witch Lettie Katz’s life plans always included running the inn her grandmother co-owned in their hometown of Lilac Lake. But after her grandmother died, with no mention of bequeathing her half to anyone Lettie was left floundering. Months later, when she’s called to visit the town lawyer’s office she’s shocked to find her gorgon ex-girlfriend Chandler Hart waiting.

Lettie hasn’t seen Chandler in years and that’s just fine by both of them. In fact, Chandler is the reason Lettie no longer uses her magic. Their explosive teenage relationship broke Lettie’s heart, blew up town square—literally—and sent Chandler running. But Chandler is back, and worst of all her grandmother, the inn’s other owner, has left them both half, with one stipulation—neither woman can sell their portion for at least six months.

As old feelings resurface, can they find a way to work together or will the Stone and Sorcery Lodge be ruined before the next tourist season?

Genres: Lesbian, Fantasy, Romance, LGBT, Queer, Fantasy Romance, Second Chance

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2023

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, cute, and spicy rom-com about magical exes who inherit a lodge together. Think Satisfaction Guaranteed, only fantasy. While I enjoyed the book overall and recommend it, I would have liked to see Chandler fall in love with her hometown rather than just with Lettie. And although the antagonist was a jerk, I felt the tactics used to save the lodge were uncalled for. I would have rather seen them use their wits over threats.

I’m looking forward to the follow up book focusing on Daphne.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[lauraღ · Rating 3 out of 5]

And Lettie knew she was falling, without knowing what would be at the bottom, but she wanted to find out, to keep being reckless and wild.

This had so many elements that I really liked, but sadly also had several things that annoyed me more than I thought they would, and proved a pretty significant barrier to enjoyment. This is a second chance fantasy romance between a witch and a gorgon.  It's been more than 10 years since they last really spoke to each other, when they somehow magically (and accidentally) caused an explosion in their small town, and they both sort of think that they are bad for each other. The main character Lettie is a witch, and she's always had trouble connecting to her magic, feeling safe using it. Chandler, the gorgon, has come back to their small town because they are now co-owners of an inn that their grandmothers left to them, and they have to figure out how to work together to run it. Though it's not a given that they will, as Chandler seems to want to move right back out of the town. It's a great setup, a very classic setup, and there's the friends to lovers to enemies to lovers vibes that I really do enjoy.  

But the writing really did not speak to me. I somehow always felt very distant from the characters and their emotions. Even when things were happening that I really enjoyed, and movements were occurring within the relationship that were sweet or sexy, I just ended up feeling nothing. That lack of engagement was really driven home for me when they had their first kiss in the present timeline, and it just felt abrupt and blah, even though the surrounding atmosphere and the situation was very romantic. I don't know if I'm just being picky or what, but I really wish that there had been some more emphasis on the emotion. I felt almost nothing from Lettie. I don't know how to explain it. It was cute, the relationship, but it lacked tension and anticipation. There would be a sentence suggesting that they might kiss, and then they would immediately kiss, and there would be absolutely no build-up or tension in the moment. I loved the way both characters were described; they were so sexy, really appealing, and I could see the ways that they would really work together as a couple. But there was just zero chemistry for me. Or perhaps it's going too far to say that there was ZERO chemistry. Like I said, they were cute together. But I wanted it to be slower.  Not just in the pacing of the overall story, but even just in the sentence detail.

There were a few other things that were a little annoying. I know it's kind of a convention for a lot of fantasy books, and this is definitely a me thing, but describing magic as a sentient thing is often kind of cringe to me. 'Her magic loved this; her magic disliked that.' Meh. I really do wish that we had seen a little bit more into their past, into that explosive accident that was the cause of their separation. I feel it was talked about so vaguely that I never really understood or came to care for the original romance. And there were lots of really irritating punctuation mistakes. I hate to be that guy, but if I'm reading a book for fun, and it makes me feel like I'm at my day job, it's going to affect how much I enjoy it.

Really not bad at all, even though I wished for more from the romance. It was sexy and I had fun with the characters. Especially Chandler; she's so dreamy, and I loved the description of her powers and how snakes were drawn to her. Not my favourite writing in the world, but I did get butterflies sometimes. The plot isn't the most original, but it worked. And oh my goodness, so many kudos to the cover artist; it's so lovely, and definitely what drew me to borrow the book. I don't know if I will continue with this series, but I'll try this author again. 

[b (tobias forge's version)]

This was okay. A pretty typical small-town, second-chance romance about former childhood rivals-turned-sweethearts who reunite after years apart when they co-inherit their grandmothers' lakeside inn and lodge.

This is a paranormal romance, but I felt like the paranormal elements, although everpresent, were a bit underdeveloped; I didn't get a real sense of how the magic works or fits into the world, and there are some inconsistencies, like the fact that gorgons' magic is seen as dark and sinister, but they also can immediately reverse petrifying someone, with no ramifications at all, so I don't know why they're feared?

I also found the relationship similarly underdeveloped, and I had a hard time believing that the connection was all that strong or that Chandler was worthy of trust. There's a lot of sex for such a short book, which will vary in its appeal according to personal preference. As for me (with my demisexual tendencies), I prefer for the scales to tip a bit stronger on the side of character and plot, so I was occasionally annoyed by how often Lettie and Chandler were getting it on, when I wanted them to focus more on the inn.

And I guess on their wacky scheme to save it?

Note that if you are expecting any shapeshifting or monstrousness in this book, there is none. Chandler (the titular gorgon) does sound hot, but she is 100% human in appearance.

[Rachel Bowdler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read, although admittedly it took a while for me to get through it. The level of sapphic pining was immaculate and I’ve never read about a Gorgon love interest before so that was new! A few things were missing for me but overall I really adored the conflict of old friends and betrayal within the romance, since I am nothing if not an angst lover. The magic could have played a bigger role and the resolution felt a little flat and… unresolved-y, but if you’re into cosy lodge owners battling for their share only to rediscover an old flame, in a supernatural town no less, you’ll enjoy this!

[Toya (thereadingchemist) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading this steamy, sapphic romantasy. I loved both Lettie and Chandler. The angst and pining was top notch. I also really enjoyed the side characters…Daphne, Oak, and Amelia. Also, it’s so awesome that all of these characters at Lilac Lake are different supernatural creatures that live in harmony.

[Maya Turner]

I enjoyed the magic and setting of this!! It was so endearing—a small town with multiple supernatural beings just…living their lives under capitalism!! It was quite fun!! Looking forward to the second!!

I shall say, though: the first sex scene was so jarring for me, as I thought Lettie had on a dress, but apparently it was a shirt / pants!!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sweet, frothy little romance novel about two women who are enemies for about 28 seconds who have to run a hotel together for various legal reasons. The inciting incident for why they don't like each other is always vaguely alluded to but never really described for some reason and most of the character voices sound really similar.

The actual antagonist is poorly realized and feels like wish fulfilment in a way that did not work for me. Chandler knew how to get out of the contract but they both refused to do it for some reason and put on this weird charade instead that didn't even really work. Also number one pet peeve is when white authors use "white" as a pejorative describing antagonist characters and of course that happens here too. Lettie babe you're white too!

I think this book definitely has its audience but that doesn't include me.

[Rach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a silly and spicy fantasy story.

We have a lodge left to two grandchildren, the grandparents were two best mates but not so much in the cards for Lettie and Chandler. Of course they fancied each other and had a teenage fling then Chandler ran out of town to the big city after an unfortunate magical accident! But she’s back and claiming her half of the lodge well sort of as she sells it to her exes real estate company to a man that hates magic and magical folk. Let the high jinx’s begin as they need to get out of this deal!

Sounds great in principle but honestly I got bored half way through as it just became repetitive, they bang a lot, like nearly every chapter. Which is fine I love a bit of sapphic smut and they defo made up for lost time. Honestly I can’t really recall what happened in detail but I enjoyed this but not likely one I would read again! One’s a witch and the other is a Gorgon with cool snakes.

Good cast of characters which looks good for a follow up tale

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This filled the void I had after reading paybacks a witch. Such a fun and cute read....

sadly I was rooting for the next book to be Daphne and Amelia but I guess Daphne and Oak is okay too (no offence) honestly i'll take all three together.

i'm invested in this world and I need to know what is gonna happen to Lilac Lake.

I have entered the world of small town paranormal/supernatural fantasy/romance and I’m here to stay for a while.

Gonna be buying a copy of this book because the cover is absolutely gorgeous.

[greyreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at how spicy this book was! I was expecting it to just be cozy and cutesy(which it absolutely was) but OMG the spice was so good 😍 if you enjoy hallmark movies about girls who move back to their small hometown because a family member died and left them some property/business and they don’t want to stay but do and then they have to save it from an evil capitalist corporation who is going to ruin it, with a side of sapphic second chance love and a touch of the paranormal then this book is for you! 4/5 ⭐️

[MissAlice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do love a good paranormal romance, but this book was a wee bit too young for me. I know the characters were in their 30's (or were freshly turned 30?), and in no way do I think us 30-year olds have our lives together, but the writing itself read very young and made it hard for me to connect to the character's predicaments. It is a sweet read. A second chance book. A town of magic where each member is a cherished citizen (barring the snakes), just not my cuppa I guess.

[Katie BC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and fun little wlw fantasy romance, with just enough fluff, spice, and magic. I loved the redemption of the MCs past love, it felt all over the place but still realistic and organic so I enjoyed their happy ending even more. I didn’t expect it to be a series so I was surprised the main plot conflict was only kinda solved but I’m excited for the next one featuring a gender neutral character!

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun read

Sometimes coming home is what the heart needs to heal and to grow. And sometimes in the process we make mistakes that leads us on the right path. Forgiveness, trust and love is all we need for a HEA.

[SeVIIn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great

I loved this book. Absolutely amazing! I think their combined magic could've been explored more, because they OBVIOUSLY have something there. I will definitely look into more books by this author

[Jamie Zaccaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grumpy/sunshine second chance romance that had just enough magic to make it interesting but still felt realistic. I totally ship these two!

[Eel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehhh

Too many characters. Simple plot bogged down by rambling. I like this author but the books are never quite satisfying until the ending, and even then only in sudden character development, not in plot

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved it!

This book was so cute and fun to read. The second change romance was well done and the spice was spicy. The supporting characters were the best. This story had its laugh out load moments and moments that made my heart swell with sweetness.

[Megan Kenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, engaging and a lovely journey of second chance love. I cannot wait for.the next book.

[Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was exactly what it claimed to be! It was cute and spicy and romantic. I enjoyed it!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Childhood lovers to enemies to lovers. Imagine stars hollow but in the south with witches, banshees, sirens, and gorgons living there. Entertaining and spicy.

[Siobhan Keenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story loved the friendship and loyalty in this book x

[Lmaos · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love w/w romances and with supernatural beings are among my favorite romances.
It's so captivating and it’s meant to be forever when the lovers find each other, or find each other again in this case.
Another favorite genre is a „second chance“ at love.
So this book had it all for me!
Cool characters and a nice setting.
Hot scenes and a beautiful love story with to Mc’s that has to overcome some obstacles!
Definitely worth reading!

I read an Arc and this is my honest review!