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Conservative Affairs
Jo Carson has spent months biting her tongue and biding her time working in Mayor Madeline Stratton’s office. That she doesn’t share the mayor’s politics is her secret, and it’s not the only secret she’s keeping in conservative Oklahoma City.
Madeline Stratton believes that you reap what you sow. Yes, she has allowed her marriage to become one of bitter expedience, but she is devastated by the magnitude and viciousness of her husband’s sudden scandal that erupts into off-color headlines and late night comedy routines.
When her young staffer offers a hideout no one will suspect she gratefully accepts—and finds Jo’s sympathy and advice increasingly useful and needed. Until one night feelings far beyond gratitude will no longer go away…
Politics and passion collide in this debut romance from Riley Scott!
Madeline Stratton believes that you reap what you sow. Yes, she has allowed her marriage to become one of bitter expedience, but she is devastated by the magnitude and viciousness of her husband’s sudden scandal that erupts into off-color headlines and late night comedy routines.
When her young staffer offers a hideout no one will suspect she gratefully accepts—and finds Jo’s sympathy and advice increasingly useful and needed. Until one night feelings far beyond gratitude will no longer go away…
Politics and passion collide in this debut romance from Riley Scott!
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2014
8 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Riley Scott
35 books18 followersIn addition to having published poetry and short stories, Riley Scott has worked as a grant and press writer and a marketing professional. She holds a degree in journalism. A chunk of life spent in the Bible Belt has given her a close-up look at the struggles facing the LGBT community in Small Town, America, and she strives to bring these to light through her writing. Although she recently moved to Florida, she is a proud New Mexican with a passion for her partner (who, if you'll note, is listed ahead of green chile), green chile, dogs, and lively literature. She lives in Pensacola with her partner and two beloved dogs.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 16, 2020
Sometimes insta love works, here it didn't. The writing wasn't bad but the characters didn't interest me at all. And why so many povs? I barely even cared about the MCs povs.
March 8, 2016
Conservative Affairs by Riley Scott is a down and dirty look of politics in the South. A conservative female mayor in Oklahoma City better be red through and through, this is the reddest state in the union after all.
Jo Carson is the daughter of a preacher. Not just any preacher either. Jo’s dad is the pastor for a mega-church, one that has a large number of parishioners as well as clout in the political arena. Therefore Jo stays deep in the closet. She knows that even on toe out, means she will be disowned by her family. After college Jo takes a job as a speech writer for Mayor Madeline Stratton. She knows between her job and her family there is no room for any personal slip-ups.
Mayor Stratton is in a terrible marriage, one she should have never gotten into in the first place. Her political goals trumped her heart’s desires, and now she must live a life she doesn’t really enjoy. Her husband has come to despise her, and will only speak to her in public settings. She knows he sleeps with other women, she just hopes he’s being discreet. All hell breaks loose when her husband gets caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar by the local news station. This scandal forces Madeline and Jo into a close proximity and closet doors a burst wide open.
I liked some aspects of this book, the writing is well done and I enjoyed reading about the crazy political arena and how issues are handled. What I did not enjoy was the POV’s. Every character gets one, and it got to be too much. I wanted more of a focus on Madeline and Jo, but I was constantly pulled back out of that focus by a sub-character and their inconsequential opinions and feelings. I also had a hard time with the timing. These characters fall into lust then love in basically the time span of a long weekend. Now, I see this time and time again in romance novels, and it works in some cases. What was difficult to me is both women were deep in the closest, one by career and marriage, the other by family. You’re not going to just go tell the world (by world, I mean Channel 11 news in OKC) for a 1.5 day love affair. That was a tad unrealistic to me.
Overall Riley Scott is a very good writer, who created an interesting story with likable characters. This was not my favorite book, but I would definitely pick up another book by this author.
Jo Carson is the daughter of a preacher. Not just any preacher either. Jo’s dad is the pastor for a mega-church, one that has a large number of parishioners as well as clout in the political arena. Therefore Jo stays deep in the closet. She knows that even on toe out, means she will be disowned by her family. After college Jo takes a job as a speech writer for Mayor Madeline Stratton. She knows between her job and her family there is no room for any personal slip-ups.
Mayor Stratton is in a terrible marriage, one she should have never gotten into in the first place. Her political goals trumped her heart’s desires, and now she must live a life she doesn’t really enjoy. Her husband has come to despise her, and will only speak to her in public settings. She knows he sleeps with other women, she just hopes he’s being discreet. All hell breaks loose when her husband gets caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar by the local news station. This scandal forces Madeline and Jo into a close proximity and closet doors a burst wide open.
I liked some aspects of this book, the writing is well done and I enjoyed reading about the crazy political arena and how issues are handled. What I did not enjoy was the POV’s. Every character gets one, and it got to be too much. I wanted more of a focus on Madeline and Jo, but I was constantly pulled back out of that focus by a sub-character and their inconsequential opinions and feelings. I also had a hard time with the timing. These characters fall into lust then love in basically the time span of a long weekend. Now, I see this time and time again in romance novels, and it works in some cases. What was difficult to me is both women were deep in the closest, one by career and marriage, the other by family. You’re not going to just go tell the world (by world, I mean Channel 11 news in OKC) for a 1.5 day love affair. That was a tad unrealistic to me.
Overall Riley Scott is a very good writer, who created an interesting story with likable characters. This was not my favorite book, but I would definitely pick up another book by this author.
June 18, 2014
One of the most interesting topics in lesfic romances are public figures struggling in the closet. There are quite a few recently popular lesfic books that deal with this subject, but most feature actresses. Coming out in public may be disadvantageous for their acting careers, but its not the same as what an elected politician will probably face--career suicide--especially if she's a Republican in a conservative city who's up for re-election.
This is a fun and quick read. Nothing too deep or overly analytical. But the scandals, the attraction, the office conflicts, the surprising twist (!), the terrible fallout all contribute to a very enjoyable page-turner. The characterizations are spot-on, consistent and true--even to the end. The plot was realistic enough--no easy way out for our ladies' dilemma. The final wait was nail-bitingly tense I almost needed an antacid, lol. Loved the speech too!
4.5 stars
Would have given 5 stars if the book had a little more depth. I wanted to get to know the mayor more--such a fascinating character, but the book was mostly from Jo's and some other people's POV. There was a little something I didn't get though--
Just found out this is the author's debut novel. Great work on the characterization, the plot, and most of all the pacing!
This is a fun and quick read. Nothing too deep or overly analytical. But the scandals, the attraction, the office conflicts, the surprising twist (!), the terrible fallout all contribute to a very enjoyable page-turner. The characterizations are spot-on, consistent and true--even to the end. The plot was realistic enough--no easy way out for our ladies' dilemma. The final wait was nail-bitingly tense I almost needed an antacid, lol. Loved the speech too!
4.5 stars
Would have given 5 stars if the book had a little more depth. I wanted to get to know the mayor more--such a fascinating character, but the book was mostly from Jo's and some other people's POV. There was a little something I didn't get though--
Just found out this is the author's debut novel. Great work on the characterization, the plot, and most of all the pacing!
July 27, 2016
I thought this was a well written debut novel for Scott. For me it was just okay, and I'm struggling with why I didn't like it more. It wasn't bad by any means, but I didn't connect to it as much as I hoped. I know enough about politics to enjoy a book that takes you behind the scenes, but I guess one of my problems was I feel like I have read stories like this before. That there was nothing really new that I got from this book.
I also found a few things problematic, including the romance. It was one of these, we are in love after a few days. And considering we are talking about characters that are right wing Republicans, that made their stance known against gay marriage, this insta-love was a little hard to believe. If the book would have spanned over a much longer time period, than a few days, it would have been much more believable.
I also had a problem with all the character POV's. I wanted more of the mains Jo and Maddie, so I could better connect with them. Too much time was spent head hopping every secondary character in the book. I didn't want to know what Maddie's husband was thinking or her annoying staffers. In a book just over 200 pages, too much time was taken away from the MC's.
As I said in the beginning, this was a well written debut novel. So I will give Scott's other books a chance. This book might appeal more to people who haven't already read books with a similar premise.
I also found a few things problematic, including the romance. It was one of these, we are in love after a few days. And considering we are talking about characters that are right wing Republicans, that made their stance known against gay marriage, this insta-love was a little hard to believe. If the book would have spanned over a much longer time period, than a few days, it would have been much more believable.
I also had a problem with all the character POV's. I wanted more of the mains Jo and Maddie, so I could better connect with them. Too much time was spent head hopping every secondary character in the book. I didn't want to know what Maddie's husband was thinking or her annoying staffers. In a book just over 200 pages, too much time was taken away from the MC's.
As I said in the beginning, this was a well written debut novel. So I will give Scott's other books a chance. This book might appeal more to people who haven't already read books with a similar premise.
April 29, 2015
The plot was good and interesting, 'cause I like stories with public figures in it, let it be a politician, a prosecutor, an actress or any kind of an artist. I really liked the main characters, but I could do without those few chapters which were of some minor characters POV. For me it was a little bit distracting. A somewhat fewer hostile characters and an epilogue would have been great either.
April 10, 2020
Wow, there were some truly awful characters in this book, but they made it so much more riveting to read. What could've been a run-of-the-mill plot, Scott used multiple POVs to add so much more to this. I absolutely loved it.
I really wish there was a few more chapters but I think it ended on a perfect note. I am just sad to see the end of Madeline & Jo.
I really wish there was a few more chapters but I think it ended on a perfect note. I am just sad to see the end of Madeline & Jo.
April 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this
March 23, 2015
Detailed score: 3.00
If you don't like 'attracted to the boss' stories then take another .5 off my score.
Overall I am left feeling frustrated by this book. It had great potential that was never quite realised -- and too many loose ends for the supporting characters which left me feeling like they were there to conveniently create a plot twist / moment rather than being motivated by the characters personalities in their own rite.
As I find is so often the case, the opening was strong / got me hooked enough to buy it but I was left frustrated by its quick end once the barriers were resolved
If you don't like 'attracted to the boss' stories then take another .5 off my score.
Overall I am left feeling frustrated by this book. It had great potential that was never quite realised -- and too many loose ends for the supporting characters which left me feeling like they were there to conveniently create a plot twist / moment rather than being motivated by the characters personalities in their own rite.
As I find is so often the case, the opening was strong / got me hooked enough to buy it but I was left frustrated by its quick end once the barriers were resolved
July 1, 2017
I liked this better than I should have... I can't explain it. I fell for the characters so I can overlook a weak plot and other short-comings of the book. I will read it again and may revise my rating. Perhaps it was just the right book at just the right time.
May 31, 2020
Ohhhh boy. I originally got (and read) this a while back, probably like 2015? It was a different time. Anyway, I read it all the way through the first time and before picking it up again I remembered that some of the political takes (ie, 'I'm socially liberal but fiscally conservative, by which I mean I don't consider the implications of my fiscal policies on the minority communities I claim to care about in any way whatsoever') annoyed me. I figured well, whatever, I can just ignore those.
That wasn't the issue I had this time.
My issue is that, aside from our frankly sanctimonious main character and her deeply-conflicted-public-figure love interest, literally every character is 'bad' and out to get the main character in some way or another, or, if supportive of the main character, such an annoying, simpering 'nice guy' that it basically doesn't matter. We get shifting POVs to these side characters, who range from outright devious to just-trying-to-get-paid in their motivations, and aside from being really heavy-handed in setting up their intentions, these just serve to place the main character as this like, paragon of empathy with the most pure of motivations despite the fact that many of the criticisms her 'evil evil' coworkers have of her and her love interest are, in my opinion, really understandable.
I think I pushed through this the first time I read it because I was curious as to where it was going. But now on the re-read, given that I remember our end point, it's unbearable. I think my eyes rolled out of my skull. To preserve my sanity I rage quit halfway through.
That wasn't the issue I had this time.
My issue is that, aside from our frankly sanctimonious main character and her deeply-conflicted-public-figure love interest, literally every character is 'bad' and out to get the main character in some way or another, or, if supportive of the main character, such an annoying, simpering 'nice guy' that it basically doesn't matter. We get shifting POVs to these side characters, who range from outright devious to just-trying-to-get-paid in their motivations, and aside from being really heavy-handed in setting up their intentions, these just serve to place the main character as this like, paragon of empathy with the most pure of motivations despite the fact that many of the criticisms her 'evil evil' coworkers have of her and her love interest are, in my opinion, really understandable.
I think I pushed through this the first time I read it because I was curious as to where it was going. But now on the re-read, given that I remember our end point, it's unbearable. I think my eyes rolled out of my skull. To preserve my sanity I rage quit halfway through.
March 15, 2021
This book had moments where I audibly gasped a bit in surprise and moments where I kinda squealed out loud in delight. I just had a really good time reading this book. The MC’s are Madeline Stratton, the conservative mayor of a large Southwest U.S. city, and Jo Carson, a deeply closeted speech writer working in the mayor’s office. A scandal caused by the mayor’s husband brings them closer together but that same scandal threatens to bring everyone’s secrets into the light. I couldn’t put this book down until I was finished but I was very happy every minute of the way.
January 27, 2021
Quick read. Mayor of Oklahoma City is a conservative Republican running for reelection. The scandal breaks when her husband of 20 years is caught cheating on her with her old college roommate. Her speech writer Jo takes helps her as her mayor team in-fights on how to assist the mayor and keep their jobs. Straight forward read. But odd that so many POV's were included especially the cheating spouse, the mistress and even the tv reporter. Nothing graphic and few curse words.
August 31, 2016
Too many viewpoint characters, the past and personal issues of two closeted women, the plots of scorned lovers, political PR bagagge of a conservative office, relationships and work within the staff, soap boxing about LGBT acceptance and homophobia...
There's just too much stuff on too little pages and so, ironically, there's little meat to the story at all. Especially the romance feels barebone, rushed in its development and hard to have faith in with so little common ground and feelings established.
Not bad, quick read, but overall fairly disappointing.
January 2, 2020
I honestly could have had 20 more chapters. I love closeted lesbian republicans and I love Madeline Stratton's character. The build up was there but the ending felt a bit rushed. I would've wanted it to be more fleshed out. Nonetheless, a good read that I really enjoyed.
June 9, 2015
Interesting, well-paced plot, and engaging characters.
August 14, 2015
very lite read.
December 12, 2021
Great Story
A great political coming out srory lots of twists and turns and secrets being exposed,well worth a read.Subplots are plentiful and revealed at the end.
A great political coming out srory lots of twists and turns and secrets being exposed,well worth a read.Subplots are plentiful and revealed at the end.
December 1, 2014
I need to know that John didn't get a dime! I mostly loved this book though ^_^
July 7, 2015
the idea was good. the story..not so much. too many povs, notfor my liking.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews