Tastes Like Cherry

by Renee Cronin

Sherry “Cherry” Milton has had six months to get over Anya Prye, her ex-fiancé. Six months to accept that what they had was over and that she needed to move on with her life. Cherry was certain she had done so, until Anya reappears.

Anya Prye has come to the realization that life was not complete unless she had the love of her life to share it with. Six months ago, she made a decision that changed everything and now she’s back to make amends. Can she convince Cherry that they were meant to be together? What will it take to prove it? Or is it too late?

Genres: Lesbian

228 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2013

About the author

Renee Cronin is a self-professed devourer of knowledge, and a voracious reader. She began writing in earnest in 2005, when the characters in her head became so loud she was forced to tell their stories, or risk getting swept away into the abyss of her imagination. Renee has since used writing as a personal outlet to express her feelings, ideas, views, thoughts, and opinions about the world and the issues that impact her on a deep personal and societal level. (And of course writing also quiets the voices in her head of the many characters that are yearning to have their stories told.) Renee's inspiration to publish is in large part due to the overwhelming display of encouragement, and support from family and friends, who believe she has a gift with words that need to be shared with world. Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, she works in the social work field avidly advocating and supporting the varied needs of the people in her community. Renee is a bibliophile with a transcendent love for words. Her soul yearns for the acoustic stylings from a plethora of musical genres. As she continues on this journey of published author she hopes to keep her readers captivated and pining for more.

Reviews

[Rea Nicole ✰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sherry "Cherry" Milton has spent the last six months trying to move on after her fiancee up and left her. Despite having a busy work life and a great circle of friends Cherry still struggles with the break-up and hasn't dated anyone since. Anya regrets her decision to leave Cherry and moves back by her ex-fiancee with the hopes of re-igniting their relationship. Will fate see it that these two end up back together or will Cherry finally move on with her life?

I admit this book was difficult for me to get into...I would read a chapter or two and then put it down and pick it up later. Although it was a wonderful debut by a talented author it just became TOO reminiscent of walking down memory lane of a past relationship.

Cherry and I shared quite a few things in common. One being we cannot be trusted in the presence of beer, tequila, and our ex without getting our b---- face on. Two we share the same beliefs of the time-old battle of head versus heart. But that's all I can say without giving away too much...

I enjoyed the ending and epilogue of this book very much and was definitely surprised! I did not see that coming! It leaves the reader with a bittersweet taste and pulls the book together into a deep and emotional read.

Sometimes the slang in the book ruptured the flow of reading in my head- conversational slang just sounds odd in my head as I read so I would have to go back and re-read some sections as if I was there talking with the characters.Overall, an enjoyable read and one I would recommend to others looking for a great contemporary story.

Reviewed at: Lipstick Lesbian Reviews.

[OOSA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow Your Heart

Sherry (Cherry) had six months to get over Anya, her ex-finance; six months to accept what they had was over and that she needed to move on with her life. Cherry was certain that she was done, until Anya reappears.

Renee Cronin's “Tastes Like Cherry” is about two lovers trying to find their way back to each other after broken hearts. Through ups and downs and really trying to start over, decisions have to be made. Can Cherry really forgive Anya? Can she ever get that trust back?

I like this book because it highlights love and trust. What works for me is that no matter what type of relationship you're in, love is love and heartache is the same.

I enjoyed “Tastes Like Cherry.” It's a wonderful love story that demonstrates a relationship having problems.

Reviewed by: Alice

[L. Cherelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The strain...the back and forth...the push and pull between Cherry and Anya was dizzying in Tastes Like Cherry. But in a good way! The lover in me rooted for Anya, while the realist in me sided with Cherry. Anyone who's been in love can relate to the emotional (and sexual) friction, and all the good, bad, and gray that keep two women entangled, frustrated, and in love. I appreciated the honesty of Cronin's characters.

[Rena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Final rating: 4.5 stars

So many thoughts about this book...good thoughts. I can't wait to compose my review.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book,and all the characters in it,but I surely hope there is a sequel because I was not expecting that ending,and i'd like to know how Anya turned out.

[Chrys Minter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I absolutely loved this book. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down... I am looking to read more from this author

[Lakeshia Pridgen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!!!

I loved this book. I didn't think I would but after reading the sample I could not put it down!!! Looking for more from this author.

[J.R. James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I found this intelligently written, though in a few places it didn’t always flow as well as it might, if edited to remove some unnecessary repetition. However, the hesitancy of the prose in the first few chapters, mirrors the hesitancy of the main protagonist, Cherry, as she looks forward to a ‘date’ with the co-worker that she has a crush on, not sure that it is a date, and not sure if her friend is gay or straight, and will be arriving as a friend, or a potential lover. The book explores some of the difficulties, doubts and insecurities, that are common in any romantic encounter, and perhaps more so for Cherry, as a young woman looking for a suitable same-sex partner, while still nursing a broken heart from the break-up of her long-term relationship with her fiancée, Anya, six months previously.
When Anya indicates that she would like to rekindle the relationship, Cherry is naturally wary of being hurt again, and the reader is made aware of both Cherry’s and Anya’s thoughts and feelings through chapters told from one or other point of view, unsure until the very end what choice Cherry will make.
I liked Cherry’s easy relationship with her best friend Leesa, and the very natural dialogue between the two that provides a vivid picture of the characters, though I did find some of the vernacular difficult, only because I am British, and not familiar with some of the colloquial expressions, so that’s my problem, and it didn’t detract from the whole.
I also liked the idea of the two epilogues, bringing the story to a close from the points of view of both the main protagonists… and I was totally with Cherry, and the decision she made. Can’t say more without risking a spoiler! 3.5 stars rounded up.

[Renee Cronin]

Here is a link to my review page on amazon
Amazon reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this debut novel by Renee Cronin. The characters were really relatable and the fun references of the Boston area and conflicts between the main characters kept me involved until the end. I am looking forward to reading more from this new author and hoping for a sequel!

[Philisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I was able to relate to Cherry and Anya. The ending, I saw it coming, but then again I didn't. I am looking forward to a sequel, because I relate to Anya, I wonder where this will lead her and her relationship with Cherry.