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Sappho's Kiss #1
When All Else Fails
Out and proud Andrea Slade carries around doubts soul deep, her family and job have taught her hard lessons about love. When she meets Eva Lange and starts working with the beautiful, curvy woman, she wants things to be different. Although, she settles for being her friend and boss.
As time passes, Andrea finds it’s not an ideal situation, but she tricks herself into thinking that it’s for the best. That is until the sexy, femme fatale shows up in her office one day in a figure-hugging outfit with plans for seduction.
Full-figured Eva is in touch with her body, embraces the curves, but part of her looks at successful and gorgeous Andrea and decides friends is better than a failed love affair with the somewhat jaded and commitment-phobic divorce attorney. That is, until she decides to take what she wants.
As time passes, Andrea finds it’s not an ideal situation, but she tricks herself into thinking that it’s for the best. That is until the sexy, femme fatale shows up in her office one day in a figure-hugging outfit with plans for seduction.
Full-figured Eva is in touch with her body, embraces the curves, but part of her looks at successful and gorgeous Andrea and decides friends is better than a failed love affair with the somewhat jaded and commitment-phobic divorce attorney. That is, until she decides to take what she wants.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2014
7 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Dabney
59 books639 followersUSA Today Bestselling author J.M. Dabney is a multi-genre published writer of Body and Fat Positive Romance & Fiction. They live with a constant diverse cast of diverse characters in their head. They live for one purpose alone, and that’s to make sure everyone gets the happily ever after they deserve. There is nothing more they want from telling their stories than to show that no matter the package the characters come in or the damage their pasts have done, that love is love. That normal is never normal and sometimes the so-called broken can still be beautiful.
The author is Non-Binary and uses the pronouns They/Them.
The author is Non-Binary and uses the pronouns They/Them.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 28, 2015
How can I not adore a book where the sister of one of the main characters says: "What happened to the confident woman I looked up to when my ass exploded and my tits failed to inflate?" That is just one of the countless priceless statements with a meaning above and beyond the actual words where I also got to laugh up a storm. This deliciously charming novella is a wonderful character piece. It does not stint on the sexy hot interludes, the warm friendships, or the fact that love comes to women in all sizes and shapes!
Eva Lange has been divorced for almost five years. According to her younger sister it has been so long since Eva has had any sexual action she in essence has re-virginated herself. Eva's sister is such a rip and a half, but she makes a good point. Since Eva is bisexual, I would have thought her opportunities would be doubled instead of being nonexistent. Her two teenage children are spending the summer with their father, so Eva finally has no excuses but to get out and find a lover. One possible major complication may be that Eva has a really soft spot for her boss, a divorce attorney, and since she is her boss Eva sort of labels her off-limits. Challenging!
Andrea Slade is a divorce attorney whose current assistant is one Eva Lange. When Eva shows up at the office one day in a really alluring outfit, Andrea is nearly struck dumb. In fact, things get quite cozy between the lawyer and her assistant while Andrea asks Eva to showcase her outfit. This coziness soon makes more than one appearance and everyone except Eva and Andrea seems to read the signals loud and clear. Nevertheless, Andrea's rather large reputation is for really short-term attachments only. However, when Andrea looks inside herself now and then, she has a really soft spot for someone, too. Andrea may have to deal with a boatload of hassles, internal knots inherited from her birth parents, and her reputation as a serial dater and Queen of the Hookup, but she seems to be in complete touch with what her heart really desires. Intriguing!
This is a feel-good story with plenty of fun and laughter. I always try to make time in my reading schedule for something this enjoyable with a pleasurably sexy component, too. Delightful!
NOTE: This book was provided by Decadent Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Eva Lange has been divorced for almost five years. According to her younger sister it has been so long since Eva has had any sexual action she in essence has re-virginated herself. Eva's sister is such a rip and a half, but she makes a good point. Since Eva is bisexual, I would have thought her opportunities would be doubled instead of being nonexistent. Her two teenage children are spending the summer with their father, so Eva finally has no excuses but to get out and find a lover. One possible major complication may be that Eva has a really soft spot for her boss, a divorce attorney, and since she is her boss Eva sort of labels her off-limits. Challenging!
Andrea Slade is a divorce attorney whose current assistant is one Eva Lange. When Eva shows up at the office one day in a really alluring outfit, Andrea is nearly struck dumb. In fact, things get quite cozy between the lawyer and her assistant while Andrea asks Eva to showcase her outfit. This coziness soon makes more than one appearance and everyone except Eva and Andrea seems to read the signals loud and clear. Nevertheless, Andrea's rather large reputation is for really short-term attachments only. However, when Andrea looks inside herself now and then, she has a really soft spot for someone, too. Andrea may have to deal with a boatload of hassles, internal knots inherited from her birth parents, and her reputation as a serial dater and Queen of the Hookup, but she seems to be in complete touch with what her heart really desires. Intriguing!
This is a feel-good story with plenty of fun and laughter. I always try to make time in my reading schedule for something this enjoyable with a pleasurably sexy component, too. Delightful!
NOTE: This book was provided by Decadent Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
September 13, 2021
2nd read August 2021
Same thoughts as the first time around. I thought I'd read it again to see if Andrea warmed up to me at all and she didn't
1st Read 12-30-18
This was my first foray into F/F and yes I categorized this under M/M, but whatever. I liked it, but I wasn't a fan of Andrea. My dislike for her pulled me out of the story.
I'll write a full review later.
Same thoughts as the first time around. I thought I'd read it again to see if Andrea warmed up to me at all and she didn't
1st Read 12-30-18
This was my first foray into F/F and yes I categorized this under M/M, but whatever. I liked it, but I wasn't a fan of Andrea. My dislike for her pulled me out of the story.
I'll write a full review later.
July 1, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
When All Else Fails is a charming, light hearted f/f romance with a sexy side. There are some humour filled moments too, that succeeded in putting a smile on my face. Initially I struggled to connect with the main characters, but I grew to like them as the book progressed. I think having a bit more knowledge about the characters pasts may have helped with this. For example, has Eva always known she is bisexual? Or is this something she discovered in the five years since she got divorced? This was never really explained - or if it was, it was too subtle for me to notice! All that being said though, I did enjoy this book and I would read more from this author in the future.
Eva has worked for Andrea for a few years now and they have become good friends. Without the other knowing, they both secretly long to be more than friends, but are afraid of rejection and spoiling their friendship. Eva decides to take a chance and sets out to seduce her boss, with some steamy results. Can they be more than friends without ruining everything?
I enjoyed the interaction between Eva and Andrea, they had great chemistry together. The love scenes were hot, with a slightly kinky edge to them that I really liked. My favourite character in this book was Eva's sister though - she was hilarious, a really fun girl who I'd like to hear more about in a future book. This was a nice, easy read that I give four out of five stars.
When All Else Fails is a charming, light hearted f/f romance with a sexy side. There are some humour filled moments too, that succeeded in putting a smile on my face. Initially I struggled to connect with the main characters, but I grew to like them as the book progressed. I think having a bit more knowledge about the characters pasts may have helped with this. For example, has Eva always known she is bisexual? Or is this something she discovered in the five years since she got divorced? This was never really explained - or if it was, it was too subtle for me to notice! All that being said though, I did enjoy this book and I would read more from this author in the future.
Eva has worked for Andrea for a few years now and they have become good friends. Without the other knowing, they both secretly long to be more than friends, but are afraid of rejection and spoiling their friendship. Eva decides to take a chance and sets out to seduce her boss, with some steamy results. Can they be more than friends without ruining everything?
I enjoyed the interaction between Eva and Andrea, they had great chemistry together. The love scenes were hot, with a slightly kinky edge to them that I really liked. My favourite character in this book was Eva's sister though - she was hilarious, a really fun girl who I'd like to hear more about in a future book. This was a nice, easy read that I give four out of five stars.
June 9, 2016
Pleasant but rather run of the mill, then how challenging do you want you romance?
July 9, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This was a 3.5 star read for me, but I will round up since there aren't half stars available.
Eva is a divorced woman with 2 teen-aged children and some insecurities regarding her body image and dating. She meets Andrea (a friend of her sister Artie) on the night she is celebrating the finalization of her divorce. Andrea and Eva become friends, and Eva becomes Andrea's assistant in her office. Eva has been attracted to Andrea for ages, but has never wanted to act on those feelings and ruin their friendship and work relationship.
Andrea is a serial dater/one night stand woman. She doesn't appear to want to settle down with anyone, but we discover that it is because she has harbored feelings for Eva. She has also been dancing around those feelings for the 5 years she has known Eva. Andrea is, however, ready and willing to move into relationship territory if it includes Eva.
Apparently the two women are the ONLY two who are oblivious to the feelings of the other person, and after much pushing and prodding from Artie and Amy (another friend), they finally take the plunge and acknowledge their attraction. What I didn't like, though, is that everything seemed a bit fast. Eva is nervous through pretty much the entire book and tells her sister that she doesn't have sex on the first date. The moment Andrea shows up to take her out, however, they jump right to it. To me, it seemed out of character. Maybe not, but I remember that really sticking out to me.
The end of the book ended with a great HEA, but again a little rushed. It is one year later Regardless, it was enjoyable. I'm glad I got the opportunity to read this book.
This was a 3.5 star read for me, but I will round up since there aren't half stars available.
Eva is a divorced woman with 2 teen-aged children and some insecurities regarding her body image and dating. She meets Andrea (a friend of her sister Artie) on the night she is celebrating the finalization of her divorce. Andrea and Eva become friends, and Eva becomes Andrea's assistant in her office. Eva has been attracted to Andrea for ages, but has never wanted to act on those feelings and ruin their friendship and work relationship.
Andrea is a serial dater/one night stand woman. She doesn't appear to want to settle down with anyone, but we discover that it is because she has harbored feelings for Eva. She has also been dancing around those feelings for the 5 years she has known Eva. Andrea is, however, ready and willing to move into relationship territory if it includes Eva.
Apparently the two women are the ONLY two who are oblivious to the feelings of the other person, and after much pushing and prodding from Artie and Amy (another friend), they finally take the plunge and acknowledge their attraction. What I didn't like, though, is that everything seemed a bit fast. Eva is nervous through pretty much the entire book and tells her sister that she doesn't have sex on the first date. The moment Andrea shows up to take her out, however, they jump right to it. To me, it seemed out of character. Maybe not, but I remember that really sticking out to me.
The end of the book ended with a great HEA, but again a little rushed. It is one year later Regardless, it was enjoyable. I'm glad I got the opportunity to read this book.
June 18, 2015
Let me start by saying I appreciate the time and effort the author must have poured into this 'short story'. I'm sure it was a labour of love and, I think, I know what she was trying to achieve.
I wish I could say, "people who enjoy ? will enjoy this story," but I can't find words for ?.
For a short, I think, it tried to be too many things. Slim slamming aside (the opposite of fat slamming and just as tasteless), I didn't get the relationship between the two Main characters. I love BDSM and a good spanking but the scene, , was so random I couldn't enjoy it.
In fact the sexy time wasn't overly sexy to me. I love some lady love, so can only attribute that to lack of connection I felt between the characters. Especially the recently divorced main character. Why and when did she realise she wanted to be with a woman not a man?
It's never stated how old the ladies are, but given one was married 15 years, divorced 5, I can only assume they were near their 40's. So the entire, fell dreadfully flat for.
The epilogue - flew totally over my head. How old was Andrea? Maybe I was distracted when reading this story. I feel like I need to read it again to fill in the holes, but at the same time have no inclination to do so :(
On the positive, this is not the first book, nor will it be the last, I've read by this author. Sadly this one just didn't work for me.
Copy provided by Indigo Marketing & Design, in exchange for an honest review.
I wish I could say, "people who enjoy ? will enjoy this story," but I can't find words for ?.
For a short, I think, it tried to be too many things. Slim slamming aside (the opposite of fat slamming and just as tasteless), I didn't get the relationship between the two Main characters. I love BDSM and a good spanking but the scene, , was so random I couldn't enjoy it.
In fact the sexy time wasn't overly sexy to me. I love some lady love, so can only attribute that to lack of connection I felt between the characters. Especially the recently divorced main character. Why and when did she realise she wanted to be with a woman not a man?
It's never stated how old the ladies are, but given one was married 15 years, divorced 5, I can only assume they were near their 40's. So the entire, fell dreadfully flat for.
The epilogue - flew totally over my head. How old was Andrea? Maybe I was distracted when reading this story. I feel like I need to read it again to fill in the holes, but at the same time have no inclination to do so :(
On the positive, this is not the first book, nor will it be the last, I've read by this author. Sadly this one just didn't work for me.
Copy provided by Indigo Marketing & Design, in exchange for an honest review.
August 24, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was great, the characters were good and I enjoyed the love story and hot sex.
It was well written and easy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was great, the characters were good and I enjoyed the love story and hot sex.
It was well written and easy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 8, 2016
A lot of the f/f books I read seem to back off when it gets down to the steamy bits and it aggravates the shit out of me when writers do that. This book didn't do that and I was so excited for it. I enjoyed this. Both characters felt real and I enjoyed them finding their way.
February 12, 2015
I reviewed this at BDSM Book Reviews. http://www.bdsmbookreviews.com/2015/0...
June 23, 2025
4 stars. This was actually really good! It reminded me of some old 90s lesbian stories that I’ve read and loved. And I mean that in the best way possible. I love Dabney’s writing style, the characters were great, and the romance was scorching hot and had me hooked. Eva and Andrea are both incredibly likable and had fantastic chemistry with each other. Eva is divorced and has two teenaged kids, Andrea has a reputation of sleeping with women and not doing commitment. They also work together. It was so good. I loved how hard Andrea fell for Eva and wanted to prove it. I thought that was sweet and the sex scenes? WHEW! So good. I liked the third act drama, it was cliche, but I didn’t mind it and then the ending was so cute! I could definitely see myself reading this again.
September 21, 2020
3.5 Stars
November 18, 2017
When All Else Fails
This book had it’s ups and downs for me. It was really fast paced and the story moved quickly. The drama and miscommunication issues are not my thing, so that was tough for me to read through. This is the first book I’ve read of this author. I’ve been wanting to read her MM series but decided to try this one out first.
This book had it’s ups and downs for me. It was really fast paced and the story moved quickly. The drama and miscommunication issues are not my thing, so that was tough for me to read through. This is the first book I’ve read of this author. I’ve been wanting to read her MM series but decided to try this one out first.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews