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Queers of La Vista #2
The Butch and the Beautiful
Jaq Cummings is a high school teacher who really wants a committed relationship—as long as it doesn’t keep her out late on school nights or interrupt Sunday mass with her dad. She is absolutely not about to fall for the hot-mess divorcée she hooks up with even if said hot mess pushes all her buttons. Jaq’s white knight days are over.
But one hookup with Hannah becomes two, then coffee, then more incredibly hot sex. And unlike most of Jaq’s exes, Hannah’s not looking for someone to come on strong. In fact, Hannah comes on plenty strong enough for both of them. But she’s just out of a disastrous marriage, she’s in the process of moving across the state, and Jaq can’t take a chance on yet another relationship where she defaults to being a caregiver instead of a partner.
Just when Jaq decides her relationship with Hannah is far too precarious, a crisis with a student reminds her of her priorities and makes it clear that sometimes, you have to take big risks to get what you really want.
* * * * * * *
This book can be read on its own, or enjoyed as the second book in the Queers of La Vista series.
But one hookup with Hannah becomes two, then coffee, then more incredibly hot sex. And unlike most of Jaq’s exes, Hannah’s not looking for someone to come on strong. In fact, Hannah comes on plenty strong enough for both of them. But she’s just out of a disastrous marriage, she’s in the process of moving across the state, and Jaq can’t take a chance on yet another relationship where she defaults to being a caregiver instead of a partner.
Just when Jaq decides her relationship with Hannah is far too precarious, a crisis with a student reminds her of her priorities and makes it clear that sometimes, you have to take big risks to get what you really want.
* * * * * * *
This book can be read on its own, or enjoyed as the second book in the Queers of La Vista series.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2016
10 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Kris Ripper
85 books405 followersKris Ripper lives in the great state of California and zir pronouns are ze/zir. Kris shares a converted garage with a kid, can do two pull-ups in a row, and can write backwards. (No, really.) Ze has been writing fiction since ze learned how to write, and boring zir stuffed animals with stories long before that.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
September 1, 2016
I don't read a lot of F/F, so I was REALLY pleased that I enjoyed this story. While it wasn't a perfect read for me, I liked the MC, Jaq, and found the sex to be REALLY hot!
After reading Gays of Our Lives, which I adored, I knew I had to have my hands on the entire series. While I was a little worried about reading outside my comfort zone (I think I have to skip the ménage book... just not my bag), I was excited to see how I would receive the diverse cast of characters.
The Butch and the Beautiful was a nice read, despite some issues that I'll explain as I go on. First of all, excuse me if I substitute the image of Jaq on the cover with my ultimate girl-crush, Shane McCutcheon.
The things I would let that girl do to me... *growly voice*
Anyway, yeah, I had NO problem visualizing the sex in this story! So let's talk about sex first, since I seem to have that on the brain. I've read a few F/F books that were *meh* in the heat department in my book, but this was a different story. I really liked how the more femme girl was the dominant one, and how Hannah was so sexually confident. Dirty talking in general is a huge turn on for me, so I liked when Hannah was verbal and bossy. I also loved the butt play... what?! I'm just an ass-aficionado!
I also thought that Jaq was a nice, well-rounded character. We get to know her really well because we are only inside her head, so I felt like I connected with her a great deal. I liked how we got to see her insecurities and relationship trials. Hannah was another matter. First of all, I don't really get why everyone and their mother was calling Hannah cray-cray and saying that she was trouble. It didn't really make sense with what we saw from Hannah. Sure, she was sexual and going through a divorce, but I was expecting some bizarre, extreme behavior from her and we didn't get that. I wish I understood Hannah more, but I guess we as readers get what we get! Hannah started and finished the book as a little bit of a mystery to me, and I think we could have used some more insight as to what made her tick.
The plot was a little slow and a little too "after-school special," if I'm being honest. I don't want to sound too critical of stories that involve a lot of teenagers and their issues, especially the often underrepresented QUILTBAG teens, but I wanted more focus on Jaq and Hannah and less on teenagers finding themselves.
I think that this story had some good bones and some high notes, but it was an imperfect story for me. I am, however, still really looking forward to the rest of the series.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
After reading Gays of Our Lives, which I adored, I knew I had to have my hands on the entire series. While I was a little worried about reading outside my comfort zone (I think I have to skip the ménage book... just not my bag), I was excited to see how I would receive the diverse cast of characters.
The Butch and the Beautiful was a nice read, despite some issues that I'll explain as I go on. First of all, excuse me if I substitute the image of Jaq on the cover with my ultimate girl-crush, Shane McCutcheon.
The things I would let that girl do to me... *growly voice*
Anyway, yeah, I had NO problem visualizing the sex in this story! So let's talk about sex first, since I seem to have that on the brain. I've read a few F/F books that were *meh* in the heat department in my book, but this was a different story. I really liked how the more femme girl was the dominant one, and how Hannah was so sexually confident. Dirty talking in general is a huge turn on for me, so I liked when Hannah was verbal and bossy. I also loved the butt play... what?! I'm just an ass-aficionado!
I also thought that Jaq was a nice, well-rounded character. We get to know her really well because we are only inside her head, so I felt like I connected with her a great deal. I liked how we got to see her insecurities and relationship trials. Hannah was another matter. First of all, I don't really get why everyone and their mother was calling Hannah cray-cray and saying that she was trouble. It didn't really make sense with what we saw from Hannah. Sure, she was sexual and going through a divorce, but I was expecting some bizarre, extreme behavior from her and we didn't get that. I wish I understood Hannah more, but I guess we as readers get what we get! Hannah started and finished the book as a little bit of a mystery to me, and I think we could have used some more insight as to what made her tick.
The plot was a little slow and a little too "after-school special," if I'm being honest. I don't want to sound too critical of stories that involve a lot of teenagers and their issues, especially the often underrepresented QUILTBAG teens, but I wanted more focus on Jaq and Hannah and less on teenagers finding themselves.
I think that this story had some good bones and some high notes, but it was an imperfect story for me. I am, however, still really looking forward to the rest of the series.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
July 12, 2016
Jaq is a high school teacher and the only openly LGBTI teacher on the staff. She actively supports the LGBTI students in the school, but her personal life seems to be a case of run-for-the-hills when it comes to girlfriends.
Helping to stage a wedding for a friend, and acting as best man, Jaq meets her opposite in Hannah. Jac is fairly butch, but Hannah is a 40s goddess. Despite the warnings from well meaning friends, as Hannah is going through a messy divorce from her wife and Jaq has massive commitment issues, Jaq and Hannah leap into bed that night. What starts as a one night stand, could lead to something more, with all the possible problems for both the main characters.
Jaq is the better written character, and there is a lovely sense of roundness to her characterisation which is unusual for fairly butch characters. She is butch, but doesn’t have to be dominant; she’s a lesbian, but one who likes to go to church with her dad. There are some lovely complexities that I really enjoyed in the book.
Hannah is less well written, and it is much harder to get a handle on such a possibly flighty character. It gave me the impression that the author is much more comfortable writing the reliable Jaq, than the wild Hannah.
What is well handled by the author is the sense that the two of them really enjoy each other’s company, despite the possible miscommunications and misunderstandings. The sex scenes are inventive and a little different, and there is considerable heat between the two characters.
I did enjoy this book. I would have liked more development of Hannah’s character, and the dialogue was sometimes a bit patchy, but it was an enjoyable read. The title doesn’t really do the complexity of the main character a lot of favours though, so ignore its limitations.
This was a little different, and I really liked that about the book.
Advanced reading copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
Helping to stage a wedding for a friend, and acting as best man, Jaq meets her opposite in Hannah. Jac is fairly butch, but Hannah is a 40s goddess. Despite the warnings from well meaning friends, as Hannah is going through a messy divorce from her wife and Jaq has massive commitment issues, Jaq and Hannah leap into bed that night. What starts as a one night stand, could lead to something more, with all the possible problems for both the main characters.
Jaq is the better written character, and there is a lovely sense of roundness to her characterisation which is unusual for fairly butch characters. She is butch, but doesn’t have to be dominant; she’s a lesbian, but one who likes to go to church with her dad. There are some lovely complexities that I really enjoyed in the book.
Hannah is less well written, and it is much harder to get a handle on such a possibly flighty character. It gave me the impression that the author is much more comfortable writing the reliable Jaq, than the wild Hannah.
What is well handled by the author is the sense that the two of them really enjoy each other’s company, despite the possible miscommunications and misunderstandings. The sex scenes are inventive and a little different, and there is considerable heat between the two characters.
I did enjoy this book. I would have liked more development of Hannah’s character, and the dialogue was sometimes a bit patchy, but it was an enjoyable read. The title doesn’t really do the complexity of the main character a lot of favours though, so ignore its limitations.
This was a little different, and I really liked that about the book.
Advanced reading copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
August 22, 2016
This story is told in first person and completely from Jaq’s point-of-view. Despite my initial misgivings, two things I dislike when reading cropped up early on, I ended up loving the story.
Given the story is told entirely from Jaq’s POV I got to know her extremely well. She’s a complex character and I adored discovering the many layers of her personality. I loved that even though she identified as being butch, and was proud of the fact, underneath her tough exterior, she had a huge heart and was submissive in the bedroom. I mention those facts as I’m sure many people believe if a woman is butch she must play the part of a man in all aspects of a relationship. This story will blow that theory apart.
The fact Jaq’s a teacher added a lot of depth to the plot. In a short amount of page time I came to care greatly for her students. Oh and Jaq’s dad is the bestest!
Hannah’s character isn’t as well fleshed out, and while some readers might feel disappointed about that fact, I didn’t, as really this is Jaq’s story, and I was honored to be a part of it.
The ending I’d call Happy For Now, and I was happy about that. Did that make sense?
The girls hook-up more than a couple of times so there are a number of erotic scenes, which include a great deal of anal play… Hannah has a thing for asses, her words.
This is the first book I’ve read by Kris Ripper and it most certainly won’t be the last. This story can be read as a standalone novel, but be warned you’re probably not going to want to stop at one book in this series.
Last but not least, the story is extremely well edited! Something I treasure in an e-book these days.
Copy provided in exchange for an honest review
Given the story is told entirely from Jaq’s POV I got to know her extremely well. She’s a complex character and I adored discovering the many layers of her personality. I loved that even though she identified as being butch, and was proud of the fact, underneath her tough exterior, she had a huge heart and was submissive in the bedroom. I mention those facts as I’m sure many people believe if a woman is butch she must play the part of a man in all aspects of a relationship. This story will blow that theory apart.
The fact Jaq’s a teacher added a lot of depth to the plot. In a short amount of page time I came to care greatly for her students. Oh and Jaq’s dad is the bestest!
Hannah’s character isn’t as well fleshed out, and while some readers might feel disappointed about that fact, I didn’t, as really this is Jaq’s story, and I was honored to be a part of it.
The ending I’d call Happy For Now, and I was happy about that. Did that make sense?
The girls hook-up more than a couple of times so there are a number of erotic scenes, which include a great deal of anal play… Hannah has a thing for asses, her words.
This is the first book I’ve read by Kris Ripper and it most certainly won’t be the last. This story can be read as a standalone novel, but be warned you’re probably not going to want to stop at one book in this series.
Last but not least, the story is extremely well edited! Something I treasure in an e-book these days.
Copy provided in exchange for an honest review
April 29, 2018
I thought that The Butch and the Beautiful was a very well-written story, with hilarious and touching and hot moments, but I wasn't always sure what type of story it was supposed to be.
As The Butch and the Beautiful unfolds from Jaq's perspective, we get a good sense of her character - the witty, smart, and caring school teacher is active in the local queer community and lives a well-rounded life, with strong relationships and hobbies. Yet I didn’t get a good sense of Hannah, the recently divorced love interest, or the relationship between the two. The development was lacking and the potential for conflict never came to fruition. For example, Hannah is repeatedly described as "crazy", but I've gotten more crazy on a Wednesday night at Whole Foods. Hannah’s more exuberant nature nicely complimented Jaq’s more staid one, but I didn't find their relationship particularly affecting. There just wasn't much to find, at least not as much as I wanted.
Other reviews note that ample page time is devoted to Jaq’s students. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with this – on the contrary, I appreciated how Ripper highlighted their experiences – I couldn't help but feel it occurred at the expense of the main relationship. Similarly, the interactions between Jaq and her father and Jaq and her friends were welcome, providing additional depth and emotion, but they also steered focus away from the romance.
Overall, I found the story strong in some respects and weak in others, but consistently well-written.
Read for SBTB Best Picture Quarterly Challenge: A queer romance.
As The Butch and the Beautiful unfolds from Jaq's perspective, we get a good sense of her character - the witty, smart, and caring school teacher is active in the local queer community and lives a well-rounded life, with strong relationships and hobbies. Yet I didn’t get a good sense of Hannah, the recently divorced love interest, or the relationship between the two. The development was lacking and the potential for conflict never came to fruition. For example, Hannah is repeatedly described as "crazy", but I've gotten more crazy on a Wednesday night at Whole Foods. Hannah’s more exuberant nature nicely complimented Jaq’s more staid one, but I didn't find their relationship particularly affecting. There just wasn't much to find, at least not as much as I wanted.
Other reviews note that ample page time is devoted to Jaq’s students. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with this – on the contrary, I appreciated how Ripper highlighted their experiences – I couldn't help but feel it occurred at the expense of the main relationship. Similarly, the interactions between Jaq and her father and Jaq and her friends were welcome, providing additional depth and emotion, but they also steered focus away from the romance.
Overall, I found the story strong in some respects and weak in others, but consistently well-written.
Read for SBTB Best Picture Quarterly Challenge: A queer romance.
July 27, 2016
The Butch and the Beautiful is the second book in the Queers of La Vista series. I haven't read the first one in the series, but I never felt that something was missing, so it reads perfectly fine as a standalone story.
The writing is good, the main characters are nice and interesting, but not equally well presented. The whole story is told from the point of view of the high school teacher Jaq Cummings, meaning that we don't get to know the other main character Hannah nearly enough as Jaq. We almost find out more about some friends and students than Hannah. Too bad because she is an interesting character with a lot of potential.
Nevertheless, the book is good and I enjoyed it.
3 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
The writing is good, the main characters are nice and interesting, but not equally well presented. The whole story is told from the point of view of the high school teacher Jaq Cummings, meaning that we don't get to know the other main character Hannah nearly enough as Jaq. We almost find out more about some friends and students than Hannah. Too bad because she is an interesting character with a lot of potential.
Nevertheless, the book is good and I enjoyed it.
3 stars
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
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October 17, 2016I absolutely glommed book 1 of this series (Gays of Our Lives) so I went straight for this. It's an interesting contrast, especially in the clever use of the soap opera framing. From the classic tropey beginning of the MCs both standing as best man/woman at their ex partners' wedding--butch Jaq in a suit, curvy femme Hannah in a sexy dress--agreeing that sex is pretty much compulsory, to the flagging up of Hannah as a classic soap bitch-crazy drama queen, it all looks like we're going to be on a wild drama ride.
And we're not.
What this is is the story of a community--in British terms it's the Archers, not Dynasty. It's about a whole lot of people living together and helping each other, or not. Hannah isn't a crazy bitch drama queen, she's just a person who made some bad decisions under stress. Jaq isn't as together and competent as she wants to pretend. They're both people with real flaws and fears and hurts, coming to accept they want more of one another. It's incredibly low key, in fact, in terms of the internal conflict. Nobody gets murdered and then steps out of the shower and pretends to have cancer or whatever. It really is, simply, two people trying to get over themselves because they're falling for one another, and neither of them wants to screw up again.
I am really enjoying what Ripper's doing with this series, and I am absolutely falling for the entire extensive cast, to the point where I just read the blurb for book 5 and OH MY GOD I CANNOT WAIT OMG YESSSS. Yes! /punches air/
And we're not.
What this is is the story of a community--in British terms it's the Archers, not Dynasty. It's about a whole lot of people living together and helping each other, or not. Hannah isn't a crazy bitch drama queen, she's just a person who made some bad decisions under stress. Jaq isn't as together and competent as she wants to pretend. They're both people with real flaws and fears and hurts, coming to accept they want more of one another. It's incredibly low key, in fact, in terms of the internal conflict. Nobody gets murdered and then steps out of the shower and pretends to have cancer or whatever. It really is, simply, two people trying to get over themselves because they're falling for one another, and neither of them wants to screw up again.
I am really enjoying what Ripper's doing with this series, and I am absolutely falling for the entire extensive cast, to the point where I just read the blurb for book 5 and OH MY GOD I CANNOT WAIT OMG YESSSS. Yes! /punches air/
June 20, 2016
A remnant from my romance reading project because I really wanted to read more outside the realm of heteronormative relationships. This is from a series of book called Queers of La Vista, featuring different friends in the same California town. Very readable, with steamy moments (okay they are a third of the book, I'd say.) Jaq, the central character in this novel, defies stereotypes (the title alludes to this), making this more realistic than, say, characters on The L Word. She has a relationship with her father, she is a high school teacher who has to scrimp money together, and within her circle are people getting married and divorced, struggling with fertility, trying out open or monogamous relationships, and finding religious communities to be a part of. I mention this because the novel isn't just about the romance, and these elements add depth to the characters. Jaq is out at work, so she is a mentor and shelter for the students in the GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) where she works.
Thanks to the publisher for granting me access to a review copy through Netgalley.
Thanks to the publisher for granting me access to a review copy through Netgalley.
October 30, 2016
2 stars
While I didn't hate this one I wasn't in love with it.
I think the main thing that I liked about this book was Hannah. I thought that she was pretty fantastic. I loved her vibe, totally confident, caring, and fun. I would have liked to have seen more of her professional side, it would have been interesting being able to see another side of her. I loved that she knew what she liked and wanted sexually and wasn't afraid or embarrassed to go for it (so needless to say the sex was pretty top notch). Nothing is hotter than hooking up with someone that knows what they want and aren't shy about demanding it.
I was not the biggest fan of Jaq. I felt like she was very whiney and slightly immature when it came to relationships. I was sort of irritated with her throughout the story, especially when she pulled that high school shit at the club knowing that Hannah was there. But I did like her group of friends. I am a big supporter of books that include close circles of friends and family. I really dig reading about people being surrounded by people that love them, it's like they have their own little friend community.
And I do have to agree with Heather, I found the story to be very "after school special" and that kind of brought down my feelings towards it all. I was also kind of annoyed that we learned/saw more of Jaq's students than we did of Hannah.
Also, I did not see how Hannah was this "crazy" person. Like what did she do that deemed her to be so out of control? That just didn't fit with the Hannah that we were being shown.
While I didn't hate this one I wasn't in love with it.
I think the main thing that I liked about this book was Hannah. I thought that she was pretty fantastic. I loved her vibe, totally confident, caring, and fun. I would have liked to have seen more of her professional side, it would have been interesting being able to see another side of her. I loved that she knew what she liked and wanted sexually and wasn't afraid or embarrassed to go for it (so needless to say the sex was pretty top notch). Nothing is hotter than hooking up with someone that knows what they want and aren't shy about demanding it.
I was not the biggest fan of Jaq. I felt like she was very whiney and slightly immature when it came to relationships. I was sort of irritated with her throughout the story, especially when she pulled that high school shit at the club knowing that Hannah was there. But I did like her group of friends. I am a big supporter of books that include close circles of friends and family. I really dig reading about people being surrounded by people that love them, it's like they have their own little friend community.
And I do have to agree with Heather, I found the story to be very "after school special" and that kind of brought down my feelings towards it all. I was also kind of annoyed that we learned/saw more of Jaq's students than we did of Hannah.
Also, I did not see how Hannah was this "crazy" person. Like what did she do that deemed her to be so out of control? That just didn't fit with the Hannah that we were being shown.
November 15, 2016
This is my first Kris Ripper's book and i enjoyed it. Despite being the second book of Queers of La Vista it can be read as a standalone.
I liked the main characters, they had chemistry and their scenes in bed were hot, also i liked how they resolved their problem by actually talking about the issue. Good convo right there. A thing that didn't convince me was an issue i see a lot in contemporary romances and it's how all the secondary characters just focused on the main character's love interest, i can do with one or two discussions about it but when it's more than that i get bored and think i'm in a mexican soap opera where the only thing everybody talks about is about the love interest with the MC. Nope, i really don't like that.
I'm not sure if i'm going to read the whole series, tbh. Maybe only the f/f :)
I liked the main characters, they had chemistry and their scenes in bed were hot, also i liked how they resolved their problem by actually talking about the issue. Good convo right there. A thing that didn't convince me was an issue i see a lot in contemporary romances and it's how all the secondary characters just focused on the main character's love interest, i can do with one or two discussions about it but when it's more than that i get bored and think i'm in a mexican soap opera where the only thing everybody talks about is about the love interest with the MC. Nope, i really don't like that.
I'm not sure if i'm going to read the whole series, tbh. Maybe only the f/f :)
September 1, 2016
*I received this book from NetGalley and Riptide Publishing in return for a fair review.*
This is the second book in a series, and I haven’t read the first book. My understanding is that the books in the series can be read on their own. Though they are related as in taking place in the same city, with some similar characters, but each book involves their own characters to follow. Like, I know that the first MC’s, Emerson and Obie, have a cameo in the second book, but they do not even have any speaking lines. So you can read these, again if my understanding is correct, as you wish – straight through, or piece by piece (though I also understand that some of the story elements are in each book – like the fact that this is all taking place in La Vista, plus there’s some kind of killer running around killing people, but other than that appearing as a topic of discussion in this book, it does not actually impact the book much).
Just to round things up – book three includes Ed Masiello – he has a few speaking lines in this here book; the three people in the fourth book in the series popped up in the second book; though the person with the biggest role book 2, while still being a side character, and being a star of their own book, book 5, would be Zane Jaffe – best friend of Jaq.
Right, so, on with book 2 in this La Vista series. The book ‘stars’ Jaq Cummings and Hannah NoLastNameGiven (at least not directly adjacent to ‘Hannah’, as I just searched for it). Though it is from the sole point of view of Jaq. The two meet at the wedding of Liz and Marla – a wedding that opens the book. Jaq is Liz’s ex, and Hannah is Marla’s ex.
Ex’s, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can remain friends, though they seem to be able to find the friend loop-hole easier in the lesbian world. At least that is my understanding. So in this world, Jaq is Liz’s ‘best man’ and Hannah is Marla’s maid of honor.
That is something of a reoccurring theme, by the way – the man part. It isn’t heavy-handed, but there is a layer of Jaq acting, thinking, and being spoken of in a male kind of way (I’m speaking more than just wearing men’s style clothing etc; but the part, as an example, where Hannah, at one point, calls Jaq ‘princess’ and Jaq responds with something along the lines of ‘call me prince charming, not princess’). Heavy-handed, by the way, would involve some things I’ve seen in other books but not here - like having the woman say things like ‘suck my dick’, ‘I’m going to shove my dick into you’ and the like – to the point that I get confused as to whether or not the woman has actually grown a dick, always had one, or is actually wearing a strap-on. That level of heavy-handedness is not present in this book.
Wow I’m all over the place with this review. Mmphs.
Okay, so – Jaq and Hannah meet at a wedding, hook-up (Jaq is interested and finds Hannah to be gorgeous in her blue dress; Hannah says something like, when they first meet and establish that both are ex’s of the marrying party, ‘we have to have sex, then’). Jaq is quite unsure of how things might work out, fling, relationship, whatever, and knows – from several sources, that Hannah is batshit insane, but is still quite interested in – at the very least a fling. One thing leads to another and it turns out that it was more than a fling. And that more than one person can be batshit insane.
Jaq, by the way, is both a high school teacher (English, creative writing, journalism, history), and the faculty representative for a school related student club (GSA – Gay/Straight/Alliance – I am uncertain if the A is Alliance). She is also either in her late 30s (her father says something along the way that indicates that Jaq is in her 30s) or in her 40s (Jaq says something at some point indicating that she’s near the same age as Hannah, and – at the same time, believes Hannah to be in her 40s). Jaq is friendly with those in the gay community, has dated a lot of them, still has a living father who she visits often – including for mass at ‘their’ catholic church, and has some living siblings. Oh, and a best friend since childhood named Zane who she sees a bunch of times a month, though more for weekly exercise sessions – as in literal exercise, not code for something like sex (they did kiss once, felt like kissing sister or cousin).
Hannah is in the middle of a messy divorce, has hair that is easy to look wild and untamed, but normally is pulled back and restrained, knows that others thing she is insane (and admits to some insanity), and is a contract lawyer (whatever that means). Oh, and doesn’t like pets or kids; and is in the process of selling her home and relocating to La Vista.
The book started off with many very hilarious moments. For better or worse, those moments of insane giggling lessened considerably as the story progressed – the story turned down right serious at times – but there were still a few giggle worthy moments here and there.
On the sex side – there were a few, well at least 1, less than detailed sexual encounters, and several, at least 2, rather detailed encounters as well. One of which was one that I found to be one of the best I’ve read. Quite thrilling to read, so to speak. (as a side note, I made a status update about there being ‘more ass play than I expected’ or something like that (what, I could look to see exact wording but meh, that boring) – it should be noted that that was a relatively brief thing – as Hannah stated at some point (the same session with ass play) – she likes everything; wow this side note says less, in many words, than I intended to say. Mmphs. Can’t figure out how to fix).
In the end, I would give this book a rating close to 4.73 to 4.83 – not quite reaching 5 star level because I kind of wanted more scenes that included both Hannah and Jaq in the same room. But otherwise loved the book, I did.
September 1 2016
This is the second book in a series, and I haven’t read the first book. My understanding is that the books in the series can be read on their own. Though they are related as in taking place in the same city, with some similar characters, but each book involves their own characters to follow. Like, I know that the first MC’s, Emerson and Obie, have a cameo in the second book, but they do not even have any speaking lines. So you can read these, again if my understanding is correct, as you wish – straight through, or piece by piece (though I also understand that some of the story elements are in each book – like the fact that this is all taking place in La Vista, plus there’s some kind of killer running around killing people, but other than that appearing as a topic of discussion in this book, it does not actually impact the book much).
Just to round things up – book three includes Ed Masiello – he has a few speaking lines in this here book; the three people in the fourth book in the series popped up in the second book; though the person with the biggest role book 2, while still being a side character, and being a star of their own book, book 5, would be Zane Jaffe – best friend of Jaq.
Right, so, on with book 2 in this La Vista series. The book ‘stars’ Jaq Cummings and Hannah NoLastNameGiven (at least not directly adjacent to ‘Hannah’, as I just searched for it). Though it is from the sole point of view of Jaq. The two meet at the wedding of Liz and Marla – a wedding that opens the book. Jaq is Liz’s ex, and Hannah is Marla’s ex.
Ex’s, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can remain friends, though they seem to be able to find the friend loop-hole easier in the lesbian world. At least that is my understanding. So in this world, Jaq is Liz’s ‘best man’ and Hannah is Marla’s maid of honor.
That is something of a reoccurring theme, by the way – the man part. It isn’t heavy-handed, but there is a layer of Jaq acting, thinking, and being spoken of in a male kind of way (I’m speaking more than just wearing men’s style clothing etc; but the part, as an example, where Hannah, at one point, calls Jaq ‘princess’ and Jaq responds with something along the lines of ‘call me prince charming, not princess’). Heavy-handed, by the way, would involve some things I’ve seen in other books but not here - like having the woman say things like ‘suck my dick’, ‘I’m going to shove my dick into you’ and the like – to the point that I get confused as to whether or not the woman has actually grown a dick, always had one, or is actually wearing a strap-on. That level of heavy-handedness is not present in this book.
Wow I’m all over the place with this review. Mmphs.
Okay, so – Jaq and Hannah meet at a wedding, hook-up (Jaq is interested and finds Hannah to be gorgeous in her blue dress; Hannah says something like, when they first meet and establish that both are ex’s of the marrying party, ‘we have to have sex, then’). Jaq is quite unsure of how things might work out, fling, relationship, whatever, and knows – from several sources, that Hannah is batshit insane, but is still quite interested in – at the very least a fling. One thing leads to another and it turns out that it was more than a fling. And that more than one person can be batshit insane.
Jaq, by the way, is both a high school teacher (English, creative writing, journalism, history), and the faculty representative for a school related student club (GSA – Gay/Straight/Alliance – I am uncertain if the A is Alliance). She is also either in her late 30s (her father says something along the way that indicates that Jaq is in her 30s) or in her 40s (Jaq says something at some point indicating that she’s near the same age as Hannah, and – at the same time, believes Hannah to be in her 40s). Jaq is friendly with those in the gay community, has dated a lot of them, still has a living father who she visits often – including for mass at ‘their’ catholic church, and has some living siblings. Oh, and a best friend since childhood named Zane who she sees a bunch of times a month, though more for weekly exercise sessions – as in literal exercise, not code for something like sex (they did kiss once, felt like kissing sister or cousin).
Hannah is in the middle of a messy divorce, has hair that is easy to look wild and untamed, but normally is pulled back and restrained, knows that others thing she is insane (and admits to some insanity), and is a contract lawyer (whatever that means). Oh, and doesn’t like pets or kids; and is in the process of selling her home and relocating to La Vista.
The book started off with many very hilarious moments. For better or worse, those moments of insane giggling lessened considerably as the story progressed – the story turned down right serious at times – but there were still a few giggle worthy moments here and there.
On the sex side – there were a few, well at least 1, less than detailed sexual encounters, and several, at least 2, rather detailed encounters as well. One of which was one that I found to be one of the best I’ve read. Quite thrilling to read, so to speak. (as a side note, I made a status update about there being ‘more ass play than I expected’ or something like that (what, I could look to see exact wording but meh, that boring) – it should be noted that that was a relatively brief thing – as Hannah stated at some point (the same session with ass play) – she likes everything; wow this side note says less, in many words, than I intended to say. Mmphs. Can’t figure out how to fix).
In the end, I would give this book a rating close to 4.73 to 4.83 – not quite reaching 5 star level because I kind of wanted more scenes that included both Hannah and Jaq in the same room. But otherwise loved the book, I did.
September 1 2016
November 20, 2016
NGL, it’s been a long while since I’ve read F/F profic. BUT, in addition to being the second book in what’s turning out to be one of my fave series (Queers of La Vista), Kris Ripper wrote it so I knew I was going to have a good time. :)
What I like
+ Jaq (on her own)
At 34-years old, she was a character who has a career but isn’t consumed with it. I liked her voice (she was self-depricating without becoming maudlin.)
I liked the sweet dynamic she had with her father. It kinda made up for not meeting anyone else in her family. I do wish we had seen more of the two of them.
+ Queers EVERYWHERE!
To me, there was a fair approach to what a small but strong queer community is like in real life. There was some overlapping of some characters from the first book as well as the introduction to characters for the rest of the series.
And that interconnectedness was done so seamlessly that I ended the book with a happy sigh.
One interesting thing was that there are a few LGTBQ+ characters who say biphobic and/or transphobic things. It added a layer of realism since people aren’t perfect. Those characters do get called out and they end up apologizing for being insensitive.
+ Jaq’s job
She’s a high school teacher who is the docent advisor for the GSA. The book did a fantastic job of showing the fine line teachers walk between helping students while being limited as to how much help they can give.
TBH, I kept looking forward to all of the scenes between Jaq and her students more than anything else in the novel. Like, for realsies, I never missed the romance-y bits.
What I didn’t like
- Hannah (Who ARE you?)
I never understood why Jaq was so into her (aside from the sex. I gave all the thumbs up to Hannah’s enthusiasm in bed.) She was rather flaky a few times and that didn’t help in winning me over.
Even worse is that it took way too long for the book to show us more about who Hannah really is. When that moment happens, it’s not so much that she became a sympathetic character but an interesting one. Something that was lacking for most of the novel.
- Friends meddling (and not in a cute way)
As much as I liked seeing Jaq interacting with her friends, I also found myself preparing for the next round of "Catching up with Jaq’s Love Life".
This was a 2-pronged problem:
1. Right from the very beginning, the majority of Jaq’s friends warn her about Hannah. They kept mentioning that Hannah’s "crazy" and "bad news". And yet, they don’t really bring ANY kind of receipt as to why Hannah could be such a horrible person to pair up with.
The way Jaq’s friends went on about Hannah I expected her hobbies to be running over puppies or being a liar or something actually terrible.
By the time I finished the book, I was even more annoyed that all the warnings remained unfounded.
AND YET, AT THE SAME GORRAM TIME:
2. Every. Single. Time Jaq hung out with her friends, the only thing they wanted to talk about was how things were going with Hannah.
It was so weird how they kept telling her to NOT get in a serious relationship with Hannah while also wanting to know every detail about her liason with her.
Eventually, Hannah does tell Jaq about a couple of things she’s done that weren’t great, but she’s not the villanous person Jaq’s friends made her out to be. Which, in turn, means that all those scenes of them warning Jaq were nothing but an enormous waste of time. >:(
- The romance (A whole lotta eeehhhhh)
Together in bed, Jaq and Hannah were fun, playful, and honest. I thought it was awesome how there was no shame attached to the sexy times.
My main problem with Jaq/Hannah is that I didn’t care about Hannah because I didn’t know who she was. Also, the longer Jaq dated Hannah, the more she began to obsess over what did or didn’t happen with her. It was a ton of analyzing only to end up playing games.
After Hannah’s "confession", I was kinda on board with the two of them together, but, truly, I wasn’t exactly cheering for them. This was the most "meh" I’ve felt about a romance in a book that is mainly ABOUT the romance.
TL;DR: A fun F/F book with one well-developed main character and the woman she falls in love with. Like in the first book, I enjoyed how expansive the queer community aspect felt (especially in relation to other series that are unrealistically insular.) My apathy towards the pairing aside, I do recommend reading it since it has a great perspective on queer youth while also setting up the next three books.
What I like
+ Jaq (on her own)
At 34-years old, she was a character who has a career but isn’t consumed with it. I liked her voice (she was self-depricating without becoming maudlin.)
I liked the sweet dynamic she had with her father. It kinda made up for not meeting anyone else in her family. I do wish we had seen more of the two of them.
+ Queers EVERYWHERE!
To me, there was a fair approach to what a small but strong queer community is like in real life. There was some overlapping of some characters from the first book as well as the introduction to characters for the rest of the series.
And that interconnectedness was done so seamlessly that I ended the book with a happy sigh.
One interesting thing was that there are a few LGTBQ+ characters who say biphobic and/or transphobic things. It added a layer of realism since people aren’t perfect. Those characters do get called out and they end up apologizing for being insensitive.
+ Jaq’s job
She’s a high school teacher who is the docent advisor for the GSA. The book did a fantastic job of showing the fine line teachers walk between helping students while being limited as to how much help they can give.
TBH, I kept looking forward to all of the scenes between Jaq and her students more than anything else in the novel. Like, for realsies, I never missed the romance-y bits.
What I didn’t like
- Hannah (Who ARE you?)
I never understood why Jaq was so into her (aside from the sex. I gave all the thumbs up to Hannah’s enthusiasm in bed.) She was rather flaky a few times and that didn’t help in winning me over.
Even worse is that it took way too long for the book to show us more about who Hannah really is. When that moment happens, it’s not so much that she became a sympathetic character but an interesting one. Something that was lacking for most of the novel.
- Friends meddling (and not in a cute way)
As much as I liked seeing Jaq interacting with her friends, I also found myself preparing for the next round of "Catching up with Jaq’s Love Life".
This was a 2-pronged problem:
1. Right from the very beginning, the majority of Jaq’s friends warn her about Hannah. They kept mentioning that Hannah’s "crazy" and "bad news". And yet, they don’t really bring ANY kind of receipt as to why Hannah could be such a horrible person to pair up with.
The way Jaq’s friends went on about Hannah I expected her hobbies to be running over puppies or being a liar or something actually terrible.
By the time I finished the book, I was even more annoyed that all the warnings remained unfounded.
AND YET, AT THE SAME GORRAM TIME:
2. Every. Single. Time Jaq hung out with her friends, the only thing they wanted to talk about was how things were going with Hannah.
It was so weird how they kept telling her to NOT get in a serious relationship with Hannah while also wanting to know every detail about her liason with her.
Eventually, Hannah does tell Jaq about a couple of things she’s done that weren’t great, but she’s not the villanous person Jaq’s friends made her out to be. Which, in turn, means that all those scenes of them warning Jaq were nothing but an enormous waste of time. >:(
- The romance (A whole lotta eeehhhhh)
Together in bed, Jaq and Hannah were fun, playful, and honest. I thought it was awesome how there was no shame attached to the sexy times.
My main problem with Jaq/Hannah is that I didn’t care about Hannah because I didn’t know who she was. Also, the longer Jaq dated Hannah, the more she began to obsess over what did or didn’t happen with her. It was a ton of analyzing only to end up playing games.
After Hannah’s "confession", I was kinda on board with the two of them together, but, truly, I wasn’t exactly cheering for them. This was the most "meh" I’ve felt about a romance in a book that is mainly ABOUT the romance.
TL;DR: A fun F/F book with one well-developed main character and the woman she falls in love with. Like in the first book, I enjoyed how expansive the queer community aspect felt (especially in relation to other series that are unrealistically insular.) My apathy towards the pairing aside, I do recommend reading it since it has a great perspective on queer youth while also setting up the next three books.
December 24, 2016
ARC received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book. It was my first by this author. It is the second in a series which I did not realize. However, you would really never know as it read fine as a stand alone.
The book stars Jaq a High School teacher that is involved in the school's GSA. Her romantic interest is Hannah a newly relocated lawyer with somewhat of a history with people in the area.
The author does a great job of developing the characters. Jaq is complex and deep. There is a host of minor characters...including kids from the school struggling with gender and sexuality. The big flaw to me, was the lack of development of Hannah.
The story is told from Jaq's POV. So we have to guess what Hannah is all about.
I give 3.5 but rounded to 4 because it's not everyday you read a book that has a little person, a roller derby, a wedding and a High School Gay Straight Alliance in the same story! Well worth the read!!
I enjoyed this book. It was my first by this author. It is the second in a series which I did not realize. However, you would really never know as it read fine as a stand alone.
The book stars Jaq a High School teacher that is involved in the school's GSA. Her romantic interest is Hannah a newly relocated lawyer with somewhat of a history with people in the area.
The author does a great job of developing the characters. Jaq is complex and deep. There is a host of minor characters...including kids from the school struggling with gender and sexuality. The big flaw to me, was the lack of development of Hannah.
The story is told from Jaq's POV. So we have to guess what Hannah is all about.
I give 3.5 but rounded to 4 because it's not everyday you read a book that has a little person, a roller derby, a wedding and a High School Gay Straight Alliance in the same story! Well worth the read!!
September 7, 2016
I’m still so very thrilled about this new series by one of my favourite authors. Kris Ripper totally won me over with zir Scientific Method series – so far so that ze is now an auto-buy author for me. I already loved the first book in zir new Queers of La Vista series, Gays of Our Lives, and The Butch and the Beautiful is a lovely sequel to it. Moreover, it’s an incredibly hot lesbian romance, and we can’t have enough of those, methinks. These books are standalones, so it doesn’t matter if you haven’t read the first book (Gays of Our Lives – a male/male romance) and want to dive right into this one.
After Jaq and Hannah meet at a lesbian wedding of mutual friends, the beginning of the book is pretty much insta-attraction and hot sex – which as insta-things go I have no problems with – but it felt kind of unemotional and distant to me, which I didn’t like very much at first. But this changes during the course of the book and I later realised that it made sense. The book is written from Jaq’s point of view and she has major – make that MAJOR – commitment issues. But as she gradually opens up to Hannah and, in a way, to herself, the book gets more accessible and it’s much easier to connect to the protagonists and their love story. Considering that the narration style mirrors Jaq’s character development, this is pretty well done.
Hannah has just been going through a divorce and still needs to sell her ex-wife’s and her mutual house and is relocating to La Vista. Coming out of a failed relationship and generally being known as a wild card, she does not seem like an ideal candidate to date, which absolutely does not matter to Jaq since she is only looking for some casual sex. But as these two spend more and more time together, they can’t deny the connection that is building between them.
Here’s a short snippet of them:
What really stands out is the body positivity of the whole book. Not only is Hannah a little on the chubby side, loving her body, and generally drawn in an absolutely attractive way, I haven’t come across many books that show female sexuality in such a liberating and positive light. There’s no shame or any taboo attached; on the contrary, Jaq and Hannah relish their bodies and the sex they have. Moreover, the author doesn’t fall back on stereotypes attached to butch lesbians in the way that they simply have to be dominant but shows that everyone is different and their own person.
Another part that I really liked is the subplot around the queer teens at Jaq’s school, where she works as a teacher and is part of the GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance). Some of the teens struggle with the changes that they are going through and I loved how compassionately Jaq cares for them. This is a lovely part of the book and I found it to be really engrossing.
To sum up, The Butch and The Beautiful is a lesbian romance not to be missed.
______________________________
Genre: contemporary romance
Tags: f/f, school,queer teens, HOTTT
Rating: 4 stars, B (AAR)
Blog: Review for All About Romance
Disclosure: ARC for review, pre-oder of the series
After Jaq and Hannah meet at a lesbian wedding of mutual friends, the beginning of the book is pretty much insta-attraction and hot sex – which as insta-things go I have no problems with – but it felt kind of unemotional and distant to me, which I didn’t like very much at first. But this changes during the course of the book and I later realised that it made sense. The book is written from Jaq’s point of view and she has major – make that MAJOR – commitment issues. But as she gradually opens up to Hannah and, in a way, to herself, the book gets more accessible and it’s much easier to connect to the protagonists and their love story. Considering that the narration style mirrors Jaq’s character development, this is pretty well done.
Hannah has just been going through a divorce and still needs to sell her ex-wife’s and her mutual house and is relocating to La Vista. Coming out of a failed relationship and generally being known as a wild card, she does not seem like an ideal candidate to date, which absolutely does not matter to Jaq since she is only looking for some casual sex. But as these two spend more and more time together, they can’t deny the connection that is building between them.
Here’s a short snippet of them:
I tried to pout, but failed. “If you want me to pretend I’m objecting, I can.”
“Oh no. Don’t bother. I’ll have you begging me in no time, and it won’t be acting. Let’s go, girlfriend.”
Girlfriend. Casual slang for female friend. Likely not meant as a term relating to committed or romantic partnership.
What really stands out is the body positivity of the whole book. Not only is Hannah a little on the chubby side, loving her body, and generally drawn in an absolutely attractive way, I haven’t come across many books that show female sexuality in such a liberating and positive light. There’s no shame or any taboo attached; on the contrary, Jaq and Hannah relish their bodies and the sex they have. Moreover, the author doesn’t fall back on stereotypes attached to butch lesbians in the way that they simply have to be dominant but shows that everyone is different and their own person.
Another part that I really liked is the subplot around the queer teens at Jaq’s school, where she works as a teacher and is part of the GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance). Some of the teens struggle with the changes that they are going through and I loved how compassionately Jaq cares for them. This is a lovely part of the book and I found it to be really engrossing.
To sum up, The Butch and The Beautiful is a lesbian romance not to be missed.
______________________________
Genre: contemporary romance
Tags: f/f, school,queer teens, HOTTT
Rating: 4 stars, B (AAR)
Blog: Review for All About Romance
Disclosure: ARC for review, pre-oder of the series
August 24, 2016
Found myself far more interested in her role as a teacher, interacting with the teens and the kids in the GSA than the official romance story arc of the book. Also, loved Merin. I remember those days when it's cold and your clothing is shitty and you're not sure where you'll be sleeping next.
(So I checked what's available in my own city now for kids, and it's basically nothing beyond fostering. I'll check some more in the morning, it's 1am and a school night.)
Also worth mentioning, this is one of the few LGBT books where the lead has a great relationship with her father. Not to mention, a parent who is alive, healthy, sane, local and not needy. It's sad how unusual this is.
Looking forward to the next book in this series, as well as the last book about the best friend with awesomely bad, unselfconscious dancing skills. Yes!
(So I checked what's available in my own city now for kids, and it's basically nothing beyond fostering. I'll check some more in the morning, it's 1am and a school night.)
Also worth mentioning, this is one of the few LGBT books where the lead has a great relationship with her father. Not to mention, a parent who is alive, healthy, sane, local and not needy. It's sad how unusual this is.
Looking forward to the next book in this series, as well as the last book about the best friend with awesomely bad, unselfconscious dancing skills. Yes!
April 8, 2017
This book gave me a headache and turned my brain to mush, so I'm not even going to try writing a coherent review.
See below for trigger warnings for the novel:
- biphobia/panphobia
- multiple uses of the word "slut" when speaking of the MC's sexual history
- homophobia
- homophobia apologism
- ableism (the words "crazy," "insane," and "batshit" is tossed about quite a bit)
- there's a briefly mentioned character who has a thick accent so the MC doesn't bother listening
- transphobia
- racism
- multiple characters are outted by the MC (their teacher) to other adults
- fatphobia
- unconfirmed but heavily implied child abuse
These are all things I saw in actually reading the first ~50 pages and skimming the rest after deciding not to DNF, so there may be even more I missed.
See below for trigger warnings for the novel:
- biphobia/panphobia
- multiple uses of the word "slut" when speaking of the MC's sexual history
- homophobia
- homophobia apologism
- ableism (the words "crazy," "insane," and "batshit" is tossed about quite a bit)
- there's a briefly mentioned character who has a thick accent so the MC doesn't bother listening
- transphobia
- racism
- multiple characters are outted by the MC (their teacher) to other adults
- fatphobia
- unconfirmed but heavily implied child abuse
These are all things I saw in actually reading the first ~50 pages and skimming the rest after deciding not to DNF, so there may be even more I missed.
October 3, 2017
3.5 Stars
This book opens up red hot and I am thrilled to see a romance about two women as out and out sexy as this one is.
Ripper sets us in Jaq's head with a crisp writing and verve. Jaq is an amazing character, complex and compelling.
I wish we had spent time in Hannah's head too because we hear to much about what others think about her and not enough of her own processes.
There are lots of nice details of friends, family, the mess of divorce, living in a tight knit community, the teenagers Jaq teachers...
Jaq's and Hannah's relationship is rough because they are both non communicative and wounded. I think there needed to be more for me to buy even this Happy For Now ending but the writing was very good and the book enjoyable.
This book opens up red hot and I am thrilled to see a romance about two women as out and out sexy as this one is.
Ripper sets us in Jaq's head with a crisp writing and verve. Jaq is an amazing character, complex and compelling.
I wish we had spent time in Hannah's head too because we hear to much about what others think about her and not enough of her own processes.
There are lots of nice details of friends, family, the mess of divorce, living in a tight knit community, the teenagers Jaq teachers...
Jaq's and Hannah's relationship is rough because they are both non communicative and wounded. I think there needed to be more for me to buy even this Happy For Now ending but the writing was very good and the book enjoyable.
August 7, 2016
Reviewed for Just Love: Romance blog
I received an advance review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Butch and the Beautiful proved to be a light and sexy second installment to the Queers of La Vista series. Fans of the author will immediately recognize the wit and distinct self-deprecating style in the main character Jaq, a high school teacher with commitment issues. Thanks to her often hilarious POV, Jaq was a super easy character to relate to. She’s highly pessimistic and second guesses everything, but she’s also a loyal friend, loving daughter and a good mentor to her students. Her fear of commitment is both utterly relatable and ridiculous at the same time. And by ridiculous, I mean the way it manifests itself can be over the top, as noted by Jaq’s friends – not that her phobia is a joke.
(Speaking of Jaq’s friends, there’s a whole cast of side characters in this book that I loved. In particular, two of her students Merin and LaTasha, and her best friend Zane, are characters that I hope to see more of in the future.)
Sadly, Jaq’s love interest Hannah remained somewhat of a mystery to me. She’s sexy, recently divorced and has a reputation for being flighty. She’s also femme to Jaq’s butch. Unfortunately, there were very few moments that gave me insight into her personality or her feelings – to the point where two thirds of the way in, I wasn’t even convinced Hannah was “the one” for Jaq. Despite my doubts, I have to say their chemistry was hot, and I enjoyed the unexpected dynamic between the two of them, particularly in bed.
I felt a little sad at how Jaq tried so damn hard to play it cool in an effort to keep things casual, all while overanalyzing every word and action (been there, done that!) and not letting herself take simple pleasure in meeting a new love interest. That’s about when it occurred to me that this book isn’t so much about Jaq finding love and a HEA – it was about taking chances and opening herself to the possibility of love.
The book was a fun, easy read but it did feel a bit sluggish in the middle. The pace eventually picked up, but to be honest it was mostly thanks to the subplot involving Jaq’s students (whom I adored), as opposed to Jaq and Hannah’s conflict. All in all, I enjoyed this book, but Gays Of Our Lives, the first book in the Queers of La Vista series, is still my favorite. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s a great start to a series that includes characters from different colors of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Personally, I can’t wait for the next QoLV title, The Queer and the Restless, which will feature Ed, a transexual male as the MC.
I received an advance review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Butch and the Beautiful proved to be a light and sexy second installment to the Queers of La Vista series. Fans of the author will immediately recognize the wit and distinct self-deprecating style in the main character Jaq, a high school teacher with commitment issues. Thanks to her often hilarious POV, Jaq was a super easy character to relate to. She’s highly pessimistic and second guesses everything, but she’s also a loyal friend, loving daughter and a good mentor to her students. Her fear of commitment is both utterly relatable and ridiculous at the same time. And by ridiculous, I mean the way it manifests itself can be over the top, as noted by Jaq’s friends – not that her phobia is a joke.
(Speaking of Jaq’s friends, there’s a whole cast of side characters in this book that I loved. In particular, two of her students Merin and LaTasha, and her best friend Zane, are characters that I hope to see more of in the future.)
Sadly, Jaq’s love interest Hannah remained somewhat of a mystery to me. She’s sexy, recently divorced and has a reputation for being flighty. She’s also femme to Jaq’s butch. Unfortunately, there were very few moments that gave me insight into her personality or her feelings – to the point where two thirds of the way in, I wasn’t even convinced Hannah was “the one” for Jaq. Despite my doubts, I have to say their chemistry was hot, and I enjoyed the unexpected dynamic between the two of them, particularly in bed.
I felt a little sad at how Jaq tried so damn hard to play it cool in an effort to keep things casual, all while overanalyzing every word and action (been there, done that!) and not letting herself take simple pleasure in meeting a new love interest. That’s about when it occurred to me that this book isn’t so much about Jaq finding love and a HEA – it was about taking chances and opening herself to the possibility of love.
The book was a fun, easy read but it did feel a bit sluggish in the middle. The pace eventually picked up, but to be honest it was mostly thanks to the subplot involving Jaq’s students (whom I adored), as opposed to Jaq and Hannah’s conflict. All in all, I enjoyed this book, but Gays Of Our Lives, the first book in the Queers of La Vista series, is still my favorite. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s a great start to a series that includes characters from different colors of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Personally, I can’t wait for the next QoLV title, The Queer and the Restless, which will feature Ed, a transexual male as the MC.
October 23, 2016
Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
I liked this story, but I went in expecting a completely different set of conflicts based on the cover copy. Jaq is a high school teacher and she’d like to find a long-term partner. She’s got a stable life in La Vista, the town where she lives: she goes to mass with her dad (one of the most interesting, poignant ,and under-explored parts of the story) and sees him regularly, and she has a strong, loving community of friends. She’s an adult ally and supporter to the young queer people in her school and in the town, and she’s got most of her shit together.
This is the line in the cover copy that tripped me up: “But she’s just out of a disastrous marriage, she’s in the process of moving across the state, and Jaq can’t take a chance on yet another relationship where she defaults to being a caregiver instead of a partner.”
I was looking for that conflict. It wasn’t there. Hannah is aware she’s in a massive state of uncertainty and transition. She knows she overwhelms Jaq a little, and Jaq isn’t sure what to do with her powerful attraction to Hannah in light of Hannah’s situation in life. Very little was said about Jaq being a caretaker. There were a few recollections about having to pick someone up at a bar because they were drunk and lost their keys, but nothing substantial. The “default to caregiver” part wasn’t something I saw.
I otherwise would have liked this story a lot more except for the part where for at least a third of the book, Jaq’s friends, including the brides of the wedding she attends at the beginning, warn her that Hannah is “crazy.” Do they define what they mean? Not really. Does Hannah do anything that seems unsafe or erratic? Not really. For me, it was another example of the story suggesting one thing, and then delivering another, and I found that really tiresome and frustrating.
I wish the story had delivered more of the conflict it said it would, and that the characters insisting that Hannah was “crazy” and a bad match for Jaq were more specific about why they thought so. As written, it came across to me as a thin, poorly-supported conflict that didn’t do much for the overall romance. The romance itself is the weaker part of the story; for me, Jaq’s life with her father, her students, her queer student support group, and her connections to the queer community were all far more interesting, and contained more relevant, realistic conflicts. Essentially, this book delivered a completely different story than what it said it would, and while I liked parts of it, I finished it feeling confused and a little disappointed.
- SB Sarah
I liked this story, but I went in expecting a completely different set of conflicts based on the cover copy. Jaq is a high school teacher and she’d like to find a long-term partner. She’s got a stable life in La Vista, the town where she lives: she goes to mass with her dad (one of the most interesting, poignant ,and under-explored parts of the story) and sees him regularly, and she has a strong, loving community of friends. She’s an adult ally and supporter to the young queer people in her school and in the town, and she’s got most of her shit together.
This is the line in the cover copy that tripped me up: “But she’s just out of a disastrous marriage, she’s in the process of moving across the state, and Jaq can’t take a chance on yet another relationship where she defaults to being a caregiver instead of a partner.”
I was looking for that conflict. It wasn’t there. Hannah is aware she’s in a massive state of uncertainty and transition. She knows she overwhelms Jaq a little, and Jaq isn’t sure what to do with her powerful attraction to Hannah in light of Hannah’s situation in life. Very little was said about Jaq being a caretaker. There were a few recollections about having to pick someone up at a bar because they were drunk and lost their keys, but nothing substantial. The “default to caregiver” part wasn’t something I saw.
I otherwise would have liked this story a lot more except for the part where for at least a third of the book, Jaq’s friends, including the brides of the wedding she attends at the beginning, warn her that Hannah is “crazy.” Do they define what they mean? Not really. Does Hannah do anything that seems unsafe or erratic? Not really. For me, it was another example of the story suggesting one thing, and then delivering another, and I found that really tiresome and frustrating.
I wish the story had delivered more of the conflict it said it would, and that the characters insisting that Hannah was “crazy” and a bad match for Jaq were more specific about why they thought so. As written, it came across to me as a thin, poorly-supported conflict that didn’t do much for the overall romance. The romance itself is the weaker part of the story; for me, Jaq’s life with her father, her students, her queer student support group, and her connections to the queer community were all far more interesting, and contained more relevant, realistic conflicts. Essentially, this book delivered a completely different story than what it said it would, and while I liked parts of it, I finished it feeling confused and a little disappointed.
- SB Sarah
June 23, 2016
Jaq, a butch dyke and high school teacher, is happy with the way her life has turned out. Despite having a close nit circle of friends, attending church with her dad every Sunday and leading the gay straight alliance for her high school kids; Jaq would love a committed relationship. However, every time Jaq gets close to a woman she runs away, scared of being hurt. When her best friend lays out the facts, Jaq can’t help but notice her pattern of fleeing from potential love. After a steamy, post-wedding hookup with Hannah, Jaq is afraid that she’s reading more into the situation than she should. Of course Hannah isn’t looking for commitment; not after a recent (and ugly) divorce. While contemplating whether to risk being hurt or walk away, two of Jaq’s students show her that risking it all might be the only way to get what she is looking for.
I have not been this excited for a queer book in a long time. Although this is book two in the Queers of La Vista, it’s the first one I’ve read. The title is extremely inviting and I was not disappointed. I love how relatable the main character is. Jaq is a butch queer woman who defies the stereotype. She’s still soft and doesn’t always want to be in control. Enter Hannah, Jaq’s love interest. She is a bold, beautiful woman with, dare I say it? CURVES! Hallelujah! A sexy woman who isn’t a twig.
A big shout out to Kris Ripper who knows how to write a good story, loveable and real characters as well as hot, steamy, lesbian sex scenes that are NOT geared for men. I waited and waited for the author to drop a bombshell in the passages that you almost always find when two women are involved; a penis shaped toy. However, much to my pleasant surprise, this never showed up! Finally, a queer story that is geared for women and is not a coming out story! I could not have loved this story anymore.
Even though I’m generally not a smut reader, The Butch and the Beautiful is so much more than that. There is an actual story line and the smut just fits in so beautifully. If you’re looking for something original and thought provoking while at the same time sexy and fun; this book is definitely for you.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book in an exchange for an honest review.
I have not been this excited for a queer book in a long time. Although this is book two in the Queers of La Vista, it’s the first one I’ve read. The title is extremely inviting and I was not disappointed. I love how relatable the main character is. Jaq is a butch queer woman who defies the stereotype. She’s still soft and doesn’t always want to be in control. Enter Hannah, Jaq’s love interest. She is a bold, beautiful woman with, dare I say it? CURVES! Hallelujah! A sexy woman who isn’t a twig.
A big shout out to Kris Ripper who knows how to write a good story, loveable and real characters as well as hot, steamy, lesbian sex scenes that are NOT geared for men. I waited and waited for the author to drop a bombshell in the passages that you almost always find when two women are involved; a penis shaped toy. However, much to my pleasant surprise, this never showed up! Finally, a queer story that is geared for women and is not a coming out story! I could not have loved this story anymore.
Even though I’m generally not a smut reader, The Butch and the Beautiful is so much more than that. There is an actual story line and the smut just fits in so beautifully. If you’re looking for something original and thought provoking while at the same time sexy and fun; this book is definitely for you.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book in an exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2016
ARC received from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This one wasn’t really for me personally.
My Synopsis
Jaq has her life mapped out. She works at the local high school as a teacher; she goes to mass on Sundays with her Dad and enjoys the Gym few times a week with her best friend. All Jaq needs and wants now is a committed relationship.
Enter Hannah, Recently divorced and just looking for a good time. Jaq and Hannah are attracted to each other from the word go. As they navigate the way through the minefield of their connection.
My Review
I wasn’t keen on this book. I felt bored at sections of the novel and I actually had more interested in Jaq’s student drama than with her relationship with Hannah.
The whole novel is written from Jaq’s point of view. I wish we had some chapters from Hannah’s pint of view because I actually though she was quite a fun character.
Jaq’s relationship with her Dad, reminded me of my relationship with my grandfather. He was a genuinely good guy and I actually liked the scenes with him and Jaq quite a lot.
I also liked the subplot with Jaq’s Students, Merin, LaTasha and Zane. Their story alone would be interesting and would be good as a YA Novel.
Unfortunately the positives were small parts of the novel and the rest I lost interest fast. 2.5 stars
This one wasn’t really for me personally.
My Synopsis
Jaq has her life mapped out. She works at the local high school as a teacher; she goes to mass on Sundays with her Dad and enjoys the Gym few times a week with her best friend. All Jaq needs and wants now is a committed relationship.
Enter Hannah, Recently divorced and just looking for a good time. Jaq and Hannah are attracted to each other from the word go. As they navigate the way through the minefield of their connection.
My Review
I wasn’t keen on this book. I felt bored at sections of the novel and I actually had more interested in Jaq’s student drama than with her relationship with Hannah.
The whole novel is written from Jaq’s point of view. I wish we had some chapters from Hannah’s pint of view because I actually though she was quite a fun character.
Jaq’s relationship with her Dad, reminded me of my relationship with my grandfather. He was a genuinely good guy and I actually liked the scenes with him and Jaq quite a lot.
I also liked the subplot with Jaq’s Students, Merin, LaTasha and Zane. Their story alone would be interesting and would be good as a YA Novel.
Unfortunately the positives were small parts of the novel and the rest I lost interest fast. 2.5 stars
April 17, 2017
Jaq is a high school teacher on the hunt for a real relationship and is determined not to fall for anyone emotionally messy or crazy ever again. Enter Hannah, who is just getting out of her marriage and all of Jaq's friends say she's crazy, but Jaq just can't stay away. This was a distinct meh for me--all the characters, Jaq included, really slammed on Hannah for being a hot mess, but she never demonstrated anything like that. It really made Jaq and her friends look like assholes. This wasn't really a romance at all, honestly--Hannah was barely in it, and it was mostly a story about Jaq and her students. I never really doubted Jaq was a good teacher, but I did doubt she was a very good person. Hannah deserves someone less judgmental.
August 23, 2016
3.5 stars
This is the second book in the Queers of La Vista series and it's a f/f romance. I haven't read many of f/f stories so far and was curious to see how this one will work for me. I quite enjoyed it and think it's a worthy second instalment in the series though i have to admit I liked book 1 more.
This is a rich, multi-layered story covering different aspect of the lives of queer people and this diversity and complexity is the thing about the book which I liked the most. it did build on the community we started to see in thew first book and both the leading couple and the supporting characters felt like real people - they have their work and social circle, their families and friends/enemies.
besides the sort of whirlwind romance between Jaq and Hannah, this story gave the readers insight in school/community life of the the queers in La Vista - issues queer kids face in school, issues of the queer community itself (being outed, being limited to interacting openly with the same small circle of people (who accept you and where you feel safe being yourself).
The story is told from Jaq's point of view and we get to see different sides of her personality and I loved them all. She is a great teacher who cares about her students. She has a very healthy and heart-warming relationship with her father. She has trusted and loyal friends (Zane is just as great as she was in the first book). I found her being lesbian and religious at the same time an interesting element in the story and I think the author presented this compacted relationship really well.
We see much less of Hannah and her inner musing remind a mystery for the reader. this is probably why I felt less connected with her. She is flighty and flamboyant, spontaneous and so very feminine to Jaq's butch nature.
Both she and Jaq were grown women dealing with a lot of personal stuff and trying to navigate a relationship. There was no artificial drama, just a series of small challenges they had to overcome.
Kris Ripper gives us the already familiar smooth, leisurely writing style which I find very fitting to the stories in the series. If you are looking for real life stories queer stories of love, told engagingly, I strongly recommend that you give this series a try.
This is the second book in the Queers of La Vista series and it's a f/f romance. I haven't read many of f/f stories so far and was curious to see how this one will work for me. I quite enjoyed it and think it's a worthy second instalment in the series though i have to admit I liked book 1 more.
This is a rich, multi-layered story covering different aspect of the lives of queer people and this diversity and complexity is the thing about the book which I liked the most. it did build on the community we started to see in thew first book and both the leading couple and the supporting characters felt like real people - they have their work and social circle, their families and friends/enemies.
besides the sort of whirlwind romance between Jaq and Hannah, this story gave the readers insight in school/community life of the the queers in La Vista - issues queer kids face in school, issues of the queer community itself (being outed, being limited to interacting openly with the same small circle of people (who accept you and where you feel safe being yourself).
The story is told from Jaq's point of view and we get to see different sides of her personality and I loved them all. She is a great teacher who cares about her students. She has a very healthy and heart-warming relationship with her father. She has trusted and loyal friends (Zane is just as great as she was in the first book). I found her being lesbian and religious at the same time an interesting element in the story and I think the author presented this compacted relationship really well.
We see much less of Hannah and her inner musing remind a mystery for the reader. this is probably why I felt less connected with her. She is flighty and flamboyant, spontaneous and so very feminine to Jaq's butch nature.
Both she and Jaq were grown women dealing with a lot of personal stuff and trying to navigate a relationship. There was no artificial drama, just a series of small challenges they had to overcome.
Kris Ripper gives us the already familiar smooth, leisurely writing style which I find very fitting to the stories in the series. If you are looking for real life stories queer stories of love, told engagingly, I strongly recommend that you give this series a try.
December 28, 2016
This book, like the others in the series, is written from a first person point of view. This is generally a viewpoint I really quite enjoy. In this case, however, I found it difficult to get into the story. The first person point of view created an obstacle for me, because I wasn't sure how much of what Jaq was saying were her insecurities, and how much of a mess Hannah actually was.
As a result, I began my opinion of the couple who are front and centre in this book on the wrong foot.
Jaq and Hannah first meet at the wedding of both of their exes. Amicably. This book places a lot of fun on the idea that any lesbian community is tiny and most of them have dated every other one in a several mile radius. But Jaq and Hannah hadn't met before. As a result, they go home together from the wedding.
Jaq is determined to see this as a one night stand, even after it happens a couple of times, because it couldn't possibly be that Hannah is looking for anything serious. To make things easier for future readers, this is based largely on the fact that Jaq has a thundercloud sized chip on her shoulder that tells her that everyone is going to leave her, largely because her mum died when she was seven years old.
I quite liked Jaq's dad in this, as well as the relationship between her and Zane. Of course, Zane's job in these books seems to be to be everyone's best friend.
Merin was definitely my favourite character of this book, although I quite liked that we got to see Dred again, as well as hear of Obie and Emerson from Gays of Our Lives. Again, there was a light BDSM element to the interplay between these women, but it was by far outweighed by the mass of Jaq's insecurities.
As a result, I began my opinion of the couple who are front and centre in this book on the wrong foot.
Jaq and Hannah first meet at the wedding of both of their exes. Amicably. This book places a lot of fun on the idea that any lesbian community is tiny and most of them have dated every other one in a several mile radius. But Jaq and Hannah hadn't met before. As a result, they go home together from the wedding.
Jaq is determined to see this as a one night stand, even after it happens a couple of times, because it couldn't possibly be that Hannah is looking for anything serious. To make things easier for future readers, this is based largely on the fact that Jaq has a thundercloud sized chip on her shoulder that tells her that everyone is going to leave her, largely because her mum died when she was seven years old.
I quite liked Jaq's dad in this, as well as the relationship between her and Zane. Of course, Zane's job in these books seems to be to be everyone's best friend.
Merin was definitely my favourite character of this book, although I quite liked that we got to see Dred again, as well as hear of Obie and Emerson from Gays of Our Lives. Again, there was a light BDSM element to the interplay between these women, but it was by far outweighed by the mass of Jaq's insecurities.
July 24, 2016
I received a copy of this title to read & review for Wicked Reads
3.5 Stars.
This is the 2nd installment of the Queers of La Vista series, & our narrator didn't disappoint. Jaq is the butch of this tale, and I appreciated how she wasn't automatically in charge.
Jaq's narration was priceless, the self-deprecating inner monologue was humorous but not over-the-top, earning more than a few chuckles out of this serious woman. Witty, ironic, and intelligent, I enjoyed Jaq's voice.
I won't rehash what the story entails, as it's in the blurb and other reviews. The highlight of the book is Jaq herself, with her father, friends, & students an absolute delight to read. All interaction with the students had my undivided attention, and I wish the story would have revolved about that instead of romance.
While I felt Jaq was a fully fleshed-out character, Hannah just fell flat. The author kept having everyone worn Jaq how Hannah was cray-cray, but she was one-note (pop in for smexy time). I will admit the playful banter was amazing, the lead up to bed was filled with intensity and chemistry, but once there... wasn't feeling it. Slightly clinical, almost (self & mutual) masturbatory in nature instead of forming a connection together. Hannah's turn, then Jaq's turn.
For me, and maybe it was my mood, as it took me the better part of 3 days to read this short book, the pacing was very slow, with not much occurring between Jaq & Hannah hooking up during the first half of the book. I kept waiting for the plot to reveal itself & Jaq kept me reading, but other than the cast of side characters & Jaq, I wasn't into the romance and between-the-sheets action (which was repetitive on nature)
All-in-all a good installment in the series & I recommend to FF fans.
3.5 Stars.
This is the 2nd installment of the Queers of La Vista series, & our narrator didn't disappoint. Jaq is the butch of this tale, and I appreciated how she wasn't automatically in charge.
Jaq's narration was priceless, the self-deprecating inner monologue was humorous but not over-the-top, earning more than a few chuckles out of this serious woman. Witty, ironic, and intelligent, I enjoyed Jaq's voice.
I won't rehash what the story entails, as it's in the blurb and other reviews. The highlight of the book is Jaq herself, with her father, friends, & students an absolute delight to read. All interaction with the students had my undivided attention, and I wish the story would have revolved about that instead of romance.
While I felt Jaq was a fully fleshed-out character, Hannah just fell flat. The author kept having everyone worn Jaq how Hannah was cray-cray, but she was one-note (pop in for smexy time). I will admit the playful banter was amazing, the lead up to bed was filled with intensity and chemistry, but once there... wasn't feeling it. Slightly clinical, almost (self & mutual) masturbatory in nature instead of forming a connection together. Hannah's turn, then Jaq's turn.
For me, and maybe it was my mood, as it took me the better part of 3 days to read this short book, the pacing was very slow, with not much occurring between Jaq & Hannah hooking up during the first half of the book. I kept waiting for the plot to reveal itself & Jaq kept me reading, but other than the cast of side characters & Jaq, I wasn't into the romance and between-the-sheets action (which was repetitive on nature)
All-in-all a good installment in the series & I recommend to FF fans.
Read
October 14, 2016Loved this book so much: the wit, the heat, the chemistry, the community, the whiff of Austen's Persuasion all combine to make this novel both entertaining and rooted in a relatable scenario.
Recommended!
Recommended!
September 10, 2022
So I think a lot of the wlw books I've read until now have been more plot/emotion focused. Which has its place, but sometimes you just want to read about people banging it out sexily, y'know?
Anyway Kris Ripper delivers again. The Butch and the Beautiful: best sapphic smut I've read to date 🥵
Obviously there was other great stuff in this book too. Lots of messaging around the importance of teachers as safe spaces and lifelines for kids who don't have that at home. Stuff around grief over losing a parent young, and fear of commitment, and what it means to cheat in a relationship.
But mostly this book was memorable for the smut lol.
Anyway Kris Ripper delivers again. The Butch and the Beautiful: best sapphic smut I've read to date 🥵
Obviously there was other great stuff in this book too. Lots of messaging around the importance of teachers as safe spaces and lifelines for kids who don't have that at home. Stuff around grief over losing a parent young, and fear of commitment, and what it means to cheat in a relationship.
But mostly this book was memorable for the smut lol.
July 1, 2017
I'll admit I'm a tough customer when it comes to lesbian romance. I haven't read many that I loved. However, this one was fun and sweet and I enjoyed the characters, especially Jaq. The story was a bit light and rushed though and would have benefited greatly from another 50 pages - and I'm a fan of short books. Also, there was one particular kink that popped up several times and in an f-f book it just didn't work for me. Overall this was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it.
December 11, 2016
Jaq is a butch lesbian in search of Ms. Right, perhaps. She's never had a long-term relationship, and her loving father and close friends all believe it's because Jaq is afraid to really love someone, with the possibility of losing them--like her mother who died of cancer when Jaq was a child.
This is the second book in a series, and I think it reads fine as a standalone, but two threads carry over from the previous book: the unsolved murder of a transvestite entertainer, and the (nearly incestuous) interconnectedness of the queer community in La Vista, a small Frisco-Bay-area suburban town. Prime example? Jaq and Hannah meet because they are both exes of brides at a wedding. Hannah's a sexy attorney going through a bitter divorce, and not averse to a hot time with Jaq. Their one night stand becomes more when Hannah reveals she's moving to La Vista, to escape the LA scene, where her ex is a clebrity chef, and shacking up with one of her employees.
Jaq likes Hannah, but their mutual friends, and Hannah herself, warn Jaq that Hannah's a bit crazy. Thing is, Jaq soon recognizes that she likes Hannah's crazy, because it's a wild and aggressive sexy streak. Jaq swoons for her, but questions if this is the right thing to do: build hopes and dreams on Hannah. Hannah's still battling with her ex over the sale of their house; she can't possibly want anything serious.
The book is a low-conflict read, with Jaq being a bit of a jerk when Hannah flakes, once, on their plans. She's always looking for a reason to dump a gal, which is pointed out with brutal honesty, and then Jaq needs to make amends. There also some nice subplots regarding Jaq's position as a high school teacher, and how she supports the school GSA, and the kids who she knows are falling through the cracks. Her relationship with her father is so lovely, and her baby-wanting bestie is a tough love champ. The characters all read like I'm watching them in real life, and that's the sign of a good book, for me. There's lots and lots of sexy moments, and it's all very steamy. And sticky, because vegan whipping cream is apparently just as fantastic as a sexytimes aid as the bovine-made stuff. Yum.
I liked that Jaq made things right between her and Hannah, and that Hannah was willing to listen. She's a very human character, willing to share her sordid past, and work to build something special. Their compatibility was palpable, and I liked that the whole "crazy" notion was really more "eccentric and excitable" than serious-meds-are-required. Not that I'm opposed to characters who are disturbed, just that Jaq didn't seem able to begin a relationship with a partner who had a mental illness. We got some more insights into the La Vista queers, and I'm sure interested to find out more about this world. I received a review copy via NetGalley.
This is the second book in a series, and I think it reads fine as a standalone, but two threads carry over from the previous book: the unsolved murder of a transvestite entertainer, and the (nearly incestuous) interconnectedness of the queer community in La Vista, a small Frisco-Bay-area suburban town. Prime example? Jaq and Hannah meet because they are both exes of brides at a wedding. Hannah's a sexy attorney going through a bitter divorce, and not averse to a hot time with Jaq. Their one night stand becomes more when Hannah reveals she's moving to La Vista, to escape the LA scene, where her ex is a clebrity chef, and shacking up with one of her employees.
Jaq likes Hannah, but their mutual friends, and Hannah herself, warn Jaq that Hannah's a bit crazy. Thing is, Jaq soon recognizes that she likes Hannah's crazy, because it's a wild and aggressive sexy streak. Jaq swoons for her, but questions if this is the right thing to do: build hopes and dreams on Hannah. Hannah's still battling with her ex over the sale of their house; she can't possibly want anything serious.
The book is a low-conflict read, with Jaq being a bit of a jerk when Hannah flakes, once, on their plans. She's always looking for a reason to dump a gal, which is pointed out with brutal honesty, and then Jaq needs to make amends. There also some nice subplots regarding Jaq's position as a high school teacher, and how she supports the school GSA, and the kids who she knows are falling through the cracks. Her relationship with her father is so lovely, and her baby-wanting bestie is a tough love champ. The characters all read like I'm watching them in real life, and that's the sign of a good book, for me. There's lots and lots of sexy moments, and it's all very steamy. And sticky, because vegan whipping cream is apparently just as fantastic as a sexytimes aid as the bovine-made stuff. Yum.
I liked that Jaq made things right between her and Hannah, and that Hannah was willing to listen. She's a very human character, willing to share her sordid past, and work to build something special. Their compatibility was palpable, and I liked that the whole "crazy" notion was really more "eccentric and excitable" than serious-meds-are-required. Not that I'm opposed to characters who are disturbed, just that Jaq didn't seem able to begin a relationship with a partner who had a mental illness. We got some more insights into the La Vista queers, and I'm sure interested to find out more about this world. I received a review copy via NetGalley.
June 27, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Inked Rainbow Reads in return for an honest review.
Jaq and Hannah make you root for them to end up together. From the description of the book, Hannah is a hot mess divorcee, but it's Jaq who seems like the bigger mess. Jaq seems at first to be very together, very confident, and in a good place to know what she wants in a relationship, and apparently batcrap crazy isn't it. But as the story progresses, it's Hannah that seems to know more about herself and what she wants than Jaq. The more we learn about Jaq, the more messed up she seems to be. She has commitment issues, as well as bad taste in women. She tends to run as soon as anything crops up that may indicate that things might not work out as she desires. Hannah is more self-aware and self-examined, and it allows her to come to this possible relationship without the past dragging her back. Lucky for Jaq, her Dad and her friends make her take a look at herself and her self-destructive tendencies. This was a really enjoyable book, and I love the play on soap operas. I'm definitely going to have to pick up the story about Zane, and I might have to go back and read the male-oriented books as well. I liked the pacing and plotting in this book, and the author's style flows in a way that kept me in the story. A new author on my list.
Jaq and Hannah make you root for them to end up together. From the description of the book, Hannah is a hot mess divorcee, but it's Jaq who seems like the bigger mess. Jaq seems at first to be very together, very confident, and in a good place to know what she wants in a relationship, and apparently batcrap crazy isn't it. But as the story progresses, it's Hannah that seems to know more about herself and what she wants than Jaq. The more we learn about Jaq, the more messed up she seems to be. She has commitment issues, as well as bad taste in women. She tends to run as soon as anything crops up that may indicate that things might not work out as she desires. Hannah is more self-aware and self-examined, and it allows her to come to this possible relationship without the past dragging her back. Lucky for Jaq, her Dad and her friends make her take a look at herself and her self-destructive tendencies. This was a really enjoyable book, and I love the play on soap operas. I'm definitely going to have to pick up the story about Zane, and I might have to go back and read the male-oriented books as well. I liked the pacing and plotting in this book, and the author's style flows in a way that kept me in the story. A new author on my list.
September 23, 2016
Jaq Cummings is a high school teacher and tends to run from relationships when it begins to get more complicated or at the slightest hiccup. Jaq and Hannah meet at their respective exes wedding. One hookup becomes more and Jaq can't seem to stay away from Hannah even if there are signs that says to. For instance, Hannah is a recent divorcée, in the process of moving across the state.
Hannah was a difficult character to like, mostly because all the knowledge we had of her were the opinions of Jaq's friends and of Jaq's own opinion. However, by the end of the book, I warmed up to Hannah.
The Butch and the Beautiful is part of the Queers of La Vista series but can be read as a standalone, I had no trouble following the story at all.
Overall, an interesting book by Kris Ripper.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-sy
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hannah was a difficult character to like, mostly because all the knowledge we had of her were the opinions of Jaq's friends and of Jaq's own opinion. However, by the end of the book, I warmed up to Hannah.
The Butch and the Beautiful is part of the Queers of La Vista series but can be read as a standalone, I had no trouble following the story at all.
Overall, an interesting book by Kris Ripper.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-sy
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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