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Alice & Jean
Every lover has her story, and every town has its secrets.
It’s 1946 in New Zealand, and Alice Holden has fallen for the woman delivering her milk every morning. Jean has a way about her, a swagger, honey-sweet and low voice, and a wink with an easy smile that lights up Alice’s world, stirring her in ways she’s never known before, and Alice with blinders on, wants to choose this feeling over all else.
Jean has been head over heels in love with the sparky and adorable single mother since the first time she saw her. She’s even drawn to Alice’s two fatherless children, and family life has never looked so good. Jean’s deep desire to have more than a life spent looking in from the outside seems more than she should hope for, and now Alice has her tossing the dice for it against all odds.
But there are two people in town who believe they have the prior claim to Alice, in duty and affection, and they’ll do almost anything to get what they want.
Alice and Jean have discovered that each is what the other has always longed for, each other’s missing link. Now they need to find a way to be together, despite the obstacles.
It’s 1946 in New Zealand, and Alice Holden has fallen for the woman delivering her milk every morning. Jean has a way about her, a swagger, honey-sweet and low voice, and a wink with an easy smile that lights up Alice’s world, stirring her in ways she’s never known before, and Alice with blinders on, wants to choose this feeling over all else.
Jean has been head over heels in love with the sparky and adorable single mother since the first time she saw her. She’s even drawn to Alice’s two fatherless children, and family life has never looked so good. Jean’s deep desire to have more than a life spent looking in from the outside seems more than she should hope for, and now Alice has her tossing the dice for it against all odds.
But there are two people in town who believe they have the prior claim to Alice, in duty and affection, and they’ll do almost anything to get what they want.
Alice and Jean have discovered that each is what the other has always longed for, each other’s missing link. Now they need to find a way to be together, despite the obstacles.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2016
39 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Lily Hammond
4 books37 followersLily Hammond writes lesbian historical and time travel romances. She also writes contemporary and other lesbian fiction as Kate Genet and Ana McKenzie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 28, 2016
4.5 stars
Let me count the ways I enjoyed this story. In no particular order...
1. - The setting, Mount Egmont, NZ
2. - The era it was set in. While I'm not a fan of historical settings, I'd hardly call 1946 historical. The year made me feel nostalgic, and brought up fond memories of the stories my grandparents regaled me with as a child.
3. - The characters. Good and Bad. Alice and Jean were two wonderfully drawn women. While vastly different in some aspects, those differences complimented each other.
4. - The emotion. Good and Bad. Big Jim needed to be castrated! Alice's mother needed, f*%k knows what she needed. But wow who needs enemies with a mother like that?
5. - The conflict. Thank goodness this story didn't follow the familiar troupes. The characters, although young in years, were mature in their actions and didn't enter into the convoluted miscommunication trap. For a time, I thought they might.
6. - The children, Jack and Tilly, two cuties who saw and knew too much for their tender ages. However, that was fitting of the era.
Rather than go on and on, I'll suffice to say this was a page turner for me which invoked all kinds of thoughts and emotions. Its also extremely well edited which is always a bonus for me, a reader who tends to see every typo.
I'll be sure to check out more by this, no longer new to me, author.
Let me count the ways I enjoyed this story. In no particular order...
1. - The setting, Mount Egmont, NZ
2. - The era it was set in. While I'm not a fan of historical settings, I'd hardly call 1946 historical. The year made me feel nostalgic, and brought up fond memories of the stories my grandparents regaled me with as a child.
3. - The characters. Good and Bad. Alice and Jean were two wonderfully drawn women. While vastly different in some aspects, those differences complimented each other.
4. - The emotion. Good and Bad. Big Jim needed to be castrated! Alice's mother needed, f*%k knows what she needed. But wow who needs enemies with a mother like that?
5. - The conflict. Thank goodness this story didn't follow the familiar troupes. The characters, although young in years, were mature in their actions and didn't enter into the convoluted miscommunication trap. For a time, I thought they might.
6. - The children, Jack and Tilly, two cuties who saw and knew too much for their tender ages. However, that was fitting of the era.
Rather than go on and on, I'll suffice to say this was a page turner for me which invoked all kinds of thoughts and emotions. Its also extremely well edited which is always a bonus for me, a reader who tends to see every typo.
I'll be sure to check out more by this, no longer new to me, author.
February 12, 2018
I really enjoyed this.
"Alice and Jean" is an f/f romance story that takes place in New Zealand in the late 1940s following the Pacific War (WWII).
Jean is the "milkman" who delivers Alice's milk everyday and the two fall in love over a year's time through their daily interactions. The book begins after that year has already taken place so we pick up the story right before the two acknowledge their attraction and take their relationship further.
I found the story to be character driven and, as the reader, I couldn't help having great affection for both Alice and Jean. They're lovely people and good to each other. All of the side characters were just as developed and I couldn't help fall for the community, as well.
Besides the historical element the story is also unique in a number of ways.
Many of the tired tropes we see in lesfic are not hit upon here. The couple communicates, plot lines aren't around misunderstandings, there are no breakups, there is no hemming and hawing of will she/won't she, there's no insta-love, self-hatred or confusion, and the like. It's a pretty refreshing story, plot wise.
Alice is a twenty-five year old widow and mother of two children. Her situation is presented realistically and the kids are depicted well and actually add to the story. I also got the impression that Alice had some curves on her which was a nice change.
Neither Alice nor Jean are rich, either.
Though the year is in the late 1940s and puts us in a more conservative time period, many of the townspeople are affirming of Alice and Jean's relationship. There's also a lot of support that crosses class boundaries and shows women supporting women in an empowering way. The author counterbalanced this with plenty of realism, though, so it's not all sunshine and roses.
One thing I really liked, too, is that the author presents two villains in the story that are highly accurate in their depictions. It's easy to shy away from those types of characters or push them into caricatures but Hammond did neither, making them very real.
At times, the book has dark or ominous elements that may be triggers to some readers but overall the tone of the read is very sweet.
Also, an interesting item I didn't learn until after I read the story is that Lily Hammond is another pen name for Kate Genet.
Recommend. 4.25 stars
"Alice and Jean" is an f/f romance story that takes place in New Zealand in the late 1940s following the Pacific War (WWII).
Jean is the "milkman" who delivers Alice's milk everyday and the two fall in love over a year's time through their daily interactions. The book begins after that year has already taken place so we pick up the story right before the two acknowledge their attraction and take their relationship further.
I found the story to be character driven and, as the reader, I couldn't help having great affection for both Alice and Jean. They're lovely people and good to each other. All of the side characters were just as developed and I couldn't help fall for the community, as well.
Besides the historical element the story is also unique in a number of ways.
Many of the tired tropes we see in lesfic are not hit upon here. The couple communicates, plot lines aren't around misunderstandings, there are no breakups, there is no hemming and hawing of will she/won't she, there's no insta-love, self-hatred or confusion, and the like. It's a pretty refreshing story, plot wise.
Alice is a twenty-five year old widow and mother of two children. Her situation is presented realistically and the kids are depicted well and actually add to the story. I also got the impression that Alice had some curves on her which was a nice change.
Neither Alice nor Jean are rich, either.
Though the year is in the late 1940s and puts us in a more conservative time period, many of the townspeople are affirming of Alice and Jean's relationship. There's also a lot of support that crosses class boundaries and shows women supporting women in an empowering way. The author counterbalanced this with plenty of realism, though, so it's not all sunshine and roses.
One thing I really liked, too, is that the author presents two villains in the story that are highly accurate in their depictions. It's easy to shy away from those types of characters or push them into caricatures but Hammond did neither, making them very real.
At times, the book has dark or ominous elements that may be triggers to some readers but overall the tone of the read is very sweet.
Also, an interesting item I didn't learn until after I read the story is that Lily Hammond is another pen name for Kate Genet.
Recommend. 4.25 stars
March 1, 2022
1946 Mt Egmont New Zealand.
Jean is flirty and experienced, while Alice is shy yet curious. Jean delivers the milk everyday, and Alice is widowed with 2 children she adores.
It may seem like an instant attraction when we first get into the novel, but the two have been doing a flirty dance for a year. Smiles, winks, light conversation, each woman quietly looking forward to the visit every morning and their small interactions growing in meaning, and attraction each passing day. Then an invite to afternoon tea, and a trip to the beach secures the relationship, and so much more.
I loved Jean's easy and no nonsense way. She is who she is, a hard working, pant wearing woman who loves women. She uses decorum and is very careful, despite many people knowing how she is. She's fair, kind and generous to all she meets, so most everyone likes and respects her.
The naive conversation she has with her workmate, Tim, in the milk truck one morning about 'what women even do together' was funny yet endearing, because there was no pretense or judgement in Tim's questions, and Tim in turn was all too willing to share in his love of women, too, specifically for his adoring wife, Rosie. He recognized Jean was indeed in love, just as he was with his wife, so it was really heartening and not crass as you might think, despite the subject matter.
I also loved the way Jean handled questions the kids had about the relationship, in such a matter of fact way. Simply stating that women can and do kiss and love other women. Again the naive simplicity of it was so heart-warming, despite the more dangerous under-current lurking in their town and society for women like them.
It's not all doom and gloom, though. Most people in town are wonderfully generous and kind toward Alice, whose overbearing Mother had tried to force her hand into moving back home after dumping all her belongings while she was at church - including her sewing machine which she used to help her have an income, and her young daughters precious dolly. (What a bitch, right?)
The Mother also tried to control her monetarily, and then got a man involved, to try and force a relationship. (A man that had previous raped Alice.)
There are indeed dark and harsh things tackled, but the love and support shown far outweighed it. Alice and Jean melted my heart and I enjoyed seeing them create a life for themselves in spite of obstacles faced.
A highly recommended kindle unlimited read.
Jean is flirty and experienced, while Alice is shy yet curious. Jean delivers the milk everyday, and Alice is widowed with 2 children she adores.
It may seem like an instant attraction when we first get into the novel, but the two have been doing a flirty dance for a year. Smiles, winks, light conversation, each woman quietly looking forward to the visit every morning and their small interactions growing in meaning, and attraction each passing day. Then an invite to afternoon tea, and a trip to the beach secures the relationship, and so much more.
I loved Jean's easy and no nonsense way. She is who she is, a hard working, pant wearing woman who loves women. She uses decorum and is very careful, despite many people knowing how she is. She's fair, kind and generous to all she meets, so most everyone likes and respects her.
The naive conversation she has with her workmate, Tim, in the milk truck one morning about 'what women even do together' was funny yet endearing, because there was no pretense or judgement in Tim's questions, and Tim in turn was all too willing to share in his love of women, too, specifically for his adoring wife, Rosie. He recognized Jean was indeed in love, just as he was with his wife, so it was really heartening and not crass as you might think, despite the subject matter.
I also loved the way Jean handled questions the kids had about the relationship, in such a matter of fact way. Simply stating that women can and do kiss and love other women. Again the naive simplicity of it was so heart-warming, despite the more dangerous under-current lurking in their town and society for women like them.
It's not all doom and gloom, though. Most people in town are wonderfully generous and kind toward Alice, whose overbearing Mother had tried to force her hand into moving back home after dumping all her belongings while she was at church - including her sewing machine which she used to help her have an income, and her young daughters precious dolly. (What a bitch, right?)
The Mother also tried to control her monetarily, and then got a man involved, to try and force a relationship. (A man that had previous raped Alice.)
There are indeed dark and harsh things tackled, but the love and support shown far outweighed it. Alice and Jean melted my heart and I enjoyed seeing them create a life for themselves in spite of obstacles faced.
A highly recommended kindle unlimited read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2016
Nice. A woman living independant of husband or family in the forties was challenging enough. Hammond/Genet adds obstacles to the love Alice finds with Jean thanks to a couple of despicable characters who go out of their way to keep both women from finding their HEA. The whole story has an old fashioned polite feel to it with some unlikely allies and a couple of realistic kids with concerns of their own.
A book which kept me turning pages wanting to know what would happen next to stand in the way of these two love birds. A sweet and gentle read.
A book which kept me turning pages wanting to know what would happen next to stand in the way of these two love birds. A sweet and gentle read.
May 15, 2019
5 Heartwarming Stars
I am a mood reader. Most recently, I have been drawn to stories with low-to-no angst, and this charming gem of a story fits that bill. There is definitely some drama in the story, but it is secondary to the main characters' romance; when the two women fall in love, they fall hard, and no external forces are going to tear them apart.
Set in 1946 New Zealand, this lovely tale features a sweet widow with two kids, & a delightful milk delivery woman who captures *all* their hearts. Alice and Jean are two of the nicest people; I wish I could be friends with them. Their courtship is so loving and heartwarming. Even though they face quite a few daunting challenges, they never waver in their love and support for each other.
I also appreciate the way in which many of the townspeople are depicted as supportive and kindhearted. Watching them rally around the two women was so uplifting and heartening; I was left with a big dose of hope and optimism at the end of the story.
This story is pure comfort reading for me, and even though I read it via KU, I will be looking to add it to my collection because I enjoyed it so much. I am adding Lily Hammond to my favorite authors list, and have already borrowed her story The Way Home to read next.
Highly recommend!
I am a mood reader. Most recently, I have been drawn to stories with low-to-no angst, and this charming gem of a story fits that bill. There is definitely some drama in the story, but it is secondary to the main characters' romance; when the two women fall in love, they fall hard, and no external forces are going to tear them apart.
Set in 1946 New Zealand, this lovely tale features a sweet widow with two kids, & a delightful milk delivery woman who captures *all* their hearts. Alice and Jean are two of the nicest people; I wish I could be friends with them. Their courtship is so loving and heartwarming. Even though they face quite a few daunting challenges, they never waver in their love and support for each other.
I also appreciate the way in which many of the townspeople are depicted as supportive and kindhearted. Watching them rally around the two women was so uplifting and heartening; I was left with a big dose of hope and optimism at the end of the story.
This story is pure comfort reading for me, and even though I read it via KU, I will be looking to add it to my collection because I enjoyed it so much. I am adding Lily Hammond to my favorite authors list, and have already borrowed her story The Way Home to read next.
Highly recommend!
August 9, 2023
The saving grace for me reading this book is the setting (NZ) and year (1946). I reckon if this was set in a more modern time I would have DNFed it straight away. I say this because the main characters were sickeningly in love with each other. It’s just more interesting for me to read “forbidden” love than easy, modern love stories. I get that being in love is so rainbows and butterflies but I like a bit of jealousy and heartbreak thrown in sometimes.
Anyway, I guess their romance had to be easy because the antagonists in the stories were pure evil. I also liked that the supposedly straight main character already knew she was attracted to this other woman so the readers didn’t have to go through the whole “omg I’m so confused and surprised by how I’m feeling whenever I look at this woman” phase.
Anyway, I guess their romance had to be easy because the antagonists in the stories were pure evil. I also liked that the supposedly straight main character already knew she was attracted to this other woman so the readers didn’t have to go through the whole “omg I’m so confused and surprised by how I’m feeling whenever I look at this woman” phase.
October 30, 2016
Touching love story!
After the tragic death of her husband, Alice managed, without any help, to hold her little family together. Alice didn't expect much of life but she was happy in her own way. She certainly did not expect falling in love with a charming attractive woman. Her life turns upside-down, it complicated her life and is irrevocably changed by this woman. Their path to love does not go easily. Alice must escape the clutches of Geraldine, a horrible miserable bitter woman. And as if this was not enough, she has to deal with another danger, someone from her past. With great bravery, Alice and Jean were able to stay true to themselves but will they also find the gateway to paradise? I love to watch the sparks fly between these two and I was rooting for them right to the end. I love Tilly and Jack. They are two shining stars. This is a deeply engaging story about the struggle to live and love with characters that are real and vibrantly drawn. It brings the past alive with a vivid sense of place and time and a storyline that never lost momentum. This is one of those stories you want to pick up and reread immediately. It's that good. I wish I could award it more than 5 stars.
After the tragic death of her husband, Alice managed, without any help, to hold her little family together. Alice didn't expect much of life but she was happy in her own way. She certainly did not expect falling in love with a charming attractive woman. Her life turns upside-down, it complicated her life and is irrevocably changed by this woman. Their path to love does not go easily. Alice must escape the clutches of Geraldine, a horrible miserable bitter woman. And as if this was not enough, she has to deal with another danger, someone from her past. With great bravery, Alice and Jean were able to stay true to themselves but will they also find the gateway to paradise? I love to watch the sparks fly between these two and I was rooting for them right to the end. I love Tilly and Jack. They are two shining stars. This is a deeply engaging story about the struggle to live and love with characters that are real and vibrantly drawn. It brings the past alive with a vivid sense of place and time and a storyline that never lost momentum. This is one of those stories you want to pick up and reread immediately. It's that good. I wish I could award it more than 5 stars.
January 22, 2017
Historical F/F romance set in post WW II New Zealand. What a story! It's a perfect mix of characters, setting and time. I rooted for Alice & Jean. I hated the bad guys/women. I fell in love with the leads as they fell in love with each other. The dialogue seemed natural and they story flowed very well. There's tension, love, and all the other bits of life needed to make a realistic and enjoyable read.
Netgalley ARC received for an honest review.
Netgalley ARC received for an honest review.
November 6, 2016
I'm clearly having a very gay day when it comes to ARCs today. Although I'm not sure if you can call it day, since I read this while pulling an all-nighter to try and reset my ridiculous body clock. But anyway. This is the second queer book I read in the last few hours, but this one is a historical f/f romance, making it quite a different kettle of fish.
I do like historical lesbian romances. There's something about them that you don't get from other historical fiction, not least the way they place so much emphasis on female characters even outside the immediate main characters. This one is no exception to that rule, with plenty of women being either supportive or vindictive according to circumstance.
That said, history has rarely been kind of queer people, and the characters of this book face their fair share of negative feelings and behaviour, which can be uncomfortable to read. Thankfully, this has a wonderfully happy ending, refusing to give in to unhappy tropes, so although there is bad stuff to get through, it all works out in the end.
Although I would argue that this is more of a romance than an erotic novel, there are some sex scenes that are reasonably explicit. I've probably read more explicit ones, but these might still be a little detailed for more sensitive readers, though it's of the poetic lovey-dovey variety rather than anything kinky like the book I reviewed earlier! (Like I said, having a gay day.) In many ways it's less risqué than a lot of the classics of the genre (*cough*tippingthevelvet*cough*), and the relationship portrayed is somewhat domestic, since Alice has children. It added a layer of sweetness that seemed in many ways to give the relationship more depth.
Alice & Jean is set in New Zealand after WW2, which was interesting to me because in many ways it didn't seem that different to Britain, but for aspirations (e.g. the jobs available and the nature of the rural landscape) and setting. That said, it was also a setting I hadn't come across before, and it gave the book a fresh feeling because it was a little bit unusual.
I'm a little lost for other ways to review this book, probably because it's 6am and I haven't been to bed yet (though to be fair, I slept a lot of yesterday). However, if you're looking for historical lesbian fiction with a happy ending, this might be one for you.
I do like historical lesbian romances. There's something about them that you don't get from other historical fiction, not least the way they place so much emphasis on female characters even outside the immediate main characters. This one is no exception to that rule, with plenty of women being either supportive or vindictive according to circumstance.
That said, history has rarely been kind of queer people, and the characters of this book face their fair share of negative feelings and behaviour, which can be uncomfortable to read. Thankfully, this has a wonderfully happy ending, refusing to give in to unhappy tropes, so although there is bad stuff to get through, it all works out in the end.
Although I would argue that this is more of a romance than an erotic novel, there are some sex scenes that are reasonably explicit. I've probably read more explicit ones, but these might still be a little detailed for more sensitive readers, though it's of the poetic lovey-dovey variety rather than anything kinky like the book I reviewed earlier! (Like I said, having a gay day.) In many ways it's less risqué than a lot of the classics of the genre (*cough*tippingthevelvet*cough*), and the relationship portrayed is somewhat domestic, since Alice has children. It added a layer of sweetness that seemed in many ways to give the relationship more depth.
Alice & Jean is set in New Zealand after WW2, which was interesting to me because in many ways it didn't seem that different to Britain, but for aspirations (e.g. the jobs available and the nature of the rural landscape) and setting. That said, it was also a setting I hadn't come across before, and it gave the book a fresh feeling because it was a little bit unusual.
I'm a little lost for other ways to review this book, probably because it's 6am and I haven't been to bed yet (though to be fair, I slept a lot of yesterday). However, if you're looking for historical lesbian fiction with a happy ending, this might be one for you.
December 10, 2016
This story drew me in from the beginning. The story takes place in New Zealand in 1946. I thought it moved a little too quickly, however; they meet and instantly they're in love. I also would liked to have seen some things resolved.
May 11, 2022
Another Great Read
I've read all of Lily's books and never been dissapointed. There's always a gentleness about them and a strong storyline that keeps your i terest from beginning to end.
I've read all of Lily's books and never been dissapointed. There's always a gentleness about them and a strong storyline that keeps your i terest from beginning to end.
December 5, 2017
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Before I even get to the actual content of the book, I have to say--the cover drew me right into this story. The colors, the picture--absolutely gorgeous.
This book sent me on a roller coaster of mixed feelings. I started it with a huge smile on my face as Alice Holden, a WWII widow, changes into her prettiest apron before greeting Jean Reardon, the handsome (butch) woman who delivers their morning milk. I knew right away it was going to be a story rich in sweetness and drama alike. Jean eases seamlessly into Holden family, earning the love of both Alice's son Jack and her daughter Tilly, but the eyes of their small New Zealand town are always watching, including those of Alice's domineering mother.
I think I was a little harsh on this book as a whole, even though there were a lot of things I really enjoyed about it. I liked how the stakes felt appropriate to the time period. Alice really is in a vulnerable position in society--she lives off her widow's pension and the small amount of money her rich mother sends her, making her beholden to both her dead husband and an emotionally abusive parent. She's also keeping the secret that her youngest child, Tilly, .
At the same time, I felt like the tension kept ratcheting up, and then fizzled out before a satisfying climax. I don't want to spoil large parts of the plot, but I'll say that we're on the edge of our seats wondering what the antagonist will do for a few chapters, then it all sort of falls flat.
I also hated that the ending involved . I just wish the ending was a little more comforting.
The romance itself was sweet, but I wish we got to see the earlier days of Alice's growing attraction to Jean and what that means to her as a mother and widow. The book starts out with their mututal attraction already in place with a few awkward "what am I feeling?!" interludes, but I wouldn't liked a little more warm-up. I wanted to get inside the characters' head a little more.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read but not one of my favorite historical romances.
Before I even get to the actual content of the book, I have to say--the cover drew me right into this story. The colors, the picture--absolutely gorgeous.
This book sent me on a roller coaster of mixed feelings. I started it with a huge smile on my face as Alice Holden, a WWII widow, changes into her prettiest apron before greeting Jean Reardon, the handsome (butch) woman who delivers their morning milk. I knew right away it was going to be a story rich in sweetness and drama alike. Jean eases seamlessly into Holden family, earning the love of both Alice's son Jack and her daughter Tilly, but the eyes of their small New Zealand town are always watching, including those of Alice's domineering mother.
I think I was a little harsh on this book as a whole, even though there were a lot of things I really enjoyed about it. I liked how the stakes felt appropriate to the time period. Alice really is in a vulnerable position in society--she lives off her widow's pension and the small amount of money her rich mother sends her, making her beholden to both her dead husband and an emotionally abusive parent. She's also keeping the secret that her youngest child, Tilly, .
At the same time, I felt like the tension kept ratcheting up, and then fizzled out before a satisfying climax. I don't want to spoil large parts of the plot, but I'll say that we're on the edge of our seats wondering what the antagonist will do for a few chapters, then it all sort of falls flat.
I also hated that the ending involved . I just wish the ending was a little more comforting.
The romance itself was sweet, but I wish we got to see the earlier days of Alice's growing attraction to Jean and what that means to her as a mother and widow. The book starts out with their mututal attraction already in place with a few awkward "what am I feeling?!" interludes, but I wouldn't liked a little more warm-up. I wanted to get inside the characters' head a little more.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read but not one of my favorite historical romances.
November 14, 2016
Quite the enjoyable reading. Good story, good main characters, well fleshed out supporting characters (to the point where I was kinda more interested in Martha then the two main...). Also good plot structure and a believable and interesting dialogue flow.
It's quite the sweet love story. Okay, at times maybe just waaaaay too sweet. But that's alright too. Besides, there is one truly horrific aspect in this book that really seems to need to be compensated by all the sweetness it can amass.
Sweetness that's actually created by Alice and Jean dynamic as a couple. These two ladies truly love and care for each other. Their love is as intense as it is tender. And the delicate, attentive way which they seem to care for each other well-being and feelings is quite touching to witness.
I also think this book works well when depicting various types of relationship dynamics. Aside from her loving relationship with Jean, there is Alice own extremely protective and loving relationship with her own children. Alice own repulsed and fearful relationship with Big Jim. Alice strained, dysfunctional, emotionally disconnected relationship with her mother and also Miss B affectionate and watchful motherly relationship with Jean.
There are actually many layers to what, at first seemed almost like just another uncomplicated "Feel-Good" read.
Yeah, yeah... in the end there is still a bit of a fairy tale vibe to it where everything seems to go way too well for the protagonists. However, there is this almost sorrowful undertone that creates a bit of a twist to this specific fairy tale. As if someone where to do a retelling of Disney's version of The Little Mermaid but added back that part Christian Andersen wrote where the Sea Witch takes a knife and cuts the Mermaid’s tongue out as price to make her wish come true. It's still Disney-ish. It's still a fairy tale. It still has a happy ending.
But it's just not exactly a clean-cut journey to get to that happy ending. Meaning that, even if all's well that ends well, there is this constant reminder that there was quite a bit of a price to pay and scars to heal before finally getting there.
Anyways, it was an interesting reading. Definitely recommended it.
It's quite the sweet love story. Okay, at times maybe just waaaaay too sweet. But that's alright too. Besides, there is one truly horrific aspect in this book that really seems to need to be compensated by all the sweetness it can amass.
Sweetness that's actually created by Alice and Jean dynamic as a couple. These two ladies truly love and care for each other. Their love is as intense as it is tender. And the delicate, attentive way which they seem to care for each other well-being and feelings is quite touching to witness.
I also think this book works well when depicting various types of relationship dynamics. Aside from her loving relationship with Jean, there is Alice own extremely protective and loving relationship with her own children. Alice own repulsed and fearful relationship with Big Jim. Alice strained, dysfunctional, emotionally disconnected relationship with her mother and also Miss B affectionate and watchful motherly relationship with Jean.
There are actually many layers to what, at first seemed almost like just another uncomplicated "Feel-Good" read.
Yeah, yeah... in the end there is still a bit of a fairy tale vibe to it where everything seems to go way too well for the protagonists. However, there is this almost sorrowful undertone that creates a bit of a twist to this specific fairy tale. As if someone where to do a retelling of Disney's version of The Little Mermaid but added back that part Christian Andersen wrote where the Sea Witch takes a knife and cuts the Mermaid’s tongue out as price to make her wish come true. It's still Disney-ish. It's still a fairy tale. It still has a happy ending.
But it's just not exactly a clean-cut journey to get to that happy ending. Meaning that, even if all's well that ends well, there is this constant reminder that there was quite a bit of a price to pay and scars to heal before finally getting there.
Anyways, it was an interesting reading. Definitely recommended it.
October 26, 2016
Finally a book that I could hardly put away until I finished it.
I really loved Lily Hammond's (Kate Genet's pen name for historical romance) story in which the characters fall in love without ever questioning it and even most of their surroundings accept them. (The rest of those surroundings are responsible for the trouble.) Throughout the whole story there are no doubts about each other, but they seem to have quite a few unexpected supporting friends. The children are wonderful and realistic and it's a very satisfying reading. It kept me happy for two days.
I really loved Lily Hammond's (Kate Genet's pen name for historical romance) story in which the characters fall in love without ever questioning it and even most of their surroundings accept them. (The rest of those surroundings are responsible for the trouble.) Throughout the whole story there are no doubts about each other, but they seem to have quite a few unexpected supporting friends. The children are wonderful and realistic and it's a very satisfying reading. It kept me happy for two days.
September 20, 2017
Whoo, lesbians in New Zealand! Alice, a young widow with two children, falls in love with the woman who delivers her milk every day. It's just after World War II and things aren't so great for woman-love, and Alice must deal with her controlling mother's machinations and other issues. Filled with voluptuous descriptions of Alice and Jean's feelings, the book is pretty engrossing.
December 17, 2016
**Disclaimer: I received a free ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Alice & Jean tells the story of Alice Holden, a war widow with two small children, who has fallen in love with Jean Reardon, the woman who delivers her milk every morning. The story starts off very fast with Alice already being head over heels for Jean (and vice-versa) so the reader doesn't get a very good sense of why Alice has fallen for Jean until near the end of the story when both women confess when/how they fell in love with the other. The pair face a lot of obstacles together- from Alice's overbearing and downright evil mother, to the whispers of the neighbors about Alice being seen with that woman, to the stereotypical man who feels jilted and can't stand women being together.
Which brings me to things I didn't like about this book: I feel like Big Jim was overdone. I do realize that there are plenty of men like him the world, but I really feel we could have done without his macho homophobia. And I understand that his actions were the means to the happy end of the story but just once I would like to read a f/f love story that didn't include alpha males or rape.
I also wasn't that impressed with Jean. The story definitely fell into that stereotypical "one is very femme and the other is very masculine" trope that I'm very, very burnt out on in f/f fiction. And maybe it wasn't the character herself as much as it was the way people treated her (Alice saying she wishes Jean were a man so they could get married, Tilly saying she wishes Jean could be her father, the men treating Jean like a man, etc.,) I think gender expression and fluidity is great and amazing (I myself am nonbinary) but I feel like Jean was only a stand-in for a man in the story. We don't get a sense of how she feels about her gender, only that she likes to wear trousers and enjoys jobs that are traditional more masculine. I would have felt more comfortable with her if there had been more discussion on how she identified or how she felt about having people continuously treat her like a man.
I did like the story, though. I loved the way the group of women came together to protect Alice from Big Jim because we have a severe lack of solid, powerful, and protective female friendships in LGBTQAI+ literature. I also loved the fact that Alice does not forgive her mother in the end but does reach a compromise with herself that makes her happy.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick f/f read with minimal sex scenes, strong female friends, and a HEA ending.
Alice & Jean tells the story of Alice Holden, a war widow with two small children, who has fallen in love with Jean Reardon, the woman who delivers her milk every morning. The story starts off very fast with Alice already being head over heels for Jean (and vice-versa) so the reader doesn't get a very good sense of why Alice has fallen for Jean until near the end of the story when both women confess when/how they fell in love with the other. The pair face a lot of obstacles together- from Alice's overbearing and downright evil mother, to the whispers of the neighbors about Alice being seen with that woman, to the stereotypical man who feels jilted and can't stand women being together.
Which brings me to things I didn't like about this book: I feel like Big Jim was overdone. I do realize that there are plenty of men like him the world, but I really feel we could have done without his macho homophobia. And I understand that his actions were the means to the happy end of the story but just once I would like to read a f/f love story that didn't include alpha males or rape.
I also wasn't that impressed with Jean. The story definitely fell into that stereotypical "one is very femme and the other is very masculine" trope that I'm very, very burnt out on in f/f fiction. And maybe it wasn't the character herself as much as it was the way people treated her (Alice saying she wishes Jean were a man so they could get married, Tilly saying she wishes Jean could be her father, the men treating Jean like a man, etc.,) I think gender expression and fluidity is great and amazing (I myself am nonbinary) but I feel like Jean was only a stand-in for a man in the story. We don't get a sense of how she feels about her gender, only that she likes to wear trousers and enjoys jobs that are traditional more masculine. I would have felt more comfortable with her if there had been more discussion on how she identified or how she felt about having people continuously treat her like a man.
I did like the story, though. I loved the way the group of women came together to protect Alice from Big Jim because we have a severe lack of solid, powerful, and protective female friendships in LGBTQAI+ literature. I also loved the fact that Alice does not forgive her mother in the end but does reach a compromise with herself that makes her happy.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick f/f read with minimal sex scenes, strong female friends, and a HEA ending.
January 26, 2020
Here was her secret dream, made flesh.
An incredibly sweet f/f romance set in post WWII New Zealand. My heart hasn't stopped bubbling over; this is seriously one of the sweetest books I've ever read. Their romance and their love made me smile so much. It wasn't quite love at first sight, but close enough to it that I thought I might not like it? But it was honestly great, they were so smitten with each other and it was great. I did like that it was sort of quiet and slow moving, but it did get a bit... dull? In the plot department. There were things happening, of course, and not all of the conflict was internal (not that that would have been a bad thing) but the book did drag, in a way. Part of the problem lies in that fact that everything with Big Jim happened in the past. Not that I would have wanted to see it on page but... idk. It took something away.
Incredibly sweet romance though, and I freaking love books with cute kids and found families. Tilly is my dauder. T__T
3.5 stars.
An incredibly sweet f/f romance set in post WWII New Zealand. My heart hasn't stopped bubbling over; this is seriously one of the sweetest books I've ever read. Their romance and their love made me smile so much. It wasn't quite love at first sight, but close enough to it that I thought I might not like it? But it was honestly great, they were so smitten with each other and it was great. I did like that it was sort of quiet and slow moving, but it did get a bit... dull? In the plot department. There were things happening, of course, and not all of the conflict was internal (not that that would have been a bad thing) but the book did drag, in a way. Part of the problem lies in that fact that everything with Big Jim happened in the past. Not that I would have wanted to see it on page but... idk. It took something away.
Incredibly sweet romance though, and I freaking love books with cute kids and found families. Tilly is my dauder. T__T
3.5 stars.
November 5, 2016
I loved this story. I just got it last weekend and I have already read it twice.
March 1, 2017
The characters are either very likeable or very unlikable
This is a love story between two women in 1946 New Zealand. Alice is a 25 year old war widow with two young children. She is surprised and confused to find herself attracted to Jean, who delivers milk to the residents in the town. The two begin a secret love affair, but nothing can remain secret for long in this small community.
A couple observations about this book: First, the characters are either really good, or really evil. For example, Alice's mother is cold, controlling, and not a mother I would wish on anybody. And the character named Big Jim is reprehensible. On the other hand, the people in the town seem amazingly non-judgmental and charitable, considering the era. I don't know how realistic that is, but it was nice to read. Also, I found it refreshing that the book wasn't filled with misunderstandings and/or miscommunication, a common plot device to add drama. For example, when Jean sees Alice with Big Jim, she doesn't jump to the conclusion that Alice is carrying on with him. Also, if someone asks what's wrong, or "What can I do to help?", a straightforward answer is given.
It was pretty clear where this story was going, but there were a couple surprising turn of events that kept it from being mediocre. I think it deserves 3.5 stars.
This is a love story between two women in 1946 New Zealand. Alice is a 25 year old war widow with two young children. She is surprised and confused to find herself attracted to Jean, who delivers milk to the residents in the town. The two begin a secret love affair, but nothing can remain secret for long in this small community.
A couple observations about this book: First, the characters are either really good, or really evil. For example, Alice's mother is cold, controlling, and not a mother I would wish on anybody. And the character named Big Jim is reprehensible. On the other hand, the people in the town seem amazingly non-judgmental and charitable, considering the era. I don't know how realistic that is, but it was nice to read. Also, I found it refreshing that the book wasn't filled with misunderstandings and/or miscommunication, a common plot device to add drama. For example, when Jean sees Alice with Big Jim, she doesn't jump to the conclusion that Alice is carrying on with him. Also, if someone asks what's wrong, or "What can I do to help?", a straightforward answer is given.
It was pretty clear where this story was going, but there were a couple surprising turn of events that kept it from being mediocre. I think it deserves 3.5 stars.
November 17, 2016
Lily Hammond has managed to delicately and delightfully craft a story of love.
Post World War II, Alice is widowed but seems happy with her two adorable children. Jean unobtrusively comes into their lives and their bond, although fast, seems genuine and unforced.
All is not as it seems though as we discover more about Alice's family and marriage, but most importantly her relationship with Jean represents a fair tale of how life could have been in that era for women to love eachother and be together.
Overall I really liked the characters. They weren't Hollywood perfect as we often see and that made it a more engaging read for me. Hammond provided genuine people living imperfect challenging lives.
A highlight for me was that there wasn't the proverbial to and fro of "I love you" followed by "I can't be with you because ...". It sticks even with the adversity surrounding them as a real relationship with such a foundation of love would.
There wasn't a thing that I didn't like about this book. It provided the right amount of enjoyment and challenge throught it's journey and I would recommend it to others.
I received an ARC for an honest review
Post World War II, Alice is widowed but seems happy with her two adorable children. Jean unobtrusively comes into their lives and their bond, although fast, seems genuine and unforced.
All is not as it seems though as we discover more about Alice's family and marriage, but most importantly her relationship with Jean represents a fair tale of how life could have been in that era for women to love eachother and be together.
Overall I really liked the characters. They weren't Hollywood perfect as we often see and that made it a more engaging read for me. Hammond provided genuine people living imperfect challenging lives.
A highlight for me was that there wasn't the proverbial to and fro of "I love you" followed by "I can't be with you because ...". It sticks even with the adversity surrounding them as a real relationship with such a foundation of love would.
There wasn't a thing that I didn't like about this book. It provided the right amount of enjoyment and challenge throught it's journey and I would recommend it to others.
I received an ARC for an honest review
November 4, 2019
You'll read this one a few times.
This was such a joy to read even though it had me on a rollercoaster of emotions. There were times I laughed, times I wanted to cry and times I was filled with anger as if I were experiencing what was going on for myself. I'm such a romantic and I love, love. Following Jean and Alice throughout this book had me wanting to stand up on their behalf but there was no need because they had kind, loving friends to be there for them. It's a shame how same sex couples had to live in secret as if their love was wrong and it's so sad the effects the war had on men, women and families. There was one revelation in this book that absolutely broke my heart. In fact, I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Reading this book reminded me that small town living-though not for me-does have its benefits. People like Mrs. Boone, Martha (I really liked her) and Jamie are the kind of people we all need in our lives. People who love, encourage and support us for who we are regardless of our sexual orientation.
This was such a joy to read even though it had me on a rollercoaster of emotions. There were times I laughed, times I wanted to cry and times I was filled with anger as if I were experiencing what was going on for myself. I'm such a romantic and I love, love. Following Jean and Alice throughout this book had me wanting to stand up on their behalf but there was no need because they had kind, loving friends to be there for them. It's a shame how same sex couples had to live in secret as if their love was wrong and it's so sad the effects the war had on men, women and families. There was one revelation in this book that absolutely broke my heart. In fact, I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Reading this book reminded me that small town living-though not for me-does have its benefits. People like Mrs. Boone, Martha (I really liked her) and Jamie are the kind of people we all need in our lives. People who love, encourage and support us for who we are regardless of our sexual orientation.
November 26, 2020
Martha is such a big star in this novel. Y'all in the back seat quite down, don't argue that point lol.
I love Alice. She is the reason why I loved reading about women in love. You can feel her love radiating each sentence and every moment she spent with Jane. Despite her dreadful pasts, she is still surviving on her own.
Actually, I feel like Martha & Alice will make a better couple than lol. I know, I'm just a weirdo. At least, I feel the connection when Martha looked into Alice's eyes, just one paragraph is enough.
But those ending chapters areeeee so lame... I don't know how y'all feel but I'm losing my patience with Jean. True, she was cool at the beginnings, but towards the ending, I just noticed Jean was simply there because Alice loved her, and because she's one of main characters.
Heck, I don't even hate Big Jim or Alice's mother, they are playing their parts very true to their manner and personality.
Anyway, I love Martha & Alice.
I love Alice. She is the reason why I loved reading about women in love. You can feel her love radiating each sentence and every moment she spent with Jane. Despite her dreadful pasts, she is still surviving on her own.
Actually, I feel like Martha & Alice will make a better couple than lol. I know, I'm just a weirdo. At least, I feel the connection when Martha looked into Alice's eyes, just one paragraph is enough.
But those ending chapters areeeee so lame... I don't know how y'all feel but I'm losing my patience with Jean. True, she was cool at the beginnings, but towards the ending, I just noticed Jean was simply there because Alice loved her, and because she's one of main characters.
Heck, I don't even hate Big Jim or Alice's mother, they are playing their parts very true to their manner and personality.
Anyway, I love Martha & Alice.
March 5, 2022
This book deserves more than 5 stars! Hammond does an outstanding job of developing the characters--both the protagonists and antagonists--while weaving a beautiful love story set in post-WW2 New Zealand. The growing love that Alice and Jean share is sweet, kind, and selfless despite their need to hide that love because of societal shunning. Further exacerbating Alice's hopes is her wicked mothers' meddling and bullying attempts to control her and her two young children. Her mother will go to any extreme to get her way regardless of Alice's wishes and yearnings.
I loved this story, Alice, Jean, Jack, Tilly, and many of the supporting characters. In spite of the odds and costs, Alice and Jean are determined to hold fast to one another and their dreams. Though there were several places that left me holding my breath, the ending is worth the suspense. This is definitely a story to be read and re-read given the many lessons woven into the narrative.
I loved this story, Alice, Jean, Jack, Tilly, and many of the supporting characters. In spite of the odds and costs, Alice and Jean are determined to hold fast to one another and their dreams. Though there were several places that left me holding my breath, the ending is worth the suspense. This is definitely a story to be read and re-read given the many lessons woven into the narrative.
March 16, 2022
After having read All I See Is You, Alice & Jean cements Lily Hammond as another author to my list of favourites!
I love how the book doesn't waste time with scenes that could be cute to watch, but don't ultimately add to the narrative arc, leaving them to the backstory. Another bonus to what seems to be a constant in Lily's stories is how she avoids annoyances commonly found in romances (looking at you, monster of miscommunication). Alice & Jean had moments when a less inspired author would certainly jump at the opportunity for an artificial conflict, even a break-up.
And the setting... I'm adoring to explore a little more of New Zealand, even when situations are not so comfortable for our protagonists.
Some small editing errors were a bit distracting, but nothing that stopped me from quickly turning the pages to find out what came next!
I love how the book doesn't waste time with scenes that could be cute to watch, but don't ultimately add to the narrative arc, leaving them to the backstory. Another bonus to what seems to be a constant in Lily's stories is how she avoids annoyances commonly found in romances (looking at you, monster of miscommunication). Alice & Jean had moments when a less inspired author would certainly jump at the opportunity for an artificial conflict, even a break-up.
And the setting... I'm adoring to explore a little more of New Zealand, even when situations are not so comfortable for our protagonists.
Some small editing errors were a bit distracting, but nothing that stopped me from quickly turning the pages to find out what came next!
June 14, 2017
After a couple of attempts at reading this novel, I have finally turned the last page. From the synopsis, i thought this novel would be one that I would enjoy. All I can say is that this book wasn't really for me. It wasn't that it was not a good book, it's just the I couldn't connect to the characters and found the pace a little slow for my liking. It is the first time that I have read a romance between two women and did so in order to try something different.
I received an electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I received an electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2017
This is a well-written historical lesbian romance set in New Zealand just after WWII. The heroines are a ranch manager-turned-milk-delivery-woman and a widowed mother-of two. The evolution of the relationship seemed natural, although the heroines had to overcome a daunting set of challenges to be together, especially given the era. I found only one obvious "wordo" ("too" for "two") in the book, which suggests that it was well-edited. The denoument/ending of the book felt just a bit dragged out. A good example of genre fiction well executed.
March 14, 2017
3.5 probably. I never felt like I connected. Seemed quite unrealistic as well, considering the time period. Some things were 100% ok, but then you absolutely couldn't do X, Fitch seemed like less than whatever was ok.
I do feel like this could be developed into a very successful lesbian New Zealand version of Australia the film!
I do feel like this could be developed into a very successful lesbian New Zealand version of Australia the film!
July 27, 2020
Really good overall effort from Lily Hammond. My only issue with it was the exact way it ended, with the rapist’s father coming to the rescue. I didn’t really like the decision that Alice’s fate was in the hands of that family, in a manner of speaking. The MC, LI and children were wonderful together. I often recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2021
I liked the idea of a story set in post WWII New Zealand, but the quality of the writing wasn’t good enough to make up for the predictability of the plot. There were a couple of moments that took it from a 2.5 to a 3 (there’s a cow at the end that made me laugh) but I really only finished it to make sure the people I didn’t like got their just desserts.
March 16, 2017
I read this for the Read Harder Challenge 2017. It was just too "romance novelly" for me. Not much depth, story, or character development. Not much of anything, really. I was pretty lethargic when reading it. I almost volunteered to cook dinner instead.
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