A Work in Progress

Window Shopping Collection #2

by L.T. Smith

This UK rom-com, part of the Window Shopping Collection, proves that the path to true love has more than a few bumps in it.

Writer Brynn Morgan has been in love with her best friend and muse, Gillian Parker forever. She’s the only one who can fill the emptiness in Brynn’s life, ease the ache in her chest, and get her writing juices flowing again. The problem is Gillian is straight. And she’s more focused on enlisting Brynn to see whether her doctor fiancé is a cheat. No matter what Brynn turns up, what should she tell Gillian?

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Lesbian Romance, Novella

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2017

About the author

L.T. Smith is a late bloomer when it comes to writing and didn’t begin until 2005 with her first novel Hearts and Flowers Border (first published in 2006). She soon caught the bug and has written numerous tales, usually with a comical slant to reflect, as she calls it, ‘My warped view of the dramatic.’ Although she loves to write, L.T. loves to read, too — being an English teacher seems to demand it. Most of her free time is spent with her furry little men — two fluffy balls of trouble who keep her active and her apologies flowing.

She is also a very popular author at websites such as The Athenaeum and The Academy of Bards under the name of “Fingersmith”. She is the Royal Academy of Bards 2008 Hall of Fame Author.

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars. This is my first book by Smith. I have wanted to read her for a while. I have heard such wonderful things about her writing from friends. It has just been a case of too many books to read, not enough time. I'm happy I finally had the chance to read one of hers. To put it succinctly, she writes really well. Very engaging and funny. I like how her humor is both witty and sarcastic.

This is book 2 in the Window Shopping Collection. Book 1, was Tread Lightly by Catherine Lane. You do not need to read book 1 before reading this. Although, Tread Lightly was a good story, that you might enjoy anyway. What these stories are, are a collection of novellas or books, that all start with the same paragraph. The author can then take their story into any direction they want to. Tread Lightly was actually a fantasy/paranormal book, totally different from this one, a normal (as in people) romance. It is actually a really neat idea, and I will be picking up book 3, when Andrea Bramhall writes it later this year.

This story is about Brynn, an author, unlucky in love. Brynn has had an unrequited crush on her best friend since childhood. I don't want to go too much into the story, as this is a shorter book, I don't want to give anything away. We all have read unrequited love with the BF stories before, but I was happy with the small twist this book had, so it wasn't the same old, same. To be honest, overall the story didn't wow me, but I enjoyed it. And what really wowed me was the writing. The way Smith writes is addictive, and you want to read more. What this book really has done for me, is to get me to go read more of her books.

This is a sweet romance story, with some good humor and wit. Smith has hooked me in, and I can't wait to read her again.

AN ARC was given to me by YLVA, for a honest review.

[Tinything · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly, I enjoyed this book alots. It’s short and funny. And the romance was sweet as well. I really like Brynn, Gill and Gina and how the story turned out. Not sure what else to say beside i enjoyed this book alots 😆

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read from this author. And I’m not entirely sure, what I should think about.

It’s the story about Brynn, an author, who normally has no problems to find words, but struggles to get one straight sentence out, after meeting Virginia. Often she’s acting awkwardly, especially when she’s nervous. But sometimes it was a little bit too much.

I couldn’t get a grip on the romance, couldn’t feel the connection between the two women.
Despite my criticism it was a fun read.

I give this story 3,5 stars.
Thanks to Ylva for receiving an ACR for a honest review.
Sorry for my bad English writing, my native language is Swiss German.

[Jane Shambler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious. Some excellent British humor incorporated into the story it had me laughing out loud. I know some people won't get our sense of humor because it can be sarcastic but Smith really does it proud. This is now my third book by this author and she is fast becoming a favorite. I love her sense of humor, her writing style and her take on the world.


This is the second book of the Window Shopping series. Book one being Tread Lightly by Catherine Lane. Both books are totally independent of one another. It is a series by name only. The authors of this series all start with the same paragraph and then let their imaginations take flight.


This book is about Brynn who is head over heels in love with her straight best friend Gillian who is also engaged to be married. She has been in love with her for twenty years. Anyway the book isn't very long but it has an incredible and hilarious twist. A lot of the book is about Brynn and her internal nagging at herself. Smith had me in stitches.


I would definitely recommend this book. I will also be looking at more from this author in the future.


*ARC provided by publisher via Ylva Publishing*

[Jane Clements · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very apt title. It kind of feels like it's not really finished, and that's not just because it's so short.

I didn't really like the protagonist very much. I didn't feel like I got to know the love interest, either.

This felt like it had potential, but didn't quite get there.

Note: I received a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review

[Elske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and funny book. Loved the MC’s Brynn and Gina. Also loved Brynn’s BFF Gil. Recommend this book. Storyline is relatively simple and not much happens really in this book, but it’s nice to sometime read a book that’s just warm. The only difficult part of the book was about what happened to Gil when she was thirteen.
There is only one thing that was not to my taste and that’s the use of the word ‘whilst’ wich the writer seems very partial to.

[Angie Engles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried putting off A Work in Progress for as long as I could because it is always a treat to have a new L.T. Smith book to read and I really look forward to her new releases and am left wanting when they are over. I also know, though, that no one gets emotional vulnerability quite like she does nor writes with such humor and rawness about it at the same time. Yesterday I was very much in need of a read like this and decided to plunge ahead, despite not wanting to rush things. A Work in Progress is not so much a romance as a delightful introspection, capturing the character's heart and her no longer wanting to be stuck so firmly in her life in endearing and painfully familiar ways. While a bit too short, in length and in story in terms of Brynn's new relationship, L.T. Smith's latest is solidly good and almost right up there with her absolutely fabulous See Right Through Me.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

A short read with a twist - which I wasn’t expecting.... I don’t have any real issues with books written in 1st POV but I felt that there just too many monologue in this book.

[Sunaki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm, i must admit reading the book description i was thinking this was going to be a fun read about Brynn who loves her best friend Gill and how Gill was gonna realize she was heading in that direction aswell.

I actually had abit of a hard time with this story, first was the fact that having Brynn go on about how close they were and such best friends and couldnt live without eachother but they let 18 months pass by without seeing eachother or talking? and it felt off to me.
Half the book was about Brynns feelings and racing heart from just being around Gill and then all of the sudden she runs into a woman, Gina, on her way to a party and instant head over heels love happens and the feelings for Gill are gone, are explained a few times over as just friend love she had mistaken for real love, like she was convincing herself and us to hard.
I dont know, i couldnt connect with the characters to find them cute together or feel the Love between them, it was just to messy and too fast paced for my head.

I was given a copy for my honest review and for me this book is a 2 1/2 stars.

[Aj Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this, expecting a good book (I've read and loved two other books by LT Smith and would highly recommend them both: Driving Me Mad & See Right Through Me) but a pretty standard romance novel nonetheless. From the first page, however, I discovered that this book was something else altogether and my mind was blown.

On the surface, yes, this is a story of a lesbian struggling with her attraction to Gillian her (very straight) best friend since childhood and the fact that she's basically torpedoed any relationships she's had as an adult on the basis that she's waiting for 'the one', i.e. Gillian. The deeper into the book I got though, the more Brynn's love life and her writing career become intertwined and then become reflected in 'A Work in Progress' itself.

In short, this is both a beautiful romance and a very cleverly written piece of metafiction that both intrigued me and won my heart.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella was very challenging for me. The incredible amount of internal dialog and machinations slows everything down to a crawl. Which probably explains why there are so few actual scenes. Pages on pages on pages can pass between lines of dialog. I just kinda lost the flow. It doesn't lend to character description, scene progression, proper pacing. Definitely falls in the meh zone for me.

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing, Inc. in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this little story, although I wish that it was a bit longer and you got more time with the romantic leads as a couple. I think a fair few readers can probably relate to the protagonist's predicament. You meet Brynn who believes herself to be so hopelessly in love with her straight best friend, that no other relationship has ever worked out for her. It is a classic case of having "fallen in love" with her best friend as a teenager and never really gotten over it or met someone who helped her realize how much she had idealized the best friend. In her 30's and newly dumped again she is taking stock at this low point in her life questioning the existence of true love when the best friend, who she has idealized for fifteen years asks her to help investigate whether her fiance is cheating. The undercover assignment is the jumping off point for Brynn's discovery of her magical, one true love. I would recommend this story. I enjoyed it and would rate it at a 3.5.

[Kitty McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brynn has been in love with her best friend since they were teens. As a result no relationship will ever be good enough for her. Will she let a new woman in her life or continue to pine for Gillian forever? This is the second in the Window Shopping series and is a funny story with a fair bit of emotional turmoil for our main character. I enjoyed it and it was well written with a few laugh out loud moments. Romance and aah moments made it for me.

I was given this ARC by Ylva Publishing in return for an honest review.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brynn is a writer, she's just getting over yet another breakup, when love of her life Gillian walks back into her life. She'd been head over heels for her friend since high school, but her friend is decidedly straight, and enlists Brynn to find out if her fiancé is cheating on her.

This book was cute and endearing at times, but I think it was limited a lot by it's length. The twist felt very sudden, and I never quite felt the connection to Gina. It wasn't as developed as the feelings for Gillian. Also, I found the number of clumsy falls and bangs a little annoying and excessive. Perhaps spread out in a longer novel, I would have found the character trait believable and adorable but it felt a little too in your face and it was tiring instead. Gillian was also a little all over the place as well, and I didn't always follow or understand the reason for it.

I loved that Brynn was a writer, loved that part of her character. I enjoyed reading the little snippets of her story - I'd really love to read the whole thing!

I received an ARC from YLVA in exchange for an honest review.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Work in Progress is told in the first person from Brynn’s perspective and I instantly felt like she was someone I would be friends with. She’s smart, thoughtful, a bit of a klutz, and is A++ good at swearing. Of course, she harbours an impossible crush on her best friend, but who hasn’t had a crush on the wrong person at some time in their life?

Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/work-...

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book I have read from this author, and I'm looking forward to reading what she does next. I like the witty, sarcastic humour of her writing. Even the use of the F word does not offend.

This is a novella and perhaps for that reason it felt a little rushed and I personally wanted to have the full version of the story and get to know the characters more. The main person Brynn, I found it hard to like much or connect to. In fact I wanted to give her a good shake and tell her to get a grip. It was the old classic story of when she was a teenager being in love with her straight best friend, but carrying it on into adult life.

Also with it being a novella the romance element was cut short and I found myself left wanting more. It was like having a mouth watering starter and then finding there is no main course (or is that what us English call a diet). With this author I want the full 3 main courses.

Overall for a novella, the story was enjoyable, writing, pacing, editing is good and I like the authors witty style.

ARC supplied by Ylva for an honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author. I see so many fantastic ratings of her other works. However, I wasn't impressed with this book. I became a little annoyed in the beginning, and the remainder of the book was more of the same. I didn't like I was nearly 30% into the book before Brynn and Gina meet. The entire beginning was a lot of descriptive writing. I enjoy conflict, and this book didn't deliver for me. I understand the "falling for your straight best friend" but your best friend you haven't had contact with in over a year? I know this review makes the book sound awful, and it isn't that. Seriously it was still an okay read. I would be willing to give the author another go without hesitation. I just felt as though this book was missing some of elements I really enjoy in books.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I received an ARC from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review*

When I read the description of the book, I was excited to read it because it sounded fun and lighthearted. However, when I started reading it I was left a bit disappointed. I couldn't get used to the writing style, which is a personal thing and different for everybody.
I also couldn't connect to the main character and couldn't understand how she was so over her head in love with her best friend, even though they didn't talk or see each other in over a year. After they saw each other again she was just talking about her feelings for her for about half the book and then suddenly she met Gina and falls head over heels for her. It seemed a little unrealistic for me that she is in love with her friend and then just meets another woman and falls for her and has no feelings for Gill anymore. I just couldn't connect with her and her choices.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brynn has been in love with her BFF, Gillian, since they were children. Unfortunately, Gillian is straight. Brynn writes lesbian novels and is having trouble writing. She has been through a lot of relationships but no one measures up to Gill.

The beginning of this book starts out a little strange. However, after a dozen or so pages, the storyline becomes clearer. I like Ms. Smith’s humor and frequently chuckled while reading the book.
The negative in this book is that it was rather short. I think, if it were longer, the storyline and the characters could be richer.

This is the second book in the Window Shopping collection. The first book of the collection was Tread Lightly by Catherine Lane. Readers should know that you do not have to read the first book. This is more of a standalone novel.

I rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

[Heinerway · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a story that will put a smile on your face, you've found it.

[Rachael Orman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

There were some hilarious parts of this story. Especially when we meet Virginia for the first time... And then there is my favorite line in the entire book, "I had to spend the evening with people I wouldn't usually be caught dead with - well, eventually I guess I would, as they all worked in the medical profession"... I'm sure you have to read the rest of the scene to really get the line but it was awesome.

While I loved Virginia and found Brynn quite amusing for the most part, I can't say that I cared much for Gill (the best friend). And the so over the top comments and thoughts that Brynn had about Gill showed just how much she loved her friend even though she didn't love her in quite the same way, but toward the end, it simply because tiresome because the point had been so clearly made already.

Overall the book was okay, but it was soooooo focused on the best friend relationship that we didn't even meet the real love interest (or go to the party, which was the 'big deal') until over halfway. We barely got any interaction between the two new women and I really felt like there could've been more comedy and romance there then being so focused on the friendship side of things since it was really sad to see how much Brynn longed for something she couldn't have when the book was supposed to be more of a rom-com.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read her other books and did not care for this one as much. Pretty short but still well worth the time. 3.5 stars

[Adrian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over the past two years, I have read nearly all of the publications authored by Ms. Smith, finding many (particularly, "Once") to be quite strong in the essential ways-interesting characters, compelling dialogue and plot lines with actual substantive end products being achieved at each novel's conclusion. However, "A Work in Progress," missed the boat for me due to a number of detractions including a plot that unfolded in one way (with Brynn quite in love with Gillian, whose deeply traumatic childhood tied the two together deeply until the arrival of the latter's fiance) that was not sustained throughout, a seemingly implausible growth of affection between the protagonist and her sidewalk rescuer, Gina (whose role in the tale was too pat) as well as a tendency toward idiosyncratic self-absorption among the personalities of the novel that became unbearable at points.

Ms. Smith seemed, within the initial chapters, to have been constructing a tale of repressed affection between two individuals and a poor relationship between Gillian/Tom that endured only while Gillian conformed to heterosexual expectations that lacked authenticity, which would culminate in the slow discovery, as Gillian continued to heal, of her love for Brynn, whose support was stalwart. The eighteen months of separation between the two raised the first clue as to the course that the novella would taking and Gillian's intense amplification of suspicions of her partner's infidelity fairly quickly revealed the source of her anxiety-impending parenthood and a lack of trust after a childhood of abuse. Her fears were wholly understandable considering such tragic early origins but her neglect, judgment and manipulation of Brynn to have a secondary evaluation of her fiance was not.

Brynn's acerbic reflective periods were welcome at first, but quickly became annoying. Her affections for Gillian, which were characterized as being quite deep initially, were reduced to largely superficial in depth when considered in the context of her development of vast "love" for Gina. Frankly, there was too much going on in too brief a span of book, which greatly compromised the cohesion of everything at the end. Still, Ms. Smith is a strong author and I will continue to follow her future work.
The publisher and author generously allowed me an arc of the book to review it.

[Nadine Stamminger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Already have a few books of L.T. Smith in my reading list so when this came along i had to start with this on since the plot is a situation most lesbians know. This damn hot straight friend and how you of all lesbian have to fall in love with her altrough you know this is the wrong tree to bark at. Brynn is in her 30s after a few bad break ups she thinks the only reason behind it is because she is still in love with her best friend Gillian - i totally can relate with that. Sometimes her acting just doesnt match for me which brings me of, she is a author and struggels for words?! Some characteristics were a bit over the top and on a short novel like that just to much. As a person who is in the situation that she still thinks often back on the start of feelings for her best friend and still now 10 years later when we see us - also not so often as described in the book - no matter what time does you always will fall for her, here its a bit sad when Gina comes around and she is head over heals with her than after describing so long her "deep" feelings for Gillian.

The book is written very well and i had a good time reading it, it has the righ amount british humor but still understandable for everyone.


AN ARC was given to me by YLVA, for a honest review.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a strange book for me. I enjoyed some parts but disliked other parts. We know from the blurb that Brynn is in love with her straight best friend, Gillian. Most of the novella deals with the endless intellectualizing of Brynn’s unrequited love. It is told in first person by Brynn so that is the only perspective we get. I would have liked to know if Gillian knew what a tease she was, always lying on Brynn’s lap and hugging her.

Anyway, Gillian wants Brynn to help her determine if Gillian’s boyfriend is cheating on her. That’s how Brynn meets a new woman, Ginny/Virginia. At this point, I really wanted the protagonist to get over her crush on Gillian. This novella moved slowly for me. There are some humorous moments in the book which lightened it up some. I did get my wish finally, but it took awhile.

I have to admit the some of the British slang threw me for a loop. For example, I kept looking for the missing words when Brynn recounted “f***ing over” in the street (sanitized for censors). I did not know that meant falling. I certainly learned some new slang from this book. I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.

[Colleen Corgel · Rating 4 out of 5]

L.T. Smith manages to create a character that is both fairly unlikable and endearing. Brynn, who is a romance author, has a massive romantic problem of her own: all the women that she's dated cannot compare to her first crush, Gill. Gill also happens to be her best friend and very much in love with her own fiancee, Tom. Brynn is a train wreck waiting to happen. She is cold and aloof with her own romantic partners, while pining hard for Gill, who is absolutely oblivious to her feelings. It doesn't help that Brynn is a massive klutz and has trouble expressing her feelings.

Brynn's one track mind is what drives the plot of this short novella, and it works at times while at others, I got extremely frustrated with her. Where it works, it really works, like how Brynn describes the rush of an immense attraction and how it can mess with your ability to think coherent thoughts.

Overall, this is a nice little read, despite Brynn's many pratfalls.

*I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A work in Progress is a sweet and funny novell that left me with that warm and fuzzy feeling as I read the last page.

This is the first book I've read by L.T. Smith and I found that I really enjoyed her witty and sarcastic humour. The book is well written and I look forward to reading more of her work.

The story is told in first person and is narrated by Brynn. She is both likeable and relatable, which is a great combination.
Brynn believes she is in love with her best friend Gillian, who is not only straight, but is also engaged to the man she loves. Gillian is convinced her fiancée is cheating on her and begs Brynn to help her find out the truth. Brynn reluctantly agrees to help, but ends up discovering some things about herself after meeting a new woman (Gina).

While I wish this story had been longer, I still really enjoyed it. I would have loved to see the characters relationships with each other develop further. I would also have liked to learn more about Gina.

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in ages that I wanted to keep reading after what should have been lights out. I like Smiths writing style, being British the words, rhythm and swearing seem natural. Tho' it is not natural for me to put words and descriptions as well together as Smith does or swear so much!
I read a blog/article recently on peoples peeves in Lesbian writing and one was misunderstandings that could easily be resolved with a question. This book sort of had one of those but it wasn't dragged out and gave the main character space to work out her own issues. I like that Smiths humour is a big part of most of her writings. I would have liked the book to have been a bit longer to enjoy her writing for longer - but I also like that she didn't drag the story out! I guess I am hard to please but this book pleased me!

[Fleppy85 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC for an honest review

This is the first book of this author. The main character, Brynn, a writer, struggles to finish a story, her girlfriends leaves her as Brynn is not very interested in their relationship. Brynn's best friend Gill, her secret love for twenty years, is straight and with a man. Brynn compares all women to Gill and when they don't live up her expectations she withdraws.
Gill suspects her fiance to cheat on her, asked Brynn to come to a party, where the woman, she assumed he's cheating with, will be as well. Brynn agrees although she is not eager to go there. In the end she doesn't regret it.
I found the book long-winded at many times and had problems to concentrate on the endless chatter of Brynn herself in her head and somehow I never really cared for the character's happiness.

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's with falling in love with your best friend? Well Brynn has had this problem for what seems like forever! This rom-com by L.T. Smith revolves around Brynn and her internal monologue about loving her best friend Gillian.
Brynn and Gillian slowly work through the issue of Gillian fiance's possible cheating as well as a much darker issue from Gillian's past. Into the mix to help a very clumsy Brynn is Virgina.
Here is where the book comes into itself. Funny, mixed up, neurotic Brynn takes the reader through her minds crazy thought processes to end up just in the right place! A win for Brynn when she finally realises what's out there waiting for her.
A short story that could definitely be expanded to a novel and thereby develop the characters further.
I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.