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Kellen's Moment

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Kellen McLin has been waiting for her moment for a long time. She says when two people who are meant to be together find each other, they know it instantly. Kellen believes her moment girl has finally arrived, but there’s one big problem—she’s a Sealy. The McLins and the Sealys are south Louisiana’s version of the Hatfields and the McCoys.

Stevie Sealy left Louisiana for college and didn’t return except for holiday visits with her family. After a breakup with her boyfriend, she decides to move back to the town of Sealy temporarily. She never really understood or wanted to be involved in the family feud with the McLins, but she finds herself right in the middle of it when Kellen McLin walks into her life and changes everything.

In this romantic comedy, Robin Alexander weaves a tale about how fast love can happen and how inconvenient it can be.

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2018

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412 people want to read

About the author

Robin Alexander

51 books813 followers
Born in 1965, Robin Alexander grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she still resides. An avid reader of Lesbian fiction, Robin decided to take the leap and try her hand at writing. It didn't take long for her favorite hobby to become a full-time author.
Since her heritage is Scottish and Irish and she’s allergic to seafood, she’s considered an honorary Cajun. When she’s not writing, she’s exploring her state with the top off her Jeep in search of the small towns on the water that inspire her.
Robin is awkward, sometimes shy, loaded with anxieties, accident prone, dangerous with power tools, and has been known to make idiotic decisions. She has been fortunate enough to turn her shortcomings into the hilarious characters you’ll find in her novels and short stories. Her passion is writing funny tales about falling in love, being imperfect and reveling in friendship.
Robin is convinced she has the best job in the world, and she’s extremely grateful for her fans who support her and enable her to do what she loves.

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
Profile Image for Lexxi Kitty.
2,060 reviews478 followers
March 4, 2018
Stevie whispered, and her face flushed. “That’s never happened before. Just hearing her name makes me feel…lesbian things.”


There was a brief moment, as I mentioned in my only status update, when I worried about this book. That was in the prologue that opens with two people apparently on the way to commit crime. And one is reluctant to do so while the other is gung-ho on the idea. And, as I also mentioned, that’s somewhat common with me and Alexander books – I open them, gaze upon the opening with some worry and fear, then gobble the book like it was chocolate and someone was coming to take all my chocolate (I’ve no idea why I went to chocolate). As in, I end up really enjoying the book and reading it in quick gulps.

Right, so, this book is about a 39 year old and a 34 year old (I forget which is which, though I’m fairly certain the 34 year old is Stevie Sealy, while the 39 year old is Kellen McLin). While Stevie grew up in a small town in Louisiana, the next town over from Kellen’s small town, she’s spent her entire adult life living elsewhere – mostly in New York. But she’s home now, temporarily (that’s the plan) as she’s broken up with her male partner (I’m still vaguely confused as to whether or not they were actually ever married). Kellen, on the other hand, appears (it’s not 100% clear), to have lived her entire life in that small town next to Stevie’s small home town.

I’m being vague on purpose. For, you see, the small town Stevie Sealy comes from is named . . . Sealy. And the small town Kellen McLin comes from? The town is named McLin. And as the book description notes, the McLin and Sealy families have been feuding for a long time like the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s. Though, since I do not actually know of any Hatfield’s getting involved with McCoy’s, I’ll go with Capulet and Montague (you know, Juliet and Romeo from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet). Since this specific story here involves two people from rival families falling for each other. Though, luckily for my own sanity, and as already noted, the two who fell for each other in this book are in their 30s, not early teens.

And that’s basically the story – two people from rival families fall for each other, then have to deal with the fact that they are from rival families. There’s more, but that’s the core. Lots of great humor, lots of interesting action, good solid side characters (including probably one of the better gay couples I’ve seen in lesbian fiction), some interesting to me sexy-times, and . . . stuff.

There’s more I could say – like how the McLin’s are the opposites of the Sealy’s in certain matters (they hold similar positions in their towns, and both have much money, but one is very concerned about appearances – ‘keeping up appearances’ (Sealy), while the other keeps a very tight hold on their money to the point they’d prefer wearing used underwear (or none at all) to buying new underwear (McLin’s). And how Stevie’s parents are complete and utter dickwads; and Kellen’s father figure (though uncle who raised her after mother died and father ran away) is an utter vile human turd; or how Kellen has a twin – Kyle, who is one half of the gay coupling I mentioned above; or . . . stuff. But I’ll let people read for themselves.

For my own information-purposes, though, I include: Kellen McLin is currently mayor of McLin *, though would prefer not to be. Would prefer to be running her business (she’s a tree surgeon – an arborist). And Stevie Sealy works from home writing tech manuals (mostly for electronic things, though occasionally for other things).

I really loved the chemistry on display between Kellen and Stevie.

Every time I read a Robin Alexander book, I feel like I need to go back through all of my top tier ratings shelves and rerank everything. Granted, there are a few Alexander books I’ve rated very poorly, but most seem to push the upper limits. As this one did.

* -
“I can’t. I have to cut a ribbon at the new credit union. It’s a really thick ribbon, and I’m sure I’ll be exhausted,” Kellen said as she set the table.


Rating: 5+ (something around 5.35)

March 4 2018
Profile Image for Jenna.
110 reviews108 followers
July 14, 2018
So, I narrated this book. Not the audiobook, I just kept walking into the other room where my partner was answering her emails and started reciting sections of it to her in what I imagined to be a Louisiana accent (but which, most assuredly, was not.) The first time I did it, she listened attentively. By the fourth time, she just started laughing as soon as she saw me coming out of the bedroom with my Kindle in hand.

That’s the gift this book was to me. It was laughter and joy from start to finish. Angst? Nothing more than the suggestion of it. Drama? Comedic melodrama, maybe, but this book rests solidly in romantic comedy territory. The love happens fast, but both characters were aware of how strange that was, and the whole titular “moment” thing was something of a mythology for both of them, so it never really bothered me.

Really, I was just too busy laughing to be bothered by much of anything. I wish I could quote some things, but the humor here wasn’t composed of one-liners, it flowed through pages-long conversations about smothering loved ones with pillows and proving your love through the smelling of armpits. Out of context, it means nothing; on the page, it all just killed me.

This is the second time I’ve read this book, and my reaction to it is largely the same. Initially, I think I would’ve rated it at 4 1/2 stars because I wanted a little more struggle between the families toward the end. Now? The world feels different, and I needed a break from all the ugliness. This is the book equivalent of spending a day with your silliest friends at an amusement park. It’s worth its weight in gold and hope.

5 stars. Favorites shelf.
Profile Image for Arn.
400 reviews117 followers
March 6, 2018
4.5 stars. Robin Alexander has been killin' it lately. I really liked her previous book Fearless, and I really enjoyed this one too. I'm glad she stepped away from the quirky older ladies she used to have in all her books, her newer works feel fresh again.

EDIT: Cover is terrible though, my little designer heart died while looking at that thing.
Profile Image for Joc.
770 reviews198 followers
May 2, 2018
Humorous and with lots of witty banter, this is the story of the ongoing feud between the Sealy's and the McLin's. They each have their own town and the hatred for each other has been passed down from generation to generation. That is until Stevie Sealy returns to her town after being away since college and runs into Kellen McLin, the McLin town mayor. They connect almost instantly.

What I really liked about Kellen's Moment is that they know who the other one is right from the beginning and they talk about it. A lot. It takes the angst and tension out of the relationship and I don't have to spend most of the novel waiting for the penny to drop followed by the break-up. It makes for a really pleasant change. So does laughing in the middle of a sex scene.

Nice light read with lots of comedy.
Profile Image for JulesGP.
650 reviews231 followers
September 6, 2022
Stevie Sealy moves back home to Louisiana and into her parent’s guest house temporarily. As a youngster, she knew the family of McClins were the enemy. But as a 30 something year old, she just wants some peace in her life and someone special to keep her company. Meanwhile, a few miles down the road, Kellen McClin is her town’s mayor. She’s happy but still in search of her person, the woman out there who is sure to set off her “love gps.”

I was in the mood for silly love story and the dynamic duo of Robin Alexander narrated by Lori Prince knocked it out of the park. One of those books that had me guffawing at inappropriate times in public and I had a blast. (Thanks for the rec, Tere).

4.5 stars.
Profile Image for Gaby LezReviewBooks.
735 reviews543 followers
June 25, 2022
A funny and entertaining rom-com by Robin Alexander

Robin Alexander is the author of more than thirty Sapphic novels, which are gradually being released on audio, mostly narrated by Lori Prince. Kellen’s Moment was originally published in 2018.

Kellen McLin believes in love at first sight, she is adamant that when she meets the love of her life, she’ll feel it instantly, something that she calls her “moment”. But when Kellen’s moment comes, it’s with Stevie Sealy, a member of the Sealy family who are fierce enemies of the McLins.

I’m going to repeat myself in this review but when you start a book by Robin Alexander you know what you are going to find: quirky characters, sweet romances and hilarious situations. Her settings are also typical, normally from her home state of Louisiana. Ms. Alexander is one of those authors who has a distinctive style and who always delivers in terms of entertainment. This one is no exception. The book is full of one-liner jokes and hilarious situations:

“ I’m not really hip to the idea of kids.”

“It’s different when they’re your own. You find a well of patience you didn’t realize was inside of you. I will admit that well does run dry at different times. First are the terrible twos, then pre-teen and, of course, the teen years. By the time the last of your babies is a young adult, your poor well is dry and cracked, but somehow you repair it when the grandkids come along. It helps if you refill it with wine.”

This is a “star-crossed lovers” story (a couple who cannot get together for some external reason), in this case, the cause is a feud between two families, which is a bit unusual in Sapphic fiction, even more in a romantic comedy, but Ms. Alexander pulls it off perfectly. The story deals with the issue of family pressure and expectations and despite the author doesn’t take everything jokingly, she balances the more serious matters with a pinch of humour.

The audiobook version is narrated by Lori Prince whose comedic timing is perfect for the story. I’m happy that most of Robin Alexander’s books are narrated by Ms. Prince as her performances make the stories even more entertaining. This is a perfect summer read/listen. Highly recommended if you are looking for a bit of fun. 4.5 stars.

Length: 7 hours and 28 minutes

Available in Scribd
Profile Image for Jo reece.
551 reviews60 followers
March 4, 2018
You cant help but laugh at Robin Alexander books.
Like all her books, you'll laugh and fall in love with the witty characters. The story is there, the chemistry is there... its just a real fun and light romance. If your a fan, this book is another one of hers to read.
Profile Image for Kurt.
166 reviews16 followers
October 31, 2018
Robin Alexander's books are unique. Read a paragraph and you know who the author is. They are typically filled with a lot of dialogue, repartee and the jokes are usually base. So. I was surprised I didn't love this latest book of hers. Romance took second fiddle to all manner of minor characters and conversations about this feud between two families/cities.

The romance was fairly instantaneous and I didn't feel like I had a chance to enjoy the development of it. It was like her book "Patty's Potent Potion" in the sense the leads were just in love from the start, or at least strongly attracted. But that book had better minor characters. There was so much talk about "the moment" I didn't see how a moment could happen. I don't know, maybe I'm too serious this week as all of the jokes, gags and one-liners in this book fell flat for me and I read them straight-faced.

reread: 9.17.18
Profile Image for Tere.
261 reviews57 followers
July 23, 2022
This may be a new Alexander favorite for me with several laugh out loud moments that made my commute so much shorter. Lori Prince is such a great fit for Alexander and did a phenomenal job with the voices (in particular male voices, which I think she has conquered).
Profile Image for Corrie.
1,694 reviews4 followers
March 19, 2018
Kellen’s Moment is right up there with other Robin Alexander classics as Scaredy Cat and The Fall. But who am I kidding… after giving 21 of her books a 5 star rating I guess they are all classics in my book. So yeah, I am partial to her special brand of humor.

I just love the way she tells a story. Her main characters mostly fall into a drama-free relationship. They just have fun together, they are mates and most importantly (and this is something we miss a lot in romance novels these days) they communicate. I always find it refreshing how the author can bring some hilarity to the bedroom as well. Maybe it’s because I’m around the author’s age, but I just can relate to her a lot.

So yes, it’s maybe predictable and boring but this is another 5 star review from me and Kellen’s Moment will find a spot on my favorites shelf.

f/f explicit

Themes: oh my gawd there are so many fun parts, Stevie’s mom and her Fleetwood Mac fetish is just hilarious, I basically loved the whole cast, as per the usual we are presented with a butt-ugly cover but I have come to love that as well ;-)

5 stars
Profile Image for Alexis.
510 reviews649 followers
March 8, 2018
Robin Alexander never disappoints when it comes to writing romantic comedies. This book had me laughing like a lunatic so many times. When it's not the two main characters cracking you up with their flirty banter the secondary characters will have you clutching your sides when they explain the importance of sniffing your significant other's armpit. This is a super sweet book about two feuding families who just might be able to call a truce now that two of their offspring have fallen for each other. Definitely give this a try when you're in need of a good laugh.

Trent to Stevie: "My grandma used to say it like this, ‘Men jump into everything pecker first, women think they jump heart first, but it’s usually the cooter leading the way too.’ Grandma was crazy, she ate banana peels, but that was the sanest thing I think I ever heard her say.”
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
241 reviews99 followers
February 13, 2023
In the hypothetical and unlikely (don’t worry, babe!) situation that I should find myself single again, what are the chances I could get Robin Alexander to write me a girlfriend??

As always, this was funny AF, with endearing and sweet characters that have crazy good chemistry and really weird circumstances. Love it. With Alexander’s books, I feel like the story itself sits somewhere in the 3-4 range, but the comedy and ridiculousness just drive it home for me every time (especially with Lori Prince narrating). On top of that, her characters always come across as such genuinely wonderful and crazy funny humans – chef’s kiss!

Really all I can say about this one is that it was completely ridiculous in the funniest ways and you should listen to it if you’re in the mood for a cute love story and a good laugh. (Bonus points for mocking the concept of love at first sight in your story about love at first sight!)
Profile Image for Ty.
263 reviews21 followers
March 21, 2018
Robin Alexander’s prose is frequently crass, her plots are simple and sometimes predictable, and her characters are always rough mirror images of other characters she’s already written, especially her secondary characters. But it doesn’t really matter. She’s carved out her own lane, she sticks to it, and it’s enjoyable enough that I’ll keep coming back to read her next book.
Profile Image for IanWAA.
106 reviews4 followers
October 13, 2018
It's really nice to finally read a book that doesn't have drama because the MC has relationship problems but because of the family feud.
Profile Image for Sapphic Reads.
230 reviews408 followers
October 13, 2024
An enjoyable read with a nice mix of humor and heartwarming moments! While I liked the characters and the overall vibe, the pacing felt a bit slow at times. Still, it's worth sticking with for the better moments sprinkled throughout.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
352 reviews46 followers
March 13, 2018
Definitely not my fave by this author. I have read everything Robin has written plus reread many. Needless to say....I am a fan! But this was a bit over the top for my tastes. Reminded me of The Trip. It just felt forced and like she was reaching for the funny a little too hard.

But hey....it's a Robin Alexander book....so it was worth the read! Not as much on the romance side in this one...

3.5 stars rounded up.
Profile Image for Women Using Words.
483 reviews68 followers
April 12, 2023
This book was absolutely hilarious! The characters were fantastic and the storyline was well-developed and engaging. I will read this one again!
6 reviews2 followers
March 4, 2018
I din't enjoy this book much. Too much banter and not enough actual story. No doubt Robin Alexander is the queen of one-liners, but they shouldn't be at the expense of the plot. I thought she was trying far too hard to be clever. The instant love wasn't believable, especially because we were told over and over again the two families were at war. It took nearly half the book for the two women to have a conversation which dragged the romance. Disappointing considering all the five stars reviews.
Profile Image for Aunt Missa.
303 reviews30 followers
May 19, 2025
This was super cute and snarky. It’s so difficult to write humor and Robin Alexander did it beautifully. The best part of this book was the secondary characters, I didn’t even mind Stevie’s awful parents because of the way Stevie and Kellen were able to lean of each other. I loved the setting and the Hatfields and McCoys vibe was a great plot line to play with in the development of the story.

I wish it were spicier and there was tons of fade to black. But if anyone is looking for low angst, insta-attraction, and quirky love, this will be great for you
Profile Image for emily.
901 reviews166 followers
April 14, 2022
This is the third book that I’ve read (listened to) by this author. One, the first one I tried (Temporary Girl) I quit partway through due to annoyance at the characters and getting sick of hearing lowkey transphobic comments constantly. (iirc, the queer mc and her queer friend did SO many variations on “ew penis is gross” from the queer woman and “ew vaginas are gross” from the queer man just… constantly, that I finally just rage quit). But I gave her another try and listened to The Lure of White Oak and largely loved it.

This one was somewhere in the middle for me. Not in terms of offense, but enjoyment. The main characters were both pretty great, and despite not really liking instalove tropes, I enjoyed their dynamic. I think that some of the comedy stuff just got to be too much for me. It felt like trying really hard to be funny and odd, rather than having any of it happen organically. It might just be that I didn’t quite connect with the side characters as much as I enjoyed the ones in White Oak. Who knows. Lori Prince narrates a lot of her books, and I like her, so I’ll probably try a few other titles.
1,149 reviews15 followers
March 26, 2018
So Fun!

I loved Kellen’s Moment. Such a fun read. Kellen and Stevie’s story of living amidst a small town grudge is great. I love the fact of the next generation finally standing up for themselves.
14 reviews
March 3, 2018
Ack Ack ack wheeze...

Entertaining as always. I can't get enough of Robin Alexander's zany, fun and loveable characters. I don't even need to read the synopsis before buying her books because I know I will love it!
Profile Image for Tinything.
245 reviews
July 15, 2018
Damn! As always, i love Robin Alexander’s books. Her books never let me down. They made me laugh, smile, happy and teary (in a good way, of course). In the prologue, i thought Kellen and her brother were about to make a crime . And the first time Kellen and Stevie met, and Kyle lied to Kellen about who Stevie is, and i thought “oh no, is this going to be those kind of books where the lie keep going until it reveal and the drama going on?” And then as i continue reading, to my relief i was like “phew! It’s not. Thank you very much”. And i really like this book. It’s funny, both main characters are funny and really lovable and i really like the chemistry between them. oh and of course there are family involve as well. as i said it made me laugh, smile, happy and teary. The teary part I really enjoy this book very much <3
Profile Image for Farah.
767 reviews86 followers
August 25, 2018
I was laughing my ass off at the beginning of the book but after, I began to feel bored. I pushed on as I loved some of the secondary characters but really could care less about the h/h. The romance was really instant, they were moving in together in a period of one/two weeks, If I am not mistaken.
Hope that you'll find better luck with this book.
8 reviews
March 10, 2018
Entertaining

This story was very good. It will keep you engaged and laughing from beginning to end. I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for vacatedboat.
153 reviews
February 28, 2018
I love Robin Alexander. I cannot read her books one after another after another, but when I’m in the mood for a laugh, she never fails. “Kellen’s Moment” is no different and I highly recommend it to any Alexander fan. It follows her traditional formula of small town Louisiana with prominent background characters that provide most of the humor, much to the embarrassment of our MCs. The two characters here are both charming and sweet and their romance, although UHaul in style, is believable enough in the lighthearted world that Alexander typically creates in her books. I’m not going for the full 5 stars here because it didn’t blow me away or anything, but it was a well-written, quick read that put many smiles on my face and made me laugh out loud a few times.
Profile Image for K.
139 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2018
Great story

I truly enjoyed it. I found the MC to be very sweet.I loved each of the supporting characters as well. It's worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews

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