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Watching Cars Go By
Silke, an easy-going German who prefers dodging problems to facing them, follows her job to the US when her bossy, longtime partner Alex refuses to start a family. Once in Texas, the cute blonde, who fixes medical analyzers for a living, is hit on by coworker Ana, a voluptuous and sexy Latina, who falls head over heels for her.
Ana, formerly content with casual hook-ups, recognizes a good thing when she sees it and will do whatever it takes to win Silke. Still in love with Alex despite her shortcomings, Silke strings Ana along while at the same time getting increasingly chummy with her landlady, Lauren. The frumpy nurse is middle-aged and motherly, and best of all hetero, which makes her safe for Silke to hang out with. Or so she thinks.
A kiss initiated by Lauren changes everything and they eventually become lovers. But Lauren has always struggled with putting herself first, and when her husband and daughter return home for the holidays, she resumes her wife-and-mother persona. Ana, on the other hand, is not only free, she is ready to start a family now and doggedly continues to pursue Silke. Of course there’s also still Alex, sophisticated as ever and used to getting what she wants, which is to keep Silke.
Deceiving everybody and most of all herself, Silke procrastinates until being playful doesn’t cut it any longer. Can she take a stand and save the relationship with the one person who truly matters?
Ana, formerly content with casual hook-ups, recognizes a good thing when she sees it and will do whatever it takes to win Silke. Still in love with Alex despite her shortcomings, Silke strings Ana along while at the same time getting increasingly chummy with her landlady, Lauren. The frumpy nurse is middle-aged and motherly, and best of all hetero, which makes her safe for Silke to hang out with. Or so she thinks.
A kiss initiated by Lauren changes everything and they eventually become lovers. But Lauren has always struggled with putting herself first, and when her husband and daughter return home for the holidays, she resumes her wife-and-mother persona. Ana, on the other hand, is not only free, she is ready to start a family now and doggedly continues to pursue Silke. Of course there’s also still Alex, sophisticated as ever and used to getting what she wants, which is to keep Silke.
Deceiving everybody and most of all herself, Silke procrastinates until being playful doesn’t cut it any longer. Can she take a stand and save the relationship with the one person who truly matters?
386 pages, Paperback
Published August 16, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 20, 2021
Touching, funny, painful, romantic, all these things
I've been a reader for most of my life and after what must be thousands of books I still have no idea what makes "a good book", or "good writing", but I know what I like.
I like this book. I liked Silke and Lauren. They feel 'true' - I don't know if any part of their story is taken from the author's own lives, but it feels like someone lived parts of it. I like that Lauren and Silke have obstacles to overcome before they get together, including the long-term but troubled relationships both are in, and they don't always get things right.
I'm glad I picked this book up, I like where the story ended up. I rarely finish a book and long for a sequel, and this doesn't need one, but if one existed I'd be keen to read it just to spend more time with the characters.
I've been a reader for most of my life and after what must be thousands of books I still have no idea what makes "a good book", or "good writing", but I know what I like.
I like this book. I liked Silke and Lauren. They feel 'true' - I don't know if any part of their story is taken from the author's own lives, but it feels like someone lived parts of it. I like that Lauren and Silke have obstacles to overcome before they get together, including the long-term but troubled relationships both are in, and they don't always get things right.
I'm glad I picked this book up, I like where the story ended up. I rarely finish a book and long for a sequel, and this doesn't need one, but if one existed I'd be keen to read it just to spend more time with the characters.
March 13, 2022
At first I had a hard time with this book because I felt it fat shamed and had comments in it that bothered me. So I sit the book down and wasn't going to read it but I had given my word to read it so I decided to continue on. I AM SO GLAD I DID. This book is great. I loved how the book made me think, made me angry, made me laugh and made me cry. I hope that this book leads to more because I really want to see how Lauren and Silke's relationship progresses.
January 31, 2023
This is a fun read! There were times when I actually caught myself laughing out loud while reading this. D.J. Fronimos & Elke Lacey bring a fresh, but experienced perspective to their writing and it is completely engaging.
This is my first novel by these authors, and I must say that I found their writing style most pleasing. Just a few chapters in and one can easily see this is a true collaboration in every sense of the word. There is a fluidity to the writing that pulls one into the storytelling. The cadence of the words is sure and steady. However, what I found most appealing about this duo’s storytelling is their ability to keep it “real” on the page. Their keen observations about people and the relationships they find themselves entangled is wonderfully transcribed into resonating scenes.
This is a character driven story and these authors have done the proper leg work to create a narrative that works. The character development is strong and believable, making the storytelling relevant and relatable. Lauren and Silke are flawed, but their vulnerabilities reverberate within readers. They are likable women searching for true happiness and readers connect with that. Furthermore, their chemistry is nearly palpable, though Fronimos and Lacey do make them work for their happily ever after. It’s a masterful choice though as it builds tension and makes the romance even sweeter in the end.
Fronimos and Lacey’s use of secondary characters is commendable as well. Readers appreciate their contributions as they help to generate drama and external conflict. When they enter the page, things always seem to get more interesting. Mostly predominantly though, they help to prompt change in Lauren and Silke, and that’s essential for dynamic storytelling.
Final remarks…
I was completely absorbed by the characters and scenes in Watching Cars Go By. Fronimos and Lacey have a wonderful sense of humor and I found it hard to put this book down when life’s responsibilities tugged at my sleeve. They have the ability to create vivid, honest dialogue that tugs at one’s heart. This especially shines through with Lauren as she articulates her feelings and emotions to Silke. It’s splendid and spot on, and I loved it. Their romance is a winner and I would strongly encourage people to pick it up.
A note…
This storyline does contain relationship infidelity. It is incorporated into the narrative for plot purposes, and isn’t done gratuitously. However, I think readers should be aware in case one finds it offensive.
Strengths…
Humorous and heartfelt
Entertaining
Fantastic character development
Well scripted dialogue
Emotionally relatable
This is my first novel by these authors, and I must say that I found their writing style most pleasing. Just a few chapters in and one can easily see this is a true collaboration in every sense of the word. There is a fluidity to the writing that pulls one into the storytelling. The cadence of the words is sure and steady. However, what I found most appealing about this duo’s storytelling is their ability to keep it “real” on the page. Their keen observations about people and the relationships they find themselves entangled is wonderfully transcribed into resonating scenes.
This is a character driven story and these authors have done the proper leg work to create a narrative that works. The character development is strong and believable, making the storytelling relevant and relatable. Lauren and Silke are flawed, but their vulnerabilities reverberate within readers. They are likable women searching for true happiness and readers connect with that. Furthermore, their chemistry is nearly palpable, though Fronimos and Lacey do make them work for their happily ever after. It’s a masterful choice though as it builds tension and makes the romance even sweeter in the end.
Fronimos and Lacey’s use of secondary characters is commendable as well. Readers appreciate their contributions as they help to generate drama and external conflict. When they enter the page, things always seem to get more interesting. Mostly predominantly though, they help to prompt change in Lauren and Silke, and that’s essential for dynamic storytelling.
Final remarks…
I was completely absorbed by the characters and scenes in Watching Cars Go By. Fronimos and Lacey have a wonderful sense of humor and I found it hard to put this book down when life’s responsibilities tugged at my sleeve. They have the ability to create vivid, honest dialogue that tugs at one’s heart. This especially shines through with Lauren as she articulates her feelings and emotions to Silke. It’s splendid and spot on, and I loved it. Their romance is a winner and I would strongly encourage people to pick it up.
A note…
This storyline does contain relationship infidelity. It is incorporated into the narrative for plot purposes, and isn’t done gratuitously. However, I think readers should be aware in case one finds it offensive.
Strengths…
Humorous and heartfelt
Entertaining
Fantastic character development
Well scripted dialogue
Emotionally relatable
February 27, 2022
This story had me laughing out loud it had me sad at some points it was all very well balanced fantastic book must read congratulations
March 10, 2022
Great reading from beginning to end…
Wonderful story line certainly kept me up late at night reading
Will read other books from the authors collection for sure…
Jose orozco
Wonderful story line certainly kept me up late at night reading
Will read other books from the authors collection for sure…
Jose orozco
September 1, 2022
I absolutely love this book and always looked forward to picking it up for my nighttime reading to see where Silke and Lauren were! I can’t wait to read more about these two and where life leads them!
A huge thank you to the authors for the chance to read such a great story!
A huge thank you to the authors for the chance to read such a great story!
December 3, 2022
Okay. This was not one of the better romances I‘ve read.
I really disliked the multiple occurrences of bodyshaming that came along. Not only because they didn‘t seem to fit the character doing it at the time, it left a mark on the character for the rest of the story.
Then our main protagonists seemed to get easily agitated about merely nothing just because they assumed and didn’t talk. This also seemed to be out of character and probably would have fitted the story better if these were resolved otherwise. Overall, it was kind of strange. But, the story has potential. It could have been better with some more sensitivity reading beforehand I guess.
I really disliked the multiple occurrences of bodyshaming that came along. Not only because they didn‘t seem to fit the character doing it at the time, it left a mark on the character for the rest of the story.
Then our main protagonists seemed to get easily agitated about merely nothing just because they assumed and didn’t talk. This also seemed to be out of character and probably would have fitted the story better if these were resolved otherwise. Overall, it was kind of strange. But, the story has potential. It could have been better with some more sensitivity reading beforehand I guess.
September 12, 2022
This book is emotive, and well-paced. The characters were well portrayed, and I felt connected to them as I turned the pages late into the night, waiting to see how the book would evolve. Touching on some big issues in an entertaining way, this is one romance I recommend - it's more than a romance, it's a life-lit story, with romantic elements, in my opinion, but the chemistry is definitely there.
January 19, 2023
Watching Cars Go By is a ride along the bumpy road of our main characters, Silke and Lauren. It is fun watching Silke's culture shock, moving from Munich, Germany to San Antonio, Texas. Lauren's journey is a bit of shock as well, though her's is more dealing with her life and relationships, rather than culture. Both S & L navigate through life's changes, but the trip is far from smooth. I enjoyed their story and the touches of Texas culture. Thanks D.J. & Elke for the ride!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews