Angie Dressen’s goal in life is simple. She wants her son, Oliver, to have the childhood she never had. She remembers coming in second to the never-ending stream of girlfriends her father brought home, and she wants Oliver to know he comes first. Besides, between working full time as a waitress, struggling to finish her degree one class at a time, and raising her son, Angie doesn’t have time for love. Or so she thinks.
Luna Rinaldi is the wild-haired, leather-wearing embodiment of all Angie’s relationship fears. She’s a well-respected tattoo artist with a long list of past lovers and a reputation for leaving in the middle of the night. She’s also kind, thoughtful, and adventurous, with a serious soft spot for Angie and Oliver.
The two enter into a tenuous relationship, one that leaves Luna wanting more and Angie resisting the promise in Luna’s eyes. When they are together, though, Angie wants to believe in love, trust, and the possibility of forever.
Jove Belle was born and raised against a backdrop of orchards and potato fields. The youngest of four children, she was raised in a conservative, Christian home and began asking why at a very young age, much to the consternation of her mother and grandmother. At the customary age of eighteen, she fled southern Idaho in pursuit of broader minds and fewer traffic jams involving the local livestock. The road didn’t end in Portland, Oregon, but there were many confusing freeway interchanges that a girl from the sticks was ill-prepared to deal with. As a result, she has lived in the Portland metro area for over fifteen years and still can’t figure out how she manages to spend so much time in traffic when there’s not a stray sheep or cow in sight.
She lives with her partner of twelve years. Between them they share three children, two dogs, two cats, two mortgage payments, one sedan, and one requisite dyke pickup truck. One day she hopes to live in a house that doesn’t generate a never ending honey-do list.
Incidentally, she never stopped asking why, but did expand her arsenal of questions to include who, what, when, where and, most important of all, how. In those questions, a story is born.
The romance was insta-love but done really well. I expected Luna to be the one with commitment issues due to her promiscuous past but she was the perfect girlfriend. And instead it was Angie who had too many insecurities and trust issues. She was frustrating and kinda hard to like. Overall it was a fun read with little angst.
For me this is a lovestory about, wanting to be a better version of yourself.
For the main character Luna, this is exactly what Angie does to her. This leather clad tattoo artist, wants to get her act together, because that’s what it will take to get the girl, and she know it.
Luna never needed to make an effort the get women into her bed, but with Angie it’s a different game. Angie is a single mom, and isn’t willing to let anybody into her life that isn’t willing to stay longer than just a night of casual sex.
For me this was a story about being brave enough to fall in love, without letting the consequences stop you from falling. About knowing that someone is all you need, and wanting to be the best person possible to deserve this new found love. But also about letting go of the past, and accepting the choices you once made.
Especially the character of Luna, warmth my heart with the way she treated Angie. She was understanding, patient, brave and dared to love with all of her. I loved it that her tough tattoo artist image, melted like ice when Angie was near. When they saw each other they were really drawn to each other, body and soul. The way they couldn’t stay away from each other was romantic and sometimes very exciting and HOT!
It was a fun read, but not more than that! There was nothing really special about it, noting exceptional. That’s okay, but it won’t stick with me when time moves on!
This is an enjoyable story with romance, difficult times, inner fears to overcome, sweet moments and love.
Both characters are well developed letting the reader know their flaws, fears, memories and also their dreams. The chemistry between them was sexy and sweet at the same time. And even though one of them (Angie) was reluctant to acknowledge her feelings due to her fears, the other character (Luna) did her best to show her she could trust her and her son's hearts to her.
The secondary characters were appealing and injected a funny, sweet and important vibe to the story.
The sex/love scenes were quite short and not really descriptive, however the few parts that were well-described were really hot.
All in all this is a nice book to spent a nice time and even though there were moments that i wished the plot had taken a different course or that the characters' attitudes had been different, it still was a very enjoyable reading. 3.8 stars.
Abandoned by her own mother and raised by her hippie father, Angie Dressen leads a less than ideal life. In order to take care of her son she works nights at a diner and spends her free time studying to earn a degree to better their lives. After tagging along with her BFF Tori to a tattoo appointment Angie meets the alluring bad-girl Luna. Luna is a dark haired, leather-clad vixen and tattoo artist. Sparks fly immediately but there is one problem: Luna has some baggage. Ruby is the perfect example of the girl we all love to hate: she's got the pin-up style, perfect pouty lips, and can seduce her way into almost anything. Once Luna dumps Ruby she thinks everything will be perfect and that Angie will accept her with open arms. Unfortunately their tumultuous relationship begins and Luna has to fight her way into Angie's heart and family. Will love conquer all or is the reformed bad girl left out to dry?
This was my first read by the author and I loved the story. It was a perfect blend of angst and beginning relationship butterflies. The dynamic between Luna and Angie was amazing and from first sight the reader is hoping they will have a happily ever after. I enjoyed the writing style which was filled with humor and endearing passages between the two lovers.
Luna was my favorite character of the story. She's deep, passionate, and completely sexy! I felt all of her emotions while reading the story: frustration, desperation, and adoration. She's the perfect kind of "bad girl" who actually has a big heart and a soft interior but was always waiting for the right girl to come along. Angie was a very flawed character and a contradiction in herself. In the beginning she demanded that Luna end the relations with Ruby before Luna could start anything with her. But, once Luna started to prove her loyalty Angie remained distant and pushed her away. For someone who fears abandonment and didn't want to be a booty call her actions did not seem logical. However, I am biased in this scenario since I am a hopeless romantic and against all odds type of girl so Angie was a frustrating character to deal with.
All in all this was a wonderful read and I look forward to discovering more titles by the author! I recommend this book for anyone looking for a sweet, contemporary love story.
This book really stuck with me after I was finished. Where one would expect my crush on a character to be for the hot, tatted Luna, I actually fell more for Angie's character. She's so conflicted to the point that I wanted to shake her. Though, she's a beautiful soul whose faults tugged at my heart. It was cool for her hangups about the relationship having nothing to do with religion or gay panic.
Oliver and Luna's relationship was the cutest. He took to her so quickly that I thought I missed something at first. It's not unbelievable; it only caught my attention. However, I loved their interactions and how he had an affinity for Luna and her tattoo. Angie's dad is pretty awesome and his mere existence explains so much about Angie's straight-laced ways.
This story is quite sexy and I wish more love scenes had been fleshed out since Jove Belle certainly knows her way around them. Overall, a great read!
This was one of those stories that said 'Don't judge a book by its cover'. I'm not talking about the actual cover. Although, it is rather hot.
Luna Rinaldi is who I was talking about. She basically screamed biker chick with a high libido and a heart of gold. However, in order to get to that golden heart you had to see past the tattoos, rough exterior, and all the women.
Angie couldn't seem to do that, but had no issues dropping her drawers and giving herself up to Luna right on the stairs. By the way, stairs, ouch. Belle did a great a job at making me forget how uncomfortable stairs can be on ones back. I wanted to like Angie, she was cut a raw deal having a flaky father then having a baby in high school. She worked hard at taking care of her son, but it appeared she worked harder at keeping her heart closed off from the possibility of love. She had good reasons not to trust Luna thanks to Angie's father for instilling that fear of abandonment, but after time and patience, Luna proved she was trustworthy, but Angie was so far gone, she couldn't see it, or maybe she didn't want to see it. I was screaming at the woman to pull her head out of her A**!
In the end, it all worked out, even though it was like pulling teeth and my blood pressure was wonky afterward.
This book could have been so much better I was actually annoyed all the way through it with Angie . The only people I liked was Luna, Oliver, jack, Tori, and Perez. Back and forth through rouses and tire book and you cannot make up her mind and it annoyed me that she couldn't decide what she wanted until almost the very last 2 chapters when Oliver gets hit by a car and then it's like bam everything slides into place. It was just too much drama.
And then the author puts a line out there about what Luna wanted to do with her and then never followed through. If you mention what you want to do with an actual sexual act you should actually follow through. Because that was what I was looking forward to reading. It was the whole reason I got this book at the book exchange. Besides Oliver and Luna hanging out that was nothing really great about this book.
The drama with Luna's ex was over done also. Stalker much ugh. This had so much potential then fell flat. I'll probably give it away at end year go back to book exchange.
It's funny how two people can meet and have this instant attraction, but there's always one of them that thinks it can never be that easy. But is love ever easy?
In a bid to protect herself, Angie kept postponing her own happiness. Although she had valid reasons from her childhood, at some point something has to give.
I was glad Tori and her dad kept pushing her, and that Luna herself never gave up on what she KNEW was going to be something great.
Leave the stereotypes at the door. Single-mom. Tattoo artist.
Another reviewer used the term "instalove". I don't believe that was this situation at all. Instant attraction? Absolutely. Each person needs to work through their own situation.
I felt this story was well paced and complex without being too angsty.
Extremely stubborn waitress with a ten year old son meets a tattoo artist who also has limited experience with committed relationships. A decent cast of persistent secondary characters finally help the waitress see the light and HEA ensues. Overall a good read.
Without trust does love matter enough? That's the question this book is pondering, as a woman who enjoyed a life of casual relationships & a woman who has deep-seated fears of abandonment feel sparks of attraction for each other.
I really loved this book! Jove's writing sucks you in and before you know it you are half way through the book and totally wrapped up in the characters. We meet Angie a single mom who lives with her hippie dad and she is trying to do right by her son Oliver. She loves her dad but growing up he wasn't the most responsible parent and she is determined NOT to make those same mistakes he made. She doesn't want Oliver feeling like he isn't the most important person in her life. She is so determined to be a better parent that she doesn't see that she is really doing a disservice to both Oliver and herself.
Luna a tattoo artist who really falls for Angie after Angie walked into her tattoo shop one day. There is an immediate connection and Angie is trying to fight it all the way. Luna is very patient but how long will that patience last? Will Angie's constant denial of her feelings and excuses she gives finally send Luna into the arms of another? Or will Angie wise up?
Jove's writing is effortless and she had me routing for Angie and Luna from the beginning. Angie wants so badly to be the perfect parent that she doesn't see that she is missing out on happiness. I loved her son Oliver--that boy is wise and Angie could learn a thing or two from him.
There is definitely some steam in this book but it doesn't overshadow the story. Jove really let's gives you a glimpse into all sides of Angie and Luna's relationship. Then she throws a wrench or two into the story that had me shedding a few tears, wanting to slap a bitch, and had me screaming at the screen at one point because I just couldn't believe what I was reading. Go read and enjoy this story.
when I first read about Luna I wasn't impressed with her character character not the character herself. I didn't like the friends with benefits maybe it was the friend that did that to me but I just was like meh. As I got to see her and her change because of her feelings for Angie I changed my tune. I loved how she did things at Angie's pace and was sad when she felt like Angie didn't see her as more than just a roll in the hay. That was hard to swallow. I think because Luna wanted so much more and so did Angie but Angie was to afraid and was letting her past cripple her present and future. I know it was because of her son but still you shouldn't close yourself off to experiences because you are afraid to be hurt. No excuse there.
Angie is a devoted mother who is insecure in who she is. She wants more from a relationship but is scared when someone is willing to pursue that more. She hides behind her son and that is wrong. You can understand her desire to protect her son from pain but that shouldn't be used to stop something wonderful from happening.
Tori and Perez are great side characters they add fun brevity to the book as does Angies dad. I love his skirt and attitude towards Luna.
a book that shows us we need to squash our fears or we will never experience things and find something that is truly beautiful. A sweet book that will has you wanting more for Luna and Angie.
This was a very good book. I was on the fence about it one several occasionsA in whether or not to get it and read it. Not because I did not like the author or because the book did not sound interesting. My indecision was based on did I want to pay the price for the book. I have read a different book by Jove Belle and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was lucky enough to get this book on an ARC to read for Battery Operated Book Blog for an upcoming review. I am glad I got this chance because this was a very good read.
The couple in this book Angie and Luna struggle to accept what they feel for each other, mostly Angie, because she doesn't want to introduce anyone to her son Oliver and have him get attached and then have them leave and he have to deal with that heartbreak.
After some ups and downs and a few incidents that helps to actually bring the closer after pulling them apart take place they are able to come to terms with how they feel and work towards find their "forever love" together and become a complete family.
Please jump over to Battery Operated Book Blog for a more in depth review.
I really quite enjoyed this story of Angie, single mum to the adorable 10 year old Oliver. They live with her eccentric & hilarious father Jack. Angie is busy working hard & studying, but more important making sure Oliver knows that her is her first priority. She has no time to fall in love, until she meets Luna. Luna is a very sexy Tattoo artist & as soon as she sees Angie, she wants to be with her. She just has to convince Angie. This is a really nice love story. The characters work really well together. Angie’s best friend Tori is funny. There was some humour & drama & some very tender moments. A very easy read, I couIdn’t put it down & read it in 5 hours
This is an easy read and a light romance. There is good chemistry between the two leads and there's just as much interaction in bed as out of it but there's nothing too deep here. The side characters provide some light-hearted laughs and are likeable. I liked the first half of the book more than the second half where it fell into the should I, shouldn't I dilemma of committing to the relationship by the single mom. I understand she had conflict but the separation felt forced to me and I would find it more interesting if they were having conflicts together that would drive them apart rather than just the thought of committing itself being the wedge.
Recommend if you're looking for a light, easy read.
I really quite enjoyed this story of Angie, single mum to the adorable 10 year old Oliver. They live with her eccentric & hilarious father Jack.
Angie is busy working hard & studying, but more important making sure Oliver knows that her is her first priority. She has no time to fall in love, until she meets Luna. Luna is a very sexy Tattoo artist & as soon as she sees Angie, she wants to be with her. She just has to convince Angie.
This is a really nice love story. The characters work really well together. Angie’s best friend Tori is funny.
There was some humour & drama & some very tender moments.
A very easy read, I couIdn’t put it down & read it in 5 hours
This is my first foray into novel length lesbian romamce and I enjoyed the experience. I was able to connect with Luna and Angie as characters even though I spent most of the book wishing Angie would confront her dad about issues from her childhood and I wanted Luna to think she was truly worthy of love. Angie's son, Oliver, had an existance but wasn't the main focus on the story. I appreciated the characters' struggles as well as their growth.
I will say that I kept imagining Luna as a "Shane" from the L Word type of character, but in the end she is deeper than that. Overall, I liked the story and hope to read more from Jove Belle.
I have to say that this was a great love story. The only thing that was hard for me was it was a slow read. I highly recommended this for a young adult and not older. So if you are looking for a love story this may be for you. You will read about a single mother who have a chance for love but the question will she allow someone to love her or will be past make her walk away.
I'm finding that Jove Belle is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I loved the story and quickly became attached to the characters. I can definitely see myself reading this again in the future.
A beautiful story about changes two women go through. One, from her commitment free ways; the other, learning to trust. Loved the main characters, Luna and Angie. The lesser characters Tori, Perez, Oliver, and Jack were equally engaging. Loved to "hate" Ruby.