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First Responders #1
Trauma Alert
Dr. Ali Torveau knows just how fragile life can be—she sees death and tragedy every day in the trauma unit. Battling the dark forces of fate is her life’s work and she doesn’t want or need anything else, certainly nothing as transient as love. Plenty of women try to change her mind, but she never has any trouble saying no. Not until the day firefighter Beau Cross shows up in her ER and sets Ali’s carefully ordered world aflame.
264 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2010
112 people are currently reading
1602 people want to read
About the author
Radclyffe
139 books1,656 followersRadclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
July 15, 2020
As usually with books from Radclyffe it was well written. It was not one of her best, but still good. Enjoyed it.
Still four stars.
July 2020. Read this book again and enjoyed again, maybe even more than last time. Very nice romance, plenty of hot scenes and I liked reading about Wynter and Pierce again.
Still four stars.
July 2020. Read this book again and enjoyed again, maybe even more than last time. Very nice romance, plenty of hot scenes and I liked reading about Wynter and Pierce again.
April 26, 2024
4.3 rounded to 5
Very entertaining and so well written book as expected from Radclyffe
I recommend it for those who like romance plus sexy and strong main characters
Very entertaining and so well written book as expected from Radclyffe
I recommend it for those who like romance plus sexy and strong main characters
April 9, 2024
Clense the soul: one of those books that ticks every box, has me weeping time and again (even in the coffee house where an ex-colleaugue asks if I'm OK!) and cheering on the MCs. In this gene there is but no-one who can knock Radclyffe off the number 1 spot.
August 3, 2011
I was familiar with Radclyffe by name, but had never read any of her work before now. I was under the impression that she wrote historical fiction, but “Trauma Alert” is without doubt a contemporary romantic drama. And it is very well done - I can see why Radclyffe is so popular and prolific. The author quickly built a realistic setting; she obviously did her research and I felt like I was observing real medical professionals. The main characters are believable, and fully developed. I felt real suspense when they were involved in emergency rescues, or surgeries, and kept me turning the virtual pages to see what would happen next.
I also appreciated that the characters didn’t immediately fall into lust-filled gazes, and heightened sexual urges the moment their eyes met. The two women assessed each other, and continued with their professional responsibility like real people do. Not every romance has to start with earth shattering sexual attraction. The two women are polar opposites with their own baggage, and masks protecting who they really are inside. That is not to say that the story has no steam – this is a healthy book, not a novella parading as a novel, so readers have time to see a relationship build.
One of the best things about the writing is the way characters are matter-of-fact about their sexuality. A gay couple is treated as almost ordinary in the story, which is a refreshing break from the angst gay romances usually have. I am not sure if this is typical of F/F, or this author in particular but it was nice. Recommended.
I also appreciated that the characters didn’t immediately fall into lust-filled gazes, and heightened sexual urges the moment their eyes met. The two women assessed each other, and continued with their professional responsibility like real people do. Not every romance has to start with earth shattering sexual attraction. The two women are polar opposites with their own baggage, and masks protecting who they really are inside. That is not to say that the story has no steam – this is a healthy book, not a novella parading as a novel, so readers have time to see a relationship build.
One of the best things about the writing is the way characters are matter-of-fact about their sexuality. A gay couple is treated as almost ordinary in the story, which is a refreshing break from the angst gay romances usually have. I am not sure if this is typical of F/F, or this author in particular but it was nice. Recommended.
October 2, 2018
I didn’t have expectations going into this book — I needed something to follow up to Firestorm (book 2 in this series, because sequence isn’t always relevant) and the blurb interested me. Plus, Radclyffe knows her shit when it comes to intimacy and sex scenes.
I’m not sure why I liked this so much. It was so good I continued to listen to it even after I finished the drive (lesfic books are amazing for long drives) and into the night.
It could be Beau and her faux bravado to cover up her vulnerability or Ali’s strength and grace under pressure and how she hides from emotion to save herself from heartache. I loved the characters, their unique histories and how those histories shaped their lives, and while I’m ALWAYS wary of a too early ILY.. it somehow wasn’t. Beau is that unobtainable fantasy and I’m so happy with the way this ended.
I’m not sure why I liked this so much. It was so good I continued to listen to it even after I finished the drive (lesfic books are amazing for long drives) and into the night.
It could be Beau and her faux bravado to cover up her vulnerability or Ali’s strength and grace under pressure and how she hides from emotion to save herself from heartache. I loved the characters, their unique histories and how those histories shaped their lives, and while I’m ALWAYS wary of a too early ILY.. it somehow wasn’t. Beau is that unobtainable fantasy and I’m so happy with the way this ended.
July 18, 2018
Wow! I simply loved the book and storyline! Strong MCs in both Ali & Beau. Excellent plot with many actions, drama and angst.... And the sex scenes are really hot & sexy.
January 5, 2013
I would advise everyone who starts reading this series of books situated in hospital to start in this order:
1. Passion's bright fury
2. Fated love
3. Turn back time
4. Trauma alert
Simply because you will find charaters from one book also in the other. Expl. Saxon Sinclair and Wynter.
1. Passion's bright fury
2. Fated love
3. Turn back time
4. Trauma alert
Simply because you will find charaters from one book also in the other. Expl. Saxon Sinclair and Wynter.
August 6, 2010
New Radclyffe. I swear I've read about characters like these a gazillion times and I'm pretty sure I've read entire passages just like these in her previous books.
But apparently I won't learn and this is my punishment.
But apparently I won't learn and this is my punishment.
January 17, 2018
Classic Radclyffe. I think this might be one of my favorites of hers.
October 5, 2011
Let's start with the basics: Radclyffe's stories are well-written. Her language is exemplary, her story-building good.
And I don't normally read romance. So there's bias here - 'cause I'm having a damned hard time with her characters. They are, in a word, perfect. Not in the sense that they never do anything wrong, but in the sense that they are strong, ambitious, focused, driven, well-educated, and utterly, utterly inhuman.
There are, in this book, not a single first- or second-tier character who are not bigger than life. It grates.
And then there's the sex. Way too much for my taste, but it's something I can - and will - flip past. It's still well-written, yet also too much.
And I don't normally read romance. So there's bias here - 'cause I'm having a damned hard time with her characters. They are, in a word, perfect. Not in the sense that they never do anything wrong, but in the sense that they are strong, ambitious, focused, driven, well-educated, and utterly, utterly inhuman.
There are, in this book, not a single first- or second-tier character who are not bigger than life. It grates.
And then there's the sex. Way too much for my taste, but it's something I can - and will - flip past. It's still well-written, yet also too much.
February 14, 2025
this is something like my 11th radclyffe book and so far ZERO misses. not a single one.
will maybe add more to this review later when i have the capacity 😚
will maybe add more to this review later when i have the capacity 😚
October 21, 2025
Trauma Alert
Wow! First of all, it's a Radclyffe book - so I was definitely into it. Second, this was a doctor and firefighter romance - l expected it to be hot. Third - apparently it's the first in the First Responders series (I thought it was a stand-alone) so I'm excited for more!
This was hot - and exciting, emotional, heartwarming, and so good! Ali and Beau had such great chemistry- the sexual tension between them was quite smoky, especially since they tried to fight it. Not one dull moment in this book!
Wow! First of all, it's a Radclyffe book - so I was definitely into it. Second, this was a doctor and firefighter romance - l expected it to be hot. Third - apparently it's the first in the First Responders series (I thought it was a stand-alone) so I'm excited for more!
This was hot - and exciting, emotional, heartwarming, and so good! Ali and Beau had such great chemistry- the sexual tension between them was quite smoky, especially since they tried to fight it. Not one dull moment in this book!
June 15, 2019
1. The sex scenes are so cringe. I read them out loud to my wife and we couldn’t breathe from laughing so hard.
2. I desperately need to know how Ali and her sister had a ten month age gap, and Sammy would have had her 20th birthday soon, but Ali is also somehow in her thirties?
3. The actual romance was fine, but the dialogue was exhausting. I know they’re gay woman, but not even lesbians talk that much.
I’m giving it two stars only because I managed to finish it.
2. I desperately need to know how Ali and her sister had a ten month age gap, and Sammy would have had her 20th birthday soon, but Ali is also somehow in her thirties?
3. The actual romance was fine, but the dialogue was exhausting. I know they’re gay woman, but not even lesbians talk that much.
I’m giving it two stars only because I managed to finish it.
October 2, 2023
sorry but i do actually need some sort of plot. DNF at 58%
August 12, 2016
As usual Rad graces us with the presence of an afflicted butch in need of a strong femme to calm and soothe her like a security blanket. Meet Beau, a hunky firefighter who is as cocky as she is reckless. Meet Dr. Ali Torveau she's strong and will not allow herself to fall for Beau's charms. The story pretty much proceeds how you expect it to, they eventually get together and fall in love. My issue as always was the lack of fulfilling sex, the butch made sexual promises she could not keep and ended up getting topped by the femme once again.
I love Rad's writing, she's great at delving into the emotions of her characters and bringing them together, she has lesbian romance down to a science. I just wish she would have more diverse characters and explore other realms of lesbian sex besides thigh-sex.
3 stars because I love Rad and I think her hospital setting romances are a great read for having just the right amount of action. Only 3 stars because it's the same story just different names and character issues. She really needs to expand her character base and think about more diversity.
I love Rad's writing, she's great at delving into the emotions of her characters and bringing them together, she has lesbian romance down to a science. I just wish she would have more diverse characters and explore other realms of lesbian sex besides thigh-sex.
3 stars because I love Rad and I think her hospital setting romances are a great read for having just the right amount of action. Only 3 stars because it's the same story just different names and character issues. She really needs to expand her character base and think about more diversity.
September 5, 2012
Trauma Alert is one of my first books I have read of the famous author Radclyffe. The intriguing love- romantic story takes mostly place in the Emergency Room.
The lead characters are Ali and Beau, to amazingly attractive woman with two different outcomes of relationships. One keeps her heart to herself in part of not getting hurt or feeling like she might loose the other. The other one sitting with a secret where she has made used of never falling for someone and not be able to put any emotion into a relation she has with woman.
Readers are going to love this series if it’s anything like Trauma Alert. This book is hard to put down and it will sizzle in the reader’s hands. I admit it happened to me over and over couldn’t put this book down.
The characters are hot, the sex scenes explicit and explosive and the book is moved along by an interesting plot with well drawn secondary characters, both of whom resist and fall head over heels.
The lead characters are Ali and Beau, to amazingly attractive woman with two different outcomes of relationships. One keeps her heart to herself in part of not getting hurt or feeling like she might loose the other. The other one sitting with a secret where she has made used of never falling for someone and not be able to put any emotion into a relation she has with woman.
Readers are going to love this series if it’s anything like Trauma Alert. This book is hard to put down and it will sizzle in the reader’s hands. I admit it happened to me over and over couldn’t put this book down.
The characters are hot, the sex scenes explicit and explosive and the book is moved along by an interesting plot with well drawn secondary characters, both of whom resist and fall head over heels.
June 28, 2022
Radclyffe, an award-winning WLW author, has written over 45 novels; I've been meaning to read her books for years! And now, I finally got to delve into one of her books! Yes. Apparently, I've still been living in a cave. No surprise there.
4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Trauma Alert' is Book 1 on Radclyffe's First Responders series, and tbh I wasn't hooked immediately; it's probably the writing style—i.e., constant switching of POV. But I got used to it eventually. Also, the story did pick up after 30%, and so did the chemistry between the two protagonists...AND GOD DID THINGS PICK UP!
This book gave me a decidedly good introduction to Radclyffe's works. I had a great time reading it!
4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Trauma Alert' is Book 1 on Radclyffe's First Responders series, and tbh I wasn't hooked immediately; it's probably the writing style—i.e., constant switching of POV. But I got used to it eventually. Also, the story did pick up after 30%, and so did the chemistry between the two protagonists...AND GOD DID THINGS PICK UP!
This book gave me a decidedly good introduction to Radclyffe's works. I had a great time reading it!
March 3, 2018
Just gets better
You meet Ali in the Justice Series as a trauma surgeon mending broken cop's. She occupies only a small part in that series and I'm glad Radclyffe has given us the chance to get to know her better. I like her sense of humour and her unwavering commitment to her job and patients. It's a great story and I honestly was routing for Beau. If you wanna know what I mean read the book. It's a stand-alone novel and you won't be disappointed.
You meet Ali in the Justice Series as a trauma surgeon mending broken cop's. She occupies only a small part in that series and I'm glad Radclyffe has given us the chance to get to know her better. I like her sense of humour and her unwavering commitment to her job and patients. It's a great story and I honestly was routing for Beau. If you wanna know what I mean read the book. It's a stand-alone novel and you won't be disappointed.
December 30, 2018
Wauw!! This wasn’t my first Radclyffe book, and all of her books are steamy, but this one was hot! The chemistry between Ali and Beau was so well writen. And the sex......🔥. This book was so good, that I even didn’t care that one of my other favorite couples, Wynter and Pearce, were also mentioned in this story.
September 16, 2012
A firefighter and a doctor, what else could one want? I love the First Responders series. Although the dialogue is trite at time and Beau and Ali's relationship requires a suspension of disbelief, that's to be expected in a book of this type. It's great for what it is!
January 16, 2019
This was certainly a page turner but I ran a little hot and cold with it. I felt I was being spoon fed character flaws that would be overcome by the end of the novel during the first few chapters with an industrial sized ladle. Personally I like to puzzle it out a bit, but it was screamingly clear what the internal conflicts were going to be right from the start and what would probably happen externally because of them. That's not to say the story was bad, I enjoy medical/first responder novels, I just felt this was a little too easy on the reader and lost some of the potential tension because of it.
While the chemistry was certainly there between the main characters, a few of the minor characters felt like window dressing. Poor Ralph only seemed good for providing left overs and to be an opportune ear for Ali's struggles so the reader could get a glimpse at her inner workings.
Relationship-wise this was a slow burn but powerful. Radclyffe writes intimacy well and with passion. There is only the odd cringe-worthy line or comparisons to incendiary devices, but I think that is down to personal taste. Sometimes I think descriptions of sexual acts can get a little OTT, but lots of people like them that way. Unfortunately my imagination is kind of literal, so when a character 'explodes', I tend to giggle.
Overall this was an exciting read with plenty of action and tension on a variety of levels. Well worth a few hours if you like lesfic. I will read more in the First Responder Series.
While the chemistry was certainly there between the main characters, a few of the minor characters felt like window dressing. Poor Ralph only seemed good for providing left overs and to be an opportune ear for Ali's struggles so the reader could get a glimpse at her inner workings.
Relationship-wise this was a slow burn but powerful. Radclyffe writes intimacy well and with passion. There is only the odd cringe-worthy line or comparisons to incendiary devices, but I think that is down to personal taste. Sometimes I think descriptions of sexual acts can get a little OTT, but lots of people like them that way. Unfortunately my imagination is kind of literal, so when a character 'explodes', I tend to giggle.
Overall this was an exciting read with plenty of action and tension on a variety of levels. Well worth a few hours if you like lesfic. I will read more in the First Responder Series.
March 2, 2022
This one took me a while to read compared to other Radclyffe books (by that I mean 2 days not a few hours). It wasn’t my favourite but it was well written as always. Some of the overarching details felt a bit far-fetched but I may be an American thing (trauma surgeon didn’t seem like the appropriate specialist for one of the patients). The little details were very good though and it’s one thing that Radclyffe does well. For example, one of the characters is grabbing gloves in an early scene and gets a size 8. It’s come up in other books before, but it was a slick way of saying she has big hands as opposed to crudely saying it outright in a more romantic scene. (I always cringe at descriptions of disembodied long-fingered hands reaching etc.) Overall a worthwhile read. Also for 2022 book bingo, it involves a bet (though it doesn’t revolve exclusively around it).
July 10, 2025
4.5 stars. I love a good medical romance story. Especially when it is written by Radclyffe. I don't hear enough about her stories on social media but let me tell you, don't snooze on her series. She knows how to pull you in from the beginning.
Dr. Ali Torveau, a trauma surgeon knows what to do in an emergency situation. When Beau Cross comes into the emergency room with a patient, sparks immediately fly. But neither one of them want a relationship. Until devastation hits and Ali is set to care for Beau, but in a different light.
Highly recommend starting this series. Can't wait for book 2.
Dr. Ali Torveau, a trauma surgeon knows what to do in an emergency situation. When Beau Cross comes into the emergency room with a patient, sparks immediately fly. But neither one of them want a relationship. Until devastation hits and Ali is set to care for Beau, but in a different light.
Highly recommend starting this series. Can't wait for book 2.
April 27, 2020
Loved it
Beautiful story with action and believable characters with flaws and challenges. Very intense moments between them which added in their chemistry. I am looking forward to read more books of the series First Responders.
Beautiful story with action and believable characters with flaws and challenges. Very intense moments between them which added in their chemistry. I am looking forward to read more books of the series First Responders.
December 31, 2023
Only reason I can’t give it a good 5 stars felt like the ending was a lil rush but great book other than that
October 15, 2025
This is the second time I’ve read this book. I read many Xena fan fiction stories by the author, and enjoyed them as much as her published work.
I find sapphic first responder and medical stories of interest to me, and I appreciate the sacrifices these brave individuals make on a daily basis. Radclyffe obviously has first hand knowledge of the medical field, which makes her stories feel authentic.
The MC’s were well suited to each other, after all bit of indecision. Beau is a brave firefighter, and Ali is a terrific trauma surgeon. The added secondary characters add depth and interest to the book.
Read books by this author. You won’t be disappointed.
I find sapphic first responder and medical stories of interest to me, and I appreciate the sacrifices these brave individuals make on a daily basis. Radclyffe obviously has first hand knowledge of the medical field, which makes her stories feel authentic.
The MC’s were well suited to each other, after all bit of indecision. Beau is a brave firefighter, and Ali is a terrific trauma surgeon. The added secondary characters add depth and interest to the book.
Read books by this author. You won’t be disappointed.
July 24, 2014
First responders are special. Early at the scene of a crisis or catastrophe, they often put their lives on the line. The trauma center, a second line of defense, with its surgeons, doctors, and support personnel is hopefully helping the injured avoid life long disabilities or death. I more than tip my hat to these people and I love to read about their deeds. This opening book for the ‘First Responders’ series follows a technical rescue unit often referred to as TER-OPS associated with the Philadelphia Fire Department and the trauma center at a university hospital. Plus, there is one first responder and one trauma surgeon who have a truly curious early history of butting heads that eventually leads to something quite interesting. I definitely recommend this opening book in the series. Passionate and inspirational!
Dr. Ali Torveau runs a tight ship during her shifts at the trauma center. Yet she seems to maintain an amazingly even keel. She keeps a number of issues and memories under wraps, but they eventually come to the surface and the complete picture of Dr. Torveau begins to become clear. Dr. Torveau turns down the super hot Ter-Ops trainee after she makes several attempts to take Ali out on any kind of date. However, following a strange and somewhat terrifying sequence of events occurring within the trauma unit, Ali and Beau are never entirely the same. I was flabbergasted and charmed by the unique turn of events. Unbelievable!
Beau Cross has a really good buddy within the fire department's field medic unit first in the northeast and then the southwest division. Now they are both training hard to get certified for the new TER-OPS unit together. He knows how she swings so their partnership stays truly professional. In fact, Bobby Sizemore bets Beau won't get Dr. Torveau to agree to a real life date within two weeks after Beau nearly made an ass of herself at the Ter-Ops seminar the good doctor taught. One hundred bucks are on the line. What a deliciously fun side bar. It was a blast to watch Bobby and Beau, Beau and Ali, Bobby and Jilly, who is Beau's sister, do all sorts of fandango dancing while all manner of crises circle around everybody. Simply fantastic!
Nothing unraveled completely the way I expected which simply tickled me pink. Ali and Beau are the women the book primarily focuses on and their story was one unexpected twist after another. Bobby had his share of astounding scenarios, Jilly was not left out, and a few more folks added their surprises to the mix too. Just a jim-dandy winner. Some lovely sexual heat and tension, too. Thumbs-up and then some!
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Dr. Ali Torveau runs a tight ship during her shifts at the trauma center. Yet she seems to maintain an amazingly even keel. She keeps a number of issues and memories under wraps, but they eventually come to the surface and the complete picture of Dr. Torveau begins to become clear. Dr. Torveau turns down the super hot Ter-Ops trainee after she makes several attempts to take Ali out on any kind of date. However, following a strange and somewhat terrifying sequence of events occurring within the trauma unit, Ali and Beau are never entirely the same. I was flabbergasted and charmed by the unique turn of events. Unbelievable!
Beau Cross has a really good buddy within the fire department's field medic unit first in the northeast and then the southwest division. Now they are both training hard to get certified for the new TER-OPS unit together. He knows how she swings so their partnership stays truly professional. In fact, Bobby Sizemore bets Beau won't get Dr. Torveau to agree to a real life date within two weeks after Beau nearly made an ass of herself at the Ter-Ops seminar the good doctor taught. One hundred bucks are on the line. What a deliciously fun side bar. It was a blast to watch Bobby and Beau, Beau and Ali, Bobby and Jilly, who is Beau's sister, do all sorts of fandango dancing while all manner of crises circle around everybody. Simply fantastic!
Nothing unraveled completely the way I expected which simply tickled me pink. Ali and Beau are the women the book primarily focuses on and their story was one unexpected twist after another. Bobby had his share of astounding scenarios, Jilly was not left out, and a few more folks added their surprises to the mix too. Just a jim-dandy winner. Some lovely sexual heat and tension, too. Thumbs-up and then some!
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
November 24, 2017
I wish I'd liked this book. I'm all for multi-layered strong women engaging in relationships and character development happening along the way, but Trauma Alert was... Kind of disappointing. And I can't tell for sure why, especially considering I kept thinking about it as Grey's Anatomy with more firefighters, but I can definitely pinpoint some things that bothered me.
Firstly, the characters motives didn't convince me. Though I understand why they were holding back, it seemed shallow, their actions were incoherent and the drama was so... Internal? Easy to solve? But then I can think about situations where characters were holding back for reasons entirely pertaining to their psyche and I still liked the story, empathised with it, even.
It was also predictable. I knew they were going to end up together, I knew when a situation would lead to tension and what the outcome would be; there seemed to be no novelty and at no point was there any need to reflect on the situation, because everything was in plain sight.
Finally, I didn't empathise with the relationship either, as it seemed shallow and all about sex. Fine, they were attracted and captivated by each other, I can understand that instinctive feeling of wanting to know more about someone and/or get close (be it physically or emotionally) to them. Alright, they had a lot of chemistry, couldn't get their hands off each other and had great sex. But... Why did they love each other? What fascinated them? Relationships are built on much than just telling some fun facts about your past and having sex, as far as I'm concerned, so where's the connection? Why did they connect? Why did their personalities click? What reason did they have to stay beyond the initial attraction?
Some other more punctual issues also bothered me, such as Beau acting like "one of the guys" and the sexism that entailed, or sex while one of the people is asleep and unable to consent. Also, the ending, God, that was painful to read,
I'm not even going to say the story was unrealistic because it's recently come to my attention that this sort of thing happens for some people, but I just wish I could read a story that went beyond this romantic/sexual cliché. I seek a story that revolves around connection and not simply drama that stands for itself, so that I can truly empathise.
Firstly, the characters motives didn't convince me. Though I understand why they were holding back, it seemed shallow, their actions were incoherent and the drama was so... Internal? Easy to solve? But then I can think about situations where characters were holding back for reasons entirely pertaining to their psyche and I still liked the story, empathised with it, even.
It was also predictable. I knew they were going to end up together, I knew when a situation would lead to tension and what the outcome would be; there seemed to be no novelty and at no point was there any need to reflect on the situation, because everything was in plain sight.
Finally, I didn't empathise with the relationship either, as it seemed shallow and all about sex. Fine, they were attracted and captivated by each other, I can understand that instinctive feeling of wanting to know more about someone and/or get close (be it physically or emotionally) to them. Alright, they had a lot of chemistry, couldn't get their hands off each other and had great sex. But... Why did they love each other? What fascinated them? Relationships are built on much than just telling some fun facts about your past and having sex, as far as I'm concerned, so where's the connection? Why did they connect? Why did their personalities click? What reason did they have to stay beyond the initial attraction?
Some other more punctual issues also bothered me, such as Beau acting like "one of the guys" and the sexism that entailed, or sex while one of the people is asleep and unable to consent. Also, the ending, God, that was painful to read,
I'm not even going to say the story was unrealistic because it's recently come to my attention that this sort of thing happens for some people, but I just wish I could read a story that went beyond this romantic/sexual cliché. I seek a story that revolves around connection and not simply drama that stands for itself, so that I can truly empathise.
May 25, 2015
Radclyffe books are generally like your reliable, family, station wagon. They may not be the most exciting car on the block, but they're reliable and can be counted on to get you from A to B safely.
This was exactly what I was in the mood for when I picked up Trauma Alert and so was more than pleasantly surprised to find that it packed a few hidden bonus features that made the journey even more cruisey than usual.
Beau, as a character cracked off the page. 'Tough exterior protecting a sensitive core' may be very familiar in lesrom but hey, I like it and Beau was a particularly well drawn example. I found her character very believable, and all the more attractive - both in terms of emotional and physical 'punch' - for that.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that it was the tough firefighter that 'cracked' and showed her vulnerability and shared her feelings first. So often in lesrom it's the other way around.
I also found Ali's pain, and consequent hesitation, believable and it made for some nice, pre-happily-ever-after angst.
I also liked that Radclyffe doesn't hold off on the characters coming together (physically) as long as she does in some of her other books. While I still felt the end was a little rushed, I was left less frustrated by this as I felt that I'd had a decent fill of the characters actually being together in some way throught the book, rather than just characters longing for / fantasizing about same.
A pet peeve of mine in Radclyffe books in particular, is that the characters tend not just fall in love [which, in itself, can be hard to believe when they often have only known each other a few weeks] but fall in 'oh my goodness you're the one for me forever and I'm certain of it and don't have any residual fears or uncertainties whatsoever' love. I get that this is a romance novel and - don't get me wrong - I want the 'three words' and idea the characters will now be happy forever but... it feels a bit forced, a bit too strong, in Radclyffe novels for my taste.
Overall a 3.75 round up to 4 from me. It's still a station wagon, not a Ferrari but it was a very, very enjoyable ride.
This was exactly what I was in the mood for when I picked up Trauma Alert and so was more than pleasantly surprised to find that it packed a few hidden bonus features that made the journey even more cruisey than usual.
Beau, as a character cracked off the page. 'Tough exterior protecting a sensitive core' may be very familiar in lesrom but hey, I like it and Beau was a particularly well drawn example. I found her character very believable, and all the more attractive - both in terms of emotional and physical 'punch' - for that.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that it was the tough firefighter that 'cracked' and showed her vulnerability and shared her feelings first. So often in lesrom it's the other way around.
I also found Ali's pain, and consequent hesitation, believable and it made for some nice, pre-happily-ever-after angst.
I also liked that Radclyffe doesn't hold off on the characters coming together (physically) as long as she does in some of her other books. While I still felt the end was a little rushed, I was left less frustrated by this as I felt that I'd had a decent fill of the characters actually being together in some way throught the book, rather than just characters longing for / fantasizing about same.
A pet peeve of mine in Radclyffe books in particular, is that the characters tend not just fall in love [which, in itself, can be hard to believe when they often have only known each other a few weeks] but fall in 'oh my goodness you're the one for me forever and I'm certain of it and don't have any residual fears or uncertainties whatsoever' love. I get that this is a romance novel and - don't get me wrong - I want the 'three words' and idea the characters will now be happy forever but... it feels a bit forced, a bit too strong, in Radclyffe novels for my taste.
Overall a 3.75 round up to 4 from me. It's still a station wagon, not a Ferrari but it was a very, very enjoyable ride.
August 18, 2011
http://threedollarbillreviews.com/201...
Beau Cross makes an entrance when she shows up late for the training session being led by Dr. Ali Torveau. Ali dismisses Beau as a woman unable to take anything seriously, but Beau’s persistence begins to show Ali that you can’t always trust first impressions. Beau has kept her heart closed, sure that she doesn’t deserve happiness, or a woman like Ali, but quickly finds that Ali makes her think about the future in a way she never has before. Both women find their lives turned upside down and must trust both the connection developing between them and their inner strength if they are going to be willing to pursue anything together.
Radclyffe is a well-known and established author of lesbian fiction, and Trauma Alert features strong characters and a story that pulls you in from the beginning and holds your attention throughout. This is the first in the new First Responders series, yet readers familiar with Radclyffe’s other books will recognize some characters from previous books. Those that haven’t read the other stories will not be lost at all, but after reading this book you will definitely want to read more about the other characters and what they’ve gone through.
There is a realism to the story that is undoubtedly due to the author’s real life experiences as a surgeon which feeds the story content. Both Ali and Beau have high stress jobs that define a large part of their lives, and fitting one another into that framework is not easy. The secondary characters of the story help to flesh out the world and inform the story without ever taking over. Beau’s sister Jude and Ali’s best friend Wynter are particular favorites of mine and they help their friends when they are unsure or scared of the direction life is taking.
Trauma Alert is a great place to start for anyone that has not been exposed to a Radclyffe novel before. The strong characterizations and quick paced text make this a very enjoyable read and I am definitely looking forward to the next addition to this series.
Beau Cross makes an entrance when she shows up late for the training session being led by Dr. Ali Torveau. Ali dismisses Beau as a woman unable to take anything seriously, but Beau’s persistence begins to show Ali that you can’t always trust first impressions. Beau has kept her heart closed, sure that she doesn’t deserve happiness, or a woman like Ali, but quickly finds that Ali makes her think about the future in a way she never has before. Both women find their lives turned upside down and must trust both the connection developing between them and their inner strength if they are going to be willing to pursue anything together.
Radclyffe is a well-known and established author of lesbian fiction, and Trauma Alert features strong characters and a story that pulls you in from the beginning and holds your attention throughout. This is the first in the new First Responders series, yet readers familiar with Radclyffe’s other books will recognize some characters from previous books. Those that haven’t read the other stories will not be lost at all, but after reading this book you will definitely want to read more about the other characters and what they’ve gone through.
There is a realism to the story that is undoubtedly due to the author’s real life experiences as a surgeon which feeds the story content. Both Ali and Beau have high stress jobs that define a large part of their lives, and fitting one another into that framework is not easy. The secondary characters of the story help to flesh out the world and inform the story without ever taking over. Beau’s sister Jude and Ali’s best friend Wynter are particular favorites of mine and they help their friends when they are unsure or scared of the direction life is taking.
Trauma Alert is a great place to start for anyone that has not been exposed to a Radclyffe novel before. The strong characterizations and quick paced text make this a very enjoyable read and I am definitely looking forward to the next addition to this series.
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