Customer Reviews

Bold Coast Love

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jackie is a doctor who does not want to leave the small town in Maine where she practices even when her lover Dana comes home and announces that they're moving to Greece for three years. What ensues is a hodgepodge of events loosely tied together. This book is in serious need of a very good editor - for instance, early in the book two characters are standing in a kitchen and the conversation continues, but the characters have somehow magically transported themselves to a hiking trail - huh? That kind of lapse in both writing and editing causes the reader to re-read paragraphs to try to figure out if she missed something. You never get a sense of who these women are - you might like them all if only the author was capable of anything resembling drawing a character. Even the descriptions of the characters are woeful - for instance, it's not until near the end of the book that you're told that Jackie is in her 50s (but, of course, looks younger). Throughout the book, every character has met the love of her life, but is easily persuaded to forget her in a blink of an eye. The clichés fly fast and furious throughout. This is one of those books that you wonder why the publisher wasted the paper. If you're looking for a good romance, skip this one. Try any one of Naiad's formulaic romances for a much more satisfying read.

The general plot of this book seems at first glance pure formula. Lovers goes on long overseas assignment, leaving lonely attractive lesbian at the mercy of two predatory females, one nice and one not. It *is* pure mind candy.

But Bold Coast Love twists back on itself as lonely Dr. Claymont is accused of sexual harrassment by the woman she spurns. In a small Maine town an accusation like that has pure power to destroy, but Claymont stays to fight it out and to decide if absense or nearness makes the heart grow fonder.

Braund has a real descriptive gift that is poetic at times. I enjoyed every page. Like a good candy bar, it was over too soon.

This is one of the rare lesbian romances that doesn't follow the "U-Haul formula." Dr. Jackie Claymont's lover, Dana, is a freelance photojournalist who spends very little time at home. Dana is always flitting off somewhere on a job, spending a few sparse months with Jackie. On a visit home, Dana announces she is taking a three-year job in Greece and wants Jackie to drop everything to join her. Jackie doesn't want to go and reluctantly breaks things off with her lover.

Afraid to allow anyone else in to her heart, Jackie fights her growing feelings for Joni, a nurse at her clinic. However, their relationship escalates as Jackie fights sexual harassment charges from her other nurse, Carin -- a married woman who is the epitome of white trash. Added to the cast of characters is Vera, Dana's aunt and Jackie's friend. Vera is a veritable matchmaker and caretaker of the clinic and its staff.

I liked the premise of this book, but was a little disappointed by the lack of focus on Jackie's relationship with Joni. It got a little old reading about Jackie pining for Dana -- especially since Dana didn't deserve a second glance. On the other hand, the situation with Carin and the quiet support from Vera and Joni kept me reading. The story is not typical formula, an attribute that kept it interesting. However, I would actually give it 3.5 stars instead of 4, but that was not an option. I like Braund's writing and, even with it's shortcomings, this book is no exception. Recommended for a lazy afternoon, accompanied with a cold glass of wine and a bag of baby carrots.

This book is pure mind candy, but I enjoyed it. It's a pleasant romance, with a good dash of drama. I liked most of the characters, and the writing was enjoyable.

It isn't great literature, but if you're looking for an enjoyable lesbian romance, you'll probably like this one.

OK I know I am a sucker for a romantic story & I loved Braund's first 2 books but this was such a letdown. The romance is cursory & not really satisfying & she even ruins one of the romantic storylines from a previous book. Lets hope the next book sees her return to form.