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Vino & Veritas #8
Hideaway
One woman’s hiding place is another woman’s home.
After becoming an inadvertent viral sensation—and losing her job and her girlfriend as a result— Phoebe Shaw retreats to Vermont. Renovating her late grandmother’s cabin into a vacation rental seems like the perfect way to lie low for a while. But the last person she expects to encounter on the property is the woman whose kiss was her teenage sexual awakening . . . and whom she’s never quite forgotten.
Taylor Donovan has been hiking on the trails behind the Shaw family’s cabin her whole life. As children, Taylor and Phoebe were best friends before sharing a secret summer romance when they were sixteen, which left Taylor brokenhearted when Phoebe fled at the end of the summer. Now the property has become Taylor’s home away from home, and she wants nothing more than to convince the Shaws to sell it to her. But Phoebe’s return puts a crimp in those plans--and brings back old feelings she thought she’d overcome.
Of all the things Phoebe regrets, leaving Taylor is at the top of the list, but Taylor is determined to protect her heart. Yet the pull between them is stronger than ever. This time around, will love stay hidden . . . or finally see the light of day?
After becoming an inadvertent viral sensation—and losing her job and her girlfriend as a result— Phoebe Shaw retreats to Vermont. Renovating her late grandmother’s cabin into a vacation rental seems like the perfect way to lie low for a while. But the last person she expects to encounter on the property is the woman whose kiss was her teenage sexual awakening . . . and whom she’s never quite forgotten.
Taylor Donovan has been hiking on the trails behind the Shaw family’s cabin her whole life. As children, Taylor and Phoebe were best friends before sharing a secret summer romance when they were sixteen, which left Taylor brokenhearted when Phoebe fled at the end of the summer. Now the property has become Taylor’s home away from home, and she wants nothing more than to convince the Shaws to sell it to her. But Phoebe’s return puts a crimp in those plans--and brings back old feelings she thought she’d overcome.
Of all the things Phoebe regrets, leaving Taylor is at the top of the list, but Taylor is determined to protect her heart. Yet the pull between them is stronger than ever. This time around, will love stay hidden . . . or finally see the light of day?
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2021
About the author
Rachel Lacey
36 books1,580 followersRachel Lacey is an award-winning contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She's been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in the mountains of Vermont with her family and a variety of rescue pets.
Rachel loves to keep in touch with her readers! You can find her at:
Rachel Lacey Facebook
Twitter @rachelslacey
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Rachel loves to keep in touch with her readers! You can find her at:
Rachel Lacey Facebook
Twitter @rachelslacey
Newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
June 22, 2021
Edit: June 22nd, 2021
Hideaway is a lovely and sexy second chance romance, with puppies. I reviewed the book not long ago but I couldn’t wait any longer to listen to the audiobook.
Some books are happy places. Rachel Lacey’s books have been like that for me since the first one I read, and this one was too. From the moment I started reading and, later, listening, I was smiling.
Phoebe lost her job as a financial analyst and her girlfriend right after, all because something she should have been proud of was turned into a stupid meme. A break getting her late grandmother’s cabin in Vermont ready for rental sounds like a good idea. Focused on her recent drama, she didn’t remember the girl whose heart she broke when they were sixteen. A girl who happens to be the first person she sees when she gets to the cabin. Except the girl is a woman now and the attraction doesn’t seem to have weakened in thirteen years.
I loved both main characters, Taylor’s almost brooding personality and her love for Vermont, Phoebe and her certainty that what they have is worth fighting for. Taylor wants to trust her but is scared of getting her heart broken a second time and yet she can’t stay away.
The second-chance trope is one of my favourites and Rachel Lacey handles it perfectly. Even if they weren’t aware of it, Taylor and Phoebe never really stopped loving each other, and the chemistry they felt at sixteen is all the stronger now that they’re adults and ready to let it play out completely. Their relationship is both new and familiar and that mix makes it very sexy. The fact that they know each other’s body already, bodies that have matured from teenagers to women, combined with everything they still have to discover together definitely brings the heat up.
There are a few secondary characters but the ones that really matter are all dogs, from Minnie and Blue, Taylor’s dog and the one she’s fostering, to Violet, the pitbull Phoebe agrees to take in temporarily to her puppies. They’re all wonderful, with real personalities, and they’re instrumental in bringing the two women together.
The ending is perfect as it is but if you can’t get enough of Taylor and Phoebe, there’s a bonus epilogue, which isn’t included in the audiobook. You can get it (in its written form) by subscribing to the author’s newsletter.
I haven’t ever been convinced by audiobooks with two narrators until now. I still would love them to interact really, but since alternate chapters is the way it goes, I’ll take it. I love Melissa Moran for Phoebe and Abby Craden for Taylor. The two narrators’ styles complement each other and their voices for each other’s characters are similar enough, in intent if not in tone, that it worked for me. More than worked. The whole audiobook and the whole narration were a joy to listen to.
------------------------------------------------
Usually, when I enjoy a book as much as I enjoyed this one, I have loads of thoughts about it. Once in a while, however, depending on what else is happening in my life or on the other books I read in the days before, I get one hundred per cent carried away and forget to take notes. When that happens, it also means all my feelings are so enmeshed, I can’t untangle them enough to analyse them. I don’t really feel like it either, I just want to bask in them, treasure them, keep them warm in my heart. Hideaway isn’t a short book but I read it in one sitting. I didn’t want to let go.
Phoebe is back in Burlington, Vermont, to get her beloved grandmother’s cabin ready for rental. That’s the official reason. Phoebe also needs a break from her life in Boston after losing both her job as a financial analyst and her girlfriend through no fault of her own. Almost as soon as she sets foot on the property, a dog comes running, followed by a woman, who happens to be Taylor, her childhood best friend, her first love, the girl whose heart she broke when they were sixteen.
I just love the way Rachel Lacey writes. Even as I read the first chapter and especially as I got into the second one – the story is told in alternate POV by both main characters – I could tell this book was going to break my heart.
The second-chance trope is one of my favourites, I thrive on nostalgia and longing, the battle between the fear to trust the one who hurt you most and all sorts of desires.
Rachel Lacey did a wonderful job of bringing back the attraction, slowly, progressively, but with flashes of heat reemerging from thirteen years ago. At first, Taylor is on the defensive, she doesn’t trust Phoebe not to hurt her again, even as a friend, which is what the other woman pushes for in the beginning. What was supposed to be a short break, to give Phoebe some breathing space from the chaos her life had become ends up opening so many doors, so many possibilities – not only in the love department. Like, who would have expected Phoebe to foster a pregnant pitbull? Or that she would rediscover her love for music?
I love that while Phoebe gets a new perspective on her life, she doesn’t want to change everything. In second-chance/return to hometown-ish romance novels, one of the characters often has a born-again epiphany where they realise the other followed their childhood dreams while they stayed in their assigned lane and are, at best, content. I enjoy that trope too once in a while but I like that Rachel Lacey didn’t choose this path. Phoebe went through a rough period of time but she retained her agency and is more sad and disappointed than pathetic. She’s not broken, she doesn’t need to rebuild herself, she just needs a break. It allows the author to show how strong she has grown to become compared to the scared and closeted teenager Taylor knew. And it makes the shift in balance all the more believable. Taylor is the anxious one in the relationship now, because of the hurt Phoebe caused and despite living her dream life in every other respect. It also adds some low-key angst as Phoebe does have things to lose if she chooses Taylor. The stakes are higher and give weight to Taylor’s skittishness.
Despite being part of a series (the same as Flipcup by Kim Hartfield), Hideaway can be read as a standalone. It was nice, however, to get back to Vino & Veritas, the wine bar and bookshop in Burlington, with new characters and see it from a client’s perspective. All the answers to any question you may have about this series and the three others in the World of True North are here.
If you can’t get enough of Taylor and Phoebe, you can get a bonus epilogue by subscribing to the author’s newsletter. Like with Flipcup, it really is a bonus, you don’t have to read it to get the full experience. But let’s face it, these two are so adorable that you will probably want to.
The audiobook will be coming out on May 25th, narrated by no other than Abby Craden and Melissa Moran, and I can’t wait to listen to it. In the meantime, I’d love to see a picture of Cherry in her cherry sock shirt.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hideaway is a lovely and sexy second chance romance, with puppies. I reviewed the book not long ago but I couldn’t wait any longer to listen to the audiobook.
Some books are happy places. Rachel Lacey’s books have been like that for me since the first one I read, and this one was too. From the moment I started reading and, later, listening, I was smiling.
Phoebe lost her job as a financial analyst and her girlfriend right after, all because something she should have been proud of was turned into a stupid meme. A break getting her late grandmother’s cabin in Vermont ready for rental sounds like a good idea. Focused on her recent drama, she didn’t remember the girl whose heart she broke when they were sixteen. A girl who happens to be the first person she sees when she gets to the cabin. Except the girl is a woman now and the attraction doesn’t seem to have weakened in thirteen years.
I loved both main characters, Taylor’s almost brooding personality and her love for Vermont, Phoebe and her certainty that what they have is worth fighting for. Taylor wants to trust her but is scared of getting her heart broken a second time and yet she can’t stay away.
The second-chance trope is one of my favourites and Rachel Lacey handles it perfectly. Even if they weren’t aware of it, Taylor and Phoebe never really stopped loving each other, and the chemistry they felt at sixteen is all the stronger now that they’re adults and ready to let it play out completely. Their relationship is both new and familiar and that mix makes it very sexy. The fact that they know each other’s body already, bodies that have matured from teenagers to women, combined with everything they still have to discover together definitely brings the heat up.
There are a few secondary characters but the ones that really matter are all dogs, from Minnie and Blue, Taylor’s dog and the one she’s fostering, to Violet, the pitbull Phoebe agrees to take in temporarily to her puppies. They’re all wonderful, with real personalities, and they’re instrumental in bringing the two women together.
The ending is perfect as it is but if you can’t get enough of Taylor and Phoebe, there’s a bonus epilogue, which isn’t included in the audiobook. You can get it (in its written form) by subscribing to the author’s newsletter.
I haven’t ever been convinced by audiobooks with two narrators until now. I still would love them to interact really, but since alternate chapters is the way it goes, I’ll take it. I love Melissa Moran for Phoebe and Abby Craden for Taylor. The two narrators’ styles complement each other and their voices for each other’s characters are similar enough, in intent if not in tone, that it worked for me. More than worked. The whole audiobook and the whole narration were a joy to listen to.
------------------------------------------------
Usually, when I enjoy a book as much as I enjoyed this one, I have loads of thoughts about it. Once in a while, however, depending on what else is happening in my life or on the other books I read in the days before, I get one hundred per cent carried away and forget to take notes. When that happens, it also means all my feelings are so enmeshed, I can’t untangle them enough to analyse them. I don’t really feel like it either, I just want to bask in them, treasure them, keep them warm in my heart. Hideaway isn’t a short book but I read it in one sitting. I didn’t want to let go.
Phoebe is back in Burlington, Vermont, to get her beloved grandmother’s cabin ready for rental. That’s the official reason. Phoebe also needs a break from her life in Boston after losing both her job as a financial analyst and her girlfriend through no fault of her own. Almost as soon as she sets foot on the property, a dog comes running, followed by a woman, who happens to be Taylor, her childhood best friend, her first love, the girl whose heart she broke when they were sixteen.
I just love the way Rachel Lacey writes. Even as I read the first chapter and especially as I got into the second one – the story is told in alternate POV by both main characters – I could tell this book was going to break my heart.
The second-chance trope is one of my favourites, I thrive on nostalgia and longing, the battle between the fear to trust the one who hurt you most and all sorts of desires.
Rachel Lacey did a wonderful job of bringing back the attraction, slowly, progressively, but with flashes of heat reemerging from thirteen years ago. At first, Taylor is on the defensive, she doesn’t trust Phoebe not to hurt her again, even as a friend, which is what the other woman pushes for in the beginning. What was supposed to be a short break, to give Phoebe some breathing space from the chaos her life had become ends up opening so many doors, so many possibilities – not only in the love department. Like, who would have expected Phoebe to foster a pregnant pitbull? Or that she would rediscover her love for music?
I love that while Phoebe gets a new perspective on her life, she doesn’t want to change everything. In second-chance/return to hometown-ish romance novels, one of the characters often has a born-again epiphany where they realise the other followed their childhood dreams while they stayed in their assigned lane and are, at best, content. I enjoy that trope too once in a while but I like that Rachel Lacey didn’t choose this path. Phoebe went through a rough period of time but she retained her agency and is more sad and disappointed than pathetic. She’s not broken, she doesn’t need to rebuild herself, she just needs a break. It allows the author to show how strong she has grown to become compared to the scared and closeted teenager Taylor knew. And it makes the shift in balance all the more believable. Taylor is the anxious one in the relationship now, because of the hurt Phoebe caused and despite living her dream life in every other respect. It also adds some low-key angst as Phoebe does have things to lose if she chooses Taylor. The stakes are higher and give weight to Taylor’s skittishness.
Despite being part of a series (the same as Flipcup by Kim Hartfield), Hideaway can be read as a standalone. It was nice, however, to get back to Vino & Veritas, the wine bar and bookshop in Burlington, with new characters and see it from a client’s perspective. All the answers to any question you may have about this series and the three others in the World of True North are here.
If you can’t get enough of Taylor and Phoebe, you can get a bonus epilogue by subscribing to the author’s newsletter. Like with Flipcup, it really is a bonus, you don’t have to read it to get the full experience. But let’s face it, these two are so adorable that you will probably want to.
The audiobook will be coming out on May 25th, narrated by no other than Abby Craden and Melissa Moran, and I can’t wait to listen to it. In the meantime, I’d love to see a picture of Cherry in her cherry sock shirt.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2022
4.5 Stars for Hideaway (audiobook) by Rachel Lacey read by Abby Craden and Melissa Moran.
I really enjoyed this second chance romance set around a dog rescue. It was fun to see the spark reignite between these two high school sweethearts. And there were more dogs than people in the story, all finding temporary or forever homes. It was a really sweet story. I also really enjoyed the narration. The two narrators did a great job. Their voices were perfect for the story.
I really enjoyed this second chance romance set around a dog rescue. It was fun to see the spark reignite between these two high school sweethearts. And there were more dogs than people in the story, all finding temporary or forever homes. It was a really sweet story. I also really enjoyed the narration. The two narrators did a great job. Their voices were perfect for the story.
November 24, 2021
I do believe this is my first book by Rachel Lacey, and it certainly won't be my last. It was low on angst and heavy on cuteness - the puppies won me over!
If you're in the mood for a feel good story about 'the one who got away' this could be just the ticket.
If you're in the mood for a feel good story about 'the one who got away' this could be just the ticket.
June 6, 2021
I listened to the audiobook of Hideaway, (#8 Vino & Veritas series), my first book by author Rachel Lacey. Each book can be read as a standalone or listened to. Hideaway is an absolute feel-good and sweet second chance love story.
After the death of her grandmother, Phoebe returns to Burlington, Vermont for a few weeks, 13 years have passed and she regrets not visiting her grandma more often. She is asked to fix up her grandmother's cabin so it can be rented out. At the same time, she has to deal with losing her job and breaking up with her girlfriend. What she didn't count on is that her high school sweetheart, Taylor, still lives here and hopes to buy the cabin.
At sixteen, Taylor's heart was broken by her best friend and first love, Phoebe, who had moved to the big city of Boston. To this day, she wonders what would have happened if Phoebe hadn't left her. Soon, their feelings for each other flare up again. But Taylor tries with all her might to protect her heart and remains wary because she will not survive another heartbreak from Phoebe. She loves her work with the foster dogs and at the shelter, and she loves living away from the big city. Who knows, maybe a pregnant foster dog can help her win Phoebe's heart.
The story of how the two women find their way back to friendship with the help of the pregnant dog, and later her sweet babies, naturally appealed to me as an animal lover. The puppies snuck right into my heart, I would have loved to adopt them all myself.
I could empathize with both women, Taylor, who didn't want to invest too much too fast in her relationship with Phoebe for fear of Phoebe going back to Boston. And yet who, despite all she knows, can't fight her feelings. And Phoebe, who needs to figure out her future first. She is torn between her life in Boston with her friends and all the comforts and the quieter life in the small town where she grew up, the puppies and her mother, and especially with Taylor. The woman who after only a short time means more to her than her last girlfriend ever did. Both are very likable and they have good chemistry.
This is, for me, the first audiobook narrated by two speakers. Abby Craden was Taylor and Melissa Moran narrated Phoebe's point of view. I don't know if that always works, but in this case, I think it fits. The two of them did a wonderful job.
This is an adorable love story without a lot of angst and drama. A sweet summer story to sit in a cozy place, enjoy the nice weather and take care of the puppies with Taylor and Phoebe.
My rating 4.5 stars
Running time: 6 hours
After the death of her grandmother, Phoebe returns to Burlington, Vermont for a few weeks, 13 years have passed and she regrets not visiting her grandma more often. She is asked to fix up her grandmother's cabin so it can be rented out. At the same time, she has to deal with losing her job and breaking up with her girlfriend. What she didn't count on is that her high school sweetheart, Taylor, still lives here and hopes to buy the cabin.
At sixteen, Taylor's heart was broken by her best friend and first love, Phoebe, who had moved to the big city of Boston. To this day, she wonders what would have happened if Phoebe hadn't left her. Soon, their feelings for each other flare up again. But Taylor tries with all her might to protect her heart and remains wary because she will not survive another heartbreak from Phoebe. She loves her work with the foster dogs and at the shelter, and she loves living away from the big city. Who knows, maybe a pregnant foster dog can help her win Phoebe's heart.
The story of how the two women find their way back to friendship with the help of the pregnant dog, and later her sweet babies, naturally appealed to me as an animal lover. The puppies snuck right into my heart, I would have loved to adopt them all myself.
I could empathize with both women, Taylor, who didn't want to invest too much too fast in her relationship with Phoebe for fear of Phoebe going back to Boston. And yet who, despite all she knows, can't fight her feelings. And Phoebe, who needs to figure out her future first. She is torn between her life in Boston with her friends and all the comforts and the quieter life in the small town where she grew up, the puppies and her mother, and especially with Taylor. The woman who after only a short time means more to her than her last girlfriend ever did. Both are very likable and they have good chemistry.
This is, for me, the first audiobook narrated by two speakers. Abby Craden was Taylor and Melissa Moran narrated Phoebe's point of view. I don't know if that always works, but in this case, I think it fits. The two of them did a wonderful job.
This is an adorable love story without a lot of angst and drama. A sweet summer story to sit in a cozy place, enjoy the nice weather and take care of the puppies with Taylor and Phoebe.
My rating 4.5 stars
Running time: 6 hours
February 5, 2023
Hideaway is a sweetheart of a book. Taylor is a small town girl at heart and hopes to someday find the right woman to start a family. Phoebe broke teenage Taylor’s heart and never looked back. Now adult Phoebe reappears with the sole purpose of selling her late grandmother’s house.
Yes, the book is a second chance romance but most importantly, I feel it is a rekindling of a deep friendship. The attraction remains but the trust has long eroded. The author allows the story to unfold in increments of tender moments between the two mains, quiet scenes that build intimacy and honest communication. Both characters are sweet and likable, the setting in Vermont is romantic, and there are adorable dogs everywhere. The story may bruise a bit because growth is messy but will ultimately brighten your heart.
Yes, the book is a second chance romance but most importantly, I feel it is a rekindling of a deep friendship. The attraction remains but the trust has long eroded. The author allows the story to unfold in increments of tender moments between the two mains, quiet scenes that build intimacy and honest communication. Both characters are sweet and likable, the setting in Vermont is romantic, and there are adorable dogs everywhere. The story may bruise a bit because growth is messy but will ultimately brighten your heart.
April 5, 2021
This is Rachel Lacey's fifth (5th) lesfic at the moment, and I'd highly recommend them all! What's also great is they are ALL available on Kindle Unlimited, including this one.
(This is stand alone, despite being in a series.)
I'm a sucker for a second chance romance that rekindles a first teenaged love many years later. Phoebe and Taylor are now 29, haven't interacted since their tentative summer fling at 16, after which Phoebe up and left. Before that they were best friends for years growing up, spending long summers together at Phoebe's Grandmother's cabin house.
Phoebe's Grandma has now passed on, and Taylor had still been quite close to the older woman, having stayed a local. She has been taking care of the house since her passing 6 months ago, maintaining her precious rose bushes, etc. She would love to own the place she has so many fond memories of. It has her favourite hiking trails behind it.
When Phoebe shows up suddenly, saying she is doing up the place for holiday renters and that her family won't sell to Taylor - things become even more complicated and heated than they were.
Both hold resentment after past hurts, but also fondness of beautiful memories. Friendship and romance eventually blossoms, but not without a bit of angst.
If you're a fan of pet characters - you'll love this one! Taylor is the main worker at the local animal shelter and has her own dog, plus a foster dog - and then more back at the shelter, plus a new addition in a pregnant lass that just came in and is in need of a foster home. Phoebe reluctantly gets roped in to fostering Violet the pregnant pitbull. Who doesn't love puppies?
Just a solid wlw romance and lesfic, that ticks all the right boxes.
(This is stand alone, despite being in a series.)
I'm a sucker for a second chance romance that rekindles a first teenaged love many years later. Phoebe and Taylor are now 29, haven't interacted since their tentative summer fling at 16, after which Phoebe up and left. Before that they were best friends for years growing up, spending long summers together at Phoebe's Grandmother's cabin house.
Phoebe's Grandma has now passed on, and Taylor had still been quite close to the older woman, having stayed a local. She has been taking care of the house since her passing 6 months ago, maintaining her precious rose bushes, etc. She would love to own the place she has so many fond memories of. It has her favourite hiking trails behind it.
When Phoebe shows up suddenly, saying she is doing up the place for holiday renters and that her family won't sell to Taylor - things become even more complicated and heated than they were.
Both hold resentment after past hurts, but also fondness of beautiful memories. Friendship and romance eventually blossoms, but not without a bit of angst.
If you're a fan of pet characters - you'll love this one! Taylor is the main worker at the local animal shelter and has her own dog, plus a foster dog - and then more back at the shelter, plus a new addition in a pregnant lass that just came in and is in need of a foster home. Phoebe reluctantly gets roped in to fostering Violet the pregnant pitbull. Who doesn't love puppies?
Just a solid wlw romance and lesfic, that ticks all the right boxes.
June 8, 2021
Review of Hideaway by Rachel Lacey, narrated by Melissa Moran and Abby Craden
Rachel Lacey is an author who’s been on my radar for a while. She writes sweet romances with great chemistry. When I saw that her latest f/f book was being released on audio with two very good narrators, I’ve decided to give it a go. I’m glad I did because the story is very sweet and enjoyable.
Boston Financial consultant Phoebe Shaw loses her job and her girlfriend after a photo of her caught in a rude gesture goes viral on social media. She decides to go to her family cabin in Vermont to avoid unwanted attention. There she meets Taylor Donovan again, with whom she had a secret summer romance while they were 16, which was cut short when Phoebe left. As both women get reacquainted, old feelings resurface but Phoebe is meant to return to Boston and Taylor fears she’ll get her heart broken once again…
Hideaway is book 8 in the Vino & Veritas Series written by different authors. Vino & Veritas is a wine bar and bookstore in Burlington, Vermont where all the romances take place. There are 18 books in this series so far and only two are f/f romances; along with this one, Flipcup by Kim Hartfield (book number 7).
This is a very cute second chance romance, low on angst and high in chemistry. Both characters are likeable and very sweet together and their shared past help them reconnect rather than antagonise. One thing that the blurb doesn’t mention and has a prominent place in the story is that Taylor works in an animal shelter and both women love for animals help as a catalyst for their bonding and reconnection. If you like puppies and enjoy pets in general, this book is for you.
Hideaway is written in first person from both main characters’ points of view. The audiobook was performed by two narrators each reading a different character. I’ve said it before, I personally don’t like audiobooks narrated by two performers as I find the change in the same character’s voice disconcerting. Additionally, in this case, I found that the tone changed slightly between narrators, Ms. Moran sounded more upbeat than Ms. Craden. Having said that, I eventually got used to these issues and just focused on the story itself which was sweet and enjoyable. If you are looking for an equal parts cute and hot romance, then this one is for you. The book is very well written and I wished the audiobook had just one narrator, either of them would have been great. 4 stars.
Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
Available in Scribd.
Rachel Lacey is an author who’s been on my radar for a while. She writes sweet romances with great chemistry. When I saw that her latest f/f book was being released on audio with two very good narrators, I’ve decided to give it a go. I’m glad I did because the story is very sweet and enjoyable.
Boston Financial consultant Phoebe Shaw loses her job and her girlfriend after a photo of her caught in a rude gesture goes viral on social media. She decides to go to her family cabin in Vermont to avoid unwanted attention. There she meets Taylor Donovan again, with whom she had a secret summer romance while they were 16, which was cut short when Phoebe left. As both women get reacquainted, old feelings resurface but Phoebe is meant to return to Boston and Taylor fears she’ll get her heart broken once again…
Hideaway is book 8 in the Vino & Veritas Series written by different authors. Vino & Veritas is a wine bar and bookstore in Burlington, Vermont where all the romances take place. There are 18 books in this series so far and only two are f/f romances; along with this one, Flipcup by Kim Hartfield (book number 7).
This is a very cute second chance romance, low on angst and high in chemistry. Both characters are likeable and very sweet together and their shared past help them reconnect rather than antagonise. One thing that the blurb doesn’t mention and has a prominent place in the story is that Taylor works in an animal shelter and both women love for animals help as a catalyst for their bonding and reconnection. If you like puppies and enjoy pets in general, this book is for you.
Hideaway is written in first person from both main characters’ points of view. The audiobook was performed by two narrators each reading a different character. I’ve said it before, I personally don’t like audiobooks narrated by two performers as I find the change in the same character’s voice disconcerting. Additionally, in this case, I found that the tone changed slightly between narrators, Ms. Moran sounded more upbeat than Ms. Craden. Having said that, I eventually got used to these issues and just focused on the story itself which was sweet and enjoyable. If you are looking for an equal parts cute and hot romance, then this one is for you. The book is very well written and I wished the audiobook had just one narrator, either of them would have been great. 4 stars.
Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
Available in Scribd.
March 16, 2022
Hideaway is a cute, straight lined second chance romance with two very likeable and sweet main characters, Phoebe and Taylor, plus a host of lovely animals. The plot is heart warming even through some tense moments, that more concern the animals than the MC’s rekindling their teen crush, that ended badly and yet not, apparently.
This is a very nice read, devoid of any overly construed drama and full of Awww moments, that I can whole heartedly recommend.
This is a very nice read, devoid of any overly construed drama and full of Awww moments, that I can whole heartedly recommend.
April 9, 2021
This didn't wow me like Lacey's other books did, but it ain't too bad.
April 5, 2021
One of the best things about this series is all the amazing authors that are contributing to it and how many of them are new to me, like Rachel Lacey. Rachel Lacey did a wonderful job crafting a story about two women that were best friends and had a short summer fling when they were sixteen. Fast forward a dozen or so years and we have two women that haven't spoken to one another in a very long time but when they come face to face again you can tell the attraction is still there.
Phoebe is hiding out in Vermont renovating her late grandmothers house because her father has plans for the cabin. She is hoping some time away from Boston after being fired and her girlfriend dumping her will do her some good and let the air clear on a few things. What Phoebe wasn't planing on was running into Taylor on her grandmothers land walking her dogs on the trails in the back.
Taylor had become very close with Mrs. Shaw before her passing and loved walking her dogs on the trails behind the woman's house even if she did think of Phoebe when she was there. They had been best friends but that had all changed one summer when they became more.
I enjoyed watching the women rebuild their friendship while navigating their feelings for one another, both past and present. I thought the story was well written and had a solid story line, personally I just didn't feel the deep emotions between Phoebe and Taylor that the author was trying to get across and I don't know why.
Would I recommend this story? YES, I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys FF Romances, Second Chance Romances, or Small Town Romances.
Happy Reading!!!
Read an Excerpt here: http://bit.ly/NBReviewH8
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**
You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
Phoebe is hiding out in Vermont renovating her late grandmothers house because her father has plans for the cabin. She is hoping some time away from Boston after being fired and her girlfriend dumping her will do her some good and let the air clear on a few things. What Phoebe wasn't planing on was running into Taylor on her grandmothers land walking her dogs on the trails in the back.
Taylor had become very close with Mrs. Shaw before her passing and loved walking her dogs on the trails behind the woman's house even if she did think of Phoebe when she was there. They had been best friends but that had all changed one summer when they became more.
I enjoyed watching the women rebuild their friendship while navigating their feelings for one another, both past and present. I thought the story was well written and had a solid story line, personally I just didn't feel the deep emotions between Phoebe and Taylor that the author was trying to get across and I don't know why.
Would I recommend this story? YES, I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys FF Romances, Second Chance Romances, or Small Town Romances.
Happy Reading!!!
Read an Excerpt here: http://bit.ly/NBReviewH8
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**You can find me here: https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
June 18, 2023
I've enjoyed everything I've read by Rachel Lacey, and this one too. A cute, short novel that features pleasant leads in a lovely Vermont setting and lots of dogs! If you like dogs, this story will be fun; if you prefer less canine activity, then perhaps check out other books by the author.
The second-chance romance is nicely done, and you always feel that the 2 girls are meant for each other if they can just align their life goals correctly. I won’t give away any more ;).
The second-chance romance is nicely done, and you always feel that the 2 girls are meant for each other if they can just align their life goals correctly. I won’t give away any more ;).
March 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this second chance, teenage sweethearts reunited romance from a new author to me.
Rachel Lacey has a light touch with her narrative, creating two unique voices and giving all the necessary information about Phoebe and Taylor's past relationship when they were 16 without turning into an info dump.
I loved all the animal involvement, the dogs were just as important to the relationship as ttd two women were.
It's medium steamy, with lots of feels, and I totally believed in them as a couple and in their happy ending.
#ARC kindly received from the publisher Heart Eyes Press in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Rachel Lacey has a light touch with her narrative, creating two unique voices and giving all the necessary information about Phoebe and Taylor's past relationship when they were 16 without turning into an info dump.
I loved all the animal involvement, the dogs were just as important to the relationship as ttd two women were.
It's medium steamy, with lots of feels, and I totally believed in them as a couple and in their happy ending.
#ARC kindly received from the publisher Heart Eyes Press in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 20, 2021
To me, her kiss was a homecoming.
This was so freaking cute; such a feel good, lovey, second-chance romance. I can go either way with second chance romances, but this one definitely hit all the right buttons for me. It's a simple story with easily likeable characters and a lot of really really good dogs. 🥺
Phoebe temporarily moves back to Vermont into her grandmother's house after her death to settle her affairs and get the house ready to rent. She's also running from some personal upheaval in her life after losing her job and girlfriend. There, she unexpectedly reconnects with her first love, childhood best friend, and the girl whose heart she broke by running away. Taylor works at an animal rescue, and ends up convincing Phoebe to foster a pregnant dog and her incoming puppies while she stays in town. Their path back to romance is slow and a little hesitant; Taylor is really hurt and a little bitter from the way Phoebe left things, and Phoebe knows she has a life waiting for her back in Boston. But their attraction draws them inevitably closer, and I ended up absolutely swooning over their romance. Something that I tend to like about second chance romances is characters rediscovering things they'd loved about the person before, and also find out out the ways they've both changed. I also loved all the dogs and the details of the fostering; it was just too freaking cute. There were a few emotional bits that just had my heart in my throat. It was so good.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Abby Craden and Melissa Moran, and it was amazing. I haven't listened to a lot of Moran's stuff, but I enjoyed this a lot nonetheless. I was very aware of the different voices they did for the same characters, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment at all!
I'm very glad to have discovered another book by Lacey that I really enjoyed, and look forward to reading more!
March 19, 2021
Puppy Love and More
Phoebe got caught on camera flipping off a jerk and its gone viral. As a result she lost her job and her girlfriend. Looking for a place to lie low, she goes to Vermont to renovate her late grandmother’s home. Imagine her surprise when she finds Taylor, her former best friend, first love and the woman who gave her her first kiss, hiking on the property. Taylor has been taking care of the property as she promised Phoebe’s gran. She also wants to buy the property because she loves it and it will give her more space to foster dogs from the shelter she manages. Phoebe has always regretted leaving Taylor and now that she is back, those old feelings return, for both women. With Phoebe only planning to be in town for a few weeks, it would be foolish to give in to the desires they are facing, but are they strong enough to fight the only thing they have ever wanted?
This is such a sweet story! I loved watching these two women dance around their feelings. I fell a little in love with Taylor, she’s beautiful, outdoorsy and great with animals…She is also a great fit for Phoebe. I loved how Taylor convinced Phoebe to foster a pregnant dog and care for her and the puppies even if she won’t be in town long enough for them to find new homes… These two women had me rooting for them from the start and I was more than a little invested in them. The mushy goodness of this story is more than enough to keep you wanting every next word and make you a bit sad when it comes to the perfect ending.
Phoebe got caught on camera flipping off a jerk and its gone viral. As a result she lost her job and her girlfriend. Looking for a place to lie low, she goes to Vermont to renovate her late grandmother’s home. Imagine her surprise when she finds Taylor, her former best friend, first love and the woman who gave her her first kiss, hiking on the property. Taylor has been taking care of the property as she promised Phoebe’s gran. She also wants to buy the property because she loves it and it will give her more space to foster dogs from the shelter she manages. Phoebe has always regretted leaving Taylor and now that she is back, those old feelings return, for both women. With Phoebe only planning to be in town for a few weeks, it would be foolish to give in to the desires they are facing, but are they strong enough to fight the only thing they have ever wanted?
This is such a sweet story! I loved watching these two women dance around their feelings. I fell a little in love with Taylor, she’s beautiful, outdoorsy and great with animals…She is also a great fit for Phoebe. I loved how Taylor convinced Phoebe to foster a pregnant dog and care for her and the puppies even if she won’t be in town long enough for them to find new homes… These two women had me rooting for them from the start and I was more than a little invested in them. The mushy goodness of this story is more than enough to keep you wanting every next word and make you a bit sad when it comes to the perfect ending.
October 13, 2021
I give a solid 4/5 for the excellent narration of this one. Abby Craden and Melissa Moran? Yes please! Their POV chapter switches added fantastic flow to the otherwise rather mundane storyline. I do hope these two co-narrate more in the future.
The story itself was a 3/5 for me. It was alright. The two MCs Taylor and Phoebe were each other's first loves, but Phoebe wasn't out at 16 and left Taylor, never to speak to her again. The book picks up with them at 29, circling around one another, testing feelings, and taking care of dogs. So many dogs, so many details about dogs and puppies and poop and welping? Just.....a lot. The sex was hot and fun (the lady sex, not dogs), but otherwise, without the excellent narration, it wouldn't have held my interest.
The story itself was a 3/5 for me. It was alright. The two MCs Taylor and Phoebe were each other's first loves, but Phoebe wasn't out at 16 and left Taylor, never to speak to her again. The book picks up with them at 29, circling around one another, testing feelings, and taking care of dogs. So many dogs, so many details about dogs and puppies and poop and welping? Just.....a lot. The sex was hot and fun (the lady sex, not dogs), but otherwise, without the excellent narration, it wouldn't have held my interest.
April 8, 2021
Second chance, childhood friends, teen lovers … I mean who’s not gonna #oneclick that?! amirite?!
I enjoyed all the choices Rachel Lacey made for not just the story but also Taylor and Phoebe as characters, but I was detached from their romance. I totally believed in their friendship and their growth in that respect, but not the romance. I can’t even pinpoint why? #bananas Maybe it was too easy? This is a low, almost nonexistent, angst read. The revelation on the who/why/where of the past and why Phoebe basically ghosted all those years ago was put out there for us readers, but I felt nothing. I think I should have felt something, especially because of when in happened. Teenaged years are super hormonal, for lack of a better word, yet when I read my heart felt nothing.
Honestly, I’m starting to think this is a huge me thing rather than the actual story because it happened with the previous book as well. I’ve taken the time to think on this the last couple of days and although I feel my interpretation of my read is legitimate, I’ve read this author in the past and haven’t had this issue so … I dunno, feel free to disregard anything you just read, k.
I enjoyed all the choices Rachel Lacey made for not just the story but also Taylor and Phoebe as characters, but I was detached from their romance. I totally believed in their friendship and their growth in that respect, but not the romance. I can’t even pinpoint why? #bananas Maybe it was too easy? This is a low, almost nonexistent, angst read. The revelation on the who/why/where of the past and why Phoebe basically ghosted all those years ago was put out there for us readers, but I felt nothing. I think I should have felt something, especially because of when in happened. Teenaged years are super hormonal, for lack of a better word, yet when I read my heart felt nothing.
Honestly, I’m starting to think this is a huge me thing rather than the actual story because it happened with the previous book as well. I’ve taken the time to think on this the last couple of days and although I feel my interpretation of my read is legitimate, I’ve read this author in the past and haven’t had this issue so … I dunno, feel free to disregard anything you just read, k.
March 12, 2021
They were sixteen when they fell in love. Phoebe returns to Vermont, where she spent her summers as a kid, to escape the hurt and hardships she is currently experiencing in Boston. Taylor still lives in the same small town in Vermont and loves it. After being reunited at twenty-nine it will be interesting to see what will happen after all this time.
This book is the eighth installment of a series called Vino & Veritas from Heart Eyes Press. Each book is written by a different author and based around an inclusive bookstore and wine bar called Vino & Veritas in Burlington, Vermont. I am familiar with Rachel Lacey’s work, but not the other authors in the series. This book makes me inclined to read the rest of the series. This book was easily read as a stand-alone book and V&V played a small role in the book.
Hideaway is written in first person and alternates Phoebe and Taylor’s perspectives every other chapter. I typically enjoy this type of writing style and Lacey did very well with it. I felt like I was able to get to know the main characters while also getting a proper background story of the two women and their significant history. The characters are very likeable and down to earth. The story is realistic and tugs at your heart strings from the first chapter. I also loved the concept of same-sex high school sweethearts. This just was not common when I was younger, and it is so refreshing to see it happening more and more now.
Hideaway gets a solid 4.5 stars from me. If you are looking to read a well-written book that is sweet without all the angst and drama, this is a great book to read. I would recommend it to others in a heartbeat.
I received an ARC by Heart Eyes Press in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the eighth installment of a series called Vino & Veritas from Heart Eyes Press. Each book is written by a different author and based around an inclusive bookstore and wine bar called Vino & Veritas in Burlington, Vermont. I am familiar with Rachel Lacey’s work, but not the other authors in the series. This book makes me inclined to read the rest of the series. This book was easily read as a stand-alone book and V&V played a small role in the book.
Hideaway is written in first person and alternates Phoebe and Taylor’s perspectives every other chapter. I typically enjoy this type of writing style and Lacey did very well with it. I felt like I was able to get to know the main characters while also getting a proper background story of the two women and their significant history. The characters are very likeable and down to earth. The story is realistic and tugs at your heart strings from the first chapter. I also loved the concept of same-sex high school sweethearts. This just was not common when I was younger, and it is so refreshing to see it happening more and more now.
Hideaway gets a solid 4.5 stars from me. If you are looking to read a well-written book that is sweet without all the angst and drama, this is a great book to read. I would recommend it to others in a heartbeat.
I received an ARC by Heart Eyes Press in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2023
Really enjoyed this second chance romance!
Rep: white sapphic cis female MC, white lesbian cis female MC, various queer and straight side characters.
CWs: Sexual content. Moderate: past death of a loved one (not a parent), pregnancy & birth of puppies on page, medical content (specifically veterinary care for the smallest puppy), past internalized queephobia/queermisia.
Rep: white sapphic cis female MC, white lesbian cis female MC, various queer and straight side characters.
CWs: Sexual content. Moderate: past death of a loved one (not a parent), pregnancy & birth of puppies on page, medical content (specifically veterinary care for the smallest puppy), past internalized queephobia/queermisia.
April 10, 2024
So cute!! With the cutest dogs 😍
October 6, 2021
Phoebe huyo de Boston hacia Berlington a la que era la casa de su abuela por los problemas que le causo una fotografia, lo que quiere es un poco de paz y tranquilidad para poder volver a retomar su vida despues de que paso el boom de la foto. Pero en cuanto llega a Berlington se encuentra con la que fue su primer amor de adolescente, cuando se dio cuenta que puede que a ella no le gustaran los chicos despues de todo. Pero al parecer sus sentimintos por ella todavia estan ahi y le gustaria explorar de nuevo esa relacion.
Taylor ha vivido toda su vida en Berlington, siempre ha querido quedarse aqui, conseguir una mujer con quien compartir su vida, vivir en la casa frente a sus padres (que era de la abuela de Phoebe) y poder cuidar muchos animales. Pero cuando ve a Phoebe llegar a esa casa, y al parecer con la intencion de remodelarla para alquilarla, se da cuenta que esta a punto de perder algunos de sus suenos mas preciados. Sin embargo, logra convencer a Phoebe de ayudarla con sus animales, y mientras tanto explorar, ahora como adultas, la relacion de la que huyeron cuando jovenes.
Phoebe y Taylor deberan abrirse a sus sentimientos, y realmente explorar lo que quieren en su vida y con quien lo quieren, para que su relacion pueda tener un futuro.
Esperaba mucho de este libro, esperaba que aparecieran al menos un par de los personajes de los libros anteriores, esperaba mas interaccion con los de Vino & Veritas, no solo una mencion aqui y alla. Este es un libro que solo se sabe que pertenece a esta serie por el nombre de una de las protas, pero de resto no tiene absolutamente nada que ver con la serie.
En cuanto a los personajes, realmente no me dieron ni frio ni calor, ninguno de los dos me atrajo lo suficiente como decir que quiero saber mas de ellos, sino que mas bien estaba desesperada porque terminara la historia.
No era en absoluto lo que estaba esperando, pero si te gustan las historias con un romance suave, sin mayor complicaciones, donde los personajes pudieran ser cualquiera y que no tuvieran mayor reto que enfrentar que solo estar vivas, puede que te guste este libro mucho mas que a mi.
Sigo pensando que se perdieron muchisimas oportunidades, con los cachorros, con los personajes secundarios, con los dialogos sobre el pasado y/o futuro, para mi, totalmente decepcionante.
Taylor ha vivido toda su vida en Berlington, siempre ha querido quedarse aqui, conseguir una mujer con quien compartir su vida, vivir en la casa frente a sus padres (que era de la abuela de Phoebe) y poder cuidar muchos animales. Pero cuando ve a Phoebe llegar a esa casa, y al parecer con la intencion de remodelarla para alquilarla, se da cuenta que esta a punto de perder algunos de sus suenos mas preciados. Sin embargo, logra convencer a Phoebe de ayudarla con sus animales, y mientras tanto explorar, ahora como adultas, la relacion de la que huyeron cuando jovenes.
Phoebe y Taylor deberan abrirse a sus sentimientos, y realmente explorar lo que quieren en su vida y con quien lo quieren, para que su relacion pueda tener un futuro.
Esperaba mucho de este libro, esperaba que aparecieran al menos un par de los personajes de los libros anteriores, esperaba mas interaccion con los de Vino & Veritas, no solo una mencion aqui y alla. Este es un libro que solo se sabe que pertenece a esta serie por el nombre de una de las protas, pero de resto no tiene absolutamente nada que ver con la serie.
En cuanto a los personajes, realmente no me dieron ni frio ni calor, ninguno de los dos me atrajo lo suficiente como decir que quiero saber mas de ellos, sino que mas bien estaba desesperada porque terminara la historia.
No era en absoluto lo que estaba esperando, pero si te gustan las historias con un romance suave, sin mayor complicaciones, donde los personajes pudieran ser cualquiera y que no tuvieran mayor reto que enfrentar que solo estar vivas, puede que te guste este libro mucho mas que a mi.
Sigo pensando que se perdieron muchisimas oportunidades, con los cachorros, con los personajes secundarios, con los dialogos sobre el pasado y/o futuro, para mi, totalmente decepcionante.
April 7, 2021
Poehe Shaw saw her late grandma’s house in Burlington as the best place to hide and reset her life after she went viral on SNS losing her job and her girlfriend. Taylor Donovan didn't expect to see her first love and first heartbreak when she went for her usual trek that day, but here she was Phoebe in the flesh in Vermont. When they recover from the shock to see each other after so many years of silence they start a new friendship, but will they keep their attraction on the low? Or will they risk to lose each other again?
I've really enjoyed to read this story, there are a lot of cute moments and very low drama.
I liked both the heroines, they are smart, nice, beautiful women, you can only grow fond of them and cheer for their happiness.
I understand the reticence of Taylor in giving her relationship with Phoebe another chance, but I also understand why Phoebe ran away in the past leaving Taylor alone because she didn’t know she who she really was at a teen age.
I was involved in their journey and I adored the pace and the words flow, I recommend to read this novel.
Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.
May 29, 2021
2.75 stars
This was a cute story for dog lovers. Most of the parts that included the dogs/puppies was fine. But the romance was just so so. The 2 MC's were so different. Taylor, small town girl who loved animals. Even ran the local shelter. Then there is Phoebe, big city girl and financial adviser. Taylor and Phoebe were high school sweethearts in Vermont. First love for both. Taylor was ok with it but Phoebe was not sure she wanted to be gay so she ran away to Boston.
Fast forward 13 yrs and they meet again in Vermont.
Im not going to tell the whole story cause there is not a whole lot of story to tell. With the exception of the dogs.
I never warmed up to Phoebe, although she got softer as the relationship with Taylor and the puppies advance.
I grabbed this book primarily because it was an audio, narrated by Abby Craden, my favorite narrator. What I didnt realize is it had a second narrator, Melissa Moran. Each chapter was from one of the MC point of view.
(Let me see if I can explain)
So Chapter 1 was from Phoebe's point of view and read by Melissa Moran...but dialog from both characters. So Melissa Moran was speaking "both" characters voices.
And then Chapter 2 was from Taylor's point of view and read by Abby Craden, but dialog from both characters and so on.
So each chapter had different voices for the same character. Sometimes Taylor sounded warm and sexy (Abby Craden) sometimes Taylor had a light girly voice (Melissa Moran) depending on the chapter.
It really ruined the story.
I dont know what the Audio producers were thinking? It was so bad.
Why didnt they just have Melissa Moran read Phoebe and Abby Craden read Taylor.
So my recommendation is do not get the audio version of this book.
This was a cute story for dog lovers. Most of the parts that included the dogs/puppies was fine. But the romance was just so so. The 2 MC's were so different. Taylor, small town girl who loved animals. Even ran the local shelter. Then there is Phoebe, big city girl and financial adviser. Taylor and Phoebe were high school sweethearts in Vermont. First love for both. Taylor was ok with it but Phoebe was not sure she wanted to be gay so she ran away to Boston.
Fast forward 13 yrs and they meet again in Vermont.
Im not going to tell the whole story cause there is not a whole lot of story to tell. With the exception of the dogs.
I never warmed up to Phoebe, although she got softer as the relationship with Taylor and the puppies advance.
I grabbed this book primarily because it was an audio, narrated by Abby Craden, my favorite narrator. What I didnt realize is it had a second narrator, Melissa Moran. Each chapter was from one of the MC point of view.
(Let me see if I can explain)
So Chapter 1 was from Phoebe's point of view and read by Melissa Moran...but dialog from both characters. So Melissa Moran was speaking "both" characters voices.
And then Chapter 2 was from Taylor's point of view and read by Abby Craden, but dialog from both characters and so on.
So each chapter had different voices for the same character. Sometimes Taylor sounded warm and sexy (Abby Craden) sometimes Taylor had a light girly voice (Melissa Moran) depending on the chapter.
It really ruined the story.
I dont know what the Audio producers were thinking? It was so bad.
Why didnt they just have Melissa Moran read Phoebe and Abby Craden read Taylor.
So my recommendation is do not get the audio version of this book.
June 21, 2021
Second chance romance isn’t one of my top romance tropes. However I tend to enjoy it more when it’s a queer romance where the situation is that the characters were secretly together as teens before one or both of them had come out then they come back together as adults. I liked the chemistry between Taylor and Phoebe and I thought the points of tension in their burgeoning relationship made sense.
This is a dual POV story and I thought that the voices of Taylor and Phoebe blended together. So at times I would get confused at which woman’s POV I was reading from. Also, while the storyline about Phoebe fostering a dog who has a litter of puppies was cute it felt like it overtook the romance storyline.
Hideaway was a sweet, easy read but nothing to write home about.
This is a dual POV story and I thought that the voices of Taylor and Phoebe blended together. So at times I would get confused at which woman’s POV I was reading from. Also, while the storyline about Phoebe fostering a dog who has a litter of puppies was cute it felt like it overtook the romance storyline.
Hideaway was a sweet, easy read but nothing to write home about.
April 3, 2021
I was hoping for more with this book. The story seemed to focus more on the dog and her puppies that were being fostered. Phoebe and Taylor are former best friends who were secretly high school sweethearts. Taylor was out at the time but Phoebe was still in the closet.
A death in the family brings Phoebe and Taylor back into each others lives. It seemed like they were rushing to try and have some sort of relationship. When they did get together it seemed awkward and the “sex scenes” felt boring. They seemed over just as quick as they started. It felt like there was not much emotion or description either. It was a quick read for me.
A death in the family brings Phoebe and Taylor back into each others lives. It seemed like they were rushing to try and have some sort of relationship. When they did get together it seemed awkward and the “sex scenes” felt boring. They seemed over just as quick as they started. It felt like there was not much emotion or description either. It was a quick read for me.
April 4, 2021
https://celebrityreaders.com/2021/04/...
I received a free copy through Heart Eyes Press in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
3.5 stars — This was a sweet story with a good solid connection between the heroines, but I think I got too frustrated with Taylor’s reticence and I lost my enthusiasm for their love story.
Phoebe had these sweet and bright qualities, and I could see how Taylor was attracted to them. I really appreciated that while Phoebe made the past mistake, she truly tried to do everything she could to do things the right way this time around with Taylor. She was pretty upfront, she didn’t make promises she couldn’t keep, but she put herself out there.
On the other hand, Taylor had been burned badly, and the wall around her heart was almost insurmountable. I understood her initial hesitance in getting involved and attached. But at a certain point I just lost all patience with her, and felt like Phoebe was getting the raw deal.
Don’t get me wrong, the resolution was fantastic…I think I just needed a bit more of that a bit earlier or something.
On the other hand — and I know this is going to be the weirdest sounding thing to say — Ms. Lacey writes good dog. I just…I felt all of the emotions for them, from the hilarious highs of Minnie’s exuberance, to worrying about Violet’s sadness, to just enjoying the contentment. I’m an animal lover, what can I say? The puppies were adorable, and I loved the way they opened Phoebe up to new experiences.
So yeah. I was truly happy for these ladies to find one another again…I just might have needed to read it in a different frame of mind.
I received a free copy through Heart Eyes Press in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
3.5 stars — This was a sweet story with a good solid connection between the heroines, but I think I got too frustrated with Taylor’s reticence and I lost my enthusiasm for their love story.
Phoebe had these sweet and bright qualities, and I could see how Taylor was attracted to them. I really appreciated that while Phoebe made the past mistake, she truly tried to do everything she could to do things the right way this time around with Taylor. She was pretty upfront, she didn’t make promises she couldn’t keep, but she put herself out there.
On the other hand, Taylor had been burned badly, and the wall around her heart was almost insurmountable. I understood her initial hesitance in getting involved and attached. But at a certain point I just lost all patience with her, and felt like Phoebe was getting the raw deal.
Don’t get me wrong, the resolution was fantastic…I think I just needed a bit more of that a bit earlier or something.
On the other hand — and I know this is going to be the weirdest sounding thing to say — Ms. Lacey writes good dog. I just…I felt all of the emotions for them, from the hilarious highs of Minnie’s exuberance, to worrying about Violet’s sadness, to just enjoying the contentment. I’m an animal lover, what can I say? The puppies were adorable, and I loved the way they opened Phoebe up to new experiences.
So yeah. I was truly happy for these ladies to find one another again…I just might have needed to read it in a different frame of mind.
July 1, 2021
Phoebe goes to hideout at her grandmother’s cabin in Vermont after losing her job and her girlfriend. She almost immediately bumps into the ex-girlfriend she left behind when she was 16-years old. This is a fairly low-angst second chance romance with lots of dogs & puppies in the mix.
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 17, 2022i hate dnfing but an attempt was made and i cannot even imagine connecting to these characters
March 19, 2023
I enjoyed it, but sometimes I felt the dogs story was the main story, and Phoebe and Taylor's was revolving a bit too much on that, so I missed a bit of their emotions while reconnecting.
Overall cute and sweet book... and puppies!
Overall cute and sweet book... and puppies!
September 1, 2023
3.5*
Your classic second chance romance 🫶
Your classic second chance romance 🫶
July 26, 2021
Hideaway is a sweet second chance romance for high school sweethearts Phoebe and Taylor. They were each other's first loves, but Phoebe was still discovering her sexuality and broke both their hearts. In returning to Burlington, Phoebe rediscovers herself, her love of animals and Taylor. This story had low heat for me but was a really nice story of friends and former lovers reconnecting after years apart.
I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily give my review.
I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily give my review.
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