This is the first book that I have read by Heather Blackmore & definitely won’t be my last! I found it to be a quick easy read. 

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Really enjoyed this book.  Great writing and great characters in a bit of a different setting and either the author has experience in the field or did a great job at research.   This is definitely a romance - with the two very different women meeting casually but their relationship grows as the book progresses.  The chemistry sizzled and the dialogue was great.  Strongly recommend It's Not a Date and I'll be looking for Blackmore's other books.

I was definitely surprised by how much I ended up liking this book. It's a slow read, one that commands your attention, one that makes you invested in the minutiae of the small dramas within two women's lives. 

The beginning makes us think we're being swept off on a sexy vacation with Kade and Jen, two professional women who have very different approaches to their jobs--and to be honest, I wasn't really that interested in their little romp. It was nice, but since we don't really know them that well, it was just sexy fluff. But when they meet again under more real-world circumstances, their connection and chemistry is amazing.

Kade is the definition of the ice-queen character. She's a self-made entrepreneur who continues to rise within the VC world, and she knows she's gotten where she is through hard work, good decision-making, and a little bit of ruthlessness. She's the woman you want on your side and in your corner. She gets shit done! So when Jen, a smart but harried leader of a teetering start-up, is late to a meeting with Kade, Kade shows little sympathy, even when they eventually realize they've met before. They soon enter an uneasy partnership that hinges on mutual trust--Jen trusts Kade's knowledge and experience, and Kade soon trusts Jen's drive and innovative ideas. 

One theme that runs through this story (and that I have not seen in many other romances) is the harsh reality of elder care in our society. Jen's start-up is an app to help people easily find reliable and vetted elder care, easing the burden on family members with older relatives. Jen herself takes care of her grandmother, who has dementia, and she knows how hard it is to make sure your loved one is properly cared for at all times. Kade is less familiar with this concept until she too has to deal with the reality of caring for a sick relative. It's absolutely wonderful how elder care is seen and written in this book. It's a big deal for the children of baby boomers, and its something that requires empathy, patience, and understanding, even when relationships are strained. Jen knows that care for her grandmother comes first, even at the cost of her job, and getting Kade to sympathize with that is a huge moment in their relationship. I'd bet you anything Blackmore is writing from personal experience, and she does it very well.

In addition to the themes in the story, the romance between Kade and Jen is also complex and lovely. The "defrosting the ice queen" trope is handled so sweetly and delicately here that you could almost call it a trope subversion. Jen isn't interested in seeing Kade let loose or get unbuttoned--she just wants Kade to know she is loved and deserves to be loved. Kade is closed-off for a reason, and Jen deeply understands that. She doesn't seek to change Kade. She only wants Kade to know she is worth it.

I can definitely see the very realistic drama would put some readers off. These are real women dealing with real issues. There's no melodrama, no overblown plot points, no twists. They deal with calling in sick to work, meeting deadlines, caring for elderly relatives, and navigating strained parental relationships. This is a mature romance that deals with mature, complex issues about being a professional woman past your twenties. Some readers want more bang than that, and that's fine. But you won't find it within Kade and Jen's story. You'll find something that will stick with you for a lot longer.

I quite enjoyed the book and it was nicely written byt it didn’t really grab me. I still enjoyed it, it just wasn’t...maybe it was my mood at the time, but it didn’t pull me in.

I really enjoyed this one.  This is my first read by Heather Blackmore and I really enjoyed her writing. The plot wasn’t the most original, however I think it was done really well and. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters.

An honest review thanks to NetGalley.  I started this book a couple of time unable to continue, once I did start reading I found that I did really like the book. The characters are well rounded and three dimensional.  I really liked the growth of Kade and her father and what spending time with him encouraged her to pursue.  This was an excellent light romance read.

Quick thoughts:
- Lesbian romance set in the corporate world 💕
- Hot and steamy wow 🔥🔥🔥
- Acknowledges sexism and gender inequality in work environments and in industries
- Female leads are both successful CEOs
- Character growth!!!
- 3/5 ⭐️

* Note: Full review to follow

Entertaining story. Well thought out characters and original story. Written very well. Kept me engaged.

I don't usually do romance but for women loving women, I'd give it a shot. I wish the LGBT world had more adult options that weren't only sex based romance though. More meet cutes

Its Not a Date by Heather Blakemore is a contemporary romance. Entrepreneur and innovator Kadrienne Davenport gets results. A demanding executive and stickler for punctuality, Kade throws herself into work to avoid hurting anyone, convinced she only causes pain to those she loves. When Jennifer Spencer meets an incognito Kade at a conference, sparks fly. But when Kade unexpectedly becomes her boss, Jen’s problems multiply. The company she founded is going broke, her grandmother’s dementia is worsening, and her attraction to Kade; her difficult, brilliant, charismatic mentor, is growing. Kade’s desire to keep things professional between them is in Jen’s best interest. Yet what’s in Kade’s best interest is Jen.

Its Not a Date is a modern romance where family obligation, business, and trust issues all come into play. For me, this made the characters and the story more belivable- because we all have at least one of these things complicating our lives at some point. Kade's childhood has made her blame hersdelf for things outside her control, and made her rigid in many ways. Jen focuses on the love and good in her life, but does not want to lose her company or her ailing grandmother as she struggles to balance everything. I enjoyed many of the secondary characters as much as the struggling couple, and loved that each had a support system and trials of their own as they struggled with what they want, need, and how to get there. Both Kade and Jen had emotional journeys along the way, and I think Kade had huge changes and revelations as she grew through the story. I think the growth and development of the characters was extremely well done and tugged at my heart just as much as any of the romantic journey. I look forward to reading more from this author, particularly if she continues writing such well developed and dynamic characters. 

Its Not a Date was a fun and heart warming romance. I enjoyed Kade's journey to find love and trust, in herself as much as for Jen. A well written story with characters that left me hoping for their future long after the book was over.

Read this book. That would be my entire review, but NetGalley is forcing me to write more, so here goes.

You are about to meet Jennifer and Kade, their attraction is so scorching you will feel waves of heat radiating off the page. And while the sex between them is as steamy as one would dream of, the way their relationship develops is equally satisfying and makes for a worthwhile read.

I requested this out of the blue because I was really in the mood for an LGBT+ book. This book was definitely what I was looking for- entertaining characters and a really good romance that I could be invested in. The repartee between the two characters is also great. 
I can really appreciate the depiction of working women with goals and careers, although I felt at times there was a bit too much business talk. In general, there was quite a lot of the book that I would have been happy to not have to read- some elements were just too long for me personally.
The ending, however, helped to redeem the whole book and I would recommend it for a fun, light read

A very enjoyable read with two strong businesswomen as leads. I enjoyed reading about the world of venture capital and start ups, which I knew nothing about. There was great chemistry between Kade and Jen and I especially enjoyed the first chapters set in Hawaii. I look forward to the author's next book.

This book was well written but not for me. I like hot sexy scenes and felt that the story line was just OK.  Disclaimer - this book is F/F - I missed that when reading the jacket cover.

Stevie‘s review of It’s Not a Date by Heather Blackmore
Contemporary Lesbian Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 13 Mar 18

I don’t know a lot about start-ups or venture capital, although I have at least one friend who has done well from the former. Heather Blackmore, however, obviously knows her stuff in that area, and also writes romances that don’t necessarily follow the expected tropes. So I was intrigued to see what she would do with this tale of a developing relationship between a first-time entrepreneur and her mentor, a woman who’s had a great deal of success in both founding and investing in new businesses.


Jennifer Spencer founded her company, Creative Care, in response to her own difficulties finding reliable additional carers for her Nana, who has dementia. Although she has a good team working for her, and has secured sufficient initial funding to develop her app, Jen is now struggling to find additional financial resources or a first wave of potential users in order to continue the project. As if that wasn’t enough, her mentor has to step down from direct involvement with the company due to health issues, and the replacement he suggests turns out to be the woman Jen spent a day and night with the previous year, while attending a conference for women in technology.

Kadrienne Davenport made a lot of money from her first two start-ups and now works in venture capital, although she also works with other entrepreneurs as a mentor whenever she can. A strict timekeeper since childhood, Kade’s unexpected one-day holiday with Jen has been confined to a pleasant memory, and she balks at working with such a spontaneous character on a regular basis. However, both her friend, Jen’s previous mentor, and her long-time personal assistant are convinced the two will make a good match professionally and possibly personally as well.

Wary of letting anyone outside her business see that she has family commitments, which occasionally affect her availability and timekeeping, Jen is reluctant to let Kade know too much about her Nana’s illness and needs. She’s seen too many other women in business belittled because they have to juggle their work and home lives. This leads her to cancel meetings without explanation, something Kade can’t abide, having been blamed for two family tragedies in her childhood, both of which were partially due to her being elsewhere from where she said told her father she would be. When Kade’s estranged father is taken ill, she begins to rethink her priorities and gains a better understanding of what Jen has been coping with.

I loved the contrast between the different work styles and personalities of the two women. Jen is very open to new friendships and new experiences, while Kade, as a result of her youthful traumas, is unwilling to stray from her carefully planned schedules and routines, and fears that if she lets anyone get close to her, she will only end up hurting them – as happened with her family and that of her best friend in the past. Kade’s assistant is adorable. She bears Kade no ill-will for the tragedy that affected her as much as it affected Kade and is determined to see her boss embrace spontaneity and take more risks in her personal life. I loved when she got rewarded for her success in that project too.

All in all, an excellent book that turns lots of office romance tropes around and thoroughly reinvents and re-examines them.

Grade: A

When Jen and Kade first meet at a conference in Maui, it’s a rare respite from their hectic lives. And as they share a magical work-free day together, their attraction is undeniable.

Back in the real world (Silicon Valley), Kade and Jen’s paths cross again – and yet they can’t pick up where they left off due to business and family circumstances. Here, the author tackles issues like inequality in the workforce, family/elder care, and the monumental feat of forgiveness.

Through it all, Kade and Jen are richly developed (smart, driven, charismatic; and equally kind, loyal & loving) as their connection intensifies.

While this Romance has its share of drama, there’s humor and levity throughout – tissues may come in handy for laughing and/or crying.

It’s Not a Date is a poignant love story that checks all the boxes - I highly recommend it.

This was an enjoyable read.  I really liked the main characters Kade and Jennifer.  The sexual tension between them was delightful and left me wanting me to read!  There is much going on in this book other than the tension between the two characters, but it does not distract.  It only adds to build the characters.  Definitely an entertaining read.  Would recommend!

Ms. Blackmore has written a nice romance depicting the difficulties that women have in the field of technology. I found it interesting how she has intertwined the romantic end of the story with the prejudices women face in starting up a technology firm or even working for a company in a position that requires technological abilities. 

Jennifer Spencer is the creator and CEO of a new health care technology software company in the Silicon Valley.  As part of the company’s setup and funding needs, Jennifer is required to work with the Board of Directors in shaping the future of the company.  She is young, bright, and extremely personable.  She is caring for her grandmother who has dementia and needs 24-hour care.  This responsibility falls upon Jennifer’s shoulders.

Kadrienne Davenport is a venture capitalist who is highly recognized as an expert in identifying companies that are good investments.  A friend of hers, who is on the Board of Directors of Jennifer’s company, becomes ill and asks Kadrienne to take over his responsibility of assisting with the development of the new company.  Kadrienne is highly organized and puts a lot of emphasis on following the rules.  She is, however, an “emotional mess” when it comes to personal relationships.

Kadrienne and Jennifer met previously at a convention and had a one-night affair.  Neither think they will ever see each other again.

I found the book to be a little slow, but well written.  I became tired of hearing about Kadrienne’s personal problems.  Once I read further, however, I did find it interesting to learn more about the difficulties that women have in the technology fields.

I rate this book 3-1/2 out of 5 stars.

I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

This is the second book I have read by Blackmore.  I enjoyed them both.   Blackmore’s finance/business jargon may slow down readers in the beginning, but keep going… it gets so much better.  This was a good weekend read.  I enjoyed the interactions between Kade and Jen, but struggled when it was just something business related.  The author’s interest and my own are obviously not the same.. but that is okay.  The romance was good, the writing is solid, and by the end I was happy with the book.  Worth picking up.

Another strong production by Ms. Blackmore, with Kade serving as a heroine who would capture many hearts.