I really enjoyed this complex story of Jackie, Susan, and their daughter Beth. For me this storyline was unique, not having read anything remotely similiar in the past. At first the three different points of view by each of the main characters was a little tough to follow, but after a couple of chapters I got more accustomed to the POV changes. I liked each of the main characters and was able to sympathize with each of their struggles, especially Susan's domestic violence situation. Finally, I found the relationship between Beth and Peggy to allow Beth to more easily embrace Susan and Jackie's relationship since there were some similarities.

I recommend this book to other readers.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by this author that I have read and what an enjoyable read it was.

It tells the story of Jackie, Beth and Susan. The story line was great, the characters (including secondary) are great but the pacing for me was a little quicker than I usually like, although, this did not take away from the enjoyment of my read. Jackie was a real sweetheart and was my favourite character.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I get the added bonus of finding a new author to look out for in the future.

I received an ARC copy of the book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

CW: This book has some explicit m/f domestic violence.

I received an ARC of Create a Life to Love by Erin Zak from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sweet f/f romance with an adorable side story of a teenager falling in love as well. The book opens with 16-year-old Beth arriving at the doorstep of her birth mother, Jackie, after tracking her down with a private investigator. Jackie is shocked but agrees to drive Beth home where she meets Susan, Beth’s adoptive mother. Susan is married to Beth’s adoptive father and he is abusive. There is abuse on the page and it was really disturbing. I can imagine it would be very triggering for anyone with this in their history and it was not indicated in the blurb for the book so be warned. Susan takes Beth and leaves her husband. They want to go somewhere he won’t think to look for them and Beth suggests Jackie’s house. While there, Susan becomes more open to her attraction to Jackie and they fall in love. Beth meets some local teens and hits it off with a girl and realizes she’s bisexual. I was not surprised that there was a confrontation with the ex-husband, but it went much smoother than I expected.

Again, this book was really sweet. Jackie and Susan were both likable and I was rooting for them. I give this book 3.5 stars.

I’ll start by saying that I am always eager for sweet romances with few angst and a lot of feelings flowing everywhere. Then, why this wasn't particularly to my liking? Perhaps there is too much perfection in the situation that’s told, in the characters and the development of the story and there is something among so much ideal that spoils the whole tale.
Jackie has an erratic attitude throughout the book that has made her implausible to me. Nothing the book develops justifies her unbelievable behaviour, nor the initial situation that causes the main point of the story, neither the wandering in her conduct towards Beth and Susan. And Susan is also difficult to empathize with, there is not much in her character since she seems to follow the steps Beth and Jackie are pointing out to her. Then Beth is a perfect adopted child with teen problems in a family situation apparently flawless.
I also think that since the story is told from the three points of view of the protagonists, fluency is harder to achieve. It is good to know the intimate thoughts of each character in emotionally complex situations but maybe having three approaches ends up blurring the whole.
Altogether the book is a good romance but it is too easy, if that makes sense, although that not prevents me to still recommend this reading. But be aware, if you don't enjoy corny sweet sentimental romances, this book will not fulfill you.

Ooooh, I loved this book! Loved it!!! It had a great chemistry between the characters, nice plot, I liked the dialogues between Jackie and Susan, and what's actually won me over, I loved Beth the most! This book was actually page-turner for me, meaning I never put it down the moment I picked it up! It took me a good few hours, but very well spent time! This book made me happy and that's what it counts most in lesbian fiction!

I’m fairly conflicted about what I thought of this novel. In some ways it’s a good, light romance and in other ways, I feel it missed the depth that the subject matter could invoke. Jackie Mitchell, successful lesbian romance author, comes face to face with her 16-year-old biological daughter whom she gave up for adoption at birth. Beth Weber hitch-hiked for five hours to get to Jackie and the first thing Jackie does is return her to her mother. Susan Weber is not what Jackie expected and her first look takes her breath away.

The story is told in third person from all three women’s point of view and gave it a very different perspective from most romances. It expanded the dynamic of two women falling in love to one of mother/daughter relationships, biological/adoptive mother relationships and child/parent relationships. And then there’s the matter of Susan’s husband and Beth’s father.

Beth’s voice worked as the voice of a teenager and I had no trouble believing she was 16-years-old. I enjoyed Jackie and Susan getting to know one another but because of the three-way perspective, it meant that their dialogue was reduced. So, as a romance between two women who share a daughter it is enjoyable. However, the heavier side of all of their stories – like Beth discovering as a teen that she is adopted, Jackie giving away her child and Susan in a difficult marriage – was glossed over in favour of the romance.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

I really really enjoyed this. to be completely honest I requested this book for the colors of the book. But the story was very well written and the flow of it was very smooth.

This was unlike any plot I've ever read. Unique in every way.

Jackie Mitchell, living in St. Petersburg, FL, is a successful writer of lesbian romance novels. Susan Weber is a wife and mother, living in Savannah, GA with her husband and her precocious sixteen year old daughter, Beth. What could possibly connect Jackie and Susan, two completely different women?

Jackie gave up her baby daughter for adoption sixteen years ago, when the baby was two days old. Sixteen years ago, Susan adopted a baby girl who was two days old. They could not have ever predicted that, in the future, this baby girl would cause their lives to become intertwined in some very complicated-but-interesting ways.

Susan is in an abusive marriage with Steven, who has been cheating on her and has irreparably torn their marriage and lives apart. Beth, their daughter, is afraid for her mother and decides to make some changes on her own. She goes to a private investigator to find out who her biological mother is. Through a series of events, both Susan and Beth end up on Jackie's doorstep one tempestuous day. The rest is the makings of a well-written and -populated story.

This is my first reading of a book by this author. I'm on my way to find her other works. What a good book!

Trigger warning: Domestic and emotional abuse scenes.

Create a Life to Love is one of the more original plots I’ve read in a long time and I was immediately drawn to it. The plot meanders between first person POV for Jackie, Susan, and Beth which gives the story a depth of emotion that would have filtered and dimmed had it not. While the writing itself isn’t groundbreaking the originality of the plot is, and the characters are rich and interesting. The ending felt a bit rushed and too neat and tidy for my taste but I enjoyed this book overall.

An unexpected read with atypical storylines. Jackie Michell, successful romance novelist, living an uncomplicated life after giving her baby up for adoption sixteen years ago. Now, Elizabeth is on her doorstep wanting to meet her. Jackie offers to take Elizabeth back home where she meets her adoptive mother, Susan Weber. A few days/weeks later, looking to escape an unfortunate home life, Susan and Elizabeth seek out Jackie. From that point, the story focuses on each women as they come to terms with self, wants, and needs. Much questioning, processing, and self-talk about life, happiness, relationships, and family. I thought the ending was like something offered on the Hallmark Channel; far-fetched??

This was my first Erin Zak read! and i am VERY glad to have added a new author to my list :)
This book has 3 MCs which was kind of a struggle for me at the beginning especially with the 3 POV writing style. But once i got the hang of it, i really liked and enjoyed the story!
As this is my first read by this author, i was pleasantly surprised with her style. I loved the supporting characters, and the banter between friends. Even though the storyline is not your norm, and very "fiction-like", the author managed somehow to make it real with the amazing connections between characters.
I'm giving this a 3.5 but rounding it up to 4 only because i felt it was a bit too rushed at the end and i needed a stronger epilogue! Especially with Beth's dad, i needed a better closing for this one specifically.

I received this ARC copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Wow - really enjoyed this one. I wasn't a fan of Zak's last book and when I read the blurb on this one I was kind of iffy on it. That should teach me a lesson - this one is going on my 2019 favourites list.

This is definitely a romance - no skullduggery, no ghostly hauntings, no chase scenes or gun play. This one is all about the characters and the relationships and I found myself dragged into their story and left with an "aw shucks" smile at the end. Describing the plot really doesn't capture the essence of the novel - a lesbian romance novelist answers the door to find a teen who is actually the child she gave up for adoption sixteen years ago; then the adoptive mother and her daughter show up on her doorstep a few days later, after leaving her abusive husband; slowly the relationship builds between the three and everyone gets a HEA. Rather than going for the angsty jugular, Zak handles the storyline and the characters with a remarkable amount of maturity and tackles some serious topics without going over the top.

Interestingly, Zak has split the narrative between three first person POVs - Jackie, Susan and Beth.
At first I thought it might be too much, but it gave the whole story a more holistic feel and I was just as interested in Beth's sections as I was in the two romantic MC characters - even better, Zak didn't fall in the trap of retelling the same damned scene from each perspective, and the POVs were woven into one another quite well and allowed me to connect with each of the characters and their own personal struggles and growth.

Definitely recommended if you are looking for a good romance with a more unique set up of circumstances.

Erin Zak does unexpected attraction and sexual awakening late in life really, really well. The questioning, the anxiety in this one is in-built so there is no real trying to add the expected conflict and resolution in the end which makes it smooth flowing and mostly angst-free – and very, very readable.

Sixteen-year old Beth lands up at the doorstep of her birth mother, lesbian romance writer, Jackie Mitchell without any warning. Jackie is thrown, unwelcoming and unaccepting of the girl. Beth has hitchhiked from Savannah to Florida to meet Jackie so rather than risk hitchhiking back at night, Beth asks to stay over. Jackie is unwilling for that so she decides to drive Beth back. Meeting Beth’s adoptive mom, Susan Weber, is a shocker for Jackie who is immediately attracted to the other woman. Susan’s married life is on a downward spiral with physical abuse and cheating; both of which she has kept from Beth. Things come to a head when Susan’s husband hits her in Beth’s knowledge and Beth comes to her mom’s rescue. This is the breaking point for Susan, who finally decides to leave her marriage. With nowhere to hide from a man she fears, Susan accepts Beth’s idea and they land up at Jackie’s doorstep seeking sanctuary.

The books is narrated from the PoVs of Susan, Jackie and Beth which gives it a great flavour and pace. We get to know all the three people and the growth of their relationships, which is absolutely lovely.

We wholeheartedly want to wish away the Jackie-Dana track from the book. Jackie’s treatment of Dana, a wonderful woman in love with Jackie is terrible. Enough to make us dislike Jackie, but to the credit of the author, we still didn’t completely hate Jackie.

This is a great read with an unusual premise which is very well written. Certainly recommended.

Erin Zak created a very interesting romance novel. It was not the usual storyline so often used. It was very different and very good. The author included such topics as spousal abuse, adoption, and coming to terms with one’s sexuality. These realistic situations added to the depth of the story.

The author told this story from 3 perspectives: Jackie, Susan, and Beth. This allowed the reader to gain additional insights into their mindset and internal conflicts.
Beth, 16, recently discovered she was adopted. She hitchhiked her way from Georgia to Florida to seek her birth mother, Jackie, a romance novelist. Taken aback by Beth’s sudden appearance in her life, Jackie struggled with her feelings, not only for her daughter, but Susan, Beth’s adopted mother. Susan came to rely on Jackie, especially as a safe haven, after she and Beth escaped from an abusive home life. While Susan and Jackie were enthralled with each other, Beth found herself rethinking her own sexuality. All three women had to come to terms with life changes and the possibilities that may result from those changes.

Even though Jackie and Susan found love rather quickly, it seemed plausible given the highly emotional circumstances that surrounded them. Jackie was a nurturing person and Susan welcomed the care and love that Jackie provided. Their love for Beth only made their bond stronger.

Personally, the only constructive criticism I have with this novel regarded the resolution of the abuse storyline. It seemed rather rushed and- because of its relevance to the story-could have been developed better. Other than that, this was a very good read and recommended.
4.25 Stars

ARC given for an honest review

*ARC was received via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Jackie is a famous lesfic author. She doesn't do relationships, she avoids any kind of intimacy and she's an introvert. Her darkest secret is revealed when 16 year old Beth, unexpectedly shows up to announce that she is the daughter Jackie gave up for adoption when she was a college student.

Susan is Beth's adoptive mother. Her husband is abusing her and since their relationship is literally non existent for the last few years, he is having an affair with a nurse. Even though Beth's was a closed adoption, one day her biological mother shows up at her door.

I really enjoyed this book and I liked the 3 MCs. Susan's and Jackie's connection was instant and the build up was hot. Also Beth and Peggy were so sweet .

My only complaint is that after both relationships were established the plot went downhill and the resolution with Susan's husband was a little bit unrealistic. Abuse is a serious issue and I feel that there was a missed opportunity to pass a message with this story.

A book that deals with pretty serious issues.

Jackie is a popular lesfic author who's life is upturned when a 16 year old, Beth, shows up to advise that she is the daughter she gave up for adoption.

Susan is the stay at home adoptive mother of Beth. Life with her husband is not as it appears to all but her close friends and relatives. When Beth's biological mother shows up at her door with her daughter, it triggers events that will have the three of them healing, learning, exploring, mourning and loving.

All of the themes in this story are heavy. A girl needing to discover and know her biological mother. Abusive relationships, Infidelity. Working beyond being selfish and cruel to women. Discovering sexual identity. Self worth. And more.

I really enjoyed this up until the 80% mark where it significantly lost steam all the way to an anticlimactic ending. I had to skim read the last 20%. It was almost like reading two different writing styles to me. So it is hard to both review and rate this.

Main character development was very good. Relationship establishment and growth felt authentic. The story was unique and interesting. I liked the dialogue (with three exceptions: 1- The use of ", eh?" , 2- The use of "kid" , 3 - The use of "lunged"). There are two love stories, which was a nice surprise. Both were sweet.

But once everything was smooth sailing for those two relationships, it went downhill. Too much time and verbose inner monologue spent on something that was not at all very interesting to me. Then the real conflict we are expecting to happen throughout the entire book just pitters off to non existence. Kind of felt like getting on a roller coaster for that big drop that never happens.

So I'm giving this 3 stars. Because the first 80% was a solid 4. Really enjoyable. But I'm taking away 1 star for a final 20% that really left me feeling unsatisfied and needing more.

I recommend to people who love to read about romance, family struggles, persevering, sexual discovery, parenting, art, small dogs and longboards.

<i>I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.</i>

I was provided with an ARC from the author.

This is the story about lesbian romance writer Jackie who gets a surprise visit from Beth, her daughter she gave up for adoption 16 years ago. She then also meets Beth's adoptive mother Susan, whom she's immedietly attracted to and when Beth and Susan are suddenly needing a place to stay, they end up at Jackie's door and all three of their lives change forever.

Erin Zak's other book ''Breaking Down Her Walls'' is one of my favorite books ever so I had really high hopes for this and I absolutely loved it. I loved the story, I adored the characters, just everything about this book was amazing. It was funny, heartbreaking and incredibly beautiful. I probably giggled out loud reading this more than I have reading any other book and I adore Zak's writing and humor.

I really enjoyed that we not only got the perspectives from Susan and Jackie but also from the daughter Beth. I've never read anything like it before and Erin Zak created a beautiful story, her books are super well written and I will read every single book she publishes in the future. I think I can officially say Erin Zak is one of my favorite authors.

I obviously rated this 5/5 stars and would recommend that everyone buys and reads this when it's released!

Erin Zak's latest, "Create A Life to Love," was a story I was looking forward to exploring ever since finding out what it was about. And then the cover! Who wouldn't wanna gawk at its splendour of colours and read its contents, eh? Well, worked for me, anyway! Gosh, lately, I've been gifted with really intriguing covers that caught my attention, further enhancing my reading pleasure, which doesn't happen often, I must say. So, lucky me and well done to the authors/cover artists!! Anyway, back to the blurb, I thought it was going to be original with a very creative twist. So I was chuffed that my assumption came to fruition when I read the story! Even the antagonistic situation related to one of the MCs (elaborated more below) was crafted with a twist in the end! Everything about this book could be summarised into one word for starters: Unexpected. A word that Zak used in the story which hit the nail not just for her characters but for me as a reader, too!

In addition to the nature of the story, the big unexpected surprise was Zak's narrative style this time! I mean, THREE first-person POVs?! As you may already know, I'm partial to POVs from both MCs, be it in first or third-person. And I'd just recently read a brilliantly crafted dual-POVs in first-person format which I utterly enjoyed and appreciated because it's quite rare. But I never thought I'd be lucky enough to be served not two but three POVs from 3 MCs in ONE story so soon after! In first-person POV style, too, no less! I felt truly spoiled with such a reading delight! Bloody well done, Ms. Zak and bleeding thank YOU! Needless to say, I finished the book in one gulp of air, so to speak! Totally satiated, I might add!

Speaking of Zak's creative 3 first-person POV style of telling the story, I thought this particular format created a brilliant juxtaposition of vantage points coming from all three characters who were the foundation of the story and how it shaped up throughout the story. I was able to dive into the inner psyches of all three characters, shedding light on their individual perspectives in every situation, scenario and circumstance. I felt so much more in-tuned and involved in the development of Jackie, Susan and Beth's individual and collective journey throughout this superbly constructed and truly entertaining, absorbing story. I can't really explain but being given an inside look at all three of them in every stage of their development and growth only further deepened my understanding, perspective, engagement and investment of their characters and journey. Perspective. Vantage Point. Different Angles. We all know there are different sides of each story, incident, event, occurrence, don't we? Well, Zak exemplified that truth with total zeal through the eyes of all three involved parties, that's for sure!

As mentioned, this story was about the UNEXPECTED. You know the saying, just when you least expect it, it happens? It's life, innit? So bloody true! Well, that's essentially what happened with Jackie, Beth and Susan. Imagine you were Jackie, renowned lesbian romance novelist going about your business and one rainy evening, someone popped into your existence declaring she was your kid whom you'd put up for adoption sixteen bloody years ago! To say it was unexpected would be a major understatement, wouldn't it? That's exactly how Zak opened her story and it was fan-bloody-tastic! Yup, Beth was the kid who gave Jackie the shock of her life by single-handedly resurrecting her long buried past in a blink of an eye! And OMG, wait until you read how Jackie met Beth's adoptive mum, Susan! And the circumstances surrounding Susan's life as Beth's mum, a wife, in a big house she always wanted or thought she wanted, will suck you in with intrigue at how everything would unfold throughout the story. I was totally absorbed with the development but also felt a sense of foreboding....Crikey!

I absolutely adored all three characters just as soon as Zak introduced them. They were written with so much authenticity in their characters, their struggles, their dilemma, their overall states of mind. Her writing style had a comfortable ease in its tone so the words just glided through like they weren't scripted, be it the dialogue, inner voicing or simply the descriptions in-between. So natural and organic that I forgot that I was reading, not observing the characters and the situations that Zak constructed! I had to constantly remind myself that they were fictional so it wasn't like I was eavesdropping on their convos or invading their private thoughts for real or anything! Looking through the window, more like.

The chemistry amongst these three MCs was very organic. Jackie and Beth's had a sense of comfort and security despite the initial shock and uneasiness. Jackie and Susan's, though, was instantly sizzling and palpable. There was this unexplained, invisible layer of connection between these two strangers which they initially chalked it up to Beth's connection, biological and adoptive. Zak's first-person POV of each of them really breathed life into how their relationship evolved from the start as strangers. It gave me the opportunity to truly delve into their mindset at each turn as their relationship steadily developed and grew between birth mum and kid, birth mum and adoptive mum, and as a little family unit, so to speak. I was thoroughly invested in each of their individual and collective journeys every step of the way, at every stage because Zak gave me the opportunity to truly understand where they were coming from, mentally, physically and emotionally, via reading through their inner emotions, private thoughts. In addition, there were secrets about Jackie and Susan's past that Zak skilfully manoeuvred so they were slowly revealed at the right moment. My curiosity was off the charts as I breezed through every page, trying to figure out what they were, especially Jackie's reason behind Beth's adoption. It was surprisingly...unexpected. *you see the pattern there?*

Jackie built a life to live without her child, accepting her fate that love and family were merely pie in the sky for her. Susan built a life to live without true love, accepting that the love for her child was enough to fill her heart. Beth built a life to live with a growing sense that there was something missing, thus, feeling like an outsider at all times. In essence, all three of them built a life to survive, really. Until Beth literally brought Jackie and Susan together unwittingly. Basically, she became her two mums' conduit of destiny! Talk about an unusual serendipity between two of the most unlikely people, eh? Needless to say, I was utterly enamoured of the developing romance between Jackie and Susan. In essence, they were both at a turning point in their lives where realisation hit - the lives they built had a gaping hole in it - emptiness, loneliness. Just when they thought their fate was sealed, the unexpected happened! Falling in love with the most unexpected person ever!

Naturally, I was tickled pink with anticipation about Jackie and Susan's love story simply because of the fact that Jackie was Beth’s birth mum and Susan her adoptive mum! What were the odds, right? But then their journey to embracing their undeniable desire and growing love for each other was one that was not without trials and tribulations, methodically crafted and explored by Zak that were contemplative and resonating. Susan's conditioning and reconditioning about herself, her perspective about marriage, family, love, sexuality were depicted with such authenticity that her journey to self-reflection and reconciliation was grounded in reality. This portrayal alone is reason enough to read this book! Zak nailed every nuance of Susan's dilemma, her struggle to accept the inevitable change in her life, her fear of letting go of the comfortable confines of her conditioning to face her true self. I was floored by the destructive effects that years of being conditioned still haunted Susan, affecting her innermost psyche. The Svengali hold that the deep-seated, conditioned fear had on her was poignantly portrayed, it was emotionally stirring.

As for Jackie, I adored her hilarious neurotic monologue! Wait 'til you read the things she thought of about Susan, her own self-contained life that was transforming right before her eyes, Beth..and then there was Susan's sexuality to contend with! Zak's knack for using street vernacular, everyday language to tell her tales always makes her characters and their situations so personable, grounded, empathising and relatable.  Also, in this story, she depicted both Susan and Jackie's emotional psyches with equal avidity that I could relate to both of them fervently and understood their perspectives as they slowly came to terms with what their heart and soul desired. I was totally invested in every stage of their relationship. Zak's portrayal of their growing intimacy, emotional and physical, was weaved with a level of sensitivity that was befitting of their characters especially Susan's, which I won't divulge here since I thought Zak crafted it brilliantly because it was a journey in and of itself. Their chemistry was so organic, so natural and off-the-charts, tbh! You'll feel the temperature rise to a boiling point as they got closer and more intimate with each other which Zak ever-so teasingly set up in slow-burn stages with such desirable effect, I might add!

As for Beth, I was gratified by Zak's persistence in ensuring she was a real part of the trio in the entire story but not without purpose. In fact, Beth's role was pivotal in Susan and Jackie's relationship. Apart from that, though, I was especially appreciative of Zak giving Beth her own story to tell, her own journey of self-discovery which I thought was never more perfectly suited in the grand scale of the trio's story. I was initially reserved because I really didn't want Beth's story to detract from Jackie and Susan's journey especially if it was going to be about that particular thing which I had absolutely no interest in reading in lesfic but thank goodness it didn't go that way, so I was not only relieved but felt more inspired and thrilled about Jackie, Susan and Beth's collective life-changing journey! Oh, you'll know what I mean when you read it (disclaimer: my own personal view and preference only, mind!). As I said, Beth played an essential role in Jackie and Susan's love story, not merely just a side character, which is usually the case in lesfic romances where kids are in the picture. No, Beth was the centre of both Jackie and Susan's universe. She was the key, the conduit, the reason.

What made this story so captivating to me was Zak's usage of art as the backdrop for epitomising the love story between two unlikely souls in a complicated set up that could only be possible with destiny. Jackie was a celebrated author. Beth was a gifted young artist. Art is an expression, innit? True freedom. Love. Passion. Desire. Life and art. Life imitating art imitating life. Intimately connected, threadily correlated. When you read the story of Jackie, Susan and Beth, and their winding path to the journey of their truth, I reckon you'll see the beautiful tapestry that Zak so skilfully crafted. Like a series of paintings that tells the story through an illustration of colours. Colours of emotions. Hence, the perfect illustration of the book cover, imo!

So, the true essence of this book for me? Unexpected. Transformation. Journey to Truth and Reconciliation. Acceptance of who you are. Who your soul is. Accept love. To love. To be loved. To LIVE. Love is the quintessential ethos of life. To live is to love. To love is to live. To have a full life is to love unconditionally and unreservedly that derives from deep within the very essence of the heart, the mind, the body and ultimately the soul.  And never expect what life brings. Unexpected happens - the good and the bad. Jackie and Susan's complicated love story truly embodied the essence of what life and love mean. Well, that's how I interpreted it, anyway!

You know, it's incredible that I read this book at the same time as I was re-watching "Fantastic Beast and Where To Find Them" and it struck me that both the book and the movie shared something similar. Rowling's masterfully crafted subversive message about living a lie, denying one's truth, hiding who one was - that compressed, suppressed energy would become darker and more dangerous until one day it would explode. The psychology of a soul-destroying act. Rowling aptly called the dark energy (denial, hate, fear, lie) "Obscurus." Her metaphor couldn't be more befitting because it applied to the dark/ugly side of what Zak injected into this raw and honest part of the story involving Susan's antagonistic predicament. How it unfolded. How to reconcile it. Speaking of, how it was reconciled was yet another unexpected turn of events which surprised me, but worked out well as it was inline with the obscurus psychology. Needless to say, I was utterly satisfied with the outcome, to say the least! I have to disclaim that this parallel comparison is based on my own warped interpretation only.

My favourite quote not only summed up the true essence of this book. It was the tone and the rhythm flow of the phrase that Zak deftly constructed that transformed into a lyric, a poem, a poetry of the inner soul, really (at least for me!):

How often did people
get trapped in horrible circumstances
and think they couldn't get out,
they couldn't escape?
It wasn't only about creating a life to be able to live in.
It was about creating a life to be able to survive in.
It was creating a life to LOVE.

All in all, I absolutely loved and savoured this story! So many unexpected discoveries! Original, very creative in approaching well-used tropes. The love story between Jackie and Susan was absolutely captivating to me because of its implications, the nature of their bond, affinity and their undeniable love that simply oozed sensuality! I couldn't get enough of them! And the incredible story of how Jackie, Susan and Beth slowly built their lives together as a family unit was told with such genuine fervour that it had an everlastingly enduring effect on me. The epilogue? Perfection. I couldn't ask for a more ideal bookend to a superbly written and told story! A delish icing on the cake, really! Zak's writing style just keeps getting better, more acute, effortless, natural, and downright fluid in how the words flow ever so smoothly like they're part of the real-life daily conversational routine. The secondary characters were intriguing, interesting and realistically portrayed as they played important roles in enriching the multi-dimensional character development and growth of all three main characters. I especially LOVED Peggy! Oh, you simply have to read the book to discover just how enchanting her character was to the growth of one of the MCs! Simply adorbs! 'Nuff said.

"Create A Life To Love" is a definite MUST-READ! Guaranteed to give you all the feels plus loads of fun, funny and heart-tugging moments! What a fantastic trio Zak created in Jackie, Susan and Beth! The family unit that also comprised of the oh-so endearing camaraderie of mates around them was utterly gratifying to immerse myself in as I explored the journey along with all of them! I've read all of Zak's work, thusfar and I must say, her craft just keeps getting more solid, brilliant and what a creative writer/storyteller she has become! She’s now one of the latest lesfic authors on my list whose work I will definitely be looking out for and explore from now on, that’s for sure!

Congrats and well done, Ms. Zak, for creating another brilliant romance with all its creative glory!  Thank you for sharing yet another utterly satisfying and entertaining story which has landed on my re-read pile, obvs!

"I was given, with much thanks and appreciation, an ARC of this book from BSB via NetGalley in return for an honest review."

Phew… Where to start with this one...

Given the premise, I wasn't sure what we'd get with this read, but I have to say that I really enjoyed it! First off, the storyline is wonderfully unique. Zak's creativity really shines in this one! This book isn't just a formulaic or straightforward lesfic romance. Yes, we do get some of the normal troupes, but I loved that this one has a completely fresh storyline!

With that said, this was a bit tough to read in places. I do want to mention that a main topic of this novel features M/F physical abuse. Not only is it discussed throughout the novel but it's also shown in a scene and written on the page. Zak handles this touchy subject well, with appropriate reactions from parties involved but it was a bit difficult to read. If physical abuse is a trigger for you, please know it's there going in to this read.

Told from 3 characters POV, we not only get to watch the love story of MCs Jackie and Susan unfold, but we also get the side story of their daughter Beth (great name!) thrown in for good measure. Beth felt like more of a secondary character, but she is featured very prominently. The premise is that Jackie is a successful lesfic author who gave her daughter (Beth) up for adoption 2 days after she was born. Susan is Beth's adoptive mom. Beth shows up on Jackie's door 16 years later and Jackie is shocked. I really don't want to ruin things for you, but what follows is a beautifully written rollercoaster of a ride! Part of what I enjoyed is that this book actually gave us what I'd say is 1 1/2 love stories all in one book - and I say a 1/2 story just because Beth's romantic story isn't nearly as fleshed out as Jackie and Susan's, but just as wonderful and perfectly cute for her age.

Thankfully I've never dealt with physical abuse, but this one was still a bit tough for me to read at times just because of my personal past and some of the feelings that this brought back up for me. I have to say though, regardless of those feelings, this book left me rooting for all of the characters. It's wonderfully written, beautifully intimate, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it! 4.25 stars.

**Many thanks to Bold Strokes for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.**

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Jackie is a famous author who has a few friends that she let in. Until one day her life change when the daughter she gave up shows up at her door steps.

Elizabeth but everyone calls her Beth learns she adopted as she grows curious about who her birth mother is she secretly steals her mother Susan credit card and hire a private investigator to find her.

When they both meet it is awkward and when Jackie take Beth home she tried to get to know her on the drive but Jackie seem distant and it hurt Beth feelings but what she doesn't know is Jackie scare to death of her.

The moment Jackie and Susan meet there this air about them and it's like they knew each other their whole lives.

When Susan and her husband Steven get into it about Beth birth mother and the things he did he hits her when Beth found out what her father did she convince her mother to leave him she knows her parents fight but she didn't know the extent of her father anger.

So they go to Jackie because they know Steven won't find them there as Jackie adjust to them being there she realize she like being part of family and getting know her daughter and mother and when that attraction between Jackie and Susan heat up they have decide wether to act on or not. While that going on Beth has her own little romance when she meets a couple of teenagers. I like her romance with Peggy and how Peggy courage her paintings I like how Beth watch her Moms fall in love and she capture it with paintings. I like that Steven realize what he become and decide to work on himself well with the help of Susan friend Veronica.