I love romances where the characters take their time before getting together. It is frustrating, but I appreciate character development. For Charlotte and Lexi it seemed necessary. Though their chemistry is palpable and their banter is entertaining, they had a history that left scars and trust had to be rebuilt. However, once they did get together I needed an air conditioning vent pointing at me. Riley has a talent for writing sex scenes. Overall, I was very pleased with my first novel by Riley.

This was a wonderful story!!! Charlotte and Lexie had chemistry off the charts!! They had been in love when they were teens but Charlotte broke things off when she left to go off to college. They reconnected again ten years later when Charlotte went on her honeymoon cruise without her cheating fiance on the cruise line Lexi e worked for. They basically picked where they left off ten years prior. Their love was off the charts and their sexual magnetism was scorching!!! All in all, a very good story!!!

Firstly, you had be at romantic tension + cruise. That's what initially pulled me into this story. It was Charlotte and Lexi who kept me tied in, reading until the very last page. I devoured this in a single night. One of my favourite tropes in sapphic fiction, is the hometown sweetheart. Highschool loves where an external force separates them, fast forward and they're met with the same enthralling connection; so I showed no surprise at loving this novel. Fiona Riley wrote exceptionally, and I'd read more of her work based on this review itself.

Good story, couldn't wait to keep reading all what was going to happen. I look forward to reading more by Fiona Riley. She is great with words which is what helps to move a story along so much.

Charlotte Southwick finds herself in her honeymoon cruise alone and definitely not married. Last thing she expected was to bump into her first love, Lexi. Lexi Bronson has been in the cruise business for almost a decade. She is content bartending and not having a permanent address, that is until the woman that broke her heart long ago boards the ship.

This was a cute and quick read. Both characters were lovable and sexy. The chemistry was amazing and you are rooting for them from the beginning. The supporting characters were also interesting and I like the relationships they all had. Overall, this was a happy, sweet and romantic book.

I really enjoyed it and I will recommend it to friends.

I received this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book received through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Charlotte boards the Majestic Princess ready to go on her honeymoon even after discovering her fiancée cheating on her. Why not enjoy a much needed holiday if it is already paid off? Little did she know that her VIP liaison on the ship would be Lexi, her exgirlfriend from high school. Sparks fly between them, but there's a problem: relationships between the cruise's crew and passengers are not allowed.

The story was enjoyable, although predictable. I think that the tension between Charlotte and Lexi could have been longer, but I was not very annoyed because of their shared past. However, I feel their past issues were solved way too quickly. After one conversation, they decide to be together and that's it, all problems have disappeared and all that seems to remain is an undeniable chemistry. Which leads to another issue: can't two adult women wait to have sex? The Majestic Princess has rules about the staff getting involved with guests and this soon becomes the main problem for Charlotte and Lexi. Other weak points of this book are the typical clichés, but also weak and repetitive writing at some point.

But not all was bad! I really liked the amazing group of friends and supportive characters, Lexi's friends amongst the crew had their own stories and we get to know them during the story. Also, some of the other guests that Charlotte gets to meet during the cruise are hilarious. While I previously said that there is some weak writing, Charlotte's and Lexi's banter is also funny and engaging. Bonus points for that amazing 'fuck you' scene with a certain dress, it made me laugh even if it seemed dramatic, because it certainly felt like something possible.

Overall, it is an enjoyable book. The second chance at romance is sweet but steamy and it is beautifully framed by the tropical setting. There is lots of romance, humor and some -light- angst as well as tension. A nice holiday read!

After a decade, two lovers meet again on a cruise ship during two crossroads in their life. As they reunite, they must choose between customer and employee, friends or lovers. The drama unfolds when secrets and their past comes back.

This book is well written and was difficult to put down. The romantic drama that comes with lesbian romance novels was minimal but refreshing. I would recommend this book to anyone getting into this genre or who wants to binge this genre.

I loved this book. It was very tastefully written. The characters are very absorbing and especially set on a cruise. What could be better. I will certainly be looking for more books by Fiona Riley.

I absolutely adore queer fiction particularly about wlw because there is never enough of it (there could never be enough of it). Do yourself a favour and read this.

4.0 out of 5 stars.

Can two women reignite their relationship from a previous decade? That is the basis of this story.

Charlotte Southwick and Lexi Bronson were childhood sweethearts. They have a falling out and they separate. Charlotte goes off to college and eventually becomes a very successful graphic artist. Lexi leaves town and decides to take a job on a cruise ship. After ten years, Lexi has worked her way up the leadership ladder and is now the VIP event planner. She is also responsible for all of the bartenders on the ship.

Charlotte has just ended a long relationship by breaking off her engagement immediately prior to the wedding. Since she has already paid for the deluxe honeymoon cruise, Charlotte decides to go on it herself. As “luck” would have it, she connects with Lexi and the sparks fly. However, the cruise line has a strict policy against any romance between crew members and guests. So, Lexi and Charlotte decide to be friends and enjoy the time they have together. Is that even possible?

Although the plot is not complex, I enjoyed it. I love romances and found this book to be a very light read. The premise of the book is a little too hard to believe, but lovers of romance novels believe in fairy tales. I liked the characters of Lexi and Charlotte, and I was cheering for them throughout the book.

If you enjoy love stories, then Not Since You will be a good choice. I rate it with 4.0 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m going to start off by writing about a sex scene that pops up around three-quarters of the way through this book. (I’m not spoiling anything here, it’s pretty clear from reading the blurb that the main characters are going to end up in bed together.) The reason I’m zeroing in on this scene is that’s it’s about so much more than sex, or even any greater feelings between the characters; for me it’s about Charlotte, going solo in a luxury honeymoon cruise after she found out her bride-to-he was a serial cheater, reclaiming her own sense of her desirability and maybe even a piece of her dignity.
“In this dress.” “In and out of this dress.” Lexi reclaimed her lips as she let her hands explore Charlotte’s chest. “But let’s leave it on to start.” “Fuck.”
Being fucked with a strap-on (condom used – bonus points for safer sex Ms Reilly), by her high school ex and current cruise employee, while wearing her wedding dress is Charlotte's ultimate ‘fuck you’ to her ex-fiancée. I like that image so much I’m not even getting into the weirdness of bringing the dress.
As for the rest, well, apart from the places the boat is said to have stopped it pretty much read like a few other lesbians find love on cruises lesfic novels. The narrative arc was pretty predictable, there was the obligatory break up at the traditional point, before our lovers overcome the odds. (Can you hear my eyes rolling?). Some of the writing and editing is also weak: poor attribution of speech is common, as is inaccurate sequence, i.e. continuity errors. Finally, and far less importantly (but it got under my skin), the text includes the line: “Curaçao was gorgeous.” I’ve been there: Curaçao is an arid, miserable excuse for an island full of corrupt bankers, dodgy diamond dealers and really charming people bringing white powder in by boat from Columbia and having shoot-outs in the streets! Rant over…sorry…

Second chances are usually a sweet read but this one leans more heavily towards sexy. Definitely worth a read if this is what you're after. I liked the book and thought it delivered a good punch. I would have liked it more if it delved more into the character feelings from their first encounter.
3.5 stars

This is a Netgalley ARC review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Fiona Riley writes a realistic jilted bride, second chance romance in Not Since You. Charlotte and Lexie have chemistry that has been smoldering for years. What I wouldn't give to go on vacation and run into a former flame......But I digress.

I feel like the writing and dialogue are very believable and quite flirty. I felt like it could have been wrapped up a bit faster as I started to lose interest at the end.

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.
This was really cute. I loved the plot and the characters. Paw Paw was my favorite but Lexi and Charlotte were excellent. I was hoping for a Veronica Lexi showdown with a little bit of Cookie but it ended so sweetly. I really enjoyed reading this.

This is a wonderful story set on a cruise ship one of the main characters has rented out the honeymoon suite even though she did not marry her fiancé she still decided to go on the trip that was to be her honeymoon. You got a love a woman like this. Charlotte left her fiancé when she found out that she had cheated on her. To her shock and amazement when she gets on the boat who does she see but Lexi, her one true love when she was a teenager. Both women are surprised to see each other again after so many years but it is clear there is still connection between the two. Lexi loves her life on the boat as a bartender because that’s good friends and really enjoys what she does and the freedom and offers her. Charlotte on the other hand is a traditional type woman with a job that she likes and does not really date. These two banter back-and-forth in a sort of sexy way but when they took a dance class together sparks flew off the page when their bodies connected. At this point the chemistry between the two women just flies off the page and Riley wrote love seems to match that intensity. Did I mention several love scenes? However there is a danger that if they are caught Lexi would lose her job and of course needs to be some drama in the story as Lexi does lose your job and Charlotte and her trip and then she goes back to her life in the states. Where these two destined to be together or was this just and a board ship romance? This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it, it is very well written.

This was a nice, summery f/f romance! I'm not the biggest fan of second-chance romances, but I enjoyed the read. The characters were both so different in the best ways, and I loved seeing them fall back in with each other.

I really enjoyed reading this simple, erotic romance. Lexi Bronson has been working on a cruise liner for nine years. She has a plan and an endgame but she's not there yet. When she's assigned to a VIP passenger she comes face to face with her first love, Charlotte.

It's a lovely, easy summer read, perfect for lazing about on the beach. There is lots of very sexy teasing from two likeable main characters.

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

Fiona Riley writes fun and engaging characters that pretty much sizzle with chemistry. Not Since You doesn’t disappoint – a perfect beach read to put a smile on your face and perhaps a flush or two during certain scenes. This is a light romance – not angsty but definitely steamy.

With an admirable attitude of “fuck it”, Charlotte Southwick boards a luxury cruise ship to enjoy the honeymoon cabin and resort in Aruba without her adulterous former fiance. She paid for the trip, so she’s going to “make this vacation my bitch”. She’s a bit bristly at first – understandably – and I wasn’t sure I was going to really like her but as the story unfolds, Riley captures a nice mix of vulnerability and a steely resolve in Charlotte as she is determined to make the best of things. Little does she know that Lexi Bronson, her first love, is working on the ship as the head bartender and Charlotte’s VIP concierge. Despite Charlotte’s dumping of Lexi when they were teenagers, she never forgot her and always regretted succumbing to the pressure of family and going overseas to pursue her education.

Hit with the one-two punch of losing Charlotte and then her father, Lexi signed up with a cruise line and never looked back. In spite of the nomadic lifestyle parsed out in six month contracts, she’s built a new family of close friends. She’s developed her own sense of worth and identity as she’s worked her way to head bartender and is lined up for a promotion to the full time VIP concierge if she wants it – all with an eye of retiring from the cruise lifestyle and buying a bar on shore of one of the many Caribbean islands she’s visited. She’s smart, serious about her responsibilities on-board but at the same time a fun and supportive friend. When Charlotte answers the door of the Honeymoon Suite, Lexi is flummoxed – but the initial awkwardness is quickly replaced with the rekindling of the connection they once had. There’s a wonderful undertone of humour and wistfulness in their early interactions which quickly heats up.

Although this is a second chance romance, Ms. Riley didn’t pepper the story with flashbacks to demonstrate their early relationship – which alleviates some of the angst and likely the anger that both Lexi and the reader should harbour against Charlotte for the rather abrupt end of their teenage relationship. Early on, there’s some serious discussion and closure around the past – Charlotte’s honesty and regret and Lexi’s acceptance and understanding was pretty fast and relatively painless. From that point on, all bets are off with lingering glances and flirtatious banter. At times, I was wondering what, other than the sizzling chemistry, will keep them together. I would have liked to see a bit more of a build to the relationship – although there may have been a shared past, there’s still a lot of time and growth since they were in their teens and it would have been nice to have a bit of a slower progression or some connection outside of the stateroom.

There’s a ridiculously off-the-charts physical chemistry between Charlotte and Lexi which, coupled with the setting of a luxury cruise ship and exotic locales, seems to overwhelm both of them. For Charlotte, rekindling the romance has less risk – she’s always regretted the way she ended things and never really fell out of love. For Lexi, as a crew member, romantic liaisons with passengers is strictly forbidden but the physical draw is just too hard to resist. Lexi’s risking everything was a bit bothersome to me – there was a bit of an imbalance Charlotte is on vacation as a passenger and has nothing really to lose whereas Lexi is risking her career and dreams.

Overall, I enjoyed the book – Ms. Riley is adept weaving humour, tension and likable characters into a sweet and steamy romance.

Recommended

Thank you to Netgalley and BSB for providing an advance copy for review.

Two exes meet again years after they suddenly parted. Life has thrown them together on a cruise ship, where love could have a second chance.

I enjoyed the romance component of this novel. Fiona Riley always writes likeable characters who have reached a stage in their life where they know who they are, which is a nice level of maturity.

My review is lower than it might otherwise be, only because of how many intimate scenes there are. A sex scene was rarely far away and sometimes it felt like story took a back seat to the erotica. I can definitely see that being what some people are keen on, but I like the emotional and relationship building more so than the sex. That said, it was all well written.

First I want to say I'm very happy that Fiona Riley came out with a new book. This is a second chance romance. Charlotte Southwwick found her wife to be, cheating on her, so she decided to go on the honeymoon cruise by herself. 1st class all the way. She has a personal attendant Lexi Bronson that meets with her every morning for upcoming events. The 1st morning Charlotte opens the door to find Lexi, her 1st love standing in front of her. Charlotte had left Lexi 10 years ago without an explanation and went off to college. The story is how they come together again and as they say the journey is better than the destination. Their chemistry is hot hot hot. I Loved this book.