Kit Marsden has finally put heroin behind her. Rock bottom wasn’t overdosing, but knowing the score it took her forever to get was tainted and thinking about shooting up anyway. As she’s withdrawing, a beautiful librarian comes to her aid, thinking she’s overdosing, and months later, she still can’t stop thinking about her. The library has always been a safe place Thea Harris. It provides a community space for people who need it, and her own parents were drug users, so it’s always been a refuge. Thea doesn’t take chances, but when Kit Marsden starts coming to meetings, there’s a spark that Thea can’t ignore. Can she trust Kit with her heart knowing her past and unsure of the future?

I really liked this one. Honestly, I was sold at lesbian librarian, or lesbrarian as my friends and I call them. It’s like seeing myself in the story, haha! I liked the pace, the stakes, and the characterizations. The relationship builds well, there are likeable supporting characters, and of course, you’re rooting for Kit and Thea even as your heart breaks for both of them and their situations. It’s a sweet romance, and I appreciated that a lot of the issues Kit faces have nothing to do with her sexuality in a predominately male-driven, sexist profession. She doesn’t want her identity to be wrapped up in being an ex-drug addict, but she’ll always be recovering, and that’s one of the things she has to face as well as be knowledgable of in her relationship with Thea.

Still working on the backlist, so there’s no waiting if this sounds up your alley. You can get it now wherever you like to buy your lesfic.

Truly loved this book. It covers some dark topics, language, sexuality, and drug use. All in all, it’s well written. Great thought out characters and storyline. The book also touches on death from drug overdose and how one of the characters deals with that. While the other main character is dealing with trying to stay sober. No one is immune to the trouble that family and friends get into, but you can come out of it stronger in the end by protecting yourself. Enjoy!

5 Stars for Serenity written by Jesse J. Thoma

This is the first book I’ve read by Jesse J. Thoma. Truth be told, I requested this book from Netgalley because of the cover, title and that it takes place in a library. Normally, I would not pick up a book which the main character is or was a heroin addict because I don’t normally read books with a lot of angst or dark themes such as drug addiction. I’m glad I made an exception. I did find it wasn’t as dark or angst filled as I imagined, but it wasn’t without them either.

Kit and Thea meet under unusual circumstances to say the least. Kit just stumbled out of the public library’s woman’s bathroom and collapsed on the front steps. The head librarian, Thea was about to inject Kit with naloxone (an opioid reversal drug), when Kit convinced her that she was in withdrawal and didn’t need it.

And so begins a slow burn romance. Thea thinks that would be the last she’d see of Kit but instead sees her regularly when Kit attends NA meetings at the library. This book follows two very different women, both of whom affected by drug addiction. Kit more directly and Thea who is determined to keep drugs out of “her” library. She wants the library to be a safe sanctuary as it was for her growing up.

I really liked this book, from Kit and Thea’s journey to the supporting cast of the diverse side characters. They range from the cranky older Librarian, a teenager with addict parents, and to Kit’s supportive cousin, Josh.

I highly recommend this book, even if like me it is not your usual fare. Step out of your comfort zone, it worked for me.

This was a great title for a great book. I couldn't wait to finish and see what the characters were going to do and how they were going to end up together.

Beautiful and flawless.
I was floored a couple of times with Jesse J. Thoma’s knowledge, compassion, and regard for those with the disease of addiction. I was not expecting the depth or the accuracy of how many communities are responding to the opioid epidemic in the US. The ability to convey dignity and worth for all the characters regardless of how they behaved was nourishing to me as I read.

The story is not one I have read before. The main characters, Kit Marsden and Thea Harris, had the opposite of a meet-cute. Kit was in dire straits in her addiction. Her rock bottom was cradled and cushioned by Thea’s ability to come to her aid with Narcan (naloxone) when she thought Kit was having an opioid overdose outside of Thea’s place of business, the public library.

It may sound odd for a librarian to have Narcan on-site, but Thea’s reasoning for having Narcan on hand as a librarian unfolds nicely so I won’t spoil it. It mirrors, though, what many health departments are doing in communities to address the epidemic: prepare everyday people to administer Narcan just in case they come in contact with someone who is overdosing.

That moment launches Kit into recovery and paves the way for a relationship some time down the road for Kit and Thea. The romance builds in a believable and natural way. The characters have insecurities as it common in any LesRom, but those insecurities are not riddled with annoying misunderstandings. The characters have emotional intelligence and they are easy to respect. Their hang ups feel real and their addressing of the hang ups are also real. The emotional intimacy comes well before the sexual and sensual intimacy making it very easy to believe the depth of emotion as the relationship progresses.

The peripheral characters all have their own voice and that voice is consistent. The dialogue is excellent. There is humor as well, used sparingly and always to demonstrate a relationship connection rather than an effort to make the reader laugh. It didn’t feel like the author was telling a story. It felt like she was showing me one and the impact was wonderful.

The author’s turn of phrase is lovely...
“... she felt confident Kit was leading up to kissing her. What she didn’t understand was why each second felt like a week of Sundays.”

“The rest of the staff bustled in, full of energy she didn’t feel and happiness she wanted to forbid.”

As a person in recovery from opioids, this is a very real depiction of the pain. It is not overly dramatic and it does not take many sharp turns. It was an easy book for me to climb inside of even with heavy subjects. Really beautiful work.

I received an Advanced Copy of this book from the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

This was a book I started reading because it was about a librarian and took place in/around/about a library and librarian. And for the most part Iliked those parts of the book a lot. Even if I didn't agree with everything that was in there regarding the library (i.e. the rules and such). Thoma got the feeling of the library perfect, and the patrons and stuff right too.

It's the story of Kit and Thea. Kit is a former heroin user who nearly died at the library where Thea is the Branch Manager. Kit returns to the library because that is where her NA meetings are going on. They meet (again) and eventually (after some misunderstandings) start getting closer. But, they have a lot to overcome. Both their pasts are filled with speed bumps.

It was a fun read and very intense one too. Because a lot of the general problems of this library are the problems (at various levels) of almost all libraries these days.

More authors need to write stories like this about libraries with as much care as Thoma did (and the rest of the media need to stop being like the Marvel Universe, or the Oreo corporation, and destroying libraries because they think it's funny. It's not. We're this place that is catching (or trying our best to catch) all the people that those humongous corporations and the politicians that get money from those corporations do not seem to care one iota about.

I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of Bold Strokes Books.

MOST EXCELLENT!
Kit is a former heroin user who really just wants to move on with her life and forget all about that. It’s had to do, especially when her NA meetings are at the same library where she nearly died. To make matters worse, she has it bad for the librarian who tried to rescue her. Thea loves her library. It is her safe place and a space she tries very hard to keep safe for others as well. She likes her life as neat and orderly as she keeps the shelves but there is something about that beguiling young woman who insists on making her crave change….

WOW! When I first saw this book I passed on it because of the subject matter. It was during an author reading that I began to feel differently and decided to take a chance on it. I am so glad I did. This book is amazing! This is a book about love and hope and second chances. It’s emotional and deep, sometimes troubling but uplifting and wonderful as well. It is the first romance novel I have read that features drug use and users both in recovery and not. There is a powerful scene where Thea needs to use Narcan to revive someone who has nearly fatally overdosed and what happens when the woman came to…. But there is so much more to the story. There is goodness and joy to overcome the heartache and darkness. I admired Kits struggle and her journey. She puts a face to addicts and makes them more human and brings this closer to home. She is strong and brave, doing the right things to keep the library and the kids inside safe, even though it is hard and brings up stuff she wants to put behind her. Thea has her own struggles trying to keep the drugs out of her library while being prepared for when that is just not possible. She and Kit make an unlikely pair but together they are so beautiful and special, they are exactly who the other needs to heal the wounds of the past while becoming stronger and happier together. This is one of those stories that will stay with you. This is the first novel I have read by this author but it will not be the last. Ms Thoma has something special and I want to be along for the ride!

Serenity send me on an emotional rollercoaster. It gave me an inside peek at drug usage, what recovery is like and accepting who you are. It also gives the flip side of the coin. The outsider who has to figure out if they can actually be with someone who is a recovering drug user. Either way Thoma does a very good job at giving us both sides of the story in Serenity.

When I first read the synopsis of Serenity, I went back and forth about if I should read it or not. I am glad that I took the chance on reading it. It was well written and I felt it accurately portrayed many things about drug usage and the affects of those who are surrounded by it. Serenity grabs you from the start with a very intense scene introduction Kit Marsden and Thea Harris. Kit is a heroin user Thea is the Head Librarian where Kit has come to use drugs. After the initial introduction the books settles in to a nice rhythm where you learn the ins and out of recovery and how it plays into a newly formed relationship between Kit and Thea. There is attraction and chemistry between the mains, but both of them are hesitant to start anything because of the situation. I liked the push and pull between the mains and the secondary characters really did give more depth to this story.

Serenity was very unique romance dealing with lots of real world issues. I give it 4.25 stars.

This arc was provided by publisher for an honest review.

Thea Harris has what she’d always wanted and that was to be head librarian and here she was doing just that. She always thought that a community library should do more than just loan books to the people who used the library. It should be the safe place that Thea’s childhood community library was to her. Raised by parents who could not overcome their own addictions,Thea always had a ‘kit’ ready with the life saving meds needed to bring an addict back from an overdose.
Kit Marsden had reached the library just in time. She finally got the drugs she needed to keep her going. She’d left home for something we are never made aware of but she now lived looking for her next fix. Unfortunately or fortunately instead of scoring a ‘safe’ drug what she had instead was a drug tainted by a dangerous additive. Throwing that buy in the toilet she made for the door, trying to get away before she passed out. Thea didn’t know that Kit didn’t take an overdose but she still followed her trying to help.
That’s how the two MC’s met and what follows is a very well written story about drugs used that for some has become a way of life. Ms Thoma has given us a little look about just what's involved along with a pretty hot love story. Very, very good story.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

A somewhat darker romance which focus on the importance of being true to each other and keeping an open discussion.

Kit: Recovering heroin user. Kit wants everyone to stop bringing up her previous use, so she can move on with her life.

Thea: Growing up with addicted parents Thea wants her library to be the haven she herself felt the library was when she was a child.

Pro:
A non glamourous view of the work during sobriety – I like that the book focus on the work after the first critical part.
The importance of community – The book shows the importance of someone having your back, and that we all need someone to support us.
Being true – One of the best parts of this book is how an open discussion can make you see a different approach and input to something you yourself see.
Different life stories - The book shows different inputs on a tough subject and lets you see how drug use effect different parts of society, not just for the user.

Con:
-

This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

What an interesting and unique read. Not the typical storyline which was a pleasant surprise. The peculiar secondary characters added a sense of this is who I am and I may have stuff to deal with but I am dealing. Kit Marsden, recovering heroin addict, construction worker, looking to put her past drug use behind her. Thea Harris, librarian extraordinaire, looking to have her library be the go to place for all, no matter what issues a person may have.

Drugs are prevalent in this community, there are sellers and there are users. Kit the user believes that mum's is the word when it comes to her past drug use. With the aid of her cousin, peer mentor, Ethel, and the NA meetings she is slowly pulling herself together. But, when she meets Thea there is a move forward, fall back going on that she is having difficulty shaking. Thea finds a pull of attraction when she meets and interacts with Kit. In general, Thea leads a vanilla life and realizes that some color is needed because she really is not as happy as she could be. But is she ready for the color that Kit brings?

Serenity.... a story about addiction, trust and learning to love yourself.

I flew through this book... it was exceptionally good. You have a number of characters in the story, those being Kit an recovering heroin addict whose trying to forget, and librarian Thea who comes with her own past problems and trust issues. You have other characters , such as Josh, Frankie, Walter and a few 'interesting characters' such as Zookeeper. The romance is there between Kit and Thea, the sparks fly between the pair from almost the beginning which 'lifts' the seriousness of the book a little.

It's not often you read about drug issues, but this is written really well, you can tell research as been done for the story. I would like to say tho, that this book may cause triggers for people, so please just keep that in mind. All in all, yes, it is a very good read.

This is the first book I've read from Jesse J. Thoma, I really did enjoy it and really recommend it.

4*

I was given a copy for a honest review.

Happy reading :D

Enjoyable read.

I generally try to write reviews without specific spoilers, but heads up, I don’t know if I can do that here.

I knew what was going to happen as soon as Kit mentioned Ethel being off. I knew it would throw off Kit’s own sense of security, and boy, did it ever. If the mentor clean for decades longer could slide back into a relapse, how can anyone be safe? I totally understand what Kit must have been thinking when she ran from Thea. I have a history with the whole martyr theme. The first few times I couldn’t understand why it was wrong, because I could see myself as the martyr character. Later I grew exasperated with it, because it really is archaic for one person to make all the relationship decisions without even asking. Here... somehow I can’t blame Kit for making herself the martyr. Ethel’s relapse must have been jarring. Then there was Thea, getting upset because Kit needed to be on her own for a couple of hours. I get that she needs reliability, but this kind of situation happens once in a lifetime, and she should have been able to see that Kit needed to process on her own. The scene at Thea’s house confused me. I always have a side in these arguments, and usually I choose to root for the one being jilted. This time, I didn’t have a right answer. Thea didn’t want to be abandoned. She had also just voiced that she couldn’t bear the unpredictability of life with Kit if she was always worried about a relapse. If I were Kit, after a day like that, I’d also feel obligated to walk the heck away. It’s not just that she’s wrong for Thea, it’s that her past is practically a toxic minefield for Thea. She embodies everything that Thea doesn’t want. What else is she supposed to do when that aspect of her life is a looming presence over everything that she does? I basically couldn’t understand Thea’s thought process until the end of the story, because she was so conflicted about what she wanted. She knew why Kit needed time, but she also couldn’t bear that Kit had walked away? At some points it was self centred, at others simply heartbroken and vulnerable. It was equally as muddled on Kit’s end, because I knew where she was coming from, and also agreed with the importance of finding middle ground. There had to be a balance between ignoring her past and letting it dictate her life, but at the same time, it means a guarantee that Thea will watch her fight to stay clean every day of her life. I didn’t know what to make of it all. But maybe it’s okay that there isn’t an easy answer. Contradictory thoughts are essential to being human, and maybe it was a way of demonstrating just what the inner demons of a heroin addict might be.

I was having a good time even before I was forced to really think about the situation, which I’m counting as a plus. Five stars.

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review form NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books.

This is the first book I have read by Thoma and I quite enjoyed it. This is not a topic you see a lot in Lesfic, recovering heroin addict, someone who got hooked through the opioids she was taking after an injury. Also the being in rough neighborhood and having to talk with and work with drug dealers so that everyone remains safe was a really interesting and realistic story line, I like lesfic that resembles real life, because too much of lesfic is unrealistic jobs, money, cars, intelligence, and everyone has the perfect body. I like messy and real and that is what you will get if you read this story. Thoma is also a world class story teller and she writes a story that has you not wanting to put the book down even to sleep.

The book was about Kit who was the recovering addict and Thea the woman who tries to save her life when she thinks that Kit is going to overdose in the library.Kit does not overdose, but uses that as a make up call and she goes and gets clean. When she meets Thea again it is before her NA meetings that are being held in the very library she almost overdosed in. The love story is spectacular and it goes slow which is what I like It is more realistic that way. I thought the characters were interesting and had many flaws. The one criticism is that she never quite gets into why Kit and her cousin are the black sheep of the family and why they have been disowned by their very wealthy families. She mentions it and then does not come back to it and that leaves the story a little incomplete for me. Overall this is a sold read and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

A great book that does justice to some really important topics like addiction. One of the more realist novels I’ve read in a while which focuses on Kit (a heroin addict) and Thea (a Librarian).

This book is not your run of the mill f/f romance. More realistic fiction which happens to have two wlw main characters It deals with child emotional abandonment, addiction, recovery, a library, AA meetings and community.

It's a good book, the romance part is fun and real. The addiction part a bit harder but eye-opening.

Given that libraries have always been my haven, where being surrounded by books helps my body to breathe, I can totally relate to one of the main characters in this book. A commitment to making sure that a library serves the community and welcomes everyone is a philosophy of enlightenment. All the way through this book I am happily nodding in agreement and the image of the place makes me so happy that the romance, to me, is secondary. It’s actually nicely done and expertly paced. Well done for not making the librarian a shy push over; whilst books may be preferred over people, librarians are tough cookies.
An enjoyable read that held my interest throughout the book. The drug addiction is handled really well and is not over sentimentalised or so full of cliches that it makes you cringe. Summer holidays are a bit messed up in the current pandemic, but Bold Strokes is amazingly managing to publish summer reads. Thank you to everyone for all your work.

A delightful book, Serenity took me to a place that is entirely rare these days, a place where words between characters have more meaning than their literal sense. Those words begin to bridge between souls to form the connections we long to keep close to our hearts. Much of the book is built around sparkling dialogue between Thea and Kit that kept me entranced in their story, although at times we are kept waiting for something to happen other than just the dialogue. Fortunately, both women are entirely entertaining and are just good human beings. You can’t help but root for their happily ever after. A wonderful way to spend time with your imagination, this book is so worth it. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

This is the best book I've read in a long time. The plot-line is unique, the characters are fully developed, the pacing is near-on perfect, the heat factor is perfect for the plot, and the angst level has the perfect balance. (Hmm. I just realized I said perfect 3 times. Need I say more?)

What I found most refreshing about this book was that it wasn't formulaic, as in the typical blow up around the 80% mark. (At that point I normally do an eye roll and lower my rating). Don't get my wrong, these two definitely have to fight for their happy ever after, but it comes across as realistic and not convoluted. Something I greatly appreciated.

Copy generously provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley

When the romancing include snuggles on the porch when unwilling to part, witnessing her date perform celebratory dance along the streets after a successful date night, rendezvous under oak trees and experiencing the exhilaration of kisses unlike any, Thea the librarian found herself falling for Kit, someone that she should not develop feelings for.

This is a book about a budding romance that is fraught with challenges and its underlying issues due to one of the main characters being a reformed addict.

There are some hard truths laid out in the book on the lives of reformed addicts, users and the people who are in relationships with them. When the voice of reason begs to be heard, can the heart resist its logic? It was a book I enjoyed with lovable characters with one in particular whom I rooted to get back on her feet.

I just reviewed Serenity by Jesse J. Thoma. #NetGalley