I really enjoyed this one. I enjoyed the characters and the meet cute, but my favorite thing was that the characters were able to talk when the inevitable situation that is meant to separate them happens. Half the time I am annoyed when I read romances and the breakup is caused by miscommunication. Thank you, Beers, for giving us characters who, in true sapphic fashion, can talk things through!

I'm sorry, I loved your book, I've tried, but I could not finish the review on time due to corona.
I hope to get another chance

Brooke is new in town, and Macy manages to welcome her with a chest full of food, and not in a good way. Of course, they start working together (Brooke is a realtor and Macy a stager) and get closer and closer. But, it's not totally smooth, with both having baggage and hang ups.

The characters were my favorite part. Although I felt like a tiny bit of Macy's family was under done. And the animals. They were great. Though, would have loved more with the cats.

Georgia Beers nails this romance again. I totally loved both characters and there flaws&vulnerabilities. Maybe 5 animals for one person are a bit much though ...

It wasn't what I was expecting, but it wasn't bad. I haven't read anything by this author before, but I did enjoy this story. It was a short, sweet romance. would recommend.

I love all books by this author, can highly recommend. Just wonderful. The main characters are well developed and its so well written you feel personally involved in the journey.

I loved this ya book. It was super cute and I loved the story line. The characters were well fleshed out and I deff recommend

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

16 Steps to Forever was a pretty cute book. In it, you will meet Brooke and Macy. At first glance, I didn't think I was going to like Brooke. She seemed like she was going to act one way but then did a complete 180 on me. I kind of wish she stuck with the icy/bitchy queen act because I think that would have made me move invested in their relationship. Which probably makes me sound crazy right now...

Then there's Macy, who was also okay. Very clumsy and definitely had ways to make me laugh pretty easily. I also thought her job was pretty cool because I've seen all the home improvement shows where people stage houses and stuff. So when the chemistry and tension started to show.. well, I was sort of hooked on these two.

Plus, it's pretty hard to mess up an office romance. Or maybe that's just me. The whole I'm not looking for a relationship or someone to date.. but then you start dating that person. It's simply adorable and a bit predictable. Still, I ended up liking this book and these two being together.

In the end, it was a nice quick romance book to dive into.

Ok so yes, it was in fact the cheesy insta-love story I was expecting, and if she described Macy’s hair as “tousled” one more time I thought I might lose it, but it was actually pretty cute and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I was looking for a sweet, quick, fluffy love story, and that’s what I got.

Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have read so many books by this author, but this is one of my absolute favorites. Books always have different meanings for different readers, but sometimes a character just feels real. Both characters were written perfectly for me as a reader. I empathized and really wanted them to get their HEA. I could have used more, and wouldn't mind getting glimpses of these two forever.

It has been awhile since I read this. I've been behind in reviewing for over a year now. (Thank you, Covid.)

I liked both of the main characters in this book. I felt a connection with both of them which made me invested in t heir relationship. I like angsty books the most and I felt like this had a subtle feeling of angst just beneath the surface the entire time.

I absolutely love and recommend this book! The characters and the plot are so different and unique. The basic understanding of human emotions help fill in the gaps of the characters' past traumas. True to the lesbian fiction, anticipating drama makes this a true page turner.

New in town, Brooke, is looking for a new and fresh start. What she doesn't expect is to meet Macy. Both with baggage from their past, learning to open up can be scary but worth the risk.

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. Brooke and Macy have a clumsy first meeting and then keep running into each other all over town. There connection is there but both have emotional baggage that prevents them from taking a step towards a romantic relationship. There romance is cute and sweet and you could feel the attraction leap off the page. It did seem like the conflict between the two characters was there one page and then resolved a chapter later. I would have liked more of a conversation and conclusion between the two characters instead of a third party being involved. If you like sweet romantic reads with a happily ever after then this book will be perfect for you.

There is just so much to love about this romance. With its themes of family, best friends, community and love, it has the look and feel of a Lesbian Hallmark Movie. This is where Beers feels most comfortable telling her tales and it’s why her readers love her. She combines the traditional with the contemporary quite beautifully, producing stories that are both compelling and appealing. Her storytelling is always heartfelt and tender, striking a cord and resonating with readers page after page.

Beers’s new book 16 Steps to Forever surrounds readers with real-life, relatable characters dealing with believable and credible situations. It contains women and men–gay and straight–who are representative of our communities and workplaces. They are made of friends and family that feel real; it’s one of the main reasons readers connect so easily with her stories. Additionally, readers are immersed in the story world; they get to know the characters’ parents, siblings, friends and co-workers. 16 Steps to Forever readers appreciate this wide angle view, as it enhances the reading experience tenfold.

The story’s main characters are Macy Carr and Brooke Sullivan. Beers does an excellent job developing and fleshing them out. They’re both complex but approachable characters with interesting emotional backstories. Their unique personalities are equal parts fresh and convincing. Readers find them both relatable and likable. Their internal and external conflict pulls readers in and drives the plot forward. Most importantly, though, it makes sense and is credible.

Together, Macy and Brooke possess an endearing, yet tender charm that is beyond appealing. Their chemistry zips from subtle to sizzle and back again as they traverse through the twists and turns of true love. Their journey is moving and emotional; readers are no doubt affected by this love story. Beers throws original, yet classically designed plot twists at it that keep readers fully engaged. It is the kind of story that nudges the emotional barometer within readers, making this romance both intimate and sensual.

This book tics everything on my rubric for a great romance. It has: a strong opening; a rich, satisfying writing style; a nice balance of tension and release; diverse, well-developed characters; effective, well-written dialog; and strong internal story logic. Best of all, though, it wraps itself around an original story arc with a deliciously sweet ending. 16 Steps to Forever engages one’s heart and gives it a little squeeze. Beers knows how to handle tough emotions, and this new book elegantly and gracefully puts this on display. 16 Steps to Forever is a real delight.

Final remarks…

This is definitely one for the TBR pile. Beers brings two complicated, yet appealingly beautiful characters to life in this heartfelt story. Their romance wakes up the senses and makes one feel. Beers knocked it out of the park with this one.

Strengths…

Fantastic characters
Charming chemistry
Engaging story
Well-developed
Well-written

I adore Georgia Beers' books, always guaranteed a well written story and book.

This is a very sweet romance between Brooke and Macy, both lovely characters, great story that will keep you turning the page until the end.

Would I recommend: yes if you're looking for a sweet romance

Sweet story from Georgia Beers. This author is one of my favorites she never disappoints. Once you start it you won't be able to stop until your finished.

One of Georgia Beers better books. Standoffish Brooke meets clumsy Macy in a not so meet-cute. Soon enough they become friends to more. A typical opposite attract plot but the characters and pets make you keep reading.

I have enjoyed almost all of Georgia Beers books. She knows how to write romance, love, family, and pets. This is a read about finding love and dealing with family. Brooke Sullivan, high end realtor, moves to a new city, new job and looks forward to a new life away from her well meaning but judgemental family. Macy Carr, stages homes, is recovering from a loss love with a supportive family and friends. When Macy and Brooke first meet, it is very bumpy to say the least. Both women realize there is an attractive but are unsure how to proceed. I liked the self-talk because it provided the reader with some inside information that aided in understanding why Brooke and Macy were saying and doing what they were saying and doing. I also liked the counting, it made sense and provided comfort and order.

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That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of "16 Steps to Forever" by Georgia Beers from BSB (via NetGalley).
So, here it is !!!
My rating : 3 ⭐️

The story sets in a city in upstate New York during Spring and focuses on 31 one years old Brooke Sullivan, the bisexual real estate agent, transplant from Ohio without many friends, & Macy Carr, the local property stager and proud lesbian who has wonderful and supportive close friends and family members, and also five awesome animals … Brooke knows for sure that people let you down, but that hasn’t stopped her from going after the life she wants. Macy believes in soul mates and true love. They met … Both think the last thing they need right now is a distraction …

Don’t get me wrong, this quite short book it was a decent read. The author’s usual good writing style is in there, as well as a few touches of humor. It was cool to have animals all over the pages of the book. It’s usually the case with Georgia Beers’ books so I wasn’t suprised, as a matter of fact, I was glad because that’s something I love. And with THAT I was able to connect without any trouble: a One-eyed cat (that’s cool to have disabled pets mentioned, they are awesome !! I know ‘cause I’ve got one myself, yes, a one-eyed kitty, and she’s a gem …), a stray cat (I rescued a bunch of them through the years and they are still my daily companions) and a few other adopted loving pets (I had some adopted dogs until they died of natural causes last year …).

BUT …


°° There are great & very supportive secondary characters in this novel like Macy’s nephew, Tyler, or even Macy’s BFF, Lucas, and Macy’s sister, Eva. It’s just a shame that towards the end they just seem to all have disappeared into thin air.

°° Between Brooke’s parents’ refusal of her bisexuality (the result of which is seeing her starting a completely new life in a new place, far from them), Macy’s grief about the loss of a loved one to an accident and a few other things happening (for example : Brooke’s desire to find a new Catholic church because she’s not ready to give up on her religion), Macy and Brooke both carry a lot of pain and sadness & need to work out the traumas that haunt them … BUT … Nope … they begin to deal with everything until they didn’t anymore…That’s definitely too short on the struggle.

°° Add to this what’s going on around them, happening to some of the secondary characters, for example : Tyler — Macy’s nephew — being dominated by his father Harlan, well, until he isn’t anymore or Brooke’s neighbor being clearly in an abusive relationship until she isn’t anymore... it feels like there wasn’t enough build up for the reader to become really invested in anything in the book. There were a lot of little hints for potential conflicts & dramas but the main one like the other minor ones never happened and it felt like a letdown to me. I mean by that; that all those topics are very serious ones and they need some time (a lot of it) and emotional work (the profesionnal support might often be required in some) to overcome …But the time frame, even if it’s progressing all the book long, doesn’t allow the situation to evolve logically from my POV … In my opinion, the seemingly miraculous resolution of all those issues just before the end doesn’t feel right … as a matter of fact it even seems totally off. It would have required way more time and depth in their treatment …because it would have made everything more credible and way more respectful for all the people, out there in the real world, who daily deal with this kind of heavy stuff…

°° Maybe I missed something (even without skipping any pages or chapters, I swear) but I found a couple of things intriguing … Among a few others, I wonder, how on earth, in the first place, Brooke's parents — who live in another state — have been informed of her carbon monoxide accident for her to find them in her hospital room when she woke up. Reading about that kind of "weird" things gives me the feeling that a bunch of the chapters have been cut or shortened a big deal and, so, that a part of the story has been erased in the process …

OK … So… This might seem surprising for those who know me but , for once, I found that the now traditional black moment made sense because, for sure, the situation had everything to take its toll on anyone. However , the thing that bothered me (yeah … it couldn’t be all good), that’s the pacing & the rushed ending after this quite long event ("long" because described with detail, not "long" in time ...) . Since it was, for once, a necessary thing, the "breakup" had to happen BUT it should have happened earlier in the novel and be a tad more "violent", for the MCs to be really shaken to the core by it and have to work way much harder on their issues, to get back to trusting themselves and, then, each other. This "unbalance" I felt is reinforced by the lack of epilogue … In a proper closing chapter, it would have been interesting to know how, in time, the lovebirds dealt with everything they had left to face by becoming an official item… and it would also have made the end look like the HEA expected by everyone (& suggested by the title) instead of the HFN it looks like now …


If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Sadly, not as much as I wanted to …
- Did I find the characters believable? => Not really
- Is this book now included in my "must be re-read"-list? => Nope !
- Will I purchase the paperback? => Nope !
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes because she’s an author appreciate and I still have a few of her previous novels in my TBR-list
- Would I recommend this book => I’ll let people use their free will to read the novel, or not …

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Georgia Beers is my go-to comfort read, and this one is no exeption. Warm, well written, good characters. Just perfect!

To be recommended!