Opposites Attract: Butch/Femme Romances by Meghan O'Brien, Aurora Rey, Angie Williams

A collection of short stories by varying authors. All reasonably well written, easy reads which have nothing to involved. It does what it says on the tin.

A slightly longer story would make better reading even in short story.

This was a collection of Butch/Femme romances that hit the sweet spot in length between a short story and a full length novel. You had the time to sink into the story and get lost in it. An easy favourite for me was Aurora Rey's - the chemistry was sizzling and the characters were strong and fascinating women - this story stayed with me and I'll definitely be back for a re-read. Meghan O'Brian's story was solidly written and sexy as I've come to know for this author. This was a nice introduction to Angie Williams as well!

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A great book! There aren't enough butch characters in this genre in my opinion. So it was nice to read three stories about them.

2 Stars. This was a series of three books. All three books were about a Butch/Femme relationship. the first short story is about a a waitress, Maisie Davis who meets a handsome truck driver who comes into the dinner late at night. Maisie can't stop thinking about the truck driver, but is afraid of what people would think about in a small town. The second story, is about Jude Benoit who is a venture capitalist who needs to learn bow to dance for an event she is being honored at. The dancer is trying everything to help Jude not make a fool of herself. The third story, Dylan Fleming seems confident until her last relationship screwed her up. She is now a little insecure and trying to whoo a mechanic that she really likes. Dylan screws things up at first, but is given a second chance to get things right.

I found the short stories a little disappointing. I did not love any of them, most of them were just okay and it makes sense they are only short stories and not developed into a full length story. None of the stories stood out to me, and I would not recommend this novel. Usually, there is one story in a short story collection that I really enjoy, but I did not enjoy any of these stories enough to recommend this book. The stories were weak and felt short and everything was happening too fast for the two women involved.

An interesting collection of three novella's all based around the Butch/Femme dynamic.
The first story by Aurora Rey, had a good premise and an interesting way to set up the meeting between Jude and Gabby, their chemistry was realistic and enjoyable, good supporting characters too. .
The second by Angie Williams was less engaging, a couple of times the butch really snapped at her femme, which wasn't entirely believable or likeable, which soured the story for me.
The third was another classic from Meghan O'Brien with an interesting premise and a harrowing experience of homophobia, this was a perfectly crafted and executed short story. She is one of my favourite writers for this reason and her story alone is worth getting this book for, although Aurora Rey is excellent too and I'm sure Angie Williams will get better in time.

With thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a book of 3 short stories of Butch/Femme characters. I really enjoyed this book. Meghan, Aurora and Angie all did a great job portraying the butch/femme theme and I wanted more from all of them..

This book was a winner for me with three short stories from favorite authors. All three stories were awesome especially since I love the butch/femme dynamic. These three authors are masters of the genre. I loved some of the table turning with some of the characters and taking new liberties with old tropes. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow!
Book one by A.Rey. This story is sexy fun insightful and just perfectly timed throughout.
Book two by Angie W. Needs a bit more detail in the story, I know they are all shorts, however it felt rushed unrealistic and lacked some key details to really round out.
Book three by M. O'Brian. What can I say, sheer perfection through and through, as always. I want to read more about these two character and see where they end up.

Bloody Brilliant. 4 stars!

Here you have 3 stories in one book! All fantastic, and written by popular authors, I couldn't choose my favorite story between the 3. I'm not normally into my short reads, but this novella is entertaining. The stories ( yes you guessed it) are all centered around couples who have nothing in common with each other. Characters are butch/femme and (yes you guessed it again) romances. This book kept me entertained for the weekend... I just wish that they were longer (defeats the object tho, eh?)

In An Epiphany in Flannel by Meghan O’Brien, small-town waitress Maisie Davis resolves the mystery of her sexuality after an unexpected encounter with a handsome stranger seated in the corner booth of Moe’s Fine Diner. Aiden Crane opens Maisie’s mind and body to exciting new possibilities—but can she find the courage to follow her heart?

In Follow Her Lead by Aurora Rey, venture capitalist Jude Benoit is named Majesty of Artemis, New Orleans’s premier lesbian Mardi Gras parade and ball, and enlists the expertise of private dance instructor Gabriella Viard to save her from making a fool of herself. Jude can follow the steps, but what happens when Gabby challenges her to lead with her heart?

In Just as You Are by Angie Williams, Dylan Fleming is a confident and capable woman in every way except the stereotypical ways her ex-girlfriend thought she should be. When her insecurities get the better of her and she fumbles on a date with beautiful auto mechanic Carrie Grice, Dylan has to let go of the past. Can she accept that she is loved just as she is?

If you've never heard of Aurora Rey, Angie Williams, or Meghan O'Brien, I highly recommend you check the books they have released... you are missing out on some excellent stories!

I have a soft spot for butch/femme dynamics because those were basically the two labels available when I was growing up. I was immediately drawn to this collection because of this and because of Aurora Rey, whose work Ive devoured before. I enjoyed her contribution to the collection, but I wanted more of Jude and Gabby. It was followed by Angie Williams's Just As You Are.. I had never read anything by this author and was underwhelmed by Dylan and Carrie's story. This collection saved the best for last. Meghan O’Brien's An Epiphany in Flannel. First off, the title is brilliant, but the best thing is that the story did not disappoint! Maise and Aiden's story is a bit more complicated and nuanced, but it was no less satisfying. (Then again, I had zero expectations for this one as I had only read one book by this author before and hated it.)

This book is a collection of three novellas by different authors. It is and enjoyable reading with different butch/femme plots.
As almost all novellas, the plot doesn´t go that deep and you might finish it wanting to know more. It is a quick read and I understand the purpose of the book, but all authors have other books that are better.

This is a collection of three novellas that are pleasant to read. I think there aren't enough stories in the less fic genre featuring this dynamic so more representation is always great. I think my favorite story was the first but they all had some elements that I liked. My biggest issue is that the stories felt too short for the stories they were trying to present. and that made it hard to get fully invested.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing me an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

Short but fun WLW romance. I like seeing the differences in the two main characters and yet the same similarities in the two as well.

Opposites Attract: Butch/Femme Romances
By: Meghan O’Brien, Aurora Rey, Angie Williams

Three novella length romances
Six women who find their happily ever after
Each story different
All the women deserving of happiness

What I liked:
* That each story was so different
* That the issues each couple faced were believable
* The way that the problems were solved
* Thinking about the diversity of the characters
* Realizing that relationships, no matter who is involved, will face problems and require work to overcome them
* Meeting some new-to-me authors

What I didn’t like:
* The parents and backstories some of the characters had to deal with

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read stories by these authors in the future? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

“A femme is velvet-covered steel and a butch is steel-covered velvet.”
Lesléa Newman

Really like this definition/quote. I enjoyed all three stories. I most enjoyed An Epiphany in Flannel. The coming out, honesty, and sweetness of Aiden Crane and Maisie Davis was refreshing. There was little if any miscommunication which was a nice surprise.

NB: free copy received for honest review

Very much a case of what it says on the cover: this book contains three lesbian romances with a butch/femme dynamic.

'Follow Her Lead' by Aurora Rey was my favourite of the three, with the most convincing relationship development and fleshed out characters.

I liked what Angie Williams was aiming for in 'Just as You Are', subverting common expectations about what it means when someone presents as butch or femme, but I don't think the execution quite matched the idea.

Ironically, since it was her name on the cover that most interested me, I was least impressed by Meghan O'Brien's offering, which I found rather flat and unconvincing.

Three for one. Sounds like a good deal and you’d be right.
Meghan O’Brien ‘An Epiphany in Flannel’, tells the story of a small town waitress with parents that refuse to let their little girl grow-up. Go to school, take classes online, work at the local diner (money earned not her own to keep), and keep her crazy ass mother happy. Along comes a trucker, Aiden Crane, looks like a guy but is all woman. Aiden shows Maisie there can be another life for her. She just has to decide if she wants to stay where she’ll never be happy or try for a life somewhere else.
Aurora Rey, ‘Follow Her Lead’ asks us to go along with her while she tells us a story that really should have been a book for her. Jude Benoit,a rich capitalist who comes across as someone sure of herself, able to face any challenge except dancing. Her assistant arranges for her to take dance lessons so when she attends a ball during Mardi Gras she won’t make a fool of herself. Gabriella Viard, dance instructor, takes on the job of teaching Jude how to move on the dance floor. Problem is she would like to do more than teach Jude some dance steps. Maybe see if one dance can lead to more.
Angie Williams ‘Just as You Are’. auto mechanic only wants to find someone willing to accept her as she is. She’s got looks and personality but her career choice as an auto mechanic seems to throw a wrench in the romance department. Dylan Fleming has been hurt by her last girlfriend, so badly she has a hard time letting go and getting on with her life. An online exchange with each other makes both think this just might work. But of course Dylan, weighted down from her past, has a hard time getting on with life.
Each novella tells a good story so you won’t be disappointed. Three enjoyable stories.
ARC via NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books.

Three short stories about the attraction between butch and femme women.

Let's start with my favorite. Follow Her Lead by Aurora Rey. I enjoyed this story about a rich and very butch woman Jude Benoit who needs dancing lessons. Jude's assistant has contracted Gabriella Viard to give her private dance lessons. Jude and Gabriella do have a nice chemistry but in the beginning Jude is way too stiff for Gabriella is is more easy going and relaxed. As time progresses to the event where Jude has to dance these two get closer and eventually end up having a sexual relationship. There is some angst and anger and apologies and forgiveness. Overall an enjoyable read. 4 Stars.

Next is Just as You Are by Angie Williams. Mains are Dylan Fleming and Carrie Grice. Dylan is the butch one here and she was made to feel inadequate in her previous relationship because she wasn't butch enough. Carrie is femme but is able to do many of those handy things - she is a mechanic. Things start off great between the two until they meet and everything goes to hell. They are able to come back to the middle and learn more about each as they navigate friendship and a potential relationship. There are lots of insecurities for Dylan but she is able to work on them. Overall a cute story. 3.75 stars.

Last is An Epiphany in Flannel by Meghan O’Brien. This was the one I liked least. Small town waitress (Maisie Davis) from conservative household meets Trucker (Aiden Crane) who appears to be a guy at first sight. They hit it off and Maisie realizes that she is attracted to Aiden and now begins to understand why she always felt different. I did like the start of this but most of what happens in this story between to the two just seems unlikely and hard to believe. It just didn't click with me. 3 stars.

I give the entire book 3.75 stars.

This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

Three novellas with a butch/femme theme. I found them all enjoyable to read and preferences will really be based on storyline taste.

Aurora Rey's story is lighthearted with a workaholic venture capitalist who takes dancing lessons to prepare for an award and Mardi Gras ball. The attraction and declarations are insta and rushed but I liked the misunderstanding with the note.

Angie William's story has a romance just starting but one has been very damaged by an ex. It takes time to allow for miscommunication and therapy. It had me rooting for the characters to get together.

Meghan O'Brien's story involves as trucker and a waitress. This one has a lot of background depth especially with the parental repression and small town setting. It was the one that really left me want to know more how things work out.

With novella's you will always want more of the story. But this is a great way to find new authors to read. (I've only read one before.) As for the theme I found it interesting that it butch/femme could play out in different ways within each story. (3.5 stars rounding up). Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books, Inc. for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

WOW!
This is an incredible anthology!! Written by three amazing writers, these three Butch/Fem romances are a delight! These dramatic tales are full of so many feels, insecurities to bravery, apathy to love, pain to joy, all of them will leave you feeling something. These stories got progressively more serious and less light hearted but I think the endings were deeper too. This is not to say any one was better than the others or that they weren’t worth reading because they wre too sad or anything like that, because that is just not true at all! They were just so different and each one excellent for what it was. I feel lucky to have experienced all of them. If I hadn’t already read everything that all three of these writers have written, I would definitely rush right out and read more from them all. As it is, I think several re-reads are in my immediate future! Great job Authors!!!