An anthology or compilation of novels is always a welcome thing to me because it allows you to explore and meet new authors.
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I'm not a big fan of labels, I think that more than defining they open up more questions and spaces, stereotypes do not completely define a person but in this collection, in each of the stories, the Butch stereotype is taken with pride by three characters completely different and gives enormous value to the book.
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I have to say that my favorite was the story of Meghan O'brien, it is so well written and done that the chemistry and dialogues flowed in a constant harmony that I enjoyed until I realized that I got to the end of the book and wanted more of this story and its characters.
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In each story these opposing characters attract each other and each story has a different rhythm and depth, touching on various themes such as acceptance, appearances, marks of past loves, family and friendship in the good and bad things.
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Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley for give me this great book to read I really enjoyed reading it

3.75 stars. An interesting collection of 3 butch/femme novellas. I often find the term butch/femme helpful as I have an idea of what to expect, but at the same time I’m not a big fan of labels as there is already too much stereotyping going on in the world while there are so many grey areas. What I liked a lot about this anthology is that it clearly shows some of these variations in both butch and femme characters in three completely different stories.

Aurora Rey – Follow Her Lead
Jude is super confident in her job, but when she finds out she has to do an opening dance at a ball she starts to panic. Time for some dance lessons, which is where Gabby comes into play as her dance instructor. The attraction is undeniable but unfortunately is Jude not as confident when it comes to wooing women. They are cute together and I really enjoyed them as a couple. I only whished this story was longer as the I love yous still felt soon, I would have liked more dating, but it’s a novella, so time is short. This is one of the few occasions where I would have been satisfied with a happy for now ending and promises for a happy ever after. I liked this novella and could have easily read more.

Angie Williams – Just As You Are
This story opens with a first date between Dylan and Carrie and their many insecurities stemming from previous relationships. I think this story was the best example of showing where butch/lesbian stereotyping goes horribly wrong. I liked the differences between the mains and how they complemented each other in seemingly unexpected ways. I enjoyed the story, but I had some trouble connecting to the characters, often I felt that I was told how they were feeling more than that I was actually feeling it.

Meghan O’Brien – An Epiphany in Flannel
I was happy to see new work by O’Brien and people that are familiar with her work know that she is the queen of erotica. The sexual tension in this story was therefore not surprising, although the sex scenes were very vanilla (which suits the storyline, but might be surprising from O’Brien). Maisie is brought up in a protected small-town environment and is swept of her feet by Aiden, a trucker who passes by at the diner where Maisie works. The tone of this third novella was heavier than the first two. This one also had a bit more angst as Maisie’s home circumstances are complex and abusive and a relationship with Aiden seems impossible. Yet, Maisie feels safe and protected with Aiden and I was rooting for them as a couple. I’m partial to O’Brien’s writing and this novella was no exception.

The best novellas are the ones to make you wish they were full length novels. His collection of three butch/femme novellas has one I definitely wish was a full length and one borderline for me.

The one I enjoyed most was Aurora Rey’s Follow Her Lead. A butch and rather distant venture capitalist has to take dance lessons to not make a fool of herself at a big party. The chemistry is so fun between the mains, it’s just a cute story.

Just As You Are by Angie Williams is a story with such a soft butch, it’s super cute. But all the insecurities in this story make me like it a bit less. But the characters are super cute together.

Meghan O’Brien’s An Epiphany in Flannel is the last novella in the book, and for me this isn’t a case of saving the best for last. Aside from not really liking the story and the mains in this one, the writing was also somewhat hard to get into. Where I rolled from Rey’s story into Williams’ like there was nothing between them, just easy writing and a nice story. I just couldn’t connect with this last one.

Overal a cute collection of butch/femme stories with varying types in both “categories”, it’s fun to see the differences. I am partial to the soft butch in Williams’ story, I think it’s because I sort of identify with that type of character. Although I really don’t want to be labelled, but I guess it’s the label I’d get if you’d ask people. This story would also be my favourite if it weren’t for me not liking the the story as much as Rey’s.
This is just an easy read, 3 nice novellas for anyone who likes romance.

Really enjoyed these three stories. Wish we got a full-length story for all of these characters and I am so excited to read other titles by these authors.

This was a good read. Three novella stories.

I like that these stories were opposite attracts although it’s butch/femme trope which we don’t get a lot of in books.

Gabby and Jude I like that Gabby help Jude out of her comfort zone.

Carrie and Dylan although Dylan kinda got on my nerves I like that Carrie show her she great as she is.

Maisie and Aiden I say this was my favorite because I like that Aiden help Maisie follow her heart and be true to herself.

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

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Three different stories with different feels. Steamy scenes and plenty of romance. Something to keep you busy on a rainy day or a lonely night.

Thank you Netgalley, the authors and publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I have read and enjoyed books by two of the authors previously.

This started well.. Aurora Rey's story was interesting, entertaining and plausible. It draws the reader in and is well described and engaging. I The characterisations were well-drawn and likeable, the storyline fun and plausible, ably helped by well-defined secondary characters who enrich the narrative. I was disappointed when it ended and intend to read more by this author as a result.

I totally get the "Opposites attract" trope, but prefer to avoid stereotypical labelling such as butch/femme categorisations which was more prevalent in the next two novellas. I didn't feel it necessary to focus over and over on appearances and clothing instead of allowing the characters to speak for themselves by being themselves.

I've enjoyed previous works by both Meghan O'Brien and Angie Williams, but was left underwhelmed with their novellas here and I really struggled to read "Just as you are". So overall it was a disappointing read and that is why the overall rating is a disappoining 3 *.

These three stories certainly do a great job of celebrating butches and femmes in all their glory. Each story works to varying degrees. They all have some hot sex but due to the short story format, perhaps, at times the storytelling itself felt rushed or under-developed. There was a lot of telling the reader backstory or how each person was feeling that didn't really land for me.

I am sure plenty of folks will enjoy these stories and being introduced to new authors but I was left slightly underwhelmed.