What an absolutely stunning story. Even though it’s kinda frustrating, it is all kinds of sweet. Loved the main characters as well as every side character and animal! Most times when you read a book you think…hmm I wouldn’t have gone in that direction…but this book is absolutely as I would have done it if I had half the talent the author has. Ok, maybe I wouldn’t have waited so long for them to get together, but that added to the story. Instead of it being a instant thing and move along fast you got to watch/read the relationship grow.

We all have dreams but not many get the chance to make them come true. Claire did not want to wait on the chance and took matters into her own hands and I respect her so much for it. Done with corporate life she's been secretly taking steps to change careers. When her realtor finds the perfect space for her to make her dream come true, she goes for it.

Ruby also has a dream but has been finding reasons not to start chasing them just yet. Playing it safe and putting everything on hold has cost her. the cottage she's had her eye on for years now has been sold from right under her nose putting her future plans in jeopardy. Of course she'll hold some grudges for the person who is the cause of all this. She did not expect this person to be the gorgeous and sweet Claire.

I really like how both these women know what they want in life and go for it on their own pace. They also realise their flaws and are willing to work on them. There was a lot of soul searching in this story so they could grow as individuals before taking the plunge to get together. It was quite the journey but the pay off was just as great.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley & Ylva publishing for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! An unexpected favorite of mine - 4.5 stars rounded up!

This book took me a little while to get into, but after the first few chapters I was fully engrossed in Claire & Ruby's story! This book had such heart to it, I loved learning about Eagle Cove and the supporting characters. Unlike some other romance books I've read in the past, you really got to understand the world that is Eagle Cove and get a full picture of who Claire and Ruby are, separately and together. My favorite thing by far about this book was how mature the characters were! I adored the amount of communication Ruby and Claire had about where they were at, where they were going, and what they were ready for. These conversations aren't always the easiest, but it was so refreshing seeing two characters talk things out rather than letting miscommunications drive the plot. It felt substantive, engaging, and heartwarming.

I was beyond pleased with the ending and felt like the Epilogue perfectly wrapped things up for me, giving me just enough information about where their future was taking them, but not too much. Overall, I loved this book and will absolutely be seeking out anything else that AL Brooks writes in the future!

This books was a cute small town romance. City girls doesn’t like her stress filled job and moves to a small town. Small town girl loses the dream house she wanted to the new City girl, they don’t get along at first but as time goes on they get to know each other and fall in love.

I like the way the story played along and all the character but I think there as just one thing that didn’t make me love this book. It felt average and a good palette cleanser. It won’t disappoint if your looking for a cute sapphic romance.

I have read a couple of “renovation romances” in the past and I really did enjoy them, so I was excited going into this novel. I liked the premise of a small town with same sex main character romance. But I came out the other side of this novel and just really felt like nothing actually happened. I had a hard time connecting to Claire and Ruby. I’m not sure if that was due to lack of character background or if it was just me. I honestly loved Ned more than I loved the main characters. I was missing tension between the two main characters throughout this novel. And *spoiler alert* I felt like when Claire told Ruby that she loves her, it was sort of out of left field. At this point they hadn’t even been an official couple, and didn’t even know if they wanted to be together. I just didn’t get it. Looking at other reviews, I’m certainly in the minority for not liking this book, but it’s okay because reading is subjective. If the author chose to write another novel connected to this one (perhaps Emma and Wayne’s love story or even Audrey and Ned’s or heck, Shirley and Pete!) I would definitely read it. I just needed lots more tension and angst from Claire and Ruby.

There was nothing inherently bad about the book and the writing was enjoyable I just felt like I was reading words on a page rather than being emotionally invested in the characters and the book.

Thank you NetGalley and A.L. Brooks for the ARC!

Never have I enjoyed side characters as much as I did in this novel. Don't get me wrong the main character, Ruby and Claire, are great, but these best friends, grandfathers and ect really make the story. The 'will they won't they' plot line that drives the novel is VERY strong. The writing is very good, there were a few parts I thought were slower, but nothing that kept me from reading this in one sitting. Claire's journey of self discovery starts before she meets Ruby which I think is a key part of the story. She met Ruby in the middle of her self guided journey and Ruby was not a catalyst for the change, which I think is important in the character development and gives authenticity to the romance. Ruby's story line with familial obligations and worries really strikes an authentic chord and gives her a deep relatability. Also the animals, who thought a few cats and a donkey would be such a large part of a romance novel, but in this story it works.

The book's main characters are Claire & Ruby. Claire is getting out of the hustle and bustle of New York City to renovate an old homestead into a guesthouse. She immediately finds out that the town's librarian, Ruby, has been hoping to buy that homestead and turning it into an animal shelter. She feels that Claire took the property from her. Claire had no idea that she had been wanting to buy it since her realtor did not tell her of this situation. Claire tries to assure Ruby that she is only turning it into a guesthouse and not all of the things the town has been gossiping about.
Claire tries to get Ruby on her side by inviting her to help her get furnishings for the guesthouse. Little by little Ruby sees that Claire only has good intentions. And little by little the feelings between them grow.
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Brooks once again gives a fabulous romance to sink our teeth into. This opposites attract, country/city romance has clever banter, off the charts chemistry and a feel good small community feel to warm your heart. Cute animals and loveable side kicks, the reader will definitely fall in love with Claire and Ruby as quickly as they did.

A very entertaining and enjoyable story.

Loved this book. Feel very invested in both MCs and their journeys from the very beginning. the supporting characters were also very well developed and it helped build a sense of community for this book. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers troupe, definitely a sucker for that. The slow burn made this book addicting. I had a hard time putting it down until the end to see them get together! It did feel like their eventual reunion was a bit rushed in the end but not a huge deal. The time was well spent leading up to that point, building the tension and then letting them fall in love. I was rooting for them! Would definitely read more from this author.

This book was honestly a slow read for me. Enemies to lovers/slow burn kinda. I just wanted them to get together already🤣 I loved this book though! It was so cute and the plot was so good! I loved the characters especially Ned! I was so happy once they finally got together because they both deserve each other so much😩 loved that this was a little spicy as well. Claire and Ruby’s lil love story was so cute! I loved learning about these characters and how they came together even after all the challenges they faced and differences among them. Claire is a city girl while ruby is a small town girl but Claire is so much happier in the small town and with Ruby! I also loved the little side story of Shirley and Pete but I was hoping I’d get to find out if they got together👀

I did not enjoy this, *it is only in the ARC stage so may well be changed completely before release*, but it felt very unfinished and rough.
The introduction and beginning was not very smoothly laid out, it was difficult to understand the characters and what was going on. The plot and background isn’t very clear at all.

I found the characters a little irritating, and didn’t personally like the way that Ned, a farmer in his 70s, is constantly badgered/bullied until he’s forced to retire completely and give up his farm.
Yes he’s ageing, has heart issues and he’s slowing down, but 70s isn’t that old, both of my grandparents are of a similar age and can still do almost all farm work, they’d definitely take offence to Neds portrayal here! Fair to have him slowing down, but it feels quite sudden and premature.

It’s a pretty basic nice ‘small town animal loving farm girl is flattened by a blonde posh business woman from the city wanting to tear down a town ranch to build a modern new tourist attraction’ book.
They hate each other- or do they? It’s nothing unique, I did still enjoy it at first but it lost momentum and just felt overly long and so slow.
I like the gist of it and it has potential, just currently so many flaws too. Most of the writing is decent and dialogue is good, but there’s some parts that just are not so great, it just needs a bit of an overhaul edit to smooth it all over. It almost feels only partially edited.

There was no explanation as to why she’s surprised to see Wayne (her brother), and no mention of a brother beforehand, and seemed to have not seen him in a while, nor has seen the nephew or wife- yet they live in the same town? And it’s never addressed? It’s just things like this that make it seem unfinished and not thought out.

Side note- what do they mean by a pink cat??? Pink?? ——
‘Misty, a beautiful combination of smoky gray fur with pale pink patches on its forehead and paws,’

Chasing Dreams told the story of Claire Pressley who was an extremely successful venture capitalist in New York, but she was unhappy. She has a dream to build and run a women’s retreat. She finds the perfect homestead in Oregon to renovate. However this homestead has been coveted by Ruby Jordan for many years as she saves to make the purchase to renovate the place as an animal shelter. She feels the rug pulled out from under her when Claire makes the purchase. Their tentative relationship begins essentially as enemies.

The book tells the story of how they turn their relationship from enemies to friends and then more.
4 stars

I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Me when I started this book. Oh, A.L. Brooks. I don't think I've ever read anything by that author. Me while reading the book. Wow. I love this author, this book is so good, both in a big way and subtle way. Me after finishing the book and doing a search in my book tracking records. Oh.... I've read something like 3 other books by A.L. Brooks and two of them go 4 stars and one 3 stars and I liked them all..... that explains why this is a 5 star book.... heh....

The story is about Ruby and Claire. Claire is a high powered venture capitalist, Ruby is a librarian who wants to have her own animal rescue shelter. Ruby has a plan. But then Claire swoops in from New York and buys the place that Ruby has had her eye on. And so there is plenty of tension, but, of course that grows and changes as the book continues.

I'm not sure why this book resonated so much with me. Maybe because sometimes it really seems like I am living the "librarian as a day job so I don't starve" life?

I also loved the name Shirley for the Library Director. I worked with one of the best children's librarians whose name was Shirley (now retired) . And was quite happy to picture her in all her white haired caring glory while I read this Shirley's scenes.

This is going to sound weird, but, I was really happy that they both had hang-ups. So often in a romance book one woman is perfect and the other (or the guy) is horrible and has to change. But, in this book it was balanced so nicely, these two were both humans with hang-ups they both needed to deal with to be happy.

Only two things though, maybe it's different where this is set, but, in almost every single library that I've ever known about, it's called Storytime not Reading Session. Only small blemish on an amazing book.

Also, heh, who the hell is the third lesbian in town? (Sequel? Heh heh).

You can't go wrong with a novel by A.L. Brooks. This was fantastic and I absolutely loved it.

Small town romance/enemies to lovers, but didn't really feel like enemies. Sure, Ruby is upset losing out to Claire for the property, but everything happens for a reason.

Claire has been looking for a place to outside the city for a long time and finally found the perfect place. She no longer cared to be a venture capitalist and wants out of the city. She was used to being anonymous but moving to Eagle cove, a small town where everyone knows everything was a huge change. what she didn't count on was Ruby and the feelings she evoked from her. Both good and bad.

Ruby is the town librarian and is mad she lost out, but Claire is not all what she thought. She takes out her frustration on Claire for snatching away her dream but learns there are other dreams to chase. I enjoyed Ned, the grandfather and the other secondary characters as well. This was just the perfect book with low angst and feel good book.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

A.L. Brooks has been a solid romance author I seek out when I want something new but familiar at the same time, although my first encounter of a Brooks' book was The Club. Great read! This book follows Clair, a venture capitalist from New York who decided take her life in a different direction and buy a property in Eagle Cove, Oregon. That property happens to be the one that Ruby, the local librarian assistant and animal lover, which sets Ruby and Clair on a crash course.

Like most of Brooks books, the characters are engaging, with strong chemistry to draw you into the romance. There are also fun supporting characters, that add more depth to the main characters and the setting. I really liked the small town feel and community feeling from the town and all the characters. What I really like, is that there wasn't the typical "breakup" moment and instead the characters talked out their thoughts and work through the stresses, even with ome ups and downs. I liked how it was all handled.

All in all, I enjoyed this romance. Would recommend it for fans of small town romances and ones where the characters act like adults.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ylva for an arc.

This book was my monthly if Hallmark was queer read. It hits all the easy going romance feels. Quaint setting, enemies-to-lovers trope, and dream project coming to fruition. Just the kind of thing to help a person reset for the changing of the seasons. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to Ylva Publishing and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I DNF this at 9%, two chapters in, for a very specific reason—one of the protagonists, Rudy, reveals she raises cows for slaughter to support her animal sanctuary. While this may not be an issue for most readers, it was a deal-breaker me as an ethical vegan. Especially since I was drawn to this ARC specifically because it was an animal lover librarian sapphic romance, so finding out that character is a huge hypocrite was disappointing.

That said, the chapters I did read were well written, and the enemies-to-lovers conflict was set up nicely. So if you aren’t thrown by characters who cuddle some animals while killing others, you’ll probably enjoy this just fine.

I also have an ARC for another of the author’s romances, Make Her Wish Come True. Hopefully, that book will be more my cup of tea.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

Chasing Dreams is a heartwarming lesbian romance story about Claire, a successful venture capitalist, who moves to Eagle Cove, Oregon, to renovate a homestead. However, things get complicated when she discovers that Ruby, the town librarian, had dreams of turning it into an animal shelter. They clash at first, but their chemistry is undeniable. It's a fun and feel-good enemies-to-lovers romance that reminds you to pursue your dreams. My only wish is that it could have been longer, as it left me wanting more. This story captures the charm of a small town and has a beautifully written first kiss scene that I truly enjoyed.

i recently read late bloomer, and this reminded me of it in the best way! i don’t really like enemies to lovers/forced proximity-ish but i haven’t read something involving an animal shelter so it definitely got an extra star for me because of that. another bonus star for taking place in oregon, living there for 4 years makes every book set in the PNW so much easier to immerse myself into. loved it!