I’ve become accustomed to seeing books on the Amazon best sellers list in the lesbian romance category and just assuming that they are terrible. Why? Because most of they time that I get a book from this category, it is a really, really terrible one. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with Winter Jacket.
When I read the sample on Amazon, I was instantly hooked on this story. The writing is solid and the premise is a very unique one, which is hard to find in any type of romance book these days. When I was about 25% of the way into this book, I learned that it was formerly a fan fiction story. I cringed. Normally, I avoid fan fiction turned into novels because the quality is rather terrible. Fortunately, I was already loving this book, so I kept reading.
The characters seem oh so real and are just really well developed. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are mostly based on real people in the author’s life.
For the most part, this book was a welcome breath of fresh air for me. I don’t normally love lesbian romance novels as they are filled with drama that is kind of out of place, not to mention the lack of interesting storylines. Granted, at it’s core this is one of those hot-for-teacher type of stories, but it does have an interesting take on it that I enjoyed.
That being said, I can’t say that I loved this book. I could have – if it hadn’t gone on too long. For me, this book should have ended before chapter 12. What follows starting with that chapter is so much drama that is just unnecessary and really lowers the overall awesomeness of those first 11 chapters.
Despite the book going on a good few chapters too many at the end, I would definitely recommend this book (just maybe stop when you get to chapter 12?). I’d even read more by this author in hopes that this going on well after the story is over is just a early works sort of thing that she gets out of in later books.
Even better, this book has a lower price than some of the others, and it is definitely worth it. Read the free sample on Amazon to decide if it is a good pick for you. I didn’t see a website for the author, but she does seem to update her Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/ElizaLentzski regularly (where I noticed that there is a sequel to Winter Jacket…I still think the story should’ve been over at chapter 11’s end).