An Armenian-American woman rediscovers her roots and embraces who she really is in this vibrant and heartfelt queer rom-com by debut author Taleen Voskuni.
When Nareh Bedrossian’s non-Armenian boyfriend gets down on one knee and proposes to her in front of a room full of drunk San Francisco tech boys, she realizes it’s time to find someone who shares her idea of romance.
Enter her mother: armed with plenty of mom-guilt and a spreadsheet of Facebook-stalked Armenian men, she convinces Nar to attend Explore Armenia, a month-long series of events in the city. But it’s not the mom-approved playboy doctor or the wealthy engineer who catch Nar’s eye—it’s Erebuni, a woman as immersed in the witchy arts as she is in preserving Armenian identity. Suddenly, with Erebuni as her wingwoman, the events feel like far less of a chore, and much more of an adventure. Who knew cooking up kuftes together could be so . . . sexy?
Erebuni helps Nar see the beauty of their shared culture and makes her feel understood in a way she never has before. But there’s one teeny problem: Nar’s not exactly out as bisexual. The clock is ticking on her double life—the Explore Armenia closing banquet is coming up, and her entire extended family will be there, along with Erebuni. Her worlds will inevitably collide, but Nar is determined to be brave and to claim her happiness: proudly Armenian, proudly bisexual, and proudly herself for the first time in her life.
Romance
Publication Date: 31 Jan 2023
-
Advance Praise for Behind the Scenes:
“Escapism with no apologies.”―Publishers Weekly, starred review
-
"A fairy tale-perfect happy ending guarantees smiles as the last page is turned."―Bookpage, starred review
My Review:
Book: Behind the Scenes
Rating: 4/5
Author: Karelia Stetz-Waters
Genre: Romance | LGBTIA
🗏 Pages: 334
Tropes: Sapphic Romance, Forced Proximity, Workplace Romance
Warnings: Death of Parent, Toxic Relationship
Readability: 4.5/5 italic font is used BUT HAS SHORT CHAPTERS
First Line: "Rose Josten sat at a table under a patio umbrella gazing out at a sea of pugs"
Things to expect:
Disability Representation
ASMR
Only One Bed
Dual POV
PUGS
Opposites attract in this medium-paced sapphic romance by Karelia Stetz-Waters. Business consultant Rose Josten who just happens to be a middle-aged lady with a pug, has a good life. Secret hobbies, work, Gucci coasts, and her work, she still feels like something is missing. WAlks in former filmmaker Ash Steard and Roses's world gets to turn into color. Ash has dated since her ex crushed her, but Rose is somehow different and might be her best bet for getting her film financed as her last chance. Will they be able to keep their attraction under wraps? Karelia Stetz-Waters hit all the right notes for a romance with older characters. The pugs were personally my favorite part, and the fact that this had super short characters made it a breeze to read. This was a super sweet, lighthearted romance between two creative people who healed from trauma together. Perfect for Fans of Alexandria Beellefleur
Thanks to Forever & Karelia Stetz-Water for the advance reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
PRINT LENGTH PAGES
AVERAGE REVIEW RATING
PAPERBACKCOST
E-BOOK COST
AUTHOR
Karelia Stetz-Waters writes happily-ever-afters for women who love women. Whether it’s romance or thriller, her characters get the epic wins they deserve and more. She lives her own happily-ever-after in Oregon with her wife of 20+ years.
PUBLISHER
Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, publishes a wide array of inclusive commercial fiction and romance perfect for your next book-club pick--from uplifting contemporary stories to captivating historical fiction and delightful romantic comedies, to sweeping historical romance and small-town love stories (including western romance and Amish romance).
Let's Get Started!
Subscribed to my notebook!
Fans of Abby Jimenez and Meryl Wilsner will fall in love with this hilarious and refreshingly authentic novel about second chances, pugs, and finding the perfect muse . . .
Business consultant Rose Josten might not have officially reached “pug lady” middle age, but she’s already got the pugs—along with their little Gucci coats and trash-lovin’ appetites. Still, life is good, with her work, her sisters, and a secret hobby creating incredibly tactile (if surprisingly sexy) mindfulness videos. So why does it feel like it’s not quite enough? Which is exactly when former filmmaker Ash Stewart enters camera left, and Rose’s world suddenly goes full technicolor . . .
Ash never looks at anyone. Not since her ex ripped her heart from her chest in Spielberg-esque style, crushing Ash’s reputation, dreams, and directorial career in one brutal blow. But Rose is altogether different. She’s curvy, beautiful, and just so damn put together. And her business expertise might be Ash’s best bet for getting her last film—and her last chance—financed. Now if they can just keep their attraction under wraps, Ash’s lost dream could finally come true. But are they creating movie magic . . . or setting the stage for disaster?
Romance |LGBTIAQ+
Publication Date: 31 Jan 2023
-
Advance Praise for Behind the Scenes:
“Escapism with no apologies.”―Publishers Weekly, starred review
-
"A fairy tale-perfect happy ending guarantees smiles as the last page is turned."―Bookpage, starred review
My Review:
📖Book: Behind the Scenes
⭐️Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏼Author: Karelia Stetz-Waters
📚Genre: Romance | LGBTIA
🗏 Pages: 334
💕Tropes: Sapphic Romance, Forced Proximity, Workplace Romance
⚠️Warnings: Death of Parent, Toxic Relationship
🔖Readability: 4.5/5 italic font is used BUT HAS SHORT CHAPTERS
🥇First Line: "Rose Josten sat at a table under a patio umbrella gazing out at a sea of pugs"
Things to expect:
🐶Disability Representation
🐶ASMR
🐶Only One Bed
🐶Dual POV
🐶PUGS
Opposites attract in this medium-paced sapphic romance by Karelia Stetz-Waters. Business consultant Rose Josten who just happens to be a middle-aged lady with a pug, has a good life. Secret hobbies, work, Gucci coasts, and her work, she still feels like something is missing. WAlks in former filmmaker Ash Steard and Roses's world gets to turn into color. Ash has dated since her ex crushed her, but Rose is somehow different and might be her best bet for getting her film financed as her last chance. Will they be able to keep their attraction under wraps? Karelia Stetz-Waters hit all the right notes for a romance with older characters. The pugs were personally my favorite part, and the fact that this had super short characters made it a breeze to read. This was a super sweet, lighthearted romance between two creative people who healed from trauma together. Perfect for Fans of Alexandria Beellefleur
Thanks to Forever & Karelia Stetz-Water for the advance reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
PRINT LENGTH PAGES
AVERAGE REVIEW RATING
PAPERBACK COST
E-BOOK COST
AUTHOR
Karelia Stetz-Waters writes happily-ever-afters for women who love women. Whether it’s romance or thriller, her characters get the epic wins they deserve and more. She lives her own happily-ever-after in Oregon with her wife of 20+ years.
PUBLISHER
Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, publishes a wide array of inclusive commercial fiction and romance perfect for your next book-club pick--from uplifting contemporary stories to captivating historical fiction and delightful romantic comedies, to sweeping historical romance and small-town love stories (including western romance and Amish romance).
Let's Get Started!
Subscribed to my notebook!
