Book picks similar to
The Retreat by Jane Retzig


drama
lesbian-fiction
calibre
coming-out-later-in-life

A Curious Woman


Jess Lea - 2019
    She is loving her fresh start, thanks to her fun job running a hip gallery, her territorial chickens, and a lot of self-help books to find her new, better self.Port Bannir local Margaret Gale runs an austere maritime museum, and rules her staff with an iron fist. She has no time for that crazy modern gallery or upbeat, earnest Bess sweeping around town on her hipster bicycle.After a heated dispute over an antique collectible dildo, there’s little hope Margaret and Bess will ever see eye to eye.But when Port Bannir is rocked by a senseless murder, both women find themselves implicated. Can they work together to expose the truth––or will the truth prove far too dangerous?A funny, fabulous, cozy mystery filled with quirkiness and a sweet serve of lesbian romance.100,000 wordsThemes: antique collectible dildo · Australia · Australian coastal town · cozy mystery · hip gallery · senseless murder · territorial chickens

Broken Not Shattered


Rita Potter - 2021
    Jill is trapped in an abusive marriage, while raising two young girls. Her husband has isolated her from the world and filled her days with fear. The last thing on her mind is love, but she sure could use a friend.Alex McCoy is enjoying a comfortable life, with great friends and a prosperous business. She has given up on love, after picking the wrong woman one too many times. Little does she know, a simple act of kindness might change her life forever.When Alex lends a helping hand to Jill at the local grocery store, they are surprised by their immediate connection and an unlikely friendship develops. As their friendship deepens, so too do their fears. In order to protect herself and the girls, Jill can’t let her husband know about her friendship with Alex, and Alex can’t discover what goes on behind closed doors. What would Alex do if she finds out the truth? At the same time, Alex must fight her attraction and be the friend she suspects Jill needs. Besides, Alex knows what every lesbian knows – don’t fall for a straight woman, especially one that’s married…but will her heart listen?

An Unforgettable Love


Jerry Cole - 2019
    He has plenty to do, being the head ranger of the Tahoe National Forest, but living alone in a cabin in the middle of the woods isn’t exactly the most riveting life. He’s known excitement, too. For many years he served as a sniper in the marine corps, but a devastating shoulder injury has reduced him to civilian duties. These days, a walker’s twisted ankle or a trapped raccoon is about as exciting as it gets. Nothing can prepare him, though, for the day he comes across a man lying in the middle of a lonely forest road. The man is alive, but he’d certainly been left for dead. When he wakes up in the hospital, it becomes obvious that he’s suffering from amnesia. With nothing to identify him save for the huge angel tattoo that spreads across his shoulders, the hospital staff name him Gabriel, and tell Hopper that with nowhere else to send him, once he’s recovered from his injuries he’ll have to be sent out into the world. Against his better judgement, but always a sucker for swarthy looks and piercing blue eyes, Hopper agrees to allow Gabriel to stay with him. Perhaps, together, they can work at finding out who this mystery man is, why he was left lying in the forest, and who could possibly have attacked him so badly. What Hopper can never prepare himself for is how deeply he will fall for this handsome stranger, and how he will be able to let Gabriel go when the past, as it always does, comes to catch up. Please Note: This book contains adult language and steamy adult activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novel, approximately 82,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger." Themes include: Forest Ranger, Amnesia, Angel tattoo, Lake Tahoe, Falling in love, ex-marine

Blurred Lines


K.D. Williamson - 2016
    Only a select few know her as a loyal, loving friend. To a fault, she is committed to her family, friends and her job.As a surgeon, Nora Whitmore is used to being in control. The hospital is her life. There is little else. Respected by her colleagues but ridiculed by the residents, Nora takes what she needs and keeps everyone else at arm’s length, creating unexpected enemies.Tragedy brings them together in a clash of personalities. As the chaos around them continues, they find the lines between them blurring. A friendship forms, understanding grows, and attraction soon follows. Together, they may conquer their own misgivings, but will the outside forces keep them apart?Themes: lesbian · medical · police

Love By Design


S.W. Andersen - 2016
     Cassie Carl believes she has it all. On the cusp of achieving her professional goals and soon to marry the man of her dreams—the handsome, kind and loving Stefan Van Allen—it seems she's found the life every woman dreams of. What else could a girl want? Peyton Kingston is a beautiful, talented interior designer on the rise, whose sole focus is building her business. She loves what she does and has little time or patience for relationships. She's happy with her life. What else could a girl need? When Cassie’s wealthy fiancé brings Peyton in to do a renovation on their home before the big engagement party, sparks fly, leaving both Cassie and Peyton to question everything they thought they already had. What happens when the thin veil of perfection becomes riddled with holes? S.W. Andersen’s modern day romance takes you on a journey of self-discovery for two women who thought they had it all.

The Great Christmas Tree Mystery


Jamey Moody - 2021
    

Girl on a Train (No. 1 in the 'Tempted by her Student' series - lesbian erotica)


Paris Rivera - 2012
    :)""This short story was pretty exciting. I truly enjoyed reading this story. Look forward to more reads by Paris Rivera." Steamy, sizzling and tantalizing erotica for couples, singles, lesbians, and those who are bicurious.A respectable married woman, college professor Bella has a strange encounter with a beautiful girl on the train and falls under her spell. Entranced by the girl’s dark Latin looks and daring, Bella soon discovers that the girl is one of her students. But can she resist her provocative advances? In a series of sensual and taboo-breaking encounters, Bella surrenders progressively to her burning desire for this amazing girl. But is there also a more disturbing side to the girl’s character? A series of disturbing messages lead inexorably to a heart-thumping climax that brings Bella to the edge of death…4,200 wordsExcerpt: The girl on the train must have been about 20, fashionable, maybe working in advertising. She had dreamy dark brown eyes and luscious curly dark brown hair. With a coffee complexion, she looked maybe Italian or Spanish. Bella was browsing dream homes in her magazine when suddenly she felt a finger touching her knee lightly like a butterfly. “Sorry to bother you,” a warm and slightly husky voice interjected, “but this is the train to Bunstable, isn’t it?” Bella was flustered: “Er… yes… yes…”. The girl’s heady perfume smelled a little of oranges.Bella could somehow not keep from glancing periodically at this girl. The girl’s high cheekbones, large eyes and full lips were offset with a long neck and a fit lithe body that seemed to ripple and shimmer in a pink silk blouse and sparkly purple skirt. Glancing up, Bella had the distinct impression that an extra button was undone on the girl’s blouse. Could that really be the case? Bella was intrigued, but went back to her article and tried hard to concentrate. After a while, she glanced again at the girl’s neckline. This time Bella was pretty sure – yet another button had been undone! Could this really be happening? All the while, the girl did not look up but stayed focused on her book. Somehow the discussion of rock gardens and topiary in Bella’s magazine article was losing a little of its allure, but she tried her best to retain her composure and take in the words. At the same time, she sensed – though it was hard to believe it – that the girl’s elegant ring-clad fingers were edging towards the centre of that pink blouse again, and when Bella looked up one more time, she was not disappointed. A fourth button had now been undone, and Bella could see a fragment of white lace on the girl’s bra. The girl’s breasts were large and high, and Bella felt a warm rush in her stomach and a flush of blood coming to her cheeks. She had always been fairly straight, but this young lady was definitely tapping into something different. Admittedly this part of the compartment was secluded, but the girl was virtually undressing on a public train! And a fifth button! Bella could now catch a glimpse of the girl’s tanned taut tummy. And a sixth… Was that a tattoo? Close to the girl’s belly button was a little drawing of ice-cream cone melting in the hot sun.

Beyond Perfect


Anna Archer - 2021
    

Alone


E.J. Noyes - 2019
    No faces. No voices. No way to leave.Since Celeste has never really worried about being alone, the generous paycheck she’ll receive for her participation in the solitary psychological experiment seems like easy money.When she finds an injured hiker in the woods bordering her living compound, her strictly governed world is thrown into disarray. But even as she struggles with the morality of breaking the rules of the experiment, Celeste can’t deny her growing attraction to the kind and enigmatic Olivia Soldano. Still, how much can you really trust a stranger? And how much can you trust yourself when you know all the faces you’ve seen and voices you’ve heard for the past three years have only been your imagination?But what’s real? Celeste’s reality may lie somewhere between the absolute truth and a carefully constructed deception.Genre: RomanceEditor: Cath WalkerCover Designer: Judith Fellows

Elena Undone


Nicole Conn - 2011
    A wife who will not question her loyalty to a husband she does not love nor her duty to a church whose tenets she does not fully accept.Peyton. A lesbian trapped in an arid relationship and a life that has brought her success but scant emotional sustenance.Their eyes first meet across the distance of a public park. One glance is all it takes for ignition. A slow-building sexual fire soon becomes a conflagration that engulfs both their lives.But no matter how compelling the attraction, no matter how intensely love may reach into the depths of either of their souls, reality is inflexible. Elena’s husband is pastor of a church; her son is the center of her life; and she is haunted by a burden of grief and guilt that fixes her firmly in the conventional life she leads.From Nicole Conn, novelist and multi-award-winning director of little man, writer-director of the legendary lesbian film Claire of the Moon, comes this powerful love story--a luminously romantic film as evocative as it is erotic (and already famous for its Longest Kiss in Cinema History)—and now a novel that reveals every moment of Elena’s unforgettable journey.

My Married Boyfriend (Love & Revenge Book 2)


Cydney Rax - 2016
    An unexpected temptation. And stakes so high no one will walk away unscathed…   Gorgeous Nicole is about to get everything she's hustled for. She's having her rich, married lover Rashad's baby. And a lucky break has made her a media heroine—and the perfect new wife material. With one more deception here, a couple more little seductions there, she'll finally push Rashad's wife, Kiara, completely out of his life. With her formidable competition gone, Nicole will lock down Rashad's ever-wandering interest, and be the next Mrs. Eason for sure… But there are some temptations even this sexy schemer finds tough to pass up. Especially her first love, ex-con Ajalon, who's just walked back into her life. His intense hunger, chiseled body, and mind-blowing endurance are throwing Nicole off her game and reigniting emotions way too hot to control—or resist. But he’s also handed Kiara, and another interested ex, the perfect ammo to expose Nicole and blow her world apart once and for all. Now the only guarantee for all involved is shattering scandal—and mutually assured destruction…Praise for the novels of Cydney Rax   “The book we can’t put down.”--Essence® on My Husband’s Girlfriend   “Fascinating, witty, and thought-provoking.” –Zane on My Daughter’s Boyfriend   “Filled with family drama.”--APOOO Book Club on My Sister’s Ex

The Fall


Robin Alexander - 2014
    After several failed relationships, she's more than happy to keep it casual. Sunny Chase is willing to be another notch on Noel's bedpost, after tragedy of her own. Despite their playful intentions, they find themselves poised to fall, especially if Noel’s old-school Italian mother and Sunny's cross-dressing uncle have anything to say about it. The only thing standing in their way is Noel’s niece, Harper, who is also captivated by one of the Chase women. Love becomes a complicated family affair. Robin Alexander’s latest romantic comedy has all the ingredients to warm you on the inside as you slip into the fall.

A Bittersweet Garden


Caren J. Werlinger - 2019
    When she finally gets the opportunity to spend a summer in the village where her grandparents grew up, the experience promises to live up to her very high expectations. Except for the ghost that is haunting her rented cottage and is soon invading her dreams.Briana Devlin has arranged her life the way she likes it: a good dog, good mates, and work with horses. There’s no room in her life for a relationship. Especially with an annoyingly clumsy—and attractive—American who is only going to be around for a few months.The weeks fly by, and Nora’s ghost becomes more demanding, seeking her help in solving the mystery surrounding her death. Briana watches as Nora becomes more wrapped up in the past, seeming to fade away before her eyes.Past and present are on a collision course, leaving Nora and Briana caught in a ghostly intrigue that could cost them not only their chance of a future together, but their very lives.

Don't Call Me Hero


Eliza Lentzski - 2014
    She knew that coming back after eight years in a war zone wouldn’t be easy, but she’d underestimated the real difficulties of transitioning back to civilian life. War is hell, but the aftermath is endless. Looking for a fresh start, she’s left her friends and career in Minneapolis to be a police officer in northern Minnesota. It’s in the tiny town of Embarrass where she learns more about Julia Desjardin. The city prosecutor is cool, professional, and untouchable. But she and Cassidy have history, and Cassidy isn’t going to let her easily forget that. For all their surface differences, Cassidy and Julia have more in common than they first realized—both are reluctant to hand over their pasts to be judged and studied. But it might take someone just as damaged as the other to help each cope with the skeletons in their respective closets.

Lethal Affairs


Kim Baldwin - 2008
    Trained all her life to be just as comfortable fighting terrorists as mixing with the gala crowd, she is proficient at playing any role necessary to accomplish her objective and believes the cause sanctifies the means. But her latest assignment to investigate journalist Hayley Ward will test more than her skills, ingenuity, and courage, because this time she faces the ultimate dilemma: a choice between loyalty and love.