Playing with Matches by Georgia Beers

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The details…

  • Title :  Playing with Matches
  • Author : Georgia Beers
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bold Strokes Books 
  • Publication date : December 12, 2023
  • Available formats ‏ : ‎ ebook, paperback and audiobook 
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • Audiobook length : 9 hours and 24 minutes; narrated by Lula Larkin
  • Genre : contemporary romance 
  • Themes : Community, small business, family, bisexuality, women loving women, feelings of failure, understanding one’s place in the family, falling in love
  • Tropes : small town romance, return to home, fake dating

The blurb from the publisher…

Cori Stratton’s a small-town girl. She loves making candles, and her little gift shop is her pride and joy. But when the shop’s building goes up for sale, she might lose her home and everything that makes her happy. The worst timing of all? Her landlord’s daughter Elizabeth Brennan—popular, smart, and oblivious to Cori’s existence in high school—has breezed back into town.

Life has not gone according to plan for Elizabeth. Laid off from her job in the city, she’s forced back home to help her mom run the family’s B and B during a week-long wedding celebration…for Liz’s ex. Not wanting the groom to know the shambles her life is, she grabs the nearest person—Cori and tells him how happy they are together.

A chance to live out her high school fantasy of Liz as her girlfriend is unexpected, but it keeps Cori playing along. And helping her one-time crush survive this wedding? Just for the week? She can do that. Besides, there’s no way this fake relationship will turn into the real deal.

My thoughts…

Georgia Beers’s new romance, Playing with Matches, is a delightful exploration of small town life, family drama, and true love. Beers expertly utilizes the small town setting to create a heartwarming and nostalgic atmosphere, while also crafting a tender love story. The tight-knit nature of the town allows for believable tension and heartfelt joy, providing the perfect backdrop for her characters to grow and change. However, it is Beers’s ability to infuse warmth and tenderness into her settings that truly captivates readers. These moments of hope and promise are the lifeblood of the romance, drawing readers in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

Beers’s love for writing small town romances shines through in Playing with Matches, and it is this passion that elevates the narrative. Set in the fictional town of Crimson Valley, New York, nestled in the picturesque Adirondack Mountains, Liz and Cori navigate the delicate balance between their passions and fears, all while fulfilling their obligations and commitments. The sanctuary of Crimson Valley provides them with a safe space to explore their desires and aspirations, but it is their love for each other, surrounded by the charm of small town life, that gives them the courage to take risks and ultimately find happiness.

While small town tropes may be common in sapphic romances, Beers manages to avoid clichés and instead uses them effectively to enhance her storytelling. The story world seamlessly intertwines with the plot, adding depth and dimension to the narrative. It also allows for an exploration of personal setbacks, making Liz and Cori’s struggles feel authentic and relatable. These flawed yet likable characters draw readers in, and their bittersweet but hopeful romance sets this love story apart from the rest.

Final remarks…

Playing with Matches is a heartwarming and captivating romance that could easily be adapted into a Hallmark movie. Liz and Cori are charming characters with undeniable chemistry, and their sweet and tender small town, “fake-dating” love story is sure to capture the attention of readers. Their journey reminds readers of the importance of love, forgiveness, family, and community, making this feel-good romance a true triumph.

Strengths…

  • Likable characters 
  • Immersive story world 
  • Captivating themes
  • Well-scripted dialogue 
  • Heartwarming and tender

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A bit about the author…

Georgia Beers is a Lambda Literary Award, Foreword Book of the Year Award, and Goldie Award winning author of lesbian romance. She resides in upstate New York where she was born and raised. When not writing, she enjoys too much TV, never too much wine, and long walks with her dog. She is currently hard at work on her next book. To learn more about her, click on the links below.

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