Opposites Attract Lesbian Romance Book Review of ‘A shot at love’ by T.B. Markinson

This is book 1 of ‘The Village Romance’ series of three standalone romance novels by T.B. Markinson, Clare Lydon and Harper Bliss set around a small town in the Cotswolds, England. Josie Adams is a political speechwriter whose career implodes after a press-fueled scandal. She leaves America for the Cotswolds to lick her wounds in the town where her mother lives and owns a pub. There she meets Harriet Powell, a nerdy but lovable journalist, and despite Josie’s wariness of anyone working for the press, their attraction is hard to deny. Will they have their happily ever after?

Even though I’ve read several hundreds of lesfic books, I’m baffled by the fact that this is my first by this author. I’m not sure why but I’m planning to rectify that soon. Ms. Markinson is a wordsmith, readers can tell that her choice of words is not accidental, she puts them out there to shine and to surprise us with their wit and playfulness. I’m aware that this might not suit every reader but it worked on me big time.

There is no better way of showcasing this talent with words than to put them in the mouths of a political speechwriter and a journalist who are distrustful of each other. To stir things up more, make Josie a walking American cliche and Harry the embodiment of the stiff upper lip Brit. All this, in theory, is a recipe for disaster but Ms. Markinson makes the romance work beautifully.

‘A shot at love’ is the definition of an opposites-attract lesbian romance book and the leads’ differences also include their personalities. Josie is brazen and confident while Harry is shy and nerdy. Their cultural and professional clashes are reflected in the witty dialogues, funny lines, and banter that act as bold but very effective foreplay. Slowly but surely, the author builds up the mains’ chemistry to high levels and doesn’t disappoint in the intimacy department. The sex scenes are sizzling hot.

Depicted in the background is this Cotswolds’ town with its quintessential beauty and its small-town dynamics in which everybody is minding everyone else’s business. As in any small place in the UK, the pub is at the centre of the community with its regular patrons, quizzes, and even an endearing pub dog. Ms. Markinson got that aspect of British culture spot-on. Josie’s mum, the pub owner, is very well portrayed as a typical well-intentioned though sometimes meddling mother. The cast is completed with town Casanova Uncle Clive and Harry’s self-centered cousin Camilla to bring the town alive.

Overall, a very entertaining opposites-attract romance, filled with witty dialogues, nerdy random facts, and sizzling chemistry. 4.5 stars.

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.