A charming and romantic holiday meet cute.

This is a very short story.

A higher education professor and a lower education teacher walk into a bar...

I enjoyed the dialogue between the two main characters. Although at times, I felt like Kay was a tiny bit annoying. I think that she was meant to be endearing, though. While I liked the conversations, I did wonder on several occasions, 'Who talks like this?' Perhaps teachers do, and that is just not who I regularly find myself hanging around conversing with.

I've now learned what a Cupid's Bow is. So mission accomplished, I think?

This story was all very light and cute. Certainly worth a quick read to get you into the Valentine's Day spirit.

I received an ARC through Netgalley from Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

4/5

This is a short story where Kay Westscott, an english teacher by day and writer by night, meets Ann Ward, a math professor, by chance in a hotel bar. While they could not be more different, Kay finds herself infatuated with Ann and they end up falling for each other after a conversation with many awkward moments and involving numbers.

This was a sweet story, I thought the characters were well described, and was long enough for you to see an actual glimpse of what their love story would be.
I thought, however, that there was a lot of references to the number three. I love numbers and mathematics, and I thought it was great that the author included so much math and it's relationship to the real world, but I think it cross the line to be a bit too much. Besides that, I thought it was a quick read and a sweet story.

This is the first book I read by this author and I will now look for her other book and give it a read.

This ARC was given to me by BSB via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Fantastic! I loved everything about this short story: the witty repartee, the flirtatiousness, the humour, the intelligence and the prospect of possibility. I am a fan of short stories and this is a great one.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

This was the first book that I've read by Karen F. Williams and I thoroughly enjoyed the sarcastic, witty banter and the educated conversation between Kat and Ann. As an individual who enjoys math, I found the rules of three and other topics in the novella fascinating.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first read by this author and it was enjoyable up to a point. I loved the witty dialogue and the entertaining Q&A between Kay and Ann in preparation for Ann’s speed dating adventure. I got a kick out of the whole “rule of three” conversation but quickly lost interest in the couple and the book when the section on the Golden ratio/spiral/whatever went on and on. The initial charm was lost for good and how or whether they ended up together no longer mattered.

It’s a quick read and worth a look. Had this been a full length novel, the frostiness of Ann and the boldness of Kay would have dominated and been a pleasure to read. Instead it just felt like another math class I wanted to escape.

ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.

I was so bloody excited to read Karen Williams' latest story, "Cupid's Bow," after I saw the words, "maths," "teacher" and "professor" in the blurb! To me, that was it. I was ready, with me nerd hat on. I was ready to curl up in me seat to read a story I KNEW would be a blast (because I love Williams' intellectually stimulating writing style and I'm a maths/academia nerd). Needless to say, "Cupid's Bow," left me wanting more. So. Much. More. Why? Well, because it was UTTERLY FUN & INTRIGUING to read! From. The. Start. And it ended too quickly for me! Blink of an eye! Literally. There were no more pages for me to swipe! That's why!

Now, imagine this scenario: Snowed in. A hotel bar. An English teacher/novelist. A maths professor. Writer's workshop. Lesbian speed-dating. What can come out of this unlikely mixture of sorts, you ask. Well.... whatever theory you may have about how this whole scenario will end up, I can venture to say that you will be wrong.

Firstly, the subject of flirtation, chemistry, romance, love (?). Discussed, felt, talked about in mathematical terms. Ok, I imagine some of you may be glossing over this combo or starting to yawn already. But not so fast! Williams managed to pull in these usual lesbian romance tropes, flip the standard language prose that usually accompany them into numbers, formulas, patterns, calculations. In short, the mathematics of love/romance. And writing it in such a way that you forget that these two MCs were actually conversing, (flirting, really!), in mathematical terms! Maths never sounded so sexy in lesbian romance! That's where Williams' brilliant writing style and flawless dialogue flow made the difference. At least it was for me.

Now, as you know, maths is a huge subject. I am a maths nerd so any topic in maths intrigues and stimulates me gray matter. But I do have me favourites, just like any other subject. Lo and behold, Williams picked the topics that I happen to have always been fascinated with and utterly loved in the world of mathematics! 1) The number 3; and 2) The Golden Ratio. WHAAA?!! You should have witnessed me reaction! My head literally exploded when I came to the convo related to 3! And before I even got over me wonderment about it, the beautiful, aesthetic, infinitely fascinating Golden Ratio, or "phi" appeared before me eyes on the page...! Me jaw was on the floor. Gobsmacked. I didn't think that, not one but TWO of me all-time favourite maths topics would appear in one story! And a SHORT one, too, ffs!

How Williams used the number "3" to create this mesmerising chemistry between the two MCs, Kay and Ann, was utterly thrilling. It's not just about the number. Have you heard about the rule of three? Even if you haven't, I'm sure you've observed it even if you didn't know what it's called. I've consciously observed it me entire life because of me raw fascination with its pattern and its relativity in nature and life. So it was no surprised that Williams' depiction resonated in me. The rule of three - things happening in threes. I bet you have a few in mind, eh? The pattern isn't just in maths but in every subject - language, writing, art, you name it! I won't elaborate here because you simply need to read it yourself so you can immerse into the psyches of Kay and Ann as the topic was discussed. Enthralling, to say the least! At least it was for me! Blimey! To have thoughts and ideas in me mind all this time about these topics is one thing. To actually have them worded out externally that tally with your beliefs and theories? Utterly speechless.

Then came the number 1.618 aka the value of The Golden Ratio or "phi" (φ). I was absolutely entranced with Williams' exploration of this aesthetically divine number through Ann's totally adorable nerdiness. Oh, just wait until you read it - how Kay was absolutely mesmerised and inspired by Ann's utter excitement when she talked about "phi"'s impact on absolutely everything! Brilliant! As I was reading Kay and Ann's convo, I couldn't help but thought of Darren Aronofsky's fantastic film, "π" (pi), which made a huge impact on me and me love for maths. How Williams personified the value 1.618 of "Phi," was reminiscent of Aronofsky's thrilling depiction of the 3.14 value (π), not to mention the Fibonacci sequence and the golden spiral! Anyway, the Golden Ratio or the golden spiral as it's also widely known, has a divine illustration for me. You know the spiral that's drawn inside of a rectangle that's partitioned into a series of squares? What a beautiful geometric construction. And the implications of Ann and Kay's subsequent steps in the story? Let's just say, the discussion was so spellbinding it literally jumped to life for me! It was one of the liveliest conversations I'd read between two strangers whose chemistry was undeniable (and it's not the usual chemistry you read about, mind, but achieved equally alluring results). You simply have to sample their convo yourself so you can actually feel their electrifying connection that extended well into something much more than pure conversation later on. And for Williams to achieve that result in 44 pages? Well done!

The flawless turn in the trajectory of their flirtatious but utterly alluring connection that turned into a fun and exciting romance truly warrants a must-read for all romance readers! Their chemistry was playful, nerdy, quirky yet absolutely engaging and downright sexy! You know, Williams is one of the few writers who can make cerebral or intellectual flirtatiously sexy, exuberant and romantic, ever-so effortlessly! I mean, have you read "As The Crow Flies?!" I just wish....WISH.... "Cupid's Bow" were a full-length novel, tho! I want MORE of Kay and Ann and their ever-rambunctious dialogue! *Oh, just wait 'til you read how Ann "handled" Kay's initially obnoxious behaviour! Let's just say Ann shut Kay's gob, good and proper! Hilarious scene!* I want to delve into their, I'd imagine, fascinating monologue and psyche! I want to know more about Kay's work (in writing and teaching) and defo Ann's! *Yes, I LOVED Ann! She was me favourite! Her mathematical, intellectually nerdy mind! 'Nuff said!* I wonder if Williams would actually consider expanding it into a novel, though... Oh well, a nerd can wish, can't she? Beggars can't be choosers. I'm just incredibly chuffed that I got to read and discover this little surprising gem, thanks to Williams' penchant for the nerdom! Yay! Cheers, mate!

Sidenote: To quote Ann, "One is chance; two is coincidence; three is a pattern." Seems that all me all-time favourite topics are materialising themselves one by one right before me eyes in Williams' books...thusfar! First, quantum physics/mechanics. I mean, there's just no chance of that happening in a lesfic novel, is there? Cue Williams' "As The Crow Flies." Bugger me! Then, 3 and φ. Wait, together in one story? Even more impossible to bump into in sci-fi, much less in a romance SHORT, innit? Bam! Heeeere's Williams' "Cupid's Bow!" Well, I'll be! Buggery bollocks! Oh well, there you go. Third time's a charm? Hmm...I see a very possible pattern coming...! I'm flabbergasted, to say the least! In a good and positive way, mind! 

One more thing....

The book title. Blew me assumption and expectation right out of the water when Williams disclosed the meaning and intent of it. Never thought about that, tbh! But I LOVED it! Creative! *slow clap* Plus, love the cover! Paper planes! A-bloody-dorbs!

I most definitely recommend this story for everyone, especially readers from the nerdom as well as lovers of romance! "Cupid's Bow" ranks up there for me, with one caveat - it'd have ranked even higher on me list of favourites had it been a full-length novel. But that doesn't take away anything from it because Williams truly brought out the fun and excitement in her creative storytelling, not to mention, what an original idea! That alone, deserves a read and a bloody rec, imo! I'm just sayin'... I've read 2 books from Williams now. Both delightfully original AND creative! I see a pattern....! Well done, Ms. Williams!

I was given an ARC by BSB via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by this author, and I liked but didn’t love it. The premise was interesting, two women meeting in a bar with one on her way to speed dating, and the other helps her practice.

However, both of the women are teachers, and the first 50% of the book is spent schooling each other on respective topics, and this leads to some tedium that is unfortunately carried throughout the story.

The actual time they spend together towards the end is sweet, and I suspect I’d have preferred these two in a longer book where the relationship was more fleshed out and there was less ‘teaching’. Still it’s a somewhat sweet, short read. I was interested enough to want to try a full length novel by this author.

A lesbian romance novelist and a mathematics professor meet in a bar…

This sounds like one of those dorky jokes you hear in the break room at work, but actually it is the beginning of a cute, quirky and sometimes hilarious novella by Karen F. Williams called Cupid’s Bow. This story really does begin in a Sheraton Hotel bar in Boston. It tells the story of how Kay Westscott, the lesbian author (and English teacher) and Math professor Ann Ward meet and begin a courtship that is both entertaining and sweet.

I fell in love with these characters. They are very well developed and the attraction between the two is obvious and strong from the moment they meet. What I loved the most about this story was the dialogue between the two. It was witty, sometimes sarcastic, funny, and definitely romantic. This dialogue made the characters seem real to me and caused me to change the four star rating I was originally thinking about to the five star rating I’m giving this novella. There has to be something special in a tale for me to give that final star. The dialogue is that something special in this story.

Get Cupid’s Bow and read it. I can whole-heartedly recommend it.

I received this novella as an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

This is the first book (or should I say a short story) by this author that I have read and I must admit that I did not enjoy it that much. When I read the synopsis before requesting it it sounded interesting and something that I would enjoy reading. How wrong was I.

The story revolves around a Math Professor and an English Teacher. It felt like I was back at school the way this pair was going on and I found half of it very boring, there was very little romance. I ended up skimming through the last part as I had lost interest in it.

It won't stop me checking out her other work but this one didn't hold my interest and just wasn't the book for me.

This was a cute story.

Opposite Attracts


Kay Westscott and Ann Ward meet at a hotel Bar. One is there for a writer convention other for speed dating. As they get to know each other after getting off the wrong foot , they are caught by surprise by unexpected attraction between them. Good read even though I was mad that it was short because I enjoy both characters.

I ARC received via NetGalley and in exchange for an honest review.

Where is the rest???!!! Once this book got started, I was super bummed to find out that it's a short story as opposed to the full length novel that I was hoping for. And that disappointment was quick, because this pulled me in from the very beginning.

The author's dialogue writing is on point! When I read books and review them as having "too much descriptions and not enough dialogue", this is a perfect example of what I want in a story. Kay and Anne sit in a bar together for a big chunk of the beginning and I couldn't tell you what the bar looked like...so great! I CAN tell you what the characters personalities were like, their likes and dislikes, and I could feel their chemistry by using...wait for it...dialogue!!! And the flirtation! It's was completely natural.

Why only 4 stars? It was too darn short! Just when it was getting to the really juicy part, it ends. It almost feels like this was suppose to be in an anthology book, or was written as a prequel for an existing series. I can only hope that's the case, because I really want to see where this story goes.

I also noticed on Amazon that this author only has one full length novel. I feel strongly that this is just the beginning of a hopefully long career in writing.

3.5 Stars. This was a sweet novella by Williams. Williams caught my attention a few months ago with her fantastic book As the Crow Flies. I was happy to see something else written by Williams so soon after even if it wasn’t a full length novel. While I can’t put this shorter story on par with As the Crow Flies, it was well written and enjoyable.

This is a quick read I’m guessing 30-45mins for most people. The main storyline is about two women falling in love basically at first sight. While I’m not an insta love fan, these two women sure felt like a perfect match to me. I was surprised by how much chemistry and how much I was rooting for them only after a few pages. Williams writes really well which always helps.

If you are looking for a quick, sweet read about love at first site you might want to give this a go. If you want to try a novel by Williams absolutely check out As the Crow Flies. It’s well worth the read.

This is a fun quick read with very witty banter between the two main characters. It has a very ingenious combination between numbers and words. And two women apparently so far apart in every respect, find themselves unable to resist the sudden and unexpected atraction. Too short because is quite good and very worth the read.

This is a very cute novella about love at first sight. Kay Westscott and Ann Ward meet at a hotel Bar. Kay is at a writers convention and Ann is there to participate in speed dating. During their initial interaction it appears they will hate each other. It's mainly because of Kay's weird sense of humor. There is a hint of chemistry between the two characters and as the story progresses the chemistry becomes undeniable. I don't want to give much away because it would be easy to with this quick read.

4 stars.

This was an adorable short story. I loved the opposites attract trope and this one was done perfectly. If I have any criticism, it's only that this wasn't long enough! I need to know what happened to them. Alas, the trials of shorts. But this is a worthy read, regardless.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.