This book is centered in the fitness/diet world, and it really motivated me to get moving more!

That said, something didn't resonate with me, either with the story or the characters. I love coming out stories, and I generally like everything Ronica Black writes. The dialogue didn't feel natural to me and both mains were just a little off. Overall, it was worth reading and I feel like I'm in the minority as I read over other reviews.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author and publishers of "Olivia's Awakening" for affording me the opportunity to read the book and review it. This was my first read of this popular author's books and I look forward to reading more by her.

This was an instantly readable book, and the scene was set and the main characters introduced to themselves and each other as the scene came alive very early on. Chemistry is clearly an ongoing feature of this lesbian romance. However deeper down commitment issues, mistrust and self-denial all come to the fore when faced with each other and the growing attraction between the two main characters, Olivia and Eve.

The book is a real page turner. Words flow amd the scenes unfold seamlessly. The author has created several outstanding characters who know and understand the main characters well and she makes full use of them to assist the plot and enable the heart searching processing which both Olivia and Eve need to do individually and collectively.

I enjoyed the read and can see how this would have widespread appeal to readers of the genre who enjoy a steamy romance in their lesfic reading. I will certainly be reading more by this author.

Changes, growth and discovery lead to a hot and steamy romance by Ronica Black. It's a well written book that will keep you interested. The characters are likable and the story holds much angst as we watch Olivia's coming out journey. At times it was frustrating between the main characters but worth the read. I recommend.

I really enjoyed this new book from Ronica Black. The characters were developed very well from the beginning. There is an immediate attraction between Olivia and Eve from the first time they met, but once they agree to a business relationship (Eve helping Olivia with workouts and getting into shape), the relationship option is off the table. Olivia has never been with another woman before and was taught as a child that romantic feelings between same-sex people were wrong. So she is constantly battling her feelings for Eve. Eve has her own issues, not wanting to commit to a long-term relationship.

I thought the building of their relationship was paced pretty good at the beginning, but around the middle of the book it started to drag a little. Maybe it was my own impatience, but I wanted the couple to get together finally and it seemed that the smallest obstacles turned into major mountains to overcome for them. I did enjoy the building of Olivia from a woman who was broken by what others told her into a fit, confident woman who finally stood up for what she wanted. It takes a long time for that to happen, but in the end, I found her to be a stronger woman than Eve.

There is one character I particularly despise, Olivia's mother. Her tight religious beliefs have driven a wedge between her and her daughter (as well as others in the family) and she just doesn't seem to care. Unfortunately, it is a very realistic portrayal of how some people are. It is difficult to read a story where a parent will shut out one of their children for being gay. It is reality, but still very difficult for me to read.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book and one I would recommend to those looking for a good coming-out story.

I was provided with an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Olivia Savage is newly divorced. She suffers from some pretty intense self esteem issues thanks to the emotional abuse of her ex husband. She’s also deep in the closet. Olivia believes herself to be fat and unattractive. She decides she is going to get in shape. On her first attempt at this she ends up running to the top of a mountain. Unfortunately, she failed to adequately prepare and ends up over exerted. Enter Eve Monroe. Eve, a personal trainer, is out for her regular Monday morning run when she comes across Olivia. She assists Olivia back down the mountain and offers her professional services. Eve manages to give Olivia her card before Olivia runs away. She runs away because she recognises an instant attraction to Eve and is headed back to the closet as fast as possible.
Fate keeps throwing Eve and Olivia together. The tiptoe around their attraction to each other until Olivia decides to accept Eve’s professional help. The both agree to put their feelings on the back burner and focus on getting Olivia in shape. That goes about as well as you would expect it to (the feelings on the back burner, not the training). As they try to cultivate their relationship, they are faced with some obstacles and angst.

I loved how this book addressed Olivia’s body image issues and her desire to get in shape. Eve made it clear to Olivia she was attractive and there was nothing wrong with her body the way the was. Then there was the sex! You can always count on Ronica Black for incredibly hot sex scenes. The writing was strong and there was great character development. I especially loved that the secondary characters were not just filler. They were crucial to the story.

I loved these women together. They had an instant connection that didn’t feel at all forced. It was very clear that they were just meant to be together, even though they had their issues. And did I mention the sex was hot!

This might not be a problem for some people, but the book was, what I would consider, a little preachy about veganism. It wasn’t militant, just a little preachy. Oh and I would have liked an epilogue, but that’s also a personal preference.

I would love to see these characters in the future, maybe a short story.

Steamy novel about allowing yourself to be the best you can be.

Olivia has spent her whole life to date being put down and stifled, first (on ongoing) by her religious-conservative parents and later by an uncaring and tyrannical husband. Now thirty, divorced and on her own, Olivia is looking to make changes. She enrolled in college and is trying to get in shape. But when her self-loathing leads to poor choices and an injury on a run, Olivia is forced to make the biggest change of all upon meeting Eve.

Eve is an personal trainer, who keeps relationships casual and even friendships are superficial. However, when Eve meets Olivia, she is instantly connected in a way she never anticipated.

The two do a long dance around, then into bed, but while both feel a deep connection, neither is willing to truly embrace the changes necessary to build a relationship together. Much heartache ensues until the pair is forced to decide: now or never.

**I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

It’s been a while since I read a book by this author so when I got this one all I remembered was how great Ms Black’s other books were. Glad to say this one is well worth the time.
Eve Monroe was the youngest in her family so she grew up always feeling left out. She just couldn’t compete with her brothers and sisters but when she got a little older she found herself just by pushing herself when it came to exercising. Now she works as a trainer helping others feel as good as she does. She loves her life even though her best friend, Karen, won’t let go of the fact that Eve isn’t interested in a relationship. She keeps trying to set Eve up with a variety of women but none keeps her interest for long.
Olivia Savage led a very sheltered life. Raised by parents who thought the only thing their girl needed was a husband. So, she did as they asked and married Kenny, who was every bit as controlling as her parents. But as time passed she finally got the strength to ask for a divorce, move into her own apartment and start university. Now if only she could get in shape. She never really exercised but that didn’t stop her trying to run up a mountain trail.
Needless to say it doesn’t go like she would have liked. She finds herself struggling but is determined to finish no matter what. The truth is that if Eve hadn’t come to help her she probably wouldn't have made it back down. Olivia for some reason, assumed all she had to do was run a mountain and she’d be in shape like the other women she saw every day. Of course she didn’t want any help, especially from the most beautiful woman she had ever met. Eve has her work cut out for herself just to get Olivia to allow her to help. Now Eve is drawn to Olivia and Olivia is finally coming out of her shell.
Ms Black has given us a book that I'm sure you won't want to put down. You won’t be disappointed and if you haven’t read any of Ms Black’s other books you will after this one.
A very, very nice read.
ARC via NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books

Olivia and Eve. Olivia is just divorced, and trying to get herself in shape. She tries to go up a mountain before she even tries to take a walk. It doesn't go well and Eve rescues her (a couple of times). They also have a charge between them, although both push it aside for a bit.

Eve starts helping Olivia get in shape, and, they also start falling in love. Although, they both have big issues to get over first (well, in my estimation Olivia's were much bigger). So, as is the question with a lot of these books where one of the characters is questioning. Can the characters get over their issues and let themselves fall fully in love?

I had only two problems with this book. The first was that it was a little off balance in regards to the two characters. It wasn't as bad as some of the books I've read (hence the 3 stars), but, here and there, there was a bit of false equivalency. That what one character did was just as bad as what the other one did, when it wasn't.

The second was the fitness part. It's a great fitness story, and, perhaps it's the story for a lot of people. But, as I said, it's a good story, real life, not so much for everyone. You can decide to do it, do it well, do it 'right', and do it for a good deal longer than was presented in this story and none of the magic that happens here does in real life. (Also, technically if I recall reading it somewhere, the only thing six packs mean is that ya gotta drink more water).

I will also say that I was happy that it only came to the edge of the vegan pushing cliff, and didn't jump over. We are omnivores, not herbivores, and it came this.... || close to getting preachy before it pulled back.

Overall it was an okay book. The characters were interesting (mostly). The language in the book was really cool too, not so much flowery, but, also, definitely not utilitarian.

I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of Bold Strokes Books.

I have read a few of Ronica Black's books and for me they have been hit or miss. This one didn't really connect with me and I honestly thought that fitness was going to play a much larger role in the book. Sadly it did not. Now the book is about newly divorced, i think two-years maybe, Olivia and her desire to become more comfortable with herself, physically, mentally, and emotionally. She meets Eve on one of her attempts to get into shape. Biting off more than she can chew, she needed Eve's help back to her car. And this is pretty much the story. The problem I had with it was that it didn't really flush anything out. Without giving too much away, like I said before the fitness aspect is blown over. I felt the relationship wasn't as flushed out and considering how much time they spent together, which also wasn't really expressed enough for me to like the characters or feel their chemistry. In sense this is almost like a coming out story but it's not. It's a lot of things but nothing at the same time. I feel I am being too harsh on the book and it's possible because I didn't connect with it, I can't really appreciate it.
With all that being said, I feel some people may really enjoy this read and fans of Black's writing will be among them. This one for me just didn't work....I give it 2.5 stars.

Flat characters, the near-virgin heroine trope, and over dramatic scenes make this one ok to skip.
I always appreciate a steamy romance with lgbtq+ characters, but let’s get some with better writing.

I’m a huge fan of Ronica’s and she hits more home runs than most authors. This book was ok, it’s a good book for a Sunday afternoon since it’s an easy read, but it’s not something that will make me want to read it again.

The term “awakening” is a fitting metaphor for both women in this latest offering from a veteran author at BSB. I grew to care about both characters and their personal transformations, both physically and emotionally, even spiritually. An enjoyable story to immerse yourself in during these crazy times.

When I set out to read this book I wasn’t fully convinced it would be a good one, I don’t know if this feeling contributed to it really being that great or it just isn’t too great.

Olivia is in her early thirties and recently divorced. One day she sets out to finally take the first steps to a fitter self. She tries to run up a mountain, she overdoes is, of course, on top she meets Eve. Eve is a personal trainer and super fit. Eve tries to offer her help to Olivia, but she refuses. When they meet again Olivia was even more stupid running up the mountain and injuring herself. Lots of drama and push and pull ensued.

Although the author hints at some deep seeded issues for both characters with emotions and repressing one’s feelings, their struggles and how they overcome or try and overcome them aren’t touched upon. Certainly a missed opportunity in my book, nothing wrong with a bit of angst and drama, but you need to see development. The book has a heavy fitness focus and I do believe the emphasis that is put on body image/ body shaming, so much comes from being comfortable in your own skin. The development there is the only thing that makes sense. The constant drama over seemingly nothing is off putting. Towards the end of the book there is some issues with Olivia’s ex-husband, he suddenly appears after a heartfelt talks between her and Eve and boom all the steps they have taken have vanished. It’s just so unbelievably weird and I didn’t even mention the forgotten childhood memory...

Olivia Savage, recently divorced, brought up with strictly religious parents and is now looking to make changes in her life but is struggling to change her repressed upbringing. Eve Monroe is a fitness instructer and has issues with commitment in her relationships. When they're together the sparks fly but struggle trying to overcome their emotional turmoil.
I loved the characters of both Olivia and Eve with their constant emotional push and pull with each other. The way it was written you could really resonate with Olivia's turmoil and her hesitation in coming out and also seeking approval from her family. The sex scenes were long and drawn out but in a really, really good way.
I really enjoyed this book, 4.5 stars.

Well, I now feel like I should go on a run! Olivia's determination to get in shape, and the description of Eve's body made me feel like I needed to get out and move more.

The sex scenes bumped this story up from 3 stars to 4 stars. If those weren't so well written and hot, I'd have given this book 3 stars. I had a few issues, that with my personal tastes, I wasn't a fan of.

The first one was that Eve fell in love with Olivia after the first meeting, where they barely spoke to each other. She didn't even know anything about her yet, so that's lust not love.

Also, why was Eve so commitment phobic? There was never any backstory given to have that tidbit make sense. No bad breakups, her parents didn't have a terrible marriage...nothing.

And the last thing, I really liked Karen (Eve's best friend) so I thought for sure Karen would meet Olivia. Nope, never happened. They all lived in the same city, so you'd think if your best friend fell in love for the first time that you'd meet them. It just seemed strange that the book ended without them ever meeting.

Overall, an OK book with great love scenes.

I love it this was good read.

Olivia just divorce her ex husband Kenny and decides to get into shape because she doesn’t like the way she looks because of things that been said to her by her ex and her mother .

She decides to try run up the mountain trail and almost hurt herself there she meets Eve who is a personal trainer. Olivia instantly attractive to her and is beside herself that she doesn’t know how to act.

When Eve meets Olivia she instantly attractive to her but she also see someone she can help. Eve doesn’t do relationships but she feels this pull towards Olivia that’s making want to give a relationship a try even if it’s scares her.

When they start to work on Olivia training they have hard time not acting on what they feel and it’s becomes harder to resist. Sex Scenes were hot. I love the supporting characters I like that Jake spoke his mind and help Olivia love her relationship with her brother Aaron and her niece Molly I like that he told Olivia he knew he didn’t care as long she was happy I like the story of how he knew and waited to she realize herself. Loved Karen speech to Eve also like that Eve mother told her she was proud of her despite not being a great mother to her. Though I didn’t care for Olivia mother I did like that her father wanted her to be happy even if goes against his belief.

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

What can I say about Olivia’s Awakening? It is the first book by Ronica Black I have read, but it will defiantly not be the last! This author did a great job of building the tension between Olivia and Eve. Olivia’s backstory was well developed and the reader is quickly drawn into her ambitions for her future. I know I was rooting for her to figure out what she wanted and I certainly hoped that would be a relationship with Eve. I liked Eve’s character and her drive to help other women reach their health goals. The fact that she also wanted to help Olivia learn more about her true self, but she did try to keep things on a professional level as Olivia’s personal trainer. When these 2 women could no longer fight their growing attraction, it explored into a passionate affair. The story was interesting. The writing was sexy, engaging, and entertaining.

Walking out of a loveless and berating marriage at 32 years old, Olivia begins on a journey of discovering her self worth, sexuality and the one thing she yearns for - love. It is a poignant tale of the fear, challenges and agony of coming out that would be relatable for those who are embarking or experiencing their own journey. The book also aptly reminds that along the way, many of us may have forgotten to live our lives the way we deserve and to learn to accept that everyone is worthy of love, regardless of what the society deems acceptable.

2.75 stars

I have agonized for days over writing this review, so I'm just going to put it out there.

This book was hit and miss for me, more miss than hit, and that pains me to say as I've read and enjoyed a number of books by this author.

My biggest issue was the push and pull throughout. Don't get me wrong, I love characters having to fight for want they want, but this one was over the top angst and drama.

Oh, the drama. A forgotten childhood memory (which I found hard to buy into but went with) the ex that we hear hide nor hair of until the drama-lama needs to appear. That scene killed the book for me and the beautiful moment that came before. I literally stopped reading at the 83% mark.

Two days later, I picked up where I left off, and I kinda wish I hadn't. As if that episode wasn't enough, the reader is treated to more drama.

There is some heat in the story, but I didn't care for that either, more's the pity because I'm a fan of a good sex scene.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy stories featuring emotionally unavailable women with an uncertain future.

Copy provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via Netgalley

When I pick Olivia's Awakening to read, I didn't really have many expectation about how great a book this would be or even if it would be bad. I just picked it because I love to read a good romance. By the end of this one I did not get a good read or a bad read. It was just ok.

Olivia has been divorced from a self absorbed, abusive man for around a year. She left him despite her upbringing and decided to live her life for her. Very positive message here. She has decided to get into shape though it appears she really doesn't look terrible. She just has a bad body image. She meets Eve who is a personal trainer on the first day of her training to a better herself. There is instant attraction between the two and because Olivia has been brought up to think being gay is wrong she fights that attraction.

As I started to read this one, I actually thought I was going to hate it. I thought the beginning was forced and not natural. I do believe in love at first sight, but with this one the words tried to force the issue. After about 30%, I began to feel more at home with the romance. There was for sure a dance between Olivia and Eve. I liked both characters and as I continued to read they grew on me more and more. The story still dragged a bit and some issues felt forced. I could never get why Eve was so against relationships. Sure there was an explanation but it did not add up to me.

By the time that sex came, I was relieved. Ronica Black does a good job with the sex scenes and describing how it could feel for someone having sex with the same sex for the first time. There might be a few things I would do differently with Olivia's Awakening, but not much has to do with the sex scenes.

I overall thought this was decent. I will give it 3 stars.