Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

Loch Battersby is a world-famous fashion model living in Manhattan. With her unique look, she models as a female and a male. Amira Farzaneh, is a butch Persian woman who lives on the rocky coast of Maine and has a successful business working as a handy person in the community. When Loch's world is turned upside down by the death of her aunt who leaves everything to Loch, including her home in Innis Harbor, she takes a break and returns to her aunt’s old run-down house where she meets Amira. This is a beautiful story full of emotion as both women deal with personal and professional issues. I really enjoyed how they support each other. This read also provides some unsettling insight into the world of a model (clothes hanger).

This is a lovely story with likeable characters.

So cute!

Loch, a model from Manhattan finds herself back in Innis Harbor, where she used to spend summers as a child. Meeting Amir when she has an emergency only Amir’s construction company can help with, there is an instant attraction between them, but her past is also looming ready to pop up again just as she thinks they might be happy together.

I loved everything about this story. It was extremely cute but also dealt with some sensitive and very important topics. Loch had a masculine look and feel, which leant so well to her career but had caused her issues over the years, so when she had the opportunities to help out with a teenager in Amir’s family who was having problems with other students when it came to their identity resulted in some very poignant and touching moments that made Loch win my heart. For Amir, I admired her determination, not only because she was excelling in a male dominated industry, but also because it wasn’t just being a woman that made it tougher journey for her than most.

Loch and Amir didn’t necessarily get off to the best of starts, but they tried to be understanding of one another’s situation. As soon as they did it was instantly clear there was a spark between them, but with Loch only being around temporarily and being who she was, even though Amir was mostly clueless about that to start, it was Amir holding a lot back and not wanting to get her heart broken. When she and Loch started spending moments together though, it was those times that had Loch contemplating how much she wanted to get back to the exhausting carer in modelling. She’d definitely found some simplicity and peace in Innis Harbor, which I also felt too. I just hoped the pair of them would come to their senses and make the right decisions, even when things got a bit dramatic for a while and it could have thrown them apart but actually ended up bringing them closer than before.

A calm, tranquil romance that had moments of spiraling drama and lots of heart.

Oh boy, this is a good one.
The first half is all about the romance. You are lulled into this very warm coming together of two very interesting but different characters. They become exactly what the other needs. The sex scenes are very hot and very descriptive. The need between them is very dramatic.
And then I was totally shocked. I remember saying to the book..."WHAT!!" And then I couldn't put the book down. Read faster, read faster.
Fortunately I was lulled back into a warm story...and then it hits again.."WHAT!!"
The second half is a shocker.
But it's a great story with two very interesting main characters.
I give it a 5 star. It kept me guessing to the end.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a great read and certainly tugged at the heart strings at times. A story of true love and friendship which was very thought provoking. Great characters with love at its heart.

I loved the book even though it started out at a slow pace, it gradually got better. I loved how the main characters interacted with each other. The author did not disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher Bold Strokes Books for this ARC copy.

Really good book. The main characters were well written and a joy to get to know. Loch and Amir are very good together. I really liked the romance between these two characters. There's some angst and drama, but not enough to bog the story down, and the support characters were written to help move the story along. I would recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

Loch Battersby is a top model recognised most places she goes.... but she is travelling home to her favourite place innis harbor where her aunt use to live and now loch has inherited the house from her

its a mixed bag of emotions for loch as she was very close to her aunt and her home is just as she remember it.... and she has mixed feeling about it all

Amir Farzaneh has her own success contruction company ... and she gets called to many small jobs around innis harbor ... she been called to help someone get into their house as they have forgotten their key

amir and loch lives will never be the same again when they meet.... for a start amir wont let loch into the house without identification which loch doesnt have on her person.... so its not the best start

amir and loch are very suspicious of each other to begin with and both have secrets... but maybe amir secret could be the end of everything.... who knows

wow you can never go wrong with a patricia evans book... it has everything you could want a butch with a toolbelt... and their own business.... one very happy reader here

Though the blurb hints at a dark secret and major plot twist, I was not prepared for the emotional roller coaster that this novel took me on. The story started off great, with both main characters seeming realistic, relatable, and breaking down stereotypes. Without spoiling anything, there’s a dramatic occurrence that may change the perspective of not only the main characters but also several side characters. I’ve never experienced a situation like the one in the novel, and while I’m absolutely sure it could happen as described, it lost me a bit and pulled this out of likely reread contention for me.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

Another wonderful book by Patricia Evans. I enjoyed the growing chemistry and relationship between the MCs.
The small legal issue was a nice addition to the romance.
Good angst, understandable and loved how it was resolved. Both in the relationship and outside forces.
This is only the second book by Evans I have read, I am now a fan and went and purchased her backlog. I look forward to more books in the future.

Loch Battersby is the kind of famous that everyone in Manhattan wants to be. The first woman in the fashion industry to work exclusively as a men’s fashion model, she’d become internationally ranked and instantly recognizable by the age of twenty-six. Then, in the span of a single day, her life spins out of control, and she winds up in Innis Harbor on the rocky coast of Maine, where she’d spent idyllic summers as a child. As the city smog finally clears, she realizes that not everything in her life was as it seemed.

Amir Farzaneh built her Innis Harbor construction company from the ground up, despite the challenges of being a woman of color in a field dominated by men and ever-present opinions of her conservative Persian community. When she meets and falls in love with Loch, a dark secret lurking in her past reappears, threatening the life she’d managed to build and the happiness she’d just started to believe could be hers.

I really enjoyed this new Patricia Evans romance set in Maine. I loved Loch and Amir, and I loved getting a peek into a new-to-me culture. But for me, the ending felt unsatisfying - both the way it was wrapped up and how quickly.

I also disliked the inclusion of false allegations. This is a personal preference, as they are not common and they really only give credence to abusers. Just my two cents on that.

Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will always come back for anything Evans writes. 3.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Beautiful love story set in small town Maine
This is a beautiful small town romance. It excels from the start with a lot of feelings. A beautiful love story unfolds between butch contractor, Amir, and the androgynous model, Loch (one of the rare butch/butch pairings in sapphic romance). I esp. loved how nature, food, family and the small town setting played seamlessly into the story. The author does an excellent job to highlight how Amir Farzaneh‘s Iranian background and her family react to her being a lesbian.
The dark threat which appears suddenly is credible and really haunting. The end though and the solution felt too rushed and too easy.
The writing as I have come to expect from Evans is smooth and well done. The setting and the characters are vivid and feel real. The backstories are interesting and believable.

I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.

Whenever a story is very close to my own reality, I always end up feeling sore and a little vulnerable again. That's how I felt with Amir's story in this book and I love this character! Both MC'c.
Amir is of Persian descent and has to face challenges from her family throughout her life because of her looks and her love of women.
Cultural expectations in a small community make life difficult for a lesbian child, especially when her own parents have a lot of trouble with it. Innis Harbor is such a small town and the Farzanehs are a close-knit community with set ways...
Amir meets Loch Battersby, a very well-known gender-bender model from New York. Two worlds collide that nevertheless fit together wonderfully seamlessly and are seemingly perfect for each other.
Loch Battersby is at the peak of her career and can choose her jobs to a certain extent and decide for herself whether she presents as a man or a woman.
But she is also burned out and a devastating message and a great loss in her life brings her back to Innis Harbor...
Things from the past come to light that neither of them expected and that make their lives difficult and call into question everything that began so simply and wonderfully easily...
After „Wild Wales“, I would not have thought that a book by Patricia Evans could inspire me more.
„Innis Harbor“ did it and touched me deeply.
Many topics are addressed like exclusion, false accusations, prejudice, rumors, anger and loss, but also forgiveness, grief, comfort and deep love.
It's also hot in a very romantic way that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Patrica Evans, Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for this Arc!

*Innis Harbor* by Patricia Evans is a moving tale of self-discovery, second chances, and the courage it takes to face one’s past. The novel follows Loch Battersby, a successful men’s fashion model whose glamorous life in Manhattan crumbles overnight. Seeking refuge in the coastal town of Innis Harbor, where she spent her childhood summers, Loch is forced to confront long-buried memories. The serene setting contrasts with the turmoil in her life, pushing her to reevaluate who she is beyond the fame and superficial success.

Evans masterfully intertwines Loch’s journey with that of Amir Farzaneh, a resilient entrepreneur who defied societal expectations to build a thriving construction business. Amir’s strength and vulnerability make her a compelling counterpart to Loch. Their budding romance is beautifully portrayed, offering readers a tender exploration of love amidst personal upheaval. However, the resurfacing of Amir’s dark secret introduces a gripping tension that propels the narrative forward, making their paths toward healing and happiness anything but straightforward.

Rich in emotional depth and set against the rugged beauty of Maine’s coastline, *Innis Harbor* is a powerful story about finding clarity in chaos. Patricia Evans skillfully balances themes of identity, love, and resilience, inviting readers to consider the sacrifices and courage required to build a future while confronting the shadows of the past. It’s a heartfelt novel that lingers long after the final page.

Loch is a model at the pinnacle of her career, having successfully managed to break gender barriers by becoming a male model.

When she receives the news that her aunt has passed away and left her the house in Innis Harbor, Loch decides to take a much-needed break to take care of her aunt's belongings.

Amir has built her construction company from the ground up, challenging stereotypes in a still white-male-dominated industry. Her conservative Persian parents aren't happy with her masc presenting appearance even though she has been out to them for many years, and her father makes it clear that she is still expected to marry a man.

Loch and Amir are drawn to each other, and it's not long before their hearts are involved in their growing relationship.

But can they find happiness when both of their pasts are set to consume them?

There was much to like about Loch, Amir, and their relationship. I also loved the societal assumptions challenged and the diversity included.

However, my problem with the story and the reason for my low rating is due to the final part of the story, which covers Amir being accused of something heinous and the reveal of who was behind it.

It is a significant life-changing moment that nearly destroys the main characters' lives as we know them... but Amir forgives the culprits instantly.

The resolution of this is over quickly and does not feel believable or realistic.



*I received an advance reader copy for free, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review*

I’ve read several books by Patricia Evans and have not been disappointed by any of her work. With Innis Harbor, I enjoyed the chemistry between Amir and Loch, the non-traditional nature of their relationship with Loch presenting as more masculine and Amir being butch, and the diversity aspects with Amir’s Persian background. The storyline kept me interested and the locale was unique and inviting. 4 stars

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

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦: 𝚀𝙿𝙾𝙲. 𝚂𝙰𝙿𝙿𝙷𝙸𝙲. 𝙲𝙾𝙽𝚃𝙴𝙼𝙿𝙾𝚁𝙰𝚁𝚈. 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴. 𝙵𝙾𝙾𝙳. ⁠
📖ᴀʀᴄ 🏳️‍🌈⁠

"𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙙𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧-𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮."

𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬:⁠
This was good. And deep really. The whole male-dominated and conservative community. It was really something. The deeper part was the revealed secret that almost ruined everything. I am so glad things got better after. The story was so heartwarming but a little break here and there.

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦:⁠ ⁠
Now, there are a lot of complex topics on the main character, Amir. There was nothing much interesting on Loch apart from the some problem that was really sensitive and I am so glad Amir was there for her. Now, Amir, everything was just extra interesting. From her parents to her brother and her identity plus the issues that surrounded her as a person. That shocking truth about her father really shows how her character was well thought through. I don't think I would have handled the situation similarly.


𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.

Loch has inherited a house from her aunt. She goes there partly to try and discover what she wants to do with her life, which is becoming very demanding and wearing her out. She wants to remember her aunt and review her future. She meets Amir who helps renovate the house and they become close. Things from Amir's past come to light and Loch wonders if she has made a mistake. Events spiral out of control.
Not to spoil things but this does have a HEA. However I feel the real culprit did not get a proper comeuppance and was not seen as, to my mind, the real villain of the piece. This rather disappointed me. I did suspect who it was but that disappointed me as well. I feel someone totally different should have been the villain in order to have a satisfactory conclusion. The person who in the end paid the most would not have done what they did without the instigator. I liked the story overall but don't feel justice was carried out properly.

This is the fifth book I’ve read by this author, and have yet to be disappointed.. I loved the MC’s and their interactions. There were also some wonderful secondary characters. My one regret is that Charlotte wasn’t given a blanket party. There was some sweet romance in this book as well. Nicely done. Very enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

I LOVED this book! It was a bit slow in the beginning but then boom I was hooked!! I finished it in one sitting! My first by this author but will not be my last!!