Member Reviews

One look that can cross rooftops, swoon! A lovely, light read about powerful women and attraction at first glance.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Brianna (Bri) Jameson is a very successful personal injury lawyer. She hopes she will be appointed partner at the firm, so she works hard to be the best lawyer she can be. Weary of office politics she escapes to work at the outdoor office space at the rooftop. While glancing up from her laptop her gaze catches on a gorgeous cat meowing in on of the windows across the street. The cat is cute, but then its breathtaking owner comes into view and Bri is a goner..

Lucinda (Lucky) Chance left her successful web designer career in Boston to follow her girlfriend to the Midwest. She kept a job at the same company but Kansas City is far less progressive and Lucky struggles to fit in. Especially since her girlfriend dumped her after two months of moving across the country. Now things are looking up when Lucky lands the client of a lifetime. She’s unaware said client is the employer of the intriguing woman she’s been flirting with..

If you pick up a Kris Bryant book, you can be pretty sure it’ll be an entertaining ride. Bryant creates believable characters that are actual humans with good traits and some not so good ones. Women that are a work in progress. Plus, there is always a good amount of humor too.

I really enjoyed Bri because she was a hardcore lawyer not to be messed with, but also a kind and warm human being. She can read people very accurately and is confident in her skills. No one messes with Bri and if you try, she’ll make sure you’ll regret it. It’s refreshing to see her being that confidence into the relationship with Lucky. Bri is very straightforward and goes for what she wants but never loses sight of Lucky’s wants, needs and desires.

Lucky is bruised and battered at the start of the story but I think she is another example of a strong, badass woman. She doesn’t run back to Boston with her tail between her legs after her life crashes around her. Instead she tries to adept to a world that’s clearly not ready for her. I love that she doesn’t lose the belief in her own skills. She might seem like the softer one next to Bri, but she holds her own perfectly.

Gaze is a really entertaining story. Is it very surprising? No, but it’s a good version of a classic sapphic romance. And we can’t have enough of those!

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I knew this would be a solid read when I picked this up, it's from Kris Bryant after all, and I was right. I am thoroughly enjoyed it, the witty banter between them, the interesting way when they first met and adorable interactions back and fought afterwards. The office politics was a little frustrating to read because that's often how realities played out too, but it ended well in the end so that's all right by me.

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I’m a sucker for anything written by Kris Bryant. I really enjoyed the slow burn and flirting between Lucky and Bri.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

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Gaze is a light-hearted, steamy romance with a strong sense of queer culture in Kansas City. While the story itself isn't particularly unique, it’s engaging to make for a fun, easy read. The chemistry between the main characters is there, and their 'meet cute' is charming, but I didn’t fully feel emotionally invested in their relationship by the end of the novel. Also, some parts of the story feel unrealistic, but I think that actually suited the light romance well.

One of the more surprising aspects of the book was its focus on work politics, which took up a significant portion of the second half. While this shift might not work for readers looking for a more romance-centered story, I found it unexpectedly compelling and a key part of my enjoyment. It also helped the novel avoid the typical third-act breakup trope, which often feels forced in romance novels. I much prefer it when authors create drama within the characters' lives rather than between them.

That said, the book wasn’t without its shortcomings. Some of the side characters who played a larger role in the first half faded into the background later on, and the balance between personal relationships and professional struggles wasn’t always even. There were a few timing errors too which bugged me while reading. I think a stronger edit could've helped with just pulling this book together a bit more.

All in all though, it's an easy read with Kris Bryant's usual spice.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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Another well-written work from Kris Bryant. I enjoyed the alternating POVs, and appreciated the fact that this book did not follow the usual “meet - start dating - fall in love - have a misunderstanding - break up - realize they can’t live without each other - get back together - live happily ever after” formula. It was refreshing and sweet to just follow the development of their relationship. The MCs were likeable and strong in going through their everyday life, with secondary characters that made the story even more interesting.

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I'm providing feedback after receiving an advanced copy from NetGalley.

This book surprised me so much, in a good way! While the summary didn't make the story sound like one of those books you can't turn down (there was no major catastrophe or secret to be found), it was a book I didn't want to stop reading.

Lucky and Brianna are just two ordinary women who are finding their way through life. They happened to find each other across the street. Their relationship feels so organic and the characters so real, that you just find yourself rooting for them. It could be anyone's story, and that just makes us feel close to the characters.

All and all, a very nice light read!

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Gaze represents the last of the sensory series but it leaves me with only wanting more. More of Brianna and Lucky who sizzle pretty much right out of the gate. Claire and Emory from Shameless and Not Guilty make a cameo appearance to round out an excellent cast of characters, heroes and villains alike. If you’re looking for a fast paced, sexy read this is the one for you. Thank you to the author, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley for the advance read in exchange for an honest review.

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I enjoyed this slow burn romance. The fact that the characters were flirting from a distance felt quite romantic and they weren’t thrown together in réal life too quickly. I also liked the reality of working with other people, not all of whom are inclusive. The only slight irritation was how often they made a comment about Lucky’s name. It was fun at the beginning but I don’t think the book needed it to succeed

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Kris Bryant’s *Gaze* is an engaging and fun romance that perfectly balances sizzling chemistry with heartfelt emotion. From the moment Lucinda “Lucky” Chance realizes that the woman she’s been secretly admiring all summer, Brianna Jameson, is actually her newest client, the story takes off with playful banter, unexpected twists, and undeniable attraction. Lucky’s determination to prove herself professionally while grappling with her growing feelings for Bri makes for an entertaining and addictive read. Bryant’s witty dialogue and well-paced storytelling keep the romance fresh and dynamic, making it easy to root for these two strong-willed women as they navigate work, love, and everything in between.

What makes *Gaze* stand out is how effortlessly it blends humor with deeper emotional moments. Bri’s reluctance to open herself up to love adds an intriguing layer of tension, while Lucky’s charm and resilience make her a protagonist worth cheering for. Their flirtatious exchanges and undeniable chemistry create a lighthearted yet emotionally satisfying romance that keeps readers hooked. With its blend of passion, humor, and just the right amount of drama, *Gaze* is a delightful escape that proves love can find you when you least expect it.

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This is a beautifully crafted, emotionally charged read that lingers long after the final page. The writing is fluid and immersive, drawing readers into a world that feels both intimate and expansive. Bryant has a knack for capturing unspoken emotions, weaving them into the fabric of the story with nuance and depth. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and their journey is handled with authenticity. The balance of tension and tenderness keeps the pacing engaging, and while the narrative follows familiar romance beats, it does so with a freshness that makes it stand out. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, well-written sapphic romance, Gaze is well worth your time.

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Beautiful, Flirty, and Fun

Lucky has been flirting with Bri, and Bri with Lucky from their windows. When Bri turns out to be the big client Lucky has landed and she is more desperate than ever to do a great job. When things go wrong and Lucky is fired, it’s Bri’s expert legal skills to the rescue.

I really enjoyed this story. It was flirty and fun, with a sense of slow burn to the relationship as Lucky and Bri were brought closer into one another’s lives through coincidence. They had a great connection, especially given they had built it over a distance and in person it could have crumbled. It was amazing how they took time to get to know one another, and even though they didn’t know that well they were encouraging of each other’s dreams and passions almost immediately. They shared lots of cute and fun moments together, and I adored them together.

Then when Lucky got fired, because of all the moments she’d shared with Bri and the details she’d shared, I was fuming! I was feeling so protective of her and I instantly knew what it must be like to be in Bri’s position. Well she wasted know time in confirming her commitment to Lucky both as her girlfriend and the client she’d been working for. I was in awe of how she knew exactly how to sort the situation, protect Lucky, and the personal opportunity it also presented for her. It was an intense moment in their relationship but definitely what cemented it as forever.

I adored this story and enjoyed every moment. Another great romance from Kris Bryant.

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This story has many things to commend it, it has decent pace, the two leads are attractive and I especially liked the plot line about homophobia in the work place. It’s not something that is often tackled in the romance genre, but it was nicely integrated into the plot without being too awful an incident that it distracted from the budding love affair. I wasn’t too keen on the emphasis on the name of one of the characters. The whole book revolves around it and by the end it just felt a bit too heavy handed, which began to annoy me in a groan yeah we get it way. I do generally like this author though as her books are well written.

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Brianna Jameson. and Lucinda “Lucky” Chance have been flirting through their respective windows, but neither expects to actually meet until Lucky's ad agency gets hired to work for Brianna's company. Their interactions quickly ignite a romance, but can they manage that AND their various work issues?

Good solid read. The heroines are likable, the writing is capable and the romance works. Bit of a light read, but fun.

Abour 3.5 stars, rounded up to four.

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I loved this novel! It was the first one I have read by this author, but ill be looking into the rest of their work, so that’s my endorsement. This was a relatively easy read, yet there was a good amount of content packed into it. I liked the characters, the plotlines, and the writing was very well done as well. I would absolutely recommend this novel for all sorts of readers. The novel’s blurb is unfortunately full of spoilers; its likely too late but I honestly recommend reading the novel without reading the description if you have that option.

My Rating: “A””
Converted Rating: 5-Stars

Highlights:
-This novel spent a lot of time on non-romance things (which not everyone will like) which I found made it feel fuller and more complete as a story. The characters felt like real people with entire lives outside of their love interest, and I like that.
-The romance took a while to get going (which again, not everyone would like) which gave the reader an opportunity to really get to know each of them on their own. The result was a better understanding of the characters than a lot of romance novels give you. It also resulted in each character having their own plot arc outside of the romance (like three books in one!).
-Yay women power! That’s all the detail you get without spoilers, but ill just say there were some satisfying moments and plot points in this novel.
-I liked this couple. They were sweet and I was rooting for them.
-No pointless forced-and-convoluted-conflicts between the protagonists. It was absolutely delightful to see.

Nitpicks:
-The blurb for this novel; what’s going on here folks?? There are major spoilers for all parts of the novel, including near the ending. If I have one important piece of feedback it would be to rework that description so that it doesn’t literally reveal all of the major plot points in the novel.
-Most of the highlights I outlined, some people might not like as much as I did, hah!
-The romance was a little light in terms of major soulmate-style feelings, if that’s what you’re looking for. Personally I don’t consider this a nitpick but its worth pointing out; this was more so a realistic look at the beginning stages of a realistic relationship between mature adult characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.

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It's no surprise to me that this is a five star read for me. Kris Bryant always delivers and then some.

The build up for the story is playful and just right. Not once did I feel it was rushed or dragged out between the flirtation of the characters through the window and them actually interacting with one another.

Reading a book by Kris Bryant is being surprised every time. No following of the 'normal' romance rules that usually gives you a kiss at the 35% mark and sex at the 65% percent mark. You'll be surprised by what and when you get the spicy stuff which this book has plenty of.

The only slight remark I could have about this book is I wanted more of Frankie and Claire. Two side characters that I found very interesting. Also a little shoutout to Sebastian. Didn't see a lot of him but I enjoyed his presense nonentheless.

An ARC was given to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

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


Lucinda aka Lucky is a web designer she left home to follow her girlfriend but they didn’t work out. Lucky lands a client and she determined to prove she can do the job even though her boss isn’t making it’s easier but is surprise that her client is the women she been flirting with through her window. Brianna has work hard she a personal injury attorney and hasn’t have time for love or family but when Lucky gets fire for the wrong reasons Brianna is there for her and Lucky stirs up feelings she rather not have. Lucky and Brianna attraction is intense and instant but I like how they got to know each other. Overall good read I love seeing previous characters appearance from her other books I love when authors do that to know they still think of those characters and find a way to bring in a new story without over shadowing the MCs.

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Thank you NetGalley for the arc

The first 25 % was ok. It just didn’t grab me the way I would have wanted.

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This was a very enjoyable story. The main characters were written well and the romance between these two was so good. I liked how each woman dealt with her own adversity. But, also was there for each other too.. This had quite a bit of drama, but not to much to bog the story down. I was entertained from beginning to end with this story. I would definitely recommend this story to my friends and family, and I look forward to what's coming next from this author.

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Kris delivers yet another great read with strong main characters that have amazing chemistry. I was hooked from the first page. Well Done..

Thanks to the publisher Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for this ARC copy.

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Kris Bryant gives us a delightful story. I loved how the MCs first interact. This book had some outside angst, but no relationship angst. The MCs were beautiful blossoms, giving the relationship time to grow. Not necessarily a slow-burn, but not instant love.
As the last of her senses books, Gaze is aptly conveyed.
The cat was cute and helpful. He made a great secondary characters, as well as those that had talking parts.
There are a few Easter eggs throughout the book, it was fun seeing previous characters mentioned.
As always, I enjoy the books Bryant sends our way and will continue to follow her.

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