It’s in Her Kiss by Rachel Lacey is a contemporary romance with an off-Broadway setting. I devoured this book and found it had just the right mix of conflict and comfort.
Sophie and Jules first meet at an audition for the new musical It’s in Her Kiss. Each woman is nearing thirty, and the audition is a turning point for both of them. For Jules, landing the lead would be her big break towards stardom. For Sophie, it would mean hanging on to her acting dreams a little while longer.
The two actresses share a dream, but they are a study in contrasts. Jules has her own apartment in Brooklyn. Sophie has two roommates and sleeps on a pullout couch. Jules has never dated a woman and has yet to come out to her Cuban-American family. Sophie has been out for years and isn’t ready to go back in the closet for anyone.
The cast has been set, and Sophie and Jules must work together to make It’s in Her Kiss a success. A relationship with a coworker is never a good idea. But when the sparks fly, it’s only a matter of time before things catch fire.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Miranda: Rachel Lacey writes both F/F and M/F romance, and her experience with plotting and dialogue is evident. I got a Melissa Brayden Soho Loft Series vibe from the New York setting and easy readability of this book.
It’s in Her Kiss travels a well-worn path of tropes, but it’s distinctive in a couple of important respects. I often feel like sex scenes in contemporary lesfic are all pulled from the same hat. However, It’s in Her Kiss includes solo sex, breakup sex, and just enough variety of language to feel unique. The book also revolves around a real conflict rather than a manufactured miscommunication. Both characters have huge life decisions to make, and they make them from the fullness of their experience rather than solely in service to their romantic relationship.
I would be remiss not to mention the book features two adopted cats named Phantom and Pippin. If that doesn’t bring in the musical theater lesfic crowd, then I don’t know what will.
Victoria: I agree with you whole heartedly, Miranda. The sex scenes in It’s in Her Kiss are wonderful mirrors of what’s going on emotionally for Jules and Sophie. They move the narrative along, and there’s nothing gratuitous about them. This is especially delightful with Jules since this is her first relationship with a woman. She’s like a kid in a candy shop, and who can blame her?
I enjoyed being along for the ride as the off-Broadway production was being put together. From the casting process to opening night, I was invested in Jules and Sophie’s success. I suspected there’d be a change in fortune for one of the main characters, but Ms. Lacey provided me with a plot twist much more rewarding than what I had envisioned. (See how I did that with no spoilers?)
Cons And Heads Up
Miranda: Jules’s only previous relationships have been with men, and the novel includes some rather blunt comparisons of sex with a woman compared to sex with a man. Thankfully the comparison was favorable.
Victoria: While both Jules and Sophie are extremely likable, I didn’t feel their dialogue reflected them as individuals. Their voices are sometimes a bit generic.
The Conclusion
Miranda: You should buy this book if you are a fan of musical theater and femme/femme romance. It’s in Her Kiss is satisfying and well-executed, and I look forward to reading more from Rachel Lacey.
Victoria: This story does justice to Jules’s coming out process, giving it a nice dollop of angst while remaining a fun, flirty romance.
TLDR (too long didn’t read)
This rivals to lovers, toaster oven romance will appeal to fans of Broadway and Brayden.
Excerpt from It’s in Her Kiss by Rachel Lacey
Jules pressed a hand against her heart, drawing Sophie’s attention to the plunging neckline on her blouse and the cross pendant glinting there. “So many skeptics at this table.”
“I haven’t sworn off love forever,” Sophie told her. “I’m just not at a place in my life right now where I have much room for it.”
“Fair enough,” Jules said, glancing at Sophie. Her eyes were a deep brown, highlighted by thick eyeliner and a shimmery eyeshadow that sparkled under the bar’s track lighting. And her hair…well, she looked like she’d walked out of a shampoo commercial. It was long and wavy, with golden highlights in her natural brown. Combined with her charismatic personality, it was no wonder she was an actress. If Sophie ever got the chance to see her on stage, she was certain she wouldn’t be able to take her eyes off her.
Right now, she’d settle for Jules’s number. She’d mentioned a boyfriend, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t bi or pan. Surely she wouldn’t have auditioned as Bianca today if she wasn’t at least curious, would she? Usually, Sophie had excellent gaydar, but she couldn’t quite make up her mind about Jules.
On the table between them, Jules’s phone began to ring. The name Pierce showed on the screen, and she let out a little gasp. “My agent,” she said breathlessly, grabbing her phone and rushing for the door as Sophie had done earlier.
“What are the chances?” Sophie muttered, reaching for her drink.
“Does this mean you’ve both made it to round two?” Gia asked, looking delighted.
“Maybe. We’ll see,” Sophie said as she drained her glass. She walked to the bar for a refill. By the time she’d made it back to their table, Jules had reentered Dragonfly with an unmistakable bounce in her step.
Sophie caught her eye with an inquiring lift of her eyebrow. “Good news for you too?”
“Yes,” Jules confirmed. “And my agent says that unofficially, there are only two of us in contention for the role.”
“Oh wow.” Sophie gulped. “So, it’s between you and me?”
“Sounds that way.”
They stared at each other for a beat of loaded silence before Sophie lifted her chin with a smile, putting her attraction aside for now because Jules was the competition. “Better bring your A game on Friday, Vega.”
Jules met her gaze, amusement sparkling in her eyes. “I’m not worried.”
“You should be.” Sophie lifted her glass, tapping it against Jules’s. “May the best woman win.”
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Series
Don’t Cry for Me
It’s in Her Kiss
Come Away with Me
Bits and Bobs
- ISBN number: 9781732151994
- Publisher: Indie author
- Rachel Lacey Online
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