On the Same Page by Haley Cass is an unforgettable friends-to-lovers contemporary romance.
When Riley Beckett and Gianna Makinen (yes, that Gianna Makinen, the captivating trilingual influencer) met during their freshman year at Boston University, it changed everything for them. I mean when you find the person who just gets you, you need to hold onto them tight.
In the ten years since Riley has come to depend on Gianna more than anyone else in her life. If she’s being completely honest, she probably knows Gianna better than she knows herself. She knows that Gianna is extremely sex-positive and knows that Gianna doesn’t do romance or even relationships. And she knows without a doubt that nothing can ever come between them.
But when a holiday party mix-up puts in motion major changes to these absolute truths, Riley starts to question everything that she thought she knew about their relationship. Leaving her to wonder, what, exactly does Gianna mean to her after all?
Writing
Haley Cass is a master at writing friends-to-lovers sapphic romance and I dare anyone to challenge me on this! First, we had Sutton and Charlotte’s masterpiece followed by Caroline and Hannah’s journies of self-discovery, and finally Ellie and Mia’s sweet romance. Haley Cass has outdone herself with On the Same Page as it’s passionate, emotional, and so heartstoppingly beautiful.
On the Same Page is a decade-long journey for Riley and her best friend Gianna and I found myself captivated from the first page. Gianna and Riley’s friendship begins in their freshman year of college and being privy to their primary moments in college which shaped both women’s lives, gives readers a full picture of how deep their connection runs. Their past is interwoven with their present at the most perfect times in order to provide answers and/or to set up what’s to come. The tiny elements of foreshadowing allow readers to infer what’s to come but when these moments do come, they are so much deeper, fuller, and more emotional than I could have prepared for.
The use of differing points of view really enhanced the overall narrative and added another layer to this incredibly multi-layered story.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
The depth of the relationship between Riley and Gianna is gorgeously outlined using past and present moments and each of those moments clearly shows that they are each other’s person. They finish each other’s sentences, they cuddle, and they are the ones the other calls first about everything. But they’re just really close friends, right? That is until Gianna’s enjoyment of doing nice things for the people she loves leads to a gift mix-up at her annual Christmas party that causes Riley to question everything she’s thought about her relationship with Gianna. And oh boy! when Riley opens the gift, her head nearly explodes! Her thoughts are fragmented yet she knows deep down that Gianna could be the only one to explore this other side with. Their first kiss was so full of sensuality that it left me breathless.
I absolutely adore Gianna! I love when the proverbial mirror is put in front of her face by Riley freshman year, instead of resorting to her old ways, she’s able to reflect and become the person that Riley sees deep down inside of her. The transformation takes time but it’s so worth it in the end. She’s intelligent, compassionate, motivated, and gifted at reading people. It’s easy to see why people gravitate towards her. Gianna is beautiful both inside and out and the Gianna that only Riley is allowed to see is even more special. As the story deepened and Gianna’s innermost layers were revealed, I felt tears welling in my eyes and found myself completely consumed with love and adoration for her.
Riley is a lovely woman who is fiercely protective of those she holds dear. Her relationship with her twin sister, Ellie shows how supportive and wonderful she is. Riley’s honesty is one of her greatest assets and it comes in handy throughout the course of her friendship with Gianna. I enjoyed being privy to her tumultuous emotions as her feelings toward Gianna changed and developed. I could actually feel her internal battle as she struggled to come to terms with those emotions.
I’m in awe of the full spectrum of emotions that play throughout this story. As Gianna and Riley’s relationship changes to allow intimacy into their friendship, those emotions become so much stronger and Haley Cass does an incredible job of not only telling but also showing how each is deeply affected. As I read I found myself devouring pages so quickly that I had to force myself to slow down so I could fully absorb every element. It’s a book that has a firm hold on my heart because it made me feel so many emotions, so very deeply, down to the bottom of my soul. Books like this don’t come along very often but when they do, they need to be celebrated!
Heads Up
Lack of parental support and affection greatly affects how one main character views her worthiness.
I’d recommend reading Cass’s Down to a Science since Ellie and Mia have supporting roles in this book.
The Conclusion
On the Same Page is a brilliantly written friends-to-lovers romance that takes readers on a beautiful journey. It’s a multi-layered tale that will snag attention on the first page and keep a grip right through to the end. Riley and Gianna’s relationship is one for the ages. Their undying loyalty to one another paired with compassion, honesty, vulnerability, and bravery makes this a truly unforgettable story. The supporting characters are an added bonus to this story and provide the support and acceptance both Gianna and Riley need.
Riley and Gianna’s love story has a special place in my heart and is one I will revisit over and over. While there’s a resolution, I feel like the door has been left open and I have my fingers crossed that there will be more to come from Gianna and Riley!
Excerpt from On the Same Page by Haley Cass
“Dull Dan,” she muttered under her breath, snorting derisively as she started sorting their clothing into lights, darks, colors, and delicates.
It wasn’t as if she believed that her life was over now that she’d hit thirty. But it was just – how was it so fucking hard to find a fulfilling relationship by now? How was it that every time she thought something was promising, it went totally ass-up, and usually within six months, too? How was it that Dull Dan had been one of the best dates she’d had in over six months?
And how was it that Gianna always managed to swipe her favorite Boston University sweatshirt? She swore under her breath, with no real malice, as she found it in Gianna’s hamper; she’d been looking for it last night.
“Laundry going? You want anything while I’m up? Wine? Vodka? Snacks? Drill for a lobotomy?” Gianna called as Riley heard her jogging down the stairs.
“I’ll stick with water tonight or I might have to down the whole bottle to rid my sorrows.” She grimaced, even though Gianna couldn’t see it. “And I cannot tell you enough – no one I know other than you drinks straight vodka!”
She took a moment to think of the very unsatisfying dinner that she hadn’t finished. In fairness, the food was decent, it was the disappointment of the overall date that had put the sour taste in her mouth.
“Snacks, I’ll take.” She huffed out a breath as she tossed a handful of their underwear into the wash – delicates went first, always. “And, do you have any bleach handy, instead? Couldn’t find any in here, and I’m about ready to end it all. I’m not sure a lobotomy would do the full job.”
“With you showing up early and making such serious threats, I’m going to assume Dull Dan wasn’t a winner?” Gianna asked, her voice faux-sympathetic, as she used her hip to push open the door all of the way. She’d come through with the water and a pack of the cookies from the specialty market that Riley loved… as well as a small bottle of bleach in her hand.
Noting where Riley’s gaze had fallen, Gianna grinned – in that kind of mean, kind of cheeky, and fully amazing way she had. “Just want to make sure you have everything you need.”
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 979-8865275060
Publisher: Indie Author
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