{"id":10824,"date":"2018-11-13T00:00:36","date_gmt":"2018-11-12T22:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelesbianreview.com\/?p=10824"},"modified":"2023-06-13T18:26:02","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T16:26:02","slug":"where-we-belong-fox-brison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelesbianreview.com\/where-we-belong-fox-brison\/","title":{"rendered":"Where We Belong by Fox Brison: Book Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Where<\/a>Where We Belong by Fox Brison<\/b><\/span> is a beguiling tale of personal discovery and how stepping out of your comfort zone can not only be illuminating, but can also lead to true happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Life for Brianna McAteer is anything but exciting.\u00a0 <\/span>Plodding along in bland mediocrity, she seldom challenges herself or the status quo.\u00a0 <\/span>That is, until her safe and secure life begins to come crashing down around her in one painful blow after another.\u00a0 <\/span>Her Father\u2019s construction company, where Brianna works as a project manager, succumbs to bankruptcy leaving her unemployed and forcing her parents to move.\u00a0 <\/span>It is the first domino to fall, beginning the chain reaction of tribulations that alter the course of her life.\u00a0 <\/span>When a mysterious job opportunity arises in Ireland, Brianna jumps at the chance hoping it will lead to answers to the burning new questions that are suddenly filling her life. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Elisha Callery is the visionary and benefactor behind the \u201cFree to Dream\u201d project, a large camp for disadvantaged children.\u00a0 <\/span>She has donated the land for the camp and will be working closely with Brianna on the project.\u00a0 <\/span>The two women quickly form a strong connection.\u00a0 <\/span>Between working together on the project and trying to solve the mysteries of Brianna\u2019s past, the attraction between them becomes too strong to deny. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes it takes a major catastrophe to shake us out our complacency.\u00a0 <\/span>But when one more devastating event threatens the happiness Brianna has finally embraced, will she have the strength to carry on?<\/span><\/p>\n

The Characters<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Brison brings us some extremely likeable characters in this book.\u00a0 <\/span>Brianna McAteer, gave up on her dreams of performing with the violin long ago.\u00a0 <\/span>Living with a man she does not love and following a career path that is second fiddle to her dreams, she is stuck in a rut until her safe world comes crashing down around her.\u00a0 <\/span>Once she makes the decision to finally take a risk, she embarks on a wonderful journey of self-discovery and I loved watching her finally come to realize who she really is and take the leap towards happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

I adored Elisha Callery.\u00a0 <\/span>She perfectly embodies the sweet small-town butch in her mannerisms and attitudes.\u00a0 <\/span>Her vision and local expertise make her the perfect partner for Brianna, and her charm doesn\u2019t hurt either.\u00a0 <\/span>She is entirely swoon worthy.\u00a0 <\/span>It was adorable watching her trying to navigate working so closely with Brianna with her brewing attraction to the woman.\u00a0 <\/span>I was really rooting for her to finally find happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is also a wonderful smattering of secondary characters that add many more layers to the story.\u00a0 <\/span>Elisha\u2019s family explains much about her own character and behaviour (I confess I wanted to have words with her sister more than once!).\u00a0 <\/span>Her neighbors and the other townsfolk add humour and a genuine atmosphere and Brianna\u2019s friend Sam is supportive and insightful like a best friend should be.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Writing Style<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

The book is reasonably well paced and has a perfect mix of drama, sweetness and humour.\u00a0 <\/span>The tale alters between the perspectives of both Brianna and Elisha which gives wonderful insight into their characters and highlights the depths of emotions they develop for one another beautifully.\u00a0 <\/span>There is quite a bit of local terminology interspersed throughout the book as well, which gives it a great authenticity.\u00a0 <\/span>While I had to look up a few meanings, I found it to be a lovely way to immerse myself in the story even further.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pros<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

In a stroke of fate, I actually read this book while flying to Ireland and couldn\u2019t wait to arrive and be swept away by the breathtaking landscapes Brison describes.\u00a0 <\/span>I certainly wasn\u2019t disappointed.\u00a0 <\/span>Brison\u2019s descriptions of the Irish landscape are stunning and hold true in real life! \u00a0 <\/span>I also find the characters to be wonderfully authentic and sweet and the evolution of their relationship is so touching.\u00a0 <\/span>It is impossible not to be drawn to them.\u00a0 <\/span>Oh, and there is a delightfully steamy scene involving a private violin solo that I really enjoyed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cons<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

The plot is somewhat predictable at times, but it is still enjoyable and the characters are so well written that I enjoyed the story nonetheless.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Where We Belong is a charming tale of one woman\u2019s journey to find herself and ends up finding so much more.\u00a0 <\/span>The characters are real, flawed and the budding romance between Brianna and Elisha is absolutely adorable.\u00a0 <\/span>It is a quick and pleasurable read with a bit of mystery and a lot of attraction, and the piece de resistance is the majestic Irish landscape that serves as the perfect backdrop for the story.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Excerpt from <\/b><\/span>Where We Belong by Fox Brison<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

My life was turning into a soap opera \u2013 although even the Brannings in a Christmas episode of Eastenders would struggle to compete with the level of drama I was experiencing.\u00a0 <\/span>I needed time and space to process and then hopefully I could make some sense of it all.<\/span><\/p>\n

I turned the key in the ignition of my Suzuki Swift, then slumped over the steering wheel, my arms wrapped around it like it was an anchor; I listened to the engine smoothly tick over.\u00a0 <\/span>The sound was normal, expected and surprisingly comforting.\u00a0 <\/span>I don\u2019t know how long it took me to regain some poise, but it was long enough for the heaters to begin warming the car.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well this isn\u2019t getting you anywhere, Brianna.<\/i>\u00a0 <\/span>Straightening my back, I placed the car into gear (both actions painfully deliberate) and drove.\u00a0 <\/span>I didn\u2019t want to go home, yet had no idea where else to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

Get This Book On Amazon<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

(this link works for Amazon UK, US, Germany and Canada)<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

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Bits and Bobs<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n