{"id":11450,"date":"2019-04-12T00:00:27","date_gmt":"2019-04-11T22:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelesbianreview.com\/?p=11450"},"modified":"2023-06-13T17:48:40","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T15:48:40","slug":"hooked-on-you-jenn-matthews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelesbianreview.com\/hooked-on-you-jenn-matthews\/","title":{"rendered":"Hooked on You by Jenn Matthews: Book Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Hooked<\/a>Hooked on You by Jenn Matthews <\/b><\/span>is a super sweet, British lesbian romance about finding love later in life, when you\u2019re not really looking for it.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a long career as a military teacher, Ollie\u2019s enjoying her quiet life running a craft shop in London and teaching people how to crochet. If only her relationship with her kids were easier\u2014especially her daughter, who\u2019s still holding a grudge at the way Ollie\u2019s marriage to their dad ended. Life gets a little more interesting when an attractive newbie shows up to crochet class, even if the other woman is straight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anna\u2019s life is mostly work and little play, with a busy schedule as an English teacher, two teenagers at home, and a boyfriend with no imagination or romantic leanings. When her daughter encourages her to take up a hobby that has nothing to do with work or home life, Anna checks out a crochet class and finds herself hooked (pun intended). <\/span><\/p>\n

The more time they spend together, the more they find themselves thinking of each other. And for the first time in her life, Anna realizes she\u2019s falling for another woman. Now to figure out what to do with that\u2026 <\/span><\/p>\n

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

Some readers aren\u2019t going to be a fan of Ollie because she cheats on her husband while figuring out she\u2019s a lesbian (I know that sounds like a spoiler, but we learn it about it in the prologue). Even so, I liked Ollie because she\u2019s really just trying to make the best of her life going forward and build it into something she can proud of.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anna\u2019s quite sweet and lovely, and she has a backbone when she needs to\u2014like, say, with her boyfriend who\u2019s a total dick. And, yes, I did cheer when he was kicked to the curb. I enjoyed seeing her figure out her sexuality because it\u2019s a reminder that awakenings can happen at any age, even in your 50s.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Can we just pause to celebrate that both<\/i> women are in their early 50s? As much as I enjoy reading about women in their 30s and 40s (as I rapidly approach 40 myself), it\u2019s lovely to see romances with even older women. <\/span><\/p>\n

I also loved that this book has zero angst. I read it in the middle of an incredibly busy week and it was a perfect escape from the stresses of the day. <\/span><\/p>\n

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

They fall in love over crochet classes. How freaking cute is that?<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Like I said above, cheating is a theme in this book, so keep that in mind when deciding whether it\u2019s for you. In case you\u2019re wondering, no, Anna doesn\u2019t cheat on her stupid, crummy boyfriend.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

If you\u2019re in the mood for a quirky, sweet romance, I recommend picking up Hooked on You. It\u2019s Jenn Matthews\u2019s debut novel and I\u2019m looking forward to see more stories from her in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Excerpt from <\/b><\/span>Hooked on You by Jenn Matthews<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Anna pulled her coat close around her middle as they left. \u201cWhere do you live?\u201d she asked as they weaved around groups of people outside the nearby pub. Music thrummed from inside, the orange glow from the electric lights spilling out onto the street.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a flat above the shop. You?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cParson Street. Liam dropped me off, so I\u2019m getting a taxi home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The shop was on the way to the taxi rank, and it was early enough that Anna didn\u2019t think she\u2019d have any trouble just flagging one down. Ollie stopped when they reached the side door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anna held her hand out to Ollie. She felt very aware of the cold breeze brushing her fingers. Ollie grasped Anna\u2019s hand in her own.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSame time next week?\u201d Ollie asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t get rid of me that easily.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A group of people passing behind them forced Anna to step up close enough to Ollie that the fronts of their coats brushed. Ollie reached for her waist as the group passed them. It made Anna warm all over, despite the early winter chill.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the group of people were clear, Anna did not move away. The single inch difference in their heights seemed huge. She held her breath as Ollie gazed down at her. She wasn\u2019t sure, but she thought she saw Ollie\u2019s gaze flick down to her lips, then back up. Suddenly feeling shivery, she swallowed and stepped back.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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[tweetthis]I just read this review for Hooked on You by Jenn Matthews[\/tweetthis]<\/p>\n

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