I received an advanced copy of Tack & Jibe from Netgalley, so that I could share my honest review with you!

If you were to look at Willa’s Instagram feed, you would assume that her life is perfect. She has carefully cultivated and filtered every aspect of her world to find the most likable version of herself. Unfortunately, this “Willa” is built around a life-defining lie. Willa has made a name for herself as a sailing-personality, in spite of the fact that she has no idea how to sail. If anyone in her life were to discover her secret, no amount of filtering could save her. So far, no one has caught on to her deception, but when she is registered in a world-class sailing competition by some of her over-enthusiastic followers, Willa worries that her world is about to come crashing down. Desperate to preserve her reputation, Willa seeks the help of sailing-superstar Lane Cordova. With Lane’s help, Willa may finally be able to become the person she’s tried to be for so long.

You can get your copy of Tack & Jibe on July 21st from Interlude Press!

As someone living hundreds of miles from the ocean who’s never so much as stepped on a sailboat, I loved escaping into Tack & Jibe! I couldn’t resist the promise of deception and self discovery the story offered. This book was a great summer book for me, as it was light and quick to read! Lilah Suzanne wrote a snappy and engaging story in Tack & Jibe, one that would be a great choice to take to the beach or to read at home!

My Recommendation-
If you’ve been on the hunt for a queer, steamy romance novel, Tack & Jibe would be a great pick for your next read! This book is quite short and would make a nice road trip read! If you love books with a slow burn romance, you’ll definitely want to check this one out!

I liked this and then I didn't like it that much too.

Okay, well 😂🙈 the book started out really well. I loved the writing and the way our MC - Willa - was presented to us. Her problems, her lies, her personality. It was fun and great, although she did sound like a 17 y/o a lot of times, not gonna lie. And I loved how the story flowed.

But - it went too fast. I felt like it was so fast paced that we didn't get to see in depth of the characters and didn't really have much time to connect with the others. Although, I did like Bodhi and her mums. Lane was good too but towards the end, she just flips a switch 🌚

Now, I really liked the setting of the story - the blue water and Island and all. And the whole premise of it too. But after like 60% mark, the story kind of falters and deviates from what is actually promised in the blurb. It was kind of weird too at times 😅

The romance was okay, cute and heated at times. I loved the writing style, as I've said, but the pacing was a bit off. A bit more time could've been given to develop the characters, I feel.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the e-copy. All views expressed are fully mine.

The narration style of Tack & Jibe did not work for me. It's third-person, present tense, which just felt...off and made it difficult to really get into.

I enjoyed the first half of this book, with the sailing and the drama, but I wasn't really into the romance which is kinda what this book is all about. I was really put off by the 14 year age gap between Willa and Lane, so I couldn't enjoy the main part of the story. Willa's best friend Bodhi was a great character, I really liked her, and her moms were lovely too. The story was good, but I just couldn't enjoy it the way I should have. If this story had happened between two characters of a similar age, would I have loved it? Yes. But as it is, that age gap played a large part in the story and I wasn't into it.

Tack & Jibe is an easy read that packs in a lot of complicated conversations about financial inequality, queerness, and internet culture. I really enjoyed the character of Willa and even though the story was centered around her lying about her sailing abilities, I found her to be a really endearing character. Overall, I thought the plot was cleverly done and I really appreciated the character development that occurred for everyone involved as the story continued on. It was also a great romance story! My one sort-of qualm was that I found that age gap between Willa and Lane a little weird, but I thought that the book and the characters handled the topic really well.

I read this book in one sitting, and I mostly enjoyed it. I loved the setting, which made it a perfect summer read with its beachiness (even though the book was set in autumn). However, the writing style didn't quite work for me - it was overly descriptive at times, and I'm personally not a fan of third person, present tense.

Rep: multi-gender attracted MC, lesbian love interest

This book was a nice introduction to a new author for me. I enjoyed the sailing education and many descriptive scenes associated with that. The romance has an age gap and the ensuing dramas that go along but develops over time. There's a good lesson about honesty included. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm sorry, but I found this book to be a bit boring. I guess I'm not that into sailing, but, if you are, this should be a fine book for you. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

This book is primarily about the skills that are involved in sailing. It is also about Willa getting herself entered into a sailing race. She doesn't know how to sail, but told everyone she knows that she does. She also told them she stopped sailing due to a shoulder injury. She then looks up a sailing instructor and takes some lessons from Lane. Willa is obsessed with Lane. Lane's attraction to her is slow to grow, but like most lesfic, it does and there is a happy ever after.
Definitely a must read for any sailing enthusiasts.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a tale of two polar opposites who have more in common than is apparent on the surface. Lane, 14 years Willa's senior, seems to have her whole life figured out. She's got it all, and Willa is in awe from the moment she slams into her while riding her skateboard. Willa's trying to be something she's not and often fibs to make herself more with it than she really is.

But all is not what it seems and Lane is insecure and trying to figure out how to come out. There's a good yin and yan between the two and their personalities complement each other well.

The book was cute. The plot was strong enough that I wanted to continue to read, One big pet peeve was that even though it was clearly stated that the copy provided was pre-edit, there were a LOT of mistakes. A lot. Even to the point that Willa sometimes became Willow. I really hope that thorough editing is done before final publication.

Can Willa talk Lane into helping her. Can these two – like oil and water – ever mix?

It turns out that both women are hiding their true selves. Willa is at first confused that Lane, who is such a natural sailor and at ease on the water, seems so rigid and unhappy on land. Lane snaps and snarls at Willa when Willa makes mistakes – and she makes a lot of them. Then Willa gets defensive and impulsive and screws things up even more. The two women are so different but then so much the same. Both hiding who they truly are for fear they won’t be accepted for who they are. Yet it’s with Lane that Willa is finally willing to tell the truth even if it’s mainly to get Lane to agree to teach her.

I thought this was a great first book for a new author. I'll definetly read another from her.

The basis of this book is more than just sailing and the competition. In fact, I'd say that it's mainly used to bring them together and the cause of Willa growing up, but it's not fully focused on sailing. The main subject is learning to be comfortable with yourself, your life choices, and your path in life. Even though there is an age gap between the two main characters, they are both dealing with these issues which is what brings them together both as friends and then lovers.

I liked how their relationship was a bit messy. It's not perfect, and I finished the book not sure how they can stay together for the long haul. I wouldn't be surprised if in the future there was a sequel where they aren't together still, since I think Willa had more growing up to do and Lane still wanted to spread her wings out in life more. That's not to say that this book doesn't have a great story, or their relationship isn't cute. I still liked it a lot.

Overall, really enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited for this one! Ultimately, I ended up more disappointed than actually enjoying it. For most of the book, the third person narrative felt off and distracting. It was a lot of “Willa said…” “Bohdi did…" ”Lane asked…” and didn’t seem to flow well. Alongside this, even though the characters were constantly referenced, I frequently got confused because they all seemed so similar and one dimensional. The third person narration was less distracting near the end when exciting things started to happen.

I was also expecting a lot more sailing excitement and female female romance than what we got. The majority of the sailing and sapphic romance occurred in the last third (or so) of the book and even then, I was left wanting more. We don’t really see Willa and Lane grow together as a couple, they just magically seem to work well together in off-page circumstances.

While the characters in this book grow, we don’t really see their transformation, we’re just told that they’re becoming more mature and reorganizing their priorities. As a book with little plot, the lack of character growth depiction was frustrating! Lastly, it was a rough read deciphering and being distracted by the plethora of grammatical/word errors.

This book was the sweetest! Such a wholesome romance with a lovely setting too. I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for a lively, hilarious at times romance to get them through the craziness going on in the world right now. Also, the cover's aesthetic is perfect and fits the book's mood so well.

3.5 Stars

The best part of this book is the romance and the conflict that brings them together. Willa has built a devoted social media following based on her passion for sailing and her job at a sailing supply store. When a follower signs her up for a sailing race on her island, she panics, because she doesn't actually know how to sail - everything was built on a lie. She enlists the help of a stranger, Lane, a former champion. The slow build of Willa's lie felt so realistic, you could feel how trapped she felt by all the little lies she told that built on each other. Lane's character felt genuine as well, she's a woman in her 30's that has spent much of her life conforming to her family's expectations and is finally, slowly, figuring out what she wants.

The romance gets off to a slow start with several misunderstandings that get in the way. This is an age gap romance (22 and 36 I believe), but there is no other power dynamic issue at play so it rang sweet rather than icky. Though they are different ages, due to their circumstances they are going through parallel struggles with questioning their goals and life purpose. The two are not great communicators at first but their conversations feel genuine and they empathize with each others problems, and the growth of their relationship felt genuine.

I also enjoyed Willa's relationship and minor conflicts with her friend and roommate, Bodhi, as well as Bodhi's moms who have taken Willa in as a daughter figure. Their concern for each other and Willa's fear of disappointing them rang true.

My biggest issue with this book is the pacing. The main conflict of the sailing training and boat race are resolved around 50%, leaving the last half of the book feeling pretty aimless. A few events could have been rearranged to allow that plot to take up more of the book.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of the story.

Willa is young, impulsive and loves her job. But there's a problem - She lied to get her job and it's not a little white lie.

Lane is in her 30's, gorgeous, well educated and working at a job she hates. She used to sail competitively but gave it up unexpectedly.

Lane is struggling with her sexuality. Willa knows exactly who she wants.

They literally run into one another which leads to an angry introuduction and misunderstanding.

Willa does her best to overcome that first impression as she really needs Lane's help. Willa needs to learn how to sail with just weeks to go vefore a high stake race.

The story moves a bit slowly but the points of view are interesting. Willa and Lane bring out the best and worst in each other while learning self confidence and pursuing treams.

It’s hard watching Willa make mistakes and by acting without thinking, dig herself in deeper. It’s painful seeing Lane keep herself in a straitjacket, hide her emotions and expecting to be as rejected as Willa also fears. It was great seeing the easy acceptance of everyone’s sexuality. Roomie Bodhi is in a lesbian relationship and has two mothers. Willa at one point says she’s bi (though we never see any hetero relationship in the book). Willa coming out to her single mother was easy while Lane finally announcing to her stuck up and straight laced parents is painful but for Lane immensely freeing. Yet that part felt a little too pat and as soon as the parents were introduced, I guessed how the scene would play out. I did cheer at the message that older characters ought to be free to find and reinvent themselves.

The sailing stuff sounded okay though I have no expertise on the subject. I do know NC beach towns and everything about this one sounds spot on. The resolution of the sailing competition gives Willa a chance to finally come clean and then help Lane escape a life she doesn’t want to lead. The romance didn’t quite work as well and I didn’t finish the book convinced that Lane and Willa have completed reconciling their age and outlook-on-life differences. The epilogue did help but ending on a HFN rather than a HEA is, I think, the right thing for these two. B-

Willa Rogers has a carefree existence, living in the tourist town of Portland Island, working in a sailing shop. She somehow manages to get herself entered into a prestigious sailing competition despite the fact she's never sailed before and to make matters worse the whole town is behind her. She manages to convince sailing champion Lane Cordova to give her a crash course before the event and develops a serious crush on Lane.
The characters were interesting with Willa bumbling and fumbling her way through events, although I did find it frustrating that she often lied to get herself out of a situation but eventually she resorted to the truth as we see her character grow. Lane was full of insecurities and trying to navigate her own coming out and feelings for Willla. There were lots of moments between Willa and Lane that were uncomfortable and awkward but so relatable.
I really enjoyed this book and found it such a refreshing romance novel.

Esse livro me tocuo de uma forma inesperada. Acho que quando falamos sobre nós mesmos e sobre expectativas, causa uma ansiedade enorme, e acho que isso, pra mim, foi a principal lição dessa história.

Lane e Willa lidam de uma forma tão sincera e tão realista com seus problemas de relacionamento que muitas vezes me remeteu a minha propria relação, isso é um baita ponto forte.

Eu não costumo ler romances, mas confesso que estou supresa e muito feliz por ter tido a oportunidade de ler esse livro, simplesmente fantástico!

This age-gap book was a fast read. Suzanne's style of writing is a pleasant one and I enjoyed the book a lot. This book is about Willa and Lane, Willa lives a lie and Lane doesn't seem to know how to live.

Willa's has a large following on social media, especially Instagram. And her life looks great on social, with her pimped up pictures she seems to live a jet setter life and loves to sail. Only in real life, she has never sailed. Her roomie Bodhi and her bosses (also Bodhi's moms) she told she can't sail because she has a shoulder injury. That doesn't seem to be a problem until one of her followers enters her into the High Seas, a sailing competition on the island.

Insert Lane, an ex-sail champion. She's come back to the island to work in the family realtor business. She loves her job, not! But as I said, she doesn't know how to live and does what is expected from her. After her sailing career, she just doesn't know what to do with her life. When Willa asks her to be her teacher, she's not really enthusiastic but does accept the challenge.

While reading I had some mild irritation towards Willa because she seemed to be a notorious liar. And to keep up appearances, she brings herself and others in danger. I constantly was thinking: come clean, just bite the bullet and tell the truth for once. But she seems to dig herself in deeper and deeper. Despite this, I did like her character. You just understand why she does what she does and pity her instead of loathing her.

Both Willa and Lane had enough character building in this book. Their behaviour is different but arises from the same problem: insecurity. Both have some sort of messed up family situation that has affected their take on life and the way they present themselves. In the book, their fondness for each other is obvious for the reader, but both of them just don't see it because? Yes, insecurity. So they dance around each other for a while and eventually find each other. The romance did not come alive as much as I had hoped. For me, there should have been more feelings in there.

The secondary characters are great. I would love to read about how Bodhi's moms met and also want to read more about Bodhi herself. There are also less desirable characters like Willa's grandparents: awful people.

Long story short: I think you will enjoy this story if you like an age gap romance with angst and a realistic happily ever after. It will be a good read in these surreal times where you best act like a hermit and stay at home and don't socialize.
Please socially distance yourself, stay healthy, safe and read lots of lesfic.