Member Reviews
Every book by Jae is a winner, and this one didn't break the trend. On the Jae scale of "awesome-to-best book ever" this one was somewhat closer to the "awesome" end of the scale, which is still a win and I would recommend to everyone. Like most Jae novels this is a slow burn Sapphic romance with a well done plot, great character chemistry, some deeper plot elements outside the romance, and a little something fun and extra thrown in.
Doctor Regina and nurse Ellie have worked together for over a year and yet know nearly nothing about each other; except for their mutual dislike. Then, a mistaken bid at a hospital charity auction results in Ellie buying a date package with Regina which will force them to spend time together and see how they get along outside of the office.
Best Parts:
-First off, the audiobook version that I received was incredible. The narrator was excellent; the voices, pacing, and tone, everything was done incredibly well. Sometimes audiobooks are hit or miss, and this one knocked it out of the park.
-Despite the relatively convoluted set-up, the plot was believable and didn't seem forced. This is a classic Jae move: taking some set-up or element that is rather kooky and making it work in a grounded and realistic way.
-The interactions between the MC’s were believable, the banter was entertaining, and the progression of the relationship was believable and great. The characters had depth and were more than just two attractive people with a relationship based on lust.
-I liked the ice queen progression: instead of a character having a massive (and sometimes unrealistic) change of personality, they started out as a complex and complete character who simply had the other emotions and layers buried under the icy shell. The ice queen trope works much better when they come out of their shell as opposed to undergoing some massive transformation.
-I like it when the story has depth beyond just two characters falling for each other and this one delivered, as Jae usually does. The novel explored some deeper themes regarding the characters past experiences and struggles, which made the characters feel more complete and real.
Thank you to NetGallery for providing a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first time reading anything written by Jae. I enjoyed their playful writing style.
Ellie was a character that felt relatable. I often found myself feeling her feelings as her way of living and putting her feelings out there are similar to my own. Regina felt arrogant and annoying from the start. I know that was her duty in this story, but it was irritating as a reader seeing how wonderful Ellie was. Regina did have excellent character development though.
It felt kind of drawn out and I spent much of the time feeling that I was watching an ever going game of cat and mouse and it wasn’t really my style. 60% into the story I felt like things started to happen, thankfully.
Overall, the story was light hearted. If enemies to lovers is your kind of style, this book is for you!
I was given an ARC of this audio on NetGalley in return for my honest review.
Oh. My. Goodness. This book has everything a person could want. It is my first sapphic novel and it did not disappoint. It worked many tropes such as fake dating, forced proximity and grumpy sunshit into the plot without it being too much.
This is a slow burn romance and while listening I kept thinking to myself "just kiss already" or something similar along the lines. They tension is unbleievable.
I cannot gush about this book enough. It is officially published tomorrow and I reccomend anyone who is a fan of Sapphic romance or someone like me looking into reading more of this romance subgenre.
Five stars!
I absolutely loved this book from the jump. It captivated me and kept me hooked. A great story with easy writing and enjoyable jokes.
🌟Audio Book Review🌟
🎧📚 Bachelorette Number Twelve by Jae
Ellie Fisher loves everything about her job as a nurse, except for the prickly Dr. Regina Novak. However, when she accidentally places the winning bid on Regina at the hospital's charity auction, she might learn that there's more to her than meets the eye.
Bachelorette Number Twelve was a a fun and sweet lesbian rom-com. If you enjoy wlw, this novel is for you.
The audiobook of Bachelorette Number Twelve will be published on January 10, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley and Audio for this ALC.
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this ARC. This book had everything I could have asked for….
Jae as the author ☑️
Slow burn romance ☑️
Lori Prince narrating ☑️
A cute dog ☑️
Medical background ☑️
I’m a fan of Jae’s writing and the way the relationship develops between Regina and Ellie was something I enjoyed. It’s always nice when that one character could get the “ice queen” to open up and soften up and I am here for it always.
I also like the healing that happened for both of these characters went through in their personal lives.
This was a great way to start out my year.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bickering between an ER nurse and a physician soon turned into a friendly friendship. Regina does not like letting people in and she had no problem showing Ellie that she does not like her. Things would soon change after an accidental bid. Loved hearing this story unfold! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for my honest feedback!
I wished I had enjoyed this book more but it just felt like a caricature of the grumpy/sunshine trope. it's nice to read in a sapphic romance because it doesn't play on certain overused and borderline mysoginistic tropes like with a f/m romance but here, it was so extreme it got very annoying. Still fun but not really for me.
Content warnings: hospitals (main setting/plot point), blood, references to drug addiction (past, minor character), sibling death (past, referenced),
Rep: Ellie (MC) is cis, white, and lesbian. Regina (MC) is cis, white, and lesbian. side queer characters, minor nonbinary character.
Lori Prince, one of my favourite narrators, is the one narrating this book and I let out a happy little squeal when I realised - she brings such life to the characters she voices.
The book is largely set in and around hospitals, as Ellie is a nurse in the Emergency Department, and Regina is a doctor there, too.
Every single interaction between Ellie and Regina was so brilliantly done. From their amazing banter, to their very real feelings being developed over the course of the book.
The plot was fantastic, the characters entertaining and very well developed. I adored every single thing about this one.
I feel like this is pretty close to being my favourite Jae novel! Nothing will beat Perfect Rhythm, but this is a close second!
Speaking of Perfect Rhythm - MY HEART!! It did a little happy dance at not only Leo and Holly making an appearance in this book, but Ashley and Sasha as well. I loved this addition, it was just perfection.
While this book is set predominately in and around a hospital, it doesn't let the intensity of that take away from the connection between Ellie and Regina.
I'll definitely be recommending this one to anyone who wants a new, heartfilled lesbian romance in their life.
Thank you Natgalley and Tantor media for the free ALC in exchange for my honest review. I loved this book and hopeful that one day it will be printed so i can Reread and tab it such a perfect ff romance. Forbidden, forced proximity and done well. Highly recommend if you read open door ff romances.
This is a queer enemies to lovers romance. I loved listening to this book!
Ellie iworks as a nurse in the ER. Regina is an ER Doctor. Regina infuriates Elite because she is so cold. Fast forward to the benefit where Regina is Bachelorette Number 12. Ellie mistakenly buys a date with her for $900.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Tantor Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so cute. If you've read one Jae book, you will see similar themes: there's usually one reluctant/commitment lesbian or nonbinary partner and one romantic sunshine gal, and often, they are first responders. I find this consistency to be comforting, if not exactly, something that would blow me away. I think the way Jae touched on the addiction issues in America was a nice touch and as always a nice new Sapphic novel is always welcome
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio ARC!
This was such a good queer romcom. I enjoyed it. Took me a few sittings to read it because it was so long but it was still good.
I gave this to 20% before relenting that it is simply not the book for me. I am a great lover of books set in hospitals and other medical settings. Something about that atmosphere appeals to me, and I was excited for a romance set against that high-energy, high-emotion backdrop. Unfortunately for me, most of the book does not take place there. The first interaction between our two main love interests is at the nurses’ station in the ER, and they return as visitors a little later on. But the book actually focuses on the two characters going on dates outside the hospital, such as a cooking class and an ice skating rink.
The characters were also not my cup of tea, taking that grumpy/sunshine trope to the extreme. Regina and Ellie felt more like caricatures than people and the events were equally illogical to me. If I was forced by some random mistake to go on a series of fake dates with someone I genuinely didn’t like, I would simply not do that. It is truly that easy.
“Hey, you called on me when I did not bid. I’m not spending $900 to spend time with someone I do not care for.”
Call me a cynic, but the romance has to be believable for me to enjoy the book. I didn’t believe this one.
The audiobook was basically well-narrated, despite a few of the character voices sounding alike at times. Since the dialogue moves very quickly, I did get a little confused about who was talking at a few instances. However, I liked that she pitched her voice very differently for our two main characters, making them fairly easy to tell apart.
My star review reflects my view on the quality of the audio narration and not my feeling on the quality of the story. I do not think it is fair to give a title a low review simply because I personally did not care for it.