I didn't connect much to this story unfortunately. I enjoyed the throwback to the 90s, but I felt like the dialogue was clunky and the story unbelievable. The ending too was just...lackluster. I don't want to give it away for those that want to read the book but when things go wrong with them, it's just quick to happen and then the reunion is quick to wrap up.

Not my cup of tea.

Two is a Pattern is hard to categorise. Sure it’s a romance, but then it’s not exactly romantic. It’s a book about espionage, yet it doesn’t have a lot of ‘on the job action’.
It tells Annie’s story of life after she quits the CIA because of an assignment that went horribly wrong.
Set in the early nineties the reader gets to follow Annie as she tries and fails to get her life on track. Annie tries to cut ties with the CIA, her controlling boss and anything associated with her time overseas. But things are never that easy.
Annie goes back to university while she figures out what she wants to do with her life. She’s in her late 20’s and brilliant. She’s intelligent and savvy but she’s a woman and working in a world where men are in charge. In all honesty she’s a hot mess, suffering from a lot of trauma from her past.
I enjoyed this book but I would have liked more. I wanted to know Annie better, especially after she gets herself together and manages to escape the control that turned her life upside down. She’s a complex character and after everything she went through I wanted to be secure in the knowledge that she was truly okay.
The romance in this book is subtle. There are plenty of sweet, hot scenes between the main Characters but I wanted more! I wanted to get to know Helen. Helen seems like a really great woman and she must be for Annie to want her.
Helen is going through a lot herself. It’s 1992, she’s a single mum going through a divorce so she’s not exactly full of sunshine and roses. But she is caring, kind, and so loving.

I did enjoy this book and the author really knows how to write about trauma and the aftermath of feelings. I just felt like a was waiting for more. I would not say no to more from these characters, I’d like to see them grow.

3.5 stars to be more accurate.

More romance than mystery.

After leaving the CIA, Annie Weaver is lost and decides she needs a new start and applies to her second Master’s degree in a new state. All she wants to do is focus on school but the CIA has other plans for her. While juggling classes and keeping secrets she still finds time to fall for her landlord/professor but something has to give and as the pressure builds Annie’s new life begins to crumble.

Although I enjoyed this book, I struggled through the slow pace of the first half which was a lot of establishing the premise and backstory. After about half way, the pacing picks up and the story flows better.

The romance between Annie and Helen made me smile. I really liked both characters and just wanted the best for them. However, I felt there wasn’t much alluding to the possibility of romance until just before they got together. I would have enjoyed seeing more pining or conflicting/confusing emotions beforehand, especially to emphasize the struggle/frustration for bi/pan people in subtly figuring out the sexuality of others.

I love mystery and thrillers and unfortunately there wasn’t enough in this book for me. It felt more like a sapphic romance that involved an ex-CIA operative than a romantic mystery/thriller.

This book is set in the late 90’s which I liked, especially when the nostalgia hit after reading a scene with a gameboy. It was quite interesting though as the 90’s are history but still very modern history. So although some things are different like technology and behaviors, everything else could be modern day. I found, at points, I had to remind myself that this was set in the 90’s and not today.

With all that in mind, I did enjoy this book. It’s a good, gentle/kind of cozy read. If you’re a fan of romance then you’d probably enjoy it. If you like mystery and thrillers, you may enjoy it too, just keep in mind that it is a light mystery/thriller.

CW/TW: Death (including of a child), murder, guns, mention of sex work, drug and alcohol use, kiddnapping, divorce, sexism, age gap, sexual content, homophobia, child abuse and foster care challenges.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ylva Publishing for sending me this ebook for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Let me start by saying that I did truly enjoy the writing style here. I loved the characters Annie and Helen. Annie was smart and so good at her job, and I thoroughly enjoyed following her story throughout. Helen was a good mother who was always looking out for her children and she seemed a strong character and I enjoyed the relationship between the two of them. The plot was different from other books I’ve read. It kept me engaged, and I wanted to keep turning the pages to see what happened next. It had plenty of story and plenty of character development.
I did want a lot more by the end, but overall, I did enjoy this a lot.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read and review this book

Emily Waters’ writing is deep and thought provoking. In this novel, there was a dark thread in the plot that ensnared me till the very end. There is an element of helplessness throughout the novel that keeps you on your toes, waiting to see how it will be resolved. The romance was very well put together and didn’t take away from the main plot line.

A very well written, thought provoking novel.

This is the first book I have read from Emily Waters and it was thoroughly enjoyable. A good mix of intrigue and romance whilst navigating the harsh reality of being a lesbian living in the 90’s.

I loved the character of Helen. She reminded me of myself. Working, single mother, trying to do what’s best and working through this new part of her life.
The plot kept me engaged although at time it did fall flat and the ending seemed really rush. In saying that, I did enjoy this one.

It was a short read but a good one and will definitely recommend this book to others.

I was instantly drawn in from the very first page. The characters were well developed and made the story come to life.

Helen was an incredible mother, and I really liked that it was clear that be a parent isn't easy. Seeing her as a wonderful mother but far from perfect was a big win.

Annie was flawed, but determined to protect the people she cared about. The fact that she didn't just sit and take crap from people was refreshing. Still, There were moments when she knew it was best to keep her mouth closed. You see how someone strong can still be used and manipulated by someone else when their options seem non-existent.

The overall plot was fantastic. There was mystery and moments you would worry about the well-being of the characters, but it was never overdone. I would consider this to be a cozy sapphic romance/thriller.

I will absolutely be looking into more of Emily Waters' novels. I loved the writing style and clarity.

I received this ARC from Netgalley.

This author can write a grocery list and I will read it. I got this book without really knowing what I was getting myself into and so I will do my best not to give any spoilers and ruin it for you. Annie, as the CIA protégé, is a wonderfully done character. Well done! Just like with some many one POV books I wish we got more from Helen. She was really interesting to me. I was excited to always go back to the book, never knowing where the next page will take me. I thought the storyline was handled by a true pro, the attention to detail that drew me in over and over, but I was really disappointed by the rushed ending. As a very invested reader, I really needed more to wrap it up with the characters that I adore so much. Already excited for the next book by Emily.

They couldn't be more different Annie and Helen but unknown to them, behind the scenes they are the same. Annie Weaver had a successful career with the CIA until she bungled it and resigned. Unsure of her future, trying to find sure footing once again, she is back at University for yet another degree: Criminology and also looking for somewhere to rent. Divorced with two children and fostering another, Helen Everton is an Adjunct Professor at the University and has a little rental unit. You get the picture.........Annie's past career won't let go - the tentacles reach far and wide and she is coerced into secret missions once again. Her landlady/Helen thinks she is an "escort" because of her secretive behavior until they meet face to face during a kidnapping investigation. Lt. Everton is with Internal Affairs LAPD. Oh yes, they both have secrets!
I liked Waters' unusual romance. The way Helen juggles being a good mom with her professional careers and Annie struggling to deal with missions and her uni classes but somehow they support each other. A trip out of town is the start to heavier emotions. The plot has angst, loathing, heat and parting from unexpected events and machinations. Years go by before Annie finds a semblance of peace, are happy days to come?
Set in the 90's I was carried along by the intrigue and possible happiness and easily recommend this book.

I did not want to put this book down. Wow. Absolutely loved this story, set in the 90s and full of nostalgia.

Annie made me want to reach in and give her a hug, slap her male colleagues and tell Helen that there has to be hope of a happy ending. This is a compelling story of a young women’s journey through the ranks of America’s secret servies and law enforcement. Trying to come to terms with her own sexuality and how it affects her and those she loves in a time of unrest. It’s beautifully written, with loveable, complex characters and an unusual style of storytelling that I loved.

Emily Waters is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

Criminal minds meets queer meets age gap … literally the recipe for a perfect book. I genuinely did not put this ARC copy down. First of all- Annie is such a fabulous character. Former CIA - check. ✔️90’s vibe - check ✔️ secret missions - check ✔️ Helen is absolutely everything I wanted her to be… badass mum ( or mom ☺️) academic but also maybe more 😉 foster mum which is just pulling at my heart strings and of course - older than Annie so my lil queer heart can have an age gap book! Like I’ve said , this is absolutely a masterpiece, Im 100% going to reread it but for now , I’ll leave you with this…. This book may actually be my book of 2024 im that obsessed with it. Bold statement to make in January I know 🤷‍♀️ thanks @netgalley and @emilyraywaters for the ARC and my newest obsession! #wlwbooks #lesfic #90svibes #queerreads #queerromance #lgbtbooks #bookstagram

This book grabbed me right from the start with its combination of mystery and romance. The setting being in the early nineties added an extra layer of intrigue for me. It’s not just a backdrop; it’s vital to the story and makes it much more interesting.

What struck me first was the pacing. The book isn’t long, but every page was so full of content that it felt much longer– in the best way possible. I was worried initially that the romance would feel rushed because of the book's length, but it unfolded naturally and beautifully (although I wouldn’t have minded a few more pages of them).

The main characters, Annie and Helen, felt so real to me. Their lives were busy and chaotic, and this chaos made them come alive off the pages. Even with just Annie’s POV, it was easy to get to know Helen through her actions and experiences, and that made the whole thing feel incredibly authentic.

One of the best parts for me was the unpredictability. I love it when a book keeps me guessing, and this one did just that.
The only downside was how rushed the last couple of chapters felt. The emotion was there, but I wish it had gone on for a few more pages. Even then, the way the book ended made sense to me, it was heart-warming and felt like a fitting conclusion to a wild ride.

In short, Two Is a Pattern is a book that I just couldn’t put down. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a break from the usual romances and is looking for a story that’s as thrilling as it is touching. I highly recommend it! Thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this title.

As I initially forgot this is set in the early 90’s a couple of things surprised me, like using a pay phone in a hotel corridor, or listening to tapes in a car!
I read this in one sitting. This a rare blend novel where the romance and intrigue have 50% billing and they are intertwined, it’s not romance for half the novel, then an intrigue novel. Both happen at once. This really is one of the best romantic blend novels I have read. I enjoyed seeing the romance unfold as I wasn’t sure what would happen with the intrigue. The ending is perfect. To be so out of agency, to be so talented….. Not a neatly wrapped solution. Perfect.
Great job.

I really liked this book, it is a good mixture of crime, action and love stories.

Annie is a ex agent with a dark past and try to start a new life. She found her landlord and teacher Helen, but the new life come with the price for Annie. She tried to save her and her new love. The story has some unexpected twists and I could lay the book away.

thank you to netgalley for providing me with a copy of this!

overall, I really enjoyed this book! the characters were great and the plot was interesting.

however, I'm not sure how I felt about the last two chapters. it felt like a lot happened on one page, and then suddenly it was twelve years later, and I feel like this part couldve been expanded upon a bit more.

I also wish that the romance between Annie and Helen was a bit more developed. I liked the buildup but once their romance actually started, their interactions were mostly just not properly communicating their feelings and steamy scenes.

Honey in the Marrow is one of my favorite books of 2022. I was so excited about Emily Waters' second work and was not disappointed. I love both main characters; they have grown on me, and I'm still thinking about them even though I finished the book a few days ago. 
I only wish the book was a bit longer. The ending was rushed and abrupt. It feels like there is more to explore. I'm hoping there will be an epilogue in the future. Either way, I still enjoy the book!

This book for the most part is in the late 80’s early 90’s era. It focuses on Annie, a brilliant and beautiful ex CIA agent who decides to return to school after something happened on her last assignment that affected her heavily enough to quit. During her time at school she resides with Professor Helen Everton and her kids in their garage/extra room.
Annie’s deranged ex-boss comes back into her life, forcing her to be a consultant for local Los Angeles agencies.
Overall I really liked the book! It was a slow burn with eventually a HEA, but it felt rushed at the end

An intriguing glimpse into the mind of a woman who is used to deceive and play a part. A woman who ends up being used as a pawn in a dirty game herself, while trying to build a life of her own and falling for a woman she has no business falling for.

I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Annie Weaver is done. Done with her life as a CIA agent after her mistake caused people to die. And done with her manipulating boss. She wants to start over. That’s how Annie ends up in L.A. planning to get her master’s degree and figuring out what is next for her. When a student housing mix up forces her to rent a garage apartment from a professor, she didn’t expect to slowly fall for her new landlord. But the most unexpected development comes in the form of her nasty, old boss who doesn’t want to release her from his clutches and forces Annie to work for him again.

I was immediately drawn to Annie’s manner of thinking about the people and the world around her. She is trained to be observant, but it is more than that. It seems she inherently knows how to position herself in a situation to get what she wants out of it. She plays people like an expensive violin all while coming across as trustworthy and authentic. That would normally make me dislike that person immediately, but somehow Emily Waters makes me love Annie a little bit more with every turn of the page. The way she lets you spend time inside Annie’s head is remarkable.

The relationship Annie builds with Helen and her kids feels like the only authentic thing in her life. Even though she starts out being very deliberate about her way of connecting with them, you can feel the switch in her thinking when she starts treating her time with Helen like a coming home. The relieve Annie feels when she can finally tell Helen more about her life is palpable.

I would have loved to see more of the actual relationship Annie and Helen build together. We only get brief glances into that and a few very steamy scenes. Though I am definitely not complaining about the latter 😉 I would have loved to read more about where they ultimately end up after so much has happened.

The story takes place in the early nineties. For me personally it was great to go back to that time and relive the first technical inventions like the matrix printer, the pager etc. It could actually hear that printer in my mind spewing out pages that were attached to each other and the little rim that you could tear off.

This is a very interesting read and definitely not a run of the mill sapphic romance. That in itself makes it well worth your time!

A very interesting read. Anything by Emily waters is always a hit

I enjoyed the one character POV along with the suspense.

Two is a Pattern is a novel filled with great romance and suspense.

The book is set in 1992 and follows Annie Walker, a 27-year-old woman who left her job with the CIA under tragic circumstances and is now looking for a fresh start in Los Angeles as a graduate student at UCLA. Overbooked graduate student housing means that Annie must look for alternative living arrangements, which she finds with Helen Everton, a 39-year-old, divorced adjunct professor with 3 young children who is renting out a room in her garage. Annie believes that LA is the place where she will be able to make an uncomplicated new beginning, but she quickly finds herself drawn to her new landlord while also discovering that breaking up with the CIA is not so easy to do.

Pluses:
Annie is a great MC. She’s smart and sarcastic in all the best ways. Emily Waters did a great job of creating a character who is damned good at what she does, while also making Annie a very relatable 27-year-old who is filled with many of the same questions and uncertainties about her future that many readers will have faced at that age.

Annie and Helen build a very believable relationship, first as landlord and renter, then as cautious friends, and finally as lovers. There’s a slow burn build as Annie and Helen get to the point of admitting that they’re attracted to each other, but once they do, their chemistry is smoking hot. Emily Waters does a great job pulling the reader into the dynamic of two women who just can’t quite stay away from each other.

The book does a great job of slowly ratcheting up the suspense levels as Annie’s old employers at the CIA begin making demands on her. At first the agents seem like just an annoyance, but Annie quickly becomes distressed at what the Agency wants to use her for and then frightened when she realizes that she’s been drawn into a seemingly inescapable web.

Don’t let the CIA suspense fool you, this book is laugh out loud funny. Both Annie and Helen have wonderfully dry senses of humor and there are a lot of great supporting characters who add to comedic scenes.

Critiques:
My only critique of the book is that I would have loved to have had a few chapters with Helen as POV character. The book is told entirely from Annie’s POV and, particularly in romantic novels, I appreciate getting the POV from both main characters because it makes it easier to follow the journey as they fall in love with each other. Helen can often be a very enigmatic character from Annie's POV, so as a reader it's a little difficult to track when Helen falls as deeply for Annie as Annie does for her.

[Thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this title.]