This book was so spicy and so good!

Vini and Jessica were such a good match. Their chemistry was unmatched.

This book felt short but also dealt with so much. I sped through it and enjoyed every second. There were themes of clashing family dynamics, sexism, being queer in small town, and even commitment issues.

There was a student/teacher dynamic between the two for a bit too which was fun!

Enjoyed myself!

Jessica needs to lay low for a few weeks to let the small scandal about her relationship with not one, but two, of her mother’s co-stars die down. Her mother is an actress in Korea, and Jessica herself is half-Korean, used to a life of more glamour and wealth and luxury than her current stay, which is at her friend Grace’s house in Peach Blossom, Texas. Other than connecting with her friend, there’s something else Peach Blossom has … and that’s Vini.

Vini Williams, at 22, owns her own shop where she is the head mechanic. So when Jessica’s rental car ends up leaving her stranded, it’s Vini who takes the job. Jessica knows what she likes and she very much likes the looks of Vini who, as a young queer black woman, hasn’t had much experience. So Jessica takes it slow and keeps her flirting to a few glances until she knows Vini is interested.

The one problem in their romance is Vini’s sister, Ava, who has taken one look at Jessica and decided she hates her. Because of this, the two women decide to keep it a … quiet romance, a secret between the two of them. Besides, Jessica’s only in town for six weeks; this isn’t meant to be a forever sort of affair, just a winter romance with lots of snuggling beneath the blankets — you know, to avoid catching a cold.

Jessica has always been a bit of a fish out of water. As a half black, half Korean girl raised in Korea, she didn’t quite conform. As a half black, half Asian child in the rest of the world, trailing after her well-known actress of a mother, Jessica has gotten used to being stared at, used to being talked about, used to being a visitor, but never really family. When Vini’s family invites her for Thanksgiving, it’s not just Vini and their secret romance that has her feeling nervous; it’s the dad, the sisters, the sense of being included — by everyone, that is, but Ava.

Ava is the main character of the first book of the Peach Blossom series, The 7-10 Split. In her own book, she was a good person, compassionate, kind, and forgiving; but here she’s shrill, petty, judgmental, and unpleasant. It was honestly a bit of a surprise, and it felt out of character. With everyone else being welcoming and accepting, it made Ava stand out all the more, and not in a good way. I enjoyed the first book in this series and I enjoyed Ava, but I certainly didn’t enjoy Ava in this one.

Vini is Ava’s younger sister, and would be the baby of the family if it weren’t for her other sister’s son. While the other two Williams sisters had no interest in their dad’s auto shop, Vini did. After high school, she took vocational classes to learn to be a mechanic, and she’s a good one. She is able to pick her clients and to throw the jerks out on their ears when they get irate about having a woman work on their car. She knows what she wants, and who, and isn’t going to let anyone dictate her life for her, not Ava, not Jessica.

To be honest, while I did think the relationship and the romance here were strong, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first one. Because this is a winter fling, there’s a lot more focus on the sex than the conversations and the growing closeness between the two women, and there is quite a bit of sex. I do appreciate that Jessica, especially on their first night together, made it clear that she would follow Vini’s lead; to go as fast as she wanted or as slow; she asked for consent and, the morning after, put no pressure on Vini to stay or go. She always let Vini set the pace, knowing she herself is more experienced — being almost ten years older — both in sex and in relationships.

Both Vini and Jessica stand up for themselves, not allowing other people to shame them for their secret fling. When Ava tries to tell Jessica (in essence) that this isn’t you, Vini is quick to retort that Ava isn’t her, that Vini doesn’t want what Ava wants because they’re not the same person, and she’d appreciate her sister butting out. It was a good moment, and a well written one.

The whole book is well written, and the pace is fairly quick. While I don’t think it’s as strong as the first book in the series, it’s still a nice, light read, and if you decide to pick it up, I hope you enjoy it.

Jessica comes to Peach Blossom to get away from a scandal and stay with her friend Grace. Her rental car breaks down and Vini comes to her rescue. They are instantly attracted to one another. Vini is Ava’s little sister. Grace and Ava are seeing each other.

Soon Jessica and Vini are seeing each other. They were just supposed to be having fun while Jessica was in town. It wasn’t supposed to get serious. So, of course, they fall for each other.

This was a really good love story. It was a situationship that turned into more. I was happy to see characters from the first book in the series. I enjoyed this book a lot.

A delightful sapphic romp in a small town! Jessica and Vinny had irresitable chemistry from the very beginning it jumped off the page everytime they were together. A situationship turned oh-sh*tuationship is so fun and this one was scorching. I do wish we had a bit more relationship development prior to their third act conflict because once Jessica had her "oh sh*t" moment and recalled all these times when she was treating Vinny like they were in a relationship, I would've loved to see some of that bleed through when they were still sneaking around, etc. However I will never complain about avoiding conversations when you can be kissing.

Karmen Lee needs to be a romance staple on peoples shelves!!

This was a cute and spicy romance! The ending was so good, and their love story was sweet. I liked the side characters as well. It was well-written! / A R C

I wanted to love The Relationship Mechanic more than I did. Don't get me wrong, I did not hate it. I love a cozy small town romance and it's great seeing a sapphic love story with diverse leads. Vini is charming as a female Black mechanic (Love a woman in a male dominated field) and Jessica brings an interesting angle as a Korean-Black voice actress hiding out from scandal in Peach Blossom, Georgia.
The bones are good, I just kept waiting for more meat on them. The characters felt thin and surface to me, and while their chemistry works, we skip over a lot relationship and character development in favor of steamy scenes (of which there are many, if that's your thing). I found myself skimming looking for more story.
Lee's writing flows well. It's a quick, easy read with pretty low angst. No content warnings really come to mind, which can be refreshing. I just wanted more happening beyond the romance itself. I can read erotica for a sex scene in almost every chapter.

3.5 stars from me. It's fine! If you're in the mood for a light, steamy romance with a charming small-town vibe, go for it.

The Relationship Mechanic is a sapphic romance that is the followup to The 7-10 Split. This book left something to be desired. There was a lot of potential but there was a little too much spice and too little plot. The plot of this follow up is our FMC Vini is the local mechanic who helps out a town new comer Jessica who is only in town for a short time. There are instant flames between these two and after some initial resistance, they decide to give one another a chance. While there were some cute moments and little dates they go on, they happen so fast and jump to drawn out spice scenes that frankly, I was bored by the book. There was a lack of character development and neither FMC's personality really shined through so I didn't feel like I had a chance to with like or dislike the FMCs. Overall, it was OK but it didn't captivate me or give me the feels.

The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee is the second book in the Afterglow Books series, and though this was my first foray into Lee's work, it certainly won’t be my last. This charming small-town romance had me hooked from the start with its vibrant characters, heartfelt moments, and sizzling chemistry. While not without its flaws, the story left a lasting impression and showcased the author’s engaging voice.

The story revolves around Vini Williams, a young and spunky mechanic with a knack for fixing cars and melting hearts, and Jessica Miller, a city girl on the run from a small social media scandal who’s not looking for anything serious. What starts as a classic "no strings to forever" trope is executed beautifully, creating a delightful balance of humor, spice, and emotional depth.

Vini is a standout character—her pocket-sized dynamism and sincerity make her an absolute delight. It’s refreshing to see a heroine who’s unapologetically herself and knows what she wants. Jessica’s journey is a bit more layered. Her resistance to relationships and the vulnerability she begins to show as her walls come down make her an interesting foil to Vini’s grounded personality. The chemistry between them is palpable, and the scenes where they let their guards down are some of the most rewarding moments in the book.

One of the strengths of this novel is its pacing—until it isn’t. The emotional stakes could have been explored more deeply. Jessica’s transformation from commitment-phobic to fully invested in Vini felt a little rushed, leaving me wishing for more time spent unpacking her feelings on-page. A few added moments of introspection or dialogue could have elevated the resolution and given the romance a richer, more satisfying arc.

That said, Karmen Lee’s writing is smooth and easy to get lost in. The plot has enough meat to it that the characters feel fully realized, and the spicy scenes are as well-written as they are steamy. The small-town setting of Peach Blossom, Georgia, adds charm and personality, making the story feel warm and inviting. Fans of romantic comedies by authors like Hannah Bonam-Young and Ashley Herring Blake will find themselves right at home here.

Ultimately, The Relationship Mechanic is a satisfying, fast-paced romance with characters you’ll root for and moments that will make you smile, swoon, and maybe even blush. While I would have loved a bit more emotional depth and tension, this book’s humor, heart, and heat make it an enjoyable ride from start to finish. I’m already looking forward to picking up The 7-10 Split and seeing more from this series.

A meet-cute turned situationship after a scandal. This small-town romance was a delightful read with a lot of spicy moments. We also got little cameos from Grace and Ava from book 1. What a fun read with a satisfying HEA.

Book 2 in the Peach Blossom Series, I highly suggest reading The 7-10 Split first.

Jessica was not lying when she agreed to being trouble, however that didn't stop Vini from wanting something from this. Jessica's scandal that lands her at Peach Blossom is wilddddddd! But Jessica is also a girl that knows her wants so I am not surprised lol.

The workplace 🥰
They only have 6 weeks
Jessica knows exactly what she wants sexually and allows Vini to be as comfortable as possible.
Dani & Grace and then Ava became a little invested.
Why is it so hard to keep things a secret? - because others know the secret and know they feel like they have to move differently and act like they know nothing which sometimes makes a person upset for not knowing like everyone else did.
Jessica's parents !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yessssss go get your girl "You're my home."

The Relationship Mechanic is the second book in Karmen Lee's Peach Blossom series. Jessica Miller is seeking some time away from real life by visiting a friend in Peach Blossom, Georgia. What she actually gets is a broken down rental vehicle. But things are looking up when she gets a tow from Vini Williams and sparks fly. With only a few weeks to spend together things heat up between the pair. But can they enjoy. their time without heartbreak.

I really enjoyed this! Vini and Jessica are great characters. They have incredible chemistry! There was a lot of very interesting small town drama too. This was a nice quick read and I look forward to reading more from Karmen.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the eARC!

I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, it just fell flat for me. While the characters have great sexual chemistry, their romantic chemistry falls flat for me. I made it about 2/3 of the way through the book and these two barely know each other beyond a surface level. I wish we could have gotten more insights into their relationships with other characters, I feel like that would have been nice. All in all, this was just okay. 2.5 stars.

3.5 stars
This had some solid sweetness going on and a whole lotta spice, but I feel like we missed 95% of the MCs falling in love. They had their moments of depth to their conversation, but never had some very necessary difficult conversations. Exception being right about the end of the book. Vini was great and I enjoyed her take no shit attitude with customers. Jessica was not the most self aware, even if she saw herself that way.

Spice: 5/5

Triggers: misogyny, parent death from cancer (historical)

Wonderful romance!

I know that this is my first book by Karmen Lee but by golly. I think I am an instant fan of the way she writes romance. This first of all is such a uniqe premise for falling in love. I was hooked on the first glance with these two. The banter had me chuckling.

I must comment on the steam too because my face was REDDDDDDDDD

Thank you NetGalley for my ebook arc

I’m loving this series. Vini and jess had me kicking my feet and giggling.

If you are looking for a fun light read. This is definitely a must read!

The relationship mechanic is part of a series of interconnected standalones. You do not need to read the others in the series to understand, but it is fun to see characters from the first book appear in this one. We need more sapphic romances with POC characters, so I was very happy when I saw this. 

The small-town vibes in this book were so cozy. They felt a bit different from other small-town romances, but it still had that family feel and the nosy, meddling town folk. 

I really enjoyed Jessica’s inner monologue; however, I found that she wasn’t very developed as a character compared to Vini. Perhaps it is because Vini existed in book one. Vini seemed to have more of a personality outside of the romance plotline. 

I loved the banter between Vini and Jessica, and I felt that they did have good chemistry; however, parts of the romance felt rushed or sudden. Sometimes the spice overshadowed any relationship development. The spice was good; it just took over a bit. I wish it had been a little longer, even just 20 pages longer, to fully explore everything the author was trying to. It was a short and sweet book, and I don't think 15-20 pages would have changed that. 

Overall, very cute, and if you are looking for a short sapphic romance, I’d give it a go.

The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee is the second book in the Peach Blossom series but can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed this book much more than the first one! I enjoyed the instant chemistry between Vini and Jessica. Vini is the baby sister and has lived in Peach Blossom her whole life, while Jessica is just passing through trying to wade out her scandal. While everyone tells them they need to stay away from each other, neither of them can resist.

Vini being a woman in the male-dominated field had me excited from the state; I love that they are 22, own their business, and are a master mechanic who put grown men in their place! And I love that Vini was unapologetically herself and goes after what she wants. The banter and wanting between these two characters was fun and exciting. I liked the chemistry. However, I don't know if they worked well enough for Jessica to give up her lifestyle to settle down in a small town, but I loved the thought of it. I loved how Karmen Lee built Vini's close-knit family with so much love and sport. Also, how she writes diverse queer romances, where there is no coming out, and it is just a casual hope she also likes women/I'm going to shoot my shot. Overall, I had a great time reading this book, and I would absolutely add this book to your TBR

Thank you to Netgalley and Karmen Lee for the advance copy of this book!

Sweet story, and I liked Vini and Jessica. The side characters were pretty flat, and the conflict with Ava felt forced.

That being said, overall I enjoyed the read. The romance was cute, and the end was adorable and funny!

While this sweet and charming small-town romance gave me everything I wanted on the surface, I was left needing more when it came to depth, emotion, and the small details. I loved Vini and Jessica separately, but, I don't know if their relationship had enough to stand on its own in the end. Not to mention, this was insa-lust to the extreme and with 4+ sex scenes, I wish there was some more variety. Just a PSA to others, women can have sex in more than one way, you can get creative instead of rushing straight to oral sex. With the constant scenes, the story just felt very repetitive and ultimately one-dimensional. I'm not writing off this author yet, I want to give her other books a read because at its core, this book has so much potential!

I was interested in this book because I love a sapphic romance. Black MCs too? Bet! I enjoyed this enough but I felt that the book was a bit boring. There wasn’t enough tension between Vini and Jessica for me. Their situationship developed very quickly and then felt stagnant for a long time. There just didn’t feel like there was a good conflict/main plot point in this story, if that makes any sense. There was nothing progressing the plot for a good bit in the middle there.

I think I may not have been the target audience for this book like I’d initially thought I was. I like my romances to have some tension/some big looming issue that needs resolution, and this didn’t really give me that unfortunately. I wasn’t invested in the story even though I really wanted to be, and I felt that there were significant chunks of the book where nothing really happened at all.