Jove Belle

Sam Marconi and her teenage daughter move to Bitterroot, Idaho to open a motel, but they find it in a derelict state. Olly Jones, also a newcomer, agrees to help Sam restore the Bitterroot Queen, though their first meeting went badly. As they work together, a mutual attraction grows between them. Can these two women make a relationship work?

Bitterroot Queen

Lucia Correa

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 Stars.

Single mom, Sam Marconi leaves her executive job at a Vegas casino to move to Bitterroot, a small town in Idaho with her 15 year old daughter, Beth. She fell in love with Bitterroot when she visited her friend, Karen to escape her work pressures. She grows tired of Vegas and neglecting her daughter - having to work long hours and nights. Saving her money, she buys the Bitterroot Queen motel, sight unseen going only on photos Karen took and the inspection report. When they arrive they find that the motel has been vandalized and is in horrible shape. Olly Jones is a drifter. She and her dog, Rampart travel from town to town doing odd jobs, many of them in construction of some sort. Never staying long, searching for a place to settle down. A place that Olly will know it when she sees it. So far she hadn't found it.

I liked both these main characters. Sam is trying to be a good mom, dealing with both a very unhappy, sulking teenager who did not want to leave her boyfriend and a motel that needs major repairs she wasn't expecting. Olly is liked where ever she goes, a skilled craftsman in many trades and because of her inherent kindness, is able to make friends even with gruff old apple farmers. So with personal, family and money issues on both their sides, Sam and Olly have a slow burn romance. When done right it has come to be my favorite type. And this is one is done right. Fair warning it is so slow, that while it doesn't end on a cliffhanger per se, it does leave you wanting. There is much more story to tell. So I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Jove has written a three short stories (free at Dirt Road Books) and a Novella (Cake). All dealing with different lesbians from Bitterroot. My favorite so far is Hearts and Roses with Ava and Valentina whom we meet in this book. I wouldn't mind a whole book with this couple.

Bitterroot Queen

Reviews