Ruthie Knox

Meet me at the train museum after dark. Dress for 1957. When Mandy joins an online dating service, she keeps her expectations low. All she wants is a distraction from the drudgery of single parenthood and full-time work. But the invitation she receives from a handsome man who won't share his real name promises an adventure-and a chance to pretend she's someone else for a few hours. She doesn't want romance to complicate her life, but Mandy's monthly role-playing dates with her stranger on a train-each to a different time period-become the erotic escape she desperately needs. And a soul connection she never expected. Yet when she tries to draw her lover out of the shadows, Mandy has a fight on her hands...to convince him there's a place for their fantasy love in the light of day.

Big Boy

Becky

I saw this book in Ruthie Knox's newsletter and instantly knew I wanted it in my life. I loved that there was a fantasy element to this romance as Mandy went on a date each month with a time period.to dress for and each roleplayed a character. It was a unique premise and it was done perfectly.

I've only read a couple of books by Knox so I wasn't certain what to expect with this novella but she blew me away with how easily she made me care for Mandy and her mystery man in such a short amount of time. I almost instantly cared for Mandy and her new found parenthood of Josh. Her struggle to both keep on top of her career, her relationship with her little boy and still knowing who she was and enjoying herself on her dates. 

And it can't be claimed that there wasn't a full back story given as well. Of the novellas I've read too frequently you get little back story and romance novellas can end up being less substance and more rushed romance and sex and this wasn't the case. Maybe it's because you are dropped in the middle of the rance, there have already been several of the fantasy dates and you instead get told what happened previously to get to that point. It meant the romance never felt rushed or forced. 

It was just so intelligently written which just makes me more frustrated that I can't get all of Knox's books here in the UK already because she is a kickass author.

b.andherbooks

My fated mate @hopefulleigh always knows the right book rec (I wanted angst). Big Boy, a novella by Ruthie Knox, punched me in the heart. 

Sex pact, historical cosplay, train s*x. Phenomenal discussion of parenthood (both as a parent and when you become the caretaker for your parent).

Big Boy

Reviews