Rachel Spangler

Nic and Anabelle lead a picture perfect suburban life courtesy of Nic's successful sales career. But success breeds boredom and complacency. And an ultra competitive alpha like Nic just couldn't resist the challenge and the thrill of the chase when she crosses paths with fiesty and sassy Davis. As their affair escalates, so does the tension and dread, as the risk of discovery looms imminent. But time and again, Nic gets away with it because of the absolute trust of her wife and Davis' being show more blinded by her infatuation with Nic.

No good ending can possibly come of this. I cried for Annabelle, felt sorry for Davis and wanted to kill Nic. How can the author possibly squeeze an HEA out of this mess? I was completely hooked. No matter how she takes the story, someone is bound to be hurt (that's the thing I hate most with love triangles, but the guaranteed angst is hard to resist :) ). But the author totally shocked me. I admit I didn't see that coming. It was surreal. Something out of a telenovela. A real, true-blue WTF moment. Really? How is the author gonna pull that off? Well I'm happy to say she managed to convince me. How she does it is the interesting part. show less

4.5

This is the third book in the Darlington Romances series, it stands alone, although it’s nice knowing the back history, especially of the inter-relationships.

Kelly is a CPA who has grown up working with her father in their small town all-service accountancy firm. When her father is taken to hospital at the start of tax season she is left facing a mountain of returns to complete alone, while trying to visit her father and deal with her worry and stress.

Elliot needs a CPA internship to show more get her qualification, then she will be off to follow her dream of fighting for the unprivileged who suffer from the complexity of tax laws. When Elliot gets placed with Kelly the sparks are bound to fly. Kelly is extremely closeted and determined to stay under the radar, including keeping her distance from the young brash intern, while Elliot is determined to give everything to her work, including exploring her snappy boss’s character.

All three of the Darlington Romances are well done and different, despite the commonality of place and the growing cast of characters they share.”The Long Way Home” saw the black sheep returning to the small town she hated, “Timeless” is an unusual story of a coma induced flashback, while “Close To Home” is the more traditional ‘overcome the odds’ romance.

All three are well written, plotted and edited, but “Close to Home” feels like a step up, a more sophisticated writing style and a deeper engagement with the characters’ emotional journey. Whether due to a natural growth for Ms Spangler or a change of publisher, this story felt more mature. Nothing really happens other than the day to day data entry and processing of tax files, yet we watch both women embark on a voyage of development. Kelly, a fairly unlikeable character in the earlier novel and the start of this one, has a huge course to travel and while Elliot’s growth is less pronounced, she has her own learning to do.

The small town setting, the close-nit community, knowing each other's business, reminds us of the challenges we face to be ourselves and the courage it takes to come out. We see how the support of friends is critical, and yet those very friends can hold us trapped inside the person we have become by doubting our ability to change. For an author it is far easier to take two likeable characters and put a surmountable obstacle in their way than to take a distinctly unlikeable character and convince the reader that they want them to change, take that step, become the better person.

Overall this was my favorite of the three, and probably my favourite from Ms Spangler to date. I felt more engaged, despite the simplicity of the plot and traditional format, somehow i was convinced to care more deeply about a character I didn’t even like, and had distinctly disliked in the earlier story. I am looking forward to seeing where Ms Spangler’s more mature style takes her next. show less

Nic(ole) and (Anna)Belle have been together for thirteen years. Nic's career is progressing and Belle has quit work to be a "housewife" and is looking forward to starting a family.

Nic travels regularly for work. One night, not for the first time, she hooks up with a stranger in a bar and something sparks between her and Davis.

Davis has been hurt before and is closed off to the possibility of a new relationship, but she sees something in Nic, who doesn't reveal to Davis that she is already show more in a relationship.

Nic chooses to string both women along rather than hurt Belle or Davis by breaking things off with them.

Of course it all falls apart, all three women a devastated and we follow them as they rebuild their lives.

I enjoy books that deal with infidelity and there don't seem to be many sapphic romances that fall into this category. This is a great one.

Nic is easy to despise and I was surprised when the story continued to follow her after the big breakup - her path isn't an easy one and I felt she deserved everything she gets. Annabelle was the star of the story for me, and seeing her grow in strength and independence as she builds a better life for herself was a joy.

If you can handle the angst then this is a great read. Very recommended. show less

For a book that made me so mad in the beginning, Does She Love You? ended up being a rather likable read that tugged at my heart strings. Some readers may find the way things take a turn unrealistic or even disturbing, but Rachel Spangler does a fabulous job of making the reason things go the way they do natural and believable. As frustrating and selfish as Nic (one of the main characters) is, that's how sweet and reliable, caring and spunky Annabelle and Davis are...as hard as it was for me show more to like Nic, she is no less a fully fleshed out character for being so easy to dislike. show less