Abigail is content with her quiet life as a librarian. But when she’s invited to a high-profile charity auction, she finds herself dancing with one of the most beautiful women she’s ever met. Abby’s sure she’ll never see her again, but then Gabrielle calls and asks her on a date. And soon after, another.

Supermodel Gabrielle Levesque has a reputation as the Ice Queen—cold and untouchable—except she warms up whenever she’s with Abby. Only Abby isn’t interested in the heat between them; she’s asexual, and she’s worried that admitting as much to Gabrielle might spell the end of their blooming romance.

They’re two different women from two very different worlds, but Abby knows she can love Gabrielle. Her passion for books, travel, and theater prove there’s more to the Ice Queen than meets the eye. But they’ll have to overcome Abby’s fears—and Gabrielle’s own threatening secrets—in order to find their way to love.

Riptide Publishing / Amazon / Goodreads
Release Date: April 24th
Whiteout Review by Jude / by Annie
Thaw Review by Annie
Heat Wave Review by Annie

*A copy of this book was provided via NetGalley

Springer’s work is consistently good: she brings a lot to the table as a storyteller, and I will read all of her work if given the opportunity. Thaw was well written and enjoyable, although I’ll be honest, of her works it wasn’t my absolute favorite. The pacing felt a little slow to me. There were times when I wasn’t totally engaged in the story.

I liked Abby’s storyline. I felt invested in her anxieties over her library potentially closing and in her worries about dating someone who lives in a completely different world, so to speak, than her. Abby’s love of people watching and story telling was compelling, and also worked really well as we see her learning to navigate spaces such as Gabrielle’s photo shoot, and trying to understand other’s motivations throughout.

I believe that Gabrielle’s reticence to talk at all about anything personal for so long slowed the relationship believably down, for me a little too much. I understand why she was reticent, but it was hard to relate to Abby’s continued interest in pursuing something with Gabrielle when there was so little give in the beginning.

Springer did an excellent job creating chemistry between them; when Gabrielle did thaw a little, or moments when she was more herself with Abby, the scenes were lovely. Abby’s anxiety about coming out as ace was balanced really perfectly. Their communication and establishment of boundaries is important to see and I’m glad Springer wrote it. I, personally, struggled with Abby thinking she *had* to engage in something sexual to make Brie happy. However, I know that this is just because the phrasing struck a chord with me and how I feel about sex (and my own greyness).

This story is an important read: an #ownvoices story from an author who not only has an understanding of the struggles Abby might be going through, but who also took the time to talk to others who are ace and experience these moments, negotiations and romance in different ways.

A great addition to the Seasons of Love series.

Elyse is an author and world-traveler, whose unique life experiences have helped to shape the stories that she wants to tell. She writes romances with LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, and believes that every person deserves a Happily Ever After. When she’s not staring futilely at her computer screen, El spends her time adding stamps to her passport, catching up on her terrifying TBR list, and learning to be a better adult.

She’s always happy to chat with other readers, and you can find her online at:

http://elspringer.com / @ElyseSpringer / Facebook

Genre: Contemporary Orientation: Asexual (+ace-spec) Orientation: Bisexual Pairing: F/F Publisher: Riptide Publishing Review Tag: Celebrity / Famous Person Tag: Own-Voices Tag: Part of a series Tag: PoC Elyse Springer Seasons of Love Thaw