by: Elle Douglas
Genre: LGBTQ+ Romance
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edtion
An unlikely volunteer…
Saving more than the shelter!
When Georgia O’Neill bursts into the Sunset County Animal Shelter, wary veterinarian Mel Carter doesn’t know what’s hit her. But soon, Georgia’s California rays of sunshine are lighting up even the darkest parts of Mel’s heart, still raw after a heart-wrenching betrayal. Still, PR pro Georgia is set only on rehabbing her image while cleaning out her beloved aunt’s cottage. Mel’s life in rural Canada can’t possibly compete with LA glamour…can it?
From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Mel put her knife down on the cutting board, then wiped her hands on the dishtowel that Georgia passed her. She leaned against the counter, then plucked a cherry tomato from Georgia’s cutting board and popped it in her mouth. “Wait. So, you’re volunteering at the shelter. Somehow you’ve convinced Connie to let you help her with the fundraiser. You’ve taken on a new social media project, and you’re settling your aunt’s estate. Tell me how that equals time on your hands.”
Georgia flashed her a quick smile. “You don’t know what my schedule was like back in LA. To be honest this feels like a vacation in comparison. And I might just be a bit of a workaholic.”
“Ah,” said Mel. “Well, I can’t say I’m shocked.”
“What does that mean?”
Georgia looked up again from her cutting board to find Mel looking at her closely. “Nothing. It’s not an insult. It’s just that you’re really efficient. And tuned in. It’s impressive.”
Georgia tried to suppress the wide grin that was threatening to blow her cover. What Mel had just said was exactly what she was dying to hear, and everything she’d worked so hard to project. Talk about being tuned in. And hearing it from Mel, someone who clearly wasn’t quick to praise—well, that was just the icing on the cake.
“Relationship?” Mel asked.
“Not much of a relationship type.” Georgia looked sideways at Mel to gauge her reaction. Did that slight, sexy upturn on one side of her mouth mean she was pleased?
“Too busy?” Mel said.
“Yup. Maybe in a few years, once I’ve got my dream job. Although that might mean just a whole other level of time commitment. Who knows.” Mel’s expression returned to neutral, but her gaze was fixed intently on Georgia as she sliced a baguette for the table.
A few more sips of wine, and Georgia could picture exactly what would happen next. She’d drop her knife on the cutting board. Then, she’d hook one finger in the belt loop of Mel’s jeans and guide her against the counter. She’d slide a hand up her abdomen to her chest, where she’d pause for a moment, before trailing her fingers behind her neck, pulling Mel’s face toward hers and melting into her delicious-looking lips.
Instead, Georgia shot Mel a quick smile, hoping she didn’t notice the flush in her cheeks summoned by her quick daydream. Was it a daydream? Or was it more of a wish?
Georgia flashed her a quick smile. “You don’t know what my schedule was like back in LA. To be honest this feels like a vacation in comparison. And I might just be a bit of a workaholic.”
“Ah,” said Mel. “Well, I can’t say I’m shocked.”
“What does that mean?”
Georgia looked up again from her cutting board to find Mel looking at her closely. “Nothing. It’s not an insult. It’s just that you’re really efficient. And tuned in. It’s impressive.”
Georgia tried to suppress the wide grin that was threatening to blow her cover. What Mel had just said was exactly what she was dying to hear, and everything she’d worked so hard to project. Talk about being tuned in. And hearing it from Mel, someone who clearly wasn’t quick to praise—well, that was just the icing on the cake.
“Relationship?” Mel asked.
“Not much of a relationship type.” Georgia looked sideways at Mel to gauge her reaction. Did that slight, sexy upturn on one side of her mouth mean she was pleased?
“Too busy?” Mel said.
“Yup. Maybe in a few years, once I’ve got my dream job. Although that might mean just a whole other level of time commitment. Who knows.” Mel’s expression returned to neutral, but her gaze was fixed intently on Georgia as she sliced a baguette for the table.
A few more sips of wine, and Georgia could picture exactly what would happen next. She’d drop her knife on the cutting board. Then, she’d hook one finger in the belt loop of Mel’s jeans and guide her against the counter. She’d slide a hand up her abdomen to her chest, where she’d pause for a moment, before trailing her fingers behind her neck, pulling Mel’s face toward hers and melting into her delicious-looking lips.
Instead, Georgia shot Mel a quick smile, hoping she didn’t notice the flush in her cheeks summoned by her quick daydream. Was it a daydream? Or was it more of a wish?
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Elle is a lover of 90’s alternative music, a wannabe chef specializing in comfort food and a sometimes reluctant but usually dedicated gym-goer who lives in Toronto with her romance muse partner and their cat Lucy (or Lucifer, depending on the day). Between writing romance novels and working as a high school guidance counsellor, Elle works exclusively in helping others find their happily-ever-afters.
She is a graduate of TMU's Radio and Television Arts program, OISE at U of T, and the U of T Creative Writing program, and is a member of Toronto Romance Writers, Romance Writers of America and Georgia Romance Writers.
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This sounds like a great LGBTQ+ Romance read. I like the cover.
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