Olivia's Awakening

I really enjoyed this new book from Ronica Black. The characters were developed very well from the beginning. There is an immediate attraction between Olivia and Eve from the first time they met, but once they agree to a business relationship (Eve helping Olivia with workouts and getting into shape), the relationship option is off the table. Olivia has never been with another woman before and was taught as a child that romantic feelings between same-sex people were wrong. So she is constantly battling her feelings for Eve. Eve has her own issues, not wanting to commit to a long-term relationship.

I thought the building of their relationship was paced pretty good at the beginning, but around the middle of the book it started to drag a little. Maybe it was my own impatience, but I wanted the couple to get together finally and it seemed that the smallest obstacles turned into major mountains to overcome for them. I did enjoy the building of Olivia from a woman who was broken by what others told her into a fit, confident woman who finally stood up for what she wanted. It takes a long time for that to happen, but in the end, I found her to be a stronger woman than Eve.

There is one character I particularly despise, Olivia's mother. Her tight religious beliefs have driven a wedge between her and her daughter (as well as others in the family) and she just doesn't seem to care. Unfortunately, it is a very realistic portrayal of how some people are. It is difficult to read a story where a parent will shut out one of their children for being gay. It is reality, but still very difficult for me to read.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book and one I would recommend to those looking for a good coming-out story.

I was provided with an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

I love Olivia. Man, when she starts off running up that mountain...(sigh)...I have been there. Check off that box of ignorant mistakes. Yet, she kept going. Ronica Black nailed these feelings right on the head in Olivia's Awakening.

Black writes such a beautiful and confused character for Olivia. Her background makes it hard for her to move forward because her foundation goes against everything she herself believes in but is afraid to. I really like that Black had Olivia make many changes in her life before she meets Eve. Olivia started the work on herself long before she fell in love.

The fact that Eve wanted Olivia before her physical transformation is a huge bonus in my book. It says so much to me and for anyone who has lost weight and all of sudden had the same people who turned them down before suddenly be interested - a lot for Eve.

I thought Eve's background was just as interesting as Olivia's. We all come with some sort of baggage into any relationship and Black does not shy away from this part of life.

This story was not just Olivia's Awakening, but Eve's too. I loved both women's journey.