Good book. I liked the enemies to lover's concept, and I especially liked that it was, because these two main characters knew each other in high school. Jody was a bully too Asha in high school, so much so that Asha wanted nothing to do with her when they meet again a few years later. I really enjoyed this book and the main characters were each in their own way likable and I was rooting for them too make their relationship work all the way. There's a lot of angst, and drama throughout this book, and the family drama was really heartbreaking, because each woman had her own issues in their relationships with their parents. If you like a great enemies to lover's romance, then I recommend reading this book, and I'm looking forward to what's next from this author.

If you like enemies become lovers, this book is for you.
Asha and Jody are the main characters in this book. Jody was the mean girl in school and use to bully Asha. When these two meet up later in life, they are very different than the people they were in high school.
Jody is determined to show Asha that she is not that person anymore. Asha is reluctant to believe her, but the more they spend time together, they realize there is growing attraction between them.
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Set against the backdrop of a small town, the story follows Sarah in the aftermath of a tragedy where she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learns the power of second chances. I was drawn into Sarah's world from the beginning eager to continue learning about her as I continued reading. One of this novel's standout aspects was the character development. I thought Sarah was a well-developed, and at times, relatable character especially in her vulnerabilities. The other characters were also compelling in their own regards, and this story was overall an impactful read.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

there comes a time in everyones life when we reach that point...its a turning point in life...asha had worked hard studied hard and got the fantastic job out of school away from the bullies that haunted her school life

but now she found herself back in her hometown as her parent was ill and she came face to face with them....

jody was that person....she had been a different person when she was younger and when she left school she tried really hard to change the circumstances of her life... and she was doing really well

then asha and jody met up one night and thats where they realised how they had been with each other...jody the biatch at school and asha the nerd....

could these two work out their differences and realise that maybe the stood a chance with each other

not a bad read

As can sometimes happen with new (to me) authors I found I was unable to get into this story. I’m not sure if it was the writing style or the British dialogue but this book wasn’t my cup of tea and I lost interest after a couple chapters.

Lovely, emotional romance!

Asha is back home because her dad has fallen ill, when she runs into Jody, an old acquaintance from school by chance. Jody has changed since Asha knew her, and desperate to prove this she tries to support Asha without overstepping and acting on an attraction she is sure they both feel.

I fell in love with story so quickly. Asha and Jody were both likeable characters that together had an amazing connection, but it was easy to empathise with them both. Asha had the success, but was carrying all the hurt from the past caused by Jody and her friends at school, whereas Jody was very insecure but trying to hide it to keep up a persona and with her friends. They both had situations with their families that became that starting point they needed to reconnect and try to be friends. Jody had to put in a lot of effort, yet I completely understood and empathised with Asha’s reasons for wanting to keep distance.

What really made this story was the slow build up between them, the hesitance to admit feelings on Asha’s part and the need to be slow and careful so as not to mess it all up on Jody’s side. Jody was used to masking and become a bit of an expert at it, so Asha hadn’t stood a chance in really working out how Jody felt. There was this amazing moment though where everything fell into place and it is a chapter of this story that moved me the most and will stay with me.

Slow burn romance that had such heart and emotion that I couldn’t put it down and enjoyed every moment, even the ones that had me in tears because they were so beautiful.

This story just didn't hit me the way I'd hoped and it was hard to get through. Maybe it's because the "mean girl in school" trope has run its course for me. The writing and the story itself was fine, it just didn't pull me in.

Asha loves her life in London. There was family pressure to work hard and succeed and she has done that. But she takes a leave of absence to be with her mother while her dad is in the hospital. It means returning to her hometown and of course she runs into Jody who in school was a mean girl. Jody is interested and is shocked at Asha’s intense dislike of her. And it felt odd that she genuinely didn’t realize that she was a bully in school. Or as she puts it “such a cow”. Jody’s best friend dismisses it as everyone is mean in school. And sadly that is kind of disappointing that her character never owns it and still catches herself using old nicknames. But Jody wants to make amends. In the meantime Asha wants a friend and she never thought it would be Jody.

I thought this book touched on some sensitive subjects. Jody has a limited connection with her father because he chose alcohol over being a good dad. Asha struggles because she lost her first love relationship for not being out to her family. I was actually on team Katie for a while. This is a gentle romance. There is enough angst in the story because of the situations I’ve named. Jody and Asha become friends and more as they try to support each other in the things that are happening. (3.5 Stars)

Harry Potter references should not be made in a queer space in 2024. Will not be recommending this book to anyone.

Turning point is a well written enjoyable novel that will absolutely grow on you with as you read each page. I recommend, 4 stars.


Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books.

This story is about the return of a woman, Asha, to her hometown, from which she practically fled to leave behind the closed environment, the teasing and bullying at school and also the family traditions, being of Hindu origin. And the return brought her some surprises that she did not expect. Her return is not due to her wanting, it is due to a serious family circumstance, since her father is in a coma after a stroke.

First she is going to have to deal with saying goodbye, with the anguish of not knowing if she will be able to be honest with her family about her sexuality. But what she doesn't expect at all is to meet again with the two girls who made her life impossible at school. Let alone Jody becoming so approachable and friendly, it almost seems surreal.

Asha must simultaneously assimilate the more than certain loss of her father, even though she does not lose hope that he will recover, with this attraction that is slowly growing between her and Jody. The story grows in drama, evidently due to Asha's family situation, which in addition to her father's illness, she no longer wants to hide her sexuality. As always, the fear of coming clean is more in Asha herself than in those around her, who already knew or assumed about it, as always again.

Jody also has her insecurities and fears, which mix with this reunion between her and Asha, almost ruining everything. As characters, they are both quite interesting and complex, and they are both quite likeable, to be honest.

It was a quite interesting and sensitive story.

Turning Point by Cathy Dunnell

I received a free ARC copy from NetGalley for this book.

Turning Point by Cathy Dunnell is a multi-faceted book. The emotions portrayed and experienced by the two MCs, Jody and Asha, run the gamut. This isn’t a lighthearted romance but it grows on you; the characters grow on you. Jody and Asha explore their vast differences from school days, learn their seemingly disparate similarities, and discover a deep and abiding respect then love for each other. Their families play a large part in Asha’s struggles especially, but Jody also deals with a family relationship and her low self-esteem. It’s “opposites attract” with a happy ending.

Reviewed 2/4/24

⭐ Rating: 3/5 stars
🗓 Publish date: Feb 13, 2024

Turning Point is a sapphic romance with themes around grief, second chances, and having tough conversations. While romance is definitely at the centre of this story, mostly it is a story about relationships of all kinds, particularly with family and parents. Both Jody and Asha were facing challenges and had to go through personal growth, which was nice to see.

And while I enjoy romances where the characters have other stuff going on, I felt like maybe more time could have been given to the main romantic relationship. They didn't really spend that much time together, overall, and yet were saying “I love you” by the end of the book.

I was also a bit annoyed to see a Harry Potter reference, which I feel no longer have a place in queer books published in 2024. It makes me uncomfortable to see attention being given to someone who has actively harmed and spread hate towards a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for an early copy of this title. All thoughts are my own.

Asha worked to get where she at but things change when she had to come home after her father falls ill. While out she runs into someone she didn’t want to see ever again. Jody tries hard not to be that person she was in school she has great job a okay social life a bestfriend Tess and boss who thinks she applied for a promotion. Jody wants to make up for the things she did to Asha but Asha is hesitant to believe she is sincere but decides to be open minded when Jody puts effort in making things right and they start to grow closer. A cute read there’s some angst with Jody thinking she not good enough for Asha and Asha ex trying to get her back.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

An interesting and well written novel. I enjoyed the cultural differences and feel they were handled very well.

Thank you for the opportunity

Jody meets a old classmate in distress, who blows her off. Remembering how badly she treated Asha in school, she wants to make it up to her.

Asha initially thinks Jody is just screwing with her, but eventually realizes she's sincere. But Asha has her own troubles, including her father having had a severe stroke.

Good novel, set in England with a Indian and White heroine. The culture clash is interesting, and I really liked both heroines. Good book, with interesting character growth and a sweet romance.

This book offered a pleasantly uncomplicated read with a beautifully crafted storyline and minimal angst. Asha's journey to break free and come out to her family, despite the challenges with her father, showcased her strength and resilience. The connection between Asha and Jody felt authentic, revealing the true selves they had become. Despite moments where the story seemed to slow down, it allowed for a deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships with friends and family. Overall, it's a book to savor, providing a sense of coming home for both characters.

A very enjoyable novel, with a stellar love story. Emotionally, the book takes the reader to many places, in a good way.