When Meg Mullins married it was because after one time with Robert Mullins she found herself pregnant. So she ended up marrying before she’d had a chance to find herself. She had been attracted to other girls but like so many others the very idea scared her. Her first love was her own grandmother, a world famous painter who took the time to encourage Meg’s painting. Now after Robert's death, with three grown children she’s decided it’s time to see what the rest of her life brings. Being with a woman has been her fantasy and now it’s time to bring the fantasy to life.
Cate Colson was a top lawyer who had her own practice, along with an assistant, Piper, who worked really well with Cate, now if only she’d leave Cate alone. Cate had no desire in having a relationship, she was okay with the occasional one night stand. Her heart has already been broken and she had no desire to take that path again.
Then they meet, the attraction is off the charts, but…. Ms Underwood has written a wonderful story, with great leading characters and supporting cast. Very, very nice read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

A tender exploration of love later in life. A story that is captivating and vulnerable and so, so, enticing. And that cover!! Gorgeous!

I received an advance copy from Netgalley for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Meg Mullins has been through a lot. Raising three children in a not so perfect marriage. Left widowed before turning fifty years old, it’s finally time to grab her life into her own hands and pursue her own happiness. A meeting with an attorney from her late husband’s company has left her reeling. Not only about the news that he had been unfaithful to her, but also because of the instant connection she felt to Cate Colton, the attorney. While dealing with her relationship with her kids, Meg decides she is ready to explore a side of her that has been buried for more than 30 years. A side that Cate awakens. This woman reaches into her heart and Meg doesn’t want to do anything else than find out what she can do with it.

Cate Colston has been focused on her career as an attorney forever. So focused that it cost her the one relationship with a woman she once loved. Restricting herself to physical one night stands, Cate is sure that her time to share her heart is long gone. That is until she meets the alluring Meg Mullins. The woman she has met before at company functions and the one that has charmed her all those times. This time is different though, with her husband gone, Meg and Cate connect on an intimate level. A level Cate believed she wouldn’t ever reach again with someone. Encouraged by her best friend and hilarious paralegal, Cate has to figure out if Meg is the one that she was unknowingly waiting for all this time.

This story delves deep into the lives of Cate and Meg. Two very different women with very different pasts. I loved the way that their internal growth is a study throughout these pages. Meg uses her art and written words to explore sides of herself that have been locked up for so long. Her methods of reflection are so powerful and intimate. Best friend Grace fits perfectly into that mix with friendly therapeutic sessions and brings levity when needed.

Cate’s friendly therapy sessions with best friend Pete and paralegal Piper are both funny and vulnerable. They play a pivotal role in helping Cate reach in and listen to her heart. Both women have histories that shaped who they are now, but both of them use that knowledge to grow and move forward instead of hiding behind those experiences.

The connection Meg and Cate build is both emotionally and physically strong. Because of that the building of their bond feels so real and honest. I love reading love stories about ‘older’ women. This one is a gem among those, because the protagonists use their life experiences to build something new and authentic. Something that is worth opening your heart for.

Meg Mullins is 50, a widow of two years and has 3 adult children. Cate Colson is 42, a lawyer and needs to talk to Meg about something regarding the deceased husband. The two have met previously but this time they connect on a personal level with shared interests. Meg is determined to be her true self and is willing to explore her attraction to Cate. They do this as adults and without rushing to bed. Kudos for including telling the children as part of the story. I like that both had a best friend but it felt slightly repetitive to have something happen and then one or the other has to tell their friend about it and get guidance or feedback. The story is left a little open ended as they are at the beginning of a relationship. An epilogue may have helped. I was curious what they saw their future looking like and also one of the kids was not accepting of the relationship. Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)

A slow burn romance with lovable characters. I really enjoyed it and thought it was refreshing to have two mature adults that knew what they wanted.


Thank you, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Wow! I couldn’t believe how much I loved this book! I stayed up all night to see what would happen next to these wonderful characters. I highly enjoyed reading this and definitely recommend it to everyone!

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

and the hits keep coming in this book

when meg is asked to pop into a lawyers office to answer some questions about her husband, her dead husband she is a bit surprised and worried at the same time...after all its been over two years since he died and her world is rocked when she finds out about the apartment that he had kept secret, saying he was staying at a friends place

hoping the repercussions from this find doesnt mean more trouble but upset that she now knows her husband was cheating on her cate the lawyer says she will try and find out all she can and hopefully put it to bed so that no more can come from this

cate and meg know each other from the parties they had both attended for the company that megs husband worked for, so cate does feel some empathy for meg at what she has disclosed

and as meg starts to emerge from her shell finding that cate has a painting that her grandmother had done in her office brings them closer together, could there really be a spark between them.... interesting times ahead

This was a slow burn that kind of dragged on a bit more than I personally liked.

Meg is a widow and now that her kids are grown, she's ready to explore the side of her that she never got to experience before. She's also an artist and a writer.

Cate Colson is a lawyer that has built her practice from the ground up and lost relationships because of it. She's always been attracted to Meg, but assumed she was straight.

It was very detailed in the writing that I found repetitive from what she did each morning to the time and etc. I honestly enjoyed the circle of friends more than the MCS. It was hard to connect with them and I didn't feel invested in their relationship.

Overall, not bad, but just not for me. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meg, a widow, is ready to live life freely. At 50, her children are all adults now and she has no husband holding her back. Cate is a lawyer and has always been attracted to Meg. Cate is handling Meg’s late husband’s estate and is thrust into Meg’s orbit. This is a heartfelt slowwwwburn. The circle of friends in the story added a great support system. Even though both characters are pretty mature, there is conflict about 80% in the story. This conflict actually made sense! Overall a nice sweet read.

Meg Mullins is a 50 year old widow and now she has the chance to find happiness she yearned for.
Cate Colson is a lawyer investigating some irregularities tied to a business that Meg’s husband worked for.
The two are spending time together and have developed a relationship but of course things don’t always go smoothly. They’ll have to work to get the grand happily ever after.
And what was Megs husband really up to?


Quick and easy fun read.

Thank you #NetGalley #BoldStrokesBooks #DancingTowardStardust for this ARC