One Level

The narrator has a good voice but is 1 tone no matter the situation. Characters could be saying their coffee order in the same tone as when they are breaking down crying.
Story is difficult to get through. So many times, there are references to past events with no context. There are a LOT of story holes that do not make sense. I spent too much time wondering if I missed a whole chapters.

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Very disappointing

Melissa Brayden is one of my favorite lesbian romance writers, but this book was the worst of hers I’ve read (out of many.) Although I appreciated a story with a felon protagonist, her character development overall (usually a strength in her writing ) was weak and lazy. Juliette’s character either as written or as performed by the narrator was whiny and wimpy. I almost didn’t finish this book. All these romance books are formulaic but this one was excessively so-just lazy writing overall. Very disappointing and makes me reticent to read another of her “recents”.

Melissa Brayden is my favorite author

I’ve loved all of her books but this one was one of my favorites. Each character is interesting and believable. Excellent book!!

Unconventional and Great!!!

One of the MCs isn’t what you would normally expect from a Ms Brayden book. It’s a bold choice that works really really well! I throughly enjoyed the book and all of the unique cast of characters. Give this book a listen, Lulu Larkin does a fantastic job, and don’t let the negative comments influence you,

good but not great

This is not Melissa's best book. It is a good read but it wasn't great. I put it down multiple times. Typically when I read a Brayden book I can't put it down and would have listened to it multiple times by now. This book has forgettable characters and it feels like it wasn't fully developed. No real tear jerking moments. It just had too many holes.

Half-Baked - Doesn’t Match Up to Other MB Books

While I’ve been a fan of MB, this one disappointed on so many levels. The story was weak, characters not developed and the only chemistry seems to be, “Hey, you’re queer. I’m queer. I don’t want to be a 3rd wheel. You want to settle down. Let’s fall in love.”
I miss the exposition we saw in so many of MB’s previous books. This story had so many gaps that it seemed what was left over didn’t really come together to draw me into the story. It also felt like she was leaving “Easter Eggs” for people she knows IRL - like there’s an inside joke the reader isn’t privy to. She had these weirdly obtuse details throughout the story, and they didn’t relate, foreshadow or contribute to the story.
IMO - MB has massive writing chops, but she needs editors and beta readers who will give her honest feedback. This one feels like she wasn’t challenged to close those holes.
All in all, I will always chance a credit with a MB book because I know what she’s capable of producing. I’m just a little struck this was released before it was fully baked.

Great story

Loved the story, great narration. Love Melissa Brayden. I do recommend, you won’t regret purchasing this book.

Another excellent read

I love all of Melissa Brayden’s books and yes I’ve listened to them all. This one is indefensible in that it has an MC from marginalized society and it’s about starting over. It’s refreshing, cute and while it deals with jail, doesn’t have too heavy a theme. As usual the characters are rich and the story very sweet, Also, again Luna Larkin is a great narrator. Highly recommended.