Private Lessons has its first public review (thanks to those of you who have emailed me privately with your thoughts).
A short, sweet, and steamy romance with horses! What more could you want? As a pony-mad girl whose own dreams of working in a stable were killed by an unfortunate allergy to horses, I used to console myself by reading Saddle Club books over and over. Private Lessons is a bit like if the girls from the Saddle Club grew up and discovered sex.
Dee is an overworked stable manager with no time for romance, until Ben appears at Deepdale Acres. He seems interested, but the hitch is that he also seems attached – to too-perfect Sandra, a woman Dee envies. Of course, Ben’s not all he seems. The question is whether Dee will look past his charade and let the romance blossom.
I really loved the stable setting and how Lush’s own experiences and love for horses and riding shone through in Dee. The romance also worked well, given this is a short piece. It never felt hurried or unrealistic. I liked that Dee was simply too busy for romance, rather than nursing some deep grudge against men for something that happened decades ago – she was very relatable and refreshingly normal. I also liked that she was honourable. When she thought Ben was out of bounds, she respected that. The sex scenes were well-done, and helped move the plot along rather than overwhelming it.
There was a teaser for the next Deepdale Acres story at the end of Private Lessons, and it looks to be a real heart-breaker. Can’t wait!
Thanks Naomi and I’m glad you enjoyed it!
