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  Twice Shy

  Synopsis

  Sometimes, you get a second chance at love. Sometimes, you hook up with your ex and remember why you broke up in the first place.

  Amanda Russo knows better than to give her failed marriage another try, but the brief fling reminds her there’s more to life than work and parenting. When the architect she hires to remodel her bakery turns out to be as charming as she is talented, Amanda finds herself ready to take a chance on new love. The only problem? Her ex-wife didn’t get the memo.

  For Quinn Sullivan, the sting of divorce is still fresh. Getting set up by pretty much everyone she knows hasn’t inspired her to give love another shot. Meeting Amanda does. Sure, they’re working together, but that’s not a deal breaker. Amanda’s ex might be another story.

  What Reviewers Say About Aurora Rey’s Work

  The Last Place You Look

  “This book is the perfect book to kick your feet up, relax with a glass of wine and enjoy. I’m a big Aurora Rey fan because her deliciously engaging books feature strong women who fall for sweet butch women. It’s a winning recipe.”—Les Rêveur

  “The romance is satisfying and full-bodied, with each character learning how to achieve her own goals and still be part of a couple. A heartwarming story of two lovers learning to move past their fears and commit to a shared future.”—Kirkus Reviews

  “[A] sex-positive, body-positive love story. With its warm atmosphere and sweet characters, The Last Place You Look is a fluffy LGBTQ+ romance about finding a second chance at love where you least expect it.”—Foreword Reviews

  “If you enjoy stories that portray two gorgeous women who slowly fall in love in the quirkiest way ever coupled with nosy and well-meaning neighbors and family members, then this is definitely the story for you!”—Lesbian Review

  Ice on Wheels—Novella in Hot Ice

  “I liked how Brooke was so attracted to Riley despite the massive grudge she had. No matter how nice or charming Riley was, Brooke was dead set on hating her. A cute enemies to lovers story.”—Bookvark

  The Inn at Netherfield Green

  “I really enjoyed this book but that’s not surprising because it came from the pen of Aurora Rey. This is the kind of book you read while sitting by a warm fire with a Rosemary Gin and snuggly blanket.”—Les Rêveur

  “Aurora Rey has created another striking and romantic setting with the village of Netherfield Green. With her vivid descriptions of the inn, the pub, and the surrounding village, I ended up wanting to live there myself. She also did a fantastic job creating two very different characters in Lauren and Cam.”—Rainbow Reflections

  “[Aurora Rey] constantly delivers a well-written romance that has just the right blend of humour, engaging characters, chemistry and romance.”—C-Spot Reviews

  Lead Counsel—Novella in The Boss of Her

  “Lead Counsel by Aurora Rey is a short and sweet second chance romance. Not only was this story paced well and a delight to sink into, but there’s A++ good swearing in it and has lines like this that made me all swoony because of how beautifully they’re crafted.”—Lesbian Review

  Recipe for Love

  “Recipe for Love by Aurora Rey is a gorgeous romance that’s sure to delight any of the foodies out there. Be sure to keep snacks on hand when you’re reading it, though, because this book will make you want to nibble on something!”—Lesbian Review

  “So here’s a few things that always get me excited when Aurora Rey publishes a new book. …Firstly, I am guaranteed a hot butch with a sensitive side, this alone is a massive tick. Secondly, I am guaranteed to throw any diet out the window because the books always have the most delectable descriptions of food that I immediately go on the hunt for—this time it was a BLT with a difference. And lastly, hot sex scenes that personally have added to my fantasy list throughout the years! This book did not disappoint in any of those areas.”—Les Rêveur

  Autumn’s Light

  “Aurora Rey has a knack for writing characters you care about and she never gives us the same pairing twice. Each character is always unique and fully fleshed out. Most of her pairings are butch/femme and her diversity in butch rep is so appreciated. This goes to prove the butch characters do not need to be one dimensional, nor do they all need to be rugged. Rey writes romances in which you can happily immerse yourself. They are gentle romances which are character driven.”—Lesbian Review

  “Aurora Rey is by far one of my favourite authors. She writes books that just get me. …Her winning formula is Butch women who fall for strong femmes. I just love it. Another triumph from the pen of Aurora Rey. 5 stars.”—Les Rêveur

  “This is a beautiful romance. I loved the flow of the story, loved the characters including the secondary ones, and especially loved the setting of Provincetown, Massachusetts.”—Rainbow Reflections

  “[Autumn’s Light] was another fun addition to a great series.”—Danielle Kimerer, Librarian (Nevins Memorial Library, Massachusetts)

  “Aurora Rey has shown a mastery of evoking setting and this is especially evident in her Cape End romances set in Provincetown. I have loved this entire series…”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  Spring’s Wake

  “[A] feel-good romance that would make a perfect beach read. The Provincetown B&B setting is richly painted, feeling both indulgent and cozy.”—RT Book Reviews

  “Spring’s Wake has shot to number one in my age-gap romance favorites shelf.”—Les Rêveur

  “The Ptown setting was idyllic and the supporting cast of characters from the previous books made it feel welcoming and homey. The love story was slow and perfectly timed, with a fair amount of heat. I loved it and hope that this isn’t the last from this particular series.”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  “Spring’s Wake by Aurora Rey is charming. This is the third story in Aurora Rey’s Cape End romance series and every book gets better. Her stories are never the same twice and yet each one has a uniquely her flavour. The character work is strong and I find it exciting to see what she comes up with next.”—Lesbian Review

  Summer’s Cove

  “As expected in a small-town romance, Summer’s Cove evokes a sunny, light-hearted atmosphere that matches its beach setting. …Emerson’s shy pursuit of Darcy is sure to endear readers to her, though some may be put off during the moments Darcy winds tightly to the point of rigidity. Darcy desires romance yet is unwilling to disrupt her son’s life to have it, and you feel for Emerson when she endeavors to show how there’s room in her heart for a family.”—RT Book Reviews

  “From the moment the characters met I was gripped and couldn’t wait for the moment that it all made sense to them both and they would finally go for it. Once again, Aurora Rey writes some of the steamiest sex scenes I have read whilst being able to keeping the romance going. I really think this could be one of my favorite series and can’t wait to see what comes next. Keep ’em coming, Aurora.”—Les Rêveur

  Crescent City Confidential—Lambda Literary Award Finalist

  “This book blew my socks off. …[Crescent City Confidential] ticks all the boxes I’ve started to expect from Aurora Rey. It is written very well and the characters are extremely well developed; I felt like I was getting to know new friends and my excitement grew with every finished chapter.”—Les Rêveur

  “This book will make you want to visit New Orleans if you have never been. I enjoy descriptive writing and Rey does a really wonderful job of creating the setting. You actually feel like you know the place.”—Amanda’s Reviews

  “Crescent City Confidential pulled me into the wonderful sights, sounds and smells of New Orleans. I was totally captivated by the city and the story of mystery writer Sam and her growing love for the place and for a certain lady. …It was slow burning b
ut romantic and sexy too. A mystery thrown into the mix really piqued my interest.”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  “Crescent City Confidential is a sweet romance with a hint of thriller thrown in for good measure.”—Lesbian Review

  Built to Last

  “Rey’s frothy contemporary romance brings two women together to restore an ancient farmhouse in Ithaca, N.Y. …[T]he women totally click in bed, as well as when they’re poring over paint chips, and readers will enjoy finding out whether love conquers all.”—Publishers Weekly

  “Built to Last by Aurora Rey is a contemporary lesbian romance novel and a very sweet summer read. I love, love, love the way Ms Rey writes bedroom scenes and I’m not talking about how she describes the furniture.”—Lesbian Review

  Winter’s Harbor

  “This is the story of Lia and Alex and the beautifully romantic and sexy tale of a winter in Provincetown, a seaside holiday haven. A collection of interesting characters, well-fleshed out, as well as a gorgeous setting make for a great read.”—Inked Rainbow Reads

  “Winter’s Harbor is a charming story. It is a sweet, gentle romance with just enough angst to keep you turning the pages. …I adore Rey’s characters and the picture she paints of Provincetown was lovely.”—Lesbian Review

  “One of my all time favourite Lesbian romance novels and probably the most reread book on my Kindle. …Absolutely love this debut novel by Aurora Rey and couldn’t put the book down from the moment the main protagonists meet. Winter’s Harbor was written beautifully and it was full of heart. Unequivocally 5 stars.”—Les Rêveur

  Twice Shy

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  Twice Shy

  © 2020 By Aurora Rey. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-738-1

  This Electronic Original Is Published By

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: October 2020

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editors: Ashley Tillman and Cindy Cresap

  Production Design: Susan Ramundo

  Cover Design By Tammy Seidick

  eBook Design By Toni Whitaker

  By the Author

  Cape End Romances:

  Winter’s Harbor

  Summer’s Cove

  Spring’s Wake

  Autumn’s Light

  Built to Last

  Crescent City Confidential

  Lead Counsel (Novella in The Boss of Her collection)

  Recipe for Love: A Farm-to-Table Romance

  The Inn at Netherfield Green

  Ice on Wheels (Novella in Hot Ice collection)

  The Last Place You Look

  Twice Shy

  Acknowledgments

  In the acknowledgments for The Last Place You Look, I said, “I have a running joke that, when you read one of my books, you’re getting a glimpse into what was going on in my life the year before.” It makes me feel like I should lead with a disclaimer: No affairs with exes went into the making of this book. I do have a couple of great exes, though, and I owe a lot of who I am to the relationships we had and continue to have.

  So much love, respect, and gratitude to everyone at Bold Strokes Books. You’ve helped me grow as a writer and as a person and I love that you care about both the art and business of books. Ash, you remain at the top of the list. Thank you for indulging me but also not hesitating to call me out.

  Finally, thank you to everyone who has given me the gift of buying and reading my books, and for the kind words and encouragement along the way. You’ve given me more joy than you know.

  Dedication

  For all the iffy decisions that help us get where we need to be

  Chapter One

  “How long have you been waiting for this?”

  Amanda Russo regarded her best friend and did a mental calculation. “Ten years? Pretty much since the divorce.”

  Erin nodded. “Fucking Mel.”

  She snickered. It was Erin’s stock reply anytime anyone referenced Amanda’s ex. Even though she and Mel were on good terms at this point, she appreciated the loyalty. “But if she hadn’t left, we might still be together. Just think how wretched that would be.”

  It was her standard answer, a reminder to herself as much as an attempt to soften the insult.

  “So wise. So mature. So you.” Erin bowed, her way of conceding the point. “Enough about her. Tell me everything.”

  Amanda took a deep breath and looked around the small eating area of her bakery. It held exactly five tables, each with two chairs. Another five chairs lined the wall and could be squeezed in here and there. But if they all happened to be in use, things got uncomfortably tight. Okay, fire code capacity tight.

  Not for long. She’d bought the building so she could expand into the empty storefront next door, meaning more seating than she could possibly need and twice as much kitchen space. The prospect thrilled and slightly terrified her. “I’m meeting with the architect tomorrow.”

  Erin clapped her hands together and rubbed them in a way that did double duty for enthusiasm and maniacal plotting. “Boy or girl?”

  Amanda made a face. “Are we twelve?”

  “I act twelve and you act eighty. We balance out to sassy middle age.”

  “Hey, now.” She had to protest, even if it was true.

  “Well?”

  “She. Quinn Sullivan. Based in Ithaca. Came highly recommended by Rob over at Fairmount Ridge Winery.”

  Erin hummed her approval. “Excellent. Age? Orientation? Is she hot? Single?”

  “I’m hiring her, not hooking up with her.”

  “You say that like it can’t be both.”

  Erin dated. Amanda did not. Pretty much ever at this point. Not that she was opposed. She just had plenty of other things to occupy her time. And her last attempt a few years prior had left her disappointed, if not completely jaded. Much like her opinion of Mel, Erin’s thoughts on Amanda’s celibacy were singularly focused. Like with Mel, Amanda had a stock answer. “I’m not looking to hook up. Certainly not with someone I’m working with.”

  “You should consider being a little less picky.”

  “Because lowered standards are the key to happily ever after?”

  Erin wagged a finger. “Nobody said anything about ever after. We’re talking about the here and now. And if a hot woman shows up tomorrow, you have no reason not to invite her over for dinner and take her to bed.”

  “I couldn’t possibly.” The mere thought sent a tingle of nerves through her.

  “You could. It’s the would, or maybe the won’t, that’s tripping you up and I think it’s high time you got over it.”

  Amanda shook her head again but laughed. “I’ll take it under consideration.”

  “Good. Now, tell me about your plans.”

  “That’s what I was trying to do when you hijacked the conversation with sex talk.”

  “Sex”—Erin poked her right in the chest—“is the conversation. And maybe you should consider being hijacked. It would be good for you.”

  Instead of arguing, she launched into her ideas for the bakery. The added seating would make Bake My Day a place where people could sit and enjoy, rather than just pick up, their favorite treat. She planned to start lunch service in earnest. She’d dabbled in soup and sandwiches but wanted t
o add more options. Salads. Quiche, perhaps.

  It also meant she’d have a dedicated space for decorating cakes. As weddings and bachelorette parties and birthdays got fancier, the demand for high-end cakes grew exponentially. New space would mean she could frost and fondant without disrupting the baking that gave her the cakes to frost in the first place. It was a lot to take on, but she was ready. At least that’s what she told herself every time she had a moment of what the hell had she been thinking.

  Erin nodded and tutted her agreement. “I love it. So, this architect, Quinn, is going to design it? Or do it? I’m not sure I know what an architect does.”

  She hadn’t either, beyond designing buildings from the ground up. But Rob assured her it was worth it to hire a pro and she trusted his judgment. “She’s going to assess the space, assess what can be done, and hopefully come up with something that doesn’t look like I knocked down a wall and hoped for the best.”

  “Fun.”

  “And hopefully she has contractors she works with because I really, really don’t want to deal with contractors.”

  Erin lifted both hands. “Preach.”

  They’d both had less than stellar experiences—Erin with a bathroom remodel and Amanda with an update of her kitchen. “Rob swears she saved him money in the long run.”

  “Even if she doesn’t, saved headaches are priceless.” Erin sipped her coffee and looked up at the ceiling. “Hot and fuckable would be bonus.”

  “Erin.” She hadn’t meant to use her scolding mom voice; it came out of its own volition.

  Erin shrugged, unfazed. “I’m just saying. Anyway, what time is she coming? Maybe I can time my morning coffee to snag a look.”