Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
54 customer ratings
5 star
81%
4 star
14%
3 star
5%
2 star 0% (0%)
0%
1 star 0% (0%)
0%
How does Amazon calculate star ratings?
Amazon calculates a product’s star ratings using a machine learned model instead of a raw data average. The machine learned model takes into account factors including: the age of a review, helpfulness votes by customers and whether the reviews are from verified purchases.

Review this product

Top Reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Anna F.
5.0 out of 5 stars This book has it all
Reviewed in Canada on November 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book has it all: charming, intelligent and super sexy women, a heartwarming love strory, some humor, a very mysterious twist and lots of mouthwatering food. The main characters, Laleh and Hope are perfect together. Jae did a great job of researching and understanding the Persian culture. Laleh's family is an important part of this novel and it provides excellent secondary characters.

Jae's books are usually longer than many of the romances available in lesbian fiction; her publisher allows it. This book is no exception, yet it never feels like it's too long. This story is a page-turner that grabs the reader from the beginning.
Read more
avid reader
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting premise for a romance
Reviewed in Canada on October 5, 2016
I have read several of Jae’s books prior to this and loved them all. She’s a very talented storyteller and her works are well edited so typos and other errors are not a distraction while reading her engaging stories.
The connection that develops between Hope and Laleh is out of the ordinary and a great device to reunite them outside of the ER. It makes friendship between them plausible given the circumstances but it also raised questions for me about their subsequent attraction that aren’t voiced until much later in the story when their relationship deepens. The issue I had with it is eventually addressed in the book between the characters but for me it seemed too little too late in the story and kept me from fully enjoying the romance aspect of the book. It’s a minor issue in an otherwise well written and enjoyable story. The romance is only one part of the story really despite the book being classified as a modern romance.
I will continue to read Jae’s works in the future and suggest that readers new to her work choose another title as their initial introduction to her talent (Backward to Oregon, Next of Kin, Under a Falling Star) for both writing romance and telling stories that draw you in and keep you interested page after page; then read Heart Trouble as their second choice.
I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Read more
Marie
5.0 out of 5 stars funny and richly developed that made want too root for ...
Reviewed in Canada on October 30, 2016
Book was received as an advanced copy for an unbiased review.
This is the first time reading of this author, and I was pleasantly surprised.
The two main characters Laleh and Dr Hope Finlay, are warm, funny and richly developed that made want too root for them both.
The medical and cultural story lines seemed to have been well researched that leads you to be more involved in the story line that was being told.
The book was easy and enjoyable reading.
Read more
See all reviews from Canada

Top international reviews

Translate all reviews to English
woody
5.0 out of 5 stars First class exceptional read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
Fantastic love story with a difference. Laleh Samadi a waitress goes to the ER with heart trouble and Dr Hope Finlay attends her and gives her a zap with the defibrillator paddles while also zapping herself! They discover they have a link. While exploring this link they very slowly fall in love. Jae’s writing is almost like watching tv, you can practically see what is happening before your eyes. So brilliantly written. The characters are three dimensional and you are totally invested in them. I loved not only Laleh and Hope, but flirty Jordon and Jill. I love the diverse characters and different cultures. And enjoyed seeing how Laleh and her close family would take to her being gay. Fascinating story so brilliantly written by Jae. A definite will read many times again book.
Read more
Longfield1967
5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect romance!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2016
Verified Purchase
This has to be one of my favourite lesfic books of the year. I love how the author has seamlessly woven the cast of the Hollywood series into this new hospital based tale - was great to revisit with these characters and also to learn about Persian culture through Laleh. Beautifully romantic and also thought provoking, I do hope we see the development of their relationship in the second book in this series.
Read more
Jai
5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual premise
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
Loved the empathy idea. Pity the bond didn’t last longer but great reason for how to stop it. Looking forward to more
Read more
Hope Freed, UK
4.0 out of 5 stars Read some of the other reviews...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2016
Verified Purchase
...because I can't really add to them. It's a solid, well written tale, as usual by Jae (hard to believe that English isn't her first language!) and it's also a decent length. A good long slow build up to the inevitable but sweet conclusion. Minimal drama and plenty of romance; what more do you want in your romantic lesfic...?!!
Read more
Miked
5.0 out of 5 stars Great idea really works
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 8, 2019
Verified Purchase
Whats not to enjoy.
Read more
Load more international reviews
katie brine
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2016
Verified Purchase
Amazing as always. Jae never fails to amaze me , drawing yourself in. Keeping you on the edge of your set. Can't wait for her next book
Read more
blue106
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
Unusual twist to this book but a great read as always from Jae.
Read more
jane stewart
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 17, 2017
Verified Purchase
Great read
Read more
Cassie Box
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2017
Verified Purchase
Too cute!
Read more
Rocío
5.0 out of 5 stars Increible
Reviewed in Spain on March 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
Chica conoce a chica. Se detestan, se gustan. Se pelean, se reconcilian. y final feliz. Este libro cumple todos esos requisitos y es por eso que leo romance.
Read more
Load more international reviews
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed it!
Reviewed in Australia on November 1, 2016
Verified Purchase
Not a typical lesbian romance with the same plot. Well written and enjoyed the journey of these characters. Light hearted read.
Read more
Jasmin
5.0 out of 5 stars Ein wirklich tolles Buch...
Reviewed in Germany on November 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
... mit einer schönen Liebesgeschichte!
Ich bin ein riesen Fan von Jae und verschlinge jedes Buch von ihr. Ich freue mich schon auf das Nächste. :-)
Read more
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
I love all of Jaes books. She writes like it is. Draws the reader into a wonderful tale that is real and flows beautifully.
Read more
Mike Sol
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most unique lesbian romance books I've read
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2016
Verified Purchase
Heart Trouble was one of the most unique lesbian romance books I've read. Normally, lesbian romance books (especially medical ones) tend to strictly stick to reality and differentiate themselves by the characters and their interactions. With this book, there is a new element thrown in the crosses the "genre border." I went into the book not knowing what that was and I think that made it all the more interesting (so if you don't know - don't spoil yourself by reading the description or other reviews that have spoilers).

As with all of Jae's books, the writing and characters were simply spectacular. Each character has a diverse and interesting background. Even though many of the relationships in Jae's world evolve in a similar way ("straight" girl finds out they aren't straight after meeting their one true love), I never felt like the plot became stale or that this was "just another" book like that.

With many romance books, it seems like the author ends up throwing in some conflict about 60% into the book that pushes the book forward and only gets resolved within the last few pages. Some of Jae's books have felt like that to me in the past - but this one definitely is not like that. I'm so impressed with how she's able to progress the story and relationship without throwing in pointless drama to fill up space. Even though I wish the ending was a bit more positive in nature, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book.

If you're going to pick up a book by Jae (or a lesbian romance book in general) - definitely give this one a shot ^_^

----
Personal Note: Other reviewers seemed to not like the flashes of other characters from Jae's series in this world. I, personally, really enjoyed them, though. It's really fun seeing glimpses of some of my other favorite characters (I've loved every book Jae has released in this world) and I'm glad to know that the other characters are still doing well.
Read more
Lov2laf
4.0 out of 5 stars Heart warming supernatural story...
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
Enjoyable, satisfying read. This is a well-written romance with a unique twist. Despite having a supernatural element, the story had more realism* than most and I was particularly satisfied with the last 1/3 of the book.

Per Jae's trademark, she makes her leads earn each other and it's a slow burn romance. In this genre known for insta-love I appreciate that. However, one change, Jae lets Laleh and Hope get together somewhere in the middle of the book and keeps them together through to the end. I found the book to be more romantically explicit and intense than her previous works and it was really well done.

I think Laleh and Hope may be some of my favorite Jae characters yet, especially Laleh.

*Regarding realism, you could tell Jae did a good amount of research to get the medical and Persian aspects right...at least from someone on the outside. I don't know, maybe Iranians and doctors are cringing somewhere. :) As for the relationship, I've been reading too many books on Attachment Theory and was musing if Jae was using some of her psychology background to form Laleh and Hope's character dynamics...anyway, it seemed to fit. Despite Jae living in Germany (or not in Los Angeles, at least) she somehow managed to get the streets, neighborhoods, and settings correct. I also felt the ending of the book was more true to life with the family dynamics which made it all the more satisfying...

So yeah, supernatural story with a nice dose of realism. :)

Recommend.
Read more
You've read the top international reviews
See all reviews from Canada