Confined Desires by Katherine McIntyre
Confined Desires is, on the face of it, a straightforward love story in strange times. Covid isn't mentioned, but instead the pandemic plays out via the fictional TELA flu virus, and the circumstances we have all lived in over the past year or so are very similar. Quarantine, people losing their jobs, being separated from friends and family.
Despite this, the book isn't about a pandemic. It's about two friends, one unrequited love, one bed, and all the lovely romance tropes one can think of. Hurt/comfort is in there. Angst. I have massive respect for the author for being so blatant about shoving all the well-known and loved tropes in this story of two female friends who gradually become lovers over the course of quarantine, and through finding each other, learn to deal with grief as well.
Although there is nothing new in the plot, what IS refreshing is the lack of "gosh I'm a lesbian!" or banging on about a situation we are all finding hard at the moment. The pandemic, fictional or not, is true to life but doesn't take over. It's there, and life goes on. The characters are engaging, likeable, and it's easy to root for them. Sometimes you just want to read about people making it through and finding happiness, instead of relentless uncertainty and Dystopian angst. They are surrounded by pleasant side characters and the setting isn't too unrealistic. It all feels real without slapping the reader around the face with reality. There are some lovely sexy times for good measure, which is always a bonus.
Based on this book, I'd definitely check out more of this author's work. Although I'm not an expert, it seems like a solid addition to the F/F romance genre.
BLURB
Sky’s crush on her best friend has always been unrequited… until they’re stuck in quarantine together and sparks fly.
Sky’s high school bestie is moving back to the area and staying with her for a few weeks. Easy, right? Not when she’d held a torch for the woman since high school. The moment Mia walks through Sky’s door, those unrequited feelings return full-force. So, when a spreading virus keeps them confined in Sky’s apartment even longer, Sky is screwed.
Mia returns home after a bad breakup, but Sky is the only one who offers a safe place to land. However, the seven years they spent apart has her looking at her best friend through a different lens, attraction sparking with every inside joke, shared dinner, and cuddle on the couch.
That flare of desire fast turns physical. They can’t get enough of each other. Yet, whenever Mia tries for the “where is this going” talk, Sky dodges. Sky lost her sister in high school, and ever since, she’s become ace at keeping dates at a distance. Yet if she doesn’t manage to push past her own fears, she might lose her one shot at happiness with the woman she’s waited a lifetime for.