I'm never disappointed with Rachel Spangler's novels, I've liked them all so far, but some I love. Trails Merge is one of those. I've never wanted to live on mountain but I'm reconsidering ;) The MCs are sweet and complicated but not excessively so (they've both been hurt so they're careful but not closed off), the secondary characters really exist, everything's nicely written, as usual, and very visual. ( )

Just finished this fun book. Loved Alexis and Badger! I didn't want the story to end. ( )

My fourth Spangler book read, fourth this month. This time we are in the snowy mountains of . . . some mountain that is within driving distance of Chicago (I sense a theme). And a family that lives there. And two lesbians who move there within six months of each other. Well, one returned home, the other moved to take a job.

So. Campbell Carson is dating this woman named Lyn (Lynn?). Has been since college. Her first and only real girlfriend. For five years. Selflessly trying to live Lynn's dreams. Prologue involves Campbell waiting with packed bags to head off to visit her family. She's going to be godmother. Lynn's coming with her. Lynn hates that mountain. And her family. And the idea that any self respecting lesbian would want anything to do with family. Or children. Luckily for everyone involved, mostly the reader, Lynn's part is just a cameo (her impact is much deeper but, her actual presence is short). Lynn tells Campbell something like "be a real dyke, or go back to your mountain" then storms out. Campbell chooses her mountain. And family.

Book opens six months later with Parker Riley. Another person fleeing a bad situation. Who has also been hurt by her relationship with another woman. She's trying to rebuild herself.

I liked the book. Especially the parts out on the mountain. There were moments when they were skiing, when Campbell was showing Parker how to ski when I felt like I was there. That I could feel the snow. The sun reflecting off the whiteness. Sliding down the mountain.

Of the four books I've read by Spangler, I'd count 'The Long Way Home' as the weakest, with this one here coming in as the second weakest. Though, all four are sitting there with the same rating of 4 stars. One of the reasons I wish I still rated more than whole stars. But, meh. Four books read. Four books with 4 stars. ( )

Fresh from a nasty breakup, a lesbian returns to live on her family's mountain ski resort as a ski instructor. Meanwhile, a formerly high-powered lesbian political organizer leaves Chicago politics, and runs as far away as possible - a move which leads her to join the resort staff as their marketing person. There is an instant and mutual attraction, but bad relationships in their pasts have made both women slow to trust. Eventually, of course, they decide to date. But is it just a brief romance, before the political organizer returns to Chicago to get back in the political arena? Or is there a future for them? And what will happen when one of the nasty exes visits the resort for a conference?

A pleasant diversion, albeit a predictable one. ( )