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Taking Chances
Children's librarian Valerie Cruz has worked hard to make a comfortable life for herself since aging out of the foster care system. She loves her job but avoids intimate connections―life has taught her that she can only count on herself. When she gets the opportunity to become a foster parent, Val decides to take the leap. If she can help kids, she'll do it, even if it means reentering the system.
Foster care case worker Paige Wellington is passionate about her work, and she's been a foster parent herself. When she meets the beautiful Valerie Cruz, she is drawn to her in a way she can't explain, even though Valerie seems to want nothing to do with her. But when they clash over what is in the best interest of the children in Valerie's care, the children may be the only ones who can convince them that it's worth taking chances for love.
Cover Artist: Tammy Sedick
Genres: Contemporary / Romance
Foster care case worker Paige Wellington is passionate about her work, and she's been a foster parent herself. When she meets the beautiful Valerie Cruz, she is drawn to her in a way she can't explain, even though Valerie seems to want nothing to do with her. But when they clash over what is in the best interest of the children in Valerie's care, the children may be the only ones who can convince them that it's worth taking chances for love.
Cover Artist: Tammy Sedick
Genres: Contemporary / Romance
229 pages, Paperback
First published December 11, 2018
16 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Erin McKenzie
3Ìýbooks16ÌýfollowersErin McKenzie has been a lover of words since she first learned her ABCs, sparking a lifelong passion for reading, writing, and of course, word games! She is a professional school counselor, mom to her three young children, partner to her wife of fifteen years, chief dishwasher and laundry folder, soccer mom and homework checker. She and her family live in the Finger Lakes region of New York State and share their home with several furry friends.
Where Love Leads, Erin’s debut novel, has been a long-time labor of love. She hopes you enjoy the story!
Librarian note: Multiple authors with the same name in the GR database; this author is entered with 2 spaces.
Where Love Leads, Erin’s debut novel, has been a long-time labor of love. She hopes you enjoy the story!
Librarian note: Multiple authors with the same name in the GR database; this author is entered with 2 spaces.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 12, 2018
3.75 This was a sweet novel by McKenzie. I found this to be much better than her debut book . McKenzie seemed much more focused and the story was the better for it. I believe romance fans will enjoy this.
Besides a romance, this is a story about the foster care program. One of the mains went through the system as a child and now wants to be a foster parent herself. This book will make you tear up. There are some ridiculously cute kids that just kept stealing my heart. I went through a few tissues. Luckily it’s not a deeply sad book, just enough to tug on your heartstrings.
My one issue was I felt that the first half of the book was better than the second. Another reviewer mentioned this, (maybe Bethany?) that the pace dipped down in the second half. The first half is all about trying to be a foster parent and the kids and you get so wrapped up in that storyline that the second half just didn’t grab me. The second half is where the romance is so that was a bit disappointing. The romance is sweet and the sex scenes are decent, just the pace was off for me.
Even with the slightly slower second half, I still enjoyed this read. And even with me crying a few times, the book still made me feel good. If you are looking for a romance with a little emotion, I don’t think you can really go wrong here.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
Besides a romance, this is a story about the foster care program. One of the mains went through the system as a child and now wants to be a foster parent herself. This book will make you tear up. There are some ridiculously cute kids that just kept stealing my heart. I went through a few tissues. Luckily it’s not a deeply sad book, just enough to tug on your heartstrings.
My one issue was I felt that the first half of the book was better than the second. Another reviewer mentioned this, (maybe Bethany?) that the pace dipped down in the second half. The first half is all about trying to be a foster parent and the kids and you get so wrapped up in that storyline that the second half just didn’t grab me. The second half is where the romance is so that was a bit disappointing. The romance is sweet and the sex scenes are decent, just the pace was off for me.
Even with the slightly slower second half, I still enjoyed this read. And even with me crying a few times, the book still made me feel good. If you are looking for a romance with a little emotion, I don’t think you can really go wrong here.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
November 18, 2018
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. It features interesting, well-developed main characters, great secondary characters, and a thought provoking storyline.
Valerie is an ex-foster child who wants to be a foster mother, Paige handles foster parent training and home placement, and also has a daughter adopted through foster care. She and Val meet at the foster parent training and have a connection, which is complicated by Val having foster kids placed in her care by Paige.
The foster kids Ian and Lily, and Paige’s daughter Emma are all delightful, and watching both sides of the foster relationship play out gave the story depth, and it’s not without angst. What I really loved was that this isn’t glossed over.
Both characters are also three-dimensional and flawed but works in progress. Val acknowledges her issues and confronts them, Paige also acknowledges her self-esteem issues and Paige and Val actually talk to each other, (yes, that rare unicorn of lesfic, communication!!!), so there’s no stupid miscommunications that drag on for ridiculous reasons.
The other supporting characters in Connie, and both sets of best friends are also lovely and add to the story. The story also unfolds over a long period of time, so it feels more realistic, although I did think the conflict of interest could have been addressed sooner. So, even though the HEA was never in doubt, it feels more than earned by the time it arrives.
All around this was a great read, even though the topic and situations could have lead to it being a bit dark, it’s actually a sweet read and never feels bogged down. 5 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. It features interesting, well-developed main characters, great secondary characters, and a thought provoking storyline.
Valerie is an ex-foster child who wants to be a foster mother, Paige handles foster parent training and home placement, and also has a daughter adopted through foster care. She and Val meet at the foster parent training and have a connection, which is complicated by Val having foster kids placed in her care by Paige.
The foster kids Ian and Lily, and Paige’s daughter Emma are all delightful, and watching both sides of the foster relationship play out gave the story depth, and it’s not without angst. What I really loved was that this isn’t glossed over.
Both characters are also three-dimensional and flawed but works in progress. Val acknowledges her issues and confronts them, Paige also acknowledges her self-esteem issues and Paige and Val actually talk to each other, (yes, that rare unicorn of lesfic, communication!!!), so there’s no stupid miscommunications that drag on for ridiculous reasons.
The other supporting characters in Connie, and both sets of best friends are also lovely and add to the story. The story also unfolds over a long period of time, so it feels more realistic, although I did think the conflict of interest could have been addressed sooner. So, even though the HEA was never in doubt, it feels more than earned by the time it arrives.
All around this was a great read, even though the topic and situations could have lead to it being a bit dark, it’s actually a sweet read and never feels bogged down. 5 stars.
December 11, 2018
It seems to be a trend at the moment because many of the current romance releases I’ve read in the last few weeks have had children in distress woven into the story somehow. Some stories have had children in the foster system, adult characters that were in the system, children having lost parents and child survivors of violence. Taking Chances is one of the better ones I’ve read.
Valerie Cruz, a librarian, comes across a poster advertising foster parenting workshops being run by her former case worker from when she was in the system. After some thought, she decides to attend the workshop. Paige Wellington is running the workshop under the mentorship of Connie, Valerie’s caseworker. Valerie thinks Paige is a little stuck-up but Paige can’t keep her eyes off the beautiful Valerie.
Both Paige and Val are likeable characters and so are the children in the story. Although there are a number of heart-breaking moments, it gives a good account of the trauma of fostering and adoption from both the parent’s and children’s perspective especially how bonds can be formed even though the placement can be temporary, especially in the case of fostering. I enjoyed the writing and the pace but there were times when I felt resolutions were a little too simplistic. The slow-burn of the romance worked well, and as much I also like insta-love stories, in this case, the length of time they took getting to know each other lent credence to the story line. Their ethics also appealed to me.
There were a couple of things that bugged me. I’m not a fan of the terms ‘forever home� or ‘forever family�, partly because it’s used in relation to rescue animals but mostly because it makes everything seem like it’s sweetness and light and doesn’t acknowledge what the child has lost in the process. It doesn’t adequately express the child’s trauma that the person who gave birth to them couldn’t care for them or chose to indulge in, often repeatedly, something else rather than care for their own child. It’s easy to demonise negligent and abusive parents but the children still have a connection to them. I felt as if this was glossed over or ignored.
That said, I’ll get off my soapbox now. I get that this is a romance and we read them for the happy endings as well as the idea that everything will work out wonderfully so I can see the reasons not to delve into all the realities around the foster system. It was a bit of a tear-jerker but I enjoyed the read.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Valerie Cruz, a librarian, comes across a poster advertising foster parenting workshops being run by her former case worker from when she was in the system. After some thought, she decides to attend the workshop. Paige Wellington is running the workshop under the mentorship of Connie, Valerie’s caseworker. Valerie thinks Paige is a little stuck-up but Paige can’t keep her eyes off the beautiful Valerie.
Both Paige and Val are likeable characters and so are the children in the story. Although there are a number of heart-breaking moments, it gives a good account of the trauma of fostering and adoption from both the parent’s and children’s perspective especially how bonds can be formed even though the placement can be temporary, especially in the case of fostering. I enjoyed the writing and the pace but there were times when I felt resolutions were a little too simplistic. The slow-burn of the romance worked well, and as much I also like insta-love stories, in this case, the length of time they took getting to know each other lent credence to the story line. Their ethics also appealed to me.
There were a couple of things that bugged me. I’m not a fan of the terms ‘forever home� or ‘forever family�, partly because it’s used in relation to rescue animals but mostly because it makes everything seem like it’s sweetness and light and doesn’t acknowledge what the child has lost in the process. It doesn’t adequately express the child’s trauma that the person who gave birth to them couldn’t care for them or chose to indulge in, often repeatedly, something else rather than care for their own child. It’s easy to demonise negligent and abusive parents but the children still have a connection to them. I felt as if this was glossed over or ignored.
That said, I’ll get off my soapbox now. I get that this is a romance and we read them for the happy endings as well as the idea that everything will work out wonderfully so I can see the reasons not to delve into all the realities around the foster system. It was a bit of a tear-jerker but I enjoyed the read.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
June 6, 2019
Absolutely wonderful!
What a great story! You feel the excitement, the frustration, the loss, the fun, the anger, the anxiety, the weariness and most importantly, the love. It takes you inside the lives of foster children in their search for a loving family. It's about resilience, strength and willpower to live a better life. Erin McKenzie does a great job of describing the foster care system, the unique challenges of working with foster children and the struggle to stay afloat. I love that this is a romance with a touchy subject and I love how it all comes together at the end. Well done and highly recommended.
What a great story! You feel the excitement, the frustration, the loss, the fun, the anger, the anxiety, the weariness and most importantly, the love. It takes you inside the lives of foster children in their search for a loving family. It's about resilience, strength and willpower to live a better life. Erin McKenzie does a great job of describing the foster care system, the unique challenges of working with foster children and the struggle to stay afloat. I love that this is a romance with a touchy subject and I love how it all comes together at the end. Well done and highly recommended.
December 9, 2018
ARC received from Bold Strokes Books via Netgalley for a fair review.
4 stars.
An incredibly sweet but also predictable read. So why four stars? It has a lot of things I like in my books - family values, cute kids, beautiful femmes inside and out. The book hits on all the right notes for me. At the same time, I must acknowledge that the author puts in a lot of wish fulfillment, even too much at the end that I had to take one star off.
You can't have everything, and for a book that approaches many serious issues, it's too sweet to the point of doing a disservice to the topics the book tries to bring attention to. Things like child abuse, the less than ideal foster system and mental health. The book comments lightly on all of these issues but never dives deeply in any of them. There is a bit of a tone dissonance in that sense. The book just doesn't come off as real - it feels more like a fairy tale.
But I still like it. The kids are cute, the main leads have chemistry, the story is satisfying as long as you don't think about it too deeply. A solid read.
4 stars.
An incredibly sweet but also predictable read. So why four stars? It has a lot of things I like in my books - family values, cute kids, beautiful femmes inside and out. The book hits on all the right notes for me. At the same time, I must acknowledge that the author puts in a lot of wish fulfillment, even too much at the end that I had to take one star off.
You can't have everything, and for a book that approaches many serious issues, it's too sweet to the point of doing a disservice to the topics the book tries to bring attention to. Things like child abuse, the less than ideal foster system and mental health. The book comments lightly on all of these issues but never dives deeply in any of them. There is a bit of a tone dissonance in that sense. The book just doesn't come off as real - it feels more like a fairy tale.
But I still like it. The kids are cute, the main leads have chemistry, the story is satisfying as long as you don't think about it too deeply. A solid read.
December 10, 2018
The first half of this book was very good. It even invoked a nice tear fest.
Val works in a library. Because of her experience as a foster kid, she decides that she would like to begin fostering children. During the weeks of training, she meets and becomes interested in the instructor, Paige. However, there is a conflict of interest because Paige ends up as the person overseeing Val's case when she takes in two kids. I was intrigued by in the inner workings of the 'system.' And also became frustrated with the rules that are in place that can prevent the right thing happening for the children.
The second half dragged on and left me a bit bored. It focused more on the relationship between Val and Paige. Surprisingly, this is the part that fell flat for me. Their chemistry shined in the first half when there were children and conflicts in the way. Once they became the entire focus, it lost some authenticity and felt rushed despite a time gap that bothered me.
Overall, the story was just OK.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley for an honest review.
Val works in a library. Because of her experience as a foster kid, she decides that she would like to begin fostering children. During the weeks of training, she meets and becomes interested in the instructor, Paige. However, there is a conflict of interest because Paige ends up as the person overseeing Val's case when she takes in two kids. I was intrigued by in the inner workings of the 'system.' And also became frustrated with the rules that are in place that can prevent the right thing happening for the children.
The second half dragged on and left me a bit bored. It focused more on the relationship between Val and Paige. Surprisingly, this is the part that fell flat for me. Their chemistry shined in the first half when there were children and conflicts in the way. Once they became the entire focus, it lost some authenticity and felt rushed despite a time gap that bothered me.
Overall, the story was just OK.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley for an honest review.
March 14, 2019
Valerie Cruz spent most of her childhood in foster care and now she is a children's librarian who likes to keep to herself avoiding any serious relationships. After becoming a foster parent herself, she meets case worker Paige Wellington. Their attraction is undeniable but a conflict with Valerie's foster children and her conviction to stay away from relationships make it hard for Valerie and Paige to have a future together.
This is as much a romance as a story about foster care. As a foster parent herself, the author knows the inner works of the system and it shows in the story. It gives a very good insight on fostering from the different points of view of the social workers, the fostering parents and the children.
The characters, adults and children alike, are well rounded, credible, and their actions are justified by their past. The children seem authentic considering their ages and their traumatic experiences. Connie, Paige's boss, is a funny but savvy character that brings a bit of lightness to the plot. The dialogues are natural sounding and the balance between telling and showing is good.
The plot seems divided into two parts, the first half deals mainly with the fostering system and the second one focuses more on the romance. Some readers might not like that the romance takes so long to develop and then rushes slightly to the end. Other than that, this novel was interesting and entertaining to read.
Overall, a good romance with a deep insight on the US child fostering system. 4 stars.
ARC provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
This is as much a romance as a story about foster care. As a foster parent herself, the author knows the inner works of the system and it shows in the story. It gives a very good insight on fostering from the different points of view of the social workers, the fostering parents and the children.
The characters, adults and children alike, are well rounded, credible, and their actions are justified by their past. The children seem authentic considering their ages and their traumatic experiences. Connie, Paige's boss, is a funny but savvy character that brings a bit of lightness to the plot. The dialogues are natural sounding and the balance between telling and showing is good.
The plot seems divided into two parts, the first half deals mainly with the fostering system and the second one focuses more on the romance. Some readers might not like that the romance takes so long to develop and then rushes slightly to the end. Other than that, this novel was interesting and entertaining to read.
Overall, a good romance with a deep insight on the US child fostering system. 4 stars.
ARC provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
June 9, 2019
I liked this book very much. Though the part of the story about being a foster parent and having a past in the foster system was sometimes emotional, this is a positive book with a very nice romance. 4.3 stars
February 27, 2019
3.5 stars, I love books with children but found most of the inner monologue very cheesy.
June 8, 2019
3.5 stars - This is a bit hard for me to rate. I cried a lot (more so during the first part) while reading this book. It was a really emotional read, but not in a bad way. It was very sweet and hopeful. It's a good novel, well written, but I enjoyed the first half a lot more. The second half was slow and I didn't really feel the chemistry between the two main characters.
December 28, 2018
Valerie had a horrendous childhood growing up in the foster system but her life is on track now. She’s a children’s librarian and loves her job working with the children so she has decided to foster kids to right the wrongs she felt as a child. When beginning her induction course in fostering she meets one of the coaches, Paige. Paige and Valerie have electric chemistry but when she meets the two young children she will be fostering and realises that Paige is her caseworker, they have to put their attraction on the back burner and concentrate on the kidsâ€� But that doesn’t mean they find being in close proximity hard, especially when they are perfect for one another.ÌýÌý
This book broke my heart a little, I don’t think I have cried and/or got the feels that much in a while from a storyline. It may be that I’m a mum or I’ve worked with vulnerable children but I was so effected by this story.
This book is fast paced and moved at the speed that I felt matched the growth of the protagonist’s journey. Don’t get me wrong, the characters� relationship happens on a slower stride but the story itself moves along nicely. There wasn’t a moment in this book were I thought Valerie and Paige wouldn’t get together as it’s obvious from the beginning they are soul mates and their romance isn’t the focal point until the last 25% of the book.
Valerie couldn’t be a better candidate for fostering children. She’s an amazing human being with a big heart and lots of love to give to any child. So watching her with her foster kids, Lily and Ian was beautiful especially as she began to really bond with them. I would actually say the kids stole the show and made the book something really wonderful.
Paige was another beautiful soul and she really was the best person to support Valerie through her time going into fostering. She’s so sweet and has an adoptive daughter herself that came through the foster system so she understands and really allows Valerie to lean on her in all the hard times.
What a book! I cried continuously from the last two chapters through to the end of the most beautiful epilogue.
I really can’t wait to see what’s next from Erin McKenzie.
5 stars
This book broke my heart a little, I don’t think I have cried and/or got the feels that much in a while from a storyline. It may be that I’m a mum or I’ve worked with vulnerable children but I was so effected by this story.
This book is fast paced and moved at the speed that I felt matched the growth of the protagonist’s journey. Don’t get me wrong, the characters� relationship happens on a slower stride but the story itself moves along nicely. There wasn’t a moment in this book were I thought Valerie and Paige wouldn’t get together as it’s obvious from the beginning they are soul mates and their romance isn’t the focal point until the last 25% of the book.
Valerie couldn’t be a better candidate for fostering children. She’s an amazing human being with a big heart and lots of love to give to any child. So watching her with her foster kids, Lily and Ian was beautiful especially as she began to really bond with them. I would actually say the kids stole the show and made the book something really wonderful.
Paige was another beautiful soul and she really was the best person to support Valerie through her time going into fostering. She’s so sweet and has an adoptive daughter herself that came through the foster system so she understands and really allows Valerie to lean on her in all the hard times.
What a book! I cried continuously from the last two chapters through to the end of the most beautiful epilogue.
I really can’t wait to see what’s next from Erin McKenzie.
5 stars
September 9, 2021
Good story that tugged on the heart strings and made me glad to be alive! Very well told and recommended.
December 17, 2018
Valerie Cruz’s life wasn’t an easy journey. With a mother who couldn’t get away from drugs, a grandmother who loved Valerie and her younger brother and would have gladly looked after them but for her poor health. Foster care was the only option. Her brother was reunited with his father who lived in the west. Valerie never saw him again. After a string of foster parents she finally gets out of the system, goes the college and now works as a children's librarian. There are only two people Valerie has ever trusted, Connie a foster care worker and her good friend Sasha. Paige Wellington had a very different childhood, she never wanted for anything, just her parents interest in her. Now she works as a foster care worker whose job is to find good homes for kids in need. Ms McKenzie gives us a great read. Simply a wonderful story. Very, very enjoyable.
ARC via NetGalley
ARC via NetGalley
June 26, 2019
Thank you Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing me an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I picked up this book because it reminded me of The Fosters, a show I watched recently and really loved. The theme is basically the same but, unfortunately, I didn't like Taking Chances as much as The Fosters, mostly because of the characters.
It's not that I didn't like them per se, I kind of liked Valerie and felt for her story. But I didn't connect with her and Paige and them ending up together or not was the same for me, which you kind of don't want to happen in a romance book. Basically, I didn't care about them or their life as much as I cared for Stef and Lena's and The Fosters family's lifes.
However, there were some things about Taking Chances I really liked. The fostering storyline was really well done, and hearbreaking! I felt for Valerie and the kids a lot. Connecting to that, I liked that the main focus wasn't the romance between the two main characters but this 'foster' plot that connected them. In fact, the romance was a real slow burn, which I feel like it fits really well with the story. The side characters were also really funny and I liked them, they had personality and were there as more than token best friend characters.
Basically, I liked Taking Chances but I thought it was going to be a book version of The Fosters - or at least as heartwarming, heartbreaking and cute - and it didn't quite meet my expectations. I still reccomend it though if you want a quick cute f/f romance that is a little bit more serious.
I picked up this book because it reminded me of The Fosters, a show I watched recently and really loved. The theme is basically the same but, unfortunately, I didn't like Taking Chances as much as The Fosters, mostly because of the characters.
It's not that I didn't like them per se, I kind of liked Valerie and felt for her story. But I didn't connect with her and Paige and them ending up together or not was the same for me, which you kind of don't want to happen in a romance book. Basically, I didn't care about them or their life as much as I cared for Stef and Lena's and The Fosters family's lifes.
However, there were some things about Taking Chances I really liked. The fostering storyline was really well done, and hearbreaking! I felt for Valerie and the kids a lot. Connecting to that, I liked that the main focus wasn't the romance between the two main characters but this 'foster' plot that connected them. In fact, the romance was a real slow burn, which I feel like it fits really well with the story. The side characters were also really funny and I liked them, they had personality and were there as more than token best friend characters.
Basically, I liked Taking Chances but I thought it was going to be a book version of The Fosters - or at least as heartwarming, heartbreaking and cute - and it didn't quite meet my expectations. I still reccomend it though if you want a quick cute f/f romance that is a little bit more serious.
December 3, 2018
Oh wow!
Taking Chances
by Erin McKenzie is a wonderful and heartwarming romantic story that you simply must read. The story revolves around two women, Valerie Cruz and Paige Wellington. Both are familiar with the foster care system since Val was a former foster child and Paige is a foster care case worker with a young daughter she herself adopted out of the system. The two meet when Val decides to become a foster parent. The attraction between the two surfaces pretty quickly and grows as Val becomes a foster parent to two adorable children.
There is a lot of love, some sadness and even heartbreak in this story, but it is also a wonderful and uplifting romance. The chemistry between the two main characters is very strong, and I loved how they communicated their thoughts and fears and feelings to each other. The secondary characters stories, especially the children’s stories, are almost as intriguing as the main story and worth reading the book for that as well. I began this novel in the afternoon and had it finished before bedtime. I simply could not put it down. I barely stopped long enough to eat supper, and it was a good thing that it was not my night to cook. The family would probably have had a get your own supper night.
Don’t pass this one up folks. It is an absolutely lovely read.
I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
There is a lot of love, some sadness and even heartbreak in this story, but it is also a wonderful and uplifting romance. The chemistry between the two main characters is very strong, and I loved how they communicated their thoughts and fears and feelings to each other. The secondary characters stories, especially the children’s stories, are almost as intriguing as the main story and worth reading the book for that as well. I began this novel in the afternoon and had it finished before bedtime. I simply could not put it down. I barely stopped long enough to eat supper, and it was a good thing that it was not my night to cook. The family would probably have had a get your own supper night.
Don’t pass this one up folks. It is an absolutely lovely read.
I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
July 21, 2020
Ngaww... finding your chosen family, I loved it. Brilliant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2018
This one was a nice little drama that went well beyond a typical romance. It melds together the feelings of loneliness that people from different backgrounds can experience. It also highlights some o f the problems in the foster system. I enjoyed both the main characters, and the main kids have personalities of their own. None of them are precocious enough to be annoying, but they do give out some nice child-style pearls of wisdom.
Val and Paige meet under some interesting circumstances; Paige is a social worker starting her work with pairing foster parents with children. She's the assistant in a new foster parent class, which is attended by Val, a new foster parent hoping to help a couple of kids through the system in the way she wasn't. Val and Paige each have to work through their problems with feelings of abandonment, as they both were thrown away by the adults in their lives.
There's a huge amount of emotion in this book, so be prepared for some teary eyes while you read. The romance between Val and Paige is lovely, despite being a little bit of the insta-love variety. It doesn't feel forced, and the characters are allowed to breathe within the relationship. That was the highlight of the book - the push and pull of two people who understand each other on a fundamental level, but are both terrified of the future.
I received this ARC from BSB via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Val and Paige meet under some interesting circumstances; Paige is a social worker starting her work with pairing foster parents with children. She's the assistant in a new foster parent class, which is attended by Val, a new foster parent hoping to help a couple of kids through the system in the way she wasn't. Val and Paige each have to work through their problems with feelings of abandonment, as they both were thrown away by the adults in their lives.
There's a huge amount of emotion in this book, so be prepared for some teary eyes while you read. The romance between Val and Paige is lovely, despite being a little bit of the insta-love variety. It doesn't feel forced, and the characters are allowed to breathe within the relationship. That was the highlight of the book - the push and pull of two people who understand each other on a fundamental level, but are both terrified of the future.
I received this ARC from BSB via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 24, 2019
This book took me ages to finish but it wasn't the books fault. I've just been so busy that my daily reading time is dropping.
I found this to be a really adorable story. Well you know with a bit of darkness but adorable nonetheless. The whole plot is well developed, though there wasn't much about the kids after the second half. It makes sense, but still those kids were cute. I loved Paige. She was understanding and wasn't overly intrusive. I think I could relate to val, with all the insecurities and the fears. So yup I am a huge fan of the leads.
Normally I'd have finished this book in a single sitting. But since I took so long to finish the book, the story was a mess in my head. So that's probably why I'm giving it four stars but who knows, I might change my mind when I reread it later once I have enough time to read.
I found this to be a really adorable story. Well you know with a bit of darkness but adorable nonetheless. The whole plot is well developed, though there wasn't much about the kids after the second half. It makes sense, but still those kids were cute. I loved Paige. She was understanding and wasn't overly intrusive. I think I could relate to val, with all the insecurities and the fears. So yup I am a huge fan of the leads.
Normally I'd have finished this book in a single sitting. But since I took so long to finish the book, the story was a mess in my head. So that's probably why I'm giving it four stars but who knows, I might change my mind when I reread it later once I have enough time to read.
December 28, 2019
I had read the first book of this author, which I found very good.
This one disappointed me a lot. The first part is very interesting, but the last one is particularly, boring, long and predictable.
The two protagonists, Paige and Valerie, are lacking in scale, and their chemistry is not obvious.
The foster system in its complexity is approached in a way that is too positive in relation to what it is. Things like child abuse, the less than ideal foster system are not discussed. Too idealistic for my taste, okay, it's a fiction, but many problems are not mentioned.
The cover is particularly attractive.
This book is just okay for me. Anyway I recommend it.
This one disappointed me a lot. The first part is very interesting, but the last one is particularly, boring, long and predictable.
The two protagonists, Paige and Valerie, are lacking in scale, and their chemistry is not obvious.
The foster system in its complexity is approached in a way that is too positive in relation to what it is. Things like child abuse, the less than ideal foster system are not discussed. Too idealistic for my taste, okay, it's a fiction, but many problems are not mentioned.
The cover is particularly attractive.
This book is just okay for me. Anyway I recommend it.
August 7, 2021
I struggled a lot with TAKING CHANCES because while I enjoyed it as a story I think it failed as a romance. Everything starts with Val signing up for a class to become a foster parent and meeting Paige Wellington, a social worker, who stirs an attraction in Val that she wants nothing to do with. Both Paige and Val have been hurt by past relationships and have avoided them ever since.
As they spend time together in the class Paige begins to reach out as a friend and things are progressing nicely until Paige becomes the social worker for Val's first placement. After this they keep things professional (for a long time) and this is where I felt the romance fell flat. Up to the 60% mark Paige and Val hardly spend any time together and when they do it's in a professional context. Because of this there is a seriously slooooow burn for these women because they don't even kiss until the last quarter of the book. Because everything is so business related I had a hard time believing that Paige would fall in love so fast. I believed that Paige and Val cared about each other but I needed more development for them as a couple to really be convinced.
While I wasn't on board with the romance, I did really like Paige and Val as characters. Paige is a single mother with an adopted daughter and she's so compassionate and caring. Her devotion to helping Val as a foster mother comes across clearly and it's obvious that she's an incredibly sweet woman. Val has a harder shell to crack but she's also had a hard childhood that means she keeps people at a distance. Becoming a foster parent has brought up a lot of bad memories for Val and I enjoyed reading about her journey to work through her emotions and concerns. Val goes through a lot of growth throughout the story and I appreciated the positive view of therapy that Erin McKenize writes about.
I wish that I could have liked this one more but I just never really believed the romance side of the story.
Copy provided by NetGalley for honest review
Content Warning: Discussion of foster care, childhood trauma, family separation
As they spend time together in the class Paige begins to reach out as a friend and things are progressing nicely until Paige becomes the social worker for Val's first placement. After this they keep things professional (for a long time) and this is where I felt the romance fell flat. Up to the 60% mark Paige and Val hardly spend any time together and when they do it's in a professional context. Because of this there is a seriously slooooow burn for these women because they don't even kiss until the last quarter of the book. Because everything is so business related I had a hard time believing that Paige would fall in love so fast. I believed that Paige and Val cared about each other but I needed more development for them as a couple to really be convinced.
While I wasn't on board with the romance, I did really like Paige and Val as characters. Paige is a single mother with an adopted daughter and she's so compassionate and caring. Her devotion to helping Val as a foster mother comes across clearly and it's obvious that she's an incredibly sweet woman. Val has a harder shell to crack but she's also had a hard childhood that means she keeps people at a distance. Becoming a foster parent has brought up a lot of bad memories for Val and I enjoyed reading about her journey to work through her emotions and concerns. Val goes through a lot of growth throughout the story and I appreciated the positive view of therapy that Erin McKenize writes about.
I wish that I could have liked this one more but I just never really believed the romance side of the story.
Copy provided by NetGalley for honest review
Content Warning: Discussion of foster care, childhood trauma, family separation
November 29, 2018
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my review.
This is the first book by this author that I have read and now I want more. The story line runs flawlessly and the pace is just right. Both main characters have their own issues to deal with throughout. Both Val and Paige are sweethearts. I loved them both from the beginning. Great bunch of secondary characters and I even fell in love with Emma, Lily and Ian (the kids) which surprised me as I am not much for kids. The book was very emotional for me. Never have I been near to tears reading a book but I was when I was reading this, towards the halfway point onward til the end. The romance is slow burn which I like. Definitely recommend reading this book. You will not be disappointed.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
This is the first book by this author that I have read and now I want more. The story line runs flawlessly and the pace is just right. Both main characters have their own issues to deal with throughout. Both Val and Paige are sweethearts. I loved them both from the beginning. Great bunch of secondary characters and I even fell in love with Emma, Lily and Ian (the kids) which surprised me as I am not much for kids. The book was very emotional for me. Never have I been near to tears reading a book but I was when I was reading this, towards the halfway point onward til the end. The romance is slow burn which I like. Definitely recommend reading this book. You will not be disappointed.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
December 11, 2018
A Netgalley review
The premise of this book is very interesting. Two women working in the foster system who are drawn to each other but have to put that attraction on hold because one of them ends up fostering kids whose social worker is the other one. The potential for drama and angst is immense: between the foster parent and kids and between the protagonists themselves. But unfortunately the author wastes the opportunity. None of the relationships touch the heart. Problems are introduced but are resolved off-screen, so to speak. So you don't get a sense of relationships growing and developing. The closeness seems artificial, dialogues are forced, and emotions are told rather than shown. This leaves one only with a sense of disappointment in an otherwise promising plot.
The premise of this book is very interesting. Two women working in the foster system who are drawn to each other but have to put that attraction on hold because one of them ends up fostering kids whose social worker is the other one. The potential for drama and angst is immense: between the foster parent and kids and between the protagonists themselves. But unfortunately the author wastes the opportunity. None of the relationships touch the heart. Problems are introduced but are resolved off-screen, so to speak. So you don't get a sense of relationships growing and developing. The closeness seems artificial, dialogues are forced, and emotions are told rather than shown. This leaves one only with a sense of disappointment in an otherwise promising plot.
April 6, 2019
Loved this book
December 6, 2021
I’ve had this book on the to be read list for a long time and I wasn’t expecting much so it wasn’t a priority for me, but boredom and a conscious effort to spend less time on tiktok made me finally give it a chance and I’m glad. I laughed, I cried, I cried a little more and overall enjoyed it. The feels where there and the MCs relationship was cute and at a good length of time, something rare.
December 8, 2018
This was an exceptionally beautiful book, I enjoyed every moment of it. This is my first book by the author and I'm sure it won't be the last.
Valerie Cruz had been in foster care most of her childhood. She's got a comfortable job as a librarian and good friends. So, she decides to take a foster parent class so she can give kids a good foster care home that she didn't always get. The beautiful Paige Wellington teaches her class and their attraction is instantaneous and friendship is blossoming. But then two young children come to live with Valerie and Paige is assigned to Valerie's case and their attraction can't go any further. Will the kids find their forever home. And will Paige and Valerie be able to beat the off and let each other in?
I really like that Valerie took the time to work on herself, rather than fall into a relationship and I appreciate the author normalizing therapy. The secondary characters were all so lovely - they were warm and vibrant and brought such a feel good feeling to the book. Friends are family. Community is family. The kids too were just gorgeous - they're so strong and curious and amazing.
The writing was really strong. It had such a vibrant and cozy feel to the whole book. The dialogue and the characters were excellent. I had no complaints. I fully recommend this book.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Valerie Cruz had been in foster care most of her childhood. She's got a comfortable job as a librarian and good friends. So, she decides to take a foster parent class so she can give kids a good foster care home that she didn't always get. The beautiful Paige Wellington teaches her class and their attraction is instantaneous and friendship is blossoming. But then two young children come to live with Valerie and Paige is assigned to Valerie's case and their attraction can't go any further. Will the kids find their forever home. And will Paige and Valerie be able to beat the off and let each other in?
I really like that Valerie took the time to work on herself, rather than fall into a relationship and I appreciate the author normalizing therapy. The secondary characters were all so lovely - they were warm and vibrant and brought such a feel good feeling to the book. Friends are family. Community is family. The kids too were just gorgeous - they're so strong and curious and amazing.
The writing was really strong. It had such a vibrant and cozy feel to the whole book. The dialogue and the characters were excellent. I had no complaints. I fully recommend this book.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2018
Valerie Cruz is a children's librarian and former foster child who decides to become a foster parent in order to help children who are in the same kind of situation that she was in as a child. Paige Wellington is a social worker who helps to run the foster parent training sessions and is herself a foster/adoptive mother. When the two meet, there is an immediate attraction, but the situation quickly becomes complicated when Valerie receives her first foster placement and Paige is the social worker assigned to her case.
This book's plot was pretty predictable, but the author was very good at making the emotions of the characters feel real and making you care about what happened to each of them. I cried a good bit during certain parts of the story. The main characters, including Val's foster children and Paige's daughter, were both complicated and endearing. The secondary characters, including Val's former caseworker and Paige's current coworker, Connie, Val's best friend Sasha, and Paige's coworker Joe, were all well drawn and added to the story in their own way.
I liked that the author did not shy away from the difficulties in the foster care system, showed characters accessing mental health care, showcased a woman of color as a main character, and included the children's point of view, not using them as mere props in the story.
Overall, this was a predictable romance, but an enjoyable and emotional read.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
This book's plot was pretty predictable, but the author was very good at making the emotions of the characters feel real and making you care about what happened to each of them. I cried a good bit during certain parts of the story. The main characters, including Val's foster children and Paige's daughter, were both complicated and endearing. The secondary characters, including Val's former caseworker and Paige's current coworker, Connie, Val's best friend Sasha, and Paige's coworker Joe, were all well drawn and added to the story in their own way.
I liked that the author did not shy away from the difficulties in the foster care system, showed characters accessing mental health care, showcased a woman of color as a main character, and included the children's point of view, not using them as mere props in the story.
Overall, this was a predictable romance, but an enjoyable and emotional read.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
February 11, 2019
3.8 rating, rounded up to 4 stars.
This is my first book from author Erin McKenzie and Taking Chances was an enjoyable read. The characters Valerie, a former foster child now foster mother and Paige a foster care case worker and foster mother herself, are both great characters and well developed. The secondary characters, from the best friend to lovable Connie are great additions to the book. The children are adorable and oh so special. They will definitely pull on your heartstrings and yes you may need tissues.
A great thing about Valerie or Val, is that she is a woman of colour, she is a badass and such a strong character to go through a tough childhood and emerge to become such a strong and caring woman. I loved how Erin depicts her as this woman who went through a rough time, how she is depicted as distant and a little cold but after getting to know her, she is also known to care too deeply and isn't afraid to shed a few tears (or a lot, but then again so did I). Paige is also a great main character. Though she may have grown up living a different life than Val it doesn't mean she didn't have her share of a rough childhood. Paige is also an incredible woman and one of my favourite things about lesfics are the strong, amazing women.
Erin McKenzie pulls off the book with well developed characters, good romance and a healthy amount of heart-wrenching scenes. The romance is a slightly slow-burn but I loved the pacing of their romance. Overall Taking Chances is a good read and will definitely recommend for those who enjoy a good romance, cute kids, strong women and a tear-jerker story.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first book from author Erin McKenzie and Taking Chances was an enjoyable read. The characters Valerie, a former foster child now foster mother and Paige a foster care case worker and foster mother herself, are both great characters and well developed. The secondary characters, from the best friend to lovable Connie are great additions to the book. The children are adorable and oh so special. They will definitely pull on your heartstrings and yes you may need tissues.
A great thing about Valerie or Val, is that she is a woman of colour, she is a badass and such a strong character to go through a tough childhood and emerge to become such a strong and caring woman. I loved how Erin depicts her as this woman who went through a rough time, how she is depicted as distant and a little cold but after getting to know her, she is also known to care too deeply and isn't afraid to shed a few tears (or a lot, but then again so did I). Paige is also a great main character. Though she may have grown up living a different life than Val it doesn't mean she didn't have her share of a rough childhood. Paige is also an incredible woman and one of my favourite things about lesfics are the strong, amazing women.
Erin McKenzie pulls off the book with well developed characters, good romance and a healthy amount of heart-wrenching scenes. The romance is a slightly slow-burn but I loved the pacing of their romance. Overall Taking Chances is a good read and will definitely recommend for those who enjoy a good romance, cute kids, strong women and a tear-jerker story.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2018
You can find this review and others on my blog !
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Man I loved this book so much. It's hard for me to find f/f adult books that are good and not only a straight man's wet dream. This was very clearly written by a queer woman. I also loved how you could tell that she had experience with the foster care system.Ìý
Other things I really loved about this book:
-Woman of color main character!!! Val is Puerto Rican and she mentions lots of little customs to do with her culture.Ìý
-So many lesbians omg. A book where the queer characters actually have queer friends? Yes! Irl us queers stick together and for some reasons authors tend to forget that.Ìý
-The story revolves around children and the foster system.Ìý
I loved that there was children in this book. I feel like they always add so much character to adult books and it truly made me love this book.Ìý
There's only a couple things that I wish we would have gotten more information about:Ìý
-Val's brother. I wish we could have found out if she ever found him and what ever became of him.Ìý
-What caused Val's recurring nightmares. The other kind of glossed over that.Ìý
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I hope all the queer girls out there looking for a cute romantic read picks it up!!
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Suicide mention, Rape mention, Drug Abuse mentionÌý
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Man I loved this book so much. It's hard for me to find f/f adult books that are good and not only a straight man's wet dream. This was very clearly written by a queer woman. I also loved how you could tell that she had experience with the foster care system.Ìý
Other things I really loved about this book:
-Woman of color main character!!! Val is Puerto Rican and she mentions lots of little customs to do with her culture.Ìý
-So many lesbians omg. A book where the queer characters actually have queer friends? Yes! Irl us queers stick together and for some reasons authors tend to forget that.Ìý
-The story revolves around children and the foster system.Ìý
I loved that there was children in this book. I feel like they always add so much character to adult books and it truly made me love this book.Ìý
There's only a couple things that I wish we would have gotten more information about:Ìý
-Val's brother. I wish we could have found out if she ever found him and what ever became of him.Ìý
-What caused Val's recurring nightmares. The other kind of glossed over that.Ìý
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I hope all the queer girls out there looking for a cute romantic read picks it up!!
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Suicide mention, Rape mention, Drug Abuse mentionÌý
December 3, 2018
If you like your romance books to be predictable, you’re going to love this book. If you don’t want your books to be so easily predictable, you’re still going to love this book because the skill of the author’s writing will tug at your heart strings. You’ll fall in love with two kids, especially the youngest one, laugh with Val and Paige’s friends, and smile every time Connie shows up on the page.
There were more than one too-easy coincidences, for instance, when Val is given her first fostering assignment, it is with two kids, Lily and Ian, who often attended her readings at the library she worked at thereby easing the unfamiliar-adult/child issue, and the adjustment of the kids was a little too facile.
From the first chapter, the reader knows what the ending will be. While McKenzie was skilled at ramping up the tension between the two main characters and the plot line of Lily and Ian, the reader already knows that how the tension will be resolved.
Despite the predictability of the ending, McKenzie is a skilled author and knows how to draw the reader into the story. You’ll find yourself shedding a tear or two, and experiencing an emotionally satisfying ending.
There were more than one too-easy coincidences, for instance, when Val is given her first fostering assignment, it is with two kids, Lily and Ian, who often attended her readings at the library she worked at thereby easing the unfamiliar-adult/child issue, and the adjustment of the kids was a little too facile.
From the first chapter, the reader knows what the ending will be. While McKenzie was skilled at ramping up the tension between the two main characters and the plot line of Lily and Ian, the reader already knows that how the tension will be resolved.
Despite the predictability of the ending, McKenzie is a skilled author and knows how to draw the reader into the story. You’ll find yourself shedding a tear or two, and experiencing an emotionally satisfying ending.
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