Stevie‘s review of Like Jazz by Heather Blackmore
Contemporary Lesbian Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 15 Dec 13
This wasn’t quite the book I was expecting, but once I got over the surprise of the author’s plotting choices, the whole held together really well. So often the ‘reunited after years apart’ trope is played out entirely in the present, with the prior relationship shown only through dialogue and flashbacks. In contrast here, we’re shown the point of view of the heroine’s adult present briefly, in a prologue. Then we get to watch the whole of her teenage relationship unfold and come crashing down before being returned to the present where we witness the less-than-welcome reunion between both heroines, followed by the building tension as they attempt to overcome romantic and professional difficulties while their unknown enemy becomes ever more threatening.
Cassidy Warner (Cazz – ‘pronounced like Jazz, but with a C’) is a civilian investigator working with LAPD and frequently goes undercover to flush out corporate fraudsters. Her latest assignment comes direct from the chief and has been initiated by a request from one of his close friends. Cazz sees this as her big chance to earn the promotion she’s been working for; then she can move away from L.A. and her not entirely happy memories of the previous time she spent living there as a teenager.
Back then, as the daughter of a high-ranking army officer, Cazz grows up with frequent long-distance relocations and their associated upheavals, such as continually changing schools, often partway through the academic year. One of these moves brings her to L.A., where she develops first an intense rivalry and then a close friendship with the most popular girl in her year, Sarah Perkins. Cazz’s feelings for Sarah evolve into an intense crush, and it seems that Sarah might reciprocate, but then Cazz’s family is moved on again with very short notice, and she never manages to say goodbye properly or even to write to Sarah afterwards. Ten years later, Cazz’s latest investigation turns out to centre on the philanthropic organisation founded by Sarah’s father.
Sarah believes wholeheartedly in her father’s work, having attended receptions with him (and once also with Cazz) while she was growing up, and now returning to work less than a week after his death in an accident. She initially appears not to recognise Cazz, who turns up for a job interview, only to be given the brush-off by the hiring manager, but insists that Cazz is taken on in spite of the man’s insistence that no vacancy exists.
The two women re-establish an uneasy friendship that keeps almost developing into more, but with extreme wariness on both sides to make the first move; Cazz worries that she can’t tell Sarah why she’s really there, and Sarah has had her heart broken twice already – once by Cazz and once by a fiancé who wanted her to give up the work she did for the foundation once they were married – and so can’t bring herself to risk being hurt again.
Meanwhile, Cazz is uncovering a complex series of underhand dealings, with one obvious suspect. Just as she almost has the proof she needs, she’s ordered off the case as it’s becoming too dangerous a situation for a civilian, but by that time she’s already had her cover blown. How she gets out of imminent danger and how she and Sarah finally pull together a happy ending is very slickly done, although I find myself wanting more at times.
Overall, I can’t believe that this is the author’s first book, and I shall be looking out for her next release with great anticipation. She makes accountancy and fraud investigation interesting, which is astounding in itself, even though the book as a whole could have done with a couple of extra scenes to expand on various character interactions that are only hinted at in the story we get. Definitely recommended.
Grade: B
Summary:
Cassidy “Cazz” Warner, a smart, sporty, reticent newcomer to the senior class at Claiborne High, unwittingly attracts the attention of its most popular girl: Sarah Perkins, a bright, athletic, charismatic beauty. Just as the two begin to understand how extraordinary their friendship is, another cross-country move wrests Cazz away.
Ten years later, Cazz unexpectedly runs into Sarah during a fraud investigation at Sarah’s charitable foundation. The women are inexorably drawn to each other, but Cazz’s investigation into the foundation’s finances limits her ability to be entirely honest with Sarah.
Already wary of Cazz for not keeping in touch after Claiborne, Sarah demands the truth. Will Cazz own up to her feelings for Sarah? Or is she too late? And will Cazz’s investigation bring a killer to justice, or will she sacrifice herself to protect Sarah from a man desperate to conceal his crimes?
Read an excerpt.
