Ribbonwood Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
Lara Bennett is infamous in Ribbonwood, population 907, for stirring every scandal with her sharp tongue and fearless style. When Ollie Gabrielli—a once-closeted soccer star turned successful doctor—returns home to recover from burnout and care for her grandmother, she never expects to face her old nemesis. But the moment Ollie steps back into town, she can’t ignore the pull she still feels toward Lara. Ruby Landers crafts a small-town sapphic romance where two former rivals must confront the past, untangle rumors, and find trust in each other again. Set against the backdrop of rural Australia, the story brings humor, tension, and heart as these women discover that sometimes going home means finding yourself—and love—where you least expect it.
Why I Love This Book
I love the electric tension between Lara and Ollie, from their first icy reunion to the heated moments that follow. I love how Ruby Landers balances humor with deeper themes of trauma and healing—Lara’s resilience after past hurts feels real and earned. I love Ollie’s gentle persistence and how she respects Lara’s boundaries while still pursuing her with kindness and warmth. I love the small-town atmosphere, complete with gossip-fuelled conflicts and tight-knit community support. And I love the steamy scenes that build naturally from the characters’ emotional connection, making each moment of passion feel meaningful rather than gratuitous.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy slow-burn sapphic romance with strong, layered heroines and a dash of small-town intrigue, you’ll love this story. You’ll appreciate the enemies-to-lovers tension, the authentic depiction of healing from past trauma, and the satisfying growth of both characters. If you like your romance steamy and emotionally charged, set against a vivid rural backdrop, this one is for you.
Tagged As
sapphic romance, small town, enemies to lovers, healing trauma, slow burn, character driven, steamy romance, dual POV, lesbian romance, feminist heroine, explicit open door, HEA, Australian setting, mystery element
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️| Explicit
