Rating: 
Summary: Sorry to say this one was not for me
Review: I have this book on my shelf and have tried to read it a couple times but just can not get into it at all. I am sorry to be hard on this writer but I find that it to predictable, from the hand on the leg under the table to Holly really not knowing who she was. I was most disappoint with this book as I have at least a hundred from NAIAD and several of this authors alone, so I was shocked that I didn't care for this one at all. it was well written as all of her's is but it just wasn't for me.
Rating:
Summary: Good.... Not great but good
Review: I liked the way this book flowed for the most part, it is an easy read. I thought it might be hard to get into this book but it really wasn't hard at all. I would say this book is good not great but good.
Rating: 
Summary: wll make you want to read all Karin Kallmaker's books
Review: I love this book. My first Karin Kallmaker read. I am now a huge Kallmaker fan and have read and own almost all her books. I have read each atleast 3 times!
Rating:
Summary: My First Lesbian Read
Review: I loved watching Holly grow into herself, leaving her controlling relationship with a man and realizing her attraction to women, experiencing her first kiss and the awakening of real passion for the first time. I couldn't wait for Holly and Reyna to finally come together. I too am realizing my growing attraction exclusively to women, and this was my first Lesbian read. I recommend this book to anyone going through similar internal struggles; Holly realizing an attraction for women and Reyna's struggles with her parents, to please one in order to protect another, while sublimating her own desires. I look forward to more Kallmaker and more stories of growth and love.
Rating:
Summary: A worthy read
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I do realize we are all intended
to get wrapped up in Reyna. The family of Holly are all too
realistic in their attempts to conceal truths from her. Her
slow realization of the concessions she made to be straight
ring very true to any female who comes out late in life. It
isnt the typical formula lesbian romance. Probably the most
fun I have had since 'The Emergence of Green'.
Rating: 
Summary: Love Karin Kallamker!
Review: I started with Frosting on the Cake, and now have four of her books. It is easy to get into her storylines and fly through her novels within 2 - 3 days!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I've read Kallmaker before and this is one of her best. The love story was believable. The way the characters discover themselves in each other seems magical. Kallmaker touches on two important lesbian issues - coming out and being accepted. All this and math lessons to boot!
Rating: 
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: If you like your lesbo romances served up unbelievable, dip into this one... you won't be disappointed. Why must all the male characters be jerks? It's already a given we're predisposed to liking women... but must the men be so awful, too? Can't we love women without hating men? And Kallmaker takes me right out of the story by writing the "Gypsy" Kings, instead of Gipsy (not just once, but at least three times). This story felt like it was written with a 1950s sensibility. Must we accept such bad writing? If this is the best there is and she's the undisputed queen, our literature is in trouble. For a mainstream novel, try "The Corrections," which has a beautifully rendered lesbian romance that is wholly satisfying (given that the characters don't end up together--something that actually happens in real life).And Naiad, those covers! Really, you diminish the value of your list by putting such terrible covers on your books.
Rating:
Summary: Search for Tomorrows
Review: In Karin Kallmaker's "Substitute for Love" the main characters Reyna and Holly both struggle over the dominating influence of male control in their lives which hinders their ability to be the woman they wish they could be. In particular, their ability to live their lives as an out lesbian is shortchanged. While Reyna deals with an overbearing father who blackmails her to work for his ultra-conservative organization Holly is living with a man (her old college professor) who believes he can mold her into a better person by constantly critiquing and criticizing her beliefs, actions, and opinions. As the plot progresses both women begin to come to terms with these negative influences and they desire to break free from the shackles of homophobia and emotional abuse. They both feel isolated and alone until they bump into each other in a movie theatre and become instantly attracted and attached to each other. But how can these two women who are seemingly living in separate worlds make it work beyond a one-night stand? Will they be able to conquer their demons and follow their hearts? Moreover, will they be able to construct a tomorrow that includes both of them? Under normal circumstances I tend not to read romance novels but this one came highly recommended. I was pleasantly taken aback to discover that the plot was not as predictable as I anticipated. There were even a couple of plot turns that took me by surprise. Kallmaker's writing style is engaging and well constructed. This is one of the best lesbian novels I have read thus far. I especially appreciated the character of Murphy and the inclusion of her adverse and unpleasant actions and behavior towards other lesbians. I believe that it is important to demonstrate that not everyone in the lesbian community is altruistic and has good intentions. In college I dealt with a Murphy character myself so I could relate to Tori's frustrations very well. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone even if they don't normally read romance novels. It was a pleasant diversion from my typical reading agenda.
Rating:
Summary: There is no substitute for Kallmaker
Review: Just when you think she can't get better, Kallmaker manages to surprise you again. This book has it all: the insipid new age boyfriend and the politically driven right-wing Dad, both characters you'll love to hate, two women that you could swear you actually know, those much anticipated senuous sex scenes (No, don't skip to the chapter. It's better if you wait.)and a cadre of circumstances that will leave you angry, breathless, intoxicated and a believer in the power of love. First and foremost this is a coming out story. It begins with both main characters, Holly and Reyna, denying the depth of their true natures. Holly believes she's in love with her teacher/boyfriend even though her relationship with him has been waning and unfulfilling for years because he's just so politically correct. Reyna, an avowed lesbian, hides her identity from the world so that her right-wing Christian coalition father will continue to provide medical support for her terminally ill mother. Kallmaker captures just how cruel people can be in the name of religious or righteous morality. Considering that we live in an age of terrorism, Kallmaker does a good job of dissecting the mind of those who would have us all believe as they believe. She does so without making either the father or boyfriend into monsters. It reminds me of a J.M. Redmann quote that evil is often banal. We know that these two women are on a collision course because the first chapter tells us, but it does not get in the way of Kallmaker developing both of these characters separately. Holly needs to discover who she is, while Reyna needs to recognize that she can't exist in the vacuum of her father's world. They both need to come out of the place they're in. As an aside, Kallmaker also gets to show off a little bit of her mathmatical knowledge. Although this may not be one of Kallmaker's most sexual books, don't worry, there is Chapter 11, all 15 pages of it. Believe me, it's worth the wait. As always, there is no substitute for Kallmaker. She's the real deal when it comes to romance. Buy the book. This one's a keeper.
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