Cheyenne Blue’s novella is better than Romeo and Juliet.

Two big Irish families, a love between two gorgeous women, unfulfilled longing, and, most importantly, determination are the main ingredients in this touching adventure by Cheyenne Blue.

Never-Tied Nora is Cheyenne’s first novella-length story. I have loved her short erotica in anthologies and was so surprised to find a longer work. This opportunity was just too good to miss.

One of the two main characters in this well-written love story is Nora. Her big Irish family has a nickname for her—“Never-Tied Nora”—because Nora’s life in London is carefree. There is always a new woman for Nora to seduce. Love is something for romantics like her sister Mary. Mary is convinced that “when love hits you, it’ll come with a wallop when you least expect it, and you’ll know this is it. This is the one for you.”

Nora remembers these words well when she first meets Geraldine. Ger is the woman of her dreams, and suddenly commitment isn’t a dirty word anymore. The only trouble is: Ger is a Flannery, and Nora is a Kelly.

The Kellys and the Flannerys have been feuding since both families arrived in London from Ireland decades ago, and time hasn’t healed the hate. Both women know they can date any woman they want as long as the other woman isn’t from the enemy family.

Just as Nora thinks life is good and happiness, everything changes. So, can Nora convince Ger that they are meant to be together even when their families won’t tolerate their choice?

Never-Tied Nora is a beautiful read. There is no dark, heart-crushing sadness. I sympathized with Nora and Ger, with their stubborn families, with their fierceness in protecting and upholding traditions and values. But the family drama never eclipses the romance and the love scenes.

The novella has a straightforward plotline, as I am used to in Cheyenne’s short erotica. Never-Tied Nora is a happy book to gush over. It didn’t put me through intense emotional turmoil. It was a perfect fit for a pleasant evening.