Jericho (A Jericho Novel)

Jericho, where the walls came tumbling down and the wild, kenneled dogs ran free, as Joni once sang. A wonderful metaphor for Ann McMan and her first novel, the both of which experienced a similar transformation as this new author discovered her blossoming talents. Jericho is a heart-warming and hilariously romantic journey for two women, Syd and Maddie, in a small town in Virginia. Supported by a well-rounded cast of secondary characters - especially the flamboyant, opinionated and witty David - they chart the changes in their friendship as each realizes the walls that once protected their emotions now only serve to trap them unless each can find a way over, under, or through their self-imposed emotional isolation. It's a wonderful, engaging, and compelling read, and it's no exaggeration that I couldn't read it fast enough even as I wanted it to last. Not to mention, I won't look at Cheetos in quite the same way from now on.

Well crafted & literate romance filled with humor & deep understanding of human struggle. The characters are well developed & makes you want to meet them in their small town. Am looking forward to the author's next endeavor. PM Webb

This book has something for everyone: straight-girl crush, an awakening, lot's of mis-understandings on the way to love, coming out, secrets exposed, people dying, children, passion and lot's of passion. I couldn't put it down. I love the setting, the characters whom Ann develops well. I also like that there are several sub-stories; Celine, Henry, Beau and Lizzy. This one is a keeper and I'm anxious for enough to time to go by to read it again. Well done, Ann McMan

I found myself thinking about Maddie and Syd today. I wanted to know what is going on with them. I loved the length of the book and want even more.

By the way, I purchased DUST today - can't wait to read it.

An extremely well written and funny book. Ann's one liners are terrific and amusing. The characters are developed so well that you want to be their friends. Ann researched her facts and not only do you become wrapped up in the plot and characters you gain so much knowledge about medicine, music and food and you just might learn some Spanish too. Be prepared to get hungry while reading and afterwards you will find yourself in the gourmet aisle with your next stop at a vineyard.

FINALLY, a woman who knows grammar!!! A wonderful book that took its time letting us get to know all the "players". Was also thrilled that the book wasn't the normal 240 pages or less. I believe most will love the wonderful repartee between most of the characters. So reminds me of the old movies from the 1940's into the 1950's. I definitely recommend purchasing this one.

3.85 stars

I finally got around to reading this book. After hearing a lot of praise for this author I was expecting something deep and also laugh out loud funny. I didn't really get either. There is introspection and the book is plenty amusing when it comes to the dialogue but, on the whole, the pulse of the book is somewhat of a flatline the entire storyline. This is also an uber-Xena story born from fan fiction which I don't count as a bad thing but it always throws me. I don't WANT to see the characters as straight out of the show so I have to keep twisting the knob on the picture every time the author mentions physical traits.

Despite the allusion and sometimes blatant jokes made in the text that are references to the show, however, McMan came up with personalities and a storyline that are completely original.

The author takes us on a journey with Syd, a soon to be divorced woman starting over in the super small town of Jericho, meeting and falling for the gorgeous, exceptionally talented doctor, Maddie. All of their interactions are witty and amusing and each of their characters are without fault. And they're not the only ones. Everyone takes the high road in this story...

Nothing is too dramatic, too crazy, too hot, too intense, too anything...except perhaps too long. There are sooo many story details and it unravels so slowly that it felt like I was reading about the relationship and events in real time.

Because of that, I had mixed reactions to this story. So many lesfic plots have the leads fall in love in a day, it was nice to see a long slow burn of the women developing a strong friendship first. A lot of plots have the straight woman agonize about her sexuality. This one didn't. The dialogue? Always amusing and never boring but EVERY character is smart and witty. A plot that jumps or has holes? Nope, won't find that here but we get the opposite where, as readers, we get everything and the kitchen sink...

And, man, can these ladies drink. They never get drunk but I've never read so many detailed mentions to wine consumption in a story before. They drink every meal...and every evening...and afternoon...and on the airplane...and at the hotels...and even spike the hot chocolate. Seriously, these women don't drink any other liquid the entire story.

As a credit to the author, though, Jericho is perhaps the most entertaining, easy reading...yeah, okay, I'll keep going despite the predictability or lack of intensity...book I've read in the lesfic genre.

Overall, this is a syrupy sweet, feel good, everything falls into place perfectly book. The romance is fulfilling and a fantasy come true. Sometimes we need that so if that's what you're looking for, definitely read this. It's extremely well done for what it is.

Suppose you were a happily straight woman who moves to a very small rural town. You make friends with people you really enjoy. You enjoy your job. But after a couple months, you begin to realize you're attracted to a close woman friend. You're not sure if she is straight or gay. The more you spend time with her, the more you want to see her. You tease and joke around so much with each other, that whenever there's a mildly flirtatious comment, you think it's still part of the teasing. Your parents meet her and they love her--and are quietly aware that you are happy and relaxed around her, in a way they haven't seen before. Her mother likes you. And unbeknownst to you, her best friends are quietly trying to set her up with you. She's resisting her feelings for you because she knows you're straight.

What do you do?

This is a love story that takes a year or so to develop. Each of the women supports the other one in small but important ways. They respect each other. They help each other with daily problems. And so, when there is a life-changing problem for one of the women, the other is right there for her. No psychological problems, no red flags anywhere. Just falling in love when everyone around you sees that you're perfect for each other.

The subplots are also interesting. This might be Ms McMan's first published book, but it reads as if she'd already been writing for years.

I was so obsessed with this book for awhile, that an old friend used to joke that it was my new girlfriend, Jeri Cho. I do admit that I spent an enormous amount of time with her. But what did she give me in the end? She gave me a broken heart. We had a booty call a few months later (Ann McMan wrote a collection of short stories Sidecar, one of them featuring Maddie and Syd). Then, we got back together shortly after that (Ann McMan wrote a sequel, Aftermath) but it just wasn’t the same. I read somewhere that the author was planning on continuing the series with another book in 2015. It hasn’t happened yet, but I’m really hoping it will sometime in the near future. I need closure, Ann McMan!

This book earned a lot of awards and recognition, and for damn good reason. It’s one helluva novel. Not only is it a GREAT story, but it’s GREAT writing. Jericho is the complete package: engaging plot, compelling three-dimensional characters (layers upon layers, like yummy 7-layer bean dip), and smart dialogue. The banter between Maddie and Syd is witty, playful, and intellectually flirtatious. Their chemistry is really off the pages.

The romance develops slower than most lesbian novels and that helps it feel more organic and authentic. You’re at the edge of your seat (or edge of your bed, depending on where you’re reading) eagerly anticipating Maddie or Syd to grow some ovaries and profess their love and affection for each other. When they FINALLY come together, it’s like the feeling you get when you’re listening to a long progressive house song and the bass drops. Oh, the feels!

If you enjoy reading books that include any of the following: small-town living, hot doctors, sexy librarians, Katharine Hepburn, Adirondack chairs, classical music, wine, strong coffee, Cheetos… READ JERICHO! Even if you don’t, read it any way. Especially, if you’re planning on relaxing in a cabin during the winter season, and you’re longing to curl up with a good book that will make your insides feel like Christmas.

http://lesreadoutloud.com/2015/11/18/ann-mcman-jericho/

Jericho had come highly recommended to me by a good friend and I totally trusted her instincts. Ann McMan and Jericho did not disappoint in the least. To state it mildly, I was blown away by this book! I truly welcome a book so rich in detail and character development. With the level of depth of this book, the rich development of its four, very 3-dimensional characters …as well as the supporting characters, it’s hard for me to comprehend how this was Ann’s first novel! The growth and pace of the budding relationship between Maddie and Syd showed much maturity, and the banter between them and their best friends, David and Michael was hilarious and kept me laughing! I honestly don’t know how Ann developed each character so richly and uniquely different and kept the banter evenly divided. Having lived in Virginia for many years I could totally relate to her accurate and lush descriptions of the area. But then again, her rich and realistic descriptions of locales in California and Pennsylvania made me feel as though I was transported there and living in the moment. This is a book I will surely read again and cannot recommend it highly enough!

Everyone's read this, whether as published by Bedazzled or in fanfic form, but I finally caught up and I loved it. It's not the author's best, but the funny thing is that its main problem--that it sprawls because the writing isn't particularly tight--is actually something I love about it. It may not stand up to the author's other books, but it's a book you can sink into and while away a big chunk of time.

It actually reminds me a little bit of All That Matters by Susan X Meagher, because both are friends to lovers romances where we see the friendship develop from the very beginning. I highly recommend listening to the audio book because the reader is fabulous.

I received a free copy from the author for an honest review at The Lesbian Review.

I woke up mornings looking forward to reading Ann McMan's Jericho. The novel is literate, well-reseached, filled with humor and a seductive, discrete, sexual tension I have not encountered in a book for a very long time. The characters were compelling. The dialogue, including the plentiful intelligent banter, was charming and expressive. I enjoyed McMann's presentation of the acceptance the gay characters find. It was both a forecast of our future and a portrait of the way it's always been when most straight people get to know the person, not the stereotype. A lovely, lovely book, deliciously long and sensual in setting and action. Thank you, Ann McMan, we need you.

This was my first time reading Ann McMan. I enjoyed Jericho. The banter is clever and it tired me out over the course of 500 pages. The characters were well-rounded. The story is a tease. You know who will get together, but the author makes the reader wait quite a while for that to happen. I will likely read the others in the series and check-out other novels by this author.

I read this book on a recommendation from a friend. Once I picked it up...or turned it on, I could not put it down...or turn it off. I was hooked from the changing of the tire to, well I will not tell the end. I would love to live in Jericho. I would go hang out with Syd at the library any day and since I am accident prone, I would be frequenting Maddie's office to get stitched up.

This was a fun novel. It was lighthearted. It was a feel good story. The people of Jericho welcome you with open arms! That is what captured me right away and made it so that I had to keep turning to see what was next. I felt like I was part of the town. I felt like all of them were my friends.

The military twist was another added bonus. It was very accurate are to how things happen. I like seeing that in a book because it happens in real life. Little Henry is a wise little boy.

I like getting into a book and feeling as though I live in the place and time where and when the book are written. This book did not disappoint. Order your copy today! Go to Jericho and meet Std, Maddie, David, Michael and the rest of the town. They will welcome you with open arms and plenty of wine!

There are a lot of superlative reviews for this book and while it is a good story that's enjoyable to read, it's not quite as fantastic as it's made out to be here. The love story between Maddie and Syd is cute and well paced (they actually become friends first and the emergence of their feelings for each other feels organic rather than contrived). Also the supporting characters, Maddie's best friends, Syd's family and the townies are very engaging and lend a lot to the story. The subplot of Maddie and her mother is also quite sweet.

Spoiler alert:

The problem appears at the 3/4 mark when the story should be heading to a close. We have an 'incident' which requires the reluctant (for good reason) Syd to take up residence at Maddie's and the appearance of a small child which through a series of contrivances has him added to their 'family' in a way which is both obvious and rushed. Also I'm a stickler for timelines and the author doesn't pay enough attention to the flow of time in the book, so that the epilogue doesn't sit with what's already gone on (from what we're told the book should be ending in about March/April, yet it's six months later and Xmas?). I know there's a sequel in the works, and I would have held the Henry storyline over for that so as to not cram so much into the end of the book. Still it's a good first novel by McMan and worth the read.

Jericho by Ann McMan

Syd (Margaret) Murphy, packs up her home in Durham and begins the long drive to Virginia. Her life in Durham is over, just like her ill fated marriage to Jeff. She has an eighteen month contract to set up and run a new library in Virginia. This will be a complete new beginning for her.

Dr Maddie Stevenson moved back to Virginia to take over her deceased father's medical practice. She is currently driving to North Carolina when she notices a blue Volvo with it's flashers on at the side of the road and a flat tire. She pulls over. This chance meeting between Syd and Maddie means that life for both women as they know it will never be the same again.
Syd explains to Maddie that she is on her way to Jericho to set up a new library. Of course, Maddie knows all about the project. Maddie changes the tire for Syd and they have coffee by the river with Maddie's dog Pete and then go their own separate ways.

Maddie and Syd run into each other a few more times and it seems they are destined to become friends. It's not long before Maddie and Syd begin to spend a lot of time together and Syd becomes friends with Maddie's closest friends, David and his partner Michael, the local inn owners.

Before long, Maddie begins to feel a strong attraction to Syd, but denies her feelings, after all, Syd is still married and straight, isn't she? None of this stops David from throwing the two women together and trying to play matchmaker, much to Maddie's annoyance. What will happen when Syd finds out Maddie is gay? Will she still want her as a friend? Or will she be so disgusted she won't want to see Maddie anymore?

Syd is feeling rather confused about her own feelings towards Maddie. She doesn't want to let on about the attraction she is feeling for her. Maddie may not want her as a friend if she finds out. Will Syd be able to hide her feelings? Maddie mustn't find out, she may be so disgusted, she might not want Syd as a friend anymore?

Will Syd and Maddie finally admit how they feel for each other?

This first book by Ann McMan does not read like a debut novel. The book is well written and is a nice long read and full to the brim with the delightful, humorous story of Syd and Maddie, their friends and colleagues, their lives, jobs, hopes and their quest for love. The characters are well formed, honed to perfection in fact.

Maddie and Syd's characters grabbed me right from the beginning. Their lives and that of their friends reads like a dream. There is a very strong and excellent cast of supporting characters. I loved David and Michael, their two forever friends. As the book progressed, more likeable characters are introduced. All of which fit seamlessly into the story adding a richness to my reading experience. To say I enjoyed this book would be an understatement. Loved, adored, brilliant, laugh out loud and amusing would also not begin to do this book justice.

Where the walls of Jericho once came tumbling down, so the walls around Syd's and Maddie's hearts also crumbled piece by piece until all that is left there is pure unadulterated love.

Once in a while a good romance really makes an impression on me. This is high on my list for a re-read and I've clearly marked Ann McMan's future books as a must buy. I hope there is a sequel in the pipeline to Jericho. These characters have so much more to offer. I want to see where they go next. If you like romance and you want a good book to curl up with on a few cold winter nights, this is the one.

PROS:
1. Great dialogues
2. Good romance, better comedy
3. Efficient description of secondary characters
4. Delivers what it promises. Plain romantic comedy (lesbian)

CONS:
1. Price
2. Writting reminds of fanfiction. TOO PLAIN
3. Main chracters way too perfect
4. Small southern town. Nobody knows actually suspects the main character being gay? nobady has problems on the main characts, being gay? I can't buy it
5. Ending is too fast and too perfect
6. A 30something woman suddenly turns gay, without any previous experience nor interest in any previous women and accepts it without trouble??
7. Sex scenes coul be more detailed or creative. Bit boring

3.5 stars

Began as a very engaging, well-written read with very good dialogue-banter. I enjoyed the humor. It was almost great but then, for a number of reasons, I grew tired of it and found myself plodding through it, maybe around the middle. The last third was just downright hard to get through (mainly due to the Henry thread) and pretty much wrecked the book for me. It sooooooo disappointed me I couldn't be bothered to review it for years.

A tall brunette, the petite blonde and the sweet, non-explicit love scenes make this a stand out romance

North Carolinian Librarian Margaret Murphy `Syd' takes a temporary position in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia to get a new start in life after her marriage ends.

Maddie Stevenson, is the local Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman having returned home to take over her late father's practice.

Neither is looking for romance, both are looking for friendship. These strong women find their way to romance, medicine, music and food. Plus, misunderstandings, secrets, death, and a small child needing a home.

David and Michael, own the local Inn and Maddie's dog Pete made the book memorable for me. Maddy and her mother had me missing my mom big time.

I was hesitant to read Jericho because I was looking for something in the genre as "And Playing in the role of herself" because so far it has been on my top 5 must read LF. I found that I truly enjoyed reading Jericho. I love the fact that the story was not rushed. The author took her time to deliver great characters. I can't wait to pick up another book from her after my classes are over.

I really enjoyed this book. Strong scene and character development tied into a story about life and falling and growing in love. The dialog is mature and witty. It's been a long time since I've read a book this well written. I look forward to more of Ann McMan' stories. Purchasing "Aftermath" right now!

Firstly I read some reviews and thus I already expected something really good. But it surprised me all the same. I was a bit discouraged at the beginning - I thought that the author cannot write good in so many pages. She managed :)
From the beginning till the end really good book that I enjoyed very much. Interesting story, well portraied characters. And she writes smooth - I could not give the book away until I fninished and even than I read it once more.

Funny, serious, entertaining. The highlights of the book for me were the verbal interactions, particularly between Maddie and David. Having interacted a lot with gay men who are like David and Michael, I could just picture David in his attire and hear his quick, witty remarks and dripping sarcasms. I will leave the details of the story to others I just want to let people know what an enjoyable, humorous read this novel is. Maddie and Syd are two wonderful people, their story and coming together not unusual where I come from. I have read it twice and will read it again just for the humour and entertainment. This is the type of story I would love to see in a film. Well done Ms McMan, keep up the good work. Now off to read Aftermath.

I really enjoyed this book. Strong scene and character development tied into a story about life and falling and growing in love. The dialog is mature and witty. It's been a long time since I've read a book this well written. I look forward to more of Ann McMan' stories. Purchasing "Aftermath" right now!

Firstly I read some reviews and thus I already expected something really good. But it surprised me all the same. I was a bit discouraged at the beginning - I thought that the author cannot write good in so many pages. She managed :)
From the beginning till the end really good book that I enjoyed very much. Interesting story, well portraied characters. And she writes smooth - I could not give the book away until I fninished and even than I read it once more.

This must be read by all you romantics out there! Beautifully written and engrossing, sensitive, loving and evolving - hopefully we could easily have a Jericho 2 as we know all the characters so well to take us all into all their lives further.

An awesome book - Thank you Ann for giving us the pleasure of an excellent read.

Looking forward to reading Dust.

Super read. Loved the characters, the story, the easy read. The story was well written to keep you guessing on what
happens was next. Sad to see the author does not have another book. Will certainly keep this author in my sights.
Would be great to contine to saga of Maddie & Syd.

Had NO IDEA this book was about gay & lesbian relationships. If you're into that go for it I guess. For me it was a ridiculous waste of paper. It would be nice if the author wasn't afraid to disclose the contents of her writngs.