Andi Massey is clearly a damaged soul, severely traumatized by something in her past, she has retreated to a small town where nobody knows her history and she keeps everybody at emotional distance.

Gwen Palmer finds herself dumped by the woman she loved and out of work as a consequence. Despite resistance from friends and family she decides to start again as far away from the city as she can get. She has been hurt once too often by women who use her and is tired of one-night stands and short-term relationships.

Within hours of Gwen arriving at her new home she and Andi are literally thrown together when Gwen’s giant mastiff bowls Andi over. Their attraction is obvious. Gwen is not afraid to go after what she wants, but Andi is determined to resist the attraction. Can Gwen wear down Andi’s resistance? Will her self-confidence survive the mixed messages? Or will Andi’s fear of the past prevent them exploring any future together?

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No Boundaries is an interesting tale that combines many elements of the traditional LesFic romance with the suspense of a traumatised past and the fear of an endangered future. The plot is well thought through, cleverly weaving characters mentioned in passing into the plot and maintaining the suspense. Ms Ford keeps us on tender hooks about exactly what happened to Andi until the very last minute and cleverly replaces one waiting game for another.

The romance between Andi and Gwen is charming as we see the insecurities of the outwardly confident Gwen battling the self-imposed outward isolation of Andi. Their combined histories make for an interesting and challenging romance.

The characters of Andi and Gwen are delightful, as are favorites such as Mrs Peterson and the small cast we eventually get to meet from Andi’s past. Ms Ford creates real people whose doubts and fears, wishes and regrets, have a structural integrity that enables us to identify and bond with them.

There were places in the book where I could have wished for slightly tighter editing when the occasional repetition of words and frequent repetition of names distracted from the dialogue and action.

This was a good story, a sweet romance and a book that I enjoyed. I will certainly be looking out for more from this author.

(publisher review copy received) ( )