en-US Fri, 16 May 2025 06:22:39 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 219099708 Two ballerinas. Two fates. One stage.

It's the carefree '80s and Juliette Lucian-Sorel has it all. She’s the greatest dancer to ever grace the floorboards of Palais Garnier, she's royalty to her adoring fans, and Paris is at her feet. Or so it seems��

Katarina Vyatka is defecting from behind the Iron Curtain, desperate to save herself and her career. Or so she claims��

What happens when the Princess of Paris rescues the brightest star in the history of Bolshoi? Will the Paris ballet stage be big enough for both of them? Sparks fly and rivals become lovers as they set their lives ablaze in a torrent of secrets, intrigue and grands jetés!]]> 353 Milena McKay Sapphic Reads 0 currently-reading 4.43
author: Milena McKay
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.43
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/16
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> 85682793 Samara Breger's A Long Time Dead is a lush, Victorian romance, drenched in blood and drama, about the lengths two women will go to secure a love that cannot die.

Somewhere foggy, 1837 . . .

Poppy had always loved the night, which is why it wasn’t too much of a bother to wake one evening in an unfamiliar home far from London, weak and confused and plagued with a terrible thirst for blood, to learn that she could no longer step out into the day. And while vampirism presented several disadvantages, it more than made up for those in its benefits: immortality, a body that could run at speed for hours without tiring, the thrill of becoming a predator, the thing that pulls rabbits from bushes and tears through their fur and flesh with the sharp point of a white fang.

And, of course, Roisin. The mysterious woman who has lived for centuries, who held Poppy through her painful transformation, and who, for some reason, is now teaching her how to adjust to her new, endless life. A tight, lonely, buttoned-up woman, with kindness and care, pressed up behind her teeth. The time they spend together is as transformative to Poppy as the changes in her body, and soon, she finds herself hopelessly, overwhelmingly attached. But Roisin has secrets of her own, and can’t make any promises; not when vengeance must be served.

Soon, their little world explodes. Together and apart, they encounter scores of vampires, shifty pirates, conniving opera singers, ancient nobles, glamorous French women, and a found family that throws a very particular sort of party. But overhead, threat looms—one woman who is capable of destroying everything Poppy and Roisin hold dear.]]> 412 Samara Breger 1612942652 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.74 2023
author: Samara Breger
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/15
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 60457393 What makes an Ice Queen?

Neve Blackthorne, head of one of the most successful Studios in Hollywood, is the one to rule them all. Powerful, beautiful, and aloof, she’s ruthless, yet irresistible. Above all, she has an unquenchable survival instinct.

Surely a fleeting entanglement with one Audrey Avens, a bright, young, rising star in her company, won’t bring down the Wicked Queen of Tinseltown. Or will it?

Neve’s public persona has no chink in the untouchable armor, but when the lights go out and the cameras stop rolling, what becomes of an Ice Queen whose heart is ruled by love and fear?]]> 398 Milena McKay Sapphic Reads 4 high-4-stars
Milena McKay's writing is pure poetry—lush, thoughtful, and beautifully crafted.

I’ll be honest, I struggled with parts of this book because I constantly wanted to shake Neve and beg her to face her issues and stop being so cruel to Audrey. But then again, she wouldn’t be such a compelling ice queen without a little frostbite, would she?

The chess and Greek mythology analogies were brilliant and added so much depth to the story. McKay weaves them in seamlessly, and they really elevate the emotional weight of the characters' journey. It was definitely a long and emotionally tough read at times, but the payoff was absolutely worth it. Audrey and Neve’s hard-won happily-ever-after felt so believable and richly deserved. A torturous slow burn, but what a burn it is.]]> 4.45 2022
author: Milena McKay
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.45
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2025/05/14
date added: 2025/05/14
shelves: high-4-stars
review:
4.5

Milena McKay's writing is pure poetry—lush, thoughtful, and beautifully crafted.

I’ll be honest, I struggled with parts of this book because I constantly wanted to shake Neve and beg her to face her issues and stop being so cruel to Audrey. But then again, she wouldn’t be such a compelling ice queen without a little frostbite, would she?

The chess and Greek mythology analogies were brilliant and added so much depth to the story. McKay weaves them in seamlessly, and they really elevate the emotional weight of the characters' journey. It was definitely a long and emotionally tough read at times, but the payoff was absolutely worth it. Audrey and Neve’s hard-won happily-ever-after felt so believable and richly deserved. A torturous slow burn, but what a burn it is.
]]> 36280337 Ms. Never-See-You-Again just turned into Ms. See-You-Constantly.
Concerned about the stigma of workplace dalliances, Isabelle vows it can’t go further than the one night. Good plan—if not for an insistent libido and an even more persistent Audrey who conspires to break Isabelle’s resolve. Soon their no strings arrangement starts to feel a lot like dating, and Isabelle finds herself wanting more than just casual nights together...

Genre: Romance
Editor: Cath Walker
Cover Designer: Judith Fellows]]> 282 E.J. Noyes 1594935610 Sapphic Reads 4 4.19 2017
author: E.J. Noyes
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/16
date added: 2025/05/14
shelves:
review:
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this! Based on the description, I anticipated more erotica than plot, but the story struck a wonderful balance between the two, with each element beautifully complementing the other.
]]> 231355628
All Alice wants to do is go home and lick her wounds, but she’s compelled to help. Who is this strange man? Why is he mumbling about a pig? And why can’t she stop flirting with Ash, the gorgeous A&E doctor? Alice needs to sort her life out, but when it comes to Ash and her disarming smile, things could be about to get a whole lot messier.

As Alice delves into the mystery, she starts to see her life with newfound clarity, and unexpected possibilities bloom.

Threaded with humour, heart, and intrigue, this sapphic story explores a life transformation with a side of romance!]]> 400 Pip Landers-Letts 1738543072 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.67
author: Pip Landers-Letts
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.67
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 217387788
Rural PI Mel Tillman knows this well. She's seen her fair share of bloody cases and botched cover-ups. But killing with someone? That is a different kind of mess all together, and Mel's got real experience with it.

No one's heard from Toby Dunne since Chloe Harper's sweet sixteen party--because the birthday girl and sixteen-year-old Mel buried him so deep in the backwoods, no one's ever finding him. Mel loses little sleep over it--Toby had been terrorizing them.

What she does lose sleep over is Chloe, the girl with whom she survived that horrible night in the woods. Chloe, the girl she fell in love with. Chloe, the girl who disappeared and hasn't been seen in more than six years.

Tasked with locating Chloe by her family, Mel can't resist the call of a good chase, or finding the one who got away with her heart (and with murder). When Mel finds an armed and vigilant Chloe living off-grid in a highly booby-trapped patch of Canadian wilderness, she realizes that Chloe had been expecting someone other than her ex to come looking for her. The thing that's kept Chloe going for years is that she's kept Mel safe by running. Now, the truth must come out as they run for their lives once again.

Because when they buried Toby Dunne in the backwoods, they buried something else, too. Something Toby took. And the powerful family he stole it from? They'll do anything to get it back.]]> 304 Tess Sharpe 0374614423 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.98 2025
author: Tess Sharpe
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 199367794
Or so she thinks.

When she meets a hellish princess in an explosive mishap, her whole life gets flipped upside down, and Jackie has to figure out how to juggle an unexpected breakup, an unexpected houseguest, and some unexpected feelings which might just lead to heaven on earth.]]> 237 Heather Nix Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.30
author: Heather Nix
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.30
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 59807975
An exiled auspex who sold her soul to save her brother's life is offered one last job before serving an eternity in hell. When she turns it down, her client sweetens the pot by offering up the one payment she can't resist―the chance to have a future where she grows old with the woman she loves.

To succeed, she is given three days to track down the White City Vampire, Chicago's most notorious serial killer. If she fails, only hell and heartbreak await.]]> 136 C.L. Polk 1250849454 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.80 2022
author: C.L. Polk
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 60521937
This is my last love letter to you, though some would call it a confession. . .

Saved from the brink of death by a mysterious stranger, Constanta is transformed from a medieval peasant into a bride fit for an undying king. But when Dracula draws a cunning aristocrat and a starving artist into his web of passion and deceit, Constanta realizes that her beloved is capable of terrible things.

Finding comfort in the arms of her rival consorts, she begins to unravel their husband's dark secrets. With the lives of everyone she loves on the line, Constanta will have to choose between her own freedom and her love for her husband. But bonds forged by blood can only be broken by death.]]> 292 S.T. Gibson 0316501077 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.91 2021
author: S.T. Gibson
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 59891822 Reconnect with your favorite characters from Rachel Spangler's best-selling romances, Full English and Modern English.

When Claire Bailey left London to open her own art gallery in the tiny village of Amberwick, she'd hoped the slower pace and lower cost of living might allow her to focus on her own painting, away from all the drama and distractions that had plagued her in the city. She fully intended to make an honest go at simple living right up until the moment a shockingly attractive aristocrat rocketed off the road and knocked her world off its axis.

Pip has learned to play the part of a ne'er-do-well upper elite: charismatic, enigmatic, and a little bit erratic. Luckily, women tend to like those characteristics. After leading such a charmed existence, where even motorcycles wrecks come with the added bonus of meeting beautiful women, Pip finds that Claire's complete lack of interest in money or status sparks both curiosity and attraction.

Surrendering to both boredom and sheer chemistry, the two agree to an unconventional, no-strings, romantic adventure designed to provide them both a bit of freedom and entertainment. However, once released from the pressure to project perfect images of themselves, the walls they depended on for protection begin to crumble. Worlds blend and identities blur as their whirlwind romance quickly becomes more than they bargained for. Will their almost elemental attraction be enough to overcome the complexities rushing in from all sides? Or will the pressures they've both sought to escape force them to forge a new path neither of them had dared to dream of?]]> 340 Rachel Spangler 1612942431 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.32 2022
author: Rachel Spangler
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 232076887
Untamed and wild, Cynda is an outdoorswoman holed up in the Appalachian backcountry. Her solitary existence is shattered when Kadija, a fierce, freedom fighter, tracks her down.

Kadija demands Cynda return to civilization to face the consequences of an out-of-control project Cynda worked on years ago. But how can she take on the destructive research institute preying on vulnerable, sensitive people when it almost destroyed her once? How can Cynda face the outside world again, now it’s awash in so much fear and violence that it suffocates her?

As the warring pair reluctantly journey into a dystopian world, the ties that bind them slowly draw them closer. But what happens if those delicate ties ever break?]]> Ana K. Wrenn Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.50
author: Ana K. Wrenn
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.50
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 216688316 “I’m never going to want this.��

“Oh, I know,�� she replied. I felt her smile against my skin. “You are going to need ����.��

Ten years of regret. Ten years of hiding bruises and putting on a false smile.

Grace Schafer has lost herself in the shadow of her husband’s brutality. All the confidence she once possessed has been replaced by fear and resentment.

Sean Schafer made certain he could never fail, but wealth and success came at a great cost, and the time has arrived to collect what is due.

Grace finds herself at the mercy of the Queen of the Underworld—Sean’s final cruelty.

Debts must be settled, and this time, a soul is not enough. Lady Cora requires compensation and Grace’s body is more than willing to pay. But if the Queen demands more, can Grace face the demons of her past?

Currency in Flesh is a dark romance inspired by the myth of Hades and Persephone and The Fall of the House of Usher.]]> 272 Heather Nix Sapphic Reads 4 fantasy definitely has its toxic moments, but it’s a romance between the goddess of the underworld and a mortal she literally snatched from the earth. A bit of toxicity is kind of expected.

The writing was smooth, and the spicy scenes? Absolutely top-tier. I especially liked how Grace brought out Cora’s humanity and softer sides—it added real depth to their dynamic.

My only gripe was the ending (or lack thereof). It felt abrupt and left me wanting more closure.

Still, overall, it was a spicy and engaging read!]]> 4.11
author: Heather Nix
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.11
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/05/12
date added: 2025/05/12
shelves: fantasy
review:
I enjoyed this in a similar way to Tryst Six Venom—the relationship definitely has its toxic moments, but it’s a romance between the goddess of the underworld and a mortal she literally snatched from the earth. A bit of toxicity is kind of expected.

The writing was smooth, and the spicy scenes? Absolutely top-tier. I especially liked how Grace brought out Cora’s humanity and softer sides—it added real depth to their dynamic.

My only gripe was the ending (or lack thereof). It felt abrupt and left me wanting more closure.

Still, overall, it was a spicy and engaging read!
]]> 123171390 On the night Gwen is meant to commit herself to the Moon Coven, a murder attempt has her running for her life. She flees the only home she’s ever known, running straight past the cottage in the woods and into the arms of a ruthless pirate captain. She can’t be sure if she’s a passenger or captive when she boards The Ruined Soul, but as the tides grow more dangerous, she starts to suspect there’s more to the harsh captain than meets the eye. She might not be just a bag of gold to her, after all.
Morgen is as cold-hearted as they come, but she’s warming up to the woman who stumbled onto her ship and into her life. She’ll need to be careful if she wants to claim a sweet reward without risking her cursed heart, but Gwen’s strange magic might be the very thing to help her thaw out.
As they uncover each other’s darkest secrets, they’ll wonder if they can work together to face brewing conflicts without letting their temptations bring them to ruin.
Content warnings: graphic sex, violence, body horror. This book is intended for adult readers. Please check the author's website for detailed content warnings.]]> 350 Darva Green Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.31 2023
author: Darva Green
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 209452485

Vesper

My entire life had been decided by a prophecy.

Born into a family proficient in killing every type of supernatural being on the planet, there was only one path for me.

But when it finally came to fulfill the prophecy, I found myself face to face with the most cruel yet breathtaking creature I had ever come to know.

The same one I was supposed to kill.

Yet how is it when every time I try, she's always one step ahead of me?

Aurelia

My father had turned me into a monster.

A cruel, unbreaking force that laughed in the face of all those who stood to face me.

And then he went and soldme to a bastard Prince who wanted to see nothing more than my own downfall. All while trying everything my later mother worked so hard to build.

And then she came.

She would have been a beautiful break in the constant downpour that had been my life... if she hadn't gone and ruined it all by putting her nose where it didn't belong.

But I would pay it back in full, and maybe even have some fun while I was at it.

Note: all TW will be on the author's website.
This is NOT a continuation of Contract Bound but is set in the same world far in the future after the downfall of The Order and the regaining of power of vampire royalty.]]> 333 Elle Mae 1959187139 Sapphic Reads 1 fantasy
The first one ends on a major cliffhanger, which had me excited to dive straight into the sequel—only to find out their relationship turns into a throuple with one of the side characters. And here’s the kicker: there was zero indication of this shift in the blurb or tags. Nothing about f/f/f or polyamory, because that dynamic isn’t even present in the first book!

I feel completely blindsided. I typically avoid polyamorous romances—not because there’s anything wrong with them, they’re just not what I personally enjoy reading. I go in expecting a monogamous couple, get invested in their dynamic, and then suddenly the whole direction changes without warning? It felt like such a bait-and-switch.

I might come back and revise this with a cooler head and more thoughtful points, but right now I’m just pissed becasue I'm not reading the second book in the series so I'm just left with the cliffhanger. I wish authors would be more upfront about major relationship developments like this—it’s not fair to readers who get invested in characters and their relationship only to have it unrecognisable in the next installment.]]> 4.01
author: Elle Mae
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.01
book published:
rating: 1
read at: 2025/05/11
date added: 2025/05/11
shelves: fantasy
review:
Ugh, I'm so frustrated! This was shaping up to be a solid 4-star read for me—Vesper and Aurelia’s slow-burn romance had me totally hooked. I was all in... until I went to start the next book in the series.

The first one ends on a major cliffhanger, which had me excited to dive straight into the sequel—only to find out their relationship turns into a throuple with one of the side characters. And here’s the kicker: there was zero indication of this shift in the blurb or tags. Nothing about f/f/f or polyamory, because that dynamic isn’t even present in the first book!

I feel completely blindsided. I typically avoid polyamorous romances—not because there’s anything wrong with them, they’re just not what I personally enjoy reading. I go in expecting a monogamous couple, get invested in their dynamic, and then suddenly the whole direction changes without warning? It felt like such a bait-and-switch.

I might come back and revise this with a cooler head and more thoughtful points, but right now I’m just pissed becasue I'm not reading the second book in the series so I'm just left with the cliffhanger. I wish authors would be more upfront about major relationship developments like this—it’s not fair to readers who get invested in characters and their relationship only to have it unrecognisable in the next installment.
]]> 231535902 Love and hunger are not the same.

Six years ago, on a remote Scottish island, a mysterious woman saved Sister Madeleine Laurent from drowning. Now, after leaving her convent, Madeleine crosses the ocean again to find the rescuer who changed her life. Instead, her search is disrupted by Hæra North, a brazen, provocative local who stirs Madeleine’s repressed desires—and keeps a secret out of legend.

Hæra has one��dream: to become the first female Stormhorse, a powerful leader in her clan of fearsome ocean horse spirits. To do so, she must capture, drown, and eat a worthy human. When she first saw Madeleine, she knew she’d found the one. So why did Hæra save her instead?
��
Now Madeleine’s back. All Hæra has to do is remain in human form, earn her woman’s trust, then devour her.

But Madeleine is awakening another kind of appetite��

The Woman from the Waves is an epic sapphic romantasy about the power of unleashed desire, the courage it takes to change, and a love so vast it spans the sea, earth, and sky.]]> 564 Roslyn Sinclair 0998054283 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 5.00
author: Roslyn Sinclair
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 5.00
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/09
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 44586396
The older woman has an unusual proposal for Lindsey--move into her mansion for three months as her girlfriend and submissive, and all of Lindsey's financial woes will disappear. It's the perfect solution to Lindsey's problems, and she can't say no to three months of pleasure and luxury beyond her wildest dreams. Camilla has made it clear that she's comfortable with the arrangement. A difficult life has left the solitary woman hesitant to let anyone get too close. And Lindsey isn't attracted to women, anyway. It's all just a charade.

Until it isn't. When Lindsey can no longer deny her feelings toward her Mistress, she runs the risk of losing everything. It was all supposed to be pretend. One big lie.

What happens when the lie becomes the truth?

Hers to Keep is the third book in the bestselling Irresistibly Bound series. Each book in the series can be read alone.]]> 244 Anna Stone Sapphic Reads 3 4.11 2019
author: Anna Stone
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2025/05/09
date added: 2025/05/09
shelves:
review:
This was a quick and easy read—I finished it cover to cover in just over three hours without any interruptions. You can definitely tell it’s one of Anna Stone’s earlier works; it doesn’t quite have the delicious slow burn and intense angst she’s known for in her more recent books. That said, if you’re looking for a low-angst, sweet BDSM sapphic romance, this one definitely delivers. Camilla and Lindsey are both likable MCs, with great communication and a satisfying, heartwarming HEA.
]]> 52448445 A charming historical fantasy with a tender love story at its core, from the author of Unnatural Magic.

Hard-drinking petty thief Dellaria Wells is down on her luck in the city of Leiscourt—again. Then she sees a want ad for a female bodyguard, and she fast-talks her way into the high-paying job. Along with a team of other women, she’s meant to protect a rich young lady from mysterious assassins.

At first Delly thinks the danger is exaggerated, but a series of attacks shows there’s much to fear. Then she begins to fall for Winn, one of the other bodyguards, and the women team up against a mysterious, magical foe who seems to have allies everywhere.]]> 371 C.M. Waggoner 198480586X Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.69 2021
author: C.M. Waggoner
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/09
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 51530580 A princess isn’t supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this darkly magical retelling of “Sleeping Beauty,�� true love is more than a simple fairy tale.

Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who, in an act of vengeance, cursed a line of princesses to die. A curse that could only be broken by true love’s kiss.

You’ve heard this before, haven’t you? The handsome prince. The happily-ever-after.

Utter nonsense.

Let me tell you, no one in Briar actually cares about what happens to its princesses. Not the way they care about their jewels and elaborate parties and charm-granting elixirs. I thought I didn’t care, either.

Until I met her.

Princess Aurora. The last heir to Briar’s throne. Kind. Gracious. The future queen her realm needs. One who isn’t bothered that I am Alyce, the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. Humiliated and shamed by the same nobles who pay me to bottle hexes and then brand me a monster. Aurora says I should be proud of my gifts. That she . . . cares for me. Even though it was a power like mine that was responsible for her curse.

But with less than a year until that curse will kill her, any future I might see with Aurora is swiftly disintegrating—and she can’t stand to kiss yet another insipid prince. I want to help her. If my power began her curse, perhaps it’s what can lift it. Perhaps, together, we could forge a new world.

Nonsense again.

Because we all know how this story ends, don’t we? Aurora is the beautiful princess. And I��

I am the villain.]]> 470 Heather Walter 1984818651 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.92 2021
author: Heather Walter
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 35224992 A story of love and duty set in San Francisco's Chinatown during the Red Scare.

“That book. It was about two women, and they fell in love with each other.�� And then Lily asked the question that had taken root in her, that was even now unfurling its leaves and demanding to be shown the sun: “Have you ever heard of such a thing?��

Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club.

America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father—despite his hard-won citizenship—Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.]]> 409 Malinda Lo 0525555250 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.21 2021
author: Malinda Lo
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 216750978
A small-town waitress and a big-city Broadway press agent swap homes to escape the messiness of their personal lives, only to find new purpose—and new love.

Tatum Ward and Eleanor Chapman lead totally opposite lives. Tatum’s never left her Midwestern hometown. She resides in a quaint guest cottage on her parents�� property while working part-time as a waitress, where she spends most shifts ignoring her feelings for a beautiful regular named June. Eleanor dedicates every waking hour to her high-profile press career, sacrificing personal relationships for professional success, save for the occasional hookup to fight off her loneliness. When both women’s lives unexpectedly blow up at the exact same time, they each need an escape, and fast.

In Tatum’s hometown, Eleanor expects a quiet hideaway where she can recharge. Instead she gets wrapped up in the family drama that Tatum left town to avoid, pulled in by Tatum’s charismatic older sibling, Carson, who charms Eleanor at every turn. Tatum ends up in Eleanor’s New York high-rise apartment with June. One week together in the big city might make it impossible for Tatum to avoid not just her true feelings for June, but her real dreams for her life.

Amid a friendship with a reclusive Hollywood actress and a complicated family reunion, Tatum and Eleanor each discover much more than they bargained for away from home. Their house swap won’t last forever, but it might be just long enough for both women to surrender their defenses and finally fight for the life—and love—they deserve.]]> 352 Bridget Morrissey 0593817125 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.92 2025
author: Bridget Morrissey
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/07
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 203955641 A spellbinding rivalry unraveled by fate...A sapphic romance born from the ashes of prejudice…A Regency Era tale of lust and magic.

Iona's magic thrives in ways that defy explanation.
The threads of fate pull Iona to Lysander College, an illustrious school for aristocratic witches of great renown. Though Iona is only a novice witch with no ancestral claim to old magic, her anomalous power garners the unwanted attention of imperious witches in her class.

Ariadne is a prodigy of magic descended from a prestigious bloodline of witches.
Ariadne is her family’s one hope of maintaining their noble status in high society. When Iona arrives at college under mysterious circumstances, wielding magic that somehow rivals Ariadne’s, she makes it her vendetta to put Iona in her place.

The scholarly witches of Lysander College share one common goal: to claim the coveted pendant of Morgan Le Fay.
Within the pendant's shimmering stones lies indomitable power, which can only be claimed by the witch who wins Morgan’s arcane trials in Spring. Ariadne must claim the pendant for her family or face the consequences should she fail. Ariadne will not let Iona steal her victory, though she might steal her heart.

Her Spell That Binds Me is an F/F rivals to lovers, dual POV, dark fantasy romance novel. Contains mature themes.]]> 499 Luna Oblonsky Sapphic Reads 4
The world-building and lore were really well done, especially the college campus setting—it was so immersive, that I could easily lose myself in it. While the story could’ve used a bit of tightening here and there, overall, I had a great time with it!]]> 4.11 2024
author: Luna Oblonsky
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/05
date added: 2025/05/07
shelves: fantasy, enemies-to-lovers, high-4-stars
review:
This was an enjoyable read! I was hooked by all the drama, angst, and steam—it really kept things entertaining as I followed Iona and Ariadne’s journey from enemies to lovers. I’ll admit, I had a hard time warming up to Ariadne at first—she was pretty awful until about the halfway mark—but once she started to redeem herself, it happened quickly and felt believable.

The world-building and lore were really well done, especially the college campus setting—it was so immersive, that I could easily lose myself in it. While the story could’ve used a bit of tightening here and there, overall, I had a great time with it!
]]> 226092529 London, 1990

Sharon Goldblatt

My best friend Danny is sick. Really sick. We know what it is, we know how he got it, but we don't know how to make him better. Even the doctors and nurses don't know. Although that doesn't stop one particular nurse on his ward from acting like she knows it all. She's bold, brash and bloody infuriating when she dismisses my questions and concerns at every turn. But I'm determined to do whatever I can to save Danny from AIDS. Because my family rejected me long ago and my social life consists of reading too many superhero comic books, so Danny is all I have. I'm a 27-year-old lesbian who has never kissed a woman and he's all I have. And more than that, I'm all he has. So Florence F*cking Nightingale better keep out of my way if she knows what's good for her.

Kate Xiao Hong Chiu

People think I'm crazy for loving my job. My husband divorced me because of it and even some nursing friends keep their distance, but these are not my problems. My sole focus is treating my patients or rather making them as comfortable as possible. Which is why I don't take lightly to people getting in the way of my job, like this Sharon woman who thinks she knows better than me because she read a few articles. Does it matter that I keep wondering if the shaved sides of her head feel like velvet? No. Is it interesting that she seems to love Lady Phantom comics as much as me? Just a coincidence. Do I wonder what her body would feel like pressed up to mine? Yes, but that's irrelevant. I have a job to do, and when there aren't many of us willing to do it, I'm not going to let anyone stop me from doing it. People's lives literally depend on me so Sharon Goldblatt and her honey-brown eyes can take a running jump... and not into my bed no matter how good that would be.

Nightingale is a frenemies to lovers, grumpy/grumpy sapphic romance with lesbian and bisexual rep, a Jewish MC and a British Chinese MC, and butch/femme representation.]]> 370 Frances M. Thompson Sapphic Reads 3
I also really liked how the book tackled the AIDS epidemic in the UK in the 90s; it’s clear the author put a lot of care and research into that aspect, and it added real depth to the story.

But where it lost me was the romance. Their meet-cute was charming enough—a misunderstanding leading to instant dislike, setting the stage for enemies-to-lovers vibes—but I never fully bought into their connection. I wanted to, but it felt like there was a lot more telling than showing, and at times it read a bit formulaic, like the author was ticking off beats in a romance template rather than letting the relationship develop naturally.

There’s definitely a lot to appreciate here, and I can see why others have loved it—it just didn’t quite work for me, sadly.]]> 4.79
author: Frances M. Thompson
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.79
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2025/05/07
date added: 2025/05/07
shelves:
review:
I really wanted to love this book, especially after seeing some glowing ARC reviews, but unfortunately, it just didn’t click for me. That said, there’s a lot it does right. The diverse cast of characters was fantastic, and I really appreciated having two main characters who broke away from the typical sapphic romance tropes—Kate, a bisexual Chinese woman, and Sharon, a plus-size Jewish woman. Their representation felt fresh and authentic. Some of the side characters were standouts too—Danny in particular was a highlight.

I also really liked how the book tackled the AIDS epidemic in the UK in the 90s; it’s clear the author put a lot of care and research into that aspect, and it added real depth to the story.

But where it lost me was the romance. Their meet-cute was charming enough—a misunderstanding leading to instant dislike, setting the stage for enemies-to-lovers vibes—but I never fully bought into their connection. I wanted to, but it felt like there was a lot more telling than showing, and at times it read a bit formulaic, like the author was ticking off beats in a romance template rather than letting the relationship develop naturally.

There’s definitely a lot to appreciate here, and I can see why others have loved it—it just didn’t quite work for me, sadly.
]]> 232765952 When the one who got away comes back...Real estate broker Tori Cruz has spent years building a life of structure and control �� keeping her heart, and her past, carefully locked away. But when Mia Falcon, her childhood best friend and secret first love, crashes back into her life after fourteen years apart, everything Tori thought she buried comes rushing back.

Mia didn’t mean to find Tori again. She definitely didn’t mean to want her. Divorcing, grieving, and lost, Mia only wanted help selling her mother’s house. She wasn’t prepared for feelings she never dared name to come rushing back �� hotter, deeper, and far more dangerous than before.

Back together, and it’s like no time has passed. And when Mia realizes that home isn’t a place �� it’s a person �� she knows she can’t walk away again.

Old feelings resurface. New ones spark. And some loves? They never die. They wait.

A steamy, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance full of heart, heat, and second chances.

Mentions of past loss including passing of a parent and early-term miscarriage ]]> J.J. Arias Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 0.0
author: J.J. Arias
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 228708916 A late bloomer lesbian doctor. A stepdaughter’s best friend. A taboo passion that could destroy them both.

After a messy divorce, Dr. Rowan Colchester finally embraces her true self. A passionate encounter with a younger woman shakes her world. But when she discovers the complicated connection between them, she knows a future together is not in the cards.

Inspired by the loss of her father, Dr. Simone Doucette dreams of being a humanitarian. But when the pressure proves too much, she takes a job in the ER of a small Cape Cod hospital to put the pieces of her life back together. The last thing she expects is for her new boss to be the one-night stand she can’t forget.

As fate—and scandal—pull them together, Rowan and Simone must fight not just for love, but for the hospital’s survival and the soul of their tightknit community. With careers, reputations, and hearts on the line, will they risk everything for a second chance?

For high-stakes passion and a forbidden steamy romance, don’t miss this must-read collaboration from Miranda MacLeod and TB Markinson.
]]> 433 T.B. Markinson Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.39
author: T.B. Markinson
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.39
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/03
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 55566545 Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The L Word in this fresh, sizzling rom-com by Lana Harper.

Emmy Harlow is a witch but not a very powerful one—in part because she hasn't been home to the magical town of Thistle Grove in years. Her self-imposed exile has a lot to do with a complicated family history and a desire to forge her own way in the world, and only the very tiniest bit to do with Gareth Blackmoore, heir to the most powerful magical family in town and casual breaker of hearts and destroyer of dreams.

But when a spellcasting tournament that her family serves as arbiters for approaches, it turns out the pull of tradition (or the truly impressive parental guilt trip that comes with it) is strong enough to bring Emmy back. She's determined to do her familial duty; spend some quality time with her best friend, Linden Thorn; and get back to her real life in Chicago.

On her first night home, Emmy runs into Talia Avramov—an all-around badass adept in the darker magical arts—who is fresh off a bad breakup . . . with Gareth Blackmoore. Talia had let herself be charmed, only to discover that Gareth was also seeing Linden—unbeknownst to either of them. And now she and Linden want revenge. Only one question stands: Is Emmy in?

But most concerning of all: Why can't she stop thinking about the terrifyingly competent, devastatingly gorgeous, wickedly charming Talia Avramov?]]> 352 Lana Harper 0593336062 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.57 2021
author: Lana Harper
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/03
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 218233157 Magic is real, and Viola is going to prove it!

Viola is a Parisian librarian by day and parkourist by night. The last thing she wants is an arranged marriage (ick) with a man (double ick.) If Viola can fund the library and keep it open, she might keep her job and freedom, might being the key word. To make matters worse, strange magical shades keep attacking her, threatening her physical safety. Viola knows magic is real and wants to be part of that world, but she can’t find a way out of her mundane life. She can only vent her troubles to her confidant, a lady gargoyle�� though the statue has never spoken back.

Boudicca is a creature without a soul—a fact as steady as the stone she’s made of. Yet when the mage who created Boudicca gives her a task that requires her to appear human, she’s feeling new, soft things for the librarian who likes to climb Paris in her slippers. Viola could never love Boudicca in her true form, but the gargoyle finds herself putting her heart on the line to help keep the library open�� and help Viola discover the magic that will pull her into a new world of freedom.

The Librarian’s Gargoyle is a cozy sapphic monster romantasy set in turn-of-the-century Paris.]]> 256 Evelyn Shine Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.31 2024
author: Evelyn Shine
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/02
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 205833753 Capture one harmless fugitive. What could go wrong?

Nyssa Blacksea is eager to silence her doubters. The only warrior in her guild without magick, she’s forced to rely solely on her martial arts mastery, unwavering confidence, and charisma. When given the chance to hunt down a mysterious woman named Quinn, and earn the coveted title of Ashcloak, Nyssa seizes the opportunity. Track down a fugitive? An easy task.

There’s just one problem—Quinn isn’t receptive to Nyssa’s charms and refuses to go down without a fight. Dangerous secrets swirl around Quinn and a treacherous guild leader, rattling Nyssa’s faith in the very system that raised her.

Though troubled by the sinking feeling she’s not meant to survive the mission, Nyssa confronts the dangers awaiting her, clashing with pirates, assassins, and undead horrors. Duty pulls her in one direction, but a strange, undeniable spark of connection draws her towards Quinn. With only her heart and code of honor to guide her, Nyssa risks death to stay true to herself.

For readers who love unique epic fantasy set against a semi-modern backdrop, featuring a sapphic enemies-to-lovers slow burn romance. Unworthy will appeal to fans of Arcane (Netflix), The Legend of Korra, and Gideon the Ninth.]]> 447 J.A. Vodvarka Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.37
author: J.A. Vodvarka
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.37
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/02
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 230790318 A Fae cursed huntress and her captive, both ensnared by the grips of fate and immortal power...

Elowen was born with a blood debt hanging over her head, one the Shade Lord will collect upon her twenty-first year. Unwilling to succumb to a fate of having the life siphoned out of her in order to extend the shade’s, she flees the mortal settlement and makes for the Fae Realm of Aetherya with a single dagger in hand.

Leijla is bound to the Fae Queen by a terrible curse, which forces her to do unspeakable things in accordance with the Queen’s will. Her latest to hunt down the fugitive Elowen Lockwood. But when Leijla takes Elowen captive, the curse in her mind goes inexplicably silent, and she’s forced to choose between delivering Elowen to her doom, or risk the promise of freedom and ever seeing her homeland again.

In an unexpected turn of events, a deep and primal connection forms between huntress and captive. As their relationship evolves, Elowen and Leijla must navigate Fae, meddling gods, fell beasts, prophecy, and Leijla’s mysterious past–which may very well be the key to undoing the dark plot to enslave all of humanity.]]> 528 Emily M. Syn Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.76
author: Emily M. Syn
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.76
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/02
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 57054962
After the mysterious death of their best friend, Ella, Yuki, and Rory are the talk of their elite school, Grimrose Académie. The police ruled Ariane's death as a suicide, but the trio is determined to find out what really happened.

When Nani Eszes arrives as their newest roommate, it sets into motion a series of events that no one could have predicted. As the girls retrace their friend's final days, they discover a dark secret about Grimrose--Ariane wasn't the first dead girl.

They soon learn that all the past murders are connected to ancient fairy-tale curses ... and that their own fates are tied to the stories, dooming the girls to brutal and gruesome endings unless they can break the cycle for good.]]> 384 Laura Pohl 1728228883 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.57 2021
author: Laura Pohl
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/05/02
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 204124683
I was born a woman.
Raised by women.
In love with women.
Until I enrolled at Acheron University, I'd never known much of men. I certainly didn't know enough to fear them.
Then one stormy autumnal night, Professor Morgan tried to destroy me.
And when we were discovered by the university President, it was me who was punished for the unwanted seduction.
But they left me with two valuable lessons.
I would never let another woman be hurt by men again if I could help it.
And when someone hurts you, betrays you, and tries to rip out your soul, there is only one remedy for the pain.
Revenge.
And mine takes the form of the President's very beautiful, very virginal, very straight daughter, Luna Pallas.
Before the end of term, I'll destroy her innocence just as her mother and Professor Morgan destroyed mine.]]> 367 Giana Darling 1774440458 Sapphic Reads 2
I want to start by saying I’m writing this with full respect for what the author has personally endured (based on what she said in the acknowledgments) and for her decision to turn that experience into a story. This review is only about the book itself and is in no way a commentary on her or any other woman’s experience with SA.

—���

While the writing had its strengths—if you can get past the overuse of certain phrases (and can overlook the unforgettable description of a vagina tasting like “salted pasta water��)—this book just sadly wasn’t for me, even though I really wanted to love it.

I went in expecting a fantasy, since it’s marketed as a Medusa retelling and tagged as such, but honestly, there were no fantasy elements at all.

I also struggled to connect with Lex as a main character. She often came across as immature and hurt Luna in ways that were selfish—then took weeks to apologise, which didn’t sit well with me. Some plot points didn’t quite land, like the way certain faculty members reacted to what happened to Lex, and I found it hard to believe that so many (like 95%) of characters in their 20s were behaving more like pre-teens.

In the end, I felt like the book wasn’t quite sure what it wanted to be, and because of that, it came across as a bit confused.

That said, I’m really glad so many other readers enjoyed it and were able to get fully behind Lex and Luna’s story.]]> 4.07 2024
author: Giana Darling
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2025/05/01
date added: 2025/05/01
shelves:
review:
2.5

I want to start by saying I’m writing this with full respect for what the author has personally endured (based on what she said in the acknowledgments) and for her decision to turn that experience into a story. This review is only about the book itself and is in no way a commentary on her or any other woman’s experience with SA.

—���

While the writing had its strengths—if you can get past the overuse of certain phrases (and can overlook the unforgettable description of a vagina tasting like “salted pasta water��)—this book just sadly wasn’t for me, even though I really wanted to love it.

I went in expecting a fantasy, since it’s marketed as a Medusa retelling and tagged as such, but honestly, there were no fantasy elements at all.

I also struggled to connect with Lex as a main character. She often came across as immature and hurt Luna in ways that were selfish—then took weeks to apologise, which didn’t sit well with me. Some plot points didn’t quite land, like the way certain faculty members reacted to what happened to Lex, and I found it hard to believe that so many (like 95%) of characters in their 20s were behaving more like pre-teens.

In the end, I felt like the book wasn’t quite sure what it wanted to be, and because of that, it came across as a bit confused.

That said, I’m really glad so many other readers enjoyed it and were able to get fully behind Lex and Luna’s story.
]]> 46003599 When a chance meeting with Brooke Donnelly leaves Jana literally and figuratively off-balance, it doesn’t take long for her initial annoyance to turn into the first sparks of friendship. Jana always thought she was happy with her life, but the more time she spends with Brooke, the more she realizes something is missing. And maybe not just in the friendship department.
But how do you make that leap when you’ve never even considered kissing a woman, and have spent your whole life avoiding romantic commitments? Being brave, taking the first step, and admitting she wants to try to make things work with Brooke is only the beginning. Whether it’s the beginning of a disaster—or everything Jana hadn’t realized she wanted—depends on if Brooke can also be brave enough��

Genre: Romance
Editor: Cath Walker
Cover Designer: Kayla Mancuso
111,000 words]]> 298 E.J. Noyes 1642470562 Sapphic Reads 3 If I Don’t Ask and Ask Me Again—both were easy 5-star reads for me. And Ask, Tell was a high 4 stars, and overall, I've really enjoyed EJ Noyes' work. Unfortunately, this installment just didn’t quite live up to the others for me, despite being part of the same series.

I’ve always liked Jana in the previous books (even though she was incredibly unfair to Bec in Ask Me Again), and as a main character here, she had a strong presence with a well-developed character arc. That part worked well.

Where things fell short for me was the romance between Jana and Brooke. I was invested during the first half, but around the midpoint, the pacing began to drag. By then, I found myself more focused on getting to the end than truly enjoying the journey. Brooke didn’t quite work for me as a main character. I struggled to connect with her, especially when it came to her decision to keep working for her father. It didn’t make sense for a successful, independent adult, and her motivations never fully clicked for me—it often felt like the plot was grasping at straws to justify that choice.

EJ Noyes is still one of my favorite authors, and I’ll continue to read anything she writes—but after the emotional heights of the other books in this series, this one was a bit of a disappointment.]]> 4.36 2019
author: E.J. Noyes
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2025/04/30
date added: 2025/04/30
shelves:
review:
I absolutely loved If I Don’t Ask and Ask Me Again—both were easy 5-star reads for me. And Ask, Tell was a high 4 stars, and overall, I've really enjoyed EJ Noyes' work. Unfortunately, this installment just didn’t quite live up to the others for me, despite being part of the same series.

I’ve always liked Jana in the previous books (even though she was incredibly unfair to Bec in Ask Me Again), and as a main character here, she had a strong presence with a well-developed character arc. That part worked well.

Where things fell short for me was the romance between Jana and Brooke. I was invested during the first half, but around the midpoint, the pacing began to drag. By then, I found myself more focused on getting to the end than truly enjoying the journey. Brooke didn’t quite work for me as a main character. I struggled to connect with her, especially when it came to her decision to keep working for her father. It didn’t make sense for a successful, independent adult, and her motivations never fully clicked for me—it often felt like the plot was grasping at straws to justify that choice.

EJ Noyes is still one of my favorite authors, and I’ll continue to read anything she writes—but after the emotional heights of the other books in this series, this one was a bit of a disappointment.
]]> 221587759 On Her Majesty’s Secret Sapphic Service

Detective Rose Martin has spent years trying to bring down Sterling Montague, a corrupt British billionaire with plans of destroying democracy.

But her pursuit of justice throws her into a shadowy world of spies and assassins—a clandestine organisation called the Circle. Tasked with guarding the monarchy, the Circle operates outside the law, led by a mercurial and dangerous woman known only as the Nightingale.

When Rose realises it is the Nightingale who stalks her through London’s midnight streets, the click of her heels haunting Rose’s dreams, it ignites a passionate obsession neither can deny.

Rose’s investigation pulls her deep into a high-stakes game, where every answer only leads to more questions, where every touch blurs the line between duty and desire. Where trust becomes a powerful weapon and love becomes the ultimate risk.

For fans of Killing Eve and Atomic Blonde and for those who wished James Bond and The Kingsman were sapphic, The Nightingale and the Rose is the perfect read for anyone who loves their women oh-so-deliciously dangerous.


]]> 289 Jolie Dvorak Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.36
author: Jolie Dvorak
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.36
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 220634273 Cam feels an immediate attraction, while Gloria is caught off guard, having only ever been with men. As they form a formidable team, their connection deepens, but a spy within Bletchley threatens to destroy everything.
With secrets swirling, can they survive the chaos of war, or will danger tear them apart?]]> 308 E.V. Bancroft 1915009766 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.59
author: E.V. Bancroft
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.59
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 223345257 A desperate kiss. A fake-dating arrangement. A past that haunts them both.

Elia Sharpe has closed herself off from love and friendship after a devastating accusation of impropriety. But after eighteen years, she wants to do things differently. When her former student is hired as the temporary Head of School instead of her, she knows that it’ll be a disaster. Elia is determined to keep her name free of another scandal and prove she was right for the job all along.

When a position opens at Kamryn’s old school, it’s her golden opportunity to escape from her recent breakup. But when her ex-girlfriend shows up at a fall festival, Kamryn takes desperate measures to hide just how unhappy she really is. And she kisses Elia Sharpe—her former English teacher and current bane of her existence. In a desperate attempt to protect herself, Kamryn begs Elia to fake-date for her best friend’s wedding.

All is well��

Until the past threatens their future.

And Elia has one choice. Trust Kamryn to do her job and do it well.

Will they work together to expose the true perpetrator? Or will the past cause irreconcilable differences?

Buy it today and disappear for hours into Promises We Meant to Keep, a steamy age gap, sapphic romance featuring a two teachers who are just trying to protect each other from the inevitable. ]]> 405 Adrian J. Smith 196022137X Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.28
author: Adrian J. Smith
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.28
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 217486037
Theo Kingsley is an activist and a human rights lawyer in the making, oh, and she thinks monogamy is so last century. Stella couldn’t be any less socially conscious if she tried, unlike the women Theo dates. It’s not as if Stella really believes forever exists, but she’ll never understand how Theo can seem so into her and be dating other people at the same time.

When things between them quickly get complicated again, their push and pull threatens to ruin the friendship in all the worst ways and break their whole friend group apart.]]> 264 Claudia Parr 1636798209 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.46
author: Claudia Parr
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.46
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 231409332 A Hollywood executive. Her irresistible nanny. A forbidden fling that will heal their hearts or shatter them.

Abby Peters can’t catch a break. Stuck in a nightmare nannying job to make rent on her shared Los Angeles apartment, she’s barely scraping by. Until she has a chance encounter with Hollywood executive Valerie Kane. She wants Abby to be live-in nanny to her 2-year-old daughter. But that’s not all the older woman wants from her.

Valerie is the most powerful woman in Hollywood. And as Madame V, she co-owns and runs Club Velvet, a luxury club for ladies who like to play. She doesn’t have room in her life for relationships. Or in her heart.

But when she sees her new nanny on her knees, she can’t deny her attraction. Abby is completely off-limits, but the chemistry sizzling between them might be enough to break Valerie’s iron will.

However, her vindictive ex-wife is hell-bent on reinserting herself into Valerie’s life, even if that means destroying her and everything she’s built. As the relationship between Abby and Valerie deepens, their undeniable connection threatens to unravel Valerie’s empire. Can the two women risk it all for love, or will their pasts tear them apart?

Don’t miss At Her Service, an age-gap, ice-queen, rich girl/poor girl romance with off-the-charts steam and spice. Final release date TBA.]]> 288 Anna Stone Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.46
author: Anna Stone
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.46
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 53141419 Courtney Gould’s thrilling debut The Dead and the Dark is about the things that lurk in dark corners, the parts of you that can’t remain hidden, and about finding home in places―and people―you didn’t expect.

The Dark has been waiting for far too long, and it won't stay hidden any longer.

Something is wrong in Snakebite, Oregon. Teenagers are disappearing, some turning up dead, the weather isn’t normal, and all fingers seem to point to TV’s most popular ghost hunters who have just returned to town. Logan Ortiz-Woodley, daughter of TV's ParaSpectors, has never been to Snakebite before, but the moment she and her dads arrive, she starts to get the feeling that there's more secrets buried here than they originally let on.

Ashley Barton’s boyfriend was the first teen to go missing, and she’s felt his presence ever since. But now that the Ortiz-Woodleys are in town, his ghost is following her and the only person Ashley can trust is the mysterious Logan. When Ashley and Logan team up to figure out who—or what—is haunting Snakebite, their investigation reveals truths about the town, their families, and themselves that neither of them are ready for. As the danger intensifies, they realize that their growing feelings for each other could be a light in the darkness.]]> 368 Courtney Gould 1250762014 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.93 2021
author: Courtney Gould
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 61273082
What would you do if you forgot the love of your life ever even existed?

Stevie and Nora had a love. A secret, epic, once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. They also had a plan: to leave their small, ultra-conservative town and families behind after graduation and move to California, where they could finally stop hiding that love.

But then Stevie has a terrible fall. And when she comes to, she can remember nothing of the last two years—not California, not coming to terms with her sexuality, not even Nora. Suddenly, Stevie finds herself in a life she doesn’t quite understand, one where she’s estranged from her parents, drifting away from her friends, lying about the hours she works, dating a boy she can’t remember crushing on, and headed towards a future that isn’t at all what her fifteen-year-old self would have envisioned.

And Nora finds herself…forgotten. Can the two beat the odds a second time and find their way back together when “together�� itself is just a lost memory?]]> 320 Alyson Derrick 166590237X Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.24 2023
author: Alyson Derrick
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 223222130
Having lost her parents young, Val keeps her guard up and her relationships casual. But there's something magnetic about Evelyn's rigid exterior and the softer side she glimpses beneath it.

As they clash over their forced collaboration on a development in Mallorca, their professional rivalry transforms into a connection that confuses them both. For two women who see the world so differently, falling in love might be their riskiest venture yet.

Set against the stunning Mediterranean, The Turning Tides of Us is a slow-burn, emotional age-gap romance about identity and sexual awakening.
]]> 360 Lise Gold Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.41
author: Lise Gold
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.41
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/20
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 228198497 They promised themselves it was only for the summer��

Raffo retreats to a lake house in Big Bear, desperate to heal her broken heart. But peace and quiet prove impossible when she discovers Dylan—her best friend’s mother—already staying at the house, hiding from her own mistakes.

Dylan is everything Raffo doesn’t older, off-limits, and utterly captivating.

What starts as a shared summer sanctuary quickly turns into something far more dangerous when their undeniable chemistry ignites. As their bond deepens, passion blossoms into a love neither woman saw coming.

But summer can't last forever. With Dylan's son waiting in Los Angeles, their growing love risks destroying the very relationships they cherish most.

Our Secret Summer is a steamy sapphic age-gap romance about forbidden desire, irresistible connections, and the risk of following your heart when the stakes couldn’t be higher.]]> Harper Bliss 9464339519 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.10
author: Harper Bliss
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.10
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/20
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 43352954 Burn before reading. Thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, a battlefield boast, grows into something more. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that could change the past and the future.

Except the discovery of their bond would mean death for each of them. There's still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win that war.]]> 209 Amal El-Mohtar Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.86 2019
author: Amal El-Mohtar
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 213005698 The only deal she can’t close might just open her heart.

Natalia Flores rules her exclusive talent agency with an iron fist, brokering blockbuster deals while keeping everyone at arm’s length. But beneath the cold exterior lies a heart that yearns to be understood.

Enter Professor Samantha Reyes—brilliant, fierce, and unwilling to let Natalia manipulate her way into the film rights to her book. Their encounters spark with tension and undeniable chemistry.

For the first time, Natalia faces someone not swayed by her tactics. Yet she won't give up her pursuit of the lucrative rights, even as an irresistible attraction grows. Natalia is soon forced to make an impossible choice �� between furthering her ambitions or embracing a once-in-a-lifetime love.

In a world where control is everything, can two powerful women let go of their fears to find a love that’s worth the risk?

Relinquishing Control is a steamy page-turner about ambition, authenticity, and defrosting the ultimate ice queen.

Relinquishing Control is the third book in the Dominion series. A steamy, sapphic series set in a Miami talent agency and centered on strong women and the ladies who can't resist them.]]> 396 J.J. Arias Sapphic Reads 4 later-in-life, ice-queen
It's a very slow burn—the story unfolds over several months—but it's absolutely worth it. Natalia is a brilliant ice queen, slowly melting under the charm and endless optimism of Sam. Both MCs are wonderfully written, with rich backstories, but it's Natalia's character development that really shines and feels especially rewarding.

Also, I have to say—I was living for the feminist commentary woven throughout the story. It made an already great read even better.]]> 4.57 2024
author: J.J. Arias
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.57
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/19
date added: 2025/04/19
shelves: later-in-life, ice-queen
review:
I've said it before and I'll say it again: JJ Arias is truly an exceptional author. This is a beautiful, later-in-life, opposites-attract romance between two women, aged 49 and 50, who must navigate trauma and grief to give themselves a real shot at happiness.

It's a very slow burn—the story unfolds over several months—but it's absolutely worth it. Natalia is a brilliant ice queen, slowly melting under the charm and endless optimism of Sam. Both MCs are wonderfully written, with rich backstories, but it's Natalia's character development that really shines and feels especially rewarding.

Also, I have to say—I was living for the feminist commentary woven throughout the story. It made an already great read even better.
]]> 212068570 The eyes are the windows to the soul.

The Oracle foretold that Princess Valda Aither of the Sky Kingdom would discover her mate on her twenty-fifth birthday. They would lock eyes and find each other, as has happened since the dawn of time. Valda desperately wanted to believe the Oracle, but her hopes of finding her soulmate were shattered when she inexplicably lost her vision during her birthday celebration. Needing time to heal and adapt to her new reality, she was assigned an assistant, a young woman named Maris Era, who set her body and mind ablaze.

Maris just wanted to navigate life as quietly as possible. After her home in the Sea Kingdom was destroyed, she was adopted as a baby by a Skylian soldier and his wife. Maris was kept hidden for most of her life until tragedy struck. Alone and struggling to survive in a kingdom where Sealians are unwelcome, Maris found herself working in Oberon Castle, face-to-face with the man she believes is responsible for her suffering, while also caring for the next queen of the Sky Kingdom.

Despite her reluctance to accept a mate, Maris cannot resist her attraction to Valda and the need to be with her at all times. Yet, she must uncover the truth about who was behind her family’s demise, but how can she do so when Valda consumes her every breath?

TRIGGER
Explicit sex between two women
Violence
Xenophobia
Mention and description of someone finding out a loved one committed suicide.]]> 455 C.C. González Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.24
author: C.C. González
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.24
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 6080751 After working in a brothel for three years, Nora Macauley has lost all illusions about love. She no longer hopes for a man who will sweep her off her feet and take her away to begin a new, respectable life.
But now they find themselves married and on the way to Oregon in a covered wagon, with two thousand miles ahead of them.]]> 465 Jae Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.46 2007
author: Jae
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.46
book published: 2007
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 54661258
𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔, 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔... 𝑮𝒆𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚!

𝘾𝙇𝘼𝙔

Marymount girls are good girls. We’re chaste, we’re untouched, and even if we weren’t, no one would know, because we keep our mouths shut.

Not that I have anything to share anyway. I never let guys go too far. I’m behaved.

Beautiful, smart, talented, popular, my skirt’s always pressed, and I never have a hair out of place. I own the hallways, walking tall on Monday and dropping to my knees like the good Catholic girl I am on Sunday.

That’s me. Always in control.

Or so they think. The truth is that it’s easy for me to resist them, because what I truly want, they can never be. Something soft and smooth. Someone dangerous and wild.

Unfortunately, what I want I have to hide. In the locker room after hours. In the bathroom stall between classes. In the showers after practice. 𝑀𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎�� 𝑠𝑤𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝑀𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑛�� 𝑢𝑝 ℎ𝑒�� 𝑠𝑘𝑖𝑟𝑡.

For me, life is a web of secrets. No one can find out mine.

𝙊𝙇𝙄��𝙄𝘼

I cross the tracks every day for one reason—to graduate from this school and get into the Ivy League. I’m not ashamed of where I come from, my family, or how everyone at Marymount thinks my skirts are too short and my lipstick is too red.

Clay Collins and her friends have always turned up their noses at me. The witch with her beautiful skin, clean shoes, and rich parents who torments me daily and thinks I won’t fight back.

At least not until I get her alone and find out she’s hiding so much more than just what’s underneath those pretty clothes.

The princess thinks I’ll scratch her itch. She thinks she’s still pure as long as it’s not a guy touching her.

I told her to stay on her side of town. I told her not to cross the tracks.

But one night, she did. And when I’m done with her, she’ll never be pure again.

*TRYST SIX VENOM is a standalone, new adult, bully romance suitable for readers 18+. It will release directly into Kindle Unlimited!]]> 589 Penelope Douglas Sapphic Reads 5 “I hate Olivia Jaeger. I fucking hate her, and I’d happily never love anything if I could hate her my whole life.��

Were Clay and Liv toxic as hell? Yes. Did I love every second of it? Absolutely.

There were definitely times it was hard to root for them, especially with how badly they (cough-Clay-cough) treated each other. But as the story went on, you start to realise a lot of that hurt came from wanting each other so desperately, but not being able to have it—Clay because she couldn’t face the scrutiny of coming out, and Liv because she was terrified of opening up and then being rejected. And in their minds, it was easier for them to stay in each other's lives—even if it meant being hated—than not to be there at all.

I wouldn’t recommend this book as a model for a healthy relationship, but if you’re looking for a raw, messy, flawed young love story that still manages to hit you right in the heart, this is definitely it.

On top of that, the writing was incredible �� some of my favourite quotes I've ever read came from this book. I honestly can’t wait to trade in my ebook for a hard copy because I know it’s one I’ll want on my shelf forever.]]> 3.85 2021
author: Penelope Douglas
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/17
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: enemies-to-lovers, 5-stars, opposites-attract
review:
“I hate Olivia Jaeger. I fucking hate her, and I’d happily never love anything if I could hate her my whole life.��

Were Clay and Liv toxic as hell? Yes. Did I love every second of it? Absolutely.

There were definitely times it was hard to root for them, especially with how badly they (cough-Clay-cough) treated each other. But as the story went on, you start to realise a lot of that hurt came from wanting each other so desperately, but not being able to have it—Clay because she couldn’t face the scrutiny of coming out, and Liv because she was terrified of opening up and then being rejected. And in their minds, it was easier for them to stay in each other's lives—even if it meant being hated—than not to be there at all.

I wouldn’t recommend this book as a model for a healthy relationship, but if you’re looking for a raw, messy, flawed young love story that still manages to hit you right in the heart, this is definitely it.

On top of that, the writing was incredible �� some of my favourite quotes I've ever read came from this book. I honestly can’t wait to trade in my ebook for a hard copy because I know it’s one I’ll want on my shelf forever.
]]> 62069043 Smart. Beautiful. Passionate.
I became obsessed with her, or at least who I thought she was.
And then, she showed me her true colors, by showing up on my doorstep as my son's girlfriend.
She was off-limits.
But I couldn’t deny the part of me still wanted her and by the look in her eyes...
Neither could she.]]> 316 Eden Emory Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.75 2022
author: Eden Emory
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/17
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 123173649
Adaline would argue that this is because a certain she-devil has been making her life hell for the last five years. All for what? Because she was bisexual and wasn't born with a silver spoon, like every other student at Richmond academy?

Juliette doesn't need to argue, she is a Kingston, an heiress to a multimillion empire. Yet still the need to argue arises within her anytime she is near Adaline emery.

They were polar opposites, Juliette was ice and Adaline fire, where juliette was handed everything Adaline worked hard for everything. Where Adaline was an outcast, Juliette was the queen bee.

They only had one thing in common...they both loathed eachother.]]> 483 Amina Khan Sapphic Reads 2
I genuinely think this could have been a strong book—there’s a compelling story in there—but it really needed a solid editor. There were some glaring issues: grammar and spelling mistakes, formatting problems, repeated phrases, and noticeable plot inconsistencies.

And while it’s set at a private college near Oxford, it felt way too American. Everything from the characters�� dialogue to the school dynamics and social scenes read like something straight out of Gossip Girl, not a British college.

I do understand that the author is 19 and that this started off as a Wattpad story, so a professional editor might not have been an option. But in the age of Grammarly, spellcheck, and beta readers, there’s really no excuse for so many avoidable mistakes.

That said, there were things I genuinely appreciated. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and I really liked that the cast of characters felt diverse—it’s always refreshing to see that kind of representation in a story like this. I don’t want to come across as overly harsh—it’s a debut, and there’s clear potential here. With more polish and attention to detail, this could have been a much stronger, more impactful read.]]> 4.06 2023
author: Amina Khan
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2023
rating: 2
read at: 2025/04/14
date added: 2025/04/14
shelves:
review:
2.5

I genuinely think this could have been a strong book—there’s a compelling story in there—but it really needed a solid editor. There were some glaring issues: grammar and spelling mistakes, formatting problems, repeated phrases, and noticeable plot inconsistencies.

And while it’s set at a private college near Oxford, it felt way too American. Everything from the characters�� dialogue to the school dynamics and social scenes read like something straight out of Gossip Girl, not a British college.

I do understand that the author is 19 and that this started off as a Wattpad story, so a professional editor might not have been an option. But in the age of Grammarly, spellcheck, and beta readers, there’s really no excuse for so many avoidable mistakes.

That said, there were things I genuinely appreciated. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and I really liked that the cast of characters felt diverse—it’s always refreshing to see that kind of representation in a story like this. I don’t want to come across as overly harsh—it’s a debut, and there’s clear potential here. With more polish and attention to detail, this could have been a much stronger, more impactful read.
]]> 61436016 An opposites-attract, ice queen lesbian romance about finding the softest of hearts behind the highest walls.
Newly minted high school teacher Lily Cross is young, bubbly, and can’t wait to put her fresh ideas into practice in the classroom. Her excitement is derailed after a disastrous run-in with a colleague. Lily didn’t realize she’d have to win over her fellow teachers as well as her students, but that’s okay. Lily’s up to the challenge.
Disillusioned Eva Thomas never imagined she’d wind up as a teacher in her hometown, or worse, suffer the boundless, puppy dog enthusiasm of a new colleague. Eva has no interest in making friends—or making nice. She just wants to survive her day and be left alone. That’s easier said than done when Lily Cross has you in her sights.
Their clashing arguments lead to sparks and then the impossible…attraction. But how can two such different people ever work?

Tags: ice queen romance, opposites attract
Length: 92,000 words]]> 290 Rachael Sommers 3963246804 Sapphic Reads 4 4.17 2022
author: Rachael Sommers
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2024/06/12
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: ice-queen, opposites-attract, enemies-to-lovers
review:

]]> 56303614
Lady Victoria Penchant has had enough scandal for one lifetime, and she’s sworn off drama for good. But when she makes an unexpected return to her family’s castle during high tourist season, drama is exactly what she finds—in the form of a Hollywood film crew and their sharp-tongued, stunning star, Sophia LeBlanc. Sparks of every kind fly from their first encounter, and the drama doubles as Vic’s every decision draws her closer to Sophia and further from the expectations of the prestigious position she has been raised to protect.

Sophia has worked and scraped and fought her way up from nothing to the brink of stardom. She’s spent her career taking direction from rich, pretty, privileged men, and she has no intention of letting some rich, pretty, privileged aristocrat stand in the way now that her wildest dreams are within reach. She vows to stay in control of every situation during filming, but the Lady of the Manor proves to be an unexpectedly stubborn and alluring challenge to the goals she’s fought so hard to achieve.

As the summer heats up, Vic and Sophia learn they have far more in common than their intense sexual attraction, but will that be enough to overcome the pressures of proud histories and find their way toward a new vision of forever?]]> 286 Rachel Spangler 1612942148 Sapphic Reads 4 4.32 2021
author: Rachel Spangler
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/09
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: high-4-stars, opposites-attract, enemies-to-lovers
review:
A wonderful sapphic take on a modern-day fairy tale!
]]> 173363838 Eight years, one divorce, and a second chance to make it right—if only they can find the right words.

Alicia Burton hasn’t set foot in Jackson Point since her divorce. But when her pregnant best friend is going home, Alicia ends up heading back to the place she swore she’d never return.

Ripley Stone is happy running her flower shop in Jackson Point. After eight years alone, the last thing she’s expecting is the news that Alicia Burton is coming home—or the rush of feelings that come with it.

When small-town life throws them back together, Alicia and Ripley can’t face each other—but end up communicating in letters instead. As angry notes become honest confessions, the pair has to face what went wrong, and whether, after all this time, either of them has really moved on.



Dear Ripley is a small-town, return-to-hometown slow burn, featuring mutual pining, meddling friends, and a couple attempting to figure out how to communicate in the face of their own emotions and their history. Content warnings for divorce, a side character’s emotionally abusive past relationship (including cheating and stalking), pregnancy after multiple miscarriages, and mention of homophobic policies/difficulties adopting for queer couples.]]> 358 Jacqueline Ramsden Sapphic Reads 4 second-chance "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." It was a very slow burn but with every chapter, you could feel Ripley and Alicia working their way back to each other.

I do wish the epilogue focused more on them and their journey over the 5 months since the last chapter as the ending felt a little rushed to me. But overall it was an enjoyable read!

As a side note, there is absolutely no steam in this book, with only two very chaste kisses. So, if you're looking for something more passionate in a romance story, this might not be the book for you.]]> 4.25
author: Jacqueline Ramsden
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.25
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/31
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: second-chance
review:
What an incredibly sweet, mature and wholesome book! It perfectly embodies the essence of "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." It was a very slow burn but with every chapter, you could feel Ripley and Alicia working their way back to each other.

I do wish the epilogue focused more on them and their journey over the 5 months since the last chapter as the ending felt a little rushed to me. But overall it was an enjoyable read!

As a side note, there is absolutely no steam in this book, with only two very chaste kisses. So, if you're looking for something more passionate in a romance story, this might not be the book for you.
]]> 30069169
Winner of the Golden Crown Literary Award (2017) for Mystery/Thriller and Lambda finalist.

Length: 80,000 words
Themes: assassin · Australia · awakening · cellist · crime · homicide · lesbian · lesbian thriller · Melbourne · murder · music · police]]> 284 Lee Winter 3955337103 Sapphic Reads 3 ice-queen, enemies-to-lovers
I thoroughly enjoyed Requiem For Immortals and its short follow up story Love is not Nothing. Requiem/Natalya is an incredibly compelling character, and it was heartwarming to see her express her love for Ryan in her unique way.

Additionally, the action and steamy scenes were brilliantly written!]]> 4.18 2016
author: Lee Winter
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/04
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: ice-queen, enemies-to-lovers
review:
3.5

I thoroughly enjoyed Requiem For Immortals and its short follow up story Love is not Nothing. Requiem/Natalya is an incredibly compelling character, and it was heartwarming to see her express her love for Ryan in her unique way.

Additionally, the action and steamy scenes were brilliantly written!
]]> 56024405
Eden loves competing and coaching the underprivileged kids of her community, but just as she’s getting comfortable with her champion title, a new martial artist from a legendary family comes roaring onto the scene with a dynasty on her shoulders. Brooklyn Shaw is a loud, cocky, aggressive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu genius who’s also unfortunately pretty dreamy.

Brooklyn and Eden’s rivalry attracts worldwide attention, but as they spend time together, Eden sees past Brooklyn’s showmanship to who she really is. They ought to be perfect for one another, but can either really fall in love with the person standing in the way of her dreams?]]> 288 Nicole Disney 1635558204 Sapphic Reads 5 5-stars, enemies-to-lovers "All of our closeness is right there showing in her raw eyes, and at the same time, she’s across the ocean and drifting farther away every day."

Wow! I had high expectations from reading other reviews, but it truly exceeded them—I absolutely loved it.

The story strikes the perfect balance between technical fighting descriptions, angst, steam, and romance. Brooklyn and Eden were wonderful together, both in and out of the ring. I thoroughly enjoyed how their relationship evolved slowly, transitioning from enemies to colleagues, then to friends, and finally to lovers.

The supporting characters were also beautifully crafted, with Jin being a standout�� what a precious man he is!]]> 4.45 2021
author: Nicole Disney
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.45
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2024/08/17
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: 5-stars, enemies-to-lovers
review:
"All of our closeness is right there showing in her raw eyes, and at the same time, she’s across the ocean and drifting farther away every day."

Wow! I had high expectations from reading other reviews, but it truly exceeded them—I absolutely loved it.

The story strikes the perfect balance between technical fighting descriptions, angst, steam, and romance. Brooklyn and Eden were wonderful together, both in and out of the ring. I thoroughly enjoyed how their relationship evolved slowly, transitioning from enemies to colleagues, then to friends, and finally to lovers.

The supporting characters were also beautifully crafted, with Jin being a standout�� what a precious man he is!
]]> 61293865
Sylvie Campos and Lauren Machado have hated each other since before they were born. For generations, the Campos and Machado families have blamed each other for stealing pastry recipes they claim their great-grandfathers originated before fleeing Castro’s Cuba.

Having spent their lives as rivals, Lauren and Sylvie are now in their early thirties and primed to take over their respective family bakeries. That means working long, hot, seasons of outdoor food festivals where they are forced to endure each other - albeit with a lot of bantering and barb-trading. After all, no one knows how to get under Sylvie’s skin like Lauren.

Sick of dealing with Lauren and her thieving family, Sylvie sets out to unmask the Machados for the traitors they are.

But when the truth is not what Sylvie expects, will the fiery exchanges between her and Lauren turn into something hot enough to melt away generational baggage? Could they get the chance to rekindle what they almost had in high school?

Find out in this laugh-out-loud hilarious, enemies-to-lovers, romantic comedy featuring plenty of steam, tension, and delicious Cuban food.]]> 340 J.J. Arias Sapphic Reads 4 enemies-to-lovers
There wasn’t anything wrong with Guava Flavored Lies, but it just didn’t click for me. I couldn’t feel the connection between Lauren and Sylvie—they seemed fine as a couple, but I wasn’t really invested in them.]]> 4.13
author: J.J. Arias
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.13
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/19
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: enemies-to-lovers
review:
I was torn between giving this book 3 or 4 stars, but I ultimately decided on 4. My love for J.J. Arias�� other books probably swayed my decision.

There wasn’t anything wrong with Guava Flavored Lies, but it just didn’t click for me. I couldn’t feel the connection between Lauren and Sylvie—they seemed fine as a couple, but I wasn’t really invested in them.
]]> 26310763
One night a curious story unfolds before their eyes: One business launch, 34 prostitutes and a pallet of missing pink champagne. Can the warring pair work together to unravel an incredible story? This is a lesbian fiction with more than a few mysterious twists.

Winner of the Golden Crown Literary Award (2016) for Mystery Thriller, and Lambda finalist.]]> 384 Lee Winter 3955333302 Sapphic Reads 5 “It’s a scary thing,�� Lauren suggested quietly, “to be so vulnerable to a simple look.��

Wow! I read this in one sitting, staying up until 5 a.m. because I just couldn’t put it down. I came for the love story between Catherine and Lauren (which I’ll get to), but I stayed for the incredible plot Winter created. The mystery and intrigue surrounding the news story Lauren and Catherine were covering was so well written—it had me hooked from the start! I’m honestly in awe of how authors like Winter can create such detailed worlds and characters, and then seamlessly weave them together into a well-rounded story.

The love story between Lauren and Catherine started a bit slow for my taste, only really picking up steam (excuse the pun ]]> 4.42 2015
author: Lee Winter
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.42
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2024/08/24
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: 5-stars, ice-queen, enemies-to-lovers
review:
“It’s a scary thing,�� Lauren suggested quietly, “to be so vulnerable to a simple look.��

Wow! I read this in one sitting, staying up until 5 a.m. because I just couldn’t put it down. I came for the love story between Catherine and Lauren (which I’ll get to), but I stayed for the incredible plot Winter created. The mystery and intrigue surrounding the news story Lauren and Catherine were covering was so well written—it had me hooked from the start! I’m honestly in awe of how authors like Winter can create such detailed worlds and characters, and then seamlessly weave them together into a well-rounded story.

The love story between Lauren and Catherine started a bit slow for my taste, only really picking up steam (excuse the pun
]]> 34742668 1054 Zoe Reed Sapphic Reads 3 dystopian, enemies-to-lovers Full disclosure: I only read Genevieve and Echo’s chapters because I was really only interested in the romance. So, this review is based solely on their storyline (though from what I’ve seen in other reviews, Dugan is a brilliant character).

There were definitely elements I loved in this book. The world-building was detailed, and the characters felt fully developed, likely because of the story's extreme length. Plus, there was no shortage of drama and plot twists to keep things interesting throughout.

That said, I struggled with the romance between Echo and Genevieve for most of the book. They were constantly at each other’s throats (literally!) - Echo always felt like she had to prove herself, while Genevieve was hell-bent on getting revenge for something Echo did in the past. While their relationship did evolve and their feelings began to change, it was incredibly abusive (emotionally and physically) for the majority of the story - especially for Echo, who was really put through it. Their last few chapters did redeem things a bit, but it still felt like their relationship was 95% suffering and 5% happiness.]]> 4.62 2013
author: Zoe Reed
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.62
book published: 2013
rating: 3
read at: 2024/09/07
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: dystopian, enemies-to-lovers
review:
Full disclosure: I only read Genevieve and Echo’s chapters because I was really only interested in the romance. So, this review is based solely on their storyline (though from what I’ve seen in other reviews, Dugan is a brilliant character).

There were definitely elements I loved in this book. The world-building was detailed, and the characters felt fully developed, likely because of the story's extreme length. Plus, there was no shortage of drama and plot twists to keep things interesting throughout.

That said, I struggled with the romance between Echo and Genevieve for most of the book. They were constantly at each other’s throats (literally!) - Echo always felt like she had to prove herself, while Genevieve was hell-bent on getting revenge for something Echo did in the past. While their relationship did evolve and their feelings began to change, it was incredibly abusive (emotionally and physically) for the majority of the story - especially for Echo, who was really put through it. Their last few chapters did redeem things a bit, but it still felt like their relationship was 95% suffering and 5% happiness.
]]> 204723575
Muffin maker Olivia Roberts has had it with her awful exes taking advantage of her good nature. The theft of her nana’s beloved stuffed penguin is the absolute last straw.

She puts up an ad at her local crime bookstore for a henchperson to help her enact a little mild revenge. To her astonishment, Margaret Blackwood, the mysterious, icy, and annoyingly opinionated bookstore owner, applies.

For two clever, capable women, they turn out to be woeful at vengeance. But much to their dismay, they discover they’re pretty good at falling in love!]]> 328 Lee Winter 3963248661 Sapphic Reads 5 4.43 2024
author: Lee Winter
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/24
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: 5-stars, ice-queen, opposites-attract, enemies-to-lovers
review:
What a funny, ridiculous, and brilliant book! I absolutely loved Margaret and Olivia together—their scheming was both charming and hilarious. Margaret’s passive-aggressive comments had me laughing out loud, while their patience and protectiveness toward one another made their bond all the more endearing. I ended up loving this way more than I expected!
]]> 55855113 Over one long night at a bar in Las Vegas, two powerful hotel executives meet, flirt, and challenge each other—having no clue they’re rivals after the same dream deal.
Brilliant ice queen Amelia Duxton is a hotel vice president who thrives on control, truth, and efficiency. She’s in no mood for love or the mess it brings. All she wants is to buy the coveted Mayfair Palace—a massive deal that could finally help her land the CEO job in her family’s hotel empire.
Fiery Kai Fisher is charming and chaotic and renowned for closing ambitious deals. Her sights are set on snatching the Mayfair Palace out from under the nose of her hated arch rivals, the Duxton family.
But when secrets emerge and everything starts to fall apart, how can either of the warring women win—especially when they’ve just met their match?

Tags: fire queen, hotel executives, ice queen romance, Las Vegas, opposites-attract romance
104,000 words]]> 319 Lee Winter 3963244585 Sapphic Reads 4
As you’d expect from Lee Winter, this was an excellent read! Kai and Amelia are brilliantly portrayed as strong, intelligent women, each carrying a hidden softness that only the other can draw out. The corporate espionage plot is cleverly written, keeping you on your toes and eager to see what unfolds next. For the most part, the story flows smoothly, with a gradual shift from tension to a powerful, heartwarming relationship, culminating in a wonderfully sweet HEA.

If I had one critique, it’s the jump from animosity to romance. In the first half, they’re very much at odds, and then—bam—they’re suddenly together within the span of a chapter. A bit more buildup to that moment would have made the transition even more satisfying.

But overall, this book delivers all the best elements of a classic Winter story: depth, suspense, and romance!]]> 4.31 2020
author: Lee Winter
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/06
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: ice-queen, high-4-stars, enemies-to-lovers
review:
4.5

As you’d expect from Lee Winter, this was an excellent read! Kai and Amelia are brilliantly portrayed as strong, intelligent women, each carrying a hidden softness that only the other can draw out. The corporate espionage plot is cleverly written, keeping you on your toes and eager to see what unfolds next. For the most part, the story flows smoothly, with a gradual shift from tension to a powerful, heartwarming relationship, culminating in a wonderfully sweet HEA.

If I had one critique, it’s the jump from animosity to romance. In the first half, they’re very much at odds, and then—bam—they’re suddenly together within the span of a chapter. A bit more buildup to that moment would have made the transition even more satisfying.

But overall, this book delivers all the best elements of a classic Winter story: depth, suspense, and romance!
]]> 123616744 305 Virginia Black 1612942792 Sapphic Reads 4 Romeo & Juliet meets The Martian meets Battlestar Galactica.

Sci-fi isn’t usually my go-to genre, but I was hooked! The world-building is phenomenal, and the fact that two-thirds of the story takes place in one location with just two characters speaks volumes about the strength of the writing. Davia and Kyran started as intriguing protagonists, but by the end, I really liked them and wanted them to get their HEA. Their love story unfolds at just the right pace, making it feel natural and earned. Whether you’re a sci-fi fan or not, this one is worth the read!]]> 4.30
author: Virginia Black
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.30
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/27
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: sci-if, dystopian, enemies-to-lovers
review:
Think Romeo & Juliet meets The Martian meets Battlestar Galactica.

Sci-fi isn’t usually my go-to genre, but I was hooked! The world-building is phenomenal, and the fact that two-thirds of the story takes place in one location with just two characters speaks volumes about the strength of the writing. Davia and Kyran started as intriguing protagonists, but by the end, I really liked them and wanted them to get their HEA. Their love story unfolds at just the right pace, making it feel natural and earned. Whether you’re a sci-fi fan or not, this one is worth the read!
]]> 212623625
St. Rita’s arrogant soccer coach Jillian Reed sees Mattie’s musical as an outrageous distraction for her champion players. When Jillian declares war, Mattie is far too stubborn to back down.

But as Mattie discovers there might be more to Jillian than spectacle, fire, and ego, she gets dangerously close to her iron-willed colleague. Can she avoid temptation? Or will the growing flame in Jillian’s dark eyes ignite them both?

An enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract lesbian romance about daring to take a risk, even if it burns you.]]> Carrie Byrd Sapphic Reads 3
A perfectly wholesome enemies-to-lovers, second-chance sapphic romance! Jillian and Mattie were both really likable main characters, and their chemistry was easy to root for. While some of the secondary characters felt a bit two-dimensional (looking at you, Cynthia), the story more than made up for it with its charming humor and heartwarming moments. Overall, a pleasant read that delivers a sweet and satisfying happily-ever-after!]]> 4.39
author: Carrie Byrd
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.39
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2024/12/30
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: ice-queen, second-chance, enemies-to-lovers
review:
3.5

A perfectly wholesome enemies-to-lovers, second-chance sapphic romance! Jillian and Mattie were both really likable main characters, and their chemistry was easy to root for. While some of the secondary characters felt a bit two-dimensional (looking at you, Cynthia), the story more than made up for it with its charming humor and heartwarming moments. Overall, a pleasant read that delivers a sweet and satisfying happily-ever-after!
]]> 216398926 June, 1852.
A preacher’s daughter with a secret.
An outlaw running from the gallows.
A love story spanning oceans and deserts and years.

When Abby Proctor is kidnapped from a train in the middle of the desert halfway to her new life in California, she makes a promise to herself—she will escape. Because there’s a reason Abby is leaving Iowa and all its oppressions behind, and she refuses to be someone’s prisoner again. Especially when that someone is the infamous female outlaw Joey ‘JT London�� Taylor, Abby's brash, brooding, and inconveniently beautiful captor.

But as Abby plots her escape, she stumbles upon a larger conspiracy at play behind her kidnapping—a complicated revelation considering the feelings she’s been having for Joey, who might not be the ruthless criminal everyone believes her to be. And when Abby realizes it’s all connected—her kidnapping, the secrets she left behind in Iowa, even her plans in California—she has to decide between returning to a life of obedience and unhappiness, or trusting an enigmatic outlaw who is bound for the gallows.]]> 516 Ally North Sapphic Reads 3 enemies-to-lovers 3.5

This started as a The Haunting of Bly Manor fan fiction, which I’d have loved on a fan fiction site. However, publishing it for profit without giving credit to the show feels wrong—especially when so many elements, like the characters and specific scenes (e.g., the kids�� theater show), are strikingly similar. I mean some things are virtually the same. I knew this was a Bly Manor fic just from Olive and Jack alone. A simple acknowledgment in the book’s credits could have gone a long way in showing that Ally North was honoring her inspiration rather than seeming to copy it.

It’s disappointing because the story itself has real potential. But the lack of credit to the show or its creators left a bad taste in my mouth—particularly since the original fan fiction was deleted after Bloom Town was published. I think Ally either should have acknowledged the shows writers for crafting the characters or make them different enough from the show that it wasn't obvious they were from there.

If I set that aside (reluctantly), and focus solely on the book, I did end up enjoying it—eventually. It took me a while to get there, though—literally about 70% of the way through—before I started to feel invested. I had to keep reminding myself that this story is spread across two books, so it's a very slow and intense burn.

I had such high hopes for this based on other reviews which is why I felt so let down by it. For most of the book, Joey was honestly awful. She was abusive and cruel to Abby, and while I understand she’s flawed and has her reasons, her moments of kindness often felt more like attempts to ease her own guilty conscience rather than genuine care.

The best part of this book for me was the reveal in Chapter 30—it was such a standout moment that it almost made the slow buildup worth I��almost.

That said, now that the groundwork has been laid in Genesis, I’m cautiously optimistic that Exodus will be less of a disappointment. Fingers crossed!]]> 4.66
author: Ally North
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.66
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2025/01/05
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: enemies-to-lovers
review:
3.5

This started as a The Haunting of Bly Manor fan fiction, which I’d have loved on a fan fiction site. However, publishing it for profit without giving credit to the show feels wrong—especially when so many elements, like the characters and specific scenes (e.g., the kids�� theater show), are strikingly similar. I mean some things are virtually the same. I knew this was a Bly Manor fic just from Olive and Jack alone. A simple acknowledgment in the book’s credits could have gone a long way in showing that Ally North was honoring her inspiration rather than seeming to copy it.

It’s disappointing because the story itself has real potential. But the lack of credit to the show or its creators left a bad taste in my mouth—particularly since the original fan fiction was deleted after Bloom Town was published. I think Ally either should have acknowledged the shows writers for crafting the characters or make them different enough from the show that it wasn't obvious they were from there.

If I set that aside (reluctantly), and focus solely on the book, I did end up enjoying it—eventually. It took me a while to get there, though—literally about 70% of the way through—before I started to feel invested. I had to keep reminding myself that this story is spread across two books, so it's a very slow and intense burn.

I had such high hopes for this based on other reviews which is why I felt so let down by it. For most of the book, Joey was honestly awful. She was abusive and cruel to Abby, and while I understand she’s flawed and has her reasons, her moments of kindness often felt more like attempts to ease her own guilty conscience rather than genuine care.

The best part of this book for me was the reveal in Chapter 30—it was such a standout moment that it almost made the slow buildup worth I��almost.

That said, now that the groundwork has been laid in Genesis, I’m cautiously optimistic that Exodus will be less of a disappointment. Fingers crossed!
]]> 205646943 Once upon a time, a vampire corrupted a hunter.

Octavia Beaumont, one of the original three vampires, is determined to run the city.

Red, an expert hunter, is hell-bent on getting revenge on the vampire that turned her sister.

When deadly trials for the heir of the city begin, Red and Octavia are forced to work together.

Octavia wants a crown.

Red wants blood.

But there’s only one first place.

To win, they’re going to have to trust each other. But teamwork is not easy when their past is filled with betrayal��

A betrayal Red can’t remember.

Someone is lying.

Someone has a secret.

Everyone has a hidden agenda.

The last thing Red and Octavia want to do is fall in love�� But hearts remember, even when the mind doesn’t.

To win the trials and get revenge��

They must reveal a truth that will shatter their souls.

Remember a past that will break their hearts.

And fight a war that will change the face of the city forever.

Three tasks. Three choices. Three sacrifices.

All of them have a cruel price. The question is, are they willing to pay it?



This is a very steamy lesbian vampire romance with a sprinkling of enemies to lovers and second chance romance, royals, multiple POV and timelines, bratty bedroom vampires, exhibitionism, and more. Please check author website or look inside for the trigger warnings. 18+ only.]]> 432 Ruby Roe 1913236315 Sapphic Reads 4
Wow, Ruby Roe has crafted such a rich and immersive world in this book! The world-building and lore are incredibly detailed, and I was completely absorbed—I binged the whole thing in a day. I was especially invested in Red and Octavia’s love story; the will they, won’t they dynamic had me hooked from start to finish. And that ending? Absolutely heartbreaking. I can’t wait to see where their story goes in book two.

I did notice quite a few editing mistakes. That said, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the story, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series!]]> 4.09
author: Ruby Roe
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.09
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/23
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: high-4-stars, fantasy, enemies-to-lovers
review:
4.5

Wow, Ruby Roe has crafted such a rich and immersive world in this book! The world-building and lore are incredibly detailed, and I was completely absorbed—I binged the whole thing in a day. I was especially invested in Red and Octavia’s love story; the will they, won’t they dynamic had me hooked from start to finish. And that ending? Absolutely heartbreaking. I can’t wait to see where their story goes in book two.

I did notice quite a few editing mistakes. That said, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the story, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series!
]]> 105299741
When a mysterious, gorgeous woman whisks her onto the dance floor at her father’s masquerade ball, Lucy is thrilled to break the shackles of her privileged but purposeless life. But when the same woman kidnaps her and whisks her to the hideout of the rebels fighting to topple the regime she’s set to inherit, Lucy isn’t thrilled to be actually shackled as a prisoner. She is forced to accompany her abductor—a laconic, rigid assassin named Taylor—across the war-torn regions of the former United States as Taylor carries out perilous assassinations and leads the growing rebel army.

Relying on each other to stay alive, the antagonistic spark between Lucy and Taylor smolders into an ardent flame. Secrets unravel and the stakes get fatally higher, as the battle between new love and old loyalty may prove more dangerous than the war they’re trying to survive.]]> 396 T.J. O'Shea 1642473782 Sapphic Reads 4
TJ O’Shea is an author who never misses! Even though this book leaned on the longer side, it never felt slow or bogged down by unnecessary detail. Lucy and Taylor were both incredibly likable main characters, and their relationship developed so naturally and beautifully over the course of a year. It was packed with all the “touch her and die�� energy (from both sides!), which made their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers arc even more satisfying.

There was also a major gasp moment a little past the halfway mark that genuinely made me tear up—and of course, I had to stay up way too late reading after that.

The side characters were just as well-developed, and the plot stayed compelling the whole way through. And that epilogue? Absolutely perfect. It wrapped up their story in the most heartwarming way, with a lovely glimpse into their lives six years later.]]> 4.42
author: T.J. O'Shea
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.42
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/22
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: high-4-stars, dystopian, opposites-attract, enemies-to-lovers
review:
4.5

TJ O’Shea is an author who never misses! Even though this book leaned on the longer side, it never felt slow or bogged down by unnecessary detail. Lucy and Taylor were both incredibly likable main characters, and their relationship developed so naturally and beautifully over the course of a year. It was packed with all the “touch her and die�� energy (from both sides!), which made their enemies-to-friends-to-lovers arc even more satisfying.

There was also a major gasp moment a little past the halfway mark that genuinely made me tear up—and of course, I had to stay up way too late reading after that.

The side characters were just as well-developed, and the plot stayed compelling the whole way through. And that epilogue? Absolutely perfect. It wrapped up their story in the most heartwarming way, with a lovely glimpse into their lives six years later.
]]> 204179874 "You'll watch your true love die three times before joining them in death."
I've been living with the curse of that knowledge for years. Since the first half of that prophecy has already come true, I'm going to spend what's left of my life hunting down the vampire who killed my boyfriend.
When she offers me a position at her side, she has no idea that I'm headed for an early grave, and I'm determined to bring her down with me.
Just as soon as I can stop thinking about her and how much I'm tempted to actually stay and serve her.

Marzanna
My strange angel hasn't visited in centuries.
So when she shows up in my throne room with blood on her face and hate in her eyes, I'm determined to do whatever it takes to make her stay.
To make her remember.
To make her mine.

She Came for Blood is intended for readers 18+. You can find the content warnings on the author's website. This book is a vampire romance set in the same world as She Came from the Swamp and She Came at Midnight, but it can be read as a standalone.]]> 379 Darva Green Sapphic Reads 3
It took me a few chapters to really get into this one, but once I hit around chapter 5, I was hooked. The pacing was a bit uneven—slow in parts, then suddenly intense, and then slow again before a pretty abrupt ending—but it didn’t take away too much from the overall experience. Anna and Marzanna were both super likable main characters, and their story was such a sweet, timeless romance. It’s really about finding that one true love that transcends everything, and I loved that.]]> 4.25
author: Darva Green
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.25
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2025/04/12
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: fantasy, opposites-attract, enemies-to-lovers
review:
3.5

It took me a few chapters to really get into this one, but once I hit around chapter 5, I was hooked. The pacing was a bit uneven—slow in parts, then suddenly intense, and then slow again before a pretty abrupt ending—but it didn’t take away too much from the overall experience. Anna and Marzanna were both super likable main characters, and their story was such a sweet, timeless romance. It’s really about finding that one true love that transcends everything, and I loved that.
]]> 223636650
When she’s tasked with caring for an injured prisoner, Ophelia sees the perfect way to prove she’s ready for her Sainting. The prisoner is none other than the Umbra Knight—the most dangerous warrior of Lumendei’s sworn enemy, the Sepulchyre. If she can save the Umbra Knight’s soul by converting her to the Church of the Host, the Saints will surely fight amongst themselves to claim Ophelia.

But the disarmingly beautiful and undeniably deadly knight’s soul is in even worse shape than Ophelia feared. In fact, she insists Ophelia’s beloved God is a murderous liar and her adopted city is built on blackened bones. It’s easy to dismiss as blasphemy, at least at first. Until Lumendei’s gilded secrets begin to tumble from their hiding places and Ophelia herself uncovers a conspiracy ... then she’s forced to consider the idea that Nyatrix—otherwise known as the Umbra Knight—might be telling the truth, and that saving the alluring knight’s soul is the least of her concerns.

A sapphic high fantasy for fans of The Fall That Saved Us and The Foxglove King, Holy Wrath is a standalone novel about the fierceness of queer love and two women who no longer want equality once they’ve tasted revenge.]]> 478 Victoria Mier Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.28 2025
author: Victoria Mier
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 217154109 It can take time to feel proud of who you are.

Violet Kane is perfect. At least, that’s what people are supposed to think. She has the perfect career, the perfect presentation, and, until recently, she was engaged to the perfect man. To everyone around her, she's perfectly happy. But pretending to be happy is difficult when you're breaking apart at the seams. Be it with eighty-hour work weeks, nicotine dependency, or dark thoughts of just ending it all�� Violet has used nearly every tool available to maintain her performance.

If only Violet could trust someone to take that desperate control away. To let her turn off.

Something is hunting Reyna Alvarez, and though she knows what it is, it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. When she contacts the Court of Chains for help, she is confined to a secluded forest cabin for her protection. But hiding and submitting isn't in the nature of a Pride fiend.

So when a beautiful, stressed-out, high-strung woman appears at her cozy prison, Reyna proposes a practical arrangement. If Violet Kane were around—on her knees, no less—isolation might even be fun.

A Little Sin is a lesbian romance that depicts the highs and lows of coming out later in life and learning to live for yourself rather than someone else’s expectations.]]> 561 Rawnie Sabor Sapphic Reads 4 fantasy
This installment definitely leaned more heavily into the BDSM themes—bondage, discipline, dominance, and submission were front and center this time around. I’ll admit I personally preferred Kiss of Seduction, but I still found this one to be an engaging and enjoyable read.

Trigger Warning: This book contains significant discussion of eating disorders. It's a recurring theme that may not be expected given the genre and could be distressing for some readers. Please take care and be mindful before diving in.]]> 4.47 2024
author: Rawnie Sabor
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.47
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/08
date added: 2025/04/08
shelves: fantasy
review:
I had a great time diving into the second installment of the Court of Chains series. Reyna and Violet made such a compelling couple—their chemistry was intense, and the story struck a great balance between drama, angst, steam, and romance. It was also a treat to see more of Blake and Flea from the first book; getting to know them better added a nice layer to the story.

This installment definitely leaned more heavily into the BDSM themes—bondage, discipline, dominance, and submission were front and center this time around. I’ll admit I personally preferred Kiss of Seduction, but I still found this one to be an engaging and enjoyable read.

Trigger Warning: This book contains significant discussion of eating disorders. It's a recurring theme that may not be expected given the genre and could be distressing for some readers. Please take care and be mindful before diving in.
]]> 61440201
Reid never fully understood why Bethany withheld forgiveness all those years ago, but no kiss since has ever been as satisfying as Bethany’s lips on hers. The happenstance run-in was a stroke of luck and ignites Reid’s plan to get to the bottom of Bethany’s silence, a mystery she can’t let drop. But she hadn’t planned on the reckoning in store when she learns the truth.

When Bethany and Reid confront their past, they give new meaning to letting go, forgiveness, and a future worth fighting for.]]> 289 Melissa Brayden 1636793584 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.03 2022
author: Melissa Brayden
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 209754296 A succubus's kiss is deadly... to everyone but her.

Evie is trapped. Held captive by the vampiric Court of Night, she has experienced nothing but pain and terror for over a year. Treasured for her rare and delectable blood, Evie knows she will never see the outside of the dark estate that is her prison. She is fated to be forever ruined by cruel monsters. Her freedom is a concept lost.

Natalya is the second-in-command of the Chicago-based Court of Chains. She is among the rarest monsters—a greater��fiend, a succubus. A being of pure Sin, whose touch is agony and whose kiss is a death sentence. Following a less-than-diplomatic visit to the Court of Night, Natalya finds herself responsible for a human who was so hurt during her captivity that she is believed to be broken. But there's something different about this strange woman. She suffers no pain under Natalya's touch, and she can survive the infernal kiss of a succubus.

But Sin does not invite peace. The vampire King of the Court of Night is a patient man who doesn't like when people take what he believes to be his property. Or which could be his property. And only few things are rarer or more precious than the bound powers of a greater fiend.

Kiss of Seduction is an emotionally charged, sapphic love��story of healing through trauma, reclaiming yourself after tragedy, and trusting another to catch you when you fall.]]> 558 Rawnie Sabor 8797467723 Sapphic Reads 5 fantasy, 5-stars
This was easily my favorite sapphic fantasy read! The world is rich with lore and drama to get lost in, but at its core, the story is all about the romance between Natalya and Evie—which I absolutely adored. Their connection felt genuine and beautifully developed, and the epilogue was a perfect, heartwarming conclusion to their love story.

As a side note, the book does explore some heavier themes, so I’d definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings on the author’s website before diving in.]]> 4.17 2024
author: Rawnie Sabor
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/03/29
date added: 2025/04/04
shelves: fantasy, 5-stars
review:
Did I binge-read all 558 pages in 10 hours? Yes. Yes, I did. I literally could not put it down!

This was easily my favorite sapphic fantasy read! The world is rich with lore and drama to get lost in, but at its core, the story is all about the romance between Natalya and Evie—which I absolutely adored. Their connection felt genuine and beautifully developed, and the epilogue was a perfect, heartwarming conclusion to their love story.

As a side note, the book does explore some heavier themes, so I’d definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings on the author’s website before diving in.
]]> 222914022 From the author of Stars Collide and Cover Story comes a steamy will-they-won’t-they romance about a bright young teacher reconnecting with the jaded professor she once pined for.

For Audrey Lind, working with clay still evokes memories of her favorite professor. The woman’s zeal for art history ignited Audrey’s own academic career—and her tweed blazers and British accent kindled her first female crush. After fate brings Audrey back to Northshire University to teach, she’s thrilled to be working alongside her former mentor, but the grumpy woman she encounters upon her return is nothing like the dynamo she remembers.

Divorce and a stalling career have turned Dr. Michelle Thompson bitter and guarded. When Audrey swoops in to teach the Women in Art class Michelle’s been pitching for years, she longs to hate her. But her young rival is too kind, too enthusiastic, too irresistible. And her passion for life slowly reawakens Michelle’s own.

Wary of age gaps and workplace politics, they suppress their smoldering attraction—until one wine-filled night at the pottery wheel puts their romantic truce to the test. Will they keep things on the tenure track or risk it all for love?]]> 303 Rachel Lacey 1662529236 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 4.13
author: Rachel Lacey
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.13
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 59107871 Would you give up your lifelong dream for a shot at everlasting love?
Amanda Morgan is a morning show host with a fierce reputation, but a bitter divorce has left her feeling all washed up. Being mistaken for a grandmother at her own son’s wedding has her teetering on the edge—until a stranger at the reception rocks her world.
Dakota Washington is a young reporter who is flabbergasted to meet her career idol—and biggest celebrity crush—at a friend’s out-of-town wedding. Their night together goes beyond her wildest fantasies. And she’s had a lot of them.
They were never meant to see each other again, until fate steps in, landing Dakota a job at Amanda’s network in New York City. Thanks to a draconian employment contract, the network could fire them on the spot for getting romantically involved. They agree to keep their distance and never breathe a word about their past.
Easy, right?
Except every time they’re alone for more than five minutes, they end up having sex. Soon, it’s obvious this is more than a fling, leaving them with an unthinkable choice: give up the careers they’ve poured their souls into or lose the love of a lifetime. Which one will be easier to walk away from?
If you enjoy scorching celebrity age-gap romance with a touch of heart, don’t miss the latest collaboration of Miranda MacLeod and TB Markinson.]]> 347 T.B. Markinson Sapphic Reads 0 4.36
author: T.B. Markinson
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.36
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves:
review:
I ended up DNFing this one after chapter three. The dynamic between Dakota and Amanda just didn’t sit right with me. Dakota sleeps with Amanda—someone she’s been 'obsessed with' since she was a literal child—and Amanda has no clue about this fixation.
]]> 35335134 A lesbian romance about the lies we tell ourselves.

108,000 words
Themes: Australia · media mogul boss · New York · newspaper · reporter]]> 339 Lee Winter 3955339009 Sapphic Reads 5
Make sure you don't miss their 2 epilogue stories in Sliced Ice.]]> 4.32 2017
author: Lee Winter
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2024/06/18
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: 5-stars, ice-queen, opposites-attract
review:
Elena Bartell is one of my all-time favourite ice queens. The way Maddie gradually reveals her softer side had me smiling to myself throughout the story.

Make sure you don't miss their 2 epilogue stories in Sliced Ice.
]]> 58674511 ASIN B09BM97JZC moved to the more recent edition

Lambda Literary Award Winner 2022, Lesbian Romance

A chance encounter. An unforgettable night.
And back home, trouble is brewing on the remote island of Three Dragons, where nothing feels like it used to. Alone and lonely, Sam Threadneedle wishes upon a star, hoping for change. But when said change comes, it’s with a roar and not a whimper.
Torn between loyalty and lust, Sam is forced to re-evaluate everything.
Can she and the Home of Dragons withstand the storm that is Magdalene Nox, or will any and all crumble?
Not everything is as it seems, and as she slowly unravels the mysteries behind the centuries-old walls, Sam realizes that home is much more than oak and stone.]]> 280 Milena McKay Sapphic Reads 5
Don't let the fantasy-like synopsis deter you (if you're not a fantasy fan that is); this is a quintessential sapphic romance. Magdalene and Sam's relationship endures some of the most challenging obstacles imaginable, and the connection they build through it all is both beautiful and believable.

Oh! And Willoughby! What a perfect companion for the ice queen that is Magdalene Nox. I absolutely loved their relationship.

I already know this will be a book I return to and re-read time and time again.

Make sure you don't miss their epilogue stories in The Headmistress - The Proposal and The Headmistress - The Wedding. And of course there is a whole book from Magdalene's POV here: Magdalene Nox.]]> 4.43 2021
author: Milena McKay
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2024/06/23
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: 5-stars, ice-queen, opposites-attract
review:
One of my favorite books of the year so far!

Don't let the fantasy-like synopsis deter you (if you're not a fantasy fan that is); this is a quintessential sapphic romance. Magdalene and Sam's relationship endures some of the most challenging obstacles imaginable, and the connection they build through it all is both beautiful and believable.

Oh! And Willoughby! What a perfect companion for the ice queen that is Magdalene Nox. I absolutely loved their relationship.

I already know this will be a book I return to and re-read time and time again.

Make sure you don't miss their epilogue stories in The Headmistress - The Proposal and The Headmistress - The Wedding. And of course there is a whole book from Magdalene's POV here: Magdalene Nox.
]]> 61440496
They’re smart enough to know a star-crossed lovers�� situation never works out. Leah’s a loner from the poor side of town, working two jobs, and aching to leave their sleepy hometown in her rear view forever. Victoria lives in a mansion with her overbearing parents, surrounded by friends and known to none of them, living what others consider a charmed life. When Leah rescues Victoria from a freak rainstorm, they discover an unexpected understanding, and an undeniable spark.

Leah Vasquez and Victoria Lockwood should not fall in love, but they do.

Five years after their scorching summer romance flames out, Victoria returns home to visit her dysfunctional family, fiancé in tow. She’s shocked to find Leah never left town, and more surprisingly, neither did their feelings for each other. Still hurt over how Victoria ended things Leah resists any reconciliation, despite how hotly the embers of their love burn.

Leah Vasquez and Victoria Lockwood definitely should not fall in love…again.

Of course, even if Leah can open her bruised heart to the only girl she ever loved, Victoria must make a life-changing choice: love safely or love bravely.]]> 456 T.J. O'Shea 1642474193 Sapphic Reads 5
I loved every single word. Thank you T.J!]]> 4.44 2022
author: T.J. O'Shea
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.44
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2024/07/27
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: 5-stars, second-chance, opposites-attract
review:
I knew this would be a five-star read by the midway point of the second chapter. T.J. O'Shea's mastery of Sapphic romance is unparalleled. I was smiling so much at my Kindle and simultaneously eager to devour the book and dreading its end.

I loved every single word. Thank you T.J!
]]> 93026765 Two Women. Two Worlds. One Love Worth Risking it All.

When professional soccer player Alex Grey goes on a vacation to the local South Carolina islands, she isn't anticipating any life-changing events. Just a relaxing weekend to prepare for the upcoming season. But that quickly changes when she finds herself the lone witness to a sailing accident and makes the decision to risk her own life to save a drowning woman—unwittingly coming to the rescue of a U.S. senator's wife, Catharine Cleveland.

Despite the vast disparity between their worlds, the two women find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another after the near-catastrophic afternoon. Following a series of interactions from the soccer fields of Portland, to the Marina District of San Francisco Bay, and the cutthroat political circle of Washington, D.C., they find their friendship growing, transforming into an attraction neither woman can deny.

Nor an attraction either woman can comfortably embrace.

As the magnetism of their connection grows, both women are forced to decide if the pursuit of love is worth the cost while living under the scrutiny of the public eye.

The Senator's Wife is Book One in a three book series.]]> 479 Jen Lyon Sapphic Reads 4 age-gap, opposites-attract
In summary: a great story bogged down by rambling.

The story itself was wonderful, with Catherine and Alex as two great main characters whose feelings for each other gradually built into a believable romance.

However, the book was so unnecessarily long, filled with useless and long-winded descriptions and exposition. I just wanted it to get to the point already. I found myself skimming through pages at a time because they were so dragged out.

It’s such a shame. This could have been a 5 star book with some tighter editing.

I can't bring myself to read the rest of the series.]]> 4.40 2023
author: Jen Lyon
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.40
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/08
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: age-gap, opposites-attract
review:
3.5 rounded up.

In summary: a great story bogged down by rambling.

The story itself was wonderful, with Catherine and Alex as two great main characters whose feelings for each other gradually built into a believable romance.

However, the book was so unnecessarily long, filled with useless and long-winded descriptions and exposition. I just wanted it to get to the point already. I found myself skimming through pages at a time because they were so dragged out.

It’s such a shame. This could have been a 5 star book with some tighter editing.

I can't bring myself to read the rest of the series.
]]> 63849297 Fantasy Becomes Reality in this Super Steamy Age-Gap, Ice Queen Romance
When 27-year-old free-spirit Taylor Lopez flies back to Miami to attend her high school reunion, she doesn’t expect to run into Mrs. Alonso �� her former history teacher �� at the airport. The fact that Taylor’s crush on the intense woman comes roaring back to life is not a surprise, but she wasn’t expecting the attraction to go both ways.
Raquel Alonso’s life is too full for romance. Back in Miami to receive an award from the students she taught a decade earlier, the 46-year-old intends on using the rare weekend away to relax. Her plan is disrupted by her undeniable, and inappropriate, chemistry with Taylor.
Unable to stay away from each other, Raquel and Taylor give in to lust. But what happens when it’s time to say goodbye? Can Raquel really keep pretending their time together was just a fling?
If you like super steamy age-gaps hot enough to melt even the coldest ice queen, you’ll love this provocative romance with a ton of heart.]]> 337 J.J. Arias Sapphic Reads 5 “I can’t even remember a time I didn’t love you. This feeling is so big, it’s gone back in time and colored my memories.��

I’m relatively new to J.J. Arias�� work, but after reading Destination You, I’m amazed I hadn’t discovered her books sooner.

I really enjoyed the romance between Taylor and Raquel. Age-gap relationships aren’t typically my preference, but the glowing reviews convinced me to give this one a try. Surprisingly, this book made me reconsider my reservations about the age-gap trope. Despite the nearly 20-year difference, Arias crafted their relationship with such trust and maturity that the age gap felt entirely insignificant by the end.

And I appreciated the [spoilers removed]]]> 4.48 2022
author: J.J. Arias
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.48
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2024/08/12
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: 5-stars, age-gap, opposites-attract
review:
“I can’t even remember a time I didn’t love you. This feeling is so big, it’s gone back in time and colored my memories.��

I’m relatively new to J.J. Arias�� work, but after reading Destination You, I’m amazed I hadn’t discovered her books sooner.

I really enjoyed the romance between Taylor and Raquel. Age-gap relationships aren’t typically my preference, but the glowing reviews convinced me to give this one a try. Surprisingly, this book made me reconsider my reservations about the age-gap trope. Despite the nearly 20-year difference, Arias crafted their relationship with such trust and maturity that the age gap felt entirely insignificant by the end.

And I appreciated the [spoilers removed]
]]> 194922997 A deliciously intense erotic romance. Two resilient women, both juggling the weight of heavy pasts, find healing and hope in one another.Jennifer Dupont lives a successful solitary life as crème de la crème of San Francisco's most elite escort service. To clients, she is the Director, an imposing beauty with a fondness for expensive whisky, tailored suits, and uncompromising control. It's a fitting persona even outside work, as old wounds have left her unwilling to risk her heart. That is, until she meets her newest client.

Over a decade has passed since Theodosia "Dosie" Fisher was rescued from an isolated, abusive cult founded by her father, and while years of therapy have earned her an emotional maturity most never acquire, her body remains neglected, riddled with questions she has long been afraid to confront. So, when her two best friends suggest she hire an escort as a pressure-free way to explore, she decides to go for it.

The attraction is immediate, the curiosity and connection even more so. Every exchange is electric. Every touch sparks. Every kiss siphons secrets and edges them nearer a level of intimacy that Dosie has sought all her life. Jennifer, on the other hand, has only ever wanted the opposite.Content WarningThis novel explores aspects of psychology and mental health and contains occasionally descriptive references to past traumas, including child abuse, physical and mental abuse, cult/religious abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and murder. Please read with care.]]> 418 Corrie MacKay Sapphic Reads 5 4.48
author: Corrie MacKay
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.48
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/01
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: 5-stars, ice-queen, opposites-attract
review:
I absolutely loved this book. It tackles some incredibly heavy topics, but the author handles them with such grace, sensitivity, and a sense of hope that I couldn’t put it down. Dosie and Jennifer are two of the strongest characters I've come across, and their journey from trauma to finding happiness and love is both powerful and inspiring. I can't imagine a better match than these two—they truly bring out the best in each other.
]]> 49112968 An enemies-to-lovers lesbian romance about daring to open your heart.
Dr. Jess Riley’s life is perfect, ticking all the boxes—successful cardiologist, newborn daughter, and a luxurious condo. That is, until she suddenly collapses from acute heart failure. Her entire world crumples along with her exhausted body.
Jess is forced to face facts—she can’t keep working endless hours, and she’ll have to move back home to recover.
To her shock, her mother has already taken in Lena Walker, a struggling artist who isn’t a stranger to heartbreak either.
At first, an unimpressed Jess resents Lena’s cheerful presence. Gradually, though, the two women form a tentative friendship over tai chi, picking fruit, and evening walks with the baby. A sexy massage leads to friends-with-benefits fun. But is it all too soon? Should two barely mended souls try to risk a future together?
This is a standalone novel (101,000 words) set in the same universe as medical romance "Irregular Heartbeat".]]> 274 Chris Zett 3963243163 Sapphic Reads 3 ice-queen, opposites-attract 3.92
author: Chris Zett
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.92
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/01
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: ice-queen, opposites-attract
review:
This book had a slow pace that made it difficult to stay invested. While the story had its moments, I ultimately found the payoff lacking. Jess came across as incredibly selfish, and honestly, Lena deserved much better.
]]> 219840514
Smalltown handywoman Hazel Lee has learned to live her best life regardless of what the universe throws at her. But her patience is sorely tested when a bossy, big-city executive blows in and starts questioning Hazel’s motives for helping an elderly friend.

High-powered businesswoman Imogen Alexander has her career all set. Then her elderly uncle takes a bad fall in his home. Imogen figures she can surely run his life as tightly as her work, but she doesn’t count on an annoying local woman being all up in his business.

Hazel has one leg, two jobs, and a whole bunch of opinions. Worse, now meddling old Uncle George seems intent on match-making the women together.

But what could an icy standoffish executive in hot skirt suits possibly have in common with a cute butch with charm to burn?]]> 274 Cheyenne Blue 3963249560 Sapphic Reads 3 Thank you to Ylva publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5

My first Cheyenne Blue book did not disappoint. I adore an age-gap Ice Queen sapphic romance, and this one delivered beautifully. Chip was a hilarious addition to the cast, and George was an absolute sweetheart, always with the best of intentions. The pacing felt just right throughout, and I really appreciated the representation of a strong female protagonist with a disability.

I also loved the nod to Requiem for Immortals by Lee Winter—it’s always so great to see sapphic authors supporting each other. The cover art was fantastic as well. There were a few spelling errors and some inconsistencies in name spellings, but they didn't take away too much from my enjoyment.

A highlight for me was the gentle intimacy Imogen showed when removing Hazel’s prosthetic—it genuinely made me emotional. Overall, a lovely read!]]> 4.14
author: Cheyenne Blue
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.14
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/03
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: arc-netgalley, opposites-attract
review:
Thank you to Ylva publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5

My first Cheyenne Blue book did not disappoint. I adore an age-gap Ice Queen sapphic romance, and this one delivered beautifully. Chip was a hilarious addition to the cast, and George was an absolute sweetheart, always with the best of intentions. The pacing felt just right throughout, and I really appreciated the representation of a strong female protagonist with a disability.

I also loved the nod to Requiem for Immortals by Lee Winter—it’s always so great to see sapphic authors supporting each other. The cover art was fantastic as well. There were a few spelling errors and some inconsistencies in name spellings, but they didn't take away too much from my enjoyment.

A highlight for me was the gentle intimacy Imogen showed when removing Hazel’s prosthetic—it genuinely made me emotional. Overall, a lovely read!
]]> 56762830 An age-gap, workplace lesbian romance about learning you’re never too broken to be worthy of love.
Nadine Bayani was at the top of her game. The brilliant, ruthless lawyer was in line to be White House chief of staff—until she confessed to campaign finance crimes that cost her party the election.
Now Nadine’s out of prison, broke, hated by millions, and stuck doing a menial retail job in rural Virginia where she barely earns enough to survive.
Bella Clarke has worked at Overstock Oasis since she flunked college. She wants to go back to school, but secretly doubts she’s smart enough. At least she’s not as clueless as her boss, who just accidentally hired the woman responsible for a national scandal.
However, Nadine seems to be nothing like the crook portrayed in the media, and Bella is drawn to her troubled, standoffish co-worker. As they grow closer, Nadine introduces Bella to the delights of Filipino food and opens Bella’s eyes to her own possibilities.
Before long, about the only thing harder to make sense of than Nadine’s past is their powerful chemistry together. Is Bella really falling for a woman who caused so much harm? And even if she is, how can two such different people ever be a match?

Tags: age gap romance, BIPOC, ice queen romance, neurodivergent character, workplace romance]]> 249 Quinn Ivins 396324495X Sapphic Reads 4 age-gap, opposites-attract
The one thing that I didn't like is the cover. See the woman in red? In the book, she's described as an ultra-femme, curvy 30-year-old with blonde curls and bold makeup. Unfortunately, the stock image used doesn't match that at all, and it’s a real pet peeve of mine when publishers don’t capture the essence of the characters in the cover art just because it's cheaper to use a stock image.]]> 4.19
author: Quinn Ivins
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.19
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/24
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: age-gap, opposites-attract
review:
I just finished my first Quinn Ivins book, and I’m already a fan! Bella and Nadine’s story weaves together some classic tropes—friends to lovers, second-chance redemption, and an age-gap romance—and does it really well. Nadine’s past brings just the right amount of drama and angst, and by the end, you really feel like you’ve been on a journey with her. And Bella? Total sweetheart with major golden retriever vibes. She’s the kind of character who instantly warms your heart.

The one thing that I didn't like is the cover. See the woman in red? In the book, she's described as an ultra-femme, curvy 30-year-old with blonde curls and bold makeup. Unfortunately, the stock image used doesn't match that at all, and it’s a real pet peeve of mine when publishers don’t capture the essence of the characters in the cover art just because it's cheaper to use a stock image.
]]> 51179990 With nods to Bridget Jones and Pride and Prejudice, a charming #ownvoices queer rom-com debut about a free-spirited social media astrologer who agrees to fake a relationship with an uptight actuary until New Year’s Eve—with results not even the stars could predict!

After a disastrous blind date, Darcy Lowell is desperate to stop her well-meaning brother from playing matchmaker ever again. Love—and the inevitable heartbreak—is the last thing she wants. So she fibs and says her latest set up was a success. Darcy doesn’t expect her lie to bite her in the ass.

Elle Jones, one of the astrologers behind the popular Twitter account, Oh My Stars, dreams of finding her soul mate. But she knows it is most assuredly not Darcy... a no-nonsense stick-in-the-mud, who is way too analytical, punctual, and skeptical for someone as free-spirited as Elle. When Darcy’s brother—and Elle's new business partner—expresses how happy he is that they hit it off, Elle is baffled. Was Darcy on the same date? Because... awkward.

When Darcy begs Elle to play along, she agrees to pretend they’re dating to save face. But with a few conditions: Darcy must help Elle navigate her own overbearing family over the holidays and their arrangement expires on New Year’s Eve. The last thing they expect is to develop real feelings during a fake relationship.

But maybe opposites can attract when true love is written in the stars?]]> 370 Alexandria Bellefleur 0063000806 Sapphic Reads 4
I absolutely loved the first 90% of Written in the Stars! It’s a delicious sapphic romance with all the good stuff—opposites attract, fake dating, and soulmate vibes—and Darcy and Elle make such a fantastic pair of main characters. The pacing of the buildup was spot on, with plenty of swoon-worthy moments that had me fully invested. For most of the book, it was shaping up to be a solid 5-star read.

That said, the ending didn’t quite land for me. Darcy’s well-meaning brother, Brendon, reveals something about her past to Elle that really should’ve come from Darcy herself. It felt like a breach of trust, and it kind of knocked the emotional arc off balance. Then the reconciliation between Darcy and Elle was squeezed into the final chapter, which felt rushed after all the beautiful buildup. I know they appear in the next two books, but I think Written in the Stars would have really benefited from a proper epilogue to wrap things up more satisfyingly.

Still, a super enjoyable read overall, and one I’d definitely recommend!]]> 3.85 2020
author: Alexandria Bellefleur
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/26
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: fake-dating, opposites-attract
review:
3.5 rounded up.

I absolutely loved the first 90% of Written in the Stars! It’s a delicious sapphic romance with all the good stuff—opposites attract, fake dating, and soulmate vibes—and Darcy and Elle make such a fantastic pair of main characters. The pacing of the buildup was spot on, with plenty of swoon-worthy moments that had me fully invested. For most of the book, it was shaping up to be a solid 5-star read.

That said, the ending didn’t quite land for me. Darcy’s well-meaning brother, Brendon, reveals something about her past to Elle that really should’ve come from Darcy herself. It felt like a breach of trust, and it kind of knocked the emotional arc off balance. Then the reconciliation between Darcy and Elle was squeezed into the final chapter, which felt rushed after all the beautiful buildup. I know they appear in the next two books, but I think Written in the Stars would have really benefited from a proper epilogue to wrap things up more satisfyingly.

Still, a super enjoyable read overall, and one I’d definitely recommend!
]]> 215503220 To keep her soul, she'll have to make a deal with the Devil.

The Dark Lady comes for a witch's soul on their eighteenth birthday. That's the way it's always been, but Vivian's instincts are telling her to run.

So she does.

Fleeing from home and denouncing all magic, she spends the next ten years with one foot out the door, terrified that the ruler of Hell will come knocking. But when her suppressed magic finally breaks free and the Dark Lady tracks her down, it's not to claim her soul. Covens have been disappearing under mysterious circumstances and she needs Vivian--and her magic--to stop it.
Using the Dark Lady's desperation, Vivian strikes a deal: she will help, but only if she gets to keep her soul.

As her connection to both her magic and to the alluring ruler of Hell gets stronger, Vivian uncovers the horrifying truth: there is something far more dangerous than the Devil out there, and it's coming for her.

This is a sapphic paranormal romance with dual POV. ]]> 268 G.E. Masters Sapphic Reads 0 "sexual assult (not between main characters)" and "dubious consent"... This is NOT the case! The Dark Lady literally [spoilers removed] Nothing "dubious" about that.]]> 4.11
author: G.E. Masters
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.11
book published:
rating: 0
read at: 2025/03/27
date added: 2025/03/29
shelves:
review:
DNF this one at 28%. I'm actually really quite disappointed with the author for this one. There is a trigger warning for "sexual assult (not between main characters)" and "dubious consent"... This is NOT the case! The Dark Lady literally [spoilers removed] Nothing "dubious" about that.
]]> 196057931
Aubrey, that’s who.

She’s going anyway, of course. It’s not her friends�� fault her college boyfriend left Aubrey on the day of their wedding. Lies, selfishness, unhappy surprises…no, thank you. And you know who’s responsible for her permanently single status?

Monica, that’s who.

Their friends all say Monica Wallace had a thing for Aubrey back then—not that Aubrey cares one little bit why that still makes her heart race. Monica convinced her best friend Cody that marrying Aubrey, settling down, and locking himself into a 9-to-5 at the expense of his dreams would be a huge mistake. Cody called off the wedding, and Aubrey has never forgiven them.

Aubrey McFadden is never getting married, but she does have five weddings to attend, and she’ll be avoiding Monica at every single one.]]> 240 Georgia Beers 1636796133 Sapphic Reads 0 4.10 2024
author: Georgia Beers
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/27
shelves:
review:

]]> 45020228 April Hawkins is determined to make her new job work. Left as the sole provider for her niece, she just wants to keep her head down and collect her paycheck. That proves to be difficult when one of her bosses seems to hate her and the other seems to like her a little too much. Unfortunately (or fortunately) the one she's attracted to seems bent on making her job as excruciatingly unpleasant as possible.
When Vivian and April's personalities collide, they find their passionate dislike has an unforeseen bonus—a scintillating, consuming chemistry in the bedroom.

62,700 words]]> 319 Raquel De Leon Sapphic Reads 0
This one was a bit of an odd one for me. I tried twice to get through it, taking breaks with other books in between to give it a fair shot, but I just couldn't bring myself to finish. There's something about it—I can’t quite put my finger on it—that just didn’t click. The characters didn’t feel especially likable or relatable, and the story didn’t flow as naturally as I’d hoped. I couldn't feel the chemistry between any of the characters, romance or otherwise. I kept having to tell myself to pay attention, which is never a great sign. There’s nothing overtly wrong with it, but this one just wasn't for me unfortunately.]]> 4.11 2019
author: Raquel De Leon
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at: 2024/01/01
date added: 2025/03/27
shelves:
review:
DNF after chapter 5.

This one was a bit of an odd one for me. I tried twice to get through it, taking breaks with other books in between to give it a fair shot, but I just couldn't bring myself to finish. There's something about it—I can’t quite put my finger on it—that just didn’t click. The characters didn’t feel especially likable or relatable, and the story didn’t flow as naturally as I’d hoped. I couldn't feel the chemistry between any of the characters, romance or otherwise. I kept having to tell myself to pay attention, which is never a great sign. There’s nothing overtly wrong with it, but this one just wasn't for me unfortunately.
]]> 208505547
As the two women from different worlds collide, their connection is electric, their passion undeniable, and a love story unfolds. But fate, of course, has other plans. Heather and Grace confront a heartbreaking ultimatum when Grace's movie adaptation demands Heather as its leading lady. The catch? The studio forbids any off-screen romance between the two.

With hearts torn asunder, their relationship takes an unexpected twist. Through late-night texts, phone calls, and voicemails, the flame of their connection refuses to be extinguished as they grapple with the tantalizing prospect of a love that could either defy all odds or shatter beneath the weight of industry expectations.

In the heart-stirring third act, Heather and Grace must confront the ghosts of their choices and decide if their love is worth the sacrifices demanded by fame and fortune. Will they rewrite the script of their lives, or will their careers that seemingly brought them together become the very thing that tears them apart?]]> 376 Erin Zak Sapphic Reads 0 later-in-life 4.09 2024
author: Erin Zak
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at: 2024/06/25
date added: 2025/03/27
shelves: later-in-life
review:

]]> 29993689
Catherine Gardner knows what it means to work hard. Growing up with little, it's pretty much all she's done for most of her life. As the bookkeeper for Junebug Farms, she handles the money. When Catherine finds herself undeniably attracted to Emily Breckenridge, daughter of the shelter’s largest donor, it doesn't sit well with her. At all.

Emily Breckenridge has spent her life in the shadows of both her family’s money and her brother Clark. But when the reins of the family’s charity foundation are taken from Clark and handed to Emily, it’s her chance to shine on her own. Everything about Catherine Gardner is unexpected, from her emotional reserve to the crazy magnetic pull she has…one Emily can’t seem to fight��

The second in the Puppy Love Romances by award-winning author Georgia Beers.]]> 280 Georgia Beers 0996677453 Sapphic Reads 0
While there wasn’t anything glaringly wrong with it, there wasn’t much to praise either. It was just painfully boring, and I couldn’t bring myself to slog through the remaining chapters. I made it to chapter 7, and nothing remotely substantial had happened. Catherine is being followed around by a terrier, and Emily thinks Catherine is cute—that’s all I got from seven chapters.

I've tried to get into a few Georgia Beers books before with no success. I just don't think her work is for me sadly.]]> 4.09 2016
author: Georgia Beers
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at: 2024/09/05
date added: 2025/03/27
shelves:
review:
DNF after chapter 7.

While there wasn’t anything glaringly wrong with it, there wasn’t much to praise either. It was just painfully boring, and I couldn’t bring myself to slog through the remaining chapters. I made it to chapter 7, and nothing remotely substantial had happened. Catherine is being followed around by a terrier, and Emily thinks Catherine is cute—that’s all I got from seven chapters.

I've tried to get into a few Georgia Beers books before with no success. I just don't think her work is for me sadly.
]]> 213857355
When Lori Hawthorne trades her high-powered city life for the unexpected inheritance of her late aunt's neglected fruit farm in Sedona, Arizona, she soon realizes that mending a broken orchard is only half the battle. Seeking a chance to rewrite her story, she’s determined to breathe new life into both the farm and her own existence.

Gemma Walker, newly released from prison, is searching for a fresh start and a chance to rebuild her life. When a unique rehabilitation program brings her to Rosefield Farm, she finds solace in the nurturing routine of farm life and the unexpected kindness of her new employer.

As Gemma grapples with her past and Lori unearths family secrets, an unlikely love blossoms and they’re reminded that even in the harshest landscapes, hope can take root and flourish.
]]> 366 Lise Gold Sapphic Reads 4 high-4-stars
Going into this, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect based on the description, but I ended up really enjoying my first Lise Gold book! It’s a beautifully sweet story about forgiveness, grief, and moving forward from past trauma.

Gemma and Lori were both fantastic main characters—fully developed, relatable, and easy to root for, both individually and as a couple. Their romance felt natural and heartfelt. The supporting characters, like Tom, Charlotte, Miranda, and Betty, added so much warmth and depth to the story, making it even more enjoyable.

Overall, a lovely read!]]> 4.35
author: Lise Gold
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.35
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/04
date added: 2025/03/26
shelves: high-4-stars
review:
4.5

Going into this, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect based on the description, but I ended up really enjoying my first Lise Gold book! It’s a beautifully sweet story about forgiveness, grief, and moving forward from past trauma.

Gemma and Lori were both fantastic main characters—fully developed, relatable, and easy to root for, both individually and as a couple. Their romance felt natural and heartfelt. The supporting characters, like Tom, Charlotte, Miranda, and Betty, added so much warmth and depth to the story, making it even more enjoyable.

Overall, a lovely read!
]]> 95586387 An exclusive club that caters to women opens Eloise up to a thrilling new world.

There, she discovers freedom, desire…and the mysterious Savannah Sloane.
Meeting the six-foot-tall woman, with her long black hair, seductive green eyes, and moves like a panther, Eloise becomes lost in a whole other way.

Their no-strings-attached arrangement seems perfect until Eloise finds out Savannah has some real-world connections with her daughter. There is no way she can keep seeing Savannah after that…no matter how tempting it is.

Fate may have other ideas.

A lesbian romance about finding your heart after coming out later in life.]]> 232 Donna Jay Sapphic Reads 3 later-in-life
I’m really torn about this book.

I loved how Savannah and Eloise worked through their relationship issues—it was funny and sweet, and seeing Eloise’s friends and family support her coming out was heartwarming. It was refreshing to read a story about a woman coming out later in life, and I appreciated how it tackled the ignorant stereotype that bisexuals are just “confused lesbians.�� On the downside, the mix of American and British terms was really distracting, and the ending didn’t wrap things up properly, leaving key issues unresolved, like Eloise’s strained relationship with her son. Also, the cover was a huge miss—the woman on it looked nothing like the characters, and she seemed way younger than they’re supposed to be. Stock photos aren’t always the way to go!]]> 4.30
author: Donna Jay
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.30
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2024/09/04
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: later-in-life
review:
3.5.

I’m really torn about this book.

I loved how Savannah and Eloise worked through their relationship issues—it was funny and sweet, and seeing Eloise’s friends and family support her coming out was heartwarming. It was refreshing to read a story about a woman coming out later in life, and I appreciated how it tackled the ignorant stereotype that bisexuals are just “confused lesbians.�� On the downside, the mix of American and British terms was really distracting, and the ending didn’t wrap things up properly, leaving key issues unresolved, like Eloise’s strained relationship with her son. Also, the cover was a huge miss—the woman on it looked nothing like the characters, and she seemed way younger than they’re supposed to be. Stock photos aren’t always the way to go!
]]> 60146756
More golden retriever than hard-boiled detective, Morgan is determined to pull the asocial widow out of her shell. As the icy scientist warms to her cheerful new friend, an irrepressible chemistry develops, and Mei begins to realize she’s perhaps a different number on the Kinsey scale than previously considered.

As Mei and Morgan struggle with guilt and grief, drama and desires, Mei finds her scientific austerity is no match for the universe and its nudges toward the startling revelation of what her heart really wants.]]> 292 T.J. O'Shea Sapphic Reads 5 5-stars, later-in-life 4.29
author: T.J. O'Shea
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.29
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/07/15
date added: 2025/03/25
shelves: 5-stars, later-in-life
review:
Simply, I loved it. The characters were humorous, imperfect, and incredibly authentic. The relationship between Mei and Kelly was beautifully developed, and by the end, I was wholeheartedly cheering for their happily ever after as they both put in the work to deserve it.
]]> 223854541 A down-on-her-luck woman makes a deal with a crafty demon to win back her ex-girlfriend after a proposal gone awry, only to discover the girl of her dreams might��be the devil she knows, from nationally bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur.

Samantha Cooper is having a day from hell.

In less than 24 hours, her life has unraveled, leaving her single and with nowhere to live. Adding insult to injury, she’s trapped in an elevator with a gorgeous woman claiming to be a demon.

Daphne is not at all what Samantha expected from someone claiming to be an evil supernatural entity. She’s pretty, witty, dressed in pink, and smells nice. And she’s here to offer Samantha a deal she can’t refuse. Six wishes in exchange for one tiny trade—Samantha’s soul. There’s a glaring loophole in their contract, one Samantha fully intends to exploit so she doesn’t fork over her soul. After all, she only needs one wish to win her ex back.

Hell-bent to gather the last of the one thousand souls she needs so that she can be free of her own devilish deal, Daphne grants each of Samantha’s wishes . . . with a twist, so that Samantha is forced to make another.

As Samantha’s wishes dwindle and Daphne offers her glimpses into the life she thought she wanted, the unlikely pair grows close. Perhaps the girl of Samantha’s dreams is actually the stuff of nightmares, but Samantha and Daphne will have to outsmart the Devil himself if they want a chance at happily ever after.]]> 336 Alexandria Bellefleur 0593952502 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.88 2025
author: Alexandria Bellefleur
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 199628431 Love is more than just a game for two.

It’s 1857, and anxious debutante Beth has just one season to snag a wealthy husband, or she and her mother will be out on the street.

Gwen, on the other hand, is on her fourth season and counting, with absolutely no intention of finding a husband, possibly ever. She has plenty of security as the only daughter of a rakish earl, from whom she’s inherited her penchant for drinking too much and dancing ‘til dawn.

Beth and Gwen are enchanted with each other on sight. And it doesn’t take long for Gwen to hatch her latest scheme: rather than join the husband hunt, they should set up Gwen’s father and Beth’s newly-widowed mother.

They had a fling years ago, after all��

A swoon-worthy debut queer Victorian romance in which two debutantes distract themselves from having to seek husbands by setting up their widowed parents, and instead find their perfect match in each other—the lesbian Bridgerton you never knew you needed!]]> 370 Emma R. Alban 1405966122 Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.81 2024
author: Emma R. Alban
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 211078779
In a world overrun by an unprecedented outbreak, two young women find themselves on opposite sides of the struggle for survival.

Saff, a determined new doctor in the first year of her internship, had clawed her way out of a tumultuous past, only to be dragged back into it when the zombie outbreak hits. Forced to join her estranged father and his band of raiders, she’s confronted with the harsh reality that desperation can make monsters out of anyone—even her.

Maddie, on the other hand, lived a surprisingly easy life after the zombies first appeared, safe behind the walls of the community at her parent’s lake house. That is, until they’re attacked, and she’s ripped away from everything she’s known. Now, she’ll do anything to make it back to her family.

And when Saff’s father dies, she finally has the chance she’s been waiting for. The chance to escape. But only if she can steal the medication she desperately needs and survive long enough to get to safety.

With both girls fighting their way to stay alive day by day, in a world where every circumstance is against them, they realize that maybe travelling together can help them both get what they need.

But Maddie doesn’t know Saff’s secret. She doesn’t know where she came from—what she was. And Saff will do anything, especially lie, to get the medication she needs.

The absolute last thing she needs is to fall for some smart ass rich girl who will get in the way of that.]]> 542 Nicole Maser Sapphic Reads 5 5-stars, dystopian “I don’t think I can leave you.��

I didn't want it to end! God, I loved Saff and Maddie and their whole journey together. The pacing was excellent and it had the perfect blend of romance, angst and action.

I'm already looking forward to a re-read.]]> 4.47
author: Nicole Maser
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.47
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/08/11
date added: 2025/03/22
shelves: 5-stars, dystopian
review:
“I don’t think I can leave you.��

I didn't want it to end! God, I loved Saff and Maddie and their whole journey together. The pacing was excellent and it had the perfect blend of romance, angst and action.

I'm already looking forward to a re-read.
]]> 42038077
Karen Stephens is an ordinary woman living an ordinary life in the year 2010. Until the day she hears something. A song, an unfamiliar one that moves her in a way she cannot understand or explain.

Judy Paige was also an ordinary woman, who lived an ordinary life, up until the day she sang a song at a concert in the year 1964.

When Karen's curiosity about the song she heard turns into an obsession about the woman who sang it, she's drawn to the town of Leyfant, Texas. The town Judy Paige was born and raised in, and it's there that Karen is approached by a man who calls himself Mr. Smith. A man who asks Karen a simple question. "Would you like to meet her?"

The question is simple, but the answer is not.

Because Judy Paige has been dead for almost twenty years.]]> 268 Debra Flores Sapphic Reads 3 sci-if
I know I'm in the minority here, as it seems like 99.9% of readers absolutely loved this book, but it just didn't fully resonate with me. Don't get me wrong—I was really drawn to the premise, and the writing itself was fantastic.

However, when it comes to time travel as a plot device, I felt like I missed out on truly feeling the connection between Judith and Evelyn. We're mainly told about the incredible years they shared and the deep love they had, but I found myself wishing for more. I wanted to experience their relationship firsthand, to see the moments that built their bond over time, rather than just being told how happy they were together. For me, that would have made their story more impactful.]]> 4.43 2018
author: Debra Flores
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/14
date added: 2025/03/22
shelves: sci-if
review:
3.5.

I know I'm in the minority here, as it seems like 99.9% of readers absolutely loved this book, but it just didn't fully resonate with me. Don't get me wrong—I was really drawn to the premise, and the writing itself was fantastic.

However, when it comes to time travel as a plot device, I felt like I missed out on truly feeling the connection between Judith and Evelyn. We're mainly told about the incredible years they shared and the deep love they had, but I found myself wishing for more. I wanted to experience their relationship firsthand, to see the moments that built their bond over time, rather than just being told how happy they were together. For me, that would have made their story more impactful.
]]> 42602313
With charm unparalleled and habits as mysterious as her history, Carmilla’s allure is undeniable, drawing Laura closer with every affectionate touch and word. Attraction blossoms into a temptation Laura fears to name, a tantalizing passion burning brighter than the fires of hell. But when a mysterious plague begins stealing the lives of young women in her home and the village beyond, Laura wrestles to reconcile the truth �� that the gentle, fragile woman she loves may be a monster cast out of heaven.

Carmilla, the classic vampire novella written by J Sheridan LeFanu, receives new life in this gorgeous retelling, centered on the provocative, controversial leads of the original, Carmilla and Laura.]]> 159 S.D. Simper 1732461171 Sapphic Reads 3 fantasy
A beautifully paced and skillfully written retelling of J. Sheridan LeFanu's Carmilla. With its short captivating tale of star-crossed, lesbian vampire lovers, it delivers everything you could want in a gothic romance.]]> 4.24 2018
author: S.D. Simper
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2024/09/21
date added: 2025/03/22
shelves: fantasy
review:
3.5 (would probably be a 4 had I read the original).

A beautifully paced and skillfully written retelling of J. Sheridan LeFanu's Carmilla. With its short captivating tale of star-crossed, lesbian vampire lovers, it delivers everything you could want in a gothic romance.
]]> 229287324 Phoenix Kathryn Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 0.0
author: Phoenix Kathryn
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 58577019
Single mom Belle Rodgers services pools during the day and works for Hamptons�� Escorts a few nights a week. She loves giving her female clients the only thing their rich husbands can’t provide: an unforgettable night between the sheets. Belle’s number one rule is to not get emotionally invested but when her secret crush Reina books her, that proves to be a tough challenge.

Between their differences in lifestyle and Belle having a less than conventional job, nothing is simple and they struggle to fight their undeniable chemistry. Can Reina come to terms with her sexuality? And can Belle find the trust to open herself up? Storms are beautiful but they can also be destructive��

The Next Life: a sizzling collaboration from bestselling author Lise Gold & erotica author, Madeleine Taylor.

102,000 words]]> 418 Lise Gold Sapphic Reads 3 later-in-life
I’ll admit, I was a little hesitant going into this one��"MILF sleeping with the pool girl" and "client falling for escort" aren’t exactly fresh tropes. But I was pleasantly surprised! This turned out to be a heartwarming found-family story with a beautiful later-in-life coming-out arc. The writing was easy to sink into, with well-crafted spicy scenes and genuinely touching moments between Reina, Belle, and their families.

That said, I did feel like the love declarations came a little fast for my taste, but that’s just personal preference. If you enjoy toaster-oven sapphic romances with a mix of heat and heartfelt emotion, this one’s definitely worth a read!]]> 4.39 2019
author: Lise Gold
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/15
date added: 2025/03/15
shelves: later-in-life
review:
3.5

I’ll admit, I was a little hesitant going into this one��"MILF sleeping with the pool girl" and "client falling for escort" aren’t exactly fresh tropes. But I was pleasantly surprised! This turned out to be a heartwarming found-family story with a beautiful later-in-life coming-out arc. The writing was easy to sink into, with well-crafted spicy scenes and genuinely touching moments between Reina, Belle, and their families.

That said, I did feel like the love declarations came a little fast for my taste, but that’s just personal preference. If you enjoy toaster-oven sapphic romances with a mix of heat and heartfelt emotion, this one’s definitely worth a read!
]]> 229016573
Ava Bedford’s quiet existence in Nevada shatters when she becomes the sole witness to a brutal murder linked to rising political star Congressman Richard Callahan. Forced into witness protection, Ava is relocated to Cedar Falls, a rugged Wyoming town nestled in the shadow of towering mountains. But even in this peaceful haven, danger lurks—and it’s never far behind.

Sheriff Lou Harman thrives on the steady rhythm of Cedar Falls, her days spent keeping the peace and seeking solace with her horses. She’s built her life around control and self-reliance, so when Ava arrives with her sharp wit and disarming openness, Lou’s carefully constructed walls begin to crumble. What starts as a duty to protect soon blossoms into an undeniable connection, forcing both women to confront feelings they never expected.

But as shadows from Ava’s past creep closer, trust proves to be as fragile as it is vital. Together, Ava and Lou must decide how much they’re willing to risk for a chance at the life—and love—they’ve both been searching for.

Blood and Muscle is a thrilling yet tender sapphic romance about resilience, trust, and the courage to build something lasting in uncertain times.]]> 367 Elle Alexanda Sapphic Reads 0 to-read 3.94 2025
author: Elle Alexanda
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/14
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 58208210 Alone since her father’s murder, Aurora has spent years hunting his killers. Battle-weary she’s ready to start over where no one knows who or what she is �� she just has one last mission. Everything is going to plan until she discovers the beautiful winged girl caged underground. Her decision to rescue Evie and to help her get home safely, despite avians being infamous for selling out shifters like Aurora to trophy hunters and black-market flesh dealers, will put her on a perilous path.
As the women travel together their attraction grows but Aurora is guarding her lonely heart almost as much as her dangerous secrets and Evie is struggling to accept how important Aurora has become to her.
When their enemies conspire to kill them, they may be each other’s only hope. Aurora is powerful but she’s also emotionally scarred and it will be up to Evie to save her from herself and fight for them. If she doesn't innocent people will die along with the guilty ones and Aurora will disappear from Evie’s life forever.

228,000 words]]> 545 Emily Noon 0473488329 Sapphic Reads 4 high-4-stars, fantasy “I hope that you will wear the necklace occasionally and remember me kindly.��

4.5

Finished! 545 pages later, and I'm so impressed—I can't believe this was a debut novel!

I'll keep it short and sweet—Emily Noon is an exceptional author, and it's no surprise this book has racked up so many glowing reviews and awards.

Evie and Aurora's relationship was such a highlight for me. It was heartfelt, all-encompassing, and beautifully written. The characters and world-building were absolutely next level, incredibly detailed and immersive. I found myself completely absorbed from start to finish. Sure, there were a few moments where the story felt like it dragged a tad, but those were rare.

Even though fantasy books aren’t usually my go-to, I’m so glad I gave this one a chance. I would highly recommend it to any sapphic romance lover.

One important thing to mention—there are a few mentions of child SA that happened off page. That was an uncomfortable subject to come across out of nowhere and a content warning at the start of the book would have been appreciated.]]> 4.23 2019
author: Emily Noon
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/15
date added: 2025/03/13
shelves: high-4-stars, fantasy
review:
“I hope that you will wear the necklace occasionally and remember me kindly.��

4.5

Finished! 545 pages later, and I'm so impressed—I can't believe this was a debut novel!

I'll keep it short and sweet—Emily Noon is an exceptional author, and it's no surprise this book has racked up so many glowing reviews and awards.

Evie and Aurora's relationship was such a highlight for me. It was heartfelt, all-encompassing, and beautifully written. The characters and world-building were absolutely next level, incredibly detailed and immersive. I found myself completely absorbed from start to finish. Sure, there were a few moments where the story felt like it dragged a tad, but those were rare.

Even though fantasy books aren’t usually my go-to, I’m so glad I gave this one a chance. I would highly recommend it to any sapphic romance lover.

One important thing to mention—there are a few mentions of child SA that happened off page. That was an uncomfortable subject to come across out of nowhere and a content warning at the start of the book would have been appreciated.
]]> 215534202 396 Ruby Roe 1913236234 Sapphic Reads 4 fantasy
That said, I have to give credit where it's due—the big plot twist caught me completely off guard, and I loved that surprise. I also really enjoyed seeing where most of the characters wound up in the end; it gave the story a nice sense of closure.

And, following up on my thoughts from book two, I have to say—Red mostly redeemed herself this time around!]]> 4.41
author: Ruby Roe
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.41
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/26
date added: 2025/03/13
shelves: fantasy
review:
Definitely an improvement over the second book, though it still doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first!

That said, I have to give credit where it's due—the big plot twist caught me completely off guard, and I loved that surprise. I also really enjoyed seeing where most of the characters wound up in the end; it gave the story a nice sense of closure.

And, following up on my thoughts from book two, I have to say—Red mostly redeemed herself this time around!
]]> 208084345
The trials for the heir of the city have begun, and the stakes have never been higher.

Red, a hunter, is struggling with her growing hunger for blood and the truth of her identity.
Octavia Beaumont, one of the original three vampires, is determined to win the trials and take control of the city.

But as Red and Octavia navigate deadly challenges and political machinations, they must also confront the lies and betrayals that have shaped their past.

Memories have been stolen.
Secrets have been kept.
And the line between love and hate has never been more blurred.

As the trials progress, Red and Octavia's bond grows stronger, but so does the target on their backs. Enemies lurk in every shadow, and even allies can no longer be trusted.

To survive the trials and uncover the truth...
They must decide how much they're willing to sacrifice.
Confront the monsters they've become.

And embrace a destiny that could destroy everything they hold dear.

But in a world where blood is power and love is a weakness, can Red and Octavia emerge victorious? Or will their secrets be their undoing?

This is a dark and steamy lesbian vampire romance with a generous dose of enemies to lovers, fated mates, and political intrigue. Featuring a snarky dhampir heroine, a morally grey vampire queen, explicit BDSM, blood play, and shocking twists, this book is not for the faint of heart. Please check the author's website for a full list of trigger warnings. 18+ only.]]> 387 Ruby Roe 1913236927 Sapphic Reads 3 fantasy
I enjoyed this second book, but not nearly as much as the first. It felt so dragged out, like I was trapped in an endless loop of “I love you, I hate you�� for 387 pages. By the end, I was just tired. Fingers crossed the third and final book brings back the magic of book one.]]> 4.35 2024
author: Ruby Roe
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.35
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/02/26
date added: 2025/03/13
shelves: fantasy
review:
Le sigh. Red, Red, Red�� I don't think I've ever wanted to throw a fictional character off a cliff as much as her. Octavia deserves so much better. She has sacrificed everything for Red—again and again—and not only is Red ungrateful, but she's also downright spiteful in return. It’s exhausting. I’m hoping for some kind of redemption arc in the final book, but at this point, Red has a lot of ground to cover before I’m remotely back on her side.

I enjoyed this second book, but not nearly as much as the first. It felt so dragged out, like I was trapped in an endless loop of “I love you, I hate you�� for 387 pages. By the end, I was just tired. Fingers crossed the third and final book brings back the magic of book one.
]]> 45416596 From the New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & the Six—an entrancing and “wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet�� (PopSugar) as she reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ��80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

“Heartbreaking, yet beautiful�� (Jamie Blynn, Us Weekly), The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is “Tinseltown drama at its finest�� (Redbook): a mesmerizing journey through the splendor of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means—and what it costs—to face the truth.]]> 434 Taylor Jenkins Reid Sapphic Reads 5 second-chance, later-in-life 4.46 2017
author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.46
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2023/08/10
date added: 2025/03/13
shelves: second-chance, later-in-life
review:

]]> 55358761
Since she lost her voice ten years ago, Izzy’s been to hell—and hasn’t found her way back. She would rather die than live without the instrument that used to define her.

When journalist Leila Zadeh is brought in to finish her biography, Izzy’s desire to end her life is profoundly challenged. But is the attraction between the two women enough to upend Izzy's plan?

Best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss brings you a moving story about a woman’s journey from wanting death to choosing life.]]> 262 Harper Bliss 9887441570 Sapphic Reads 5 5-stars, later-in-life "Maybe you needed this journey. Maybe you needed this pain to make a new kind of music."

Wow, just wow. This book was absolutely beautiful, powerful, and full of meaning. I fell in love with every single character, but Izzy especially stole my heart. She’s hands down one of the best sapphic characters I've ever read about. Her journey felt so real and raw; I loved how, even though her love for Leila sparked her desire to live, what really sealed the deal was finding peace with her own pain and rediscovering love and joy. It was such a pleasure to read, and I found myself smiling more than once. This story is definitely going to stick with me for a long time.]]> 4.32 2020
author: Harper Bliss
name: Sapphic Reads
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/09
date added: 2025/03/13
shelves: 5-stars, later-in-life
review:
"Maybe you needed this journey. Maybe you needed this pain to make a new kind of music."

Wow, just wow. This book was absolutely beautiful, powerful, and full of meaning. I fell in love with every single character, but Izzy especially stole my heart. She’s hands down one of the best sapphic characters I've ever read about. Her journey felt so real and raw; I loved how, even though her love for Leila sparked her desire to live, what really sealed the deal was finding peace with her own pain and rediscovering love and joy. It was such a pleasure to read, and I found myself smiling more than once. This story is definitely going to stick with me for a long time.
]]>