en-US Fri, 09 May 2025 09:19:36 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg ReadStatus9405381074 Fri, 09 May 2025 09:19:36 -0700 /review/show/7539394291 Sapphic Reads started reading Eternal Captive by Elle Mae
]]> Review6922962846 Fri, 09 May 2025 09:05:02 -0700 /review/show/6922962846 Sapphic Reads gave 3 stars to Hers to Keep (Irresistibly Bound, #3) by Anna Stone
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. ]]> Review7550769529 Wed, 07 May 2025 10:56:52 -0700 /review/show/7550769529 Sapphic Reads gave 3 stars to Nightingale (Birds and Butterflies #3) by Frances M. Thompson
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. ]]> Review7501467438 Thu, 01 May 2025 15:30:15 -0700 /review/show/7501467438 Sapphic Reads gave 2 stars to Serpentine Valentine (Kindle Edition) by Giana Darling
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.

—â¶Ä�

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. ]]> Review6650998956 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 12:43:35 -0700 /review/show/6650998956 Sapphic Reads gave 3 stars to If the Shoe Fits (Ask, Tell, #3) by E.J. Noyes
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. ]]> Review7447075283 Sat, 19 Apr 2025 11:12:48 -0700 /review/show/7447075283 Sapphic Reads gave 4 stars to Relinquishing Control (Dominion #3) by J.J. Arias
bookshelves: later-in-life, ice-queen
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. ]]> Review7485043040 Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:26:34 -0700 /review/show/7485043040 Sapphic Reads gave 5 stars to Tryst Six Venom (ebook) by Penelope Douglas
bookshelves: enemies-to-lovers, 5-stars, opposites-attract
“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. ]]> Review7465108391 Mon, 14 Apr 2025 02:27:32 -0700 /review/show/7465108391 Sapphic Reads gave 2 stars to Loathing You (Kindle Edition) by Amina Khan
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. ]]> Review7453945046 Sat, 12 Apr 2025 01:37:00 -0700 /review/show/7453945046 Sapphic Reads gave 3 stars to She Came for Blood (Dreamers & Demons: Sapphic Monsters #3) by Darva Green
bookshelves: fantasy, opposites-attract, enemies-to-lovers
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. ]]> Review7445381901 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 10:24:34 -0700 /review/show/7445381901 Sapphic Reads gave 4 stars to A Little Sin (Court of Chains, #2) by Rawnie Sabor
bookshelves: fantasy
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. ]]>